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Memorandum TETRA TECH <br /> 3.0 RESULTS <br /> 3.1 Ephemeral Pond <br /> The ephemeral pond was observed in the southeast portion of the property (Figure 1 in <br /> Attachment A). The pond appeared to have recently receded, based on the presence of surface soil <br /> cracks, but standing water was still present at a depth of approximately 1 to 2 feet deep. The water <br /> was turbid and murky,and the soil was a silty clay color of 10YR 3/1. Deep soil cracks were present <br /> where the water had receded. Cattle tracks surrounded the pond;cattle were observed elsewhere <br /> within the Project property during the site visit. Two debris piles containing cut wood were observed; <br /> one is located next to the pond,and one was located in the pond (the general location is shown in <br /> Figure 1).Two species of common amphibians were observed to be inhabiting the pond and directly <br /> adjacent area,specifically: California toad (Anaxyrus boreas halophilus) and Sierran treefrog <br /> (Pseudacris sierra). No tadpoles or fairy shrimp were observed in the water. Photographs of the <br /> ephemeral pond are included in Attachment B. <br /> 3.1.1 Special-status Species <br /> The pond was evaluated for its potential to support special-status species,such as CTS,western <br /> spadefoot,and vernal pool invertebrates such as the longhorn fairy shrimp and vernal pool fairy <br /> shrimp. If water is present,the ephemeral pond has the potential to support breeding habitat for the <br /> CTS and western spadefoot.The pond would not support breeding California red-legged frog due to <br /> the lack of emergent vegetation. However, it is infrequently ponded as shown in historic aerial <br /> imagery and was not observed during previous Tetra Tech surveys in January, March,and September <br /> 2022. This pond is likely only present during high rainfall years,such as the 2022-2023 historically high <br /> rainfall year. During a review of available aerial imagery from 1937 to 2022,there was no evidence of <br /> ponding water.This pond likely only holds water seasonally during high rainfall years and is typically <br /> dry;therefore,the likelihood of longhorn fairy shrimp and vernal pool fairy shrimp presence in this <br /> pond is low. Branchiopod cysts can persist in soil substrate for decades, but generally require <br /> recurring ponding to continue their lifecycle. <br /> The EIR will include an analysis of the Project's potential impacts to CTS,western spadefoot, <br /> California red-legged frog,and vernal pool invertebrates. Measures will be proposed to mitigate <br /> Project impacts.Although the ephemeral pond is outside of the Project footprint, it is approximately <br /> 40 feet away from the Project footprint boundary and has the potential to be impacted by indirect <br /> effects. <br /> 3.1.2 Jurisdictional Delineation <br /> The pond was evaluated for hydrophytic vegetation, hydric soils,and wetland hydrology per the <br /> Interim Regional Supplement to the Corps of Engineering Wetland Delineation Manual:Arid West Region <br /> (U.S.Army Corps of Engineers[USACE] 2008), a supplement to the Corps of Engineers Wetland <br /> Delineation Manual(Environmental Laboratory 1987),to determine the presence or absence of <br /> wetlands and Waters of the U.S.that are potentially subject to regulation under Section 404 of the <br /> Clean Water Act.This delineation methodology was also used to evaluate potential Waters of the <br /> State under Regional Water Quality Control Board (RWQCB)jurisdiction. "Waters of the State"are <br /> 2 J u ly 2023 <br />