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J��'tF11 STq 'Poo UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY W REGION IX ° 75 Hawthorne Street San Francisco , CA 94105-3901 q4 PRO Vv September 16, 2021 MEMORANDUM SUBJECT: San Joaquin Cogeneration Facility TSCA Cleanup under 761 .61 EPA Endangered Species Act Determination FROM : Sara Ziff Environmental Engin eerr i TO : W. Patrick Frier Project Manager On August 26 , 2021 , I obtained an official list of threatened and endangered species and designated critical habitat from the U. S . Fish & Wildlife Service (USFWS) for the area of the subject project, and I reviewed that list. I also reviewed correspondence from Brian Millman, the onsite project geologist with AdvancedGeo, Inc. , who stated that based on his numerous site visits, "the site consists of bare and paved ground, grasses, and a limited number of trees . There are no bushes or shrubs at the property, and to my knowledge no Elderberry Bushes . " Of the species on the official USFWS list for the area of the subject project, most require riparian habitat or the presence of a standing water body, which the site lacks . The remaining are found in grassland communities containing both annual and perennial grasses on the edge of oak or juniper woodland (which is not true of the site) at an elevation of about 1000 feet (not true of this site, which is at � l 5 -20 feet elevation), or require elderberry bushes to survive (which the site lacks). Based on this review, I have determined that the federal action comprised by the subject project will have no effect on threatened or endangered species or designated critical habitat. By making this determination, EPA completes its obligation under Section 7 of the Endangered Species Act and does not need to consult with the. US Fish and Wildlife Service to issue the cleanup approval. Please contact me if you have any questions.