CO0052918 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

Soil Investigations for Data Collection in the Delta Initial Study/Proposed Mitigated Negative Declaration 58 Grasshopper Sparrow is a California Species of Special Concern. The Grasshopper Sparrow is a small sparrow lacking distinct markings (Vickery 1996). The species breeding range in California is fragmented throughout the state west of the Cascade-Sierra Nevada Crest (Dobkin and Granholm 2008, Vickery 1996). Grasshopper Sparrow occurs in dry, dense grasslands with a variety of grasses and tall forbs and scattered shrubs for singing perches. The species may form semi-colonial breeding groups but does not form flocks in winter. Nests are built in shorter, moderately grazed open grasslands but have also been recorded in grassland-like cultivated lands such as alfalfa (Unitt 2008, Grinnell and Miller 1944). Breeding occurs from early April to mid-July, with a peak activity in May and June (CDFW 2008b). Grasshopper Sparrows have been observed rarely in the winter in the vicinity of the Study Area, however minimal suitable nesting habitat is present, and there are no occurrences within 5 miles. Therefore, Grasshopper Sparrow has a low potential to occur within the Study Area and potential impacts would be less than significant. Implementation of Mitigation Measures MM AES-1, MM BIO-1 and MM BIO-8 would further avoid, minimize and/or reduce the potential for impacts to Grasshopper Sparrows. MM BIO-8: Nesting Birds To minimize and avoid the potential impacts to nesting birds (non-raptor) protected by the MBTA and Fish and Game Code that may occur within the Study Area the following general measures will be implemented: a. For soil investigation field activities that will occur February 1 – August 31, a pre-activity survey for actively nesting birds will be conducted a maximum of 72 hours prior to the onset of soil investigation activities by a qualified biologist. The qualified biologist(s) must, at a minimum, have experience conducting surveys to identify the specific species and associated habitat that could occur on site. b. If any active nests are identified within or adjacent to an Impact Area, a buffer will be put in place to ensure that no take (as defined by MBTA), and no take, possession, or needless destruction (as prohibited under the Fish and Game Code) occurs. This buffer will be up to 50 feet, but can be smaller, dependent on-site conditions and at the discretion of the qualified biologist Lesser Sandhill Crane (Antigone canadensis canadensis) Lesser Sandhill Crane is a California species of special concern. Lesser Sandhill Crane is a large gray, heavy-bodied bird with a long neck, long legs, and red plumage on top of the head. The subspecies range includes much of North America; the population that occurs in the Study Area breeds in Alaska and