CO0052918 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

Soil Investigations for Data Collection in the Delta Initial Study/Proposed Mitigated Negative Declaration 61 Golden Eagle is regularly observed foraging and suitable foraging habitat and nest trees exist in the Study Area, however no nesting has been recorded within 1 mile of the Study Area. Therefore, Golden Eagle has a moderate potential to occur within the Study Area. No take of Golden Eagle per California Fish and Game Code Section 3511 would occur due to the Proposed Project; however, CEQA considers potential effects beyond direct take of Fully Protected species. Implementation of Mitigation Measures MM AES-1, MM BIO-1 and MM BIO-6 would reduce impacts to Golden Eagle to: Less than Significant with Mitigation Incorporated. Short-eared Owl (Asio flammeus) Short-eared Owl is a California Species of Special Concern. Short-eared Owl is a medium-sized owl with brown and cream streaked plumage and yellow eyes (Wiggins et al. 2006). The species range includes much of North America; in California, it is patchily distributed throughout the state, including portions of the Sacramento and San Joaquin Valleys, northeastern California, and a few scattered coastal sites (Roberson 2008). Breeding and foraging habitat for Short-eared Owl includes emergent wetland, grasslands, and grassland-like cultivated lands such as pastures and alfalfa fields. Short-eared Owl hunts around dawn and dusk, primarily for small mammals (Fisler 1960, Wiggins et al. 2006). Nests are constructed on dry ground in a depression concealed by vegetation. Breeding occurs from early March through July (CDFW 2005a). Short-eared Owl has been observed at several locations in the vicinity of the Study Area, and some suitable nesting habitat may be present in wetlands within the Study Area, therefore Short-eared Owl is considered to have a moderate potential to occur. Implementation of Mitigation Measures MM BIO-1 and MM BIO-6 would reduce potential impacts to Short-eared Owl to: Less than Significant with Mitigation Incorporated. Western Burrowing Owl (Athene cunicularia) Western Burrowing Owl is a California Species of Special Concern. Burrowing Owl is a small, ground-dwelling owl with brown and cream plumage and yellow eyes. The species’ range extends from Canada to Mexico and is found throughout California except for high elevations (Poulin et al. 2011). It primarily inhabits grasslands with abundant ground squirrel populations, but also occurs in desert and open shrub habitats. Burrowing Owl uses burrows in areas with relatively short vegetation with sparse shrubs or taller vegetation for roosting and nesting and can persist in human-altered landscapes. Individuals in agricultural environments nest along roadsides and water conveyance structures. Breeding occurs from February through September (CDFW 1999a). Western Burrowing Owl has a high potential to occur within the Study Area, as suitable habitat occurs in many locations and there are several reported