CO0052918 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

Soil Investigations for Data Collection in the Delta Initial Study/Proposed Mitigated Negative Declaration 62 occurrences. Implementation of Mitigation Measures MM BIO-1 and MM BIO-10 would reduce potential impacts to Western Burrowing Owl to: Less than Significant with Mitigation Incorporated. MM BIO-10: Burrowing Owl To minimize and avoid the potential impacts to Burrowing Owl that may occur within the Study Area, the following general measures will be implemented: a. In areas with the potential for Burrowing Owl to occur, prior to soil investigation field activities, a qualified biologist will conduct a pre-activity survey. The surveys will establish the presence or absence of Burrowing Owl and/or suitable habitat features and evaluate use by owls in accordance with CDFW survey guidelines (CDFW 1993). For each Impact Area, the biologist will survey the proposed disturbance footprint and a 500-foot radius from the perimeter of the proposed footprint to identify any suitable burrows and owls. Adjacent parcels under different land ownership will not be surveyed. Surveys should take place near sunrise or sunset in accordance with CDFW guidelines. Suitable burrows or Burrowing Owls will be identified and mapped. Surveys will take place no more than 30 days prior to soil investigation field activities. During the breeding season (February 1– August 31), surveys will document whether Burrowing Owls are nesting in or directly adjacent to any Impact Area. During the nonbreeding season (September 1–January 31), surveys will document whether Burrowing Owls are using habitat in or directly adjacent to any disturbance area. Survey results will be valid only for the season (breeding or nonbreeding) during which the survey is conducted. b. If Burrowing Owls are found during the breeding season (February 1 – August 31), all nest sites that could be disturbed by project activities will be avoided during the remainder of the breeding season or while the nest is occupied by adults or young. Avoidance will include establishment of a non-disturbance buffer zone (described below in parts c and d). c. Soil investigation activities may occur during the breeding season only if a qualified biologist monitors the nest and determines that the birds have not begun egg-laying and incubation or that the juveniles from the occupied burrows have fledged. During the nonbreeding season (September 1 – January 31) the owls and the burrows they are using should be avoided, if possible. Avoidance will include the establishment of a buffer zone (described below). d. During the breeding season, buffer zones of at least 250 feet in which no soil investigation activities can occur will be established around each occupied burrow (nest site). Buffer zones of 160 feet will be established