Laserfiche WebLink
4 Environmental Analysis <br /> 4.4 Biological Resources <br /> 4.4.1 Existing Conditions <br /> 4.4.1.1 Site Setting <br /> The Project site is located within the San Joaquin Valley subregion of the Great Valley (Jepson <br /> Flora Project[eds.] 2022). This region experiences hot and dry summers, foggy and rainy winters, <br /> and annual rainfall averaging between approximately 5 and 20 inches. The elevational range of <br /> the Project site is approximately 300 to 500 feet above mean sea level. The Project site currently <br /> supports cattle grazing and residential uses. Vegetation on most of the Project site consists of <br /> non-native grassland dominated by low growing herbaceous plants. There are also three <br /> residences with small areas of ornamental trees and landscaping. Although no wetlands were <br /> found on the Project site in 2022 (Tetra Tech 2022a, 2022b), an ephemeral pond was observed <br /> in the southeast portion of the Project site in 2023 after a historically high rainfall year. <br /> 4.4.1.2 Vegetation Communities <br /> Vegetation communities were mapped within the Biological Survey Area (BSA) during the <br /> surveys, which is defined as the Project site and 150-meter buffer. No CDFW sensitive natural <br /> communities were found. The Project site was undeveloped other than three small residential <br /> areas. The vegetation on the Project site was dominated by non-native herbs; grazing on the <br /> Project site has greatly reduced the cover of non-native grasses, such as oat (Avena sp.) and <br /> brome (Bromus sp.), as compared to surrounding areas that are not grazed. One small patch of <br /> the non-native Russian thistle (Sa/sola sp.) and a small area of cut logs and leaf litter were found <br /> in the southeast corner of the Project site. Ornamental and non-native trees, such as Pepper trees <br /> (Schinus sp.), were found on the Project site and 150-meter buffer in residential areas. One <br /> erosional feature was located in the northern portion of the Project site. An ephemeral pond was <br /> observed in the southeast portion of the Project site (labeled as "Open Water" in Figure 4.4-1). <br /> Within the 150-meter buffer, there was another erosional feature that had collected pooled water <br /> from a previous rain event (labeled as "Open Water" in Figure 4.4-1)and a ditch on the south side <br /> of W Patterson Pass Road. The areas described above are shown in Figure 4.4-1. <br /> Vegetation communities within the BSA were mapped during the survey (Table 4.4-1 and Figure <br /> 4.4-1). Descriptions of the communities are provided below. <br /> Table 4.4-1. Vegetation Communities <br /> Acres within Area to be Acres within Project Acres within t <br /> Vegetation Communities Developed" <br /> Avena spp.—Bromus spp.Herbaceous 30.9 75.9 100.0 <br /> Semi-natural Alliance <br /> Developed 0 0 4.3 <br /> Disturbed 0 0 0.5 <br /> Open Water 0 0.9 0.5 <br /> Residential 1 0 1 3.4 1 10.9 <br /> Total 1 30.9 80.2 116.2 <br /> 1l The acres in this table are not double counted between columns. <br /> Griffith Energy Storage Project 4.4-2 Tetra Tech/SCH 2022120675 <br /> Draft Environmental Impact Report August 2023 <br />