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4 Environmental Analysis 4.4 Biological Resources Avena spp.—Bromus spp. Herbaceous Semi-natural Alliance. The majority of the BSA was Avena spp.—Bromus spp. Herbaceous Semi-natural Alliance. Although patches of annual grasses were present, this community is regularly grazed by cattle, and grazing has greatly reduced the cover of grasses. Most of the ground cover in this community was composed of non-native filaree (Erodium sp.), but patches of cheeseweed (Malva parviflora), black mustard (Brassica nigra), and greenstem filaree (Erodium moschatum)were also present. Low cover of Russian thistle was also found in the southwest corner of the Project site.Areas in the 150-meter buffer along the southern side of Patterson Road supported Avena spp.—Bromus spp. Herbaceous Semi-natural Alliance with other non-native plants, including Russian thistle, poison hemlock (Conium maculatum), and star thistle (Centaurea sp.). Disturbed. The disturbed area shown in Figure 4.4-1 consisted of a graded, dirt pad adjacent to Patterson Road. Other disturbed areas consisted of narrow, dirt roads, which have not been individually mapped. All disturbed areas occurred only within the 150-meter buffer. Developed. The developed areas shown in Figure 4.4-1 consisted of two paved roads (W Patterson Pass Road and Midway Road)within the 150-meter buffer. Open Water. In January 2022, this area located west of Midway Road in the 150-meter buffer held standing water that was a maximum of approximately 0.5 feet deep. This area was bounded by native salt grass (Distichlis spicata) and Avena spp.—Bromus spp. Herbaceous Semi-natural Alliance. This area is unlikely to support special-status amphibians because it is shallow and unlikely to hold water for 4 to 6 months; however, migrating shorebird species were observed using this area and are likely to do so during winter and spring. An ephemeral pond in the southeast portion of the Project site was observed in June 2023 after a historically high rainfall year. This pond held standing water that was a maximum of approximately 2 feet deep. No vegetation was observed within the pond, and adjacent vegetation around the feature was dominated by non-native grasses (Avena spp.—Bromus spp. Herbaceous Semi-natural Alliance). Cattle tracks surround the pond. This feature may support special-status amphibians as two common species of amphibians (California toad [Anaxyrus boreas halophilus] and Sierran treefrog [Pseudacris sierra]) were observed inhabiting and surrounding this pond. Residential Development. There were several residential areas within the Project site and 150- meter buffer. All tree species found within the BSA were within these areas. 4.4.1.3 Plants and Wildlife The Project site supports an assortment of plants and wildlife and provides shelter, cover, roosting, foraging, and breeding habitats to mammals, birds, invertebrates, reptiles, and amphibians as year-round residents, seasonal residents, and/or migrants. Overall, the Project site supports low-quality wildlife habitat since it is disturbed by cattle grazing and lacks complex vegetation communities.Areas mapped as residential could host tree-nesting or structure-nesting bird species or nesting raptors. During the 2022 field surveys, 46 native and non-native plant species, three mammals, 21 birds, seven invertebrates, one reptile, and one amphibian species were recorded within the BSA. A list of plant and wildlife species recorded during the field surveys is provided in Appendix E, Biological Resources (Tetra Tech 2022a, 2022b). Numerous small mammal burrows and burrow networks were scattered in the Project site, which could serve as habitat for estivating CTS, California red-legged frog (Rana draytonii; CRLF), and western Griffith Energy Storage Project 4.4-4 Tetra Tech/SCH 2022120675 Draft Environmental Impact Report August 2023