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4 Environmental Analysis 4.4 Biological Resources State Scientific Common Federal Other Name Name Status Status Summary Low Potential to Occur.Although there are no species occurrences recorded near the Project site(the closest Branchinecta Longhorn fairy known occurrences are over 5 miles from the Project site to longiantenna shrimp Endangered None the north and west),longhorn fairy shrimp has the potential to occur in appropriate habitats in San Joaquin County, such as the ephemeral pond in the southeast of the Project site.Therefore,potential to occur is low. Low Potential to Occur.Although there are no species occurrences recorded near the Project site(the closest known occurrences are over 5 miles from the Project site to Branchinecta Vernal pool fairy the north and west),vernal pool fairy shrimp are known to lynchi shrimp Threatened None occur in the northeastern part of San Joaquin County and have the potential to occur in vernal pools and swales and other seasonal aquatic habitats(San Joaquin Council of Governments[SJCOG]2000).Therefore,potential to occur is low. Notes:BCC—U.S.Fish and Wildlife Service Birds of Conservation Concern;CRPR 1B.1—California Rare Plant Rank,rare,threatened,or endangered in California and elsewhere(seriously threatened in California);SSC—California Department of Fish and Wildlife(CDFW)Species of Special Concern;WL—CDFW Watch List. Special-status Plants Big tarplant (Blepharizonia plumosa) has a California Rare Plant Rank (CRPR) of 1B.1, indicating that this species is rare, threatened, or endangered in California and elsewhere, and is seriously threatened in California (over 80 percent of occurrences threatened). This species can be found in valley grassland habitats. Big tarplant was found on the western portion of the Project site during rare plant surveys (Tetra Tech 2022b). Two populations of big tarplant were observed within the Project site, both of which occur in Alameda County (Figure 4.4-2); population 1 consisted of 395 individuals (0.09 acre), and population 2 consisted of 167 individuals (0.15 acre). Both populations occurred in ephemeral erosional features that had higher cover of bare soil relative to other areas of the Project site (Tetra Tech 2022b). California Tiger Salamander CTS is a federally and state threatened species. Ephemeral ponds lasting at least 30 days for breeding and an additional 10 weeks for larval development are necessary for successful breeding (USFWS 2004). Suitable breeding habitat consists of vernal pools, stock ponds, or other ephemeral wetlands that do not contain fish or bullfrog predators. Emergent or submerged vegetation or debris is necessary for egg attachment. Suitable upland habitat includes grazed annual grassland no further than 1.24 miles from a known or potential breeding site (USFWS 2003). Networks of small mammal burrows in upland habitat are necessary for CTS estivation (i.e., dormancy during hot, dry season) (Pittman 2005). The Project site has many California ground squirrel burrows in San Joaquin and Alameda Counties (all except two are in San Joaquin County) as shown in Figure 4.4-3. In addition, an ephemeral pond in the southeast portion of the Project site was observed in 2023 after a historically high rainfall year. This pond could provide CTS breeding habitat, however the presence of cattle and their trampling around the pond may reduce the likelihood of it being used Griffith Energy Storage Project 4.4-9 Tetra Tech/SCH 2022120675 Draft Environmental Impact Report August 2023