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4 Environmental Analysis 4.4 Biological Resources construct themselves, becoming active on the surface nocturnally during rains or when humidity is high (Stebbins 1972). The ephemeral pond in the southeast portion of the Project site provides potential breeding habitat for western spadefoot, when water is present. The surrounding grasslands provides potential upland dispersal habitat. Since common amphibians were observed in this pond (i.e., California toad and Sierran treefrog), this pond has the potential to support special-status amphibians. Special-Status Reptiles California glossy snake and San Joaquin coachwhip are CDFW Species of Special Concern. These reptiles inhabit grassland habitats. California glossy snake is a primarily fossorial species and is found in areas with sandy and loose soils. The San Joaquin coachwhip inhabits open, valley grassland habitats with sparse shrub cover and requires small mammal burrows for egg- laying and refuge. The Project site provides potential habitat for the California glossy snake and San Joaquin coachwhip in the form of grassland habitat (i.e., Avena spp.—Bromus spp. Herbaceous Semi- natural Alliance)with small mammal burrows. Special-status Vernal Pool Invertebrates Special-status vernal pool invertebrates have an ephemeral lifecycle, relying on seasonal ponds formed during winter rains. These vernal pools or seasonal ponds have an impervious substrate layer that allow for water to pond. Cysts from the substrate hatch when pools fill with rainwater and then rapidly develop into adults. When the pools dry, offspring persist as desiccation-resistant cysts in the pond soil until the return of winter rains the following year. The ephemeral pond in the southeast portion of the Project site may provide habitat for special- status vernal pool invertebrate species. The federally endangered longhorn fairy shrimp (Branchinecta longiantenna) and federally threatened vernal pool fairy shrimp (Branchinecta lynchi)are documented to occur more than 5 miles away north and west of the Project site (CDFW 2022). Since the Project site is within the known range of these species and due to the presence of suitable ponding habitat, special-status vernal pool invertebrates may occur within the ephemeral pond. However, based on a review of available aerial imagery from 1937 to 2022, this pond only holds water seasonally during high rainfall years and is typically dry. Crotch's Bumble Bee Crotch's bumble bee is a candidate for listing under the California Endangered Species Act (CESA). Crotch's bumble bee primarily nest in late February through late October in abandoned small mammal burrows underground. Overwintering sites include soft, disturbed soil or leaf litter or other debris used by mated queens. Crotch's bumble bee forages a variety of suitable floral resources, including plants in the Asteraceae, Boraginaceae, Fabaceae, and Hydrophyllaceae families (Xerces Society et al. 2018). Although no bumble bees of any species were observed during Project biological surveys and there are no known occurrences recorded near the Project site,floral resources (foraging habitat), burrows and crevices (nesting habitat), and leaf litter(overwintering habitat)were observed within the Project site. However, the site is routinely grazed and trampled by cattle, which likely interferes Griffith Energy Storage Project 4.4-11 Tetra Tech/SCH 2022120675 Draft Environmental Impact Report August 2023