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4 Environmental Analysis
<br /> 4.4 Biological Resources
<br /> The residential and heavy grazing uses and lack of natural habitat on the Project site, as well as
<br /> grazing and development of the surrounding areas, may limit habitat continuity or wildlife
<br /> movement on-site. Cattle fences are currently in place around the entire perimeter of the Project
<br /> site, which may impede the movement of some wildlife species. In addition, public paved roads
<br /> are located along the western and northern boundaries of the Project site. While the site has been
<br /> subject to grazing, the Project site is a disturbed natural area, compared with nearby residential
<br /> development and the adjacent substation. Thus, various wildlife species are capable of moving
<br /> across the landscape through the site.
<br /> 4.4.1.6 Pacific Gas and Electric Tesla Substation Improvements
<br /> The Project includes a proposed gen-tie line that would extend from the battery storage facility to
<br /> the available PG&E Tesla Substation. The gen-tie line would be located primarily in Alameda
<br /> County with a small portion located in San Joaquin County (Figure 4.4-1). Within the existing
<br /> Tesla Substation footprint, PG&E would also complete other upgrades and improvements.
<br /> Biological surveys were conducted by Jacobs in the proposed gen-tie line area in 2020, 2021,
<br /> and 2022 (Jacobs 2022). Jacobs conducted the following surveys (Jacobs 2022):
<br /> 0o Initial reconnaissance-level field surveys to evaluate habitats, determine potential to occur
<br /> for special-status species, and evaluate potential wetlands and aquatic features
<br /> (November 2020; March 2021);
<br /> oo Protocol-level surveys for BUOW (December 2021 to July 2022); and
<br /> 0o Rare plant surveys (April 2021; March, April, July, and September 2022).
<br /> Within the gen-tie line area, California Annual Grassland is the primary land cover type, comprised
<br /> of the typical non-native grassland species, such as wild oat and bromes, and is used as cattle
<br /> pasture and for grazing (Jacobs 2022). No wetlands, vernal pools, ephemeral waters, or other
<br /> waters that are potentially jurisdictional under state or federal regulations were found (Jacobs
<br /> 2022). In addition, no BUOW or their signs were found during protocol-level surveys (Jacobs
<br /> 2022). Likewise, no rare plants were found during the rare plant surveys (Jacobs 2022).
<br /> Other special-status species determined by Jacobs to have the potential to occur in the gen-tie
<br /> line area based on habitats present include CTS, coast horned lizard (Phrynosoma blainvillii),
<br /> CRLF, western spadefoot (Spec hammondii), California glossy snake, western pond turtle (Emys
<br /> marmorata), San Joaquin coachwhip, Alameda whipsnake (Masticophis lateralis euryxanthus),
<br /> tricolored blackbird (Agelaius tricolor), golden eagle (Aquila chrysaetos), short-eared owl (Asio
<br /> flammeus), Swainson's hawk, northern harrier, white-tailed kite (Elanus leucurus), loggerhead
<br /> shrike, as well as American badger and SJKF, which were both considered likely to occur(Jacobs
<br /> 2022). Only upland habitat was identified during surveys, and for the special-status bird species
<br /> besides BUOW, only grazed/low grassland foraging habitat is available that does not provide
<br /> nesting habitat (Jacobs 2022). Overall, coast horned lizard, western spadefoot, western pond
<br /> turtle, Alameda whipsnake, tricolored blackbird, golden eagle, short-eared owl, and white-tailed
<br /> kite were determined to have a low potential to occur in the Project area since habitat consists of
<br /> grazed annual grassland and the preferred habitats of these species are not present. For
<br /> example, due to the lack of preferred sandy substrates for burrowing, bushes for cover, and
<br /> suitable prey base (ants and other insects), the coast horned lizard has a low potential to occur.
<br /> Therefore, these species are not discussed below.
<br /> Griffith Energy Storage Project 4.4-20 Tetra Tech/SCH 2022120675
<br /> Draft Environmental Impact Report August 2023
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