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4 Environmental Analysis <br /> 4.4 Biological Resources <br /> Vehicle travel on roads during Project operations could result in mortality of dispersing CRLF if <br /> present. Similarly, the chain-linked perimeter fence would not impede potential CRLF movement <br /> into the area to be developed. However, infrastructure areas where the Project O&M activities <br /> would occur are unlikely to support CRLF. If vegetation removal is required in areas of potential <br /> habitat, Mitigation Measure 13I0-1 and 13I0-2 would be implemented to protect CRLF. Therefore, <br /> Project O&M would have no substantial adverse effects on this species, and the impact would be <br /> less than significant with mitigation incorporated. <br /> Western Spadefoot <br /> The Project site is potential habitat for the western spadefoot as it contains an ephemeral pond <br /> for breeding, burrows and crevices for refuge, and grasslands for upland dispersal. Project <br /> construction activities, including ground disturbance, may disturb western spadefoot if they are <br /> present on the site during construction. These impacts could include direct mortality and loss of <br /> habitat. With implementation of Mitigation Measure 13I0-1 and 13I0-2, including preconstruction <br /> surveys, construction impacts would be reduced to less than significant level. <br /> Vehicle travel on roads during Project operations could result in mortality of dispersing western <br /> spadefoot if present. Similarly, the chain-linked perimeter fence would not impede potential <br /> western spadefoot movement into the area to be developed. However, infrastructure areas where <br /> the Project operations and maintenance activities would occur are unlikely to support western <br /> spadefoot. All impacts to western spadefoot and their habitat would be mitigated with the <br /> implementation of Mitigation Measure 13I0-1 and 13I0-2. Therefore, Project O&M would have no <br /> substantial adverse effects on this species, and the impact would be less than significant with <br /> mitigation incorporated. <br /> Special-status Reptiles <br /> The Project site is potential habitat for the California glossy snake and San Joaquin coachwhip. <br /> The area to be developed contains small mammal burrows and grassland habitat that could be <br /> used by these species. Project construction activities, including ground disturbance, may impact <br /> these species if they are present on the site during construction. These impacts could include <br /> direct mortality and loss of habitat. With implementation of Mitigation Measures BIO-1 and 610- <br /> 2, including preconstruction surveys, construction impacts would be reduced to a less than <br /> significant level and the Project would have no substantial adverse effects on special-status <br /> reptiles. <br /> Infrastructure areas where the Project O&M activities would occur are unlikely to support special- <br /> status reptiles. If vegetation removal is required in O&M areas of potential habitat, Mitigation <br /> Measures BIO-1 and BIO-2 would be implemented to protect special-status reptiles. Therefore, <br /> Project O&M would have no substantial adverse effects on these species, and the impact would <br /> be less than significant with mitigation incorporated. <br /> Special-status Vernal Pool Invertebrates <br /> Construction activities are not anticipated to have direct or indirect effects on special-status vernal <br /> pool invertebrates, such as longhorn fairy shrimp and vernal pool fairy shrimp, since the only <br /> potential habitat for these species (the ephemeral pond in the southeast portion of the Project <br /> site) is outside of the Project footprint. However, indirect effects to the ephemeral pond may occur <br /> Griffith Energy Storage Project 4.4-32 Tetra Tech/SCH 2022120675 <br /> Draft Environmental Impact Report August 2023 <br />