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4 Environmental Analysis 4.4 Biological Resources 0o Conduct Surveys and Implement Avoidance Measures for Crotch's Bumble Bee. Preconstruction surveys for Crotch's bumble bee habitat (as identified by species habitat suitability modeling) within the Project disturbance footprint and a 50-foot buffer around the footprint will be conducted by qualified biologists within two weeks prior to the start of construction. The purpose of this pre-construction survey will be to identify active nest colonies and associated floral resources outside of permanent and temporary impact areas that could be avoided by construction personnel. If an active nest colony is found outside of the project footprint but within a 50-foot buffer, the project biologist will establish, monitor, and maintain no-work buffers around nest colonies and floral resources. The size and configuration of the no-work buffer will be based on best professional judgment of the project biologist. At a minimum, the buffer will provide at least 50 feet of clearance around nest entrances and maintain disturbance-free airspace between the nest and nearby floral resources. Construction activities will not occur within the no-work buffers until the colony is no longer active (i.e., no bees are seen flying in or out of the nest for three consecutive days indicating the colony has completed its nesting season and the next season's queens have dispersed from the colony). If an active nest is found within the project footprint, CDFW will be contacted for guidance on next steps, but construction shall be allowed to continue with minimal disruption to the schedule. Biological Monitoring During Construction. A qualified biologist(s)will be present each day during initial ground disturbance activities if Crotch's bumble bees are identified during preconstruction surveys outside of the Project disturbance footprint. The biologist will monitor the nest to determine when the nest is no longer active. Once the nest has been determined inactive, construction activities within the no-work buffer(s) will be allowed to resume. Provide Compensatory Mitigation for Impacts on Crotch's Bumble Bee. The applicant will provide compensatory mitigation for impacts on occupied habitat for Crotch's bumble bee. Impacts on occupied habitat (confirmed through surveys as described above) will be compensated for at a ratio of 1:1, unless a higher ratio is required pursuant to an authorization issued under CESA, through the purchase of CDFW-approved bank credits or through preservation of habitat in perpetuity, including suitable habitat currently preserved by the applicant. BIO-2: Worker Environmental Awareness Program and Best Management Practices for Biological Resources During construction, O&M, and decommissioning of the facility, the Project owner shall implement the following general avoidance and protective measures to protect special-status wildlife species and habitats in all Project areas: oo Prior to and for the duration of construction activities, the Project owner, or its contractor, shall implement a Worker Environmental Awareness Program to train all on-site construction personnel how to recognize and protect biological resources on the area to be developed. The Worker Environmental Awareness Program training shall include a review of the special-status species and other sensitive biological resources that could exist in or near the area to be developed,the locations of sensitive biological resources and their legal status and protections, and measures to be implemented for avoidance of these sensitive resources, highlighting CTS, CRLF, western spadefoot, San Joaquin coachwhip, longhorn fairy shrimp, vernal pool fairy shrimp, BUOW, Swainson's hawk, white-tailed kite, nesting birds, SJKF, American badger, big tarplant, California glossy snake, and Crotch's bumble bee. Griffith Energy Storage Project 4.4-46 Tetra Tech/SCH 2022120675 Draft Environmental Impact Report August 2023