Dingee Backbone Pipeline Project
Biological Resources Assessment
June 2010
Prepared by: James R. Smith, Supervising Fisheries & Wildlife Biologist
In May 2010, East Bay Municipal Utility District (EBMUD) biologists performed an assessment of biological resources at EBMUD’s Proposed Dingee Backbone Pipeline Project (Project) in the cities of Oakland and Piedmont west of State Highway 13. This report describes the results of the site visits, which assessed the Proposed Project site for the (1) potential to support special status species; and (2) presence of other sensitive biological resources protected by local, state, and federal laws and regulations. This report also contains an evaluation of potential impacts to special status species and sensitive biological resources that may occur as a result of the Proposed Project and potential measures to compensate for those impacts. This biological assessment provides general information on the potential presence of sensitive species and habitats, but is not a protocol level survey for listed species that may be required for project approval by local, state, or federal agencies. This assessment is based on information available at the time of the study and on site conditions that were observed on the date of the site visits. Information used to prepare this assessment include the California Natural Diversity Database (CNDDB), U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) list of federal endangered and threatened species, California Native Plant Society (CNPS) Inventory of Rare and Endangered Plants, Rare, Unusual and Significant Plants of Alameda and Contra Costa Counties (Lake 2010) and biological literature. In addition, in August 2008 and May 2010, EBMUD biologists assessed the site’s existing vegetation and habitats. Biological Setting
The Dingee Backbone Pipeline Project (Project) site is in the cities of Oakland and Piedmont west of State Highway 13 in Alameda County. The existing three‐mile long Pipeline provides water to approximately 18,000 EBMUD customers in the Oakland Hills. The backbone pipeline runs from the Claremont Center to Estates Reservoir, ranging in diameter from 36 inches to 20 inches. The project entails replacement of 12,000‐linear feet of pipeline segment and re‐alignment of 6,000 linear feet to circumvent the Hayward Fault zone and earthquake‐induced landslide zones. The Project site is set within a residential community and is completely encircled by homes. Dingee Backbone Pipeline Project 1 Biolo
Soils Native soils still existing, although not necessarily exposed, include the Xerorthent‐Millsholm association and Maymen loam. Soil depths vary from shallow to moderately deep. The Xerorthent‐Millsholm complex soils are moderately acidic to slightly alkaline loams, clays and silty clay loams, developed on sandstone, siltstone or alluvium, and have runoff and erosion characteristics identical with the Maymen loam. The Maymen series consists of shallow, somewhat excessively drained soils that formed in residuum weathered from shale, schist, greenstone, sandstone and conglomerate. It is a shallow acidic soil (10 to 20 inches deep over shale) in which runoff is rapid to very rapid and the risk of erosion is high to very high. Vegetation The vegetation community can be characterized as suburban, with vegetation composition influenced by the species planted on‐site, the maintenance of the property, and invasive native and non‐native species. The Claremont Center site is a mix of coast live oak, California buckeye and giant sequoia, most of which were planted to landscape the site, and a mix of invasive native and non‐native species. The Estates Reservoir site is a mix of redwood and ponderosa pine, which were planted to landscape the site, and a mix of invasive native and non‐
native species. Table 1 lists the plant species observed during August 2008 and May 2010 reconnaissance surveys of the Estates Reservoir and Claremont Center sites, respectively. The majority of the Project site is in existing roads within residential areas consisting of ornamental plantings, some of which may be California natives. Vegetation surveys of the residential sites were not conducted. Aquatic Habitats The only aquatic habitat in the Project site is Temescal Creek which crosses under State Highway 24 and BART tracks south of Claremont Center. Temescal Creek is a 2.7‐mile perennial stream that originates in the Oakland Hills. The dam forming Lake Temescal is a complete barrier to fish passage, dividing the creek into upper and lower sections. Below Lake Temescal, the creek is largely culverted as it passes through heavily urbanized portions of Oakland, including the portion within the project area, before entering central San Francisco Bay at the city of Emeryville. Similar to several other small streams flowing from the Berkeley‐Oakland Hills, Temescal Creek supported viable populations of steelhead/rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) before the cumulative effects of urbanization led to the species’ extirpation from the watershed (Leidy et al. 2005). Underground culverts and the dam at Lake Temescal in the lower watershed serve as complete barriers to upstream migration. Lake Temescal is stocked periodically with rainbow trout through the winter months and catfish in the summer. Other fish in Lake Temescal include largemouth bass, red‐eared sunfish, and bluegill. These fish species may enter the lower section of Temescal Dingee Backbone Pipeline Project 2 Biolo
Creek. Temescal Creek in the vicinity of the Project is contained in underground culverts and Project impacts to the creeks flow, bed, channel or bank are not anticipated. Wetlands The federal regulations implementing Section 404 of the Clean Water Act define wetlands as: Those areas that are inundated or saturated by surface or ground water (hydrology) at a frequency and duration sufficient to support, and that under normal circumstances do support, a prevalence of vegetation (hydrophytes) typically adapted for life in saturated soil conditions (hydric soils). Wetlands generally include swamps, marshes, bogs, and similar areas The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service defines wetlands as: lands that are transitional between terrestrial and aquatic systems where the water table is usually at or near the surface or the land is covered by shallow water, and that have one or more of the following attributes: 1. At least periodically, the land supports predominantly hydrophytes; 2. The substrate is predominantly undrained hydric soil; and, 3. The substrate is non‐soil and is saturated with water or covered by shallow water at some time during the growing season of each year. The majority of the site is either developed (residential houses, roads, highways) or landscaped. No wetlands occur on‐site. No wetlands occur within the Project site. Riparian Habitat/Sensitive Natural Communities Riparian is defined as, “on, or pertaining to, the banks of a stream;” therefore, riparian vegetation is defined as, “vegetation which occurs in and/or adjacent to a stream and is dependent on, and occurs because of, the stream itself” (CDFG ESD 1994). Riparian habitats are considered to be among the most valuable wildlife habitats due to the microhabitats that are created by the layering of trees, shrubs and herbaceous and aquatic vegetation. These areas are considered sensitive and are protected by CDFG. Of all the riparian habitats in the Bay Area, riparian forests are considered the most complex and support the greatest number of plant and animal species. Riparian forests also enhance the functions of adjacent habitats, and are considered most valuable when occurring in an unbroken corridor throughout the length of the watershed. A portion of the existing Dingee Backbone pipeline right‐of‐way (ROW) in the vicinity of Claremont Center and Roble Avenue occurs in a riparian area adjacent to a small tributary to Temescal Creek. This riparian area is composed mostly of large native live oak trees (Quercus agrifolia), California bay (Umbellularia californica), poison oak (Toxicodendron diversilobum), and California buckeye (Aesculus californica). Dingee Backbone Pipeline Project 3 Biolo
Riparian habitats serve as migration corridors for many wildlife species. The corridor provides cover for wildlife moving to new forage habitats and provides year‐round breeding habitat for the resident species occurring along creeks. The riparian trees provide nesting habitat for a variety of raptors, herons, and songbirds. Although California red‐legged frogs are typically associated with deep pools or lakes with overhanging woody vegetation, they frequently breed in ephemeral creeks and drainages, and in ponds that may or may not have riparian vegetation. During summer and fall months this species may disperse upstream and downstream of breeding sites to forage and seek sheltering habitat, including riparian areas. The majority of riparian habitat effects associated with water distribution pipelines are the result of construction. Construction activities result in vegetation removal and erosion of soils exposed along the ROW. This can increase sediment loads and subsequent downstream deposition in watercourses. Sediment load increases can directly and/or indirectly affect fish through modification of their habitats. In addition to sediment related effects, habitat at crossing sites can be altered directly through excavation and backfilling of the pipeline trench and associated changes to bank conditions and riparian vegetation. Pipeline failure adjacent to creeks and at stream crossings can also cause erosion of the streambed and banks, and may result in the release of significant quantities of treated water. EBMUD uses chloramine in its drinking water to maintain disinfection residual in the distribution system. Chloramine (and chlorine) is toxic to fish and amphibians at levels used for drinking water. The proposed pipeline alignment in the vicinity of Claremont Center was selected to avoid the potential construction and operation impacts of replacing the pipeline in the existing alignment. No riparian habitat occurs within the proposed Project site. A review of the CNDDB indicates that 3 sensitive natural communities may occur within 5 miles of the Project site, Northern Coastal Salt Marsh, Northern Maritime Chaparral, and Serpentine Bunchgrass. Northern Coastal Salt Marsh – This community is characterized by highly productive, herbaceous and suffructescent (slightly woody at the base), salt‐
tolerant hydrophytes (aquatic plants) forming moderate to dense cover and up to 1m tall. Most species are active in summer, dormant in winter. The community is usually segregated horizontally with Spartina nearer the open water, Salicornia at mid‐littoral elevations, and a richer mixture closer to high ground. It is usually found along sheltered inland margins of bays, lagoons, and estuaries. These hydric soils are subject to regular tidal inundation by Dingee Backbone Pipeline Project 4 Biolo
salt water for at least part of each year. It is found along the coast from the Oregon border south to about Pt. Conception. It is extensively developed around Humboldt Bay and other Humboldt Co. areas; Tomales Bay, Marin Co.; Elkhorn Slough, Monterey Co.; Morro Bay, San Luis Obispo Co.; and very extensively in the San Francisco Bay Area. Northern Maritime Chaparral – This community is a fairly open chaparral (50‐80% cover, usually fairly easy to walk through). It is dominated by several narrowly restricted Manzanita or Ceanothus species, and associated with sandy substrates within the zone of coastal fog incursion, usually on rolling to hilly terrain. Fire appears necessary for continued reproduction. It occurs from Santa Cruz to Sonoma County near the coast, usually as islands in Mixed Evergreen Forests of coast live oak, redwood, and douglas‐fir, or adjacent to Northern Coastal Scrub. Serpentine Bunchgrass – This community consists of open grassland dominated by native perennial bunchgrasses. Total cover is typically low, but is markedly dominated by native species. It is restricted to serpentine sites scattered widely through the Coast Ranges of California and infrequently in the Sierra Nevada, Transverse, and Peninsular Ranges. Based on field surveys, no sensitive natural communities occur within the Project site. Wildlife Wildlife populations at the site are characteristic of those adapted to northern California suburban habitats. Wildlife species diversity is influenced by the amount and diversity of native plant species occurring in the area, with fewer native wildlife species and less wildlife diversity in areas dominated by non‐
native vegetation (Burghardt 2009). Common east bay suburban wildlife species include eastern fox squirrel (Sciurus niger), black rat (Rattus rattus), deer mouse (Peromyscus maniculatus), raccoon (Procyon lotor), mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus), turkey vulture (Cathartes aura), red‐tailed hawk (Buteo jamaicensis), mourning dove (Zenaida macroura), western scrub‐jay (Aphelocoma californica), American crow (Corvus brachyrhynchos), American robin (Turdus migratorius), northern mockingbird (Mimus polyglottos), European starling (Sturnus vulgaris), California towhee (Pipilo crissalis), Brewer's blackbird (Euphagus cyanocephalus), western fence lizard (Sceloporus occidentalis), and gopher snake (Pituophis catenifer). The Project site is completely surrounded by residential development, roads, and highways, and is not a significant corridor for wildlife movement. Dingee Backbone Pipeline Project 5 Biolo
Special Status Species
The complete listing of potential special status species for this region (CNDDB occurrences with 5 miles of the Project) included 58 species of invertebrates, fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds, mammals, plants, and habitats. Species for which CNDDB occurrences have been noted within approximately 1‐mile of the site or with some potential to occur on‐site are discussed individually below. Table 2 lists the CNDDB occurrences within five miles of the Project site; Table 3 lists the rare, unusual and significant plants that may occur in the Project site (Lake 2010). See Tables 2 and 3 for status definition. Round‐leaved filaree (California macrophylla) Status: Fed‐None State‐Special Plant CNPS‐1B.1 ALA/CC‐A2 Round‐leaved filaree is an annual herb that is native to California, the southwestern United States and northern Mexico, where it grows in open habitat such as grassland and scrub. There are four CNDDB records (last observation in 1931) of this species within 5 miles of the site and one record (1931) within 1‐mile of the site. However, there is none of the grassland, scrub habitat usually associated with this species on‐site and therefore it is not expected to occur. This species was not observed during field surveys. Fragrant fritillary (Fritillaria liliacea) Status: Fed‐None State‐Special Plant CNPS‐1B.2 ALA/CC‐A1 The range of this California endemic is over parts of southwestern Northern California, especially Solano and Sonoma Counties and at coastal locations south to Monterey County. Occurrence is typically in open hilly grasslands at elevations less than 200 meters. It prefers heavy soils including clays; for example, andesitic and basaltic soils derived from the Sonoma Volcanic soil layers. There are three CNDDB records of this species within 5 miles of the site and one record within 1‐mile of the site. Habitat for this species does not occur on the Project site and therefore it is not expected to occur. This species was not observed during field surveys. Western leatherwood (Dirca occidentalis) Status: Fed‐None State‐Special Plant CNPS‐1B.2 ALA/CC‐A2 This California endemic is a deciduous shrub occurring in Closed‐cone Pine Forest, North Coastal Coniferous Forest, and wetland‐riparian. It grows on moist and shaded slopes. There are 20 CNDDB records (last observation 2005) of this species within 5 miles of the site and two records (last observation 2005) within 1‐mile of the site. Habitat for this species does not occur on the Project site and therefore it is not expected to occur. This species was not observed during field surveys. Bridges' coast range shoulderband (Helminthoglypta nickliniana bridgesii) Status: Fed‐None State‐None This snail is known from Contra Costa and Alameda counties from Berkeley and San Pablo to the eastern base of Mount Diablo. Typically found in moist, often riparian areas under rocks, logs, woody debris, or accumulations of leaf Dingee Backbone Pipeline Project 6 Biolo
mold. There are three CNDDB records of this species within 5 miles of the site and one record within 1‐mile of the site. Habitat for this species does not occur on the Project site and therefore it is not expected to occur. This species was not observed during field surveys. Bay checkerspot butterfly (Euphydryas editha bayensis) Status: Fed‐Threatened State‐None This butterfly is native to California. The historic range of the checkerspot included many areas around the San Francisco Bay. Most of the San Francisco peninsula, mountains near San Jose, Oakland Hills and several locales around Alameda County were once home to populations of the butterfly. Today the only populations known inhabit areas of Santa Clara County. Plantago erecta is one of the primary host plants for the bay checkerspot butterfly. It is typically found in coastal sage scrub, foothill woodland, and chaparral biomes. Castilleja exserta and Castilleja densiflora are secondary larval host plants of the butterfly. Castilleja exserta prefers mesas, slopes and open areas in ponderosa pine forests and poppy fields at elevations from 1,500 to 4,500 feet. Castilleja densiflora can be found in a variety of habitats including foothill woodland, mixed evergreen forest, northern coastal scrub, chaparral, yellow pine forest, and native grasslands. There are two CNDDB records (last observation 1980) of this species within 5 miles of the site and one record (last observation 1980) within 1‐mile of the site. Habitat (host plants) for this species does not occur on the Project site and therefore it is not expected to occur. This species was not observed during field surveys. Lee's micro‐blind harvestman (Microcina leei) Status: Fed‐None State‐None Microcina leei is a small (≈ 1 mm), eyeless arachnid. The genus Microcina is known only from the San Francisco Bay region. The six species are allopatric (populations are physically isolated); some are restricted to unusually small areas of suitable habitat. All species of Microcina live in open grassland biomes and are conspicuously modified for life in xeric environments. There are two CNDDB records of this species within 5 miles of the site and one record within 1‐mile of the site. Habitat for this species does not occur on the Project site and therefore it is not expected to occur. This species was not observed during field surveys, however because of its size and habits it is very difficult to observe in the field. California red‐legged frog (Rana draytonii) Status: Fed‐Threatened State‐Species of Special Concern This species is endemic to California and Baja California, Mexico, at elevations ranging from sea level to approximately 5000 feet. Records of the California red‐legged frog are known from Riverside County to Mendocino County along the Coast Range; from Calaveras County to Butte County in the Sierra Nevada; and in Baja California, Mexico. California red‐legged frogs are still locally abundant within portions of the San Francisco Bay area and the Dingee Backbone Pipeline Project 7 Biolo
central coast. The California red‐legged frog occupies a fairly distinct habitat, combining both specific aquatic and riparian components. Adults need dense, shrubby or emergent riparian vegetation closely associated with deep (greater than 2 1/3‐foot deep) still or slow moving water. The largest densities of California red‐legged frogs are associated with deepwater pools with dense stands of overhanging willows and an intermixed fringe of cattails. Well‐vegetated terrestrial areas within the riparian corridor may provide important sheltering habitat during winter. The Project site is not within the federally designated Critical Habitat for California red‐legged frogs. There are three CNDDB records (last observation 2007) of this species within 5 miles of the site and one record (last observation 1940s) within 1‐
mile of the site. Habitat for this species does not occur on the Project site and therefore it is not expected to occur. This species was not observed during field surveys. Western pond turtle (Actinemys marmorata) Status: Fed‐None State‐Species of Special Concern This species is found from the San Francisco Bay north, west of the crest of the Cascades and Sierras, into Washington and British Columbia. They occur in ponds, lakes, rivers, streams, creeks, marshes, and irrigation ditches, with abundant vegetation, and either rocky or muddy bottoms, in woodland, forest, and grassland. In streams, they prefer pools to shallower areas. Logs, rocks, cattail mats, and exposed banks are required for basking. They may enter brackish water and even seawater. There are three CNDDB records of this species within 5 miles of the site and one record within 1‐mile of the site. Habitat for this species does not occur on the Project site and therefore it is not expected to occur. This species was not observed during field surveys. Berkeley kangaroo rat (Dipodomys heermanni berkeleyensis) Status: Fed‐None State‐None Kangaroo rats are adapted to arid conditions, having nocturnal foraging habits and other physiological adaptations to conserve water. In the original description of the species, the Berkeley kangaroo rat was known only from the open hill tops immediately east of the City of Berkeley. Specimens were collected in 1922 (Eureka Peak near the head of Siesta Valley) and in 1927 (lake in Orinda Park near Eureka Peak). By 1936, 12 specimens had been collected on Mt. Diablo. One specimen was collected at Strawberry Canyon in 1938. The last museum record is of a specimen was collected in 1940 at the Calaveras Reservoir Dam in Alameda County. There is no indication that Berkeley kangaroo rats were trapped after that date at any of the above locations, so the animal has been presumed to be extinct. Little is known about the favored habitat of the Berkeley kangaroo rat; information from field notes of the biologists who collected the specimens refer to Berkeley kangaroo rats being collected on bare ridges near rocky outcrops and on thin soils with scattered chaparral species and small annual grasses. There are four CNDDB records (last observation 1938) of this species within 5 miles of Dingee Backbone Pipeline Project 8 Biolo
the site and two records (last observation 1938) within 1‐mile of the site. Habitat for this species does not occur on the Project site and therefore it is not expected to occur. This species was not observed during field surveys. Pallid bat (Antrozous pallidus) Status: Fed‐None State‐Species of Special Concern The Pallid Bat ranges from western Canada to central Mexico. They are found throughout California except in the high Sierra from Shasta to Kern Counties and the northwest coast, primarily at lower and mid‐elevations. It occurs in a variety of habitats from desert to coniferous forest; most closely associated with oak, yellow pine, redwood, and giant sequoia habitats in northern California and oak woodland, grassland, and desert scrub in southern California; relies heavily on trees for roosts. There are seven CNDDB records (last observation 1967) of this species within 5 miles of the site and one record (last observation 1945) within 1‐mile of the site. This species was not observed during field surveys, however mature trees may provide roosting habitat for this species in the Project site. Silver‐haired bat (Lasionycteris noctivagans) Status: Fed‐None State‐None This species ranges from southeastern Alaska through southern Canada, south to central California and northern Mexico and east to Georgia. Wintering grounds are in the Pacific Northwest, southwestern states, and middle latitudes of the eastern United States. In spring, the western population migrates northward. Its distribution in California is limited, and remains poorly understood. Breeding populations are relatively common in northern portions of the state, along the Sacramento River drainage in Shasta and Siskiyou counties. There are also a few records of reproductive populations in the Sierra Nevada foothills and at higher elevations in the Coast Range as far south as Ventura County. The silver‐haired bat is a forest‐
dwelling species that shows a high association with old growth habitat in the Pacific Northwest. There are two CNDDB records (last observation 1982) of this species within 5 miles of the site and one record (last observation 1920) within 1‐mile of the site. This species was not observed during field surveys, however mature trees may provide roosting habitat for this species in the Project site. Hoary bat (Lasiurus cinereus) Status: Fed‐None State‐None The hoary bat is the most widely distributed of all North American bat species, and occurs from sea‐level to high elevation. In California, it occurs with greatest frequency in forested regions, both along the coast and in the mountains. Although the seasonal movement patterns of this migratory species within California are not completely understood, it appears that the primary summer distribution is in the northern part of the state, and winter distribution is along the coast from San Francisco Bay to the Mexican border. In California this species occurs in a wide variety of habitats, from lower Dingee Backbone Pipeline Project 9 Biolo
elevation mixed coniferous/hardwood forest to higher elevation conifers. There are four CNDDB records (last observation 1972) of this species within 5 miles of the site and one record (last observation 1972) within 1‐mile of the site. This species was not observed during field surveys, however mature trees may provide roosting habitat for this species in the Project site. Project Impacts
No Impact No locally designated natural communities or federally‐protected wetlands occur within the Project site. The Project would not impact locally designated natural communities or federally‐protected wetlands as defined by Section 404 of the federal Clean Water Act (including, but not limited to, marsh, vernal pool, coastal, etc.). The Project site is in a developed urban area and does not support or provide native habitat for wildlife species. Due to the urban environment and high level of human activities in the area, only common wildlife species are likely to nest or breed in the Project area. The extensive residential development in the Project Area acts as an effective barrier between outlying populations and diminishes migration and inter‐
population movement. The existing residential development and associated surface streets act as an effective barrier to movements of most wildlife species. Consequently, the Project is not expected impact the movement of any native resident or migratory wildlife species, impact established native resident or migratory wildlife corridors, or impede the use of native wildlife nursery sites. The Project is not within the boundaries of any Habitat Conservation Plan, Natural Community Conservation Plan, or other approved local, regional, or state habitat conservation plan. Therefore, the Project will not conflict with the provisions of any Habitat Conservation Plan, Natural Community Conservation Plan, or other approved local, regional, or state habitat conservation plans. Sections 1600–1616 of the California Fish and Game Code regulate activities that substantially divert, obstruct the natural flow of, or substantially change rivers, streams, and lakes. Temescal Creek in the vicinity of the Project is contained in underground culverts and Project impacts to the creeks flow, bed, channel or bank are not anticipated. No riparian or sensitive natural communities occur within the Project site. The Project will not impact any riparian habitat or other sensitive natural community identified in local or regional plans, policies, regulations, or by the California Department of Fish and Game or U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Less than Significant Impacts The City of Piedmont currently does not regulate tree removal on private property. Trees on the site are subject to the City of Oakland’s tree ordinance. That ordinance defines protected trees and requires a permit for tree removal. However, pursuant to California Government Code Section 53091, EBMUD, as a local agency and utility district Dingee Backbone Pipeline Project 10 Biolo
serving a broad regional area, is not subject to building and land use zoning ordinances (such as tree ordinances) for projects involving facilities for the production, generation, storage or transmission of water. It is, however, the practice of EBMUD to work with the host jurisdiction and neighboring communities during project planning and to conform to local environmental protection policies to the extent possible. The project would not conflict with any other local policies or ordinances protecting biological resources. No further analysis of this issue is required. Less Than Significant Impact with Mitigation Incorporation Based on the archival research and field surveys undertaken by EBMUD, it is unlikely that special status species occur on the Project site. However, potential impacts to special status species within the Project area would be less than significant with implementation of the following mitigation measures. Special Status Bat Species. Roosting and foraging habitat is present for three special status bat species. These special status bat species typically use buildings, trees, bridges, and rock crevices for roost habitat. Foraging habitat is present over most upland and aquatic habitats in the vicinity. Construction activities may result in the removal or disturbance of maternal roost sites, if they are present in the Project Area, due to noise or human intrusion. This constitutes a potentially significant impact as it may result in direct mortality and reduction in reproductive success. Because these species are able to travel great distances to forage, however, impacts to foraging habitats are considered less than significant. Implementation of the following mitigation measures will lessen potential impacts to special status bat species to a less than significant level. • Prior to the onset of construction a qualified biologist will survey the area within 100 feet of the worksite to identify potential bat roost habitat (old buildings, bridges, culverts, large trees (>12 inches DBH), rock crevices, mines, caves). If no potential bat roost habitat occurs in the area, no mitigation is required. • If potential bat roost habitat occurs within 100 feet of the worksite, a qualified biologist will conduct a search for suitable entry points, roost cavities or crevices; and, survey for day‐roosting bats (carcasses, guano, staining, and strong odors). If no roosting is observed, no additional mitigation is required. • If roosting surveys are inconclusive, day roost surveys indicate potential occupation by special status bat species, and/or habitat assessment indicates a large day roosting population by any bat species, a qualified biologist will conduct focused day and night emergence surveys from April 1 through September 15. Mitigation for special status bat species and large day roosting populations of any bats will be developed in consultation with CDFG. Special Status Bird Species. The Project site is within a developed urban area. Most large, mature trees on site will remain and only a few trees will be removed during construction. The removal of trees and shrubs has the potential to result in direct Dingee Backbone Pipeline Project 11 Biolo
mortality of native birds (and nests) which are protected during nesting under the California Fish and Game Code. In addition, human disturbances and construction noise during the breeding season (including clearing, grading, trimming, and removal of trees and shrubs) could cause nest abandonment and death of young at active nests around the perimeter of the project area. Several raptors, including the American kestrel (Falco sparverius), barn owl (Tyto alba), Cooper’s hawk (Accipiter cooperii), great horned owl (Bubo virginianus), northern saw‐whet owl (Aegolius acadicus), red‐tailed hawk (Buteo jamaicensis), western screech owl (Megascops kennicottii), white‐tailed kite (Elanus leucurus), sharp‐shinned hawk (Accipiter striatus), and long‐eared owl (Asio otus) may breed near the site. Implementation of the following mitigation measures will lessen potential impacts to special status bird species to a less than significant level. • If site clearing, demolition, and construction do not commence between September 1 and January 31, then preconstruction surveys for nesting birds should be conducted by a qualified biologist to ensure that no nest will be disturbed during Proposed Project implementation. This survey shall be conducted no more than 14 days prior to the initiation of demolition/construction activities during the early part of the breeding season (February through April) and no more than 30 days prior to the initiation of these activities during the late part of the breeding season (May through August). During this survey, the biologist will inspect all trees and other habitats in and immediately adjacent to the impact areas for nests. If an active nest is found sufficiently close to work areas to be disturbed by these activities, the biologist, in consultation with CDFG, will determine the extent of a construction‐free buffer zone to be established around the nest to ensure that no nests of species protected by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act or State code will be disturbed during Proposed Project implementation. • If preconstruction surveys indicate that nests are inactive or potential habitat is unoccupied during the construction period, no further mitigation is required. Trees and shrubs within the construction footprint that have been determined to be unoccupied by special‐status birds or that are located outside the no‐disturbance buffer for active nests may be removed. Nests initiated during construction are presumed to be unaffected, and no buffer would be necessary. Dingee Backbone Pipeline Project 12 Biolo
REFERENCES Burghardt, K.T., D.W. Tallamy, and W.G. Shriver. 2009. Impact of Native Plants on Bird and Butterfly Biodiversity in Suburban Landscapes. Conservation Biology. 23(1):219‐224. California Department of Fish and Game. Environmental Services Division (ESD). 1994. A Field Guide to Lake and Streambed Alteration Agreements, Sections 1600‐1607, California Fish and Game Code. Lake, D. 2010. Rare, Unusual and Significant Plants of Alameda and Contra Costa Counties. Eigth Edition. California Native Plant Society, East Bay Chapter. Pinole, CA. Leidy, R.A., G.S. Becker, B.N. Harvey. 2005. Historical distribution and current status of steelhead/rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) in streams of the San Francisco Estuary, California. Center for Ecosystem Management and Restoration, Oakland, CA. Dingee Backbone Pipeline Project 13 Biolo
Table 1. Plants observed at Claremont Center and Estates Reservoir. COMMON NAME Claremont Center – May 2010 California buckeye Scarlet pimpernel Wild oat Coyote brush Field Mustard Rescue grass Ripgut grass Soft chess Bottlebrush Batchelor button Pampas Grass Cotoneaster Scotch Broom Orchardgrass Broadleaf helleborine Common horsetail Storksbill Chinese caps Petty spurge Fennel Gazania Geranium Cudweed English ivy Toyon Horseweed Farmer’s foxtail Bitter lettuce Privet Italian ryegrass Cheeseweed Burclover Harding grass Bristly ox‐tongue English plantain Coast live oak Wild radish Himilayan blackberry Coast Redwood Sequoia Common sow thistle Hedge Parsley Hemlock Hairy vetch Foxtail fescue Dingee Backbone Pipeline Project SCIENTIFIC NAME ORIGIN Aesculus californica Anagallis arvenisis Avena fatua Baccharis pilularis Brassica rapa. Bromus catharticus Bromus diandrus Bromus hordeaceus Callistemon sp. Centaurea cyanus Cortaderia jubata Cotoneaster sp. Cytisus scoparius Dactylis glomerata Epipactus helleborine Equisetum arvense Erodium cicutarium Euphorbia crenulata Euphorbia peplus Foeniculum vulgare Gazania linearis Geranium dissectum Gnaphalium sp. Hedera helix Heteromeles arbutifolia Conyza bonariensis Hordeum murinum ssp. leporinum. Lactuca virosa Ligustrum sp. Lolium multiflorum Marva parviflora Medicago polymorpha Phalaris aquatica Picris echioides Plantago lanceolata Quercus agrifolia Raphanus sativus Rubus discolor Sequoia sempervirens Sequoiacendron giganteum Sonchus oleraceus Torilis nodosa Tsuga heterophylla Vicia villosa Vulpia myuros var. hirsuta Native Non‐native Non‐native Native Non‐native Non‐native Non‐native Non‐native Non‐native Non‐native Non‐native Non‐native Non‐native Non‐native Non‐native Native Non‐native Native Non‐native Non‐native Non‐native Non‐native Non‐native Non‐native Native Non‐native Non‐native Non‐native Non‐native Non‐native Non‐native Non‐native Non‐native Non‐native Non‐native Native Non‐native Non‐native Native Native Non‐native Non‐native Native Non‐native Non‐native 14 Biolo
Table 1 (cont). Plants observed at Claremont Center and Estates Reservoir. COMMON NAME Estates Reservoir – August 2008 Acacia Scarlet pimpernel Coyote brush Ripgut brome Soft chess Spanish brome Atlas cedar Bull thistle Cotoneaster Cypress Nit grass English ivy Toyon Farmer’s foxtail Juniper Fluellin Willow lettuce Prickly lettuce Wild lettuce Burclover Bristly ox‐tongue Pittosporum Pacific ponderosa pine Plum/cherry Firethorn Coast live oak Himalayan blackberry California blackberry Coast redwood Common Sow thistle Hedge parsley Common vetch Dingee Backbone Pipeline Project SCIENTIFIC NAME ORIGIN Acacia sp. Anagallis arvensis Baccharis pilularis Bromus diandrus Bromus hordeaceus Bromus madritensis ssp. madritensis Cedrus atlantica Cirsium vulgare Cotoneaster sp. Cupressus spp. Gastridium ventricosum Hedera helix Heteromeles arbutifolia Hordeum murinum ssp. leporinum Juniperus sp. Kickxia elatine Lactuca saligna Lactuca serriola Lactuca virosa Medicago polymorpha Picris echioides Pittosporum sp. Pinus ponderosa Prunus spp. Pyracantha sp. Quercus agrifolia Rubus discolor Rubus ursinus Sequoia sempervirens Sonchus oleraceus Torilis arvensis Vicia sativa ssp. nigra Non‐native Non‐native Native Non‐native Non‐native Non‐native Non‐native Non‐native Non‐native Non‐native Non‐native Non‐native Native Non‐native Non‐native Non‐native Non‐native Non‐native Non‐native Non‐native Non‐native Non‐native Native Non‐native Non‐native Native Non‐native Native Native Non‐native Non‐native Non‐native 15 Biolo
Table 2. CNDDB occurrences within five miles of the Project site Common Name Plants bent‐flowered fiddleneck pallid manzanita alkali milk‐vetch San Joaquin spearscale round‐leaved filaree San Francisco Bay spineflower robust spineflower Franciscan thistle Santa Clara red ribbons Presidio clarkia Point Reyes bird's‐beak western leatherwood Tiburon buckwheat fragrant fritillary Diablo helianthella Loma Prieta hoita Santa Cruz tarplant Kellogg's horkelia Oregon meconella robust monardella Choris' popcorn‐flower San Francisco popcorn‐flower slender‐leaved pondweed adobe sanicle most beautiful jewel‐flower California seablite saline clover Scientific Name Amsinckia lunaris Arctostaphylos pallida Astragalus tener var. tener Atriplex joaquiniana California macrophylla Chorizanthe cuspidata var. cuspidata Chorizanthe robusta var. robusta Cirsium andrewsii Clarkia concinna ssp. automixa Clarkia franciscana Cordylanthus maritimus ssp. palustris Dirca occidentalis Eriogonum luteolum var. caninum Fritillaria liliacea Helianthella castanea Hoita strobilina Holocarpha macradenia Horkelia cuneata ssp. sericea Meconella oregana Monardella villosa ssp. globosa Plagiobothrys chorisianus var. chorisianus Plagiobothrys diffusus Potamogeton filiformis Sanicula maritima Streptanthus albidus ssp. peramoenus Suaeda californica Trifolium depauperatum var. hydrophilum Number of Observations 8 8 2 1 4 1 1 1 1 1 3 20 2 3 8 1 3 2 4 3 1 1 1 1 4 1 1 Federal Status None Threatened None None None None Endangered None None Endangered None None None None None None Threatened None None None None None None None None Endangered None State Status None Endangered None None None None None None None Endangered None None None None None None Endangered None None None None Endangered None Rare None None None CNPS Status* 1B.2 1B.1 1B.2 1B.2 1B.1 1B.2 1B.1 1B.2 4.3 1B.1 1B.2 1B.2 1B.2 1B.2 1B.2 1B.1 1B.1 1B.1 1B.1 1B.2 1B.2 1B.1 2.2 1B.1 1B.2 1B.1 1B.2 *List 1A: Plants Presumed Extinct in California; List 2: Plants Rare, Threatened, or Endangered in California, But More Common Elsewhere; List 3: Plants About Which We Need More Information ‐ A Review List; List 4: Plants of Limited Distribution ‐ A Watch List. Threat Ranks: 0.1‐Seriously threatened in California (high degree/immediacy of threat); 0.2‐Fairly threatened in California (moderate degree/immediacy of threat); 0.3‐Not very threatened in California (low degree/immediacy of threats or no current threats known)
Dingee Backbone Pipeline Project 16 Biological Resources Assessment Table 2 (cont.) CNDDB occurrences within five miles of the Project site Common Name Invertebrates monarch butterfly Bay checkerspot butterfly Bridges' coast range shoulderband Lee's micro‐blind harvestman mimic tryonia (=California brackishwater snail) Fish Sacramento perch tidewater goby Amphibians & Reptiles western pond turtle California tiger salamander Alameda whipsnake foothill yellow‐legged frog California red‐legged frog Birds Cooper's hawk golden eagle northern harrier white‐tailed kite San Francisco common yellowthroat California black rail Alameda song sparrow California clapper rail Mammals pallid bat Berkeley kangaroo rat silver‐haired bat hoary bat big free‐tailed bat salt‐marsh harvest mouse Alameda Island mole American badger Dingee Backbone Pipeline Project Scientific Name Danaus plexippus Euphydryas editha bayensis Helminthoglypta nickliniana bridgesii Microcina leei Tryonia imitator Archoplites interruptus Eucyclogobius newberryi Actinemys marmorata Ambystoma californiense Masticophis lateralis euryxanthus Rana boylii Rana draytonii Accipiter cooperii Aquila chrysaetos Circus cyaneus Elanus leucurus Geothlypis trichas sinuosa Laterallus jamaicensis coturniculus Melospiza melodia pusillula Rallus longirostris obsoletus Antrozous pallidus Dipodomys heermanni berkeleyensis Lasionycteris noctivagans Lasiurus cinereus Nyctinomops macrotis Reithrodontomys raviventris Scapanus latimanus parvus Taxidea taxus Number of Observations 2 2 3 2 1 2 2 3 1 13 1 3 2 1 1 1 1 2 7 2 7 4 2 4 1 1 5 2 17 Federal Status None Threatened None None None None Endangered None Threatened Threatened None Threatened None None None None None None None Endangered None None None None None Endangered None None State Status None None None None None Special Concern Special Concern Special Concern Threatened Threatened Special Concern Special Concern None None Special Concern None Special Concern Threatened Special Concern Endangered Special Concern None None None Special Concern Endangered Special Concern Special Concern Biological Resources Assessment Table 3. Rare, unusual and significant plants potentially occurring in the project region. FEDERAL STATUS Threatened STATE STATUS Endangered Dingee Backbone Pipeline Project LOCAL LIST* A2 A1 A2 A2 A2 A2 A2 A1 A2 A1 A2 A1 A2 A2 A1 A2 A2 A1 A2 A1 A1 A1 A1 A1 A1 A2 A2 A2 A1 A2 A2 A1X CNPS LIST List 1B.2 List 1B.1 List 1B.2 List 1B.2 List 1B.1 List 4.2 List 1B.2 COMMON NAME Western five finger Coast dandelion Hall redtop Scytheleaf onion Oregon alder Bent‐flowered fiddleneck Forest madia Pallid manzanita Longtail wild ginger Alkali milk‐vetch San Joaquin spearscale Cascades Oregon grape Round‐leaved filaree Oakland star‐tulip Rosin weed Hedge false bindweed Hill sun cup Short stem sedge Dense sedge Dewey's taper fruit sedge Dudley's sedge Round fruit sedge Harford's sedge Smooth stem sedge Lakeshore sedge Many ribbed sedge Coast carex Rough sedge Lateral sedge Franciscan paintbrush Blueblossom San Francisco Bay spineflower SCIENTIFIC NAME Adiantum aleuticum Agoseris apargioides var. apargioides Agrostis hallii Allium falcifolium Alnus rubra Amsinckia lunaris Anisocarpus madioides Arctostaphylos pallida Asarum caudatum Astragalus tener var. tener Atriplex joaquiniana Berberis nervosa California macrophylla Calochortus umbellatus Calycadenia multiglandulosa Calystegia sepium ssp. limnophila Camissonia graciliflora Carex brevicaulis Carex densa Carex deweyana ssp. leptopoda Carex dudleyi Carex globosa Carex harfordii Carex laeviculmis Carex lenticularis Carex multicostata Carex obnupta Carex senta Carex unilateralis Castilleja subinclusa ssp. franciscana Ceanothus thyrsiflorus Chorizanthe cuspidate var. cuspidata 18 Biological Resources Assessment Table 3 (cont.) Rare, unusual and significant plants potentially occurring in the project region. FEDERAL STATUS Endangered Endangered STATE STATUS Endangered Dingee Backbone Pipeline Project LOCAL LIST* A1X A2 A1 A2 A1 A1 A2 A1 A2 A2 A1 A1X A1 A2 A2 A2 A1 A2 A2 A2 A2 A1 A2 A1 A1 A1 NONE A1 A2 A1X A1 A1 CNPS LIST List 1B.1 List 1B.2 List 4.3 List 1B.1 List 1B.2 List 1B.2 List 1B.2 List 1B.2 List 1B.1 List 1B.2 List 1B.1 List 1B.1 COMMON NAME Robust spineflower Bush chinquapin Franciscan thistle Alameda County thistle Santa Clara red ribbons Presidio clarkia Large godetia Andrew's clintonia Variableleaf collomia Spotted coralroot Hooded coralroot Point Reyes bird’s‐beak Minute flowered cryptantha Torrey's cyptantha California larkspur Western leatherwood Bluff lettuce Jepson's blue wildrye California wheat grass Rye grass Cliff fleabane Tiburon buckwheat Golden buckwheat Western burning bush Fragrant fritillary Salal Blue coast gilia Manna grass Diablo helianthella Loma Prieta hoita Santa Cruz tarplant California horkelia SCIENTIFIC NAME Chorizanthe robusta var. robusta Chrysolepis chrysophylla var. minor Cirsium andrewsii Cirsium quercetorum Clarkia concinna ssp. automixa Clarkia franciscana Clarkia purpurea ssp. viminea Clintonia andrewsiana Collomia heterophylla Corallorhiza maculata var. maculata Corallorhiza striata Cordylanthus maritimus ssp. palustris Cryptantha micromeres Cryptantha torreyana Delphinium californicum ssp. californicum Dirca occidentalis Dudleya farinosa Elymus glaucus ssp. jepsonii Elymus stebbinsii Elymus X hansenii Erigeron petrophilus var. petrophilus Eriogonum luteolum var. caninum Eriogonum luteolum var. luteolum Euonymus occidentalis var. occidentalis Fritillaria liliacea Gaultheria shallon Gilia capitata ssp. chamissonis Glyceria leptostachya Helianthella castanea Hoita strobilina Holocarpha macradenia Horkelia californica ssp. californica 19 Biological Resources Assessment Table 3 (cont.) Rare, unusual and significant plants potentially occurring in the project region. FEDERAL STATUS STATE STATUS Endangered Dingee Backbone Pipeline Project LOCAL LIST* A1X A2 A1 A2 A2 A1 A2 A1 A1 A2 A2 A2 A2 A2 A2 A2 A2 A1 A2 A2 A1 A2 A2 A2 A2 A1X A1 A1 A1 A1 A2 A2 CNPS LIST List 1B.1 List 4.2 List 1B.1 List 1B.2 List 4.2 List 1B.2 List 1B.1 List 2.2 COMMON NAME Kellogg’s horkelia Douglas Iris Central Coast iris Pointed rush Tall layia Lovage Leopard lily Balsam lotus Manycolored lupine Woolly malacothrix Oregon meconella Brownies Large leaved sandwort Douglas' monardella Robust monardella California wax myrtle Hairy wood sorrel Redwood sorrel Fire poppy Oregon yampah Western Coltsfoot Stinging phacelia Knobcone pine Dense flowered rein orchid Michael's piperia Choris’ popcorn flower San Francisco popcorn‐flower Coast allocarya Slender‐leaved pondweed Mountain selfheal Twocolor cudweed Shreve oak SCIENTIFIC NAME Horkelia cuneata ssp. sericea Iris douglasiana Iris longipetala Juncus oxymeris Layia hieracioides Ligusticum apiifolium Lilium pardalinum ssp. pardalinum Lotus stipularis var. stipularis Lupinus variicolor Malacothrix floccifera Meconella oregana Mimulus douglasii Moehringia macrophylla Monardella douglasii ssp. douglasii Monardella villosa ssp. globosa Morella californica Oxalis corniculata ssp. pilosa Oxalis oregana Papaver californicum Perideria oregana Petasites frigidus var. palmatus Phacelia malvifolia Pinus attenuata Piperia elongata Piperia michaelii Plagiobothrys chorisianus var. chorisianus Plagiobothrys diffusus Plagiobothrys undulatus Potamogeton filiformis Prunella vulgaris ssp. lanceolata Pseudognaphalium biolettii Quercus parvula var. shrevii 20 Biological Resources Assessment Table 3 (cont.) Rare, unusual and significant plants potentially occurring in the project region. FEDERAL STATUS STATE STATUS LOCAL LIST* A2 A1 A1 A1 A2 A1 A2 A1X A2 A2 A1 A2 A2 A1X A2 A1 A1 A2 A2 A1 A2 A1 CNPS LIST List 1B.1 List 1B.2 List 1B.1 List 1B.2 COMMON NAME Bitter gooseberry Golden currant Nootka rose Salmon berry Nuttall willow Pacific red elderberry Coast sanicle Adobe sanicle California skullcap Bristly foxtail California golden eyed grass Most beautiful jewel‐flower Everlasting nest straw California seablite White panicle aster Pig a back plant Saline clover Chilean clover Pacific trillium Blue violet Stream violet Redwood violet SCIENTIFIC NAME Ribes amarum Ribes aureum var. gracillimum Rosa nutkana var. nutkana Rubus spectabilis Salix scouleriana Sambucus racemosa var. racemosa Sanicula laciniata Sanicula maritima Scutellaria californica Setaria gracilis Sisyrinchium californicum Streptanthus albidus ssp. peramoenus Stylocline gnaphaloides Suaeda californica Symphyotrichum lanceolatum var. herperium Tolmiea menziesii Trifolium depauperatum var. hydrophilum Trifolium macraei Trillium ovatum ssp. ovatum Viola adunca Viola glabella Viola sempervirens * Local List from CNPS East Bay Chapter (Lake 2010) include Alameda and Contra Costa counties (ALA/CC): List A1 – Species known from two or less botanical regions in the two counties, either currently or historically; List A1X – Species previously know from the two counties, but now believed to have been extirpated; List A2 – Species currently known from 3 to 5 regions in the two counties, or, if more, meeting other important criteria such as small populations, stressed or declining populations, small geographic range, limited or threatened habitat, etc. Dingee Backbone Pipeline Project 21 Biological Resources Assessment