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9 <br /> <br />Sensitive habitats include riparian corridors, wetlands, habitats for legally protected species and <br />CDFW Species of Special Concern, areas of high biological diversity, areas providing important <br />wildlife habitat, and unusual or regionally restricted habitat types. Habitat types considered <br />sensitive include those listed on the CNDDB working list of “high priority” habitats (i.e., those <br />habitats that are rare or endangered within the borders of California) (Holland 1986). <br />4.2.2 Wetlands/Waters <br />The RWQCB regulates activities in wetlands and other waters through §401 of the Clean Water <br />Act and the Porter-Cologne Act. Section 401 requires a state water quality certification for <br />properties subject to 404 regulations. Requirements of the certification include mitigation for <br />loss of wetland habitat. In the San Francisco Bay region, the RWQCB may identify additional <br />wetland mitigation beyond the mitigation required by the Corps. California Fish and Game Code <br />§§1600-1607 require the CDFW be notified of any activity that could affect the bank or bed of <br />any stream that has value to fish and wildlife. Upon notification, the CDFW has the discretion to <br />execute a Streambed Alteration Agreement. The CDFW defines a stream as follows: <br /> “... a body of water that flows at least periodically...through a bed or channel having <br />banks and supporting fish and other aquatic life. This includes watercourses having a <br />subsurface flow that supports or has supported riparian vegetation.” <br /> (Source: Streambed Alteration Program, California Department of Fish and Wildlife, 2016). <br />In practice, CDFW authority is extended to any “blue line” stream shown on a USGS <br />topographic map, as well as unmapped channels with a definable bank and bed. Wetlands, as <br />defined by the Corps, need not be present for CDFW to exert authority. <br />4.2.3 California Environmental Quality Act <br />According to Appendix G of the CEQA (CEQA 2022) Guidelines, a proposed project would <br />have a significant impact on biological resources if it would: <br />a) Have a substantial adverse effect, either directly or through habitat modifications, on any <br />species identified as a candidate, sensitive, or special status species in local or regional <br />plans, policies, or regulations, or by the CDFW and USFWS? <br />b) Have a substantial adverse effect on any riparian habitat or other sensitive natural <br />community identified in local or regional plans, policies, and regulations or by the <br />CDFW or USFWS?