ITEM 23 ATTACHMENT 1 - CEQA Checklist

City of Pleasanton—Merritt Property Project Consistency Checklist 15183 Consistency Checklist 66 impacts to the oak woodland habitat would occur in the southwestern portion of the project site, where trees would be removed to accommodate the widening of Foothill Road. A small portion of the oak woodland/riparian habitat along the southern boundary would also be impacted by the placement of future homes. Potential impacts to the oak woodland habitat would be reduced with implementation of on-site mitigation measures. Consistent with the City’s Urban Forest Management Plan, oak woodland habitat approved for removal may be mitigated through: (1) payment toward the City’s urban forestry fund, or (2) replacement planting with an appropriate quantity and size of trees. Approval of the proposed project would be conditioned upon compliance with recommendations provided in the project-specific BRA (MM BIO-1). The removed trees would be replaced at a minimum of 1:1 ratio for the impacted oak woodland. This includes avoidance and minimization measures to riparian habitat. Implementation of these conditions, including general avoidance and minimization measures, would ensure that any potential biological resource impacts remain less than significant as described in the Housing Element Update FEIR. c) State or Federally Protected Waters and Wetlands Would the project: Have a substantial adverse effect on State or federally protected wetlands (including, but not limited to, marsh, vernal pool, coastal, etc.) through direct removal, filling, hydrological interruption, or other means? Summary of Housing Element Update FEIR The Housing Element Update FEIR indicated that wetlands are found throughout the Planning Area and on some of the sites which were rezoned. Therefore, individual development projects consistent with the Housing Element Update could result in impacts to State and federally protected waters and wetlands. Although subsequent projects may impact protected wetlands, the regulatory process that is established through Section 404 of the CWA would ensure that there is “no net loss” of protected wetlands. Section 401 of the CWA (33 United States Code [USC] § 1341) requires an applicant who is seeking a 404 permit to also obtain a water quality certification from the Regional Water Quality Control Board (RWQCB), which must indicate that the proposed fill is consistent with the standards set forth by the State and confirm that any discharge into regulated wetlands comply with applicable water quality standards.