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Environmental Impacts of the Proposed Changes to the Original Project Addendum to the City of Pleasanton Downtown Specific Plan Final Environmental Impact Report 25 5.3 Biological Resources Impacts Identified in the Certified Final EIR The Final EIR recognizes that although the DSP area is mostly developed, it includes Arroyo del Valle, a westward flowing stream that originates in northeastern Santa Clara County and feeds into Lake Del Valle. The Final EIR identifies habitat of special status species located along Arroyo del Valle, including but not limited to habitat for California red-legged frog, California tiger salamander, Chinook salmon, and western pond turtle. In other parts of the DSP area, special-status species including but not limited to Crotch bumble bee, western bumble bee, and Alameda whipsnake have been recorded. Because the DSP would discourage development along Arroyo del Valle, and DSP Policy LD-P.62 would require projects around Arroyo del Valle to implement measures to minimize potentially negative effects, the Final EIR determined that implementation of the DSP would not have a substantial adverse effect on special-status species. Similarly, because the DSP included policies to support implementation of the Zone 7 Stream Management Master Plan, the Final EIR concluded that the DSP would not result in substantial adverse effects to riparian habitat or other sensitive natural communities. The Final EIR determined that the DSP would not result in a substantial adverse effect on federally protected wetlands, including portions of Arroyo del Valle, as development projects facilitated by the DSP would be required to comply with existing regulations such as Section 404 of the Clean Water Act and Pleasanton’s Watercourse Protection Ordinance. Additionally, the DSP includes policies that require developers of projects located along Arroyo del Valley to assess existing conditions and prepare channel/habitat restoration plans and wildlife and habitat monitoring programs. Therefore, the Final EIR concludes that implementation of the DSP would not result in substantial adverse effects to resident or migratory wildlife and would not impede the use of wildlife nursery sites. Additionally, the Final EIR determined that the DSP would not conflict with any local policies or ordinances protecting biological resources, such as a tree preservation policy or ordinance, as the DSP would require developers to implement measures to protect existing trees and biological resources. The Final EIR also concluded that the DSP would not conflict with the provisions of an adopted habitat conservation plan, natural community conservation plan, or other approved local, regional, or state habitat conservation plans. Overall, the Final EIR concluded that the DSP would result in less than significant impacts to biological resources. Impacts of the Barone’s Project The project site is immediately south of and adjacent to Arroyo del Valle, and the project would include construction of residences in the northern portion of the project site along Arroyo del Valle. The project site is within the Wildland Overlay of the City’s General Plan and has a DSP designation of Open Space Arroyo. Residences would be set back 20 feet from the top of the existing bank, and the project would not include modifications to the bed, channel or banks of Arroyo del Valle. During construction, the project would involve excavation and grading activities that could result in erosion and sedimentation within Arroyo del Valle. Potential spills from construction equipment could result in contamination of Arroyo del Valle, which would be a potentially substantial adverse effect on special-status species, sensitive natural communities, and wetlands. However, the project would be required to conform with the policies of the DSP, several of which aim to protect and enhance the condition of Arroyo del Valle. Applicable DSP policies include: