_DEIR - Laserfiche WebLink

City of Pleasanton—Hidden Canyon Residences and Preserve Biological Resources Draft EIR 3.3-22 FirstCarbon Solutions https://adecinnovations.sharepoint.com/sites/PublicationsSite/Shared Documents/Publications/Client (PN-JN)/2148/21480016/EIR/3 - Draft EIR/21480016 Sec03-03 Bio Resources.docx slow with age, it is unlikely that additional trees have reached Heritage Tree status since the 2020 report. Therefore, the findings of the 2020 Tree Report hold true. Literature Review LOA Biologists reviewed existing environmental documentation for the project site and immediate vicinity. This documentation includes literature pertaining to habitat requirements of special-status species potentially occurring on or near the project site, and Federal Register listings, protocols, and species data provided by the USFWS and CDFW. LOA Biologists reviewed the USGS 7.5-minute Dublin, California quadrangle map and eight surrounding quadrangles and aerial photographs as a preliminary analysis of existing conditions within the project site and immediate vicinity. Information obtained included elevation range, general watershed information, and potential drainage feature locations. Aerial photographs provide a perspective of the most current site conditions relative to on- and off-site land use, plant community locations, and potential locations of wildlife movement corridors. LOA also reviewed the United States Department of Agriculture soil data to determine whether soil conditions on-site are suitable for any special-status plant species. LOA Biologists compiled a list of threatened, endangered, and special-status species previously recorded within the project vicinity. The list was based on a search of the CDFW’s CNDDB, a special- status species and plant community account database, and the CNPS’s Electronic Inventory of Rare Plants of California (CNPS Inventory). Database search results can be found in Appendix C. Field Surveys Botanical Surveys Focused botanical surveys were most recently conducted on August 18 and 31 and September 15 and 28, 2023, to assess the presence of rare plant species on-site. These surveys build upon an extensive history of botanical investigation. An initial reconnaissance-level field survey was conducted for plants in 2014. This survey determined that three rare plant species have the potential to occur on-site, including big-scale balsamroot, Congdon’s tarplant, and Diablo helianthella. Therefore, LOA ecologists conducted focused surveys for all three potentially occurring rare plant species again in 2014. Additional botanical surveys were conducted on September 15 and 30, 2014, September 15, 2016, October 10, 2017, and August 26, 2019. Preliminary Jurisdictional Delineation Surveys A formal wetland delineation was conducted on the project site in April 27 and May 19, 2015, and a follow up delineation on June 14 and June 28, 2016, by LOA. An Approved Jurisdictional Determination (AJD) was subsequently issued by USACE on September 25, 2017. Considering the expiration of an AJD, LOA ecologist Dr. Arren Allegretti conducted a formal wetland delineation on June 15 and 16, 2023. On August 15, 2024, the USACE issued a PJD that identified all aquatic features as jurisdictional including seasonal wetlands (0.54 acre), tributary waters (1.48 acres and 6,997 linear feet), seasonal wetland gulley (0.001 acre and 71 linear feet), and a roadside ditch (0.06 acre and 266 linear feet).