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City of Pleasanton—Hidden Canyon Residences and Preserve Draft EIR Biological Resources FirstCarbon Solutions 3.3-23 https://adecinnovations.sharepoint.com/sites/PublicationsSite/Shared Documents/Publications/Client (PN-JN)/2148/21480016/EIR/3 - Draft EIR/21480016 Sec03-03 Bio Resources.docx General Biological Surveys LOA Biologists surveyed the proposed project site on August 18 and 31, and September 15 and 28, 2023. These surveys build upon an extensive history of biological assessments conducted between May 2014 and August 2019. The 2023 surveys were conducted to assess general site conditions, identify vegetation and wildlife habitats, and identify any potentially suitable habitat areas for various special-status plant and wildlife species. Special-status species were identified during literature review with special attention paid to sensitive habitats and areas potentially supporting special-status floral and faunal species. Common plant species observed during these field surveys were identified by visual characteristics and morphology in the field and recorded in a field notebook. Wildlife species detected during the field-level survey by sight, calls, tracks, scat, or other signs were recorded in a field notebook. Notations were made regarding suitable habitat for those special- status species determined to have the potential to occur within the project site. Appropriate field guides were used to assist with species identification during surveys. 3.3.7 - Thresholds of Significance Significance Criteria The Lead Agency has elected to derive its significance criteria based on the questions in CEQA Guidelines Appendix G Environmental Checklist. These questions reflect the input of planning and environmental professionals at the Governor’s Office of Land Use and Climate Innovation (LCI) and the California Natural Resources Agency, based on input from stakeholder groups and experts in various other governmental agencies, nonprofits, and leading environmental consulting firms. They also reflect the requirements of laws other than CEQA that protect biological resources (e.g., the federal CWA , the Porter-Cologne Water Quality Control Act, the federal and State endangered species acts, and the Natural Community Conservation Planning Act). Additional is found in CEQA Guidelines Section 15065, subdivision (a)(1), which provides that a lead agency shall find that a project may have a significant effect on the environment if “[t]he project has the potential to: . . . substantially reduce the habitat of a fish or wildlife species; cause a fish or wildlife population to drop below self-sustaining levels; threaten to eliminate a plant or animal community; [or]substantially reduce the number or restrict the range of an endangered, rare or threatened species[.]” The “mandatory findings of significance” also address potential impacts to biological resources. Accordingly, the City has determined that impacts resulting from the implementation of the proposed project would be considered significant if the project would: a) Have a substantial adverse effect on any riparian habitat or other sensitive natural community identified in local or regional plans, policies, and regulations or by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife or United States Fish and Wildlife Service. b) 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.