RES 2026023 - Laserfiche WebLink

Sequoia Ecological Consulting, Inc. CalVTP Project-Specific Analysis and Addendum Augustin Bernal Community Park Fuel Reduction November 2025 A-22 SPR BIO-5: Avoid Environmental Effects of Type Conversion and Maintain Habitat Function in Chaparral and Coastal Sage Scrub The project proponent would design treatment activities to avoid type conversion where native coastal sage scrub and chaparral are present. An ecological definition of type conversion is used in the CalVTP PEIR for assessment of environmental effects: a change from a vegetation type dominated by native shrub species that are characteristic of chaparral and coastal sage scrub vegetation alliances to a vegetation type characterized predominantly by weedy herbaceous cover or annual grasslands. For the PEIR, type conversion is considered in terms of habitat function, which is defined here as the arrangement and capability of habitat features to provide refuge, food source, and reproduction habitat to plants and animals, and thereby contribute to the conservation of biological and genetic diversity and evolutionary processes (de Groot et al. 2002). Some modification of habitat characteristics may occur, provided habitat function is maintained (i.e., the location, essential habitat features, and species supported are not substantially changed). During the reconnaissance-level survey required in SPR BIO-1, a qualified RPF or biologist would identify chaparral and coastal sage scrub vegetation to the alliance level and determine the condition class and fire return interval departure of the chaparral and/or coastal sage scrub present in each treatment area. For all treatment types in chaparral and coastal sage scrub, the project proponent, in consultation with a qualified RPF or biologist would: • Develop a treatment design that avoids environmental effects of type conversion in chaparral and coastal sage scrub vegetation alliances, which would include evaluating and determining the appropriate spatial scale at which the proponent would consider type conversion and substantiating its appropriateness o The project proponent would demonstrate with substantial evidence that the habitat function of chaparral and coastal sage scrub would be at least maintained within the identified spatial scale at which type conversion is evaluated for the specific treatment project o Consideration of factors such as site hydrology, erosion potential, suitability of wildlife habitat, spatial needs of Initial Treatment: N Treatment Maintenance: N N/A N/A N/A