RES 2026023 - Laserfiche WebLink

Sequoia Ecological Consulting, Inc. CalVTP Project-Specific Analysis and Addendum Augustin Bernal Community Park Fuel Reduction November 2025 A-74 MITIGATION MEASURES APPLICABLE? (Y/N) TIMING IMPLEMENTING ENTITY VERIFYING/ MONITORING ENTITY Pile burning: The following measures apply when work occurs in suitable Alameda whipsnake habitat: During any season, vegetation piles for burning would either be burned the same day, or the pile would be deconstructed and investigated prior to burning. Placement of piles for burning would avoid suitable refugia for Alameda whipsnake, including large rodent burrows and rocky outcrops. Directional pile burning: Fires would be lit from one end of the pile (typically the uphill side on slopes) to allow Alameda whipsnake to escape, rather than lighting the whole pile at once. Maintaining Alameda Whipsnake Habitat Function. Suitable Alameda whipsnake habitat is described in the USFWS Critical Habitat Designation (USFWS 2006) as comprising three habitat types: core scrub, dispersal/foraging habitat, and rocky outcrop habitat. Dispersal and foraging habitat includes woodland or annual grassland contiguous to core scrub habitat. The nature of the Project activities would not change the habitat functional of dispersal and foraging habitat because large oak woodland trees would be retained, and scrub and grassland habitat would not be heavily targeted for treatment. Core scrub habitat is described as shrub communities with a mosaic of open and closed canopy patches. USFWS defines scrub as coastal scrub, coyote brush scrub, or maritime chaparral areas (or “scrub”) greater than 0.5 acres in size, or scrub areas greater than 0.2 acres in size that are within 50 feet of scrub patches greater than 0.5 acres in size (USFWS 2006). When work is occurring within core scrub habitat areas, the crew would work closely with the biologist to selectively remove scrub in a way that retains these dimensions, and therefore retains the overall habitat function while still serving the needs of the shaded fuel break. This technique has been used on previous projects and aims to provide a “scrub mosaic” that retains Alameda whipsnake habitat function. Scrub mosaic recommendations may vary depending on site conditions. The following techniques would be implemented during treatment: 1. Vegetation removal would occur in irregular, oblong shapes to maintain a natural condition. 2. Vegetation removal would avoid rocky outcrops. 3. The overall dominant habitat type would not be converted. 4. Vegetation removal would focus on dead, woody vegetation, and invasive plants.