RES 2026023 - Laserfiche WebLink

Sequoia Ecological Consulting, Inc. CalVTP Project-Specific Analysis and Addendum Augustin Bernal Community Park Fuel Reduction November 2025 4-32 targeting removal of invasive vegetation, protecting native milkweed, protecting overwintering sites, and restricting prescribed burning activities in suitable monarch habitat when the species is observed to avoid direct impacts to individuals. If monarch butterfly, monarch larvae host plants (e.g., Asclepias californica, A. fascicularis, A. speciosa), or overwintering roost trees are identified during focused surveys (conducted pursuant to SPR BIO-10), or the species is assumed to be present in lieu of conducting surveys, the project proponent would avoid or minimize adverse effects on the species by avoiding treatment activities in suitable monarch habitat during overwintering or larval periods. If monarch overwintering groups or larvae are detected, a buffer determined appropriate by a qualified RPF or biologist would be established. The project proponent would flag avoidance buffers, within which no treatment activities would occur, a qualified biologist or RPF would be available to provide guidance as needed, and/or other measures recommended by CDFW would be followed as necessary to avoid injury to or mortality of these species or impacts to the population. If work occurs within occupied monarch habitat, MM BIO-2b requires flagging areas for avoidance and establishing no-work buffers. MM BIO-2b also states: “A qualified RPF, biologist, or biological technician will be required to monitor the effectiveness of the no-disturbance buffer around the nest, den, burrow, or other occurrence during treatment.” Because the Project proposes to remove invasive species through various treatments, the results of project implementation may improve habitat quality for monarch butterfly. With these additional focused MMs, impacts to monarch butterfly would be reduced to less than significant. This impact is consistent with the CalVTP PEIR. Impacts to Alameda Whipsnake Direct impacts to Alameda whipsnake could occur through crushing the animals with vehicles, collapsing occupied burrows, or burning occupied piles. Indirect impacts could occur from habitat type conversion of scrub and chaparral. Within Alameda whipsnake habitat, treatment methods would primarily include manual methods, and in adjacent habitat, grazing and prescribed burning. Mechanical equipment would not be operated within suitable Alameda whipsnake habitat. The Project does not impact chaparral or coastal sage scrub and is designed to avoid creation of new roads (SPR HYD-2). SPR GEO-1 would suspend treatment activities during heavy precipitation until soils are no longer saturated, reduce the potential for project activities to disturb ground-supporting burrows, and reduce the potential for impacts to this species. Within suitable Alameda whipsnake habitat, pre- treatment surveys would be combined with a focused survey (SPR BIO-1, SPR BIO-3, SPR BIO-10) to identify individuals and burrow sites within the project footprint. Crew members and cont ractors would be trained to identify individuals and burrows (SPR BIO-2), and a biological monitor would be present on- site within Alameda whipsnake habitat to provide guidance as needed. If individuals are encountered, they would be protected with an appropriate avoidance buffer (SPR AD-2) and would be allowed to leave the work area of their own volition. To protect habitat, a Spill Prevention and Response Plan (SPR HAZ-5) would