RES 2026023 - Laserfiche WebLink

Sequoia Ecological Consulting, Inc. CalVTP Project-Specific Analysis and Addendum Augustin Bernal Community Park Fuel Reduction November 2025 4-33 be developed as part of project implementation. The project proponent would follow herbicide application regulations (SPR HAZ-6). Even following the above SPRs, project impacts could still be considered potentially significant. Measures that ensure full avoidance of Alameda whipsnake take would be implemented at all project areas. Therefore, implementation of the following Alameda whipsnake avoidance and minimization strategy would be utilized, which is consistent with CalVTP MMs: BIO-2a, BIO-2b, and BIO-5. Treatment will either avoid occupied habitat or be implemented in such a way that it does not disturb Alameda whipsnake. If work occurs within occupied 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.” Implementing treatment activities within suitable Alameda whipsnake habitat would require focused surveys to determine presence of Alameda whipsnake each day prior to work at each new area. If crews are working within suitable Alameda whipsnake habitat, a qualified RPF or biologist would conduct ongoing focused pre-treatment surveys during treatment activities, adhering to methodologies recommended in Miller and Alvarez (2016). Within highly suitable habitat, surveys would be repeated in treatment areas immediately prior to vegetation removal to ensure that the species is not present prior to the start of work in each scrub area. A qualified RPF or biologist would check suitable refugia within the work area, including vegetation and rock piles. When dense vegetation within suitable Alameda whipsnake habitat inhibits visual survey effectiveness, the biologist would work closely with the crew to intermittently cut a small amount of brush to allow surveys of small areas. Active surveys would be performed throughout the vegetation removal activity within suitable Alameda whipsnake habitat, and if work ceases for more than 1 hour, the area would be re-surveyed prior to restarting work. During this survey effort, the qualified RPF or biologist would also advise the crew on avoidance of on-site potential refugia, such as burrows and rock piles. The nature of shaded fuel break work would not change habitat function for Alameda whipsnake dispersal, foraging, and core scrub habitat. Alameda whipsnake 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 above 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.