RES 2026023 - Laserfiche WebLink

Sequoia Ecological Consulting, Inc. CalVTP Project-Specific Analysis and Addendum Augustin Bernal Community Park Fuel Reduction November 2025 4-36 • Within suitable habitat, heavy equipment, including mowing equipment which may collapse burrows, would be utilized exclusively from stable operating surfaces, such as established roads and trails With these additional focused MMs, impacts to Alameda whipsnake would be reduced to less than significant. This impact is consistent with the CalVTP PEIR. Impacts to Special-Status Avian Species (White-Tailed Kite and Yellow Warbler) and Nesting Birds Direct impacts to special-status avian species could occur if nest trees, snags, or shrubs are removed, or if ground nests are destroyed through mechanical or prescribed herbivory treatments. Indirect impacts include disturbance of active nests within a zone of influence of project activities, depending on the equipment to be used, anticipated amount of time for construction at a given location, sensitivity to disturbance of any nesting birds present, and other factors. Limbing-up of nest trees or trees adjacent to nest trees could disturb nesting activity. Removal of vegetative cover could indirectly impact nesting birds by reducing cover protecting bird nests or prey species. The Project does not impact chaparral or coastal sage scrub, is designed to avoid riparian habitat and no new roads would be created (SPR HYD-2). Trees greater than approximately 6 inches DBH would be retained unless they pose a fire hazard, as determined by the project proponent. 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 for prey species such as rabbits and small mammals, and reduce the potential for indirect impacts to these species. During prescribed herbivory activities, wildlife-friendly fencing would be installed to allow perching by avian species and prevent electrocution (SPR BIO-11). Pre-treatment surveys would be combined with a focused nesting survey during nesting season (SPR BIO-1, SPR BIO-3, SPR BIO-10) to identify avian nests within the project footprint and species-specific buffers. Crew members and contractors would be trained to identify and avoid special-status avian nests if encountered (SPR BIO-2), and a qualified RPF or biologist would be available to provide guidance as needed. If identified, active nests (e.g., eggs, nestlings, parental attendance) would be protected with an avoidance buffer (SPR AD-2). Even following the above SPRs, project impacts to special-status avian species could still be considered potentially significant. Therefore, MMs BIO-2a, BIO-2b, and BIO-4 would be implemented, including avoidance of sensitive habitats, retention of habitat function, prevention of habitat type conversion, and restriction of treatment activities to the non-nesting season as feasible for project objectives to avoid impacts to nest success (as applicable), nests, and prey base. If active bird nests are detected during focused surveys, a no-disturbance buffer would be established based on species and life stage, and no