RES 2026023 - Laserfiche WebLink

Sequoia Ecological Consulting, Inc. CalVTP Project-Specific Analysis and Addendum Augustin Bernal Community Park Fuel Reduction November 2025 4-38 Adverse effects on nesting birds can be avoided by conducting initial treatments between September 1 and January 31, outside of the nesting bird season (February 1 to August 31). Pre-treatment surveys would be combined with a focused nesting survey during nesting season (SPR BIO-10) to identify nests within the project footprint and establish at minimum a 50-foot buffer, performed by qualified RPF or biologist. Nesting bird surveys would occur no more than 7 days prior to work to ensure that no nests would be disturbed during treatment activities. If work pauses for more than 7 days, a follow-up survey would be conducted by a qualified RPF or biologist prior to the restarting of work. Appropriate survey areas would be determined by the qualified RPF or biologist depending on the project footprint, type of activity proposed, and suitable habitat for nesting birds. Surveys would be conducted during periods of high bird activity (i.e., 1–3 hours after sunrise and 1–3 hours before sunset) and under suitable weather conditions for detecting nesting birds. If the RPF or qualified biologist determines that visibility is significantly obstructed due to on-site conditions (e.g., access issues, rain, fog, smoke, or sound disturbance [including high wind]), surveys would be deferred until conditions are suitable for nest detection. Should the biologist encounter an active nest of a migratory bird species, the biologist would establish an avoidance buffer of at least 50 feet (SPR AD-2) until the nest is fledged or deemed inactive. If it is infeasible to avoid vegetation treatment within nesting season, only manual treatment would be permitted, and the project proponent would work closely with an RPF or biological monitor, which is consistent with SPR BIO-12. A biological monitor would be present on-site for work within the vicinity of raptor or eagle nests. No trees containing raptor nests would be removed. Even following the above SPRs, project impacts could still be considered potentially significant. Therefore, MMs BIO-2a, BIO-2b, BIO-3a, and BIO-4 would be implemented, including avoidance of protected aquatic features, targeted removal of non-native vegetation, strategic native vegetation removal to retain habitat function and prevent type conversion, and restriction of treatment activities to the non-nesting season if feasible to avoid impacts to nest success. If it is infeasible to avoid vegetation treatment within the nesting season, only manual treatment would be permitted and an RPF or biological monitor would be available during treatment activities. If work occurs within the vicinity of an active nest, 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.” A biological monitor would be present on-site during work within the vicinity of raptor, eagle, or special-status bird nests. No trees containing raptor nests would be removed. Additionally, trees containing golden eagle nests would not be removed pursuant to the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act. With these additional focused MMs, impacts to nesting birds would be reduced to less than significant. This impact is consistent with the CalVTP PEIR.