RES 2026023 - Laserfiche WebLink

Sequoia Ecological Consulting, Inc. CalVTP Project-Specific Analysis and Addendum Augustin Bernal Community Park Fuel Reduction November 2025 4-39 Impacts to Special-Status Bats: Pallid Bat and Townsend’s Big-Eared Bat Depending on the species present, the size of the roost, the type of roost (e.g., maternity, day, night, hibernation), and the season when tree removal would occur, the removal of trees and limbs could affect bats through removal of the roost and injury to bats. Tree removal activities could impact colonial bat species, which select a variety of trees and roost features, including cavities, crevices, and deep fissures in the wood or bark of trees and/or exfoliating bark. Indirect impacts to special-status bats include introduction of white-nose syndrome, modification or loss of roosting or foraging habitat, and disturbance to maternity roosts. Loud mechanical equipment used within the shaded fuel break could impact bat species roosting in buildings or structures in the area. Smoke from pile burning could also impact roosting bats by disturbing them during sleep, breeding, or hibernation. The Project does not impact chaparral or coastal sage scrub and is designed to avoid riparian habitat. Crew members and contractors would be trained to identify and avoid bat roosts if encountered (SPR BIO-2). If identified, active maternity or night roosts would be protected with an avoidance buffer (SPR AD-2). A Spill Prevention and Response Plan (SPR HAZ-5) would be developed as part of project implementation, and the project proponent would comply with herbicide application regulations (SPR HAZ-6) and restrict use of herbicide. SPR BIO-10 requires focused surveys when working in potentially suitable habitat for special-status species, which includes roosting bats, and during maternity roosting season (April to July 31). Due to the difficulty of detecting bats during traditional daytime surveys, pre-treatment bat surveys would focus on identifying potential bat habitat and roosting structures. If potentially suitable roosting structures occur in project areas, a qualified bat biologist would conduct a Level 1 survey (year-round) for evidence of bat occupation, specifically looking for signs of day-roosting, such as fecal matter, staining, and carcasses. Based on the results of Level 1 surveys, day and night emergence Level 2 surveys would be performed (April 1 to September 15). 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-breeding season as much as possible to avoid impacts to bats and their insect prey base. If special-status bat roosts are identified during focused surveys, a no-disturbance buffer of 250 feet would be established around active pallid bat (Antrozous pallidus), Townsend’s big-eared bat (Corynorhinus townsendii), and other special- status bat roosts, and mechanical treatments, manual treatments, and broadcast and pile burning would not occur within this buffer. MM BIO-2b also states: “A qualified RPF, biologist, or biological technician will