RES 2026023 - Laserfiche WebLink

Sequoia Ecological Consulting, Inc. CalVTP Project-Specific Analysis and Addendum Augustin Bernal Community Park Fuel Reduction November 2025 4-40 be required to monitor the effectiveness of the no-disturbance buffer around the nest, den, burrow, or other occurrence during treatment.” Bats may be excluded from roost locations by a qualified bat biologist or, under the direct advisory of a qualified bat biologist, from roosting structures in the work area only during the periods from mid- February until mid-April (hibernation) and late August until mid-October (to avoid hibernation and maternity season). Bat elimination would follow BMPs and must include the combination of two actions: 1) careful blockage of all openings that are large enough to allow bats to enter and 2) installation of one- way valves placed on the actively used openings to allow the bats to fly outside as they normally would but not to re-enter. After 7–10 days, the one-way valves are removed, and the remaining openings are blocked or sealed. Note that bats show a strong propensity to use any available openings to reclaim access to the roost when excluded, and blockages must be performed with great thoroughness and attention to detail. Bat exclusions must be overseen by a qualified bat biologist. With these additional focused MMs, impacts to special-status bats would be reduced to less than significant. This impact is consistent with the CalVTP PEIR. Impacts to San Francisco Dusky-Footed Woodrat Direct impacts could result in nest damage during manual or mechanical removal of middens or tree nests. Indirect impacts could include disturbing a San Francisco dusky-footed woodrat (Neotoma fuscipes annectens) from the safety of its nest, putting it at greater risk of predation and risking reproductive success. Crews would be trained before the start of work to recognize woodrat nests and follow proper avoidance protocol (SPR BIO-2). If previously unknown nests are uncovered during work, crews would consult a biologist. Biologists would flag woodrat nest avoidance buffers during the pre-activity surveys (SPR AD-2). Pre-treatment surveys would be combined with a focused survey (SPR BIO-1, SPR BIO-3, SPR BIO-10) to identify nest sites within the project footprint. If a San Francisco dusky-footed woodrat nest is identified during focused surveys, a minimum 10-foot no -disturbance buffer would be established around the nest, which would be assumed to be occupied. This buffer would include surrounding vegetation, including the vegetative canopy above the nest. The size of the buffer would be determined by the qualified RPF or biologist, and no treatment activities would occur within this buffer. If any individual of this species is detected during pre-activity surveys or work, the animal would be allowed to leave the area of its own volition. 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. MM BIO-2b includes flagging areas for nest avoidance and establishing no work-buffers. MM BIO-2b also states: “A qualified RPF, biologist, or