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City of Pleasanton—Hidden Canyon Residences and Preserve Project <br />CEQA Findings of Fact and Statement of Overriding Considerations <br /> <br /> <br />FirstCarbon Solutions 19 <br />Https://adecinnovations.sharepoint.com/sites/PublicationsSite/Shared Documents/Publications/Client (PN-JN)/2148/21480016/FOF/21480016 Pleasanton Hidden Canyon Residences and Preserve Project FOF.docx <br />would mitigate impacts to tree-nesting raptors and other migratory birds to a less <br />than significant level. <br />Specific East Alameda County Conservation Strategy Avoidance and Minimization <br />Measures for the golden eagle <br />Although nesting habitat is marginal on the development site and its proximity, in <br />the unlikely event that an eagle did nest on the project site, the following mitigation <br />would ensure that the project does not cause nest abandonment. Pre-construction <br />surveys for other nesting birds and raptors shall include a survey for nesting golden <br />eagles to determine their presence or absence within 250 feet of the development <br />footprint. <br />xx If an active nest is identified near a proposed work area, work shall be conducted <br />outside of the nesting season (February 1 to September 1). <br />x If an active nest is identified near a proposed work area and work cannot be <br />conducted outside of the nesting season, a no-activity zone shall be established <br />by a qualified Biologist. The no-activity zone will be large enough to avoid nest <br />abandonment and at a minimum will be a 250-feet radius around the nest. <br />x If an effective no-activity zone cannot be established in either case, an <br />experienced golden eagle Biologist will develop a site-specific plan (i.e., a plan <br />that considers the type and extent of the proposed activity, the duration and <br />timing of the activity, the sensitivity and habituation of the eagles, and the <br />dissimilarity of the proposed activity with background activities) to minimize the <br />potential to affect the reproductive success of the eagles. <br /> <br />Compensation <br />The project proposes to preserve approximately 104.6 acres of the project site <br />outside of the grading envelope as open space. This amount of open space would <br />more than sufficiently compensate for any loss of golden eagle foraging habitat. <br />Additionally, Focal Species Impact/Mitigation Scoring Sheets located in Appendix E <br />of the EACCS were used as part of the assessment for suitability of mitigation lands <br />for the golden eagle. Standardized mitigation ratios for the golden eagle, according <br />to Table 3-10 in the EACCS, is 3:1 within the East Bay Hills Mitigation Area where the <br />project and associated conservation land are sited. The majority of the area <br />proposed for preservation consists of grassland habitat, although it also includes <br />woodland and riparian woodland habitat. <br />MM BIO-1e Avoidance and Minimization Measures for American Badger <br />Pre-construction surveys conducted for burrowing owls (MM BIO-1i) will also be <br />used to determine presence or absence of badgers within or immediately adjacent <br />to the development footprint. Therefore, the burrowing owl study identified in MM <br />BIO-1i will include American badger. If an active badger den is identified during pre- <br />construction surveys within or immediately adjacent to the construction envelope, a <br />construction-free buffer of up to 300 feet (or other distance specified by California <br />   <br /><br /> <br /> <br />