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<br />A variety of wildlife species were observed within the study area including barn owl (Tyto alba),
<br />western scrub jay (ApheIocoma californica), turkey vulture (Cathartes aura), mouming dove
<br />(Zenaida macroura), American kestrel (Falco sparverius), Beechey (California) ground squirrel
<br />(Spennophilus beecheyi), black-tailed deer (Odocoileus hemionus), and western fence lizard
<br />(SceIoporus occidentalis).
<br />
<br />Special-Status and Sensitive Biological Resources
<br />
<br />Riparian areas, wetlands, other waters of the United States, waters of the State, special-status
<br />species, and sensitive natural communities are considered sensitive biological resources and fall
<br />under the jurisdiction of several state and federal regulatory agencies. Impacts or potential
<br />impacts to these resources often require federal, state, and/or local permits, depending on the
<br />type and extent of project impacts.
<br />
<br />On-site habitats are considered to have at least some potential to support several special-status
<br />plant and wildlife species.
<br />
<br />Wetlands and Waters
<br />
<br />Waters of the U.S. include: (1) all waters which are currently used, or were used in the past, or may
<br />be susceptible to use in interstate or foreign commerce, including all waters which are subject to the
<br />ebb and flow of the tide; (2) all interstate waters including interstate wetlands; (3) all other waters
<br />such as interstate lakes, rivers, streams (including intermittent streams), mudflats, sandflats,
<br />wetlands, sloughs, prairie potholes, vernal pools, wet meadows, playa lakes, or natural ponds, the
<br />use, degradation or destruction of which could affect interstate or foreign commerce; (4) tributaries
<br />ofthe above; and (5) territorial seas.
<br />
<br />The width of a "waters" is defined as that portion which falls within the limits of ordinary high
<br />water. Field indicators of ordinary high water include clear and natural lines on opposite sides of the
<br />banks, scouring, sedimentary deposits, drift lines, exposed roots, shelving, destruction of terrestrial
<br />vegetation, and the presence of litter or debris. Typically, the width of "waters" corresponds to the
<br />two-year flood event.
<br />
<br />Wetlands are defined as "those areas that are inundated or saturated by surface or ground water at a
<br />frequency and duration sufficient to support, and that under normal circumstances do support, a
<br />prevalence of vegetation typically adapted for life in saturated soil conditions" (33 CFR 328.3 [b];
<br />40 CFR 230.3 [tl). Wetlands generally include swamps, marshes, bogs, and similar areas. As
<br />defined by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, field indicators of three wetland parameters (hydric
<br />soils, hydrophytic vegetation, and wetlands hydrology) must be present for a site to be classified as
<br />a wetland.
<br />
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<br />hydrophytic vegetation that is generally found in areas where surface soils are saturated for a
<br />significant portion of the growing season. In addition, many of the drainages on site exhibit an
<br />incised or scoured channel. Based on these observations, segments of most of the drainages are
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