North Coyote Valley Sobrato and Brandenburg Properties Biological Resources and Opportunities Assessment

HTH #1337-22

Prepared for:

Peninsula Open Space Trust 222 High Street Palo Alto, CA 94301

Prepared by:

H. T. Harvey & Associates

June 28, 2019

983 University Avenue, Building D  Los Gatos, CA 95032  Ph: 408.458.3200  F: 408.458.3210

Executive Summary

Important existing biological resources in the study area include the following:

• Extensive wetland, aquatic, and riparian resources, including seasonal wetland (113.95 acres), potential seasonal wetland (23.67 acres), coastal and valley freshwater marsh (9.46 acres), mixed riparian forest/scrub and freshwater marsh (16.02 acres), mixed riparian forest and willow riparian forest (23.03 acres), and pond (5.48 acres) habitats

• Laguna Seca, the largest freshwater wetland area in the Santa Clara Valley

• High-quality mixed oak woodland and forest (31.51 acres)

• Serpentine bunchgrass grassland (1.22 acres)

• Known occurrences of several special-status species, including California tiger salamander (Ambystoma californiense), bald eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus), Swainson’s hawk (Buteo swainsoni), golden eagle (Aquila chrysaetos), white-tailed kite (Elanus leucurus), tricolored blackbird (Agelaius tricolor), American peregrine falcon (Falco peregrinus anatum), burrowing owl (Athene cunicularia), loggerhead shrike (Lanius ludovicianus), yellow warbler (Setophaga petechia), yellow-breasted chat (Icteria virens), Sacramento hitch (Lavinia exilicauda exilicauda), Central California roach (Lavinia symmetricus symmetricus), San Francisco dusky- footed woodrat (Neotoma fuscipes annectens), American badger (Taxidea taxus), and pallid bat (Antrozous pallidus).

• High diversity and abundance of native wildlife species, including numerous bird species

• High-quality wildlife movement pathways, primarily along Fisher Creek, connecting the foothills of the Santa Cruz Mountains and Diablo Range

North Coyote Valley Sobrato/Brandenburg Properties H. T. Harvey & Associates i Biological Resources and Opportunities Assessment June 28, 2019

Despite the high existing ecological value of the study area, ample opportunities for considerable habitat creation, restoration, and enhancement exist; these include:

• Restoration of Laguna Seca, including enhancement of its extent, depth, and hydroperiod, to enhance this regionally important wetland area

• Restoration and enhancement of riparian, seasonal wetland, and oak woodland habitats

• Creation and enhancement of ponds and upland habitat suitable for use by breeding California tiger salamanders and California red-legged frogs (Rana draytonii), as well as by western pond turtles (Actinemys marmorata)

• Creation of nesting habitat for the tricolored blackbird

• Enhancement of burrowing owl roosting, foraging, and potentially nesting habitat

• Enhancement of Swainson’s hawk foraging habitat

• Enhancement of serpentine grassland

• Enhancement of wildlife movement and connectivity at a number of locations throughout the study area to facilitate cross-valley wildlife movement

North Coyote Valley Sobrato/Brandenburg Properties H. T. Harvey & Associates ii Biological Resources and Opportunities Assessment June 28, 2019

Table of Contents

Section 1. Introduction ...... 1 1.1 Purpose of this Biological Resources and Opportunities Assessment ...... 1 Section 2. Methods ...... 3 2.1 Review of Background Information ...... 3 2.2 Field Surveys ...... 5 Section 3. Existing Conditions ...... 7 3.1 Study Area Location ...... 7 3.2 General Site Conditions ...... 7 3.2.1 Brandenburg West ...... 8 3.2.2 Brandenburg East ...... 17 3.2.3 Sobrato North ...... 19 3.2.4 Sobrato South ...... 21 3.3 Sensitive and Regulated Habitats ...... 25 3.3.1 Jurisdictional Wetlands and Other Waters (i.e., Creeks, Freshwater Marsh, Seasonal Wetlands, and Ponds) ...... 25 3.3.2 Riparian Habitats ...... 27 3.3.3 Oak Woodland ...... 28 3.3.4 Serpentine Grassland ...... 29 3.4 Special-Status Plants ...... 29 3.5 Special-Status Animals ...... 32 3.6 Nonnative and Invasive Species...... 39 3.6.1 Invasive Plants ...... 39 3.6.2 Nonnative Animals ...... 41 3.6.3 Wildlife Movement...... 43 Santa Clara Valley Habitat Plan Applicability ...... 45 Section 4. Enhancement and Restoration Opportunities ...... 47 4.1 Laguna Seca Enhancement ...... 53 4.2 Oak Woodland/Savanna Restoration, Creation, and Enhancement ...... 53 4.3 Riparian Woodland Enhancement and Restoration ...... 54 4.4 Creation or Enhancement of Aquatic Breeding Habitat, and Enhancement of Upland Habitat, for the California Red-Legged Frog and/or California Tiger Salamander ...... 55 4.5 Enhancement of Habitat for the Western Pond Turtle ...... 57 4.6 Creation of Tricolored Blackbird Breeding Habitat ...... 57 4.7 Enhancement of Tricolored Blackbird Foraging Habitat ...... 58 4.8 Enhancement of Burrowing Owl Habitat ...... 59 4.9 Creation or Enhancement of Swainson’s Hawk/Raptor Foraging Habitat ...... 61 4.10 Enhancement of Serpentine Grasslands...... 61 4.11 Enhancement of Wildlife Movement and Connectivity ...... 62 Section 5. References ...... 64

North Coyote Valley Sobrato/Brandenburg Properties H. T. Harvey & Associates

Biological Resources and Opportunities Assessment June 28, 2019

Figures

Figure 1. Vicinity Map ...... 2 Figure 2. NRCS Soils Map ...... 9 Figure 3. Habitats Map ...... 12 Figure 4. CNDDB-Mapped Records of Special-Status Plants ...... 30 Figure 5. CNDDB-Mapped Records of Special-Status Animals ...... 33 Figure 6. Restoration/Enhancement Opportunities ...... 48

Tables

Table 1. Special-Status Animals, their Status, Habitat Description, and Potential for Occurrence in the Study Area ...... 34 Table 2. North Coyote Valley Properties Creation, Restoration, and Enhancement Opportunities ...... 49

List of Preparers Steve Rottenborn, Ph.D., Principal/Senior Wildlife Ecologist Kelly Hardwicke, Ph.D., Principal/Senior Plant and Wetland Ecologist Dan Stephens, B.S., Principal/Senior Restoration Ecologist Mark Bibbo, M.S., Senior Plant Ecologist Jeff Wilkinson, Ph.D., Senior Herpetologist Matthew Mosher, B.S., Plant Ecologist Jillian Pastick, M.S., Plant Ecologist

North Coyote Valley Sobrato/Brandenburg Properties H. T. Harvey & Associates i Biological Resources and Opportunities Assessment June 28, 2019

Section 1. Introduction

1.1 Purpose of this Biological Resources and Opportunities Assessment

The Peninsula Open Space Trust (POST) and Santa Clara Valley Open Space Authority (SCVOSA) are working with other conservation partners in an effort to acquire, preserve, and eventually enhance and restore strategic locations within the Coyote Valley of Santa Clara County, California. Currently, POST and SCVOSA are considering the acquisition of approximately 903 acres owned by The Sobrato Companies and Brandenburg Properties in North Coyote Valley (collectively, the “NCV properties”; Figure 1). In performing due diligence on these properties, POST and SCVOSA are considering the existing biological resources present on these properties and opportunities for habitat enhancement and restoration. For example, Coyote Valley is a regionally important area of habitat connectivity, and Fisher Creek and its floodplain comprise a critical component of this linkage, allowing wildlife movement across the Valley floor (SCVOSA and Conservation Biology Institute 2017, Pathways for Wildlife 2016). Thus, the NCV properties present opportunities to protect and enhance this landscape linkage. Previous studies have also documented extensive wetlands on these properties, most notably Laguna Seca. These wetlands currently provide habitat for a number of wildlife species, but they could also be enhanced and perhaps expanded to improve ecological habitat value.

The purpose of this report is to describe existing biological resources on the NCV properties, as well as potential opportunities for creation, restoration, and enhancement of native habitat, including habitat connectivity. This report describes existing potential for occurrence of special-status species, as well as existing sensitive biological areas (e.g., areas supporting regulated and other sensitive habitats, areas providing potential habitat for special- status species, and areas serving as important wildlife movement pathways) within the study area. In addition, this report describes both potential biological opportunities related to habitat restoration. Potential enhancement and restoration opportunities are described at a conceptual level, considering not only existing conditions, but also the study area’s location within the larger Coyote Valley and its potential to contribute to plant and animal diversity and wildlife movement in the region.

North Coyote Valley Sobrato/Brandenburg Properties H. T. Harvey & Associates 1 Biological Resources and Opportunities Assessment June 28, 2019

San Rafael MARIN CONTRA COSTA Detail Stockton San Francisco Legend Oakland California SAN FRANCISCO SAN JOAQUIN Study Area Boundary ALAMEDA Redwood City Protected Lands* STANISLAUS S A N M A T E O * Data provided by the California Project Vicinity Protected Areas Database (CPAD) San Jose

S A N T A C R U Z SANTA CLARA

Santa Cruz MERCED

Hollister

Pacific S A N B E N I T O Ocean Salinas

MONTEREY

0 20

Miles

Fisher Flats

Brandenburg West

Brandenburg East

Sobrato North

Sobrato South

Fisher's Bend

3,000 1,500 0 3,000

Feet N:\Projects\1337-22\Reports\BiologicalOpportunities\Fig 1 Vicinity Map.mxd mlagarde Figure 1. Vicinity Map North Coyote Valley Sobrato and Brandenburg Properties Biological Resources and Opportunities Assessment (1337-22) June 2019

Section 2. Methods

2.1 Review of Background Information

Prior to conducting site visits, H. T. Harvey and Associates ecologists reviewed background information on the sensitive biological resources known to occur, and potentially present, in and near the study area. H. T. Harvey has been working on both the Sobrato and Brandenburg properties since the late 1990s and has thus compiled a considerable amount of information on biological resources on these sites.

Information reviewed included a number of reports on the biological resources of these particular properties, including:

• Delineations of wetlands and other waters (H. T. Harvey & Associates 1999b, 2006b, 2013b, USACE 2016)

• General biological surveys, often prepared to contribute to California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) documents (H. T. Harvey & Associates 1998a,b, 1999a, 2000c,l, 2001c, 2006a, 2008a,b, 2013a)

• Surveys for the California red-legged frog (Rana draytonii) and California tiger salamander (Ambystoma californiense) (H. T. Harvey & Associates 2000a,e,f,h,i,j,k, 2001a, 2002, 2003, 2006d,e, 2007a,b)

• Surveys and assessments for other special-status and sensitive species, such as burrowing owls (Athene cunicularia) and other nesting raptors, roosting bats, and salmonids (H. T. Harvey & Associates 2000b,d, 2001b,d, 2004, 2006c,e, 2007a,b,c)

• Wetland mitigation and monitoring plans, and mitigation monitoring reports (H. T. Harvey & Associates 2000g, 2014)

We reviewed environmental planning documents for projects on and including these sites, including:

• Draft and Final Environmental Impact Reports (EIRs) for the Coyote Valley Research Park (CVRP) (City of San Jose 2000a,b)

• The Envision San José 2040 General Plan and its EIR (City of San José 2011a,b)

We reviewed information on the habitats and biological resources of other areas in Coyote Valley, and on landscape connectivity and wildlife movement in Coyote Valley, including:

• Coyote Valley Open Space Preserve Use and Management Plan (2M Associates et al. 2013)

North Coyote Valley Sobrato/Brandenburg Properties H. T. Harvey & Associates 3 Biological Resources and Opportunities Assessment June 28, 2019

• Santa Clara Valley Greenprint (SCVOSA 2017)

• Information on wildlife movement in Coyote Valley (Phillips et al. 2012, Pathways for Wildlife 2016, 2018a,b, SCVOSA and Conservation Biology Institute 2017, Santa Clara County Wildlife Corridor Technical Working Group Coyote Valley Subcommittee 2019)

• Information on the historical ecology of the Coyote Creek watershed (Grossinger et al. 2006)

• Santa Clara Valley Habitat Plan (VHP) (ICF International 2012) and online information (Santa Clara Valley Habitat Agency [SCVHA] 2019)

• National Wetlands Inventory (NWI) maps (NWI 2019)

• Aerial imagery (Google Inc. 2019, Nationwide Environmental Title Research [NETR] 2019)

• Soils information (Natural Resources Conservation Service [NRCS] 2019)

We reviewed general information on the occurrence of common and special-status species, and invasive species, in the region, including:

• California Natural Diversity Database (CNDDB 2019) occurrence records

• Information on breeding special-status birds (Bousman 2007a, Phillips et al. 2014, Cornell Lab of Ornithology 2019)

• Special-status plant occurrence information (Calflora 2019, California Native Plant Society [CNPS] 2019)

• Invasive species information (California Department of Food and Agriculture [CDFA] 2019, California Invasive Plant Council [Cal-IPC] 2019, DiTomaso and Healy 2007)

In reviewing the potential occurrence of special-status plants on the NCV properties, our review of CNDDB (2019) and the CNPS’s Online Rare Plant Inventory (2019), focused on the Morgan Hill, California U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) 7.5-minute quadrangle (which includes the majority of the study area) and the surrounding eight quadrangles: Mount Sizer, Isabel Valley, Lick Observatory, San Jose East, Santa Teresa Hills, Loma Prieta, and Mt. Madonna. Our searches focused on the distribution and habitats of vascular plants designated as California Rare Plant Rank (CRPR) 1A, 1B, 2A, 2B, or 3 that occur in any of the USGS quadrangles listed above. We also considered the CNPS plant list for Santa Clara County, as the CNPS does not always maintain quadrangle-level records for CRPR 4 species. In addition, we reviewed CNDDB records for special-status animals and natural communities of concern in the vicinity. For the purposes of this report, the project vicinity is defined as the area within a 2-mile (mi) radius of the study areas. Maps of CNDDB plant and animal records in the vicinity of the study areas are shown as Figures 4 and 5, respectively.

North Coyote Valley Sobrato/Brandenburg Properties H. T. Harvey & Associates 4 Biological Resources and Opportunities Assessment June 28, 2019

2.2 Field Surveys

Although we are very familiar with the NCV properties, H. T. Harvey & Associates ecologists conducted field surveys to ensure that our descriptions of sensitive and regulated habitats and potential for occurrence of special-status species are up to date, and to allow us to assess potential enhancement and restoration opportunities. Field surveys and personnel included the following:

• Senior plant and wetland ecologists Kelly Hardwicke, Ph.D., and Mark Bibbo, M.S., conducted surveys on June 11, 2019, and plant ecologists Matthew Mosher, B.S., and Jillian Pastick, M.S., conducted surveys on June 14, 17, and 18, 2019 to assess the current distribution and condition/quality of jurisdictional wetlands, other waters (e.g., creeks and ponds), and riparian habitats on the NCV properties. Boundaries of these features from H. T. Harvey’s prior delineations and mapping were loaded onto iPads, and these ecologists compared prior mapping to current conditions in the field, adjusting the boundaries of these habitats where they saw that current conditions differed from prior mapping. In addition, they mapped and assessed the condition of grasslands and oak woodlands, looked for serpentine communities, and looked for evidence of occurrence of any special-status plants.

These plant ecologists mapped biotic habitats within the study areas using a combination of field observations (recorded via the Apple iPad GIS Kit Pro application) and aerial imagery signatures. Habitat types were distinguished using natural community descriptions discussed in Holland (1986) and Sawyer et al. (2009), where this was applicable. Where appropriate we have used naming and classification conventions used by the VHP for land cover types. Plant species within each habitat were identified using Baldwin et al. (2012).

• Senior wildlife ecologist Steve Rottenborn, Ph.D., conducted surveys on June 9 and 15, 2019 to assess existing habitat conditions and wildlife use of the NCV properties, and to consider opportunities for creation, restoration, and enhancement of habitat for common and special-status animal species, including opportunities to enhance regional (i.e., cross-valley) wildlife movement through habitat improvements on these properties. Although he looked carefully for western pond turtles (Actinemys marmorata) in waterbodies and looked for other reptiles and amphibians, he focused on birds, mammals, and invertebrates, including assessment of habitat in serpentine grassland for use by the Bay checkerspot butterfly (Euphydryas editha bayensis).

• Senior herpetologist Jeff Wilkinson, Ph.D., visited the NCV properties on June 17 and 18, 2019 to look for western pond turtles; to assess both upland and aquatic/wetland habitat conditions and potential for occurrence of western pond turtle, California red-legged frog, and California tiger salamander; and to consider opportunities for creation, restoration, and enhancement of habitat for these and other reptile and amphibian species. On June 27, 2019, he visited the Fisher Creek culvert beneath Monterey Road to assess the potential for reptiles and amphibians to use that feature to cross under the road.

North Coyote Valley Sobrato/Brandenburg Properties H. T. Harvey & Associates 5 Biological Resources and Opportunities Assessment June 28, 2019

• Senior restoration ecologist Dan Stephens, B.S., surveyed the study area on June 19, 2019 to assess opportunities for creation, restoration, and enhancement of sensitive and special-status species habitats and to consider options for how various parts of these properties could be enhanced or managed in the longer-term to improve their ecological value.

North Coyote Valley Sobrato/Brandenburg Properties H. T. Harvey & Associates 6 Biological Resources and Opportunities Assessment June 28, 2019

Section 3. Existing Conditions

3.1 Study Area Location

The NCV properties are located in northern Coyote Valley south of the urban portions of San Jose and north of Morgan Hill, California. The study area consists primarily of flat valley bottomland bounded on the west by foothills of the Santa Teresa Hills and Santa Cruz Mountains; on the north by Tulare Hill and the easternmost extension of the Santa Teresa Hills; on the east by Monterey Road (for the Brandenburg East subarea) and by Santa Teresa Boulevard (for the Sobrato South Subarea); and on the south by agricultural lands.

For the sake of providing more detail regarding the locations of various biological resources, the study area has been divided into four subareas (Figure 1) based on current ownership and location:

• Brandenburg West – located primarily north of Bailey Avenue and west of Santa Teresa Boulevard, but with a small triangular area east of Santa Teresa Boulevard that is bounded by that road, Fisher Creek, and Tulare Hill. This subarea includes both Fisher Creek proper and the Fisher Creek Bypass, as well as Laguna Seca.

• Brandenburg East – bounded by Santa Teresa Boulevard to the west, Bailey Avenue to the south, the Union Pacific Railroad line along Monterey Road to the east, and Fisher Creek and other properties to the north

• Sobrato North – bounded by Santa Teresa Boulevard to the east, Bailey Avenue to the south, and the Brandenburg West subarea and Fisher Creek Bypass to the west/northwest. The main Fisher Creek channel, which is part of the Brandenburg West subarea, bisects the Sobrato North subarea.

• Sobrato South – bounded by Santa Teresa Boulevard to the east, Bailey Avenue and other properties to the north, and undeveloped properties to the west and south. This subarea includes Spreckles Hill.

Although a number of privately owned parcels are present in surrounding areas, a network of conserved lands surrounds much of Coyote Valley (Figure 1). On the valley floor, the Fisher Flats and Fisher’s Bend properties were recently acquired by SCVOSA and POST and, like the NCV properties, are being considered for future conservation and enhancement opportunities (H. T. Harvey & Associates 2018).

3.2 General Site Conditions

This section describes the existing conditions of the NCV properties by each of the four subareas. General habitat conditions, including dominant plant and animal species observed and expected to occur in each

North Coyote Valley Sobrato/Brandenburg Properties H. T. Harvey & Associates 7 Biological Resources and Opportunities Assessment June 28, 2019

subarea, are described here. More detailed information on sensitive habitats and special-status species is provided in subsequent sections.

Historically, much of the study area, including virtually all of the Brandenburg West and Sobrato North subareas, and the eastern part of Sobrato South, was occupied by Laguna Seca, a seasonal lake with perennial freshwater wetlands (Grossinger et al. 2006). Within those areas, Spreckles Hill and a lower hill to the north rose above this lake/wetland system. Wet meadow habitat occupied the remainder of the Sobrato South subarea, and wet meadow and willow grove habitat occurred east of Laguna Seca on the northern and western portions of the Brandenburg East subarea, with dry grassland dominating the southeastern portion of Brandenburg East.

With the exception of Spreckles Hill in the Sobrato South subarea and a more limited area of lower hills along the southern portions of the Brandenburg West and Sobrato North subareas, the NCV properties as a whole consist of flat valley bottomland largely in active cultivation. The hills surrounding Coyote Valley support substantial areas of serpentine influence; however, Coyote Valley itself does not share this same influence and instead is underlain by deep, clayey soils with a moderate to strong degree of saline/alkaline influence (Figure 2). Annual precipitation in the area is approximately 19 to 20 inches (PRISM Climate Group 2019).

3.2.1 Brandenburg West

Land Cover/Vegetation. The Brandenburg West subarea includes the portion of the Brandenburg property west of the Fisher Creek Bypass and west of the mainstem of Fisher Creek (Figure 1). This area is largely west of Santa Teresa Boulevard, but includes a triangle of property east of Santa Teresa Boulevard, bounded to the east by Fisher Creek and to the north by the base of Tulare Hill. Brandenburg West also includes the Fisher Creek mainstem channel through the Sobrato North area, and a narrow corridor west of the Fisher Creek Bypass that contains a series of previously excavated agricultural ponds. This portion of the study area consists predominantly of flat agricultural land that is currently in hay production, although as described above, this area also includes some substantial riparian and wetland resources associated with the Fisher Creek Bypass and mainstem. This area encompasses the historic Laguna Seca (Photo 1), a large wetland complex that formed where groundwater drainage at the northern end of the Coyote Valley is blocked both by the bedrock wall of the Santa Teresa Hills and the natural levee of Coyote Creek and forced to the surface. Prior to the advent of agriculture and attempts to drain arable land in this area, the Laguna Seca complex consisted of a mosaic of open water ponds, perennial freshwater marshes, willow groves, and wet meadows (Grosinger et. al. 2006). Formal reclamation of the Laguna began in the winter of 1916-17 by the Santa Clara Valley Water District (Grossinger et. al. 2006) via construction of a drainage canal, a subsurface drainage system, and a pump. A pump station was also constructed in Laguna Seca in the late 1930s to pump water into Fisher Creek via a large canal draining the center of the property to the east under Santa Teresa Boulevard and along the southern toe of Tulare Hill. This lowering of the water table has allowed the majority of the property to be farmed in hay and row crops for over 100 years, although much of the hay is intermixed with wetland species such as

North Coyote Valley Sobrato/Brandenburg Properties H. T. Harvey & Associates 8 Biological Resources and Opportunities Assessment June 28, 2019

303scl 304scl

376scl

Sv Ck LrC YeA

GcE

GcE VaG2

GcE VaE2 Ca PpC Su

VaG2 GoE2 VaG2

GcD2 GoF MwF2 ZaC Legend Study Areas Soil Series Boundary

Soil Code Description 304scl - Montara-Santerhill complex, 30 to 50 percentLrC slopes 376scl - Zeppelin-Alumrock complex, 30 to 50 percent slopes Ca - Campbell silty clay loam Sv Cg - Clear Lake clay, 0 to 2 percent slopes, occasionally flooded Sv Ch Ch - Clear Lake clay, drained Ck - Clear Lake clay, saline, drained, 0 to 1 percentPd slopes GcE - Gaviota loam, 15 to 30 percent slopes GoE2 - Gilroy clay loam, 15 to 30 percent slopes, eroded GoF - Gilroy clay loam, 30 to 50 percent slopes LrC - Los Robles clay loam, 2 to 9 percent slopes Pd - Pacheco clay loam Sv PpC - Pleasanton gravelly loam, 2 to 9 percent slopes Su - Sunnyvale silty clay Sv - Sunnyvale silty clay, drained VaE2 - Vallecitos rocky loam, 15 to 30 percent slopes, eroded VaG2 - Vallecitos rocky loam, 50 to 75 percent slopes, eroded YeA - Yolo silty clay loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes, rarely flooded Source: Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), United States Department of Agriculture Cg

1,500 750 0 1,500

Feet N:\Projects\1337-22\Reports\Biological Opportunities\Fig2 NRCS SoilsMap.mxd mlagarde Figure 2. NRCS Soils Map North Coyote Valley Sobrato and Brandenburg Properties Biological Resources and Opportunities Assessment (1337-22) June 2019

Photo 1. Laguna Seca, as viewed from the hills to the north. rabbitsfoot grass (Polypogon monspeliensis), and there is a slight depression in the center of the historic Laguna bed that appears to be too wet in many years and seasons to fully disk or plant.

Elevations in the Brandenburg West subarea range from approximately 247 to 441 ft (WGS84) (Google, Inc. 2019), and while generally level, the site does slope slightly from east to west, with the lower elevations at the toeslope along the western boundary and within the historic Laguna Seca depression. The highest elevations are the slopes at the northern end of the parcel where the property boundary overlaps with the adjoining hills. Soils are dominated by Sunnyvale silty clay, Clear Lake clay (drained), Campbell silty clay loam, and Pacheco Clay loam in the flat lands, and Pleasanton gravelly loam, 2 to 9 percent slopes, Gilroy clay loam, 15 to 30 percent slopes, eroded, Gaviota loam, 15 to 30 percent slopes, Los Robles clay loam, 2 to 9 percent slopes, and Zeppelin-Alumrock complex, 30 to 50 percent slopes, on the slopes around the perimeter (Figure 2). The soils on the flat lands are deep and fine to fine-silty, with slow runoff and poor drainage, while the soils along the eastern portion of the area are more shallow, gravelly to loamy, and well drained. The area approximately conforming to the wettest, center depression of Laguna Seca is mapped as Clear Lake clay, saline, drained, 0 to 1 percent slopes, which reflects that this area has been subject to more frequent and longer durations of ponding than the areas that surround it.

Land cover types/biotic habitats in the Brandenburg West study area include a complex of seasonal wetlands and agricultural fields (Photo 2 and Figure 3) in the central portion of the property; annual grasslands and mixed oak woodlands on the sloping base of the hills along the north and western edges of the property; freshwater marsh and willow riparian vegetation along the ditches throughout the parcel as well as along the Fisher Creek Bypass channel; mixed riparian forest and woodland and freshwater marsh along and within the Fisher Creek mainstem; and mixed riparian forest and woodland, seasonal wetlands, and freshwater marsh surrounding a

series of former stock or agricultural ponds in the southern portion of the property. A single row of tall, even-

North Coyote Valley Sobrato/Brandenburg Properties H. T. Harvey & Associates 10 Biological Resources and Opportunities Assessment June 28, 2019

Photo 2. Recently mown hayfields in the southern part of Laguna Seca, on the Brandenberg West subarea. aged Casuarina trees (Casuarina sp.) was planted as a windbreak and is growing on a low berm in the center of the property. The berm has likely developed over time as the agricultural areas surrounding it have eroded and subsided over the years.

The Brandenburg West subarea also includes a triangular parcel bound on the southwest by Santa Teresa Boulevard, on the southeast by the Fisher Creek levee, and on the north by Tulare Hill. The northern edge of the parcel boundary overlaps with the base of Tulare Hill and includes a narrow strip of serpentine grassland. Tulare Hill to the north is a large, regionally significant landscape feature that is dominated by serpentine geology, and therefore serpentine-derived soils and vegetation which provides suitable habitat for many of the region’s special-status plants and animals. Due to its separation by Fisher Creek and Santa Teresa Boulevard from grazed portions of the property, this strip of serpentine grassland is not grazed and is therefore dominated by non-native grasses such as oats (Avena spp.) and bromes (Bromus spp.) (Photo 3). The majority of this triangular area consists of likely jurisdictional seasonal wetland dominated almost entirely by a thick infestation of poison hemlock (Conium maculatum).

North Coyote Valley Sobrato/Brandenburg Properties H. T. Harvey & Associates 11 Biological Resources and Opportunities Assessment June 28, 2019

COYOTE ALAMITOS CANAL

COYOTE CANAL EXTENSION

COYOTECOYOTE CANALCANAL 101

Rd COYOTE CREEK rd ha nc la B M o n te re y Rd

Laguna Seca

FISHER CREEK

S a n ta

FISHER CREEK BYPASS FISHER CREEK BYPASS T e re s a B lv d

ve A y ile Ba

Spreckles Hill

Legend

Study Area (903.38 ac) FISHER CREEK Habitats FISHERFISHER CREEKCREEK BRANCHBRANCH AA ve Hay and Pasture (554.44 ac) A y ile Seasonal Wetland (113.95 ac) Ba California Annual Grassland (90.42 ac)

Mixed Oak Woodland and Forest (31.51 ac)

Potential Seasonal Wetland (23.67 ac)

Mixed Riparian Forest and Woodland (17.52 ac) S a n Urban Suburban (13.65 ac) ta T e Northern Coastal Scrub (12.97 ac) re s a B Coastal and Valley Freshwater Marsh (9.46 ac) lv d Mixed Riparian Forest/Freshwater Marsh (8.77 ac)

Willow Riparian Scrub/Freshwater Marsh (7.25 ac) ve A Willow Riparian Forest and Scrub (5.51 ac) a un g a Pond (5.48 ac) L

Ornamental Woodland (5.00 ac)

Rural Residential (2.56 ac)

Serpentine Bunchgrass Grassland (1.22 ac) ve FISHER CREEK A nd o hm Ric 1,000 500 0 1,000

Feet N:\Projects\1337-22\Reports\BiologicalOpportunities\Fig 3 HabitatsMap.mxd mlagarde Figure 3. Habitats Map North Coyote Valley Sobrato and Brandenburg Properties Biological Resources and Opportunities Assessment (1337-22) June 2019

The Fisher Creek Bypass channel is located within the Brandenburg West subarea, terminating before Bailey Avenue. The bypass channel was constructed between fall 2006 and summer 2008, and is designed to accommodate flood control storage for the formerly proposed CVRP. The channel originates where the mainstem of Fisher Creek crosses under Santa Teresa Boulevard, and provides stormwater storage in a meandering channel that runs to the south to the hill north of Baily Avenue. An engineered road and some floodwalls parallel the bypass channel to the west, with substantial areas of stabilizing block near the floodwalls. A 1.89-acre wetland and riparian mitigation project (Photo 4) was installed on the southwest bank and monitored after the creation of the channel. Flows from groundwater intercepting the bypass channel or captured runoff run to the north to drain into the Fisher Creek mainstem, but the channel also allows an area for Fisher Creek to flow to the south as a backwater, if needed. The channel contained standing water at the Photo 3. Serpentine grassland at the base of time of the June 2019 field surveys, and vegetation along Tulare Hill on the Brandenburg West subarea. of the channel consists of a mosaic of tule (Scirpus acutus) and cattail (Typha latifolia) dominated freshwater marsh and arroyo willow (Salix lasiolepis) riparian habitat. Between the bypass channel and the IBM property to the west, in the southernmost portion of the Brandenburg West subarea is a narrow portion of the property containing a series of formerly excavated ponds and depressions. The vegetation surrounding these ponds consists of mixed riparian forest and woodland dominated by red willow (Salix laevigata) and cottonwood (Populus fremontii) in the northern half and freshwater marsh dominated by a number of different species, including water smartweed (Persicaria amphibia), spike rush (Eleocharis macrostachya), and marsh purslane (Ludwigia peploides), in the southern half (Photo 5).

Ditches throughout the Brandenburg West subarea also support seasonal or freshwater marsh wetlands, and often, riparian woodland canopies, indicating that groundwater is very high; even small excavations below the overall ground level may intercept groundwater on at last a seasonal basis. The canal that drains Laguna Seca also receives high groundwater from the Laguna itself, and was ponded with water up to 2 feet deep in a continuous channel, with freshwater marsh fringes and a willow riparian canopy, during our surveys. The ditches paralleling and to the east of Santa Teresa Boulevard contain seasonal wetlands within the beds and a mixed riparian canopy consisting of red willow, Fremont cottonwood, and coyote brush.

Wildlife Occurrence/Habitat. During wildlife surveys in June 2019, 56 bird species were observed on the Brandenburg West subarea. Particularly high numbers of bird species were concentrated around the ponds,

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wetlands, and riparian habitats in the southwestern portion of the subarea and along the Fisher Creek Bypass. Here, the juxtaposition of so many terrestrial and wetland/aquatic habitats supports high species richness and high abundance of birds. These included waterbirds such as great blue heron (Ardea herodias), black-crowned night- heron (Nycticorax nycticorax), and American coot (Fulica americana) as well as a variety of songbirds associated with the mature Photo 4. A portion of the riparian mitigation area along the Fisher cottonwoods around the ponds, Creek Bypass Channel on the Brandenburg West subarea. younger cottonwood-willow riparian forest along the bypass channel, and emergent vegetation in freshwater marsh areas. A red- shouldered hawk (Buteo lineatus) was near an old nest (likely used this year) in one of the mature cottonwoods. Red-winged blackbirds (Agelaius phoeniceus), song sparrows (Melospiza melodia), and common yellowthroats (Geothlypis trichas) were common in riparian habitats, and a pair of yellow-breasted chats (Icteria virens) was in the willow riparian scrub habitat along the Laguna Seca outlet canal east of Santa Photo 5. Wetland and riparian complex in the southwestern Teresa Boulevard (Photo 6). portion of the Brandenburg West subarea. Riparian habitat in the study area is expected to be used even more heavily by foraging songbirds during migration, and songbirds associated with the oak savanna, grassland, and agricultural habitats in the area also used these aquatic/wetland habitats to some extent. Cattle have access to riparian wetlands and woodlands in some areas, such as along the west side of the Fisher Creek Bypass channel and around the pond/wetland complex in the southwestern corner of this subarea,

and localized degradation from trampling and grazing was observed.

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Laguna Seca provides regionally important seasonal wetland habitat for waterbirds. During our June 2019 site visit, the extent of open water and mud habitat was limited, and the only waterbirds present there were killdeer (Charadrius vociferus), mallard (Anas platyrhynchos), and great blue heron. However, during winter and spring, and particularly in wetter years when ponding is more extensive and of longer duration, a wide variety of waterbirds occurs here (S. Rottenborn, pers. obs.). Hundreds of Canada geese (Branta canadensis), more than 10 species of ducks, and at least 13 species of shorebirds have been observed at Laguna Seca. In years in which more extensive ponding lasts into early summer, black-necked stilts (Himantopus mexicanus), which nest in very few inland locations in Santa Clara County (Bousman 2007b), have nested in this wetland (S. Rottenborn, pers. obs.). Laguna Seca is one of few inland, Santa Clara Valley-floor locations (others being the Ogier Ponds and South County Regional Wastewater Authority plant) providing habitat for so many Photo 6. A singing yellow- species of waterfowl and shorebirds during winter and migration and breasted chat along the therefore is regionally valuable in providing this habitat. In addition, this Laguna Seca outlet canal. area supports high insect abundance that in turn provides food for large numbers of foraging swallows, including cliff (Petrochelidon pyrrhonota), barn (Hirundo rustica), northern rough- winged (Stelgidopteryx serripennis), tree (Tachycineta bicolor), and violet-green (Tachycineta thalassina) swallows. The extensive seasonal wetland vegetation that grows around the periphery of, and within the bed of, Laguna Seca is used for nesting by large numbers of red-winged blackbirds, and during migration and winter, savannah sparrows (Passerculus sandwichensis), Lincoln’s sparrows (Melospiza lincolnii), and American pipits (Anthus rubescens) forage in the “lake” bed.

Oak woodland is relatively limited in this subarea, occurring in small patches at the base of the hills along the western edge of the Brandenburg West property and on the hill that overlaps the southwestern portions of the Brandenburg West and Sobrato North subareas. Nevertheless, this

habitat supported fairly large numbers of oak-assoc iated birds, such as band-tailed pigeon (Patagioenas fasciata), white-breasted nuthatch (Sitta carolinensis), oak titmouse (Baeolophus inornatus), ash-throated flycatcher (Myiarchus cinerascens; Photo 7), western bluebird (Sialia mexicana), and lark sparrow (Chondestes grammacus), during our June 2019 site visit. Larger oaks with large cavities provide potential roosting habitat for bats such as the pallid bat (Antrozous pallidus), Yuma myotis (Myotis yumanensis), Mexican Photo 7. An ash-throated free-tailed bat (Tadarida brasiliensis), and others. Hayfields and non-native flycatcher in oak woodland on annual grassland provide nesting habitat for western meadowlarks the Brandenburg West (Sturnella neglecta) and foraging habitat for nonbreeding savannah sparrows subarea. and American pipits. Canada geese; raptors such as red-tailed hawks

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(Buteo jamaicensis), white-tailed kites (Elanus leucurus), and American kestrels (Falco sparverius); and red-winged and tricolored (Agelaius tricolor) blackbirds forage in the hayfields as well.

During June 2019 surveys, Pacific treefrogs (Pseudacris regilla) and western toads (Anaxyrus boreas; Photo 8) were common in the complex of wetlands and ponds in the southwestern portion of this subarea, along the Fisher Creek Bypass, and in Laguna Seca, with numerous metamorphs (i.e., individuals that hatched this year and have already metamorphosed) observed. Previous surveys of the ponds in the southwestern corner of the Brandenburg West property detected those species, along with California newts (Taricha torosa) and nonnative Louisiana red swamp crayfish Photo 8. A western toad metamorph on the (Procambarus clarkii), which are predators of native Brandenburg West subarea. amphibian larvae (H. T. Harvey & Associates 2000f). Western fence lizards (Sceloporus occidentalis) were seen in upland habitats in several areas. Although no other reptiles or amphibians were observed in this subarea, nonnative bullfrogs (Lithobates catesbianus) are likely present in Fisher Creek and the bypass channel, and possibly in the Laguna Seca outlet canal, and common reptiles such as the gopher snake (Pituophis catenifer), common kingsnake (Lampropeltis getula), and red-sided garter snake (Thamnophis sirtalis infernalis) also occur here.

Mammals observed on the Brandenburg West subarea were coyote (Canis latrans), mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus), and the nonnative fox squirrel (Sciurus niger). Relatively limited sign of Botta’s pocket gopher (Thomomys bottae) was observed, and no California ground squirrels (Otospermophilus beecheyi) or their burrows were observed in this subarea during the June 2019 surveys. Other mammals, such as the California vole (Microtus californicus), deer mouse (Peromyscus maniculatus), bobcat (Lynx rufus), and gray fox (Urocyon cinereoargenteus) occur in this subarea as well. For example, the dense vegetation along Fisher Creek and the Fisher Creek Bypass, as well as along the Laguna Seca outlet canal, provides cover for both resident and dispersant bobcats and gray foxes. No nests of the San Francisco dusky-footed woodrat (Neotoma fuscipes annectens) were seen in this subarea during the June survey, but it is possible that small numbers are present in dense vegetation along Fisher Creek and the Fisher Creek Bypass.

As discussed in the special-status animals section below, the serpentine grassland at the toe of Tulare Hill, which is represented on the Brandenburg West subarea as a narrow strip of habitat, provides only marginally suitable habitat for the Bay checkerspot butterfly, as that species’ primary larval hostplant dwarf plantain (Plantago erecta) is present in very low abundance, and then only around serpentine rock outcrops. Nevertheless, there is some potential for Bay checkerspots from more suitable habitat higher on Tulare Hill to occasionally disperse into the lowlands for nectar. During the June surveys, nine other species of butterflies were observed. In addition,

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the wetlands and aquatic habitats on the Brandenburg West subarea support a number of species of dragonflies and damselflies; 10 species were seen during the site visit, and another 10 or more likely occur here. One of these species, a black spreadwing (Lestes stultus) seen along the Laguna Seca outlet canal, is very scarce on the Santa Clara Valley floor, occurring more commonly in surrounding foothills (Photo 9).

3.2.2 Brandenburg East

Land Cover/Vegetation. The Brandenburg East subarea consists of the predominantly level agricultural fields bounded by Santa Teresa Boulevard to the west, Bailey Avenue to the south, the Union Pacific Railroad line paralleling Monterey Road to the east, and Fisher Creek and Blanchard Road to the north (Figure 1). Two small areas of agricultural buildings, barns and equipment yards occur within this area; one in the central eastern portion of the property along Emado Avenue, and the Photo 9. A black spreadwing other in the northern central portion of the property along Blanchard along the Laguna Seca outlet Road. These areas were mapped as rural residential and/or developed canal. land cover type. The majority of this area is in hay and pasture production and has been continually cropped for many years.

Elevations in the Brandenburg East subarea vary minimally from approximately 247 to 264 ft (WGS84) (Google, Inc. 2019), and while generally level, the site slopes slightly from east to west and south to north, with the lower elevations along the western and northern boundaries. Elevations are generally higher by one to several feet than even the eastern areas of Brandenburg West, and as such, the site retains a much less wetland- affected character and appears to be more effectively separated from the locally high groundwater table. Soils in the Brandenburg East subarea are dominated by Sunnyvale silty clay, Clear Lake clay, Sunnyvale silty clay loam, Campbell silt clay loam and Yolo silty clay loam (Figure 2). All these soils are deep and fine to fine-silty, with slow run-off. The Yolo soils on the eastern portion of the site are well drained, with the Campbell soils less so, and the Sunnyvale and Clear Lake soils on the west side of the site least well drained of the four series. All the soils’ draining capabilities have been increased over time due to groundwater pumping in the region.

Land cover types/biotic habitats in the Brandenburg East subarea include the hay and pasture agricultural fields covering the majority of the property (Photo 10 and Figure 3). At the time of the June 2019 surveys, the fields were planted in dryland wheat (Triticum arvense), with Italian wildrye (Festuca perennis) and wild oats (Avena sp.) intermixed with the planted crops at relatively high densities. The hay had recently been mown. An approximately 5-acre, narrow stretch of coyote brush (Baccharis pilularis) dominated scrub was mapped in the southeast corner of the property. This area was mapped as northern coastal scrub, which is the VHP-defined land cover type which most closely matches the vegetation occurring there. The coyote brush has colonized a

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strip of fill that was imported into the field around 2002 (Google Earth, Inc. 2019). Small patches of coyote brush also occur in the northwest corner of the property along the berm for Santa Teresa Boulevard.

Wildlife Occurrence/Habitat. Compared to the Brandenburg West subarea, wildlife use of the Brandenburg East subarea is much lower under existing conditions due to the lack of wetland habitat; the limitation of aquatic and riparian habitat to the Fisher Creek corridor along the extreme northern edge; disturbance Photo 10. Recently cut hayfields on the Brandenburg associated with haying of the majority of the East subarea. Brandenburg East subarea; and the structural simplicity of the monoculture of hay that dominates this subarea. A total of 20 bird species were recorded here during the June surveys, all in low numbers.

The hayfields here provide habitat for few wildlife species. Although western meadowlarks may attempt nesting in these hayfields before they are cut, no meadowlarks were observed in the cut hayfields during our visit. Otherwise, no bird species nest in these fields. Common ravens (Corvus corax), which nest on an electrical pole along Santa Teresa Boulevard adjacent to the site and forage commonly throughout Coyote Valley, as well as a few Brewer’s blackbirds (Euphagus cyanocephalus) and red-winged blackbirds, were the only bird species observed foraging in the recently cut hayfields. Very few pocket gopher and California ground squirrel burrows (the latter present primarily in the southwestern corner of the hayfield, and nearby on the Fisher Flats site to the northeast) were present within the hayfield, and the lack of any thatch on the ground’s surface limits cover for other small mammals such as California voles, or for reptiles such as the western fence lizard. As a result, in its existing condition, the majority of the Brandenburg East subarea provides very few animals that could serve as prey for raptors or larger predatory mammals such as coyotes, bobcats, or American badgers (Taxidea taxus). The majority of bird use is associated with Fisher Creek along the northern edge of the site (which provides habitat for riparian-associated species as described previously for the Brandenburg West subarea) and around the residence in the east-central part of the site, where trees, shrubs, and buildings provide nesting and foraging habitat for a small number of regionally common, urban-adapted species.

A large patch of coyote brush on a mound of fill in the southeastern corner of the Brandenburg East subarea provides some habitat structure, and a few bird species, such as the California towhee (Melozone crissalis), California scrub-jay (Aphelocoma californica), and bushtit (Psaltriparus minimus), as well as a large flock of postbreeding European starlings (Sturnus vulgaris), were observed in this vegetation during the June survey. While several bird species likely nest here, and this coyote brush provides good cover for sparrows during migration and winter, bird diversity in this vegetation is low due to the absence of other vegetation layers (e.g.,

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taller trees). Numerous black-tailed jackrabbits (Lepus californicus) were foraging in the hayfields around the edges of this coyote brush stand and using the coyote brush as cover, and other mammals dispersing through this large field (e.g., coyotes and bobcats) likely use this vegetation for cover as well. Similar coyote brush scrub is present along portions of the western edge of the hayfield, along Santa Teresa Boulevard; this vegetation is expected to be used by the same species using the larger patch of coyote brush, and it provides cover for animals dispersing along the western edge of the field.

A narrow strip of landscaped vegetation is present along the sidewalks north of Bailey Avenue and on both sides of Santa Teresa Boulevard, as well as in the Santa Teresa Boulevard median. Most of this vegetation is nonnative and supports relatively limited wildlife use, but notably, numerous nests of the San Francisco dusky-footed woodrat are present in this vegetation (Photo 11), as Photo 11. A San Francisco dusky-footed woodrat nest in an ornamental oak along the north side of Bailey discussed in Section 3.5. Avenue. 3.2.3 Sobrato North

Land Cover/Vegetation. The Sobrato North subarea includes the portion of the Sobrato property south of the Fisher Creek bypass and north of Bailey Avenue. This area includes the annual grassland and oak studded hills just north of Bailey Avenue, but excludes the mainstem of Fisher Creek from where it crosses under Bailey Avenue to along Santa Teresa Boulevard and where it connects with the Fisher Creek bypass channel (Figure 1).

Elevations in the Sobrato North subarea vary from approximately 247 to 300 ft (WGS84) (Google, Inc. 2019), and while generally level, the site slopes slightly from east to west and south to north, with the lower elevations along the western and northern boundaries. Soils are dominated by Pacheco Clay loam, Clear Lake clay, and Sunnyvale silty clay, with Gilroy clay loam, 15 to 30 percent slopes, eroded occurring on the hill north of Bailey Ave (Figure 2). The soils on the flat lands in this area are deep and fine to fine-silty, with slow run-off and poor drainage. The Gilroy clay loam is well drained (NRCS 2019).

Land cover types/biotic habitats in the Sobrato North subarea include the hay and pasture agricultural fields covering the majority of the property, with annual grassland and oak woodland occupying the hill at the southern end of the property (Photo 12 and Figure 3). The agricultural fields in this area were planted to pasture and at the time of the June 2019 surveys were occupied by a number of bulls. The oak woodland and annual grassland mosaic on the uplands closely resembled those in the Brandenburg West area. It is likely that the

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Clear Lake clays south of the Pacheco clay loam that dominates much of the agricultural field in Sobrato north support seasonal wetlands, as winter ponding can be observed in these areas and the agricultural crops are more sparse, likely indicating water and salinity stress from seasonal ponding. Farming activities have muted any local depressional topography that may have existed in these areas, but the site still generally drains to the west and now the Fisher Creek bypass channel forms a berm that this Photo 12. View from Spreckles Hill, looking at the oak woodland-

water can s it up against before dominated hill in the southwestern corner of the Sobrato North drying or infiltrating. subarea, with the Sobrato North pasture in the background.

Wildlife Occurrence/Habitat. The mainstem Fisher Creek channel and the Fisher Creek Bypass are technically on the Brandenburg West subarea, but they run through and immediately adjacent to the Sobrato North subarea. The wetland, riparian, and scrub habitats associated with these channels provide high-quality wildlife habitat, as described above for the Brandenburg West subarea. Many of the species that use this dense vegetation for cover or nesting habitat forage to some extent in the adjacent open fields, within the Sobrato North subarea.

Otherwise, habitats within the Sobrato North subarea are relatively simple, consisting of hayfield and pasture. During our June site visits, these fields had been recently mown, and cattle were grazing in the larger field bounded by Fisher Creek and the Fisher Creek Bypass. These hayfields do not seem to consist of a single- species monoculture as on the Brandenburg East subarea, and somewhat more thatch remained following cutting. This provides more cover and food for small mammals, such as pocket gophers, and several California ground squirrel burrows were noted around the perimeter of the field immediately northwest of the Santa Teresa Boulevard/Bailey Avenue intersection. Coyotes were observed hunting in the larger field during our June 2019 surveys. As described for the Brandenburg West subarea, the oak woodland in the southwestern corner of the Sobrato North subarea supports high densities of oak-associated species.

Seasonally wet areas along the eastern side of the Fisher Creek Bypass channel may have formed as a result of construction of the berm that serves as the eastern bank of that channel. In particularly wet years, such as the 2018-19 wet season, ponding occurred in those areas, and large numbers of Canada geese and dabbling ducks

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foraged in those areas in late winter and early spring of 2019 (S. Rottenborn, pers. obs.). However, the duration of ponding in those potential seasonal wetlands likely was not sufficient for successful breeding by amphibians.

3.2.4 Sobrato South

Land Cover/Vegetation. The Sobrato South subarea includes the portion of the Sobrato property south of Bailey Avenue and west of Santa Teresa Boulevard (Figure 1). The mainstem of Fisher Creek bisects this parcel, and Spreckles Hill is a prominent landscape feature in the northeastern corner of the property just south of Bailey Avenue. The majority of this parcel is in agricultural production and was actively farmed in hay and pasture during the 2019 survey.

Elevations in the Sobrato South subarea vary from approximately 378 ft at the top of Spreckles Hill to 254 ft (WGS84) in the northwest corner of the property along Bailey Avenue (Google, Inc. 2019). Soils are dominated by Clear Lake clay and Sunnyvale silty clay, with Gilroy clay loam, 30 to 50 percent slopes, occurring on Spreckles Hill (Figure 2). The soils on the flat lands in this area are deep and fine to fine-silty, with slow runoff and poor drainage. The Gilroy clay loam is well drained.

Land cover types/biotic habitats in the Sobrato South area include hay and pasture agricultural fields covering the majority of the property (Photo 13 and Figure 3), mixed riparian forest and woodland along Fisher Creek, as well as along the eastern edge of Spreckles Hill, seasonal wetlands and freshwater marsh on either side of Fisher Creek and along the agricultural drainage ditches, and two deep former golf course ponds. On Spreckles Hill, mixed oak woodland dominated by valley oak (Quercus lobata), with some blue oak (Quercus douglasii), coast Photo 13. View from Spreckles Hill looking west at Fisher Creek live oak (Quercus agrifolia), and and the Sobrato South subarea beyond. California buckeye (Aesculus californica), is present on the north side of hill (Photo 14), and California annual grassland, typical of the area, occupies the south-facing slope. Also present on the south-facing slope is a small patch of scrub vegetation dominated by California buckwheat (Eriogonum fasciculatum) and California sagebrush (Artemisia californica) which was mapped as northern coastal scrub.

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The Sobrato South subarea was recently the subject of a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) verified

wetland delineation in 2016. However, the site likely supports more wetlands in its current state than verified in that delineation, which occurred after a multi-year severe drought. Additionally, land management practices may have been altered in the intervening years such that natural hydrology has been allowed to express more influence on the landscape. Throughout the field to the southwest of the Fisher Creek channel, dense stands of seasonal wetland vegetation such as rabbitsfoot grass and even stands of freshwater marsh vegetation such as cattails and tule occur, along with indicators of wetland hydrology such as intensive soil cracking. To the northeast of Fisher Creek, a large area of freshwater marsh occurs at the base of Spreckels Hill, which drains into a stand of willow riparian forest and scrub with a seasonal wetland understory of sedges (Carex sp. and Cyperus eragrostis). Although not mapped as wetlands in 2016, the border of the area along Santa Teresa Boulevard also exhibited patches of wetland vegetation, including curly dock (Rumex crispus) and even stands of cattails, and is therefore also likely a seasonal wetland in the current state.

Wildlife Occurrence/Habitat. Although the majority of the Sobrato South subarea consists of agricultural lands, the large number and mosaic-like distribution of habitat types produces overall high-quality wildlife habitat and high wildlife diversity. During wildlife surveys in June 2019, 59 bird species were observed on the Sobrato South subarea.

Riparian habitat along Fisher Creek is of fairly high quality in many areas, with dense ground cover, shrub, and canopy layers, though in some locations trampling by cattle has limited ground cover and understory, and in some areas the canopy consists primarily of nonnative black walnut. Bird diversity is fairly high in this riparian habitat, and even greater numbers of individuals and species would use this riparian habitat during migration. The creek itself lacks riffle-pool complexes that would increase its ecological value, though some larger pools are present, especially where the wet ditches from the west side of the creek enter Fisher Creek. Pacific treefrogs, western toads, and California newts likely breed in Fisher Creek, and nonnative Louisiana red swamp crayfish were observed here as well. Fish recorded in Fisher Creek, which could occur on both the Sobrato South, Brandenburg West, and Brandenburg East subareas, include native Sacramento hitch (Lavinia exilicauda exilicauda) and Sacramento sucker (Catostomus occidentalis) and nonnative mosquitofish (Gambusia affinis), inland silverside (Menidia beryllina), and green sunfish (Lepomis cyanellus) (H. T. Harvey & Associates 1999a, 2006e, 2007a).

Riparian vegetation, with large, mature willows, is also present on the east side of Spreckles Hill. In that area the mixture of riparian woodland and emergent wetland produces good conditions for a variety of birds, and several San Francisco dusky-footed woodrat ground nests were noted among the willows in that area. The dense vegetation along Fisher Creek and all around the base of Spreckles Hill provides good cover for dispersing mammals such as bobcats.

A fairly large marsh is present on the south side of Spreckles Hill. During the June survey, a Virginia rail (Rallus limicola) was heard in this marsh. The timing of this observation (June 15) suggest that this species is breeding on the site. Virginia rail is a very scarce and local breeder in Santa Clara County, and breeding has never been

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confirmed in the Coyote Valley. This marsh, as well as areas of coastal and valley freshwater marsh along ditches west of Fisher Creek, supports large numbers of song sparrows, common yellowthroats, and red-winged blackbirds as well. Pacific treefrogs and western toads breed in these marsh habitats, and the system of ditches west of Fisher Creek provide a means of dispersal of these amphibians between the western foothills and areas along Fisher Creek and farther downstream. In the relatively open agricultural lands Photo 14. The eastern pond on the Sobrato South subarea. west of Fisher Creek, these ditches provide some cover for dispersing mammals as well, although their value as cover for such animals may be limited to some extent by how wet they are (e.g., animals such as coyotes and bobcats may spend little time within the wet ditches).

Two large ponds on the west side of Fisher Creek were constructed as water features for the golf course that formerly occupied that area. During the June survey, the longer eastern pond (Photo 14) supported 18 wood ducks Photo 15. The western pond on the Sobrato South subarea. (Aix sponsa), an uncommon and local species in the Santa Clara Valley; this species likely nests in tree cavities either around this pond or nearby along Fisher Creek or on Spreckles Hill. Other waterbirds seen in this pond included family groups (with young) of cinnamon teal (Spatula cyanoptera), American coot, and pied-billed grebe (Podilymbus podiceps), as well as adult ruddy ducks (Oxyura jamaicensis) and mallards. The margins of this pond provide a mosaic of open/shorter-vegetation areas, dense stands of cattails and bulrush, and pockets of cottonwoods and willows that collectively provide habitat for a number of species of songbirds. Large numbers of swallows, of five species, were foraging over this pond during our survey (Photo 16), and dragonflies and damselflies were abundant. While this pond supports very high native animal diversity, a nonnative muskrat (Ondatra zibethicus), as well as numerous nonnative bullfrogs, were observed here as well.

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The western pond (Photo 15) provides habitat that is quite different from the eastern pond. The western pond has little emergent vegetation around its edges, instead having more upland-type vegetation along the banks and some exposed mud around the edges of the water. Killdeer foraged on this mud, a great egret (Ardea alba) foraged in the pond, and 27 gadwalls (Mareca strepera), including a brood of young, and 15 mallards (including two broods) were in this pond. This pond appears Photo 16. A violet-green swallow foraging over a pond on considerably shallower than the eastern the Sobrato South subarea. pond, with clearer water and more submergent vegetation rather than the floating algae that dominated some margins of the eastern pond. Mosquitofish were observed in the western pond, though the presence of piscivorous pied-billed grebes in the eastern pond suggests that fish and/or crayfish are present in that pond as well.

Compared to other habitats in the Sobrato South subarea, the hay fields on both sides of Fisher Creek support lower wildlife diversity. No California ground squirrels or their burrows, and few pocket gopher burrows, were observed in these fields. The fields west of Fisher Creek had been recently cut, and large numbers of mallards (75) and band-tailed pigeons (120) were foraging on plant material in these fields, with flocks of red-winged blackbirds and common ravens foraging as well (likely on invertebrates). Due to the interspersion of seasonal wetlands and the wetland-lined ditches in this subarea, prey for raptors and carnivorous mammals is apparently higher in these fields than in the large hayfield on the Brandenburg East subarea, as red-tailed hawks and northern harriers (Circus hudsonius) are frequently seen foraging over fields in the Sobrato South subarea in winter, and a red-tailed hawk nest with young was in a cottonwood along one of the ditches immediately outside the Sobrato South boundary during our June survey.

Spreckles Hill is a notable feature on the Sobrato South subarea. The oak woodland on the hill supported large numbers of oak-associated birds, such as ash-throated flycatchers, violet-green swallows, and oak titmice, during our surveys. Larger oaks with large cavities provide potential roosting habitat for bats. No distinctive wildlife species were observed in association with the rock outcrops and pockets of sagebrush on the south side of the hill, though these outcrops likely provide habitat for small mammals and reptiles such as the Pacific rattlesnake (Crotalus oreganus). Much of the ground cover on Spreckles Hill was weedy, with large patches of milk thistle (Silybum marianum) and Italian thistle (Carduus pycnocephalus), indicating fairly extensive ground disturbance. It is likely that rooting by feral pigs (Sus scrofa) is responsible for this disturbance, as a group of pigs (including sows nursing young) was seen at the top of the hill during our surveys.

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3.3 Sensitive and Regulated Habitats

A number of sensitive and regulated habitats occur with the study area. These include wetlands, streambeds, and riparian banks regulated by the United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) under Section 404 of the Clean Water Act, the Regional Water Quality Control Board (RWQCB) under Section 401 of the Clean Water Act and the Porter-Cologne Water Quality Control Act, and by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) under Section 1600 of the California Fish and Game Code, as well as sensitive natural communities tracked by CDFW (e.g., serpentine grassland and oak woodland). These habitats, as they occur in the study area, are described in greater detail below.

3.3.1 Jurisdictional Wetlands and Other Waters (i.e., Creeks, Freshwater Marsh, Seasonal Wetlands, and Ponds)

As described above under general site conditions, the study area contains a rich mosaic of wetlands and riparian habitats that are a function of the landscape position, locally high groundwater, and fine textured soils conducive to supporting wetlands. Much of the study area is situated within the historic Laguna Seca, which due to the high water table and surfacing of groundwater at the base of Tulare Hill and the Santa Teresa Hills was a large mosaic of seasonal open water habitat, perennial freshwater marsh, wet meadows, and willow groves. This historic wetland complex wrapped around the hills north of Bailey Ave in the Sobrato North area as well as Spreckles Hill to encompass the majority of the Sobrato North, Sobrato South, and Brandenburg West areas. Prior to alteration for agriculture, Fisher Creek was an intermittent drainage that fanned out into multiple distributary channels at its terminus in the vicinity of the Brandenburg East area, as opposed to connecting with Coyote Creek north of the study area as it currently does (Grossinger et. al. 2006). Fisher Creek has been modified and channelized over the years to accommodate agriculture and is presently a perennial creek that flows from the foothills of the Santa Cruz Mountains to the southwest of the study area. Fisher Creek bisects the study area as it flows north through the middle of the Sobrato South subarea, through a large box culvert under Bailey Avenue, through the narrow corridor of Brandenburg lands within the Sobrato North subarea, through a large box culvert under Santa Teresa Boulevard, and along the north edge of the Brandenburg East subarea before exiting the study area and flowing another one-half mile to its confluence with Coyote Creek on the east side of Monterey Road (Figure 3). Since major reclamation began in the early 1900s to support agricultural productivity of this area, numerous ditches have been created to improve drainage of the surrounding fields and move water into Fisher Creek. The most significant of these drainage ditches is present at the north end of the Brandenburg West subarea in the central portion of the historic Laguna Seca; this drainage canal flows directly east to connect with Fisher Creek at the base of Tulare Hill on the east side of Santa Teresa Boulevard. The Fisher Creek Bypass channel was a drainage channel created to capture water and move it into Fisher Creek and off-site to the north. A number of smaller drainage ditches within the Sobrato South area and along the eastern boundary of Brandenburg West also serve to lower the water table and improve drainage of the surrounding fields, moving water into Fisher Creek. Due to their functioning as perennial or intermittent drainages, Fisher Creek and all of the drainage features as shown on Figure 3 would be considered waters of the U.S. and waters of the State.

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Freshwater marsh habitat, designated as coastal and valley freshwater marsh in accordance with VHP standards, was mapped on 9.46 acres throughout the study area. An additional 16.02 acres of riparian forest or woodland containing a substantial freshwater marsh component (either as a mosaic, along the inner channel sections, or frequently interspersed with riparian vegetation) were mapped as mixed riparian forest/freshwater marsh and willow riparian scrub/freshwater marsh. Freshwater marsh habitat is characterized by a dominance of obligate wetland species. In the study area these areas were typically dominated by tule, cattail, iris leaved rush (Juncus xiphioides), water smartweed, spike rush, and marsh purslane (Ludwigia peploides). This habitat type occurs in patches along drainage ditches throughout the study area, along Fisher Creek and the Fisher Creek Bypass channel in the aforementioned mosaic with riparian habitat types, and along the fringes of and within the former stock ponds at the south end of Brandenburg West north of Bailey Avenue. Areas mapped as coastal and valley freshwater marsh habitat are expected to be regulated by the USACE under Section 404 of the Clean Water Act and by the RWQCB under Section 401 of the Clean Water Act and under the Porter-Cologne Water Quality Control Act. In addition this would be considered a sensitive habitat by the CDFW.

Seasonal wetland habitat was mapped on 113.86 acres throughout the study area. Seasonal wetlands are characterized by the seasonal presence of hydrology, usually in the form of a high water table and seasonal inundation in the winter, that lasts longer into the spring than the surrounding uplands. Within the study area, these area are characterized by a suite of “ruderal” (i.e., disturbance-associated, primarily non-native, weedy) facultative wetland species, including rabbitsfoot grass, Italian wildrye, cockle bur (Xanthium sp.), hyssop loosestrife (Lythrum hyssopifolium), curly dock, bristly ox-tongue (Helminthotheca echioides), and Harding grass (Phalaris aquatica). Seasonal wetland habitat in the study area is most extensive in the Brandenburg West and Sobrato South subareas, where it is also drained by ditches and cultivated annually in hay crops. Current mapping of seasonal wetland in the study area during our June 2019 surveys relied heavily on, and updated where appropriate, previous wetland delineations carried out by H. T. Harvey & Associates and verified by the USACE (H. T. Harvey & Associates 1999b, 2006b, 2013b). The seasonal wetlands verified by the USACE are jurisdictional wetlands subject to regulation under Section 404 of the Clean Water Act. Additional areas were mapped as seasonal wetland on Figure 3, based on the June 2019 survey, where observations of current conditions, such as the dominance of wetland plant species, and observation of wetland hydrology indicators (e.g. soil surface cracks, algal mats, etc.) strongly suggest that the area would be considered a seasonal wetland if delineated today. This was particularly the case on the Sobrato South subarea where disking had not taken place this year. In addition, 13.88 acres were mapped as “potential seasonal wetland” on Figure 3. These areas include the triangular parcel in the Brandenburg West subarea, at the base of Tulare Hill and north of Fisher Creek. This area was not previously mapped as a seasonal wetland but is currently dominated by hydrophytes such as poison hemlock, curly dock, and hyssop loosestrife. Similar bands of potential seasonal wetlands were mapped along the Fisher Creek bypass channel in the Sobrato North subarea and the eastern edge of the field in the Sobrato South subarea near Santa Teresa Boulevard. These areas represent a mosaic of more recently developing or less obvious seasonal wetlands and uplands, which would require more dedicated efforts to map precisely, such as winter hydrology monitoring or more detailed analysis of soils throughout to determine wetland/upland boundaries. However, based on current conditions at least portions of these areas are likely to be considered a jurisdictional wetland if delineated today.

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Two ponds were mapped on the Sobrato South subarea and four were mapped on Brandenburg West (5.48 acres). The Sobrato ponds were created between 1964 and 1967 when portions of this property were used as a golf course. The ponds were excavated deep enough that the open water area has stayed consistent over the years. The western pond has only a narrow band of seasonal wetland vegetation surrounding it, and is disked right up to the edge of the pond, whereas the eastern pond has a narrow band of riparian woodland and freshwater marsh vegetation ringing the pond. A series of former stock ponds or otherwise excavated ponds is located on the Brandenburg West subarea just north of Bailey Avenue. These ponds still had standing water in them in June 2019, though the water in three was shallow (it was deeper in the rounded central pond indicated on Figure 3 and shown in Photo 17). Pond habitat in the study area is considered jurisdictional due to hydrologic connectivity with other waters and the groundwater table, and would be subject to regulation by USACE under Section 404 of the Clean Water Act, by the RWQCB under Section 401 of the Clean Water Act and under the Porter- Cologne Water Quality Control Act, and by the CDFW under Section Photo 17. A pond in the southwestern part of the Brandenburg 1600 of the California Fish and West subarea. Game Code.

3.3.2 Riparian Habitats

Riparian habitats within the study area include areas that were mapped as mixed riparian forest and woodland and willow riparian forest and scrub, which comprised 21.97 acres (Figure 3). Approximately 16.02 additional acres of riparian habitat were mapped as a mosaic of riparian and freshwater marsh habitats, as described above. Mixed riparian forest and woodland is characterized by tall, multi-layered vegetation dominated by tree species such as red willow and cottonwood, with California sycamore (Platanus racemosa), valley oak, coast live oak, California buckeye also occasionally present. The riparian mitigation site on Brandenburg West is especially diverse in terms of riparian canopy species and includes substantial amounts of box elder (Acer negundo). Shrub cover varies, but includes species such as elderberry (Sambucus nigra ssp. caerulea), blackberry (Rubus ursinus), arroyo willow, and mulefat (Baccharis salicifolia). Willow riparian forest and scrub in the study area is characterized by a dense cover of arroyo willow and mulefat and typically occurs closer to the channel or drainages.

Riparian habitats are most well developed in the study area along the mainstem of Fisher Creek where they form a mostly continuous corridor from the south end of Sobrato South through the Brandenburg West and

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and East subareas (Photo 18). The riparian corridor varies in size but is typically about 100 feet wide. A large patch of mixed riparian forest and woodland occurs along the northwest flank of Spreckles Hill at the confluence of Fisher Creek and other drainage ditches. Willow riparian forest and scrub is mapped along the eastern flank of Spreckles Hill as well as along much of the Fisher Creek Bypass channel, and within the ditch that drains Laguna Seca. Some of the riparian habitat along the Fisher Creek Bypass channel was created as mitigation habitat for impacts Photo 18. Fisher Creek riparian habitat, looking south from from construction of the bypass. Spreckles Hill.

Some riparian habitats within the study area have potential to be considered wetlands by the USACE and the RWQCB. All riparian habitats rooted within creek banks, regardless of having a wetland understory or not, would be subject to regulation by the RWQCB either under Section 401 of the Clean Water Act or under the Porter-Cologne Water Quality Control Act, and all riparian canopy regardless of canopy rooting location by the CDFW under Section 1600 of the California Fish and Game Code.

3.3.3 Oak Woodland

Oak woodland in the study area meets the parameters of the mixed oak woodland and forest VHP land cover designation and was mapped on 31.51 acres in the study area. As mentioned above, this habitat type is present in the Brandenburg West subarea at the base of the hills along the western edge of that property, on the hill north of Bailey Avenue in the Brandenburg West and Sobrato North subareas, and on Spreckles Hill in the Sobrato South subarea. Mixed oak woodland in the study area is characterized by an open canopy cover of a mixture of live and deciduous oaks, specifically valley oak, blue oak, coast live oak, and California buckeye. The understory consists of dense, non-native annual grassland dominated by grasses such as wild oats (Avena barbata and A. fatua), soft chess (Bromus hordeaceus), foxtail chess (B. madritensis), and ripgut brome (B. diandrus). Dense patches of milk thistle and Italian thistle are present in areas where the ground beneath the oaks has been disturbed by cattle (which may use these trees for shade) or by rooting feral pigs.

Due to the rarity and slow regeneration of some species of oak, several oak dominated vegetation alliances (including the oak woodland in the study area) are considered sensitive communities by CDFW.

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3.3.4 Serpentine Grassland

Serpentine bunchgrass grassland was mapped on 1.22 acres in two discrete locations in the study area. The larger of the two patches consists of a narrow strip, approximately 50-75 feet wide, along the northern edge of the Brandenburg West subarea which overlaps with the base of Tulare Hill, a large mass of serpentine geology. Soils were slightly thinner in this strip than in non-serpentine areas, and some small rock outcrops were observed where serpentine rock was apparent. Vegetation in this serpentine grassland was largely dominated by nonnative grasses (especially wild oats), with some native forbs such as California poppy (Eschscholzia californica) present. Small numbers of dried dwarf plantain, which is typically associated with serpentine grassland, were present around the outcrops. This area was not grazed, while the serpentine grassland on the other side of the fence (i.e., on the majority of Tulare Hill) was being actively grazed. The other small location of serpentine grassland observed in the study area occurred in the Brandenburg West subarea between the levee road along the Fisher Creek Bypass channel and the west property boundary. The IBM property to the west has some mapped serpentine soils, and it is likely that a very small amount of the serpentine influence makes its way into the Brandenburg West perimeter. This was observed as a single small (approximately 800 square foot) rock outcrops where serpentine soils occurred, but this area was also of relatively low quality, with high non-native grass cover and low diversity of native forbs, at least as observed in June 2019. No special-status plants were observed in serpentine bunchgrass grassland during the June 2019 survey.

Due to the regional rarity of serpentine bunchgrass grassland and its tendency to provide suitable habitat for many special-status plant and animal species, serpentine bunchgrass grassland is considered a sensitive communities by CDFW.

3.4 Special-Status Plants

For the purposes of this analysis, “special-status” plants are those species designated as CRPR 1 through 4, and plants listed as threatened, endangered, or candidate species under the federal Endangered Species Act (FESA) and/or the California Endangered Species Act (CESA). Several special-status plants occur in the project vicinity (Figure 4). However, nearly all these species occupy the hills surrounding Coyote Valley, which have mild to strong serpentine influence, conditions favoring special-status plants that are completely absent from the valley floor. While the study area is located at the base of Tulare Hill and does contain a small fringe of serpentine soils and serpentine grassland, the 1.22 acre of serpentine grassland occurring within the study area does not provide high-quality habitat for serpentine-associated plants. Without grazing, a dense cover of non-native grasses dominates this habitat, reducing the quality of habitat for serpentine endemic special-status plant species. The June 2019 survey was conducted by H.T. Harvey & Associates plant ecologists familiar with special-status plants species that occur in the area. A number of special-status plant that occur on nearby serpentine soils were surveyed for in June 2019 and would have been identifiable if present. These include Santa Clara Valley dudleya (Dudleya abramsii ssp. setchellii), Coyote ceanothus (Ceanothus ferrisiae), Metcalf Canyon jewelflower (Streptanthus albidus ssp. albidus), most beautiful jewelflower (Streptanthus albidus ssp. peramoenus),

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fragrant fritillary Congdon'sLegend tarplant Metcalf Canyon jewelflower Mt. Hamilton fountain thistle Study Area Santa Clara Valley dudleya fragrant fritillary 2-mile Radius Hall's bush-mallow Metcalf Canyon jewelflower

Metcalf Canyon jewelflower Serpentine Bunchgrass CNDDB Records Santa Clara Valley dudleya Metcalf Canyon jewelflower Metcalf Canyon jewelflower Plants (Pre-1990) Santa Clara Valley dudleya woodland woollythreads smooth lessingia Specific Location Hall's bush-mallow Santa Clara Valley dudleya fragrant fritillary Metcalf Canyon jewelflower Approximate Location Mt. Hamilton fountain thistle smooth lessingia General Area smooth lessingia Metcalf Canyon jewelflower smooth lessingia Mt. Hamilton fountain thistle Santa Clara Valley dudleya most beautiful jewelflower Plantsarcuate (1990 bush-mallow - Present) Santa Clara Valley dudleya most beautiful jewelflower most beautiful jewelflower smooth lessingia Santa Clara Valley dudleya Specific Location Santa Clara Valley dudleya Santa Clara Valley dudleya Serpentine Bunchgrass Santa Clara Valley dudleya Metcalf Canyon jewelflower Santa Clara Valley dudleya smooth lessingia most beautiful jewelflower Approximate Location smooth lessingia Santa Clara Valley dudleya smooth lessingia Santa Clara Valley dudleya Metcalf Canyon jewelflower dwarf soaproot General Area Hall's bush-mallow fragrant fritillary smooth lessingia Hall's bush-mallow Santa Clara Valley dudleya Santa Clara Valley dudleya Terrestrial Communities Loma Prieta hoita Santa Clara Valley dudleya Loma Prieta hoita most beautiful jewelflower Santa Clara Valley dudleya Hall's bush-mallow smooth lessingia Hall's bush-mallow General Area Santa Clara Valley dudleya Santa Clara Valley dudleya Santa Clara Valley dudleya most beautiful jewelflower smooth lessingia Loma Prieta hoita most beautiful jewelflower Mt. Hamilton fountain thistle most beautiful jewelflower Santa Clara Valley dudleya Mt. Hamilton fountain thistle smooth lessingia Santa Clara Valley dudleya Mt. Hamilton fountain thistle Mt. Hamilton fountain thistle Mt. Hamilton fountain thistle Santa Clara Valley dudleya Santa Clara Valley dudleya Mt. Hamilton fountain thistle Santa Clara Valley dudleya Santa Clara Valley dudleya Santa Clara Valley dudleya most beautiful jewelflower Santa Clara Valley dudleya most beautiful jewelflower Loma Prieta hoita most beautiful jewelflower Mt. Hamilton fountain thistle smooth lessingia Santa Clara Valley dudleya Santa Clara Valley dudleya Santa Clara Valley dudleya Hall's bush-mallow Santa Clara Valley dudleya most beautiful jewelflower Mt. Hamilton fountain thistle Mt. Hamilton fountain thistle Santa Clara Valley dudleya Hall's bush-mallow Mt. Hamilton fountain thistle woodland woollythreads Santa Clara Valley dudleya Santa Clara Valley dudleya Mt. Hamilton fountain thistle smooth lessingia Loma Prieta hoita Santa Clara Valley dudleya Santa Clara Valley dudleya Tiburon paintbrush Mt. Hamilton fountain thistle smooth lessingia arcuate bush-mallow Mt. Hamilton fountain thistle Mt. Hamilton fountain thistle woodland woollythreads Santa Clara Valley dudleya most beautiful jewelflower Mt. Hamilton fountain thistle smooth lessingia smooth lessingia Mt. Hamilton fountain thistle woodland woollythreads Santa Clara Valley dudleya Santa Clara Valley dudleya most beautiful jewelflower Mt. Hamilton fountain thistle Loma Prieta hoita woodland woollythreads Mt. Hamilton fountain thistle Loma Prieta hoita arcuate bush-mallow Santa Clara Valley dudleya smooth lessingia Mt. Hamilton fountain thistle San Francisco collinsia most beautiful jewelflower smooth lessingia Mt. Hamilton fountain thistle Mt. Hamilton fountain thistle Loma Prieta hoita Loma Prieta hoita Hall's bush-mallow smooth lessingia Santa Clara Valley dudleya Santa Clara Valley dudleya Santa Clara Valley dudleya smooth lessingia Santa Clara Valley dudleya most beautiful jewelflower Santa Clara Valley dudleya Coyote ceanothus Serpentine Bunchgrass Sycamore Alluvial Woodland most beautiful jewelflower Santa Clara Valley dudleya Santa Clara Valley dudleya Mt. Hamilton fountain thistle most beautiful jewelflower Santa Clara Valley dudleya most beautiful jewelflower Sycamore Alluvial Woodland smooth lessingia Loma Prieta hoita

Santa Clara Valley dudleya

3800 1900 0 3800 most beautiful jewelflower Feet Santa Clara Valley dudleya most beautiful jewelflower Santa Clara Valley dudleya Santa Clara Valley dudleya N:\Projects\1337-22\Reports\Biological Opportunities\Fig4 CNDDBPlants.mxd Santa Clara Valley dudleya Figure 4. CNDDB-Mapped Records of Special-Status Plants North Coyote Valley Sobrato and Brandenburg Properties Biological Resources and Opportunities Assessment (1337-22) June 2019

Tiburon Indian paintbrush (Castilleja affinis ssp. neglecta), Loma Prieta hoita (Hoita strobilina), woodland woolythreads (Monolopia gracilens), and big-scale balsamroot (Balsamorhiza macrolepis). Although these surveys were conducted outside of the blooming period of smooth lessingia (Lessingia micradenia var. glabrata), young plants would have been identifiable during the June 2019 survey, and based on an assessment of the serpentine grassland present, this species is considered absent. Mount Hamilton thistle (Cirsium fontinale var. campylon) occurs in serpentine seeps which are not present in the study area. Therefore, all of these species are considered to be absent from the study area.

Hall’s bushmallow (Malacothamnus hallii) also has occurrences in the vicinity and occurs in oak woodland and/or scrub habitats for which there is limited suitable habitat in the study area. This species would have been identifiable during the June 2019 survey. Hall’s bushmallow was not observed during the survey and is considered to be absent from the study area.

Fragrant fritillary (Fritillaria liliacea) is a VHP-covered species occurring on serpentine soils in the vicinity of the study area. This species blooms earlier in the year, so if it were present, it would not have been apparent during the June survey. Due to the degraded quality of the small amount of serpentine grassland present in the study area, the potential for this species to occur in the study area is low. Although this species has low potential to occur within the study area due to the low quality habitat, its occurrence cannot be ruled out without a focused survey in early spring.

A CNDDB record of dwarf soaproot (Chlorogalum pomeridianum var. minus) overlaps the study area (Figure 4). However, this occurrence was recorded in 1896 “along Coyote Creek” and has not been re-found since that time (CalFlora 2018). Additionally, because dwarf soaproot occurs in chaparral habitat, the study area lacks suitable habitat for the species, and it is considered absent.

Clayey, mesic, valley bottom lands such as those in the study areas ostensibly can provide suitable habitat for a suite of rare wetland plant species, often adapted to alkaline conditions, such as saline clover (Trifolium hydrophilum), San Joaquin spearscale (Extriplex joaquiniana), Gairdner’s yampah (Perideridia gairdneri ssp. gairdneri), Hoover’s button-celery (Eryngium aristulatum var. hooveri), and legenere (Legenere limosa). However, although these species occur in quadrangles surrounding the study area in the lowlands adjacent to the South San Francisco Bay and the southern Santa Clara Valley south of Morgan Hill, none is known from the Coyote Valley, and the actual current range for these species likely does not include the study area. Additionally, site conditions are so disturbed, manipulated, and controlled by agricultural practices that it is highly unlikely that any of these species are present, and none of these species was noted during the June 2019 reconnaissance survey.

The absence of any evidence of special-status plants during our June 2019 surveys is consistent with conclusions reached by H. T. Harvey & Associates based on surveys of these properties for prior planning efforts since the late 1990s. No prior surveys of the site had detected special-status plants on the Sobrato or Brandenburg properties, and all planning documents and biological resources reports for these properties had concluded that special-status plants were absent (H. T. Harvey & Associates 1999a, 2000c,l, 2006a, 2008a,b).

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In conclusion, the only special-status plant that could not be eliminated as potentially occurring in the study area is fragrant fritillary, and this species is highly unlikely to occur here due to the low quality and very limited extent of serpentine grassland present.

3.5 Special-Status Animals

For purposes of this analysis, “special-status” animals are considered animal species that are:

• listed under FESA as threatened, endangered, proposed threatened, proposed endangered, or a candidate species; • listed under CESA as threatened, endangered or a candidate threatened or endangered species; • designated by the CDFW as a California species of special concern; or • listed in the California Fish and Game Code as a fully protected species (fully protected birds are designated in §3511, mammals in §4700, reptiles and amphibians in §5050, and fish in §5515). All VHP-covered animal species are special-status species, meeting one or more of these criteria.

A number of special-status animals are known to occur in and adjacent to Coyote Valley, and some of these species are known to occur, or could occur, on the NCV properties (Figure 5). Special-status animals that have been previously recorded in the study area and/or have a high likelihood of being present currently are the California tiger salamander, bald eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus), Swainson’s hawk (Buteo swainsoni), golden eagle (Aquila chrysaetos), white-tailed kite, tricolored blackbird (Agelaius tricolor), American peregrine falcon (Falco peregrinus anatum), burrowing owl, loggerhead shrike (Lanius ludovicianus), yellow warbler (Setophaga petechia), yellow-breasted chat, Sacramento hitch, Central California roach (Lavinia symmetricus symmetricus), San Francisco dusky-footed woodrat, American badger, and pallid bat. Other special-status animals that have a lower likelihood of occurrence, but could potentially occur, are the Bay checkerspot butterfly, California red-legged frog, western pond turtle, and grasshopper sparrow (Ammodramus savannarum).

The legal status and likelihood of occurrence (based on current site conditions) of special-status animal species known to occur or potentially occurring within the overall study area are presented in Table 1.

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Legend western pond turtle American badger foothill yellow-legged frog

Study Area California tiger salamander Bay checkerspot butterfly California red-legged frog 2-mile Radius California red-legged frog California red-legged frog California tiger salamander CNDDB Records California tiger salamander western pond turtle burrowing owl San Joaquin kit fox Animals (Pre-1990) California tiger salamander Hom's micro-blind harvestman California tiger salamander great blue heron California tiger salamander San Francisco dusky-footed woodrat Specific Location American badger California red-legged frog California tiger salamander pallid bat western pond turtle California tiger salamander California red-legged frog Approximate Location California tiger salamander tricolored blackbird California red-legged frog pallid bat white-tailed kite General Area western pond turtle San Francisco dusky-footed woodrat white-tailed kite golden eagle California red-legged frog California tiger salamander Townsend's big-eared bat Animals (1990 - Present) Opler's longhorn moth California red-legged frog California tiger salamander pallid bat Bay checkerspot butterfly American badger Specific Location California tiger salamander Hom's micro-blind harvestman burrowing owl western pond turtle white-tailed kite California red-legged frog yellow-breasted chat California red-legged frog California tiger salamander California red-legged frog Approximate Location western pond turtle yellow-breasted chat Townsend's big-eared bat pallid bat California floater California red-legged frog pallid bat California tiger salamander General Area California red-legged frog western pond turtle California red-legged frog grasshopper sparrow California red-legged frog western pond turtle Bay checkerspot butterfly Terrestrial Communities burrowing owl California red-legged frog California tiger salamander burrowing owl pallid bat General Area Opler's longhorn moth California red-legged frog western pond turtle California tiger salamander western pond turtle American badger California red-legged frog California red-legged frog Swainson's hawk California red-legged frog

Swainson's hawk American badger Opler's longhorn moth American badger San Francisco dusky-footed woodrat Bay checkerspot butterfly steelhead - central California coast DPS burrowing owl burrowing owl western pond turtle western pond turtle California tiger salamander white-tailed kite American badger California red-legged frog Bay checkerspot butterfly white-tailed kite California tiger salamander burrowing owl western pond turtle California red-legged frog California red-legged frog golden eagle white-tailed kite burrowing owl California tiger salamander California tiger salamander burrowing owl California red-legged frog burrowing owl American badger American badger California tiger salamander coast horned lizard San Francisco dusky-footed woodrat California red-legged frog California red-legged frog burrowing owl American badger Opler's longhorn moth western pond turtle great blue heron American badger tricolored blackbird American badger loggerhead shrike white-tailed kite California red-legged frog Bay checkerspot butterfly western pond turtle western pond turtle loggerhead shrike California red-legged frog California red-legged frog western pond turtle tricolored blackbird foothill yellow-legged frog American badger white-tailed kite burrowing owl white-tailed kite western bumble bee California tiger salamander white-tailed kite black swift California tiger salamander California tiger salamander golden eagle California red-legged frog Santa Cruz black salamander California red-legged frog California tiger salamander Opler's longhorn moth white-tailed kite California tiger salamander Bay checkerspot butterfly San Francisco dusky-footed woodrat California red-legged frog western pond turtle white-tailed kite Opler's longhorn moth Yuma myotis California red-legged frog Bay checkerspot butterfly white-tailed kite Bay checkerspot butterfly San Francisco dusky-footed woodrat Opler's longhorn moth American badger San Francisco dusky-footed woodrat western pond turtle Opler's longhorn moth San Francisco dusky-footed woodrat Bay checkerspot butterfly burrowing owl western pond turtle

3800 1900 0 3800 California tiger salamander Feet

N:\Projects\1337-22\Reports\Biological Opportunities\Fig5 CNDDBAnimal.mxd Townsend's big-eared bat Figure 5. CNDDB-Mapped Records of Special-Status Animals North Coyote Valley Sobrato and Brandenburg Properties Biological Resources and Opportunities Assessment (1337-22) June 2019

Table 1. Special-Status Animals, their Status, Habitat Description, and Potential for Occurrence in the Study Area

Common Name Regulatory Habitat Potential for Occurrence in Study Area (Scientific Name) Status

Federal or State Endangered, Threatened, or Candidate Species

Bay checkerspot butterfly FT, VHP Native grasslands on serpentine May be Present. In the immediate study area vicinity, this species is known to occur on Tulare Hill. USFWS-designated critical habitat overlaps the study area in two soils. Larval host plants are Plantago locations on the Brandenburg West subarea – in a narrow strip at the base of Tulare Hill and in the more extensive area of grassland northwest of Laguna Seca. Field (Euphydryas editha erecta and Castilleja sp. assessments verified that degraded serpentine grassland is present at the base of Tulare Hill, and small numbers of dried dwarf plantain were observed around rock bayensis) outcrops in this area. However, nonnative grasses were common here, and habitat for Bay checkerspots is of marginal quality compared to areas higher on Tulare Hill where the species is known to occur. The grasslands northwest of Laguna Seca are dominated by nonnatives and do not appear to represent typical serpentine grassland; no Bay checkerspot larval host plants were observed there. Immediately west of the Brandenburg West subarea, the hills have also been designated as critical habitat for the Bay checkerspot. However, only a very small patch of serpentine grassland was observed within the western side of the Brandenburg West subarea. There is some potential for Bay checkerspots to occur in the study area where serpentine grassland is present at the toe of Tulare Hill, and adults could possibly nectar in California annual grassland or in non-serpentine habitat elsewhere in the vicinity of Tulare Hill, but there is a low probability that the species currently occurs within the study area itself (or anywhere in the study area away from Tulare Hill) due to the absence of high-quality habitat. Central California Coast FT Cool streams with suitable spawning Absent. Although steelhead are present in Coyote Creek downstream, a long concrete box structure with a 4-foot drop along lower Fisher Creek blocks access to steelhead habitat and conditions allowing Fisher Creek (H. T. Harvey & Associates 2000d). No suitable spawning habitat is present in Fisher Creek. migration between spawning and (Oncorhynchus mykiss) marine habitats. California tiger salamander FT, ST, VHP Temporary pools in grasslands or May be Present. California tiger salamanders have been recorded in the study area in the western part of the Sobrato South subarea. In January and February 2000, (Ambystoma californiense) open woodlands. nighttime surveys detected up to three adults in and around California ground squirrel burrows adjacent to the westernmost pond in this subarea; no individuals were observed anywhere else in this subarea (H. T. Harvey & Associates 2000a,i). Individuals have also been detected in immediately adjacent areas. Adults were observed in and around California ground squirrel burrows on the Xilinx property, immediately west of the Sobrato South subarea, in January-March 2000 (H. T. Harvey & Associates 2000k); these salamanders were very close to the pond on the western edge of the Sobrato South subarea and may have been using that pond for breeding. In addition, a gravid female and a single larva were detected in the former golf course pond on the Gavilan College and Sobrato-Gavilan property between the western end of the Sobrato South subarea and Bailey Avenue in 1998 (H. T. Harvey & Associates 1998a).

Numerous surveys elsewhere on the Sobrato South subarea, and in all portions of the study area north of Bailey Avenue, have not detected the species. Surveys in Brandenburg properties in 1999 and 2000, consisting of nocturnal surveys for adults in and around burrows and under debris, and larval surveys in old channel ponds and Laguna Seca detected other amphibians, as well as hundreds of nonnative predatory Louisiana red-swamp crayfish, but no tiger salamanders (H. T. Harvey & Associates 1999a, 2000f). In winter of 2001-2002 and 2002-2003, surveys of upland areas on Sobrato property, including Spreckles Hill, detected no individuals, and larval surveys in all ponds on Sobrato property (including the off-site pond) in spring of 2002 and 2003 detected none (H. T. Harvey & Associates 2002, 2003); by that time, no California ground squirrel burrows remained on the Sobrato property. No focused surveys have been conducted in the study area since 2003.

All the ponds detected in the study area during June 2019 surveys, including Laguna Seca, provide potential breeding habitat for California tiger salamanders, and given the 16-year interval since focused surveys were last conducted, it is possible that the species has colonized some of these ponds. However, few California ground squirrel burrows (which provide the highest-quality upland refugia for tiger salamanders) were observed during our surveys, and the long history of disking and cultivation, and possibly ground squirrel control, on these sites limits the likelihood of occurrence, or at least the species’ distribution in the study area. If California tiger salamanders persist, the westernmost pond on the Sobrato South subarea represents the most likely breeding location. Because no impassable barriers to dispersal are present in the study area, all upland habitat with refugia (small mammal burrows, deep soil cracks, or debris) that are within dispersal distance (1.3 miles) from an occupied breeding pond represents potential dispersal and refugial habitat. However, large areas with no suitable refugia, such as the majority of the hayfield on the Brandenburg East subarea, are not expected to provide suitable habitat, as individuals would desiccate if they try to disperse across such inhospitable areas.

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Common Name Regulatory Habitat Potential for Occurrence in Study Area (Scientific Name) Status

California red-legged frog FT, CSSC, Streams, freshwater pools, and May be Present. This species has not been detected in the study area despite numerous surveys since the late 1990s. Daytime and nighttime surveys conducted in (Rana draytonii) VHP ponds with emergent or ponds on the Sobrato South subarea from 1998 to 2003, and in old channel ponds in the southwest part of the Brandenburg West subarea, along Fisher Creek, and overhanging vegetation. around Laguna Seca each year from 1997 to 2000 have not detected the species (H. T. Harvey & Associates 1998a,b, 1999a, 2000h, 2001c, 2002, 2003). Surveys and monitoring conducted prior to early construction activities associated with the CVRP along Fisher Creek and in the northern part of the Brandenburg property in 2006 and 2007 also did not detect this species (H. T. Harvey & Associates 2006d,e, 2007a), and no red-legged frogs were recorded during daytime and nighttime surveys on Xilinx property to the west of the study area (H. T. Harvey & Associates 2000j). During all these surveys, nonnative predators of California red-legged frog larvae, such as bullfrogs, Louisiana red swamp crayfish, green sunfish, and mosquitofish were detected in most ponds and in Fisher Creek, suggesting a possible reason why the species has not been recorded breeding there. In addition, surveys of ponds in Cinnabar Hills Golf Course and Apple Hills were also negative, suggesting absence from a wider geographic area (H. T. Harvey & Associates 1999a). Although California red-legged frogs are known to breed on the east side of Coyote Valley (east of Highway 101), no recent records are known from the Santa Teresa Hills or the hills west of North Coyote Valley, and it is possible that the species is simply absent from these areas. Nevertheless, all the ponds detected in the study area during June 2019 surveys provide potential breeding habitat for California red-legged frogs, and given the 16-year interval since focused, widespread surveys were last conducted, it is possible that the species has colonized some of these ponds. If it does breed anywhere in the vicinity it could disperse widely throughout the study area, although large areas with no suitable refugia, such as the majority of the hayfield on the Brandenburg East subarea, are not expected to provide suitable habitat for the reasons discussed above for the California tiger salamander. Foothill yellow-legged frog CSSC, SC Partially shaded shallow streams Absent. Although the VHP maps Fisher Creek within the study area as primary habitat for the foothill yellow-frog, the creek does not support the cobble substrate (Rana boylii) VHP and riffles with a rocky substrate. required by the species. Further, the species is likely extirpated from Coyote Valley (i.e., below Anderson Dam). Thus, this species is not expected to occur in the study Occurs in a variety of habitats in area. coast ranges. Bald eagle SE, SP Occurs mainly along seacoasts, Absent as Breeder. No suitable breeding habitat or high-quality foraging habitat is present in the study area. However, individuals are occasionally observed in the rivers, and lakes; nests in tall trees or study area, primarily on the Sobrato South subarea (where eagles may forage on waterfowl in ponds) but also occasionally around Laguna Seca and on the (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) in cliffs, occasionally on electrical Brandenburg East subarea. This species is unlikely to nest in the study area due to the absence of high-quality foraging habitat. towers. Feeds mostly on fish and waterfowl. Swainson’s hawk ST Nests in trees surrounded by Absent as Breeder. From 2013 through 2019, a pair has nested along Coyote Creek and behind the charter school east of Monterey Road and south of Bailey extensive marshland or agricultural Avenue, just southeast of the study area. Aside from a pair that has attempted nesting in 2018 and 2019 southeast of Gilroy, the Coyote Valley record provides the (Buteo swainsoni) foraging habitat. only Santa Clara County nesting record since the 1890s (Phillips et al. 2014). That breeding pair was observed foraging on the Brandenburg East subarea during years in which alfalfa was grown on at least a portion of that area, though currently, the hayfields provide poor foraging habitat. Nevertheless, this nesting pair of Swainson’s hawks, or migrant individuals, could occasionally forage in grasslands, wetlands, or agricultural habitats in the study area. Taller trees in the study area, including eucalyptus along Bailey Avenue, cottonwoods, and oaks, provide potential nesting sites, and it is possible that Swainson’s hawk could nest in the study area in the future. Least Bell’s vireo FE, SE, VHP Nests in heterogeneous riparian Absent. Although riparian vegetation along Fisher Creek, the Fisher Creek Bypass channel, and east of Spreckles Hill is ostensibly suitable for nesting least Bell’s vireos, habitat, often dominated by there are no breeding records in the vicinity, which is north of the species’ current and historical breeding range in coastal California. The VHP does not map suitable (Vireo bellii pusillus) cottonwoods and willows. habitat for the species in the study area. A singing male Bell’s vireo in June 2006 along Coyote Creek near the Coyote Creek Golf Club is the closest record (H. T. Harvey & Associates 2007d). Determined to be absent.

Tricolored blackbird ST, VHP Nests near fresh water in dense Present. This species has never been recorded nesting in the study area, though it has nested nearby. In the mid-1990s, a colony formed in a recently created emergent vegetation. detention basin along Bailey Avenue adjacent to the IBM facility. Other colonies were active in the 1990s at Coyote Ranch, east of the study area, and at the Ogier (Agelaius tricolor) Ponds to the southeast, and a colony was present Calero Reservoir about 1.3 miles to the west in 2014 and 2015. Each of these colonies was active for only 2-3 years. In the study area, most stands of emergent vegetation are too narrow or small to support a tricolored blackbird colony, though the marsh on the south side of Spreckles Hill may be large enough to provide suitable nesting habitat. Otherwise, tricolored blackbirds are present in the study area only as nonbreeding foragers. During June 2019 surveys, two males were present with much larger groups of red-winged blackbirds on the Sobrato South property, one south of Spreckles Hill and another (singing) in emergent vegetation on the long, narrow pond west of Fisher Creek. In winter, up to several thousand may be present in North Coyote Valley, and they have been observed foraging on the Sobrato South subarea (S. Rottenborn, pers. obs.) and may occur elsewhere in the study area as well. San Joaquin kit fox FE, ST, VHP Annual grassland or mixed shrub Absent. There is no evidence of occurrence in or near the study area. The study area is north of the species’ current and historical breeding range in Santa Clara and grassland habitats throughout County, and this species is not expected to occur anywhere near the study area. (Vulpes macrotis mutica) low, rolling hills and in valleys.

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California Species of Special Concern

Central Valley fall-run CSSC Cool rivers and large streams that Absent. Although steelhead are present in Coyote Creek downstream, a long concrete box structure with a 4-foot drop along lower Fisher Creek blocks access to Chinook salmon reach the ocean and that have Fisher Creek (H. T. Harvey & Associates 2000d). No suitable spawning habitat is present in Fisher Creek. (Oncorhynchus shallow, partly shaded pools, riffles, tshawytscha) and runs. Pacific lamprey CSSC Medium- and large-sized, low- Absent. Although lamprey are present in Coyote Creek downstream, a long concrete box structure with a 4-foot drop along lower Fisher Creek blocks access to gradient cold rivers and streams, Fisher Creek (H. T. Harvey & Associates 2000d). (Entosphenus tridentatus) with a wide range of habitats (e.g., gravel, low-gradient riffles). Sacramento hitch CSSC Warm, lowland, waters including Present. This species is known to be present in Fisher Creek, where approximately 50 were captured during work for the early stages of CVRP construction (H. T. Harvey clear streams, turbid sloughs, lakes, & Associates 2006e). (Lavinia exilicauda and reservoirs. exilicauda)

Central California roach CSSC Generally found in small streams, May be Present. This species is known to be present in Coyote Creek (Buchan et al. 2002, Leidy 2007, Valley Water 2008). It occurs widely, often in unshaded pools with they are well-adapted to warm temperatures, and often with hitch, so it could occur in Fisher Creek on the site as well. (Lavinia symmetricus intermittent watercourses (e.g., symmetricus) tolerant of high temperatures and low oxygen levels). Western pond turtle CSSC, VHP Permanent or nearly permanent May be Present. This species has not been detected in the study area despite numerous surveys since the late 1990s. Surveys conducted in ponds on the Sobrato water in a variety of habitats. South subarea from 1998 to 2003, and in old channel ponds in the southwest part of the Brandenburg West subarea, along Fisher Creek, and around Laguna Seca (Actinemys marmorata) each year from 1997 to 2000 have not detected the species (H. T. Harvey & Associates 1998a,b, 1999a, 2000h, 2001c, 2002, 2003). Surveys and monitoring conducted prior to early construction activities associated with the CVRP along Fisher Creek and in the northern part of the Brandenburg property in 2006 and 2007 also did not detect this species (H. T. Harvey & Associates 2006d,e, 2007a).

Fisher Creek and all the ponds in the study area provide suitable habitat for this species, and given the suitability of basking habitat in some ponds, the lack of records indicates that it is truly absent. This species is known to be present in the Coyote Ranch area just to the northeast of the study area, but Monterey Road is a barrier to dispersal, and any eastward-dispersing western pond turtles would have a difficult time navigating the drop structure where Fisher Creek flows into Coyote Creek. This species is also known to be present to the west (e.g., around Calero Reservoir), and there is a recent CNDDB (2019) record from a pond approximately 2,000 feet southwest of the Sobrato South subarea. There is some potential for this species to disperse to the study area, either eastward from ponds in the western foothills or westward from Coyote Creek. Short-eared owl CSSC Nests in marshes and moist fields, Absent as Breeder. The species is known to winter regularly just north of the study area (Cornell Lab of Ornithology 2019), south of Laguna Avenue and west of Fisher forages over open areas. Creek, where habitat quality is higher than that present in the study area due to denser vegetation. Individuals also likely forage occasionally in the study area. (Asio flammeus) (nesting)

Long-eared owl CSSC Riparian bottomlands with tall, Absent as Breeder. The species is a rare resident and occasional winter visitor in Santa Clara County. Long-eared owls are expected to occur in the study area only as dense willow and cottonwood a rare transient or non-breeding forager, if at all. (Asio otus) (nesting) stands, and dense upland woodland/ forest; forages primarily in adjacent open areas. Burrowing owl CSSC, VHP Nests and roosts in open grasslands Absent as Breeder. Focused surveys for this species have been conducted throughout the study area on a number of occasions, with breeding-season surveys on and ruderal habitats with suitable portions of the study area each year between 1998 and 2001, and in 2004 (collectively covering the entire study area in multiple years) detecting no evidence of the (Athene cunicularia) burrows, usually those made by species’ presence (H. T. Harvey & Associates 1998b, 1999a, 2000b, 2001c,d, 2004). Surveys were also conducted prior to early construction activities associated with California ground squirrels. the CVRP along Fisher Creek and in the northern part of the site in 2006 and 2007, but no owls were detected (H. T. Harvey & Associates 2006c, 2007b). A small colony was established in the mid-1980s by active relocation onto IBM property north of Bailey Road, but this colony disappeared within 4-5 years, apparently due to inadequate management of habitat around burrows (H. T. Harvey & Associates 2001c).

Nevertheless, suitable habitat for migrant and wintering individuals is present in areas where California ground squirrel burrows provide suitable roost sites. One roosted on fill dirt (where the large patch of dense coyote brush is currently located) in the southeast corner of the Brandenburg East property for several years between 2002 and 2006 (H. T. Harvey & Associates 2008a), and another was detected along a dirt road in the north-central part of the Brandenburg East subarea in November 2013 (H. T. Harvey & Associates 2013a). However, both of these individuals, as well as burrowing owls recorded in the hills west of the Sobrato South subarea, on Tulare Hill, and along Laguna Avenue south of the study area, occurred during the nonbreeding season and were only wintering or migrant birds (H. T. Harvey & Associates 2001c, Cornell Lab of Ornithology 2019). The scarcity of ground squirrel burrows within the study area limits the frequency and abundance of burrowing owl use of the site, even as nonbreeders.

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Northern harrier CSSC Nests in marshes and moist fields, Absent as Breeder. Suitable nesting habitat is not currently present in the study area due to the relatively short nature of vegetation on the site, but the species is a forages over open areas. regular migrant and winter visitor in the region and forages in open habitats throughout the study area. (Circus cyaneus) (nesting)

Loggerhead shrike CSSC Breeds in scattered brush, May be Present. Shrikes were observed in the Brandenburg East and West subareas during surveys in 1998 and 1999 (H. T. Harvey & Associates 1999a), and breeding (nesting) chaparral, or trees and forages in occurred in the Sobrato South subarea in 2001 (H. T. Harvey & Associates 2001b,c). However, this species’ South Bay populations have undergone dramatic declines (Lanius ludovicianus) grasslands, marshes, and ruderal in recent years, and no individuals were observed during June 2019 surveys. Suitable nesting and foraging habitat is present throughout much of the study area, habitats. especially on the Sobrato South, Sobrato North, and Brandenburg West subareas where small trees and shrubs (for perching and nesting) are interspersed with grasslands, wetlands, and agricultural lands. However, this species would occur only as a scarce breeder given its current populations, and occurrence as a nonbreeder (i.e., in winter) is most likely. Vaux’s swift CSSC Nests in snags in coastal coniferous Absent as Breeder. Suitable breeding habitat is not present on or adjacent to the study area. Migrants occasionally forage aerially over the study area. (nesting) forests or, occasionally, in chimneys. (Chaetura vauxi) Forages aerially over many habitats. Yellow warbler CSSC Uncommon breeder in riparian May be Present. Suitable breeding habitat is present in cottonwood and willow-dominated habitat along Fisher Creek, around the base of Spreckles Hill, along the habitats in the project region. Fisher Creek Bypass channel, and along the Laguna Seca outlet canal, and this species was considered a likely breeder along Fisher Creek based on observations in (Setophaga petechia) (nesting) Prefers riparian corridors with an 1998 (H. T. Harvey & Associates 1999a, 2001c). However, this species’ South Bay populations have suffered declines over the past several decades, and none were open overstory of mature detected during June 2019 surveys. Nevertheless, it is likely that up to several pairs nest in riparian habitat in the study area. This species is a common migrant in the cottonwoods and sycamores, a study area. midstory of box elder (Acer negundo) or willow, and a substantial shrub understory (Bousman 2007b). San Francisco common CSSC Nests in herbaceous vegetation, Absent. The study area is outside of this subspecies’ range; all common yellowthroats breeding in the study area are of the regionally common/widespread race yellowthroat usually in wetlands or moist arizela. (Geothlypis trichas sinuosa) floodplains. Yellow-breasted chat CSSC Nests in dense stands of willows and Present. Although this species is a very scarce breeder in Santa Clara County, with few potential breeding records in Coyote Valley, a pair observed together (with other riparian habitat. the male singing) along the Laguna Seca drainage canal just east of Santa Teresa Boulevard during June 2019 surveys was almost certainly nesting. The combination (Icteria virens) (nesting) of dense willows and adjacent weedy vegetation (hemlock) is similar to areas along lower Llagas Creek that have supported the county’s highest densities in recent decades. It is possible that several pairs may nest in such habitat along Fisher Creek, around the base of Spreckles Hill, along the Fisher Creek Bypass channel, and along the Laguna Seca outlet canal. Bryant’s savannah sparrow CSSC Nests in pickleweed (Salicornia spp.) Absent as Breeder. Suitable breeding habitat is not present in the study area. Savannah sparrows that occur commonly in Coyote Valley during migration and winter dominated salt marsh and adjacent may include some nonbreeding individuals of this subspecies, as well as other, more inland-breeding races. (Passerculus sandwichensis ruderal habitat, and in upland alaudinus) grassland. Grasshopper sparrow CSSC Nests and forages in grasslands, May be Present. This species is not known to nest on the Valley floor, where it occurs only as an occasional migrant. However, it is fairly common in grasslands (nesting) meadows, fallow fields, and (especially serpentine) in foothills ringing the valley floor. Although none were detected during June 2019 surveys, the grassy hill on the Brandenburg West subarea (Ammodramus pastures. immediately northwest of Laguna Seca could potentially support one or more nesting pairs. savannarum) San Francisco dusky-footed CSSC Nests in a variety of habitats Present. Small numbers of nests (including ground and tree nests) are present in dense vegetation along Fisher Creek and east of Spreckles Hill. Higher densities of woodrat including riparian areas, oak nests, most of them tree nests, are present in the ornamental oaks and other nonnative trees along both sides of Santa Teresa Boulevard (including in its median) and woodlands, and scrub. the north side of Bailey Avenue. Woodrats have been extirpated from more urban areas on the Santa Clara Valley floor and are generally absent from areas lack (Neotoma fuscipes dense cover, so this North Coyote Valley population is important not only for the relatively high numbers of nests but for providing some potential for individuals (or at annectens) least genes, over generations) to disperse between the east and west sides of the valley using Fisher Creek and these nonnative oaks. American badger CSSC Burrows in grasslands and Present. We are unaware of any observations of live badgers within the study area itself, and none were observed by H. T. Harvey biologists during numerous surveys occasionally in infrequently disked for biological resources on both the Sobrato and Brandenburg properties between 1997 and 2006. However, badgers have been recorded as roadkills along Bailey (Taxidea taxus) agricultural areas. Avenue and Monterey Road immediately adjacent to the study area (H. T. Harvey & Associates 2008a, Pathways for Wildlife 2018a,b, Santa Clara County Wildlife Corridor Technical Working Group, Coyote Valley Subcommittee 2019), and live individuals have been recorded in the hills west of the study area (SCVOSA and Conservation Biology Institute 2017, CNDDB 2019). The high groundwater table and scarcity of prey (such as ground squirrels) limit the potential for this species to den in the study area, but this species is likely a fairly regular dispersant into and through the study area, in low numbers. Western red bat CSSC Roosts in foliage in forest or Absent as Breeder. This species does not breed in the vicinity, but small numbers could roost adjacent to the site in riparian habitat along Fisher Creek and forage on woodlands, especially in or near the site. (Lasiurus blossevillii) riparian habitat.

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Pallid bat CSSC Forages over many habitats; roosts May be Present. Existing structures in the Brandenburg East subarea are unlikely to support roosting owing to the lack of cavernous spaces; however, larger oaks with in caves, rock outcrops, buildings, large cavities in oak woodland may support colonies, and individuals may occasionally forage on or over virtually any open habitat in the study area. (Antrozous pallidus) and hollow trees.

Townsend’s big-eared bat CSSC Roosts in caves and mine tunnels, Likely Absent. Existing structures in the Brandenburg East subarea are unlikely to support roosting owing to the lack of cavernous spaces. and occasionally in deep crevices (Corynorhinus townsendii) in trees such as redwoods or in abandoned buildings, in a variety of habitats. State Fully Protected Species and Other Sensitive Species

American peregrine falcon SP Forages in many habitats; nests on Absent as Breeder. No suitable breeding habitat is present on or adjacent to the study area. This species is occasionally seen flying over or foraging on the study area cliffs and tall bridges and buildings. (typically hunting waterfowl on the Sobrato South or Brandenburg West subareas) during migration and winter. (Falco peregrinus anatum)

Golden eagle SP Nests on cliffs or in large trees (rarely Absent as Breeder. No suitable breeding habitat is present on the study area. This species is occasionally seen flying over or foraging on the study area, especially on electrical towers), forages in during migration and winter. (Aquila chrysaetos) open areas. White-tailed kite SP Nests in tall shrubs and trees, forages Present. This species was observed along the Fisher Creek Bypass channel and in oak woodland along the western side of the Brandenburg West subarea during June in grasslands, marshes, and ruderal 2019 surveys, and it was observed on both Brandenburg and Sobrato properties during surveys in 1999-2001 (H. T. Harvey & Associates 1999a, 2001b). Small numbers (Elanus leucurus) habitats. nest and forage throughout the study area, although prey availability is limited in more heavily cultivated areas, and the hayfield on the Brandenburg East subarea currently provides low-quality foraging habitat. Ringtail SP Cavities in rock outcrops and talus Absent. Suitable habitat is not present in the study area. slopes, as well as hollows in trees, (Bassariscus astutus) logs, and snags that occur in riparian habitats and dense woodlands, usually near water. Key to Status Abbreviations: Federally Endangered (FE); Federally Threatened (FT); State Endangered (SE); State Threatened (ST); State Candidate (SC); State Fully Protected (SP); California Species of Special Concern (CSSC); Santa Clara Valley Habitat Plan Covered Species (VHP)

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3.6 Nonnative and Invasive Species

3.6.1 Invasive Plants

Plant pests are defined by law, regulation, and technical organizations, and are regulated by the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). The CDFA (2018) uses an action-oriented pest-rating system. The rating assigned to a pest by the CDFA does not necessarily mean that one with a low rating is not a problem; rather the rating system is meant to prioritize response by the CDFA and county agricultural commissioners. The California Invasive Plant Council (Cal-IPC) has developed a list of plant pests specific to California wildlands, based on information submitted by land managers, botanists, and researchers throughout the state and on published sources. The term “noxious weed” is used by government agencies for non-native plants that have been defined as pests by law or regulation.

The following CDFA designations reflect the importance of the pest: A – A pest of known economic or environmental detriment and is either not known to be established in California or it is present in a limited distribution that allows for the possibility of eradication or successful containment B – A pest of known economic or environmental detriment and, if present in California, it is of limited distribution C – A pest of known economic or environmental detriment and, if present in California it is usually widespread D – An organism known to be of little or no economic or environmental detriment, to have an extremely low likelihood of weediness

The Cal-IPC (2019) ranks invasive plants based on the level of ecological impact in California as follows: High – Species has severe ecological impacts on physical processes, plant and animal communities, and vegetation structure Moderate – Species have substantial and apparent ecological impacts on physical processes, plant and animal communities, and vegetation structure Limited – Species are invasive but their ecological impacts are minor on a statewide level or there was not enough information to justify a higher score Several invasive plant species occur in the study area. Infestations of particular importance, and which could be the emphasis of restoration opportunities, include yellow star thistle (Centaurea solstitialis) (CDFA designation C, Cal-IPC Rank High), and giant reed (Arundo donax) (CDFA designation B, Cal-IPC Rank High). Larger occurrences of these two species were mapped, as shown on Figure 6. Two other dense infestations with less severe or no formal rankings were noted: the extensive stand of poison hemlock (CDFA designation None, Cal-IPC Rank Moderate) in the triangular area in Brandenburg West (just east of Santa Teresa Boulevard), and

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a large stand of non-native Mission cactus (Opuntia ficus-indica, CDFA designation None, Cal-IPC Rank None) on the west slope of the hill north of Baily Avenue in Sobrato North. Other invasive species present scattered along agricultural fields, especially field edges, and along farm roads in the study area include Italian thistle (CDFA designation C, Cal-IPC Rank Moderate), milk thistle (CDFA designation None, Cal-IPC Rank Limited), and black mustard (Brassica nigra, CDFA designation None, Cal-IPC Rank Moderate). These species are more ubiquitous throughout the study area, and are so regionally widespread that control efforts are less likely to provide ecological benefit for the effort expended. Less dominant weed species observed included slenderflower thistle (Carduus tenuiflorus), birdsrape mustard (Brassica rapa), prickly lettuce (Lactuca serriola), Himalayan blackberry (Rubus armeniacus), weeping willow (Salix babylonica), and sowthistle (Sonchus asper).

Yellow star thistle is a winter annual that blooms in early to mid summer. Yellow star thistle is considered one of the most damaging rangeland weeds in the state, and occurring throughout the state and having invaded over 12 million acres in the state (Cal-IPC 2019). It is a rapid colonizer that favors disturbances created by cultivation, poorly timed mowing, road building and maintenance, or overgrazing. It forms dense infestations and rapidly depletes soil moisture, thus preventing the establishment of other species. Control of yellow star thistle cannot be accomplished with a single treatment or in a single year. Effective management requires control of the current population and suppression of seed production, combined with establishment of competitive, desirable vegetation (Ditomaso et.al 2007). Yellow star thistle was found at some level throughout much of the study area in the annual grassland and mixed oak woodland habitats, but denser infestation, such as those on the Fisher Creek Bypass channel levee road (Photo 19) and along the north side of the Laguna Seca outlet canal, were mapped and are shown on Photo 19. Dense yellow star thistle along the Fisher Creek Figure 6. Bypass channel levee road.

Giant reed is tall, woody, perennial grass that typically forms dense stands on disturbed sites in riparian areas, and wetlands. Giant reed threatens riparian ecosystems by outcompeting native species, such as willows, for water (Ditomaso and Healy 2007). Rhizomes mush be removed or killed to eradicate infestations. Small populations can be manually removed to prevent the development of larger infestations, but more established infestations may require multiple treatment efforts involving repeated mowing and herbicide application to stumps (Ditomaso and Healy 2007). A small population of giant reed occurs on the fringe of the old stock ponds in the Brandenburg West subarea just north of Bailey Avenue (Figure 6), with smaller amounts along Fisher Creek on the Sobrato South subarea.

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The poison hemlock infestation in the Brandenburg West triangle area forms a dense near monoculture, reducing habitat values in this likely seasonal wetland. Poison hemlock has a very long period of possible germination, due to its biology. Approximately 85% of the seeds on each plant are released and can germinate immediately to several months later, whenever the soil moisture and temperature conditions are favorable for germination (Baskin and Baskin 1990). Because the seeds are released continuously from the plants starting in late summer and proceeding through the winter, and because 15% of seeds are dormant and will require either an entire hot summer or cool winter to release dormancy, this allows for multiple waves of germination a year in infestations (DiTomaso 1999). However, seeds rarely stay dormant for long and because of the rapid germination of most seeds, once the source of seed production is removed, poison hemlock seed banks typically only persist for about 3 years. This plant is a biennial or short-lived perennial, so new germinates will not reproduce until after bolting, typically in the second growing season. Therefore, repeated mowing or disking after plants have bolted but before mature seed is produced and released can effectively control populations within relatively short time periods.

The Mission cactus infestation on the west slope of the hill north of Bailey Avenue on the Sobrato North property is impressively large but likely not of high ecological detriment. While this species will spread clonally, it typically does so rather slowly. This species is cultivated for nopales (edible prickly pear leaves) and tuna, which are the fruits. The species excludes native vegetation within infestations such as this one, but it also provides substantial late season resources for pollinators, due to its large, attractive flowers.

Future management of invasive plant species in the study area will require addressing active, current infestations to improve habitat quality as well as preventing establishment of large weed infestations after the parcel, or portions of the parcel, are removed from cultivation.

3.6.2 Nonnative Animals

For over two centuries, humans have brought non-native plants and animals into the Santa Clara Valley, either accidentally (e.g., as stowaways on recreational equipment) or intentionally (e.g., released pets), and many of these species have now been introduced into the wild. Such species that cause harm and, once established, spread quickly from their point of introduction are often called “invasive” species. Invasive species can threaten the diversity and abundance of native species through predation, competition for resources, transmission of disease, parasitism, and physical or chemical alteration of the habitat. Their effects on natural communities also may lead to direct effects on human activities, such as clogging waterways and water delivery systems, weakening flood protection structures, damaging crops, and diminishing sport fish populations (CDFW 2019).

The American bullfrog has been accidentally and intentionally introduced (e.g., for food in the 1920s by commercial frog farmers) throughout the world and is now established throughout most of the western United States, including the North Coyote Valley. The species’ large size, mobility, generalized eating habits (their prey includes native amphibians as well as other aquatic and riparian vertebrates [Graber 1996]), and aggressive behavior have made bullfrogs extremely successful invaders and a threat to biodiversity (AmphibiaWeb 2008).

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Non-native species such as feral house cats (Felis felis) and red fox (Vulpes vulpes) are known to occur in Coyote Valley and are significant predators of native birds and small mammals. For example, feral cats have long been known to be effective predators of birds (Loss et al. 2013).

Mosquitofish have been introduced throughout the world, including Santa Clara County, to control mosquito populations. Such introductions have been shown to have negative effects on amphibians in experimental studies, including decreased survival of larval Pacific treefrogs (Goodsell and Kats 1999) and California newts (Gamradt and Kats 1996), as well as tail injury, reduced metamorph size, and altered activity patterns of larval California red-legged frogs (Lawler et al. 1999). Mosquitofish were observed in Fisher Creek, Laguna Seca, and the westernmost pond on the Sobrato South subarea, as well as in “Fisher Creek Branch A” along the north side of Bailey Avenue. These fish are planted widely for mosquito control, despite the Photo 20. A Louisiana red swamp crayfish in Fisher ecological damage they may do. Creek.

Louisiana red swamp crayfish (Photo 20) have been introduced in much of California and are common in a variety of perennial waterbodies in the South Bay. This species is known to prey on amphibian larvae.

The feral pig is the ancestor of European wild boars and domestic pigs, with which they freely hybridize; was intentionally introduced to North America for hunting; and is now the most abundant wild-living introduced ungulate in the United States (Mayer and Brisbin 1991). Feral pigs are highly adaptable, can inhabit a wide range of environments, are omnivorous and can survive on a great variety of food resources, and are capable of rapid increases in population (Baskin and Dannell 2003). Feral pigs can cause substantial environmental damage (Cushman et al. 2004) and Photo 21. An adult female feral pig with young on

present health, and safety conc erns to humans, Spreckles Hill. livestock, and wildlife in California (Kreith 2007, Barrios-Garcia and Ballari 2012). During surveys in June 2019,

s ix adult females and at least six small young were observed near the top of Spreckles Hill (Photo 21). The extensive thistle infestations on Spreckles Hill have resulted from some form of ground disturbance, and it is likely that rooting by pigs is responsible for that disturbance. Rooting damage was also evident in the northwest corner of Laguna Seca, and hog wallows were present in the marsh immediately south of Spreckles Hill.

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Other nonnative animals seen during the June 2019 surveys may have some adverse ecological effect but do not pose urgent control priorities. A muskrat was seen in one of the ponds on the Sobrato South subarea; this species can damage water control systems and wetland vegetation, though this species is fairly widespread in the South Bay, and we are unaware of substantial habitat degradation resulting from its presence. Fox squirrels were present along Fisher Creek, though this species likely has little adverse ecological effect on native habitats or species in the study area. Nonnative/introduced birds observed in the study area included the wild turkey (Meleagris gallopavo), rock pigeon (Columba livia), Eurasian collared dove (Streptopelia decaocto), and European starling.

3.6.3 Wildlife Movement

Coyote Valley is a regionally important area of habitat connectivity, being positioned between vast expanses of open space that lie to the east and west of the valley. Historically, movement of mammals, amphibians, and reptiles across the Santa Clara Valley was relatively unobstructed. This connectivity changed as the valley developed, Monterey Highway was constructed, the Coyote Canal was built, agriculture became dominant, and the U.S. 101 Freeway was constructed. Currently, wildlife movement between the Santa Cruz Mountains and the Diablo Range can occur in relatively few locations due to the barriers to dispersal and the distance between these two ranges. North Coyote Valley provides the shortest pathway, through relatively undeveloped areas (compared with urban San Jose and Morgan Hill), between the foothills of these two ranges that animals might be able to traverse, either during dispersal events by individual animals or over the course of generations. Linking these two mountain ranges is one of the goals of the VHP.

Existing movements of wildlife in North Coyote Valley, as well as opportunities for enhancement of wildlife movement, have been addressed in detail by Pathways for Wildlife (2016) and the SCVOSA and Conservation Biology Institute (2017). The Fisher Creek corridor is a well-documented pathway for the movement of animals, especially mammals, along the valley floor, providing cover for a wide variety of animals. A camera study by Pathways for Wildlife (2016) documented use of the Fisher Creek culvert under Bailey Avenue by bobcats, mule deer, raccoons (Procyon lotor), and striped skunks (Mephitis mephitis). A camera at the Fisher Creek crossing of Santa Teresa Boulevard captured many more wildlife images, including those of bobcats, coyotes, mule deer, California ground squirrels, opossums (Didelphis virginiana), and raccoons. All of these species reside in the study area (i.e., individual animals may be using these areas as portions of their home ranges). In addition, individuals dispersing through the study area, such as juveniles dispersing from their natal area to find a home range, move through the area.

A study of movements of bobcats in the Coyote Valley area, using GPS-enabled collars and conducted by U.C. Santa Cruz and Pathways for Wildlife, has provided invaluable data on how bobcats use the landscape and the habitats with which they are most frequently associated. Mapping from this study, which appeared in Santa Clara County Wildlife Corridor Technical Working Group, Coyote Valley Subcommittee (2019), revealed several important observations regarding bobcat use of the NCV properties:

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• Considerable movement occurs along Fisher Creek, including both the mainstem and the Bypass channel.

• This species is closely associated with vegetative cover, which is largely why it moves so much along Fisher Creek. Elsewhere in the study area, there are movements concentrated along Santa Teresa Boulevard and the base of Tulare Hill, in areas providing cover. Where bobcats crossed through agricultural areas, they did so primarily where some cover extended into the fields, such as along the row of Casuarina trees in the southern Laguna Seca area or along the Laguna Seca outlet canal.

• Some movement occurs along the ditches and around the ponds on the Sobrato South property, although this movement is relatively limited (possibly due to the relative openness of intervening hayfields) away from Fisher Creek.

• Bobcats made extensive use of Spreckles Hill, the hill north of Bailey Avenue, and the triangular area of Brandenburg West, east of Santa Teresa Boulevard.

• Bobcats avoided open areas in the middle of hayfields. There was almost no bobcat use of the Brandenburg East subarea away from the edge of Santa Teresa Boulevard and the northernmost portions of that subarea.

• Bobcats made no crossings of Monterey Road except on the east side of Tulare Hill, including the Fisher Creek culvert.

Although the mountain lion (Puma concolor) has not been recorded in the study area, this species could disperse into or across the study area, likely using similar habitats and pathways as those used by bobcats.

Data on the locations of roadkills of various species have also shed light on locations of animal movements (Pathways for Wildlife 2016, SCVOSA and Conservation Biology Institute 2017, Santa Clara County Wildlife Corridor Technical Working Group, Coyote Valley Subcommittee 2019, Pathways for Wildlife 2019). Although many roadkills occur at locations where animals are dispersing along creeks and other areas supporting cover, such as at the Fisher Creek crossings of Bailey Avenue and Santa Teresa Boulevard, roadkills at other locations indicate animal movements away from such cover. For example, roadkill data from all the aforementioned sources, summarized in Santa Clara County Wildlife Corridor Technical Working Group, Coyote Valley Subcommittee (2019), indicate the presence of multiple roadkilled coyotes and a bobcat along Santa Teresa Boulevard adjacent to the west side of Tulare Hill near and north of the Laguna Seca drainage canal; a raccoon, a black-tailed jackrabbit, and two American badgers along Bailey Avenue south of the Brandenburg East subarea; and numerous animals, including badgers, bobcats, coyotes, mule deer, and California ground squirrels, along Monterey Road east of the Brandenburg East subarea. These roadkills indicate that many animals are moving through areas, or crossing at locations, that do not necessarily support dense vegetative cover. For example, American badger roadkill locations in Coyote Valley and areas along Highway 101 and Santa Teresa

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Boulevard in the San Martin area are often in open locations, rather than near dense cover (Santa Clara County Wildlife Corridor Technical Working Group, Coyote Valley Subcommittee 2019; S. Rottenborn, pers. obs.). Badgers, as well as other species associated with open habitats such as coyotes and California ground squirrels, likely move through the study area in more open habitats than the dense cover preferred by bobcats, rabbits, and deer.

Due to the brevity of our June 2019 site visits, we were unable to collect much information on existing use of the study area for movement by mammals. However, we saw coyotes and mule deer moving through open hayfields; mule deer crossing Santa Teresa Boulevard at the “saddle” between the hill northwest of Laguna Seca and Tulare hill; coyote scat along dirt roads on the Brandenburg East and West subareas; raccoon tracks along wet ditches in the Sobrato South subarea; and tracks of mule deer and coyotes along Fisher Creek and the Fisher Creek Bypass. In addition, we formulated recommendations for enhancing wildlife movement, as discussed in Section 4.11).

In summary, existing data on wildlife movement through the study area suggest the following:

• Movement by some species, particularly bobcats, rabbits, and deer but also including a variety of other mammals, occurs largely along Fisher Creek, in areas providing dense scrub or trees, and in other areas with good vegetative cover. Areas providing poorer cover, or areas providing dense cover but requiring animals to cross open areas to reach them, likely receive less use by animals such as bobcats that are associated with dense cover.

• Movement by species associated with open habitats, such American badgers, coyotes, and California ground squirrels, may occur in more open areas and may therefore not necessarily be concentrated along areas with dense cover, although these species will use such cover as well.

Santa Clara Valley Habitat Plan Applicability

The VHP states that open space preserves managed by SCVOSA may contribute to the VHP’s conservation strategy (ICF 2012), and SCVOSA is considered a Participating Special Entity in the VHP, meaning it can request VHP coverage for projects. Preserving and restoring habitat on the NCV properties, as well as potentially providing recreational and agricultural opportunities, is consistent with VHP goals and objectives and could be considered to fall within the Rural Capital covered activity class and can be eligible for VHP coverage. As a Participating Special Entity, if SCVOSA were to pursue activities on these properties that necessitated incidental take coverage for impacts to listed, VHP-covered species, SCVOSA could obtain such coverage by preparing a VHP application and submitting it directly to the Implementing Entity (SCVHA), rather than obtaining coverage through a Permittee. While activities related to recreational and facilities development would likely require normal VHP fee payment, actions for restoration are frequently subject to highly reduced fee payment schedules and negotiated on a project-specific basis with the SCVHA.

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While restoration activities in the study areas could be covered using SCVOSA’s Participating Special Entity status as Rural Capital projects, another potential avenue for VHP Coverage for SCVOSA and POST to consider is the possibility of approaching the SCVHA as a project co-sponsor. This would allow the project(s) to be covered under the Conservation Strategy Implementation covered activity class of the VHP. Possible benefits for this route for NCV property enhancement and restoration projects would include the availability of additional VHP Conservation Strategy Implementation funding for some of the restoration activities, and the project(s) would also have CEQA coverage under the VHP EIR. The SCVHA is seeking opportunities to enact creek restoration within valley floor locations, as most opportunities for preservation and restoration in the Plan Area occur in higher elevation locations in the watershed, while most VHP covered impacts occur in valley floor landscape positions. This has been one reason that the RWQCB does not participate in the VHP and currently does not accept VHP wetland, riparian, and stream specialty fee payment as mitigation during Section 401 Water Quality Certification permitting, unlike the USACE and the CDFW under the Section 404 and Lake and Streambed Alteration Agreement processes. Any creek restoration activities on the NCV properties would therefore present good opportunities for RWQCB-VHP coordination, which is still highly desirable for the VHP and its Permittees.

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Section 4. Enhancement and Restoration Opportunities

POST and SCVOSA are working in partnership, and with other conservation partners, to preserve and eventually restore strategic locations with the Coyote Valley. The SCVOSA and Conservation Biology Institute (2017) described their “Coyote Valley Landscape Vision”, which included the following:

• Restoration of the Laguna Seca wetland

• Restoring and enhancing natural habitat along Fisher Creek, including and widening of the Fisher Creek floodplain

• Restoration of valley oak woodland, oak savanna, and grasslands, similar to those present historically

• Inclusion of wildlife-friendly agriculture within the Coyote Valley floor

• Enhancement of existing road crossings, and construction of new under- and over-crossings, to facilitate wildlife movement across roads in key areas along Highway 101, Monterey Road, Santa Teresa Boulevard, and Bailey Avenue.

The NCV properties provide opportunities to contribute to each of these goals through habitat creation, restoration, and enhancement. Based on the existing biological conditions on the NCV properties, the following section describes potential biological-resources related opportunities for POST and SCVOSA to pursue their goals on the NCV properties. These potential opportunities are discussed in a high-level, conceptual manner, and additional planning would be necessary to convert them to detailed, site-specific recommendations. Nevertheless, Table 2 includes a summary of potential opportunities, and these opportunities are then discussed in additional detail below. Note that some opportunities listed in Table 2 for a given area may be competing (e.g., one would not pursue both oak savanna restoration and burrowing owl habitat creation, which would necessitate avoiding tree planting, in Brandenburg East), while others may be complementary. The general locations of activities listed in Table 2 are numbered on Figure 6.

Climate change may influence the creation, restoration, and enhancement opportunities presented in Table 2 to some extent. The potential success of these opportunities, and the nature of these opportunities (e.g., which plant species are targeted for restoration), may be influenced by increasing temperatures, changes in rainfall patterns, and increasingly frequent “extreme” events such as drought or flooding. The potential influences of climate change vary among these opportunities, precluding an overarching discussion of these effects. However, it is worth noting that anticipated effects of climate change do not preclude consideration or implementation of any of these opportunities. Rather, those potential effects of climate change should be considered during detailed design of a restoration or enhancement action, such as constructing burrowing owl artificial burrows

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COYOTE ALAMITOS CANAL

COYOTE CANAL EXTENSION

COYOTECOYOTE CANALCANAL 101

Rd COYOTE CREEK rd ha nc la B M o n te re y R d 10

Laguna Seca 3 2

S a n ta T e re s a FISHER CREEKB 1 lv d

FISHER CREEK BYPASS FISHER CREEK BYPASS 11

5 ve 12 A y ile Ba

Legend 9 Study Area Restoration/Enhancement Opportunities 6 5 Spreckles Locations of Invasives Hill Giant Reed

Yellow Star Thistle FISHER CREEK

Habitats FISHERFISHER CREEKCREEK BRANCHBRANCH AA 7

Hay and Pasture ve A y Seasonal Wetland ile Ba California Annual Grassland Mixed Oak Woodland and Forest Potential Seasonal Wetland 8 Mixed Riparian Forest and Woodland S a Northern Coastal Scrub n ta T e Urban Suburban re s a Coastal and Valley Freshwater Marsh B lv d Mixed Riparian Forest/Freshwater Marsh Willow Riparian Scrub/Freshwater Marsh ve A Willow Riparian Forest and Scrub a un g Pond La Ornamental Woodland Rural Residential

Serpentine Bunchgrass Grassland ve FISHER CREEK A nd o hm c Ri 1,000 500 0 1,000

Feet N:\Projects\1337-22\Reports\Biological Opportunities\Fig6 Opportunities.mxd mlagarde Figure 6. Restoration/Enhancement Opportunities North Coyote Valley Sobrato and Brandenburg Properties Biological Resources and Opportunities Assessment (1337-22) June 2019

Table 2. North Coyote Valley Properties Creation, Restoration, and Enhancement Opportunities

Area Number Specific Location Type of Creation, Summary of Creation, Restoration, and Enhancement Necessary Technical Feasibility Cost Notes (See Figure 6) Restoration, or Actions Studies (Low, Med, (Low, Enhancement High) Med,

High)

1. Brandenburg Northern end of Willow/cottonwood Natural recruitment via windblown seed of willow and None High Low Extent of willow/cottonwood recruitment will depend on extent of East area near Fisher riparian forest cottonwood, no grazing saturated soils Creek Remainder of Oak savannah with Plant valley oak across area, use acorns and/or small None High Low May need 3-5 years of annual seeding/planting to establish sufficient area nonnative grassland, container stock, no irrigation, manage oak recruits if trees to constitute oak savannah tree density; seed shrubs (coyote pockets or corridors of present, seed pockets of shrubs, manage grasslands with brush, possibly other species) scrub for mammal cover grazing and/or mowing Remainder of Burrowing owl habitat Avoid tree and shrub planting in extensive area in north- None Med Low This may be the best location for burrowing owl “hacking” efforts in area central part of existing hayfield; seed suitable grasses, or Coyote Valley. Promotion of ground squirrel burrows and management allow alfalfa cultivation; allow some thatch accumulation for owl prey (especially mice and voles) is important. to support owl prey; allow ground squirrel colonization (and promote, through small brush piles and loosening of soils); construct artificial burrows Remainder of Swainson’s hawk foraging Seed suitable grasses, or allow alfalfa cultivation; allow None High Low Prey abundance needs to increase substantially over existing area habitat some thatch accumulation to support prey. conditions for this area to serve as important Swainson’s hawk foraging habitat. Remainder of Enhancement of wildlife Construct undercrossings under railroad, Monterey Road if None Low High Suitable locations would necessitate coordination with landowner, or area movement (also see #12 feasible land acquisition, on east side of Monterey Road. Undercrossings would below) be small, due to the flat topography, but may be large enough for badgers, ground squirrels, raccoons, skunks. Enhancement of habitat (e.g., cover) to facilitate crossing of extensive field, and installation of directional fencing on both sides of crossing entrance, may be necessary to increase use of the crossing. 2. Brandenburg Northern end of Seasonal/perennial Manage hydrology to restore historic tule marsh, reduce Pumping history, High Low- Fringe habitats around edge of large seasonal wetland could include West, Laguna area wetlands drainage by reducing/eliminating pumping and partially hydrology study of med wet meadow native grasses, valley oak, willow riparian near outlet. Seca area or fully blocking ditches, depth/duration/ Creation of extensive tule or cattail marsh may create suitable extent of ponding for breeding habitat for tricolored blackbirds. current and restoration scenario(s) Northern end of Seasonal ponds for Create seasonal ponds in flats at fringes of Laguna Seca Hydrology Med Low During high-water periods, the entire Laguna may be inundated, but area California tiger salamander (a) below small drainage swales entering the Laguna or these depressions would hold water longer as the Laguna dries up in (b) in areas of groundwater seepage, such as at the spring, potentially allowing tiger salamanders (and other amphibians) northwest corner of the Laguna, through excavation of to breed in them. depressions. Weirs would allow overflow to continue into the larger Laguna area. Southern end of Seasonal wetlands, oak Extend seasonal wetland approach for northern area into For wetlands same as High Low- Need to manage major infestation of star thistle on Fisher Creek levee area and willow strips this area as far as the hydrology will support; manage northern area med valley oak woodland along western edge by controlling weeds and protecting oak recruits

West side of Wetland and riparian Fence off wetland and riparian habitat, especially along None High Med Cattle grazing and trampling are adversely affecting habitat quality Fisher Creek enhancement the Bypass channel, from cattle Bypass

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High)

Southern end of Cover for wildlife Remove row of Casuarina trees and replace them with a None High Low Extend this corridor of vegetation as far to the west as possible to area movement broader strip of vegetation that includes trees flanked by minimize the distance mammals must travel through open lands. coyote brush to increase habitat diversity, corridor width, and low cover for mammalian movement 3. Brandenburg Triangular area Mix of riparian, wetland, Excavate hydrology connections to Laguna Seca Topographic survey, High High Many possible grading scenarios with different costs and restoration West east of Santa and oak woodland drainage either via canals into the upland or lowering hydrology study of results, special value in using this area to create wetland/riparian Teresa Blvd. edges (northern and southern), to create riparian marsh, depth/duration/extent of complex that connects ecologically to Laguna Seca and Fisher Creek, mound excavated soil onsite and plant with valley oak, ponding for current and may constitute a large scale habitat patch of unique value similar to with weed seedbank soil buried in mound restoration scenario(s), the willow grove present in this general area historically (Grossinger et grading concept design al. 2006) to gauge cost thresholds Triangular area Amphibian breeding pond Excavate amphibian breeding pond Topographic survey, Med High To facilitate crossing of Santa Teresa Blvd. by California tiger east of Santa hydrology study of salamanders (which would not necessarily use channel culverts Teresa Blvd. depth/duration/extent of preferentially over upland dispersal), it is preferable to have breeding ponding for current and ponds on both sides of a road. Restoring Laguna Seca so it is more restoration scenario(s), suitable for California tiger salamander breeding and creating a new grading concept design pond east of Santa Teresa Blvd. may help bridge the gap between to gauge cost thresholds salamander populations on the east and west sides of the valley. Triangular area Tricolored blackbird Excavate wetland/pond providing extensive cattail/tule- Topographic survey, Med High east of Santa breeding pond/marsh dominated wetlands hydrology study of Teresa Blvd. depth/duration/extent of ponding for current and restoration scenario(s), grading concept design to gauge cost thresholds

Strip of grassland Serpentine grassland Move fencing downslope so that it is no longer along None High (with Low This is the most feasible means of enhancing serpentine grassland in the along the toe of enhancement property boundary, but rather at base of serpentine, to concurrence study area. Tulare Hill allow grazing of serpentine of Tulare Hill owner) 4. Brandenburg Southwestern Wetland/riparian marsh Enhance already complex, valuable habitat by improving Topographic survey, Med Med- This riparian/wetland complex appears to be fed by groundwater West pond/wetland hydrologic connectivity and reducing stagnation, possibly hydrology study of high during most of the year, with seasonal backwater flows from Fisher complex introduce additional backwater flows from Fisher Creek, depth/duration/ Creek entering from a culvert under Bailey Ave., each wetland in the selective grading likely needed extent of ponding for complex appears to be functioning differently in terms of hydrology current and restoration and vegetation which is ecologically desirable but a bit of a design scenario(s), grading challenge concept design to gauge feasibility of improving wetland function over existing condition

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High)

Southwestern Ponds Deepen portion of southern seasonal wetland so it ponds Topographic survey, Med Med- The extensive seasonal wetland at the southern end of this pond/wetland longer and deeper hydrology study of high wetland/pond complex does not pond long enough to support complex depth/duration/ successful breeding by California tiger salamander or California red- extent of ponding for legged frog, but perhaps with deepening or construction of a berm, it current and restoration could. scenario(s), grading concept design to gauge feasibility of improving wetland function over existing condition Area just north of Cover for wildlife Plant dense cover, such as coyote brush, between Bailey None High Low Bailey Ave. movement Ave. and existing riparian forest and woodland to facilitate movement through this area. 5. Sobrato Current Valley oak savannah, Plant valley oak across area, use acorns and/or small Seasonal monitoring of High Low Area's potential for substantial new seasonal wetlands may be North hayfields, riparian edge, possible container stock, no irrigation, manage oak recruits if ponding to inform marginal, but riparian vegetation could be expanded pasture seasonal wetlands present, seed pockets of shrubs, manage grasslands with possible seasonal grazing and/or mowing, possibly create seasonal wetland design wetlands by excavating shallow depressions in areas already exhibiting some seasonal ponding Hayfield, pasture Crossing for wildlife Provide narrow crossings (even wood planks) over Fisher Would need to ensure High Low Purpose would be to allow mammals that disperse along either side of between Fisher movement Creek channel and Bypass channel crossing does not the Sobrato North subarea, between the two channels, to be able to Creek channel impede high flows cross over these channels easily (without having to get into the creeks) and Bypass channel 6. Sobrato Spreckles Hill Oak woodland Enhance valley oak woodland by protecting recruits from None Med Low- Invasive noxious weeds are pervasive around hill base and on eastern South browse and weeds, possible additional planting of acorns, med and northern side and will be the biggest management challenge, manage weeds aggressively; manage feral pigs small patch of Diablan sage scrub on southern hillside merits protection and enhancement via seeding Between Enhanced wildlife Vegetation very dense at base of hill on both east and None High Low Although the existing vegetation provides dense cover, larger animals Spreckles Hill movement corridors west. Create narrow, open path outside of riparian would be able to move more easily along the east side of Fisher Creek and Fisher Creek habitat, through dense hemlock/mustard – larger animals (at the base of the hill) if a narrow path could be created through the can move more quickly along path but use adjacent nonnative vegetation. riparian forest and woodland for cover if necessary 7. Sobrato South and east Manage existing riparian Remove and control invasive plants in existing riparian None, although possible High Low- Area already recruits willow and cottonwood readily in ditches, and South of Spreckles Hill marsh, create new riparian marsh and along creek (giant reed observed), allow hydrology study if better med parts of agricultural field, southern part of field may be best suited to forest and seasonal recruitment of willow cottonwood in agricultural field and management of this some valley oak restoration. Expansion of the marsh south of Spreckles wetlands natural establishment of seasonal wetlands. Consider area could reduce Hill could potentially attract nesting tricolored blackbirds. blocking or impeding flow from marsh into Fisher Creek to flooding of the road slightly deepen water in the marsh and expand the marsh. intersection area 8. Sobrato West of Fisher Seasonal wetland Strategically block ditches and grade out depressions to Hydrology study to High Med No management or restoration actions proposed at this time for Fisher South Creek expansion, perennial spread out ponding and expand existing wetland identify optimal locations Creek other than invasive plant species removal wetland enhancement complex. Deepen some of these in-channel ponds (3+ for ditch blocks to feet deep for California red-legged frogs) but keep others enhance shallow to provide extensive emergent vegetation for seasonal/perennial nesting tricolored blackbirds. Remove fish. wetland function and extent

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High)

West of Fisher Pond enhancements Grade edges of deep former golf ponds to gentle slopes None Med Med Creek and shelves to improve amphibian habitat. Remove fish. Add turtle basking structures. Increase extent of emergent vegetation in westernmost pond to about 10% of shoreline to enhance conditions for California red-legged frogs West of Fisher New seasonal ponds Create new seasonal ponds in existing hayfield to provide Hydrology study to Med Med- Creek diversity of hydrologic conditions (in combination with determine extent and high existing perennial ponds) and enhance breeding depth of grading conditions for California tiger salamanders necessary to create seasonal ponds Hayfields west of Upland enhancement Stop haying and disking (after initial loosening of soil), None High Low The lack of suitable ground squirrel burrows for upland refugia may be Fisher Creek promote colonization by ground squirrels (possibly with the main factor limiting California tiger salamander use of this subarea brush piles)to enhance upland refugia for California tiger salamanders West of Fisher Ditch crossings for wildlife Provide narrow crossings (even wood planks) over wet High Low Purpose would be to allow mammals that disperse along these ditches Creek movement ditches to be able to cross over them easily (without having to get wet) 9. Fisher Creek Fisher Creek at Enhanced wildlife Remove debris and grade a ramp to and from the None High Low at Bailey Ave. Bailey Ave. movement through culvert undercrossings, on both sides of the creek and on both under Bailey Ave. sides of Bailey Ave., to facilitate wildlife ingress/egress 10. Santa Santa Teresa Enhance wildlife crossing Modify fences to allow wildlife to cross more easily, install Work with Med-high Low Wildlife appear to move across Santa Teresa Blvd. readily, without Teresa Blvd. Blvd. (north) “wildlife crossing” signs on Santa Teresa Blvd. to reduce owner/manager of relying on culvert undercrossings; this action would facilitate that north of Fisher collisions Tulare Hill to modify movement while minimizing collision risk Creek crossing fences if necessary 11. Santa Santa Teresa Enhance wildlife crossing Plant dense cover along west side of large field on Med-high Low Wildlife may currently cross over Santa Teresa Blvd. moving east, but Teresa Blvd. Blvd. (south) Brandenburg East to facilitate wildlife movement there is little cover along the east side of the road until farther north south of Fisher northward toward Fisher Creek, install “wildlife crossing” Creek crossing signs on Santa Teresa Blvd. to reduce collisions 12. New cover 150 feet Enhancement of wildlife Plant a strip of dense cover (e.g., trees flanked by coyote Med Low- This opportunity could be combined with construction of a new for wildlife northwest of movement brush) to facilitate east-west movement across fields; med undercrossing under the railroad line and Monterey Road (which would movement Bailey Ave. on separated from Bailey Ave. to keep away from road; be a lower-feasibility, higher-cost option). pathway north both sides of install “wildlife crossing” signs on Santa Teresa Blvd. and on of Bailey Ave. Santa Teresa Monterey Road. This corridor of cover would lead to a Blvd. wildlife-friendly crossing of Monterey Road just north of Bailey Ave. (where no median barrier currently exists).

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so that burrow chambers are above anticipated flood levels, or selecting planting palettes that allow the plant community to “self-select” appropriate dominant species based on precipitation levels.

Following are some general thoughts and recommendations regarding possible implementation of the types of creation, restoration, and enhancement actions listed in Table 2.

4.1 Laguna Seca Enhancement

Laguna Seca historically was a perennial marsh and seasonal lake that occupied much of the western portion of the study area, but excavation of an outlet canal and groundwater pumping have altered its hydrology to the point that currently, no extensive perennial waterbody is present (in most years, only the drainage canal remains wet year-round). Restoration of this perennial marsh would enhance habitat for a variety of species, creating breeding habitat for tricolored blackbird colonies, California red-legged frogs, and California tiger salamanders, as well as providing aquatic habitat for the western pond turtle and numerous waterbirds. Laguna Seca restoration would entail increasing the depth, extent, and duration of ponding by reducing or eliminating pumping and partially or fully blocking the outlet canal.

4.2 Oak Woodland/Savanna Restoration, Creation, and Enhancement

Ideally, groundwater would need to be present within approximately 10 to 12 feet of the ground surface for successful establishment of valley oak woodland or savanna, the latter of which would have widely spaced trees with grassland areas in between individual trees or small stands. Further groundwater studies may be needed to determine the potential for some areas (especially drier areas) to support valley oak woodland or savanna, and the potential need for long-term supplemental irrigation. The basic planting approach, regardless of which oak species can be feasibly established and whether denser oak woodland or more open oak savanna is targeted, would entail the following:

• Grow locally collected acorns in a nursery or plant acorns directly at the site. • Consider planting other tree and shrub species that require a shorter time to reach maturity than oaks, thereby providing canopy cover for wildlife while the oaks mature over several decades. Other tree and shrub species commonly found in association with oak woodlands in the region include blue elderberry (Sambucus nigra ssp. cerulea), buckeye, toyon (Heteromeles arbutifolia), coffeeberry (Frangula californica), box elder (Acer negundo), and black sage (Salvia mellifera). These species may need to be grown in containers in a native plant nursery. • Install container plants or acorns on 16 to 50-foot centers depending on whether a denser oak woodland or more open oak savanna is the target habitat.

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• Maintain the plantings during a 3 to 5-year plant establishment period during which weed control, irrigation, dead plant replacement, and possibly browse protection (if browsing by deer is too heavy), are conducted as needed. • The only long-term management likely to be needed is mowing to reduce fire hazard and control problem weeds, and occasional replanting if needed.

Successful establishment of oak woodland and/or savanna may require aggressive and sustained weed control if planting areas are heavily infested with invasive species. In such areas, we recommend that any restoration plan consider scraping off the top 6 inches of soil, and either disposing of it offsite (which is costly) or preferably repurposing it onsite. Repurposing of the soil onsite would consist of placing it as subsoil, covered by at least 1 to 2 feet of topsoil, in mounds, berms or other elevated features.

Establishment of oak woodland/savanna would provide habitat for numerous species of birds, as well as a number of species of mammals. In addition, over time, as oaks mature, their cavities may provide roosts for bats. Oak woodland would complement the riparian habitats present in the study area, increasing animal and plant diversity in this area. Creation of oak woodland/savanna habitat would be compatible with many of the other biological enhancement opportunities identified in Table 2. For example, portions of the site where oak woodland is not created could be restored as native grassland to provide foraging habitat for Swainson’s hawks or nesting/roosting habitat for burrowing owls or could be cultivated in a manner to support foraging habitat for these species (e.g., planted in alfalfa) (see below). Compatibility of oak woodland restoration with the creation of nesting/roosting habitat for burrowing owls depends in part on scale (e.g., oak restoration may be compatible with burrowing owl habitat if only limited oak planting is done, and in a limited area, but large-scale oak restoration is not compatible with burrowing owl habitat).

On Spreckles Hill, and possible elsewhere in the study area, rooting by feral pigs appears to be degrading habitat; pigs may also eat acorns. Management of pigs in the study area is recommended to benefit oak woodlands and other habitats.

4.3 Riparian Woodland Enhancement and Restoration

In areas where soil moisture is sufficiently high, such as along Fisher Creek and possibly the Fisher Creek Bypass channel and in areas around Laguna Seca, willow-cottonwood riparian habitat may be restored relatively easily. Restoration may be passive, relying on natural dispersal of seeds into appropriate habitat, in some areas. For example, cottonwoods and willows are naturally colonizing pasture on the east side of Fisher Creek in the Sobrato South subarea. Grazing may need to be curtailed while new plants are establishing. Even broader riparian restoration could occur if Fisher Creek’s floodplain is widened (e.g., if topography were lowered), or if further groundwater studies show consistent summer groundwater no deeper than 6 to 8 feet. Planting areas could be either at existing grade or excavated to approach groundwater and possibly allow winter flows to spread into a widened floodplain planting area. A diverse species mix could be planted, including red willow, arroyo willow, sandbar willow (Salix exigua), Fremont cottonwood, blue elderberry, valley oak, box elder, and other native riparian trees.

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Because large trees provide hunting perches for raptors (i.e., predators of burrowing owls), the compatibility of riparian restoration with creation of burrowing owl habitat would be dependent on the extent of riparian restoration on the site (i.e., the distance from the riparian trees to the burrowing owl habitat).

Restoration of riparian habitat would also improve the quality of the Fisher Creek riparian corridor and other parts of the site as a movement corridor for wildlife in a manner similar to, but even greater than, that described for oak woodland restoration above. Riparian communities are among the most important habitats for wildlife because of their high floristic and structural diversity, high biomass (and therefore high food abundance), and availability of water, as well as the important role such communities play in providing a link between terrestrial and aquatic communities. Thus, expanding the riparian vegetation along the reach of Fisher Creek in the study area, and along other channels, ditches, and other areas of high groundwater would provide even higher quality cover and foraging habitat for medium to large mammals moving along the riparian corridor than oak woodlands and would provide habitat capable of meeting the requirements of a greater diversity of species than oak woodland, including locally scarce, riparian obligate species such as the yellow warbler and yellow-breasted chat.

4.4 Creation or Enhancement of Aquatic Breeding Habitat, and Enhancement of Upland Habitat, for the California Red-Legged Frog and/or California Tiger Salamander

California red-legged frog embryos hatch in 1 to 4 weeks and the resulting larvae require 3 to 5 months to attain metamorphosis (Cook 1997). California tiger salamander eggs hatch 2 to 4 weeks after deposition (Storer 1925, Twitty 1941) and a minimum of approximately 10 weeks is required to complete development through metamorphosis (Anderson 1968 and Feaver 1971, as cited in Jennings and Hayes 1994). Thus, in the Coyote Valley area, aquatic breeding sites must retain water at least through May to provide suitable breeding habitat for California tiger salamanders and at least through July for California red-legged frogs (and preferably longer for both species). Depth to groundwater in portions of the study area, such as on Sobrato South and in the Laguna Seca area, is likely suitable to support ponds or seasonal wetlands with sufficient hydroperiod to provide suitable breeding habitat for the California red-legged frog and/or California tiger salamander.

The basic approach to pond creation for one or both species would entail the following:

• Excavate to a depth suitable to support the target hydroperiod (ponding at least through May to allow successful metamorphosis of California tiger salamanders and at least through July for California red- legged frogs). Perennial ponding should be avoided to preclude successful breeding by predatory bullfrogs. • Grade the pond to have a maximum water depth of approximately 6 ft to deter colonization by tall emergent vegetation in the center of the pond, with an estimated average depth of approximately 1 to 3 ft.

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• Create a deep-water zone that provides water depth adequate for frogs and salamanders to escape predation. • Slopes should be relatively steep to allow frogs to quickly jump from the pond edge to deep water. • Slopes should be enhanced with logs/root wads and/or rock to provide the California red-legged frog and California tiger salamander with additional underwater refugia. • Active planting of native seasonal wetland species may be warranted to increase the rate of wetland plant establishment along the pond side slopes.

The revegetation component of the pond creation would involve establishing locally-native wetland and upland plant species to maximize habitat value of the created pond. The revegetation approach would include the establishment of a mixture of open water and seasonal wetland vegetation. The upland side slopes should be similarly planted with native herbaceous upland vegetation. The sites could be revegetated primarily via seeding. However, container plants may also be installed particularly to help establish target wetland vegetation. If container plants are used, they should be derived from propagules (seeds, root masses, and plugs) that originate from Santa Clara County in the general vicinity of the study area to the extent feasible.

POST and SCVOSA might also consider creating seasonal breeding ponds for the California tiger salamander in flats at the fringes of Laguna Seca. Although the entire “lake” floods at times, waters recede fairly rapidly to a single pool near the outlet. Excavation of multiple deeper areas around the fringes of the lake would provide multiple ponds that hold water longer as the lake recedes. Such ponds could be excavated below small drainage swales entering the Laguna (weirs would allow overflow to continue into the larger Laguna area) or in areas of groundwater seepage, such as at the northwest corner of the Laguna.

The extensive wetland in the southwestern corner of the Brandenburg West subarea, just north of Bailey Avenue, does not pond long or deep enough to provide suitable breeding habitat for the California red-legged frog or California tiger salamander. Deepening this wetland through excavation, or creating a berm to reduce drainage, could allow this area to hold water of sufficient depth and duration to be suitable for successful breeding by one or both species.

Expansion of the perennially wet ditches on the Sobrato South parcel by excavating inline ponds and strategically blocking drainage in some areas would also create new ponds. If they are sufficiently deep (at least 3 feet), they could possibly be used for breeding by California red-legged frogs.

In addition to the creation of breeding habitat, measures should be implemented to increase the quality of foraging and upland refugial habitat for these species in the study area. Burrows of the California ground squirrel provide the primary upland refugia for tiger salamanders during most of the salamanders’ lives, and ground squirrel burrows also provide refugia for dispersing red-legged frogs. These burrowing mammals tend to reach their highest abundance in grassland habitat of relatively short to moderate height—heights that are not too high to allow these mammals to see predators approaching but that are not so low that the amount of herbaceous forage is too limited. Currently, the distribution of California ground squirrels in the study area is very limited, possibly due to repeated disking or even squirrel control. Implementation of a vegetation

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management plan targeted at maintaining small mammal burrows and vegetative biomass levels suitable for these burrowing mammals, while protecting basic resource values, would enhance habitat conditions for small burrowing mammals and the number of burrows available for use by, and the quality of upland habitat for, California red-legged frogs and California tiger salamanders would also increase.

The most important steps in enhancing upland habitat quality would be cessation of all direct squirrel control (such as poisoning or trapping) and agricultural activities that involve disking. In addition, constructing mounds of loose soil with woody brush intermixed would provide favorable conditions for digging. Such mounds thus provide burrows that tiger salamanders and red-legged frogs may use, and they facilitate colonization by ground squirrels of areas that currently support few squirrels. Debris mounds of natural rock and wood have been used successfully at other conservation lands to encourage burrowing rodents, such as ground squirrels, to create burrows in, under, and around these debris mounds, thus increasing upland refugia for California tiger salamanders (H. T. Harvey & Associates 2007e). Therefore, we recommend constructing two or three debris mounds around (e.g., within 100 feet of) any created California tiger salamander or California red-legged frog breeding habitat. Soil for these mounds can be derived from soil excavated to create the breeding pond and could be mixed with boulders and brush or tree limbs to further facilitate ground squirrel colony expansion.

4.5 Enhancement of Habitat for the Western Pond Turtle

Western pond turtles are not currently known to occur in the study area. Although they are known to occur in and along Coyote Creek just northeast of the study area, traffic and the median barrier along Monterey Road preclude overland crossing of that road, and the drop at the culvert carrying Fisher Creek under Monterey Road and into Coyote Creek would be very difficult for westbound turtles to navigate. If this culvert undercrossing were enhanced to facilitate turtle movement westward into Fisher Creek, pond turtles may be able to move up Fisher Creek and colonize ponds and ditches within the study area.

If pond turtles colonize the study area in the future, providing basking structures within ponds (especially the two ponds on the Sobrato South subarea, plus any new long-duration ponds that may be created) would enhance conditions for this species. Floating basking structures, or long logs anchored into the banks of these ponds, would allow turtles to bask without a high risk of predation (such as may occur if they have to bask on the banks themselves).

4.6 Creation of Tricolored Blackbird Breeding Habitat

The tricolored blackbird is patchily distributed in the Santa Clara Valley, its distribution reflecting the patchy nature of its breeding habitat (Rottenborn 2007). The nearest recently occupied breeding colony was located approximately 1.3 mi west of the study area at Calero Reservoir; there, tricolored blackbirds nested in cattails at the easternmost end of the reservoir in 2014 and 2015. Historically, the species has nested more widely within Coyote Valley, such as in a pond along Bailey Avenue near the IBM offices, at Coyote Ranch, and at the Ogier Ponds. Because tricolored blackbirds are itinerant nesters, and because their nesting habitat is ephemeral, those

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locations have not been used in recent years, yet it is possible for this species to colonize or recolonize areas as suitable breeding habitat becomes available. Thus, were suitable wetland habitat created in the study area, there is a fairly high likelihood – given historical nesting in Coyote Valley, recent nesting at Calero Reservoir, and the presence of a fairly large wintering flock in Coyote Valley – that the species would eventually breed on the site. Tricolored blackbird habitat could be created by modification of ponding depth and duration at Laguna Seca, expansion of the marsh south of Spreckles Hill, or creation of new breeding ponds/marshes, such as in the triangular area of the Brandenburg West subarea.

Per the recommendations for tricolored blackbird habitat improvement and maintenance prepared for the CDFW (Kyle 2011), high-quality habitat includes wetlands with newly growing stands of cattails, tules, and bulrush that are at least 4 to 6 feet tall. Older cattails that are brittle do not provide optimal nesting habitat (Kyle 2011). In addition, colonies tend to form in wetlands with standing water 8 to 12 inches deep, which discourages predators. The recommended strategy is to create large and continuous patches of cattails with the width of a stand being at least 32 to 49 feet wide. Ponds having only a narrow fringe of wetlands do not typically provide sufficient habitat to support a tricolored blackbird colony. Standing water should be present throughout the nesting season to discourage predators, but should not be so deep as to attract bullfrogs, which are predators of many native amphibians that might also be attracted to the pond. If deeper water is present, long-term, active bullfrog management may be necessary.

Expansion of the perennially wet ditches on the Sobrato South parcel by excavating inline ponds and blocking drainage in some areas would also create new ponds and/or expand the emergent vegetation along these ditches. If the areas of created marsh are sufficiently wide, they may provide nesting habitat for tricolored blackbirds. The extensive marsh south of Spreckles Hill could be expanded even more if drainage of this marsh into Fisher Creek were impeded. It is unclear whether there is a culvert within the berm, but water currently drains into a narrow “hole” in the eastern bank along Fisher Creek. Construction of a weir to raise the water elevation before it enters the hole would expand the marsh, possibly attracting tricolored blackbirds to nest.

Nesting habitat in the region tends to be ephemeral in nature as ponds with suitable hydrology to support dense cattail stands are typically colonized by willows, which leads to the eventual abandonment of the habitat by tricolored blackbirds (Rottenborn 2007). Therefore, to maintain suitable tricolored blackbird nesting habitat over the long term, active management would likely be required to maintain the vegetation in an early successional state. Potential management strategies include mowing, disking, or burning of the vegetation every three to five years, during the non-breeding season. In addition, successful tricolored blackbird breeding habitat needs to be located near ample foraging habitat, such as pastureland, rangeland, or certain irrigated croplands (e.g., alfalfa) (see below).

4.7 Enhancement of Tricolored Blackbird Foraging Habitat

As described above, in order for suitable tricolored blackbird nesting habitat to support successful nesting, the habitat must be located near foraging habitat of sufficient size to sustain the breeding colony. During the

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breeding season, tricolored blackbirds rely almost exclusively on insects, especially grasshoppers, caterpillars and dragonflies, to produce eggs and feed their growing nestlings (Kyle 2011). Even in the absence of the creation of suitable nesting habitat within the study areas, the creation of foraging habitat for this species could benefit local populations by increasing the availability of foraging habitat in the vicinity of, and thus the potential value/usefulness of, existing suitable nesting habitat. In the project region, tricolored blackbird foraging habitat typically includes pastureland and irrigated cropland such as alfalfa.

The basic approach to creation or enhancement of foraging habitat for tricolored blackbirds would entail the following:

• Prepare site by scraping weed-infested soils. • Seed grassland-based native seed mix. • Grasslands and pasturelands should be grazed regularly to maintain vegetation at heights of less than 15 inches (Kyle 2011). • Alternatively, agricultural crops of high value as foraging habitat (e.g., alfalfa, irrigated pasture) may be planted. Planting of agricultural crops would have the added benefit of supporting the local agricultural community; however, irrigation may be required to support high-quality tricolored blackbird foraging habitat. • If agricultural crops are intended for use as foraging habitat, it is recommended that some waste material be left post-harvest to sustain foraging sites. Future planning for agricultural activities should also consider wildlife-friendly agricultural methods and any appropriate measures to reduce impacts on birds that may use the crops as nesting habitat.

4.8 Enhancement of Burrowing Owl Habitat

As described above, suitable roosting and foraging habitat for burrowing owls is present in the study area and in adjacent areas, and the species is known to occur, at least in winter, in North Coyote Valley. Thus, migrating or dispersing individuals may also occasionally use the habitat in the study area for roosting or foraging. However, the history of disking and possibly ground squirrel control in drier areas, coupled with the high groundwater table in lower/wetter areas, has reduced the abundance of ground squirrels considerably. As a result, few burrows suitable for use by nesting or roosting owls are present. In addition, foraging habitat quality is limited by haying that removes most of the vegetation, precluding development of a thatch layer that serves as cover and forage for small mammals such as mice and voles (which in turn are prey for burrowing owls). In its present condition, the study area does not provide high-quality habitat for burrowing owls. However, there is considerable opportunity for enhancement of burrowing owl habitat. The extensive hayfields on the Brandenburg East subarea provide the open habitat that burrowing owls prefer, and if burrow availability and foraging habitat could be improved in that area, it likely represents the best opportunity for attempting to attract burrowing owls to nest (and to winter) in Coyote Valley. First, any control of ground squirrels that is currently ongoing should cease. Efforts to facilitate colonization of these open fields by ground squirrels should

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then proceed as described above in Section 4.4. In addition, to increase burrow availability for owls, artificial burrows could be created as follows:

• Construct nest boxes using an 8-inch corrugated tube connected to a standard irrigation box. A 3-inch strip should be cut out of the bottom of each corrugated tube to allow the owls contact with the ground and to improve drainage. The nest box should be located at least 1 foot above the surrounding ground to prevent it from being flooded. • Following construction of three nest boxes, a 5-foot dirt mound should then be carefully constructed on top of the nest boxes (i.e., there are three nest boxes per mound). The tubes should be configured appropriately during mound construction so that they provide access to the irrigation boxes from the mound surface; these tubes should be bent to prevent light from reaching the nest chamber. The tubes should face inward, toward each other. Additional escape burrows, with tubes that do not lead to chambers, can be included to provide owls more opportunity to escape if predators approach. • Weed infested topsoil from the study area could potentially be used to create the mounds.

Artificial burrow mounds should be constructed far (preferably 300 feet or more) from trees and buildings that could be used as perches for avian predators such as hawks or eagles. Artificial burrows may also be created with entrances flush with the existing ground’s surface (rather than on mounds); both approaches have been successful in the South Bay.

In addition, to maintain the quality of the habitat, we recommend that vegetation height on the mounds (or around the burrow entrance, if they are mounted flush with the ground) be controlled year-round, but especially during the breeding season (February 1 through August 31). Vegetation height should be controlled through mowing, if feasible; it has been our experience on other sites in the South Bay that abundance of California ground squirrels and burrowing owls has declined following the replacement of mowing with use of sheep and goats, likely due at least in part to the soil compaction.

The lack of sufficient amounts of small mammals in the diet of burrowing owls, especially during the breeding season, may result in poor reproductive success (York et al. 2002). Thus, we also recommend improving the owl’s prey base in the study area by planting native perennials and grasses in strips or islands and creating rock and brush piles to increase food and shelter for prey species, such as gophers and voles. Planting alfalfa in lieu of the hay that is currently planted would support more small mammals.

Agricultural activity within the vicinity of burrowing owl burrows may be compatible with the maintenance of occupied burrowing owl habitat, as human activity associated with agricultural activities tends to be infrequent. However, the type of agricultural crop planted would be important in determining the compatibility of agricultural with burrowing owl habitat. The ability to see predators approaching is an important component of high-quality habitat for burrowing owls. Thus, the presence of tall growing crops, such as corn, within the buffer may limit burrowing owl use of the site, whereas shorter crops, such as alfalfa, are not expected to negatively influence burrowing owl use.

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4.9 Creation or Enhancement of Swainson’s Hawk/Raptor Foraging Habitat

Swainson’s hawks are known to forage in row, grain, and hay crop agriculture, although they cannot forage in most perennial crops or in annual crops that grow much higher than native grasses because such vegetation makes prey more difficult to find (Bloom 1980, Bechard 1982, Estep 1989). When not breeding, the Swainson’s hawk is atypical because it is almost exclusively insectivorous, eating grasshoppers (Acrididae) in particular (Sherrod 1978, Jaramillo 1993). During the breeding season, this species’ diet is more similar to that of other temperate-zone buteos; young are fed rodents, rabbits, and reptiles. In California, California voles are a frequent part of the breeding season diet (Bloom 1980, Estep 1989).

In its current condition, the extensive hayfields on the Brandenburg East subarea, which is the part of the study area closest to the single Coyote Valley nest site, provide poor foraging habitat for Swainson’s hawks. The basic approach to enhancement of foraging habitat for Swainson’s hawks and other raptors in the study area would entail the following:

• Prepare the site by scraping weed-infested soils. • Seed grassland-based native seed mix. • Alternatively, agricultural crops of high value as foraging habitat (e.g., alfalfa, irrigated pasture, low- growing row or field crops such as beets and tomatoes) may be planted. Planting of agricultural crops would have the added benefit of supporting the local agricultural community; however, irrigation may be required to support high-quality Swainson’s hawk foraging habitat. Future planning for agricultural activities should also consider wildlife-friendly agricultural methods and any appropriate measures to reduce impacts on birds that may use the crops as nesting habitat.

4.10 Enhancement of Serpentine Grasslands

The highest-quality serpentine bunchgrass grassland in the study area is located in a narrow strip, approximately 50-75 feet wide, along the northern edge of the Brandenburg West subarea which overlaps with the base of Tulare Hill. Vegetation in this area was largely dominated by nonnative grasses (especially wild oats), with some native forbs such as California poppy present. This area was not grazed, while the serpentine grassland on the other side of the fence (i.e., on the majority of Tulare Hill) was being actively grazed. Grazing removes nonnative grasses, enhancing serpentine grassland quality. The best opportunity for improving the quality of serpentine grassland on the site would be to graze this strip. Moving livestock onto this area just to graze a narrow strip of vegetation is likely infeasible. However, if POST and SCVOSA were able to obtain approval from the owner/manager of the habitat on Tulare Hill, then the existing fence could be moved a short distance downslope so that cattle grazing Tulare Hill would manage vegetation all the way to the toe of the slope, into the study area.

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4.11 Enhancement of Wildlife Movement and Connectivity

As noted previously, North Coyote Valley is extremely important in allowing wildlife to move between the Santa Cruz Mountains and the Diablo Range. Although the NCV properties already provide important wildlife movement habitat, improvements to wildlife movement and habitat connectivity can be made to facilitate movement within and through the study area. Following is a summary of the enhancements to wildlife movement listed in Table 2:

• New undercrossings could be constructed under the Union Pacific Railroad line and Monterey Road to connect the Brandenburg East subarea to habitat east of Monterey Road. Suitable locations would necessitate coordination with the landowner, or land acquisition, on east side of Monterey Road. Undercrossings would likely need to be small, due to the flat topography, but they may be large enough to allow movement by badgers, ground squirrels, raccoons, and skunks. Enhancement of habitat (e.g., cover) to facilitate crossing of the extensive field on the Brandenburg East subarea, and installation of directional fencing on both sides of crossing entrance, may be necessary to increase use of the crossing. Although the Fisher Creek culvert under the railroad tracks and Monterey Road are outside the study area, enhancement of this culvert to facilitate wildlife movement would benefit movement through North Coyote Valley considerably.

• In the southern portion of the Laguna Seca area, the row of Casuarina trees that currently provide low- quality cover for dispersing wildlife (due to the sparse nature of vegetation near the ground) could be removed and replaced with a broader strip of vegetation that includes trees flanked by coyote brush to increase habitat diversity, corridor width, and low cover for mammalian movement. This corridor of vegetation should be extended as far to the west as possible to minimize the distance mammals must travel through open lands.

• In the southwest corner of the Brandenburg West subarea, just north of Bailey Avenue, dense cover for dispersing mammals (e.g., coyote brush) could be planted between Bailey Avenue and the existing riparian forest and woodland to facilitate movement through this currently open area.

• On the Sobrato North subarea, movement of wildlife along the Fisher Creek channel and Bypass channel could be facilitated if dry crossings of those channels were provided. Narrow structures such as wood planks over the wet channels could allow mammals to cross the channels without getting wet. Similarly, planks could be placed at regular intervals over the wet ditches on the Sobrato South subarea.

• Between Spreckles Hill and Fisher Creek, wildlife movement could be facilitated by creation of a narrow path, parallel to the creek, through the very dense hemlock and mustard that is currently present. Larger animals can move more quickly along such a path while still being able to rely on the adjacent riparian forest and woodland for cover if necessary.

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• Wildlife movement through the Fisher Creek culvert under Bailey Avenue may be enhanced through removal of debris, and possibly by grading a more gradual ramp to and from the undercrossings, on both sides of the creek and on both sides of Bailey Avenue, to facilitate wildlife ingress/egress

• Along Santa Teresa Boulevard north of Fisher Creek, fences in the study area, and at the base of Tulare Hill with concurrent of the owner/manager of Tulare Hill, could be modified to allow wildlife to cross more easily (e.g., with smooth top or bottom wires). “Wildlife crossing” signs should be installed periodically along Santa Teresa Boulevard to reduce collisions.

• Along Santa Teresa Boulevard south of Fisher Creek, denser vegetation could be planted along the west side of the large field on the Brandenburg East subarea to facilitate wildlife movement along the east side of the road.

• A new wildlife movement pathway could be created north of Bailey Avenue in the Sobrato North and Brandenburg East subareas. The purpose of this pathway would be to provide a means by which wildlife might move across the valley and across Monterey Road, as an alternative to crossing near Tulare Hill. In a corridor approximately 150 feet northwest of Bailey Avenue, on both sides of Santa Teresa Boulevard, a strip of dense cover (e.g., trees flanked by coyote brush) would be created to facilitate east-west movement across the study area. This corridor of cover would lead from the vicinity of the Fisher Creek crossing of Bailey Avenue eastward to a wildlife-friendly crossing of Monterey Road just north of Bailey Avenue. No median barrier currently exists on Monterey Road in this area, so facilitating wildlife crossing over the railroad tracks and over the road would allow wildlife to cross Monterey Road in this location. Alternatively, a new undercrossing could be constructed under the railroad line and Monterey Road here.

North Coyote Valley Sobrato/Brandenburg Properties H. T. Harvey & Associates 63 Biological Resources and Opportunities Assessment June 28, 2019

Section 5. References

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Bousman W. G. 2007a. Breeding Bird Atlas of Santa Clara County. Santa Clara Valley Audubon Society, Cupertino, California.

Bousman W. G. 2007b. Black-necked Stilt Himantopus mexicanus. Pages 204-205 in W. G Bousman (ed.), Breeding Bird Atlas of Santa Clara County. Santa Clara Valley Audubon Society, Cupertino, California.

Bousman, W. G. 2007c. Yellow warbler Dendroica petechia. Pages 376-377 in W. G. Bousman, editor. Breeding bird atlas of Santa Clara County. Santa Clara Valley Audubon Society, Cupertino, California.

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DiTomaso, J. M., and E. A. Healy. 2007. Weeds of California and Other Western States. Volume 1. University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources Publication 3488.

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Estep, J. A. 1989. Biology, movements, and habitat relationships of the Swainson's hawk in the Central Valley of California, 1986-87. State of California, The Resources Agency, Department of Fish and Game.

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Grossinger, R. M., R. A. Askevold, C. J, Striplen, E. Brewster, S. Pearce, K. N. Larned, L. J. McKee, and J. N. Collins. 2006. Coyote Creek Watershed Historical Ecology Study: Historical Condition, Landscape Change, and Restoration Potential in the Eastern Santa Clara Valley, California. Prepared for the Santa Clara Valley Water District. A Report of SFEI’s Historical Ecology, Watersheds, and Wetlands Science Programs, SFEI Publication 426, San Francisco Estuary Institute, Oakland, CA.

H. T. Harvey & Associates. 1998a. Lands of Sobrato biotic resources report. November 1998.

H. T. Harvey & Associates. 1998b. North Coyote Valley General Plan Amendment Environmental Impact Report Biological Resources Section. September 1998.

H. T. Harvey & Associates. 1999a. Coyote Valley Research Park Draft Environmental Impact Report biological resources section. October 1999.

H. T. Harvey & Associates. 1999b. North Coyote Valley City of San Jose, Santa Clara County, California Identification of Waters of the U.S. June 1999.

H. T. Harvey & Associates. 2000a. California tiger salamanders on Sobrato property. February 2000.

H. T. Harvey & Associates. 2000b. Burrowing owl nest-season survey, Sobrato. May 2000.

H. T. Harvey & Associates. 2000c. Coyote Valley Research Park analysis of effects on federally listed species. November 2000.

H. T. Harvey & Associates. 2000d. Coyote Valley Research Park analysis of potential effects on salmonids. November 2000.

North Coyote Valley Sobrato/Brandenburg Properties H. T. Harvey & Associates 66 Biological Resources and Opportunities Assessment June 28, 2019

H. T. Harvey & Associates. 2000e. Coyote Valley Research Park California red-legged frog report. October 2000.

H. T. Harvey & Associates. 2000f. Coyote Valley Research Park California tiger salamander report. November 2000.

H. T. Harvey & Associates. 2000g. Coyote Valley Research Park riparian and wetland mitigation and monitoring plan. June 2000.

H. T. Harvey & Associates. 2000h. Lands of Sobrato California red-legged frog report. November 2000.

H. T. Harvey & Associates. 2000i. Lands of Sobrato California tiger salamander report. November 2000.

H. T. Harvey & Associates. 2000j. Xilinx Inc. California red-legged frog report. October 2000.

H. T. Harvey & Associates. 2000k. Xilinx Inc. California tiger salamander report. October 2000.

H. T. Harvey & Associates. 2000l. Xilinx Inc. Draft Environmental Impact Report biological resources section. May 2000.

H. T. Harvey & Associates. 2001a. California tiger salamander protocol surveys. January 2001.

H. T. Harvey & Associates. 2001b. Field notes for Sobrato burrowing owl/nesting raptor survey. July 2001.

H. T. Harvey & Associates. 2001c. Coyote Valley Sobrato Campus One & Two Draft Environmental Impact Report biological resources section. October 2001.

H. T. Harvey & Associates. 2001d. Sobrato property burrowing owl survey. June 2001.

H. T. Harvey & Associates. 2002. Lands of Sobrato California tiger salamander 2001/2002 report. July 2002.

H. T. Harvey & Associates. 2003. Lands of Sobrato California tiger salamander 2002/2003 report. May 2003.

H. T. Harvey & Associates. 2004. Sobrato property burrowing owl survey results. March 2004.

H. T. Harvey & Associates. 2006a. Coyote Valley Research Park, Phase B and fire station initial study update. November 2006.

H. T. Harvey & Associates. 2006b. Lands of Sobrato: North Coyote Valley preliminary delineation of wetlands and other waters. August 2006.

North Coyote Valley Sobrato/Brandenburg Properties H. T. Harvey & Associates 67 Biological Resources and Opportunities Assessment June 28, 2019

H. T. Harvey & Associates. 2006c. Results of burrowing owl, nesting raptor, and roosting bat surveys, Coyote Valley Research Park. August 2006.

H. T. Harvey & Associates. 2006d. Results of California red-legged frog surveys, Coyote Valley Research Park. December 2006.

H. T. Harvey & Associates. 2006e. Results of steelhead and California red-legged frog surveys and on-site monitoring, Coyote Valley Research Park. August 2006.

H. T. Harvey & Associates. 2007a. Results of 2007 California red-legged frog and steelhead surveys, Coyote Valley Research Park. September 2007.

H. T. Harvey & Associates. 2007b. Results of initial burrowing owl, nesting raptor, nesting riparian bird, and California red-legged frog surveys, Coyote Valley Research Park. April 2007.

H. T. Harvey & Associates. 2007c. Summary of nesting riparian bird surveys, 2007 nesting season, Coyote Valley Research Park. August 2007.

H. T. Harvey & Associates. 2007d. Year 3 Monitoring Report January to December 2006. Prepared for the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority.

H. T. Harvey & Associates. 2007e. Lin Livermore Conservation Area California Red-Legged Frog and California Tiger Salamander 2006 Mitigation Monitoring. May 4. San Jose, California. Prepared for Jennifer Lin, Pleasanton, California.

H. T. Harvey & Associates. 2008a. CEQA update for master planned development permit and individual phase planned development permits for Bailey Research Park, within the North Coyote Valley Campus Industrial Area. May 2008.

H. T. Harvey & Associates. 2008b. Gavilan College Coyote Valley Campus Draft Environmental Impact Report Biological Resources Section. August 2008.

H. T. Harvey & Associates. 2013a. Biological/Regulatory Constraints Assessment for the Coyote Valley Research Park. November 2013.

H. T. Harvey & Associates. 2013b. Lands of Sobrato: North Coyote Valley, Santa Clara County, California preliminary delineation of wetlands and other waters. December 2013.

H. T. Harvey & Associates. 2014. Coyote Valley Research Park riparian and wetland mitigation site year 5 (2013) monitoring report. January 2014.

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H. T. Harvey & Associates. 2018. Fisher Flats and Fisher’s Bend Properties, Biological Opportunities and Constraints Analysis. August 2018.

Holland, R. F. 1986. Preliminary descriptions of the terrestrial natural communities of California. California Department of Fish and Game.

ICF International. 2012. Final Santa Clara Valley Habitat Plan. Santa Clara County, California. Prepared by the City of Gilroy, City of Morgan Hill, City of San Jose, County of Santa Clara, Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority, and Santa Clara Valley Water District.

Jaramillo, A. P. 1993. Wintering Swainson's hawks in Argentina: Food and age segregation. Condor 95:475-479.

Jennings, M. R., and M., P. Hayes. 1994. Amphibian and reptile species of special concern in California. California Department of Fish and Game, Inland Fisheries Division.

Kreith, M. 2007. Wild Pigs in California: The Issues. Agricultural Issues Center Issues Brief: 1–6.

Kyle, K. 2011. Tricolored Blackbird Habitat on California Department of Fish and Game Properties. An Assessment of Existing and Potential Habitat Recommendations for Habitat Improvement and Maintenance. July 2011. Nongame Wildlife Program report 2011-07.

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Pathways for Wildlife. 2016. Coyote Valley Linkage Assessment Study Final Report. Prepared for California Department of Fish and Wildlife, Santa Clara Valley Open Space Authority, and Guadalupe-Coyote Resource Conservation District. 79 pp.

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Pathways for Wildlife. 2018b. Monitoring the effectiveness of culvert maintenance and debris removal for wildlife passage at US 101 in Coyote Valley. Prepared for POST.

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Phillips, R. A., W. G. Bousman, M. Rogers, R. Bourbour, B. Martinico, and M. Mammoser. 2014. First successful nesting of Swainson’s hawk in Santa Clara County, California since the 1980s. Western Birds 45:176-182.

Rottenborn, S. C. 2007. Tricolored blackbird Agelaius tricolor. Pages 426-427 in W. G. Bousman, editor. Breeding Bird Atlas of Santa Clara County. Santa Clara Valley Audubon Society, Cupertino, California.

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