UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA BLUE OAK RANCH RESERVE MULTI-USE FACILITIES AND INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECT Initial Study and Mitigated Negative Declaration The following Initial Study has been prepared in compliance with CEQA. PREPARED BY: UC BERKELEY PHYSICAL &ENVIRONMENTAL PLANNING Capital Projects 300 A&E Building Berkeley, California 94720-1382 August 2013 CONTACT: BETH PIATNITZA, ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR 510-643-2082 TABLE OF CONTENTS 1. PROJECT INFORMATION...........................................................................................................................1 2. INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................................2 2.1 Initial Study.......................................................................................................................................2 2.2 Public and Agency Review...............................................................................................................3 2.3 Organization of the Initial Study.......................................................................................................3 3. PROJECT DESCRIPTION.............................................................................................................................5 3.1 Regional Location.............................................................................................................................5 3.2 Project Overview...............................................................................................................................5 3.3 Project Site........................................................................................................................................5 3.4 Project Elements ...............................................................................................................................6 3.5 Construction Schedule and Staging.................................................................................................12 3.6 Project Need and Objectives...........................................................................................................12 3.7 Surrounding land uses and environmental setting...........................................................................12 3.8 Conservation Easement...................................................................................................................13 3.9 Project Approvals............................................................................................................................13 4. ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS POTENTIALLY AFFECTED ................................................................14 5. DETERMINATION......................................................................................................................................14 6. EVALUATION OF ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS .................................................................................15 6.1 Aesthetics........................................................................................................................................16 6.2 Agriculture and Forestry Resources................................................................................................18 6.3 Air Quality ......................................................................................................................................20 6.4 Biological Resources.......................................................................................................................24 6.5 Cultural Resources..........................................................................................................................31 6.6 Geology and Soils...........................................................................................................................35 6.7 Greenhouse Gas Emissions.............................................................................................................38 6.8 Hazards and Hazardous Materials...................................................................................................40 6.9 Hydrology and Water Quality.........................................................................................................43 6.10 Land Use and Planning ...................................................................................................................47 6.11 Mineral Resources...........................................................................................................................49 6.12 Noise ...............................................................................................................................................50 6.13 Population and Housing..................................................................................................................53 6.14 Public Services................................................................................................................................55 6.15 Recreation .......................................................................................................................................57 6.16 Transportation/Traffic.....................................................................................................................58 6.17 Utilities and Service Systems..........................................................................................................61 6.18 Mandatory Findings of Significance...............................................................................................64 7. COMMENTS AND RESPONSES................................................................................................................66 8. SUPPORTING INFORMATION SOURCES...............................................................................................90 9. INITIAL STUDY PREPARERS...................................................................................................................91 Appendix A. Proposed Mitigated Negative Declaration Appendix B. Biological Resources Study Report Appendix C. Archaeological Resources Assessment Report Appendix D. Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program University of California Blue Oak Ranch Reserve Multi-áse Facilities and Infrastructure Project i LIST OF FIGURES 1 Regional Location ...........................................................................................................................................7 2 Project Location ..............................................................................................................................................8 3 Project Site Plan ..............................................................................................................................................9 LIST OF TABLES 1 New Construction............................................................................................................................................6 2 Special Status Wildlife Species with a Potential to Occur in the Project Area .............................................26 University of California Blue Oak Ranch Reserve Multi-áse Facilities and Infrastructure Project ii UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA August 2013 Berkeley Campus 1. PROJECT INFORMATION Project title: Blue Oak Ranch Reserve Multi-Use Facilities and Infrastructure Project Lead agency’s name and address: The Regents of the University of California 1111 Franklin Street Oakland, California 94607 Contact person: Beth Piatnitza, Associate Director UC Berkeley Physical & Environmental Planning Capital Projects 300 A&E Building Berkeley, California 94720-1382 510-643-2082 Project location: University of California Blue Oak Ranch Reserve Santa Clara County Project sponsor’s name and address: UC Berkeley Physical & Environmental Planning Capital Projects 300 A&E Building Berkeley, California 94720-1382 Location of administrative record: See lead agency. University of California Blue Oak Ranch Reserve Multi-Use Facilities and Infrastructure Project 1 2. INTRODUCTION The mission of the University of California, Natural Reserve System’s (NRS) Blue Oak Ranch Reserve (hereafter, the Blue Oak Ranch Reserve or the Reserve), located on the west-facing slope of the Diablo Range in northern Santa Clara County, California, is to contribute to the understanding and wise stewardship of the Earth and its natural systems by supporting university-level teaching, research and public service at protected natural areas throughout California The Reserve disseminates this knowledge to promote wise management and conservation of natural and cultural resources. Comprised of 3,260 acres of non-native grassland, mixed species oak, woodland and savanna, coastal chaparral, and extensive riparian habitat, the Reserve provides access to protected habitats, support facilities, and scientific equipment. The University’s NRS draws scientists from around the world to conduct research in protected landscapes. The Blue Oak Ranch Reserve became part of the NRS in 2007 and has grown in its use in field courses and as a resource for researchers from many sectors – including academic, business, government agencies, and NGOs. Research activities range across a broad spectrum of biological and physical sciences, from population genetic studies and systematics to whole ecosystems and the effects of climate change. Due to the lack of housing facilities, students and researchers are on the Reserve only - during dry months as campers. The proposed project, to be