Gentry Suisun Draft EIR Vol II
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Gentry/Suisun Annexation Traffic Impact Study February 2006 APPENDIX A- EXISTING TRAFFIC COUNTS 162 Gentry/Suisun Annexation Traffic Impact Study February 2006 APPENDIX B- EXISTING LOS RESULTS 163 Gentry/Suisun Annexation Traffic Impact Study February 2006 APPENDIX C- EXISTING PLUS APPROVED LOS RESULTS 164 Gentry/Suisun Annexation Traffic Impact Study February 2006 APPENDIX D- MODEL DOCUMENTATION 165 Gentry/Suisun Annexation Traffic Impact Study February 2006 APPENDIX E- CUMULATIVE LOS RESULTS 166 Administrative Draft EIR Suisun Gentry Project February 10, 2006 4.8 BIOLOGICAL RESOURCES INTRODUCTION This section of the Environmental Impact Report (EIR) evaluates potential biological resource impacts associated with the implementation of the Proposed Suisun Gentry Project and includes a discussion of the mitigation measures necessary to reduce impacts to a less-than-significant level where possible. The information contained in this analysis is primarily based upon the Biological Assessment, Gentry-Suisun Project, City of Suisun City, Solano County, California prepared by The Huffman-Broadway Group (2006) and the Wetland Delineation and Special- Status Species Survey Report prepared by Vollmar Consulting (2003). Additional details on plant and wildlife species presence are based upon field surveys performed by Foothill Associates’ biologists. This report describes the habitat types, jurisdictional waters, and presence/absence of special-status plants and animals at the Proposed Project area and provides a review of existing literature, maps, and aerial photography pertaining to the biological resources of the area. It also evaluates potential impacts of the proposed Project in relation to CEQA and other environmental laws, and provides mitigation recommendations. Foothill Associates has prepared this Section of the EIR for the proposed Suisun Gentry Project (Project) in central Solano County, California. The Proposed Project includes the following components: Subdivision and development of a mixed-use Project on 88.44 acres of the Annexation Properties (i.e., the “Project Site” or the “Mixed Use Site,” see Section 2.2.2). Annexation of 172.36 acres from Solano County into the City of Suisun City (i.e., the “Annexation Properties”) The Proposed Project will occur within the “Project Area,” which comprises 493.36 acres south of State Highway 12, west of the City of Suisun City, as shown on Figure 4.8-1. Figure 4.8-1 also shows the Project Area overlain on a portion of the Fairfield South 7.5-minute United States Geological Survey (USGS) topographic map. Five Planning Areas have been defined within the Project Area; Figure 4.8-1 shows the designated Planning Areas. The Mixed Use Site (a.k.a. the “Project Site”) will be developed on Planning Areas 1, 2 and 3. Wetlands preservation and creation areas are anticipated to be developed on Planning Areas 4 and 5. Figure 4.8-2 shows the parcels and names of the properties that comprise the Project Area, including both the “Project Site” and the “Annexation Properties,” the five Planning Areas; Table 4.8-1 lists parcel numbers, acreages, and owners within the Project Area. Because previous wetland delineations and special-status species studies that are incorporated into this Biological Assessment refer to the “Gentry,” “Tooby,” and “Barnfield” properties, this naming Chapter 4.8 – Biological Resources 4.8-1 Administrative Draft EIR Suisun Gentry Project February 10, 2006 convention is used herein to facilitate reference to the previous studies, although the Tooby and Barnfield properties – as well as the Gentry property – are now owned by Tom Gentry California Company. The “Gentry” property refers to Planning Area 1 (part of APN 0032-010-390) and part of Planning Area 2 (i.e., APN 0032-190-260 only). The “Tooby” property refers to Planning Area 3 (part of APN 0032-020-100) and Planning Area 4 (part of APNs 0032-020-100, 0032-020-140, and 0032-020-160). The “Barnfield” property refers to Planning Area 5. Figure 4.8-2 also shows the “Annexation Properties” to be annexed by the City of Suisun City (Table 4.8-2). The Annexation Properties comprise 172.36 acres, which includes the 88.44-acre Project Site (Table 4.8-2). These include the Gilbert parcel, the Ardave parcel, the Sheldon Oil parcel, and the Union Pacific Railroad (UPRR), Cordelia Road, and Pennsylvania Avenue rights of way. METHODS The Tooby, Gentry, and Barnfield properties have been the subject of detailed wetland delineations conducted by Vollmar Consulting and verified by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (“Corps”) on February 20, 2003. The Gilbert parcel, Sheldon Oil parcel, Ardave parcel and the various rights of way included in the Project Area were the subject of a preliminary wetlands assessment conducted by Terry Huffman, Ph.D. of Huffman-Broadway Group (HBG) in July 2005, but these parcels have not been the subject of detailed wetland delineation. A general biological survey of the Gilbert parcel, Sheldon Oil parcel, Ardave parcel and the various rights of way included in the Project Area as well as Planning Area 2 were conducted by Foothill Associates’ biologist Thomas Ryan on February 6, 2006. Mr. John Vollmar and Mr. Vir McCoy of Vollmar Consulting conducted special-status plant surveys on the Gentry and Tooby properties during spring and summer 2000. Mr. Vollmar conducted an additional special-status plant survey during late April and early May 2001 and 2002. Gentry and Tooby property spring field surveys were conducted May 3 and 4, 2000, with an additional summer survey conducted on August 15, 2000. The second spring survey was conducted on April 26, 2001. Plant surveys during 2000 – 2002 were part of a broader biological survey and wetland delineation. During all surveys, each of the three properties was walked, with the survey effort focused on specialized habitats with high potential to support special-status plant species. All plant species observed were identified and recorded. Those specimens that could not be readily identified in the field were collected and identified later. Locations of special-status plants were mapped onto enlarged (1:3,600) aerial photo base maps of the three properties obtained from WAC Corporation in Eugene, Oregon (WAC Corporation 1999). The aerial photos were taken in spring 1999. Spring surveys conducted between 2000 and 2002 on all three properties targeted special-status plant species associated with vernal pool, annual grassland, and seasonally saturated grassland habitats. Spring surveys were timed to coincide with peak blooms of spring Chapter 4.8 – Biological Resources 4.8-2 Administrative Draft EIR Suisun Gentry Project February 10, 2006 periods, which typically occur during mid-spring. The summer surveys of 2000 targeted special- status plant species associated with alkali seasonal marsh and perennial marsh habitats. The summer surveys were timed to coincide with the peak summer bloom period, which typically occurs during mid-summer. Ms. Gretchen Vos, Mr. Vir McCoy, Ms. Shannon Hickey, and Ms. Wendy Renz conducted special-status plant surveys on the Gentry, Tooby, and Barnfield properties on April 6, 7, 8, 11, 12, 13, and 15, and August 8, 2005. The surveys targeted special-status plant species associated with vernal pool, annual grassland, alkaline seasonal marsh, and seasonally saturated grassland habitats. The April surveys were timed to coincide with peak spring bloom. The August surveys focused on the alkali seasonal marsh and perennial brackish marsh habitats associated with the upper Suisun Marsh and were timed, to coincide with the peak summer bloom period. Surveys during 2005 focused on special-status plant species only. The surveys included complete coverage of each of the Gentry, Tooby, and Barnfield properties with special focus on specialized habitats with high potential to support special-status plant species. During these surveys, any new species were identified and recorded. Locations of special-status plants were mapped using a GPS unit with sub-meter accuracy (Trimble GeoXT). At each occurrence of a special-status plant, the number and density of plants, the associated species, and basic habitat information were recorded. The number of plants was determined by visual estimate. Attachment 1: Table 1, includes a list of all plant species identified on the three properties. Scientific plant names used correspond to Hickman (1993). Common plant names are from Hickman (1993) and Reed (1988). The results of the 2000, 2001 and 2002 special status plant surveys are reported in Special-Status Species Survey and Wetland Delineation Report for the Barnfield Property, Suisun, Solano County, California (Vollmar Consulting, November 11, 2003), and Wetland Delineation and Special Status Species Survey Report for the Gentry and Tooby Properties, Suisun, Solano County, California (Vollmar Consulting, January 27, 2003). These reports are available under separate cover and are summarized below. The results of the spring 2005 surveys and summaries of the earlier findings are reported in Gentry, Tooby and Barnfield Properties- Special-Status Plant Survey Report 2000 – 2002 and 2005 Field Seasons (Vollmar Consulting, June 23, 2005). Protocol level wet-season surveys for federally-listed vernal pool large branchiopods (fairy and tadpole shrimp) were conducted during the winter/spring of 1999/2000 by May Consulting Services. These surveys also served to check for the presence of California tiger salamanders (Ambystoma californiense), Ricksecker’s water scavenger beetle