SCREENING FORM FOR LOW-EFFECT HCP DETERMINATIONS I. Project Information A. Project name: Low-Effect Habitat Conservation Plan for the Plan for the San Lorenzo Valley Water District’s Probation Tank Replacement Project in Felton, Santa Cruz County, California B. Affected species: Federally endangered Mount Hermon June beetle (Polyphylla barbata), Zayante band-winged grasshopper (Trimerotropis infantilis), Ben Lomond spineflower (Chorizanthe pungens var. hartwegiana), and Ben Lomond wallflower (Erysimum teretifolium) C. Proje ct s ize (in stream miles and acres): Construction of a new water tank and infrastructure is proposed on a 28-acre parcel (APN: 061-371-16) which would disturb a total of 18,800 square feet (0.432 acre). D. B rie f proje ct description including minimization and mitigation plans: Purpose, Need, and Duration The San Lorenzo Valley Water District (District) is seeking an incidental take permit, under Section 10(a)(1)(B) of the Federal Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act), for take of the federally endangered Mount Hermon June beetle and Zayante band-winged grasshopper. This HCP also addresses potential impacts to the federally endangered Ben Lomond spineflower and Ben Lomond wallflower. Impacts to the Mount Hermon June beetle, Zayante band-winged grasshopper, and Ben Lomond spineflower would result primarily from replacement of an existing, dilapidated 100,000-gallon, redwood water tank with a new, 527,000-gallon, welded steel water tank. The new tank is needed to provide adequate water for existing domestic use by 700 households as well as for firefighting and other emergencies. Short-term impacts to all four species may occur during on-going management of a conservation easement that the District proposes to establish off-site to compensate for the tank replacement project impacts. A 20-year permit term is requested to address incidental take of the Mount Hermon June beetle and Zayante band-winged grasshopper, and impacts to the Ben Lomond spineflower, that may result from implementation of the tank replacement project during construction and on-site restoration. The incidental take permit is also requested to cover take of these species as well as the Ben Lomond wallflower during the implementation of off-site habitat management of a 6.7-acre conservation easement area, as part of the proposed conservation strategy. Covered Lands The project site is located within the District’s existing 0.443-acre easement area on the northern portion of the County of Santa Cruz’s 28-acre parcel located at 3650 Graham Hill Road between the City of Scotts Valley and Felton, an unincorporated town within the County of Santa Cruz in central coastal California (APN: 061-371-16). The new tank will be situated in the location of the existing tank; however, the larger tank will cover adjacent intact habitat. The total project disturbance envelope, which includes the space required for the 8-foot wide paved path, utilities, and associated appurtenances, as well as that required for staging equipment and materials, is 18,800 square feet (sq ft) (0.432-acre; Figure 2). The incidental take permit is also requested to cover take of these species as well as the Ben Lomond wallflower during implementation of off-site habitat management in a 6.7-acre conservation easement area, as part of the proposed conservation strategy. Species Occupation and Baseline Of the 18,800 sq ft (0.432 acre) within the project disturbance envelope, 1,700 sq ft is covered by the existing tank and other areas of impervious surface, and is therefore not habitat for the listed species. The remaining 17,100 sq ft (0.392 acre) features Zayante soils which can support the fossorial Mount Hermon June beetle. Of this area, 13,100 sq ft (0.301 acre) has the potential to support dispersing Zayante band-winged grasshoppers. Additionally, 925 sq ft (0.021 acre) of the 17,100 sq ft (0.392-acre) of habitat to be impacted, features an aboveground occurrence of the Ben Lomond spineflower. The project area does not support Ben Lomond wallflower; incorporation of this species into the conservation strategy is intended to address potential impacts associated with management and monitoring in the proposed conservation easement area. Implementation of the project would result in permanent impacts to 4,580 sq ft (0.105 acre) of habitat. The remaining 12,520 sq ft (0.2875 acre) would be temporarily impacted as a result of vegetation removal and soil disturbance associated with the project. Goals and Objectives Goal 1: Avoid and minimize impacts to the Mount Hermon June beetle, Zayante band-winged grasshopper, and Ben Lomond spineflower within the project site. Objective 1.1: During the summer prior to construction, a qualified biologist will collect the seeds of all the Ben Lomond spineflower from within the project impact area, for use in restoration of the project area, post construction. Objective 1.2: Monitor construction activities to: capture and relocate any Mount Hermon June beetles observed during construction to intact habitat that would not be impacted by project activities, and 2) to ensure any Zayante band-winged grasshoppers disperse from the project area if found in an area to be impacted. Objective 1.3: Minimize removal of native Sandhills plant species. Objective 1.4: Avoid landscaping with turf grass, weed matting, aggregate, and mulch. Objective 1.5: Minimize the use of night lighting. Goal 2: Restore habitat within the 8,520-sq ft (0.196-acre) area of temporary disturbance in the proposed project area, to re-establish native plants including the Ben Lomond spineflower, and restore habitat for the Mount Hermon June beetle and Zayante band-winged grasshopper. Objective 2.1: Implement the plan to restore habitat in the 8,520-sq ft (0.196-acre) area of temporary impact, by controlling erosion and establishing native plants from site-collected propagules, including the Ben Lomond spineflower seed salvaged from the impact area prior to project implementation, and host plants for the Mount Hermon June beetle and Zayante band-winged grasshopper. Goal 3: Protect and manage habitat for the Mount Hermon June beetle, Zayante band-winged grasshopper and Ben Lomond spineflower at an off-site location of long-term conservation value for the species. Objective 3.1: Permanently protect and manage a 43,342-sq ft (0.995-acre) area within a 6.7-acre conservation easement at the District’s Olympia Wellfield. Alternatively, in the event of unforeseen delays or postponement of the conservation easement, the District will fund the protection of 35,414 sq ft (0.813 acre) of habitat through the purchase of conservation credits, at the Zayante Sandhills Conservation Bank Project Description, Avoidance and Minimization, Mitigation The proposed project site is located within an easement area on a 28-acre parcel owned by the County of Santa Cruz. A juvenile detention facility is located within the parcel. The District proposed to replace a dilapidated water tank with a new and larger tank and associated infrastructure. The impact area where ground disturbing activities would take place is 18,800 sq ft (0.432 acre). The HCP’s conservation strategy includes the following measures designed to avoid and minimize the proposed project’s impacts on the Mount Hermon June beetle, Zayante band-winged grasshopper, and Ben Lomond spineflower. 1. During the summer prior to construction, a qualified biologist will collect the seed of all Ben Lomond spineflower within the proposed impact area. The seeds would be stored off site in climate-controlled conditions for use in post-construction habitat restoration. 2. Prior to ground disturbing activities, the perimeter of the project footprint will be fenced to ensure all disturbance is confined to the impact area. 3. Adult male Mount Hermon June beetles actively search for breeding females during the evenings between approximately May 15 and August 15. During this period, if grading or construction occurs, all exposed soils within the impact area will be covered by an impervious material to prevent dispersing beetles from burrowing and subsequently being injured or killed by soil disturbance. 4. Prior to initiation of ground disturbing activities, a qualified biologist will conduct a pre- construction training for all personnel, to facilitate their implementation of species protection measures. The training will include pictures of each species and outline the avoidance and minimization measures that must be implemented to protect them. 5. A qualified biologist will be on-site during all ground disturbing activities when Mount Hermon June beetles or Zayante band-winged grasshoppers have the potential to occur in the project area. If a Mount Hermon June beetle or Zayante band-winged grasshopper is observed, by anyone, in an area to be impacted, all work must cease until the qualified biologist can remove them from the project area. The biologist will ensure that Zayante band-winged grasshoppers disperse from the project area if any are observed. The biologist will capture and relocate any Mount Hermon June beetles to nearby suitable habitat that will not be impacted by project activities. 6. Adult Mount Hermon June beetles are distracted by light during the night, which can disrupt breeding activity. No new lighting will be installed with this project. 7. Because Mount Hermon June beetle adults emerge from the soil to attract and search for mates, turf grass, dense ground cover, weed matting, aggregate, and mulch will not be used in this project. To mitigate for unavoidable take of Mount Hermon June beetle and Zayante band-winged grasshopper habitat associated with both the temporary and permanent impacts, the District will permanently protect and manage a 43,342-sq ft (0.995-acre) area within a 6.7-acre conservation easement at the District’s Olympia Wellfield.