Chapter 6 Natural Resources and Conservation

6.1 Introduction

This chapter analyzes the impacts associated with implementation of the proposed general plan on the following natural resources in the planning area (sections 6.2–6.7, respectively):

„ water resources,

„ agriculture,

„ biological resources,

„ air quality,

„ visual resources, and

„ cultural resources.

The impacts of the four alternatives evaluated in this program EIR are qualitatively compared to those impacts of the proposed general plan at the end of each section. Flooding and other hazards are addressed in chapter 7, and storm drainage and conveyance facilities are addressed in chapter 5.

6.2 Water Resources 6.2.1 Environmental Setting

Regulatory Setting

Beneficial uses and water quality objectives for surface water and groundwater resources in the planning area are established in a Water Quality Control Plan (Basin Plan) by the San Francisco Bay RWQCB, as mandated by the state Porter-Cologne Act and federal Clean Water Act (CWA) (San Francisco Bay Regional Water Quality Control Board 1995). The San Francisco Bay RWQCB is also responsible for administering and enforcing the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit program to manage and monitor point and nonpoint source pollution. NPDES stormwater permits are required for

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projects that disturb more than 5 acres of land. Individual NPDES stormwater permits are required for urban areas with populations greater than 100,000, and self-implemented general NPDES stormwater permits are required for most industrial facilities and for construction sites exceeding 5 acres of disturbance. The FSSD administers the Urban Runoff Management Program that was developed for the Cities of Fairfield and Suisun City to comply with the urban NPDES permit requirements (EOA 2000).

The general NPDES stormwater permits for general industrial and construction activities require an applicant to file a public notice of intent (NOI) with the applicable RWQCB to discharge stormwater and prepare and to implement a storm water pollution prevention plan (SWPPP). The SWPPP includes a site map, description of stormwater discharge activities, and best management practices (BMPs) that would be employed to prevent water pollution. The SWPPP for general construction activity permits must describe BMPs that would be used to control soil erosion and discharges of other construction-related pollutants (e.g., petroleum products, solvents, paints, cement) that could contaminate nearby water resources. Inspection of BMPs is required to ensure compliance with the SWPPP. The FSSD reviews major development proposals to ensure compliance with the industrial and construction NPDES permit requirements.

Surface Water

Surface Water Resources

Fairfield has a mild Mediterranean climate characteristic of central California, with hot, dry summers and cool, wet winters. Average annual precipitation is approximately 21 inches at the lower elevations in the Fairfield municipal area. Approximately 85% of this precipitation occurs as moderate to intense rainfall from November–March (California Department of Water Resources 2001).

Watersheds encompassing the Fairfield area are small, ranging in size from 1.1– 49.5 square miles with a combined drainage area of 142 square miles (90,880 acres). The intermittent or perennial stream systems drain south or east through the study area into Suisun Marsh, the dominant surface water feature of the region. Figure 5-2 shows the major named streams draining the study area from north to south, including McCoy, Laurel, Union Avenue, Pennsylvania Avenue, Ledgewood, Suisun, Dan Wilson, and Green Valley Creeks. Jameson Canyon and American Canyon Creeks drain the area from west to east. The upper reaches of Suisun and Green Valley Creeks originate in the Vaca Mountains and are the largest streams in the area. Water in these streams is impounded with dams at various locations and provides more than 13,000 acre-feet (af) of water to Vallejo. Suisun and Green Valley Creeks are major streams used for irrigation that flow through fertile stream valleys with excellent soil.

McCoy, Laurel, Union Avenue, and Pennsylvania Avenue Creeks drain the watersheds north of Travis AFB and Fairfield, discharging through minor sloughs into Suisun Slough. Suisun, Dan Wilson, and Green Valley Creeks

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originate in the Vaca Mountains and drain upper and lower Suisun and Green Valleys between Cordelia and Fairfield before emptying into Cordelia Slough. Ledgewood Creek also drains Suisun Valley into Suisun Marsh. Jameson Canyon and American Canyon Creeks collect runoff from part of the Coast Ranges southwest of Cordelia and discharge into Cordelia Slough. Many modifications of the natural stream alignments have been constructed at the lower elevations leading to Suisun Marsh to increase flow capacity in channels and reduce flooding hazards.

The Putah South Canal traverses the study area from northeast to southwest, delivering water from Lake Berryessa for agricultural and municipal purposes in the study area. The North Bay Aqueduct generally parallels the Putah South Canal through Fairfield to the south and conveys water from the Delta to Fairfield. The SID provides irrigation water from Lake Berryessa to agricultural lands in the vicinity of Fairfield, primarily in the Suisun Valley. A portion of the water that is imported into the Fairfield watersheds ultimately drains into Suisun Marsh as treated municipal wastewater or irrigation return flows.

Surface Water Quality

Fairfield streams have been used primarily for fish and wildlife habitat, recreation, groundwater recharge, and agricultural water supply. City water supplies are provided entirely from imported surface water. The San Francisco Bay RWQCB has designated beneficial uses for Suisun, Green Valley, Laurel, and Ledgewood Creeks that include cold and warm water fish habitat, recreation, migration and spawning, and wildlife habitat (San Francisco Bay Regional Water Quality Control Board 1995). The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has also listed Laurel and Ledgewood Creeks as “water quality limited” on the list of impaired water bodies because of elevated levels of diazanons in Section 303(d) of the federal CWA. The Suisun Marsh wetlands are listed as being impaired by metals, nutrients, organic enrichment, dissolved oxygen, and salinity (EOA 1999).

Background water quality monitoring data for area streams is limited, but previous investigations include a water quality study of the Fairfield streams and sloughs in connection with the Fairfield Vicinity Streams Project that found high levels of nutrients and pesticides and low levels of heavy metals in most streams (U.S. Army Corps of Engineers 1975). Nutrient levels were attributable to agricultural runoff, while the pesticides stemmed primarily from urban runoff. Oxygen content and acidity were within acceptable ranges for aquatic life. Total suspended solids were high, possibly indicating upstream erosion problems. Suspended solids act as carriers for other pollutants such as bacteria and heavy metals and increase stream turbidity and sedimentation.

More recently, the FSSD has conducted specific monitoring for the Urban Runoff Management Program (EOA 2000), an ongoing program being conducted to comply with the regulatory requirements of the NPDES stormwater permit program for urban areas that exceed a population of 100,000. Dry-season monitoring of total and dissolved metals, total suspended solids, coliform

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bacteria, and 2 pesticides (diazanon and chlorpyrifos) in McCoy, Laurel, Ledgewood, Green Valley, and American Canyon Creeks was conducted on 4 dates during summer 1999 and summer 2000 (EOA 2000). The data indicated that water quality in general was very good given the urban environment through which the streams flow. Arsenic was elevated in McCoy Creek and was hypothesized to result from extended detention of the flows in a large upstream detention basin that allowed sufficient time for natural arsenic to leach from the soil into the water. The FSSD is continuing to investigate the arsenic problem with University of California, Davis staff.

Maintaining and enhancing water quality in the area streams is important because all runoff and wastewater from the study area eventually discharges into Suisun Marsh. Suisun Marsh is protected under state law (the Suisun Marsh Preservation Act of 1977) in recognition of its irreplaceable value as a wildlife and aquatic habitat. The water quality of Suisun Marsh is influenced mainly by temperature, turbidity, contaminants, and salinity. Salinity is steadily increasing because of fresh water diversions from the Delta, increasing the importance of local freshwater inflow from groundwater, runoff, and wastewater discharge (California Department of Water Resources 1991). The CDWR, in accordance with the Suisun Marsh Preservation Act, installed control structures on Montezuma Slough to control salinity intrusions into Suisun Marsh. Treated wastewater from the Fairfield treatment plant is discharged to Suisun Marsh and receives a tertiary-level of treatment so that it meets the strict standards set for drinking water.

Groundwater

Groundwater Resources

The Fairfield-Suisun Valley Aquifer is the principal aquifer that underlies the study area. The aquifer yields less than 200 gallons per minute per well (City of Fairfield 1999). The most important water-bearing formations are the gravel and sand deposits within the older alluvium, which is up to 200 feet thick. The Tehama Formation and similar rock formations are also sources of groundwater. Groundwater is recharged by percolation of rainfall, irrigation water, streamflow, losses from distribution and drainage canals, and subsurface inflow from the west and north. Aquifer storage capacity is approximately 226,000 af, but less than half of the groundwater may be usable because of certain inorganic minerals, such as boron (California Department of Water Resources 1981). The aquifer is connected hydraulically to Suisun Marsh, and the groundwater generally flows south and east toward the marsh. Suisun Marsh is dependent on this influx of fresh water to preserve its salt balance.

The City does not use groundwater for its municipal water supply. The estimated use of groundwater by private wells throughout the Fairfield area and areas served by the SID is relatively small—about 6,500 af (California Department of Water Resources 1982). The average depth of area wells is 100 feet, but some wells are over 800 feet deep (California Department of Water Resources 1994). Groundwater has been used historically for crop irrigation because of water

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quality limitations for municipal and agricultural uses. By the 1950s, groundwater levels had dropped significantly due to pumping throughout the study area, particularly in the area southwest of Fairfield (California Department of Water Resources 1994). However, importation of surface water supplies for domestic use from construction of the Putah South Canal in 1961 and the North Bay Aqueduct in 1985 resulted in significant recovery of natural groundwater levels. The groundwater basin can now safely augment surface water supplies during times of drought without exhibiting significant reductions in groundwater levels.

Groundwater Quality

Groundwater quality is generally considered poor because of high salt content (California Department of Water Resources 1982). The salt content, expressed as total dissolved solids (TDS), varies from 300–6,000 milligrams per liter (mgl), with average values above 900 mgl (City of Fairfield 1999). The water is dominated by sodium bicarbonate ions (U.S. Geological Survey 1985). The state secondary drinking water standard for taste concerns is 500 mgl if other drinking water sources are available. Salt content should be below 1,000 mgl for agricultural purposes (San Francisco Bay Regional Water Quality Control Board 1995).

6.2.2 Methodology

The following analysis focuses on potential physical changes in the current environment resulting from the proposed general plan. Existing conditions for water resources are considered the baseline for analysis. The impacts of the proposed general plan on water resources and water quality are evaluated qualitatively. The proposed general plan policies are also evaluated for compliance with state and federal regulations.

Thresholds of Significance

The following thresholds of significance are relevant to the proposed general plan and are derived from Appendix G of the State CEQA Guidelines and standard practice. The proposed general plan would have a significant impact if it would:

„ substantially degrade groundwater quality;

„ create or contribute runoff water that would exceed the capacity of existing or planned stormwater drainage systems or provide substantial additional sources of polluted runoff;

„ otherwise substantially degrade water quality;

„ substantially deplete groundwater supplies or interfere substantially with groundwater recharge such that there would be a net deficit in aquifer

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volume or a lowering of the local groundwater table level (e.g., the production rate of preexisting nearby wells would drop to a level that would not support existing land uses or planned uses for which permits have been granted);

„ substantially alter the existing drainage pattern of the site or area, including alteration of the course of a stream or river, in a manner which would result in substantial erosion or siltation onsite or offsite;

„ cause increased erosion or siltation of streams;

„ alter the hydrology of Suisun Marsh by changing the volume, rate, or flow of runoff entering the marsh;

„ decrease the volume or alter the flow of groundwater;

„ increase saltwater intrusion in the groundwater aquifer;

„ substantially degrade water quality of Fairfield streams and Suisun Marsh through pollutant discharges, physical or chemical changes of water bodies, or increased erosion and sedimentation;

„ substantially degrade groundwater quality;

„ increase the risk of accidental surface water or groundwater contamination; or

„ be inconsistent with federal, state, or local water quality plans and policies.

6.2.3 Relevant General Plan Policies

The following policies of the proposed general plan address water resource issues associated with stormwater conveyance and water quality:

„ Policy PF 8.1 The City shall condition approval of development projects on the provision of adequate storm drainage improvements.

„ Policy PF 8.2 The City shall extend storm drains to new areas in accordance with the phasing of a storm drainage master plan.

‰ Program PF 8.2.A Prepare Master Storm Drainage Plans to support general plan and areawide plan land uses, including proposed drainage facilities and estimated costs, for the following watersheds: (1) McCoy Creek upstream of the Bureau of Reclamation Retention Basin, (2) Union Creek north of Travis Air Force Base, (3) Dan Wilson Creek, Suisun Creek and Green Valley Creek, and (4) unnamed creeks east of Union Creek.

„ Policy PF 8.4 Improve long-term drainage management in the watersheds affecting the City of Fairfield by establishing cooperative relationships with other agencies or jurisdictions for the purpose of planning and coordinating drainage programs and policies on a regional basis.

„ Policy PF 8.5 Detention basins should be considered for multiple use (recreation, parking, etc.) particularly larger basins, providing the basic

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detention function is not lost or impaired, and maintenance and liability issues are satisfactorily resolved.

„ Policy PF 9.1 Natural and manmade channels, detention basins, and other drainage facilities shall be maintained to ensure that the full use and carrying capacity is not impaired.

„ Policy PF 9.2 Continue to require new development to discharge storm runoff at volumes no greater than the capacity of any portion of the existing downstream system by utilizing detention or retention or other approved methods, unless the project is providing drainage pursuant to an adopted drainage plan.

‰ Program PF 9.2.A Consolidate policies, programs, and standards for flood control and storm drainage in a Storm Drainage ordinance.

„ Policy PF 9.4 Utilize a variety of means for floodplain management, including structural improvements, land use and zoning controls, erosion control techniques, set backs, levees, floodways, detention and retention of storm runoff, and other measures as circumstances dictate. Priority will be given to those measures which provide results in a cost-effective way while complying with the Goals of this General Plan, the FEMA requirements, and aesthetic, environmental, and recreational considerations.

‰ Program PF 9.4.A Cooperate with FEMA to revise and update Flood Insurance Maps as drainage improvements occur.

„ Policy HS 3.1 Work with other jurisdictions to ensure stability of dams at Madigan, Frey, and Curry Lakes where dam failure could result in property damage or personal risk.

‰ Program HS 3.1.A Uphold minimum FEMA standards for flood control facilities.

„ Policy HS 3.2 Require development within flood plain areas to comply with FEMA regulations by providing adequate flood mitigation and financial protection in the event of flooding.

‰ Program HS 3.3.A A report prepared by a state-registered civil engineer detailing the results of an inspection of the applicable portions of the Putah South Canal shall accompany all projects involving human occupancy which fall within potential inundation proximity of the Putah South Canal. The reports shall include discussion of the reliability of the facility during a 100-year flood event, potential for landsliding, slumping and liquefaction, likely inundation area and any improvements necessary to mitigate identified hazards or risk.

„ Policy HS 3.5 Development that interferes with channel capacity or causes erosion and siltation shall not be allowed.

„ Policy HS 3.6 The City should consider adopting road construction standards for areas designated as flood prone which allow for the passage of flood water under the road surface unless a diking effect is desired.

The following policies of the proposed general plan address water quality protection of the surface and groundwater resources in the study area:

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‰ Program PF 8.4.A Cooperate with the FSSD implement and annually update the Urban Runoff Management Program to control stormwater pollution of Suisun Marsh and San Francisco Bay.

„ Policy HS2.8 Require an erosion control and rehabilitation plan to be prepared for projects requiring substantial groundbreaking activities to control short-term and long-term erosion and sedimentation in nearby streams and rivers.

„ Policy OS 9.1 Promote restoration and establish permanent mechanisms to protect wetlands and riparian corridors.

„ Policy OS 9.2 Manage all seasonal creeks and other drainage courses so as to protect and enhance the Suisun Marsh.

6.2.4 Impacts and Mitigation Measures

The water resource impacts of the proposed general plan on both citywide and Residential and Mixed Use Revision Area levels are described below. Impacts of the alternatives are compared to those of the proposed general plan at the end of this section.

Impacts of the Proposed General Plan (Citywide)

Impact WQ-1: Potential for Water Quality Degradation from Alteration of Drainage Patterns and Increased Runoff

Implementation of the proposed general plan would allow for development of currently vacant lands. Under the proposed general plan, an estimated 4,600 acres of vacant lands within the Urban Limit Line would be converted to urban uses through buildout, including residential, commercial, industrial, and mixed uses. Development of vacant lands generally contributes to increased runoff rates and subsequent water quality degradation by creating additional impervious surfaces, increasing urban pollutant runoff, and increasing suspended sediments. In areas proposed for development, urban pollutants typically include sediment, turbidity, organic wastes, trash, nutrients (nitrogen and phosphorus), oil and grease, heavy metals, and pesticides. Pollutant loads depend on a variety of factors, including rain intensity, runoff volumes, land uses, and the elapse of time between storms.

Increased impervious surfaces also decrease the effects of recharge of the groundwater from rainfall. Proposed general plan policies and City regulations will moderate these effects to a less-than-significant level. In particular, implementing Policy PF 8.1, Policy PF 8.2, Program PF 8.2.A, Policy PF 8.5, Policy PF 9.2, and Program PF 8.4.A, which are described in the preceding section, will ensure that surface and groundwater quality will not be degraded from development associated with implementing the proposed general plan.

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Impact WQ-2: Long-Term Increase in Siltation and Erosion from Construction and Runoff Associated with Development

As described in chapter 2, “Description of the Proposed General Plan and Alternatives,” the proposed general plan would result in a 41% increase in population from current conditions (98,800) to buildout (136,160). Urban runoff pollutant loads would increase, potentially degrading water quality in the lcoal streams and Suisun Marsh. Also, construction activities associated with development would convert approximately 4,600 acres of vacant lands, which would contribute to cumulative erosion and sedimentation in nearby streams and channels (e.g., the proposed Technology Park designation would allow light industrial, office and administration facilities, research and development, and support business and commercial facilities). Development would potentially increase runoff from this site and could affect Union Creek.

The proposed general plan policies require the installation of adequate storm- drainage facilities to serve future development. State and regional water quality regulations require that drainage water meet NPDES standards before it is discharged to water sources or allowed to enter the groundwater. The City policy of continued participation in the Urban Runoff Management Program ensures compliance with the current state and federal water quality regulations. With implementation of these requirements, the impact will be reduced to a less-than- significant level.

Impacts of the Residential and Mixed Use Revision Areas

Impact WQ-1: Potential for Water Quality Degradation from Alteration of Drainage Patterns and Increased Runoff

a. Suisun Valley Road Site. Implementation of the proposed general plan would allow residential uses in place of the currently designated office commercial on 12.5-acre site. No major watercourse runs adjacent or through the site. Proposed general plan policies relating to minimizing and controlling erosion resulting from development, and surface runoff resulting from additional impermeable surfacing will reduce this impact to a less-than-significant level.

b. Tobin Site. Implementing the proposed general plan would allow mixed residential and commercial uses on this vacant 47-acre site. The site is bordered by Dan Wilson and Suisun Creeks, and development would have the potential to disturb existing drainage patterns and cause sedimentation in the creeks. However, proposed general plan policies relating to creek protection, minimizing erosion resulting from development, and controlling surface runoff resulting from additional impermeable surfacing, including the installation of storm drainage facilities, will reduce this effect to a less-than-significant level.

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c. Texas Street Site. This is an urban site, surrounded by existing development, and served by storm drains. The effect of the proposed general plan would be less than significant.

d. Texas Street/Pennsylvania Avenue Site. Although this site is near Pennsylvania Avenue Creek, it is an urban site, surrounded by existing development, and served by storm drains. The effect of the proposed general plan would be less than significant.

e. Jefferson Street Corridor Site. This is an urban site, surrounded by existing development, and served by storm drains. The effect of the proposed general plan would be less than significant.

f. Mission Village Site. This is a developed site in an urbanized area. Although it is near Union Avenue Creek, it is surrounded by existing development and is served by storm drains. The proposed general plan would have a less-than-significant effect.

g. Dickson Hill Road Site. Implementation of the proposed general plan would not affect any major water course at this site. Proposed general plan policies relating to minimizing and controlling erosion resulting from development, controlling surface runoff resulting from additional impermeable surfacing, and installing storm drains to serve new development will reduce this effect to a less-than-significant level.

h. Train Station Site. The proposed general plan would increase the intensity of land uses in this 130-acre site, some of which is vacant. Development would potentially affect McCoy Creek, but proposed general plan policies relating to creek protection, minimizing and controlling erosion resulting from development, controlling surface runoff resulting from additional impermeable surfacing, and installing storm drains will reduce this effect to a less-than-significant level.

Alternatives to the Proposed General Plan

Alternative 1. Proposed General Plan Excluding the Residential and Mixed Use Revision Areas

The Residential and Mixed Use Revision Areas do not have outstanding hydrologic or water quality impacts. Accordingly, the potential hydrologic and water quality impacts of Alternative 1 would generally be similar to the proposed general plan.

Alternative 2. Development within Existing City Limits

Construction-related water quality impacts within areas designated for urban growth would be less than that described for the proposed general plan land-use designations because Alternative 2 would allow less development than the

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proposal. Overall, the net future water quality impacts would be reduced because the comparatively larger areas of land would not be developed. Potential construction-related water quality impacts are also considered less than significant because all major developments would be subject to NPDES stormwater permit requirements.

Alternative 3. Cordelia Connectors

Construction activities on the northern and southern bypass routes, including grading and clearing operations, can cause temporary water quality impairment from discharges of disturbed and eroded soil, petroleum products, and miscellaneous wastes to receiving waters. Soil and associated contaminants that enter stream channels can increase turbidity, stimulate the growth of nuisance algae, increase sedimentation of aquatic habitat, and introduce compounds toxic to aquatic organisms. The extent of the impacts are dependent upon soil erosion potential, type of construction practice, extent of disturbed areas, timing of construction and precipitation events, and proximity to drainage channels. Long- term operation of vehicles would also increase the likelihood of discharges of oil and fuel to drainage ways such as Dan Wilson and Suisun Creeks and Suisun Marsh.

Alternative 3 would avoid potential impacts that would result from widening Cordelia Road. These would include construction and operational activities along the Cordelia Road alignment.

The road construction project would be required to implement provisions of the NPDES stormwater permit for general construction activity, including BMPs, to avoid and minimize construction-related discharges of pollutants. Therefore, the impact would be less than significant.

Alternative 4. No Project/No Comprehensive Amendment

This alternative considers continued development under the existing general plan. Under this alternative, the existing land-use classifications would remain in effect. The Phasing Areas would remain available for long-term development subject to discretionary approval by the City. The Urban Limit Line would remain in its present location. Drainage would increase above existing levels to a greater extent than under the proposed general plan. Similarly, the potential for disturbing drainage patterns and the level of pollution entering the drainage system would be greater than under the proposed general plan.

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6.3 Agriculture 6.3.1 Environmental Setting

Farmland

The planning area is located in an important agricultural region. According to 1998 data from the Farmland Monitoring and Mapping Program (California Department of Conservation 1998), much of the prime farmland lies west of the planning area in the Green Valley area and between the central Fairfield and Cordelia planning areas. As shown in figure 6-1, approximately 1,179 acres of prime farmland, and 1,488 acres of unique farmland, and 314 acres of farmland of statewide importance are located within the Urban Limit Line.

Figure 6-1 illustrates agricultural land within the planning area. The locations shown on the figure are generalizations; when implementing the agricultural preservation policies of its general plan, the City examines site-specific characteristics such as soil type and availability of water. The Farmland Monitoring and Mapping Program utilizes the following criteria to identify the types of land shown on its maps:

„ Prime Farmland: farmland with the best combination of physical and chemical features able to sustain long term production of agricultural crops (including water moisture, water table, acid-alkali balance, flooding, erodibility, permeability rate, rock fragment content, and soil rooting depth). This land has the soil quality, growing season, and moisture supply needed to produce sustained high yields. Land must have been used for production of irrigated crops at some time during the 4 years prior to the mapping date. The minimum mapping unit is 10 acres.

„ Farmland of Statewide Importance: farmland similar to Prime Farmland but with minor shortcomings, such as greater slopes or less ability to store soil moisture. Land must have been used for production of irrigated crops at some time during the 4 years prior to the mapping date. The minimum mapping unit is 10 acres.

„ Unique Farmland: farmland of lesser quality soils used for the production of the state's leading agricultural crops. This land is usually irrigated, but may include nonirrigated orchards or vineyards as found in some climatic zones in California. Land must have been cropped at some time during the 4 years prior to the mapping date. The minimum mapping unit is 10 acres.

„ Grazing Land: land on which the existing vegetation is suited to the grazing of livestock. This category was developed in cooperation with the California Cattlemen's Association, University of California Cooperative Extension, and other groups interested in the extent of grazing activities. The minimum mapping unit for Grazing Land is 40 acres.

„ Urban and Built-Up Land. Land occupied by structures with a building density of at least 1 unit to 1.5 acres, or approximately 6 structures to a 10-acre parcel. This land is used for residential, industrial, commercial,

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construction, institutional, public administration, railroad and other transportation yards, cemeteries, airports, golf courses, sanitary landfills, sewage treatment, water control structures, and other developed purposes. The minimum mapping unit is 10 acres.

Suisun Valley, located west of central Fairfield, is the major agricultural area in the planning area. The valley extends north toward the planning area boundary and south of I-80, separating urban areas in central Fairfield from developed areas in Cordelia. Major crop types in the valley include orchard crops, vineyards, and row crops.

Regulatory Setting

A substantial amount of agricultural land in the planning area is under state Agricultural Land Conservation Act (Williamson Act) contracts. Agricultural land is regulated primarily by the applicable city or county general plan and zoning ordinances. The Williamson Act, administered by Solano County, offers tax incentives to landowners within identified “agricultural preserves” who agree to restrict their land to agricultural use for a 10-year term. Landowners enter into a contract with Solano County to ensure that their land is enforceably restricted. The termination of a Williamson Act contract is typically initiated by the filing of a notice of nonrenewal by the landowner or the participating jurisdiction. Once a nonrenewal notice has been filed, the contract continues for 9 more years, with assessment rates rising to full market value of zoned use until the contract is terminated.

Under special circumstances, which must be found by the local jurisdiction to be in the best public interest or consistent with the intent of the Williamson Act, the contract may be terminated by immediate cancellation, and the assessed value of the property then returns to full market value. Those who choose to cancel their contracts must wait 10 years before zoning the land for another purpose. The Williamson Act augments zoning regulations and general plans in retaining land in agriculture.

The Land Use Element of the general plan includes two agricultural land use categories: intensive and extensive agricultural. Intensive agricultural lands are those that have the potential for the highest productive yield (usually used for row crops and orchards). These lands generally have prime soils. Suisun Valley and portions of lower Green Valley are characterized by intensive agriculture. Extensive agricultural lands have a relatively lower productive yield and are primarily used for grazing. Extensive agricultural lands in the planning area include hilly slope areas around Fairfield, portions of Suisun Marsh, and areas east and southeast of Travis AFB.

In addition to regulations, the City cooperates with Solano County and the Cities of Benicia, Vallejo, and Vacaville in programs to create agricultural and open- space buffers between each city.

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6.3.2 Methodology

The following analysis focuses on potential physical changes resulting from the general plan revisions, rather than the changes in general plan designations. The baseline for analysis is current agricultural use. The environmental impacts of the proposed general plan on agricultural resources are evaluated qualitatively on a program level.

Thresholds of Significance

Under Appendix G of the State CEQA Guidelines, a project may have a significant effect on agriculture if it would:

„ convert Prime Farmland, Unique Farmland, or Farmland of Statewide Importance (Farmland), as shown on the maps prepared pursuant to the Farmland Mapping and Monitoring Program of the California Resources Agency, to nonagricultural use;

„ conflict with existing zoning for agricultural use or a Williamson Act contract; or

„ involve other changes to the existing environment which, due to their location or nature, could result in conversion of farmland to nonagricultural use.

6.3.3 Relevant General Plan Policies

The following policies of the proposed general plan address agricultural resources:

„ Objective AG 1. Support preservation of existing agricultural lands.

‰ Policy 1.1. Preserve agricultural enterprises by supporting right-to-farm policies, and separating and buffering agricultural lands from new development areas.

‰ Policy AG 1.2. Provide economic support for permanent commitment to agricultural uses.

„ Program AG 1.1A. Provide economic supports for growers: low interest loans, farmers markets, tax reforms, and water subsidies, in exchange for long term commitment to agricultural use

„ Program AG 1.2B. Support the Solano County agricultural preserve program and a strong county right-to-farm ordinance.

„ Program AG 1.2C. Encourage development of agriculture processing and handling industries.

‰ Policy AG 1.3. Maintain current agricultural zoning in the area east of Travis Air Force Base, including the Jepson Prairie.

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‰ Policy AG 1.4. Permanently preserve productive agricultural lands within the Suisun Valley by continuing to direct new urban development away from the Suisun Valley.

‰ Policy AG 1.5. Strongly reaffirm the City of Fairfield’s commitment to the basic goals of the 1974 Agreement between the City of Fairfield, Solano County Flood Control and Water District, and the Solano Irrigation District (the “SID Agreement”), and actively participate in any local measures that promote preservation of agriculture adjacent to Fairfield.

„ Program AG 1.5A. The City shall, in cooperation with Solano County and the Solano Irrigation District, initiate and support an extension of the SID Agreement beyond its current expiration date of January 1, 2006.

‰ Policy AG 1.6. What is Urban shall be municipal, and what is rural shall be within the County. Any urban development requiring basic municipal services shall occur only within the incorporated City and within the urban limit line established by the General Plan. (See Objective LU3, Policy LU 3.1, and Policy OS 1.6)

‰ Policy AG 1.7. Annexation areas contained in the City’s 1998 Comprehensive Annexation Plan which contain prime agricultural soils shall be given a lower priority than annexation areas without prime agricultural soils with the same land use designation or intended use unless: a) this would not result in orderly development patterns (i.e. pockets of prime agricultural soils surrounded by land developed with urban uses), or b) the annexation area is within an area designated for development by the General Plan, or c) the prime agricultural soils contained within the annexation area are not planned for urban development.

‰ Policy AG 1.8. Annexation proposals should not be processed while there is an active California Land Conservation Act (“Williamson Act”) contract(s) on a substantial portion, being 50% or more, of the subject property or until a cancellation has been filed with Solano County and less than five years remain on the life of the contract. Exceptions to this policy may be made under the either of the following circumstances: a) for properties where development will result in the permanent preservation of substantial (50 percent or more of the subject annexation area) amounts of agricultural land or open space; or b) for those properties whose Williamson Act Contracts were protested by the City prior to adoption of the City’s 1998 Comprehensive Annexation Plan.

‰ Policy AG 1.9. Annexation proposals that are within one of the City’s Open Space Planning Areas (OSPA’s) that contain prime agricultural soils shall be first reviewed by the Open Space Commission for their review and comment.

„ Objective AG 2. Encourage the preservation and expansion of the local agricultural economy.

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‰ Policy AG 2.1. Cooperatively work with farmers, property owners, universities, colleges, and agricultural organizations and agencies to enhance the viability of agricultural uses and activities.

„ Program AG 2.1 A Continue to sponsor the Downtown Farmers Market and other related activities that promote local farming and agriculture.

‰ Policy AG 2.2. Coordinate open space preservation and conservation programs with economic development programs to enhance agriculture.

‰ Policy AG 2.3. Development shall not encroach upon or consume productive cropland in areas such as the Suisun Valley.

‰ Policy AG 2.4. Attract industry that complements and supports the local agricultural economy.

„ Objective AG 3. Achieve a pattern of development that reinforces the City’s desired image.

‰ Policy AG 3.1. Encourage the preservation of agricultural land surrounding the City and permanently preserve agriculture in the Suisun Valley.

„ Program AG 3.1A. In cooperation with Solano County, establish a permanent agricultural buffer between urban development in Fairfield and agriculture in Suisun Valley. The City shall seek to establish such a buffer through the acquisition of fee title, development rights or conservation easement(s). Agriculture and recreational uses will be allowed within the buffer. The City may choose to lease back to farmers any lands acquired by the City. This buffer shall incorporate existing landforms and features, such as the ridges east of Mankas Corner Road and Clayton Road, and groves of trees so as to take advantage of these features to visually screen development from the Valley. If existing features prove inadequate, the development shall use trees, berms, and other methods to minimize visibility from the Valley.

„ Program AG 3.1 B. The City, in cooperation with the County, shall establish similar buffers between productive permanent agricultural lands and development in other areas undergoing development.

„ Program AG 3.1 C. The City shall continue to work with the County to plan for the preservation of the hills to the west of Suisun Valley as open space.

„ Objective OS 1. Support preservation of existing agricultural lands.

‰ Policy OS 1.1. Preserve agricultural enterprises by supporting right-to- farm policies, and separating and buffering agricultural lands from new development areas.

‰ Policy OS 1.2. Provide economic support for permanent commitment to agricultural uses.

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„ Program OS 1.2 A. Provide economic supports for growers: low interest loans, farmers markets, tax reforms, and water subsidies, in exchange for long term commitment to agricultural use.

„ Program OS 1.2 B. Support county agricultural preserve program and a strong county right-to-farm ordinance.

„ Program OS 1.2 C. Encourage development of agriculture processing and handling industries.

‰ Policy OS 1.3. Maintain current agricultural zoning in the area east of Travis AFB, including the Jepson Prairie.

‰ Policy OS 1.4. Permanently preserve productive agricultural lands within the Suisun Valley by continuing to direct new urban development away from the Suisun Valley.

„ Program OS 1.4 A. Establish a permanent agricultural buffer between urban development in Fairfield and agriculture in the Suisun Valley. The City will seek to establish such a buffer through the acquisition of fee title, development rights, or conservation easements. The City may choose to lease back to farmers any lands acquired by the City.

‰ Policy OS 1.5. Strongly reaffirm the City of Fairfield's commitment to the basic goals of the 1974 "Solano Irrigation District Agreement," actively participate in any local measures that promote the preservation of agriculture adjacent to Fairfield, and encourage extension of the agreement past its present expiration date.

‰ Policy OS 1.6. What is urban shall be municipal, and what is rural shall be within the County. Any urban development requiring basic municipal services shall occur only within the incorporated City and within the urban limit line established by the General Plan.

6.3.4 Impacts and Mitigation Measures

Impacts of the Proposed General Plan (Citywide)

Impact AG-1: Conversion of Prime Farmland, Unique Farmland, or Farmland of Statewide Importance to Nonagricultural Use from Development

Under the proposed general plan, approximately 4,600 acres of vacant land would be developed within the proposed Urban Limit Line. Of the 1,179 acres of prime soils within the Urban Limit Line, up to 567 acres could be converted to residential, commercial, industrial, and public uses by 2020. Areas in the proposed Urban Limit Line where prime farmland would be converted are concentrated in the Suisun Valley and Cordelia Areas (e.g., widening Cordelia Road to 4 lanes and developing vacant lands to industrial uses would convert prime farmland), but include small areas along the Putah South Canal north of Cement Hill Road and east of Peabody Road (figure 6-1). The remaining 612

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acres of prime farmland within the Urban Limit Line are designated for agricultural uses (extensive or intensive agriculture) or within the proposed Travis Reserve and are not anticipated to be converted in the planning horizon of the proposed general plan.

Of the 1,488 acres of unique farmland in the Urban Limit Line, 276 would be converted to residential, commercial, industrial, and public uses. The lands designated for conversion are located in the Suisun Valley area and along the Putah South Canal north of Cement Hill Road. Similar to prime farmlands, the remaining 1,212 acres of unique farmland in the Urban Limit Line are designated for agricultural uses or within the proposed Travis Reserve and are not anticipated to be converted in the planning horizon of the proposed general plan.

Of the 314 acres of farmland of statewide importance in the Urban Limit Line, approximately 75 acres would be converted to residential uses. The lands designated for conversion are located in a concentrated area along Putah South Canal north of Cement Hill Road and north of Mankas Corner Road. Similar to prime farmlands, the remaining 239 acres of farmland of statewide importance in the Urban Limit Line are designated for agricultural uses or within the proposed Travis Reserve and are not anticipated to be converted in the planning horizon of the proposed general plan.

Conversion of these agricultural lands to urban uses would reduce the amount of valuable farmland available for crop production and would contribute to the depletion of a valuable natural resource in the planning area. As described above, numerous proposed general plan policies and programs would encourage the preservation of prime and other important farmlands. These policies and programs, which are described in the preceding section, include Policy AG 1.2, Program AG 1.1A, Program AG 1.2B, Program AG 1.2C, Policy AG 1.3, Policy AG 1.4, Policy AG 1.7, and Policy AG 1.9.

In addition, the City requires, through Mello-Roos Community Facilities Districts, that new development pay special taxes to fund the acquisition of open space and farmlands. Taxes are also levied on developed land within the Mello- Roos Community Facilities Districts.

The proposed general plan policies would reduce this impact by permanently preserving other agricultural land. Implementing the policies and the following mitigation measure would reduce the impact to a less-than-significant level.

Mitigation Measure AG-1: Add Program AG 1.4A to the Proposed General Plan. Program AG 1.4A will be added as follows:

„ Program AG 1.4A. Where land identified as prime farmland, farmland of statewide importance, or unique farmland on the most recent Important Farmland maps prepared by the California Department of Conservation is proposed for conversion to urban

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uses, the City shall arrange for preservation of an equal amount of the same class of farmland within the area. Such arrangement may be through fee purchase, purchase of conservation easements, enrollment in the Williamson Act, or other mechanism.

Impact AG-2: Potential for Conversion of Grazing Land and Conflicts with Agricultural Uses or a Williamson Act Contract from Development within the Urban Limit Line

The proposed general plan is intended to protect agricultural land from development and to support the Solano County policy of directing new development to urbanized areas. Nevertheless, development under the proposed general plan would result in the eventual conversion of agricultural lands within the Urban Limit Line, including prime farmlands described above and additional grazing lands throughout the planning are (e.g., the Rancho Solano North Master Plan Area, the Technology Park, and lands in the Peabody-Walters Master Plan Area). Conversion of agricultural lands to urban uses also could introduce potential conflicts with ongoing farming practices in certain rural areas, such as the Cordelia Area (e.g., widening Cordelia road to 4 lanes could have an adverse effect on farming practices by creating a barrier to movement of machinery from one side of the road to the other).

Numerous proposed general plan policies in the new Agriculture Element and the Open Space and Conservation Elements are proposed that would discourage conflicts with farming practices. Other policies encourage the preservation of prime and other important farmlands and Williamson Act contracts, which are described above. Policies aimed at preserving Williamson Act contracts include Policy AG 1.8, which is described above. Also, the proposed Travis Reserve designation would limit development in the areas surrounding Travis AFB, which are currently grazing lands. Implementing the proposed general plan policies would reduce this impact to a less-than-significant level.

Impacts of the Residential and Mixed Use Revision Areas

Impact AG-1: Conversion of Prime Farmland, Unique Farmland, or Farmland of Statewide Importance to Nonagricultural Use from Development

With the exception of the Residential and Mixed Use Revision Area described below, most of the sites are in developed areas, and there would be no impact on prime farmland or other important farmland.

b. Tobin Site. As shown in figure 6-1, the entire 47-acre site is considered prime farmland. Under the proposed general plan, developing this site would result in the conversion of 47 acres of prime farmland to urban uses.

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No mitigation measure can avoid the conversion of this agricultural land. Implementing the following measure would reduce the impact, but not to a less- than-significant level.

Mitigation Measure AG-1: Preserve the Same Amount and Class of Farmland Proposed for Urban Conversion This measure is described above.

Impact AG-2: Potential for Conversion of Grazing Land and Conflicts with Agricultural Uses or a Williamson Act Contract from Development within the Urban Limit Line

h. Train Station Site. The proposed general plan would generally not conflict with agricultural practices in the eight Residential and Mixed Use Revision Areas. However, the Train Station site currently supports grazing and other agricultural practices, which would be converted to urban uses under the proposed general plan. Numerous proposed general plan policies in the new Agriculture Element and the Open Space and Conservation Element would discourage conflicts with farming practices and reduce this impact to a less-than- significant level.

Alternatives to the Proposed General Plan

Alternative 1. Proposed General Plan Excluding the Residential and Mixed Use Revision Areas

Under this alternative, the proposed general plan would be implemented except for the eight Residential and Mixed Use Revision Areas. These areas would remain under their existing land-use classifications, which also allow conversion to urban uses. Development under Alternative 1 would result in eventual conversion of agricultural lands that remain within the Urban Limit Line, similar to that described for the proposed general plan.

Alternative 2. Development within Existing City Limits

This alternative considers development primarily within the existing city limits. The only areas available for annexation would be islands of unincorporated land totaling less than 100 acres. Seven of the eight Residential and Mixed Use Revision Areas would be redesignated consistent with the proposed general plan. The eighth, consisting of unincorporated land around the future train station, would not be redesignated for development. All unincorporated land in the planning area that is not an island would be redesignated to be consistent with the Solano County General Plan.

This alternative would have the least impact on agricultural land. Development under the proposed general plan would result in the eventual conversion of

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agricultural lands within the Urban Limit Line as annexations occur. Alternative 2 would minimize this loss by limiting future City-initiated annexations to unincorporated county islands within the current Fairfield corporate limits.

Alternative 3. Cordelia Connectors

The southern bypass would cross grazing lands designated as Open Space- Conservation on the existing general plan. Portions of the southern bypass route are located within the boundaries of the SMPP. The route would cross areas designated as primary and secondary management areas by the SMPP and Solano County policies and regulations governing Suisun Marsh. As a result, marsh development permits from the SFBCDC and Solano County would be required before the southern bypass could be constructed. The northern bypass would remove orchards along the north side of I-80. Taken together, the alignments would have a significant effect on agricultural lands and the Suisun Marsh.

This alternative would avoid conversion of agricultural uses along Cordelia Road resulting from road-widening activities, but a portion of the southern bypass route along the edge of the Suisun Marsh would directly convert prime and unique farmland southeast of Nelson Hill into road and road right-of-way. The northern bypass route would convert existing prime farmland east of the truck scales into road and road right-of-way. This would be a significant effect. Construction of the northern bypass would also introduce substantial levels of traffic into an existing agricultural area. This access would remove an obstruction to growth and would have a significant growth-inducing effect.

Alternative 4. No Project/No Comprehensive Amendment

This alternative considers continued development under the existing general plan. Under this alternative, the existing land use classifications would remain in effect. The Phasing Areas would remain available for long-term development, subject to discretionary approval by the City. The Urban Limit Line would remain in its present location. Agricultural use impacts associated with this alternative would be substantially greater than those that would occur under the proposed general plan because a greater amount of undeveloped lands (31% more area devoted to commercial and industrial development) and substantially more houses (37% more housing units) would be converted to urban uses under the existing general plan.

6.4 Biological Resources

This section provides information on biological resources located in the planning area. Impacts on biological resources from implementation of the proposed general plan are discussed in conjunction with mitigation measures to avoid, reduce, or compensate for significant impacts.

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6.4.1 Environmental Setting

Fairfield is located in an area that encompasses portions of the Sacramento Valley, Vaca Mountains, and Suisun Marsh. The planning area includes rural or undeveloped areas surrounding the urbanized core of Fairfield. The biological communities that occur within the planning area and their respective acreages are summarized below in table 6-1.

Table 6-1. Approximate Community Type Acreages in the Planning Area

Biological Community Type Planning Area Acreage (acres) Oak woodland 10,639 Oak savanna 3,749 Riparian habitat 788 Open water 670 Chaparral 1,021 Annual grassland, vernal pool, and seasonal wetland 25,521 Agriculture 12,953 Salt/brackish marsh <1.2 Diked marsh 82.5

Each community type is discussed below regarding the typical plant and wildlife species that are present and the locations of each type in the planning area. A general map of the community types is provided in figure 6-2. For the purpose of this analysis, biological resources are grouped into sensitive natural communities and wildlife habitats, common or artificial communities and wildlife habitats, and special-status plant and wildlife species.

Sensitive Natural Communities and Wildlife Habitats

Oak Woodland/Savanna

The planning area supports approximately 1,336 acres of oak woodland and savanna, which occur predominately in the westernmost portion of the planning area and the Rancho Solano North and Nelson Hill Master Plan Areas (figure 6- 2). More limited areas of oak woodland or individual mature oak trees occur in the Suisun Valley Road and Tobin Sites.

Both oak-dominated communities range from closed-canopy woodland with a shrub and herbaceous understory to sparse savanna of individual oaks within an annual grassland community (figure 6-2). Most oaks in these communities are interior live oaks, although the coast live oak may intergrade. One special-status species, Brewer’s dwarf flax, is recorded within oak woodland habitat in the planning area.

Oak woodland and oak savanna are particularly important habitats because of their high value to wildlife and the diversity of wildlife species that they support. The structure and the abundance of food, shade, and nesting sites make these habitats attractive to mammals such as Brazilian free-tailed bats, big brown bats,

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hoary bats, and western gray squirrel. Birds associated with oak woodlands and savannas include acorn woodpeckers, Nuttall’s woodpeckers, scrub jay, yellow- billed magpie, and many warblers and flycatchers. Cavities in oak trees are important nesting sites for American kestrel, tree swallow, plain titmouse, wrens, and western bluebird. Woodlands also provide nesting platforms for raptors, such as red-tailed hawks, red-shouldered hawks, and great-horned owls.

Special-status wildlife species occurring in oak woodlands and savannas include golden eagle and white-tailed kite.

Riparian Communities

Riparian communities occur along planning area streams and include woodland habitats with multistoried vegetation ranging from large trees to herbaceous plants and scrub habitats of small, dense willows and shrubs. The planning area supports approximately 73 acres of riparian communities (figure 6-2). Riparian habitat occurs along Dan Wilson and Suisun Creeks within the proposed Tobin Site and Cordelia Road, and along Ledgewood and Laurel Creeks through central Fairfield.

Riparian habitats provide high-quality foraging habitat, breeding habitat, and cover for many wildlife species. The diversity of plant species and multistoried canopy in riparian forests provides food and favorable microhabitat conditions for wildlife. Riparian forests are typically cooler, moister, and more productive than surrounding habitats. Insectivorous birds occurring in this habitat include Nuttall’s woodpecker, warbling vireo, black-throated gray warbler, and yellow- rumped warbler. Riparian habitat provides food, water, and cover for many small mammals, including raccoon, striped skunk, opossum, and gray fox.

Special-status wildlife species occurring in riparian habitats include great egret (rookery), Swainson’s hawk (nesting), and California red-legged frog.

Marsh

Approximately 8 acres of marsh communities are mapped in the planning area, including freshwater marsh and salt marsh habitats (figure 6-2).

Freshwater Marsh Freshwater marsh is a generally perennial wetland type that supports herbaceous emergent vegetation such as cattail and tule. Freshwater marsh occurs in stream channels, within floodplains outside stream channels, and around detention ponds and stock ponds.

Freshwater marshes provide important foraging, breeding, and cover habitat for waterfowl, small and medium-sized mammals, reptiles, and amphibians. During winter, seeds and invertebrates in freshwater marshes are food for waterfowl. Herons and egrets feed on crayfish, fish, and amphibians in shallow areas. Wildlife species commonly found in this habitat include the American bittern,

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great blue heron, great egret, mallard, ruddy duck, cinnamon teal, marsh wren, song sparrow, red-winged blackbird, river otter, muskrat, raccoon, common garter snake, and Pacific tree frog.

Special-status wildlife species nesting in freshwater marshes include tricolored blackbird, saltmarsh common yellowthroat, California tiger salamander, California red-legged frog, and northwestern pond turtle.

Localized areas of freshwater marsh occur within planning area stream channels in the proposed Technology Park east of Peabody Road; the Travis Reserve area; and the Rancho Solano North Master Plan Area. A pond in the northern portion of the Train Station Site also supports several acres of freshwater marsh.

Salt Marsh Salt marsh is another perennial wetland that supports herbaceous emergent vegetation but is inundated by salt or brackish water and often tidally influenced. Salt marsh occurs along sloughs and tidal flats.

Suisun Marsh is one of the largest contiguous wetlands in the United States and one of the most important wintering waterfowl areas in the western United States. Suisun Marsh also supports many special-status wildlife species (Jones & Stokes Associates 1975).

The salt marshes provide high-quality foraging habitat, breeding habitat, and cover for many wildlife groups, including rodents, waterfowl, shorebirds, and wading birds. The marshes support approximately 200 species of birds, including 30 species of waterfowl (Jones & Stokes Associates 1975). The marshes near Cordelia Road contain dense cattail and tule vegetation, which supports many water bird species and mammals, including red-winged blackbird, river otter, striped skunk, and California vole.

Special-status wildlife species occurring in salt marsh habitat include black rail, California clapper rail, short-eared owl, saltmarsh common yellowthroat, tricolored blackbird, Suisun song sparrow, Suisun ornate shrew, and salt marsh harvest mouse.

Salt marsh habitat in the planning area is restricted to the southernmost edges adjacent to the Suisun Marsh. A limited extent of salt marsh may be present at the southern edge of the proposed Travis Reserve area, and south of Cordelia along Cordelia Road (figure 6-2).

Vernal Pool/Seasonal Wetland

Vernal pool communities and seasonal wetlands are seasonally inundated pools and depressions that occur within an annual grassland matrix. Approximately 365 acres of vernal pool/seasonal wetland habitat are mapped within the planning area (figure 6-2). Vernal pool plants include primarily native herbaceous species that are adapted to the cycles of inundation and summer drying. Seasonal wetlands are communities similar to vernal pools, but with fewer native species

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generally because of a higher level of direct or indirect disturbance to the wetland. One special-status species, Contra Costa goldfields, is recorded within vernal pool habitat in the planning area.

Vernal pools in grassland areas provide habitat for numerous species of invertebrates and amphibians. The invertebrates, amphibians, and seeds of the plants, in turn, provide food for many other wildlife species. Wildlife species occurring in vernal pools include the western toad, Pacific treefrog, western terrestrial garter snake, great blue heron, great egret, mallard, cinnamon teal, American avocet, killdeer, greater yellowlegs, and western sandpiper. Large vernal pools provide brood water for nesting waterfowl.

Special-status wildlife species occurring in vernal pools include conservancy fairy shrimp, vernal pool fairy shrimp, vernal pool tadpole shrimp, Delta green ground beetle, Ricksecker’s water scavenger beetle, and California tiger salamander.

Vernal pool and seasonal wetland communities occur in the planning area within the proposed Technology Park east of Peabody Road, the Travis Reserve area, the Rancho Solano North Master Plan Area, and the Train Station Site.

Stream Channels and Open-Water Habitats

Several natural stream channels traverse the planning area, including Green Valley, Dan Wilson, Suisun, Ledgewood, Laurel, McCoy, and Union Creeks and unnamed tributaries and seasonal drainages. The Putah South Canal is a constructed drainage that extends across the planning area along the base of the Vaca Mountains and Cement Hill. Approximately 62 acres of stream channels and open-water habitats occur in the planning area (figure 6-2). Planning-area stream channels also support riparian vegetation and freshwater marsh. Open- water habitats in the planning area include stock ponds and other constructed ponds, and these habitats may support freshwater marsh or seasonal wetland vegetation.

Stream channels and ponds provide habitat for numerous species of wildlife. Mallard, cinnamon teal, great blue heron, snowy egret, American coot, and belted kingfisher use aquatic habitat to feed on algae, crayfish, bullhead, black bass, sunfish, Pacific treefrog, western toad, and bullfrog. Mallard and cinnamon teal use these open-water areas as escape cover for broods. Stream channels and ponds also provide drinking water and foraging opportunities for mammals such as raccoon, striped skunk, and mule deer.

Special-status wildlife species occurring in stream channels and ponds include Ricksecker’s water scavenger beetle, California tiger salamander, California red- legged frog, foothill yellow-legged frog, and northwestern pond turtle.

The following stream channels and ponds occur within several components of the planning area.

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„ Union Creek crosses the proposed Technology Park east of Peabody Road, and a tributary to Denverton Creek crosses the proposed Travis Reserve.

„ Dan Wilson and Suisun Creeks and the Putah South Canal traverse the area of Rockville Hills Park.

„ Rancho Solano North Master Plan Area encompasses several seasonal drainages that occur along the hillsides.

„ Dan Wilson and Suisun Creeks border the Tobin Site Site.

„ A pond supporting a freshwater marsh occurs at the north end of the Train Station Site Site.

Common Natural Communities or Artificial Communities and Wildlife Habitats

Chaparral

Chaparral in the planning area is a transitional habitat between oak woodland and annual grassland dominated by evergreen shrubs with a limited understory of grasses and forbs. It occurs in relatively small, isolated patches. Approximately 95 acres of chaparral occur in the planning area (figure 6-2).

Chaparral provides foraging habitat, breeding habitat, and cover for many shrub- dependent wildlife species. Chaparral plants provide browse, berries, or seeds for mule deer, California quail, rufous-sided towhee, California towhee, and dark-eyed junco. Insectivorous birds such as the Bewick’s wren, bushtit, wrentit, and orange-crowned warbler feed on insects on chaparral foliage. Chaparral also provides habitat for small mammals and reptiles, including gray fox, deer mouse, western fence lizard, western rattlesnake, and gopher snake.

The only special-status wildlife species that potentially occurs in the chaparral habitat in the Fairfield area is the California horned lizard.

The only mapped area of chaparral in the planning area is within the unincorporated lands east of Rockville Hills Park.

Annual Grassland

Annual grassland in the planning area includes large fields of several acres as well as small patches of primarily ruderal (weedy) species within urban areas. A total of approximately 1,988 acres of annual grassland occur in the planning area (figure 6-2). Annual grassland vegetation is dominated by nonnative annual grasses and associated forbs. Interspersed shrubs and small trees may also be present.

One special-status plant species, showy Indian clover, has been historically recorded within annual grassland habitat in the planning area.

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Many wildlife species use annual grassland during all or part of their life cycles. Mammals typical of annual grassland habitats include California vole, deer mouse, Bottae’s pocket gopher, Townsend’s big-eared bat, pallid bat, California ground squirrel, American badger, and coyote. Birds common to annual grasslands include western meadowlark, western kingbird, loggerhead shrike, and Brewer’s blackbird. Rodent populations provide foraging opportunities for birds of prey such as American kestrel, sharp-shinned hawk, merlin, prairie falcon, red-tailed hawk, and red-shouldered hawk.

Special-status wildlife species nesting and/or foraging in annual grassland include western burrowing owl, short-eared owl, Cooper’s hawk, northern harrier, Swainson’s hawk, golden eagle, ferruginous hawk, and white-tailed kite.

Annual grassland occurs throughout the planning area, with the largest expanses occurring outside of the central part of Fairfield in the proposed Travis Reserve Area; Rancho Solano North Master Plan Area; and the Suisun Valley Road, Dickson Hill Road, and Train Sites. Elsewhere, small patches of annual grassland occur within vacant lots and urban areas without landscaping.

Agricultural Lands

Agricultural lands in the planning area include walnut orchards and fields planted in row crop, grain, and hay crops and occur in areas converted from natural vegetation of annual grassland and oak savanna. The planning area supports approximately 1,203 acres of agricultural lands (figure 6-2).

Wildlife diversity and abundance are relatively low in walnut orchards primarily because of clean farming techniques and pesticide application. They do, however, provide an abundance of seasonal food for locally common species such as northern flicker, scrub jay, American crow, American robin, and house finch.

Row, hay, and grain crops support a greater variety of wildlife species, including small mammals that provide food for raptor and mammalian predators. During winter, this type of agricultural land also provides important foraging and roosting habitat for wintering waterfowl.

Special-status wildlife species occurring in row, hay, and grain crop agricultural lands include Swainson’s hawk, northern harrier, short-eared owl, western burrowing owl and Aleutian Canada goose.

Walnut orchard occurs in the Suisun Valley Road Site. Extensive agricultural fields occur within Rancho Solano North Master Plan Area, the proposed Travis Reserve area, and along Cordelia Road. Most of the Tobin Site is comprised of agricultural field. Smaller inclusions of agricultural lands occur in the vicinity of Rockville Hills Park and the Rancho Solano North Master Plan Area.

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Urban Landscape

Urban landscape includes golf courses, parks, and all areas that are planted and maintained as landscaped areas. Approximately 1,584 acres of the planning area are developed areas that include landscape vegetation (figure 6-2). Landscape plantings include primarily nonnative turf grass and ornamental species of grasses, forbs, shrubs, and trees.

Urban and industrial areas attract wildlife species that are tolerant to human disturbance, exploit human food resources, or use human-made structures for nesting and roosting. These habitats are usually lower in wildlife habitat quality than nearby natural habitats because the flora of landscaped areas is generally poorly developed compared to natural plant communities. This landscaping, however, provides wildlife habitat for many common wildlife species, including the mourning dove, Anna’s hummingbird, cliff swallow, American crow, scrub jay, American robin, house finch, California ground squirrel, and western toad.

Urban landscape occurs throughout the planning area, with the greatest density in the central portion of Fairfield in and around downtown Fairfield.

Special-Status Species

Special-status species are plants and animals that are legally protected under state and federal Endangered Species Acts (ESAs) or other regulations, and species that are considered sufficiently rare by the scientific community to qualify for such listing. Special-status plants and animals are species in the following categories:

„ species listed or proposed for listing as threatened or endangered under the federal ESA (Code of Federal Regulations, Title 50, Section 17.12 [50 CFR 17.12] [listed plants], 50 CFR 17.11 [listed animals], and various notices in the Federal Register [FR] [proposed species]);

„ species that are candidates for possible future listing as threatened or endangered under the federal ESA (FR, Volume 64, Page 57534 [64 FR 57543], October 25, 1999);

„ species listed or proposed for listing by the State of California as threatened or endangered under the California Endangered Species Act (CESA) (14 CCR 670.5);

„ species that meet the definitions of rare or endangered under CEQA (State CEQA Guidelines, Section 15380);

„ plants listed as rare under the California Native Plant Protection Act (California Fish and Game Code, Section 1900 et seq.);

„ plants considered by the California Native Plant Society (CNPS) to be "rare, threatened, or endangered in California" (Lists 1B and 2, July 6, 2000, available at http:// www.cnps.org/rareplants/inventory/6thEdition.htm);

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„ plants listed by CNPS as plants about which more information is needed to determine their status and plants of limited distribution (Lists 3 and 4, July 6, 2000, available at http://www.cnps.org/rareplants/inventory/6thEdition.htm), which may be included as special-status species on the basis of local significance or recent biological information;

„ animal species of special concern to the CDFG (Remsen 1978 [birds], Williams 1986 [mammals], and Jennings and Hayes 1994 [amphibians and reptiles]);

„ animals fully protected in California (California Fish and Game Code, Sections 3511 [birds], 4700 [mammals], and 5050 [amphibians and reptiles]); and

„ birds of prey, their nests, and eggs (California Fish and Game Code, Section 3503.5).

Tables 6-2 and 6-3 identify special-status species known to occur in the vicinity of Fairfield and with potential to occur in the planning area. These tables also summarize the legal status, period of identification, distribution, and habitat for each special-status species.

Special-Status Plant Species

A list of 41 special-status plants with potential to occur in the planning area was compiled based on a review of the draft EIR for the existing general plan EIR and other planning area environmental documents (Jones & Stokes Associates 1992, 1998; Vollmar Consulting 1999, 2000), the CNPS inventory and electronic database (Skinner and Pavlik 1994, California Native Plant Society 2001b), and the California Natural Diversity Database (CNDDB) (2001) (table 6-2). Two species, Brewer’s dwarf flax and Contra Costa goldfields, are known to occur within the planning area. Another species, showy Indian clover, has a historic record of occurrence in the planning area but has not been found at that site since 1902. Habitat for 32 additional special-status plant species occurs in the planning area, and these species were determined to have high to moderate probability to occur in the planning area. The distinction between high and moderate probability is based on whether the species is recorded as occurring in the project vicinity (within approximately 2 miles of the planning area). Species identified to have a high probability of occurrence are recorded in the project vicinity; species with a moderate probability are not. Eight special-status plants have only a low probability to occur in the planning area because they are extremely limited in range, are thought to be extinct in Solano County, or have minimal or degraded habitat in the planning area.

Special-Status Wildlife Species

A list of special-status wildlife species with potential to occur in the planning area was compiled based on a review of the draft EIR for the existing general plan and other planning-area environmental documents (Jones & Stokes

Draft Program Environmental Impact Report August 2001 Comprehensive Amendment to the J&S 01-078 City of Fairfield General Plan 6-29 City of Fairfield Natural Resources and Conservation

Associates 1992, 1998; Vollmar Consulting 1999, 2000) and the CNDDB (2001). Thirty-two special-status wildlife species were determined to be present within or to have the potential to occur in the planning area. Special-status wildlife species known to occur or potentially occurring in the Fairfield area are listed in table 6-3.

6.4.2 Methodology

Methods and Assumptions Used for the Impact Analysis

The impact analysis of proposed general plan on biological resources is based on a review of existing environmental documents (Jones and Stokes Associates 1992, 1998; Volmar Consulting 1999, 2000), a search of the CNDDB (2001) and CNPS inventory (2001b), in-house file information, and a reconnaissance survey of the Residential and Mixed Use Revision Areas conducted on April 25, 2001. Information used to develop the biological community map for the planning area (figure 6-2) and the habitat acreages (table 6-1) is based on mapping provided by LSA Associates.

Impacts on biological resources were assumed to occur potentially in all proposed general plan areas that would allow conversion of currently undeveloped lands to agriculture or development. Biological impacts of converting agricultural land to other developed uses are also analyzed. Baseline conditions are considered to be the existing conditions in the planning area. The exact locations and acreages of affected habitats cannot be quantified because no specific projects for the proposed general plan areas are currently proposed. Therefore, this analysis discusses the relative quantities of planning area habitats that could be affected by future development.

Biological resources could be directly and indirectly affected by construction activities resulting from the proposed general plan. Construction-related impacts could result in short- or long-term disturbance of biological resources in the planning area. In assessing the magnitude of potential impacts, the following assumptions were made regarding construction-related impacts on biological resources:

„ Potential impacts within Master Plan Areas were based on acreages of development of those sites through buildout as described in chapter 2, “Description of the Proposed General Plan and Alternatives.”

„ Potential impacts within the eight Residential and Mixed-use Revision Areas were based on development of those sites.

„ All vegetation would be removed in areas graded for construction. Wildlife in these areas would be displaced or destroyed during construction, and their natural movement corridors would be disrupted.

„ Habitats adjacent to construction activities could be degraded, stressed, or affected indirectly by alteration of hydrologic conditions. Wildlife in

Draft Program Environmental Impact Report August 2001 Comprehensive Amendment to the J&S 01-078 City of Fairfield General Plan 6-30 Table 6-2. Special-Status Plant Species Known to Occur or with Potential to Occur in the Planning Area Page 1 of 9

Period in Which Distribution and Habitat Potential for Occurrence in the Planning Legal Statusa Species is Area Common Name Scientific Name Federal/State/CNPS Identifiable Suisun Marsh aster —/—/1B June–October Occurs in the Sacramento–San Joaquin Salt marsh and brackish marsh Aster lentus Delta area, including Contra Costa and communities south of Travis AFB along Solano Counties; Suisun Marsh; known the southern boundary of the proposed from Honker Bay, Fairfield South, Travis Reserve in Phasing Area E; high Fairfield North, and Benicia probability of occurrence in planning area quadrangles; in brackish marshes below 500 feet

Alkalai milk-vetch —/—/1B March–June Merced, Solano, and Yolo Counties; Grassland habitat within the proposed Astragalus tener var. tener historically more widespread; grassy Travis Reserve and Technology Park in flats and vernal pool margins, on alkali Phasing Areas D and E, and the Train soils, below 200 feet Station Site; high probability of occurrence in the planning area.

Heartscale —/—/1B May–October Western Central Valley and valleys of Grassland habitat within the proposed Atriplex cordulata adjacent foothills; alkali grassland, Travis Reserve and Technology Park in alkali meadow, alkali scrub, below 660 Phasing Areas D and E, and the Train feet Station Site; moderate probability of occurrence in the planning area

Brittlescale —/—/1B May–October Western Central Valley and valleys of Grassland habitat within the proposed Atriplex depressa adjacent foothills on west side of Travis Reserve and Technology Park in Central Valley; alkali grassland, alkali Phasing Areas D and E, and the Train meadow, alkali scrub, chenopod scrub, Station Site; high probability of playas, valley and foothill grasslands occurrence in the planning area on alkaline or clay soils, below 660 feet

San Joaquin spearscale —/—/1B April–September West edge of Central Valley from Grassland habitat within the proposed Atriplex joaquiniana Glenn County to Tulare County; alkali Travis Reserve and Technology Park in grassland, alkali scrub, alkali meadows, Phasing Areas D and E, and the Train saltbush scrub, below 1,000 feet Station Site; high probability of occurrence in the planning area

Vernal pool smallscale —/—/1B June–October Central Valley from Glenn County to Vernal pool habitat within the proposed Atriplex persistens Tulare County; dry vernal pool beds on Travis Reserve and Technology Park in alkaline soils, below 400 feet Phasing Areas D and E, and the Train Station Site; moderate probability of occurrence in the planning area

Table 6-2. Continued. Page 2 of 9

Period in Which Distribution and Habitat Potential for Occurrence in the Planning Legal Statusa Species is Area Common Name Scientific Name Federal/State/CNPS Identifiable Big-scale balsamroot —/—/1B March–June San Francisco Bay region, Sierra Grassland and oak woodland habitats in Balsamorhiza macrolepis var. macrolepis Nevada foothills, Coast Ranges, eastern Rockville Hills Park vicinity, Phasing Cascade Ranges, Sacramento Valley; Areas B and C, and the Suisun Valley rocky annual grassland and fields, Road, Tobin, Dickson Hill, and Train foothill woodland hillsides, sometimes Station Sites; high probability of serpentine, below 4,600 feet occurrence in the planning area

Tiburon Indian paintbrush E/T/1B April–June Southern inner north Coast Ranges, Grassland habitat in Phasing Area B, if Castilleja affinis ssp. neglecta northwestern San Francisco Bay serpentine is present; low probability for region, Marin, Napa and Santa Clara occurrence in the planning area Counties; serpentine grasslands

Holly-leaved ceanothus —/—/1B February–April Inner north coast ranges, Napa and Chaparral habitat in the Rockville Hills Ceanothus purpureus Solano Counties; chaparral on Park vicinity; moderate probability of volcanic, rocky substrate occurrence in the planning area

Suisun Marsh thistle E/—/1B July–September Occurs in Suisun Marsh in Solano Salt marsh and brackish marsh Cirsium hydrophilum var. hydrophilum County; Fairfield South quadrangle; in communities within the proposed Travis brackish marshes below 500 feet; Reserve in Phasing Area E; low known from only one historic probability for occurrence in planning occurrence area

Hispid bird's-beak —/—/1B June–August Occurs in Sacramento and San Joaquin Freshwater marsh and stream habitat in Cordylanthus mollis ssp. hispidus Valleys; Denverton quadrangle; in Phasing Areas B–E; the Rockville Hills alkaline meadows, sinks, and marshes Park vicinity; the Tobin and Train Station Sites; the Revised Noise Standard Area; and Cordelia Road; high probability of occurrence in planning area

Soft bird's-beak E/R/1B June–August Occurs in Sacramento and San Joaquin Salt marsh and brackish marsh Cordylanthus mollis ssp. mollis Valleys and Marin County; Suisun communities south of Travis AFB along Marsh; Benicia, Denverton, Fairfield the southern boundary of the proposed South, Honker Bay, and Vine Hill Travis Reserve in Phasing Area E; high quadrangles; in coastal salt marshes at probability of occurrence in planning area low elevations

Table 6-2. Continued. Page 3 of 9

Period in Which Distribution and Habitat Potential for Occurrence in the Planning Legal Statusa Species is Area Common Name Scientific Name Federal/State/CNPS Identifiable Recurved larkspur —/—/1B March–May San Joaquin Valley and central valley Grassland habitat in northern portion of Delphinium recurvatum of the South Coast Ranges, Contra the planning area, in Phasing Areas C and Costa County to Kern County; D; low probability for occurrence in subalkaline soils in annual grassland, planning area saltbush scrub, cismontane woodland, vernal pools, 100–2,000 feet

Occurs in southern Sacramento, Vernal pools and freshwater marsh habitat Dwarf downingia —/—/2 March–May Sonoma, and northern San Joaquin in Phasing Areas B–E; the Rockville Hills Downingia pusilla Valleys; Elmira, Denverton, and Mt. Park vicinity; the Tobin and Train Station George quadrangles; in swales and Sites; the Revised Noise Standard Area; vernal pools of valley and foothill and Cordelia Road; high probability of grasslands; type locality in Sonoma occurrence in planning area Valley

Streamside daisy —/—/3 June–September Northern outer coast ranges, Humboldt, Oak woodland in Phasing Area B and the Erigeron biolettii Mendocino, Marin, Napa, Solano, and Rockville Hills Park vicinity; moderate Sonoma Counties; moist, rocky areas in probability of occurrence in planning area broad-leaved upland forest, cismontane woodland, north coast coniferous forest, and ledges along rivers, 100– 3,600 feet

Mount Diablo buckwheat —/—/1A April–June Occurs in northern portion of Mount Grassland and chaparral habitat in Eriogonum truncatum Diablo Range in Alameda, Contra Phasing Area B and the Rockville Hills Costa, and Solano Counties; Fairfield Park vicinity; moderate probability of South quadrangle; in bedrock outcrops, occurrence in planning area rock scree, and thin, rocky soil of grassland, oak woodland, and chaparral communities from 1,000–1,500 feet; type locality at east base of Mt. Diablo, Contra Costa County, California

Fragrant fritillary —/—/1B February–April Coast Ranges from Marin County to Grassland habitat in Phasing Areas B, D, Fritillaria liliacea San Benito County; adobe soils of and E; in the Rockville Hills Park interior foothills, coastal prairie, coastal vicinity; and the Tobin Site; oak savannah scrub, annual grassland, often on habitat in Phasing Areas B and C and the serpentinite, below 1,350 feet Rockville Hills Park vicinity; high probability of occurrence in planning area

Table 6-2. Continued. Page 4 of 9

Period in Which Distribution and Habitat Potential for Occurrence in the Planning Legal Statusa Species is Area Common Name Scientific Name Federal/State/CNPS Identifiable Adobe lily —/—/1B February–April Occurs along eastern and western edges Grassland habitat in Phasing Areas B, D, Fritillaria pluriflora of the Sacramento Valley and adjacent and E; in the Rockville Hills Park foothills; Elmira quadrangle; on heavy vicinity; and the Tobin Site; oak savannah clay often adobe soils in grasslands, and oak woodland habitat in Phasing oak woodlands, and chaparral Areas B and C and the Rockville Hills communities; type locality in Park vicinity; chaparral habitat in the Sacramento Valley Rockville Hills Park vicinity; high probability of occurrence in planning area

Boggs Lake Hedge-hyssop —/E/1B April–June Inner north Coast Ranges, Central Vernal pool habitat in Phasing Areas B– Gratiola heterosepala Sierra Nevada foothills, Sacramento E; the Rockville Hills Park vicinity; the Valley and Modoc Plateau; Fresno, Tobin and Train Station Sites; the Lake, Lassen, Madera, Modoc, Placer, Revised Noise Standard Area; and Sacramento, Shasta, San Joaquin, Cordelia Road; high probability of Solano, and Tehama Counties; clay occurrence in planning area soils in areas of shallow water, lake margins and vernal pool margins

Brewer's dwarf flax —/—/1B May–July Occurs in Vaca Mountains in Solano Grassland habitat in Phasing Areas B, D, Hesperolinon breweri and Napa Counties and northern Mount and E; in the Rockville Hills Park Diablo Range in Contra Costa and vicinity; and the Tobin Revision Area; Alameda Counties; Fairfield North and oak savannah and oak woodland habitat Mt. George quadrangles; on bedrock in Phasing Areas B and C and the outcrops, rock scree serpentine, and Rockville Hills Park vicinity; chaparral clay soils with low herb cover in annual habitat in the Rockville Hills Park grasslands and openings in various oak vicinity; recorded occurrence in Phasing woodland and chaparral communities Area C, high probability of occurrence in from 400 to 3,300 feet suitable habitat elsewhere in planning area.

Carquinez goldenbush —/—/1B August–December Deltaic Sacramento Valley, Suisun Grassland habitat north of Travis AFB, Isocoma arguta Slough, Contra Costa and Solano with the proposed Travis Reserve and Counties; annual grassland on alkaline Phasing Areas D and E; moderate soils and flats, generally below 70 feet probability of occurrence in planning area

Table 6-2. Continued. Page 5 of 9

Period in Which Distribution and Habitat Potential for Occurrence in the Planning Legal Statusa Species is Area Common Name Scientific Name Federal/State/CNPS Identifiable Contra Costa goldfields E/—/1B April–May Occurs in Alameda, Contra Costa, Vernal pool habitat in Phasing Areas B– Lasthenia conjugens Solano, and Napa Counties; historically E; the Rockville Hills Park vicinity; the widespread in Coast Ranges from Tobin and Train Station Sites; the Mendocino to Santa Barbara Counties; Revised Noise Standard Area; and Fairfield South, Denverton, and Elmira Cordelia Road; recorded occurrences in quadrangles; in seasonal wetlands such the proposed Travis Reserve and as vernal pools, vernal meadows, and Technology Park portions of Phasing riverbanks; often on alkaline, clay- Area D, Revised Noise Standard areas, based soils of valley and foothill and Cordelia Road; high probability of grasslands below 700 feet occurrence in suitable habitat elsewhere in planning area

Delta tule pea —/—/1B May–June Occurs in the Delta and Central Valley Vernal pools and riparian habitat in Lathyrus jepsonii ssp. jepsonii from Butte to Tulare Counties; Benicia, Phasing Areas B–E; the Rockville Hills Fairfield South, Honker Bay, and Vine Park vicinity; the Tobin and Train Station Hill quadrangles; along river and canal Sites; the Revised Noise Standard Area; banks in brackish and freshwater and Cordelia Road; salt marsh and marshes and riparian woodlands below brackish marsh communities south of 500 feet Travis AFB along the southern boundary of the proposed Travis Reserve in Phasing Area E; high probability of occurrence in planning area

Legenere —/—/1B May–June Occurs primarily in the lower Vernal pools and freshwater marsh habitat Legenere limosa Sacramento Valley in Lake and Solano in Phasing Areas B–E; the Rockville Hills Counties and upper San Joaquin Valley Park vicinity; the Tobin and Train Station in San Mateo and Stanislaus Counties; Sites; the Revised Noise Standard Area; Fairfield South, Fairfield North, and Cordelia Road; high probability of Denverton, and Elmira quadrangles; in occurrence in planning area dried beds of vernal pools below 700 feet; type locality near Elmira

Heckard’s pepper-grass —/—/1B April–May Southern Sacramento Valley, Glenn, Grasslands and vernal pools in Phasing Lepidium latipes var. heckardii Solano, and Yolo Counties; annual Areas D and E; moderate probability of grassland on margins of alkali scalds, occurrence in planning area below 660 feet

Table 6-2. Continued. Page 6 of 9

Period in Which Distribution and Habitat Potential for Occurrence in the Planning Legal Statusa Species is Area Common Name Scientific Name Federal/State/CNPS Identifiable —/—/3 June–October Southern north Coast Ranges, southern Grassland and oak savanna habitats in Woolly-headed lessingia Sacramento Valley, northern San Rockville Hills Park vicinity, Phasing Lessingia holoceuca Francisco Bay region, Alameda, Areas B and C, and the Suisun Valley Monterey, Marin, Napa, Santa Clara, Road, Tobin, Dickson Hill, and Train San Mateo, Solano, Sonoma, and Yolo Station Sites; high probability of Counties; clay or serpentinite soils of occurrence in the planning area coastal scrub, lower montane coniferous forest, valley and foothill grassland, below 1,000 feet

Mason’s lilaeopsis —/R/1B May–August Occurs in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Freshwater marsh and stream habitat in Lilaeopsis masonii River Delta; Fairfield South and Phasing Areas B–E; the Rockville Hills Honker Bay quadrangles, in freshwater Park vicinity; the Tobin and Train Station and brackish marshes in muddy or silty Sites; the Revised Noise Standard Area; soil often formed through river and Cordelia Road; salt marsh and deposition or river bank erosion; type brackish marsh communities south of locality on Twitchell Island, margin of Travis AFB along the southern boundary Sacramento River 0.5 mile south of Rio of the proposed Travis Reserve in Phasing Vista, California Area E; high probability of occurrence in planning area

Delta mudwort —/—/2 May–August Deltaic Central Valley, Contra Costa, Freshwater marsh and stream habitat in Limosella subulata Sacramento, San Joaquin, and Solano Phasing Areas B–E; the Rockville Hills Counties; Oregon; muddy or sandy Park vicinity; the Tobin and Train Station intertidal flats and marshes, Sites; the Revised Noise Standard Area; streambanks in riparian scrub generally and Cordelia Road; salt marsh and at sea level brackish marsh communities south of Travis AFB along the southern boundary of the proposed Travis Reserve in Phasing Area E; high probability of occurrence in planning area

Napa lomatium —/—/4 April–May Occurs in the Inner Coast Ranges, Oak savannah and oak woodland habitat Lomatium repostum including Lake, Napa, Solano, and in Phasing Areas B and C and the Sonoma Counties; on slopes of Rockville Hills Park vicinity; high chaparral and blue oak woodland probability of occurrence in planning area below 3,000 feet; type locality near Collin’s Springs, Vaca Mountains, California

Table 6-2. Continued. Page 7 of 9

Period in Which Distribution and Habitat Potential for Occurrence in the Planning Legal Statusa Species is Area Common Name Scientific Name Federal/State/CNPS Identifiable Mt. Diablo cottonweed —/—/3 April–May Southern North coast ranges, southern Grassland and oak woodland habitats in Micropus amphibolus south outer coast ranges, Sierra Nevada Rockville Hills Park vicinity, Phasing Foothills, San Francisco Bay area. Areas B and C, and the Suisun Valley Alameda, Contra Costa, Lake, Road, Tobin, Dickson Hill, and Train Monterey, Marin, Napa, Santa Cruz, Station Sites; moderate probability of and Sonoma Counties; bare grassy occurrence in the planning area rocky slopes in broad-leaved upland forest, cismontane woodland, valley and foothill grassland

Robust monardella —/—/1B June-July North Coast Ranges and Eastern San Oak savannah and oak woodland habitat Mondardella villosa ssp. globosa Francisco Bay Area; Alameda, Contra in Phasing Areas B and C and the Costa, Humboldt, Lake, Marin, Napa, Rockville Hills Park vicinity; moderate San Mateo, and Sonoma Counties; oak probability of occurrence in planning area woodland and grassy openings in chaparral

Baker’s navarettia —/—/1B May–July Inner north Coast Range, western Vernal pool habitat in Phasing Areas B– Navarettia leucocephala ssp. bakeri Sacramento Valley, Colusa, Lake, E; the Rockville Hills Park vicinity; the Mendocino, Marin, Napa, Solano, Tobin and Train Station Sites; the Sonoma, and Tehama Counties; vernal Revised Noise Standard Area; and pools and swales in woodland, lower Cordelia Road; high probability of montane coniferous forest, mesic occurrence in planning area meadows, and grassland, generally below 5,600 feet

Colusa grass T/E/1B May–September Central Valley, Colusa*, Glenn*, Vernal pools in the proposed Travis Neostapfia colusana Merced, Solano, Stanislaus, and Yolo Reserve, Technology Park, and the rest of Counties presumed extinct in Colusa Phasing Area D; low probability for and Glenn Counties; adobe soils of occurrence in planning area vernal pools, generally below 650 feet

Gairdner’s yampah —/—/4 June–July Wide distribution from British Oak savannah and oak woodland habitat Perideridia gairdneri ssp. gairdneri Columbia and Washington, through the in Phasing Areas B and C and the Coast Ranges to southern California, Rockville Hills Park vicinity; chaparral east to Alberta and New Mexico; habitat in the Rockville Hills Park Denverton quadrangle; in wet, heavy vicinity; high probability for occurrence soils of broadleafed upland forests and in planning area chaparral communities; type locality in California

Table 6-2. Continued. Page 8 of 9

Period in Which Distribution and Habitat Potential for Occurrence in the Planning Legal Statusa Species is Area Common Name Scientific Name Federal/State/CNPS Identifiable Bearded popcorn flower —/—/1A April–May Endemic to Solano* County, presumed Vernal pools in the proposed Travis Plagiobothrys hystriculus extinct; mesic grassland, vernal pools Reserve, Technology Park, and the rest of Phasing Area D; low probability for occurrence in planning area

Lobb’s aquatic buttercup —/—/4 February–April Occurs from Sonoma, Lake, and Vernal pools in Phasing Areas B–E; the Ranunculus lobbii Solano Counties to the Santa Cruz Rockville Hills Park vicinity; the Tobin Mountains and Alameda County, and and Train Station Sites; the Revised Noise in Oregon and British Columbia; in Standard Area; and Cordelia Road; oak shallow vernal and woodland ponds savannah and oak woodland in Phasing and on moist soils in valley and foothill Areas B and C and the Rockville Hills grasslands below 2,000 feet; type Park vicinity; chaparral habitat in the locality in Oregon Rockville Hills Park vicinity; high probability of occurrence in planning area

Victor’s gooseberry —/—/4 March–April Occurs in Marin, Mendocino, Sonoma, Oak savannah and oak woodland habitat Ribes victoris Napa, and Solano Counties; on wooded in Phasing Areas B and C and the slopes in shaded canyons and chaparral Rockville Hills Park vicinity; chaparral habitats habitat in the Rockville Hills Park vicinity; high probability of occurrence in planning area

California seablite E/—/1B July–October Known only from one extant Salt marsh and brackish marsh Suaeda californica occurrence at Morro Bay; previously communities south of Travis AFB along prevalent around San Francisco Bay; in the southern boundary of the proposed coastal salt marshes Travis Reserve in Phasing Area E; low probability for occurrence in planning area

Showy Indian clover E/—/1B April–June Historically widespread in Coast Grassland and chaparral habitat in Trifolium amoenum Ranges from Santa Clara County north Phasing Area B and the Rockville Hills to Mendocino County, but currently Park vicinity; historic occurrence from believed extinct; Elmira and Cordelia 1902 recorded in proposed Technology quadrangles; poorly known, reported Park area, but low probability for from grasslands and oak woodlands in occurrence elsewhere in planning area low swales and other seasonally moist sites below 200 feet; type locality in Vanden Station, Sacramento Valley

Table 6-2. Continued. Page 9 of 9

Period in Which Distribution and Habitat Potential for Occurrence in the Planning Legal Statusa Species is Area Common Name Scientific Name Federal/State/CNPS Identifiable Saline clover —/—/1B April–June Sacramento Valley and central coast; Salt marsh and brackish marsh Trifolium depauperatum var. hydrophilum open areas in salt marsh on alkaline communities south of Travis AFB along soils; below 900 feet the southern boundary of the proposed Travis Reserve in Phasing Area E; moderate probability for occurrence in planning area

Crampton’s tuctoria Solano grass E/E/1B April-July Southwestern Sacramento valley, Vernal pools in the proposed Travis Tuctoria mucronata Solano and Yolo Counties; mesic Reserve, Technology Park, and the rest of grassland, vernal pools, below 500 feet Phasing Area D; low probability for occurrence in planning area

a Status explanations see the “Definitions of Special-Status Species” section above for citations:

Federal

E = listed as endangered under the federal Endangered Species Act (ESA). T = listed as threatened under the federal ESA.

State

R = listed as rare under the California Endangered Species Act. This category is no longer used for newly listed plants, but some plants previously listed as rare retain this designation.

California Native Plant Society

1A = List 1A species: presumed extinct in California. 1B = List 1B species: rare, threatened, or endangered in California and elsewhere. 2 = List 2 species: rare, threatened, or endangered in California but more common elsewhere 3 = List 3 species: plants about which more information is needed to determine their status. 4 = List 4 species: plants of limited distribution.

— = no listing.

* Known populations believed extirpated from that county

Table 6-3. Special-Status Wildlife Species that Could Occur in the Planning Area Page 1 of 9

Legal Statusa Occurrence n the Planning Reasons for Decline or Species Federal/State Distribution Preferred Habitats Area Concern

Conservancy fairy shrimp E/— Disjunct occurrences in Large, deep vernal pools Known to occur at Jepson Loss of vernal pool Branchinecta conservatio Solano, Merced, Tehama, in annual grasslands Prairie; suitable habitat in habitat Butte, and Glenn Counties Phasing Areas D and E

Vernal pool fairy shrimp T/— Central Valley, central Common in vernal pools; No records; potential Loss of vernal pool Branchinecta lynchi and south Coast Ranges also found in sandstone habitat in Phasing Areas habitat from Tehama County to rock outcrop pools D and E Santa Barbara County; isolated populations also in Riverside County

Vernal pool tadpole shrimp E/— Shasta County south to Vernal pools and No records; potential Loss of vernal pool Lepidurus packardi Merced County ephemeral stock ponds habitat in Phasing Areas habitat D and E

Delta green ground beetle T/— Restricted to Olcott Lake Sparsely vegetated edges Known to occur in the Limited distribution; loss Elaphrus viridus and other vernal pools at of vernal lakes and pools Jepson Prairie; suitable of vernal pools Jepson Prairie Preserve, habitat in Phasing Areas Solano County D and E

Valley elderberry longhorn beetle T/— Streamside habitats below Riparian and oak savanna No records; potential Loss of riparian habitats Desmocerus californicus dimorphus 3,000 feet through the habitats with elderberry habitat in the Central Central Valley of shrubs; elderberries are Fairfield and Cordelia California host plant Growth Centers

Ricksecker=s water scavenger beetle SSC/— Endemic to the San Annual streams, roadside Known to occur in Jepson Limited distribution; loss Hydrochara Rickseckeri Francisco Bay region, ditches, artificial pools, Prairie; suitable habitat in of vernal pools occurring in Alameda, natural and constructed Phasing Areas D and E Marin, San Mateo, and vernal pools, seasonally Sonoma Counties; recent innundated stock ponds collections have been and swales within made in Solano County at grasslands and in other the Jepson Prairie depressions that collect Preserve, and from vernal rainwater pools in Sacramento and Placer Counties Table 6-3. Continued. Page 2 of 9

Legal Statusa Occurrence n the Planning Reasons for Decline or Species Federal/State Distribution Preferred Habitats Area Concern

Monarch butterfly (wintering sites) B/— Overwinters in colonies Roosts in wind-protected Fifty individuals were Roosts in large colonies; Danaus plexippus along the California coast tree groves, such as observed in a eucalyptus vulnerable to human from Mendocino County eucalyptus, Monterey grove along the west side disturbance and habitat in the north to San Diego pine, and Monterey of Fairfield; this loss County in the south cypress; nectar and water occurrence is extremely sources are required far inland for an over- wintering site

California tiger salamander C/SSC Central Valley, including Small ponds, lakes, or Known to occur at Jepson Loss of vernal pool Ambystoma tigrinum californiense. Sierra Nevada foothills, vernal pools in grasslands Prairie; suitable habitat in habitat; predation from up to approximately 1,000 and oak woodlands for Phasing Areas D and E non-native fish and feet, and coastal region larvae; rodent burrows, amphibians from Butte County south rock crevices, or fallen to Santa Barbara County logs for cover for adults and for summer dormancy

California red-legged frog T/SSC Found along the coast and Permanent and Potential habitat occurs Loss of riparian and Rana aurora draytoni coastal mountain ranges semipermanent aquatic along riparian corridors wetland habitats of California from habitats, such as creeks and in stock ponds west Humboldt County to San and coldwater ponds, with and north of Cordelia; Diego County; Sierra emergent and submergent recorded in the Suisun Nevada (midelevations vegetation and riparian Marsh area [above 1,000 feet] from species along the edges; Butte County to Fresno may estivate in rodent County) burrows or cracks during dry periods

Foothill yellow-legged frog SC/SSC Occurs in the Klamath, Creeks or rivers in Potential habitat occurs Loss of stream habitats; Rana boylii Cascade, north Coast, woodlands or forests with along riparian corridors, habitat degradation; south Coast, and rock and gravel substrate creeks, and streams introduction of non-native Transverse Ranges; and low overhanging throughout the planning fish and amphibians through the Sierra Nevada vegetation along the edge; area and in areas adjacent foothills up to usually found near riffles to Suisun Marsh approximately 6,000 feet with rocks and sunny (1,800 meters) south to banks nearby Kern County Table 6-3. Continued. Page 3 of 9

Legal Statusa Occurrence n the Planning Reasons for Decline or Species Federal/State Distribution Preferred Habitats Area Concern

Northwestern pond turtle SC/SSC In California, range Woodlands, grasslands, Known to occur at Jepson Loss of aquatic habitat to Clemmys marmorata marmorata extends from Oregon and open forests; occupies Prairie and Suisun Marsh; agricultural development, border of Del Norte and ponds, marshes, rivers, potential habitat exists water diversion, stream Siskiyou Counties south streams, and irrigation throughout the planning channelization, and along coast to San canals with muddy or area urbanization Francisco Bay, inland rocky bottoms and with through Sacramento watercress, cattails, water Valley, and on the western lilies, or other aquatic slope of Sierra Nevada; vegetation range overlaps with that of southwestern pond turtle through the Delta and Central Valley to Tulare County

California horned lizard SC/SSC Sacramento Valley, Grasslands, brushlands, Potential habitat occurs in Habitat loss; habitat Phrynosoma coronatum frontale including foothills, south woodlands, and open chaparral habitats degradation from to southern California; coniferous forest with intensive grazing Coast Ranges south of sandy or loose soil; Sonoma County; below requires abundant ant 4,000 feet in northern colonies for foraging California

Great egret (rookery) —/SSC Permanent resident Usually nests in riparian Potential habitat occurs Loss of habitat Ardea Alba throughout California areas dominated by tall along riparian corridors trees including oaks and throughout the planning cottonwoods, Monterey area cypress, and eucalyptus; forages in fields and wetlands Table 6-3. Continued. Page 4 of 9

Legal Statusa Occurrence n the Planning Reasons for Decline or Species Federal/State Distribution Preferred Habitats Area Concern

Double-crested cormorant —/SSC Winters along the entire Rocky coastlines, beaches, No known breeding sites Loss of riparian and Phalacrocorax auritus California coast and inland ponds, and lakes; in the planning area wetland habitats inland over the Coast needs open water for Ranges into the Central foraging, and nests in Valley from Tehama riparian forests or on County to Fresno County; protected islands, usually a permanent resident in snags along the coast from Monterey County to San Diego County, along the Colorado River, Imperial, Riverside, Kern, and King Counties, and the islands off San Francisco; breeds in Siskiyou, Modoc, Lassen, Shasta, Plumas, and Mono Counties; also breeds in the San Francisco Bay Area and in Yolo and Sacramento Counties

Aleutian Canada goose T/— The entire population Roosts in large marshes, No traditional use areas Declines in breeding Branta canadensis leucopareia winters in Butte Sink, flooded fields, stock populations then moves to Los Banos, ponds, and reservoirs; Modesto, the Delta, and forages in pastures, East Bay reservoirs; stages meadows, and harvested near Crescent City during grainfields; corn is spring before migrating to especially preferred breeding grounds

Cooper=s hawk —/SSC Throughout California Nests primarily in riparian No breeding records; Loss of lowland riparian Accipiter cooperii except high altitudes in forests dominated by suitable habitat exists in habitats and oak the Sierra Nevada; winters deciduous species; also Cordelia and Central woodlands in the Central Valley, nests in densely canopied Fairfield Growth Centers southeastern desert forests from digger pine- regions, and plains east of oak woodland up to the Cascade Range; ponderosa pine; forages in permanent residents open woodlands occupy the rest of the state Table 6-3. Continued. Page 5 of 9

Legal Statusa Occurrence n the Planning Reasons for Decline or Species Federal/State Distribution Preferred Habitats Area Concern

Golden eagle —/SSC, FP Foothills and mountains Cliffs and escarpments or Nearest occurrence is Loss of oak woodlands; Aquila chrysaetos throughout California; tall trees for nesting; approximately 4 miles sensitive to human uncommon nonbreeding annual grasslands, west of the Cordelia disturbance during visitor to lowlands such as chaparral, and oak wood- Growth Center breeding season the Central Valley lands with plentiful medium and large-sized mammals for prey

Ferruginous hawk SC/SSC Does not nest in Open terrain in plains and Winter foraging habitat Loss of grasslands and Buteo regalis California; winter visitor foothills where ground exists in Phasing Areas D agricultural fields along the coast from squirrels and other prey and E Sonoma County to San are available Diego County, eastward to the Sierra Nevada foothills and southeastern deserts, the Inyo-White Mountains, the plains east of the Cascade Range, and Siskiyou County

Swainson=s hawk —/T Lower Sacramento and Nests in oaks or Nearest breeding Loss of foraging habitat Buteo swainsoni San Joaquin Valleys, the cottonwoods in or near occurrence is at the and nesting habitat Klamath Basin, and Butte riparian habitats; forages Cypress Golf Course, 1 Valley; the state=s highest in grasslands, irrigated mile north of the planning nesting densities occur pastures, grain fields, and area; suitable foraging near Davis and Woodland, vegetable crops habitat exists in Phasing Yolo County Areas D and E

Northern harrier —/SSC Throughout lowland Grasslands, meadows, Suitable foraging habitat Loss of wetlands and Circus cyaneus California; has been marshes, and seasonal and exists in Phasing Areas D grasslands recorded in fall at high agricultural wetlands and E; potential breeding elevations providing tall cover habitat occurs in Phasing Areas D and E

White-tailed kite —/FP Lowland areas west of Low foothills or valley No breeding records; Loss of wetlands and Elanus leucurus Sierra Nevada from head areas with valley or live suitable breeding and grasslands of Sacramento Valley oaks, riparian areas, and foraging habitat occurs south, including coastal marshes near open throughout the planning valleys and foothills to grasslands for foraging area western San Diego County at the Mexico border Table 6-3. Continued. Page 6 of 9

Legal Statusa Occurrence n the Planning Reasons for Decline or Species Federal/State Distribution Preferred Habitats Area Concern

American peregrine falcon E/FP Permanent resident on the Nests and roosts on Occasional nonbreeding Habitat loss and pesticide Falco peregrinus anatum north and south Coast protected ledges of high visitor contamination Ranges; may summer on cliffs, usually adjacent to the Cascade and Klamath lakes, rivers, or marshes Ranges south through the that support large Sierra Nevada to Madera populations of other bird County; winters in the species Central Valley south through the Transverse and Peninsular Ranges and the plains east of the Cascade Range

Black rail SC/T Permanent resident in the Tidal salt marshes Occurs in the Suisun Loss of tidal and inland Laterallus jamaicensis San Francisco Bay and associated with heavy Marsh; potential habitat is wetlands by filling and eastward through the growth of pickleweed; limited to small areas near draining Delta into Sacramento and also occurs in brackish Cordelia (Phasing Area San Joaquin Counties; marshes or freshwater A), Suisun City (Central small populations in marshes at low elevations Fairfield Growth Center), Marin, Santa Cruz, San and along State Route 12 Luis Obispo, Orange, (Phasing Area E) Riverside, and Imperial Counties

California clapper rail E/E Marshes around the San Restricted to salt marshes Occurs in the Suisun Overharvesting by Rallus longirostris obsoletus Francisco Bay and east to and tidal sloughs; usually Marsh; potential habitat is commercial and sport Suisun Marsh associated with heavy limited to small areas near hunting, 1850-1913; loss growth of pickleweed; Cordelia (Phasing Area of tidal wetland habitat feeds on mollusks A), Suisun City (Central removed from the mud in Fairfield Growth Center), sloughs and along State Route 12 (Phasing Area E)

Long-billed curlew —/SSC Nests in northeastern Nests at high-elevation Suitable foraging habitat Loss of wetlands for Numenius americanus California in Modoc, grasslands adjacent to exists in Phasing Areas D breeding, feeding, and Siskiyou, and Lassen lakes or marshes during and E foraging Counties; winters along migration and in winter; coast or in interior valleys frequents coastal beaches west of Sierra Nevada and mudflats or interior grasslands and agricultural fields Table 6-3. Continued. Page 7 of 9

Legal Statusa Occurrence n the Planning Reasons for Decline or Species Federal/State Distribution Preferred Habitats Area Concern

Short-eared owl —/SSC Permanent resident along Freshwater and salt Nests in the Suisun Loss of grasslands and Asio flammeus the coast from Del Norte marshes, lowland Marsh; potential nesting wetlands County to Monterey meadows, and irrigated and suitable foraging County although very rare alfalfa fields; needs dense habitat in Phasing Areas in summer north of San tules or tall grass for D and E Francisco Bay, in the nesting and daytime roosts Sierra Nevada north of Nevada County, in the plains east of the Cascades, and in Mono County; small, isolated populations also nest in the Central Valley; winters on the coast from San Luis Obispo County to San Diego County, in the Central Valley from Tehama County to Kern County, in the eastern Sierra Nevada from Sierra County to Alpine County, on the Channel Islands, and in Imperial County

Western burrowing owl SC/SSC Lowlands throughout Rodent burrows in sparse Known to occur in all Loss of grasslands and Athene cunicularia hypugea California, including the grassland, desert, and Phasing Areas and urban agricultural lands; Central Valley, agricultural habitats growth centers; vacant secondary poisoning from northeastern plateau, lots, grasslands, and agri- ground squirrel control southeastern deserts, and cultural areas provide efforts coastal areas; rare along suitable habitat south coast

Saltmarsh common yellowthroat SC/SSC Found only in the San Freshwater marshes in Occurs in the Suisun Loss of riparian habitat Geothlypis trichas sinuosa Francisco Bay Area in summer and salt or Marsh; potential habitat and tidal wetlands for Marin, Napa, Sonoma, brackish marshes in fall occurs along the southern breeding and feeding Solano, San Francisco, and winter; requires tall edge of the Travis/ North- San Mateo, Santa Clara, grasses, tules, and willow east and Central Fairfield and Alameda Counties thickets for nesting and Growth Centers and along cover the eastern edge of the Cordelia Growth Center Table 6-3. Continued. Page 8 of 9

Legal Statusa Occurrence n the Planning Reasons for Decline or Species Federal/State Distribution Preferred Habitats Area Concern

Tricolored blackbird SC/SSC Largely endemic to Nests in dense colonies in No breeding records; Loss of wetland breeding Agelaius tricolor California; permanent emergent marsh potential breeding and habitat; nest disturbance; residents in the Central vegetation, such as tules foraging habitat in the aerial spraying of Valley from Butte County and cattails, or upland Travis/Northeast Growth herbicides and pesticides; to Kern County; at sites with blackberries, Center and mortality from scattered coastal locations nettles, thistles, and poisoned grain from Marin County south grainfields; nesting habitat to San Diego County; must be large enough to breeds at scattered support 50 pairs; probably locations in Lake, requires water at or near Sonoma, and Solano the nesting colony; Counties; rare nester in requires large foraging Siskiyou, Modoc, and areas, including marshes, Lassen Counties pastures, agricultural wetlands, dairies, and feedlots, where insect prey is abundant

Suisun song sparrow SC/SSC Restricted to the extreme Brackish and tidal Known to occur in the Loss of tidal wetlands for Melospiza melodia maxillaris western edge of the Delta, marshes supporting Suisun Marsh; suitable breeding and feeding between the cities of cattails, tules, various habitat is limited to small Vallejo and Pittsburg near sedges, and pickleweed areas near Cordelia Suisun Bay (Phasing Area A), Suisun City (Central Fairfield Growth Center), and along State Route 12 (Phasing Area E)

Suisun ornate shrew SC/SSC Restricted to San Pablo Tidal, salt, and brackish Known to occur in the Loss of tidal wetlands for Sorex ornatus sinuosus Bay and Suisun Bay, both marshes containing Suisun Marsh; suitable breeding, feeding, and in Solano County pickleweed, grindelia, habitat is limited to small cover bulrushes, or cattails; areas near Cordelia requires driftwood or (Phasing Area A), Suisun other objects for nesting City (Central Fairfield cover Growth Center), and along State Route 12 (Phasing Area E) Table 6-3. Continued. Page 9 of 9

Legal Statusa Occurrence n the Planning Reasons for Decline or Species Federal/State Distribution Preferred Habitats Area Concern

Salt marsh harvest mouse E/E San Francisco, San Pablo, Salt marshes with a dense Known to occur in the Loss of tidal wetlands for Reithrodontomys raviventris and Suisun Bays plant cover of pickleweed Suisun Marsh; suitable breeding, feeding, and and fat hen; adjacent to an habitat is limited to small cover; loss of adjacent upland site used as escape areas near Cordelia uplands as escape cover habitat from high tides; (Phasing Area A), Suisun from flooding; habitat does not burrow, builds City (Central Fairfield fragmentation; land loosely organized nests Growth Center), and subsidence; vegetation along State Route 12 change (Phasing Area E)

a Status explanations:

Federal

E = listed as endangered under the federal Endangered Species Act (ESA). T = listed as threatened under the federal ESA. SC = species of concern; species for which existing information indicates it may warrant listing but for which substantial biological information to support a proposed rule is lacking. C = species for which U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has on file sufficient information on biological vulnerability and threat(s) to support issuance of a proposed rule to list.

State

E = listed as endangered under the California Endangered Species Act (CESA). T = listed as threatened under the CESA. FP = fully protected under the California Fish and Game Code. SSC = species of special concern.

— = no status definition.

Source: California Natural Diversity Database 2001, California Department of Fish and Game 1983.

City of Fairfield Natural Resources and Conservation

adjacent areas could be temporarily or permanently displaced during construction.

„ The removal of common and widespread habitats in the planning area, such as annual grassland and agricultural land, will not result in a substantial regional decrease in those habitat types.

„ Proposed projects will avoid or minimize the removal of woody vegetation.

„ Removal of sensitive biological habitats, such as oak woodlands, and jurisdictional waters of the United States, including wetlands and streams, could cause a substantial localized decrease in those habitats and could result in the direct loss of special-status species or their habitats. Direct effects on sensitive and/or jurisdictional biological habitats will be minimized in the planning area and mitigation for any loss of habitat will be required through mitigation.

Incorporation of the Solano HCP into the Mitigation Measures

The SCWA; Cities of Fairfield, Suisun City, Vacaville, and Vallejo; and two irrigation districts are required to participate in the preparation of a joint habitat conservation plan (HCP) as a condition of water delivery by the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation (USBR) to the SCWA. The biological opinion for the Solano Water Service Contract Renewal concluded the formal ESA consultation between USBR and the USFWS. The biological opinion included a conservation measure for preparation and implementation of an HCP to address the indirect effects of the water delivery on threatened and endangered species. The HCP is in the early stages of preparation. Identification of covered projects, quantification of effects, and development of conservation measures are in progress. The HCP participants also intend to prepare a natural community conservation plan (NCCP) to address CESA compliance. The proposed general plan is considered a covered project under the HCP and NCCP.

Species intended to be covered under the HCP that also could occur within the planning area include, but are not limited to:

„ Colusa grass,

„ Contra Costa goldfields,

„ Soft bird’s-beak,

„ Solano grass,

„ Suisun thistle,

„ Conservancy fairy shrimp,

„ Delta green ground beetle,

„ Valley elderberry longhorn beetle,

„ Vernal pool fairy shrimp,

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„ Vernal pool tadpole shrimp,

„ California red-legged frog,

„ California tiger salamander,

„ California clapper rail,

„ Swainson’s hawk,

„ Burrowing owl, and

„ Salt marsh harvest mouse.

The communities to be covered under the NCCP have not been finalized but are likely to include riparian and some wetland communities. The analysis in this program EIR assumes that mitigation measures proposed in the EIR for the HCP- covered species and NCCP-covered communities are consistent but could be superceded by the HCP and NCCP conservation measures on completion and agency acceptance of the HCP and NCCP.

Thresholds of Significance

Appendix G of the State CEQA Guidelines indicates that a project would have a significant effect on the environment if it would:

„ have a substantial adverse effect, either directly or through habitat modifications, on any species identified as a candidate, sensitive, or special-status species in local or regional plans, policies, or regulations, or by the CDFG or USFWS;

„ have a substantial adverse effect on any riparian habitat or other sensitive natural community identified in local or regional plans, policies, or regulations, or by the CDFG or USFWS;

„ have a substantial adverse effect on federally protected wetlands as defined by Section 404 of the federal CWA (including, but not limited to, marshes, vernal pools, and coastal wetlands) through direct removal, filling, hydrological interruption, or other means;

„ interfere substantially with the movement of any native resident or migratory fish or wildlife species or with established native resident or migratory wildlife corridors, or impede the use of native wildlife nursery sites;

„ conflict with any local policies or ordinances protecting biological resources, such as a tree preservation policy or ordinance; or The City has identified specific standards to implement the preceding two significance criteria under Appendix G. The City has a Tree Preservation Ordinance that outlines trees to be protected in Fairfield (Chapter 25, Sections 25.36–25.38). The ordinance is aimed at protecting trees during development, and promoting tree conservation. Protected trees include trees on public property, native oaks, bay laurel, madrone, and buckeye species of 6 inches in diameter at breast height (dbh), and trees that support habitat or cultural value. A tree removal permit and specific mitigation are required for removal of protected trees.

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„ conflict with the provisions of an adopted HCP, NCCP, or other approved local, regional, or state habitat conservation plan.

6.4.3 Relevant General Plan Policies

The following policies from the proposed general plan address the protection of biological resources:

„ Policy OS 2.1. All future Master Plans shall include adequate provisions for incorporating open space buffers. View corridors, watersheds, and prominent ridges shall be protected, and development on unstable soils shall be discouraged.

„ Policy OS 2.2. Establish and maintain open space buffer zones between Vallejo and Fairfield along I-80 and between Fairfield and Benicia along I- 680, identified as Open Space Planning Area 1 on the Open Space Planning Area map.

„ Policy OS 2.3. All land uses and activities in Open Space Planning Area 1, also known as the Benicia/Fairfield/Vallejo Buffer as shown in Exhibit OS-1, shall conform to the policies contained in the Tri-City and County Cooperative Plan for Agriculture and Open Space Preservation.

„ Policy OS 2.4. Preserve open space and agricultural lands in Green Valley.

„ Policy OS 2.5. Establish a permanent open space buffer between Fairfield and Vacaville consistent with the Fairfield-Vacaville Greenbelt Study Committee Report and Recommendations of May 9, 1991.

„ Policy OS 2.6. Maximize open space preserved to enhance City identity and preserve surrounding natural environments.

„ Policy OS 7.1. Establish policies to protect indigenous wildlife and their habitats.

„ Policy OS 7.2. Work with the County to preserve Green Valley Falls as a nature reserve. Plan for limited public access in the environmentally sensitive areas of the Green Valley canyon.

„ Policy OS 7.3. Work with the County to ensure that development projects within the Rockville Hills/Stoneridge Open Space Planning Area to achieve minimal alteration of existing land contours and natural drainage channels.

„ Policy OS 7.4. Provide for the permanent protection of wildlife habitat areas.

„ Policy OS 7.5. Identify and protect vernal pools located in the entire General Plan Area. For vernal pools located in the Technology Park and Travis Reserve, establish a habitat reserve similar to the Jepson Prairie Nature Preserve.

„ Policy OS 7.6. Avoid the potential negative impacts of increased human activity on sensitive habitat areas when establishing new recreational facilities or programs.

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„ Policy OS 7.7. Promote the preservation of existing mature trees and encourage the planting of appropriate shade trees in new developments.

„ Policy OS 9.1. Promote restoration and establish permanent mechanisms to protect wetlands and riparian corridors.

„ Policy OS 9.2. Manage all seasonal creeks and other drainage courses so as to protect and enhance the Suisun Marsh. (See Policy PF 8.4 A)

„ Policy OS 9.3. Secure wetlands designation for appropriate lands in the Fairfield/Vacaville Greenbelt and for lands in the Travis AFB/Jepson Prairie Planning Area.

„ Policy OS 9.4. Allow no development on the east side of I-680 between Parish Road and the Cordelia historic area.

„ Policy OS 9.5. Support acquisition of key parcels on the periphery of the Suisun Marsh to ensure the integrity of the entire marsh.

„ Policy OS 9.6. Continue to endorse the integrity of the Suisun Marsh Secondary Management Zone.

„ Policy OS 9.7. Promote only low intensity recreational activities which are compatible with the marsh environment adjacent to Suisun Marsh.

„ Policy OS 9.8. Preserve natural water courses through requirements of land dedication and open space improvement imposed during the land development process.

„ Policy OS 9.9. The proponents of new development projects along important freshwater marsh, riparian, or open water habitat areas that are not already covered by the City's Creekside Protection Ordinance shall provide an assessment of the habitat. Based on the assessment, an enhancement or restoration plan would be required to be prepared by a qualified person(s) experienced in the development and implementation of riparian restoration and enhancement plans.

„ Policy OS 11.7. Maintain watercourses within the General Plan Area as components of the recreation corridor system. Public access within sensitive habitat areas of waterway shall be considered individually to ensure protection of the habitat resource.

6.4.4 Impacts and Mitigation Measures

The biological impacts of the proposed general plan on both citywide and Residential and Mixed Use Revision Area levels are described below. To provide a systematic discussion of the impacts and mitigation measures for the proposed general plan, this analysis is organized by habitat type and affected species, not by individual components of the proposed general plan. This offers a programmatic overview of the proposed general plan, but each individual component was considered during the analysis, and these components are specified where relevant.

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A summary of the significance levels for the following impacts within each project component in the planning area is provided in table 6-4.

Impacts of the Proposed General Plan (Citywide)

Impact BIO-1: Potential Loss of Oak Woodland and Savanna

The proposed general plan could result in the loss of oak woodland and oak savanna habitat from future development activities.

Oak woodland and oak savanna are important plant and wildlife habitats. The State Senate passed a resolution identifying the conservation of oak woodlands as a priority of state agencies when authorizing actions and projects (Senate Concurrent Resolution No. 17, January 18, 1989). The CDFG recommends protection of oak woodland habitat consistent with this resolution. Land conversion activities, such as urban, agricultural, and range development, have contributed to the loss of more than 1 million acres of oak woodland since 1945 (Senate Concurrent Resolution No. 17, January 18, 1989); this loss has led the California Department of Forestry, CNPS, and The Nature Conservancy to identify the conservation and management of oak woodlands as major issues. Policy OS 7.7 encourages protection of existing mature trees, and Policy OS 7.4 encourages protection of wildlife habitat areas. Also, the City’s Tree Conservation Ordinance would require specific mitigation ratios for the loss of native oaks of 6 inches dbh or more.

The project components known to support areas of oak woodland and savanna include the westernmost portion of the planning area and the Rancho Solano North and Nelson Hill Master Plan Areas (figure 6-2).

Redesignation of unincorporated land east of Rockville Hills Park for agriculture and lower density residential uses would allow development within and removal of existing oak woodland. This impact is considered significant.

Development of the Rancho Solano North Master Plan Area, which contains substantial areas of oak woodland and savanna along the ridgetops and slopes, could result in the loss of oak woodland and savanna habitat, which is considered significant.

Development of the 12.5-acre Suisun Valley Road Site could result in the removal of mature interior live oak trees along the hillside. Loss of these trees is considered significant.

The proposed roadway improvements would have potentially significant impacts on oak woodland, savanna, or mature oak trees depending on the resources present at specific locations.

Implementation of the following mitigation measures would reduce these impacts to a less-than-significant level.

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Mitigation Measure BIO-1a: Identify Sensitive Biological Resources within Proposed Development Areas The following additional policy shall be added to the proposed general plan:

„ Policy OS 7.8. For each proposed development site within oak woodland or oak savannah biological communities, the City will require qualified biologists to identify and map all sensitive biological resources, including special-status species (as defined above) and their habitats; using methods and protocols developed or acceptable by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and California Department of Fish and Game, make recommendations for avoiding sensitive biological resources to the extent feasible; and flag or fence sensitive resources to be avoided. This requirement shall apply prior to City consideration of any development proposal for the site.

If oak trees are present on the project site, the project proponent will implement one or a combination of the following mitigation measures.

Mitigation Measure BIO-1b: Avoid or Reduce Loss of Oak Woodland and Savanna The following additional program shall be added to the proposed general plan:

‰ Program 7.8A. The loss of healthy oak trees of all age classes should be avoided or reduced to the extent feasible for each development site. Prior to consideration of any development proposal for the site, the City shall require a botanist to identify and map project-site trees, noting the dbh, and will make recommendations for avoidance. If necessary, a certified arborist may be hired to document the health status of oak trees on the project site. The botanist will coordinate placement of protective temporary fencing outside of the driplines of oak trees to be preserved.

Mitigation Measure BIO-1c: Compensate for Removal of Oak Woodland and Savanna The following additional program shall be added to the proposed general plan:

‰ Program 7.8B. For each project in which unavoidable removal of oak woodland or savanna will occur, the City shall require the development of a compensation plan. Compensation will consist of tree planting (preferably onsite) or purchase and preservation of existing woodland or savanna. The City will develop required compensation ratios for removed oak trees, consistent with its Tree Conservation Ordinance and require compliance with the compensation plan.

Depending on the oak tree resources present on the project site, implementation of this measure may or may not reduce this impact to a less-than-significant level. If a site contains mature oak trees, which can be 100 years old or more, unavoidable removal of such trees cannot be compensated except over a long period. However, implementation of mitigation measures BIO-1b and BIO-1c would reduce the severity of the impact.

Draft Program Environmental Impact Report August 2001 Comprehensive Amendment to the J&S 01-078 City of Fairfield General Plan 6-36 Table 6-4. Summary of Project Impacts on Biological Resources

Wetlands (Freshwater Marsh, Salt Marsh, Stream Vernal Channels Oak Pool/ and Special- Special- Common Woodland/ Seasonal Open Status Status Wildlife Noxious Proposed Project Components Savanna Riparian Wetland) Water Chaparral Grassland Agriculture Plants Wildlife Habitat Weeds Proposed General Plan S S S S PS PS PS S PS PS PS (Citywide) Residential and Mixed-Use Revision Areas a. Suisun Valley Road S NI NI NI NI LTS LTS PS PS LTS PS b. Tobin Site NI S S S NI LTS LTS PS PS LTS PS c. Texas Street NI NI NI NI NI LTS NI PS PS PS d. Texas Street/ Pennsylvania NI NI NI NI NI LTS NI PS PS LTS PS Avenue e. Jefferson Street Corridor NI NI NI NI NI LTS NI PS PS LTS PS f. Mission Village NI NI NI NI NI LTS NI PS PS LTS PS g. Dickson Hill Road NI NI NI NI NI LTS NI PS PS LTS PS h. Train Station NI NI S S NI LTS LTS PS PS LTS PS

Alternative 1 S S S S PS PS PS S PS PS PS Alternative 2 S S S S PS PS PS S PS PS PS Alternative 3 NI S S S NI LTS LTS S S LTS PS Alternative 4 S S S S PS PS PS S PS PS PS

Notes: S = Impact is significant PS = Impact is potentially significant LTS = Impact is less than significant NI = No impact to resource is anticipated due to this project component

* Impacts due to this project component are included with the General Plan document and Land Use Diagram revisions.

City of Fairfield Natural Resources and Conservation

Impact BIO-2: Potential Loss of Riparian Habitat

The proposed general plan could result in the loss of an undetermined acreage of riparian habitat because of future development activities.

Riparian areas are sensitive habitats and are identified as special natural communities by the CDFG (California Natural Diversity Database 2001). Impacts on riparian habitats, therefore, are generally regulated by the CDFG through a Streambed Alteration Agreement (SAA) under Section 1601 or 1603 of the California Fish and Game Code. Discharge of fill within a riparian area may also be regulated by the Corps and would require a CWA Section 404 permit and a CWA Section 401 certification from the San Francisco Bay RWQCB. Policy OS 9.1 encourages protection of riparian corridors, Policy OS 9.2 requires the management of drainage courses for protection of the Suisun Marsh, and Policy OS 9.9 requires that proponents of new development projects along important riparian habitat areas that are not already covered by the City’s Creekside Protection Ordinance to provide a habitat assessment and a riparian enhancement or restoration plan.

The project components that support areas of riparian habitat include the Rockville Hills Park vicinity and the Tobin Site along Suisun and Dan Wilson Creeks, as well as the Cordelia Bypass along Cordelia Slough and Suisun Creek. Small inclusions of riparian habitat may also exist elsewhere in the planning area, including areas with proposed roadway improvements. Riparian habitat within these project components may be removed or degraded as a result of future development. Impacts on riparian habitat within the planning area are considered significant. Implementation of the following mitigation measures would reduce these impacts to a less-than-significant level. If the NCCP includes riparian habitat in its final approved form, mitigation through the NCCP may supercede the measures included here.

Mitigation Measure BIO-1a: Identify Sensitive Biological Resources within Proposed Development Areas The following additional program shall be added to the proposed general plan:

‰ Program OS 9.9A. For each proposed development site within a riparian habitat biological community, the City will require qualified biologists to identify and map all sensitive biological resources, including special- status species (as defined above) and their habitats; using methods and protocols developed or acceptable by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and California Department of Fish and Game, make recommendations for avoiding sensitive biological resources to the extent feasible; and flag or fence sensitive resources to be avoided. This requirement shall apply prior to City consideration of any development proposal for the site.

Mitigation Measure BIO-2a: Avoid or Reduce Loss of Riparian Habitat The following additional policy and program shall be added to the proposed general plan:

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„ Policy OS 9.10. Avoid or reduce the loss of riparian habitat to the extent feasible for each development site.

‰ Program OS 9.10A. Within each proposed development or agricultural conversion site, and prior to consideration of development proposals, the City shall require a botanist to identify and map riparian habitat and make recommendations for avoidance. The botanist will coordinate placement of protective temporary fencing around riparian habitat to be preserved.

Mitigation Measure BIO-2b: Obtain Permits for Removal of Riparian Habitat The following additional program shall be added to the proposed general plan:

‰ Program OS 9.10B. The City shall require the project proponent to obtain all necessary permits pertaining to affected riparian habitat within the planning area prior to allowing development. Removal of riparian habitat may require a streambed alteration agreement from the California Department of Fish and Game and may require a Section 404 permit from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and federal Clean Water Act, Section 401, certification from the San Francisco Bay Regional Water Quality Control Board. The permitting process will also require compensation for riparian impacts.

Mitigation Measure BIO-2c: Compensate for Removal of Riparian Habitat The following additional program shall be added to the proposed general plan:

‰ Program OS 9.10C. For each project in which unavoidable removal of riparian habitat will occur, the City shall require the project proponent to develop a riparian habitat compensation plan. Compensation will consist of plantings, preferably onsite, or purchase and preservation of existing riparian habitat. The City will develop required compensation ratios for removed riparian vegetation in coordination with the California Department of Fish and Game, or the California Department of Fish and Game may require specific compensation for a site through the streambed alteration agreement.

Impact BIO-3: Loss of Wetland Communities

The proposed general plan would result in the loss of an undetermined acreage of wetlands including freshwater marsh, salt marsh, vernal pool, and seasonal wetland habitats.

Wetlands are sensitive habitats, and wetland communities such as freshwater marsh, salt marsh, and vernal pool are identified as special natural communities by the CDFG (California Natural Diversity Database 2001). Impacts on wetlands within stream channels and ponds are generally regulated by the CDFG through an SAA under Section 1601 or 1603 of the California Fish and Game Code. Discharge of fill within into wetlands that are adjacent to or within waters of the

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United States, such as streams and sloughs, is regulated by the Corps and requires a CWA Section 404 permit and a CWA Section 401 certification from the San Francisco Bay RWQCB. Impacts on off-channel, isolated wetlands, which include some vernal pools and seasonal wetlands, are no longer regulated by the Corps through the CWA Section 404 permit process, however, because of the January 2001 U.S. Supreme Court decision in favor of the Solid Waste Agency of Northern Cook County. Although no specific jurisdiction is currently in place for these wetlands, they may be regulated by the San Francisco Bay RWQCB. In addition, the USFWS regulates vernal pools or seasonal wetlands that support listed plant or animal species.

Policy OS 7.5 protects vernal pools throughout the entire planning area, particularly those located in the Technology Park and Travis Reserve, where a vernal pool habitat reserve will be established. Policy OS 9.1 promotes restoration and protection of wetlands. Policy OS 9.2 encourages management of drainage courses to protect the Suisun Marsh. Policy OS 9.3 requires that wetlands in the Fairfield/Vacaville Greenbelt and for lands in the Travis AFB/Jepson Prairie planning area are identified. Policy OS 9.9 requires that proponents of new development projects along important freshwater marsh habitats that are not already covered by the City’s Creekside Protection Ordinance to provide a habitat assessment and a freshwater marsh enhancement or restoration plan. Proposed general plan policies also specifically protect marsh habitats near the Suisun Marsh, including Policies OS 9.5–9.7.

The project components known to support one or more wetland habitat types include:

„ the proposed Technology Park and Travis Reserve (vernal pool/seasonal wetland and possibly freshwater and salt marsh),

„ Rancho Solano North Master Plan Area (potential for vernal pool/seasonal wetland),

„ the Tobin Site (potential for vernal pool/seasonal wetland and freshwater marsh),

„ the Train Station Site (vernal pool/seasonal wetland and freshwater marsh), and

„ Cordelia Road (potential for vernal pool/seasonal wetland, freshwater marsh, and/or salt marsh).

Development under the new designations within project components that support wetland habitats could result in direct fill of wetlands by grading or indirect impacts on wetlands because of erosion of surrounding graded upland areas and sedimentation into adjacent wetlands. Direct and indirect impacts on wetland habitats would be considered significant.

Implementation of the following mitigation measures would reduce these impacts to a less-than-significant level. If the NCCP includes freshwater marsh, salt marsh, vernal pool or seasonal wetland habitat in its final approved form, mitigation from the NCCP for the covered habitat may supercede these measures.

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Mitigation Measure BIO-1a: Identify Sensitive Biological Resources within Proposed Development Areas The following additional program shall be added to the proposed general plan:

‰ Program OS 9.1A. For each proposed development site within freshwater marsh, salt marsh, vernal pool, and seasonal wetland biological communities, the City will require qualified biologists to identify and map all sensitive biological resources, including special- status species (as defined above) and their habitats; using methods and protocols developed or acceptable by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and California Department of Fish and Game, make recommendations for avoiding sensitive biological resources to the extent feasible; and flag or fence sensitive resources to be avoided. This requirement shall apply prior to City consideration of any development proposal for the site.

Mitigation Measure BIO-3a: Avoid or Reduce Loss of Wetlands and Other Waters of the United States The following additional program shall be added to the proposed General Plan:

‰ Program OS 9.9B. The loss of freshwater marsh, salt marsh, and vernal pool/seasonal wetland habitat and of stream channel and open-water habitats will be avoided or reduced to the extent feasible for each development site. Within each proposed development or agricultural conversion site, the project wetland ecologist will delineate and map waters of the United States and isolated wetland and open-water habitats and will make recommendations for avoidance. The wetland ecologist will coordinate placement of protective temporary fencing around wetland, stream channel, and open-water habitat to be preserved. Erosion control measures will be implemented at the edges of graded areas to minimize potential release of sediments into adjacent avoided wetland, stream channel, and open-water habitats.

Mitigation Measure BIO-3b: Obtain and Implement Conditions of State and Federal Permits for Impacts on Wetlands and Other Waters of the United States The following additional program shall be added to the proposed general plan:

‰ Program OS 9.9C. The City shall require the project proponent to obtain all necessary permits pertaining to affected waters of the United States, including wetland habitat and stream channel and pond habitat regulated by the California Department of Fish and Game and/or San Francisco Bay Regional Water Quality Control Board prior to construction. Grading or other construction activities within streambeds or ponds may require an streambed alteration agreement from the California Department of Fish and Game. Discharge of fill into waters of the United States will require a Clean Water Act Section 404 permit from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and Clean Water Act Section 401 certification from the San Francisco Bay Regional Water Quality Control Board. The permitting process will also require compensation for construction impacts.

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Mitigation Measure BIO-3c: Compensate for Fill of Wetlands and Other Waters of the United States The following additional programs shall be added to the proposed General Plan:

‰ Program OS 9.9D. For each project in which unavoidable removal of wetland habitat or other waters of the United States will occur, the City shall require the project proponent to develop a compensation plan prior to construction. Compensation may include purchase of mitigation credits for the affected habitat types at an established mitigation bank, if available; preservation, and possibly enhancement, of in-kind habitat types; or creation and preservation of in-kind habitat types. Required mitigation ratios will be developed on a case-by-case basis in coordination with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, California Department of Fish and Game, and/or U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (for wetlands that are occupied by federally listed species).

Impact BIO-4: Potential Realignment of and Indirect Impacts on Stream Channels and Open Water Habitats

The proposed general plan could result in the loss of an undetermined acreage of stream channels and open-water habitats.

Stream channels may be contained within their natural alignments or may be realigned into constructed channels or pipes. Stream channels may also support perennial or seasonal flows and be tidal or nontidal. Stream channels, and ponds or reservoirs that are hydrologically connected to streams, are classified as waters of the United States and are regulated by the Corps. Impacts on stream channels, ponds, and lakes are also regulated by the CDFG an SAA under Section 1601 or 1603 of the California Fish and Game Code. Discharge of fill into waters of the United States, including realignment of stream channels or placement of a stream channel into a pipeline, requires a CWA Section 404 permit from the Corps and a CWA Section 401 certification from the San Francisco Bay RWQCB.

Policy OS 7.3 encourages protection of natural drainage channels within the Rockville Hills/Stoneridge Open Space Planning Area. Policy OS 9.2 requires management of all drainages to protect and enhance the Suisun Marsh. Policy OS 9.8 requires preservation of natural watercourses during development through land dedication and open space. Policy OS 9.9 requires an enhancement or restoration plan for affected open water habitats within development areas for habitats that are not already covered by the City’s Creekside Protection Ordinance. Policy OS 11.7 requires maintenance of stream channels as components of the recreation corridor system while protecting sensitive habitat areas.

Project components known to support stream channels and open-water habitats include:

„ the proposed Technology Park and Travis Reserve (Union Creek, a tributary to Denverton Creek and ponds),

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„ the Rancho Solano North Master Plan Area (unnamed seasonal drainages),

„ the Tobin Site (Suisun and Dan Wilson creeks),

„ the Train Station Site (pond), and

„ Cordelia Road (Suisun Creek and Cordelia Slough).

Development under the new designations within these project components or other portions of the planning area where stream channels or open water habitats occur could result in direct fill of stream channels and open water habitats by grading. Indirect impacts could occur because of erosion of surrounding graded upland areas and sedimentation into adjacent stream channels and open water habitats. Impacts on wetland vegetation within stream channels and open water habitats are discussed above under the impact titled “Loss of Wetland Communities.” Direct and indirect impacts on stream channels and open-water habitats would be considered significant.

Implementation of the following mitigation measures would reduce these impacts to a less-than-significant level. If the NCCP includes stream channel and/or open-water habitat in its final approved form, mitigation from the NCCP for the covered habitat(s) may supercede these measures.

Mitigation Measure BIO-1a: Identify Sensitive Biological Resources within Proposed Development Areas The following additional program shall be added to the proposed General Plan:

„ Policy OS 9.1C. For each proposed development site affecting a stream channel or open water biological communities, the City will require qualified biologists to identify and map all sensitive biological resources, including special-status species (as defined above) and their habitats; using methods and protocols developed or acceptable by the USFWS and CDFG, make recommendations for avoiding sensitive biological resources to the extent feasible; and flag or fence sensitive resources to be avoided. This requirement shall apply prior to City consideration of any development proposal for the site.

Mitigation Measure BIO-3a: Avoid or Reduce Loss of Wetlands and Other Waters of the United States This measure is described above.

Mitigation Measure BIO-3b: Obtain and Implement Conditions of State and Federal Permits for Impacts on Wetlands and Other Waters of the United States This measure is described above.

Mitigation Measure BIO-3c: Compensate for Fill of Wetlands and Other Waters of the United States This measure is described above.

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Impact BIO-5: Loss of Chaparral Habitat

Chaparral is a common natural community that is abundant regionally and statewide. Chaparral occurs in a very localized portion within the Urban Limit Line just east of Suisun Valley Road. If future development affects this habitat, the loss will be minor compared to the more extensive chaparral habitat in the project vicinity. Chaparral elsewhere in Fairfield may be preserved within open- space areas surrounding the urbanized center, as required by Policies OS 2.1–2.6. This impact is considered less than significant. However, loss of chaparral habitat could result in impacts on special-status species, as discussed below in impact BIO-14. No mitigation is required.

Impact BIO-6: Loss of Annual Grassland

The proposed general plan could result in the loss of an undetermined acreage of annual grassland. Annual grassland is a common natural community and is abundant throughout the planning area, as well as regionally and statewide. The dominant plant species within annual grassland habitat are also common, and many are nonnative. Annual grassland elsewhere in Fairfield will be preserved within open-space areas surrounding the urbanized center, as required by Policies OS 2.1–2.6. This impact is considered less than significant. However, loss of annual grassland habitats could result in impacts on vernal pool/seasonal wetland habitats that occur as a matrix within annual grassland habitat, as discussed above in impact BIO-14. Loss of annual grassland could also result in impacts on special-status plant and wildlife species, as discussed in the impacts BIO-8, BIO-10, BIO-14, BIO-15, BIO-16, and BIO-17.

Mitigation Measure Annual grassland mitigation for loss of special-status species habitat is discussed under impact BIO-16. No additional mitigation is required.

Impact BIO-7: Loss of Agricultural Land

The proposed general plan could result in the loss of an undetermined acreage of agricultural land. Agricultural land is a common artificial community and is abundant throughout the planning area, regionally, and statewide. The dominant plant species within agricultural land are common and almost entirely nonnative. Agricultural land elsewhere in Fairfield will be preserved within open-space areas surrounding the urbanized center, as required by Policies OS 2.1–2.6. From a biological standpoint, this impact is considered less than significant. However, loss of agricultural land could result in impacts on special-status wildlife species, as discussed in impacts BIO-15, BIO-16, BIO-17, BIO-18, and BIO-20. No mitigation is required.

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Impact BIO-8: Loss of or Indirect Impacts on Special- Status Plant Populations

Future development activities resulting from the proposed general plan could cause the loss of special-status plant populations or indirect impacts that could degrade the habitat of special-status plant populations.

Known populations of special-status plants are present within the planning area, including the federally listed Contra Costa goldfields within the proposed Technology Park and Travis Reserve, and Cordelia Road; the federally listed showy Indian clover within the proposed Technology Park; and the CNPS-listed Brewer’s dwarf flax in Phasing Area C. Potential habitat for 32 other special- status plants occurs throughout the planning area within all sensitive natural community habitat types and in chaparral and annual grassland (table 6-2). Direct impacts on special-status plants could occur through grading of project sites or indirectly through grading of adjacent areas that could result in erosion and sedimentation or alteration of hydrologic conditions in the vicinity. Policy OS 7.5, which generally requires protection of vernal pools in the planning area and a habitat reserve in the Technology Park and Travis Reserve, may protect some vernal pools that support Contra Costa goldfields. However, other vernal pools and other habitats that may support special-status plants are not adequately protected from direct loss and indirect effects of development. This impact is considered significant.

Implementation of the following mitigation measures would reduce these impacts to a less-than-significant level if special-status plants can be avoided. Additional measures within the HCP would also reduce this impact. If the HCP is approved and adopted before implementation of the proposed general plan, HCP mitigation for impacts on Colusa grass, Contra Costa goldfields, soft bird’s-beak, Solano grass, and Suisun thistle could supercede these measures.

Mitigation Measure BIO-8a: Conduct Surveys for Special-Status Plants The following additional policy and program shall be added to the proposed General Plan:

„ Policy OS 7.9. Promote the protection of special status plant populations.

‰ Program OS 7.9A. The City shall require project proponents within undeveloped lands to retain a qualified botanist to conduct surveys of proposed project sites to identify special-status plant species. Surveys will be conducted during the blooming periods for all potentially present special-status plants. All locations of special-status plants will be identified on maps.

Mitigation Measure BIO-8b: Avoid Impacts on Special-Status Plants The following additional program shall be added to the proposed General Plan:

‰ Program OS 7.9A. Special-status plants, especially federally listed species, will be avoided by construction activities wherever feasible.

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Prior to beginning construction, the plants and a minimum buffer size to be determined on a case-by-case basis for each project site will be fenced and protected throughout construction.

Mitigation Measure BIO-8c: Compensate for Unavoidable Loss of Special-Status Plants The following additional program shall be added to the proposed General Plan:

‰ Program OS 7.9B. If complete avoidance of a special-status plant is not feasible, the impact will be reduced to the extent possible and the unavoidable loss will be compensated. The City will require the project proponent to retain a qualified botanist to develop a mitigation plan. Depending on the legal status of the plant species (i.e., listing under the federal ESA or CESA), the California Department of Fish and Game or U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service will be consulted before preparation of the mitigation plan. The mitigation plan should include a description and map of mitigation sites, methods to be used; management techniques for the sites; and sources of funding to purchase, manage, and preserve the sites. Mitigation could include purchase of an existing offsite area known to support the special-status species to be affected, as well as preserving the site in perpetuity. Transplanting and/or reseeding of special-status plants is not a proven effective compensation method for most species; therefore, project proponents should avoid special-status plants for which transplanting techniques have not been proven or compensate for impacts by preserving another population.

Impact BIO-9: Loss of Habitat for Valley Elderberry Longhorn Beetle

The proposed general plan could result in the loss of an undetermined number of elderberry shrubs because of future development activities. Elderberry shrubs are habitat for the federally threatened valley elderberry longhorn beetle, which depends entirely on blue elderberry shrubs for food and reproduction. Elderberry shrubs grow primarily in riparian areas but are also found in grassland and oak savanna habitats and along fence rows and utility corridors. Proposed general plan policies relevant to this impact are listed under impacts BIO-1, BIO-2, and BIO-6.

The project components known to support riparian areas include the Tobin Site along Suisun and Dan Wilson Creeks, as well as Cordelia Road along Cordelia Slough and Suisun Creek. Small inclusions of riparian habitat may also exist elsewhere in the planning area. The project components known to support oak savanna habitat include Rancho Solano North and Nelson Hill Master Plan Areas and the Suisun Valley Road Site. Annual grassland is a common natural community and is abundant throughout the planning area.

Development activities associated with the proposed general plan could result in the loss of valley elderberry longhorn beetle habitat during construction and would be considered a take as defined under the federal ESA. This impact is

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considered significant. Implementation of the following mitigation measures would reduce this impact to a less-than-significant level. Additional measures within the HCP would also reduce this impact. If the HCP is approved and adopted before implementation of the proposed general plan, HCP mitigation for impacts on valley elderberry longhorn beetle could supercede these measures.

Mitigation Measure BIO-1a: Identify Sensitive Biological Resources within Proposed Development Areas The following policy shall be amended and the additional program shall be added to the proposed General Plan:

„ Policy OS7.1. Establish policies to protect indigenous wildlife and their habitats. Support the Solano County Water Agency Habitat Conservation Plan (HCP) preparation effort and, if the HCP is approved and adopted, implement its requirements.

‰ Program OS 7.1C. For each proposed development site within a riparian, grassland, or Oak Savannah biological community, the City will require qualified biologists to identify and map all sensitive biological resources, including special-status species (as defined above) and their habitats; using methods and protocols developed or acceptable by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and California Department of Fish and Game, make recommendations for avoiding sensitive biological resources to the extent feasible; and flag or fence sensitive resources to be avoided. This requirement shall apply prior to City consideration of any development proposal for the site.

Mitigation Measure BIO-2a: Avoid or Reduce Loss of Riparian Habitat This measure is described above.

Mitigation Measure BIO-9a: Consult with U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service if Elderberry Shrubs are Located The following additional program shall be added to the proposed General Plan:

‰ Program OS 7.1D. If elderberry shrubs are found during implementation of Policy , the project proponent will refer to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service conservation guidelines for the valley elderberry longhorn beetle (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 1999). If it is determined that impacts cannot be avoided by maintaining distance requirements as specified in the guidelines, the project proponent will consult with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service under Section 7 of the federal Endangered Species Act (or Section 10 if the project does not involve a federal action). Under Section 7, the consultation will require the preparation of a biological assessment, development of a compensation plan according to U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service guidelines, and, on approval by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, authorization to take valley elderberry longhorn beetle in the form of a Section 7 biological opinion. If no federal action is involved, the project proponent will prepare an Habitat Conservation Plan under Section 10 of the federal Endangered Species Act.

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Impact BIO-10: Loss of Special-Status Invertebrate Species Occurring in Vernal Pools and Other Seasonal Wetlands

The proposed general plan would result in the loss of an undetermined acreage of vernal pool and other seasonal wetland habitat because of future development activities. Venal pools and seasonal wetlands in the Fairfield area are habitat for numerous federally threatened and endangered invertebrate species, including conservancy fairy shrimp, vernal pool fairy shrimp, vernal pool tadpole shrimp, and Delta green ground beetle. Ricksecker’s water scavenger beetle, a federal species of concern, also occurs in this habitat. These species depend on vernal pool and other seasonal wetland habitat for all stages of their life cycles. Vernal pools occur in low areas and depressions in grasslands. Proposed general plan policies relevant to this impact are listed under impact BIO-3.

The project components known to include vernal pool and other seasonal wetland habitat include the proposed Technology Park east of Peabody Road, the Travis Reserve area, the Rancho Solano North Master Plan Area and the Train Station Site.

Activities associated with these components could result in the loss of special- status invertebrate species occurring in vernal pools and other seasonal wetlands, and would be considered a take as defined under the federal ESA. This impact is considered significant. Implementation of the following mitigation measures would reduce this impact to a less-than-significant level. Additional measures within the HCP would also reduce this impact. If the HCP is approved and adopted before implementation of the proposed general plan, HCP mitigation for impacts on conservancy fairy shrimp, vernal pool fairy shrimp, vernal pool tadpole shrimp, and/or Delta green ground beetle could supercede these measures.

Mitigation Measure BIO-1a: Identify Sensitive Biological Resources within Proposed Development Areas The following additional program shall be added to the proposed General Plan:

‰ Program OS 7.5B. For each proposed development site within vernal pool or seasonal wetland biological communities, the City will require qualified biologists to identify and map all sensitive biological resources, including special-status species (as defined above) and their habitats; using methods and protocols developed or acceptable by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and California Department of Fish and Game, make recommendations for avoiding sensitive biological resources to the extent feasible; and flag or fence sensitive resources to be avoided. This requirement shall apply prior to City consideration of any development proposal for the site.

Mitigation Measure BIO-3a: Avoid or Reduce Loss of Wetland Habitats and Other Waters of the United States This measure is described above.

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Mitigation Measure BIO-3b: Obtain Permits for Fill of or Indirect Impacts on Wetlands and Other Waters of the United States This measure is described above.

Mitigation Measure BIO-3c: Compensate for Fill of Wetlands and Other Waters of the United States This measure is described above.

Mitigation Measure BIO-10a: Consult with U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service if Vernal Pools or Seasonal Wetlands that Potentially Support Federally Listed Invertebrates are Located The following additional program shall be added to the proposed General Plan:

‰ Program OS 7.5C. If vernal pools or other seasonal wetlands that potentially support federally listed invertebrates are found in a project area during implementation of Program 7.5B, the project proponent must consult with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service under Section 7 of the federal ESA (or Section 10 if the project does not involve a federal action). The consultation could result in additional protocol-level surveys to determine the presence or absence of the species and could require the preparation of a biological assessment, development of a compensation plan according to U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service guidelines, and, on approval by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, authorization to take federally listed invertebrates in the form of a Section 7 biological opinion. If no federal action is involved, the project proponent will prepare a habitat conservation plan under Section 10 of the federal Endangered Species Act.

Impact BIO-11: Loss of Habitat and Mortality of California Red-Legged Frog

The proposed general plan would result in the loss of an undetermined acreage of potential California red-legged frog habitat because of future development activities. California red-legged frogs are listed as threatened under the federal ESA and are a California species of special concern. Typical habitat for this species consists of permanent and seasonal creeks and ponds with emergent and submergent vegetation and riparian species along the edges. Proposed general plan policies relevant to this impact are listed under impacts BIO-2, BIO-3, and BIO-4.

The project components known to support potential California red-legged frog habitat include the proposed Technology Park east of Peabody Road, the proposed Travis Reserve, the Rancho Solano North Master Plan Area, the Tobin Site, the Train Revision Site Area, and Cordelia Road.

Development activities associated with these components could result in the loss of habitat and mortality of California red-legged frogs and would be considered a take as defined under the federal ESA. This impact is considered significant. Implementation of the following mitigation measures would reduce this impact to

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a less-than-significant level. Additional measures within the HCP would also reduce this impact. If the HCP is approved and adopted before implementation of the proposed general plan, HCP mitigation for impacts on California red- legged frog could supercede these measures.

Mitigation Measure BIO-1a: Identify Sensitive Biological Resources within Proposed Development Areas The following additional program shall be added to the proposed General Plan:

‰ Program OS 7.1E. For each proposed development site containing aquatic habitats, including ponds, canals, creeks, or other drainages or water bodies that potentially support California red-legged frog, the City will require qualified biologists to identify and map all sensitive biological resources, including special-status species (as defined above) and their habitats; using methods and protocols developed or acceptable by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and California Department of Fish and Game, make recommendations for avoiding sensitive biological resources to the extent feasible; and flag or fence sensitive resources to be avoided. This requirement shall apply prior to City consideration of any development proposal for the site.

Mitigation Measure BIO-3a: Avoid or Reduce Loss of Wetland Habitats and Other Waters of the United States This measure is described above.

Mitigation Measure BIO-3b: Obtain Permits for Fill of or Indirect Impacts on Wetlands and Other Waters of the United States This measure is described above.

Mitigation Measure BIO-3c: Compensate for Fill of Wetlands and Other Waters of the United States This measure is described above.

Mitigation Measure BIO-11a: Consult with U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service if Aquatic Habitats That Potentially Support California Red- Legged Frog are Located The following additional program shall be added to the proposed General Plan:

‰ Program OS 7.1F. If aquatic habitats, including ponds, canals, creeks, or other drainages or water bodies that potentially support California red- legged frog are found in a project area during implementation of Program OS 7.1E, the project proponent must consult with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service under Section 7 of the federal Endangered Species Act (or Section 10 if the project involves a federal action). The consultation could result in additional protocol surveys using U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service survey guidelines and could require the preparation of a biological assessment, development of a compensation plan according to U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service guidelines, and, on approval by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, authorization to take the California red-legged frog in the form of a Section 7 biological opinion.

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If no federal action is involved, the project proponent will prepare a habitat conservation plan under Section 10 of the federal Endangered Species Act.

Impact BIO-12: Loss of Habitat and Mortality of California Tiger Salamander

The proposed general plan would result in the loss of an undetermined acreage of potential California tiger salamander habitat because of future development activities. California tiger salamanders are a candidate for listing as threatened under the federal ESA and are a California species of special concern. Habitat for this species consists of small ponds, lakes, or vernal pools in grasslands and oak woodlands for breeding and larvae, as well as associated uplands for adults. Proposed general plan policies relevant to this impact are listed under impact BIO-3.

The project components known to include potential California tiger salamander habitat include the proposed Technology Park east of Peabody Road, the Travis Reserve area, the Rancho Solano North Master Plan Area, and the Train Station Site.

Activities associated with these components could result in the loss of habitat and mortality of California tiger salamanders and would be considered a take as defined under the federal ESA. This impact is considered significant. Implementation of the following mitigation measures would reduce this impact to a less-than-significant level. Additional measures within the HCP would also reduce this impact. If the HCP is approved and adopted before implementation of the proposed general plan, HCP mitigation for impacts on California tiger salamander could supercede these measures.

Mitigation Measure BIO-1a: Identify Sensitive Biological Resources within Proposed Development Areas The following additional program shall be added to the proposed General Plan:

‰ Program OS 7.1G. For each proposed development site containing aquatic habitats, including vernal pools and other seasonal wetlands, ponds, canals, creeks, or other drainages or water bodies that potentially support California tiger salamander, the City will require qualified biologists to identify and map all sensitive biological resources, including special-status species (as defined above) and their habitats; using methods and protocols developed or acceptable by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and California Department of Fish and Game, make recommendations for avoiding sensitive biological resources to the extent feasible; and flag or fence sensitive resources to be avoided. This requirement shall apply prior to City consideration of any development proposal for the site.

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Mitigation Measure BIO-3a: Avoid or Reduce Loss of Wetland Habitats and Other Waters of the United States This measure is described above.

Mitigation Measure BIO-3b: Obtain Permits for Fill of or Indirect Impacts on Wetlands and Other Waters of the United States This measure is described above.

Mitigation Measure BIO-3c: Compensate for Fill of Wetlands and Other Waters of the United States This measure is described above.

Mitigation Measure BIO-12a: Consult with U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service if Aquatic Habitats Potentially Supporting California Tiger Salamander are Located The following additional program shall be added to the proposed General Plan:

‰ Program OS 7.1H. If aquatic habitats, including vernal pools and other seasonal wetlands, ponds, creeks, and other drainages or water bodies that potentially support California tiger salamander are found in a project area during implementation of Program OS 7.1G, the project proponent will consult with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service under Section 7 of the federal Endangered Species Act (or Section 10 if the project involves a federal action). The consultation could result in additional protocol surveys using U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service survey guidelines and could require the preparation of a biological assessment, development of a compensation plan according to U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service guidelines, and, on acceptance by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, authorization to take the California red-legged frog in the form of a Section 7 biological opinion. If no federal action is involved, the project proponent will prepare a habitat conservation plan under Section 10 of the federal Endangered Species Act.

Impact BIO-13: Disturbance or Loss of Habitat for Non- Federally Listed Special-Status Amphibians and Reptiles Occurring in Stream and Wetland Habitat

The proposed general plan would result in the disturbance or loss of an undetermined acreage of potential foothill yellow-legged frog and northwestern pond turtle habitat because of future development activities. These species are species of concern under the federal ESA and are California species of special concern. Foothill yellow-legged frog habitat consists of creeks or rivers in woodlands or forests with rock and gravel substrate and low overhanging vegetation. Northwestern pond turtles inhabit ponds, marshes, rivers, streams, and canals with aquatic vegetation. Proposed general plan policies relevant to this impact are listed under impacts BIO-3 and BIO-4.

The project components known to support potential foothill yellow-legged frog and northwestern pond turtle habitat include the proposed Technology Park east

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of Peabody Road, the proposed Travis Reserve, the Rancho Solano North Master Plan Area area, the Tobin Site, the Train Station Site, and Cordelia Road.

Activities associated with these components could result in the disturbance or loss of habitat and mortality of foothill yellow-legged frog and northwestern pond turtle. This impact is considered significant. Implementation of the following mitigation measures would reduce this impact to a less-than-significant level.

Mitigation Measure BIO-1a: Identify Sensitive Biological Resources within Proposed Development Areas The following additional program shall be added to the proposed General Plan:

‰ Program OS 7.1H. For each proposed development site containing riparian habitats, or ponds, canals, creeks, or other drainages or water bodies that potentially support foothill yellow-legged frog or northwestern pond turtle, the City will require qualified biologists to identify and map all sensitive biological resources, including special- status species (as defined above) and their habitats; using methods and protocols developed or acceptable by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and California Department of Fish and Game, make recommendations for avoiding sensitive biological resources to the extent feasible; and flag or fence sensitive resources to be avoided. This requirement shall apply prior to City consideration of any development proposal for the site.

Mitigation Measure BIO-3a: Avoid or Reduce Loss of Wetland Habitats and Other Waters of the United States This measure is described above.

Mitigation Measure BIO-3b: Obtain Permits for Fill of or Indirect Impacts on Wetlands and Other Waters of the United States This measure is described above.

Mitigation Measure BIO-3c: Compensate for Fill of Wetlands and Other Waters of the United States This measure is described above.

Mitigation Measure BIO-13a: Prohibit Construction in and Establish No-Activity Buffer around Aquatic Habitats That Potentially Support Foothill Yellow-Legged Frog or Western Pond Turtle The following additional program shall be added to the proposed General Plan:

‰ Program OS 7.1I. If aquatic habitats, including ponds, creeks, or other drainages or water bodies that potentially support foothill yellow-legged frog or western pond turtle are found in a project area during implementation of program OS 7.1H, the project proponent will, to the extent feasible, avoid direct and indirect impacts on these habitats by prohibiting construction or related activities in these habitats and establishing a minimum 200-foot-wide no-activity buffer surrounding these habitats. If impacts cannot be avoided, the project proponent will

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consult with the California Department of Fish and Game to develop appropriate mitigation to offset impacts on these species and their habitats.

Impact BIO-14: Loss of Habitat and Mortality of California Horned Lizard

The proposed general plan would result in the disturbance or loss of an undetermined acreage of potential California horned lizard habitat because of future development activities. This species is a species of concern under the federal ESA and a California species of special concern. California horned lizards inhabit grasslands, brushlands, woodlands, and chaparral with sandy or loose soils, and abundant ant colonies for foraging. General plan policies relevant to this impact are listed under impacts BIO-1, BIO-5, and BIO-6.

The project components known to support potential California horned lizard habitat include the unincorporated lands east of Suisun Valley Road.

Activities associated with these components could result in the disturbance or loss of habitat and mortality of California horned lizard. This impact is considered significant. Implementation of the following mitigation measures would reduce this impact to a less-than-significant level.

Mitigation Measure BIO-1a: Identify Sensitive Biological Resources within Proposed Development Areas The following additional program shall be added to the proposed General Plan:

‰ Program OS 7.1J. For each proposed development site containing grasslands, brushlands, woodlands, and chaparral with sandy or loose soils, and abundant ant colonies for foraging that potentially support California horned lizard, the City will require qualified biologists to identify and map all sensitive biological resources, including special- status species (as defined above) and their habitats; using methods and protocols developed or acceptable by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and California Department of Fish and Game, make recommendations for avoiding sensitive biological resources to the extent feasible; and flag or fence sensitive resources to be avoided. This requirement shall apply prior to City consideration of any development proposal for the site.

Mitigation Measure BIO-14a: Avoid Impacts on Upland Habitats that Potentially Support California Horned Lizard The following additional program shall be added to the proposed General Plan:

‰ Program OS 7.1K. If upland habitats, including grasslands, brushlands, woodlands, and chaparral that potentially support California horned lizard are found in a project area during implementation of Program OS 7.1J, the project proponent will, to the extent feasible, avoid direct and indirect impacts on these habitats. Additional surveys may be conducted to determine presence or absence of this species in the planning area. If

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it is determined the species is not present on the planning area or on habitat adjacent and contiguous with the planning area, no further mitigation is required. If the species is present, the project proponent will consult with the California Department of Fish and Game to develop appropriate mitigation to offset impacts on this species and its habitat.

Impact BIO-15: Loss or Disturbance to Active Special- Status Raptor Nests

The proposed general plan could result in the disturbance or loss of an undetermined number of special-status raptor nests because of future development activities. Special-status raptors with potential to nest in the Fairfield area include Cooper’s hawk, golden eagle, ferruginous hawk, Swainson’s hawk, white-tailed kite, northern harrier, and short-eared owl. All of these species could nest in one or more of the following habitat types: riparian, oak woodland, oak savanna, annual grasslands, agricultural lands, and wetlands. General plan policies relevant to this impact are listed under impacts BIO-1, BIO-2, BIO-3, BIO-6, and BIO-7.

Project components known to include special-status raptor nesting habitat occur throughout the planning area. The project components known to support areas of oak woodland and savanna include the Rancho Solano North Master Plan Area and the Suisun Valley Road Site. The project components that support areas of riparian habitat include the Tobin Site along Suisun and Dan Wilson Creeks, as well as Cordelia Road along Cordelia Slough and Suisun Creek. Small inclusions of riparian habitat may also exist elsewhere in the planning area. Wetlands including freshwater and saltwater marshes occur in the proposed Technology Park and Travis Reserve, the Tobin Site, and the Train Station Site. The largest expanses of annual grassland occur outside of the central part of Fairfield in the proposed Travis Reserve area; Rancho Solano North Master Plan Area; and the Suisun Valley Road Site, Dickson Hill Road Site, and Train Station Site. Elsewhere, small patches of annual grassland occur within vacant lots and urban areas without landscaping. Extensive agricultural fields occur within Rancho Solano North Master Plan Area and proposed Travis Reserve area. Most of the Tobin Site Revision Area is an agricultural field.

Development activities associated with these components could result in the loss or disturbance to special-status raptor nests. This impact is considered significant. Implementation of the following mitigation measures would reduce this impact to a less-than-significant level. Additional measures within the HCP would also reduce this impact. If the HCP is approved and adopted before implementation of the proposed general plan, HCP mitigation for impacts on Swainson’s hawk could supercede these measures.

Mitigation Measure BIO-1a: Identify Sensitive Biological Resources within Proposed Development Areas The proposed program OS 7.1B shall be revised as follows:

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‰ Program OS 7.1B. For each proposed development site containing riparian, oak woodland, oak savanna, annual grassland, agricultural lands, and wetlands that potentially support special-status raptor nests or habitat, the City will require qualified biologists to identify and map all sensitive biological resources, including special-status species (as defined above) and their habitats; using methods and protocols developed or acceptable by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and California Department of Fish and Game, make recommendations for avoiding sensitive biological resources to the extent feasible; and flag or fence sensitive resources to be avoided. This requirement shall apply prior to City consideration of any development proposal for the site.

Mitigation Measure BIO-1b: Avoid or Reduce Loss of Oak Woodland and Savanna This measure is described above.

Mitigation Measure BIO-1c: Compensate for Removal of Oak Woodland and Savanna This measure is described above.

Mitigation Measure BIO-2a: Avoid or Reduce Loss of Riparian Habitat This measure is described above.

Mitigation Measure BIO-2c: Compensate for Removal of Riparian Habitat This measure is described above.

Mitigation Measure BIO-3a: Avoid or Reduce Loss of Wetland Habitats and Other Waters of the United States This measure is described above.

Mitigation Measure BIO-3b: Obtain Permits for Fill of or Indirect Impacts on Wetlands and Other Waters of the United States This measure is described above.

Mitigation Measure BIO-3c: Compensate for Fill of Wetlands and Other Waters of the United States This measure is described above.

Mitigation Measure BIO-15a: Avoid Impacts on Active Special- Status Nests The following additional program shall be added to the proposed General Plan:

‰ Program OS 7.1L. If special-status raptors nests are found on or in the vicinity of a project area through implementation of Program 7.1B, the project proponent will consult with the California Department of Fish and Game to develop appropriate site-specific mitigation strategies to avoid impacts on active nests. Active raptor nests are protected under the California Fish and Game Code, Section 3503.5. Mitigation

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measures could include establishing protective buffer zones, timing restrictions, or compensation through acquisition of replacement nesting habitat.

Impact BIO-16: Loss of Foraging Habitat for Special- Status Raptors

The proposed general plan would result in the disturbance or loss of an undetermined acreage of special-status raptor foraging habitat because of future development activities. Special-status raptors with potential to forage in the Fairfield area include Cooper’s hawk, golden eagle, ferruginous hawk, Swainson’s hawk, white-tailed kite, northern harrier, and short-eared owl. All of these species forage in oak savanna, grassland, wetland, or agricultural habitats. General plan policies relevant to this impact are listed under impacts BIO-1, BIO-3, BIO-6, and BIO-7.

Project components known to include special-status raptor foraging habitat occur throughout the planning area. The largest expanses of annual grassland occur outside of the central part of Fairfield in the proposed Travis Reserve area; Rancho Solano North Master Plan Area; and the Suisun Valley Road Site, Dickson Hill Road Site, and Train Station Site Revision Areas. Elsewhere, small patches of annual grassland occur within vacant lots and urban areas without landscaping. Extensive agricultural fields occur within the proposed Travis Reserve area. Most of the Tobin Revision Area is an agricultural field. Wetlands including freshwater and saltwater marshes occur in the proposed Technology Park and Travis Reserve, the Tobin Revision Site, and the Train Station Revision Site.

Development activities associated with these components could result in the loss of foraging habitat for special-status raptors. This impact is considered significant. Implementation of the following mitigation measures would reduce this impact to a less-than-significant level.

Additional measures within the HCP would also reduce this impact. If the HCP is approved and adopted prior to implementation of the proposed general plan, HCP mitigation for impacts on Swainson’s hawk could supercede these measures.

Mitigation Measure BIO-1a: Identify Sensitive Biological Resources within Proposed Development Areas The proposed program OS 7.1B shall be revised as described above.

Mitigation Measure BIO-3a: Avoid or Reduce Loss of Wetland Habitats and Other Waters of the United States This measure is described above.

Mitigation Measure BIO-3b: Obtain Permits for Fill of or Indirect Impacts on Wetlands and Other Waters of the United States This measure is described above.

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Mitigation Measure BIO-3c: Compensate for Fill of Wetlands and Other Waters of the United States This measure is described above.

Mitigation Measure BIO-16a: Compensate for Loss of Special-Status Raptor Foraging Habitat The following additional program shall be added to the proposed General Plan:

‰ Program OS 7.1M. If nesting Swainson’s hawks are found on or in the vicinity of a project area through implementation of Program OS 7.1B or if known nests are identified through other sources (e.g., the California Natural Diversity Database) within 10 miles of the planning area, the project proponent will mitigate for losses of annual grassland and agricultural foraging habitat using the California Department of Fish and Game mitigation guidelines for Swainson’s hawk (California Department of Fish and Game 1994).

If active nests of other special-status raptors are found during implementation of Program OS 7.1B, the project proponent will consult with the CDFG to assess the potential effects of the loss of foraging habitat on nesting raptors and to develop appropriate mitigation measures to offset habitat losses.

Impact BIO-17: Disturbance to Western Burrowing Owl

The proposed general plan could result in the disturbance or loss of an undetermined number of western burrowing owl nesting or wintering burrows because of future development activities. Western burrowing owls are a federal species of concern and a California species of special concern. This species nests and winters in modified rodent burrows in grasslands and agricultural habitats along field edges and ruderal habitats in the Fairfield area. The species’ nest sites are protected under the California Fish and Game Code, Section 3503.5. General plan policies relevant to this impact are listed under impacts BIO-6 and BIO-7.

Project components known to include western burrowing owl burrows or potential nesting or wintering habitat occur throughout the planning area. The largest expanses of annual grassland occur outside of the central part of Fairfield in the proposed Travis Reserve area; Rancho Solano North Master Plan Area; and the Suisun Valley Road Site, Dickson Hill Road Site, and Train Station Site Revision Areas. Elsewhere, small patches of annual grassland occur within vacant lots and urban areas without landscaping. Extensive agricultural fields occur in Rancho Solano North Master Plan Area and the proposed Travis Reserve area. Most of the Tobin Revision Area is an agricultural field.

Activities associated with these components could result in disturbance or loss of western burrowing owl nesting or wintering burrows. This impact is considered significant. Implementation of the following mitigation measures would reduce this impact to a less-than-significant level.

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Additional measures within the HCP would also reduce this impact. If the HCP is approved and adopted prior to implementation of the proposed beneral plan amendments, HCP mitigation for impacts on western burrowing owl could supercede these measures.

Mitigation Measure BIO-1a: Identify Sensitive Biological Resources within Proposed Development Areas The following additional program shall be added to the proposed General Plan:

‰ Program OS 7.1N. For each proposed development site containing grasslands and agricultural habitats along field edges and ruderal habitats that potentially support western burrowing owl, the City will require qualified biologists to identify and map all sensitive biological resources, including special-status species (as defined above) and their habitats; using methods and protocols developed or acceptable by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and California Department of Fish and Game, make recommendations for avoiding sensitive biological resources to the extent feasible; and flag or fence sensitive resources to be avoided. This requirement shall apply prior to City consideration of any development proposal for the site.

Mitigation Measure BIO-17a: Avoid Impacts on Active Burrowing Owl Nesting and Wintering Burrows The following additional program shall be added to the proposed General Plan:

‰ Program OS 7.1O. If active burrowing owl nesting or wintering burrows are found on or in the vicinity of a project area through implementation of Program OS 7.1N, the project proponent will implement the California Department of Fish and Game mitigation guidelines for burrowing owls (California Department of Fish and Game 1995).

Impact BIO-18: Disturbance to Heron and Egret Rookeries

The proposed general plan could result in the disturbance or loss of an undetermined number of rookeries occupied by great egret, snowy egret, great blue heron, or black-crowned night heron because of future development activities. Nesting colonies of these species are of special concern to the CDFG. Rookeries are typically in riparian areas dominated by tall trees including oaks and cottonwoods. General plan policies relevant to this impact are listed under impact BIO-3.

The project components with potential heron and egret nesting habitat include riparian habitat occurring along Dan Wilson and Suisun Creeks in the Tobin Site Revision Area, and Cordelia Road.

Development activities associated with these components could result in disturbance or loss of heron and egret rookeries. This impact is considered

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significant. Implementation of the following mitigation measures would reduce this impact to a less-than-significant level.

Mitigation Measure BIO-1a: Identify Sensitive Biological Resources within Proposed Development Areas The following additional program shall be added to the proposed General Plan:

‰ Program OS 7.1P. For each proposed development site containing riparian areas that potentially support great egret, snowy egret, great blue heron, or black-crowned night heron rookeries, the City will require qualified biologists to identify and map all sensitive biological resources, including special-status species (as defined above) and their habitats; using methods and protocols developed or acceptable by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and California Department of Fish and Game, make recommendations for avoiding sensitive biological resources to the extent feasible; and flag or fence sensitive resources to be avoided. This requirement shall apply prior to City consideration of any development proposal for the site.

Mitigation Measure BIO-2a: Avoid or Reduce Loss of Riparian Habitat This measure is described above.

Mitigation Measure BIO-2b: Obtain Permits for Removal of Riparian Habitat This measure is described above.

Mitigation Measure BIO-2c: Compensate for Removal of Riparian Habitat This measure is described above.

Mitigation Measure BIO-18a: Avoid Impacts on Active Heron or Egret Colonies The following additional program shall be added to the proposed General Plan:

‰ Program OS 7.1Q. If heron or egret rookeries are found on or in the vicinity of a project area through implementation of Program OS 7.1P, the City will require the project proponent to consult with the California Department of Fish and Game to develop appropriate site-specific mitigation strategies to avoid impacts on active colonies. These could include establishing no-disturbance buffers, timing restrictions, or habitat compensation.

Impact BIO-19: Disturbance to Nesting Colony of Tricolored Blackbirds

The proposed general plan could result in the disturbance or loss of an undetermined number tricolored blackbird nesting colonies because of future development activities. Tricolored blackbirds are a federal species of concern

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and a California species of special concern. This species nests in dense colonies in emergent marsh vegetation, such as tules and cattails, or in upland sites with blackberries, nettles, thistles, and grainfields. Active nests of this species are protected under the California Fish and Game Code, Section 3503 and the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. Proposed general plan policies relevant to this impact are listed under impact BIO-3.

The project components with potential tricolored blackbird nesting habitat include localized areas of freshwater marsh likely occurring within planning area stream channels in the proposed Technology Park east of Peabody Road, in the Travis Reserve area, and in Rancho Solano North Master Plan Area. A pond in the northern portion of the Train Station Site Revision Area also supports several acres of freshwater marsh. Salt marsh habitat in the planning area is restricted to the southernmost edges adjacent to the Suisun Marsh. A limited extent of salt marsh may be present at the southern edge of the proposed Travis Reserve area.

Development activities associated with these components could result in disturbance or loss of tricolored blackbird nesting colonies. This impact is considered significant. Implementation of the following mitigation measures would reduce this impact to a less-than-significant level.

Mitigation Measure BIO-1a: Identify Sensitive Biological Resources within Proposed Development Areas The following additional program shall be added to the proposed General Plan:

‰ Program OS 7.1R. For each proposed development site containing freshwater or saltwater marsh, or upland sites with blackberries, nettles, thistles, and grain fields that potentially support tricolored blackbird nesting colonies, the City will require qualified biologists to identify and map all sensitive biological resources, including special-status species (as defined above) and their habitats; using methods and protocols developed or acceptable by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and California Department of Fish and Game, make recommendations for avoiding sensitive biological resources to the extent feasible; and flag or fence sensitive resources to be avoided. This requirement shall apply prior to City consideration of any development proposal for the site.

Mitigation Measure BIO-3a: Avoid or Reduce Loss of Wetlands and Other Waters of the United States This measure is described above.

Mitigation Measure BIO-3b: Obtain Permits for Fill of or Indirect Impacts on Wetlands and Other Waters of the United States This measure is described above.

Mitigation Measure BIO-3c: Compensate for Fill of Wetlands and Other Waters of the United States This measure is described above.

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Mitigation Measure BIO-19a: Consult with the California Department of Fish and Game if Tricolored Blackbird Nesting Colonies are Located in the Vicinity of the Project Area The following additional program shall be added to the proposed General Plan:

‰ Program OS 7.1S. If tricolored blackbird nesting colonies are found on or in the vicinity of a project area through implementation of Program OS 7.1R, the City shall require the project proponent to consult with the California Department of Fish and Game to develop appropriate site- specific mitigation strategies to avoid impacts on active colonies. These could include establishing no-disturbance buffers, timing restrictions, or habitat compensation.

Impact BIO-20: Disturbance to Nesting Special-Status Birds and Special-Status Mammals Occurring in Salt Water Marsh Habitat

The proposed general plan could result in the disturbance or loss of a variety of nesting special-status birds and special-status mammals occurring in saltwater marsh habitat because of future development activities. Black rail, California clapper rail, saltmarsh common yellowthroat, Suisun song sparrow, Suisun ornate shrew, and saltmarsh harvest mouse occur in saltwater marshes associated with pickleweed, tules, and cattails. Black rails are listed as threatened under the CESA. California clapper rails and the salt marsh harvest mouse are listed as endangered under the federal ESA and CESA. The other special-status wildlife species occurring in salt marsh habitat are federal species of concern and/or California species of special concern. All nesting birds are protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act and nesting raptors are protected under the California Fish and Game Code, Section 3503.5. Proposed general plan policies relevant to this impact are listed under the impact BIO-3.

The project components with potential special-status bird and mammal salt marsh habitat occur in Phasing Area E. Salt marsh habitat in the planning area is restricted to the southernmost edges adjacent to the Suisun Marsh. A limited extent of salt marsh may be present at the southern edge of the proposed Travis Reserve area.

Activities associated with these components could result in disturbance or loss of special-status birds and mammals. This impact is considered significant. Implementation of the following mitigation measures would reduce this impact to a less-than-significant level. Additional measures within the HCP would also reduce this impact. If the HCP is approved and adopted before implementation of the proposed general plan, HCP mitigation for this impact could supercede these measures.

Mitigation Measure BIO-1a: Identify Sensitive Biological Resources within Proposed Development Areas The following additional program shall be added to the proposed General Plan:

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‰ Program OS 7.1T. For each proposed development site containing saltwater marsh, the City will require qualified biologists to identify and map all sensitive biological resources, including special-status species (as defined above) and their habitats; using methods and protocols developed or acceptable by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and California Department of Fish and Game, make recommendations for avoiding sensitive biological resources to the extent feasible; and flag or fence sensitive resources to be avoided. This requirement shall apply prior to City consideration of any development proposal for the site.

Mitigation Measure BIO-3a: Avoid or Reduce Loss of Wetlands and Other Waters of the United States This measure is described above.

Mitigation Measure BIO-3b: Obtain Permits for Fill of or Indirect Impacts on Wetlands and Other Waters of the United States This measure is described above.

Mitigation Measure BIO-3c. Compensate for Fill of Wetlands and Other Waters of the United States This measure is described above.

Mitigation Measure BIO-20a: Consult with California Department of Fish and Game and/or U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service if Habitat for Saltwater Marsh Special-Status Species is Located The following additional program shall be added to the proposed General Plan:

‰ Program OS 7.1U. If habitat for saltwater marsh special-status species is found on or in the vicinity of a project area through implementation of Program OS 7.1T, the City shall require the project proponent to consult with the California Department of Fish and Game and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to determine the potential for state or federally threatened or endangered species or state fully protected species (e.g., salt marsh harvest mouse, California clapper rail, and black rail). If potential for these species exists, then the project proponent will consult with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service under Section 10 or 7 of the federal Endangered Species Act and with the California Department of Fish and Game to determine the potential effects of the proposed project on these species. The project proponent will prepare the appropriate state and federal environmental documentation that could ultimately result in authorization to take 1 or more threatened or endangered species under the federal Endangered Species Act and through a California Department of Fish and Game Section 2081 permit process. No take authorization is available for fully protected species, and consultation with the California Department of Fish and Game would be required to develop approved avoidance measures.

If it is determined that habitat is suitable for only nonlisted species, the project proponent will consult with the California Department of Fish and Game to develop appropriate site-specific mitigation strategies to avoid impacts. These

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could include establishing no-disturbance buffers, timing restrictions, or habitat compensation

Impact BIO-21: Loss of Habitat for Common Wildlife Species

The proposed general plan would result in the loss of common wildlife species habitat from future development activities. However, the phased nature of these activities will reduce impacts on common wildlife species. Also, Policies OS 7.1 and 7.4 encourage protection of common native wildlife and their habitats. Therefore, this impact is considered less than significant because habitat would be available to move into and the common wildlife species affected are locally common and regionally abundant. No mitigation is required.

Impact BIO-22: Potential Spread of Noxious Weeds

Construction activities for projects approved as a result of the general plan amendments could introduce or spread noxious weeds into currently uninfested areas, possibly resulting in the displacement of special-status plant species and degradation of habitats for special-status wildlife. Plants or seeds may be dispersed on construction equipment if appropriate measures are not implemented.

Noxious weeds are sorted by “pest ratings” by the California Department of Food and Agriculture, with the highest priority weeds rated “A”, and the California Exotic Pest Plant Council, with the highest priority rated “A-1” or “A-2.” Executive Order 13112 (February 3, 1999) directs all federal agencies to prevent and control introductions of invasive species in a cost-effective and environmentally sound manner. The spread of noxious weeds within the planning area is considered a potentially significant impact. Applying the following mitigation measure would reduce the potentially significant impact to a less-than-significant level.

Mitigation Measure BIO-22a: Reduce Potential for Spread of Noxious Weeds The following additional policy and program shall be added to the proposed General Plan:

„ Policy OS 7.10. Promote the prevention of the spread of noxious weeds.

‰ Program OS 7.10A. The City will require project proponents to hire a qualified botanist to identify and map noxious weed infestation areas before construction activities. The botanist will contact the Solano County Agricultural Commissioner to identify any current noxious weeds of concern in the county. Infestation areas will be avoided by construction activities, if feasible.

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If avoidance is infeasible, construction supervisors will be educated regarding weed identification and the importance of controlling and preventing the spread of noxious weed infestations. Construction equipment that comes in contact with a noxious weed infestation area will be cleaned at a designated wash station, the location of which will be identified by the botanist in coordination with the construction supervisor, after leaving the infestation area.

Alternatives to the Proposed General Plan

Alternative 1. Proposed General Plan Excluding the Residential and Mixed Use Revision Areas

Alternative 1 would change the type and (in some cases) the density of development within the eight Residential and Mixed Use Revision Areas. The Residential and Mixed Use Revision Areas would remain designated for some type of development, including residential, commercial, and mixed use. The currently undeveloped or agricultural Residential and Mixed Use Revision Areas (Suisun Valley Road, Tobin, Dickson Hill, and Train Station Sites) would still be subject to grading for development under this alternative. The impacts on biological resources under this alternative would not change perceptibly from the impacts under the proposed general plan.

Alternative 2. Development within Existing City Limits

Under this alternative, unincorporated lands, including the Rancho Solano North Master Plan Area, the Train Station Revision Area, the Nelson Hill Master Plan Area, Parker Ranch, a portion of Suisun Marsh, and a small area between the Fairfield city limits and Cordelia would revert to the designation under the Solano County General Plan. The Solano County designations include primarily agricultural uses except for the Train Station Site Revision Area, which includes industrial uses, and the Suisun Marsh area, which is included within the SMPP boundaries. Impacts on biological resources under this alternative would be somewhat less severe than those identified under the proposed general plan. However, the effects would be of the same level of significance.

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Alternative 3. Cordelia Connectors

Southern Bypass The southern bypass would affect some of the biological resources that have been discussed for the proposed general plan, including wetlands (freshwater marsh, salt marsh, and vernal pool/seasonal wetland), riparian habitat, streams (Dan Wilson, Suisun, and Ledgewood Creeks), annual grassland, agricultural land, and urban/developed land. The southern bypass would affect all special-status wildlife species discussed for the proposed general plan except for the California horned lizard.

Proposed development within Primary Management Areas of the Suisun Marsh, which include wetland and marsh habitats within the southern bypass area, requires a marsh development permit from Solano County and the SFBCDC.

Alternative 3 would have more significant impacts on wetland habitats within the SMPP boundary, freshwater marsh, vernal pool/seasonal wetland habitat, riparian habitat, and stream habitats. This alternative would have significant impacts on all special-status wildlife species discussed for the proposed general plan with the exception of the California horned lizard and western burrowing owl, which do not occupy the habitats being crossed by the southern bypass. Its impact on those two species would be less than significant.

Northern Bypass The northern bypass would affect some of the biological resources that have been discussed for the proposed general plan, including streams (Dan Wilson and Suisun Creeks), agricultural land, and urban/developed land. Special-status wildlife species occurring in these habitats include valley elderberry longhorn beetle, California red-legged frog, foothill yellow-legged frog, northwestern pond turtle, heron and egret rookeries, western burrowing owls, and nesting raptors. This alternative would have significant impacts on the stream habitats, valley elderberry longhorn beetle, California red-legged frog, foothill yellow-legged frog, northwestern pond turtle, heron and egret rookeries, and nesting raptors.

Alternative 4. No Project/No Comprehensive Amendment

Under this alternative, development would occur as currently identified in the existing general plan, which would affect the greatest acreage of sensitive species habitats. Therefore, this alternative would result in more impacts than the proposed general plan.

6.5 Air Quality 6.5.1 Environmental Setting

The planning area is located on the eastern edge of the San Francisco Bay Area Air Basin (SFBAAB). The project site is in Solano County, under the

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jurisdiction of the BAAQMD. The BAAQMD is responsible for implementing emissions standards and other requirements of federal and state laws.

Climate and Atmospheric Conditions

Fairfield’s regional climate is classified as a semi-arid temperate climate, with average annual temperatures in the mid-60s°F. In the winter months, lows can reach the below 20°F, and highs in the summer can exceed 100°F. The region averages approximately 20 inches of rain per year, with most of the rain falling during winter. Also, fog resulting from the nearby marshes and bays is common during winter.

In general, the prevailing wind in the region is from the southwest and west- southwest resulting from marine breezes flowing through the Carquinez Strait. During summer, winds average 10–20 miles per hour (mph). During winter, winds are more variable, but gale forces can reach 45–50 mph during the winter.

Air Pollutants and Ambient Air Quality Standards

The State of California and the federal government have established ambient air quality standards for several different pollutants known as criteria pollutants. For some pollutants, separate standards have been set for different sampling periods. Most ambient standards have been chosen to protect public health; for some noncriteria pollutants, however, standards have been based on other values, such as protection of crops, protection of materials, or avoidance of nuisance conditions. Table 6-5 summarizes state and federal ambient air quality standards. The air pollutants of greatest concern in the study area include carbon monoxide (CO), various components of photochemical smog (ozone and other pollutants), and particulate matter.

Carbon Monoxide

CO levels are a public health concern because CO combines with hemoglobin and thus reduces the rate at which oxygen is transported in the bloodstream. Even low concentrations of CO can significantly affect the blood oxygen concentration because CO binds to hemoglobin 220–245 times more strongly than oxygen. Both the cardiovascular system and the central nervous system can be affected when 25–40% of the hemoglobin in the bloodstream is bound to CO rather than to oxygen. State and federal ambient air quality standards for CO have been set at levels intended to keep CO from combining with more than 15% of the body’s hemoglobin.

Motor vehicles are the primary source of CO emissions in the study area. Major secondary CO sources are miscellaneous industrial fuel combustion and waste burning.

Draft Program Environmental Impact Report August 2001 Comprehensive Amendment to the J&S 01-078 City of Fairfield General Plan 6-66 Table 6-5. Federal and State Ambient Air Quality Standards

Pollutant Averaging Time State Standard Federal Standard Ozone 8 hours — 0.08 ppm 1 hour 0.09 ppm (180 µg/m3) 0.12 ppm (235µg/m3) Carbon monoxide 8 hours 9.0 ppm (10 mg/m3) 9 ppm (10 mg/m3) 1 hour 20 ppm (23 mg/m3) 35 ppm(40 mg/m3) Nitrogen dioxide annual average — 0.053 ppm (100 µg/m3) 1 hour 0.25 ppm (470 µg/m3) — Sulfur dioxide annual average — 80 µg/m3 (0.03 ppm) 24 hours 0.04 ppm (105 µg/m3) 365 µg/m3 (0.14 ppm) 1 hour 0.25 ppm (655 µg/m3) — Particulate matter (PM10) annual arithmetic mean — 50 µg/m3 annual geometric mean 30 µg/m3 — 24 hours 50 µg/m3 150 µg/m3 Particulate matter—fine (PM2.5) annual arithmetic mean — 15 µg/m3 24 hours — 65 µg/m3 Sulfates 24 hours 25 µg/m3 — Lead calendar quarter — 1.5 µg/m3 30-day average 1.5 µg/m3 — Hydrogen sulfide 1 hour 0.03 ppm (42 µg/m3) — Vinyl chloride (chloroethene) 24 hours 0.010 ppm (26 µg/m3) — Visibility-reducing particles 8 hours (1000–1800 PST) * —

Notes: ppm = parts per million mg/m3 = milligrams per cubic meter µg/m3 = micrograms per cubic meter

* Statewide VRP Standard (except Lake Tahoe Air Basin): Particles in sufficient amount to produce an extinction coefficient of 0.23 per kilometer when the relative humidity is less than 70%. This standard is intended to limit the frequency and severity of visibility impairment due to regional haze and is equivalent to a 10-mile nominal visual range.

City of Fairfield Natural Resources and Conservation

Ozone and Photochemical Smog

Ozone and photochemical smog is a public health concern because it is an eye and respiratory irritant that also increases susceptibility to respiratory infections. Ozone also causes substantial damage to leaf tissues of crops and natural vegetation and damages many materials by acting as a chemical oxidizing agent.

Emissions of reactive organic gases (ROGs) and nitrogen oxides (NOx), which are precursor components of ozone, are generated primarily by motor vehicles. Major secondary sources are solvent use; petroleum processing, storage, and transfer; and miscellaneous industrial processes.

Particulate Matter

Health concerns associated with suspended particulate matter focus on those particles small enough to reach the lungs when inhaled. Few particles larger than 10 microns in diameter reach the lungs. Smaller suspended particles or droplets (i.e., particulate matter smaller than 10 microns in diameter [PM10]) can lodge in the lungs and contribute to respiratory problems. Fine particles pose a serious health hazard either alone or in combination with other pollutants. The smallest particles inhaled will be deposited in the lungs and can cause permanent lung damage. Fine particles can also have a damaging effect on health by interfering with the body’s mechanism for clearing the respiratory tract or by acting as a carrier of absorbed toxic substances. Particulate matter can also be responsible for a wide range of pollution effects, including visibility reduction, corrosion of structures and materials, and economic effects related to soiling of materials.

PM10 arises primarily from agricultural operations and construction and demolition. Major secondary sources of PM10 include road dust, diesel soot, combustion products, abrasion of tires and brakes, and dust carried by windstorms. It is also formed in the atmosphere from reactions of nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and sulfur dioxide (SO2) with ammonia.

Existing Air Quality Conditions

Air quality monitoring data for the study areas show occasional violations of the federal and state ozone standards and state PM10 standard. Monitoring data for 1997–1999 are summarized in table 6-6. The monitoring years 1997–1999 were used because data for 2000 are incomplete and do not contain a representative sample of the entire year. Also, the monitoring station located in Fairfield did not monitor ozone and PM10, so monitoring data for these pollutants collected from the closest monitoring station in Vallejo were used. As seen in table 6-6, the state standard for ozone has been exceeded several times each summer for the last 3 years, while the federal ozone standard has been exceeded just once during this period (in 1999). No state or federal violations of the 1-hour CO standard have occurred during the monitoring duration. The state PM10 standard has been violated several times for each year sampled.

Draft Program Environmental Impact Report August 2001 Comprehensive Amendment to the J&S 01-078 City of Fairfield General Plan 6-67 City of Fairfield Natural Resources and Conservation

CO and ozone problems arise primarily from vehicle traffic associated with urban development. Agricultural activities, dust suspended by vehicle traffic, and aerosols formed by photochemical smog reactions are major contributors to particulate matter problems in Fairfield. Particulate matter emissions from industrial sources also can be important localized emission sources.

Regulatory Setting

Regional Air Quality Management

The federal Clean Air Act (CAA) Amendments of 1990 give the EPA additional authority to require states to reduce emissions of CO, ozone precursors, and PM10 in nonattainment areas. The amendments set new attainment deadlines based on the severity of the problem.

The California Air Resources Board (CARB) has traditionally established state air quality standards, maintained oversight authority in air quality planning, developed programs for reducing emissions from motor vehicles, developed air emission inventories, collected air quality and meteorological data, and approved state implementation plan.

Responsibilities of air districts include overseeing stationary source emissions, approving permits, maintaining emissions inventories, maintaining air quality stations, overseeing agricultural burning permits, and reviewing air quality– related sections of environmental documents required by CEQA.

The California CAA of 1988 substantially added to the authority and responsibilities of air districts. The California CAA designates air districts as lead air quality planning agencies, requires air districts to prepare air quality plans, and grants air districts authority to implement transportation control measures. The California CAA focuses on attainment of the state ambient air quality standards, which, for certain pollutants and averaging periods, are more stringent than the comparable federal standards. The California CAA requires designation of attainment and nonattainment areas with respect to state ambient air quality standards. The California CAA also requires that air districts prepare an air quality attainment plan if the district violates state air quality standards for CO, SO2, NO2, or ozone. No locally prepared attainment plans are required for areas that violate the state PM10 standards.

The California CAA requires that the state air quality standards be met as expeditiously as practicable but, unlike the federal CAA, does not set precise attainment deadlines. Instead, it established increasingly stringent requirements for areas that will require more time to achieve the standards.

The California CAA emphasizes the control of “indirect and area-wide sources” of air pollutant emissions. The California CAA gives local air pollution control districts explicit authority to regulate indirect sources of air pollution and to establish traffic control measures (TCMs). The California CAA does not define

Draft Program Environmental Impact Report August 2001 Comprehensive Amendment to the J&S 01-078 City of Fairfield General Plan 6-68 Table 6-6. Ambient Air Quality Monitoring Data from Fairfield and Vallejo Monitoring Stations

Pollutant Standards 1997 1998 1999 Ozonea Maximum 1-hour concentration 0.089 ppm 0.121 ppm 0.129 ppm Days standard exceeded CAAQS (1-hour) > 0.09 ppm 0 9 9 NAAQS (1-hour) > 0.12 ppm 0 0 1 Carbon monoxideb Maximum 8-hour concentration 4.89 ppm 5.30 ppm 5.49 ppm Maximum 1-hour concentration 6.5 ppm 7.2 ppm 6.6 ppm Days standard exceeded CAAQS (8-hour) > 9.0 ppm 0 0 0 NAAQS (8-hour) > 9.0 ppm 0 0 0 CAAQS (1-hour) > 20 ppm 0 0 0 NAAQS (1-hour) > 35 ppm 0 0 0 Particulate matterb Maximum 24-hour concentration 85.5 µg/m3 71.3 µg/m3 83.7 µg/m3 2nd Highest 24-hour concentration 63.3 µg/m3 40.9 µg/m3 62.0 µg/m3 Average geometric mean concentration 15.5 µg/m3 14.9 µg/m3 16.3 µg/m3 Average arithmetic mean concentration 18.3 µg/m3 17.2 µg/m3 19.3 µg/m3 Days standard exceeded CAAQS (24-hour) > 150 µg/m3 c 3 1 3 NAAQS (24-hour) > 50 µg/m3 0 0 0

Notes: ppm = parts per million µg/m3 = micrograms per cubic meter CAAQS = California ambient air quality standards NAAQS = national ambient air quality standards a Ozone was monitored from Fairfield monitoring station. b Carbon monoxide and particulate matter were monitored from Vallejo monitoring station. c Recorded every 6 days.

Sources: California Air Resources Board 2001, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency 2001

City of Fairfield Natural Resources and Conservation

indirect and area-wide sources, but Section 110 of the federal CAA defines an indirect source as:

“a facility, building, structure, installation, real property, road, or highway which attracts, or may attract, mobile sources of pollution. Such term includes parking lots, parking garages, and other facilities subject to any measure for management of parking supply.”

TCMs are defined in the California CAA as “any strategy to reduce trips, vehicle use, vehicle miles traveled, vehicle idling, or traffic congestion for the purpose of reducing vehicle emissions.”

Air Quality Management in the Bay Area Air Quality Management District

On December 20, 2000, the BAAQMD Board Of Directors adopted the 2000 Clean Air Plan, which was prepared pursuant to the 1988 California CAA by the BAAQMD in cooperation with the Metropolitan Transportation Commission and the ABAG. The plan’s main objective is to attain the state air quality standards for ozone. The plan presents a comprehensive strategy to reduce emissions from stationary, area, and mobile sources. The plan includes a specific measure that encourages cities and counties to develop and implement local plans, policies, and programs to reduce auto use and improve air quality. The California CAA requires regions to update their (state) air quality plans every 3 years.

6.5.2 Methodology

Assumptions

CO concentrations at sensitive receptors near congested roadways and intersections were estimated based on CALINE4 dispersion modeling. Within the study area, two roadway intersections were analyzed to obtain worst-case CO emissions: the intersection with the highest total link volume and the intersection with the greatest negative change in LOS to a rating of D or worse. Each intersection included receptors modeled 100 feet diagonally from each intersection.

Ozone precursor and CO emissions were calculated based on trip generation rates and average traffic speeds using the URBEMIS7G model. The conditions modeled were

„ existing year (2000) conditions (2000) and

„ buildout under the proposed general plan (2025)

The emissions analysis was based the on total square footage of development within the planning area (citywide) and the Residential and Mixed Use Revision Areas and on trips generated by each type of development. The total net change

Draft Program Environmental Impact Report August 2001 Comprehensive Amendment to the J&S 01-078 City of Fairfield General Plan 6-69 City of Fairfield Natural Resources and Conservation

in emissions that would result from adopting the proposed general plan was calculated by subtracting modeled existing year emissions from modeled proposed general plan buildout emissions.

The analysis assumes that in the future, automobiles will emit lower levels of pollutants than they currently emit. Pollution controls will be more stringent, and fewer automobiles that were built under past control standards will be operating.

Thresholds of Significance

According to Appendix G of the State CEQA Guidelines, a project will generally have a significant effect on the environment if it will:

„ conflict with or obstruct implementation of an applicable air quality plan,

„ violate any ambient air quality standard or contribute substantially to an existing or projected air quality violation,

„ result in a cumulatively considerable net increase of any criteria pollutant for which the project region is in nonattainment under an applicable federal or state ambient air quality standard,

„ expose sensitive receptors to substantial pollutant concentrations, or

„ create objectionable odors affecting a substantial number of people.

In addition to the criteria detailed above, the BAAQMD (1999) has established thresholds of significance that are to be used in assessing project-related air quality impacts in the BAAQMD. The thresholds for construction and operations are listed below.

Construction

According to the BAAQMD, the pollutant of greatest concern with respect to construction activities is PM10, which can be reduced using many feasible control measures. Because PM10 is identified as the pollutant of greatest concern with respect to construction activities, the BAAQMD emphasizes the implementation of effective and comprehensive PM10 control measures rather than detailed quantification of emissions for determination of significance. The BAAQMD has identified a set of feasible control measures for construction activities that will reduce PM10 emissions to thresholds below significance. These control measures are listed in table 6-7.

If all control measures listed in table 6-7 are implemented as appropriate, depending on the size of the project area, air pollution emissions for construction will be considered less than significant. If not all appropriate control measures from table 6-7 are implemented, construction impacts will be considered significant unless the lead agency provides a detailed explanation as to why a specific measure is unnecessary or not feasible.

Draft Program Environmental Impact Report August 2001 Comprehensive Amendment to the J&S 01-078 City of Fairfield General Plan 6-70 Table 6-7. Feasible Control Measures for Construction Emissions of PM10

Basic Control Measures: The following controls should be implemented at all construction sites.

• Water all active construction areas at least twice daily. • Cover all trucks hauling soil, sand, and other loose materials or require all trucks to maintain at least 2 feet of freeboard. • Pave, apply water three times daily, or apply (nontoxic) soil stabilizers on all unpaved access roads, parking areas, and staging areas at construction sites. • Sweep daily (with water sweepers) all paved access roads, parking areas, and staging areas at construction sites. • Sweep streets daily (with water sweepers) if visible soil material is carried onto adjacent public streets.

Enhanced Control Measures: The following measures should be implemented at construction sites greater than 4 acres in area.

• All “basic” control measures listed above. • Hydroseed or apply (nontoxic) soil stabilizers to inactive construction areas (previously graded areas inactive for 10 days or more). • Enclose, cover, water twice daily, or apply (nontoxic) soil binders to exposed stockpiles (dirt, sand, etc.) • Limit traffic speeds on unpaved roads to 15 miles per hour (mph). • Install sandbags or other erosion control measures to prevent silt runoff to public roadways. • Replant vegetation in disturbed areas as quickly as possible.

Optional Control Measures: The following control measures are strongly encouraged at construction sites that are large in area, located near sensitive receptors or which for any other reason may warrant additional emissions reductions.

• Install wheel washers for all exiting trucks, or wash off the tires or tracks of all trucks and equipment leaving the site. • Install wind breaks, or plant trees/vegetative wind breaks at windward side(s) of construction areas. • Suspend excavation and grading activity when winds (instantaneous gusts) exceed 25 mph. • Limit the area subject to excavation, grading, and other construction activity at any one time.

Source: Bay Area Air Quality Management District 1999.

City of Fairfield Natural Resources and Conservation

Operations

According to the BAAQMD, the primary source of air pollutant emissions associated with indirect sources (office parks, residential subdivisions, shopping centers) is motor vehicles traveling in the planning area. To assess the impacts of motor vehicle operations as a result of these indirect sources, thresholds of significance for ROG, NOX, PM10, and CO were developed.

For ROG, NOX, and PM10, thresholds of significance are determined by total emissions from all motor vehicles associated with the project in question. Any project that generates criteria air pollutant emissions in excess of the annual or daily thresholds listed in table 6-8 is considered to have a significant air quality impact.

Table 6-8. Thresholds of Significance for Project Operations

Pollutant Tons Per Year Pounds Per Day Kilograms Per Day ROG 15 80 36 NOX 15 80 36 PM10 15 80 36

Source: Bay Area Air Quality Management District 1999.

According to the BAAQMD, localized CO concentrations should be estimated for projects in which:

„ vehicle emissions of CO exceed 550 pounds per day,

„ project traffic would affect intersection or roadway link operation at LOS D– F or would cause LOS to decline to D–F, or

„ project traffic would increase traffic volumes on nearby roadways by 10% or more.

A project that contributes to CO concentrations exceeding the state ambient air quality standard of 9 parts per million (ppm) averaged over 8 hours or 20 ppm averaged over 1 hour would be considered to have a significant impact.

6.5.3 Relevant General Plan Policies

The general plan contains the following policies relating to air quality.

„ Policy LU 5.1. Cooperate with appropriate jurisdictions in the preparation of State-mandated regional plans, such as the Congestion Management Program, the Clean Air Plan, and the Source Reduction and Recycling Element.

Draft Program Environmental Impact Report August 2001 Comprehensive Amendment to the J&S 01-078 City of Fairfield General Plan 6-71 City of Fairfield Natural Resources and Conservation

„ Policy OS 8.1. Mitigate air pollution from fixed and vehicular sources as required by state and regional air quality plans and programs.

‰ Program OS 8.1 A. Develop and adopt an air quality element or equivalent ordinance.

„ Policy OS 8.2. Work with surrounding communities to develop regional solutions to air quality issues.

„ Policy OS 8.3. Encourage more efficient use of private vehicles and increased use of mass transit and alternative transportation modes.

„ Policy CI 6.2. Require that all large public and private employers develop TSM plans to encourage their employees to use some form of collective transportation to commute to and from work. These plans should include not only information regarding rideshare lists and available transit, but also provision of transit passes, preferential parking and other incentives to participating employees.

‰ Program CI 6.2 A. Continue to implement the City’s Trip Reduction Ordinance (TRO) in accordance with State Air Quality and Congestion Management requirements.

„ Policy CI 6.3. Implement TSM plans in conjunction with development in order to prevent future traffic congestion in the City.

„ Policy CI 6.4. Work with Caltrans to implement the use of high occupancy– vehicle (HOV) lanes on I-80 through Fairfield and to study the use of reduced tolls or license fees for carpools and vanpools on highway/interstate facilities.

„ Policy CI 6.5. Coordinate with ride-sharing programs, such as RIDES and Solano Commuter Information, and other transportation agencies to provide up-to-date lists of potential riders and to educate the public on commuting options.

„ Policy CI 6.6. Encourage the development of employer-funded vanpool and shuttle bus services to new employment centers.

„ Policy CI 6.7. Encourage employers to offer flex time arrangements to their employees in order to reduce the percentage of trips made during the peak hours.

„ Policy CI 6.8. Strive to achieve a 30% reduction in the total number of peak period employee trips. „ Policy CI 2.2. Cooperate with local and regional jurisdictions in the preparation of State-mandated regional plans, including the Clean Air Plan and the Solano County Congestion Management Program.

„ Policy CI 12.1. Cooperate with the regional air quality planning agency (the Bay Area Air Quality Management District) and agencies that deal with issues directly related to air quality, such as the Association of Bay Area Governments (ABAG) and the Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC), in the development and implementation of regional air quality strategies.

Draft Program Environmental Impact Report August 2001 Comprehensive Amendment to the J&S 01-078 City of Fairfield General Plan 6-72 City of Fairfield Natural Resources and Conservation

„ Policy CI 12.2. Support subregional coordination with other cities, counties and planning agencies concerning land use, jobs/housing balance and transportation planning as a means of improving air quality.

„ Policy CI 12.3. Balance jobs and housing in future development to provide Fairfield residents the opportunity to work in the City near their home and reduce long-distance commuting either to or from Fairfield. Jobs should be balanced (to the maximum extent possible) both in numbers and in salary range/housing cost.

„ Policy CI 12.4. Support the expansion and improvement of transit systems and ride sharing programs to reduce the production of automobile emissions.

„ Policy CI 12.5. Minimize the number, properly space, and interconnect traffic signals in order to minimize the acceleration/deceleration that produces significantly higher vehicular emission levels.

‰ Program CI 12.5 A. Adopt an action plan to improve the efficiency of traffic signals throughout the City.

6.5.4 Impacts and Mitigation Measures

The air quality impacts of the proposed general plan on both citywide and Residential and Mixed Use Revision Area levels are described below. The proposed general plan is considered consistent with the BAAQMD’s Clean Air Plan because the proposed general plan contains a clear program for meeting all Clean Air Plan requirements, including Program OS 8.1 A, which states that an air quality element or equivalent ordinance should be implemented to set guidelines for meeting and maintaining federal and state air quality standards. Impacts of the alternatives are compared to those of the proposed general plan at the end of this section.

Impacts of the Proposed General Plan (Citywide)

Impact AQ-1: Net Increase in Ozone Precursor (ROG and NOx) Emissions from Development

CO and ozone precursor emissions for buildout under the proposed general plans were calculated using the URBEMIS7G modeling program. Table 6-9 summarizes the results of emissions modeling for each Residential and Mixed Use Revision Area under the existing and the proposed general plans. The following is a brief discussion of results of emissions modeling.

As seen in table 6-9, the proposed general plan will result in an increase of approximately 513 pounds of NOX per day when compared to existing conditions. NOX emissions would increase from 8,378.84 pounds per day (ppd) to 8,892.02 ppd. This increase in emissions exceeds the BAAQMD significance threshold of 80 pounds per day, as listed above. No mitigation exists that could reduce this impact to a less-than-significant level. Therefore, the proposed

Draft Program Environmental Impact Report August 2001 Comprehensive Amendment to the J&S 01-078 City of Fairfield General Plan 6-73 City of Fairfield Natural Resources and Conservation

general plan’s impact on ozone precursor emissions in the planning area at buildout is considered significant and unavoidable. Implementing the following mitigation measure would reduce the impact, but not to a less-than-significant level.

Mitigation Measure AQ-1: Add Program CI 12.1A to Help Further Reduce the Number and/or Length of Vehicle Trips Add Program CI 12.1Aas follows:

‰ Program CI 12.1A. Support transportation control measures (TCM) recommended by the 1997 Bay Area Clean Air Plan that would held reduce the number and length of vehicle trips, including TCM1 (support voluntary employer based trip reduction programs), TCM 9 (improve bicycle access and facilities), and TCM 19 (advocate planning and design of development projects to facilitate pedestrian travel).

Impact AQ-2: Change in Ambient Carbon Monoxide Concentrations from Development

CO problems are typically associated with areas of significant traffic congestion. In general, CO emission rates from motor vehicles have been declining and are expected to continue to decline in the future because of the CARB’s vehicle emission control program, where turnover in the vehicle fleet results in newer, cleaner vehicles replacing older, higher emitting vehicles and in increasingly stringent inspection and maintenance programs. As shown in table 6-10, neither the state nor federal 1-hour or 8-hour CO standards would be exceeded in the planning area as a result of buildout of the proposed general plan. Consequently, the impact of the proposed general plan traffic conditions on ambient CO levels in the planning area is considered less than significant. No mitigation is required.

Table 6-10. Carbon Monoxide Levels Measured at Receptors in the Residential and Mixed Use Revision Areas at Buildout

1-Hour Average 8-Hour Average Receptor (parts per million) (parts per million) 1 4.4 2.4 2 4.7 2.6 3 4.4 2.4 4 4.7 2.6 5 4.6 2.5 6 4.8 2.7 7 4.7 2.6 8 4.8 2.7

Draft Program Environmental Impact Report August 2001 Comprehensive Amendment to the J&S 01-078 City of Fairfield General Plan 6-74

Table 6-9. Citywide and Residential and Mixed Use Revision Area ROG, NOX, and CO Levels

Change from Existing Conditions to Proposed General Plan Buildout Existing (2000) Conditions Proposed General Plan Buildout

ROG NOX CO ROG NOX CO ROG NOX CO Residential and Mixed Use Revision Area (lbs/day) (lbs/day) (lbs/day) (lbs/day) (lbs/day) (lbs/day) (lbs/day) (lbs/day) (lbs/day) Planning Area 4,581.52 9,010.79 34,574.37 7,433.99 8,378.84 43,255.17 -2,852.47 631.95 -8,680.80 a. Suisun Valley Road Site 26.43 56.37 214.52 33.48 44.18 221.83 -7.05 12.19 -7.31 b. Tobin Site 94.67 228.28 858.04 69.74 97.01 489.31 24.93 131.27 368.73 c. Texas Street Site 84.67 167.35 645.72 221.04 257.21 1,319.70 -136.37 -89.86 -673.98 d. Texas Street/Pennsylvania Avenue Site 82.02 160.74 622.14 210.84 235.74 1,237.11 -128.82 -75.00 -614.97 e. Jefferson Street Corridor Site 41.64 99.65 381.18 95.36 127.07 666.69 -53.72 -27.42 -285.51 f. Mission Village Site 16.33 35.52 137.17 109.72 153.03 815.77 -93.39 -117.51 -678.60 g. Dickson Hill Road Site 52.63 106.46 411.17 149.52 178.99 929.49 -96.89 -72.53 -518.32 h. Train Station Site 92.84 185.98 715.41 65.34 73.53 367.37 27.50 112.45 348.04

ROG NOX CO ROG NOX CO ROG NOX CO (tons/yr) (tons/yr) (tons/yr) (tons/yr) (tons/yr) (tons/yr) (tons/yr) (tons/yr) (tons/yr) Planning Area 143.17 281.59 1080.45 261.84 1351.72 -89.14 19.75 -271.27 a. Suisun Valley Road Site 0.83 1.76 6.70 1.38 6.93 -0.22 0.38 -0.23 b. Tobin Site 2.96 7.13 26.81 3.03 15.29 0.78 4.10 11.52 c. Texas Street Site 2.65 5.23 20.18 8.04 41.24 -4.26 -2.81 -21.06 d. Texas Street/Pennsylvania Avenue Site 2.56 5.02 19.44 7.37 38.66 -4.03 -2.34 -19.22 e. Jefferson Street Corridor Site 1.30 3.11 11.91 3.97 20.83 -1.68 -0.86 -8.92 f. Mission Village Site 0.51 1.11 4.29 4.78 25.49 -2.92 -3.67 -21.21 g. Dickson Hill Road Site 1.64 3.33 12.85 5.59 29.05 -3.03 -2.27 -16.20 h. Train Station Site 2.90 5.81 22.36 2.30 11.48 0.86 3.51 10.88

Notes: Planning area consists of entire proposed general plan area, in addition to the eight Residential and Mixed Use Revision Areas

Between 2000 and 2025, the number of vehicle trips increases, which (all else being equal) would increase emissions. However, during the same time period, average emissions per vehicle decreases because of the turnover in the fleet as older, higher emitting vehicles are replaced by newer, lower emitting vehicles. For ROG and CO, the improvements in emissions reduction technology outweighs the increase in vehicle trips and vehicle miles traveled. For NOX, the improvements in emissions controls are not enough to outweigh the increase in vehicle miles traveled.

City of Fairfield Natural Resources and Conservation

Impacts of the Residential and Mixed Use Revision Areas

Impact AQ-1: Net Increase in Ozone Precursor (ROG and NOx) Emissions from Development

The introduction of new residential uses in the Residential and Mixed Use Revision Areas could expose these new residential uses to criteria air pollutants as a result of increased traffic. Sensitive receptors located around the Residential and Mixed Use Revision Areas may also be exposed to criteria air pollutants from increased traffic. The impacts for each Residential and Mixed Use Revision Area are discussed below.

a. Suisun Valley Road Site. This site is currently vacant. Under the proposed general plan, the entire site would be redesignated to Residential Medium Density. As table 6-9 shows, ROG and CO emissions would decrease for this site compared to existing conditions because of the turnover in the vehicle fleet as older, higher emitting vehicles are replaced by newer, lower emitting vehicles. NOx emissions would increase but would be below the BAAQMD significance thresholds of 80 ppd and 15 tons per year. Therefore, this impact is considered less than significant.

b. Tobin Site. This site is currently vacant; under the proposed general plan the City would redesignate the site from Business and Industrial Park to Mixed Use. As seen in table 6-9, this redesignation would result in an increase of 131 ppd (97.01 to 228.28 ppd)of NOX compared to existing emissions. The increase in NOX emissions under the proposed general plan would exceed the BAAQMD significance threshold of 80 ppd of NOX. Therefore, this impact is considered significant. No mitigation exists that could reduce this impact to a less- than-significant level.. Implementing the following mitigation measure would reduce the impact, but not to a less-than-significant level.

Mitigation Measure AQ-1: Incorporate Transportation Plans that will Reduce the Number and/or Length of Vehicle Trips This measure is described above.

c. Texas Street Site. This site is located in central Fairfield. Under the proposed general plan, the City would redesignate approximately 3 acres on Texas Street, west of Fifth Street, from Community Commercial and Residential, Low-Medium Density to Residential, Medium Density. Table 6-9 shows that ozone precursor and CO emissions would decrease from current conditions. Therefore, the impact is considered less than significant.

d. Texas Street/Pennsylvania Avenue Site. This site is located in central Fairfield. Under the proposed general plan, the City would redesignate approximately 2 acres at the southeast corner of Texas Street and Pennsylvania Avenue from Community Commercial to Mixed Use. Table 6-9 shows that ozone precursor and CO emissions would decrease from current conditions. Therefore, the impact is considered less than significant.

Draft Program Environmental Impact Report August 2001 Comprehensive Amendment to the J&S 01-078 City of Fairfield General Plan 6-75 City of Fairfield Natural Resources and Conservation

e. Jefferson Street Corridor Site. This site is located in central Fairfield. Under the proposed general plan, the City would redesignate properties on both sides of Jefferson Street, south of Delaware Street, from residential and commercial land uses to permit Mixed Use, Service Commercial, Residential, High Density and Residential, Very High Density uses. This site is currently designated Residential Medium Density (RM) and Commercial Service (CS). Table 6-9 shows that ozone precursor and CO emissions would decrease from current conditions. Therefore, the impact is considered less than significant.

f. Mission Village Site. This site is located in central Fairfield. Under the proposed general plan, the City would redesignate the site from Community Commercial to Mixed Use. Table 6-9 shows that ozone precursor and CO emissions would decrease from current conditions. Therefore, the impact is considered less than significant.

g. Dickson Hill Road Site. This vacant site is located adjacent to existing development. Under the proposed general plan, the City would redesignate approximately 9 acres from Highway and Regional Commercial to Residential, High Density. Table 6-9 shows that ozone precursor and CO emissions would decrease from current conditions. Therefore, the impact is considered less than significant.

h. Train Station Site. Under the proposed general plan, the City would redesignate approximately 130 acres of unincorporated land on the east side of Peabody Road between the city limits and the former Sacramento Northern Railroad line. This land would be redesignated for a combination of office commercial, community commercial, and medium and high-density residential designations. This area would also include a train station at the southeast corner of Vanden Road and Peabody Road. As seen in table 6-9, this redesignation would result in an increase of 112 ppd (79.53 to 185.98 ppd) of NOX compared to existing emissions. The increase in NOX emissions under the proposed general plan would exceed the BAAQMD significance threshold of 80 ppd of NOX. Therefore, this impact is considered significant. No mitigation exists that could reduce this impact to a less-than-significant level. Implementing the following mitigation measure would reduce the impact, but not to a less-than-significant level.

Mitigation Measure AQ-1: Incorporate Transportation Plans that will Reduce the Number and/or Length of Vehicle Trips This measure is described above.

Impact AQ-2: Change in Ambient Carbon Monoxide Concentrations

Impacts for change in ambient CO concentrations are the same as described above for the proposed general plan.

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Alternatives to the Proposed General Plan

Alternative 1. Proposed General Plan Excluding the Residential and Mixed Use Revision Areas

Under this alternative, the proposed Residential and Mixed Use Revision Areas would retain their designations from the existing general plan and would not be amended to allow higher density housing or mixed use. Approximately 12,940 additional new residences would result from this alternative, compared to the approximately 13,800 estimated at buildout under the proposed general plan. Alternative 1 would have essentially the same air quality impacts as the proposed general plan.

Alternative 2. Development within Existing City Limits

Under this alternative, no annexations would occur other than “island” annexations where all or most of the property is surrounded by the city limits. All other land in the planning area that is outside the existing city limits would be redesignated to be consistent with the Solano County General Plan. Seven of the Residential and Mixed Use Revision Areas would still be redesignated for higher density housing and mixed uses. The Revision Area around the future train station, however, which is outside the city limits, would be redesignated to be consistent with the Solano County General Plan. The property acquired by the City for the train station would still be developed for a train station but would remain outside the city limits. Approximately 11,360 additional new residences would result from this alternative, compared to the 13,800 estimated at buildout under the proposed general plan.

Impacts for the eight Residential and Mixed Use Revision Areas that will be redesignated for higher density housing and mixed uses will be the same as those identified under the proposed general plan. The Train Station Revision Area would be redesignated to be consistent with the Solano County General Plan, and the existing land uses would remain. This alternative would substantially reduce growth from that projected under the proposed general plan, but it would still result in increased traffic. In addition, restricting development in Fairfield under this alternative would increase development pressure on surrounding communities in the northern Bay Area such as Napa, Vallejo, Suisun City, Vacaville, and Benicia, as well as on communities in the Sacramento Valley such as Dixon, Woodland, and Davis.

Alternative 3. Cordelia Connectors

The proposed general plan proposes that Cordelia Road be widened to 4 lanes to provide additional capacity for the connection to I-80 between the Cordelia Area and central Fairfield. Alternative 3 provides alternate travel routes between Cordelia and central Fairfield instead of widening Cordelia Road to 4 travel lanes.

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With this alternative, no traffic capacity improvements would be made to most of Cordelia Road. To handle projected traffic from the Cordelia Area to central Fairfield, two new 4-lane roadways would be constructed. The first roadway, referred to as the southern bypass, would run from I-680 at Red Top Road to SR 12 at Pennsylvania Avenue. The second roadway, referred to as the northern bypass, would travel from Mangels Boulevard at Suisun Valley Road to SR 12 at I-80.

Alternative 3 would avoid potential impacts that would result from widening Cordelia Road. These would include construction and operational activities along the Cordelia Road alignment.

This alternative will result in slightly lower vehicle miles traveled citywide primarily because of the improved internal travel circulation for Fairfield provided by this alternative. Also, the LOS results for this alternative are generally similar to those for the proposed general plan. All the intersections would continue to operate at LOS D or better, but certain intersections near the bypass routes would see greater levels of congestion because traffic would be redirected. Because traffic impacts from this alternative are generally similar to those for the proposed general plan, the impacts are similar to those identified for the proposed general plan. At the intersections near the bypass routes that would have greater congestion, impacts could be significant, depending on the increase in congestion.

Alternative 4. No Project/No Comprehensive Amendment

This alternative would result in the eventual development and urbanization of Phasing Areas B–D and the Residential and Mixed Use Revision Areas (although at different densities and land uses than the proposed general plan). Areawide trip generation would be significantly higher (by 10%) than under the proposed general plan. Also, vehicle miles traveled would be about 5% greater than under the proposed general plan, and trip distances would be expected to be somewhat longer because of the more widespread distribution of land use under the existing general plan. Accordingly, Alternative 4 would result in more severe air quality impacts than the proposed general plan. The level of significance would be the same.

6.6 Visual Resources 6.6.1 Environmental Setting

Visual Images

Visual images dominate an observer’s impressions of a region. To understand how visual images influence an observer's impressions, the aesthetic value of an area must first be defined. Aesthetic value is a measure of visual character and

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scenic quality combined with the viewer’s response to the area (Federal Highway Administration 1983). The scenic quality component can best be described as the overall impression that an individual retains after driving through, walking through, or flying over an area (U.S. Bureau of Land Management 1980). Viewer response is a combination of viewer exposure and viewer sensitivity. Viewer exposure to a viewshed varies with the number of viewers, the number of views seen, the distance of the views, and the viewing duration. Viewer sensitivity is related to the extent of the public’s concern for particular visual resources.

Both natural and artificial landscape features contribute to perceived visual images and the aesthetic value of a view. Aesthetic value is influenced by geologic, hydrologic, botanical, wildlife, recreational, and urban features. Visual images and their perceived visual quality can vary significantly seasonally and even hourly as weather, light, shadow, and the elements that compose the resource change.

Judgments of visual quality can be made based on a regional frame of reference (U.S. Soil Conservation Service 1978). The same landform or visual resource appearing in different geographic areas could have different visual resource quality and sensitivity in each setting. For example, a small hill may be a significant visual element on a flat landscape but have little significance in mountainous terrain.

Definitions of Terms

Numerous methods have been developed to characterize the scenic quality of a visual resource and the viewer response to that resource. No standard approach to visual analysis exists. Instead, several approaches that focus on different visual aspects or issues are used (Smardon, Palmer, and Fellman 1986). One commonly used set of criteria includes vividness, intactness, and unity (Federal Highway Administration 1983, Dunne and Leopold 1978, Jones et al. 1975). These criteria are defined below:

„ Vividness is the visual power or memorability of landscape components as they combine in visual patterns.

„ Intactness is the visual integrity of the natural and artificial landscape and its freedom from encroaching elements. This factor can be present in urban and rural landscapes, as well as natural settings.

„ Unity is the visual coherence and compositional harmony of the landscape considered as a whole. It frequently attests to the careful design of individual components in an artificial landscape.

Although some aspects of a visual feature can be measured, classified, and analyzed with some degree of reliability and validity, any aesthetic analysis is nevertheless subjective. Each viewer has perceptions formed by individual influences, such as cultural background, training, familiarity with local culture and geography, and personal values.

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Regional Visual Resources

Fairfield is located in the at the base of the Coast Ranges at the edge of the Central Valley along the I-80 corridor between Sacramento and San Francisco. The orchards, vineyards, row crops, and rangeland of this fertile valley are offset by the oak woodland ridgeline of the Vaca Mountains to the north and west. The wooded nature of this ridgeline provides both color and textural contrast to the agricultural land in the valley below. The agricultural land and undeveloped ridgeline encircling Fairfield lends a distinct rural character to this urban viewshed. The grazing land and orchards interspersed with urbanized areas along I-80 and I-680 offer a vivid contrast in land uses.

Suisun Marsh, one of the nation’s largest marshes, borders Fairfield to the south. This unique environment offers high-quality views of native marshland vegetation and wildlife. The city’s eastern edge is defined by expansive rangelands that border Jepson Prairie, a native plant preserve noted for its high- quality vernal pool habitat that offers vivid wildflower displays in spring.

Landscape features in the planning area are diverse, exhibiting substantial visual variety. Representative visual features include the overall urban landscape, major arterial thoroughfares, scenic corridors, open space, and major ridgelines.

Urban Landscape

The Fairfield urban landscape is characterized by a mixture of commercial, industrial, and residential land uses. Within the planning area, the urban center is roughly located south of Air Base Parkway between I-80 and SR 12. The downtown area, defined by a uniform grid street pattern, has recently been redeveloped. Gas streetlight reproductions, columned arbors, and earth-colored storefronts create a quaint shopping atmosphere. Large pottery planters filled with colorful floral displays and wrought-iron benches accentuate the district’s charm. Efforts to create a more pedestrian-oriented downtown have enhanced street landscaping and strengthened the area’s overall visual unity. The downtown district is highlighted by the Civic Center and Solano County Government Complex. Older residential neighborhoods with mature landscaping and tree-lined streets surround the downtown district.

Major Arterial Thoroughfares

Major arterial thoroughfares leading into the downtown area are characterized by “strip” commercial development. Commercial signs dominate the entire view along these roadways, resulting in relatively low-quality views. Residential neighborhoods outside the downtown area are bisected by these thoroughfares. These neighborhoods vary in their visual quality because of distinct architectural styles and extent of landscaping.

Views observed from thoroughfares can shape an individual's impression of an area. The traffic associated with these roadways makes them key vantage points

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from which to view Fairfield. Views from several of the planning area’s major arterial roadways are described below.

Travis Boulevard The Travis Boulevard entryway into downtown Fairfield is highlighted by the distinctly designed and landscaped Solano Mall and Gateway. The abundance of street landscaping punctuated by tall palms creates a vivid gateway into downtown Fairfield. Landscaped berms bordering the mall’s entrance create a pleasant middle-ground buffer that softens the lines of the shopping center in the background and draws the view away from Travis Boulevard in the foreground.

Texas and North Texas Streets Texas Street serves as the major southern entrance to the downtown area. Visually, it is dominated by commercial strip development that is characterized by numerous commercial signs, the absence of parking lot and street landscaping, and diverse architectural styles. Views generally lack intactness and visual unity. North Texas Street is characterized by similar strip development of relatively low visual quality. The abundance of commercial signs dominate the foreground and obscure the open space in background views.

Air Base Parkway Land uses along Air Base Parkway include a mixture of residential, commercial, school, light industrial, and general manufacturing land uses. The light industrial and general manufacturing areas appear to have been designed to maximize the functional aspect of these buildings with little visual buffering or aesthetic considerations. In contrast, the commercial segments of this roadway are characterized by mature street landscaping. Expansive views of Cement Hill to the north are also possible from portions of this parkway. Overall, views from Air Base Parkway are of low to moderate quality, but lack visual unity.

Other Urban Streets Other representative streets or roads characterized by varying mixes of urban land uses include Dover Avenue, Cement Hill Road, and Hillborn Road (mostly residential uses); Peabody Road (mostly industrial uses); and developed portions of Waterman Boulevard, Green Valley Road, and Suisun Valley Road (mostly residential, commercial, and public facility uses interspersed with rural open- space lands).

Scenic Corridors

The City’s adopted Scenic Vistas and Roadways Plan (1999) identifies portions I-680, Cordelia Road, Green Valley Road, Hillborn Road, Lyon Road, and Rockville Road as scenic corridors. In addition, foreground views of light- colored annual grasslands along I-80, a major city gateway, contrast strongly with the background views of dark woodland hills and mature orchards. Residential development with soundwalls backed by hillside grasslands typify scenic views west of I-680, while views to the east are dominated by the sloughs and estuarine landscape of the Suisun Marsh.

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Suisun Marsh also highlights the I-680 landscape. This natural preserve area offers highly intact and vivid panoramic views of native vegetation and wildlife.

Against the backdrop of the Vaca Mountains, vineyards and orchards of Suisun and Green Valleys create a scenic, rural vista along Green Valley and Suisun Valley Roads. Views along Rockville, Oliver, and Abernathy Roads and along Waterman Boulevard are of a similar open agricultural/rural landscape that is visually contained by the mountain ridgelines to the north and west.

Overall, these scenic corridors provide high-quality views of the surrounding open space and natural environment and enhance the rural character of this urban area.

Open Space and Agricultural Land

The expansive open space encircling the planning area’s urban landscape is a cornerstone of Fairfield’s visual resources. Background views of rolling hills capture the observer’s attention and lend a distinct rural background to the city. Major open-space features include Suisun and Green Valleys, ridgelines and hillsides, and Suisun Marsh.

Suisun and Green Valleys Open space areas within the urbanized portion of the city serve to enhance the overall rural nature of the city environment. The orchards and vineyards of Suisun Valley define and separate central Fairfield from urban development in Cordelia. This farmland provides a visual buffer from the local urban viewshed. Suisun Valley offers high-quality views of agricultural land.

Ridgelines and Hillsides Nelson Hill, a steeply sloped and heavily wooded open-space area, is a prominent landscape feature situated between I-80 and Cordelia Road. The vivid wildland character of this hill adds diversity and texture to Fairfield’s urban visual resource.

To the north and west, the city is framed by the ridgelines of the Vaca Mountains. The green, wooded slopes offset the rolling annual grassland and city below. These fairly intact ridgelines provide a high-quality and vivid backdrop to views of Fairfield.

Cement Hill, northeast of the city, is a grassland-covered hill that blends well with the surrounding rangeland. This hill provides a scenic topographic division between Fairfield and Vacaville to the northeast and a transition between the wooded hills of the Vaca Mountains and Jepson Prairie. In addition, this hill provides high-quality views of Fairfield from the I-80 northern entryway while obscuring the view of Travis AFB to the southeast.

Suisun Marsh Suisun Marsh, south of Fairfield, is a unique ecological community offering diverse and intact views of native marshland vegetation and wildlife, including

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abundant waterfowl. The proximity of this large natural area to Fairfield enhances the city’s overall rural setting.

Regulatory Setting

The following programs are used by the City to maintain or enhance the quality of aesthetic resources in Fairfield.

Zoning Ordinance

The Zoning Ordinance establishes zoning districts and specifies the land uses permitted in a given district. Regulations apply to building heights, yards, and other open spaces around buildings. The Hillside Development overlay zoning district is intended to preserve scenic hillside areas and prominent topographic features, including ridgelines, steep slopes, and hillsides, as well as natural features, such as tree stands and riparian areas on slopes of 5–10%. Development within areas subject to this overlay is guided by the City’s Hillside Management Guidelines.

The Open Space/Conservation zoning district is applied to areas of Fairfield that are environmentally sensitive or are identified by the general plan as having significant open-space value. Permitted land uses are limited to grazing and open-space preserves.

The City’s development review and conditional-use permit review procedures also contain provisions for consideration of visual impact and site design. These may be applied to preserve or enhance the visual experience.

Scenic Vistas and Roadways Plan

The Scenic Vistas and Roadways Plan identifies scenic corridors and scenic vista areas within the planning area and identifies policies to protect scenic features. This plan is designed to serve as a basis for review of the visual implications of development along designated scenic roadway corridors. The plan recognizes the visual value of the city’s surrounding open space and establishes policies to retain zoning designations that limit land use in many foreground and background components to agricultural and open-space uses.

Open Space Commission

The City’s Open Space Commission is charged with recommending to the Planning Commission, Community Services Commission, City Council, and other appropriate agencies the means by which to designate, preserve, and protect agricultural, ecological, recreational, and scenic lands in Fairfield and surrounding areas and to implement the general plan’s Open Space , Conservation, and Recreation Element. The Open Space Approval Guidelines

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are used by the Open Space Commission in reviewing development applications in specified open space planning areas.

Open Space Acquisition and Management Plan

The Open Space Acquisition and Management Plan guides the City in acquiring open-space lands.

Vacaville-Fairfield-Solano County Greenbelt

The Vacaville-Fairfield-Solano County Greenbelt, established in cooperation with the City of Vacaville and the County, establishes a scenic buffer between Fairfield and Vacaville. In addition to preserving views, it retains open-space lands that separate the two cities west of Lagoon Valley.

Tri-City-County Cooperative Plan

The Tri-city-county cooperative plan was adopted by the City along with the cities of Vallejo and Benecia and Solano County to preserve more than 10,000 acres of hillside area in locations between the cities. The Tri-city-county open space area located in the City’s planning area is a series of hills at the city’s southwestern edge. Currently, the area is free of visual intrusions. The City designates the area a “Scenic Vista”, which restricts development.

6.6.2 Methodology

Visual impacts were assessed based on the standard visual resource management systems used by federal agencies. The major components of the process include assessing the visual resources of the planning area and identifying viewer response to those resources. These components provide a definition of the existing or baseline conditions, which can then be used to assess the resource change that would result from implementation of the proposed general plan.

Thresholds of Significance

The City relies on Appendix G of the State CEQA Guidelines, application general plan policies, the Hillside Management Guidelines and Hillside Overlay District Ordinance, the Scenic Vistas and Roadways Plan, and standard professional practice to determine whether a proposed project would have a significant environmental effect. Appendix G provides that a project may have a significant effect on visual resources if it would:

„ have a substantial adverse effect on a scenic vista;

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The City has identified specific policies and guidelines in its Scenic Vistas and Roadways Plan and Hillside Management Guidelines to implement this significance criterion under Appendix G. Specifically, the City limits new development in designated “Scenic Vista Areas,” as defined by the Scenic Vistas and Roadways Plan, by establishing guidelines for minimizing effects on Scenic Vista Areas. The City considers a project to result in a significant impact if it would significantly obstruct views of Scenic Vista Areas from Scenic roadways, scenic vista points, or parks; allow for development within a Scenic Vista Area that would significantly change the natural, rural, or agricultural character of the site; or allow for development adjacent to a scenic roadway.

„ substantially damage “scenic resources”, including, but not limited to, trees, rock outcroppings, and historic buildings within a state scenic highway; The City further defines scenic resources as “important natural features” and emphasizes open space preservation in its Hillside Management Guidelines and Hillside Overlay District Ordinance to protect the visual integrity of important natural features and ensure consistency of site planning with City standards. Important natural features may include ridgelines, knolls, rock outcroppings, ponds and marshes, riparian zones, and significant trees or groups of trees.

„ substantially degrade the existing visual character or quality of the site and its surroundings; or The City has identified specific general plan policies and guidelines in its Hillside Management Guidelines and Hillside Overlay District Ordinance requiring landform grading within the district. Specifically, the City applies its "Landform Grading" concept to grading activities in the district for hillside projects to assure that development is in harmony with the natural topography.

„ create a new source of substantial light or glare that would adversely affect day or nighttime views in the area.

6.6.3 Relevant General Plan Policies

Pertinent objectives and policies of the proposed general plan update include the following:

„ Objective LU 6. Achieve a maximum public value from permanent open space, recognizing and providing for different types of open space users.

„ Objective LU 7. Achieve a maximum amount of open space land permanently available to citizens of Fairfield.

„ Objective LU 15. Preserve identified prominent topographical features, including ridgelines, steep slopes and hillsides; and natural features such as tree stands and riparian areas.

„ Objective LU 16. Development of identified hillside areas should be sensitive, to preserve natural features.

‰ Policy OS 1.6. What is urban shall be municipal, and what is rural shall be within the County. Any urban development requiring basic municipal

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services shall occur only within the incorporated City and within the urban limit line established by the General Plan.

„ Objective OS 2. Create a greenbelt/open space buffer around the perimeter of the city that provides a clear sense of identity for the City of Fairfield as separate from other urban areas and incorporates the hills, the Jepson Prairie, and the Suisun Marsh.

‰ Policy OS 2.1. All future Master Plans shall include adequate provisions for incorporating open space buffers. View corridors, watersheds, and prominent ridges shall be protected, and development on unstable soils shall be discouraged.

‰ Policy OS 2.2. Establish and maintain open space buffer zones between Vallejo and Fairfield along I-80 and between Fairfield and Benicia along I-680, identified as Open Space Planning Area 1 on the Open Space Planning Area map.

‰ Policy OS 2.3. All land uses and activities in Open Space Planning Area 1, also known as the Benicia/Fairfield/Vallejo Buffer as shown in Exhibit OS-1, shall conform to the policies contained in the Tri-City and County Cooperative Plan for Agriculture and Open Space Preservation.

‰ Policy OS 2.4. Preserve open space and agricultural lands in Green Valley.

‰ Policy OS 2.5. Establish a permanent open space buffer between Fairfield and Vacaville consistent with the Fairfield-Vacaville Greenbelt Study Committee Report and Recommendations of May 9, 1991.

„ Program OS 2.5 A. Establish and maintain an ongoing cooperative open space implementation program with the City of Vacaville.

‰ Policy OS 2.6. Maximize open space preserved to enhance City identity and preserve surrounding natural environments.

‰ Policy OS 3.1. Open Space dedications shall provide a plan for funding to insure that financing for interim maintenance is provided.

‰ Policy OS 3.2. Ownership and management responsibility of public open space shall be assigned to the agency/organization best suited to meeting this responsibility. Adequate security of open space shall be provided to insure that applicable laws and regulations are enforced.

„ Program OS 3.2 A. Implement the City’s adopted Open Space Acquisition and Management Plan

‰ Policy OS 3.3. Residents, property owners, and users shall contribute to maintaining public open spaces.

„ Objective OS 4. Maximize open space through appropriate acquisition mechanisms.

‰ Policy OS 4.1. New development shall fund its share of open space preservation by paying adopted open space impact fees and adopted Mello Roos taxes.

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‰ Policy OS 4.2. Require dedication of open space lands for development projects in the Fairfield/Vacaville Greenbelt Open Space Planning Area in the northeastern area of Fairfield.

‰ Policy OS 4.3. All future areawide plans shall include appropriate mechanisms for acquisition of open space.

‰ Policy OS 4.4. An equitable balance shall be sought between development density and open space to be preserved.

‰ Policy OS 4.6. Promote clustering of housing units to preserve the hillsides, ridges, and a maximum amount of open space. (See Policy LU 13.1 and Policy UD 5.3)

‰ Policy OS 4.7. Utilize development projects as a means for permanently preserving open space by encouraging mechanisms such as land pooling and transfer of development rights within Open Space Planning Areas for the preservation of significant open space features and lands.

„ Program OS 4.7 A. Require dedication of appropriate open space land or development rights as a condition of approval for proposed development projects.

„ Program OS 4.7 B. Establish a method for permanent preservation of open space acquired through a land pooling program. Such designations shall be registered on the property title and shall be maintained should the property be sold.

„ Objective OS 6. Enhance visual resources throughout the City.

‰ Policy OS 6.1. Preserve the views of hills and other vistas surrounding Fairfield.

‰ Policy OS 6.2. Continue to administer adopted preservation ordinances for trees, streams and hillside development, .

‰ Policy OS 6.6. Significant natural features shall be preserved wherever development is allowed in a Scenic Vista Area, and views of these significant features shall not be obstructed.

‰ Policy OS 6.7. New development along a Scenic Roadway shall comply with the policies and guidelines in the Scenic Vistas and Roadways Plan.

‰ Policy OS 6.8. Preserve the character of Nelson Hill through establishment of open space/recreation in conjunction with development projects. (See LU Nelson Hill Policies 4, 5, 6, and 7)

‰ Policy OS 6.9. Maintain the scenic vistas of the rolling hills that are seen from the urban areas of Fairfield.

‰ Policy OS 6.11. Permanently preserve open space above the 200 foot contour on Cement Hill because of its dominant visual significance to the City. If the City ultimately acquires this open space, it shall develop publicly accessible trails and vista points on Cement Hill to take advantage of the outstanding views of Fairfield and the Valley.

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‰ Policy UD 4.1. Adhere to the design guidelines of the Fairfield Urban Design Plan.

„ Program UD 4.l A. Revise, adopt, and regularly update the Fairfield Urban Design Plan.

„ Program UD 4.1 B. Regularly review and update the design guidelines and manuals that have been prepared for specific areas of the City (i.e., Cordelia Area Design Compatibility Guidelines, Downtown Design Guidelines, Interim Design Manual for the Fairfield Regional Center Project, and the Fairfield Gateway Design Manual).

‰ Policy UD 4.2. All aspects of development, including, but not limited to, grading, site planning, signage, fencing, landscaping, screening, lighting, color scheme, size, bulk, height, etc., must be integrated and relate to their surroundings in a complementary manner.

‰ Policy UD 4.3. Require the use of water features, sculptures, or other elements to help define the entrance to large projects.

‰ Policy UD 4.4. Encourage rehabilitation or upgrade of aging residential neighborhoods, commercial centers, and industrial areas.

„ Program UD 4.4 A. Adopt design plans and rehabilitation programs for the commercial corridors along Texas Street between Pennsylvania Avenue and the I-80 interchange and along North Texas Street between Union Avenue and Air Base Parkway. Include in the program for North Texas Street, a review of land uses in the vicinity of the Travis Blvd./North Texas intersection, including the former Ellsworth Court Mobile Home Park.

‰ Policy UD 4.5. Screen negative views through site planning, architectural, and landscape devices.

‰ Policy UD 4.6. Include regulations in the Urban Design Plan which prevent a cluttered appearance in the front of the buildings.

‰ Policy UD 4.7. Include regulations in the Urban Design Plan to limit excessive repetition of the same residential building elevations within a subdivision.

„ Objective UD 5. Preserve the natural scenic quality of the surrounding setting.

‰ Policy UD 5.1. Development should be designed to provide continuity with features of the surrounding area.

‰ Policy UD 5.2. Restrict development from significantly encroaching on public views of ridgelines, agricultural areas, the Cement Hill Range, and the Suisun Marsh.

‰ Policy UD 5.3. Develop hillside areas in a manner which respects their topography and maintains their visual integrity.

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„ Objective UD 6. Utilize extensive landscaping to beautify Fairfield's urban areas.

‰ Policy UD 6.1. Preserve existing significant trees and extensively plant new trees where appropriate.

„ Program UD 6.1 A. Develop a Comprehensive Tree Preservation/Planting Plan for the City incorporating policies for the use of canopy trees for shade, accent trees for color, etc.

‰ Policy UD 6.2. Landscape materials should consist of drought resistant plant varieties complementary to the area.

‰ Policy UD 6.3. Landscaping shall be continuously maintained in good condition in accordance with the City's Property Maintenance Ordinance.

6.6.4 Impacts and Mitigation Measures

The visual resource impacts of the proposed general plan on both citywide and Residential and Mixed Use Revision Area levels are described below. Impacts of the alternatives are compared to those of the proposed general plan at the end of this section.

Impacts of the Proposed General Plan (Citywide)

Impact VIS-1: Potential for Substantial Changes in Scenic Vistas

Implementation of the proposed general plan would allow for development in areas that the City has defined as “Scenic Vista Areas”, including the Rancho Solano North Master Plan Area (within the Vaca Mountains Scenic Vista Area) and Nelson Hill (located in the Nelson Hill Scenic Vista Area). However, development within these areas would require conformance with the specific policies and guidelines in the Scenic Vistas and Roadways Plan and Hillside Management Guidelines, as well as proposed general plan policies, including specific site design, building architecture, landscape design, and miscellaneous site improvements. Also, development on lands within the city limits is subject to the Hillside Overlay District. Implementation of these polices and guidelines will ensure that this impact would be less than significant. No additional mitigation is required.

Impact VIS-2: Potential for Substantial Changes to the Quality of Scenic Corridors or Views from Scenic Roadways

The City has designated nine roadways within the planning area as “Scenic Roadways.” Scenic roadways relevant to the proposed general plan include Cordelia Road, which runs through Cordelia; Lyon Road, which runs through the Rancho Solano North Master Plan Area; and the future Manuel Campos

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Parkway. Changes to views from these roadways could result from future development of the Rancho Solano North Master Plan Area, Nelson Hill, and the Technology Park. However, city policies that restrict development adjacent to scenic roadways and require discretionary approval of projects adjacent to scenic roadways would ensure that the views from these roadways would remain intact. The City also sets guidelines for private development adjacent to scenic roadways. Implementation of these polices and guidelines will ensure that this impact would be less than significant. No additional mitigation is required.

Impact VIS-3: Modification or Conversion of Scenic Resources

The City defines scenic resources as “important natural features” and emphasizes open-space preservation in its Hillside Management Guidelines and Hillside Overlay District Ordinance to protect the visual integrity of important natural features and to ensure consistency of site planning with city standards. Important natural features may include ridgelines, knolls, rock outcroppings, ponds and marshes, riparian zones, and significant trees or groups of trees.

Hillsides in the Rancho Solano North Master Plan Area and Nelson Hill provide a portion of the scenic backdrop of Fairfield. Development within these areas would adhere to the City’s proposed urban design and other aesthetic policies in the proposed general plan, as well as the City’s Management Guidelines and Hillside Overlay District Ordinance. Therefore, this impact is less than significant. No additional mitigation is required.

Impacts of the Residential and Mixed Use Revision Areas

Impact VIS-4: Potential for New Source of Substantial Light or Glare

a. Suisun Valley Road Site. This site is currently vacant. Development under proposed general plan would introduce new sources of light and glare in the area, which could have an adverse effect on its visual quality. Because the site is within an urbanized area, application of the policies of the proposed general plan, including Policy UD 4.2, which is described above, would reduce this effect to a less-than-significant level.

b. Tobin Site. This site is currently vacant. Development under proposed general plan would introduce new sources of light and glare in the area, which could have an adverse effect on its visual quality. Because the site is within an urbanized area, application of the policies of the proposed general plan would reduce this effect to a less-than-significant level.

c. Texas Street Site. This site is located within central Fairfield. Application of the urban design and other aesthetic policies of the proposed general plan to

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future development would result in a higher quality visual experience. This would reduce the effect of this change to a less-than-significant level.

d. Texas Street/Pennsylvania Avenue Site. This site is located within central Fairfield. Application of the urban design and other aesthetic policies of the proposed general plan to future development would result in a higher quality visual experience. This would reduce the effect of this change to a less-than- significant level.

e. Jefferson Street Corridor Site. This site is located within central Fairfield. Application of the urban design and other aesthetic policies of the proposed general plan to future development would result in a higher quality visual experience. This would reduce the effect of this change to a less-than- significant level.

f. Mission Village Site. This site is located within central Fairfield. Application of the urban design and other aesthetic policies of the proposed general plan to future development would maintain or improve the existing visual experience on this improved site. This would reduce the effect of this change to a less-than-significant level.

g. Dickson Hill Road Site. This site is located on the edge of existing development. Application of the urban design and other aesthetic policies of the proposed general plan to future development would moderate the impacts of development of this vacant site. In addition, the site is subject to an H zoning overlay, which establishes hillside development regulations. These regulations, in concert with the general plan policies would reduce the effect of this change to a less-than-significant level.

h. Train Station Site. Application of the urban design and other aesthetic policies of the proposed general plan to future development would reduce the impacts of development of this site and improve the visual environment. The impact would be less than significant.

Alternatives to the Proposed General Plan

Alternative 1. Proposed General Plan Excluding the Residential and Mixed Use Revision Areas

This alternative affects the same area as the proposed general plan. The Residential and Mixed Use Revision Areas would develop based on the land use designations in the existing general plan. When compared to existing conditions, implementation of this alternative would generally have the same impacts on visual resource as the proposed general plan.

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Alternative 2. Development within Existing City Limits

This alternative would have substantially fewer effects on visual resources compared to the proposed general plan because it would exclude development of the Rancho Solano North Master Plan Area and Technology Park and the related conversion of open-space land.

Alternative 3. Cordelia Connectors

This alternative would have aesthetic impacts beyond those described for the proposed general plan. Under this alternative, two bypass routes (southern and northern) would be constructed along the edge of the Suisun Marsh and along the north side of I-80, respectively. The southern bypass would introduce a 4-lane road along the scenic rim of the marsh. The northern bypass would substantially alter the existing view of orchards along the north side of I-80. Both bypasses would have significant effects on visual resources.

Alternative 4. No Project/No Comprehensive Amendment

This alternative would result in the eventual urbanization of Phasing Areas B–D. Because the potential conversion area greatly exceeds that under the proposed general plan, its impacts on visual resources would be greater than those under the proposed general plan. The conversion of these open-space and agricultural lands to urban uses would have a significant effect on visual resources.

6.7 Cultural Resources 6.7.1 Environmental Setting

Prehistoric Setting

Prehistory in the planning area is generally described as a series of “patterns”, meaning an essentially nontemporal, integrative cultural unit—the general way of life shared by people within a given geographic region (Fredrickson 1973). Three such patterns that overlap in adjoining areas are recognized for the planning area: Windmiller, Berkeley, and Augustine.

The Windmiller Pattern, which may represent the advent of early Penutian speaking populations extends from approximately 4500–3000 B.P. This pattern was focused primarily on the lower Central Valley and Delta regions and reflects the influence of a lacustrine or marsh adaption. (Moratto 1984.)

The Berkeley Pattern extends roughly from 3000–1500 B.P. and became more widespread (at least more archaeologically visible) than the antecedent complex. The Berkeley Pattern has a greater emphasis on the exploitation of the acorn as a

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staple. The Berkeley Pattern initially may represent the spread of proto-Miwok and Costanoans, collectively known as Utians, from their hypothesized lower Sacramento Valley/Delta homeland.

The last complex in this sequence is the Augustine Pattern, which extended temporally from circa 1,500 B.P. to European contact. Augustine initially appears to be largely an outgrowth of the Berkeley Pattern, but it may have become a blend of Berkeley traits with those carried into the state by the migration of Wintuan populations from the north (Moratto 1984).

At the time of European contact, the Fairfield area was inhabited by the Patwin, who held an extensive region within north-central California. Patwin territory included the lower portion of the west side of the Sacramento Valley west of the Sacramento River from about the location of Princeton in the north to Benicia in the south (Kroeber 1925).

Historic Setting

Early History–1858

Solano County was one of the original 27 California counties and has retained its original boundaries. The first county seat was Benicia, but it was moved to Fairfield in 1858 (Kyle 1990).

Jose Francisco Armijo petitioned for 3 square leagues of land in 1839 and received a grant to Rancho Tolenas from Governor Juan Alvarado 1 year later (Wood Alley and Co. 1879). Captain R. H. Waterman, from Fairfield, Connecticut, later acquired land in the Armijo Grant. Following acquisition, Waterman offered 16 acres of land in to Solano County to use for a new county seat to replace the seat in Benicia. Because they wished to move the seat to a more centralized location within the county, voters approved the deal and made Fairfield the new seat by 1858 (Hunt 1926).

1858–1911

Early settlers cultivated fruits and vegetables on a limited basis and grains on a larger scale. Fruits and vegetables were shipped to the mines of the Sierra Nevada foothills and dry farm crops such as wheat and oats for the raising of cattle proved to be manageable in the area with limited irrigation. Transport of agricultural goods depended on access to navigable Suisun Slough. In addition, quarries in the area supplied cobble stones to the city (Wood Alley and Co. 1879). With the coming of the first railroad, most of the products transported by water were shifted to the railroad (Rawls and Bean 1993). The first railroad to pass through the area, the California Pacific, had bisected Fairfield and Suisun City by 1874. (Hunt 1926.)

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1912–1941

Following the start of the 20th century, agriculture dominated the Solano County region (Hunt 1926). Significant changes to the area again occurred as a result of local transportation improvements. Before the turn of the 20th century, the primary changes came about through the introduction of the railroad. With the use of bicycles and automobiles increasing in California, however, development and settlement became dependent upon the existence of modern roads. Fairfield benefited from its locations alongside major transportation routes. Between 1912 and 1914, the main highway through Solano County was constructed, and 1 year later, the Yolo Bypass opened, allowing automobiles to pass over the Yolo Basin during times of flood (Keegan 1989). The passage of the Federal Highways Act in 1921 paved the way for signed interstate arteries maintained by federal funds (Hokanson 1988). U.S. Highway 40, part of which is now Texas Avenue, once traveled through Fairfield.

1942–Present

Agriculture continued to exist on the flanks of Fairfield during World War II in the forms of cattle ranching and crop production, but land use in this part of Solano County began to change as new industries arrived.

Following the entry of the United States into World War II, the Fourth Air Force and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers set out to construct an air field on a 945-acre parcel outside Fairfield and Suisun City. The project resulted in the Fairfield-Suisun Army Air Base, which became an important facility for the preparation of tactical air bombers and crews for South Pacific assignments. The base was later renamed Travis Air Force Base in honor of a deceased brigadier general and eventually grew to 5,000 acres. The City of Fairfield annexed the base and its inhabitants in 1966, thereby increasing the size of Fairfield by approximately 30%. Development increased in the area as the base grew and as more support staff moved in and remained after completing their duties (Keegan 1989).

Regulatory Setting

State

For the purposes of CEQA, cultural resources are defined as buildings, sites, structures, places, areas, or objects that may have historic, architectural, archaeological, cultural, or scientific importance. Most often, cultural resources must be at least 50 years old so that their historical context can be understood, but there are exceptions. One such exception is when a property’s significance in history can be understood without the benefit of time passing (California Register of Historical Resources [CRHR], Title 14, Chapter 11.5, Part 4852[d]2).

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City of Fairfield Open Space, Conservation, and Recreation Element

The Open Space, Conservation, and Recreation Element specifies objectives, policies, and programs to achieve the permanent preservation and management of public open-space lands, natural resources, and the enhancement of community recreational opportunities. The Conservation section of the element provides guidelines on waterways, natural and riparian habitats, wildlife preservation, and scenic, historic and cultural resources conservation.

Cultural Resources Sensitivity

Given the rich environment that attracted early colonizers (both prehistoric and historic) to the area now in Fairfield, most of the planning area can be considered sensitive for cultural resources.

Architectural Resources

Concentrations of historic resources in the planning area are expected to occur:

„ adjacent to transportation corridors (historic highways, railroads, navigable sloughs);

„ on historic ranches;

„ in areas of historic rock, soil, and mineral extraction; and

„ within historic neighborhoods and business districts.

The Historic Property Data File, which is maintained by the State Office of Historic Preservation, identifies 33 properties in Old Cordelia and four properties in Fairfield that are considered eligible for listing on the National Register of Historic Places. These properties are described briefly below.

Cordelia Area Most of the 33 properties in Cordelia that could be eligible for listing are homes that were built between 1870 and 1930 located in the Old Cordelia area along Bridgeport Avenue, Cordelia Road, Red Rock Road, or Ritchie Road.

Fairfield Area A few Fairfield buildings are listed or are eligible for listing on state and federal inventories, including the Broadway Building, built in the 1800s and located on Broadway; the Goosen Mansion, built in 1910 and located on Empire Street; a building at Travis AFB built in 1955; and the Denverton Overhead bridge on SR 12.

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Archeological Resources

In the planning area, the most dense concentration of prehistoric cultural resources are expected:

„ on terraces along watercourses on the valley floor;

„ on midslope terraces above watercourses in upland areas;

„ in areas of rock outcrops near where native oak stands have been located;

„ at the bases of hills, especially where watercourses enter the valley floor; and

„ along historical marsh margins.

Current Cultural Resources Research

Fifteen cultural resources studies have been reported to the Northwest Information Center since 1991. Large archaeological sites representing village locations and cemeteries of Native Americans have been discovered in the Green Valley Road area. These discoveries were associated with new housing developments that were constructed in the early 1990s.

In response to the need to relieve traffic congestion on I-80, several cultural resources investigations have been conducted for projects along SR 12, Walters Road, Vanden Road, and Peabody Road. These investigations, begun in the mid-1990s and continuing today, have identified many historic structures and ranch-building complexes associated with Fairfield’s past.

6.7.2 Methodology

This analysis is based on findings of a cultural resources sensitivity study conducted at the Northwest Information Center of the California Historical Resources Inventory System located at Sonoma State University in Rohnert Park, California. This information center is the state repository for cultural resources records and reports conducted in Solano County. The research was conducted in May 2001. Also consulted were published reference materials from the Directory of Properties in the Historic Data File for Solano County, which is maintained by the State Office of Historic Preservation.

Assumptions

This analysis assumes that any development upon or near a cultural resource could have a significant impact to that resource. Archaeological resources are sensitive to direct impacts from development. Architectural resources could be impacted by direct impacts or changes to their historic setting.

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Thresholds of Significance

According to Appendix G of the State CEQA Guidelines, a project will normally have a significant effect on the environment if it will:

„ cause a substantial adverse change in the significance of a historical resource as defined in Public Resources Code Section 5024.1, California Code of Regulations, Title 14, 15064.5); The City has adopted a Historic Preservation Ordinance to ensure the preservation of historic resources in Fairfield. The ordinance calls for an inventory of historic resources, establishes procedures for designating historic landmarks and districts, and requires permits for changes to designated historic landmarks. The inventory has not yet been prepared.

„ cause a substantial adverse change in the significance of an archaeological resource pursuant to Section 15064.5; or

„ disturb any human remains, including those interred outside of formal cemeteries. The State CEQA Guidelines further define a significant historic resource as “a resource listed or eligible for listing on the CRHR” (Public Resources Code, Section 5024.1; California Code of Regulations, Title 14, 15064.5 [14 CCR 15064.5]). A historic resource may be eligible for inclusion in the CRHR if it:

„ is associated with events that have made a significant contribution to the broad patterns of California’s history and cultural heritage;

„ is associated with the lives of persons important in our past;

„ embodies the distinctive characteristics of a type, period, region, or method of construction, represents the work of an important creative individual, or possesses high artistic values; or

„ has yielded, or may be likely to yield, information important in prehistory or history.

According to State CEQA Guidelines, a project that could cause a substantial adverse change in the significance of an historic resource may have a significant effect on the environment (14 CCR 15064.5[b]). The State CEQA Guidelines further state that a substantial adverse change in the significance of a resource means physical demolition, destruction, relocation, or alteration of the resource or its immediate surroundings such that the significance of an historic resource would be materially impaired. Actions that would materially impair the significance of an historic resource are any actions that would demolish or adversely alter those physical characteristics of an historic resource that convey its historic significance and qualify it for inclusion in the CRHR or in a local register or survey that meet the requirements of Sections 5020.1(k) and 5024.1(g) of the Public Resources Code.

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6.7.3 Relevant General Plan Policies

The following policies from the proposed general plan address cultural resources:

„ Policy OS 10.2. Assign to the Open Space Commission the responsibility for the official inventory of historical and archaeological sites.

„ Policy OS 10.3. Consult with the California Archaeological Inventory Northwest Informantion Center at Sonoma State University on any project that could have an impact on cultural resources.

„ Policy OS 10.4. Avoid impacts on cultural resources when archeological studies reveal the presence of cultural resources at a development site. If avoidance is infeasible, require site testing by a qualified archeologist to determine the significance of the resources, and implement recommended mitigation measures.

„ Policy OS 10.5. Halt construction at a development site if cultural resources are encountered unexpectedly during construction and require consultation with a qualified archeologist to determine the significance of the resources.

„ Policy OS 10.7. Require archeological studies by a certified archeologist in areas of archeological significance prior to approval of development projects.

„ Policy OS 10.8. Prepare an inventory of historic structures within the General Plan Area and , where appropriate, promote the inclusion of these structures on the State’s Inventory of Historic Sites and the National Register of Historic Places. Work with property owners in seeking registration of historical structures as State Historic Landmarks or listing on the National Register of Historic Places.

„ Policy OS 10.9. Promote the preservation and restoration of historical sites and structures within the General Plan Area that are significant to the City’s or the region’s cultural or historic background.

„ Policy UD 3.4. Encourage private preservation of buildings which have historic significance and/or architectural merit.

„ Policy LU 12. The architectural design of any new buildings within Old Town Cordelia shall reflect its historic character.

6.7.4 Impacts and Mitigation Measures

The cultural resource impacts of the proposed general plan on both citywide and Residential and Mixed Use Revision Area levels are described below, respectively. Impacts of the alternatives are compared those of the proposed general plan at the end of this section.

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Impacts of the Proposed General Plan (Citywide)

Impact CR-1: Potential for Development to Damage Historic Architectural Resources

Development activities associated with the proposed general plan could result in the rehabilitation, modification, or removal of potentially significant historic structures and other resources in the planning area. Policy OS 10.8 provides for a creation of an inventory of historic structures in the planning area consistent with the City’s Historic Preservation Ordinance. This policy does not provide for maintenance of this inventory, but structures not included in this inventory may become historically significant at a later date. To avoid potential impacts on significant cultural resources, mitigation measure CR-1 would be implemented.

Implementation of Policies OS 10.3–10.5, OS 10.7, and OS 10.8 will help to protect significant cultural resources, and possible impacts on architectural resources can be reduced to a less-than-significant level by adopting the following mitigation measures.

Mitigation Measure CR-1: Revise Proposed General Plan Policies to Protect Cultural Resources Although following the policies of the proposed general plan will reduce impacts on significant cultural resources, the following revisions to those policies will ensure additional protection for cultural resources. The revisions clarify the implementation of the policies.

„ Policy OS 10.7 requires an archaeological survey before development projects are approved in areas of “archeological significance” without defining how the area’s archeological significance will be determined. This policy also states that the archaeological studies be conducted by a “certified archeologist.” No certification process is currently in place to judge the competency of an archaeologist. The Secretary of the Interior’s standards for “qualified archaeologists” should replace the language of “certified archaeologist.”

„ Policy OS 10.8 provides for inventorying historic structures within the planing area without specifying how this inventory will be maintained. It is conceivable a given building that is not 50 years old when the inventory is created may not be included but that by the time development occurs that may impact that building, the building could have reached an historic age and could be identified as a significant resource. This policy also directs that appropriate resources on the historic structures inventory be listed on the State Inventory of Historic Sites. The authoritative listing is entitled the CRHR, and Policy OS 10.8 should be revised accordingly.

Mitigation Measure CR-2: Add Program OS 10.8A to Conduct Architectural Inventory and Evaluation Prior to Permitting Development Projects in Built Environments Add Program OS 10.8A as follows:

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‰ Program OS 10.8A. The City shall require that a qualified architectural historian inventory and evaluate the significance of buildings and structures located in or adjacent to parcels before approval of development projects. Information of resources found to be eligible for listing on the California Register of Historic Resources should be provided to the Open Space Commission for inclusion on their inventory of historic structures.

Impact CR-2: Potential to Damage Previously Unidentified Human Remains from Development

Implementation of the proposed general plan would result in the conversion of 4,600 acres of vacant lands within the Urban Limit Line. As described above, most of the planning area can be considered sensitive for cultural resources, and ground-breaking activities associated with development could result in the disturbance of previously unknown archeological resources. Development in the proposed Rancho Solano North Master Plan Area, Nelson Hill Master Plan Area, Cordelia Area, and Technology Park could potentially disturb cultural resources if any are found to be present onsite during development.

Buried human remains that are not identified during cultural resources investigations could be inadvertently unearthed during excavation activities, which could cause a substantial adverse change in the significance of an archaeological resource or result in damage to these human remains. Implementation of Policies OS 10.3–10.5, OS 10.7, and OS 10.8 will help to protect significant cultural resources, but to reduce this potential impact on human remains to a less-than-significant level, the following mitigation should be implemented.

Mitigation Measure CR-3: Implement the Requirements of State Laws Pertaining to the Discovery of Human Remains If human remains of Native American origin are discovered during ground- disturbing activities, it is necessary to comply with state laws relating to the disposition of Native American burials, which falls within the jurisdiction of the California Native American Heritage Commission (NAHC) (Public Resources Code, Section 5097). If human remains are discovered or recognized in any location other than a dedicated cemetery, there shall be no further excavation or disturbance of the site or any nearby area reasonably suspected to overlie adjacent human remains until:

„ the Solano County coroner has been informed and has determined that no investigation of the cause of death is required and

„ if the remains are of Native American origin,

‰ the descendants from the deceased Native Americans have made a recommendation to the landowner or the person responsible for the excavation work for means of treating or disposing of, with appropriate dignity, the human remains and any associated grave goods as provided in the Public Resources Code, Section 5097.98, or

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‰ the California NAHC was unable to identify a descendant or the descendant failed to make a recommendation within 24 hours after being notified by the NAHC.

According to California Health and Safety Code, six or more human burials at one location constitute a cemetery (Section 8100), and disturbance of Native American cemeteries is a felony (Section 7052). Section 7050.5 requires that excavation be stopped in the vicinity of discovered human remains until the coroner can determine whether the remains are those of a Native American. If the remains are determined to be Native American, the coroner must contact the California NAHC.

Impacts of the Residential and Mixed Use Revision Areas

Impact CR-1: Potential to Damage Historic Architectural Resources from Development

a. Suisun Valley Road Site. The Suisun Valley Road Site is sensitive for both prehistoric and historic resources. Before approval of any development plans, however, Policies OS 10.3–10.5, 10.7, and 10.8 and mitigation measures CR-1–CR-3 will be implemented. As a result, the impacts would be less than significant.

b. Tobin Site. Because of its location between two streams, the Tobin Site is sensitive for both prehistoric and historic resources. Before approval of any development plans, however, Policies OS 10.3–10.5, 10.7, and 10.8 and mitigation measures CR-1–CR-3 will be implemented. As a result, the impacts would be less than significant.

c. Texas Street Site. The Texas Street Site, which is located on historic U.S. Highway 40, is sensitive for historic resources. Before approval of any development plans, however, Policies OS 10.3–10.5, 10.7, and 10.8 and mitigation measures CR-1–CR-3 will be implemented. As a result, the impacts would be less than significant.

d. Texas Street/Pennsylvania Avenue Site. The Texas Street/ Pennsylvania Avenue Site, which is also located on historic U.S. Highway 40, is sensitive for historic resources. Before approval of any development plans, however, Policies OS 10.3–10.5, 10.7, and 10.8 and mitigation measures CR-1– CR-3 will be implemented. As a result, the impacts would be less than significant.

e. Downtown Site. The Downtown Site, which is located between the historic railroad and U.S. Highway 40, is sensitive for historic resources. Before approval of any development plans, Policies OS 10.3–10.5, 10.7, and 10.8 and mitigation measures CR-1–CR-3 will be implemented. As a result, the impacts would be less than significant.

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f. Mission Village Site. The Mission Village Site consists of modern buildings and asphalt paving. No impacts on historic resources would occur as a result of the proposed general plan, but development on the site would result in ground-breaking activities that could disturb any human remains or other unknown buried cultural resources. Implementation of Policies OS 10.3–10.5, OS 10.7, and OS 10.8 and mitigation measures CR-2 and CR-3 will reduce this impact at this site to a less-than-significant level.

g. Dickson Hill Road Site. The Dickson Hill Road Site, which is located near historic U.S. Highway 40, is sensitive for both prehistoric and historic resources. Before approval of any development plans, however, Policies OS 10.3–10.5, 10.7, and 10.8 and mitigation measures CR-1–CR-3 will be implemented. As a result, the impacts would be less than significant.

h. Train Station Site. The Train Station Site, which is located near the historic railroad, is sensitive for both prehistoric and historic resources. Before approval of any development plans, however, Policies OS 10.3–10.5, 10.7, and 10.8 and mitigation measures CR-1–CR-3 will be implemented. As a result, the impacts would be less than significant.

Impact ARC-2: Potential to Damage Previously Unidentified Human Remains from Development

This impact is described above under impact ARC-1 for each Residential and Mixed Use Revision Area. Mitigation measures, where needed, are also described.

Alternatives to the Proposed General Plan

Alternative 1. Proposed General Plan Excluding the Residential and Mixed Use Revision Areas

Similar to the proposed general plan, development would occur whether or not the Residential and Mixed Use Revision Areas are included in the general plan. Similar impacts could occur on significant cultural resources under both plans.

Alternative 2. Development within Existing City Limits

Development within the existing city limits would likely affect fewer significant cultural resources than would be affected under the proposed general plan because less area would be slated for development.

Alternative 3. Cordelia Connectors

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This alternative is similar to the proposed general plan except that adverse impacts on historic structures located adjacent to the existing Cordelia Road alignment would be avoided. Widening Cordelia Road to 4 lanes, as proposed on the existing general plan, would affect historic structures within the Cordelia community. The northern and southern bypasses proposed in this alternative would avoid impacts along Cordelia Road.

However, both alignments identified in this alternative are sensitive for both prehistoric and historic resources and could affect a greater number of cultural resources than under the proposed general plan.

Alternative 4. No Project/No Comprehensive Amendment

This alternative would result in greater impacts on cultural resources because substantially more land area would be developed than under the proposed general plan.

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