Tenaya Lodge Explorer Cabins Biotic Report Project #3540-02 Prepared for: Blair, Church & Flynn Consulting Engineers Isaac Wedam 451 Clovis Ave., Suite 200 Clovis, CA 93612 Prepared by: H. T. Harvey & Associates December 2014 7815 North Palm Avenue, Suite 310 Fresno, CA 93711 Ph: 559.476.3160 F: 559.476.3170 Executive Summary H. T. Harvey & Associates (HTH) has prepared this biotic report to: 1) document the existing environmental conditions and biological resources on a parcel (the Project site) that has been proposed as the location of a high end camping facility consisting of Explorer Cabins (the Project); 2) identify the impacts of the Project on these resources; and 3) recommend mitigation measures to avoid, minimize or mitigate Project impacts. HTH followed the California Environmental Quality Act guidelines (State CEQA Guidelines) during the assessment of the level of significance of the Project’s potential impacts on biological resources. We proposed mitigation measures to reduce significant impacts to less-than-significant levels, when those impacts cannot be avoided. This report is intended to support the Project Proponent’s compliance with CEQA. The Project site encompasses approximately 24.23 acres in Fish Camp, Mariposa County, California. The Project site is undeveloped, and is within the main timber belt of the central Sierra Nevada dominated by lower montane coniferous forest. Elevations on the Project site range from approximately 4970 to 5050 feet (ft) above sea level. The Project will include 34 prefabricated cabins, a clubhouse, a swimming pool, paved parking areas and roads, and campfire pits. The site plan has been designed to avoid wetlands, meadows, a pond, rock formations, and significant vegetation, and incorporates existing roads and clearings. HTH ecologists performed background research, and an initial biological assessment to determine the site’s suitability for special-status species and to map natural communities on the site. Ecologists then performed the following focused surveys in October 2014: • A tree inventory to identify and map of all trees and snags ≥20 inches diameter at breast height (dbh) • Evaluation of trees and snags to determine the presence of suitable rest site locations and potential den sites for the fisher (Pekania penanti) • Special-status amphibian and reptiles surveys, particularly to determine the presence or absence of the Sierra Nevada yellow-legged frog (Rana sierrae), foothill yellow-legged frog (Rana boylii), and northern western pond turtle (Actinemys marmorata) • A preliminary delineation of wetlands and other waters Additional seasonally timed surveys would be required in 2015, or at the appropriate period prior to construction, for the following resources: • Rare plant species • Special-status bat species • Nesting birds, including California spotted owl, northern goshawk, and other nesting raptors Tenaya Lodge Explorer Cabins H. T. Harvey & Associates i Biotic Report December 2014 Nine natural communities or subclassifications of vegetation associations occur on the Project site: lower montane coniferous forest, alder/white fir/incense cedar riparian complex, willow shrub riparian/wetland, aspen forested wetland, wet meadow/freshwater emergent wetland, freshwater pond, perennial stream, intermittent stream, and drainage channel. All of the natural communities except montane coniferous forest (15.50 acres) could be considered to be sensitive and/or waters of the United States and State. Approximately 8.73 acres of potential jurisdictional waters were identified on the Project site, composed of approximately 6.51 acres wetlands and 2.22 acres of other waters. A separate Preliminary Delineation of Wetlands and Other Waters is being prepared that details these areas. Of the 32 special-status plant species known to occur in the region, 19 have potential to occur on the Project site. No special-status plant species were observed on the Project site incidental to other surveys. Additional surveys would need to be conducted during the appropriate blooming periods when these rare plants are most easily identified to determine whether populations of special-status plants are likely to be affected by the Project. Of the 53 special-status wildlife species known to occur in the region, 26 have the potential to occur or do occur on the Project site. The Project will not affect any federally or State-listed endangered or threatened species because these species are not expected to occur on the site. The West Coast Distinct Population Segment of fisher, which is federally proposed threatened and is a State candidate for threatened status, has potential to occur on the site. In addition, the Townsend’s big-eared bat (Corynorhinus townsendii), which is State candidate for threatened status, may also occur. Fisher are known to occur in the area immediately surrounding Fish Camp, and suitable vegetation type and prey resources are present on the site. The focused habitat assessment determined that many of the large mature trees on the site had structures suitable for use by fishers as resting sites. Only five trees or snags on the site were determined to have cavities large enough for potential use as dens by fishers. Project impacts to active dens could be considered significant. No fisher sign was seen during the survey. Several bat species have potential to forage on the site, including pallid bat (Antrozous pallidus), spotted bat (Euderma maculatum), Townsend’s big-eared bat, western mastiff bat (Eumops perotis californicus), and western red bat (Lasiurus blossevillii). No impacts to foraging habitat of special-status bat species are expected. Only the pallid bat, western red bat, and western mastiff bat have potential to roost on the site, and impacts to roost sties could be considered significant. There is a remote possibility that American badger (Taxidea taxus) could occur in forest openings. Preconstruction surveys and avoidance of these mammal species are recommended. Nineteen special-status bird species, or those designated as Birds of Conservation Concern, were identified to have potential to use the site for breeding or on a transitory basis. In addition, other species protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act may also nest on the site. The avian species with the greatest implications for Project development are the California spotted owl (Strix occidentalis occidentalis) and the northern goshawk (Accipiter gentilis), which could forage and nest on the Project site. It is recommended that all construction activities occur between 1 September and 28 February, which is outside of the nesting season. If construction must take place during this Tenaya Lodge Explorer Cabins H. T. Harvey & Associates ii Biotic Report December 2014 period, preconstruction surveys for nesting birds should be conducted to ensure that no active nests of these species will be disturbed during Project implementation. No special-status amphibians or reptiles were detected during the surveys. Although suitable habitat exists on the site, these species are expected to be absent because: they were not observed during surveys sufficient to detect these species; the Sierra Nevada yellow-legged frog and foothill yellow-legged frog have experienced severe declines and are thought to be extirpated from this area; the Project site is slightly above the native elevational range of the northern western pond turtle; and nonnative American bullfrogs (Lithobates catesbeianus), fishes, and signal crayfish (Pacifastacus leniusculus) were abundant in aquatic habitats on the site and reduce the likelihood of occupancy by native amphibians and reptiles. The Mariposa County General Plan requires that grading and development plans minimize the removal of native trees and groves of trees. In addition, the County of Mariposa will implement protection of heritage trees in 2018. In compliance with the General Plan, the Project has been designed to minimize the removal of native trees. However, two California black oak trees >20 inches diameter at breast height may be impacted by the Project, and could be considered to be heritage trees under future County policy. Tenaya Lodge Explorer Cabins H. T. Harvey & Associates iii Biotic Report December 2014 Table of Contents Section 1.0 Introduction ............................................................................................................................................. 1 1.1 Purpose ..................................................................................................................................................................... 1 1.2 Location .................................................................................................................................................................... 1 1.3 Project Description ................................................................................................................................................. 4 1.4 Regulatory Overview............................................................................................................................................... 4 1.4.1 Special-Status Species ..................................................................................................................................... 4 1.4.2 Raptors and Migratory Birds ......................................................................................................................... 6 1.4.3 Natural Communities ....................................................................................................................................