Appendix B General Biological Resources Survey Report DRAFT GENERAL BIOLOGICAL RESOURCES SURVEY REPORT FOR THE E. & J. GALLO LIVINGSTON WATER INNOVATION AND ENERGY FACILITY PROJECT, MERCED COUNTY, CALIFORNIA (37°22’39.93”N, 120°48’37.66”W) P REPARED FOR: E & J Gallo Winery 18000 W River Road Livingston, CA 95334 Contact: Glenn Wright 209.394.5848 P REPARED BY: ICF International 75 E. Santa Clara Street, Suite 300 San José, CA 95113 Contact: Eric Christensen, Biologist 408.216.2819 email: [email protected] June 2012 ICF International. 2012. General Biological Resources Study for the E. & J. Gallo Winery Livingston Water Innovation and Energy Facility Project. Draft. June. (ICF 00265.12.) San José, CA. Prepared for E. & J. Gallo Winery, Livingston, CA. Contents List of Figures .......................................................................................................................................... ii List of Acronyms and Abbreviations ...................................................................................................... iii Page Chapter 1 Summary .................................................................................................................. 1‐1 Chapter 2 Introduction ............................................................................................................ 2‐1 Chapter 3 Methodology ............................................................................................................ 3‐1 Literature Reviewed ............................................................................................................................ 3‐1 Field Study ........................................................................................................................................... 3‐1 Chapter 4 Setting and Survey Results ....................................................................................... 4‐1 Environmental Setting ......................................................................................................................... 4‐1 Existing Conditions ........................................................................................................................ 4‐1 Special‐Status Species ......................................................................................................................... 4‐3 Special‐Status Plants ..................................................................................................................... 4‐3 Special‐Status Wildlife .................................................................................................................. 4‐3 Chapter 5 Regulatory Setting .................................................................................................... 5‐1 Regulatory Setting ............................................................................................................................... 5‐1 Federal Policies and Regulations .................................................................................................. 5‐1 State Policies and Regulations ...................................................................................................... 5‐3 Chapter 6 Project Impact Analysis ............................................................................................ 6‐1 Chapter 7 Mitigation Required ................................................................................................ 7‐1 Chapter 8 References Cited ...................................................................................................... 8‐1 Chapter 9 Preparer’s Qualifications .......................................................................................... 9‐1 Appendix A List of Plant Species Observed Appendix B List of Wildlife Species Observed Appendix C Special‐Status Plants Appendix D Special‐Status Wildlife Species Appendix E USFWS Letter Appendix F CNPS Inventory Search Results Appendix G CNDDB Search Results General Biological Resources Survey for the E. & J. Gallo June 2012 i Winery Livingston Water Innovation and Energy Facility ICF 00265.12 Figures Follows Page 1 Project Location ............................................................................................................... 1‐1 2 Project Site Plan ............................................................................................................... 1‐1 3 CNDDB Occurences Within 5 Miles of Project Area ........................................................ 3‐1 4 Vegetation Communities ................................................................................................. 3‐1 General Biological Resources Survey for the E. & J. Gallo June 2012 ii Winery Livingston Water Innovation and Energy Facility ICF 00265.12 Acronyms and Abbreviations CCR California Code of Regulations CDFG California Department of Fish and Game CEQA California Environmental Quality Act CESA California Endangered Species Act CNDDB California Natural Diversity Database CNPS California Native Plant Society CRPR California Rare Plant Rank CWA Clean Water Act EPA U.S. Environmental Protection Agency ESA Federal Endangered Species Act FR Federal Register LWINE Livingston Water Innovation and Energy Facility MBTA Migratory Bird Treaty Act NOAA Fisheries National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Fisheries Service SWANCC Solid Waste Agency of Northern Cook County USACE U.S. Army Corps of Engineers USC U.S. Government Code USFWS U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service USGS U.S. Geologic Survey General Biological Resources Survey for the E. & J. Gallo June 2012 iii Winery Livingston Water Innovation and Energy Facility ICF 00265.12 Chapter 1 Summary The purpose of this general biological resources study is to characterize the habitats within the Gallo Livingston Water Innovation and Energy (LWINE) Facility Project site and associated proposed irrigation pipeline (Figures 1 and 2) (project site); identify special‐status plants and wildlife, and sensitive habitats that occur or have potential to occur within the project site; discuss applicable regulations to biotic resources within the project site; and identify suitable mitigation measures to avoid, minimize, and/or offset potential impacts of the proposed project. A field survey was conducted on May 3, 2012 by ICF International biologist, Eric Christensen. The results of this survey, combined with a prior review of pertinent literature, identified three special‐status species with potential to occur within the project site: Swainson’s hawk (Buteo swainsoni), northern harrier (Circus cyaneus), and white‐tailed kite (Elanus leucurus). No sensitive habitats were observed within the project site during the field survey. The Gallo LWINE Project (project) could potentially affect roosting hoary bat (Lasiurus cinereus), migrating American badger (Taxidea taxus), San Joaquin kit fox (Vulpes macrotis mutica), nesting raptors, and migratory bird species, which would be considered a significant impact. Therefore, mitigation would be necessary to avoid and minimize these potential impacts. Mitigation includes a pre‐construction survey of the project site and surrounding vicinity, and the establishment of no‐ disturbance areas around any active nests of raptors and migratory birds (if ground‐disturbance will occur during the avian breeding season, February 1 to August 31). No‐disturbance buffers will be appropriate for the species of interest. If construction activities or ground disturbance is initiated between September 1 to January 31, outside of the raptor and migratory bird breeding season, then no impacts on nesting raptors or migratory bird species would occur as a result of the proposed project. Should construction activities or ground disturbance occur outside of the raptor and migratory bird species breeding season, no mitigation would be necessary as any ongoing activities within the project site would preclude raptors and migratory birds from establishing nests in the project site and surrounding vicinity. Compensation for the loss of Swainson’s hawk (Buteo swainsonii) foraging habitat is also expected to be necessary. The ratio of mitigation to impact is determined by the location of the nearest recent nest. General Biological Resources Survey for the E. & J. Gallo June 2012 1‐1 Winery Livingston Water Innovation and Energy Facility ICF 00265.12 32 Orland Chico 99 5 Oak St Merced Ave Merced 162 Grith Ave 45 80 20 20 Marysville 49 Merced River River Rd 99 70 65 Auburn 50 99 River Rd Woodland 5 88 49 Sacramento Project Site Davis 4 Grith Ave Howard Rd Howard Vacaville 80 120 5 99 395 Lodi 12 88 26 Stockton 4 4 24 5 SAN JOAQUIN 120 COUNTY 680 205 120 Project Location San Francisco 580 Tracy 580 Modesto 132 140 84 33 49 Turlock Livingston San José STANISLAUS Merced COUNTY 140 165 MERCED 99 5 33 COUNTY 41 101 152 152 1 FRESNO COUNTY 33 33 99 156 Fresno 25 180 5 Monterey NOT TO SCALE Graphics JD (5/12) … 00265.12 Figure 1 Project Location TULARE COUNTY E & J Gallo LWINE Project KINGS COUNTY 43 65 Inset Map 1 LWINE FACILITIES Inset Map 2 Weir Ave Weir KEY River Rd Project Area Proposed Irrigation Line Pipeline End Griffith Ave Magnolia Weir Ave Weir Source: Summit Engineering, ICF International 2012. Graphics…00265.12 IS/MND (6-14-2012) Graphics…00265.12 Figure 2 Project Site Plan E & J Gallo LWINE Project Chapter 2 Introduction The purpose of this general biological resources study report is to provide a detailed discussion of the biological resources related to the Gallo LWINE Project located immediately west of the