APPENDIX 3 Program Biological Resources Report Program Biological Resources Report Optimum Basin Management Program Update March 15, 2020 Chino Basin Watermaster and Inland Empire Utilities Agency Jacobs, OBMPU Program Biological Resources Report Jacobs_ Program Biological Resources Report March 2020 STATE OF CALIFORNIA Chino Basin Watermaster and Inland Empire Utilities Agency Prepared By: Date: Lisa M. Patterson, Ecologist/Regulatory Specialist/QSP (909) 838-1333 Jacobs 55616 Pipes Canyon Road, Yucca Valley, CA 92284 Recommended for Approval by: Date: Sylvie Lee email: [email protected] Tel: (909) 993-1646 Inland Empire Utilities Agency 6075 Kimball Avenue Chino, CA 91708 Recommended for Approval by: Date: Peter Kavounas email: [email protected] Tel: (909) 484-3888 Chino Basin Watermaster 9641 San Bernardino Road Rancho Cuamonga, CA 91730 i OBMPU Program Biological Resources Report Jacobs_ Contents Chapter 1. Project Description .................................................................................................................................. 1 1.1 Introduction ......................................................................................................................................................... 1 1.2 Project Location ................................................................................................................................................... 7 1.3 PROJECT PURPOSE AND OBJECTIVES ........................................................................ Error! Bookmark not defined. 1.4 Project Characteristics (Original OBMP, OBMP Implementation to Date, and OBMPU Program Elements) ..... Error! Bookmark not defined. 1.4.1 Introduction ............................................................................................................. Error! Bookmark not defined. 1.4.2 Project Characteristics .............................................................................................. Error! Bookmark not defined. 1.4.3 2020 OBMPU Program Elements .............................................................................. Error! Bookmark not defined. 1.4.4 Summary of All Facilities .......................................................................................... Error! Bookmark not defined. 1.4.5 Summary of Operational Scenarios ........................................................................... Error! Bookmark not defined. 1.4.6 Construction Scenarios ............................................................................................. Error! Bookmark not defined. 1.4.7 Entitlements, Approvals and Other Agency Participation .......................................... Error! Bookmark not defined. 1.4.8 CEQA Responsible Agencies...................................................................................... Error! Bookmark not defined. 1.4.9 Cumulative Projects ................................................................................................. Error! Bookmark not defined. Chapter 2. Study Methods ........................................................................................................................................ 9 2.1 Regulatory Requirements ..................................................................................................................................... 9 2.1.1 Federal ................................................................................................................................................................ 9 2.1.2 State .................................................................................................................................................................. 11 2.2 Studies Required ................................................................................................................................................ 13 2.2.1 Limitations That May Influence Results .............................................................................................................. 13 Chapter 3. Results: Environmental Setting.............................................................................................................. 14 3.1 Descriptions of the Existing Biological and Physical Conditions of the STUDY AREA ............................................. 14 3.1.1 Study Area ............................................................................................................... Error! Bookmark not defined. 3.1.2 Physical Conditions ............................................................................................................................................ 18 3.1.3 Topography and Soils ......................................................................................................................................... 19 3.1.4 Biological and Physical Conditions of the Study Areas ......................................................................................... 20 3.1.5 Regional Habitat and Land Use in the Assessment Areas ..................................................................................... 20 3.1.6 General Wildlife Resources in the Project Area ................................................................................................... 20 3.2 Regional Special Status Species and Habitats of Concern .................................................................................... 22 3.2.1 Special Status Plant and Animal Species Potentially Occurring Along or Within the Project Assessment Areas ..... 26 Chapter 4. Discussion of Impacts and Mitigation .................................................................................................... 50 4.1 Discussion of Project Impacts ............................................................................................................................. 50 4.2 Mitigation Measures .......................................................................................................................................... 51 4.3 Regulatory Compliance ...................................................................................................................................... 56 4.3.1 Regulatory Agency Access .................................................................................................................................. 56 4.4 Critical Habitat ................................................................................................................................................... 56 ii OBMPU Program Biological Resources Report Jacobs_ 4.4.1 Wetlands and Other Waters Coordination Summary .......................................................................................... 57 4.5 Cumulative Impacts............................................................................................................................................ 58 Chapter 5. References ............................................................................................................................................ 59 Chapter 6. Figures ................................................................................................................................................... 63 Table 1.1 AGGREGATE WATER SUPPLY PLAN FOR WATERMASTER PARTIES: 2015 TO 2040 . Error! Bookmark not defined. Table 1.2 WATERMASTER MONITORING AND REPORTING REQUIREMENTS......................... Error! Bookmark not defined. Table 1.3 ESTIMATED RECHARGE CAPACITIES IN THE CHINO BASIN ..................................... Error! Bookmark not defined. Table 1.4 POINT-SOURCE SITES TRACKED BY WATERMASTER .............................................. Error! Bookmark not defined. Table 1.5 ASR WELLS PER PROGRAM ELEMENT .................................................................... Error! Bookmark not defined. Table 1.6 RANGE OF EXISTING AND NEW FACILITIES REQUIRED TO IMPLEMENT STORAGE AND RECOVERY PROGRAMS ............................................................................................................................................. Error! Bookmark not defined. Table 3.1 SOIL TYPES IN THE PROGRAM AREA ................................................................................................................. 19 Table 3.2 PROJECT AREA WILDLIFE HABITAT TYPES, LAND USES, AND TYPICAL VEGETATION .......................................... 22 Table 3.3 FLORA AND FAUNA WITH POTENTIAL TO OCCUR IN THE PROGRAM AREA ...................................................... 30 iii OBMPU Program Biological Resources Report Jacobs_ List of Abbreviated Terms amsl average mean sea level APE Area of Potential Effect BAA Biological Analysis Area BNSF BNSF Railway Company BSA Biological Study Area Caltrans California Department of Transportation CDFW California Department of Fish and Wildlife CEQ Council on Environmental Quality CEQA California Environmental Quality Act CESA California Endangered Species Act CFGC California Fish and Game Code CFR Code of Federal Regulations CNDDB California Natural Diversity Database CRLF California red-legged frogs CWA Clean Water Act DCH Designated Critical Habitats Eagle Act The Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act EFH Essential Fish Habitat EIR Environmental Impact Report EIS Environmental Impact Statement EO Executive Orders EOC Emergency Operations Center EPA U.S. Environmental Protection Agency ESA Endangered Species Act FE Federally Endangered FESA Federal Endangered Species Act FMPs Fishery Management Plans FT Federally Threatened ITC Intermodal Transit Center ITP Incidental Take Permit MBTA