Biological Resources Evaluation Report for Pine Acres North Amador County, CA Prepared by: Sycamore Environmental Consultants, Inc. 6355 Riverside Blvd., Suite C Sacramento, CA 95831-1143 Phone: 916/ 427-0703 Fax: 916/ 427-2175 Contact: R. John Little, Ph.D. Prepared for: Thomas Martin & Associates 120 Blue Ravine Road, Suite 4 Folsom, CA 95630 Phone: 916/ 985-6380 Contact: Mr. Thomas Martin 8 September 2006 Biological Resources Evaluation Pine Acres North Amador County, CA Biological Resources Evaluation Report For Pine Acres North Amador County, CA Table of Contents I. SUMMARY OF FINDINGS AND CONCLUSIONS..................................................................1 II. INTRODUCTION..........................................................................................................................1 A. Purpose of Report ......................................................................................................................1 B. Project Location.........................................................................................................................1 C. Project Applicant .......................................................................................................................1 D. Project Description ....................................................................................................................1 III. STUDY METHODS.......................................................................................................................5 A. Studies Conducted .....................................................................................................................5 B. Survey Dates and Personnel ......................................................................................................5 C. Problems Encountered and Limitations That May Influence Results .......................................5 D. Literature Search........................................................................................................................5 E. Field Survey Methods................................................................................................................5 F. Mapping...................................................................................................................................11 IV. ENVIRONMENTAL SETTING.................................................................................................11 A. Biological Communities ..........................................................................................................11 1. Ponderosa Pine – Canyon Live Oak Woodland ................................................................11 2. Ponderosa Pine – Incense Cedar – Big-leaf Maple Forest ................................................12 3. Channels............................................................................................................................12 4. Seep...................................................................................................................................12 5. Seasonal Wetland..............................................................................................................12 B. The Existing Level of Disturbance ..........................................................................................12 V. BIOLOGICAL RESOURCES IN THE PROJECT STUDY AREA.......................................13 A. Determination of Special-Status Species in the Project Study Area........................................13 B. Special-Status Species not in the Project Study Area..............................................................13 C. Evaluation of Special-Status Wildlife Species ........................................................................14 1. Amphibians .......................................................................................................................14 2. Birds..................................................................................................................................15 D. Evaluation of Special-Status Plants .........................................................................................15 E. Evaluation of Sensitive Natural Communities.........................................................................16 VI. LITERATURE CITED AND PERSONAL COMMUNICATIONS .......................................17 A. Literature Cited........................................................................................................................17 VII. PREPARERS .........................................................................................................................19 06079-PineAcresN_BRE_03 9/8/2006 Sycamore Environmental Consultants, Inc. i Biological Resources Evaluation Pine Acres North Amador County, CA Figures Figure 1. Project Location Map. ............................................................................................................. 3 Figure 2. Aerial Photograph.................................................................................................................... 7 Figure 3. Biological Resources Map....................................................................................................... 9 Tables Table 1. Biological Communities. ........................................................................................................ 11 Table 2. Special-status species for which suitable habitat occurs in the PSA. ..................................... 13 Appendices Appendix A. California Natural Diversity Database (CNDDB)/ RareFind) Summary Appendix B. USFWS List Appendix C. Species Evaluated Table Appendix D. Plant and Wildlife Species Observed Appendix E. Photographs of the Project Study Area Appendix F. Applicable Laws and Regulations 06079-PineAcresN_BRE_03 9/8/2006 Sycamore Environmental Consultants, Inc. ii Biological Resources Evaluation Pine Acres North Amador County, CA I. SUMMARY OF FINDINGS AND CONCLUSIONS Species listed under the federal or state endangered species acts do not occur in the project study area (PSA). The PSA contains suitable habitat for several special-status plants that are subject to provisions of the California Environmental Quality Act. None of the special-status plants were observed, but two could be present in the PSA. The PSA provides potential nesting habitat for birds of prey and migratory birds. The California Department of Fish and Game considers ponderosa pine – canyon live oak woodland to be of high priority for inventory in CNDDB (DFG 2003). A jurisdictional delineation report was separately prepared for the PSA (Sycamore Environmental 2006). Potential waters of the U.S. observed in the project study area (PSA) include two intermittent channels, a seep, and a seasonal wetland. Project design has not been finalized. Impact analysis and mitigation measures will be addressed in the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) document. II. INTRODUCTION A. Purpose of Report The purpose of this report is to document biological resources in the Pine Acres North PSA. B. Project Location The 43.78-ac PSA is located approximately one mile southeast of the community of Pine Grove in Amador County, CA (Figure 1). The PSA consists of Assessor’s Parcel Numbers (APNs) 038-180- 040,-054,-042 and 038-170-014. The PSA is bound by Highway 88 to the north and Tabeaud Road to the west. The PSA is located on the Pine Grove USGS topographic quad (T7N, R12E, Section 3). The PSA is in hydrologic unit code 18040012, Upper Mokelumne Watershed, and the centroid is 38° 24' 12.00" North, 120° 38' 42.00" West (UTM Zone 10N, NAD 1983). C. Project Applicant Applicant: Engineer: Thomas Martin & Associates Toma & Anderson, Inc. Land Surveying 120 Blue Ravine Road, Suite 4 41 Summit Street Folsom, CA 95630 Jackson, CA 95642 Phone: 916/ 985-6380 Phone: 209/ 223-0156 Fax: 916/ 985-6384 Fax: 209/ 223-5653 Contact: Mr. Thomas Martin Contact: Mr. Ciro L. Toma, PLS D. Project Description The proposed project is a residential subdivision of 66 single-family lots and 32 multi-family units. Project design is not yet complete. 06079-PineAcresN_BRE_03 9/8/2006 Sycamore Environmental Consultants, Inc. 1 Biological Resources Evaluation Pine Acres North Amador County, CA [This page intentionally blank] 06079-PineAcresN_BRE_03 9/8/2006 Sycamore Environmental Consultants, Inc. 2 Biological Resources Evaluation Pine Acres North Amador County, CA [This page intentionally blank] 06079-PineAcresN_BRE_03 9/8/2006 Sycamore Environmental Consultants, Inc. 4 Biological Resources Evaluation Pine Acres North Amador County, CA III. STUDY METHODS A. Studies Conducted Studies included conducting field surveys; obtaining and analyzing data from state and federal agencies; and reviewing maps, aerial photographs, and published and unpublished literature. An evaluation of biological resources was conducted to determine if any state or federal-listed special- status plant or wildlife species or their habitat occurs in the PSA. B. Survey Dates and Personnel Biological surveys were conducted by Erin Gibson and Jessica Easley on 25 May 2006 and by Chuck Hughes, M.S., and Ms. Gibson on 6 July 2006. C. Problems Encountered and Limitations That May Influence Results There are no problems or limitations that may have influenced the results. D. Literature Search Information on the biology, distribution, taxonomy, legal status, and other aspects of the special-status species was obtained from documents on file in the library of Sycamore Environmental. Standard references