Biological Resources Evaluation for the Turn Lane for the Pilgrim Quarry Project Amador County, CA Prepared by: Roy A. Woodward, Ph.D. 832-764-6548 [email protected] Prepared for: RA Home Investments 916-752-8155 John Kinne, Project Manager 209-418-9153 20 November 2019 Biological Resources Evaluation Turn Lane for the Pilgrim Quarry Project Amador County, CA Biological Resources Evaluation for the Turn Lane for the Pilgrim Quarry Project Amador County, CA Table of Contents I. SUMMARY OF FINDINGS ........................................................................................................ 1 II. INTRODUCTION......................................................................................................................... 1 A. Purpose of Report ..................................................................................................................... 1 B. Project Location ....................................................................................................................... 2 C. Project Description ................................................................................................................... 2 III. STUDY METHODS...................................................................................................................... 2 A. Studies Conducted .................................................................................................................... 2 B. Survey Dates and Personnel ..................................................................................................... 2 C. Problems Encountered and Limitations That May Influence Results ...................................... 2 D. Literature Search ...................................................................................................................... 2 E. Field Survey Methods .............................................................................................................. 3 F. Mapping.................................................................................................................................... 3 IV. ENVIRONMENTAL SETTING ................................................................................................. 3 Biological Communities ................................................................................................................. 3 1. Blue Oak / Grass ................................................................................................................ 4 2. Live Oak – Blue Oak – Foothill Pine ................................................................................ 4 3. Chamise Chaparral ............................................................................................................. 4 4. Bare/Road .......................................................................................................................... 4 5. Riparian .............................................................................................................................. 4 V. BIOLOGICAL RESOURCES IN THE PROJECT STUDY AREA ....................................... 5 A. Determination of Special-Status Species in the Project Study Area ........................................ 5 B. Special-Status Species Not in the Project Study Area ............................................................. 6 C. Evaluation of Special-Status Wildlife Species ......................................................................... 7 1. Invertebrates....................................................................................................................... 7 2. Amphibians ........................................................................................................................ 7 3. Reptiles .............................................................................................................................. 8 4. Birds ................................................................................................................................... 9 5. Mammals ......................................................................................................................... 14 6. Plants ................................................................................................................................ 15 VI. PREPARERS............................................................................................................................... 16 FIGURES Appendix A. Plant and wildlife species observed. Appendix B. Photographs November 2019 i Biological Resources Evaluation Turn Lane for the Pilgrim Quarry Project Amador County, CA I. SUMMARY OF FINDINGS The project study area (PSA) contains potential habitat for species listed under the federal and state endangered species acts (FESA & CESA) and the California Native Plant Protection Act (NPPA). Potential impacts to such species are considered for projects subject to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and may require incidental take permits if the species are present. A biological survey of the potential impact area for a turn lane and access road (generally called herein simply ‘turn lane’) from California Highway 16 to an existing road to the proposed Pilgrim Quarry site was conducted in November 2019. No State or Federally listed plant or animal species were found within the potential footprint of the impact area. The PSA contains potential habitat for other special-status species that are not listed under FESA, CESA, or the NPPA. Potential impacts to these species are also considered for projects subject to CEQA. No special-status wildlife species were observed in the PSA, though potential exists for several special-status bird species to occur on the site. The proposed turn lane has been designed to avoid direct impacts to the nearby Arkansas Creek and its riparian area. This area was surveyed for this report even though it is outside of the proposed project footprint. The PSA contains potential nesting habitat for birds-of-prey and migratory birds protected by state and federal law; red-tailed hawk and turkey vulture were observed flying over or perched on the site, though no nests were observed. II. INTRODUCTION A. Purpose of Report The purpose of this report is to document biological resources in the Turn Lane for the Pilgrim Quarry PSA, with the focus being on rare Ione plant species. This report may be used in support of permit applications and in the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) review process. Project impacts, including cumulative effects, and mitigation may be identified once project design has been finalized and is not part of this report. November 2019 1 Biological Resources Evaluation Turn Lane for the Pilgrim Quarry Project Amador County, CA B. Project Location The Turn Lane for the Pilgrim Quarry project site is entirely within Amador County, about ½ mile east of the Sacramento County line. The new access road is on the southside of Highway 16 (Jackson Road) just west of Mariah Heights Road and the turn lane construction may involve disturbance to both sides of Highway 16 in this area. The northwest corner of the proposed disturbance area for the turn lane is roughly at 38°28'54.07" N, 121°01'10.91" W. C. Project Description The applicant intends to develop a turn lane from Highway 16 and short access road to an existing access road for access to quarry site. Project design has not been finalized. A site description has been provided by the developer in other project submittals. III. STUDY METHODS A. Studies Conducted Studies included conducting a field survey, 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 special-status plant or wildlife species or their habitat occurs within the PSA. Special-status species are those listed under the federal or state endangered species acts, under the California Native Plant Protection Act, as a California species of special concern by the CDF&W, or that are on List 1 or 2 of the California Native Plant Society’s Inventory of Rare and Endangered Plants of California. Note, no wetland delineations were performed, but based on experience, no potential wetland areas were found in the PSA. No collections or hands-on sampling was performed to detect wildlife and only animals or animal-sign observed during the course of botanical surveys were noted. No detailed mapping of resources was attempted. B. Survey Dates and Personnel Biological surveys were conducted by Roy Woodward on November 8, 2019. Roy had previously surveyed the general area in 2004 and spring 2019, and has performed rare plant surveys on many other sites in Amador County, and is very familiar with the rare Ione plants and other rare species. C. Problems Encountered and Limitations That May Influence Results The timing of the survey was suitable for detection of the rare plant species and the previous high- rainfall winter resulted in lush germination and vegetation growth this spring. None of the special- status plants with the potential to occur in the PSA were observed during biological surveys and there is high-confidence they would have been observed if present. Weather was perfect during the survey period and access throughout the site on foot was good. D. Literature Search Information on the biology, distribution, taxonomy, legal status, and other aspects of the special- status species was obtained