Biological Resources Evaluation for the Aggie Research Campus Project Yolo County, CA Prepared by: Sycamore Environmental Consultants, Inc. 6355 Riverside Blvd., Suite C Sacramento, CA 95831 Phone: 916/ 427-0703 Contact: Mike Bower, M.S., PWS #2230 Prepared for: The Buzz Oates Group of Companies 555 Capitol Mall Sacramento, CA 95814 Phone: 916/ 379-3800 Contact: Troy Estacio, SVP Acquisitions & Development Services 4 February 2020 Biological Resources Evaluation Aggie Research Campus Project Yolo County, CA Biological Resources Evaluation for the Aggie Research Campus Project Yolo County, CA TABLE OF CONTENTS I. SUMMARY OF FINDINGS AND CONCLUSIONS ...................................................................... 1 II. INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................................................... 2 A. Purpose of Report ............................................................................................................................. 2 B. Project Location ................................................................................................................................ 2 C. Project Applicant .............................................................................................................................. 2 D. Project Description ............................................................................................................................ 3 III. STUDY METHODS ............................................................................................................................ 7 A. Studies Conducted ............................................................................................................................ 7 B. Survey Dates, Personnel, and Coverage ........................................................................................... 7 C. Literature Search ............................................................................................................................... 8 D. Field Survey Methods ....................................................................................................................... 8 E. Mapping .......................................................................................................................................... 10 F. Problems Encountered and Limitations That May Influence Results ............................................. 10 IV. ENVIRONMENTAL SETTING ..................................................................................................... 11 A. Soils................................................................................................................................................. 11 B. Weather and Climate Conditions .................................................................................................... 14 C. Biological Communities ................................................................................................................. 14 1. Field Crops .............................................................................................................................. 18 2. Deciduous Fruit/Nut ................................................................................................................ 18 3. Semiagricultural/Incidental to Agriculture .............................................................................. 18 4. Mace Drainage Channel .......................................................................................................... 19 5. Urban or Built Up .................................................................................................................... 20 6. Urban Ruderal ......................................................................................................................... 20 D. The Existing Level of Disturbance ................................................................................................. 20 V. BIOLOGICAL RESOURCES IN THE BIOLOGICAL STUDY AREA .................................... 21 A. Determination of Special-Status Species in the Biological Study Area .......................................... 21 B. Special-Status Species not in the Biological Study Area ................................................................ 23 C. Evaluation of Special-Status Wildlife Species ................................................................................ 23 1. Invertebrates ............................................................................................................................ 23 2. Reptiles .................................................................................................................................... 24 3. Birds ........................................................................................................................................ 26 4. Mammals ................................................................................................................................. 34 D. Evaluation of Special-Status Plant Species ..................................................................................... 34 ARC_BRE_Feb2020.docx 2/4/2020 Sycamore Environmental Consultants, Inc. ii Biological Resources Evaluation Aggie Research Campus Project Yolo County, CA E. Evaluation of Special-Status Natural Communities ........................................................................ 40 F. Potentially Jurisdictional Waters .................................................................................................... 40 G. Evaluation of Trees ......................................................................................................................... 40 VI. LITERATURE CITED & PERSONAL COMMUNICATIONS.................................................. 42 A. Literature Cited ............................................................................................................................... 42 B. Personal Communications ............................................................................................................... 46 VII. PREPARERS ..................................................................................................................................... 47 FIGURES Figure 1. Project Location ............................................................................................................................ 5 Figure 2. Aerial Photograph ......................................................................................................................... 6 Figure 3. Soils Map .................................................................................................................................... 13 Figure 4. Biological Resources Map .......................................................................................................... 16 TABLES Table 1. Survey Dates and Personnel........................................................................................................... 7 Table 2. USGS Quads Evaluated for the Aggie Research Campus Project ................................................. 8 Table 3. Biological Communities and Other Features in the BSA ............................................................ 15 Table 4. Special-Status Species with the Potential to Occur in the BSA ................................................... 22 Table 5. Summary of Potentially Affected Trees....................................................................................... 41 APPENDICES Appendix A. Plant and Wildlife Species Observed Appendix B. USFWS Species List Appendix C. CNDDB Summary Report and CNPS Inventory Query Appendix D. Photographs Appendix E. Species Evaluated Table Appendix F. Map of GGS Habitat by the Yolo Heritage Program Appendix G. Preliminary Burrowing Owl Survey Results Appendix H. Map of Yolo HCP/NCCP Resource Avoidance Buffers Appendix I. GGS Habitat Evaluation ARC_BRE_Feb2020.docx 2/4/2020 Sycamore Environmental Consultants, Inc. iii Biological Resources Evaluation Aggie Research Campus Project Yolo County, CA I. SUMMARY OF FINDINGS AND CONCLUSIONS This biological resources evaluation report documents baseline biological conditions for the Aggie Research Campus (ARC) Project. The 815-ac biological study area (BSA) includes the 185-ac ARC site and several off-site areas, including non-project parcels proposed to annexed by the City, two sewer alignment alternatives, and parcels east of the ARC project where stormwater capacity improvements are contemplated. The BSA for the ARC Project is similar to the area studied for the Mace Ranch Innovation Center (MRIC) Project. This report incorporates and updates the results of an earlier biological resources evaluation and accompanying technical studies conducted for the MRIC Project in 2015. Surveys conducted in support of the ARC Project include general biological surveys, protocol botanical surveys, a wetland and hydrologic monitoring surveys, an arborist survey, targeted burrowing owl surveys, and CDFW (2012) guideline surveys for burrowing owl (ongoing). Surveys conducted 2014 through 2020 document the following biological resources that could be affected by the ARC Project: • Five elderberry shrubs, the host plant for the federally threatened valley elderberry longhorn beetle (VELB), are present in the Campus BSA and areas within 200 ft. The shrubs are isolated, in non-riparian contexts. No potential VELB exit holes were observed on the elderberry shrubs. • Suitable aquatic habitat