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HomeMy Public PortalAbout4.8 Biology 4.8 BIOLOGICAL AND NATURAL RESOURCES 4.8 BIOLOGICAL AND NATURAL RESOURCES Town of Truckee Coldstream Specific Plan October 2013 Partially Revised Draft Environmental Impact Report 4.8-1 This section of the Revised Draft Environmental Impact Report (Revised Draft EIR or RDEIR) describes the natural resources present on the project site and surrounding the proposed off-site bike trail alignments and includes a discussion of the special-status species and sensitive habitats potentially occurring in the area. This section analyzes impacts that could occur to biological resources due to project implementation and appropriate mitigation measures to reduce or avoid these impacts. The analysis of biological resources presented in this section is based on a review of the current project description, previous biological investigations, and reports prepared for the project site and proposed off-site trails, as well as maps and available literature from federal, state, and local agencies. Related discussions are found in Draft EIR Section 4.7, Hydrology and Water Quality, and Draft EIR Section 4.1, Land Use. 4.8.1 EXISTING SETTING PLANT COMMUNITIES AND HABITAT TYPES As a result of past mining activities, the project site is defined by a number of ponds and uneven topography. The natural condition of the project site has been altered by the extensive aggregate mining and reclamation activities. Originally the project site contained extensive mixed conifer forest. Since 1987 after mining and reclamation activities ceased, the project site has been revegetated with species characteristic of open grasslands and freshwater ponds and marshes with scattered occurrences of mixed conifer forest and riparian habitats. Scattered strands of lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta var. murrayana) and patches of grasslands, upland mountain sagebrush (Artemisia tridentata), and bitterbrush (Purshia tridentata) plant communities have integrated into the landscape. The majority of the area surrounding the proposed bike trail alignments includes urban and ruderal habitats. Cold Creek, which crosses the project site in a southwest to northeast direction, and Donner Creek, which crosses the project site in a west to east direction along its northern boundary, are perennial creeks. Reclamation work related to previous mining was completed in 1987, including widening of the Cold Creek channel to improve passage of 100-year storm flows as well as regrading, recontouring, and revegetating of the old mined area (CSCON, 2007). Ten ponds remain from mining activities (Brown and Caldwell, 2002). TwoA wetland delineations identified approximately 53.6 acres of waters of the United States, including wetlands, on the project site (CSCON, 2001, 2003). The wetland delineation was verified November 19, 2003, by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) and re-verified October 7, 2008 (USACE, 2008). Figure 4.8-1 shows the wetlands and other waters mapped within the project site.1 Table 4.8-1 lists the acreages of the wetlands and waters of the U.S. delineated within the project site. 1 Figure 4.8-1 includes both jurisdictional wetlands and waters of the U.S. Waters of the U.S. are all navigable waters and their tributaries, including all wetlands adjacent to those tributaries. Jurisdictional wetlands are wetlands that connect to waters of the U.S. 4.8 BIOLOGICAL AND NATURAL RESOURCES Coldstream Specific Plan Town of Truckee Partially Revised Draft Environmental Impact Report October 2013 4.8-2 TABLE 4.8-1 WETLANDS AND OTHER WATERS OF THE U.S. DELINEATED ON THE PROJECT SITE Wetlands and Other Waters Area (Acres) Percentage of Project Site Creek 3.8 2% Open Water 35.1 20% Wetlands 14.1 8% Seeps/Springs 0.6 <1% Total 53.6 30% Source: CSCON, 2007 The possible extensions of on-site Class I trails alignments (see Figure 3.0-16) are located adjacent to areas that contain potential jurisdictional features. PMC Gibson & Skordal prepared a wetland delineation in February 2011June 2012 (revised November 2012) within an area surrounding the proposed off-site trail alignments (Draft EIR Appendix H). The area delineated is larger than the area proposed for the trail alignment referred to as the off-site trails project study area (PSA). The wetland delineation has not yet been verified is pending verification by the USACE. Figure 4.8-2 shows the wetlands and other waters delineated within the off-site trails PSA. Table 4.8-2 lists the acreages of the wetlands and waters of the U.S. delineated within the off-site trails PSA. TABLE 4.8-2 SUMMARY OF POTENTIAL JURISDICTIONAL WATERS WITHIN THE OFF-SITE TRAILS PSA Type Area (acre) Wet Meadow 0.240.200 Seasonal Wetland 0.334 Willow Scrub Wetland 0.720 Perennial Creek 0.010.308 Roadside Drainage Ditch 0.01 Total 0.261.562 Vegetative Communities Source: Gibson & Skordal, 2012 Plant communities are found where groups of plant species occur together in the same geographic area. These plant communities are organized into cover types that constitute categories of typical land covers. Specific wildlife habitats are created by these cover types. Wildlife habitats provide cover, food, and water, which is necessary in order to support a particular animal species or groups of species. Changes in these habitats, both significant and minor, can impact a species’ abundance, distribution, and diversity as well as interactions between different species. The communities or habitat types found on the project site include those listed in Table 4.8-3. The locations of these communities are depicted on Figure 4.8-3. 4.8 BIOLOGICAL AND NATURAL RESOURCES Town of Truckee Coldstream Specific Plan October 2013 Partially Revised Draft Environmental Impact Report 4.8-3 TABLE 4.8-3 COVER TYPES IDENTIFIED ON THE PROJECT SITE Cover Types Area (Acres) Percentage of Project Site Annual Grasslands 47.7 26.7% Chaparral 3.7 2.1% Mixed Conifer Forest 13.1 7.3% Lodgepole Pine Forest 18.2 10.2% Pond (Open Water) 35.5 19.9% Freshwater Marsh 13.7 7.7% Willow Riparian 10.0 5.6% Mixed Riparian 25.9 14.5% Freshwater Seep 3.8 2.1% Seasonal Wetland 0.8 0.4% Ruderal (Disturbed) 6.3 3.5% Total 178.6 100% Source: CSCON, 2007; PMC identified communities from aerial photography during surveys. The cover types listed in Table 4.8-3 and shown in Figure 4.8-3 are different from the verified wetland delineations because they only include what has been verified by the USACE as being jurisdictional features. The boundaries are representative of what was present at the time the verification was completed. The cover types listed in Table 4.8-3 and shown in Figure 4.8-3 are those present on the project site during the June 2009 surveys. 4.8 BIOLOGICAL AND NATURAL RESOURCES Coldstream Specific Plan Town of Truckee Partially Revised Draft Environmental Impact Report October 2013 4.8-4 This page intentionally left blank. N.A.P N.A.P Cold Creek Creek Donner Figure 4.8-1 Source: CSCON, 2001;2003 T:\_GIS\NEVADA_COUNTY\MXDS\COLDSTREAM_SPECIFICPLAN\WETLAND DELINEATION.MXD - 2/18/2011 @ 1:35:15 PM ´300 0 300 FEET Wetlands and Other Waters of the U.S. within the Project Site Legend Project Site Jurisdictional Wetlands (14.65 acres) Waters of the U.S. (38.92 acres) !.!. !.!. !. !.!. 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Interstate 80 Do n n e r P a s s R o a d C o l d s t r e a m R o a d JU R I S D I C T I O N A L D E L I N E A T I O N M A P WE S T E R N P A R T Co l d s t r e a m O f f s i t e I n f r a s t r u c t u r e Ne v a d a C o u n t y , C a l i f o r n i a Prepared By:Prepared Date:Revision Date:Date Aerial Flown:Jim Gibson June 2012 July 2009Prepared For:Stonebridge Properties, LLC 3600 American River Drive, Suite 160 Sacramento, California 95864 ±02 0 0 4 0 0 10 0 Fe e t Le g e n d Do n n e r C r e e k ( 0 . 3 0 8 A c r e ) We t M e a d o w ( 0 . 2 0 0 A c r e ) Se a s o n a l W e t l a n d s ( 0 . 3 3 4 A c r e ) Wi l l o w S c r u b W e t l a n d ( 0 . 7 2 0 A c r e ) !. Da t a P o i n t St u d y A r e a FE E T 0 1 0 0 2 0 0 So u r c e : G i b s o n & S k o r d a l , L L C , J u n e 2 0 1 2 T:\_CS\Work\Truckee, City of\Coldstream Specific Plan AD EIR 29-0038-001 Figure 4.8-2 Po t e n t i a l l y J u r i s d i c t i o n a l W e t l a n d s a n d W a t e r s o f t h e U . S . w i t h i n t h e O f f s i t e T r a i l P r o j e c t S t u d y A r e a N.A.P N.A.P Figure 4.8-3 Source: PMC, 2009 T:\_GIS\NEVADA_COUNTY\MXDS\COLDSTREAM_SPECIFICPLAN\VEGETATIVE COMMUNITIES.MXD - 2/18/2011 @ 1:36:48 PM ´300 0 300 FEET Vegetative Communities within the Project Site Legend Project Site Annual GrasslandChaparralLodgepole Pine ForestMarshMixed Conifer ForestMixed RiparianPondRuderalSeasonal WetlandSeepWillow Riparian 4.8 BIOLOGICAL AND NATURAL RESOURCES Town of Truckee Coldstream Specific Plan October 2013 Partially Revised Draft Environmental Impact Report 4.8-11 During the November 18, 2010, reconnaissance-level survey conducted by PMC, the vegetative communities within the off-site trails PSA were identified. Upland vegetative communities and habitats within the off-site trails PSA include lodgepole pine forest, mixed riparian, riverine, wet meadow, and urban/ruderal. Vegetative communities and habitat associated with aquatic settings include a perennial creek (Donner Creek), roadside drainage ditch, and wet meadow. The vegetative community descriptions and nomenclature used for the off-site trails PSA generally correlate to wildlife habitat types in A Guide to Wildlife Habitats of California or California Wildlife Habitats Relationships (CWHR) (Mayer and Laudenslayer, 1988). Table 4.8-4 lists the vegetative communities within the off-site trails PSA. Figure 4.8-4A and 4.8-4B show the vegetative communities within the off-site trails PSA. Figure 4.8-2 shows the location of the jurisdictional waters within the revised off-site trails PSA. TABLE 4.8-41 VEGETATIVE COMMUNITIES WITHIN THE OFF-SITE TRAILS PSA Vegetative Community Area (acre) Lodgepole Pine Forest 0.56 Mixed Riparian* 0.02 Willow Riparian 0.31 0.05** Wet Meadow 0.72 0.240.20 Seasonal Wetland Urban/Ruderal 0.33 6.16 TOTAL 7.03 1. Revision Note: The acreages of those vegetative communities within the off-site trails PSA which include jurisdictional waters have been updated based on the new jurisdictional delineation (Gibson & Skordal, 2012). No additional vegetation mapping is required because no impacts are anticipated to occur outside of the vegetation mapping condcuted for the offsite trail PSA, as shown in Figure 4.8-9 and 4.8-12. 7.95 *The 0.010.308 acres acre delineated within Donner Creek is included in Mixed Riparian. The following discussion describes the cover types listed in Tables 4.8-3 and 4.8-4. Included in the discussion of each cover type is a description of the community or habitat and any pertinent information on the plant and wildlife species found within the cover type, where applicable. **The 0.720 acres delineated as Willow Scrub Wetland is included in Willow Riparian. Annual Grasslands Annual grassland habitat consists of open grasslands composed primarily of introduced annual plant species. The western portion of the project site and scattered areas in the uplands surrounding the ponds are characterized by introduced grasses and forbs, with native naturalized plant species. A variety of grasses and forbs were seeded within the project boundaries during reclamation of the project site, and more native species have become established since reclamation. Dominants include pubescent wheatgrass (Elytrigia intermedia ssp. intermedia), slender wheatgrass (Elymus trachycaulus), smooth brome (Bromus inermus), California brome (Bromus carinatus), naked buckwheat (Eriogonum nudum var. nudum), Sierra Nevada cinquefoil (Potentilla gracilis ssp. nevadense), madia (Madia glomerata), dwarf lupine (Lupinus lepidus), and cicer milkvetch (Astragalus cicer). Scattered willows (Salix spp.) and lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta var. murrayana) occur in some areas of the grassland habitat. Portions of the grassland areas provide suitable habitat for Donner Pass buckwheat (Eriogonum umbellatum var. torreyanum), which was observed during the June 2009 rare plant surveys. 4.8 BIOLOGICAL AND NATURAL RESOURCES Coldstream Specific Plan Town of Truckee Partially Revised Draft Environmental Impact Report October 2013 4.8-12 Many wildlife species use annual grasslands for foraging, but some require special habitat features such as cliffs, caves, ponds, or habitats with woody plants for breeding, resting, and cover. Characteristic reptiles that breed in annual grasslands include the western fence lizard (Sceloporus occidentalis), common garter snake (Thamnophis sirtalis), and western rattlesnake (Crotalus viridis helleri). Mammals typically found in this habitat include the black-tailed jackrabbit (Lepus californicus), Botta’s pocket gopher (Thomomys bottae), western harvest mouse (Reithrodontomys megalotis), California vole (Microtus californicus), California ground squirrel (Spermophilus beecheyi), and coyote (Canis latrans). This habitat also provides important foraging habitat for turkey vulture (Cathartes aura), northern harrier (Circus cyaneus), and American kestrel (Falco sparverius). Chaparral Montane chaparral varies markedly throughout California. The growth form of chaparral species can vary from tree-like (up to 9.9 feet) to prostrate (Risser and Fry, 1988). When mature, montane chaparral is often impenetrable to large mammals. Its structure is affected by site quality, history of disturbance (e.g., fire, erosion, logging) and the influence of browsing animals. Montane chaparral is characterized by evergreen species; however, deciduous or partially deciduous species may also be present. Understory vegetation in the mature chaparral is largely absent. Conifer and oak trees may occur in sparse stands or as scattered individuals within the chaparral type. Species composition changes with elevational and geographical range, soil type, and aspect. One or more of the following species usually characterize montane chaparral communities: whitethorn ceanothus (Ceanothus cordulatus), manzanita (Manzanita spp.), bitter cherry (Prunus emarginata), huckleberry oak (Quercus vacciniifolia), chinquapin (Chrysolepis spp.), Fremont’s silktassel (Garrya fremontii), Greene’s goldenweed (Ericameria greenei), birchleaf mountain mahogany (Cercocarpus montanus var. glaber), toyon (Heteromeles arbutifolia), sumac (Rhus spp.) and California buckthorn (Frangula californica ssp. californica) (Risser and Fry, 1988). Montane chaparral provides habitat for a wide variety of wildlife. Numerous rodents inhabit chaparral. Deer and other herbivores often make extensive use of chaparral. Rabbits and hares eat twigs, evergreen leaves, and bark from chaparral. Shrubs are important to many mammals as shade during hot weather and moderate temperature and wind velocity in the winter. Many birds find a variety of habitat needs in the chaparral. It provides seeds, fruits, insects, and protection from predators and climate, as well as singing, roosting, and nesting sites (Risser and Fry, 1988). Mixed Conifer Forest The mixed conifer habitat in the Sierra Nevada is an assemblage of conifer and hardwood species that form a multilayered forest. The mixed conifer habitat generally forms a vegetation band ranging from 2,500 to 4,000 feet in the north to 4,000 to 10,000 feet in the southern Sierra Nevada (Allen, 2005). When openings occur, shrubs are common in the understory. Five conifer and one hardwood typify the mixed conifer forest: white fir (Abies concolor), Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii var. menziesii), ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa), incense-cedar (Calocedrus decurrens), and California black oak (Quercus kelloggii) (Allen, 2005). Jeffrey pine (Pinus jeffreyi) commonly replaces ponderosa pine at high elevation, on cold sites, or on ultramafic soils (Allen, 2005). Grasses and forbs associated with this type are similar to what is found in annual grassland habitats. The northeastern end and the southern boundary of the project site are dominated by mixed conifer habitat. C old Strea m Road §¨¦ Source: Esri, DigitalGlobe, GeoEye, i-cubed, USDA, USGS, AEX, Getmapping, Aerogrid, IGN,IGP, swisstopo, and the GIS User Community Figure 4.8-4A Source: Bing Maps, 2011; PMC, 2011 ´100 0 100 FEET Vegetative Communities within the Offsite Trail Project Study Area Legend Offsite Trail Proje ct Study Area Vege ta tive Community Lodgepole Pine Forest Mixed Riparia n Seasona l Wetland Urba n/Rude ra l Wet Meadow Willo w Ripa rian 80 Figure 4.8-4B Source: Bing Maps, 2011; PMC, 2011 T:\_GIS\NEVADA_COUNTY\MXDS\COLDSTREAM_SPECIFICPLAN\FIG 4.8-4B.MXD - 2/18/2011 @ 1:54:38 PM ´100 0 100 FEET Vegetative Communities within the Offsite Trails Project Study Area Legend Project Study Area Vegetative Community Urban/Ruderal 4.8 BIOLOGICAL AND NATURAL RESOURCES Town of Truckee Coldstream Specific Plan October 2013 Partially Revised Draft Environmental Impact Report 4.8-17 Since the project site was used as an aggregate mining facility in the past, the mixed conifer habitat is young and consists mostly of short trees and shrubs. The understory is composed of shrubs, including mountain sagebrush (Artemisia tridentata ssp. vaseyana), bitterbrush (Purshia tridentata), green leaf manzanita (Arctostaphylos patula), tobacco brush (Ceanothus velutinus), and Nevada currant (Ribes nevadense). The overstory dominants occur in different associations in and around the project site and include Jeffrey pine, lodgepole pine, sugar pine (Pinus lambertiana), and white fir. Grass and forb species in the understory typically include squirreltail grass (Elymus elymoides), mule’s ears (Wyethia mollis), and Nevada lotus (Lotus nevadensis var. nevadensis). Sensitive species inhabiting mixed conifer habitat include spotted owl (Strix occidentalis), fisher (Martes pennanti), and American marten (Martes americana). Endangered species include bald eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) and peregrine falcon (Falco peregrinus). Variety in plant species composition provides diversity in food and cover. Black oak acorns, berries from a variety of shrubs (e.g., deerbrush), and a great number of grasses and forbs provide the forage resource essential for wildlife (Allen, 2005). Lodgepole Pine Forest Lodgepole pine typically forms open stands of similarly sized specimens in association with few other species and with a sparse understory (Bartolome, 1988). Lodgepole pine overwhelmingly dominates the habitat. Occasional associates include aspen (Populus spp.) and mountain hemlock (Tsuga mertensiana). The understory may be virtually absent, consisting of scattered shrubs and herbs or a rich herbaceous layer at meadow margins (Bartolome, 1988). Many lodgepole stands are associated with meadow sedges and streams, where the understory consists of grasses, forbs, and sedges. Lodgepole pine habitats form an easily distinguishable subdivision of the mixed conifer forest. Well-developed lodgepole pine habitats are found above 5,900 feet in elevation in the northern Sierra (Bartolome, 1988). Lodgepole pine forest is sparsely distributed throughout the project site. This habitat type contains a different array of plant species in the understory than the mixed conifer forrest and varies in age, structure, and canopy cover. Herbaceous and shrub species in the understory vary with the degree of proximity to groundwater. Dense stands of sapling trees inhibit the establishment of herbaceous and shrub cover. Lodgepole pine stands have low structural diversity and are relatively low in animal species. Many species found in lodgepole pine stands are associated with the meadow edge or surrounding habitats. These species may include wolverine (Gulo gulo), northern goshawk (Accipiter gentilis), bald eagle, and prairie falcon (Falco mexicanus) (Bartolome, 1988). Pond (Open Water) Pond or open water habitats are inland depressions or dammed riverine channels containing standing water. Typical open water habitats include permanently flooded lakes and reservoirs, intermittent lakes and ponds. Most permanent lacustrine systems support fish life; intermittent types usually do not. As sedimentation and accumulation of organic matter increases toward the shore, floating rooted aquatics such as pondweed (Lemna spp.), water lilies (Nymphaea spp.), and smartweed (Polygonum amphibium var. stipulaceum) often appear (Grenfell, 1988). The ponds within the project site contain freshwater marsh habitat. The edges include mixed riparian or willow riparian habitats as well. Suspended organisms such as plankton are found in the open water of lacustrine habitats. Submerged plants such as algae and pondweeds serve as supports for smaller algae and as cover for swarms of minute aquatic animals. Floating plants offer food and support for numerous herbivorous animals that feed both on plankton and floating plants (Grenfell, 1988). The bald 4.8 BIOLOGICAL AND NATURAL RESOURCES Coldstream Specific Plan Town of Truckee Partially Revised Draft Environmental Impact Report October 2013 4.8-18 eagle feeds on fish and some birds taken from lakes. Fish species that occur within the ponds include speckled dace (Rhinichthys osculus), Lahontan red side (Richardsonius egregious), and brown bullhead (Ictalurus nebulosus) (CSCON, 2007). Freshwater Marsh Fresh emergent wetlands are characterized by erect, rooted herbaceous hydrophytes. Dominant vegetation is generally perennial monocots approximately 6.5 feet tall (Kramer, 1988). All emergent wetlands are flooded frequently, enough so that the roots of the vegetation prosper in an anaerobic environment (Kramer, 1988). On the upper margins of this habitat, saturated or periodically flooded soils support several moist soil plant species including big-leaf sedge (Carex amplifolia), Baltic rush (Juncus balticus), redroot flatsedge (Cyperus erythrorhizos), nutgrass (Cyperus rotundus), and on more alkali sites, saltgrass (Distichlis spicata) (Kramer, 1988). On wetter sites, common cattail (Typha latifolia), bulrushes (Scirpus spp.) and arrowhead (Sagittaria spp.) are potential dominant species (Kramer, 1988). The edges of ponds and freshwater marshes within the project site support a diversity of wetland and emergent plant species, including common cattail, sedges (Carex spp.), Baltic rush (Juncus balticus), creeping bentgrass (Agrostis stolonifera), spikerushes (Eleocharis spp.), Nevada rush (Juncus nevadaensis), and water smartweed. The receding shorelines around the ponds are vegetated with common mullein (Vebascum thapsis), common American hedge hyssop (Gratiola neglecta), dense flower pygmy willowherb (Epilobium pygmaeum), low everlasting (Gnaphalium palustre), willow (Salix spp.), and western mountain aster (Aster occidentalis). Along the shores of some of the ponded areas, there is pronounced riparian habitat vegetated with willow and mixed riparian plant species. Emergent wetlands are among the most productive wildlife habitats in California (Kramer, 1988). Many wildlife species are dependent on wetland habitats for foraging, nesting, and cover. The bald eagle and peregrine falcon use emergent wetlands as feeding areas and roost sites. Slow- moving waters provide important resting and foraging habitats for migratory water birds such as mallard (Anas platyrhynchos), Canada goose (Branta canadensis), ring-necked duck (Aythya collaris), white pelican (Pelecanus erythrorhynchos), yellow-headed blackbird (Xanthocephalus xanthocephalus; a California species of special concern), green heron (Butorides virescens), seagulls (Larus sp.), and red-winged blackbird (Agelaius phoeniceus). Wetlands also provide habitat for the American coot (Fulica americana), great blue heron (Ardea herodias), great egret (Ardea alba), and black phoebe (Sayornis nigricans). Mixed Riparian Mixed riparian habitat occurs along Cold and Donner creeks and some ponds. Cold Creek was altered extensively during the aggregate mining activities. The creek edges and sand bars are becoming colonized by a diversity of overstory and understory plant species, including mountain alder (Alnus tenuifolia), black cottonwood (Populus balsamifera ssp. trichocarpa), creek dogwood (Cornus sericea ssp. sericea), quaking aspen (Populus tremuloides), and numerous willow species. The herbaceous cover includes Solomon’s seal (Smilicina racemosa), fireweed (Epilobium angustifolium ssp. circumvagum), fringed willowherb (E. ciliatum), glaucus willowherb (E. glaberrimum ssp. fastigiatum), western mugwort (Artemisia ludoviciana var. incompta), wooly sedge (Carex lanuginuosa), yellow monkeyflower (Mimulus guttatus), and ridge hedge nettle (Stachys ajugoides var. rigida) (CSCON, 2007). All riparian habitats have an exceptionally high value for many wildlife species by providing water, thermal cover, migration corridors, and diverse nesting and feeding opportunities. The shape of many riparian zones, particularly the linear nature of streams, maximizes the development of edge habitat, which is highly productive for wildlife. Common wildlife species 4.8 BIOLOGICAL AND NATURAL RESOURCES Town of Truckee Coldstream Specific Plan October 2013 Partially Revised Draft Environmental Impact Report 4.8-19 include tree swallow (Tachycineta bicolor), Wilson’s warbler (Wilsonia pusilla), Swainson’s thrush (Catharus ustulatus), and song sparrow (Melospiza melodia). Yellow warbler (Dendroica petechia brewsteri), a California species of special concern, was observed within the riparian habitats throughout the project site. Willow Riparian Creeks, ponds, and marsh habitats within the project site support an abundance of willow. Many of the willow plants within the project site are young and rarely reach heights above 6 feet. Willow habitat has developed in and around all of the ponds and on uplands near the ponds. This habitat includes dense to sparse association of willow including narrowleaf willow (Salix exigua), Lemmon’s willow (S. lemmonii), shining willow (S. lucida ssp. lasiandra), and Scouler’s willow (S. scouleriana). The assortment of forbs and grasses in the understory varies with proximity to groundwater. Freshwater Seep In the southwestern part of the project site, along the lower north-facing slope, a freshwater seep occurs. The seep saturates the soil year-round and supports a number of wetland plant species (hydrophytic), including daggerleaf rush (Juncus ensifolius), straight leaf rush (J. orthophyllus), and Parry’s rush (J. parryii), golden fruit sedge (Carex aurea), and primrose monkeyflower (Mimulus primuloides). Wet Meadow Wet meadows at all elevations generally have a simple structure consisting of a layer of herbaceous plants. Shrub or tree layers are usually absent or very sparse; they may, however, be an important feature of the meadow edge. Some species reach heights of only a few centimeters while others may grow a meter or more tall. Wet meadows occur where water is at or near the surface most of the growing season, following spring runoff. The wet meadow in the PSA was dominated by reed canary grass (Phalaris arundinacea), Baltic rush (Juncus balticus), and pale spikerush (Eleocharis macrostachya). Common cattails were present in the center of the meadow, where some ponded water was present. Willows (Salix spp.) were observed along the edge of the wet meadow. Wet meadow habitat occurs south of Donner Pass Road in the western portion of the off-site trails PSA. Ruderal (Disturbed) Ruderal (roadside) communities occur in areas of disturbance such as along roadsides, trails, and parking lots. These communities are subjected to ongoing or past disturbances (e.g., vehicle activities, mountain bikes, mowing). Ruderal habitat in these disturbed areas supports a diverse weedy flora. Vascular plant species associated with these areas typically include Johnson grass (Sorghum halepense), Canadian horseweed (Conyza canadensis), milk thistle (Silybum marianum), yellow star-thistle, wild radish (Raphanus sativus), mustards (i.e., Brassica nigra), winter vetch (Vicia villosa), and field bindweed (Convolvulus arvensis). Fallow fields support field bindweed, turkey mullein, wild lettuce (Lactuca serriola), prickly sow thistle (Sonchus arvensis), and common mallow (Malva neglecta). Mediterranean hoary-mustard (Hirschfeldia incana) and curly dock (Rumex crispus) are also typical of this area. Ruderal habitats, because of their disturbed nature, support a mixture of native and exotic plant and wildlife species. Exotic plant species may provide valuable habitat elements such as cover for nesting and roosting, as well as food sources such as nuts or berries. Native and introduced wildlife 4.8 BIOLOGICAL AND NATURAL RESOURCES Coldstream Specific Plan Town of Truckee Partially Revised Draft Environmental Impact Report October 2013 4.8-20 species that are tolerant of disturbances and/or human activities often thrive in ruderal habitats. Birds and mammals that occur in these areas typically include introduced species adapted to human habitation, including rock pigeon (Columba livia), European starling (Sturnus vulgaris), house sparrow (Passer domesticus), house mouse (Mus musculus) and Norway rat (Rattus norvegicus). Some native species persist in ruderal habitat, including western toad (Bufo boreas), western fence lizard, Brewer’s blackbird (Euphagus cyanocephalus), house finch (Carpodacus mexicanus), western scrub jay (Aphelocoma californica), and American crow (Corvus brachyrhynchos). Urban/Ruderal Urban habitat is characterized by the presence of ornamental and ruderal vegetation such as grass lawns and native and non-native trees and hedges, as well as residential, commercial, and industrial areas that lack vegetation (McBride and Reid, 1988). Urban habitat within the PSA includes low-density residential, roads, and ruderal or disturbed habitat. Urban vegetation is composed of ornamental trees, shrubs, and grasses. Ruderal communities occur in areas of disturbances such as along roadsides, trails, parking lots, etc. These communities are subjected to ongoing or past disturbances (e.g., vehicle activities, pedestrian traffic, mowing). Ruderal habitat in these disturbed areas supports a diverse weedy flora. Vascular plant species associated with these areas typically include Johnson grass (Sorghum halepense), Canadian horseweed (Conyza canadensis), milk thistle (Silybum marianum), yellow star-thistle, wild radish (Raphanus sativus), mustards (i.e., Brassica nigra), winter vetch (Vicia villosa), and field bindweed (Convolvulus arvensis). Urban/ruderal habitat is the dominant habitat in both the western and eastern portions of the off-site trails PSA. SENSITIVE HABITATS Sensitive habitats include areas of special concern to resource agencies, areas protected under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), areas designated as sensitive natural communities by the California Department of Fish and Game (CDFG), areas outlined in Section 1600 of the California Fish and Game Code, areas regulated under Section 404 of the federal Clean Water Act (CWA), areas protected under Section 402 of the CWA, and areas protected under local regulations and policies. Some of the cover types found on the project site are sensitive habitats protected by various agencies. The riverine and riparian habitats within the project site are sensitive habitats under the jurisdiction of the CDFG and the USACE. Freshwater emergent wetland and other wetland areas are potentially protected under the USACE and provide potential habitat for special-status species. Both special-status species and their habitat are described in more detail under the Special-status Species heading. Three sensitive habitat types are documented in the vicinity of the project site: Fen (S1.2 = Critically Imperiled—Critically imperiled in the state/province because of extreme rarity [often 5 or fewer occurrences] or because of some factor(s) such as very steep declines making it especially vulnerable to extirpation from the state/province), Great Basin Cutthroat Trout/Paiute Sculpin Stream (SNR), and Great Basin Sucker/Dace/Redside Stream with Cutthroat Trout (SNR = Unranked—state/province conservation status not yet assessed) (CDFG, 2009a, 2009b). A fen is a wetland in which the wetland’s hydrology is dominated more or less completely by subsurface inflow and outflow. The freshwater seep is dominated by moss, lichen, and sedges. The freshwater seep on site corresponds to the CNDDB series of meadows and seeps not dominated by grasses (45.000.00); however, this habitat type may also be considered a fen since it receives its water from groundwater seepage and not rainwater. This association is likely a wetland and thus would be considered sensitive by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, USACE, CDFG, and local jurisdictions. 4.8 BIOLOGICAL AND NATURAL RESOURCES Town of Truckee Coldstream Specific Plan October 2013 Partially Revised Draft Environmental Impact Report 4.8-21 CDFG considers Great Basin Cutthroat Trout/Paiute Sculpin Stream and Great Basin Sucker/Dace/Redside Stream with Cutthroat Trout sensitive habitats. Cold Creek and Donner Creek may contain sensitive fish species that may qualify these streams as sensitive habitats by CDFG. Donner Lake has some non-native fish species, including Kokanee salmon, and mackinaw, and as well as planted rainbow trout (Sierra Anglers Guide Service, 2009). Cold Creek and Donner Creek are tributaries of the Truckee River, which was originally home to the Lahontan cutthroat trout (Oncorhynchus clarkii henshawi) and the cui-ui lake sucker (Chasmistes cujus). During normal years, adult fish would ascend the Truckee and its tributaries (in the case of trout) to spawn. Although these sensitive habitat types were previously recorded in the region surrounding the project site, they do not occur within the project boundaries. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) defines critical habitat as a specific area that is essential for the conservation of a federally listed species and which may require special management considerations or protection. There are no designated critical habitat areas within or surrounding the project site based on critical habitat maps for federally listed species (USFWS, 2009b). The closest designated critical habitat area to the project site is approximately 40 miles west in Nevada County for California red-legged frog (Rana aurora draytonii) (USFWS, 2009b). WILDLIFE CORRIDORS Wildlife corridors are established migration routes commonly used by resident and migratory species for passage from one geographic location to another. Corridors are present in a variety of habitats and link otherwise fragmented acres of undisturbed area. Maintaining the continuity of established wildlife corridors is important to sustain species with specific foraging requirements, preserve a species’ distribution potential, and retain diversity among many wildlife populations. Therefore, resource agencies consider wildlife corridors to be a sensitive resource. Irrigation channels and agricultural land may provide enough cover to function as a migratory corridor for some species. The riparian corridors along the waterways within the project site serve as an aquatic and terrestrial wildlife migration corridor for areas within and surrounding the site. The project site is adjacent to Donner Memorial State Park on its western border. Tahoe National Forest is to the south of the project site beyond the Union Pacific Railroad tracks. Although there is development to the north, northeast, and east, the majority of the area surrounding the project site is natural or relatively undisturbed habitat and therefore may be used by resident and migratory wildlife species. Black-tailed deer (Odocoileus hemionus), coyote, beaver (Castor canadensis), and numerous birds and reptiles were observed within the project site. Other species expected to migrate through or otherwise use the habitat within the project site include black bears (Ursus americanus), bobcats (Felis rufus), bats, and porcupines (Erethizon dorsatum). The project site is located in summer deer habitat in Deer Hunt Zone X-7b (CDFG, 2009c). The deer population in Zone X-7b is considered stable to declining (CDFG, 2009c). The subspecies of deer inhabiting Zone X-7b is primarily the Rocky Mountain mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus hemionus), which is migratory (CDFG, 2009c). The deer around the Town of Truckee are included under the Verdi sub-unit of the Loyalton Truckee deer herd (Holm, 2009). Generally the herd migration corridors circumvent the Town of Truckee and the project site (CDFG, 1982). This herd migrates annually from Nevada along the Truckee River and disperses north and south of the Town of Truckee in the spring. The herd leaves the region in the fall, returning to Nevada (CDFG, 1982). The herd actively migrates between greater Truckee and Nevada near Martis Valley and the property between Highways 80 and 267. The Truckee region is the herd’s summer fawning range. There is very little transitional habitat available between summer and winter ranges, so the deer rely heavily on being able to move quickly between ranges (Holm, 2009). 4.8 BIOLOGICAL AND NATURAL RESOURCES Coldstream Specific Plan Town of Truckee Partially Revised Draft Environmental Impact Report October 2013 4.8-22 Special-Status Species The following discussion describes the plant and wildlife species that have been afforded special recognition by federal, state, or local resource agencies or organizations. Listed and other special-status species are of relatively limited distribution and may require specialized habitat conditions. They are defined as: • Listed, proposed, or candidate for listing under the California and/or Federal Endangered Species Acts; • Protected under other regulations (e.g., local policies, Migratory Bird Treaty Act); • CDFG’s Species of Special Concern and California Fully Protected Species; • Designated as species of concern by California Native Plant Society (CNPS) (List 1A, 1B, or 2); or • Otherwise receive consideration during environmental review. Special-status species were considered for this analysis based on previous biological investigations and reports, focused surveys for willow flycatcher and special-status plant species, a review of the California Natural Diversity Database (CNDDB) (CDFG, 2009a, 2009b), a USFWS list for endangered, threatened, and candidate species occurring on the project site (USFWS, 2009a), and the CNPS electronic inventory of special-status plants (CNPS, 2009) (Draft EIR Appendix H). Database searches were conducted for the Truckee, California, USGS 7.5-minute quadrangle and surrounding quadrangles (Independence Lake, Hobart Mills, Boca, Norden, Martis Peak, Granite Chief, Tahoe City, and Kings Beach). Figure 4.8-5 shows the location of previously recorded occurrences of special-status species within a one-mile radius of the project site. A complete consolidated list of special-status species from the database searches, including rationale for considering them in the impact analysis, is located in Draft EIR Appendix H. Special-Status Plants Based upon database search results, the project site is within the range of a number of special- status plant species. Table 4.8-5 lists the special-status plant species according to the vegetative community in which they may occur on the project site and off-site trails PSA based on known range and suitability of habitat according to habitat type. Each special-status plant species that is considered in the impact analysis is discussed in more detail below. 4.8 BIOLOGICAL AND NATURAL RESOURCES Town of Truckee Coldstream Specific Plan October 2013 Partially Revised Draft Environmental Impact Report 4.8-23 TABLE 4.8-51 SPECIAL-STATUS PLANT SPECIES POTENTIALLY OCCURRING ON THE PROJECT SITE AND OFF-SITE TRAILS PSA Vegetative Community Special-Status Plant Species Area (acres) Annual Grasslands Donner Pass buckwheat 47.7 Chaparral Donner Pass buckwheat 3.7 Mixed Conifer Forest Scalloped moonwort Mingan moonwort Bolander’s brachia Mud (shore) sedge Nevada daisy Plumas ivesia Webber’s ivesia Broad-nerved hump-moss Stebbins’ phacelia Alder buckthorn 13.1 Lodgepole Pine Forest Scalloped moonwort Mingan moonwort Bolander’s brachia Mud (shore) sedge Nevada daisy Plumas ivesia Webber’s ivesia Broad-nerved hump-moss Stebbins’ phacelia 18.8 Pond (Open Water) Slender-leaved pondweed White-stemmed pondweed Robbins’ pondweed 35.5 Freshwater Marsh Scalloped moonwort Mingan moonwort Mud (shore) sedge English sundew American manna grass Plumas ivesia Santa Lucia dwarf rush Slender-leaved pondweed White-stemmed pondweed Robbins’ pondweed Marsh skullcap 13.7 Freshwater Seep Scalloped moonwort Mingan moonwort Bolander’s brachia Mud (shore) sedge English sundew American manna grass Plumas ivesia Webber’s ivesia Santa Lucia dwarf rush Broad-nerved hump-moss Stebbins’ phacelia Marsh skullcap 3.8 Wet Meadow Scalloped moonwort Mingan moonwort Bolander’s brachia Mud (shore) sedge English sundew American manna grass Plumas ivesia Webber’s ivesia Santa Lucia dwarf rush Broad-nerved hump-moss Stebbins’ phacelia Alder buckthorn Marsh skullcap 0.2 Seasonal Wetland Scalloped moonwort Mingan moonwort Bolander’s brachia Mud (shore) sedge English sundew American manna grass Plumas ivesia Webber’s ivesia Santa Lucia dwarf rush Broad-nerved hump-moss Stebbins’ phacelia Marsh skullcap 0.81.1 4.8 BIOLOGICAL AND NATURAL RESOURCES Coldstream Specific Plan Town of Truckee Partially Revised Draft Environmental Impact Report October 2013 4.8-24 Vegetative Community Special-Status Plant Species Area (acres) Willow Riparian American manna grass Santa Lucia dwarf rush Alder buckthorn 10.1 Mixed Riparian 10.8 American manna grass Santa Lucia dwarf rush Alder buckthorn 25.9 Ruderal (Disturbed) 26.2 Donner Pass buckwheat 6.3 Urban/Ruderal None 6.2 Grand Total 185.7 1. Revision Note: The acreages of those vegetative communities within the off-site trails PSA which include jurisdictional waters have been updated based on the new jurisdictional delineation (Gibson & Skordal, 2012). No additional vegetation mapping is required because no impacts are anticipated to occur outside of the vegetation mapping conducted for the offsite trails PSA, as shown in Figure 4.8-9 and 4.8-12. 187.1 Although there were no rare plants identified during the June and July 2002 surveys (CSCON, 2007), one special-status plant species, Donner Pass buckwheat, was identified during the rare plant survey conducted by PMC in June of 2009. The off-site trails PSA was not included in the rare plant surveys. Figure 4.8-6 shows the locations of the rare plants found within the project site. Rare plant surveys are only valid for two years. If construction occurs after expiration of the 2009 rare plant survey, additional surveys will be required to determine whether rare plants have colonized the area. Scalloped moonwort (Botrychium crenulatum) is designated as a CNPS list 2.2 species. This perennial rhizomatous fern is in the Adder’s tongue family (Ophioglossaceae). It is found near creeks and in bogs and fens, lower and upper montane coniferous forest, meadows and seeps, marshes and swamps (freshwater) at elevations between 4,160 and 10,761 feet. Its distribution is scattered but not common anywhere in California. This species blooms from June to September (CNPS, 2009). Although this species was not found during focused rare plant surveys, suitable habitat is present on the project site and off-site trails PSA. Mingan moonwort (Botrychium minganense) is designated as a CNPS List 2.2 species. This perennial rhizomatous fern is in the Adder ’s tongue family (Ophioglossaceae). It is found in bogs and fens, lower and upper montane coniferous forest in mesic soil at elevations between 4,773 and 6,742 feet. This species blooms from July to September (CNPS, 2009). Although this species was not found during focused rare plant surveys, suitable habitat is present on the project site and off-site trails PSA. Bolander’s 24rachia (Bruchia bolanderi) is designated as a CNPS List 2.2 species. This moss occurs in lower and upper montane coniferous forest, meadows and seeps in damp soil at elevations between 5,577 and 9,186 feet (CNPS, 2009). This species has an ephemeral nature and takes advantage of disturbed sites (CDFG, 2009a). Although this species was not found during focused rare plant surveys, suitable habitat is present on the project site and off-site trails PSA. Mud (shore) sedge (Carex limosa) is designated as a CNPS List 2.2 species. This perennial rhizomatous herb is found in bogs and fens, lower and upper montane coniferous forest, meadows and seeps, marshes and swamps at elevations between 3,837 and 8,858 feet. It is possibly more widespread in the Sierra Nevada. This species blooms from June to August (CNPS, 2009). Although this species was not found during focused rare plant surveys, suitable habitat is present on the project site and off-site trails PSA. English sundew (Drosera anglica) is designated as a CNPS List 2.3 species. This perennial carnivorous herb is found in bogs and fens, meadows and seeps in mesic soil at elevations 4.8 BIOLOGICAL AND NATURAL RESOURCES Town of Truckee Coldstream Specific Plan October 2013 Partially Revised Draft Environmental Impact Report 4.8-25 between 4,265 and 6,561 feet. This species blooms from June to September (CNPS, 2009). Although this species was not found during focused rare plant surveys, suitable habitat is present on the project site and off-site trails PSA. Nevada daisy (Erigeron nevadincola) is designated as a CNPS List 2.3 species that is found in the Great Basin scrub habitat, lower montane coniferous forest, pinyon and juniper, and woodland rocky habitat from 4,595 to 9,515 feet in elevation. The flowering period occurs between May and July (CNPS, 2009). Although this species was not found during focused rare plant surveys, suitable habitat is present on the project site. Donner Pass buckwheat (Eriogonum umbellatum var. torreyanum) is designated as a CNPS List 1B.2 species that is endemic to the Tahoe National Forest. It occurs on dry gravelly or stony sites, exposed ridges, or steep slopes, often sparse cover, and often volcanic substrates in dry meadows and upper montane conifer forests, at 6,085 to 8,595 feet in elevation. The flowering period occurs between July and September (CNPS, 2009). Several documented occurrences are known between Squaw Valley and the Meadow Lakes areas (CSCON, 2007). This species was observed on the project site (Figure 4.8-6). American manna grass (Glyceria grandis) is designated as a CNPS List 2.3 species that prefers riparian habitat, streambanks, lake margins, bogs/fens, wet meadows, and edge habitats from 50 to 6,495 feet in elevation. The flowering period for this species occurs between June and August (CNPS, 2009). Although this species was not found during focused rare plant surveys, suitable habitat is present on the project site and off-site trails PSA. Plumas ivesia (Ivesia sericoleuca) is designated as a CNPS List 1B.2 species that occurs in vernally mesic (or wet) areas, usually volcanic, alkaline flats and meadows in openings of Great Basin scrub and lower montane coniferous forest, meadows, and vernal pools, at elevations between 4,805 and 7,220 feet (CNPS, 2009). The flowering period occurs between May and September. Although this species was not found during focused rare plant surveys, suitable habitat is present on the project site and off-site trails PSA. Webber’s ivesia (Ivesia webberi) is designated as a CNPS List 1B.2 species. This perennial herb is found in Great Basin scrub, lower montane coniferous forest, meadows and seeps, and vernal pools in vernally mesic, usually volcanic soils at elevations between 4,806 and 7,217 feet. This species blooms from May to September (CNPS, 2009). Although this species was not found during focused rare plant surveys, suitable habitat is present on the project site and off-site trails PSA. Santa Lucia dwarf rush (Juncus luciensis) is designated as a CNPS List 1B.2 species. This uncommon annual occurs in wet, sandy soils of seeps, meadows, vernal pools, streamsides at elevations between 984 and 6,233 feet (CDFG, 2009a). It is found in the high Sierra Nevada, Outer South Coast Ranges, Transverse Ranges, and Peninsular Ranges. This species blooms from spring to early summer (CDFG, 2009a). Although this species was not found during focused rare plant surveys, suitable habitat is present on the project site and off-site trails PSA. Broad-nerved hump-moss (Meesia uliginosa) is designated as a CNPS List 2.2 species. This moss occurs in bogs and fens, meadows and seeps, subalpine coniferous forest, upper montane coniferous forest in damp soil at elevations between 4,265 and 9,199 feet. This species blooms in October (CNPS, 2009). There are scattered occurrences in California, primarily in the Sierra Nevada and southern Cascade Range (CDFG, 2009a). Although this species was not found during focused rare plant surveys, suitable habitat is present on the project site and off-site trails PSA. 4.8 BIOLOGICAL AND NATURAL RESOURCES Coldstream Specific Plan Town of Truckee Partially Revised Draft Environmental Impact Report October 2013 4.8-26 Stebbins’ phacelia (Phacelia stebbinsii) is designated as a CNPS List 1B.2 species. This annual herb in the water leaf family (Hydrophyllaceae) occurs in cismontane woodland, lower montane coniferous forest, and meadows and seeps at elevations between 2,001 and 6,594 feet. This species blooming period is between June and July (CNPS, 2009). Although this species was not found during focused rare plant surveys, suitable habitat is present on the project site and off-site trails PSA. Slender-leaved pondweed (Potamogeton filiformis) is designated as a CNPS List 2.2 species. This perennial aquatic rhizomatous herb occurs in assorted shallow freshwater habitats such as marshes, swamps, shallow lakes, and drainage channels at elevations between 984 and 7,053 feet. This species blooms from May and July (CNPS, 2009). Although this species was not found during focused rare plant surveys, suitable habitat is present on the project site and off-site trails PSA. White-stemmed pondweed (Potamogeton praelongus) is designated as a CNPS List 2.3 species. This rhizomatous aquatic herb in the pondweed family (Potamogetonaceae) occurs in marshes and swamps (deep water, lakes) at elevations between 5,905 and 9,842 feet. This species’ blooming period is between July and August. It is known in California from approximately five occurrences (CNPS, 2009). Although this species was not found during focused rare plant surveys, suitable habitat is present on the project site. Robbins’ pondweed (Potamogeton robbinsii) is designated as a CNPS List 2.3 species. This perennial aquatic rhizomatous herb occurs in lakes, marshes and swamps in deep water at elevation between 5,019 and 10,826 feet. This species blooms from July to August (CNPS, 2009). Although this species was not found during focused rare plant surveys, suitable habitat is present on the project site. Alder buckthorn (Rhamnus alnifolia) is designated as a CNPS List 2.2 species. This perennial deciduous shrub is found in lower and upper montane coniferous forest, meadows and seeps, and riparian scrub at mesic sites at elevation between 4,494 and 6,988 feet. It is known in California from fewer than 20 occurrences. This species blooms from May to July (CNPS, 2009). Although this species was not found during focused rare plant surveys, suitable habitat is present on the project site and off-site trails PSA. Marsh skullcap (Scutellaria galericulata) is a CNPS List 2.2 species that is found in meadows and seeps within lower montane coniferous forests and in marshes and swamps from sea level to 6,890 feet in elevation. The flowering period occurs between June and September (CNPS, 2009). Although this species was not found during focused rare plant surveys, suitable habitat is present on the project site and off-site trails PSA. Special-Status Wildlife Based on a records search of the USFWS and CNDDB online databases for the Truckee 7.5-minute USGS quadrangle and surrounding quadrangles, the project site and off-site trails PSA are within the range of a number of special-status wildlife species that are of concern to the USFWS and/or the CDFG. The regulatory status, habitat, and potential for occurrence of these and other special- status animal species from the database searches are outlined in Draft EIR Appendix H. Table 4.8-6 lists the special-status wildlife species according to the vegetative community in which they may occur within the project site and off-site trails PSA based on the database searches, suitability of habitat, and professional expertise. The special-status species are sorted by vegetative community based on their preferred habitat type as described in their life history accounts. Donner Lake Union Pacific Railroad §¨¦80 §¨¦80 UV89 Donner Pass Rd Frates Ln 6 1 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8 Cold C r e e k T ruckee River D onner Creek Trout Creek T r o u t C r e e k Figure 4.8-5 Source: ESRI Streetmap USA, California Fish & Game CNDDB, PMC, NAIP 2005 T:\_GIS\NEVADA_COUNTY\MXDS\COLDSTREAM_SPECIFICPLAN\CNDDB.MXD - 2/18/2011 @ 1:42:57 PM ´0.25 0 0.25 MILES Previously Recorded Occurrences of Special-status SpeciesWithin a One Mile Radius of the Project Site Legend Project Site 1 Mile Search Search Radius Town Limits Bird Mammal Plant Town of Truckee ID Scientific Name Common Name Federal Listing California Listing CNPS Listing1Dendroica petechia brewsteri yellow warbler None None 2 Empidonax traillii willow flycatcher None Endangered 3 Eriogonum umbellatum var. torreyanum Donner Pass buckwheat None None 1B.24Ivesia sericoleuca Plumas ivesia None None 1B.25Lepus americanus tahoensis Sierra Nevada snowshoe hare None None 6 Rhamnus alnifolia alder buckthorn None None 2.27Rorippa subumbellata Tahoe yellow cress Candidate Endangered 1B.18Scutellaria galericulata marsh skullcap None None 2.2 !( !( N.A.P.O.T.S.* Placer County §¨¦80Donner Pass Rd Deerfield Dr Cold Stream Rd Donner Memorial State Park Richards Bl vd Deerfield Dr U n i o n P a c ifi c R a ilr o a d Donner Creek Cold Creek Figure 4.8-6 Source: ESRI Streetmap USA, PMC, NAIP 2005, Town of Truckee T:\_GIS\NEVADA_COUNTY\MXDS\COLDSTREAM_SPECIFICPLAN\PLANT_POINTS.MXD - 2/18/2011 @ 1:44:34 PM ´300 0 300 FEET Location of Rare Plants within the Project Site Legend !(Donner Pass Buckwheat Project Site Town Limits * N.A.P.O.T.S. = Not a Part of this Subdivision 4.8 BIOLOGICAL AND NATURAL RESOURCES Town of Truckee Coldstream Specific Plan October 2013 Partially Revised Draft Environmental Impact Report 4.8-31 TABLE 4.8-61 SPECIAL-STATUS WILDLIFE SPECIES POTENTIALLY OCCURRING WITHIN THE PROJECT SITE AND OFF-SITE TRAILS PSA Vegetative Community Special-Status Wildlife Species Area (acres) Annual Grasslands Western white-tailed jackrabbit American badger 47.7 Chaparral Western white-tailed jackrabbit American badger 3.7 Mixed Conifer Forest Northern goshawk Bald eagle Osprey California wolverine Sierra Nevada red fox 13.1 Special-status bat species Lodgepole Pine Forest Northern goshawk Bald eagle Osprey California wolverine Sierra Nevada red fox 18.8 Special-status bat species Pond (Open Water) Mountain yellow-legged frog Sierra Nevada yellow-legged frog American white pelican – foraging Bald eagle – foraging Osprey – foraging 35.5 Special-status bat species – foraging Freshwater Marsh Mountain yellow-legged frog Sierra Nevada yellow-legged frog Sierra Nevada mountain beaver 13.7 Special-status bat species – foraging Freshwater Seep None 3.8 Wet meadow Sierra Nevada red fox 0.2 Special-status bat species – foraging Seasonal Wetland None 0.8 Willow Riparian* 1.1 Lahonton cutthroat trout Mountain yellow-legged frog Sierra Nevada yellow-legged frog Harlequin duck Yellow warbler Willow flycatcher Sierra Nevada mountain beaver Sierra Nevada snowshoe hare Sierra Nevada red fox 10.1 Special-status bat species – foraging Mixed Riparian* 10.8 Lahonton cutthroat trout Mountain yellow-legged frog Sierra Nevada yellow-legged frog Harlequin duck Yellow warbler Willow flycatcher Sierra Nevada mountain beaver Sierra Nevada snowshoe hare Sierra Nevada red fox 25.9 Special-status bat species – foraging Ruderal (Disturbed) 26.2 None 6.3 Urban/Ruderal Special-status bat species 6.2 Grand Total 185.7 1. Revision Note: The acreages of those vegetative communities within the off-site trails PSA which include jurisdictional waters have been updated based on the new jurisdictional delineation (Gibson & Skordal, 2012). No additional vegetation mapping is required because no impacts are anticipated to occur outside of the vegetation mapping condcuted for the offsite trail PSA, as shown in Figure 4.8-9 and 4.8-12. 187.1 *Includes riverine habitat. Source: USFWS, 2009a; CDFG, 2009a, 2009b Special-Status Wildlife Species with Potential to Occur The following is a brief description of the animal species identified as having potential to occur on the project site and off-site trails PSA, based on nearby occurrences, the presence of suitable habitat, surveys, and professional expertise. 4.8 BIOLOGICAL AND NATURAL RESOURCES Coldstream Specific Plan Town of Truckee Partially Revised Draft Environmental Impact Report October 2013 4.8-32 Fish Lahontan cutthroat trout (Oncorhynchus clarkii henshawi) is federally listed as threatened. Lahontan cutthroat trout, like other trout species, are found in a wide variety of cold-water habitats including large terminal alkaline lakes (e.g., Pyramid and Walker lakes), alpine lakes (e.g., Lake Tahoe and Independence Lake), slow meandering rivers (e.g., Humboldt River), mountain rivers (e.g., Carson, Truckee, Walker, and Marys rivers), and small headwater tributary streams (e.g., Donner and Prosser creeks) (USFWS, 2007). Generally, Lahontan cutthroat trout occur in cool flowing water with available cover of well-vegetated and stable stream banks, in areas where there are stream velocity breaks, and in relatively silt-free, rocky riffle-run areas (USFWS, 2007). There is one previously recorded occurrence within a 5-mile radius and an additional four occurrences within a 10-mile radius of the site (CDFG, 2009a). The Lahontan cutthroat trout is known to occur in Martis Creek, approximately 4 miles southeast of the project site. Although Cold and Donner creeks represent suitable habitat for this species, surveys revealed that the project site does not support a population of this species (CSCON, 2007). Cold and Donner creeks contain brook (Salvelinus fontinalis), rainbow (Oncorhynchus mykiss), and brown trout (Salmo trutta), none of which are considered special-status species (CSCON, 2007). In a 1986 report, CDFG determined that these two creeks did not contain Lahontan cutthroat trout (CSCON, 2007). If they currently exist in the creeks, the fish were released by fishermen. In 1986, CDFG identified Donner Creek as probable historic habitat for the Lahonton cutthroat trout (CSCON, 2007). The 1986 report did not identify Donner or Cold creeks as having endemic or non-endemic Lahontan cutthroat trout in the two creeks and did not designate either creek for establishment, substitute establishment, or marginally suitable sites (CSCON, 2007). In addition, trout spawning habitat is not available in the ponds (CSCON, 2007). Although suitable habitat is present within Cold and Donner creeks, evidence shows that this species is not present within these two creeks on the project site and off-site trails PSA. Amphibians The Sierra Nevada distinct population segment of mountain yellow-legged frog (Rana muscosa) is federally listed as endangered and a California species of special concern. Suitable breeding habitat is considered to be low gradient (up to 4 percent) perennial streams and lakes. These stream types generally have the potential for deep pools and undercut banks, which provide habitat for this frog. In the Sierra Nevada, this frog occurs at elevations from 4,500 to 12,000 feet (CSCON, 2007). The decline of mountain yellow-legged frogs in the Sierra Nevada has been attributed to the introduction of trout during the last century. Because the adults overwinter underwater and the tadpoles take more than one season to undergo metamorphosis, they are vulnerable to predation by introduced fish. A historic sighting of this species was recorded in the Mount Rose area more than 40 years ago (CDFG, 2009a). In the Lake Tahoe Basin, this species has been detected only at two lentic (still water) sites in the Desolation Wilderness Area (CSCON, 2007). Opportunities for colonization of the project site and off-site trails PSA by mountain yellow- legged frogs are extremely low since the known populations for this amphibian occur more than 20 miles distant in the southeastern portion of the Lake Tahoe Basin. Sierra Nevada yellow-legged frog (Rana sierrae) is a candidate for federal listing and a California species of special concern. Yellow-legged frog populations now recognized as R. sierrae formerly were included in R. muscosa. Suitable habitat includes riparian/riverine corridors, wetlands, and wetland/upland mosaics in which wetland patches are separated by less than 0.6 mile of upland habitat; it also includes any upland habitat regularly used for feeding or wintering (e.g., mesic forest for wood frogs). This species occurs at elevations between 984 and 12,000 feet. There are five previously recorded occurrences within a 10-mile radius of the project site (CDFG, 2009a). This species was observed in Independence Lake in 2008 approximately nine miles from the project site (CDFG, 2009a). Suitable habitat is located within Cold and Donner creeks 4.8 BIOLOGICAL AND NATURAL RESOURCES Town of Truckee Coldstream Specific Plan October 2013 Partially Revised Draft Environmental Impact Report 4.8-33 and other wetland habitats on the project site and off-site trails PSA. Since known populations of this amphibian are within 10 miles and suitable habitat is present, this species may occur on the project site and off-site trails PSA. Birds Harlequin duck (Histrionicus histrionicus) is a California species of special concern and protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA). Their breeding habitat is cold fast-moving streams in northwestern and northeastern North America, Greenland, Iceland, and western Russia. The nest is usually located in a well-concealed location on the ground near a stream. They are short- distance migrants and most winter near rocky shorelines on the Atlantic and Pacific coasts. They are very rare vagrants to western Europe. These birds feed by swimming under water or diving. They also dabble. They eat mollusks, crustaceans, and insects. There are no previously recorded occurrences within a 10-mile radius of the project site (CDFG, 2009a); however this species may occur in the project site and off-site trails PSA. American white pelican (Pelecanus erythrorhynchos) is a Calfornia species of special concern. It was observed on the project site during June 2009 surveys. This species’ breeding range includes the project site and off-site trails PSA (Shuford and Gardali, 2008). White pelicans are colonial nesters and frequently nest on islands free from predators (Shuford and Gardali, 2008). Although there are small islands in some of the ponds on the project site, they do not seem to be large enough to support a large rookery. This species may occasionally nest on the project site. Northern goshawk (Accipiter gentilis) is a California species of special concern. The northern goshawk is found in montane coniferous forests from 4,500 feet to 9,000 feet in elevation. In the Sierra Nevada, this species breeds in mature stands of conifer forest. High tree canopy closure is characteristic of all goshawk nest stands, with optimal canopy closure of 60 percent to 100 percent for protection and thermal cover, and some open space allowing maneuverability below the canopy. Northern goshawks typically nest near water on north slopes, usually in red fir, lodgepole pine, Jeffrey pine, or aspen trees. Goshawks breed from mid-March to early September, with a peak from early May to mid-July. There are five previously recorded occurrences within a 5-mile radius and an additional six occurrences within a 10-mile radius of the project site (CDFG, 2009a). Although this species may forage on the project site and off-site trails PSA, the site does not contain suitable nesting habitat for the northern goshawk. Although the bald eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) has been federally delisted, it is still state- listed as endangered and protected under the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act and MBTA. The bald eagle nests near lake margins and rivers, usually within 1 mile of water. Bald eagles nest in large, old growth or dominant live trees with open branches. These birds roost communally in the winter. There is one previously recorded occurrence within a 5-mile radius and one additional occurrence within a 10-mile radius of the project site (CDFG, 2009a). A pair of bald eagles was observed foraging on the project site during the June 2009 surveys. Although this species is unlikely to use the habitat within the project site and off-site trails PSA for nesting, it may nest adjacent to and use the site for foraging. Osprey (Pandion halieetus) is a California species of special concern. Osprey nest near freshwater lakes and larger streams. Large nests are usually built in treetops within 15 miles of good fish- producing bodies of water. During the June 2009 surveys, an juvenile osprey was observed foraging within the project site. Osprey were also seen foraging in the ponds during past surveys (CSCON, 2007). There is one previously recorded occurrence within a 5-mile radius of the project site (CDFG, 2009a). Although this species is unlikely to use the habitat within the project site and 4.8 BIOLOGICAL AND NATURAL RESOURCES Coldstream Specific Plan Town of Truckee Partially Revised Draft Environmental Impact Report October 2013 4.8-34 off-site trails PSA for nesting, it may nest adjacent to and use the project site and off-site trails PSA for foraging. Raptors and Other Migratory Birds Many bird species are migratory and fall under the jurisdiction of the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA). Various migratory birds and raptor species, in addition to those described in detail above, have the potential to inhabit the project vicinity. Migratory birds forage and nest in multiple habitats. The habitats found within and in the vicinity of the project site provide suitable nesting habitat for raptors and migratory birds. Several migratory birds and raptors including eagles, hawks, owls, and other birds may occur in the vicinity of the project site. The nests of all migratory birds are protected under the MBTA (which makes it illegal to destroy any active migratory bird nest) and Section 3503.5 of the California Fish and Game Code. Some raptor species, such as Cooper’s hawk (Accipiter cooperii), red-tailed hawk (Buteo jamaicensis), and northern harrier (Circus cyaneus), are not considered special-status species because they are not rare or protected under the federal Endangered Species Act (FESA) or the California Endangered Species Act (CESA). Two American robin (Turdus migratorius) nests were incidentally observed during the June 2009 surveys. One juvenile osprey and a pair of bald eagles were observed foraging within the project site as well. Consequently, raptor and migratory bird species are likely to forage and nest on the project site and off-site trails PSA. Yellow warbler (Dendroica petechia brewsteri) is a California species of special concern and its nests are protected under the MBTA. Riparian plant associations. Prefers willows, cottonwoods (Populus spp.), aspens (Populus tremuloides), sycamores (Platanus spp.), and alders (Alnus spp.) for nesting and foraging. Also nests in montane shrubbery in open conifer forests. Breeds mid-April to early August. There is one previously recorded occurrence within a 5-mile radius and an additional two occurrences within a 10-mile radius of the project site (CDFG, 2009a). The yellow warbler sighting was approximately 0.25 mile west of the project site located in Donner Memorial State Park (CDFG, 2009a). This species was identified on the project site during one of the willow flycatcher surveys performed by CSCON (CSCON, 2007). This species was observed throughout the project site on June 15 and 16, 2009. This species could potentially breed on the project site and off-site trails PSA. Willow flycatcher (Empidonax traillii) is state-listed as endangered and its nests are protected under the MBTA. There are three subspecies in California. They inhabit wet meadow and riparian montane habitats, nesting in dense willow and riparian vegetation typically 2,000 to 8,000 feet in elevation. They make a cup nest in a vertical fork in a shrub or tree. Peak egg-laying occurs in June. These birds migrate to Mexico and Central America, often selecting winter habitat near water. There are three previously recorded occurrences within a 5-mile radius and an additional four occurrences within a 10-mile radius of the project site (CDFG, 2009a). No willow flycatchers were detected during protocol-level surveys of the project site in 2002, 2003, and 2009. Figure 4.8-7 depicts the survey areas and station points of the 2009 protocol-level survey conducted by PMC (Draft EIR Appendix H). Although no willow flycatchers were detected during protocol-level surveys, this species may occupy the project site in the future since suitable habitat is present and sites where occurrences were previously recorded are located nearby. Protocol-level surveys were not conducted within the off-site trails PSA, but willow flycatchers are unlikely to occur adjacent to the roadway. !(!( !( !( !( !( !( !( !( !( !(!(!(!( !( !( !( !(!(!(!( !( !( !(!(!( !( !(!( !( !( !( !(!( !(!(!(!(!(!(!(!(!(!(!(!(!( N.A.P N.A.P Survey Area 3 Survey Area 4 Survey Area 5Survey Area 2 Survey Area 1 9876 54321 13 1211 10 4746 45 44 43 4241 40 393837 36 35 34 33 32 31 30 29 28 2726252423 22 21 20 19 18 17 16 1514 Figure 4.8-7 Source: USGS, PMC, 2009 T:\_GIS\NEVADA_COUNTY\MXDS\COLDSTREAM_SPECIFICPLAN\WIFL SURVEY AND HABITAT.MXD - 10/6/2009 @ 3:13:29 PM ´300 0 300 FEET Willow Flycatcher Survey Areas and Station Points Legend !(Station Point Project Site Survey Area 4.8 BIOLOGICAL AND NATURAL RESOURCES Town of Truckee Coldstream Specific Plan October 2013 Partially Revised Draft Environmental Impact Report 4.8-37 Mammals Sierra Nevada mountain beaver (Aplodontia rufa californica), a California species of special concern, occurs in dense growths of small deciduous trees and shrubs with wet soil and an abundance of forbs in the Sierra Nevada and east slope. The Sierra Nevada mountain beaver’s preferred habitat is wet meadow areas adjacent to streams with deep soils allowing for easy burrowing. This species needs dense understory for food and cover and an abundant supply of water. They feed on vegetative parts of plants, mostly blackberry (Rubus spp.), dogwood (Cornus spp.), lupines (Lupinus spp.), willows (Salix spp.), and grasses. The subspecies has been observed in Alpine, Calaveras, El Dorado, Fresno, Lassen, Mariposa, Mono, Placer, Tulare, and Tuolumne counties at elevations ranging from 3,904 feet to over 10,105 feet above mean sea level. Mountain beavers breed from December through March with a peak in February. There are five previously recorded occurrences within a 5-mile radius and an additional five occurrences within a 10-mile radius of the project site (CDFG, 2009a). Evidence of beaver was observed on the project site in June 2009. They are unlikely to occur in the off-site trails PSA. California wolverine (Gulo gulo), which is state-listed as threatened, is a solitary and wide-ranging carnivore. Wolverines occur at relatively low population densities in alpine and arctic tundra, boreal and mountain forests (primarily coniferous). Wolverines are limited to mountains in the south, especially large wilderness areas, usually in areas with snow on the ground in winter. Riparian areas can provide important winter habitat for this species. When inactive, wolverines tend to den in caves, rock crevices, under fallen trees, in thickets, or similar sites. They are terrestrial and may climb trees. Young are born in a den among rocks or tree roots, in hollow logs, under fallen trees, or in dense vegetation, including sites under snow. This species breeds from April to October (but variable), usually in summer. One previously recorded occurrence of the wolverine was recorded within a 5-mile radius, with an additional three occurrences within a 10-mile radius of the project site (CDFG, 2009a). The status of the wolverine in the Sierra Nevada range has been unclear for many years. In the early 1900s, their populations declined, largely due to trapping, and by 1933, no more than 30 animals were thought to occur in California. Occasional sightings are still reported (2008 through 2010), but the persistence of this species in the Sierra Nevada is questionable as there has been no documented evidence of wolverine presence for the last 50 years (USFS, 2004). The sighting of a wolverine in the Sierra Nevada was determined through DNA testing to be from a Rocky Mountain population (Moriarty, 2009). Therefore the likelihood of wolverines occurring within or near the project site and off-site trails PSA is extremely low. Sierra Nevada snowshoe hare (Lepus americanus tahoensis) is a California species of special concern. The Sierra Nevada snowshoe hare prefers boreal riparian forested areas within the Sierra Nevada and particularly riparian forest that includes willows or alders. Suitable habitat is present on the project site. There is one previously recorded occurrence within a 5-mile radius and one additional occurrence within a 10-mile radius of the project site. The greatest potential for presence of this species is located within the riparian and thick willow habitats, where there are large stands of trees near water. Western white-tailed jackrabbit (Lepus townsendii), a California species of special concern, is an uncommon to rare year-round resident of the crest and upper eastern slope of the Sierra Nevada, primarily from the Oregon border south to Tulare and Inyo counties. Formerly widespread throughout this range, its population now is fragmented, and numbers apparently have declined drastically. Preferred habitats are sagebrush, subalpine conifer, juniper, alpine dwarf-shrub, and perennial grassland; however it also uses low sagebrush, wet meadow, and early successional stages of various conifer habitats. There is seasonal movement from higher to lower elevations in winter. They prefer open areas with scattered shrubs. Like other hares, this species takes cover in a shallow depression, usually in shrubby underbrush. They also use thickets of young conifers or low branches of stunted conifers for cover. Suitable habitat is present on the 4.8 BIOLOGICAL AND NATURAL RESOURCES Coldstream Specific Plan Town of Truckee Partially Revised Draft Environmental Impact Report October 2013 4.8-38 project site and off-site trails PSA. There are no previously recorded occurrences within a 10-mile radius of the project site (CDFG, 2009a). American badger (Taxidea taxus) is a California species of special concern. The American badger is a stout-bodied, primarily solitary species that hunts for ground squirrels and other small mammal prey in open grassland, cropland, deserts, savanna, and shrubland communities. Badgers have large home ranges and spend inactive periods in underground burrows. Badgers typically mate in mid- to late summer and give birth between March and April. Although there are no previously recorded occurrences within a 10-mile radius of the project site (CDFG, 2009a) and no large dens were observed during the June 2009 surveys, suitable habitat is present and this species may den within the project site in the future. American badger is unlikely to occur in the off-site trails PSA due to the developed nature of the area and constant disturbance. Sierra Nevada red fox (Vulpes vulpes necator) is state-listed as threatened. Sierra Nevada populations may be found in a variety of habitats, including alpine dwarf-shrub, wet meadow, subalpine conifer, lodgepole pine, red fir, aspen, montane chaparral, montane riparian, mixed conifer, and ponderosa pine. Jeffrey pine, eastside pine, and montane hardwood-conifer also are used. Most sightings in Sierra Nevada are above 7,217 feet, but they may be found in elevations from 3,937 to 10,105 feet. This species uses dense vegetation and rocky areas for cover and den sites. In Sierra Nevada, prefers forests interspersed with meadows or alpine fell- fields. Open areas are used for hunting, while forested habitats are used for cover and reproduction. Edges are utilized extensively. There are two previously recorded occurrences within a 5-mile radius of the project site (CDFG, 2009a). This species may occur in the project site; however, it is unlikely to occur in the off-site trails PSA. Special-status bat species, including spotted bat (Euderma maculatum), small-footed bat (Myotis ciliolabrum), long-eared bat (M. evotis), fringed bat (M. thysanodes), long-legged bat (M. volans), yuma myotis (M. yumanensis), and Townsend’s big-eared bat (Corynorhinus townsendii), could inhabit the area in the vicinity of the project site. These species are widely distributed throughout California; however, many of these species are rare within these overall ranges. Habitat for bat species consists of foraging habitat, night roosting cover, day roosting sites, maternity roost sites, and winter hibernacula. These bat species may forage within a variety of habitats, including the habitats found on the project site. Suitable roosting sites include caves, rock crevices, cliffs, buildings, tree bark, and snags. Some or all of these bat species are likely to forage in the project vicinity, but there is a low likelihood that maternity roosts or hibernacula are located on the project site. Even still, tree bark, snags, and human structures within or adjacent to the project site could provide roosting habitat for special-status bat species. Although no signs of bat roosts were encountered during field surveys, day or maternity roosts may occur on the project site. Roosts are unlikely to occur in the off-site trails PSA. 4.8.2 REGULATORY FRAMEWORK This section lists specific environmental review and consultation requirements and identifies permits and approvals that must be obtained from local, state, and federal agencies before implementation of the proposed project. FEDERAL Federal Endangered Species Act The federal Endangered Species Act (FESA) protects threatened and endangered plants and animals and their critical habitat. Candidate species are those proposed for listing; these species 4.8 BIOLOGICAL AND NATURAL RESOURCES Town of Truckee Coldstream Specific Plan October 2013 Partially Revised Draft Environmental Impact Report 4.8-39 are usually treated by resource agencies as if they were actually listed during the environmental review process. Procedures for addressing impacts to federally listed species follow two principal pathways, both of which require consultation with the United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), which administers the FESA for all terrestrial species. The first pathway, Section 10(a) incidental take permit, applies to situations where a non-federal government entity must resolve potential adverse impacts to species protected under the FESA. The second pathway, Section 7 consultation, applies to projects directly undertaken by a federal agency or private projects requiring a federal permit or approval. Migratory Bird Treaty Act The Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA) implements international treaties between the United States and other nations devised to protect migratory birds, their parts, eggs, and nests from activities such as hunting, pursuing, capturing, killing, selling, and shipping, unless expressly authorized in the regulations or by permit. The State of California has incorporated the protection of birds of prey in Sections 3800, 3513, and 3503.5 of the Fish and Game Code (FGC). All raptors and their nests are protected from take or disturbance under the MBTA (16 United States Code [USC], Section 703 et seq.) and California statute (FGC Section 3503.5). The golden eagle and bald eagle are also afforded additional protection under the Eagle Protection Act, amended in 1973 (16 USC, Section 669 et seq.). Clean Water Act Section 401 of the federal Clean Water Act (CWA) requires any applicant for a federal license or permit that is conducting any activity that may result in a discharge of a pollutant into waters of the United States to obtain a certification that the discharge will comply with the applicable effluent limitations and water quality standards. The appropriate Regional Water Quality Control Board (RWQCB) regulates Section 401 requirements. Section 404 of the CWA prohibits the discharge of dredged or fill material into “waters of the United States” without a permit from the United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE). The USACE and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency administer the act. In addition to streams with a defined bed and bank, the definition of waters of the U.S. includes wetland areas “that are inundated or saturated by surface or groundwater at a frequency and duration sufficient to support, and that under normal circumstances do support, a prevalence of vegetation typically adapted for life in saturated soil conditions” (33 California Federal Regulations [CFR] 328.3 7b). The lateral extent of non-tidal waters is determined by delineating the ordinary high water mark (OHWM) [33 C.F.R. Section 328.4(c)(1)]. If adjacent wetlands occur, the limits of jurisdiction extend beyond the ordinary high water mark to the outer edge of the wetlands. The presence and extent of wetland areas are normally determined by examination of the vegetation, soils, and hydrology of a site. The majority of jurisdictional wetlands exhibit three wetland criteria, including hydrophytic vegetation, wetland hydrology, and hydric soils. Substantial impacts to jurisdictional wetlands may require an individual permit. Small-scale projects may require a nationwide permit, which typically has an expedited process compared to the individual permit process. Mitigation of wetland impacts is required as a condition of the 404 permit and may include on-site preservation, restoration, or enhancement and/or off-site restoration or enhancement. The characteristics of the restored or enhanced wetlands must be equal to or better than those of the affected wetlands to achieve no net loss of wetlands. 4.8 BIOLOGICAL AND NATURAL RESOURCES Coldstream Specific Plan Town of Truckee Partially Revised Draft Environmental Impact Report October 2013 4.8-40 Executive Order 13112 – Invasive Species Executive Order 13112 – Invasive Species directs all federal agencies to refrain from authorizing, funding, or carrying out actions or projects that may spread invasive species. The order further directs federal agencies to prevent the introduction of invasive species, control and monitor existing invasive species populations, restore native species to invaded ecosystems, research and develop prevention and control methods for invasive species, and promote public education on invasive species. As part of the proposed action, USFWS and USACE issue permits and are responsible for ensuring that the proposed action complies with Executive Order 13112 and does not contribute to the spread of invasive species. STATE California Endangered Species Act Under the California Endangered Species Act (CESA), the California Department of Fish and Game (CDFG) has the responsibility for maintaining a list of endangered and threatened species (Fish and Game Code – FGC 2070). Sections 2050 through 2098 of the FGC outline the protection provided to California’s rare, endangered, and threatened species. Section 2080 of the FGC prohibits the taking of plants and animals listed under the CESA. Section 2081 established an incidental take permit program for state-listed species. CDFG maintains a list of “candidate species,” which are species that CDFG formally notices as being under review for addition to the list of endangered or threatened species. Pursuant to the requirements of CESA, an agency reviewing a proposed project within its jurisdiction must determine whether any state-listed endangered or threatened species may be present in the area and determine whether the proposed project will have a potentially significant impact on such species. In addition, CDFG encourages informal consultation on any proposed project that may impact a candidate species. Project-related impacts to species on the CESA endangered or threatened list would be considered significant. State-listed species are fully protected under the mandates of the CESA. “Take” of protected species incidental to otherwise lawful management activities may be authorized under FGC Section 206.591. Authorization from CDFG would be in the form of an Incidental Take Permit. Native Plant Protection Act The Native Plant Protection Act of 1977 (FGC Section 1900 et seq.) prohibits the taking, possessing, or sale within the state of any plants with a state designation of rare, threatened, or endangered (as defined by CDFG). An exception to this prohibition in the act allows landowners, under specified circumstances, to take listed plant species, provided that the owners first notify CDFG and give that state agency at least 10 days to come and retrieve (and presumably replant) the plants before they are plowed under or otherwise destroyed (FGC Section 1913 exempts from take prohibition “the removal of endangered or rare native plants from a canal, lateral ditch, building site, or road, or other right of way”). Project impacts to these species are not considered significant unless the species are known to have a high potential to occur within the area of disturbance associated with construction of the proposed project. 4.8 BIOLOGICAL AND NATURAL RESOURCES Town of Truckee Coldstream Specific Plan October 2013 Partially Revised Draft Environmental Impact Report 4.8-41 California Department of Fish and Game CDFG also maintains lists of “species of special concern,” which serve as species “watch lists.” The CDFG has also identified many species of special concern. Species with this status have limited distribution or the extent of their habitats has been reduced substantially, such that their populations may be threatened. Thus, their populations are monitored, and they may receive special attention during environmental review. While they do not have statutory protection, they may be considered rare under CEQA and thereby warrant specific protection measures. Sensitive species that would qualify for listing but are not currently listed are afforded protection under CEQA. The CEQA Guidelines Section 15065 (Mandatory Findings of Significance) requires that a substantial reduction in numbers of a rare or endangered species be considered a significant effect. CEQA Guidelines Section 15380 (Rare or Endangered Species) provides for assessment of unlisted species as rare or endangered under CEQA if the species can be shown to meet the criteria for listing. Unlisted plant species on the California Native Plant Society’s Lists 1A, 1B, and 2 would typically be considered under CEQA. Sections 3500 to 5500 of the FGC outline protection for fully protected species of mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, and fish. Species that are fully protected by these sections may not be taken or possessed at any time. The CDFG cannot issue permits or licenses that authorize the take of any fully protected species, except under certain circumstances such as scientific research and live capture and relocation of such species pursuant to a permit for the protection of livestock. Under Section 3503.5 of the FGC it is unlawful to take, possess, or destroy any birds in the orders of Falconiformes or Strigiformes (birds of prey) or to take, possess, or destroy the nest or eggs of any such bird except as otherwise provided by this code or any regulation adopted pursuant thereto. State and local public agencies are subject to Section 1602 of the FGC, which governs construction activities that will substantially divert or obstruct the natural flow or substantially change the bed, channel, or bank of any river, stream, or lake designated by the CDFG. Under Section 1602, a discretionary Streambed Alteration Agreement permit from the CDFG must be issued by the CDFG to the project developer prior to the initiation of construction activities within lands under CDFG jurisdiction. As a general rule, this requirement applies to any work undertaken within the 100-year floodplain of a stream or river containing fish or wildlife resources. NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS California Native Plant Society The California Native Plant Society (CNPS) maintains a list of plant species native to California that have low numbers, limited distribution, or are otherwise threatened with extinction. This information is published in the Inventory of Rare and Endangered Vascular Plants of California. Potential impacts to populations of CNPS-listed plants receive consideration under CEQA review. The following identifies the definitions of the CNPS listings: List 1A: Plants Believed Extinct List 1B: Plants Rare, Threatened, or Endangered in California and elsewhere List 2: Plants Rare, Threatened, or Endangered in California, but more numerous elsewhere 4.8 BIOLOGICAL AND NATURAL RESOURCES Coldstream Specific Plan Town of Truckee Partially Revised Draft Environmental Impact Report October 2013 4.8-42 List 3: Plants about Which We Need More Information – A Review List List 4: Plants of Limited Distribution – A Watch List Plant species designated as List 3 and 4 will not be discussed in this Draft EIR since they are not considered special-status species. LOCAL Town of Truckee 2025 General Plan The Town of Truckee 2025 General Plan Conservation and Open Space Element includes goals and policies to preserve, protect, enhance, and promote the Town’s valuable natural, cultural, and scenic resources (Town of Truckee, 2006). Draft EIR Appendix B analyzes the proposed Coldstream Specific Plan’s consistency with applicable Town of Truckee General Plan policies. While this Draft EIR analyzes the proposed project’s consistency with the Town of Truckee General Plan pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15125(d), the Town of Truckee would ultimately make the determination of the project’s consistency with the General Plan. Environmental impacts associated with inconsistency with General Plan policies are addressed under the appropriate impact discussion sections of this DEIR. Town of Truckee Development Code The Town of Truckee Development Code provides guidance for protecting and preserving environmentally sensitive areas, the natural appearance of hillsides, and other important views and visual resources (Town of Truckee, 2004). Section 18.46.010 in the Development Code provides requirements for the preservation and maintenance of permanent open space in conjunction with the development of private property in order to preserve and to protect 100- year floodplains, environmentally sensitive areas, lakes and ponds, and slopes in excess of 30 percent (Town of Truckee, 2004). Cluster development is encouraged as a means of maintaining the open space(s) that contribute significantly to the character of the town, provide for the integrity and continuity of wildlife habitat, and protect and conserve forest and rangeland resources for their resource, recreational, aesthetic, and biological values (Town of Truckee, 2004). The Development Code defines environmentally sensitive areas as avalanche areas; deer fawning areas; deer migration/wildlife movement corridors; habitat for state and federally listed plant and animal species, including special-status and candidate species; high fire hazard areas; scenic vistas; large blocks of undeveloped forest; meadows; prominent slope exposures and ridge lines; riparian habitat and corridors; wetlands per Section 18.46.040; and unstable soils (Town of Truckee, 2004). 4.8.3 PROJECT IMPACTS AND MITIGATION MEASURES STANDARDS OF SIGNIFICANCE The impact analysis provided below is based on the application of the State CEQA Guidelines Appendix G thresholds of significance. A project is considered to have significant impacts if implementation of the project will: 4.8 BIOLOGICAL AND NATURAL RESOURCES Town of Truckee Coldstream Specific Plan October 2013 Partially Revised Draft Environmental Impact Report 4.8-43 1) Have a substantial adverse effect, either directly or through habitat modifications, on any species identified as a candidate, sensitive, or special-status species in local or regional plans, policies, or regulations, or by the CDFG or USFWS. 2) Have a substantial adverse effect on any riparian habitat or other sensitive natural community identified in local or regional plans, policies, or regulations, or by the CDFG or USFWS. 3) Have a substantial adverse effect on federally protected wetlands, as defined by Section 404 of the Clean Water Act (including, but not limited to, marsh, vernal pool, coastal wetlands, etc.), through direct removal, filling, hydrological interruption, or other means. 4) Interfere substantially with the movement of any native resident or migratory fish or wildlife species or with established native resident or migratory wildlife corridors, or impede the use of native wildlife nursery sites. 5) Conflict with any local policies or ordinances protecting biological resources, such as a tree preservation policy or ordinance. 6) Conflict with the provisions of an adopted Habitat Conservation Plan, Natural Community Conservation Plan, or other approved local, regional, or state habitat conservation plan. 7) Substantially degrade the quality of the environment, substantially reduce the habitat of a fish or wildlife species, cause a fish or wildlife population to drop below self-sustaining levels, threaten to eliminate a plant or animal community, or substantially reduce the number or restrict the range of an endangered, rare, or threatened species. METHODOLOGY Habitat Assessment: For areas within the project site, a habitat layer was created using GIS ArcView program based on aerial photograph interpretation and knowledge from reconnaissance-level surveys by PMC biologists (Figure 4.8-2). The area was previously surveyed and mapped by CSCON in 2004 (Draft EIR Appendix H; CSCON, 2007). A reconnaissance-level field survey of the project site was conducted in June and July 2009 for the project site by PMC biologists to assess habitat types and current site conditions. Although the biological communities map from CSCON was used as a base map, it was updated by PMC biologists to reflect what was at the site in 2009. On November 18, 2010, the off-site trails PSA was surveyed to identify and map the vegetative communities. Wetland Delineation: TwoA wetland delineations for the project site werewas conducted by CSCON on October 22, 2001, and revised May 30, 2003, using methodologies approved by the USACE. The wetland parameters were determined based on the guidelines outlined in the USACE 1987 Wetlands Delineation Manual (USACE, 1987). Draft EIR Appendix H includes the wetland delineation reports by CSCON and the USACE verification letter (Corps ID#19920038). On November 18, 2010, the off-site trails PSA was delineated by PMC. Draft EIR Appendix H includes a copy of the preliminary wetland delineation report. Since circulation of the EIR, the project proponent has refined the design of the project and a new jurisdictional delineation (Gibson & Skordal, 2012) was prepared for off-site portions of the project. The jurisdictional delineation addresses the same “Offsite Trail Project Study Area” as the original EIR plus additional areas surrounding the adjacent I-80 / Donner Pass Road freeway interchange. This new jurisdictional delineation was prepared to ensure that the project’s CWA 4.8 BIOLOGICAL AND NATURAL RESOURCES Coldstream Specific Plan Town of Truckee Partially Revised Draft Environmental Impact Report October 2013 4.8-44 Section 404 permit fully addressed the off-site impacts of the project. In addition, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers recently issued new guidance for calculating impacts to waters of the United States (see U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Regulatory Program, “Standard Operating Procedures for Determination of Mitigation Ratios” (November 20, 2012). This guidance, in addition to refinements to the project design, resulted in a change to the acreage calculations for impacts to waters of the U.S. from those provided in the original Draft EIR. Special-Status Species Assessment: The habitat mapping and field surveys were reviewed for potential habitat for the special-status species identified from the literature and database searches. A species was determined to have potential to occur on the project site and/or the off-site trails PSA if its documented geographic range from the literature and database searches includes the vicinity of the site and if suitable habitat for the species was identified within or near the project site. The CDFG’s California Natural Diversity Database (CNDDB) was queried for a list of special-status wildlife, botanical, and fisheries resources with a potential to occur or known to occur on the project site and in the vicinity (CDFG, 2009a, 2009b). The database search was performed for special-status species within the Truckee, California, United States Geologic Survey (USGS) 7.5-minute quadrangle and the surrounding quadrangles (Independence Lake, Hobart Mills, Boca, Norden, Martis Peak, Granite Chief, Tahoe City, and Kings Beach). Locations of special-status species occurrences as recorded in the CNDDB within a 1-mile radius of the project site are shown in Figure 4.8-5. The CNPS inventory was also searched for the quadrangles listed above for CNPS List 1A, List 1B, and List 2 special-status plants that may occur within the project site (CNPS, 2009). In addition, the USFWS list for the USGS 7.5-minute quadrangles listed above was consulted for federally listed or candidate plant and wildlife species that could potentially be affected by the proposed project (USFWS, 2009a). Draft EIR Appendix H includes a copy of the database searches. When the USFWS lists a species as threatened or endangered under the FESA, areas of habitat considered essential to its conservation and survival may be designated as critical habitat. These areas may require special consideration and/or protection due to their ecological importance. Potential critical habitat designations in the general vicinity of the project site were checked using the USFWS Critical Habitat Portal (USFWS, 2009b). Designated critical habitat is not located in the general vicinity of the project site. The closest critical habitat is located approximately 40 miles west in Nevada County for California red-legged frog (USFWS, 2009b). On June 15, 16, 29, and 30, 2009, PMC biologists Jeannette Owen and Angela Calderaro conducted willow flycatcher protocol-level surveys on the project site according to the Willow Flycatcher Survey Protocol for California (Bombay et al., 2003). The area within and surrounding the off-site trails PSA was not surveyed for willow flycatcher. The potential suitable habitat for willow flycatcher was evaluated based on the previous willow flycatcher protocol-level surveys conducted by CSCON in 2002 and 2003 for the proposed project and the conditions at the site during the 2009 surveys. Suitable habitat included areas with mature, dense stands of willows or mixed riparian plant species. A Trimble Geo XT with submeter accuracy was used to record and space the station points in the field. PMC biologists conducted focused rare plant surveys concurrently with the willow flycatcher surveys on the project site in accordance with the Guidelines for Assessing the Effects of Proposed Projects on Rare, Threatened, and Endangered Plants and Natural Communities (CDFG, 2000). Transects of the project site were systematically walked to detect presence of rare plant species in bloom. The off-site trails PSA was not systematically surveyed for rare plants. 4.8 BIOLOGICAL AND NATURAL RESOURCES Town of Truckee Coldstream Specific Plan October 2013 Partially Revised Draft Environmental Impact Report 4.8-45 In addition, CSCON biologists conducted protocol-level surveys for willow flycatcher in June and July 2002 and again in June and July 2003, and for rare plants in June and July 2002. Draft EIR Appendix H includes the reports from CSCON and PMC outlining the methods for the surveys. Impact Analysis: The analysis of impacts to biological resources presented in this section is based on previous biological investigations and reports, as well as available literature and maps from federal, state, and local agencies, the project description (Section 3.0 of this Draft EIR), existing plans for the proposed project (i.e., Coldstream Restoration and Management Plan [Foothill Associates, 2004]), and the standards of significance described above. The assessment includes impacts within the project site and off-site trails PSA. The exact detail of all development and impacts associated with the proposed Coldstream Specific Plan is not known at this time. Although it is likely that some level of natural resources would be retained within future projects implemented under the proposed project, the location and extent of these resources cannot be determined. Therefore, the more conservative impact approach was taken to ensure that impacts are not underestimated. A basic assumption of this conservative approach is that all natural resources within the project site could be removed or otherwise negatively modified by activities allowed under the proposed Coldstream Specific Plan. The impact analysis for the off-site trails assumes that the bike trail will be located inside the right-of-way, so impacts were estimated from the right-of-way boundary to the existing edge of pavement. Impacts to vegetative communities and jurisdictional features may be less once the design of the trails is finalized. PROJECT IMPACTS AND MITIGATION MEASURES Impacts to Endangered, Threatened, and Other Listed Species Impact 4.8.1 Implementation of the proposed project could result in direct and indirect loss of habitat and individuals of endangered, threatened, rare, proposed, and candidate status, as well as plant species identified by the California Native Plant Society with a rating of List 1A or 1B (i.e., rare, threatened, or endangered plants). This would be a potentially significant impact. Implementation of the proposed Coldstream Specific Plan would impact vegetative communities that may provide habitat for special-status species. Table 4.8-7 lists the acreage of vegetative communities that would be impacted within the project site and off-site trails PSA. Figure 4.8-8 shows the areas that would be impacted within the project site by implementation of the proposed project. Figure 4.8-9 shows the areas that would be impacted in the western portion of the off-site trails PSA. Since the eastern portion of the off-site trails project only includes an impact to 2.06 acres of urban/ruderal habitat, no graphic is shown. Urban and ruderal habitats are unlikely to support listed special-status species, whereas the other vegetative communities have the potential to support listed special-status species. Note that the off-site trails PSA was revised in the new jurisdictional delineation (Gibson & Skordal, 2012) to include additional areas on either side of the I-80 interchange. Vegetative community mapping was not completed for these additional areas because no impacts are anticipated to occur outside of the vegetation mapping conducted for the Offsite Trail PSA, as shown in Figures 4.8-9 and 4.8- 12. Figure 4.8-2 shows the location of jurisdictional waters within these areas, while Figure 4.8-12 shows the areas that would be impacted by implementation of the proposed project. The vegetative communities on-site provide potential breeding and foraging habitat for listed species; however, the large expanses of unbroken habitat to the east and south of the project site make it unlikely that loss of the habitat on-site would prove to be a detrimental factor in the success of the species in the area. 4.8 BIOLOGICAL AND NATURAL RESOURCES Coldstream Specific Plan Town of Truckee Partially Revised Draft Environmental Impact Report October 2013 4.8-46 TABLE 4.8-71 IMPACTS TO VEGETATIVE COMMUNITIES WITHIN THE PROJECT SITE AND OFF-SITE TRAILS PSA Vegetative Community Area of Impact (Acres) Within the Project Site Area of Impact (Acres) Within the Off-Site Trails PSA Total Area of Impact (Acres) Annual Grassland 38.1 ~ 38.1 Chaparral 2.7 ~ 2.7 Lodgepole Pine Forest 15.4 0.15 15.5 Mixed Conifer Forest 1.6 ~ 1.6 Mixed Riparian 6.9 0.01 6.9 0.001 Pond 2.7 ~ 1.7 2.7 Ruderal 1.7 4.2 ~ 4.2 Urban/Ruderal ~ 3.05 3.0 Seasonal Wetland 0.7 ~0.8 0.70.03 Seep 0.8 0.5 ~ 0.5 Wet Meadow ~ 0.08~ 0.1~ Willow Riparian 4.8 0.04~ 4.8 Grand Total 77.6 3.3376.7 80.83.231 1. Revision Notes: The prior version of the EIR included this table, minus the column quantifying Area of Impact within the off-site trails PSA. Furthermore, this table was originally shown under Impact 4.8.7 (below) but has been moved here to accommodate the discussion in this impact. The areas of impact to jurisdictional waters within the off-site trails PSA have been updated based on the new jurisdictional delineation (Gibson & Skordal, 2012). 79.9 Lahontan Cutthroat Trout Although unlikely to occur within the project site and off-site trails PSA, the Lahontan cutthroat trout, which is federally listed as threatened, occurs in the Truckee River and could potentially spawn in Cold and Donner creeks, which align through the project site and off-site trails PSA. The project proposes restoration/enhancement of the riparian area surrounding Cold Creek and recontouring of the creek channel. In addition, Option #4 of the proposed project includes replacement of the Cold Creek bridge on the project site and an extension of the bridge over Donner Creek at Coldstream Road. Lahontan cutthroat trout could be directly impacted by restoration within the creek channel or indirectly impacted from declines in water quality due to increases in stormwater from the proposed project (see Section 4.7, Hydrology and Water Quality, regarding water quality impacts). In a letter regarding informal consultation with the USFWS to Thomas Cavanaugh of the USACE in May of 2005, the USFWS states that the proposed project may affect but is unlikely to affect the Lahontan cutthroat trout (File #1-5-05-I-144; Draft EIR Appendix H; USFWS, 2005). This consultation assumed that there will be no re-grading or restoration of Cold Creek; however, according to the restoration plans (Draft EIR Figure 3.0-8), the project intends to restore a portion of Cold Creek. See additional potential impacts and associated mitigation measures associated with construction-related water quality effects under the subsection entitled Sierra Nevada Yellow-Legged Frog. Figure 4.8-8 Source: PMC, 2009 T:\_GIS\NEVADA_COUNTY\MXDS\COLDSTREAM_SPECIFICPLAN\IMPACTS TO VEGETATIVE COMMUNITIES.MXD - 2/18/2011 @ 1:48:35 PM ´300 0 300 FEET Impacts to Vegetative Communities within the Project Site Legend Proje ct Site Impact Area Annu al G rasslandChaparralLodgepole Pine ForestMarshMixed Conifer ForestMixed Riparia nPondRuderalSeasonal WetlandSeepWillow Ripa rian Vegetative Community Acrea of Impact (Acres)Annual Grassland 38.1Chaparral2.7Lodgepole Pi ne Forest 15.4Mixed Conifer Forest 1.6Mixed Riparian 6.9Pond1.7Ruderal4.2Seasonal Wetland 0.8Seep0.5Willow Riparian 4.8Grand Total 76.7 Figure 4.8-9 Source: Bing Maps, 2011; PMC, 2011 T:\_GIS\NEVADA_COUNTY\MXDS\COLDSTREAM_SPECIFICPLAN\FIG 4.8-9.MXD - 2/18/2011 @ 1:33:27 PM ´90 0 90 FEET Impacts to Vegetative Communities within the Offsite Trail Project Study Area Legend Offsite Trail Project Study Area Impact Area Vegetative Community Lodgepole Pine Forest Mixed Riparian Urban/Ruderal Wet Meadow Willow Riparian 4.8 BIOLOGICAL AND NATURAL RESOURCES Town of Truckee Coldstream Specific Plan October 2013 Partially Revised Draft Environmental Impact Report 4.8-51 Rare Plants Several special-status plant species have the potential to occur on the project site and off-site trails PSA or to be impacted by the proposed project according to results of database searches, a habitat survey, and/or historic records. The focused survey for rare plants concluded that one species, Donner Pass buckwheat (CNPS List 1B.2), is present on the project site and will be removed with implementation of the proposed project. Rare plant surveys are only valid for two years; additional surveys may be required prior to construction if the two-year survey window has lapsed. In addition, the guidelines for rare plant surveys recommend that surveys be conducted twice during a species blooming period. Rare plant surveys were not conducted during the blooming period for all rare plants with the potential to occur in the project site and were not conducted within the off-site trails PSA. Other listed special-status species with the potential to occur in the project site and off-site trails PSA besides Donner Pass buckwheat include starved daisy (CNPS List 1B.3), Plumas ivesia (CNPS List 1B.1), Webber’s ivesia (candidate for federal listing and CNPS List 1B.1), Santa Lucia dwarf rush (CNPS List 1B.2), and Stebbins’ phacelia (CNPS list 1B.2). If special-status plant species are present within the impact area or temporary construction zone, they may be directly impacted by trampling, compaction, or removal. Since there is removal of potential habitat where special-status plant species are likely to occur, the loss of any of these plants would be an impact that is considered potentially significant. Sierra Nevada Yellow-Legged Frog The Sierra Nevada yellow-legged frog is a candidate for federal listing and a California species of special concern. Suitable habitat is present on the project site and off-site trails PSA. Suitable habitat includes riparian/riverine corridors, wetlands, and wetland/upland mosaics in which wetland patches are separated by less than 0.6 mile of upland habitat; it also includes any upland habitat regularly used for feeding or wintering (e.g., mesic forest for wood frogs). There are five previously recorded occurrences within a 10-mile radius of the project site. This species was observed in Independence Lake in 2008 approximately 9 miles from the project site (CDFG, 2009a). Although the closest previously recorded occurrence is 9 miles from the project site, suitable habitat is present and therefore this species may occur on the site. Although minimal direct impacts to the creeks would occur as a result of the proposed project, the construction of the proposed project could result in the release of sedimentation, debris, and urban runoff into downstream aquatic habitat. Construction activities may include the refueling of construction equipment on location. As a result, minor fuel and oil spills could occur which could affect downstream habitat. Without rapid containment and cleanup, these materials could be potentially toxic depending on the location of the spill in proximity to water features, including creeks, seasonal wetlands, or meadow habitat. Oils, fuels, and other contaminants could directly affect aquatic organisms, including special-status species that inhabit the creek inside and outside the project site and off-site trails PSA. Accidental spills within the project work sites and into Cold or Donner creeks could result in adverse impacts to the aquatic environment (see Section 4.7, Hydrology and Water Quality, regarding water quality impacts). Mitigation measures MM 4.7.1.a through 4.7.1c and MM 4.7.3a and 4.7.3b identify mitigation minimizing the potential for water quality degradation during construction. Bald Eagle The bald eagle, although federally delisted, is still state-listed as endangered and protected under the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act and the MBTA. Two adult bald eagles were observed foraging, but no large stick nests were observed, within the project site. Although this species is unlikely to use the habitat within the project site for nesting, it may nest adjacent to and use the project site for foraging. If a nest is located within 500 feet from construction 4.8 BIOLOGICAL AND NATURAL RESOURCES Coldstream Specific Plan Town of Truckee Partially Revised Draft Environmental Impact Report October 2013 4.8-52 activities, construction activities may adversely affect nesting behavior. Mortality, injury, or removal of occupied habitat is a potentially significant impact. This analysis is consistent with the informal consultation from USFWS in May 2005 (USFWS, 2005; Draft EIR Appendix H). Willow Flycatcher The willow flycatcher is state-listed as endangered. Take of the species including mortality, injury, or removal of occupied habitat is significant. Protocol-level surveys for willow flycatcher were negative; the species was not found during protocol-level surveys of the project site. Currently the survey is designed to detect whether the species is occupying a site during the breeding season for that year. No willow flycatchers are currently nesting or breeding on the project site. Although unlikely, since protocol-level surveys in 2002, 2003, and 2009 were negative, this species may occupy suitable riparian habitat on the project site or off-site trails PSA in the future. If construction does not commence within two years of the last protocol-level survey, it is recommended that prior to initiation of construction activities (including vegetation clearing), additional surveys should be conducted to ensure that this species is not actively using the project site or off-site trails PSA. California Wolverine The California wolverine is state-listed as threatened. Although an individual of the Rocky Mountain population was recently observed in the Sierra Nevada, the native California population of this rare and elusive carnivore has not been observed in the Sierra Nevada since the 1930s. It is unlikely that this species occurs within the project site or off-site trails PSA, and therefore this species is not expected to be impacted by the proposed project. Sierra Nevada Red Fox The Sierra Nevada red fox is state-listed as threatened. Preferred habitat for the Sierra Nevada red fox appears to be red fir and lodgepole pine forests in the subalpine zone and alpine fell- fields of the Sierra Nevada. Open areas are used for hunting, while forested habitats are used for cover and reproduction. There are two previously recorded occurrences within a 5-mile radius of the project site. Although very unlikely due to limited habitat requirements, this species may occupy the open and forested habitat within the project site or off-site trails PSA. Loss of occupied habitat is a potentially significant impact. Indirect Impacts of the Proposed Project Suitable habitat for listed plant and animal species exists within the project site or off-site trails PSA and could be indirectly impacted by development under the proposed Coldstream Specific Plan. Just as direct impacts would occur to habitat in which listed species are found, indirect impacts would occur as well. Indirect impacts occur for a number of reasons, though primarily through increased human/wildlife interactions, habitat fragmentation, encroachment by exotic weeds, and area-wide changes in surface water flows due to development of undeveloped areas. Increased Human/Wildlife Interactions The transportation features identified in the proposed Coldstream Specific Plan would result in increased vehicular traffic (auto and pedestrian), increasing the amount and severity of indirect impacts to wildlife and habitat on the project site. Development of residential and nonresidential uses would result in increased human presence in areas formerly uninhabited by humans. 4.8 BIOLOGICAL AND NATURAL RESOURCES Town of Truckee Coldstream Specific Plan October 2013 Partially Revised Draft Environmental Impact Report 4.8-53 Additionally, development of previously undeveloped land for residential uses can expose species to impacts from feral and unconfined pets. In the Truckee region, development could potentially increase human-bear conflicts by increasing unnatural bear foraging opportunities. Evidence of bears (i.e., scat and a den site) was observed within the project site. Development of the project site would displace these individuals and potentially lead to conflicts between humans and bears. Trash cans that are not bear-proof would attract foraging bears to the project site and vicinity. Chapter 4.0 of the proposed Coldstream Specific Plan requires that all development on the site design all trash and recycling receptacles to be bear-proof. Habitat Fragmentation Much of the habitat within the project site is currently interconnected with large areas of open space and sparse development that has a minor impact on plant and wildlife species on the site. However, development of the project site could result in small pockets of conserved habitat that are no longer connected by streams and open space, resulting in indirect impacts to species diversity and movement within the project site. Habitat fragmentation may result in reduced home ranges and loss of foraging habitat that could decimate a population or reduce the fitness of an individual, resulting in indirect take of listed species. Although the proposed Coldstream Specific Plan incorporates habitat corridors into the design of the project site (see Figure 4.8-10), these corridors limit the type and size of species that would use them. The continued use of the existing riparian corridors within the project site by large mammals would be restricted following development of the site. During surveys, coyote and deer were observed using the riparian corridor along Donner Creek. Encroachment by Exotic Weeds Generally, landscaping installed as part of development in the region has relied heavily on exotic, non-native plant species for decoration. However, some of these species can spread to natural areas, causing native plant life to be replaced by exotic species. The introduction of non-native invasive species in this manner could adversely impact the natural areas surrounding the project site. In addition, construction activities, grading, and other ground- or vegetation- clearing disturbances can eliminate the native plant population and allow invasive non-native species to become established. As native plants are replaced by exotic species, indirect impacts to the habitat of listed species would occur such as modification or degradation of habitat. The proposed Coldstream Specific Plan includes provisions in Chapter 4 that restrict the types of landscaping to be used on the project site (see Specific Plan Tables 4-2 and 4-3) and prohibits the placement of turf within buffers along project water features or along buffers adjoining habitat areas. Though these indirect impacts would contribute to the degradation of habitat which may be used by listed species, these impacts are expected to be minimal. Mitigation Measures MM 4.8.1a If ground-disturbing activities and vegetation removal are scheduled to occur within two years of the currently valid rare plant surveys (June 2011), no additional rare plant surveys are required. If the rare plant surveys are no longer valid due to a lapse in time of project construction commencement (including phasing), rare plant surveys are warranted as follows: Prior to any vegetation removal or ground-disturbing activities for each phase of development, focused rare plant surveys shall be conducted to determine 4.8 BIOLOGICAL AND NATURAL RESOURCES Coldstream Specific Plan Town of Truckee Partially Revised Draft Environmental Impact Report October 2013 4.8-54 the presence of special-status plant species with potential to occur in the impact areas. Surveys shall be conducted in accordance with Guidelines for Assessing the Effects of Proposed Projects on Rare, Threatened, and Endangered Plants and Natural Communities (CDFG, 2000). These guidelines require rare plant surveys to be conducted at the proper time of year when rare or endangered species are both “evident” and identifiable. Field surveys shall be scheduled to coincide with known blooming periods and/or during periods of physiological development that are necessary to identify the plant species of concern. If no special-status plant species are found, then the project will not have any impacts to the species and no additional mitigation measures are necessary. If special-status plant species are located within temporary impact areas, then additional mitigation is necessary (see below). If any of the species are found on-site and cannot be avoided (such as the known locations of Donner Pass buckwheat), the Town shall consult with the USFWS and/or CDFG, as applicable, to determine appropriate avoidance and mitigation for special- status plants, which may include, but is not limited to the following measures: If special-status plants are identified and will not be directly impacted, protective fencing would be required to ensure that the plant or plants are not destroyed, crushed, or damaged during construction. A buffer zone will be established and the area will be fenced off. Signs will be posted to publicize the sensitive nature of the area. For special-status plants that will be directly impacted, efforts shall be made to salvage portions of the habitat or plant populations that will be lost as a result of implementation of the proposed project by transplanting the plants that would be adversely affected by the proposed project for planting in a new area in appropriate habitat. The transplantation area will be located in an area that would support that species and be preserved in perpetuity. A propagation program shall be developed for the salvage and transfer of rare, threatened, or endangered plant populations from the site before the initiation of construction activities. Permits may be required from the CDFG or USFWS, which will ensure that certified biologists are involved in the propagation and transport of rare, threatened, or endangered plant species. (Note: Propagation methods for the salvaged plant population must be developed on a case-by-case basis and must include the involvement of local conservation easements/preserves/open space, where applicable). The propagation and transfer of individual plant species must be performed at the correct time of year and successfully completed before the project’s construction activities eliminate or disturb the plants and habitats of concern. The viability of the plant population shall be maintained. Timing/Implementation: During the appropriate flowering period and prior to grading activities Enforcement/Monitoring: Town of Truckee Planning Division and Engineering Division So u r c e : T o w n o f T r u c k e e Z o n i n g M a p S h e e t 2 0 Figure 4.8-10 Pr o p o s e d H a b i t a t C o r r i d o r s T:\_CS\Work\Truckee, City of\Coldstream Specific Plan AD EIR 29-0038-001 FE E T 0 1 5 0 3 0 0 So u r c e : G i b s o n & S k o r d a l , L L C , J u n e 2 0 1 2 T:\_CS\Work\Truckee, City of\Coldstream Specific Plan AD EIR 29-0038-001 Figure 4.8-11 Im p a c t s t o W e t l a n d s a n d O t h e r W a t e r s o f t h e U . S . w i t h i n t h e P r o j e c t S i t e ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! !! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! !! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! !!! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! !! !! !! ! ! ! ! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! !! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! !!!!!!!!!! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! !!!!!!!!!!!!!! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! kj kj kj kj GF GF ± 0 30 0 6 0 0 15 0 Fe e t Ar e a 1 Ar e a 2 Ar e a 3 Ar e a 4 Ar e a 5 Ar e a 6 Area 7 Ar e a 8 Avoided Wetlands - 13.89 ac.Avoided Other Waters - 36.97 ac.!!Project Area Boundary Boardwalk Project Layout Legacy Trail Soft Surface Trail kjDock GFFree-Span Crossing On - S i t e I m p a c t e d W a t e r F e a t u r e s Im p a c t e d W e t l a n d s - 0 . 8 0 a c . Im p a c t e d O t h e r W a t e r s o f t h e U . S . - 1 . 7 0 a c . Im p a c t e d W a t e r s o f t h e S t a t e - 0 . 8 4 a c . 4.8 BIOLOGICAL AND NATURAL RESOURCES Town of Truckee Coldstream Specific Plan October 2013 Partially Revised Draft Environmental Impact Report 4.8-59 MM 4.8.1b The project applicant shall have a qualified biologist prepare a Sierra Nevada and mountain yellow-legged frog habitat suitability assessment on the Cold Creek bridge site and for any construction within a stream or open water habitat area. The assessment shall include a detailed analysis of the habitat conditions present on site and shall survey stream conditions 500 feet upstream and downstream from the proposed stream crossing. If the results of the habitat suitability survey indicate that potential habitat for this species is not present within 500 feet up- or downstream of the crossing, no further analysis is required; however, if potential habitat for this species is identified during the assessment, the project proponent shall perform the following: • Conduct pre-construction surveys for the Sierra Nevada and mountain yellow-legged frogs during the breeding season by a qualified biologist. If frogs are identified in the construction area, the biologist shall contact CDFG and/or USFWS regarding the proper methods of moving the species to an appropriate off-site location prior to the onset of construction activities at the waterways. • Monitor construction activities within waterways. • Conduct training session for all construction personnel regarding the Sierra Nevada and mountain yellow-legged frogs. Provide a description of the species and its habitat as well as materials on the species in order to assist construction personnel in identifying the species in the field. • Revegetate and recontour channels that would maintain habitat for the Sierra Nevada and mountain yellow-legged frogs. Timing/Implementation: During the breeding season for Sierra Nevada and mountain yellow-legged frogs and prior to construction activities surrounding project water features Enforcement/Monitoring: Town of Truckee Planning Division and Engineering Division MM 4.8.1c For trees that must be removed to construct each phase of the proposed project, the project applicant will target the removal of trees and other vegetation to occur outside the nesting season between September 1 and February 28. If trees cannot be removed outside the nesting season, pre- construction surveys will be conducted prior to vegetation removal to verify the absence of active raptor nests within 500 feet of construction activities. If construction or tree removal is proposed during the breeding/nesting season for local avian species (typically March 1 through August 31), a focused survey for active nests of raptors and migratory birds within and in the vicinity of (no less than 500 feet outside project boundaries, where possible) the project construction activities shall be conducted by a qualified biologist prior to each phase of development. Surveys shall include searches of all potential nest sites, including snags, shrubs, ground, buildings, and cliff faces. If no active nests are found, vegetation removal or construction activities may proceed. 4.8 BIOLOGICAL AND NATURAL RESOURCES Coldstream Specific Plan Town of Truckee Partially Revised Draft Environmental Impact Report October 2013 4.8-60 If an active nest is located during pre-construction surveys, USFWS and/or CDFG (as appropriate) shall be notified regarding the status of the nest. Furthermore, construction activities shall be restricted as necessary to avoid disturbance of the nest until it is abandoned or the biologist deems disturbance potential to be minimal. Restrictions may include establishment of exclusion zones (no ingress of personnel or equipment at a minimum radius of 500 feet around an active bald eagle or osprey nest, 250 feet around an active other raptor nest, and 100 feet around an active migratory bird nest) or alteration of the construction schedule. No action is necessary if no active nests are found or if construction will occur during the non-breeding season (generally September 1 through February 28). Timing/Implementation: Fourteen days prior to ground disturbance or tree removal for each phase of development Enforcement/Monitoring: Town of Truckee Planning Division and Engineering Division MM 4.8.1d If the willow flycatcher surveys are no longer valid due to a lapse in time of project construction commencement (including phasing), willow flycatcher surveys are warranted as follows: Willow flycatcher protocol surveys shall be conducted prior to each phase of construction in suitable habitat according to the Willow Flycatcher Survey Protocol for California (Bombay et al., 2003). If no willow flycatchers are detected, no further mitigation is necessary. If willow flycatchers are detected, then the Town shall consult with the USFWS and/or CDFG, as applicable, to determine appropriate avoidance and mitigation for willow flycatcher, which may include, but is not limited to, the following measures: Construction activities will be limited to outside the nesting season (typically September 1 and February 28) so as to avoid impacts associated with nesting bird species. Impacts to suitable willow flycatcher habitat from the proposed project will be mitigated through mitigation measures MM 4.8.3a through 4.8.3c for riparian habitat. Timing/Implementation: Prior to approval of the proposed Coldstream Specific Plan Enforcement/Monitoring: Town of Truckee Planning Division and Engineering Division MM 4.8.1e A qualified biologist shall conduct a pre-construction survey for active dens, lodges, or burrows no more than two weeks prior to any grading or ground- breaking activity. The survey will identify dens, lodges, or burrows for special- status mammals including Sierra Nevada red fox, California wolverine, Sierra Nevada mountain beaver, Sierra Nevada snowshoe hare, western white- tailed jackrabbit, and American badger. If active den/burrow sites for special-status mammals are identified, a mitigation plan shall be developed in consultation with the California Department of Fish and Game and/or U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to ensure no animals are killed and that den/burrow sites are properly addressed. Measures may include, but are not limited to, enforcement of buffer zones restricting construction activities near den sites, 4.8 BIOLOGICAL AND NATURAL RESOURCES Town of Truckee Coldstream Specific Plan October 2013 Partially Revised Draft Environmental Impact Report 4.8-61 and capture and relocation of the species. If active dens/burrows are present, they shall be monitored by a qualified biologist(s)/monitor(s) throughout construction to ensure no additional losses. If no active dens/burrows are found, then no further mitigation is necessary. Timing/Implementation: Two weeks prior to construction and/or grading activities Enforcement/Monitoring: Town of Truckee Planning Division and Engineering Division MM 4.8.1f Project site trails shall include signage that requires bear-proof trash receptacles. Timing/Implementation: As part of project site trail development Enforcement/Monitoring: Town of Truckee Planning Division MM 4.8.1g Project landscaping shall not include invasive species of the genus Cirsium. Timing/Implementation: As part of landscaping approval The invasive Russian olive (Elaeagnus angustifolia) and cranberry cotoneaster (Cotoneaster apiculatus) shall be removed from the Community Plant Palette. Enforcement/Monitoring: Town of Truckee Planning Division Implementation of the above mitigation measures, as well as mitigation measures MM 4.8.2b and 4.8.2c, would reduce potential impacts to special-status species to a level that is considered less than significant by requiring surveys to identify sensitive resources prior to construction activities, measures to avoid those resources, or measures to replace or mitigate for resources lost. Impacts to Species of Concern, California Fully Protected, and Other Non-Listed Special-Status Species Impact 4.8.2 Implementation of the proposed Coldstream Specific Plan could result in direct and indirect loss of habitat and individuals of animal and plant species of concern, listed as “fully protected” in the Fish and Game Code of California (Sections 3511, 4700, 5050, 5515), migratory birds protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, and other non-listed special-status species. This would be potentially significant impact. Migratory Birds and Raptors Project construction could result in loss of habitat that may be used as foraging or nesting habtiat for migratory birds and raptors. Project construction activities may result in the loss of young or eggs of migratory birds or raptors such as harlequin duck, American white pelican, northern goshawk, osprey, and yellow warbler due to direct removal of the nest or loss of foraging habitat. Construction activities that require the disturbance of trees and vegetation could cause direct impacts to nesting raptors and migratory birds, if birds are actively nesting during construction activities. Excessive noise, disturbance, and vibrations can cause nesting birds to abandon their nests. Construction could also result in noise, dust, increased human 4.8 BIOLOGICAL AND NATURAL RESOURCES Coldstream Specific Plan Town of Truckee Partially Revised Draft Environmental Impact Report October 2013 4.8-62 activity, and other indirect impacts to nesting raptor or migratory bird species in the project vicinity. Potential nest abandonment and mortality to eggs and chicks, as well as stress from loss of foraging areas would also be considered potentially significant impacts. If nesting migratory birds or raptors are present during project construction, the proposed project may cause direct mortality to raptors or migratory birds by removal of vegetation that contains active nests. If construction occurs during the non-nesting season, no impacts are expected. However if construction activities were scheduled to occur during the nesting season, mitigation would be necessary to avoid potential impacts to migratory birds and their nests. The loss or disturbance of active nests or direct mortality is prohibited by the MBTA and California Fish and Game Code Section 3503.5. With the implementation of mitigation measure MM 4.8.1c, impacts would be reduced to less than significant. Special-Status Bat Species Precautions must be taken to avoid the deliberate killing or injury of bats. The most common and effective method of avoiding these offenses is to carry out the work at an appropriate time of the year. The great majority of roosts are used only seasonally, so there is usually some period when bats are not present. Although there are differences between species, maternity sites are generally occupied between May and September and hibernation sites between October and March, depending on the weather. Suitable bat roosting habitat is present within the human structures and trees within the project site. Table 4.8-8 shows approximate time periods for construction activities if bat species are present within the project site or off-site trails PSA. TABLE 4.8-8 BAT USAGE DURING THE YEAR Bat Usage of Site Optimum Period for Carrying Out Work (some variation between species) Maternity October 1 – May 1 Summer (not a proven maternity site) September 1 – May 1 Hibernation May 1 – October 1 Mating/Swarming November 1 – August 1 Source: Kelleher and Marnell, 2006 If maternity roost sites are located within the project site or off-site trails PSA during construction activities, the proposed project has the potential to directly and indirectly impact special-status bat species. Bats are at their most vulnerable in buildings or other roost sites during the summer, when large numbers may be gathered together and young bats, unable to fly, may be present. Removal of maternity roost sites may cause direct mortality of numerous bats, which is potentially significant. Noise and dust from construction could indirectly impact bat species during construction. Other Special-Status Mammal Species The Sierra Nevada mountain beaver, Sierra Nevada snowshoe hare, western white-tailed jackrabbit, and American badger are all California species of special concern. Implementation of the proposed project could remove habitat for this species. If this species is present during construction activities, the proposed project may result in mortality or injury to individuals. Implementation of mitigation measures MM 4.8.2b and MM 4.8.2c would reduce impacts to special-status species. 4.8 BIOLOGICAL AND NATURAL RESOURCES Town of Truckee Coldstream Specific Plan October 2013 Partially Revised Draft Environmental Impact Report 4.8-63 Mitigation Measures MM 4.8.2a Prior to initiation of construction activity, a bat survey shall be performed by a wildlife biologist or other qualified professional between March 1 to July 31 in the year prior to the removal of any buildings or the Cold Creek bridge. If bat roosts are identified on site, the Town shall require that the bats be safely flushed from the sites where roosting habitat is planned to be removed prior to roosting season (typically May to August) of each construction phase and prior to the onset of construction activities. If maternity roosts are identified during the maternity roosting season (typically May to August), they must remain undisturbed until a qualified biologist has determined the young bats are no longer roosting. If roosting is found to occur on site, replacement roost habitat (e.g., bat boxes) shall be provided on site for roosting sites removed. If no bat roosts are detected, then no further action is required if the trees and buildings are removed prior to the next breeding season. If removal is delayed, then an additional pre-demolition survey shall be conducted 30 days prior to removal to ensure that a new colony has not established itself. If a female or maternity colony of bats are found within or adjacent to the project site or off-site trails PSA and the project can be constructed without the elimination or disturbance of the roosting colony (e.g., if the colony roosts in a large oak tree not planned for removal), a wildlife biologist shall determine what physical and timed buffer zones shall be employed to ensure the continued success of the colony. Such buffer zones may include a construction-free barrier of 200 feet from the roost and/or the timing of the construction activities outside of the maternity roost season (after July 31 and before March 1). If an active nursery roost is known to occur on site and the project cannot be conducted outside of the maternity roosting season, bats shall be excluded from the site after July 31 and before March 1 to prevent the formation of maternity colonies. Non-breeding bats shall be safely evicted, under the direction of a bat specialist. Timing/Implementation: Fourteen days prior to ground disturbance or tree removal Enforcement/Monitoring: Town of Truckee Planning Division and Engineering Division MM 4.8.2b A worker environmental awareness program (WEAP) shall be established and implemented prior to construction to educate the construction crew on special-status species and other sensitive biological resources with the potential to occur in the area. The program shall include, at a minimum, species identification, a description of suitable habitat for this species, and measures to implement in the event that this species is found during construction. The program shall be presented to all members of the construction crew. Timing/Implementation: Prior to any employee conducting work on the project site or off-site trails PSA Enforcement/Monitoring: Town of Truckee Planning Division and Engineering Division 4.8 BIOLOGICAL AND NATURAL RESOURCES Coldstream Specific Plan Town of Truckee Partially Revised Draft Environmental Impact Report October 2013 4.8-64 MM 4.8.2c The following best management practices (BMPs) shall be implemented during construction to reduce impacts to special-status species and habitat: • Limit construction equipment and associated activities to the project routes in areas that support sensitive resources. • To eliminate an attraction to predators of special-status species, all food- related trash items such as wrappers, cans, bottles, and food scraps will be disposed of in solid, closed containers (trash cans) and removed at the end of each working day from the entire construction site. • Implement construction measures to avoid accidental transport and spread of invasive species including the cleaning of construction vehicles and equipment prior to entering the project site. Timing/Implementation: Fourteen days prior to ground disturbance , utilizing weed-free plant material and soil/fill materials or treating soil/fill materials to kill weeds when stockpiled. Enforcement/Monitoring: Town of Truckee Planning Division and Engineering Division Implementation of the above mitigation measures would reduce potential impacts to species of concern, California fully protected, and other non-listed special-status species to a level that is considered less than significant by requiring pre-construction surveys and avoidance of bat roosts, educating employees on the sensitive resources potentially occurring on the project site or off-site trails PSA and measures to avoid sensitive resources, and implementing best management practices during construction. Impacts to Sensitive Biological Communities, Including Riparian Habitat Impact 4.8.3 Implementation of the proposed project would result in disturbance, degradation, and/or removal of sensitive biological communities. This impact is considered potentially significant. Implementation of the proposed Coldstream Specific Plan could result in disturbance, degradation, and removal of riparian habitat. Riparian habitat is under the jurisdiction of the CDFG under Section 1602 of the Fish and Game Code. CDFG regulates work that will substantially affect resources associated with rivers, streams, and lakes in California, pursuant to Fish and Game Code Sections 1600–1607. Any action from a project that substantially diverts or obstructs the natural flow or changes the bed, channel, or bank of any river or stream, or uses material from a streambed, must be previously authorized by CDFG in a Streambed Alteration Agreement under Section 1602 of the Fish and Game Code. This requirement may, in some cases, apply to any work undertaken within the 100-year floodplain of a body of water or its tributaries. As a general rule, however, it applies to any work done within the annual high-water mark of a river or stream that contains or once contained fish and wildlife or that supports or once supported riparian vegetation. Implementation of the proposed Coldstream Specific Plan could result in direct and indirect impacts to riparian conditions along Cold Creek and Donner Creek. Riparian habitat supports a high diversity of wildlife species and provides shade for streams and wetlands, maintaining stream temperatures and reducing stream evaporation. Buffers are not only important to the species they support but they also can reduce sediment and nutrient inputs into streams. The length of buffers is also important for stream functions. Riparian obligates 4.8 BIOLOGICAL AND NATURAL RESOURCES Town of Truckee Coldstream Specific Plan October 2013 Partially Revised Draft Environmental Impact Report 4.8-65 (those species dependent on riparian habitat) require a minimum of a 100-foot setback (Ledwith, 1996; Wenger, 1999). Figures 4.8-8 and 4.8-9 identify where the proposed Coldstream Specific Plan would encroach on or directly impact riparian habitat. A total of 11.7 acres of riparian habitat (willow riparian and mixed riparian) is expected to be impacted within the project site, and an additional 0.04 of mixed riparian is expected to be impacted within the off-site trails PSA. In addition to these impacts, future enhancement and restoration of project water features could result in additional riparian habitat impacts. Surrounding Cold Creek within the project site, approximately 4.0 acres of habitat is proposed for restoration activities (see Draft EIR Figure 3.0-8). The proposed project would retain and preserve substantial riparian areas along Cold and Donner creeks as well as along wetland features to be preserved. The proposed Coldstream Specific Plan also includes a 50-foot buffer from the 100-year floodplain of the creeks and a 250- foot buffer from the pond 100-year floodplain. The interface between natural habitats and disturbed communities would greatly increase the chance for invasive species to be introduced to the area. Native plants provide food, shelter, and nest/den sites for native wildlife which have evolved with each other. Introduction of invasive or non-native species changes the wildlife value for native species and allows non- native or opportunistic species to colonize the area and crowd out native wildlife. Riparian habitat is considered to be a sensitive natural community under CEQA. Impacts to jurisdictional features are described under Impact 4.8.4. The proposed project designates the majority of land within the riparian corridor as open space. Disturbance and loss of riparian habitat is considered a potentially significant impact. Mitigation Measures MM 4.8.3a Proposed Coldstream Specific Plan setback and landscape provisions shall be modified to require the retention of existing riparian habitat (except where restoration of riparian habitat is planned). Plantings within this setback area shall be limited to native species that either expand or complement existing riparian habitat. Timing/Implementation: As part of the approval of the proposed Coldstream Specific Plan Enforcement/Monitoring: Town of Truckee Planning Division MM 4.8.3b Where impacts to riparian habitat are not avoidable and on-site preservation is not possible, then habitat compensation shall be required at a 1:1 impact preservation ratio. To mitigate for the permanent direct and indirect impacts from the proposed project, a mitigation and monitoring plan will be prepared for submittal to the USACE with the Section 404 permit application. The mitigation plan will identify impacts on all jurisdictional features and mitigation measures that will be implemented to achieve the “no net loss” (i.e., the same amount of wetland resources lost to site development shall be replaced/created). This may include creation of wetland resources on the project site or off site as determined acceptable to the Town and USACE. To assist in the on-site revegetation, areas of existing vegetation with a diameter at 4.8 BIOLOGICAL AND NATURAL RESOURCES Coldstream Specific Plan Town of Truckee Partially Revised Draft Environmental Impact Report October 2013 4.8-66 breast height (DBH) of 4 inches or less that do not require complete removal shall be cut at ground level with hand-operated power (i.e. saws, pruners, etc.). Timing/Implementation: Prior to construction-related disturbance to riparian habitat Enforcement/Monitoring: Town of Truckee Planning Division and Engineering Division MM 4.8.3c A 1602 Streambed Alteration Agreement for removal of or disturbance to riparian habitat and waters of the United States (i.e., stream, lake, or river) from CDFG would also be required for the proposed project. This agreement will include measures to minimize impacts to and restore riparian habitat. The 1602 Streambed Alteration Agreement would require the project applicant to prepare and implement a riparian vegetation mitigation and monitoring plan for the restoration of impacted riparian vegetation. Timing/Implementation: Prior to the start of construction activities that disturb riparian habitat Enforcement/Monitoring: Town of Truckee Planning Division and Engineering Division Implementation of the above mitigation measures and mitigation measure MM 4.8.2c would reduce impacts to riparian habitat to a less than significant level by preserving and/or enhancing the riparian habitat within the project site. Impacts to Jurisdictional Wetlands Impact 4.8.4 The proposed Coldstream Specific Plan would potentially result in a substantial adverse effect on federally protected wetlands as defined by Section 404 of the Clean Water Act (including, but not limited to, riverine, marsh, and seasonal wetland) through direct removal, filling, hydrological interruption, or other means. This is a potentially significant impact. The loss or fill of jurisdictional wetlands is potentially significant under CEQA regardless of habitat quality, as the USACE has a no net loss policy. Implementation of the proposed project will result in direct fill of 0.750.8 acres of wetlands and 1.51.7 acres of open waters within the project site (see Figure 4.8-11). The creeks and ponds are waters of the U.S. under the jurisdiction of the USACE. Aut horization for such fill would be secured from USACE via the Section 404 permitting process prior to project implementation. Because a Section 404 permit would be required from the USACE, a Section 401 permit would be also required from the RWQCB. The project proponent would obtain authorization from both the USACE and the RWQCB to fill/disturb these features prior to project implementation. The impacts will result from site grading and installation of infrastructure associated with the development of the proposed project. The proposed wetland impacts would occur from filling two seasonal wetlands (Areas 1 and 6) and filling the perimeter open water associated with the northern portion of the southwestern arm of Area 7 and the southern edge of Area 3 (Figure 4.8-11). Table 4.8-9 outlines the impacts from the proposed project and mitigation included in the proposed project. Impacts associated with the proposed off-site bike trails are discussed separately. 4.8 BIOLOGICAL AND NATURAL RESOURCES Town of Truckee Coldstream Specific Plan October 2013 Partially Revised Draft Environmental Impact Report 4.8-67 TABLE 4.8-9 SUMMARY OF IMPACTS AND MITIGATION FOR JURISDICTIONAL FEATURES WITHIN THE PROJECT SITE Location and Description Proposed Impacts Compensatory Mitigation Resulting Mitigation Ratio Areas 1 and 6 (Seasonal Wetlands) 0.750.8 1.15 acre 1.04 1.53:1 acres Southern Portion of Area 3 1.3:1 and Southwestern Portion of Area 7 0.2 (Open Water) 1.5 0.2 acres 1.5 1:1 acres Southwestern Portion of Area 7 (Open Water) 1.3 acres 1.3 acres 1:1 Source: Foothill Associates, 2004 The wetland impacts associated with the proposed Coldstream Specific Plan will be mitigated by increasing some wetland areas surrounding the ponds by decreasing their slopes and constructing a wetland in the southwestern corner of the project site totaling approximately 0.65 acre (see Draft EIR Figure 3.0-8). The open water impacts will be mitigated by removing the portions of the berms between Areas 2, 3, and 4 to increase water surface area while creating habitat islands (Foothill Associates, 2004). Approximately 1.5 acres of waters of the U.S. will be created by connecting the ponds in the center portion of the project site to create islands that may be suitable for nesting migratory birds (Areas 1, 3, and 4 in Figure 4.8-11; see also Draft EIR Figure 3.0-8). Off-Site Trails Although the engineering drawings have not been finalized for the bike trails, it is estimated that the off-site bike trails have the potential to impact approximately 0.0890.031 acre of potentially jurisdictional features including 0.0850.03 acre of wet meadowseasonal wetland and 0.0040.001 acre of perennial creek. The roadside drainage ditches are on the opposite side of the roadway and therefore will not be impacted. The estimate of impacts are based on an 8-foot bike path, installation of a retaining wall at the Coldstream Road bridge over Donner Creek, and proposed roadside swales separating the bike trail from the existing roadway described in preliminary exhibits for the off-site trail alignments (see Draft EIR Figure 3.0-16). The impacts were estimated based on the area between the right-of-way and existing edge of pavement. Since no jurisdictional features occur on the eastern portion of the off-site trails PSA along Deerfield Drive, impacts to potential jurisdictional features occur only in the western portion of the off-site trails PSA along Coldstream Road and Donner Pass Road. Figure 4.8-12 shows the impacts to potential jurisdictional features in the western portion of the off-site trails PSA. Slope Stabilization and Wetland Creation The slope stabilization and wetland creation mitigation measure as proposed in the Restoration Plan (Foothill Associates, 2004) will result in temporary impacts to riparian and wetland vegetation surrounding the ponds. Draft EIR Figure 3.0-8 in Section 3.0, Project Description, shows the impacts to and enhancement of the wetlands and other waters on the project site. A total of 8,900 feet of pond perimeter will be modified. The pond slope stabilization includes reducing the slope of the banks of the ponds as shown on Draft EIR Figure 3.0-8 to a maximum slope of 3:1 to enhance the habitat quality of the ponds. Impacts to waters of the U.S. (ponds) will occur to approximately 0.50 acre from slope stabilization. This includes depositing fill in the ponds which will make them shallower. Disturbance of the wetland and pond areas has the potential to 4.8 BIOLOGICAL AND NATURAL RESOURCES Coldstream Specific Plan Town of Truckee Partially Revised Draft Environmental Impact Report October 2013 4.8-68 introduce non-native invasive species and remove mature native trees and shrubs that have colonized the area since mining activities ceased on the project site. Mitigation Measures MM 4.8.4 The project applicant shall comply with the USACE “no net loss” policy for mitigation of wetlands under the jurisdiction of the USACE. The applicant must apply for a Section 404 permit, a Section 401 permit, and a 1602 Streambed Alteration Agreement. If wetland resources are proposed to be taken, the project applicant shall do the following: 1. If required, apply for a Section 404 permit from the USACE after verification of the wetland delineation by the USACE. Any waters of the U.S. that would be lost or disturbed shall be replaced or rehabilitated on a no net loss basis in accordance with the USACE mitigation guidelines. On- site creation of wetland habitat is preferred to off-site mitigation. Habitat restoration, rehabilitation, and/or replacement shall be at a location and by methods agreeable to the USACE . 2. Obtain a Section 401 water quality waiver ofor 3. A mitigation plan shall be implemented that includes certification from the RWQCB. one (a) Completion of an on-site Mitigation and Monitoring Plan (such as proposed by the Coldstream Specific Plan, see Draft EIR Table 4.8-9) that includes on-site creation/preservation of the wetlands. This will include measures to avoid impacts to wetlands and habitat to be preserved such as fencing, best management practices to protect water quality and other appropriate measures. of the following: (b) Credits may be obtained at an approved mitigation bank. The project applicant shall provide written evidence to the Town from the USACE and the RWQCB that this measure has been complied with prior to project approval. Timing/Implementation: Prior to the start of construction activities that would impact wetlands Enforcement/Monitoring: Town of Truckee Planning Division and Engineering Division The USACE, along with the RWQCB and possible input from the USFWS, will require compensatory mitigation measures to effectively mitigate any potential loss of these resources. Implementation of the above mitigation measures and mitigation measure MM 4.8.3e, as well as construction and operational water quality control mitigation measures identified in Draft EIR Section 4.7, Hydrology and Water Quality, would reduce potential impacts to water quality and aquatic resources to a level that is considered less than significant. © OpenStreetMap (and) contributors, CC-BY-SA Off-Site Infrastructure Boundary Wetland Donner Creek Off-Site Impacts Wetland - 0.03 ac. (1,103 s.f.) Other Waters – 0.001 ac. (75 s.f.) Figure 4.8-12 Impacts to Potentially Jurisdictional Wetlands and Waters of the U.S. within the Offsite Trail Project Study Area T: \ _ C S \ W o r k \ T r u c k e e , C i t y o f \ C o l d s t r e a m S p e c i f i c P l a n A D E I R 2 9 - 0 0 3 8 - 0 0 1 Not to Scale 4.8 BIOLOGICAL AND NATURAL RESOURCES Town of Truckee Coldstream Specific Plan October 2013 Partially Revised Draft Environmental Impact Report 4.8-71 Impacts to the Movement of Native Resident or Migratory Fish or Wildlife Species or within Established Migratory Corridor Impact 4.8.5 Implementation of the proposed project may interfere with the movement of special-status and common wildlife species; however the impact would be less than significant. Wildlife movement corridors are routes frequently utilized by wildlife that provide shelter and sufficient food supplies to support wildlife species during migration. Movement corridors generally consist of riparian, woodlands, or forested habitats that span contiguous acres of undisturbed habitat. Wildlife movement corridors are an important element of resident species home ranges. The project site is not within an established migratory route for deer. Although the creeks are used by common wildlife, the project includes buffers around the creeks and corridors connecting wetlands. Introduction of roads and urban development have the potential to fragment habitat for wildlife that depend on extensive, undisturbed tracts of open space. The proposed developments are clustered close to existing development, with open space and recreational areas on approximately 60 percent of the project site. Additionally, the project site is bounded to the north by existing residential and roadway development, which reduces the site’s viability as a migratory corridor. Streams such as Cold and Donner creeks offer movement corridors for wildlife species such as mule deer, coyote, and black bear, while the moist understory provides habitat and food for a series of wildlife. Although there is potential for impact, the proposed project is not likely to interfere substantially with the movement of wildlife species in terms of population; therefore, this impact is considered less than significant. Mitigation Measures None required. Conflict with the Provisions of an Adopted Habitat Conservation Plan, Natural Community Conservation Plan, or Other Approved Local, Regional, or State Habitat Conservation Plan Impact 4.8.6 Implementation of the proposed project would not conflict with the provisions of an adopted Habitat Conservation Plan, Natural Community Conservation Plan, or any adopted biological resources recovery or conservation plan of any federal or state agency. Thus, there would be no impact. Currently there is no adopted Habitat Conservation Plan, Natural Community Conservation Plan, nor any other conservation or recovery plan in effect for the project site, in whole or in part. There are no impacts. Mitigation Measures None required. Loss of Trees Impact 4.8.7 Implementation of the proposed project would result in the loss of coniferous and black cottonwood trees. Although the Town of Truckee Development Code contains no tree preservation ordinance, the Development Code does require that the project applicant inventory and submit a list of all trees to be removed. This would be a potentially significant impact. 4.8 BIOLOGICAL AND NATURAL RESOURCES Coldstream Specific Plan Town of Truckee Partially Revised Draft Environmental Impact Report October 2013 4.8-72 Development of the proposed project will have impacts to approximately 38.1 acres of annual grassland habitat and 15.5 acres of lodgepole pine forest, among other habitat types listed in Table 4.8-7. Figures 4.8-8 and 4.8-9 show the impacts to vegetative communities from the proposed project. Open space and recreational areas are proposed on approximately 60 percent of the total project site. Trees within the project site include numerous large trees such as Jeffrey pine, ponderosa pine, white fir, lodgepole pine, and black cottonwood. All of these trees provide a dense canopy of shade and/or a source of wildlife habitat. Although native trees such as Jeffrey pine, ponderosa pine, white fir, and lodgepole pine and habitat types such as mixed coniferous forests are not afforded special protection under state or federal law, loss of these resources is a concern for the Town of Truckee, and the trees are offered protection by the Town of Truckee General Plan. The Community Character Element of the Truckee General Plan includes Policy 2.10, which states “Encourage the preservation of trees and native vegetation, including specimen trees, in development projects.” The project site is generally devoid of significant trees; however, the landscape program established as part of the Specific Plan preserves the existing tree stand along the western boundary of the project site and identifies a restoration and enhancement program from the planting of native and naturalized tree and plant species within the project site. Under Deerfield Drive Roadway Option 1, Deerfield Drive would be opened to through traffic. Upon analyzing the effects of such a change in the circulation plan of the proposed project, it was determined that a sightline issue would exist just inside the project boundary as the interior roadways connect to Deerfield Drive. If Deerfield is opened to through traffic, approximately seven to ten trees would be removed in order to provide adequate traffic safety at the interface of the project and the existing Deerfield Drive. If Deerfield Drive is not opened to through traffic, these trees would remain undisturbed. In addition to the impacts identified for Option 1 above, opening Deerfield Drive to through traffic would necessitate the installation of a sidewalk on the southern side of the roadway right- of-way east of the project boundary and west of the point at which the Class I trail would intersect with Deerfield Drive. While this sidewalk would be installed along the roadway, it would be located entirely within the existing roadway right-of-way. However, a number of trees exist in this area that would likely be removed as a part of installing the sidewalk. The Town of Truckee Development Code requires that the project applicant inventory and submit a list of all trees proposed for removal. In addition, for all timber harvests where logs are sold commercially, the project applicant is required to procure the services of a licensed professional forester to prepare a Timber Harvest Plan in coordination with the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CDF). Additionally, construction of the proposed project has the potential to adversely impact the health and viability of trees on the project site that are proposed for retention and preservation. The removal of trees from the project site and the potential for construction activities to affect the health and viability of trees proposed for retention constitutes a potentially significant impact. Mitigation Measures MM 4.8.7a If the trees removed from the project site are to be sold commercially, the project applicant shall submit a Timber Harvest Plan prepared by a licensed professional forester. If the trees to be removed will not be sold commercially, this measure does not apply. The Timber Harvest Plan shall identify measures to meet the following requirements: 4.8 BIOLOGICAL AND NATURAL RESOURCES Town of Truckee Coldstream Specific Plan October 2013 Partially Revised Draft Environmental Impact Report 4.8-73 • Minimize the extent of the development and locate all construction so as to avoid impacts to existing trees over 36 inches in diameter. • Cluster development as much as possible in order to retain continuous stands of trees in the non-developed portion. Prior to finalization, the Timber Harvest Plan shall be submitted concurrently with fuel-reducing measures to the Truckee Fire Protection District for approval. The Timber Harvest Plan shall address and mitigate for the removal of trees within the footprint of the proposed Coldstream Specific Plan. Timing/Implementation: Prior to issuance of grading permits Enforcement/Monitoring: Town of Truckee Planning Division; Truckee Fire Protection District MM 4.8.7b The black cottonwood trees proposed for removal shall be replaced on site at a ratio of 2:1 utilizing 5-gallon-size black cottonwoods (Populus balsamifera ssp. trichocarpa) or 4” X 14” tree pots. Placement of the plantings shall occur in an area designated as open space or a non-disturbance zone. Prior to construction, a revegetation plan is required by a qualified restoration specialist that identifies a planting area within the project site containing soil and moisture conditions suitable for cottonwood planting. This shall be included in the proposed project’s Restoration Plan. Timing/Implementation: Prior to issuance of grading permits Enforcement/Monitoring: Town of Truckee Planning Division MM 4.8.7c The following protective measures shall be implemented to avoid damage during construction to trees proposed for preservation that are located within the actual construction zone: • A circle with a radius measurement from the trunk of the tree to the tip of its longest limb shall constitute the dripline protection area of each tree. Limbs must not be cut back in order to change the dripline. The area beneath the dripline is a critical portion of the root zone and defines the minimum protected area of each tree. Removing limbs that make up the dripline does not change the protected area. • Temporary protective fencing shall be installed at least 1 foot outside of the driplines of the protected trees prior to the start of construction work in order to avoid damage to the trees and their root systems. This fencing may be installed around the outermost dripline of clusters of trees proposed for protection, rather than individual trees. Fencing shall be shown on all project plans. • No vehicles, construction equipment, mobile home/office, supplies, materials, or facilities shall be driven, parked, stockpiled, or located within the driplines of protected trees. A laminated sign indicating such shall be attached to fencing surrounding trees on site. 4.8 BIOLOGICAL AND NATURAL RESOURCES Coldstream Specific Plan Town of Truckee Partially Revised Draft Environmental Impact Report October 2013 4.8-74 • No grading (grade cuts or fills) shall be allowed within the driplines of protected trees. • No trenching shall be allowed within the driplines of protected trees. If it is absolutely necessary to install underground utilities within the dripline of a protected tree, the utility line shall be bored and jacked under the supervision of a certified arborist. Timing/Implementation: Protected trees and associated dripline areas shall be shown on all improvement and grading plans Enforcement/Monitoring: Town of Truckee Planning Division Implementation of the above mitigation measures would reduce potential impacts to the existing trees to a less than significant level. 4.8.4 CUMULATIVE SETTING, IMPACTS, AND MITIGATION MEASURES CUMULATIVE SETTING The cumulative setting includes the project site and off-site trails PSA, as well as the area surrounding the town limits (Nevada and Placer counties), where the impacts of urbanization and threats to biological diversity and sensitive biological resources are considered most serious. The impacts on biological resources are primarily the result of urbanization of the area, habitat fragmentation, water pollution, and conversion of natural land to residential, commercial, and recreational use. The reader is referred to Section 4.0 of the Draft EIR for a further discussion of cumulative setting conditions. CUMULATIVE IMPACTS AND MITIGATION MEASURES Cumulative Impacts to Biological Resources Impact 4.8.8 Implementation of the proposed Coldstream Specific Plan, in combination with existing, approved, proposed, and reasonably foreseeable development, will result in the conversion of habitat and impact biological resources. This impact is considered less than cumulatively considerable. Development under the proposed project may result in direct and indirect impacts to plant and wildlife species and habitat conditions. Impacts to approximately 81 acres of vegetative communities contribute to the potentially significant cumulative effect of habitat loss within the region, particularly in the context of foreseeable future development and infrastructure projects in the region. Potential development within the Town of Truckee and the southern portion of Placer County would further increase impacts to biological resources and would increase indirect impacts on adjoining land areas. These impacts would contribute to cumulative impacts on biological resources in the region, including the loss of mixed coniferous habitat, increased urbanization, habitat fragmentation, and water pollution. The proposed project and other projects in the region could result in potentially significant cumulative impacts to: 4.8 BIOLOGICAL AND NATURAL RESOURCES Town of Truckee Coldstream Specific Plan October 2013 Partially Revised Draft Environmental Impact Report 4.8-75 • Trees and coniferous habitat, including large trees that provide important habitat for a wide variety and high diversity of wildlife; • Habitat used by migratory birds and raptors; and • Water quality. Adverse effects of habitat loss associated with the project have been minimized by locating the entrance, roads, and homes adjacent to existing development and disturbance, and preserving approximately 60 percent of the total project site. While the proposed project may result in site- specific impacts to listed special-status species as identified under Impact 4.8.1, to non-listed special-status species as identified under Impact 4.8.2, to aquatic resources as identified under Impact 4.8.3 and Impact 4.8.4; and trees as identified under Impact 4.8.7, the proposed project’s contribution to cumulative impacts to biological resources within the region are considered less than cumulatively considerable. Mitigation Measures Implement project-specific mitigation measures MM 4.8.1a through MM 4.8.1g, MM 4.8.2a through MM 4.8.2c, MM 4.8.3a through MM 4.8.3c, MM 4.8.4, and MM 4.8.7a through MM 4.8.7c, as well as mitigation measures listed in Draft EIR Section 4.7, Hydrology and Water Quality. The implementation of the mitigation measures listed above would reduce cumulative impacts to biological resources by addressing impacts at the project-specific level. Therefore, the proposed project’s contribution to cumulative impacts to biological resources within the region would be considered less than cumulatively considerable. 4.8 BIOLOGICAL AND NATURAL RESOURCES Coldstream Specific Plan Town of Truckee Partially Revised Draft Environmental Impact Report October 2013 4.8-76 REFERENCES Allen, Barbara H. 2005. Sierran Mixed Conifer. Updated by California Habitat Wildlife Relationship (CHWR) Staff. In Mayer and Laudenslayer 1988. American Bird Conservancy. 2007. “Domestic Cat Predation on Birds and Other Wildlife.” Cat Indoors: The Campaign for Safer Birds and Cats. http://www.abcbirds.org/abcprograms/ policy/cats/materials/predation.pdf (accessed July 14, 2009). Bartolome, James W. 1988. Lodgepole Pine. In Mayer and Laudenslayer 1988. Bombay, Helen L., Teresa M. Bensen, Brad E. 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