Appendix A Natural Environment Study (Minimal Impacts)

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Natural Environment Study (Minimal Impacts) The nine USGS quadrangles search covered a large, variable geographic and topographic area containing several biological hot spots such as the Newport Back Bay and the foothills of the Santa Ana Mountains, which contain habitat types not found within or around the BSA. The following species identified in the CNDDB records search are not included in Appendix A due to the lack of suitable habitat within and surrounding the BSA: green sea turtle (Chelonia mydas), western tidal -flat tiger beetle (Cicindela gabbii), sandy beach tiger beetle (Cicindela hirticollis gravida), western beach tiger beetle (Cicindela latesignata latesignata), senile tiger beetle (Cicindela senilis frosti), globose dune beetle (Coelus globosus), and wandering saltmarsh skipper (Panoquina errans). 2.2.2. Field Reviews General and focused field surveys were conducted in February and June 2018 to characterize the biological and aquatic resources occurring on the Project site and to ascertain the presence or absence of sensitive plants and animals or the likelihood of their occurrence in the BSA. Specific field surveys included: (1) a general reconnaissance -level biological resources survey and habitat assessment, (2) a jurisdictional delineation survey, (3) a daytime bat habitat suitability assessment, and (4) a nighttime bat emergence survey conducted during the typical bat maternity roosting season. The methods used during each of these survey efforts are described in the following sections. 2.2.3. Survey Methods 2.2.3.1. BIOLOGICAL RESOURCES SURVEY AND HABITAT ASSESSMENT A general reconnaissance -level biological resources survey and habitat assessment was conducted by walking throughout the BSA (Figure 2). The areas directly accessed included areas within the public right-of-way and where permission to enter was granted (e.g., the Santa Ana River). During the course of the survey, the BSA was assessed for the presence of sensitive plant species, vegetation communities, wildlife, and the suitability/quality of habitat. A list of all plant and wildlife species observed or otherwise detected during the surveys is included in Appendix B. Appendix C contains representative site photos taken during the survey. Plant communities and land cover types were determined in general accordance with categories set forth in the Orange County Habitat Classification System (Gray and Bramlet 1992). This system was developed by the County of Orange and is based on the 1986 Preliminary Description of the Terrestrial Natural Communities of California by Robert Holland, with some revisions to more clearly define Orange ................................................................................................................................................ . 12 Fairview Street Improvements from 9th Street to 16th Street and Bridge Replacement Project