Appendix A Natural Environment Study (Minimal Impacts)

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Natural Environment Study (Minimal Impacts) (Yuma myotis and hoary bat), and the remaining five bat species are California Species of Special Concern (pallid bat, western mastiff bat, western yellow bat, pocketed free -tail bat, and big free -tail bat). "Species of Special Concern" is an administrative designation from the CDFW and carries no formal legal status. However, all bat species (regardless of listing status) and other nongame mammals are protected by California Fish and Game Code Section 4150, which states that all nongame mammals or parts thereof may not be taken or possessed except as provided otherwise in the code or in accordance with regulations adopted by the California Fish and Game Commission. Activities resulting in the mortality of nongame mammals (e.g., destruction of an occupied bat roost, resulting in the death of bats) or disturbance that results in the loss of a maternity colony of bats (including the death of young) may be considered a "take" by the CDFW. Furthermore, any structure occupied by a bat maternity colony of any species is considered a native wildlife nursery site that is essential to the viability of local populations. Many bats use crevices or hollow cavities in bridges and culverts as day roosts and/or the open spaces between bridge beams or girders for night roosting. Bat species that commonly use human -made structures for day and/or night roosting include pallid bat and Yuma myotis. Other species that may use these types of roosts occasionally include western mastiff bat, pocketed free -tail bat, and big free -tail bat, although pocketed free -tail bat and big free -tail bat are more commonly found in rocky desert areas and are considered rare in California. Bats may also roost in trees situated in the vicinity of human -made structures. Although bat roosts in structures can be relatively easy to identify, tree roosts are more cryptic and require close examination. Some species of bats (e.g., western yellow bat and hoary bat) day roost in the foliage of trees. Other bat species (e.g., pallid bat) commonly day roost in crevices or cavities found in mature trees and snags. Within the BSA, suitable bat roosting habitat is present within the existing Fairview Street bridge, and suitable foraging habitat is present along the Santa Ana River. 4.1.6.1. SURVEY RESULTS The Fairview Street bridge over the Santa Ana River is a concrete tee beam bridge. This type of bridge contains structural elements that are suitable for and commonly used by both day- and night -roosting bats. Crevice habitat suitable for day -roosting bats (including maternity colonies) is present in the two hinges and in portions of a longitudinal joint near the middle of the structure, while night -roosting habitat is present throughout the bridge structure in the spaces between the concrete girders ................................................................................................................................................ . 42 Fairview Street Improvements from 9th Street to 16th Street and Bridge Replacement Project