Appendix A Water Quality Memo - Laserfiche WebLink

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16 Habitat for Fish and Other Aquatic Organisms Designated intermittent beneficial uses of Reach 1 of the Santa Ana River include Warm Freshwater Habitat (WARM). However, according to the NES(MI) prepared for the proposed Project (LSA 2018a), there are no aquatic resources within the Project area that would provide habitat for fish or other aquatic species. The Santa Ana River is concrete-lined, devoid of vegetation, and conveys intermittent flows. Therefore, the proposed Project does not have the potential to impact the beneficial uses of warm freshwater habitat in the Santa Ana River. Wildlife Habitat Designated intermittent beneficial uses of Reach 1 of the Santa Ana River include Wildlife Habitat (WILD). However, according to the NES(MI) prepared for the proposed Project (LSA 2018a), there are no aquatic resources within the Project area that would provide wildlife habitat for terrestrial or aquatic species. The Santa Ana River is concrete-lined, devoid of vegetation, and conveys intermittent flows. Therefore, the proposed Project does not have the potential to impact the beneficial uses of wildlife habitat in the Santa Ana River. According to the NES(MI), mammals such as coyote, raccoon, opossum, and skunk have adapted to densely developed urban environments and may utilize the Santa Ana River as a movement corridor; however, the lack of vegetative cover within the concrete channel and high level of anthropogenic disturbance may limit use. Wildlife may use the river as a source of water when flows are present. However, this would only occur intermittently, as the Santa Ana River only conveys intermittent flows. Poor water quality could be toxic to wildlife that may use the river as a source of water. However, the disturbance area and increase in impervious area is minimal and the proposed Project would implement construction and operational BMPs to target pollutants of concern in stormwater runoff such that the proposed Project would not degrade water quality or result in water-quality related impacts to wildlife using the river as a wildlife corridor. Endangered or Threatened Species According to the NES(MI), there are no aquatic or aquatic-dependent endangered or threatened plant or animal species known or expected to occur within the Project area. In addition, beneficial uses of Reach 1 of the Santa Ana River do not include Habitat for Rare, Threatened, or Endangered Species (RARE). Therefore, the proposed Project would not result in water quality-related impacts to endangered or threatened aquatic species. Invasive Species The Santa Ana River is devoid of vegetation within the Project area. Although the proposed Project has the potential to spread invasive plant species, there are no adjacent native aquatic habitats that may become contaminated. Therefore, no change to aquatic or riparian invasive species is anticipated as a result of the proposed Project. 4.3 Anticipated Changes to the Human Use Characteristics of the Aquatic Environment Existing and Potential Water Supplies; Water Conservation The water service provider in the Study Area is Santa Ana Municipal Utility Services. Other than the proposed area of revegetation and vegetated swale adjacent to Fairview Street in the Fairview Triangle rest area, no landscaping is proposed. Any water use for establishment and maintenance of the revegetated area and vegetated swale would be minimal. The proposed Project would implement