75B - PH ADOPT RESO FOR PR NO 15-6827

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NT MENTS INITIAL STUDY/MITIGATED NEGATIVE DECLARATION FAIRVIEW BPIOGE REVLACEM REST TO STREET BEET) PROJECT L S A MAY 2020 (9Tx STREET To ANTx STREET) L, OLEGT SANTA ANAL CALIFOPHIA habitat for these bat species is present within the BSA along the Santa Ana River. Each of these species is discussed in further detail below. Cooper's Hawk. The Cooper's Hawk is a medium-sized raptor that occurs in wooded areas and is frequently encountered in urban areas with mature trees and open foraging areas such as parks. It is a California Special Animal, which is an administrative designation made by the CDFW and carries no formal legal status. However, Section 15380 of the State CEQA Guidelines indicates that these species should be included in an analysis of project impacts if they can be shown to meet the criteria of sensitivity outlined therein. The species is fairly common within the vicinity of the BSA and urban areas that contain large trees and open fields. Several mature ornamental trees located along the streets and residential areas within the BSA serve as potentially suitable nesting habitat for this species. The Cooper's hawk is the only special -status animal species observed within the BSA during the field surveys. An individual Cooper's hawk was observed flying over the BSA and perching on several large trees during the survey conducted on February 20, 2018. No evidence of nesting by this species was observed in the BSA during the surveys, and mature trees are limited in number within the BSA. The proposed Project is not expected to directly or adversely impact the Cooper's hawk because potentially suitable nesting habitat is limited in the BSA, and the removal of ornamental vegetation along Fairview Street would not impact suitable nesting habitat for this species. However, potential impacts to the Cooper's hawk and other nesting birds protected under the California Fish and Game Code would be mitigated by avoiding disruptions to nesting activity consistent with the Fish and Game Code. Mitigation Measure BIO-1, as detailed in Section 3.4.3 (Mitigation Measures 13I0-1 through BIO-9), includes specific requirements to conduct a preconstruction nesting bird survey if vegetation removal, construction, or grading activities are planned to occur within the nesting bird season (February 1 to September 30) consistent with CDFW requirements. With implementation of Mitigation Measure BIO-1, potential impacts to the Cooper's hawk and other nesting birds would be less than significant. • California Horned Lark. The California horned lark is a small songbird that is known to occur within the vicinity of the BSA. It is a subspecies of horned lark and is considered a California Special Animal, which is an administrative designation made by the CDFW and carries no formal legal status. However, Section 15380 of the State CEQA Guidelines indicates that these species should be included in an analysis of Project impacts if they can be shown to meet the criteria of sensitivity outlined therein. The subspecies utilizes open grasslands and fields and prefers bare ground for nesting. Several disturbed or barren areas in the BSA provide potentially suitable habitat for this subspecies, but it is considered marginal because of the proximity to busy urban streets and associated anthropogenic disturbances.The field survey was conducted during the breeding season, and no California horned larks were observed in or near the BSA. R:\WKE1702\ISMND\Fina1 ISMND\Fairview Street Bridge Final ISMN07,05RIM5 3-21