3 - The Bowery_PUBLIC COMMENT_RAMSEY

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5.0 Environmental Analysis 5.1 Land Use Avion Project SEIR Page 5.1-9 would maintain and slightly improve the conservation, configuration, and area of significantly or sufficiently conserved habitats within this portion of the MHPA. Effects to Covered Species • The approved land exchange in this portion of the MHPA would maintain the overall conservation of covered species, as no covered species occur within the area to be deleted from the MHPA. The addition of southern mixed chaparral and non-native grassland habitats within the lands to be added to the MHPA may increase habitat for covered species that may occur in the vicinity of the project (e.g., coastal California gnatcatcher [Polioptila californica californica], Cooper’s hawk [Accipiter cooperii]). Effects on Habitat Linkages and the Function of Preserve Areas • The project site is part of, and adjacent to, an existing open space area. Although it is reasonable to assume that wildlife may currently move locally through the project area, the site is somewhat restricted by residential development and paved roads in the Heritage Bluffs II project to the northeast. Currently, local wildlife movement may occur on the Avion site to the west, east, and south as the site is adjacent to MHPA lands within the undeveloped Black Mountain Park Open Space. In addition, some local north-south wildlife movement is possible along the ephemeral drainages that occur in the bottoms of the canyons. The proposed private drive crossing of the eastern drainage would be constructed as an arch culvert with a span of approximately 42 feet wide and 21 feet high, a span and height that would continue to allow local wildlife movement through this area. Although the Avion project would have minor affects to the existing habitat linkages to the southwest of the Heritage Bluffs II project through the loss of habitat, the MHPA boundary adjustment would offset this affect through the preservation of habitat linkages along the west, east, and south sides of the project where newly added MHPA area would occur. The addition of these conserved lands would preserve the local habitat linkages in these directions. Therefore, effects of the approved changes to the MHPA boundary would be negligible with respect to the function of the preserve area and habitat linkages. All of the changes approved are adjacent to a major wildlife corridor and associated linkages that would remain intact with linkages present. Effects on Preserve Configuration and Management • The proposed modifications to the MHPA boundary do not change the proportions or decrease the total area of the MHPA. The minor changes in shape or length of edges of the MHPA boundary are due to relatively small encroachments by the project. These minor encroachments into the MHPA would be offset by gains in native habitat acreage primarily on the southern portion of the site. The resulting MHPA preserve area configuration would be similar to the pre-construction condition and include the addition of land to the MHPA. The approved changes to the MHPA boundary would not conflict with any of the previously