20A - AA FIRST ST BRIDGE REPLACEMENT PROJECT

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LSA ASSOCIATES, INC. INITIAL STUDY/MITIGATED NEGATIVE DECLARATION JULY 2010 FIRST STREET BRIDGE REPLACEMENT PROJECT CITY OF SANTA ANA BI0-1 All construction activities shall comply with the federal Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918 (MBTA). The MBTA governs the taking and killing of migratory birds, their eggs, parts, and nests and prohibits the take of any migratory birds, their eggs, parts, and nests. Compliance with the MBTA shall be accomplished by the following: • Prior to commencement of construction activities (in January or February) installation of a nesting bird/bat exclusionary device shall be installed on the existing bridge structures to preclude birds and bats from nesting or roosting on the structure. • If possible, all vegetation removal activities shall be scheduled from August 16 to February 14, which is outside the typical nesting season. If vegetation is to be cleared during the nesting season (February 15 to August 15), all suitable habitat shall be thoroughly surveyed for the presence of nesting birds by a qualified biologist no more than 7 days prior to clearing, and once weekly during construction to ensure that nesting birds are not present within 100 ft of construction activities. If any active nests are detected, the area shall be flagged and mapped on the construction plans along with a buffer appropriate for the nesting species as determined by the qualified biologist. The buffer area shall be avoided until the nesting cycle is complete or it is determined that the nest has failed. In addition, the biologist will be present on site to monitor the vegetation removal to ensure that any nests not detected during the initial survey are not disturbed. B. Have a substantial adverse impact on any riparian habitat or natural community identified in local or regional plans, policies, and regulations or by the California Department of Fish and Game or U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service? No impact. The project area is a developed urban use with little native vegetation. The Santa Ana River is confined within an open concrete channel as it flows south under and perpendicular to the bridge. Surface runoff from First Street is directed into the City's existing storm drain system. The project study area does not contain any riparian habitat, and although several special concern natural communities were identified during the literature search, none were identified within the study area during the field survey. No significant impact to riparian habitat or other sensitive natural communities will result from project implementation, and no mitigation is required. C. Adversely impact federally protected wetlands (including, but not limited to, marsh, vernal pool, coastal, etc.) either individually or in combination with the known or probable impacts of other activities through direct removal, filling hydrological interruption, or other means? Less than significant impact. The Santa Ana River is a tributary to the Pacific Ocean, which is a "traditional navigable water," and within the project area it has been channelized with flat concrete sides and bottom. The mouth of the Santa Ana River is a traditional navigable water and the ACOE will determine whether the Santa Ana River in the project area is a traditional navigable water or a relatively permanent water. The Santa Ana River is perennial and conveys runoff from urban water uses. The SAR headwaters begin in the San Bernardino Mountains, flow into the Prado Basin in San Bernardino and Riverside Counties, and passes west and then south through the Cities of Yorba Linda, Anaheim, Orange, Santa Ana, Fountain Valley, Huntington Beach, Costa Mesa, and Newport Beach, where it flows into the Pacific Ocean. 07/25/10 ,,PA\DMJ0701\MND\4.0 Environmental Analysis.doc» 4-12 20A-63