Laserfiche WebLink
® AECOM <br />the potential for Burrowing Owl (Athene <br />cunicularia) to occur. All areas to be evaluated <br />will be examined carefully for habitat <br />characteristics and disturbance factors. The <br />study area for this work is assumed to be the <br />proposed project footprint and a 100 -foot <br />buffer, as accessible to ICF Jones & Stokes. An <br />additional 400 -foot buffer beyond the 100 -foot <br />buffer will be visually assessed only. This <br />scope and cost assume that the City or AECOM <br />will be responsible for providing access. <br />Potentially suitable habitat will be mapped. No <br />permits are required to perform a habitat <br />evaluation, but the biologist must be <br />experienced with the species' biology, <br />identification of direct and indirect sign, and <br />physical characteristics of potentially suitable <br />habitat. Habitat evaluations for this species <br />can be performed anytime of year. The results <br />will be directly incorporated into the NES/MI. <br />This scope of work assumes that a focused <br />survey for burrowing owl will not be required. <br />• Jurisdictional Waters Delineation — A qualified <br />biologist will examine all relevant portions of <br />the site and perform a routine -level delineation <br />of the extent of potentially jurisdictional waters <br />under both state and federal regulations. The <br />following field evaluations will be performed, <br />however, it is assumed that no jurisdictional <br />resources will be identified. Evaluation for <br />federal wetlands will follow the applicable <br />methods in the 1987 manual from the Corps of <br />Engineers, the 2006 Arid West supplement from <br />the Corps of Engineers, and the Rapanos <br />Guidance (2007), along with subsequent <br />supporting materials and applicable <br />regulations, policy, and case law. The study <br />area for this work will include the proposed <br />project footprint along with a 50 -foot buffer. <br />This scope and cost assume that the City or <br />AECOM will be responsible for providing <br />access. The work will be at a routine (rather <br />than comprehensive) level of detail, that is, <br />point sampling and standard criteria <br />(hydrology, soils, and vegetation) will be used <br />to identify, map and calculate total area for <br />federal and state jurisdiction, but no laboratory <br />testing of soils or water, no hydrological or <br />hydrogeomorphic analysis or modeling, no <br />formal statistical analysis, and no extensive <br />records searching, will be provided. Evaluation <br />of existing functions and values for <br />jurisdictional areas will be addressed at a <br />qualitative level. Mapping will be performed at <br />a scale of 1 inch equals 200 feet (1:2400) or <br />better, with a minimum mapping unit of no <br />more than 0.05 acres, and will reflect the <br />delineated boundaries of any jurisdictional <br />waters and wetlands present. Photographs <br />representative of relevant site conditions will <br />tProposal `or Project Study Report Equivalent and Co <br />Santa Ana Boulevard Grade Separation Project <br />be taken. As noted, it is assumed that no <br />jurisdictional waters or wetlands will be <br />identified and no Jurisdictional Delineation <br />Report will be required. <br />Technical Report Preparation <br />A draft NES/MI will be developed based on results of the <br />biological surveys and analysis and will conform to the <br />current Caltrans NES/MI annotated outline, as <br />previously described. The report will describe: <br />• The study methods used in identifying and <br />assessing the biological resources at the <br />project site, the personnel who conducted the <br />studies, contacts made with agencies, and any <br />limitations associated with the study; <br />• The environmental setting including both the <br />biological and physical setting at the project <br />site; <br />• (The results, including special -status species <br />present on the site, if any, and a discussion of <br />impacts and mitigation, as necessary; and <br />• The appropriate regulatory requirements and <br />necessary permits, if any. <br />At this time it is assumed that jurisdictional waters will <br />not be impacted and permitting (i.e., Section 401 Water <br />Quality Certification, Section 404 permit, or Section <br />1602 Streambed Alteration Agreement) would not be <br />required. Therefore, the processing of permits are not <br />included in this scope of work. If based on the field <br />work performed it is determined that these permits <br />would be required then a scope and cost for the <br />preparation and processing of these permits can be <br />provided by ICF Jones & Stokes if desired by the City <br />and AECOM. <br />Community Impact Assessment <br />ICF Jones & Stokes will prepare a Community Impact <br />Assessment. ICF Jones & Stokes will identify the <br />community impacts on neighborhoods, businesses, and <br />minority and low-income populations, as well as the <br />project's consistency/compatibility with the existing <br />and future land uses and plans in the area. The <br />community impact analysis will be prepared in <br />accordance with Caltrans Environmental Handbook <br />Volume 4: Community Impact Assessment. Topics to be <br />addressed in the community impact analysis will <br />include social impacts, economic impacts (change in <br />employment and tax base changes), land use/growth <br />(consistency with local plans, development <br />opportunities), farmland, and public services impacts <br />(accessibility and parking, utilities). <br />The community impact assessment considers how the <br />proposed project activity would affect the people, <br />institutions, neighborhoods, communities, <br />organizations, and larger social and economic systems. <br />The community impact analysis will provide a clear <br />description of the existing conditions, the potential <br />impacts of the project on the community and how the <br />nceptual Engineering Plans for <br />