State Route 58 Widening Project - Bakersfield Freeways

Chapter 2 Study Methods
describes program-level impacts and conceptual program-level avoidance,
minimization and mitigation measures. USFWS and CDFG concur that
Caltrans will begin to develop a mitigation implementation plan of the
conceptual approach.
October 7, 2009: TRIP receives letter (81420-2008-TA-0368-29) from Peter
Cross, Deputy Assistant Field Supervisor with USFWS, approving Draft TRIP
San Joaquin Kit Fox Life History, Effects Analysis, and Conceptual Mitigation
Strategy (Bakersfield and Caltrans 2009).
March 11, 2010: USFWS and CDFG approve the Implementation Plan
(Bakersfield and Caltrans 2010). CDFG recommends that Caltrans seek a
2080.1 Consistency Determination for projects requiring a state Incidental
Take Permit. USFWS and CDFG approve the Sump Habitat Program and
request that the City, in coordination with Caltrans, establish long-term
conservation assurances for the 19 sumps through conservation easements,
endowment, and long-term management plan.
May 5, 2010: Stephanie Coppeto and Leo Edson hold an informal
teleconference with USFWS to discuss FESA compliance approach and
schedule before the May 11, 2010 meeting in which Susan Jones and Jen
Schofield will not attend. For compensatory mitigation, USFWS requests that
the City submit a letter of commitment with each BA for the Sump Habitat
Program.
May 11, 2010: Caltrans will submit project BAs to USFWS and CDFG for
concurrent review to expedite the CESA consultation process. The Sump
Habitat Program would be discussed in the BAs but the requirements
(easement application, management plan, and endowment) would not need to
be met before construction of a road project. CDFG is willing to hold the
conservation easement for the sumps, the City and Caltrans will identify an
agency-approved endowment holder. The City and Caltrans consider
identifying an alternative cumulative mitigation strategy in the event that the
Sump Habitat Program is fiscally infeasible.
July 14, 2010: Caltrans will submit the draft BA for SR-178/Morning Drive
Interchange (another TRIP project) to CDFG for review and comment prior to
submittal to USFWS to expedite the CESA process. USFWS and CDFG
approve the standard Avoidance and Minimization Measures that would be
State Route 58 Widening Project Biological Assessment 17