State Route 58 Widening Project - Bakersfield Freeways

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Chapter 4 Results: Biological Resources, Discussion of Impacts and Mitigation 1998). The largest extant populations of kit foxes are in western Kern County in the vicinity of the Elk Hills and Buena Vista Valley and in the Carrizo Plain Natural Area in San Luis Obispo County (USFWS 1998). In Bakersfield, San Joaquin kit foxes have adapted to urban conditions and use anthropogenic habitats in which natural ecological processes are nonexistent or substantially altered (Bakersfield and Caltrans 2010). Kit fox populations in Bakersfield supplement their diet with anthropogenic foods such as refuse, pet food, and handouts; however, natural prey is an important part of their diet, especially for the pups (Bakersfield and Caltrans 2010). They appear to be relatively undisturbed by noise from traffic and human activity, as well as nighttime light typical of urban environments (Bakersfield and Caltrans 2010). Dens are found in a variety of urban areas, but are most commonly found in relatively open areas with low anthropogenic disturbance (Bakersfield and Caltrans 2010). Despite their apparent adaptations to urban environments, kit foxes in Bakersfield are concentrated around low-density industrial areas (e.g., oil fields, airport grounds, manufacturing facilities, shipping yards), undeveloped lands (e.g., vacant lots, fallow fields); storm water drainage basins (i.e., sumps), manicured open spaces (e.g., golf courses, parks, school campuses); and some larger commercial areas (e.g., office and retail facilities) (Bakersfield and Caltrans 2010). Kit foxes rarely use dense residential areas of Bakersfield where disturbance is frequent, since walls may inhibit movement, domestic dogs pose a survival threat, and few denning opportunities exist. A major effect on the kit fox in Bakersfield is the increase in barriers to movement as a result of development, which affects habitat connectivity and the maintenance of corridors connecting kit fox populations (Bakersfield and Caltrans 2010). Kit foxes have been found to move along, and also den in, linear habitat features like canals, railroad corridors, power line ROW, and the shoulders of some roads (Bakersfield and Caltrans 2010). This species is known to occur within the City limits of Bakersfield and has been reported from multiple locations within one mile of the BSA (CDFG 2008, 2010). Existing information on kit fox distribution indicates that they have been found primarily in the central and eastern portions of SR-58 between Rudd Avenue and SR-99 (Bakersfield and Caltrans 2010). Records from the CNDDB show kit foxes in the western portion of the BSA, between Renfro Road and Jewetta Avenue and in the low-density industrial lands in the eastern portion of the BSA between Coffee Road 30 State Route 58 Widening Project Biological Assessment
Chapter 4 Results: Biological Resources, Discussion of Impacts and Mitigation and Landco Drive (CDFG 2008). Vehicle-related mortality of kit foxes has occurred on Coffee Road approximately 1,000 feet south of SR-58 (Bakersfield and Caltrans 2010). Kit foxes have been found throughout the low-density industrial lands between Coffee Road and SR-99 and have been seen crossing SR-58 between these areas (Wolfe 2008). 4.1.1.1. Survey Results Suitable foraging and denning habitat for this species is present in the BSA. This habitat includes non-native grassland, ruderal/disturbed areas, and open water/waterways 2 . The habitat with the highest potential to be suitable for denning and movement by San Joaquin kit fox includes the non-native grasslands and ruderal/disturbed areas associated with low-density industrial development and vacant lots; landscaped vegetation and open space under portable units associated with elementary school and low-density commercial areas; the SJVR and the Friant-Kern and Calloway canals that cross under SR-58. During focused surveys conducted in the spring/summer of 2008 one kit fox was observed immediately south of the BSA at Rosedale Middle School on the south side of SR-58, east of Allen Road and west of Old Farm Road. During focused surveys of the BSA for sign of kit fox, four potential San Joaquin kit fox dens and four instances of scat were observed in the BSA. One potential kit fox den and one instance of fresh kit fox scat were observed on the north side of SR-58 north of Rosedale Middle School. The second potential kit fox den was observed south of SR-58 and west of Jewetta Avenue. Potential dens three and four and three locations with kit fox scat were observed in the eastern portion of the alignment just west of Mohawk Street. Kit foxes appear to be concentrated in the low-density industrial lands at the eastern portion of the BSA and dispersed throughout the vacant lots and Rosedale Middle School in the western portion of the BSA. 2 Open water/waterway is the mapping unit to describe areas potentially within the jurisdiction of the USACE, the CDFG, and the RWQCB, primarily the canals within the BSA. These areas are vegetated with non-native grassland vegetation. State Route 58 Widening Project Biological Assessment 31
Page 1 and 2: State Route 58 Widening Project (Ro
Page 5 and 6: Summary of Findings, Conclusions an
Page 7 and 8: Summary of Findings, Conclusions an
Page 9 and 10: Table of Contents Table of Contents
Page 11 and 12: List of Tables List of Tables 1 Lis
Page 13 and 14: List of Abbreviated Terms SSC ST TR
Page 15 and 16: Chapter 1. Introduction The purpose
Page 17 and 18: Chapter 1 Introduction • Minor ch
Page 19 and 20: 46 Lost Hills 33 Delano McFarland 4
Page 21 and 22: Map Extent A B C VERDUGO LN CALLOWA
Page 23 and 24: Chapter 1 Introduction 1.2.1. Proje
Page 25 and 26: Chapter 1 Introduction In 2008, USF
Page 27 and 28: Chapter 2. Study Methods 2.1. Liste
Page 29 and 30: Chapter 2 Study Methods 2.2. Studie
Page 31 and 32: Chapter 2 Study Methods During surv
Page 33 and 34: Chapter 2 Study Methods describes p
Page 35 and 36: Chapter 2 Study Methods 2.5. Limita
Page 37 and 38: Chapter 3. Results: Environmental S
Page 39 and 40: ALLEN RD OLD FARM RD JEWETTA AV VER
Page 41 and 42: Emery Ditch Calloway Canal Emery Di
Page 43 and 44: Chapter 3 Results: Environmental Se
Page 45 and 46: Chapter 3 Results: Environmental Se
Page 47: Chapter 4. Results: Biological Reso
Page 51 and 52: Chapter 4 Results: Biological Resou
Page 63 and 64: Chapter 5. Conclusions and Determin
Page 65 and 66: Chapter 6. References Bakersfield,
Page 67 and 68: Chapter 6 References Kern Water Ban
Page 69: Appendix A Wildlife Species Observe
Page 72 and 73: Appendix A Wildlife Species Observe

State Route 58 Widening Project - Bakersfield Freeways

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