State Route 58 Widening Project - Bakersfield Freeways

Chapter 4 Results: Biological Resources, Discussion of Impacts and Mitigation
monitor and excavate dens that would be affected by the project. The biologist will
monitor potential dens for three consecutive nights and submit monitoring results in a
letter report to USFWS. The biologist will oversee the excavation of dens following
approval by USFWS. Dens found within 200 feet of project construction but not
affected by construction activities will be monitored and buffered from construction
by an exclusion zone. The biologist will place flagged stakes in a 50-foot radius
buffer around any potential or atypical den and will place a fence (e.g., untreated
wood particle board, silt fencing, orange construction fencing, or other fencing
approved by the USFWS as long as it has openings for ingress/egress of kit fox and
keeps humans and equipment out) 100 feet from a known den; USFWS will be
contacted if a natal den is found. The biologist will submit results of den excavation
and exclusion in a letter report to USFWS.
• SJKF – 4 Employee Education Program
The biologist will conduct an employee education program for all construction crews
before ground disturbing activities. The purpose of this training is to inform
construction crew members of permit terms and conditions and the potential for kit
fox to occur at a site and be affected by construction activities. The training will be
repeated to all new crew members and annually to all crew members working in kit
fox habitat. Following the training, crew members will sign an attendance sheet
stating that they attended the training and understand the protection measures and
construction restrictions. Training materials and records of attendees will be
submitted to USFWS.
• SJKF – 5 Construction Monitoring
The biologist will monitor road construction activities once daily. The biologist will
verify that construction complies with permit terms and conditions and construction
and operation requirements described in USFWS Standardized Recommendations for
the Protection of the Endangered San Joaquin Kit Fox Prior to or During Ground
Disturbance (USFWS 2011). The biologist will maintain a log of daily monitoring
notes that can be summarized and transmitted to USFWS at their request.
4.1.1.4. Project Impacts
The effects of the proposed project on San Joaquin kit fox are described as direct and
indirect effects. As defined under ESA, direct effects are those caused by the
proposed project and occur at the time of the project, and indirect effects are those
that are caused by the proposed project and are later in time, but still are reasonably
State Route 58 Widening Project Biological Assessment 33