State Route 58 Widening Project - Bakersfield Freeways

Chapter 4 Results: Biological Resources, Discussion of Impacts and Mitigation
with habitat fragmentation and reduced landscape connectivity and indirect effects
associated with potential for vehicle strike. Caltrans is also proposing to compensate
for habitat permanently lost and temporarily disturbed during ground disturbing
activities by paying fees per requirements in the MBHCP. Compensation according to
the MBHCP requirements would serve to enhance comparable kit fox foraging and
denning habitat within the local MBHCP Plan area and at ratios requested by the
USFWS and greater than those required by the MBHCP. Compensatory mitigation
for habitat loss and disturbance is described below in Section 4.1.1.5. (see Offsite
Mitigation for Project-specific Habitat Loss).
Together, the standard construction-related Avoidance and Minimization Measures
and additional conservation measures are expected to substantially reduce the
potential for take and compensate for residual impacts. However, although the
Avoidance and Minimization Measures would reduce potential for direct mortality of
kit foxes related to construction, the proposed project would result in a small loss of
occupied suitable habitat. Therefore, it is concluded that the proposed project ‘may
affect, likely to adversely affect’ the San Joaquin kit fox.
4.1.1.5. Modifications to the Project to Mitigate Effects
Standard Avoidance and Minimization Measures will be in place during construction
to avoid and minimize potential adverse effects on kit fox during project construction.
In addition to these measures, mitigation will be implemented to compensate for postconstruction
project-specific and program-level effects on kit fox and habitat loss.
Onsite mitigation for project effects includes implementing project design
modifications that are intended to reduce adverse effects on kit fox movement and
potential for vehicle strike. Offsite mitigation for project effects involves
compensating for the permanent and temporary loss of known kit fox habitat by
participating in the MBHCP fee payment program. Offsite mitigation for programlevel
effects resulting from construction of the six TRIP road improvement projects
involves implementing the Sump Habitat Program, a long-term habitat conservation
program for the urban kit fox population. Caltrans, in coordination with the City of
Bakersfield, will be responsible for implementation of these measures.
Onsite Mitigation through Project Design Modifications
The following project design modifications are expected, when implemented
together, to reduce the potential for adverse effects on kit fox. Stephanie Coppeto and
Leo Edson met on two occasions in 2009 with project engineers, City of Bakersfield,
and Caltrans to identify project design modifications that could be incorporated into
State Route 58 Widening Project Biological Assessment 37