State Route 58 Widening Project - Bakersfield Freeways

Table of Contents
Table of Contents
Chapter 1. Introduction ................................................................................................ 1
1.1. Project History ........................................................................................... 1
1.1.1. Purpose and Need ...................................................................................... 1
1.1.1.1. Project Purpose .......................................................................................... 1
1.1.1.2. Project Need .............................................................................................. 1
1.2. Project Description .................................................................................... 1
1.2.1. Project Phasing .......................................................................................... 7
1.2.2. Avoidance and Minimization Measures .................................................... 7
1.3. Summary of Consultation to Date ............................................................. 8
1.4. Document Preparation History ................................................................ 10
Chapter 2. Study Methods .......................................................................................... 11
2.1. Listed and Proposed Species Potentially in the Biological Study Area .. 11
2.2. Studies Required ...................................................................................... 13
2.2.1. Literature Review .................................................................................... 13
2.2.2. Vegetation Mapping ................................................................................ 13
2.2.3. General Wildlife Surveys ........................................................................ 14
2.2.4. Focused Surveys ...................................................................................... 14
2.2.4.1. San Joaquin Kit Fox ................................................................................ 14
2.3. Personnel and Survey Dates .................................................................... 15
2.4. Agency Coordination and Professional Contacts .................................... 16
2.5. Limitations That May Influence Results ................................................. 19
Chapter 3. Results: Environmental Setting ................................................................ 21
3.1. Description of Existing Biological and Physical Conditions ................... 21
3.1.1. Study Area ............................................................................................... 21
3.1.2. Physical Conditions ................................................................................. 21
3.1.3. Biological Conditions in the BSA ........................................................... 25
3.1.3.1. Vegetation Types ..................................................................................... 25
3.1.3.2. Common Animal Species ........................................................................ 26
Chapter 4. Results: Biological Resources, Discussion of Impacts and Mitigation .... 29
4.1. Federally Listed or Proposed Animal Species Occurrences .................... 29
4.1.1. Discussion of San Joaquin Kit Fox (Vulpes macrotis mutica) ................ 29
4.1.1.1. Survey Results ......................................................................................... 31
4.1.1.2. Critical Habitat ........................................................................................ 32
4.1.1.3. Avoidance and Minimization Efforts ...................................................... 32
4.1.1.4. Project Impacts ........................................................................................ 33
4.1.1.5. Modifications to the Project to Mitigate Effects ...................................... 37
4.1.1.6. Cumulative Effects (FESA)..................................................................... 42
Chapter 5. Conclusions and Determination ............................................................... 45
5.1. Conclusions ............................................................................................. 45
5.2. Determination .......................................................................................... 45
Chapter 6. References ................................................................................................ 47
Appendix A Wildlife Species Observed in the BSA .................................................... 51
State Route 58 Widening Project Biological Assessment
i