SFPUC 2001 Alameda Watershed Management Plan

XII. SUMMARY OF COMMMENTS AND RESPONSESB. SUMMARY OF COMMENTS AND RESPONSESpresence of numerous special-status wildlife species found in the watershed. It is alsoacknowledged that a comprehensive special-status species survey has not been conducted on theWatershed. Without knowledge of the presence and extent of special-status species, it isimpossible to analyze or mitigate for potentially significant impacts to those species.” (AlamedaCreek Alliance)Comment I-5: “The discussion in the EIR focuses on just a few species which have beendocumented to occur within the Watershed, yet it does not provide adequate information on otherspecial-status wildlife species which are also known, or highly likely to be present, in theWatershed. Without evidence of recent field surveys following adopted resource agencyprotocols, it seems inappropriate for so many special-status wildlife species to be listed in a tableand then summarily dismissed on the basis of such an analysis. The EIR should reconsiderpotential impacts to the following species.Bald Eagle: A pair of bald eagles have been successfully nesting at Del Valle Reservoir for thepast four years. These birds are the first known nesting pair, and currently the only pair of baldeagles documented nesting in the San Francisco Bay Area. They have nested successfully since1996 with fledged young in 1996, 1998 and 1999. This location is protected and no public accessis allowed during nesting periods. California Department of Fish and Game records since theearly 1980’s document annual use of all three Watershed area reservoirs by wintering bald eagleswith as many as twenty birds present.The highest percentage of bald eagle diet consists of fish from the reservoir of which the majorityare probably injured fish from the active recreational fisheries stocking and subsequent anglerimpacts. It is possible that one or both of these eagles may have also been observed at SanAntonio Reservoir, as noted on page III.E-23 of the EIR. Changes in operations at this reservoirmay have adverse effects on bald eagle foraging. The EIR should also consider preservingpotential nesting locations, such as snags, near the two reservoirs. One beneficial effect ofallowing public fishing and stocking of native fish is the increased potential for bald eagle nestingat the two SFPUC reservoirs.Golden Eagle: Eastern Alameda County contains some of the most significant populations ofgolden eagles in the United States. Surveys conducted in the Altamont Hills have documentedsome of the densest numbers of individuals on record. As with bald eagle, golden eagles aresusceptible to land use changes, including changes in the abundance of prey species, suitablenesting locations and disturbance by humans. The Alameda Watershed provides large expansesof open space habitat for this species. We recommend that SFPUC perform surveys to documentoccurrences of this species and identify protective measures. (East Bay Regional Park District)Comment I-6: “California Red-Legged Frog: The EIR on page III.E-22 notes red-legged frogoccurrences in Alameda Creek, both above and below Calaveras Reservoir, and at LittleYosemite in Sunol Regional Wilderness. The District has documented numerous otherpopulations of red-legged frog at Sunol and Ohlone Wilderness areas, Mission Peak, Del ValleReservoir and Pleasanton Ridge. Most of these locations occur within stock ponds in grazedNOP 96.223E: Alameda Watershed Management Plan C&R.53 ESA / 930385