SFPUC 2001 Alameda Watershed Management Plan

XII. SUMMARY OF COMMMENTS AND RESPONSESB. SUMMARY OF COMMENTS AND RESPONSESlisting. The SFPUC should presume the species has a moderate potential to be present within thewatershed, and conduct comprehensive protocol surveys for the species. If found to be extant, thepotential impacts of SFPUC management actions on the Berkeley kangaroo rat and its habitat inthe watershed, including impacts from cattle grazing, construction activities, and roads need to beanalyzed, and the significant impacts avoided or mitigated.” (Alameda Creek Alliance)Comment I-12: “California tiger salamander (Ambystoma californiense). The EIR assumes ahigh potential for the California tiger salamander to occur in the watershed, but does not confirmthe presence of the species. California tiger salamanders are present in ponds and nearby refugiain Sunol and Ohlone Regional Parks, which are within SFPUC watershed lands (Joe DiDonato,EBRPD Threatened and Endangered Species list, 1999; Jennings and Hayes 1994). TheCalifornia tiger salamander is a Federal Candidate Species and is currently under litigation tocompel listing under the Endangered Species Act. The SFPUC should presume the species to bepresent within the watershed, and conduct comprehensive protocol surveys for the species. Thepotential impacts of SFPUC management actions on the California tiger salamander and itshabitat in the watershed, including impacts from dam operation, water diversions, and cattlegrazing need to be analyzed, and the significant impacts avoided or mitigated. This has not beendone. The analysis of the potential impacts from gravel mining is completely inadequate.”(Alameda Creek Alliance)Comment I-13: “California horned lizard (Phrynosoma coronatum frontale). The EIR assumesthe California horned lizard has a low potential to occur within the watershed (Table IX.B-2).The California horned lizard is known to be present in Sunol Regional Park, which is withinSFPUC watershed lands (Joanne Freemire, EBRPD, pers. comm., 2000). Additionally, Jenningsand Hayes (1994) document several known collected specimens and verified sightings withinSFPUC watershed lands. The California horned lizard is a Federal Species of Concern and aState Species of Special Concern. The species can occur in several habitat types, including areaswith exposed gravelly-sandy substrate containing scattered shrubs, and in clearings in riparianwoodlands. The SFPUC should presume the species to be present within the watershed, andconduct comprehensive protocol surveys for the species. The potential impacts of SFPUCmanagement actions on the California horned lizard and its habitat in the watershed, includingimpacts from gravel mining and cattle grazing need to be analyzed, and the significant impactsavoided or mitigated. This has not been done.” (Alameda Creek Alliance)Comment I-14: “Western yellow-billed cuckoo (Coccyzus americanus occidentalis). The EIRmakes no mention of the Western yellow-billed cuckoo. The Western yellow-billed cuckoo isknown to be present in Sunol Regional Park, which is within SFPUC watershed lands (JoeDiDonato, EBRPD Threatened and Endangered Species list, 1999). The cuckoo is a listed as aState Endangered Species, and is currently under petition for federal listing, with a listingdecision from FWS due in early 2000. This bird is a riparian-dependent species (typically nests inwillows), and Sunol Park is one of the few areas in California where it is still present. Accordingto CDFG, the major threat to the species is loss and degradation of its riparian habitat, includingadverse impacts from water projects and livestock grazing (CDFG 1992). The SFPUC shouldpresume the species to be present within the watershed, and conduct comprehensive protocolNOP 96.223E: Alameda Watershed Management Plan C&R.57 ESA / 930385