SFPUC 2001 Alameda Watershed Management Plan

XII. SUMMARY OF COMMMENTS AND RESPONSESB. SUMMARY OF COMMENTS AND RESPONSESincreased danger from predators and the lack of prey (McGinnis 1992). Soil disturbance fromgrazing may replace native vegetation with non-native plants, potentially degrading the habitatand reducing the prey base. Inappropriate grazing practices are cited as a specific threat to theSunol-Cedar Mountain sub-population of the snake by FWS (62 Federal Register 63406).California horned lizard. The California horned lizard utilizes small mammal burrows or burrowsinto loose soils under surface objects during extended periods of inactivity or hibernation (Zeineret al. 1988). Soil compaction and trampling of rodent burrows by cattle can degrade habitat forthis species.” (Alameda Creek Alliance)Comment I-22: “Tule elk. Tule elk are negatively affected by cattle grazing, due to competitionwith cattle for preferred forage and browse, the possibility of disease spread by livestock, and theeffects of fences on their mobility. Numerous studies have documented that elk will leave an areawhere cattle are introduced and prefer those areas ungrazed by cattle (Wagner 1978). A study byJon Skovlin (1968) found that elk use was significantly lower on ranges cohabitated by cattle thanin those where cattle use was restricted. Cattle serve as vector to spread disease and parasites,both native and exotic, to wild animals. Cattle have been documented to pass numerous diseasesto wildlife, such as brucellosis, circling disease, encephalitis, tuberculosis, pneumonia, andbluetongue. Wyoming Game and Fish Department officials believe that widespread ranching thatforces elk to concentrate in localized areas is the main reason the number of elk calves born in thestate has declined in recent years (previous from Jacobs 1991). The elk herd in the watershed hasnot increased significantly in population since it migrated from Mt. Hamilton (EBRPD SunolNaturalist, pers. comm., 1999). Cattle grazing may be a factor.” (Alameda Creek Alliance)Comment I-23: “I am writing with corrections and additional information relating to ourcomments on the Draft Environmental Impact Report for the SFPUC Alameda WatershedManagement Plan (letter of January 28, 2000). This information is from personal communicationwith Joe DiDonato, the Wildlife Specialist for the East Bay Regional Park District.Page 7 – Western yellow-billed cuckoo: The species is not known to nest in Sunol RegionalPark, and sightings are thought to be of migratory birds. However, the species utilizes riparianhabitat when not nesting, and the impacts of SFPUC management actions on riparian habitat forthe cuckoo should be analyzed.” (Alameda Creek Alliance)Comment I-24: “Page 21 – Impacts of grazing on Tule Elk: Apparently the elk herd in thewatershed has increased in numbers since it migrated from Mt. Hamilton. Whether or not thisincrease has been significant is open to interpretation. Nonetheless, the mentioned potentialimpacts of transmission of diseases, competition for forage, and effects of fences due to cattlegrazing should be analyzed and mitigated.” (Alameda Creek Alliance)Comment I-25: “There’s some under species that are also left out and I’ll go through the onesthat are left out. I won’t go into any detail. The Foothill yellow-legged frog is known to occur inwatershed and that was in Ohlone Park.NOP 96.223E: Alameda Watershed Management Plan C&R.62 ESA / 930385