SFPUC 2001 Alameda Watershed Management Plan

XII. SUMMARY OF COMMMENTS AND RESPONSESB. SUMMARY OF COMMENTS AND RESPONSESA mitigation measure has been added to EIR Section IV.E.2.0, in association with text revisionsto DEIR Section III.E:4. In new leases entitling mining, require mining and reclamation operationsto follow U.S. Fish and Wildlife Survey protocol for the Alamedawhipsnake critical habitat designation. Protocols for the protection ofAlameda whipsnake have not yet been finalized. However, at a minimum,pre-construction surveys will be required, and will involve walkingparallel transects 25 to 50 feet apart across the entire site. If found, snakeswould be released into appropriate nearby habitat. The area ofdisturbance in any mining operation within designated critical habitat willbe enclosed in snake-proof fencing.Comment I-28: ‘Page IV-3 / Last Paragraph “Require mining and reclamation operationsnorth and south of I-680 to have surveys conducted by a qualified biologist within storage pitponds and other basins that store water at proposed mining and reclamation areas on an annualbasis. Surveys would be completed for all life cycle stages of the California red-legged frog (e.g.,egg masses, tadpole, juveniles, adults) and California tiger salamander.”It is certainly reasonable and prudent to conduct surveys by qualified biologists for any specialstatus species when permitting a new area for mining, expansion of a new phase of mining, orpermitting for any other land use. It is very unlikely that any of these special status species wouldexist on property already disturbed by mining or other land uses. We have not seen a requirementfrom any public agency proposing surveys for special status species on an annual basis. Certainlybefore any property is disturbed these surveys are important and necessary, but it is extremelyunlikely that they would be needed after a project has been established.’ (RMC Pacific Materials)Comment I-29: ‘The mitigation that was given that was suppose to be above and beyond themitigation that was suggested in the SMP-32 EIR. And if I could read it to you here.Let’s see, it’s on page section numeral 4, and it starts on page 3. Let’s see. Under naturalresources the last sentence in that section says “Additional mitigation would be necessary toavoid a potentially significant effect, see section 2 0 below.”So [section] 2 0 says mitigation are measured in this report. The following mitigation measuresaddress potential natural resources impacts from proposed mining operations.Well, one thing it says it’s going to require surveys conducted annually by qualified biologist ofstorage pit ponds and others, since that’s at the proposed mining and recreation areas.Surveys would be completed for all life stages, of the California red-legged frog and theCalifornia Tiger Salamander. It says if no red-legged frogs or salamanders are detected, then theoperation mining operation shall continue.NOP 96.223E: Alameda Watershed Management Plan C&R.66 ESA / 930385