Saticoy & Wells Community Plan & Development ... - City Of Ventura

Saticoy & Wells Community Plan and Code EIRSection 4.4 Biological ResourcesCalifornia Fish and Game Code Sections 3503, 3503.5, and 3511 describe unlawful take,possession, or needless destruction of birds, nests, and eggs. Fully protected birds (Section3511) may not be taken or possessed except under specific permit. Section 3503.5 of the Codeprotects all birds-of-prey and their eggs and nests against take, possession, or destruction ofnests or eggs.Species of Special Concern (CSC) is a category conferred by CDFG for those species which areconsidered to be indicators of regional habitat changes or are considered to be potential futureprotected species. Species of Special Concern do not have any special legal status except thatafforded by the Fish and Game Code. The CSC category is intended by the CDFG for use as amanagement tool to take these species into special consideration when decisions are madeconcerning the development of natural lands.The CDFG also has authority to administer the Native Plant Protection Act (Fish and GameCode Section 1900 et seq). The Act requires CDFG to establish criteria for determining if aspecies, subspecies, or variety of native plant is endangered or rare. Under Section 1913(c) ofthe Act, the owner of land where a rare or endangered native plant is growing is required tonotify the Department at least 10 days in advance of changing the land use to allow for salvageof the plant.Perennial and intermittent streams also fall under the jurisdiction of the CDFG. Section 1602 ofthe Fish and Game Code (Streambed Alteration Agreements) gives the CDFG regulatoryauthority over work within the stream zone (which could extend to the 100-year flood plain)consisting of, but not limited to, the diversion or obstruction of the natural flow or changes inthe channel, bed, or bank of any river, stream or lake.The Department identified the following stressors affecting wildlife habitat: 1) growth anddevelopment; 2) water management conflicts and degradation of aquatic ecosystems; 3)invasive species; and 4) altered fire regimes.City of Ventura. The City’s 2005 General Plan provides the framework for evaluatingpotential biological impacts. The following Policies and Actions from the ”Our NaturalCommunity” chapter of the 2005 General Plan protect biological resources:Policy 1BAction 1.8Action 1.9Action 1.10Increase the area of open space protected from development impacts.Buffer barrancas and creeks that retain natural soil slopes from developmentaccording to State and Federal guidelines.Prohibit placement of material in watercourses other than native plants andrequired flood control structures, and remove debris periodically.Remove concrete channel structures as funding allows, and where doing sowill fit the context of the surrounding area and not create unacceptable floodor erosion potential.4.4-10City of Ventura