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

Saticoy & Wells Community Plan and Code EIRSection 4.4 Biological ResourcesAction 1.24Require new development to maintain all indigenous tree species or provideadequately sized replacement native trees on a 3:1 basis.The City of Ventura Tree Ordinance, Sec. 20.150.210 of the Municipal Code, requires a tree permitas follows: “It is unlawful for any person to plant, prune, deface, destroy, or remove or in anymanner injure any tree or shrub on any street in the city without first obtaining a permit fromthe parks manager to do so. Whenever a tree is removed or destroyed pursuant to any treepermit, it will be unlawful for the permittee to fail, refuse, or neglect to plant another tree, of thekind and size specified in the permit to replace the one destroyed or removed, within 40 daysafter the permit was issued.”4.4.2 Impact Analysisa. Methodology and Significance Thresholds. Impacts were assessed using availableliterature regarding the existing biological resources within the Project Area, aerialphotography, and field surveys of the Project Area conducted at various times over the pastthree years (Padre Associates 2007, Rincon Consultants 2008a-c).CEQA Statute 21001(c) states that it is the policy of the state of California to “prevent theelimination of fish and wildlife species due to man’s activities, ensure that fish and wildlifepopulations do not drop below self-perpetuating levels, and preserve for future generationsrepresentations of all plant and animal communities.” Environmental impacts relative tobiological resources may be assessed using impact significance based on the CEQA Guidelinesand federal, state and local plans, regulations, and ordinances. Impacts to flora and fauna maybe determined to be significant even if they do not directly affect rare, threatened, orendangered species.Significant impacts to biological resources could occur if Project Area development would:• Substantially affect rare, threatened or endangered species• Interfere substantially with the movement of any resident or migratory fish orwildlife species• Substantially diminish habitat for fish, wildlife or plants• Substantially affect federally protected wetlands• Have impacts that are individually limited, but cumulatively considerable; or involvethe alteration or conversion of biological resources (locally important species orlocally important communities) identified as significant within the county or regionb. Project Impacts and Mitigation Measures.Impact BIO-1The Project would largely avoid impacts to riparian andwetland habitats by emphasizing preservation of theexisting natural habitats and restoration of those areas thathave been previously altered by human impacts. Potentialimpacts could occur in certain locations, but would beaddressed through implementation of proposed CommunityPlan policies and actions. Impacts would be Class III, lessthan significant.4.4-12City of Ventura