Draft Environmental Impact Report - California Off Highway Vehicle ...

3.5 Biological Resources
and some low quality nesting habitat suitable for raptors and migratory birds. Superior foraging
and nesting habitat for these species is present within the adjacent DFG Oroville Wildlife
Management Area.
Existing OHV use on the project site has introduced loud noise and fast vehicles to the site, so any
birds using the site for nesting or foraging would be acclimated to this type of activity.
Nonetheless, construction of facilities proposed and envisioned in the General Plan, including
construction and operation of the headquarters facilities, would introduce activities that could be
temporarily disruptive to nesting special‐status and migratory birds, causing them to abandon
their nests.
Implementation of Wildlife Guideline 1.2 in the General Plan would ensure that future
development and improvements within the SVRA would not result in significant adverse impacts
on nesting special‐status and migratory birds. If construction were to occur during the nesting
season, preconstruction surveys would be conducted by a qualified biologist. If nesting special‐
status or migratory birds were found, measures to avoid or minimize disturbance would be
developed in consultation with DFG. Such measures could include, among other things, delaying
construction activities or creating a buffer or screening around the nest site.
Because it is unlikely that special‐status or migratory birds would be found nesting on the project
site, and because the General Plan includes guidelines that would protect nesting special‐status
and migratory birds, the potential for loss or disturbance of special‐status and nesting migratory
birds would be less than significant.
Mitigation Measures: No mitigation is required.
IMPACT
3.5-7
Potential Disruption of a Migratory Wildlife Corridor
Wildlife corridors provide connections between two or more areas of habitat that would
otherwise be isolated and unusable. Often drainages, creeks, or riparian areas are used by wildlife
as movement corridors because these features can provide cover and access across a landscape.
The drainage canal that traverses Clay Pit SVRA connects the northwest corner of the property to
the DFG Oroville Wildlife Management Area, bordering the SVRA on the east, and could serve as a
wildlife movement corridor. However, no activities proposed or envisioned in the General Plan
would permanently interrupt movement through this area. The General Plan designates this
drainage canal as part of the Drainage Management Area, and DMA Goals 1 and 2 and associated
guidelines that would improve water quality and soils management in this use area could improve
this feature as a movement corridor. In addition, Water Guideline 2.4 in the General Plan would
restrict any temporary disturbance that could occur during construction of crossings and culverts
Clay Pit State Vehicular Recreation Area
February2012 3.5-14 Draft EIR