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

3.5 Biological Resources
IMPACT
3.5-9
Potential Loss of Vernal Pool Fairy Shrimp, Vernal Pool Tadpole Shrimp, or Their Habitat from
Construction of the Headquarters Facilities
Because construction of the headquarters facilities would not require the fill of any vernal pool
habitat, the project would cause no direct loss of vernal pool shrimp or their habitat. The
headquarters facilities would be constructed near existing vernal pools which could provide
suitable habitat for vernal pool fairy shrimp and potentially for other listed vernal pool
invertebrates. To avoid potential adverse impacts on water quality and associated indirect
impacts to vernal pool fairy shrimp from the construction or operation of such facilities, water
quality protection measures would be implemented. Numerous goals and guidelines in Chapter 4
of the General Plan provide specific guidance for the protection of water quality at Clay Pit SVRA.
(See Chapter 3.8 “Hydrology and Water Quality” for a detailed list of water quality protection goals
and guidelines). In particular, Water Guideline 2.1 provides guidance for the protection of water
quality during construction. With implementation of these goals and guidelines, potential direct
and indirect impacts on vernal pool fairy shrimp or their habitat associated with construction of
the headquarters facilities would be less than significant.
Mitigation Measures: No mitigation is required.
IMPACT
3.5-10
Potential Loss of or Disturbance to Valley Elderberry Longhorn Beetle from Construction of
the Headquarters Facilities
The USFWS requires a 100‐foot buffer around potential VELB habitat to avoid indirect impacts
from construction activities. The lone elderberry shrub located at Clay Pit SVRA is located more
than 100 feet away from the headquarters facilities, so construction of these facilities would not
pose a risk of inadvertent disturbance to this habitat or any VELB that it may contain. Therefore,
no impact on VELB would occur from construction of the headquarters facilities.
Mitigation Measures: No mitigation is required.
3.5.5 Summary of Significant Impacts
Adoption of the General Plan and implementation of resulting actions would not result in
significant impacts on biological resources. Construction and operation of the headquarters
facilities would not result in significant impacts on biological resources.
3.5.6 Mitigation Measures
No significant impacts on biological resources would result with implementation of the General
Plan, including construction and operation of the headquarters facilities; therefore, no mitigation
is required.
Clay Pit State Vehicular Recreation Area
February2012 3.5-16 Draft EIR