AgdaPkt 2014-10-20 Closed and Special Joint with SA_Revised_10_17_2014

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8.A. - Page 65 Section 4: Evaluation of Environmental Impacts a) No Impact. The Opportunity Sites identified in the Housing Element will primarily be infill and redevelopment of areas already urbanized, with very little native plant and animal life. Much of the City of Redwood City has undergone extensive disturbance by agricultural and urban land uses, and therefore supports a decreased diversity of plant and animal life. According to the General Plan EIR, 79 special status plant species and 100 special status fish and wildlife species were reviewed for assessment. Of the special status plant species, 48 were ruled out based on the lack of suitable habitat or range restrictions, 23 species were determined to have some potential to occur within the City based on the presence of suitable habitat, and eight species are known to occur within the City. Of the special status fish and wildlife species, 54 were determined to have some potential to occur within the City or adjacent habitats based on the presence of suitable habitat. However, policies in the General Plan require the protection of biological resources. The General Plan Natural Resources and Built Environment Chapter contain policies and programs which address the health protection, conservation, and management of biological resources known to or expected to occur within the City. Program NR -24 requires that whenever new development or redevelopment occurs adjacent to an existing creek, the City will work with the developer to improve and enhance the portion of the creek on or adjacent to the property, including daylighting and creek restoration, wherever feasible. The General Plan EIR identified a series of mitigation measures to address potential impacts on habitat modifications listed as Mitigation Measures 4.41 -6. In addition to these mitigation measures all future development will be subject to individual CEQA review that will include assessment of any potential impacts to sensitive species and their habitat. The proposed project will, therefore, not have an adverse effect on any species identified as a candidate, sensitive, or special- status species in local or regional plans or by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife or U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. b) No Impact. Much of the City of Redwood City has undergone extensive disturbance by urban land uses, and therefore supports a decreased diversity of plant and animal life. Future development activities could occur along streams, in Bayfront areas, and near other wetlands habitats, which could result in the loss of wetlands and riparian habitat. However, policies NR -5.1, NR -5.3 through NR -5.7 in the Redwood City General Plan address the protection and enhancement of creeks, streams, and sloughs, including the preservation and protection of riparian plants, requiring setbacks from the buffer zones around creeks, and limiting construction activities within creeks. Furthermore, any environmental constraints such as biological resources, riparian areas, or threatened or endangered species will be subject to the submittal of appropriate reports prepared by qualified professionals which address the impacts, identify mitigation measures, and evaluate and ensure the adequacy of the specified mitigation measures. No construction projects are proposed as part of the proposed Housing Element Update. Any future development will be subject to individual CEQA review that will require assessment of potential impacts to biological resources, including riparian habitat that could support sensitive species. No changes are proposed to land use policy that would result in a different or more severe impact than previously concluded in the General Plan EIR. No impact would occur. c) No Impact. The USFWS National Wetlands Inventory indicates that the majority of wetlands within Redwood City are located in open baylands, including Bair Island, Bird Island, and Greco Island. None of the housing opportunity sites are located in these areas. Future housing development will be subject to environmental review pursuant to CEQA and the City's local development review procedures to protect biological resources. Any project impacts to streams or wetlands are subject to Federal Section 401 and /or 404 permitting and State Section 1600 stream alteration requirements. These regulations require identification and mapping of any wetland resources and implementation of appropriate mitigation to ensure no net loss of wetland area or 9 Redwood City New General Plan EIR. Biological Resources. 2010. 90 U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service. National Wetlands Inventory. < http:// www. fws .gov /wetlands/Data/Mapper.html> [July 23, 2014] 26 Redwood City Housing Element Initial Study