AgdaPkt 2016-04-25 Closed and Joint SA PFA

Browse Search

7.B. - Page 54 2 Environmental Analysis Habitat Types: Land cover types in the project area include ruderal vegetation such as wild radish (Raphanus sativus),black mustard (Brassica nigra),and common mallow (Malva neglecta),and a mixture of native and non-native vegetation including salt grass (Distichlis sipcata),gumplant (Grinelia stricta), curly dock (Rumex cripus),and pickleweed (Salincornia virginica). Salt marsh wetland vegetation consists primarily of modified marsh and estuarine habitat, such as pickelweed, cordgrass,and salt grass that are tidally influenced by the creek. The salt marsh wetland vegetation along Redwood Creek and supports a variety of fish,aquatic organisms, and wildlife species. Approximately 0.01 acres of salt- marsh vegetation exist along the creek banks of Redwood Creek within the project area. (WRECO, 2013). Regulatory Setting. The project is subject to the U.S. Endangered Species Act (FESA), administered by the USFWS,and the California Endangered Species Act (CESA), administered by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW). Both acts provide protection for listed species from an act of"taking," which the FESA defines as actions that "harm, harass, pursue, hunt, shoot,wound, kill, capture, or collect a federally listed endangered species, endangered species of wildlife, or attempt to engage in any such conduct." The CDFW also maintains the plants and animals listed on the California Native Plant Protection Act (CNPP) and the California Species of Special Concern (CSSC) list. The CSSC serves a "watch list" for species that are currently at risk of becoming listed as endangered or threatened under the ESA. The CDFW also enforces the Federal Migratory Bird Treaty Act (FMBTA),which protects and regulates the "take" of migratory birds. The Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (FCMA), enforced by National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), requires agency consultation for any activities involving potentially adverse effects to Essential Fish Habitat (EFH)_for federally managed marine and anadromous fish species. Redwood Creek leads to San Francisco Bay and is classified as EFH. The U.S.Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) regulates the jurisdictional water of the U.S.,including Redwood Creek,under the Section 404 permit process of the Clean Water Act (CWA). Jurisdictional waters of the U.S. include wetlands and wetland drainages supporting wetland vegetation,tidal and non-tidal waters,ponds,vernal pools,and territorial seas. The San Francisco Bay Regional Water Quality Board (SFRWQCB) has jurisdictional authority to regulate the water quality of Redwood Creek under Section 401 of the Water Quality Certificate permit process of the CWA. Tree Ordinance. Chapter 35 (Ordinance 1536) of the City of Redwood City Code establishes that the Park and Recreation Commission has the authority to enforce the protection and preservation of any "heritage" trees. The City of Redwood City Parks and Recreation Commission has jurisdiction over the preservation of any heritage trees with historical significance or is dependent on other tress for survival (City of Redwood City, 2013). Endangered and Special Status Wildlife Species. The BRS site assessment identified 11 species listed under the FESA or CESA or included in the CDFW list of special status species (CSSC) that have the potential to occur in the project area, based on a search of the CNDDB and a biological 2-14 US 101 Pedestrian Undercrossing and Bair Island Road Storm Drain Pump Station Project