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<br />" <br /> <br />5c'-3 <br /> <br />Mr. Calvin C. Fong <br /> <br />2 <br /> <br />(6) <br />(7) <br /> <br />Guarantee to Wildlife Services reimbursement for replacement cost of traps lost to <br />vandalism. <br />Install and maintain appropriate information signage. <br />Provide full time (day only) enforcement officer to enforce trail access regulations, no pet <br />law, and gate closure. <br /> <br />(5) <br /> <br />We appreciate the City's efforts to explore alternatives to the levee closure to address our <br />concerns, however, the conditions proposed did not address all of the impacts to listed species <br />present in the area. California clapper rails are present on the levee areas of Belmont and Bay <br />Sloughs. As stated in previous correspondence and in our biological opinion, the impacts of <br />additional human activity to clapper rails, especially during the breeding season, as a result of <br />new development is likely to impact clapper rail breeding success by disruption of foraging and <br />nesting behavior. Allowing public access at times other than "extreme high tides" and night does <br />not go far enough to avoid significant impacts to this species. We believe the remaining suitable <br />habitat at the Redwood Shores site is in such close proximity to the current trail system that <br />negative interactions between humans and clapper rails are inevitable and will lead to the loss of <br />successful breeding and their ability to escape all but the most "extreme" high tides. <br /> <br />City Manager Ed Everett has informed Ken Sanchez of my staff the City will not pursue <br />acquisition and restoration of nearby tidal marsh habitats like Area H and areas around the City's <br />wastewater treatment plant site. Therefore, I believe we have explored and evaluated all <br />alternatives and, because the proposed construction of levees and residential infrastructure is <br />completed or nearly so, fInd it difficult at this point to develop an alternative that avoids <br />significant impacts to the survival and recovery of the clapper rail and harvest mouse. I hope we <br />can now move forward with the implementation of this plan as proposed and agreed to in 1996. <br /> <br />Until such time as the Corps assures the City complies with the commitments made in the <br />project description and your pennit conditions I recommend disapproval of the City's request for <br />a permit extension. I appreciate your assistance on this matter and I request that you provide me <br />with the latest status of the fence construction and closures. If you have any questions, please <br />C'.(\pt!1c.t Ken S!1T1('.hI"'.7 ::¡t (916) 414-66? 5 <br /> <br />Sincerely, <br /> <br />~ð.~ <br /> <br />Cay C. Goude <br />Acting Field Supervisor <br /> <br />-.,,-, .~ <br />