HomeMy WebLinkAboutCEQA17-0004 CDFW CommentFrom:Torres, Juan@Wildlife
To:Calarco, Pete
Cc:Wildlife R2 CEQA
Subject:comments for Magalia Forest Health Project (Project) [State Clearinghouse No. 2017082002]
Date:Friday, September 01, 2017 8:45:25 AM
Attachments:image001.png
Dear Mr. Calarco,
The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (Department) appreciates the opportunity to
comment on the Initial Study with Proposed Mitigated Negative Declaration (IS/MND) for
the Magalia Forest Health Project (Project) [State Clearinghouse No. 2017082002]. The
Department is responding to the IS/MND as a Trustee Agency for fish and wildlife
resources (California Fish and Game Code Sections 711.7 and 1802, and the California
Environmental Quality Act [CEQA] Guidelines Section 15386), and as a Responsible
Agency regarding any discretionary actions (CEQA Guidelines Section 15381), such as the
issuance of a Lake or Streambed Alteration (LSA)Agreement (California Fish and Game
Code Sections 1600 et seq.) and/or a California Endangered Species Act (CESA) Permit
for Incidental Take of Endangered, Threatened, and/or Candidate species (California Fish
and Game Code Sections 2080 and 2080.1).
The Department has the following comments:
1. Tree Roosting Bats. The IS/MND does not include any information regarding the
presence and potential impacts to tree roosting bats. The IS/MND should include
information regarding the potential presence of tree roosting bats and the potential
project impacts to these species. If tree roosting bats are present within the
proposed project area, at a minimum the removal of large trees that could be used
by these species should occur between September 15 and October 30 to avoid
impacts during bat hibernation and pupping season.
2. Foothill Yellow-legged Frog (FYLF). Please note that the proposed project is
located within FYLF (Rana boylii) range. FYLF is currently a candidate species
under the California Endangered Species Act (CESA). Please clarify if FYLF
surveys were conducted during the preparation of the IS/MND. If not, the
Department recommends that surveys occur to ascertain the potential presence of
this species within the project area. If no surveys are conducted the IS/MND
should assume that the species is present within the project boundaries and
analyze the potential impacts to this species. If the project will result in impacts to
FYLF, additional avoidance, minimization, and/or mitigation measures should be
proposed in the IS/MND. If it is determined that the proposed project will result in
take as defined by CESA, an incidental take permit should be obtained prior to
commencing any project activities that could result in take of FYLF.
3. Fish and Game Code Section 1600. Some activities described in the IS/MND could
be subject to Fish and Game Code Section 1600. The environmental document
should analyze all project related temporary, permanent, direct, indirect and/or
cumulative impacts to all perennial, intermittent, and ephemeral rivers, streams,
lakes, other features and associated biological resources/habitats. Some of these
habitats may fall outside the proposed buffer areas or may be present within Class
III and may require a Notification prior to starting the project activities. The
Department recommends that the project proponent coordinate with us to ensure
compliance with Fish and Game Code Section 1600.
4. The Department recommends that the prescribed fires occur during the fall to
avoid impacts during wildlife breeding season. The Department also recommends
that the 50 acres of prescribed burns per year should be sectioned into different
zones as to reduce impacts to species that occupy the forest’s understory.
The Department appreciates the opportunity to provide comments on the Project and we
hope you will contact us to discuss our concerns, comments, and recommendations in
greater detail. If you have any questions, please contact Juan Lopez Torres, Senior
Environmental Scientist (Specialist), at juan.torres@wildlife.ca.gov.
Sincerely,
Juan Lopez Torres
Senior Environmental Scientist (Specialist)
North Central RegionHabitat Conservation Program1701 Nimbus Road, Suite A
Rancho Cordova, CA 95670
Office: (916) 358-2951
Fax: (916) 358-2912
Juan.Torres@wildlife.ca.gov
www.wildlife.ca.gov
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