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HomeMy WebLinkAbout5 Mitigated Negative Declaration Agenda Item TRUCKEE DONNER PUBLIC UTILITY DISTRICT INITIAL STUDY/ PROPOSED MITIGATED NEGATIVE DECLARATION (Prepared pursuant to Article V of the Environmental Guidelines of the District) Project Title: New Sierra Meadows Pump Station Lead Agency Name and Address: Truckee Donner Public Utility District P.O. Box 309 Truckee, CA 96160-0309 Contact Person and Phone Number: Peter L. Holzmeister, General Manager (530) 582-3916 Project Location: Northern end of Pine Cone Road near Tamarack Way, Truckee, CA. Project Sponsor's Name and Address: Truckee Donner Public Utility District P.O. Box 309 Truckee, CA 96160-0309 General Plan Designation: Residential (1-2 dwellings/acre) Zoning: Residential Truckee Donner Public Utility District t April 2005 1.0 INTRODUCTION 1.1 INTRODUCTION AND REGULATORY GUIDANCE This Initial Study (IS) has been prepared to comply with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and addresses the environmental impacts of constructing the Truckee Donner Public Utility District's (District) New Sierra Meadows Pump Station. The IS has been prepared in accordance with CEQA, Public Resources Code 21000 et seq., and the State CEQA Guidelines, Title 14 California Code of Regulations (CCR) 15000 et sq. An IS is prepared by a lead agency to determine if a project may have a significant effect on the environment. The lead agency for the proposed project is the Truckee Donner Public Utility District. 1.2 PURPOSE The purpose of the project is to replace an existing pump station facility that is in poor condition. The new Sierra Meadows pump station will also include an emergency generator and will improve the service reliability to the District's customers. This IS addresses the environmental impacts of constructing the new pump station. 1.3 SUMMARY OF FINDINGS Section 3 of this IS contains the Environmental Checklist that identifies potential environmental impacts (presented by environmental subject area) and a discussion of each impact that would result from implementation of the proposed project. Based on the Environmental Checklist and the supporting environmental analysis provided in this document, development of the proposed project would result in the following impacts: • No Impact: agricultural resources, hydrology and water quality, geology and soils, land use and planning, mineral resources, population, public services, utilities and service systems, hazards and hazardous materials, traffic/transportation, and recreation. • Less-than-Significant Impacts: aesthetics, air quality, and noise. • Less-than-Significant Impacts with Mitigation Incorporated: biological resources and cultural resources. In accordance with State CEQA Guidelines 15070, a Mitigated Negative Declaration may be prepared if the proposed project will not have a significant effect on the environment after the inclusion of mitigation measures into the project. There is no substantial evidence that the proposed project, as revised by mitigation measures, would have a significant effect on the environment based on the available project information and the environmental analysis presented in this document. Therefore, a Mitigated Negative Declaration is proposed to be adopted in accordance with CEQA and State CEQA Guidelines. Truckee Donner Public Utility District 2 April 2005 2.0 PROJECT DESCRIPTION 2.1 PROJECT LOCATION The proposed project site is located on the USGS 7.5-minute Truckee quadrangle within the southeastern portion of the Town of Truckee, Nevada County, California (Figure 1). The new pump station will be located at the northern end of Pine Cone Road and Tamarack Way on an easement granted to the District by a private property owner. The project site occurs at an elevation of approximately 6,100 feet adjacent to residential homes and roadways. 2.2 PROJECT SETTING The Town of Truckee is situated on the east slope of the Sierra Nevada Mountains at the base of Donner Summit. The Truckee area is surrounded by mountainous terrain and is heavily treed with various species of native pines. The proposed pump station is directly adjacent to and bounded by Pine Cone Way, Tamarack Way, and residential homes. 2.3 PROJECT CONSTRUCTION The District proposes to construct an 18-foot by 24-foot booster pump station with concrete block walls, wooden frame roof, and asphalt composition shingles. A site plan is provided as Figure 2. Construction will involve grading, excavating, and trenching. Runoff from the site will be directed to an underground infiltration gallery designed to contain a 20-year, 1-hour storm event. There will be no adverse hydrologic changes to existing drainage conveyances. As is standard with all District construction projects, permanent erosion control measures and Best Management Practices will be implemented. The District has updated its Storm Water Pollution Prevention (SWPPP) under the State Water Resources Control Board, National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System, General Construction Permit to include this project. 2.4 ALTERNATIVES TO THE PROPOSED PROJECT The "No Project" alternative does not offer any advantages over the proposed project in terms of improving service reliability to District customers. Therefore, the proposed project is considered the preferred alternative. 2.5 REQUIRED PUBLIC AGENCY APPROVAL Truckee Donner Public Utility District State Water Resources Control Board Truckee Donner Public Utility District 3 April 2005 C Perk � e' - 3 e � rued e-Stag r -. Gravel Pei r ' Cern Gravei P�¢ c 5770 / h M• � �a AFT ii Oateway Truckee iia$Id5 nai Palk vv � OSIP .rr".r t• f �. t lr k.,' Tank Gem J Grsvell Pi 1 dcalm a'f d7-2 - 9 5834 . Gate ;rY X R. Figure 1. Location of Project Area. Z .., .._� Project 0 .25 .5 Area miles Base map:USGS 7.5 Minute Series 1f Truckee,California quadrangle 4 EXISTING PUMP PERMANENT EASEMENT EXISTING STATION BUILDING STEEL TANK New 18"x 24'PUMP TO TDPUD STATION BUILDING ACCESS EASEMENT ' TO TDPUD - 50 LOSEb 6 r Oo TAMARACK WAY _ ---__._- o Iy` v O , SCALE - Figure 2 1" =50' TRUCKEE DONNER Public Utility District Sierra Meadows Pump Station Preliminary Site Plan 3.0 EVALUATION OF ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS Pursuant to Section 15063 of the CEQA Guidelines, a brief explanation is required for all answers except "No Impact' answers that are adequately supported by the information sources. A "No Impact" answer is adequately supported if the referenced information sources show that the impact simply does not apply to projects like the one involved. A "No Impact' answer should be explained where it is based on project-specific factors as well as general standards. 3.1. AESTHETICS -- Would the Potentially Less Than Less Than No project: Significant Significant Significant Impact Impact With Impact Mitigation Incorporated a) Have a substantial adverse effect on ❑ ❑ a scenic vista? b) Substantially damage scenic ❑ ❑ resources, including, but not limited to, trees, rock croppings, and historic buildings within a state scenic highway? c) Substantially degrade the existing ❑ ❑ ® ❑ visual character or quality of the site and its surroundings? d} Create a new source of substantial ❑ ❑ ❑ light or glare, which would adversely affect day or nighttime views in the area? Response to questions: (a);(b);The proposed new booster pump station will be located directly adjacent to the northern end of Pine Cone Way near Tamarack Way within a residential neighborhood (See Photo 1). The booster pump station will not have a substantial adverse effect on a scenic vista nor will it substantially damage scenic resources and/or historic buildings within a state scenic highway. Therefore, there would be no impact. (c): The booster pump station will be set back from the road and will blend in, to the greatest extent possible, with the surrounding landscape. Construction of the booster pump station would not substantially degrade the existing visual character or quality of the site and its surroundings. Therefore, this impact is considered less than significant. Truckee Donner Public Utility District 5 April 2005 would not substantially degrade the existing visual character or quality of the site and its surroundings, Therefore, this impact is considered less than signit_"tc ant. (d): Tne booster pump station would not create a new source of substantial light or Mare that would adversely affect day ctr nightt°;_:rte views in the area and, therefore, there is no impact- iti ation Measure) -None Required Mitigation Nlo nitoriang -°yore Required r S i`Y a¢A. 4 w�2 u A �istiti' Photo 1. The intersection of fine tone 'iVae. and "la,uarack %Va-, 1-he booster _-unn rafic-i would he 'located to the north of the intersea.Uon on an sasf'meru granted -Fo the D'str,ct b; a private pr€sperts owner. Photo taken March 2005. ftmkce Donner Public l girt. Enstri t 6 _ _.,.__ 1 3.2. AGRICULTURAL Potentially Less Than Less Than No RESOURCES: In determining Significant Significant Significan Impact whether impacts to agricultural Impact With Impact = resources are significant Mitigation environmental effects, lead agencies Incorporated may refer to the California Agricultural Land Evaluation and Site assessment Model (1997) prepared by the California Department of Conservation as an optional model to use in assessing impacts on agriculture and farmland. Would the project: a) Convert Prime farmland, Unique ❑ ❑ ❑ farmland, or Farmland of Statewide Importance, as shown on the maps prepared pursuant to the farmland Mapping and Monitoring Program of the California Resources Agency, to non-agricultural use? b) Conflict with existing zoning for ❑ ❑ ❑ agricultural use or a Williamson Act contract? c) Involve other changes in the ❑ ❑ existing environment, which due to their location or nature, could result in conversion of farmland, to non- ' agricultural use? Response to questions: (a)—(c):'fhe project site is within a residential neighborhood and does not support any agriculture, therefore, there would be no impact as a result of the proposed project. Mitigation Measure(s) - None Required Mitigation Monitoring -None Required Truckee Donner Public Utility District 7 April 2005 3.3. AIR QUALITY -- Where Potentially Less Than Less Than No applicable, the significance criteria Significant Significant Significant Impact established by the applicable air Impact With Impact quality management or air pollution Mitigation control district may be relied upon to Incorporated make the following determinations. Would the project: a) Conflict with or obstruct ❑ ❑ ❑ implementation of the applicable air quality plan? b) Violate any air quality standard or ❑ ❑ contribute substantially to an existing or projected air quality violation? c) Result in a cumulatively ❑ ❑ ❑ considerable net increase of any criteria pollutant for which the project region is non-attainment under an applicable federal or state ambient air quality standard (including releasing emissions which exceed quantitative thresholds for ozone precursors)? d) Expose sensitive receptors to ❑ ❑ ❑ H: substantial pollutant concentrations? e) Create objectionable odors affecting ❑ ❑ a substantial number of people? Response to questions: (a): The project would not conflict with or obstruct implementation of an applicable air quality plan and, therefore, there would be no impact. (b): Construction activities have the potential to generate emissions through the release of fugitive dust and equipment exhaust associated with construction and excavation activities. Fugitive dust emissions shall be minimized at all times utilizing control measures including regularly applied water. When transporting material during construction, measures shall be taken to prevent material from spilling or blowing onto roadways. Therefore, this impact is considered less than significant. (c)-(e): Due to the short-term nature of the project, air emissions would not be considered cumulatively considerable. The project would not create objectionable odors affecting a substantial number of people and, therefore, there would be no impact. Mitigation Measure(s) —None Required Mitil4ation Monitorine—None Required Truckee Donner Public Utility District 8 April 2005 3.4. BIOLOGICAL RESOURCES Potentially Less Than Less Than No -- Would the project: Significant Significant Significant Impact Impact With Impact Mitigation Incorporated a) Have a substantial adverse effect, ❑ ® ❑ ❑ either directly or through habitat modifications, on any species identified as a candidate, sensitive, or special status in local or regional plans, policies, or regulations, or by the California Department of Fish and Game or U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service? b) Have a substantial adverse effect on ❑ ❑ ❑ any riparian habitat or sensitive natural community identified in local or regional plans, policies, or regulations, or by the California Department of Fish and Game or U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service? c) Have a substantial adverse effect on ❑ ❑ federally protected wetlands as defined by Section 404 of the Clean Water Act through direct removal, filling, hydrological interruption, or other means? d) Interfere substantially with the ❑ ® ❑ ❑ movement of any native resident or migratory fish or wildlife species or with established native residents or migratory wildlife corridors or impede the use of native wildlife nursery sites? e) Conflict with any local policies or ❑ ® ❑ ❑ ordinances protecting biological resources, such as a tree preservation policy or ordinance? f) Conflict with the provisions of an ❑ ❑ ❑ adopted Habitat Conservation Plan, Natural Community Conservation Plan, or other approved local regional, or state habitat conservation plan? Truckee Donner Public Utility District 9 April 2005 Response to questions: Surveys for special status wildlife species were conducted on March 15, 2005 by Mark Chainey Wildlife Consulting and Inland Ecosystems. A search of the California Natural Diversity Database (CDFG 2005) was conducted for all records of special status plant and animal species occurring within the USGS quadrangle location encompassing the project, as well as all adjacent quadrangles. A species list was requested from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) for the Norden and Truckee quadrangles (Appendix A). A target list of special-status wildlife potentially occurring in the project area is contained in Appendix B. Appendix C is a target list of special-status plants potentially occurring in the project area. An understanding of the habitat requirements for species potentially utilizing the site and the degree of existing human development in the immediate area were factors considered in the impact assessment. (a): No special status species were found during survey work, nor is there habitat present for any listed animal or plant species. The proposed booster pump station is located on private property adjacent to Pine Cone Way, Tamarack Way, and residential homes (with dogs), which strongly precludes any significant use of the site by wildlife. The proposed project will not have a significant impact on rare, endangered, threatened, or other special-status species identified in Local or regional plans, policies, or regulations or by CDFG or USFWS. Numerous raptor species do, however, forage and nest in various habitats throughout the Sierra Nevada throughout spring and summer. Raptor nests are protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA) and by Section 3503.5 of the California Fish and Game Code. Disturbance to an active raptor nest could occur during construction activities. Disturbing an active raptor nest would violate Sections 3503 and 3503.5 of the Department of Fish and Game Code and would be considered a potentially significant impact. The nests of all migratory birds are also protected under the MBTA, which makes it illegal to destroy any active migratory bird nest. Implementation of the mitigation measure outlined below will reduce potential impacts to special-status species and/or their habitats to a less than significant level. (b)-(c):No wetlands or waters of the U.S. were found in the project area. The project would not have a substantial adverse effect on any sensitive habitat identified in local or regional plans, policies or regulations, or by CDFG or USFWS. (d): The proposed booster pump station is located in a residential area. Construction activities will not interfere substantially with the movement of any native resident or migratory wildlife species or with established native resident or migratory wildlife corridors. Implementation of the mitigation measure outlined below will reduce potential impacts to special-status species to a less than significant level. Truckee Donner Public Utility District IO April 2005 (e): Some trees will need to be removed to accommodate the booster pump station. Implementation of the mitigation measures outlined below would reduce this impact to a less than significant level. (f): The project will not conflict with local policies protecting biological resources or conflict with the provisions of an HCP, NCCP, or other approved conservation plan and, therefore, there would be no impact. Mitigation Measure(s) - The following mitigation measures shall be incorporated into the project: 4(a);(d):Raptor and migratory nest surveys will be conducted within and adjacent to the project site prior to construction activities. If an active nest is located in close proximity to the project site, the District will immediately consult with the California Department of Fish and Game. 4(e): Any mature tree over 12" diameter that may need to be removed will be mitigated by on- site planting of 5-gallon native trees at a 2:1 ratio. Mitigation Monitoring: Truckee Donner Public Utility District 3.5. CULTURAL RESOURCES - Potentially Less Than Less Than No - Would the project: Significant Significant Significant Impact Impact With Impact Mitigation Incorporated a) Cause a substantial adverse ❑ ® ❑ ❑ change in the significance of a historical resource as defined in §15064.5? b) Cause a substantial adverse ❑ ® ❑ change in the significance of an archaeological resource pursuant to §15064.5? c) Directly or indirectly destroy a ❑ ® ❑ ❑ unique paleontological resource or site or unique geologic feature? d) Disturb any human remains, ❑ ® ❑ ❑ including those interred outside of I formal cemeteries? Truckee Donner Public Utility District I l April 2005 Response to questions: The cultural resources responses are based on a Records Search conducted by the North Central Information Center of the California Historical Resources Information System (See Appendix D). California law recognizes the need to protect Native American human burials, skeletal remains, and items associated with Native American burials from vandalism and inadvertent destruction. The Native American Heritage Commission (NAHC) was contacted for information about Sacred Lands within the project area. The NAHC did not identify any Sacred Lands within the project area and provided references of local Native American groups and individuals to request additional information (Appendix D). Both the Washoe Tribe of Nevada and California and the Archives and Cultural Center were contacted for any further information and no responses were received. (a)-(d):The archaeological record search conducted at the North Central Information Center of the California Historical Resources Information System (NCIC File No. NEV-05-11) indicated that there are no cultural resources located within the project area. While there are no known archeological resources at the proposed project site, it would be a significant impact if such resources were present, and were displaced or demolished during construction activities. Implementation of the mitigation measures outlined below will reduce this potential impact to a less than significant level. Mitigation Measure(s) - The following mitigation measures shall be incorporated into the project: (a)-(d):The District will have Dr. Susan Lindstrom, a Local Truckee cultural/historic archeologist, on-call during any site disturbance. In the event that evidence of cultural resources is encountered during construction of the booster pump station, Dr. Lindstrom would be notified to record the location of such resources and gather available information. The District will coordinate any findings with the appropriate state, federal, and tribal entities according to standard reporting procedures to avoid disruption of any archaeological and historical resources. Mitigation Monitoring - Truckee Donner Public Utility District Truckee Donner Public Utility District 12 April 2005 _. 3.6. GEOLOGY AND SOILS -- Potentially Less Than Less Than No Would the project: Significant Significant Significant Impact Impact With Impact Mitigation Incorporated a) Expose people or structures to ❑ ❑ ❑ potential substantial adverse effects including the risk of loss injury, or death involving rupture of a known earthquake fault, as delineated on the most recent Alquist-Priolo Earthquake Fault Zoning Map issued by the State Geologist for the area or based on other substantial evidence of a known Fault? Refer to Division of Mines and Geology Special Publication 42. b) Expose people or structures to ❑ ❑ ❑--� ��— potential substantial adverse effects including the risk of loss injury, or death involving strong seismic ground shaking? c) Expose people or structures to ❑ ❑ ❑ potential substantial adverse effects including the risk of loss injury, or death involving seismic- i related ground failure, including liquefaction? d) Expose people or structures to ❑ ❑ ❑�� potential substantial adverse effects including the risk of loss, injury, or death involving landslides? e) Result in substantial soil erosion ❑ ❑ ❑ or the loss of topsoil? i Truckee Donner Public Utility District 13 April 2005 Potentially Less Than Less Than No Significant Significant Significant Impact Impact With Impact Mitigation Incorporated I) Be located on a geologic unit or ❑ ❑ ❑ isoil that is unstable or that would become unstable as a result of the project, and potentially result in on- or off-site landslide, lateral spreading, subsidence, liquefaction or collapse? g) Be located on expansive soil, as ❑ ❑ ❑ defined in Table 18-1-B of the uniform Building Code (1994), creating substantial risks to life or property? h) Have soils incapable of ❑ ❑ adequately supporting the use of ❑ L tanks or alternative ter disposal systems ewers are not available for osal of wastewater? Response to questions: (a)-(c): The project site is not located within any fault zone of the Alquist-Priolo Earthquake Faulting Zoning Map. The project is limited to construction of the booster pump station that would be designed in accordance with the California Health and Safety Code. This code requires that structures be designed to resist stresses developed by earthquakes. The booster pump station would be designed in accordance with the standards in the Uniform Building Code. There is no aspect of the project that would expose people or property to increased risk during strong seismic ground shaking, ground failure, or liquefaction. Other hazards, such as lateral spreading, lurch cracking, regional subsidence and liquefaction, are unlikely to occur during project construction and, therefore, there would be no impact. (d);(f): Construction of the booster pump station would not expose people or structures to potential adverse effects from landslides nor would it be located on unstable soils and, therefore, there would be no impact. Truckee Donner Public Utility District 14 April 2005 s _.. . _ . .. _ _ (e): During excavation unwanted material would be hauled away. The project activities do not present significant potential for soil erosion and, therefore,there would be no impact. (g);(h):The project includes standard construction operations. There are no demands for wastewater disposal systems included in the project and, therefore, there would be no impact. Mitigation Measure(s) - None Required Mitigation Monitoring-None Required 3.7. HAZARDS AND Potentially Less Than Less Than No HAZARDOUS MATERIALS -- Significant Significant Significant Impact Would the project: Impact With Impact Mitigation Incorporated a) Create a significant hazard to ❑ ❑ the public or the environment through the routine transport, use, or disposal of hazardous materials? b) Create a significant hazard to LJ ❑ ❑ the public or the environment through reasonably foreseeable upset and accident conditions involving the release of hazardous materials into the environment? c) Emit hazardous emissions or ❑ ❑ handles hazardous or acutely hazardous materials, substances, or waste within one-quarter mile of an existing or proposed school? d) Be located on a site which is ❑ ❑ ❑-HZ included on a list of hazardous materials sites compiled pursuant to Government Code Section 65962.5 and, as a result, would it create a significant hazard to the public or the environment? Truckee Donner Public Utility District 15 April 2005 F— Potentially Less Than Less Than No Significant Significant Significant Impact Impact With Impact Mitigation Incorporated e) For a project located within an ❑ ❑ ❑ airport land use plan or, where such a plan has not been adopted, within two miles of a public airport or public use airport, would the project result in a safety hazard for people residing or working in the project area? f) For a project within the vicinity ❑ ❑ ❑ of a private airstrip, would the project result in a safety hazard for people residing or working within the project area? g) Impair implementation of or ❑ ❑ ❑ physically interfere with an adopted emergency response plan or emergency evacuation plan? h) Expose people or structures to a ❑ ❑ significant risk of loss, injury or death involving wildland fires, including where wildlands are adjacent to urbanized areas or where residences are intermixed with wildlands? Response to questions: (a)-(h):The proposed project does not involve the transport, use, or disposal of hazardous materials. The project site is not within an airport land use plan. The project site is well removed from a school, airport, or airstrip. No component of the project activities would impair or interfere with emergency response or evacuation, or expose people or structures to wildland fires. Therefore, there are no impacts. Mitigation Measure(s) - None Required s Mitigation Monitoring-None Required l Truckee Donner Public Utility District 16 April 2005 s 3.8. HYDROLOGY AND Potentially Less Than Less Than No WATER QUALITY -- Would Significant Significant Significant Impact the project: Impact With Impact Mitigation Incorporated a) Violate any water quality ❑ ❑ ❑ standards or waste discharge requirements? b) Substantially deplete ❑ ❑ ❑ groundwater supplies or interfere substantially with groundwater recharge such that there would be a net deficit in aquifer volume or a lowering of the local groundwater table level (e.g., the production rate of pre-existing nearby wells would drop to a level which would not support existing land uses or planned uses for which permits have been granted)? c) Substantially alter the existing ❑ ❑ ❑ drainage pattern of the site or area, including through the alteration of the course of a stream or river, in a manner, which would result in substantial erosion or siltation on- or off-site? d) Substantially alter the existing ❑ ❑ drainage pattern of the site or area, including through the alteration of the course of a stream or river, or substantially increase the rate or amount of surface runoff in a manner, which would result in tloodin on- or off-site? e) Create or contribute runoff ❑ ❑ ❑ water, which would exceed the capacity of existing or planned stormwater drainage systems or provide substantial additional i sources of polluted runoff? r i s i Truckee Donner Public Utility District 17 April 2005 Potentially Less Than Less Than No Significant Significant Significant Impact Impact With Impact Mitigation Inco orated f) Otherwise substantially degrade ❑ ❑ ❑ water quality? g) Place housing within a 100-year ❑ ❑ �� ❑ — flood hazard area as mapped on a i federal Flood hazard Boundary or Flood Insurance rate Map or other flood hazard delineation map? h) Place structure within a 100- ❑ ❑ �� �— year flood hazard area, which would impede or redirect flood flows? i) Expose people or structures to a ❑ IT ET— significant risk of loss, injury or death involving flooding, including flooding as a result of the failure of a levee or dam? j) Inundation by seiche, tsunami, ❑ ❑ ❑ or mudflow? Response to questions: (a)-(j): The District will construct the booster pump station under the State Water Resources Control Board, NPDES General Permit for Construction Projects that requires development of a Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP). The District's SWPPP includes mitigation measures for the protection of water quality. The estimated surface area of soil disturbance to install the booster pump station is 500 square feet. All stormwater runoff from impervious surfaces will be directed to an infiltration gallery designed to accommodate a 20-year, I-hour storm event. A preliminary list of specific BMPs for this project is provided in Appendix E. There are no water demands associated with the project, nor will the project impact groundwater quality or quantity. The project would not change absorption rates, drainage patterns, or the rate and amount of surface runoff. No housing is proposed as part of this project and no portion of the project area is subject to the possibility of seiche,tsunami, or mudflow. Therefore, there are no impacts. Mitigation Measure(s) - None Required Mitigation Monitoring -None Required Truckee Donner Public Utility District is April 2005 3.9. LAND USE AND Potentially Less Than Less "Chan No PLANNING -- Would the project: Significant Significant Significant Impact Impact With Impact Mitigation Incorporated a) Physically divide an established ❑ ❑ ❑ community? b) Conflict with any applicable land ❑ ❑ ❑ use plan, policy, or regulation of an agency with jurisdiction over the project (including, but not limited to the general plan, specific plan, local coastal program, or zoning ordinance) adopted for the purpose of avoiding or mitigating an environmental effect? c) Conflict with any applicable ❑ ❑ f habitat conservation plan or natural community conservation plan? Response to questions: (a)—(c):The project entails construction of a booster pump station for improved service of existing District water supplies. No changes to existing zoning or land use are proposed with this project. There would be no impact to planning as a result of the proposed project. The proposed project area is not affected by a Habitat Conservation Plan or Natural Community Conservation Plan and, therefore, will not impact such plans. Mitigation Measure(s) - None Required Mitigation Monitoring- None Required Truckee Donner Public Utility District 19 April 2005 3.10. MINERAL RESOURCES - Potentially Less Than Less Than No - Would the project: Significant Significant Significant Impact Impact With Impact Mitigation Incorporated a) Result in the loss of availability of a known mineral resource that ❑ ❑ ❑ would be of value to the region and the residents of the state? b) Result in the loss of availability ❑ ❑ of a locally-important mineral resource recovery site delineated on a local general plan, specific plan or other land use plan? Response to questions: (a)—(b): No demands for energy or mineral resources are proposed with this project, therefore no impact would occur as a result of the proposed project. Mitigation Measure(s) -None Required Mitigation Monitoring-None Required 3.11. NOISE -- Would the project result in: a) Exposure of persons to or ❑ ❑ Lstandards noise levels in excess stablished in the local or noise ordinance, or tandards of other ) xposureof persons to or ❑ ❑ ®�� ❑ generation of excessive groundborne vibration noise levels? c) A substantial permanent increase ❑ ❑ ❑ in ambient noise levels in the project vicinity above levels existing without theproject? Truckee Donner Public Utility District 20 April 2005 Potentially Less Than Less Than No Significant Significant Significant Impact Impact With Impact Mitigation i Incorporated d) A substantial temporary or ❑ ❑ ®�— ❑ periodic increase in ambient noise levels in the project vicinity above levels existing without the project? e) For a project located within an ❑ ❑ ❑ airport land use plan or, where such a plan has not been adopted within two miles of a public airport or public use airport, would the project expose people residing or working in the project area to excessive noise levels? I) For a project within the vicinity of ❑ ❑ ❑ a private airstrip, would the project expose people residing or working in the project area to excessive noise levels? Response to questions: (a);(e): There will be no impact to these issues related to noise as a result of the proposed project. (b);(d):During construction activities, noise levels would increase temporarily during construction activity but would not result in a substantial increase above levels existing without the project. This noise increase would be of short duration, and would occur during the daylight hours of 7 a.m. - 6 p.m. Monday-Friday, and 8 am. - 6 p.m. on Saturday. Construction plans shall include reference to these restricted hours of construction. This impact would be restricted to the construction period and is considered less than significant. (e)—(f):The Project site is not within an airport land use plan or private airstrip and, therefore, there would be no impact. Mitigation Measure(s) - None Required Mitigation Monitoring - None Required Truckee Donner Public Utility District 21 April 2005 3.12. POPULATION -- Potentially Less Than Less Than No Would the project: Significant Significant Significant Impact Impact With Impact Mitigation Incorporated a) Induce substantial ❑ ❑ ❑ population growth in an area, either directly (e.g., by proposing new homes and businesses) or indirectly (e.g., through the extension of roads or other infrastructure)? b) Displace substantial ❑ numbers of existing housing, 77-7 necessitating the construction of replacement housing elsewhere? c} Displace substantial ❑ ❑ ❑ numbers of people, necessitating the construction of replacement housing elsewhere? Response to questions: (a)-(c):The project entails replacement of an existing facility that is in poor condition. The project would not affect local population centers or demand for new housing. Project activities would not interfere with, or create demands on police or fire protection, schools, parks, or other public facilities. Mitigation Measure(s) -None Required Mitigation Monitoring-None Required 1 Truckee Donner Public Utility District 22 April 2005 313. PUBLIC SERVICES -- Potentially Less Than Less Than No Would the project result in Significant Significant Significant Impact ` substantial adverse physical Impact With Impact i impacts associated with the Mitigation provision of new or physically Incorporated altered governmental facilities, need for new or physically altered governmental facilities, the construction of which could cause significant environmental impacts, in order to maintain acceptable service rations, response time or other performance objectives for any of the public services: a) Fire protection? ❑ ❑ ❑ b) Police Protection? ❑ ❑ ❑ c) Schools? ❑ ❑ ❑ i d) Parks? ❑ ❑ ❑ e) Other public facilities? ❑ ❑ ❑ Response to questions: (a)—(e): No aspect of the proposed project would interfere with, or create a demand for, public services and, therefore,there would be no impact. Mitigation Measure(s) - None Required Mitigation Monitoring -None Required Truckee Donner Public Utility District 23 April 2005 ;Would REATION -- Potentially Less Than Less Than No Significant Significant With Significant Impact Impact Mitigation Impact Incorporated e project increase ❑ ❑ ❑ isting ineighborhood and regional parks or other recreational facilities such that substantial physical deterioration of the facility would occur or be accelerated? b) Does the project include ❑ ❑ ❑ recreational facilities or require the construction or expansion of recreational facilities, which might have an adverse physical effect on the environment? Response to questions: (a)-(b): The project will not impact existing or proposed neighborhood parks, regional parks, or recreational facilities and, therefore, there would be no impact. Mitigation Measure(s)- None Required Mitigation Monitoring - None Required 3.15. TRANSPORTATION/ TRAFFIC-- Would the project: a) Cause an increase in traffic, ❑ ❑ ❑ which is substantial in relation to the existing traffic load and capacity of the street system? b) Exceed, either individually ❑ ❑ ❑ for cumulatively, a level of service standard established by the county congestion management agency for designated roads or highways? z Truckee Donner Public Utility District 24 April 2005 tentially Less Than Less Than No Po Significant Significant With Significant Impact Impact Mitigation Impact Incorporated e) Result in a change in traffic ❑ ❑ patterns, including either an increase in traffic levels or a change in location that results in substantial safety risks? d) Substantially increase ❑ ❑ ❑ hazards due to a design feature (e.g., sharp curves or dangerous intersections) or incompatible uses (e.g., farm equipment)? e) Result in inadequate ❑ ❑ ❑ emergency access? f) Result in inadequate parking ❑ ❑ ❑ capacity? g) Conflict with adopted ❑ ❑ �� policies, plans, or programs supporting alternative transportation (e.g., bus turnouts, bicycle racks)? Response to questions: (a): During construction, there will be an increase in vehicle trips to the project site associated with the contractor's activities. Transportation of construction material will take place on public roadways and will not exceed roadway capacity. Traffic control plans will be submitted to the Town of Truckee for approval. Therefore, this impact is considered to be less than significant. (b)-(g): The project would not result in physical changes to roadways, and therefore, would not result in impacts related to transportation, circulation, parking, or transportation policies, plans, or programs. Mitigation Measure(s)- None Required Mitigation Monitoring -None Required Truckee Donner Public Utility District 25 April 2005 3.16. UTILITIES AND SERVICE Potentially Less Thau Less Than No SYSTEMS -- Would the project: Significant Significant Significant Impact Impact With Impact Mitigation Incorporated a) Exceed wastewater treatment ❑ ❑ El requirements of the applicable Regional Water Quality Control Board? b) Require or result in the ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ construction of new water or wastewater treatment facilities or expansion of existing facilities, the construction of which could cause significant environmental effects? c) Require or result in the ❑ ❑ ❑ construction of new stormwater drainage facilities or expansion of existing facilities, the construction of which could cause significant environmental effects? d) Have sufficient water supplies ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ available to serve the project from existing entitlements and resources, or are new or expanded entitlements needed? = e) Result in a determination by the ❑ ❑ ❑ wastewater treatment provider, which serves or may serve the project that it has adequate capacity to serve the projects projected demand in addition to the provider's existing commitments? i f) Be served by a landfill with ❑ ❑— sufficient permitted capacity to accommodate the project's solid waste disposal needs? g) Comply with federal, state, and ❑ ❑ ❑ local statutes and regulations related to solid waste. Truckee Donner Public Utility District 26 April 2005 Response to questions: (a)-(g): The project entails replacement of a booster pump station that is in poor condition. There would be no impact to utilities and service systems as a result of the project. Mitigation Measure(s)-None Required Mitigation Monitoring- None Required �3.17. MANDATORY FINDINGS Potentially Less Than Less Than No OF SIGNIFICANCE Significant Significant Significant Impact Impact With Impact Mitigation Incorporated Does the project have the potential to ❑ ® ❑ Eldegrade the quality of the environment, substantially reduce the habitat of a fish or wildlife species, cause a fish or wildlife population to drop below self- sustaining levels, threaten to eliminate a plant or animal community, reduce the number or restrict the range of a rare or endangered plan or animal or eliminate important examples of the major periods of California history or prehistory? Does the project have impacts that are ❑ ❑ individually limited, but cumulatively considerable?("Cumulatively considerable" means that the incremental effects of a project are considerable when viewed in connection with the effects of past projects, the effects of other current projects, and the effects of probably future projects)? Does the project have environment ❑ ❑ effects which will cause substantial adverse effects on human beings, either directly or indirectly? Truckee Donner Public Utility District 27 April 2005 Response to questions: (a): With implementation of the recommended mitigation measures, the project does not have the potential to degrade the quality of the environment, reduce the habitat of any wildlife species nor create adverse effects on human beings. The proposed project is comprised of standard construction activities to install a booster pump station. The project will not adversely affect any special status species identified in local or regional plans, policies or regulations, or by the California Department of Fish and Game or the United States Fish and Wildlife Service. (b): The proposed project would not result in any cumulative impacts or irreversible environmental damage because of the relatively small scale of the project and, therefore, this impact is considered less than significant. (c): The project does not have environment effects that will cause substantial adverse effects on human beings and, therefore, there is no impact. 4.0 REPORT PREPARATION This Initial Study was prepared under contract with the Truckee Donner Public Utility District by Inland Ecosystems. Principal author was Glenn Merron. Prepared by Date: , r 11 Truckee Donner Public Utility District 28 April 2005 APPENDIX A USFWS SPECIES LIST FOR THE NORDEN AND TRRUCKEE USGS QUADRANGLES ..._..._ _.... ..... . __ __ _. ___ ,T United States Department of the Interior FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE Sacramento Fish and Wildlife Office "'gyp 3 +Bp9 2800 Cottage Way, Room W2605 Sacramento, California 95825 In Reply Refer To: 1-1-03-SP-2111 d Jt??1 2003 Carolyn Chainey-Davis Garcia and Associates 450 Commercial Street Nevada City, California 95959 Subject: Species List for Truckee Public Utility District Facility Improvements Projects,Nevada and Placer Counties, California Dear Ms. Chainey-Davis: We are sending the enclosed list in response to your June 2, 2003,request for information about endangered and threatened species (Enclosure A). The list covers the following U,S. Geological Survey Ni minute quad or quarts: Truckee and Norden. Please read Important Information About Your Species List (enclosed). It explains how we made the list and describes your responsibilities under the Endangered Species Act Please contact Gary Burton, Branch Chief, or Tammy Duke, Office Assistant, at(916) 414-6600, if you have any questions about the attached list or your responsibilities under the Endangered Species Act. For the fastest response to species list requests, address them to the attention of Species Lists at this address. You may fax requests to 414-6712 or 414-6713. Sincerely, .� Michael B. Fris Division Chief, Endangered Species Program Enclosures r Endangered and Threatened Species that May Occur in or be Affected by Projects in the Selected Quads Listed Below Reference File No,03-SP-2111 Truckee Public Utility district Facility Improvements Projects Nevada R Placer Counties California June 3,2003 QUAD: 554C TRUCKEE Listed Species Birds bald eagle, Hahaeotus laucocephelus (T) Fish Lahontan cutthroat trout, Oncorhynchus(=Salmo)ctarki henshawr (T) Plants Truckee barberry(proposed for delisting), Berbeds sonnet (E) Candidate Species Amphibians mountain yellow-legged frog, Rana muscosa (C) - Plants Tahoe yellow-cress, Rorippa subumbellats (C) Species of Concern Mammals pale Townsend's big-eared bat, Cotynorhinus(=Plecotus) townsendil pallescens (SC) spotted bat, Euderma maculatum (SC) California wolverine, Gulo quid,luteus (CA) Sierra Nevada snowshoe hare, Lepus americanus tahoensis (SC) American(=pine) marten, Mattes americans (SC) fisher, Mantas pennant! (SC) small-footed myotis bat, Myotis ciliolabrum (SC) long-eared myotis bat, Myotis evotis (SC) fringed myotis bat, Myotis thysenodes (SC) long-legged myotis bat, Myotis volens (SC) Yuma myotis bat, Myotis yumanensis (SC) Sierra Nevada red fox, Vulpes vutpes necator (CA) _:.-- Birds northern goshawk,Accipitergentpis (SC) oak titmouse, Baeolophus inomatus (SLC) American dipper, Cinclus mexicanus (SLC) Reference File No. 03-SP-2111 Page 2 black swift, Cypselofdes niger (SC) prairie falcon,Falco maxicanus (SC) American peregrine falcon, Falco peregrinus anafum (D) Lewis'woodpecker, Malanerpes Lewis (SC) flommulated owl, Otus tTammeolus (SC) white-headed woodpecker, Picoides albolarvatus (SC) rufous hummingbird, Selasphorus rutus (SC) California spotted owl, Strix occidentalis occidentalis (SC) Plants Plumes ivesia, ivesis sericoleuca (SC) QUAD: 5550 NORDEN Listed Species Birds bald eagle, Haliaeetus feucocephalus (T) Fish delta smelt, Hypomesus transpaciticus (T) Lahontan cutthroat trout, Oncorhynchus(=Salmo) clarki henshawi (T) Central Valley steelhead, Oncorhynchus mykiss (T) NMFS Sacramento spiittail, Pogonichthys macrolepidotus (T) Candidate Species ---- Amphibians mountain yellow-legged frog,Rana muscosa (C) Fish green sturgeon, Acipenser medirostris (G) Species of Colrcern Mammals pale Townsend's big-eared bat, Corynorhinus(=Piecotus) townsendii pallescens (SC) spotted bat. Fudemra maculatum (SC) California wolverine, Qulo gulp luteus (CA) Sierra Nevada snowshoe hare, Lepus americanus tahoensis (SC) American (=pine)marten, Mertes americans (SC) fisher, Mertes pennanti (SC) small-footed myotis bat, Myotis eiliolabrum (SC) long-eared myotis bat, Myods evotis (SC) fringed myotis bat. Myotis thysanodes (SC)' Reference File No. 03-SP-2111 Page 3 long-legged myotis bat, Myotis volans (SC) Yuma myotis bat, Myons yumenensts (SC) Sierra Nevada red fox, Vulpas vulpes necator (CA) Birds northern goshawk,Acclplter gentllis ($C) oak titmouse, Baeolophus lnomatus (SLC) American dipper, Cinctus mexicanus (SLC) black swift, Cypseloldes niger (SC) prairie falcon, Falco mexicanus (SC) American peregrine falcon, Falco peregrinus anatum (D) Lewis`woodpecker, Melonerpes Lewis (SC) flammulated owl, Otus tiammeolus (SC) white-headed woodpecker,Picoldes albolarvatus (SC) rufous hummingbird, Setasphorus rufus (SC) California spotted owl, Strix occidentalis occidentalls (SC) Amphibians Mount Lyell salamander, Hydromantes platycephalus (SC) Fish longfin smelt, Spirinchus thaleichthys (SC) Plants Donner Pass buckwheat, Eriogonum umbeflatum var. toneyanum (SC) long-petaled lewisla,Lewisia longipetele (SC) ... . _ __ _ _ _ ._ Reference File No.03-SP-2111 Page 4 KEY, (E) Endangered Listed (in the Federal Register)as being in danger of extinction. (T) Threatened Listed as likely to become endangered within the foreseeable future. (P) Proposed Officially proposed (in the Federal Register)for listing as endangered or threatened. (PX) Proposed Proposed as an area essential to the conservation of the species. Critical Habitat (C) Candidate Candidate to become a proposed species. (SC) Species of May be endangered or threatened. Not enough biological information has been Concern gathered to support listing at this time. (SLC) Species of Species of local or regional concern or conservation significance. Local Concern (MB) Migratory Bird Migratory bird NMFS NMFS species Under the jurisdiction of the National Marine Fisheries Service, Contact them directly. (D) Delisted Delisted. Status to be monitored for 5 years. (CA) State-Listed Listed as threatened or endangered by the State of California. { ' ) Extirpated Possibly extirpated from this quad. {") Extinct Possibly extinct. Critical Habitat Area essential to the conservation of a species. APPENDIX B TARGET LIST OF SPECIAL-STATUS WILDLIFE POTENTIALLY OCCURRING IN THE PROJECT AREA A endix C. Tar et List Of S ecial Status Wildlife Potential) Occurrin In The Pro°ect Area COMMON AND FED/STATE SCIENTIFIC NAME LEGAL CALIFORNIA DISTRIBUTION HABITATS STATUS COMMENTS Kings Canyon Cryptochian (FSC) Fresno County;Nevada Coun (Sagehen addisfly Cryptochia excella �`( g Small,cold spring(first-order)streams Potentially occurring at 2 site locations. Creek). (temperature 3-6 °Q.Type locality: Kings Mitigation measures include avoidance Canyon National Park,elevation 1,951m through alternative pipeline routes (6,400 ft,). circumventing potential habitat areas. Known to Sagehen Creek basin,approx.7 mi.north, and in Onion Creek,7 mi.southwest of phibious Caddisfly (FSC) Nevada County,Placer County,Plumas ro'ect locations. Desmona bethula .Small first-order streams in open,wet Potentially occurring at 2 site locations. County,Madera County,Mariposa County, meadow areas. Occasionally found in beaver Mitigation measures include avoidance Mono County,and Sequoia National Park ponds on second order streams. Type through alternative pipeline routes locality:Sierra County,Snag Lake 7 mi.north circumventing potential habitat areas. Known of Sierra City. to Sagehen Creek basin,approx.7 mi.north, and in Onion Creek,7 mi.southwest of Sagehen Creek Goeracean (FSC) Nevada County,Sierra County. S rin at tern ro'ect locations. addisfly Springs temperatures around 9-11°C. Type Potentially occurring at 2 site locations. oeracea oregona locality:Oregon,Jackson County,French Mitigation measures include avoidance Gulch Road. through alternative pipeline routes circumventing potential habitat areas. Known to Sagehen Creek basin approx.7 mi.to the old Spring Caddisfly north of ro'ect locations. (FSC) Nevada County,Sagehen Creek basin, Habitat description derived from one type Potentally occurring at 2 site locations. pidstoma Ermanea locality: one v ery cold(3-4 C)spring source Mitigation measures include avoidance on a north-facing slope in a permanently through alternative pipeline routes shaded area,2,042 m(6,700 ft.) circumventing potential habitat areas.Known to Sagehen Creek basin approx.7 mi.to the e Tahoe Benthic Stormilynorth of project locations. (FSC) Occurs only in Lake Tahoe, Endemic to Lake Tahoe.Associated with No occurrence potential.Entire life cycle apnia lacustra Endemic deepwater plant communities of al ae, g occurs at depths of 200—900 ft.(Murphy et mosses,and liverworts. al.,L Tahoe Watershed Assessment 2000). ontan Cutthroat Trout FT Native to lakes and streams of the Lahontan Historically in all accessible cold waters of No occurrence potential or suitable habitat. ncorhynchus clarla'henshawi system in the eastern Sierra Nevada. the Lahontan Basin in a wide variety of water Currently only 7 small stream populations temps and conditions. Cannot tolerate totaling approx.8 mi.of occupied habitat presence of other salmonids. Requires gravel support self-sustaining populations in the riffles in streams for spawning. Truckee River basin. This includes Upper Truckee River,Pole Creek,East Fork Martis Creek,W.Fork Gray Creek(Nevada),and Independence Creek(Recovery Plan,Coffin &Cowan 1995) A en dix C. Tar et List Of S eciat Status Wildlife Potential) Occurrin In The Project Area COMMON AND FED/STATE SCIENTIFIC NAME LEGAL CALIFORNIA DISTRIBUTION HABITATS COMMENTS STATUS ountain Yellow•legged Frog FE Found in the Sierra Nevada from 4,500 feet Streams,lakes,and ponds in montane No occurrence potential. No suitable Rana muscosa DFG:CSC and above;isolated populations in Butte riparian,lodgepole pine,and ponderosa pine; breeding or over-wintering habitat on any County and near Mono Lake,Mono County; wet meadows and other montane habitats, project sites.Historic occurrences in additional isolated population in San Gabriel, Always encountered within a few feet of tributaries of Truckee River,Gray Creek, San Jacinto,and San Bernardino Mtn.ranges, water. Tadpoles may require up to 2 years to Sagehen Creek,and Independence Creek and in Pauma Creek in northern San Diego, complete their aquatic development. (Sierra County)(CNDDB 2003).Recent San Bernardino,and Riverside counties. occurrences in 3 locations in Soda Springs quadrangle;.I location in Webber Peak quadrangle(CNDDB 2003). erican White Pelican DFG:CSC Historically,nested at large lakes throughout Colonial nester on large interior lakes which Occurrence potential but no adverse effects etecanus erythrorhynchos California;only breeding colonies in the state provide safe roosting and breeding places in expected.Small flocks land occasionally at occur at lower Klamath National Wildlife the form of well-sequestered islets. reservoirs in the area(generally in spring and Refuge,Siskiyou County,and at Clear Lake, fall),including Donner Lake,Martis Creek, Modoc County;winters along the California Prosser Creek and Boca reservoirs_ Does not coast from southern Sonoma County south to breed in Nevada or Placer counties.No San Diego County;inland,occurs at the important breeding,roosting,or resting Salton sea,inland from the San Francisco Bay habitat is found along the northern shore of through the Delta region,and in areas in Donner Lake where one of the proposed Kings,Kem,Riverside,and Imperial counties pipeline routes is located. and the Sacramento Valley, sprey DFG:CSC Nests along the north coast from Marin Ocean shore,bays,fresh-water lakes,and At least marginally suitable breeding habitat andion haliaetus County to Del Norte County,east through the larger streams. Large nests built in treetops is found along the Cedar Point to Denton Ave. nesting) Klamath and Cascade Ranges,and the upper within 15 miles of good fish-producing body pipeline route. Pre-construction surveys Sacramento Valley;important inland breeding of water. are required during the breeding season. populations at Shasta Lake,Eagle Lake,and Documented nesting near Lake Van Norden, Lake Almanor,and small numbers elsewhere Boca and Prosser Creek reservoirs in the south through the Sierra Nevada;winters greater Truckee area(NCNRR). along the coast from San Mateo County to San Diego County, Bald Eagle FPD Nests in Siskiyoq Modoc,Trinity-Shasta, Ocean shorelines lake marg ns,and river Occurrence potential extremely unlikely. aliaeetus leucocephalus FT Lassen,Plumas,Butte,Tehama,Lake,and courses for both nesting and wintering. Most Project sites too near residential areas and nesting&wintering) DFG:CSC Mendocino counties and in the Lake Tahoe nests within one mile of water. Nests in large, busy roads.CNDDB records for Milton and DFG: Fully basin;reintroduced into central coast winter old-growth,or dominant live tree with open Boca reservoirs. Suspected nesting near Lake Protected range includes the rest of California,except branches,especially ponderosa pine. Roosts Van Norden(NCNRR). the southeastern deserts,very high altitudes in communally in winter. the Sierra,and east of the Sierra Nevada south of Mono Coun ;ran a ex andin . Equilachrysaetos C. Tar et List Of 5 ecial Status Wildlife Potential) OCCUITIn In The Pro'ect Area AND FED/STATE C NAME LEGAL CALIFORNIA DISTRIBUTION HABITATS COMMENTS STATUS DFG:CSC Foothills and mountains throughout Cliffs and escarpments or tall trees for No occurrence potential and no suitable os DFG:Fully California;uncommon nonbreeding visitor to nesting;annual grasslands,chaparral,and oak breeding substrates for nesting sites. I ering) Protected lowlands such as the Central Valley. woodlands with plentiful medium and large- occurrence in the Truckee River canyon sized mammals for prey (NCNRR 2002). American Peregrine Falcon (FSC):Delisted Permanent resident on the north and south Breeds new wetlands,Takes,rivers,or other No occurrence potential.No important or Falco peregrines anatem SE Coast Ranges;may summer on the Cascade water on high cliffs,banks,dunes,mounds; suitable breeding habitat on any project site. (nesting) DFG:Fully and Klamath Ranges south through the Sierra also human-made structures. Nest consists of Requires cliff habitats for nesting inaccessible protected Nevada to Madera County;winters in the a scrape on a depression or ledge in an open to predators. Central Valley south through the Transverse site. and Peninsular Ranges and the plains east of the Cascade Ran e. Sharp-shinned Hawk DFG:CSC Fairly common migrant and winter resident Breeds in ponderosa pine,black cci iter striatus P P oak,riparian Occurrence potential at 3-4 project locations. P throughout California,except in areas with, deciduous,mixed conifer,and Jeffrey pine No breeding records for Nevada County but nesting) deep snow. Breeding distribution poorly habitats. North-facing slopes,with plucking confirmed as a nesting species throughout the documented. Probably breeds south in the perches,are critical requirements. Nests state. A fairly common species during Coast Ranges and scattered locations in the usually within 275'of water. winter/fall. Transverse and Peninsular ranges. May no longer breed in the southern Sierra Nevada. Doper's Hawk DFG:CSC Breeding resident throughout most of the Woodland,chiefly of open,interrupted,or Occurrence potential at 4 project locations. ccipiter cooperii wooded portions of the state. Breeds in marginal type. Nest sites mainly in riparian Only I CNDDB record near Lake Van nesting) southern Sierra Nevada foothills,New York growths of deciduous trees,as in canyon Norden Mrs.,Owens Valley,and other local areas in bottoms on river flood plains;also,live oaks. (Norden quadrangle). southern California - orthern Goshawk (FSC) Permanent resident on the Klamath and In summer,within and in vicinity of No adverse impacts expected.May only ccipiter gentilis DFG:CSC In Ranges,on the north Coast Ranges coniferous forest. Uses old nests and forage in project locations.No important or nesting) from Del Norte County to Mendocino County, maintains alternate sites. Usually nests on suitable breeding habitat on any project site. and in the Sierra Nevada south to Kem north slopes near water. Red fir,lodgepole Suitable habitat and 2 occurrences found on County;winters in Modoc,Lassen,Mono,and pine,Jeffrey pine,and aspens are typical nest the slopes and south shore of Donner Lake northern Inyo counties;raze in southern trees. and Coldstream Valley(CNDDB 2003). 2 California occurrences in Norden quadrangle,2 in Martis Peak quadrangle,.and 3 in Hobart Mills quadrangle(Sagehen Creek basin(CNDDB neater Sandhill Crane 2003 ST Breeds on the plains east of the Cascade Nests in wetland habitats in northeastern No occurrence potential No large meadows, rus canadensis tabida DFG Fully Range and south to Siena County;winters in California;winters in the Central Valley, wetlands,or marsh habitats found in nesting&wintering) protected the Central Valley,southern Imperial County, Prefers grain fields within 4 mi.of a shallow association with project locations. Lake Havasu National Wildlife Refuge,and body of water used as a communal roost site; the Colorado River Indian Reserve. irrigated pasture used as loaf sites. Appendix C. Tar et List Of S eclat Status Wildlife Potential] Occurring In The Project Area COMMON AND FED/STATE SCIENTIFIC NAME LEGAL CALIFORNIA DISTRIBUTION HABITATS STATUS COMMENTS California Spotted Owl (FSC) Sierra Nevada from Lassen County south to Mixed conifer forest,often with an understory _ No occurrence potential or suitable habitat.triz occidemalis occidentalis DFG:CSC northern Kern County;occurs in localized of black oaks and other deciduous hardwoods. No CNDDB records. Previously believed to areas of the Transverse and Peninsular Ranges Canopy closure>40%. Most often found in be quite rare on the east slope of the Sierra.Is of southern California. deep-shaded canyons,on north-facing slopes, now currently being found in larger numbers, and within 300 meters of water. perhaps due to greater survey efforts.Since 1997,an average of 3.7 pairs/year have been detected from surveys in the Lake Tahoe basin(Murphy,et al.,Lake Tahoe Watershed Assessment 2000). Zack Swift (FSC) Breeds locally in the Sierra Nevada and Breeds in small colonies on cliffs behind or No occurrence potential.No suitable breeding ypseloides niger DFG:CSC Cascade Range,the San Gabriel,San adjacent to waterfalls in deep canyons and sea substrates for nest sites.Non-breeding (nesting) Bernardino,and San Jacinto Mms.;and in bluffs.above surf;forages widely. individuals observed at Lake Van Norden coastal bluffs from San Mateo County south (CNDDB 2003). to near San Luis Obispo County. Vaux's Swift (FSC) Coastal belt from Del Norte County south to Nests in hollow,burned-out tree trunks m No occurrence potential or suitable habitat. haetura vauxi DFG:CSC Santa Cruz County;also nests rarely in mid- large conifers;most other activities are Observed at Donner Summit,Lake Van nesting) elevation forests of the Sierra Nevada. conducted in the air. Norden,Boca Reservoir,Truckee River, Sagehen Creek No confirmed nesting in Nevada County CNRR 2002. ittle Willow Flycatcher (FSC) Summer range includes a narrow strip along Inhabits extensive thickets of low,dense No occurrence potential or suitable habitat. mpidoa trailit brewsteri SE the eastern Sierra Nevada from Shasta County willows on edge of wet meadows,ponds,or Nesting pairs observed at Lake Van Norden (nesting) to Kern County,another strip along the backwaters;2000-8000'elev. Requires dense 1987(NCNRR 2002),Sagehen Creek 1984, western Sierra Nevada from El Dorado willow thickets for nesting/roosting.Low, Prosser Creek,along the Truckee&Little County to Madera County,widespread in exposed branches are used for singing Truckee rivers(CNDDB 2003),and Donner nu lion, posts/houting perches. Came Picnic Area CNRR 2002). California Horned Lark DFG:CSC Coastal regions,chiefly from Sonoma Co.to Short-grass prairie,unvegetated clearings, Occurrence potential attest well site emophita alpestris actia San Diego Co.Main part of San Joaquin mountain meadows,open coastal plains, locations.No occurrences found in any Valley and east to foothills. fallow grain fields,alkali flats. records searches. However,they we regularly observed at Mattis Creek Reservoir throw out breeding season. ellow Warbler DFG:CSC Uncommon nester over most of California, Nests in riparian habitats dominated by Found breeding at the Greenpoint Springs endroica petechia brewsteri except the Central Valley,the Mojave Desert, willows,cottonwoods,sycamores,or alders or site. Regularly found during migration in nesting) and high elevations of the Sierra Nevada; in mature chaparral;may also use oaks, Nevada Co. I CNDDB record for Donner winters along the lower Colorado River and in conifers,and urban centers near stream State Park at the east end of Donner Lake. parts of Imperial and Riverside counties;two courses in migration Commonly found in several of the willow small resident populations in San Diego and flycatcher study sites in the greater Truckee Santa Barbara Counties. region,including Carpenter Valley,5 miles north of project sites. FBat r etList Of S ecial Status Wildlife Potential) Occurrin In T'he Pro'ect Area FED/STATE E LEGAL CALIFORNIA DISTRIBUTION HABITATS COMMENTS STATUS DFG:CSC Low to mid elevations throughout California. Rocky outcrops,cliffs,and crevices for No adverse impacts expected.No snags, roosting;access to open habitats required for structures,rock-outcroppings,or other media foraging. Deserts,grasslands,shrublands, suitable for maternal roosts or hibemacula woodlands,and forests. Most common in were found. Documented on the Tahoe open,dry habitats with rocky areas for National Forest(CDFG 2000,CWHR). roosting. Roosts must protect fiats from high temperatures. Very sensitive to disturbance of roosting sites. Pale Townsend's Big-eared Bat (FSC) Klamath Mountains,Cascades,Sierra Nevada, Mesic habitats;gleans insects from brush or No adverse impacts expected.No snags, Corynorhinus townsendii DFG:CSC Central Valley,Transverse and Peninsular trees and feeds along habitat edges;roosting structures,rock-outcroppings,or other media allescens Ranges,Great Basin,and the Mojave and and maternity sites in caves,mines,tunnels, suitable for maternal roosts or hibemacula Sonora Deserts. and buildings. Needs appropriate roosting, were found. Documented on the Tahoe maternity and hibemacula sites free from National Forest(CDFG 2000,C)VHR).. potted Bat human disturbance. (FSC) Occurs throughout eastern and southern Oceupies a wide variety of habitats from and No adverse impacts expected.No snags, uderma maculatum DFG:CSC California,the central Sierra Nevada,and the deserts and grasslands through mixed conifer structures,rockromcroppings,or other media Sierra Nevada foothills bordering the San forests. Feeds over water and along washes. suitable for maternal roosts or hibemacula Joaquin Valley;probably occurs in other Needs rock crevices in cliffs or caves for were found. Documented on the Tahoe portions of the state where habitat is suitable. roosting.Only known maternity roosts are in National Forest(CDFG 2000,CWHR). cliffs. mall-footed Myotis (FSC) Sierra Nevada;south Coast,Transverse,and Open stands in forests and woodlands,as well No adverse impacts expected.No snags, yobs eiliolabrum Peninsular ranges;and the Great Basin. as shrublands;uses caves,crevices,and structures,rock-outcroppings,or other media abandoned buildings, suitable for maternal roosts or hibemacula were found. Documented on the Tahoe National Forest(CDFG 2000,CWHR). Very limited roosting habitat exists on site. No breeding habitat. May use some of the project n -eared M otis sites for foraging areas. g Y (FSC) Sierra Nevada,Klamath Mountains,Coast Found in all brush,woodland,and forest No adverse impacts expected.No snags, yobs evotis ranges,and Transverse and Peninsular ranges, habitats from sea level to about 9,000 R. structures,rock-outcroppings,or other media Prefers coniferous woodlands and forests. suitable for maternal roosts or hibemacula Nursery colonies in buildings,crevices, were found. Specimen records for spaces under bark,and snags. Caves used Independence Lake,Sagehen Creek,Lake rimaril as ni t roosts. Tahoe MVZ 2003), Fringed Myotis (FSC) Sierra Nevada,Klamath Mountains,Coast Wide variety of habitats.Optimal habitats are No adverse impacts expected.No snags, yobs thysanodes Ranges,and Transverse and Peninsular pinyon juniper,valley foothill hardwood,and structures,rock-outcroppings,or other media ranges. hardwood-conifer. Uses caves,mines, suitable for matemal roosts or hibemacula buildings,or crevices for maternity colonies were found. Documented on the Tahoe and roosts. National Forest(CDFG 2000,CWHR).Tahoe City quadrangle LMVZ2003 , Appendix C. Tar et List Of S ecial Status Wildlife Potential! Occurrin In The Pro*ect Area COMMON AND FED/STATE SCIENTIFIC NAME LEGAL CALIFORNIA DISTRIBUTION HABITATS STATUS COMMENTS ong-le olan Myotis (FSC) Mountains throughout Califomia;absent from Most common in woodland and forest habitats No adverse impacts expected.No snags, yobs volans Central Valley and desert areas. above 4,000 ft. Trees are important day Y structures,roekroutcroppings,or other media roosts;caves and mines are night roosts. suitable for maternal roosts or hibemaeula Nursery colonies usually under bark or in were found.Specimen records from near hollow trees,but occasionally in crevices or Independence Lake and Sagehen Creek(MVZ buildin s. 2003 . Yuma Myotis (FSC) Considered common and widespread in Roosts colonially in a variety of natural and No adverse impacts expected.No snags, yotis yumanensis northern California in a variety of habitats human-made sites,including caves,mines, structures,rock-outcroppings,or other media from sea level up to about 8,000 feet in the buildings,bridges,and trees;in northern suitable for maternal roosts or hibernacula Sierra,and uncommonly up to 1 Lo00. California,maternity colonies are usually in were found. Specimen records near Hobart fire-scarred redwoods,pines,or oaks. Mills;many collections at Lake Tahoe(MVZ Optimal habitat is open woodlands also 2003). closely tied to bodies of water,which this s ecies uses as foraging sites. Western Mastiff Bat (FSC) Southern coastal ranges and Sierra Nevada Many open,semi-arid to grid habitats, No adverse impacts expected.No snags, umops peroris calijornieus DFG:CSC foothills,north at least to EI Dorado County. including conifer and deciduous woodlands, structures,rock-outcroppings,or other media coastal scrub,grasslands,chaparral,etc. suitable for maternal roosts or hibemacula Roosts in crevices in cliff faces,high were found. Documented on the Tahoe buildings,trees,and tunnels. National Forest CDFG 2000,CWHR . Sierra Nevada Snowshoe Hare (FSC) Occurs in the Sierra Nevada from Mt.Lassen Found in dense thickets of conifers,riparian Suitable habitat can be found in wetland and Lepus americam tahoensis DFG:CSC south to Mono and Tulare counties,generally vegetation,or chaparral in boreal life zones, riparian communities found on many of staying between 4,800 and 8,000 feet. project locations.MVZ specimen collections: Sagehen Creek,4 mi.NW Hobart Mine; 10 mi.w.of Truckee;Truckee;Cisco;Donner; new so. shore Donner Lake(6,000');Donner Summit;Lake Tahoe. rSieffaNevada aze DFG:CSC Crest and eastem slope of the Sierra from the Found in sagebrush,juniper,montane Potential for occurrence in the eastside scrub ii Oregon border to Tulare and Inyo counties. meadows,and early successional stages of communities at test well locations.One MVZ conifer forests. collection from Tahoe Ci uadran le. ountain Beaver (FSC) Cascades and Sierra Nevada from Siskiyou Dense growth of small deciduous trees and Suitable habitat found on several projeetsite ealifornica DFG:CSC county south to Tulare and Inyo counties. shrubs,wet soil,and abundance of forbs in the Signs of occupation are conspicuous,but no Sierra Nevada and East Slope. Needs dense evidence found.CNDDB records for: understory for food and cover. Burrows into Robinson's Flat east of Duncan's Peak; soft soil.Needs abundant supply of water. Silver,Brush,Emigrant Canyon,Pole,and Cabin creeks(Placer Co.);Cold Creek(Placer Co.)1.5 mi.so.of Red Mtn, ro'ect location. rVulpes nd ix C. Tar et List Of S eciai Status Wildlife Potential) Occurrin In The Pro'ect Area MON AND FED/STATE NTIFIC NAME LEGAL CALIFORNIA DISTRIBUTION HABITATS COMMENTS STATUS evada Red Fox ST Cascade Range east to the Sierra Nevada,then Found in a variety of habitats from wet Potential for occurrence due to wide-ranging ulpes necator C south Tulare County.(FS ) sth t Tl meadows to forested areas. Uses dense capabilities.Prefers more remote,higher- vegetation and rocky areas for cover and den elevation habitats.Extremely unlikely to sites. Prefers forests interspersed with breed in project areas in an urbanized setting. meadows or alpine fell-fields. One CNDDB record for 1994 in Truckee erican Marten USGS quadrangle. (FSC) North Coast regions and Sierra Nevada, Mixed evergreen forests with more than 40"/n No important foraging or suitable breeding arees americana Klamath,and Cascade Mountains, crown closure. Needs variety of different- habitat on any project site.Only one CNDDB aged stands,particularly old-growth conifers record for Kings Beach quadrangle,although and snags which provide cavities for maternal found throughout the region and regularly on Pacific Fisher dens. Tahoe NF duringcamivore surveys. (FSC) Coastal mountains from Del Norte County to Intermediate to large-tree stages of coniferous No important foraging or suitable breeding antes pennanti pacifica DFG:CSC Sonoma County,through Cascades to Lassen forests and deciduous-riparian areas with high habitat on any project site.2 historic CNDDB County;south in Sierra Nevada to Kern percent canopy closure. Uses cavities,snags, occurrences on the Soda Springs quadrangle County. logs,and rocky areas for cover and denning. in both Placer and Nevada counties(1969& Needs lar a areas of mature,dense forest. 1973,respectively). alifornia Wolverine ST Klamath and Cascade Ranges south through Found in a wide vari ulo gulo luteus FSC the Sierra Nevada to Tulare County- eta`of high elevation No important foraging or suitable breeding ( ) ty. habitats. Needs water source. Uses caves, habitat on any project site.Many historic DFG: Fully logs,burrows for cover and den area, Hunts CNDDB records for greater Truckee region, Protected in more open areas. Can travel long including Soda Springs,English Mtn.,Cisco distances. Grove,Hobart Mills,Webber Pk:,Tahoe City, Royal Gorge. I comparatively recent CNDDB record for Inde endence Lake(1991??). Appendix C. Target List Of Special Status Wildlife Potentially Occurring In The Project Area STATE AND FEDERAL ENDANGERED SPECIES ACT LISTING CODES: California Endangered Species Act(CESA): SE=State-listed as Endangered ST=State-listed as Threatened SCE=State candidate for listing as Endangered SCT=State candidate for listing as Threatened Endangered Species Act(ESA): FE=Federally-listed as Endangered FT=Federally-listed as Threatened FPE=Federally-proposed for listing as Endangered FPT=Federally-proposed for listing as Threatened FPD=Federally-proposed for de-listing FC=Federal candidate species (FSC)=Federal Special Concern species CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF DFG:CSC=California Special Concern species. FISH AND GAME: DFG:Fully-protected=Species that may not be taken or possessed without a permit from the Fish&Game Commission and/or the Department of Fish&Game. Footnotes: Federal listing proposal refers to populations in the San Gabriel,San Jacinto,and San Bemardno Mountains only. Sierra Nevada populations added to candidate species list January 10,2003. APPENDIX C TARGET LIST OF SPECIAL-STATUS PLANTS POTENTIALLY OCCURRING IN THE PROJECT AREA F Appendix B. Special Status Plants Known to Occur, or Potentially Occurring, in the Donner Lake Project Area Common and Scientific Name Status' Habitat Preferences Comments Fed/State CNPS List Androsace occidentalis vat.simplex General habitat:Upper montane conifer forest, 1,675- Not found.Documented historic collection at Emigrant simple androsace CNPS 2 1,700m. Gap,not yet re-located(CalFlora 2003). Suitable habitat Micro-habitat:general!Y mesic habitats resent in moist rocky areas. Arabis rigidissima var.demota SC/- General habitat: Broadleaved upland forest,upper Not found. Documented occurrences near Mattis Peak in Carson Range rock cress CNPS IB montane conifer forest,2,345-3,600m. Placer County(CNDDB 2003).Elevations in project much Micro-habitat:rocky forest openings lower than known range. Astragalus whitneyi var.lenopWills General habitat:Alpine boulder and rock field,subalpine Not found.Documented occurrence at Sand Ridge near Woolly-leaved milk-vetch CLAPS 4 conifer forest,2,135-3,050m. Grouse Ridge,and Castle Peak(True 1973).No subalpine Micro-habitat: open,roc_q areas on rid eto s habitats or elevations in project area. Botrychium lunaria -/- General habitat: Meadows and seeps,subalpine conifer Not found. Documented occurrence of B. lunaria at Common moonwort CNPS 2 forest,upper montane conifer forest,2,280-3,400m. Sagehen(True 1973), field work needed. Suitable habitat Micro-habitat:fields and meadows present at Greenpoint Springs,Olympic to Denton Avenue, West Reed to Pioneer,Red Mountain, and Richards Drive Botrychium minganenseZCNPS roject sites. General habitat: Lower montane conifer forest; 1,500- Not found.Does this plant occur in Nev.Co. ?Documented (syn, B. lunaria var.minganense) 1,830m.Mingan moonwortMicro-habitat: B.minganense described as occurring in habitatoccurrepr sennce of�tlGreen t S ria at ehen(True 1973).Suitable conifer forest along streams.Includes all of B. lunaria var. Avenue,West Reed to Pioneer,Red Mounnttain,ic andenton iRichards Drive roject sites. Bruchia bo7anderiGeneral habitat: Lower montane conifer forest,meadows, Not found.Reported occurrence in Norden quadrangle Bolander's bruchia(moss) PS 2 upper montane conifer forest, 1,700-2,800m. (GNPs 2003). Suitable habitat present at Cedar Point to Micro-habitat: damp soil,including road cuts Denton Avenue Pipeline,Greenpoint Springs, In vegetative state,similar to common moss Le tob p P P ,Rd Olympic to p ryum Denton Avenue,West Reed to Pioneer,Red Mountain,lis and ri orme Richards Drive roject sites.Thread- capillarisleaved beakseed General habitat: Lo Threa wer montane conifer forest,meadows, Not found.Documented occurrence at Eagle Lakes(syn. Thd- CLAPS 4 upper montane conifer forest,395-2,075 in. Fimbrivtylis capillaris)(True 1973). Suitable habitat Micro-habitat: meadows and grassy clearings present at Cedar Point to Denton Avenue pipeline, Greenpoint Springs,Olympic to Denton Avenue,West Reed to Pioneer,Red Mountain,and Richards Drive sites. Page 1 of 5 Carex davyi -/- General habitat: Subalpine conifer forest,upper montane Not found. Documented occurrences at Sagehen and on Davy's sedge CNPS 4 conifer forest, 1,500-3,200m. ridge between French Lake and Catfish Lake(True 1973). Micro-habitat:moist meadows. Similar to C.petasata, Suitable habitat present Greenpoint Springs,Olympic to may be overlooked. Denton Avenue,West Reed to Pioneer,Red Mountain,and Claytonia megarhiza Richards Drive project sites. General habitat: Alpine boulder and rock field,subalpine Not Found.Unlikely to occur;no subalpine or alpine Fell-fields claytonia CNPS 2 conifer forest,2,600-3,300m. elevations within project area.Known in Nevada County Micro-habitat:rocky or gravelly areas,talus,crevices only from historic occurrence on Mt.Lola(syn.C. C tantha lomeri ora bel olia) True 1973 ,not et re-located. ryP % 11 General habitat:Great Basin scrub,meadows,subalpne Not Found. suitable habitat at all project sites.Known in Cluster-flower cryptantha CNPS 4 conifer forest,upper montane conifer forest, 1,800-3,750m. Nevada County from single documented historic collection Micro-habitat:sandy Eanitic or volcanic areas in Truckee environs(True 1973).Drosera anglica General habitat:Bogs and fens,wet meadows, 1,300- Not found. Suitable habitat present.at Richards Drive fen- English sundew CNPS 2 2,000m. like area.In Nevada County,known from single Micro-habitat:mossy portions of wet meadows or fens; documented collection in Sagehen area(True 1973). areas with low meadow vegetation Inter grades with D.rohmn olia Erigeron miser -/- General habitat:Upper montane conifer forest, 1,840- Not found.Only marginally suitable habitat found;most Starved daisy CNPS IB 2,620m. rock outcrops volcanic(not granitic)except at Donner lake Micro-habitat:rocky,generally granitic,e.g.,granitic sand Road tank site.Many documented occurrences between in often small fractures of granite outcrops Warren Lake and Royal Gorge(CNDDB 2003,USFS 200, Eriogonum umbellatum var. SC/- General habitat:Dry meadows,upper montane conifer Not found.Marginally suitable habitat found at most torreyanum CNPS 1B forest, 1,855-2,620m. Donner Pass buckwheat project sites. Several documented occurrences between Micro-habitat:Dry gravelly or stony sites,exposed ridges Squaw Valley and Meadow Lake areas(CNDDB 2003, or steeR slo es,often sparse cover, often volcanic USFS 2000). Glycerin grandis General habitat: Bogs and fens,marshes and swamps, No found.Documented occurrence just outside Nev.Co.on American manna grass CNPS 2 meadows and seeps, 15-1,980m Squaw Creek,Placer County(CalFlora 2003). Suitable Micro-habitat:riparian areas,streambanks,lake margins, habitat present at Greenpoint Springs,Olympic to Denton bogs/fens, and edge habitats. Avenue, West Reed to Pioneer,Red Mountain,and Ivesia sericoleuca Richards Drive project sites. SC/- General habitat: Great Basin scrub,lower mon=IaneNotnd.No suitable habitat found.Many documented Plumas ivesia CNPS 1B conifer forest,meadows,vernal pools, 1,465-2nces in area between Truckee and Hobart Mills to Micro-habitat: vernally mesic areas,usually voReservoir(CNDDB 2003). PS 2003 ,alkaline flats and meadows 9USF Pa-e 2 of 5 Juncos hemiendytus var.abjectus -!- General habitat:Meadows,suballam,conifer forest, Not found. Suitable habitat present on ephemeral seeps Center Basin rush CNPS 4 1,400-3,400h along Cedar Point tank to Denton Avenue pipeline Micro-habitat:damp open areas,generally vernally mesic alignment. Documented occurrences at Sagehen and Lewisia keno ii ss hutchisonii _/_ Donner Pass CalFlora 2003 . gg P General habitat:Upper montane coniferous forest, 1,800- Not found.Only marginal suitable habitat present at Cedar Kellogg's lewisia CNPS 3 2135m. Point.Reported occurrence just outside County in Palisades Micro-habitat: Openings,slate,granite.Placer County area. occurrence on coarse sandy,granitic flat. Lewisia longipetala SC/- General habitat:Alpine boulder and rock field,subalpine Not found. Unlikely to occur;no subalpine oCourt r alpine Long-petaled lewisia CNPS IB conifer forest,2,500-2,925m. ats _ Neva Micro-habitat:damp gravel and fractures in granite slabs, from only two dowithin cumented oject area. ccurrences on Castla County,e eak and moitl above tree line,moist from snowmelt Basin Peak(True 1973). Meesia trtquetra General habitat:Bogs and fens,meadows and seeps, Not found.Known n Nevada County from single (moss) CNPS 2 upper montane conifer forest mesic ( ) documented population at Sagehen(USFS 2000). Micro-habitat: moist soil substrate,sometimes near Marginally suitable habitat present at Greenpoint Springs, fallen,rotting logs Olympic to Denton Avenue, West Reed to Pioneer,Red Meesta uliginosa Mountain,and Richards Drive project sites. (moss) General habitat:Bogs and fens, meadows and seeps, Not found.Known in Nevada County from single CNPS 2 upper montane conifer forest mesic ( ) documented population at Sagehen(USFS 2600). Micro-habitat:moist soil substrate,sometimes near fallen, Marginally suitable habitat present at Greenpoint Springs, rotting logs Olympic to Denton Avenue, West Reed to Pioneer, Red Muhlenbergia jonesh Mountain,and Richards Drive ro'ect sites. General habitat:Lower montane conifer forest,upper Not found.Documented occurrence on Eagle Lakes Rd. Jones' muhly CNPS 4 montane conifer forest, 1,130-2,130m. (True 1973).Suitable habitat present at Cedar Point and acelia stebbinsti Micro-habitat: open slopes Donner lake Road,and pipeline to Denton Avenue. Ph SC/- General habitat:Cismontane woodland, lower conifer Not found.Unlikely to occur;no metamorphic substrates Stebbins' phacelia CNPS 1 B forest,meadows,610-2,010m. within project area.Documented occurrences east of Lake Micro-habitat:rocky soils of metamorphic origin, mostly Spaulding,east of Washington near Canyon Creek, and north exposures north of Weaver Lake(USFS 2000). Potamogeton fitiformis General habitat:Marshes and swamps,300-2,150m. Not found.No suitable habitat in project area.Z from Slender-leaved pondweed CNPS 2 Micro-habitat: shallow lakes and other shallow aquatic historic collections outside of Nevada County habitatsTahoe and Packer Lake,Sierra County. SuitabatPotamogeton robbinsii resent in Nev.Co. General habitat:Marshes and swamps, 1,585-3,300m. Not found.No suitable habitat at project area. Robbins' pondweed CNPS 2 Micro-habitat:deep water lakes (2003)lists occurrence n Independence Lake quadrangle. Page 3 of 5 Rorippa subumbellata :TCNPS General habitat:Lower montane conifer forest,meadows, Not found.No suitable habitat in project area. Known in Tahoe yellow cress 1,895-1,900m. in Nev.Co. from a single historic collection at"Truckee" Micro-habitat:decomposed granitic beaches (Donner Lake?).Truckee area searched but occurrence not re-located;pres ed extirpated, Scutellaria galericu[ataGeneral habitat:Lower montane conifer forest,meadows, N t found Historic(1885)colection at"Truckee". Marsh skullcap marshes and swamps,0-2,100m. Suitable t present at ly Pic to Micro habitat:mesic sites.In Plumas Co.,oSo ccurs in edge Denton Avenuae, West Reed to Pioneer,oint RedgM�nta n and habitats around fen and wet meadow GANDA Sphaeralcea munroana -J- General habitat: Great Basin scrub,2000m. ) Richards Drive project sites. Mhaeralc desert mallow Not found.No documented occurrences in Nev. Co., 1922 CNPS 2 Micro-habitat: dry,open places collection at"Squaw Creek,Placer Co."Suitable habitat in Trijolium lemmonii eastside scrubs near test well sites. General habitat:Great Basin scrub, lower montane Not found. Suitable habitat in eastside scrubs near test well Lemmon's clover CNPS 4 conifer forest, 1,500-1,830m. sites. Documented occurrence north of Boca Reservoir Micro-habitat:dry,rocky,claypan soils in forest or (True 1973),many reported occurrences in Sierra and sagebrush openings Utricularia minor Plumas Counties. -J- General habitat:Bogs and fens,marshes and swamps, Not found.Documented occurrences near Kyburz Flat Lesser bladderwort CNPS 4 800-2,900m. (USFS 2000)and Eagle Lakes(True Micro-habitat: various shallow,freshwater wetlands, table habitat present Richards Drive P 3ojeMazginally pools or 2onds often with emergent ve elationct site. Veronica cusickii -!- General habitat:Alpine boulder and rock field,meadows Not found.Unlikely to occur;elevations in project area Cusick's speedwell CNPS 4 and seeps, subaipine conifer forest,upper montane conifer much lower than known range. Occurs outside Nev.Co. in forest,2,135-3,OOOm. Placer County,Granite Chief quadrangle. Micro-habitat: gravelly soil in wet,high elevation meadows and forest openings,moist soil of rocky slopes and led es Status definitions: Federal E= listed as Endangered under the federal Endangered Species Act. T= listed as Threatened under the federal Endangered Species Act. C=Candidate for listing as either Threatened or Endangered under the Federal Endangered Species Act. PE=proposed for federal listing as endangered under the federal Endangered Species Act. PT=proposed for federal listing as threatened under the federal Endangered Species Act. SC=species of concern;species for which existing information indicates it may warrant listing but for which substantial biological information to support a proposed rule is lacking. —=no listing. State E= listed as endangered under the California Endangered Species Act. T= listed as threatened under the California Endangered Species Act. SSC=species of special concern in California_ — = no listing_ Page 4 of 5 CALIFORNIA NATIVE PLANT SOCIETY List I B = Plants rare,threatened, or endangered in California and elsewhere. List 2 ` = Plants rare,threatened or endangered in California but more common elsewhere. List 3 = Plants about which we need more information. List 4 = Plants of limited distribution:A watch list. `Sources: Published References: California Native Plant Society. 2000. CNPS Inventory-6`h Edition, California Native Plant Society. Sacramento,CA,August,2001. California Native Plant Society. 2003. Electronic Inventory of Rare and Endangered Vascular Plants of California. Database search for Nevada, Sierra, Placer, and Yuba Counties. True,G. 1973. Ferns and Seed Plants of Nevada County,California. California Academy of Sciences.San Francisco,California. U.S.D.A.Forest Service.2000.Tahoe National Forest Sensitive Plant Program, Standards and Guidelines.U.S.Department of Agriculture,Forest Service, Tahoe National Forest Museums and Data Bases: (CNPS) Electronic database of the California Native Plant Society, Sacramento,CA(2002) (CNDDB) Records search of the California Department of Fish and Game's Natural Diversity Data Base for Nevada County,CA, and surrounding counties.(2003) (CalFlora)Electronic database of California plant collections and observations from 18 herbaria and databses,including UC Berkeley Herbarium,Jepson Herbarium at UC Berkeley,California Academy of Sciences,Harvard University Herbaria,Dean W.Taylor Herbarium,San Jose State University Herbarium, California Native Plant Society,California Department of Fish&Game,and USDA Forest Service. Page 5 of 5 APPENDIX D CULTURAL RESOURCES RECORD SEARCH AND CORRESPONDENCES NORTH CENTRAL INFORMATION CENTER " CSU-SACRAMENTO-6000 J STREET,ADAMS BLDG.,#103,SACRAMENTO,CA 95819-6100 916-278-6217 FAX 916-278-5162 Summary of Results for Rapid Records Search March 8,2005 NCIC File No:NEV-05-11 NCIC File No:PLA-05-31 Daniel Hart 5449 Modoc Avenue Richmond,California 94804 - From: Sally Torpy,Researcher Re: Truckee Donner Public utilities District Project • Sites Within Proiect Area: P-29-2165-H KEC-314-2 KEC-314-3 KEC-314-4 Copy of site record segment enclosed. • NCIC Studies Within Project Area: #554 (Susan Lindstr6m 2000) #2653 &#2654 (CALTRANS 2000) #2935 (Jones& Stokes 2000) #3392 (Jensen&Associates 1995) #3603 (Susan Lindstr6m 2001) "Archaeological Inventory Survey Hilltop Residential and Commercial Development Project c. 84 acres in South Truckee at Hilltop" (Peter Jensen 2003) "An Archaeological Inventory of the Silverwood Development: 8 Acres at the Hilltop"(Dr.Robert Kautz 2003) "Archaeological Survey, c. 32-acre Gregory Parcel Split,Town of Truckee" (Peter M. Jensen 2003) • National Register of Historic Places/California Register of Historic Places: Nothing Found • OHP Historic Property Directory(HPD): List of properties for Truckee and vicinity enclosed. • NCIC Historic Resources Mat): 1955 Norden quad shows a pre-1955 road in Section 13 and 14 as well as two pre-1955 houses in the southeast corner of Section 14. • NCIC Historic Resources Mao: 1955 Truckee quad shows a pre-1955 house in Section 14. • California Inventory of Historic Resources(1976): Nothing Found • California Dept of Transportation Bridge Inventory:Nothing Found • California State Historic Landmarks(1996 : Nothing Found • Points of Historical Interest(1992): Nothing Found • California Place Names(Gudde 1969): • California Gold Camps(Gudde 1975): • Historic Spots in California(Hoover,et al 1990): • GLO Plat Map: 1865 GLO plat: T17NIR16E shows a road in the vicinity of the project area. • GLO Plat Map, 1867 GLO War: T17N/R15E shows "Pollards Barn," "Pollards Hotel," "Lake Road," and another road in the vicinity of the project area. S r INLAND ECOSYST MS 1135 "Terminal Way, Suite 204A LAReno, NV. 89542 phone- (775) 786-3223 Fay (775) 786-3229 . ym.. ". til. .„ €_ March 3, 2005 Ms. Debbie Pilas-Tredrvay California?dative American heritage Commission 915 Capitol Mail, Room 364 Sacramento, CA 95814 Re: Cultural Resources Record Search Dear CDs. Pilas-Tredway, Inland Ecosystems is providing cultural resources consulting services to the Truckee Donner Public Utility District (Districtt The District's project entails installing a new booster pump station at the northern end of Pine Cone Road and Tamarack Way on an easement granted to the District by a private property owner. The project site falls within the Truckee 7.5-minute USCrS quadrangle in Nevada County (see attached map). The Township/Range/Section information is as follows_ Sierra Meadows Pump Station: TI7NIRI6EISec22 I am inquiring about any Sacred Lands you are aware of in the project area. if it does not appear that any Sacred Lands are present, release provide us with a list of local contacts that may have further information about the project area. If you have any questions, please contact me at (530) 847-5913. Please fax results to (715) 786-3229. Thank you for your time and effort_ Sincerely, Daniel Hart, T.A.,RPA Archeologist s ............... #° ti s dv#t> tt9 F9drCc P,-* "` PLLCItiiC C S f ce Graver P tX SPA 5770 Watk� rtniet OAte"y `YttfS kCG -1' ucke4s R-Id5 a �� .•,. Reg3anaK i''exk 1 ROAD Hasp B `� � `S, ar V �r ��$y✓` a ~ 1- ��VS 1 Garp , Figure I. Location of Project Area. 4 Project 25 .5 Area miles Cia�nap:USGS 7.5 Mute Series Truckee,Cali i m,a quadrangle f i s i 03/08/2005 16:11 FAX 916 657 5890 NARC 16001 NATIVE AMERICAN HERITAGE COMMISSION a CAAQM4 x° �ptsIW NhtiS� ,+unaaapw March 8.2085 Daniel Hart Nand Elms Sent by Fax:775.78t3- M Number of Pages:2 RE: Proposed Truckee Danner Public Utilities District,Nevada County Dear Mr.Hart. A record search of the sacred land file has faded to indicate the presertos of Native Atnerfcan cuh Ural resources in the immediate projact area The absanes of spec aik so inrormation In the sacred lands Me does not indicate the absenceof cultural resources in any projad area Other sources of cultural should also be contacted for troxft-AM reg rg known and recorded sites. Enclosed is a list of Native Americans kxkviduaisfo,ganlzatrons who may have IMWWge 0f Cultural resources in the project area.The Cernmission makes no recanmendstipn or prelatence of a single Individual,or group over another.This tist st>oukt provide a yld�place In besting areas of potntial adverse impact within the Proposed project area. I suggest you contact all of those indicated.tf they cannot supply information,they might recommend others with specific knowledge. By hose fisted.Your organization will be better able to respond to claims of far'lure to consult with ng all to propria Idbe or group. N a response has not been received Will*,two wseks Of notification,the Commission requests that You follow-up with a telephone call to ensure that the project information has been received, lt you receive notification of change of addresses and phone numbers from any of gum individuals or OMPs.Please natiff+MS. With your assistance we we able to assure that our fists contain currant Information. If you have any questions or need additional,information,please contact me at urre GCxS9- ly, as-Treadway Envkon Specialist III i f r i fr i 03/08/2005 16:11 FAY, 916 657 5390 NAHC 10002 Native Anu rim Contacts Nevada Courdy March S 2005 Washoe Tribe of Nevada mW California Brian Wallace,Chairperson 919 Highway 395 South Washoe Gatdnerville . NV 89410 0wag tribe.us 775.265-W40 Fax Washoe Trine of Nevada and Califomle vwrOlm Dan=Q Fir-Wwr,waam Archive&cuftt m ctr 861 Crescent Drive Washoe Carson�6, NV 89701 ?886-0937 FAX TobWkMTCntumaswmedNftwaftd... L e"uaqs�VA*rallm _.. at 9�Tae ar++wR�C` c.'otle m`a Yis uty"e.��YYba In a-don mmsaf ffm 9lu,ane aswarepubfta code a w' ww.�orAw1m.wan, *, W. ra me s INLAND ECOSYSTEMS March 10, 2005 Washoe Tribe of Nevada and California Attn: William Dancing Feather Washoe Archives and Cultural Center 861 Crescent Drive Carson City, NV 89701 Re: Cultural Resources Record Search Dear Mr, Dancing Feather: Inland Ecosystems is providing cultural resources consulting services to the Truckee Donner Public Utilities District. The project entails replacing 380 feet of existing pipe and installing a new water tank and access road at one location along Interstate 80, installing a new booster station at two other locations in existing road rights-of-way. The area falls on the Truckee and Norden 7.5 minute USGS quadrangles in Nevada County (see attached maps), For the project areas the Township/Range/Section info follows: Storage tank/road/pipe: T17N/R15E/Sec24 Sierra Meadows Pump Station: T17N/R16E/Sec22 Red Mountain Pump Station: T17N/R15E/Sec14 I am inquiring about any Sacred Lands you are aware of in the project areas that could be affected. If you have any questions, concerns, or comments about the proposed project, please feel free to contact me on my cell phone at(510) 847-5913. - Srely, Daniel Hart, M.A., RPA Archaeologist Inland Ecosystems 1135 Terminal Way, Suite 204A Reno, NV 89502 Office: 775-786-3223 -- Cell: 510-847-5913 ECOSYSTEMS March 10, 2005 Washoe Tribe of Nevada and California Attn: Brian Wallace, Chairperson 919 Ifiighway 395 South Gardnerville, NV 89410 Re: Cultural Resources Record Search Dear Mr. Wallace: Inland Ecosystems is providing cultural resources consulting services to the Truckee Donner Public Utilities District. The project entails replacing 380 feet of existing pipe and installing a new water tank and access road at one location along Interstate 80, installing a new booster station at two other locations in existing road rights-of-way. The area falls on the Truckee and Norden 7.5 minute USGS quadrangles in Nevada County (see attached maps). For the project areas the Township/Range/Section info follows: Storage tank/road/pipe: T17N/R15E/Sec24 Sierra Meadows Pump Station: TI7N/R16E/Sec22 Red Mountain Pump Station: T17N/R15E/Sec14 1 am inquiring about any Sacred Lands you are aware of in the project areas that could be affected. If you have any questions, concerns, or comments about the proposed project, please feel free to contact me on my cell phone at (510) 847-5913. Daniel Hart, M.A., RPA Archaeologist Inland Ecosystems 1135 Terminal Way, Suite 204A Reno, NV 89502 Office: 775-786-3223 Cell: 510-847-5913 i k APPENDIX E PRELIMINARY BMPs FOR PROJECT CONSTRUCTION The District's BMP Plan includes the following measures: • The District will implement an effective combination of erosion and sediment control on all disturbed areas at this project site. The District will follow the guidelines established for erosion control methods consistent with the requirements of the LRWQCB Lahontan Region Guidelines for Erosion Control. These erosion control practices will be implemented to include, but not limited to, silt fencing placed downslope of the project site to minimize sediment transport off-site. • Construction will involve grading a level pad for the booster pump station and trenching. All stormwater runoff from impervious surfaces will be directed to an infiltration gallery, designed to contain a 20-year. I-hour storm event. There will be no adverse hydrologic changes to existing drainage conveyances. All excavated material not used for backfill will be disposed of in landfills. The District will ensure that all spoil piles are stabilized and covered with heavy-duty plastic sheeting during any precipitation event and/or overnight. • Construction will be temporarily suspended prior to and during storm events. For the purpose of this project, a "storm" is defined as any precipitation event that could or would cause runoff, and sedimentation from surfaces exposed by construction. Construction activities also have the potential to release fugitive dust associated with excavation activities and grading. In order to reduce this potential impact fugitive dust emissions shall be minimized at all times utilizing control measures including aggressive sweeping program and regularly applied water when deemed necessary. When transporting material during site preparation or construction, measures shall be used to prevent material from spilling or blowing onto roadways. • Where soil disturbance has occurred in undisturbed areas, the District will implement measures such as covering with mulch, fiber rolls or blankets, silt fencing, hay bales, and/or reseeding to protect soil particles from transport by rainfall or wind. Staging areas will be delineated with construction and silt fencing. There will be no physical changes to roadways as a result of the project. • Specific BMP's for spill prevention include the contractor having on-site, at all times, a Spill Containment Kit. All equipment will be properly cleaned and inspected for leaks prior to and during trenching operations. All equipment will be checked regularly, at a minimum of once in the morning and once in the afternoon, for leaks before and during operation. • Both the contractor as well as the District will ensure that all BMPs implemented for this project are effectively maintained. The District will conduct inspections of the construction site on a daily basis and more frequently prior to anticipated storm events and after actual storm events. Equipment, materials, and workers will be available for rapid response to failures and emergencies. i t