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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAttach 7 Apndx8.5-Apndx8.6Appendix 8.5 Air Quality Analysis IKEA Draft Supplemental EIR City of Dublin PA 02-034 Page 97 November 2003 AIR QUALITY EMPACT EVALUATION FOR THE [KEA DEVELOPMENT CITY OF DUBLIN Prepared for: Jerry Haag, Urban Planner 2029 University Avenue Berkeley, CA. 94704 October 2003 Donald Ballanti c~ti/~d Consulting Meteorologist 1424 Scott Street / El Cerrito. California 94530 / (510) 234-6087 / Fax: (510i 232-7752 INTRODUCTION Air quality was analyzed in Chapter 3.11 of the Eastern Dublin EIR. This supplement to the examines compliance with applicable significance thresholds, utilizes updated methods of analysis, and is based on current traffic forecasts that reflect changes in roadway improvements and travel patterns that have occurred since certification of the Eastern Dublin EIR. This supplement also examines changes in the regulatory standards since the previous EIR. ENVIRONMENTAL SETTING The project is within the Livermore-Amador Valley. The Livermore-Amador Valley forms a small subregional air basin distinct fi-om the larger San Francisco Bay Area Air Basin. The Livermore-Amador Valley air basin is surrounded on all sides by high hills or mountains. Significant breaks in the hills surrounding the air basin are Niles Canyon and the San Ramon Valley, which extends northward into Contra Costa County. The terrain of the Livermore-Amador Valley influences both the climate and air pollution potential of the sub-regional air basin. As an inland, protected valley, the area has generally lighter winds and a higher fi-equency of calm conditions when compared to the greater Bay Area. The occurrence of episodes of high atmospheric stability, known as inversion conditions, severely limits the ability of the atmosphere to disperse pollutants vertically. Inversions occur during all seasons in the Bay Area, but are particularly prevalent in the summer months when they are present about 90% of the time in both morning and afternoon. According to the Bay Area Air Quality Management District, air pollution potential is high in the Livermore Valley, especially for ozone in the summer and fall (BAAQMD, 1999). High temperatures increase the potential for ozone, and the valley not only traps locally generated pollutants but also can be the receptor of ozone and ozone precursors from upwind portions of the greater Bay Area. Transport of pollutants also occurs between the Livermore Valley and the San Joaquin Valley to the east. During the winter, the sheltering effect of terrain and its inland location results in frequent surface-based inversions. Under these conditions, pollutants such as carbon monoxide from automobiles and particulate matter generated by fireplaces and agricultural burning can become concentrated. IMPACTS AND MITIGATIONS FROM THE EASTERN DUBLIN EIR The Eastern Dublin EIR identified significant impacts related to construction, mobile source and stationary source emissions (Impacts 3.11/A, B, C, E). Mitigation measures were adopted to control construction dust and exhaust emissions, and to minimize mobile and stationary source emissions through, among other things, cooperative transportation and air quality planning and transportation demand management. All mitigation.measures adopted upon approval of the Eastern Dublin GPA/SP continue to apply to implementing actions and projects such as the proposed project. Even with mitigation, however, significant cumulative constTuction, mobile source and stationary source impacts remained. (Impacts 3.1 IA, 31 lB, 301 lC, and 3.11E). Upon approval of the Eastern Dublin GPA/SP, the City adopted a Statement of Overriding Considerations for these significant unavoidable impacts. (Resolution No. 53-93.) SUPPLEMENTAL IMPACTS AND MITIG.4 TION MEASURES The proposed General Plan and Specific Plan amendment would change land uses and development intensity fi.om those analyzed in the Eastern Dublin EIR. The project would increase daily traffic generation over that assumed in the Eastern Dublin EIR. Since preparation of the Eastern Dublin EIR there have been several regulatory changes and methods for air quality analysis as well as applicable thresholds of significance have changed. Pursuant to Guidelines section 15162 and 15163, this supplement assesses whether new or intensified air quality impacts will result fi.om increased regional traffic and changed regulatory standards. Changes to the Regulatory Setting Ambient Air Quality Standards The federal and California ambient air quality standards are summarized in Table 1 for important pollutants. The federal and state ambient standards were developed independently with differing purposes and methods, although both federal and state standards are intended to avoid health-related effects. As a result, the federal and state standards differ in some cases. In general, the California state standards are more stringent. This is particularly true for ozone and PM~0. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency established new national air quality standards for ground-level ozone and for fine particulate matter in 1997. The existing 1-hour ozone standard of 0.12 PPM microns or less) is to be phased out and replaced by an 8-hour standard of 0.08 PPM. Implementation of the 8-hour standard was delayed by litigation, but was determined to be valid and enforceable by the U. S. Supreme Court in a decision issued in February of 2001. However, the new federal ozone standard is not yet in effect pending final resolution of this litigation and adoption of implementing regulations. In 1997 new national standards for fine Particulate Matter (diameter 2.5 microns or less) were adopted for 24-hour and annual averaging periods. The current PM~0 standards were to be retained, but the method and form for determining compliance with the standards were to be revised. Implementation of this standard was delayed by litigation and will not occur until the U. S. Environmental Protection Agency has issued court-approved guidance. The State of California regularly reviews scientific literature regarding the health effects and exposure to PM and other pollutants. On May 3, 2002, the California Air Resources Board (CARB) staff recommended lowering the level of the annual standard for PMm and establishing a new annual standard for PM2.5 (particulate matter 2.5 micrometers in diameter and smaller). The new standards became effective on July 5, 2003. Table 1 Federal and State Ambient Air Quality Standards Federal State Averaging Primary Standard Pollutant Time Standard Ozone 1-Hour 0.12 ppm 0.09 ppm 8-Hour 0.08 ppm -- Carbon Monoxide 8-Hour 9.0 ppm 9.0 ppm 1-Hour 35.0 ppm 20.0 ppm Nitrogen Dioxide Annual 0.05 ppm -- 1-Hour - 0.25 ppm Sulfur Dioxide Annual 0.03 ppm -- 24-Hour 0.14 ppm 0.05 ppm 1-Hour -- 0.25 ppm PM~0 Annual 50 ug/m3 20 ug/m3 24-Hour 150 u~m3 50 ugr/m3 PM2.5 Annual 15 ug/m3 12 ug/m3 24-Hour 65 u~m3 -- Lead 30-Day Avg. -- 1.5 ug/m3 3-Month Avl~. 1.5 u~m3 -- ppm = parts per million ug/m3 = Micrograms per Cubic Meter In addition to the criteria pollutants discussed above, Toxic Ah' Contaminants (TACs) are another group of pollutants of concern. Toxic Air Contaminants (TACs) are injurious in small quantities and are regulated despite the absence of criteria documents. The identification, regulation and monitoring of TACs is relatively recent compared to that for criteria pollutants. Cun'ent Air Quality The project is within the nine-county Bay Area Air Basin. The Bay Area Air Quality Management District (BAAQMD) operates a network of air quality monitoring sites in the region. The closest to the site is located in central Livermore on Old First Street. Table 2 shows a summary of air quality data for this monitoring site for the period 2000-2002. Data are shown for ozone, carbon monoxide, PM~0, and nitrogen dioxide. The number of days exceeding each standard is shown for each year. Table 2 shows that concentrations of carbon monoxide and nitrogen dioxide at the Livermore monitoring site meet state/federal standards. Ozone concentrations exceed both the state and federal standards, and exhibit wide variations fi:om year-to-year related to meteorological conditions. Years where the summer months tend to be wanner than average tend to have higher average ozone concentrations while years with cooler than average temperatures tend to have lower average ozone concentrations. Table 2 Air Quality at Livermore Monitorin i Site, 2000-2002 Days Standard Exceeded During: Pollutant Standard 2000 2001 2002 Ozone Federal 1-Hour 1 0 2 Ozone State 1-Hour 7 9 10 Ozone Federal 8-Hour 2 2 6 PM~0 Federal 24-Hour 0 0 0 PM~0 State 24-Hour 2 3 0 PM2.5 Federal 24-Hour 0 1 0 Carbon State/Federal 0 0 0 Monoxide 8-Hour Nitrogen State 1-Hour 0 0 0 Dioxide Source: CARB, 2003 Levels of PM~0 and PM2.5 at Livermore meet the federal ambient standards but exceed the more stringent state standards. Attainment Stares The federal Clean Air Act and the California Clean Air Act of 1988 require that the California Air Resources Board (CAR.B), based on air quality monitoring data, designate air basins within the state where the federal or state ambient air quality standards are not met as "non-attainment areas". Because of the differences between the federal and state standards, the designation of non-attainment areas is different under the federal and state legislation. In 1995, alter several years of minimal violations of the federal one-hour ozone standard, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) r[vised the designation of the Bay Area Air Basin from "non-attainment" to "attainment" for this standard. However, with less favorable meteorology in subsequent years, violations of the one-hour ozone standard again were observed in the basin, particularly at the Livermore monitoring station. Effective August 1998, the EPA downgraded the Bay Area's classification for this standard from a "maintenance" area to an "unclassified non-attainment" area. Also in 1998, after many years without violations of any carbon monoxide (CO) standards, the attainment stares for CO was upgraded to "attainment." The San Francisco Bay Area Air Basin is currently non-attainment for ozone (state and federal ambient standards) and PMt0 (state ambient standard). While air quality plans exist for ozone, none exists (or is currently required) for PM~0. The Revised San Francisco Bay Area Ozone Attainment Plan for the 1-Hour National Ozone Standard (BAAQMD, 2001) is the current ozone air quaiity plan required under the federal Clean Air. The state-mandated regional air quality plan is the Bay Area 2000 Clean Air Plan (BAAQMD, 2000). These plans contain mobile source controls, stationary source controls and transportation control measures to be implemented in the region to attain the state and federal ozone standards within the Bay Area Air Basin. Significance Thresholds The BAAQMD has revised recommended thresholds of significance since publication of the East Dublin EIR (BAAQMD, 1999). The document BAAQMD CEQA Guidelines establishes the following impact criteria: A significant impact on local air quality is defined as an increase in carbon monoxide concentrations that causes a violation of the most stringent ambient air quality standard for carbon monoxide (20 ppm for the one-hour averaging period, 9.0 ppm for the eight- hour averaging period). A significant impact on regional air quality is defined as an increase in emissions of an ozone precursor or PMm exceeding the BAAQMD thresholds of significance. The current significance thresholds are 80 pounds per day (or 15 tons/year) for ozone precursors or PM~0. · Any proposed project that would individually have a significant air quality impact would also be considered to have a significant cumulative air quality impact. · Any project with the potential to frequently expose members of the public to objectionable odors would be deemed to have a significant impact. · Any project with the potential to expose sensitive receptors or the general public to substantial levels of toxic air contaminants would be deemed to have a significant impact. Despite the establishment of both federal and state standards for PM2.5 (particulate matter, 2.5 microns), the BAAQMD has not developed a threshold of significance for this pollutant. For this analysis, PM2.5 impacts would be considered significant if project emissions of PMm exceed 80 pounds per day. The current BAAQMD significance threshold for construction dust impact is based on the appropriateness of construction dust controls. The BAAQMD guidelines provide feasible control measures for construction emission of PM~o. If the appropriate construction controls are to be implemented, then air pollutant emissions for construction activities would be considered less- than-significant. Revised Mitigation Recommendations The document BAAQMD CEQA Guidelines was published subsequent to the publicaton of the East Dublin EIR. These guidelines provided recommended mitigation practices during construction based on the size of the project and expanded recommended mitigations for operational impacts of commercial projects. Impacts and Mitigation Measures Supplemental Impact AQ 1: Construction activities would have the potential to cause nuisance related to dust and PM~ The current BAAQMD significance threshold for construction dust impact is based on the appropriateness of construction dust controls. If the appropriate construction controls are to be implemented, then air pollutant emissions for construction activities would be considered less- than-significant. Mitigation Measure MM 3.11/1.0 in the East Dubline EIR implements most, but not all, of the currently recommeded measures. Supplemental Mitigaton AQ 1: In addition to measures identified in MM 3.11/1.0 of the East Dublin EIR, the City of Dublin shall: Require construction contractors to water or cover stockpiles of debris, soil, sand or other materials that can be blown by the wind. Require construction contractors to sweep dally (preferably with water sweepers) all paved access road, parking areas and staging areas at construction sites. Require construction contractors to install sandbags or other erosion control measures to prevent silt nmoff to public roadways. According the current BAAQMD CEQA guidelines, implementation of these mitigation measures would reduce construction period air quality impacts to a less-than-significant level. Supplemental Impact AQ 2: The project would result in a regional emission increase that would exceed the BAAQMD significance thresholds for ozone precursors. Vehicle trips generated by the project would result in air pollutant emissions affecting the entire San Francisco Bay Air Basin. Regional emissions associated with project vehicle use have been calculated using the URBEMIS-2002 emission model. The incremental daily emission increase associated with project operational trip generation is identified in Table 3 for reactive organic gases and oxides of nitrogen (two precursors of ozone) and PM~0. Also shown is the emission increase under the existing Specific Plan designation assuming development of 780,000 square feet of campus office space. The Bay Area Air Quality Management District's thresholds of significance for these pollutants are also shown. Proposed Table 3 Project Regional l~m~ss~ons in l-ounas rer va~ ; Reactive Nitrogen PM~0 Organic Oxides Gases Project 115.2 104.9 71.6 Development under Existing 71.9 70.2 54.7 Specific Plan BAAQMD Significance 80.0 80.0 80.0 Threshold project emissions shown in Table 3 would exceed these thresholds of significance for ROG and NOx, so the proposed project would have a significant effect on regional ozone air quality. Supplemental Mitigaton AQ 2: In addition to measures identified in MM 3.11/5.0-11.0 of the East Dublin EIR, the City of Dublin shall require that the following be implemented as part of the Transportation Demand Management program for the proposed project: · Provide transit facilities, e.g., bus bulbs/turnouts, benches, shelters, etc. · Provide bicycle land and/or paths, connected to community-wide network. · Provide sidewalks and/or paths, connected to adjacent land uses, transit stops, and/or community-wide network. · Provide secure and conveniently located bicycle storage. · Provide preferential parking for electric or alternatively-fueled vehicles. · Provide electric vehicle charging stations. · Implement feasible TDM measures including a fide-matching program, coordination with regional rideshaxing organizations and provision of transit information. Implementation of the mitigation measures in the Eastern Dublin EIR (Mitigation Measures 3.11/5.0-11.0 together with the above measures will not achieve the 30% reduction in project-related emissions that would be needed to reduce emissions below the BAAQMD thresholds of signficance. Ozone air quality impacts will remain significant and unavoidable. Supplemental Impact AQ 3: Project-related regional emissions would exceed the BA2tQMD thresholds of significance for ozone precursors, resulting in a significant cumulative impact. According to BAAQMD significance criteria, any proposed project that would individually have a significant air quality impact would also be considered to have a significant cumulative air quality impact. Since the proposed project, after mitigation, would exceed the BAAQMD thresholds of significance for Reactive Organic Gases and Nitrogen Oxides, the project would have a significant cumulative impact on regional air quality. Supplemental Mitigation Measure AQ 3: Same as Supplemental Mitigation AQ-2. Supplemental Impact AQ 4: The project would change traffic volumes and congestion levels, changing carbon monoxide concentrations. This is a less-than-significant impaca On the local scale, the project would change traffic on the local street network, changing carbon monoxide levels along roadways used by project traffic. Carbon monoxide is an odorless, colorless poisonous gas whose primary source in the Bay Area is automobiles. Concentrations of this gas are highest near intersections of major roads. New vehicle trips add to carbon monoxide concentrations near streets providing access to the site. The Bay Area Air Quality Management District's BAAQMD CEQA Guidelines recommends estimation of carbon monoxide concentrations for projects where project traffic would impact intersections or roadway links operating at Level of Service D, E, or F or would cause Level of Service to decline to D, E, or F. The analysis of intersection Level of Service (LOS) prepared for the project found that, of the 18 signalized intersections studied, only two would operate at LOS D or worse before addition of project traffic in either the AM or PM peak traffic hour. However, the project would not change the Volume to Capacity ratio (V/C) at one of the two intersections (I-580 Eastbound offi'amp/Hopyard Road) and would actually improve the LOS at the other intersection (Dublin Boulevard/Dougherty Road). Therefore, the BAAQMD threshold trigger level for estimating carbon monoxide modeling of concentrations would not be exceeded. Considering that the proposed project is in an attainment area for carbon monoxide (the state and federal ambient standards are met) and that Dublin has relatively low background levels of carbon monoxide compared to other parts of the Bay Area and that Levels of Service at intersections affected by project traffic would remain relatively good, the conclusion of the East Dublin EIR that the project would have a less-than-significant impact on local carbon monoxide concentrations is confirmed. Carbon monoxide impact of development under the existing Specific Plan would be somewhat less than that of the proposed project. Carbon monoxide impacts are roughly proportional to vehicle trips. Development of the site as campus office would generate about 32% of the daily trips of the current proposal. The impact of development under the existing Specific Plan on carbon monoxide concentrations would be less-than-significant. 9 References Bay Area Air Quality Management District, Bay Area CEQA Guidelines, 1999. Bay Area Air Quality Management District, Bay Area 2000 Clean Air Plan and Triennial Assessment, December 20, 2000. Bay Area Air Quality Management District, Revised San Francisco Bay Area Ozone Attainment Plan for the 1-Hour National Ozone Standard, October 24, 2001. California Air Resources Board (CARB), Aerometric Data Analysis and Management (ADAM), 2003. 10 Appendix 8.6 Biological Reconnaissance IKEA Draft Supplemental EIR City of Dublin PA 02-034 Page 98 November 2003 I. BIOLOGICAL RESOURCES This section of the report presents information on biological resources found on and in the project vicinity. The setting section of this chapter describes the habitats and biological resources on the site. Information in this section is used to evaluate the potential impacts of the project with respect to the significance criteria set forth in the Impacts and Mitigation section. 1. Methods Prior to conducting field work, LSA biologists searched the California Natural Diversity Data Base (CNDDB) (CNDDB 2003) to locate records of special-status species and sensitive communities/habitats in the general region of East Dublin. Using information from these sources and LSA biologists knowledge of plants and wildlife in the Livermore/Amador Valley, lists of potentially occurring special-status species and sensitive habitats were developed. LSA biologist Matt Ricketts visited the Ikea prO3ect area on September 16, 2003 and walked the entire site recording information on the habitat types present and searching for sensitive plant communities/habitats and evidence of special-status species or habitats that could support such species. Plants and animals observed dUnng the survey were recorded in field notes. 2. Regulatory Context Federal Endangered Species Act. The federal Endangered Species Act (FESA) protects listed species from harm or "take" which is broadly defined as to harass, harm, pursue, hunt, shoot, wound, kill, trap, capture, collect, or attempt to engage in any such conduct. Take can also include habitat modification or degradation that results in death or injury to a listed species. An activity can be defined as "take" even if it is unintentional or accidental. Listed plant species are provided less protection than listed wildlife species. Listed plant species are legally protected fi.om take under FESA if they occur on federal lands or if the project requires a federal action, such as a Section 404 fill permit. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) has jurisdiction over federally-listed threatened and endangered species under the FESA. The USFWS also maintains lists of 'proposed' and candidate species. Species on these lists are not legally protected under the FESA, but which may become listed in the near future and are often included in theft review of a project. California Endangered Species Act. The California Endangered Species Act (CESA) prohibits the take of any plant or animal listed or proposed for listing as rare (plants only), threatened, or endangered. In accordance with the CESA, California Depa, h,~ent offish and Game (CDFG) has jurisdiction over state-listed species (California Fish and Game Code 2070). Additionally, the CDFG maintains lists of "species of special concern" that are defined as species that appear to be vulnerable to extinction because of declining populations, limited ranges, and/or continuing threats. California Environmental Quality' Act. Section 15380(b) of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines provides that a species not listed on the federal or state lists of protected species may be considered rare or endangered if the species can be shown to meet certain specified criteria. These criteria have been modeled after the definitions in FESA and CESA and the section of the California Fish and Game Code dealing with rare or endangered plants or animals. This section was included in the guidelines primarily to deal with situations in which a public agency is reviewing a p:~Jhu333~BioResources.doc (9/28/03) project that may have a significant effect on a species that has not yet been listed by either the USFWS or CDFG. Clean Water Act. Under Section 404 of the Clean Water Act, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) is responsible for regulating the discharge of fill material into waters of the United States. Waters of the U.S. and their lateral limits are defined in 33 CFR Part 328.3 (a) and include streams that are tributary to navigable waters and their adjacent wetlands. Wetlands that are not adjacent to waters of the U.S. are termed "isolated wetlands" and, depending on the circumstances, may also be subject to Corps jurisdiction. In general, a Corps permit must be obtained before placing fill in wetlands or other waters of the U.S. The type of permit depends on the acreage involved and the purpose of the proposed fill. Minor amounts of fill can be covered by a Nationwide Permit. An Individual Permit is required for projects that result in more than a "minimal" impact on jurisdictional areas. Individual Permits require evidence that jurisdictional fill has been avoided to the extent possible and a review of the project by the public. California Water Quality and Waterbody Regulatory Programs. Pursuant to Section 401 of the federal Clean Water Act, projects that are regulated by the Corps must obtain water quality certification from the Regional Water Quality Control Board (RWQCB). This certification ensures that the project will uphold state water quality standards. The RWQCB may impose mitigation requirements even if the Corps does not. The CDFG exerts jurisdiction over the bed and banks of watercourses and waterbodies according to provisions of Section 1601 to 1603 of the Fish and Game Code. The Fish and Game Code requires a Streambed Alteration Agreement for the fill or removal of material within the bed and banks of a watercourse or waterbody. Other Statutes, Codes, and Policies. The federal Migratory Bird Treaty Act (16 U.S.C., Sec. 703, Supp. I, 1989) prohibits killing, possessing, or trading in migratory birds except in accordance with regulations prescribed by the Secretary of the Interior. This act encompasses whole birds, parts of birds, and bird nests and eggs. Most native bird species on the project site are covered by this Act. The California Native Plant Society (CNPS), a non-governmental conservation organization, has developed lists of plant species of concern in California (Tibor 2001). Vascular plants included on these lists are defined as follows: List lA List lB List 2 List 3 List 4 Plants considered extinct. Plants rare, threatened, or endangered in California and elsewhere. Plants rare, threatened, or endangered in California but more common elsewhere. Plants about which more information is needed - review list. Plants of limited distribution - watch list. Although the CN-PS is not a regulatory agency and plants on these lists have no formal regulatory protection, plants appearing on List lB or List 2 are, in general, considered to meet CEQA's Section 15380 criteria and adverse effects to these species are considered "significant". p 5Jhu333XBioResources.doc (9/28/03) 3. Existing Conditions The Ikea project site (and adjacent Dublin Lifestyle Center) is bordered to the north by Martinelli Drive (future alignment), on the west by Arnold Road, on the south by Interstate 580, and on the east by Hacienda Drive. Topography is generally flat with scattered debris piles and depressions consisting of concrete blocks and other conslxuction-related fill. The site contained a naval hospital in the 1940's and 50's (Haag, pers. comm.) but has likely remained a vacant lot since the hospital was dismantled sometime in the 1950's or 60's (exact date is unknown). Use of the site over the last 10- 20 years has likely been limited to placement of conslruction spoils from surrounding development and road-building activities. a. Vegetation and Habitats. Vegetation throughout the site can best be described as a mix of ruderal and non-native grassland. The western half is more open and dominated by non-native grasses such as Italian wildrye (Lolium rnultiflorura) and wild oats (Avenafatua), with scattered patches of ruderal forbs such as Russian thistle (Salsola soda) and yellow star thistle (Centaurea sotstitialis). The eastern and southeastern portions of the site are characterized by fewer grasses and dense patches of ruderal forbs including black mustard (Brassica nigra), poison hemlock (Conium maculatum), Italian thistle (Carduus pycnocephalus), bull thistle (Cirsiurn vulgare), Russian thistle, and yellow star thistle. Smaller amounts of curly dock (Rumex crispus) and rabbit' s-foot grass (Polypogon monspeliensis), both of which grow in wetlands, are scattered throughout the site in small depressions. In addition, a few small coyote brush (Baccharis pilularis) shrubs are scattered throughout the site. b. Wildlife Values. Few wildlife were observed during the September 16 field visit, primarily due to the degraded nature of the site and the overall low habitat value. Only four species were observed: black-tailed deer (Odocoileus hemionus), turkey vulture (Cathartes aura), savannah sparrow (Passerculus sandwichensis), and western meadowlark (Sturnella neglecta), all of which are common species in the Dublin/Livermore area. Other generalist reptile and mammal species that would be expected to occur on the site include: western fence lizard (Sceloporus occidentalis), common garter snake (Thamnophis sirtalis), Botta's pocket gopher (Thornomys bottae), black-tailed jackrabbit (Lepus californicus), coyote ( Canis latrans), and racoon (Procyon lotor). c. Sensitive Habitats. The CNDDB reports three sensitive habitats in the general DubliWLivermore area: valley sink scrub, valley needlegrass grassland, and sycamore alluvial woodland. None of these sensitive habitats occur within the Ikea and Dublin Lifestyles Center project area. Most of the existing CNDDB records for these habitats occur in eastern Livermore adjacent to the Altamont Hills. No wetlands were observed within the project area, although two species designated as "facultative wetland" species (usually occur in wetlands but occasionally found in nonwetlands) in the National List of Plant Species That Occur in Wetlands (Reed 1988) were present in small numbers (curly dock and rabbit's-foot grass). Since the site has a past history of disturbance and does not contain any native soils (the substrate is primarily fill soil with concrete and asphalt rubble), some of the depressions collect standing water during the rainy season, allowing these species to grow. In order for a site to be considered a jurisdictional wetland by the Corps, it must contain all three characteristic wetland components: hydrophytic vegetation, hydric soils, and hydrology. Although the site contains small, isolated patches of hydrophytic vegetation, it is unlikely that hydric soils are present 3 p:x,J hu333 ~BioRes ources.doc (9/28/03) due to the disturbed nature of the fill soils on the site. These areas are not hydrologically connected to any jurisdictional feature. Therefore, the site does not likely contain areas that would be considered jurisdictional by the Corps. d. Special-status Species. For the purpose of this EIR, special status species are defined as follows: · Species that are listed, formally proposed, or designated as candidates for listing as threatened or endangered under the Federal Endangered Species Act. · Species that are listed, or designated as candidates for listing, as rare, threatened, or endangered under the California Endangered Species Act. · Plant species on List 1 A, List 1 B, and List 2 in the Califomia Native Plant Society's (CNPS) Inventory of Rare and Endangered Vascular Plants of California (Tibor 2001). · Wildlife species listed by the California Department offish and Game (CDFG) as species of special concem, or as protected or fully protected species. · Species that meet the definition of rare, threatened, or endangered under Section 15380 of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) guidelines. · Considered to be a taxon of special concern by local agencies. Plant Species. Table A presents a list of 17 special-status plant species considered potentially occurring in the Livermore/Amador Valley vicinity. Sixteen of these species were eliminated from consideration due to the extent of habitat disturbance on the site. Congdon's tarplant has been found previously on disturbed sites, in the vicinity of the project site (U.S. Dept. of Justice/Alameda Co., 2003). The mderal/non-native grassland habitat on the Ikea site represents potential habitat for this species. Congdon's tarplant was identifiable during the September 16, 2003 survey but no plants were found, indicating its likely absence from the project site. Wildlife Species. Table B presents a list of fifteen special-status wildlife species considered to potentially occur in the Livermore/Amador Valley. Nine species were eliminated from consideration because suitable habitat (i.e., vernal pools, chaparral, freshwater marsh, and a semi-permanent water source) is not present on the site. Although burrowing owls have been observed in the vicinity of the project site (U.S. Dept. of Justice/Alameda Co., 2003), there are no ground squirrels present, and hence no suitable burrows for owls to occupy. The dense ruderal vegetation present throughout the site reduces habitat suitability for burrowing owls, which prefer more open, short-grass habitats. The site provides foraging habitat for white-tailed kite and northern harrier. However, given the small size of the site, the amount of surrounding development, and the availability of higher-quality habitat throughout the surrounding region (i.e., Camp Parks, Altamont Hills), it is unlikely that these species would regularly occur onsite. Suitable nesting habitat is not present for either species. Loggerhead shrikes occasionally use disturbed sites for resting and foraging while migrating or dispersing, and could potentially occur on the site for brief periods. However, no suitable nesting shrubs or trees are present, and the overall lack of open habitat reduces the likelihood that shrikes will occur there for long periods. Similarly, California horned larks could potentially pass through the area during migration or the winter, but are unlikely to remain for very long due to the lack of open, bare ground areas for foraging and nesting. P:Uhu333 ~BioResources.doc (9/28/03) 4 Several surveys for San Joaquin kit fox have been conducted in the project area. No kit fox or sign of kit fox presence has been detected during these surveys and there are no verified incidental observations of kit fox from the East Dublin area. The likelihood of their presence on the Ikea site is very low, given the amount of surrounding development, the disturbed nature of the site and the lack of burrows. 4. Impacts and Mitigation Measures a. Criteria For Significance. The proposed project would have a significant impact on biological resources if it would: · Substantially diminish habitat for fish, wildlife, or plants or threaten to eliminate a plant or animal community; · Substantially affect a rare, threatened, or endangered plant or animal species (including those species that meet the definition of rare and endangered according to CEQA), or the habitat of such species; · Interfere substantially with the movement of any resident or migratory fish or wildlife species; · Cause a fish or wildlife population to drop below self-sustaining levels; or · Create runoff that significantly impact wildlife habitat. b. Impacts And Mitigation Measures. This section describes potential impacts, if any, to biological resources that occur or are likely to occur within the Ikea and Dublin Lifestyles Center project site. (1) Less-than-significant Biological Resource Impacts. The proposed development of the Ikea and Dublin Lifestyles Center site will result in a loss of about 27 acres of non-native ruderal and grassland plant communities. These communities occur on the site as a result of historical disturbance that allowed introduced non-native plants to colonize and displace the native plant species that once existed there. Such habitats are presently common throughout the State of California. The loss ofruderal/non-native grassland habitat is not considered to be significant. (2) Significant Biological Resource Impacts. Since it is highly unlikely that any special- status plant or wildlife species occur on the site, the proposed project is not expected to significantly impact biological resources. The site is currently surrounded by a human- modified environment and does not comprise a significant portion of any regional wildlife movement corridors. Therefore, since the proposed project will not result in any significant biological resource impacts, no mitigation is required. P:XJhu333~ioResources.doc (9/28/03) REFERENCES California Natural Diversity Data Base (CNDDB). 2003. Special-status species occurrences for the Livermore, Dublin, Tassajara, and Altamont 7.5-minute USGS quadrangles. California Depax~ment of Fish and Game, Natural Heritage Division, Sacramento. Reed, Jr., P.B. 1988. National List of Plant Species That Occur in Wetlands: California (Region 0). Biological Report $8 (26.10). U.S. Fish and Wildlife Ser~qce, Washington, D.C. Tibor, D.P. 2001. Inventory of Rare and Endangered Vascular Plants of California. Special Publication gl, 5~h ed. California Native Plant Society, Sacramento. U.S. Dept. o£Justice, State of California, County of Alameda. 2003. Juvenile Justice Facility and East County Hall of Justice Draft Environmental Impact Statement and Environmental Impact Report. Prepared by Lamphier-Gregory, Inc., Oakland, CA. p:~Jhu333~BioResources.doc (9/28/03) Table A: Special-status Plant Species Potentially Occurring in the Vicinity of the Ikea Project Site, Dublin, Alameda County. Species i Status Habitat Potential for Occurrence (Fed/State/CNPS) Amsinckia grand,flora Valley and foothill grassland Low: Disturbed nature of large-flowered fiddleneck FE/SE/1B ~n various soils. Only known i site likely precludes from 3 native occurrences, occurrence. Atriplex cordulata Chenopod scrub, valley and Low: No alkaline or sandy foothill grassland, meadows, soils on site. heartscale -/-/lB Alkaline fiats and sandy I soils. ~ Atriplex depressa ' Chenopod scrub, meadows, Low: No alkaline substrates brittlescale ~ . playas, valley and foothill on site. i -/-/lB ' grassland, vernal pools. I Alkali scalds or clay. i . Chenopod scrub, alkali Low: No alkaline substrates A triplexjoaquina I San Joaquin saltbush -/'-~lB [ meadow, valley and foothill on site. ;grassland. Chaparral. Known only from None: Out of species' range. Arctostaphytos auriculata ! -,'-~lB the Mt. Diablo area. No suitable habitat. Mt. Diablo manzanita Astragalus tener var. tenet Alkali playa, valley and Low: No alkaline substrates alkali milk vetch -/-/lB footkill grassland, vernal i on-site. pools. Balsamorhiza macrotep~s Valley and foothill Low: Disturbed nature of var. macroIepis -/-/1B grassland, cismontane site likely precludes big-scale balsam, root woodland, occurrence. Chaparral, cismontane None: Out of species' range. Calochortus pulchellus ! woodland, riparian No suitable habitat. Mt. Diablo fairy-lantern -/-/1B woodland, valley and foothill grassland. Wooded and brushy slopes. Centromadia parry/ssp. Valley and foothill Moderate: Species has been congdonii -/-/1B grassland, found previously on disturbed sites, including Congdon's tarplant near project site to north. Cordylanthus mol/is ssp. Meadows, playas, valley and Low: Disturbed nature of hispidus i -/-/lB foothill grassland. Damp site and lack of alkali soils hispid bird's-beak I alkaline soils, likely precludes occurrence. Cordylanthus palmatus i Chenopod scrub, valley and Low: No alkaline substrates palmate-bracted bird's FE/SE/1B i foothill grassland. Alkaline on site. 'clay. beak i Meadows and seeps. None: No suitable habitat Deinandra bacigalup,'i i -/-/lB ' i Livermore tarplant ~ Alkaline meadows. (mesic sites). Erodium macrophyllum ! Cismontane woodland, Low: Disturbed nature of round-leaved filaree [ -/-/2 '~ valley and foothill grassland, site likely precludes ! occurrence. Eschscholzia rhombipetala Valley and foothill Low: Disturbed nature of diamond-petaled Cai/forms -/-/1B grassland. Most sites are site likely precludes poppy historical, occurrence. P:~Jhu3 3 3 ~p-statusSpeclesTable.doc (9/28/03) Species i Status Habitat Potential for Occurrence (Fed/State/CNPS) Helianthetla castanea Upland forest, chaparral, None: No suitable habitat. Diablo helianthella cismontane woodland, coastal scrub, riparian -/-/1 B woodland, valley and foothill grassland. Usually in i rocky, azonal soils. , Hesperolinon breweri Chaparral, cismontane I None: No serpentine or Brewer's western flax ~ -/-/lB ,woodland, valley and rocky soils on site. I foothill grassland. Rocky ~ I serpentine soils. I Trifolium depauperatum Marshes and swamps, valley None: No suitable habatat and foothill grassland, (mesic sites). var.salinehydrophilUmclover -/-/1 B i v.emal pools. Mesic, alkaline sites. Status: FE = SE = lB = 2 = Federally listed as an endangered species. State listed as an endangered species. California Native Plant Society (CNPS) list of plants rare or endangered in California and elsewhere. CNPS list of plants rare or endangered in California but more common elsewhere. No status Y~IC06q:'ROJ~J hu333~p-statusSpeciesTable-doc (9/28/03) Table B: Special-status Wildlife Species Potentially Occurring in the Vicinity of the Ikea Project Site, Dublin, Alameda County. Species Status [ Habitat I Potential for (Fed/State/CDFG) ] i Occurrence Invertebrates Longhorn fairy shrimp i FE/-/- Vernal pools. [ None: No vernal pools on Branchinecta longiantenna ~ i site. Vemal pool fairy shrimp i Vernal pools. None: No vernal pools on Branch inecta lynch i [ FT /-/- i site. Amphibians California tiger salamander Grasslands with seasonal None: Disturbed nature Ambystoma californiense ponds for breeding, of site, lack of a breeding site and surrounding FE/-/CSC [ development preclude occurrence. California red-legged frog I I Ponds, streams, drainages, None: Disturbed nature Rana aurora draytonii I FT/-/CSC i and associated uplands, of site and lack of aquatic i habitat preclude [ I occurlence. Reptiles Western pond turtle i i Ponds, streams, drainages, None: Disturbed nature Clemmys marmorata -/-/CSC i and associated uplands, of site and lack of ~ permanent water source preclude occurrence. Alameda whipsnake Chaparral, scrub, and None: No suitable habitat Masticophis lateralis FT/ST/- associated grasslands, on site. euryxanthus I Usually occurs near rock outcrops. Birds Wkite-tailed kite Open grasslands, meadows, Low: Occasional Etanus leucurus or marshes. Require foraging likely. -/-/CFP isolated, dense-topped trees [ or shrubs for nesting and , perching. Northern harrier ~ Nests in wet meadows and Low: Occasional marshes, forages over open foraging likely. Circus cyaneus ! -/-/CSC grasslands and agricultural fields. Ferruginous hawk Open grasslands, low Low: Surrounding Buteo regalis -/-/CSC (wintering) foothills surrounding development and small . valleys, agricultural fields, size of area likely lirmt ~ :, foraging. Golden eagle I 1I Rolling foothills and Low: Surrounding Aquila chryxaetos mountain areas. Nests in development and small [ -/-/CSC cliff-walled canyons or i size of area likely large trees in open areas. ! preclude occurrence. \~*dC0 6LP ROJUh u3 3 3~Sp-stamsSp ecie~Table.d oc (9/28/03) Species i Status Habitat Potential for i (Fed/State/CDFG) Occarrence Burrowing owl Open, dry grasslands or None: Lack of ground Athene cunicularia -/-/CSC agricultural areas that squirrel burrows and contain abundant ground dense vegetation preclude squirrel burrows, occurrence. Loggerhead shrike Open grasslands and Moderate: No nesting Lanius ludovicianus woodlands with scattered habitat but dispersing or -/-/CSC shrubs, fence posts, utility m/grating individuals lines, or other perches, could occur for brief ] Nests in dense shrubs and I periods. lower branches of t~ees. California horned lark I Open grasslands. Prefers Low: Sunounding Eremophila alpestris actia ! -/-/CSC areas with patches of bare development and small ground interspersed with size of site likely I short grasses, preclude occurrence. Tricolored blackbird I Nests in dense vegetation None: Lack of foraging Agelaius tricolor ~ near open water, forages in and nesting habitat -/-/CSC grasslands and agricultural precludes occurrence. fields. Mammals San Joaquin kit fox Annual grasslands with None: No suitable dens. Vulpes macrotis mutica scattered shrubby Site is isolated from FE/ST/- vegetation. Loose-textured potentially occupied areas soils required for digging to east. I burrows. Status: FE = FT = ST = CSC = CFP = Federally listed as an endangered species. Federally listed as a threatened species. State listed as a threatened species. California Species of Special Concern California Fully Protected Species \LRIC06~PRO J~lh u333~Sp-stamsSpeciesTable.doc (9/28/03)