Appendix E.14. Spotlight Surveys Report

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1 Appendix E.14 Spotlight Surveys Report

2 California Flats Solar Project Spotlight Surveys for San Joaquin Kit Fox and American Badger Project # 3308 Prepared for: California Flats Solar, LLC 135 Main Street, 6th Floor San Francisco, CA Prepared by: H. T. Harvey & Associates April 2014 Cal Poly Technology Park, Bldg. 83, Ste. 1B San Luis Obispo, CA Ph: F:

4 Executive Summary The California Flats Solar Project (Project) is a 280-megawatt photovoltaic solar power plant proposed for development in southeastern Monterey County, California. When approved, the solar facility and related operations infrastructure will be built on approximately 1037 hectares (2562 acres) (Project site) of the 29,137-hectare (72,000-acre) Jack Ranch, which is a working cattle ranch. The overall development will include improvements to an existing access road and its connection to State Route 41 (access road/hwy 41 improvement areas). Together, the Project site and access road/hwy 41 improvement areas constitute the 1058-hectare (2615-acre) Project impact area (PIA), where all direct, Project-related impacts will occur. A biological study area (BSA) was delineated around the PIA, within which most Project-related biological surveys and assessments are being conducted. The Project site is located within a landscape dominated by gently rolling terrain and grasslands, interspersed with several, mostly ephemeral, riparian corridors and drainages. Numerous wildlife species are known to occur in the region, some of which have been identified as candidate, sensitive, or special-status species in local or regional plans, policies, or regulations, or by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) and/or U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. In particular, the CDFW California Natural Diversity Database contains 47 records of the state- and federally endangered San Joaquin kit fox (Vulpes macrotis mutica), observed at locations within 32 kilometers (~20 miles) of the Project site. Likewise, the American badger, a CDFW California Mammalian Species of Special Concern, is documented from 17 locales within 32 kilometers (~20 miles) of the Project site. The spotlight survey results, reported here, along with the results of previous surveys conducted throughout the PIA and in the Project vicinity, provide strong evidence that San Joaquin kit fox do not commonly occur on the Project site, yet regularly occur within the lowlands of the Cholame Valley. Spotlight surveys in the winter of 2012 and fall of 2013 resulted in the observation of four San Joaquin kit fox and seven American badgers. San Joaquin kit fox were observed along the access road corridor, within the lowlands of the Cholame Valley, and within linkage habitat mapped by Penrod et al. (2010) south of Cholame Valley. San Joaquin kit fox were not observed on the Project site. American badgers were observed within the Project site and within the lowlands of the Cholame Valley, and are considered likely to occupy habitats throughout the PIA and the Project vicinity. California Flats Solar Project Spotlight Surveys i H. T. Harvey & Associates April 2014

6 Table of Contents Section 1.0 Introduction... 1 Section 2.0 Methods Study Area Survey Methods Survey Sessions Spotlighting... 5 Section 3.0 Results Spotlight Surveys San Joaquin Kit Fox American Badger Other Wildlife Feral Species Section 4.0 Discussion San Joaquin Kit Fox Habitat Use and Distribution Suitability of Habitat within the Project Site Suitability of the Project Site as a Corridor American Badger Habitat Use and Distribution Feral Species Section 5.0 Conclusion San Joaquin Kit Fox American Badger Section 6.0 References Figures and Table Figure 1. Vicinity Map... 2 Figure 2. Occurrences of Special-status Species within 32 kilometers (~20 miles) of the Project Site... 3 Figure Spotlight Survey Routes... 6 Figure Spotlight Survey Routes... 7 Figure 5. Wildlife Observed during Spotlight Surveys Figure 6. San Joaquin Kit Fox and American Badger Observed during Spotlight Surveys Table 1. Wildlife Observed during Spotlight Surveys California Flats Solar Project Spotlight Surveys ii H. T. Harvey & Associates April 2014

7 Contributors Brian Boroski, Ph.D., Vice President and Senior Wildlife Ecologist Principal-in-Charge Daniel G. Duke, J.D., Associate, Senior Regulatory Specialist Robert K. Burton, Ph.D., Senior Ecologist, Project Manager Howard O. Clark, Jr., M.S., Senior Ecologist California Flats Solar Project Spotlight Surveys iii H. T. Harvey & Associates April 2014

8 Section 1.0 Introduction The California Flats Solar Project (Project) is a 280-megawatt photovoltaic solar power plant proposed for development in southeastern Monterey County, California (Figure 1). When approved, the solar facility and related operational infrastructure (Project site) will be built on approximately 1037 hectares (2562 acres) of private ranchland. The 29,137-hectare (72,000-acre) Jack Ranch is a working cattle ranch located in an unincorporated area of southeastern Monterey County and northeastern San Luis Obispo County, near the borders of Kings and Fresno counties. The Project will include construction, installation, and operation of energy-related infrastructure (e.g., solar panels, inverters, substations, and new power poles and transmission lines) and improvements needed to operate and maintain facilities (e.g., buildings, internal roadways, access roads, fencing, and lighting). The Morro Bay Gates 230-kilovolt transmission line crosses the Project site, with capacity sufficient to accommodate the new power plant, negating the need for development of additional transmission corridors. The overall development will also include improvements to an existing access road and its connection to State Route (Hwy) 41, approximately 8 kilometers (5 miles) south of the Project site. The access road/hwy 41 improvement areas will encompass approximately 21.4 hectares (53 acres). Together, the Project site and access road/hwy 41 improvement areas constitute the 1058-hectare (2615-acre) Project impact area (PIA), where all direct, Project-related impacts will occur. A biological study area (BSA) was delineated around the PIA, within which most Project-related biological surveys and assessments are being conducted. The Project site is located within a landscape dominated by gently rolling terrain and grasslands, interspersed with several, mostly ephemeral, riparian corridors and drainages. Numerous wildlife species are known to occur within the region, some of which have been identified as candidate, sensitive, or special-status species in local or regional plans, policies, or regulations, or by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) and/or U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS). In particular, the CDFW California Natural Diversity Database (CNDDB) contains 47 records of the stateand federally endangered San Joaquin kit fox (Vulpes macrotis mutica), observed at locations within 32 kilometers (~20 miles) of the Project site (Figure 2). Likewise, occurrences of the American badger, a CDFW California Mammalian Species of Special Concern (Williams 1986), are documented from 17 locales within 32 kilometers (~20 miles) of the Project site. In order to characterize the status of San Joaquin kit fox, American badger, and other wildlife occurring within the boundaries of the Project site and access road corridor, H. T. Harvey & Associates conducted fullcoverage ground surveys to identify and map suitable habitats, to identify and map burrows and dens suitable for wildlife and particularly for special-status species, and to identify and map other direct or indirect evidence (e.g., scat and tracks) indicating the presence of these species. Full-coverage ground surveys were conducted over 10 days between 6 and 20 November 2012, during which 1123 direct and indirect signs of wildlife species were identified and recorded (H. T. Harvey & Associates 2013). California Flats Solar Project Spotlight Surveys 1 H. T. Harvey & Associates April 2014

SAN BENITO ^_ Fresno Detail }þ }þ }þ 33 269 99 FRESNO California }þ 25 MONTEREY 101 ^_ }þ }þ 41 198 }þ 269 }þ }þ 33 }þ }þ 46 46 229 0 20 Miles Project Vicinity }þ 33 San Luis Obispo }þ 1 }þ 135 }þ

10 SAN BENITO ^_ Fresno Detail }þ }þ }þ FRESNO California }þ 25 MONTEREY 101 ^_ }þ }þ }þ 269 }þ }þ 33 }þ }þ Miles Project Vicinity }þ 33 San Luis Obispo }þ 1 }þ 135 }þ 145 }þ 58 }þ 198 SAN LUIS OBISPO!"#$ 5 KERN }þ 166 SANTA BARBARA Hanford KINGS ^_ Biological Study Area Miles Sources: Esri, DeLorme, NAVTEQ, USGS, Intermap, ipc, NRCAN, Esri Japan, METI, Esri China (Hong Kong), Esri (Thailand), TomTom, 2013 Figure 1: Vicinity Map California Flats Solar Project, Spotlight Survey Report ( ) October 2013

14 The full-coverage ground survey is an efficient and comprehensive means of detecting and identifying signs of wildlife, which for nocturnal mammals initially occurs through indirect evidence, such as potential dens, tracks, and scat. For example, full-coverage ground surveys of the Project site and access road revealed the presence of 255 potential dens with characteristics typical of species such as the San Joaquin kit fox, American badger, or the relatively common coyote (Canis latrans). In order to further elucidate the distribution and relative abundance of San Joaquin kit fox, American badger, and other wildlife within the PIA and its vicinity, H. T. Harvey & Associates conducted protocol-level spotlight surveys (USFWS 1999) throughout the PIA, Project vicinity, and along public access roads within Cholame Valley. California Flats Solar Project Spotlight Surveys 4 H. T. Harvey & Associates April 2014

16 Section 2.0 Methods 2.1 Study Area Spotlight surveys were conducted during winter 2012 and fall The initial survey was conducted throughout the Project site and access road corridor (Figure 3). The spotlight survey area was substantially expanded in fall 2013 to include the PIA, Project vicinity, and areas adjacent to the publicly accessible portions of Turkey Flat Road from the west edge of the Project site to Cholame Valley Road, and along Cholame Valley Road between Turkey Flat Road and Hwy 46. Surveys were also conducted along portions of Bitterwater Road and other accessible areas south of Hwy 46 during fall 2013 (Figure 4). 2.2 Survey Methods Survey Sessions Spotlight surveys were conducted during two sessions. The first survey session, focused on the Project site and access road corridor, was conducted on the nights of 26 November and 4 and 5 December The second survey session was conducted on the nights of and September Spotlighting Spotlight surveys were conducted by two teams of two observers. Each night, the survey route was divided into two approximately equal routes (Figures 3 and 4), with survey teams alternating the routes surveyed each consecutive night. Surveys were conducted from high-clearance vehicles, ensuring unobstructed views of the surrounding areas, traveling at speeds no greater than 16 kilometers (10 miles) per hour (USFWS 1999). Each observer searched the area on their side of the vehicle with high-output (3,000,000 candle power) spotlights. Animals detected by their reflective eye shine were illuminated and identified using high-powered binoculars. The locations of all wildlife observed and identified were recorded using global positioning system/geographic information system (GPS/GIS) software on an ipad. All identifications of San Joaquin kit fox, American badger, and coyote were confirmed by both observers, as were all observations of specialstatus or uncommon species. All surveys were conducted during periods of high visibility unimpeded by precipitation or fog. California Flats Solar Project Spotlight Surveys 5 H. T. Harvey & Associates April 2014

18 TURKEY FLAT RD LEGEND Biological Study Area Project Site S Existing Transmission Lines 2012 Spotlight Survey Routes Route A Route B 6,000 3, ,000 Feet Source: Esri, DigitalGlobe, GeoEye, i-cubed, USDA, USGS, AEX, Getmapping, Aerogrid, IGN, IGP, swisstopo, and the GIS User Community Figure 3: 2012 Spotlight Survey Routes California Flats Solar Project, Spotlight Survey Report ( ) October 2013

20 TURKEY FLAT RD LEGEND Biological Study Area Project Site S Existing Transmission Lines 2013 Spotlight Survey Routes Route C Route D 6,000 3, ,000 Feet Source: Esri, DigitalGlobe, GeoEye, i-cubed, USDA, USGS, AEX, Getmapping, Aerogrid, IGN, IGP, swisstopo, and the GIS User Community Figure 4: 2013 Spotlight Survey Routes California Flats Solar Project, Spotlight Survey Report ( ) October 2013

22 Section 3.0 Results 3.1 Spotlight Surveys Spotlight surveys were conducted during nine nights in 2012 and 2013, for a total of ~102 survey hours. The 2012 winter surveys were conducted 5 hours each night by two teams during three nights (~30 hours), and the 2013 fall surveys were conducted 6 hours each night by two teams during six nights (72 hours). Spotlight surveys resulted in the detection and identification of 513 animals comprising 21 wildlife species and three feral species. Of the 513 observations, 352 were of wildlife species, representing 13 mammalian species, six avian species, one reptile species, and one amphibian species (Table 1; Figure 5). In addition to native wildlife, three species of feral mammals were observed a total of 161 times. Table 1. Wildlife Observed during Spotlight Surveys Species American badger (Taxidea taxus) 2 5 Audobon s cottontail (Sylvilagus audobonii) Black-tailed deer (Odocoileus hemionus) 31 Black-tailed jackrabbit (Lepus californicus) 7 64 Bobcat (Lynx rufus) 2 Coyote (Canis latrans) Heermann s kangaroo rat (Dipodomys heermanni) 1 44 Raccoon (Procyon lotor) 1 Red fox (Vulpes vulpes) introduced 1 San Joaquin kit fox (Vulpes macrotis mutica) 1 3 Striped skunk (Mephitis mephitis) 4 6 Tule elk (Cervus elaphus) 1 Birds Barn owl (Tyto alba) 1 7 Burrowing owl (Athene cunicularia) 6 12 Great horned owl (Bubo virginianus) 10 Killdeer (Charadrius vociferus) 13 Short-eared owl (Asio flammeus) 3 1 Western screech owl (Megascops kennicottii) 2 Reptiles and Amphibians Gopher snake (Pituophis catenifer) 1 Western toad (Anaxyrus boreas) 3 Totals California Flats Solar Project Spotlight Surveys 8 H. T. Harvey & Associates April 2014

23 3.2 San Joaquin Kit Fox San Joaquin kit fox were observed at a total of four locations during the winter 2012 and fall 2013 spotlight surveys. Surveys conducted in 2012 resulted in the observation of a single San Joaquin kit fox near the access road north of Hwy 41. Surveys conducted in 2013 resulted in three additional observations of kit fox occurring within the lowlands of the Cholame Valley, and linkage habitat mapped by Penrod et al. (2010) south of Cholame Valley. The only observation of a San Joaquin kit fox within the PIA occurred on 27 November This single adult was observed approximately 30 meters (100 feet) west of the access road corridor, approximately 2.9 kilometers (1.8 miles) north of Hwy 41. The three San Joaquin kit fox observed during the 2013 spotlight surveys were also adults, and all were observed foraging on their own. Two were observed within the lowlands of the Cholame Valley north and south of Hwy 41, and the third was observed within linkage habitat mapped by Penrod et al. (2010) approximately 8 kilometers (5 miles) south of Hwy 46, approximately 1 kilometer (0.6 mile) east of Bitterwater Road (Figure 6). 3.3 American Badger American badgers were observed at seven locations during the 2012 and 2013 spotlight surveys. Surveys conducted in 2012 resulted in detection of two American badgers, both of which were observed within the westernmost portion of the Project site. Spotlight surveys conducted in 2013 resulted in observations of five American badgers, within and in the vicinity of the Project site (Figure 6). 3.4 Other Wildlife In addition to San Joaquin kit fox and American badger, 10 species of relatively common mammalian species were observed. Predatory species coyote, bobcat (Lynx rufus), raccoon (Procyon lotor), and striped skunk (Mephitis mephitis) were observed within the grasslands that dominate the BSA and Project vicinity (Figure 5). In addition, there were numerous observations of black-tailed jackrabbit (Lepus californicus), Audobon s cottontail (Sylvilagus audobonii), and Heermann s kangaroo rat (Dipodomys heermanni) throughout the entire survey area. Areas to the west of the BSA, which are comprised of intermixed oak (Quercus spp.) and ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa) woodlands and grasslands, were occupied by species typical of those habitats, such as black-tailed deer (Odocoileus hemionus), introduced red fox (Vulpes vulpes), bobcat, and tule elk (Cervus elaphus); the latter was heard bugling from the hills along the western edge of Cholame Valley, north of Hwy 46. California Flats Solar Project Spotlight Surveys 9 H. T. Harvey & Associates April 2014

24 _[ _[!( [z _[ [ [ _[ _[ _[ b [_ TURKEY FLAT RD [ b [b ( z[ (!! b ((! (! b b z[ [ z (! (! (! [ b (! (! [ [ [ b (! [ [ [ z[ z[ [ b _ [ [ _[ [[ [ (! [b [b [ [ LEGEND S Biological Study Area Project Site Existing Transmission Lines 2012 Spotlight Survey Routes Route A Route B 2013 Spotlight Survey Routes Route C Route D 2012 Spotlight Survey Results [z American badger [b Barn owl [b Burrowing owl Coyote Heermann's kangaroo rat San Joaquin kit fox [b Short-eared owl Striped skunk [ Western toad 6,000 3, ,000 Feet 2013 Spotlight Survey Results [z American badger [b Barn owl [_ Black-tailed deer Bobcat [b Burrowing owl Coyote Feral cat [z Feral dog [ Gopher snake [b Great horned owl Heermann's kangaroo rat [ Killdeer Raccoon Red fox San Joaquin kit fox [b Short-eared owl Striped skunk [_ Tule elk Weasel [b Western screech owl [ [ b(! (! (! [ b [_ [ z[ [ b [ [ [ _[ [ z _[ _[ [ b [ [ b Source: Esri, DigitalGlobe, GeoEye, i-cubed, USDA, USGS, AEX, Getmapping, Aerogrid, IGN, IGP, swisstopo, and the GIS User Community Figure 5: Wildlife Observed during Spotlight Surveys California Flats Solar Project, Spotlight Survey Report ( ) October 2013

26 TURKEY FLAT RD [z [z [z [z [z LEGEND [z S Biological Study Area Project Site Existing Transmission Lines [z 2012 Spotlight Survey Routes Route A Route B 2013 Spotlight Survey Routes Route C Route D 2012 Spotlight Survey Results [z American badger San Joaquin kit fox 2013 Spotlight Survey Results [z American badger San Joaquin kit fox 6,000 3, ,000 Feet Source: Esri, DigitalGlobe, GeoEye, i-cubed, USDA, USGS, AEX, Getmapping, Aerogrid, IGN, IGP, swisstopo, and the GIS User Community Figure 6: Locations of San Joaquin Kit Fox and American Badger Observed during Spotlight Surveys California Flats Solar Project, Spotlight Survey Report ( ) October 2013

28 Six avian species were detected during the spotlight surveys: five species of owls and the relatively common killdeer (Charadrius vociferus) which frequently calls at night when disturbed. The owls observed included relatively common species such as the great horned owl (Bubo virginianus), barn owl (Tyto alba), and western screech owl (Megascops kennicottii). In addition, the less common burrowing owl (Athene cunicularia) and shorteared owl (Asio flammeus) were observed at locations throughout the PIA and Project vicinity. These latter two species are listed by CDFW as California Bird Species of Special Concern (Shuford and Gardali 2008) as a result of habitat loss and degradation due to urban and agricultural development (Gervais et al. 2008; Roberson 2008). Finally, two herptile species were observed during spotlight surveys. During the winter months, western toads (Anaxyrus boreas) were observed within the Project site, and during the fall 2013 survey, a single gopher snake (Pituophis catenifer) was observed in the vicinity of the Project. 3.5 Feral Species Three species of feral and/or domestic mammals were observed during the 2013 spotlight survey: feral cat (Felis silvestris), domestic/feral dog (Canis familiaris), and feral pig (Sus scrofa). The one observation of a domestic dog occurred along Cholame Valley Road at a location near a residence, suggesting that this dog was likely a pet, and not a feral animal. Two cats were observed within the PIA and were presumably feral, given that they were well away from any of the residences in the area. Feral pigs were observed during the 2012 winter spotlight survey, but were not documented. However, given their prevalence throughout the BSA and Project vicinity, the locations and numbers of individuals observed were recorded during the 2013 spotlight survey. A total of 158 feral pigs were observed throughout the PIA and Project vicinity during this survey. California Flats Solar Project Spotlight Surveys 12 H. T. Harvey & Associates April 2014

30 Section 4.0 Discussion Spotlight surveys revealed important information about the presence, distribution, and relative abundance of a wide variety of wildlife occurring within the Cholame Valley, and provided additional clarification of the distribution and habitat use by San Joaquin kit fox and American badger throughout the PIA and Project vicinity. 4.1 San Joaquin Kit Fox Habitat Use and Distribution The San Joaquin kit fox is primarily nocturnal and typically occurs in annual grassland or mixed shrub/grassland habitats throughout low, rolling hills and in valleys. Kit foxes will use grazed grasslands, and they live adjacent to and forage in tilled and fallow fields and irrigated row crops. The diet of the kit fox varies geographically, seasonally, and annually, but throughout most of its range, the San Joaquin kit fox s diet consists primarily of rodents, rabbits, ground-nesting birds, and insects. The kit fox requires underground dens for temperature regulation, shelter, reproduction, and predator avoidance. Kit fox commonly modify and use dens constructed by other animals, such as ground squirrels, badgers, and coyotes, and they will use human-made structures as well (USFWS 1998). Dens are usually located on loose-textured soils on slopes less than 30º (USFWS 2007), but the characteristics of kit fox dens vary across their geographic range with regard to the number of openings, shape, and the slope of the ground on which they occur (USFWS 1998). Kit fox change dens often, typically using numerous dens each year. Koopman et al. (1998) estimated that, on average, a kit fox will use approximately 12 dens over the course of a year, and will often not use the same den(s) the following year. The majority of the Project site is moderately suitable habitat for the San Joaquin kit fox. The CNDDB lists 47 records of kit fox occurrences within 32-kilometers (~20-miles) of the Project site, with several sightings as recent as The nearest CNDDB-recorded observation of the species occurred approximately 5.6 kilometers (~3.5 miles) south of the Project site and about 2.4 kilometers (~1.5 miles) southwest of the access road/hwy 41 improvement areas (CNDDB 2013). The species is known to occur in grassland near the intersection of Hwy 41 and Hwy 46, and a neighboring landowner provided a photo of a kit fox allegedly taken in 2008 in an unidentified area west of the project site. Many of the potential dens detected on the Project site during the full-coverage ground survey would be suitable for kit fox; however, definitive evidence of kit fox presence at any of the potential dens was not found (H. T. Harvey & Associates 2013). At one potential den located south of Turkey Flat Road, at the west end of the Project site, a small scat was found that could have been kit fox scat (consistent with the observations of the adjacent landowner); however, the abundant presence of coyote scat at the den indicated that this was a coyote natal den, and the scat was likely that of a coyote pup. The scat was bleached, indicating California Flats Solar Project Spotlight Surveys 13 H. T. Harvey & Associates April 2014

31 that it had been on the surface for an extended period, and it was considered to be too degraded for genetic analysis. No San Joaquin kit fox were detected at the 39 camera stations (390 camera station nights) distributed throughout the Project site at densities of more than eight cameras per square mile. Furthermore, extensive spotlight surveys have not resulted in detection of kit fox within the Project site, although San Joaquin kit fox were observed at three locations on the Cholame Valley floor and at one location in the hills south of Hwy 46 (Figure 6) Suitability of Habitat within the Project Site As previously stated, the Project site is comprised predominately of moderately suitable habitat for San Joaquin kit fox as mapped by Penrod et al. (2010) and Cypher et al. (2013). The dominate vegetation is California annual grasslands on gently rolling hills, which in itself is suitable habitat that could support kit fox. However, the Project site is somewhat isolated from the valley floor by relatively steep, rugged slopes that are not suitable habitat and which are generally avoided by kit fox due to increased susceptibility to predation, particularly by coyotes, in these areas (Warrick and Cypher 1998). Nonetheless, there are places between the Project site and the valley floor where drainages have formed relatively wide areas with gentler slopes, and kit fox could use these areas to access the uplands encompassing the Project site Suitability of the Project Site as a Corridor The Recovery Plan for Upland Species of the San Joaquin Valley, California (USFWS 1998) identifies three core regions in California that are considered critical to the long-term recovery and survival of the San Joaquin kit fox: Carrizo Plain Natural Area in San Luis Obispo County, the natural lands of western Kern County, and the Ciervo-Panoche Natural Area of western Fresno and eastern San Benito counties. Each of these areas is inhabited by an appreciable population of kit foxes, residing within a large block of natural and/or seminatural habitat within the species historical range. Currently, each population is potentially robust enough to respond to varying environmental conditions and to maintain genetic diversity. These core populations are connected to each other and to satellite populations by habitat linkages and stepping stones, creating a range-wide metapopulation (USFWS 1998). Based on an analysis of wildlife corridors conducted by Penrod et al. (2010), the Project site and access road/hwy 41 improvement areas do not occur within an identified wildlife movement corridor. However, the Cholame Valley is located within occupied San Joaquin kit fox habitat that is adjacent to a habitat linkage between the western Kern County core population and the Salinas Valley satellite population, a linkage identified as essential to the recovery of the San Joaquin kit fox (USFWS 1998). The Project site itself is, however, less suitable as corridor habitat than areas on the Cholame Valley floor, due to the extent of unsuitable woodland and montane habitats immediately to the north and west. The northern edge of the Project site is bordered entirely by steep slopes rising to elevations of more than 900 meters California Flats Solar Project Spotlight Surveys 14 H. T. Harvey & Associates April 2014

32 (~3000 feet), with nearly 10 kilometers (~6 miles) of rugged terrain separating the Project site from the nearest valley to the northeast. Likewise, the landscape beyond the northwestern and western boundary of the Project site is dominated by large expanses of oak and ponderosa pine woodlands, which are entirely unsuitable as either home range or dispersal habitat for kit fox. The results of the 2013 spotlight surveys of these areas revealed the presence of species such as black-tailed deer, bobcat, red fox, and raccoon which are typically associated with woodland habitats. These species are not typically sympatric with San Joaquin kit fox, except within ecotonal boundaries between woodland and open grassland habitats. Beyond the ecotonal boundaries adjacent to the Project site lie expanses of montane habitats and woodland habitats that are highly unsuitable for kit fox, rendering the areas to the north and west of the Project site unsuitable as corridor habitat. As a consequence, the Project site does not support connection between the Cholame Valley population of San Joaquin kit fox and regional populations of kit fox within the Salinas Valley and the Ciervo-Panoche Natural Area. 4.2 American Badger Habitat Use and Distribution The American badger is widely distributed, occurring throughout western North America, including much of California (Long 1973). The species is most abundant in grasslands and other habitats dominated by herbaceous vegetation, but badgers will also use the drier open stages of scrub and woodland habitats. Badgers are generally associated with treeless regions, prairies, parklands, and desert areas. They require friable soils suitable for excavation of dens and a prey base of small burrowing mammals. The American badger is somewhat tolerant of human activities, and clearing of woody vegetation for range may have benefited the species historically. However, intensive cultivation destroys their burrows and renders these areas unsuitable for denning; thus, badgers are associated more with rangeland and areas with uncultivated refugia than with broad expanses of cultivated land (CDFG 2009). There is abundant evidence of American badgers throughout the PIA and Project vicinity, in the form of numerous prey excavations and multiple sightings during surveys. Full-coverage ground surveys documented the presence of 255 potential dens, the vast majority of which appeared to have been badger prey excavations, as evidenced by claw marks, the shape of the den apron, and the sizes of pieces of excavated material. These excavations were identified throughout the Project site and the access road corridor (H. T. Harvey & Associates 2013). Badgers were observed at seven locations during spotlight surveys conducted in 2012 and In 2012, two adult badgers were observed during spotlight surveys within the northwest portion of the Project site. In 2013, five badgers were observed during spotlight surveys (Figure 6). One individual was observed very close to the location at which a badger was observed during the 2012 spotlight surveys, and may have been the California Flats Solar Project Spotlight Surveys 15 H. T. Harvey & Associates April 2014

33 same individual. Two badgers were observed on separate nights immediately south of the Project site (Figure 6), and two more were observed on separate nights on lands located south of Hwy 46. The BSA and expansive areas of the Project vicinity are comprised of suitable habitat for American badgers both in terms of topography and habitat, and potential prey is abundant throughout these areas. The sympatric occurrence of badgers and kit fox provides benefit to the latter as badger excavations can be exploited by kit fox as den starts (Morrell 1972); also, the two species have been observed foraging in close proximity and potentially in a cooperative manner (Burton and Clark unpub. data). 4.3 Feral Species The most abundant feral species occurring throughout the BSA and Project vicinity is the feral pig. Feral cats were observed on the Project site, and a feral/domestic dog was observed on the Cholame Valley floor west of the Project site. Likewise, the introduced red fox was observed within the oak woodland/grasslands along Cholame Valley Road and could occur on the Project site. Kit fox may be subject to predation or competitive exclusion by feral cats, domestic/feral dogs, and the introduced red fox. California Flats Solar Project Spotlight Surveys 16 H. T. Harvey & Associates April 2014

34 Section 5.0 Conclusion 5.1 San Joaquin Kit Fox Spotlight surveys resulted in observations of San Joaquin kit fox within the lower elevations of Cholame Valley, in areas dominated by habitat typical for the species. Full-coverage ground surveys, camera station surveys, and spotlight surveys of the Project site revealed no conclusive evidence indicating presence of San Joaquin kit fox within this area (H. T. Harvey & Associates 2013). Spotlight surveys conducted during winter 2012 and fall 2013 confirm that San Joaquin kit fox are present along the lower portions of the access road corridor, on the Cholame Valley floor, and east of Bitterwater Road, south of Hwy 46 (Figure 6). 5.2 American Badger Results of full-coverage ground surveys, camera station surveys, and spotlight surveys have confirmed the presence of American badgers throughout the PIA and Project vicinity (H. T. Harvey & Associates 2013). With few exceptions, habitats within the BSA and the Project vicinity are suitable for the American badger. Based on the results of all wildlife surveys conducted to date, the species is presumed to be present throughout the BSA and Project vicinity. California Flats Solar Project Spotlight Surveys 17 H. T. Harvey & Associates April 2014

36 Section 6.0 References [CDFG] California Department of Fish and Game Species Account of the American Badger. [online]: Last accessed September [CNDDB] California Natural Diversity Database Rarefind 3.1.0, a program created by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, allowing access to the CNDDB. Cypher, B. L., Phillips, S. E., and P. A. Kelly Quantity and distribution of suitable habitat for endangered San Joaquin kit foxes: conservation implications. Canid Biology & Conservation 16(7): Gervais, J. A., D. K. Rosenberg, and L. A. Comrack Burrowing owl (Athene cunicularia). Pages in W. D. Shuford and T. Gardali (Editors), California Bird Species of Special Concern: A Ranked Assessment of Species, Subspecies, and Distinct Populations of Birds of Immediate Conservation Concern in California. Studies of Western Birds 1. Camarillo, CA: Western Field Ornithologists, and Sacramento, CA: California Department of Fish and Game. H. T. Harvey & Associates California Flats Solar Project, Monterey County, California, Biotic Report. July. Prepared for California Flats, LLC, Minneapolis, Minnesota. Fresno, CA. Koopman, M. E., J. H. Scrivner, and T. T. Kato Patterns of den use by San Joaquin kit fox. Journal of Wildlife Management 62(1): Long, C. A Taxidea taxus. Mammalian Species. 26:1 4. Morrell, S Life history of the San Joaquin kit fox. California Fish and Game 58: Penrod, K., W. Spencer, E. Rubin, and C. Paulman Habitat Connectivity Planning for Selected Focal Species in the Carrizo Plain. Prepared for County of San Luis Obispo. Prepared by SC Wildlands. Roberson D Short-eared Owl (Asio flammeus). Pages in W. D. Shuford and T. Gardali (Editors), California Bird Species of Special Concern: A Ranked Assessment of Species, Subspecies, and Distinct Populations of Birds of Immediate Conservation Concern in California. Studies of Western Birds 1. Western Field Ornithologists, Camarillo, California, and California Department of Fish and Game, Sacramento, CA. Shuford, W. D., and Gardali, T., editors California Bird Species of Special Concern: A ranked assessment of species, subspecies, and distinct populations of birds of immediate conservation concern in California. Studies of Western Birds 1. Camarillo, CA: Western Field Ornithologists, and Sacramento, CA: California Department of Fish and Game. California Flats Solar Project Spotlight Surveys 18 H. T. Harvey & Associates April 2014

37 [USFWS] U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service San Joaquin Kit Fox (Vulpes macrotis mutica), 5-Year Review: Summary and Evaluation. Sacramento, CA. [USFWS] U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service U.S. Fish and Wildlife San Joaquin Kit Fox Survey Protocol for the Northern Range, Sacramento, CA. [USFWS] U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Recovery Plan for Upland Species of the San Joaquin Valley, California. Portland, OR. Warrick, G. D., and B. L. Cypher Factors affecting the spatial distribution of San Joaquin kit foxes. Journal of Wildlife Management 62: Williams, D. F. (1986) Mammalian Species of Special Concern in California. Sacramento, CA: California Department of Fish and Game. California Flats Solar Project Spotlight Surveys 19 H. T. Harvey & Associates April 2014

Compliance Biology, Mammal Survey Summary Letter, Vista Canyon Ranch, Los Angeles County (October 2007)

Compliance Biology, Mammal Survey Summary Letter, Vista Canyon Ranch, Los Angeles County (October 2007) October 26, 2007 Mr. Andrew Forde Forde Biological Consultants 5276 Buena Mesa Court Camarillo, California