HomeMy WebLinkAboutAppendix D - Habitat Assessment
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November 22, 2021 Mr. David Ornelas
T&B Planning, Inc.
4909 Murphy Canyon Road, Suite 405 San Diego, CA 92123
Subject: Birtcher Logistics Center Project-Biological Resources
Dear Mr. Ornelas, This letter report describes the existing biological resources on the Birtcher Logistics Center
project site and evaluates the potential impacts to those resources that may occur as a result of
project implementation. This report is intended to provide the City of Fontana (City) and applicant with information necessary to assess impacts to biological resources under the California Environmental Quality Act.
PROJECT LOCATION
The project site is located at the southwestern corner of the intersection of Santa Ana Avenue and Banana Avenue in the City (Figures 1 and 2). An approximately 18-acre study area was analyzed that encompasses the entire subject parcel and proposed development activities.
PROJECT DESCRIPTION The project entails redevelopment of the project site, which would transform the property from its existing developed state to a modern warehouse and office facility. Proposed activities would
result in physical disturbance to a total of approximately 13.7 acres, including off-site disturbance
for road and infrastructure improvements along Santa Ana Avenue and Banana Avenue. No other on- or off-site physical impacts are anticipated as part of the project. The project is designed as a rectangular-shaped industrial warehouse/office building with a
combined area of approximately 341,838 square feet. The project includes office/warehouse
space, landscaping, 93 automobile parking stalls, 85 trailer stalls, loading docks, and fire lanes. Access to/from the project site would be provided from two private driveways connecting to Banana Avenue and one private driveway connecting to Santa Ana Avenue.
As part of the proposed project, frontage improvements including new pavement, as well as curb
and gutter, parkway landscaping, and sidewalk would be made to Banana Avenue and Santa Ana Avenue.
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Additionally, an on-site storm drain system is proposed to be installed as part of the project, consisting of a network of catch basins, underground storm drain pipes, a filter unit, and subsurface infiltration chambers that would collect, treat, and temporarily store stormwater runoff
(as needed) before discharging treated flows from the property via proposed connections to the
existing public storm drain line located beneath Banana Avenue. METHODS
Literature Review
Prior to conducting the biological fieldwork, background research was conducted to obtain information on the existing biological conditions within the project vicinity. Background research included a review of current local, state, and federal regulations, historical and current aerial
photographs, USGS topographic maps, U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Natural
Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) soil survey maps, the National Hydrography Dataset, and National Wetlands Inventory. A review of the California Natural Diversity Data Base (CNDDB) was performed to identify
sensitive biological resources known from the proposed project vicinity. The CNDDB, which is
administered by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW), provides an inventory of vegetation communities, plant species, and wildlife species that are considered sensitive by state and federal resource agencies, academic institutions, and other conservation groups. Historical occurrences of sensitive species from the proposed project vicinity were used to determine species
with a potential to occur within and adjacent to the proposed project area.
Vegetation Mapping Biologist Brian Leatherman conducted the site visit on November 5, 2021 to identify and map existing biological resources within the study area. The site was walked; plant and animal species
observed/detected were recorded (Attachments A and B); and representative site photographs were taken (Attachment C; Figure 3). Sensitive Plants
The CNDDB database search did not identify any sensitive plant species reported on site or within the project vicinity. Sensitive plants were searched for during the site visit; a focused sensitive plant survey was not conducted or considered necessary.
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Riparian/Riverine and Vernal Pool Resources The National Hydrography Dataset and National Wetlands Inventory did not return results for any drainage features, vernal pools, or wetlands on site or in the site vicinity. During the site visit, the project site was inspected for Riparian/Riverine and Vernal Pool Resources, as well as any features
that have potential to be considered Waters of the U.S. (WUS) or Waters of the State (WS) under the jurisdiction of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) and/or California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW), respectively. RESULTS Physical Description and Land Use The study area is essentially level with on-site elevations ranging from approximately 950 to 960 feet above mean sea level. The site is developed and completely surrounded by developed areas.
The site is mostly paved/graveled and supported residential, truck parking, and warehouse/storage uses. At the time of the site visit, the site had been mostly cleared of the previously existing buildings, leaving two houses, debris piles, building foundations, and paved areas. There are no wildlife corridors or designated environmental preserve areas on or adjacent to the site. Additionally, there are no drainage features, ponding areas, or wetland/riparian resources within or
adjacent to the study area. Vegetation Communities and Land Cover Types
As noted above, the entire site is developed and does not support any native or sensitive vegetation
communities (Figure 3). Developed area is a constructed, land cover type and is not considered a sensitive biological resource. Several non-native ornamental eucalyptus and palm trees occur within the project limits, but were not sufficient in size or density to be considered a separate community/land cover type.
Riparian/Riverine and Vernal Pool Resources There are no riparian/riverine communities, vernal pools, or potential WUS or WS located on the site. The property is essentially flat and does not support any aquatic features necessary for the
development of these resources.
Sensitive Plant Species Plant species observed on site consist entirely of non-native (including ornamental) species. No
native or sensitive plant species were observed on site, and none is anticipated to occur given the
developed (crushed gravel) condition of the site. One species, San Bernardino aster (Symphyotrichum defoliatum), was reported to the CNDDB in the site vicinity. This species is not federal or State listed but has a California Native Plant Society Rare Plant Rank of 1B.2: rare throughout its range and moderately threatened in California. San Bernardino aster, however,
occurs near ditches, streams, and springs in habitats such as vernally mesic grassland, meadows
and seeps, and coastal scrub, none of which is present on site.
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Sensitive Animal Species No sensitive animal species were observed or detected on site during the site visit, and none is anticipated to occur given its heavily developed/disturbed nature and lack of suitable habitat. One
federal endangered species, Delhi sands flower-loving fly (Rhaphiomidas terminatus abdominalis), was reported to the CNDDB in the site vicinity. The Delhi sands flower-loving fly, however, occurs in association with Delhi sands soils, which are not present on site. Nesting Birds
The federal Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA) and California Fish and Game Code (sections 3503 and 3513) provide for protection of birds during the avian nesting season. While there were no nests observed in the eucalyptus and palm trees, birds including raptors could build nests there.
PROJECT IMPACTS Vegetation Communities and Land Cover Types
The project would impact the entire developed/disturbed site (13.7 acres). Developed/disturbed
land is not considered sensitive; therefore, no significant impacts to vegetation communities would occur.
Sensitive Plant Species
No sensitive plant species occur on site; therefore, no significant impacts to sensitive plant species would occur.
Sensitive Animal Species
The site has little to no potential to support sensitive animal species; therefore, no significant impacts to sensitive animal species would occur.
Nesting Birds
If project construction is to occur during the avian nesting season (February 15 – September 1), significant impacts to nesting birds could occur. Therefore, a pre-construction nesting bird survey should be conducted by a qualified biologist to ensure that no impacts to nesting birds occur.
The nesting bird survey should be completed within three days prior to the commencement of construction. If active nests are found, they should be avoided, and appropriate no-impact buffer zones should be established and maintained/monitored until after the young have fledged and are no longer dependent on the nest as determined by a qualified biologist.
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Jurisdictional Areas (Corps, CDFW, and RWQCB) No wetland, riparian, or drainage areas occur on site that would be considered jurisdictional by the regulatory agencies. Therefore, the project would not require Corps, CDFW, or RWQCB permits,
and no mitigation would be required. Wildlife Corridors
No local or regional wildlife corridors are present within or adjacent to the project site; therefore,
no permanent or temporary impacts to wildlife movement would occur. CONCLUSION
The project site is developed/disturbed and surrounded by development. The project would not
impact any sensitive vegetation community. In addition, no sensitive plant or animal species are anticipated to occur on site based on the site’s condition and historical records. The only potential impact would be to nesting birds should construction occur during the avian nesting season (February 15 – September 1). Implementation of the pre-construction nesting bird survey and
maintaining/monitoring appropriate no-impact nest buffer zones would reduce this potential
impact to a less-than-significant level. As such, the project would not result in significant impacts to sensitive biological resources. Please contact me if you have any questions regarding this letter report.
Sincerely,
Greg Mason Senior Biologist Attachments: A – Plant Species Observed B – Animal Species Observed or Detected C – Representative Photographs
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Santa Ana Ave
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²Biological Resources
BIRTCHER LOGISTICS CENTER
Project Boundary
FPhoto LocationVegetationDeveloped
ATTACHMENT A PLANT SPECIES OBSERVED
FAMILY SCIENTIFIC NAME COMMON NAME
Amaranthaceae Amaranthus albus1 tumbleweed amaranth
Chenopodium album1 white goosefoot
Asparagaceae agave sp.1 ornamental agave Asteraceae Ambrosia acanthicarpa1 annual bur-sage
Centaurea melitensis1 star thistle
Heterotheca grandiflora1 telegraph weed
Lactuca serriola1 wild lettuce
Oncosiphon pilulifer1 stinknet
Verbesina encelioides1 crownbeard
Brassicaceae Brassica tournefortii1 Asian mustard
Chenopodiaceae Salsola tragus1 Russian thistle
Euphorbiaceae Euphorbia sp.1 spurge
Ricinus communis1 castor bean
Geraniaceae Erodium cicutarium1 filaree
Malvaceae Malva parviflora1 cheeseweed
Moraceae Morus sp.1 mulberry tree
Nyctaginaceae Bougainvillea sp.1 Bougainvillea
Poaceae Avena sp.1 wild oats
Bromus diandrus1 ripgut grass
Bromus madritensis ssp. rubens1 red brome Cynodon dactylon1 Bermuda grass
Schismus barbatus1 Mediterranean grass
Scrophulariaceae Myoporum laetum1 myoporum
Simaroubaceae Ailanthus altissima1 tree of heaven
Solanaceae Datura wrightii jimson weed
Nicotiana glauca1 tree tobacco
Zygophyllaceae Tribulus terrestris1 puncture vine
1Non-native species
ATTACHMENT B ANIMAL SPECIES OBSERVED
SCIENTIFIC NAME COMMON NAME
Birds
Carpodacus mexicanus house finch
Carduelis psaltria lesser goldfinch Corvus brachyrhynchos American crow Corvus corax common raven
Mimus polyglottus northern mockingbird
Passer domesticus house Sparrow
Sayornis saya Say’s phoebe Setophaga coronata yellow-rumped warbler Sturnus vulgari1 European starling
Vermivora celata orange-crowned warbler
Zenaida macroura mourning dove
Reptiles
Felis catus feral cat
Sceloporus occidentalis Western fence lizard
ATTACHMENT C- REPRESENTATIVE PHOTOGRAPHS
Photo Point 1. 11/5/21
Photo Point 2. 11/5/21
Photo Point 3. 11/5/21
Photo Point 4. 11/5/21
Photo Point 5. 11/5/21
Photo Point 6. 11/5/21
Photo Point 7. 11/5/21
Photo Point 8. 11/5/21
Photo Point 9. 11/5/21
Photo Point 10. 11/5/21
Photo Point 11. 11/5/21
Photo Point 12. 11/5/21
Photo Point 13. 11/5/21