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Home My WebLink AboutD- Biological Resources Letter 1 February 6, 2023 Mr. David Ornelas T&B Planning, Inc. 4909 Murphy Canyon Road, Suite 405 San Diego, CA 92123 Subject: Almond & Valley Distribution Center Dear Mr. Ornelas: This letter report describes the existing biological resources on the Almond & Valley Distribution 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 9813 Almond Avenue in the City (Figures 1 and 2). An approximately 11.22-acre project site was analyzed that encompasses the entire area subject to proposed development activities. PROJECT DESCRIPTION The project entails the redevelopment of the project site, which would transform the property from its existing use as a trucking company and truck trailer storage yard to a modern distribution center consisting of one warehouse building. Proposed development would result in physical disturbance to the entire 11.22 net acre project site. The project is designed as an industrial warehouse building totaling 275,560 square feet with features such as office space, truck docks, parking, and associated site improvements. Access to and from the project site would be provided via proposed driveways along Almond Avenue. METHODS Literature Review Prior to conducting the biological fieldwork, background research was conducted to obtain information on the existing biological conditions on the project site and in its vicinity. Background research included a review of current local, State, and federal regulations, historical and current aerial imagery, U.S. Geological Survey topography, U.S. Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service soil survey mapping, the National Hydrography Dataset (NHD), and National Wetlands Inventory (NWI). 2 A query was made of the California Natural Diversity Data Base (CNDDB) to identify sensitive biological resources reported in the project site 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. Reported occurrences of sensitive species from the project vicinity were used to evaluate the potential of such species to occur on or adjacent to the project site. Vegetation Mapping Biologist Brian Leatherman conducted the site visit on February 1, 2023 to identify and map existing biological resources on the project site. The site was walked; lists of plant & animal species observed were compiled (Attachments A and B); and representative site photographs were taken (Attachment C and Figure 3). Sensitive Plant Species Sensitive plant species were looked for during the site visit; however, a focused sensitive plant survey was not conducted or considered necessary due to the developed condition of the site. Sensitive Animal Species Sensitive animal species were looked for during the site visit; a focused sensitive animal survey was not conducted or considered necessary due to the developed condition of the site. Wetlands, Riparian/Riverine and Vernal Pool Resources, and Jurisdictional Features During the site visit, the project site was visually inspected for wetlands, 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 CDFW, respectively. RESULTS Physical Description The project site is flat (approximately 1,060-1,070 feet above mean sea level) and entirely developed with an existing, operational industrial facility consisting of parking lots, industrial buildings, pavement, and ornamental landscaping. Soil on site is mapped as Tujunga gravelly loamy sand (0 to 9 percent slopes). The site is surrounded by development and 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 site. 3 Vegetation The site is developed and there are no native vegetation communities on site (Figure 3). Developed land is where permanent structures and/or pavement have been placed, which prevents the growth of vegetation. Wetlands, Riparian/Riverine and Vernal Pool Resources, and Jurisdictional Features There are no wetlands, riparian/riverine habitats, vernal pools, or potential WUS or WS located on the project site per the NHD and NWI, and none was observed during the site visit. Sensitive Plant Species Plant species observed on site consist almost exclusively of non-native (including some ornamental) species. No sensitive plant species were observed on site, and none is anticipated to occur given the long-developed condition of the site. A list of plant species observed is included as Attachment A. 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 long-developed condition. A list of animal species observed is included as Attachment B. 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, birds could build nests in the ornamental trees on the property perimeter. Wildlife Corridors Due to the project site’s developed condition and the developed condition of the surrounding environs, no local or regional wildlife corridors are present on or adjacent to the project site. 4 PROJECT IMPACTS Vegetation The project would impact developed/disturbed land, which is not a vegetation community. Therefore, no significant impacts to a vegetation community would occur. Sensitive Plant Species No sensitive plant species occur on site, and none is expected to occur; therefore, no significant impacts to sensitive plant species would occur. Sensitive Animal Species No sensitive animal species occur on site, and none is expected to occur; therefore, no significant impacts to sensitive animal species would occur. Nesting Birds If project construction would occur during the avian nesting season (February 15 – September 1), there could be significant impacts to protected nesting birds. Therefore, a pre-construction nesting bird survey should be conducted by a qualified biologist to ensure that no impacts to nesting birds would 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. Wetlands, Riparian/Riverine and Vernal Pool Resources, and Jurisdictional Features No wetlands, riparian/riverine habitats, or potential WUS or WS occur on site. Therefore, there would be no impacts to these types of features, and the project would not require Corps, CDFW, or RWQCB permits. Wildlife Corridors Due to the project site’s developed condition and the developed condition of the surrounding environs, no local or regional wildlife corridors are present on or adjacent to the project site. Therefore, there would be no impacts to wildlife movement. 5 CONCLUSION The project site is developed and surrounded by development. There are no sensitive vegetation communities, no wetlands, no riparian/riverine or vernal pool resources, and no potential WUS or WS on the site. Furthermore, no sensitive plant or animal species were observed on site, nor is any anticipated to occur based its long-developed condition. 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 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 C – Representative Photographs !"`$! Project Site !"a$ I¿ %&h( ?z AÆ %&h( %&g( !"a$ ?z %&h( %&g( Figure 1 0 42Miles ²Regional Location ALMOND & VALLEYDISTRIBUTION CENTER !"`$ Co m m e r c e D r San Bernardino Ave Slover Ave Valley Blvd Merrill Ave Ch e r r y A v e Project Site Santa Ana Ave Fontana AveAl m o n d A v e Be e c h A v e CITY OF FONTANA AUTO CLUBSPEEDWAY SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY Randall Ave Figure 2 0 2,0001,000 Feet ²Project Location ALMOND & VALLEYDISTRIBUTION CENTER Al m o n d A v e 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 10 F F F F FF F F F F Figure 3 0 13065Feet ²Biological Resources/Impacts ALMOND & VALLEYDISTRIBUTION CENTER Project Boundary F Photo Location VegetationDeveloped ATTACHMENT A PLANT SPECIES OBSERVED FAMILY SCIENTIFIC NAME COMMON NAME ANGIOSPERMS – MONOCOTS Aracaceae Syagrus sp1 queen palm Poaceae Schismus sp1 Mediterranean grass ANGIOSPERMS – DICOTS Boraginaceae Amsinckia sp. Rancher’s fiddleneck Pectocarya sp. combseed Brassicaceae Brassica tournefortii1 Sahara mustard Lepidium sp.1 peppergrass Sisymbrium irio1 London rocket Chenopodiaceae Chenopodium album1 lamb's quarters Salsola tragus1 Russian thistle Geraniaceae Erodium cicutarium1 red-stem filaree Malvaceae Malva parviflora1 cheeseweed Myrtaceae Eucalyptus globulus1 blue gum eucalyptus Poaceae Hordeum murinum1 foxtail barley 1Non-native species. ATTACHMENT B ANIMAL SPECIES OBSERVED OR DETECTED SCIENTIFIC NAME COMMON NAME Birds Carpodacus mexicanus house finch Columba livia1 rock pigeon Corvus corax common raven Larus californicus California gull Setophaga coronata yellow-rumped warbler Mammals Otospermophilus beecheyi California ground squirrel 1Non-native species Representative Photographs Photo Point 1. 2/1/23 Photo Point 2. 2/1/23 Photo Point 3. 2/1/23 Photo Point 4. 2/1/23 Photo Point 5. 2/1/23 Photo Point 6. 2/1/23 Photo Point 7. 2/1/23 Photo Point 8. 2/1/23 Photo Point 9. 2/1/23 Photo Point 10. 2/1/23