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5.7 Biological Resources

2001 (see Table 5.7-2). Although, not documented officially in CNDDB records, the western
pond turtle has been observed incidentally off-site at Quail Lake, so it is possible that
individuals may occur on the Project site for nesting. One two-striped garter snake was
observed outside the Project’s impact footprint in the northwestern portion of the Project
site. Based on an absence of official records, if Quail Lake in fact does support a population
of western pond turtle, the population is expected to be small. The two-stripe garter snake
is a highly aquatic species that depends on a perennial water source. Project impacts would
result in the loss of a small amount of potentially suitable western pond turtle nesting habitat
available to a population that may persist at Quail Lake. For both these species, the amount
of potentially suitable habitat on the Project site is very limited and would only amount to a
couple of acres at most. Project impacts to this limited potentially suitable habitat for both
species is not expected to have a substantial impact on regional populations. Therefore, the
loss of limited and isolated cattle pond features and the grassland/scrub habitat immediately
adjacent to Quail Lake that would occur with Project implementation would be considered
adverse, but less than significant for the western pond turtle and two-striped garter snake.
The loss of individuals for these two species, however, may be considered significant under
Section 15380 of the State CEQA Guidelines. Implementation of MM 7-2 through MM 7-4
requiring avoidance of impacts outside disturbance limits, pre-construction surveys, and
biological monitoring (including relocation of individuals from the Project’s impact
footprint) would reduce the impact to less than significant.

The silvery legless lizard and coast horned lizard were both observed during multiple
surveys performed for reptiles between March 2000 and June 2006 (see Table 5.7-2). One
legless lizard was observed at the far western edge of the Project site. Horned lizards were
observed in several site drainages, primarily in the eastern portions of the Project site.
Suitable and potentially suitable habitat for these two species generally may occur within
grassland, scrub, riparian, and oak woodland habitat types. The legless lizard requires a high
soil moisture content, while the coast horned lizard can tolerate dryer habitats. Areas on the
Project site with high soil moisture content are limited and the legless lizard is expected to
occur mainly in the oak woodland and riparian habitats where the soil moisture content is
higher due to factors such as plant cover and leaf litter. The coast horned lizard has been
detected mainly in the dry, sandy, washes within the grassland and scrub habitats in the
eastern portion of the project site. Based on these vegetation types and the habitat
requirements of these species, potentially suitable habitat on the Project site is expected to
be scattered patchy in distribution, amounting to no more than 10% of the total area. Of the
roughly 7,000 acres impacted by the Project, it is estimated that no more than 700 acres of
potentially suitable habitat occurs for both species, though is likely much less for the legless
lizard. These two species are expected to be relatively abundant in the region; therefore, the
loss of roughly 700 acres associated with Project implementation would be considered
adverse, but less than significant for the silvery legless lizard and coast horned lizard and no
mitigation is required. Even though impacts would be less than significant, implementation
of MM 7-2 through MM 7-4 requiring avoidance of impacts outside disturbance limits, pre-
construction surveys, and biological monitoring (including relocation of individuals from the
Project’s impact footprint) if detected would further help these species.

R:\Projects\PAS\CEN\000306\Draft EIR\5.7 Bio_051117.docx 5.7-147 Centennial Project
Draft EIR