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City of San Leandro
<br />Housing Element Update (2015-2023) Project
<br />Initial Studv and Environmental Checklist
<br />for Listing" by the CDFW or the USFWS, that are designated as "Watch List," "Species of Special Concern,"
<br />or "Fully Protected" by the CDFW, or that are considered "Birds of Conservation Concern" by the USFWS.
<br />San Leandro's rich alluvial soils and temperate climate support a wide variety of plants and animals.12
<br />Expansive wetlands in the southwest part of the city provide habitat for the salt marsh harvest mouse and
<br />other endangered species. San Leandro Creek remains one of the few waterways in the urbanized East Bay
<br />that retains its natural character along most of its course. Additionally, street trees, parks, large yards, and
<br />other open spaces provide environmental benefits. Further, just beyond the eastern city limits, thousands of
<br />acres of grasslands, woodlands, and coastal scrub are protected in regional park and watershed lands.
<br />Although not included within the city limit, these spaces also have great importance and biological value for
<br />San Leandro residents.13
<br />In general, San Leandro consists of habitats including woodlands, grasslands, wetlands, aquatic, barren and
<br />ruderal areas, and urban areas.14 These habitats support a variety of special status animals, including the salt
<br />marsh harvest mouse (Reithrodontomys raviventris), California least tern (Sterna antillarum brown), and California
<br />clapper rail (Rallus longirostris oboletus).11 Species of special concern in the city include the Western burrowing
<br />owl ( peot ,to cinicularia), Northern harrier (Circus cyaneus), California black rail (Laterallus jamaicensis coturniculus),
<br />California brown pelican (Pelecanus occidentalis californicus), and salt marsh wandering shrew (Sorex vagrens
<br />halicoetes). Special status species that may inhabit salt marshes on the perimeter of the San Francisco Bay, but
<br />are not specifically known to be present in San Leandro, include the Black shouldered kite, Merlin, Peregrine
<br />falcon, Prairie falcon, salt marsh common yellowthroat, short -eared owl, and Alameda song sparrow.16
<br />Special status plant species within San Leandro include the Congdons tarplant, which was observed along
<br />East 1411, Street, Big scale Balsamroot, which was observed in large dense patches east of the Bay -O -Vista
<br />neighborhood and the Fragrant Fritillary, located east of the city limit on Fairmont Ridge."
<br />However, potential future development that could occur under the proposed Project would not increase de-
<br />velopment potential, but rather would allow for housing units in Residential zoning districts where residential
<br />uses currently exist, are accounted for in the General Plan. The proposed Project does not propose to change
<br />existing land use designations or zoning districts, and anticipates that land uses will be consistent with the
<br />designations established by the General Plan. The proposed Project does not include any site-specific designs
<br />or proposals, nor does it grant any entitlements for development that would have the potential to degrade the
<br />quality of the environment or to adversely affect biological resources. As such, the proposed Project would
<br />have no direct impact on biological resources.
<br />Potential impacts from construction of future housing could occur; however, if future housing projects were
<br />to be proposed in areas where biological resources are present, those projects would be required to provide
<br />site-specific field studies to search for special -status species and to determine whether suitable habitat for any
<br />special -status species occur on or near a study area. At the time such a housing project is proposed, the City
<br />12 City of San Leandro General Plan, 2002, Chapter 2, San Leandro in Perspective, page 2-12.
<br />13 City of San Leandro General Plan, 2002, Chapter 2, San Leandro in Perspective, page 2-12.
<br />14 City of San Leandro General Plan EIR, 2001, page IIIE-1.
<br />15 City of San Leandro General Plan EIR, 2001, page IIIE-5 to IIIE-7.
<br />16 City of San Leandro General Plan EIR, 2001, page IIIE-6.
<br />17 City of San Leandro General Plan EIR, 2001, page IIIE-7.
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