4A Public Hearing 2015 0120 - Laserfiche WebLink

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City of San Leandro Housing Element Update (2015-2023) Project Initial Study and Environmental Checklist would conduct the appropriate level of environmental review pursuant to CEQA prior to taking action to consider the approval of the project. Furthermore, compliance with federal and State laws, including but not limited to, the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, Clean Water Act, Federal and California Endangered Species Acts, and California Native Plant Protec- tion Act would ensure impacts to special -status species associated with potential future development that could occur through implementation of the proposed Project would be less than significant. b) Would the project have a substantial adverse effect on any riparian habitat or other sensitive natural community identified in local or regional plans, policies, regulations, or by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife or U.S. Fish and Wild- life Service? As described in IV.a above, the recognized sensitive natural communities of San Leandro include wetlands and oak woodlands. However, as previously mentioned, the future construction of residential housing would occur in the existing urbanized environment. Development in these areas would not result in the conversion of sensitive natural communities. In instances of large lots and/or tall trees, vegetation on the residential lots immediately adjacent could provide additional nesting and foraging opportunities for riparian -associated spe- cies, particularly birds and bats. Generally, impacts would be limited to removal of vegetation (trees or bush- es) on already developed lots. Protected trees are regulated under Section 4-1906, Existing Trees on Devel- opment Sites, of the Zoning Code. As previously described, potential future development as a result of implementing the proposed Project would occur on lands that are currently developed or surrounded by development and would not increase runoff potential that could directly impact the wetlands. Furthermore, wetlands and other waters are protect- ed under the federal Clean Water Act and the State's Porter -Cologne Water Quality Control Act are under the jurisdiction of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the San Francisco Bay Regional Water Quality Control Board. Federal and State regulations require avoidance of impacts to the extent feasible, and compensation for unavoidable losses of jurisdictional wetlands and waters. Compliance with these regulations as well as the General Plan and Zoning Code standards would reduce impacts to sensitive habitats. These regulations pro- vide a comprehensive approach for addressing and mitigating the direct and indirect impacts of anticipated development on or near wetlands, oak woodlands or other sensitive natural communities. Accordingly, im- pacts would be less than significant. c) Would the project have a substantial adverse effect on federally protected wetlands as defined by Section 404 of the Clean Water Act (including but not limited to, marsh, vernal pool, coastal, etc.), through direct removal, filling hydrological inter- ruption or other means? See Section IV.a and IV.b above. d) Would the project interfere substantially with the movement of any native resident or migratory fish or wildlife species, or with established native resident or migratory wildlife corridors, or impede the use of native wildlife nursery sites? See Section IV.b above. e) Would the project conflict with any local policies or ordinances protecting biological resources, such as a tree preservation poli- cy or ordinance? The Zoning Code regulates tree preservation and protection through Section 4-1906, Existing Trees on De- velopment Applications, which, among other things, protects habitat. Implementation of the proposed Pro - Page 122