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SAN LEANDRO SHORELINE DEVELOPMENT DRAFT EIR <br />CITY OF SAN LEANDRO <br />BIOLOGICAL RESOURCES <br />occurrences of special -status plant species are suspected to occur on the Project site given the extent of <br />past and on-going habitat disturbance. <br />Wetlands and Waters <br />Portions of the Project site are considered wetlands or unvegetated waters of the U.S. (see discussion <br />above under Clean Water Act and California Fish and Game Code in Section 4.3.1.1 Regulatory <br />Framework). Figure 4.3-3 shows the extent of wetlands as mapped by the National Wetland Inventory, <br />which uses a broad definition of wetlands that includes unvegetated features such as the open waters of <br />the San Francisco Bay. These include areas of tidal and intertidal open waters associated with San <br />Francisco Bay, which occupy an estimated 2.54 acres of the Project site, generally below the Mean High <br />Water elevation. The two ponds on the golf course occupy an estimated 1.82 acres. Because they are <br />man-made and not hydrologically connected to navigable waters such as the bay, and generally do not <br />support any wetland vegetation, they are most likely not regulated by the Army Corps, RWQCB, and <br />CDFW. A final determination on whether they are considered regulated waters would have to be made by <br />the regulatory agencies. The northern, larger pond is lined and receives reclaimed water from the City's <br />treatment plant for use in irrigating the golf course turf. The smaller, southern pond is unlined and <br />receives irrigation and stormwater runoff in the winter rainy season. <br />In addition to the features mapped as part of the National Wetland Inventory, a drainage channel was also <br />observed along the western edge of the golf course as indicated in Figure 4.3-3, extending for a distance <br />of about 1,000 feet and supporting a dense cover of cattail marsh. The drainage appears to be of man- <br />made origins, but conveys surface water flows that presumably are discharged into the marina. The Army <br />Corps would have to make a determination on whether the drainage channel and on-site man-made on- <br />site ponds are regulated waters of the U.S. <br />4.3.2 THRESHOLDS OF SIGNIFICANCE <br />According to Appendix G of the CEQ4 Guidelines, the Project would result in a significant biological <br />resources impact if it would: <br />1. Have a substantial adverse effect, either directly or through habitat modifications, on any species <br />identified as a candidate, sensitive or special status species in local or regional plans, policies, or <br />regulations by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, or U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. <br />2. Have a substantial adverse effect on any riparian habitat or other sensitive natural community <br />identified in local or regional plans, policies, regulations, or by the California Department of Fish and <br />Wildlife, or U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. <br />3. Have a substantial adverse effect on federally protected wetlands as defined by Section 404 of the <br />Clean Water Act (including, but not limited to, marsh, vernal pool, coastal, etc.) through direct <br />removal, filling, hydrological interruption, or other means. <br />4. Interfere substantially with the movement of any native resident or migratory fish or wildlife species, <br />or with established native resident or migratory wildlife corridors, or impede the use of native wildlife <br />nursery sites. <br />5. Conflict with any local policies or ordinances protecting biological resources, such as a tree <br />preservation policy or ordinance. <br />PLACEWORKS 4.3-11 <br />