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SAN LEANDRO SHORELINE DEVELOPMENT DRAFT EIR <br />CITY OF SAN LEANDRO <br />BIOLOGICAL RESOURCES <br />6. Conflict with the provisions of an adopted Habitat Conservation Plan, Natural Community <br />Conservation Plan, or other approved local, regional, or State habitat conservation plan. <br />4.3.3 IMPACT DISCUSSION <br />This section analyzes potential project -specific and cumulative impacts to biological resources. <br />BIO -1 The Project would have a substantial adverse effect, either directly or <br />through habitat modifications, on species identified as a candidate, <br />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 <br />and Wildlife Service. <br />Construction activities associated with Project implementation could affect a number of special -status <br />species known or suspected from the Project site, including the winter roost colony of monarch <br />butterflies, special -status fish species that could be present in the open water habitat of San Francisco <br />Bay, and possibly the nests of birds when in active use which are protected under State and federal <br />regulations. Due to the extent of past and on-going development, no other special -status species are <br />suspected to occur on the Project site with the possible exception of occasional fly -overs by bird species <br />dispersing along the shoreline of the bay in search of suitable habitat. The following provides a summary <br />of potential impacts on special -status species known or suspected from the Project site. <br />Monarch Butterflies Overwintering Colony <br />The Project avoids the stand of blue gum eucalyptus where the winter roosting colony of monarch <br />butterflies congregates at the eastern edge of the gold course. No specific plans are proposed to remove <br />or alter any of the trees in this area, or the surrounding golf course and ruderal grasslands at the eastern <br />edge of the Project site. However, the South Golf Course Residential component of the Project includes <br />new townhomes located immediately adjacent to the row of blue gum eucalyptus and pines to the west <br />that most likely provide important wind buffering functions, and could provide nectaring and resting <br />locations for individual butterflies. Although it appears these new residences would avoid most of the <br />dripline of this row of buffering trees, detailed information on the location of individual tree trunks and <br />relationship to the limits of proposed construction have not been provided and there remains a possibility <br />that construction and/or vegetation management activities by future residents could adversely affect <br />these trees and result in indirect adverse effects on the butterfly colony. Changes in microclimate, <br />including removal or pruning of important buffer trees, could lead to further decline or eventual loss of <br />the colony if adequate controls are not taken. Short-term impacts such as construction -generated fumes <br />and dust could adversely affect roosting butterflies if construction is initiated or performed in close <br />proximity during the overwintering period, generally from October 1 to March 1. This would be <br />considered a significant impact. <br />Impact BIO -1A: Proposed development could adversely affect the monarch butterfly winter roosting <br />habitat if adequate controls on tree removal and pruning are not implemented. <br />P L A C E W 0 R K S 4.3-13 <br />