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Impact Mitigation Measure(s) Residual Impact <br />a. Retain a Qualified Paleontologist. Prior to initial ground disturbance, the <br />applicant shall retain a project paleontologist, defined as a paleontologist who <br />meets the SVP standards for Qualified Professional Paleontologist, to direct all <br />mitigation measures related to paleontological resources. A qualified <br />paleontologist (Principal Paleontologist) is defined by the SVP standards as an <br />individual with an M.S. or Ph.D. in paleontology or geology who is experienced <br />with paleontological procedures and techniques, who is knowledgeable in the <br />geology of California, preferably northern California, and who has worked as a <br />paleontological mitigation project supervisor for a least one year (SVP 2010). <br />b. Paleontological Resources Assessment. Prior to any construction activity, a <br />Qualified Professional Paleontologist should prepare a Paleontological Resources <br />Assessment to identify the geologic units that may be impacted by project <br />development, determine the paleontological sensitivity of geologic units within <br />the project site using the Society of Vertebrate Paleontology standards (SVP <br />2010), assess potential for impacts to paleontological resources from <br />development of the proposed project, and recommend mitigation measures to <br />avoid or mitigate impacts to scientifically significant paleontological resources. <br />The Paleontological Resources Assessment may also require a field survey, but <br />this will need to be determined on a project-by-project basis. If the project <br />paleontologist determines that sediments within a project site are sensitive for <br />potentially significant paleontological resources, the following steps (CR-2c to g) <br />should be taken prior to, during, and after construction activities. <br />c. Paleontological Mitigation and Monitoring Program. Prior to construction activity <br />a qualified paleontologist should prepare a Paleontological Mitigation and <br />Monitoring Program to be implemented during ground disturbance activity for <br />the proposed project. This program should outline the procedures for <br />construction staff Worker Environmental Awareness Program (WEAP) training, <br />paleontological monitoring extent and duration, salvage and preparation of <br />fossils, the final mitigation and monitoring report, and paleontological staff <br />qualifications. <br />d. Paleontological Worker Environmental Awareness Program (WEAP). Prior to the <br />start of construction, the project paleontologist or his or her designee, shall <br />conduct training for construction personnel regarding the appearance of fossils <br />and the procedures for notifying paleontological staff should fossils be <br />discovered by construction staff. The WEAP shall be fulfilled at the time of a <br />preconstruction meeting at which a qualified paleontologist shall attend. In the <br />event of a fossil discovery by construction personnel, all work in the immediate <br />vicinity of the find shall cease and a qualified paleontologist shall be contacted to <br />evaluate the find before restarting work in the area. If it is determined that the <br />fossil(s) is(are) scientifically significant, the qualified paleontologist shall <br />complete the following conditions to mitigate impacts to significant fossil <br />79