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4/17/20 (P:\TER2001\BA\Special‐Status Species Biological Resources Habitat Assessment 4‐17‐20 .docx) 3 California ground squirrel (Otospermophilus beecheyi), Botta’s pocket gopher (Thomomys bottae) burrows, raccoon (Procyon lotor) tracks, and numerous bird species (Table B). SPECIAL‐STATUS SPECIES For the purposes of this assessment, special‐status species are defined as follows:  Species that are listed, formally proposed, or designated as candidates for listing as threatened or endangered under the federal Endangered Species Act (ESA);  Species that are listed, or designated as candidates for listing, as rare, threatened, or endangered under the California Endangered Species Act (CESA);  Plant species that are on the California Rare Plant Rank Lists 1A, 1B, and 2;  Animal species that are designated as Species of Special Concern or Fully Protected by California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW); or  Species that meet the definition of rare, threatened, or endangered under Section 15380 of the CEQA guidelines. Special‐Status Plant Species Several CNDDB occurrences of special‐status plant species have been recorded within 5 miles of the project site (CDFW 2020), but the project site does not support suitable habitat for special‐status plants due to prior disturbance at the site and the introduction of non‐native plant species. Special‐Status Animal Species Special‐status animal species that are known to occur in the vicinity of the site and for which suitable habitat may be present includes the white‐tailed kite (Elanus leucurus; California Fully Protected), which could nest in the trees and large shrubs within or adjacent to the project site, the Alameda song sparrow (Melospiza melodia pusillula; California Species of Special Concern), which could occur within the dense vegetation along the perimeter of the project site, and the pallid bat (Antrozous pallidus; California Species of Special Concern), which could roost in the structures on or adjacent to the project site. Other special‐status species could also occur at the site, such as salt marsh wandering shrew (Sorex vagrans haliocoetes) and western snowy plover (Charadrius alexandrines nivosus), as well as steelhead (Oncorhynchus mykiss), green sturgeon (Acipenser medirostris), white sturgeon (Acipenser transmontanus), longfin smelt (Spirinchus thaleichthys), and Pacific lamprey (Entosphenus tridentatus) within the tidal slough during higher tides. Special‐Status Birds The white‐tailed kite and Alameda song sparrow were observed on the project site and could nest within or near the work area, while other special‐status birds could forage and/or nest at or near the site (Table A). The burrowing owl (Athene cunicularia) and loggerhead shrike (Lanius ludovicianus) could nest and/or forage at the site. Other special‐status birds could forage or briefly fly through the site, but would likely not nest at the site due to the lack of suitable habitat or because the species’