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3. Environmental Checklist San Leandro Treatment Wetland IS/MND 3-16 February 2024 In the dry season, the storage basin resembles an active salt pond, largely devoid of vegetation except around its perimeter. When not dry, it typically holds standing water until evaporation drains the pond in late summer. The Project site's southern border features the San Francisco Bay shoreline and a historically disturbed tidal slough. Early 1990s photos show that land managed by OAK to the northwest of the storage basin was graded or disturbed but has since regained tidal marsh features. Vegetation along the tidal slough includes pickleweed (Salicornia pacifica), fleshy jaumea (Jaumea carnosa), and cordgrass (Spartina sp.) along the lower tidal zone; saltgrass (Distichlis spicata) and marsh gumplant (Grindelia stricta var. angustifolia) along the middle tidal zone; and upland vegetation, such as pampas grass, fennel, and coyote brush, atop of the levee. LSA conducted a reconnaissance-level field survey in February 2020, to verify existing biological conditions, assess vegetation and wildlife habitats, and evaluate the potential presence of special-status species. This survey was informed by a desktop review of several databases, including the California Natural Diversity Database (CNDDB), the US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) Information for Planning and Consultation (IPaC) database, the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), and the California Native Plant Society’s (CNPS) Online Inventory of Rare and Endangered Plants. The biological study area included the Project site and an appropriately sized buffer for assessing potential direct and indirect impacts on biological resources. Special status species observed in the region are identified in Table A of Appendix B (Biological Resources Habitat Assessment), which includes a summary of the potential for occurrence at the Proposed Project site. Tables B and C of Appendix B lists plants and wildlife observed during LSA’s surveys. The Project's potential impacts on biological resources are analyzed below, with all potential impacts mitigated to less-than-significant levels. a) Effects on protected species: Appendices B and C evaluate the potential presence of 46 special-status plant and wildlife species in the region, including state and federally protected species. The Proposed Project site's habitats were assessed using various databases and surveys conducted on February 5, 2020, for their potential to support these species. A summary of the findings is presented here: Special-Status Plant Species While several special-status plant species have been recorded within 5 miles of the Project site, the site itself does not support suitable habitat for these plants due to previous disturbances and the presence of non-native species. Therefore, the Proposed Project is not expected to adversely impact special-status plant species. Special-Status Wildlife The site may support special-status animal species such as the white-tailed kite (Elans leucurus; California Fully Protected), Alameda song sparrow (Melospiza melodia pusillula; California Species of Special Concern), and pallid bat (Antrozous pallidus; California Species of Special Concern). Other species like the salt marsh wandering shrew (Sorex vagrans haliocoetes) and western snowy plover (Charadrius alexandrines nivosus), as well as various fish species like steelhead (Oncorhynchus mykiss), longfin smelt (Spirinchus thaleichthys), Pacific lamprey (Entosphenus tridentatus), and green sturgeon (Acipenser medirostris), could also be present in the vicinity, especially in the tidal slough during high tides.