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3. Environmental Checklist San Leandro Treatment Wetland IS/MND 3-18 February 2024 Project construction, including equipment staging, could disrupt resident and migratory species, particularly during breeding seasons. The noise, vibration, and heightened activity from activities like grubbing, earth moving, and operating heavy machinery may make the site temporarily unsuitable for breeding birds, even if nests aren't directly affected. Such disturbances could lead to risks of injury or death for birds, making them likely to avoid the area during construction. This avoidance could result in stress or hunger for individual birds as they are displaced into territories of other birds. However, impacts during the non-breeding season are considered insignificant, largely due to the birds' ability to move to other high-quality foraging and nesting areas in the region. The temporary loss of habitat is deemed minor due to the developed nature of the site and the prevalence of non-native vegetation at the WPCP. Although the marsh and adjacent vegetation near the outfall pipes are of higher quality, they are not crucial breeding grounds for special-status birds. Similar foraging habitats are available nearby, so temporary disturbance to this area is also viewed as minor. Implementation of Mitigation Measure BIO-2 would avoid potential impacts to breeding or nesting birds occurring as a result of staging or construction to a less-than- significant level. If it is not feasible to avoid the nesting season (February 1st through August 31st), conducting pre-construction nesting bird surveys and establishing buffer zones around active bird nests will be essential to minimize or prevent potential impacts. Special-Status Fish Several special-status fish species known to inhabit the San Francisco Bay might forage briefly in the tidal slough. No suitable spawning or rearing habitat exists within the slough for these species, but they could appear during higher tides. The Proposed Project is designed to avoid any in-water work to avoid potential impacts to special status fish. Water quality considerations to avoid impact to wildlife are considered in Section 3.11, Hydrology and Water Quality. The construction and operation of the Project are not anticipated to significantly impact fish species. Any impacts that might occur are expected to be minimal and fall to less-than-significant levels. Since all the listed fish species in this document inhabit the same aquatic environment, the potential impacts outlined below are relevant for all these fish species equally. Impact Designation: Less than Significant with Mitigation Mitigation Measure BIO-1: Avoid and Minimize Impacts to Salt Marsh Wandering Shrew. The following mitigation measures are recommended to avoid potential impacts to salt marsh wandering shrew: • A CDFW-approved biologist shall conduct a preconstruction survey for the salt marsh wandering shrew at the appropriate time of day within the work area within 48 hours prior to the commencement of construction activities. The survey shall entail the biologist walking the work area limits to determine the possible presence of shrews. The biologist shall investigate all potential areas that may be utilized by this species for breeding, sheltering, movement, and other essential behaviors.