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Mr. Dolan then introduced Robin Giffin to present the more detailed discussion of the SEIR. Ms. Giffin stated that the SEIR re-evaluated the potential biological impacts to several species. In regard to the California tiger salamander (CTS), WRA, the biological consultant, completed two years of surveys related to the species, and based on the surveys, concluded that CTS do not occur on the Staples Ranch site; as a result, the mitigation requiring the completion of the CTS survey has been removed (because all surveys have now been completed), and no new mitigation (other than what was identified previously) is proposed. Ms. Giffin continued that WRA also re-evaluated its biological reports related to the California red-legged frog (CRLF), and based on the negative field results in 2009 as well as previous surveys conducted in 1993 and 2002, WRA concluded that the CLRF are not currently present in the Arroyo Mocho channel adjacent to the Staples Ranch property; hence, no new mitigation (other than what has been previously proposed) is proposed. With respect to the Western pond turtle (WPT), Ms. Giffin stated that the 2004 Monitoring Report for the Arroyo realignment project noted that two WPTs were observed following the completion of that project; therefore, the Draft SEIR has been revised to reflect this. She indicated that the addition of this information does not change the conclusion that the proposed project could affect the WPT during bridge construction; accordingly, the mitigation measures for the WPT during bridge construction, as well as other mitigation measures concerning the WPT, are not proposed to change. Ms. Giffin stated that the EIR determined that the San Joaquin spearscale (SJS) was mitigated as part of the Arroyo Las Positas realignment project and that as part of that mitigation, the County was required to collect SJS seeds and spread them on the banks of the Arroyo Mocho. She added that a recent 2009 survey and analysis determined that 1.7 acres of the San Joaquin spearscale habitat on the Staples Ranch property as well as .07 acre on the north bank of the Arroyo Mocho would be lost due to the project. She noted that this is considered a significant impact, and to mitigate the impact, the ACSPA will purchase 1.77 acres worth of credits from the Springtown Natural Community Preserve in Livermore or permanently protect 1.77 acres of other San Joaquin spearscale habitat in Alameda Country through the use of a conservation easement or other similar method. Ms. Giffin indicated that the SEIR also re-evaluated potential noise impacts along Stoneridge Drive, noting that without roadway and wall modifications, the traffic noise level by the two homes closest to the proposed bridges would be 64 dB. She stated that as part of the CEQA documents, staff is recommending that a mitigation measure be adopted, including repaving of Stoneridge Drive between Kamp Drive and Trevor Parkway with noise-attenuating pavement and installing a soundwall by the two homes PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES, May 26, 2010 Page 5 of 27