RES 12493 - Laserfiche WebLink

4.Written Comments on the Draft DR and Responses to Comments Letter 7. Emilie Cruzan 7-1 The comment states that a population of Western pond turtle in Arroyo del Valle was not included on Figure 4.0-2 of the Draft SEIR,and further requests the Draft SEIR be revised to include mention of this population of Western pond turtle in Arroyo del Valle near Site 21. Figure 4.0-2 shows only special-status species occurrences that have been submitted to the California Natural Diversity Database(CNDDB),which compiles and disseminates data on the status and locations of rare and endangered plants, animals,and vegetation types in order to conserve California's biodiversity. While the Western pond turtle population the commenter refers to may be known to local biologists and the community no one has apparently submitted the appropriate forms so that this population can be documented in the CNDDB and the information provided to the general public. A web search also provides no readily available information on the turtle population the commenter refers to. Even lacking the specific information cited by the commenter please note that the Draft SEIR discloses on page 4.0-10 that the species is known to occur in drainages throughout the planning area. As noted on page 4.0-I4 of the Draft SEIR, development of Site 21 would be restricted to the already developed portions of this site, where there is no suitable habitat for the species; development at Site 21 will not encroach into the riparian corridor,and measures will be taken to avoid and minimize potential impacts to aquatic habitat in the vicinity of Site 21. Thus development at Site 21 is not expected to affect Western pond turtle and revision of the Draft SEIR is not warranted. 7-2 The comment states that riparian woodlands are present at Sites 6 and 21 and requests consideration of a 35 foot riparian buffer at Sites 6 and 21 to protect riparian woodlands. As noted on page 4.0-34 of the Draft SEIR, the 20 foot riparian buffer presented in the Draft SEIR is consistent with the Alameda County Watercourse Protection Ordinance (Section 13.12 of the Alameda County General Code), which calls for a 20 foot setback from the edge of riparian vegetation or top of bank, whichever is a greater distance from the stream's centerline. Current development at Site 21 (e.g. paved surfaces and landscaped areas) and disked fields at Site 6 basically already extend to the edge of the riparian corridor. Therefore, development of each site, with a 20 foot setback, would not result in the removal of existing riparian vegetation and would also not comprise a significant change over existing conditions with respect to the integrity of already disturbed riparian woodland. General Plan Amendment and Rezonings 4-24 ESA/210016 Final Supplemental Environmental Impact Report December 2011