ORD 2284 - Laserfiche WebLink

Ordinance No. 2284 Page 18 of 40 to see if the birds are stressed by the construction activities and if the protective buffer needs to be increased. Once the young have fledged and are flying well enough to avoid project construction zones (typically by August), the project can proceed without further regard to the nest site(s). Active nests, including those in the process of being constructed shall not be disturbed. Surveys shall be repeated in areas where Project activities lapse for a period of 7 days or more. Burrowing Owl Surveys — A burrowing owl pre -construction survey should take place before any construction activities commence. Occupancy of burrowing owl habitat is confirmed at a site when at least one burrowing owl or its sign at or near a burrow entrance is observed within the last three years. If a burrowing owl or sign is present on the Property three additional protocol level surveys will be initiated. Once these surveys have been completed to identify the owl's location, disturbance buffers should be placed around each active burrow. No disturbance should occur within 250 feet of occupied burrows during the breeding season (February 1 through August 31) and/or within 160 feet of occupied burrows during non -breeding season (September 1 through January 31). Pre -construction surveys shall be completed 14 days prior to initiating activities. • Special -status Bats Surveys — For all Project activities planned in or adjacent to potential bat roosting habitat, such as structures and/or involving woody vegetation modification or removal of any and all trees, a qualified biologist shall conduct daytime and evening acoustic surveys in addition to extensive visual surveys of potential habitat for special -status bats at least 7 days prior to initiation of Project activities. If bats are found on-site, a qualified biologist shall identify the species, estimated quantity present, roost type, and roost status, but shall avoid disturbing bats during surveys. A qualified biologist shall also create a Bat Mitigation and Monitoring Plan if special -status bat species are detected prior to the start of Project activities. The Bat Mitigation and Monitoring Plan shall include: (1) an assessment of all Project impacts to special -status bats, including noise disturbance during construction; (2) effective avoidance and minimization measures to protect special -status bats; (3) and compensatory mitigation for permanent impacts to special -status bats or their nesting/roosting habitat. If structures, trees, or other refugia equivalents are slated for limbing, removal, or modification, the Bat Mitigation and Monitoring Plan shall include the following measures: • To ensure that special -status bats have left potential roosting refugia, work shall occur over the course of two days. On the first day, smaller limbs or items from the identified trees or structures shall be brushed back or modified in the late afternoon. This disturbance should cause any potential roosting bats to seek other roosts during their nighttime foraging. The remainder of the refugia item can then be further limbed or removed as needed on the second day as late in the afternoon as feasible. If bats are found injured, or if bat mortality occurs during the course of tree work, a qualified biologist shall record the species impacted, and the number of individuals documented. • Tree limbing, modification, removal, or work on structural refugia shall not be performed under any of the following conditions: during any precipitation events, when ambient temperatures are below 4.5 degrees Celsius, when windspeeds exceed 11 miles per hour, and/or any other condition which may lead to bats seeking refuge.