California High-Speed Train Project: Merced to Fresno Permitting Phase 1 (Minor Amendment No. 1 to California Endangered Species Act Incidental Take Permit No.

California High-Speed Train Project: Merced to Fresno Permitting Phase 1 (Minor Amendment No. 1 to California Endangered Species Act Incidental Take Permit No.

The proposed Project involves construction and operation of the Merced to Fresno segment of the California High-Speed Train (HST), as approved by the lead agency, affecting or generally related to fish and wildlife resources subject to the regulatory authority of CDFW, including natural resources subject to the California Endangered Species Act (CESA). The ITP authorizes incidental take of California tiger salamander (Ambystoma californiense), Swaisnon's hawk (Buteo swainsoni), and San Joaquin kit fox (Vulpes macrotis mutica) (collectively, the Covered Species), all in connection with otherwise lawful activities within the Project area. The Project will result in permanent impacts to 75.08 acres of upland refugia habitat and temporary impacts to 2.26 acres of aquatic breeding habitat for Califonia tiger salamander; permanent impacts to 164.96 acres of foraging habitat and one nest tree for Swainson's hawk; and 304.47 acres of permanent impacts to foraging and denning habitat for San Joaquin kit fox. The Project is expected to result in incidental take of the Covered Species. Minor Amendment No. 1 makes the following minor modifications to ITP Conditions of Approval: 1) allows a Designated Biologist to be approved on an individual species by species basis rather than only for all of the Covered Species; 2) clarifies allowable activities at the Mitigation Site to accommodate ITP requirements; and 3) deletes a redundant Condition of Approval. The extent of habitat disturbance and other effects to the Covered Species are unchanged by Minor Amendment No. 1.

Fresno

Madera