California High-Speed train Project: Merced to Frenso Major Amendment No. 7 (California Endangered Species Act Incidental Take Permit No. 2081-2013-025-04 (ITP)

California High-Speed train Project: Merced to Frenso Major Amendment No. 7 (California Endangered Species Act Incidental Take Permit No. 2081-2013-025-04 (ITP)

The project approved by CDFW consists of the ITP, Minor Amendment No. 1, Major Amendment No. 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 (the ITP, as amended) which addresses 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 CESA. The ITP, as amended authorizes incidental take of CA tiger salamander (Ambystoma californiense, CTS) Swainson's hawk (Buteo swainsoni, SWHA), San Joaquin kit fox (Vulpes macrotis mutica, SJKF), and hairy Orcutt grass (Ocuttia pilosa) (collectively, the Covered Species). CTS, SWHA, and SJKF are species designated as threatened and hairy Orcutt grass is designated as endangered under CESA. Major Amendment No. 6 makes the following three changes o the ITP, as furthered amended: 1) provides and option to purchase 6.9 acres of CTS credits from the CDFW-approved Dutchman Creek Conservation Bank, (2) provides an extended timeframe in which the remaining mitigation obligation must be met, and (3) changes the Performance Security amount required in order to proceed with Covered Activities.

Fresno, Madera