California High-Speed Train Project: Fresno to Bakersfield Permitting Phase 1 (California Endangered Species Act Incidental Take Permit No. 2081-2015-024-04 (IT

SCH Number: 2009091126
Lead Agency: High Speed Rail Authority, California (California High Speed Rail Authority)
Document Title: California High-Speed Train Project: Fresno to Bakersfield Permitting Phase 1 (California Endangered Species Act Incidental Take Permit No. 2081-2015-024-04 (IT
Document Type: NOD - Notice of Determination
Received: 6/11/2015
Posted: 6/11/2015
Present Land Use: Various (urban[industrial, commercial and residential], rural residential, agricultural, and undeveloped)

Document Description: The Project approved by CDFW consists of the ITP identified above, which addresses construction and operation of the Fresno to Bakersfield segment of the California High-Speed Train (HST), as approved by the lead agency, affecting species listed pursuant to the California Endangered Species Act (CESA). For the purposes of CESA, the ITP authorizes take of California tiger salamander (Ambystoma californiense, CTS), Swainson's hawk (Buteo swainsoni, SWHA), San Joaquin antelope squirrel (Ammospermophilus nelson, SJAS), Tipton kangaroo rat (Dipodomys nitratoides nitratoides, TKR), and San Joaquin kit fox (Vulpes macrotis, SJKF) (collectively, the Covered Species), all in connection with otherwise lawful activities within the Project area. The ITP in this respect will facilitate construction and operation of the Project. The Project will result in impacts to 9.06 acres of upland refugia habitat and 9.64 acres of aquatic breeding habitat for CTS, 148.95 acres of habitat for TKR, 62.03 acres of habitat for SJAS, 2,045.53 acres of foraging habitat and removal of five nest trees for SWHA, and 3,446.20 acres of habitat for SJKF. The Project is expected to result in incidental take of CTS, SJAS, SWHA, and SJKF which are designated as threatened and TKR which is designated as endangered under CESA. The ITP referenced above as issued by CDFW authorizes incidental take of the Covered Species that may occur as a result of Project implementation.

Contact Information: Dyana Valencourt
CDFW Region 4
124 East Shaw Avenue
Fresno, CA 93720
Phone : (559) 243-4014

Final Environmental Document Available at: CDFW Region 4, 1234 East Shaw Avenue, Fresno, CA 93720

(1) The project will have a significant impact on the environment: No
(2a) An Environmental Impact Report was prepared for this project pursuant to the provisions of CEQA: Yes
(2b) A Negative Declaration was prepared for this project pursuant to the provisions of CEQA: No
(2c) An other document type was prepared for this project pursuant to the provisions of CEQA: No
(3) Mitigated measures were made a condition of the approval of the project: Yes
(4) A mitigation reporting or monitoring plan was adopted for this project: N/A
(5) A Statement of Overriding Considerations was adopted for this project: No
(6) Findings were made pursuant to the provisions of CEQA: Yes