VII. BIOLOGICAL RESOURCES

1. The project area is located in an urban environment and supports typical urban plant and wildlife species. Habitat for Central California Coast steelhead and Chinook salmon, both listed species, occurs in the Guadalupe River. Construction activities associated with the proposed project would not affect the river corridor, as poles would be placed in existing pole locations outside the river bed and bank. Construction and operational facilities, including power line installation and maintenance, would not affect habitat for special status species associated with the Guadalupe River. Potential habitat for western burrowing owl, a California species of special concern, was identified on the north side of Coleman Avenue. This species has not been documented at this site, and a heavily-trafficked four-lane street separates this area from the proposed construction zone. Therefore, proposed construction activities would not degrade habitat for burrowing owl or disturb them, if present at all, at this site. No other special status species are expected in the project vicinity.

2. No trees greater than 20 inches in diameter at breast height, or documented heritage trees as defined by the City of San Jose, occur on the proposed alignment or at the FMC Substation. Pursuant to City ordinance, a permit would be obtained from the City for the removal of trees over six-feet tall within the right-of-way of City streets. As a condition of the permit, removed trees would be replaced with trees approved under the City street tree plan.

3. The riparian corridor of the Guadalupe River is a locally designated natural community, but would not be disturbed or indirectly affected by construction or operations of the proposed project facilities.

4. The Guadalupe River provides the only wetland habitat identified in the project vicinity. Wetland habitat in and near the Guadalupe River corridor would not be disturbed or indirectly affected by construction or operation of the proposed project facilities.

5. The only potential wildlife dispersal or migration corridor in the project area is the Guadalupe River. New power poles would replace existing poles along the FMC tap alignment, which crosses over the river west of Coleman Avenue. All construction-related activities would take place outside the banks of the Guadalupe River, and would not inhibit wildlife dispersal or migration corridors.

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