HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda Bill 9.A-Attch04 06/21/2004State of California - The Resources Agency
DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND GAME
http: / / wwW.dfg.ca.gov.
POST OFFICE BOX 47
YOUNTVILL'E, CALIFORNIA. 94599
(7,07)944 -5500
March 11, 2002
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Ms. Irene T. Borba
City of Petaluma Planning Department
11 English Street..
Post Office Box 61
Petaluma CA 949 '52
Dear Ms. Borba:
Paula Lane Subdivision.(ANXO1Q GPA01002)
431 Paula Lane, Petaluma,,:-Sonoma County
Department of Fish and Gate personnel` -.have reviewed the
above proposed subdivision. Our comments.. are as follows.
It appears the project, as proposed,will ,impact on -site
badger dens. Because of this impacted habitat loss; we recommend
mitigation utilizing the remaining - undevehop'ed portions of the
project for long -term badger habitat and protection as a
conservation easement. Also, it is r:ecommen'ded.ahat,footing
walls be used adjacent to badger .habitat which % extend some depth
into the soil to prevent badger access to the' lot °s under fences
and walls; otherwise this could become problematic for future
owners. Please contact.Mr. Allan Buckmann, Associate Wildlife
Biologist,, iat,, - '(:,7'07) 944 -5537 for clari'fica_tion:,, o.n badger
avoidance' for thli.s project.
The supports the
Department„
recommend there b°e' 'a majority of
less California bay or coast liv
would be a better ,rep >resentaticn
propos,ed.planting scheme We
valley o;awk and black oak and
oak. This tree composition
of" the local 'forest composition.
i
Th Department „would recommend any trail design with minimal
p .a:p'o material such as blue shale will provide
im ac't . Use; of
a firm sur.f'ace while' allowing for both grassy cover (short and
mowablej' and water percolation. Blue.shale °would also prevent
erosion.
ATTACHMENT 4
Ms. Irene T. Borba
March 11, 2'002
Page Two
If you have any que'stion,s regarding these comments, please
contact Mr.. Buckmann, or Mr. Scott Wilson, Habitat Conservation
Supervisor, at (707) 944 -5584
Sincerely,
_Rdbert [a Floerke
Regional Manager
Central Coast Region
cc: Mr. Marti Buxton
Mission Valley Properties
5000 I-Hop,yard Road, Suite 170
Pleasanton, CA 94588
Ms. Susan E. Kirks
245 Paula' Lane
Petaluma, CA 94.952
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May 10, 2004
Ms. Irene Borba
City of Petaluma,,,
Planning Department
Post Office Box 61
Petaluma, CA 94;952
Via fax (707) 778 -4498
Dear Ms. Borba:
Paul:a:Lane 'Subdivision, 431 Paula Lane,
Petaluma, Sonoma County
On March 25,20a4, a site visit was conducted on
subject proposed Paula Lane Subdivision project. Attending
were you, representing, the City Petaluma Planning
Department; Liam Davis',:`Department of Fish and Game (DFG);
and Marti Buxton, Mission Valley.,Pr.o erties. The purpose
of the meetin
_.g was to , reach each final agreement on the
biological resource. issues associated with the proposed
project. DFG is identified as ,a Trustee Agency pursuant to
the
15386 al and r is res
aysible ri tal Quality Act (CEQA), Section
r_ for the conservation, protection
P on
and management of the State's biological resources.
The Paula Lune Subdivision Project is a 2 -1 -home
residential subdivision on 11.22 acre's of which 3 acres
will be dedicated as open space. The project site's
wildlife habitat is ruderal grassland with some scattered
oak trees. The project site is within a suburban
1g w of the City of Petaluma ('City). The site
isdocumentedw,i:th the presence of the American badger
(Fitts,, K., January 2004, American Badger Habitat Survey,
Taxddea taxu's, Paula Lane Proposed Subdivision) . The
project site is b y using development across east
bordered ho .
,Paula Lane and north
across Sunset Drive South of the
site are empty lots and houses which traverse southward on
Paula Lane to the,Bodega Avenue intersection located less
than one - quarter mile away. Bodega Avenue is a busy
Ms. Irene Borba
June, 14, 2004
Page 2
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western thoroughfare to the City. West of the project site
are predominately open - fields with some houses and further
west are.larger.open pastures with scattered oaks and
eucalyptus trees.
Avoidance of Impacts to On -site Badgers
The applicant has retained Dr. Tom'Kucer.a to perform
a badger burrow exclusion study. DFG has previous
knowledge of Dr. Kucerals work with mesopredators in
California, and we have had several discussions with,
Dr. Kucera concerning this proje.c . Dr. Kucera intends to,
exclude all badgers from .the impact area well after any
juveniles have dispersed following breeding season.. This
action is being proposed to reduce impact to any on-site
badgers. DFG'requests tut Dr.'Kucera's work proposal be
summarized in a report submitted to us for our review and
comment before the badger exclusion project commences..
Open Space Easement
The applicant has agreed to maintain an.open space
easement held 'by the proj ect'`s, future Homeowners
Association (HA). The open space easement will' have an;,,
emergency vehicle access path and one pedestrian path. The.
mitigated oak tree plantings will be planted in the open
space easement. A retention pond will also be placed in,
the easement area near the western border. Per the City's
request,,,DFG is available to work both with the applicant
and the City to finalize the`HA's open space easement
agreement.
nak TrPac
The applicant has agreed'to cause a no- net -loss of
native 'oak trees on the project site. The applicant will
replace native oak trees at a 1:1 ratio minimum within the
on -site three -.acre open space easement area. The replanted
oak trees would be monitored for five years by the
applicant. Any unsuccessful oak tree plantings.would be
replaced iithin the five -year monitoring period. DFG. also
recommends that the housing development site itself utilize
native plant landscaping as•much as possible. 0
I
,
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Ms. Irene Borba
June 14„ 20-0 4
Page 3
If you. have any comments or. questions regarding this
letter, please contact Liam Davis,' Environmental Scientist,
at (707) 944- 5529; or Scott Wilson, Habitat Conservation
Supervisor, at ( 944 -5584.
Sincerely,
Copy; orig. signed by
Cindy Catalano
Robert W. Floerke
Regional Manager
Central Coast Region
CC: Ms. Susan "Kirks
Paula Lane Action Network
Post Office Box, 2903
Petaluma, CA 9495.3
Marti Buxton
Mission,Valley Properties
5000 Hopyard Road, Suite 170
Pleasanton, CA 94.588
Tom Kuce'ra, Ph.D.
22 Reservoir Road
San Rafael, CA 94901
e :: Wilson., Davis, Buckmann
LD /kg
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