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HomeMy WebLinkAbout18th St at Q St Kit Fox Den Exclusion Final Report Sept 2012V kL CURTMT([G3OO1F 4GU5fl@VV-DUV2 & Quad Knopf 5090 C919omi9 Awnue, Su9e "O eeY.erefield, CeaolMa 95909 PMne: (991) 916 -2900 • Fe[: (991) 6195970 Phone 661 616 -2600 FAX 661 6163970 OATS 09/28/2012 JOB NO. 110053 Phase 09 1 ATTEMION Results of the Den Exclusion Plan Conducted on a San Joaquin Kit Fox Natal Den — le & Q Street Contractor Yard Bound Report) Mr. Arnold Ramming 09/28/12 1 Notification of report submittal to the Planning Division, CDFG, and USFWS TO: Results of the Den Exclusion Plan Conducted City of Bakersfield Public Works Department. on a San Joaquin Kit Fox Natal Den — 18" & 1501 Truxtun Avenue Q Street Contractor Yard Bakersfield, CA 93301 ❑ Return _ WE ARE SENDING YOU ® Attached ❑Under separate cover via X the following items: ❑ Shop drawings ❑ Prints ❑ Plans ❑ Samples ❑ Specifications ❑ Copy of letter ❑ Change order ❑ Rec Board Permit Application COPIES DATE DESCRIPTION 1 09/27/12 Results of the Den Exclusion Plan Conducted on a San Joaquin Kit Fox Natal Den — le & Q Street Contractor Yard Bound Report) 3 09/28/12 1 Notification of report submittal to the Planning Division, CDFG, and USFWS Approved as noted ❑ Submit _ copies for distribution ❑ As requested ❑ THESE ARE TRANSMITTED as checked below ❑ For approval ❑ Approved as submitted ❑ Resubmit _ copies for approval ® For your use ❑ Approved as noted ❑ Submit _ copies for distribution ❑ As requested ❑ Returned for corrections ❑ Return _ corrected prints ❑ For review and comment ❑ Scope of work ❑ FORBIDS DUE_ ❑ PRINTS RETURNED AFTER LOAN TO US REMARKS: Arnold here is the oost- exclusion report for your files. Please call me if you have any questions. �- 4-a SIGNED: COPY TO: File 110053/09 James Buchanan Associate Environmental Planner Quad Knopf, Inc. $andbL*ffWararmtaanotoQ knWrYnod Yus, at once. Quad Knopf 9007 Ctl9o9W Awnue, 9078900 fekwelW .C6lbnie 60808 Phone: (961)6162600 -I = 001) 6184070 LIEUVIRM OF M HMU44QL Phone 661 616 -2600 FAX 661 616 -5970 MTE 0928/2012 AK ND. 110053 Phase 09 1 Mr. Martin Ortiz TO: Results of the Den Exclusion Plan Conducted Development Services Department on a San Joaquin Kit Fox Natal Den —18"' & Planning Division O Street Contractor Yard 1715 Chester Avenue ❑ Returned for corrections Bakersfield, CA 93301 corrected prints WE ARE SENDING YOU ® Attached ❑Under separate cover via X the following items: ❑ Shop drawings ❑ Prints ❑ Plans ❑ Samples ❑ Specifications ❑ Copy of letter ❑ Change order ❑ Rec Board Permit Applicabon COPIES DATE DESCRIPTION 1 09/27112 Results of the Den Exclusion Plan Conducted on a San Joaquin Kit Fox Natal Den —18"' 8 Q Street Contractor Yard Bound Re For your use ❑ Approved as noted ❑ Submit _ copies for distribution ❑ As requested ❑ Returned for corrections ❑ Return _ corrected prints THESE ARE TRANSMITTED as checked below ❑ For approval ❑ Approved as submitted ❑ Resubmit_ copies for approval ® For your use ❑ Approved as noted ❑ Submit _ copies for distribution ❑ As requested ❑ Returned for corrections ❑ Return _ corrected prints ❑ For review and comment ❑ Scope of work ❑ FORBIDS DUE_ ❑ PRINTS RETURNED AFTER LOAN TO US 1:7� Ty, 1:7:(- y��1T.717T77�i'� -M-7' IR- i. 1i5=tlR�iCi= '.- TT711u7IPfIr7r?'iR SIGNED: COPY TO: File 110053/09 Mr. Arnold Ramming, City of Bakersfield James Buchanan Associate Environmental Planner Quad Knopf, Inc. Ifendaewns are not aanPW kk&ymCfyaaa[ance. 1 ETd E R @ F3TiRTA1NESiMIIYTiWffl Quad Knopf 6080 �At ,Sub 900 eebneW,CYbnBe aims Phone: ("I) Gis2WI • Fu: (891) 61"M Phone 661 616 -2600 FAX 661 616 -5970 MW 09/26/2012 "W.. 110053 Phase 09 1 A Results of the Den Exclusion Plan Conducted on a San Joaquin Kit Fox Natal Den —1 e'° & Q Street Contractor Yard Bound Report) Ms. Rea en O'Leary TO: Results of the Den Exclusion Plan Conducted California Department of Fish and Game on a San Joaquin Kit Fox Natal Den — le & San Joaquin Valley and Southern Siena Region Q Street Contractor Yard 1234 East Shaw Avenue corrected prints Fresno, CA 93710 For review and comment WE ARE SENDING YOU ® Attached ❑Under separate cover via X the following items: ❑ Shop drawings ❑ Prints ❑ Plans ❑ Samples ❑ Specifications ❑ Copy of letter ❑ Change order ❑ Ree Board Permit Application COPIES DATE I DESCRIPTION 1 09/27/12 Results of the Den Exclusion Plan Conducted on a San Joaquin Kit Fox Natal Den —1 e'° & Q Street Contractor Yard Bound Report) For your use ❑ Approved as noted ❑ Submit _ copies for distribution • As requested ❑ Returned for oomeedons ❑ Return _ corrected prints THESE ARE TRANSMITTED as checked below ❑ For submittal ❑ Approved as submitted ❑ Resubmit _ copies for approval • For your use ❑ Approved as noted ❑ Submit _ copies for distribution • As requested ❑ Returned for oomeedons ❑ Return _ corrected prints ❑ For review and comment ❑ Scope of work ❑ FORBIDS DUE _ ❑ PRINTS RETURNED AFTER LOAN TO US REMARKS: Rsaaen as requested here is the DosFexdusion report for your files Please call me if you have any questions. COPY TO: File 111X)53/09 Mr. Arnold Ramming, City of Bakersfield SIGNED: James Buchanan Associate Environmental Planner Quad Knopf, Inc. ifen[/Pw are trotmnvbi,4 kWdlynoftmr at ante. LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL Quad Knopf BOBOCB Aw ,Sups100 BYweOW. CM BBBOB PIBBr' a81) 81 &2100 •FIX (BBt) B18dBr0 Phone 661 616 -2600 FAX 661 616.5970 TE 0928/2012 JOB NO. 110053 Phase 09 1 F Results of the Den Exclusion Plan Conducted on a San Joaquin Kit Fox Natal Den – le & Q Street Contractor Yard Bound Report) Mr. William Pelle TO: ® U.S. Fish and a Service Results of the Den Exclusion Plan Conducted Endangered Species Division on a San Joaquin Kit Fox Natal Den — le & Sacramento Fish and Wildlife Office om Q Street Contractor Yard 2800 Cottage Way, W -2805 ❑ Sacramento, CA 95825 -1846 ❑ PRINTS RETURNED AFTER LOAN TO US WE ARE SENDING YOU ® Attached ❑Under separate cover via X the following Items: ❑ Shop drawings ❑ Prints ❑ Plans ❑ Samples ❑ Specifications ❑ Copy of letter ❑ Change order ❑ Rao Board Permit Application Cores DATE DESCRIPnON 1 09127/12 Results of the Den Exclusion Plan Conducted on a San Joaquin Kit Fox Natal Den – le & Q Street Contractor Yard Bound Report) ❑ Approved as noted ❑ Submit— copies for distribution ® As requested ❑ Returned for corrections ❑ Retum _ corrected prints ❑ For review and comment ❑ Some of work THESE ARE TRANSMITTED as checked below ❑ For submittal ❑ Approved as submitted ❑ Resubmit _ copies for approval ® For your use ❑ Approved as noted ❑ Submit— copies for distribution ® As requested ❑ Returned for corrections ❑ Retum _ corrected prints ❑ For review and comment ❑ Some of work ❑ FOR BIDS DUE _ ❑ PRINTS RETURNED AFTER LOAN TO US REMARKS: Bill as requested by the authorization from CDFG here is the post -exclusion report for your files Piesse call me If You have any questions. SIGNED: COPY TO: File 110053/09 Mr. Arnold Ramming, City of Bakersfield James Buchanan Associate Environmental Planner Quad Knopf, Inc. rferrC/oBnreraren "noted kinair nonfy"ato . v IV Quad Knopf 110053 -09 September 27, 2012 Ms. Reagent O`Leary California Department of Fish and Game San Joaquin Valley and Southern Sierra Region 1234 East Shaw Avenue Fresno, California 93710 RE: Results of the Den Exclusion Plan Conducted on a San Joaquin Kit Fox Natal Den. Dear Ms. O'Leary, The following submittal provides the results of den exclusion activities conducted at an atypical den utilized as a natal /pupping den by San Joaquin kit fox (Vulpes macrotis mutica). The City of Bakersfield (City) Public Works Department (PWD) retained Quad Knopf, Inc. (Quad Knopf) to plan, oversee, and monitor the afore mentioned activities in accordance with direction and authorization from the California Department of Fish and Game (CDFG). The atypical natalipupping den consisted of multiple den entrances located within a segment of broken sidewalk in the area of 18's Street and Q Street in central Bakersfield, California (see Attachments A and B). Resource Agency Authorization The CDFG reviewed the exclusion plan submitted by Quad Knopf (on behalf of the City PWD) via electronic mail on July 23, 2012. The plan to exclude kit foxes from the atypical natal/pupping den took into consideration measures found in the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USF WS) Standard Recommendations for the Protection of the San Joaquin Kit Fox Prior to or During Ground Disturbance (January, 2011) and contained the following procedures: • A qualified biologist would install one -way doors, consisting of 5 -inch diameter drain piping with plastic Flapper doors, to exclude kit foxes from the sidewalk den entrances; Ms. O'Leary a We orrxcimm Plan Peg.2 o(4 • Prior to installation of the one -way doors, the sidewalk den entrances would be built up with a lip or berm (using sand bags) to ensure a good fit for the one -way doors and to possibly deter use of the den. The sand bags would be positioned first and left for several days to let the foxes become accustomed to the lip of the den entrance; • Once the one -way doors have been installed, a qualified biologist would monitor the den site (using a diatomaceous earth tracking medium) for three (3) consecutive nights; • If no activity is observed during this time, and the one -way doors maintain integrity, then the one -way doors would be removed and the entrances would be fully blocked with sand bags the following morning. This would permanently exclude the foxes from the dens; and • Once exclusion of the sidewalk den has been accomplished, sidewalk repairs would commence. All construction activity associated with the sidewalk repair would be done under the direction of a biological monitor. The CDFG provided approval of the exclusion plan (as described above) via electronic mail on August 13, 2012 (see Attachment C). Additionally, the CDFG included the following two recommendations to their approval of the exclusion plan: • The CDFG will be immediately notified (559- 243 -4014 Ext. 227) in the event a kit fox is injured or killed; and • A report detailing the results of the exclusion should be prepared and submitted to the CDFG and USFWS. The USFWS provided their concurrence of CDFG's approval and the additional recommendations on August 14, 2012. Exclusion Plan Implementation Please refer to Photoplate 1 provided in Attachment B. Quad Knopf biologist Belen Perez set up sandbags around all entrances to the atypical natal/pupping den on Tuesday, August 21, 2012. In place of diatomaceous earth, clean sand was placed at each den entrance for the purpose of monitoring activity. Sand was utilized as opposed to diatomaceous earth to attract less attention from pedestrians that could potentially disturb the tracking medium. The biologist visited the den location daily to check for signs of activity, ensure that the sandbags had not been tampered with, and to remove any trash, food, scat, ect. from the location. M .O'Lw Rea NofE dmlmPon Page 3 oU On Thursday, August 23, 2012, the one -way doors were installed and tracking medium (clean sand) was placed at all den entrances. On the afternoon of August 23`0, Dr. Brian Cypher of the Endangered Species Recovery Program visited the site and reviewed the one -way door installations with Quad Knopf staff. Dr. Cypher determined that the installations were adequate for the intended purpose. The den location was monitored by the project biologist until Monday, August 27, 2012. During this time period, the biologist would visit the den location each morning at approximately 6:30 a.m. The biologist noticed several tracks at the den entrances on Friday and Saturday. On Friday it was noted that an additional den entrance had been dug adjacent to a one -way door; however, all one -way doors were observed to be in good working order. The biologist plugged the new den entrance with a sandbag to deter further use. Other than this one attempt to regain access to the den, activity at the site decreased considerably on Sunday and Monday. On Monday, August 27, 2012, the biologist performed one last check of the dens, using an optical scoping instrument to inspect the interior of the den, prior to taking out the one -way doors and blocking the den entrances with sandbags. With the project biologist certain that San Joaquin kit fox no longer inhabited the atypical natal/pupping den, Quad Knopf provided notice to the City PWD that the site was clear and repair of the sidewalk should commence as soon as possible. Quad Knopf further recommended that removal of the existing concrete (from the site) should be conducted with caution and accomplished using light-duty construction equipment as much as possible to prevent the collapse of the den structure. Sidewalk Repair Please refer to Photoplate 2 provided in Attachment B. Repair of the sidewalk commenced on Tuesday, August 28, 2012. City PWD crews broke up and removed the existing sidewalk in pieces, which allowed for the monitoring biologist to we the tunnels and chambers of the kit fox den. After completely removing the existing sidewalk, soil at the site was leveled and compacted. Then a base layer of aggregate was added on top of the compacted soil. The monitoring biologist determined at this time that monitoring of the site was no longer necessary since the compacted soil and aggregate were considered sufficient to prevent kit fox from digging new dens at the location. Furthermore, the remaining activities of setting the forms and pouring cement did not pose a threat to the kit foxes potentially inhabiting the surrounding area. The construction crew was instructed to contact the monitoring biologist in the event that any kit foxes were to be observed or if they had any other concerns or issues. The biologist visited the site the following morning (August 20) to check for any sign of the kit foxes and Ma. O'Leary Page4N, 4 ofrxclusion Plan of0 found a few fresh tracks but no digs or other sign of their presence. Construction activity associated with repair of the sidewalk was completed on August 31, 2012. Conclusion The exclusion plan (utilizing passive relocation) worked as anticipated. All activities associated with the exclusion of the sidewalk den were conducted by a qualified biologist familiar with the location and project history and no kit foxes were observed at any time during the construction activities. It is safe to assume that the kit foxes have moved on to other locations (most likely within a few blocks) and that no harm came to the animals from the activities that occurred at the sidewalk repair site. Thank you for all of your time, assistance, and guidance with this sensitive project. If you have any questions or require additional project specific information, please contact biologist Belen Perez or me at (661) 616 -2600. Sincerely, UCLWW taa l - -q" James Buchanan Associate Emironmental Planner Quad Knopf, Inc. Attachments: A. Location Figure B. Photoplates C. Authorization from the California Department of Fish and Game and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to Proceed with Exclusion Activities cc: (w /attachments): Mr. William Pelle, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Mr. Brad Underwood, City of Bakersfield Public Works Department Mr. Arnold Ramming, City of Bakersfield Public Works Department Mr. Martin Ortiz, City of Bakersfield Planning Division Dr. Brian Cypher, Endangered Species Recovery Program ATTACHMENT A Location Figure n¢ �WwpeWnummranveee _an�ecsna.�s�urwiswxo wrc nowu_o[swersme uoonieo. orsmoa 9w�w Gn=r e.v.mivaceunryavum CITY OF BAKERSFIELD Sidewalk Repair at 18th Street and Q Street o y O w �a 18TH ST I o 1 " .., ? - Q , SIDEW KREMRMES(MPROXIWTE) Nom_ 36 ® SJKF: NATK DEN (IN SIDEMI-K) C SJKF', KNOWN DEN(CIW OF B ERSFIELD - MBHCP) Quad Knopf 1:6W OO SJKF: POTENT DEN(A PROXIMATE) FIGURE 1 n¢ �WwpeWnummranveee _an�ecsna.�s�urwiswxo wrc nowu_o[swersme uoonieo. orsmoa 9w�w Gn=r e.v.mivaceunryavum ATTACHMENT B Exclusion of San Joaquin Kit Fox at Natal Den /y r i lfPp.y .r�r^ a Photo 1A: The sidewalk den enhances ware built up with a lip or berm (using sand bags) to ensure a good fit for the one-way doom and to possibly deter use of the den. Picture was taken on &/21/12. Quad4Knnpf PhOtOplate 1 Is "3deM Bakersfield Natal Den Exclusion of San Joaquin Kit Fox at Natal Den h" Photo 2A: All construction activity associated with the sidewalk repair was done under the direction of a biological monitor. Pieces of sidewalk were slowly removed and no kit fox were observed during construction. Picture was taken on 8128/12. 10 Photont�late 2 City of Bakersfield Quad Knopf Y 18'" Street SIKF Natal Den Authorization from the California Department of Fish and Game and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to Proceed with Exclusion Activities ]Rnarn: Room0"Lea, To: lamee enmaaan Q: Armes Ferran: Amold Rammino(aramni noioc bake gie� Belen Perez: Brad I lndI,,d fbundemo(albakersfieldckv.ns)' Bdan her fbwnhe-lft =ro Mn ed 1' Mike Phillips Nina Hownark Tlloma=Lvcma@)Il1Pynn- subject Re: M fox natal den aI 18th and Q Streds- request for autho:itabon Date: Monday, AWu313, 2012 9:15:50 PM Hi James, The Department of Fish and Game (Department) has reviewed the proposed exclusion plan for San Joaquin kit fox (Vulpes macrotis mutica) submitted by Quad Knopf on behalf of the City of Bakersfield (City) via electronic mail on July 23, 2012. On May 23, 2012 the Department and the United States Fish and Wildlife Service ( USFWS) were notified by Quad Knopf on behalf of the City that the City Public Works Department's 'Q Street, Truxtun Avenue to 24th Street' Project had obtained federal and state take authorization by the Metro Bakersfield Habitat Conservation Plan. The proposed exclusion plan was presented to both the Department and the USFWS so the City could receive authorization to proceed with sidewalk repairs associated with the above mentioned Project. The opening of the natal den is located within an area of broken sidewalk that would be repaired by the City. As the Department understands the plan, the City of Bakersfield proposes to install one way doors to exclude the San Joaquin kit foxes from the sidewalk den. The subject den entrances would be built up with a lip or berm to ensure a good fit for the one way doors and to possibly deter use of the den. The sand bags would be positioned and left for several days to let the foxes become accustomed to the lip of the den entrance. One way doors would then be installed and monitored, using tracking medium, for 3 consecutive nights. If no activity is observed during this time, and one way doors have not been altered, the entrances would be permanently blocked with sand bags once the one way doors are removed. All activities associated with the exclusion would be conducted by a qualified biologist. Once exclusion of the natal den is accomplished, sidewalk repairs would commence. All construction activity associated with sidewalk repairs would be done under the direction of a biological monitor. The Department has additional recommendations which should be included with the above exclusion plan: 1) the Department immediately be notified (559- 243 -4014 Ext. 227) in the event a SIKF is injured or killed; and 2) a report detailing the results of the exclusion should be prepared and submitted to the Department and the USFWS. If you have any further questions or need any other information, please contact me. Reagen O'Leary Environmental Scientist California Department of Fish and Game San Joaquin Valley and Southern Sierra Region 1234 East Shaw Avenue Fresno, CA Office (559) 243 -4014 ext 244 Fax (559) 243 -4020 >>> James Buchanan <JamesB @quadknopf.com> 7/23/2012 3:32 PM >>> Good Afternoon, As a follow up to my email from July 16th, I would to (first), provide you with a quick update of the activities occurring at the natal den located at 18th and Q Streets, and (second) respectfully request authorization to proceed with our proposed exclusion of the (San Joaquin kit) foxes from the sidewalk den. During the week of July 16th — 20th vehicles, equipment, debris, and stockpiled materials were removed from the contractor's yard. The site cleanup was appropriate since construction activities requiring the use of this yard have been completed. In addition, the temporary chain link fencing that enclosed the yard for security purposes was removed on Friday, July 20tH To ensure the avoidance of the natal den and other potential dens within or near the yard, as well as protection of any kit fox that may have been in or near the yard, Quad Knopf biologists monitored all site cleanup activities. At no time during the cleanup activities were kit fox observed on or near the contractor's yard. Furthermore, according to the employee that works at the adjacent business across the street (who usually sees the kit foxes every morning when he arrives for work at 4:30 AM), he hasn't witnessed any kit fox activity at natal den (or yard) since last Wednesday (July 18th). I have attached a few pictures of the yard (post cleanup). At this time, we have discontinued daily monitoring. Proposed Exclusion: as further described below, kit fox activity at the sidewalk den has decreased considerably. As also mentioned, there are numerous potential and known dens in the immediate and surrounding areas that can and are being used by fox. Accordingly, the City requests your authorization to proceed with the exclusion of the sidewalk den as proposed: We propose to install one way doors (dryer vents with plastic flapper doors) to exclude the foxes from the sidewalk den. The sidewalk den entrances would be built up with a lip or berm (using sand bags) to ensure a good fit for the one way doors and to possibly deter use of the den. The sand bags would be positioned first and left for several days to let the foxes become accustomed to the lip of the den entrance. Then the one way doors would be installed on the den entrances and monitored (using a diatomaceous earth tracking medium) for three (3) consecutive nights. If no activity is observed during this time, and the one way door entrances maintain integrity, then the one way doors would be removed and the entrances would be fully blocked with sand bags the following morning. This would permanently exclude the foxes from the dens. All activities associated with the exclusion of the sidewalk den would be conducted by a qualified biologist familiar with the location and project history. Once exclusion of the sidewalk den has been accomplished, sidewalk repairs would commence. All construction activity associated with the sidewalk repair would be done under the direction of a biological monitor. Thanks again for your time and consideration. Regards, James Buchanan Associate Environmental Planner QUAD KNOPF, INC. 5080 California Avenue, Suite 400 Bakersfield, CA 93309 (661) 616 -2600 ext 4115 Office (661) 616 -5970 Fax (661) 304 -1081 Cell www.quadkno fp com