HomeMy WebLinkAbout014.04 - Appendix L.6 - TerrAquatic Wildlife Memo Responses1 | P a g e
Technical Memo
To: Blake Bernard, Virga Capital
From: Christine Pearcy, Environmental Scientist
Date: August 8, 2024
Project: 6919.002
Re: Addressing TerrAquatic Comments on Wildlife Habitat from letter dated February
26, 2024; Turnrow Subdivision
The purpose of this memo is to address TerrAquatic’s comments in a letter dated February 26,
2024. All of this information is also included in the wildlife report for the Turnrow Subdivision,
which has been updated appropriately, following a field survey conducted by Morrison Maierle
on July 9th, 2024.
TerrAquatic Comments and Morrison Maierle Responses
• TerrAquatic Comment #1: “Because this site has been used for wheat production for
decades, I agree, it includes no Endangered or Threatened Species (TES) habitat.”
o Understood. No answer required.
• TerrAquatic Comment #2: “No mention was made by the MM field team if the USFWS
Candidate species, the monarch butterfly (Danaus Plexippus), preferred habitat species
(milkweed) occurs within the site.”
o During the July 9th, 2024 field visit, milkweed plants were not observed within the
wetland/riparian areas or farmed fields. Although it is possible for monarchs to
migrate through the project area, the lack of milkweed plants and other useful
forbs makes it an unlikely stop. Therefore, the proposed project is not likely to
jeopardize the continued existence of the monarch butterfly.
o Further information can be found on page 5 of the Wildlife Memo, for reference.
• TerrAquatic Comment #3: “No field data regarding use of the site by avian species has
been included in any MM reports to my knowledge. Most species would have migrated
during a late fall delineation, in any case. It is possible some states species of concern
(SOC), such as Bobolink use the site for nesting, feeding, refugia.”
o On July 9th, 2024, a field visit occurred to identify wildlife species on the subject
property. No species of concern were observed on the subject property.
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o During the field visit performed on July 9th, 2024, racoon and deer tracks were
observed in pivot irrigation tracks. Additionally, red-winged blackbirds were
observed in the wetland area of Cattail Creek.
o Further information can be found on pages 2-4 of the Wildlife Memo, for reference.
• TerrAquatic Comment #4: “Non-site-specific wildlife occurrence data are fundamental,
though not to be relied upon for this type of document.”
o Site specific data was collected during both the October 2021 and July 2024 field
visits, and was included in both the original and updated wildlife memo for the
subject property.
• TerrAquatic Comment #5: “Field survey data during the appropriate seasons would be
considered reliable data.”
o Field survey data was collected during both the October 2021 and July 2024 field
visits, and was included in both the original and updated wildlife memo for the
subject property.
• TerrAquatic Comment #6: “Some avian state species of concern may use the site for
nesting, foraging, or refugia.”
o During both the October 2021 field survey, and the July 2024 field survey, no state
species of concern were identified on the subject property.
o Further information can be found on pages 2-4 of the Wildlife Memo, for reference.
• TerrAquatic Comment #7: “There is no mention in the report on how to limit impacts to
wildlife, for example, to remove vegetation during nonbreeding/nesting season (April to
mid-August, unless a bird survey is conducted: impacts to migratory birds, their active
nests or hatchlings is a federal crime). “
o There are no large trees present on the subject property. Although there are some
mature shrubs present along Cattail Creek, any shrub removal will occur between
October 1 and April 15, so as not to disturb potential active nest sites.
o Further information can be found on page 4 of the wildlife memo for reference.