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BIOLOGICAL RESOURCES TECHNICAL REPORT
for the
Prairie Avenue Project
City of Torrance, California
Prepared for:
KP Torrance Prairie Owner, LLC 1875 Century Park East, Suite 380
Los Angeles, California 90067
Contact: Dan Broder
Prepared by:
38 North Raymond Avenue
Pasadena, California 91101
Contact: Michael Cady
SEPTEMBER 2019
Printed on 30% post-consumer recycled material.
Biological Resources Technical Report for the Prairie Avenue Project
12075 i September 2019
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Section Page No.
1 INTRODUCTION..............................................................................................................1
1.1 Project Description.................................................................................................. 1
1.1.1 Project Location .......................................................................................... 1
1.1.1 Project Purpose ........................................................................................... 1
2 REGULATORY SETTING ..............................................................................................3
2.1 Federal..................................................................................................................... 3
2.1.1 Federal Endangered Species Act ................................................................ 3
2.1.2 Migratory Bird Treaty Act .......................................................................... 3
2.1.3 Clean Water Act .......................................................................................... 4
2.2 State......................................................................................................................... 5
2.2.1 California Endangered Species Act ............................................................ 5
2.2.2 California Fish and Game Code .................................................................. 5
2.2.3 California Environmental Quality Act ........................................................ 6
2.2.4 Porter–Cologne Water Quality Control Act ............................................... 7
2.3 Local ....................................................................................................................... 7
2.2.4 City of Torrance General Plan .................................................................... 7
3 METHODS .........................................................................................................................9
3.1 Literature Review.................................................................................................... 9
3.2 Resources Mapping ................................................................................................. 9
3.2.1 Vegetation Community and Land Cover Mapping ................................... 10
3.2.2 Flora .......................................................................................................... 10
3.2.3 Fauna ......................................................................................................... 10
3.2.4 Focused Botanical Surveys and Mapping ................................................. 11
3.3 Special-Status Species Assessment....................................................................... 11
3.4 Jurisdictional Delineation ..................................................................................... 12
3.5 Survey Limitations ................................................................................................ 12
4 PROJECT SETTING ......................................................................................................15
4.1 Climate .................................................................................................................. 15
4.2 Soils....................................................................................................................... 15
4.3 Terrain ................................................................................................................... 15
4.4 Land Uses.............................................................................................................. 16
4.4.1 On-Site Land Uses .................................................................................... 16
4.4.2 Surrounding Land Uses............................................................................. 16
4.5 Watersheds and Hydrology ................................................................................... 16
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5 RESULTS .........................................................................................................................17
5.1 Vegetation Communities, Land Covers, and Floral Diversity .............................. 17
5.1.1 Disturbed Habitat ...................................................................................... 17
5.1.2 Urban/Developed Land ............................................................................. 18
5.1.3 Ornamental Vegetation ............................................................................. 18
5.2 Wildlife ................................................................................................................. 18
5.2.1 Birds .......................................................................................................... 18
5.2.2 Reptiles and Amphibians .......................................................................... 18
5.2.3 Mammals................................................................................................... 19
5.2.4 Invertebrates .............................................................................................. 19
5.3 Special-Status Species Assessment....................................................................... 19
5.3.1 Special-Status Plant Species ..................................................................... 19
5.3.2 Special-Status Wildlife Species ................................................................ 20
5.3.3 Critical Habitat .......................................................................................... 20
5.4 Wildlife Corridors and Habitat Linkages .............................................................. 20
5.5 Jurisdictional Delineation ..................................................................................... 22
5.6 Regional Resource Planning Context ................................................................... 22
6 PROJECT IMPACTS .....................................................................................................23
6.1 Definition of Impacts ............................................................................................ 23
6.1.1 Direct Permanent Impacts ......................................................................... 23
6.1.2 Direct Temporary Impacts ........................................................................ 23
6.1.3 Indirect Impacts ........................................................................................ 23
6.1.4 Explanation of Findings of Significance................................................... 24
6.2 Impacts to Special-Status Species ......................................................................... 25
6.2.1 Impacts to Special-Status Plant Species ................................................... 25
6.2.1 Impacts to Special-Status Wildlife Species .............................................. 25
6.3 Impacts to Vegetation Communities and Land Covers ........................................ 26
6.4 Impacts to Jurisdictional Waters ........................................................................... 26
6.5 Impacts to Wildlife Corridors and Habitat Connectivity ...................................... 26
6.6 Impacts to Regional Resource Planning ............................................................... 27
7 MITIGATION ..................................................................................................................29
7.1 Impact to Special-Status Species .......................................................................... 29
7.7 Level of Significance After Mitigation ................................................................. 30
8 REFERENCES .................................................................................................................33
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APPENDICES
A Site Photos
B Plant Compendium
C Wildlife Compendium
D Special-Status Plant Species Potential to Occur within the Project Site
E Special-Status Wildlife Species Potential to Occur within the Project Site
FIGURES
Figure 1 Local Vicinity and Regional Location ...................................................................36
Figure 2 Biological Resources .............................................................................................39
Figure 3 Impacted Biological Resources..............................................................................41
TABLES
Table 1 Survey Conditions ..................................................................................................10
Table 2 Vegetation Communities and Land Cover Types within Project site ....................17
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ACRONYMS AND ABBREVIATIONS
Acronym/Abbreviation Definition
ACOE U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
BMP best management practice
CDFW California Department of Fish and Wildlife
CEQA California Environmental Quality Act
CESA California Endangered Species Act
CNDDB California Natural Diversity Database
CNPS California Native Plant Society
CRPR California Rare Plant Rank
ESA Endangered Species Act
GIS Geographic Information System
GPS Global Positioning System
HCP habitat conservation plan
mph miles per hour
NCCP natural community conservation plan
NHD National Hydrography Dataset
NPDES National Pollution Discharge Elimination System
NRCS National Resources Conservation Service
NWI National Wetlands Inventory
OHWM ordinary high water mark
SSC Species of Special Concern
SWPPP storm water pollution prevention plan
USDA U.S. Department of Agriculture
USFWS U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
USGS U.S. Geological Survey
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1 INTRODUCTION
This biological resources technical report describes the existing biological conditions of the
approximately 20.72-acre proposed Prairie Avenue Project (Project). The Project site is located on
privately owned land within the northern portion of the City of Torrance, Los Angeles County,
California, immediately adjacent to and west of Prairie Avenue, approximately 0.4-mile east of
State Route 107 (SR-107)/Hawthorne Boulevard, and approximately 640 feet south of West 190th
Street (Figure 1). The existing property is characterized by developed land, disturbed habitat, and
ornamental landscaping associated with an existing parking lot as well as remnants of past
industrial operations. The Project proposes to develop the property into a warehouse complex
consisting of two buildings and a surrounding parking lot.
The purpose of this report as follows: (1) to describe the conditions of biological resources within
the proposed Project development footprint in terms of vegetation, flora, jurisdictional waters and
wetlands, wildlife, and wildlife habitats; (2) to quantify potential direct and indirect impacts to
biological resources that will result from the proposed Project; (3) to discuss those impacts in
terms of biological significance in view of federal, state, and local laws and City policies; and
(4) to discuss mitigation measures that will reduce significant biological impacts to a less-than-
significant level consistent with federal, state, and local regulations, including the California
Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).
1.1 Project Description
1.1.1 Project Location
The 20.72-acre Prairie Avenue property is located on privately owned land located within the City
of Torrance in southwestern Los Angeles County, approximately 14 miles southwest of downtown
Los Angeles (Figure 1). More specifically, the property is immediately adjacent to and west of
Prairie Avenue, approximately 0.4-mile east of State Route 107 (SR-107)/Hawthorne Boulevard,
and approximately 640 feet south of West 190th Street as shown in Figure 1, Project Location. The
proposed Project development is planned to occur within a previously developed and disturbed
property associated with various industrial uses, including petrochemical storage and mineral
mining. The Project is located in the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) 7.5-minute Torrance
quadrangle map, Township 4 South, Range 14 West (USGS 1981).
1.1.1 Project Purpose
The Project includes the proposed development of a warehouse complex composed of two
warehouse buildings with built-in office floors and a surrounding parking lot. Additionally, a small
portion in the northwestern corner of the property is proposed to be set aside as a future substation.
The proposed Project is within an area zoned as heavy manufacturing (M-2) within the City of
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Torrance Property Zoning Map (City of Torrance 2015). The General Plan land use designation
for the proposed Project development footprint is light industrial (I-LT), which is located within
the West Torrance Neighborhood District (City of Torrance 2010).
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2 REGULATORY SETTING
This chapter outlines the federal, state, and local regulations pertinent to the biological resources
located on the Project site.
2.1 Federal
2.1.1 Federal Endangered Species Act
The federal Endangered Species Act (FESA) of 1973 (16 USC 1531 et seq.), as amended, is
administered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) for most plant and animal species
and by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration National Marine Fisheries Service
for certain marine species. This legislation is intended to provide a means to conserve the
ecosystems upon which endangered and threatened species depend and provide programs for the
conservation of those species, thus preventing the extinction of plants and wildlife. The FESA
defines an endangered species as “any species that is in danger of extinction throughout all or a
significant portion of its range.” A threatened species is defined as “any species that is likely to
become an endangered species within the foreseeable future throughout all or a significant portion
of its range.” Under FESA, it is unlawful to “take” any listed species, and “take” is defined as,
“harass, harm, pursue, hunt, shoot, wound, kill, trap, capture, or collect, or to attempt to engage in
any such conduct.”
FESA allows for the issuance of incidental take permits for listed species under Section 7, which
is generally available for projects that also require other federal agency permits or other approvals,
and under Section 10, which provides for the approval of habitat conservation plans on private
property without any other federal agency involvement.
2.1.2 Migratory Bird Treaty Act
The Migratory Bird Treaty Act (16 USC 703 et seq.) (MBTA), as amended, prohibits the
intentional take of any migratory bird or any part, nest, or eggs of any such bird. Under the
Migratory Bird Treaty Act, “take” is defined as pursuing, hunting, shooting, capturing, collecting,
or killing, or attempting to do so. In December 2017, Department of the Interior Principal Deputy
Solicitor Jorjani issued a memorandum (M-37050) that interprets the Migratory Bird Treaty Act’s
“take” prohibition to apply only to affirmative actions that have as their purpose the taking or
killing of migratory birds, their nests, or their eggs. Unintentional or accidental take is not
prohibited (DOI 2017). Additionally, Executive Order 13186, Responsibilities of Federal
Agencies to Protect Migratory Birds, requires that any project with federal involvement address
impacts of federal actions on migratory birds with the purpose of promoting conservation of
migratory bird populations (66 FR 3853–3856). The Executive Order requires federal agencies to
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work with USFWS to develop a memorandum of understanding. USFWS reviews actions that
might affect these species.
2.1.3 Clean Water Act
The Clean Water Act provides guidance for the restoration and maintenance of the chemical,
physical, and biological integrity of the nation’s waters. Section 401 requires a project operator for
a federal license or permit that allows activities resulting in a discharge to waters of the United
States to obtain state certification, thereby ensuring that the discharge will comply with provisions
of the Clean Water Act. The RWQCBs administer the certification program in California. Section
402 establishes a permitting system for the discharge of any pollutant (except dredged or fill
material) into waters of the United States. Section 404 establishes a permit program administered
by USACE that regulates the discharge of dredged or fill material into waters of the United States,
including wetlands. USACE implementing regulations are found at 33 CFR 320 and 330.
Guidelines for implementation are referred to as the Section 404(b)(1) Guidelines, which were
developed by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in conjunction with USACE
(40 CFR 230). The guidelines allow the discharge of dredged or fill material into the aquatic
system only if there is no practicable alternative that would have less adverse impacts.
Wetlands and Other Waters of the United States
Aquatic resources, including riparian areas, wetlands, and certain aquatic vegetation communities,
are considered sensitive biological resources and can fall under the jurisdiction of several
regulatory agencies. USACE exerts jurisdiction over waters of the United States, including all
waters that are subject to the ebb and flow of the tide; wetlands and other waters such as lakes,
rivers, streams (including intermittent or ephemeral streams), mudflats, sandflats, sloughs, prairie
potholes, vernal pools, wet meadows, playa lakes, or natural ponds; and tributaries of the above
features.
The extent of waters of the United States is generally defined as that portion that falls within the
limits of an ordinary high-water mark (OHWM). Typically, the OHWM corresponds to the water
surface elevation of a 2-year flood event (USACE 2008a). In addition, waters of the United States
may include wetlands, including swamps, bogs, seasonal wetlands, seeps, marshes, and similar
areas, defined by USACE as “those areas that are inundated or saturated by surface or groundwater
at a frequency and duration sufficient to support, and that under normal circumstances do support,
a prevalence of vegetation typically adapted for life in saturated soil conditions” (33 CFR 328.3[b];
40 CFR 230.3[t]). Indicators of three wetland parameters (i.e., hydric soils, hydrophytic vegetation,
and wetlands hydrology), as determined by field investigation, must be present for a site to be
classified as a wetland by USACE (USACE 1987).
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2.2 State
2.2.1 California Endangered Species Act
The California Endangered Species Act (CESA) (California Fish and Game Code, Section 2050
et seq.) provides protection and prohibits the take of plant, fish, and wildlife species listed by the
State of California. Unlike FESA, under CESA state-listed plants have the same degree of
protection as wildlife, but insects and other invertebrates may not be listed. Take is defined
similarly to FESA and is prohibited for both listed and candidate species. Take authorization may
be obtained by the project applicant from CDFW under CESA Section 2081, which allows take of
a listed species for educational, scientific, or management purposes. In this case, private developers
consult with CDFW to develop a set of measures and standards for managing the listed species,
including full mitigation for impacts, funding of implementation, and monitoring of mitigation
measures.
2.2.2 California Fish and Game Code
Fully Protected Species
Sections 3511, 4700, 5050, and 5515 of the California Fish and Game Code outline protection for
fully protected species of mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, and fish. Species that are fully
protected by these sections may not be taken or possessed at any time. CDFW cannot issue permits
or licenses that authorize the “take” of any fully protected species, except under certain
circumstances, such as scientific research and live capture and relocation of such species pursuant
to a permit for the protection of livestock. Furthermore, it is the responsibility of the CDFW to
maintain viable populations of all native species.
Section 1602
Under Section 1602 of the California Fish and Game Code, a project operator is required to notify
CDFW prior to any project that would divert, obstruct, or change the natural flow, bed, channel, or
bank of any river, stream, or lake. Pursuant to the code, a “stream” is defined as a body of water that
flows at least periodically, or intermittently, through a bed or channel having banks and supporting fish
or other aquatic life. Based on this definition, a watercourse with surface or subsurface flows that
supports or has supported riparian vegetation is a stream and is subject to CDFW jurisdiction. Altered
or artificial watercourses valuable to fish and wildlife are subject to CDFW jurisdiction. CDFW also
has jurisdiction over dry washes that carry water during storm events.
Preliminary notification and project review generally occur during the environmental process.
When an existing fish or wildlife resource may be substantially adversely affected, CDFW is
required to propose reasonable project changes to protect the resource. These modifications are
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formalized in a Streambed Alteration Agreement, which becomes part of the plans, specifications,
and bid documents for the project.
California Native Plant Protection Act
The Native Plant Protection Act of 1977 (see Section 1900 et seq. of the California Fish and Game
Code) directed CDFW to carry out the Legislature’s intent to “preserve, protect and enhance rare
and endangered plants in this State.” The Native Plant Protection Act gave the California Fish and
Game Commission the power to designate native plants as “endangered” or “rare” and protect
endangered and rare plants from take. CESA expanded on the original Native Plant Protection Act
and enhanced legal protection for plants, but the Native Plant Protection Act remains part of the
California Fish and Game Code. To align with federal regulations, CESA created the categories of
“threatened” and “endangered” species. It converted all “rare” animals into the act as threatened
species, but did not do so for rare plants. Thus, there are three listing categories for plants in
California: rare, threatened, and endangered. Because rare plants are not included in CESA,
mitigation measures for impacts to rare plants are specified in a formal agreement between CDFW
and the project proponent.
2.2.3 California Environmental Quality Act
CEQA requires identification of a project’s potentially significant impacts on biological resources
and ways that such impacts can be avoided, minimized, or mitigated. The act also provides
guidelines and thresholds for use by lead agencies for evaluating the significance of proposed
impacts.
CEQA Guidelines Section 15380(b)(1) defines endangered animals or plants as species or
subspecies whose “survival and reproduction in the wild are in immediate jeopardy from one or
more causes, including loss of habitat, change in habitat, overexploitation, predation, competition,
disease, or other factors.” A rare animal or plant is defined in Section 15380(b)(2) as a species
that, although not presently threatened with extinction, exists “in such small numbers throughout
all or a significant portion of its range that it may become endangered if its environment worsens;
or … [t]he species is likely to become endangered within the foreseeable future throughout all or
a significant portion of its range and may be considered ‘threatened’ as that term is used in the
federal Endangered Species Act.” Additionally, an animal or plant may be presumed to be
endangered, rare, or threatened if it meets the criteria for listing, as defined further in CEQA
Guidelines Section 15380(c).
CDFW has developed a list of “Special Species” as “a general term that refers to all of the taxa the
California Natural Diversity Database (CNDDB) is interested in tracking, regardless of their legal
or protection status.” This is a broader list than those species that are protected under the FESA,
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CESA, and other California Fish and Game Code provisions, and includes lists developed by other
organizations, including for example the Audubon Watch List Species. Guidance documents
prepared by other agencies, including the Bureau of Land Management Sensitive Species and
USFWS Birds of Special Concern, are also included on this CDFW Special Species list.
Additionally, CDFW has concluded that plant species listed as California Rare Plant Rank (CRPR)
1 and 2 by the California Native Plant Society (CNPS), and potentially some CRPR 3 plants, are
covered by CEQA Guidelines Section 15380.
Section IV, Appendix G (Environmental Checklist Form), of the CEQA Guidelines requires an
evaluation of impacts to “any riparian habitat or other sensitive natural community identified in
local or regional plans, policies, regulations or by the California Department of Fish and Game or
the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.”
2.2.4 Porter–Cologne Water Quality Control Act
The intent of the Porter–Cologne Water Quality Control Act is to protect water quality and the
beneficial uses of water, and it applies to both surface water and groundwater. Under this law, the
State Water Resources Control Board develops statewide water quality plans, and the nine
RWQCBs develop basin plans that identify beneficial uses, water quality objectives, and
implementation plans. The RWQCBs have the primary responsibility to implement the provisions
of both statewide and basin plans. Waters regulated under the Porter–Cologne Water Quality
Control Act include isolated waters that are no longer regulated by USACE. Developments with
impact to jurisdictional waters must demonstrate compliance with the goals of the act by
developing stormwater pollution prevention plans, standard urban stormwater mitigation plans,
and other measures to obtain an order of Waste Discharge Requirement (or, in cases where a Clean
Water Act Section 401 certification is required, a waiver of Waste Discharge Requirement).
2.3 Local
2.2.4 City of Torrance General Plan
The City of Torrance General Plan provides goals, policies, and design criteria intended to guide
expansion of the City of Torrance as a truly distinctive place. The general guiding principles will
guide all decisions made to implement the Torrance General Plan through established benchmarks
used to measure decisions related to community values and desires (City of Torrance 2010).
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3 METHODS
Data regarding biological resources present within the Project site were obtained through a review
of pertinent literature and through field reconnaissance, both of which are described in detail
below.
3.1 Literature Review
Prior to conducting the field investigation, a literature review was conducted to evaluate the
environmental setting of the Project site and identify potential special-status biological resources
that may be found on the site:
USFWS Critical Habitat and Occurrence Data (USFWS 2019a);
CDFW California Natural Diversity Database (CNDDB) (CDFW 2019a);
California Native Plant Society (CNPS) Inventory of Rare, Threatened, and Endangered
Plants of California, 8th online edition (CNPS 2019b);
USFWS National Wetlands Inventory (NWI) Geographic Information System (GIS) Data
(USFWS 2019b);
Los Angeles County GIS Data Portal searched for potential hydric soils (County of Los
Angeles 2004);
USGS National Hydrography Dataset (NHD) (USGS 2019);
and USGS 7.5-minute topographic quadrangles and aerial photography were reviewed for
potential habitat and jurisdictional resources (Bing Maps 2019; Google 2019; USGS 1981).
3.2 Resources Mapping
Dudek conducted general biological reconnaissance-level survey, which included vegetation
mapping and a habitat assessment for special-status species to occur, on July 19, 2019 (Table 1).
A special-status plant survey and mapping of special-status plant species observed on site was
conducted on August 9, 2019 (Table 1).
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Table 1
Survey Conditions
Date Hours Survey Focus Conditions Personnel
7/19/2019 0730–1100 General biological reconnaissance-level survey; habitat assessment; vegetation mapping; resources mapping
69°F, 100% cc, 1 mph wind MC
8/9/2019 0935–1230 Special-status plant survey; Focused southern tarplant mapping survey
66-70°F, 0-10% cc, 0-3 mph wind TP
Notes: MC = Michael Cady; TP = Tracy Park; °F = degrees Fahrenheit; cc = cloud cover; mph= miles per hour
3.2.1 Vegetation Community and Land Cover Mapping
Dudek biologist Michael Cady conducted a general biological survey of the Project site on July
19, 2019 (Table 1). Vegetation communities on the property were mapped using the CDFW
Natural Communities List (CDFW 2018), which is based on the Manual of California Vegetation,
Second Edition (MCV2; Sawyer et al. 2009). Vegetation communities were mapped in the field
directly onto a 200-scale (1 inch = 200 feet) aerial map of the Project site. Community
classifications were selected based on site factors, descriptions, distribution, and characteristic
species present within an area. Information such as dominant species and their associated cover,
aspect, and visible disturbance factors were recorded. To create the vegetation community map,
Dudek GIS technicians digitized the delineated vegetation boundaries from field maps using
ArcGIS software. Some modifications were incorporated to accommodate the lack of conformity
of the observed communities to those included in MCV2.
3.2.2 Flora
The Project site was walked thoroughly by Dudek Biologists Michael Cady and Tracy Park, and
all plant species encountered during the field surveys were identified and recorded. Latin and
common names for plant species with a California Rare Plant Rank (CRPR; formerly CNPS List)
follow the California Native Plant Society On-Line Inventory of Rare, Threatened, and
Endangered Plants of California (CNPS 2019). The Latin name for plant species without a
California Rare Plant Rank follow the Jepson Interchange List of Currently Accepted Names of
Native and Naturalized Plants of California (Jepson Flora Project 2019), and common names
follow the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Plants Database (USDA 2019a). The Project
site was surveyed for habitat and soil conditions known to support special-status plant species.
Habitat classification follows The Manual of California Vegetation (Sawyer et al. 2009).
3.2.3 Fauna
The Project site was walked by Dudek Biologists Michael Cady and Tracy Park, and all wildlife
species, as detected during field surveys by sight, calls, tracks, scat, or other signs, were identified
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and recorded. In addition to species actually observed, expected wildlife usage of the site was
determined according to known habitat preferences of regional wildlife species and knowledge of
their relative distributions in the area. No trapping for special-status or nocturnal species was
conducted. Latin and common names for vertebrate species referred to in this report follow Crother
et al. (2012) for reptiles and amphibians, American Ornithologists’ Union (2019) for birds, and
Wilson and Reeder (2005) for mammals.
3.2.4 Focused Botanical Surveys and Mapping
A focused special-status plant species survey was conducted on August 9, 2019, to determine the
presence or absence of special-status plants with potential to occur within the Project site. The
locations and number of special-status plant species were mapped when observed in the field. The
survey also included a comprehensive botanical inventory of all plants identified within the Project
site.
During the focused special-status plant species survey, Dudek biologist Tracy Park conducted a
focused mapping effort for southern tarplant (Centromadia parryi ssp. australis; CRPR 1B.1)
within suitable habitat for the species. Dudek biologist Michael Cady identified southern tarplant
during the general biological reconnaissance-level survey using The Jepson Manual: Vascular
Plants of California, to key/identify the species (2019). Ms. Park delineated the boundary of
southern tarplant populations with a 5-meter nearest neighbor mapping rule using a GPS unit with
sub-meter accuracy. For populations of southern tarplant where a complete census was feasible,
the number of individuals within the polygon were counted and recorded. For polygons that were
either too large or too dense for a complete census method to be viable, randomized sample points
were established. At each sample point, a 1-meter quadrat was placed on the ground and the total
number of southern tarplant individuals rooted within the 1-meter quadrat were counted and
recorded. Number and density of southern tarplant individuals were calculated per population
using the number of individuals counted within each quadrat and extrapolating that density to the
entire polygon.
3.3 Special-Status Species Assessment
Endangered, rare, or threatened plant species as defined in Section 15380(b) of the CEQA
Guidelines (14 CCR 15000 et seq.) are referred to as “special-status plant species” in this BRTR
and include endangered or threatened plant species recognized in the context of CESA and FESA
(CDFW 2019b) and plant species with a CRPR 1 through 4 (CNPS 2019a). Species with CRPR 3
or 4 may, but generally do not, qualify for protection under this provision. Species with CRPR 3
and 4 are those that require more information to determine status and plants of limited distribution.
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Endangered, rare, or threatened wildlife species as defined in CEQA Guidelines, Section 15380(b)
(14 CCR 15000 et seq.), are referred to as “special-status wildlife species” and, as used in this
report, include (1) endangered or threatened wildlife species recognized in the context of CESA
and FESA (CDFW 2019b); (2) California Species of Special Concern and Watch List species as
designated by CDFW (2019c); (3) mammals and birds that are fully protected species as described
in the California Fish and Game Code, Sections 4700 and 3511; and (4) Birds of Conservation
Concern as designated by USFWS (2008).
The CNDDB and CNPS database queries conducted during the literature review resulted in a list
of plant and wildlife species that have recorded occurrences within the Project vicinity. For each
species evaluated, a determination was made regarding the potential for the species to occur in the
Study Area based on information gathered during the field reconnaissance, including the location of
the site, habitats present, current site conditions, known range, habitat associations, preferred soil
substrate, life form, elevation, and blooming period.
3.4 Jurisdictional Delineation
Although a formal wetlands delineation following the methodology described in A Field
Guide to the Identification of the Ordinary High Water Mark (OHWM) in the Arid West
Region of the Western United States (ACOE 2008a), 1987 Wetlands Delineation Manual
(ACOE 1987), and the Regional Supplement to the Corps of Engineers Wetland Delineation
Manual: Arid West Region (ACOE 2008b) was not conducted during the field survey, the
Project site was evaluated for the potential to support jurisdictional waters regulated under
the federal Clean Water Act, California Fish and Game Code, and Porter-Cologne Water
Quality Act.
3.5 Survey Limitations
Special-status plant surveys were conducted in July and August of 2019, which resulted in
detection and identification of most annual and perennial plant species that have potential to occur
on site based upon the literature review. The timing of the surveys coincided with the blooming
periods for the target species identified during the CDFW CNDDB (CDFW 2019) query.
Limitations of the surveys included a diurnal bias and the absence of trapping for small mammals,
reptiles, and amphibians. The surveys were conducted during the daytime to maximize the
detection of most animals. Birds represent the largest component of the vertebrate fauna, and
because most birds are active in the daytime, diurnal surveys maximize the number of bird
observations. Conversely, diurnal surveys usually result in few observations of mammals, many
of which may only be active at night. In addition, many species of reptiles and amphibians are
secretive in their habits and are difficult to observe using standard meandering transects. The
purpose of the field surveys was to determine the likelihood of occurrence of any special-status
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plant or wildlife species based on the presence/absence of suitable habitat and other natural history
elements that might predict their occurrence.
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4 PROJECT SETTING
4.1 Climate
The Project site is located approximately 2.7 miles from the Pacific Ocean. The City of Torrance
has a Mediterranean climate with cool, wet winters and warm, dry summers. August is the average
warmest month with an average high temperature of 79 degrees Fahrenheit (˚F) and December and
January are the coolest months on average with a low of 44˚F. Rainfall occurs primarily between
November and March, with the maximum average precipitation occurring in January. According
to the Western Regional Climate Center (2016), the mean annual rainfall for the region is 14.46
approximate inches of rain per year.
4.2 Soils
According to the USDA National Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Soil Survey
Geographic database (USDA NRCS 2019), the Project site occurs within the supplemental soil
survey conducted for southeastern Los Angeles County, California. Two different soil types are
mapped within the Project site: Urban land-Centinela-Typic Xerorthents, fine substratum complex,
0 to 2 percent slopes; and Urban land-Marina complex, 0 to 5 percent slopes (USDA NRCS 2019).
Urban land-Centinela-Typic Xerorthents, fine substratum complex, 0 to 2 percent slopes, occurs
within the northeastern portion of the Project site. This soil-mapping unit is primarily composed
of urban land covered by roads, parking lots, and buildings, under which extensive cutting and
filling has occurred during urban development. This mapping unit also supports the Centinela and
Typic Xerorthents soil series; both of which are well-drained loams formed from human-
transported materials over mixed alluvium (USDA NRCS 2017).
Urban land-Marina Comple, 0 to 5 percent slopes, occurs within the southwestern portion of the
Project site. This soil-mapping unit is primarily composed of urban land covered by roads, parking
lots, and buildings, under which extensive cutting and filling has occurred during urban
development. This mapping unit also supports the Marina soil series, a somewhat excessively
drained sandy loam formed from human-transported materials over stabilized sand dunes (USDA
NRCS 2017).
4.3 Terrain
Elevations within the Project site range from 69 feet to 88 feet AMSL. The Project site is
generally flat; however, large cuts in the topography, approximately five feet in depth, occur
where petrochemical storage tanks and associated hardscapes have been removed within the
central portion of the Project site.
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4.4 Land Uses
4.4.1 On-Site Land Uses
The immediate vicinity of the Project site is characterized by industrial development associated
with warehouses and petrochemical processing and/or storage. Within the property boundary,
remnants of past industrial uses associated with petrochemical storage and soil stockpiling occur
within the northwestern and central portions of the Project site. The remainder of the property is
comprised of paved parking lots and roads, as well as non-native ornamental and disturbed
vegetation.
4.4.2 Surrounding Land Uses
The general area surrounding the property boundary is dominated by a mixture of residential,
commercial, and industrial development. The City of Torrance is bordered by the Cities of Rolling
Hills Estates and Palos Verdes Estates to the south, Lomita and Carson to the east, Gardena to the
northeast, Palos Verdes Estates to the northwest, and the City of Redondo Beach and the Pacific
Ocean to the west. An oil refinery is located approximately 300 feet east of the property boundary;
Columbia Regional Park is located approximately 680 feet to the north of the property boundary;
and the Pacific Ocean is located approximately 2.7 miles to the west. An industrial freight railroad
line borders the Project site along its southwestern boundary.
4.5 Watersheds and Hydrology
The Project site is located within the West Coast portion of the Coastal Plain Hydrologic Area
(HA) of the Los Angeles-San Gabriel River Unit (HU) (RWQCB 1994). The Groundwater Basin
Number is 4-11.03 (California’s Groundwater Bulletin 118). The Los Angeles River is
approximately 8.1 miles east of the property boundary and the San Gabriel River is approximately
14 miles east of the property boundary. The Los Angeles River flows southeast coming out of the
Simi Hills and Santa Susana Mountains, making its way to the Pacific Ocean through the mouth
at the City of Long Beach. The San Gabriel River flows south coming out of the San Gabriel
Mountains and then turns west as it makes its way to the Pacific Ocean, into the outlet of Alamitos
Bay between the Cities of Long Beach and Seal Beach. There are no drainages that drain into the
Project site.
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5 RESULTS
5.1 Vegetation Communities, Land Covers, and Floral Diversity
Three land cover types were mapped within the Project site: urban/developed land, disturbed
habitat, and ornamental vegetation. The land cover types observed within the Project site are
described below, their acreages are presented in Table 2, Vegetation Communities and Land
Cover Types within the Project Site, and their spatial distributions are depicted in Figure 2,
Biological Resources. The Project site and surrounding area is heavily urbanized with minimal
vegetation present. No native vegetation communities were identified within the Project site. No
native or sensitive vegetation communities were identified within the Project site.
Table 2
Vegetation Communities and Land Cover Types within Project Site
Vegetation Community/Land Cover Acreage within Project Site
Non-Native Land Covers
Disturbed Habitat (DH) 11.40
Urban/Developed Land (DEV) 8.34
Ornamental Vegetation (ORN) 0.97
Total 20.72*
* Totals may not add up due to rounding.
5.1.1 Disturbed Habitat
Disturbed habitat includes areas that experience or have experienced high levels of human
disturbance and as a result are generally lacking vegetation. Areas mapped as disturbed land may
include unpaved roads, trails, and graded areas. Vegetation in these areas, if present at all, is
usually sparse and dominated by non-native weedy herbaceous species.
Disturbed habitat within the Project site is present within vacant land and dirt roads. These vacant
areas are characterized by remnants of past industrial uses and are dominated by ruderal non-native
plant species. Common species observed within this mapping unit include annual yellow
sweetclover (Melilotus indicus), shortpod mustard (Hirschfeldia incana), cultivated radish
(Raphanus sativus), cheeseweed mallow (Malva parviflora), white-margin sandmat (Euphorbia
albomarginata), prostrate pigweed (Amaranthus albus), Canadian horseweed (Erigeron
canadensis), and telegraph weed (Heterotheca grandiflora). Southern tarplant was found in open
areas of this mapping unit. Disturbed habitat occurs within the northwestern and central portion of
the Project site (Figure 2). Disturbed habitat is not considered sensitive by local, state, and/or
federal agencies.
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5.1.2 Urban/Developed Land
Developed land refers to areas supported by man-made structures including homes, yards,
roadways, sidewalks, and other highly modified lands supporting structures associated with
dwellings or other permanent structures. Vegetation in these areas, if present at all, is typically
associated with development landscaping. Within the Project site, developed land is primarily
comprised of a paved parking lot and private road. Developed land is not considered a sensitive
by local, state, and/or federal agencies.
5.1.3 Ornamental Vegetation
Ornamental vegetation consists of introduced plantings of exotic species as landscaping,
including greenbelts, parks, and horticultural plantings (Jones and Stokes 1993). Ornamental
plantings within the Project site include Washington fan palm (Washingtonia robusta), coastal
wattle (Acacia cyclops), Barbary fig (Opuntia ficus-indica), redbox (Eucalyptus polyanthemos),
crimson bottlebrush (Melaleuca citrina), and lantana (Lantana camara). Scattered patches of
ornamental vegetation occur within the western portion of the Project site. Ornamental
vegetation is not considered sensitive by local, state, and/or federal agencies. Within the Project
site, ornamental vegetation is found scattered throughout, including the eastern border of the site.
5.2 Wildlife
A total of 14 wildlife species were recorded within the Project site during field surveys. A full list
of wildlife species observed in the Project site is provided in Appendix C.
5.2.1 Birds
A total of 13 bird species were audibly detected or observed in the Project site. Most bird species
observed are common, disturbance-adapted species typical of urban and suburban settings such as
mourning dove (Zenaida macroura), Anna’s hummingbird (Calypte anna), American crow
(Corvus brachyrhynchos), and house finch (Haemorhous mexicanus). Raptors may use the Project
site and/or surrounding areas as foraging habitat; however, no raptor species were observed within
the Project site during the surveys.
5.2.2 Reptiles and Amphibians
One reptile species was observed within the Project site: western fence lizard (Sceloporus
occidentalis); although, common side-blotched lizard (Uta stansburiana) may also occur. No
amphibian species were observed during surveys.
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5.2.3 Mammals
No mammal species were detected within the Project site during the survey. However, California
ground squirrel (Spermophilus (Otospermophilus) beecheyi), common raccoon (Procyon lotor),
Botta’s pocket gopher (Thomomys bottae.), striped skunk (Mephitis mephitis), and desert cottontail
(Sylvilagus audubonii)), as well as additional mammals adapted to living in areas near human
disturbance, such as Virginia opossum (Didelphis virginica), may also occur within the Project
site and surrounding area.
5.2.4 Invertebrates
No invertebrates were observed within the Project site during the site visit. Terrestrial invertebrates not
observed within Project site, but those likely to be present include western tiger swallowtail (Papilio
rutulus), cabbage white (Pieris rapae), and Sara orangetip (Anthocharis sara).
5.3 Special-Status Species Assessment
5.3.1 Special-Status Plant Species
Special-status plant surveys were conducted to determine the presence or absence of plant
species that are considered endangered, rare, or threatened under CEQA Guideline 15380 (14
CCR 15000 et seq.). Endangered, rare, or threatened plant species, as defined in CEQA
Guideline 15380(b) (14 CCR 15000 et seq.), are referred to as “special-status plant species” in
this report and include (1) endangered or threatened plant species recognized in the context of
the California Endangered Species Act (CESA) and the federal Endangered Species Act (ESA)
and/or (2) plant species with a CRPR 1 or 2 (CDFW 2019; CNPS 2019).
One special-status plant species, southern tarplant (CRPR 1B.1), was identified during the
biological reconnaissance-level survey conducted on July 19, 2019. Southern tarplant was
observed scattered throughout the site. Approximately 0.38 acre (1,522 square meters), with an
estimated 70,000 individuals were mapped. The tarplant is growing particularly densely within the
large polygons mapped along the eastern boundary (Figure 2).
Appendix D lists the special-status plant species reported in the USGS 7.5-minute Torrance
quadrangles and the surrounding six topographic quadrangles resulting from a CNDDB and CNPS
search (CDFW 2019; CNPS 2019). This appendix analyzes each of these special-status species’
occurrence or potential to occur based on known range, habitat associations, preferred soil substrate,
life form, elevation, and blooming period. There are no special-status plant species with a moderate or
high potential to occur within the Project site, other than the observed southern tarplant. These species
are not further analyzed in this BTR because no direct, indirect, or cumulative impacts are expected.
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5.3.2 Special-Status Wildlife Species
Endangered, rare, or threatened wildlife species, as defined in CEQA Guidelines, Section 15380(b)
(14 CCR 15000 et seq.), are referred to as “special-status wildlife species” and, as used in this
report, include (1) endangered or threatened wildlife species recognized in the context of the CESA
and ESA; (2) California Species of Special Concern (SSC), as designated by the CDFG (2011);
(3) mammals and birds that are fully protected (FP) species, as described in Fish and Game Code,
Sections 4700 and 3511.
No special-status wildlife species were detected during the surveys conducted in July and August
2019. Appendix E list occurrences of special-status wildlife species reported in the USGS 7.5-
minute Torrance quadrangles, as well as the surrounding six topographic quadrangles resulting
from a CNDDB search (CDFW 2019). These appendices also analyze each of these special-status
species’ occurrences or potential to occur based on known range, habitat associations, and
elevation. No special-status wildlife species were determined to have a moderate or higher
potential to occur; thus, these species are not further analyzed in this BTR because no direct,
indirect, or cumulative impacts are expected.
5.3.3 Critical Habitat
There is no USFWS-designated critical habitat for listed wildlife species within the project site
(USFWS 2019a). The closest mapped critical habitat, western snowy plover final critical habitat
Unit 21 Subunit D, is approximately 3 miles to the west of the Project site. The next closest critical
habitat. The next closest critical habitat, coastal California gnatcatcher final critical habitat Unit 8
Palos Verde Peninsula Sub-region, is located approximately 3.7 miles south of the Project site
(USFWS 2019a). Suitable habitat for these species do not occur within the Project site.
5.4 Wildlife Corridors and Habitat Linkages
Wildlife corridors are linear features that connect large patches of natural open space and provide
avenues for dispersal or migration of animals, as well as dispersal of plants (e.g., via wildlife
vectors). Wildlife corridors contribute to population viability by assuring continual exchange of
genes between populations, providing access to adjacent habitat areas for foraging and mating,
and providing routes for recolonization of habitat after local extirpation or ecological
catastrophes (e.g., fires).
Habitat linkages are small patches that join larger blocks of habitat and help reduce the adverse
effects of habitat fragmentation. They serve as connections between habitat patches and help
reduce the adverse effects of habitat fragmentation. Although individual animals may not move
through a habitat linkage, the linkage is a potential route for gene flow and long-term dispersal.
Habitat linkages may serve both as habitat and avenues of gene flow for small animals such as
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reptiles, amphibians, and rodents. Habitat linkages may be represented by continuous patches of
habitat or by nearby habitat “islands” that function as stepping stones for dispersal and movement
(especially for birds and flying insects). Wildlife corridors and habitat linkages provide avenues for
dispersal or migration of animals that also contribute to population viability in several ways,
including (1) ensuring continual exchange of genes between populations to aid in maintaining
genetic diversity, (2) providing habitat for some species, (3) providing access to adjacent habitat
areas representing additional territory for foraging and mating, (4) allowing for a greater carrying
capacity, and (5) providing routes for colonization of habitat lands following local population
extinctions or habitat recovery from ecological catastrophes.
Potential habitat linkages and wildlife movement corridors in the general area of the property
boundary are determined based on a review of available aerial photography and mapping of the
Project site and adjacent watersheds in the surrounding area, an evaluation of the habitat types and
wildlife distribution associated with the property boundary and surrounding areas, and a review of
wildlife species known or expected to use these habitats.
The Project site does not reside within any designated wildlife corridors or habitat linkages
identified in the South Coast Missing Linkages analysis conducted by South Coast Wildlands
(2008).
The Project site does not function as a designated wildlife corridor or habitat linkage and is not
expected to impact designated wildlife corridors or habitat linkages. The eastern portion of the
Santa Monica Mountains Connection wildlife linkage is approximately 20 miles north of the
property boundary and the western portion of the Santa Ana-Palomar Connection is
approximately 36 miles to the east of the property boundary. The Project site provides no habitat
connectivity with either of these linkages. No wildlife movement sign was observed in the
Project site during biological surveys and because the Project is surrounded by dense urban
development, it is not expected to prohibit wildlife movement to large open space areas or to
natural features.
Heavy traffic, human activity, and non-natural land covers on and adjacent to the property
boundary, including the proposed Project development footprint, likely inhibit frequent use of,
and movement through, the area by wildlife that are relatively intolerant of urban development
and intensive human activities This includes mountain lion (Puma concolor), bobcat (Felis
rufus), mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus), and American badger (Taxidea taxus). Other common
urban-tolerant species such coyote (Canis latrans) and raccoon, however, may still use the
property boundary for local movement. Therefore, the proposed Project activities would not
result in impacts to linkages or contribute to habitat fragmentation.
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5.5 Jurisdictional Delineation
Hydrology and vegetation were examined throughout the study area during the site visit to identify
potential wetland sites and/or non-wetland waters (i.e., drainages, channels, etc.), though an
official Jurisdictional Delineation was not performed. No jurisdictional wetlands or non-wetland
waters were identified within the Project site. Additionally, no wetland types identified in the
National Wetlands Inventory were identified within the Project site (USFWS 2019b).
5.6 Regional Resource Planning Context
The proposed Project does not occur within any adopted HCPs, NCCP, or any other approved
local, regional, or state habitat conservation plans. The City of Torrance General Plan provides
goals, policies, and design criteria intended to guide expansion of the City of Torrance as a truly
distinctive place. The general guiding principles will guide all decisions made to implement the
Torrance General Plan through established benchmarks used to measure decisions related to
community values and desires (City of Torrance 2010).
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6 PROJECT IMPACTS
This section defines the types of impacts that would occur as a result of Project implementation,
including direct permanent impacts, direct temporary impacts, and indirect impacts.
Impacts were determined and quantified by digitally overlaying the limits of development
provided by the Client onto the biological resources map, as shown in Figure 3, Project Impacts
on Biological Resources. The proposed Project involves the development of a warehouse complex
composed of two warehouse buildings and a surrounding parking lot. The development is proposed
to encompass the entire 20.72-acre property, part of which is already partially developed with an
existing parking lot and paved access road.
6.1 Definition of Impacts
This section defines the types of impacts that would occur as a result of Project implementation,
including direct permanent impacts, direct temporary impacts, and indirect impacts.
6.1.1 Direct Permanent Impacts
Direct permanent impacts refer to the absolute and permanent physical loss of a biological resource
due to clearing, grading, and/or construction of structures, which can be determined in four ways:
(1) permanent loss of vegetation communities, land covers, and general wildlife and their habitat;
(2) permanent loss of or harm to individuals of special-status plant and wildlife species; (3)
permanent loss of suitable habitat for special-status species; and (4) permanent loss of wildlife
movement and habitat connectivity.
6.1.2 Direct Temporary Impacts
Direct temporary impacts refer to a temporal loss of vegetation communities and land covers
resulting from vegetation and land cover clearing. The main criterion for direct temporary impacts
is that impacts would occur for a short period of time and would be reversible.
6.1.3 Indirect Impacts
Indirect impacts are reasonably foreseeable effects caused by Project implementation on remaining
or adjacent biological resources outside the direct construction disturbance zone that may occur
during construction (i.e., short-term construction related indirect impacts) or later in time as a
result of the development (i.e., long-term, or operational, indirect impacts).
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6.1.4 Explanation of Findings of Significance
Impacts to sensitive vegetation communities or riparian habitat, special-status plant species,
special-status wildlife species, wildlife corridors and habitat connectivity, and regional resource
planning must be analyzed to determine whether such impacts are significant. CEQA Guidelines
Section 15064(b) states that an ironclad definition of “significant” effect is not possible because
the significance of an activity may vary with the setting. However, CEQA Guidelines Section
15065(a) lists impacts that are helpful in defining whether a project may have a significant effect
on the environment. Mandatory findings of significance, which require preparation of an EIR,
occur when there is substantial evidence that a project could: (1) substantially degrade the quality
of the environment, (2) substantially reduce the habitat of a fish or wildlife species, (3) cause a
fish or wildlife population to drop below self-sustaining levels, (4) threaten to eliminate a plant or
animal community, or (5) reduce the number or restrict the range of a rare or endangered plant or
animal.
The following are the significance thresholds for biological resources provided in the CEQA
Appendix G environmental checklist, which states that a project would potentially have a
significant effect if it:
Impact BIO-1. Would the project have a substantial adverse effect, either directly or
through habitat modifications, on any species identified as being a candidate, sensitive, or
special-status species in local or regional plans, policies, or regulations, or by CDFW or
USFWS?
Impact BIO-2. Would the project have a substantial adverse effect on any riparian habitat
or other sensitive natural community identified in local or regional plans, policies, or
regulations, or by CDFW or USFWS?
Impact BIO-3. Would the project have a substantial adverse effect on federally protected
wetlands as defined by Section 404 of the Clean Water Act (including but not limited to
marsh, vernal pool, coastal, etc.) through direct removal, filling, hydrological interruption,
or other means?
Impact BIO-4. Would the project interfere substantially with the movement of any native
resident or migratory fish or wildlife species or with established native resident or
migratory wildlife corridors, or impedes the use of native wildlife nursery sites?
Impact BIO-5. Would the project conflict with any local policies or ordinances protecting
biological resources, such as a tree preservation policy or ordinance?
Impact BIO-6. Would the project conflict with the provisions of an adopted habitat
conservation plan, natural community conservation plan, or other approved local, regional,
or state habitat conservation plan?
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The evaluation of whether or not an impact to a particular biological resource is significant must
consider both the resource itself and the role of that resource in a regional context. Substantial
impacts are those that contribute to, or result in, permanent loss of an important resource, such as
a population of a rare plant or animal. Impacts may be important locally because they result in an
adverse alteration of existing site conditions but considered not significant because they do not
contribute substantially to the permanent loss of that resource regionally. The severity of an impact
and the offsetting benefits of mitigation are the primary determinants of whether or not that impact
can be mitigated to a less-than-significant level.
6.2 Impacts to Special-Status Species
6.2.1 Impacts to Special-Status Plant Species
One special-status plant species, southern tarplant (CRPR 1B.1), was identified and mapped within
the Project site (Figure 2). Approximately 70,000 southern tarplants were recorded in August 2019
within the Project site. Because counts of flowering individuals only provide a relative estimate of
the total population and can vary widely from year to year, the direct impact analysis is based on
the cumulative occupied acreage for this species.
Direct Impacts
A total of 0.38-acre of occupied habitat for southern tarplant has been mapped within the Project
site, all of which would be permanently impacted as a result of the Project; therefore, impacts to
this species would be considered significant absent mitigation. No temporary direct or temporary
direct impacts are expected. Project implementation of MM-BIO-1 (i.e., preservation of on-site
lands or acquisition and preservation of offsite lands, and the preparation and implementation
salvage, relocation, and/or propagation for the species) would reduce potential direct impacts to a
less-than-significant level.
6.2.1 Impacts to Special-Status Wildlife Species
No special-status wildlife species were detected during the surveys conducted in July and August
2019. Additionally, the site is surrounded by dense development on all sides, lacking habitat to
support special-status wildlife species. The only vegetation present within the Project site is limited
to ruderal vegetation within disturbed habitat and ornamental vegetation. However, these
vegetation could support nesting by bird species.
Direct Impacts
No nesting birds were observed during the field surveys; however, trees and shrubs within the
Project site provide suitable nesting habitat for bird species protected under the MBTA (16 USC
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703-712) and California Fish and Game Code Sections 3503.5, 3503, and 3513. Removal of trees
and shrubs may occur as a result of construction of the Project, and could disrupt breeding activity.
There would be no direct temporary impacts; however, there may be a potential for a direct
permanent impact to occur to nesting birds (i.e., direct impacts to individuals, active nests, eggs,
or young), particularly during the general nesting season of February 1 through August 31.
Construction activities that could result in direct impacts to nesting birds include vegetation and
tree removal during grading activities, which would be considered significant, absent mitigation.
Project implementation of MM-BIO-2 (i.e., seasonal recommendations, pre-construction survey,
avoidance buffers, and monitoring) would reduce potential direct impacts to a less-than-significant
level.
Indirect Impacts
Noise generated by construction activities, including vegetation removal and grading, that are
conducted during the avian breeding season (February 1 through August 31), could result in indirect
impacts to nesting birds. Noise related to these activities has the potential to disrupt reproductive and
feeding activities. Under the MBTA and California Fish and Game Code Sections 3503.5, 3503, and
3513, indirect impacts to individual special-status and native birds, active nests, or the young of
nesting special-status and native bird species would be considered significant, absent mitigation.
Project implementation of MM-BIO-2 (i.e., seasonal recommendations, pre-construction survey,
avoidance buffers, and monitoring) would reduce potential direct impacts to a less-than-significant
level.
6.3 Impacts to Vegetation Communities and Land Covers
The Project site does not support any sensitive vegetation communities. The Project site is entirely
composed of urban/developed land, disturbed habitat, and ornamental vegetation, none of which
are recognized as a sensitive vegetation community. As such, implementation of the proposed
Project would not result in temporary or permanent direct impacts to sensitive vegetation
communities and no avoidance or mitigation measures are recommended.
6.4 Impacts to Jurisdictional Waters
No jurisdictional wetlands or non-wetland waters occur within the proposed development
footprint. Therefore, no direct or indirect impacts to jurisdictional waters and/or wetlands would
occur, and no avoidance or mitigation measures are required.
6.5 Impacts to Wildlife Corridors and Habitat Connectivity
The proposed Project development footprint does not function as a wildlife corridor or habitat
linkage and does not occur within any designated wildlife corridors of habitat linkages. Therefore,
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direct, indirect, or cumulative impacts to wildlife corridors and habitat connectivity are not
anticipated.
6.6 Impacts to Regional Resource Planning
The Project site does not occur within any adopted HCPs, NCCPs, or any other approved local,
regional or state habitat conservation plans; therefore, there are no conflicts with any adopted
HCPs and/or NCCPs. The Project is within an area zoned as Heavy Manufacturing (M-2) within
the City of Torrance Property Zoning Map (City of Torrance 2015). The General Plan land use
designation is Light Industrial (I-LT) (City of Torrance 2010). The proposed Project development
is anticipated to be consistent with the City of Torrance General Plan. Additionally, the proposed
Project would not remove any protected trees as defined within the City of Torrance Tree
Ordinance. Therefore, conflicts to regional resource planning are not anticipated to occur.
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INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK
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7 MITIGATION
The following mitigation measures shall be implemented during the proposed Project to reduce
the significant impacts identified in Chapter 6 to a less-than-significant level.
7.1 Impact to Special-Status Species
Significant direct and indirect impacts to special-status species can be mitigated to less than
significant with implementation of the following measures:
MM-BIO-1 Direct Impacts to Special-status Plants
Offsite land Acquisition and Preservation. As currently designed, the Project
will impact the entire population of southern tarplant on site. If the Project
cannot be modified to avoid or minimize impacts to the species, then offsite
land with similar habitat in the range of the species shall be identified and
purchased. The purchase lands shall designated as an open space preserve and
placed within a protective easement for conservation purposes, such as a
restrictive covenant or conservation easement. Signage and fencing shall be
provided at perimeter locations. Fencing design shall be developed to promote
safety of life and property, prevent unauthorized access by pedestrians and
vehicles into sensitive areas, and allow limited passage for wildlife species in
the local area.
On-site Preservation. If the Project can be modified to avoid or minimize
impacts to southern tarplant, then the Project shall compensate the loss of the
species and associated habitat through on-site restoration, creation, and
preservation of a minimum of 0.38 acres (1:1). The preserved portion of the site
shall be designated as open space preserve and placed within a protective
easement for conservation purposes, such as a restrictive covenant or
conservation easement. Signage and fencing shall be provided at perimeter
locations. Fencing design shall be developed to promote safety of life and
property, prevent unauthorized access by pedestrians and vehicles into sensitive
areas, and allow limited passage for wildlife species in the local area.
Prepare and Implement Plan for Salvage, Relocation, and/or Propagation
of Special-Status Plant Species. A qualified botanist will prepare a plan before
the start of ground-disturbing activities to address monitoring, salvage,
relocation, and propagation of special-status plant species. The relocation or
propagation of plants and seeds will be performed at a suitable mitigation site
approved by the City of Torrance, and as appropriate per species.
Documentation will include provisions that address the techniques, locations,
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and procedures required for the successful establishment of the plant
populations. The plan will include provisions for performance that address
survivability requirements, maintenance, monitoring, implementation, and the
annual reporting requirements.
MM-BIO-2 Direct and Indirect Impacts to Nesting Birds
Nesting Bird Avoidance. Initiation of construction activities (i.e., initial
vegetation clearing) should avoid the migratory bird nesting season (February
1 through August 31), to reduce any potential significant impact to birds that
may be nesting on the Project site. If construction activities must be initiated
during the migratory bird-nesting season, an avian nesting survey of the Project
site and contiguous habitat within 500 feet of all impact areas must be
conducted for protected migratory birds and active nests. The avian nesting
survey shall be performed by a qualified wildlife biologist within 72 hours prior
to the start of construction in accordance with the Migratory Bird Treaty Act
(16 USC 703–712) and California Fish and Game Code Sections 3503, 3503.5,
and 3513.
If an active bird nest is found, the nest shall be flagged and mapped on the
construction plans along with an appropriate no disturbance buffer, which will
be determined by the biologist based on the species’ sensitivity to disturbance
(typically 50 feet for common, urban-adapted species, 300 feet for other
passerine species, and 500 feet for raptors and special-status species). The nest
area shall be avoided until the nest is vacated and the juveniles have fledged.
The nest area shall be demarcated in the field with flagging and stakes or
construction fencing. A qualified biologist (with the ability to stop work) shall
serve as a construction monitor during those periods when construction
activities will occur near active nest areas to ensure that no inadvertent impacts
on these nests occur.
7.7 Level of Significance After Mitigation
Implementation of the mitigation measures will reduce potential impacts from the implementation
of the Project on sensitive biological resources to below a level of significance.
A population of one special-status plant species (southern tarplant) is found on the Project site.
Construction of the Project could cause direct mortality of the species MM-BIO-1 requires the
preservation of on-site lands or acquisition and preservation of offsite lands, and the preparation
and implementation salvage, relocation, and/or propagation for the species. Direct impacts to
southern tarplant would be less than significant with implementation of MM-BIO-1.
Biological Resources Technical Report for the Prairie Avenue Project
12075 31 September 2019
Construction activities associated with the proposed project could result in a loss of suitable habitat
or direct take of birds, and are considered significant. MM-BIO-4 requires nesting bird surveys
within 300 feet (500 feet for raptors) of the proposed impact areas and if active nests are found,
the biologist shall establish buffers and/or implement monitoring to avoid impacting avian nesting
success. Potential direct impacts to protected nesting birds would be less than significant with
implementation of MM-BIO-2.
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12075 33 September 2019
8 REFERENCES
ACOE (U.S. Army Corps of Engineers). 1987. Corps of Engineers Wetlands Delineation
Manual. Online ed. Environmental Laboratory, Wetlands Research Program Technical
Report Y-87-1. Vicksburg, Mississippi: U.S. Army Engineer Waterways Experiment
Station. January 1987.
ACOE. 2008a. A Field Guide to the Identification of the Ordinary High Water Mark (OHWM) in
the Arid West Region of the Western United States, A Delineation Manual. Cold Region
Research and Environmental Laboratory, ERDC/CRREL TR-08-12. Hanover, New
Hampshire: U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center. August 2008.
ACOE. 2008b. Regional Supplement to the Corps of Engineers Wetland Delineation Manual:
Arid West Region (Version 2.0). Final Version. Environmental Laboratory, ERDC/EL
TR-08-28. Vicksburg, Mississippi: U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development
Center. Accessed August 2019. http://www.usace.army.mil/Portals/2/docs/civilworks/
regulatory/reg_supp/trel08-28.pdf.
AOU (American Ornithologists’ Union). 2019. AOU Checklist of North American Birds
(Online). American Ornithological Society. Accessed August 2019.
http://checklist.aou.org/taxa.
Bing Maps. 2019. Aerial photograph. 1:200-scale. Accessed August 2019.
https://www.bing.com/maps
California Department of Water Resources. 2016 California’s Groundwater Bulletin 118-interim
update. Accessed August 2019. https://water.ca.gov/Programs/Groundwater-
Management/Bulletin-118.
CDFW (California Department of Fish and Wildlife). 2018. Natural Communities List. Accessed
August 2019. https://www.wildlife.ca.gov/Data/VegCAMP/Natural-Communities.
CDFW. 2019a. California Natural Diversity Database. Accessed August 2019.
https://www.wildlife.ca.gov/Data/CNDDB.
CDFW. 2019b. “State and Federally Listed Endangered and Threatened Animals of California.”
California Natural Diversity Database. CDFW, Biogeographic Data Branch.
https://nrm.dfg.ca.gov/FileHandler.ashx?DocumentID=109405.
Biological Resources Technical Report for the Prairie Avenue Project
12075 34 September 2019
City of Torrance. 2010. City of Torrance General Plan. Land Use Element and Community
Resources Element. Adopted April 6, 2010. Accessed August 2019.
http://www.torranceca.gov/8691.htm.
City of Torrance. 2015. City of Torrance Property Zoning Map. Adopted July 2015. Accessed
August 2019. http://www.torranceca.gov/PDF/Zoning2015.pdf.
CNPS (California Native Plant Society). 2019. Inventory of Rare and Endangered Plants (online
edition, v8-03 0.45). Sacramento, California: CNPS. Accessed August 2019.
www.rareplants.cnps.org.
County of Los Angeles. 2004. “Soil Types” [GIS data]. Los Angeles County GIS Data Portal.
Accessed August 2019. https://egis3.lacounty.gov/dataportal/.
Crother, B.I. 2008. Scientific and Standard English Names of Amphibians and Reptiles of North
America North of Mexico, with Comments Regarding Confidence in our Understanding,
edited by J.J. Moriarty. 7th ed. Society for the Study of Amphibians and Reptiles
(SSAR); Herpetological Circular, no. 37. January 2008.
Google. 2019. Google Earth (desktop application). Accessed August 2019.
https://www.google.com/earth/
Jepson Flora Project. 2019. Jepson eFlora. Berkeley, California: University of California. Accessed
August 2019. http://ucjeps.berkeley.edu/interchange/index.html.
RWQCB (Regional Water Quality Control Board). 1994. Water Quality Control Plan: Los
Angeles Region. Adopted by California Regional Water Quality Control Board, Los
Angeles Region on June 13, 1994. Approved by State Water Resources Control Board on
November 17, 1994, and State Office of Administrative Law on February 23, 1995.
Sawyer, John O., Todd Keeler-Wolf, and Julie Evens. 2009. A Manual of California Vegetation.
2nd edition. Sacramento, California: California Native Plant Society.
South Coast Wildlands. 2008. South Coast Missing Linkages: A Wildland Network for the South
Coast Ecoregion. Produced in cooperation with partners in the South Coast Missing
Linkages Initiative. Accessed August 2019. http://www.scwildlands.org.
USDA (U.S. Department of Agriculture). 2019. “California.” State PLANTS Checklist.
Accessed August 2019. http://plants.usda.gov/dl_state.html.
USDA NRCS. 2017. Supplement to the soil survey of Los Angeles County, California,
Southeastern Part. Accessed August 12, 2019. Accessed August 2019.
Biological Resources Technical Report for the Prairie Avenue Project
12075 35 September 2019
https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_
MANUSCRIPTS/california/losangelesCA2017_SE_supp/Supplement_LA_County_CA_
SE_Part.pdf
USFWS. 2019a. Critical Habitat and Occurrence Data. Accessed August 2019.
http://www.fws.gov/data.
USFWS. 2019b. National Wetlands Inventory. Accessed August 2019.
https://www.fws.gov/wetlands/data/mapper.html
USGS (U.S. Geological Survey). 1981. [USGS 7.5-minute topographic quadrangles were
reviewed for potential habitat and jurisdictional resources—7.5-minute Torrance
quadrangle maps].
USGS. 2019. National Hydrography Dataset. The National Hydrologic Database. Reston,
Virginia: U.S. Geological Survey. Accessed August 2019. http://nhd.usgs.gov/.
WRCC (Western Regional Climate Center). 2016. Torrance AP, California (048973) Mean
Annual Precipitation. Accessed August 2019. http://www.wrcc.dri.edu/cgi-
bin/cliMAIN.pl?ca8973.
Wilson, D.E., and D.M. Reeder, eds. 2005. Mammal Species of the World: A Taxonomic and
Geographic Reference. 3rd ed. Baltimore, Maryland: Johns Hopkins University Press.
Accessed August 2019. http://www.bucknell.edu/msw3/.
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Project LocationPrairie Avenue Project
SOURCE: USGS 7.5-Minute Quadrangle, Torrance CA
0 53,00026,500 Feetn
Project Boundary
FIGURE 1
MapExtent
HuntingtonBeach
Seal Beach
Lakewood
Lakewood
Long Beach
Carson
Torrance
ManhattanBeach
BellflowerGardena Compton
ElSegundo NorwalkHawthorne Lynwood
South Gate DowneySanta FeSprings
Bell GardensInglewood
HuntingtonPark Maywood
WhittierCommercePico
Rivera
Culver City MontebelloMalibu Monterey Park
Palos VerdesEstates
Redondo Beach
Santa Monica
Los Angeles
Los AngelesL o s A n g e l e sC o u n t y
ÄÆ90
ÄÆ47
ÄÆ103ÄÆ22
ÄÆ2
ÄÆ107
ÄÆ187ÄÆ72
ÄÆ213
ÄÆ60
ÄÆ19
ÄÆ91
ÄÆ1
§̈¦5
§̈¦710
§̈¦10
§̈¦605
§̈¦105
§̈¦405
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Biological ResourcesPrairie Avenue Project
SOURCE: Bing Maps, Open Street Map
0 17587.5 Feetn
Project BoundaryVegetation Communities/Land Covers
DH - Disturbed HabitatORN - Parks and Ornamental PlantingsDEV - Urban/Developed
Rare Plant Observationssouthern tarplant
FIGURE 2
Biological Resources Technical Report for the Prairie Avenue Project
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Project Impacts on Biological ResourcesPrairie Avenue Project
SOURCE: Bing Maps, Open Street Map
0 17587.5 Feetn
Proposed Project Development FootprintVegetation Communities/Land Covers
DH - Disturbed HabitatORN - Parks and Ornamental PlantingsDEV - Urban/Developed
Rare Plant Observationssouthern tarplant
FIGURE 3
Biological Resources Technical Report for the Prairie Avenue Project
12075 42 September 2019
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APPENDIX A Site Photos
INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK
APPENDIX A Site Photos
12075 A-1 September 2019
Photo 1: Facing north along eastern boundary of the Project site toward disturbed lot in the northern portion of the Project site.
Photo 2: Facing northwest toward existing parking lot located in the southern and western portion of the Project site.
Photo 3: Facing northeast toward ornamental
vegetation within the southeastern portion of the
Project site.
Photo 4: Facing northwest toward previous
location of petrochemical storage tanks within the
central portion of the Project site.
APPENDIX A (Continued)
12075 A-2 September 2019
Photo 5: Southern tarplant (Centromadia parryi ssp. australis) within disturbed habitat on the eastern side of the Project Site.
Photo 6: Southern tarplant (Centromadia parryi ssp. australis) within disturbed habitat on the eastern side of the Project Site.
Photo 7: Southern tarplant (Centromadia parryi
ssp. australis) within disturbed habitat in the
central portion of the Project Site.
Photo 8: Southern tarplant (Centromadia parryi
ssp. australis) within disturbed habitat in the
northern portion of the Project Site.
APPENDIX B Plant Compendium
INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK
APPENDIX B Plant Compendium
12075 B-1 September 2019
EUDICOTS
VASCULAR SPECIES
AMARANTHACEAE - AMARANTH FAMILY
* Amaranthus albus – prostrate pigweed
ASTERACEAE - SUNFLOWER FAMILY
Baccharis salicifolia - mulefat
Baccharis sarothroides - desertbroom
Centromadia parryi ssp. australis - southern tarplant
* Cotula australis - Australian waterbuttons
* Erigeron bonariensis - asthmaweed
Erigeron Canadensis - Canadian horseweed
Helianthus annuus - common sunflower
Heterotheca grandiflora - telegraphweed
* Hypochaeris glabra - smooth cat's ear
* Lactuca serriola - prickly lettuce
* Pseudognaphalium luteoalbum - Jersey cudweed
* Senecio vulgaris - old-man-in-the-spring
* Sonchus asper - spiny sowthistle
* Sonchus oleraceus - common sowthistle
Stephanomeria exigua - small wirelettuce
Stephanomeria virgate - rod wirelettuce
BRASSICACEAE - MUSTARD FAMILY
* Hirschfeldia incana - shortpod mustard
* Raphanus sativus - cultivated radish
CACTACEAE - CACTUS FAMILY
* Opuntia ficus-indica - Barbary fig
CHENOPODIACEAE - GOOSEFOOT FAMILY
Atriplex lentiformis - quailbush
* Chenopodium album - lambsquarters
* Salsola tragus - prickly Russian thistle
CUCURBITACEAE - GOURD FAMILY
* Citrullus lanatus var. citroides - watermelon
APPENDIX B (Continued)
12075 B-2 September 2019
EUPHORBIACEAE - SPURGE FAMILY
Euphorbia albomarginata - whitemargin sandmat
FABACEAE - LEGUME FAMILY
* Acacia cyclops - coastal wattle
Acmispon americanus - Spanish clover
Acmispon glaber - deer weed
* Melilotus albus - yellow sweetclover
* Melilotus indicus - annual yellow sweetclover
MALVACEAE - MALLOW FAMILY
* Malva parviflora - cheeseweed mallow
* Malva pseudolavatera - Cornish mallow
MYRTACEAE - MYRTLE FAMILY
* Eucalyptus polyanthemos - redbox
* Melaleuca citrina - crimson bottlebrush
POLYGONACEAE - BUCKWHEAT FAMILY
* Rumex crispus - curly dock
SOLANACEAE - NIGHTSHADE FAMILY
* Nicotiana glauca - tree tobacco
Solanum americanum - American black nightshade
VERBENACEAE - VERVAIN FAMILY
* Lantana camara - lantana
ZYGOPHYLLACEAE - CALTROP FAMILY
* Tribulus terrestris - puncturevine
MONOCOTS
VASCULAR SPECIES
ARECACEAE - PALM FAMILY
* Washingtonia robusta - Washington fan palm
CYPERACEAE - SEDGE FAMILY
* Cyperus involucratus - umbrella plant
APPENDIX B (Continued)
12075 B-3 September 2019
POACEAE - GRASS FAMILY
* Avena sp. - oats
* Bromus catharticus - rescuegrass
* Bromus madritensis ssp. rubens - red brome
* Bromus tectorum - cheatgrass
* Cortaderia selloana - Uruguayan pampas grass
* Digitaria ciliaris - southern crabgrass
* Festuca myuros - rat-tail fescue
* Festuca perennis - perennial rye grass
* Hordeum murinum - mouse barley
* Pennisetum setaceum - fountain grass
* Phalaris minor - littleseed canarygrass
* Polypogon monspeliensis - annual rabbitsfoot grass
* Stipa miliacea var. miliacea - smilograss
* signifies introduced (non-native) species
APPENDIX B (Continued)
12075 B-4 September 2019
INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK
APPENDIX C Wildlife Compendium
INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK
APPENDIX C Wildlife Compendium
12075 C-1 September 2019
BIRD
FALCONS
FALCONIIDAE – CARACARAS & FALCONS
Falco sparverius - American kestrel
FINCHES
FRINGILLIDAE - FRINGILLINE AND CARDUELINE FINCHES AND ALLIES
Haemorhous mexicanus - house finch
FLYCATCHERS
TYRANNIDAE - TYRANT FLYCATCHERS
Sayornis nigricans - black phoebe
Tyrannus verticalis - western kingbird
HUMMINGBIRDS
TROCHILIDAE - HUMMINGBIRDS
Calypte anna - Anna’s hummingbird
Selasphorus sasin - Allen's hummingbird
JAYS, MAGPIES AND CROWS
CORVIDAE - CROWS AND JAYS
Corvus brachyrhynchos - American crow
PIGEONS & DOVES
COLUMBIDAE - PIGEONS & DOVES
Zenaida macroura - mourning dove
* Columba livia - rock pigeon (rock dove)
SWALLOWS
HIRUNDINIDAE - SWALLOWS
Hirundo rustica - barn swallow
Petrochelidon pyrrhonota - cliff swallow
APPENDIX C (Continued)
12075 C-2 September 2019
NEW WORLD SPARROWS
PASSERELLIDAE - NEW WORLD SPARROWS
Melozone crissalis - California towhee
WEAVERS
PLOCEIDAE - WEAVERS
* Euplectes franciscanus - Northern red bishop
REPTILE
LIZARDS
PHRYNOSOMATIDAE - IGUANID LIZARDS
Sceloporus occidentalis - western fence lizard
APPENDIX D Special-Status Plant Species Potential to
Occur within the Project Site
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APPENDIX D Special-Status Plant Species Potential to Occur within the Project Site
12075 D-1 September 2019
Scientific Name Common
Name Status1
(Federal/State/CRPR)
Primary Habitat Associations/ Life Form/ Blooming Period/ Elevation
Range (feet) Potential to Occur2
Aphanisma blitoides
aphanisma None/None/1B.2 Coastal bluff scrub, Coastal dunes, Coastal scrub; sandy or gravelly/annual herb/Feb–June/0–1000
Not expected to occur. The Project site lacks suitable habitat for this species. Additionally, the site does not contain suitable sandy or gravelly soils for this species.
Astragalus pycnostachyus var. lanosissimus
Ventura marsh milk-vetch
FE/SE/1B.1 Coastal dunes, Coastal scrub, Marshes and swamps (edges, coastal salt or brackish)/perennial herb/(June)Aug–Oct/0–115
Not expected to occur. The Project site lacks suitable habitat for this species. Additionally, this species was not observed during the focused special-status plant survey conducted within its blooming period in August 2019.
Astragalus tener var. titi
coastal dunes milk-vetch
FE/SE/1B.1 Coastal bluff scrub (sandy), Coastal dunes, Coastal prairie (mesic); often vernally mesic areas/annual herb/Mar–May/0–165
Not expected to occur. The Project site lacks suitable habitat for this species. Additionally, the species occurrences located within the vicinity2 of the Project site are considered extirpated (CNPS 2019).
Atriplex coulteri Coulter's saltbush
None/None/1B.2 Coastal bluff scrub, Coastal dunes, Coastal scrub, Valley and foothill grassland; alkaline or clay/perennial herb/Mar–Oct/5–1510
Not expected to occur. The Project site lacks suitable habitat for this species. Additionally, this species was not observed during the focused special-status plant survey conducted within its blooming period in August 2019.
Atriplex pacifica South Coast saltscale
None/None/1B.2 Coastal bluff scrub, Coastal dunes, Coastal scrub, Playas/annual herb/Mar–Oct/0–460
Not expected to occur. The Project site lacks suitable habitat for this species. Additionally, this species was not observed during the focused special-status plant survey conducted within its blooming period in August 2019.
Atriplex parishii Parish's brittlescale
None/None/1B.1 Chenopod scrub, Playas, Vernal pools; alkaline/annual herb/June–Oct/80–6235
Low potential to occur. The Project site is dominated by disturbed or developed habitat that does not support this species. Additionally, this species was not observed during the focused special-status plant survey conducted within its blooming period in August 2019.
Atriplex serenana var. davidsonii
Davidson's saltscale
None/None/1B.2 Coastal bluff scrub, Coastal scrub; alkaline/annual herb/Apr–Oct/30–655
Not expected to occur. The Project site lacks suitable habitat for this species.
Centromadia parryi ssp. australis
southern tarplant
None/None/1B.1 Marshes and swamps (margins), Valley and foothill grassland (vernally mesic), Vernal pools/annual herb/May–Nov/0–1575
Present. This species was observed within disturbed areas of the Project site during surveys conducted for the Project, and is particularly densely populated in the eastern portion of the Project site.
APPENDIX D (Continued)
12075 D-2 September 2019
Scientific Name Common
Name Status1
(Federal/State/CRPR)
Primary Habitat Associations/ Life Form/ Blooming Period/ Elevation
Range (feet) Potential to Occur2
Centromadia pungens ssp. laevis
smooth tarplant None/None/1B.1 Chenopod scrub, Meadows and seeps, Playas, Riparian woodland, Valley and foothill grassland; alkaline/annual herb/Apr–Sep/0–2100
Not expected to occur. The Project site lacks suitable habitat for this species. Additionally, this species was not observed during the focused special-status plant survey conducted within its blooming period in August 2019.
Chaenactis glabriuscula var. orcuttiana
Orcutt's pincushion
None/None/1B.1 Coastal bluff scrub (sandy), Coastal dunes/annual herb/Jan–Aug/0–330
Not expected to occur. The Project site lacks suitable habitat for this species.
Chenopodium littoreum
coastal goosefoot
None/None/1B.2 Coastal dunes/annual herb/Apr–Aug/30–100
Not expected to occur. The Project site lacks suitable habitat for this species.
Chloropyron maritimum ssp. maritimum
salt marsh bird's-beak
FE/SE/1B.2 Coastal dunes, Marshes and swamps (coastal salt)/annual herb (hemiparasitic)/May–Oct(Nov)/0–100
Not expected to occur. The Project site lacks suitable habitat for this species.
Chorizanthe parryi var. Fernandina
San Fernando Valley spineflower
FC/SE/1B.1 Coastal scrub (sandy), Valley and foothill grassland/annual herb/Apr–July/490–4005
Not expected to occur. The Project site lacks suitable habitat for this species and is located outside of the species’ known elevation range.
Crossosoma californicum
Catalina crossosoma
None/None/1B.2 Chaparral, Coastal scrub; rocky/perennial deciduous shrub/Feb–May/0–1640
Not expected to occur. The Project site lacks suitable habitat for this species.
Dithyrea maritima beach spectaclepod
None/ST/1B.1 Coastal dunes, Coastal scrub (sandy)/perennial rhizomatous herb/Mar–May/5–165
Not expected to occur. The Project site lacks suitable habitat for this species.
Dudleya multicaulis many-stemmed dudleya
None/None/1B.2 Chaparral, Coastal scrub, Valley and foothill grassland; often clay/perennial herb/Apr–July/45–2590
Not expected to occur. The Project site lacks suitable habitat for this species.
Dudleya virens ssp. insularis
island green dudleya
None/None/1B.2 Coastal bluff scrub, Coastal scrub; rocky/perennial herb/Apr–June/15–985
Not expected to occur. The Project site lacks suitable habitat for this species.
Eryngium aristulatum var. parishii
San Diego button-celery
FE/SE/1B.1 Coastal scrub, Valley and foothill grassland, Vernal pools; mesic/annual / perennial herb/Apr–June/65–2035
Low potential to occur. The Project site is dominated by disturbed or developed habitat that does not support this species.
Horkelia cuneata var. puberula
mesa horkelia None/None/1B.1 Chaparral (maritime), Cismontane woodland, Coastal scrub; sandy or gravelly/perennial herb/Feb–July(Sep)/225–2655
Not expected to occur. The site is outside of the species’ known elevation range.
APPENDIX D (Continued)
12075 D-3 September 2019
Scientific Name Common
Name Status1
(Federal/State/CRPR)
Primary Habitat Associations/ Life Form/ Blooming Period/ Elevation
Range (feet) Potential to Occur2
Isocoma menziesii var. decumbens
decumbent goldenbush
None/None/1B.2 Chaparral, Coastal scrub (sandy, often in disturbed areas)/perennial shrub/Apr–Nov/30–445
Not expected to occur. The Project site lacks suitable habitat for this species. Additionally, this species was not observed during the focused special-status plant survey conducted in August 2019; this species is a conspicuous perennial shrub that would have been detected, if present.
Lasthenia glabrata ssp. coulteri
Coulter's goldfields
None/None/1B.1 Marshes and swamps (coastal salt), Playas, Vernal pools/annual herb/Feb–June/0–4005
Low potential to occur. The Project site is dominated by disturbed or developed habitat that does not support this species. Additionally, this species was not observed during the general biological reconnaissance-level survey conducted in July 2019 or the focused special-status plant survey conducted in August 2019; this species is a distinctive herb that would have been detected shortly after its blooming period, if present.
Leptosyne maritima
sea dahlia None/None/2B.2 Coastal bluff scrub, Coastal scrub/perennial herb/Mar–May/15–490
Not expected to occur. The Project site lacks suitable habitat for this species.
Nama stenocarpa mud nama None/None/2B.2 Marshes and swamps (lake margins, riverbanks)/annual / perennial herb/Jan–July/15–1640
Low potential to occur. The Project site lacks suitable habitat for this species.
Navarretia fossalis spreading navarretia
FT/None/1B.1 Chenopod scrub, Marshes and swamps (assorted shallow freshwater), Playas, Vernal pools/annual herb/Apr–June/95–2150
Low potential to occur. The Project site is dominated by disturbed or developed habitat that does not support this species. Additionally, this species was not observed during the general biological reconnaissance-level survey conducted in July 2019 or the focused special-status plant survey conducted in August 2019; this species is a distinctive herb that would have been detected, if present.
Navarretia prostrata
prostrate vernal pool navarretia
None/None/1B.1 Coastal scrub, Meadows and seeps, Valley and foothill grassland (alkaline), Vernal pools; Mesic/annual herb/Apr–July/5–3970
Low potential to occur. The Project site is dominated by disturbed or developed habitat that does not support this species. Additionally, this species was not observed during the general biological reconnaissance-level survey conducted within its blooming period in July 2019.
Nemacaulis denudata var. denudate
coast woolly-heads
None/None/1B.2 Coastal dunes/annual herb/Apr–Sep/0–330
Not expected to occur. The Project site lacks suitable habitat for this species.
APPENDIX D (Continued)
12075 D-4 September 2019
Scientific Name Common
Name Status1
(Federal/State/CRPR)
Primary Habitat Associations/ Life Form/ Blooming Period/ Elevation
Range (feet) Potential to Occur2
Orcuttia californica California Orcutt grass
FE/SE/1B.1 Vernal pools/annual herb/Apr–Aug/45–2165
Low potential to occur. The Project site is dominated by disturbed or developed habitat that does not support this species. Additionally, this species was not observed during the focused special-status plant survey conducted within its blooming period in August 2019.
Pentachaeta lyonii Lyon's pentachaeta
FE/SE/1B.1 Chaparral (openings), Coastal scrub, Valley and foothill grassland; rocky, clay/annual herb/(Feb)Mar–Aug/95–2265
Low potential to occur. The Project site lacks suitable habitat for this species.
Phacelia stellaris Brand's star phacelia
None/None/1B.1 Coastal dunes, Coastal scrub/annual herb/Mar–June/0–1310
Not expected to occur. The Project site lacks suitable habitat for this species.
Potentilla multijuga Ballona cinquefoil
None/None/1A Meadows and seeps (brackish)/perennial herb/June–Aug/0–5
Low potential to occur. The Project site lacks suitable habitat for this species.
Sidalcea neomexicana
salt spring checkerbloom
None/None/2B.2 Chaparral, Coastal scrub, Lower montane coniferous forest, Mojavean desert scrub, Playas; alkaline, mesic/perennial herb/Mar–June/45–5020
Not expected to occur. The Project site lacks suitable habitat for this species.
Suaeda esteroa estuary seablite None/None/1B.2 Marshes and swamps (coastal salt)/perennial herb/(May)July–Oct(Jan)/0–15
Not expected to occur. The Project site lacks suitable habitat for this species.
Symphyotrichum defoliatum
San Bernardino aster
None/None/1B.2 Cismontane woodland, Coastal scrub, Lower montane coniferous forest, Meadows and seeps, Marshes and swamps, Valley and foothill grassland (vernally mesic); near ditches, streams, springs/perennial rhizomatous herb/July–Nov(Dec)/5–6695
Not expected to occur. The Project site lacks suitable habitat for this species.
APPENDIX D (Continued)
12075 D-5 September 2019
Notes: 1 Status abbreviations:
FE: Federally listed as endangered FT: Federally listed as threatened FC: Federal Candidate for listing CE: State listed as endangered CR: State Rare CRPR List 1A: Plants Presumed Extirpated in California and Either Rare or Extinct Elsewhere CRPR List 1B: Plants Rare, Threatened, or Endangered in California and Elsewhere CRPR List 2A: Plants Presumed Extirpated in California, But More Common Elsewhere CRPR List 2B: Plants Rare, Threatened, or Endangered in California, But More Common Elsewhere
.1 Seriously threatened in California (over 80% of occurrences threatened / high degree and immediacy of threat)
.2 Moderately threatened in California (20-80% occurrences threatened / moderate degree and immediacy of threat)
.3 Not very threatened in California (<20% of occurrences threatened / low degree and immediacy of threat or no current threats known) 2 Refers to records within the Torrance USGS 7.5-minute quadrangle (quad) and the six surrounding quads (Venice, Inglewood, South Gate, Redondo Beach, Long Beach, San Pedro).
References:
CCH (Consortium of California Herbaria). 2019. Data provided by the participants of the Consortium of California Herbaria. Accessed August 2019.
http://ucjeps.berkeley.edu/consortium/.
CDFW (California Department of Fish and Wildlife). 2019. RareFind, Version 5.2.14. California Natural Diversity Database (CNDDB). Accessed August 2019.
https://apps.wildlife.ca.gov/rarefind/view/RareFind.aspx
CNPS (California Native Plant Society). 2019. Inventory of Rare and Endangered Plants. Online ed. Version 8-03 0.45. Sacramento, California: CNPS. Accessed
August 2019. http://www.rareplants.cnps.org/advanced.html.
APPENDIX D (Continued)
12075 D-6 September 2019
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APPENDIX E Special-Status Wildlife Species Potential to Occur
within the Project Site
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APPENDIX E Special-Status Wildlife Species Potential to Occur within the Project Site
12075 E-1 September 2019
Scientific Name Common Name Status1
(Federal/State) Habitat Potential to Occur2
Reptiles
Actinemys marmorata western pond turtle
None/SSC Slow-moving permanent or intermittent streams, ponds, small lakes, and reservoirs with emergent basking sites; adjacent uplands used for nesting and during winter
Not expected to occur. The project site lacks suitable habitat required for this species.
Anniella stebbinsi southern California legless lizard
None/SSC Coastal dunes, stabilized dunes, beaches, dry washes, valley–foothill, chaparral, and scrubs; pine, oak, and riparian woodlands; associated with sparse vegetation and moist sandy or loose, loamy soils
Not expected to occur. The project site and surrounding area is primarily composed of heavily urbanized commercial and residential development, lacking native vegetation suitable to support this species.
Phrynosoma blainvillii Blainville's horned lizard
None/SSC Open areas of sandy soil in valleys, foothills, and semi-arid mountains including coastal scrub, chaparral, valley–foothill hardwood, conifer, riparian, pine–cypress, juniper, and annual grassland habitats
Not expected to occur. The project site lacks suitable habitat required for this species.
Birds
Agelaius tricolor
(nesting colony)
tricolored blackbird None/PSE, SSC Nests near freshwater, emergent wetland with cattails or tules, but also in Himalayan blackberrry; forages in grasslands, woodland, and agriculture
Not expected to occur. The project site lacks suitable habitat required for this species.
Athene cunicularia
(burrow sites & some wintering sites)
burrowing owl None/SSC Nests and forages in grassland, open scrub, and agriculture, particularly with ground squirrel burrows
Low potential to occur. The project site and surrounding area is primarily composed of heavily urbanized commercial and residential development, lacking native vegetation suitable to support this species. No suitable burrows were observed on site.
Charadrius alexandrinus nivosus
(nesting)
western snowy plover
FT/SSC On coasts nests on sandy marine and estuarine shores; in the interior nests on sandy, barren or sparsely vegetated flats near saline or alkaline lakes, reservoirs, and ponds
Not expected to occur. The project site lacks suitable habitat required for this species.
APPENDIX E (Continued)
12075 E-2 September 2019
Scientific Name Common Name Status1
(Federal/State) Habitat Potential to Occur2
Coccyzus americanus occidentalis
(nesting)
western yellow-billed cuckoo
FT/SE Nests in dense, wide riparian woodlands and forest with well-developed understories
Not expected to occur. The project site lacks suitable habitat required for this species.
Coturnicops noveboracensis
yellow rail None/SSC Nesting requires wet marsh/sedge meadows or coastal marshes with wet soil and shallow, standing water
Not expected to occur. The project site lacks suitable habitat required for this species.
Empidonax traillii extimus
(nesting)
southwestern willow flycatcher
FE/SE Nests in dense riparian habitats along streams, reservoirs, or wetlands; uses variety of riparian and shrubland habitats during migration
Not expected to occur. The project site lacks suitable habitat required for this species.
Laterallus jamaicensis coturniculus
California black rail
None/FP, ST Tidal marshes, shallow freshwater margins, wet meadows, and flooded grassy vegetation; suitable habitats are often supplied by canal leakage in Sierra Nevada foothill populations
Not expected to occur. The project site lacks suitable habitat required for this species.
Passerculus sandwichensis beldingi
Belding's savannah sparrow
None/SE Nests and forages in coastal saltmarsh dominated by pickleweed (Salicornia spp.)
Not expected to occur. The project site lacks suitable habitat required for this species.
Pelecanus occidentalis californicus
(nesting colonies & communal roosts)
California brown pelican
FDL/FP, SDL Forages in warm coastal marine and estuarine environments; in California, nests on dry, rocky offshore islands
Not expected to nest. The project site lacks suitable nesting habitat for this species.
Polioptila californica californica
coastal California gnatcatcher
FT/SSC Nests and forages in various sage scrub communities, often dominated by California sagebrush and buckwheat; generally avoids nesting in areas with a slope of greater than 40%; majority of nesting at less than 1,000 feet above mean sea level
Not expected to occur. The project site lacks suitable habitat required for this species.
Riparia riparia
(nesting)
bank swallow None/ST Nests in riparian, lacustrine, and coastal areas with vertical banks, bluffs, and cliffs with sandy soils; open country and water during migration
Not expected to occur. The project site lacks suitable habitat required for this species.
APPENDIX E (Continued)
12075 E-3 September 2019
Scientific Name Common Name Status1
(Federal/State) Habitat Potential to Occur2
Sternula antillarum browni
(nesting colony)
California least tern
FE/FP, SE Forages in shallow estuaries and lagoons; nests on sandy beaches or exposed tidal flats
Not expected to occur. The project site lacks suitable habitat required for this species.
Vireo bellii pusillus
(nesting)
least Bell's vireo FE/SE Nests and forages in low, dense riparian thickets along water or along dry parts of intermittent streams; forages in riparian and adjacent shrubland late in nesting season
Not expected to occur. The project site lacks suitable habitat required for this species.
Fishes
Siphateles bicolor mohavensis
Mohave tui chub FE/FP, SE Lacustrine ponds or pools; 4 feet min water depth; freshwater flow; mineralized and alkaline environment; habitat for aquatic invertebrate prey and egg attachment substrate; Ruppia maritima preferred for egg attachment and thermal refuge in summer months
Not expected to occur. The project site lacks aquatic habitat required for this species.
Mammals
Antrozous pallidus pallid bat None/SSC Grasslands, shrublands, woodlands, forests; most common in open, dry habitats with rocky outcrops for roosting, but also roosts in man-made structures and trees.
Not expected to roost or forage. The project site lacks rocky outcrops, man-made structures, or trees suitable for this species to use as roosting habitat. This species is highly intolerant of urban development (Miner and Stokes 2005); thus, is not likely to forage over the project site.
Corynorhinus townsendii
Townsend's big-eared bat
None/SSC Mesic habitats characterized by coniferous and deciduous forests and riparian habitat, but also xeric areas; roosts in limestone caves and lava tubes, man-made structures, and tunnels
Not expected to roost or forage. The project site lacks suitable roosting habitat (i.e., coniferous and deciduous forests, riparian habitat, limestone caves, lava tubes, man-made structures, tunnels) for this species. Additionally, the project site and surrounding area lacks riparian or other mesic wooded habitats that would provide suitable foraging habitat for this species.
Eumops perotis californicus
western mastiff bat None/SSC Chaparral, coastal and desert scrub, coniferous and deciduous forest and woodland; roosts in crevices in rocky canyons and cliffs where the canyon or cliff is vertical or nearly vertical, trees, and tunnels
Low potential to roost or forage. The project site lack suitable vegetation (i.e., chaparral, coastal scrub, cliff areas) to provide foraging habitat and lacks rocky canyon areas that would provide suitable roosting habitat for this species.
APPENDIX E (Continued)
12075 E-4 September 2019
Scientific Name Common Name Status1
(Federal/State) Habitat Potential to Occur2
Microtus californicus stephensi
south coast marsh vole
None/SSC Tidal marshes Not expected to occur. The project site lacks suitable habitat required for this species.
Neotoma lepida intermedia
San Diego desert woodrat
None/SSC Coastal scrub, desert scrub, chaparral, cacti, rocky areas
Low potential to occur. The project site and surrounding area is primarily composed of heavily urbanized commercial and residential development, lacking native vegetation suitable to support this species.
Nyctinomops femorosaccus
pocketed free-tailed bat
None/SSC Pinyon–juniper woodlands, desert scrub, desert succulent shrub, desert riparian, desert wash, alkali desert scrub, Joshua tree, and palm oases; roosts in high cliffs or rock outcrops with drop-offs, caverns, and buildings
Not expected to occur. The project site lacks suitable habitat (i.e., desert habitat, palm oases) for this species.
Nyctinomops macrotis big free-tailed bat None/SSC Rocky areas; roosts in caves, holes in trees, buildings, and crevices on cliffs and rocky outcrops; forages over water
Not expected to occur. The site does not contained water in which this species requires for foraging. It is unlikely for this species to occur because of the lack of foraging habitat.
Perognathus longimembris pacificus
Pacific pocket mouse
FE/SSC fine-grained sandy substrates in open coastal strand, coastal dunes, and river alluvium
Not expected to occur. The project site lacks suitable habitat required for this species.
Sorex ornatus salicornicus
southern California saltmarsh shrew
None/SSC Saltmarsh, saltgrass, dense willow, bulrush
Not expected to occur. The project site lacks suitable habitat required for this species.
Taxidea taxus American badger None/SSC Dry, open, treeless areas; grasslands, coastal scrub, agriculture, and pastures, especially with friable soils
Not expected to occur. The project site and surrounding area is primarily composed of heavily urbanized commercial and residential development, lacking native vegetation suitable to support this species.
Invertebrates
Euphilotes battoides allyni
El Segundo blue butterfly
FE/None Remnant coastal dune habitat in Los Angeles and Santa Barbara Counties
Not expected to occur. The project site lacks suitable habitat required for this species.
Glaucopsyche lygdamus palosverdesensis
Palos Verdes blue butterfly
FE/None Cool, fog-shrouded, seaward side of Palos Verdes Hills, Los Angeles County
Not expected to occur. This species has a very limited distribution and requires a specific micro-climate. The Project site lacks suitable habitat required for this species.
Streptocephalus woottoni
Riverside fairy shrimp
FE/None Vernal pools, non-vegetated ephemeral pools
Not expected to occur. The project site lacks suitable habitat required for this species.
APPENDIX E (Continued)
12075 E-5 September 2019
Notes: 1 Status abbreviations:
FE: Federally Endangered FT: Federally Threatened FDL: Federally Delisted SSC: California Species of Special Concern FP: California Fully Protected Species SE: State Endangered ST: State Threatened PSE: Proposed State Endangered PST: Proposed State Threatened SDL: State Delisted BGEPA: Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act
2 Refers to records within the Torrance 7.5-minute quadrangle (quad) and the six surrounding quads (Venice, Inglewood, South Gate, Redondo Beach, Long Beach, San Pedro).
REFERENCES:
CDFW (California Department of Fish and Wildlife). 2019. RareFind, Version 5.2.14. California Natural Diversity Database (CNDDB). Accessed August 2019.
https://map.dfg.ca.gov/rarefind/view/RareFind.aspx.
CDFW. 2018b. CWHR Life History Accounts and Range Maps. Website. Updated versions of species information in Zeiner et al. 1988–1990. CDFW, CWHR
Program. Accessed August 2018. https://www.wildlife.ca.gov/Data/CWHR/Life-History-and-Range.
Miner, K.L., and D.C. Stokes. 2005. “Bats in the South Coast Ecoregion: Status, Conservation Issues, and Research Needs.” USDA Forest Service Gen. Tech.
Rep. PSW-GTR-195:211-227.
Nafis, G. 2018. Calherps.com. A Guide to the Amphibians and Reptiles of California. Accessed August 2018. http://www.californiaherps.com/.
APPENDIX E (Continued)
12075 E-6 September 2019
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