Ferguson Slide Permanent Restoration Project

CDFW has issued a CESA (Fish and Game Code, § 2050 et seq.) ITP and this Amended ITP (No. 2081-2014-078-04-A4) (Major Amendment No. 4) to authorize the California Department of Transportation to incidentally take limestone salamander (Hydromantes brunus) (Covered Species), which is listed as a fully protected species pursuant to Fish and Game Code section 5050 et seq. and threatened species under the CESA (Cal. Code of Regs. tit. 14 § 670.5, subd. (b)(3)(D)). This Amended ITP (Major Amendment No. 4) amends the original ITP issued on December 18, 2015, to modify Conditions of Approval of the ITP to clarify that (1) work shall temporarily cease if any Covered Species are detected within 100 feet of the associated Work Area of the Project Area during Covered Activities; (2) the Permittee shall monitor, rather than cease, Covered Activities if a significant rainfall event is predicted; and (3) the Permittee shall immediately notify CDFW if a Covered Species is observed within an active work area of the Project Area, and (4) a single CNDDB record shall be submitted each year Covered Species are observed. The Project involves the construction of a 700-foot-long rock shed along the existing alignment of SR 140 to restore the highway in an area previously impacted by a series of major rockslides in 2006. The Project will result in the permanent loss of approximately 1.06 acres of habitat for the Covered Species, long-term temporary loss of approximately 0.64 acres of habitat for the Covered Species, and short-term temporary impacts to approximately 2.33 acres of habitat for the Covered Species. The ITP referenced above as issued by CDFW authorizes incidental take of species listed under CESA that may occur as a result of Project implementation. The Amended ITP (Major Amendment No. 4) as issued by CDFW authorizes incidental take of limestone salamander pursuant to Fish and Game Code section 2081.9 if conditions set forth in Fish and Game Code sections 2081.9, subdivisions (a and b) and 2081, subdivisions (b) and (c) are met. (See Cal. Code Regs., tit. 14, § 783.4).