California High-Speed Rail Authority 

Fresno to Bakersfield 

Section 

Draft Supplemental 

Environmental Impact 

Report/Environmental 

Impact Statement 

Appendix 3.7-B 

Comparison of Impacts on Biological 

Resources by Alternative 

November 2017 
Appendix 3.7-B 

Comparison of Impacts on Biological Resources by Alternative 

November 2017 California High-Speed Rail Authority 

Fresno to Bakersfield Section 

Draft Supplemental EIR/EIS 

This page intentionally left blank 
Table of Contents 

California High-Speed Rail Authority November 2017 

Fresno to Bakersfield Section Page | 3.7-B-i 

Draft Supplemental EIR/EIS 

TABLE OF CONTENTS 

APPENDIX 3.7-B: COMPARISON OF IMPACTS ON BIOLOGICAL RESOURCES BY 

ALTERNATIVE ....................................................................................................................... 3.7-B-1
Table of Contents 

November 2017 California High-Speed Rail Authority 

3.7-B-ii | Page Fresno to Bakersfield Section 

Draft Supplemental EIR/EIS 

This page intentionally left blank 
Appendix 3.7-B 

Comparison of Impacts on Biological Resources by Alternative 

California High-Speed Rail Authority November 2017 

Fresno to Bakersfield Section Page | 3.7-B-1 

Draft Supplemental EIR/EIS 

APPENDIX 3.7-B: COMPARISON OF IMPACTS ON BIOLOGICAL 

RESOURCES BY ALTERNATIVE 

Attachment 1 

Potential Acreage of Special-Status Plant Species Habitat Impacted by the May 2014 

Project and the F-B LGA (acres) 

May 2014 Project F-B LGA

Direct Impacts Direct Impacts

Special-status plant species (unsurveyed potential suitable habitat that 

could support special-status plant species) 

112.26 62.13

= least-impact alternative 

F-B LGA = Fresno to Bakersfield Locally Generated Alternative 
Appendix 3.7-B 

Comparison of Impacts on Biological Resources by Alternative 

November 2017 California High-Speed Rail Authority 

3.7-B-2 | Page Fresno to Bakersfield Section 

Draft Supplemental EIR/EIS 

This page intentionally left blank 
Appendix 3.7-B 

Comparison of Impacts on Biological Resources by Alternative 

California High-Speed Rail Authority November 2017 

Fresno to Bakersfield Section Page | 3.7-B-3 

Draft Supplemental EIR/EIS 

Attachment 2 

Potential Acreage of Special-Status Wildlife Species Habitat Impacted by the May 2014 Project and the F-B LGA (acres) 

May 2014 Project F-B LGA

Permanent Impacts Temporary Impacts Permanent Impacts Temporary Impacts 

Federally and State-Listed Species

Tipton kangaroo rat (ASC, AGS, BAR, PAS) 68.83 194.51 77.59 39.74

Buena Vista Lake ornate shrew (Kern River) 

(AGS, CRP, IRF, IRH, LAC, RIV)

2.56 0.71 2.44 0.74

San Joaquin kit fox (Bakersfield) 413.64 265.04 273.11 159.86

Urban (URB) 322.65 68.92 231.06 114.40

Agricultural (CRP, DGR, DOR, IGR, IRF, 

IRH, VIN)

29.13 194.11 15.43 6.71

Natural (ASC, AGS, BAR, PAS) 61.86 2.01 26.62 38.75

Nelson’s (San Joaquin) antelope 

(ASC, AGS, BAR, PAS)

squirrel 68.83 194.51 77.59 39.74

Ringtail (AGS, RIV, VFR) 49.07 37.88 65.75 35.00

Golden eagle (ASC, AGS, BAR, CRP, FEW, 

IRH, PAS, URB, VFR)

626.49 371.65 525.61 157.03

Swainson’s hawk (AGS, BAR, CRP, IRH, 

PAS, URB, LAC, VFR)

634.08 371.23 526.69 157.44

Western snowy plover (LAC) 7.59 1.89 0.00 0.00

White tailed kite (ASC, AGS, CRP, BAR, 

DOR, DGR, FEW, IRH, IRF, IGR, URB, 

VFR, VIN)

957.32 675.48 795.67 169.14
Appendix 3.7-B 

Comparison of Impacts on Biological Resources by Alternative 

November 2017 California High-Speed Rail Authority 

3.7-B-4 | Page Fresno to Bakersfield Section 

Draft Supplemental EIR/EIS 

May 2014 Project F-B LGA

Permanent Impacts Temporary Impacts Permanent Impacts Temporary Impacts 

American peregrine falcon (AGS, BAR, 

CRP, FEW, IGR, IRH, LAC, RIV, URB, VFR)

632.47 373.62 545.96 160.65

Greater sandhill crane (AGS, DGR, CRP, 

FEW, IGR, IRH, IRF, LAC, VFR)

143.99 43.15 86.53 32.31

Bald eagle (AGS, BAR, FEW, LAC, RIV, 

VFR)

74.16 195.75 97.94 43.36

Other Special-Status Species

Kern brook lamprey (Friant Kern Canal) 0.40 0.07 0.00 0.00

Western spadefoot (ASC, AGS, FEW, RIV) 60.58 39.98 62.75 35.00

Western pond turtle (AGS, FEW, LAC, PAS, 

RIV, VFR)

58.30 39.86 63.84 35.41

Silvery legless lizard (VFR) 0.70 0.30 1.13 0.41

San Joaquin whipsnake (ASC, AGS, PAS, 

VFR)

52.05 38.84 43.49 31.80

Coast (California) horned lizard (ASC, AGS, 

VFR)

50.41 38.75 43.49 31.80

Western burrowing owl (ASC, AGS, PAS, 

BAR, URB)

560.27 368.02 483.65 156.93

Special-Status Raptor Species (ASC, AGS, 

CRP, PAS, VFR, DGR, IGR, IRH, IRF)

150.24 43.74 85.44 31.90

Special-Status Passerine Species (ASC, 

AGS, CRP, PAS, VRI, FEW, LAC, RIV, 

DGR, IGR, IRH, IRF)

168.71 47.15 105.79 35.51
Appendix 3.7-B 

Comparison of Impacts on Biological Resources by Alternative 

California High-Speed Rail Authority November 2017 

Fresno to Bakersfield Section Page | 3.7-B-5 

Draft Supplemental EIR/EIS 

May 2014 Project F-B LGA

Permanent Impacts Temporary Impacts Permanent Impacts Temporary Impacts 

Special-Status Wading Birds, Shorebirds, 

and Duck Species (ASC, AGS, CRP, PAS, 

DGR, IGR, IRH, IRF, RIV, FEW, LAC)

168.00 46.85 105.79 35.51

Pallid bat (ASC, AGS, BAR, CRP, DGR, 

IGR, IRH, IRF, PAS, RIV, URB, VFR, VIN)

685.22 374.76 615.83 168.76

Dulzura pocket mouse (AGS) 37.50 36.10 — —

Townsend’s big-eared bat (ASC, AGS, BAR, 

CRP, IGR, IRH, IRF, PAS, VFR, URB, VIN, 

RIV)

661.46 374.55 — —

Western mastiff bat (ASC, AGS, BAR, CRP, 

FEW, IGR, IRH, IRF, PAS, URB, VFR, VIN)

650.60 373.03 596.57 165.56

Western red bat (AGS, FEW, IRH, LAC, 

PAS, RIV, URB, VFR)

572.71 213.53 469.90 152.60

Tulare grasshopper mouse (ASC, 

VFR)

AGS, 50.41 38.75 43.49 31.80

American badger (ASC, AGS, BAR, PAS, 

VFR)

69.54 194.81 77.59 39.74

= least-impact alternative 

— = no impact or not applicable 

ASC = Alkali Desert Scrub 

AGS = Annual Grassland 

BAR = Barren 

CRP = Cropland 

DGR = Dryland Grain Crops 

DOR = Deciduous Orchard 

EOR = Evergreen Orchard 

F-B LGA = Fresno to Bakersfield Locally Generated

Alternative 

FEW = Fresh Emergent Wetland 

IGR = Irrigated Grain Crops 

IRH = Irrigated Hayfield 

IRF = Irrigated Row and Field Crops 

LAC = Lacustrine 

PAS = Pasture 

RIV = Riverine 

VIN = Vineyard 

VFR, VRI = Valley Foothill Riparian 

VOW = Valley Oak Woodland 

URB = Urban 
Appendix 3.7-B 

Comparison of Impacts on Biological Resources by Alternative 

November 2017 California High-Speed Rail Authority 

3.7-B-6 | Page Fresno to Bakersfield Section 

Draft Supplemental EIR/EIS 

Attachment 3 

Potential Acreage of Black Willow Thicket Impacts for the May 2014 Project and the F-B LGA (acres) 

Impact Type May 2014 Project F-B LGA

Black Willow Thickets Direct Permanent 0.70 1.13

Direct Temporary 0.30 0.41

GRAND TOTAL 1.00 1.54

= least-impact alternative

Impacts for the May 2014 Project were calculated based on the Final EIR/EIS 15% engineering design Project Footprint, and impacts for the F-B LGA were calculated based on the Preliminary Engineering for Project 

Definition Project Footprint. 

F-B LGA = Fresno to Bakersfield Locally Generated Alternative
Appendix 3.7-B 

Comparison of Impacts on Biological Resources by Alternative 

California High-Speed Rail Authority November 2017 

Fresno to Bakersfield Section Page | 3.7-B-7 

Draft Supplemental EIR/EIS 

Attachment 4 

Potential Acreage of Riparian Area Impacts for the May 2014 Project and the F-B LGA (acres) 

Impact Type May 2014 Project F-B LGA

Riparian Areas1 Direct permanent 0.70 —

Direct temporary 0.30 —

GRAND TOTAL 1.00 —

 = least-impact alternative 

1 Calculations are based on raw, unrounded geographic information system source data. As a result, the subtotals and totals may not match the rounded feature values because of the number of aquatic features. These 

minor discrepancies may result in small differences in the presentation of the acreage. 

Impacts for the May 2014 Project were calculated based on the Final EIR/EIS 15% engineering design Project Footprint, and impacts for the F-B LGA were calculated based on the Preliminary Engineering for Project 

Definition Project Footprint. 

EIR/EIS = Environmental Impact Report/Environmental Impact Statement 

F-B LGA = Fresno to Bakersfield Locally Generated Alternative
Appendix 3.7-B 

Comparison of Impacts on Biological Resources by Alternative 

November 2017 California High-Speed Rail Authority 

3.7-B-8 | Page Fresno to Bakersfield Section 

Draft Supplemental EIR/EIS 

Attachment 5 

Potential Acreage of Waters of the U.S. Impacts for the May 2014 Project and the F-B LGA (acres) 

Wetlands and Other Waters (TYPE/HSR water type) Impact Type May 2014 Project F-B LGA

TOTAL IMPACTS ON WETLANDS1 Direct permanent 0.51 —

Direct temporary — —

Seasonal wetland Direct permanent 0.51 —

Direct temporary — —

TOTAL IMPACTS ON OTHER WATERS OF THE U.S.1 Direct permanent 16.52 15.96

Direct temporary 3.11 1.18

Canals/Ditches Direct permanent 8.31 13.45

Direct temporary 1.10 0.11

Man-made lacustrine Direct permanent 6.35 1.38

Direct temporary 1.61 0.66

Seasonal riverine Direct permanent 1.86 1.13

Direct temporary 0.40 0.41

TOTAL IMPACTS ON WATERS OF THE U.S.1 Direct permanent 17.03 15.96

Direct temporary 3.11 1.18

TOTAL DIRECT 20.14 17.14

 = least-impact alternative 

— = no impact or not applicable 

1 Calculations are based on raw, unrounded geographic information system source data. As a result, the subtotals and totals may not match the rounded feature values because of the number of aquatic features. These 

minor discrepancies may result in small differences in the presentation of the acreage. 

Impact calculations in this table include project alternatives and station alternatives but do not include the heavy maintenance facility site alternatives. 

Impacts for the May 2014 Project were calculated based on the Final EIR/EIS 15% engineering design Project Footprint, and impacts for the F-B LGA were calculated based on the Preliminary Engineering for Project 

Definition Project Footprint. 

Impact types and/or existing condition types that do not appear in the table are not present in these alternatives. 

EIR/EIS = Environmental Impact Report/Environmental Impact Statement 

F-B LGA = Fresno to Bakersfield Locally Generated Alternative 

HSR = high-speed rail 

U.S. = United States