Final Mitigated Negative Declaration and Response to Comments

(Richardsonius egregious), and Tahoe sucker (Catostonmus tahoensis). Both the rainbow
trout and brook trout are non-native species.
The proposed Asian Clam Control Project occurs underwater near the mouth of Emerald Bay.
Special-status wildlife species that have been documented in Emerald Bay or could potentially
occur in or near the project site are described below. Other species not known from the area,
but included on state or federal database lists, are also discussed.
The following table summarizes the wildlife species of interest for this Asian Clam Control
Project. It shows each species that is listed on at least one of the aforementioned sensitive
wildlife lists, the status of each animal, and the likelihood of it occurring in the project area.
Common and
Scientific Name
American badger
(Taxidea taxus)
Amphibious caddisfly
(Desmona bethula)
Bald eagle (Haliaeetus
leucocephalus)
Bank swallow (Riparia
riparia)
Black swift
(Cypseloides niger)
California spotted owl
(Strix occidentalis
occidentalis)
California wolverine
(Gulo gulo)
Cooper’s hawk
(Accipiter cooperii)
Fringed myotis (Myotis
thysanodes)
Golden eagle (Aquila
chrysaetos)
Table 4.2
Special-Status Wildlife Species Evaluated for the
Asian Clam Control Project
Regulatory Habitat Potential for Occurrence
Status 1
SSC
SE
TRPA
D – FE
ST
SSC
SSC
FSS
SE
FC
WL
TRPA
FP
Asian Clam Control Project IS/MND
Emerald Bay State Park
California Department of Parks and Recreation
Shrub, forest, and herbaceous
habitats with friable soils.
Wet meadows, small spring
streams or beaver ponds with
slow currents.
Mature or old-growth trees or
snags near a large body of water
Riparian habitats with vertical
banks of fine texture soil.
Cliffs proximal to waterfalls, deep
canyons.
Mature and old-growth forest
stands
Mixed conifer, wet meadow,
montane chaparral
Dense stands of riparian or
conifer forest near water.
Montane hardwood conifer
forests
Cliffs and large trees for cover
and nesting, open areas for
hunting
Rocky talus fields
26
Not likely to occur.
Suitable habitat is not
present in the project area.
Not likely to occur.
Suitable habitat is not
present in the project area.
Could occur. Suitable
habitat present, known to
occur in proximity to
project area.
Not likely to occur.
Suitable habitat is not
present in the project area.
Not likely to occur.
Suitable habitat is not
present in the project area.
Not likely to occur.
Suitable habitat is not
present in the project area.
Not likely to occur.
Suitable habitat is not
present in the project area.
Not likely to occur.
Suitable habitat is not
present in the project area.
Not likely to occur.
Suitable habitat is not
present in the project area.
Not likely to occur.
Suitable habitat is not
present in the project area.
Gray-headed pika
(Ochotona princeps
schisticeps)
Not likely to occur.
Suitable habitat is not
present in the project area.
Great Basin rams-horn Soft mud within lakes, rivers, and Could occur. Occurs in