Agenda packet — Rancho Cordova City Council, October 6, 2025 (part 2 of 4)

AECOM Fite Circle Digital Sign Project IS/MND
Environmental Checklist-Aesthetics 3.1-10 City of Rancho Cordova

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ITEM 15.1.

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Fite Circle Digital Sign Project IS/MND AECOM
City of Rancho Cordova 3.2-1 Environmental Checklist-Agriculture & Forestry Resources

3.2 AGRICULTURE & FORESTRY RESOURCES

ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES
Potentially
Significant
Impact
Less Than
Significant with
Mitigation
Incorporated
Less Than
Significant
Impact
No Impact
II. Agriculture and Forestry Resources.

In determining whether impacts to agricultural resources are significant environmental effects, lead agencies may refer to the California Agricultural Land Evaluation and Site Assessment Model (1997, as updated) prepared by
the California Department of Conservation as an optional model to use in assessing impacts on agriculture and
farmland. In determining whether impacts to forest
resources, including timberland, are significant
environmental effects, lead agencies may refer to
information compiled by the California Department of
Forestry and Fire Protection regarding the state’s
inventory of forest land, including the Forest and Range Assessment Project and the Forest Legacy Assessment
project; and forest carbon measurement methodology
provided in Forest Protocols adopted by the California
Air Resources Board.

Would the project:
a) Convert Prime Farmland, Unique Farmland, or
Farmland of Statewide Importance (Farmland), as
shown on the maps prepared pursuant to the
Farmland Mapping and Monitoring Program of the
California Resources Agency, to non-agricultural
use?

b) Conflict with existing zoning for agricultural use or a Williamson Act contract?

c) Conflict with existing zoning for, or cause rezoning of, forest land (as defined in Public Resources Code
section 12220(g)), timberland (as defined by Public
Resources Code section 4526), or timberland zoned
Timberland Production (as defined by Government
Code section 51104(g))?

d) Result in the loss of forest land or conversion of
forest land to non-forest use?

e) Involve other changes in the existing environment,
which, due to their location or nature, could result in conversion of Farmland to non-agricultural use or
conversion of forest land to non-forest use?

3.2.1 SETTING
Based on a review of the 2020 Important Farmland Map for Sacramento County produced by the California Department of Conservation (DOC) under the Farmland Mapping and Monitoring Program (FMMP), the project site is designated as Urban and Built-Up Land (DOC 2020). There is no Farmland at the project site or in the project vicinity, which is located in the urbanized area of the City of Rancho Cordova. The project site is within the boundaries of the Folsom Boulevard Specific Plan Area, and is designated as an Office Industrial Mixed Use ITEM 15.1.

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AECOM Fite Circle Digital Sign Project IS/MND
Environmental Checklist-Agriculture & Forestry Resources 3.2-2 City of Rancho Cordova zone (City of Rancho Cordova 2013). The project site is surrounded by commercial, office, and light industrial buildings with associated paved parking lots and urban landscaping.

3.2.2 DISCUSSION
a) Convert Prime Farmland, Unique Farmland, or Farmland of Statewide Importance (Farmland), as shown on the maps prepared pursuant to the Farmland Mapping and Monitoring Program of the California Resources Agency, to non-agricultural use? No Impact. The project site is designated as Urban and Built-Up Land under the FMMP (California Department of Conservation 2020). The project site and the surrounding lands are situated within an urbanized area, within the boundaries of an existing Office Industrial Mixed Use zone in the City of Rancho Cordova. There is no Prime Farmland, Unique Farmland, or Farmland of Statewide Importance within or near the project site. Thus, the proposed project would not result in the conversion of Important Farmland to non-agricultural use, and there would be no impact.
b) Conflict with existing zoning for agricultural use or a Williamson Act contract? No Impact. The project site and the surrounding lands are zoned for and are developed with office, commercial, and industrial uses. There are no Williamson Act contracts within or near the project site (Sacramento County 2024). Therefore, the proposed project would not conflict with existing zoning for agricultural use or a Williamson Act contract, and there would be no impact.
c) Conflict with existing zoning for, or cause rezoning of, forest land (as defined in Public Resources Code section 12220(g)), timberland (as defined by Public Resources Code section 4526), or timberland zoned Timberland Production (as defined by Government Code section 51104(g))?
No Impact. The project site is not zoned as forestland, timberland, or a Timberland Production Zone. Therefore, the proposed project would not conflict with existing zoning for, or cause rezoning of, forestry resources. d) Result in the loss of forest land or conversion of forest land to non-forest use? No Impact. The project site is a paved parcel within an urbanized area surrounded by existing commercial, office, and light industrial development. There is no forestland within or adjacent to the project site. Therefore, implementation of the proposed project would not result in conversion of forest land to non-forest use, and there would be no impact.
e) Involve other changes in the existing environment, which, due to their location or nature, could result in conversion of Farmland to non-agricultural use or conversion of forest land to non-forest use?
No Impact. Because no agricultural land uses or forestland are present within or adjacent to the project site, implementing the proposed project would not result in other changes in the physical environment that could cause the conversion of farmland to non-agricultural uses or cause conversion of forestland to non-forest uses. Thus, there would be no impact.

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Fite Circle Digital Sign Project IS/MND AECOM
City of Rancho Cordova 3.3-1 Environmental Checklist-Air Quality

3.3 AIR QUALITY

ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES
Potentially
Significant
Impact
Less Than
Significant with
Mitigation
Incorporated
Less Than
Significant
Impact
No Impact
III. Air Quality.

Where available, the significance criteria established by the applicable air quality management or air pollution
control district may be relied on to make the following determinations.

Would the project:
a) Conflict with or obstruct implementation of the
applicable air quality plan?

b) Result in a cumulatively considerable net increase of any criteria pollutant for which the project region is
non-attainment under an applicable federal or state
ambient air quality standard?

c) Expose sensitive receptors to substantial pollutant
concentrations?

d) Result in other emissions (such as those leading to
odors) adversely affecting a substantial number of
people?

3.3.1 SETTING
The project site is located in the city of Rancho Cordova, which is within the Sacramento Valley Air Basin (SVAB). The Sacramento Metropolitan Air Quality Management District (SMAQMD) regulates air quality within the SVAB.

Air quality is defined as the concentration of pollutants in relation to their impact on human health. Ambient concentrations of air pollutants are determined by the amount of emissions released by pollutant sources and the ability of the atmosphere to transport and dilute such emissions. Natural factors that affect transport and dilution include terrain, wind, atmospheric stability, and the presence of sunlight. Therefore, existing air quality conditions in the project area are influenced by factors such as topography, meteorology, and climate, as well as the quantity emissions released by air pollutant sources.

The SVAB climate is characterized by hot, dry summers and cool, rainy winters. Typically, winds transport air pollutants northward out of the SVAB; however, during approximately half of the time from July to September, the wind pattern shifts southward, blowing air pollutants back into the SVAB and exacerbating the concentration of air pollutant emissions in the air basin. In addition, between winter storms, high pressure and light winds contribute to low-level temperature inversions and stable atmospheric conditions, resulting in the concentration of air pollutants.

Individual air pollutants at certain concentrations may adversely affect human or animal health, reduce visibility, damage property, and reduce the productivity or vigor of crops and natural vegetation. Six air pollutants have been identified by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the California Air Resources Board ITEM 15.1.

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AECOM Fite Circle Digital Sign Project IS/MND
Environmental Checklist-Air Quality 3.3-2 City of Rancho Cordova (CARB) as being of concern both on a nationwide and statewide level: ozone; carbon monoxide; nitrogen dioxide; sulfur dioxide; lead; and particulate patter (PM), which is subdivided into two classes based on particle size – PM equal to or less than 10 micrometers in diameter (PM10) and PM equal to or less than 2.5 micrometers in diameter (PM2.5).

Health-based air quality standards have been established for these pollutants by EPA at the national level and by CARB at the state level. These standards are referred to as the national ambient air quality standards (NAAQS) and the California ambient air quality standards (CAAQS), respectively. The NAAQS and CAAQS were established to protect the public with a margin of safety from adverse health impacts caused by exposure to air pollution. Both EPA and CARB designate areas of California as “attainment,” “nonattainment,” “maintenance,” or “unclassified” for the various pollutant standards according to the federal Clean Air Act (CAA) and the California Clean Air Act, respectively. Because the air quality standards for these air pollutants are regulated using human and environment health-based criteria, they are commonly referred to as “criteria air pollutants.” With respect to regional air quality, the SMAQMD region is currently designated as nonattainment for the NAAQS and CAAQS for ozone, and nonattainment for the NAAQS for 24-hour PM2.5, and the CAAQS for PM10 (CARB 2023). The SMAQMD region is designated as an attainment area for all other criteria air pollutants (CARB 2023).

As part of the Sacramento Federal Ozone Nonattainment Area (SFNA) for ozone, and in accordance with requirements under the CAA, SMAQMD worked with the other local air districts within the Sacramento region (El Dorado County Air Quality Management District, Feather River Air Quality Management District, Placer County Air Pollution Control District, and Yolo-Solano Air Quality Management District) to develop the Sacramento Regional 2008 NAAQS 8-Hour Ozone Attainment and Reasonable Further Progress Plan (2008 NAAQS Ozone Attainment Plan) to describe and demonstrate how the SFNA is meeting requirements under the federal CAA in demonstrating reasonable further progress and attainment of the NAAQS for ozone (SMAQMD 2017). Some elements of the 2008 NAAQS Ozone Attainment Plan were updated in 2018 and included in the 2018 Updates to the California State Implementation Plan, which updated SIP elements for nonattainment areas throughout the state, as needed. These updates were adopted by ARB in October 2018. CARB adopted the Sacramento Regional 2015 Ozone NAAQS Attainment and Reasonable Further Progress Plan (SMAQMD 2023) on October 23, 2023, and submitted the plan to the EPA on November 7, 2023; the plan is pending EPA approval.

Similarly, the region prepared the PM2.5 Maintenance Plan and Redesignation Request (SMAQMD 2013) to address how the region attained and would continue to attain the 24-hour PM2.5 standard. In 2017, EPA found that the area attained the 2006 24-hour PM2.5 NAAQS by the attainment date of December 31, 2015. The PM2.5 Maintenance Plan and Redesignation Request will be updated and submitted in the future based on the clean data finding made by the EPA.

SMAQMD also prepared the PM10 Implementation/Maintenance Plan and Redesignation Request for Sacramento County (SMAQMD 2010). EPA approved the PM10 Plan, which allowed EPA to proceed with the redesignation of Sacramento County as attainment for the PM10 NAAQS. The approval of the first Maintenance Plan showed maintenance from 2013 through 2023. A second plan must provide for maintenance of the NAAQS for 10 more years after expiration of the first 10-year maintenance period. EPA approved the Second 10-Year PM10 Maintenance Plan for Sacramento County in April 2024 to demonstrate maintenance of the PM10 standard through 2033.

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Fite Circle Digital Sign Project IS/MND AECOM
City of Rancho Cordova 3.3-3 Environmental Checklist-Air Quality SMAQMD has also published the Guide to Air Quality Assessment in Sacramento County (CEQA Guide), which provides air quality guidance for the preparation of CEQA documents and the SMAQMD’s CEQA thresholds of significance for construction and operational emissions (SMAQMD 2021). As documented in the CEQA Guide, the recommended construction and operational mass emissions thresholds for ozone precursors (e.g., nitrogen oxides [NOX] and reactive organic gases [ROG]) correlate with the NOx and ROG reductions from heavy-duty vehicles and land use project emission reduction requirements committed to in the ozone attainment plans.

Similarly, the construction and operational mass emissions thresholds for PM correlate with the SMAQMD’s permitting offset trigger levels, which prevent deterioration of ambient air quality and ensure projects do not worsen the region’s attainment status for PM (SMAQMD 2015).

Table 3.3-1 lists the SMAQMD recommended thresholds of significance for criteria air pollutant emissions.

Table 3.3-1. SMAQMD CEQA Air Quality Thresholds of Significance Phase NOX ROG PM10 1 PM2.5 1
Construction 85 pounds/day N/A 80 pounds/day and 14.6 tons/year 82 pounds/day and 15 tons/year Operational 65 pounds/day 65 pounds/day 80 pounds/day and 14.6 tons/year 82 pounds/day and 15 tons/year Source: SMAQMD 2021.

Notes:
1 The particulate matter thresholds apply to projects that impose the SMAQMD’s Best Available Control Technology or Best Manage ment Practices, as feasible. Otherwise, the particulate matter thresholds would be zero (0) pounds per day.

CEQA = California Environmental Quality Act; N/A = not applicable; NOX = oxides of nitrogen; PM10 = suspended particulate matter less than 10 microns in diameter; PM2.5 = fine particulate matter less than 2.5 microns in diameter; ROG = reactive organic gases; SMAQMD = Sacramento Metropolitan Air Quality District.

3.3.2 DISCUSSION
a) Conflict with or obstruct implementation of the applicable air quality plan? Less than Significant with Mitigation Incorporated. Air quality plans describe air pollution control strategies to be implemented by a city, county, or region. The primary purpose of an air quality plan is to bring an area that does not attain federal or State air quality standards into compliance with the requirements of the federal CAA and California CAA requirements. As described above, SMAQMD prepares plans to attain state and national ambient air quality standards in the SVAB. The 2017 and 2023 regional air quality management plans represent the most recent plans developed to describe and demonstrate how the SFNA is meeting requirements for ozone under the federal CAA in demonstrating reasonable further progress and attainment of the NAAQS for the 2008 8-hour ozone standard and 2015 8-hour ozone standard, respectively (SMAQMD 2017; SMAQMD 2023).

SMAQMD’s CEQA Guide is intended to provide a tool to identify proposed development projects that may have a significant adverse effect on air quality. According to the CEQA Guide, projects whose emissions are expected to meet or exceed the recommended significance criteria will have a potentially significant adverse impact on air quality, and therefore, potentially conflict with or obstruct implementation of the SMAQMD air quality plans.

Project emissions that do not exceed these thresholds would not impact SMAQMD’s ability to reach attainment.

As discussed in detail below in Section 3.3.3(b), project construction emissions would not exceed the SMAQMD thresholds of significance based on the screening level and parameters outlined in the CEQA Guide. However, although construction emissions would not exceed SMAQMD thresholds, due to the nonattainment status of the SVAB with respect to ozone, PM10, and PM2.5, SMAQMD recommends that all construction projects implement the SMAQMD Basic Construction Emission Control Practices (SMAQMD 2021). SMAQMD’s Basic ITEM 15.1.

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AECOM Fite Circle Digital Sign Project IS/MND
Environmental Checklist-Air Quality 3.3-4 City of Rancho Cordova Construction Emission Control Practices include such measures as watering the construction site twice daily, limiting vehicle speeds on unpaved roadways to 15 miles per hour, minimizing vehicle idling, covering haul trucks transporting soil, and cleaning paved roads. Without incorporation of SMAQMD’s Basic Construction Control Practices, the project construction activities would be considered to potentially conflict with or obstruct implementation of the SMAQMD’s air quality plans for PM and the impact is considered to be potentially significant.

Following construction activities, operation of the digital sign would be limited to electricity consumption, which would generate greenhouse gas emissions (discussed in Section 3.8, Greenhouse Gas Emissions) and would not generate criteria air pollutants. Therefore, operation of the project would not conflict with any applicable air quality plans.

Mitigation Measure AIR-1 would require implementation of SMAQMD’s Basic Construction Control Practices.

Mitigation Measure AIR-1: Implement the SMAQMD Basic Construction Emission Control Practices.

Comply with Basic Construction Emission Control Practices identified by the SMAQMD and listed below or as they may be updated in the future:
• Water all exposed surfaces two times daily. Exposed surfaces include, but are not limited to soil piles, graded areas, unpaved parking areas, staging areas, and access roads. • Cover or maintain at least two feet of free board space on haul trucks transporting soil, sand, or other loose material on the site. Any haul trucks that would be traveling along freeways or major roadways should be covered.
• Use wet power vacuum street sweepers to remove any visible track out mud or dirt onto adjacent public roads at least once a day. Use of dry powered sweeping is prohibited. • Limit vehicle speeds on unpaved roads to 15 miles per hour (mph). • All roadways, driveways, sidewalks, parking lots to be paved should be completed as soon as possible.

In addition, building pads should be laid as soon as possible after grading unless seeding or soil binders are used.
• Minimize idling time either by shutting equipment off when not in use or reducing the time of idling to 5 minutes [required by California Code of Regulations, Title 13, sections 2449(d) and 2485]. Provide clear signage that posts this requirement for workers at the entrances to the site. • Provide current certificate(s) of compliance for CARB’s In -Use Off -Road Diesel -Fueled Fleets Regulation [California Code of Regulations, Title 13, sections 2449 and 2449.1]. • Maintain all construction equipment in proper working condition according to manufacturer’s specifications. The equipment must be checked by a certified mechanic and determined to be running in proper condition before it is operated.

SIGNIFICANCE AFTER MITIGATION
With implementation of Mitigation Measure AIR-1, the proposed project would not conflict with or obstruct an applicable air quality plan. This impact would be less than significant with mitigation incorporated.

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City of Rancho Cordova 3.3-5 Environmental Checklist-Air Quality b) Result in a cumulatively considerable net increase of any criteria pollutant for which the project region is non-attainment under an applicable federal or state ambient air quality standard?
Less than Significant with Mitigation Incorporated. By its very nature, air pollution is largely a cumulative impact. The nonattainment status of regional pollutants is a result of past and present development within the SVAB, and this regional impact is cumulative rather than being attributable to any one source. A project’s emissions may be individually limited, but cumulatively considerable when taken in combination with past, present, and future projects.

Construction of the project would generate temporary emissions of criteria air pollutants, including nitrogen oxides (NOX), reactive organic gases (ROG), carbon monoxide (CO), PM10, and PM2.5. As shown in Table 3.3-1, SMAQMD has quantitative construction emissions thresholds for NOX, PM10, and PM2.5; additionally, as outlined in the CEQA Guide, SMAQMD has developed a screening level to assist in determining if construction NOX and PM emissions would exceed the SMAQMD significance thresholds. Construction of a project that does not exceed the screening level, meets all the screening parameters, and implements the SMAMQD Basic Construction Emission Control Practices is considered to have a less-than-significant impact on air quality (SMAQMD 2021).

As documented in the CEQA Guide, projects that are 35 acres or less in size and do not include any of the parameters listed below generally will not exceed the SMAQMD construction NOX and PM thresholds of significance.
► Include buildings more than 4 stories tall;
► Include demolition activities;
► Include major trenching activities;
► Have a construction schedule that is unusually compact, fast-paced, or involves more than 2 phases (i.e., grading, paving, building construction, and architectural coating) occurring simultaneously; ► Involve cut-and-fill operations (moving earth with haul trucks and/or flattening or terracing hills); and ► Require import or export of soil materials that will require a considerable amount of haul truck activity.

As described in Section 2, Project Description, the project site is approximately 2.1 acres, which is well below the screening level of 35 acres. Project construction activities would occur over a two week duration and would require minimal construction equipment, including an auger to bore the hole for the pole supporting the sign, a crane to install the monopole and lift the sign parts for attachment to the monopole, and an excavator to dig the utility trench. Exported material would be limited to a total of approximately 42 cubic yards of soil and a small amount of asphalt pavement where the utility trench would be excavated. Following construction, the area disturbed for the utility trench would be repaved.

The proposed project would not include buildings more than four stories tall, demolition activities, major trenching activities, or cut-and-fill operations. Additionally, the construction schedule is not unusually compact or fast-paced and construction activities would not occur simultaneously; rather, the two week construction duration is short because the proposed construction activities would be minimal and not require a compact schedule to complete. As described above, exported soil quantities would be minimal and would therefore not require a ITEM 15.1.

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Environmental Checklist-Air Quality 3.3-6 City of Rancho Cordova considerable amount of haul truck activity. Therefore, the proposed project meets the parameters required to apply the screening level. As described above, in addition to meeting the screening level and parameters, projects are required to implement the SMAQMD Basic Construction Emission Control Practices to be considered as having a less than significant impact related to air quality. Therefore, without implementation of the SMAQMD Basic Construction Emission Control Practices as described in Mitigation Measure AIR-1, the contribution of construction-related emissions from the project would have the potential to be cumulatively considerable, resulting in a potentially significant impact.

Following construction activities, operation of the digital billboards would be limited to electricity consumption, which would generate indirect greenhouse gas emissions (discussed in Section 3.8, Greenhouse Gas Emissions) and would not generate criteria air pollutants. The minimal and infrequent vehicle trips associated with maintenance of the digital billboard would generate negligible criteria air pollutant emissions. Thus, operation of the project would not result in a cumulatively considerable net increase of any criteria air pollutant for which the project region is non-attainment under an applicable federal or state ambient air quality standard.

SIGNIFICANCE AFTER MITIGATION
Implementation of Mitigation Measure AIR-1 would ensure that construction emissions would not exceed SMAQMD’s thresholds of significance. The impact is considered less than significant with mitigation incorporated.
c) Expose sensitive receptors to substantial pollutant concentrations? Less than Significant. Some members of the population are especially sensitive to air pollutant emissions and should be given special consideration when evaluating air quality impacts from projects. For the purposes of a CEQA analysis, SMAQMD considers a sensitive receptor to be facilities that house or attract children, the elderly, and people with illnesses or others who are especially sensitive to the effects of air pollutants. Hospitals, schools, convalescent facilities, and residential areas are examples of sensitive receptors (SMAQMD 2021). The project site is situated within and is surrounded by an existing developed office and light industrial park to the north, east, and west. The project site is bordered by U.S. 50 on the south side. Sensitive receptors in the vicinity of the project site include single-family residential uses south of U.S. 50 in the project area, approximately 330 feet away.

Criteria Air Pollutants
As described in Section 3.3.2(b), construction-related activities would result in emissions of criteria air pollutants, but at levels that would not exceed the SMAQMD regional thresholds of significance based on evaluation against the SMAQMD screening level and parameters. The regional thresholds of significance were designed to identify those projects that would result in significant levels of air pollution and to assist the region in attaining the applicable state and federal ambient air quality standards, which were established using health-based criteria to protect the public with a margin of safety from adverse health impacts due to exposure to air pollution. As such, the criteria air pollutant emissions associated with construction of the project would not expose sensitive receptors to substantial criteria air pollutant concentrations. The digital billboard is electric, and operational activities would be limited to infrequent maintenance-related vehicle trips; therefore, operation of the project would not expose sensitive receptors to substantial criteria air pollutant concentrations. Therefore, this impact would be less than significant.

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Fite Circle Digital Sign Project IS/MND AECOM
City of Rancho Cordova 3.3-7 Environmental Checklist-Air Quality Toxic Air Contaminants
In addition to criteria air pollutants, construction of the project would also generate toxic air contaminant (TAC) emissions, specifically diesel PM (DPM), associated with heavy-duty construction equipment operations. The Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA) developed a Guidance Manual for Preparation of Health Risk Assessments (OEHHA 2015). Due to uncertainty in assessing cancer risk from very short-term exposures, OEHHA does not recommend assessing cancer risk for construction of projects lasting less than two months for the nearest residential receptor. Since the duration of construction activities for the project are anticipated to last approximately two weeks and would cease following completion of the project, the overall exposure period would not approach the requirements for assessing cancer risk (OEHHA 2015).

In addition, construction emissions would occur intermittently throughout the day, would not occur as a constant plume of emissions from the project site, and would vary on a day-to-day basis. Concentrations of mobile-source DPM emissions are typically reduced by approximately 60 percent at a distance of around 300 feet (100 meters) (Zhu and Hinds 2002). Furthermore, the project would implement Mitigation Measure AIR-1, which requires implementation of idling limits and maintaining equipment in proper working condition, which would reduce construction-related TAC emissions. Due to the intermittent and temporary nature of construction activities, and the dispersive properties of TACs, as well as the fact that PM emissions would not exceed the SMAQMD emission threshold, short-term construction would not expose sensitive receptors to DPM emission levels that would result in a health hazard. As described previously, the billboard would be powered by electricity and would therefore not generate TAC emissions during operation. The minimal and infrequent vehicle trips associated with maintenance of the digital billboard would generate negligible TAC emissions. As a result, this impact would be less than significant.
d) Result in other emissions (such as those leading to odors) adversely affecting a substantial number of people?
Less than Significant. The occurrence and severity of odor impacts depends on numerous factors, including the nature, frequency, and intensity of the source; wind speed and direction; and the presence of sensitive receptors.

Typically, odors are generally regarded as an annoyance rather than a health hazard. However, manifestations of a person’s reaction to foul odors can range from the psychological (i.e., irritation, anger, or anxiety) to the physiological, including circulatory and respiratory effects, nausea, vomiting, and headache. The ability to detect odors varies considerably among the population and overall is quite subjective.

Potential construction-related sources of other emissions, such as those leading to odors, include diesel construction equipment that emit exhaust. However, because of the amount and types of equipment, the temporary nature of these emissions, and the highly diffusive properties of diesel exhaust, nearby receptors would not be affected by diesel exhaust odors associated with construction of the project. Construction activities associated with the project would be minimal and the odors would be typical of most construction sites and temporary in nature. Operation of the project would remain similar to existing conditions and would not add any new odor sources. As a result, the project would not result in other emissions (such as those leading to odors) adversely affecting a substantial number of people. Therefore, this impact would be less than significant.

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Environmental Checklist-Air Quality 3.3-8 City of Rancho Cordova

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Fite Circle Digital Sign Project IS/MND AECOM
City of Rancho Cordova 3.4-1 Environmental Checklist-Biological Resources

3.4 BIOLOGICAL RESOURCES

ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES
Potentially
Significant
Impact
Less Than
Significant
with Mitigation
Incorporated
Less Than
Significant
Impact
No Impact
IV. Biological Resources. Would the project:
a) Have a substantial adverse effect, either directly or through habitat modifications, on any species
identified as a candidate, sensitive, or special-status species in local or regional plans, policies, or
regulations, or by the California Department of Fish
and Wildlife or the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service?

b) 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 the California Department of Fish
and Wildlife or the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service?

c) Have a substantial adverse effect on State or federally protected wetlands (including, but not limited to,
marsh, vernal pool, coastal, etc.) through direct
removal, filling, hydrological interruption, or other
means?

d) 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 impede the use of native wildlife
nursery sites?

e) Conflict with any local policies or ordinances
protecting biological resources, such as a tree
preservation policy or ordinance?

f) Conflict with the provisions of an adopted Habitat
Conservation Plan, Natural Community Conservation
Plan, or other approved local, regional, or state
habitat conservation plan?

3.4.1 SETTING
Field reconnaissance, database searches, and background literature review were conducted to characterize biological resources present or with the potential to occur within the project site. No protocol-level wildlife or botanical surveys have been conducted within the project site to date. The project applicant contracted a certified arborist to conduct a tree survey of the project work area in February 2025 that identified one 20” diameter at standard height (DSH) London Planetree landscape tree near the project work area (Focal Point 2025, Appendix B). An AECOM biologist conducted a site reconnaissance survey on May 7, 2025.

Prior to the site reconnaissance, records searches of the following databases were performed to identify special- status species, sensitive habitats, and wetlands or waters known to occur or with potential to occur within the project site and vicinity:
► California Natural Diversity Database (CNDDB) standard 9-quadrangle (quad) search for the U.S. Geological Survey Carmichael quad, where the project site is located, and adjacent eight quads (CDFW 2025), ITEM 15.1.

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AECOM Fite Circle Digital Sign Project IS/MND
Environmental Checklist-Biological Resources 3.4-2 City of Rancho Cordova ► California Native Plant Society Rare Plant Inventory standard 9-quad search (CNPS 2025), ► U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Information for Planning and Consultation database identifying federally regulated sensitive resources with potential to occur and critical habitat within the project site (USFWS 2025a), and
► National Wetland Inventory (NWI) Wetlands Mapper (USFWS 2025b).

SITE DESCRIPTION
The project site is currently developed with a light industrial building, along with paved parking areas surrounded by narrow landscaping strips. Neighboring land uses include a developed office and light industrial park to the north, east, and west, and U.S. 50 to the south. The project site is mostly level and at an elevation of approximately 73 feet above mean sea level.

VEGETATION COMMUNITY AND HABITAT
The project site is classified as the urban land cover type. Landscape trees (e.g., incense cedar [Calocedrus decurrens], red oak [Quercus rubra], London plane [Platanus x hispanica]) line the parking area along the northern edge of the project site, and red-tip photinia (Photinia x fraseri) are scattered along the fence line at the southern edge of the project site. Four additional London plane are in small planting areas on the eastern side of the industrial building on the project site. English ivy (Hedera helix), turf grass, or fortnight lily (Dietes grandiflora) underlies most landscaped areas within the project site.

The project site overall provides low habitat value for wildlife because of frequent disturbance and limited connectivity. Wildlife observed during the reconnaissance survey included mourning dove (Zenaida macroura), house finch (Haemorhous mexicanus), and lesser goldfinch (Spinus psaltria). These bird species or other similarly urban-adapted wildlife species may forage or nest within the project site. No burrows or nest sites were observed within or adjacent to the project site at the time of the reconnaissance survey. The potential for special-status species to occur in the project site is discussed in Section “Special-status Species,” below.

SPECIAL-STATUS SPECIES
Special-status species include plants and animals in the following categories:
► species listed by the State of California or the federal government as endangered, threatened, or rare; ► species proposed or candidate for state or federal listing as endangered or threatened; ► taxa (i.e., taxonomic categories or groups) that meet the criteria for listing, even if not currently included on any list, as described in California Code of Regulations Section 15380 of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines;
► species identified by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) as species of special concern; ► species listed as fully protected under the California Fish and Game Code; and ITEM 15.1.

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Fite Circle Digital Sign Project IS/MND AECOM
City of Rancho Cordova 3.4-3 Environmental Checklist-Biological Resources ► taxa considered by CDFW to be “rare, threatened, or endangered in California” and assigned a California Rare Plant Rank (CRPR) of 1A, 1B, 2A, or 2B.

The CDFW system includes six rarity and endangerment ranks for categorizing plant species of concern, which are summarized as follows:
► CRPR 1A – Plants presumed to be extinct in California; ► CRPR 1B – Plants that are rare, threatened, or endangered in California and elsewhere; ► CRPR 2A – Plants presumed to be extinct in California, but more common elsewhere; ► CRPR 2B – Plants that are rare, threatened, or endangered in California, but more common elsewhere; ► CRPR 3 – Plants about which more information is needed (a review list); and ► CRPR 4 – Plants of limited distribution (a watch list).

All plants with a CRPR are considered “special plants” by CDFW. The term “special plants” is a broad term used to refer to all plant taxa inventoried in CDFW’s CNDDB regardless of their legal or protection status. Plants ranked as CRPR 1A, 1B, 2A, and 2B may qualify as endangered, rare, or threatened species within the definition of CEQA Guidelines Section 15380. CDFW recommends that CRPR 1 and 2 species be addressed within the context of CEQA analyses and documentation. In general, CRPR 3 and 4 species do not meet the definition of endangered, rare, or threatened pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15380.

The term “California species of special concern” is applied by CDFW to animals not listed under the federal Endangered Species Act (ESA) or California Endangered Species Act (CESA), but that are nonetheless declining at a rate that could result in listing, or that historically occurred in low numbers, or have limited ranges, and known threats to their persistence currently exist. “Fully protected” was the first state classification used to identify and protect animal species that are rare or facing possible extinction. Most of these species were subsequently listed as threatened or endangered under CESA or ESA. The remaining fully protected species that are not officially listed under CESA or ESA are still legally protected under California Fish and Game Code, and qualify as endangered, rare, or threatened species within the definition of CEQA Guidelines Section 15380.

Database searches identified previously documented occurrences of 14 special-status plant species (Table 3.4-1 and Appendix B) and 50 special-status wildlife species in the vicinity of the project site (Table 3.4-2 and Appendix B). All 64 special-status species identified by the database searches are either unlikely to occur or have no potential to occur. No critical habitat or proposed critical habitat is located within or adjacent to the project site (USFWS 2025a).

WETLANDS AND WATERS
Any areas that meet the regulatory definition of “waters of the United States” are regulated under the jurisdiction of the United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) under Section 404 of the Clean Water Act. Waters of the U.S. include documented navigable waters of the United States; interstate waters; all other waters where the use, degradation, or destruction of the waters could affect interstate or foreign commerce; tributaries to any of these waters, and wetlands adjacent to these waters. Potentially jurisdictional waters of the U.S. are typically determined by conducting a wetland delineation according to USACE methods and guidelines. No potential wetland features or waters of the U.S. were identified within the project site during review of NWI data (USFWS 2025b) or observed on site during the reconnaissance survey.

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AECOM Fite Circle Digital Sign Project IS/MND
Environmental Checklist-Biological Resources 3.4-4 City of Rancho Cordova An open drainage channel known as the Mather Drain borders the southern edge of the project site and conveys stormwater runoff to the nearest perennial waterway, the American River, approximately 0.4 mile north of the project site. The open channel is approximately 50 feet wide and consists of dirt and regularly mown non-native grasses for most of its length. NWI data indicate this channel is a manmade, temporarily flooded (i.e., surface water is present for brief periods during the growing system) riverine system (USFWS 2025b).

WILDLIFE MOVEMENT/CORRIDORS
The project site is located amid commercial and residential development; no wildlife movement corridors occur on the project site. The American River corridor, 0.4 mile north of the project site, has dense, continuous riparian and adjacent upland habitats that function as a movement corridor for many wildlife species. Any wildlife using this as a movement corridor are not likely to move onto the project site due to its poor habitat quality and lack of habitat connectivity.

3.4.2 DISCUSSION
a) Have a substantial adverse effect, either directly or through habitat modifications, on any species identified as a candidate, sensitive, or special-status species in local or regional plans, policies, or regulations, or by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife or the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service?
Less than Significant with Mitigation Incorporated. Scattered shrubs and trees in and around the project site provide suitable nesting habitat for common, urban-adapted migratory birds and raptors protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act and Section 3503.5 of the California Fish and Game Code. Project construction may disturb birds nesting within or adjacent to the project site, causing nest abandonment. Any potential impact on nesting birds would be potentially significant.

Mitigation Measure BIO-1: Conduct Preconstruction Nesting Bird Surveys and Implement Appropriate Avoidance Buffers, as Needed.

If construction will occur during the bird nesting season (typically February 1 to August 31), a qualified biologist will conduct a preconstruction survey for nesting birds no more than 2 weeks prior to the start of ground-disturbing construction activities. The survey will include all suitable habitat within the project site and a 100-foot buffer of the project site.

If nesting birds are located during the preconstruction nesting bird survey, an appropriate buffer will be established by a qualified biologist to protect the nest from project-related disturbances until the nest has fledged or is no longer active. An appropriate non-disturbance buffer will be determined based on the species, site conditions (e.g., existing level of disturbance), biologist observations, and professional judgement. Typical buffers are 50 feet for passerines and 250 feet for non-special-status raptors. Smaller buffers may be implemented if nest monitoring by a qualified biologist confirms project activities are not adversely affecting the nest; this typically requires a period of nest monitoring prior to initiation of project activities to establish baseline nest activity.

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Fite Circle Digital Sign Project IS/MND AECOM
City of Rancho Cordova 3.4-5 Environmental Checklist-Biological Resources

SIGNIFICANCE AFTER MITIGATION
Implementing Mitigation Measure BIO-1 would reduce the potentially significant impact on nesting birds to less than significant with mitigation incorporated by protecting birds that nest within or in the vicinity of the project site from construction-related disturbances if project construction occurs during the nesting season.

Database searches identified no other special-status species with the potential to be impacted by the project.

Therefore, impacts of the proposed project on species identified as a candidate, sensitive, or special-status species in local or regional plans, policies, or regulations, or by the California Department of Fish and Game or the U.S.

Fish and Wildlife Service would be less than significant with mitigation incorporated. b) 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 the California Department of Fish and Wildlife or the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service? No Impact. Sensitive natural communities include riparian habitat and other natural communities of special concern to resource agencies, areas protected under CEQA, or areas otherwise protected under local regulations and policies. No riparian habitat or other sensitive natural communities are present in or adjacent to the project site; ruderal non-native grasses cover the open drainage channel south of the project site. Therefore, implementation of the proposed project would have no impact on riparian habitat or other sensitive natural communities.
c) Have a substantial adverse effect on federally protected wetlands (including, but not limited to, marsh, vernal pool, coastal, etc.) through direct removal, filling, hydrological interruption, or other means?
No Impact. No wetland features are located within the project site. The drainage channel south of the project site would not be dredged, filled, or otherwise interrupted hydrologically during project construction. Excavation would be limited to a 5-foot-diameter signpost hole and an approximately 1.5-foot-deep by 2-foot-wide utility trench that would be excavated to connect the digital sign with existing electrical power at the adjacent building. area within the project site, and excavated material would be immediately transported offsite for disposal at a facility permitted to accept clean fill. Therefore, implementation of the proposed project would have no impact on federally protected wetlands through direct removal, filling, hydrological interruption, or other means. d) 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 impede the use of native wildlife nursery sites?
No Impact. No established migratory routes for native species occur on the project site. The project site is small, disturbed, and isolated amid urban development. Furthermore, noise and visual disturbances from temporary construction and long-term operation of the digital sign are not expected to rise above levels of existing urban disturbances along movement corridors in the vicinity (e.g., the American River).

Implementation of the proposed project would not interfere with the movement of any native species, with established migratory corridors, or with use of native wildlife nursery sites; therefore, there would be no impact from the proposed project related to this issue.

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AECOM Fite Circle Digital Sign Project IS/MND
Environmental Checklist-Biological Resources 3.4-6 City of Rancho Cordova e) Conflict with any local policies or ordinances protecting biological resources, such as a tree preservation policy or ordinance?
No Impact. The Preservation and Protection of Private Trees, Title 19, Chapter 12 of the City of Rancho Cordova Municipal Code protects certain trees and requires an approved permit be obtained before a protected tree has major pruning (i.e., pruning in a way which reduces the overall canopy of the tree by 10 percent or more, or cutting of roots or branches greater than two inches diameter within a 12-month period) or is removed. The tree nearest project construction, a London plane (Platanus x hispanica), has a diameter at breast height of 20 inches and qualifies as a protected tree per Chapter 19.12.030. However, project construction would not require removal or major pruning of this or any other trees. Therefore, the proposed project would not conflict with any local policies or ordinances protecting biological resources, and there would be no impact. f) Conflict with the provisions of an adopted Habitat Conservation Plan, Natural Community Conservation Plan, or other approved local, regional, or state habitat conservation plan? No Impact. The project site is not located within the plan area of the South Sacramento Habitat Conservation Plan or any other approved local, regional, or state habitat conservation plan. Therefore, implementation of the proposed project would not conflict with the provisions of an adopted Habitat Conservation Plan or Natural Community Conservation Plan, and there would be no impact from the proposed project related to this issue.

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Fite Circle Digital Sign Project IS/MND AECOM
City of Rancho Cordova 3.4-7 Environmental Checklist-Biological Resources Table 3.4-1. Special-Status Plant Species with the Potential to Occur in the Project Vicinity Common Legal Status1 Habitat
Potential for
Occurrence
and
Scientific Name Federal
State/
CRPR Distribution
Association and
Elevation
Blooming
Period2
within the
Project Site3 Rationale
Spicate
calycadenia
Calycadenia spicata
– –/1B.3 Amador, Butte, Calaveras,
El Dorado, Fresno, Kern,
Nevada, Placer,
Sacramento, San Joaquin,
Stanislaus, Tulare,
Tuolumne, and Yuba
counties
Adobe, clary,
disturbed, dry,
gravelly, rocky
areas and
openings in
cismontane
woodland and
valley and
foothill
grassland.
130–4,595 feet
amsl
May–
September
No potential Landscaped areas within the project site are regularly disturbed and do not provide habitats
that support this species. This species was not
observed during the site reconnaissance
survey on May 7, 2025.

Peruvian dodder
Cuscuta obtusiflora
var. glandulosa
– –/2B.2 Los Angeles, Merced,
Sacramento (possibly
extirpated), San
Bernardino (presumed
extirpated), Sonoma, and
Sutter counties
Freshwater
marshes and
swamps.
50–920 feet amsl
July–
October
No potential Aquatic habitats required by this species are not present within the project site.

Dwarf downingia
Downingia pusilla
– –/2B.2 Fresno, Merced, Napa,
Placer, Sacramento, San
Joaquin, Solano, Sonoma,
Stanislaus, Tehama, and
Yuba counties
Mesic valley and
foothill grassland
and vernal pools.
5–1,460 feet amsl
March–May No potential Landscaped areas within the project site are regularly disturbed and do not provide habitats
that support this species. This species was not
observed during the site reconnaissance
survey on May 7, 2025.

Boggs Lake hedge-
hyssop
Gratiola
heterosepala
– SCE/1B.2 Fresno, Lake, Lassen,
Madera, Mendocino,
Merced, Modoc, Placer,
Sacramento, San Joaquin,
Shasta, Siskiyou, Solano,
Sonoma, and Tehama
counties
Clay soils in
marsh and
swamp margins
and vernal pools.
35–7,790 feet
amsl
April–
August
No potential Aquatic habitats required by this species are not present within the project site.

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AECOM Fite Circle Digital Sign Project IS/MND
Environmental Checklist-Biological Resources 3.4-8 City of Rancho Cordova Common Legal Status1 Habitat
Potential for
Occurrence
and
Scientific Name Federal
State/
CRPR Distribution
Association and
Elevation
Blooming
Period2
within the
Project Site3 Rationale
Woolly rose-
mallow
Hibiscus
lasiocarpos var.
occidentalis
– –/1B.2 Butte, Colusa, Contra
Costa, Glenn, Sacramento,
San Joaquin, Solano,
Sutter, and Yolo counties
Freshwater
marshes and
swamps.
0–395 feet amsl
June–
September
No potential Aquatic habitats required by this species are not present within the project site.

Ahart’s dwarf
rush
Juncus leiospermus
var. ahartii
– –/1B.2 Butte, Calaveras, Placer,
Sacramento, Tehama, and
Yuba counties
Mesic areas in
valley and
foothill
grassland.
100–750 feet
amsl
March–May No potential Landscaped areas within the project site are regularly disturbed and do not provide habitats
that support this species. This species was not
observed during the site reconnaissance
survey on May 7, 2025.

Alkali-sink
goldfields
Lasthenia
chrysantha
– –/1B.1 Fresno, Kern, Kings,
Madera, Merced,
Sacramento, Solano,
Stanislaus, and Tulare
counties
Alkaline areas in
vernal pools.
0–655 feet amsl
February–
April
No potential Suitable vernal pool habitat is not present within the project site.

Legenere
Legenere limosa
– –/1B.1 Alameda, Lake, Monterey,
Napa, Placer, Sacramento,
San Joaquin, San Mateo,
Santa Clara, Shasta,
Solano, Sonoma,
Stanislaus (presumed
extirpated), Tehama, and
Yuba counties
Vernal pools.
5–2,885 feet
amsl
April–June No potential Suitable vernal pool habitat is not present within the project site.

Heckard’s pepper-
grass
Lepidium latipes
var. heckardii
– –/1B.2 Glenn, Merced,
Sacramento, Solano, and
Yolo counties
Alkaline flats in
valley and
foothill
grassland.
5–655 feet amsl
March–May No potential Landscaped areas within the project site are regularly disturbed and do not provide habitats
that support this species. This species was not
observed during the site reconnaissance
survey on May 7, 2025.

Pincushion
navarretia
Navarretia myersii
ssp. myersii
– –/1B.1 Amador, Calaveras,
Madera, Merced, Placer,
and Sacramento counties
(Often) acidic
vernal pools.
65–1,085 feet
amsl
April–May No potential Suitable vernal pool habitat is not present within the project site.

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Fite Circle Digital Sign Project IS/MND AECOM
City of Rancho Cordova 3.4-9 Environmental Checklist-Biological Resources Common Legal Status1 Habitat
Potential for
Occurrence
and
Scientific Name Federal
State/
CRPR Distribution
Association and
Elevation
Blooming
Period2
within the
Project Site3 Rationale
Slender Orcutt
grass
Orcuttia tenuis
FT SE/1B.1 Butte, Lake, Lassen,
Modoc, Plumas,
Sacramento, Shasta,
Siskiyou, and Tehama
counties
(Often) gravelly
areas in vernal
pools.
115–5,775 feet
amsl
May–
September
(October)
No potential Suitable vernal pool habitat is not present within the project site.

Sacramento
Orcutt grass
Orcuttia viscida
FE SE/1B.1 Sacramento County Vernal pools.
100–330 feet
amsl
April–July
(September)
No potential Suitable vernal pool habitat is not present within the project site.

Sanford’s
arrowhead
Sagittaria sanfordii
– –/1B.2 Butte, Del Norte, El
Dorado, Fresno, Kings,
Los Angeles, Madera,
Marin, Mariposa, Merced,
Napa, Orange,
Sacramento, San
Bernardino, San Joaquin,
San Mateo, Santa Clara,
Shasta, Solano, Sutter,
Tehama, Tulare, Ventura
(presumed extirpated), and
Yuba counties
Shallow
freshwater
marshes and
swamps.
0–2,135 feet
amsl
May–
October
(November)
No potential Aquatic habitats required by this species are not present within the project site.

Saline clover
Trifolium
hydrophilum
– –/1B.2 Alameda, Contra Costa,
Lake, Mendocino,
Monterey, Napa,
Sacramento, San Benito,
San Joaquin, San Luis
Obispo, San Mateo, Santa
Clara, Santa Cruz, Solano,
Sonoma, and Yolo
counties
Marshes and
swamps, mesic
or alkaline areas
in valley and
foothill
grassland, and
vernal pools.
0–985 feet amsl
April–June No potential Landscaped areas within the project site are regularly disturbed and do not provide habitats
that support this species. This species was not
observed during the site reconnaissance
survey on May 7, 2025.

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AECOM Fite Circle Digital Sign Project IS/MND
Environmental Checklist-Biological Resources 3.4-10 City of Rancho Cordova Notes for Table 3.4-1:
amsl = above mean sea level;
CRPR = California Rare Plant Rank.
1 Status explanations:
– = no listing.

Federal
FE = listed as endangered under the federal Endangered Species Act.

FT = listed as threatened under the federal Endangered Species Act.

State
SE = state listed as endangered under the California Endangered Species Act.

SCE = state candidate for listing as endangered under the California Endangered Species Act.

California Native Plant Society California Rare Plant Ranks:
1B = plant species considered rare, threatened, or endangered in California and elsewhere. 2B = plant species considered rare, threatened, or endangered in California but more common elsewhere.

California Rare Plant Rank Extensions:
1 = seriously endangered in California (>80% of occurrences are threatened and/or have high degree and immediacy of threat). 2 = fairly endangered in California (20–80% of occurrences are threatened and/or have moderate degree and immediacy of threat). 3 = not very threatened in California (<20% of occurrences are threatened and/or have low degree and immediacy of threat or no current threats known). 2 Parentheticals indicate uncommon extensions to blooming periods. 3 Potential for occurrence categories defined:

No Potential = The project site is located outside the species’ geographic or elevational range, or no suitable habitat for the species is present within or immediately adjacent to the project site.

Sources: CDFW (2025), CNPS (2025)
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Fite Circle Digital Sign Project IS/MND AECOM
City of Rancho Cordova 3.4-11 Environmental Checklist-Biological Resources Table 3.4-2. Special-Status Wildlife Species with the Potential to Occur in the Project Vicinity Common and Legal Status1
Potential for
Occurrence in the
Scientific Name Federal State Habitat Requirements Project Site2 Rationale Crustaceans
Conservancy fairy
shrimp
Branchinecta conservation
FE – Relatively large vernal pools with highly turbid
freshwater.

No potential Suitable vernal pool habitat is not present within or adjacent to the project site.

Vernal pool fairy shrimp
Branchinecta lynchi
FT – Vernal pools in valley and foothill grassland;
small, clear-water sandstone-depression pools
and grassed swale, earth slump, or basalt-flow
depression pools.

No potential Suitable vernal pool habitat is not present within or adjacent to the project site.

Vernal pool tadpole
shrimp
Lepidurus packardi
FE – Vernal pools in valley and foothill grassland;
pools commonly found in grass-bottomed swales
of unplowed grasslands. Some pools are mud-
bottomed and highly turbid.

No potential Suitable vernal pool habitat is not present within or adjacent to the project site.

Insects
Valley elderberry
longhorn beetle
Desmocerus californicus
dimorphus
FT – Associated with riparian scrub, elderberry
savannah. Host plant is blue elderberry
(Sambucus mexicana). Prefers to lay eggs in
elderberries 2–8 inches in diameter.

No potential No blue elderberry, the host plant for the species, is located within or adjacent to the project site.

Monarch butterfly
Danaus plexippus
FPT – Requires milkweed (Asclepias spp.) for breeding.

Breeds and forages in open, agricultural, wet, or
developed areas with flowering plants. In
California, overwinters in groves of blue gum
(Eucalyptus globulus), Monterey pine (Pinus
radiata), and Monterey cypress (Hesperocyparis
macrocarpa).

Unlikely The project site is outside the species overwintering range and does not contain milkweed, the host plant
for the species. The species may pass through the
project site during migration.

Crotch’s bumble bee
Bombus crotchii
– SCE In California, inhabits open grassland and scrub
habitats. Historically common in the Central
Valley of California but now appears to be absent
from most of it, especially in the center of its
historic range. Nests have not been well
documented.

Unlikely No suitable nesting habitat is present within the project site, and limited flowering plants are
available for foraging within or adjacent to the
project site. The nearest CNDDB-documented
occurrences are in higher-quality habitat along the
American River, approximately 1 mile from the
project site (CDFW 2025).

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AECOM Fite Circle Digital Sign Project IS/MND
Environmental Checklist-Biological Resources 3.4-12 City of Rancho Cordova Common and Legal Status1
Potential for
Occurrence in the
Scientific Name Federal State Habitat Requirements Project Site2 Rationale Amphibians and Reptiles
California tiger
salamander, central
California DPS
Ambystoma californiense
FT ST Vernal pools and other seasonal wetlands (e.g., in ditches) with adequate inundation period and
large tracts of adjacent uplands, primarily
grasslands, with burrows and other refugia. Not
known to breed in streams or rivers.

No potential There is no suitable upland or aquatic breeding habitat for this species within or adjacent to the
project site. Furthermore, no CNDDB-documented
occurrences occur within 10 miles of the project
site.

Western spadefoot
Spea hammondii
FPT SSC Predominantly a grassland species, although
some populations can be found in pine-oak
woodlands of the valley foothills. Requires
shallow, temporary pools or streams during the
breeding season. Where natural vernal pools are
absent, may use artificial ponds or stock tanks.

Most of the year, resides in burrows at depths of
up to 3 feet.

No potential There is no suitable upland or aquatic breeding habitat within or adjacent to the project site. The
nearest CNDDB-documented occurrences are in or
near higher-quality vernal pool habitat
approximately 3 miles south of the project site.

Northwestern pond
turtle
Actinemys marmorata
FPT SSC Closely associated with permanent or nearly
permanent water in a variety of aquatic habitats.

Forages in ponds, marshes, slow-moving streams,
sloughs, and drainage ditches; nests in nearby
uplands with low, sparse vegetation. Basking
sites such as partially submerged logs, rocks,
floating vegetation mats, or open mud banks are
required for thermoregulation. Hibernation may
occur in aquatic habitats or in burrows of
adjacent uplands.

No potential No suitable aquatic habitat occurs within or adjacent to the project site. The nearest perennial
waterway is the American River, 0.4 mile north of
the project site. The project site and surrounding
areas do not provide suitable upland habitat due to
their frequent disturbance.

Coast horned lizard
Phrynosoma blanvillii
– SSC Occurs in open areas with sandy soil and low
vegetation in valley foothill hardwood, conifer,
riparian, and grassland habitats.

Unlikely Annual grasses adjacent to the project site are frequently disturbed and offer low-quality habitat.

The nearest CNDDB-documented record is greater
than 10 miles from the project site (CDFW 2025).

Giant gartersnake
Thamnophis gigas
FT ST Open water associated with slow-moving
streams, sloughs, ponds, marshes, inundated
floodplains, rice fields, and irrigation/drainage
ditches within the Central Valley; also requires
emergent herbaceous wetland vegetation for
escape and foraging habitat, grassy banks and
openings in waterside vegetation for basking, and
higher elevation upland habitat for cover and
refuge from flooding during the inactive season.

No potential No suitable aquatic habitat occurs within or adjacent to the project site. The nearest CNDDB-
documented records are greater than 10 miles from
the project site (CDFW 2025).

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Fite Circle Digital Sign Project IS/MND AECOM
City of Rancho Cordova 3.4-13 Environmental Checklist-Biological Resources Common and Legal Status1
Potential for
Occurrence in the
Scientific Name Federal State Habitat Requirements Project Site2 Rationale Fishes
Pacific lamprey
Entosphenus tridentatus
– SSC Occurs in well-oxygenated, cool, riverine habitat with a mixture of deep pools and cover. Spawns
over gravel and cobble in slow-water areas (e.g.,
pools, runs) of permanent streams.