If your project could impact state or federally listed species, you will likely be required to implement mitigation measures to minimize impacts. Consult with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the National Marine Fisheries Service, the California Department of Fish and Game, and your local permitting agency to develop site-specific mitigation measures for your project. Some typical requirements are listed below, however all project proponents should consult with the agencies before performing any surveys or mitigation measures.
 

• If suitable habitat for a listed species is present at your project site, have a qualified biologist conduct detailed surveys during the appropriate time frame and according to established protocols to determine if the species is present. Qualified biologists must have appropri-ate permits and/or agency authorizations to conduct surveys for listed species.
• Submit a report of the survey results to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the National Marine Fisheries Service, and/or the California Department of Fish and Game, with figures showing the location of any listed species and potential habitat observed on the project site.
• Design or reconfigure your project design to avoid or minimize impacts to listed species and their habitat. Significant impacts may be reduced or eliminated by reducing the size of the project or by locating the project in the least environmentally sensitive area.
• Provide compensation for impacts to listed species habitat. Compensation can include defining open space or conservation easements, contributing to a mitigation bank, and/or off-site mitigation, such as participating in a Habitat Conservation Plan (HCP).
• Prohibit any temporary disturbance during the breeding seasons for sensitive wildlife by constructing outside of this time frame.
• Protect and preserve native plants and seeds as much as possible, but if removal is necessary, salvage and restore native plants in dedicated open space.
• Restore temporarily disturbed areas by repairing, rehabilitating, and revegetating the impacted environment.
• Provide environmental training to all construction workers, equipment operators, and inspectors working on the project.
• Define and respect clear work area limits and access roads.
• Restrict off-road vehicle use.
• Use flagging or fencing to mark exclusion areas around sensitive habitats.
• Take measures to exclude sensitive species from active construction areas to prevent “take” by construction equipment.
• Implement erosion control measures to minimize disturbance to streams, wetlands, and waterways.
• Prevent spills by handling all hazardous materials with care.
• Maintain biological monitors on the job site during construction to minimize disturbance to sensitive species and their habitat and to document compliance with the mitigation agreements.
• Do not harm, harass, or touch animals, burrows, or nests.
• Report sensitive wildlife sightings, injuries, or deaths to the appropriate personnel and/or agencies.
• Take measures to reduce competition and other negative impacts from non-native species.