The San Mateo Resource Conservation District (RCD), as Lead Agency under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), approved the Mitigated Negative Declaration and adopted the Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program for the Butano Farms San Francisco Garter Snake Habitat Enhancement Project.

The RCD released a Draft Initial Study and Mitigated Negative Declaration (IS/MND) on March 6, 2020 for a 30-day public review period (State Clearinghouse Number 2020030232). No comments were received. The Final IS/MND was approved by the RCD Board of Directors on May 21, 2020.

Project Summary
The Butano Farms San Francisco Garter Snake Habitat Enhancement Project will enhance 65 acres of habitat for endangered San Francisco garter snake (Thamnophis sirtalis tetrataenia) and threatened California red-legged frog (Rana draytonii). The project is located in coastal San Mateo County approximately one mile south of the town of Pescadero at the Butano Farms complex owned by Peninsula Open Space Trust. Enhancement actions include restoration of grassland and herbaceous wetland habitats to support movement, foraging, and breeding habitat used by San Francisco garter snake, California red-legged frog, and a variety of other native wetland and grassland dependent species. The project provides mitigation for biological impacts associated with Pacific Gas & Electric Company (PG&E) Line 101 Inline Inspection and Upgrade, and Lomita Park Station Rebuild Project in the City of Millbrae, San Mateo County. PG&E provided financial contribution to the RCD for management of land with emphasis on management for San Francisco garter snake. Restoration activities are consistent with the recovery actions outlined in the federal San Francisco Garter Snake Recovery Plan, which concludes that restoration of upland, riparian and aquatic habitat is necessary for the recovery of the San Francisco garter snake, and will support recovery of the California red-legged frog.

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