Habitat Assessment
A habitat assessment will be conducted by a Qualified Biologist to determine whether suitable habitat (including foraging, nesting, and dispersal) for the gnatcatcher occurs in or adjacent to the project area. If suitable habitat for this species is identified in or adjacent to the project area and the proposed project may affect suitable habitat that is not known to be occupied by the gnatcatcher, the appropriate USFWS Office will be contacted regarding the need for surveys according to the USFWS protocol (USFWS 1997); and those surveys will be conducted, as appropriate. Alternatively, the Project Proponent may choose to implement the following avoidance measures for these species, based on the presence of suitable habitat, without conducting protocol surveys to confirm presence or absence.