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Vantage to Pomona Heights Chapter 4 230 kV Transmission Line Project FEIS Environmental Consequences PAGE 4-58 Biological Change Impacts resulting in biological change include modification of habitat type, species composition, species behavior, or population size. Habitat change in this analysis was generally associated with: 1) long-term habitat loss through vegetation removal and/or destruction; 2) habitat conversion (e.g., removal of shrubland and reclamation to grassland); 3) habitat degradation (e.g., introduction or spread of noxious weeds and invasive species); and 4) introduction of habitat features not currently present (e.g., perching habitat associated with transmission line structures). Biological change from habitat loss, habitat conversion, and habitat degradation was evaluated through a GIS data analysis of vegetation communities within the Project area and equated to habitat. Based on the disturbance model, habitat loss was calculated within each habitat type by disturbance type and by short- or long-term duration. The general types of impacts caused by the construction, operation and maintenance of the proposed Project are presented in Table 4.3-3. 4.3.2 Impact Levels (High, Moderate, Low, No Identifiable Impact) Resource sensitivity levels (Tables 4.3-1 and 4.3-2) and impact types (Table 4.3-3) were the primary factors used in estimating potential impact levels for wildlife resources. In addition, the resource quality (the existing condition of the resource) and resource quantity (the amount of the resource potentially affected) were also considered. These criteria were applied to develop impact level categories of high, moderate, low, and no identifiable. The impact levels are defined as follows: High – A high level of impact would result if the construction, operation, or maintenance of the proposed Project would potentially cause an adverse biological change or biological disturbance to wildlife resources. Moderate – A moderate level of impact would result if the construction, operation, or maintenance of the proposed Project would potentially cause some adverse biological change or biological disturbance to wildlife resources. Low - A low level of impact would result if the construction, operation, or maintenance of the proposed Project would potentially cause a minor adverse biological change or biological disturbance to wildlife resources. No Identifiable - No identifiable impact would be indicated where no measurable impact would occur to wildlife resources. 4.3.3 Impacts Common to All Route Segments Impacts from construction, operation and maintenance of the proposed Project would impact wildlife populations residing in or near the Project study area. However, the extent of the impact would vary among species and for each species impact levels would depend on: species occurrence within and near the Project right-of-way (ROW); habitat requirements; amount of suitable habitat directly or indirectly disturbed by the Project; and sensitivity to disturbance and habitat change. General impacts would include habitat loss and degradation; increased risk of mortality due to collision or increased human access to habitat; generation of fugitive dust; exposure to pollutants; wildfire; increased predator presence; disturbance during critical periods, such as nesting or wintering periods; temporary disturbance and displacement due to construction activities; and long-term disturbance or displacement due to operation and maintenance of the transmission line infrastructure. Construction activities are generally short-term and related to temporary disturbances associated with transmission structure installation, staging areas, access road improvements, new access road construction, and temporary pulling/tensioning sites.