By Clyde Noel
Town Crier Correspondent
Campus renovation plans are back on track at Foothill College a year after officials discovered an earthquake fault line running through areas slated for new buildings. The new plan, however, places buildings closer to Adobe Creek, possibly impacting stream wildlife.
In a special meeting of the Foothill-De Anza Community College District Friday, the board accepted the Environmental Impact Report (EIR) and approved a revised facilities master plan.
When Foothill College officials discovered the Monta Vista fault line under the campus center in May 2001, they needed to rework the master plan to include new buildings in new locations.
State law specifies that structures must be at least 50 feet away from a fault line and include an EIR that examines the potential environmental effects and provides mitigating measures for impact on natural habitats for flora and fauna.
The EIR stated if grading operations for the project occurred within 300 feet of Adobe Creek, it could result in loss of individual California red-legged frogs, California tiger salamanders and western pond turtles. If any wildlife is observed, the district will install a temporary fence adjacent to the riparian zone.
Doug Aikins, consultant attorney for the district, explained the mitigation measures for burrowing owls were more extensive. If burrowing owls are observed on the project, then exclusion devices, using one-way doors, would be installed in the entrance of all burrows. If owls are observed during the nesting season the burrows would be avoided.
If owls are observed using burrows during the non-breeding season, owls would be excluded from active burrows by the use of one-way doors. Each of the burrows would then be excavated by hand and refilled to prevent re-occupation. This would continue until the owls successfully leave the site.
Richard Stowe, former student, said the symbol for Foothill College is an owl, and he felt the EIR was unacceptable because it didn’t include different environmental opportunities.
Board President Sandy Hay said options have been looked at and considered and what is presented today is the best opportunity.
“Has anyone in the audience seen a burrowing owl on the campus,” Hay asked. When no one replied, Hay said “Guess the owls don’t give a hoot.”
John Schulze, director of facilities, said today’s action of certifying the EIR means they can now proceed with the project.
Officials plan for construction of phase I of the campus center and campus entry building to begin in summer 2003. Plans are still on schedule for overall completion by 2007.
The additional work for the renovation project, paid for with 1999 Measure E bond funds, will now run a $10 million deficit.
The district expects to recoup the money from the state.
