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Paige 86 Impact F.B.Construction activities in the North Branch of the South Fork of Little Johns Creek could result in significant adverse impacts to Sacramento River winter chinook salmon. Sacramento River winter chinook salmon is a federal and state=listed Endangered species. The National Marine Fisheries Service(NMFS)has stated that this fish species could be present in Little Johns Creek at a nearby project site in the fall and winter months,but acknowledges that its presence would be unlikely (based on from Biological Impacts and Mitigations Proposed BNSFIntermodal Facility, Stockton, California dated March 23, 1999). Realigning the 7,600-foot reach of Little Johns Creek may have temporary impacts on this fish species.Potential impacts to Chinook from realignment of the creek include temporary disturbance to the creek resulting in a temporary loss of a potential migration corridor. The proposed mitigation would replace the 7,600-foot reach(with an on average 46-foot floodplain width)with a 7,800-foot reach(with a 200-1oot floodplain width)and riparian vegetation within a 220 foot on average meander. The widened floodplain width and enhanced riparian vegetation would be beneficial to fish species. No formal surveystliave been conducted for Sacramento River Winter Chinook Salmon in the reach of Little Johns Creek on the project site;however, an observation of this species has been documented (Nisperos,pers.'comm. with Mike Wood,September 23, 1999). Realignment and enhancement should reduce this impact to a level considered less than significant. Mitigation Measure F.8. Implementation of the following mitigation would reduce impacts to Sacramento River winter chinook salmon to a level considered less than significant. F. (a) To avoid impacting Sacramento River winter chinook salmon in Little Johns Creek, all proposed work that would impact this creek should occur'in the summer months when this salmon would not be migrating/spawning in this creek. If work must occur during the fall/winter months,the National Marine Fisheries Service(NMFS)should be contacted for other possible mitigation requirements,''Other mitigation would include conducting turbidity studies to determine if the work would be detrimental to Sacramento River winter chinook salmon. Further mitigation for FF non-summer work would be in accordance with recommendations provided by NMFS. (b) The proposed mitigation would replace the 7,600-fo6t reach(with anon average 46 foot floodplain width)with a 7,800-foot reach(with a 200 foot floodplain width)and riparian F vegetation within a 220-foot on average meander. The widened floodplain width and enhanced riparian vegetation would be beneficial to fish species(see Impact B.1). The mitigation.listed above conducted in concert with any mitigation required by NMFS for work in the migration/spawning season would reduce impacts to this fish species to a level considered less than significant(taken from Biological Impacts and Mitigations Proposed BNSF Intermodal lr Facility, Stockton, California,March 23, 1999). Impact F.9. Construction activities in the North Branch of the South Fork of Little Johns Creek could result in significant adverse impacts to Sacramento River faMate-fall Chinook salmon. Sacramento River.FalU ate-Fall Chinook salmon was proposed for listing as Threatened in the Federal Register by National Marine Fisheries Service(NMFS)on February 26, 1998 and is a California Species 4 of Special Concern.As a proposed listed species,this salmon is not formally protected under the Federal Endangered Species Act. However, for planning purposes, it is prudent for project proponents to treat proposed listed species as though they were going to be listed. Finally,proposed listed species usually meet biological criteria to be classified as rare under.CEQA (Section 15380(b)). GRASSETTI ENT17RONMENTAL CONSULTING F