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Page 88 Impact F.11. Implementation of the project could result in significant adverse impacts to Sacramento splittail. Sacramento splittail is a federally-proposed threatened species and is a California Species of Special Concern. Sacramento splittail is endemic to the Central Valley of California. USFWS states that there is a low likelihood this fish occurs in Little Johns Creek in a nearby project site(taken from Biological Impacts and Mitigations Proposed BNSF Intermodal Facility, Stockton, California, March 23, 1999,M. Thabault,Pers. comm. with G. Monk,July 3, 1997). However,USFWS acknowledges that this fish could possibly get as far upstream in Little Johns Creek at the project site during wet years(following Biological Impacts and Mitigations Proposed BNSF In termodal Facility, Stockton, California, March 23, 1999; S.Brady pens, comae. with G. Monk,Scptember,24, 1998). Potential impacts to this species include temporary disturbance to the creek from realignment resulting in a temporary loss of a potential migration corridor. The realignment would eventually result in an increased.area of and better quality habitat that would be beneficial to fish species. No surveys have been conducted for Sacramento splittail in the reach of Little Johns Creek on the project site,and in the absence of surveys,it must be concluded that implementation of the proposed realignment could result in potentially significant adverse impacts. Mitigation could be implemented that would reduce this impact to a level considered less than significant. Mitization Measure F.11. (a) To avoid impacting Sacramento splittail populations potentially present i in Little Johns Creek,and to avoid impacts to other sensitive fish species potentially present in this creek, work in the creek should only be conducted between July 31 and September 30. If work must occur outside of these months,NMFS should be contacted. Further mitigation for non-summer work would be in accordance with recommendation provided by NMFS. Other mitigation could include conducting turbidity studies to determine if the work would be detrimental to Sacramento splittail. This mitigation(also refer to Mitigation Measure F.1)conducted in concert with any mitigation required by NMFS would reduce impacts to this fish species to a level considered less than significant. (taken from Biological Impacts and Mitigations Proposed BNSF Intermodal Facility, Stockton, California, March 23, I 1999). Impact F.12. Implementation of the project could result in significant adverse impacts to giant garter snake. The giant garter snake is state-and federally-listed as Threatened. It is likely that the USFWS and CDFG would consider the creek channel on the project site to be giant garter snake habitat based on consultation with these agencies on a nearby site on the North Branch of the South Fork of Little Johns Creek, It is not known if the portion of this creek that is on the project site is occupied by giant garter snake. Typically, a buffer extending 200-foot from the banks of occupied creek channels may be considered as upland habitat in addition to the creek channel. However,the habitat value of adjacent uplands is reduced by annual cultivation of the Brocchini property to the south, and landfill operations to the north. Therefore, the area that is assumed to provide suitable giant garter snake habitat(in the absence of surveys)is limited to the top of banks. Approximately 8.03 acres of aquatic and associated upland habitat(assuming an average floodplain width of 45 feet and a reach length of 7,600 feet)will be altered and realigned as a result of the proposed relocation of the creek. k A wetland mitigation plan has been approved for the projcct(Jones and Stokes 1996). Giant garter snake habitat issues incorporated into the plan were discussed in informal consultation with USFWS and CDFG, although the Streambed Alteration Permit has not yet been issued. (Niblock,pers. comin.) Under the approved wetland mitigation plan, a total of 35.8 acres(length of realigned reach by average floodplain GRASSEMEMiIRONMENTAL CONSULTING