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Page 89 width)or 39.4 acres,if the riparian vegetation is included,would replace aquatic and associated habitat. This habitat would be replaced at an approximately 4.5:1 replacement ratio. Potential impacts to this snake species include loss of upland habitat,loss of aquatic foraging habitat,and death to individuals during construction of the project. Impacts to stream channels and adjacent uplands would be considered a significant adverse impact to giant garter snake,however this would be mitigated by the approved wetland mitigation plan. Mitigation could be implemented that would offset impacts to this snake species to a level considered less than significant. Because the existing creek segment will be relocated,it is not possible for the proposed project to fully comply with the incidental take avoidance measures set forth in the SJMSCP. These guidelines specify that a buffer of 200 feet from the edge of habitat be protected from vegetation removal and operation of construction equipment. The realigned creek also would not achieve the required minimum 400-foot wide corridor width. However,the realigned creek channel and associated aquatic,wetland and riparian habitat would be superior to the existing channel in terms of area(39 acres compared to 8 acres),width of total floodplain(200 feet compared to 45 feet),and management practices(preserved in perpetuity versus periodically cleared of all in-channel vegetation for flood control). The realigned creek channel would be more suitable for the giant garter snake. Miti ation Measure F.12. The following measures are identified to mitigate potential impacts to the giant garter snake to a less than significant level: (a) Implementation of the approved wetland mitigation plan(see also Mitigation Measure F.l.) would compensate for impacts to aquatic and associated habitat(which is assumed to constitute giant garter snake habitat)resulting from creek realignment: In accordance with that plan, a total of 39 acres of aquatic and associated upland and riparian habitat shall be created,constituting a 4.5:1 replacement ratio, an shall be managed as a preserve for biological resources. (b) All mitigation requirements for giant garter snake should be in accordance with,and to the satisfaction of,CDFG and USFWS. Conditions attached to the CDFG Streambed Alteration Agreement shall be incorporated into the wetlands plan and implemented accordingly. (c) The following pre-construction and construction measures should be implemented to salvage individuals and to minimize and avoid take. These measures are consistent with the recently released SJMSCP (Public Review Draft, September 23, 1999): ` • Construction shall occur during the active period for the snake,between May 1 and October t ! 1. Between October 2nd and April 30th,the JPA with the concurrence of the Permitting Agencies' representatives on the TAC,shall determine if additional measures are necessary to minimize and avoid take. • Limit vegetation clearing within 200 feet of the banks of occupied giant garter snake aquatic habitat to the minimal area necessary. • Confine the movement of heavy equipment within 200 feet of the banks of occupied giant garter snake aquatic habitat to existing roadways to minimize habitat disturbance. • Prior to ground disturbance,all on-site construction personal shall be given instruction regarding the presence of SJMSCP-covered species and the importance of avoiding impacts to these species and their habitats. GRASSETTI ENVIRONMENTAL CONSULTING