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4 Page 90 "+"' T !. } (h)If on-site wetlands,irrigation ditches,marshes,etc. arc being relocated in the vicinity: the newly created aquatic habitat shall be created and filled with water prior to dewatering and destroying the pre- existing aquatic habitat. In addition,non-predatory fish species that exist in the aquatic habitat and which are to be relocated shall be seined and transported to the new aquatic habitat as the old site is dewatered. Implementing the approved wetland mitigation plan and SJMSCP specifications outlined in (c), above would reduce impacts to giant garter snake to a level considered less than significant. F .. Impact F.13. Any construction'activities conducted in or near the North Branch of the South Fork of Little Johns Creek could result in significant adverse impacts to western pond turtles. � The western pond turtle is a State Species of Special Concern and protected under Fish and Game Code §5050. Little Johns Creek and portions of adjacent upland areas provide marginal but suitable habitat for the western pond turtle. Realignment of the creek could result in the direct of loss of individuals. This could be considered a significant adverse impact to this turtle species. Mitigation would reduce impacts to western pond turtle to a level considered less than significant. a. Mitigation Measure F.U. (a) Prior to initiating any work in the North Branch of the South Fork of Little Johns Creek and adjacent habitats,pre-construction surveys should be conducted within 48 hours prior to de-watering the creek channel. CDFG and USFWS should be consulted for guidance prior to any I F, western pond turtle translocation work. Translocation should be conducted at the expense + JPA and with the approvals of USFWS and CDFG. In addition, a detected nest would require ae3000--f 300-foot buffer area for the nest and the associated wetlands while the nest is occupied. The nest site should be monitored by a qualified biologist until the hatchlings have left the nest. These buffers shall be indicated by temporary fencing if construction has begun or will begin before nesting periods have ended (the f period from egg laying to emergence of hatchlings is normally April to November) (SJMSCP, Public i Review Draft, September 23, 1999). Furthermore,any pre-construction and construction measures should be consistent the SJMSCP. Pre-construction surveys and subsequent nest protection would prevent direct take of individuals or nests. These actions would reduce impacts to western pond. P po turtle to a level considered less than significant. Impact F.14.Implementation of the project could result in significant adverse impacts to greater F western mastiff bat. Greater western mastiff bat is a formerly listed federal Species of Concern and California Species of Special Concern. Oak trees on the project site provide suitable roosting habitat for this bat. Potential impacts to this bat from the proposed project include reduction or loss of roosting habitat, and possibly death of individuals during removal of trees. Prior to removing trees,pre-construction surveys should be F conducted to check for the presence of greater western mastiff bat. Project related impacts to potential roost and/or maternity sites would be considered a potentially significant adverse impact. Mitigation could be implemented to reduce this impact to a level considered less than significant. Mitigation Measure F.14 x F1 (a) Pre-construction surveys for , ey greater western mastiff should be conducted prior to removing any trees from the project site. These pre-construction surveys may be required and funded by A the SJMSCP JPA should be conducted by a biologist with experience surveying for bats, and the surveys should not occur any more than 30 days prior to the proposed tree removal. if no special- status bats are identified during the pre-construction survcy(s),then no impacts to these bats would be expected to occur from construction of the proposed project. If,however,greater FGR4SSETTI F- WMONMENTAL CONSULTING F