SU0011836 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

1 ' Draft Supplemental Environmental Impact Report Page IV.F-5 Forward Inc. Landfill 2018 Expansion Project banks contain many of the non-native grasses and weedy species discussed above, as well as ' patches of Himalayan blackberry(Rubus armeniacus), creeping wildrye (Elymus triticoides), and tall willowherb (Epilobium brachycarpum), among others. Summer flows in the South Branch of the South Fork of Littlejohn's Creek are primarily generated from irrigation tail-waters and from irrigation water releases from Farmington Reservoir approximately 13 miles east of the project site (Monk and Associates 2007). The South Branch of South Littlejohn's Creek flows into Lone Tree Creek,which flows into the main branch of Littlejohns Creek,which flows to French Camp Slough,which is a tributary of Walker Slough,which finally enters the San Joaquin River(Monk and Associates 2007). At the time of the 2018 survey,nesting cliff swallows were present on the underside of the Austin Road Bridge over the South Branch of the South Fork of Littlejohn's Creek;these birds were foraging over the creek. The channel provides habitat for common amphibians such as Sierran treefrog(Pseudacris sierra),numerous common species of nesting birds, foraging habitat for bats, and common mammals such as raccoon(Procyon lotor). Managed irrigation channels are typically limited to nonnative fish species that can tolerate warm, shallow water such as green sunfish(Lepomis cyanellus),golden shiner(Notemigonus crysoleucas),bigscale logperch (Percina macrolepida) and carp (Cyprinus carpio)among others(A.A. Rich Associates 2002). ' Wildlife Movement Corridors Wildlife corridors are important for persistence of wildlife in the landscape and,therefore, ' conservation. Linkages between habitat types can extend for miles between primary habitat areas and occur on a large scale throughout California. Habitat linkages facilitate movement between populations located in discrete areas and populations located within larger habitat areas. Even where patches of pristine habitat are fragmented, as commonly occurs with ' riparian vegetation,wildlife movement between populations is facilitated through habitat linkages,migration corridors and movement corridors. Wildlife movement includes migration (i.e.,usually one direction per season),inter-population movement(i.e., long-term genetic ' exchange) and small travel pathways (i.e., daily movement within an animal's home range). The area surrounding the project site is primarily agricultural,with some industrial and ' residential land uses.The 8.7-acre northeast expansion area is bordered by the existing Forward Landfill on the south and west, and to the north by the restored North Branch of the South Fork of Littlejohn's Creek(and associated riparian corridor) and further to the north by a correctional ' facility. The 8.6-acre southeast landfill relocation area is bordered by the existing landfill to the north and east, and by agricultural land to the south. Austin Road, a two-lane road,runs along the eastern boundary of the study area.With the exception of isolated valley oak trees and ' restored riparian habitat within the North Branch of the South Fork of Littlejohn's Creek,there are no other native habitats within the area. Due to the altered condition of the study area and the active use of much of it for various landfill operations,the proposed additional ' development areas are unlikely to be part of a significant corridor for wildlife.The one exception is the South Branch of the South Fork of Littlejohn's Creek, which provides a potential movement corridor for terrestrial and aquatic wildlife. While riparian vegetation does occur north of the site,the restored woodland is isolated, does not connect discrete open space areas, and is outside of the proposed development area. 1