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Draft Supplemental Environmental Impact Report Page IV.F-31 Forward Inc. Landfill 2018 Expansion Project 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. 7. If wetlands,irrigation ditches,marshes,etc. will not be relocated in the vicinity,then the aquatic habitat shall be dewatered at least two weeks prior to commencing construction. 8. Pre-construction surveys for the giant garter snake (conducted after completion of environmental reviews and prior to ground disturbance)shall occur within 24 hours of ground disturbance. 9. Other provisions of the USFWS Standard Avoidance and Minimization Measures during Construction Activities in Giant Garter Snake Habitat shall be implemented (excluding programmatic mitigation ratios which are superseded by the SJMSCP's mitigation ratios). These mitigation measures would reduce potential impacts to the giant garter snake to less than significant levels because impacts to giant garter snake would be minimized or avoided. . In addition, restoration of the realigned creek channel would provide at least equivalent habitat for giant garter snake. Impact F.4. Potential"Take" of Western Pond Turtle. Though the lack of consistent flows within the South Branch of South Littlejohn's Creek within the study area are unlikely to support western pond turtle,habitat elements for the species are present in other portions of ' Littlejohn's Creek, and these are hydrologically connected to the study area. If the species were present in the South Branch of the South Fork of Littlejohn's Creek during construction, a "take" of western pond turtle could occur. This is a potentially significant impact. In the long term, restoration of the realigned creek channel,proposed as part of this project,will provide at least ' equivalent enhance habitat for some semi-aquatic and riparian wildlife species, including for western pond turtle. Mitigation Measure F.4. Participation in the SJMSCP affords the project proponent Incidental Take authorization for western pond turtle pursuant to ESA,CESA and CEQA. Nonetheless,to minimize the potential for incidental take of the species, preconstruction surveys for western ' pond turtles shall be conducted within the project study area by a qualified biologist approved by the SJMSCP TAC. If the species is detected,within the study area,the project shall undertake Incidental Take Avoidance and Minimization Measures to protect the species as directed by the TAC. Avoidance and minimization measures may include the following, as specified by the TAC: 1) When nesting areas for pond turtles are identified on a project site, a buffer area of 300 feet shall be established between the nesting site (which may be immediately adjacent to wetlands or extend up to 400 feet away from wetland areas in uplands) and the wetland located near the nesting site. These buffers shall be indicated by temporary fencing if construction has begun or will begin before nesting periods end (the period from egg laying to emergence of hatchlings is normally April to November). The buffer zones ' shall be maintained until the nesting season has ended.