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Draft Supplemental Environmental Impact Report Page IV.F-38 <br /> Forward Inc.Landfill 2018 Expansion Project <br /> compost and there is no vegetation. This area would be replaced with a capped landfill,which <br /> in the long-term would likely provide improved wildlife habitat value.The proposed ' <br /> sedimentation and leachate ponds would be constructed in the vicinity of an existing leachate <br /> pond and/or within disturbed habitats;therefore these project components would not <br /> substantially alter the current habitat value. Also,the landfill implements a rodent control ' <br /> program,which further detracts from the habitat quality of the site by limiting prey for raptors. <br /> The proposed relocation of the South Branch of the South Fork of Little John's Creek would <br /> result in a net increase in riparian and wetland vegetation. No trees are located on the project ' <br /> site, and therefore none would be removed as part of the project. <br /> Swainson's hawk(a state-listed species) and other special-status bird species forage over ' <br /> grassland habitat and may use the existing landfill habitats for foraging. However,the value of <br /> the property for foraging raptors is limited by the ongoing rodent control program. <br /> Additionally,the habitats to be disturbed by the project(i.e., disked areas devoid of vegetation <br /> and an active compost facility)provide limited value for foraging raptors. These areas would <br /> be replaced with a capped landfill providing similar or improved wildlife habitat value in the <br /> long-term. In the short-term,there would be a loss of low-quality habitat potentially used by ' <br /> Swainson's hawks as foraging habitat and the County considers any loss of potential Swainson's <br /> hawk habitat to contribute to a significant county-wide impact. While the property owner has <br /> already paid the HCP mitigation fees associated with the loss of foraging habitat for the ' <br /> proposed northeast landfill development area,the HCP mitigation fees have not been paid for <br /> the 8.6 acres to be developed in the southern portion of the property. Therefore,the loss of <br /> wildlife habitat(including raptor foraging habitat) is considered a cumulatively significant <br /> impact. <br /> Mitigation Measure F.B. The project shall comply with the SJMSCP mitigation requirements ' <br /> for the conversion of row and field crop lands(SJCOG 2000). Under the SJMSCP (2000), each <br /> acre of Swainson's hawk habitat(i.e., Agricultural Habitat Lands) converted to non-open space <br /> uses would be mitigated by the establishment of 1 acre of Row and Field Crop/Riparian <br /> Preserve(a 1:1 mitigation ratio). This measure would apply to the 8.6 acres of land to be <br /> developed in the southern portion of the property. This would reduce this impact to a less than <br /> significant level. <br /> Impact F.9. Increase in Existinglevels of Night Lighting. Night lighting is not expected to ' <br /> increase, as all project components would be within the boundaries of the existing active landfill <br /> facility area.This is a less than significant impact and no mitigation is required. <br /> Impact F.10. Use of Rodenticides in the Capped Areas of Landfill Could Result in Adverse <br /> Impacts to Wildlife. As part of permits issued to landfills,rodent control is important to <br /> maintaining the integrity of the landfill cap and liner to prevent leaching or seepage. Rodent <br /> control is conducted through the application of rodenticides that is regulated through the <br /> Department of Agriculture. Application of rodenticides could adversely affect predator species, ' <br /> such as raptors and carnivores that feed on rodents on the site. When poisoned rodents are <br /> depredated,they can deliver significant doses to the predator. Raptors that eat small mammals <br /> in urban and agricultural areas are at risk of secondary poisoning from anticoagulant 1 <br /> rodenticides,which can cause internal hemorrhaging and mortality. Some anticoagulants take <br />