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vegetated with ruderal species. An ephemeral drainage lacking wetland vegetation is located on the college
<br /> property near the southwestern comer of the College Park site. Another ephemeral drainage reportedly occurs at
<br /> the southern end of the Tuso property(Foothill Associates 2003),although this feature was not observed during
<br /> the EDAW survey and is not depicted on Figure 4.10-1. The perennial drainage,which is located on the
<br /> Hernandez property(Figure 3-5 in Chapter 3,"Project Description")near the western boundary of the College
<br /> Park site is densely vegetated with freshwater emergent wetland and supports patches of Great Valley riparian
<br /> scrub,as described below. Water features associated with the off-site improvement areas include an irrigation
<br /> canal that crosses under Grant Line Road east of the proposed project site,and the Delta—Mendota Canal,
<br /> California Aqueduct, and Mountain House Creek, which cross under Grant Line Road west of the proposed
<br /> project site.
<br /> At the time of the EDAW surveys,freshwater emergent wetland and Great Valley riparian scmb vegetation were
<br /> primarily confined to the perennial(Hernandez)drainage. Freshwater emergent wetland also occurred in the
<br /> Machado pond at the comer of Mountain House Parkway and Grant Line Road and in small, scattered patches
<br /> along the irrigation canals. This habitat is restricted to areas that are saturated or inundated for long periods. At
<br /> the College Park site, it is dominated by a dense cover of emergent,wetland herbs,including narrow-leaved
<br /> cattail(Typha angustifolia),rule(Scirpus acutus), smartweed(Polygonum spp.), sedge(Carex spp.),and umbrella
<br /> sedge(Cyperus eragrostis). Other common species observed include curly dock(Rumex crispus),slender
<br /> willow-herb(Epilobium ciliatum),and rabbitfoot grass(Polypogon monspeliensis). Great Valley riparian scrub is
<br /> characterized by an open canopy dominated by shrubs. The perennial(Hernandez)drainage is the only location at
<br /> the College Park site that supports this habitat. The dominant species are Goodding's willow(Salix gooddingir)
<br /> ` and red willow(S. laeWgata).
<br /> DEVELOPED AREAS
<br /> Several developed areas and their associated landscape plantings and cultivated gardens are present at the College
<br /> Park site. These include Grant Line Village,two dairies along Mountain House Parkway,and four residences in
<br /> the middle of the site.Landscape trees in the residential areas include eucalyptus(Eucalyptus spp.),weeping
<br /> willow(Salix babylonica),California pepper tree(Schinus molle), and Australian pine(Casuarina equisetifolia).
<br /> A large number of walnuts(Juglans spp.)grow along both sides of Grant Line Road.
<br /> WILDLIFE RESOURCES
<br /> The overall wildlife habitat value of the College Park site is limited by the predominance of agricultural lands,
<br /> which support a relatively low diversity of wildlife species. However,the density of some species that are
<br /> adapted to the changing conditions associated with agricultural lands can be high in such areas. Agricultural
<br /> lands at the College Park site are expected to support small mammals that are generally common in similar
<br /> ` habitats in the region, such as Botta's pocket gopher(Thomomys bottae),western harvest mouse
<br /> (Reithrodontomys megalotis),and California meadow vole(Microtus californicus). These small mammals are
<br /> prey for a variety of raptor species known to inhabit the College Park site, including American kestrel(Falco
<br /> sparverius),northern harrier(Circus cyaneus),red-tailed hawk(Buteo jamaicensis),and Swainson's hawk(Buteo
<br /> swainsoni:). A variety of other birds were observed or are expected to forage in the agricultural fields,including
<br /> western kingbird(Tyrannus verticalis),barn swallow(Hirundo rustica),western meadowlark(Sturnella
<br /> neglecta),Brewer's blackbird(Euphagus cyanocephalus), and the nonnative European starling(Sturnus vulgaris).
<br /> Ornamental vegetation,such as the trees along Grant Line Road and trees and shrubs associated with rural
<br /> residences,are likely used by species adapted to highly disturbed and altered environments, such as house
<br /> sparrow(Passer domesticus),house finch(Carpodacus mexicanus),raccoon(Procyon lotor),and opossum
<br /> (Didelphis virginiana).
<br /> The BBID irrigation canals,roadside ditches,and ponds can provide habitat for species associated with wetlands,
<br /> particularly if they support wetland vegetation. Natural wetland and riparian habitats are expected to support the
<br /> College Park at Mountain House Specific Plan III Draft EIR EDAW
<br /> San Joaquin County 4.10-3 Biological Resources
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