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celery, which is state listed as endangered. Mason's lilaeopsis is state listed as rare. Five of the species are on
<br /> CNPS List 1B(plants considered rare,threatened, or endangered in California and elsewhere),and the remaining
<br /> four are on CNPS List 2(plants considered rare,threatened, or endangered in California but more common
<br /> elsewhere). The specific regulatory status of each species is identified in Table 4.10-1. Bristly sedge,Delta
<br /> button-celery, and blue skullcap are considered extirpated or possibly extirpated from San Joaquin County —
<br /> (CNDDB 2004,Toyon 1996). Therefore,they are unlikely to occur in the College Park area,but they are
<br /> addressed in this document because of their coverage under the SJMSCP.
<br /> All special-status plant species listed above inhabit aquatic habitats associated with rivers, streams,ponds,and
<br /> marshes. Several inhabit agricultural ditches(Toyon 1996). Potentially suitable habitat for special-status plants at
<br /> the College Park site includes the perennial(Hernandez)drainage,irrigation canals, and the pond. Such habitat
<br /> does not exist in the ephemeral(College)drainage and is unlikely to exist in the ephemeral Tuso drainage. The
<br /> perennial(Hernandez)drainage and its associated freshwater emergent wetland and Great Valley riparian scrub
<br /> vegetation are relatively undisturbed and therefore have a higher potential to support special-status plants.
<br /> Although the canals and ponds could be regularly cleared of vegetation and therefore are less likely to support
<br /> special-status plants,small patches of freshwater marsh vegetation persist in some locations and provide
<br /> marginally suitable habitat. Suitable habitat is also present in the portion of Mountain House Creek where Grant
<br /> Line Road is to be widened. —
<br /> SPECIAL-STATUS WILDLIFE SPECIES
<br /> The CNDDB includes many special-status wildlife species occurrences in the general vicinity of the College Park
<br /> site. However,many of these species have little potential to occur. Those restricted to habitats that are not
<br /> present in the area, such as vernal pools, saltbush scrub, and mudflats,are not discussed in this section. In _
<br /> addition,Valley elderberry longhorn beetle is not addressed,because blue elderberry(Sambucus mexicanus),the
<br /> host plant for this beetle,was not observed at the College Park site. Based on the CNDDB search,reconnaissance
<br /> surveys,and existing environmental documents, 24 special-status wildlife species have the potential to occur at
<br /> the College Park site and are discussed below. Six of these species are state-or federally-listed as threatened or
<br /> endangered: giant garter snake(Thamnophis gigas),California red-legged frog(Rana aurora draytonii),
<br /> Swainson's hawk(Buten swainsoni,American peregrine falcon(Falco peregrinus anatum),greater sandhill crane
<br /> (Grus canadensis tabida),and San Joaquin kit fox(Vulpes macrotis mutica). In addition, California tiger
<br /> salamander(Ambystoma californiense)is currently considered a candidate for listing as threatened or endangered.
<br /> The remaining 15 wildlife species are considered species of special concern by DFG or federal species of concern
<br /> by USFWS. The regulatory status of each species is identified in Table 4.10-1. —
<br /> Several special-status amphibians,including California red-legged frog(Rana aurora draytonir),California tiger
<br /> salamander(Ambystoma californiense),and westem spadefoot(Scaphiopus hammondir)inhabit the foothills west
<br /> of the Specific Plan III site and in the Mountain House Creek corridor. California red-legged frogs typically
<br /> breed in deep, still or slow-moving water with dense riparian or emergent vegetation and are rarely found far from
<br /> water during the dry season. Tiger salamanders typically breed in long-lasting rain ponds,but they can also use —
<br /> permanent ponds if aquatic predators are absent(Jennings and Hayes 1994). Neither California red-legged frog
<br /> nor tiger salamander is expected to occur at the College Park site because potential habitat is of marginal quality
<br /> and is surrounded by agricultural lands,isolating it from areas of occupied habitat. Red-legged frogs could,
<br /> however, inhabit the portion of Mountain House Creek within the future Grant Line Road widening corridor.
<br /> Western spadefoots typically breed in shallow temporary rain pools,which are not anticipated to occur on the
<br /> College Park site or off-site improvements areas.Therefore,western spadefoots are not anticipated to inhabit the
<br /> College Park site or off-site improvement areas. —
<br /> Two special-status reptiles,giant garter snake(Thamnophis gigas)and western pond turtle(Emys marmorata),
<br /> inhabit aquatic habitats in San Joaquin County. Suitable habitat for giant garter snake includes the following —
<br /> essential components: (1)adequate water during the active season to provide dense populations of food
<br /> organisms; (2) emergent,herbaceous wetland vegetation for escape cover and foraging habitat during the active
<br /> EDAW College Park at Mountain House Spec'rfic Plan III Draft EIR
<br /> Biological Resources 4.10-8 San Joaquin County
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