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kit fox scat were observed on the proposed community college parcel (Figure 4.10-1)(Biosystems Analysis,Inc. <br /> 1992). A subsequent assessment of the status of kit fox in the MHMP area concluded that although kit fox may — <br /> occur in the vicinity,there was no evidence that they occupied the College Park site or the larger MHMP area at <br /> that time or historically, and that the den and scat were more likely those of red fox(Zentner and Zentner 1993). <br /> Potentially suitable denning habitat on the College Park site is currently restricted to the proposed community <br /> college parcel in the southwest comer of the College Park site,adjacent to the Delta—Mendota Canal. Many <br /> suitable burrows were observed in this area during the 1990s surveys and during the EDAW reconnaissance <br /> survey(Figure 4.10-1). The agricultural and developed habitats that comprise the College Park site provide low- <br /> quality foraging habitat for kit fox. Since the MHMP surveys were conducted in the early 1990s,there have been <br /> several reports of San Joaquin kit fox within a few miles of the College Park site,one to the north,between the <br /> College Park site and Clifton Court Forebay, and two to the south, along the California Aqueduct near the town of <br /> Midway(CNDDB 2004). However,these and additional CNDDB occurrences within 5 miles of the College Park <br /> site have all been documented in non-agricultural areas,including grassland and scrub habitat. The grasslands <br /> adjacent to the future off-site Grant Line Road widening west of the Alameda County line provide suitable kit fox <br /> habitat and could support occupied kit fox burrows. — <br /> SENSITIVE HABITATS <br /> Sensitive habitats include those that are of special concern to resource agencies, or that are afforded specific <br /> consideration through CEQA, Section 1602 of the California Fish and Game Code,or Section 404 of the CWA. <br /> The perennial(Hernandez)drainage is likely to meet the wetland criteria of the U.S.Army Corps of Engineers <br /> (USACE) and appears to originate from leakage from the Delta—Mendota Canal.Therefore,this drainage is <br /> anticipated to be subject to USACE jurisdiction under Section 404 of the CWA.The two ephemeral drainages <br /> (College and Tuso)do not support wetland vegetation and would not be subject to USACE jurisdiction unless <br /> USACE determines they are hydrologically connected or adjacent to jurisdictional waters of the United States. <br /> The BBID irrigation canals appear to have been excavated in uplands and do not correspond with former natural <br /> drainages. Therefore,they are not anticipated to be subject to USACE jurisdiction. However,there have been <br /> recent cases in which USACE has taken jurisdiction over agricultural canals because they were considered — <br /> hydrologically connected to other jurisdictional waters of the United States,even though the connection was <br /> through pumping. The jurisdictional status of the drainages and canals would be determined by USACE through <br /> the formal wetland delineation process. The irrigation canals could also be subject to DFG jurisdiction under <br /> Section 1602 of the California Fish and Game Code,because they are characterized by a distinct"bed and bank" <br /> The ponds appear to be hydrologically isolated features excavated in uplands and,therefore, are not expected to <br /> be subject to USACE or DFG jurisdiction. Potential jurisdictional features in the off-site improvement areas _ <br /> include an irrigation canal east of Mountain House Parkway,the Delta—Mendota Canal,the California Aqueduct, <br /> and Mountain House Creek. All of these could be subject to USACE and/or DFG jurisdiction. <br /> PROTECTED TREES <br /> No protected trees(oak trees or heritage trees protected by the San Joaquin County General Plan 2010 or San <br /> Joaquin County Development Title)grow within the College Park site or off-site infrastructure locations (Parilo, — <br /> pers. comm.,2003). A total of 188 trees that meet the preservation criteria of Section 7.3.7 of the MHMP were <br /> documented during EDAW tree surveys conducted along Grant Line Road and on the GNK,LLC parcels(EDAW <br /> 2003). Figure 4.10-2 depicts the location of these trees. Specific information about each tree(i.e., species, size, — <br /> percent die back) is provided in Appendix O of this EIR. The majority of the trees(132)were California black <br /> walnut(Juglans californica),and the remainder consisted of 19 American elms(Ulmus americana), five black <br /> locusts(Robinia pseudoacacia),three English walnuts(Juglans regia),21 Australian pines(Casuarina spp.),two <br /> eucalyptus(Eucalyptus formanir), two ash(Fraxinus spp.),one pine(Pinus spp.),one mulberry(Morus spp.),and <br /> one almond(Prunus delcis). Other trees that were documented but do not qualify for preservation under the <br /> MHMP include 22 mature trees in poor condition and more than 300 saplings and immature trees. _ <br /> EDAW College Park at Mountain House Specific Plan III Draft EIR <br /> Biological Resources 4.10-10 San Joaquin County <br />