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The following section assumes mitigation under the SJMSCP. The exception is the off-site infrastructure sites proposed in Alameda County where the SJMSCP is not applicable. For biological impacts in those locations,the ` following section identifies mitigation independent of the SJMSCP. IMPACTS AND MITIGATION MEASURES This section describes and analyzes the biological resources on the proposed project site, including common vegetation and wildlife resources, sensitive biological communities,and special-status species that are known,or have potential to occur,on the project site.The Initial Study(IS)prepared for the proposed project concluded that the project would not conflict with any adopted Habitat Conservation Plan,Habitat Community Conservation Plan,or other approved conservation plan.However,the proposed project would be subject to the SJMSCP, which provides for the long-term management of plant, fish,and wildlife species.Participation in the SJMSCP by developers is voluntary,and project proponents can elect to mitigate biological resource impacts through the payment of fees under the plan or mitigate independently through consultation with regulatory agencies and the obig of take permits,if required.The project would be required to do one or the other. Therefore,in accot,P�ice with Section 15063(b)(1)(C)of the State CEQA Guidelines,the potential for the proposed project to conflict with the SJMSCP is not evaluated further in this Draft EIR. See the IS (Appendix D of this Draft EIR)for further discussion. IMPACT Biological Resources--Conversion of Habitat for Common Plant and Animal Species. The proposed 4.10.1 project would result in conversion of approximately 815 acres of agricultural, ruderal,and developed areas that provide habitat for a limited number of common plant and wildlife species. These common species and their habitats are locally and regionally abundant. A less-than-significant impact would occur. Approximately 815 acres of agricultural,ruderal,and developed areas would be converted during implementation of College Park. This development would reduce the local populations of common ruderal and ornamental plants and common wildlife species, such as gopher snake(Pituophis melanoleucus),western fence lizard(Sceloporus occidentalis),western meadowlark(Sturnella neglecta),western kingbird(Tyrannus verticalis),California vole (Microtus californicus),and California ground squirrel(Spermophilis beecheyir). However,agricultural and ruderal lands are locally and regionally abundant habitats. Common plant and wildlife species associated with .. these habitats are also locally and regionally abundant,and implementation of the College Park project would not be expected to substantially reduce their populations. Therefore,the proposed project would not substantially affect common plant and wildlife species. A less-than-significant impact would occur. Mitigation Measure 4.10.1: Biological Resources—Conversion of Habitat for Common Plant and Animal Species No mitigation is required. IMPACT Biological Resources—Conversion of Habitat for Special-Status Plants. The proposed project would _ 4.10-2 result in conversion of habitat that could support special-status plant species. The MHMP and MHMP MMP do not identify policies or mitigation for potential impacts to the special-status plant species that could occur at the College Park site and off-site improvement areas. Therefore, a significant impact could occur. ` Nine special-status plant species have potential to grow in the perennial(Hernandez)drainage,irrigation canals, and the southern pond at the College Park site. These include: bristly sedge(Carex comosa), slough thistle (Cirsium crassicaule),Delta button-celery(Eryngium racemosum),rose-mallow(Hibiscus lasiocarpus),Delta tale pea(Lathyrus jepsonii var.jepsonii),Mason's lilaeopsis(Lilaeopsis masonii),Delta mudwort(Limosella subulata), Sanford's arrowhead(Sagittaria sanfordir),and blue skullcap(Scutellaria laterijlora). No special- status plant occurrences have been reported at the College Park site,but the potential for their occurrence cannot be dismissed because potentially suitable habitat is present and protocol-level surveys of the site have not been conducted. Suitable habitat at the perennial(Hernandez)drainage would be preserved because the existing drainage is designated as Resource Conservation Zone(OS/RC)under the College Park plan,consistent with the College Park at Mountain House Specific Plan III Draft EIR EDAW San Joaquin County 4.10-33 Biological Resources