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IMPACT Biological Resources—Conversion of Special-Status Amphibian and Reptile Habitat. The proposed 4.10-3 project would not result in conversion of habitat known or expected to support special-status amphibians or reptiles. Therefore,a less-than-significant impact would occur. Although the perennial (Hernandez)drainage, irrigation canals,and ponds at the College Park site provide aquatic habitat,these areas are not expected to support any special-status amphibian or reptile species. The College Park site is not suitable for western spade£oot,because it does not support suitable aquatic habitat for this species,and no suitable upland habitat is present on or in the vicinity of the site. Aquatic habitat at the College Park site is only marginally suitable for California red-legged frog,which inhabits the Mountain House Creek drainage in the hills west of the MHMP area,and California tiger salamander, which inhabits stock ponds to the west. Because of the marginal habitat quality and isolation from other suitable aquatic habitat,neither species is anticipated to occur on the College Park site or off-site infrastructure areas. Giant garter snake and western pond turtle are not expected to inhabit aquatic habitats on-site because most of these areas lack the habitat components required by these species, such as upland nesting habitat,upland wintering habitat and refugia,basking habitat, and adequate emergent aquatic vegetation. In addition,there are.nQ kn wn giant garter snake populations in the vicinity of the College Park site; the nearest is approximately f� uiitcs'LJ wc*north(CNDDB 2004). A less-than-significant impact would occur Mitigation Measure 4.10-3: Biological Resources—Conversion of Special-Status Amphibian and Reptile Habitat No mitigation is required. IMPACT Biological Resources—Conversion of Swainson's Hawk Habitat, Loss of Active Nests,and Removal 4.10-4 of Nest Trees. The proposed project would result in conversion of Swainson's hawk foraging and nesting habitat,loss of active nests, and removal of known and potential nest trees. Implementation of measures presented in Section 7.3.3 of the MHMP would compensate for loss of foraging and nesting habitat and would avoid adverse effects to active nests. A less-than-significant impact would occur. Agricultural fields at the College Park site provide suitable Swainson's hawk foraging habitat. Approximately 600 acres of foraging habitat would be converted as a result of College Park implementation. EDAW surveys confirmed Swainson's hawks currently nest at the College Park site and nearby areas (Figure 4.10-1). Loss of large amounts of foraging habitat in the vicinity of active nest sites could adversely affect the success of nests that are active at the time of the conversion and the future suitability of those nest sites. Suitable nest trees grow throughout the College Park site,but are concentrated along Grant Line Road(Figure 4.10-2). Loss of nesting habitat would result if such trees were removed. Direct nest loss could also result from tree removal (especially associated with the proposed Grant Line Road widening), and nesting pairs in the vicinity of any construction activities could be disturbed,potentially resulting in nest abandonment and mortality of chicks and eggs. Measures outlined in Section 7.3.3 of the MHMP(and summarized above under"Regulatory Setting")would compensate for loss of foraging and nesting habitat and would avoid adverse effects to active nests through maintenance of buffer areas. The requirements of these measures could be fulfilled through implementation of the HMP developed for the MHMP or through participation in the SJMSCP. Based on implementation of these measures, a less-than-significant impact would occur. Mitigation Measure 4.10-4: Biological Resources—Conversion of Swainson's Hawk Habitat, Loss of Active Nests, and Removal of Nest Trees No mitigation is required. College Park at Mountain House Specific Plan III Draft EIR EDAW San Joaquin County 4.10-35 Biological Resources