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<br /> The proposed project,through its MHMP and mitigation measures proposed in Section 4.9, "Public Health and
<br /> Safety,"would not,in itself,result in a significant adverse impact on public health and safety.As this specific
<br /> °^ plan would be implemented in distinct phases, the opportunities exist to closely monitor health and safety issues
<br /> (and locations)and adjust or develop new safeguards accordingly. Consequently,the proposed project would not
<br /> contribute considerably to any regionwide increase in health and safety risk.A less-than-significant cumulative
<br /> impact would occur.
<br /> 6.3.9 BIOLOGICAL RESOURCES
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<br /> Biological resources include all flora and fauna in both the terrestrial and aquatic environments, including key
<br /> habitats. Chapter 4.10, `Biological Resources,"provides a comprehensive review of the existing species diversity
<br /> both locally and within the region.The Sacramento and San Joaquin Valleys have a rich diversity of species,
<br /> habitats, ecotones, and migration corridors that are closely integrated, overlapping, and symbiotic.Much of this
<br /> diversity is based on the wide-ranging and distinctive physiography that characterizes this important portion of
<br /> California's landscape,the Sacramento and San Joaquin Valleys, as well as the inherent nature of ecosystem
<br /> character and function.
<br /> With historic development throughout the valley areas,many species and their habitats have,over the years,come
<br /> under increasing pressures from agricultural,urban, industrial, and recreational land use encroachment.With the
<br /> resulting loss or endangerment of many species and their critical habitats,regulatory agencies(e.g., California
<br /> Department of Fish and Game,U.S.Fish and Wildlife Service[USFWS],National Oceanic and Atmospheric
<br /> Administration National Marine Fisheries Service)have instituted various controls on how and where
<br /> development can occur.This is especially true in areas where listed species or their critical habitats are present.
<br /> Section 4.10 of this EIR provides a comprehensive description of the regulatory controls that exist at the federal
<br /> and state levels.
<br /> Today,USFWS acknowledges that some species that were once listed as threatened or endangered under the
<br /> federal or state endangered species legislation have since recovered.For the vast majority of listed species,
<br /> however,the situation is the opposite.Despite long-standing efforts,USFWS recognizes that even with proactive
<br /> planning(e.g.,county habitat conservation plans),broader based institutionalized recovery plans, authorized at
<br /> and applied across numerous local levels, are now necessary if the objectives of these recovery plans are to be
<br /> realized.
<br /> The San Joaquin County General Plan,the SJMSCP,and the Mountain House Habitat Management Plan(HMP)
<br /> provide a variety of policies and protective prescriptions to ensure,in part,the continued viability of the rich
<br /> diversity of floral and faunal species as well as their important habitats.This also includes the maintenance of open
<br /> space. Specific prescriptions for a variety of species including Swainson's hawk,northern harrier,white-tailed kite,
<br /> + and tricolored blackbird are included,as well as prescriptions for protecting foraging habitat,nesting trees, San
<br /> Joaquin kit fox,raptors,and burrowing owls.Wetland management includes wetland mitigation,wetland
<br /> management plans,authorization of adjacent land uses,fencing,tree mapping,and surveying.
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<br /> Listed species and their critical habitats, in many cases,are deemed to be significantly affected under the
<br /> proposed project,but mitigation measures identified in Section 4.10,`Biological Resources",including
<br /> participation in and compliance with the SJMSCP,would offset or otherwise effectively mitigate these significant
<br /> project-specific impacts.To the extent that the integrated application of the provisions of the San Joaquin County
<br /> General Plan,the SJMSCP,the Mountain House HMP,and the mitigation measures for this EIR can successfully
<br /> protect the sensitive species and their habitats,the project would not contribute considerably to any regionwide
<br /> degradation of biological resources.A less-than-significant cumulative impact would occur.
<br /> College Park at Mountain House Specific Plan III Draft EIR EDAW
<br /> San Joaquin County 6.11 Cumulative Impacts
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