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MOUNTAIN HOUSE NEI GHBORHOODs K AND L INITIAL STUDY 5.ENVIRONMENTAL CHECKLIST <br /> 4.BIOLOGICAL RESOURCES <br /> Fl <br /> Consultants,2007a)and for nesting burrowing owls on Neighborhood L in July <br /> ` 2007(Moore Biological Consultants, 2007b). <br /> In 2010, biological assessments were conducted for Neighborhood K(Moore <br /> =' Biological Consultants, 2010a)and Neighborhood K(Moore Biological <br /> Consultants,2010b). These involved surveys conducted in September and <br /> November 2010 and updated records search with the California Natural Diversity <br /> Data Base(CNDDB)of the California Department of Fish and Game(CDFG). <br /> The biological assessments provide a general description of vegetation and <br /> wildlife habitats found on the site, and conclusions regarding the potential for <br /> jurisdictional wetlands and occurrence of special-status species. <br /> 4 Field reconnaissance surveys of the site were conducted by the biologist <br /> retained for this Initial Study in July 2011. Following review of available <br /> documentation,field reconnaissance surveys were conducted to confirm <br /> previous studies and mapping, and to provide an update of existing conditions on <br /> the site. The survey was conducted by foot and automobile around the perimeter <br /> and through key areas within the site. <br /> Vegetation <br /> i The vegetation within Neighborhoods K and L consists primarily of annual hay <br /> and grain crops, non-native grasses in fallow fields, and ruderal (weedy) species <br /> along field margins and areas of stockpiled soil. <br /> Vegetation in Fallow Fields <br /> Disturbed California annual grassland series(Sawyer and Keeler-Wolf, 1995) <br /> best describes vegetation within the fallow fields throughout the project site. The <br /> ruderal strips along the edges of fields, roads and irrigation canals also support <br /> F, disturbed California annual grassland series vegetation. Some of the more <br /> common grass and weed species include yellow star thistle(Centaurea <br /> solstitalis), oats(Avena spp.), soft chess brome(Bromus hordeaceus), and ripgut <br /> brome(Bromus diandrus),filaree(Erodium botrys)and tumbleweed(Amaranthus <br /> albus). <br /> Riparian Habitats <br /> The riparian habitats along the north side of the Old River levee, lower Mountain <br /> House Creek and banks of Wicklund Cut are vegetated with small tree and shrub <br /> �i species that include willows(Salix spp.), Himalayan blackberry(Rubes discolor), <br /> California wild rose(Rosa califomica), and alder(Alnus rhombifolia). Species <br /> such as mugwort(Artemisia douglasii), creeping wild rye (Leymus triticoides), <br /> i and poison hemlock(Conium maculatum)are found in the understory of the <br /> �r riparian scrub habitats and banks of one of the ditches on the landward side of <br /> Wicklund Cut. <br /> Fi <br /> (snr>>) 549 <br />