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5.ENVIRONMENTAL CHECKLIST MOUNTAIN HOUSE NEIGHBORHOODS KAND L INITIAL STUDY 4.BIOLOGICAL RESOURCES 5) The ect would block the movement of most terrestrial s ProjPecies between the eastern base of the Altamont Hills and the Delta farmland region to the east. 6) Development of the project site would eliminate seasonal wetlands and temporarily flooded areas such as irrigated pasture and drainage swales. 7) Construction and operation of the proposed 60-acre marina would affect the productive inshore zone and riparian edge of Old River(no longer relevant since the marina has been removed from SPIT). 8) Off-site improvements, such as the raw water conveyance pipeline and pumping facilities,wastewater storage ponds, and application of wastewater irrigation,would adversely affect sensitive biological resources. Findings Related to Significant Impacts Identified in 1994 MEIR The following discussion addresses the status of mitigation measures recommended in the 1994 MEIR for biological resources impacts that apply to construction of Neighborhoods K and L. Mitigation Measure M4.11-1; The 1994 MEIR found that full mitigation that would offset project impacts of overall loss of farmland and open space was unachievable. While specific measures recommended to mitigate potential adverse impacts on San Joaquin kit fox, Swainson's hawk, other special- status species,the Mountain House Creek corridor,wetlands, and habitats associated with Old River would serve to partially mitigate the loss of existing wildlife habitat, the loss of over 4,000 acres of wildlife habitat was identified as a significant and unavoidable impact that could not be fully mitigated to a less-than-significant level. Mitigation Measure M4.11-2: Mitigation for project impacts on San Joaquin kit fox consisted of a number of mitigation scenarios for off-site compensatory habitat mitigation and implementation of take avoidance measures during construction. The mitigation measures set forth in the 1994 MEIR were contingent upon further negotiation with regulatory and resource agencies, and increased compliance with the San Joaquin County General Plan, state and federal Endangered Species Acts, and California Fish and Game Code. The findings determined that there was the little support for the 1994 MEIR determination that implementation of the Master Plan would result in loss of San Joaquin kit fox habitat. Mitigation Measure M4.11-2 was modified to consist only of standard take avoidance measures during construction. These take avoidance measures were revised to be consistent with the USFWS Standardized Recommendations for Protection of the San Joaquin Kit Fox Prior to or During Ground Disturbance(USFWS, 1997b). (917111) 5-56