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i MOUNTAIN HOUSE NEIGHBORHOODS KANU L INITIAL STUDY 5.ENVIRONMENTAL CHECKLIST 4.BIOLOGICAL RESOURCES riparian vegetation along the banks of Old River and the two willows in the -- northeastern portion of Neighborhood L. The project area is known or suspected to provide habitat for sensitive wildlife species, including Swainson's hawks, burrowing owl,and other raptors such as white-tailed kite and northern harrier. Although the San Joaquin kit fox has not been documented in this area in the recent past,the project area has been suspected to be used on occasion by foraging kit fox. Sensitive aquatic species, including Delta smelt,fall-run Chinook salmon, and western pond turtle, may occur in Old River but are not likely to be directly affected by the project,since the project provides for a regional park along Old River. Further environmental review would be conducted if plans for the possible boat ramp in Neighborhood K ! are ever developed, ensuring that adequate measures are developed to protect these species associated with Old River. Mitigation Measure BIO-1 recommend- ed below under Item (c)would serve to ensure that appropriate authorizations are secured and additional conditions are implemented as part of any r modifications to jurisdictional waters, including the possible future boat ramp. Master Plan and Specific Plan II Provisions. The Mountain House Master Plan ,I calls for a combination of mitigation lands for impacts on wildlife and preservation t j of agricultural land. The Master Plan further indicates that reclaimed wastewater may be used on lands designated for habitat conservation. Off-site lands dedicated to habitat mitigation are intended to offset the loss of Swainson's hawk,white-tailed kite, and northern harrier foraging habitat from development projects. The Master Plan calls in a general sense for preservation of a suite of sensitive plant and animal species that may occur in the area. Finally,the Master Plan identifies the need for future surveys of each Specific Plan area focused on identifying sensitive species. Such surveys were completed for SPII, which includes Neighborhoods K and L, as discussed earlier in this section. To offset the loss of general habitat and open space as well as obtain authorization for incidental take of listed species, one of the primary SPII implementation measures involves participation in the SJMSCP, including all required take avoidance and pre-construction measures. Alternately, if the SJMSCP terminates or is unable to serve the project, applicants within the SPII FA area would use the HMR(see discussion under"Mitigation Measure M4.11-3" above)that would require adoption. A second general SPII implementation measure requires compliance with state and federal Endangered Species Acts and assures that the applicant will take sole responsibility for such compliance. A third general SPII implementation measure directs preservation of the existing Old River levee and associated habitats for both common and sensitive plant and r—; wildlife species. �i Detailed mitigation measures addressing the potential impacts of development on special-status species were incorporated into the Master Plan during the 1994 { CEQA review process. No new significant impacts on biological resources have l been identified related to development of Neighborhoods K and L that were not addressed during the 1994 CEQA review process or the SPIT CEQA review (9f711 1) 5-59