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5.ENVIRONMENTAL CHECKLIST MOUNTAIN HOUSE NEIGHBORHOODS K AND L INITIAL STUDY �eE 4.BIOLOGICAL RESOURCES construction. The fencing shall be placed a minimum of 25 feet out from the boundary of the wetland but may need to be adjusted if restoration activities are to be conducted within this area. Grading, trail construction, and restoration work within the wetland buffer zones shall be conducted in a way that avoids or minimizes disturbance of existing wetlands. In some cases, this may mean use of smaller equipment such as a Bobcat. e ■ A biologist/restoration specialist shall be available during construction to provide situation-specific wetland avoidance measures or planting recommendations, as needed. d) Would the project interfere substantially with the movement of any native resident or migratory fish or wildlife species or with established native resident or migratory wildlife corridors,or impede the use of native wildlife nursery sites? Construction of Neighborhoods K and L would result in the conversion of open cropland to urban uses, and increased outdoor lighting along or near Mountain House Creek and Old River could result in a reduction in the habitat suitability of these riparian corridors. The loss of habitat and increased human activities could generate potentially significant impacts on species that occasionally move through the project area.The 1994 MSIR Mitigation Measure M4.11-5,which was subsequently incorporated into the Master Plan,would serve to mitigate the potential impact to a less-than-significant level. Due to intensive agriculture, movement of native resident or migratory fish or wildlife species through the project area is limited. Lack of cover and the presence of structures, including fences, canals, and roads, currently limit movement of wildlife species, and no established native resident or migratory wildlife corridors are known to exist within the project area, However, conversion of open cropland to urban uses would contribute to a cumulative loss of habitat and limit the future movement of any species that occasionally move through the open fields. This cumulative loss of habitat was addressed in the 1994 MEIR and would be mitigated through participation in the SJMSCP. The Old River and Mountain House Creek corridors provide opportunities for e wildlife movement, as these corridors contain variable topography,shrubs, and emergent vegetation, as well as a source of water conducive to movement of species. Direct impacts on these riparian corridors are limited to the bridge crossings and lake outfalls into Mountain House Creek, and possibly the new boat ramp on Old River in Neighborhood K. In addition, increased human activity in the regional parklands and outdoor lighting along or near these corridors could result in a reduction in their habitat suitability. The increase in human activity and effects of nighttime lighting on wildlife movement is considered a potentially significant impact. However, implementation of adopted Master Plan policies addresses this issue and would mitigate the impact to a less-than-significant level. {srrrsi� 5-62