Laserfiche WebLink
September 16, 1996 <br /> Ms. Kim Tarbell <br /> Teichert Aggregates <br /> 3500 American River Drive <br /> Sacramento, CA 95864 <br /> SUBJECT: San Joaquin Kit Fox Den Surveys <br /> Dear Ms. Tarbell: <br /> This letter is to notify you of the results of San Joaquin kit fox(Vulpes macrotis mutica) <br /> den surveys on approximately 156 acres of orchard(the Traina property)near Teichert Aggregates' <br /> (Teicherts') existing mining operation on MacArthur Drive. The proposed project site is located <br /> approximately 3 miles south of Tracy in San Joaquin County(Figure 1). <br /> Teichert is considering acquiring and mining the orchard for aggregate and requested that <br /> Jones & Stokes Associates assess the sites potential to support the federally endangered and state <br /> threatened San Joaquin kit fox Ms. Sheila Larsen with the U.S.Fish and Wildlife Service(USFWS) <br /> agreed that Teichert could conduct a den survey to assess the site's potential to support kit foxes but <br /> did not need to conduct protocol-level surveys,which usually include camera stations and nighttime <br /> spotlighting. Teichert agreed to provide Ms. Larsen with the survey results for her review and <br /> determination on kit fox use of the project site. Jones& Stokes Associates also assessed the site's <br /> potential to support special-status plant and wildlife species other than the San Joaquin kit fox. <br /> Methods <br /> " Den Surveys <br /> Jones& Stokes Associates biologists conducted den surveys on August 19,23,and 26, 1996. <br /> Biologists systematically walked the entire 156 acres of orchard. When a den was found, the <br /> surveyor measured the size,evaluated the shape of the entrance,and noted tracks,scat,prey remains, <br /> or recent excavations at the site. <br /> Dens were classified in one of two den status categories. A den was classified as a potential <br /> kit fox den if the diameter was 4-to 10-inches for its entire visible length; a collapsed den was not <br /> considered a potential den site. A den was classified as an active kit fox den if the hole size was <br /> within the specified range and showed signs of activity that might indicate recent kit fox use (i.e., <br /> fresh scat, prey remains, or recent excavation); or if a kit fox was observed at the den site. Fresh <br /> excavation alone was not considered an adequate sign to classify a den as active. <br /> Jones & Stokes Associates, Inc. <br /> r' 2600 V Street,Suite 100•Sacramento,CA 95818-1914•Fax 916/737-3030.9161737-3000 <br />