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Open Water Wildlife Three created lakes provide 16.3 acres of open water habitat for wildlife species on the project site (Figure 3). The lakes are maintained by property owners pumping water from the Mokelumne River. Muskrats, pied-billed grebes, and waterfowl frequent these areas and forage on submerged aquatic plants and invertebrates. In winter, the lakes may be used by wintering waterfowl, such as mallards, American wigeons, and ruddy ducks. About 50 Canada geese were seen on one of the lakes and 12 white pelicans were flying overhead during field surveys. Many insectivorous birds, such as swallows, swifts, and flycatchers, hawk their prey over water. Great blue herons and great egrets were observed foraging along the lake's edges. Deer and raccoon tracks were seen along water's edge. Freshwater Marsh Vegetation Vegetation associated with freshwater marsh is found along the shoreline of the lake in the oak woodland, along the water's edge of the Mokelumne River and isolated areas within the riparian corridor, and in portions of the other created lakes (Figure 3). Approxi- mately 2 acres of freshwater marsh habitat are found on the project area. Herbaceous vegetation growing immediately above the shoreline and within the shallow water along the lake's shore is dominated by long-lobed arrowhead,water primrose, smartweed, wood sorrel, brook spike-primrose, willow-herb, slender spikerush, taper-tip spikerush, and cattail. Herbaceous vegetation along the Mokelumne River is discussed above. Wildlife Freshwater marshes are important wildlife habitats, providing cover, foraging, and nesting sites for many species. Birds, such as great egrets, great blue herons, and belted kingfishers were observed during field surveys. Western aquatic garter snakes and Pacific treefrogs also frequent freshwater marshes in the project area. Mammals such as opossum, raccoon, and striped skunk probably use these areas for foraging and cover. 15