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3 Methodology 3.2 Pre-Field Review Prior to conducting the field investigation,the following background tasks were performed: • Review of the Solyo, Lone Tree Creek,Westley,and Vernalis USGS 7.5-minute topographic quadrangle maps • Review of aerial photography for vegetative and hydrologic signatures — • Review of the Soil Survey of San Joaquin County, California(SCS, 1992),and Soil — Survey of Stanislaus County, California, Western Part(MRCS, 2002)for information about soils and geomorphology • Review of Hydric Soils of California(NRCS, 1995)to determine if any soils mapped within the study area are considered hydric at the level of soil series • Review of Hydric Soils List for San Joaquin County, California(NRCS, 2004a)and Hydric Soils List for Stanislaus County, California(MRCS, 2004b)to confirm if any soils mapped within the study area either are considered hydric or may potentially contain smaller areas ("inclusions")of hydric soils — • Cursory field reconnaissance of the study area on September 4,2003 3.3 Field Investigation A wetland delineation was conducted within the study area by ESA biologist Joshua Boldt on — May 4, 2005. The delineation used the Routine Determination Method as described in the Corps of Engineers Wetland Delineation Manual(1987 Manual) (Environmental Laboratory, 1987). Three positive wetland parameters must be present for an area to be wetland: (1) a dominance of wetland vegetation,(2)presence of hydric soils,and(3)presence of wetland hydrology. The presence or absence of these parameters was assessed according to the 1987 Manual guidelines. — Data points were taken within suspected wetlands and a paired point taken(where applicable)in nearby uplands. Data points were recorded on standard Environmental Science Associates(ESA) wetland delineation forms,contained in Appendix A. At each data point,the dominant plant species within a six-foot radius was visually assessed, — using the"50/20"rule recommended in the 1987 Manual. Plants were identified to species using The Jepson Manual: Higher Plants of California(Hickman, 1993) where necessary. The National List of Plant Species that Occur in Wetlands: California Region 0(Reed, 1988) was — used to determine the wetland indicator status of the plants. Soils at each data point were characterized by their texture;their color was described using Munsell soil color charts (Kollmorgen Instruments Corporation, 1990). — Wetland hydrology at each data point was determined by the presence of one or more of the following primary and/or secondary indicators,as listed in the 1987 Manual: visual observation — Vernalis Quad,Mining and Reclamation Project 3-2 ESA 1203015 Wellydd Delineation Report February 2006