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San Joaquin Kit Fox,California Red-Legged Frog,and Swainson's Hawk Habitat Assessment — Riparian habitat on the Project site is limited to localized areas that are isolated habitat fragments along Hospital Creek on the Project site. These riparian areas include elements of two plant communities, mulefat scrub and scalebroom scrub. Mulefat scrub is characterized by mulefat — (Baccharis salicifolia),narrowleaf willow(Salix exigua),and arroyo willow(S. lasiolepis). Associated species on the project site include mustard(Brassica sp.),heliotrope(Heliotropium curassavicum), and curly dock(Rumex crispus). Mulefat scrub is limited to the bottoms of — irrigation ditches and Hospital Creek or other areas where water may collect. Scalebroom scrub is characterized by the presence of scalebroom(Lepidospartum squamatum), California sage (Artemisia californica),mugwort(A. douglasiana),tree tobacco(Nicotiana glauca), gumplant — (Grindelia camporum),pigweed(Chenopodium album), and Mexican tea(C. ambrosioides). Scalebroom scrub is not typically classified as a riparian community; however,elements of this community can be found growing along the steep,well-drained banks of irrigation ditches and — Hospital Creek on the Project site. There are no perennially inundated areas within the Project site. Three artificial overflow — irrigation basins, which collect excess irrigation from the orchards on site, exhibit some characteristics of seasonal wetlands (prevalence of hydrophytic vegetation, seasonal wetland hydrology,and/or hydric soils); only one basin includes all three components of seasonal wetlands. These basins are artificially irrigated areas and would revert to uplands if the irrigation ceased. These basins are likely to have been built in former uplands based on topography and soil _ mapping of upland soils. Species Evaluations — San Joaquin Kit Fox _ Regional Habitat Associations San Joaquin kit fox is a resident of and grasslands or open shrubland,where suitable, friable soils — allow dens to be constructed. The species requires dens year-round for both reproduction and for shelter. San Joaquin kit foxes are principally carnivores of medium-sized to small mammals, small birds and reptiles,and insects,but will also forage on vegetation(USFWS, 1998). — San Joaquin kit fox requires open grassland and savannah habitats for foraging and dispersal and are typically associated with grassland habitats. However, San Joaquin kit fox historically — occurred in native plant communities in the Central Valley that have largely been converted to other uses. Converted lands used by this species include grasslands and scrublands with active oil fields and/or wind turbines and an agricultural matrix of row crops, irrigated pasture,orchards, — vineyards, and grazed annual grasslands(USFWS, 1998). The species has also been documented using various modified habitats for denning, including canals and levees, landfills, and power line corridors(USFWS, 1998). Dens generally include one or more entrances that are approximately 5 to 8 inches in diameter. They may be burrows of other species, including coyote,badger, red fox, or ground squirrel,or manmade structures such as culverts, pipes, and canal banks (USFWS, 1999b). Vemalis Quarry Mining and Reclamation Project 4 ESA/203015 San Joaquin K0 Fox.Califomia Red-legged!Frog,and Swainson's Hawk Habitat Assessment February 2006