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4.7 BIOLOGICAL-RESOURCES EF INTRODUCTION This section contains a discussion of the biological resources that occur or potentially occur on the project site. Also presented is an assessment of the environmental impacts of the alternatives, including mitigation measures designed to reduce those impacts wherever feasible. - SETTING Methodology r A number of pre-existing biological resource studies of the vicinity of the project site were °? independently reviewed, including: Biological Resources, Impacts, and Recommended I Mitigations Vernalis Interchange Project(Monk and Associates, 1995); Final Environmental Impact Report No. ER-92-2 for a Proposed Quany Excavation South of the City of Tracy of Teichert Aggregates, lnc.(Jones and Stokes Associates, 1992); and Environmental Impact Report for the Vemalis Interchange Project(Michael Brandman Associates, 1995). Information deemed technically accurate in these documents is incorporated into this EIR t and referenced as appropriate. ok i To obtain information on sensitive species that have occurred in the vicinity of the project site, the following on-line data bases were searched: the California Department of Fish and Game's (CDFG) California Natural Diversity Data Base (CNDDB) and the California Native Plant Society's (CN PS) Electronic Inventory of Rare and Endangered Vascular Plants. 1 � A reconnaissance-level survey of the entire project site was conducted by the EIR biologist on February 20, 1997. Habitat on the project site was assessed for its suitability to support value to native plants and wildlife, and special attention was given to areas that could i potentially support special-status species. General Biological Resources The project site is located in an agricultural area and was historically farmed (used as an apricot orchard). In 1996, approximately one-half of the orchard was removed and the land was used for sheep grazing during the fall and spring of 1996/1997. The remaining on- 1 site orchard is not being actively farmed, and it is anticipated that those trees will also be removed (due to the age and reduced productivity of the trees as viable fruit producers). r f There are row crops south of the project site and fruit orchards immediately to the north and west. The Delta Mendota Canal borders the eastern edge and the California Aqueduct runs along the southwestern corner of the project site. A road and small area of disturbed i f Draft Environmental Impact Report 4-97 ER-96-3 :i