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Camping and Recreation servation only. Camping facili�in the Delta are rare and Hog Island will Campsites for families and youth groups wttree available by re offer a treasured experience for nature-loving kids. Shoreline-accessible picnic areas and beaches will be available for day-use boaters, with day-use and overnight(secured)boat berths provided. Vegetation A records search of the California Department of Fish and Game's Natural Diversity Data Base(NDDB)did not reveal the presence o any known occurrences of rare,threatened,or endangered species or sensitive habitats within the Hog Island Delta Center site(CNDDB 2004). A search of the California Natural Plant Species(CNPS)electronic database did not contain any known occurrences of special- status plant species at or adjacent to the project site. The Biologist Report is attached. Plant Communities Three wetland(U.S. Corps of Engineers jurisdiction)plant communities and two upland plant communities were identified within the' project area:tidal emergent marsh,wetland riparian,wetland riparian/emergent marsh, upland riparian,and dredge spoil. These plant communities are further described below. Wetland Habitats Tidal Emergent Marsh.This habitat type is defined as those areas dominated by cattails(Typha latifolia)and bulrush(Scirpus acutus). These areas often contain small open water channels. Water depths are directly related to tidal fluctuation and range from no surface water on the lowest tides to approximately three feet on high tides. Tidal emergent marsh areas are found between the levees and the adjacent deep-water channel as well as within the island. Wetland Riparian. This habitat type is defined as those areas dominated by hydrophytic,woody vegetation such as black willow(Salix goodingit),Arroyo willow(Salix lasiolepus),dogwood(Comus sericea), and Fremont's cottonwood (Populus fremontit). The mid and understory of the wetland riparian habitat is dominated by California blackberry(Rubus ursinus), Himalaya berry(Rubus discolor), sedge (Carex sp.)and creeping wildrye(Leymus triticoides).These areas are typically not inundated for extended periods but have very high water tables(less than 20 inches below the surface)most of the year. Wetland Riparian/Emergent Marsh. This habitat type is defined as those areas located in the transition zone between the wetland riparian and the tidal emergent marsh.These areas are dominated by both hydrophytic woody species such as dogwood and willows and emergent marsh species such as cattail and tules. These areas are typically topographically positioned slightly below the high tide level. Upland Habitats Upland Riparian. This habitat type is defined as those areas dominated by the same hydrophytic woody plant species observed within wetland riparian areas. Upland Riparian areas are topographically positioned well above the high tide level and therefore are not frequently inundated or have high water tables. Upland riparian areas are found along the remnant levee tops,around the existing campsite on the southern tip of the island,and in a narrow strip north of the dredge spoil area. Dredge Spoil. This area was formed through the placement of river/wetland sediments during the creation of the Hog Island Cut and through normal deep-water channel dredge activities. Vegetation within the dredge spoil areas is variable depending on the date of dredge material placement. Relatively recent deposition areas are dominated by various non-native herbaceous species such as ripgut brome(Bromus diandms),and milk thistle(Silybum marianum). Older deposition areas are dominated shrub/tree species such as Coyote bush (Baccharis pilularis),tree tobacco(Nicotiana glauca), Fremont's cottonwood, and willows. Slated for removal in Phase I are some stands of Giant Arundo.There will be minimal clearing and trimming of willow, blackberry and tule for the construction of the marsh interpretive outlook.Also in Phase I there will be some grass/herbaceous layer clearing for trail creation.There will be some tule clearing for all dock construction in all phases. In Phase II and III there will be some tree and upland scrub removal and trimming for the construction of trails and buildings. Buildings and trails will be sited to minimize removal and alteration of tree and scrub on site. Some planting of appropriate native species(i.e.willow and dogwood)will be done in areas of high erosion.Tree planting may begin in Phase 1, however, much of the tree planting will be organized through school and private interest groups and may not be related to times of construction.All trees to be planted will be appropriate local species such as cottonwood,oak and willow. Local appropriate tree and scrub will be planted adjacent to new structures to increase shade and create focused views and screening. Scrub to be planted will include coyote bush, red twig dogwood, and elderberry. Exact numbers are not known at this point but the planting to take ratio will be at least 1:1 as this development seeks to preserve and enhance the habitat on the island. Wildlife Visual surveys were conducted for all wildlife throughout the island on December 15, 16, and 17,2004. Visual surveys resulted in observations of California Black Rail(Laterallus jamaicensis coturiculus)individuals and a Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias)rookery. Other incidental observations included a potential Red-tailed Hawk(Buteo jamaicensis) nest and scattered Elderberry shrubs(host plant of the valley elderberry longhorn beetle,a federally listed threatened species). Minimization and avoidance measures for these species are described below. California Black Rail. Because there is a presence of California black rail within the project area,the project proponent will restrict the contractor to conducting work near an active nest during the rail non-breeding season,or conduct a pre-construction rail nest survey. Any active rail nests found during the survey will be protected until the young birds have fledged the site. The contractor will be prohibited from conducting work near the active nest until after the young have fledged. These minimization and avoidance measures F:DEVSVC\Planning Application Forms\Use Permit.(Revised 6-03-04) Page 3 of 9