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BIOTICS Environmental Setting Historically, the proposed site was covered by bunch grasses, pre dominantly needlegrass. The site is currently planted with sugar beets. Little natural vegetation occurs on the site except within Weber Slough, an intermittent drainage way which flows in a westerly direction and forms the site's southern boundary. Within the slough are scattered ) wetland plants such as cattails and sedges. Wildlife inhabiting the site is typical of agricultural lands inl the San Joaquin Valley. These lands support ground squirrels, cotton- tail , jackrabbit, mice and kangaroo rats. Larger animals would be unusual given the absence of nearby woodlands or other appropriate cover. Common birds in the area are the mourning dove, horned lark, brewers blackbird, western meadowlark, western kingbird, common crow, mocking- bird, loggerhead shrike, house finch, lesser goldfinch, scrub jay, and migratory waterfowl . Several species of snakes and lizards may also be present. A records search by the Natural Diversity Date Base (California Department of Fish and Game) for the Stockton East quadrangle map revealed a giant garter snake sighting about six miles northwest and a Swainsons hawk sighting about three miles away. Both species are desig- nated as threatened in California and as Category 2 Candidates for federal listing as endangered species. Environmental Impacts and Mitigation Measures Impact I - Loss of Wildlife Habitat The loss of about 20 acres of cropland habitat which also serves as open space for wildlife would be a negative impact, but would not be significant considering the vast extent of similar lands in the valley. The Swainsons hawk and giant garter snake observations are far enough away that these species are not expected to be impacted by the project. 3-80 104-7.R4 4/11/89