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rushes, and sedges occur here. These wet areas support wetland vegetation and hydrology. Wetlands are protected under section 404 of the Clean Water Act and as such require federal permits from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (COE) before being dredged, filled, or altered. Wetlands associated with past or present quarry operations, such as the sedimentation basins north of the Mokelumne River, are not likely subject to regulation under Section 404 (33CFR 323.4), because these areas are the result of mining operations. However, the ultimate authority for designating Section 404 jurisdictional wetlands rests with the COE. Rare, Threatened and Endangered Species Vegetation HLA biologists conducted field investigations of the survey area on April 10, 13, and 24, 1990. The California Natural Diversity Data Base (CNDDB) for the Clements area (USGS 7.5-minute-series topographic map) was consulted prior to the initial site visit. No threatened or endangered species have been recorded within the study area according to CNDDB (1988) and the California Native Plant Society (CNPS)(Smith and Berg, 1988). While there are eighteen rare plants known within San Joaquin County (CNPS, 1988) suitable habitat exists (within the study area) for only eight. Many of these eight species are found in freshwater marsh and riparian woodland communities (Table 3.3-3). Rare plants are protected by the California Endangered Species Act (CESA). Code Section 1901 states a plant is rare when, although not presently threatened with extinction, it is in such small numbers throughout its range that it may become endangered if its present environment worsens. Further protection is provided to rare plants by the Native Plant Protection Act (NPPA). Legal provisions prohibit the taking of plants from the wild and mandate a salvage requirement for landowners. Once they have been notified of the presence of a listed species on their property, landowners are required to tell CDFG at least 10 days in advance of any land use change. This allows for the salvage of plants that would otherwise be destroyed. 48