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4.7 BIOLOGICAL RESOURCES of the grassland habitat currently present on the site and, in the opinion of the EIR biologist, would adequately q,(j`set the loss of the present foraging area which the development of the North Tracy Lake area would produce. It should be noted that sheep grazing should not be allowed because this animal will denude the grassland habitat, thereby negating the positive effects of the restoration plan as stated above. 4.7-1(h) Develop and preserve riparian habitat at a 3:1 ratio as replacement compensation for the 13 acres of previously cleared woodland. This mitigation is in response to a request by the California Department of Hsh and Game. Impact 4.7-2 A portion of the oak savanna and Swainson's hawk foraging habitat would be eliminated. This is a secondary impact of Mitigation Measure 4.7-1(a) suggested above. It would occur in the northwest portion of the project site which has been recommended for development,thereby retaining the more valuable habitat. The following mitigation measures would offset this secondary impact. Mitigation Measure 4.7-2(a) Adopt the Scottish-style golf course concept and maintain the fairways in the restored grassland state proposed and described in the Buckeye Ranch Management Plan. This would preserve approximately one-third of the present potential Swainson's hawk foraging habitat in this area. This area would be preserved in an enhanced state in which the rodent production on the fairways could exceed that presently occurring over the entire alternative development area. It should be noted that whereas the Swainson' hawk is readily disturbed on its nesting sites by human presence, this refectory behavior does not appear to extend beyond the nesting territory to foraging sites. 4.7-2(b) Apply the grassland restoration plan to the greater South Tracy Lake area as suggested in Mitigation Measure 4.7-1(g). The greater rodent production resulting from such a restoration would again serve to offset the losses by the development of the northwest portion of the site. 4.7-3(c) Incorporate all mitigation measures proposedfor the protection of native trees on the site (4.7-4a,b&c). This would insure that the mature, scenic oaks and buckeye trees of the northwest savanna area are not lost. Impact 4.7-3 The proposed "restoration" of Tracy Lakes would greatly reduce or eliminate the water bird habitat value of two thirds of this historic seasonal wetland site. 4.7-30