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4.7 BIOLOGICAL RESOURCES <br /> Residential development adjacent to a natural community poses several potential impacts for the latter. <br /> The present availability of herbicides, especially the translocating types such as "Roundup" and <br /> "Cleanup," raise the possibility that sprays of these and others could be carried from the lawn and garden <br /> to the natural environment where a very small amount could do significant damage to all naturally <br /> occurring plant species. <br /> Exotic shrubs and trees may be planted which later "escape" to colonize and out compete native species <br /> in the adjacent natural community. <br /> The use of outdoor open fire units such as coal or wood burning barbecues, trash burning barrels, and <br /> pits within the grassland/woodland habitat complex would pose a continuous threat to the entire natural <br /> and human communities if windborn embers should ignite the grassland or woodland understory <br /> communities during the long, dry summer period. <br /> The introduction of domestic pets such as dogs and cats into the midst of this wildlife community would <br /> have a variety of undesirable consequences. Cats are very efficient predators on wild rodents and small <br /> birds, and would compete rigorously with natural avian and mammalian predators, including the <br /> Swainson's hawk,for these prey items. Dogs,either singly or as a small pack,chase adult deer and often <br /> catch and kill fawns. <br /> Finally, open areas adjacent to new developments are often viewed as ideal sites to test the performance <br /> of off road and all terrain vehicles. Such activities not only directly impact the plant and wildlife <br /> community by crushing species in both categories but also greatly increases the chance of fire during the <br /> dry season. <br /> All of the above possibilities are viewed as potentially significant adverse impacts. <br /> Mitigation Measures <br /> 4.7-5(a) Develop a set of rigid herbicide use regulations for the residents and professional <br /> gardeners of the new development which would prevent runoff and/or drift of herbicides <br /> into the adjacent natural botanical community. Disseminate these in pamphlet form <br /> biannually to the residents. <br /> 4.7-5(b) Incorporate the following development restrictions into the CC&Rs: <br /> a. No motorized vehicles permitted in open space areas. <br /> b. No open fires permitted in the development. Contained barbecues within the <br /> house sites would be permitted. <br /> 4.7-34 <br />