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APPENDIX I BIOLOGICAL RESOURCES (Original Study- October- Decermber I99I) ENVIRONMENTAL SETTING The wildlife and plant studies for this EIR have been limited to conducting field surveys in late October and November 1991 when there has been little rain and cool weather. Thus, the potentially wide variety of wintering water birds, migrant and spring nesting raptors and songbirds, winter-active salamanders, and spring-active reptiles that may inhabit this site, could not be confirmed at this time. The analysis for this EIR is based primarily on discussions with members of the local Audubon Society Chapter, the previous landowner, previous "prime time" surveys, species range maps, the applicant's surveys, historical records and Management Plan. The only animal group that could be adequately surveyed at this time was the fish complex in Beaver Pond. Endangered and threatened species that may inhabit the site, but were not present during the late fall months, include the Swainson's hawk, the giant garter snake and the valley elderberry longhorn beetle. Plant Communities Foothill Woodland A foothill woodland community dominates the project site in three different forms. The most extensive of these is an oak/buckeye savanna association composed primarily of interior live oak (Quercus wislizend) and valley oak (Quercus lobata)with smaller numbers of coast live oak (Quercus agrifolia) and blue oak (Quercus douglasii)scattered throughout(Figure 4.7-1). This savanna association is also unusual in that it contains relatively large numbers of California buckeye(Aesculus califomica) which occur both singly and in small clusters. Tree density in the savanna association is variable,ranging from only a few trees per acre, up to as many as 20 or more mature specimens per acre plot (Figures 4.7-1, 4.7-2(A)(B)). The most spectacular segment of the foothill woodland community occurs in the form of a closed-canopy forest known locally as Brovelli Woods. With the exception of the oak/buckeyesavanna restoration area, this excellent example of a foothill/riparian woodland stand remained essentially untouched until 1989 when approximately 14 percent of the 90-acre stand and its ecotone with the grassland savanna was cleared' of trees and brush in the initial preparation of the proposed golf course (Catwil, 1990). Approximately 10 acres of forest was cleared for farming approximately 20 to 30 years ago (Brovelli, .J 1989). This area is located to the east of the woods and is currently being restored by the applicant. 'The removal of trees and/or brush understory and disking of annual growth. 1