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Mitigation Measure <br /> 4.13-1(a) Redesign the development so that the golf course and the 26 houses are positioned within <br /> the hatched area surrounding North Tracy Lake as shown in Figure 4.7-15. Homesites <br /> along the southeast border of the hatched area could extend to within 300 feet of the <br /> northwest shoreline of South Tracy Lake if tall tree screens were planted to provide a <br /> visual barrier between water birds and humans in the area. This area excluding the lake <br /> basin is estimated to be in excess of 175 acres and should, with good planning,support <br /> 50 acres or house sites and the golf course. <br /> 4.13-1(b) Eliminate the proposed private access road through Brovelli Woods which, if <br /> constructed, would further remove nesting habitat. <br /> 4.13-1(c) Restrict use of the equestrian trail in Brovelli Woods during the nesting period from <br /> March I to August 30, and reposition the stable area within the hatched zone shown on <br /> Figure 4.7-15. <br /> 4.13-1(d) Because the study revealed both nesting and foraging opportunities for the threatened <br /> hawk on the project site, the CDFG Mitigation Guidelines for the Swainson's Hawk, <br /> 1990, apply. Accordingly, the applicant must consult with CDFG as required by the <br /> CDFG Regulations, Section 2081, with the goal of developing a management plan that <br /> will result in a net benefit to this species. It should be noted here the small sapling <br /> planting project presently underway in the south central pan of the site cannot be <br /> considered adequate mitigation for the loss of critical Swainson's hawk nesting habitat <br /> because it would take nearly 100 years for such a stand of young oaks to grow to the size <br /> required by this species for nesting. Swainson's hawks are attracted to heritage size <br /> trees which are usually no less than 100 years old. The purpose of the Endangered <br /> Species Act is to preserve critical habitat now as opposed to providing more at some <br /> distant date when the species could very well be extinct in the region in question. <br /> 4.13-1(e) Develop a detailed plan for the construction of a "Scottish-type" golf course for the <br /> project site. Such a course is mentioned on Page 75 of the Buckeye Ranch Management <br /> Plan, but no details are given. This prototype golf course is constructed so that the <br /> fairways which normally constitute the bulk of a course are maintained in natural low <br /> growth vegetation and only the greens are planted in grass and closely mowed. With this <br /> concept in mind, an alternate restoration plan for the proposed Brovelli Woods fairways <br /> would be to design these and perhaps the entire course in the Scottish style, using the <br /> grassland restoration plan designed by Muick in the Buckeye Ranch Management Plan <br /> in all fairway areas. The four golf course holes proposed within Brovelli woods could <br /> then serve the dual purpose as foraging sites during the Swainson's hawk nesting season <br /> (April through July)and alternate fairways for the golf course during the remaining two <br /> thirds of the year. This concept of "time share" use of Brovelli Woods between the <br /> Swainson's hawk and golfers should be thoroughly explored with CDFG. <br /> 4-13-1(f) Prohibit all use of rodenticides outside of the proposed development area as indicated <br /> on Figure 4.7-15. If an alternate fairway plan for Brovelli Woods is adapted, control <br /> 25 <br />