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Grupe Development Company - Morada Property Biological Survey, San Joaquin County In the wildlife chapter of the draft EIS for the Grupe Development Company's Morada Property, Jones & Stokes Associates biologists recommended follow-up surveys for state-listed species including the giant garter snake and Swainson's hawk. These studies were conducted on June 2, 1989. No giant garter snakes were found on the project site, and because of the degraded condition of Mosher Slough across the Morada Property, the habitat is generally unsuitable for this species. However, one, and possibly two, Swainson's hawk nests were located along Mosher Slough on the project site. In addition, twelve adult Swainson's hawks were observed foraging on the project site. These birds were probably attracted by small mammals that were displaced by beet- harvesting activity on the project site. Mitigation measures recommended for Swainson's hawks included avoiding construction activities near the nest site during the breeding season (March-July) and protecting the nest site. Rishwain, Hakeem & Ellis - Survey of Public Access to Waterways Jones & Stokes Associates was retained by the Stockton law firm of Rishwain, Hakeem & Ellis to conduct a survey of how local governments were implementing the Subdivision Map Act's provisions for public access to waterways. The survey,which involved phone calls to several dozen cities and counties, was performed on behalf of a large land developer who was planning a water-oriented community. The survey revealed that most local governments' plans, policies and ordinances are aggressively requiring subdivisions to provide public access. City of Stockton - Swainson's Hawk Habitat Conservation Plan Jones & Stokes Associates is preparing a plan for the conservation of Swainson's hawk habitat in San Joaquin County for the City of Stockton. Although the Swainson's hawk is currently a state-listed species, the plan is being formulated using the federal guidelines for preparing habitat conservation plans as required under Section 10 of the federal Endangered Species Act. The federal guidelines are being used because the Swainson's hawk could be federally listed during the life of the conservation plan and because the federal guidelines are becoming the standard for conservation plans. The major tasks include a complete habitat inventory and evaluation of San Joaquin County using both aerial photographs and ground-checking; intensive field surveys to locate active Swainson's hawk nest sites;development of habitat conservation areas using a variety of biological and land use criteria; development of a fee assessment and land acquisition program to serve as a mechanism for mitigating development-related impacts; and coordination with city and county officials, state agencies, conservation groups, and the building industry. When implemented, the Swainson's hawk habitat conservation plan will provide a mechanism to protect and preserve a viable Swainson's hawk population in San Joaquin County while permitting carefully planned urban development. V-5