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Stcte of California Memorandum To 1. Project ' s Coordinator Resources Agency Date April 3 , 1992 2 . Mr. Kerry Sullivan San Joaquin County Planning Department 1810 East Hazelton Avenue Stockton, California 95205 C'!Ai307'0' =rpm Department of Fish and Game Subject : Draft Environmental Impact Report (EIR) for the Buckeye Ranch Subdivision project, San Joaquin County (SCH 91012103) The Department of Fish and Game (DFG) has reviewed the Draft EIR for the proposed Buckeye Ranch Subdivision. The 870-acre project site is located approximately five miles northwest of the City of Lodi in San Joaquin County. The project consists of a plan to develop a private gated subdivision of 26 single-family parcels ranging in size from one to three acres, an 18-hole golf course, an equestrian center, a 720-acre "nature preserve", and to excavate 1 . 6 million cubic yards of soil to create two permanent lakes. Wildlife habitat conditions are of a high quality and consist of a rich and diverse assemblage of habitat types. The site contains some of the last examples of mature riparian and foothill woodland forests in San Joaquin County. There are also large areas of oak savannah, seasonal wetlands, and vernal pools. The project site provides habitat for a wide variety of wildlife. In general , the Draft EIR fails to provide adequate information regarding the project ' s impacts to fish and wildlife resources. Information used in the preparation of the Draft EIR A8 was collected during late October and November of 1991 or through interviews with members of local conservation organizations. For a variety of reasons, including inappropriate timing and brevity of surveys, the Draft EIR is unusable in measuring the project' s impacts to fish and wildlife. Many migratory species such as the Swainson' s hawk are not present during October and November, therefore, their numbers, critical habitat areas and the impacts of the project, cannot be measured. Similarly, November is an inappropriate month to conduct surveys for vernal pools, most flowering plants, tiger salamanders, and the giant garter snake. Following are our specific comments regarding the Draft EIR: 1. The Draft EIR fails to provide information regarding the project ' s impact upon fish and wildlife and their habitat. Specifically, the Draft EIR fails to provide information A9 about the project at a level of detail necessary to measure the project ' s impact upon fish and wildlife. III-7