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r' <br /> Ms. Kerry Sullivan <br /> January 26, 1993 <br /> Page Four <br /> EIR. However, the RBS still fails to provide adequate <br /> information on all of the sensitive species that are <br /> likely to occur on the project site. <br /> 1 . Valley Elderberry Longhorn Beetle (Desmocerus <br /> californicus dimorphus <br /> The RBS fails to describe the extent and timing of <br /> surveys designed to disclose the presence of this <br /> species on the project site. The RBS makes brief <br /> mention of "An examination of randomly selected <br /> branches of each large elderberry bush encountered in <br /> B6 the late spring survey of the riparian portion of <br /> Brovelli Woods" . This statement indicates that a <br /> complete survey of all potential habitat areas was not <br /> conducted, does not give information regarding the <br /> intensity of the search effort, and leaves the <br /> impression that observation of elderberry beetle <br /> habitat was incidental to other field surveys . <br /> In order to adequately deal with potential "take" <br /> issues related to the destruction of critical habitat <br /> for this species, we recommend that the biotic section <br /> contain the results of systematic surveys that are <br /> designed to disclose the presence of the Federally- <br /> listed threatened valley elderberry longhorn beetle on <br /> the project site . <br /> 2 . Greater Sandhill Crane <br /> The shallow Tracy Lakes and the surrounding grassy <br /> upland areas of the project site provide potentially , <br /> important habitat for the greater sandhill crane. <br /> Similar habitat areas a short distance to the northwest <br /> on the Cosumnes River provides valuable habitat for <br /> this species . The RBS contains limited information <br /> regarding sandhill crane observations in the project <br /> vicinity and on the project site. It appears that <br /> systematic surveys were not conducted during the period <br /> B7 of the year when greater sandhill cranes are wintering <br /> in the Sacramento Valley. Despite recent sightings in <br /> the project vicinity and on the project site, and the <br /> fact that the project site has been recognized as an <br /> "important greater sandhill crane winter area" <br /> (Abundance, Distribution and Habitat of the Central <br /> Valley Population Greater Sandhill Cranes During <br /> Winter, Pogson 1988) , the RBS failed to evaluate the <br /> project site' s value as habitat for this State-listed <br /> species . <br /> VI-8 <br />