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grassland for habitat. Swalnson's hawk, In particular, depends upon short I grasses or alfalfa pasture for foraging. Ultimately a management plan that prevents overgrazing of the riparian, woodland, and wetland areas, but allows for D81 modest grazing or mowing of grassland areas, would benefit certain species of wildlife. The re-establishment of native bunch grasses has proven difficult on dry annual grassland sites such as that of the Buckeye Ranch. Since these native grasses need Intensive management, they could be re-established,as part of the rough grass areas adjacent to the fairways. P. 28 - Impact 4.13-3 The Biotics Study refers to Tracy Lake as "one of the best known natural wetland basins in the Central Valley." In its current state, Tracy Lakes represent a poor example of wetlands from a wildlife perspective. As stated above, past grazing and farming have all but eliminated any substantial food base and shelter. Tracy Lakes, in restored condition, would support dense stands of D82 aquatic food plants, such as watergrass, smartweed, and swamp timothy. Furthermore, emergent plants such as cattails and bulrushes would provide shelter for as well as habitat for invertebrates used as food by waterbirds. On the shorelines, dense stands of tree vegetation would provide superb habitat for riparian dependent wildlife species. The Biotics Study also criticizes the proposed management of the eastern part of Tracy Lakes which calls for progressive drying of these seasonal D83 wetlands. The progressive drying of this area would mimic natural drawdown conditions which are beneficial to many waterbirds that require these conditions. In fact, this is a waterfowl management technique utilized by all Central Valley wildlife refuges. Therefore a diversification of the wetlands on the property will increase bioproductivity and species richness. Maintenance and creation of permanent lakes, seasonal marsh, greentree (bottomlands) habitat, and additional vernal pools should provide a net benefit on the property. We would suggest that lake D84 shore restoration (South Tracy Lake) could provide sloped benches for variable water depths, thus maintaining foraging areas for dabbling ducks and shorebirds. Seasonal marsh will provide suitable habitat for foraging waterfowl, shorebirds, passerines, and Swainson's Hawk. A proposal to terrace shoreline habitat was described in the Buckeye Ranch Management Plan. 4.13-3 - Nesting Is ands The Blotics Study indicates that the nesting Islands will be created through filling, "reducing usable portions of the lake." This is incorrect. The island will be created y removing a narrow isthmus, thus creating additional shorefine habitat D85 b and a natural island for nesting waterfowl and other birdlife. 7 VI--87