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young water birds is not and can not be mitigated. We ask in the Final EIR that the <br /> inconsistency between a project consideration and the Migratory Bird Conservation Act be <br /> resolved or clarified. <br /> Mokelumne River: It appears that there is an inadequate discussion of impacts on the <br /> Mokelumne River caused by the proposed project. Our concern is specifically over pumping <br /> from the river. The lower Mokelumne River is identified by the EPA as a "limited water quality <br /> segment." Any further diversions or adverse affects on water quality will impair an already <br /> beleaguered river ecosystem. The proposed bridge construction over the Mokelumne and <br /> access road to the west should not be approved. There is no discussion in the DEIR or the <br /> D133 RDEIR of adverse impacts to the river and its bordering habitat from this bridge construction. <br /> Many unidentified and unmitigated problems are associated with bridge construction, such as: <br /> siltation, sedimentation, and fish entrapment. We can not help, but wonder, if it is appropriate <br /> to build a bridge across the Mokelumne to accommodate the traffic of twenty-six houses and a <br /> golf course. We know of no other bridge crossing in the County for private use, other than the <br /> limited nature of Claude C. Woods haul road bridge, north of Clements. We feel this is not a <br /> desirable precedent and request that federal agencies input on this consideration before the <br /> project consideration proceeds. If this bridge and access road are built, we caution the County <br /> D134 and RDEIR authors that there is a state obligation, via the Subdivision Map Act, to provide <br /> public access. We find no discussion of this requirement in the documents. <br /> Vernal Pools: We have questions as to the adequacy of the study that was conducted <br /> D135 on the project site vernal pools. We understand that there is grazing near the vernal pool sites, <br /> but we question whether it is an accurate determination based on cursory studies to dismiss <br /> the presence of threatened or endangered species in these pools. <br /> Riparian Woodland: This classic remnant of a mature valley riparian woodland still <br /> retains some biological integrity. This very rare plant community example exists in only a few <br /> D136 places in the Central Valley. Any further encroachment into these woods should be stopped. <br /> The clearing of underbrush next to the artificially created fairways should be avoided. <br /> Valley Grassland: In the discussion of grasslands it refers to the historic valley bunch <br /> grass, but does not allude to any identified on the site. Was any bunch grass identified on the <br /> D137 project site. If it was identified, protection measures need to be factored in to protect this very <br /> rare beneficial plant. <br /> Birds: The significant interrelationship of birds and the Brovelli Woods/Tracy Lakes <br /> area is alluded to many times in the DEIR and the RDEIR biological sections. It is stated that <br /> one-third of the identified birds on the project site are water dependent. Any disturbance at <br /> Brovelli Woods, primarily to Tracy Lakes will be catastrophic to these dependent birds. <br /> We note that it is mentioned that Brovelli Woods is known as the site of one of the <br /> D138 largest nesting colonies of Turkey Vultures in North America. Why wasn't the significance of <br /> project impacts on this nesting colony discussed further? <br /> VI-112 <br />