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L Field Survey. Jones & Stokes Associates conducted surveys for San Joaquin kit foxes during February 2-15, 1993, using the USFWS survey protocol in effect at that time. (See "San Joaquin Kit Fox" below and Appendix A for survey details.) In addition, a Jones & Stokes Associates biologist conducted a reconnaissance -level survey on August 20, 1993. No San Joaquin kit foxes or their sign (scats, tracks, or prey remains) were observed during either field survey. During field surreys, five special -status species were observed in the project area: loggerhead shrike, California horned lark, ferruginous hawk, northern harrier, and black -shouldered kite. Although not observed at the project site during field surveys, the annual grasslands provide suitable foraging habitat for the Swainson's hawk, mountain plover, and tricolored blackbird and suitable nesting and foraging habitat for burrowing owls. Information on the distribution, habitat association, and status in the project area is presented below for the species observed or likely to occur at the project site. San Joaquin Kit Fox Background. The San Joaquin kit fox is particularly uncommon in the northern portion of its range in Contra Costa, Alameda, and San Joaquin Counties, where it is apparently restricted to a few small remnant populations (Orloff et al. 1986, Jones & Stokes Associates 1989, San Joaquin County Community Development Department 1993). The San Joaquin kit fox inhabits and grasslands and alkali sinks (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 1983). In the northern portion of its range, the kit fox occurs primarily in foothill grasslands (Orloff et al. 1986). Kit foxes typically avoid dense oak woodlands and agricultural lands (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 1983). Kit foxes are mostly nocturnal and feed primarily on small mammals, including kangaroo rats, black -tailed hares, desert cottontails, and California ground squirrels. Kit foxes use burrows for resting, cover, and breeding. In the northern portion of their range kit foxes frequently use burrows built by other animals, especially ground squirrels (Orloff et al. 1986). San Joaquin kit foxes change den sites frequently, moving most often in summer and less often in winter and spring (Morrell 1972). The San Joaquin kit fox population has declined primarily because of habitat loss. Most of the preferred valley bottom grassland habitats in the northern range has been eliminated by agricultural, urban, industrial, and mineral development (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 1983). Ongoing Kit Fox Conservation Planning Efforts in San Joaquin County. The San Joaquin County Community Development Department has published a preliminary draft habitat conservation plan (HCP) for the San Joaquin kit fox in western San Joaquin County (San Joaquin County Community Development Department 1993). The principal goal of the HCP is to create a legal, planning, and management framework that ensures that San Joaquin County, the local agency controlling land use in the study area, will exercise its authority to avoid jeopardizing the continued existence of the San Joaquin kit fox currently occupying the western portion of San Joaquin County and adjacent areas. The proposed project site is located approximately 0.5 mile east of the Delta -Mendota Canal, which is the eastern boundary of the HCP study area and its proposed jurisdictional boundary. Historical and recent records of the San Joaquin kit fox reported in the HCP are shown in Figure 4.2.1. There are 10 historical records within 3 miles of the project site. EIP Associates conducted kit fox surveys for the HCP and reported three confirmed kit fox sightings, three records of kit fox tracks, and two records of photographs of kit fox within 1-3 miles of the project site (San Joaquin County Community Development Department 1993). ER -93-1 -37- (9-27-93)