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raccoons forage along the canal for small fish and mammals, crayfish, tadpoles and carrion. Western pond turtles bask on the banks of the river and retreat to water when disturbed. Fish and amphibians provide potential prey for the endangered giant garter snake. SPECLAL STATUS WELDLEFE SPECEES Special status animals considered here include those listed as Threatened, Endangered, or Candidate species by the California Department of Fish and Game (CDFG)and the United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS). In addition to these listed or candidate species, animals listed as Species of Special Concern by CDFG are discussed. Mobile animals (most birds and mammals) are discussed in terms of the project's potential impacts to the study area, which includes the proposed project site and adjacent park and riparian habitats. Animals with limited mobility (most invertebrates, amphibians, and reptiles) are discussed primarily in terms of potential direct impacts to the proposed project site only. Swainson's Hawk The Swainson's hawk Buteo swainsoni is listed as Threatened b h ( , y the CDFG and as a Candidate Category 2 by USFWS. This hawk typically nests in oaks or cottonwoods in or near riparian habitats (Schlorff and Bloom 1984). Swainson's hawks prefer nesting habitats that provide sweeping views of nearby foraging grounds consisting of grasslands, irrigated pasture, alfalfa, hay and wheat crops (Bloom 1980). A Swainson's hawk territory occurring three miles north of the project site on Peltier Road is recorded in the CNDDB (1991). Other local Swainson's hawk territories are located five miles north of the transfer station near Jahant Slough, five miles east near Jack Tone Road, and six miles south on Bear Creek (Estep pers. comm.). No Swainson's hawks were observed on or near the study area. Swainson's hawks usually leave their nesting territories and foraging grounds in the Central Valley and begin migrating toward South America in September (Estep 1989), so the survey dates were not appropriate for detecting this species. Swainson's hawks show strong nest site affinity, returning to the same territory year after year (Estep pers. comm.), so it is unlikely that an undetected perennial breeding territory exists along the Mokelumne River in close proximity to the proposed study area. However, the project site supports foraging habitat of moderate quality. Swainson's hawks are wide-foraging raptors, and it is possible that some hawks occasionally use the study area's food resources during the summer nesting season. Further, the Mokelumne River corridor is a likely candidate for the establishment of new breeding territories (CLCDD 1988; Estep pens. comm.). 6