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California have subsequently declined markedly (Remsen 1978). Bank swallows have been observed near the study along the Mokelumne River and at the sewage treatment plant six miles southwest of Lodi (CLCDD 1988). It is possible that a breeding colony exists in the vicinity of the project area, but it is unlikely that the proposed project would have any negative impacts on a local population of bank swallows. There are no breeding colonies of bank swallows on the Lodi North Quadrangle recorded in the CNDDB (1991). Western Yellow-billed Cuckoo - The western yellow-billed cuckoo (Coccyzus americanus occidentalis) is listed as Endangered by CDFG and is a USFWS Candidate Category 2. This species of cuckoo was once common in the Central Valley but is now a rare breeder in the region. Loss of breeding habitat is the primary reason for the decline of cuckoos. In central California, yellow-billed cuckoos prefer to live and breed in only a few of the largest remaining stands of Valley-Foothill Riparian habitat (Gaines 1980). Riparian forests in the study area are much narrower than 100 meters and generally confined between the levees of the Mokelumne River. There are no records in the CNDDB (1991) for yellow-billed cuckoos occurring on the Lodi North Quadrangle. It is unlikely that these birds reside in the study area. SPECIAL STATUS PLANT SPECIES Several special status plant species may occur in the study area. Winter is a suboptimal time for surveying for special status plants in the Central Valley, since most of these plants bloom in the spring and summer. Therefore, surveys focused primarily on identifying appropriate habitat for special status plants. The special status plant survey was limited to the area where direct impacts to plants will occur, that is, within the boundaries of the proposed project site. In addition to USFWS- and CDFG-designated special status plants, California Native Plant Society (CNPS)-listed plants are also considered. Several special status plant species could possibly occur in the study area. These include California hibiscus (Hibiscus californicus), Mason's lilaeopsis (Lilaeopsis masonic), Sanford's sagittaria (Sagittaria sanfordii) and Suisun marsh aster (Aster chilensis). Most of these species occur in marsh, pond or riparian habitats; none of these habitats occur within the boundaries of the proposed project site. The project site is devoid of associations of native vegetation due to repeated discing of the open field, which has nearly eliminated the botanical value of the site. Further, the nearest recorded occurrence of any of these species is on a site nearly 10 miles from the study area (CNDDB 1990). The probability that any of the above plant species occurs within the boundaries of the proposed project site is considered unlikely. i 10 1