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OUR <br /> squirrel activity present. Burrows, and much of the entire Site, were investigated for sign indicating <br /> the presence of kit fox, including scat and prey remains. <br /> Spotlighting was conducted for three consecutive evenings after dark, using a 1,000,000 candle- <br /> power spotlight. Existing roads within the Site allowed LFR biologists to observe the Site and the <br /> general area surrounding the Site. <br /> Six"scent stations" were set up for the last night following a lack of activity noted during the <br /> previous nights (Figure 2 and Photograph #5). A quadrant of tracking medium with a scent lure was <br /> placed in a level area, usually close to a game trail or other potentially luring feature (i.e. burrow <br /> complex). All scent stations were photo-documented and checked early the next morning for tracks. <br /> Weather conditions during the surveys included daytime temperatures ranging from 85 to 103 <br /> degrees Fahrenheit. Temperatures at night were approximately 80 degrees Fahrenheit. Conditions <br /> were mild with little to no wind and excellent visibility.Nikon 8x40 roof prism binoculars were used <br /> to scan the Site for kit fox, prey mammals, and other signs that might indicate their presence. Field <br /> notes documenting observations from the survey were maintained and digital photographs of <br /> significant Site features were taken. Potentially suitable kit fox habitat within 150 meters of the Site <br /> boundary on adjoining properties was also surveyed. <br /> Results and Conclusions <br /> The Site presents suitable habitat for kit fox, however, the pre-construction survey conducted by LFR <br /> wildlife biologists did not indicate evidence for kit fox presence at the Site at this time. The Site <br /> appears to have adequate habitat as required by kit fox; there is at least one nearby water source and <br /> the available prey base appears to be adequate. <br /> Previous Site investigations conducted by LFR biologists indicated kit fox occurrence within the <br /> project boundary; numerous tracks were found during the Site visit on January 31, 2003, matching <br /> literature based kit fox dimensions$. Tracks found during the pre-construction survey described in <br /> this letter report were potentially kit fox, but were too washed out for certainty (Photograph# 6). If <br /> kit fox left the tracks, they date back to the previous rain event in the area(several months ago) when <br /> the soil was moist. The CNDDB search of the Tracy quadrangle indicates numerous reports of kit fox <br /> observations in proximity to the Site (locations suppressed). Kit fox may use the project area as a <br /> corridor to nearby water sources or for foraging. There are various shooting targets set up at the Site <br /> and hundreds of spent shot-gun shells on the ground surface indicating that people have been using <br /> the Site for target shooting purposes. In addition, LFR biologists observed at least two unleashed <br /> domestic dogs roaming the Site during the day. <br /> No kit fox or other candid tracks were observed at burrows dusted with tracking medium. Tracks <br /> observed at burrows included; kangaroo rat, beetle, and ground squirrel. Tracks observed at scent <br /> $Peterson,R. 1474.Animal Tracks.Houghton Mifflin Press,New York. <br /> SJ Kt Fx Srvy Rpt(draft2):L 4 <br />