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and some of the taller debris may serve as perches for birds of prey. Aside from the debris, burn pile areas, and compacted gravel roads leading throughout the Site, remaining open areas of the Site may be considered functional habitat with the potential to support the wildlife discussed in the following text. Analysis of Potential Impacts: Describe to what extent project activities would: a. Have a substantial adverse effect, either directly or through habitat modifications, on any species identified as a candidate, sensitive, or special status species in local or regional plans, policies, or regulations, or by the California Department of Fish and Game or U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The proposed project activities may have the potential to affect listed or sensitive plant and/or wildlife species that occur in or near the excavation sites. Several wildlife species, such as migratory birds and predatory mammals, may use the area for temporary activities such as foraging, roosting, and breeding. In addition, the area may serve as a corridor to several nearby water sources (Corral Hollow Creek, Delta Mendota Canal, and the California Aqueduct). Other wildlife species, such as small burrowing mammals, may be permanent residents adjacent to or near excavation areas. Plant and wildlife species of federal and state concern that have the potential to occur in or near the project site were identified. The identities are based on a review of the following: the California Department of Fish and Game's (CDFG) California Natural Diversity Database search of the Tracy, California USGS Quadrangle (CNDDB; CDFG 2002); the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's (USFWS)document"Federal Endangered and Threatened Species that may be Affected by Projects in the Tracy 7 %: Minute Quad (USFWS January 22, 2003); and field surveys and informal consultation with agency representatives conducted by LFR biologists. Methodology. The above document review identified 3 special status plant species and 58 special status animal species that could occur within the Tracy, California Quadrangle. LFR biologists conducted informal field surveys on January 31 and March 20, 2003, to determine habitat value and existing conditions on site, and to look for physical evidence of plant or wildlife species of concern. The methodology of the January 31 informal field survey included walking transects of the Site approximately 50 to 100 feet apart affording 100% visibility. On March 20, 2003, LFR biologists met with the remediation contractors regarding the set-up of a staging area and for consultation on initial removal of large, above-ground debris. LFR biologists walked a large portion of the Site on March 20 looking for sign of wildlife, including any nests that might have been built in debris. In addition, LFR biologists gave a"tailgate-training"to site personnel including information on special status species that might be present in the area; the talk focused on the San Joaquin kit fox and included avoidance measures (i.e. looking in culverts or other partially enclosed spaces for kit fox before removal)for protection of the kit fox. Habitat requirements of special status species were then matched with existing habitat on site and a review of the CDFG's CNDDB document. If a species' habitat requirements matched the available habitat at the Site, and there was a recent reported occurrence of the species in the CNDDB, the species received a rating of"moderate to high"or"high" Potential to Occur in the Project Site. A"recent" report is discretionary; for example, a small burrowing mammal might be less likely to be reported, thus a report in the vicinity from 1991 would be noticeable,where a plant last reported in the 1930's and reported as "extirpated"would not be presumed to be likely to occur on site. Regulatory protection/survey requirements. Based on the evidence described in preceding text, the level of federal and state regulatory protection provided to specific 14