ARCHIVED REPORTS_DRAFT ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REPORT

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4.5 TERRESTRIAL BIOLOGICAL RESOURCES This section discusses biological resources present in the project area and evaluates potential impacts on these resources that could result from project implementation. EDAW biologists reviewed existing documents that address biological resources in the vicinity of the project area and conducted searches of the California Natural Diversity Database(CNDD13 2006)and California Native Plant Society(CNPS) database(CNPS 2006) for specific information on documented sightings of special-status species and sensitive natural communities in the project vicinity. On June 26, 2006,EDAW biologists conducted a reconnaissance-level field survey along the proposed pipeline alignments for the treated effluent outfall,wastewater collection system, and recycled-water distribution system, and at the wastewater quality control facility(WQCF) site(Exhibits 4.5-1 and 3-6). In addition, an EDAW biologist conducted a limited confirmatory field survey along portions of the recycled-water distribution system alignment on March 16,2007. The purpose of these surveys was to characterize general biological resources present in these areas, determine the potential for sensitive biological resources to be present, and assess potential for such resources to be affected by the proposed project. 4.5.1 ENVIRONMENTAL SETTING The project area, located on the east side of the San Joaquin River in the northern San Joaquin Valley, includes the WQCF site and several proposed pipeline alignments in and around the city of Manteca.As illustrated in Exhibit 4.5-1,proposed pipelines for the wastewater collection system would generally be located along the perimeter of the city, and proposed recycled-water pipelines would generally be located within the city. The proposed effluent outfall pipeline would extend from the WQCF to the San Joaquin River. The topography of the project area is flat with elevations ranging from 15 to 45 feet above mean sea level. The lands surrounding the city historically supported agricultural land uses, including almond orchards,vineyards, dairies,hay crops, and row crops. In recent years, agricultural lands surrounding the city have been incorporated and have been or are in the process of being converted to urban land uses. Implementation of the proposed project would locate most proposed pipelines for the wastewater collection system and recycled-water distribution system on lands that are either currently developed or proposed for development. Habitat types present in the project area are briefly described below using the terminology of Holland(1986),Hickman(1993), and the Natural Resource Conservation Service's PLANTS Database(MRCS 2006). The location and extent of each habitat type are shown in Exhibits 4.5-2a through 4.5-2c. Only portions of the proposed alignment for the wastewater collection system are shown in these exhibits. Existing portions of the wastewater collection system sewers germane to this EIR are shown in Exhibits 4.5-1 and 4.5-2. VEGETATION AND HABITAT TYPES Developed/Roadway Pipelines and WQCF facilities would be constructed primarily within developed or landscaped lands (111 acres). These areas are dominated by roadways and land cleared for the construction of new housing. The landscaped areas are immediately adjacent to the proposed pipeline routes for the wastewater collection system and recycled- water distribution system along roadways. Trees in landscaped areas include gum tree(Eucalyptus spp.),tree of heaven(Ailanthus altissima),black locust(Robinia pseudoacacia),London plane tree (Platanus hybrida),and lombardy poplar(Populus nigra). Agricultural Lands Agricultural lands made up approximately 16.5 acres of the proposed WQCF site and proposed pipeline routes at the time of the field surveys. Portions of these agricultural lands are currently proposed for urban development.At the time of the reconnaissance surveys,these lands were occupied by hay crops,tomatoes, and corn, or the land was disked and fallow.Additional agricultural lands were immediately adjacent to the proposed pipeline routes Manteca WQCF and Collection System Master Plans EIR EDAW City of Manteca 4.5-1 Terrestrial Biological Resources