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buttonbush(Cephalanthus occidentalis), and sandbar willow(Salix exigua). Ruderal species such as moth mullein <br /> (IVerbascum thapsus) and cocklebur(Xanthium strumarium)are growing within and on the riprap banks. <br /> COMMON WILDLIFE <br /> The quality of wildlife habitat in the project vicinity is the highest in areas where the proposed pipeline routes for <br /> the wastewater collection system, effluent outfall, and recycled-water distribution system are not within existing <br /> roadways and developed areas. The areas of high-quality habitat include the freshwater marsh habitat,adjacent to <br /> the wastewater treatment pond on the WQCF property and French Camp Outfall Canal and other drainage canals, <br /> agricultural lands, annual grassland habitat, and riparian woodland and scrub associated with the San Joaquin <br /> River. <br /> Freshwater marsh habitat within the project area supports a high diversity of bird species, including waterfowl, <br /> egrets,herons,grebes, cormorants, and shorebirds. Freshwater marsh provides nesting habitat for songbirds such <br /> as red-winged blackbird(Agelaius phoeniceus),yellow-headed blackbird(Xanthocephalus xanthocephalus), and <br /> marsh wren(Cistothorus palustris). In addition,permanent and seasonal pools in the project area are expected to <br /> provide habitat for amphibians such as Pacific treefrog(Pseudacris regilla),western toad(Bufo boreas), and <br /> aquatic garter snake(Thamnophis couchii). <br /> Numerous common wildlife species are also expected to use the annual grasslands and field crops, fallow fields, <br /> and ruderal areas of the project area. Mammals generally found in these habitat include California ground squirrel <br /> (Spermophilus beecheyi),Botta's pocket gopher(Thomomys bottae),western harvest mouse(Reithrodontomys <br /> megalotis),California vole(Microtus californicus),and coyote (Canis latrans). A black-tailed jackrabbit(Lepus <br /> californicus)was observed along the side banks of a canal that connected to the French Camp Outfall Canal and <br /> raccoon(Procyon lotor)tracks were evident on an aboveground existing pipeline traversing the drainage canal <br /> located next to the proposed outfall pipeline route. <br /> Birds that are known to breed in annual grassland habitats include the burrowing owl(Athene cunicularia), <br /> horned lark(Eremophila alpestris), and western meadowlark(Sturnella neglecta).A number of common birds <br /> were observed in the agricultural fields during the surveys including brewer's blackbird(uphagus <br /> cyanocephalus),yellow-billed magpie(Pica nuttalli), and western kingbird(Tyrannus verticalis). These habitats <br /> also provide important foraging habitat for raptors such as American kestrel(Falco sparverius),red-shouldered <br /> hawk(Buteo lineatus), and red-tailed hawk(Buten jamaicensis). <br /> SENSITIVE BIOLOGICAL RESOURCES <br /> Sensitive biological resources include special-status species and sensitive natural habitats identified by the <br /> California Department of Fish and Game(DFG), CNPS, and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS). Sensitive <br /> biological resources for this project also include those afforded protection under the City of Manteca's General <br /> Plan or by the San Joaquin County Multi-Species Habitat Conservation and Open Space Plan (SJMSCP). <br /> Special-Status Species <br /> Special-status species include plants and animals in the following categories: <br /> ► species listed or proposed for listing as threatened or endangered under the federal Endangered Species Act <br /> (ESA)or the California Endangered Species Act(CESA), <br /> ► species considered candidates for listing as threatened or endangered under ESA or CESA, <br /> ► wildlife species identified by DFG as California Species of Special Concern, <br /> EDAW Manteca WQCF and Collection System Master Plans EIR <br /> Terrestrial Biological Resources 4.5-14 City of Manteca <br />