ARCHIVED REPORTS_DRAFT ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REPORT

Home Browse Search

but may require up to 12 weeks depending on pool conditions(Jennings and Hayes 1994,Feaver 1971,Morey 1998). Inaccessible annual grassland habitat and a ponded area observed in annual grassland adjacent to the proposed collection system alignment approximately 900 feet north of Yosemite Avenue and along the effluent outfall pipeline route could contain suitable habitat for western spadefoot toad. Giant garter snakes inhabit a variety of aquatic habitats, such as agricultural canals,marshes, sloughs, and ponds. They also require adjacent upland habitat for basking and burrows for wintering that provide sufficient cover and are at high enough elevations to function as refuges from floodwaters during the snakes' inactive season (October—May). There are 13 known population clusters in various locations in San Joaquin Valley that are isolated from each other with no protected dispersal corridors. The nearest known population is the Rio Blanco, which is approximately 20 miles northwest of Manteca. The freshwater marsh habitat and open waterways with vegetation associated with French Camp Outfall Canal and its connecting agricultural canals provide potentially suitable aquatic habitat for giant garter snake. Western pond turtles generally inhabit streams,ponds, freshwater marshes, and lakes. They require still or slow- moving water with instream emergent woody debris,rocks, or other similar features for basking sites. Turtle nests are typically located on sunny upland slopes with sparse, low vegetation(annual grasses and herbs), low slope angle, and dry hard soil. Potential habitat for pond turtles is present in the freshwater marshes associated with the French Camp Outfall Canal and closely adjoining canals within the project area. Birds Swainson's hawks prefer to nest in scattered riparian or woodland trees adjacent to grasslands and/or agricultural fields that provide suitable foraging habitat. Agricultural patches and isolated trees throughout the project area provide suitable Swainson's hawk foraging habitat. In addition,trees associated with residential properties provide suitable nesting habitat. There are approximately 40 CNDDB sightings reported within a 5-mile radius of the project area(CNDDB 2006).A Swainson's hawk was observed foraging within the project area during the June 2006 reconnaissance survey. Burrowing owls prefer dry grasslands and other dry,open habitats. They typically nest and roost in burrow systems created by medium-sized mammals(e.g., ground squirrels), artificial sites(e.g., drain pipes and culverts), or self-dug burrows where soil conditions are appropriate. Burrowing owls are known to nest in areas in the vicinity of the project area. CNDDB sightings of burrowing owls were reported in the northwestern portion of the proposed wastewater collection system alignment near Lathrop Road and within the agricultural fields slightly northwest of the WQCF and Yosemite Avenue(CNDDB 2006). In addition,potential habitat and burrows were observed in the project area during the reconnaissance survey. Tricolored blackbirds nest in colonies and prefer dense cattail patches,but they also utilize blackberry and other patches of dense vegetation. They forage in grasslands and agricultural fields. The nearest CNDDB sighting of tricolored blackbird is adjacent to the northeastern section of the proposed outfall route near the French Camp Outfall Canal(CNDDB 2006). However,this sighting was documented in 1986, and no nest colonies were found in San Joaquin County during a statewide survey conducted in 2005 (USFWS unpublished data). Therefore,the small amount of freshwater marsh,riparian scrub habitats, and their associated irrigation/drainage channels in the project area are unlikely to support a nesting colony. Other special-status raptors that are known to or could exist in the project area include white-tailed kite (Elanus leucurus),northern harrier(Circus cyaneus), ferruginous hawk(Buteo ragalis),American peregrine falcon(Falco peregrinus), and merlin(F. columbarius). White-tailed kite could nest in isolated trees and riparian patches and northern harrier could nest in grassland, agricultural, and marsh habitats present in the project area. The remaining species are not expected to nest on the project area and are only likely to inhabit the area during winter. EDAW Manteca WQCF and Collection System Master Plans EIR Terrestrial Biological Resources 4.5-22 City of Manteca