ARCHIVED REPORTS_DRAFT ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REPORT

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potential loss of an active raptor nest and/or occupied burrowing owl burrow would be a potentially significant impact. IMPACT Terrestrial Biological Resources—Impacts on Other Special-Status Birds. Implementation of the proposed 4.5-7 project would result in disturbance and removal of a relatively small amount of potential foraging habitat for tricolored blackbird and loggerhead shrike. Loss of active nests of these species is unlikely to result, because construction of the proposed pipelines would only temporarily disturb less than 1 acre of marginally suitable nesting habitat, pipelines would be constructed below ground, and the project would avoid impacts on freshwater marsh habitat within the French Camp Outlet Canal by implementing trenchless construction methods. This impact would be less than significant. The project area contains nesting and foraging habitat for two special-status bird species not previously addressed: tricolored blackbird and loggerhead shrike. Wetland and riparian habitats adjacent to proposed pipeline alignments for the wastewater collection system, effluent outfall, and recycled-water distribution system provide marginally suitable nesting habitat for tricolored blackbird. Scattered shrubs and trees associated with riparian habitat are suitable for nesting loggerhead shrike. Although CNDDB sightings of tricolored blackbird nesting colonies have been documented in the project area,these sightings are from 20 years ago when suitable nesting habitat for the species was much more extensive.No nest colonies were documented in San Joaquin County during a 2005 statewide survey(USFWS unpublished data). Therefore,tricolored blackbirds are very unlikely to nest in the project vicinity. Impacts on potential nesting habitat for tricolored blackbird and loggerhead shrike would be limited because proposed pipeline construction would only temporarily disturb the project area, pipelines would be constructed below ground, and the project would avoid impacts on habitat within the French Camp Outlet Canal by implementing trenchless construction methods such as HDD or bore-and-jack to bore under the French Camp Outlet Canal. In addition,no suitable tricolored blackbird or loggerhead shrike nesting habitat is present at the WQCF site. Although approximately 14 acres of potentially suitable foraging habitat for these species would be removed as a result of WQCF site improvements and approximately 7.5 acres would be temporarily disturbed during pipeline construction,these impacts on a relatively small amount of potential foraging habitat would not have a substantial adverse effect on tricolored blackbird or loggerhead shrike. This impact would be less than significant. IMPACT Terrestrial Biological Resources—Impacts on Wildlife Movement and Nursery Sites. Implementation of 4.5-8 the proposed project would not substantially interfere with wildlife movement or impede the use of wildlife nursery sites because the project area does not connect open space that serves as important wildlife habitat or nursery sites. This would be a less-than-significant impact. The project area is surrounded by agricultural and urban development. It does not link any areas of open space that serve as important wildlife habitat and does not serve as a wildlife nursery site. Therefore, implementation of the project would not substantially interfere with wildlife movement or established migratory corridors, or impede the use of important nursery sites. This would be a less-than-significant impact. IMPACT Terrestrial Biological Resources—Impacts on Protected and Heritage Trees.Implementation of the 4.5-9 proposed project would result in the potential loss and disturbance of native oaks and other existing trees that are protected by local ordinances. This impact would be potentially significant. Several trees would be affected by implementation of the proposed project. Most pipeline alignments and WQCF site improvements would be located within existing roadway alignments, land proposed for development, and land cleared for development. Valley oaks located at the site of the proposed effluent outfall structure on the east bank of the San Joaquin River and along the proposed outfall pipeline route just east of the river could be affected by construction of the proposed effluent outfall pipeline and outfall structure. It is likely that additional horticultural trees along the proposed wastewater collection system and recycled water distribution system pipeline alignments approximately 900 feet north of Yosemite Avenue and south of Crom Street would also be EDAW Manteca WQCF and Collection System Master Plans EIR Terrestrial Biological Resources 4.5-30 City of Manteca