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voles,jackrabbits, coyote,red fox, grey fox,badger, horse, camel,pronghorn antelope, elk, deer, and bison from
<br /> sediments referable to the Modesto Formation.
<br /> Results of a paleontological record search at the UCMP indicated no fossil remains within the immediate project
<br /> area.
<br /> REGULATORY SETTING
<br /> Federal Plans, Policies, Regulations, Laws, and Ordinances
<br /> Paleontological resources are classified as nonrenewable scientific resources and are protected by several federal
<br /> and state statutes,most notably by the Antiquities Act of 1906(Public Law 59-209; 16 U.S. Code 431 et seq.; 34
<br /> Stat. 225),which calls for protection of historic landmarks,historic and prehistoric structures, and other objects of
<br /> historic or scientific interest on federal lands. The project currently does not involve such lands.
<br /> State, Regional, and Local Plans, Policies, Regulations, Laws, and Ordinances
<br /> State requirements for paleontological resource management are found in Public Resources Code Chapter 1.7,
<br /> Section 5097.5,Archeological,Paleontological, and Historical Sites. This statute specifies that state agencies may
<br /> undertake surveys, excavations, or other operations as necessary on state lands to preserve or record
<br /> paleontological resources. The statute would apply to the project area only if the state or a state agency were to
<br /> obtain ownership of project lands.
<br /> No state or local agencies have specific jurisdiction over paleontological resources on private lands.No state or
<br /> local agency requires a paleontological collecting permit to allow for the recovery of fossil remains discovered as
<br /> a result of construction-related earth moving on state or private land in a project site.
<br /> The City of Manteca General Plan 2023 does not contain any policies relating to paleontological resources (City
<br /> of Manteca 2003).
<br /> Professional Standards
<br /> The Society of Vertebrate Paleontology(1995, 1996), a national scientific organization of professional vertebrate
<br /> paleontologists,has established standard guidelines that outline acceptable professional practices in the conduct of
<br /> paleontological resource assessments and surveys,monitoring and mitigation, data and fossil recovery, sampling
<br /> procedures, specimen preparation, analysis, and curation. Most practicing professional paleontologists in the
<br /> nation adhere to the Society of Vertebrate Paleontology's assessment,mitigation, and monitoring requirements, as
<br /> specifically spelled out in its standard guidelines.
<br /> 4.8.3 ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS
<br /> ANALYSIS METHODOLOGY
<br /> In its standard guidelines for assessment and mitigation of adverse impacts on paleontological resources,the
<br /> Society of Vertebrate Paleontology(1995) established three categories of sensitivity for paleontological
<br /> resources: high,low, and undetermined. Areas where fossils have been previously found are considered to have a
<br /> high sensitivity and a high potential to produce fossils. In areas of high sensitivity that are likely to yield unique
<br /> paleontological resources, full-time monitoring is typically recommended during any project-related ground
<br /> disturbance. Areas that are not sedimentary in origin and that have not been known to produce fossils in the past
<br /> typically are considered to have low sensitivity and monitoring is usually not needed during project construction.
<br /> Areas that have not had any previous paleontological resource surveys or fossil finds are considered to be of
<br /> undetermined sensitivity until surveys and mapping are performed to determine their sensitivity.After
<br /> Manteca WQCF and Collection System Master Plans EIR EDAW
<br /> City of Manteca 4.8-5 Paleontological Resources
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