ARCHIVED REPORTS_DRAFT ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REPORT

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However,most of the proposed improvements would be located within sediments of the Modesto Formation, which is a rock unit of high paleontological sensitivity under the Society of Vertebrate Paleontology guidelines (1995, 1996).As discussed above under"Paleontological Resource Inventory and Assessment by Rock Unit,"a vertebrate fossil site at Littlejohns Creek(UCMP V-5107), approximately 2 miles northeast of the proposed north Manteca trunk sewer branch on Union Road,has been recorded in sediments of the Modesto Formation. This site yielded seven specimens from Rancholabrean-age Columbian mammoth,horse, and an unidentified carnivore. Another vertebrate fossil specimen(Rancholabrean-age Columbian mammoth)was recovered from sediments of the Modesto Formation in the City of Lathrop, 3 miles west of the WQCF site. In addition,the occurrence of numerous Pleistocene vertebrate fossil remains in sediments referable to the Modesto Formation from the nearby cities of Stockton and Tracy, and at other locations throughout the Central Valley, suggests that the potential exists for uncovering additional similar fossil remains during construction-related earthmoving activities in the Modesto Formation at the project area. Because the potential exists for proposed earthmoving activities at the project area to uncover or disturb previously undiscovered paleontological resources,this would be a potentially significant impact. 4.8.3 MITIGATION MEASURES The following mitigation measure is provided for the potentially significant impact of Impact 4.8-1: Mitigation Measure 4.8.1: Disturbance of Paleontological Resources during Earthmoving Activities.For earthmoving activities at the project area,the City will implement the following measures: (1) Before the start of construction activities, construction personnel involved with earthmoving activities shall be informed of the possibility of encountering fossils,the appearance and types of fossils likely to be seen during construction activities,and proper notification procedures should fossils be encountered. This training shall be prepared and presented by a qualified paleontologist or archaeologist. (2) If paleontological resources are discovered during earthmoving activities,the construction crew shall immediately cease work in the vicinity of the find and the City Public Works Department shall be notified. The City will retain a qualified paleontologist to evaluate the resource and prepare a proposed recovery plan in accordance with Society of Vertebrate Paleontology guidelines(1995). The recovery plan may include a field survey, construction monitoring, sampling and data recovery procedures,museum storage coordination for any specimen recovered, and a report of findings. Recovery of identified resources will be implemented by the City before construction activities resume at the site. Implementation of this mitigation measure would reduce impacts of earthmoving activities on paleontological resources to a less-than-significant level. 4.8.4 LEVEL OF SIGNIFICANCE AFTER MITIGATION Implementation of Mitigation Measure 4.8-1 would avoid and/or minimize adverse effects on paleontological resources through excavation,recovery,and preservation of any discovered resources during project construction activities. With implementation of the above mitigation,the project's paleontological impacts would be reduced to a less-than-significant level. Manteca WQCF and Collection System Master Plans EIR EDAW City of Manteca 4.8-7 Paleontological Resources