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MOUNTAIN HOUSE NEIGHBORHOOD"F"PROJECT INITIAL STUDY Wetlands Although definitions vary to some degree,wetlands are generally considered to be areas that are periodically or permanently inundated by surface or ground water,and support vegetation adapted to life in saturated soil. Wetlands are recognized as important features on a regional and national level due to their high inherent value to fish and wildlife,use as storage areas for storm and flood waters,and water recharge, filtration and purification functions. The CDFG and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers(Corps)have jurisdiction over modifications to river banks,lakes, stream channels and other wetland features.4 A wetland delineation for the entire Mountain House planning area was verified by the Corps on October 1, 1992. No jurisdictional wetlands occur within the Neighborhood'F"site. Most jurisdictional habitat occurs along the Mountain House Creek corridor. The drainage ditch supporting the six willow trees near the center of the site was presumably considered exempt from Corps jurisdiction as a man-made drainage constructed in uplands. All activities proposed along Mountain House Creek(i.e.,installation of pipelines)are to be done using a jack-and-bore technique to avoid the need for obtaining Streambed Alteration Agreements. Environmental Checklist Potentially Significant Potentially Unless Less Than Significant Mitigation significant No Impact Incorporated Impact Impact BIOLOGICAL RESOURCES. Would the project: a) Have a substantial adverse effect, either directly or through habitat modifications, on any species identified as a candidate, sensitive, or special status species in local or regional plans, policies, or regulations, or by the California Department of Fish and Game or U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service? b) Have a substantial adverse effect on any riparian habitat or other sensitive natural community identified in local or regional plans, policies, regulations or by the California Department of Fish and Game or U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service? c) Have a substantial adverse effect on federally protected wetlands as defined by Section 404 of the Clean Water Act(including,but not limited to, marsh,vernal pool,coastal,etc.)Through direct removal,filling,hydrological interruption, or other means? d) Interfere substantially with the movement of any native resident or migratory fish or wildlife species or with established native resident or migratory wildlife corridors, or impede the use of native wildlife nursery sites? 'Jurisdiction of the Corps is established through the provisions of Section 404 of the Clean Water Act,which prohibits the discharge of dredged or fill material into"waters"of the United States without a permit,including wetlands and unvegetated"other waters of the U.S." The Corps uses three mandatory technical criteria(hydrophytic vegetation,hydric soils,and wetland hydrology)to determine whether an area is a jurisdictional wetland. Junsdicticnal authority of the CDFG over wetland areas is established under Sections 1601-1606 of the Fish and Game Code,which pertain to activities that would disrupt the natural flow or alter the channel,bed,or bank of any lake,river,or stream. The Fish and Game Code stipulates that it is"unlawful to substantially divert or obstruct the natural flow or substantially change the bed,channel or bank of any river,stream or lake"without notifying the Department,incorporating necessary mitigation,and obtaining a Streambed Alteration Agreement. C:UOBSWCOMAL MMY\FINALIMIIALS VDY-PARn.DOC(7/20/00) 108 V.L. BIOLOGICAL RESOURCES