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MOUNTAIN HOUSE NEIGHBORHOOD'F"PROJECT INITIAL STUDY modifying two earthen dams on Mountain House Creek;2)replacing two existing culverted crossings of the creek;3)expanding an existing berm along the southern edge of the creek corridor;4)replacing existing culverts under Byron Road;and 5)constructing new water quality basins and expanded deflection berms along the creek corridor north of Byron Road. These improvements are being designed to avoid disturbance to any jurisdictional wetlands(Teed-Bose,2000), although some in-channel modifications will be required for culvert replacement. Modifications to the existing dams(e.g.,new spillways)and road crossings culverts are intended to minimize the potential for downstream flooding. The expanded berms would be located outside the stream channel, avoiding riparian and wetland vegetation. Details of the design for overflows from the new water quality basins north of Byron Road are still being refined. A Streambed Alteration Agreement will be required from the CDFG for in-channel modifications unless the applicant undertakes construction methods(i.e.,jack and bore technique)that avoid the need for a Streambed Alteration Agreement(as proposed by the applicant). The following condition of approval is recommended to mitigate potential less-than-significant impacts on wetland resources: Condition ofAmnroval BIO4: For any infrastructure needed to support Neighborhood "F", potential impacts to wetlands shall meet the mitigation requirements of the Corps, CDFG, and Regional Water Quality Control Board d) Interfere substantially with the movement of any native resident or migratoryfish or wildlife species or with established native resident or migratory wildlife corridors, or impede the use of native wildlife nursery sites? Development of the site is not expected to interfere substantially with the movement of wildlife or impede the use of any native wildlife nursery areas. No major wildlife movement corridors would be affected, and no denning or nesting locations would be eliminated as these have not been found on the site. Development of the site would alter wildlife use,but would not completely obstruct opportunities for movement through the area. The proposed Neighborhood"F"development would be located over 500 feet from Mountain House Creek, and would not interfere with use of the creek by wildlife. The SSE served to confirm absence of any active nests or important den locations on the site. The Mountain House Creek Habitat Restoration Plan(Zentner and Zentner, 1993)would be implemented incrementally, as future portions of the new community are developed along the creek corridor. This plan would serve to enhance the habitat value of the creek and improve its functioning as a movement corridor for wildlife. e) Conflict with any local policies or ordinances protecting biological resources, such as a tree preservation policy or ordinance? The proposed project would not conflict with any relevant policies or ordinances of the San Joaquin County General Plan and Development Title. Policies related to protection of sensitive biological resources would be addressed through the applicant's participation in the SIMSCP or alternative Habitat Conservation Plan requirements. The project would generally comply with the relevant sections of the Mountain House New Community Master Plan and Mountain House New Community Specific Plan I. Participation in the SJMSCP would address relevant sections pertaining to the Habitat Management Plan and special-status species,although preconstruction surveys and compliance with the applicable Incidental Take Avoidance Measures would still be required. Wetlands would generally be avoided under the proposed project,with possible disturbance and required mitigation along the Mountain House Creek corridor as discussed under (c)above. The project would result in the removal of all the existing trees on the site. The TPR identifies trees on the site and their suitability for preservation,but then concludes that of the 13 trees with moderate preservation suitability, all would be removed as a result of proposed improvements. However,none of these trees are particularly important specimens(none were rated as having a good suitability for preservation),none are used for nesting C:VOBSWCUNM L=YTffiAL1NMALS=Y-PAR77.D0C(MONO) III V.L. BIOLOGICAL RESOURCES