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<br /> Block Redevelopment EIR (Jones and Stokes, 1999). Information on biological resources as
<br /> identified from both EIRs is presented below.
<br /> The upper reaches of the Stockton Channel are located in the project area, an aquatic habitat. The
<br /> ChananeI, a portion of the larger Sacramento/San Joaquin Delta water system, is a dead-end slough
<br /> located at the eastem fringe of the Delta. The Stockton Channel is not fed by any natural waterway
<br /> (Paoli and Associates, 199 1). The Channel within the project area has been modified with seawalls.
<br /> Vegetation resources in the project area are very limited as no vegetation was observed in the
<br /> Stockton Channel within the project site boundary. Sacramento/San Joaquin Delta water quality has
<br /> been significantly influenced by tidal movement, water withdrawals, diversions, and upstream
<br /> storage. Delta waters are also subject to significant industrial, agricultural, and municipal waste
<br /> discharges. Backwater and slough areas, such as the Channel, tend to flush slowly; as a result,
<br /> relative temperature,turbidity,and dissolved solids levels are seasonally high and dissolved oxygen
<br /> levels are seasonally low (Paoli and Associates, I991).
<br /> The Delta supports a significant warm water fishery that includes striped bass, sturgeon, and
<br /> American shad. Salmon and steelhead runs occur in the San Joaquin River, and �rvject area
<br /> waterways in Stockton (including the project area) support a variety of resident and non-resident.
<br /> game fish species. Resident game fish species include white catfish,channel catfish,and blown and
<br /> black bullhead catfish and a variety of sunfish including black crappie, large-mouth bass, and
<br /> bluegill. Resident non-game fish include several.species of minnows, squawfish, blackfish, carp,
<br /> golden shiner, goldfish and thread-fin shad, a significant bait and forage fish for striped bass.
<br /> Identified fish species of potential concern include: Chinook salmon(primarily on the Sacramento
<br /> River,but passes through the Delta),Delta smelt,striped bass,San Joaquin salmon,i0 and threadfin
<br /> shad (Paoli and Associates, 1991). Other fish species that may be present in the area include: the
<br /> splittail, Central Valley steelhead, chameleon goby, bigscale logperch, inland silverside, and
<br /> Sacramento suckers (.Tones and Stokes, 1999).
<br /> Waterfowl, Songbirds, and Other Species
<br /> The Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta provides significant wildlife habitat, including important
<br /> waterfowl wintering habitat. Principal wildlife resources are agricultural lands,used for feeding and
<br /> resting- Delta waterways also support a variety of other wildlife, including fur bearers, raptors,
<br /> upland game species, song birds, amphibians, and reptiles (Paoli and Associates, 1991);
<br /> Wildlife habitat and usage in the Delta are concentrated in the less-disturbed habitats. In these areas,
<br /> wetland and riparian vegetation is better developed. These resources have been largely replaced in
<br /> the project area by urban development and shoreline improvements. As a result,.no waterfowl or
<br /> other species were observed on-site during a site reconnaissance (Paoli and Associates, 1991).
<br /> However,nesting swallows were observed near the site during a site visit of the Center Street Bridge
<br /> in 1999 (Jones and Stokes, 1999).
<br /> 'Indicated as law probability of occurrence in the project area.
<br /> 10 Not thought to make significant use of the Stockton Channel;however,these fish are periodiciilly caught here.
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