SITE INFORMATION AND CORRESPONDENCE

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gent BX: BASELINE; 510 420 1707; Nov-9-99 17:02; Page 5113 j Sensitive Species The California Natural Diversity Data Base (CNDDB) and the California Department of Fish and Game,Natural Heritage program,were contacted during the preparation of the 1941 EIR regarding the potential presence of threatened,endangered,or ether species of special concern in the area. As a result of urbanization and the level of disturbance in the project area, no known listed plant, mammal, or other wildlife species below are expected to be potentially affected as a result of the proposed development activities(Paoli and Associates, 1991). Potentially affected fish species are described above. The findings of the CNDDB for the Stockton west quadrangle are summarized.below.Note that the quadrangle encompasses an area that is much larger than the Weber Block site, and includes all of the downtown area, and less disturbed habitats including portions of Rough and Ready island, Roberts Island,Moss Tract, Sargent-Barnhart Tract,and other areas. With the exception of a recent observation of Swainson's hawk nesting pair in the vicinity of French Camp Slough,CNDDB are primarily historical listings (Paoli and Associates, 1992). • California tiger salamander, located near Victory Pork in 1923. • Swainson's hawk,nesting near French Camp Slough and at another site south of French Camp Slough in 1988. California black rail specimen, found dead near Calaveras River in 1959. • Specimen of California hibiscus "scan in low ground" in the project vicinity in 1895. • Specimen of Delta tule pea found on Rough and Ready Island in 1903. • Specimen of Ferris'bird's beak,found in the project vicinity in 1881.The site was reexamined in 1960, and was not relocated. Since 1991, the following fish species have been added as threatened and/or endangered species under the Federal and/or State Endangered Species Act (ESA) (Jones and Stokes', 1999). No terrestrial organism listings were included since the site is devoid of vegetation. • Delta smelt;the Stockton Channel is included in the designated critical habitat for Delta smelt, • Sacramento splittail; critical habitat for Sacramento splittail has not been designated or proposed. • Central Valley steelhead, • Winter run and spring run chinook salmon;critical habitat for winter run chinook salmon was designated in 1993,but the Stockton Channel was not included as a critical habitat. { Although these fish species were listed under the Federal and/or State ESA,fish habitat conditions at the project site were identified as likely to limit the abundance and uec=ence of fish species,and the absence of vegetation,steep banks,poor water quality,and fine bottom substrates provide limited habitat for many fish species. Vegetation needed to provide cover and foraging areas is also absent at the project area.'These conditions were therefore not considered consistent with the habitat needs of the Delta smelt,the Sacramento splittail,Central Valley steelhead,and chinook salmon(Jones& Stokes, 1999). 97J69stk.pe&wpd-1 1 M99 27 4