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Draft Supplemental Environmental Impact Report Page IV.A-24 Forward Inc. Landfill 2014 Expansion Project recommendations include: tar • Review of all new landscaping/development plans for wildlife hazards • Water management to eliminate standing water from the landfill whenever possible • Vegetation management to eliminate brushy areas along ditches and streams • Operation of wildlife hazard management patrols • Continuation of the current falconry-based bird control program at the landfill • Coordination with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to develop a permit to reduce hazards to aircraft from specific threatened and endangered species and species of special concern Mitigation Measure A.1,above,incorporates the recommendations of USDA Wildlife Services, but does not apply these recommendations to the proposed habitat restoration areas of Littlejohns Creek,and excludes the USDA Wildlife Service's recommendations for special-status bird species and the removal of prey base for predatory birds and mammals, for reasons that are explained below. As discussed in IV.H Biological Resources, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, California Department of Fish and Game, and Regional Water Quality Control Board require that the restoration areas of Littlejohns Creek be managed to provide wildlife habitat,which is in apparent conflict with the USDA Wildlife Service's recommendation to eliminate vegetation along the creek. The proposed restored riparian habitat would be limited in area(four acres of wetland and nine acres of riparian habitat,in contrast to 39.4 existing acres of wetland and riparian habitat on the site),and would not substantially change the amount of habitat in the project area. Due to the dense vegetation that grows along stream channels,the restoration areas are not expected to provide suitable habitat for the large flocking birds (i.e. gulls,geese)that are most associated with �,• bird airstrikes.b Thus,the proposed restoration of vegetation and habitat along Littlejohn Creek would not result in a net increase in area of habitat for those bird species most associated with bird strike hazards for aircraft. Bird species such as gulls and geese that pose the greatest risk for aviation at the landfill are the focus of the existing bird control program. In addition to large flocking birds,raptors(birds of prey),which include special-status bird species,may also be present in the project vicinity. Based on records of bird strikes,raptors are +� much less likely to be involved in aircraft strikes than flocking birds such as gulls. The project site is surrounded by agricultural land, which provides extensive habitat for the prey base(e.g., rodents)of raptors. An abundant supply of prey would therefore be available whether or not the ` proposed restoration of Littlejohns Creek is implemented,or whether or not prey is eliminated from the landfill.' The small amount of habitat provided by the proposed habitat restoration would not substantially change the availability of prey for raptors in the vicinity of the airport. Thus,restoration of vegetation and habitat along Littlejohns Creek, and continuation of current levels of prey at the landfill,would not substantially enhance the habitat for raptors,which,in any case,do not pose a substantial threat to aircraft safety at the Stockton Metropolitan Airport. .. Implementation of the procedures proposed as part of the project, identified above, and Mitigation Measure A.1, above would reduce bird hazard impacts to a less than significant level. Impact A.5 Night lighting at the proposed project could interfere with airport landing lights. tip, e Mike Wood,Biologist,Wood Biological Consulting,Inc.,personal communication, 12 September 2011. 'Ibid.