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6" Draft Supplemental Environmental Impact Report Page IV.F-2 Forward Inc.Landfill 2014 Expansion Project Existing Biological Resources The study area is situated in a rural setting of existing and former orchards, vineyards, and %W agricultural fields with scattered residences. The Forward Landfill facility is bordered to the east, west, and south by agricultural fields, and correctional facilities are located to the north of the existing landfill facility. The North Branch of the South Fork of Littlejohn's Creek, which '`" was relocated as part of a previous expansion of the landfill, runs along the northern boundary of the landfill site. A total of 39.4 acres of riparian habitat were restored within the previously relocated creek. •' The study area is situated on mostly level ground with a natural elevation of 30-40 feet above mean sea level.Landfill operations would be expanded into approximately 8.7 acres located in the northeastern corner of the existing facility, along Austin Road, and approximately 30.0 acres z.. in the south parcel,of which 6.2 acres along the existing alignment of the South Branch of the South Fork of Littlejohn's Creek,in the southeast of the existing landfill, would be newly permitted landfill space. The upstream end of the South Branch of the South Fork of Littlejohn's Creek forms the southern boundary of the existing landfill. During the last stages of landfill development, the proposed new main entrance road would cross the creek channel and a ruderal field supporting a warehouse currently used for sorting and transferring yard waste. Plant Communities and Associated Wildlife %P The project area is located within an agricultural area of San Joaquin County approximately 4 miles north of Manteca, within the Central Zone of the SJMSCP (SJCOG 2000). This zone is ,alp characterized by primarily urban and agricultural land uses. The study area is characterized as a highly modified environment, supporting very little indigenous vegetation. With the exception of the South Branch of the South Fork of Littlejohn's Creek,the proposed development areas consist of developed landfill-related land uses(which are largely graded and devoid of vegetation). However, some non-native grassland and ruderal (i.e., weedy) vegetation is present on and around the proposed onsite development areas. Emergent freshwater marsh is present along the creek channel. Other than the freshwater marsh, which has colonized the altered and maintained creek channel, no native plant communities are present within the study area. Each of these habitats is discussed below. ` Nonnative Annual Grassland. Nonnative annual grassland is generally found in open areas in valleys and foothills throughout coastal and interior California (Holland 1986). It typically occurs on soils consisting of fine-textured loams or clays that are somewhat poorly drained. This vegetation type is dominated by nonnative annual grasses and weedy annual and perennial forbs, primarily of Mediterranean origin, that have replaced native perennial grasslands, scrub and woodland as a result of human disturbance. Scattered native wildflowers WW and grasses, representing remnants of the original vegetation may also be common. Within the study area, non-native annual grassland is present along the levee road and around the sedimentation basin and leachate pond (in the southern portion of the landfill), intergrading `' with ruderal habitat. This plant community also occurs on the north side of the South Branch of the South Fork of Littlejohns Creek(within the proposed relocated southeast landfill disposal area). Characteristic nonnative annual grasses commonly found on site include wild oats L. (Avena fatua), ripgut brome (Bromus diandrus), foxtail barley (Hordeum murinum ssp. leporinum), Italian ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum), and Bermuda grass (Cynodon dactylon). Common