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Draft Supplemental Environmental Impact Report Page IV.17-4
<br /> Forward Inc. Landfill 2014 Expansion Project
<br /> Along the channel banks of the upper reach of the creek were stands of California rose (Rosa
<br /> californica) and California mugwort(Artemisia douglasiana). Also common growing along the
<br /> banks were turkey tangle frogfruit(Phyla nodiflora),common California aster (Symphyotrichum
<br /> tow chilense),Himalayan blackberry (Rubus discolor), creeping wildrye (Leymus triticoides), tall
<br /> willowherb (Epilobium brachycarpum), and fourwing saltbush (Atriplex canescens), among others.
<br /> On site, the marsh vegetation growing in the channel bottom most closely conforms to the
<br /> Hardstem Bulrush Marsh alliance as described in by Sawyer, et al. (2009);it would be classified
<br /> as a Palustrine persistent emergent wetland following Cowardin, et al. (1979). Vegetation on
<br /> the channel banks does not conform to any particular series described in Sawyer, et al. (2009);it
<br /> would be classified as an upland following Cowardin, et al. (1979).
<br /> Species that utilize freshwater marsh habitat and stream course habitats include Yuma bat
<br /> (Myotis yumanensis), red bat(Lasiurus borealis), pacific tree frog (Hyla regilla), Pacific pond turtle,
<br /> bullfrog(Rana catesbeiana),giant garter snake, valley garter snake (Thamnophis sirtalis litchi), tri-
<br /> colored blackbird,merlin(Falco columbarius), short eared owl (Asio flammens),great blue heron,
<br /> snowy egret, great egret, white-faced ibis (Pledagis chichi), song sparrow and raccoon(Procyon
<br /> lotor), among others. At the time of the 2012 survey, nesting cliff swallows were present on the
<br /> underside of the Austin Road Bridge over the South Branch of the South Fork of Littlejohn's
<br /> Creek;these birds were foraging over the creek.
<br /> Freshwater marsh on site is limited to the channel bottom of the South Branch of the South Fork
<br /> of Littlejohn's Creek. This channel is cleared of vegetation on a routine basis by the Flood
<br /> Control District, and no woody vegetation or tall emergent wetland vegetation is allowed to
<br /> establish and mature.Managed irrigation channels are typically limited to nonnative fish
<br /> species that can tolerate warm, shallow water such as green sunfish(Lepomis cyanellus),golden
<br /> shiner(Notemigonus crysoleucas),bigscale logperch (Percina macrolepida) and carp (Cyprinus
<br /> carpio) among others (A.A. Rich Associates 2002).
<br /> Within the stream channel,brushy upland vegetation along channel banks provides potential
<br /> �• nesting and sheltering habitat for species that forage within the freshwater marsh habitat.
<br /> Wildlife Movement Corridors
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<br /> Wildlife corridors are important for persistence of wildlife in the landscape and,therefore,
<br /> conservation. Linkages between habitat types can extend for miles between primary habitat
<br /> areas and occur on a large scale throughout California. Habitat linkages facilitate movement
<br /> between populations located in discrete areas and populations located within larger habitat
<br /> areas. Even where patches of pristine habitat are fragmented, as commonly occurs with
<br /> riparian vegetation, wildlife movement between populations is facilitated through habitat
<br /> linkages,migration corridors and movement corridors. Wildlife movement includes migration
<br /> (i.e.,usually one direction per season),inter-population movement (i.e., long-term genetic
<br /> exchange) and small travel pathways (i.e., daily movement within an animal's home range).
<br /> The area surrounding the project site is primarily agricultural, with some industrial and
<br /> residential land uses. The 10-acre northeast expansion area is bordered by the existing Forward
<br /> Landfill on the south and west, and to the north by the restored North Branch of the South Fork
<br /> 'W of Littlejohn's Creek (and associated riparian corridor) and further to the north by a correctional
<br /> facility. The 11-acre southeast landfill relocation area is bordered by the existing landfill to the
<br /> north and east, and by agricultural land to the south. Austin Road, a two-lane road, runs along
<br /> r,,, the eastern boundary of the study area. With the exception of isolated valley oak trees and
<br /> restored riparian habitat within the North Branch of the South Fork of Littlejohn's Creek, there
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