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$11wra <br /> -N >9GNMENTAL CONSULTANTS <br /> May 3, 2013 <br /> Erin Fanning <br /> Environmental Manager <br /> Forward, Inc. <br /> 9999 S. Austin Road <br /> Manteca, CA 95336 <br /> Email: EFanning@republicservices.com <br /> Re: Biological Surveys at the Forward Landfill, San Joaquin County <br /> Dear Erin: <br /> The purpose of this letter is to provide the results of biological surveys conducted by WRA, Inc. <br /> (WRA) at and adjacent to the Forward Landfill (hereafter landfill) north of the City of Manteca in <br /> San Joaquin County, California, on April 30, 2013. Specifically, WRA conducted the following <br /> surveys: <br /> • A habitat assessment and survey for burrowing owl (BUOW; Athene cunicularia) in the <br /> landfill's WMU FU-13 area (the location of new landfill cell to be constructed). <br /> • A BUOW habitat assessment and survey in the landfill's Expansion Area, located to the <br /> immediate south and west of the landfill site. <br /> • A survey for gulls (family Laridae) at the landfill. <br /> All observations were made by WRA wildlife biologist Jason Yakich. The individual field efforts <br /> are each discussed in more detail below. <br /> WMU FU-13 area <br /> WMU FU-13 is a roughly square-shaped area of land within the northeastern portion of the <br /> landfill, approximately 25 acres in size, where construction of a new cell for waste storage is <br /> planned (Figure 1, attached). The area is surrounded entirely by land that has been modified <br /> for landfill purposes and is highly disturbed. The current active face of the landfill (area where <br /> trash is being deposited and consolidated) was located within 1,000 feet to the west at the time <br /> of the survey. <br /> Burrowing owl background <br /> BUOW is a California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW, formerly Department of Fish and <br /> Game) Species of Special Concern, as well as a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Bird of <br /> Conservation Concern. This species inhabits open areas with sparse or non-existent tree or <br /> shrub canopies; typical habitat is annual or perennial grassland, although human-modified areas <br /> such as agricultural land and airports are also used. BUOW is dependent on burrowing <br /> mammals to provide the burrows that are characteristically used for shelter and nesting. In <br /> 2169-G Easf Francisco Blvd., Son Rafael, CA 94901 (415) 454-8868 tel (415) 454-0129 fox info@vro-co.com www.wro-co.com <br />