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j Draft Environmental P Impact Report Page IV.H-1 Forward Inc. Landfill Expansion Project H. VEGETATION AND WILDLIFE J This section addresses the impacts of the proposed landfill expansion to existing or potentially occurring biological resources. As outlined in the Project Description (Section III), implementation of this project would result in the expansion of the existing landfill operations by approximately 185 acres and require the realignment of a 3,200-foot long section of the South Branch of the South Fork of Littlejohn's Creek. Seton Methodology Identification of the potentially occurring special-status biological resources for the proposed -` project was based in part on that previous analysis and a biological assessment prepared for the present study area (WRA 2005a). ` The information presented herein is intended to update that provided in the WRA biological assessment and to bring current the analysis of impacts,reflecting recent changes in status of endangered, threatened, and rare species, as well as State and federal legislation as they pertain to biological resources. Updated information on special-status plant and animal species was compiled through review of the California Natural Diversity Data Base (CNDDB 2008), the U.S. " Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS 2008), the California Department of Fish and Game (CDFG 2008 a,b,c,d),the California Native Plant Society (CNPS 2008), and the San Joaquin County Multi-Species Habitat Conservation and Open Space Plan (SJMSCP) (SJCOG 2000). Other technical studies prepared in support of this EIR and reviewed as part of this analysis include preconstruction surveys for burrowing owl, western gulls and other birds (WRA 2002a, 2004,2005b,2007 and 2009), a western pond turtle survey (WRA 2002b), a fisheries survey and fisheries habitat assessment of the North Branch of the South Fork of Littlejohn's Creek(A.A. Rich Associates 2002), and a wetland delineation the South Branch of the South Fork of Littlejohn's Creek(Monk&Associates 2007). Additional reports reviewed include the conceptual design report of the proposed realignment of 3000 linear feet of the South Branch of the South Fork of Littlejohn's Creek(Questa Engineering Corporation 2007). ,.. Biological analyses prepared for the earlier Consolidated Forward Landfill Project FEIR } (CSJCDD 2002), Austin Road Landfill Expansion Project SEIR(CSJCDD 2000), and Austin Road Landfill Expansion Project FEIR(ESA 1993)also were reviewed. A reconnaissance-level site survey was conducted by biologists Patrick Kobernus and Michael 1 Wood on December 8,2008. Focused botanical or wildlife studies following published protocols were not performed as part of this analysis. Existing Biological Resources The study area is situated in a rural setting of existing and former orchards, vineyards,and agricultural fields with scattered residences. Adjacent land uses include agricultural lands to the east,west and south. The Forward Landfill facility is located immediately to the north and east of the primary expansion area;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 also were restored within the previously relocated creek. i 1