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i Draft Environmental Impact Report Page IV.H-5
<br /> Forward Inc. Landfill Expansion Project
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<br /> Along the channel banks of the upper reach of the creek are stands of California rose(Rosa
<br /> californica) and California mugwort (Artemisia douglasiana). Also common growing along the
<br /> banks are turkey tangle frogfruit(Phyla nodiflora), common California aster (Symphyotrichum
<br /> 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 conforms to the Bulrush-Cattail
<br /> `~ Series as classified by Sawyer and Keeler-Wolf(1995);it would be classified as a Palustrine
<br /> persistent emergent wetland following Cowardin, et al. (1979). The vegetation on the channel
<br /> banks does not conform to any particular series described in Sawyer and Keeler-Wolf(1995); it
<br /> s would be classified as a 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), western pond
<br /> turtle,bullfrog (Rana catesbeiana), giant garter snake, valley garter snake (Thamnophis sirtalis
<br /> litchi), tri-colored blackbird, merlin(Falco columbarius), short eared owl (Alio flammens), great
<br /> blue heron, snowy egret, great egret, white-faced ibis (Pledagis chichi), song sparrow and
<br /> raccoon (Procyon lotor), among others.
<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, and no woody
<br /> vegetation or tall emergent wetland vegetation is allowed to establish and mature. The
<br /> exposed conditions and shallow water depths are not conducive to supporting native aquatic
<br /> ' species such as western pond turtle,steelhead, chinook salmon, or splittail. Managed irrigation
<br /> ~ channels are typically limited to nonnative fish species that can tolerate warm, shallow water
<br /> such as green sunfish (Lepomis cyanellus), golden shiner (Notemigonus crysoleucas),bigscale
<br /> logperch(Percina macrolepida) and carp (Cyprinus Carpio) among others (A.A. Rich Associates
<br /> y 2002).
<br /> Within the stream channel,brushy upland vegetation along channel banks provides potential
<br /> b. nesting and sheltering habitat for species that forage within the freshwater marsh habitat.
<br /> Wildlife Movement Corridors
<br /> persistence of wildlife in the landscape and therefore
<br /> Wildlife corridors are important for p p ,
<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 e project site is primarily agricultural. The project area is bordered by
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<br /> agricultural fields and orchards on the west,east, and south, and the existing Forward landfill
<br /> on the north. There are no native habitats within the surrounding area, with the exception of
<br /> large mature valley oak trees scattered along the South Branch of the South Fork of Littlejohn's
<br /> Creek and the edges of farm fields, and the restored riparian habitat within the North Branch of
<br /> the South Fork of Littlejohn's Creek. Austin Road, a two-lane road, runs along the eastern
<br /> boundary of the study area. Wildlife can currently move through the proposed landfill
<br /> expansion area.
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