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F ! Draft Environmental p Impact Report Page IV.H-13 Forward Inc. Landfill Expansion Project L 1 burrows is limited (for example,where burrows have been destroyed or ground squirrels eradicated), owls will occupy drainage culverts, cavities under piles of rubble, discarded pipe, and other tunnel like structures (Haug, et al. 1993). several locations within three miles of the stud Burrowing owls have been recorded m se y area and have a moderate potential of occurring in the study area due to the presence of grasslands, landfill areas and agricultural lands. The lack of rodent burrows and the consistent control of rodents within the landfill areas reduces the likelihood of burrowing owls finding suitable nesting areas (WRA 2005a). t California Horned Lark Although the California horned lark(Eremophila alpestris actia)is a common species throughout the Central Valley and coastal valleys and foothills of California, it is considered a Special Animal by the CDFG. Although there are only five records in the project database used to identify occupied habitat,this species can be commonly seen in grasslands throughout San Joaquin County. Suitable habitat has been much reduced by agriculture. Horned larks forage L 1 in large groups in open grasslands,nesting in hollows on the ground and may also be found breeding on the Valley floor in suitable habitat (levees, cleared fields,etc.). Moestan and Molestan Blister Beetles F The moestan(Lytta moesta) and molestan blister beetles(L. molesta) are poorly understood species that are parasitic on ground nesting bees. Both are considered Special Animals by the CDFG. There are collection records known from the Central Valley,Coast Range, and Sierra Nevada foothill areas. In San Joaquin County,there is one poorly located record for L. moesta ' from Manteca;CDFG presumes it to be extant. However, the general area is highly developed and there are few remnants of natural habitats nearby that could provide habitat. Habitat for both species includes annual grassland, foothill woodland, and saltbush(Atriplex) scrub. It is likely that other populations may occur elsewhere in San Joaquin County (SJCOG, 2000). Western Pond Turtle The western pond turtle (Actinemys marmorata), a California Species of Special Concern, is the j only fresh-water turtle native to greater California. Its range includes much of the west coast of the United States, from the Puget Sound in Washington south to the Baja Peninsula, Mexico. . No observations of western pond turtle records are recorded for the nine USGS 7.5-minute quadrangles surrounding the project site (CNDDB 2008). Habitat for this species is present i however in the region, and it is likely this species is present within some of the riparian and freshwater marsh habitats within the watershed surrounding the study area. It is unlikely that the western pond turtle occurs within the study area due to the very low water flows during most of the year within the South Branch of the South Fork of Littlejohn's Creek. The relocation and habitat restoration of the South Branch of the South Fork of Littlejohn's Creek as proposed as part of this project,would improve native riparian habitat for semi-aquatic and terrestrial wildlife,but is not expected to increase flows and water depths to improve habitat conditions for western pond turtle. F)