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Confine the movement of heavy equipment within 200 feet of the banks of occupied giant garter snake aquatic habitat to existing roadways to minimize habitat disturbance. Prior to ground disturbance, all on-site construction personal shall be given instruction regarding the presence of SJMSCP-covered species and the importance of avoiding impacts to these species and their habitats. If on-site wetlands, irrigation ditches, marshes, etc. are being relocated in the vicinity: the newly created aquatic habitat shall be created and filled with water prior to dewatering and destroying the pre-existing aquatic habitat. In addition, non predatory fish species that exist in the aquatic habitat and which are to he relocated shall be seined and transported to the new aquatic habitat as the old site is dewatered. Facts in Support of the Finding: The potential for impacts on the giant garter snake is discussed in Section I1I1 of the EIR. The measures above are designed to mitigate impacts on the giant garter snake. m.Impacts on Western Pond Turtles . Potential Significant Impact(F.13): Any construction activities conducted in or near the North Branch of the South Fork of Little Johns Creek could result in significant adverse impacts to western pond turtles. Finding: Based upon the analysis in the EIR,pre-construction surveys,consultation with the US Fish and Wildlife Service and California Department of Fish and Game,translocation of individuals, maintenance of buffer zones, and compliance with the San Joaquin County Multiple-Species Conservation and Open Space Plan will make impacts on western pond turtles less than significant. The following mitigation measure will mitigate these impacts to below a level of significance. Mitigation Measure(Impact F.13): (a)Prior to initiating any work in the North Branch of the South Fork of Little Johns Creek and adjacent habitats,pre-construction surveys should be conducted within 48 hours prior to de-watering the creek channel. CDFG and USFWS should be consulted for guidance prior to any western pond turtle translocation work. Translocation should be conducted with the approvals of USFWS and CDFG. In addition, a detected nest would require a 300 foot buffer area for the nest and the associated wetlands while the nest is occupied. The nest site should be monitored by a qualified biologist until the hatchlings have left the nest. These buffers shall be indicated by temporary fencing if construction has begun or will begin before nestingperiods have ended(the periodfrom egg laying to emergence of hatchlings is normally April to November). Furthermore, any pre- construction and construction measures should be consistent with the SJMSCP. 34