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Potential impacts to this snake species include loss of upland habitat, loss of aquatic foraging habitat, and death to individuals during construction of the project. Impacts to stream channels and adjacent uplands would be considered a significant adverse impact to giant garter snakes. However, this would be mitigated by the approved wetland mitigation plan. Mitigation could be implemented that would offset impacts to this snake species to a level considered less than significant. Implementation of the approved wetland mitigation plan would compensate for impacts to aquatic and associated habitat resulting from creek realignment. In accordance with that plan, a total of 39 acres of aquatic and associated upland and riparian habitat shall be created, constituting a 4.5:1 replacement ratio, and shall be managed as a preserve for biological resources. All mitigation requirements for the giant garter snake should be in accordance with, and to the satisfaction of, CDFG and USFWS. Conditions attached to the CDFG Streambed Alteration Agreement shall be incorporated into the wetlands plan and implemented accordingly. The following pre-construction and construction measures should be implemented to salvage individuals and to minimize and avoid take. These measures are consistent with the recently released SJMSCP(Public Review Draft, September 23, 1999): • Construction shall occur during the active period for the snake, between May 1 and October 1. Limit vegetation clearing within 200 feet of the banks of occupied giant gamer snake aquatic habitat to the minimal area necessary. • Confine the movement of heavy equipment within 200 feet of occupied giant garter snake aquatic habitat to existing roadways to minimize habitat disturbance. • Prior to ground disturbance, all on-site construction personnel shall be given instruction regarding the presence of SJMSCP-covered species and the importance of avoiding impacts to these species and their habitats. ( f The western pond turtle is a State Species of Special Concern and is protected under Fish and Game Code 4�► ' § 5050. Little Johns Creek and portions of adjacent upland areas provide marginal but suitable habitat for the western pond turtle. Realignment of the creek could result in the direct loss of individuals. This could be considered a significant adverse impact to this turtle species. Mitigation would reduce impacts to the western pond turtle to a level considered less than significant. 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 chbnnel. CDFG and USFWS should be consulted for guidance priorto any western pond turtle translocation work. , The greater western mastiff bat is a formerly listed Federal Species of Concern and California Species of Special Concern. Oak trees on the project site provide suitable roosting habitat for this bat. Potential impacts to this bat from the proposed project include reduction or loss of roosting habitat and possibly death of individuals during removal of trees. Prior to removing trees, pre-construction surveys should be conducted to check for the presence of greater western mastiff bats. Project related impacts to potential roost and/or maternity sites would be considered a potentially significant adverse impact. Mitigation could be implemented to-reduce this impact to a level considered less than significant. Pre-construction surveys for the greater western mastiff bat should be conducted prior to removing any trees from the project site. These pre-construction surveys should be conducted by a biologist with experience surveying for bats, and the surveys should not occur any more than 30 days prior to the proposed tree removal. If no special-status bats are identified during the pre-construction surveys, then no impacts to these bats would be expected to occur from construction of the proposed project. If, however, the greater western mastiff bat is identified in any of the trees proposed for removal, reproductive status San Joaquin County GP-99-7,ZR-99-6, UP-99-17, ER-99 21City of Stockton Community Development Page 13 `�•�