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San Joaquin County Community Environmental Setting,Impacts,and Mitigation Measures Development Department Biological Resources No California horned larks were observed in the project area during the July 12, 2005,field survey. Eight CNDDB (2005)nesting records for California homed lark occur in the project vicinity(10-mile radius around the study area). Within the project area,marginal nesting habitat is present along the edges of orchards and a safflower field and within the gas pipeline right-of-way. Swainson's Hawk. Swainson's hawk is state listed as threatened under CESA. Swainson's hawk migrates annually from wintering areas in South America to breeding locations in northwestern Canada,the western United States,and Mexico. In California, Swainson's hawk nests throughout the Central Valley in large trees in riparian corridors and in isolated trees located in or adjacent to agricultural fields. Its breeding season extends from late March through late August,with peak activity from late May through July(England et al. 1997). In the Central Valley, Swainson's hawk forages in large, open agricultural habitats, including alfalfa and hay fields (DFG 1994). The breeding population in • California has declined by an estimated 91%since 1900;this is attributed to the loss of riparian nesting habitats and the conversion of native grassland and woodland habitats to agriculture and urban development(DFG 1994). The closest documented Swainson's hawk nesting site occurs about 3 miles cast from the project area. One Swainson's hawk was observed soaring over the project area during the July 12,2005,field survey. The only trees present in the project area are associated with an almond orchard,which typically do not provide suitable nesting habitat for Swainson's hawks. A group of large eucalyptus trees occurs immediately west of the Delta-Mendota Canal, ` approximately 500 feet from the project area, and could support nesting Swainson's hawks. Although they are limited, disturbed areas in the project area could provide marginal foraging habitat for Swainson's hawk. r San Joaquin Kit Fox. Although the precise historical range of the San Joaquin kit fox (kit fox)is unknown, it is believed to have extended from Contra Costa t— and San Joaquin Counties in the north to Kern County in the south. By the 1930s,the range had been reduced to the southern and western portions of the Central Valley(Grinnell et al. 1937). Surveys conducted between 1969 and 1975 extended the known range of the kit fox back into portions of its historical range in the northern San Joaquin Valley, including Contra Costa,Alameda,and San Joaquin Counties (Orloff et al. 1986). Most of the range defined in 1975 still y supports kit foxes (DFG 1989),although populations are declining(DFG 1989) and those in the northern portion of the species' range are small and isolated (USFWS 1983). Within the project vicinity,one location for San Joaquin kit fox was recorded about 7 miles west of the project area, on the edge of the Diablo Range,along Corral Hollow Road(CNDDB 2005). According to a DFG scientist,the project area occurs within a known kit fox dispersal corridor and is an important connection between the northern range and southern range of the San Joaquin kit fox(Gan pers. comm.). The project area is located within an area mapped by the SJMSCP as the central—southwest transition zone and is considered within the range of San Joaquin kit fox. Consistent with the Recovery Plan for Upland r DeSilva Gates Quarry Project Draft Environmental Impact Report 3.13-7 As 05105.05 r