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Letter H <br /> p4 <br /> OF T <br /> Y f <br /> �a Z <br /> a <br /> United States Department of the interior "nn``° <br /> M <br /> ua404 a ,e>e FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE <br /> Sacramento Fish and Wildlife Office <br /> 2800 Cottage Way,Room W-2605 <br /> it In reply refer to: Sacramento, California 95825-1846 RECIEVED <br /> .. 1-1-06-TA-1467 JUL 0 7 2006 <br /> JUL 6 30nmunity Development Dept, <br /> Mr. Chandler Martin <br /> Deputy Director,Planning Division <br /> San Joaquin County Community Development Department <br /> 1810 East Hazelton Avenue <br /> Stockton, California 95205-6232 <br /> Subject: Proposed RMC Vernalis Quarry and.Reclamation Project, San Joaquin and <br /> Stanislaus Counties, California <br /> Dear Mr. Martin: <br /> This refers to the Draft Environmental Impact Report(DEIR) for the proposed RMC Vernalis <br /> Quarry and Reclamation Project (QX-01-02/PA-0200065). The project involves the construction <br /> of sand and gravel extraction quarry to eventually replace the existing RMC Tracy Facility. It is <br /> located approximately two miles southwest of the community of Vernalis. The total area to be <br /> disturbed will be 590 acres in San Joaquin County and 98 acres in Stanislaus County. Our <br /> comments address issues related to the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act). H <br /> According to the DEIR,no vernal pools and one ephemeral channel exist on the project site. The <br /> applicant has determined that no aquatic species, including the threatened California tiger <br /> salamander(Ambystoma calijorniense), California red-legged frog (Rana aurora draytonii), and <br /> giant garter snake (Thamnophis gigas), will be affected by the projecp due to lack of suitable <br /> habitat. i <br /> We are particularly concerned the project may affect the endangered San Joaquin kit fox (Vulpes <br /> macrotis mutiea). As mentioned in the DEIR, the project area lies within this species' range, and <br /> may serve as a connectivity corridor for populations to the north and south of the project site. A H-2 <br /> quarry operation would more than likely destroy any habitat value this site has for the San <br /> Joaquin kit fox. <br /> For the portion of the project in San Joaquin County, we understand the applicant wishes to <br /> participate in the San Joaquin Multi-Species Habitat Conservation and Open Space Plan <br /> (SJMSCP) for coverage of incidental take of federally-listed species. Take is defined by section H-3 <br /> 9 the Act as "to harass, harm,pursue, hunt, shoot,wound, kill, trap, capture, or collect" any such <br /> .. TAKE PRIDE' r l <br /> INAMERICA�, <br />