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3.Response to Comments Comment H-2 Commenter states the Project may affect the endangered San Joaquin kit fox. As mentioned in the DEIR, the project area lies within this species'range and may serve as a connectivity corridor for populations to the north and south of the project site. A quarry operation would more than likely destroy any habitat value this site has for the San Joaquin kit fox. In response to this comment,a spatial analysis on San Joaquin kit fox use of potential corridor habitat was conducted using San Joaquin kit fox occurrence data from the USFWS Endangered ` Species Recovery Program (ESRP), California Natural Diversity Database (CNDDB), Fire and Resource Assessment Program (FRAP)landcover data, and 2006 National Agriculture Inventory Program (NAIP)color aerial photography. From this analysis three observations were made about San Joaquin kit fox movements: (1)the pattern of movement appears to be in a northwesterly- southeasterly direction; (2)the majority of occurrences within the project region are located west of Interstate Highway 5 (I-5); and(3)within the northern half of its range the regional landscape may still be characterized largely as open grassland and agricultural lands(See Figure 1). The data suggest that the main movement corridor in the northern portion of the San Joaquin kit �. fox range is within grassland habitat along the west side of I-5 and in a northwestern to southwestern direction;there are very few occurrences east of I-5 in this region. There does not appear to be movement in an east-west direction that would cross 1-5; in fact, it is likely that I-5 and the Delta Mendota Canal,both located to the west of the Project,are significant barriers to kit fox movement to the east. From these observations it may be concluded that there is a low Llikelihood of San Joaquin kit fox movement within the proposed project study area,east of I-5; and even with the implementation of the proposed project,the abundance of available open space habitat in the region would still allow for adequate San Joaquin kit fox migration through the area. In addition,the site will be reclaimed to agriculture. Finally, implementation measures as detailed in 4.9.2a of the DEK and implementation of modifications to the measures in response to comment F-2 will mitigate impacts to San Joaquin kit fox to a less than significant level. V Comment H-3 r Commenter states that it is the Service's understanding that the applicant wishes to participate in the SJMSCPfor coverage of incidental take. ` The applicant has options in complying with the federal ESA including but not limited to participation in the SJMSCP.Any participation in the SJMSCP, or similar approach,would occur on a phase by phase basis. Comment H-4 Commenter states that for the portion of the Project in San Joaquin County, the applicant may need to obtain take coverage through one of two procedures. If a Federal agency is involved with the permitting,funding, or carrying out of this Project, then the initiation offormal consultation lr between that agency and the Service pursuant to Section 7 of the[Endangered Species]Act(Act) is required if it determined that the Proposed Project may affect a federally-listed.species. Such Cenez Vernalis Quarry Mining and Re Iannaf;on Proiect 3-33 ESA 1203015 Final Ervsonmenwl Impact Report June 2008 L