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E j Biological Resources, MOND &ASSOCIATES Impacts and Mitigations Tracy Facility Expansion Site the project site near the project boundary with the California Aqueduct. Its burrow had several old pellets scattered around it and a substantial amount of white wash. However,since only one owl was observed on this date,it is too early in the year to determine whether or not this owl will nest on the project site;it could be a transient bird moving through the area. Regardless,the project site provides suitable nesting habitat for burrowing owls. Hence,a full survey should be conducted pursuant to CDFG's survey guidelines to ascertain if there could be impacts to this owl species. California horned lark(Eremophila alpestris actia). The California.homed lark is a California "species of special concern." It has no Federal status. In December 1998,M&A spoke with a CDFG biologist(K.Hunting)regarding the special-status of this bird species. This biologist told M&A that this bird is much more widespread than originally believed, and as soon as the new "bird species of special concern"list is published,hopefully in the spring of 1999, this bird will no . longer have a special State status. However,until the new list is published,this bird must be treated as a special-status species in any document undergoing CEQA review(IC Hunting, CDFG, pers.comm.with S. Lynch of M&A, 1998). E The California homed lark is a common resident and migrant frequenting grassland and other open habitats with low vegetative cover. The horned lark nests on the ground between the months of March through July,with peak nesting activity in May(Zeiner et al. 1990). M&A observed several California homed larks on the project site in January 1999. The project site's grassland with near-level terrain.provides suitable habitat conditions for nesting horned larks. As such,if in the spring of 1999,the new"bird species of special concern"list is not yet published,spring nesting surveys for California horned lark should be conducted. Riparian woodrat(Neotoma fuscipes riparia)is a Federal proposed endangered species and a State species of special concern. This subspecies of the dusky-footed woodrat is found in forest habitats with moderate canopy and moderate to dense understory. It is generally absent from ' cultivated lands and grassland(Zeiner et al. 1990). In 1955 this woodrat was-recorded in riparian habitat found along Corral Hollow Creek approximately 2.0 miles from the project site. The '1 project site does not provide suitable habitat conditions for this woodrat species;therefore,it is not expected to occur on the project site and no impacts to this species are expected. California mastiff bat(Eumops perotis californicus)is a Federal species of concern and a State species of special concern,. This bat is an uncommon resident of the southeast San Joaquin Valley where it is found roosting in crevices of caves,cliffs,high buildings,trees, and tunnels. The project site is in the southwestern portion of the San Joaquin Valley; additionally, there are not suitable roosting habitats present on the project site. Therefore,no impacts to the California mastiff bat are expected from the project. San Joaquin Pocket Mouse(Perognathus inornatus inornatus)is a Federal species of concern, and a California"species of special concern." The San Joaquin pocket mouse occurs throughout the Central Valley of California in dry,open grasslands or scrub areas on fine-textured soils. This nocturnal-rodent consumes large amounts of seeds which its stores in its burrow. CNDDB records show that this species was sighted in Hospital Creek in 1987, 100 meters east of I-580, approximately seven and a half miles south of the project site. This pocket mouse was found in sage scrub habitat with California sage and black sage(Salvia mellifera)the dominant habitat I 19