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_s Biological Resources, MONK &ASSOCIATES Impacts and Mitigations Tracy Facility Expansion Site f 14.7 Impact Number 4- San Joaquin Coachwhip 6 4 Implementation of the project as proposed could result in impacts to the San Joaquin coachwhip. The San Joaquin coachwhip is a Federal species of concern and a State species of special concern. Approximately 137 acres of potential burrowing and foraging habitat non-native annual grassland)would be directly p Y impacted b constriction of the project. Potential impacts acts to this species include temporary loss(i.e., one to six years)of foraging habitat, death through road kills or by crushing them in burrows during excavation. The San Ja uin coachwhip has not c been identified on the project site. Surveys would be necessary to establish the o achwhi ps presence or absence on the project site. In the absence of survey results, it must be concluded that impacts to the San Joaquin Coachwhip from the proposed.project are potentially significant. i ficant However,mitigation could be implemented that would reduce impacts to less than significant levels. 14.8 Mitigation Measure 4-San Joaquin Coachwhip Implementation of the following mitigation should offset impacts to San Joaquin Coachwhip to a level considered less than significant. Because Granite will be required to mitigate for impacts to lit fox, and since provision of a kit fox mitigation site will also mitigate any potential impacts to San Joaquin Coachwhip, a trapping survey to determine the presence or absence of this species on the project site would not be conducted. Rather, a preconstruction.trapping and removal effort would be conducted in each excavation area(Area 1,Area 2, Area 3, etc.)to avoid"taking" San Joaquin Coachwhip. The f trapping effort should be conducted within 30 days of initiation of excavation within the particular mining area and should consist of establishing drift fences with funnel traps positioned at both ends in all suitable Coachwhip habitat present within the particular mining area. Drift fences should be of solid material,one-foot high and ranging from 25 to 40 feet in length. Traps should be checked every day during warm weather periods (air temperature at mid-day above 75 F). Any coachwhips trapped would be released unharmed away from the excavation areas. All trapping should be coordinated with CDFG.and USFWS, and should only be completed by a qualified wildlife biologist. Mitigation lands purchased for the San Joaquin lit fox would provide suitable habitat for the San Joaquin Coachwhip;therefore, additional mitigation land would not be necessary. Live-trapping, habitat acquisition, and reclamation of the project site after cessation of mining, would reduce impacts to San Joaquin Coachwhip to a less than significant level. s 30