ARCHIVED REPORTS LEC APPLICATION FOR CERTIFICATION

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5.2 BIOLOGICAL RESOURCES The white-tailed kite is a California Fully Protected Species. It is a year-long resident of the Central Valley,coastal range, and foothills. Nesting habitat commonly consists of oak woodlands or trees along marsh edges,open grasslands and agricultural fields in areas with abundant small mammals and other prey species. Other suitable nesting sites include trees of moderate heights such as eucalyptus,cottonwood,toyon,and even coyote bush with the nests placed near the tops of these shrubs. The nesting period has been reported from February through August with the peak activity in March through May.White-tailed kites may rear two broods per season with each brood ranging from three to six eggs. Their preferred prey is almost always diurnal rodents found in open grasslands, meadows, or agricultural fields. A white-tailed kite nest was observed in a Scotch pine tree on the north side of Laydown Area D within the fence line of the WPCF during surveys conducted in 2008. 5.2.1.4 Methods of Analysis Biological resources evaluated for project impacts include vegetation communities, wetlands,wildlife, and wildlife habitats within all the temporary and permanent impact locations associated with the proposed LEC project. The surveyed areas include the proposed 4.4-acre LEC plant site,four laydown and parking areas (9.8 acres) and along the 2.5-mile natural gas pipeline route. A more general analysis was conducted for the areas within a 1-mile radius of the site. The field surveys focused on the proposed project site, laydown areas and a 75-foot construction zone along either side of the natural gas pipeline route. The presence or potential presence of sensitive biological resources was determined from information gathered during field surveys conducted for the project,published and unpublished literature, and natural resource agency databases. 5.2.1.4.1 Field Surveys Field surveys to identify biological resources within the LEC project area focused on special- status plant and animal species and their habitats. Field surveys of the LEC project site and associated laydown areas were conducted on April 30,2008. The natural gas pipeline corridor was surveyed on May 14,2008. CNDDB Survey Forms,including the California Native Species Field Survey Form describing sensitive biological resources in the project area have been submitted to the CDFG and copies are included in Appendix 5.21). Qualifications of field surveyors are presented in Appendix 5.2E. 5.2.1.4.2 Wildlife Survey Surveys for wildlife species and their habitats in the LEC project area were conducted during the early spring nesting period for species known to occur in San Joaquin County. Wildlife surveys were conducted by Daniel Williams, CH2M HILL wildlife biologist on April 30,2008 (qualifications provided in Appendix 5.2E). Pedestrian surveys included the proposed LEC site, adjacent laydown areas, and the electric transmission line interconnection site. Surveys along the proposed natural gas line corridor were conducted by Mr. Williams on May 14,2008 and included a combination of pedestrian and driving surveys. During the surveys, several Swainsori s hawks were observed in the area soaring overhead,but did not appear to be nesting in the project study area. However, several large trees in the project area provide suitable Swainsori s hawk nesting habitat. A white-tailed kite nest was found in a Scotch pine just north of Laydown Area D within the fenced area of the WPCF. Other nesting birds observed during the survey included a red-tailed hawk in a eucalyptus tree north of Laydown Area B,between the WPCF and Interstate 5, and a 5.2-16 SAC/371322/082330001(LEC_5.2_BIOLOGICAL_RESOURCES.DOC)