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.w Section 1.0 ", Previous environmental work completed on the project site includes the"Environmental Assessment— .00 Investigation of Environmental Mitigation for Fisheries and Wildlife Impacts Associated with the Eagal Lake Project, San Joaquin County" dated August 31, 1993 and the"Vegetation Protection and Restoration Site Plan" completed in April of 2001. Of the approximate 113.1 acres on the project site; nature trails, ski lake, clubhouse, ski operations support structures, and recreational facilities will require approximately 52 acres. t The site encompasses an area of topograp icay simple terrain with some wetland features. Elevations on the site.range from approximately 25 feet above mean sea level to below 15 feet above mean sea level. Drainage courses on the property are unnamed historic features of the San Joaquin River and older flood channels. Plant communities/habitats on the property include those typical of larger river riparian habitat. 1.3 EXISTING SITE CONDITIONS • The project site is located within the 100-year flood plain of the San Joaquin River. The soils are comprised of young alluvial deposits with occasional mineral soils. Soils stability adjacent to the river is • good as protective vegetation is well established. Existing conditions on the property reflect historic influences of agricultural production (i.e. vegetable row crops and reduced riparian habitat). This is a result of intensive agricultural practices of past landowners. However, there are a number of riparian habitat units and potential wildlife corridors and associated trees on the periphery of the property. Relatively large open buffer areas (> 100 feet) currently exist between the development sites and the tree, riparian habitat, and wetland features on the property. The plant communities are comprised of dense to sparse stands of riparian vegetation intermixed with open shrub and nonnative grassland areas typical of San Joaquin Valley riverine habitats. The highest quality wildlife habitats are located nearest the existing lake and in close proximity to the San Joaquin River along the northern and southern property boundary. No trees or riparian vegetation currently exist on the site designated for development. Wildlife observed on the Project site are common species that inhabit the local plant communities. These include black-tailed hare (Lepus californicus), striped skunk (Mephitis mephitis), California ground squirrel (Spermophilus beecheyi), grey squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis), coyote (Canis latrans), meadow voles (Microtus pennsylvanicus), grey fox (Urocyon cinereoargenteus), Virginia opossum (Didelphis virginiana), mule deer(Odocoileus hemionus), mourning dove (Zenaida macroura), Brewer's blackbird (Euphagus cyanocephalus), red-winged blackbird (Agelaius phoeniceus), western fence lizard (Sceloporus occidentalis), western pond turtle (Clemmys marmorata marmorata), bullfrog (Rana catesbeiana), red- tailed hawks (Buteo jamaicensis), white-tailed kite (Elanus leucurus), northern harrier(Circus cyaneus), great blue heron (Ardea herodias), green heron (Butorides virescens), American bittern (Botaurus lentiginosus), California quail (Callipepla californica), barn owl (Tyto alba), and assorted waterfowl species. High quality riparian habitat resources are located on or adjacent to the property including a large wooded wetland (1,800 ft long x 75 ft wide) along the western edge of Parcel 2, the San Joaquin River and adjacent floodplain along the northern and eastern edge, and a large 13-acre wetland adjacent to the southern edge of the property. The proposed development will avoid impacts to the identified riparian habitats by concentrating development activities on the large flat, treeless, area located in the center of the property. The location and physical features of the proposed development are included on Parcel 2 of the Eagal Lake Use Permit Site Plan. Two perennial wetlands are located within the project area excluding the San Joaquin River. A variety of other moist soil and wet areas are located within the project site along the river-side of the levees. 3 Natural Resources Protection Plan Eagal Lake Recreation and Restoration Project