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western Phase 1 areas provide the best habitat. Suitable nesting sites including ground squirrel burrows are presentin these drainagecourses. These areas were searched for burrowing owl during February 1991 surveys. No burrowing owl or their sign were observed on the project site. Should burrowing owls attempt to become established on the project site, it is unlikely that they would use the proposed expansion areas to any great extent. It would be more likely that they would use the drainagecourses and associated berms. Freshwater System s Wetlands Areas on site which exhibit a prevalence of wetland plants, hydric soils and wetland hydrology are potentially subject to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps)jurisdiction pursuant to Section 404 of the Clean Water Act (33 USC 1344). Several narrow and relatively flat drainage swales without distinct bed or bank cutting transport surface flow from the southeast portions of the property into the creek (see Figure 2). Vegetation within these drainage courses appeared to be the same as that on the surrounding grasslands except for the three species identified as representative of swales and pooling areas.. A preliminary assessment of all drainage courses, swales, and potential pooling areas was conducted in order to establish the likelihood of Corps jurisdictional involvement. Several areas on the site exhibited characteristics which may potentially be subject to Corps jurisdiction. These areas are shown on the Biological Resources Map. It is unlikely that any of the man-made settling ponds and/or siltation basins would be subject to Corps jurisdiction. The seasonal swales and vernal pools on the southern half of the project site as well as several low areas within the northern parcel, will require further investigation in order to determine whether or not they meet the Corps' wetland criteria. The Corps should be contacted to provide a determination of their jurisdiction. The project applicant proposes as a mitigating condition that the several low areas within the northern parcel shall not be disturbed by further quarrying operations. Methods used by the Corps to delineate wetlands for jurisdictional purposes require that three parameters be present. Under normal conditions, the site must show evidence of wetland hydrology, be underlain with wetland soils, and have a predominance of wetland plants present. If quarry activities will encroach into wetland areas, mitigation may be required to compensate for the loss of those areas. t CONDOR