SU0012635 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

BIOLOGICAL RESOURCES REPORT EL RANCHO ROCK AND SAND, INC. LINDEN, CALIFORNIA Prepared by: Kirk Ford Certified Wildlife Biologist, and Caitlin Bean Botanist, CONDOR EARTH TECHNOLOGIES, INC. 21663 Brian Lane Sonora, California 95370 (209)532-0631 INTRODUCTION El Rancho Rock and Sand, Inc. is proposing an expansion of ongoing quarry operations on their property near Bellota, California. This report provides a description of the existing biological resources on the project site and the potential constraints associated with expanding the mining activity. A field survey of the El Rancho Rock and Sand, Inc. project site was conducted on February 25, 1991. The purpose of this survey was to characterize the existing biological conditions on the property. The entire site was surveyed. Wildlife and plant species observed were noted using a topographic map (scale 1"=300') of the area. The extent of various vegetation communities and wildlife habitat types were delineated. A list of animal and plant species observed on the site is presented in Appendix A. Due to the time of the year that the survey was conducted many plants that occur on the site were unidentifiable, therefore the species list presented in Appendix A is not a complete list. Figure 1 summarizes the Biological Resources present at the site. Figure 2 is the Reconnaissance Wetland Inventory. The following report describes existing botanical and wildlife resources on the project site, identifies potential impacts to those resources from development of the site as proposed, and recommends mitigation measures where appropriate. EXISTING CONDITIONS Vegetation The project site is located adjacent to the northeastern boundary of San Joaquin County. The southern half of the site is relatively flat and moderately steep rolling hills occur in the northern half. Elevations on the property range from approximately 180 feet above sea level in the northwest corner of the site to approximately 320 feet above sea level in the southeast corner. The dominant plant community on the property is non-native annual grassland. The southern half of the property is drained by several seasonal swales which direct surface runoff into a drainage and associated stock ponds located in the middle of the site. The northern half of the property is drained by intermittent drainages which are tributary to the Calaveras River. Much of the site has been disturbed by both current and historic activities. CONDOR