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Additional Phase I and Phas. Environmental Site Assessments Tracy, California <br /> Home Depot, U.S.A. Inc. <br /> along the north side of Grant Line Road. Various debris including spilled paint cans were observed <br /> on the ground surface between the ditch and the edge of Grant Line Road. <br /> Municipal planning personnel reported that the subject property is located within an area believed <br /> to provide habitat for the western burrowing owl (Speotyto cunicularia hypugaea), a Federal and <br /> California Species of Concern. Burrowing owls can dig their own burrows, but prefer the deserted <br /> excavations of ground squirrels, badgers, and other animals. A burrowing owl survey was <br /> conducted on the previously investigated, adjacent site in May 1999. The results of this survey <br /> indicated that burrowing owls were present on the adjacent site and are likely to be present on the <br /> subject site. Numerous ground squirrels and ground squirrel burrows were observed during the <br /> additional Phase I investigation, however no evidence of burrowing owls was discovered on the <br /> expanded subject site by the WESTON representative. Home Depot separately commissioned a <br /> biological survey firm to more definitively evaluate the possible presence of burrowing owls at <br /> the subject site. <br /> PG&E was consulted regarding their high-voltage transmission line easements which extend <br /> approximately 100 feet out from the limits of the overhead lines. All development plans within <br /> these easements must be approved by PG&E. Mr. Mike Gumby of PG&E Property Management <br /> was interviewed regarding potential health issues associated with the electromagnetic field (EMF) <br /> generated by these transmission lines. Mr. Gumby indicated that health studies have been <br /> performed on PG&E workers who have frequent exposure to EMF and that the results of these <br /> studies have been inconclusive. Mr. .Jim Parker, Home Depot's internal liason with Lucent <br /> Technologies, who is the manufacturer of the wireless communication system used in Home Depot <br /> stores, indicated that the communication system operates at 1.9 gigahertz. Due to the difference in <br /> frequencies between the communication system and the transmission lines, which are reported as <br /> 60 hertz by Mr. Gumby, the potential for interference is believed to be unlikely. Mr. Parker <br /> indicated that testing will be conducted when the communication system is installed to confirm <br /> operability, and that any necessary improvements would be implemented at that time. <br /> The City of Tracy Planning Department was consulted regarding the additional property (subject <br /> property) that Home depot proposes to develop. The Planning Department is requiring assessment <br /> of potential impacts to soil and groundwater from pesticides and non-specific petroleum <br /> hydrocarbons prior to development of the subject property. The San Joaquin County Environmental <br /> Health Division, the permitting agency for the subsurface exploration described herein, also <br /> requires a copy of this assessment report as a condition of the permit. <br /> No evidence of aboveground or underground storage tanks was observed on the property, and none <br /> are known to have been located on-site in past years. A shallow ditch drains the southern portion of <br /> the site. No wetlands, surface water bodies, or stormwater retention facilities are on-site. Static <br /> groundwater is present at approximately 8 feet bgs. Regional groundwater flow in the site vicinity <br /> is toward the northeast (WESTON, March 1999). <br /> Soils in the area of the subject property are classified as Capay clay (U.S. Department of <br /> Agriculture, Soil Conservation Service, 1992). These soils form on alluvium deposited in interfan <br /> basins, and typically consist of surficial clay and silty clay overlying occasionally calcareous clay <br /> and may be developed to a depth of 60 inches or more. These soils are slowly permeable. The San <br /> G:home\clarkeb\projects\homedepo\tracy\addp I&2.doc 2-2 October 2000 <br />