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and 39 and this whole area was covered with 11 other Audubon <br /> Societies. The results of the first year study shows there <br /> has been a 51. 2% decline in burrowing owl population in the <br /> last 5 years. Within San Joaquin County there has been a <br /> 68 . 6% decline. He said this is alarming and asked that the <br /> DEIR address the burrowing owl. <br /> • The Swainson hawk has been identified onsite and there is some <br /> confusion about that. On page 4 . 13-27 is a map showing past <br /> and present nest sites, as recognized by the Department of <br /> Fish and Game. The DEIR indicates that 1, 500 acres is good <br /> enough for mitigating the impact on the Swainson hawk. He <br /> said the DEIR indicates a misreading of Fish and Game's <br /> guidelines, which start on page 10. 16-7. On page 10. 16-15, <br /> under 3 , "Maintenance of Sufficient Foraging Habitat, " (a) <br /> states that the territory must have been used at least once <br /> historically, as determined by DFG; (b) states that mitigation <br /> will be required for all lands within the defined foraging <br /> area; and (c) states that mitigation for foraging areas shall <br /> be a minimum of 1 to 1 ratio; (i.e. , one acre replacement for <br /> each acre loss of habitat) . He said they have correctly <br /> identified 4,270 acres of foraging habitat for the Swainson <br /> hawk; therefore, according to DFG mitigation guidelines, they <br /> need to mitigate for 4,270 acres of Swainson hawk habitat. <br /> • The kit fox has been identified in the DEIR as being west of <br /> the project. It is also known to be south of the project. <br /> Residents of the area have reported sightings of kit fox. <br /> Experts have been shown the tracks and the experts say that it <br /> looks like kit foxes are there. Fish and Game, within the <br /> last few years, have had a radio collar on a kit fox that <br /> walked right through the project site and even crossed the <br /> river. Basically, the EIR states that they will study the <br /> problem for future consideration. Fish and Wildlife requires <br /> a 3 to 1 mitigation. There should be some concern as to <br /> finding areas that Swainson hawk and kit fox will both be <br /> compatible. <br /> • Mr. Holt said that another speaker objected to any requirement <br /> of a restrictive mitigation but asked that they be able to <br /> give a promise of some approval by Fish and Game in the <br /> future. He thought that would be against the law in CEQA <br /> (Sundstrom vs. Mendocino County) . They need to have that in <br /> writing at this stage to have it certified as adequate. <br /> Mike Locke, City Manager for the City of Tracy, 325 East 10th <br /> Street, was present to represent the City of Tracy, said a brief <br /> presentation would be made at this time with in-depth written <br /> comments to be submitted later. He noted members of his staff that <br /> would make statements. <br /> David Storer, Senior Planner with the City of Tracy, said that his <br /> comments reiterate concerns raised in the August 29, 1991 letter <br /> responding to the Notice of Preparation issued by the County. He <br /> said his comments deal with four points: 1) alternatives, <br /> PC MINUTES -5- JAN 16, 1992 <br />