ARCHIVED REPORTS_1993_1 - Laserfiche WebLink

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III. Environmental Setting, Impacts,and Mitigations F. Vegetation and Wildlife Mitigation Measure F3. Proposed as Part of the Project (a) Under current project plans,approximately 10.3 acres of the Brocchini property and the 6.5 acre triangular property would be retained as a Wildlife Preserve/Floodplain Easement. Additionally,the preliminary post-closure maintenance plan states that,upon closure of the landfill,the site would be capped,including revegetation with drought resistant grasses, resulting in a grassy hillock without public access(designated as Open Space) (R.W.Beck and Associates, 1992). However,the CDFG would still consider any such disturbance extending over two breeding seasons to be a permanent displacement of Swainson's hawk foraging habitat due to the possiblity of extripation of the species during the intervening period(Schlorf, 1993). Consequently,impacts to 197.1 acres of Swainson's hawk foraging habitat would still occur. Identified by this EIR (b) Given the Swainson's hawk's prevalence in this region, any development within the vicinity of the City of Stockton occurring on agricultural lands would likely result in impacts to this species'potential foraging habitat. Therefore,complete avoidance through project relocation is not a viable alternative. In order to minimize or rectify the impact to this species,the project sponsor should initiate formal consultation with the CDFG pursuant to Section 2081 of the Fish and Game,Code to enter into a management agreement with the CDFG to obtain an incidental take permit, and to ensure adequacy of mitigation. A management agreement for the incidental taking of the State-listed threatened Swainson's hawk habitat may be required by the CDFG. Through consultation with the CDFG,the project sponsor should develop a Swainson's hawk mitigation plan specific to this project. The individually-tailored mitigation should follow the criteria set forth in Section 2081 and the CDFG Mitigation Guidelines,which have been attached hereto as Appendix E. Typically,the CDFG recommends that the project applicant purchase at least 197.1 acres (1:1 replacement)of land within two miles of the site(to ensure the site is within the foraging range of individuals presently utilizing the site)currently offering low suitability as Swainson's hawk foraging habitat(e.g.,rice,cotton,orchards, vineyards)and convert it to high-quality Swainson's hawk foraging habitat(alfalfa,tomatoes,other row crops,dry pasture). The location of the mitigation site should be established through consultation with the CDFG. Location of the mitigation site on the property immediately east of the Brocchini property,currently supporting a vineyard,should be considered for this purpose. (c) Alternatively,the project applicant could participate in the proposed Swainson's hawk habitat conservation plan currently being considered by the City of Stockton/County of San Joaquin(Niblock, 1993). However,this alternative is contingent upon the preparation and adoption of the plan. If developed and implemented,the plan would provide a means by which developers seeking to convert Swainson's hawk foraging habitat to non-suitable uses could achieve III.F.27