ARCHIVED REPORTS_1993_1 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Status In the Project Area. AJones @ Stokes Associates biologist conducted den searches, scent and photograph station surveys, and nighttime spotlighting surveys for the San Joaquin kit fox during February 0� 2-15' 1893 Figure 4.2.2 shows the project location and spotlight survey route. The biologist conducted den searches onthe project mitaondon1Sanneoofennua|Qneoa|andmonthemoutharnboundaryof the project 0� - atotal o{11nights each; and conducted 11spotlight surveys for atotal of3Ohours covering 1G4miles of roads. Surveys followed approved UGFVVSand DFG survey methodologies for San Joaquin kit foxes /Rempa|andPnau|ay1BQ�1.vvhk:hhem�oincebeenmmd�gdbvU8FVVG(Simons, ` ' ^ ` Jones & Stokes Associates found 1D potential kit fox dens (five onthe project site and five onthe adjacent i5-aoreparcel Uo the south ofthe project site). No kit fox tracks oxphotographs were found at the scent orphotograph stations. Nokit foxes were observed during spotlighting surveys. Evaluation of Kit Fox Habitat Quality. Jones & Stokes Associates concluded that kit foxes are not currently denningorforaging onthe project site. There are nohistorical records ofkit fox occurrence et the project site (No1und [Jivgmsbv Data 8aog 1993. Gan Joaquin County Connnnunhv Development Department 1993). As previously noted, recent surveys have confirmed the presence of kit foxes east of the Delta -Mendota Canal and within i mile of the project site (Figure 4.2.1). BP Associates accepted as reliable a kit fox observation a1the Tracy Airport approximately 1 mile northwest cf the project site but was unable tolocate any active dens during subsequent searches (Beeman pers. comm.). E|P Associates (Mullen pers. comm.) also recorded small canid tracks it considered to be kit fox tracks at the intersection o(LinneRoad and Tracy Boulevard, appnJximnm1gk/1.5mni|eno�hwe��of�hepru�.�c1ai{e.bu�didnotfindaneodva�en ^ sites after den searches. Based onthe proximity ofthese observations tothe project site, USFVV8staff has stated that the project site may be considered occupied kit fox habitat (Host pers. comm.). Based on the February 1993 surveys, Jones & Stokes Associates believes that although the project is near an area where kit foxes have been obaenaa1, kit foxes do not use the project site, or do so only infrequently. Furthermore, because the project site is small and isolated from other suitable potential kit fox habitat, it is not essential to maintain kit fox individuals or populations that may occur nearby. Surveys of other agricultural habitats east of Interstate 580 have not located any active kit fox dens. Swainson's Hawk Background. The current Swainson's hawk breeding range in California is limited to the Central Valley and the far northeastern corner ofCalifornia. Approximately D6%cdthe Central Valley population occurs in the southern Sacramento -northern San Joaquin Valley region. Swainson's hawks typically forage innative and alfalfa and other hay and row crops that provide suitable numbers of onnaU nlan1nnals and access to foraging hawks. Nesting habitat includes riparian forests, lone trees in open 0roam|ando, oak groveu, and roadside \neao. To reproduce successfully, Swainson's hawks require large, open areas of foraging habitat with an abundant prey base, inassociation with suitable nesting habitat. The migratory Swainson's hawk was once a common summer breeder throughout the state, but ovariety o{habitat changes, the conversion ofCentral Valley native grasslands \oagricultural, urban, and industrial development, resulted in an estimated 90% population decline since historic times (Bloom 1980). Status Yothe Project Area. NoGwaiDSOD'shawks were observed during field surveys; however, nineteen Swainson's hawk territories are located along the San Joaquin and Old Rivers within 7 to 10 miles of the proposed project site (City of Stockton 1990). The site's 4Oacres of annual grassland provides moderate - quality fonaginghmbitotbutnusubab|aneatinghabitatfortheSvvainnon'shawh. ER -93-1 -38- (9'27'93)