Assessment of Potential Impacts on the Endangered San Joaquin Kit Fox by Completion of the San Felipe Division, Central Valley Project, California

摘要

A survey was conducted for the US Department of the Interior, Bureau of Reclamation, between 8 and 10 June 1981 to determine the presence of the endangered San Joaquin kit fox, Vulpes macrotis mutica, on lands to be affected by proposed construction of the San Felipe Division, Central Valley Project, in San Benito and Santa Clara counties, California. The proposed project includes 45.7 miles (73.5 km) of right-of-way along the Pacheco, Santa Clara, and Hollister water conduits, and 629 acres (255 ha) at proposed sites of the Santa Clara Tunnel Portals, San Justo Reservoir, and Coyote Pumping Plant. Results of vehicular surveys showed that nearly 59% of the proposed right-of-way and the 10-acre (4 ha) site of the Coyote Pumping Plant occurred in agricultural and residential areas that would probably exclude kit fox. Ground surveys were conducted in more likely looking habitats along the remaining 41% of the conduit right-of-way and at the sites of the Santa Clara Tunnel Portals and San Justo Reservoir. No sign (dens, tracks, scats, or prey remains) of kit fox was observed. Neither completion of the proposed project nor subsequent operation and maintenance activities will have any known negative impact on the San Joaquin kit fox or its essential habitat. (ERA citation 11:009777)