Post-Burn Restoration Plan for Wax Myrtle Ravine€¦ · Post-Burn Restoration Plan for Wax Myrtle Ravine, San Bruno Mountain March, 2004 Thomas Reid Associates List of Photos and

Post-Burn Restoration Plan for Wax Myrtle Ravine

(Addendum to 175 Acres Enhancement Plan for San Bruno Mountain)

Prepared for:

San Mateo CountyEnvironmental Services AgencyParks and Recreation Division

Prepared by

Thomas Reid Associates

March, 2004

Post-Burn Restoration Plan for Wax Myrtle Ravine, San Bruno Mountain March, 2004

Thomas Reid Associates

List of Photos and Maps

Photo 1 Wax Myrtle Ravine Burn Area.

Photo 2 Gorse Infestation in Wax Myrtle Ravine, after the fire on July 8, 2003.

Photo 3 Headwaters of Wax Myrtle Ravine, before the fire on July 8, 2003.

Photo 4 Headwaters of Wax Myrtle Ravine, after the fire on July 8, 2003.

Photo 5 Old Ranch Road after Debris Removal by Fire Safe Crews.

Photo 6 Old Ranch Road and Erosion Problems Caused by In-sloped Road.

Map 1. Wax Myrtle Ravine Burn, San Bruno Mountain, July 8, 2003.

Map 2 Exotic Species, Wax Myrtle Ravine Burn Area, San Bruno Mountain.

Map 3 Wax Myrtle Ravine Burn, San Bruno Mountain. Planting and Hydroseeding Areas.

Map 4 Endangered Butterfly Habitat, Wax Myrtle Ravine, San Bruno Mountain.


1Thomas Reid Associates

Photo 1. Wax Myrtle Ravine burn on San Bruno Mountain. The fire burned a total of 72.5acres on July 8, 2003. View is looking northwest. The burn area extends from the Saddlearea of San Bruno Mountain down to the Brisbane Industrial Park. Photo date: July 15, 2003.

Introduction

In 2001, San Mateo County Parks Division was awarded a grant from the California CoastalConservancy to conduct habitat restoration work, exotics control, and trail restoration work in a175-acre area in San Bruno Mountain State and County Park. The 175-acre area is locatedsouth of the park entrance on Guadalupe Canyon Parkway, and encompasses Dairy Ravine,Cable Ravine, and Wax Myrtle Ravine. An Enhancement Plan for the area was completed inNovember, 2002 (County of San Mateo). The plan includes goals, methodologies, and a time-line for conducting exotics control and habitat restoration work within the 175-acreenhancement area for the period 2002-2004.

Modification to the work scope for the 175-acre enhancement area has become necessary dueto the occurrence of a prescribed burn that turned into a wildfire on July 8, 2003 in Wax MyrtleRavine. A prescribed burn was identified as the only feasible way to remove eucalyptus slashwithin the ravine that was left behind by a past logging operation in 1995 (Wax Myrtle RavineRestoration (Biomass Removal) Plan, 2002). Phase I of the prescribed burn intended to burna 4-acre area within the headwaters of the ravine, but escaped control lines and burned theentire ravine, and additional slopes to the northeast (72.5 acres total), (Photo 1).

The portion of Wax Myrtle Ravine that is within the original 175-acre enhancement plan area isapproximately 10 acres. This amended restoration plan is focused upon restoring the area ofWax Myrtle Ravine and adjacent slopes to the east that burned on July 8, 2003.

The fire burned over grassland, coastal scrub, eucalyptus forest, dense patches of gorse (Ulexeuropaeus) and other invasive species. Photo 2 shows a gorse infestation in the ravine afterthe burn. Both eucalyptus and gorse are highly invasive species, and if left untreated will returnand expand into new areas opened up by the fire. The 10-acre section within the original 175-acre enhancement includes a 1.3-acre cut slope along Guadalupe Canyon Parkway (GCP). This area is in need of intensive weed control and replanting to prevent the return of gorse,eucalyptus, French broom (Genista monspessulana) and other weeds.



Photo 2. Large stands of gorse within Wax Myrtle Ravine were burned by the fire. Prior to the fire, the dense thickets of gorse and steep slopes inhibited restorationcrews from accessing the area. Photo date: September 15, 2003.

This restoration plan describes a work program for erosion control, weed control, debrisremoval, and replanting and is intended to be used as a guidance document. Changes in theimplementation of the plan may be necessary to accommodate changes in the field (e.g. newweed infestations, unforeseen erosion problems), and/or changes in the funding provided. The implementation of this plan will be supervised by San Mateo County Parks Division. Implementation will be carried out by San Mateo County Parks, Thomas Reid Associates (HCPHabitat Manager), the Friends of San Bruno Mountain, San Bruno Mountain Watch, BrookfieldHomes and habitat restoration subcontractors (e.g. West Coast Wildlands and ShelterbeltBuilders).

A meeting to determine post-burn restoration objectives for Wax Myrtle Ravine was held onAugust 12, 2003 in Brisbane, California. Minutes from the meeting are summarized inAppendix A. In attendance were representatives from San Mateo County Parks, Thomas ReidAssociates, The Friends of San Bruno Mountain, San Bruno Mountain Watch, US Fish andWildlife Service, and members of the community. Input from the meeting was incorporatedinto this plan. Participants in the meeting agreed that the highest priority for restoration workwas to control exotic species within Wax Myrtle Ravine while the opportunity exists.



Pre-Burn Conditions and Impact of Fire

Fire suppression and the lack of grazing over the last 40 years on San Bruno Mountain hasprovided the necessary conditions for the expansion of coastal scrub vegetation and acorresponding reduction in the amount of grassland. Within Wax Myrtle Ravine, which had notburned since at least the 1950's, coastal scrub had expanded into grassland areas along withinfestations of gorse and eucalyptus.

From the 1980's to the present, the control of gorse and eucalyptus was done by HCP exoticscontrol crews, however this work was mainly done along the periphery of the infestations toprevent them from spreading into sensitive butterfly habitat areas. Logging of eucalyptus treesin the headwaters of the ravine in 1995 removed a large stand of eucalyptus trees, but leftbehind large amounts of slash debris. The slash--in some places more than six feet deep--and steep slopes of the ravine made restoration work unsafe and prohibitively expensive.

The Wax Myrtle Ravine fire burned through and opened up the slopes, including areascovered by dense slash, gorse and coastal scrub vegetation. The fire has thus created anopportunity to restore the native vegetation within the ravine, and control invasive species atconsiderably less cost than what was possible beforehand. In addition, the burn has preparedthe soil for planting native vegetation by 1) creating a thin scorched layer of soil that is rich innutrients (and somewhat resistant to erosion), and 2) has burned off existing weeds, thatchand seed to reduce competition from weeds.

Restoration Plan Goals

1) Control exotic species infestations of gorse, eucalyptus and other species.

2) Control erosion and sedimentation within and emanating from the burn area.

3) Restore and create enhanced native habitats including habitat for the endangered Mission blue, Callippe silverspot and San Bruno elfin butterflies.

4) Foster community involvement in restoring Wax Myrtle Ravine and develop a cooperative relationship between agencies, volunteer groups, and the community in meeting the goals above.

Restoration Tools and Techniques

Herbicide: Backpack or truck mounted spray rigHand work: Labor crews doing hand weeding and/or cutting, piling, and/or chipping.Reseeding: Hand broadcast or hydroseed native seeds and mulch.Planting: Planting of native plants (propagules), including butterfly host and nectar

plants in select habitat island locations*Burning/Grazing: Long-term maintenance to include periodic burning and/or grazing to

maintain grassland habitat. ( *Implementation of these techniques is nota part of this plan due to funding limitations, but should be considered inthe future.)



Land Ownership

This restoration plan focuses primarily upon the burn area that is owned by the County of San Mateo. Approximately 60 acres of the burn area is owned by the County (HCP ManagementUnits 1-07 and 1-09), (Map 1). The remaining portion of land within the burn area, which isapproximately 15 acres, is owned by Foremost McKesson properties (HCP Management Unit1-08). The County has begun discussions with Foremost McKesson to develop a restorationplan for all of their properties (approximately 50 acres total). As required in the San BrunoMountain HCP, lands owned by Foremost McKesson are to be dedicated to San Mateo CountyParks.

Brookfield Homes is a former landowner of the lower easternmost slopes (known as parcel A1,within Management unit 1-07-04). This parcel was dedicated to San Mateo County Parks in1995. Brookfield Homes is carrying out restoration work within this parcel based on expectedrequirements that will be established in the Callippe Amendment to the San Bruno MountainHCP (in preparation).

Goal 1: Exotic Species Control

The fire created opportunities for native plant re-establishment as well as for invasive speciescolonization and expansion. Open grasslands and disturbed fire breaks are susceptible toexotic infestations without thorough weed control.

There are a variety of exotic species within the burn area (Map 2). The most invasive includeEucalyptus, gorse, French broom, Portuguese broom (Cytisus striatus), Himalaya blackberry(Rubus discolor), and fennel (Foeniculum vulgare). Photos 3 and 4 show the headwaters ofthe ravine which was dominated by regrowth of blue-gum eucalyptus before the burn. Exoticspecies within the burn area were mapped in the fall of 2003. Acreage for each species isshown below.

Major Exotic species AcresEucalyptus trees 10.4Eucalyptus regrowth (previously logged areas) 3.4Gorse 4.3French broom <1Striatus broom <1Himalaya blackberry <1



Photo 3. The headwaters of Wax Myrtle Ravine, San Bruno Mountain on March15, 2003 (before fire). The blue-ish vegetation in center of photo is eucalyptusstump-sprouts.

Photo 4. The headwaters of Wax Myrtle Ravine, San Bruno Mountain on July 15,2003, one week after the fire.



Additional invasive species that can be expected to colonize or expand within the burn areawithout treatment are listed below.

Common Name Scientific NameCotoneaster Cotoneaster sp.pampas (Jubata) grass Cortaderia jubataMonterey pine Pinus radiataAcacia Acacia sp.fennel Foeniculum vulgare Italian thistle Carduus pycnocephalabristly Ox-tongue Picris echioides*Bermuda buttercup Oxalis Pes-capreapoison hemlock Conium maculatumCape ivy Delairea odorataEnglish ivy Hedera helixErodium/ Filaree Erodium sp.wild radish Raphanus sativusmustard Brassica sp. /Hirschfeldia sp.prickly lettuce Lactuca sp.sow thistle Sonchus sp.

Grassesvelvet grass Holcus lanatusEhrharta Ehrharta spp.

Hand and Herbicide control work on these weeds should be done prior to seed set. Controlwork should consist of 1) an initial treatment, 2) a follow up treatment 4-6 weeks later, and 3) asecondary follow up 3-6 months later.

Initial herbicide control work has already been conducted throughout the burn area on visiblere-sprouting species within and adjacent to the burn area. This work was done by West CoastWildlands, and funded through a re-allocation of funds within the HCP Habitat Managementbudget. Species such as Himalaya blackberry, Ehrharta, fennel, striatus broom, gorse,French broom, eucalyptus and other weeds received initial control to reduce the spread ofweed seeds into the burn area. Approximately $13,000 has been allocated within the HCPbudget to provide for this work. All herbicide work conducted under the direction of the HCPHabitat Manager is consistent with San Mateo County’s Integrated Pest Management Policy.

San Bruno Mountain Watch (SBMW), through their subcontractor Shelterbelt Builders, Inc. hascommitted to assisting the County in eradicating weeds within the burn area (SBMW, 2003). As part of a Coastal Conservancy grant awarded to SBMW in 2001, SBMW has conductedweed control on the south side of the ravine and along slopes within Devil’s Arroyo located tothe south of the burn area (SBMW typically only uses hand control or mowing methods, anddoes not use herbicide for weed control). Flowering and seed stages of exotic plants arecontinually being monitored for appropriate timing of treatment (personal communication MikeForbert, West Coast Wildlands: and Mark Heath, Shelterbelt Builders, Inc.).

Follow up exotics control throughout the burn area is planned for the spring of 2004, and threeexotics control treatments per year are recommended for the first two years (September 2003to September 2005), (Table 1). After 2005, exotics control should continue on a schedule of atleast 1-2 time per year, as part of the general on-going habitat maintenance of the ravine.



Photo 5. Removal of dense piles of eucalyptus slash and gorse by County firesafe crews has opened up Old Ranch Road for access by trail users and forrestoration of native plant species.

Brush and Tree Removal

Prior to the burn, a 1000-foot section along Old Ranch Road and Guadalupe Canyon Parkwaywas cleared of eucalyptus slash, gorse and other vegetation by San Mateo County Fire Safecrews to provide vehicle access and an upper burn control line for CDF fire crews. A lowerburn control line was installed by a CDF bulldozer crew.

Most of the areas burned over by the wildfire were thoroughly burned and reduced to ash,however a few areas were left with patches of unburned vegetation. Patches of unburnedgorse along with burned woody debris along Guadalupe Canyon Parkway was cut and piled bySan Mateo County Fire Safe Crews in November, 2003. Removal and/or mulching of thegorse debris is scheduled to be completed by Shelterbelt builders in early 2004. In the samearea, twenty eucalyptus and six cypress trees were removed along Guadalupe CanyonParkway on December 22, 2003 by County crews.

Due to the burn, and the brush control work that was conducted prior to and after the burn,there has been a dramatic change in the appearance of Wax Myrtle Ravine. Once dominatedby virtually impenetrable stands of slash and noxious invasive weeds only two years ago,(including eucalyptus, gorse, Himalaya blackberry, French broom, and Cape ivy), the entirearea has been opened up for native plant restoration.



Photo 5 shows a section of Old Ranch Road that was once covered by several cubic yards ofeucalyptus slash and gorse before County fire safe crews removed this material.

Dense brush within the base of the ravine is still present, and consists of Arroyo willow,Himalaya blackberry, rushes, and sedges. A small grove of blue gum eucalyptus is located inthe base of the ravine, midway between the headwaters of the ravine and Brisbane IndustrialPark (Map 2). This grove should be removed if additional funding can be secured.

Goal 2: Erosion Control

Several areas were identified as potential risk for erosion within the burn area, and several on-site meetings were held in the fall of 2003 between County Park staff, Friends of San BrunoMountain, TRA, California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CDF), City of Brisbane,and the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). Eric McHuron, an engineeringgeologist with the Friends of San Bruno Mountain, recommended putting in appropriate waterbars, removing berms created by bulldozers, and leaving most slopes to recover on their ownwithout introducing any non-native grasses through hydroseeding materials.

On August 22 County Park staff met with CDF staff to determine responsibilities for restoringV-ditches, water bars and trails that were bulldozed during fire suppression activities. OnSeptember 18, County Park staff met with City of Brisbane Public Works staff to determinesolutions to drainage problems along Guadalupe Canyon Parkway and adjacent to theBrisbane Industrial Park (Guadalupe Municipal Improvement District). On October 7, CountyPark staff met with the Natural Resource Conservation District to develop an appropriateerosion control plan for the burn area (Appendix B: Richard Casale, NRCS, 10/20/03). CDFHydrologist Pete Cafferata also submitted recommendations for erosion control with the ravine(Appendix C: CDF, 10/24/03).

Based on the recommendations of McHuron, Casale, and Cafferata, most areas of the burnshould recover without any erosion control measures. Exceptions exist where runoff is beingconcentrated onto the slopes by culverts or V-ditches along Guadalupe Canyon Parkway andOld Ranch Road. Old Ranch Road (fire road and trail) is an in-sloping road that channelsrunoff creating rilling problems on the road and in the ravine (Photo 5). These erosionproblems were pre-existing, but could become worse after the burn due to the lack ofvegetation on the slopes. Based on this information, the City of Brisbane, CDF, and theCounty took precautionary measures by installing erosion control barriers and cleaning out allV-ditches prior to the winter rains. Erosion control implemented in 2003 included the followingwork. Between October 15 and October 30, County Park crews cleared V-ditches filled withsediment and replaced a culvert with rolling dip east of the upper Water Tank. On October 30,CDF work crews completed two days of erosion control work on disturbed fire break areas(including installation of water bars, removal of berms and spreading of vegetation on exposedsoils). The City of Brisbane Public Works has been clearing their debris basins more regularlyand has installed straw rolls on some of the lower burn slopes adjacent to the Industrial Park. After winter storms this season, the City of Brisbane Public Works staff has observed moresediment in the debris basin below the burn area than in previous years, but no significanterosion or sedimentation has been observed (personal communication Matt Fabry).

Artificially steepened slopes are also potential erosion sites, and hydroseeding or handseeding grasses and hydroseeding mulch afterwards could provide erosion control benefits as



Photo 6. Old Ranch Road (fire road/ trail) is in-sloped and this results in runoffbeing channeled along the road, causing rilling on the road and on the slopes ofWax Myrtle Ravine.

well as increase the cover of native grass species (personal communication, Mark Heath). While this work may not be necessary on a large scale within the burn area due to the naturalvegetative response that is occurring, the City of Brisbane and the County of San Mateo havebeen exploring alternatives for funding and implementing hydroseeding work. A planting planfor addressing erosion control concerns was prepared in January, 2004 by Casey Stewman(Appendix D). Replanting areas are shown in Map 3.

Goal 3: Restore Native Habitats

Map 3 shows generalized areas for replanting and hydroseeding. San Mateo County Parksthrough coastal conservancy grant funding, and Thomas Reid Associates and the Friends ofSan Bruno Mountain, partially funded through the Habitat Conservation Plan fund, will beworking together to prepare and replant areas in the headwaters of Wax Myrtle Ravine. $9,000of HCP funds has been allocated for replanting in the first year. CDF has also committed toprovide crews to assist with replanting. Appendix D includes a replanting plan and plants to bepurchased.

Several hundred native bunchgrasses and shrubs will be planted on the steepest slopes whereunconsolidated soils are present. This will help reduce erosion from these areas, though someerosion is likely to occur in the first year regardless of how much planting is done. Plantcommunities to be restored are coastal prairie on the dryer and thinner soil areas, and northerncoastal scrub in the wetter and deeper soil areas. The Friends have grown several thousandplants in their nursery, and have offered to conduct planting work within the headwaters of the



ravine to re-establish grassland, and on the point above Fern Rock to restore Sedumspathulifolium (the host plant for the endangered San Bruno elfin butterfly) and other plantsthat were disturbed by CDF crews during fire suppression efforts (personal communication EricMcHuron and Doug Allshouse, August 2003).Brookfield Homes will be funding the creation of planting islands and exotics control workwithin the northeast section of the burn area, between the lower water tank and SilverspotDrive (Map 1, parcel A-1). This work was planned prior to the burn event, however Brookfieldhas agreed to do preliminary weed control work this winter/spring and possibly grass seedingwork to reduce re-establishment of exotic annual grasses on the site (personal communicationKevin Frederickson, Brookfield Homes). The planting islands within parcel A-1 will bedesigned to provide habitat for the endangered Callippe silverspot and Mission blue butterflies. This project is being carried out by West Coast Wildlands and Shelterbelt Builders andmonitored by Thomas Reid Associates.

For all replanting areas, the first year is critical for survival, and the plants should be monitoredand provided with the following if necessary: 1) supplemental watering. 2) protection from snailor small herbivore predation, and 3) hand weeding to reduce weed competition.

Butterfly Habitat

Part of the goal of restoration work is to restore native plant species, including the creation ofhabitat islands for the endangered butterflies found on San Bruno Mountain. Existing habitatfor the endangered butterflies is shown in Map 4. Habitat for all three endangered butterflies;the San Bruno elfin, Mission blue, and Callippe silverspot is found within the ravine. Moistgrassland on the north facing side of the ravine provides suitable habitat for the San Brunoelfin butterfly, while the Mission blue and Callippe silverspot are predominately found on thesouth facing dryer grasslands. Rocky outcrops with relatively thin soils tend to provide themost suitable habitat for the butterflies. The burn has provided an opportunity to reclaim someof the butterflies’ grassland habitat that had been overtaken by coastal scrub, gorse, fennel,and eucalyptus trees over the past 40 years.

Monitoring

Several photo points have been established within the burn area by West Coast Wildlands andThomas Reid Associates. These monitoring points will be revisited every two to three monthsfor the next 3 years to track the success of the restoration work within the burn area. WestCoast Wildlands has been collecting photo point data every month at three locations.

For all habitat island areas, butterfly host and nectar plants should be counted afterinstallation. These should be re-counted on an annual basis to calculate percent survival. Areas that have a lower than 15% survival after one year, are not likely to be good areas tosupport butterfly habitat, (typical survival rates for lupines are approximately 20 - 50% in areasthat successfully provide Mission blue habitat, Shelterbelt Builders, San Bruno MountainHabitat Island Annual Reports (2001, 2002)).

If additional funding is secured, monitoring how the vegetation responds after fire over timecould be done using permanent staked 3 meter quadrats within randomly selected areas. Plant percent cover data could be taken on plant species every spring (April).



Goal 4: Fostering Community Involvement and Cooperation

To further assist the on-going restoration work, continue to establish cooperation between allof the stakeholders, and solicit community involvement in the restoration program, a semi-annual to annual Wax Myrtle Restoration meeting should be held. The next meeting should bescheduled in spring 2004.Schedule

The following table shows an estimated schedule of tasks for the Implementation of thisrestoration plan.

Table 1. A estimated schedule for restoration work for 2003 and 2004.

Task Responsibility/Contractor Schedule (2003-2004 only)

Hydroseeding/ BrushRemoval, ErosionControl, (and eucalyptustree removal if fundingavailable)

County Fire Safe Crews,Shelterbelt Builders, DaveyTree, City of Brisbane

October/November, 2003(mostly completed)

Weed Control1) Initial control2) Follow-up control3) 2nd follow up control*(repeat sequence for2004).

West Coast WildlandsShelterbelt Builders

September, 2003-(completed)October, 2003- (completed)March, 2004 (to be timed withemergence of weeds)

Replanting Friends of San Bruno MountainShelterbelt BuildersBay Area Mountain WatchCDF Fire Safe Crews

January/February 2004(To be timed with first heavyrains)

Monitoring1) Photo Points2) Planting Islands %survival3) Permanent quadrats*

Habitat Manager (TRA)West Coast Wildlands

1) Every 2-3 months2) (once per year)3) (once per year), * if fundingavailable)

Community InvolvementWax Myrtle RestorationStakeholders Meeting

County Park StaffHabitat Manager (TRA)

Spring 2004

Supervision andCoordination

County Park StaffHabitat Manager (TRA)

Ongoing for duration of project.

Ongoing Management of Wax Myrtle Ravine

After the funding for this Coastal Conservancy Grant runs out, the weed control and restorationwork for Wax Myrtle Ravine should be re-incorporated into the HCP Habitat Manager’s habitatmanagement program. Appropriate weed control follow up work should be scheduled on a 1-2times per year basis to follow up on all exotic species infestations that have been controlledthrough this work described in this plan.



For the long-term management of the area, the area will require periodic burning and/orgrazing on an interval of at least one burn or graze event every 20 years (estimated) tomaintain the native grasslands. Specific areas could be identified within the ravine that wouldreceive more frequent treatments, such as southfacing slopes with predominately grasslandhabitat. Other areas, such as moist north-facing exposures would require less-frequentburning and/or grazing.

References

San Mateo County, 2002. Enhancement Plan for 175-acre Area of San Bruno MountainCounty

Park. Prepared by Thomas Reid Associates, November 2002.

San Mateo County, 2002. Wax Myrtle Restoration Plan: Plan for Removal of EucalyptusBiomass in Wax Myrtle Ravine. Prepared by Thomas Reid Associates, June, 2002.

San Bruno Mountain Watch, 2003. San Bruno Mountain Exotic Weed Mapping and ControlProject, Work Plan 2003-2004. Prepared by Shelterbelt Builders, August 25, 2003.

San Mateo County, 2001, 2002. Appendices within San Bruno Mountain Habitat Island AnnualReports (2001, 2002). Prepared by Shelterbelt Builders for the San Bruno MountainHCP Annual Reports to USFWS, Permit No. PRT-2-9818.

Personal Communications

Mike Forbert, West Coast Wildlands, December, 2003.Mark Heath, Shelterbelt builders, November 2003. Sam Herzberg, San Mateo County, November 2003Eric McHuron and Doug Allshouse, Friends of San Bruno Mountain, August 2003Kevin Frederickson, Brookfield Homes, November 2003.Matt Fabry, City of Brisbane, February, 2004.

Documents

Post-Burn Restoration Plan for Wax Myrtle Ravine€¦ · Post-Burn Restoration Plan for Wax Myrtle Ravine, San Bruno Mountain March, 2004 Thomas Reid Associates List of Photos and