SDC PDS RCVD 08-28-15 - San Diego County, · PDF filedocument follows the Jepson Manual, Second Edition ... Grasshopper Sparrow : ... Stephen's Kangaroo Rat

1602 Spring Street, Paso Robles, CA 93446

(805) 237-9626 • Fax (805) 237-9181 • www.althouseandmeade.com Patrick J. Mock, PhD • Cell: (619) 665-3218 • [email protected]

Biological Letter Report for Valley Park Apartment Project, Ramona, CA 1 July 31, 2015

July 31, 2015 Project 878.04 Mr. Casey Malone Lansing Companies 12671 High Bluff Drive, Suite 150 San Diego, CA 92130

Subject: Biological Letter Report for Proposed Valley Park Apartment Project at a vacant 2.86-acre parcel on 16th Street, Ramona, County of San Diego. Prepared for the County of San Diego, PDS2014-STP-14-034, PDS2014-ER-06-09-006A, APN 282-262-75

Dear Mr. Malone,

This letter report provides the results of biological surveys on an approximately 2.86-acre Study Area. The proposed project is an apartment complex that will develop the entire 2.86-acre site. No biological open space is proposed onsite. All impacts to biological resources deemed significant will be mitigated off-site in the project vicinity.

Location The Study Area consists of an undeveloped parcel, located at 16th Street, between Main Street and Arline Way in the unincorporated community of Ramona, California (Figure 1). Approximate coordinates for the Study Area are 33° 02’ 09.25”N, 116° 52’ 33.58” W (WGS 84) in the Ramona and San Pasqual USGS 7.5’ topographic quadrangles.

Setting The project site is located within the developed village community of Ramona. The surrounding lands are developed or extensively modified by past and current land uses. There is a curb and gutter along 16th Street and a culvert under 16th Street accepts storm water from the site via a man-made storm water channel sited within an upland location along the southern parcel boundary. The site is flat with no topographic relief (Figures 2 and 3). Non-native grassland is the dominant vegetation community on the parcel (Figure 4).

SDC PDS RCVD 08-28-15 STP14-034

http://www.althouseandmeade.com/

mailto:[email protected]

Althouse and Meade, Inc. – 878.04


Regional Context Location relative to approved or proposed conservation plans The project site is not within an approved or proposed conservation plan.

Adopted or proposed NCCP subareas The project site is located within the Draft North County Multiple Species Conservation Program subarea planning area.

FIGURE 5. GENERAL LOCATION OF PROJECT SITE (BLUE STAR) RELATIVE TO NEARBY PAMA LANDS.

Map colors represent very high (magenta), high (yellow, moderate (dark blue) and low (light blue) habitat values within the PAMA areas of the proposed draft North County MSCP.

NCCP designations (such as PAMA, BRCA, Take Authorized, etc.) The site is not within a Pre-Approved Mitigation Area being considered for conservation (Figure 5).



Adjacent to preserved lands, national forests, BLM lands The site is not adjacent to preserved lands, national forests, or BLM lands. The surrounding landscape in the project vicinity is dominated by developed suburban lands.

Jurisdictional waterways and watersheds No jurisdictional waterways occur onsite (see text below).

Potential Special Status Species and Sensitive Natural Communities Disturbed non-native grassland dominates the parcel (Figure 4). One special status species, northern harrier, was detected as a low flyover during one site visit.

Survey Methods The Study Area was surveyed for biological resources in 2015 on the following dates: January 25, February 10, March 16, April 9, and June 11, by biologists Sean Harris, Patrick Mock, Rick Bailey, and botanist Michelle Balk, respectively. Biological surveys were conducted on foot in order to compile species lists, to search for special status plants and animals, to map habitats, and to photograph the Study Area. The general vegetation survey method included meandering transects with an emphasis on identifying each plant species observed. Transects were also utilized to describe general conditions and dominant species, compile species lists, and evaluate potential habitat for special status species. Focal searches for potential fairy shrimp occupied areas and rare plants were conducted under appropriate site conditions. The entire 2.86-acre Study Area was surveyed. Identification of botanical resources included field observations and laboratory analysis of collected material. Botanical nomenclature used in this document follows the Jepson Manual, Second Edition (Baldwin et al. 2012) and Rebman and Simpson (2014).

Wildlife documentation included observations of animal presence and other wildlife sign. Observations of wildlife were recorded during the field survey in all areas of the Study Area (Table 3; attached). Birds were identified by sight or by vocalizations. Results of the botanical and wildlife surveys are summarized below.

We conducted a search of the California Natural Diversity Database (CNDDB; June 2015 data) and the California Native Plant Society (CNPS) On-line Inventory of Rare and Endangered Plants of California for special status species known to occur in two USGS 7.5-minute quadrangle where the Study Area occurs: Ramona and San Pasqual quads (Figures 6 to 8). County staff provided specific direction as to which species were deemed potentially present (Table 1).

Biological Survey Results

Vegetation Disturbed Non-native Grassland (42200) This vegetation community is characterized by a dense to sparse cover of annual grasses, often with native and non-native annual forbs (Holland 1986). Dominant grasses onsite include ripgut grass (Bromus diandrus), hare barely Hordeum murinum ssp. leporinum, and wild oat Avena spp. Italian ryegrass (Festuca perennis) was dominant in segments of the stormwater



drainage channel. The disturbed characterization is attributed to the chronic history of the site being tilled on a regular basis since 2007 (URS 2008, 2014; a review of Google Earth historical aerial photographs 1992 to 2015). TABLE 1. COMPREHENSIVE LIST OF POTENTIAL SENSITIVE SPECIES PROVIDED BY COUNTY STAFF

BIOLOGIST

Scientific Name Common Name Reason for Absence from Site

Acanthomintha ilicifolia San Diego Thornmint Not detected during 2015 rare plant survey.

Brodiaea orcuttii Orcutt's Brodiaea Not detected during 2015 rare plant survey.

Centromadia parryi ssp. australis Southern Tarplant Not detected during 2015 rare plant

survey.

Gilia caruifolia Caraway Leaved Gilia Not detected during 2015 rare plant survey.

Harpagonella palmeri Palmer's Grappling Hook Not detected during 2015 rare plant survey.

Holocarpha virgata ssp. elongata Graceful Tarplant Not detected during 2015 rare plant

survey.

Hordeum intercedens Vernal Barley Not detected during 2015 rare plant survey.

Navarretia fossalis Spreading Navarretia Not detected during 2015 rare plant survey.

Accipiter cooperi Cooper's Hawk No nesting trees on parcel within a developed suburban landscape.

Agelaius tricolor Tricolored Blackbird No suitable habitat present.

Ammodramus savannarum Grasshopper Sparrow

Insufficient and poor habitat within a developed suburban landscape to expect presence.

Anniella pulchra pulchra Silvery Legless Lizard No suitable habitat present.

Antrozous pallidus Pallid Bat No suitable habitat present.

Aquila chrysaetos Golden Eagle No nest sites in vicinity; poor foraging

habitat present within a developed suburban landscape.

Athene cunicularia hypugea Burrowing Owl

No nest sites on-site or in vicinity; poor foraging habitat present within a developed suburban landscape.

Branchinecta sandiegoensis San Diego Fairy Shrimp

2006 dry season survey for cysts were negative. No ponding in 20014 or 2015.

Branta canadensis Canada Goose (Winter) No suitable habitat present; parcel within a developed suburban landscape.

Buteo regalis Ferruginous Hawk (Winter) Poor foraging habitat present within a developed suburban landscape.




Cathartes aura Turkey Vulture Poor foraging habitat present within a developed suburban landscape.

Chaetodipus californicus femoralis

Dulzura California Pocket Mouse No suitable habitat present.

Chaetodipus fallax fallax

Northwestern San Diego Pocket Mouse No suitable habitat present.

Circus cyaneus hudsonius Northern Harrier

One individual detected as a low flyover; Poor foraging habitat present within a developed suburban landscape.

Cnemidophorus hyperythrus Orange-Throated Whiptail No suitable habitat present. Coleonyx variegatus

abbottii San Diego Banded Gecko No suitable habitat present.

Corynorhinus townsendii Townsend's Big-Eared Bat No suitable habitat present. Danaus plexippus Monarch Butterfly No suitable habitat present. Dipodomys stephensi Stephen's Kangaroo Rat No suitable habitat present.

Elanus caeruleus Black-Shouldered Kite Poor foraging habitat present within a developed suburban landscape.

Eremophila alpestris actis Horned Lark Poor foraging habitat present within a

developed suburban landscape. Eumops perotis

californicus Greater Western Mastiff Bat Poor foraging habitat present within a developed suburban landscape.

Lanius ludovicianus Loggerhead Shrike Poor foraging habitat present within a developed suburban landscape.

Larus californicus California Gull (Non-Breeding) No suitable habitat present.

Lepus californicus bennettii

San Diego Black-Tailed Jackrabbit

Poor habitat present within a developed suburban landscape.

Myotis yumanensis Yuma Myotis No suitable habitat present.

Nyctinomops macrotis Big Free-Tailed Bat No suitable habitat present.

Nyctinomops femorosaccus Pocketed Free-Tailed Bat No suitable habitat present.

Odocoileus hemionus Southern Mule Deer No suitable habitat present.

Onychomys torridus ramona Southern Grasshopper Mouse No suitable habitat present.

Phrynosoma coronatum blainvillei San Diego Horned Lizard No suitable habitat present.




Scaphiopus hammondii Western Spadefoot Toad No suitable habitat present. Taxidea taxus American Badger No suitable habitat present.

Non-Jurisdictional Disturbed Wetland This vegetation community exists in segments of the stormwater drainage channel present along the southern parcel boundary where a concrete-lined channel from the adjacent residential development drains stomwater and irrigation water onto the property via a culvert outfall. At the time of an April 2014 site visit, there was standing water present in segments of the channel. Vegetation observed includes cattails (Typha dominguensis), mulefat (Baccharis salicifolia), cottonwood (Populus fremontii), black willow (Salix exigua), arroyo willow (Salix lasiolepis), tamarisk (Tamarix ramosissima), and Italian ryegrass. Trash and debris were scattered throughout, and the willows and cottonwoods along the southern fence line appear to have been planted specimens due to the uniformity of their placement between the channel and fence along the parcel boundary (URS 2008).

This 8-ft wide and 500-ft long man-made stormwater channel was installed in 2007 to contain the stormwater entering the site from the adjacent development (URS 2008). A 2- to 3-ft tall berm was added in 2012 along the north side of the channel (see attached photo log) and a culvert was installed under 16th Street to carry the stormwater flows offsite after 2009. Since this channel is a man-made feature constructed in an upland location, it is categorized as a stormwater facility and meets the criteria for exclusion as a County Resource Protection Ordinance (RPO) wetland per RPO Section 86.602 (q)(2) (URS 2008). Current and soon to be implemented criteria for federal jurisdictional limits also exclude drainage ditches constructed in an upland location. There is no natural drainage upstream of the parcel. The parcel watershed is fully developed in the project vicinity.

California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) regulates activities that affect well-defined bed and bank channels of natural streams and drainages. Because the existing hydrophytic vegetation present onsite does not appear to be hydrologically connected to downstream jurisdictional waters based on our review of current aerial photographs of the project vicinity, the man-made stomwater channel onsite may not be subject to State agency regulation due to being a man-made channel within an upland location and the source of water is artificial (concentrated irrigation and storm water from up-stream developed lands).

Botanical Survey Results The botanical surveys conducted on April 9 and June 11 identified 57 species and subspecies of vascular plants in the Study Area (Table 2; attached). The list includes 19 species native to California and 38 non-native species. Special status species were not detected in the Study Area. Native plant species account for approximately 33 percent of the plant taxa within the Study Area, and non-native species account for approximately 66 percent. No hydrophytic vegetation characteristic of vernal pool habitat was detected in the grassland vegetation.

Wildlife Survey Results Three site visits were made within 10 days after major storm events (greater than 0.25 inches of rain). No inundation within the upland grassland areas was present during any of these site



visits. Dr. C. Black (2006; attached) conducted a detailed fairy shrimp cyst survey on the parcel that had negative results. No listed fairy shrimp are expected on the parcel. Northern Harrier (Circus cyaneus hudsonius), a California Species of Special Concern (SSC) and County Group 1 Species, was detected flying low over the site during the April 9, 2015 site visit. Small mammal trapping studies were beyond the scope of this report; however, several common small mammal species are likely to occur. The list of wildlife detected is attached (Table 3). There are no trees on-site suitable as raptor nest trees and no nests were detected. Other species could occur as transients, particularly avian fauna, but only common urban-adapted species are expected to utilize the site in any biologically significant manner. Wildlife species detected in the Study Area include one invertebrate, ten birds, and three mammal species.

Potential Wetland Habitat Recommendations The human-made stormwater channel on site does not meet federal (CWA §404) or County (RPO wetlands exemption) jurisdictional criteria, and it does not connect to a natural waters of the US/State. California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) regulates activities that affect well-defined bed and bank channels of natural streams and drainages (Fish and Game Code 1602). The applicant should contact the CDFW to determine the necessity of a Streambed Alteration Agreement prior to any work the man-made stormwater channel. The RWQCB may also take jurisdiction over this channel per the Porter-Cologne Water Quality Act that defines “Waters of the State” as any surface water or groundwater, including saline waters, within the boundaries of the state.

Impacts The entire project site will be developed. No naturalized vegetation will be conserved on the 2.86-acre parcel. The project will result in the loss of 2.86 acres of non-native grassland and hydrophytic vegetation within the man-made drainage channel. No federal sensitive species will be adversely affected by the project. One SSC/County Group 1 species, northern harrier, was detected as a flyover during one site visit. Given the landscape context of the parcel, the site is not considered to be a valuable nesting or foraging area for this species. No wildlife movement areas will be adversely affected, as the property is surrounded by development and is not part of a wildlife corridor.

Mitigation Per County Resource Protection Ordinance guidelines, the loss of 2.86 acres of non-native grassland will require mitigation at a 0.5:1 ratio, resulting in a mitigation requirement of 1.43 acres of grassland mitigation acceptable to the County. The project proponent proposes to purchase 1.5 mitigation credits available from the Ramona Grasslands Mitigation Bank.

To comply with Migratory Bird Treaty Act and Fish and Game regulations, the site should be cleared of vegetation during the non-breeding bird season (September 15 to March 15). If vegetation clearing must be done during the breeding season, a pre-construction nest survey should be conducted to avoid loss of birds or active nests. If nesting is detected, site clearing will need to be delayed until the nests are inactive.



Thank you for allowing us to be of assistance. If you have any questions or concerns, please call me at (805) 237-9626. Sincerely, Althouse & Meade, Inc.

Patrick J. Mock, PhD, CSE, CWB® Principal Biologist County Approved Biologist

Attachments: References Vascular Plant List Wildlife List Site Photographs Figures Attachment - Fairy Shrimp Cyst Survey Report (Black 2006)

References AECOM. 2011. Vegetation Classification Manual for Western San Diego County. Prepared by

AECOM, the California Department of Fish and Game, and the Conservation Biology Institute. Prepared for the San Diego Association of Governments.

Baldwin, B.G., D.H. Goldman, D.J. Keil, R. Patterson, T.J. Rosatti, and D.H. Wilken, editors. 2012. The Jepson manual: vascular plants of California, second edition. University of California Press, Berkeley.

Beauchamp, R. M. 1986. A Flora of San Diego County, California. Sweetwater River Press. National City, Calif. 241 pp.

Black, C.H. 2006. 16th Street and Main Street Community of Ramona, San Diego County, CA - Dry season survey results for Branchiopod (Fairy Shrimp) cysts and Comprehensive Summary. March.

Bond, S.I. 1977. An Annotated List of the Mammals of San Diego County, California. San Diego Society of Natural History, Transactions 18: 229-248.

Bowman, R.H., et al. 1973. Soil Survey of the San Diego Area, California. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Soil Conservation Service, Washington, D.C.

California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW; formerly California Department of Fish and Game [CDFG]). 2000. Guidelines for Assessing the Effects of Proposed Projects on



Rare, Threatened, and Endangered Plants and Natural Communities. Revised May 8, 2000.

CDFW. 2009. Protocols for Surveying and Evaluating Impacts to Special Status Native Plant Populations and Natural Communities. November 24.

CDFW. 2014a. Natural Diversity Database (CNDDB), Special Animals List. State of California, The Resources Agency. January.

CDFW. 2014b. CNDDB, Special Vascular Plants, Bryophytes, and Lichens List. Quarterly Publication. 86 pp. May.

CDFW. 2014c. CNDDB, RareFind California Department of Fish and Wildlife Natural Diversity Database for nine quad area centered on Ramona California USGS 7.5-Minute Quadrangle. Sacramento, CA: California Department of Fish and Wildlife, Biogeographic Data Branch.

California Native Plant Society (CNPS). 2001. CNPS Botanical Survey Guidelines. California Native Plant Society. December 9, 1983, revised June 2, 2001

CNPS. 2014. Inventory of Rare and Endangered Plants (online edition, v8-01a). California Native Plant Society. Sacramento, CA.

Consortium of California Herbaria Website. 2011. Regents of the University of California. http://ucjeps.berkeley.edu/consortium.

Crother, B.I., J. Boundy, J. A. Campbell, K. DeQuieroz, D. Frost, D.M. Green, R. Highton, J.B. Iverson, R.W. McDiarmid, P.A. Meylan, T.W. Reeder, M.E. Seidel, J.W. Sites, S.G. Tilley, and D.B. Wake. 2003. Scientific and Standard English Names of Amphibians and Reptiles of North America North of Mexico: Update. Herpetological Review 34(3): 196-203.

Harvey, Michael J., J. Scott Altenbach, and Troy L. Best. 2011. Bats of the United States and Canada. Johns Hopkins University Press, Baltimore, Maryland.

Hickman, James C. 1993. The Jepson Manual. University of California Press, Berkeley and Los Angeles, California.

Holland, R.F. 1986. Preliminary Descriptions of the Terrestrial Natural Communities of California. California Department of Fish and Wildlife. The Resources Agency, ed., p. 156. Sacramento, CA.

Holland, V.L. and David J. Keil. 1995. California Vegetation. Kendall/Hunt Publishing Company, Dubuque, Iowa.

Oberbauer, T. and others. 2008. Terrestrial Vegetation Communities in San Diego County Based on Holland’s Descriptions. San Diego Association of Governments, San Diego, CA. March, 2008 update.

Rebman, J.P. and M.G. Simpson. 2014. Checklist of the Vascular Plants of San Diego County. 5th Edition. San Diego Natural History Museum. 129 pp.

Reiser, C.H. 2001. Rare Plants of San Diego County. Aquafir Press, Imperial Beach, California.



Sawyer, J.O., T. Keeler-Wolf, and J.M. Evens. 2009. A Manual of California Vegetation, Second Edition. California Native Plant Society, Sacramento, California.

Schuford, D.W. and T. Gardali, Editors. 2008. California Bird Species of Special Concern: A Ranked Assessment of Species, Subspecies, and Distinct Populations of Bids of Immediate Conservation Concern in California. Studies of Western Birds No. 1. Western Field Ornithologists, Camarillo, California, and California Department of Fish and Game, Sacramento.

Stebbins, Robert C. 2003. Peterson Field Guides Western Reptiles and Amphibians, 3rd edition. Houghton Mifflin Company, Boston, New York.

Unitt, P. 2004. The San Diego County Bird Atlas. Museum of Natural History. Proceeding 39.

URS Corporation [URS]. 2008. Letter Report: Biological Assessment APN 282-262-75 16th Street, Ramona, San Diego, California. Dated September 12, 2008.

URS. 2014. Letter: Site Visit to 16th Street Ramona Parcel, APN 282‐262‐75. Dated April 15.



Vascular Plant List

TABLE 2. VASCULAR PLANT LIST. The 57 species of vascular plants identified in the Study Area consist of 19 native species and 38 non-native species.

Scientific Name Common Name Special Status Origin

AMARANTHACEAE AMARANTH FAMILY Salsola tragus Russian Thistle None Non-native ASTERACEAE SUNFLOWER FAMILY Ambrosia psilostachya Western Ragweed None Native Baccharis salicifolia Mulefat None Native Gazania linearis Treasure Flower None Non-native Hedypnois cretica Crete Hedypnois None Non-native Hypochaeris glabra Smooth Cat’s Ear None Non-native Lactuca serriola Prickly Lettuce None Non-native Sonchus oleraceus Common Sow-thistle None Non-native BORAGINACEAE BORAGE FAMILY Amsinckia menziesii Rigid Fiddleneck None Native Heliotropium curassavicum

var. oculatum Salt Heliotrope None Native

BRASSICACEAE MUSTARD FAMILY Brassica nigra Black Mustard None Non-native Hirschfeldia incana Short-pod Mustard None Non-native Raphanus sativus Wild Radish None Non-native Sisymbrium irio London Rocket None Non-native CHENOPODIACEAE GOOSEFOOT FAMILY Atriplex semibaccata Austrailian Saltbrush None Non-native Atriplex suberecta Peregrine Saltbrush None Non-native Chenopodium album Lamb’s Quarters None Non-native CYPERACEAE SEDGE FAMILY Cyperus eragrostis Umbrella Sedge None Native Eleocharis macrostachya Pale Spike-rush None Native Schoenoplectus pungens

var. longispicatus Common Threesquare None Native

EUPHORBIACEAE SPURGE FAMILY Croton setiger Doveweed None Native FABACEAE LEGUME FAMILY Acmispon americanus

var. americanus Spanish-clover None Native

Acmispon micranthus Grab Lotus None Native




Medicago polymorpha California Burclover None Non-native Melilotus indicus Indian Sweetclover None Non-native Vicia americana

ssp. americana American Vetch None Native

GERANIACEAE GERANIUM FAMILY Erodium botrys Long-Beak Filaree/Storksbill None Non-native Erodium cicutarium Red-Stem Filaree/Storksbill None Non-native Erodium moschatum White-Stem Filaree/Storksbill None Non-native LAMIACEAE MINT FAMILY Trichostema lanceolatum Vinegar Weed None Native LYTHRACEAE LOOSESTRIFE FAMILY Lythrum hyssopifolia Grass Poly None Native MALVACEAE MALLOW FAMILY Malva parviflora Cheeseweed None Non-native POLYGONACEAE BUCKWHEAT FAMILY Polygonum ramosissimum

ssp. ramosissimum Bushy Knotweed None Non-native

Rumex crispus Curly Dock None Non-native POACEAE GRASS FAMILY Avena barbata Slender Wild Oat None Non-native Avena fatua Wild Oat None Non-native Bromus diandrus Rip-Gut Grass None Non-native Bromus hordeaceus Soft Chess None Non-native Bromus madritensis Compact Brome None Non-native Bromus sterilis Poverty Brome None Non-native Cynodon dactylon Bermuda Grass None Non-native Echinochloa crus-galli Common Barnyard Grass None Non-native Festuca myuros Rat-tail Fescue None Non-native Festuca perennis Perennial Rye Grass None Non-native Hordeum jubatum

ssp. jubatum Foxtail Barley None Native

Hordeum murinum ssp. leporinum Hare Barley None Non-native

Lamarckia aurea Golden-top None Non-native Lolium multiflorum Italian Ryegrass None Non-native Polypogon monspeliensis Annual Beard Grass None Non-native Schismus barbatus Mediterranean Schismus None Non-native




Secale cereale Common Rye None Non-native SALICACEA WILLOW FAMILY Populus fremontii Western Cottonwood None Native Salix exigua

var. exigua Narrow-leaf Willow None Native

Salix gooddingii Black Willow None Native Salix lasiolepis Arroyo Willow None Native TAMARICACEAE TAMARISK FAMILY Tamarix ramosissima Tamarisk None Non-native TYPHACEA CATTAIL FAMILY Typha domingensis Southern Cattail None Native



Wildlife List

TABLE 3. WILDLIFE LIST. The Special Status column indicates listing status of the organism under the Federal Endangered Species Act, the California Endangered Species Act, or by California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW).

Common Name Scientific Name Special Status

Invertebrates - 1 Species Flame skimmer Libellula saturata None

Birds – 10 Species American Crow Corvus brachyrhynchos None Common Raven Corvus corax None Say’s Phoebe Sayornis saya None House Finch Haemorhous mexicanus None California Towhee Pipilo crissalis None House Sparrow* Passer domesticus None Mourning Dove Zenaida macroura None Northern Mockingbird Mimus polyglottos None Yellow-rumped Warbler Dendroica coronata None Northern Harrier (flyover) Circus cyaneus hudsonius SSC / County Group 1

Mammals – 3 Species California Ground Squirrel

(burrows) Spermophilus beecheyi None

Coyote (scat) Canis latrans None Gopher (burrows) Thomomys bottae None

* non-native species SSC – California Species of Concern County Group 1 – locally sensitive species



Site Photographs

Photo 1. Western segment of stormwater channel dominated by non-native grasses, westward view. Date taken: April, 2015.

Photo 2. Eastern segment of stormwater drainage. Cottonwood and willow trees appear to be planted at even intervals along the southern fence line. Eastward view. Date taken: April 2015.



Photo 3. Eastern segment of stormwater drainage. Southern cattail dominates this segment of the 8-ft wide channel. Eastward view. Date taken: March 2015.

Photo 4. Central segment of stormwater drainage. Eastward view. Date taken: April 2015.



Photo 5. Culvert under 16th Street installed several years after drainage channel was installed. Westward view. Date taken: March 2015.

Photo 6. Site from across 16th Street showing grassland dominated parcel. Eastward view. Date taken: March 2015.



Photo 7. Center of the project site dominated by disturbed non-native grassland. Northeastern view. Date taken: January 2015.

Photo 8. Berm that parallels the man-made stormwater drainage channel. Westward view. Date taken: January 2015.



Figures

• Figure 1. Regional Vicinity Map

• Figure 2. USGS Topographic Map

• Figure 3. Aerial Photograph

• Figure 4. Vegetation Map

• Figure 5. General Location of Project Site (Blue Star) Relative to Nearby PAMA Lands (See page 2)

• Figure 6. CNDDB and USFWS Critical Habitat Map – Plants

• Figure 7. CNDDB and USFWS Critical Habitat Map – Animals (Multiple Occurrences)

• Figure 8. CNDDB and USFWS Critical Habitat Map – Animals (Single Occurrences)

Figure 1. Regional Vicinty Map

Map Updated: June 11, 2015, 10:17 AM

0 500 1,000250Feet µParcel

BIOLOGICAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICESALTHOUSE AND MEADE, INC.

Service Layer Credits: Sources: Esri, HERE, DeLorme, USGS, Intermap, increment P Corp.,NRCAN, Esri Japan, METI, Esri China (Hong Kong), Esri (Thailand), TomTom, MapmyIndia,© OpenStreetMap contributors, and the GIS User Community

!(

Project Location

16th Street, RamonaLansing CompaniesAPN 282-262-75

Figure 2. USGS Topographic Map


0 3,000 6,0001,500Feet µParcel


Service Layer Credits: Copyright:© 2013 National Geographic Society, i-cubedCopyright: © 2013 National Geographic Society


Figure 3. Aerial Photograph


0 200 400100Feet µParcel


Google Earth Aerial Imagery from 12/2014


Culvert

Figure 4. Vegetation Map

Map Updated: July 02, 2015, 02:27 PM

0 200 400100Feet µParcel - 2,87 acres

Hydophytic vegetation

Man-made storm water drainage

Disturbed non-native grassland


Google Earth Aerial Imagery from 12/2014


Figure 6. CNDDB and USFWS Critical Habitat Map - Plants

Map Updated: July 02, 2015, 02:45 PM

0 1 20.5Miles

µ5 Mile RadiusParcel

CNDDB OccurrencesCoulter's saltbushGander's pitcher sageLakeside ceanothusOrcutt's brodiaeaPalmer's goldenbushParish's brittlescaleParry's tetracoccusRamona horkeliaRobinson's pepper-grassSan Diego button-celerySan Diego milk-vetchSan Diego thorn-mintdelicate clarkiafelt-leaved monardellaheart-leaved pitcher sagelittle mousetailround-leaved filareesouthern tarplantspreading navarretiathread-leaved brodiaea

USFWS Critical HabitatSpreading navarretia

16th Street, RamonaLansing CompaniesAPN 282-262-75 BIOLOGICAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES

ALTHOUSE AND MEADE, INC.

Service Layer Credits: Source: Esri, DigitalGlobe, GeoEye, i-cubed,Earthstar Geographics, CNES/Airbus DS, USDA, USGS, AEX,Getmapping, Aerogrid, IGN, IGP, swisstopo, and the GIS User

Figure 7. CNDDB and USFWS Critical Habitat Map - Animals (Multiple Occurrences)

Map Updated: June 10, 2015, 12:26 PM

0 1 20.5Miles

µ5 Mile Radius

Parcel

2 Occurrencescoast horned lizardorangethroat whiptailcoastal whiptailorangethroat whiptailCoronado Island skinkwhite-tailed kiteDulzura pocket mousewestern yellow batsouthern California rufous-crowned sparrowtwo-striped garter snake

3 Occurrencescoast horned lizardcoastal whiptailorangethroat whiptail

4 Occurrencescoast horned lizardBell's sage sparrowStephen's kangaroo ratred-diamond rattlesnake

5 Occurrencescoast horned lizardpallid batcoastal California gnatcatcherhoary batorangethroat whiptailwestern small-footed myotiswestern red batwestern mastiff batYuma myotispocketed free-tailed bat

6 Occurrences Townsend's big-eared batAmerican badgerSwainson's hawkcoast horned lizardsilver-haired batrosy boahoary batYuma myotispocketed free-tailed batwestern mastiff batwestern small-footed myotiswestern red bat



Service Layer Credits: Source: Esri, DigitalGlobe, GeoEye, EarthstarGeographics, CNES/Airbus DS, USDA, USGS, AEX, Getmapping,Aerogrid, IGN, IGP, swisstopo, and the GIS User Community

USFWS Critical Habitat

Arroyo (=arroyo southwestern) toad

Coastal California gnatcatcher

San Diego fairy shrimp

Southwestern willow flycatcher

Figure 8. CNDDB and USFWS Critical Habitat Map - Animals (Single Occurrences)

Map Updated: June 10, 2015, 12:37 PM

0 1 20.5Miles

µ

5 Mile Radius

Parcel

USFWS Critical HabitatArroyo (=arroyo southwestern) toadCoastal California gnatcatcherSan Diego fairy shrimpSouthwestern willow flycatcher

CNDDB OccurrencesDulzura pocket mouseRiverside fairy shrimpSan Diego black-tailed jackrabbitSan Diego fairy shrimpStephens' kangaroo ratarroyo toadburrowing owlcoast horned lizardcoast patch-nosed snakecoastal California gnatcatcherleast Bell's vireoorangethroat whiptailrosy boasouthern California rufous-crowned sparrowtricolored blackbirdwestern mastiff batwestern spadefoot



Service Layer Credits: Source: Esri, DigitalGlobe, GeoEye, EarthstarGeographics, CNES/Airbus DS, USDA, USGS, AEX, Getmapping,Aerogrid, IGN, IGP, swisstopo, and the GIS User Community



Attachment

Black, C.H. 2006. 16th Street and Main Street Community of Ramona, San Diego County, CA - Dry season survey results for Baranchiopod (Fairy Shrimp) cysts and Comprehensive Summary. March.

16th STREET AND MAIN STREET COMMUNITY OF RAMONA

SAN DIEGO COUNTY, CALIFORNIA

DRY SEASON SURVEY RESULTS FOR

BRANCHIOPOD (FAIRY SHRIMP) CYSTS AND COMPREHENSIVE SUMMARY

UTM: !1-S: 511.581mE; 3,655,01 ImN

Prepared for

Mr, Jeffrey Bender ACSC Corp,

3679 Yah Way Bonita,CA 91902

Telephone (619) 434-4601 Facsimile (619) 434-4602

Prepared by

Pacific Southwest Biological Services, Inc P.O. Box 985 National City, CA 91951-0985 Telephone (619) 477-5333 Facsimile (619) 477-5380 E-mail: [email protected]

Dr. Charies H. Black Ecological Restoration Service 3762 Brant St.

And San Diego, CA 92103 (619)299-1964 E-mail: cblack{^sunstroke.sdsu.cdu 10(a)(1)(A) permit TE835549-4 (Effective 5/27/03-5/26/07)

PSBS #U533

10 July 2006

Dr. Charles H. Black

mailto:[email protected]

16th STREET AND MAIN STREET COMMUNITY OF RAMONA

SAN DIEGO COUNTY, CALIFORNIA

DRY SEASON SURVEY RESULTS FOR

BRANCHIOPOD (FAIRY SHRIMP) CYSTS AND COMPREHENSIVE SUMMARY

10 July 2006

INTRODUCTION This report details dry season sampling for the presence of fairy shrimp cysts on a 2.87-

acre parcel located in Ramona, Califomia. A detailed site description and background for the project is presented the first year wet season sampling report (Pacific Southwest Biological Services, Inc., 2005). Second year wet season sampling, as required by U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service protocol, was under way when the site was prematurely graded in March 2006. Sampling was suspended due to disruption of basins. A report on the partial second year wet season sampling, with a finding of no hatched fairy shrimp present, was submitted 21 March 2006 (Black 2006).

A thorough dry sampling of the site, with samples collected in the remaining basin and rut areas, and also on a giid system over areas of the site covering, and adjacent to, areas ponded in 2006, was undertaken. If there were existing fairy shrimp populations on the site, this extensive sampling should have picked up at least a few cysts, even though some basins may have been completely obscured.

METHODS The site was visited and samples were collected 5 and 6 July 2006, several weeks after

the deepest basin left on the site had dried. A loose grid of flags was placed in the central area of the property, covering the major part of the existing basins and several areas that had shallower standing water during the spring 2006 visits, prior to the premature grading. Several additional samples were taken outside the grid in order to sample the farthest extent of the large central basin. A surveyor's pin flag was placed at each sampling location (Image 1).

The location of each flag was mapped with a sub-meter accuracy Trimble GeoXT handheld global positioning system (GPS) unit. This unit has an integrated receiver that uses Wide Area Augmentation System (WAAS) messages to improve GPS accuracy. At each point a classification of the flag's location was recorded - graded area, ditch, or rut. Any aquatic plant species within approximately 30 cm of the sample location were recorded. The existing boundaries of one large central basin and one smaller basin were mapped with the Trimble unit. The data were exported through a Pathfinder computer program into Arcview shapefiles. These shapes were superimposed over an orthocorrected aerial photograph, taken in 2000, produced by the San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG).

Pacific Southwest Biological Services, Inc.

PSBS #U533

Image 1 - The dry central basin area of the site, with pin flags present in sampling locations.

Soil surfaces were broken with a geologist's hammer and approximately 150 milliliters (ml) of soil were collected in a 4 x 4 cm area, approximately 3-5 em deep, at each sampling location. Approximately 150 ml of soil were hydrated for approximately 15-45 minutes in tap water, and then washed through a set of sieves. Material passing through a Number 45 (.0139") USA Standard Testing Sieve, A.S.T.M.E.-l 1 specification, and caught on a Number 70 (.0083") Sieve, was rinsed into a container with approximately 100 ml of a saturated brine solution to float fairy sfirimp cysts. The material floating on the brine was decanted onto a paper filter on a filter funnel, and water was removed through the filter paper by vacuum suction. The material left on the paper was examined under a 6,3-570x power Olympus SZX9 Zoom Stereo Microscope. Distinctive fairy shrimp cysts, if present, were counted. Ostracode numbers were recorded to an order of magnitude, if present.

RESULTS The sampling grid covered the southem end of the larger existing basin on the site, and

the smaller basin to the east of this large basin (Figure 1). Additional ruts, probably formed during the March 2006 grading, were also sampled. A total of 102 samples were taken.

Three plant species commonly found in vemal pools and other basins in San Diego County were recorded near the sampling points (Table 1 and Figure 2). The two most widespread species, Lythrum hyssopifolium and Polypogon monspeliensis, are widespread exotic weeds. The native Eleocharis macrostachya (Image 2) is found in vemal pools and marsh areas.

Pacific Southwest Biological Services. Inc.

Classification of area of sample deep ditch graded

0 moderate rut I I Existing basins on site

Figure 1 - TTie 16th St., Ramona site, with locations of soil samples, classification of sample sites, and July 2006 existing basins on the site. Shapefiles overlain on an orthocorrected 2000 flown aerial photograph.

2a

PSBS #U533

Also observed in the deeper basin was a Cyperus species, probably non-native, and the vemal pool margin species, Juncus bufonius. None of these species are considered vemal pool indicator species by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (1997). Callitriche marginata. a native vemal pool indicator species, was observed in ponded basins by Douglas W. Allen (Pacific Southwest Biological Services, Inc., 2005) in 2005 and by Chuck Black of ERS in March 2006. This species is rarely apparent after basin drying.

Table 1 - Aquatic plant species found near sample points. Number of Sample

Species Points with Species

Lythrum hyssopifolium 28 Polypogon monspeliensis 10 Eleocharis macrostachya 7

Image 2 - DrieJ ,.i\c'<i v. v .i.. .. v-a im :Miowing cracking of clay soils and a small patch of rush, Eleocharis mcroslachya.

Ostracodes were found in numbers of less than ten to over 1000 in 19 of the 102 samples (Figure 3). Larger numbers were found in the deeper locations, though quantitative elevation data of samples was not collected. Tadpoles, ostracodes, aquatic beetles, and aquatic beetle larvae were observed in the ponded areas of the deeper basin in June 2005. Ostracode species are not easy to identify. Many species of ostracodes are considered vemal pool indicators by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (1997).

No distinctive Branchinecta cysts were found in any samples.

Pacific Southwest Biological Services. Inc.

Figure 2 - Numbers of aquatic plant species found within 30 cm of sampling points.

3a

PSBS #U533

DISCUSSION Although wet season sampling for a second season was prematurely terminated by site

grading in March 2006, basins had been observed during the part of the 2005-06 season when hatched shrimp were most likely to be apparent, if present in basins. Fairy shrimp hatched repeatedly with several fillings at a location approximately 800 feet from the site during the time the basins on this site were observed (personal observation). The lack of any hatched shrimp in the extended 2004-05 season, and the total absence of cysts present in any of the samples from .^ the 2006 dry season, suggest very strongly that there has not been a viable San Diego fairy shrimp population present on this site for some time, since cysts can persist in the soil for decades. The presence of aquatic plant species, ostracodes, and other typical vemal pool fauna in the deeper central basin and in other areas that were sampled show that some proportion of samples were taken in areas that should have had fairy shrimp cysts present, if there had been a shrimp population on the site.


Ostracode numbers in sample none 1s

# 10s # 100s # 10005

|~~1 Existing basins on site

Figure 3 - Estiimates of ostracode numbers in sauries from the site.

4a

PSBS #U533

REFERENCES

Black, Chuck. 2006. 16th STREET AND MAIN STREET COMMUNITY OF RAMONA SAN DIEGO COUNTY, CALIFORNIA: PARTIAL SECOND WET SEASON SURVEY RESULTS FOR LISTED BRANCHIOPOD (FAIRY SHRIMP) SPECIES. Report submitted to Pacific Southwest 21 March 2006. 5 pp.

Pacific Southwest Biological Services, Inc. 2005. 16th STREET AND MAIN STREET COMMUNITY OF RAMONA SAN DIEGO COUNTY, CALIFORNIA; FIRST WET SEASON SURVEY RESULTS FOR LISTED BRANCHIOPOD (FAIRY SHRIMP) SPECIES. 4 pp.

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Los Angeles District, South Pacific Division. 1997. Special Public Nofice Regional General Conditions to the Nationwide Permits. November 25, 1997. 10 pp.


Documents

SDC PDS RCVD 08-28-15 - San Diego County, · PDF filedocument follows the Jepson Manual, Second Edition ... Grasshopper Sparrow : ... Stephen's Kangaroo Rat