HomeMy WebLinkAboutSDP 2018-0007; VALLEY VIEW; PALEONTOLOGICAL RESOURCE SURVEY; 2019-11-04PALEONTOLOGICAL RESOURCE SURVEY REPORT
VALLEY VIEW PROJECT
PREPARED FOR:
SOLOMON LEVY
LAND DEVELOPMENT, LLC
P.O. BOX 12409
EL CAJON. CALIFORNIA 92022
PREPARED BY:
RED TAIL ENVIRONMENTAL. INC.
2627 ARIANE DRIVE
SAN DIEGO. CALIFORNIA 92117
~ity of Carlsbad
DEC 2 6 2019
~anning Division
N. SCOTT RUGH. M.S .. PALEONTOLOGICAL PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
JENNIFER M. DICENZO. B.S .. PALEONTOLOGICAL FIELD MANAGER
NOVEMBER 4, 2019
Table of Contents
MANAGEMENT SUMMARY ............................................................................................................................... 2
INTRODUCTION................................................... . ................... 2
Project Description ........................................ . . .................... 3
Project Personnel ........................................................................................................................................ 3
REGULATORY CONTEXT .................................................................................................................................... 3
California Environmental Quality Act Of 1970 ............................................................................................. 3
Public Resources Code........................................ . ............. 3
City of Carlsbad General Plan ........................... .
Definition and Significance of Paleontological Resources ..
Paleontological Resources Sensitivity Criteria ................... .
RESEARCH METHODS ...................................... .
Museum Record Search .......................... .
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Literature and Geological Map Review ........................................................................................................ 6
Field Survey .................................................................................................................................................. 6
RESULTS. . ................... 7
Geologic Setting .................. . . ................... 7
Stratigraphy ............................... . . ...... 7
Point Loma Formation ................. . . ....... 7
Lusardi Formation ............................................................. . ·································7
Museum Record Search and literature Results ................... . . .................................... 8
Field Survey Results ...................................................................................................................................... 8
CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS ...................................................................................................... 9
REFERENCES CITED ................... . . .......................... 10
TABLES AND FIGURES .............. . . .................... 11
Table 1. Valley View Survey Information Table ......................................................................................... 11
Figure 1. Project Location................................................................................................................ . ..... 12
Figure 2. Project Area................................................................................................. . ...... 13
Figure 3. Geology of Project Area .............................................................................................................. 14
Figure 4. North section of survey area, looking south ............................................................................... lS
Figure 5. South section of the survey area, looking north ......................................................................... 15
APPENDIX A ................................................................................................................................................... 16
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MANAGEMENT SUMMARY
The purpose of this study was to determine the potential effects on paleontological resources of the
proposed Valley View Project (project). This study was performed in accordance with the guidelines set
forth by the City of Carlsbad in compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). A
summary of the assessment is summarized in Table 1.
The project involves construction of an approximately 11,977 square foot industrial office building on a
portion of an existing 6.34-acre parcel located on the north side of Palmer Way between Cougar Drive and
Impala Drive. The property is presently vacant and on the shoulder of an existing, fully improved industrial
public street. Development of the proposed office building will impact an estimated 25 percent of the site,
with the remaining 75 percent of the site to be preserved as natural open space. The steep slope areas
will be preserved in their natural state, except for fire suppression thinning, which is a requirement of the
City of Carlsbad.
The paleontologically sensitive rock units underlying the project area in the vicinity of Palmer Way are
mapped as Late Cretaceous Point Loma Formation underlain by Upper Cretaceous Lusardi Formation. The
field survey conducted by Red Tail paleontologists confirmed that the site has been previously graded and
only previously disturbed dirt can be observed at the surface.
Per the requirements stated in the Tribal, Cultural and Paleontological Guidelines (City of Carlsbad, 2017),
the record search and survey results have been reviewed by a qualified paleontologist knowledgeable
about local geology and paleontology with specific expertise in the type of fossils being evaluated. Any
proposed excavation activity that extends deep enough to encounter previously undisturbed deposits
have the potential to adversely impact nonrenewable paleontological resources. Due to the high
paleontological sensitivity of the Point Loma Formation and the moderate paleontological sensitivity of
the Lusardi Formation in San Diego County (Demere and Walsh, 1993), in addition to the numerous
previously documented fossil collection localities near the project site, implementation of a complete
paleontological resource mitigation program during subsurface excavation activity is recommended.
In addition, it is recommended that the plan require the adoption of a standard unanticipated discovery
measure that instructs construction personnel to immediately halt ground-disturbing activity at the
location of a suspected paleontological exposure plus a SO-foot radius buffer around the discovery, per
City of Carlsbad guidelines, and work shall be halted within the buffer until the City can consult with a
qualified paleontologist on the identification and evaluation of the find.
INTRODUCTION
This document summarizes the results of the paleontological assessment survey conducted by Red Tail
Environmental (Red Tail) for Land Development LLC, in preparation of anticipated excavation activities
associated with construction of the project. The purpose of this study was to determine the potential
effects on paleontological resources of the proposed project. This study was performed in accordance
with the guidelines set forth by the City of Carlsbad in compliance with the California Environmental
Quality Act (CEQA).
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Project Description
The project involves construction of an approximately 11,977 square foot industrial office building on a
portion of an existing 6.34-acre parcel located on the north side of Palmer Way between Cougar Drive and
Impala Drive in the City of Carlsbad, San Diego County, California (Figures 1 and 2). The property is
presently vacant and on the shoulder of an existing, fully improved industrial public street. Development
of the proposed office building will impact an estimated 25 percent of the site, with the remaining 75
percent of the site being preserved as natural open space. The steep slope areas will be preserved in their
natural state, except for fire suppression thinning, which is a requirement of the City of Carlsbad. The two~
story building includes an office floor over a parking floor that provides a total of 46 parking spaces. The
plan also includes an outdoor employee eating area as well as a common patio area on the northern side
of the building. All of the necessary utilities to accommodate the proposed development will also be
installed as part of construction.
Project Personnel
N. Scott Rugh served as Principal Investigator for this survey and Jennifer M. OiCenzo served as the Project
Manager. The survey was performed by N. Scott Rugh and Jennifer M. DiCenzo. Spencer G. Bietz and
Jennifer M. DiCenzo completed the GIS report maps. This report was prepared by N. Scott Rugh and
Jennifer M. OiCenzo.
REGULATORY CONTEXT
The following is a discussion of applicable laws that protect all vertebrate fossils and any unique
paleontological locality.
California Environmental Quality Act Of 1970
CEOA clearly defines the state's policy to "take all action necessary to provide the people of this state
with ... historic environmental qualities." CEOA further states that public or private projects financed or
approved by the state are subject to environmental review. All such projects, unless entitled to an
exemption, may proceed only after this requirement has been satisfied. CEOA requires detailed studies
to analyze the environmental effects of any proposed project. In the event that a project is determined to
have a potentially significant environmental effect, the act requires that alternative plans and mitigation
measures be considered. If paleontological resources are identified as being within the proposed project
area, the sponsoring agency must take those resources into consideration when evaluating project effects.
State guidelines require that all private and public activities not specifically exempted be evaluated for
the potential to adversely impact the environment, which includes impacts to paleontological resources.
Public Resources Code
Paleontological resources are limited, nonrenewable resources of scientific and educational value, which
are afforded protection under state laws and regulations. This study satisfies requirements of Public
Resources Code Section 5097.5, in accordance with state guidelines which state that no person shall
knowingly and willfully excavate upon, or remove, destroy, injure or deface any historic or prehistoric
ruins, burial grounds, archaeological or vertebrate paleontological site, including fossilized footprints,
inscriptions made by human agency, or any other archaeological, paleontological or historical feature,
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situated on public lands, except with the express permission of the public agency having jurisdiction over
said lands. Violation of this section is a misdemeanor. This analysis also complies with guidelines and
significance criteria specified by the Society of Vertebrate Paleontology (2010).
City of Carlsbad General Plan
The City's Draft General Plan Update (2014) specifies policies to reduce impacts to paleontological
resources. The Proposed Arts, History, Culture and Education Element of the Draft General Plan Update
(2014) statement regarding paleontological (and archaeological) resources is summarized as follows:
Implement the City of Carlsbad Cultural Resources Guidelines to avoid or substantially reduce
impacts to paleontological (and archaeological) resources;
During construction of specific development projects, require monitoring of grading, ground-
disturbing, and other major earth-moving activities in previously undisturbed areas or in areas
with known paleontological (or archaeological) resources by a qualified professional, (as well
as tribal monitor, if applicable). A qualified professional (and tribal monitor, if applicable) shall
observe grading, ground-disturbing, and other earth-moving activities (City of Carlsbad,
2014).
Definition and Significance of Paleontological Resources
Paleontological resources, or fossils, are the buried remains and traces of once-living organisms preserved
in the geological formations within which they were originally buried. These include bones, teeth, shells,
wood, leaf impressions, footprints, burrows and microscopic remains. Fossils are typically older than
10,000 years but remains of early Holocene age can also be considered to represent fossils because they
represent a record of life in the past. Additionally, the localities of the fossil collections and the geological
formations containing those localities are also considered paleontological resources.
Fossils are considered non-renewable resources because typically the organisms they represent no longer
exist, and once destroyed can never be replaced. Fossils are important scientifically and educationally
because they are evidence of prehistoric life on Earth. Paleontologists use fossils remains to better
understand aspects of paleoenvironments and paleoclimates, to study patterns and processes of
evolution and extinction, and to determine relationships between extinct and extant organisms. Fossil
resources vary widely in their relative abundance and distribution and not all are regarded as significant.
Preserved vertebrate fossils remains or track ways are classed as significant by most state and federal
agencies and professional groups (and are specifically protected under the California Public Resources
Code). In many cases, fossils of plants or invertebrate animals are also considered significant and can
provide important information about ancient local environments.
Paleontological resources that may be considered not to have scientific significance include those that
lack provenience or context, lack phystcal integrity due to decay or natural erosion, or that are overly
redundant or are otherwise not useful for research. The full significance of fossil specimens or fossil
assemblages cannot be accurately predicted before they are collected, and in many cases, before they are
prepared in the laboratory and compared with previously collected fossils. Pre-construction assessment
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of significance associated with an area or formation must be made based on previous finds, characteristics
of the sediments, and other methods that can be used to determine depositional conditions.
The Tribal, Cultural and Paleontological Guidelines (City of Carlsbad, 2017) state that fossils are considered
to be significant if one or more of the following criteria apply:
The fossils provide information on the evolutionary relationships and developmental trends
among organisms, living or extinct;
The fossils provide data useful in determining the age(s) of the rock unit or sedimentary
stratum, including data important in determining the depositional history of the region and the
timing of geologic events therein;
The fossils provide data regarding the development of biological communities or interaction
between paleobotanical and paleozoological biotas;
The fossils demonstrate unusual or spectacular circumstances in the history of life;
The fossils are in short supply and/or in danger of being depleted or destroyed by the elements,
vandalism, or commercial exploitation, and are not found in other geographic locations; and/or,
All identifiable vertebrate fossils are considered significant due to the rarity of their
preservation.
Paleontological Resources Sensitivity Criteria
The following is a list of definitions for high, moderate, low, marginal, and no paleontological resource
potential, or sensitivity, as set forth in the County of San Diego's Guidelines for Determining Significance
(2007) with respect to paleontological resources, as required by the City of Carlsbad Tribal, Cultural and
Paleontological Guidelines.
High Resource Sensitivity
High resource potential or high sensitivity are assigned to geologic formations known to contain
paleontological localities with rare, well preserved, critical fossil remains for stratigraphic or
paleoenvironmental interpretation, and fossils providing important information about the paleoclimatic,
paleobiotogical, and phylogeny of animal and plant groups. Generally, formations with high resource
sensitivity are considered to have the most potential to produce unique invertebrate fossil assemblages
or unique vertebrate fossil materials.
Moderate Resource Sensitivity
Moderate resource potential or moderate sensitivity are assigned to geologic formations known to
contain paleontological localities, or they are considered to have a strong, even if yet unproven locally,
potential for producing unique fossils.
Low Resource Sensitivity
low resource potential or low sensitivity are assigned to geologic formations that are considered unlikely
to produce unique fossil remains based on their relatively young age and high-energy depositional history.
However, when fossils are found in these formations, they are often very significant additions to our
understanding of the geologic history of this region. Occasionally, deeper excavations into sediments
mapped as young alluvium can penetrate into Pleistocene age deposits that do yield fossils.
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Marginal Resource Sensitivity
Marginal resource potential or marginal sensitivity are assigned to geologic formations that are composed
of either volcaniclastic or metasedimentary rocks, but regardless have limited probability for producing
fossils from certain formations at localized outcrops. Volcaniclastic rock can contain organisms that were
fossilized by being covered with ash, dust, mud, or other debris from volcanoes. Metasedimentary rocks
are sedimentary rocks that have been metamorphosed by heat or pressure caused by volcanoes or
plutons. If those sedimentary rocks contained fossils, then some of those fossil may have survived the
metamorphism and still be identifiable. Regardless, the probability of this actually happening is so limited,
these formations are considered to be marginally sensitive for paleonto1ogic resources.
No Resource Sensitivity
No resources sensitivity or no resource potential is assigned to geologic formations that are composed
entire of volcanic or plutonic igneous rock and therefore do not have any potential for producing fossil
remains. These formations have no paleontological resource potential and have no paleontological
sensitivity. Artificial fill materials, for instance, are assigned no pa1eontologica1 sensitivity or potential.
RESEARCH METHODS
Museum Record Search
A record search was completed by the San Diego Natural History Museum (SDNHM) on October 28th, 2019
(Appendix A). The purpose of the museum record search is to determine whether there are any known
fossil localities that occur within or adjacent to the project area, identify the sensitivity of geological
formations present within the project area, and determine whether a paleontological mitigation program
is warranted to avoid or minimize potential adverse impacts of construction on paleontological resources.
Literature and Geological Map Review
The purpose of the literature searches was to determine whether any previously recorded fossil localities
occur within the project area and to research the paleontological potential, stratigraphy, and general
geology of the formation within the project area based on research that has been completed elsewhere
in the City of Carlsbad or within San Diego County. The literature review included published scientific
papers that were found at the library of the Biodiversity Research Center of the Californias (BRCC),
SDNHM, and on the internet. The purpose of the geologic map review was to determine the names and
number of geologic formations and surficial deposits within the project area, and their geographic
distribution. The geologic map reviewed included Kennedy and Tan (2007).
Field Survey
The objective of the field survey was to document all scientifically important surface fossils within the
project area. The field survey took place on October 28th, 2019 and examined the exposed flat surface of
the project area. The north edge of the project drops too steeply into the adjacent canyon and is too
densely covered in vegetation to be visually inspected. Field survey protocol included a pedestrian
examination of all safely accessible fossil-bearing formational exposures and outcrops.
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RESULTS
The result of the paleontological assessment performed by Red Tail was negative and no fossils localities
were collected. The results of the field work and research are presented below.
Geologic Setting
The project area is located within the Coastal Plain geomorphic region of San Diego County west of the
Peninsular Ranges region. The Coastal Plain geomorphic region is underlain by alternating marine and
non-marine sedimentary rock units that are the result of 140 million years of geologic history in San Diego
(Gastil and Higley, 1977). These ancient rock units are presently preserved at elevations up to 1,200 feet
above current sea level, and though faulting has broken up many of these rock units in the southwestern
portion of San Diego, these same rock units north of La Jolla remain relatively undeformed (Demere and
Walsh, 1993).
Stratigraphy
The paleontologically sensitive rock units underlying the project area in the vicinity of Palmer Way are
mapped as Late Cretaceous Point Loma Formation underlain by Upper Cretaceous Lusardi Formation
(Kennedy and Tan, 2007). Both formations and their paleontological sensitivity are described below and
the geology of the project vicinity is shown in Figure 3. The project area has been modified due to previous
construction of the adjacent road and retail development. Only previously displaced or graded dirt with
modern trash and organic debris was observed on the surface during the survey. No previously
undisturbed stratigraphy could be observed. Is it possible that outcrops showing stratigraphy of Lusardi
or Point Loma Formation exists beyond the open space graded at the peak of this site, but the edges of
this location were too steep and densely covered in chaparral to be visually inspected.
Point Loma Formation
The Point Loma Formation consists of alternating layers of bluish-gray shale, mudstone, and sandstone
(Kennedy and Moore, 1971; Nilsen and Abbott, 1981). This formation is exposed in the sea cliffs along
both sides of the Point Loma Peninsula, and in the sea cliffs from Bird Rock north to La Jolla Shores and is
275 feet thick. The Point Loma Formation was deposited on the sea floor during the late Cretaceous
approximately 75 million years ago. Well-preserved fossil remains of numerous types of marine
invertebrates such as nautiloids and ammonites have been discovered in this formation (Sundberg, 1981;
Sundberg and Riney, 1984; Popenoe and Saul, 1987) and has produced sparse remains of terrestrial plants
and dinosaurs including hadrosaur and nodosaur (Demere, 1988).
Lusardi Formation
The Lusardi Formation was deposited during the late Cretaceous approximately 80 million years ago by
alluvial fans along the western margin of the coastal mountain range (Nordstrom, 1970). It consists of
reddish-brown, poorly sorted sandy pebble and boulder conglomerate with occasional lenses of arkosic
sandstone (Demere and Walsh, 1993). The maximum observed thickness of the Lusardi Formation is 41S
feet thick in the Rancho Santa Fe area. Small fragments of plant material have been collected from
exposures in Carlsbad but no identifiable fossils have been recovered. However, the age and terrestrial
depositional setting of this rock unit suggests the potential for containing dinosaurs and other terrestrial
vertebrates (Demere and Walsh, 1993). This formation is exposed in Lusardi Canyon and La Zanja Canyon
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near Rancho Santa Fe, along Poway east of Poway, in Alpine, Near the San Vicente Reservoir ad east of
Palomar Airport in Carlsbad (Demere and Walsh, 1993).
Museum Record Search and Literature Results
A paleontological record search and map review for this project was completed at the SDNHM and is
included with this report {Appendix A). The results of the record search and map review were analyzed
and both geologic units within the project area were subsequently assigned a paleontological resource
sensitivity. The SDNHM has 73 recorded fossil localities within one mile of the project site. Four of those
localities are from the Pleistocene-age Bay Point Formation, which is not anticipated to be present or
within the project boundary or impacted during construction. The remaining sixty-nine localities are from
the Point Loma Formation, which is anticipated to be present within the project boundary and is likely to
be impacted by project construction.
The 69 fossils recorded from Point Loma Formation yielded trace fossils burrows and borings, impressions
or remains of plants and marine invertebrates and vertebrates, and terrestrial vertebrates. The Point
Loma Formation provides one of the best late Cretaceous fossil records, which includes the marine reptile
mosasaurs (SDNHM, 2019), and some of the only know dinosaurs found in California {Coombs and
Demere, 1996; Demere, 1988; Ford and Kirkland, 2001). The Point Loma Formation has also yielded a
diverse assemblage of ancient marine invertebrates such as clams, snails, crabs, urchins, nautiluses and
ammonites {Popenoe and Saul, 1987; Sundberg, 1979, 1981; Sundberg and Riney, 1984). This formation
has been assigned a high paleontological sensitivity.
The Point Loma Formation provides one of the best late Cretaceous fossil records, which includes the
marine reptile mosasaurs (SDNHM, 2019), and some of the only know dinosaurs found in California
{Coombs and Demere, 1996; Demere, 1988; Ford and Kirkland, 2001). The Point Loma Formation has also
yielded a diverse assemblage of ancient marine invertebrates such as clams, snails, crabs, urchins,
nautiluses and ammonites {Popenoe and Saul, 1987; Sundberg, 1979, 1981; Sundberg and Riney, 1984).
This formation has been assigned a high paleontological sensitivity.
The SDNHM does not have fossil localities from the Lusardi Formation within a one-mile radius of the
project site. Only small plant material fragments have been collected from the Lusardi Formation in
Carlsbad, but the age of this geologic unit and its terrestrial depositional setting implies the potential for
preserving dinosaurs and other terrestrial vertebrates. Therefore, the Lusardi Formation is assigned a
moderate pa1eontological sensitivity.
Field Survey Results
The property is a narrow strip of land about a quarter mile long at the edge of a steep sided canyon at
least 150 feet deep. The widest part of the project site is only around a couple hundred feet wide.
Vegetation covering the flat part of the project area includes invasive grasses and weeds, Russian Thistle,
Eucalyptus trees and an occasional Lemonade Berry or Laurel Sumac Plant, which obstructed the view of
the ground surface approximately SO percent in most areas (Figures 4 and S).
The ground cover appears to be 100 percent previously disturbed fill at the surface, consisting of brownish
silty sand. Many types of rocks can be observed on this surface, including a moderate amount of rounded
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igneous rocks ranging in size from pebbles to small cobbles. In some places there is decomposed granitic
rock consisting of some disintegrating pieces and loose granitic sand. In other places are chunks of a
chalky, calcareous sediment containing medium-to coarse-grained angular quartz sand. In the northern
part of the project area were pieces of a concreted silty mudstone ranging in size from a couple smaller
plum sized fragments to a larger chunk about 8 inches long. This largest piece was buried up to one surface
and needed to be pried out to examine. An external mold of a single valve of the Cretaceous-age bivalve
fndogrammatadon sp. about 35 mm in length was identified on the large piece. Two of the smaller rocks
had fossils as well, but could not be identified beyond being bivalve or gastropod, though one of the small
fossils may be an infant of a giant Cretaceous mussel.
Generally, the rock material examined at the surface on the project site, including the fossil-bearing
concreted blocks containing Cretaceous fossil mollusk are most likely part of fill material, since they are
isolated occurrences. However, the presence of the fossils, which most likely were obtained from
sediment from some nearby property, indicate the potential for finding Cretaceous-age marine rock units
at the project site, if excavation work goes deep enough.
CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
Past projects worked by the San Diego Natural History Museum in Carlsbad near the Valley View project
site have included excavation work in the Eocene-age Santiago Formation, including Bressi Ranch and the
Lowe's Home Improvement Center near the airport to the south, and many separate projects mostly to
the immediate west of the project site in the Cretaceous-age Point Loma Formation.
This survey and fossil resources assessment has complied fully with all regulatory requirements pertaining
to paleontological resources. No fossil localities were discovered during the survey. However, the high
paleontological sensitivity of the Point Loma Formation and moderate paleontological sensitivity of the
Lusardi Formation (Demere and Walsh, 1993) suggest the potential for construction activity related to the
project to result in impacts to paleontological resources. Implementation of a complete paleontological
resource mitigation program is recommended for any proposed excavation, drilling or trenching activity
that extends deep enough to encounter previously undisturbed fossiliferous deposits in order to ensure
that potential impacts are reduced to a less than significant level.
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REFERENCES CITED
City of Carlsbad. 2014. City of Carlsbad General Plan Update.
City of Carlsbad, 2017. "Carlsbad Tribal, Cultural, and Paleontological Resource Guidelines." P. 57-60
County of San Diego. 2007. "Guidelines for Determining Significance, Paleontological Resources." County
of San Diego Department of Planning and Land Use, Department of Public Works. March 19,
2007; modified January 15, 2009.
Coombs, W.P., and T.A. Demere. 1996. A Late Cretaceous nodosaurid ankylosaur (Dinosauria:
Ornithischia) from marine sediments of Coastal California. Journal of Paleontology 70: 311-326.
Demere, T.A. 1988. An armored dinosaur from Carlsbad. Environment Southwest 523: 12-15.
Demere, T.A. and Walsh, S.L. 1993. Paleontological Resources, County of San Diego. Prepared for the
San Diego Planning Commission: 1-68.
Ford, T.l., and J.I. Kirkland. 2001. Carlsbad ankylosaur (Ornithischia, Ankylosauria): an ankylosaurid and
not a nodosaurid. In, K. Carpenter (ed.), The Armored Dinosaurs. Indiana University Press,
Bloomington, pp. 239-260.
Gastil, R.G., and R. Higley. 1977. Guide to San Diego Area Stratigraphy. San Diego State University,
Department of Geological Sciences, p. 62.
Kennedy, M.P., and Tan, S.S. 2007. Geologic Map of the Oceanside 30' x 60' Quadrangle, California.
California Geological Survey, Regional Geologic Map Series 1:100,000 scale, map no. 2.
Kennedy, M.P., and G.W. Moore. 1971. Stratigraphic relations of upper Cretaceous and Eocene
formations, San Diego coastal area, California. American Association of Petroleum Geologists,
Bulletin 55:709-722.
Nilsen, T.H., and P.l. Abbott. 1981. Paleogeography and sedimentology of Upper Cretaceous turbidites,
San Diego, California. American Association of Petroleum Geologists, Bulletin 65:1256-1284.
Nordstrom, C.E. 1970. Lusardi formation -a post-batholithic Cretaceous conglomerate north of San
Diego, California. Geological Society of America, Bulletin 81:601-605.
Popenoe, W.P., and LR. Saul.1987. Evolution and classification of the late Cretaceous-early Tertiary
gastropod Perissitys. Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County, Contributions in Science
380: 1-37.
San Diego Natural History Museum (SDNHM), 2019. Paleontological Records Search -Valley View
Project.
Society of Vertebrate Paleontology (SVP)
2010 Standard Procedures for the Assessment and Mitigation of Adverse Impacts to
Paleontological Resources. Society of Vertebrate Paleontology. Impact Mitigation Guidelines
Revision Committee. Pages 1-11.
Sundberg, F.A. 1979. Upper Cretaceous macrofossils of San Diego. In, P.l. Abbott (ed.). Geological
Excursions in the Southern California Area. San Diego State University, Department of Geological
Sciences Fieldtrip Guidebook, pp. 173-175.
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Sundberg, F.A. 1981. Cretaceous Lithophaga (Mollusca: Bivalvia) from the west coast of North America.
Journal of Paleontology 55: 901-902.
Sundberg, F.A., and B.O. Riney. 1984. Preliminary report on the upper Cretaceous macro-invertebrate
faunas near Carlsbad, California. In, P.L Abbott (ed.), Upper Cretaceous Depositional Systems,
Southern California -Northern Baja California. Society of Economic Paleontologists and
Mineralogists, Pacific Section 36: 103-107.
TABLES AND FIGURES
Project Name Valley View
Project Description Paleontological pedestrian survey of the Valley View project area on Palmer Way
Survey Date{s) October 28'", 2019
Project Area(s) City of Carlsbad, San Diego County, California. The Project site is bordered to the west by
Palmer Way and on all other sides by undeveloped land.
Location (PlSS) and Land Quarter-Quarter Section Township Range Agency/ Owner
Owner/Managing Agency Unknown Unknown 12S 4W City of Carlsbad
Topographic Map(s) San Luis Rey Quad 7.5' USGS
Geologic Map{s) Kennedy and Tan, 2007
Formation & Map Symbol ... Paleontological Sensitivity
Mapped Geologic Kp: Point Loma Formation Upper (Late) Cretaceous High Formation(s) and Age
Kl: Lusardi Formation Upper (Late) Cretaceous Moderate
Surveyor(s) N. Scott Rugh and Jennifer M. DiCenzo
Documented Fossil The SDNHM has 73 recorded fossil localities within one mile of the project site: four localities
Localities within 1 mile from the Pleistocene-age Bay Point Formation, which is not anticipated to be impacted during
project construction, and 69 localities from the Point Loma Formation.
Surface Survey Results Negative
No in situ fossils were recovered during the survey, only fossils on isolated rocks from an
Recommendatlon(s) unknown fill origin were observed on the surface; however, a paleontological monitoring
program should be developed for any future work that has the potential to adversely impact
paleontologically sensitive sediments in the vicinity of the project area.
Table 1. Valley View Survey Information Table.
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APPENDIX A
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28 October 2019
Jennifer DiCenzo
Red Tail Environmental, Inc.
2627 Ariane Drive
San Diego, CA 92117
RE: Pa!eontological Records Search-Valley View Project
Dear Ms. DiCenzo:
This letter presents the results of a paleontological records search conducted for the Valley View
Project (Project), located in the City of Carlsbad, San Diego County, California. The Project site is
bordered to the west by Palmer Way and on all other sides by undeveloped land.
A review of published geological maps covering the Project site and surrounding area was
conducted to determine the specific geologic units underlying the Project site. Each geologic unit was
subsequently assigned a pa!eontological resource sensitivity (Demere and Walsh, 1993). In addition, a
search of the paleontological collection records housed at the San Diego Natura! History Museum
(SDNHM) was conducted in order to determine if any documented fossil collection localities occur at the
Project site or within the immediate surrounding area.
Geologic Rock Units Underlying the Project Site
Published geological reports {e.g., Kennedy and Tan, 2007) covering the Project area indicate
that the Project site is underlain by the late Cretaceous-age Point Loma Formation and Lusardi
Formation. These geologic units and their paleontological sensitivities are summarized below. The
SDNHM has 73 recorded fossil localities within one mile of the Project site. Four of these localities are
from the Pleistocene-age Bay Point Formation, which is not anticipated to be impacted by Project
construction. The remaining 69 localities are from the Point Loma Formation, and are discussed in
greater detail below.
Point Loma Formation -The marine deposits of the late Cretaceous-age (approximately 75
million years old) Point Loma Formation underlie Project site in the vicinity of Palmer Way. The SDNHM
has 69 recorded fossil localities from the Point Loma Formation within a 1-mile radius of the Project site.
These localities yielded trace fossils (e.g., shell-lined burrows in matrix, and bryozoan, sponge, and clam
borings in shell) and impressions or remains of plants (e.g., leaf, seed, and wood impressions of vascular
plants, including cycads and relatives of the extant monkey puzzle tree} and marine invertebrates (e.g.,
foraminifers, bryozoans, brachiopods, annelid worms, snails, clams, mussels, oysters, tusk shells,
chitons, ammonites, nautiloids, scalpel lid barnacles, ostracods, shrimp, crabs, and sea urchins), marine
vertebrates {e.g., sharks, rays, and bony fish), and terrestrial vertebrates (e.g., turtles, hadrosaurs, and a
partial skeleton of the ankylosaur Aletope/ta coombsi. The Point Loma Formation provides one of the
best records of late Cretaceous fossils known from California, including some of the only known
dinosaurs from the state (Coombs and Demere, 1996; Demere, 1988; Ford and Kirkland, 2001).
Discovered fossils include marine vertebrates such as sharks, bony fish, and mosasaurs, as well as rare
terrestrial plants, duck-billed dinosaurs (hadrosaurs), and armored dinosaurs (ankylosaurs) (Coombs and
P.O. BOX 121390, SAN DIEGO, CA 92112-1390
SDNAT.ORG 619.232.3821 619 232.0248
Localtty Number Locality Name
5002 La Costa Development
4493 -Sunny Creek lrS
4494 Sunny Creek #6
4495 Sunny Creek •5
2662 El Camino Real
2938 Carlsbad • Madonna H,11
2998 Letterbox C.,nyon
3162 Carlsbad Rttearth Center
3387 Cotltae Boul=rd • Sit• 2 lA Roadcut
3392 Coilege Boulevard• Donosaur Quarry-Site 31
3402 Carlsbad Research Center • Site 28
3403 Carlsbad Research Center• Site 29
3404 Carlsbad Rosearch Center, Pad 76 • Site 30
3405 Coilege Boul=rd
3454 College Boulovard • Site 24
3458 C.rlsbad Research Centeo • Pad 49 • S,te 26
4071 Taytor Made Golf Facd,ty "ma,n s11e•
4072 Taylor Made Golf Faclhty • •crab Hill"
4073 Taylor-Made Golf Faclllty • "Driving Range•
4162 Marriott Rosldence Inn-Faraday/College
4463 Carlsbad Corporate Center
4464 Carlsbad Corporate Center
4465 carlsbad Corporate Center
4466 Carlsbad Corporate Center
4467 Flm Mechanical
4488 Sunny Creek U
4489 Sunny Creek #2
4490 Sunny Creek #3
4491 Sunny Creek #4
5756 Clay Pot, Carlsbad • Holden O<tratod Types
5760 Fox-MIiier • fat Ammonlte Bed
5777 Faraday Avenue Extension
5778 Faraday Avenue Extension
5779 Faraday Avenue Extension
5794 Fox-Moller
Appendix: Locality Ll■t
San Du~go Natura.I Huitory Museum
Department of Paleon1ology
Location Elevation (Ifft)
Oty of San Otego, San O.eao County, C.hfornla 300
City of Carlsbad, San Dieco County, Caftfornla 120
Coty of Carlsbad, San Diego County, California 120
City of eartsbad, San Dlego County, Callfornoa 112
San Oi~o u,unty, Cahtornia 260
Cfty of Carlsbad, San O.eao County, Cahfom,a
San Diego County, Cahfornla 120
City of Carlsbad, San Dle10 County, California 280
San O.ego County, Californ11 175
Coty of Carlsbad, San Otego County, C..hforn,a 163
City of Carlsbad, San Diego County, California 160
City of Carlsbad, San Diego County, C.lifornla 148
Qty of Carlsbad, San O.qo County, California 168
Coty of Carlsbad, San Dieso County, Caloforni<I 150
City of carlsbad, San Diego County, California 248
Oty of Carlsbad, San Diego County, California 255
City of Carlsbad, San O.eao County, California 150
City of cartsbad, San Diego County, California 140
City of Carlsbad, San Diego County, California 170
City of Carlsbad, San Diego u,unty, Calffom,a 25S
City of C.rlsbad, San Ooeao County, California 320
Oty of Carlsb.Jd, San O.tao County, California 322
City of Carlsbad, San Diego County, California 220
City of Carlsbad, San Diego County, California 31S
City of Carlsbad, San ~o County, Clldorn,a 260
City of Carlsbad, San Diego County, California 220
City of Carlsbad, San Dlego County, California 2.20
City of C.rtsbad, San Diego County, Cllifornia 260
City of C..rtsbad, San ~o County, CalofornM1 140
City of Carlsbad, San Dleao County, California
City of Carlsbad, San Diego County, C.llfornla 194
City of Carlsbad, San Oieao County, Caloforn,a 310
Oty of C.rlsbad, San Ooeao County, Calofomla 240
City of Carlsbad, San Diego County, California 230
City of Carlsbad, San Diego County, Califo1nla 285
l o/3
Geologic Unit Era Period Epoch
S..y Point Formation Cenozoic Quaternary Pleistocene
8.ay Point Fornuc-on. unnamed nonm¥1ne deposit Cenozoic Qwternary P1etstocene
Bay Point Formatk>n, unnamed nonmar,ne deposrt Cenozok Quaternary Pleistocene
Bay Point Formation, unnamed nonmarlne deposit Cenozoic Quaternary Plel>tocene
Potnt Lorna formation Mesozo.c: Cr,taceous
Pomt Loma fonnatton Me<OzOIC Cretaceous
Point Loma formation Mesozoic Cr~aceous
Po1nt Loma Formation Mesozoic Cretaceous
Point Loma formation Me<Ozolc Cretaceous
Point Loma Formation Me<ozo,c Cret.Keou<
Point Loma Formation Mesozo+c Cretaceous
Point Loma Formation Mesozoic Cretaceous
Point Lorna Formation Mesozok: Cretaceous
Point Lorna Formiltion Mesozoic Oetaceous
Point Loma Formation Mesotolc Cret~ceous
Point Loma Formotlon Mesozoic Cretaceous
Po,nt Lorna formation MesozOIC Ctttxrous
Point Loma Formaifon Mesotolc Cretaceous
Point Loma Formation Mesozoic Cretaceous
Point Loma Fom,at1on Mesotolc CretacMus
Point Lorna formation Mesozoic: Cretaceous
Point Loma Formatlon Mesotoic Cretaceou'5
Point Loma Formation Mesotolc Cretaceous:
Point Loma formation Mesozoic Cretaceous
Po,nt Loma Fo~t,on MesoZOtC Cretaceous
Point Loma Formation Mesozoic Cretaceous
Point Loma Formation Mesozoic Cretaceous
Point Loma Formation Mesozoic Cretaceous
Point Loma formation MesolOIC Cretaceous
Point Loma Fonnauon Mesozoic Cretaceous
Pomt Loma Formation Mesozoic Cretaceous
Point Lorna Formation Mesoroic Cruaceous
Point Loma Formatton Mesozoic Cret:¥eous
Point Loma Formatlon M=zolc Cretaceous
Point Loma Formation Mesotoic Cret.iceous
locality Number Locality Name
5795 Fox•Mlller
5796 Faraday Avenue Extension
5797 Faraday Avenue Extension
5821 FOK-Miller
5822 Fox•Miller
5823 Fox•Miller
5824 Fo••Miller
5825 Fox-MIiier
5912 Fox-Miller• Coralllochama Bed
5914 Fox-Miller -Middle Hill
591S Fox-MIiier
5916 Fo,-Mlller -Nail Wall Cut
5917 Fo,-Mlller • Nall Wall Cut
5918 FOK-Miller. Nail Wall Cut
5919 Fox-Miller -Sandstone Marker Bed
5920 Fox-MIiier -Middle Hill
5921 Fox-Miller -Middle Hill
5937 Fox-Miller• Ammonite Canyon
6048 Palomar Waste Transfer Station
6049 Palomar Waste Transfer Station
6239 El Camino Real Widening
6973 Carlsbad Desalination Plpeline
6974 Carlsbad Desalination Pipeline
6975 Carlsbad Desalination Pipeline
6976 Carlsbad Desalination Pipeline
3162A Carlsbad Research Center -Phase I
31628 Carlsbad Research Center• Ph~e I
3162C Carlsbad Research Center· Phase I
31620 Carlsbad Research Center -Phase I
3162E Carlsbad Research Center -Phase I
3162F
~ Carlsbad Research Center• Phase I
3162G Carlsbad Research Center
3162l Carlsbad Research Center
3162M Carlsbad Research Center -Phase I
3162N Carlsbad Research Center -Pha.se I
Appendix: Locality List
San Diego NillUral History Museum
Department of Paleontology
location Elevation (Ifft)
City of Carlsbad, San Diego County, California 225
City of Carlsbad, San Diego County, California 325
City of Carlsbad, San Diego County, California 325
City of Carlsbad, San Diego County, California 280
City of Carlsbad, San Diego County, California 260
City of Carlsbad, San Diego County, California 230
City of Carlsbad, San Diego County, California 280
City of Carlsbad, San Diego County, California 235
City of Carlsbad, San Diego County, California 268
City of Carlsbad, San Diego County, California 215
City of cansbad, San Diego County, California 270
City of Carlsbad, San Diego County, California 265
City of Carlsbad, San Diego County, California 260
Oty or Carlsbad, San Diego County, Calilornia 260
Oty of Carlsbad, San Diego County, California 260
City of Carlsbad, San Diego County, California 250
City of Carlsbad, San Diego County, California 226
City of Carlsbad, San Diego County, California 198
Qty of Carlsbad, San Diego County, Cafifornia 302
City of Carlsbad, San Diego County, California 321
City of Carlsbad, San Diego County, California 252
City of Carlsbad, San Diego County, California 245
City of Carlsbad, San Diego County, California 290
City of Carlsbad, San Diego County, California 311
City of Carlsbad, San Diego County, California 270
City of Carlsbad, San Diego County, California
City of Carlsbad, San Diego County, California
City of Carlsbad, San Diego County, California
City of Carlsbad, San Diego County, California
City of Carlsbad, San Diego County, California
City of Carlsbad, San Diego County, California
City of Carlsbad, San Diego Counw. talifornia
City of Carlsbad, San Diego County, californla
City of Carlsbad, San Diego County, California
City of Carlsbad, San Diego County, California
2of3
Geologic Unit Era Period Epoch
Point Loma Formation Mesozoic Cretaceous
Point Loma Formation Mesozoic Cretaceous
Point Loma Formation Mesozoic Cretaceous
Point Loma Formation Meso20ic Cretaceous
Point Loma Formation Mesozoic Cretaceous
Point Loma Formation Mesozoic Cretaceous
Point Loma Formation Mesozoic Cretaceous
Point Loma Formation Mesozoic Cretaceous
Point Lorna Formation Mesozoic Cretaceous
Point Loma Formation Mesozoic Cretaceous
Point Loma Formation Mesozoic Cretaceous
Point Loma Formation Mesozoic Cretaceous
Point Loma Formation Mesozoic Cretaceous
Point Loma Formation Meso1oic Cretaceous
Point Loma Formation Mesozoic Cretaceous
Point Loma formation Meso?oic Cretaceous
Point Loma Formation Mesowic Cretaceous
Point Loma Formation Mesozoic Cretaceous
Point Loma Formation Mesozoic Cretaceous
Point Loma Formation Mesozoic Cretaceous
Point Loma Formation Me-so1oic Cretaceous
Point Loma Formation Mesozoic Cretaceous
Point Loma Formation Mesozoic Cretaceous
Point Loma Formation Mesozoic Cretaceous
Point Loma Formation Mesozoic Cretaceous
Point Loma Formation Mesozoic Cretaceous
Point Loma formation Mesozoic Cretaceous
Point Loma Formation Mesoz:otc Cretaceous
Point Loma Formation Mesozoic Cretaceous
Point Loma Formation Mesozoic Cretaceous
Point Loma Formation Mesozoic Cretaceous
Point Loma Formation Mesozoic Cretaceous
Point Loma Formation Mesozoic Cretaceous
Point Loma Formation Mesozok Cretaceous
Point Loma Formation Mesozoic Cretaceous