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Home My WebLink AboutGPA 05-06; AURA CIRCLE; BIOLOGICAL SURVEYS 2007; 2007-09-197578 El Cajon Boukvard, Suite 20{) La Meld, CA 91941 fax (619) 462-0552 phone (619) 462-1515 Inland Empirt Office phone (951) 318-170{) September 19, 2007 Mr. Joe Gallagher MSK Development P.O. Box 300489 Escondido, CA 92030-0489 Subject: Results of the 2007 Aura Circle Biological Surveys Dear Mr. Gallagher: MSK-02 HELIX Environmental Planning Inc. (HELIX) has completed biological surveys as required pursuant to Mitigation Measures Nos. 5a through d in the Conditions of Approval established in Resolution 6285 as approved by the City of Carlsbad (City) Planning Commission on May 2, 2007. Specifically, HELIX verified and updated vegetation mapping as well as conducted three coastal California gnatcatcher (Po{iopti!a califarnica californica) protocol surveys, a Hermes copper butterfly (Lycaena hermes) habitat assessment, and rare plant surveys. PROJECT LOCATION AND DESCRIPTION The 15.03-acre site is located south of Tamarack Avenue and west of El Camino Real in Carlsbad, San Diego County, California (Figures 1 and 2). The property lies between residential communities along Kelly Drive to the easr and Avila Avenue to the west. The proposed development is a 9-unit single-family residential area along with the requisite access and infrastructure. METHODS On July 11, 2007, HELIX biologist Sally Trnka verified and updated vegetation mapping and conducted a Hermes copper butterfly habitat assessment. Vegetation communities within the project site were mapped on a 1"=200' scale aerial photograph of the project site with vegetation communities depicted from 1999. Coastal California gnarcatcher protocol surveys were performed on July 11 and 27, 2007 by HELlX permitted biologist Heather Haney and on July 18, 2007 by HELIX permitted biologist Doug Allen (both personnel under Permit TE778195). Gnatcatcher identifications were made by direct visual observation or indirectly by call detection. On June 26 and July 5, 2007, biologist and HELIX subconsulranc Fred Sproul conducted rare plant surveys. Mr. Sproul specifically looked for Del Mar Mesa sand aster (Corethrogyne filaginifolia var. finifo/ia) and western dichondra (Dichondra occidentalis), given that these plant species were previously recorded on site. During Letter to Mr. Joe Gallagher September 19, 2007 Page 3 of 6 2007 surveys, the individuals were not the sensitive Del Mar Mesa sand aster. In addition, western dichondra was not observed on site. Animal Species Focused coastal California gnatcatcher surveys were conducted in 1999, with one pair reported on site. Two pairs and two individual gnatcatchers were observed/ detected on site in 2007 (Figure 3). A Hermes copper butterfly habitat assessment was conducted in 2007. The Diegan coastal sage scrub on site is dominated by California encelia (Encelia californica) with very few California buckwheat (Eriogonum fasciculatum) individuals scattered throughout. The butterfly's host plant red berry (Rhamnus crocea) was not observed on site; therefore, no suitable habitat for the Hermes copper butterfly occurs on site. PROJECT IMPACTS Vegetation communities that would be impacted following implementation of the proposed project based on the revised vegetation mapping include 1.92 acres of Diegan coastal sage scrub (including disturbed), 2.55 acres of disturbed habitat, 0.51 acre of non-native vegetation, and 0.07 acre of developed land (Figure 4; Table 2). Impacts to both of rhese communities are considered significant under the Habitat Management Plan (HMP). Table 2 COMPARISON OF IMPACTS TO VEGETATION COMMUNITIES (acre[s]) Impacts Remaining after Vegetation Community Impacts 1999 2007 1999 2007 Habitat Group B* Native 2rassland (includin£ disturbed) 0.00 0.00 0.44 0.50 Habitat Group C Die11:an coastal sa2e scrub (indudinl! disturbed) 1.84 1.92 3.17 3.73 Habitat Groun E Non-native _grassland (includirni disturbed) 0.00 0.00 0.30 0.76 Habitat Grouo F Disturbed habitat 3.21 2.55 6.07 3.55 Other Non-native ve_getation 0.00 0.51 0.00 0.85 I Develooed 0.00 0.07 0.00 0.59 ' TOTAL 5.05 5.05 9.98 9.98 Letter tO Mr. Joe Gallagher September 19, 2007 Page 5 of6 No impacts to sensitive plant species would occur; therefore, no mitigation 1s required. Impacts to the coastal California gnarcatcher would be partly mitigated through the Diegan coastal sage scrub mitigation program. Additionally, to protect gnatcatchers during the breeding season in the Proposed Hardline Conservation Area (HMP Preserve), the following measures shall be applied: • No clearing, grubbing, grading, or other construction activities shall occur in Diegan coastal sage scrub between February 15 and August 31, the coastal California gnatcatcher breeding season. • If clearing, grubbing, grading, or other construction acnvmes would occur during the gnatcaccher breeding season, a pre-construction survey shall be conducted to determine if this species occurs within areas impacted by noise. If there are no nesting gnatcatchers (includes nest building or ocher breeding/ nesting behavior) within this area, development shall be allowed to proceed. • If any gnatcatchers are observed nesting or displaying breeding/nesting behavior within the area, construction shall (1) be postponed until all nesting (or breeding/nesting behavior) has ceased or until after August 31; or (2) a temporary noise barrier or berm shall be constructed at an appropriate location within the development footprint (nae within the proposed open space) to ensure char noise levels are reduced to below 60 dB within the nesting area. Alternatively, the use of construction equipment could be scheduled to keep noise levels below 60 dB L«i in lieu of or in concert with a wall or other noise barrier. CONCLUSION As a result of 2007 biological surveys, vegetation acreages changed on site. Impacts to Diegan coastal sage scrub increased slightly from 1.84 acres to 1.92 acres, and impacts to disturbed habitat decreased slightly from 3.21 acres to 2.SS acres. Creation of 5.57 acres of Diegan coastal sage scrub within the disturbed habitat on site would more than mitigated for this impact. No sensitive plane species were observed on site during the 2007 surveys. Although additional coastal California gnatcatchers were observed/detected on sire from the original 1999 surveys during 2007 protocol surveys, only one pair would be impacted as originally addressed. Mitigation would be accomplished through creation of 5.57 acres of Diegan coastal sage scrub on site, pre-construction surveys, and if necessary, postponement of construction to after the gnarcatcher breeding season or noise attenuation. RIVERSIDE I COUNTY I•-••-••-••-••-, I SAN DIEGO • ORANGE : COUNTY • '· . .._ COUNTY J ··, . .. , ... ___ .,,,,,.-......... , I 8 4 fllllX O'Neill U,ke Pacific Ocean s 0 San Die 8 Mjles \~ l Lake Wo/rlford Escondido Julian U,ke Rtlmona Lt,ke Poway . San Vi<wllP Relen,oir Santee l,,ke Jennin11s Santee ✓' :r,-. Lake, ""' El Cajon I £1 Capium Resen•oir Alpine U)l·eland Resen oi,· La Mesa Lemon Sweell\'au•r Reservoir Barrnt Lake -----·--UNITED STA,!~;!.-•-•-•-• ... -• ------MEXICO Regional Location Map AURA CIRCLE Figure 1 1,000 0 ~~~~~~~~~~~2,000 Job No: MSK-01 Date: 06/28/05-EB Feet Source: USGS 7 5• Q d S • ,-w,G1S\MIMSK-01 A, IM • ua an Luis Rey m :v.;\BlOIJl'rR\FiJ2.J,o;:3tion.m,.d 2.000 ff lllX G,.Js~· I ✓ ' I f ' 1 ... I ..... :--, -~ Project Location Map AURA CIRCLE Figure 2 Habitat Dess Diegan Coastal Sage Scrub DCSS·D Diegan Coastal Sage Scrub Disturbed NG Native Grassland NG·D Native Grassland Disturbed NNG Non-native Grassland NNG-D Non-native Grassland Disturbed NNV Non-native Ve~etation DH Disturbed Habitat DEV Developed Coastal California Gnatcatcher N W.E s 100 50 0 100 Job No: MSK-02 Date: W/04/07 l·\ArdHS\MW$K-01 Aurn\bt.ipS\DlOtlhol.cnc-rRep:.-i\1711:L Ve,:eta1iQQ,fll.ld -NJ Hf l IX Vegetation and Sensitive Resources AURA CIRCLE Figure 3 D Project Impacts -Impact Neutral D Proposed Hardline Conservation Area Habitat Dess Diegan Coastal Sage Scrub DCSS-D Diegan Coastal Sage Scrub Disturbed NG Native Grassland NG-D Native Grassland Disturbed NNG Non-native Grassland NNG-D Non-native Grassland Disturbed NNV Non-native Vegetation DH Disturbed Habitat DEV Developed Sensitive Resources A Coastal California Gnatcatcher N W.E s 100 50 0 100 Job No: MSK-02 Date: 09/04/07 l·\Arrt.il~1M\,.\1~K-01 Aura\~1Cl~\lil()\BM)l.enetkt.")'.IOCI\Fit4_ VCftl.DCtOO_hn~.s.m11.d .NJ fl fl IX Vegetation and Sensitive Resources/Impacts AURA CIRCLE Figure 4