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HomeMy WebLinkAboutEIA 00-01; DRAINAGE CHANNEL AND DESILTATION BASIN - CANNON ROAD CIP 33381; BIOLOGICAL TECHNICAL REPORT; 2002-08-12TABLE OF CONTENTS Summary of Findings Introduction Survey Methods Results A. Topography and Soils B. Botany C. Zoology D. Sensitive Biological Resources E. Multiple Habitat Conservation Program Project Impacts A. Plant Community Impacts B. Non-Sensitive Wildlife Impacts C. Sensitive Biological Resources Impacts Mitigation Measures and Recommendations References Cited FIGURES I: Regional Location '). Project Location on USGS Map 3: Agua Hedionda Creek Vegetation Map PHOTOGRAPHS 1: "). Agua Hedionda Creek within the RCMHP Agua Hedionda Creek -View of El Camino Real Bridge 1 1 4 4 4 6 6 8 13 13 13 13 14 14 15 ') 3 7 5 5 TABLE OF CONTENTS (cont.) ATTACHMENTS 1 : Plant Species Observed 2: Wildlife Species ObservedlDetected on the Site Summary of Findings The proposed Rancho Carlsbad Channel Maintenance Project involves the removal of accumulated sediment from Agua Hedionda Creek within the Rancho Carlsbad Mobile Home Park. The sediment removal would temporarily impact 4.2 acres of Agua Hedionda Creek and 0.1 acre of developed land. Channel hydraulic capacity will be increased by the sediment removal and the flood prone area adjacent to the creek \vill be decreased. benefiting the local residents. A long-ternl maintenance program for this section of Agua Hedionda Creek wil1 be developed to maintain sediment levels for maximum channel capacity. Introduction The Rancho Carlsbad Channel Maintenance Project is intended to minimize the lOO-year flood inundation area within the Rancho Carlsbad Mobile Home Park (RCMHP). RCMHP is located north and east of EI Camino Real midway between College Boulevard and Tamarack Avenue in the city of Carlsbad (Figures 1 and 2). RCMHP contains portions of both Agua Hedionda Creek and Calm'era Creek. Agua Hedionda Creek flows westerly through the southern portion of RCMHP. Calm'era Creek flows southwesterly along the northern property boundary. Cal avera Creek has its confluence with Agua Hedionda Creek within RCrvllIP approximately 300 feet upstream of the bridge at EI Camino Real. The original design configuration of the channelized section of Agua Hedionda Creek through RCMHP, approved in l\1arch 1971, consisted of a trapezoidal channel with 2:1 (horizontal: vertical) side slopes. a depth of approximately 11.5 feet and a bottom width that varied from 58 feet at the EI Camino Real bridge to 44 feet upstream of the confluence. The proposed channel maintenance project involves silt removal from Agua Hedionda Creek from the bridge at EI Camino Real uPstreanl for a distance of approximately 2,400 feet. No silt removal will occur within Calavera Creek as part of this project. The bottom of Agua Hedionda Creek has no woody perennial vegetation and has experienced a buildup of as much as seven feet of silt over the years. The creek has never been cleared of silt since it was constructed approximately 30 years ago. This has reduced its capacity to convey flood flows and increased the likelihood of inundation of areas adjacent to the creek. It is estimated that approximately 30.000 cubic yards of silt material will be excavated from Agua Hedionda Creek v.rithin RCMHP. The disposition of the 30,000 cubic yards of 1 material will be accommodated within features of nearby projects (e.g., road beds. berms). In addition to silt removal, channel widening of Agua Hedionda Creek is proposed between E1 Camino Real and the confluence with Calavera Creek. The widening will be up to approximately 25 feet. This \"ill allow a further reduction in water surface elevation within the RCl\1HP. This report provides biological data and background information required for environ- mental analysis by the Draft City of Carlsbad l\1ultiple Habitat Conservation Plan (MHCP) Subarea Plan, the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). and the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). Survey Methods Surveys were conducted in the project area in the spring of 2002. RECON biologists walked along Agua Hedionda Creek. surve:ying the channel bed and banks. Animal species were either observed directly with the aid of binoculars or detected indirectly from call. tracks. scat, nests. or other sign. Plant species were identified in the field or in the laboratory. Floral nomenclature follows Hickman (1993), while plant community classifications follow the California Natural Diversity Data Base (NDDB) (Holland 1986). Zoological nomenclature for birds is in accordance \vith the American Ornithologists' Union Checklist (1998); for mammals, Jones et al. (1988); and for amphibians and reptiles. Collins (1990). Assessments of the sensitivity of species and habitats are based primarily on the California Native Plant Society's (CNPS) Inventory of Rare and Endangered Vascular Plants of Califomia (2001), State of California (2002a. 2002b), and Holland ( 1986). Results A. Topography and Soils The topography is relatively flat along Agua Hedionda Creek. Elevations on-site range from approximately 70 to 100 feet above mean sea level (fu"\1SL). Representative photographs of this reach of Agua Hedionda Creek are provided (Photographs 1 and 2). Soils on-site consist of Tujunga sand along the banks of the creek and Riverwash in the bed of the creek (U.S. Department of Agriculture 1973). Tujunga sand consists of very deep. excessively drained sands derived from granitic alluvium. These soils are on 4 alluvial fans and floodplains and have slopes of zero to five percent. Rivef\\'ash is a soil classification that refers to a mixture of accumulated sediments in river. stream, creek. or other drainage channels. B. Botany This section of Agua Hedionda Creek does not support native perennial woody trees or shrubs. but does support some native annual and perennial herbaceous species in the channel bed on a seasonal basis. and non-nath'e ornamental species on the banks (Figure 3). A complete list of plant species observed on-site at the time of the survey is given in Attachment 1. Seasonal flood flows scour the creek channel frequently enough to prevent the establishment of native woody perennial species. The active movement of sediment on a yearly basis allows for the temporary establishment of some native annual and perennial herbaceous species. The distribution and size of the populations of these annual and perennial species depends on the magnitude. duration, and frequency of the seasonal storm events. In a typical or average year. these species would be more abundant during the low flow dry season and less abundant or temporarily gone during the wet season. Annual and perennial herbaceous species commonly observed on the sandbars of the creek channel during the survey include water cress (Rorripa nasturtillm-Agua Aguaticll1n). \,.,ild celery (Apium graveolens). umbrella sedge (Cyperus sp.). water speedwell (Veronica anagallis-Aglla Aguatica). brass buttons (C Ollila coronopijolia). common plantain (Plantago major), and annual beard grass <PolypogOll monspeliensis). The manufactured banks of the creek channel are vegetated with primarily non-native ornamental species that include trees (e.g.. eucalyptus. pine. London plane. PeruvianJBrazilian pepper, palm. and olive). shrubs (e.g .• pyracanth a. myoporum. snowberry). and ground cover plants (e.g .• sea fig. wandering jew. gazania, and ivy). c. Zoology A complete list of wildlife species observed within the project area is provided in Attachment 2. 1. Amphibians Pacific tree frogs (Hyla regilla) were observed in the creek. Other amphibian species with potential to occur include California frog (Hyla cadaverina) and bullfrog (Rana catesbeiallG ). 6 2. Reptiles One reptile species. the side-blotched lizard (Uta stansburiana), was observed on the banks of the creek. Other reptiles expected to occur include western fence lizard (Scelporus occidentalis), alligator lizard (Elgaria 11lulticarillata H'ebbi). California kingsnake (Lampropeltis getulus ca/{fomiae), and two-striped garter snake (Tlzamnopizis ham11l0ndi i). 3. Birds Bird species observed along the creek include morning dove (Zenaida macroura marginella). Anna's hummingbird (Calypte anlla). Nuttall's woodpecker (Delldrocopos l111ttallii). black phoebe (Sayomis nigricans semiatra). and house finch (Carpodaclls mexicallllS fromalis). Families of mallard L4nas platyrhynchos) were observed swimming in the active channel and roosting on the sandbars. Three raptor species were observed. A sharp-shinned hawk (Accipiter striatus \'elox) was observed in the non-native vegetation along the banks of Agua Hedionda Creek. A white-tailed kite (Elall11S iellcllrlls) and a red-shouldered hawk (Buteo lineatus elcgans) were observed flying over the project area. All three raptor species observed have the potential to nest in the trees located on the banks of the creek and within the RCMHP. 4. Mammals Two species of mammal were observed. the California ground squirrel (Spermophilus beecheyi) and cottontail rabbit (Sylvilaglls audubonii). Other species expected to occur include raccoon (Procyon lotor), striped skunk (Mephitis mephitis). San Diego black- tailed jackrabbit (Lepus calijomiclls bellllettii). and coyote (Canis latrans). D. Sensitive Biological Resources For purposes of this report. species will be considered to be sensitive if they are: (1 ) listed as a MHCP covered species or narrow endemic species in the Draft Subarea Plan. (2) listed by state or federal agencies as threatened or endangered or are proposed for listing~ (3) on List I B (considered endangered throughout its range) or List 2 (considered endangered in California but more common elsewhere) of the C:i\1J>S llZl'entory of Rare and Endangered Vascular Plants of Calijomia (CNPS 2001); or (4) considered rare. endangered. or threatened by the NDDB (State of California 2002). or local conservation organizations or specialists. Noteworthy plant species are considered to be those that are on List 3 (more infomlation about the plant's distribution and rarity needed) and List 4 (plants of limited distribution) of the CNPS l11l'entory. Sensitive habitat types are those identified by the California Natural Diversity Data Base (Holland 1986) or identified by the City of Carlsbad's MHCP Subarea Plan (1999). 8 ~rncp co\'ered species are those species which will be included in the Incidental Take Authorization issued to the City of Carlsbad by the federal and state government as part of the City's MHCP Habitat l\lanagement Plan. The tern1 "non-covered species" is sometimes used to identify species not included in the Incidental Take Authorization. Mitigation procedures and protection of covered species depends on the location of the project site (i.e .• within or outside a core preserve area) and the nature of project impacts. State and federal agencies regulate non-covered sensitive species. All jurisdictional waters. including wetlands and non-wetland waters. are considered sensitive by local, state. and federal agencies. Jurisdictional waters are regulated at the state and federal levels through the Fish and Game Code and the Clean \Vater Act. respectively. Avoidance of impacts to jurisdictional waters is recommended. Unavoidable impacts require mitigation to satisfy the no-net-Ioss policies of the resource agencies. Raptors (birds of prey) and raptor nests are protected by the California Fish and Game code 3503.5. which states that it is "unlav..ful to take. possess. or destroy any birds of prey or to take. possess. or destroy the nest or eggs of any such bird"' unless authorized. Assessments for the potential occurrence of sensitive or noteworthy species are based upon known ranges and habitat preferences for the species and species occurrence records from the NDDB. 1. Wetlands/Jurisdictional Areas A wetland delineation study was conducted on this segment of Agua Hedionda Creek (RECON 2002). The creek supports herbaceous wetlands on the low sandbars during the low flow dry season. These wetlands are temporarily disturbed each year during the wet season by flood flows from local storm events. The banks of the creek are considered riparian. A total of 3.8 acres of U.S. Army Corps of Engineers defined \vetland and 0.4 acre of non-wetland jurisdictional waters occurs along this section of the creek. The California Department of Fish and Game jurisdiction on the site includes the 4.2 acres of wetland/non-wetland waters plus 2.5 acres of riparian creek bank. 2. Sensitive Plant Species Observed No federal or state listed endangered or threatened plant species were observed or are expected to occur within the project limits. 3. Sensitive Habitats Observed The herbaceous wetlands of the creek channel bed are considered a sensitive habitat type. Howe\'er. the functional values of this habitat type is not considered high due to the lack of community structure (i.e .• tree and shrub layers), limited species diversity. and frequency of disturbance (i.e., floods). 9 4. Sensitive Wildlife Species Detected On-Site No federal and state listed wildlife species were observed within the project site. The white-tailed kite, a California fully protected species, and sharp-shinned hawk, a California species of special concern, were observed during the survey. These species are discussed below. White-tailed kite (ElalluS leucurus). White-tailed kites range throughout the coastal areas of Oregon. California. and northern Baja California. Mexico. and are known from further south in Mexico and South America. This species primarily breeds in riparian areas lined with willow. cottonwoods or sycamores. but also uses savannas. marsh. and grassy foothills. They are commonly observed foraging over grassland. sparse shrubs. or agricultural fields. The white-tailed kite is a California fully protected species. A white-tailed kite was observed perching in a tree on the banks of the creek. This species likely forages in the nearby agricultural fields and nests in nearby native riparian habitats. Sharp-shinned hawk (Accipiter striatus). Sharp-shinned hawks can be found throughout most of North America south to Central America. Their primary habitats are woodlands and mountainous coniferous and deciduous forests. Locally. they can be found foraging in woodland habitats associated with riparian areas, such as willow and sycamore woodlands. Although they have not been documented to nest in San Diego County. there is suitable habitat within the county (Unitt 1984). This species is a California species of special concern. A sharp-shinned hawk was observed with a small bird in its talons along Agua Hedionda Creek. This species is likely to use the channel for foraging but not nesting. 5. Sensitive Wildlife Species with the Potential to Occur On-Site Sensitive species not observed but with the potential to occur are described below. These species include least Bell's vireo. Cooper's hawk. southwestern willow flycatcher, and arroyo toad (Bufo cai{fomiclls). These species are discussed below. Least Bell's vireo (Vireo belli; pusillus). Least Bell's vireo is a small. migratory songbird which breeds in southern California and winters in Baja California. This species breeds in dense riparian habitats with willows (Salix spp.) or western sycamores forming a canopy and an understory comprised of mule fat tBaccharis salicifolia). wild rose (Rosa ca/{fomica). and other riparian species. This species is a state and federally listed endangered species and a MSCP covered species. 10 Habitat for the least BeIr s vireo does not occur along this section of Agua Hedionda Creek. Therefore, no directed surveys for the species were conducted. The least BeIr s vireo has known locations downstream of the project within native riparian habitat where Agua Hedionda Creek merges with the upper Agua Hedionda Lagoon habitats. Cooper~s hawk (Accipiter cooperii). The Cooper's hawk is a medium-sized raptor that ranges throughout most of the United States. It is considered an uncommon resident during the breeding season in southern California, with numbers increasing in winter (Garrett and Dunn 1981). This hawk mainly breeds in oak and willow riparian woodlands but wiII also use eucalyptus trees (Unitt 1984). This hawk forages primarily on songbirds but is also known to eat small mammals. The decline of this species has been caused by urbanization and loss of habitat. The Cooper's hawk is a CDFG species of special concern and an MSCP covered species. No Cooper's hawks were observed during surveys. This species has a moderate potential to forage and roost within the non-native trees of the RCMHP. Southwestern ",iIIow flycatcher (Empidonax traillii extimus). The southwestern willow flycatcher is a federally listed endangered species. This species breeds in southern California, Arizona. New Mexico, southern Nevada. southern Utah. western Texas. northwestern Mexico. and possibly southwestern Colorado (50 CRF 17 July 23, 1993). Southwestern willow flycatchers are migrants. arriving on their breeding grounds in mid- May to early June (Garrett and Dunn 1981. Unitt 1984). The southwestern willow flycatcher requires riparian habitat with dense willow (Salix spp.) thickets (Grinnell and Miller 1944). Understory species include Baccharis and Pluchea. Southwestern willow flycatchers also nest in areas with tamarisk (Tamarix spp.) and Russian olive (Eleaglllls angustifolia) in areas where these species have replaced the native willow. Surface water is required at nesting sites (Tibbitts et al. 1994.50 CRF 17 July 23. 1993). Habitat suitable to support southwestern willow flycatchers was not observed within the project area; therefore. no directed surveys for this species were conducted. No locations of this flycatcher species are known in the vicinity of the project. Arroyo toad (Bufo californicus). U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) listed the arroyo toad as an endangered species on December 16. 1994. On July 24. 1999. the USFWS issued a Recovery Plan describing strategies to achieve downlisting to threatened status (with 20 self-sustaining populations) and delisting (with 35 populations throughout its historical range). On June 8. 2000, the USFWS proposed the designation of critical habitat for the species. The arroyo toad ranges along the coast from San Luis Obispo County south into north\vestern Baja California and is known from six drainages in the desert. Arroyo toads have been found in the basins formed by San Juan Creek 11 (Orange County). San 1\lateo Creek (Orange and San Diego Counties). San Onofre Creek. Santa Margarita River. San Luis Rey River. San Dieguito River, San Diego River, Sweetwater River. Otay River. San Felipe Creek, Vallecitos Creek. and the Tijuana River in San Diego County (USFWS 1999). The arroyo toad has very specific habitat requirements. It inhabits sandy banks of \vashes. streams. and arroyos with low currents and large. deciduous trees. Arroyo toads breed in pools with the majority of the pool greater than one foot deep with a substrate of sand, gravel. or pebbles. The pools tend to lack vegetation (Sweet 1992). Arroyo toads are nocturnal and breed from :March to June depending on local climate. Females lay between 2.000 and 10.000 eggs in strings in the breeding pools. Larvae metamorphose in 65 to 85 days. Adult toads estivate through during the summer in burrows that they dig on sandbars (Jennings and Hayes 1994). This species is unlikely to occur because the site lacks suitable stream habitat and the level of disturbance is high. Raptors. The mature trees along the banks of the creek provide habitat for roosting. nesting. and foraging for a variety of raptor species. Although no nests were obsen'ed during sun'eys. any of the following species have potential to nest within these areas: red-shouldered hawk, white-tailed kite, Cooper's hawk. sharp-shinned hawk. and red- tailed hawk. 6. Wildlife Movement Corridors Wildlife movement corridors are defined as areas that connect suitable wildlife habitat areas in a region othenvise fragmented by rugged terrain. changes in vegetation, or human disturbance. Natural features such as canyon drainages. ridgelines, or areas with vegetation cover pro\'ide corridors for wildlife travel. \Vildlife movement corridors are important because they provide access to mates, food. and water~ allow the dispersal of individuals away from high population density areas; and facilitate the exchange of genetic traits between populations. Wildlife movement corridors are considered sensitive by the City of Carlsbad and resource and consen'ation agencies. Agua Hedionda Creek functions as a moderate quality movement corridor for numerous wildlife species such as birds. coyotes, skunks. opossums, and raccoons. The creek links open space areas located upstream of the RCMHP to Agua Hedionda Lagoon located downstreanl of El Canlino Real. There is a bridge overcrossing of Agua Hedionda Creek at El Camino Real that has sufficient height to allow mammal species to go under. 12 E. Multiple Habitat Conservation Program The MHCP "core preserve areas" are those lands that have been included within the City of Carlsbad's Subarea Plan for habitat conservation. These areas have been determined to provide the necessary habitat quantity. quality. and connectivity to support the future viability of San Diego County's unique biodiversity and thus are considered to be a sensitive biological resource. The City of Carlsbad has prepared a draft Habitat Management Plan (lTh1P) as a subarea plan to the North County ~rn:CP in San Diego County. California (City of Carlsbad 1999). The I-ThW describes consen'ation goals within the city. including preserve planning areas for cores. linkages. and special resource areas. The project site is not within the lThW core presen'e area. However. local staff of the Natural Community Conservation Program (NCCP) of the California Department of Fish and Game are interested in maintaining the wildlife corridors along Agua Hedionda Creeks as much as possible. Project Impacts Direct. temporary impacts would occur on Agua Hedionda Creek from sediment removal within RC~lliP. Anticipated biological impacts for this project were assessed according to guidelines set forth in the City of Carlsbad's lThlP. CEQA. and NEPA. :Mitigation would be required for impacts that are considered significant under these guidelines. A. Plant Community Impacts No native vegetation communities would be impacted by the channel maintenance. Channel maintenance within the RCI\1HP would remove up to 30.000 cubic yards of excess sediments from the creek. Approximately 3.7 acres of herbaceous wetlands. 0.5 acre of riparian creek bank. and 0.1 acre of developed land would be temporarily affected during the project. Once sediment removal is completed. it is anticipated that these herbaceous wetlands will re-colonize the new sandbars of the creek over time. The temporary impact to herbaceous wetlands and the riparian banks would. however. be considered significant. B. Non-Sensitive Wildlife Impacts Small mammals and reptiles with low mobility may be inadvertently killed during grading of the site. These potential impacts to general wildlife species would not be considered significant. 13 c. Sensitive Biological Resources Impacts 1. Wetlands/Jurisdictional Waters The removal of accumulated sediment from Agua Hedionda Creek within the RC.MHP would be considered a temporary impact to jurisdictional waters. Since the sediment removal from the creek would not permanently fill any jurisdictional ,vaters, there would be a no net loss of channel or wetland. It is anticipated that a net gain in the jurisdictional area will result from the project due to channel widening at the confluence of Agua Hedionda and Calavera Creeks. 2. Sensitive Plants No impacts to any sensith'e plant species are anticipated from the proposed project. 3. Sensitive Wildlife No impacts to any sensitive wildlife species are anticipated from the proposed project. If raptors nest in any of the trees along the banks of the creek then impacts to these trees would be considered significant if the tree is remo,'ed during the breeding season. 4. Sensitive Plant Communities Although no native plant communities occur on the site, temporary impacts to 4.2 acres of riparian habitat comprised of 3.8 acres of herbaceous wetlands and 0.4 acre of riparian creek bank would be considered significant. 5. Wildlife Movement Corridor Construction activities within the creek channel will be temporary and will not pem1anently impact existing wildlife movement along the creek. Therefore, these impacts are not considered significant. Mitigation Measures and Recommendations The following mitigation measures are recommended to reduce impacts to a level below significance: 1. Mitigation for temporary impacts to herbaceous wetlands and the banks of Agua Hedionda Creek will be accomplished by the planting of native riparian trees along the newly manufactured banks of the creek. Plant species installed on the banks could include coast live oak (Querclls agr{folia). black willow (Salix 14 gooddingii). western sycamore (Platanlls raCCl1losa). and Fremont cottonwood (Populusjremontii) . ., Prior to the removal of any trees from the banks of the creek a survey should be conducted by a qualified biologist to ensure that active nests of any raptor species are not present. If an active raptor nest is present than the removal of that tree and trees within 100 feet cannot occur until the young have fledged. 3. Prior to impacts occurring to Agua Hedionda Creek. a 40-l permit from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. a -l01 State \Vater Quality Certification from the Regional Water Quality Control Board. and a 1601 Streanlbed Alteration Agreement must be obtained that authorizes impacts to jurisdictional waters on the site. including wetlands. References Cited American Ornithologists' Union 1998 Check-list of North Amcrican Birds. 6th ed. Washington. D.C.. with Supple- ments in 1985.1987. 1989. 1991. 1993. and 1995. Brown. C. 1995 Drainages with Extant Arroyo Toad Populations. Unpublished data. California Native Plant Society 2001 Inventory of Rare and Endangered Plants of California (6th ed.). Rare Plant Scientific Advisory Committee, David P. Tibor. Convening Editor. California Native Plant Society. Sacramento CA. California. State of 2002a Special Animals. Natural Diversity Data Base. Department of Fish and Game. January. 2002b Special Plants List. Natural Diversity Data Base. Department of Fish and Game. January. Carlsbad. City of 1999 Habitat Management plan for Natural Communities in the City of Carlsbad. December 1999. Collins, Joseph T. 1990 Standard Common a11d Curre1lt Scicntznc Names for North American Amphibians and Reptiles. 3rd ed. Herpetological Circular No. 19. Society for 15 the Study of Amphibians and Reptiles. Department of Zoology. Miami University. Oxford. Ohio. Garrett, Kimball. and J. Dunn 1981 Birds of Somhem Ca/{f017lia. Artisan Press. Los Angeles. Grinnell. J., and A. Miller 1944 The Distribution of the Birds of California. Pac{nc Coast Al'ifaulla 26:608. Hickman. James C. (editor) 1993 The Jepson Manual: Higher Plants of Califomia. University of California Press. Berkeley and Los Angeles. Holland. Robert F. 1986 Preliminary Descriptions of the Terrestrial Natural Communities of California. Nongame-Heritage Program. California Department of Fish and Game. October. Jennings. M. R., and M. P. Hayes 1994 Amphibian and Reptile Species of Special Concem in Cal{fomia. California Department of Fish and Game. Rancho Cordova. California. Jones, J. K .• D. C. Carter, H. H. Gangways. R. S. Hoffman. and D. W. Rice 1982 Revised Checklist of North American Mammals North of Mexico. Occasional Papers of the Museum. Texas Tech University 80:1-22. Skinner, Mark. and Bruce Pavlik 1994 Inventory of Rare and Endangered Plants of Califomia. California Native Plant Society Special Publication No.1. 5th ed. Sacramento. Sloan. A. J. 1964 Amphibians of San Diego County. Occasional Papers of the San Diego Society of Natural History No. 13. Sweet, S. 1992 Initial Report on the Ecology and Status of the Arroyo Toad (Bllfo microscapi1us califomicus) on the Los Padres National Forest of Southern California. with Management Recommendations. Contract Report to U.S. Department of Agriculture. Forest Service. Los Padres National Forest, Goleta. California. Revised March. 16 Tibbitts. T. J .• M. K. Sogge. and S. J. Sferra 1994 A Survey Protocol for the Southwestern Willow Flycatcher (Empidonax tmillii extimus). Tech. Rep. NPSINAUCPRSINRTR-94/04. U.S. Dept. Int .• National Park Service. Colorado Plateau Res. Sta .• Flagstaff. Arizona. Unitt. P. A. 1984 Birds of San Diego County. Memoir No. 13. San Diego Society of Natural History. U.S. Department of Agriculture 1973 Soil Surrey. San Diego Area. Ca/{fomia. Soil Conservation Service and Forest Service. Roy H. Bowman. ed. San Diego. December. 17 ATTACHMENT 1 Agave americana Anagallis arvensis L. Apium graveolens L. Artemisia douglasiana Arundo donax L. AMp/ex triangularis Willd. Scientific Name Anemopsis calLfornica (Nutt.) Hook. & Am. Baccharis salicifolia (Ruiz Lopez & Pav6n) Pers. Brassica nigra (L.) Koch. Carex spissa Bailey Carpobrotus edulis (L.) Bolus. Chenopodium ambrosioides L. Cotula coronopi/olia L. Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers. Cyperus sp. Eleocharis motltevidensis Kunth Eucalyptus spp. Foeniculum vulgare Mill. Gazania sp. Hedera helix L. Heliotropium curassavicum L. Hetcrome/es arbutifolia (Lindley) Roemer Juncus sp. Jmlcus mexicanus Willd. Malosl1lCllaurillCl (Nutt.) Abrams MeWotus indica (L.) All. Myoporum laetum Forst. Nerium oleander L. Olea europeCle L. Phoenix can ariel/sis Chabaud. Pieris ech;oides L. Pinus sp. Plantago major L. Polypogoll mOllspeliellsis (L.) Desf. ATTACHMENT 1 PLANT SPECIES OBSERVED Century plant Common Name Scarlet pimpernel, poor-man's weatherglass Celery Mugwort Giant reed Spearscale Verba mansa Mule fat, seep-willow Black mustard San Diego sedge Hottentot tig Mexican tea Brass-buttons Bermuda grass Nutsedge Slender creeping spikerush Eucalyptus Fennel African daisy English ivy Chinese pus ley Toyon, Christmas berry Rush Mexican rush Laurel sumac Sourclover Myoporum Oleander Common olive Canary Island date palm Bristly ox-tongue Pine Common plantain Annual beard grass Origin I I I N I N N N I N I I I I N N I I I I N N N N N I I I I I I I I I Scientific Name PyracatUha sp. Rorippa nasturtium-aquaticum (L.) Hayek Rumex crispus L. Salix iaevigata Bebb Salix lasiolepis Benth. Schinus moUe L. Schinus terebinthifolius Raddi Veronica anaga!lis-aquatica L. Vitis girdiana Munson Wasizingtollia robusta Wend!. Xam!zium strumarium L. N = Native to locality I = Introduced species from outside locality ATTACHMENT 1 PLANT SPECIES OBSERVED (continued) Firethorn Water cress Curly dock Red willow Common Name Arroyo willow Peruvian pepper tree Brazilian pepper tree Water speedwell Desert wild grape Washington palm Cocklebur Origin I I I N N I I I N I N ATTACHMENT 2 ATTACHMENT 2 WILDLIFE SPECIES OBSERVEDIDETECTED ON THE SITE Common Name Scientific Name Reptiles (Nomenclature from Collins 1997) Side-blotched lizard Uta stansburiana Birds (Nomenclature from American Ornithologists' Union) White-tailed (= black-shouldered) kite Elanus leucurus Sharp-shinned hawk Accipiter striatus velox Red-shouldered hawk Buteo lineatus elegans Mallard Anas platyrhynchos platyrhynchos Mourning dove Zenaida macroura marginella Anna's hummingbird Calypte anna Nuttall's woodpecker Dendrocopos nuttallii Black phoebe Sayomis nigricans semiatra Common raven Corvus corax clarionensis Northern mockingbird Mimus polyglottos polyglottos Wrentit Chamaea fasciata henshawi Housefmch Carpodacus mexicanus frontalis Lazuli bunting Passerina amoena California towhee Pipilo crissalis Song sparrow Melospiza melodia Mammals (Nomenclature from Jones et al. 1982) California ground squirrel Cottontail rabbit Habitats C = Channel B = Banks of creek o = Open Status Spermophilus beecheyi Sylvilagus audubonii CFP = California fully protected species FE = Listed as endangered by the federal government MSCP = Multiple Species Conservation Program target species list SE = Listed as endangered by the state of California Occupied Habitat B B C 0 C B,C B,C B B,C B B,C B B,C B B B B,C B * = Taxa listed with an asterisk fall into one or more of the following categories: • Taxa considered endangered or rare under Section 15380(d) of CEQ A guidelines Status CFP,* CSC • Taxa that are biologically rare, very restricted in distribution. or declining throughout their range • PopuIation(s) in California that may be peripheral to the major portion of a taxon's range, but which are threatened with extirpation within California • Taxa closely associated with a habitat that is declining in California at an alarming rate (e.g., wetlands, riparian. old growth forests, desert aquatic systems. native grasslands)