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Home My WebLink AboutCDP 11-07; Home Plant Lift Station & Force Main Replacement; Coastal Development Permit (CDP) MEMORANDUM To: City of Carlsbad (Mr. Mark Biskup) From: Psomas (Ms. Cathleen [Weigand] Kargard) Date: August 13, 2013 Subject: Carlsbad Home Plant Sewer Lift Station Replacement Project: Results of Pre-Construction Site Visit This memorandum transmits to the City of Carlsbad (City) the results of a pre-construction site survey conducted by Psomas (Ms. Cathleen Weigand) on July 8, 2013 in support of the Carlsbad Home Plant Sewer Lift Station Replacement Project (HPLS Project). The site survey was conducted in compliance ZLWK WKH +3/6 3URMHFW¶V %LRORJLFDO 5HSRUW DQG &RDVWDO =RQH 'HYHORSPHQW 3HUPLW PLWLJDWLRQ PHDVXUHV (pertinent mitigation measures are provided for reference in Attachment A to this memorandum). Project Background The HPLS Project area is located in northwestern San Diego County, within the City of Carlsbad. The approximately 1.2-acre HPLS Project site is located on property owned by the City, on the south side of the Buena Vista Lagoon off Carlsbad Boulevard and DGMDFHQW WR WKH 1RUWK &RXQW\ 7UDQVLW 'LVWULFW¶V railroad track right-of-way, at an elevation of approximately 25 feet above mean sea level. The City Maintenance group is initiating the installation of an upgraded sewer lift station and replacement force main. The new force PDLQ ZLOO EH LQVWDOOHG SDUDOOHO WR WKH H[LVWLQJ ´ GLDPHWHU IRUFH PDLQ WR SURYLGH redundancy and reduce the amount of low and high points to increase flow velocities. The new force main will be installed by slant drilling from the sewer lift station site under Carlsbad Boulevard and State Street, surfacing in the landscaped portion of Maxon Brown Park. The force main will run through the park to the corner of Laguna Drive and Jefferson Street. Within the park, the trench and a 15-foot-wide trenchless pit will create an area of temporary disturbance 20-60 feet wide. Along Laguna Drive a 4-foot- wide trench will be required. Survey Methods In compliance with conditions of the +3/6 3URMHFW¶V Coastal Zone Development Permit, Psomas (Ms. Cathleen [Weigand] Kargard) conducted a pre-construction site survey on July 8, 2013. Psomas walked the entire sewer lift station site and a 300-foot buffer around the site. Psomas also surveyed the force main alignment and its 300-foot buffer. Psomas assessed the HPLS Project area and proposed fencing line with regards to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife jurisdictional boundaries, edge of wetland habitat, proximity to Buena Vista Lagoon, and presence/absence of any nesting birds or nests, and special status wildlife species (i.e., any state-threatened, endangered, fully-protected, or special concern species) based on habitat and diagnostic signs (burrows, scat, tracks, vocalizations, and/or nests). Particular attention was paid to the presence/absence of coastal California gnatcatcher (Polioptila californica californica), southwestern pond turtle (Actinemys marmorata), coast horned lizard (Phrynosoma coronatum blainvillii), and orange-throated whip-tail lizard (Aspidoscelis hyerythra). City of Carlsbad (Mr. Mark Biskup) Carlsbad Home Plant Sewer Lift Station Replacement Project Page 2 of 2 August 13, 2013 Psomas used binoculars to scan treetops and thick shrubs. The pre-construction survey was conducted between 06:00am and 07:30am. Winds were 3-5 mph, skies were overcast, and the temperature was approximately 64o F. Results No new or active birds nests were observed within or adjacent to the HPLS Project area or 300-foot buffer area. No individuals or diagnostic sign of special status wildlife species were observed within or adjacent to the HPLS Project area. No coastal California gnatcatchers were observed. No southwestern pond turtles, coast horned lizard, or orange-throated whiptail lizard were observed within the Project area or 300-foot buffer area. The proposed fencing line was determined to be consistent with stipulations of the Coastal Zone Development Permit and suitable to avoid impacts to wetland habitats and to Buena Vista Lagoon. The proposed fencing line was consistent with the mitigation measure to prevent southwestern pond turtle from entering the work site. The habitat on the HPLS Project site consisted of disturbed and developed habitat, and the habitat along the force main alignment consisted of landscaped parkland and city developed and landscaping. There was no coastal sage scrub habitat within the HPLS Project site. Based on the results of the July 8, 2013 pre-construction survey, the implementation of the HPLS Project is not expected to affect nesting birds, special-status wildlife species, or water quality. Photographs of the site taken during the July 8, 2013 pre-construction survey are provided in Attachment B, Project Site Photographs. Should there be any questions concerning the information contained in this memorandum, please contact Cathleen (Weigand) Kargard at (805) 698-9618 or Brad Blood at (714) 751-7373. Attachment A Mitigation Measures Mitigation Measures: Mitigation Measures- Mitigation Recommendations for Coastal California Gnatcatcher No direct impacts to coastal California gnatcatchers are expected because there is no suitable habitat on the HPLS Project site. However, there is adjacent potentially suitable coastal sage scrub habitat adjacent to the site. Therefore, it is recommended that ground-disturbing activities take place outside of the recognized nesting season, if practical. The nesting season typically occurs between early February and August, but can vary slightly from year to year. If ground-disturbing activities must occur within the recognized nesting season, then pre-construction nesting bird surveys will be performed to identify any nests that may be impacted by construction activities. Surveys for nesting birds will include the project site and a 250-foot buffer area surrounding the site and the force main alignment. If any active nests are located within the proposed disturbance area or within 100 feet of ground disturbing activities, a 100 foot buffer area will be flagged around the nest and no activity will be allowed in the buffer area until nesting is completed. The City will immediately stop work in the area and consult with the US Fish and Wildlife Service and California Department of Fish and Game on strategies to continue work and avoid disturbance to these species while nesting. Potential measures may include sound abatement measures for equipment and monitoring by a biologist until nesting is complete. Mitigation Recommendations for Nesting Birds and Raptors If construction activities occur within the recognized nesting season, the City will have a qualified biologist perform a survey for nesting birds. The survey will be performed at least 14 days prior to the start of ground and vegetation disturbance. The survey area will include the HPLS Project site and the surrounding 300 feet, the force main alignment through Maxon Brown Park and out 300 feet from the proposed edge of disturbance, and Laguna Drive. The results of the survey will be reported to the City in the form of a memorandum. If any nesting birds or raptors are identified within 300 feet of the HPLS Project activities, the biologist will GPS the location of the nest site and define a 150-foot no-work buffer around the nest site. The biologist and City will initiate consultation with CDFG and USFWS to determine if work can occur within the 150-foot buffer without disturbance to the nest. Additional mitigation, such as an on-site biological monitor, may be used to monitor active nests within the buffer and stop work if nest disturbance is observed. Mitigation Recommendations for Coast Horned Lizard, Orange Throated Whiptail Lizard, and Southwestern Pond Turtle Because of the presence of potentially suitable adjacent habitat, it is recommended that a qualified biologist survey the site for coast horned lizard and orange-throated whiptail lizard at least 30 days prior to initiation of ground disturbing activities. The biologist will transport any located individuals off-site to the nearest area of potentially suitable habitat. A memorandum will be prepared for the City documenting the number of individuals moved, the relocation site, and a description of the relocation habitat. To prevent southwestern pond turtle from traveling through or nesting at the site, it is recommended that the city repair the existing fence before beginning construction activities. The fence should have no opening larger than 5 inches, the average carapace length of an adult pond turtle. Attachment B Project Site Photographs Photograph 1: HPLS project site, facing northeast Photograph 2: HPLS project site, facing north Photograph 3: HPLS project site, facing west Photograph 4: Force main alignment area, facing east