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HomeMy WebLinkAboutHMP 06-06; La Costa Condominiums; Habitat Management Permit (HMP) (5)Page 1 of 1 •Jason Goff - Bio Report - CT 02-28 Map Ext. From: Jason Goff To: kbooth@planningsystems.net Date: 08/28/2006 3:15 PM Subject: Bio Report - CT 02-28 Map Ext. Kenny, Attached is a PDF copy of the Updated Bio-Letter and Figure-A exhibit. To save time, I've marked them up according to where we need further information, clarification or revision. Please have your biologist expand on this. If you have any questions, please feel free to call me at 602-4643. Jason Goff Associate Planner City of Carlsbad Planning Department 1635 Faraday Avenue Carlsbad, CA 92008 760-602-4643 1qoff@ci.carlsbad.ca.us file://C:\Documents and Settings\Jgoff\Local Settings\Temp\GW}00001 .HTM 08/28/2006 PLANNING SYSTEMS LAND USE/COASTAL PLANNINGLANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE • LA3900 POLICY AND PROCESSING ENVIRONMENTAL MITIGATION August 21, 2006 Mr. KwanL. So ^ CALSO, LLC c/o LIGHTHOUSE VENTURES, LLC 3529-2B Gannon Rd.; #519 Oceanside, CA 92056 s ' ' * , " V ' - RE: CT 02-28; LA COSTA CONDOMINIUMS BIOLOGICAL CONFIRMATION ANALYSIS APN # 216-160-27, - Dear Mr. So: Per the request of the City of Carlsbad Planning Department, Planning Systems' Restoration Ecologist has conducted a biological confirmation analysis of the continued accuracy of the La Costa Condominiums Biological Survey (FRE 01-70). APN 216-160-27. August 14.2002; This report was updated March 18. 2003. Both reports were prepared by, Affirtis Environmental Services. This analysis is confined to assessing current site vegetation. Based on our findings, revised plant associations and impacted area quantities are provided. The proposed project is also assessed in terms of Habitat Management Plan (HMP) compliance. , - I _• , - % ~ i • " On August 17,2006, Greg Evans, Restoration Ecologist for Planning Systems conducted a field survey of the property to determine if the Affinis findings arerepresentative of vegetation currently occurring on the site. The analysis began with a review of both Affinis letter reports. Five Affinis 2002 report elements were re-assessed, including:,!) Figure 3, Biological Resources (map), 2) Plant Association text, 3) Rare and Endangered or Sensitive Species discussion, 4)~Appendix 1, Plant Species Observed, and 5) Appendix 2, Sensitive Plant Species Potentially Occurring On-site. Site soils information was referenced using the Soil Survey of the-San Diego Area. California, prepared by the ' U.S.D.A. Soil Conservation Service. This soils information is considered more specific than was provided in the Affinis 2002 report. The Biological Resources map (Figure 3) from the Affinis 2002 report,was used as the Planning Systems field work base map. All accessible areas of the site were traversed, including dense brush areas. The site was surveyed to identify plant associations and sensitive plantspecies present. , '']'.>. 1530 FARADAY AVENUE • SUITE 100 • CARLSBAD, CA 92008 »,(760) 931-0780 • FAX (760) 931-5744 • info@planhingsystems.net 1) Vegetation Mapping Planning Systems concurs with the Affinis conclusions on plant association boundary lines identified on Figure 3, Biological Resources (map), Affinis 2002. Planning Systems also concurs with the mapped associations on the southern slopes of the property, LS for Landscaped, and CSS/MC for Coastal Sage Scrub / Mixed Chaparral, and on the slope bordering La Costa Avenue on the north edge of the property, identified as NNG / LS for Non-native grassland / Landscaped. Thus, it is concluded that the boundaries of the plant associations have not changed from the Affinis analyses. However, Planning Systems concludes that the Affinis designation of D/R, Disturbed/Ruderal for the plant association occurring on the graded pad area, should more appropriately be considered Non-Native grassland. In our opinion a majority of the vegetation occurring on the pad is comprised of exotic species such as Brome grasses, Wild oat, Tocalote, Black Mustard, and Perennial Mustard as wells as natives such as Fascicled tarweed and Telegraph weed. This plant association is described in the Carlsbad HMP as Non-Native Grassland, (see the attached Figure A - Biological Resources Confirmation Analysis). 2) Plant Association Text In "Section C. Results" of the 2002 Affinis report, plant associations are described. Planning Systems agrees with these findings except for the identification of "Disturbed/Ruderal" which Planning Systems views as Non-native grassland, as stated above. 3) Rare and Fjtdangered or Sensitive Species Section C.4 of the Affinis report states "No rare, endangered, or threatened plant species were observed on the site or are expected to occur". Planning Systems also did not observe sensitive plant species on the property, but it should be noted that we did not visit the site during the time of year when certain sensitive species are most visible. 4) Appendix 1, Plant Species Observed All species documented in the Affinis 2002 report were observed occurring on- site. Planning Systems also observed additional plant species occurring on-site, mostly herbaceous ones, typical associates of the identified habitats. Calso Biological Confirmation Analysis 8/21/06 4) Appendix 2. Sensitive Plant Species Potentially Occurring On-site The target group of sensitive plant species sought by Affinis is in our opinion, adequate. However, as previously stated, Planning Systems can not verify absence of certain species because of the time of year of our field work. 5) Summary of Vegetation Resource Impacts Plant Association ^^\ Non-Native Grassland (NNG) Non-Native Grassland/Landscaped (NNG/LS) Landscaped (LS) Coastal Sage Scrub/Mixed Chaparral (CSS/MC) TOTALS Area \ (Acjes)-^ \ U39. \ b.eo 1 2.07 1 1.12 / / 8.18 Impacted (Acres) 4.35 0.60 1.84 0.23 7.02 % Impacted 99.1% 100.0% 88.8% 20.5% 85.8% 6)H The subject property is not identified as aliardline preserve, link or any other aspect of a preserve system. The propertyjlnotknownjb be occupied by the California gnatcatcher. Mitigation will be required for impacts t<£4J3j^acres of NNG through payment of a mitigation fee at a 0.5:1 ratio per Table 11 Mitigation Ratios for Impacts to HMP Habitats. The project is consistent with the adopted HMP. 7)Conclusions Planning Systems' field survey of the site in August 2006 concludes that no changes of significance to the vegetation on the site have taken place, except that the identification of D/R, Disturbed/Ruderal for the plant community occurring on the graded pad area, should more appropriately now be identified as Non-Native grassland (NNG). No other differences from the 2002-03 surveys were observed. Sincerely, Greg Evfcns, Restoration Ecologist PLANNING SYSTEMS Attachment: Calso: La Costa Condos Biological Resources Confirmation Analysis exhibit Calso Biological Confirmation Analysis 8/21/06