HomeMy WebLinkAbout6028; PALOMAR AIRPORT RD AND COLLEGE BLVD IMP; HABITAT MAPPING; 2011-03-16OTHER OFFICES, BERKELEY
I A LSA ASSOCIATES. INC. IRVINE ROCKLIN
S
703 PALOMAR AIRPORT ROAD. 760.951.5471 TEL PT. RICHMOND SOUTH SAN L f
SUITE 260 760.916.2456 FAX SAN LUIS OBISPO FRANCISCO
CARLSBAD, CALIFORNIA 92011 PALM SPRINGS RIVERSIDE
FORT COLLINS FRESNO
MEMORANDUM
DATE. March 16, 2011
TO, Brandon Miles, City Of Carlsbad
FROM, Mike Trotta, LSA Associates, Inc.
SUBJECT, Palomar Airport Road and College Boulevard Roadway Improvements Habitat
Mapping (LSA Project No. HCR1 101)
This memorandum describes the habitat types that occur within the proposed Palomar Airport Road
and College Boulevard Roadway Improvements and Storm Dram Project. The project is located
within the City of Carlsbad, San Diego County, California, at the northwest corner of the intersection
of Palomar Airport Road and College Boulevard. The City of Carlsbad (City) is considering the
construction of a deceleration lane and storm drain.
On behalf of the City, LSA Associates, Inc. (LSA) Biologist Mike Trotta mapped the existing
biological resources within the proposed project area pursuant to LSA's authorized Task 1.1.
Mr. Trotta conducted the mapping on March 11, 2011. The weather at the time of survey was sunny
with light northwest winds and sparse cloud cover. Ambient temperature was estimated at 70 degrees
Fahrenheit. The survey area is depicted in attached Figure 1.
The survey area contains Diegan coastal sage scrub, riparian scrub, non-native grassland, ornamental
landscaping, bare ground, and developed areas. Diegan coastal sage scrub and riparian scrub habitat
are considered to be sensitive habitat types covered by the City's Habitat Management Plan (HMP).
Additionally, the majority of the Diegan coastal sage scrub appears to be restored habitat, likely done
as mitigation for construction of the Crossings at Carlsbad municipal golf course. Please be advised
that if the habitat is mitigation pursuant to regulatory agency permit requirements, the permitting
resource agencies may require mitigation above and beyond what is required pursuant to the City
HMP. Table A lists the vegetation communities observed within the project study area. See attached
Figure 2 for a graphic depiction of the vegetation mapped within the project study area.
Table A: Vegetation Communities
Vegetation Community Type Acres in Project Study Area
Bare Ground 0.066
Developed 0.054
Diegan Coastal Sage Scrub* ' 0.308
Mulefat Riparian Scrub* . 0.097
Nonnative Grassland 0.112
Ornamental' 0 0.005
Willow Cottonwood Riparian Scrub* ' 0.042
* indicates this vegetation community type is an HMP covered habitat.
(3/16/2011) R:'HCR1101\Habitat Map Memo.doc
PLANNING I ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES I DESIGN
LSA ASSOCIATES, INC
Wildlife observed on site was limited to raccoon (Procyon lotor) tracks; however, review of database
records indicates that coastal California gnatcatcher (Polioptila calfornica ca1fornica), a federally-
listed as threatened species has been recorded in the immediate vicinity. The Diegan coastal sage
scrub should be considered occupied by coastal California gnatcatcher. The potential for the riparian
scrub to be occupied by the federally-listed as endangered least Bell's vireo ( Vireo belliipusillus) can
not be ruled out without focused protocol surveys for the species.
Attachments:
Figure 1: Project Location Map
Figure 2: Vegetation Communities Map
(3/16/1 i)R:\HCRI 101\Habitat Map Memo.doc 2
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LSA LEGEND S FIGURE DPotential Impact Area (] Mulefat Rip nan Scrub (0.097 ac)
Vegetation [J Nonnative Grassland (0.112 ac)
[] Bare Ground (0.066 an) E= ornamental (0.005 or)
o Developed (0.054 or) Willow Cottonwood Riparian Scrub (0.042 ac) Palomar Airport Road and College Boulevard
Roadway Improvements Dtegan Coastal Sage Scrub (0.308 or) Photo Location FEET
Vegetation Communities SOURCE: Big Mips (2008), COy of Coñatod (02/2011)
R)MCRI tal)CtS\VoaMop.mod (3/13)2011)
L S A LEGEND FIGURE 1
Project Location
Palomar Airport Road and College Boulevard
0 lOGO 2000
FEET
Roadway Improvements
SOURCE: USGS 7.5'Quad - Encinitas (1975), San Luis Rey (1975), CA Project Location
R:\HCR1101\GlSWigurel.mxd (3/15/2011)