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HomeMy WebLinkAbout; Municipal Golf Course Revised Upland Minigation; Upland Mitigation Plan Revised Muni Golf Course; 2004-11-01CITY OF CARLSBAD REVISED GOLF COURSE UPLAND MITIGATION PLAN Prepared for: CITY OF CARLSBAD 1635 Faraday Avenue Carisbad, Cahfomia 92008 Contact; John Cahill Telephone: 760-602-2926 Prepared by: P&D ENVIRONMENTAL A Division of P&D Consultants, Inc. 8954 Rio San Diego Drive, Suite 610 San Diego, Califomia 92108 Contact: Chuck Moore Telephone: 619-291-1475 November 2004 fA TABLE OF CONTENTS Section Page 1.0 Revegetation Mitigation :.... 1 1.1 Personnel 1 1.2 Contractor Education.. 2 2.0 Methodology: :.: 2 2.1 Upland Habitat Creation 2 2.2 Monitoring and Maintenance : 4 3.0 Final Mitigation Success 7 3.1 Success Criteria. , 7 3!2 Contingency Measures 8 LIST OF TABLES Table Page 1 Hydroseed Mix 3 ^ P&D Environmental iii City of Carlsbad p/A/cG/uMP/upiand Mitigation Hian-Toc-Nov04 (175565.0001) Rcviscd Golf Coursc Upland Mitigation Plan 1.0 REVEGETATION MITIGATION This report will discuss the upland mitigation measures and the critical elements of the upland mitigation plan for the Carlsbad Municipal Golf Course. Regular monitoring until the plants are established will allow early detection of areas of poor growth or cover, dying plantings, weed invasion, and erosion problems. These problems can then be addressed and appropriate corrective actions taken. The monitoring will be performed in conjunction with a long-term maintenance program. 1.1 Personnel Restoration Biologist An experienced restoration biologist will coordinate the mitigation installation and maintenance activities. The restoration biologist will supervise these activities and provide quality assurance and control including confirming that the site is prepared properly, the exotic plant eradication measures are implemented properly, and that the seeding and planting specifications follow those outlined in this mitigation plan. The restoration biologist will also oversee mitigation measures during the 5-year monitoring and maintenance period, including horticultural and botanical monitoring requirements. The restoration biologist shall have the following minimum qualifications: • a bachelor's degree in biology, ecology, botany, horticulture, or landscape architecture • knowledge of the vegetation associations proposed for the restoration effort including species identification, composition, canopy, understory, and species ecological positions • a minimum of 2 years of practical horticultural experience or equivalent study, including plant installation, fertilization, weeding, pmning, irrigation, and pest control • knowledge of avian biology, the Federal and Califomia Endangered Species Act (FESA/ CESA), the Clean Water Act, and jurisdictional boundaries Installation Contractor An experienced native habitat landscape contractor shall be retained to perform the mitigation installation under the direction of the restoration biologist. The installation contractor must be experienced in installing native habitat mitigation areas in southem Califomia. The installation contractor will be responsible for the following: • ordering specified plant materiai and seed from appropriate vendors, based on the specifications of the mitigation plan. In order to ensure the availability of the appropriate plant materials and achieve the minimum cost, sufficient lead time should be allocated P&D Environmental 1 City of Carlsbad p/A/cG/uMP/upiand Mitigation pian-Nov04 (175565,0001) Rcvlsed Golf Coursc Upland Mitigation Plan • installing the plant materials per the specifications of the mitigation plan • implementing remedial actions under the direction of the restoration biologist 1.2 Contractor Education All contractors that complete some aspect of the mitigation plan will meet at the site with the project's restoration biologist before beginning any work in the area. The restoration biologist will review all requirements of the plan that concern each contractor, including site protection, inspections, landscape procedures, and guarantees. The restoration biologist will have final supervisory control over field installation. 2.0 METHODOLOGY There are seven primary requirements for the success of a habitat restoration effort: 1. Selecting an appropriate location for the restoration effort. 2. Removing nonnative mderal species that compete with desired species. 3. Preparing soil, including topsoil importation and/or mycorrhizal fungi inoculation if necessary. 4. Seeding or planting with appropriate plant species for the location and microclimate. 5. Protecting the site from further disturbance. 6. Monitoring success and making changes to the program if necessary. 7. Maintaining the site during the plant establishment period. This may include weeding, trash removal, irrigation, and barrier repair. 2.1 Upland Habitat Creation Areas for upland habitat creation are identified on the landscape plans prepared by KTU+A. Hydroseed Mix The hydroseed mix will include the designated seed mix and a light mulch. The hydroseed mix should be spread over the site to conceal the seed from predators, protect it from wind and rain P&D Environmental 2 City of Carlsbad p/A/cG/uMP/upiand Mitigation pian-Nov04 (175565.0001) Revlscd Golf Coursc Upland Mitigation Plan erosion, and help retain moisture. The mulch should be made of 93%o wood cellulose/fiber matrix with 7% organic soil stabilizer. The seed mix includes the following species: Table 1. Hydroseed Mix Species Pounds/Acre %) Purity % Germination Adolphia californica 1.0 . — — Artemesia californica 3.0 15 50 Coreopsis gigantea 3.0 40 60 Diplacus longiflorus 3.0 — — Encelia californica 6.0 40 60 Eriogonum fasciculatum 15.0 10 65 Eschscholzia californica 4.0 98 75 Lots scoparius 6.0 90 60 Rhus laurina 4.0 • 95 60 Salvia aliana 5.0 70 50 Salvia mellifera 5.0 70 50 Solanum xantii 1.0 — — TOTAL 56 lbs/acre Source Material It is preferred that the source of all seed used at the mitigation site originate from the vicinity of the mitigation site. Although not required for this site, experienced native plant nurseries regularly contract grow locally collected plant material for use in mitigation projects. If sufficient time does not exist in which to collect and propagate site-specific plant materials, native plant nurseries typically have plant material local to the southem Califomia coastal region, which would be suitable for this restoration plan. Many nurseries in southem Califomia supply native plants. The restoration biologist will work closely with the landscape contractor and the suppliers to approve all sources or plant materials. The landscape contractor will provide the restoration biologist with information on the sources of all plant and seed materials grown, collected, or acquired for the project for final approval. If necessary, the project restoration biologist will help the contractor locate local sources of plant materials. Substitutions ' . " • ' The native habitat landscape contractor is expected to secure the necessary plant material prior to the expected planting date. In general, no substitutions above 10 percent of any specified species number will be allowed. Seeding Specifications All seeding activities in the mitigation area will occur after all container plants have been installed and any necessary weed eradication is complete. The mitigation area will be seeded with the mix shown in Table 1. This approach will be used to mimic the natural distribution of W P&D Environmental P/A/CG/UMP/Upland Mitigation Plan-Nov04 (175565,0001) City of Carlsbad Revised Golf Course Upland Mitigation Plan these species. Seeding activities will proceed only after the restoration biologist certifies that the site preparation has been completed. Seed quality will be the best obtainable in the year of application for both purity and germination. Amount of seed purchased, germination, and seed purity will be provided in writing to the restoration biologist by the contractor for all seed used. Irrigation Plan Temporary irrigation -will be provided to ensure plant establishment. Watering will be provided during the dry season for the first two years of the plant establishment period. Following the second winter season, the watering schedule will be gradually reduced to allow the plants to acclimate to the natural seasonal water supply. As-Built Conditions Within 6 weeks of project installation, the restoration biologist will certify in writing that mitigation installation has been completed. The restoration biologist will submit a report to the City and resource agencies describing as-built conditions of the mitigation area. 2.2 Monitoring and Maintenance A vital component of any revegetation program developed to mitigate habitat loss is documentation of the progress of the revegetation program until the plants are established. General observations will be important in documenting areas of poor growth or cover, dying plantings, weed invasion, and erosion problems. These areas can then be independently monitored and scheduled for rhore intensive maintenance activities. If necessary, the areas may be replanted or reseeded. The monitoring program will use a variety of qualitative and quantitative procedures to document the changes in plant gro-wth of the target species and changes in the density and dominance of all plant and wildlife species within the sampled areas. One of the most important procedures will be standardized observation of the entire site to provide a general record of trends on the mitigation site including plant growth. Potential coverage may include photographic documentation from designated points which would give a visual record of the changes in stmcture and cover of the sites over time. Quantitative studies would be conducted to obtain plant cover estimates, make seedling counts, and monitor changes in plant diversity onsite. Performance Criteria There are generally two types of performance criteria used to monitor the success of a revegetation effort; measurements of survival rates and measurements of vegetation coverage. Which of these criteria is appropriate depends on several factors, including the goals and objectives of the project, the time frame of the monitoring effort, and the types of habitat being established. For the Carlsbad Golf Course mitigation project, determination of vegetative cover is the appropriate measure of project success. ^ P&D Environmental 4 CityofCarlsbad p/A/cG/uMPAjpiand Mitigation pian-Nov04 (175565,0001) Rcviscd Golf Coursc Upland Mitigation Plan The performance goal of the project in the upland revegetation areas will be 75 percent vegetative cover in late spring or early summer at the end of 5 years. The 75 percent figure was chosen because coastal sage scmb is a habitat that naturally has a patchy distribution with many interstitial areas that support only annual herbs or no vegetation. Intermediate growth and coverage goals established for the areas have also been identified. These goals should be considered progress indicators, rather than success or failure criteria. The goals include: • 60 percent cover at the end of two years • 70 percent cover at the end of three years • 75 percent cover at the end of four years The 75 percent cover is the ultimate goal, and should be sustained through year 5. If the 75 percent goal is reached and sustained for one year prior to the five-year monitoring and maintenance period, the portion of the project will be considered a success and the monitoring period will end. The intermediate goals will serve as indicators ofthe plan's interim success. In the event that the intermediate goals are not reached the plan vvill be adapted to improve project success. Ifthe 75 percent coverage goal is not reached by the end of the maintenance period, the problem will be analyzed to determine the reason for the lack of success. Required adjustments to the plan will be made and the monitoring period will be extended. Additionally, as required by Special Condition 2 of the Coastal Development Permit, the following goals, objectives, and success criteria shall be met: • At minimum, five years after the initial planting, the restored areas shall support at least 10 species of native plants appropriate to characterize .the vegetation type. • At minimum, five years after the initial planting, the restored areas shall show evidence of recmitment for at least five species of native plants appropriate to characterize the vegetation type. • Weeds shall be controlled and never constitute more than 10 percent ofthe total cover. Quantitative Monitoring The line-intercept sampling method will be used to determine the amount of cover achieved. To measure coverage by the line intercept method a transect (line) is established between two points. A tape measure is then stmng between the two points, and the length of intersection that each species has with the line is measured. When the coverage of all species is totaled, the result is frequently greater than the length Ofthe transect, because many species have overlapping areas of coverage. By measuring the area of bare ground intersection, the total vegetative cover can be established. The number of transects required will be determined by the monitoring biologist for the upland revegetation area. g P&D Environmental 5 City of Carlsbad P/A/CG/UMP/Upland Mitigation Plan-Nov04(175565.0001) Revlscd Golf CoUrSC Upland Mitigation PlOH Data obtained from the transect monitoring will be analyzed using appropriate statistical methods as determined by a qualified restoration biologist. These methods will include the use of a'power analysis, and will be used to monitor the species diversity at the site as well as the level bf cover. Qualitative Monitoring The upland mitigation sites will be visually inspected, and qualitative or subjective determinations about the success of the revegetation will be made. This is necessary because the quantitative sample sites might not include important data. Schedule Immediately following installation, the site will be monitored monthly for six months to evaluate germination and the initial success of the revegetation effort. If germination is unsuccessful or the seedlings do not survive, a change in scope may be required to determine the cause of failure. For the 6- to 12-month period, monitoring will be quarterly. If the success criteria are being met at the end of 12 months, from Month 12 to the end of the 5-year monitoring period, the site will be monitored annually. To ensure the success of the revegetation program, any areas that require reinstallation of materials will have their monitoring program started over at the time of reinstallation. Annual Reports The restoration biologist will be responsible for conducting monitoring ofthe project through the 5-year monitoring period. The restoration biologist will qualitatively and quantitatively evaluate project success in relation to the project performance criteria and submit reports documenting project progress. Annual reports will be submitted to the City of Carlsbad. The City of Carlsbad will be responsible for submitting the report to the USFWS, CDFG, and CCC. Reports filed at the end of each year will include a summary and analysis of the abiotic and biotic monitoring data collected and an evaluation of project progress relative to success standards. These reports will include the following: • a list of names, titles, and companies of all persons who prepared the content of the annual report and participated in monitoring activities for that year; • an analysis of all qualitative and quantitative monitoring data, including applicable statistical analyses; • a report of number of acres of exotic vegetation removed, treated, and retreated; • copies of monitoring photographs; and ^ P&D Environmental 6 City of Carlsbad p/A/cG/uMP/upiand Mitigation pian-Nov04 (175565,0001) Rcviscd Golf Coursc Upland Mitigation Plan • maps identifying monitoring areas, ttansects, planting zones, etc., as appropriate. Maintenance The restoration biologist will supervise the control and eradication of invasive exotic species from the restoration/enhancement area. Invasive exotics control will require effort throughout the 5-year maintenance and monitoring period to achieve effective control. Many invasive exotics require repeated and properly timed control measures. In addition, propagules are likely to wash or blow into the mitigation site and recolonize it. The Maintenance Program includes this ongoing exotics control component. The restoration biologist will direct the contractor regarding the selection of target weed species, their location, and the timing of weed control operations to ensure that native plants are avoided to the maximum extent possible. The restoration biologist will determine if, at any time, chemical control is to be used. As required by Special Condition 2(g) of the Coastal Development Permit, no weed whips shall be permitted after installation of the seed mixes. The type, quantity, and method of herbicide application will be determined by a California licensed pest control adviser (PCA) who will inspect the site and recommend methods of application and rates to the restoration biologist. Pesticide recommendations shall be limited to those appropriate for native habitat restoration. The restoration biologist will approve the rates, methods, and areas to which pesticides are to be apphed. Weed control requires constant diligence by the landscape maintenance contractor. The first 18 months of the project establishment is the cmcial period for weed control. A 48-inch-wide plant- free band will be maintained around all container plants and cuttings for the first 18 months after planting. Throughout the rest ofthe project, the restoration biologist will specify which weed species are to be controlled. Weed control procedures will take place at least monthly during the first 18 months. More frequent control measures will be performed as necessary or as recommended by the restoration biologist to keep weeds at manageable levels. The landscape maintenance contractor should consult a hcensed Pest Control Advisor if specific pest control recommendations are necessary. The landscape maintenance contractor will give special attention to the control of invasive exotic weed species in the wetland mitigation areas. 3.0 FINAL MITIGATION SUCCESS 3.1 Success Criteria If the project meets all success standards at the end of the 5-year monitoring period, the mitigation will be considered a success. When the initial 5-year monitoring period is complete and if the City believes final success standards have been met, the City will notify the resource agencies when submitting the annual report that documents this completion. The City recognizes that failure of any portion of the mitigation plan shall result in the requirement to replace that portion of failed mitigation. ^ P&D Environmental 7 City of Carlsbad p/A/cG/uMPAjpiand Mitigation pian-Nov04 (175565.0001) Rcviscd Golf Coursc Upland Mitigation Plan 2.4 Contingency Measures The project includes a mitigation monitoring and reporting program that requires the mitigation, to meet the success criteria. In the event that the site is considered a failure and remedial actions are unacceptable due to engineering, chemical, or physical constraints, the City will work with the USFWS, CCC and CDFG in identifying a suitable remedial action program. Additionally, in accordance with the Coastal Development Permit requirements, if the success criteria are not met after 6 years, an amendment to the permit shall be required. No changes to the mitigation plans shall occur without a CCC approved amendment to the Coastal Development Permit unless the Executive Director determines that no amendment is legally required. ^ P&D Environmental 8 City of Carlsbad p/A/cG/uMP/upiand Mitigation pian-Nov04 (175565.0001) Rcviscd Golf Coursc Upland Mitigation Plan