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Home My WebLink About; South Agua Hedionda Sewer Interceptor; South Agua Hedionda Sewer Interceptor; 1999-04-22"If - m P BIOLOGICAL TECHNICAL REPORT FOR A SEGMENT OF THE SOUTH AGUA HEDIONDA SEWER INTERCEPTOR SYSTEM CARLSBAD, CALIFORNIA Prepared for CARLSBAD MUNICIPAL WATER DISTRICT 5950 EL CAMINO REAL CARLSBAD, CA 92008 CONTACT: WILLIAM PLUMMER Pm Prepared by WENDY E. LOEFFLER BIOLOGIST RECON NUMBER 3055B APRIL 22,1999 1 J 4241 Jutland Drive. Suite 201 San Diego. CA 92117-3653 619/ 270-5066 fax 270-5414 This document printed on recycled paper TABLE OF CONTENTS «* ^ Summary of Findings 1 ** Introduction 2 Hi Survey Methods 9 m Existing Conditions 9 P A. Topography and Soils 9 to B. Botany 10 •* H C. Zoology 15 D. Sensitive Biological Resources 17 ^ E. Wildlife Movement Corridors 31 PP1^ Project Impacts - Direct 31 A. Plant Community and Habitat Impacts and Significance 31 1^* L B. Wildlife Impacts 42 f C. Sensitive Biological Resources Impacts 42 in Mitigation Measures 43 j^w m A. Sensitive Wildlife 52 S B. Sensitive Plant Communities 52 Conclusion 53 • References Cited 53 B FIGURES B 1: Regional location of the project 3 • 2: Project location 4 3: Alternative A 5 S 4: Alternatives Bl and Cl 6 5: Alternatives B2 and C2 7 6: Alternatives B3 and C3 8 •I 7: Existing vegetation and sensitive species 9 TABLE OF CONTENTS (cont.) FIGURES (cont) M* m 8: Alternative A impacts 33 9: Alternative B1 impacts 34 «•, 10: Alternative B2 impacts 35 11: Alternative B3 impacts 36m 12: Alternative Cl impacts 37 13: Alternative C2 impacts 38m 14: Alternative C3 impacts 39 m m TABLES M 1: Plant Species Observed on the South Agua Hedionda Sewer Interceptor m System Site 10 >_ 2: Wildlife Species Observed/Detected on the South Agua Hedionda Sewer " Interceptor System Site 16 3: Sensitive Plant Species Observed or with the Potential for Occurrence on the IP South Agua Hedionda Sewer Interceptor System Site 19 b 4: Sensitivity Codes 22 5: Sensitive Wildlife Species Known (or Potentially Occurring) on the p South Agua Hedionda Sewer Interceptor System Site 23 L 6: Project Impacts 32 7: Mitigation Ratios for Impacts to plant Communities and Habitats 44 _ 8: Summary of Alignment Alternative Impacts and Mitigation 45i^* i> ATTACHMENTm IB 1: Wetland Delineation for Agua Hedionda Sewer Project m M i c Summary of Findings A study area encompassing three primary alternatives (A, B, and C) for the South Agua H Hedionda Sewer Interceptor System was surveyed to determine the extent of biological resources present on-site. Alternatives B and C each include three subalternatives to m reflect various construction options for the location of permanent structures or pipeline B alignments. A total of eight different plant communities and habitats are present within the study area: southern coastal salt marsh, salt panne, freshwater marsh, mule fat scrub, E valley needlegrass grassland, Diegan coastal sage scrub, disturbed coastal sage scrub, and non-native grassland. B Impacts to sensitive plant communities and habitats are considered significant and require *• mitigation. This includes impacts to southern coastal salt marsh, salt panne, freshwater _ marsh, mule fat scrub, Diegan and disturbed coastal sage scrub, and valley needlegrass L grasslands. Impacts to non-native grassland, though not a sensitive plant community, would be considered significant by the City of Carlsbad if the Carlsbad Habitat Manage- ill ment Plan is implemented prior to approval of the current project. The ratios for il mitigation vary for each habitat type and the total acreages of mitigation required vary depending on the type of impact (temporary or permanent) and on the alignment P alternative.m No sensitive plants were identified during surveys, and dot-seed plantain (Plantago I erectd), the host plant for the larvae of the endangered quino checkerspot butterfly (Euphydryas editha quino), was not found. Coastal California gnatcatcher (Polioptila jH californica californica), a federal listed threatened species, is present within the Diegan H coastal sage scrub on-site. Impacts to this species can be minimized by removing the coastal sage scrub outside the breeding season, between August 31-February 14 under the P supervision of a biological monitor, fielding's savannah sparrow, a state listed endan- • gered species, is known to be resident within the southern coastal salt marsh. Impacts to this species can be avoided by removing the southern coastal salt marsh vegetation B between August 1-February 28, which is outside of the breeding season, under the supervision of a biological monitor. The presence of a biological monitor during coastal 8 sage scrub and southern coastal salt marsh vegetation removal will ensure that there would be no direct harm to any individuals that might be present in the area. White-tailed kites, a California fully protected species and protected as a nesting raptor by the S California Department of Fish and Game (CDFG), were observed foraging over the site. Impacts to potentially nesting individuals of this species can be avoided by removing willows between June 1 and February 14, which is outside of the breeding season. All H potential impacts to these sensitive species could be avoided or minimized if vegetation is * removed between August 31 and February 14. C p * Introduction P || The survey area for the proposed South Agua Hedionda Sewer Interceptor System site includes approximately 88 acres and is located within Kelly Ranch and on adjacent S property in the city of Carlsbad, California, east of Agua Hedionda Lagoon (Figure 1). The site is north and west of College Boulevard, north of Palomar Airport Road, southwest of El Camino Real, and directly north of the proposed Cannon Road alignment t (Figure 2). The lower elevation areas of the site are bounded by southern coastal salt marsh while the upper elevations are bounded by agricultural land. p || The current surveys assessed the proposed alignment for Reach S AH 3 of the South Agua Hedionda Sewer Interceptor System. The proposed project analyzes three different P alternatives of the alignment: A, B, and C (Figures 3-6). In addition, alignments B and C fci each include three subalternatives to reflect various construction options for the location of permanent structures or pipeline alignments. For each of the three alternatives, open P trenching would cause a 45-foot-wide area of disturbance; a 20-by-50-foot jacking/drill- ing pit; a 20-by-20 foot receiving pit; and, upon completion, a 15-foot-wide dirt access Eroad maintained on top of the pipeline alignment except where it crosses Agua Hedionda Lagoon. Jacking and directional drilling are two methods that use equipment to force the pipeline underground from the working pit to the receiving pit without disturbing the i* ground surface between the pits. IM Alternative A consists of a gravity line in an open trench in the alignment of Hidden ,i Valley Road from Cannon Road to a point in Macario Canyon that is approximately *i opposite from where pump station A would be located on the west side of Macario jpp Canyon. The pipeline would be jacked across to the pump station and would then be ^ constructed in an open trench along the route of an unpaved road and through the agricultural fields until it rejoins Cannon Road. P D Alternative B consists of a pump station (B) located on the east side of Macario Canyon. From here, the pipeline would be directional drilled east to the intersection of Cannon P Road and Hidden Valley Road and west across Agua Hedionda Lagoon. The portion of •• the pipeline under Agua Hedionda Lagoon would terminate at one of three different locations (Alternative Bl, B2, and B3) and would then be constructed in an open trench E along the route of an unpaved road and through the agricultural fields until it rejoins Cannon Road. P || Alternative C would be similar to Alternative B except that the entire pipeline would be constructed by open trench from pump station B. The open trench would follow the S Hidden Valley Road alignment east to Cannon Road and would cross over Agua Hedionda Lagoon terminating in one of three locations (Alternatives Cl, C2, and C3). g pi to ai mi PROJECT LOCATION 2.2 MILES 0 FIGURE 1 Regional Location of the Project Ill fp i P mi 1m m PROJECT LOCATION Map Source: U.S.GS 7.5 minute topographic maps, San Luis Rey and Encinitas quadrangles ¥000 2000 FEET 0 FIGURE 2 Project Location mi mm mm mt Force main, open trench •*••*•••* Gravity main, jacked •—•—"•"— Gravity main, open trench 350 FEET 0 FIGURE 3 Alternative A Directional Drillins 350 FEET 0 Force main, open trench Force main, open trench or directional drilling Gravity main - FIGURE 4 Alternatives Bl and Cl • • .dS..»"*'» V*^F Jr - -'. ''L _.' • *?-. i Directional Drillins B2 f.-Tt-• "-•'•->";^-—-rt»J?,'*i«ff'*--v'•-"•- •'-• •' ^'^-Sg3fivl^6l^:'. r/^H 350 FEET 0 Force main, open trench Force main, open trench or directional drilling Gravity main FIGURE 5 Alternatives B2 and C2 V""^i A--;-^j>',,.;vl-LViV-"--.-'-.,-??i$J^^^-*-i^'j-'--- ^f^^^^-rf-,-';'- -<- ;.',. ^ &^W'^~^&^:-m^ f&&i"m&''**%-$:&te* •.**&.*£.<.fir -jf^.SlL,*-'- . ..,*', ^ W t" ,-. fe£- -L » - *-, -J-L—T .-M»»^_, f =!^> ""• ^ ~ ~~"L-—-^^ -*£'• F^* "-•'/? AiL. • •" - ~^- - ^«4v • '. • r^•H&L ;-.»-,-. ^^^rf^L^fe:-/^ ~:J^ »"-. r--v,K»f^>^.• V'sSSes***---j^-ss^eat^ • ---~-~*«*^-?- ^-^r '^i^2*^r""---r-w--";vr--f-v*-':r-*«v --T ^^•-'" |*£- :-.&•-: J Open Trench .7 " C3 ,-rf*i f i.*, = • tf f •mfc ^-i~=.*.¥-!-» -.-". - lf^/1 ij^i, _^r^-V"fHff'- ,—~S**'£?W-ir •tJ^isfeS^- §^^^v"-"• --' :;T:."-\/V--: ^ij^f-r .' -,iu--;7,"' ":*"'.-?•--'- » * • ^^^•^^^?M--'*,-' :-«**-"•,;. TtewtS"* jPHrSF*^T/^ii. ^,(a.. ^:ft^, *&$&£&-^<***»*"-S Pump Station s-sr- Directional Drilling B3 ^vg^f...?, -™»--r --t» - , . -• '.i11.. .%«^.-^j <r ;.;,:;,--"•'-i-i.-. :. •-,- L - • .' " - *-"V».^ "-•^:"i*^v>*«-;^-^->^^Jr~----'-- • . ^ ' ^•vr^^^^'^i^r^/*^^^'":•-• -*"; ^f^^» x .**»; - ••»•- 3E' -V" -v»f-<*<f»- -"• ^^^^^*§^( -> K:>vfefe,? ^^-s*te'fty.ri , ^Mfef •j* —\ &%*-:--;. **>*-s:::^3>& S^t -***& Jfes*" ^rfe"^t,-«' 'i t>.., ^ .^^¥^^?*:>C^ Lr-i'^-V"^ •' '"':•-"'« ;%^.':-i4;Ste aii -J^v t*>v -^^s^^^r-kV-SC^^ti^r"- ,v I * ** -V- • ^~ - -**~irr3fr^ :*- -*---•'--.•Mfcv."1'»^-i- ^tv'*-..- -,'' j*-f l'->"*^/l ,-^ff^-;^v^'" '* • i-k,-^--"-'^ • --^ ••'>-, -•^.--'<^--1i>^1'-'- •- ••"•fe -~i',-r-'ut,'- ;:t;-;.^v?->-^r. --- ]W>-..>*'- ^ ' - >^r'^-^('->--.'-" ^fc ' ^; '•";::—-.-—«a*£ V. ^«3*«-'--;; •- ^ _-VA?,_ _;;•- ,-.-V-.>fe;I a^TJJV! %*t^ P^i- m ™*g ?'f _s#» iy-'*' siK~;i ^ 1 v Vf 5£Se2£fe>r&'- JJO F££T 0 Force main, open trench Force main, open trench or directional drilling Gravity main FIGURE 6 Alternatives B3 and C3 A general biological survey was conducted to map vegetation communities and to assess the presence or potential for presence of sensitive floral and faunal species. This report provides biological data and background information required for environmental analysis by the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). Survey Methods A biological resources survey was conducted on August 4, 1998 by RECON biologists Wendy Loeffler and Jennifer Radtkey. Vegetation communities were assessed and mapped. Animal species were observed directly or detected from calls, tracks, scat, nests, or other sign. All plant species observed on-site were noted and plants that could not be identified in the field were identified later using taxonomic keys. In addition, a site visit was made by Wendy Loeffler on March 8, 1999 to assess the suitability of the study area to support any populations of quino checkerspot butterfly (Euphydryas editha quino). Limitations to the compilation of a comprehensive floral checklist were imposed by seasonal factors, such as blooming period and emergence of some annual species. Nocturnal animals were detected from burrows, scat, and tracks but were not observed directly as all surveys were performed during the day. Floral nomenclature follows Hickman (1993) for common plants and Skinner and Pavlik (1994) for sensitive species. Plant community classifications follow the California Natural Diversity Data Base (NDDB) (Holland 1986). Zoological nomenclature for birds is in accordance with the American Ornithologists' Union Checklist (1998); for mammals, Jones et al. (1982); and for amphibians and reptiles, Collins (1997). Assessments of the sensitivity of species and habitats are based primarily on Skinner and Pavlik (1994), State of California (1997a, 1998a, 1998b), and Holland (1986). Existing Conditions A. Topography and Soils Elevation of the area surveyed ranges from approximately 10 to 100 feet above mean sea level (U.S. Geological Survey 1968). Eight soil types are found within the general region surrounding the proposed alignment and pump station locations: Carlsbad gravelly loamy soil (2-5% and 15-30 % slopes), Gaviota fine sandy loam (9-30% and 30-50% slopes), Las Flores loamy fine sand (15-30% slopes), Marina loamy coarse sand (2-9% slopes), Salinas clay loam (2-9% slopes), and tidal flats (U.S. Department of Agriculture 1973). Carlsbad gravelly loam soils are derived from weathered sandstone with runoff and erosion increasing with steepness of slope. Gaviota fine sandy loam soils are an upland soil type derived from weathered marine sandstone. Las Flores loamy fine sands are also an upland soil type that have a sandy clay subsoil derived from siliceous marine sandstone. Marina loamy coarse sands are found on old beach ridges and are derived from ferruginous eolian sand. The Salinas series of soils consist of clay loams derived from the sediments of other soil types. Tidal flats are generally barren, sea level areas that are periodically inundated with tidal water. B. Botany Seven plant communities are present on the 88.2-acre survey area: southern coastal salt marsh, freshwater marsh, mule fat scrub, valley needlegrass grassland, Diegan coastal sage scrub, disturbed coastal sage scrub, and non-native grassland. In addition, salt panne, a typically non-vegetated habitat, is present within Agua Hedionda Lagoon. The remainder of the surveyed area consists of agricultural fields, disturbed lands, and road beds. Figure 7 illustrates the locations of the plant communities, habitats, and other land uses present on the project site. A total of 54 plant species were identified on the site (Table 1). Of this total, 32 (59 percent) are species native to southern California and 22 (41 percent) are introduced species. 1. Southern Coastal Salt Marsh (3.7 acres) Southern coastal salt marsh consists of salt-tolerant herbaceous plant species and occur in bays, estuaries, and lagoons in California from Point Conception to the Mexican border (Holland 1986). Southern coastal salt marshes are highly productive ecosystems that are driven by tidal cycles, which bring a daily influx of nutrients. Southern coastal salt marsh is present on 3.7 acres of the project site within the area adjacent to Hidden Valley Road, within the mouth of Macario Canyon, and along the alignment route from Macario Canyon to Cannon Road. The dominant species in the southern coastal salt marsh is pickleweed (Salicornia virglnicd). Other plant species present include salt grass (Distichlis spicatd), alkali weed (Cressa truxillensis), brass- buttons (Cotula coronopifolia), salt heliotrope (Heliotropium curassavicum), and jaumea (Jaumea carnosa). 2. Freshwater Marsh (1.05 acres) A freshwater marsh containing species such as bulrush (Scirpus sp.), broad-leaved cattail (Typha latifolia), annual beard grass (Polypogon monspeliensis), and coast goldenbush (Isocoma menziesii) occurs in the central portion of the project area. 10 I I I I 350 FEET 0 Diegan Coastal Sage Scrub Disturbed Diegan Coastal Sage Scrub Mule Fat Scrub Freshwater Marsh Southern Coastal Salt Marsh Salt Panne Valley Needlegrass Grassland Non-Native Grassland Agriculture Disturbed Road A Coastal California Gnatcatcher FIGURE 7 Existing Vegetation and Sensitive species TABLE 1 PLANT SPECIES OBSERVED ON THE SOUTH AGUA HEDIONDA SEWER INTERCEPTOR SYSTEM PROJECT SITE Scientific Name Common Name Habitat Origin Artemisia californica Less. Atriplex semibaccata R.Br. Avena sp. Baccharis pilularis DC. Baccharis salicifolia (Ruiz Lopez & Pavon) Pers. Brassica nigra (L.) Koch. Bromus hordaceus L. Centaurium venustum (A. Gray) Rob. Chenopodium sp. Conium maculatum L. Conyza canadensis (L.) Cronq. Cotula coronopifolia L. Cressa truxillensis Kunth Cuscuta salina Engelm. var. major Yuncker Cyperus sp. Datura wrightii Regel Distichlis spicata (L.) E. Greene Eriogonum fasciculatum Benth. \ar.fasciculatum Erodium sp. Foeniculum vulgare Mill. Gnaphalium palustre Nutt. Heliotropium curassavicum L. Hemizonia fasciculata (DC.) Torrey & A. Gray Heteromeles arbutifolia (Lindley) Roemer Heterotheca grandiflora Nutt. Isocoma menziesii (Hook. & Arn.) G. Nesom Jaumea carnosa (Less.) A. Gray Juncus sp. Lactuca serriola L. Lolium multiflorum Lam. Malosma laurina (Nutt.) Abrams Malva parviflora L. Marrubium vulgare L. Medicago polymorpha L. Mesembryanthemum crystallinum L. Mimulus aurantiacus Curtis Nassella sp. Nicotiana glauca Grab. Opuntia littoralis (Engelm.) Cockerell. Picris echioides L. Polypogon monspeliensis (L.) Desf. Raphanus sativus L. Rhus integrifolia (Nutt.) Brewer & Watson Ricinus communis L. Rumex crispus L. Salicornia virginica L. Salix lasiolepis Benth. Sambucus mexicana C. Presl California sagebrush Australian saltbush Wild oats Coyote bush Mule fat, seep-willow Black mustard Smooth brome Canchalagua Goosefoot Poison hemlock Horseweed Brass-buttons Alkali weed Salicornia dodder Nutsedge Jimson weed Saltgrass California buckwheat Filaree, storksbill Fennel Lowland cudweed Salt heliotrope Golden tarplant Toyon, Christmas berry Telegraph weed Coast goldenbush Jaumea Rush Prickly lettuce Italian ryegrass Laurel sumac Cheeseweed, little mallow Horehound California bur clover Crystalline ice plant Bush monkeyflower Needlegrass Tree tobacco Shore cactus Bristly ox-tongue Annual beard grass Radish Lemonadeberry Castor bean Curly dock Pickleweed Arroyo willow Blue elderberry CSS N CSS I NNG,NG N CSS,DCSS,MFS N MFS N CSS,DCSS I DCSS I DCSS N CSM I CSM,CSS I CSS,DCSS N CSM I CSM N CSM N CSM N CSS N CSM,DCSS,MFS,DIS N CSS N AG I CSM,DCSS I CSM N CSM,DCSS N CSS,DCSS N CSM,DCSS N DCSS N CSM,CSS,MFS N CSM N CSM N CSM,CSS I DCSS I CSS N AG I DCSS I AG I CSM I CSS N CSS,DCSS,NG N CSS I CSS N DIS I CSS,DCSS,MFS,FM I DCSS I DCSS N CSS I DCSS I CSM N CSM,MFS N CSS N TABLE 1 PLANT SPECIES OBSERVED ON THE SOUTH AGUA HEDIONDA SEWER INTERCEPTOR SYSTEM PROJECT SITE (continued) Scientific Name Scirpus sp. Solarium douglasii Dunal Spergularia bocconii (Scheele) Merino. Suaeda californica Wats. Typha sp. Xanthium strumarium L. HABITATS AG = Agriculture CSM = Coastal salt marsh CSS = Coastal sage scrub DCSS = Disturbed coastal sage scrub DIS = Disturbed FM = Freshwater marsh MFS = Mule fat scrub NG = Native grasslands NNG = Non-native grassland Common Name Bulrush Douglas nightshade Sand spurrey California sea-blite Cattail Cocklebur OTHER N = I - Habitat FM DCSS,MFS CSM CSM CSM CSS TERMS Native to locality Introduced species from Origin N N I N N N outside locality 3. Mule Fat Scrub (4.2 acres) Mule fat scrub typically develops after flooding or other disturbance. This plant community tends to change over time through successional processes to willow- cottonwood or sycamore-dominated riparian forest/woodland in the absence of additional disturbance (Holland 1986). Mule fat scrub occurs on the edges of the lagoon on either side of Macario Canyon within the area surveyed. This plant community consists primarily of mule fat (Baccharis salicifolia), with additional species such as arroyo willow (Salix lasiolepis) and Douglas nightshade (Solarium douglasii) scattered throughout. 4. Valley Needlegrass Grassland (0.3 acre) Valley needlegrass grasslands are comprised of native perennial bunch grasses. In most regions, this plant community has been mainly converted to non-native annual grasslands due to the invasion of exotic annual grasses. Valley needlegrass grasslands often have a large component of non-native grasses but are distinguished as native grasslands if the percent cover by native grass species is 10 percent or greater. Two patches of valley needlegrass grassland, approximately 0.3 acre, occur on the site adjacent to the non-native grassland communities. Needlegrass (Nassella sp.), a native perennial bunchgrass, is the dominant native species present within these grassland areas. 5. Diegan Coastal Sage Scrub (12.5 acres) This southern form of coastal sage scrub is comprised of low-growing, aromatic shrubs that are drought-deciduous. Diegan coastal sage scrub is found in coastal areas from Los Angeles County south into Baja California (Holland 1986). This plant community is considered sensitive by resource agencies. Approximately 12.5 acres of Diegan coastal sage scrub are located in the survey area, primarily on north-facing slopes adjacent to the southern coastal salt marsh. The community is dominated by California sagebrush (Artemisia californica), California buckwheat (Eriogonum fasciculatum), and coast goldenbush. Also present in this native plant community are blue elderberry (Sambucus mexicana), lemonadeberry (Rhus integrifolia), and coyote bush (Baccharis pilularis). 6. Disturbed Coastal Sage Scrub (0.4 acre) Non-native weedy species, such as black mustard (Brassica nigra) and fennel (Foeniculum vulgare), dominate patches of coastal sage scrub habitat found on the survey area. Less than half an acre (0.4 acre) of disturbed coastal sage scrub occurs on-site. 14 7. Non-Native Grassland (3.3 acres) Non-native grasslands are dominated by annual non-native grasses with various native wildflowers present. Non-native grasslands occur throughout southern California (Holland 1986). Two patches of non-native grassland are adjacent to the coastal sage scrub habitat on the eastern half of the project site. Approximately 3.3 acres of non-native grassland occur on the site. 8. Salt Panne (8.5 acres) Salt panne is a coastal wetland habitat found within tidal lagoons consisting of fine sand and silt. Typically it is among and adjacent to salt marsh communities but is devoid of vegetation. A large patch of salt panne is present in the lagoon within the study area and is surrounded by southern coastal salt marsh. Approximately 8.5 acres occur within the area surveyed. 9. Agriculture (46.2 acres) Fifty-two percent of the project site is classified as agricultural land and is either under cultivation or lying fallow. 10. Disturbed (4.9 acres) A manufactured slope adjacent to Cannon Road, in the southeastern portion of the project area, is mainly bare soil with scattered weeds. Ruderal (weedy) vegetation also grows adjacent to the agricultural lands in the central portion of the survey area. These areas have been identified as disturbed habitat and account for approximately 4.9 acres. 11. Road (3.1 acres) Hidden Valley Road, a maintained, compacted dirt road, crosses through the survey area. In addition, numerous access roads have been developed on the east side of the site. C. Zoology The site overall is of moderate value for wildlife species. The southern coastal salt marsh and Diegan coastal sage scrub habitats provide fairly high habitat value for wildlife while the agricultural land provides a much lower habitat value. A complete list of the wildlife species detected is provided in Table 2. Sensitive species potentially occurring on-site are discussed in the Sensitive Biological Resources section. 15 TABLE 2 WILDLIFE SPECIES OBSERVED/DETECTED ON THE SOUTH AGUA HEDIONDA SEWER INTERCEPTOR SYSTEM PROJECT SITE Common Name Scientific Name Occupied Habitat Status Evidence of Occurrence Birds (Nomenclature from American Ornithologists' Union) White-tailed (= black-shouldered) kite Red-tailed hawk American kestrel Mourning dove Anna's hummingbird Black phocbc Wren tit Coastal California gnalcatchcr Lesser goldfinch House finch Spotted towhee Song sparrow Elanus leucurus Buteo jamaicensis Falco sparverius Zenaida macroura marginella Calypte anna Sayornis nigricans semiatra Chamaea fasciata henshawi Polioptila californica californica Carduelis psaltria hesperophilus Carpodacus mexicanus frontalis Pipilo maculatus Melospiza melodia CSS,CSM,F F AG,F CSS DCSS CSM.CSS CSS CSS CSS CSS CSS CSS CFP, FT,CSC O O O O O O O O O O O O Habitats Status AG = Agriculture CSS - Coastal sage scrub, inland sage scrub DCSS = Disturbed coastal sage scrub F = Flying overhead Evidence of Occurrence O = Observed CFP CSC FT * California fully protected species California Department of Fish and Game species of special concern Listed as threatened by the federal government Taxa listed with an asterisk fall into one or more of the following categories: • Taxa considered endangered or rare under Section 15380(d) of CEQA guidelines • Taxa that are biologically rare, very restricted in distribution, or declining throughout their range • Population(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) 1. Amphibians No amphibians were observed on-site. The Pacific treefrog (Hyla regilld) is expected to commonly occur on-site. 2. Reptiles No reptiles were identified on-site. Reptiles expected to occur on-site include western fence lizards (Sceloporus occidentalis), side-blotched lizard (Ufa stansburiana), and San Diego gopher snake (Pituophis melanoleucus). 3. Birds Twelve bird species were observed on-site, including red-tailed hawk (Buteo jamaicensis), white-tailed kite (Elanus leucurus), American kestrel (Falco sparverius), spotted towhee (Pipilo maculatus), song sparrow (Melospiza melodia), lesser goldfinch (Carduelis psaltria), and coastal California gnatcatcher (Polioptila californica calif arnica). 4. Mammals No mammals were identified on-site. Cottontail rabbit (Sylvilagus audubonii), striped skunk (Mephitis mephitis), California ground squirrel (Spermophilus beecheyi), and coyote (Canis latrans) are expected to use the site. D. Sensitive Biological Resources For purposes of this report, species are considered sensitive if they are (1) listed or proposed for listing by state or federal agencies as threatened or endangered; (2) on List IB (considered endangered throughout its range) or List 2 (considered endangered in California but more common elsewhere) of the California Native Plant Society's (CNPS) Inventory of Rare and Endangered Vascular Plants of California (Skinner and Pavlik 1994); or (3) considered rare, endangered, or threatened by the NDDB (State of California 1997a, 1997b, 1998a, 1998b) or other local conservation organizations or specialists. Noteworthy plant species are considered to be those which are on List 3 (more information about the plant's distribution and rarity needed) and List 4 (plants of limited distribution) of the CNPS Inventory. Sensitive habitat types are those identified by the NDDB (Holland 1986) or considered sensitive by other resource agencies. Assessments for the potential occurrence of sensitive or noteworthy species are based upon known ranges and habitat preferences for the species (State of California 1990; Skinner and Pavlik 1994; Reiser 1994), species occurrence records from the NDDB, and species occurrence records from other sites in the vicinity of the project site. 17 1. Sensitive Plants No sensitive plant species were observed on-site, though several are known to occur in the vicinity of the survey area and are considered as potentially occurring on-site based on plant communities and habitats identified. A botanical survey was conducted to search for sensitive plant species and for plant species known to support sensitive wildlife. Table 3 summarizes the status, habitats, and results of the botanical survey for each of these potentially occurring species, with codes explained in Table 4. 2. Sensitive Wildlife Two sensitive wildlife species were observed using the site: coastal California gnatcatcher and white-tailed kite. In addition, the Belding's savannah sparrow (Passerculus sandwichensis beldingi) was observed in the lagoon and on the Kelly Ranch property during previous surveys and is considered to be a resident of the southern coastal salt marsh within the study area (RECON 1990; Planning Systems 1997). Table 5 lists sensitive wildlife species observed on-site and those that could potentially occur on-site based on the ranges and habitat requirements of these species. The likelihood of these species occurring on-site is also presented in Table 5. The site was assessed twice to determine the habitat suitability for the quino checkerspot butterfly. No dot-seed plantain (Plantago erecta), the larval host plant, was identified within the study area during site visits conducted in 1998 and during the 1999 adult flight season survey period. The site is not suitable to support a population of the quino checkerspot butterfly. a. Coastal California gnatcatcher (Polioptila californica californica) This species is listed as threatened by USFWS and is a CDFG species of special concern. The coastal California gnatcatcher is a small blue-gray bird known by its mew-like call. The distribution of this species ranges from Ventura County south to northern Baja California (Atwood 1990). Coastal California gnatcatchers occur year-round in or near sage scrub habitat and use chaparral and riparian woodland where these habitats are found adjacent to sage scrub. The breeding season begins during mid-March and generally ends by late June. Coastal California gnatcatchers were observed on-site. A pair and one fledgling were observed in the patch of Diegan coastal sage scrub on the southeastern portion of the site. Additional young may have been present but was not confirmed. In addition, one male coastal California gnatcatcher was observed in the patch of Diegan coastal sage scrub on the far northeast portion of the survey area. 18 TABLE 3 SENSITIVE PLANT SPECIES OBSERVED (t) OR WITH THE POTENTIAL FOR OCCURRENCE ON THE SOUTH AGUA HEDIONDA SEWER INTERCEPTOR SYSTEM PROJECT SITE Species State/Federal CNPS CNPS Status List Code Typical Habitat/Comments Acanthomintha ilicifolia San Diego thornmint Adolphia califomica California adolphia CE/FT IB 2-3-2 Chaparral, coastal sage scrub, valley and foothill grassland/ clay soils. No suitable soils. Not exptected to occur. -/- 2 1-2-1 Coastal sage scrub, chaparral. Known to occur in vicinity. Not observed on-site. Arctostaphylos glandulosa ssp. crassifolia Del Mar manzanita -/FE IB 3-3-2 Coastal chaparral. No suitable habitat. Not expected to occur. Artemisia palmeri San Diego sagewort Astragalus tener var. titi Coastal dunes milk vetch Baccharis vanessae Encinitas coyote bush Brodiaea filifolia Thread-leaved brodiaea Calandrinia maritima Seaside calandrinia Camissonia lewisii Lewis' evening primrose Ceanothus verrucosus Wan-stemmed ceanothus -/- 2 2-2-1 Coastal sage scrub, chaparral, riparian. Not observed on-site. CE/PE IB 3-3-3 Coastal dunes, coastal bluff scrub. No suitable habitat. Not expected to occur. CE/FT IB 2-3-3 Chaparral. No suitable habitat. Not exptected to occur. CE/FT IB 3-3-3 Valley and foothill grassland, vernal pools. No suitable soils. Not expected to occur. -/- 4 1-2-1 Coastal bluff scrub, valley and foothill grassland. Generally occurs following a fire. Low potential to occur. -/- 3 - -1 Coastal scrub, valley and foothill grasslands, coastal bluff scrub, coastal dunes. Likely extirpated from Agua Hedionda. Not expected to occur. -/- 2 1-2-1 Chaparral. No suitable habitat. Not expected to occur. TABLE 3 SENSITIVE PLANT SPECIES OBSERVED (t) OR WITH THE POTENTIAL FOR OCCURRENCE ON THE SOUTH AGUA HEDIONDA SEWER INTERCEPTOR SYSTEM PROJECT SITE (continued) Species State/Federal CNPS CNPS Status List Code Typical Habitat/Comments Chorizanthe orcuttiana Orcutt's spineflower Chorizanthe polygonoides var. longispina Long-spined spineflower CE/FE IB 3-3-3 Coastal sage scrub; Del Mar to Point Loma, San Diego County. Only a few extant populations occur from Encinitas to Point Loma. Low potential to occur. -/- IB 2-2-2 Chaparral, coastal sage scrub, meadows, valley, and foothill grasslands. Low potential to occur. Comarostaphylis diversifolia ssp. diversifolia Summer holly Coreopsis maritima Sea dahlia IB 2-2-2 Chaparral. No suitable habitat. Not exptected to occur. 2-2-1 Coastal sage scrub, coastal bluff scrub. Not observed on-site. Dichondra occidentalis Western dichondra 1 -2-1 Chaparral, cismontane wood- land, coastal sage scrub, valley and foothill grassland. Not observed on-site. Dudleya viscida Sticky-leaved liveforever Euphorbia misera Cliff spurge Ferocactus viridescens Coast barrel cactus Harpagonella palmeri var. palmeri Palmer's grappling hook Hemizonia parryi ssp. australis (=Hemizonia australis) Southern tarplant IB 3-2-3 Coastal sage scrub; steep, north- facing slopes, gabbroic soils. Not expected to occur. 2 2-2-1 Coastal sage scrub, coastal bluff scrub. Not observed on-site. 2 1-3-1 Chaparral, coastal sage scrub, valley and foothill grassland. Not observed on-site. 2 1-2-1 Chaparral, coastal sage scrub, valley and foothill grassland. Potential to occur. IB 3-3-2 Valley and foothill grassland. Not observed on-site. TABLE 3 SENSITIVE PLANT SPECIES OBSERVED (t) OR WITH THE POTENTIAL FOR OCCURRENCE ON THE SOUTH AGUA HEDIONDA SEWER INTERCEPTOR SYSTEM PROJECT SITE (continued) Species State/Federal Status CNPS List CNPS Code Typical Habitat/Comments Iva hayesiana San Diego marsh elder Juncus acutus ssp. leopoldii (=Juncus acutus ssp. sphaerocarpus) Spiny rush Lasthenia glabrata ssp. coulteri Coulter's goldfields IB 2-2-1 Riparian, playas, chenopod scrub, river washes. Low potential to occur. 1-2-1 Coastal dunes (mesic), meadows (alkaline), coastal salt marsh. Not observed on-site. 2-3-2 Coastal salt marshes, playas, valley and foothill grasslands, vernal pools, alkaline. Not observed on-site. Lessingia filaginifolia \ar.filaginifolia -/- IB 2-2-2 (=Corethrogyne filaginifolia var. incana) San Diego sand aster Lotus nuttallianus -I- IB Nuttall's lotus Monardella linoides ssp. viminea CE/FE IB 2-3-2 Willowy monardella Coastal sage scrub, chaparral. Not observed on-site. 3-3-2 Coastal dunes, coastal sage scrub, beach sands and riverwash. Marginal habitat present. Low potential to occur. Riparian scrub; rocky, dry streambeds. No suitable habitat present. Not expected to occur. Pogogyne abramsii San Diego mesa mint Quercus dumosa Nuttall's scrub oak Selaginella cinerascens Ashy spike-moss Suaeda esteroa Estuary suaeda CE/FE IB 2-3-3 -/- IB 2-3-2 -/- 4 1-2-1 -/- 4 1-2-1 Vernal pools. No suitable habitat. Not expected to occur. Coastal chaparral. No suitable habitat. Not expected to occur. Chaparral, coastal sage scrub. Not observed on-sile. Coastal salt marshes. Not observed on-site. NOTE: See Table 4 for explanation of sensitivity codes. TABLE 4 SENSITIVITY CODES FEDERAL CANDIDATES AND LISTED PLANTS FE = Federally listed, endangered FT = Federally listed, threatened FPE = Federally proposed endangered FPT - Federally proposed threatened STATE LISTED PLANTS CE = State listed, endangered CR = State listed, rare CT = State listed, threatened CALIFORNIA NATIVE PLANT SOCIETY LISTS R-E-D CODES 1A = Species presumed extinct. IB = Species rare, threatened, or endangered in California and elsewhere. These species are eligible for state listing. 2 = Species rare, threatened, or endangered in California but which are more common elsewhere. These species are eligible for state listing. 3 = Species for which more infor- mation is needed. Distribution, endangerment, and/or taxonomic information is needed. 4 = A watch list of species of limited distribution. These species need to be monitored for changes in the status of their populations. R (Rarity) 1 = Rare, but found in sufficient numbers and distributed widely enough that the potential for extinction is low at this time. 2 = Occurrence confined to several populations or to one extended population. 3 = Occurrence limited to one or a few highly restricted populations, or present in such small numbers that it is seldom reported. E (Endangerment) 1 = Not endangered 2 = Endangered in a portion of its range 3 = Endangered throughout its range D (Distribution) 1 = More or less widespread outside California 2 = Rare outside California 3 = Endemic to California TABLE 5 SENSITIVE WILDLIFE SPECIES KNOWN (OR POTENTIALLY OCCURRING) ON THE SOUTH AGUA HEDIONDA SEWER INTERCEPTOR SYSTEM PROJECT SITE Species Status Habitat Occurrence/Comments KNOWN ON-SITE LISTED/PROPOSED SPECIES Birds (Nomenclature from American Ornithologists' Union) Coastal California gnatcatcher Polioptila californica californica Invertebrates Quino chcckcrspot butterfly Euphydryas editha quino FT, CSC, Coastal sage scrub, maritime succulent MHCP scrub. Resident. POTENTIALLY OCCURRING ON-SITE LISTED/PROPOSED SPECIES FE, MHCP Open, dry areas in foothills, mesas, lake margins. Larval host plant Plantago erecta. Observed on-site. Adult emergence mid-January through April. Host plant not observed. Not expected to occur. Birds (Nomenclature from American Ornithologists' Union) Western yellow-billed cuckoo (breeding) Coccyzus americanus occidentalis Southwestern willow flycatcher Empidonax traillii extimus Least Bell's vireo (nesting) Vireo bellii pusillus SE SE, FE, FSS, MHCP SE, FE, MHCP Riparian woodlands. Summer resident. Very localized breeding. Nesting restricted to willow thickets. Also occupies other woodlands. Rare spring and fall migrant, rare summer resident. Extremely localized breeding. Willow riparian woodlands. Summer resident. Not expected to occur; believed to be extirpated from area. Observed in Macario Canyon in previous years. No appropriate habitat within the alignment alternatives. Not expected to occur. Observed in Macario Canyon in previous surveys. No appropriate habitat within the alignment alternatives. Not expected to occur. TABLE 5 SENSITIVE WILDLIFE SPECIES KNOWN (OR POTENTIALLY OCCURRING) ON THE SOUTH AGUA HEDIONDA SEWER INTERCEPTOR SYSTEM PROJECT SITE (continued) Species Status Habitat Occurrence/Comments Bclding's savannah sparrow Passerculus sandwichensis beldingi Invertebrates SE, MHCP Salt marshes, lagoons dominated by Salicornia. Resident. OTHER SENSITIVE SPECIES Observed during previous surveys. Saltmarsh skipper Panoquina errans Hermes copper Lycaena hermes Reptiles (Nomenclature from Collins 1997) San Diego horned li/,ard Phrynosoma coronalum blainvillii Bclding's orangethroat whiptail Cnemidophorus hyperythrus beldingi Coast patch-nosed snake Salvadora hexalepis virgultea Red diamond rattlesnake Crotalus exsul (= C. ruber ruber) MHCP MHCP CSC, MHCP, CSC, MHCP CSC CSC Salt marshes. Host plant Distichlis spicata. Chaparral and coastal sage scrub where host plant Rhamnus crocea occurs. Adult emergence July-September. Host plant present and abundant. Adult emergence late May to July. Host plant not observed. Not expected to occur. Chaparral, coastal sage scrub with fine, Marginal habitat present. Harvester ants not loose soil. Partially dependent on observed. Low potential to occur on-site. harvester ants Tor forage. Chaparral, coastal sage scrub with coarse Potential to occur on-silc. sandy soils and scattered brush. Grasslands, chaparral, sagebrush, desert Potential to occur on-site. scrub. Found in sandy and rocky areas. Desert scrub and riparian habitats, coastal Potential to occur on-site. sage scrub, open chaparral, grassland, and agricultural fields. TABLE 5 SENSITIVE WILDLIFE SPECIES KNOWN (OR POTENTIALLY OCCURRING) ON THE SOUTH AGUA HEDIONDA SEWER INTERCEPTOR SYSTEM PROJECT SITE (continued) Species Status Habitat Occurrence/Comments Birds (Nomenclature from American Ornithologists' Union) White-tailed kite (nesting) CFP, * Elanus leucurus Nest in riparian woodland, oaks, sycamores. Forage in open, grassy areas. Year-round resident. Observed foraging over site, nesting status not known but potentially occurring on-site. Northern harrier (nesting) Circus cyaneus Ferruginous hawk (wintering) Buteo regalis CSC, MHCP Coastal lowland, marshes, grassland, agricultural fields. Migrant and winter resident, rare summer resident. CSC, MHCP Require large foraging areas. Grasslands, agricultural fields. Uncommon winter resident. Low potential to nest on-sitc. Breeding populations not historically known from this lagoon. Moderate potential to winter on-site. Peregrine falcon Falco peregrinus anatum Western burrowing owl (burrow sites) Speotyto cunicularia hypugaea SE, FE, CFP, Open coastal areas, mud fiats. Rare MHCP inland. Rare fall and winter resident, casual in late spring and early summer. CSC, MHCP Grassland, agricultural land, coastal dunes. Require rodent burrows. Declining resident. Local breeding populations extirpated. Moderate potential for foraging on-site. Marginal habitat present on-site, low potential to occur. Vaux's swift Chaetura vauxi Coastal cactus wren Campylorhynchus brunneicapillus couesi CSC CSC, MHCP, * All habitat types of San Diego County during migration. Maritime succulent scrub, coastal sage scrub with Opuntia thickets. Rare localized resident. Potential to forage on-site. No suitable habitat. Not expected to occur. TABLE 5 SENSITIVE WILDLIFE SPECIES KNOWN (OR POTENTIALLY OCCURRING) ON THE SOUTH AGUA HEDIONDA SEWER INTERCEPTOR SYSTEM PROJECT SITE (continued) Species Status Habitat Occurrence/Comments Yellow warbler (nesting) Dendroica petechia brewsteri Yellow-breasted chat (nesting) Icteria virens Southern California rufous-crowned sparrow Aimophila ruficeps canescens Bell's sage sparrow Amphispiza belli belli Large-billed savannah sparrow Passerculus sandwichensis rostratus Grasshopper sparrow (nesting) Ammodramus savannarum Western bluebird Sialia mexicana CSC CSC CSC MHCP Breeding restricted to riparian woodland. Spring and fall migrant, localized summer resident, rare winter visitor. Dense riparian woodland. Localized summer resident. Marginal habitat present. Not expected to breed on-sitc. Marginal habitat present. Not expected to breed on-sitc. CSC, MHCP Coastal sage scrub, grassland. Resident. Potential to occur on-site. Chaparral, coastal sage scrub. Localized Potential to occur on-sitc. resident. CSC, MHCP Marshes. Very rare in San Diego County. Low potential to occur. Tall grass areas. Localized summer resident, rare in winter. Potential to occur on-site. Inhabits sycamore and oak woodlands No suitable habitat. Not expected to occur, where they adjoin meadows and grasslands; require trees for lookouts and open habitat for foraging. Mammals (Nomenclature from Jones et al. 1982) Myolis bats Myotis spp. Many species may require capture for positive identification. TABLES SENSITIVE WILDLIFE SPECIES KNOWN (OR POTENTIALLY OCCURRING) ON THE SOUTH AGUA HEDIONDA SEWER INTERCEPTOR SYSTEM PROJECT SITE (continued) Species Status Habitat Occurrence/Comments Pale big-cared bat Corynorhinus townsendii pallescens Townscnd's western big-cared bat Corynorhinus townsendii townsendii Western mastiff bat Eumops perotis californicus San Diego black-tailed jackrabbit Lepus californicus bennettii Northwestern San Diego pocket mouse Chaetodip us fa llax fa llax San Diego desert woodrat Neotoma lepida intermedia Southern mule deer Odocoileus hemionus fuliginata CSC CSC CSC CSC CSC CSC MHCP Caves, mines, buildings. Found in a variety of habitats, arid and mesic. Caves, mines, buildings. Found in a variety of habitats, arid and mcsic. Woodlands, rocky habitat, arid and scmiarid lowlands, cliffs, crevices, buildings, tree hollows. Open areas of scrub, grasslands, agricul- tural fields. San Diego County west of mountains in sparse, disturbed coastal sage scrub or grasslands with sandy soils. Coastal sage scrub and chaparral. Many habitats. Individual or colonial. Extremely sensitive to disturbance. Low potential to occur on-sitc. Individual or colonial. Extremely sensitive to disturbance. Low potential to occur on-site. Audible echolocation signal. No suitable habitat. Not expected to occur on-site. Potential to occur on-site. Potential to occur on-site. Woodrat nests observed. Potential to occur on-site. Potential to occur on-sile. TABLE 5 SENSITIVE WILDLIFE SPECIES KNOWN (OR POTENTIALLY OCCURRING) ON THE SOUTH AGUA HEDIONDA SEWER INTERCEPTOR SYSTEM PROJECT SITE (continued) STATUS CODES Listed/Proposed FE = Listed as endangered by the federal government FT = Listed as threatened by the federal government SE = Listed as endangered by the state of California Other CFP = California fully protected species CSC - California Department of Fish and Game species of special concern FSS = Federal (Bureau of Land Management and U.S. Forest Service) sensitive species MHCP= Multiple Habitat Conservation Program covered species * = Taxa listed with an asterisk fall into one or more of the following categories: • Taxa considered endangered or rare under Section 15380(d) of CEQA guidelines • Taxa that are biologically rare, very restricted in distribution, or declining throughout their range • Population(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 rale (e.g., wetlands, riparian, old growth forests, desert aquatic systems, native grasslands) b. White-tailed kite (Elanus leucurus) The white-tailed kite is a California fully protected species that inhabits coastal California and parts of the Caribbean gulf coast. Locally, it nests in riparian woodlands, particularly those comprised of live oaks and sycamores, and forages over open areas and grasslands feeding primarily on small rodents. Loss of nesting and foraging habitats to agriculture and urbanization has reduced population numbers (Unitt 1994). One white-tailed kite was observed foraging over the coastal sage scrub and southern coastal salt marsh plant communities found on the survey area. This species typically nests colonially in 15- to 60-foot-tall trees; however, the species has been observed in trees as low as five feet tall and thus could potentially nest in the willow trees within the mule fat scrub at the mouth of Macario Canyon. c. Belding's savannah sparrow (Passerculus sandwichensis beldingi) The Belding's savannah sparrow is a state-listed endangered bird that is a resident of southern coastal salt marsh dominated by pickleweed (Salicornia spp.). Their range extends from northern Baja California to Santa Barbara County. This species nests in pickleweed mats that are above the high tide line and forages throughout the marsh habitat. Loss of nesting and foraging habitat as a result of conversion and degradation of southern coastal salt marsh habitat have reduced numbers of this species in southern California (Zembal et al. 1988). Although not observed during directed surveys conducted in 1998, Belding's savannah sparrows have been identified within the southern coastal salt marsh on several previous surveys (RECON 1990; Planning Systems 1997) and are known to be resident. 3. Sensitive Plant Communities and Habitats The following plant communities identified on-site are considered sensitive by the NDDB (Holland 1986): southern coastal salt marsh, freshwater marsh, mule fat scrub, valley needlegrass grassland, Diegan coastal sage scrub, and disturbed coastal sage scrub. In addition, salt panne is considered a sensitive habitat since it is a part of the coastal wetland ecosystem. a. Southern Coastal Salt Marsh and Salt Panne Southern coastal salt marsh and salt panne habitats are considered to be endangered in southern California (Ferren 1989). An estimated 80 percent of all coastal wetlands have been converted to agricultural or urban use (Jensen et al. 1990, in Noss et al. 1995). Estimates of the amount of southern coastal salt marsh habitats which have been destroyed in southern California range from 75-90 percent (State of California 1983). These communities provide critical habitat for numerous endangered wildlife species and 29 rare plants. In addition to providing habitat for birds, mammals, and reptiles, numerous marine invertebrates use the salt marsh and salt panne as a nursery ground for larval development. b. Freshwater Marsh Freshwater marsh habitat has been greatly reduced throughout its entire range in California; therefore, it is considered sensitive by the NDDB. This community occurs in areas permanently flooded by freshwater with little current flow and can be found throughout California along the coast and valleys. c. Mule Fat Scrub Mule fat scrub can be classified as a riparian community and regulated as a wetland, given the appropriate habitat conditions. The areas identified as mule fat scrub within the surveyed area are a transition between the southern coastal salt marsh and the associated upland habitats above the lagoon. The wetland delineation conducted by RECON in 1998 (RECON 1999) confirmed this plant community as a wetland habitat on this project site. There is an estimated loss of 91 percent of all wetlands in California (Dahl 1990, in Noss et al. 1995) and a 60.8 percent loss of riparian woodland in San Diego County (Oberbauer 1990, in Noss et al. 1995). All wetland habitats are considered sensitive by state and federal regulatory agencies. d. Valley Needlegrass Grassland Valley needlegrass grasslands are considered sensitive because of the extensive loss of this community throughout California. Valley needlegrass grasslands are considered sensitive by the NDDB and it is estimated that only 0.1 percent of the native grasslands in California remain (Keeley 1990). The loss of native grasslands is attributed to development, agriculture, grazing, and invasion by non-native, annual grasses and other non-native plant species. e. Diegan Coastal Sage Scrub and Disturbed Coastal Sage Scrub Diegan coastal sage scrub is restricted to the coastal areas of southern California and northern Baja California. Development and other human-related activities have seriously impacted this plant community and its associated plant and wildlife species. Estimates of loss range from 36 percent (Klopatek et al. 1979) to 85 percent (Westman 1981). These losses have accelerated rapidly in the last decade (Sawyer and Keeler-Wolf 1995). Diegan coastal sage scrub habitat is considered to be sensitive by the federal and state resource agencies, most southern California jurisdictions, and local conservation organizations. 30 E. Wildlife Movement Corridors Wildlife movement corridors are defined as areas that connect suitable wildlife habitat areas in a region otherwise fragmented by rugged terrain, changes in vegetation, or human disturbance. Natural features such as canyon drainages, ridgelines, or areas with vegetation cover provide corridors for wildlife travel. Wildlife 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 (Beier and Loe 1992). Wildlife movement corridors are considered sensitive by resource and conservation agencies. The survey area has moderate value as a wildlife movement corridor. The site facilitates movement between Macario Canyon and the large open spaces north and northeast of El Camino Real via Agua Hedionda Creek and smaller tributaries and the natural riparian and upland habitats that still surround the drainages. Project Impacts - Direct The biological impacts of the project were assessed according to guidelines set forth in CEQA. Mitigation is required for impacts that are considered significant under CEQA guidelines. Impacts are discussed for each of the alternatives separately. Impacts are divided into temporary and permanent. Temporary impacts are those areas of trenching in which the material will be replaced and landscape recontoured and revegetated. Permanent impacts would result from the creation of permanent structures, such as a 15- foot-wide dirt access roads and the pump stations. A. Plant Community and Habitat Impacts and Significance Table 6 provides the acreage of impacts to plant communities and habitats within each alternative. Figures 8-14 present each alternative with the impact areas and the communities and habitats found within each alignment corridor. In all cases, project staging areas, as well as the drilling and receiving pits, are expected to be located within the footprint of a pump station or within the alignment of Cannon Road and will not result in any additional impacts to biological resources. 1. Alternative A Impacts: Alternative A will permanently impact a total of 3.51 acres and temporarily impact 3.99 acres. The implementation of this design would impact southern coastal salt 31 TABLE 6 PROJECT IMPACTS Alternative A Alternative Bl Alternative B2 Alternative B3 Alternative Cl Alternative C2 Alternative C3 Plant Communities, Habitats, and Land Use Designations Perm Temp Total Perm Temp Total Perm Temp Total Perm Temp Total Perm Temp Total Perm Temp Total Perm Temp Total Southern Coastal Salt Marsh 0.17 0.17 0.02 0.02 1.21 1.21 0.05 0.85 0.90 0.05 1.28 1.33 Salt Panne 1.23 1.23 1.12 1.12 Freshwater Marsh 0.24 0.38 0.62 0.24 0.38 0.62 0.24 0.38 0.62 Mule Fat Scrub 0.12 0.11 0.23 Dicgan Coastal Sage Scrub 1.51 0.96 2.47 0.65 0.47 1.11 0.59 0.29 0.88 0.45 0.45 0.67 0.73 1.41 0.65 0.57 1.22 0.48 0.22 0.69 Disturbed Coastal Sage Scrub 0.05 0.05 Valley Nccdlcgrass Grassland 0.11 0.11 0.11 0.11 0.11 0.11 0.11 0.11 0.11 0.11 0.11 0.11 Non-native Grassland 0.02 0.12 0.14 0.03 0.03 0.07 0.03 0.03 0.03 0.03 0.04 0.05 0.09 0.03 0.02 0.05 0.03 0.02 0.05 Agriculture 0.86 1.73 2.60 0.86 1.73 2.60 0.86 1.73 2.60 0.83 1.67 2.50 0.86 1.73 2.60 0.86 1.73 2.60 0.86 1.72 2.57 Disturbed 0.06 0.10 0.17 0.05 0.10 0.15 0.05 0.10 0.15 0.04 0.08 0.13 0.05 0.10 0.15 0.05 0.10 0.15 0.11 0.21 0.32 Road 0.65 0.42 1.07 0.21 0.03 0.24 0.21 0.03 0.24 0.21 0.03 0.24 0.49 0.28 0.77 0.45 0.27 0.72 0.45 0.27 0.72 TOTAL 3.51 3.99 7.50 2.15 2.75 4.90 1.85 2.15 4.00 1.66 1.78 3.44 2.46 4.50 6.95 2.21 4.78 6.99 2.08 4.83 6.91 Perm = permanent impacts; Temp = temporary impacts I I I 1 I I I I I I I 1 I I £^\SSJ Area of Permanent Impact | | | | Area of Temporary Impact ,''•>*,'' Area of Directional Drilling Diegan Coastal Sage Scrub Disturbed Diegan Coastal Sage Scrub Freshwater Marsh Mule Fat Scrub Southern Coastal Salt Marsh Valley Needlegrass Grassland Non-Native Grassland Agriculture Disturbed Road 350 FEET 0 FIGURE 8 Alternative A Impacts I I I I I I I I I ISSSv'xNJ Area of Permanent Impact || | | | | Area of Temporary Impact /'\/ Area of Directional Drilling Diegan Coastal Sage Scrub Disturbed Diegan Coastal Sage Scrub Freshwater Marsh Mule Fat Scrub Southern Coastal Salt Marsh Native Grassland Non-Native Grassland Agriculture § Disturbed Road 700 350 FEET 0 FIGURE 9 Alternative Bl Impacts I Area of Permanent Impact Area of Temporary Impact 1 Area of Directional Drilling Diegan Coastal Sage Scrub Southern Coastal Salt Marsh Valley Needlegrass Grassland Non-Native Grassland Agriculture Disturbed Road 700 350 FEET 0 FIGURE 10 Alternative B2 Impacts ' I gSS^vXJ Area of Permanent Impact || | | | j Area of Temporary Impact •HB Diegan Coastal Sage Scrub - I Disturbed Diegan Coastal Sage Scrub v..- | Freshwater Marsh SBH Southern Coastal Salt March ' -. .E-^>*;:^ Valley Needlegrass Grassland Non-Native Grassland Agriculture Disturbed Road 700 350 FEET 0 FIGURE 12 Alternative Cl Impacts I I [ Area of Permanent Impact Area of Temporary Impact Diegan Coastal Sage Scrub Salt Panne Southern Coastal Salt Marsh Valley Needlegrass Grassland Non-Native Grassland Agriculture Disturbed Road 700 350 FEET 0 FIGURE 13 Alternative C2 Impacts I I I I ] Area of Permanent Impact | Area of Temporary Impact Diegan Coastal Sage Scrub Salt Panne Southern Coastal Salt March Valley Needlegrass Grassland Non-Native Grassland Agriculture Disturbed Road 700 350 FEET 0 FIGURE 14 Alternative C3 Impacts marsh, freshwater marsh, mule fat scrub, Diegan coastal sage scrub, disturbed coastal sage scrub, valley needlegrass grassland, non-native grassland, agriculture, and disturbed. Significance: Impacts to southern coastal salt marsh, freshwater marsh, mule fat scrub, Diegan coastal sage scrub, disturbed coastal sage scrub, and valley needlegrass grassland would be considered significant by local, state, and federal agencies and would require mitigation. In addition, if the City of Carlsbad Habitat Management Plan were implemented prior to approval of this project, impacts to non-native grasslands would be considered significant and would require mitigation by the plan. 2. Alternative Bl Impacts: Alternative Bl will permanently impact a total of 2.15 acres and temporarily impact 2.75 acres. The implementation of this design would impact southern coastal salt marsh, freshwater marsh, Diegan coastal sage scrub, disturbed coastal sage scrub, valley needlegrass grassland, non-native grassland, agriculture, and disturbed. There would be no permanent impacts to southern coastal salt marsh or disturbed coastal sage scrub. Significance: Impacts to southern coastal salt marsh, freshwater marsh, Diegan coastal sage scrub, and valley needlegrass grassland are considered significant by local, state, and federal agencies and would require mitigation. In addition, if the City of Carlsbad Habitat Management Plan were implemented prior to approval of this project, impacts to non- native grasslands would be considered significant and would require mitigation by the plan. 3. Alternative B2 Impacts: Alternative B2 will permanently impact a total of 1.85 acres and temporarily impact 2.15 acres. The implementation of this design would impact Diegan coastal sage scrub, valley needlegrass grassland, non-native grassland, agriculture, and disturbed. Significance: Impacts to Diegan coastal sage scrub and valley needlegrass grassland are considered significant by local, state, and federal agencies and would require mitigation. In addition, if the City of Carlsbad Habitat Management Plan were implemented prior to approval of this project, impacts to non-native grasslands would be considered significant and would require mitigation by the plan. 4. Alternative B3 Impacts: Alternative B3 will permanently impact a total of 1.66 acres and temporarily impact 1.78 acres. The implementation of this design would impact Diegan coastal sage scrub, valley needlegrass grassland, non-native grassland, agriculture, and disturbed. 40 Significance: Impacts to Diegan coastal sage scrub and valley needlegrass grassland are considered significant by local, state, and federal agencies and would require mitigation. In addition, if the City of Carlsbad Habitat Management Plan were implemented prior to approval of this project, impacts to non-native grasslands would be considered significant and would require mitigation by the plan. 5. Alternative Cl Impacts: Alternative Cl will permanently impact a total of 2.46 acres and temporarily impact 4.50 acres. The implementation of this design would impact southern coastal salt marsh, freshwater marsh, Diegan coastal sage scrub, valley needlegrass grassland, non- native grassland, agriculture, and disturbed. Impacts to southern coastal salt marsh would not be permanent. Significance: Impacts to southern coastal salt marsh, freshwater marsh, Diegan coastal sage scrub, and valley needlegrass grassland are considered significant by local, state, and federal agencies and would require mitigation. In addition, if the City of Carlsbad Habitat Management Plan were implemented prior to approval of this project, impacts to non- native grasslands would be considered significant and would require mitigation by the plan. 6. Alternative C2 Impacts: Alternative C2 will permanently impact a total of 2.21 acres and temporarily impact 4.78 acres. The implementation of this design would impact southern coastal salt marsh, salt panne, Diegan coastal sage scrub, valley needlegrass grassland, non-native grassland, agriculture, and disturbed. Impacts to salt panne would not be permanent. Significance: Impacts to southern coastal salt marsh, salt panne, Diegan coastal sage scrub, and valley needlegrass grassland are considered significant by local, state, and federal agencies and would require mitigation. In addition, if the City of Carlsbad Habitat Management Plan were implemented prior to approval of this project, impacts to non- native grasslands would be considered significant and would require mitigation by the plan. 7. Alternative C3 Impacts: Alternative C3 will permanently impact a total of 2.08 acres and temporarily impact 4.83 acres. The implementation of this design would impact southern coastal salt marsh, salt panne, Diegan coastal sage scrub, valley needlegrass grassland, non-native grassland, agriculture, and disturbed. Impacts to salt panne would not be permanent. 41 Significance: Impacts to southern coastal salt marsh, salt panne, Diegan coastal sage scrub, and valley needlegrass grassland are considered significant by local, state, and federal agencies and would require mitigation. In addition, if the City of Carlsbad Habitat Management Plan were implemented prior to approval of this project, non-native grasslands would require mitigation by the plan. B. Wildlife Impacts The study area has a moderate habitat value for wildlife; however, there will be few impacts to general wildlife associated with the project. The narrow, linear nature of the project means that there is less of a chance of disrupting the ability of wildlife to move from one side of the implemented project to the other. In addition, the project has been designed to avoid or minimize impacts to areas with the most sensitive habitats and wildlife. Depending on the alternative selected, this would be accomplished by using, as feasible, existing disturbed road easements or employment of subsurface directional drilling (jacking) to avoid areas of highest sensitivity. Where impacts do occur, they will be limited to the minimum width necessary for line installation and construction of the pump station. No habitat will be completely removed or converted during implementation of the project. In addition, at least half of the impacts for each alternative will be temporary, which means the impact area will be backfilled, recontoured, and revegetated with habitat-appropriate native species. A few animals will be displaced and small mammals, amphibians, and reptiles with low mobility may be inadvertently killed during grading of the site. Impacts on non-sensitive wildlife are considered less than significant. C. Sensitive Biological Resources Impacts 1. Sensitive Plants No sensitive plants would be impacted by the proposed project, regardless of the alternative selected. 2. Sensitive Wildlife The coastal California gnatcatcher was observed in several locations within the coastal sage scrub in the area surveyed. The Belding's savannah sparrow is known to be resident within the southern coastal salt marsh. All of the alignment alternatives include impacts to coastal sage scrub which could potentially impact the coastal California gnatcatcher. Alignment alternatives A, Bl, Cl, C2, and C3 include impacts to southern coastal salt marsh which could impact the Belding's savannah sparrow. Any impacts to either of these species would be considered significant. There is a low potential for white-tailed kites to nest on-site within the willows. Impacts to nesting raptors would be considered 42 significant. Only Alternative A of the proposed alignments would result in impacts to mule fat scrub habitat that may contain willows. As a result, potential direct or indirect impacts could affect the white-tailed kite if found to be nesting in willows during construction. Direct impacts to the white-tailed kite would be avoided with selection of any of the Alternative B or C subaltematives. 3. Sensitive Plant Communities Impacts to southern coastal salt marsh, freshwater marsh, mule fat scrub, Diegan and disturbed coastal sage scrub, and native grassland habitats would be considered significant. Impacts to non-native grasslands, though not considered a sensitive habitat, would be considered significant under the City of Carlsbad Habitat Management Plan, if implemented prior to approval of this project. 4. Wildlife Movement Corridor Impacts to wildlife movement corridors will be minimal because, once the pipeline is completed, maintenance will be necessary only on an "as needed" basis to perform brush management on the 15-foot-wide maintenance road. The pump station will receive infrequent traffic from crews performing routine inspection and maintenance. Wildlife movement across the proposed dirt utility access road will be unimpeded. More than half of the impacts proposed for any of the alternatives will be temporary and will be revegetated to the original habitat. Many of the alternatives include drilling much of the pipeline under the surface. This also serves to minimize impacts to the use of the area as a corridor by wildlife. Impacts to any wildlife movement corridors would be less than significant. Mitigation Measures Mitigation is required for impacts that are considered significant, including impacts to listed species, sensitive plant communities and habitats, and wetlands. Mitigation is intended to reduce significant impacts to a less than significant level. Mitigation measures include resource avoidance, habitat replacement, or the paying of fees into a mitigation bank. Table 7 provides mitigation ratios for impacts to sensitive plant communities and habitats and Table 8 itemizes impacts and summarizes required mitigation for each of the proposed alternatives. 43 TABLE 7 MITIGATION RATIOS FOR IMPACTS TO PLANT COMMUNTIES AND HABITATS Habitat Mitigation Ratio Group A, Wetland/Riparian Coastal salt marsh/salt pan 4:1 Freshwater marsh 2:1 Mule fat scrub 3:1 Group B, Rare Upland (Native Grassland) 3:1 Group C, Coastal Sage Scrub 2:1 Group E, Annual (non-native) Grassland 0.5:1 SOURCE: Issue Paper No. 10: MHCP Mitigation Guidelines and Assump- tions for Analysis of Preserve Assembly. Draft, revised February 2, 1999. TABLE 8 SUMMARY OF ALIGNMENT ALTERNATIVE IMPACTS AND MITIGATION Alternative Habitat/Species Impact Permanent/Temporary Impacts (acres)Significant Mitigation Permanent/Temporary Impacts Alternative A Southern coastal salt marsh Freshwater marsh Mule fat scrub Diegan coastal sage scrub Disturbed coastal sage scrub Non-native grassland Agriculture Disturbed 0.00/0.17 YES 0.00/restore 0.17 acre 0.24/0.38 YES 0.48 acre (2:1 )/restorc 0.38 acre 0.12/0.11 YES 0.36 acre (3:1 )/restore 0.11 acre 1.51/0.96 YES 3.12acre(2:l)/restore0.96acre 0.05/0.00 YES (included in above mitigation) 0.02/0.12 (Yes under HMP) 0.01 acre (05:1 )/rcstorc 0.12 acre 0.86/1.73 NO 0.06/0.10 NO TOTAL ACRES 2.86/3.57 Alternative A Coastal California gnatcatchcr Temporary impact if Diegan coastal sage scrub disturbed during breeding season YES To reduce direct impacts to the coastal California gnatcatcher to a less than significant level: Restrict vegetation brushing of Diegan coastal sage scrub and disturbed coastal sage scrub to between August 31 and February 14 only (outside breeding season) and only under supervision of a qualified biological monitor. To reduce indirect impacts to the coastal California gnalcatchcr to a less than significant level: Flag the boundary of off-site sensitive habitat areas prior to initial brushing, grading, and construction. Flagging and construction-related activities shall be monitored by a qualified biologist to ensure off-site impacts are avoided. TABLE 8 SUMMARY OF ALIGNMENT ALTERNATIVE IMPACTS AND MITIGATION (continued) Alternative Habitat/Species Impact Permanent/Temporary Impacts (acres)Significant Mitigation Permanent/Temporary Impacts Bclding's savannah sparrow Temporary impact if southern coastal salt marsh is disturbed during breeding season YES To reduce direct impacts to the Bclding's savannah sparrow to a less than significant level: Removal of coastal salt marsh vegetation may be conducted from August 1 to February 28 (outside Belding's savannah sparrow breeding season), and only under supervision of a qualified biological monitor. To reduce indirect impacts to a less than significant level: Flag the boundary of off-site sensitive habitat areas prior to initial brushing, grading, and construction. Flagging and construction-related activities shall be monitored by a qualified biologist to ensure off-site impacts are avoided. Alternative A White-tailed kite Potential temporary direct impact if pipeline requires removal of willows located within mule fat habitat YES If removal of willows within mule fat scrub habitat is required, removal may be conducted between June 1 and February 14 (outside breeding season of the white- tailed kite), and only under supervision of a qualified biological monitor. If removal of willows is required during the breeding season (between February 15 and May 31): A qualified biologist must first conduct a clearance survey, no more than 30 days prior to removal, to determine if active nests are present. If a nest is discovered, a 500-foot buffer shall be established around the nest site until the young arc independent of the nest. TABLE 8 SUMMARY OF ALIGNMENT ALTERNATIVE IMPACTS AND MITIGATION (continued) Alternative Habitat/Species Impact Permanent/Temporary Impacts (acres)Significant Mitigation Permanent/Temporary Impacts Alternative Bl Southern coastal salt marsh Freshwater marsh Dicgan coastal sage scrub Valley nccdlcgrass grassland Non-native grassland Agriculture Disturbed' O.OO/ 0.02 YES 0.00/rcstore 0.02 acre 0.24/0.38 YES 0.48 acre (2:1 )/rcstorc 0.38 acre 0.65/0.47 YES 1.30.00acrc (2:1 )/rcstorc 0.47 acre 0.11/0.00 YES 0.33 acre (3:1 )/no restoration required 0.03/0.03 (Yes under HMP) 0.015 acre (0.5:1 )/rcslore 0.3 acre 0.86/1.73 NO 0.05/0.10 NO TOTAL 1.94/2.73 Coastal California gnatcatcher Temporary impact if Diegan coastal sage scrub disturbed mid- March to late June (breeding season) YES Brushing of Diegan coastal sage scrub and disturbed coastal sage scrub may be conducted between August 31 and February 14 only (outside coastal California gnatcatcher breeding season) and only under supervision of a qualified biological monitor. Bclding's savannah sparrow Temporary impact if southern coastal salt marsh is disturbed during breeding YES Removal of coastal salt marsh vegetation may be conducted from August 1 to February 28 (outside Bclding's savannah sparrow breeding season), and only under supervision of a qualified biological monitor. season TABLES SUMMARY OF ALIGNMENT ALTERNATIVE IMPACTS AND MITIGATION (continued) Alternative Habitat/Species Impact Alternative B2 Dicgan coastal sage scrub Valley nccdlegrass grassland Non-native grassland Agriculture Disturbed1 TOTAL Coastal California gnatcatcher Alternative B3 Dicgan coastal sage scrub Valley needlcgrass grassland Non-native grassland Agriculture Disturbed' Permanent/Temporary Impacts (acres) 0.59/0.29 0.11/0.00 0.03/0.00 0.86/1.73 0.05/0.10 1.64/2.12 Temporary impact if Diegan coastal sage scrub disturbed mid- March to late June (breeding season) 0.45/0.00 0.11/0.00 0.03/0.00 0.83/1.67 0.04/0.08 Significant YES YES (Yes under HMP) NO NO YES YES YES (Yes under HMP) NO NO Mitigation Permanent/Temporary Impacts 1.18 acre (2: 1 )/rcstore 0.29 acre 0.33 acre (3:l)/no restoration required 0.015 acre (0.5:l)/no restoration required • Brushing of Diegan coastal sage scrub and disturbed coastal sage scrub may be conducted between August 3 1 and February 14 only (outside coastal California gnatcatcher breeding season) and only under supervision of a qualified biological monitor. 0.90 acre (2: 1 )/no restoration required 0.33 acre (3:l)/no restoration required 0.015 acre (0.5:l)/no restoration required TOTAL 1.45/1.75 TABLE 8 SUMMARY OF ALIGNMENT ALTERNATIVE IMPACTS AND MITIGATION (continued) Alternative Habitat/Species Impact Permanent/Temporary Impacts (acres)Significant Mitigation Permanent/Temporary Impacts Coastal California gnatcatcher Temporary impact if Diegan coastal sage scrub disturbed mid- March to late June (breeding season) YES Brushing of Diegan coastal sage scrub and disturbed coastal sage scrub may be conducted between August 31 and February 14 only (outside coastal California gnatcatcher breeding season) and only under supervision of a qualified biological monitor. Alternative Cl Southern coastal salt marsh Freshwater marsh Diegan coastal sage scrub Valley needlcgrass grassland Non-native grassland Agriculture Disturbed' 0.00/1.21 YES 0.00/restore 1.21 acre 0.24/0.38 YES 0.48 acre (2:1 )/rcstorc 0.38 acre 0.67/0.73 YES 1.34 acre (2:1 )/restore 0.73 acre 0.11/0.00 YES 0.33 acre (3:1 )/no restoration required 0.04/0.05 (Yes under HMP) 0.02 acre (0.5:1 )/restore 0.05 acre 0.86/1.73 NO 0.05/0.10 NO TOTAL 1.97/4.22 Coastal California gnatcatcher Temporary impact if Diegan coastal sage scrub disturbed mid- March to late June (breeding season) YES Brushing of Diegan coastal sage scrub and disturbed coastal sage scrub may be conducted between August 31 and February 14 only (outside coastal California gnatcatcher breeding season) and only under supervision of a qualified biological monitor. TABLE 8 SUMMARY OF ALIGNMENT ALTERNATIVE IMPACTS AND MITIGATION (continued) Alternative Habitat/Species Impact Bclding's savannah sparrow Permanent/Temporary Impacts (acres) Temporary impact if Significant YES Mitigation Permanent/Temporary Impacts • Removal of coastal salt marsh vegetation m;jy besouthern coastal salt marsh is disturbed during breeding season conducted from August 1 to February 28 (outside Belding's savannah sparrow breeding season), and only under supervision of a qualified biological monitor. Alternative C2 Southern coastal salt marsh Salt panne Dicgan coastal sage scrub Valley needlcgrass grassland Non-native grassland Agriculture Disturbed' 0.05/0.85 YES 0.2 acre (4:1 )/restore 2.08* acres O.OO/ 1.23 YES included in above mitigation 0.65/0.57 YES 1.30.00acre (2:1 )/restore 0.57 acre 0.11/0.00 YES 0.33 acre (3:1 )/no restoration required 0.03/0.02 (Yes under HMP) 0.015 acre (0.5:l)/rcstore 0.02 acre 0.86/1.73 NO 0.05/0.10 NO TOTAL 1.76/4.51 Coastal California gnatcatcher Temporary, indirect impact if Diegan coastal sage scrub disturbed mid-March to late June (breeding season) YES Brushing of Diegan coastal sage scrub and disturbed coastal sage scrub may be conducted between August 31 and February 14 only (outside coastal California gnatcatcher breeding season) and only under supervision of a qualified biological monitor. TABLE 8 SUMMARY OF ALIGNMENT ALTERNATIVE IMPACTS AND MITIGATION (continued) Alternative Habitat/Species Impact Bclding's savannah sparrow Permanent/Temporary Impacts (acres) Temporary, indirect Significant YES Mitigation Permanent/Temporary Impacts • Removal of coastal salt marsh vegetation miiv beimpact if salt marsh, lagoon disturbed during breeding season conducted from August 1 to February 28 (outside Belding's savannah sparrow breeding season), and only under supervision of a qualified biological monitor. Alternative C3 Southern coastal salt marsh Salt panne Dicgan coastal sage scrub Valley needlcgrass grassland Non-native grassland Agriculture Disturbed' 0.05/1.28 O.OO/ 1.12 0.48/0.22 0.11/0.00 0.03/0.02 0.86/1.72 0.11/0.21 YES YES YES YES (Yes under HMP) NO NO 0.2 acre (4: 1 )/reslore 2.40* acre * included in above mitigation O.OO/ restore 0.22 acre 0.33 acre (3:l)/no restoration required 0.015 acre (0.5:l)/restore 0.02 acre TOTAL 1.63/4.56 Coastal California gnatcatcher Temporary impact if Diegan coastal sage scrub disturbed mid- March to late June (breeding season) YES Brushing of Dicgan coastal sage scrub or disturbed coastal sage scrub may be conducted between August 31 and February 14 only (outside breeding season) and only under supervision of a qualified biological monitor. Belding's savannah sparrow Temporary impact if salt marsh, lagoon disturbed during breeding season YES Removal of coastal salt marsh vegetation may be conducted from August 1 to February 28 (outside Bclding's savannah sparrow breeding season), and only under supervision of a qualified biological monitor. A. Sensitive Wildlife 1. Coastal California Gnatcatcher Removal of any Diegan coastal sage scrub and disturbed coastal sage scrub must be conducted outside of the breeding season of the coastal California gnatcatcher to avoid impacting any breeding birds within the alignment. Vegetation can be brushed between August 31 and February 14. A qualified biological monitor should be present to flag boundaries of off-site sensitive habitat areas prior to grading and on-site brushing to insure that there are no impacts to resident birds that use the coastal sage within the study area. 2. White-tailed Kite The removal of any willows should be conducted outside of the breeding season of the white-tailed kite to avoid any impacts to potentially nesting birds within those alignment alternatives affecting mule fat scrub. Willows should be removed between June 1 and February 14. If the willows are to be removed outside of this range, a qualified biologist should conduct a clearance survey within 30 days of the removal of the trees to determine if there are any active nests present. If an active nest is discovered, a 500-foot buffer around the nest site is recommended until the young are independent of the nest. 3. Belding's Savannah Sparrow Removal of any southern coastal salt marsh vegetation must be conducted outside of the breeding season of the Belding's savannah sparrow to avoid impacting any breeding birds within the alignment. Vegetation can be brushed between August 1 and February 28. A qualified biological monitor should be present during brushing or whenever construction activity is adjacent to southern coastal salt marsh habitat. The marsh should be flagged and monitored during construction to insure that no inadvertent impacts occur to resident birds within the study area. B. Sensitive Plant Communities The mitigation ratios published in the Draft Issue Paper No. 10: MHCP Mitigation Guidelines and Assumptions for Analysis of Preserve Assembly, revised February 2, 1999, were used to calculate the acreage of mitigation for each impacted plant community for each alignment alternative (see Table 7). Mitigation ratios for wetland and riparian habitats are not included within this draft issue paper and thus, ratios that are generally required by the regulatory agencies were used for those habitats. Temporary impacts are calculated at a 1:1 ratio that consists of the restoration of the impacted acreage to its original habitat. 52 Impacts to wetlands will require a permitting process with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, CDFG, and Regional Water Quality Control Board. These are detailed in the Wetland Delineation for Agua Hedionda Sewer Project (Attachment 1). Mitigation, at the ratios calculated, can be achieved through the on-site restoration of habitat or by the payment of fees into a mitigation bank as determined by the final Multiple Habitat Conservation Program (MHCP) and City of Carlsbad Habitat Management Plan documents. On-site restoration will require the preparation of a restoration plan and a minimum of three years of maintenance and monitoring to insure the success of the restoration efforts. Conclusion The biologically preferred alignment alternative is Alternative B3 because it minimizes impacts to plant communities and habitats considered significant by resource agencies. This alignment alternative avoids impacts to all wetland and much of the upland plant communities and habitats by directional drilling under these areas further along the pipeline easement. In this alternative, the pipeline would emerge within the agricultural fields thereby avoiding the need for open trenching in southern coastal salt marsh, mule fat scrub, freshwater marsh, and Diegan coastal sage scrub. References Cited American Ornithologists' Union 1998 Check-list of North American Birds. 7th ed. Washington, D.C. Atwood, J. L. 1990 Status Review of the California Gnatcatcher (Polioptila calif arnica). Unpublished technical report, Manomet Bird Observatory, Manomet, Massachusetts. Beier, Paul, and Steven Loe 1992 A Checklist for Evaluating Impacts to Wildlife Movement Corridors. Wildlife Society Bulletin 20:434-440. California, State of 1983 A Plan for Protecting, Enhancing, and Increasing California's Wetlands for Waterfowl. Department of Fish and Game. Sacramento. 1990 California's Wildlife: Birds. Department of Fish and Game. November. 53 1991 a State and Federal Lists of Endangered and Threatened Animals of California. The Resources Agency, Department of Fish and Game. Revised April 1. 1997b Natural Diversity Data Base. Nongame-Heritage Program, Department of Fish and Game, Sacramento. 1998a Special Plants List. Natural Diversity Data Base. Department of Fish and Game. April. 1998b Special Animals. Natural Diversity Data Base. Department of Fish and Game. August. Collins, Joseph T. 1997 Standard Common and Current Scientific Names for North American Amphibians and Reptiles. 4th ed. Herpetological Circular No. 25. Society for the Study of Amphibians and Reptiles, Department of Zoology, Miami University, Oxford, Ohio. Ferren, W. R. Jr. 1989 Recent Research on and New Management Issues for Southern California Estuarine Wetlands. In "Endangered Plant Communities of Southern California" A. Schoenherr (ed.). Proceedings of the 15th annual symposium, Southern California Botanists, Special Publication No. 3. Hickman, James C. (editor) 1993 The Jepson Manual: Higher Plants of California. 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. Jones, J. K., D. C. Carter, H. H. Genoways, 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. Keeley, J. E. 1990 The California Valley Grassland. In Endangered Plant Communities of Southern California. Southern California Botanists, Special Publication No. 3, edited by A. A. Schoenherr. Claremont, California. 54 Klopatek, J. M., R. M. Olson, C. J. Emerson, and J. L. Jones 1979 Land-use Conflicts with Natural Vegetation of the United States. Environmental Conservation 6:191 -199. Noss, R. F., E. T. LaRoe HI, and J. M. Scott 1995 Endangered Ecosystems of the United States: A Preliminary Assessment of Loss and Degradation. Biological Report, vol 28. United States Department of Interior, National Biological Survey, Washington, D.C. Planning Systems 1997 Biological Inventory, Offer to Dedicate Area, Kelly Ranch. RECON 1990 Final Supplemental Environmental Impact Report for a Segment of the South Agua Hedionda Sewer Interceptor System in the City of Carlsbad, EIR 83-4A, SCH 89010222. Prepared for the City of Carlsbad. 1999 Wetland Delineation for Agua Hedionda Sewer Project, City of Carlsbad. Prepared for Carlsbad Municipal Water District. Reiser, C. H. 1994 Rare Plants of San Diego County. Aquafir Press, Imperial Beach, California. Sawyer, J. O., and T. Keeler-Wolf 1995 A Manual of California Vegetation. California Native Plant Society, Sacramento. Skinner, M. W., and B. M. Pavlik 1994 Inventory of Rare and Endangered Plants of California. California Native Plant Society Special Publication No. 1, 5th edition. Sacramento. U. S. Department of Agriculture 1973 Soil Survey, San Diego Area, California. Edited by Roy H. Bowman. Soil Conservation Service and Forest Service. December. U.S. Geological Survey 1968 San Luis Rey Quadrangle 7.5-Minute Topographic Map. Photorevised 1975. Unitt, P. A. 1984 Birds of San Diego County. Memoir No. 13. San Diego Society of Natural History. 55 Westman, W. E. 1981 Factors Influencing the Distribution of Species of Californian Coastal Sage Scrub. Ecology 62:439-455. Zembal, R., K.J. Kramer, R. J. Bransfield, and N. Gilbert. 1988 A Survey of Belding's Savannah Sparrows in California. In American Birds 42(5): 1233-1236. 56 ATTACHMENT 1 To be inserted.