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Home My WebLink About6618; AGUA HEDIONDA STREAMBANK RESTORATION; Sunny Creek Restoration Least Bell's Vireo 45-Day Report; 2015-11-09~COM November 9, 2015 Stacey Love Recovery Permit Coordinator Carlsbad Fish and Wildlife Office 2177 Salk Avenue, Suite 250 Carlsbad, California 92008 AECOM 401 West A Street Suite 1200 San Diego, CA 92101 www.aecom.com 619.610.7600 tel 619.610.7601 fax RE: 2015 Sunny Creek Streambank Restoration Project Least Bell's Vireo 45-Day Summary Report, San Diego County, California Dear Ms. Love: In compliance with the Special Terms and Conditions for Endangered and Threatened Wildlife Species Permit TE-820658 (AECOM), AECOM submits this letter report summarizing the results of focused surveys conducted during 2015 for the federally endangered least Bell's vireo (Vireo be/Ii puli/lus; LBV associated with the Sunny Creek Stream bank Restoration Project (Project). Surveys were conducted on behalf of the City of Carlsbad. This report includes a project description; a site description; and a discussion of species background, survey methodology, and results. A list of wildlife species detected throughout all surveys is provided in Appendix A. Project Description The City of Carlsbad (City) is proposing the Sunny Creek Streambank Restoration Project, which includes the repair of a culvert outlet and bank on the Agua Hedionda Creek near Sunny Creek Road. The project is located within Agua Hedionda Creek within the city of Carlsbad, San Diego County, California (Figure 1 ). The creek originates in the east and travels downstream to the west, with a culvert outfall conveying water from the south into the creek. Currently, the stream banks on both sides of the culvert outfall have experienced heavy erosion and washout. The project proposes to build one crib wall on the east, and two crib walls on the west side of the existing culvert, which would add structural integrity to the stream banks. Bioengineered crib walls would be built on 3 foot diameter foundation boulders which would conform to finish grade. The crib walls built on boulder foundations would have backfill with angular rock and soil mix to support riparian plantings at each step. The lower stretcher logs on top of the foundation boulders would face rootwad outwards into the creek. Logs are expected to be eucalyptus, and if rootwads are not available, then straight logs can be u~d. Some damaged oak trees along the stream bank would need to be removed to facilitate ·:r- work, and the minimum setback from all other trees would be at least 10 feet. On the outer (western) side of the western crib walls, the bank may be stabilized with vegetated wrapped fill lifts as needed. The existing culvert would be outfitted with a rock lined outfall ramp with a still pool outside creek channel. Water would then enter the creek via two boulder step pools. £"COM Ms. Stacey Love Carlsbad Fish and Wildlife Office November 9, 2015 Page 2 Site Description The Project site located approximately one-mile north of Palomar Airport and northeast of El Camino Real within the Agua Hedionda Creek (Figure 2). A variety of habitats are present, including southern willow scrub, coastal and valley freshwater marsh, mulefat scrub, oak woodland, and eucalyptus woodland. Within the Project site Agua Hedionda Creek has flowing water. Least Bell's Vireo LBV Background Information LBV was listed as endangered by USFWS on May 2, 1986 (USFWS 1986), with designated critical habitat (USFWS 1994 ). This listing status applies to the entire population of LBV. A draft recovery plan was written by USFWS and circulated for review in 1998 (USFWS 1998). CDFW listed this subspecies as endangered on October 2, 1980. No critical habitat is present within the survey area. Historically, this subspecies was a common summer visitor to riparian habitat throughout much of California. Currently, LBV is found only in riparian woodlands in Southern California, with the majority of breeding pairs in San Diego, Santa Barbara, and Riverside Counties. Substantial vireo populations are currently found on five rivers in San Diego County (the Tijuana, Sweetwater, San Diego, San Luis Rey, and Santa Margarita Rivers), with smaller populations on other drainages. During 1996, a total of 1,423 territorial males were recorded within San Diego County (Unitt 2004). From 2001-2005, a total of 1,609 pairs were recorded in San Diego County, which accounts for approximately 54% of the total LBV population within California (USFWS 2006). LBV is migratory and arrives in San Diego County in late March and early April; it leaves for its wintering grounds in September. LBV primarily occupies riparian woodlands that include dense cover within 3 to 7 feet of the ground and a dense, stratified canopy. The subspecies inhabits low, dense riparian growth along water or along dry parts of intermittent streams. The understory is typically dominated by species of willow ( Salix sp.) and mulefat (Baccharis sa/icifolia). Overstory species typically include cottonwood (Popu/us sp.), western sycamore (P/atanus racemosa), and mature willows. The subspecies typically builds nests in vegetation 3 to 4 feet above the ground (Salata 1984) where there is moderately open midstory cover with an overstory of willows, cottonwoods, sycamores, or coast live oaks (Quercus agrifolia). Nests are also often placed along internal or external edges of riparian thickets at an average of 3.3 feet above the ground (Unitt 2004). Riparian plant succession is an important factor in maintaining LBV habitat. The decline of LBV is attributed to loss, degradation, and fragmentation of riparian habitat, combined with brood/nest parasitism by BHCO. LBV is known to be sensitive to many forms of disturbance, including noise, night-lighting, and consistent human presence. Due to concerted programs focused on preserving, enhancing, and creating suitable nesting habitat, the LBV population has steadily increased in size along several of its breeding £'COM Ms. Stacey Love Carlsbad Fish and Wildlife Office November 9, 2015 Page 3 drainages in Southern California. Significant increases in breeding populations have occurred along the Santa Ana River at Prado Basin, and on the Santa Margarita River in Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, as well as at several other sites in the region. LBV Survey Methodology AECOM biologist James McMorran conducted passive surveillance (i.e., listening and looking for the species) in all potential LBV habitat within the survey area during the 2015 breeding season. Surveys followed the current USFWS survey guidelines for the species, dated January 19, 2001 (USFWS 2001 ). The LBV survey area consisted of the Project site and 500-feet up and down stream. The survey area is depicted in Figures 2 and 3, and was surveyed eight times between May 18 and July 30, 2015. The total LBV survey area is approximately 5.29 acres. Surveys were conducted at least 10 days apart between dawn and 11 a.m. Biologists walked within and adjacent to suitable habitat recording all LBV detections. LBV Results A summary of the survey effort and field conditions is presented in Table 2. Each survey area was visited eight times. There were no detections of LBV within the survey area during focused surveys. Table 2 Least Bell's Vireo Surveys Dates, Time, Weather Conditions, Personnel, and Observations Survey LBV Number Date Time Weather Personnel Observations 1 5/18/2015 0840-0930 Start: 63°F, wind 0 mph, 80% cover James No LBV End: 65°F, wind 3 mph, 70% cover McMorran detected 2 5/28/2015 0830-1002 Start: 63°F, wind 0 mph, 100% cover James No LBV End: 65°F, wind 0 mph, 100% cover McMorran detected 3 6/8/2015 0645-0829 Start: 62°F, wind 0 mph, 100% cover James No LBV End: 64°F, wind 0 mph, 100% cover McMorran detected 4 6/18/2015 0803-0931 Start: 64°F, wind 0 mph, 100% cover James No LBV End: 70°F, wind 3 mph, 0% cover McMorran detected 5 6/29/2015 0645-0756 Start: 65°F, wind 0 mph, 100% cover James No LBV End: 69°F, wind 1 mph, 100% cover McMorran detected 6 7/8/2015 0738-0918 Start: 67°F, wind 0 mph, 100% cover James No LBV End: 73°F, wind 1 mph, 60% cover McMorran detected 7 7/20/2015 0800-0910 Start: 73°F, wind 2 mph, 60% cover James No LBV End: 76°F, wind 5 mph, 25% cover McMorran detected 8 7/30/2015 0812-0953 Start: 68°F, wind 2 mph, 100% cover James No LBV End: 76°F, wind 4 mph, 30% cover McMorran detected mph = miles per hour £'COM Ms. Stacey Love Carlsbad Fish and Wildlife Office November 9, 2015 Page 4 LBV Discussion Although LBV was not detected within or adjacent to the survey area, the habitat is suitable and capable of supporting breeding LBV. It is possible that in future years this area will be occupied by LBV. If you have any questions or comments regarding this letter report, please call me at (619) 610-7665. James McMorran Wildlife Biologist Attachments: Figure 1 -Regional Map Figure 2 -Vicinity Map Figure 3 -Least Bell's Vireo Survey Area and Sensitive Species Observations Appendix A -Wildlife Species Detected during Surveys Certification Statement I certify that the information in this survey report and attached exhibits fully and accurately represents my work. · James McMorran Wildlife Biologist TE-820658 ~COM Ms. Stacey Love Carlsbad Fish and Wildlife Office November 9, 2015 Page 5 Literature Cited Salata, L. R. 1984. Status of the Least Bell's Vireo on Camp Pendleton, California: Report on Research Done in 1984. Unpublished Report. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Laguna Niguel, California. Unitt, Phillip. 2004. San Diego County Bird Atlas. San Diego Natural History Museum, P.O. Box 121390, San Diego, California 92112-1390. Ibis Publishing Company. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS). 1986. Determination of Endangered Status for the Least Bell's Vireo. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. May 2, 1986 (51 FR 16474). U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS). 1994. Designation of Critical Habitat for Least Bell's Vireo. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, February 2, 1994 (59 FR 4845). U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS). 1998. Draft Recovery Plan for the Least Bell's Vireo. Fish and Wildlife Service, Portland, Oregon. 139 pp. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS). 2001. Least Bell's Vireo Survey Guidelines. Carlsbad Fish and Wildlife Office. January 19, 2001. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS). 2006. Least Bell's Vireo (Vireo be/Iii pusillus) 5-Year Review Summary and Evaluation. Carlsbad Fish and Wildlife Office, Carlsbad, California. September. FIGURES •~orp: B C mp endl lOJI Martine Cc.rp s a~ Ocean • Source: ESR 2014; BING 2014 2 0 Scale: 1 :253,440; 1 inch = 4 miles :;e', 1 , l1,•,, Ol ~ r- r ,~"1 .., Encini tas 4 Miles Sunny Creek Streambank Restoration Project .. w f>. Solana Beach \I IJ! :1J .. Bons ., ~ 2 ' ~ II ~'- Vista .~,1)1,r"Jg C, ~ Ii'_,} 1,.,_ C~n,•u11 ,. R ncho nta Fe ,, Palh: P :\6033\60335018 _F aro/C 1Drai11\900·C A /J-G IS\9 20 GI S\9 22 _ Maps\20 I 51106 _LB VA,fap.\·\Figure _Regiv,,a/J,,,f ap.mxd. 111612015, soreI1seI!i 1-fi,dden N.ei!dm-.". Va Ce Escon< _, C 3 _.. a, 0. ,;) -p "' Figure 1 Regional Map Source: ESR 2014; BING 2014 02,000 1,000 0 2,000 Feet Scale: 1:24,000; 1 inch = 2,000 feet Sunny Creek Streambank Restoration Project Path: 1' :\6033\60335018 _Faro!C1/Jrah1\900-CAD-GIS\920 GIS\922_}.,faps\20151106 _LBVAtfapsV,'igure2 _Projec1Locatim1.mxd, I I 16 2015, sore,1se,Jj Figure 2 Project Location Source: ESR 2014; BING 2014 100 0 200 Feet Scale: 1 :2,400; 1 inch = 200 feet Sunny Creek Stream bank Restoration Project Figure 3 Least Bell's Vireo Survey Area and Sensitive Species Observations Path: P:\6033\603350 /8 _Faro!CtDrai11\900-CAD-GJS\920 G!S\922_!vlaps\20151106 _LBVMops\Figure3 _SmgveyArea.mxd, / 116/20 J 5, Sore11se11.J APPENDIX A WILDLIFE SPECIES DETECTED DURING SURVEYS Appendix A: Wildlife Species Detected during Surveys California Native Plant Society Federal Status California Status Status (Applies to Plant Species Common Name Scientific Name Order Family (Endangered/Threatened) (Endangered/Threatened) Only} Avian Black-chinned Archilochus a/exandri Apodiformes Trochilidae N/A Hummingbird none none Anna's Ca/ypte anna Apodiformes Trochilidae N/A Hummingbird none none Western Scrub-Jay Aphelacoma Passeriformes Corvidae none none N/A colifornica American Crow Corvus brachyrhynchos Passeriformes Corvidae none none N/A Song Sparrow Me/ospiza melodia Passeriformes Emberizidae none none N/A Spotted Towhee Pipilo maculatus Passeriformes Emberizidae none none N/A California Thrasher Toxostoma redivivum Passeriformes Mimidae none none N/A Orange-crowned Oreothlypis ce/ata Passeriformes Parulidae none none N/A Warbler Yellow Warbler Setophaga petechia Passeriformes Parulidae None None N/A brewsteri White-breasted Sitto carolinensis Passeriformes Nuthatch Sittidae none none N/A Bewick's Wren Thryomanes bewickii Passeriformes Troglodytidae none none N/A House Wren Troglodytes aedon Passeriformes Troglodytidae none none N/A Western Wood-Contopus sordidu/us Passeriformes Tyrannidae N/A none none Pewee Pacific-slope Empidonax diffici/is Passeriformes Tyrannidae none none N/A Flycatcher Black Phoebe Sayornis nigricans Passeriformes Tyrannidae none none N/A Warbling Vireo Vireo gilvus Passeriformes Vireonidae none none N/A Hutton's Vireo Vireo Huttoni Passeriformes Vireonidae none none N/A Green Heron Butorides virescens Pelecaniformes Ardeidae none none N/A Acorn Woodpecker Melanerpes Piciformes Picidae none none N/A formicivorus