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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCT 00-20; Fox Miller Property; Tentative Map (CT) (3)FINAL HABITAT RESTORATION AND MITIGATION PLAN FOR DIEGAN COASTAL SAGE SCRUB, VALLEY NEEDLEGRASS, WITH THREAD-LEAVED BRODIAEA, AND SOUTHERN WILLOW SCRUB WETLAND FOR THE FOX PROPERTY CARLSBAD, CALIFORNIA Prepared for H.G. FENTON COMPANY CONTACT: ALLEN JONES 7588 METROPOLITAN DRIVE SAN DIEGO, CA 92108-4401 Prepared^by ROBERT MacALLER SENIOR BIOLOGIST RECON NUMBER 3028B-2 NOVEMBER 23, 2005 1927 Fifth Avenue San Diego, CA 92101-2358 619/308-9333 fax 308-9334 O This document printed on recycled paper RECON TABLE OF CONTENTS Introduction 1 Topography and Soils 7 Impacts and Mitigation Acreages 7 A. Diegan Coastal Sage Scrub 7 B. Valley Needlegrass Grassland 8 C. Thread-Leaved Brodiaea 8 D. Jurisdictional Wetlands 8 E. Non-Wetland Jurisdictional Waters 9 F. Southem Willow Scrub 9 Responsibilities 9 A. Owner/Project Proponent 10 B. Habitat Restoration Specialist 10 C. Grading Contractor 11 D. Plant Supplier 11 E. Seed Supplier 11 Revegetation 12 A. Coastal Sage Scrub 12 B. Valley Needle Grassland and Thread-Leaved Brodiaea Habitat Creation and Enhancement 15 C. Wetland Creation and Restoration 19 D. Site Protection 24 Maintenance and Monitoring 25 A. Implementation Monitoring 27 B. General Maintenance Procedures 27 TABLE OF CONTENTS (cont.) C. Qualitative Monitoring D. Quantitative Monitoring E. Monitoring Reports F. Performance Standards G. Notification of Completion H. Estimated Habitat Mitigation Costs 28 30 31 31 33 34 References Cited 35 FIGURES Regional Location Project Location on USGS Map Existing Biological Resources and Project Impacts Proposed Mitigation Wetland Creation Area Permanent Fencing Plan 2 3 4 6 20 26 TABLES 1: 2: 3 4 6 7 8 9 10 11: 12: 13: Project Impacts and Proposed Mitigation 5 Recommended Seed Composition and Application Rates for Diegan Coastal Sage Scrub 13 Target Coastal Sage Scrub Species to be Salvaged 14 Coastal Sage Scrub Planting Densities 16 Thread-Leaved BrodiaeaA'^alley Needlegrss Salvage and Container Planting Densities 18 Riparian Scrub Planting Densities 23 Seeding Location and Application Rates 23 Maintenance and Monitoring Schedule 27 Anticipated Exotic Species 29 Five-Year Performance Standards, as a Relative Percentage of Reference Area Values for Coastal Sage Scrub Revegetation 32 Five-Year Performance Standards, as a Relative Percentage of Reference Area Values for Riparian Revegetation 32 Five-Year Performance Standards, as a Relative Percentage of Reference Area Values for Native Grassland 32 Habitat Restoration Cost Estimate 34 Introduction This mitigation plan describes implementation guidelines, maintenance tasks, and monitoring methods through which thread-leaved brodiaea (Brodiaea filifolia) populations, Diegan coastal sage scrub habitat, native grassland habitat, and southem willow scmb habitat can be restored as mitigation for impacts on the Fox Property. The property is in the city of Carlsbad, Califomia located north of Palomar Airport Road, east of El Camino Real, and between Faraday Avenue and College Boulevard (Figures 1 and 2). The project site includes a portion of Letterbox Canyon with its associated drainages and the adjacent upland slopes. The site is bounded by El Camino Real to the east and north with industrial development surrounding the rest of the site. A full description of biological issues on this property is presented in Biological Technical Report for the Fox Property Project (RECON 2001) with an update provided in the letter titled REVISEI>-Summary of Revisions to Biological Resources Impacts and Proposed Mitigation for Fox-Miller Property (RECON 2005). The proposed development of this property will result in the loss of sensitive habitats. Impacts include the loss of 0.11 acre (estimated at approximately 371,451 individuals) of federally threatened and Califomia state endangered thread-leaved brodiaea habitat, 0.36 acre of native grassland, 2.66 acres of Diegan coastal sage scmb, 30.23 acres of non- native grassland, and approximately 0.22 acre (2,500 linear feet) of U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) and Califomia Department of Fish and Game (CDFG) jurisdictional waters, including 0.03 acre of wetland habitat and 0.19 acre of non-wetland jurisdictional waters of the U.S. (Figure 3). These impacts are considered significant and require mitigation through habitat restoration (Table 1). Several areas in the proposed open space have been identified for habitat restoration or enhancement (Figure 4). Impacts to 2.66 acres of Diegan coastal sage scmb will be mitigated through on-site preservation of 2.90 acres of Diegan coastal sage scmb habitat and conversion of 1.80 acres of non-native grassland to coastal sage scmb and revegetation of 0.62 acre of manufactured slopes. Impacts to thread-leaved brodiaea will be mitigated by a combination of on-site preservation and translocation into restored habitat that will conserve 100 percent of the thread-leaved brodiaea population. 95.1 percent of the population (89,543 square feet [sq. ft.]; 2.05 acre) will be preserved; the remaining 4.9 percent (4,643 sq. ft.; 0.11 acre) of the population will be translocated using the soil transfer method into restored valley needlegrass grassland created from existing non-native grassland. Impacts to valley needlegrass lands will be mitigated through the preservation of 0.07 acre and creation of 1.01 acre of native grassland in non-native grassland. Pacific Ocean "^j^ Project location 0 Miles kECON M;\|obs\3028b\gis\gis rev\rtiitigation.apr\ hgl (regl) 05/20/05 FIGURE 1 Regional Location Map Source: USGS 7.5 minute topographic map series, San Luis Rey quadrangle V9 ))&r E E D -r & • /\ '^^^ ^irtoroja f ^ " " • 7 •/-''• -' Country CllJll^ , ' ' / /• 51 ' 0 Project location Feef 2000 N RECON M:\iobs\3028b\gis'\gis reAmiligoHon opA fig2 (usgs) 05/20/05"' FIGURE 2 Project Location on USGS Map Image Source: Copvriaht_2004 AirPhotoUSA. Ml Rights Resen^e^ (fl^n^il 2004) Project boundary X / A Project impacts RECON Vegetation Communities Diegan coastal sage scrub HI Valley needlegrass grassland I I Non-native grassland I 1 Disturbed-ECR ROW I I Developed Jurisdictional USACE/CDFG Areas Jurisdictional waters j^H Wetland Sensitive Species 0 Feet Plil Thread-leaved brodiaea 300 M:\|obs\3028b\gis\gis rev\miiigation.apr tlg3 (letter) 06/28/05" California adolphia I Coastal California gnatcatcher (2000/2001 observation) ' Least Bell's vireo p,QURE 3 Existing Biological Resources and Project Impacts TABLE 1 PROJECT IMPACTS AND PROPOSED MITIGATION' Biological Resource Existing Impacted Preserved Mitigation Ratio Required Mitigation Acreage Proposed Mitigation Vegetation Communities Diegan coastal sage scrub Non-native grassland Sensitive Plant Resources Thread-leaved brodiaea Jurisdictional Waters Disturbed wetland Non-wetland jurisdictional wetland 5.56 Valley needlegrass grassland 0.43 44.45 2.66 0.36 .30.23 2.90 0.07 14.22 0.03 0.21 0.03 0.19 0.02 2:1 3:1 0.5: 94,186 square 4,643 sq. ft. 89,543 sq. ft. 100 percent feet (sq. ft.) (0.11 acre) (2.05 acre) conservation (2-16 acre) 2:1 1:1 5.32 Preservation of 2.90 acres and conversion of 1.80 acres of non-native grassland to coastal sage scmb and restoration of 0.62 acre of manufactured slope.. 1.08 Preservation of 0.07 acre and conversion of 1.01 acre of non-native grassland to native grassland with thread-lea\cd brodiaea. 15.12 Preservation of 11.41 acres and native conversion of 2.81 acres of non-native grassland and restoration of 3.71 acres of non-native grassland to native grassland. 4,643 sq. ft. 95.1 percent preservation of population in (0.11 acre) place (89,543 sq. ft.; 2.05 acre); transplantation of 4.9 percent of impacted population (4.643 sq. ft.; 0.11 acre) into open space on-site using soil transfer method. 0.06 Creation and restoration of a 0.30-acre Q IQ basin within Letterbox Canyon to a native wetland habitat and purchase of 0.22 acre of off-site credit at the Pilgrim Creek Mitigation Bank. Table is a revision of Table 8 found in the Revised Biological Technical Report for Fox Property. Carlsbad. California prepared by RECON (2001). Image Source: Copyrighl 2004 Aii PholoL^, LLC,^II Rig^ts^Res^ve^^lown Ap^ Project boundary Project Impacts I I Ornamental I I Picnic area I I Developed area j^H Off-site ROW fl Off-site impact RECON Proposed Mitigation Areas I I Thread-leaved brodiaea soil transfer site I I Thread-leaved brodiaea/Native grass Hfll Coastal sage scrub flH Wetland creation area I I Open space Sensitive Species ^1 Thread-leaved brodiaea M:\iobs\3023b\gis\gis rev\m'rtigation.apr fig4 (mitigofionl 09/01/05 FIGURE 4 Proposed Mitigation Impacts to non-native grassland will be mitigated through the preservation of 11.41 acres on-site and restoration and conversion of 3.71 acres of non-native grassland to native grassland. An in lieu fee shall be paid to the City of Carlsbad for the loss of non-native grassland through the conversion to native habitat. A total of 4.72 acres of native grassland will be created from the non-native grassland on- site. This area will include the receptor site for the translocated brodiaea. To mitigate for impacts to jurisdictional wetlands (at 2:1 ratio) and non-wetlands (at 1:1 ratio), 0.30 acre of southem willow scrub mitigation area be created on-site in a non- wetland jurisdictional drainage. Topography and Soils Elevation of the site ranges from approximately 160 to 300 feet above mean sea level. Letterbox Canyon runs east-west through the center of the site. Two side canyons, each supporting a drainage, run north-south and join Letterbox Canyon in the western half of the property. Soils on the site consist of Altamont clay with 15 to 30 percent slopes for the entire property. Altamont clay is derived from weathered calcareous shale and tends to be well- drained (U.S. Department of Agriculture 1973). Impacts and Mitigation Acreages Brief descriptions of botanical resources and jurisdictional areas addressed in this document are included below. A. Diegan Coastal Sage Scrub Diegan coastal sage scrub is comprised of low-growing, aromatic shrubs that are drought deciduous. Diegan coastal sage scmb is found in coastal areas from Los Angeles County south into Baja Califomia (Holland 1986). There are approximately 5.65 acres of Diegan coastal sage scmb on the project site: 2.66 acres will be impacted by development and the remaining portion (2.90 acres) preserved as open space and 1.80 acres shall be restored from non-native grasslands and 0.62 acre revegetated on a manufactured slope (see Figure 4). All coastal sage scmb restoration areas on manufactured slopes are located outside of the fuel management zones. Black sage (Salvia mellifera) and common encelia (Encelia californica) dominate the community. Other species present include Califomia sagebmsh (Artemisia californica). coyote bush (Baccharis pilularis), Califomia adolphia (Adolphia californica), and Califomia buckwheat (Eriogonum fasciculatum). B. Valley Needlegrass Grassland Valley needlegrass grasslands are comprised of native perennial bunch grasses. The on- site vegetation community has been mainly converted to non-native annual grasslands through 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 cover by native grass species is 10 percent or greater. Five patches of valley needlegrass grassland totaling 0.43 acre are scattered throughout the site within the non-native grassland. Approximately 0.36 acre will be impacted by construction, with the remaining portion (0.07 acre) saved in the project open space and 1.01 acre restored from conversion of non-native grassland. The native species include purple needlegrass (Nassella pulchra) and foothill needlegrass (Nassella lepida) and comprise approximately 10 percent of the habitat. Non-native grasses, such as wild oats (Avena sp.) and Italian ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum), are the dominant species within this plant community. An additional 3.71 acres of non-native grassland will be restored to native grassland as part of the mitigation requirements for impacts to non-native grassland for a total of 4.72 acres. C. Thread-Leaved Brodiaea Thread-leaved brodiaea, a state-listed endangered and a federally listed threatened species, is a perennial plant typically occurring on hillsides or in valleys in grassland communities with clay, loamy sand, or alkaline silty-clay soils (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service [USFWS] 1998). An area of 94,186 sq. ft. (2.16 acres) of thread-leaved brodiaea was identified during vegetative surveys conducted during 2005. 95.1 percent of the population (89,542 sq. ft; 2.05 acre) will be preserved; the remaining 4.9 percent (4,643 sq. ft.; 0.11 acre) of the population will be translocated using the soil transfer method into restored valley needlegrass grassland created from existing non-native grassland. D. Jurisdictional Wetlands The two wetland areas on the property (totaling 0.03 acre) will be directly impacted by site development (see Figure 3). For a complete discussion of jurisdictional resources on- site see the wetiand delineation for the project (RECON 2001) One wetland area is located in the western end of Letterbox Canyon. This drainage is confined by the recently constmcted detention basin which floods frequently but holds water for relatively short periods of time. Earth-moving activities resulting from the recontouring of the basin may have dismpted surface soils. Although the top 12 inches lack hydric soil indicators, soil characteristics below 12 inches are typical of wetlands and include sulfidic odor, organic streaking, and bluish-gray mottling. The majority of plant species here are considered facultative wetland species such as grass poly (Polypogon monspeliensis), tamarisk (Tamarix sp.), and bristly ox-tongue (Picris echioides). Wetland hydrology indicators such as water marks and oxidized root channels were also found. The second wetland area is a localized natural ponding area that occurs at the head of the westemmost side drainage. Soils exhibited a strong sulfidic odor and moderately sized low-chroma (grayish color) mottles typical of reducing conditions in wetland soils. Strong hydrology indicators such as sediment deposits and saturated soils also occurred here. E. Non-Wetland Jurisdictional Waters Constmction will impact 0.19 acre of non-wetland jurisdictional waters on Fox Property. The property is currently bisected by the Letterbox Canyon drainage, which conveys flows in a westerly direction. The vegetation on-site within areas designated as non- wetland jurisdictional waters are mostiy upland species such as lemonadeberry (Rhus integrifolia), black mustard (Brassica nigra), and coyote bush. F. Southern Willow Scrub Southem willow scrub will be created in a 0.30-acre detention basin to mitigate impacts to jurisdictional wetiands and non-wetland waters. This is a riparian conmiunity considered sensitive habitat by the CDFG and USACE. The dominant plant species in this community are willows. The density of willows typically prevents a developed understory from growing (Holland 1986). This vegetation community is typically found along major drainages but occurs in small drainages as well. Typical species occurring in the vicinity of the project site include arroyo willow (Salix lasiolepis), mule fat (Baccharis salicifolia), western ragweed (Ambrosia psilostachya), blue elderberry (Sambucus mexicana), and others. Responsibilities H.G. Fenton Company is responsible for implementing the mitigation project and meeting the final success criteria. Once the success criteria have been achieved and the project has been accepted as complete, the open space/mitigation lands (Lot 5) on the property will be dedicated to the City of Carlsbad or a conservation entity designated by the City, which will be responsible for the conservation of the site in perpetuity. A. Owner/Project Proponent The owner/project proponent shall provide detailed construction drawings, accurate timelines, and written project specifications in conformance with this plan. The owner/project proponent shall be responsible for funding all aspects of the project including implementation, long-term maintenance, and remedial actions as determined by the following regulatory agencies: USFWS, the CDFG, the USACE, the Regional Water Quality Control Board (RWQCB), and the City of Carisbad. If portions of the restoration areas are sold, the new owner/project proponent shall assume all responsibilities described in this document, unless otherwise agreed to between the parties. The owner/project proponent shall be responsible for coordination between the grading contractor and habitat restoration specialist to ensure habitat restoration occurs on the proper schedule. The owner/project proponent shall manage project activities in the best interest of restoration goals. The owner/project proponent will be solely responsible for administration of project contracts with the habitat restoration specialist and grading contractor. Decisions to stop work are the responsibility of the owner/project proponent, except where noted herein. The owner/project proponent shall have sole authority in decisions to suspend payment or terminate contracts, and will hire another restoration specialist to ensure that the Wildlife Agency-approved success criteria are met. This includes all phases of project installation, long-term maintenance, and biological monitoring. The owner/project proponent may, with sole discretion at any time, replace the contractors, if necessary. B. Habitat Restoration Specialist The habitat restoration specialist will be an individual or team of individuals with a minimum of two years experience in upland and riparian community restoration, monitoring, and reporting. The habitat restoration specialist will be retained during the project to perform the following tasks, and be responsible for implementing the revegetation plan in accordance with its specifications: • Consult with the contractor on any activities that may be dismptive to the mitigation. • Attend pre-grading and preconstmction meetings to consult with the owner/project proponent and grading contractor and to educate the contractors on revegetation goals and habitat sensitivity. 10 • Implement plant salvaging, seed collection, propagation, and site planting, or approve and monitor qualified subcontractors in execution of aspects of this plan. • Implement required long-term maintenance of the mitigation area as defined herein. • Oversee and perform the required monitoring and reporting in accordance with the procedures established in this plan. C. Grading Contractor • The grading contractor shall closely coordinate the grading schedule with the habitat restoration specialist to ensure all preparatory measures are in place prior to impacting existing habitat. • Grade the mitigation sites in accordance with this revegetation plan. D. Plant Supplier The plant supplier must have at least two years experience in propagating native plants for upland and wetland restoration projects. • The plant supplier will produce properly aged plants in one-gallon containers ready for outplanting. • All plants will be produced from seed collected on or adjacent to the site and inoculated with mycorrhizae. E. Seed Supplier The seed supplier must have at least two years' experience collecting coastal sage scmb and riparian seeds for restoration projects. • Only species specified in this mitigation plan, under the supervision of the habitat restoration specialist, will be collected. • Seed will be collected from the project site, whenever possible. The range of seed collection will be limited between Camp Pendleton and Encinitas and no further than 10 miles inland. 11 Revegetation Approximately 7.44 acres of lands will be restored to native habitat or enhanced. The following sections describe the techniques that will be utilized for site preparation, seed collection, plant production, plant salvage, planting, irrigation and initial maintenance for Diegan coastal sage scrub; thread-leaved brodiaea and valley needlegrass land restoration and enhancement; and wetland creation. Portions of this plan involve the salvage of sensitive species during specific times of year. Construction of the development will be delayed until these tasks are completed. A. Coastal Sage Scrub Within the on-site open space preserve, 1.80 acres of non-native grassland and 0.62 acre of manufactured slopes will be converted to Diegan coastal sage scrub (see Figure 4). Non-native grassland on the margins of an existing patch of Diegan coastal sage scmb, located on the northwest portion of the project site, will be used for the creation. In addition to creating more square footage, expansion of the existing patch will increase habitat value beyond the current conditions. 1. Mitigation Site Description Presently, the non-native grassland community consists of sweet fennel (Foeniculum vuigare), black mustard, (Brassica nigra), brome grasses (Bromus spp.), and wild oats (Avena spp.). This non-native grassland community has lower habitat functions and values than the Diegan coastal sage scrub it will be replaced with. 2. Mitigation Site Preparation The coastal sage scmb restoration areas will undergo a grow-and-kill regime for non- native species. Between late summer and early winter, after seed has set but prior to brodiaea growth, non-native species will be removed using line trimmers. All exotic material will be raked and removed from the site. As weedy species begin to grow and are distinguishable from the brodiaea, a qualified pesticide applicator, trained to recognize thread-leaved brodiaea and under the supervision of the habitat restoration specialist, will spot-apply an appropriate herbicide (such as Roundup®) directly to the non-native species. The remaining areas will be weeded by hand so as not to kill any rare plants. 3. Seed Collection and Application Seed collection will begin as soon as possible prior to implementation of revegetation (preferably six months before). Seed collection will be limited to a 10-mile radius of the property. Target species and application rates are presented in Table 2. ff seed of a particular species is not available at the time of seed collection or application, the habitat 12 TABLE 2 RECOMMENDED SEED COMPOSITION AND APPLICATION RATES FOR DIEGAN COASTAL SAGE SCRUB Scientific Name Lbs./Acre Artemisia californica ^ ^ Califomia sagebrush Encelia californica j ^ Conunon encelia Eriogonum fasciculatum j ^ Califomia buckwheat Grindelia camporum ^ ^ Gumplant Hemizonia fasciculate Q ^ Tarplant Isocoma menziesii Coast goldenbush Malosma laurina Laurel sumac 1.0 0.5 Mirabiiis californica ^ ^ Wishbonebush Nassella pulchra Q Purple needlegrass Rhus integrifolia ^ ^ Lemonadeberry Salvia mellifera ^ Q Black sage Sisyrinchium bellum j ^ Blue-eyed-grass restoration specialist may make substitutions, as approved by the City of Carlsbad and Wildlife Agencies. Prior to planting the site, it will be hydroseeded with these locally collected grasses, annuals, and perennials. Seed shall be applied to prepared revegetation area between November 15 and January 15. The hydroseed mix will contain M-binder, which does not prolong seed germination. The organic binder should be applied at a rate of 200 pounds/acre with 2,000 pounds/acre of wood fiber. The seed/slurry will be mixed thoroughly before, and continuously during, application. Prior to mixing hydroseed ingredients, the tank and hose used to apply the hydroseed mix will be thoroughly rinsed with water at least three times to ensure any previous seed mix is removed. After the initial cleaning, the tank does not require washing between batches, providing the same hydroseed mix is being applied. The hydroseed mix will be applied in an even and consistent manner. 4. Native Plant Salvage In conjunction with salvage efforts for the thread-leaved brodiaea, other species from the coastal sage and native grassland impact areas will be salvaged for planting. This will allow the introduction of mature and unevenly aged plants with developed root systems and intact symbiotic associations, into the revegetation areas. A list of species targeted for salvage are included in Table 3. The habitat restoration specialist will determine and identify specimens that area appropriate for salvage. Plants will be removed from the ground using hand tools or a back loader to remove the root ball and surrounding soil, ff necessary, plants will be transplanted and stored in soil at a temporary nursery, located on-site, unit the revegetation areas are prepared for planting and all signs of transplant shock have subsided. Whenever possible individuals will be removed from a designated grading area and replanted without delay in a prepared revegetation site. TABLE 3 TARGET COASTAL SAGE SCRUB SPECIES TO BE SALVAGED Scientific Name Common Name Adolphia californica Adolphia Artemisia californica Califomia sagebrush Encelia californica Common encelia Marah macrocarpus Wild cucumber Mirabiiis californica Wishbone bush Nasella pulchra Purple needlegrass Opuntia littoralis Shore cactus Opuntia prolifera Cholla Salvia mellifera Black sage Sisyrinchium bellum Blue-eyed grass Yucca schidigera Mojave yucca 14 5. Plant Production To supplement plant salvaging, container stock of Diegan coastal sage scmb species will be grown from the locally collected seed in a native plant nursery under the supervision of the habitat restoration specialist. New plants will be grown each year of the entire five- year monitoring period to replace dead individuals and improve densities in restoration and enhancement areas. The container stock will be inoculated with mycorrhizae using native topsoil. The number of container stock to be produced will vary depending on the number of individuals salvaged. Collectively, container plants will be planted at the minimum densities presented in Table 4. 6. Irrigation Transplants will receive approximately one gallon of water, delivered by a water tmck, at the time of planting. One-half gallon will be applied to the planting hole and allowed to infiltrate into the soil. The other one-half gallon will be applied to the installed plant. Watering by hand or using a water tmck will continue as directed by the habitat restoration specialist. All irrigation shall cease at least one-year before requesting that the City and Wildlife Agencies sign-off on the restoration. B. Valley Needle Grassland and Thread-Leaved Brodiaea Habitat Creation and Enhancement Thread-leaved brodiaea typically occurs in needlegrass grasslands. Approximately 4.72 acres of the site that is currently a non-native grassland will be restored to a valley needlegrass grassland. This area currently supports a large population of thread-leaved brodiaea. Included within the 4.72 acres is a 0.11-acre site that will be the receptor site to receive the 0.11 acre area of thread-leaved brodiaea proposed for impact. Construction implementation shall be delayed until the plant salvage component of this section has been completed. 1. Mitigation Site Conditions Thread-leaved brodiaea is currently found in the non-native grassland community primarily on the northem portion of the project site with a few scattered areas in the southem portion of the property (see Figure 3). This area contains sweet fennel, black mustard, brome grasses, and wild oats. The 0.11 acre of thread-leaved brodiaea proposed for impact will be translocated using the soil transfer method into a suitable receptor site. The receptor site chosen (see Figure 4) was an area that did not exhibit any winter vegetative growth of thread-leaved brodiaea during the 2005 season, but located immediately adjacent to areas that did support brodiaea. ff deemed necessary in the field. 15 TABLE 4 COASTAL SAGE SCRUB PLANTING DENSITIES Species Planting Scientific Name Number and Size per Acre* Adolphia californica Califomia adolphia Artemisia californica Califomia sagebmsh Malosma laurina Laurel sumac Mirabiiis californica Wishbonebush Rhus integrifolia Lemonadeberry Salvia mellifera Black sage Yucca shidegera Mojave yucca 100 one-gallon 300 one-gallon 50 one-gallon 75 one-gallon Nassella lepida »,„ r • . ,, 250rour-mch Valley needlegrass Nassella pulchra .,i-r. x- • L „ , „ 250four-mch Purple needlegrass Opuntia littoralis , „„ „ „, 100 flats Shore cactus Opuntia prolifera ^^^^^^ Cholla 25 one-gallon 100 one-gallon Sisyrinchium bellum , r • L . 100 four-mch Blue-eyed-grass 50 one-gallon *If not from salvage. the exact location and configuration of the receptor site may change slightly as the restoration activities are implemented (see Figure 4). Impacts to valley needlegrass grassland and non-native grassland will be partially mitigated through the on-site conversion of 4.72 acres of non-native grassland to native grassland (see Figure 4). The location of this restoration was chosen to include and surround the thread-leaved brodiaea receptor site and to enhance high quality areas that support dense patches of brodiaea. 2. Site Preparation The enhancement and creation area will undergo a grow-and-kill regime for non-native species. Each aboveground brodiaea population will be clearly flagged. Between late summer and early winter, after seed has set but prior to brodiaea growth, non-native species will be removed using line trimmers. All exotic material will be raked and removed from the site. As weedy species begin to grow and are distinguishable from the brodiaea, a qualified pesticide applicator, trained to recognize thread-leaved brodiaea and the under supervision of the habitat restoration specialist, will spot apply an appropriate herbicide (such as Roundup®) directly to the non-native species, excluding a 10-foot diameter around each flagged brodiaea. The remaining areas will be weeded by hand so as not to kill any rare plants. This process will be repeated until the brodiaea are ready to be translocated. 3. Plant Salvage and Seed Collection All areas of thread-leaved brodiaea within the proposed development as mapped during the January and Febmary 2005 vegetative surveys, will be salvaged and translocated to the restoration site using the soil transfer method. The mapped areas of impact will be relocated and marked in the field by a qualified restoration specialist using a Global Position System (GPS). The receptor site will be marked in the field and prepared for transfer, which will include the creation of receptor pits consistent in size to the patches of brodiaea to be salvaged and transferred. Under the direction of a qualified biologist/habitat restoration specialist, an equipment operator will cleanly excavate each distinct brodiaea population in the impact area. The operator will remove intact clumps of soil containing the brodiaea corms using an excavator bucket and replace them into the prepared receptor pits. After intact clumps of thread-leaved brodiaea are removed for translocation, a monitoring biologist will look through the soil to ensure that no corms remain. Any remaining corms will be planted next to the thread-leaved brodiaea clumps in the receptor area. In conjunction with salvage efforts for the thread-leaved brodiaea, other species from the coastal sage and native grassland impact areas will be salvaged for planting. A list of 17 TABLE 5 THREAD-LEAVED BRODIAEA/VALLEY NEEDLEGRSS SALVAGE AND CONTAINER PLANTING DENSITIES Species Number and Size per Acre* Blue-eyed-grass Sisyrinchium bellum Thread-leaved Brodiaea Brodiaea filifolia Califomia adolphia Adolphia californica Cholla Opuntia prolifera Mojave yucca Yucca schidigera Purple needlegrass Nassella pulchra Nassella lepida Valley needlegrass Shore cactus Opuntia littoralis 100 four-inch All available 20 one-gallon 50 flats 10 four-inch 500 four-inch 500 four-inch 10 flats *If not from salvage. species targeted for salvage and planting in the valley needlegrass/thread-leaved brodiaea community and planting densities are included in Table 5. 4. Plant Production To supplement plant salvaging, thread-leaved brodiaea will be grown from seed in a native plant nursery under the supervision of the habitat restoration specialist. Seed will be collected from plants located on-site within the open space. New plants will be grown each year of the entire five-year monitoring period to replace dead individuals and improve densities in restoration and enhancement areas. 5. Irrigation Transplants will receive approximately one gallon of water, delivered by a water tmck, at the time of planting. One-half gallon will be applied to the planting hole and allowed to infiltrate into the soil. The other one-half gallon will be applied to the installed plant. Watering by hand or using a water tmck will continue as directed by the habitat restoration specialist. All irrigation shall cease at least one-year before requesting that the City and Wildlife Agencies sign-off on the restoration. C. Wetland Creation and Restoration 1. Goal of Mitigation The purpose of this wetland creation is to replace functions and habitat lost from impacts to wetlands and non-wetland jurisdictional waters on-site. The quality of the created habitat will exceed that of the existing wetland habitat. This mitigation will create 0.30 acre of southem willow scmb in place of non-wetland jurisdictional waters and exotic-dominated wetland that has emerged in an artificially created depression (Figure 5). A detention basin will be created within a portion of Letterbox Canyon, remaining as open space and revegetated with willow scmb species. This basin will be supported by natural water and mnoff from the adjacent developed areas. This proposed mitigation would provide for a net increase in wetland acreage on-site and an increase in habitat values beyond extant conditions. 2. Types of Habitat to be Created Impacts to 0.03 acre of jurisdictional wetlands and 0.19 acre of non-wetland jurisdictional waters will be mitigated on-site through the creation of 0.30 acre of southem willow scmb in the westem portion of Letterbox Canyon, a non-wetland jurisdictional drainage currently vegetated with coastal sage scmb (2:1 mitigation of wetland and 1:1 mitigation of non-wetland). Impacts to coastal sage from wetland creation will be mitigated at 1:1 through on-site preservation. Southem willow scmb will be created by planting and 19 0 Feef 100 Wetland creation area RECON FIGURE 5 Wetland Creation Area M:\iobs\3028b\gis\gis rev\mitigation.apr\ figS (creation) 05/20705 seeding with species such as arroyo willow, mule fat, westem ragweed, blue elderberry, and others. Native species will be introduced using cuttings, seeds, and salvaged plants collected from the local vicinity, as well as nursery-grown container stock produced from locally collected seed. 3. Functions and Values of habitat to be Created The proposed wetiand mitigation would provide cover, nesting, and foraging opportunities for many of the local wildlife species including birds, insects, amphibians, and mammals. The detention basin established at the eastern end of Letterbox Canyon will improve water quality in the drainage. 4. Time Lapse Implementation of revegetation will be limited to October 1 to April 30 in order to coincide with appropriate weather conditions. Creation of a functioning southem willow scmb community is expected to take approximately four to five years. Implementation of the wetland restoration shall be completed no later than nine months following the close of the calendar year in which impacts first occur or by March 31, 2006, whichever comes first. 5. Final Success Criteria The mitigation areas will be monitored for five years following the completion of revegetation implementation. The mitigation site shall attain 80 percent native cover, 80 percent density, and 80 percent diversity relative to a target southem willow scrub community selected by the habitat restoration specialist from within a 10-mile radius of the project site. The target community will be selected prior to revegetation implementation after the approval of a final plan. This will allow the habitat restoration specialist to select the proper riparian community for the specific site conditions as a target. The target community will be considered high quality, that is, a high coverage of native species with little to no exotic species present. The specific target functions and values will be included in the final revegetation plan. 6. Target Hydrological Regime Precipitation mnoff from the proposed constmction pads, manufactured slopes supporting the road, and existing vegetated slopes (see Figure 6) will flow into letterbox canyon. The outflow of water from the property is currently blocked at the westem end of the canyon by a manufactured slope located off the property. This manufactured slope effectively acts as a dam. An outfall pipe will direct water through this slope and away from the basin to prevent long-term flooding. The outfall pipe will cause the water to flow out of 21 the western end of the property to join with the existing drainage there. The wetland creation area will be designed to receive runoff from existing slopes vegetated with coastal sage scrub or revegetated coastal sage scrub and manufactured slopes revegetated with coastal sage scrub species. 7. Target Jurisdictional Acreage Created This mitigation will create 0.30 acre of southern willow scmb in place of non-wetland jurisdictional waters and exotic-dominated wetland that has emerged in an artificially created depression. 8. Existing Functions and Values of Mitigation Area The proposed mitigation site is a non-wetland jurisdictional drainage vegetated with coastal sage scmb. The vegetation on-site within areas designated as non-wetiand jurisdictional waters are mostly upland species such as lemonadeberry (Rhus integrifolia), black mustard (Brassica nigra), and coyote bush. Although the drainages lack wetland vegetation, there is strong evidence of seasonal flows (i.e., cut banks and the presence of an ordinary high water mark). The widening of the stream bottom to accommodate the increase in water flow from runoff will result in the loss of some coastal sage scrub. Occasional hikers currently use the area with little other activity evident. 9. Implementation Heavy equipment will be used to create a 0.30-acre creation area and a detention basin to receive mnoff from the slopes. The habitat restoration specialist will be on-site during creation to ensure that no unintended impacts to the coastal sage scmb occur. Wetland creation will be implemented between September 16 and February 15 to avoid coastal Califomia gnatcatcher nesting season, other nesting birds, and heavy late winter rains. This revegetation plan will use cuttings and salvaged plants collected from the local vicinity, as well as some nursery-grown container plants grown from locally collected seed. Control of invasive exotic weeds during the maintenance period will also be an important component of the plan. a. Plant Materials Willow and mule fat cuttings will be taken from trees within a 10-mile radius of the development. These cuttings will be taken to the greenhouse and allowed to root in one- gallon containers for planting at the wetland creation site. Blue elderberry, California sage, Califomia adolphia (Adolphia californica), and shore cactus will be planted along the upland edges of the basin. Cuttings and container plant densities are presented in Table 6. Installation of native plants will begin after creation of the wetland mitigation area. Plant installation will be limited to the months of October through Febmary. 22 b. Seed Collection and Application Seed collection should begin at least six months prior to revegetation implementation. Target species and application rates are presented in Table 7. Following installation of salvaged and container plants, the mitigation sites will be seeded with locally collected annuals and perennials. Seed will be applied by hand to prevent disturbance of transplants. TABLE 6 RIPAIOAN SCRUB PLANTING DENSITIES Number and Total Number Species Size per Acre for 0.25 Acre Arroyo willow Salix lasiolepis 300 one-gallon 75 Black willow Salix gooddingii 200 one-gallon 50 Sand-bar willow Salix exigua 100 one-gallon 25 Califomia sage Artemisia californica 100 one-gallon 25 Blue elderberry Sambucus mexicana 50 one-gallon 13 Shore cactus Opuntia littoralis 25 flats (salvaged) 6 Mule fat Baccharis salicifolia 200 one-gallon 50 TABLE 7 SEEDING LOCATION AND APPLICATION RATES Species Seeding Location Pounds/Acre Total for 0.25 Acre Califomia sagebrush Bank 2 0.50 Artemisia californica Bank 2 0.50 Gumplant Grindelia camporum Bank/floor 2 0.50 Arroyo willow Salix lasiolepis Floor 2 0.50 Mule fat Baccharis salicifolia Bank/floor 3 0.75 Coast goldenbush Isocoma menziesii Bank/floor 1 0.25 Blue elderberry Sambucus mexicana Bank 2 0.50 Westem ragweed Ambrosia psilostachya Bank/floor 1 0.25 23 c. Irrigation Installation of irrigation helps to ensure that restoration areas meet the performance standards in five years. Providing supplemental water during periods of winter drought increases survivorship of newly installed plants. The goal is to withdraw supplemental water as soon as plants have established so they can adapt to natural environmental conditions. Therefore, water use is expected to be highest during the first growing season, tapering off until no supplemental water is necessary. A temporary irrigation system shall be installed in the southem willow scmb restoration area. The irrigation shall be installed prior to planting and seeding activities. The habitat restoration specialist shall work with the irrigation technician to set up an irrigation schedule to meet the specific conditions present in the field following wetland creation. Changes to the irrigation schedule may only be initiated by the habitat restoration specialist. When the habitat restoration specialist determines that plants have become established, irrigation will be discontinued. Following termination of irrigation, the system shall be removed from the site. All irrigation shall cease at least one-year before requesting that the City and Wildlife Agencies sign-off on the restoration. d. As-Built Report An as-built report will be prepared and submitted to the regulatory agencies within 90 days of completion of implementation activities. The as-built report covers the time period from when grading of the restoration site begins to the end of the main planting activities. The as-built report will document exactiy what was done to prepare the site for restoration and to plant and seed the site. Throughout constmction of the restoration site, the habitat restoration specialist will keep records that will include the dates of site preparation, installation of container plants, and application of seeds, and describe the location and condition of the reference site. The as-built report will include these records and address any significant problems encountered or necessary changes made in the field. The as-built report will also include photographs of the restoration activities. D. Site Protection Prior to constmction, temporary fencing will be installed when grading or clearing is to occur within 100 feet of preserved habitat, located on- or off-site. All temporary fencing shall be removed after the conclusion of all constmction activities. A qualified biological monitor should be on-site when the temporary fencing is erected and periodically during 24 constmction to ensure project limits are not exceeded. The monitor will prepare reports demonstrating that project limits were not exceeded. A permanent chain link fence will be installed along the interface of the open space and development to protect revegetation work and the open space from vandalism (Figure 6). No seeding or translocation of sensitive plant species will be performed prior to the installation of fencing around each site. Silt fence will be installed, as necessary, on each mitigation site where steep slopes and potential erosion could create sedimentation in existing adjacent native habitat. The protection fence will remain in place and maintained until the end of the five-year monitoring period. Access gates for the purpose of maintenance and monitoring of the open space preserve should be installed at appropriate locations, as necessary. All gates will remain locked except while construction or maintenance personnel are on-site. Project signs will be placed on the fence at locations where unauthorized entry is most likely. Along public rights-of-way, signage shall occur no less than every 1,000 feet. Signs bolted to the fence will provide notice that the area is an ecological preserve, that trespassing is prohibited, and cite penalties for trespass violation, including liability for repair of any damage within the fenced area such as disturbance of soil or vegetation. Signs will also identify the restoration project and a contact for additional information. Maintenance and Monitoring The objectives of the maintenance and monitoring program are to ensure successful habitat establishment and development of an information base, which documents the maintenance and monitoring efforts. To achieve these objectives, the habitat restoration specialist will observe and direct revegetation implementation, maintenance, and monitoring activities. The monitoring and maintenance period will begin immediately upon completion of plant installation and will last for a period of five years as presented in Table 8. The maintenance program will ensure that debris removal, weed control, replanting and reseeding, site protection, and other tasks are adequately performed. Maintenance measures will be conducted by the habitat restoration specialist as outlined below for all restoration and enhancement areas. 25 Projed boundary Chain link fence Project Impacts Proposed Mitigation Areas • Ornamental • Thread-leaved brodiaea soil transfer site _J Picnic area Thread-leaved brodioeo/Notive gross Developed area Coastal sage scrub •i Off-site ROW •• Wetland creation area •• Off-site impact I | Open space RECON M:\iobs\3028b\gis\gis rev\mitigati fig6(fencing) 1T/23/05 on.apr FIGURE 6 Permanent Fencing Plan TABLE 8 MAINTENANCE AND MONITORING SCHEDULE Type/Task Year 1 Year 2 Year 3 Year 4 Years Maintenance Trash removal Monthly Quarterly Quarterly Quarterly Quarterly Weed control As-needed As-needed Quarterly Twice a year Twice a year Fence maintenance Monthly Monthly Monthly Monthly Monthly Irrigation As-needed As-needed As-needed As-needed - Implementation Monitoring Duration of implementation Qualitative Monitoring Monthly Monthly Quarterly Quarterly Quarterly Quantitative Container plant survival Quarterly Annually Annually Annually Annually Spring vegetation sampling -Annually Annually Annually Annually A. Implementation Monitoring To ensure that conditions of this revegetation plan are adhered to, all implementation activities will be monitored and recorded by the habitat restoration specialist. The biologist will be available on-site during revegetation implementation to assist in making necessary plan modifications so the work may proceed. Records will include dates of translocation of salvaged species, container plantings, and seeding. These, along with any significant problems encountered or necessary changes made to the plan, will be included in the first annual report. B. General Maintenance Procedures 1. Vegetation Clearing and Trash Removal Pmning of any native vegetation or removal of dead wood and leaf litter shall not be allowed in the revegetation and enhancement areas. Trash will be removed from the sites by hand on a monthly basis for the duration of the first year and quarterly thereafter. Trash consists of all man-made materials, equipment, or debris left within the revegetation or enhancement areas that is not serving a function related to revegetation. 2. Weed Control Weed control will continue throughout the five-year monitoring period. Hand weeding or other weed control methods will be performed by maintenance workers familiar with and trained to distinguish weeds from native species. During the first year, weeding will be performed quarterly (or more often as determined by the habitat restoration specialist) to keep weeds from producing seeds and to control weed competition during the 27 establishment period of native plants. Weed control will continue quarterly for years two and three and twice a year thereafter. Weeds will be killed or removed before they set seeds. Appropriate weed control measures will be implemented under the direction of the habitat restoration specialist. A list of exotic species anticipated on the site is presented in Table 9. In the event that additional invasive species are encountered, the habitat restoration specialist shall refine control measures to address the problem. 3. Protection Fence The protection fences shall be inspected monthly for the duration of the project for damage and openings during monitoring visits by the habitat restoration specialist. Repeated vandalism or destmction of the protection fence shall be reported to the property owner/project proponent and the habitat restoration specialist will provide suggestions for remedial action. 4. Irrigation Irrigation will be applied to container and salvaged plants at the discretion of the habitat restoration specialist. Delivery techniques and schedules will vary depending on weather conditions. Irrigation shall be applied to the wetland creation area using a sprinkler system, while supplemental water shall be applied to the coastal sage scmb and native grassland/thread-leaved brodiaea restoration using a water truck as directed by the habitat restoration specialist. Timing of implementation is intended to utilize natural precipitation, but amounts of rainfall are highly variable from year to year. All irrigation shall cease at least one-year before requesting that the City and Wildlife Agencies sign- off on the restoration. C. Qualitative Monitoring Evaluation of plant health and identifying and correcting problem areas is necessary for ensuring successful vegetation establishment. Qualitative monitoring will be conducted in each revegetation area weekly during implementation, and monthly for the first two years (quarterly for the remainder of the project). The habitat restoration specialist will review the revegetation areas to examine transplant vigor, native annual and grass germination, and exotic plant encroachment. The biologist will document the findings and make recommendations for remedial actions, if necessary. A list of wildlife species observed in the restoration sites and interior open space lands will be compiled during each qualitative monitoring visit. A description of wildlife use will be included with each annual report (see below). 28 TABLE 9 ANTICIPATED EXOTIC SPECIES CSS Riparian Atriplex semibaccata Australian saltbush Bromus sp. Brome grass Cirsium vuigare Bull thistle Erodium sp. Filaree, storksbill Foeniculum vuigare Sweet fennel Hirschfeldia incana Short-podded mustard Nicotiana glauca Tree tobacco Ricinus communis Castor bean Arundo donax Giant reed Cirsium vuigare Bull thistle Cortaderia spp. Pampas grass Foeniculum vuigare Sweet fennel Nicotiana glauca Tree tobacco Ricinus communis Castor bean Schinus molle Peravian pepper Tamarix sp. Tamarisk D. Quantitative Monitoring Quantitative monitoring will be performed to measure the development of vegetation in the revegetation and enhancement areas and document achievement of success criteria in the revegetation areas as defined by the performance standards. Different monitoring techniques will be employed for each revegetation type. 1. Coastal Sage Scrub and Native Grassland Survival rates of container stock and salvaged transplants will be determined four times during the first year. Percent survivorship will be determined by making total counts of live container plants and comparing that to the original number planted. Cover, diversity, and density measurements will be sufficient to determine revegetation status for years 2-5 (see below). Beginning in the second year, six permanent vegetation sampling stations will be established inside both the Diegan coastal sage scmb and native grassland revegetation sites to measure year-to-year changes in shrub cover, density, and diversity following the protocol of the Califomia Native Plant Society (CNPS) Plant Communities Project (Sawyer and Keeler-Wolf 1995) for a total of 12 sampling stations. Each sample endpoint will be used as a photodocumentation point to record the progress of mitigation over the monitoring period. This data will be compared to baseline data coUected from the intact mature Diegan coastal sage scmb and native grassland habitat located within the preserved open space on-site, unless an altemative off-site location is approved by the Wildlife Agencies. Results will objectively determine if the revegetation areas approach the conununity characteristics of the reference area habitat. The CNPS sampling method is based on a 50-meter point transect centered on a 50-meter-by-5-meter plot. Sampling will be conducted in the spring on the mitigation sites in order to record the maximum species diversity present. 2. Wetland Creation Survival rates of container stock and salvaged transplants will be determined four times during the first year and annually in subsequent years. The inventory taken at each of these visits will include survivorship numbers for all transplanted species. Percent survivorship will be determined by making total counts of live container plants and comparing that figure to the original number planted. Beginning in the second year, three permanent vegetation sampling stations will be established inside the wetland creation area to measure year-to-year changes in shmb cover, density, and diversity following the protocol of the CNPS Plant Communities Project (Sawyer and Keeler-Wolf 1995). A plot will be established on each bank and one 30 down the center of the creation area. Each sample endpoint will be used as a photodocumentation point to record the progress of mitigation over the monitoring period. This data will be compared to baseline data collected from the intact mature southem willow scmb habitat located within a 10-mile radius of the revegetation site. Results will objectively determine if the revegetation and enhancement areas approach the community characteristics of the reference area habitat. 3. Thread-Leaved Brodiaea All thread-leaved brodiaea translocation plots and planting areas will be mapped using a GPS unit with sub-mater accuracy. Individuals growing in these restoration areas will be estimated three times between February and June and continue throughout the five-year monitoring period. Total live plants and flowering individuals will be estimated and the locations and full extent of the populations will be mapped and measured with a GPS unit. Permanent photosampling points will be established at suitable locations. Weed and native species growing in association with thread-leaved brodiaea will also be noted so that they can be controlled. This data will also be collected in five control populations of similar size and density in the preserved open-space each year. E. Monitoring Reports The habitat restoration specialist will submit annual reports summarizing monitoring results to the CDFG, USFWS, USACE, RWQCB, and the City of Carlsbad on January 1 of each year. The quantitative monitoring section will include survey methods, data summary analysis, performance standards comparison, discussion, reporting remedial actions, recommendations, and photodocumentation. Each annual report will compare findings of the current year with those in previous years. F. Performance Standards 1. Coastal Sage Scrub, Native Grassland, and Wetland Revegetation of the Fox Property revegetation areas will be considered successful when the performance standards have been met. The performance standards defining species diversity, density, and species dominance shall be based on values relative to a mature native reference site. The reference sites will be located within the open space preserve area on-site, to the extent possible. This should be possible for coastal sage scmb as a mature community is present on the remaining slopes of Letterbox Canyon. The native grassland on-site is small and scattered. If a suitable reference site is not available on-site, a site will to be chosen from the open space in the vicinity. An off-site reference site will be chosen for monitoring the created southem willow scmb, as this habitat is not currently present on-site. 31 Performance standards for Diegan coastal sage scrub, native grassland, and wetlands are presented in Tables 10, 11, and 12. For example, if a reference community had 60 percent cover, the mitigation site must attain 80 percent relative cover by the end of five years, or 48 percent total cover. If these minimum levels for any one of these measurements are not achieved (in any year), the habitat restoration specialist will recommend remedial actions (such as replanting container stock) to reach the following year's expected levels. In order to meet the performance standards, the habitat must sustain itself for a minimum of two years in the absence of significant maintenance measures, which includes replanting, irrigation, or eradication of weed infestations. It is anticipated that these measure will not be required beyond Year 3, which would allow for the site to demonstrate sustainability by the completion of Year 5. Other maintenance measures, such as regularly scheduled weed control, may continue until the end of the project. TABLE 10 FIVE-YEAR PERFORMANCE STANDARDS, AS A RELATIVE PERCENTAGE OF REFERENCE AREA VALUES FOR DIEGAN COASTAL SAGE SCRUB Year Transplant Survival Coverage of Shrabs and Herbs Diversity 1 90% -- 2 -25% 50% 3 -40% . 70% 4 -60% 80% 5 -75% 80% % = percent TABLE 11 FIVE-YEAR PERFORMANCE STANDARDS, AS A RELATIVE PERCENTAGE OF REFERENCE AREA VALUES FOR SOUTHERN WILLOW SCRUB Year Transplant Survival Coverage of Shrabs and Herbs Diversity 1 100% -- 2 80% 40% 50% 3 80% 75% 70% 4 80% 780% 80% 5 80% 90% 80% % = percent TABLE 12 FIVE-YEAR PERFORMANCE STANDARDS, AS A RELATIVE PERCENTAGE OF REFERENCE AREA VALUES FOR NATIVE GRASSLAND Year Coverage of Shrabs and Herbs Diversity 1 15% 40% 2 25% 50% 3 40% 70% 4 50% 80% 5 60% 80% % = percent 32 2. Thread-Leaved Brodiaea Success of the endangered plant translocation will be based on achieving a replacement number of individuals that exceeds the number impacted by the constmction project. In order to determine this, five thread-leaved brodiaea populations of similar size and estimated density located in the preserved open-space will be selected as reference populations. The total number of brodiaea individuals fiowering within each of these populations will be counted every year. These flowering counts will be compared with the number of individual flowering plants within each translocated soil patch and the brodiaea restoration area. The site will be considered to be meeting success criteria if the number of flowering individuals counted in the restoration population is within the range of the reference population each of the five years. If flowering levels are proportionally lower in the restoration area compared to the reference population, several factors that may be contributing to unsuccessful recmitment will be analyzed (Skinner and Pavlik 1994). Factor analysis will include (but will not be limited to) examining pollinator characteristics in the reserve population as compared to enhanced populations, weed competition, and human impacts. All deleterious factors identified will be remedied to the greatest extent possible to improve recmitment the following year. 3. Tolerance of Weeds The cover of non-native annual grasses and herbs (such as brome grass or filaree), as identified by the habitat restoration specialist, will be no more than 5 percent. There will be 0 percent cover of species listed by the California Invasive Plant Council (Cal-IPC) list of "Exotic Pest Plants of Greatest Ecological Concem", with the exception of brome grasses on the revegetation sites (Cal-IPC 1999). By year five, no more than 5 percent of the site shall consist of open ground. 4. Contingency Measures If performance criteria are not achieved at the end of the fifth year, the permittee will consult with the USFWS, CDFG, USACE, RWQCB, and the City of Carlsbad to determine whether the mitigation effort is acceptable. The owner/project proponent understands that failure of any significant portion of the mitigation area may result in a requirement to replace or revegetate that portion of the site. G. Notification of Completion At the end of the fifth year, a final report will be submitted to the regulatory agencies evaluating the success of the mitigation. The report will make a determination of whether the requirements of the mitigation plan have been achieved. 33 At the conclusion of the five-year monitoring period, or at such time the project has achieved the performance standards, the habitat restoration specialist shall inform the owner/project proponent, USFWS, CDFG, USACE, RWQCB, and the City of Carlsbad. A site review will be scheduled for all parties to review the revegetated sites. Upon confirmation of project success, the regulatory agencies shall release the owner/project proponent of all obligations. H. Estimated Habitat Mitigation Costs A cost estimate for each habitat replacement type is presented based on labor and biological services (Table 13). Heavy equipment, installation of an irrigation system, and fencing (and associated labor) costs were not included. TABLE 13 HABITAT RESTORATION COST ESTIMATE' Brodiaea" Coastal Sage Scrab' Native Grassland" Wetland" Implementation (3 months) Implementation $22,000 $30,000 $59,000 $5,000 Monitoring and Reporting $2,000 $1,500 $2,000 $500 Year 1 Maintenance $7,000 $18,000 $20,500 $3,000 Monitoring and Reporting $3,000 $1,500 $2,000 $1,000 Year 2 Maintenance $5,500 $10,000 $14,000 $1,500 Monitoring and Reporting $3,000 $1,000 $2,000 $500 Year 3 Maintenance $4,500 $6,000 $10,000 $1,000 Monitoring and Reporting $3,000 $1,000 $2,000 $500 Year 4 Maintenance $3,000 $5,000 $9,000 $1,000 Monitoring and Reporting $3,000 $1,000 $2,000 $500 Year 5 Maintenance $3,000 $4,000 $7,500 $1,000 Monitoring and Reporting $3,000 $1,000 $2,000 $500 TOTAL $62,000 $80,000 $132,000 $16,000 In 2005 dollars only, actual costs may vary. 2 Brodiaea restoration will include the 0.11-acre soil transfer within a 1.0-acre of non-native grassland converted to valley needlegrass grassland; coastal sage scrub restoration will total 2.4 acres of revegetation on non-native grassland and manufactured slopes; native grassland restoration will consist of the conversion of 3.7-acres of non- native grassland to valley needlegrass grassland; wetland restoration will include the creation of a 0.3-acre southem willow scrub. 34 References Cited California Invasive Plant Council (Cal-IPC) 1999 Exotic Pest Plants of Greatest Ecological Concem in California. http://www.cal-ipc.org/file_library/4898.pdf. October. Holland, Robert F. 1986 Preliminary Descriptions of the Terrestrial Natural Communities of California. Nongame-Heritage Program, Califomia Department of Fish and Game. October. Skinner, Mark, and Bmce Pavlik 1994 Inventory of Rare and Endangered Plants of Califomia. Califomia Native Plant Society Special Publication No. 1, 5th ed. Sacramento. RECON 2001 Revised Biological Technical Report for the Fox Property Project, Carlsbad, Califomia. Prepared for Dean Miller. April 5. 2005 REVISED-Summary of Revisions to Biological Resources Impacts and Proposed Mitigation for Fox-Miller Property. June. Sawyer, J. O., and T. Keeler-Wolf 1995 A Manual of Califomia Vegetation. Califomia Native Plant Society. Sacramento. U.S. Department of Agriculture 1973 Soil Survey, San Diego Area, California. Soil Conservation Service and Forest Service. Roy H. Bowman, ed. San Diego. December. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) 1998 Endangered and threatened wildlife and plants; determination of four southwestem Califomia plants from vemal wetlands and clay soils. Federal Register VoL 63, No. 197. 35