HomeMy WebLinkAboutCT 99-08; Spyglass II; Tentative Map (CT) (27)IWHJOUFB California Department of
Fish and Game
4949 Viewridge Avenue
San Diego, CA 92123
(858) 467-4201
FAX (858) 467-4299
JUN
US Fish and Wildlife Service
Carlsbad Fish and Wildlife Office
2730 Loker Avenue, West
Carlsbad, CA 92008
(760)431-9440
FAX (760) 431-9624
In Reply Refer To: FWS-SDG-1702.1
Mr. Van Lynch
Associate Planner
City of Carlsbad Planning Department
1635 Faraday Avenue
Carlsbad, CA 92008-7314
Re: Request for a de minimus exemption for the Spyglass n Project, Carlsbad, California
Dear Mr. Lynch:
The California Department of Fish and Game (Department), and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service (Service), hereafter collectively referred to as the Wildlife Agencies, have reviewed the
City of Carlsbad's request, dated March 27, 2001, to process the loss of coastal sage scrub
associated with the Spyglass n project using an exemption to the 4(d) Special Rule. The de
minimus exemption can only be used if the following three criteria are met:
1. The coastal sage scrub to be lost has been determined to be of low value or, if of medium
value, is located outside of preserve planning areas;
2. The project would result in the loss of less than one acre of coastal sage scrub loss which
is not occupied by the coastal California gnatcatcher (Polioptila californica californica;
gnatcatcher); and,
3. Habitat loss would not otherwise preclude reserve design.
In order to determine if the use of the de minimus exemption would be appropriate for the
Spyglass II project, we reviewed the Report of a Biological Survey of the Carlsbad Village Drive
and El Camino Real Property, Carlsbad, California (dated January 28, 1999) prepared for the
project, along with Carlsbad's draft Focused Planning Area map dated December 1999. Coastal
sage scrub impacts which would occur as a result of project implementation (including fuel
modification zones) would be 0.16 acre, which is not occupied by the gnatcatcher. The project
site is on the southeast corner of the intersection of Carlsbad Village Drive and El Camino Real.
This site does not contribute significantly to connectivity between larger blocks of wildlife
habitat. It is considered a Standards Area in the Habitat Management Plan for the City of
Carlsbad. The loss of 0.16 acre of coastal sage scrub (CSS) will be mitigated by the purchase of
0.16 acre of CSS habitat within the Whelan Ranch conservation bank, in Oceanside. Based upon
this information, the use of the de minimus exemption is appropriate for this project.
Mr. Van Lynch 2
It should be noted that even when using this exemption to the 4(d) Special rule, mitigation must
still conform to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), all other underlying resource
protection requirements of the jurisdiction, and the NCCP guidelines. The acreage of impact
should be reported to SANDAG. The Wildlife Agencies would not support the use of on-site
restoration as mitigation for impacts to coastal sage scrub. It is our understanding, however, that
the applicant is in the process of purchasing 0.2 coastal sage scrub credits, at Whelan Ranch
conservation bank.
If you have any questions concerning our review or comments provided in this letter, please
contact John Martin of the Service at (760) 431-9440, or David Mayer of the Department at 858-
467-4234.
Sincerely,
Nancy Gilbert
Assistant Field Supervisor
Carlsbad Fish and Wildlife Office
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
William E. Tippets
Environmental Program Manager
South Coast Region
California Department of Fish and Game
cc. Mr. Robert Ladwig,
Ladwig Design, Inc.
703 Palomar Airport Road, Suite 300
Carlsbad, CA 92009