HomeMy WebLinkAboutCT 99-08; Spyglass II; Tentative Map (CT) (35)JUN 22 '00 07:14PM 619 f*" 5380 —* P.1/5
Perennial Grassland Revegetation Plan
Spyglass Development Mitigation
Carlsbad, California
PSBS#T472B
UTM: 3.669,OOOraN, 473,OOOmE
x
Prepared for
Concordia Homes of California, LLC
7130 Avenida Encinas, Suite 200
Carlsbad CA 92009^657
and
Ladwig Design Group, Inc.
703 Palomar Airport Road, Suite 300
Carlsbad CA 92009
Prepared by
Pacific Southwest Biological Services. Inc.
Post Office Box 985
National City CA 91951-0985
Telephone 619 477 5333
Facsimile 61.9 477 5380
E-roajl: bio@psbs.com
22 June 2000
R. Mitchel Beauchamp, M. Sc., President
cr
RECEIVED
JUN 2 2 2181
LADWIG DESIGN GR
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Perennial Grassland Revegetation Plan
Spyglass Development Mitigation
Carlsbad, California
Introduction
The proposed development of an undeveloped sile at tlie southeast corner of El
Carnino Real and Carlsbad Village Drive (Elm Street), called Spyglass II (CT 99-08/SDP
99-04.SUP 99-04/ HDP 99-07) involves impacting a remnant Perennial Grassland by
landform alteration of the sile. As mitigation for mis impact, the establishment of a 10.3-
acre area of perennial grassland is required to fulfill Condition 5 of the Mitigating
Measures for the .Spyglass (I project.
This Plan details the procedures 10 establish that habitat in an area formerly
involved with agricultural use and now covered by weedy, non-native grasses and Ibrbs.
The site is a portion of land owned by the State of California and administered by the
Department of Transportation as a mitigation bank. The site lies northwest of another
area proposed as a mitigation area, called Holly Springs.
The site is suitable For restoration to Perennial Grassland by virtue of the
Altamont clay soils on the site and the proposed land uses nearby. The site lies between
SO and 200 feet in elevation and is generally a west to northwest facing slope system.
The lands to the south are owned by the Carlsbad Unified School District and presumable
will be developed as a school site. Having a natural preserve next to an educational
facility offers opportunities for educational and monitoring activities.
Methodology
The following steps are planned to result in the establishment and maintenance of
a native, perennial grassland cover for the site that will afford watershed protection,
reduce fuel loading, retain populations of grassland-associated native plants and provide a
prey base of rodents as foraging habitat for native raptors
Fencing
The purpose of the fencing is to prohibit entry of motorcycles which are currently
running unregulated in the area despite signs prohibiting such activity. A K-rail system is
proposed to create this barrier. This will allow foot access but preclude vehicular
entrance. It also will be useful if burning of the site can be achieved by permit for initial
weed eradication.
Removal of the non-native weeds
The present infestation of weeds can be controlled by initial herbicide use and
manual removal of the more localized weeds, such as Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare) and
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Giant Artichoke (Cynara cardunculm}. Burning is ihe method of choice since it allows
retention of vegetative ash which serves as nutrient, as well as destroys the upper portion
of the weed seed bed. To this date, permission has not been granted by the Fire
Department to bum the site as a training exercise. If burning cannot be used, selective
solarization using black plastic over irrigated and germinated seedlings will be done.
Minor Recomouring of the site
Minor portions of the site have been deformed in association with off-highway
vehicular use of the site. These will be reshaped using light earth moving equipment
Plant Materials
Plant materials to be used in the restoration are selected based on their presence in
similar adjacent habitats in the region, particularly at the development site, commercial
availability of seed, value to wildlife and successful use in previous revegetation projects.
Plant materials arc to be salvaged or collected from native populations at the development
site is synchronization of the restoration site can be made prior to implementation of the
development. No cultivars or ornamental selections are to be used in the revegetation.
Plant materials to be utilized are outlined below. The seeding weights per acre for
each species are given in the Table below. Seeding will be clustered to create a more
natural plant assemblage and to take advantage of micro-site variations in soils, moisture
and exposure.
PLANT MATERIALS PLANTING DENSITY (pounds per acre)
Aristida purpurea 2
Koehria pyramidata 3
Nassella lepida 1 ,
Nassella pulchra 3
Vulpia myuros 3
Plantago insularis 3
Additionally, an annual mix of wild flowers will add biological diversity to the
grasslands. This mixture would custom spread within the grassland at only specific
locations to achieve an attractive visual element. These annuals include the following
species with the poundage rates only for purposes of mixture composition, not rates of
application per acre, since the material will be spot seeded for visual effect:
Castilleja exserta 1
Dichelosfemmci capiiatum 0.5
Eschscholzia californica 3
Gilia capiiala 2
Grindelia robusla 0.5
Hazardia squarrosa 1
Isocoma menziesii 0.5
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Lasihema californica 3
Lcyia platyglo.fsa 2
Linanthus dicmlhiflorus 0.5
Lupinus succulennts 5
Penxlemon spectabilis 3
Sisyrinchiitm bellum 1
Plant Establishment x
The seed will be applied by hand seeding If the soil surface has become sealed
over due to moismrc or compaction, light raking or disking will be needed to prepare the
seed bed.
Irrigation
A temporary, field designed irrigation system is to be constructed in the restoration
area. This system will be installed above ground and will have 100% coverage and both
manual override and automatic controls. The irrigation system will be completely installed
and operable prior to commencing any planting. If solarization with black plastic is chosen
to remove weed seedlings, the irrigation system will be uses lo pre-irrigated the site so that
seeds will be induced into germination prior to solarization. The enhanced soil moisture is
the principal means ofheai killing of the seedlings by solarization. The irrigation system is
to be operated for a period of 3 years or less if the revegetation specialist deems it possible
to remove the system and city and Fish and Game staff concur. Prior to the removal of the
system, its operations will be gradually phased out to avoid stressing newly established
young plants.
Maintenance
Maintenance of the restoration area will be carried out over a 3-year period
following the completion of all seeding and planting activities. Maintenance will consist of
weed and exotic plant control, plant replacement, control of vandalism, and irrigation.
Weed abatement on-site will be performed to control particularly noxious or
competitive species which would inhibit the growth of desirable native vegetation.
Weeding will be performed as needed to reduce competitive shading or moisture loss over
the 3-years of ihe maintenance period. Exotic plants to be removed from the site will
include, but will not be limited to, Castor Bean (Ricinus communis), Tree Tobacco
(Mcotiava glauca), Sweet Fennel (foeniculwn vulgare), Russian-thistle (Salsola tragus),
Bristly Ox-Tongue (Picris echioides), and Cocklebur (Xanthium stnanarium). Other
weedy plants which might invade the site will be removed only if they pose a threat to the
growth or survival of the target vegetation.
Failed starts of seeded materials will be reseeded as necessary in order to achieve
the restoration goals or as prescribed by the monitoring program. Replacement planting
will utilize seeding only. Where micro-site characteristics are found to be more suitable for
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growth of different plant materials, substitution may be made from other species on the list
These substitutions are to be directed by the revegctation specialist.
The restoration sites will be posted with signs identifying the purpose of the area.
Trash dumping, ORV activity and damage to plants and irrigation systems will be
controlled by appropriate means. If necessary, sites will be further fenced to control
vandalism within the restoration areas.
/•
Monitoring
The restoration site will be monitored for both successful plant growth and
biological functioning. Monitoring will be done in October of each year of the 3-year
monitoring period. During these monitoring periods, cover and frequency will be
determined by line intercept and quadrat sampling techniques.
During the monitoring periods, wildlife present at the sites will be inventoried to
assess the functional value of the restoration areas.
Establishment Success Criteria
Restoration will be considered successful if overall recruits from seed exceed 20
plants/meter after a 2-year period. After 3 years, the cover of native plant material should
exceed 50%. If restoration sites fail to achieve the minimum success criteria as specified,
restoration with container plants will be required to bring these areas up to the "success"
level Monitoring reports will be prepared in October on an annual basis and submitted on
30 October of each year. Reports will be submitted to Carlsbad Planning Department and
California Department Fish and Game following client review.
All aspects of the restoration work, including planting, monitoring and maintenance
will be conducted by a qualified revegetation specialist with experience in native habitat
revegetation. Wildlife monitoring will be conducted by a qualified biologist with
knowledge of local fauna. Work will be funded by Concordia Homes of California, LLC.
To ensure the successful completion of all phases of the revegetation work, performance
bonds and other security will be posted with the City of Carlsbad. Such security may be
released incrementally as portions of the project are completed with the bond to be released
at the end of the 3-year monitoring period. The suggested increments for release of
securities are as follows:
Completion of Planting Phase (includes grading, installation of irrigation, planting of
salvaged plants and seeding of all restoration areas).
End of third year monitoring and maintenance period (includes final completion of all
work and delivery of satisfactory to CDK5).