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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCT 99-08; Spyglass II; Tentative Map (CT) (59)Pacific Southwest BiologQal Services, Inc. Post Office Box 985, National City, California 91951-0985 • (619) 477-5333 • FAX (619) 477-5380 Second Status Report Perennial Grassland Revegetation Project Spyglass Development Mitigation Carlsbad, California PSBS # T472B Donor Site: UTM: 3,670,OOOmN, 470,OOOmE Receptor-Mitigation Site UTM: 3,669,'OOOmN, 473,OOOmE Prepared for Concordia Homes of California, LLC 7130 Avenida Encinas, Suite 200 Carlsbad CA 92009-4657 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 619 477 5380 E-mail: bio@psbs.com 31 October 2002 R. Mitchel Beauchamp, M. Sc., President RECEIVED LADWIG DESIGN GR i\ Second Status Report Perennial Grassland Revegetation Project Spyglass Development Mitigation Carlsbad, California 31 October 2002 Introduction The development of a site at the southeast corner of El Camino Real and Carlsbad Village Drive (Elm Street), called Spyglass II (CT 99-08/SDP 99-04.SUP 99-04/ HDP 99-07) impacted a remnant Perennial Grassland by landform alteration of the site. As mitigation for this three-acre impact to native Perennial Grassland, the establishment of a 10.3-acre area of Perennial Grassland was required to fulfill Condition 5 of the Mitigating Measures for the Spyglass II project. This is the second status report on the mitigation area, the first having been produced on 25 October 2001. This Second Status Report chronicles actions and results between 25 October 2001 and 30 October 2002 to establish that habitat in an area formerly involved with agricultural use and now covered by weedy, non-native grasses and forbs. The site is a portion of land owned by the State of California and administered by the Departments of Transportation and Fish and Game as a mitigation bank and natural preserve. The site lies northwest of another area proposed as a mitigation area, called Holly Springs. The site was considered 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 80 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 actions, supplemental to those originally set forth in the plan for the project, dated 13 December 2000, were implemented in the establishment and maintenance of the native, perennial grassland cover for the site that affords watershed protection, reduces fuel loading, retains populations of grassland-associated native plants and provides a prey base of rodents as foraging habitat for native raptors. Due to the severe drought condition at the site, response of the seeding was very poor. Several remedial steps were taken to prepare the site for anticipated rainfall and the planning for an irrigation system was also moved forward. Pacific Southwest Biological Services, Inc. PSBS #T472B Herbicide Treatment The growth of Field Mustard was excessive despite the prior solarization of the soil. A certified pest control operator, Joe Knott, completed application of a mixture of Telar Round-up and Garlon-4 on 27 February 2002. Spraying of the site required the issuance of a CDFG 880 Form 8 from the Department of Fish and Game issued by John Ekhoff. Supplemental Site Seeding Supplemental hand seeding occurred using the following seed mixture. The seeding occurred during 6 and 7 March 2002. 80 pound of Nassella pulchra 50 pounds of Aristida purpurea var. purpurea The Aristida has been previously unavailable for seeding, so this application completed one of the important grass elements in the mitigation. Mycorrhizal Inoculant Application A mixture of various fungal symbionts was hand applied to the site. The material is sold under the marketing name of Gro-Power and 3000 pounds were applied to the site. The application was made during one of the infrequent rain showers of the season during 6 and 7 March 2002. Plant Establishment Due to the poor level of rainfall that could be utilized by the seeding event, the germination and establishment of the native material was minimal. Small seedlings are still evident but predation by rabbits desperate for forage eradicated the surviving growth. Irrigation Since the target date of January 2002 arrived without adequate rainfall, the contingency of a temporary, field designed irrigation system was initiated in the restoration area for the 2002-2003 rain season. With the assistance of Ladwig Design Group, the coordination for the installation of an irrigation system was begun. Meters were located and access issues are still in processing with the adjacent property owner, McMillin Communities. This system would be installed above ground and will have 100% coverage and both manual override and automatic controls. The irrigation system is to be operated for up to a period of 5 years and probably less if the vegetation responds to an adequate level of Pacific Southwest Biological Services, Inc. PSBS #T472B establishment. 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 has been largely the continued hand removal of Cardoon (Cynara cardunculus) and Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare). Vandalism, aside from graffiti on the barrier wall, and trash accumulation have not been a problem at the site, due largely to the investment of the wall structure. Monitoring The restoration site has been monitored for both successful plant growth and biological functioning. Monitoring was done in June and the poor results did not warrant any quantitative measurements due to the low density of seedlings. A supplemental irrigation plot was established in the summer to test the potential for growth of the seedbed. The irrigated plot indicated that grasses and annuals were still present as viable seed and that no additional seeding is needed. The rabbit population heavily grazed the test plot, however. A grid system was established at the site to facilitate the reporting of various areas. The southern wall has 50-foot markers that are part of the grid system and a series of interior PVC pipes are in place as part of the grid. Pacific Southwest Biological Services, Inc. TO LADWIG DESIGN GROUQNC. 703 Palomar Airport Rd., SuitedOO CARLSBAD, CA 92009 (760) 438-3182 Fax (760) 438-0173 RE: WE ARE SENDING YOU Q D Shop drawings D Copy of letter - Attached D Under separate cover via D Prints D Change order D Plans D D Samples _the following items: D Specifications COPIES / DATE 10/11 lot- NO.DESCRIPTION £&&v^ J^Q>*d~~ (*?- ^} */ fyAAA&nuL S?J2" -rtJuty.x*"^ D / ^^ IH ^/l/te/\ A??v « W7>^ ' u 1 20fhTHESE ARE TRANSMITTED as checked twJowT Q/^ /-, ^* D For approval IEi For your use D As requested D For review and comment D FOR BIDS DUE REMARKS D D Returned for corrections D _ D Resubmit D Submit D Return _ copies for approval _ copies for distribution .corrected prints D PRINTS RETURNED AFTER LOAN TO US COPY l_ H enclosures are not as noted, kindly notify us at once.