HomeMy WebLinkAbout3466; OLIVEHAIN RD WIDENING AND REALIGNMENT; WETLAND DELINEATION REPORT; 1997-05-01WETLAND DELINEATION REPORT
FOR THE WIEGAND PROPERTY.
- Prepared for: . ,
Mr.' Robert C. Ladwig
Ladwig Design Group, Inc.
703 Palomar Airport Road, Suite 300 -
Carlsbad, California 92009
Prepare4 by
: ,..
- '•::-' -: Mooney & Associates
9903-B Businesspark Avenue
San Diego, CA 92131 - AN 21 1998
- -
• CITY. y. CAF'LS8AD.
PLANNING DEPT
RECEIVED
LAB! 16 DESIGN 6R
May 1997
. I
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Section Page
1.0 INTRODUCTION 1
20 PROJECT LOCATION 1
3.0 ASSESSMENT OF EXISTING JURISDICTIONAL WETLANDS ............. 4
3.1 Delineation of Southern Boundary of Jurisdictional Wetlands 4
3.2 Wetland Functions and Values ................................... 5
4.0 JURISDICTIONAL WETLAND HABITATS .............................6
50 RECOMMENDED MITIGATION MEASURES FOR POTENTIAL
IMPACTS TO WETLANDS .......................................6
6 0 REFERENCES 7
ATTACHMENT 1. Routine Data Forms - Wetland Delineation Manual
FIGURES
Number Title Page
1 Regional Location..................................................2
2 Site Location .................................................3
.3 . Biological Resources and Project Map ......................map pocket
Wetland Delineation Report for the Wiegand Property
1.0 INTRODUCTION '
The purpose of this' study was to delineate the southern boundary of the wetland habitat associated
with Encinitas Creek that falls under the jurisdiction of the Army Corps of Engineers (ACOE)
pursuant to section 404 of the Clean Water Act and the California Department of Fish and Game
(CDFG) pursuant to Section 1600 of the CDFG Code of Regulations. The southern boundary of
the wetland habitat will, be used during the preliminary planning stages for a subdivision
tentatively proposed south of Encinitas Creek. This report describes the southern limits of the
wetland habitat around Encinitas Creek and is not intended to be used as a wetland delineation for
all wetland habitats both north and south of the creek. Therefore, the report does not include any
quantification of the areas under ACOE and/or CDFG jurisdiction.
A biologickl constraints study, conducted concurrently with th wetland delineation, describes the
general bib1ogica1 resources found on the entire site. In addition, a previous biological survey
conducted Ifor the Olivenhain Road Widening project was reviewed (BFMA 1991).
20 PROJECT LOCATION
The project area is located in northern San Diego County (Figure 1). The property occurs south'
of the intersection of Olivenhain Road and Rancho Santa Fe Road in the City of Carlsbad (Figure
2).
The topography on-site consists of a north-facing slope at the southern boundary of the site. As
one moves north, the topography flattens out into Encinitas Creek that runs in an east-west
direction The elevation near the southern boundary of the wetlands is approximately 120 feet
above mean sea level (AMSL), although the elevation on the entire site ranges from approximately
100 AMSJJto 210 feet AM The project site is underlain by Eocene Marme sediments (Rogers
1965) Soils found on the site mclude Las Flores loamy fine sand (9 to 15 percent slopes), Salinas
clay loam (0 to 2 percent slopes), Altamont clay (9 to 15 percent slopes), loamy alluvial land-
Huerhueroconiplex (9 to 50 percent slopes) and Cornalitos'loamy sand (1 to 5 percent slopes).
The surroiinding land uses include a residential development to the south; a residential
development and an equestrian facility to the west; a maintenance yard for Olivenhain Municipal
Water District and a feed and' tack shop to the north; and Rancho Santa Fe Road and a pasture for
cattle beyond it to the east
Wetland Delineation Report for the Wiegand Property 1
5 lOis Regional Location
PROJECT
LOCATION
3.0 ASSESSMENT OF EXISTING JURISDICTIONAL WETLANDS
This section describes the area of wetland habitat south of Encinitas Creek that is subject to
jurisdiction by the ACOE pursuant to Section 404 of the Clean Water Act, and the CDFG
pursuant to Section 1600 of the Fish and Game Code. A delineation of jurisdictional areas along
the southern boundary of the riparian habitat was performed using the routine delineation methods
outlined in the currently adopted wetland delineation manual (ACOE 1987). The manual
recognizes three criteria for wetland delineation: presence of obligate or facultative wetland
indicator vascular plant species, hydric soils, and evidence of hydrology.
3.1 Delineation, of Southern Boundary of Jurisdictional Wetlands
A wetland delineation of the site was conducted on April 24, 1997 by Mooney & Associates.
Existing conditions were observed aid indicators of wetland vegetation, hydric soils, and wetland
hydrology were noted on standard ACOE routine delineation data forms for five test plots
(Attachment 1). Wetland vegetation indicator categories were taken from the U.S. Fish &
Wildlife Service (USF&WS) list of wetland species (USF&WS 1988).. Wetland indicator species
include those designated as facultative, facultative-wetland, or obligate as dictated by the 1987
ACOEnianual. Boundaries of wetlands and other waters of the U.S. within the APE were drawn
on a 1 inch = 100 feet scale aerial photograph and transferred to a 1 inch = 100 feet scale
topographical map (Figure 3). Biological communities of the project area were described using
a modified Holland (1986) vegetation community classification scheme.
The area surveyed supports three native riparian habitat types in association with Encinitas Creek:
coastal freshwater marsh, southern willow sdub and coastal salt marsh. The freshwater, marsh
is dominated by soft flag (tvplia latifolta) with other species observed including salt marsh
fleabane(PlucheO odorata var. odothta) and southwestern spiny rush Juncus acutus var. ?
Leopoldii).
Southern willow scrub occurs in scattered locations within a narrow stripalong Encinitas Creek,
although a wider patch 'of the habitat was found at the extreme east end of the site. The dominant
species in the southern willow scrub is arroyo willow (Salix lasiolepis) although narrow-leaved
willow (S. exigua) was seen infrequently. Understory species include mulefat (Baccharis
sailcifolia), western ragweed (Ambrosia psilostachya) and southwestern spiny rush (Juncus acutus
var. sphaerocarpus). Arroyo willows also occur in isolated • stands in the freshwater marsh area
as well as in the chaparral in the southeastern corner of the site.
Wetland Delineation Report for the Wiegand Property 4
Southern willow scrub grades into coastal salt marsh as one moves further south away from the
creek. The coastal salt marsh is the dominant type of wetland habitat On the site. The dominant
species within the marsh is woody giasswort (Salicornia virginica) with other species present
including alkali-heath (Frankenia sauna) and alkali mallow (Malvella leprosa). Also present were
a few .dried or almost dried salt beds scattered among the plants.
Water was observed flowing within the creek through two culverts that run under Rancho Santa
Fe Road at the extreme east boundary of the areas surveyed. The presence of soft-flag on the site
is evidence that the ground is saturated during much of the year. During the survey, standing
water was evident only at the extreme' east end of the site adjacent to the culverts. The ground
covering the remainder of the site where the freshwater marsh and southern willow scrub occurred
was saturated. The marsh habitat adjacent to the creek is likely the result of the relatively flat
topography of the northern .two thirds of the site which allows any water flowing from east of the
site to dissipate out both north and south of the creek.
3.2 Wetland Functions and Values . The quality of the existing riparian habitat within the study area is relatively low on a local basis
and only moderate to low on a regional basis. The freshwater marsh, southern willow scrub and
coastal salt marsh provide marginal 'habitat for wildlife, primarily due to their limited distribution
on the site. Except for the east end of the study area, willow trees are scattered throughout the
remainder of the creek area, often forming a narrow band of only one tree width;
The freshwater marsh, southern willow"scrub and salt marsh interface with each other to form
ege habitats or ecotones. ,These are- transitional areas between. neighboring natural communities.
Within these areas, types of food and cover from more than one natural community come together
giving wildlife' species sirnultaièbáccess tosev&âltypesófhabitaL"
Although relatively undisturbed, the riparian habitats on-site are not expected to support many
sensitive wildlife species commonly associated with riparian habitats 'in southern California
because of their small size. Also, based on the absence of a defined creek bed, flowing water'.
probably does not occur in the site year-round precluding the development of permanent emergent
wetlands that would add to the structural heterogeneity and overall diversity of the system.
Riparian habitat occurring northeast of the study area narrows near. Rancho Santa Fe Road,
providing only a minimal connection to the salt marsh habitat north of the Encinitas Creek on the
Wetland Delineation Report for the Wiegand Property 5
'S
J
site. Southern willow scrub occurring downstream of the site, likely the result of subsurface
water, is connected to the riparian habitat on-site through two narrow strips of similar habitat that
are directly adjacent to horse corrals
The wildlife corridors/use areas for the' project area are, to a greater extent, of relatively low
value. The southern willow scrub and freshwater marsh habitats are narrow in width, although
they do combine with the salt marsh habitat to offer a mosaic of different use areas for wildlife
However, this value is offset by the disturbed areas that occur both to the north and south of the
riparian habitats
40 JURISDICTIONAL WETLAND HABITATS
The southern limits of both ACOE and CDFG jurisdictions are shown in Figure 3 Typically, the
CDFG jurisdiction is delineated by habitat that occurs 'bank to bank' within a defined creek, or
river. The site for the most part, however, lacks any defined baflk. Due to this particular
situation, CDFG jurisdiction was delineated by wetland vegetation indicators. The southern
boundary of both ACOE and CDFG jurisdictional wetlands are identical for this site
50 'RECOMMENDED MITIGATION MEASURES FOR POTENTIAL
IMPACTS TO. WETLANDS .
A 50-foot setback south of the wetland habitats should be incorporated into the project design to'
provide a buffer between the riparian habitats and the proposed development.
A mitigation plan would be required to.compensate for any impacts to jurisdictional wetlands
Both the ACOE and the CDFG have a policy of "no net loss" of riparian habitats, such as
southern willow scrub, coastal freshwater marsh and coastal salt marsh Mitigation for the loss
of any wetland is recommended at a 2:1 ratio since the wetlands' are' of moderate to low quality.'
Any temporary jurisdictional wetland impacts should be restored on-site by hydroseeding as an
erosion control measure
.'
Wetland Delineation Report for the Wiegand Property 6
S 6.0 REFERENCES
Bowman, Roy H.
1973 Soil Survey of the San Diego Area, California. U.S.D.A.
Federal Interagency Committee for Wetland Delineation
1989 Federal Manual for Identifying and Delineating Jurisdictional Wetlands. U.S.
Army Corps of Engineers, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service, and U.S.D.A. Soil Conservation Service, Washington, D.C.
Cooperative technical publication.
Holland, R.F.
1986 Preliminary Descriptions of the Terrestrial Natural c'ommunities of California.
California Department of Fish and Game. Sacramento. 156 pp.
Mooney, Brian F. Associates
1991 Biological Survey and Report for the Olivenhain Road Widening/Realignment and
5
Flood Control Project. June.
Rogers, T.H. . . .
1965 Geologic Drop of California - Santa Ana Sheet. California Division of Mines and
Geology.
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
1987 Corps of Engineers Wetlands Delineation Manual. Technical Report Y-87-1.
• . . . . .. .. ,.. . . I...
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service ..
1988 National List of Plant Species that occur in Wetlands: California (Region 0).
Biological Report 88 (26.10).
• .
Wetland Delineation Report for the Wiegand Property 7
bATA FORM
ROUTINE WETLAND DETERMINT)ON
(1987 COE Wetlands Delineation Manual)
2jet -7
rProject/Site: Date:
Applicant./Owner: Counri:-" •-
lz,vestiator: L State.: ,4- -. — il
Do Normal Circums;nceS exist on the site? Ve Community
Is the site significantly disturbed (Atypical Situation)? (!jo< Transect ID: I
Is the area a potentialProblem Area? Yes Plot ID:
(If needed. explain on reverse.)
VEGETATION
Dominant Plant Sireturi_ 1dcator
ry
D"et Ptjnt Sees Stretvr- Incte,
/ -
13. tk S I
4. j&meq &'L5I II
_____ 12.
1 S . _____ UI O)\/ 13.___________________
V 6. S tc4.+94ç (A 14.
Percent of Dominant Species that are OL. .FACW or FAC ../ ... fç.f
(excluding F/C•).
Remarks:
HYDROLOGY -
_Recerded Date (Describe in Remarks): Wetland ) :oloqy Indicatots:
Stream. uk., or 'fldo Gauge -
Primary Indicators:
- A.nai Photographs M(r4ated
-Other Satwated in Upper 12 Inches
No Recorded Data Available Water Marks
Drift Lines
—Sediment Deposits
Sold Observations: S Dren.g. Pat-erns in W,davds
Secondary Indicators (2 or more required):
Depth of Surface Water: J\J!T (.) - OZidiZed Root Charnel. in Upper 12 Inches
Wner•Slain.d Leaves
Depth to Pro. Water in Pit: (in.) Local Soil Survey Data
- FAC.Neutral Test . Depth to Saturst.d Soil: )_(in.) Other (Explain in Romar¼s)
-144-
DATA FORM
ROUTINE WETLAND DETERMINATION
.(1 987 COE Wetlands Delineation Manual)
Project/Se: iJ4W Yr)&V4' - Date: -7
Applicant/Owner: 3 ()V\d.. J1k-\ County: t)-€.
Investigator: ), (-. ItVz( State: CI\
Do Normal Circumstances exist on the sit? . es No Community ID:
Is the site significantly disturbed (Atypical Stuation)? es V 26) Transect ID:
Is the area a. potential Problem Area? . . Yes Plot ID:
-
(If needed. exlain on reverse.)
VEGETATION
Dominant Plant Sev e - Strefum Irs&t, 00mne.st Plant Sciea Stratum Indicalo,
2.
iL
___ 10
V 3 for i
£.I) jA\s . ;L . "
t
S 424c ON ad
-
13
14.
Percent of Dominant Species that era OBL FACW orFAC ./
(excluding FAC.). I S I i LI
Rome rk3
\ (9-i2) a \Li)LY')
HYDROLOGY •-• . •. - - '. . .
Recorded Dii. (Descrb. Remark,): Welland Hydroloçy Indicator,:
— Stream. taLl, or Td. Gouge Primary Indicate,,:
— Aerial Photographs I, Undated
.. Saturated ii Upper 12 Inches ve4c'-1 .5)'
- — Other .
—No Recorded Data Available —Water Marts
-
. DnttlJnai
—Sediment Deposits
Raid Observations: — Dtsr%i. Pararrt, in W,t1anc,
Secondary Indicators (2 or more required):
Depth of Surface Wate(: Al I 1 (in.) _Oxdiied Root Channels in Upper 12 Inches
—Water-Stained Leaves
Depth to Fr.. Water in Pit: rJ I (in.) —Local Soil Survey Data
. • — FAC.N.utrsl Test
• Depth to 65trt,t.,4.4 Soil: ri (in.) —Other (Explain in Remarks)
Remark.:
.144-
bATA FORM
ROUTINE WETLAND DETERMINATION
(1987 COE Wetlands Delineation Manual)
Project/Ste: LJg.&4,..t ?4pe'i'4
ApplicantiOwner: — iAPk j
Investigator: t-.
Date:
County:
State: CA
Do Normal Circumstances exist on the site? No Community ID:
Is the site significantly disturbed (Atypical Situation)? Yes 7 Transect ID:
Is the area a potential Problem Area? Yes Plot ID: 4.
(If needed. çon reverse.)
Do'e.'t Plant Seecei Stratum Ir..cator
to._________________________
16.
••i
Oerrur.ent Plant Scbc.e, St,aturi tpdicator
Jk-V(o 1.?I.4464\c tVfr?
V 2.'?ey?c eke,,deS J4Y' Fcc&
3. ___OVI4I4.S yLL.s kevt, j\)
' 4..t;&4V LrvC /
V * / S. _ate a.&tLc 94ULA4
/5',oL IS
w /
4.i.yf4,'& !.CM..qtt1.S /
Percent of Dormimant Species that are OEL FACW of FAC
(excluding FAC.).
Rernerle,:
HYDROLOGY
Recorded Date (Deecr. in Remark,): Wetlsnd Hydroloçy Indicator,:
Stream. Ls.. or Tide CeUQO Primary Indicator,:
- .&.ri.J Photographs - Inundated
- Other S - Saturated in Upper 12 Inches
No Recorded Data A..iIebI. Water Marts
Drift Lines
- Sediment Deposits
R.Id Observations: - Drainage Panerns in Wetlands
( Secondary Indicators (2 or more required):
Depth of Surface Water: tt.)f Pr _Oxidized Root Canne(s in Upper 12 Inches
IA. _Wat.t.Stairt.d Leaves
Depth to Free Water in Pit: (tg•t.) -Local Soil Survey Data . Depth to Saturated Soil: iv, A Gn.)
_FAC•Neutral Test
— Other (Explain in R.m.rkz)
Rs..)lçf. 0t 6t4,ystft-L 1'1 *
-144-
A
DATA FORM
ROUTINE WETLAND DETERMINATiON
(1987. COE Wetlands Delineation Manual)
F
e _______________________________
Date
Owner: 'e(k (k\4 Counry:
or: % (-. (&&r(A.. State: cfir
Do.Normal Crcums:ances exist onthe site? eel) No Community ID:
Is the site SiQrIfiCafttly disturbed (Atypical Situation)? Tes 10 Transect ID:
Is the area a potential Problem Are Yes 7 Plot ID
(If needed. explain on reverse.)
H.S
VEGETATION .
Dominant Plant scee;t, Stretur' lncato, Don,nent Plant Sceces Strtur.i Indicator
V I. 6t.-1-tt h-v4 /. -• . . .
v•• 2n of
/ 3 I/ Ly & e4
4.. _c c%u.. S Ii e.,L, l A- C—
S. J4tf(yeI(g_ôtaJ'lie.vl , 4c _____
V 6. 4(-1l ,ç'5p;(At)A ew &
7•
16.________________________________
Percent of 00niirt0rtt Species that are OBL FAcW or FAC .
(excluding FAC..
Remarks:
HYDROLOGY
Recorded Data (Oescnt. Irt Rernarksi Wed.rid )4ydroleçy Indicators*,;
— Stream. Lake. or Td. Gauge - Primary Indicsters
— Aerial PPietoQraphs . - ., Inundated
0th., —Saturated iriU;per 12 Inches
No Recorded Data Available — Water Mitts
Drift Uriei
Sent Depc&ts
R.ld Observation-1: — Ora'n.ç. Psr..rns in W.tlands
Secondary Indicators 12 or more required):
Depth of Surface Water: A)if n.. Oxidized Root Channels in Upper 12 Inches
Water.Stained Leaves
Depth to Ftc. Water in Pit: A)f/)c (itt.) — Local Sea Survey Data
FAC.N.uua( Test
Depth toSatijrat.d Soil: (V iP _(itt.) — Other (Explain in Remarks)
-144-
J.
S bATA FORM
ROUTINE WETLAND DETERMINATION
(1 987 COE Wetlands Delineation Manual)
Project/Site: WfPrt Date: ___________
ApplicantiOwner \1'Qk. j-i- Counry:
Investigator: L.,c1cbLQ- 7. 1Ufl'i State:
Do Normal Circumstances exist on the site? 'j No Community -ID: j.)S'
Is the she signiflcar.tly disturbed (Atypical Situation)? Yes Transect ID:
Is the area a potential Problem Area? Yes Plot ID:
(If needed. ex;Iain on reverse.)
VEGETATION
Dominant Pint Sceei - Sir eturn Ind;ca,or Ooe.'.'e't Ptjet Scece Stratum
i-v- ies e"jrJ _i E& .pIi'i Iacd?pss -ti( P&j,J
2 1Yflb(OSc. DSFCv'hf. "Lim 1o..hJJYnjm1ciktJ .sh, '-'.
"V,10DD)(""Ax
rcz.. 12.
s 13.
J).lp ____14.
7 v'f''!vw.. IS.__________________
L!L(11IS
Percent of Dominant Species that are OBI.. FACW or FAC
(excluding FAC-). _çy tv C-
Remarks: hIL Th(Y
HYDROLOGY c
Recorded Dii. (Cescnb. g Remarks): Wed.rid )-(yd:ology indicaicts:
— Sure-n. Lake. at rd. Gouge Primary kd;caieis:
_A.ri,j Photographs inundated
Other Saturated in Upper 12 Inches
— . —
ZN* Recorded Dais Available — Water Mitts
Drift Lines
S.d rn.nt Dcocsus
Reid Observations: — Drainage Paterns in W,dand, —
A S.cor4ery indicators (2 or met. required):
Depth of Surface Water: 'Jj-% (k.) Oxidized Root Cannels in Upper 12 Inches
-
i — Water-Stained Leaves —
Depth taFt.. Water in Pit: f( (iii.) —Local Sea Survey Data
K 1L1 — FACJ.uirsi Test —
Depth to Saturated Soil: IVI Gn.) —Other (Explain in. Remarks)
Remarks: ..Jço • ITJt& —P,*
1M 61 otI SUA )
-144-