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Home My WebLink AboutCDP 07-22; EL CAMINO REAL ROAD WIDENING; FOCUSED CALIFORNIA GNATCATCHER SURVEYS; 2006-07-05DUDEK July 5, 2006 CORPORATE OFFICE 605 THIRD STREET ENCINITAS, CALIFORNIA 92024 T 760.942.5147 T 800.450.1818 F 760.632.0164 U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Attn: Recovery Permit Coordinator 6010 Hidden Valley Road Carlsbad, CA 92009 4926-08 Subject: Focused California Gnatcatcher Surveys, El Camino Real Road Widening Project, City of Carlsbad, California, Permit# TE051250 Dear Recovery Permit Coordinator: This report documents the results of three (3) protocol-level presence/absence surveys for the federally-listed threatened coastal California gnatcatcher (Polioptila californica californica; gnatcatcher). These focused surveys were conducted for the approximately 28.8-acre El Camino Real Road Widening Project by Dudek in March and April 2006. The surveys were conducted in all areas of suitable habitat. Approximately 4.4 acres of Diegan coastal sage scrub and 0.9 acre of disturbed coastal sage scrub are present onsite. The California gnatcatcher is a federally-listed threatened species and a California Department of Fish and Game species of special concern. It is closely associated with coastal sage scrub habitat, particularly that dominated by California sagebrush (Artemisia californica) and California buckwheat (Eriogonum fasciculatum ). It typically occurs below 950 feet elevation and on slopes less than 40%, but gnatcatchers have been observed at elevations greater than 2,000 feet. The species is threatened primarily by loss, degradation, and fragmentation of coastal sage scrub habitat and is also impacted by brown-headed cowbird (Molothrus ater) nest parasitism. LOCATION AND EXISTING CONDITIONS The approximately 28.8-acre El Camino Real Road Widening Project is located in the northeastern part of the City of Carlsbad, California (Figure ]). The project area extends from Chestnut Avenue, at an elevation of approximately 300 feet above mean sea level (AMSL) in the north, to Tamarack A venue, at approximately 70 feet AMSL in the southeast. The existing El Camino Real was originally constructed in a small canyon between northwest-southeast trending hills. The site is located on the U.S. Geological Service (USGS) 7.5 minute San Luis Rey quadrangle map in projected sections 4, 5 and 9; Township 12 South, Range 3 West (Figure 2). An intermittent blue line stream was mapped in the project area, running parallel and east of El Camino Real and dissipating into the valley extending southward toward Agua Hedionda Creek. WWW.DUDEK.COM To: Recovery Permit Coordinator Subject: Focused California Gnatcatcher Surveys, El Camino Real Road Widening Project, City of Carlsbad, California, Permit# TE051250 The project site lies within the Habitat Management Plan for Natural Communities in the City of Carlsbad (HMP) plan area. The southwestern portion of the project area is within the Coastal Zone and subject to applicable provisions of the HMP, which includes conservation measures required by the California Coastal Commission. Two soil types dominate the project area: Gaviota fine sandy loam, 30 to 50 percent slopes in the northern half of the area, and Salinas clay loam, 2 to 9 percent slopes in the southeast. The periphery of the project area (i.e., the tops of the slopes) contains, from north to southeast, small inclusions of Marina loamy coarse sand, 2 to 9 percent slopes; Carlsbad gravelly loamy sand, 15 to 30 percent slopes; and Las Flores loamy fine sand, 15 to 30 percent slopes, eroded (Bowman 1973). These latter three soil types are considered to provide substrates for sensitive plant taxa associated with southern maritime chaparral. VEGETATION COMMUNITIES Five vegetation types and four other land covers were identified onsite. Vegetation communities present are Diegan coastal sage scrub ( coastal sage scrub), disturbed coastal sage scrub, eucalyptus woodland, ornamental, non-native annual grassland, and riparian scrub (southern willow scrub and disturbed southern willow scrub). Other land cover types present are developed lands, disturbed lands, open channel, and concrete-lined open channel. The acreage of all vegetation types and land covers are presented in Table I, and their locations are shown in Figures 3A-B. Acreages of unvegetated stream channel and concrete-lined channel are not included in Table I because their areas are included with the underlying vegetation. Only the 5.3 acres of potentially suitable habitat is described below. TABLE 1 Vegetation Communities and Land Covers Developed N/A Diegan Coastal Sage Scrub N/A Disturbed Coastal Sage Scrub N/A Disturbed Lands N/A Eucalyptus Woodland N/A Non-native Grassland N/A Ornamental N/A Riparian Scrub Southern Willow Scrub2 Riparian Scrub Disturbed Southern Willow Scrub2 N/A Unveqetated Stream Channel N/A Concrete-lined Channel TOTAL3 1 Holland (1986) nomenclature applies to wetlands and riparian communities. 2 Acreage is given to the hundredths place because of the greater accuracy of mapping. 3 Total does not equal sum of each line due to rounding. DUDEI< 2 13.2 4.4 0.9 5.9 1.4 1.3 0.8 0.80 0.87 N/A N/A 4926-08 July 2006 To: Recovery Permit Coordinator Subject: Focused California Gnatcatcher Surveys, El Camino Real Road Widening Project, City of Carlsbad, California, Permit# TE051250 Coastal Sage Scrub Diegan coastal sage scrub is characterized by drought-deciduous shrubs and subshrubs that often occur on dry south-facing slopes or on clay-rich soils that are slow to release stored water. Their leaves function mostly in the winter and early spring, with many plants being drought-deciduous. Characteristic species include California sagebrush (Artemisia californica), California buckwheat (Eriogonumfasciculatum), sages (Salvia spp.) lemonadeberry (Rhus integrifolia) and laurel sumac (Malosma laurina). A diverse understory of annual and perennial grasses and herbs is typically present (City of Carlsbad 2004). Diegan coastal sage scrub occurs primarily on east-facing slopes on the west side of El Camino Real and between El Camino Real and the stream channel on the east side. Lemonadeberry and black sage are typically the dominant species in these areas, with California encelia (Encelia californica), California sagebrush, and laurel sumac important components on the slopes west of El Camino Real. Coyote bush (Baccharis pilularis) is also common in places on the eastern side of El Camino Real. Smaller areas of flat or west-facing coastal sage scrub are dominated by California sagebrush; these areas also contain non-native grasses and fennel (Foeniculum vulgare). A total of 4.4 acres of coastal sage scrub is present onsite. Disturbed coastal sage scrub is defined as areas containing at least 20 percent cover of native coastal sage vegetation but over 50 percent non-native plant cover. Disturbed coastal sage scrub includes the native species listed above, particularly coyote bush and black sage, but contains abundant pampas grass (Cortaderia selloana), fennel, black mustard (Brassica nigra) and other invasive non-native species. A total of 0.9 acre of coastal sage scrub is present onsite. METHODS Suitable habitats within the project area were surveyed for gnatcatcher three (3) times by Dudek wildlife biologist Kamarul Muri (KJM; Permit # TE-051250-1) according to the schedule in Table 2. Focused surveys for California gnatcatcher were conducted in accordance with current U.S. Fish and Wildlife guidelines (USFWS 1997). Surveys consisted of walking a meandering transect through appropriate habitat on the site. While walking the transect, taped gnatcatcher vocalizations were played approximately every 40 to 50 feet. If a gnatcatcher had been detected, playing of the tape would have ceased in order to avoid harassment and the gnatcatcher location would have been recorded on the site map. Binoculars (10 X 50) were used to aid in detecting and identifying gnatcatchers and other birds. The route selected ensured complete coverage of the suitable habitat within 500 feet of the project area (Figure 3). A 350-scale (1 inch= 350 feet) aerial photographic map of the site overlain with vegetation polygons was used for the survey. DUDEI< 3 4926-08 July 2006 .1 To: Recovery Permit Coordinator Subject: Focused California Gnatcatcher Surveys, El Camino Real Road Widening Project, City of Carlsbad, California, Permit# TE051250 Weather conditions, time of day and season were appropriate for the detection of gnatcatcher and are provided in Table 2. TABLE 2 Schedule of Surveys 3/30/06 0830 -1000 KJM 30 -100% cloud cover, 0-5 m h wind, 63 -65° F 4/06/06 1000-1135 KJM Gnatcatcher surve 50-100% cloud cover, 0 -5 m h wind, 60 -65° F 4/13/06 0700 -0830 KJM Gnatcatcher surve 0% cloud cover, 0-3 mph wind, 45 -61° F RESULTS No gnatcatchers were observed during the survey. Twenty-three species of wildlife were observed during the surveys. A full list of wildlife species observed during the survey is provided in Appendix A. Please feel free to contact me at (760) 479-4292 with questions or if you require additional information. I certify that the information in this survey report and attached exhibits fully and accurately represent my work. Sincerely, Kamarul Muri Wildlife Biologist Dudek att: Figures 1-3 Appendix A cc: Keith Gillfillan, Bureau Veritas Marshall Plantz, City of Carlsbad Eva Plazjer, City of Carlsbad Elaine Blackburn, City of Carlsbad Shawn Shamlou, Dudek DUDEI< 4 4926-08 July 2006 To: Recovery Permit Coordinator Subject: Focused California Gnatcatcher Surveys, El Camino Real Road Widening Project, City of Carlsbad, California, Permit# TE051250 REFERENCES Bowman, R.H. 1973. Soil Survey, San Diego Area, California, Part 1. United States Department of the Agriculture. 104 pp. + appendices. Carlsbad, City of. 2004. Habitat Management Plan for Natural Communities in the City of Carlsbad. Final Approval, November 2004 Including Implementing Agreement and Terms and Conditions. Holland, R. F. 1986. Preliminary descriptions of the terrestrial natural communities of California. Nongame-Heritage Program, California Department of Fish and Game. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 1997. Coastal California Gnatcatcher (Polioptila californica californica) Presence/Absence Survey Guidelines, February 28, 1997. DUDEI< 5 4926-08 July 2006 Orange County Camp Pendleton A •-==•-==:::i Miles W O 4 8 San Diego Riverside County Fallbrook USA Mexico El Camino Real APE -California 6natcatcher Report I FIGURE I Regional Map 1 ',..... ,I \ / r ..f \ \ ) t El Camino Real APE -California Gnatcatcher Report I FIG~RE I Vicinity Map . ' ' I .. -r .J ' BASE SOURCE: Berryman & Henigar, December 2005 /'./ El Camino Real APE Limits /V 500-Foot Buffer ~ Survey Route ~ ---c::=:==::=i Feet "1' 0 125 250 ,/ VEGETATION TYPES/LANDCOVERS: (::3 AGL: Annual Grassland (::3 CSS: Coastal Sage Scrub (::3 dCSS: disturbed Coastal Sage Scrub (::3 DEV: Developed (::3 DH: Disturbed Habitat . .. ' ' EUC: Eucalyptus Woodland ORN: Ornamental SWS: Southern Willow Scrub SWS_C: Southern Willow Scrub (CDFG only) ' dSWS_C: disturbed Southern Willow Scrub (CDFG only) ';:,-- ' Jurisdictional Waters of the U.S./State ----.. Ephemeral Waters -··-·· Ephemeral Waters ( concrete-lined) _.,_., Intermittent Waters Intermittent Waters ( concrete-lined) Note: Number indicates width of channel segment between marks. El Camino Real APE -California Gnatcatcher Report I F~~e I Survey Route Map z 0 ~ ::::, i-=~~ z j:: z 0 u o=: 0 LL <( t"') w o=: ::::, C) LL w w rn -' BASE SOURCE: Berryman & Henigar, December 2005 /'./ El Camino Real APE Limits /'\/ 500-Foot Buffer t--Survey Route ~ ---c=::=::::::i Feet ~ 0 125 250 VEGETATION TYPES/LANDCOVERS: c::3 AGL: Annual Grassland c::3 CSS: Coastal Sage Scrub c::3 dCSS: disturbed Coastal Sage Scrub c::3 DEV: Developed c::3 DH: Disturbed Habitat c::3 EUC: Eucalyptus Woodland c::3 ORN: Ornamental c::3 SWS: Southern Willow Scrub c::3 SWS_C: Southern Willow Scrub (CDFG only) c::3 dSWS_C: disturbed Southern Willow Scrub (CDFG only) Jurisdictional Waters of the U.S./State -00-· Ephemeral Waters _,._,, Ephemeral Waters ( concrete-lined) _.,_., Intermittent Waters Intermittent Waters ( concrete-lined) Note: Number indicates width of channel segment between marks. ' ' \ .. El Camino Real APE -California Gnatcatcher Report I FIGURE I Survey Route Map 38 APPENDIX A Wildlife Species Observed Onsite VERTEBRATES BIRDS ACCIPITRIDAE -HAWKS Buteo jamaicensis -red-tailed hawk Buteo lineatus -red-shouldered hawk COLUMBIDAE -PIGEONS & DOVES Zenaida macroura -mourning dove TROCHILIDAE -HUMMINGBIRDS Calypte anna -Anna's hummingbird TYRANNIDAE -TYRANT FLYCATCHERS Empidonax difficilis -Pacific-slope flycatcher Tyrannus verticalis -western kingbird CORVIDAE -JAYS & CROWS Aphelocoma calzfornica -western scrub-jay Corvus brachyrhynchos -American crow AEGITHALIDAE -BUSHTITS Psaltriparus minimus -bushtit TROGLODYTIDAE -WRENS Thryomanes bewickii -Bewick's wren TIMALIIDAE -LAUGHINGTHRUSH AND WRENTIT Chamaea Jasciat -wrentit MIMIDAE -THRASHERS Mimus polyglottos -northern mockingbird PARULIDAE -WOOD WARBLERS Dendroica coronata -yellow-rumped warbler Geothlypis trichas -common yellowthroat Wilsonia pusilla -Wilson's warbler DUDEI< A-1 4926-08 July 2006 APPENDIX A Wildlife Species Observed Onsite EMBERIZIDAE -BUNTINGS & SPARROWS Melospiza melodia -song sparrow Pipilo crissalis -California towhee Pipilo maculatus -spotted towhee Zonotrichia leucophrys -white-crowned sparrow FRINGILLIDAE -FINCHES Carpodacus mexicanus -house finch Carduelis psaltria -lesser goldfinch MAMMALS LEPORIDAE -HARES & RABBITS Sylvilagus bachmani -brush rabbit MURIDAE-RATS & MICE Neotoma sp. -woodrat DUDEI< A-2 \ 4926-08 July 2006