HomeMy WebLinkAbout3190; Rancho Santa Fe Road Realignment; Rancho Santa Fe Road Realignment & Mass Grading; 1991-06-12BIOLOGICAL RESOURCES SURVEY REPORT
PROPOSED RANCHO SANTA FE ROAD
REALIGNMENT AND MASS GRADING
Helming Engineering, Inc.
2048 Aldergrove Avenue, Suite G
Escondido, California 92025
Michael Brandman Associates
7676 Hazard Center Drive, Suite 400
San Diego, California 92108
(619) 260-1800
Contact: Michael U. Evans
JUNE 12, 1991
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Section Paee
1 . 0 INTRODUCTION ........................................... 1
2.0 METHODOLOGY ........................................... 1
2.1 Literature Review ....................................... 1
2.2 Field Reconnaissance ..................................... 1
2.2.1 Resource Mapping ............................... 2
2.2.2 Flora ......................................... 2
2.2.3 Fauna ........................................ 2
2.2.4 Sensitive Biological Resources ...................... 3
3.0 EXISTING CONDITIONS ..................................... 3
4.0
3.1 Site Description ......................................... 3
3.2 Plant Communities ....................................... 4
3.2.1 Diegan Coastal Sage Scrub ........................ 5
Southern Mixed Chaparral ......................... 6
3.2.3 Oak Riparian Woodland .......................... 6
3.2.4 Spring Vegetation ............................... 6
3.2.5 Southern CottonwoodNillow Riparian Woodland ....... 6
3.2.6 Elderberry Woodland ............................. 7
3.2.7 Baccharis Floodplain Scrub (Mule Fat Scrub) .......... 7
3.2.8 Valley Needlegrass Grassland ....................... 7
3.2.9 Annual Grasslands ............................... 8
3.2.10 Vernal Pools ................................... 8
3.2.1 1 Disturbed Areas ................................. 8
3.2.12 Burned Area ................................... 8
3.3 Wildlife Habitats ........................................ 9
3.3.1 Diegan Sage Scrub ............................... 9
3.3.2 Southern Mixed Chaparral ......................... 9
3.3.3 Oak Riparian Woodland .......................... 9
3.3.4 Spring Vegetation ............................... 9
Southern CottonwoodNillow Riparian Woodland ...... 10
3.3.6 Elderberry Woodland ............................ 10
3.3.7 Baccharis Floodplain Scrub ....................... 10
3.3.8 Valley Needlegrass Grassland ...................... 11 3.3.9 Disturbed Areas ................................ 11
Sensitive Biological Resources ............................. 11
3.4.1 Sensitive Plant Species ........................... 11
3.4.2 Sensitive Animal Species ......................... 15
3.2.2
3.3.5
3.4
IMPACTS TO BIOLOGICAL RESOURCES ...................... 17
4.1 Direct Impacts ......................................... 17
4.2 Indirect Habitat Impacts ................................. 17
Effects on Sensitive Biological Resources ..................... 18
4.2.1 Effects of Habitat Isolation ....................... 18
4.3
- .
- .
4.3.1
4.4.1
Sensitive Plant Species ........................... 18
Sensitive Wildlife Species ......................... 19
5.0 IMPACTS TO BIOLOGICAL RESOURCE OF VARIOUS
ALTERNATIVES ........................................... 20
5.1
5.2
5.3
5.4
5.5
5.6
No Project Alternative ................................... 20
Defer Proposed Mass Grading
General Plan Designations ................................ 20
Widen Existing Alignment and Defer Mass Grading ............. 20
Realign Rancho Santa Fe Road to the East and ............................ 20
Roadway Realignment with Mass Grading for
Roadway Widening in the Existing Alignment
with Mass Grading for General Plan Development .............. 20
Roadway Widening in the Existing Alignment
with Proposed Mass Grading .............................. 21
6.0 MITIGATION OF THE PROPOSED PROJECT IMPACTS .......... 21
6.1
6.2
6.3
California Gnatcatcher and Diegan Coastal Sage Scrub Habitat ..................................... 21
Muilla Clevelandii Mitigation .............................. 24
San Marcos Creek Riparian Habitats Mitigation ................ 24
7.0 CONCLUSIONS ............................................ 24
8.0 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS .................................... 25
, r-
9.0 LITERATURECITED ....................................... 26
Appendix 1 SPECIES SENSITIVITY CATEGORIES
Appendix 2 BIRDS OBSERVED
Appendix 3 SWEETWATER ENVIRONMENTAL CALIFORNIA GNATCATCHER
LETTER REPORT
SBI/1228OOOl . BIO ... 111
LIST OF TABLES
1 Comparison of Plant Community Types Before and
After Project Implementation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5
-.
iv
LIST OF EXHIBITS
Exhibit
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
Follows
Eap_e
Project Vicinity Map . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . , . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
Project Site ............................................. 1
Existing Vegetation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Significant Biological Resources . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . , . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Significant Biological Resources (showing combined MBA
and Sweetwater Environmental Biologists California
Gnatcatchers) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Existing Vegetation with Grading Overlay . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Comparison of Vegetation Cover Before and After Project
Implementation Existing Vegetation with Grading . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Significant Biological Resources with Grading Overlay
(showing combined California Gnatcatcher) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
9 Detailed map of Cleveland’s Golden Stars . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
10 Subregional Distribution of Diegan Coastal
Sage Scrub Vegetation . . . . . . - . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
SBU12280001.BIO V
1.0 l"
1 An analysis of biological resources is presented for the proposed realignment and construction of
Rancho Santa Fe Road, between La Costa Road on the south and Questhaven Road on the north
in Carlsbad, California (see Exhibits 1 and 2). The project ultimately would result in construction
of a six lane prime arterial street replacing the existing road. In conjunction with the proposed
alignment, the land owner is proposing to mass grade adjacent parts of the project site for future
urban development. The combined projects would impact approximately 346 acres of existing
vegetation.
The purpose of this report is to describe the general biological character of the site in terms of
vegetation, wildlife, and wildlife habitats; describe and interpret the sensitive resources found on
the site; analyze the biological significance of the site in view of federal, state, and local laws and
policies; assess project impacts; and present mitigation for identified significant impacts. Special
focus is made on sensitive biological resources that may be impacted by the proposed project.
2.0 METHODOLOGY
The biological resources of the project site described herein are based upon information compiled
through field reconnaissance, supplemented by previous documentation of biological resources
within the project vicinity and applicable reference material. The following methodologies were
used are described below.
2.1 LITERATURE REVIEW
Prior to site reconnaissance, sensitive biological resources potentially present were identified ---. through a literature search using the following sources: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS
1987), California Department of Fish and Game (CDFG 1980, 1986, 1987), California Natural
Diversity Data Base (CNDDB 1989), unpublished data from other environmental reports and
interviews with experts, the National Audubon Society (Tate 1986), and Remsen (1978).
2.2 FIELD RECONNAISSANCE
The site was surveyed for botanical resources by Jerilyn Hirshberg, MBA contract botanist, on
August 14, 16, 17 and 25, 1990. The weather was clear, but with morning fog, except on August
14, which was drizzly all day. Approximately 35 hours were spent in the field. In addition,
approximately 6 hours was spent mapping on November 14, 1990 the precise location of San
Diego Golden Stars for staking and surveying of these sites. The portion of San Marcos Creek
along the northern boundary of the property, from the existing bridge to the mouth of a small
tributary four hundred feet to the west, was surveyed specifically to determine impacts resulting
from the new six-lane bridge proposed for this area. The new bridge will extend 300 feet further
to the west than the existing bridge.
A total of 4 bird surveys were conducted on the project site by MBA staff ecologist Brian E.
Daniels. On July 18,1990 (0615 to 0700 hrs.) the willow riparian habitat along San Marcos Creek
was surveyed from Rancho Santa Fe Road west to the Water District Station. All other bird
surveys were directed towards California gnatcatcher (Polioptila californica) including a general
census of all birds present on the project site. These directed bird surveys were performed on July
18,1990 (0730 to 1145 hrs.), July 25,1990 (0630 to 1030 hrs.), August 8,1990 (0700 to 1015), and
-.
SBI/12280001 .BIO 1
.I-.-,-,
'.
\ LRiverside County
San Diego County ---- \
Source: Cotton/Beland/Associate, Inc.
Project Vicinity Map
Rancho Santa Fe Road Realignment and Mass Grading
Exhibit 1 Nah
Source: U.S.CS. Rancho Santa k, Calif. Quadrangle
Project Site
Rancho Santa Fe Road Realignment and Mass Grading
Exhibit 2
.-
on August 9, 1990 (0630 to 1045 hrs.). Although the surveys covered the majority of the site, the
thick shrub vegetation precluded an extensive reconnaissance. Sweetwater Environmental
Biologists performed an additional survey for California gnatcatchers in 1991 (see below, under
Section 2.2.3, Fauna).
No specialized surveys were performed for reptiles, amphibians, or mammals, although incidental
observations of these groups were made by the ornithologist. Earlier surveys performed by WESTEC (1986) suffice to assess the status and impacts to these wildlife groups by the proposed
project.
2.2.1 Pesorime MaDDlIlg
Plant communities were mapped in the field directly onto 1" = 200' scale topographic maps of the
proposed alignments. Plant community classifications used in this report are from Holland (1986)
with modifications based on Munz and Keck (1959) and Thorne (1976).
2.2.2 mJ3
AI1 plant species encountered during the survey were identified and recorded. Botanical
nomenclature used in this report follows the checklist of Kartesz and Kartesz (1980). Common
names not available in Munz (1974) are taken from Abrams and Ferris (1923), Beauchamp (1986)
or Smith and Berg (1988). A complete list of the plant species observed within the study area is
included in WESTEC Services, Inc. (1986).
2.23 Farlna
Animal species detected during the course of the field surveys by sight, calls, tracks, scat, or other
sign were recorded. Records from previous zoological studies and accounts from local residents
also were consulted. In addition to species actually observed, wildlife expected to use the site was
derived from habitat analysis of the site combined with known habitat preferences of local wildlife
species. A list of observed species is included in Table A-2 of the Appendix. Because of the
extensive field work conducted on this site (WESTEC Services, Inc. 1986,1987), the present study
adds little new information. The WESTEC (1986) report is hereby incorporated by reference.
Survey guidelines for the California gnatcatcher evolved during the late 1980s as a result of
increased understanding of the ecological requirements oE the species. It is highly recommended
that surveys be conducted in the morning (sunrise to 1100 hrs.) or late in the day (after 1500 hrs.).
Weather extremes should be avoided; therefore, it is suggested that surveys be conducted when
air temperatures are between 55-95' F, and winds are below 15 miles per hour (California
black-tailed gnatcatcher working group, 1989). The California gnatcatcher becomes very secretive
during the nesting period (mid-March to midJune), and it is strongly recommended that surveys
not be performed during this time. Because this species is highly territorial from January to mid-
March, this period is considered optimal for gathering data pertaining to numbers of breeding
pairs. It is highly recommended that each site be visited three times with intervals of at least 7
days between visits (California Black-tailed Gnatcatcher Working Group, 1989).
The objective of the directed California gnatcatcher surveys was to estimate how many territories
potentially exist on the project site. A previous California gnatcatcher study was conducted by WESTEC in 1986 and 1987. WESTEC sightings for both years were mapped along with
estimated territories on a vegetation map of the project site. This map was used as a beginning
point for the present surveys and as a comparison for the estimation of territories on the site.
SBI/12280001.BIO 2
January through mid-March is considered the best time to estimate the number of breeding pairs,
However, the present surveys were conducted from midJuly to early August. During this time,
many family groups are actively foraging together. These groups are easy to detect due to their
frequent vocalizations, and the identification of a distinct defined territory is unquestionable. The
estimation of total number of territories at this time is complicated by the dispersal of young,
movement of adults unable to obtain territories, and the tendency for family groups to wander
more widely. Therefore, surveys during this period are likely to overestimate the number of
gnatcatcher territories, and the observer should exercise caution.
because gnatcatchers are actively establishing and defending their territories during this period. -
During the current (MBA) directed California gnatcatcher survey, no area within the project site
was walked more than once. When gnatcatchers were encountered, they were followed and
observed for a length of time. The length of observation varied according to different factors.
Information obtained during these observations, such as presence of mates together, feeding of
young, and territorial interactions between pairs or family groups, is important for the
determination of the total number of territories.
Subsequent to the field studies MBA and ERCE conducted for this report, Sweetwater
Environmental Biologists conducted an additional directed field assessment of California
gnatcatchers on the fieldstone ownership of the project site from April 9-May 2, 1991 (125-person
field hours). This study (see Appendix 3) surveyed the only Fieldstone ownership for gnatcatchers and paid particular attention to the Black-sage-dominated Diegan Coastal Sage Scrub vegetation.
A complete resurvey of the entire site was not attempted by MBA ornithologists; however, a field
meeting between MBA and Sweetwater Environmental Biologists confirmed several of the
additional sightings and the general survey techniques. The additional birds observed represent
resident birds were most active and visible.
substantially more time in the field particularly during the breeding season, the period when -
Vertebrate nomenclature used in this report follows Jennings (1983) for reptiles and amphibians,
A.O.U. (1983, 1989) for birds, and Jones, ad. (1982) for mammals. Common names for wildlife
species are used in the text of the report; scientific binomials are included in the Appendix.
2.2.4 Sensitive Biolwical Resource8
Sensitive biological resources are those defined as: (1) species that have been given special
recognition by federal, state, or local resource conservation agencies and organizations due to
limited, declining, or threatened population sizes; and (2) habitat areas or plant communities that
are unique, of relatively limited distribution, or particular valuable to wildlife.
During the site reconnaissances, special attention was paid to those areas that were suspected to
contain habitat for sensitive resources. The surveys focused on areas of optimal habitat for
sensitive species such as the California gnatcatcher (Polioptila californica ) and the sage sparrow
(Aimophila bellii) (both of which were detected during the survey period). Two sensitive plant
species that are ephemeral annuals were not detectable during the time of year this survey was
conducted.
3.1 SITE DESCRIPTION
The project site includes the west-facing flank of an unnamed 1000-foot high mountain along the
northeastern half of the site, the upper portion of a 500 foot hill on the south, and a shoulder-like
---.
SBI/12280001.BIO 3
ridge on the northwest perched above San Marcos Creek (see Exhibit 2, Vicinity Map). The
eastern edge of the irregular diamond-shaped parcel is coincident with the eastern corporate
boundary of the City of Carlsbad. The existing Rancho Santa Fe Road traverses the length of the
site from southwest to north-central.
Project site topography is rolling terrain underlain by resistant volcanic rock on uplands and
alluvium in canyons. Steep slopes are present on approximately 15 percent of the project site.
Elevation varies from approximately 320 to lo00 feet. Two stream channels dissect the surface:
San Marcos Creek flows east to west through the northern project boundary, and a small tributary
to Encinitas Creek flows southwest from the higher ground to eventually meet Batiquitos Lagoon.
Relatively little disturbance has occurred on most of the project site 12-15-90.
San Marcos Creek crosses the northernmost portion of the site, and three smaller drainages are
present elsewhere. The latter include a small tributary to San Marcos Creek that drains southwest,
a swale in the northeastern part of the property that also empties into San Marcos Creek, and a
south-trending creek that is part of the Encinitas Creek drainage. Two year-round springs feed
into the lower southern portion of the latter creek, and a permanent year-round stream also is
present in the lower part. A pond is present in the creek immediately north of La Costa Avenue
where a small dam is present.
The majority of soils on the site are in the San Miguel and San Miguel-Exchequer Series (SmE,
SnG, ExG). These soils are derived from metavolcanic and metabasic rock respectively. A small,
heavily disturbed grassland in the extreme northwestern portion of the site is underlain by
Huerhuero soils. These are moderately well-drained loams with a clay subsoil that formed in sandy
marine sediments. Cieneba soils (CmE2) derived from granitic rocks are present in the
northeastern corner.
Altamont series soils (AtE, AtC, AtD2) are present along the southern boundary, with the nearest
mapped location approximately one-quarter mile to the south. Salinas clay (SbC) is present in the
Encinitas Creek drainage south of the property (USDA, 1973). Diegan coastal sage scrub is the
dominant vegetation type on the property. Some southern mixed chaparral also is present in the
northern portion of the property. Native --dominated grasslands occur in swales associated
with drainages, and occasionally on slopes within the Diegan coastal sage scrub community. A
small oawriparian woodland occurs in the south-trending drainage in the vicinity of the springs.
Southern cottonwoodhillow riparian woodland is present in San Marcos Creek along the northern
boundary of the property.
3.2 PLANT COMMUNITIES
The vegetation of the project area is classified according to several different plant associations or
plant communities based on the dominant plants present. Many of the characteristic plants occur
in more than one community, however the plant communities are for the most part readily
distinguishable. The distribution of the plant communities is depicted on Exhibit 3. Table 1
indicates the approximate area of the project site covered by each vegetation type.
SBI/1228000 1 .BIO 4
Existing Vegetation
Ranch Santa Fe Road Realignment and Mass Grading
TABLE 1
COMPARISON OF PLANT COMMUNITY TYPES
BEFORE AND AFTER PROJECT IMPLEMENTATION
VEGETATION TYPE EXISTING IMPACTED REMAINING
AFTER
IMPLEMENTATION
BY PROJECT
Disturbed
Southern Mixed Chaparral
Diegan Coastal Sage Scrub
Annual Grassland
Valley Needle Grassland
Cottonwood Willow Riparian
Oak Riparian
Baccharis Scrub
Elderberry Woodland
TOTAL (ACRES)
88.4
149.6
456.4
36.4
26.0
2.3
4.1
2.6
2.5
768.3
62.9 (71%)
216.9 (47%)
10.7 (29%)
14.0 (54%)
1.6 (70%)
1.3 (0%)
37.9 (25%)
0.0 (0%)
0.0 (0%)
344.7
(368.2)
111.7
239.5
25.7
11.9
0.7
4.1
1.3
2,5
768.3
3.2.1 Diman Coastal S ape Scrub
Diegan coastal sage scrub is the dominant vegetation type on the property, covering approximately
458 acres. Within this basic vegetation type, two sub-categories are present. In the following
discussion these two sub-types are referred to as Artemisia scrub and black sage scrub. Artemisia scrub consists of almost pure stands of California sagebrush (Artemisia salifornica). Black sage
scrub consists of a mixture of California sagebrush, Flat-top buckwheat (Erioeonllm fasciculatum)
and black sage (Salvia mellifera) in approximately equal proportions, with lesser amounts of Laurel
sumac (Malosma laurina).
Artemisia scrub predominates in swales, on bluff tops, and on the lower, more gentle slopes of the
ridges along the eastern boundary of the property. Black sage scrub occurs at higher elevations
and on steeper slopes limited to the central ridge in the eastern part of the property, where it
occurs on north-facing slopes below the water tower, and on steep, west-facing slopes over 25
percent south of the water tank.
The division between Artemisia scrub and black sage scrub is not clear-cut, and the two often
intermingle creating a mosaic. For example, in the steeper, eastern portion of the property,
patches of California sagebrush are present occasionally in areas where slopes are somewhat
gentler. The sagebrush-black sage-buckwheat mixture also occurs infrequently on somewhat
gentler slopes in the higher northeastern portion of the site north of the transmission line. Mixed
scrub may be a transition between sagebrush scrub and southern mixed chaparral.
The Diegan Coastal Sage Scrub vegetation found on this site is a large segment of the little
remaining examples of such vegetation in the City of Carlsbad (see Exhibit 10). Within the City
of Carlsbad, Diegan Coastal Sage Scrub vegetation is largely limited to isolated patches in canyons
in the low coastal foothills or a few larger areas such as on the south slopes of Cerro de la
SBI/1228OOOl .BIO 5
Calavera, on the south slopes of Cerro de las Posas, the slopes either side of San Marcos creek,
more or less uninterrupted, east o€ the site, north of Escondido Creek, within the jurisdiction of
the County of San Diego and the City of Encinitas. It is assumed that Diegan Coastal Sage Scrub
was once the dominant vegetation type, particularly on south and west facing slopes in most of
coastal San Diego County. In the central coastal areas, Coastal Mixed Chaparral and Perennial
Grasslands would have been the prevalent vegetation types in pre-Hispanic times.
and the project site area. The distribution of Diegan Coastal Sage Scrub vegetation continues -_
3.2.2 -
Southern mixed chaparral, dominated by chamise (Adenostoma fasciculatum) and mission
manzanita (Xvloc occus bicolor), covers north and west-facing slopes in the northwestern part of
the property. Other species occurring in this vegetation type include San Diego mountain-
mahogany (Cercocarpus JII inutiflorug), toyon (Heteromela ar butifolk), lemonade berry (Rhus
jptegrifolia), red berry (Rhamnus croceq), scrub oak (Ouercus dum), Mojave yucca (Yucca
schidigera), and Ramona lilac (Ceanothustomentosus ssp. glivaceous). A few patches of chaparral
are present on two small knolls east of Rancho Santa Fe Road. This vegetation type covers
approximately 149.6 acres of the site.
3.23 Oak RiDarian Woodland
An area of oak riparian woodland, co-dominated by tall, welldeveloped coast live oak (Ouercus aerifolia) and sycamores (Platanus racemosa), is present in the central, south-trending drainage
below a year-round spring located on the west side of the main channel. Oak riparian vegetation
covers about 3.2 acres of the site. Because of the proximity to the adjacent residential area, the
above the spring, woodland vegetation consists of occasional clumps of coast live oak. A stand
of coast live oaks also occurs on the hillside above the spring west of the main drainage.
Oak Riparian woodland has been used as a local trash dumping site. Higher in the main channel, -
3.2.4 ssociated Venetatioa
Two spring-like areas are present in the vicinity of the central south-trending drainage. Species
associated with the larger spring, which lies west of the main channel, include southwestern spiny
rush Uuncus acutus var. sphaeroc arms), yerba mansa (Anemor>ls s' Mornico), water pimpernel
(Samolus pawiflow), American rush (Scirpus am-), and spike rush (Eleocharis sp.). A
smaller spring, lower in the channel near La Costa Avenue, harbors soft flag (Tvpha latifolio), salt
grass (Distichlis spicata), and spike rush Eleocharis sp.). Because of the small areal extent of the
spring-associated vegetation, it was not called out as a primary plant community type in Table 1.
These plant associations are probably the result of occasional water flows between clay soil layers
and do not represent true geological springs.
3.2.5 Southern Co ttonwood/Will ow Riparian Woodland
A riparian woodland, which includes willows, sycamores, and cottonwoods, is present in San
Marcos Creek along the northern boundary of the property and covers approximately 2.3 acres.
A four hundred foot section of San Marcos Creek extending west from the present bridge to the
mouth of a small tributary that runs along Melrose Road, was specifically surveyed in relation to
impacts resulting from the six-lane bridge proposed for this area. The new bridge will be located
approximately 300 feet west of the present one. A dense stand of willows predominates within this
four hundred foot corridor. Red willow (Salk laevigata) is the most common; a few black willow
(Salvcgooddinpii) and yellow willow (Saliu lasiandra) also were noted. One cottonwood (Populus
fremontii), four or five velvet ash (Fraxinus velutina), and several blue gum (Eucalyptusglobulus)
-
SBV12280001 .BIO 6
/-
also are present along the channel in this area. A stand of approximately ten sycamores (Platanus m), of which five or six are tall and welldeveloped, also lies within the path of the
proposed bridge.
The willows in the vicinity of the proposed bridge alignment are relatively dense. Species
occurring in more open areas of the understory include yerba mansa, common plantain (PlantaFp
major), hedge nettle (Stachy rigida), Hooker's evening primrose (Oenothera hookerj), willow
smartweed (Cares sp.), nettles (Urtica bolosericea), sedge (Carex sp.), prairie bulrush (Scirpus
.robusta), soft flag (TvDha latifolia), and one or two individuals of southwestern spiny rush.
West of this 400-foot corridor, riparian vegetation becomes more open, and yellow willow becomes
more prominent along the creek. Southwestern spiny rush, San Diego marsh elder, California
oosestrife (Lythrum californicun)) and viscid tule (Scirpus acutus) also occur in the shallow,
cobbled margins of the creek in this area.
3.2.6 Elderberry Woodld
Tall, scattered, well-developed elderberry trees (Sambucus mexicanq) are present in chaparral on
a north-facing ridge on the northernmost knoll on the property (covering about 2.5 acres). Rip-gut
grass (Bromus diandrus) and slender wild oat (Avena barbatg) dominate the understory, and small
scattered shrubs occur occasionally within this grassland, including basket bush (Rhus trilobata),
poison oak (TOM 'codendron diversilobum), honeysuckle (Lonicera subspicatg), black sage, and
mojave yucca.
The elderberry woodland is located on a relatively flat portion of the ridgeline, and extends,
northwest to the edge of San Marcos Creek. One deer was noted in the area, and the presence
of numerous game trails suggests that this area is of considerable value to wildlife that utilize San
Marcos Creek as a movement corridor. One southwestern spiny rush was noted in the swale
immediately below the eastern edge of the elderberry woodland, suggesting the presence of a high
water table in this area.
3.2.7 Jaccharis "Flooddain Scrub" (Mule Fat Scrub)
This plant association is similar to Holland's (1986) standard vegetation classification "mule fat
scrub". It occurs in swales that are too dry for woodlands and too wet for upland shrubs (covering
about 2.6 acres). Baccharis floodplain scrub, dominated by broom baccharis (Baccharis
sarothroides), was noted in two areas on-site. It occurs in the upper portion of the central swale
draining into Encinitas Creek where it is fairly dense in small interconnecting channels that cross
aaa-dominated grassland. Broom baccharis and black sage also predominate in the swale at the
edge of the main channel in damp areas south of, and below the central grassland (see Exhibit 3).
Broom baccharis scrub also occurs in association with the small southwest trending tributary to San
Marcos Creek located west of Rancho Santa Fe Road and north of Cadencia Street. In this area,
broom baccharis predominates within the stream channel and in low, damp areas of the adjacent
swale. Approximately ten arroyo willows (Salk lasiolepis), with an average height of fifteen feet,
and some mule fat (Baccharis glutinosa) are present along the channel.
3.2.8 Vallev Needleerass Gra ssland
Valley needlegrass grasslands, dominated by foothill stipa (Stipa lepida) and beautiful stipa (StlDa
pulchra), occur occasionally on slopes within the Diegan coastal sage scrub community and in low,
damp areas, often in association with baccharis floodplain scrub. This vegetation covers about 26
SBI/12280001.BIO 7
acres of the site. Other species occurring in valley needlegrass grasslands include splendid
mariposa (Calochorta splendens), blue-eyed grass (Sis-h ium bellurn), fascicled tarweed (Hemizonias fa) and, occasionally, in damp areas, San Diego goldenstar (Muilla -
clevelab 1.
3.2.9 Annual Grasslands
Annual (non-native) grasslands dominated by slender wild oat (Avena barbata) also are present
in the study area, covering about 36.4 acres. Other species occurring frequently in non-native
grasslands include rip-gut grass (Bromus diandrug), soft chess (Bromus mollis), and short-pod
mustard (Brassica ueniculata). In some areas, near roads and fire breaks, non-native grasses
appear to represent a response to recent mechanical disturbance. In other areas, for example on
slopes near the southern boundaries of the property, they may represent a response to variations
in soil type, moisture, and slope aspect as well as past grazing activities.
A heavily disturbed grassland, underlain by Huerhuero soils, is present in the extreme
northwestern corner of the site. Although the area appears to have been graded at one time, the
underlying terrain is still somewhat undulating. Species observed in this area include slender wild
oat, brome grasses, short-pod mustard, curly dock (Rumex crispus), bristly ox-tongue (Picris
echioides), doveweed [Eremocarpus setieerus), fascicled tarweed, and, in damp areas near the
creek, salt grass.
3.2.10 Vernal Pool-Like Degres siou
Depressions in clay soils are present in a gently sloping swale on a bluff top overlooking San
Marcos Creek near a transmission tower. Species associated with the dcpressions include San
Diego goldenstar, fascicled tarweed, blue-eyed grass, ashy spike-moss (Selaeinella cinerascens), and
&gj sp. Some of the deeper depressions appear capable of holding water during the rainy season. Others are simply low, ma-dominated openings within the larger Diegan coastal sage
scrub community. Soils in the area are pebbly with occasional cobbles. Apparently, these features
do not have the sensitive plant associations found in vernal pools on the mesas in southern San
Diego County. No species specifically associated with vernal pools were observed in this area.
---.
3.2.11 Disturbed Areas
This designation refers to areas that have been so badly disturbed that they probably will not
recover. Included in this category are areas formerly covered by Diegan coastal sage scrub
immediately east and west of Rancho Santa Fe Road and near the intersection of Rancho Santa
Fe Road and La Costa Avenue where only a few broom baccharis, flat-top buckwheat and laurel
sumac remain. There are about 88.4 acres of substantially disturbed habitat on the site. Also
included in this category are areas associated with the Los Vallecitos Water District reservoir in
the northeastern part of the site, including an earthen dam that has been planted with fountain
grass (Penn isetum setaceum).
3.2.12 Biirned Area
The southeast portion of a small knoll in the southeast corner of the study area has burned
recently. Returning vegetation in this area includes laurel sumac, fascicled tarweed and mesa bush
mallow Wyjs fasciculatum). It is difficult to identify the most appropriate vegetation
classification of this burned area - it may be chaparral or coastal sage scrub or a mixture of the
two. It is classified as Diegan Coastal Sage Scrub in Table 1. -
SBVl2280OOl .BIO 8
33 WILDLIFE HABITATS
33.1 Divan Coastal Sage S cn1h
The dominant plant community on the project site is Diegan coastal sage scrub. Bird species
commonly found throughout this habitat on the project site include California quail (Callipepla
californica), Bewick's wren (Thqo manes bewicu), California gnatcatcher, wrentit (Chamaea
fasciata), California thrasher (Toxostoma redivivum), and California towhee (Pipilo crissalis).
Except €or California gnatcatcher, these species also are characteristic of chaparral habitats.
Diegan coastal sage scrub on the project site is typically found in dense, undisturbed stands. The
co-occurrence of breeding populations of California gnatcatcher, rufous-crowned sparrow
@mophila ruficepg), and sage sparrow @mom U) demonstrate the high quality of this
habitat particularly the,ktemisia-dominated portions. However, both species were found in black-
sage dominated vegetation as well. Both sparrows are locally sensitive species, although neither
is listed by any agency or group. The sage sparrow is the local resident race, A _b. m, an
uncommon breeder in San Diego County and even more uncommon along the immediate coast.
Rufous-crowned sparrows are found most often in sage scrub habitats and show an affinity for
steep, rocky slopes.
33.2 Southern Mixed ChaDarraJ
This habitat type is restricted to a few localities on the project site. Most of the bird species found
in southern mixed chaparral are typical of the Diegan coastal sage scrub habitat as well. California
thrasher, wrentit, and rufous-sided towhee (Pipilo erythrophthalmus) are typical chaparral
inhabitants.
Unitt (1984) indicates that the rufous-crowned sparrow is found only in coastal sage scrub in San
Diego County, and that it probably has suffered population declines paralleling the destruction of
this habitat. Sage sparrows are more widespread in San Diego County, often favoring coastal sage
scrub, but also are found in coastal chaparral. The sage sparrow is considered sensitive and
declining in the San Diego region (Elizabeth Copper, pen. comm.)
333 Oak Riparian Woodland
Oak riparian woodlands support a rich and diverse community of birds. On the project site this
habitat is not extensive, and some of its characteristic species were not observed. Typical oak
riparian woodland birds include western screech-owl (Q&s JsennicottG), acorn woodpecker (Melanerpes form icivorous), scrub jay (jkhelocoma coer ulescens), plain titmouse Varus
inornatus), and white-breasted nuthatch carolinensis).
Riparian habitats frequently are used €or nesting sites by many raptors. A Cooper's hawk
(Accipiter cooperi) was observed on two days, indicating that this species possibly breeds in the
vicinity. Other raptors observed on the project site are red-shouldered hawk (Butes lineatus) and
red-tailed hawk @uteo jamaicensis); both are potential breeders in oak riparian woodland onsite.
33.4 Spriap VegetatiQa
The presence of this vegetation type indicates that a persistent supply of water exists above
ground. This is a significant resource for birds and other wildlife. Many different species can be
expected to visit this spring from the surrounding area. In comparatively dry habitats such as
chaparral and Diegan coastal sage scrub, springs constitute a critically important resource.
SBI/12280001.BIO 9
33.5 ern Cotton WOOdtW illow RipaVian W- - Riparian habitats support numerous species of birds during all seasons. Migratory species are
highly dependant upon riparian habitats for food, water, and shelter. Many migrants regularly use
the riparian vegetation found along rivers as comdors for their movements. Loss of riparian
vegetauon has a significantly negative impact upon the populations of many different species of
birds.
There are several sensitive species in southern California that breed within southern
cottonwoodhillow riparian woodland habitat. These species are yellow-billed cuckoo (Coccyus
Swainson’s thrush (Catharus m), least Bell’s Vireo (vireo bellii pusillus), yellow warbler
(Dendroh getecb), and yellow-breasted chat (.Icterb -). The least Bell’s vireo is listed as
endangered by both the California Department of Fish and Game (C.D.F.G.) and the U.S. Fish
and Wildlife Service (U.S.F.W.S.). The western yellow-billed cuckoo is listed as endangered by the
C.D.F.G., and the willow flycatcher presently is being considered for the same status. In San Diego
County, the yellow-billed cuckoo formerly was a rare summer resident, but it is now considered
to be extirpated (Unitt 1984). There is a recent record of this secretive species from Camp
Pendleton (Salata 1984), and it is possible that a few breeding pairs still persist in the riparian
woodlands of northern San Diego County (Unitt 1984). A strong indication of habitat suitability
for least Bell’s vireo is the presence of yellow-breasted chats. The survey of San Marcos Creek did
not detect any yellow-breasted chats; and therefore the habitat here may not be suitable for least
Bell’s vireo.
amerw), downy woodpecker (Picaides gubescem), willow flycatcher (J?mpidonax m),
33.6 mderberry woodlad
The birds that use this woodland are quite similar to those found in chaparral habitat. The berries 1
produced by mexican elderberry are plentiful and edible. Many different species of birds will feed
in this woodland when berries are present. Some of the expected birds are American crow (Corvus
brachgha s), American robin (Turdus migratorius), northern mockingbird @dimus polyglotto$),
cedar waxwing -a cedrorum), and phainopepla (Phain 0pe~l3 nitens).
33.7 Paccha ris Floodplain Scn I b
The birds found here are similar to those of the Diegan coastal sage scrub habitat. Within the
floodplain there is more bare ground exposed, and seeds, among other food items, collect here
during rains. In winter, flocks of birds can be expected to forage through the floodplain. These
mixed flocks are dominated by white-crowned sparrow (Zonotrichia leucophy); other species
expected to occur are song sparrow @Aelospizs melodb), Lincoln’s sparrow @delospiza M),
and golden-crowned sparrow (-a atricapilb).
33.8 Vallev Needleerass Grassland
Grasslands, native and non-native, are found throughout the project site interspersed with Diegan
coastal sage scrub habitat. They are not extensive enough to support species that are grassland
specialists, although one horned lark (Eremophila alpestris) was observed flying over the project
site. Other species typical of grasslands that occasionally may visit the site are American pipit
Wthus rufescens), vesper sparrow (Pooecetes eramineus), and Savannah sparrow Vasserculus
sandwchensis).
SBU12280001.BIO 10
.---
33.9 Disturbed Areas
These areas are not productive and support little birdlife. Vagrants from nearby habitats are
occasional, including northern mockingbird, European starling (Sturnus m), house finch
&2modacus mexicanug), and house sparrow (Passer domest iC4.
3.4 SENSITIVE BlOLOGICAL RESOURCES
Discussed within this section are: (1) plant and animal species present in the project vicinity that
have been given special recognition by federal, state or local resource conservation agencies and
organizations because of declining, limited or threatened populations, resulting in most cases from
habitat reduction; and (2) habitat areas that are unique, of relatively limited distribution or of
particular value to wildlife. Sources used for determination of sensitive biological resources are
as follows: wildlife -- U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) (1987), California Natural Diversity
Data Base (CNDDB) (1988), California Department of Fish and Game (CDFG) (1980, 1986),
Rernsen (1978), and Tate (1986); plants -- USFWS (1987), CDFG (1988), CNDDB (1988), and
Smith and Berg (1988); and habitats -- CNDDB (1988).
No species of plant or animal specifically designated as threatened or endangered by USFWS or
CDFG have been located on the project site during this or previous surveys. Orcutt’s brodiaea
and the San Diego goldenstar (Exhibit 4) have been considered for state listing, but are not
officially listed. Many sensitive (non-endangered) plant species were located during the present
survey, and the potential exists for the occurrence of additional species. Several sensitive bird
species were observed on the site during the recent survey, including the federal Category 2
candidate California gnatcatcher (- californica), and the potential exists for others to
occur. Sensitive habitat types found within the study area also are discussed below.
3.4.1 Sensitive Plant Species
Sensitive Plant Species Observed
AdglDhia californica or California adolphia
CNPS Rating: List 2, 1-2-1
Small populations of California adolphia occur frequently on the property. This species was
observed in Diegan coastal sage scrub near intermittent drainages and on slopes in scrub
vegetation at the edge of --dominated openings usually characterized by cobbly soils.
Brodiaea orcuttii or Orcutt’s brodiaea
CNPS Rating: List lB, 1-3-2
USFWS: c2
Orcutt’s brodiaea was observed in a stipadominated swale on a ridge-top in the south-central
portion of the site where associated species include fascicled tanveed and blue-eyed grass. Two
small populations are present in this area, and about five plants were observed at each site during
the present study. More plants probably would have been detectable earlier in the season. The
perianth was persistent on some flowers, and the Brodiaea was identified as grcuttc based on the
absence of stamminodia in these flowers.
The previous report (WTEC, 1986) indicates that in the La Costa southeast area, Orcutt’s
brodiaea “was found along the central portion of Encinitas Creek and at two other locations high
on the slope along the west central portion of the project. One hundred to two hundred plants
SBI/12280001.BIO 11
were observed onsite." The vegetation map for the previous study appears to indicate a site for
Orcutt's brodiaea north of the one observed in the present study. This site could not be relocated.
A dirt road is now present in the area indicated for this population, and it is possible that the
brodiaea has been eliminated. Depressions in this area, associated with ashy spike moss, suggest that suitable habitat may have been present at one time. Another alternative interpretation is that
brodiaea is present at this site, but it was too late in the year to observe it.
bavesiaw or San Diego marsh elder
CNPS Rating: List 2, 2-2-1
A relatively large population of San Diego marsh elder was observed in a shallow, cobbled portion of San Marcos Creek west of Rancho Santa Fe Road, where it occurs in association with
southwestern spiny rush, California loosestrife (Lvthrum californicum) and viscid tule (Scirpus
gcutus). Five hundred to one thousand marsh elder plants probably are present in this area. The
plant was not observed in the area proposed for the new, wider San Marcos Creek bridge
alignment.
Juncus acutus var. Whaerocaw or southwestern spiny rush
CNPS Rating: List 4, 1-2-2
A stand of approximately forty southwestern spiny rush was observed at the edge of a perennial
spring located on a slope slightly west of the central south-trending drainage, about 30 yards north
of the oawriparian woodland that occurs in this drainage. Other associated species in the spring
include yerba mansa, American bulrush, water pimpernel, and spike rush. A few southwestern
spiny rush also occur in rocky portions of the main channel near La Costa Avenue.
One spiny rush was observed at the head of a grassy swale located below the eastern edge of the
elderberry woodland. Two or three also were noted in the cottonwoodhillow riparian woodland,
within the area proposed for the new bridge on Rancho Santa Fe Road.
^---
A much larger population was located west of the small tributary that parallels Melrose Avenue
and drains south into San Marcos Creek. In this area, two to three hundred individuals are present
in a shallow, cobbled area of the creek in association with San Diego marsh elder.
Muilla Cleveland ii or San Diego Goldenstar
CNPS Rating: List lB, 2-2-2 USFWS: c2
San Diego goldenstar was observed in the higher portions of the central, south-trending drainage
onsite where it occurs in an open,--dominated grassland associated with pebbly clay soils. The
goldenstar was observed in low areas near the stream, and also in somewhat drier areas (see
Exhibit 4 and 10) at the upper edge of the grassland near tributaries to the main channel. Over
1,OOO goldenstars probably are present in this area. Approximately 250 also are present on a steep
slope characterized by heavy clay soils in a swale immediately north of La Costa Avenue.
San Diego goldenstar also occurs on bluffs west of Rancho Santa Fe Road. In this area, the plant
was observed in three small patches in a -dominated swale adjacent to the Baccharis
floodplain scrub associated with a small tributary to San Marcos Creek. Approximately 100
individuals probably are estimated present at each site. The plant also occurs in depressions in clay
splendid mariposa, and ashy spike-moss. As many as 500 goldenstars may be present in this area.
Thus, about 1,950 golden stars occur on the project site.
soil on a bluff slightly to the north. Associated species in this area include fascicled tarweed, -
SBI/1228~1.BIO 12
Examination of herbarium specimens indicates that the most reliable way to distinguish Jifuilla
clevelandu andBloomerigsrocea, a closely related species, is by comparing structures at the base of the stamen filaments. For this purpose, flowers of both Blpome rbsrocea from Lake Cuyamaca
andMa clevelandu, with a dried, persistent perianth were collected. The flowers were opened,
and the filament processes were compared in the field using a hand lens. On this basis, all of the
plants collected in La Costa were identified as Jvluilla glevelandu. Structures associated with the
stamen filaments of these plants are elongate, extending up the filament. Those of-a
crocea are considerably shorter and more rounded. Collected specimens of both species, with the
perianth persistent, were obtained subsequent verification, if required.
c
Cleveland’s golden star (Muilla clevelandu) is only known from San Diego County. It is restricted
to clay soils of the mesas and foothills near the coast. It occurs commonly only on Kearny Mesa
where is can be found in scattered patches throughout the vernal pool habitat. The other sites
from which it is still known are:
wy (near Jamul) where a population of ten thousand or more plants occur in
perennial grasslands. This site is planned for development Otay Ranch.
Otav Me sg where a population of several hundred individuals occurs among the vernal pool
habitat near the state prison (vernal pools J 23-5 24). This site is one of the few sites where is was observed among the vernal pools of Otay Mesa area in 1990. This set of vernal pools will
probably be preserved although it is currently grazed and ranched.
1,a Mesa in some undeveloped slopes adjacent to La Mesita City Park, in the future right of way
of State Highway 125. This population is of probably several thousand individuals. There is no
current preservation indicated or mitigation for the probable destruction of this population,
although it was not addressed in the CALTRANS EIR that was prepared for this site.
Fernbrook (near the old siting of “Foster”) several scattered individuals occur in association with
small patches of perennial grassland associated with Engelmann oak woodland. This population
is very small, however, it is the easternmost and highest elevation at which this plant has been
reported. Its association with Engelmann oak woodland may mean that there are some other
occurrences in this habitat.
In summary Cleveland’s golden stars is only known in abundance at a few sites, several of which
are expected to be lost. Several of the former locations where it was known to occur are
undoubtedly no longer extant (Beauchamp 1986). The current sensitivity listing of this plant
includes it as a Federal Candidate 2 according to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. This
indicates that its threat or endangerment is not clearly understood at this time due to insufficient
information. In spite of this lack of information most of the available habitat in which this plant
is known to occur has been developed or is likely to be developed in the near future. It would
appear that any population of more than just a few individuals is a significant population, and that
losses of any of these would be considered significant adverse impacts that should require
mitigation. Due to the specific and narrow ecological parameters in which this plant occurs it is
expected that the most expedient and certain method of preservation would be in situ.
SBUl2280001 .BIO 13
&l@ll&l~m or ashy spike-moss
CNPS Rating: List 4, 1-2-1
Ashy spike-moss was noted in openings in Diegan coastal sage scrub, and in --dominated
grasslands on slopes and mesa tops. It also occurs abundantly in depressions on a bluff-top west
of Rancho Santa Fe Road. In general, ashy spike moss occurs with some frequency throughout
the study area. More than one thousand small scattered populations probably are present
throughout the site.
Sensitive Plant Species with the Potential for Occurrence
&antho- ilicifolia or San Diego Thornmint
CNPS Rating: List lB, 2-3-2
CDFG: CE USFWS: c2
As a part of this study, San Diego thornmint was observed at an offsite location at the Las Brisas
Pacifica adult community west of the intersection of Rancho Santa Fe Road and San Marcos Road
(previously Encinitas Road) on August 25, 1990 to determine whether or not onsite populations
would be visible during the survey period. The plants, which were planted in an open grassland
on top of a small plateau in 1984, were four to five inches in height, dry and pale brown in color.
They were difficult to detect, blending well with the light-colored soils and other dried annuals.
They were identified primarily on the basis of the spiny, ovate, membranous bracts subtending the
flower whorls.
Native and non-native grasslands on the slopes immediately north of La Costa Avenue were - investigated or the presence of San Diego thornmint. ?%is area was selected because it appeared
to have the highest probability of supporting this plant, based on the presence of damp, heavy,
light-colored clay soils. The method of search consisted of walking slowly through this area and
stopping occasionally to identify all plants within a two to three foot radius. Plants most
frequently encountered in this manner were- sp.,&aEallis arvensis, Plantago sp.,_Hedvpnois
cretica, Navarretig hamata, Cent aurea mlitensis, and Hem izonia fasciculata. The thornmint was
not observed; its detection would probably have been unlikely, except in the case of an extremely
large and obvious population. The San Diego thornmint is known from Altamont soils near the
northeast corner of La Costa Avenue and Calle de las Coches, approximately one-quarter mile
south of the study area, and also from the Vista Business and Research Center, approximately one
mile to the northeast of the study area (WESTEC, 1986).
occidentalis or Western Ponyfoot
CNPS Rating: List 4, 1-2-1 USFWS: c3c
The burned area was investigation for this plant, especially the cobbled areas at the base of other
shrubs. It was not observed.
QDhioelossum - iu sitanicum SSD. californ icum or Adder’s Tongue Fern CNPS Rating: List 4, 1-2-2 USFWS: c3c
Adder’s tongue fern could potentially occur on damp, somewhat stony clay soils, such as those that I. occur in open grasslands on the bluff where depressions are present. Adder’s tongue fern would
not have been detectable at the season of the survey.
SBU12280001.BIO 14
3.4.2 Sensitive An imal Species
c Of the identified animal taxa, only one is under consideration as endangered or threatened by
either federal or state resource management agencies - the California gnatcatcher @oliopila
californica). There are no other known occurrences of federally or state-listed animal species on
properties in the general area exhibiting the same habitats as those onsite.
Locations of sensitive wildlife species known to occur on the site are depicted on Exhibit 3.
Several of the potentially significant species are discussed in detail below.
whiDtail and San Dieeo horned lid Orange-throated -
Both the orange-throated whiptail (Cnemidophow JyyythrusM) and the San Diego
horned lizard (Phgm osoma coronatum blainviki) are listed as Category 2 federal candidates.
Both species prefer open, sandy spaces within the coastal sage scrub plant community. These reptiles can be found foraging in floodplains, on ridgetops, along unpaved roads and trails, and in
areas of sparse vegetation in arid habitats in the site vicinity. Loss of habitat and slow
reproduction rates have contributed to the decline of these species.
These species have been recorded in the vicinity of the site (CNDDB 1988); however, during the
current survey none were observed onsite.
Sensitive Bird Swc ies Observed Onsi&
The Cooper’s hawk is listed by the C.D.F.G. as a state Species of Special Concern, List 2. On two
surveys, July 25 and August 9, 1990 this species was observed. Potential nesting habitat for this
raptor does exist on the project site. An area of oak riparian woodland occurs at the southern
edge of the project site and east of Rancho Santa Fe Road. In San Diego County this raptor
species is virtually restricted to oak woodlands for nesting sites (Unitt 1984). Because fall migrant
Cooper’s hawks begin arriving in San Diego County in late September (Unitt 1984) these two
sightings of one or two different individuals suggest breeding on or in the vicinity of the project
site.
rnia Gnatcatcher
The California gnatcatcher (Jolioptila salifornica californica) is presently being considered for
listing as endangered or threatened by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The range of this
species is now confined to San Diego, Orange, Los Angeles, and western Riverside Counties in
southern California. Habitat for this species is limited to coastal and inland sage scrub communities
at elevations below 2,000 feet (Atwood 1980). Many of the known localities for California
gnatcatcher populations are in areas presently being developed or under consideration for
development. This pressure on California gnatcatcher habitat in conjunction with an already
significant decline in its historical range (Atwood 1980), is considered by some experts (Atwood,
pers. comm.) as sufficient cause for listing the species as endangered or threatened.
During the primary survey, all observations of California gnatcatchers were noted on a map of the
project site. These sightings also included information on sex of the individual (female-plumaged
young birds are designated as females), movements that took place, and interactions that occurred.
From the data collected, it is estimated that a total of 48 California gnatcatchers were observed,
and that the project site supports a minimum of 13 territories (see Exhibit 4).
SBV12280001.BIO 15
Legend
El
El El
Iva hayesiana
Juncus acufus
Mullia clevelandli
Adolphia calrfornica
Selanginella cinefascens
Brodiaea orcuffi
Fuwe Questhaven Rd
Project Boundary
Assessment District Boundary
Future Roadway
Existing Roadway
Inferred Home Ranges
oi Caliiomia Gnatcatchers
(identifed by MEA)
1 sc \ sc i I ,-a
nificant Biological Resources
icho Santa Fe Road Realignment and Mass Grading
ving MBA Inferred Home Ranges of California Gnatcatchers
Exhibit 4
The Diegan coastal sage scrub habitat found on the project site is of high quality and supports a
significant population of California gnatcatchers. It is suspected that if more extensive surveys
were conducted during the January to March period, the results might show that the project site
supports more or less than 13 territories. Studies done by WESTEC (1986, 1989) revealed from
10 - 12 California gnatcatcher sightings on the project site. The additional survey by Sweetwater
Environmental Biologists from April 9 to May 2, iW1 identified the presence of potentially nine
additional pairs of California gnatcatchers on the project site. These nine pairs combined with the
two other pairs identified in the MBA August 1990 survey (not on Fieldstone property, between
La Costa Avenue and Rancho Santa Fe Road bypass) bring the total pairs of California
gnatcatchers on the project site to approximately 22 pairs (see Exhibit 5).
The total of about 22 pairs of California gnatcatchers occupying the 458 acres of Diegan Coastal
Sage Scrub vegetation onsite roughly corresponds to the accepted typical territoryhome range size
of 20 acres per pair. The precise number of pairs occupying the site may vary from season to
season and year to year but the stated total give a general indication of the number of pairs the
site and Diegan Coastal Sage Scrub habitats support.
No reliable estimate of either the overall or regional population of California gnatcatcher is
available (R. Bransfield, pers. comm. 1988), although Atwood estimated a total of 688 - 1,335 pairs
in California in 1980 (Atwood 1980). However, substantial conversion of California gnatcatcher
habitat has occurred through residential and commercial development in the last 10 years.
Regionally, California gnatcatchers are known throughout the remaining large blocks of habitat
within the non-urbanized portions of the coastal plain of Sin Diego County and Orange and
Riverside Counties; populations are small or non-existent in the many small habitat islands within
the urbanized areas. Populations are known from several sites along the coast and as far inland
as San Pasqual, Poway, Lakeside, and Otay.
SaPe Sparro W
The status of the sage sparrow, Aimoohila belli belli, in southern California is not well understood
(Unitt 1984). Although this subspecies is known to breed along the coastal foothills from northern
Baja California to Trinity County in northern California, local ornithologists (Copper, Unitt, pers.
comm.) have indicated that it is becoming increasingly rare in coastal San Diego County. This
subspecies has been described as favoring chaparral throughout much of its range
Sensitive Bird Species Not Observed Onsite
Least Bell’s VireQ
The least Bell’s vireo (Vireo bellii pusillus) is listed as endangered by both the C.D.F.G. and the
U.S.F.W.S. This migratory species breeds within willow riparian woodlands in southern California.
This species formerly was considered common to abundant in its favored habitat (Grinnell and
Miller 1944).
Guidelines for least Bell’s vireo surveys recovered that potential habitat for the species be visited
in the morning. Visits should be weekly through the spring season (April to June). This was not
possible during the present survey. The habitat along San Marcos Creek, immediately west of
Rancho Santa Fe Road, was surveyed for potential least Bell’s vireo habitat. The riparian habitat
in this locality is approximately 10 meters in width and dcminated by red willow with a herbaceous
understory. The structural characteristics of this stretch of San Marcos Creek do not match the
preferred characteristics of this species as described in the Comprehensive Species Management
Plan for the Least Bell’s Vireo (SANDAG 1990).
SBUl228OOOl .BIO 16
Legend
F] Iva hayesiana
Fl Juncus acutus
IMC] Mullia cb’elandii
1x1 Adolphra calilornica
&/anginella cinerascens
(1 Brodiaeaonxtti
0--= = Project Boundary
Assessment District Boundary
Future Roadway
Existing Roadway
--
of California Gnatcatchers
Inferred Home Ranges
of Callornia Gnatcatchers
:: Grmn/&LncU~iater. Inc.
nificant Biologicd Resources
cho Santa Fe Road Realignment and Mass Grading
ring combined MBA and Sweetwater Environmental Biologist
:red Home Ranges of California Gnatcatchers
The presence of other sensitive bird species can be used as indicators of habitat suitability for the
least Bell's vireo. In particular, the presence of yellow-breasted chat in willow riparian habitats is
considered a strong indicator of suitable habitat for least Bell's vireo. The present one-day survey
did not detect any yellow-breasted chats. In addition, surveys conducted by other observers in the
recent past (SANDAG 1990) have not detected least Bell's vireo in San Marcos Creek. The willow
riparian habitat that exists presently along San Mar- Creek immediately west of Rancho Santa
Fe Road appears to be unsuitable for least Bell's vireo.
4.0 PACTS TO BIOLOGICAL RESOURCXS
4.1 DIRECT IMPACTS
The project would result in a disturbance of existing vegetation cover owing to the mass grading
required to achieve the project goals. The amount of disturbed area within the project site would
change from approximately 88.4 acres to 369.5 acres, an increase of 420 percent (See Table 1,
Exhibits 6 and 8). Of the native vegetation types onsite, southern mixed chaparral will decrease
from 149.6 acres to 111.7 acre (25 percent loss); Diegan coastal sage scrub will decrease from
456.4 acres to 239.5 acres (52 percent loss); annual grassland will decrease from 36.4 acres to 25.7
acres (29 percent loss); cottonwood willow riparian will decrease from 2.3 acres to 1.6 acres (70
percent loss); and oak riparian will remain the same. Baccharis scrub and elderberry woodland
will not experience any direct loss under the presently proposed design.
The potential loss of 1.6 acres of cottonwood Willow riparian habitat is small but could be
considered significant based on the high habitat value and relatively high loss these habitats have
experienced in southern California. The loss of this small portion of habitat may indirectly effect
the general viability of the riparian habitat in the project vicinity. On the other hand, bridging San
Marcos Creek (if the old bridge is removed and a higher one is constructed) may allow greater
movement of small to medium sized wildlife along the creek, a positive biological impact.
The loss of most oE the oak riparian and valley needlegrass grassland habitat types probably does
not represent a significant direct impact from a regional perspective. Although both of these
habitat were historically much more wide spread, their extent and distribution on the project site
does not reflect substantial botanical or wildlife habitat resources. However, because of the added
biological and aesthetic diversity these habitats support, they should be preserved if possible.
4.2 INDIRECT HABITAT IMPACTS
The primary indirect impact of the project would be habitat fragmentation. A natural, functioning
ecosystem can be likened to a series of networks of habitat relationships between plants, animals,
and the rest of the physical environment. Most animals depend on a certain range of habitat
variables during some critical period in their life history. Species with the narrowest habitat
requirements, or those with requirements that overlap with other species dominant in a given
habitat, are the most sensitive to environmental changes. The reduction in numbers and range
of these species is usually an indication that the habitat on which they depend is undergoing
substantial changes. Thus, in southern California, coastal wetlands-dependent species, such as the
black rail, California least tern, and the light-footed clapper rail were among the first species to
be officially recognized as rare or endangered by wildlife management agencies. These species
could not compete with human-caused changes in the environment and have suffered serious
population declines. Currently, species dependent on other scarce and sensitive habitats such as
coastal sage scrub are being identified as potentially endangered.
SBI/1228~1.BIO 17
isting Vegetation with Grading
incho Santa Fe Road Realignment and Mass Grading
1 i i i I
i 1 i i i i
I
I I
I J
mm-
Exhibit 6
Existing
Acres
DIST CHAP CSS ANGRVNGROTHER
Vegetation Type
Post Project Acres
I I I I 1
350
300
250
200
150
100
50
0
DIST CHAP ~ css ANGR-VNGROTHER
Vegetation Type
i
Legend
DIST Disturbed ANGR Annual Grassland
CHAP Southern Mixed Chaparral VNGR Valley Needle Grassland
css Diegan Coastal Sage Scrub OTHER Includes:
CouonwoodWillow Riparian; Oak Riparian
Baccharis Scrub; Elderbeny Woodland
Comparison of Vegetation cover
Before and After Project Implementation
Rancho Santa Fe Road Realignment and Mass Grading
1PBooo1-yo1
Exhibit 7
0
Legend
Fl /va hayesiana
Juncus acutus I] Mu//ia c/eve/andii
(1 Adorphia Celitornica
I] Se/angine//a cinerascens 11 Brodiaea ofcutti
-0 -0- - Project Boundary
= I Assessment District Boundary - - Future Roadway
Existing Roadway
Inferred Home Ranges
(identified by Sweetwater Environmental Biologists w& of California Gnatcatchers
Existing Cadeda Streel
Area to be Disturbed by Grading
Source: CottonlBclandlhrrociatcr, Inc.
mmsu*
Significant Biological Resources with Grading Overlay
Rancho Santa Fe Road-Realignmentand Mass Grading
showing combined MBA and Sweetwater Environmental Biologist
Inferred Home Ranges of California Gnatcatchers .
I-
F
As native habitats are converted into other uses such as agriculture, industrial, commercial, or
residential, the remaining pieces of unmodified habitat can be seen as islands of habitat,
surrounded by a "sea" of non-functional habitat for many native species.
Within the proposed project, because of the road realignment design and the associated mass
grading along the central core of a roughly elongated triangle-shaped piece of land, the remaining
native habitats (after project implementation) will be divided into three separate blocks of land,
consisting primarily of very steep west-facing slopes (see Exhibit 6). The south-central undisturbed
area is primarily covered with a mixture of annual grassland and Artemisia-dominated and black
sage coastal sage scrub vegetation, the latter with small pockets of native Valley Needlegrass
grassland. The east-central undisturbed area is primarily covered with Artemisia-dominated and
black sage coastal sage scrub vegetation on the upper slopes and black sage coastal sage scrub
along the mid-slopes. The very steep slopes along the west-northwest portion of the project site,
east of San Marcos Creek, are covered almost entirely with southern mixed chaparral. As can be
seen from Exhibit 4, the majority of the sage scrub remaining after project implementation is
Black-sage dominated, the type not preferred by California gnatcatchers.
Close review of Exhibit 6, Existing Vegetation with Grading Overlay, will indicate that grading is
proposed in two areas east of future Rancho Santa Fe Road where it potentially forms a barrier
to movement of wildlife on either side of the proposed development. These areas are northeast
of Stanley Mahr Rzservoir and the extreme southeast corner of the site, surrounding the burned
area. Extension of roads and development into these areas potentially has a greater effect than
the destruction of habitat alone because the roads would serve as barriers for local wildlife
movement between areas preserved as native habitat. If the northeast area was eliminated this
impact would be reduced to below a level of significance. This change would probably have little
effect on the project design. The development area in the extreme southeast of the site is
substantially larger. Eliminated of this proposed development and would probably substantially
effect the viability of the project. Any efforts to redistribute the development farther toward the
center of the project or to reduce the potential isolation of the undeveloped area in the
south-southwest part of the project would reduce the overall impacts to coastal sage scrub and
wildlife using this vegetation type.
43 EFFECTS ON SENSITIVE BIOLOGICAL RESOURCES
43.1 Sensitive Plant Spec ies
Implementation of the project would result in the elimination of the small population (presumed
popu!ation of less than 20 individuals) of Orcutt's brodiaea (Brodiaea orcuttii) that was observed
in a Stipadominated swale on a ridge-top in the south-central portion of the site where associated
species include fascicled tarweed and blue-eyed grass (see Exhibit 8). Two small patches of are
Brodiaea present in this area, and about five plants were observed at each site during the present
study. The size of the total population of this species within the project boundary is unknown;
however, based on this study, it appears to be small and of little significance, therefore, the loss
would not be considered significant.
SBV1228000 1 .BIO 18
Under the proposed grading plan (see Exhibit 8), all of the Golden star populations south and
west of the existing Rancho Santa Fe Road alignment would be directly impacted. The population
on the extreme west-central portion of the site (north of the existing SDG&E powerlines) would
be impacted. Within this population, about 10 percent of the dense portion of the population and
30 - 40 percent of the spare portion of the population would be impacted. These impacts are
considered significant unless substantially mitigated.
Losses of the following species are not deemed significant because of the large populations still
extant on the site after development, or the low sensitivity of the species: ashy spike moss, Selaeioellas inerascem southwestern spiny rush, Juncu acutus var. whaerocarpu San Diego
marsh elder, Jva havesianq and California adolphia, Adolphia salifornica.
43.2 Sensitive Wildlife Species
California Gnatcatcher Habitat
Implementation of the proposed project would likely eliminate about 217 acres of Diegan coastal sage scrub habitat from the project site. If we consider that the typical territory size for coastal
foothill-occupying California gnatcatchers is about 20 acres (ERCE, 1990), this would typically
result in the loss of habitat for about 11 pairs of gnatcatchers.
From the 1991 surveys performed only on the Fieldstone ownership by Sweetwater Environmental
Biologists (adding the two additional pairs within the project site but outside of the Fieldstone
ownership), about 14 nesting territories of California gnatcatchers would be substantially impacted
(see Exhibit 7). The specific 1991 nesting territories which would be impacted are as follows:
habitat through grading for project implementation. Pairs occupying nest-territories 4, 10, 16, 19
and 20 would be avoided by the project grading and pairs 5, 14, and 21 would be partially
impacted by the same loss of habitat.
pairs 1-3, 6-9, 11-13, 15, 17, 18 and 22 would directly and almost completely impacted by loss of -
Arriving at an "exact" impact of the proposed project on the California gnatcatcher is thus not as
precise as one might think. Given the range of pairs thought to inhabit the project site from 1986
to 1991, the impacts in any given year may vary. If the project were to be implemented in 1991
where 22 pairs occupy the site in the configuration depicted in Exhibit 8, the project would impact
approximately 14 pairs. Given a typical territory size of about 20 acres, the loss of 217 acres of
Diegan Coastal Sage Scrub could typically impact about 11 pairs of gnatcatchers. The real issue
at this time is the loss of habitat which supports between 11 and 14 pairs of California
gnatcatchers (perhaps an average of 13 pairs of gnatcatchers). If the species were listed under the
federal Endangered Species Act of 1973, which prohibits taking of individuals of a species listed
as endangered, 14 pairs (or 22 adult birds and an unknown number of juveniles) would be
considered the more important number.
Because this species is dependent on Diegan coastal sage scrub habitat, it will not be able to
survive in adjacent suburban chaparral or other habitats. However, there is a fairly contiguous
existing patch of Diegan coastal sage scrub habitat directly east of the southern portion of the site
(see Exhibit 9).
This impact is considered significant because of the size of the population of gnatcatchers in the
United States (estimated at 688 - 1,335 pairs in 1980, see Atwood, 1980) and the accelerated
conversion of coastal sage scrub habitat throughout the bird's remaining range. -
SBV12280001.BIO 19
Legend
---0- - Project Boundary
I Assessment District Boundary - - FuhrreRoadway
Existing Roadway - - Existing La Costa Meadows Dr
Cadencia Street
Detailed Map of Golden Star Area
Rancho Santa Fe Road Realignment and Mass Grading
LEGEND
GOLDEN STAR AREA
DenseArea
Expanded View of Detail A from
the Detailed Map of Golden Star Area
Rancho Santa Fe Road Realignment and Mass Grading
Exhibit 91
1 ,
LEGEND
GOLDEN STAR Am
Dense Area 0 ~parse~rea
Expanded View of Detail B & C from
the Detailed Map of Golden Star Area
Rancho Santa Fe Road Realignment and Mass Grading
100 200 Nmh 0
Exhibit 9.8
Diegan Coastal Sage Scrub w1 Project Boundary
SOURCE U.S.C.S. Quadrangle, Rancho Snnh Fe, San Luis Rey, San Marcus, 1975
Diegan Coastal Sage Scrub Vegetation Coverage
Rancho Santa Fe Road Realignment and Mass Grading
The Artemisia-dominated coastal sage scrub onsite also is utilized by two other bird species with
limited local distributions that appear to be declining: sage sparrow (AimoDhila belli) and rufous-
crowned sparrow @mophila ryficepg). Both sparrows are considered locally sensitive species,
although neither is listed by any agency or group. The sage sparrow represents a local resident
race A h. m, which is an uncommon breeding species in San Diego County and even more
uncommon along the immediate coast. It appears likely that the project will remove substantial
habitat for both of these species. However, until more comprehensive studies are performed to
determine the range and population sizes of these species, no conclusions regarding the
significance of effects of individual projects on these species can be made.
5.0 JMPACTS TO BIOLOGICAL BESOURCE OF VARIOUS AUEKNATIVES
The impacts to the loss of 216.9 acres or 47 percent of the Diegan coastal sage scrub on the
project site cannot be fully mitigated within the project boundaries. These impacts can be
mitigated only through an alternative project design or a combination of mitigation approaches
involving onsite preservation and offsite acquisition of fee title purchase or conservation easement.
5.1 NO PROJECT ALTERNATIVE
The no project alternative would not result in any impacts to the biological resources identified
in this report, and, therefore, would require no mitigation measures.
5.2 WIDEN EXISTING ALIGNMENT AND DEFER PROPOSED MASS GRADING
Although a detailed footprint of the area of disturbance created by widening the existing alignment
is unavailable, it appears that this alternative would eliminate habitat for 4 pairs of gnatcatchers
(pairs 1,9, 13 and 14).
53 REALIGN RANCHO SANTA FE ROAD TO THE EAST AND DEFER PROPOSED
MASS GRADING
The realignment of Rancho Santa Fe Road would impact about 7 pairs of gnatcatchers. At the
time of this writing, no precise information is available to indicate the area of disturbance that
would result from this alternative. However, it appears that gnatcatcher pairs 1, 2, 9, 13, 14, 17
and 18 would be impacted substantially.
5.4 ROADWAY REALIGNMENT WITH MASS GRADING FOR GENERAL PLAN
DESIGNATIONS
This would possibly impact a larger number of gnatcatcher pairs than the proposed project,
although the precise number cannot be calculated until the equivalent area of disturbance is
plotted. This could occur because of the difficulty in obtaining large contiguous open space areas
to support viable populations of native plants and wildlife.
5.5 ROADWAY WIDENING IN THE EXISTING ALIGNMENT WITH MASS GRADING
FOR GENERAL PLAN DEVELOPMENT
This alternative would have impacts to biological resources on a scale to Alternative 5.4, but no
precise prediction can be given without the footprint of the grading area being determined.
SBI/12280001.BIO 20
5.6 ROADWAY WIDENING IN TIIE EXISTING ALIGNMENT WITH PROPOSED
MASS GRADING
This alternative would have similar impacts to the proposed project.
6.0 JfITIGATION OF THE PROPOSED PBQJECT IMPACl'S
6.1 CALIFORNIA GNATCATCHER AND DIEGAN COASTAL SAGE SCRUB HABITAT
If the proposed project design is chosen, mitigation and/or compensation could be accomplished
by a combination of onsite open space conservation preserves and offsite preserves which would
consecve at a minimum the existing population levels of 22 pairs of California gnatcatchers or
replace the approximately 217 acres of Diegan Coastal Sage Scrub gnatcatcher habitat being
directly impacted.
Because a specific mitigation plan has not been worked out at the time of preparation of this draft
document, listed below are a set of criteria which the mitigation program shall have to conform
to prior to approval of the project. If a combination of onsite and offsite gnatcatcher preservation
areas are chosen, each preserve area shall be able to survive in perpetuity on its own and the
combined preserves shall meet the minimum requirement of preservation of 22 pairs of California
gnatcatchers (at least 8 pairs remaining onsite and 14 pairs offsite) and preserve a minimum of 217
acres of additional gnatcatcher habitat. It is recommended that a specific mitigation program be
finalized prior to approval of the project, and made available for public review, if possible.
Onsite Dedication and M-
The dedication or irrevocable offer to dedicate a preserve on and/or adjacent to the project. Any , --~ offer to dedicate must be accompanied by a method of perpetual maintenance of the preserved
habitat area. The dedication shall generally meet the following criteria:
A. Shall be made up primarily of Artemisiadominated Diegan Coastal Sage Srub
vegetation, the preferred habitat of the California gnatcatcher. The quality of the
Diegan Coastal Sage Scrub habitat on the mitigation site shall be equal to or better
than the quality of the Diegan Coastal Sage Scrub habitat to be disturbed by the
project.
B. Shall be of a size, configuration and topography large enough to support a minimum
size of 22 pairs of California gnatcatchers in perpetuity in a combination of onsite and
offkite preserves. Criteria to be considered shall consist of the following:
1. Habitat areas should be connected to other habitat areas on and offsite.
2. Habitat areas should be exposed to less than 60 db (CNEL) noise level (higher
noise levels might interfere with bird's vocal communications).
3. Habitat areas should be a compact as possible, with the minimum external
boundary to reduce externally caused impacts.
4. Preference should be given to slopes less than 25% because California
gnatcatchers appear to avoid slopes greater than 25% steepness for nesting. -r
SBU12280001.BIO 21
5. Preference shall be given to Diegan Coastal Sage Scrub vegetation which is not
dominated by black sage; if habitats are chosen which are black-sage dominated,
they shall be given only 2/3 the value in area compared to Artemisia-dominated
Diegan Coastal Sage Scrub vegetation.
6. Preference should be given to habitats adjacent to passive or active open space
or steep slopes (even if manufactured) rather than to areas adjacent to family-
oriented residential areas where children and pets may invade and impact habitat
areas.
C. Those portions of the mitigation site which are not Diegan Coastal Sage Scrub shall
consist of other diverse and sensitive native habitat types such as riparian wetlands or
native perennial grasslands.
D. The mitigation area shall be contiguous with the area to be disturbed or connected by
a suitable corridor or sufficiently close to allow dispersal of birds from the disturbed
are to the mitigation site.
The dedication or irrevocable offer to dedicate a preserve offsite, within the north San Diego
County region. The dedication shall meet the following general criteria:
A. Shall consist primarily of Diegan Coastal Sage Scrub, the essential habitat of the
California gnatcatcher, criteria listed above, under Onsite Dedication and Management
shall apply.
B.
C.
Shall be of a size large enough to support a viable population of at least 14 pairs of
California gnatcatchers in perpetuity (assumming that 8 pairs are preserved onsite).
Shall be contiguous with a significant wildliFe/open area of sufficient size to allow for
multiple expansion of the mitigation area. The ultimate objective is the creation of
a regional or sub-regional preserve which would include this mitigation site or be
linked to it by suitable corridors.
D. Shall be linked through a natural corridor to natural open space preserves which can
reasonably be assumed to be capable of permitting California gnatcatchers and other
typical Diegan Coastal Sage avian species to immigrate to other suitable habitats.
E.
F.
Should include or be contiguous with other public or private native shrub lands
perpetually managed for the conservation of coastal sage scrub sensitive species, as
well as other associated habitats which support a variety of native flora and fauna.
The preserve should be located as close as possible to the impact area to conserve
habitat as similar as possible to the impact area.
G. The preserve area should be "biologically defensible" in that it should be configured
and located so that it can be reasonably assured that the California gnatcatcher can
survive in perpetuity.
SBI/12280001.BIO 22
Other Rec ommended M easures Which Are N ot Adequate Mitigation Meas iires in Th emselves
k Substantial contribution to the planning and implementation of an effective regional
conservation plan for the California gnatcatcher. Such a plan will probably result in
a series of subregional Diegan Coastal Preserves in San Diego County. The City of
Carlsbad has already initiated an assessment of its critical plant and wildlife habitat
resources.
-.
B. Fund a of the California gnatcatcher directed life-history study, which identities basic
biological and physical parameters needs of the bird in the north-coastal San Diego
region. This study design shall be approved by the USFWS and CDFG, and shall be
carried out by a biologist qualified to perform the study. The results shall be
presented to the City of Carlsbad and should be of a quality suitable for publication
in a recognized conservation or ornithology journal. Factors which should be
investigated include:
1. Territoryhome range parameters:
0 Territory size and variability throughout the year.
0 Limiting factors in territory size.
0 Identification of vegetational, elevational, slope, and slope aspect variables
in territoryhome range utilization.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
Nest selection and nesting success parameters.
Food availability and selection: Investigate variation in food availability and
selection within the territoryhome range area, throughout a full year.
Predatory/prey relationships: Determine likely sources of predation in wild areas and compare to areas adjacent to urbadsuburban interface.
What factors are necessary for local or regional movement of California
gnatcatchers between suitable habitat types?
Minimum viable population size.
Habitat manipulation approaches.
Can existing disturbed Diegan Coastal Sage Scrub be rehabilitated to increase the
likelihood of use by California gnatcatchers?
Can (and should) Diegan Coastal Sage Scrub not optimal for California
gnatcatchers be manipulated to increase use by California gnatcatchers?
What are viable habitat manipulation techniques to increase habitat use by
California gnatcatchers which will not have adverse impacts on other sensitive
species.
-.
SBV12280001 .BIO 23
6.2 MUILLA CLEVELAND11 MITIGATION
,-
All four populations of the Golden Star are near edges of the proposed grading slopes; the most
effective mitigation would be to "pull back" the proposed grading to avoid direct effects on these
populations. It may be possible to combine presetvation of the large central Golden Star
population with preservation of the majority of the Oak Riparian Woodland which occurs in the
bottom of the drainage.
If the direct effects of grading can be avoided, a specific preservation plan should be developed
which insures that the remaining populations are protected during the grading process through
notes on the grading plan, signage, and/or fencing during grading, and grading design to insure that
drainage over the Golden Star areas is not substantially changed during or after the grading
process.
The proposed project grading shall be modified to preserve 100% of the "dense" area San Diego
Golden Stars and a minimum of 75% of the "sparse" area of San Diego Golden Stars. In addition,
the following measures should be made conditions of project approval and as conditions on the
grading plan:
A. A minimum grading buffer area (no grading shall occur) of 50 feet shall be maintained
around all dense San Diego Golden Star populations.
B. A qualified botanist shall clearly stake and fence the San Diego Golden Star preserve
area prior to grading; the grading contractor shall certify that this preserve area is not
disturbed during grading.
C. Permanent signs shall be erected at the preserve sites which identify the areas as
biological open space and prohibiting vegetation or soil removal or addition.
6.3 SAN MARCOS CREEK RIPARIAN HABITATS MITIGATION
Prior to project implementation, the City of Carlsbad or the project proponent shall apply for and
obtain, if required, a Clean Water Act, Section 404 permit from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
and a California Fish and Game Code 1600-1603 agreement for potential impacts to San Marcos
Creek from construction of the bridge works for Rancho Santa Fe Road. Similar permits and
agreements shall be obtained for filling the Baccharis scrub habitat in the south-central portion
of the project. Specific mitigation measures should be determined at the time these permits and
agreements are being considered.
7.0 CONCLUSIONS
A. The project site contains approximately 680 acres of relatively high quality examples
of native habitats typical of the central coastal lowlands of San Diego County, and
about 88 acres of disturbed area.
B. The proposed project would directly remove about 282 acres of intact native
vegetation during grading and subsequent project implementation activities. The most
substantial losses that would directly occur would be the loss of 47% (217 acres) of the
Diegan coastal sage scrub habitat; 25% (38 acres) of southern mixed chaparral; 54%
(14 acres) of valley needlegrass grassland; and 70% (0.7 acres) of cottonwood willow
riparian.
SBV1228000 1 .BIO 24
C.
D.
E.
E
G.
H.
8.0
The resultant distribution of native vegetation would create three irregularly-shaped
potential open space areas on the project boundaries separated by urban uses within
the project. These fragmented patches would substantially reduce the ecological value of the habitat for a variety of plant and wildlife species presently using the majority of
the site in the absence of onsite urban barriers (except existing Rancho Santa Fe Road
and the truck haul road).
With out application of specific mitigation measures, the project would result in a
significant loss of several intact populations of San Diego Golden Star (J4uilla
&vlandii), a sensitive plant being considered for listing by the United States Fish and
Wildlife Service. Other direct impacts to sensitive plants are considered not
significant.
The project would result in a loss of up to 14 pairs of the 22 pairs of California
gnatcatchers that are dependent on the Diegan coastal sage scrub habitat on site and
approximately 217 acres of their habitat. The loss oE gnatcatchers is considered
significant. There also would be potentially significant but mitigatable impacts to
cottonwood willow riparian habitats, unless mitigated.
Of the project alternatives considered, the "No Project" and the "Widening of the
Existing Alignment of Rancho Santa Fe Road" options would have no or substantially
less impact compared to the proposed alternative. Realigning Rancho Santa Fe Road
but deEerring residential grading would potentially impact a fewer number of pairs of
gnatcatchers onsite. Realigning the road way but retaining the existing General Plan
designations may have the potential to increase the area disturbed for mass grading
and have a greater effect than the other alternatives, although this cannot be said with
certainty.
The impacts of the proposed project on Diegan coastal sage scrub and California
gnatcatchers cannot be mitigated to an insignificant level without substantial redesign
or acquisition OE compensating preserve areas adjacent and offsite of the project site.
Adequate mitigation for the loss of sage scrub vegetation and gnatcatchers can be
achieved only through a combination of onsite and offsite habitat protection with a
viable preserve design, and initiation of an effective regional habitat conservation
program for sage scrub habitat.
Prior to grading, the California Native Plant Society and/or other groups or individuals
interested in the preservation of native plant spcies should be allowed to salvage any
plants that may be considered valuable. Artemisia salvaged from the site could be
used in the experimental effort to revegetate Salviadominated coastal sage scrub.
Other sensitive plant species could be relocated to suitable areas of permanent open
space or kept in a native plant nursery for later use. Financial assistance for the
relocation of particularly large specimens could also be considered.
This report was prepared by MBA biologists Brian E. Daniels, Michael U. Evans, and MBA
contract botanist Jerilyn Hirshberg with the assistance of MBA word processing (Marcia McRae,
Rena Milstein and Michael Motta), MBA graphics personnel (Nancy Bell).
SBV12280001 .BIO 25
Abrams, L. and R. Ferris. 1923. Ustrated Flm of the Pacific States , vol. 4: 1-732. Stanford
University Press, Stanford, California.
American Ornithologists' Union (k0.U.). 1989. Thirty-Seventh Supplement to the American
Ornithologist's Union Check-List of North American Birds. The Auk 106(3):532-538.
American Ornithologists' Union (k0.U.). 1983. The Check-List of North American B irds, 6th
ed. Allen Press, Lawrence, Kansas.
. State of California, The Atwood, J. L. 1980a. California Black-tailed Gnatcatcher Survey ..
Resource Agency, Department of Fish and Game.
Atwood, J. L 1980b. The United States distribution of the California black-tailed gnatcatcher.
Western Birds 11: 65-78.
Beauchamp, R. M. 1986. j4 Flora of San Diego Countv. Ca lifornia. Sweetwater River Press,
National City, California. 241pp.
--e
Wildk. State of CaMornia IRare tt a' Fi sh and
Resources Agency, Sacramento, California.
California Department of Fish and Game (CDFG). 1980. A
California Department of Fish and Game (CDFG). 1988. Annual Report on the Status of
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Summary list from Section 1904 Fish and Game Code (Native Plant Plants."
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Grinnell, J. and A. Miller. 1944. The Distribution of the Birds of Ca I' if o rnia a . Published by the
Cooper Ornithological Club, Berkeley, California.
Holland. 1986. Preliminary Descriptions of Terrestrial Natural Communities of California.
California Department of Fish and Game, Nongame Heritage Program, 156 pp.
st of the Vascular Flora of the
e* The
Kartesz, J. T., and R. Kartesz 1980. Synonymized Checkli
United States. Canada. and Greenland. Volume II. The Biota of North Am ma.
University of North Carolina Press, Chapel Hill.
Munz, P. k 1974. J4 p. University of California Press, Berkeley,
California. 1086pp.
Munz, P. A. and D. D. Keck. 1959. .A California Flora. University of California Press, Berkeley,
California. 1681pp.
SBU12280001.BIO 26
Remsen, J. V. 1978. "Bird Species of Special Concern in California: An Annotated List of
Management Branch, California Department of Fish and Game." Administrative
Report No. 78-1.
Declining or Vulnerable Bird Species. "Nongame Wildlife Investigations, Wildlife --
Salata, L. 1984. h encan ' B irds. Vol. 38 1-1062.
San Diego Association of Governments. 1989. Comprehensive Species Management Plan for the
Least Bells Vireo. Prepared by Recon. 226pp.
San Diego Association of Governments. 1990. Final Sweetwater River Habitat Conservation
Plan. Prepared by Recon. 185pp. + Appendices.
-9 Smith, J. P., Jr., and K. Berg. 1988. Womia Nati ve Plant Societvs In vm of Rare and
Endaneered - Vascular Plants of California. Special Publication No. 1 (4th Edition),
California Native Plant Society.
Tate, J. Jr. and D. Jean Tate. 1982. The Blue List for 1982, Amencan Birds. 35(1):3-10.
Thorne, R. E 1976. "Vascular Plant Communities of California." In: June Latting, ed., &t
unitie ifor&. Special Publication No. 2, California Native s of Soutkrn Cal
Plant Society.
..
U.S.D.A. 1973. Soil Su rvev of San Dieuo Are a. California.
United States Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS). 1987. Endangered and Thre atened Wildlife and -
Plants. Federal Register 50 CFR 17.11 and 17.12 U.S. Department of the Interior.
Unitt, Phil. 1984. The Birds of San Diego County. San Diego Society of Natural History.
Memoir 13.
WESTEC Services. 1986. Biological resources analysis of the La Costa Planning Sub-Areas: La
costa Northwest, Rancheros, La Costa Southeast, La Costa Southwest. Prepared for
Fay 0. Round and Associates, September 1986.
Wiggins, I. L. 1980. A Flora of B a'a ! Calif ornia. Stanford University Press. 1025pp.
Witham, H. 1972. Ferns of San Diego County. San Diego Society of Natural History, 72pp.
27
APPENDIX 1
APPENDIX 1
SENSITIVITY CAl3SQRlE -?
Jndan-. Taxa threatened throughout all or a signifKant portion of their range.
Th rea tened Taw likely to become endangered in the foreseeable future.
Categoy 1. Taxa for which the USFWS currently has on JZe substantial information on biological vulnerability and threat(s) to support the appropriateness of proposing to list them as endangered or
threatened species.
Category 2. Tara for which information now in possession of the USFWS indicates that proposing
to list them as endangered or threatened is appropriate but for which substantial data on biological
vulnerability and threat(s) are not known or on fire to support the immediate preparation of rules.
m: The taxa in Categories 1 and 2 are candidates for possible addition to the list of
endangered and threatened species. The USFWS encourages their consideration in
environmental planning.
ate of California (1988)
Endanpered Taw which are in sehus danger of becoming extinc throughout all, or a significant portion, of their range due to one or more causes including loss of habitat, change in habitat, over
exploitatwn, predation, competitwn, or disease (Section 2062 of the Fish and Game Code).
1
Threntened. Taxa which, although not presently threatened with errinction, are likely to become endangered species in the foreseeable future (Section 2067 of the Fish and Game Code).
k. Taw which, although not presently threatened with atinction, are present in such small numbers throughout their range that they may become endangered if the present environment worsens
(Section 1901 ofthe Fish and Game Code).
Candidate. Taxa which the Fish and Game Commission has formally noticed as being under review by the Department in addition to the list of threatened and endangered species.
SBI/1228000 1.BIO 1-1
LblJ
1A:
1 B:
2:
3:
4:
m&:
-- e
R
1-
2-
3-
E
1-
2-
3-
D
1-
2-
3-
Presumed Extinct in California
Rare or Endangered in California and Elsewhere
Rare or Endangered in California, More Common Elsewhere Need More Infomarion Plants of Limited Distribution
Plants on CNPS list 1B meet California Department of Fish and Game
Criteria for Rare or Endangered listing.
(Rarity) Rare, but found in sufficient numbers and distributed widely enough that the
potential for ertinctwn or exwation zk low at this the.
Occurrence confined to several populatwns or to one extended populatwn.
Occurrence limited to one or a few highly restricted populatwns, or present in such
small numbers that it is seldom reported.
(Endangement) Not endangered
Endangered in a portwn of its range
Endangered throughout its range
(Distribution) More or less widespread outside of California
Rare outside California
Endemic to California
SBV12280001 .BIO 1-2
---.
APPENDIX 2
-.
/--
APPENDIX 2
BIRDS OBSERVED
July 18,1990 - August 9, 1990
ARDEIDAE - HERONS
dea herod&
great blue heron
ACCIPITRIDAE - HAWKS
1. .. ccipiter coopm~ Cooper's hawk
red-shouldered hawk
red-tailed hawk
Buteo lineatus
Buteo lama icensb
PHASIANIDAE - PHEASANTS & QUAILs
California quail
LARIDAE - GULLS & TERNS
-casr>ia
Caspian tern
COLUMBIDAE - PIGEONS & DOVES
* Columbia livia
-a
rock dove
mourning dove
CUCULIDAE - CUCKOOS & ROADRUNNERS
Geocq californianus
greater roadrunner
SBI/12280001 .BIO 2-1
-~
CAPRIMULGIDAE - GOATSUCKERS
TROCHILIDAE - HUMMINGBIRDS - - Anna’s hummingbird
Costa’s hummingbird
PICIDAE - WOODPECKERS
Nuttall’s woodpecker
northern flicker -
TYRANNIDAE - TYRANT FLYCATCHERS
Sayornis nwr
black phoebe
jMyiarchus cinerascens
ash-throated flycatcher
Tvrannus vocifer *a ns
Cassin’s kingbird
Tvrannus vertich western kingbird
. ..
..
-.
ALAUDIDAE - LARKS
Eremouhila alpestrh
horned lark
HIRUNDINIDAE - SWALLOWS
SBV1228000 1 .BIO 2-2
CORVIDAE - JAYS & CROWS - J2lmwaa
scrub jay
common raven
AEGITHALIDAE - BUSHTITS
.. -arus minimu3
bushtit
TROGLODYTIDAE - WRENS
Thrvomanes bewickii
Bewick's wren
Troplodytes aedoa house wren
MUSCICAPIDAE - KINGLETS, GNATCATCHERS, THRUSHES & BABBLERS
PolioDtila cali€ornica
Chamaea fasciata
California gnatcatcher
wrentit
MIMIDAE - THRASHERS
MmS
northern mockingbird
California thrasher
.. Toxostoma rediwwm
PTILOGONATIDAE - SILKY-FLYCATCHERS
Phainopeda n i tens
phainopepla
LANIIDAE - SHRIKES
Lanius ludovicianu S
loggerhead shrike
SBV12280001.BIO 2-3
EMBERIZIDAE - WOOD WARBLERS, TANAGERS, BUNTINGS & BLACKBIRDS
-.
orange-crowned warbler
Creothlypis tricb
common yellowthroat
Pheucticus melawphalug
black-headed grosbeak
blue grosbeak
o e-
rufous-sided towhee
California towhee
rufous-crowned sparrow
lark sparrow
DhisDza belb
sage sparrow
MelosDiza melodb
song sparrow
M- brown-headed cowbird - hooded oriole
Jcterus ealbula northern oriole
PJmoDhila ruf ICe Ds -
..
FRINGILLIDAE - FINCHES
Carpodacu s mexican US
house finch
Carduelis psaltria
lesser goldfinch
Qrduelis tristis
American goldfinch
. ..
-.
SBU12280001.BIO 2-4
TABLE OF CONTENTS
/--
Section m
1 . 0 INTRODUCTION ........................................... 1
2.0 METHODOLOGY ........................................... 1
2.1 Literature Review ....................................... 1
2.2 Field Reconnaissance ..................................... 1
2.2.1 Resource Mapping ............................... 2
2.2.2 Flora ......................................... 2
2.2.3 Fauna ........................................ 2
2.2.4 Sensitive Biological Resources ...................... 3
EXISTING CONDITIONS ..................................... 3 3.0
3.1 Site Description ......................................... 3
3.2 Plant Communities ....................................... 4
3.2.1 Diegan Coastal Sage Scrub ........................ 5
3.2.2 Southern Mixed Chaparral ......................... 6
3.2.3 Oak Riparian Woodland .......................... 6
3.2.5 Southern Cottonwood/Willow Riparian Woodland ....... 6
3.2.6 Elderberry Woodland ............................. 7
3.2.7 Baccharis Floodplain Scrub (Mule Fat Scrub) .......... 7
3.2.8 Valley Needlegrass Grassland ....................... 7 3.2.9 Annual Grasslands ............................... 8
3.2.10 Vernal Pools ................................... 8
3.2.11 Disturbed Areas ................................. 8
3.2.12 Burned Area ................................... 8
3.3 Wildlife Habitats ........................................ 9
3.3.1 Diegan Sage Scrub ............................... 9 3.3.2 Southern Mixed Chaparral ......................... 9
3.3.3 Oak Riparian Woodland .......................... 9 3.3.4 Spring Vegetation ............................... 9
3.3.5 Southern Cottonwood/Willow Riparian Woodland ...... 10 3.3.6 Elderberry Woodland ............................ 10
3.3.7 Baccharis Floodplain Scrub ....................... 10
3.3.8 Valley Needlegrass Grassland ...................... 11 3.3.9 Disturbed Areas ................................ 11
Sensitive Biological Resources ............................. 11
3.4.1 Sensitive Plant Species ........................... 11
3.4.2 Sensitive Animal Species ......................... 15
3.2.4 Spring Vegetation ............................... 6
3.4
4.0 IMPACTS TO BIOLOGICAL RESOURCES ...................... 17
4.1 Direct Impacts ......................................... 17
4.2 Indirect Habitat Impacts ................................. 17
Effects on Sensitive Biological Resources ..................... 18
4.2.1 Effects of Habitat Isolation ....................... 18
4.3
4.3.1
4.4.1
Sensitive Plant Species . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
Sensitive Wildlife Species . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . , . . 19
5.0 IMPACTS TO BIOLOGICAL RESOURCE OF VARIOUS
ALTERNATIVES ........................................... 20
5.1
5.2
5.3
5.4
5.5
5.6
No Project Alternative . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Widen Existing Alignment and Defer Mass Grading . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Realign Rancho Santa Fe Road to the East and
Defer Proposed Mass Grading . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Roadway Realignment with Mass Grading for
General Plan Designations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Roadway Widening in the Existing Alignment
with Mass Grading for General Plan Development. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Roadway Widening in the Existing Alignment
with Proposed Mass Grading . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
6.0 MITIGATION OF THE PROPOSED PROJECT IMPACTS . . . . . . . . . . 21
6.1 California Gnatcatcher and Diegan Coastal
Sage Scrub Habitat . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
6.2 Muilla Clevelandii Mitigation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
6.3 San Marcos Creek Riparian Habitats Mitigation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
7.0 CONCLUSIONS ............................................ 24
8.0 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
9.0 LITERATURECITED ....................................... 26
Appendix 1 SPECIES SENSITIVITY CATEGORIES
Appendix 2 BIRDS OBSERVED
Appendix 3 SWEETWATER ENVIRONMENTAL CALIFORNIA GNATCATCHER
LE'ITER REPORT
... 111
LIST OF TABLES
1 Comparison of Plant Community Types Before and
After Project Implementation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5
SBV12280001.BIO iv
Exhibit
LIST OF EXHIBITS
Follows
m3e
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
Project Vicinity Map .......................................... 1
Project Site 1
Existing Vegetation ...........................................
Significant Biological Resources ................................. 15
.............................................
4
Significant Biological Resources (showing combined MBA
and Sweetwater Environmental Biologists California Gnatcatchers) ............................................ 16
Existing Vegetation with Grading Overlay ......................... 17
Comparison of Vegetation Cover Before and After Project Implementation Existing Vegetation with Grading ................... 17
Significant Biological Resources with Grading Overlay (showing combined California Gnatcatcher) ........................ 17
Detailed map of Cleveland’s Golden Stars ......................... 19 --..
Subregional Distribution of Diegan Coastal Sage Scrub Vegetation ........................................ 19
V
APPENDIX 3
Sweetwater Environmental Biologists
Biological Studies Resource Assessment and Mitigatlon
Habitat Restoration Environmental Research
May 9,1991
Mr. John Barone The Fieldstone Company 5465 Morehouse Drive, Suite 250 San Diego, CA 92121
Subject: Rancho Santa Fe Road/La Costa Southeast II Habitat Analysis for the California Gnatcatcher.
Dear John:
Sweetwater Environmental Biologists has completed additional surveys of the Rancho Santa Fe Road/La Costa Southeast II property to determine the potential for use of the black sage (Salvia mellifera) dominated Diegan coastal sage scrub by the California gnatcatcher (Poliopila californica), and to assess the amount of gnatcatcher habitat to be retained in open space upon
Environmental and Energy Services Company (ERCE) focused on the California sagebrush (Artemisia californica) dominated sage scrub. This was based on previous limited observations that the gnatcatcher generally does not use black sage dominated sage scrub. More recent surveys in other parts of this species range have indicated, however, that black sage dominated sage scrub is, in fact, used by the gnatcatcher, especially if this forms a mosaic of black sage and Calfiornia sagebrush dominated habitats.
completion of the proposed development. Previous surveys conducted on the site by ERC A
METHODS
The biological surveys focused on determining California gnatcatcher use in relation to two habitat types; black sage dominated Diegan coastal sage scrub and California sagebrush dominated Diegan coastal sage scrub. A general assessment was conducted on the vegetation communities present on the site to confii vegetation mapping completed by previous studies. Black sage dominated sage scrub was defrned as those areas of sage scrub where black sage constituted greater than 75 percent of the shrub species within that plant community. Gnatcatcher surveys focused on; use of the site by the gnatcatcher, territory boundaries, vegetation composition within gnatcatcher use areas, and nest locations.
Surveys were conducted on nine separate occasions by Robert Faught, John Messina, Nancy Nicolai and Scott Taylor. A brief overview of the data collected in the field was completed by Barry Jones. Two types of surveys were conducted; overall California gnatcatcher habitat utilization, and focused gnatcatcher territory surveys.
Gnatcatcher surveys were conducted from April 9 to May 2, 1991 for a total of 125 man-hours. Generally, weather conditions were favorable for gnatcatcher observations during the studies.
3545 Camino Del Rlo South, Sulte D. San Dlego. Callfornia 92 108
(619) 284-4165 FAX (619) 284-4216
Mr. John Barone The Fieldstone Company May 20,1991 Page 2 of 3
,-
Surveys were conducted on foot and routes were chosen that would allow visual as well as aural observations to be made through nearly 90% of the project site. The survey was conducted by walking slowly through the habitat playing taped vocalizations of the California gnatcatcher and "pishing". Tapes elicit a called response from the birds and usually an appearance at the edge of shrub canopies. Any gnatcatchers that responded to the tape were watched for at least 30 minutes. Focused territory surveys observed each pair for at least two hours. "Pishing" was also used to increase the likelihood of observations because gnatcatchers respond to these observer noises by calling or appearing. Observations were enhanced with the aid of binoculars.
Observations were recorded as points if the birds were observed popping up out of a bush and could not be seen to move to another location. Observations were recorded as a series of points or lines if the bird could be followed from shrub to shrub.
Tapes were played during the surveys until a bird or pair of birds was observed and then tapes were not played again until the observer resumed their survey. After each gnatcatcher pair was observed for 30 minutes the observer would move at least 100 yards before resuming the survey and playing the taped call. This precaution was used to reduce the likelihood of attracting the fmt pair over to the observer and thus counting the same pair as two separate pairs. During the 30 minute observation period, data on gnatcatchers were collected on the following; location of each observation, movement pattern, sex of each individual observed, length of observation period for each potential territory, and length of individual bird Observations. Notes were collected on: foraging behavior, nest-building, resting, and calling. Locations of observations and movement patterns were mapped on enlarged USGS 7.5 minute topographic maps.
Because each pair was followed a maximum of three times during the study period, the term "territory" in this report represents the area used by the gnatcatcher during the study period, and should not be considered the entire territory for individual pairs. A territory was determined for each pair by looking at the sightings recorded during all surveys. Territories were determined by analyzing several factors for each set of the observations. These factors are described below:
0 Territories were delineated by noting proximity of observations and determining if both male and female were present in the set of observations. These locations were then plotted on field maps.
e Individual territories in areas where more than one bird was located were differentiated by observations where the surveyor attempted to hear a pair call and then simultaneously hear and observe another pair call. All territories in close proximity to each other were separated by visual observation of two separate male gnatcatchers. In particularly difficult areas, two observers were used to insure the accuracy of the data.
0 Features of the landscape were considered such as; man-made barriers and natural barriers. Man-made barriers on the site included Santa Fe Road, and the reservoir in the northern portion of the site. Natural barriers were any large blocks of unsuitable gnatcatcher habitat including; riparian woodlands, chaparrals, and grasslands, and physical features such as ridge lines.
Territories were further delineated by observing the contiguity of the habitat when observations were made for a pair on separate days. e
Mr. John Barone The Fieldstone Company
/-
May 20,1991 Page 3 of 3
RESULTS
A total of 20 California gnatcatcher pairs were observed on the site. Locations of the pairs are shown in Figure 1 with each territory delineated by extending a boundary around all observations for that pair. Gnatcatchers were found in nearly 90% of the Diegan coastal sage scrub on the site. Territories were not found in coastal sage scrub habitat on the steepest slopes on the site directly south and east of the reservoir continuing to the property boundaries on the east. No birds were observed in the extreme southwestern portion of the site or in the burned areas.
Figure 2 identifies the areas of potential gnatcatcher habitat based on habitat quality, use of the site by gnatcatchers during the survey period, and the steepness of the slope. Areas identified in Figure 2 as foraging and dispersal areas supported nearly pure stands of black sage but had slopes that were considered too steep (greater than 40 percent) for nesting habitat for the gnatcatcher. Based on the these criteria, a total of 461 acres of suitable gnatcatcher habitat occurs within the project limits, and an additional 41 acres of foraging and dispersal habitat is present onsite.
The project impacts as indicated in the Draft EIR prepared by Cotton/Beland Assoc. identify 217 acres (47 percent) of sage scrub being lost to the project as proposed. This will result in the preservation of approximately 244 acres (53 percent) of gnatcatcher breeding habitat and an additional 41 acres of foragingldisped habitat.
Eight of the 20 identified territories on the site will be preserved in open space based on the current project design. Additionally, several other areas in the southeast comer and eastern portions of the site could support additional gnatcatcher pairs. This is especially likely given the good connectivity between open space areas onsite and directly offsite. Based on the preservation of 53 percent of the gnatcatcher quality sage scrub and all 41 acres of the foragingldispersal habitat, it would be anticipated that several of the impacted pairs onsite could relocate to currently unused portions of the habitat
The additional surveys indicate that the California gnatcatcher uses black sage dominated sage scrub much more than was previously thought. It was particularly interesting to find gnatcatcher pairs using nearly pure stands of black sage in the southeastern portion of the property. Those areas where gnatcatchers were not found in sage scrub vegetation were restricted primarily to the steepest slopes dominated by black sage. These data indicate that with the proposed design for the Rancho Santa Fe Road and La Costa Southeast II projects retaining significant amounts of the black sage dominated and black sagelCalifornia sagebrush dominated sage scrub in open space, there is an increased probability of the long-term viability of the population not only on the project site, but for the Carlsbad region generally than would have originally been predicted if black sage was found to be avoided by the gnatcatcher.
Please call if you have any questions.
r
principal
a: MikeEvans Ruth Besecker Philip Hinshaw
FIGURE 0 Sweetwater Environmental Biologists
1991 California Gnatcatcher Use Areas on the Rancho Santn Fe Roadh Costa Southeast I1 Project Site
FIGURE 0 Sweetwater Environmental Biologists
Habitat Map for the California Gnatcatcher on the Rancho Santa FdSoutheast I1 Project Site
-3- - PROJECT DESCRIPTION
The following information is referenced from the "Draft Rancho Santa Fe Road Route Adoption
Report" by Project Design Consultants dated September 15, 1989 and "The NCRRA Resource
Recovery Facility Environmental Impact Report" by Weston Pringle and Associates dated May 10,
1990.
Alternative One
The proposed area for the Rancho Santa Fe Road realignment is located within the City of
Carlsbad. As illustrated in Figure 1, the area of Rancho Santa Fe Road proposed for realignment
is approximately two miles in length and stretches primarily behveen La Costa Avenue on the
south boundary and Melrose Avenue on the north boundary. This alignment has been termed
by the Rancho Santa Fe Road Study Committee (formed by the Carlsbad City Council in July
of 1987) as the "Canyon Alignment". As illustrated in Figure 3 the Rancho Santa Fe Road
realignment is proposed to relocate Rancho Santa Fe Road into the canyon, east of the existing
roadway. As stated in the Route Adoption Report, "The road travels to the south from the
Melrose Avenue intersection across the San Marcos Creek at a location west of the existing
bridge, requiring construction of a new bridge. Once across San Marcos Creek, the new
alignment continues south across the existing road and passes just west of the Stanley Mahr
Reservoir. The new alignment then curves to the southwest in the vicinity of the cuwent truck
bypass route to meet the existing La Costa Avenue intersection." The roadway is proposed to
be built to City of Carlsbad Prime Arterial Standards since the roadway lies within the City of
Carlsbad boundary. This Prime Arterial Standard is a 126 foot right-of-way and is included in
Appendix D.
-
Alternative Two
An alternative to the proposed "Canyon Alignment" would be to utilize the existing Rancho Santa
Fe Road route. Therefore, abandoning the existing truck route. This roadway would also be
constructed to the City of Carlsbad Prime Arterial Standard.
Mekoso Drive
La Costa
adowr Drlve
Questhaven Road
LOCATION MAP
FlQURE I
Srrw~Er MR
RESERVOIR
OENK
RESWOIR
,- EXISTING ROAD SYSTEM
wEs7oNRmGuL-
OENK
RESWOIR
PROPOSED ROADWAY REALIGNMENTS
WEsToNmXNGua~
-4-
,-
Alternative Three
Another alternative would be no improvements to the existing road system. The existing system
would be left intact.
DESIGN COMPARISON OF ALTERNATIVES
The proposed Alternative One would provide superior design, safety and noise concepts than
Alternatives Two or Three would provide. Table 1 shows a comparison of the three alternatives.
Although Alternative Two would probably provide superior design concepts than the existing
route (Alternative Three), there currently exists no final plans for Alternative Two. Therefore,
certain design assumptions were made for Alternative 2. It should also be noted that Alternative
One would provide less noise impacts in the La Costa Vale residential area than would
Alternatives Two or Three.
It should be noted that the apparent skew of the proposed Alternative One north of La Costa
- Avenue is a proposed 1,800 feet horizontal radius. Alternatives Two or Three would provide a
greater horizontal radius, yet 1,800 feet is within the City of Carlsbad Standard of 1,150 feet
minimum horizontal radius. Utilization of Alternative One would provide less of a grade increase
than Alternatives Two or Three. The design speed of Alternative one is 55 MPH.
PROPOSED ALTERNATIVE ONE
As a result of these design, safety and noise issues, Alternative one was chosen. It will be
discussed as the "Proposed Alternative'' from this point throughout the text.
The intersections directly affected by the proposed realignment are expected to be: Rancho Santa
Fe Road and Melrose Avenue (North); Rancho Santa Fe Road and La Costa Meadows Drive:
Rancho Santa Fe Road and Questhaven Road; Rancho Santa Fe Road and Melrose Avenue
(South); Rancho Santa Fe Road and Cadencia Street; Rancho Santa Fe Road and La Costa
Avenue; and Melrose Avenue (North) and Corintia Street.
The road segments affected by the proposed realignment are expected to be Melrose Avenue
(North), and Rancho Santa Fe Road: north of Melrose Avenue (North); between Melrose Avenue
-5-
DESIGN CRITERIA
Design Speed
Minimum Spacing of
Intersections
Right-of-way
Minimum Horizontal
Radius
Maximum Vertical
Curvature
TABLE 1
STREET DESIGN ALTERNATIVE COMPARISON
Rancho Santa Fe EIR
ALTERNATIVE ONE ALTERNATIVE TWO ALTERNATIVETHREE
55 MPH 55 MPHO) 50 MPH, less in
some locations
+/- 1,000 Feet +/- 1,000 Feet +/- 1,000 Feet Between Melrose & Between Melrose & Between Melrose &
La Costa Meadows La Costa Meadows La Costa Meadows
Primarily 126 Feet Primarily 126 Feet Primarily +/- 70 Feet
1,500 Feet * 700 Feet
* No final street plans available.
6.5% 5.3% *
(1) Assumption made based upon City of Carlsbad Design Criteria for the construction of
new roadways.
-6-
.--
(North) and Questhaven Road; between Questhaven Road and Melrose Avenue (South); between
Melrose Avenue (South) and Cadencia Street; between Cadencia Street and La Costa Avenue;
south of La Costa Avenue, and Corintia Street.
Figure 2 illustrates the existing Rancho Santa Fe Road alignment and roadway connections to
it. Figure 3 illustrates the proposed Rancho Santa Fe Alternative One alignment.
Questhaven Road
According to the report "Alignment and Signalization Report for Rancho Santa Fe Road between
Melrose Drive and Questhaven Road" by Willdan Associates dated July 6, 1987, the City of San
Marcos is proposing a realignment of Questhaven Road. The proposal calls for the intersection
of Questhaven Road to be realigned approximately 1,000 feet to the south of its existing
intersection with Rancho Santa Fe Road. This would locate the intersection approximately 1,900
feet south of the La Costa Meadows intersection and approximately 2,800 feet south of the
Rancho Santa Fe Road and Melrose Avenue (North) intersection. The proposed location is at
an outside curve on Rancho Santa Fe Road, therefore increasing the site distance from its
existing location. It will also be placing the intersection at a more perpendicular angle to Rancho
Santa Fe Road. Therefore, assisting turning movements at the intersection. The cuwent
alignment is located at a approximate 6.5 percent grade in Rancho Santa Fe Road with apparent
site distance problems.
Part of the existing Rancho Santa Fe Road right-of-way is proposed to be preserved for a
connection between Cadencia Street and the proposed Rancho Santa Fe Road. This is illustrated
in Figure 3. This will provide a connection between the existing La Costa Vale Residential
subdivision and Rancho Santa Fe Road.
The proposed Rancho Santa Fe Road realignment will partially bisect the MAG. property as
illustrated in Figure 3. The proposed Cadencia Street provides an opportunity for direct access
to the MAG. property.
-7-
Rancho Santa Fe Road, south of La Costa Avenue, will require widening an additional two lanes ----.
for it to conform to the proposed realignment width and City of Carlsbad Prime Arterial
Standards.
Roadww Constructioq
It is not certain at this time the exact number of trips to be generated by the construction of
the proposed roadway. The Route Adoption Report states that "the detouring of traffic should
be minimal during the construction of the new roadway. Phasing the road construction at the
intersections by building one side at a time should minimize road closures and detouring outside
of the road right-of-way. Using the existing roadway will allow for two-way traffic during the
construction of all but one section of the new road. Between Questhaven Road and Melrose
Drive a small temporary bypass would be needed. This detour will most likely consist of two
temporary paved lanes which bypass the construction of the new road." With the possibility of
a possible road closure or delays, it should be noted that El Camino Real, west of the proposed
realignment, would have volumes below its capacity and should be able to accommodate the
minimal possible detouring. Truck rerouting would be an issue as the proposed road would be -
constructed on the old bypass route. It is necessary that the roadway contractor would develop
a safe and efficient plan for truck rerouting. It is imperative that the paving and grading
contractors coordinate to provide minimal inconveniences to travel patterns and to provide safe
operation of the roadway during construction. A detailed construction plan listing all timing,
traffic and safety issues, should be developed by the contractors involved.
PROJECT SET'I"G/EXM"G CONDITIONS
Rancho Santa Fe Road
Rancho Santa Fe Road is generally a north-south road that forms a regional link primarily
between the cities of Carlsbad, Encinitas and San Marcos and the County of San Diego. This
stretch of roadway is designated in the City of Carlsbad and the City of San Marcos General
Plans as a six lane Prime Arterial.
As stated in the Route Adoption Report, "Rancho Santa Fe Road extends north from the La
Costa Avenue intersection along the La Costa Vale Subdivision. The road consists of two paved -_
-8-
lanes with curb and gutter on the west side and a combination of asphalt berm and concrete
curb on the east side. Approximately 400 feet north of the subdivision boundary, the truck
bypass route merges back into the two-lane roadway and creates a three-lane paved road with
an asphalt berm on both sides. The three lanes form a typical section with a northbound lane,
a southbound lane, and a climbing lane for uphill traffic. The typical three-lane section extends
north from the end of the truck bypass route past the Questhaven intersection to the San
Marcos Creek. The San Marcos Creek is crossed by an existing bridge which is located between
the Questhaven Road intersection and the Melrose Avenue intersection. Rancho Santa Fe Road
has two northbound lanes and one southbound lane across the bridge. A preliminary study by
Rick Engineering Company indicated that the existing bridge is hydraulically inadequate and
cannot pass the 100-year storm without becoming submerged.''
v
According the Route Adoption Report, "The truck bypass route is a northbound one-way road
which starts at a location on Rancho Santa Fe road approximately 300 feet north of the La Costa
- Avenue intersection. The truck bypass is located easterly of the present Rancho Santa Fe
alignment and follows the original 60 foot right-of-way as described on Road Survey 454". The
truck bypass was an attempt to mitigate truck noise and a safety precaution for slow moving
trucks on existing steep grades.
.e
J[ntersediOnS
Existing intersection counts were conducted by Traffic Counts Inc. at the request of Weston
Pringle and Associates for the City of Carlsbad Local Facilities Management Plan Traffic Studies
for Zones 12 and 18. The intersections were analyzed utilizing the Intersection Capacity
Utilization (ICU) process of intersection analyses and the 1985 Highway Capacity Manual (HCM)
for unsignalized intersections. Table 2 shows that no intersections are currently operating under
unacceptable operating conditions utilizing the ICU methodology. The intersections of Rancho
Santa Fe Road at Questhaven Road and La Costa Meadows Drive were also analyzed utilizing the
1985 HCM for unsignalized intersections. Table 3 contains the intersection movement which
would experience delay and the resulting LOS at the two unsignalized intersections. It should
be noted that peak hour signalization warrants are met for both intersections. Therefore, once
signalized, this analysis would not continue to be valid. The HCM spreadsheets are contained -
-9-
INTERSECTION
TABLE 2
EXISTING CONDITIONS - INTERSECTIONS
Rancho Santa Fe Road EIR
Rancho Santa Fe Rd. & Melrose Ave. North
Rancho Santa Fe Rd. & La Costa Meadows Drive
Rancho Santa Fe Rd. & Questhaven Road
Rancho Santa Fe Rd. & La Costa Avenue
(1) ICU = Intersection Capacity Utilization
LOS = Level of Service
ICUhOSa,
AM PEAK I2!uwus
0.81/D 0.77lC
0.76lC * 0.76/C*
0.67/B* 0.72/C*
0.53lA 0.56lA
-.
-,
* Unsignalized intersection, See Table 3.
-10-
PIpI’ERSEcTION
TABLE 3
EXISTING CONDITIONS - INTERSECTIONS
Rancho Santa Fe EIR
Rancho Santa Fe Road & La Costa Meadows Drive
Westbound Left Movement F
Westbound Right Movement A
Southbound Left Movement F
U>W AM PEAK PM PEAK
Rancho Santa Fe Road & Questhaven Road
Westbound Left Movement F
Westbound Right Movement A
Southbound Left Movement C
F
A
D
(1) Based upon 1985 Highway Capacity Manual
LOS = Level of Sentice
-11-
in Appendix B.2. For intersection analyses it is generally accepted that a Level of Service (LOS)
A through D represents acceptable operations, while LOS E and F represent unacceptable
operating conditions during the AM and PM peak hours. An explanation of ICU and LOS is
contained in Appendix k
Simdization Warrants
Currently the intersection of Rancho Santa Fe Road and Questhaven Road is not signalized. The
intersection currently wamnts signalization, however, with an existing PM peak hour approach
volume on Rancho Santa Fe Road of 1,823 vehicles and 111 vehicles on Questhaven Road. This
warrant is based upon the State of California Department of Transportation (CalTrans) Peak Hour
Volume Warrant (Rural Areas). The rural standard was utiHzed since travel speeds on Rancho
Santa Fe Road currently exceed 40 MPH.
Currently the intersection of Rancho Santa Fe Road and La Costa Meadows Drive is not
signalized. The intersection currently warrants signalization, however, with an existing PM peak
hour approach volume on Rancho Sank Fe Road of 1,605 vehicles and 398 vehicles on La Costa -
Meadows Drive. The CalTrans Peak Hour Volume Warrant (Rural Areas) was utilized.
Road Sertments
Existing road segment counts were conducted by the City of Carlsbad and the City of San
Marcos. The count dates are refe3enced in Table 4. The City of Carlsbad Peak Hour Capacity
Standard of 1,800 vehicles per lane per hour was utilized to determine that no road segments
are currently operating under unacceptable operating conditions. For peak hour road segment
analyses it is generally accepted that a LOS A through D represents acceptable operations, while
LOS E and F represent unacceptable operating conditions.
Figure 4 illustrates the existing road segment peak hour volumes and LOS and also the
intersection AM and PM peak hour ICU's and LOS. The HCM results were not included on this
graphic.
-12-
TABLE 4
EXISTING ROAD SEGMENT ANALYSIS
Rancho Santa Fe Road EIR
NUMBER OF LANES/ PEAK HOUR vow DAILY PEAKHOURVOLUMES VOLUMES CAPACITY ON VOUTME ONALLLANES ONE LANE a) pAnO&LDSQ,
Rancho Santa Fe Road
Between Questhaven Rd. and La Costa Ave. 18,300@ m830
Rancho Santa Fe Road Between Melrose Ave. and Questhaven Rd. 21,600(4 2/2160
Rancho Santa Fe Road
do Melrose Avenue 27,300(9 2/2730
Questhaven Road do
Rancho Santa Fe Road 3,000" moo
Melrose Avenue Between
Rancho Santa Fe Rd. and Alga Rd. 5,900") 6690
Rancho Santa Fe Road slo La Costa Avenue 18,9000 a890
915
1080
1365
150
100
475
0.51/A
0.60/A
0.76K
0.08IA
0.06lA
0.26lA
(1) Based upon City of Carlsbad LOS E.
(2) LOS = Level of Service
(3) Count conducted by City of Carlsbad, 1990.
(4) Count conducted by City of Carlsbad, 1989.
(5) Count conducted by City of San Marcos, 1989.
/ /
I PRO#)SED MELROSE f AVENUE NORTH /! c
\ W!
CLIoENaLI m C ONNECTI ON
pROe0sEDFU"OSANTAFE
RWD REALIGNMENT
(A)
EXISTING CONDITIONS
WLfTON-aASSOCU3LS
-13- - yEAR 1995 CONDITIONS
The project is expected to be completed in approximately 1994 according to the project
proponents. Therefore, 1995 impacts are discussed.
The City of Carlsbad requested SANDAG to perform a computer model run of 1995 conditions.
The model took into consideration input from City Staff regarding land use and road segment
phasing. They assumed that the following road segments would not be constructed at this time:
Melrose Avenue, between Alga Road and Palomar Airport Road; the Melrose Avenue southerly
extension; El Fuerte Street, between Palomar Airport Road and Alga Road; and Carillo Way,
between Melrose Avenue and El Camino Real.
A road segment deletion that is expected to have significant impacts on Rancho Santa Fe Road
would be Melrose Avenue, between Palomar Airport Road and Alga Road. This road segment not
being completed would possibly cause a decrease in volumes on Rancho Santa Fe Road in the
vicinity of this study. Vehicles traveling in that direction would be expected to primarily divert
to Alga Road, La Costa Avenue, Olivenhain Road, El Camino Real and Rancho Santa Fe road
(north of Melrose). Not constructing the Melrose Avenue extension south could possibly isolate
developable land that requires access to Rancho Santa Fe Road, via the Melrose Avenue southerly
extension unless adequate local public street access is provided to the developable land east of
the proposed realigned Rancho Santa Fe Road in this area.
F
The City of Carlsbad and the City of San Marcos combined land use and road segment phasing
and contracted SANDAG to perform a Post Year 2010 traffic model.
The Post 2010 Carlsbad/San Marcos model performed the traffic volume projections both with
and without an assumed Melrose South connection between Rancho Santa Fe Road and the
proposed SA-680. It is currently unknown if the connection will be made.
Both the 1995 and Post 2010 model were combined with existingvolumes and proposed projects
expected to develop to determine 1995 intersection and road segment volume projections.
.c
The City of Carlsbad has considered that Corintia Street would align at the intersection of La
Costa Meadows Drive and not intersect at Melrose Drive. This would occur if Melrose Drive
formed the 'T at Rancho Santa Fe Road. This alignment is illustrated in Figure 5.
The City of Carlsbad has also considered that Corintia Street would align at the Melrose
Drive/Rancho Santa Fe Road intersection opposite Rancho Santa Fe Road. This would occur if
Rancho Santa Fe Road formed the IT" at Melrose Drive. This alignment is illustrated in Figure
6.
With Melmse South Connection to SA480
Table 5 shows existing intersection geornetrics and geornetrics proposed to accommodate
projected 1995 traffic volumes with the Melrose South connection to the proposed SA-680.
Table 6 shows the resulting ICU levels with the proposed intersection geornetrics.
- It should be noted that the only intersections directly effected or changed as a result of the
Corintia Street alignment and T"T' intersection issue are Rancho Santa Fe Road/Melrose Drive and
Rancho Santa Fe Road/La Costa Meadows Drive.
Table 7 contains road segment analyses with the proposed Melrose Avenue south connection to
SA-680. It compared conditions utilizing existing geornetrics and with proposed geometiics.
Three road segments are expected to operate unacceptably with projected 1995 volumes plus
existing geometrics. All road segments are expected to operate acceptably with proposed 1995
road segment geornetrics.
Without Mhe South Connection to SA480
Table 8 shows existing intersection geometrics and geomehics to accommodate projected 1995
traffic volumes without the Melrose South connection to the proposed SA-680. Table 9 shows
the resulting ICU levels with the proposed intersection geomehics.
Table 10 contains road segments analyses without the proposed Melrose Avenue south
connection to SA-680. It compares conditions utilizing existing geornetrics and with proposed
TABLE 5 -15-
1995 INTERSECTION GEOMETRICS WITH MELROSE SOUTH CONNECTION TO SA-680
Rancho Santa Fe Road EIR
Rancho Santa Fe Road/
Corintia Street &
Melrose Drive
Existing 1 1 0 0 1 FREE 1 0 1 0 0 0
19950) 2 3 0 1 3 0 1 1 0 0 1 0
1995"" 1 3 0 1 3 0 0 1 0 3 1 0
Rancho Santa Fe Road & La Costa Meadows Drive/Corintia Street
Existing 0 1 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 1
1995'" 1 3 0 2 3 0 0 1 0 1 1 0
1995" 0 3 0 2 3 0 0 0 0 1 0 1
7
Rancho Santa Fe Road &
Questhaven Road
Existing 0 1 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0
1995 0 3 0 2 3 0 0 0 0 1 0 FREE
Rancho Santa Fe Road &
Cadencia Street
Existing 0 1 0 0 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 0
Rancho Santa Fe Road &
Cadencia StreeWAG. Property
1995 1 3 0 1 3 0 1 1 0 1 1 0
TABLE 5 (Cont) -16-
I"
1995 INTERSECTION GEOMETRICS WITH MELROSE SOUTH CONNECTION TO SA-680
Rancho Santa Fe Road EIR
.-
Rancho Santa Fe Road & La Costa Avenue
Existing 1 2 0 1 2 0 1 2 0 1 2 0
1995 1 3 0 1 3 1 2 2 0 2 2 0
Rancho S~ta Fe Road &
Melrose Drive (South)
Existing (*I
1995 0 3 0 2 3 0 0 0 0 1 0 1
(1)
(2)
(*)
With Corintia Street opposite La Costa Meadows Drive, Melrose Drive forms 'T into Rancho Santa Fe Road.
With Corintia Street opposite Rancho Santa Fe Road, Rancho S~ta Fe Road forms '7"' into Melrose Drive.
Intersection not existing at this time.
-17-
TABLE 6
1995 CONDITIONS - INTERSECTIONS
WITH MELROSE SOUTH CONNECTION TO SA-680
Rancho Santa Fe Road EIR
Rancho Santa Fe Road/Corintia Street B Melrose Avenue North 0.66A3 0.70A3 0.88D 0.82/D
Rancho Santa Fe Road Q La Costa Meadows Drive/ Corintia Street 0.60/A 0.5OlA 0.61A3 0.62/B
Rancho Santa Fe Road Q Questhaven Road 0.60/A 0.70B 0.6m 0.6uS
Rancho Santa Fe Road Q Cadencia Street/
MA.G. Property 0.6m 0.65A3 0.6m 0.65/B
Rancho Santa Fe Road & Melrose Ave. South 0.33lA 0.42jA 0.33/A 0.42jA
Rancho Santa Fe Road & La Costa Avenue 0.52/A 0.71K 0.5UA 0.71K
(1) ICU = Intersection Capacity Utilization
LOS = Level of Service
(2) With Conntia Street opposite La Costa Meadows Drive, Melrose Drive forms '7"' into Rancho S~ta Fe Road.
(3) With Conntia Street opposite Rancho Santa Fe Road, Rancho Santa Fe Road forms '7'" into Melrose Drive.
TABLE 7
1995 ROAD SEGMENT ANALYSIS
WITH MELROSE SOUTH CONNECTION TO SA-680
DAILY STREET/IA)CA TION VOLUME
Rancho Santa Fe Rd.
Between Questhaven Rd. and
La Costa Ave. 49,200
Rancho Santa Fe Rd.
Between Melrose Dr. and
Questhaven Rd. 66,400
Rancho Santa Fe Rd.
N/O Melrose Dr. 54,000
Questhaven Road E/O
Rancho Santa Fe Rd. 14,700
Melrose Drive
Between Rancho Santa Fe Rd.
and Alga Rd. 13,600
Rancho Santa Fe Road
SI0 La Costa Avenue 33,800
Rancho Santa Fe Road EIR
NUMBER OF IANES/ PEAK HOUR VOLUMES ONALLIANES
EXISTING
U4920
2/6640
2/5400
U1470
6/1360
4/3380
PROPOSED
614920
616640
6/5400
411470
611360
6/3380
PEAK HOURVOLUME VOLUMEXAPACACII ONE lANE RATIO & Ws@ MISTING PROPOSED EXISTING
2460 820 1.37/F
3320 1105 1.W
2700 900 1.50F
735 370 0.4VA
225 225 0.13lA
a45 565 0.47lA
PROPOSED
0.461A
0.61JE
0.5OlA
0.21/A
0.13/A
0.31/A
(1) Based upon City of Carlsbad LOS E.
(2) LOS = Level of Service
i
TABLE 8 -19-
INTERSECTION
1995 INTERSECTION GEOMETRICS
WITHOUT MELROSE SOUTH CONNECTION TO SA-680
Rancho Santa Fe Road EIR
Rancho S~ta Fe Road/
Corintia Street &
Melrose Drive
Existing 1 1 0 0 1 FREE 1 0 1 0 0 0
19950' 1 3 0 1 3 0 1 1 0 0 1 0
1995"" 1 3 FREE 1 3 0 0 1 0 3 1 0
Rancho Santa Fe Road & La Costa Meadows Drive/Conntia Street
Existing 0 1 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 1
19950) 1 3 0 2 3 0 0 1 0 1 1 0
1995"" 1 3 0 2 3 0 0 0 0 1 0 1
.-
Rancho Santa Fe Road &
Questhaven Road
Existing 0 1 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0
1995 0 3 0 2 3 0 0 0 0 1 0 FREE
Rancho Santa Fe Road & Cadencia Street
Existing 0 1 0 0 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 0
Rancho Santa Fe Road & Cadencia Stree0lA.G. Property
1995 1 3 0 1 3 0 1 1 0 1' 1 0
TABLE 8 (Conk) -20-
1995 INTERSECTION GEOMETRICS WITHOUT MELROSE SOUTH CONNECTION TO SA-680 -.
Rancho Santa Fe Road EIR
Rancho Santa Fe Road & La Costa Avenue
Existing 1 2 0 1 2 0 1 2 0 1 2 0
1995 1 3 0 1 3 1 2 2 0 2 2 0
Rancho S~ta Fe Road & Melrose Drive (South)
Existing (*)
1995 0 3 0 1 3 0 0 0 0 1 0 1
7
(1)
(2)
(*)
With Corintia Street opposite La Costa Meadows Drive, Melrose Drive forms IT' into Rancho Santa Fe Road.
With Corintia Street opposite Rancho Santa Fe Road, Rancho Santa Fe Road forms 'T' into Melrose Drive.
Intersection not existing at this time.
-21-
INTERSECTION
TABLE 9
1995 CONDITIONS - INTERSECTIONS
WITHOUT MELROSE SOUTH CONNECTION TO SA-680
Rancho Santa Fe Road EIR
1CUhOSa)m ICUhOS am
AMPEX PMPEAK AMPEAK PMPEAK
Rancho Santa Fe Road/Corintia Street 8 Melrose Drive 0.69B 0.74/C
Rancho Santa Fe Road & La Costa Meadows DriveICorintia St. 0.55lA 0.48lA
Rancho Santa Fe Road & Questhaven Road 0.57lA 0.70/B - Rancho Santa Fe Road & Melrose Avenue 0.391A OA51A
Rancho Santa Fe Road & Cadencia Street/
MA.G. Property 0.63/B 0.65B
Rancho Santa Fe Road & La Costa Avenue 0.5 11A 0.W
0.591A 0.59lA
0.6m 0.5OlA
0571A 0.70/B
0391A 0.451A
0.63/B 0.65/B
0.5VA 0.64/B
(1) ICU = Intersection Capacity Utilization
LOS = Level of Service
(2) With Corintia Street opposite La Costa Meadow Drive, Melrose Drive forms '7"' into Rancho Santa Fe Road.
(3) With Corintia Street opposite Rancho Santa Fe Road, Rancho Santa Fe Road forms 'T' into Melrose Drive.
TABLE 10
DAILY
STREETMICA TION VOuTME
1995 ROAD SEGMENT ANALYSIS
WITHOUT MELROSE SOUTH CONNECTION TO SA-680
Rancho Santa Fe Road EIR
Rancho Santa Fe Rd. Between Questhaven Rd. and La Costa Ave. 41,000
Rancho Santa Fe Rd. Between Melrose Dr. and Questhaven Rd. 55,300
Rancho Santa Fe Rd.
N/O Melrose Dr. 45,000
Questhaven Road E/O
Rancho Santa Fe Rd. 15,300
Melrose Drive
Behveen Rancho Santa Fe Rd.
and Alga Rd. 16,400
Rancho Santa Fe Road
S/O La Costa Avenue 33,800
NUMBER OF IANEs/ PEAK HOURVOLUMES ONALLJANES DUSTING PROPOSED
U4100
m530
2,4500
2f1530
6/1640
4/3380
6/4100
6/5530
6/4500
4/1530
611640
6/3380
PEAK HOUR VOLUME VOLUMQUPAClTW ONE LANE RATIO 6i UIScr,
MISTING PROPOSEQ DUSTING
2050 685 1.41F
2765 920 1.5W
2250 750 1.25F
765 385 0.4WA
275 275 0.15/A
845 565 0.47IA
PROPOSED
0.3WA
0.51/A
0.42/A
0.2VA
0.15lA
0.31lA
(1) Based upon City of Carlsbad LOS E.
(2) LOS = Level of Service
Fi I
PROPOSED MELROSE DR. EXrPmON FOR INDUSTRIAL ACCESS
\ LA COSTA MEADOWS DR.
REALIGNMENT
u) B L 5!
PROPOSED MELROSE DRIVE FORMING
"T" AT RANCHO SANTA FE ROAD
--
PROPOSED CORlhlTlA
REAL1 GNMENT
PROPOSED RANCHO SANTA FE ROAD
FORMING "T" AT MELROSE DRIVE
WESTON PRINGLE & ASSOCIATES
-.
T
FIQURE 6
-23-
- geornetrics. Three road segments are expected to operate unacceptably with projected 1995
volumes plus existing geornetrics. All road segments are expected to operate acceptably with
road segment geornetrics proposed.
POST 2010 (BUILDOUT) CONDITIONS
With Melrose South Connection to W-680
Table 11 shows existing intersection geometrics, proposed 1995 intersection geometrics and
proposed geometrics projected to accommodate post 2010 traffic volumes with the Melrose south
connection to the proposed SA-680. Table 12 shows the resulting ICU levels with the proposed
intersection geornetrics.
Table 13 contains a Post 2010 road segment analyses with the proposed Melrose Avenue South
connection to SA-680. It compares conditions utilizing existing geornetrics and with proposed
geometrics. Five road segments are expected to operate unacceptably with projected Post 2010
- volumes utilizing existing geometrics. All road segments are expected to operate acceptably with
,- road segment geornetrics proposed.
Without Melrose South Connection to W-680
Table 14 shows existing intersection geometrics; proposed 1995 intersection geometrics and
proposed geornetrics projected to accommodate post 2010 traffic volumes without the Melrose
South connection to the proposed SA-680. Table 15 shows the resulting ICU levels with the
proposed intersection goemetrics.
Table 16 contains a Post 2010 road segment analyses without the proposed Melrose Avenue
South connection to SA-680. It compares conditions utilizing existing geometrics and with
proposed geornetrics. Five road segments are expected to operate unacceptably with projected
Post 2010 volumes utilizing existing geornetrics. All road segments are expected to operate
acceptably with road segment geometrics proposed.
TABLE 11 -24-
INTERSECTION
POST 2010 INTERSECTION GEOMETRICS WITH MELROSE SOUTH CONNECTION TO SA-680
Rancho Santa Fe Road EIR
Rancho Santa Fe Road/
Corintia Street & Melrose Drive
Existing 1 1 0 0 1 FREE 1 0 1 0 0 0
19950) 2 3 0 1 3 0 1 1 0 0 1 0
POST 2010O) 3 3 0 2 4 FREE 3 1 FREE 1 2 0
1995" 1 3 0 1 3 0 0 1 0 3 1 0 POST 2010@) 1 4 FREE 3 3 0 0 1 0 3 1 FREE
Rancho Santa Fe Road & La Costa -Meadows DriveEorintia Street
Existing 0 1 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 1
19950) 1 3 0 2 3 0 0 1 0 1 1 0 1
POST 20100) 1 4 0 2 3 0 0 1 0 1 1 0
1995" 0 3 0 2 3 0 0 0 0 1 0 1
POST 2010" 0 4 1 2 3 0 0 0 0 2 0 1
Rancho Santa Fe Road &
Questhaven Road
Existing 0 1 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0
1995 0 3 0 2 3 0 0 0 0 1 0 FREE
POST 2010 0 3 FREE 3 3 0 0 0 0 3 0 FREE
Rancho Sank Fe Road &
Cadencia Street
Existing 0 1 0 0 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 0
-25- TABLE 11 (Cent.)
POST 2010 INTERSECTION CEOMETRICS
WITH MELROSE SOUTH CONNECTION TO SA-680
Rancho Santa Fe Road EIR
Rancho Santa Fe Road &
Cadencia StreeV3lA.C. Property
1995 POST 2010
1 3 0 1 3 0 1 1 0 1 1 0
1 3 0 1 3 0 1 1 0 1 1 0
Rancho Santa Fe Road & La Costa Avenue
Existing 1 2 0 1 2 0 1 2 0 1 2 0 1995 1 3 0 1 3 1 2 2 0 2 2 0 POST 2010 1 3 FREE 1 3 1 2 2 0 2 2 0 - Rancho Santa Fe Road & Melrose Drive (South)
Existing C) 1995 0 3 0 2 3 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 POST 2010 0 3 1 2 3 0 0 0 0 1 0 FREE
(1)
(2)
(*)
With Corintia Street opposite La Costa Meadows Drive, Melrose Drive fotms '7"' into Rancho Santa Fe Road.
With Corintia Street opposite Rancho Santa Fe Road, Rancho Santa Fe Road forms T' into Melrose Drive.
Intersection not existing at this time.
' -26-
TABLE 12
INTERSECTIOI?
POST 2010 CONDITIONS - INTERSECTIONS WITH MELROSE SOUTH CONNECTION TO SA-680
Rancho S~ta Fe Road EIR
Rancho Santa Fe Road/Corintia Street
6! Melrose Avenue North' 0.89D 0.79/C 0.9OD 0.89D
Rancho Santa Fe Road &
La Costa Meadows DriveCorintia St' 0.87D 0.53lA 0.8m 0.55lA
Rancho Santa Fe Road & Questhaven Road 0.W 0.86D 0.W 0.86D
Rancho Santa Fe Road & Melrose Avenue 0.7W 0.89D 0.78lC 0.89D
Rancho Santa Fe Road & Cadencia Street/ MAG. Property 0.75/C 0.79/C 0.75lC 0.79/C
Rancho Santa Fe Road & La Costa Avenue 0.7N 0.80/C 0.7W 0.80/C
(1) ICU = Intersection Capacity Utilization LOS = Level of Service
(2)
(3)
With Corintia Street opposite La Costa Meadows Drive, Melrose Drive forms 'T' into Rancho Santa Fe Road.
With Corintia Street opposite Rancho Santa Fe Road, Rancho S~ta Fe Road forms 'T' into Melrose Drive.
Utilized City of Carlsbad "Heavy Demand Procedure" for intersection capacity analysis.
Left and Right Turn Capacity - 1800 Vehicles Per Day
Through Movement Capacity - 2000 Vehicles Per Day
7
TABLE 13
DAILY
"ION VOLUME
Rancho Santa Fe Rd.
Between Questhaven Rd. and La Costa Ave. 74,400
Rancho Santa Fe Rd.
Between Melrose DR. and Questhaven Rd. 85,900
Rancho Santa Fe Rd.
N/O Melrose Dr. 54,500
Questhaven Road E/O
Rancho Santa Fe Rd. 48,000
Melrose Drive
Between Rancho Santa Fe Rd.
and Alga Rd. 55,300
Rancho Santa Fe Road
S/O La Costa Avenue 37,600
POST 2010 ROAD SEGMENT ANALYSIS
WITH MELROSE SOUTH CONNECTION TO SA-680
Rancho Santa Fe Road EIR
NUMBER OF LANES/ PEAK HOUR VOLUMES
EXISTING PROPOSED EXISTING PROPOSED
PEAK HOUR VOLUME ONALLIANES ONE LANE
2/7400 6/7400 3720 1240
2/8590 6j8590 4295 1430
2/5450 6/5450 2725 910
2/4800 4/4800 2400 1200
6/5530 ($3530 920 920
213760 6/3760 1880 625
2.07/F 0.69/B
2.39/F 0.79/C
1.51/F 0.51/A
1.33/F 0.67D
0.51IA 0.5VA
1 .ow 0.35/A
(1) Based upon City of Carlsbad LOS E.
(2) LOS = Level of Service
TABLE 14 -28-
JNTERSFmON
POST 2010 INTERSECTION GEOMETRICS
WITHOUT MELROSE SOUTH CONNECTION TO SA-680
Rancho S~ta Fe Road EIR
Rancho S~ta Fe Road/ Corintia Street & Melrose Drive
Existing 1 1 0 0 1 FREE 1 0 1 0 0 0
1 3 0 1 3 0 1 1 0 0 1 1
1995@' 1 3 FREE 1 3 0 0 1 0 3 1 0
0 1995O) POST 20100) 3 3 0 2 4 FREE 2 2 FREE 1 2
POST 2010" 1 4 FREE 2 3 0 0 1 0 3 1 FREE
Rancho S~ta Fe Road & La CostaMeadows Drivflorintia Street
Existing 0 1 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 1
1995a) 1 3 0 2 3 0 0 1 0 1 1 0
POST 20100) 0 3 1 0 3 0 0 0 0 0 1 0
1995" 1 3 0 2 3 0 0 0 0 1 0 1
POST 2O1Om 1 4 0 2 3 0 0 0 0 1 0 1
4
Rancho Santa Fe Road & Questhaven Road
Existing 0 1 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0
0 3 0 2 3 0 0 0 0 1 0 FREE
FREE 1995 POST 2010 0 3 FREE 3 3 0 0 0 0 3 0
Rancho Santa Fe Road &
Cadencia Street
Existing 0 1 0 0 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 0
-..
-29- TABLE 14 (Cont.)
,.-
POST 2010 INTERSECTION GEOMETRICS
WITHOUT MELROSE SOUTH CONNECTION TO SA-680
W-N n
Rancho Santa Fe Road &
Cadencia StreetlMAG. Property
1995 POST 2010
1
1
Rancho Santa Fe Road &
La Costa Avenue
Existing 1 1995 1 POST 2010 1
I" Rancho Santa Fe Road & Melrose Drive (South)
Existing (*)
1995 0
POST 2010 0
NT
3
3
2 3 3
3
3
Rancho Santa Fe Road EIR
NR
0
0
0
0
1
1
1
1 FREE 1
0 1
1 2
- ST
3
3
2
3
3
3
3
a
0
0
0
1
1
0
0
EL
1
1
1
2
2
0
0
E€
1
1
2
2
2
0
0
EB
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
!!YL
1
1
1
2
2
1
1
WT
1
1
2
2
2
0 0
rn
0
0
0
0
0
1
FREE
(1)
(2)
(*)
With Corintia Street opposite La Costa Meadows Drive, Melrose Drive forms 'T' into Rancho Sank Fe Road.
With Corintia Street opposite Rancho Santa Fe Road, Rancho Santa Fe Road fom 'T' into Melrose Drive.
Intersection not existing at this time.
-30-
TABLE 15
POST 2010 CONDITlONS - INTERSECTIONS WITHOUT MELROSE SOUTH CONNECTION TO SA-680
Rancho S~ta Fe RoadEorintia Street
& Melrose Avenue North'
Rancho Santa Fe Road & La Costa Meadows DriveXorintia St.'
Rancho Santa Fe Road & Questhaven Road'
Rancho Santa Fe Road & Melrose Avenue
Rancho Santa Fe Road EIR
Rancho S~ta Fe Road & Cadencia Street/ MAG. Property
Rancho Santa Fe Road & La Costa Avenue
0.87D 0.83D
0.76K: OSUA
0.70/B 0.W
0.65/B 0.76K:
0.75K: 0.79K:
0.65/B 0.75K:
0.W 0.88/D
0.89D 0.WA
0.70/B 0.W
0.65B 0.76K:
0.75K: 0.79/C
0.65B 0.75/C
(1) ICU = Intersection Capacity Utilization
LOS = Level of Service
(2)
(3)
*
With Corintia Street opposite La Costa Meadow Drive, Melrose Drive forms '7"' into Rancho Santa Fe Road.
With Corintia Street opposite Rancho Santa Fe Road, Rancho S~ta Fe Road forms 'T' into Melrose Drive.
Utilized City of Carlsbad "Heavy Demand Procedure" for intersection capacity analysis.
Left and Right Turn Capacity - 1800 Vehicles Per Day
Through Movement Capacity - 2000 Vehicles Per Day
-.
TABLE 16
DAILY STREETMICA "ION VOLUM$
POST 2010 ROAD SEGMENT ANALYSIS
WITHOUT MELROSE SOUTH CONNECTION TO SA-680
Rancho Santa Fe Road EIR
Rancho Santa Fe Rd. Between Questhaven Rd. and La Costa Ave. 60,300
Rancho Santa Fe Rd.
Between Melrose Dr. and
Questhaven Rd. 74,600
Rancho Santa Fe Rd.
NIO Melrose Dr. 52,900
Questhaven Road FJO
Rancho Santa Fe Rd. 50,200
Melrose Drive
Between Rancho Santa Fe Rd.
and Alga Rd. 46,100
Rancho Santa Fe Road S/O La Costa Avenue 42,400
NUMBER OF IANE$I PEAK HOURVOLUMES PEAK HOURVOLUME W-ACITYFL) ONALLLANES ONE LANE RATIO & ms(" EXISTING PROPOSED MISTING PROPOSED EXISTING PROPOSED
U6030 616030 3015 1005 1.6W 0.56lA
2/7460 6f7460 3730 1245 2.07/F 0.69/B
m290 6/5290 2645 880 1 A7/F 0.491A
m020 a020 2510 1255 1.39/F 0.70/B
6/4610 614610 770 770 0.43lA 0.43lA
?I4240 614240 2120 705 1.18F 0.39lA
(1) Based upon City of Carlsbad LOS E.
(2) LOS = Level of Service
-32-
ISSUES
Rancho Santa Fe Road/Melrose Avenue Intersection Alignment
Rancho Santa Fe Road/Melrose Avenue Intersection
There are currently two primary alternatives for this intersection: Rancho Santa Fe Road being
realigned to lrY' into Melrose Avenue; or Melrose Avenue forming a T' into Rancho Santa Fe
Road. Both scenarios will be discussed.
Although existing volumes would show the need to construct Melmse Drive to '''I"' into Rancho
Santa Fe Road, projected volumes in 1995 and Post 2010 would not make the decision so clear
as many vehicles are projected to travel to and hm the north on Melrose Drive.
Alternative A - Melrose Drive "TI' into Rancho Santa Fe Road
This alternative would curve Melrose Avenue into Rancho Santa Fe Road approximately 375 feet
north if its existing intersection. This would align across from the northerly property line of the
La Costa Meadows Industrial Park. Melrose Drive would be extended to the east to provide
access to the proposed industrial property to the north of the existing La Costa Meadows
Industrial Park.
Alternative B - Rancho Santa Fe Road T' into Melrose Drive
This alternative would curve Rancho Santa Fe Road to the west to intersect with Melrose Drive
across from the realigned Corintia Drive. Corintia Drive would be realigned since it is currently
located in close proximity to the existing Rancho Santa Fe Road/Melrose Avenue intersection.
This alternative would provide approximately 1,000 feet of spacing between Corintia Driveblanch0
Santa Fe Road and La Costa Meadows Drive.
-1
General Design Issues for the Two Intersection Alternatives
As can be shown from the Post 2010 geometric recommendations, both intersection design
geometrics necessary would necessitate four through lanes in either the northbound or
southbound direction and various triple left turns.
-.
-33-
Melrose Drive "T" into Rancho Santa Fe Road Alternative A: The Melrose Drive and Rancho
S~ta Fe Road intersection would necessitate three northbound left turn lanes to accommodate
the estimated 2650 or 1850 AM peak hour vehicles performing the movement either with or
without the 680 connection, respectively. Three eastbound left turns would be necessary with
the 680 connection and only two without the 680 connection. Four southbound through lanes
would be necessary either with or without the 680 connection.
The Rancho Santa Fe Road and La Costa Meadows/Corintia Street intersection would necessitate
four northbound through movements with the 680 connection and three without the 680
connection.
It appears as if the Rancho Santa Fe Road "T" into Melrose Drive alternative would necessitate
four northbound through lanes at the intersections of Rancho Santa Fe Roadbrintia Street and
Melrose Drive and Rancho Santa Fe Road at La Costa Meadows Drive. Four lanes would not be
necessary at either intersection in the southbound direction. -
The length of the northbound left turn pocket to accommodate either the expected 2,650 or
1,850 AM peak hour vehicles could possibly interfere with the Rancho Santa Fe/La Costa
Meadows intersection design.
It appears as if the Melrose Drive "T' into Rancho Santa Fe Road alternative would necessitate
four southbound through lanes at the Rancho Santa Fe/Melrose intersection and four
northbound through lanes at the Rancho Santa Fe Road and La Costa Meadows/Corintia
intersection (with the 680 connection).
Rancho Santa Fe Road "T" into Melrose Drive Intersection: The Rancho Santa Fe Road/Corintia
Street and Melrose Drive intersection would necessitate four northbound through movements
with or without the 680 connection. Three southbound left turns would be necessary with the
680 connection and only two without the 680 connection. Three westbound left turn lanes
would be necessary either with or without the 680 connection.
r
-34-
The Rancho Santa Fe Road and La Costa Meadows Drive intersection would necessitate four
northbound through lanes both with and without the 680 connection.
Grade Se~aration
The Cities of Carlsbad and San Marcos have discussed the possibility of a Rancho Santa Fe Road
grade separated behveen Questhaven Road and Melrose Drive. This would most likely alleviate
the need for four through lanes and might alleviate the need for triple left turns in some
locations also. This issue would require a detailed study concerning design and operations.
Access to Industrial ProDertv North of Existine La Costa Meadows Industrial Park
Alternative A would provide superior access to the industrial property located north of the
existing La Costa Meadows Industrial Park. With Alternative A, Melrose Avenue can be extended
east for direct access to the property, which will also access the La Costa Meadows Industrial
Park hm an internal roadway.
Alternative B would necessitate accessing the industrial property from another intersection on -
Rancho Santa Fe Road north of Melrose Drive. This is not expected to significantly reduce the
Rancho Santa Fe Road operations yet would conflict with Prime Arterial Standards for
intersection spacing. This intersection would most likely be restricted to right turn in and right
turn out movements. With Alternative B the property would possibly take access from a north-
south aligned roadway that will intersect with La Costa Meadows Drive. The north-south
industrial access would create the necessity to cross the San Marcos Creek.
Corintia Street
The proposed location of Corintia Street is approximately 300 feet north of the existing Rancho
S~ta Fe Road/Melrose Avenue intersection, at Melrose Avenue. Alternative I provides the
opportunity to realign the roadway for alignment with Rancho Santa Fe Road to the east.
Therefore, creating a four-way intersection. This proposal deviates very little from its existing
alignment proposal, yet eliminates the intersection spacing problem between Corintia and
Rancho Santa Fe Road.
-35-
Alternative A provides the opportunity for two scenarios. The first is to locate Corintia Street in
its current proposed location. This access would be located only 300 feet from the Rancho Santa
Fe Road/Melrose Avenue intersection and therefore not conform to Prime Arterial Standards.
This access would also be restricted to right turns in and out, therefore forcing residents which
utilized Corintia Street to redistribute onto other streets.
The second is to relocate Corintia Street to the south to access Rancho Santa Fe Road at La
Costa Meadows Road. This would alleviate the potential problems created by Corintia Street
being located to close to the Rancho Santa Fe RoadDlelrose Drive intersection.
Intersection SDacing
Both Alternative A and B propose and maintain intersection spacing which does not conform
to the City of Carlsbad Prime Arterial Standards of 2,600 feet. Spacing between the Rancho
Santa Fe Road/Melrose Drive intersection and the realigned of Rancho Santa Fe Road/Questhaven
$Road intersection is proposed to be 2,800 feet. Yet the existing La Costa Meadows Drive and
other existing driveways, although proposed to be right turn in and out access points, are
currently not, nor are proposed to be in conformance to the spacing standard.
Cadencia Street and MAG. Promrt~ Intersection
The existing Cadencia Street, which provides access to the La Costa Vale residential subdivision,
is proposed to access the realigned Rancho Santa Fe Road via the existing Rancho Santa Fe
Road. As Figure 3 illustrates, it is proposed to bisect the northern portion of the MAG. Property
and intersect the realigned Rancho Santa Fe Road, directly across from the southern portion of
the MAG. Property. It is recommended that a full intersection be constructed at this point.
This will allow access to and from the existing Rancho Santa Fe Road and the proposed MAG.
property development. Although this intersection is proposed to be located approximately 2,000
feet from the intersection of La Costa Avenue, deficient of the Prime Arterial Standard, it is
expected to provide a necessary intersection.
F’uture Access to Rancho Santa Fe Road
Since Rancho Santa Fe Road is located in steep tenain and bounded by reservoirs to the east,
additional roadway access is a concern. As discussed previously, Melrose Drive is proposed by
the City of Carisbad and the County of San Diego to extend to the southeast to connect to the
proposed SA-680. This roadway will be necessary for property located within the City of Carlsbad
to have access to Rancho Santa Fe Road.
There is approximately 7,100 feet between the proposed realigned Questhaven Road intersection
and the proposed Cadencia StreetlMAC. Property Access intersection. This allows a maximum
of two additional access points between the two intersections based upon Prime Arterial
Standards. These access points should be determined in the near future.
To summarize, Alternatives A and B provide the following advantages and disadvantages:
,Alternative 4
Advantages
- Direct access to industrial property north of the existing La Costa Meadows
Eliminates existing Rancho Santa Fe/Melrose Intersection skew.
Industrial Park.
-
Disadvantage - A possible 840 northbound left turn pocket conflicting with Rancho Santa Fe
A possible major relocation of Corintia Street to connect with Rancho Santa Fe
Road/La Costa Meadows Drive intersection. -
Road at La Costa Meadows Drive.
-36-
1
Alternative B
Advantages - Access to Corintia Street deviates very little h-om proposed alignment.
Eliminates existing Rancho Santa Fernelrose intersection skew. -
-.
-37-
Pisadvan tages -.
No direct access to industrial property north of existing La Costa Meadows
Industrial Park. Access would be taken at La Costa Meadows Drive.
SUMMARY
This study has examined traffic factors related to the proposed Rancho Santa Fe Road
realignment and widening in the City of Carlsbad.
Alternative One (proposed realignment and widening), Alternative Wo (existing alignment and
widening), and Alternative Three (existing roadway) have been discussed and shown that
Alternative One is superior based upon City of Carlsbad Street Design Criteria. The roadway
skew north of La Costa Avenue is in conformance to City Standards.
The majority of road construction should occur with minimal detouring and road closures. A
~ temporary road would necessitate construction between Questhaven Road and Melrose Drive.
Truck rerouting would occur as the proposed road would be constructed on the old bypass
route. A detailed construction plan, listing all timing, traffic and safety issues, should be
developed by the contractors involved.
.c
No intersections are cuwently operating acceptably based upon the ICU methodology of
intersection analyses. Based upon HCM, the unsignalized intersection of Rancho Santa Fe Road
at La Costa Meadows Drive and Questhaven Road have certain movements operating
unacceptably. No road segments are currently operating unacceptably based upon the peak hour
analysis.
Based upon the SANDAG model to project volumes in 1995, no intersections would operate
unacceptably utilizing proposed geometrics both with and without the SA-680 connection.
Three road segments are projected to operate unacceptably utilizing existing road segment
geometrics both with and without the SA-680 connection. All road segments are expected to
operate acceptably with proposed geornetrics both with and without the SA-680 connection.
-38-
Based upon the SANDAG model to project volumes in post Year 2010, no intersections would
operate unacceptably utilizing proposed geometrics both with and without the SA-680
connection. Five road segments are projected to operate unacceptably utilizing existing road
segments both with and without the SA-680 connection. All road segments are expected to
operate acceptably with the proposed geometrics both with and without the SA-680 connection.
Both Melrose Drive forming a 'Tt into Rancho Santa Fe Road and Rancho Santa Fe Road
forming a '*Tt in Melrose Drive were discussed and its impacts upon the road system discussed.
Access to the industrial property north of the existing La Costa Meadows Industrial Park would
be dependent upon the intersection configuration of Rancho Santa Fe Road as Melrose Drive.
A further detailed study of grade separating Rancho Santa Fe Road, between Questhaven Road
and Melrose Drive is necessary.
Corintia Street alignment and proposed realignment is dependent upon the Rancho S~ta Fe -
Road and Melrose Drive intersection configuration.
Cadencia Street is proposed to utilize part of the existing Rancho Santa Fe Road and intersect
with the MAG. property.
MITIGATION MEASURES
1. Construct intersection and road segment geornetrics as proposed for Year 1995 without
the SA-680 connection. Retain right-of-way that would be necessary for post Year 2010
with the SA-680 connection.
2. A detailed construction plan, listing all timing, traffic and safety issues, should be
developed by the contractors involved.
3. The Cities of Carlsbad and San Marcos should create a mechanism to decide on the
Rancho Santa Fe Road and Melrose Drive intersection configuration. Other issues related
-39-
to the configuration as discussed, yet not limited to this study, should be resolved.
,/--
4. Interim signals should be constructed at the intersections of Rancho Santa Fe Road at
La Costa Meadows and Questhaven Road prior to roadway construction. Signalization
should also be in place at project completion.
5. Rancho Santa Fe Road, between the existing Cadencia Street and the proposed
intersection of the MAG. property should remain open.
* * 8 * * *
We trust that this study is of assistance to you, the Cities of Carlsbad and San Marcos and the
County of San Diego. If you have any questions or comments, please contact us.
P, Respectfully submitted,
WESTON PRINGLE & ASSOCIATES
Weston S. Pringle, P.E.
Registered Professional Engineer
State of California Numbers C16828 & TR565
WSP:hd
900660
APPENDIX A
EXPLANATION OF INTERSECTION CAPACITY UTILIZATION
AND
LML OF SERVICE
r" APPENDMA
E?CPIANA~ON OF INTERS ECTION CAPACITY UTI UZATION
The capacity of a street is nearly always greater between intersection and less at
intersections. The reason for this is that the traffic flows continuously between
intersections and only part of the time at intersections. To study intersection capacity,
a technique known as Intersection Capacity Utilization (ICU) has been developed. ICU
analysis consists of (a) determining the proportion of signal time needed to serve each
conflicting movement; @) summing the times for the movements; and (c) comparing the total time required to the time available. For example, if for north-south traffic the
northbound traffic is 1,000 vehicles per hour, the southbound traffic is 800 vehicles per
hour, and the capacity of either approach is 2,000 vehicles per hour of green, then the
northbound traffic is critical and requires 1,000/2,000 or 50 percent of the signal time.
If for the east-west traffic, 40 percent of the signal time is required, then it can be seen
that the ICU is 50 plus 40, or 90 percent. When left-turn phases exist, they are
incorporated into the analysis. As ICU's approach 100 percent, the quality of traffic
service approaches Level ofservice (LOS) E, as defined in the Hivhwav CaDacitv Manual,
Special Report 87, Highway Research Board, 1965.
Level of Service is used to describe quality of traffic flow. Levels of Service A to C
operate quite well. Level of Service D is typically the Level of Service for which an urban
street is designed. Level of Service E is the maximum volume a facility can accommodate
and will result in possible stoppages of momentary duration. Level of Service F occurs
when a facility is overloaded and is characterized by stop-and-go traffic with stoppages
of long duration. A description of the various levels of service appears on the following
page.
The ICU calculations assume that an intersection is signalized and that the signal is
ideally timed. Although calculating ICU for an unsignalized intersection is not valid, the
presumption is that a signal can be installed and the calculation shows whether the
geometrics are capable of accommodating the expected volumes. It is possible to have
an ICU well below 1.0, yet have severe traffic congestion. This would occur because one
or more movements is not getting enough time to satisfjr its demand with excess time
existing on other moves.
.-
Capacity is often defined in terms of roadway width. However, standard lanes have
approximately the same capacity whether they are 11 foot or 14 foot lanes. Our data
indicates a typical lane, whether a through lane or left-turn lane has a capacity of
approximately 1600 vehicles per lane per hour of green time. The 1985 Hichwav
CaDacitv Manual found capacities of 1800 vehicles per land per hour of green time;
however the 1600 value has been widely utilized and results in a conservative analysis.
/"4
APPENDMA
LEVEL OF SERVICE DESCRIPTIONS
LEVEL OF
SERVICE
NOMINAL RANGE OF ICU (a)
A Low volumes; high speeds; speed not restricted by other vehicles; 0.00 * 0.60
all signal cycles clear with no vehicles; all signal cycles clear
with no vehicles waiting through more than one signal cycle.
B Operating speeds beginning to be affected by other traffic;
between one and ten percent of the signal cycles have one or
more vehicles which wait through more than one signal cycle
during peak traffic periods.
0.61 - 0.70
C Operating speeds and maneuverability closely controlled by other 0.71 * 0.80
traffic; between 11 and 30 percent of the signal cycles have one or
more vehicles which wait through more than one signal cycle during
peak traffic periods; recommended ideal design standard.
D Tolerable operating speeds; 31 to 70 percent of the signal cycles have 0.81 - 0.90
one or more vehicles which wait through more than one signal cycle
during traffic periods; often used as design standard in urban areas.
E Capacity; the maximum trafic volumes an intersection can 0.91 * 1.00
accommodate restricted speeds; 71 to 100 percent of the signal cycles
have one or more vehicle which wait through more than one signal
cycle during peak traffic periods.
F Long queues of traffic; unstable flow; stoppages of long duration;
trafic volume and traffic speed can drop to zero; traffic volume
will be less than the volume which occurs at Level of Service E.
Not Meaningful
:L; ICU (Intersection Capacity Utilization) at various Levels of Sem'ce
versus Level of Service E for urban arterial streets.
APPENDIX B
ICU WORKSHEETS
WITHOUT MELROSE SOUTH CONNECTION TO SA-680
I ---_-
130 '16W 1 360 loo 11230
I :E 230 50 ( 260 420 la0
I
I
PROJECI: RMICWO SAW11 FE RW) EM
IWIERVM: PN PEM HOUR zm:
IIlERSECllOll: RANCHO MA FE W I LA COS11 1VEvEIIuL (UIlHOUI KLMKE SWlH 10 6EO)
I I
f
PROlECl: RANCHO SANlA FE ROAD EIR
INIERVAL: M PEM HOUR ZONE:
INTERSECIION: RANCHO SANIA FE ROAD i IRLROSE AWE SWIH (YIIHOUI ELROSE SOUIH IO mol
PROlECl: RANCHO Wld FE RIMD EIR
IITERVAL: W PEAK HOUR ZM:
INTERSICIIMI: RANCHO Wld Ff RMlO I W&IA SIRfEIIH.A.6. PROPlRlt (MllHwT ELROSE SMnH 10 680)
I
W IORIHBWIID, 5 = SOUIHBWWO
1 5 lEFl, 1 = IHRWQ. R : RIGHI H.S. = IO1 SI6NALIZEO 10s = lEVE1 OF SERVICE
1 MHOlES CRITICAL HOVEHEITS
t = Ensiem, Y = yEsrnow)
FROJECI: RANCHO SANll F€ ROAD EIR
INIERVAL: AH PEAK HWR ZONE :
IWlERSECIlMI: RAHCHO SMIM FE ROAD I MLROSE MIVFWUE NORM (YIIHOTH KLROSE EXlfNSlOn SWlH 10 680 I RAWCHO '1')
N = NORlH8OUWO, 5 = SOUIHBWWD E = EASTBOUNO Y YESlBDUND 1 = LEFl, 1 ='lHRWGH, R = RlMll
10s = LEVEL Of SERVICE a MNOlES CRlflCAL I#WEIW"
N.S. = SIWLIZEO
-.
APPENDIX B.1
ICU WORKSHEETS
1
WTH MELROSE SOUTH CONNECTION TO SA-680
\ i
PROJICI: RANCHO SIN11 fE ROAO EIR
INlERWAL: AII PEM HOUR ZONE:
INIERSECIIOW: RANCHO SAM14 ff ROAO I 11 COST1 AUEM (YITH ELROSE SOUlH TO SUO)
PROIECI: RllllFrm WM FE InMO EIR ZONE: INTERVAL: M PEAK HOUR IIlERSfCIION: RANCHO SANIA FE RMID I RLROSE AUEM SWTH (YIIH NELROSl SWlH TO 690)
PROJECI: RAWCllO WlA FE 110110 EIR
InTfRvM: PI1 EM rrmR tm:
INlERSECIlOW: RANCHO ShNlA It RMI I lRLRDSE MLVEIIIIF SWlH (YITH KLROSE SWlH TO 680)
PROJECI: RANCHO SANM fE R(M0 EIR 7nw :
IMIEW~~ AH PEM HOUR IIIERSECTIOW: RA"I SMlA FE RW, I OulSlHAvEM ROAD (YIIH IIELROSE AMWUE SWlH 10 680)
IIlEh~~ W PEAK HOUR IMlERSECllOW: RMHO MIA fE RW, I OUESIMUEI RMO (YIIH NELROSE AMWUE SOUlH 10 SUO]
\ \
PROlfCI: RANCHO MNlA FE ROAD EIR
IWIERVAL: A11 PEAK HMlR ZW:
INIERSECIIDW: RllNCHO MIA FE ROM I LA COSlA llEM)(WIS DRIVE (YIIH MLROSE SWIH 10 680 I RMCHO '1')
PROIECI: RANCHO ULWlA FE ROM EIR
IWIERVAL: 911 PEM m)(lR /OM:
IWIERSECIION: RANCHO W1A FE ROIW) I11 COSIA NEM)oys DRIVE (YITH NELWSE SWlH 10 680 1 RMCIIO '1.1
I I
\ PRO Ecli RANCHO SANlA ff ROAD EIR
INIEWAL~ An PEAK HWR /ONE
INIERSECIION: RANCHO SANlA FE ROAD I MLROSE ANNIE NORlH (YIIH LLROSE EXlENSlON SWlH 10 680 I RMCW '1')
i
_-
APPENDIX B.2
1985 HIGHWAY CAPACITY MANUAL
FOR
UNSIGNALIZED INTERSECTION WORKSHEETS
CAPACITY AND LEVEL-OF-SERVICE Page-3 .....................................................................
POTEN- ACTUAL
FLOW- TIAL MOVEMENT SHARED RESERVE
RATE CAPACITY CAPACITY CAPACITY CAPACITY
MOVEMENT v(pcph) c (pcph) c (pcph) c (pcph) c p c - v LOS
P M SH R SH ------- -------- --------- ------------ ------------ ---
MINOR STREET
WB LEFT 57 45 32 c 32 -25 c F
RIGHT 132 742 742 c 742 0 610 0 A
c 97 0 -93 CF
MAJOR STREET
SB LEFT 138 382 382 382 244 C
IDENTIFYING INFORMATION
NAME OF THE EAST/WEST STREET...... QUESTHAVEN ROAD
NAME OF THE NORTH/SOUTH STREET.... RANCHO SANTA FB ROAD
DATE AND TIME OF THE ANALYSIS..... 12/20/90 ; AM PEAK HOUR
OTHER INFORMATION....
CAPACITY AND LEVEL-OF-SERVICE Page-3 .....................................................................
POTEN- ACTUAL
FLOW- TIAL MOVEMENT SHARED RESERVE
RATE CAPACITY CAPACITY CAPACITY CAPACITY
MOVEHENT v(pcph) c (pcph) c (pcph) c (pcph) c = c - v LOS
P M SH R SH ------- -------- --------- ------------ ------------ ---
MINOR STREET
WB LEFT 47 41 18 O 18 0 -29 O F
RIGHT 75 695 695 O 695 O 620 O A
O 44 0 -78 OF
MAJOR STREET
SB LEFT 209 324 324 324 115 D
IDENTIFYING INFORMATION
NAME OF THE EAST/WEST STREET...... QUESTHAVEN ROAD
NAME OF THE NORTH/SOUTH STREET.... RANCHO SANTA FE ROAD
DATE AND TIME OF THE ANALYSIS..... 12/20/90 ; PM PEAK HOUR
OTHER INFORMATION....
.....................................................................
CAPACITY AND LEVEL-OF-SERVICE Page-3 .....................................................................
MINOR STREET
WB LEFT 19 41 0
RIGHT 53 5 58 558
MAJOR STREET
0
558
SB LEFT 343 340 340 340
-19 F
505 A
-3 F
IDENTIFYING INFORMATION
NAME OF THE EAST/WEST STREET...... LA COSTA MEADOWS DRIVE
NAME OF THE NORTH/SOUTH STREET.... RANCHO SANTA FE ROAD
DATE AND TIME OF THE ANALYSIS..... 12/20/90 ; AM PEAK HOUR
OTHER INFORMATION....
.....................................................................
CAPACITY AND LEVEL-OF-SERVICE Page-3 .....................................................................
POTEN- ACTUAL
FLOW- TIAL MOVEMENT SHARED RESERVE
RATE CAPACITY CAPACITY CAPACITY CAPACITY
MOVEMENT v(pcph) c (pcph) c (pcph) c (pcph) c = c - v LOS
P M SH R SH ------- -------- --------- ------------ ------------ ---
MINOR STREET
WB LEFT 138 42 36
RIGHT 300 572 572
36 -102 F
572 272 C
MAJOR STREET
SB LEFT 73 361 361 361 288 C
IDENTIFYING INFORMATION
NhWE OF THE EAST/WEST STREET...... LA COSTA MEADOWS DRIVE
NAME OF THE NORTH/SOUTH STREET.... RANCHO SANTA FE ROAD
DATE AND TIME OF THE ANALYSIS..... 12/20/90 : PH PEAK HOUR
OTHER INFORMATION....
.....................................................................
--.
APPENDIX C
CALTRANS PEAK HOUR SlGNALlZATlON WARRANT
-.
E 400 >
1 00
Flgure 9-20
PEAK HOUR VOLUME WARRANT
(RURAL AREAS)
* *
300 400 500 800 700 800 900 1000 1100 1200 1300
MAJOR STREET-TOTAL OF BOTH APPROACHES-VPH
* NOTE: 100 VPH APPLIES AS THE LOWER THRESHOLD VOLUME FOR A MINOR STREET APPROACH
WITH TWO OR MORE LANES AND 75 VPH APPLIES AS THE LOWER THRESHOLD VOLUME
FOR A MINOR STREET APPROACHING WITH ONE LANE.
APPENDIX D
CITY OF CARLSBAD
ROAD SEGMENT STANDARDS
-.
CITY OF CARLSBAD CIRCULATION ELEMENT
TYPICAL STREET CROSS SECTIONS1
1 1 lfhese illustrations represent typical Cross sections of the
streets aescritxc in the Circlriarion Element. They are
not intenoea 10 represent aosolute standards. 12
APRIL 1985
KEY
RIW = RIGHT OF WAY t - CENTER LINE
PL - PROPERTY LINE
s
PRIME ARTERIAL STREET
2% SLOPE
RMI - 102' MAJOR ARTERIAL STREET
2% SLOPE
SECONDARY ARTERIAL STREET
2% SLOPE
COLLECTOR STREET
RMI-60'0
L -
FOR CONTROLLED COLLECTOR, RM - 68' AND CURB-TOCURB WIDTH MUST BE 48'.
LOCAL STREET
RMI - 60'3 < - PL 10.12' I - 40.3 110-12' PL
FOR CULS-DE-SAC. R~W MAY BE REDUCED TO 56' AND CURB-TOCURB WIDTH TO 36'.
--
APPENDIX E
CITY OF CARLSBAD
STREET DESIGN CRITERIA
i
-----
t 1 i I I i~rnmi Spacirig
t iritersections
1' i (111 t-of-Way
! I;.:. Grade
!in. Grade __
PRIME mmm
40,000
or mre
60 ~rph,
2600 '
126 '
None -
106 '
18' dim
9.
6AC
6AB
525'
1150'
7%
0.5%
\
CITY OF CARLSBAD
STREET DESIGN CRITERIA
20,000 to 5,000 to
40,000 20,000
50 npli 40 nor
t
1200' I 6oo'
other is
possible
64 '
ndian
8.5 8.0
350' I 275'
!m7Em
500 to
5,000
20 npli
300'
60' or
68'
Ok
40' or
48 '
6.0
4 AC
6I\B
200 '
300'
12%
0.5%
-
30 nph
300 '
72 '
Ok
52 '
7.0
4Ac
6Af3
200 '
300 '
7%
0.5%
La3u.J snum
500 Elax
a 1
JGDE-SX
150 '
(TIS only
60 '
Ok
56 ' 50' Bulb
Ok
150 ' -----
24' 40'-60'
Ok I--
40' 36 ' 24' 32'"
40' bulb
5.0 4.5 4 .O 5.0
3nc 3.0 AC 3Ac 3AC
6AI3 6AB 4AB 6AB
1CO ' 160 '
200' 200 ' ---- 150'**
---I 160 '
12% 12% -_-- 15%
0.5% 0.5% 0.51 0.5%
* Parking Limited to me side, ** fleduction to 20 rrpli design speed 150' radius with appmval oE City Ehgheer *** OIie mid block right tuni in/out access on arterial streets may be all& With approval
of City Ehgineer
EXIIBIT D
,-
Appendix G:
Archaeological and Historical Survey
Roth and Associates
e!!
ARCHAEOLOGICAL AND HISTORICAL SURVEY 700 ACRES CITY OF CARLSBAD RANCHO SANTA FE ROAD REALIGNMENT ROUTE AND FIELDSTONE/LA COSTA A~~~IATES MASS GRADING PLAN
PREPARED FOR:
COTTON BELAND ASSOCIATES, INC. 619 South Vulcan Ave, Suite 205 Encinitas, California 92024
PREPARED BY:
ROT" AND ASSOCIATES 2707 Congress Street uite 2A San Diegflk.iforni$2110 June 1990
rc /'
' Linda Roth
TABLE OF CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION .............. 1
SEITING ................. 3
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY .......... 8
RECORD SEARCH RESULTS/
BACKGROUND DATA ......... 12
SURVEY METHODOLOGY ........... 35
SURVEY RESULTS ............. 38
RECOMMENDATIONS ............ 46
APPENDICES
I RECORD SEARCH VERIFICATIONS
I1 ERC TESTING RESULTS FOR A PORTION OF SITE SDi-11570
TABLES 1 . PREVIOUSLY RECORDED SITES WITHIN
2 . RADIOCARBON DATES FROM THE ONE MILE OF PROJECT AREA . 13
BATIQUITOS LAGOON REGION ..... 20
FIGURES 1 . Thomas Guide Vicinity Map ..... 5
2 . U.S.G.S. Location Map ....... 6
3 . Property Boundary Map ....... 7
4 . Previous Areas of Study ...... 18
5 . Rancho Encienitos (sic) Plat ... 27
6 . 1879 Wagner Survey ........ 28
7 . 1889 Dorn Survey ......... 29
8 . 1901 U.S.G.S. Escondido Quad ... 30 9 . 1913 Alexander Plat ........ 31
10 . 1928 Aerial Photograph ...... 32
11 . 1946 U.S.G.S. Escondido Quad ... 33 12 . 1953 Aerial Photograph ...... 34 13 . Project Sites Locations ..... 39
14 . W-941 Location .......... 41 15 . SDi-11569/SDi-11570 Locations . . 43 16 . RSFR #1 Location ......... 45
.
._
/-- INTRODUCTION
In April of 1990, the Cultural Resource Management firm of ROTH AND
ASSOCIATES was retained by CO”ON/BELAND ASSOCIATES, INC. to conduct a
cultural resources survey for the Rancho Santa Fe Road Environmental Impact
Report.
Carlsbad 4 miles east of the juncture of Batiquitos Lagoon and the Pacific Ocean,
involves the realignment and improvement of Rancho Santa Fe Road and mass
grading of portions of the surrounding environment by Fieldstone/La Costa
Associates. The irregular-shaped parcel, bisected by the north-south
alignment of Rancho Santa Fe Road, is roughly bounded on the north by
Questhaven and San Marcos Creek; on the south by La Costa Ave. and Calle
de Fuente; on the west by San Marcos Creek and undeveloped lands east of
El Camino Real; and on the east by the City of Carlsbad city limits. It
includes undeveloped land within primarily Sections 31 and 32 and smaller
portions of Sections 5,6,29 and 30, Township 12s Range 3W
Santa Fe Quadrangle.
The approximate 700 acre study area, located within the City of
U.S.G.S. Rancho
/“ The investigation involved both field reconnaissance and literature
review.
the South Coastal Information Center, San Diego State Unviersity in order to
identify all previously recorded resources located within a one-mile radius of
the project boundaries. Forty-eight sites including historic adobes, mine
shafts, prehistoric lithic quarrys, lithic scatters, shell middens and extensive
prehistoric village sites are represented.
area with over 75% of the area surveyed and over 150 sites recorded is one of
the most thomqhly
As a result of the record searches, six sites were plotted as occurring within and
-adjacent to the project boundaries. As a part of the survey, attempts were
made to relocate these resources and assess them as to significance and future
research potential.
aerial photographs were obtained to document the historic use of the study area.
Although portions of the area have been included as parts of at least 12 previous
reports, the current ROTH AND ASSOCIATES investigation involved a near 100%
on-foot survey.
Record searches were conducted at the San Diego Museum of Man and
The larger La Costa/Batiquitos
studied areas within the greater San Diego County area.
In addition to conducting record searches, -early maps and
.r
1
As a result of the survey, three of the previously recorded sites and
one additional site (all prehistoric) were located and assessed.
methodology and results of the reconnaissance and archival research and
initial testing recommendations for each of the four identified resources
is presented in the following document.
The
-1
2
r' SFITING
The approximate 700 acre study area is located within the City of
Carlsbad four miles east of the juncture of Batiquitos Lagoon and the
Pacific Ocean. The irregularly shaped parcel, bisected by the north-south
alignment of Rancho Santa Fe Road includes undeveloped land within primarily
Sections 31 and 32 and smaller portions of Sections 5,6,29 and 30 of T12S
R3W of the U.S.G.S. Rancho Santa Fe Quadrangle. The acreage is roughly bounded
by Questhaven and San Marcos Creek on the north; La Costa Ave. and Calle de
Fuente on the south; San Marcos Creek and undeveloped land east of El Fuerte
Streetmthe west and the City of Carlsbad boundary on the east (Figures #1 & #2).
Housing tracts occur'on the east side of Rancho Santa Fe Road at the southern
boundary of the project and along the west side of Rancho Santa Fe Road at the
south/southwest boundary.
intersection of Rancho Santa Fe and Questhaven roads.
acreage on the west side of Rancho Santa Fe Road has been severely impacted
by borrowing activities, construction and mass grading-associated dumping
activities, and soil removal which, by analyzing the historic maps, seems to
have occurredprirnarily
likely occurring in the early 1950's.
Reservoir and transmission line access roads, the east side of the study
area is comparatively undisturbed.
Light industrial development is occurring near the
The portion of the
c
in the past fifteen years with the Borrowing most
With the exception of the Denk
Topographically, the project area is hilly containing a series of
drainages and ridges.
over 9OO'AMSL in elevation then drops to the south to the head of an
intermittent drainage.
escarpment of San Marcos Creek occurs along the northwest boundary.
Geologically the area is underlain primarily by Jura-Trias metavolcanic rocks
with mesozoic granitics occurring in the north, northeast corner. The meta-
wolcanic rocks consist of massive greenstone,, breccias, tuff, rhyolite, bluish
gray metaconglomerates and quartz-feldspar granulite. Review of the geology
and soils maps icdicate that this acreage is where geology and soils change
from marine deposits to metavolcanics and granitics.
soil is classified as San Miguel-Exchequer rocky silt loams (50% San Miguel
silt loam/lO% Exchequer silt loam and 10% rock).
from metavolcanic rock and typically have a clay subsoil.
The ridgeline in the northernmost portion reaches
The slope exceeds 24% in this area. The steep
The majority of the
P
These soils were derived
The upper areas
around San Marcos Creek and the mountain ridge along the eastern boundary
contain Exchequer rocky siltloam with 2-10% of the area containing exposed
rock outcrops.
hard metabasic whitish and greenish rock.
sandy loam occurs in the northeast.
granodiorite boulders (several bedrock milling features have been previously
recorded in this area).
exposed bedrock that would have been suitable for prehistoric milling purposes.
Raw materials that could have been used for lithic tool production area
exposed wrthin the .study.area but as highly weathered and fractured
chunks and nodules of. varied sizes: no Passive outcrop 'k~fe located but a few exposed veins
were visible.
prehistoric quarry sites because "felsite", a generic term applied to lava that
has cooled less rapidly than others and is therefore dense and light in color,
does occur specifically in the
historic borrow activity and massive dumping of calcerous sandstone chunks,
dump truck piles and dump trails, mechanically scooped out areas, and general
heavy equipment movement over the area havenot only disrupted those areas which
may have contained prehistoric quarrys but have also created hundreds of "tractor-
facts" throughout this portion of the acreage.
These yellowish-red soils formed in material weathered from
A patch of Cienba rocky coarse
This soil is typified by very large
The majority of the property contains little
During the survey care was taken to locate any possible
half of tho project area. However,
Vegetation includes coastal sage scrub, chaparral, grassland, riparian
woodland and eucalyptus; Undisturbed acreage containing thick, nearly
impassable stands of chaparral. Portions of the ridge system along the east/
southeast boundary have been recently denuded of vegetation by fire.
allowing near perfect ground visibility in this particular area.
Thus
1
ROTH AND ASSOCIATES
1990 THOMAS GUIDE
figure 1
VICINITY MAP
5
ROTH AND ASSOCIATES
__
figure 2
L 0 CA TION MAP
6
rc-
R
Rancho S8nt8 F*
La Comtr Val
figure 3
7
-.
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
Prior to the actual field survey of the Rancho Santa Fe Road Realignment
acreage, a degree of archival research was conducted in order to 1) identify
the location bf all previously recorded cultural resources within the subject
boundaries and 2) develop an understanding of historic use of the area.
Record searches were conducted at the San Diego Museum of Man and the South
Coastal Information Center, San Diego State University.
searches, it was found that during surveys of varying intensity since the
1930's, six sites had been recorded within the boundaries.
were acquired from the various Cultural Resource Management reports generated
for this area that dealt specifically with the sites of direct concern.
As a result of these
Pertinent data
In order to understand the historic land use of the area and locate,
if possible prior to survey, likely areas of historic occupation, maps and
aerial photographs were acquired from the San Diego Historical Society
Archives, the San Diego County Department of Planning and Land Use Maps and
Records Division and the San Diego County Aerial Photo Bank.
resources had been located during the survey, more extensive land ownership
data would have been acquired.
inspected
If historic
The following maps and photographs were
(several have been included within this report).
1879 Township/Range Map Thomas Wagner
1887 Township/Range Map R.O. Hamnond Jr.
1889 Dorn Survey
1890 Beasley Map of San Diego County
1893 Plat Map (no author) 1913 Alexander Plat
1923 Rodney Stokes Map of San Diego County
1932 O.M. Swope Partial Survey L.S. Map #443 1901 U.S.G.S. 15' Escondido Quadrangle
1913 U.S.G.S. 15' Escondido Quadrangle (1901 reprinted/updated)
1937 U.S.G.S. 15' Escondido Quadrangle (1901 reprinted/updated)
1946 U.S.G.S. 15' Escondido Quadrangle (1901 reprinted/updated) 1968 U.S.G.S. Rancho Santa Fe Quadrangle
1983 U.S.G.S. Rancho Santa Fe Quadrangle (photorevised)
1927 Aerial 1953 Aerial
1988 Orthophoto
Rancho Los Encienitos (sic) Diseno n.d.
1981 San Diego County Mining Guide
-_
8
The following Cultural Resource Managment reports are on file at the
South Coastal Information Center, San Diego State University. Each supplies
additional information regarding survey and testing methodologies and analysis
for the resources recorded in the vicinity of the Rancho Santa Fe Road Realignmenr:
project. Each of the prehistoric cultural traditions and historic eras
discussed in the .following section is represented within the bounds of the search,
indicating that although the specific study area has a paucity of sites, this
general area of San Diego County has contained resources attractive to human
occupation for at least the past 10,000 years.
Advance Planning and Research Associates
Apple, Stephen and Richar Om0
1977
1983
Copper Creek Hills Subdivision, Olivehain, California.
An Archaeological Evaluation of W-920 and W-921 Santa Fe
Ridge Carlsbad, California.
An Archaeological Assessment of W-915 La Costa Meadowbrook,
Carlsbad, California
Apple, Stephen 1980
Berryman, Stanley
1977 Archaeological Investigation of the Gaty and Denk Reservoirs and Water Transmission Line
Bissell, Ron and Rod Raschkle 1988 Cultural and Paleontological Resources Literature Review of the
1988 Cultural and Paleontological Resources Literature Review of
Rancho Santa Fe and Questhaven Business Center
the Carlsbad La Costa Project Area
Bull, Charles
1976 Radial Posthole Tests at la Costa Far South includes Santa
1976 Archaeological Investigations at Santa Fe Knolls
1976 A Reevaluation of Archaeological Salvage Report, Loma Del
Fe Knolls
Cielo
Carrico, Richard and Dennis Gallegos
1985 The La Costa Site SDi-4405 (W-945) 7000 Before Present.
Cheever, Dayle and Dennis Gallegos
1986 Cultural Resource Survey of Industrial Parcel #096 San Marcos
1986
1975 La Costa Master Plan and General Plan Amendment
Cultural Resource Survey of Industrial Parcel #097 San Marcos
City of Carlsbad
9
Cook, John 1977 Archaeological Reconnaissance of the Copper Creek Hills
Lot Split
Eckhardt, William
1977 Archaeological Survey of the Assessment Districts Numbers 76-1 and 76-3 San Marcos County Water District
Gallegos, Dennis 1990 Cultural Resource Survey of the Land Pac Project
1990 Cultural Resource Testing Program for the University
1989 Cultural Resource Survey of the Rancho Santa Fe Road
1989 Cultural Resource Survey and Testing of a Portion of
Commons Project
Alignment, Carlsbad, California
Site SDi-4872 (W-982) for the Olienhain Road Alignment,
Car 1 s bad
1986 Cultural Resource Survey Industrial Parcel #097, San Marcos
1986 Cultural Resource Survey of Industrial Parcel #096 San Marcos
1986 Early and Late Period Occupation at Rogers Ridge (W-182)
1985 The la Costa Site: W-945: 7000 Years Before Present
Car 1 sbad
Hector, Susan 1983 Report on the Monitoring and Preservation of the
Great Western Archaeological Site, Rancho Santa Fe.
Kaldenberg , Russell 1980 Re-examination of the Boudaries of W-49 Rancho Park North for a Protection Plan to be Implemented as
the Result of Vista Del Rios, Encinitas
1976 An Intensive ARchaeological Reconnaissance of the La Costa
Land Company Property, Carlsbad
1976 An Archaeolgoical Impact Report on La Costa Far South
Including Santa Fe Knolls
1975 Archaeological Investigations at Rancho CArrillo Estates
1975 An Archaeological Resource Impact Report for Lakeshore
1974 Results of Archaeological Mitigation of Great Western Sites
Farms Unit One and Hillsdale Farms
A and C Located on Proposed Rancho Park North Developement
Near Olivehain
Excavation at Santa Fe Glens (W-181A) Carlsbad
1974 The Results of a Five Percent Archaeological Test
Recon 1982 Environmental Impact Report for the Woolley Annexation
1976 Draft EIR for San Marcos Assembly Hall
Robbins-Wade, Susan and Tim Gross 1989 Archaeological Testing Program and Data Recovery ?lan for
Santa Fe Highlands (The Rice Property), Carlsbad
-.
10
Seeman, Larry
Talley, Paige and Charles Bull
1982 Draft E1R:Revised Parks and Recreation Element, Carlsbad
1980 Impact Mitigation Report for Rancheros de la Costa.
11
RECORD SEARCH RESULTS/ BACKGROUND DATA
Record searches were conducted at the San Diego Museum of Man and the
South Coastal Information Center, San Diego State University to identify
all prehistoric and historic resources plotted within a one mile radius of
the project area.
survey and as a result of these reconnaissances, forty-eight'sites have been
recorded within the defined record search area.
resources, both prehistoric and historic, are clustered to the north and
south of the current study area within flatter, more open areas north of
San Marcos Creek and along an intermittent drainage leading into Encinitas
Creek.
subjected to archaeological survey between 1959-1990.
previous investigations, six prehistoric sites were recorded as occurring
within the project area, two immediately adjacent to a property boundary.
During the on-foot survey attempts were made to relocate these recorded
resources and reassess their potential significance according to established
guidelines. Outside the boundaries sites include historic adobes, mine shafts,
prehistoric lithic quarries, lithic scatters, shell middens and extensive
prehistoric occupation/village sites.
boundaries include an isolated slick (W-2210), small shell and lithic scatter
(15-941). small shell scatter (W-940), two acre San Dieguito lithic scatter (W-181),
lithic scatter (SDi-11569) and possible "early period" occupation site (SDi-
11570). Each'of these sites is discussed in the Field Results section. Five of
these recorded sites occur at the periphery of the concentrations cited above.
The results of this. current survey combined with previous studies seem. to
prove the archaeological site occurrence sensitivity criteria stated by
Russell Kaldenberg in 1975:
This portion of Carlsbad has been subjected to extensive
The majority of these
.
Nearly all the acreage included within the present study has been
As a result of these
The six sites within the project
The present Santiago Peak Metavolcanics geological unit
can be utilized in employing a basic criteria for
the absence of archaeological site sensitivity.
of La Costa where this geological unit occurs, it can be expected
that only a few archaeological sites will be located.
potential ... can be modified by the presence/absence of proximal
water sources, the coverage of dense vegetation, or ground slope.
In the areas
This
KaldenBerg 1975:34
1
-.
12
't
TABLE #1 PREVIOUSLY RECORDED SITES WITHIN ONE MILE OF PROJECT AREA
SITE # SDM-W MILLING HEARTHS CERAMICS FLAKES TOOLS SHELL DEPTH DATED AFFLI ATION RECORDER
48 X X X X X Multi Component Rogers
comments: no depth or stratigraphy; only 1 flake, 1 scraper, 1 mano remain Gross 1989
~~ ~~ ~~~ ~~
49A-F X X X X X X x 7900-8300BP/ Rogers 710BP Multi-Component Kaldenberg
comments:A,B,and C excavated/l980 re-evaluated depth at A exceeded 132cm
X X X X x 8580BP/7130 San Dieguito/ Rogers
1976
Kaldenberg 179 La Jollan
1975
X X X San Dieguito Rogers
comments: update 150111 x 50m; dark soil, 5000 flakes, lithic workshop Bull 1977 180
181 A X X X X X x 6210 BP/5170 La Jollan Rogers
Kaldenberg
+ 1974 --
180 X X San Dieguito Rogers
Kaldenherg
comments: mapped as occurring within project area but possibly relocated
south and west of pro-ject boundaries by Kaldenberg
comments: over 10 acres "May be most important site in the La Costa area"
reassessed in 1980 as a village site: 3000 flakes, sherds, cores, collected/excavated Carrillo
1975
182 X X X X X X La Jollan Rogers Kaldenberg
191 no details San Dieguito Rogers
577 X X X X Multi Component Rogers
Kaldenberg
comments: Possibly original W-181 location mitigated 886 artifacts:gone 1974
587 X X
comnents: at Leo Carrillo Ranch: lithic quarry: mitigated
San Dieguito Kaldenberg
1975
~~~
589 X
comnents: 100's of flakes: mitigated
Kaldenberg Unknown
1975
TABLE # 1 continued
SITE # SDM-W MILLING HEARTHS CERAMICS FLAKES TOOLS SHELL DEPTH DATED AFFLIATION RECORDER
659A/B X X X X X unknown Kaldenberg
comments: stone structure; pothunted; adjacent to Creek; park site Franklin 1981
896 partial burial eroding from cliff Tyson 1979
917 X X San Dieguito Kaldenberg
comments: large quarry possibly San Dieguito:preforms, flakes, cores, hammerstones 1976
918 X X X X
comments: stone cluster roasting pit excavated; mitigated
not given Kaldenberg
1976
919 X X X X 60cm 81602360 La Jollan Kaldenberg
comments: excavated in 1976 and 1980; mitigated
X X 90cm
comments: excavated postholes/4 units shell to 90cm La Jollan Kaldenberg Apple 1983
921 X X unknown Kaldenberg
comments: lithic scatter, no subsurface, collected/tested/mitigated 1980/ 1983
updates
94 1 X X Kaldenberg 1975 Bull 1976
X X X 70cm 4940270 La Jollan Kaldenberg 1975
943 X X X X unknown Kaldenberg 1975
944
~~ ~ ~
X X X unknown Kaldenberg 1975
comnents: noncontiguous surface scatter of flakes, cores, manos
945 X X
comments: surface only/lithic scatter
unknown Kaldenberg 1975
946 x (bedrock/2 mortars) X Late Prehistoric
Kaldenberg 1975
i i
TABLE I# continued
SITE # SDM-W MILLING HEARTHS CERAMICS FLAKES TOOLS SHELL DEPTH DATED AFFLIATION RECORDER
947 HISTORIC RUINS OF THE 1842 IBARRA ADOBE RANCHO ENCINITAS EXTENSIVE POTHUNTING
948 X X X X 7780t90 LaJollan Kaldenberg 1975
~~
949 X X
comments: surface only/collected and tested
Kaldenberg 1975
950 X X
comments: shell/flakes surface only/tested
Kaldenberg 1975
951 X
comments: camp
x -x X 30cm 6800280 La Jollan Kaldenberg 1975
1115 HISTORIC ORTEGA RANCH HOUSE PRESERVED ONE OF ONLY THREE IN CARLSBAD AS OF 1975
~
X X
comments: surface only
X Bull 1977/1981
1741A/B X Hedges 1977
- ~ ~- ~~ ~- ~~~~ ~ ~ - ~~ -~ ~
2210 x lslick Franklin 1979
2379 X X X Graham 1979
comments: moderate density surface lithic scatter
~- ~~ - ~ ~~ -~ - __ ~ ~ ~~ ~
2380 X Graham 1979
comments : dense 1 it hic scatter / poss ible quarry
2381 X X Graham 1979
2382 X X
comments: surface only 4 flakes/l scraper
Graham 1979
2804 X X
comments: 1 core/4 flakes/surface only
Walker 1981
2888
~~ ~
X X
comments: light lithic scatter 30 flaked3 cores surface only
Cardenas 1980
TABLE I1 continued
SITE # SDM-W MILLING HEARTHS CERAMICS FLAKES TOOLS SHELL DEPTH DATED AFFLIATION RECORDER
2889 X Cardenas 1980
3473 HISTORIC: MINE ADIT POSSIBLY ASSOCIATED WITH ENCINITAS COPPER MINING CO 1887-1917 Theskin 1984
SITE # SDi
11432 X Pigniolo 1989
~~ ~-
11433 X Pigniolo 1989
11434 X X Pigniolo 1989
comments: 9 flakes 4 shell surface only
11435H HISTORIC CEMETERY /FOUNDATION TRASH?ADOBE FRAGMENTS Pigniolo 1989
11436 x (2 slicks Pigniolo 1989
11437 rock cairn Pigniolo 1989
11441 HISTORIC ROCK WALL Pigniolo 1989
11442H HISTORIC TRASH MIXED WITH 3 lithic flakes and shell Pigniolo 1989
11483 X X 30cm Smith 1989
11569 X X X Pigniolo 1990
11570 X X Pigniolo 1990
The general Fhtiquito Lagoon/La Costa area (including the majority
of the subject property) has been subjected to intensive survey. Beginning
in the early 1930's, Malcolm Rogers of the San Diego Museum of Man explored
this area, recording 26 sites in the vicinity.
largeareal expanses under a single site number.
recorded as "3 acre concentration with 2 marginal acres of scattered occupation"
located on a hill along the rim of the north fork of Encinitas Creek.
of this site thus falling within the current study area. Rogers described the
site as representative of San Dieguito and La Jollan occupation and noted that
the site (no description of observed artifacts) was very concentrated
Typically, Rogers recorded
W-181, for example, was
Portions
probably because the surrounding mesa top is very stoney except in this one 0
area".
Encinitas Grant Plateau felsite flaking can be found ... it is the center of
the greatest concentration of San Dieguito occupation in San Diego County".
No evidence of this site could be found during the current investigation.
He further stated that "for a total distance of 1 31'4 miles along the
In 1959, the University of California Archaeological Survey, under the
direction of Claude Warren and D.L. True.led a series of surveys concentrating
on the river valleys and lagoons of San Diego County.
survey which included the western half of the current project area, thirty-
three sites were recorded around the lagoon: none within the current study
area.
by local students on sites near Encinitas Creek.
- As a result of this
In the late 1960's and early 1070's a few excavations were conducted
The majority of studies have been conducted as 8 result of passage
of the California Environmental Quality Act. In 1975 and 1976 Russell
Kaldenberg surveyed approximately 6,000 acres within the La Costa Land Company
holdings at the eastern end of the lagoon including the southern half of
the current project area. Eight sites were recorded clustered along the
southern edge of the west fork of Encinitas Creek.
(W-940 and W-941) occur within the study area.
east slope of a gently rising knoll approximately 200' north of a spring.
A scraper, possible projectile point tip and marine shell were noted within
an approximate 15m x 15m area.
was not relocated.
Two of these sites
W-940 was located on the
During the current survey, this resource
W-941 located adjacent to the spring was described
as a shell scatter with a thin scatter of flakes extending along the
c creek. This site was re-evaluated in 1976 by Bull. He concluded that
the flakes and shell "provide little substantial information of local
17
ROTH AND ASSOCIATES
RANCHO SANTA FE QUADRANGLE ~:~~~~~~-
7.6 MINUTE SERIES -Ypertofalargersurvey I -=-ldi%bePdsubjectarea.
figure 4
PREVIOUS STUDIES WITHIN SUBJECT BOUNDARIES
prehistory.
feasible mitigation requirement"(Bul1 1976: 74). W-941 was relocated during
the current investigation.
trash disposal, a small amount of marine shell and lithic debris was observed
in dark midden-like soils (See Survey Results).
Their recording with a local institution represents the only
Although impacted by a dirt road and recent
Other surveys which incorporated portions of the current acreage
include Rerryman (1982), Cook (1977), Echardt (1977), Bissel (1988),
Seeman (1982) Gallegos (1989:1990).
large Echardt survey recorded an isolated milling feature (W-2210) as
occuring along the transmission line at the 350' elevation. This isolated
feature, if in fact in was a slick and not the result of natural weathering,
was not relocated during the current survey.
Santa Fe Road was surveyed by Gallegos in 1989 with negative results.
recently, Gallegos conducted two surveys to the north and east of the
current project area ( Land Pac Project and University Commons Project).
the 40 acre University Commons Project, acreage that abuts the north boundary,
two sites were located that extend into the study area: (SDi-11569 and SDi-11570).
Both of these resources were relocated and are discussed in detail in the Field
Results section of this report.
Randy Franklin as a part of of the
The realignment of Rancho
Most
During
,-
Site specific conclusions are an important step in any archaeological
However, a site cannot merely be viewed as an isolated cultural analysis.
phenomenon. It should, if data are available, be incorporated into a larger
regional perspective.
concerning site density and site types found in the vicinity of the
Rancho Santa Fe Road Realignment project.
The discussion that follows is a brief overview
The cultural stages manifested in this area of San Diego span at
least a 9,000 year period.
resources to the south and southwest of the project area range from 8580-125
(W-179) to 550+150 (W-49C), documenting use of this region by the three
major cultural traditions: the San Dieguiteo Paleo-Indians; the La Jolla
Complex: and a late prehistoric Complex which in this particular area of the
county (between Buena Vista Lagoon and Batiquitos Lagoon)includes both
the Shoshonean-speaking Luiseno and the Yuman-speaking Kumeyaay.
Radiocarbon dates for the recorded and tested +
19
TABLE 2 RADIOCARBON DATES FROM THE BATIQUITOS LAGOON REGION
YEARS BEFORE PRESENT REFERENCE
7 30e200
3900-200 62507 150
1075$150 8707200
825-250
6329250 3400-240
6 2 10$280
5 170-230
688d280
452d250
816d360
5250$50
1210-180
5502150
365d60
264d60
4370~250 3640760
74491.1.0 7120-150
SDi-603
UCLJ-36 UCLJ-256
UCLJ-31
SDFI-w-102
SDi-213
SDM-W-l81A*
SDM-W-915
SDM-W-588
* SDM-W-919
SDM-W-106
* SDM-W-49C
SDM-W-97 3
SDM-W-977
SDM-W-147A
UCU-245
UCLJ-242 UCU-243
UCLJ-333
UCLJ-381
UCR-421
UCR-420
ucR-434
UCR-406
UCR-436
UCLJ-3484
UCLJ-3485 UCR-407
UCR-405
UCR-422
5-2823
5-3824
5-4134 5-4 133
YEARS BEFORE PRESENT REFERENCE
7060+110
710$40
690%280
8040T80
8010780 8060760 8030i80
8110-80
8280i80
1500+50
35002200
6800280
4940270
11 0950
158%60
143%60
1160-50
778d90
1460760
8580$125 7 1 30780
7430-80
SDM-W-147B
* SDM-W-49A
SDM-W-940
SDi-604
* SDM-W-951
* SDM-W-942
SDM-W-149
SDM-W-848*
* SDM-W-179
5-4135
1j-3 159 LJ-3443
UCR-432 LJ-3244 LJ-3245 LJ-3160
LJ-3246 1 j-3161
LJ-3689
1j-35
-. LJ-3719
LJ-3720
LJ-3844 LJ-3822 LJ-3820 LJ-3821
LJ-3845
LJ-3688
GAK-47 11
1j-37 17 LJ-3718
* Sites within one mile of the project boundaries
20
_-
The Son Dicguito Complex, first recorded by Malcolm Rop,crs, represents
a geographically widespread chipped stone industry.
of this tradition have been identified in four American and three Mexican
states. This complex is known to have begun prior to 9030 years B.P. and
persisted along the coast until it was replaced by the La lolla Complex prior
to 8360k years B.P.
found on mesas and ridges.
leaf-shaped knives and dart points, crescents, a few hammerstones, crude
chopping tools and some milling equipment.
recorded yitcs within a milc of the study area were identified with this
cultural tradition. This association is generally made based on extreme
patination of lithic material and skilled workmanship of the scrapers, blades
and knives.
midden soils or bone remains.
Cultural manifestations
The majority of the identified San Dieguite sites are
Artifact types include several scraper types,
At least two of the previousiy
Sites associated with the San Dieguito Complex seldom have
Unlike the San Dieguito Paleo Indians, whose assemblage suggests
emphasis on hunting, the La Jollans appear to have been primarily gatherers
of plants, seeds, and lagoon rnollusca.
of the Millingstone Horizon which thrived along the California coast from
San Luis Obispo to San Diego County.
6,000 years span of occupation.
a relatively homogeneous assemblage of zrtifacts including crude percussion-
flaked choppers, relatively unpatterned scrapers, hammerstones, and manos
and metates.
pestles are rare and many sites contain large, crude scraper planes.
Wallace postulates two possibilities for the origins of the Millingstone
peoples: 1) they developed locally from a preceding hunting tradition;
2) or they were interior food collecting peoples who spread towards the
coast; changing their gathering strategies to include marine resources.
La Jollan sites are generally found on knolls overlooking water or past
water sources,
evidenced by the depth and extent of large midden deposits.
the populations inland may have occurred when the lagoons began silting
in or may represent a seasonal round of gathering plant foods.
F
This complex is a local mainfestation
Radiocarbon dates imply at least a
Attributed to the LaJollan. peoples is
Projectile points are rare as are bone tools. Yortars and
An increase in size and stability of this complex is
Yovcment of
.-
21
Until approximately 2,000 B.P., cultural and ecological conditions
remained relatively stable.
cultures;. the La Jollan people either migrated further south into Baja
California where their culture. may have continued until 800 B.P., or they
were eventually assimilated into the later groups.
The Late Archaic Yuman-speaking Kumeyyaay
With the arrival of the Yuman and Shoshonean
came into the San Diego
County area some time prior to the desiccation of Lake Cahuilla (A.D.1600).
True, Meighan and Crew (1974) drew the linguistic boundary between the
Shoshonean speaking Luiseno and the Yuman speaking Kumeyaay as follows: from
Lake Henshaw westward and slightly southward, passing north of Escondido
and reaching the ocean just south of Oceanside. Kroeber (1925) drew the
boundary passing south of Escondido and reaching the ocean just north of
Batiquitos Lagoon.
Encinitas Rancho boundaries.
suggest that at various times the territory between Buena Vista Creek
and Batiquitos Lagoon fluctuated between Lusieno and Kumeyaay occupation
or that at some point, this area may have been shared by both traditions.
DeGrotte (1975) drew the boundary line south of the
The descrepancies in the southern boundary
In the process of adaptation to a similar environment, all Late
Prehistoric sites in San Diego County share many subsistence and basic
cultural elements; however a noticeable distinction exists between the
southern and northern area in grinding tools, containers, mortuary practices,
and to a lesser degree, projectile points.
suggests the following archaeological distinctions between Luiseno and
Kumeyaay :
More specifically, True (1966)
1. In Luiseno territory, there is no clear cut evidence of
gathered urn cremation, formalized pit burials, or the use of
grave markers.
2. Side- notched projectile points were preferred by the Kumeyaay.
3. In Lusieno sites, there are comparatively small numbers of scrapers
and scraper planes and hammerstones. However, comparatively, the
Luiseno have more cortex-backed scrapers.
4. There is a definite difference in the kinds and elaboration of the
ceramics.
5. Steatite artifacts are uncommon in Luiseno territory.
6. There tends to a predominance of quartz in Lusieno sites.
Kumeyaay used a wide array of lithics including obsidian, felsite
and desert imports.
The
22
,/--'
In discussing the Luiseno and Kumeyaay cultural traditions, True,
Meighan and Crew conclude that in southern California, ". . .adaptation to an
identical environment has produced a similar subsistence base...but with a
recognizable difference in life style and artifactual inventory" (1974: 118)
The Luiseno have been described as sedentary and autonomous village groups.
In contrast, to the relatively sedentary Luiseno, the Kumeyaay have been
described as semi-nomadic peoples who moved according to the seasonal
availability of food resources maintaining two relatively stable and
permanent camps occupied seasonally.
Eventhough these cultural traditions were modified by different spheres
of influence, culture patterns can not be correlated simply with known
linguistic and ethnic boundaries.
between various cultures" (Strong 1974:xiii), and the nature of any one
group can not be understood without attempting to comprehend the nature of
cultural interrelationships and the dynamics of diffusion.
in San Diego County is requisite in understanding the scope of Shoshonean-
"A flow of cultural elements occurred
Further research
Yuman interaction.
The entire culture of the Southern California Indian, like that of all such closely related groups may well
be regarded as a liquid medium that flowed more or less
evenly from group to group, thinning out more and more,
the farther each cultural influence extended from its
Strong 1974:45 source.
?--
Any Late Prehistoric sites found within the apparent "overlap" area
afford an opportunity to study these interrelationships.
During the mission and rancho periods (post 1769), the Indian settlement
patterns and populations were radically disrupted. The inhabitants of the
coastal areas, river valleys and main corridors of movement were the first
to suffer. The populations that did survive did so by retreating into the
mountain and desert regions. As a result of this disruption, there is a
lack of knowledge concerning pre-contact life patterns. There are extensive
ethnographies of the Luiseno and Rumeyaay however, they are for a much later
period and can not be considered as definitive statements of aboriginal life:
the arrival of the Spanish and removal of the Native Americans to the mission
caused a rapid collapse of the traditional culture.
F
23
Based on discoveries by Cabrillo (1542) and Vizcaino (1603), all land
in California belonged to the King of Spain.
Alta California did not officially begin until 1769 when orders were sent from
Spain to establish a chain of missions from San Diego to Monterey.. The logs
from this expedition have furnished historians with a written description
of this area.
expedition.
They encountered and traded with Indians living in the area.
expedition named the location San Alejo.
study area occurs in the historic record during the mission period primarily
because the Batiquitos Lagoon area is approximately half way between the
San Diego and San Luis Rey Missions.
a substantial number of people must have resided along the San Marcos Creek/
Batiquitos Lagoon until at least the early 1800's. The Mission San Luis Rey
baptized 36 people from the rancheria of Betquitos and 25 from Bataquitos:
the Mission San Diego baptized 211 people from the Batiquitos Lagoon rancherias.
Therefore, between 1774 and 1808, 274 Native Americans residing in the general
However, the Spanish era in
This group camped at Batiquitos Lagoon as did the Portola
Here the expedition had dug a batequi from which to drink.
The Portola
Very little documentation of the
Mission records do indicate however, that
---r.
area had been Christianized.
native populations along the coastal strip fled to the inland areas to escape
Spanish domination and half of those who remained refused baptism..
native population during the early years of Spanish control can be estimated
at 600-900 residents in the La Costa area.
Researchers have suggested that over half of the
Therefore, the
Until 1833, the mission fathers controlled the best farming and grazing
The mesas and cactus covered rolling hills were used lands in San Diego.
for the grazing of the large herds of cattle, sheep and horses.
Act of Secularization the vast mission holdings began to be divided up into
private Rancho holdings.
to be divided into ranchos in 1822 with demise of Spanish rule.) Three ranchos
were established in the vicinity of the study area: Rancho Los Vallecitos de
San Marcos (to the northeast); Rancho Agua Hedinoda (to the northwest) and
Las Encinitas or Canada de San Alijo Rancho (to the south).
of the current study were not included within these rancho holdings.
Las Encinitas boundaries however, abut the southern boundary.
rancho was granted to Andres Ybarra in 1842. Ruins from the adobe home have
been recorded as site W-947.
ten
By the
(Land not under direct mission control had begun
The 700' acreage
Rancho
This 4,341 acre
-. Final patent was approved in 1871, approximately
During the years after Ybarra gave up ownership of the vast holdings.
24
F- Ybarra occupation he used a small portion for cattle. In December 1860, the
land was sold to the mercantile firm of Mannasse and Schiller; the adobes on
the property being used for a store and a stage stop.
taxpayers for San Diego County list Ybarra has having $2,567.00 in assets:
$2,000.00 for land, $100 for house, $250 for vineyard, $55 for 5 horses,
$180 for 15 tame cows and $32 for 4 oxen. The 1860 census lists Ybarra
as still owning the rancho with three acres of improved land and 4,435
llnimprovedacres. His produce during that year included $100 fqr orchard
products, 40 gallons
slaughtered.
least twice before becoming the property of the Kimball brotKers who were
developing National City.
The 1852 list of
of wine and 6 tons of hay. $200 worth of animals were
By the early 1880's the rancho holdings had changed hands at
The early 1879 U.S.G.S. land survey of this area (Wagner) noted the
road to San Diego" crossing through the study area in generally the same
The area is described as rolling mesa and
(1
location as Rancho Santa Fe Road; this north-south route linking San Marcos
to the Encinitas Rancho lands.
"worthless land".
with the Ybarra holdings, Wagner notes settlement in the valley north of
the project and the J. Ortega and B. Orosco homes near the junction of what
is now Rancho Santa Fe Road and Qaesthaven.
southeast corner of secb 28 and the mouth of a destroyed copper mine tunnel
is noted in the sxthwst co~ner of section 33. The first several decades of
American control of California had brought an influx of settlers to the
area, however the population remained small and the north county area remained
relatively isolated.
laid waste to grazing land, herds were drastically diminished and attempts
at small scale homestead farming often failed.
were rugged and passage difficult; sanitary conditions were poor and what
staples could not be grown at home were often difficult to obtain. Few people
would take up land during these early decades because they thought it was
worthiess.
During the 1860's mining activities began in this area as well.
strike was worked for a few years along Escondido Creek and then abandoned.
(Between 1887 and 1917, the Encinitas Copper Company was established in the
same general area.
33 of Township 12s Range 3W.
acreage southwest of Ramona and north of Ramona near Julian.)
In addition to the adobes south of the project affiliated -
A sheep camp is noted in the
Droughts between 1865 and 1869 and 1870 and 1873
There was no running water; roads
Some of those who did buy in the vicinity ran large herds of sheep.
A copper
Claims are still recorded in portions of sections 32 and -
Other copper areas in the county included
25
In 1860 there were only a handful of settlers in the north county as
far north as San Luis Rey.
increased.
Easterners and Midwesterners.
and accepted use of barbed wire ( not used extensively until 1881). in
conjunction with the invention .of cast iron (1873) and later (1883) concrete
irrigation pipes and electric power pumps (1885) which made extensive irrigation
possible, farming began to become a lucrative business.
(Feelers, Lyman, Kelly and Bordens) had settled nearer the coast.
railroad reached the area and the railroad stop of La Costa was established.
A small farming community began to develop to the west and south of the
hilly subject property.
which resulted in the establishment of Oceanside, Carlsbad, San Marcos,
oliveslhain and Encinitas in this area. By late 1888, the boom was over and
there was an abrupt halt to development; the relatively rural areas were
not as distrupted by the fall. Those residents who stayed in the area during
the following decades focused on improvement to their environment rather than
expansion.
period.
Slowly over the next two decades the population
Southern California and San Diego were beginning to be sold to
As a gradual implementation of the fencing law
Early farming families
By 1880, the
During the early eighties a land boom developed
No activity is noted within the study area during this time
About 1913, the Lux Land Company purchased approximately 1000 acres
in the study area.
the Lux family residing in the Ybarra adobe.
several dirt roads leading to the knolls overlooking San Marcos Creek.
two within the current boundaries are only roads; no structures are evident.
Since this area exhibits signs of borrow and pit mining activity, it is possible
a degree of the current land disruption occurred during this time. The
additional maps and aerial photographs depicting the area show the main
route being realigned several times, but still no development.
the reservoir, water tank and "pit" are noted on the U.S.G.S.
They also owned portions of the old Encinitas Rancho land,
Maps from this period show
The
By 1983,
Although the lands surrounding the subject property have been used since
prehistoric times and contain remnants of the major periods of both prehistoric
and historic occupation, this rocky portion of land, situated between two
valleys and the expanse surrounding the lagoon, was not developed. Other
than the road which appears as early as the 1870's and which most likely
was used during the Rancho period if not earlier, no intensive prehistoric nor
historic occupation of this specific acreage is documented.
.-.
26
ROTH AND ASSOCIATES
figure 5
27
ROTH AND ASSOCIATES
--
1879 WAGNER SURVEY
figure 6
28
.-
ROTH AND ASSOCIATES
1889 DORN SURVEY
figure 7
29
ROTH AND ASSOCIATES
1
1901 USGS ESCONDIDO QUAD 15' I
~
figure 8
30
ROTH AND ASSOCIATES
1913 ALEXANDER PLAT
figure 9
31
ROTH AND ASSOCIATES
1928 AERIAL
32
ROTH AND ASSOCIATES
1946 USQS ESCONDIDO QUAD 15'
-
figure 7 7
33
L
ROTH AND ASSOCIATES
1953 AERIAL
34
figure 12
/, d. SURVEY METHODOLOGY
The field portion of the investigation was conducted over a three
week period in May and June of 1990 at the expense of 120 person hours.
Linda Roth and Judy Berryman of ROTH AND ASSOCIATES, both SOPA certified
archaeologists conducted the reconnaissance. As described below, due to
steep slopes and/or impassable plant growth, overall coverage of the acreage
is estimated at 80X.
always physically feasible nor scientifically justified.
survey undertaken varies with the nature of the study area. Thus the techniques
employed on the current property varied substantially from place to place within
the project boundaries while maintaining the basic purpose of the comprehensive
survey-the identification of all significant properties within the delineated
study area.
While 100% coverage is always the ideal, it is not
The exact type of
As described in the Setting, the topography of the project area is hilly,
containing a series of drainages and ridges. Slopes, particularly in the
northernmost portion exceed 24Z with the steep escarpment into San Marcos
Creek marking the general western boundary.
primarily the eastern third of the acreage making transect passage in some
areas difficult to impossible.
in cleared patches on the west side of Rancho Santa Fe Road and the recently
burned hill and ridge in the southeast corner to poor in open grass-covered
areas, chaparral choked slopes and drainages. Within these areas, the ground
was often not visible. In areas of poor visibility, rodent backdirt piles
and animal trails were inspected for artifactual materials.
/- Dense plant growth covers
Ground visibility ranged from excellent
Survey spacing varied based on terrain and archaeological sensitivity of the
The United States Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management standards area.
combined with strategies outlined in The Archaeological Survey Methods and - Uses (King 1978) were used. These state:
Survey transects of 1-15 meters will be carried out
in flats and stream areas where less than 15% slope
prevails and where archaeological sensitivity is apt to be high: 15-50 meter transects where slopes
range between 15X and 30% with moderate to low
archaeological sensitivity; and greater than 50
meters transects in areas of extreme slope or
heavy brush cover.
I- Archival research (i.e. record search data and review of historic maps and
35
photographs) , conducted prior to the field reconnaissance, revealed the following:
1. Portions of the entire acreage had been
included as parts of previous cultural
resource surveys.
study area had been previously surveyed.
2. Six sites had been previously recorded
as occurring within the project boundaries.
Five of these sites were associated with
either San Narcos Creek or the unnamed drainage near the southern border.
3. Based on the geologic formation and the
locations of previously recorded sites,
archaeological sensitivity over the
majority of the acreage was considered
low.
Nearly 100% of the
4. Historic maps and photographs showed
virtually no historic occupation of this
acreage. Aerials did show extensive
disruption primarily on the west side of
Rancho Santa Fe Road: on site inspection
verified past borrow/pit mining, dumping
and land topographic alteration. Several
clumps of eucalyptus occurred on the aerials.
As a result of the preliminary research, survey strategies were developed
to relocate and reassess previously recorded sites, check area of historic use,
and identify any previously unrecorded sites.
exposed bedrock, the rocky nature of the ground, and the site-type patterns
recorded on similar terrain, sites removed from the two drainages were
expected to include prehistoric quarry areas and/or lithic scatters.
density site occurrence in this area was suggested by Kaldenberg (1976):
Due to general paucity of
Low
Santiago Peak Volcanics underlie the high ground in the central and eastern portions of the property (his
study area included 3,500 acres). The steep walled
San Marcos Canyon has been cut in these volcanic rocks.
Where San Marcos Creek passess from sedimentary rocks
into the much harder volcanic rocks, the slope of the
canyon walls increases dramatically.
rocks that many of the finely-worked stone tools
present on the archaeological sites of La Costa were
manufactured.
can presently be located in this soil unit.
is a quarry located north of the deep gorge of San Marcos
Creek. Site SDM-W-943 is a flake scatter situated east of
Encinitas Creek. Neither of the sites were habitational in
nature, but were used for production of artifacts. ..
The present Santiago Peak Metavolcanics geological unit,
then, can be utilized in employing a basic criteria for the
absence of archaeological site sensitivity. In the areas of
It is from these
Only two sites on the La Costa property
Site SDM-W-917
36
La Costa where this geological unit occurs, it
can be expected that only a few archaeological
sites will be located.
archaeological sensitivity can be modified by the presence/absence of proximal water sources...
or ground slope.
This potential for
Kaldenberg 1976:34
The entire west side of the project area was surveyed in 10-15 meter
In those areas that had not been previously disrupted (toward transects.
the western edges) spacing was decreased to 7-10 meters.
that flake scatters and/or lithic acquisition/reduction areas would be
found.
this area any evidence of prehistoric lithic reduction had been obliterated.
Survey strategy on the east side of Rancho Santa Fe Road varied.
areas that had a higher probability of containing cultural resources or
where visibility was excellent (the unnamed south trending drainage and the
burned hill and ridge line in the southeast), 7-10 meter transects were
maintained.
and fractured chunks and nodules of fine to coarse grained metavolcanic
rocks.
material.
visibility).
15-30 meter transects.
property), it was inspected for sign of prehistoric use as milling surfaces.
The steep slopes, the majority of which are densely covered with vegetation
were surveyed with approximate 50 meter transects. Careful attention was
paid to possibly locating mine shafts associated with the late 1800's and
early 1900's copper mining activities in the vicinity.
been mapped on mining maps as occurring in this area, the possibility existed
especially after having encountering the activities in the western area.
It was anticipated
Due to massive disruption and general heavy equipment movement over
In those
The ground along the ridge/hill is covered with highly weatherea
-
Areas that contained clusters were carefully inspected for artifactual
(Due to a fire, this portion of the study area had the best ground
The areas of low elevation along the east were surveyed in
Whenever bedrock was observed (little occurs on the
Although none had
In those areas containing previously recorded sites, up to an hour was
spent traversing the mapped location. Further, all areas that contained
introduced trees (a sign of possible histcjric occupation) were carefully
inspected for foundation remnants and trash disposal areas.
37
SURVEY RESULTS
Six prehistoric sites were previously recorded as occurring within the
A fourth project area.
site was found during the current reconnaissance.
location and -.observed cultural material is presented below.
recommended testing (see Recommendations) at the specified locales, updated
survey forms, and in the case of the newly discovered site, a new Archaeological
Site Survey form, will be submitted to the San Diego Museum of Man and the
South Coastal Information Center. Once the accession number of the newly-
Of these six, three were relocated and reassessed.
Data regarding the
Following
recorded site (referred herein as RSF'R #l) is received, it will be forwarded
to the City of Carlsbad for incorporation into this document.
on each of the PreviouslY recorded sites was obtained from archaeological
site survey record forms and reports.
Information
- W-181: This site was recorded by Rogers in the early 1930's
as occurring on a hill on the north rim of k'he north fork of
Encinitas Creek (elevation 325'AMSL). This two acre site with a 3 acre concentration was classified as San Dieguito. It is mapped as ocurring east of Rancho Santa Fe Road and
north of La Costa. roughly cresent shaped portion of land is excluded from
the project acreage.
within this exempt piece and extending into the subject
property (Rogers typically included large, vague expanses as site area-more recent surveys better defining the
actual site boundaries),
regarding this resource other the following: "This is a
very concentrated occupation, probably because the surrounding
mesa top is very stoney except in this one area ... Beginning at W-181 and extending to the west on a general elevation to
W-182 and beyond it to the end of the mesa is continuous
evidence of SD-I1 material. This is for a total of 1 3/4
miles.
Encinitas Grant Plateau where felsite flaking cannot be
found." previous surveys of the property nor auring.tne current
coverage.
In this portion of the study area, a
This site is mapped as occurring
Rogers gave little information
As a matter of fact, there is no part of the
No evidence of this resource was located during
- W-940: As a part of the 1976 La Costa Far South Survey by Kaldenberg, a cluster of prehistoric sites was recorded'
along the unnamed drainage that flows into Encinitas Creek
south. The majority of these sites were tested and occcurred within &and now containing homes, a school and park. of 494P 70BP was recorded for one of the sites. W-940
was plotted as occurrinn on the east slope of a gently
A date
38
c
ROTH AND ASSOCIATES
~~ ~~
figure 13
39
rising knoll approximately 200' north of a spring and west
of oak woodlands. A scraper, possible projectile point
fragment and several pieces of marine shell were noted.
This site contained no evidence of midden soils, artifact
concentrations nor subsurface component.
survey, this knoll was carefully inspected with transect spacing
not exceeding 7 meters.
several areas have been impacted by dumping and minimal scraping
(apparently to clear area of vegetation to then dump miscellaneous
construction rubble). - W-941 This site was also recorded during the Kaldenberg survey
and relocated in 1976. along the unnamed drainage. At the time of original recordation
it was recorded as a shell scatter of indetermined significance.
A reassessment the following year stated that "this site was of only of limited extent and of insignificant value.
flakes, as with the shell relocated from W-941, provide little substantial information of local prehistory".
During the current
Vegetation is dense in this area and
No remnants of this site could be located.
It is located adjacent to a spring
A very thin
scatter of flakes can be found along the unnamed creek. These
This site was relocated during the current investigation. It abuts the creek and oaks and extends along a dirt road adjacent
to the spring for approximately 300'. This dirt road crosses the creek and extends up the hill behind the housing development.
Ground visibility off the dirt road was extremely poor and
it appears that the portion of the site nearest the creek was
"2s impacted by the road. 5 flakes, small marine shell fragments, two cores and a large
primary felsite flake were observed in the soil that had been
pushed to the side of the road.
ground under the oaks and extends into the road. The minimal amount of observed cultural debris is intermixed with non-
artifactual lithic material. Testing on this site will be
necessary in order to define exact boundaries, determine the presence or absence of an intact subsurface component,
assess the variability and density of cultural material, and determine the degree of impact/destruction. The location of this site suggests the possibility of habitation. Two sites in the vicinity (W-942 and W-948) were excavated in the mid-
1970's:+both contained middey and both were dated (15-942
at 4940-70 and W-948 at 7780-90). Testing at W-941 could result in collecting sufficient datable material to further
define the occupation sequences in this area.
Dark midden-like soils containing
Recent trash littprs the
W-2210: This isolated milling slick was located in 1979 by
Randy Franklin as occurring along the utility power line:
Approximately one mile northeast from the intersection of
Rancho Santa Fe and Olivehain roads near section lines 31,32
and 6 at the 340' contour." No other data is given on the site record form. This site was not relocated and it is
highly possible that this was in fact not a feature. The bedrock located on the subject property is highly eroded and
fractured, exhibiting extreme weaathering. It is not the
type of bedrock typically used as milling surfaces by the
prehistoric occupants of the area.
milling activities is found to the north and south of the
project boundaries.
*f
Bedrock more suitabae for
A similar problem was recently (1990)
-4
40
. .-
ROTH AND ASSOCIATES
SCALE 1’-400’
t
figure 14
41
encountered by ERC at sites SDi-11439 and SDi-11440: two sites
recorded as occurring along the northeast property line.
Survey crew initially recorded these sites as containing
three basins and 15 slicks respectively.
the testing phase it' was-concluded that "the bedrock grinding recorded earlier represented naturally weathered depressions
in the bedrock" (Gallegos 1990a:4-34).
fragment were recovered from the surface of SDi-11439 and' 1
flake and one core were recovered from SDi-11440: neither
contained a subsurface component. been recorded as isolates because neither meets the definition
of a "site".
4.
On re-evaluation during
Two flakes and one shell
These sites should have
SDi-11569:
on the south side of San Marcos Creek 350111 west of RancSo
Santa Fe Road on a knoll top.
site. Visibility is extrdy poor in this area. ?he site
area wisestimated to be approximately 30m x 40m.
observed 1 unifacially flaked ston$ tool, 1 core, two metate
fragments, 1 mano fragment and 100 pieces of debitage. During
the current survev, the area described on the resource form was relocated. However, ground visibility, due to dense grass
cover was virtually nil.
located. It is highly probnI3lc thut spring growth has obscurcd the lithic scatter observed by ERC survey crew. reason,
to determine extent, possibility of a subsurface component,
and significance.
SDi-11570: This site is immediately across a small seasonal drainage from SDi-11569 and was recorded and tested in 1990
by ERC.
project area. but the artifact scatter extended down a disturbed road cut
the Rancho Santa Fe Road. (During the current survey a single hammerstone was collected from the road cut)
are included as Appendix I1 of this report. Testing included
the excavation of 17 shovel test probes and 1 unit, site mapping and collection of surface artifacts. The surface area
was defined as 96 m northlsouth by 88 m eastlwest. A maximvm
depth of 50cm was achieved.
86 flekes, 211 fragments of angular waste, 1 possible pendant
fragment, 9 pieces of obsidian, 4 utilized flakes, 3 tool fragments
10 cores, 5 hammerstones, 5 mano fragments, 4 metete fragments,
1.5 grams of bone and 1 gram of marine shell.
was relocated durinq the currer,: survev.
shovel probes and unit were visible.
dense grass cover obscured much of the surface.
flake was observed.
dirt roacis. into the current project is recommended to verify densities and
boundaries.
area was recommended for either presarvacion (i.e. project
avoidance and open spece easement)or, if not feasible, a data
recovery plan.
This site was recorded in 1990 by ERC as occurring
Yucca and Elderberry mark the
Surveyors
Two possible metate fragments were
For this a degree of testing is recommended for this site I
A portion of this site extends into the current The main deposit is located on a knoll top
ERC results
Recovered material included
This site area The placement of the
However, as with SDi-11569,
One felsite
'?'he site is surrounded by burrow pits and
Testing of the portion of this site which extends
The portion of the site withln t!ie ERC project -
42
ROTH AND ASSOCIATES
SCALE 1”-400’
L 43
RSFR #1: This shell scatter is located on the west side
of Rancho Santa Fe Road immediately north of Bajo Court
and the current project boundary.
has been severely disrupted by construction-debris dumping
and dirt road use. The shell scatter extends from the property boundary northeast for approximately 135 meters;
Beginning approximately 15 meters northwest of Rancho Santa
Fe Road, it extends in a northwesterly direction for 65 meters.
Near the homes what appears to be small fragments of culturally
deposited marine shell (primarily chione and pectin) is mixed with a sandy, fragmented shell soil that was used for property
wall construction.
homes may have been pushed to the present location during
building activites. an extremely light scatter of whole and fragmented shell was
cbserved.
whether or not this area is truly a site or possibly the
result of site removal from another source that was dumped in this location. On initial inspection, no lithic material
nor midden-type soils were observed.
The open flat area
The portion of the site that abuts the
Beyond this small concentration (151x1 x 15m),
It is unknown without a degree of subsurface testing
During the survey, four isolated artifacts were mapped as to location and
collected. They include one hamerstone and three rhyolite secondary flakes.
The hammerstone was located adjacent
to Rancho Santa Fe Road near SDi-11570 within an erosional rill. It was made
from locally available Santiago Peak Volcanic material.
it has heavy battering along one edge.
Globular in shape,
-4
44
ROTH AND ASSOCIATES
SCALE 1'-400' I
figure 16
45
-. RECOMMENDATIONS
The approximate 700 acre study area involves the realignment and
improvement of Rancho Santa Fe Road and mass cut and fill activity on
portions of the surrounding environment by Fieldstone/La Costa Associates.
As a result of the archaeological reconnaissance, four prehistoric cultural
resources were identified as occuring within the Fieldstone/La Costa Associates
property.
expansion.
establish the research potential and significance of a given resource.
that end, site-specific recommendations are offerred.
No cultural resources were located within the area of planned road
An essential step in cultural resource identification is to
Toward
The concept of significance or importance in archaeology is often a
source of both frustration and confusion.
applied to an archaeological site differs in meaning from the CEQA term
The term "significance" 2s
significant project impact" The CEQA definition refers to the degree of I?
reource elimination by a permit approved activity, while the former is the
assessment of value to the citizens of California. Section 15082 (Article
7, Chapter 3, Division 6, Title 14 of the California Administrative Cadel
reads that:
A project shall be found to hsve a significant effect
on the environment if a) the project has the potential to eliminate important examples of major periods of
California history or prehistory.
March 4, 1978, revised edition
In recent literature , Cultural Resource Management professionals have
sought to refine and clarify the questions of significance in resynse to the
needs of people in local communities, government agencies, indus!.ry and
the private sector.
significance evaluation and the decision making process are best il.l.ustratel:
by the following summaries:
The crux of the arguments and concerns abouc site
The fact that archaeological sites and the information
they contain are the only clues to much of human life
in the past makes every site potentially significant. It is generally recognized, however, that defining
significance implies some frame of reference, probable orientation, geographical, temporal or other context.
against which an archaeological site is to be evaluated.
McGimsey and 2avis 1977:31
1
--
Because the importsnce of a given resource depends on the
context of assessment as well as its inherent qualities, there can be no universal or absolute measures of cultural worth...
46
The criteria of significance changes as the research
goals of arachaeology evolve and as public interest
and priorities shift...thus archaeological significance
is both dynamic and relative. '
Grady 1977; Moratto and Kelly 1977
In assessing the potential significance of the four sites located within the
study area, several sets of guidelines and criteria will be used.
listed in Appendix K of CEQA Guidelines will be considered.
The guidelines
These are:
1) The site is associated with event/person of recognized scientific importance in prehistory or history;
2) The site can provide information which is both of
demonstrated public interest and useful in addressing
scientifically consequential and reasonable research
questions.
3) The site has a special or particular quality such as
the oldest, best example, largest, or last surviving example of its kind.
4) The site involves important research questions that
research has shown can be answered only with archaeological
methods.
P In addition to the criteria outlined under CEQA, additional focused issues can
be used to measure site significance. These include:
1) Site variability 2) Identification of cultural chronology 3) Indentification of land-use patterns 4) Artifact density/variability
5) Potential for dating 6) Potential for fauna/flora analysis
7) Potential for intra and inter site variability
rc
The recommended initial subsurf ace testing suggested below for each of the
four identified resources will determine the presence or absence of an in situ
subsurface component, identify surface and subsurface extents of the resource,
as well as address the potential significance of the site.
results of the initial testing a report will be generated describing methods,
results and final mitigation.
data recovery plan (and research design) or avoidance/open space easement
plan would then be developed.
determination of potential significance.
Based on the
If a resource is found to be important, a
The initial testing is prerequisite to
SDM-W-941: According to the Conceptual Mass Grading Plan, this
site, located near the southern subdivision boundary, will not
be effected by cut and fill activity. It is, however, in an area
47
that has been impacted by dumping activities and dirt road
use. Except for the dirt road, surrounding visibility is
extremely poor. Lithics and marine shell were observed in
the road and adjacent dirt piles. This area should be
subjected to a series of STPs (Shovel Test Probes) and
unit excavation if a subsurface component is identified
during the STPs.
dirt road bed should be mapped and collected. If enough
marine shell is collected from the subsurface, it should be
submitted for C14 dating.
and adjacent to a spring and intermittent drainage, intact
portions of this'site could potentially supply important
data relating to the prehistoric use of the area. These
data should be incorporated into the results obtained from
prior testing of the cluster of sites previously investigated
immediately to the south.
Artifacts located outside the disturbed
Located within an oak woodland
SDi-11569: This site, located near the north end of the
project area west of Rancho Santa Fe Road was originally
recorded by ERC. During the current survey, ground
visibility of obscured by thick grass growth. This site
should be subjected to an initial testing program that
would involve the digging of a series of STPs, surface
mapping and collection of artifactual materials, and, if
a subsurface component is identified, the excavation of
one to two standard excavation units. The site is
within an area designated for fill activity.
SDi-11570: This site is also located near the north end
of the project west of Rancho Santa Fe Road.
a low knoll directly across from SDi-1156.
a surface collection, STP series and one unit excavation
on the portion of the site which extends onto a current
project that firm is working on.
site avoidance. In order to verify densities and site extent
as indicated in the ERC report, two units should be excavated
within the portion of the site that extends into the current
project.
will be based on both the ERC finds and the further testing.
It occurs on ERC conducted
As a result of their
study, they found the site to be important and recommended
Ultimate mitigation reconmendations for that portion
RSFR #1:
Fe Road at the subdivision southern boundary, has been
extremely impacted by dumping activities.
investigation it is impossible to ascertain whether the marine
shell is in situ or has been transported from another location
during dumping episodes.
throughout the defined area of shell occurrence.
component is identified, one to two excavation units should
be excavated in order to assess potential significance and
develop appropriate final mitigation. This area is scheduled
for cut activities. Thus, the resource will be destroyed.
This site, located on the west side of Rancho Santa
Without a subsurface
A series of STPs should be excavated
If a subsurface
1
-.
.-_
48
APPENDIX I
RECORD SEARCH VEP,IFICATION
.
SOUTH COASTAL INFORMATION CENTER
SOCIAL SCIENCE RESEARCH LABORATORY
COLLEGE OF ARTS AND LETTERS
SAN DIEGO STATE UNIVERSITY
SAN DIEGO CA 92182-0436
(61 9) 594-5682
ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITE FILES RECORD SEARCH PROJECT
Source of Request: ROTH & ASSOCIATES
Date of Request: 4 -2 0-9 0
Date Request Received: 4-23-90
Project Identification: Rancho Santa Fe Rd.
( ) The San Diego County University files show NO recorded sites within the projected area nor within one mile of the project boundaries.
(x) The San Diego State University files show recorded site locations within the projected area and/or within one mile of the project.
Record check by: SCOTT CRUU Date: 4-23-90
The San Diego State University files show that the following archaeological reports have been published on projects within one mile of your proposed project.
SEE ATTACHED LISTING
Archive check by: SCOTT CRUU
-297. Susan 9. Hector, South Coastal Information Center
Date: 4-23-90
?.
THE CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY
.
./-
San Mego Museum of Man
REPORT ON ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITE FILES RECORC SEARCH
Source or' Request: Roth 2 Associates - Linda Roth
Name of Project : City of Carlsbad Rancho Santa Fe Road
Proposal
Oate of Request: 19 April 1390
Oate Request Received: 23 April 1990
The Record Search for the above referenced project has Seen completed.
Archaeological site file information is enclosed for the fcllowing
sites located within or in the vicinity of the project area:
ki- 43 w-49 W-179 [thru] W-132 w-19:
w-577 W-587 W-589 w-659 W-896
W-917 [thru] W-921 W-940 [thru] W-951 w-1115
W-1391 W-1392 W-2051 W-1329 W-1741 w-2210 W-2379 [thru] W-2382 W-2804 W-2888
w-2889 w-3473
Bibliographic information is enclosed for the following reports on
archaeological environmental impact studies conducted within or in the
vicinity of the project area:
EIS- 10 EIS-23 EIS-29 EIS-41 EIS-42
EIS- 150 EIS-398 EIS-425 EIS-444 EIS-491
EIS-520 EIS-527 EIS-527 E1 S-588 EIS-623
EIS-671 EIS-673 EIS-850 EIS-851 EIS-88 1
EIS-9 16
This Record Search is based only on information contained in the files
of the San Diego Museum of Man. environmental impact studies pertaining to the project area may exist Archaeological site records and/or
4 in other repositories.
Record Search prepared by: :bw Grace Johnson
Date of Record Search: 25 April 1990
1350 El Pada Balboa Park. San Diega California 92101 6191239-2001
An educnllohpl. non-profit corpratlon founded in 1915 cdlecclng for posterity and dirplaylng the lUe and hbtory of man
I
The major& of prefiistonc artifacts consisted of lithic debitage (N=lO) including 5 flakes
and 5 hgmenthof angular waste. All of the matcrial represents highly patinated hgments
of Santiago ~tak boicanic mataia~. ~ittle cortex was present, suggesting secondary tool
reduction.
\
\\
'\\
\
TOOiS '.,
A total of three tools were recovered from the surface collection. Artifact SDi-11442-22
represents a small fragment of a black &e-grain mctavolcanic core. Flake removal appears
to be multi-dkctiond but the fragment is SmaU and the points of percussion for only two
flakes remain. SDi-11442-23 is a utilized secondary flake of porphyxitic volcanic material.
The artifact was utilized along two edges and patir$ted nibbling and use-wear are present.
Anifact SDi-11442-10 represents a somewhat water &XII core tool. The artifact is made
fbm a light brown fine-grain mctavolcanic material and shows some unifacid retouching.
Many of the edges showed nand rounding and no use-wdbbservations were possible.
\t
\
\
'i
This site represents a smaIl prehistoric lithic scatter with a secondary deposit '.,
refuse. ~rehisr& areifacts at the site suggest a short tcrm camp with ~ithic t+ production
as the mair,&vity. No diagnostic prehistoric artifacts wm kcovcrtd during \ the testing
the presence of patination on the artifacts suggests age. Historic'befacts
of a surface scatter of turn of the century domestic refuse. Albugh the lack of nearby historic sms suggests the possibility \ at \
of historic '.
with mining activity at site SDi-9918.
.. 4.1.10 SDi-11570
This site is located on the south side of San Marcos Creek adjacent and west of Rancho
Santa Fe Road and Southwest of the Rancho Fe Road bridge that crosses San
Marcos Creek. The main site deposit is located on a knoll top, but the artifact scatter
extends down a disturbed cut to the edge of Rancho Santa Fe Road -
4-44
e ERC 3 bvironmcntd Site Map for SDi-llm Showing the Locations
of Surface Artifacts and Subsurface Tests and Energy Senices Co.
f i
f'
P i
F i
F!
I
F- .rc
I"
i'
Testing included the excavation of 17 STps, 1 test unit, site mpping and collection of
surface artifacts. Testing identified a subsurface deposit on the western portion of the site
with a maximum depth of 50 cm and a surface area 96 m north/south by 88 m east/west
(see Figure 4-11 and Tables 4-15 and 4-16). A total of 344 artifacts were recovered to
include 86 flakes, 21 1 fragments of angular waste, 1 possible pendant fragment, 9 pieces
of obsidian, 4 utilized flakes, 1 retouched flake, 4 flake too4 3 tool fragments, 10 cores, 1
core tool, 5 hammerstones, 5 mano fragments, 4 metate fragments, 7 pieces (1.5 grams) of
bone, and 2 pieces (1.0 grams) of marine shell (see Table 4-17 for distribution). Norecent
trash indicating disturbance was remvvertd. Soils wen light brown sandy loam with some
darker areas possibly indicating discoloration due to cultural activity. Of the 17 STPs
excavated, 10 on the western side of the site had positive results defining a subsurface
deposit approximately 50 by 50 m in size (Table 4-18). Unit 1 identified a'subsurface
deposit 40 crn in depth recovering a total of 155 artifacts including 1 retouched flake, 2
cores, 2 fragments of groundstone, a possible pendant fragment, and all obsidian and
faunal remains recovered at the site (Table 4-19).
Debilagc
As with all sites tested within the project ma the largest category of cultural material was
lithic debitage. This represented 306 artifacts or 88.96 percent of the cultural material.
Most of the debitage represented nondiagnostic core reduction material, but several large
bifacial thinning flakes were noted in the coIlection. The absence of cortex on most of the
material (see Table 4-20) may be a reflection of the type of source rather than the fact that
the final stages-of con or tool reduction occumd on this site. The possibility of primary or
early stage reduction of lithic material is supported by the relatively even distribution of
flake size shown in Table 4-20, because the final stages of tool production often arc
represented by a predominance of small retouching or finishing flakes, and by the large
amount of cores in the collection as mentioned below. Patination as shown in Table 4-21
is present on only one-half of the lithic assemblage suggesting use of the site over a period
of time.
4-45
a
Table 4-15
SDi-11570 KEY TO SURFACE ARTIFACT SHOT NUMBERS SHOWN IN FIGURE 4-11
I Shot Number Catalogue Number Description
#1 #2 #2 #3 #3 #3 #4 #4 #5 #5 #6 #6 #7 #8 w9 #lo #11 #11 #12 #13 #13 #14 #15 #16 #17 #18 #19 #20 #21 #22 #23 #24 #25 #25 #26 #26 #27 #27 #28 #28 #28
SDi-11570-68 SDi- 1 1570-69 SDi- 1 1570-70 SDi-11570-7 1 SDi-11570-72
SDi-11570-74 SDi-11570-75 SDi-11570-76 SDi-11570-77 SDi-11570-78 SDi- 1 1570-79 SDi-11570.80 SDi-11570.81 SDi-11570-82 SDi-11570-83 SDi-11570-84 SDi-11570-85 SDi-11570-86 SDi- 11570-87 SDi-11570-88 SDi-11570-89 SDi-11570-90 SDi-11270-91 SDi-11flO.92 SDi- 1 1570-93 SDi-11570-94 SDi-11570-95 SDi-11570-96 SDi-11570-97 SDi-11570-98
SDi-11570-73
SDi-11570-99 SDi-11570-100 SDi-11570-101 SDi- 1 1570- 102 SDi-11570-103 SDi-11570-104 SDi-11570-105 SDi-11570- 106 SDi-11570-107 SDi-11570.108
1 Flake 1 Flake 1 Ang. waste 1 Ang. waste 1 Hammerston 1 Man0 hg 3 Ang. waste 1 Flake
1 Core 1 Ang. Waste 1 Ang. waste 1 Flake 1 Flake 1 Ang. waste 4 Ang. waste 1 Ang. Waste 1 Ang. waste 1 Manohg 1 Ang. waste 1 Ang. waste 1 Ang. waste 1 Ang. waste 1 Flake 1 Ang. waste 1 Ang. waste 1 Ang. waste
1 Flake 1 Flake 1 Ang. waste 1 Flake 1 Ang. waste 2 Ang. waste 1 Flake 1 core tool 1 core 1 Ang. waste 1 ulil flake 1 Flake 1 Flake 1 core
1 Hammerstone f
4
4-47
Table 4-15 (Continued)
I
1
I
i
. ;.
t
.
? I i
!
I
F
SDi-11570 KEY TO SURFACE ARTIFACT SHOT NUMBEM SHOWN IN FIGURE 4-11
-~
Shot Number Catalogue Numk Description
#29 #30 #30 #31 #32 #33 #34 #35 #36 #37 #38 #39 #40 x41 4442 x43
#44 x45
#45 #46 #47 #47 #47 #48 W9 #SO 461
#51 #52 #53 #54
#54 #55 466 #8 #59 #60
#61 #62 #63 #64
SDi-11570-109 SDi-11570-110 SDi-11570-111 SDi-11570-112 SDi-11570-113 SDi-11570-114 SDi-11570-115 SDi-11570-116
SDi- 1 1570- 1 18 SDi-11570-119
SDi-11570-117
SDi-11570-120 SDi-11570-121 SDi- 1 1570- 122 SDi-11570-123 SDi-11570-124 SDi-11570-125 SDi-11570-126 SDi-11570.127 SDi- 1 1570- 128 SDi-11570- 129 SDi-11570-13O SDi-11570-131' SDi-11570-132 SDi-11570- 133&1% SDi-11570-135 SDi-11570-136 SDi-11570-137 SDi-11570-138 SDi-11570-139 SDi-11570.140 SDi-11570-141 SDi-11570-142 SDi-11570- 143 SDi- 1 1570- 144 SDi-11570-145 SDi-11570-146 SDi-11570-147 SDi-11570-148 SDi-11570-149 SDi-11570-150
2 Ang. waste 1 Ang. waste 1 Flake 3 Ang. waste 1 Ang. waste 1 Ang. waste 1 Ang. Waste 1 Hammuston 1 Ang. waste 1 Tool frag 1 Ang. waste 1 Flake 1- 1 Ang. waste 1 Ang. waste 1 Flake 1 Ang. waste 1 Flake 1- 1 Flake 1 Ang. waste 1 we 1 Flake 1 Flake tool 2 Ang. waste 1 Flake 1 Tool frag lFiake 1 Ang. waste 1 Ang. waste 1 Ang. waste Discard 1 Manofrag 1 Flake 1 Ang. waste 1 Man0 hg
1 Metate frag
1 Metate hg
1 Tool fkag 1 Flake 1 Ang. waste
4-48
Table 4-15 (Continued)
I(EY TO SURFACE ARTIFACT SHOT NUMBERS SHOWN IN FIGURE 4-11
SDi-11570 .
~
Shot Number Catalogue Number Description
#65 #65 #66 #67 #68 #69 #70 #71 472 #73 #74 #74 #75 #76
#78 #79 #80 #80 #81 #81 #82 #83 #83 #84 #85 #86 #87 #88 #89 #90
#91 #92 #93 #94 #95 #96 #97 #97 #98 #99
#n
SDi-11570-151
SDi-11570-153 SDi-11570-154 SDi-11570-155
SDi-13570-152
SDi-11570-156 SDi-11570-157 SDi-11570-158 SDi-11570-159 SDi-11570- 160 SDi-11570-161 SDi-11570-162 SDi-11570-163 SDi-11570-164 SDi-11570-165 SDi-11570-166&167 SDi-11570- 168 SDi-11570-169 SDi-11570-170 SDi-11570-17 1 SDi-11570-172 SDi-11570-173 SDi-11570-174 SDi-11570.175 SDi-11570-176
SDi-11570-178 SDi-11570-179
SDi-11570-181 SDi-11570-182 SDi- 1 1570- 183 SDi-11570- 184
SDi- 1 1570- 186 SDi-11570- 187 SDi-11570-188
SDi-11570-190 SDi-11570-191
sm-1 imin
SDi-11570-180
SDi-11570-185
SDi-11570-189
SDi-11570-192
1 Ang. wastc 1 Flake 1 me 1 Ang. waste 1 Ang. waste 1 util flake 1 Ang. waste 1 Hammerston 1 Tool frag lcorefrag 1 Ang. waste 1 Hammerstone f
' lcartfrag
Ang. waste 1 Flake 2 Ang. waste 1 Ang. waste 1 Flake 1 util flake 2 Ang. waste 1 Flake lcortfrag 1 Flake 1 util flake 1Ffakt 1Fiake 1 Flake 1 Ang. waste 1 Ang. Waste lcortfrag 1 Flake tool 1 Flake 1 Ang. waste 1 Flake 1 Flake
1 Flake 1 Flake 1 Ang. waste 1 Flake
1 Ang. waste 1Flakt
I
.-.
449
1 ,.-- Table 4-16
1 SDi-11570, SUMMARY BY DEPTH OF SURFACE/UNXTS/srpS DISTRIBUTION OF CULTURAL MATERIAL
I
CulturalMatcrial Surface 0-lOcm 10-2Ocm 20-3Ocm 30-40cm40-50cm Total Percent
Flake 40 20 14 9 2 1 86 25.00%
Angularwaste 64 57 41 29 16 4 211 61.34%
Pendant ? 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 0.29%
Obsidian 0 5 2 2 0 0 9 2.62%
utilized Flake 4 0 0 0 0 0 4 1.16%
RetouchedFIake 0 1 0 0 0 0 1 0.29%
Flake Tool 3 0 1 0 0 0 4 1.16%
Tool flag 3 0 0 0 0 0 3 0.876 con 8 1 1 0 0 0 10 2.91% Core Tool 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0.29% Hammerstone 5 0 0 0 0 0 5 1.45% Man0 fiag 4 0 0 1 0 0 5 1.45% Metate frag 2 1 1 0 0 0 4 1.16% Bone* 0 m2 41.0 1K.U 0 0 7/13 Shell* 0 0 Ul .o 0 0 0 Ul.0
Total** 134 85 60 42 18 5 344 100.00%
-
~ Percent 38.95% 24.71% 17.44% 12.21% 5.23% 1.45% 100.00%
*count and weight (in grams) given **excluding bone and shell
Table 4-17 -.
SDi-11570, SUMMARY DISTRIBUTION OF CULTURAL MATERIAL
-
CulturalMaterial Surface Unit1 STP Total Percent
I
Flake 40 34 12 86 25.00% Angularwaste 64 107 40 211 61.34% Pendant ? 0 1 0 1 0.29% Obsidian 0 9 0 9 2.62% Utili.rrlFlake 4 0 0 4 1.16% RetouchedFlake 0 1 0 1 0.29% Flake Tool 3 0 1 4 1.16% Tool frag 3 0 0 3 0.87%
core 8 2 0 10 2.9 1 %
Core Tool 1 0 0 1 0.29% Hammerstone 5 0 0 5 1.45% Man0 frag 4 0 1 5 1.45% Metate frag 2 2 0 4 1.16% Bone* * 0 6/12 110.3 7/15 Shell* 0 0 u1.0 Ul.0
Total** 134 156 54 344 100.00%
Percent 38.95% 45.35% 15.70% 100.00%
*count and weight (in grams) given **excluding shell and bone
451
SDi-11570, STPs
DISTRIBUTION OF CULTURAL MATERIAL
CulturalMaterial ONBE ON/IOW ON/2OW ONDOW lOS/oE 20S/OE 30S/OE STP-A STP-B STP-C Total Percent I
I 0 0 0 2 3 0 4 12 22.22% 3 0 16 3 9 40 74.07% Flake Tool 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1.85%
Mano frag 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1.85%
Bone* 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1/0.3g 0 0 1B.3g
Total** 1 8 2
Percent 1.85% 14.81% 3.70% 1.85% 3.70% 5.56% 3.70% 35.19% 5.56% 24.07% 100.00%
I Flake 0 2
Angular Waste 1 5 1 0 2
Shell* 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2LOg 0 Ul.0g
1 2 3 2 19 3 13 54 100.00%
*count and weight (in grams) given
**excluding shell and bone I
Table 4-l3
SDi-11570, 1 DISTRIBUTION OF CULTURAL MATERIAL
P
CulturalMacrial 0-1Ocm 10-20 cm 20-3Ocm 30-40cm Total Percent
f
I
Rake 15 12 7 0 34 21.79% AngularWaste 51 31 23 2 107 68.59% Pendant ? 0 0 1 0 1 0.64% Obsidian 5 2 2 0 9 5.77% RctouchedFlake 1 0 0 0 1 con 1 1 0 0 2 1.28% Metate frag 1 1 0 0 2 1.28% Bone* 2m.2 3m.7 1m.3 0 6/1.2
-I-
Total** 74 47 33 2 156 99.36% Percent 47.44% 30.13% 21.15% 1.28% 100.00%
I'
I
*count and weight (in grams) given **excluding bone
.I
4-53
,I
I'
I'
1'
1'
I
Tabte 4-20
SDi-11570 FLAKE SIZE AND PRESENCE/ABSENCE OF CORTEX
Flake Size Percent by CulturalMaterial N.3m N.6cm >1.2m >2.0cm Total Cortex
Present 6 7 17 24 54 18.18% Absent 85 80 49 29 243 81.82%
Total 91 87 66 53 297 100.00% Percent by Size 30.64% 29.29% 22.22% 17.85% 100.00%
4-54
I'
Table 4-21
SDi-11570 FLAKE SIZE AND PRESENCE/ABSENCE OF PATINATION
Flake Size Percent by CulturalMattrial >0.3cm >0.6cm >1.2cm >2.0cm Total Patination
Resent 29 . 43 43 41 156 52.53%
Absent 62 44 23 12 141 47.47%
Total 91 87 66 53 297 100.00% Percent by Size 30.64% 29.29% 22.22% 17.85% 100.00%
I
4-55
f
f A
I
I
T 1
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;
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rc-
Lithic material types arc show in Table 4-22 and show a predominance of metavolchc
material (93.94%), almost all of which is Santiago Peak Volcanic Formation. Less than
five fragments of cobble mattrial from the Eocene sedimentary formation to the west
noted in the assemblage and quartz represents a minor fraction of the assemblage (2.36%).
Obsidian was ah ~ccovercd in minor amounts during subsurface testing. All obsidian was
rccovcrtd from Unit 1 and based on hand specimen observation it appears to be from a
source other than Obsidian Butte. Obsidian Butte, located in the Imperial Valley, is the
closest source of obsidian and was heavily used during the Late Period.' The results of
chemical sourcing obsidian from both this site and SDi-7306 arc not yet available. Two
fragments of unusual material were noted in the collection, one fragment (SDi-11570-97)
was a light tan granular volcanic or qu&tc material resembling Piedra del Lumbrc chert in
text&. Artifact SDi-11570-125 was another fragment of volcanic material resembling
jasper. The mated was dark red and opaque, but thin edges were translucent near a light
SOUTCC.
Possible Pendant
A small ground stone artifact (Sa-11570-66) was recovered from the 20-30 cm level of
Unit 1. This small artifact fragment (0.3 grams) is made from a fine-grain dull black
matezial resembling slate. Striations produced during shaping art present on all unbroken
edges. The artifact is 1.4 cm long, 0.6 cm wide and 0.2 cm thick and comes to a point at
the unbroken end. The broken end appears to have snapped at a weak point whcrc the
artifact had sd groves on both sides. The artifact fragment is so small it cannot be
OthCrwiSeidmtifitd.
Groundstone
Rciatively linie groundstone material was rtcovcnd hm the site and no bedrock outcrops
are within the site to supply a platform far bedrock milling. Groundstone artifacts inciuded
five mano fragments, and four metate fragments. Of the mano fragments, artifacts
SDi-11570-73 and SDi-11570-86 represent very small fragments with no diagnostic
attributes as to total artifact size or form. At least one of these artifacts (SDi-11570-863
represents a cobble base mano.
Artifact SDi-11570-145 is the most complete mano fragment in the collection. It is made
from a granitic cobble and is bifacially worked and shouldend and shows indications of
4-56
Table 4-22
SDi-11570 FLAKES/ANGULAR WASTE BY MATERIAL TYPE
Percent by Cultural Material surface unit1 STP Total Category I
29 26 12 67 22.56% Meravolcanic Obsidian 0 9 0 9 3.03% Porphyritic Metavolcd 72 100 40 212 71.38% 1 6 0 7 2.36% 2 0 0 2 0.67% Qui= Quartzite
Pcnxnt by Material 35.02% 47.47% 17.51% 100.00%
1
\ Total 104 141 52 297 100.00%
i
en L !.
shaping. The artifact was recovtrcd from the surface ad is COV~ by lichen. Both faces
of this artifact arc pecked. Artifact SDi-11570-6 is motha cobble-based mano fragment
which was recovered from the 20-30 cm level of STP ON/lOW. Gridkg is bifacial and
no pecking is evident The cobble is of a relatively fine-* mh@tic volcanic material.
Anifact SDi-11570-142, which was recovered from the surface, is a bifacial mano
fragment made from an irregular granitic rock fragment One face of the artifact k well
rounded while the other face, which is very irregular, is ground on only the high points.
Of the four metate hgments, two (sDG1157O-48 and SDi-11570-57) represent sd non-
diagnostic granitic metate fragments recovered from the upper levels of Unit I. Artifacts
SDi-11570-146 and SDi-11570-147 represent large unifacial granitic shallow slab type
metate fragments with ground and pecked surfaces.
A total of five hammerstones and hammerstone fragments were recovered during site
testing. All hammerstones wen made from Santiago Peak metavolcanic material and wen
rccovd from the surface collection. Artifact SDi-11570-158 represents a hammcrstone
with heavy battering along one edge. 'The anifact is made from a naturally spallcd fxagmcnt
of porphyritic metavolcanic material. Artifacts SDi- 11570-72 and SDi-11570-116
represent secondary use of cores as hammerstones. Both artifacts have battering along
angular partions of the tool created earlier by removing flakes from a core. Both artifacts
SDi-11570-76 and SDi-11570-162 represent small non diagnostic hammerstone fragments.
cores
All of the nine cores and core fragments recovered during site testing were made from
material dtrived from the Santiago Peak Volcanic Formation. Seven of these cores show&
mifacial flake removal in one direction (SDi-11570-47, SDi-11570-56, SDi-11570-103,
SDi-11570-108, SDi-11570-160, SDi-11570-173, and SDi-11570-181). Five of these
artifacts were recovered during surface collection of the site (SDi-11570-103, SDi-11570-
108, SDi-11570-160, SDi-11570-173, and SDi-11570-181) while two were reCovered
from the upper levels of Unit 1 (SDi-11570-47 and SDi-11570-56).
Artifact SDi-11570-127, recovered from the surfact of the site showed unifacial flake
removal in two directions. Flakes were removed from opposite ends of the artifact.
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;etifact SDi-11570-163 M SO showed unifacial removal in flvo directi~m, but the*
were opposite sides of perpendiC* edges. Artifact SIX-1 1570-77 is a mdtidirectional
corc. It was r~~o~ercd hxn the site surface and is highly patinad Cores in the collection
reflect primary reduction of Santiago Peak metavolcanic mattrid for the manufacture of
flakeandcorebadtools.
FlakedLithicTmls
A total of 13 flaked lithic tools wm recovered hm surface and subsurface testing at SDi-
11570. These include 1 corc tool, 4 flake based tools, 4 utilized flakes, 1 retouched flake,
and 3 tool fragments. All flaked lithic tools in the collection were made from material
derived fiom the Santiago Peak Volcanic Formation and many wm highly patinated.
Artifact SDi-11570-102, rtcovcrcd from the surface of the site, is a core bascd tool with
patterned unifacial flakc removal along thr# sides. The saiking pladarm of the artifact is a
planar surface with no clear evidence of use-wear identifying this as a morphological tool
only.
The four flake bascd tools were rtcovercd from the surface with .the exception of artifact
is a flake fragment with a des of small flakes removed from one edge. This edge is
highly weathered and patin- but use-wear may have been present at one time. Artifact
SDi-11570-132 is a retouched flake or core fragment with primarily unifacial flake
removal. Use-wear is present as a high polish along the sharp points of one edge.
Artifacts SDi- 1 1570- 136 and SDi- 1 1570- 182 are both similar in that they represent flakes
which have additional flakes removed along one edge. They both show edge rounding
relaud to use-wear.
SDi-11570.9 which wa~ recovered from the 10-20 level of STP ONBOW. This areifact
Three artifacs, all fccovcttd from the surface, may nprtsent either WE base or flake base
tools. Artifact SDi-11570-118 represents a tool fragment witb fine retouching along one
edge. The artifact is made from fine-- green metavolcanic mataid, but it is heavily
weathered and pahated so that use-wtar determination was not possible. Artifact SDL-
11570-159 represents a very sd €iagment of a tool edge. It may have been removed
during tool rejuvenation. Retouching and use-wtar are present along the tool edge.
Artifact SDi-11570-148 is a flake or CO~C based tool fragment with retouching along two
f
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4-59