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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCT 98-10; Carlsbad Raceway Business Park; Tentative Map (CT) (14)Carlsbad Raceway Property JURISDICTIONS DELINEATION May 18,1998 Prepared for: Raceway Properties, LLC 12750 Carmel Country Road, Suite 204 San Diego, California 92130-2159 Prepared'by: HELIX ENVIRONMENTAL PLANNING, INC. 8100 La Mesa Boulevard, Suite 150 La Mesa, California 91941-6452 Carlsbad Raceway Property Jurisdictional Delineation TABLE OF CONTENTS Section Page INTRODUCTION 1 METHODS 2 RESULTS 4 A. Description of Site 4 B. Findings 5 1. Federal Jurisdictional Areas 5 a. Jurisdictional Wetland Characteristics On Site 5 b. Non-vegetated Waters of the U.S. On Site 8 2. State Jurisdictional Areas 9 POTENTIAL IMPACTS 10 CONCLUSION 11 LITERATURE CITED 12 APPENDIX A Federal and State Jurisdictional Definitions A-l APPENDIX B Wetland Delineation Field Data Forms B-l LIST OF FIGURES After Number Title Page 1 Regional Location Map 1 2 Vicinity Map 1 3 Jurisdictional Delineation Map Map Pocket LIST OF TABLES Number Title Page 1 Jurisdictional Areas of the Carlsbad Raceway Property 5 2 Potential Impacts to Jurisdictional Areas on the Carlsbad Raceway Property 10 3 Potential Impacts of the Carlsbad Raceway Project to Jurisdictional Habitats 10 INTRODUCTION This report addresses the results of a focused jurisdictional delineation of the Carlsbad Raceway property. The delineation was conducted to identify and map existing areas on site that are under jurisdiction of the United States Army Corps of Engineers (ACOE) pursuant to Section 404 of the Clean Water Act (33 U.S.C. 1344). In addition, jurisdictional wetland areas for the California Department of Fish and Game (CDFG) permit requirements (Section 1603) and the City of San Diego requirements are also provided. This information is necessary to evaluate impacts and permit requirements associated with future projects developed on the Carlsbad Raceway property. The work was conducted by biologists with HELIX Environmental Planning, Inc. (HELIX). The study area is an approximately 145 .acre site situated in the city of Carlsbad, in northwestern San Diego County, California (Figures 1 and 2). It is located north of Palomar Airport Road, south of industrial development, west of Business Park Drive, and east of industrial development and undeveloped land. On site elevations range from approximately 310 feet to 495 feet. The Carlsbad Raceway property is currently a mix of developed and disturbed areas and undeveloped natural habitats. Uses of the property include a drag strip, off-road motorcycle track, and associated parking areas. Melrose Drive may be constructed as a separate action by another project proponent that would affect jurisdictional areas on the Carlsbad Raceway property. HELIX Jurisdictional Delineation Report for the Carlsbad Raceivay Property IKPM-01 /May 18,1998 rQCJS ORANGE SANDIEGO PROJECT LOCATION SANVr-^ UNITED. STATES ^ YSIDRO ;S^ — • MEXICO HELIX Regional Location Map CARLSBAD RACEWAY figure C < •Q «• o METHODS Prior to beginning field work black and white aerial photographs (dated: 7/8/97, scale 1:4,500), topographic maps (1"=100'), and USGS topographical maps (1"=2,000') were reviewed to determine the location of potential jurisdictional areas which could be impacted by the project. In addition, potential jurisdictional areas were noted during other focused surveys (e.g., vegetation mapping, coastal California gnatcatcher surveys) conducted within the study area during 1998. A focused delineation was conducted in areas that were suspected jurisdictional wetlands and non-vegetated Waters of the U.S. on March 19 and 31, 1998 by HELIX Biologists W. Larry Sward and Peter Allen. All areas with depressions or drainage channels were evaluated for the presence of Waters of the United States (U.S.) including jurisdictional wetlands. Each area was inspected according to wetland delineation guidelines. Wetland boundaries were determined using three criteria (vegetation, hydrology, and soils) established for wetland delineations as described within the Wetlands Delineation Manual (Environmental Laboratory 1987). Other references included: vegetation and topographic maps of the site and Field Guide for Wetland Delineation (Wetland Training Institute 1995). Soils information was taken from Field Office Official List of Hydric Soils Map Units for San Diego Area, California (USDA 1992) and Soil Survey for the San Diego Area (Bowman 1973). Soils chromas were identified according to Munsell's Soil Color Charts (Kollmorgen 1990). Plants were identified according to The Jepson Manual, Higher Plants of California (Hickman 1993), A Flora of San Diego County, California (Beauchamp 1986), and A Flora of Southern California (Munz 1974). Wetland affiliations of plant species and plant nomenclature are consistent with List of Plant Species that Occur in Wetlands (Reed 1988). An overview of the definitions of ACOE wetlands and jurisdictional Waters of the U.S. is presented in Appendix A. Definitions of CDFG jurisdictional areas are also presented in Appendix A. Areas were determined to be non-vegetated Waters of the U.S. if there was evidence of regular surface flow (e.g., bed and bank), but lacked the vegetation criteria. The unvegetated areas encompassed by the ordinary high water mark (OHWM) were measured and surrounding vegetation noted. If an area was suspected of being a wetland, vegetation and hydrology indicators were noted, and a soil pit was dug and described. The area was then determined to be a federal (ACOE) wetland if it satisfied the three wetland criteria (vegetation, hydrology, and soil). In most cases, two sample points were evaluated (one inside the suspected wetland, and one beyond where the hydrology and/or the HELIX Jurisdictional Delineation Report for the Carlsbad Raceivay Property /KPM-01/May 18,1998 PQQ6 t vegetation criteria were not satisfied). All potential wetlands/Waters of the U.S. areas were sampled. In all, seven sample points were taken, six in which soil pits were dug. Standard data forms were completed for each sample point in the field and are included in Appendix B. The wetland and non- vegetated Waters of the U.S. boundaries were measured and mapped in the field. A site visit was conducted on May 6,1998 with David Zoutendyk of the ACOE. The purpose of this visit was to verify the preliminary results of this delineation. This report includes Mr. Zoutendyk's comments regarding the area and extent of ACOE jurisdiction. HELIX lurisdictional Delineation Report for the Carlsbad Raceway Property / KPM-01 /May 18,1998 RESULTS A. DESCRIPTION OF SITE The Carlsbad Raceway property includes a gentle east to west canyon on the northern half of the property. The drainage spans most of the length of the property. Two larger hills occur on the northern edge of the site and on the southwest corner of the site. A drag strip stretches about two thirds of the property, from the northeast corner to the south central area. The drag strip was created in the canyon bottom in the northeast area of the site, where water has been diverted to flow alongside it in a previously upland area. Also, numerous dirt roads created from off-road motorcycle activity occur in all areas of the site. Tributaries to the main drainage occur in two smaller canyons on the southern half of the site which drain towards the north. Three other tributaries to the main drainage enter from the north side of the property. The drainage on site is an unnamed tributary to Agua Hedionda Creek which drains into the Agua Hedionda Lagoon. The HELIX vegetation map for the Carlsbad Raceway property dated April, 28, 1998 identified the following vegetation communities: freshwater marsh, southern willow scrub, mulefat scrub, Diegan coastal sage scrub, Diegan coastal sage scrub - disturbed, southern mixed chaparral, non-native grassland, agriculture, and disturbed. The largest vegetation type on the Carlsbad Raceway property is disturbed, followed by non-native grassland. Seven soil types are present on site. Altamont clays occur on approximately 65% of the site. They occur on the hills and upland areas on the southern portions of the site. Visalia sandy loams occur on approximately 20% of the site and are found'in the main canyon on the northern portion of the site. Las Flores loamy fine sands and Cieneba very rocky coarse sandy loams both occur on about 5% of the site in the northwestern and northern areas. Cieneba coarse sandy loams, Huerhuero loams, and Salinas clay loams occur collectively on approximately 5% of the site in the north. The Salinas clay loams occur on the west end of the main drainage on site (Bowman, 1973). Visalia sandy loams and Las Flores loamy fine sands have been described as being potentially hydric soils in flood plains and depression areas respectively (USDA 1992). Both of these topographical features are known to occur on site. HELIX Jurisdiction^ Delineation Report for the Carlsbad Raceway Property IKPM-01 /May 18,1998 PflQfi 4 B. FINDINGS 1. Federal Turisdictional Areas ACOE jurisdictional areas occur in three ponds and three drainages on site (Figure 3). Totals for ACOE jurisdictional wetlands and non-vegetated Waters of the U.S. are found in Table 1. Table 1 JURISDICTIONAL AREAS OF THE CARLSBAD RACEWAY PROPERTY Resource Southern Willow Scrub Mule Fat Scrub Freshwater Marsh Streambed TOTALS: ACOE Wetlands (acres) 0.52 - 0.76 - 1.28 Non-vegetated Waters of the U.S. (acres) - - - 0.51 0.51 CDFG Jurisdictional Areas (acres) 3.34 0.18 0.76 0.51 4.79 a. Jurisdictional Wetland Characteristics On Site The wetland areas on site are dominated by hydrophytic vegetation, hydrology, and soils. On site wetlands originate from drainages and depressions. Sample plots were taken in potential jurisdictional areas. Seven sample plots were taken in potential wetland areas throughout the site (Figure 4). The first two sample plots were taken along the main drainage in the northeast area of the property. Sample plot 3 was taken in a small ponded area separate from the main drainage in the northern area of the property. Sample plots 4 and 7 were taken in the main drainage in the northwestern area of the site. Sample plots 5 and 6 were taken in a drainage on the south side of the drag strip. Three of the seven sample plots were found to be ACOE jurisdictional wetlands. Following is a summary of each wetland delineation sample plot taken within the study area: Sample Plot 1: This sample plot was taken in the main drainage in the northeast area of the property. Vegetation was dominated by southern cattail (Typha domingensis) and brass-buttons (Cotula coronopifolia). These species are obligate and facultative wetland respectively, and meet wetland vegetation criteria. Hydrology criteria were met by inundated soils, oxidized root channels, and the facultative neutral test HELIX fiirtsdtcftoiial Delineation Report for the Carlsbad Raceway Property / KPM-01 /May 18,199S PageS (FAC-neutral test). Soils exhibited characteristic wetland low chromas (i.e., 5Y 4/2) with mottling (i.e., 7.5YR 5/8). This plot was in a wetland. Sample Plot 2: This sample plot was located on a bench above the main drainage in the far northeast area of the site. Vegetation at this plot was dominated by mule fat (Baccharis salicifolia), which is a facultative wetland plant and meets wetland vegetation criteria. Hydrology criteria were not met as the area only appears to flood during major storm events when the intake pipe draining the area is unable to accommodate the high water flows. The only hydrological indicator present was the FAC-neutral test which is vegetation based. Soils did not have characteristic wetland low chromas (i.e., 2.5Y 4/3) and did not meet wetland criteria. They appeared to be relatively recently deposited due to some organic layers of material in the soil. This plot was not in a wetland. Sample Plot 3: Sample plot 3 was located in an upland area near the back side of the dam, and is a counterpart to sample plot 2. Vegetation was dominated by pale spike-sedge (Eleocharis macrostachya), an obligate species, which meets wetland vegetation criteria. Hydrology criteria were met by indicators such as: inundated soils, oxidized root channels, and the FAC-neutral test. Soils exhibited characteristic wetland low chromas (i.e., 5Y 5/2) with mottling (7.5 YR 5/8). This plot was in a wetland. Sample Plot 4: This sample plot was taken adjacent to the main drainage on the northwestern portion of the site. Vegetation was dominated in this area by arroyo willow (Salix lasiolepis) and pampas grass (Cortaderia sp.). These species are facultative wetland and upland, and do not meet wetland vegetation criteria. Hydrology criteria were met indicators such as: drift lines and the FAC-neutral test. Soils exhibited characteristic wetland low chromas (5 Y 4/1) with mottling (7.5 YR 5/8), but only in the layer from 18"-20" deep. Soils wetland characteristics are generally evidenced above 18" for effective rooting range. This area was largely void of herbaceous vegetation due to scouring from recent storm flows. If given enough time this plot would develop wetland vegetation. This plot was in a wetland. Sample Plot 5: This sample plot was located in a wide drainage that dead-ends on the south side of the drag strip. Vegetation was dominated by arroyo willow. This species is a facultative wetland species and meets wetland vegetation criteria. Hydrology criteria were met by indicators such as: saturated soils and the FAC-neutral test. A seep or spring is contributing to the area, as cattails and surface water are present on the east-facing slope above the drainage bottom. Soils exhibited characteristic wetland low chromas (i.e., 5GY 4/1). This plot was in a wetland. HELIX Jurisdictional Delineation Report for the Carlsbad Raceivay Property / KPM-01 /May 18,199S rGC|6 0 Sample Plot 6: This sample plot was located several hundred feet up the drainage and to the south from sample plot 5. Vegetation was dominated by coyote brush (Baccharis pilularis). Non-dominant species consisted of coastal prickly-pear (Opuntia littomlis). Both species are upland species and dp not meet wetland vegetation criteria. Hydrology criteria were not met as no indicators were present. Soils did not exhibit characteristic wetland low chromas (i.e., 2.5Y 4/3) and did not met wetland requirements. This plot was not in a wetland. Sample Plot 7: This sample plot was located in the southern willow scrub near the main drainage in the northwest area of the property. Vegetation was dominated by Goodding's black willow (Salix gooddingii), poison oak (Toxicodendron diversilobum), and San Diego reedgrass (Calamagrostis densa also known as Calamagrostis koelerioides). These species range from obligate to upland, and do not meet vegetation criteria as they are predominantly upland. Hydrology criteria were met by the indicator of drift lines. Soils were not sampled due to the presence of poison oak. This plot exhibited changing conditions as Goodding's black willow may be an indicator of past wetter conditions when the nearby stream channel had not eroded so deeply into the soil. As conditions have become progressively drier, upland plants have become established, although the willow has been able to reach water with deep roots. This plot was not in a wetland. Typical plant species in the wetland areas included: southern cattail, brass-buttons, arroyo willow, and pale spike-sedge. These plant species range from the classifications of obligate southern cattail and pale spike-sedge) to facultative wetland (arroyo willow) (see definitions in Appendix A). Wetland hydrology was primarily evidenced by the presence of surface water (inundated soils), saturated soils, drift lines, or bed and bank topography. Other indicators such as oxidized root channels or a positive FAC-neutral test were also present in some wetland areas. Wetland soils on site exhibited characteristic low chromas often with mottling. The presence of an aquic moisture regime was also indicative of wetland soils, which was inferred by inundated soils and dominant wetland vegetation. Factors particularly noted when determining the wetlands on site were wetland vegetation in the channel bottom, the presence of herbaceous obligate wetland plants, and surface water. Several areas on site exhibited changing conditions. In the northwest area of the site a small dammed pond exists south of the main drainage, and a large area of southern willow scrub surrounds the pond and the drainage. The pond supports the immediate willows around it and excess water from the pond drains across an area HELIX Jurisdiction^ Delineation Report for the Carlsbad Raceway Property / KPM-01 /May 18,1998 largely void of vegetation due to off-road vehicular activity into the main channel. This area would presumably support wetland vegetation if disturbance ceased. On the north side of the main channel, two closely related areas have standing water and support obligate wetland herbaceous plants. These areas are topographically above the nearby channel and appear to be supported by a seep or spring. The main drainage has eroded several feet below nearby rooted vegetation throughout most of the site, and particularly in this area. What may have been a meandering split channel in the past is now very channelized and below the rooting depth of much of the nearby vegetation. The southern willow scrub on both sides of the channel appears to be a remnant of wetter past conditions, as much of the understory is made up of upland and facultative upland species such as poison oak and San Diego reedgrass. The only dominant wetland vegetation supported by the main drainage is five to ten feet wide on either side of the channel. In this and other areas of the site, boundaries of the jurisdictional wetlands were chosen based on the obvious limits of the wetland vegetation within areas of wetland hydrology. b. Non-vegetated Waters of the U.S. On Site Non-vegetated Waters of the U.S. occur in one drainage and five tributaries on site. Following is a description of each of the drainages. The main drainage on site occurs in the northern area of the property. It flows to the west extending from the northeast corner of the property to the northwest area of the property. This drainage has a total jurisdictional length of approximately 2,750 feet, which is separated by a non-jurisdictional area running through uplands alongside the drag-strip. The drainage consists of wetlands in the far northeast corner and the northwest area of the site. The streambed between the wetland areas is a non-vegetated Waters of the U.S. Jurisdictional widths of non-vegetated Waters of the U.S. range from 1 to 6 feet. There are five tributaries to the main drainage, which are all non-vegetated Waters of the U.S. Two tributaries enter the main drainage from the south side of the drag strip. Approximate lengths of these tributaries are: 200 feet and 900 feet. Jurisdictional widths of the non-vegetated Waters of the U.S. range from 6 inches to 3 feet in these tributaries. Two more tributaries enter the main drainage from the hills on the north side of the project, with approximate lengths of 1,075 feet and 500 feet, and jurisdictional widths of 6 inches to 2 feet. The fifth tributary is from a large canyon to the north of the property, and extends about 100 feet onto the property before it enters the main drainage on site. It has a jurisdictional width of 5 feet. HELIX Jurisdictional Delineation Report for the Carlsbad Raceway Property /KPM-01/May 18,1998 2. State Jurisdictional Areas CDFG Jurisdictional areas include all ACOE Jurisdictional areas and additional areas with riparian vegetation that did not meet federal Jurisdictional wetland criteria (Figure 3). For a list of the total acreage of State Jurisdictional areas, please see Table 1. HELIX Jurisdictional Delineation Report for the Carlsbad Raceway Property / KPM-Ol /May 18,1998 P0(]6 9 POTENTIAL IMPACTS Some of the jurisdictional areas on site are proposed to be impacted by several different projects. Impacts will come from a proposed extension of Melrose Drive and proposed development of industrial space on the Carlsbad Raceway property. A proposed extension of Poinsettia Avenue did not significantly impact any jurisdictional area. For a breakdown of impacts please see Tables 2 and 3 below. Table 2 POTENTIAL IMPACTS TO JURISDICTIONAL AREAS ON THE CARLSBAD RACEWAY PROPERTY1 Jurisdiction ACOE wetland ACOE non- vegetated Waters of the U.S. CDFG jurisdictional areas Existing2 1.28 0.51 4.79 Melrose Drive Impacts2 0.253 Carlsbad Raceway Property Project Impacts2 0.24 0.18 0.66 Total Impacts2 0.24 0.18 0.91 Remaining2 1.04 0.33 3.88 1 Impacts are based on the Preliminary Plan dated: April 1998 by O'Day Consultants 2 All figures are in acres 3 Impacted area consisted of State only jurisdictional southern willow scrub Table 3 POTENTIAL IMPACTS OF THE CARLSBAD RACEWAY PROJECT TO JURISDICTIONAL HABITATS1 Jurisdictional Habitat Freshwater Marsh Southern Willow Scrub Mule Fat Scrub Streambed TOTALS: Federal (acres) 0.07 0.17 0 0.18 0.42 State (acres)2 0.07 0.28 0.13 0.18 0.66 Impacts are based on the Preliminary Plan dated: April 1998 by O'Day Consultants and do not include impacts from the extension of Melrose Drive : State Jurisdictional Areas include Federal Jurisdictional Areas HELIX Jurisdictional Delineation Report for the Carlsbad Raceway Property /KPM-01 /May 18,199S Page 10 CONCLUSION Federal (ACOE) jurisdictional areas consist of approximately 1.28 acres of wetlands and 0.51 acre of non- vegetated Waters of the U.S. within the boundaries of the Carlsbad Raceway property. Jurisdictional areas consisted of one main drainage with five tributaries, and three ponds. Impacts from the development of the Carlsbad Raceway property excluding impacts from Melrose Drive comprise 0.24 acre of wetlands and 0.18 acre of non-vegetated Waters of the U.S. Impacts to wetlands and non- vegetated Waters of the U.S. are regulated by the ACOE under Section 404 of the Clean Water Act (33 U.S.C. 1344). Wetland areas are regulated under a "no net loss" policy by the ACOE, and any impacts to ACOE jurisdictional wetlands areas will require mitigation. An individual permit under Section 404 would be required for this project. CDFG jurisdictional areas consist of 4.79 acres. CDFG jurisdictional areas consisted of one main drainage with five .tributaries, and three ponds. Impacts from the development of the Carlsbad Raceway property excluding impacts from Melrose Drive comprise 0.66 acre of jurisdictional areas. Any impacts to CDFG jurisdictional areas will require a Streambed/Lake Alteration Agreement permit and are regulated under Fish and Game Code Section 1603 (Attachment C). A California Regional Water Quality Control Board permit (401 Certification) will also need to be obtained before any impacts to jurisdictional areas occur. HELIX Jurisdictional Delineation Report for the Carlsbad Raceway Property /KPM-01 /May 18,1998 rQQfi 11 LITERATURE CITED Beauchamp, R. Mitchel. 1986. A Flora of San Diego County. California. Sweetwater River Press. National City, California. Bowman, R. 1973. Soil Survey of the San Diego Area. USDA in cooperation with the USDI, UC Agricultural Experiment Station, Bureau of Indian Affairs, Department of the Navy, and the United States Marine Corps. Environmental Laboratory. 1987. Army Corps of Engineers Wetlands Delineation Manual. Technical Report Y-87-1. U.S. Army Engineer Waterways Experiment Station, Vicksburg, Mississippi. 100 pp. with Appendices. Hickman, J. C. (Ed.). 1993. The Tepson Manual. Higher Plants of California. University of California Press, Berkeley, 1400 pp. Kollmorgen Instruments Corporation. 1990. Munsell Soil Color Charts. Baltimore, MD. Munz, P. A. 1974. A Flora of Southern California. University of California Press, Berkeley. 1086 pp. Reed, P. B., Jr. 1988. National List of Plant Species that Occur in Wetlands: California (Region 0). U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Biological Report 88(26.10). USDA Soil Conservation Service. 1992. Hydric Soil Lists. Field Office Official List of Hydric Soils Map Units for San Diego Area. California . Section II Field Office Technical Guide. Davis, California. Wetland Training Institute, Inc. 1995. Field Guide for Wetland Delineation: 1987 Corps of Engineers Manual. WTI91-2. 133pp. HELIX lurisdictional Delineation Report for the Carlsbad Raceway Property IKPM-01 /May 18,1998 P Q Q 6 12 APPENDIX A FEDERAL AND STATE JURISDICTIONAL DEFINITIONS I. Federal Definitions A. Wetlands and "Waters of the United States" Definitions The Army Corps of Engineers (Federal Register 1982) and the Environmental Protection Agency (Federal Register 1980) jointly define wetlands as: "Those areas that are inundated or saturated by surface or ground water at a frequency and duration sufficient to support, and that under normal circumstances do support, a prevalence of vegetation typically adapted for life in saturated soil conditions" (Environmental Laboratory, 1987). The official definition of "Waters of the United States" (Waters of the U.S.) and their limits of jurisdiction, as they may apply within the study area, are defined by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' Regulatory Program Regulations (Section 328.3, paragraphs (a) 1-3 and (e), and Section 328.4, paragraphs (c) 1 and 2) as: "All waters which are currently used, or were used in the past, or may be susceptible to use in interstate or foreign commerce, including all waters which are subject to the ebb and flow of the tide; all waters including interstate wetlands, all other waters such as interstate lakes, rivers, streams [including intermittent streams], mudflats, sandflats, wetlands, sloughs, prairie potholes, wet meadows, playa lakes, or natural ponds, the use, degradation or destruction of which could affect interstate commerce including any such water, which are or could be used by interstate travelers for recreation or other purposes; or from which fish or shellfish are or could be taken and sold in interstate commerce; or which are or could be used for industries in interstate commerce; or wetlands adjacent to waters [other than waters that are themselves wetlands]." "Non-tidal waters of the United States. The limits of jurisdiction in non-tidal waters: In the absence of adjacent wetlands, the jurisdiction extends to the ordinary high water mark, or when adjacent wetlands are present, the jurisdiction extends to the limit of the adjacent wetlands." "The term ordinary high water mark means that line on the shore established by the fluctuation of water and indicated by physical characteristics such as clear, natural line impressed on the bank, shelving, changes in the character of soil, destruction of terrestrial vegetation (scouring), the presence of litter and debris, or other appropriate means that consider the characteristics of the surrounding areas." For purposes of delineation and jurisdictional designation, Waters of the U.S. must exhibit an ordinary high water mark or other evidence of surface flow created by hydrologic physical changes. These physical changes include the indicators used for satisfying the hydrologic criterion for wetland delineations. Wetland boundaries were determined using the three mandatory criteria (plant, soils, and hydrology) established for wetland delineations and described within the Wetlands Delineation Manual (Environmental Laboratory 1987) and subsequent regulatory guidance letters (March 6, 1992; October 7, 1991). Following is a brief discussion of the three criteria and how they were evaluated. 1, Vegetation "Hydrophytic vegetation is defined herein as the sum total of macrophytic plant life that occurs in areas where the frequency and duration of inundation or soil saturation produce permanently or periodically saturated soils of sufficient duration to exert a controlling influence on the plant species present" (Environmental Laboratory 1987). The wetland indicator status (obligate upland, facultative upland, facultative, facultative wetland, obligate wetland, or no indicator status) of the dominant plant species of all vegetative layers were A-l determined. Species considered to be wetland or hydrophytic includes the classifications of facultative, facultative wetland, and obligate wetland as defined by Reed (1988)(Table Al). The percent of dominant wetland plants was calculated. The wetland vegetation criterion was considered to be met if more than 50% of the dominant plants within the area sampled were classified as a wetland species. Table Al. Definitions of Plant Indicator Categories Indicator Categories Probability of Occurring in Wetlands Obligate wetland Occur almost exclusively in wetlands Facultative wetland Usually found in wetlands (66-99% probability), but occasionally in uplands Facultative Equally likely to occur in wetland (34-66% probability) or non- wetland Facultative upland Usually occur in non-wetlands, but occasionally found in wetlands Obligate upland Occur almost exclusively in non-wetlands Non indicator Inconclusive status 2. Hydrology "The term "wetland hydrology" encompasses all hydrologic characteristics of areas that are periodically inundated or have soils saturated to the surface at some time during the growing season. Areas with evident characteristics of wetland hydrology are those where the presence of water has an overriding influence on characteristics of vegetation and soils due to anaerobic reducing conditions, respectively" (Environmental Laboratory, 1987). Hydrologic characteristics must indicate that the ground is saturated to within 12 inches of the surface for at least 5 percent of the growing season during a normal rainfall year (approximately 18 days for most of low-lying southern California). Hydrology criteria were evaluated based on the characteristics described in the following list. Where positive indicators of wetland hydrology were present, the limit of the Ordinary High Water Mark (OHWM) was noted and mapped. Hydrologic indicators include: • inundated soils • saturated soils within 126 of the surface • water marks • drift lines • sediment deposits • drainage patterns in wetlands (meandering water course) • presence of oxidized root channels surrounding living roots (oxidized rhizospheres) A-2 • water-stained leaves • plants with hydrologically induced morphological adaptations to prolonged inundation and/or saturation (e.g., aerenchyma in roots and stems, adventitious roots, and/or pneumataphores) • local soil survey data • FAC-neutral test (ratio of OBL + FACW : FACU + UPL) • in the absence of all other hydrologic indicators and in the absence of significant modifications of an area's hydrologic function, positive hydric soil characteristics are assumed to indicate positive wetland hydrology 3. Soils "A hydric soil is a soil that formed under conditions of saturation, flooding, or ponding long enough during the growing season to develop anaerobic conditions in the upper part" (US Department of Agriculture (USDA) Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) 1995). Soils must exhibit physical and/or chemical characteristics indicative of permanent or periodic saturation. Soil matrix and mottle colors were identified at each sampling point using a Munsell soil color chart (Kollmorgen 1975). Generally, an 18-inch or deeper pit was excavated with a shovel at each sampling point, unless refusal occurred above 18 inches. Mineral soils were considered hydric if the horizon immediately below the A horizon (or 10 inches) had (1) a matrix chroma of two or less in mottled soils, or (2) a matrix chroma of one or less in unmottled soils. Soils in each area were closely examined for hydric soil indicators, including the following characteristics: • histosols • histic epipedons • sulfid'ic odor • aquic moisture regime • reducing conditions • gleyed or low-chroma colors • concretions • high organic content in surface layer of sandy soils • organic streaking in sandy soils • listed on local hydric soils list • listed on national hydric soils list A-3 Hydric soils are assumed to be present in plant communities that have a complete dominance of obligate or facultative wetland species. In some cases, there is only inundation during the growing season, and determination must be made by direct observation during that season, recorded hydrologic data, testimony of reliable persons and/or indication on aerial photographs. Soil series/phase was determined by examination of area soil maps provided in the soil survey for the area. B. Non-vegetated Waters of the United States The non-vegetated (non-wetland) Waters of the U.S. designation was met when an area exhibited positive indicators within the hydrologic criteria, but lacked sufficient indicators to meet the hydrophytic vegetation and/or hydric soils criteria. For purposes of delineation and jurisdictional designation, non- vegetated Waters of the U.S. must exhibit an OHWM created by periodic surface flow. The boundaries of non-vegetated Waters of the U.S. were delineated at the OHWM as described in the Section 404 regulations (33 CFR Part 328). H. State Regulations A. California Department of Fish and Game Regulations The California Department of Fish and Game (CDFG) regulates alterations or impacts to streambeds or lakes (wetlands) under Fish and Game Code 1601 for government or public utility initiated projects, and under Code 1603 for privately initiated projects. The CDFG requires a Srreambed/Lake Alteration Agreement (SAA) for projects that will divert or obstruct the natural flow of water, change the bed, channel or bank of any stream, or use any material from a streambed. The SAA is a contract between the applicant and the CDFG stating what can be done in the riparian zone and stream course (California Association of Resource Conservation Districts). Intermittent streams and natural drainage channels are also regulated under Fish and Game Code 1601 and 1603 and require a SAA. Fish and Game code 1601 regulates these areas as follows: "Except as hereinafter provided, general plans sufficient to indicate the nature of a project for construction by, or on behalf of, any governmental agency, state or local, and any public utility, of any project which will divert, obstruct or change the natural flow or bed, channel or bank of any river, stream or lake designated by the department in which there is at any time an existing fish or wildlife resource or from which these resources derive benefit, or will use material from the streambeds designated by the department, shall be submitted to the department. When an existing fish or wildlife resource may be substantially adversely affected by such construction, the department shall notify the governmental agency or public utility of the existence of such fish or wildlife resource together with a description thereof and will propose reasonable modifications in the proposed construction as would allow for the protection and continuance of the fish or wildlife resource, including procedures to review the operation of such protective measures." "Agencies or public utilities proposing projects affected by this section shall not commence such operations until the department has found that such project will not substantially adversely affect an existing fish or wildlife resource or until the department's proposals, or the decisions of a panel of arbitrators, have been incorporated into such projects." Projects that fall under these guidelines will require a 1601 Streambed/Lake Alteration Agreement. Fish and Game Code Section 1603 regulates these areas as follows: "It is unlawful for any person to substantially divert or obstruct the natural flow or substantially change the bed, channel or bank of any river, stream or lake designated by the department, or use any material from the streambeds, without first notifying the department of such activity, except when the department has been notified pursuant to Section 1601." Also, "It is unlawful for any person to commence any activity affected by this section until the department has found it will not substantially adversely affect an existing fish or wildlife resource or A-4 until the department's proposals, or the decisions of a panel of arbitrators, have been incorporated into such projects." Projects that fall under these guidelines will require a 1603 Streambed/Lake Alteration Agreement. B. Section 401 Certification The California Regional Water Quality Control Boards (RWQCB) require Federal Clean Water Act (CWA) Section 401 Water Quality Certification. Federal CWA Section 401 requires that every applicant for a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers CWA Section 401 permit or a Rivers and Harbors Act Section 10 permit must request State certification from the Regional Board that the proposed activity will not violate State and Federal water quality standards. REFERENCES California Association of Resource Conservation Districts. Guide To Stream Project Permitting for the State of California. California Department of Fish and Game. Fish and Game Code 1601 and 1603. California Department of Fish and Game. Streambed/Lake Alteration Notification Guidelines. A-5 APPENDIX B Wetland Delineation Field Data Forms (Available Upon Request) B-l