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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCT 06-27; Muroya Subdivision; Tentative Map (CT) (3)HABITAT CONSERVATION AREA NO TRESPASSING OCTOBER 2 0 1 5 PREPARED FOR, Taylor Morrison Services, Inc. 15 Cushing Irvine, California 92618 Contact: April Tomillo PREPARED BY DUDEK 605 Third Street Encinitas, CA 92024 Contact: Paul Walsh, Landscape Architect #4446 Third Annual Biological Monitoring Report for the Muroya Uplands Mitigation Project THIRD ANNUAL BIOLOGICAL MONITORING REPORT for the MUROYA UPLANDS MITIGATION PROJECT CITY OF CARLSBAD, CALIFORNIA A.KA. VISTA DEL MAR Prepared for: Taylor Morrison Services Inc. 15 Cushing Irvine, California 92618 Contact: April Tornillo Prepared by: DUDEK 605 Third Street Encinitas, California 92024 Tel. 760.942.5147 Contact: Paul Walsh, Landscape Architect #4446 Habitat Restoration Specialist OCTOBER 2015 Third Annual Biological Monitoring Report for the Muroya Uplands Mitigation Project, Carlsbad, California TABLE OF CONTENTS Section Page No. SUMMARY III 1 PROJECT INFORMATION 1 2 MONITORING SCHEDULE AND PERFORMANCE STANDARDS 9 2.1 Agency-Approved Performance Standards 9 3 BIOLOGICAL MONITORING 11 3.1 Monitoring Results/Data 11 3.2 Monitoring Results Compared to Performance Standards 12 4 SUMMARY OF YEAR THREE MAINTENANCE AND REMEDIAL ACTIONS 15 5 MAINTENANCE AND REMEDIAL RECOMMENDATIONS FOR YEAR FOUR 17 6 REFERENCES 19 FIGURES 1 Regional Map 3 2 Vicinity Map 5 3 Mitigation Area and Photo Locations Map 7 4 Mitigation Site Photographs 13 TABLES 1 Monitoring Timeline 9 2 Performance Criteria by Year 9 3 Performance Criteria Compared to Actual Percent Cover (Year Two) 12 5332-01 DUDEK October 2015 Third Annual Biological Monitoring Report for the Muroya Uplands Mitigation Project, Carlsbad, California INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK DUDEK ii 5332-01 October 2015 Third Annual Biological Monitoring Report for the Muroya Uplands Mitigation Project, Carlsbad, California SUMMARY This report summarizes the third-year (October 2014—October 2015) monitoring results for the Muroya Uplands Mitigation Project (Mitigation Project). The Mitigation Project was designed to mitigate for upland impacts associated with the construction of the Muroya (a.k.a. Vista Del Mar) single-family housing project. The Mitigation Project is located in the City of Carlsbad, California, immediately west of Black Rail Road. The project was installed in accordance with the Final Conceptual Upland Mitigation Plan for the Muroya Property, City of Carlsbad, California, dated December 2011. The third-year performance of the Mitigation Project was assessed utilizing qualitative data collected during biological monitoring visits conducted in January, July, August, and October 2015. Results of the third-year monitoring indicate that habitat establishment has been good. Native cover ranged from 75% to 95% with an overall average estimated at 85%. Species diversity is good, with over 15 different native species inventoried. Weed growth and cover was low to moderate during Year Three. The maintenance contractor (FIRS) performed seasonal weed control to keep weeds at low levels, i.e., less than 5% cover. The site was irrigated until December 2014 to help establish the native container plantings and hydroseed and has remained off. This demonstrates that the mitigation site has successfully adapted to natural rainfall cycles. The primary maintenance activities during Year Three included weed control, irrigation system adjustments, and trash removal. The habitat fencing remains in place and intact. Erosion has not been observed in the mitigation areas. Trash accumulation during Year Three was not significant and the contractor removed trash during routine maintenance visits. The Year Three performance standards have been exceeded and remedial actions are not necessary at this time. The final Year Five criteria have been exceeded for the past two years. The irrigation system has been off since December 2014, and therefore the site is recommended to be approved/signed off in spring 2016. Quarterly maintenance visits that focus on timely weed control and trash removal are recommended for Year Four. DUDEK 5332-01 October 2015 Third Annual Biological Monitoring Report for the Muroya Uplands Mitigation Project, Carlsbad, California INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK DUDEK w 5332-01 October 2015 Third Annual Biological Monitoring Report for the Muroya Uplands Mitigation Project, Carlsbad, California 1 PROJECT INFORMATION The Vista Del Mar project located on the former Muroya property includes an approximately 10- acre residential development within the approximately 20-acre property (Figures 1-3). The property falls within the jurisdiction of the City of Carlsbad (City), is located in the southern portion of the City and is subject to the Carlsbad Habitat Management Plan (HMP) and California Coastal Commission regulations. Diegan coastal sage scrub (DCSS), southern mixed chaparral (SMX), and southern maritime chaparral (SMC) habitats occur within the project site. The federally listed threatened coastal California gnatcatcher (Polioptila californica californica) has been documented utilizing the native habitat areas on site. Mitigation for impacts to southern mixed chaparral and southern maritime chaparral were provided through land dedication and on-site habitat restoration. This report addresses the on-site restoration of 0.05 acre of southern mixed chaparral and 0.87 acre of southern maritime chaparral for a total of 0.92 acre of on-site uplands mitigation. The project proponent is Taylor Morrison of California LLC, which is located at 15 Cushing Avenue, Irvine, California, 92618. The contact person at Taylor Morrison is April Tornillo, phone: 949.341.1289. Dudek is serving as environmental consultant for the Mitigation Project. The representative for the project at Dudek is Paul Walsh (Habitat Restoration Specialist). Dudek's phone number is 760.479.4265. DUDEK 1 5332-01 October 2015 Third Annual Biological Monitoring Report for the Muroya Uplands Mitigation Project, Carlsbad, California INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK DUDEK 2 5332-01 October 2015 0 1.1 I irigo Santa Ysabel Pine Valley 10 15 Mlles DUDEK 5332 San Diego etr"-N....Sere e Lakeside Alpine Harbison Canyon EllBajon ')Casa de Mesa Oro-Mount Helix Ranch ag oSan Lemon spnng i Grove valley Jamul Yorbaillin5a Corona \12: 00 Th \ \ \ ‘"?a El Toro To Rancho SantalMargarita Laguna Hills Coto De Aliso 1VieJo caza a Meje7121 Trabuco Laguna Highlands Niguel Sa;,Ju".77.."'sjan L Capistrano a r- Dana Ofel*' Gott) P5int San Clemente san 1.11", Gotirm Moreno Valley March Woodcrest FB Xumonl Banning Station El Perris Nuevo San JaZinto East Hemet Hemet 77Rancho Mirage -- Rainbow — Riverside Cooly San Diego County Fallbrook Camp Pendleton North Camp Pendleton 'South Hidden Meadows Valley Center VVildomar Oceanside Vista San Marcos Carlsbad Encinitas 4r3 Project Site Escondido San Diego Country Estates N Imperia Beach National Bonita CiTy Chula Vista Campo MEXICO Pacific Ocean Bonsall FIGURE 1 Regional Map Annual Biological Monitoring Report for the Muroya Uplands Mitigation Project Third Annual Biological Monitoring Report for the Muroya Uplands Mitigation Project, Carlsbad, California INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK DUDEl< 4 5332-01 October 2015 try I 4 t -p 4 4,11111a ontcd, 1,000 2,000 IFeet • DUDEK SOURCE. USGS 7.5-Minute Series Quadrangle. FIGURE 2 Vicinity Map 5332 Annual Biological Monitoring Report for the Muroya Uplands Mitigation Project Third Annual Biological Monitoring Report for the Muroya Uplands Mitigation Project, Carlsbad, California INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK DUDEK 6 5332-01 October 2015 I=1 Muroya Project Preserve WIA HMP 20-Foot Buffer Proposed Chaparral Restoration Areas Southern Maritime Chaparral Southern Mixed Chaparral Development Area SDG&E Easement Vegetation Communities/Landcovers AGR, Agriculture BS, Baccharis Scrub CSS, Coastal Sage Scrub DEV, Developed Land - DUDEK 7608-01 8 SOURCE: Annual Biological Monitoring Report for the Muroya Uplands Mitigation Project FIGURE 3 Mitigation Area and Photo Locations Map Third Annual Biological Monitoring Report for the Muroya Uplands Mitigation Project, Carlsbad, California INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK 5332-01 8 October 2015 Third Annual Biological Monitoring Report for the Muroya Uplands Mitigation Project, Carlsbad, California 2 MONITORING SCHEDULE AND PERFORMANCE STANDARDS Table 1 shows a monitoring timeline for the five-year biological monitoring program and monitoring/reporting tasks completed to date. Table 1 Monitoring Timeline Year 2012 S 2013 M M M M R 2014 M M M 2015 M M MR 2016 2017 C Completion of Site Preparation and Irrigation Installation and Start of the Five-Year Maintenance and Monitoring Period Biological Monitoring Performed Report Due/Submitted Scheduled Completion of the Five-Year Maintenance and Monitoring Period Monitoring Work Completed to Date 2.1 Agency-Approved Performance Standards Table 2 outlines the agency-approved performance standards for each year. Table 2 Performance Criteria by Year Year Coastal Sage Scrub Percent Survival of Container Plants Percent Native Cover Percent Non-Native Cover Percent Invasive/Exotics 1 90 30 <20 0 2 80 40 <15 0 3 80 50 <10 0 4 80 60 <10 0 5 80 75 <5 0 Percent Survival Total percentage surviva of all container plants. Percent Cover Total percent cover of all native plant species, including trees, shrubs, and herbs. El Current Year DUDEK 9 5332-01 October 2015 Third Annual Biological Monitoring Report for the Muroya Uplands Mitigation Project, Carlsbad, California INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK DUDEK 10 5332-01 October 2015 Third Annual Biological Monitoring Report for the Muroya Uplands Mitigation Project, Carlsbad, California 3 BIOLOGICAL MONITORING Biological monitoring is conducted quarterly each year. Visual estimates of percent native and weed species cover and dead plant counts are conducted during the fall quarter of each year. Line intercept transect data will be collected in years 4-5 and tabulated. Monitoring data collected during Year Three is summarized in the following section. 3.1 Monitoring Results/Data Quarterly monitoring site visits included an assessment of plant and habitat health and vigor (or mortality), species presence, and weed and invasive species control, as well as an assessment of the soil moisture and watering schedule, boundary fencing/signage, erosion control, and the need for trash removal. Overall, the Mitigation Project continues to perform well and exceed the annual native cover criteria. Container plants and seed throughout the site are growing well. Native recruitment of coyote bush (Baccharis pilularis), bush mallow (Malacothamnus fasciculatus), and California yerba santa (Eriodictyon californica) have been observed. Species diversity is high with over 15 native species tallied within the mitigation areas. Native plant species present on site include the following: coastal goldenbush (Isocoma menziesii), coyote brush, California sage scrub (Artemisia californica), deerweed (Lotus scoparius var. scoparius), black sage (Salvia mellifera), Eastern Mojave buckwheat (Eriogonum fasciculatum), toyon (Heteromeles arbutifolia), laurel sumac (Malosma laurina), sticky monkeyflower (Mimulus aurantiacus), coastal prickly pear (Opuntia littoralis), wart-stemmed ceanothus (Ceanothus verrucosus), chamise (Adenostoma fasciculata), lemonade berry (Rhus integrifolia), Mojave yucca (Yucca schidigera), and Nuttall's scrub oak (Quercus dumosa). Native cover was visually estimated in October 2015 and ranged from 75% to 95% with an overall average of approximately 85%. Figure 4 includes representative photographs of the mitigation areas. A dead plant count was conducted in October 2015. Only a few container plants had perished. Dudek does not recommend replacing these container plants at this time because more than 90% of the planted containers have survived, natural recruitment has more than offset plant container fatalities, and the site has exceeded the performance standards for Year Five. Weeds germination was low-moderate during Year Three. The most prevalent weed species requiring control included black mustard (Brassica nigra), spotted sandmat (Euphorbia maculata), scarlet pimpernel (Anagallis arvensis), tumbleweed (Salsoa tragus), and goosefoot (Chenopodium spp.). Weed cover was visually estimated in October 2015 and ranged between 1% and 5% with a combined site average of 3%. HRS controlled weeds periodically during Year DUDEK 11 5332-01 October 2015 Third Annual Biological Monitoring Report for the Muroya Uplands Mitigation Project, Carlsbad, California three with a combination of hand tools and spot spraying of herbicide. No invasive species were observed on site, although tree tobacco (Nicotiana glauca), sea fig (Carpobtouts edulis), and castor bean (Ricinus coninninis) were observed in the adjacent areas. The irrigation system has been off since December 2014 but appeared to be in condition. Soil moisture was moderate due to recent rains. No erosion problems were observed within the mitigation areas. The project boundary posts, fencing, and signage appeared to be in good working order. Trash accumulation was minimal and was removed during maintenance visits by HRS. 3.2 Monitoring Results Compared to Performance Standards Results of the Year Three data are summarized in Table 3 and indicate that the percent cover of native species, as well as the overall container plant mortality, exceeds the performance standards for Year Three. Weed cover was within the acceptable range (<5%) for Year Three. Table 3 Performance Criteria Compared to Actual Percent Cover (Year Two) Criteria Category Performance Criteria Actual Percent Cover Percent Container Survival ?.. 80 95% Percent Native Cover 40 85% Percent Weed Cover 15 5% Only a few container plants deaths were noted in Year Three. Container plant growth and hydroseed establishment have been good, and natural recruitment was observed; therefore, replacement plantings are not necessary. Percent native cover was determined during Year Two to be 85% (average), which exceeds the 50% goal for Year Three. In fact, the Year Five criteria of 75% native cover have been exceeded the last two years running. Weed cover was determined during Year Three to range from approximately 1% to 5% cover, which exceeds the performance goal of less than 10% cover by weed species. DUDEK 12 5332-01 October 2015 Photo Point 1 Photo Point 4 Photo Point 2 Photo Point 5 Photo Point 3 Note: See Figure 3 for Photo Point Locations FIGURE 4 Mitigation Site Photographs Annual Monitoring Report for the Muroya Uplands Mitigation Project DUDEK Third Annual Biological Monitoring Report for the Muroya Uplands Mitigation Project, Carlsbad, California INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK 5332-01 DUDEK 14 October 2015 Third Annual Biological Monitoring Report for the Muroya Uplands Mitigation Project, Carlsbad, California 4 SUMMARY OF YEAR THREE MAINTENANCE AND REMEDIAL ACTIONS Maintenance activities during the third year included weed control, irrigation system scheduling, and trash removal. Each of these maintenance items are discussed in more detail in the following list: • Weed control efforts were performed approximately quarterly during Year Three. In general, weed growth was controlled by carefully spot spraying with herbicide or hand pulling. • The irrigation system was operated until December 2014 to establish the native container plantings and hydroseeding. The irrigation is recommended to be shut off at the backflow device and ball valves as it will no longer be needed. • Trash and debris were removed on a regular basis during Year Three by HRS. Remedial work was not need during Year Three. 5332-01 DUDEK 15 October 2015 Third Annual Biological Monitoring Report for the Muroya Uplands Mitigation Project, Carlsbad, California INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK 5332-01 DUDEK 16 October 2015 Third Annual Biological Monitoring Report for the Muroya Uplands Mitigation Project, Carlsbad, California 5 MAINTENANCE AND REMEDIAL RECOMMENDATIONS FOR YEAR FOUR Recommended maintenance work during Year Four includes seasonal weed control. The irrigation schedule has been off since December 2014 and should be kept off at this time. The irrigation system should be shut off at the backflow device (assuming it is not shared), ball valves and the master valve. Any accumulated trash should be removed during routine maintenance visits and any pest outbreaks noted and coordinated with the Biologist and Owner. Remedial actions are not needed at this time as the site has already met the Year 5 performance standards. The site will be non-irrigated for one year as of December 2015 and thus an early sign off is recommended to occur in spring 2016 should the site continue to do well without supplemental water. 5332-01 DUDEK 17 October 2015 Third Annual Biological Monitoring Report for the Muroya Uplands Mitigation Project, Carlsbad, California INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK 5332-01 DUDEK 18 October 2015 Third Annual Biological Monitoring Report for the Muroya Uplands Mitigation Project, Carlsbad, California 6 REFERENCES Walsh, P. 2011. Final Conceptual Upland Mitigation Plan for the Muroya Property, City of Carlsbad, California. December 2011. DUDEK 19 5332-01 October 2015 Third Annual Biological Monitoring Report for the Muroya Uplands Mitigation Project, Carlsbad, California INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK 5332-01 DUDEK 20 October 2015