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Home My WebLink AboutGPA 06-09; Muroya Subdivision; General Plan Amendment (GPA) (17)Second Annual Biological Monitoring Report for the J A N U A R Y 2 0 1 5 Muroya Uplands Mitigation Project Taylor Morrison Services, Inc. 15 Cushing Irvine, California 92618 Contact: April Tornillo P R E PA R E D F O R : Dudek 605 Third Street Encinitas, CA 92024 Contact: Paul Walsh, Landscape Architect #4446 P R E PA R E D B Y: SECOND 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: 605 Third Street Encinitas, California 92024 Tel. 760.942.5147 Contact: Paul Walsh, Landscape Architect #4446 Habitat Restoration Specialist JANUARY 2015 Printed on 30% post-consumer recycled material. Second Annual Biological Monitoring Report for the Muroya Uplands Mitigation Project, Carlsbad, California 5332-01 i January 2015 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 ONE MAINTENANCE AND REMEDIAL ACTIONS ......15 5 MAINTENANCE AND REMEDIAL RECOMMENDATIONS FOR YEAR THREE .................................................................................................................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 Second Annual Biological Monitoring Report for the Muroya Uplands Mitigation Project, Carlsbad, California 5332-01 ii January 2015 INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK Second Annual Biological Monitoring Report for the Muroya Uplands Mitigation Project, Carlsbad, California 5332-01 iii January 2015 SUMMARY This report summarizes the second-year (October 2013–October 2014) 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 second-year performance of the Mitigation Project was assessed utilizing qualitative data collected during biological monitoring visits conducted in January, April, and August 2014. Results of the second-year monitoring indicate that habitat establishment has been good during Year Two. 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 moderate during Year Two. The maintenance contractor (HRS) performed seasonal weed control to keep weeds at acceptable levels. The site was irrigated during Year Two to help establish the native container plantings and hydroseed. The primary maintenance activities during Year Two included weed control, seasonal irrigation system adjustments, and removing trash. The habitat fencing remains in place and intact. Erosion has not been observed in the mitigation areas. Trash accumulation during Year Two was not significant and the contractor removed trash during routine maintenance visits. Illegal dumping in the mitigation area was not observed. The Year Two performance standards have been exceeded and remedial actions are not necessary at this time. Quarterly maintenance visits that focus on timely weed control, soil moisture review, pest control, and trash removal are recommended for Year Three. Second Annual Biological Monitoring Report for the Muroya Uplands Mitigation Project, Carlsbad, California 5332-01 iv January 2015 INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK Second Annual Biological Monitoring Report for the Muroya Uplands Mitigation Project, Carlsbad, California 5332-01 1 January 2015 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. Second Annual Biological Monitoring Report for the Muroya Uplands Mitigation Project, Carlsbad, California 5332-01 2 January 2015 INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK Campo Imperial Beach Chula Vista National City Bonita Coronado LemonGrove LaMesa Poway Encinitas San Diego Carlsbad SanMarcos Escondido Vista Valley Center Camp PendletonSouth Hidden MeadowsOceanside Bonsall CampPendleton North Fallbrook Rainbow Jamul Rancho SanDiegoSpring Valley Casa de Oro-Mount Helix AlpineHarbisonCanyon Lakeside PineValley El Cajon Santee Ramona San Diego CountryEstates Julian Bo Sp San Clemente DanaPoint San Juan Capistrano Laguna Niguel Aliso Viejo nah Laguna Hills Coto De Caza RanchoSanta Margarita MissionViejo Trabuco Highlands ElToro El ToroStation Yorba Linda Temecula ThousanPalms Perris Corona MarchAFB Cathedral City Woodcrest Palm Springs Norco BeaumontMorenoValley SpringsaleyRiverside Banning Wildomar Lake Elsinore WinchesterSun City Idyllwild-Pine CoveEast HemetHemet SanJacinto PDe Rancho Mirage Nuevo Santa Ysabel Ri v e r s i d e C o u n t y Or a n g e C o u n t y Orange County San Diego County San Diego County Riverside County Pacific Ocean MEXICOMEXICO 74 905 62 241 71 274 73 209 163 56 75 111 52 60 91 371 67 243 94 76 79 78 10 15 8 805 215 5 FIGURE 1 Regional Map DRAFT/FINAL5332Annual Biological Monitoring Report for the Muroya Uplands Mitigation Project SOURCE:Path: Z:\Projects\j533201\arcmap\Annl Reports\Yr1 Figs\Fig1 Regional.mxd015510Miles Project Site Second Annual Biological Monitoring Report for the Muroya Uplands Mitigation Project, Carlsbad, California 5332-01 4 January 2015 INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK 5 FIGURE 2 Vicinity Map 5332 Annual Biological Monitoring Report for the Muroya Uplands Mitigation Project SOURCE: USGS 7.5-Minute Series Quadrangle.Document Path: Z:\Projects\j533201\arcmap\Annl Reports\Yr1 Figs\Fig2 Vicinity.mxd0 2,0001,000 Feet Project Site Second Annual Biological Monitoring Report for the Muroya Uplands Mitigation Project, Carlsbad, California 5332-01 6 January 2015 INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK FIGURE 3 Mitigation Area and Photo Locations Map Annual Biological Monitoring Report for the Muroya Uplands Mitigation Project7608-01 SOURCE: 0 10050 Feet Document Path: Z:\Projects\j533201\arcmap\Annl Reports\Yr1 Figs\Fig3 Mit Area+Photo Pnts.mxd1 4 5 2 3 1 Muroya Project Preserve 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 DH, Disturbed Habitat LG, Leymus condensatus Grassland ORN, Ornamental Planting SMC, Southern Maritime Chaparral SMX, Southern Mixed Chaparral Photo Location Point and Direction Second Annual Biological Monitoring Report for the Muroya Uplands Mitigation Project, Carlsbad, California 5332-01 8 January 2015 INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK Second Annual Biological Monitoring Report for the Muroya Uplands Mitigation Project, Carlsbad, California 5332-01 9 January 2015 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 J F M A M J J A S O N D 2012 S 2013 M M M M R 2014 M M M 2015 MR 2016 2017 C S Completion of Site Preparation and Irrigation Installation and Start of the Five-Year Maintenance and Monitoring Period M Biological Monitoring Performed R Report Due/Submitted C 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 survival of all container plants. Percent Cover Total percent cover of all native plant species, including trees, shrubs, and herbs. Current Year Second Annual Biological Monitoring Report for the Muroya Uplands Mitigation Project, Carlsbad, California 5332-01 10 January 2015 INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK Second Annual Biological Monitoring Report for the Muroya Uplands Mitigation Project, Carlsbad, California 5332-01 11 January 2015 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 3–5 and tabulated. Monitoring data collected during Year Two 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 January 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 January 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 Two. Weeds germination was moderate during Year Two. The most prevalent weed species requiring control included black mustard (Brassica nigra), spotted sandmat (Euphorbia maculata), scarlet pimpernel (Anagallis arvensis), and goosefoot (Chenopodium spp.). Weed cover was visually estimated in January 2015 and ranged between 1% and 5%. HRS controlled weeds periodically during Year Two with a combination of hand tools and spot spraying of herbicide. No invasive Second Annual Biological Monitoring Report for the Muroya Uplands Mitigation Project, Carlsbad, California 5332-01 12 January 2015 species were observed on site, although tree tobacco (Nicotiana glauca) was observed in the adjacent areas. The irrigation system appeared to be in good working order and the site is not currently being irrigated due to seasonal rains and cool weather. Soil moisture was adequate. 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 Two 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 Two. Weed cover was within the acceptable range (<5%) for Year Two. 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 Two. Container plant growth and hydroseed establishment have been good, and natural recruitment was observed; therefore, replacement plantings are not necessary at this time. Percent native cover was determined during Year Two to be 85% (average), which exceeds the 40% goal for Year Two. Weed cover was determined during Year Two to range from approximately 1% to 5% cover, which exceeds the performance goal of less than 15% cover by weed species. Second Annual Biological Monitoring Report for the Muroya Uplands Mitigation Project, Carlsbad, California 5332-01 14 January 2015 INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK Second Annual Biological Monitoring Report for the Muroya Uplands Mitigation Project, Carlsbad, California 5332-01 15 January 2015 4 SUMMARY OF YEAR ONE MAINTENANCE AND REMEDIAL ACTIONS Maintenance activities during the second year included weed control, irrigation system management and 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 Two. In general, weed growth was controlled by carefully spot spraying with herbicide or hand pulling.  The irrigation system was operated as-needed during Year Two to establish the native container plantings and hydroseeding. Currently the irrigation system is off for the winter and is planned to stay off unless drought conditions return.  Trash and debris were removed on a regular basis during Year Two by HRS. Remedial work was not need during Year Two. Second Annual Biological Monitoring Report for the Muroya Uplands Mitigation Project, Carlsbad, California 5332-01 16 January 2015 INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK Second Annual Biological Monitoring Report for the Muroya Uplands Mitigation Project, Carlsbad, California 5332-01 17 January 2015 5 MAINTENANCE AND REMEDIAL RECOMMENDATIONS FOR YEAR THREE Maintenance work during Year Three should include timely weed control that focuses on weed control prior to the weeds setting seed or producing significant green waste/biomass. The irrigation schedule should be kept off unless drought conditions return and the mitigation areas become significantly drought-stressed and begin to perish. The goal is to cease irrigation completely at this time but for certain by the end of Year Three (October 2015). Trash should be removed during routine maintenance visits. Remedial actions are not needed at this time. Second Annual Biological Monitoring Report for the Muroya Uplands Mitigation Project, Carlsbad, California 5332-01 18 January 2015 INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK Second Annual Biological Monitoring Report for the Muroya Uplands Mitigation Project, Carlsbad, California 5332-01 19 January 2015 6 REFERENCES Walsh, P. 2011. Final Conceptual Upland Mitigation Plan for the Muroya Property, City of Carlsbad, California. December 2011. Second Annual Biological Monitoring Report for the Muroya Uplands Mitigation Project, Carlsbad, California 5332-01 20 January 2015 INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK