HomeMy WebLinkAboutEIR 11-02; QUARRY CREEK MASTER PLAN; NESTING BIRD/RAPTOR SURVEYS AND BRUSH REMOVAL MONITORING; 2015-04-17
Page 1 of 4
Memorandum
HELIX Environmental Planning, Inc.
7578 El Cajon Boulevard
Suite 200
La Mesa, CA 91942
LauraM@helixepi.com
619.462.1515 tel
619.462.0552 fax
www.helixepi.com
Date: April 17, 2015
To: Van Lynch, City of Carlsbad
Cc: Jack Robson, Cornerstone Barry Jones, HELIX
From: Sally Trnka, HELIX
Subject: Nesting Bird/Raptor Surveys and Brush Removal Monitoring for the City of
Carlsbad Master Plan Project
HELIX Proj. No.: MMC-40
Message:
This memo provides the results of nesting bird/raptor surveys that were conducted for the
Master Plan Project (Project) at Quarry Creek in San Diego County, California, and documents the biological monitoring of the subsequent vegetation removal. The Project site is located south
of the 78 freeway and east of the Interstate 5 in the City of Carlsbad.
To comply with Section 2.1 of the of California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) Streambed Alteration Agreement (No. 1600-2013-0096-R5) HELIX Environmental Planning, Inc.
(HELIX) conducted a nesting raptor and nesting bird survey prior to the start of vegetation
removal. An initial nesting raptor survey was conducted on January 20, 2015 (Table 1) and consisted of searching large trees located within the proposed limits of work for potentially
active nests. In addition, any observed raptors were watched for signs of nesting behavior. No
potentially active raptor nests or raptors exhibiting nesting behavior were observed. The nesting bird survey was required no more than 3 days prior to removing any vegetation within the
CDFW jurisdictional drainages located on site. In order to comply with the 3-day timeframe, a nesting bird survey was conducted incrementally along the drainages on January 21, 22, and 23rd, 2015 using binoculars to visually search for birds engaged in nesting behaviors, such as
carrying nesting material. Trees and vegetation located within the drainages were surveyed for the presence or absence of potentially active nests belonging to passerine birds (i.e., songbirds
or other non-raptors). Two nests were observed within the drainage during these surveys;
however, both were in poor condition and appeared to be from a previous nesting season. Both nests were observed for a prolonged period (15 to 30 minutes) to determine whether they were
currently in use. No activity was noted at either nest.
Bird species observed during the surveys included red-tailed hawk (Buteo jamaicensis), Anna’s
hummingbird (Calypte anna), house finch (Carpodacus mexicanus), turkey vulture (Cathartes
aura), American crow (Corvus brachyrhynchos), white-tailed kite (Elanus leucurus), song sparrow (Melospiza melodia), California towhee (Pipilo crissalis), coastal California gnatcatcher
HELIX
Environmental Planning
Page 2 of 4
Memorandum (cont.)
HELIX Environmental Planning, Inc.
7578 El Cajon Boulevard
Suite 200
La Mesa, CA 91942
619.462.1515 tel
619.462.0552 fax
www.helixepi.com
(Polioptila californica californica), Cassin’s kingbird (Tyrannus vociferans), and mourning dove
(Zenaida macroura). No nesting birds or raptors, or active bird/raptor nests were observed or
otherwise detected during any of the four January 2015 surveys (Table 1).
Table 1
SUMMARY NESTING BIRD/RAPTOR SURVEYS
Survey Date Surveyor Results
January 20, 2015 Sally Trnka Negative
January 21, 2015 Laura Moreton Negative
January 22, 2015 Laura Moreton Negative
January 23, 2015 Erica Harris Negative
To comply with the CDFW (Section 2.6 of the SAA) and CEQA (Bio-5 of the Mitigation
Monitoring and Reporting Program (MMRP) of the Environmental Impact Report), HELIX conducted biological monitoring of vegetation removal at the Project site between January 21,
and February 5, 2015. A biological monitor was on site daily during vegetation removal to
ensure all work occurred within staked limits. Any vegetation removal within the stream and stream zone was monitored full time; in addition monitors were on site any time vegetation
removal was within two hundred feet of open space limits. HELIX biologists Laura Moreton and Erica Harris monitored the vegetation removal for the two week period during which this work
took place. No vegetation removal was documented beyond of the staked limits of disturbance.
Following vegetation removal, orange silt fencing was installed along these limits to delineate the project boundary during grading. Vegetation removal complied with Bio-5 of the Project
MMRP, which specifies that all removal of sensitive vegetation occur between September 16
and February 14.
No focused, coastal California gnatcatcher, least Bell’s vireo (LBV), or southwestern willow
flycatcher survey was required at this time since all vegetation removal was completed before
February 15; however, in accordance with Bio-4 of the MMRP, a pre-construction survey for these species, as well as nesting raptors, will be conducted not more than 3 days prior to any
grading occurring after February 15. Similarly, to comply with Section 2.2 of the CDFW SAA, a
protocol LBV survey will be conducted if construction occurs after March 15. The City of Carlsbad, CDFW, and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service shall all be notified of the results of these
surveys.
CONCLUSION
No issues were encountered during the January 20 through February 5, 2015 biological monitoring effort. There were no impacts to nesting birds or raptors and all vegetation removal remained within the approved boundaries.
HELIX
Environmental Planning
Page 3 of 4
Memorandum (cont.)
HELIX Environmental Planning, Inc.
7578 El Cajon Boulevard
Suite 200
La Mesa, CA 91942
619.462.1515 tel
619.462.0552 fax
www.helixepi.com
REPRESENTATIVE SITE PHOTOS
Vegetation removal in northern portion of site (left); Vegetation removal in southern portion of
site (right).
Installation of orange construction fence to delineate environmental limits (left); Brush removal
in the southwest corner of site (right).
HELIX
Environmental Planning
Page 4 of 4
Memorandum (cont.)
HELIX Environmental Planning, Inc.
7578 El Cajon Boulevard
Suite 200
La Mesa, CA 91942
619.462.1515 tel
619.462.0552 fax
www.helixepi.com
Vegetation removal and chipping along drainage in southern portion of the site (left); Vegetation
removal complete in the northern portion of the site (right).
HELIX
Environmental Planning