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Appendix C - Biological Resources Evaluation
❖ APPENDICES ❖ 7106/Summit Avenue Warehouse Project Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration May 2022 APPENDIX C Biological Resources Evaluation BIOLOGICAL RESOURCES EVALUATION FOR THE WAREHOUSE AT SIERRA AVENUE AND SUMMIT AVENUE PROJECT FONTANA, SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY, CALIFORNIA Prepared for: City of Fontana Community Development Department 8353 Sierra Avenue Fontana, CA 92335-3528 Prepared by: 16431 Scientific Way Irvine, CA 92618 Phone: (949) 788-4900, Fax: (949) 788-4901 UEI Project No. 7102 May 6, 2022 This page Intentionally left blank. June 10, 2022 Page iii Corporate Office – Orange County Telephone: 949.788.4900 16431 Scientific Way Facsimile: 949.788.4901 Irvine, CA 92618-4355 Website: www.ultrasystems.com TABLE OF CONTENTS 1.0 INTRODUCTION ......................................................................................................................................................... 1 1.1 Project Location .................................................................................................................................................... 2 1.2 Project Description .............................................................................................................................................. 3 2.0 REGULATORY CONTEXT ........................................................................................................................................ 3 2.1 Federal Statutes, Regulations, and Executive Orders ............................................................................ 3 2.1.1 Section 401 Clean Water Act (CWA) ................................................................................................... 3 2.1.2 Section 404 Clean Water Act .................................................................................................................. 3 2.1.3 Endangered Species Act (ESA) .............................................................................................................. 4 2.1.4 Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA) ..................................................................................................... 5 2.2 State Statutes and Regulations ....................................................................................................................... 6 2.2.1 California Environmental Quality Act ................................................................................................ 6 2.2.2 California Endangered Species Act (CESA) ...................................................................................... 6 2.2.3 Bird Nests and Eggs - California Fish and Game Code § 3503 ................................................. 7 2.2.4 Migratory Birds – California Fish and Game Code § 3513 ......................................................... 7 2.2.5 Porter-Cologne Water Quality Control Act ...................................................................................... 7 2.2.6 State Water Resources Control Board Resolution No. 2019-0015 ........................................ 8 2.2.7 Lake or Streambed Alteration Agreement. ...................................................................................... 9 2.2.8 Natural Community Conservation Planning Act of 2003 (NCCP Act) ................................. 10 3.0 METHODS ................................................................................................................................................................... 10 3.1 Literature Review .............................................................................................................................................. 10 3.1.1 Sensitive Plant Communities and Special-Status Species ........................................................ 10 3.1.2 Waters of the U.S. or State (Jurisdictional Waters/Wetlands) ............................................... 12 3.1.3 Critical Habitat ........................................................................................................................................... 13 3.1.4 Wildlife Corridors ..................................................................................................................................... 13 3.1.5 Local Policies and Ordinances ............................................................................................................. 14 3.2 Field Survey Methods ....................................................................................................................................... 14 3.2.1 Habitat Assessment and Land Cover Type Mapping ................................................................. 15 3.2.2 Waters of the U.S. or State (Jurisdictional Waters/Wetlands) Assessment ..................... 15 4.0 RESULTS ..................................................................................................................................................................... 15 4.1 Environmental Setting ..................................................................................................................................... 16 June 10, 2022 Page iv Corporate Office – Orange County Telephone: 949.788.4900 16431 Scientific Way Facsimile: 949.788.4901 Irvine, CA 92618-4355 Website: www.ultrasystems.com 4.2 Soils .......................................................................................................................................................................... 16 4.3 Plant Communities and Land Cover Types .............................................................................................. 16 4.3.1 Developed/Ornamental ......................................................................................................................... 16 4.3.2 Infiltration Basins ..................................................................................................................................... 16 4.3.3 Disturbed ..................................................................................................................................................... 17 4.3.4 Disturbed California Buckwheat Scrub ........................................................................................... 17 4.4 Plants ....................................................................................................................................................................... 17 4.4.1 Plant Species Recorded During Surveys ......................................................................................... 17 4.4.2 Special-Status Plant Species with Potential to Occur in the BSA .......................................... 18 4.4.3 Listed Endangered, Threatened, Candidate, and State Rare Plants ..................................... 23 4.4.4 Sensitive Plants.......................................................................................................................................... 23 4.5 Wildlife ................................................................................................................................................................... 23 4.5.1 Wildlife Species Recorded During the Field Surveys ................................................................. 23 4.5.2 Special-Status Wildlife Species with Potential to Occur in the BSA ..................................... 23 4.5.3 Listed Endangered, Threatened, and Candidate Wildlife ........................................................ 27 4.5.4 Sensitive Wildlife ...................................................................................................................................... 27 4.6 Waters of the U.S. or State (Jurisdictional Waters/Wetlands) ........................................................ 29 4.7 Critical Habitat .................................................................................................................................................... 29 4.7.1 San Bernardino Kangaroo Rat ............................................................................................................. 30 4.8 Wildlife Corridors .............................................................................................................................................. 31 5.0 POTENTIAL IMPACTS ........................................................................................................................................... 31 5.1 Potential Impacts to Plant Communities .................................................................................................. 33 5.2 Potential Impacts to Special Status Plants ............................................................................................... 33 5.3 Potential Impacts to Special-Status Wildlife ........................................................................................... 34 5.3.1 Direct Impacts ............................................................................................................................................ 34 5.3.2 Indirect Impacts ........................................................................................................................................ 36 5.3.3 Mitigation Measures ................................................................................................................................ 37 5.3.4 Impact Determination ............................................................................................................................ 37 5.4 Potential Impacts to Breeding Birds .......................................................................................................... 38 5.4.1 Direct Impacts ............................................................................................................................................ 38 5.4.2 Indirect Impacts ........................................................................................................................................ 38 5.4.3 Mitigation Measures ................................................................................................................................ 38 5.4.4 Impact Determination ............................................................................................................................ 39 June 10, 2022 Page v Corporate Office – Orange County Telephone: 949.788.4900 16431 Scientific Way Facsimile: 949.788.4901 Irvine, CA 92618-4355 Website: www.ultrasystems.com 5.5 Potential Impacts to Waters of the U.S. or State (Jurisdictional Waters/Wetlands) .............. 39 5.5.1 Direct or Indirect Impacts ..................................................................................................................... 39 5.5.2 Mitigation Measures ................................................................................................................................ 39 5.5.3 Impact Determination ............................................................................................................................ 39 5.6 Potential Impacts to Critical Habitat .......................................................................................................... 40 5.6.1 Direct and Indirect Impacts .................................................................................................................. 40 5.6.2 Mitigation Measures ................................................................................................................................ 40 5.6.3 Impact Determination ............................................................................................................................ 40 5.7 Potential Impacts to Wildlife Corridors or Native Wildlife Nursery Sites .................................. 40 5.7.1 Direct and Indirect Impacts .................................................................................................................. 40 5.7.2 Mitigation Measures ................................................................................................................................ 40 5.7.3 Impact Determination ............................................................................................................................ 41 5.8 Potential Impacts to Local Policies or Ordinances ............................................................................... 41 5.8.1 Direct and Indirect Impacts .................................................................................................................. 41 5.8.2 Mitigation Measures ................................................................................................................................ 41 5.8.3 Impact Determination ............................................................................................................................ 41 5.9 Potential Impacts to Habitat Conservation Plans ................................................................................. 41 5.9.1 Direct and Indirect Impacts .................................................................................................................. 42 5.9.2 Impact Determination ............................................................................................................................ 42 6.0 MITIGATION MEASURES ..................................................................................................................................... 42 6.1 BIO 1: Pre-Construction Breeding Bird Survey ..................................................................................... 42 6.2 BIO 2: Worker Environmental Awareness Program (WEAP) .......................................................... 43 6.3 BIO 3: Construction Best Management Practices.................................................................................. 44 6.4 BIO 4: Project Limits and Designated Areas ........................................................................................... 44 6.5 BIO 5: General Vegetation and Wildlife Avoidance and Protection Measures .......................... 45 7.0 PERMITS AND APPROVALS ................................................................................................................................ 47 8.0 REFERENCES ............................................................................................................................................................ 48 TABLES Table 1 - Special Plants With a Potential to Occur in the BSA ........................................................................... 19 Table 2 - Special Status Plant and Wildlife Species Ranking Notations ......................................................... 22 Table 3 - Special Status Wildlife With a Potential to Occur in the BSA .......................................................... 24 June 10, 2022 Page vi Corporate Office – Orange County Telephone: 949.788.4900 16431 Scientific Way Facsimile: 949.788.4901 Irvine, CA 92618-4355 Website: www.ultrasystems.com June 10, 2022 Page 1 Corporate Office – Orange County Telephone: 949.788.4900 16431 Scientific Way Facsimile: 949.788.4901 Irvine, CA 92618-4355 Website: www.ultrasystems.com November 8, 2021 Project No.: 7102 Mr. Bobby Allard via email at ballard@allardeng.com Allard Engineering 16866 Seville Avenue Fontana, CA 92335 RE: Biological Resources Evaluation Report for the Fontana Warehouse at Sierra Avenue and Summit Avenue Dear Mr. Allard, UltraSystems Environmental, Inc. (UEI) has been retained by Allard Engineering to prepare this biological resources evaluation (BRE) report. This BRE documents the methods and results of the literature review and field survey of the biological resources potentially associated with the project site and of areas within a 500-foot zone around the project site; collectively, this area is referred to as the Biological Study Area (BSA). This BRE provides a summary of existing conditions, an assessment of the potential presence of sensitive biological resources, an analysis of the potential impacts to those resources from project construction and development and a discussion of recommended mitigation measures to minimize or avoid potential impacts to biological resources. It summarizes the biological resources present within the BSA at the time of the field survey including plant communities, land cover types, the potential occurrence of special-status plant and wildlife species, critical habitat, and wildlife corridors. 1.0 INTRODUCTION As mentioned above, a literature review and reconnaissance-level field survey were conducted to evaluate the potential impacts of construction of the project on the existing biological resources within the BSA. This BRE presents the results of the analysis in the following sections: Regulatory Context, Methods, Results, Potential Impacts, and Mitigation Measures. Plant and wildlife species listed under the federal Endangered Species Act (ESA) or under the California Endangered Species Act (CESA) as endangered, threatened or as a candidate for listing will be referred to collectively as “listed species” in this document. Plant and wildlife species not listed under ESA or CESA but still protected by federal agencies or state agencies, , and/or conservation organizations such as the California Native Plant Society (CNPS), are collectively referred to as “sensitive species” in this document. The term “special-status species” will be used when collectively referring to both listed and sensitive species. Some of these plant and wildlife species are afforded special legal or management protection because they are limited in population size, and typically have a limited geographic range and/or limited habitat. This report also identifies and analyzes the potential biological significance of site construction and development in view of federal, state, and local laws, regulations, policies, orders, ordinances and/or June 10, 2022 Page 2 Corporate Office – Orange County Telephone: 949.788.4900 16431 Scientific Way Facsimile: 949.788.4901 Irvine, CA 92618-4355 Website: www.ultrasystems.com management plans. Finally, it recommends, as appropriate, mitigation measures (best management practices [BMPs], avoidance and protection measures, and mitigation measures) to minimize or avoid potential environmental impacts to less than significant levels. The study of biological resources associated with the BSA was conducted to comply with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) requirements for a biological evaluation of projects that would potentially impact natural resources. CEQA is a statute that requires state and local agencies to identify the significant environmental impacts of their actions and to avoid or mitigate those impacts, if feasible. This report is intended to satisfy the biological resource needs of the CEQA process. This report will also assist federal and state resource agencies in their review of the project and support permits required for the project from these resource agencies. 1.1 Project Location The project site is located in southwestern San Bernardino County in the City of Fontana (City), and lies within the United States Geological Survey (USGS) 7.5-Minute Topographic Map Devore Quadrangle (see Attachment 1, Figure 1, Project Boundary and Biological Study Area [BSA]). The project site is directly northeast of the intersection of Summit Avenue and Sierra Avenue. The BSA’s elevation ranges from approximately 1663 to 1676 feet above mean sea level (AMSL) [Google Earth, 2021]. The project site is located in the jurisdiction of the following resource agency field offices: • United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) Palm Springs Fish and Wildlife Office 777 E. Tahquitz Canyon Way, Suite 208 Palm Springs, CA 92262 Phone: (760) 322-2070 • California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW Inland Desert Region 6 3602 Inland Empire Boulevard, Suite C-220 Ontario, CA 91764 Phone: (909) 484-0167 • United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Los Angeles District 915 Wilshire Boulevard, Suite 980 Los Angeles, CA 90017 Phone: (213) 452-3908/3333 • Regional Water Quality Control Board (RWQCB Santa Ana Region (Region 8) 3737 Main Street, Suite 500 Riverside, CA 92501-3339 June 10, 2022 Page 3 Corporate Office – Orange County Telephone: 949.788.4900 16431 Scientific Way Facsimile: 949.788.4901 Irvine, CA 92618-4355 Website: www.ultrasystems.com Phone: (951) 782-4130 • City of Fontana Planning Department: Environmental Programs Division (County EPD) 8353 Sierra Avenue Fontana, CA 92335 Phone: (909) 350-6718 1.2 Project Description The proposed warehouse facility project would consist of a 92,380 square-foot warehouse, a two- story office building, each story covering 5,000 square feet, and a parking lot with 53 stalls for automobiles and 3 stalls for truck trailers. In total, the proposed project site would cover 4.49 acres. In addition to the physical structures, the project would include landscaping of native and non-native drought-tolerant vegetation that would cover 16.3% (15,146 square feet) of the project site area (see Attachment 2, Site Plans). 2.0 REGULATORY CONTEXT 2.1 Federal Statutes, Regulations, and Executive Orders 2.1.1 Section 401 Clean Water Act (CWA) Although the Clean Water Act (CWA) is a federal law, Section 401 of that law recognizes that states have the primary authority and responsibility for setting surface- and groundwater water quality standards. Section 401 is implemented through a Water Quality Certification (WQC) process. In the State of California, the State Water Quality Resources Board (SWRCB) has given the responsibility for issuing Section 401 WQCs to its nine Regional Water Quality Control Boards (RWQCBs), unless a discharge of dredged or fill material is proposed within more than one region. In the event that a project proposes discharges of dredged or fill material in more than one region, responsibility for issuance of a Section 401 WQC will lie either with the SWRCB, or, upon agreement of the RWQCBs for the affected regions, with the RWQCB chosen in the discretion of the RWQCBs. Cal. Water Code, § 13160; Cal. Code Regs., tit. 23, § 3838. Certification must be based on a finding that the proposed discharge will comply with water quality standards, which include numeric and narrative water quality objectives applicable to identified surface waters in the Water Quality Control Plan for the region (Basin Plan) in which a discharge of fill is proposed. 2.1.2 Section 404 Clean Water Act Section 404 CWA requires authorization from the Secretary of the Army, acting through the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), for the discharge of dredged or fill material into all waters of the United States, including wetlands. Authorizations are conducted through the issuance of Nationwide (or June 10, 2022 Page 4 Corporate Office – Orange County Telephone: 949.788.4900 16431 Scientific Way Facsimile: 949.788.4901 Irvine, CA 92618-4355 Website: www.ultrasystems.com General) Permits, for activities that would cause only minimal permanent individual (between 0.1 and 0.5 acre) and cumulative impacts; through Individual (or Standard) Permits for activities that are likely to have more than a minimal permanent (greater than 0.5 acre) or cumulative impact on aquatic resources; and through Letters of Permission (LOPs) which are a type of individual permit issued through an abbreviated process that includes coordination with federal and state fish and wildlife agencies and a public interest evaluation, but without the 30-day permit notice period that is required for Individual Permits. The Los Angeles District of the USACE would provide review and permitting services for this project. Wetlands and other waters that do not meet the definition of waters of the U.S. are not covered by the CWA; however, they are regulated by the State of California through the Porter-Cologne Water Quality Control Act (Porter-Cologne) and SWRCB Resolution No. 2019-0015 for California (SWRCB, 2019). 2.1.3 Endangered Species Act (ESA) The federal Endangered Species Act of 1973 (Title 16, United States Code [U.S.C.] Sections (§§) 1531- 1543) (ESA), as amended, designates and provides for protection of listed threatened and endangered plant and animal species, and their critical habitat. The USFWS, in the Department of the Interior, and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), in the Department of Commerce, share responsibility for administration of the ESA. These responsibilities include listing and delisting species, designating critical habitat, and formulating recovery plans. The ESA is divided into 18 sections that work together to prevent species from going extinct by helping to stabilize populations, reduce the threats to their survival, and to help species recover to the point that they no longer require federal protection. Section 4 (Determination of Endangered Species and Threatened Species): Section 4 of the ESA addresses listing of species in need of the ESA’s protection. Species are listed as either endangered or threatened under Section 4 of the ESA. A federally-endangered species is one that is facing extinction throughout all or a significant portion of its range. A federally-threatened species is one likely to become endangered within the foreseeable future throughout all or a significant portion of its range. Under Section 4, actions needed to recover those species and conserve their habitats are also identified, along with a process for reaching recovery goals that allow for a species’ removal from federal protection. The presence on a project site of any fish or wildlife species that is federally listed as endangered or threatened generally imposes constraints on development to the extent that development is likely to result in a prohibited “take” of the species or substantial adverse modification of its habitat as described in Section 9 (Prohibited Acts), below Section 7 (Interagency Cooperation): Two sections of the ESA (§§ 7 and 10) authorize incidental take. Section 7 of the ESA regulates take associated with federal projects or projects that require a federal permit. It also requires federal agencies to use their authority to carry out conservation programs to benefit endangered and threatened species. Under § 7, federal agencies are required to consult with the USFWS or the NMFS to ensure that any action they carry out, including those they fund or authorize (such as through a June 10, 2022 Page 5 Corporate Office – Orange County Telephone: 949.788.4900 16431 Scientific Way Facsimile: 949.788.4901 Irvine, CA 92618-4355 Website: www.ultrasystems.com permit) will not likely jeopardize the continued existence of listed species, or result in the destruction or adverse modification of proposed or designated critical habitat of such species. Under § 7, consultations can either be informal or formal. Section 9 (Prohibited Acts): Once a species is listed, Section 9 of the ESA makes it unlawful for any person, including private and public entities, to “take species listed as endangered or without a permit issued pursuant to Section 10 or an incidental take statement issued pursuant to Section 7. Section 9 defines “take” as “to harass, harm, pursue, hunt, shoot, wound, kill, trap, capture, or collect or attempt to engage in any such conduct.” The term “harm” is defined as “an act which actually kills or injures wildlife. Such an act may include substantial habitat modification or degradation where it actually kills or injures wildlife by significantly impairing essential behavioral patterns, including breeding, feeding, or sheltering.” ESA Section 9’s take prohibitions apply to listed wildlife and fish species, but not to plants. Endangered plants are not protected from take, although it is unlawful to remove, possess, or maliciously damage or destroy them on federal lands. Removing or damaging listed plants on state and private lands in knowing violation of state law, or in the course of violating a state criminal trespass law, also is illegal under the ESA. Section 10 (Incidental Take Permits and Habitat Conservation Plans): An incidental take permit pursuant to Section 10(a)(1)(B) is required when non-Federal, otherwise lawful activities, including lawful project development, will result in take of threatened or endangered wildlife. Under this provision, the USFWS and/or NMFS may, where appropriate, authorize the taking of federally listed wildlife or fish if such taking occurs incidentally during otherwise legal activities. Section 10(a)(2)(B) requires an application for an incidental take permit to include a HCP. The purpose of the habitat conservation planning process associated with the permit is to ensure there is adequate avoidance, minimization and mitigation measures to address the effects of the authorized incidental take. Section 10 provides a clear regulatory mechanism to permit the incidental take of federally listed fish and wildlife species by private interests and non- Federal governmental agencies. 2.1.4 Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA) The Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA) of 1918 (Title 16, U.S.C. Sections 703 - 712), as amended, implements various treaties and conventions between the United States (U.S.) and Canada, Japan, Mexico and the former Soviet Union for the protection of migratory birds. The MBTA makes it unlawful to pursue, hunt, take, capture, kill, possess, sell, purchase, barter, import, export, or transport any migratory bird, or any part, nest, or egg or any such bird, unless authorized under a permit issued by the Secretary of the Interior. Some regulatory exceptions apply. Take is defined in regulations implementing the MBTA as “to pursue, hunt, shoot, wound, kill, trap, capture, or collect, or attempt to carry out these activities.” The MBTA prohibits the collection and destruction of a migratory bird, its nest, and birds or eggs contained in the nest. The USFWS’ Migratory Bird Permit Memorandum (MBPM‐2) dated April 15, 2003, clarifies that destruction of most unoccupied bird nests is permissible under the MBTA; exceptions include nests of federally listed threatened or June 10, 2022 Page 6 Corporate Office – Orange County Telephone: 949.788.4900 16431 Scientific Way Facsimile: 949.788.4901 Irvine, CA 92618-4355 Website: www.ultrasystems.com endangered migratory birds, bald eagles, and golden eagles. Take under the MBTA does not include habitat destruction or alteration, as long as there is not a direct taking of birds, nests, eggs, or parts thereof. The USFWS has statutory authority and responsibility for enforcing the MBTA 2.2 State Statutes and Regulations 2.2.1 California Environmental Quality Act The California Environmental Quality Act of 1970 (Title 14, California Code of Regulations, §§ 15002- 15387) (CEQA) is California's broadest environmental law (California Legislative Information, 2021a). CEQA applies to certain activities of state and local public agencies. It requires lead agencies (i.e., those making land use decisions) as well as any other responsible state agencies issuing discretionary permits, to evaluate and disclose the significance of all potential environmental impacts of a project. The lead agency is also responsible for identifying, negotiating and implementing feasible impacts avoidance, minimization, or mitigation measures that reduce and compensate for significant environmental impacts with the goal of reducing those impacts to less than significant levels. Lead agencies determine significance on a project-by-project basis because they must consider all potential risk, including cumulative impacts, within a local and regional context, as well as evaluate unique factors particular to the project area when exercising their discretion to approve or disapprove a project. The CEQA Guidelines specify that a project has a significant impact on the environment if, among other things, it has the potential to “substantially degrade the quality of the environment; substantially reduce the habitat of a fish or wildlife species; cause a fish or wildlife population to drop below self-sustaining levels; threaten to eliminate a plant or an animal community; substantially reduce the number or restrict the range of an endangered, rare or threatened species….” [CEQA Guidelines § 15065(a)(1)] (AEP, 2021). The purpose of CEQA is to: • Disclose to the public the significant environmental impacts of a proposed discretionary project, through the preparation of an Initial Study, Negative Declaration, or Environmental Impact Report. • Prevent or minimize damage to the environment through development of project alternatives, mitigation measures, and mitigation monitoring. • Disclose to the public the agency decision making process utilized to approve discretionary projects through findings and statements of overriding consideration. • Enhance public participation in the environmental review process through scoping meetings, public notice, public review, hearings, and the judicial process. • Improve interagency coordination through early consultations, scoping meetings, notices of preparation, and State Clearinghouse review. 2.2.2 California Endangered Species Act (CESA) The California Endangered Species Act (CESA) (California Fish and Game Code §§ 2050-2089) was enacted in 1984 to parallel the federal ESA and allows the Fish and Game Commission to designate June 10, 2022 Page 7 Corporate Office – Orange County Telephone: 949.788.4900 16431 Scientific Way Facsimile: 949.788.4901 Irvine, CA 92618-4355 Website: www.ultrasystems.com species, including plants, as threatened or endangered (California Legislative Information, 2021c). The CESA states that all native species of fishes, amphibians, reptiles, birds, mammals, and plants, and their habitats, threatened with extinction and those experiencing a significant decline which, if not halted, would lead to a threatened or endangered designation, will be protected or preserved. Unlike the ESA, the CESA does not include listing provisions for invertebrate species. CESA makes it illegal to import, export, take, possess, purchase, sell, or attempt to do any of those actions to species that are designated as threatened, endangered, or candidates for listing, unless permitted by CDFW. Section 2080 of the California Fish and Game Code prohibits take of any species that the commission determines to be an endangered species or a threatened species. “Take” is defined in § 86 of the California Fish and Game Code as "hunt, pursue, catch, capture, or kill, or attempt to hunt, pursue, catch, capture, or kill." Under CESA, CDFW may permit take or possession of threatened, endangered, or candidate species for scientific, educational, or management purposes, and may also permit take of these species that is incidental to otherwise lawful activities if certain conditions are met. Some of the conditions for incidental take are that the take is minimized and fully mitigated, adequate funding is ensured for this mitigation, and that the activity will not jeopardize the continued existence of the species. CESA emphasizes early consultation to avoid potential impacts on rare, endangered, and threatened species and to develop appropriate mitigation planning to offset project caused losses of listed species populations and their essential habitats. 2.2.3 Bird Nests and Eggs - California Fish and Game Code § 3503 California Fish and Game Code § 3503 states that it is unlawful to take, possess, or needlessly destroy the nest or eggs of any bird, except as otherwise provided by this code or any regulation made pursuant thereto. Disturbance that causes nest abandonment and/or loss of reproductive effort (e.g., killing or abandonment of eggs or young) may be considered take. Avoidance measures sufficient to prevent incidental take of bird nests and eggs protected by this statute must be incorporated into project design, and construction plans and operations. 2.2.4 Migratory Birds – California Fish and Game Code § 3513 California Fish and Game Code § 3513 protects California’s migratory birds by making it unlawful to take or possess any migratory non-game bird as designated by the MBTA, except as authorized in regulations adopted by the federal government under provisions of the MBTA. Except as permitted by USFWS, avoidance measures sufficient to prevent incidental take of these species, their eggs and their nests protected by this statute must be incorporated into project design, and construction plans and operations. 2.2.5 Porter-Cologne Water Quality Control Act The Porter-Cologne Water Quality Control Act (Porter-Cologne) defines water quality objectives as the allowable “limits or levels of water quality constituents or characteristics which are established for the reasonable protection of beneficial uses of water or the prevention of nuisances within a specific area.” Thus, water quality objectives are intended to protect the public health and welfare, June 10, 2022 Page 8 Corporate Office – Orange County Telephone: 949.788.4900 16431 Scientific Way Facsimile: 949.788.4901 Irvine, CA 92618-4355 Website: www.ultrasystems.com and to maintain or enhance water quality in relation to the existing and/or potential beneficial uses of the water. Water quality objectives apply to both waters of the U.S. and waters of the State. In the State of California, Porter-Cologne is administered in concurrence with § 401 CWA WQC. 2.2.6 State Water Resources Control Board Resolution No. 2019-0015 The California Code of Regulations, Title 23, Section 3831(w) states that “[a]ll waters of the United States are also ‘waters of the state.’” This regulation has remained in effect despite Supreme Court decisions such as Rapanos and SWANCC, which added limitations to what could be considered a water of the U.S. Because the interpretation of waters of the U.S. in place at the time § 3831(w) was adopted was broader than any post-Rapanos or post-SWANCC regulatory definitions that incorporated more limitations into the scope of federal jurisdiction, it is consistent with the Water Boards’ intent to include both historic and current definitions of waters of the U.S. into the SWRCBs wetland jurisdictional framework. As set forth in Resolution No. 2009-0026, although the state of California has historically relied primarily on requirements in the Clean Water Act to protect wetlands, U.S. Supreme Court rulings reducing the jurisdiction of the Clean Water Act over wetland areas by limiting the definition of “waters of the United States” necessitated the use of California’s independent authorities under the Porter-Cologne Act to protect these vital resources. The inclusion of both current and historic definitions of “waters of the U.S.” ensures some regulatory stability in an area that has otherwise been in flux. The status of a water of the U. S. may only be used to establish that a wetland or water qualifies as a water of the State; it cannot be used to exclude a wetland or water from qualifying as a water of the State. In other words, wetlands that are categorically excluded from qualifying as a water of the U.S. may nevertheless qualify as waters of the State under another jurisdictional category. Examples of waters of the State include (but are not limited to) ephemeral streams and isolated wetlands. On April 2, 2019, the SWRCB adopted Resolution No. 2019-0015, Amendment to the Water Quality Control Plan for Ocean Waters of California and the Water Quality Control Plan for Inland Surface Waters, Enclosed Bays, and Estuaries of California to Establish a State Wetland Definition and Procedures for Discharges of Discharges of Dredged or Fill Material to Waters of the State (Procedures). for inclusion in the forthcoming Water Quality Control Plan for Inland Surface Waters and Enclosed Bays and Estuaries and Ocean Waters of California. As they apply to this project, the Procedures provide the SWRCB and its nine RWQCBs to approve a project only if the applicant has demonstrated certain requirement. (SWRCB, 2019). On April 6, 2021, the SWRCB issued Resolution No. 2021-0012 confirming that the “State Wetland Definition and Procedures for Discharges of Dredged or Fill Material to Waters of the State” (1) are in effect as state policy for water quality control for all waters of the State and (2) shall be applied via the inland surface waters and enclosed bays and estuaries plan to only waters of the United States. When a discharge is proposed to waters outside of federal jurisdiction, the SWRCB and the RWQCBs regulate the discharge under Porter-Cologne through the issuance of Water Discharge Requirements (WDRs). WDRs and waivers of WDRs are referred to as orders or permits. The SWRCB and its nine June 10, 2022 Page 9 Corporate Office – Orange County Telephone: 949.788.4900 16431 Scientific Way Facsimile: 949.788.4901 Irvine, CA 92618-4355 Website: www.ultrasystems.com RWQCBs have the authority to regulate the discharge of dredged or fill material under Resolution Nos. 2019-0015 and 2021-0012. Dischargers that do not require a federal permit or license that authorizes impacts to waters of the U.S. (i.e., waters that are within federal jurisdiction), such as § 404 CWA and § 10 of the Safe Rivers and Harbors Act, must obtain a WDR or a waiver of a WDR from the SWRCB or RWQCB to ensure that the discharge does not violate state water quality standards or any other appropriate requirement of State law. Basin Plans: The SWRCB requires its nine RWQCBs to develop water quality control plans (Basin Plans) designed to preserve and enhance water quality and protect the beneficial uses of all Regional waters. Specifically, Basin Plans designate beneficial uses for surface waters and groundwater, set narrative and numerical objectives that must be attained or maintained to protect the designated beneficial uses and conform to the State antidegradation policy, and describe implementation programs to protect all waters in the Regions. In addition, Basin Plans incorporate by reference all applicable State and Regional Board plans and policies, and other pertinent water quality policies and regulations. This project is under the jurisdiction of the Santa Ana RWQCB. Construction Stormwater Program: The SWRCB implements water quality regulations under the federal CWA and Porter-Cologne and requires compliance with the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) for discharges of stormwater runoff associated with a construction activity. Dischargers whose projects disturb one or more acres of soil are required to obtain coverage under the General Permit for Discharges of Storm Water Associated with Construction Activity (Construction General Permit, 2009-009-DWQ, as amended). Construction Activity subject to this permit includes clearing, grading, and disturbances to the ground such as stockpiling or excavation, but does not include regular maintenance activities performed to restore the original line, grade, or capacity of the facility. The Construction General Permit requires the development and implementation of a Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP). The SWPPP should contain a site map(s) which shows the construction site perimeter, existing and proposed buildings, lots, roadways, stormwater collection and discharge points, general topography both before and after construction, and drainage patterns. The SWRCB will provide Construction General Permit review and permitting services for this project. 2.2.7 Lake or Streambed Alteration Agreement. Sections 1600-1617 FGC of the California Fish and Game Code (FGC) protect the natural flow and the bed, channel, and bank of any river, stream, or lake designated by the CDFW which is at any time an existing fish or wildlife resource, or a waterbody from which these resources derive benefit. General project plans must be submitted to CDFW in sufficient detail to indicate the nature of the project proposed for construction, if the project would: • Divert, obstruct, or change a streambed; • Use material from the streambeds; June 10, 2022 Page 10 Corporate Office – Orange County Telephone: 949.788.4900 16431 Scientific Way Facsimile: 949.788.4901 Irvine, CA 92618-4355 Website: www.ultrasystems.com • Result in the disposal or deposition of debris, waste, or other material containing crumbled, flaked, or ground pavement where it can pass into a stream. The Inland Deserts Region (Region 6) of the CDFW serves San Bernardino County and would provide LSA Notification Review and Agreement services for this project. 2.2.8 Natural Community Conservation Planning Act of 2003 (NCCP Act) The California Natural Community Conservation Planning Act (NCCP Act) was enacted to encourage broad-based planning to provide for effective protection and conservation of the State’s wildlife resources while continuing to allow appropriate development and growth (California Fish and Game Code §§ 2800 to 2835). NCCPs may be implemented, which identify measures necessary to conserve and manage natural biological diversity within the planning area, while allowing compatible and appropriate economic development, growth, and other human uses. An approved NCCP enables the California Department of Fish and Wildlife to authorize take of species consistent with the NCCP Act and California Fish and Game Code § 2835. 3.0 METHODS 3.1 Literature Review Prior to the field survey, biologists conducted a literature review to identify habitats, special-status plant and wildlife species, critical habitats, and wildlife movement corridors potentially associated with the project site. Biologists reviewed relevant literature, databases, agency web sites, reports and management plans, Geographic Information System (GIS) data, maps, and aerial imagery obtained from public domain sources. The review also helped to determine which biological surveys may be required prior to site construction and development. The following resources were utilized in order to conduct the literature search: 3.1.1 Sensitive Plant Communities and Special-Status Species The data sources described below were reviewed to generate a list of special-status plants and wildlife with reported occurrences within the vicinity of the BSA. The literature review and query of the databases for reported locations of sensitive plant communities and special-status species helped to identify the known locations of these resources in the project region and assisted in identifying the potential for onsite occurrence of such species. • CDFW’s California Natural Diversity Database (CNDDB) was used to identify sensitive plant communities and special-status species documented within a ten-mile radius of the project site (CNDBB, 2021) • The USFWS’ Information, Planning, and Conservation (IPaC) system was used to identify listed plant and wildlife species reported within the vicinity of the BSA (USFWS, 2021a). • • Previous consultant studies and reports near the project site and project vicinity were reviewed to gain a sense of the existing conditions at the time the studies were conducted. • Google Earth Pro satellite imagery of the project site and vicinity (Google Earth Pro, 2021) June 10, 2022 Page 11 Corporate Office – Orange County Telephone: 949.788.4900 16431 Scientific Way Facsimile: 949.788.4901 Irvine, CA 92618-4355 Website: www.ultrasystems.com • The Natural Resources Conservation Service’s (NRCS’s) Custom Soil Resource Report for the BSA downloaded from the Web Soil Survey (Soil Survey Staff, 2021) • USGS 7.5-Minute Topographic Map Devore Quadrangle Sensitive Plant Communities CDFW defines sensitive plant communities as “communities that are of limited distribution statewide or within a county or region and are often vulnerable to environmental impacts of projects” (CDFW, 2018). These communities are a valuable biological resource due to their rarity and/or their provision of habitat for special-status species. The most current version of CDFW’s California Natural Community List indicates which natural communities are sensitive given the current state of the California classification (CDFW, 2021a). The California Natural Community List includes alliance rankings according to their degree of imperilment. For this BRE, plant communities are considered sensitive if they meet any of the following criteria: • Recognized and considered sensitive by CDFW, USFWS, and/or special interest groups such as the CNPS, or local municipalities such as the City. • Habitat is under the jurisdiction of the USACE pursuant to Section 404 of the CWA and/or is under the jurisdiction of the CDFW pursuant to §§ 1600-1612 of the California Fish and Game Code. • Known or believed to be of high priority for inventory in the CNDDB. • Considered to be regionally rare. • Has undergone a large-scale reduction due to increased encroachment and development. • Supports special-status plant and/or wildlife species. • Functions as an important corridor for wildlife movement. Special Status Plants Based on a literature review and query from publicly available databases (USFWS 2021a, CNDDB 2021) for reported occurrences within a ten-mile radius of the project site (plant inventory), 28 special-status plant species have the potential to occur within the BSA. Of these 28 species, 6 are listed and 22 are sensitive. The following resources were used to analyze plant species potential to occur within the BSA: • Rare Plant Program, Inventory of Rare and Endangered Plants (CNPS, 2021a) • Jepson Flora Project (Jepson eFlora, 2021) • Information on California Plants (Calflora, 2021) Special-Status Wildlife: Based on a literature review and query from publicly available databases (USFWS 2021a, CNDDB 2021) for reported occurrences within a ten-mile radius of the project site, 32 special-status wildlife species (wildlife inventory) may be present within the BSA. Of these 32 species, 15 are listed and 17 June 10, 2022 Page 12 Corporate Office – Orange County Telephone: 949.788.4900 16431 Scientific Way Facsimile: 949.788.4901 Irvine, CA 92618-4355 Website: www.ultrasystems.com are sensitive. The following resources were used to analyze wildlife species potential to occur within the BSA: • All About Birds (Cornell Lab of Ornithology, 2021) • eBird, An online database of bird distribution and abundance (eBird, 2021) • USFWS ECOS species profiles (USFWS, 2021b) • CDFW California Wildlife Habitat Relationships Life History Accounts and Habitat Range Maps (CDFW, 2021b) 3.1.2 Waters of the U.S. or State (Jurisdictional Waters/Wetlands) Aerial imagery was reviewed to identify natural and man-made drainages, open water (lakes, ponds, etc.), wetlands and other features that may be subject to federal or state jurisdictional authority within the BSA. The USGS 7.5-Minute Topographic Map Devore Quadrangle was reviewed to identify potential presence or absence of onsite and offsite watercourses, and topographic features than may be indicative of water features. Topographic maps do not show all drainages that may exist. The National Wetlands Inventory (NWI) database and maps developed by the USFWS were used as preliminary indicators of potential wetland areas based on changes in vegetation patterns as observed from satellite imagery (USFWS, 2021c). The NWI data were viewed in GIS platforms (Google Earth Pro, 2021), including the USFWS Wetlands Mapper (USFWS 2021c) to identify potentially jurisdictional features within the project area as indicated from topographic changes or visible stream patterns. The digital wetland data for the project vicinity was later ground-truthed during biological surveys. The USGS National Hydrography Dataset (NHD) was also used to identify hydrologic features such as rivers, streams, canals, lakes, and ponds. (USGS, 2021). Additionally, the watershed boundary data set containing the most current 10-digit and 12-digit HUCs was obtained in geodatabase form from the USGS to aid with assessing USACE jurisdiction of waters draining the project site (USGS, 2021) The following were also reviewed and consulted: • Corps of Engineers Wetlands Delineation Manual (i.e.,1987 Manual; Environmental Laboratory, 1987). • Regional Supplement to the Corps of Engineers Wetland Delineation Manual: Arid West Region (Version 2.0) (USACE, 2008) (referred to as Arid West Supplement in this BRE) • The National Wetland Plant List 2018 List (USACE, 2018). • A Field Guide to the Identification of the Ordinary High Water Mark (OHWM) in the Arid West Region of the Western United States (Lichvar and McColley, 2008). • Updated Datasheet for the Identification of the Ordinary High Water Mark (OHWM) in the Arid West Region of the Western United States (Curtis and Lichvar, 2010). • United States Department of Agriculture National Resources Conservation Service Hydric Soils List (USDA-NRCS, 2021). June 10, 2022 Page 13 Corporate Office – Orange County Telephone: 949.788.4900 16431 Scientific Way Facsimile: 949.788.4901 Irvine, CA 92618-4355 Website: www.ultrasystems.com • Waters Geoviewer, (USEPA, 2021) The USACE published the 1987 Manual for the identification and delineation of wetlands which have since been superseded and presented in regional supplements. In 2008, the USACE published the Arid West Supplement, which is a supplement to the 1987 Manual that describes wetland indicators, delineation guidance, and other information that is specific to the arid west region (USACE, 2008). 3.1.3 Critical Habitat When a species is listed as federally endangered or threatened, areas of habitat considered essential to its conservation may be designated as critical habitat. Under the ESA, the federal government is required to designate "critical habitat" for each species it lists under the ESA. Federal agencies are prohibited from authorizing, funding or carrying out actions that "destroy or adversely modify" critical habitats. Section 3 of the ESA defines critical habitat for a threatened or endangered species as [ESA § 3(5)(A)]: • The specific areas within the geographical area occupied by the species, at the time it is listed in accordance with the provisions of § 4 of the ESA, on which are found those physical or biological features essential to the conservation of the species and which may require special management considerations or protection; and • Specific areas outside the geographical area occupied by the species at the time it is listed in accordance with the provisions of § 4 of the ESA, upon a determination by the Secretary that such areas are essential for the conservation of the species. Designated critical habitats are described in 50 CFR Parts 17 and 226. Critical habitat may include areas that are not currently occupied by the species, but that will be needed for its recovery. In addition, the USFWS normally excludes developed areas within mapped critical habitat boundaries as critical habitat. Within areas occupied by a listed species, the following factors indicate that species critical habitat (USFWS, 2021d): • space for individual and population growth and for normal behavior; • cover or shelter; • food, water, air, light, minerals, or other nutritional or physiological requirements; • sites for breeding and rearing offspring; and • habitats that are protected from disturbances or are representative of the historical geographical and ecological distributions of a species. The USFWS’ Critical Habitat Portal and IPaC were reviewed to identify federal threatened and endangered species designated final and proposed critical habitat designations within ten miles of the project site (USFWS, 2021a, d). 3.1.4 Wildlife Corridors To determine the potential for the BSA to contain wildlife corridors, UEI biologists reviewed the USGS 7.5-Minute Topographic Map Devore Quadrangle and viewed aerial imagery to search for physical June 10, 2022 Page 14 Corporate Office – Orange County Telephone: 949.788.4900 16431 Scientific Way Facsimile: 949.788.4901 Irvine, CA 92618-4355 Website: www.ultrasystems.com features that might serve as a wildlife corridor. Biologists also used the BIOS Habitat Connectivity Viewer to search for CDFW Essential Connectivity Areas, and Natural Landscape Blocks within the vicinity of the BSA (CDFW, 2021c). In addition, biologists used GIS software (Google Earth Pro, 2021) to determine the project site’s location in relation to areas that could serve as wildlife corridors. Finally, the literature review also included maps and reports on wildlife home ranges and migration and dispersal patterns (CDFW, 2014). 3.1.5 Local Policies and Ordinances The City’s municipal ordinances, general plan and other documents were reviewed. The purpose of reviewing these documents was to determine if any City regulations protected resources not covered by federal or state regulatory agencies, or if City regulations had more stringent protections of biological resources protected by state or federal regulatory agencies. 3.2 Field Survey Methods This section describes the field survey methods used by UEI biologists within the BSA during the reconnaissance-level biological survey conducted by UEI biologist, Mr. Matthew Sutton, on August 5, 2021. Mr. Sutton visited the BSA to conduct the following assessments during the survey: • Habitat assessment and land cover type mapping • Sensitive plant community assessment • General plant survey • General wildlife survey • SBKR habitat assessment • Jurisdictional waters/wetlands assessment • Wildlife movement evaluation The purposes of the field work were to evaluate the initial results of the literature review and to collect additional data on existing site conditions. The general biological survey covered all accessible areas of the BSA, including all areas that will be impacted by the project. The surveys were conducted during the daytime on foot by walking slowly across each habitat type, where accessible. Biologists used binoculars from strategic vantage points whenever direct access was not possible, due to private property with no access rights, chain-linked fences, and locked gates. Observations were also made with aerial imagery for inaccessible areas. During the survey, Mr. Sutton used topographic and aerial maps to help him navigate in the field and pertinent regional flora and fauna field guides to identify and record special-status species and to assist with identifying plant communities, wildlife habitats, and physical features. Digital color photographs were taken during the field surveys to record site conditions at the time of the field surveys. Specific methods for each type of biological assessment is described in the sections below. This survey was conducted by walking along 50-foot transects. Weather conditions consisted of 0% cloud cover with temperatures ranging from 69 to 83 degrees Fahrenheit and average wind speed ranging from 0 to 1 miles per hour. The general biological surveys covered all accessible areas of the June 10, 2022 Page 15 Corporate Office – Orange County Telephone: 949.788.4900 16431 Scientific Way Facsimile: 949.788.4901 Irvine, CA 92618-4355 Website: www.ultrasystems.com BSA, including all areas that will be impacted by the project. The surveys were conducted during the daytime on foot by walking slowly and methodically across each habitat type. Mr. Sutton also used binoculars from strategic vantage points to survey areas. 3.2.1 Habitat Assessment and Land Cover Type Mapping The purpose of the habitat assessment was to identify and map habitat areas such as plant communities and other land cover types and to ascertain existing site conditions could be suitable for special-status plant and wildlife species. Mr. Sutton characterized the existing land cover types including plant communities during the habitat assessment. He also identified and recorded plant and wildlife species, conducted a habitat assessment for special-status wildlife species such as SBKR and burrowing owl (Athene cunicularia) [BUOW], evaluated the potential for wildlife corridors, and determined if jurisdictional waters (including wetlands) were present within the BSA. The plant communities and other land cover types observed by Mr. Sutton were identified and mapped in the field by marking their limits on a color aerial map. Descriptions of plant communities, within the BSA were based on the dominant perennial plant species. Generally, classifications of habitat types or plant communities were based on A Manual of California Vegetation, Second Edition (Sawyer et al., 2009), Preliminary Descriptions of the Terrestrial Communities of California (Holland, 1986), with modifications to better represent existing site conditions. The classifications were then checked against CDFW’s Natural Community List (CDFW, 2021a) to determine if any of the plant communities were designated as sensitive by the CDFW. Topography, soil characteristics, substrates, and disturbed and developed areas were also components of the habitat assessment in order to search for special-status plants and wildlife. Following the field mapping, UEI’s GIS staff took the habitat boundaries from the aerial map and digitized the boundaries into an ArcGIS file. Once the boundaries were in the ArcGIS, the acreage of each land cover present within the BSA was then calculated. 3.2.2 Waters of the U.S. or State (Jurisdictional Waters/Wetlands) Assessment This section describes the assessment methods used by the UEI biologist Mr. Sutton to identify potential waters of the U.S. or State (i.e., jurisdictional waters/wetlands) within the project site. The purpose of the field survey was to evaluate the initial results of the literature review and to collect additional data on existing site conditions. Mr. Sutton investigated the project site for jurisdictional areas on August 5, 2021. Jurisdictional areas may be identified by the presence of streams or drainages with a definable bed, bank, or channel or evidence of an ordinary high water mark. areas of standing water, or depressions that had evidence of containing standing water for part of the year. Finally, he assessed if there were any additional wetland indicators such as wetland hydrology, hydric soils or hydrophytic vegetation. Areas of the BSA which are developed and did not contain any exposed drainages were not surveyed. 4.0 RESULTS This section describes the results of the literature review and the existing conditions within the BSA at the time the biological field surveys were conducted (environmental baseline). Photographs of the June 10, 2022 Page 16 Corporate Office – Orange County Telephone: 949.788.4900 16431 Scientific Way Facsimile: 949.788.4901 Irvine, CA 92618-4355 Website: www.ultrasystems.com BSA that were taken during the field surveys can be found in Attachment 3, Site Photographs. The reconnaissance-level biological survey was conducted by UEI biologist Mr. Matthew Sutton on August 5, 2021. 4.1 Environmental Setting Topography of the project site is relatively level; surfaces slope slightly in a southwesterly direction. Elevation ranges from approximately 1663 to 1676 feet amsl. The project site is surrounded by Sierra Avenue, Summit Avenue, and housing developments, some under construction, to the west, and warehouses, parking lots, and infiltration basins to the north, east and south. The City of Fontana has a mild semi-arid climate with Mediterranean characteristics. Mediterranean climates tend to have dry and hot summers with cooler, wetter winters in which the majority of the annual precipitation occurs between November and March. The average annual precipitation for the City of Fontana is 19 inches. The highest average monthly precipitation is January, averaging approximately 4 inches. Annual snowfall is 0 inches. The average August high temperature is 96 degrees Fahrenheit (°F). The average January low temperature is 42 degrees Fahrenheit (°F) [WRCC, 2021]. 4.2 Soils Based on the USDA NRCS Soil Survey, the BSA contains Soboba gravelly loamy sand, 0 to 9 percent slopes (Soil Survey Staff, 2021). This soil type occurs in alluvial fans, with granite-derived alluvium as the parent material. This soil map unit is not listed on the National Hydric Soils List as hydric (USDA NRCS, 2021). The onsite soils are rocky with rocks varying in size from one inch to eighteen inches in diameter (see Attachment 4, Soils Report). 4.3 Plant Communities and Land Cover Types 4.3.1 Developed/Ornamental The majority of the BSA consists of developed areas and areas landscaped with ornamental vegetation. Developed areas include areas occupied by residences, structures, sidewalks, paving, and all other impermeable surfaces that cannot support vegetation. Ornamental areas include bare ground, lawns, and native or non-native ornamental vegetation. Several native and non-native grass, shrub and tree species are incorporated into landscaping on road margins, sidewalk medians, and around buildings and homes within the BSA. Most of the species planted in the sidewalk medians and around buildings consist of a mix of drought-tolerant native and non-native plant species (see Attachment 1, Figure 4 Land Cover Types). 4.3.2 Infiltration Basins There are three infiltration basins to the north, east, and south of the project site within the BSA. None of these three basins are part of an active stream channel. All three basins are irrigated. The north and east basins have rock-lined bottoms with slopes consisting of native and non-native grasses, shrubs and trees. The south basin’s bottom and slopes are naturally vegetated; this basin June 10, 2022 Page 17 Corporate Office – Orange County Telephone: 949.788.4900 16431 Scientific Way Facsimile: 949.788.4901 Irvine, CA 92618-4355 Website: www.ultrasystems.com terminates into a rock-lined region on its western end. The vegetation within this basin is dominated by native shrubs such as California sagebrush (Artemisia californica), California buckwheat (Eriogonum fasciculatum), and brittlebush (Encelia farinosa), and most closely resembles the Riversidean alluvial fan sage scrub plant community. These infiltration basins serve the purpose of erosion, flood, and stormwater runoff control for the surrounding developments. Such basins generally use a very small slope to divert water, and areas surrounding the basins will typically contain vegetative buffer that can withstand dry or wet conditions. Infiltration basins, such as those found in the BSA, will occasionally contain a pool of water but the water infiltrates the soil between storms so that the basins will typically remain dry (Wessler Engineering, 2015). 4.3.3 Disturbed Disturbed lands consist of exposed soils that have undergone some type of disturbance such as compaction by vehicle traffic, mowing, disking, excavation or other type of alteration of the soil surface. These lands often consist of ruderal vegetation dominated by non-native, weedy species. The one disturbed area within the BSA is a 15-foot-wide dirt road located directly south of the project site, which extends from Sierra Avenue to the west to Mango Avenue to the east. There is sparsely distributed weedy vegetation growing in the road’s soil. The project site also consists of disturbed soils, but because there is evidence of alluvial scrub vegetation growing in the soils, the project site has been classified as restorable RAFSS, which is described below. 4.3.4 Disturbed California Buckwheat Scrub California buckwheat scrub (Eriogonum fascicuatum shrubland alliance) occurs on upland slopes, arroyos experiencing intermittent flooding, channels and washes (Sawyer et al., 2009; CNPS, 2021b). California buckwheat (Eriogonum fasciculatum) is typically the dominant shrub species in this plant community and other shrub species co-occur at lower cover. California buckwheat shrubs are sparsely distributed in much of the central and eastern sections of the project site. There is evidence of discing and other soil disturbances throughout the project site based on both field observations and historical aerial imagery. 4.4 Plants 4.4.1 Plant Species Recorded During Surveys There are numerous native and non-native plant species within the BSA, the majority of which are part of landscaping around private residences, roadsides and buildings. Approximately 39 plant species from 24 plant families were observed within the BSA. Eighteen of the 39 plant species recorded are non-native, and are either incorporated into landscaped areas or occur within the natural landscape of the project site. Vegetated areas of the BSA outside of the project site consist of three infiltration basins, landscaping around buildings, and private yards with ornamental lawns, plants and trees. Most of the plant species in the landscaping are drought-tolerant species, many of which are native species. Refer to Attachment 5, Species Observed, for a complete list of all species observed. June 10, 2022 Page 18 Corporate Office – Orange County Telephone: 949.788.4900 16431 Scientific Way Facsimile: 949.788.4901 Irvine, CA 92618-4355 Website: www.ultrasystems.com A mix of native and non-native plant species were observed on the project site. California buckwheat (Eriogonum fasciculatum) is the dominant and only shrub species on the project site; it is sparsely distributed and occurs mainly in the eastern half of the project site. Most of the annual, herbaceous vegetation that was observed throughout the project site during the survey was desiccated and could not be identified to species. This dry thatch seemed to consist of annual forbs and grasses. There were some individuals of deerweed (Acmispon glaber) and western ragweed (Ambrosia psilostachya) located in the western half of the project site. There were several mesic plant species observed along the northern border of the project site, which is adjacent to an irrigated landscaping strip of the adjoining property. These plant species likely colonized this border because of the higher shade of the landscaped plants and of higher soil moisture from overflow of the irrigation system. These plant species included white sweetclover (Melilotus albus), prickly lettuce (Lactuca serriola), telegraph weed (Heterotheca grandiflora), tamarisk (Tamarix ramosissima), wild oats (Avena sp.), salt grass (Distichlis spicata), tumbleweed (Amaranthus albus), puncture vine (Tribulus terrestris), Mexican fan palm (Washingtonia robusta), ripgut brome (Bromus diandrus), foxtail chess (Bromus madritensis), Goodding’s black willow (Salix gooddingii), bulbous canarygrass (Phalaris aquatica), and Douglas’ nightshade (Solanum douglasii). The following non-native species that hold a California Invasive Plant Council (Cal-IPC) rating were observed within the BSA: ripgut brome (Bromus diandrus), tamarisk (Tamarix ramosissima), Mexican fan palm (Washingtonia robusta), and Peruvian pepper tree (Schinus molle) [Cal-IPC, 2006]. 4.4.2 Special-Status Plant Species with Potential to Occur in the BSA Based on a literature review and query from publicly available databases (USFWS 2021a, CNDDB 2021) for reported occurrences within a ten-mile radius of the project site, there were 6 listed and 22 sensitive plant species identified by one of the following means: reported in the plant inventory, recognized as occurring based on previous surveys or knowledge of the area, or observed during the habitat assessment survey. Of the 28 total special-status species in the plant inventory, it was determined that 1 listed and 2 sensitive plant species have the potential to occur in the BSA (see Table 1). June 10, 2022 Page 19 Corporate Office – Orange County Telephone: 949.788.4900 16431 Scientific Way Facsimile: 949.788.4901 Irvine, CA 92618-4355 Website: www.ultrasystems.com Table 1 SPECIAL-STATUS PLANTS WITH A POTENTIAL TO OCCUR IN THE BSA Scientific Name (=Synonym) Common Name (=Synonym) Status General Habitat Description in California Plant Elevation Range (feet amsl) BSA Contains Potential Suitable Habitats BSA is Located Within the Plant Species’ Known: Potential For Occurrence in the BSA Elevation Range General Distribution Listed Endangered, Threatened, Candidate and State Rare Plants: Plants with official status under the federal Endangered Species Act (ESA), the California Endangered Species Act (CESA), and/or the Native Plant Protection Act (NPPA). A species may have other sensitive designations in addition to their federal or state listing. Dodecahema leptoceras slender-horned spineflower FE, SE, CRPR: 1B.1 Lifeform: annual herb Habitats: flood plains and in washes Soils: sandy soil of alluvium in flood plains and in washes Wetlands, Drainages, or Seeps: Yes Bloom Period: April to June 656 – 2,493 Yes Yes Yes Low. This rare species does occur in alluvial scrub habitats, however, the alluvial scrub habitat at the site is highly disturbed... This species typically occurs in silty washes, terraces, and in uplands or dry drainage channels, so this site does not offer ideal habitat for this plant. Due to these factors along with the development that has occurred in the BSA, allows this species only to have a low occurrence potential. Sensitive Plants: These plants have no official status under the ESA, the CESA, and/or the NPPA; however, they are designated as sensitive or locally important by federal agencies, state agencies, and/or local conservation agencies and organizations. Chorizanthe parryi var. parryi Parry’s spineflower CRPR: 1B.1 Lifeform: annual herb Habitats: coastal scrub, chaparral, cismontane woodlands, and valley and foothill grasslands Soils: sandy or rocky soils Bloom Period: April to June 902 – 4,002 Yes Yes Yes Low. This species occurs on sandy soil on flats and foothills, mixed grassland and chaparral communities. While the soils of the project site are sandy, the comprised of a mixture of sandy and loam. The site does not provide the true sandy soils that are ideal for this species. the loam content of the soils on this site and the highly disturbed nature of the site deem this species to have only a low occurrence potential. Horkelia cuneata var. puberula (=Horkelia cuneata ssp. puperula) mesa horkelia CRPR: 1B.1 Lifeform: perennial herb Habitats: maritime chaparral, coastal scrub, and cismontane woodlands Soils: sandy or gravelly sites Bloom Period: February to September 230 – 2,657 Yes Yes Yes Low. Mesa horkelia prefers open coastal sage scrub, chaparral, and cismontane woodland habitat types. that are generally supported by sandy or gravelly soils. This species has only a low occurrence potential due to lack of suitable soils June 10, 2022 Page 20 Corporate Office – Orange County Telephone: 949.788.4900 16431 Scientific Way Facsimile: 949.788.4901 Irvine, CA 92618-4355 Website: www.ultrasystems.com Legend and Notes Federal Endangered Species Act (ESA) Listing Codes: the ESA is administered by the USFWS and NMFS. The USFWS has primary responsibility for terrestrial and freshwater organisms, while the responsibilities of NMFS are mainly marine wildlife such as whales and anadromous fish such as salmon. For the purposes of the ESA, Congress defined species to include subspecies, varieties, and, for vertebrates, distinct population segments. The official federal listing of Endangered and Threatened plants is published in 50 CFR § 17.12. • FE = federally listed as endangered: any species of plant or animal that is in danger of extinction throughout all or a significant portion of their range. California Endangered Species Act (CESA) and California Native Plant Protection Act (NPPA) Listing Codes: the CESA and NPPA are administered by CDFW. The official listing of Plants of California Declared to Be Endangered, Threatened or Rare is contained in the California Code of Regulations, Title 14, § 670.2. Species, subspecies and varieties of California native plants are declared to be endangered, threatened as defined by § 2062 and § 2067 of the Fish and Game Code or rare as defined by § 1901 of the Fish and Game Code. • SE = state-listed as endangered: "endangered species" means a native species or subspecies of a bird, mammal, fish, amphibian, reptile, or plant which is in serious danger of becoming extinct throughout all, or a significant portion, of its range due to one or more causes, including loss of habitat, change in habitat, overexploitation, predation, competition, or disease (Fish and Game Code § 2062). California Rare Plant Ranks (Formerly known as CNPS Lists): the CNPS is a statewide, nonprofit organization that maintains, with CDFW, an Inventory of Rare and Endangered Plants of California. In the spring of 2011, CNPS and CDFW officially changed the name “CNPS List” or “CNPS Ranks” to “California Rare Plant Rank” (or CPRP). This was done to reduce confusion over the fact that CNPS and CDFW jointly manage the Rare Plant Status Review Groups and the rank assignments are the product of a collaborative effort and not solely a CNPS assignment. • CRPR 1B = California Rare Plant Rank 1B - plants rare, threatened, or endangered in California and elsewhere: plants with a CRPR of 1B are rare throughout their range with the majority of them endemic to California. Most of the plants that are ranked 1B have declined significantly over the last century. All of the plants constituting CRPR 1B meet the definitions of § 2062 and § 2067 (CESA) of the Fish and Game Code, and are eligible for state listing. It is mandatory that they be fully considered during preparation of environmental documents relating to CEQA. California Native Plant Society (CNPS) Threat Ranks: The CNPS Threat Rank is an extension added onto the California Rare Plant Rank (CRPR) (as a decimal code) and designates the level of threats by a 1 to 3 ranking with 1 being the most threatened and 3 being the least threatened. A Threat Rank is present for all CRPR 1B's, 2B's, 4's, and the majority of CRPR 3's. CRPR 4 plants are seldom assigned a Threat Rank of .1, as they generally have large enough populations to not have significant threats to their continued existence in California; however, certain conditions exist to make the plant a species of concern and hence be assigned a CRPR. In addition, all CRPR 1A and 2A (presumed extirpated in California), and some CRPR 3 (need more information) plants, which lack threat information, do not have a Threat Rank extension. • .1 = seriously threatened in California (over 80% of occurrences threatened / high degree and immediacy of threat) Notes: The BSA contains approximate elevations of 1650 to 1689 feet amsl. The BSA occurs in a historic flood plain near the base of the San Bernardino Mountains. Yes = the BSA is located within the plant species’ known distribution, elevation range, and/or the BSA contains suitable habitats and/or soils to support the plant species. The plant species has a potential to occur within the BSA. Further evaluation is needed. Low = low potential to occur within the BSA June 10, 2022 Page 21 Corporate Office – Orange County Telephone: 949.788.4900 16431ScientificWay Facsimile: 949.788.4901 Irvine, CA 92618-4355 Website: www.ultrasystems.com Based on an analysis of the biological, physical and environmental conditions necessary for each special-status plant species identified in the plant inventory, it was determined that 27 of those species have no potential to occur in the BSA (Calflora, 2021; CNDDB, 2021; CNPS, 2021a, b; Google Earth Pro, 2021; Jepson Flora Project, 2021; Sawyer et al., 2009; Soil Survey Staff, 2021; USEPA, 2021; USFWS, 2021a, b, c). In most cases, species were determined to have no potential to occur because the project site lacks suitable habitat or is outside of a particular species geographic or elevation range. Some species for which there is suitable habitat in the BSA were determined to not have a potential to occur for the following reasons: (1) There is evidence of vehicles driving on the site and disking the soil; this soil disturbance would decrease the likelihood of geophytes establishing onsite; (2) The operation of vehicles onsite and occasional foot traffic may contribute to soil compaction. Many plant species cannot establish in compacted soils; (3) The project site was historically part of an alluvial flood plain. This hydrological process of periodic flooding no longer occurs within the BSA due to development and other activities altering fluvial patterns. Thus, plant species dependent on periodic flooding are unlikely to establish within the BSA; and, (4) The project site is adjacent to urbanized and residential developments, which thus reduces the nearby propagule sources of special-status plant species that could colonize the BSA. The following plant species, listed with their respective statuses, were determined to have no potential to occur within the BSA for the abovementioned reasons (see Table 2 for a description of the species status ranking notations): • Gambel’s water cress (Nasturtium gambelii) FE, ST, CRPR: 1B.1 • Santa Ana river woollystar (Eriastrum densifolium ssp. sanctorum) FE, SE, CRPR: 1B.1 • marsh sandwort (Arenaria paludicola) FE, SE • salt marsh bird’s-beak (Chloropyron maritimum ssp. maritimum) FE, SE, CRPR: 1B.2 • thread-leaved brodiaea (Brodiaea filifolia) FT, SE, CRPR: 1B.1 • woolly mountain-parsley (Oreonana vestita) CRPR: 1B.3 • Los Angeles sunflower (Helianthus nuttallii ssp. parishii) CRPR: 1A • San Gabriel manzanita (Arctostaphylos glandulosa ssp. gabrielensis) CRPR: 1B.2 • smooth tarplant (Centromadia pungens ssp. laevis) CRPR: 1B.1 ( • Jokerst’s monardella (Monardella australis ssp. jokersti) CRPR: 1B.1 • Parish’s bush-mallow (Malacothamnus parishii) CRPR: 1A • San Bernardino Mountains owl’s clover (Castilleja lasiorhyncha) CRPR: 1B.2 • bristly sedge (Carex comosa) CRPR: 2B.1 • San Bernardino aster (Symphyotrichum defoliatum) CRPR: 1B.2 • singlewhorl burrobrush (Ambrosia monogyra) CRPR: 2B.2 • hot springs fimbristylis (Fimbristylis thermalis) CRPR: 2B.2 • Johnston’s buckwheat (Eriogonum microthecum var. johnstonii) CRPR: 1B.3 • Parish’s alumroot (Heuchera parishii) CRPR: 1B.3 • Parish’s desert-thorn (Lycium parishii) CRPR: 2B.3 • Sanford’s arrowhead (Sagittaria sanfordii) CRPR: 1B.2 • black bog-rush (Schoenus nigricans) CRPR: 2B.2 • Palmer’s mariposa lily (Calochortus palmeri var. palmeri) CRPR: 1B.2 • lemon lily (Lilium parryi) CRPR: 1B.2 June 10, 2022 Page 22 Corporate Office – Orange County Telephone: 949.788.4900 16431 Scientific Way Facsimile: 949.788.4901 Irvine, CA 92618-4355 Website: www.ultrasystems.com • California satintail (Imperata brevifolia) 2B.1 • prairie wedge grass (Sphenopholis obtusata) CRPR: 2B.2 • white rabbit-tobacco (Pseudognaphalium leucocephalum) CRPR: 2B.2 • white-bracted spineflower (Chorizanthe xanti var. leucotheca) CRPR: 1B.2 Table 2 Special-Status Plant and Wildlife Species Ranking Notations California Endangered Species Act Listing Codes SE State listed as Endangered ST State listed as Threatened Federal Endangered Species Act Listing Codes FE Federal listed as Endangered FT Federal listed as Threatened California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) Designations: SSC = species of special concern: a species of special concern is a species, subspecies, or distinct population of an animal (fish, amphibian, reptile, bird and mammal) native to California that currently satisfies one or more of the following (not necessarily mutually exclusive) criteria: is extirpated from the state or, in the case of birds, in its primary seasonal or breeding role; is listed as federally-, but not state-, threatened or endangered; meets the state definition of threatened or endangered, but has not formally been listed; is experiencing, or formerly experienced, serious (noncyclical) population declines or range retractions (not reversed) that, if continued or resumed, could qualify it for state threatened or endangered status; has naturally small populations exhibiting high susceptibility to risk from any factor(s), that if realized, could lead to declines that would qualify it for state threatened or endangered status. Fully protected: fully protected animal species may not be taken or possessed at any time and no licenses or permits may be issued for their take except for collecting these species for necessary scientific research and relocation of the bird species for the protection of livestock. Lists were created for fish (Fish and Game Code § 5515), amphibians and reptiles (Fish and Game Code § 5050), birds (Fish and Game Code § 3511) and mammals (Fish and Game Code § 4700). WL = watch list: this list includes birds identified in the California Bird Species of Special Concern (Shuford and Gardali, 2008) report and are not on the current CDFW species of special concern list, but were on previous lists and they have not been state-listed under CESA; were previously state or federally listed and now are on neither list; or are on the list of fully protected species. California Rare Plant Ranks (Based on ranking system developed by the California Native Plant Society [CNPS]) CRPR: 1A – California Rare Plant Rank 1A - plants presumed extirpated in California and either rare or extinct elsewhere: the plants with a CRPR of 1A are presumed extirpated because they have not been seen or collected in the wild in California for many years. This rank includes plants that are both presumed extinct as well as those plants which are presumed extirpated in California. All of the plants constituting CRPR 1A meet the definitions of § 2062 and § 2067 (CESA) of the Fish and Game Code, and are eligible for state listing. Should these taxa be rediscovered, it is mandatory that they be fully considered during preparation of environmental documents relating to CEQA. CRPR: 1B – California Rare Plant Rank 1B - plants rare, threatened, or endangered in California and elsewhere: plants with a CRPR of 1B are rare throughout their range with the majority of them endemic to California. Most of the plants that are ranked 1B have declined significantly over the last century. All of the plants constituting CRPR 1B meet the definitions of § 2062 and § 2067 (CESA) of the Fish and Game Code, and June 10, 2022 Page 23 Corporate Office – Orange County Telephone: 949.788.4900 16431 Scientific Way Facsimile: 949.788.4901 Irvine, CA 92618-4355 Website: www.ultrasystems.com are eligible for state listing. It is mandatory that they be fully considered during preparation of environmental documents relating to CEQA. CRPR: 2B – California Rare Plant Rank 2B - plants rare, threatened, or endangered in California, but more common elsewhere: except for being common beyond the boundaries of California, plants with a CRPR of 2B would have been ranked 1B. From the federal perspective, plants common in other states or countries are not eligible for consideration under the provisions of the ESA. All of the plants constituting CRPR 2B meet the definitions of § 2062 and § 2067 (CESA) of the Fish and Game Code, and are eligible for state listing. It is mandatory that they be fully considered during preparation of environmental documents relating to CEQA. CNPS Threat Ranks – .1 – seriously threatened in California (over 80% of occurrences threatened / high degree and immediacy of threat) .2 – moderately threatened in California (20-80% occurrences threatened / moderate degree and immediacy of threat) .3 = not very threatened in California (<20% of occurrences threatened / low degree and immediacy of threat or no current threats known) 4.4.3 Listed Endangered, Threatened, Candidate, and State Rare Plants No listed, endangered, threatened, candidate, or rare plants were observed during the field survey. 4.4.4 Sensitive Plants No sensitive plants were observed during the field survey. 4.5 Wildlife 4.5.1 Wildlife Species Recorded During the Field Surveys A total of six distinct wildlife species were observed during the August 5 2021 field survey. Two mammal species, one reptile species, and three bird species were observed. The mammals observed were ground squirrel (Spermophilus beecheyi) and coyote (Canis latrans). The birds observed were northern mockingbird (Mimus polyglottos), house finch (Haemorhous mexicanus), and semipalmated plover (Charadrius semipalmatus). Western fence lizard (Sceloporus occidentalis) was the only reptile species observed. 4.5.2 Special-Status Wildlife Species with Potential to Occur in the BSA Based on a literature review and query from publicly available databases (USFWS 2021a, CNDDB 2021) for reported occurrences within a ten-mile radius of the project site, there were 15 listed and 17 sensitive wildlife species identified by one of the following means: reported in the search, recognized as occurring based on previous surveys or knowledge of the area, or observed during the habitat assessment survey. Of those 32 total species, 2 listed and 4 sensitive wildlife species were determined to have at least a low potential to occur in the BSA (see Table 3). June 10, 2022 Page 24 Corporate Office – Orange County Telephone: 949.788.4900 16431 Scientific Way Facsimile: 949.788.4901 Irvine, CA 92618-4355 Website: www.ultrasystems.com Table 3 SPECIAL-STATUS WILDLIFE WITH A POTENTIAL TO OCCUR IN THE BSA Scientific Name (=Synonym) Common Name (=Synonym) Status General Habitat Descriptions in California The BSA: Potential For Occurrence in the BSA Located Within Species’ Distribution and/or Elevation Range (if known) Contains Suitable Foraging, Roosting, and/or Breeding Habitats Listed Endangered, Threatened, and Candidate Wildlife: Wildlife with official status under the federal Endangered Species Act (ESA) and/or the California Endangered Species Act (CESA). A species may have other sensitive designations in addition to their federal or state listing. Listed Mammals Dipodomys merriami parvus San Bernardino kangaroo rat FE, SSC, SCE Habitats: Riversidean alluvial fan sage scrub, river and stream terraces, flood plains, and along washes with nearby sage scrub Soil: sandy loam soils, alluvial fans Yes Yes Low. Suitable burrows were observed on site that could potentially support this species. The BSA also overlaps USFWS designated critical habitat. However, there is no active fluvial system within the BSA, so the habitat is only marginally suitable. Sensitive Wildlife: These animals have no official status under the ESA and/or the CESA; however, they are designated as sensitive or locally important by federal agencies, state agencies, and/or local conservation agencies and organizations Sensitive Birds Accipiter cooperii Cooper's hawk WL Habitats: broken woodland and habitat edges Characteristics: tolerant of human activities near the nest and is seen more often nesting in urban/residential areas Yes Yes Moderate. This species can readily adapt to disturbed environments and human activity. There are multiple trees within the BSA that could provide suitable habitat. Sensitive Mammals Chaetodipus fallax northwestern San Diego pocket mouse SSC Habitats: open, sandy areas of both the Upper and Lower Sonoran life- zones of southwestern California and northern Baja California Characteristics: grassland and open sage scrub vegetation with sandy- loam to loam soils Yes Yes Moderate. Suitable burrows underneath vegetative cover were observed on site that could potentially support this species. Perognathus longimembris brevinasus Los Angeles pocket mouse SSC Habitats: open ground of fine, sandy soils and may utilize these soil types for burrowing, lower elevation grassland and coastal sage scrub Characteristics: prefers sparsely vegetated habitats Yes Yes Moderate. Suitable burrows underneath vegetative cover were observed on site that could potentially support this species. . Lepus californicus bennettii San Diego black-tailed jackrabbit SSC Habitats: open areas or semi-open country, typically in grasslands, agricultural fields or sparse coastal scrub, in arid regions supporting shortgrass Characteristics: not found in high mountain forests Yes Yes Low. This species is highly mobile and could potentially use the site as a passage to more wooded areas, but there are no established shrubs are on the project site that would be necessary to support this species. Formerly Listed Endangered, Threatened, and Candidate Wildlife: Wildlife with official status under the federal Endangered Species Act (ESA) and/or the California Endangered Species Act (CESA). A species may have other sensitive designations in addition to their federal or state listing. June 10, 2022 Page 25 Corporate Office – Orange County Telephone: 949.788.4900 16431 Scientific Way Facsimile: 949.788.4901 Irvine, CA 92618-4355 Website: www.ultrasystems.com Scientific Name (=Synonym) Common Name (=Synonym) Status General Habitat Descriptions in California The BSA: Potential For Occurrence in the BSA Located Within Species’ Distribution and/or Elevation Range (if known) Contains Suitable Foraging, Roosting, and/or Breeding Habitats Formerly Listed Invertebrates Bombus crotchii crotch bumble bee declassified Habitats: open grassland and scrub habitats Yes Yes Low. This species nests underground, often in abandoned rodent burrows such as those observed on site. This species has a declining range and population, with very few observations after 2002. Legend and Notes Federal Endangered Species Act (ESA) Listing Codes: the ESA is administered by the USFWS and NMFS. The USFWS has primary responsibility for terrestrial and freshwater organisms, while the responsibilities of NMFS are mainly marine wildlife such as whales and anadromous fish such as salmon. For the purposes of the ESA, Congress defined species to include subspecies, varieties, and, for vertebrates, distinct population segments. The official federal listing of Endangered and Threatened animals is published in 50 CFR § 17.11. • FE = federally listed as endangered: any species of plant or animal that is in danger of extinction throughout all or a significant portion of their range. California Endangered Species Act (CESA) Listing Codes: the CESA is administered by CDFW. The official listing of Animals of California Declared To Be Endangered or Threatened is contained in the California Code of Regulations, Title 14, § 670.5. Species and subspecies of California native animals are declared to be endangered or threatened as defined by §§ 2062 and 2067 of the Fish and Game Code. •SCE = state candidate for listing as endangered: a native species or subspecies of a bird, mammal, fish, amphibian, reptile, or plant that the Fish and Game Commission has formally noticed published in the California Regulatory Notice Register as being under review by CDFW for addition to the list of endangered species, or a species for which the Fish and Game Commission has published a notice of proposed regulation to add the species to the list (Fish and Game Code § 2068). California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) Designations: For some wildlife species, the CNDDB is only concerned with specific portions of the life history, such as roosts, rookeries, or nesting colonies. For many species of birds, the primary emphasis is on the breeding population in California. For some species which do not breed in California but winter here, emphasis is on wintering range. The SSC designation thus may include a comment regarding the specific protection provided such as nesting or wintering • SSC = species of special concern: a species of special concern is a species, subspecies, or distinct population of an animal (fish, amphibian, reptile, bird and mammal) native to California that currently satisfies one or more of the following (not necessarily mutually exclusive) criteria: is extirpated from the state or, in the case of birds, in its primary seasonal or breeding role; is listed as federally-, but not state-, threatened or endangered; meets the state definition of threatened or endangered, but has not formally been listed; is experiencing, or formerly experienced, serious (noncyclical) population declines or range retractions (not reversed) that, if continued or resumed, could qualify it for state threatened or endangered status; has naturally small populations exhibiting high susceptibility to risk from any factor(s), that if realized, could lead to declines that would qualify it for state threatened or endangered status. • WL = watch list: this list includes birds identified in the California Bird Species of Special Concern (Shuford and Gardali, 2008) report and are not on the current CDFW species of special concern list, but were on previous lists and they have not been state-listed under CESA; were previously state or federally listed and now are on neither list; or are on the list of fully protected species. Notes The BSA contains approximate elevations of 1650 to 1689 feet amsl. Yes = the BSA is located within the wildlife species’ known distribution, elevation range, and/or the BSA contains suitable habitats or conditions to support the species. The wildlife species has a potential to occur within the BSA. Further evaluation is needed. No = the BSA is located outside the wildlife species’ known distribution, elevation range, and/or the BSA lacks suitable habitats or conditions to support the species. It is highly unlikely for the wildlife species to have a potential to occur within the BSA. No further evaluation is needed. Low = low potential to occur within the BSA Moderate = moderate potential to occur within the BSA Declassified = the Crotch bumble bee has been declassified from a state listed State Candidate Endangered (SCE) to having no federal or state listing. June 10, 2022 Page 26 Corporate Office – Orange County Telephone: 949.788.4900 16431 Scientific Way Facsimile: 949.788.4901 Irvine, CA 92618-4355 Website: www.ultrasystems.com Based on an analysis of the biological, physical and environmental conditions necessary for each special-status wildlife species identified in the wildlife inventory, it was determined that 26 of those species have no potential to occur in the BSA (CNDDB, 2021, Google Earth Pro, 2021, eBird 2021; USFWS, 2021a, b, c, d). In most cases, species were determined to have no potential to occur because the project site lacks suitable habitat or is outside of a particular species geographic or elevation range. Some species for which there is suitable habitat in the BSA were determined to not have a potential to occur for the following reasons: (1) The project site is adjacent to urbanized and residential developments, and hazards such as traffic reduce the likelihood that certain species would visit the BSA; (2) There is evidence of vehicles driving on the site and disking the soil; this soil disturbance would decrease the likelihood of fossorial mammal species or bird or reptile species that utilize burrows establishing onsite; (3) Because periodic flooding no longer occurs within the BSA, some fossorial species that depend on disturbed alluvial soils are unlikely to establish within the BSA; and, (4) Higher levels of street lights and traffic noise may cause certain species to avoid the BSA. The following wildlife species, listed with their respective statuses, were determined to have no potential to occur based on the abovementioned reasons (see Table 2 for a description of the species status ranking notations): • Delhi sands flower-loving fly (Rhaphiomidas terminatus abdominalis) FE • quino checkerspot butterfly (Euphydryas editha quino) FE • coastal California gnatcatcher (Polioptila californica californica) FT, SSC • Santa Ana sucker (Catostomus santaanae) FT • steelhead – southern California DPS (Oncorhynchus mykiss irideus) FE • arroyo toad (Anaxyrus californicus) FE • southern mountain yellow-legged frog (Rana muscosa) FE, SE • southern rubber boa (Charina umbratical) ST • California condor (Gymnogyps californianus) FE, SE • California black rail (Laterallus jamaicensis coturniculus) ST • southwestern willow flycatcher (Empidonax traillii extimus) FE, SE • least Bell’s vireo (Vireo bellii pusillus) FE, SE • tricolored blackbird (Agelaius tricolor) ST • western spadefoot (Spea hammondii) SSC • Blainville’s horned lizard (Phrynosoma blainvilli) SSC • San Diegan whiptail (Aspidoscelis tigris stejnegeri) SSC • southern California legless lizard (Anniella stebbinsi) SSC • California glossy snake (Arizona elegans occidentalis) SSC • two-striped garter snake (Thamnophis hammondii) SSC • burrowing owl (Athene cunicularia) SSC • yellow warbler (Setophaga petechia) SSC, BCC • Bell's sage sparrow (Artemisiospiza belli belli) WL, BCC • San Bernardino flying squirrel (Glaucomys sabrinus californicus) SSC • San Diego desert woodrat (Neotoma lepida intermedia) SSC • western yellow bat (Lasiurus xanthinus) SSC June 10, 2022 Page 27 Corporate Office – Orange County Telephone: 949.788.4900 16431 Scientific Way Facsimile: 949.788.4901 Irvine, CA 92618-4355 Website: www.ultrasystems.com • desert bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis nelsoni) fully protected 4.5.3 Listed Endangered, Threatened, and Candidate Wildlife No federally listed endangered, threatened, or candidate wildlife species were observed during the field survey. 4.5.4 Sensitive Wildlife No sensitive wildlife species were observed during the field survey. Three wildlife species, were determined to have moderate potential to occur in the BSA. These species are discussed below. Cooper’s Hawk Cooper’s hawk (Accipiter cooperii) is a medium-sized hawk that prefers to inhabit the edges of woodlands. These raptors are commonly sighted in parks, neighborhoods, over fields, and even along busy streets if there are large trees nearby for perching and adequate prey species such as other birds and small mammals. They prefer to breed in more densely wooded areas than occur in the BSA, such as woodland openings and edges of riparian and oak habitat (Cornell Lab of Ornithology, 2021). Cooper’s hawks build nests in pines, oaks, Douglas-firs, beeches, spruces, and other trees. Males typically build the nest over a period of about two weeks, with some help from the female. Nests are piles of sticks roughly 27 inches in diameter and 6 to 17 inches high with a cup-shaped depression in the middle, that is approximately 8 inches in diameter and 4 inches deep. The cup is lined with bark flakes and, sometimes, green twigs. (Cornell Lab of Ornithology, 2021). Cooper’s hawk has a status of Watch List with the CDFW (CDFW, 2021d). The CDFW Watch List includes birds identified in the California Bird Species of Special Concern (Shuford and Gardali, 2008) report and have or have had one of the following statuses: they are not on the current CDFW species of special concern list, but were on previous lists and they have not been state-listed under CESA; they were previously state or federally listed and now are on neither list; or, they are on the list of fully protected species. The report identifies species, subspecies, and populations of all migratory and non-migratory bird species (beyond those already designated as federal threatened or endangered) that, without additional conservation actions, are likely to become candidates for listing under the ESA. It was determined that Cooper’s hawk has a moderate potential to occur within the BSA because the BSA contains suitable nesting, breeding and foraging habitat; however, there are no trees on the project site itself and this raptor is only anticipated to forage occasionally onsite. Several large trees occur in the infiltration basins that surround the project site and these trees provide good nesting and breeding habitat for Cooper’s hawk. This species is urban-adapted and could still occupy the BSA despite high levels of vehicle traffic and construction that would be associated with construction of the project. Construction of the project is not anticipated to impact foraging of Cooper’s because there is ample foraging habitat available within the BSA and in surrounding areas. June 10, 2022 Page 28 Corporate Office – Orange County Telephone: 949.788.4900 16431 Scientific Way Facsimile: 949.788.4901 Irvine, CA 92618-4355 Website: www.ultrasystems.com Los Angeles Pocket Mouse: The Los Angeles pocket mouse (Perognathus longimembris brevinasus) [LAPM] is a CDFW Species of Special Concern. It is a nocturnal rodent The species typically occurs on open landscapes associated with alluvial, well-drained upland deposits of sandy soil, and is believed to be in decline due to habitat loss affiliated with agricultural and urban development (Jameson and Peeters 1988; Williams et al. 1993; Dudek & Associates, 2003). The habitat of LAPM includes lower elevation grassland, alluvial sage scrub, and coastal sage scrub. The LAPM hibernates in the winter, generally from October to February, and also becomes torpid when deprived of food for 24 to 36 hours. LAPM periodically emerge from hibernation to feed on seed caches stored in their burrows. Emergence from hibernation is correlated with availability of forb and grass seeds. (Brylski, 1988-1990a). The main threat to the LAPM is habitat loss by agricultural, suburban, and urban development in Los Angeles, San Bernardino and Riverside counties. The LAPM has been extirpated from most or all of the San Fernando and San Bernardino valleys. The species is still uncommon to common at various localities from the base of the San Bernardino Mountains such as Etiwanda Wash east to Cabazon, and south to Temecula, and the surrounding foothills. The conversion of habitat to agricultural, suburban, and urban uses in the San Jacinto and Temecula valleys has greatly reduced and fragmented the historic habitat and its populations in this region. While there are a number of extant populations, many of these are small and are likely to disappear in the coming years (Brylski, 1988- 1990a). There is marginally suitable habitat for LAPM within the BSA, and there was a recent documented occurrence of LAPM to the east of Sierra Avenue in North Fontana. Although suitable habitat for LAPM was observed on the project site, these areas were small and represent a very small fraction of suitable habitat statewide for these species. A complex of approximately 20 small mammal burrows were observed on the norther border of the project site during the habitat assessment survey. These burrows could potentially be used by LAPM. Construction of the project would involve grading of the entire project site and these burrows would be destroyed. Although there is suitable habitat for LAPM on the project site, the area of suitable habitat that would be destroyed by grading activities is small and the loss of this area would not have a substantial effect on LAPM’s available habitat or population levels statewide. Thus, these impacts do not meet the threshold of significance set forth in Section 15065 of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines. Therefore, construction of the project would have a less than significant impact on LAPM. Northwestern San Diego Pocket Mouse: The northwestern San Diego pocket mouse (Chaetodipus fallax fallax) [SDPM] is a CDFW Species of Special Concern. It is a common resident of sandy herbaceous areas, usually in association with rocks or coarse gravel in southwestern California (Grinnell, 1933). SDPM occurs mainly in arid coastal and desert borders (Brylski, 1988-1990b). Habitats tend to be stony soils above sandy desert fans and rocky areas within shrub communities such as coastal sage scrub, chamise-redshank chaparral, mixed chaparral, sagebrush, desert wash, desert scrub, desert succulent scrub, pinyon-juniper, and annual grassland (Patton, 1999). June 10, 2022 Page 29 Corporate Office – Orange County Telephone: 949.788.4900 16431 Scientific Way Facsimile: 949.788.4901 Irvine, CA 92618-4355 Website: www.ultrasystems.com There is marginally suitable habitat for SDPM within the BSA. SDPM were documented to occur in North Fontana during surveys conducted in 2000 (CNDDB, 2021). CDFW’s California Wildlife Habitat Relationships Predicted Habitat Suitability Map indicates that there is suitable habitat within the project site for SDPM (Gogol-Prokurat, 2017). A complex of approximately 20 small mammal burrows in an approximately 500-square foot area was observed on the eastern border of the project site during the habitat assessment survey. These burrows could potentially be used by SDPM. Construction of the project would involve grading of the entire project site and these burrows would be destroyed. Although there is suitable habitat for SDPM on the project site, the area of suitable habitat that would be destroyed by grading activities is small and the loss of this area would not have a substantial effect on SDPM’s available habitat or population levels statewide. Thus, these impacts do not meet the threshold of significance set forth in Section 15065 of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines. Therefore, construction of the project would have a less than significant impact on SDPM. 4.6 Waters of the U.S. or State (Jurisdictional Waters/Wetlands) The BSA does not contain jurisdictional Waters of the United States (Waters of the U.S.) or Waters of the State. The project is in the East Etiwanda Creek-Santa Ana River watershed (HUC [hydrologic unit code] 180702030804). The nearest stream channels are Lytle Creek Wash and Etiwanda Creek, located approximately 2 miles northeast and 2 miles northwest of the BSA, respectively. Lytle Creek is an approximately 18-mile-long stream in southwestern San Bernardino County near the City of San Bernardino, and is located approximately 2 miles northeast of the BSA. Etiwanda Creek is an approximately 15-mile-long stream located approximately 2 miles northwest of the BSA (USGS, 2021). There are three infiltration basins within the BSA that surround the project site to the north, east and south. These basins are designed for erosion, flood, and stormwater runoff control for the area. Both the north and the south basins are designed to divert excess stormwater into the City’s storm drain system. The east basin is sufficiently large and deep to prevent stormwater from overflowing its banks. All three of the basins are designed with large rock collections at the low points of the basin. These rocky bases prevent vegetative growth and facilitate the rapid infiltration of water. None of these basins induce pooling of water and therefore they do not meet the criteria of jurisdictional waters. 4.7 Critical Habitat The BSA is located within designated critical habitat for San Bernardino kangaroo rat (Dipodomys merriami parvus [SBKR]; see Attachment 1, Figure 5, USFWS Critical Habitat). SBKR occur in active alluvial fans in which periodic flooding forms a shifting network of channels and upland flats that are sparsely vegetated with scrub habitat. SBKR utilize the loose, gravelly soils of alluvial fans to form a shallow burrow network; they utilize shrubs in the habitat for shelter and cover from predators (USFWS, 2008). The BSA formerly was located within an active alluvial fan but due to development and channelizing of streamflow in the vicinity, the area around the BSA no longer is subject to fluvial processes of an alluvial fan. For this reason, it is unlikely that SBKR will occupy the restorable RAFSS habitat on the project site. June 10, 2022 Page 30 Corporate Office – Orange County Telephone: 949.788.4900 16431 Scientific Way Facsimile: 949.788.4901 Irvine, CA 92618-4355 Website: www.ultrasystems.com A small complex of small mammal burrow openings was observed on the eastern border of the project site during the habitat assessment survey. These burrows are not likely used by SBKR because there were no shrubs around the burrow openings. It is more likely that another species of rodent utilizes this burrow complex. There were a couple of small burrow openings observed in a narrow landscaping strip directly north of the project site. It is possible that SBKR could utilize these burrows as the shrubs provide sufficient protection for them. No other small mammal openings were observed on or near the project site. Although there were suitable small mammal burrows next to the project site for SBKR, it is unlikely that this species is present on the site because the site is no longer in an active alluvial fan. 4.7.1 San Bernardino Kangaroo Rat SBKR is a small, dark-colored four-toed kangaroo rat. It is the only kangaroo rat found in the San Bernardino Valley, west of San Gorgonio Pass and south of Cajon Pass. SBKR are restricted to alluvial sage scrub habitat, and can occupy all stages of the floodplain from primary, intermediate and mature seral stages of alluvial sage scrub but most frequently occur in primary and intermediate seral stages. They possess small forepaws and need friable soils in which to form burrows. They can only burrow in sand or sandy loam (USFWS, 2008). These kangaroo rats prefer sparse scrub habitats, and rarely occur in dense vegetation or rocky washes. It occurs in alluvial scrub and coastal sage scrub habitats on gravelly and sandy soils adjoining river and stream terraces and on alluvial fans (Bolster, 1998). The species is active year-round and forages largely on seeds. SBKR are nocturnal foragers. Herbaceous vegetation and insects are consumed in the spring, and are important diet elements for reproduction. Year-round trapping studies in San Bernardino County have found pregnant females from February through October, with juveniles captured from April to September (Bolster, 1998). SBKR require habitats where shrubs occur as they utilize shrub canopies for protection from predators. SKBR needs adequate space for foraging and reproduction. They store surplus seeds in open pits, which they will utilize when available food sources are limited (USFWS, 2008). On January 27, 1998, the U.S. Department of the Interior emergency-listed the SBKR as Endangered. (Federal Register, 1998). One factor for the determination of their listing is loss of available habitat of alluvial fans in southern California. It was determined that SBKR have a low potential to occur on the project site. Although the project site occurs within critical habitat for SBKR, there is a lack of suitable habitat within the project site. For example, there is very low cover of shrubs on the project site and those that do occur have thin canopies that do not offer much protection from predators such as raptors. Moreover, the project site is no longer subject to the fluvial process of an alluvial fan. SBKR require habitat that is periodically scoured by flooding events so that the soils are friable, thus allowing SBKR to form burrows. It is not anticipated that construction of the project will adversely affect SBKR. June 10, 2022 Page 31 Corporate Office – Orange County Telephone: 949.788.4900 16431 Scientific Way Facsimile: 949.788.4901 Irvine, CA 92618-4355 Website: www.ultrasystems.com 4.8 Wildlife Corridors The BSA does not overlap with CDFW Essential Connectivity Areas, Natural Landscape Blocks, or other wildlife corridor within the BSA and vicinity. The nearest natural area, the San Gabriel Mountains (Angeles National Forest), is located approximately 3.1 miles northwest of the project site. The nearest wildlife corridor is approximately 0.6 mile south of the project site. The nearest Essential Connectivity Area and Natural Landscape Block are approximately 0.5 mile north of the proposed project site. (CDFW, 2021c). . 5.0 POTENTIAL IMPACTS This section discusses potential significant effects or impacts, if any, to the environmental baseline and sensitive biological resources that could result from project construction and development. This is an important step in the CEQA process. Biological resources may be either “directly” or “indirectly” impacted by a project (defined by CEQA Guidelines § 15358). Direct and indirect impacts may be either “permanent” or “temporary” in nature. These impact categories are defined below: • Direct impact: Direct impacts are those that may cause an immediate effect on the species or its habitat and occur at the same time and place. Any loss, alteration, disturbance or destruction of biological resources that could result from project-related activities is a direct impact. Examples include vegetation clearing and loss of habitat, encroaching into wetlands, diverting natural surface water flows, and the loss of individual species. • Indirect impact: As a result of project-related activities, biological resources may also be affected in a manner that is not direct. Indirect impacts are caused by the project and are later in time or farther removed in distance, but are still reasonably foreseeable. Indirect or secondary effects may include growth-inducing effects and other effects related to induced changes in the pattern of land use, population density, or growth rate, and related effects on air and water and other natural systems, including ecosystems. Indirect impacts can affect biological resources within the project site, adjacent to the project site, or away from the project site. Examples of indirect impacts include increased human activity, elevated noise, light, and dust levels, decreased water quality, soil compaction, erosion created by the removal of vegetation, and the introduction of invasive plants and unnatural predators. Indirect impacts may be both short term and long-term in their extent. Indirect impacts are also referred to as “edge effects”. • Permanent impacts (long term): All impacts that result in the long-term or irreversible removal of biological resources are considered permanent. Examples include constructing a building or permanent road on an area containing biological resources. Permanent impacts cannot be mitigated in-place • Temporary impacts (short term): Impacts considered to have reversible impacts to biological resources can be viewed as temporary. Examples include short-term increased vehicle traffic and noise and the generation of fugitive dust during construction; or removing vegetation and either allowing the natural vegetation to recolonize or actively revegetating the impact area. Temporary impacts can be reversed with the implementation of in-place mitigation measures. June 10, 2022 Page 32 Corporate Office – Orange County Telephone: 949.788.4900 16431 Scientific Way Facsimile: 949.788.4901 Irvine, CA 92618-4355 Website: www.ultrasystems.com This section describes the significance criteria used for determining impacts to biological resources. As mentioned in the CEQA Guidelines (§ 15064.7[a]), each public agency is encouraged to develop and publish thresholds of significance (significance criteria) that it uses to determine the significance of environmental impacts. A threshold of significance is an identifiable quantitative, qualitative or performance level of a particular environmental impact, non-compliance with which means the impact will normally be determined to be significant by the agency and compliance with which means the impact normally will be determined to be less than significant. Significance criteria serve as benchmarks for determining if a project would result in a significant adverse environmental impact when evaluated against the baseline. CEQA Guidelines § 15065(a) states that a project may have a “significant impact” on the environment if the project has the potential to: • Substantially degrade the quality of the environment, • Substantially reduce the habitat of a fish or wildlife species, • Cause a fish or wildlife population to drop below self-sustaining levels, • Threaten to eliminate a plant or animal community, or • Substantially reduce the number or restrict the range of an endangered, rare or threatened species. The Environmental Checklist Form in Appendix G of the CEQA Statute and Guidelines (2014) was reviewed in order to determine the level of significance of project related impacts to biological resources. Under CEQA Guidelines impacts to biological resources are considered potentially “significant” if one or more of the following thresholds are exceeded with construction and operation of the project. Threshold 1: The project would have a substantial adverse effect, either directly or through habitat modifications, on any species identified as a candidate, sensitive, or special status species in local or regional plans, policies, or regulations, or by CDFW and USFWS. Threshold 2: The project would have a substantial adverse effect on any riparian habitat or other sensitive natural community identified in local or regional plans, policies, regulations, or by CDFW and USFWS. Threshold 3: The project would have a substantial adverse effect on state or federally protected wetlands (including, but not limited to, marsh, vernal pool, coastal, etc.) through direct removal, filling, hydrological interruption, or other means. Threshold 4: The project would interfere substantially with the movement of any native resident or migratory fish or wildlife species or with established native resident or migratory wildlife corridors, or impede the use of native wildlife nursery sites. Threshold 5: The project would conflict with any local policies or ordinances protecting biological resources, such as a tree preservation policy or ordinance. June 10, 2022 Page 33 Corporate Office – Orange County Telephone: 949.788.4900 16431 Scientific Way Facsimile: 949.788.4901 Irvine, CA 92618-4355 Website: www.ultrasystems.com Threshold 6: The project would conflict with the provisions of an adopted HCP, NCCP, or other approved local, regional, or state HCP. Significant impacts can be reduced to less than significant levels by incorporating off-setting conservation measures, including BMPs, avoidance and protection measures, and/or mitigation measures. Less than significant impacts are those in which impacts would occur, but are not expected to be substantial. Impacts to biological resources that are considered less than significant include impacts to biological resources that are reasonably widespread or exist in a degraded or disturbed state, rendering them less valuable as habitat to support wildlife diversity or special-status species, or impacts that do not meet or exceed the significance thresholds defined above. These less than significant impacts do not require conservation measures. 5.1 Potential Impacts to Plant Communities The project site is situated on relatively level ground, and consists of upland areas only; no ephemeral, intermittent, or perennial streams or rivers were identified in the literature review or observed during the biological survey. The BSA does not support riparian habitat. There were two land cover types identified within the project site and five altogether within the BSA, none of which are considered sensitive plant communities on the CDFW California Natural Community List. Direct impacts to sensitive plant communities would not occur as a result of project development.. No direct or indirect impacts to sensitive plant communities are anticipated as a result of construction of the project. Because no sensitive plant communities were observed or determined to have more than a low potential to occur within the BSA, the project is not anticipated to have direct or indirect impacts on them. Significance criterion Impacts would be considered significant if the project were to have a substantial adverse effect on any riparian habitat or other sensitive natural community identified in local or regional plans, policies, regulations, or by CDFW or USFWS. In regard to the significance criterion, the project is not anticipated to have an adverse effect on sensitive natural communities: No Impact. 5.2 Potential Impacts to Special Status Plants No special-status plant species were observed within the BSA during the field surveys. In addition, the literature review and field surveys concluded that the plant species in the plant inventory do not have more than a low potential to occur within the BSA due to a lack of suitable habitat, soils, and/or other factors to support them. No direct or indirect impacts to special-status plant species are anticipated as a result of construction of the project. Because no special-status plant species were observed or determined to have more than a low potential to occur within the BSA, the project is not anticipated to have direct or indirect impacts on them. June 10, 2022 Page 34 Corporate Office – Orange County Telephone: 949.788.4900 16431 Scientific Way Facsimile: 949.788.4901 Irvine, CA 92618-4355 Website: www.ultrasystems.com Significance criterion Impacts would be considered significant if the project were to have a substantial adverse effect, either directly or through habitat modifications, on any species identified as a candidate, sensitive, or special status species in local or regional plans, policies, or regulations, or by CDFW or USFWS. The literature review and field survey determined that the BSA is not likely to contain special-status plant species; therefore, the project is not anticipated to have direct or indirect impacts to listed or sensitive plants. In regard to the significance criterion, the project is anticipated to have no substantial adverse effect, either directly or through habitat modifications, to any species identified as a special-status species in federal, state, local or regional plans, policies, or regulations, or by CDFW or USFWS: No Impact. 5.3 Potential Impacts to Special-Status Wildlife 5.3.1 Direct Impacts Potential direct impacts to common and special-status wildlife occupying the project site could occur from construction related mortality, injury, or harassment of individuals as a result of permanent development of the project site and from the removal and direct loss of breeding, foraging, and/or sheltering habitat. These impacts could be considered significant and potentially significant. Project development could diminish the habitat available for common and special-status wildlife species from utilizing the onsite habitat. Direct permanent impacts include all areas within the limits of grading in the project footprint. Ground disturbing and habitat altering activities could involve significant disturbance to common and special-status ground-dwelling animals or nesting birds. Examples include grading, clearing, disking, grubbing, excavation, trenching, paving, mowing, heavy equipment compacting, driving over habitat to access the construction work sites, vegetation management activities, and use of herbicides and pesticides. Direct impacts to less mobile fossorial (burrowing) animals that are underground during most of the day or year (e.g., small mammals or lizards) or have a life stage in the soil or on plants (e.g., amphibians, nesting birds, insects) could occur from encounters with vehicles or heavy equipment as many of these animals do not run away from construction vehicles/equipment and would most likely be killed. These species could be expected to experience direct mortality, injury, harassment, and displacement from increased human activity and vehicle/equipment travel if they are present onsite within the project footprint at the time of construction. Individual losses are more likely, especially during clearing and grubbing activities. Individuals could also be injured, disturbed, or killed from encounters with workers’ or visitors' pets. Birds and bats could be injured or killed from collisions with transmission lines and wind turbines structures. Birds and bats could be injured or killed from electrocution from electric lines and structures. The loss of these animals could also affect other common and special-status wildlife that depend on them as prey. Construction related direct impacts are considered a significant impact. No special-status wildlife species were observed within the BSA during the biological surveys. The literature review and field surveys concluded that the following four sensitive wildlife species have June 10, 2022 Page 35 Corporate Office – Orange County Telephone: 949.788.4900 16431 Scientific Way Facsimile: 949.788.4901 Irvine, CA 92618-4355 Website: www.ultrasystems.com at least a low potential to occur within the BSA: San Diego black-tailed jackrabbit (Lepus californicus bennettii), SDPM, LAPM, and Cooper’s hawk [see Table 3]. Listed Endangered, Threatened, and Candidate Wildlife: SBKR is the only listed wildlife species that was determined to have a potential to occur within the BSA; determined to have a low potential to occur. Small mammal burrows were observed on the eastern boundary of the project site; however, these burrows did not have any evidence of SBKR such as seed caches in pits or evidence of tail drag. In addition, SBKR is not likely to occur within the BSA because the BSA no longer occurs within an active alluvial fan and this species prefers to burrow in looser sandy or gravelly soils associated with alluvial fans (USFWS, 2008). In addition, there are no occurrences of dense shrubs on the project site; SBKR use shrubs for shelter (USFWS, 2008). No direct impacts to SBKR are anticipated as a result of construction of the project. The Crotch bumble bee (CBB) is no longer categorized by California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) as a candidate species. There is currently no official conservation status attributed to this species due to ongoing litigation, although this may change. (CDFW, 2021e). Although small mammal burrows occur onsite which could be utilized by Crotch bumble bee for hives and there are sufficient flowering plants on the project site and within the BSA from which this species could forage, the high level of development surrounding the project site has likely created a barrier that would potentially deter this species from establishing a population within the BSA. Crotch bumble bee’s reported occurrences are shown to overlap with the project site according to the CNDDB (see Attachment 1, Figure 3, CNDDB Known Occurrences Wildlife Species). No direct impacts to Crotch bumble bee are anticipated as a result of construction of the project. Sensitive Wildlife There is suitable habitat within three infiltration basins found in the BSA for the abovementioned sensitive wildlife species. However, on the project site itself, there is suitable foraging habitat for San Diego black-tailed jackrabbit and Cooper’s hawk but not nesting, breeding or sheltering habitat. The project site lacks shrub cover, which is a preferred shelter for San Diego black-tailed jackrabbit; this lack of optimal shelter makes it unlikely that this species would reside permanently on the project site. There are no trees on the project site in which Cooper’s hawk can breed or develop nests. It is anticipated that construction of the project would have less than a significant impact on these two sensitive wildlife species. By contrast, small mammal burrows were observed on the eastern boundary of the project site and these burrows could potentially be used by LAPM, or SDPM. Both LAPM and SDPM were observed in surveys conducted in 2000 in the northern region of the City of Fontana (CNDDB, 2021). These two species were determined to have a moderate potential to occur in the BSA because of the onsite burrows and because of availability of food sources from the onsite vegetation. It is anticipated that construction of the project would have potentially adverse effects on LAPM and SDPM due to the proposed excavation and grading that would occur. June 10, 2022 Page 36 Corporate Office – Orange County Telephone: 949.788.4900 16431 Scientific Way Facsimile: 949.788.4901 Irvine, CA 92618-4355 Website: www.ultrasystems.com 5.3.2 Indirect Impacts Indirect impacts could occur within areas located adjacent to the limits of construction in the project footprint. Indirect impacts are more subtle than direct ones. Impacts may either be short-term related to construction or long-term and may affect populations and habitat quality over an extended period of time, long after construction activities have been completed. Examples of indirect impacts, such as mortality, injury, or harassment of common and special-status wildlife species that could potentially occur from the project include the following: • The permanent loss of habitat and physical features that would occur from clearing and grading could indirectly impact wildlife species through the loss of foraging, roosting, denning, and/or breeding habitat available. Habitat loss could displace species from existing territories and reduce the home range of those species and impact nearby populations of similar species. Displaced species would then have to compete for and/or find new territories and compete for food with resident species. This could result in delayed nest building, fewer nest attempts, reduced clutch size, and an overall reduction in reproductive output. • Project construction could result in temporary increased ambient noise levels, dust, vibration, lighting and/or human intrusion in and near habitat. This could disrupt natural foraging, roosting, denning, and/or breeding behavior of wildlife species. Wildlife species stressed by these factors may disperse from habitat in the project site and project vicinity. In addition, increased noise levels could interfere with territorial and mating vocalizations, thereby interfering with wildlife reproduction. • Project construction could increase fugitive dust, pollution, runoff, siltation, sedimentation, and erosion. This could result in degradation and alteration of habitat and soils. Consequently, the ability of onsite and adjacent plant communities to support wildlife populations may decrease. • Nighttime construction work and use of artificial lighting could disrupt natural foraging and breeding behaviors and/or alter wildlife movement patterns and migratory routes of nocturnally active species such as mammals and snakes. Most animals would attempt to avoid moving in or near the lighting; however, some animals such as insects, migratory birds, and bats might be attracted to the lighting, increasing construction-related mortalities. Artificial lighting could also indirectly affect wildlife by increasing detection by predators. The new development could also provide an increase in artificial lighting and glare which could disrupt nocturnal wildlife behavior. • An increase and continuation of human activities within and adjacent to the project site could lead to mortality, injury, or harassment of wildlife species by providing food in the form of trash and litter or water which attracts predators such as the common raven (Corvus corax), northern raccoon (Procyon lotor), Virginia opossum (Didelphis virginiana), and coyote. Listed Endangered, Threatened, and Candidate Wildlife: No indirect impacts to endangered, threatened, or candidate wildlife species are anticipated as a result of construction of the project. June 10, 2022 Page 37 Corporate Office – Orange County Telephone: 949.788.4900 16431 Scientific Way Facsimile: 949.788.4901 Irvine, CA 92618-4355 Website: www.ultrasystems.com Sensitive Wildlife There are potential indirect impacts of construction of the project on foraging and/or nesting behavior of sensitive wildlife species that have a potential to occur throughout the BSA such as Cooper’s hawks and San Diego black-tailed jackrabbit. Both of these species would lose foraging habitat as a result of construction of the project. However, both of these species are highly mobile and have access to suitable foraging habitat near the site and thus neither species would experience significant impacts from this loss of foraging habitat. 5.3.3 Mitigation Measures Listed Endangered, Threatened, and Candidate Wildlife: Listed wildlife are not anticipated to be impacted; therefore, no mitigation measures are required. Sensitive Wildlife Sensitive wildlife could potentially be impacted by construction and project development, and mitigation is recommended. Implementing the recommended mitigation measures BIO-2 through BIO-5 (see Section 6.0, Mitigation Measures) will help to minimize or avoid impacts to sensitive wildlife that could potentially occur within the BSA. Several mitigation measures will be implemented in order to minimize and avoid impacts to SDPM and LAPM and other special-status wildlife species that could occur on the project site. Mitigation measure BIO-2 provides for instruction of workers to educate them of potential biological resources such as nests and burrows and ways to avoid adversely impacting such resources. Implementation of mitigation measure BIO-3 provides for several construction BMPs that are designed to take precautions against contaminating water or soil surfaces with toxic or hazardous liquids that may spill from equipment or machinery. By limiting toxic substances in the project’s soils or runoff, uptake by Cooper’s hawks by direct contact or via consumption of prey species that contact contaminated sources will be minimized. Mitigation measure BIO-4 provides protections for small mammal or reptile species by requiring escape ramps for any excavated areas created during construction of the project. Mitigation measure BIO-5 provides protections for vegetation and wildlife. For example, work crews will be prohibited from moving or removing nests or handling any wildlife on the project site. Implementation of mitigation measure BIO-5 will reduce or avoid impacts to Cooper’s hawks, SDPM, or LAPM. With the implementation of mitigation measures BIO-2 through BIO-5, the impacts of construction and project operations to sensitive wildlife would be less than significant. 5.3.4 Impact Determination Significance criterion: impacts would be considered significant if the project were to have a substantial adverse effect, either directly or through habitat modifications, on any species identified as a candidate, sensitive, or special status species in local or regional plans, policies, or regulations, or by CDFW or USFWS. June 10, 2022 Page 38 Corporate Office – Orange County Telephone: 949.788.4900 16431 Scientific Way Facsimile: 949.788.4901 Irvine, CA 92618-4355 Website: www.ultrasystems.com Listed Endangered, Threatened, and Candidate Wildlife: The project is not anticipated to have direct or indirect impacts to listed wildlife. In regard to the significance criterion, the project is anticipated to have no substantial adverse effect, either directly or through habitat modifications, on any species identified as a candidate, sensitive, or special status species in local or regional plans, policies, or regulations, or by CDFW or USFWS: No Impact. Sensitive Wildlife: Project construction is not expected to cause impacts to bird species that only forage at the site or occur as transient visitors. Implementing the recommended mitigation measures BIO-2 through BIO-5, which are described in the Mitigation Measures section (Section 6.0), will help to minimize or avoid significant impacts to sensitive wildlife to less than significant levels: Less than Significant Impact with Mitigation Incorporated. 5.4 Potential Impacts to Breeding Birds The BSA supports large trees, shrub vegetation, or other physical features that could potentially provide foraging, nesting, and cover habitat to support a diverse assortment of bird species (year- round residents, seasonal residents, and migrants). A majority of the birds observed during the field surveys and those birds that could potentially breed within the BSA are protected by the MBTA and Fish and Game Code § 3503, § 3503.5, and § 3513. The statutes make it unlawful to take native breeding birds, and their nests, eggs, and young. 5.4.1 Direct Impacts Activities which are most likely to result in take of migratory birds during the breeding bird season when eggs or young are likely to be present include, but are not limited to, clearing or grubbing of bird nesting habitat; structure demolition; or vegetation trimming or clearing. The project has a low potential to directly take individual breeding birds, their nests, young, or eggs; therefore, mitigation is required. 5.4.2 Indirect Impacts Indirect impacts to breeding birds could occur from increased noise, vibration, lighting and dust during construction, which could adversely affect the breeding behavior of some birds and lead to the loss (take) of eggs and chicks, or nest abandonment. The project has a low potential to indirectly affect individual breeding birds, their nests, young, or eggs; therefore, mitigation is required. 5.4.3 Mitigation Measures Implementing the recommended mitigation measures BIO-1 through BIO-5, which are described in the Mitigation Measures section below, will help to minimize or avoid potential impacts to breeding birds, their nests, young, or eggs. In particular, mitigation measure BIO-1 provides for a pre- construction breeding bird survey in which biologists will take steps to protect any breeding bird June 10, 2022 Page 39 Corporate Office – Orange County Telephone: 949.788.4900 16431 Scientific Way Facsimile: 949.788.4901 Irvine, CA 92618-4355 Website: www.ultrasystems.com and its nest observed prior to construction. Implementation of mitigation measure BIO-1 will minimize the risk of nest loss during excavation activities. 5.4.4 Impact Determination Project construction is not expected to cause impacts to bird species that only forage at the site or occur as transient visitors. Direct and indirect impacts to breeding birds, their nests, young, or eggs could potentially occur as a result of construction of the project. Given the relatively small size of the project footprint; the minor reduction of suitable nesting habitat; the nature of the disturbance; and the availability of other habitat within the immediate project vicinity, the potential impacts to breeding birds, their nests, young, or eggs would likely be minor. Implementing the recommended mitigation measures BIO-1 through BIO-5, which are described in the Mitigation Measures section below, will help to avoid, eliminate or reduce significant impacts to breeding birds, their nests, young, or eggs to less than significant levels; therefore, it is anticipated that the project may impact breeding birds, their nests, young, or eggs, but the impacts will not be significant: Less than Significant Impact with Mitigation Incorporated. 5.5 Potential Impacts to Waters of the U.S. or State (Jurisdictional Waters/Wetlands) The literature review and reconnaissance-level biological survey determined that there are no waters of the U.S. or State (i.e., jurisdictional waters/wetlands). 5.5.1 Direct or Indirect Impacts No direct or indirect impacts to Waters of the U.S. or State are anticipated as a result of construction of the project. 5.5.2 Mitigation Measures Waters of the U.S. or State are not anticipated to be impacted by construction of the project; therefore, no mitigation measures are required. 5.5.3 Impact Determination Significance criterion: impacts would be considered significant if the project were to have a substantial adverse effect on federally protected wetlands as defined by Section 404 of the Clean Water Act (including but not limited to, marsh, vernal pool, coastal, etc.) through direct removal, filling, hydrological interruption, or other means. The project is not anticipated to have direct or indirect impacts to Waters of the U.S. or State. No Impact. June 10, 2022 Page 40 Corporate Office – Orange County Telephone: 949.788.4900 16431 Scientific Way Facsimile: 949.788.4901 Irvine, CA 92618-4355 Website: www.ultrasystems.com 5.6 Potential Impacts to Critical Habitat The BSA is located within critical habitat for SBKR. As discussed in the Potential Impacts to Special- Status Wildlife section, SBKR were determined to have a low potential to occur in the BSA. No SBKR or sign of SBKR were observed during the reconnaissance-level biological survey. Another factor that limits the likelihood of occurrence of SBKR within the project site is that there is very sparse shrub cover on the project site and thus this species does not have suitable sheltering habitat for protection from predators. Moreover, the hydrology of the BSA has changed due to recent development and the BSA is no longer located within an active alluvial plain; SBKR most frequently inhabit alluvial plains in which the soils are subject to periodic flooding. 5.6.1 Direct and Indirect Impacts During the grading and excavation activities associated with construction of the project, the entire surface of the project site will be disturbed. There will be substantial adverse impacts to critical habitat for SBKR. 5.6.2 Mitigation Measures No mitigation measures are required for impacts to the critical habitat of SBKR because no SBKR were observed during the survey and SBKR have only a low potential to occur on the project site. 5.6.3 Impact Determination Significance criterion: impacts would be considered significant if the project were to have a substantial adverse effect, either directly or through habitat modifications, on any species identified as a candidate, sensitive, or special status species in local or regional plans, policies, or regulations, or by CDFW or USFWS. Although the project site is located within critical habitat for SBKR, there will be no impacts to SBKR because they were not observed within the BSA. No Impact. 5.7 Potential Impacts to Wildlife Corridors or Native Wildlife Nursery Sites The literature review and field surveys determined that the project site does not contain wildlife corridors or native wildlife nursery sites. 5.7.1 Direct and Indirect Impacts No direct or indirect impacts to wildlife corridors or native wildlife nursery sites are anticipated as a result of construction of the project. 5.7.2 Mitigation Measures Wildlife corridors and native wildlife nursery sites are not anticipated to be impacted; therefore, no mitigation measures are required. June 10, 2022 Page 41 Corporate Office – Orange County Telephone: 949.788.4900 16431 Scientific Way Facsimile: 949.788.4901 Irvine, CA 92618-4355 Website: www.ultrasystems.com 5.7.3 Impact Determination Significance criterion: impacts would be considered significant if the project were to interfere substantially with the movement of any native resident or migratory fish or wildlife species or with established native resident or migratory wildlife corridors, or impede the use of native wildlife nursery sites. The literature review and field surveys determined that the project site does not contain wildlife corridors or native wildlife nursery sites; therefore, the project is not anticipated to have direct or indirect on wildlife corridors. In addition, the project site does not support resident or migratory fish species. In regard to the significance criterion, the project is not anticipated to interfere substantially with the movement of native resident or migratory fish or wildlife species or with established native resident or migratory wildlife corridors: No Impact. 5.8 Potential Impacts to Local Policies or Ordinances Construction of the project does not have the potential to impact any biological resources protected by local policies or ordinances that are not already protected by more stringent federal or state regulations. 5.8.1 Direct and Indirect Impacts It is not anticipated that there will be direct or indirect impacts to biological resources within the BSA that are not already more strongly protected by state and federal regulations. 5.8.2 Mitigation Measures There are no anticipated conflicts with local policies or ordinances and therefore, no mitigation measures are required. 5.8.3 Impact Determination Significance criterion: Impacts would be considered significant if the project were to conflict with any local policies or ordinances protecting biological resources, such as a tree preservation policy or ordinance. The literature review determined that construction of the project does not conflict with any local policies or ordinances that protect biological resources: No Impact. 5.9 Potential Impacts to Habitat Conservation Plans Development of the project would not conflict with local policies or ordinances that protect biological resources. Trees and other biological resources that would be potentially be protected by local policies or ordinances were not observed within the project site during the survey. June 10, 2022 Page 42 Corporate Office – Orange County Telephone: 949.788.4900 16431 Scientific Way Facsimile: 949.788.4901 Irvine, CA 92618-4355 Website: www.ultrasystems.com 5.9.1 Direct and Indirect Impacts There are no anticipated conflicts with local habitat conservation plans as a result of construction of the project. 5.9.2 Impact Determination Significance criterion: impacts would be considered significant if the project were to conflict with the provisions of an adopted Habitat Conservation Plan, Natural Community Conservation Plan, or other approved local, regional, or state habitat conservation plan. In regard to the significance criterion, the project will not conflict with the provisions of adopted Habitat Conservation Plan, Natural Community Conservation Plan, or other approved local, regional, or state habitat conservation plan: No Impact. 6.0 MITIGATION MEASURES CEQA states that “mitigation measures are not required for effects which are not found to be significant” [§ 15126.4(a)(3)]. Therefore, no mitigation measures are proposed for impacts to biological resources that are less than significant. However; if significant impacts to biological resources are identified, then possible mitigation measures are recommended to minimize or avoid the level of the impacts to less than significant levels. There are several forms of mitigation. Under CEQA (§ 15370), “mitigation” includes all of the following: • “Avoiding” the impact altogether by not taking a certain action or parts of an action. • “Minimizing” impacts by limiting the degree or magnitude of the action and its implementation. • “Rectifying” the impact by repairing, rehabilitating, or restoring the impacted environment. • “Reducing” or eliminating the impact over time by preservation and maintenance operations during the life of the action. • “Compensating” for the impact by replacing or providing substitute resources or environments. The following mitigation measures would help to minimize or avoid direct or indirect impacts to biological resources to less than significant levels and to comply with all appropriate environmental laws, ordinances, policies, regulations, and management plans. 6.1 BIO 1: Pre-Construction Breeding Bird Survey Project activities that will remove or disturb potential nest sites, such as open ground, trees, shrubs, grasses, or burrows, during the breeding season would be a potential significant impact if migratory non-game breeding birds are present. Project activities that will remove or disturb potential nest June 10, 2022 Page 43 Corporate Office – Orange County Telephone: 949.788.4900 16431 Scientific Way Facsimile: 949.788.4901 Irvine, CA 92618-4355 Website: www.ultrasystems.com sites will be scheduled outside the breeding bird season to avoid potential direct impacts to migratory non-game breeding birds protected by the MBTA and Fish and Game Code. The breeding bird nesting season is typically from February 15 through September 15, but can vary slightly from year to year, usually depending on weather conditions. Removing all physical features that could potentially serve as nest sites will also help to prevent birds from nesting within the project site during the breeding season and during construction activities. If project activities cannot be avoided during February 15 through September 15, a qualified biologist will conduct a pre-construction breeding bird survey for breeding birds and active nests or potential nesting sites within the limits of project disturbance. The survey will be conducted at least seven days prior to the onset of scheduled activities, such as mobilization and staging. It will end no more than three days prior to vegetation, substrate, and structure removal and/or disturbance. If no breeding birds or active nests are observed during the pre-construction survey or they are observed and will not be impacted, project activities may begin and no further mitigation will be required. If a breeding bird territory or an active bird nest is located during the pre-construction survey and will potentially be impacted, the site will be mapped on engineering drawings and a no activity buffer zone will be marked (fencing, stakes, flagging, orange snow fencing, etc.) a minimum of 100 feet in all directions or 500 feet in all directions for listed bird species and all raptors. The biologist will determine the appropriate buffer size based on the type of activities planned near the nest and the type of bird that created the nest. Some bird species are more tolerant than others of noise and activities occurring near their nest. This no-activity buffer zone will not be disturbed until a qualified biologist has determined that the nest is inactive, the young have fledged, the young are no longer being fed by the parents, the young have left the area, or the young will no longer be impacted by project activities. Periodic monitoring by a biologist will be performed to determine when nesting is complete. Once the nesting cycle has finished, project activities may begin within the buffer zone. If listed bird species, such as the least bell’s vireo (Vireo bellii pusillus), are observed within the project site during the pre-construction survey, the biologist will immediately map the area and notify the appropriate resource agency to determine suitable protection measures and/or mitigation measures and to determine if additional surveys or focused protocol surveys are necessary. Project activities may begin within the area only when concurrence is received from the appropriate resource agency. Birds or their active nests will not be disturbed, captured, handled or moved. Active nests cannot be removed or disturbed; however, nests can be removed or disturbed if determined inactive by a qualified biologist. 6.2 BIO 2: Worker Environmental Awareness Program (WEAP) Prior to project construction activities, a qualified biologist will prepare and conduct a Worker Environmental Awareness Program (WEAP) that will describe the biological constraints of the project. All personnel who will work within the project site will attend the WEAP prior to performing any work. The WEAP will include, but not be limited to the following: results of pre-construction June 10, 2022 Page 44 Corporate Office – Orange County Telephone: 949.788.4900 16431 Scientific Way Facsimile: 949.788.4901 Irvine, CA 92618-4355 Website: www.ultrasystems.com surveys; description of sensitive biological resources potentially present within the project site; legal protections afforded the sensitive biological resources; BMPs for protecting sensitive biological resources (i.e., restrictions, avoidance, protection, and minimization measures); individual responsibilities associated with the project; and, a training on grading to reduce impacts to biological resources. The training shall include a description of the species of concern and its habitat, the general provisions of the Endangered Species Act (Act), the need to adhere to the provisions of the Act, the penalties associated with violating the provisions of the Act, the general measures that are being implemented to conserve the species of concern as they relate to the project, and the access routes to the project site boundaries within which the project activities must be accomplished. The program will also include the reporting requirements if workers encounter a sensitive wildlife species (i.e., notifying the qualified UEI biologist or the construction foreman, who will then notify the biologist). Training materials will be language-appropriate for all construction personnel. Upon completion of the WEAP, workers will sign a form stating that they attended the program, understand all protection measures, and will abide all the rules of the WEAP. A record of all trained personnel will be kept with the construction foreman at the project field construction office and will be made available to any resource agency personnel. If new construction personnel are added to the project later, the construction foreman will ensure that new personnel receive training before they start working. The biologist will provide written hard copies of the WEAP and photos of the sensitive biological resources to the construction foreman. 6.3 BIO 3: Construction Best Management Practices Water pollution and erosion control plans shall be developed and implemented in accordance with Regional Water Quality Control Board (RWQCB) requirements. Equipment storage, fueling, and staging areas shall be located on upland sites with minimal risks of direct drainage into riparian areas or other sensitive habitats. These designated areas shall be located in such a manner as to prevent any runoff from entering sensitive habitat. Necessary precautions shall be taken to prevent the release of cement or other toxic substances into surface waters. Project related spills of hazardous materials shall be reported to appropriate entities including but not limited to applicable jurisdictional city, USFWS, and CDFW, RWQCB and shall be cleaned up immediately and contaminated soils removed to approved disposal areas. • The Permittee shall have the right to access and inspect any sites of approved projects including any restoration/enhancement area for compliance with project approval conditions including these BMPs. 6.4 BIO 4: Project Limits and Designated Areas To avoid impacts to sensitive biological resources, the project proponent will implement the following measures prior to project construction and commencement of any ground-disturbing activities or vegetation removal: June 10, 2022 Page 45 Corporate Office – Orange County Telephone: 949.788.4900 16431 Scientific Way Facsimile: 949.788.4901 Irvine, CA 92618-4355 Website: www.ultrasystems.com • Specifications for the project boundary, limits of construction, project-related parking, storage areas, laydown sites, and equipment storage areas will be mapped and clearly marked in the field with temporary fencing, signs, stakes, flags, rope, cord, or other appropriate markers. Construction limits will be fenced with orange snow screen. Exclusion fencing should be maintained until the completion of all construction activities. Employees shall be instructed that their activities are restricted to the construction areas. All markers will be maintained until the completion of activities in that area. Construction employees shall strictly limit their activities, vehicles, equipment, and construction materials to the proposed project footprint and designated staging areas and routes of travel. The construction area(s) shall be the minimal area necessary to complete the project and shall be specified in the construction plans. • To minimize the amount of disturbance, the construction/laydown areas, parking areas, staging areas, storage areas, spoil areas, and equipment access areas will be restricted to designated areas. To the extent possible, designated areas will comprise, existing disturbed areas (parking lots, access roads, graded areas, etc.). • Project related work limits will be defined and work crews will be restricted to designated work areas. Disturbance beyond the actual construction zone is prohibited without site specific surveys. If sensitive biological resources are detected in the area to be impacted, then appropriate measures will be implemented to avoid impacts (i.e., flag and avoid, erect orange snow fencing, biological monitor present during work, etc.). However, if avoidance is not possible and the sensitive biological resources will be directly impacted by project activities, the biologist will mark and/or stake the site(s) and map the individuals on an aerial map and with a GPS unit. The biologist will then contact the appropriate resource agencies to develop additional avoidance, minimization and/or mitigation measures prior to commencing project activities. • Project Applicant will ensure that construction activities will include measures to prevent accidental falls into excavated areas. The construction crew will inspect excavated areas daily to detect the presence of trapped wildlife. All deep or steep-walled excavated areas will be covered with tarp and either be furnished with escape ramps or be surrounded with exclusionary fencing in order to prevent wildlife from entering them. Wildlife found in excavation areas should be trapped and relocated out of harm’s way to a suitable habitat outside of the project area, if possible. 6.5 BIO 5: General Vegetation and Wildlife Avoidance and Protection Measures The BSA contains habitat which can support many wildlife species. The project proponent will also implement the following general avoidance and protection measures to protect vegetation and wildlife, to the extent practical: June 10, 2022 Page 46 Corporate Office – Orange County Telephone: 949.788.4900 16431 Scientific Way Facsimile: 949.788.4901 Irvine, CA 92618-4355 Website: www.ultrasystems.com 6.6 BIO 6: General Vegetation and Wildlife Avoidance and Protection Measures The BSA contains potentially habitat which can support sensitive and common wildlife species. During construction, the Project Applicant will implement the following general avoidance and protection measures to protect vegetation and wildlife, to the extent practical. • Cleared or trimmed vegetation and woody debris will be disposed of in accordance with City of Fontana and/or County of San Bernardino green waste or construction waste regulations. Cleared or trimmed non-native, invasive vegetation will be disposed of as soon as possible to prevent regrowth and the spread of weeds. • Vehicles and equipment will be free of caked mud or debris prior to entering the project site to avoid the introduction of new invasive weedy plant species. • To avoid potential construction-related impacts to nocturnally active species, it is recommended that all work be conducted during daylight hours. Nighttime work (and use of artificial lighting) will not be permitted unless specifically authorized. If required, night lighting will be directed away from the preserved open space areas to protect species from direct night lighting. All unnecessary lights will be turned off at night to avoid attracting wildlife such as insects, migratory birds, and bats. • If any wildlife is encountered during the course of project activities, said wildlife will be allowed to freely leave the area unharmed. • Active nests of special-status or otherwise protected bird species cannot be removed or disturbed. Nests can be removed or disturbed if determined inactive by a qualified biologist. • To avoid impacts to wildlife and attracting predators of protected species, Project Applicant will comply with all litter and pollution laws and will institute a litter control program throughout project construction, as defined in BMP Solid Waste Management (WM-5) of the Stormwater Best Management Practice Handbook (CASQA 2011, pp. 340-343). All contractors, subcontractors, and employees will also adhere to the requirements of these programs. (e.g., covered trash receptacles will be placed at each designated work site and the contents will be properly disposed at least once a week). Trash removal will reduce the attractiveness of the area to opportunistic predators such as common ravens, coyotes, northern raccoons, and Virginia opossums. • Contractors, subcontractors, employees, and site visitors will be prohibited from feeding wildlife and collecting plants and wildlife June 10, 2022 Page 47 Corporate Office – Orange County Telephone: 949.788.4900 16431 Scientific Way Facsimile: 949.788.4901 Irvine, CA 92618-4355 Website: www.ultrasystems.com 7.0 PERMITS AND APPROVALS Because listed or special-status species, sensitive vegetation communities, and waters of the U.S. and State were observed during the biological survey, it has been determined that the project would not require permits or approvals from CDFW, USFWS, or the USACE. Sincerely, ULTRASYSTEMS ENVIRONMENTAL INC. Betsy Lindsay President/CEO June 10, 2022 Page 48 Corporate Office – Orange County Telephone: 949.788.4900 16431 Scientific Way Facsimile: 949.788.4901 Irvine, CA 92618-4355 Website: www.ultrasystems.com 8.0 REFERENCES Bolster, B.C., 1998. Terrestrial Mammal Species of Special Concern in California. Brylski, P. 1988-1990a. Los Angeles Pocket Mouse. CDFW California Wildlife Habitat Relationships Life History Account. In: Zeiner et al. 1988-1990. California's Wildlife. Vol. I-III. California. 1990. Department of Fish and Game, Sacramento, California Brylski, P. 1988-1990b. San Diego Pocket Mouse. CDFW California Wildlife Habitat Relationships Life History Account. In: Zeiner et al. 1988-1990. California's Wildlife. Vol. I-III. California. 1990. Department of Fish and Game, Sacramento, California Calflora, 2021. Information on California plants for education, research and conservation. Observation Search. Available at https://www.calflora.org/entry/observ.html. Cal-IPC (California Invasive Plant Council). 2006. California Invasive Plant Inventory. Cal-IPC Publication 2006-02. California Invasive Plant Council: Berkeley, CA. CDFW (California Department of Fish and Wildlife). 2014. CDFW California Interagency Wildlife Task Group. CWHR version 9.0 personal computer program. Sacramento, CA. Retrieved from https://wildlife.ca.gov/Data/CWHR/Life-History-and-Range. Retrieved on August 20, 2021. CDFW. 2018. Protocols for Surveying and Evaluating Impacts to Special Status Native Plant Populations and Natural Communities. California Natural Resources Agency, CDFW. March 20, 2018. CDFW. 2021a. California Natural Community List. Retrieved from https://wildlife.ca.gov/Data/VegCAMP/Natural-Communities. Accessed on August 20, 2021. CDFW. 2021b. CDFW California Wildlife Habitat Relationships Life History Accounts and Range Maps. Available at https://wildlife.ca.gov/Data/CWHR/Life-History-and-Range. Accessed on August 20, 2021. CDFW. 2021c. CDFW BIOS. Natural Areas Small – California Essential Habitat Connectivity (CEHC) [ds1073]. Available at https://apps.wildlife.ca.gov/bios/. Accessed on August 22, 2021. CDFW. 2021d. Special Animals List . State of California, The Natural Resources Agency, Department of Fish and Game, Biogeographic Data Branch, California Natural Diversity Database, Sacramento, CA. CDFW 2021e. CNDDB News: Legal Status of Bumble Bees in California Available at: https://wildlife.ca.gov/Subscribe/c/166/ce/438489015/view/preview#lcpreview. Accessed on November 1, 2021. June 10, 2022 Page 49 Corporate Office – Orange County Telephone: 949.788.4900 16431 Scientific Way Facsimile: 949.788.4901 Irvine, CA 92618-4355 Website: www.ultrasystems.com CNDDB (California Natural Diversity Database). 2021. RareFind 5 (Internet). California Department of Fish and Wildlife (5.2.14). Available at https://apps.wildlife.ca.gov/rarefind/view/RareFind.aspx. Accessed on August 4, 2021. CNPS (California Native Plant Society). 2021a. Rare Plant Program. Inventory of Rare and Endangered Plants (online edition, v8-03 0.39). Retrieved from: http://www.rareplants.cnps.org. Accessed on August 21, 2021. CNPS (California Native Plant Society). 2021b. A Manual of California Vegetation, Online Edition. California Native Plant Society, CA. 1300 pp. Retrieved from: http://www.cnps.org/cnps/vegetation/. Accessed on August 21, 2021. Cornell Lab of Ornithology. 2021. All About Birds. Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Ithaca, New York. Available at https://www.allaboutbirds.org Accessed on April 20, 2021 Curtis, K.E. and R.W. Lichvar. 2010. Updated Datasheet for the Identification of the Ordinary High Water Mark (OHWM) in the Arid West Region of the Western United States. Wetland Regulatory Assistance Program. Cold Regions Research and Engineering Laboratory. U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center, Hanover, New Hampshire. Dudek & Associates. 2003. Western Riverside County Multiple Species Habitat Conservation Plan (MSHCP). Final MSHCP, Volumes I and II. Prepared for County of Riverside Transportation and Lands Management Agency. Prepared by Dudek & Associates, Inc. Approved June 17, 2003 Dutcher, L.C., and A.A. Garrett. 1963. Geologic and Hydrologic Features of the San Bernardino Area California – with Special Reference to Underflow Across the San Jacinto Fault: United States Geological Survey Water Supply Paper 1419. eBird, 2021. eBird: An online database of bird distribution and abundance [web application]. eBird, Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Ithaca, New York. Available at https://ebird.org/map. Accessed on August 17, 2021. Environmental Laboratory. 1987. Corps of Engineers wetlands delineation manual. Technical Report Y-87-1. Vicksburg, MS: U.S. Army Engineer Waterways Experiment Station. Retrieved from: http://el.erdc.usace.army.mil/wetlands/pdfs/wlman87.pdf Federal Register. 1998. Emergency Rule, Vol. 63, No. 17, pp. 3835-3842, January 27, 1998 Gogol-Prokurat, M. 2017. San Diego Pocket Mouse Predicted Habitat – CWHR M094 [ds2549]. CDFW California Wildlife Habitat Relationship Predicted Habitat Suitability. Accessed at https://apps.wildlife.ca.gov/bios/. Accessed on September 28, 2021. Google Earth Pro. 2021. Version 7.3.4.8248 (July 16, 2021). Sierra Avenue and Summit Avenue Project Site, Fontana, San Bernardino County, California. 34.150885° -117.434902° Eye June 10, 2022 Page 50 Corporate Office – Orange County Telephone: 949.788.4900 16431 Scientific Way Facsimile: 949.788.4901 Irvine, CA 92618-4355 Website: www.ultrasystems.com altitude 4,954 feet. Imagery date November 9, 2020. ©Google 2021. Accessed on September 26, 2021. Grinnell, Joseph. 1933. Review of the Recent Mammal Fauna of California, Vol. 40. University of California Press. Holland, R.F. 1986. Preliminary Descriptions of the Terrestrial Natural Communities of California. State of California, The Resources Agency, Nongame Heritage Program, California Department of Fish & Game, Sacramento, Calif. 156 pp. Jameson E.W. Jr and Peeters H.J. 1988. California Mammals. Berkley (CA): University of California Press Jepson Flora Project (eds.), 2021. Jepson eFlora, Available at http://ucjeps.berkeley.edu/eflora/. Accessed on August 22, 2021 Lichvar, R. W and S. M. McColley. 2008. A Field Guide to the Identification of the Ordinary High Water Mark (OHWM) in the Arid West Region of the Western United States: A Delineation Manual. Cold Regions Research and Engineering Laboratory. U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center, Hanover, New Hampshire. Natural Diversity Data Base (NDDB). 1993. Descriptions of habitat types for species associated with coastal sage scrub in the NCCP regions of southern California. State of California, The Resources Agency, Department of Fish and Game, Natural Heritage Division, Sacramento, CA. Patton, J. L. and S. T. Alvarez-Castaneda. 1999. Family Heteromyidae. In Mamı´feros del noroeste de Mexico (S. T. Alvarez-Castaneda and J. L. Patton, eds.). Centro de Investigaciones Biolo´gicas del Noroeste, La Paz, Baja California Sur, Mexico. Sawyer et al., J.O., T. Keeler-Wolf, J.M. Evens. 2009. A Manual of California Vegetation, Second Edition. California Native Plant Society Press. Sacramento, CA. 1300 pp. Smith, R. L. 1980. Alluvial scrub vegetation of the San Gabriel River floodplain, California. Madrono 27:126-138. Soil Survey Staff, 2021. Natural Resources Conservation Service, United States Department of Agriculture, Web Soil Survey: Custom Soil Resource Report, California. Available at https://websoilsurvey.sc.egov.usda.gov/. Downloaded on August 4, 2021. USACE (United States Army Corps of Engineers). 2008. Regional Supplement to the Corps of Engineers Wetland Delineation Manual: Arid West Region (Version 2.0), Page 2, ed. J. S. Wakeley, R. W. Lichvar, and C. V. Noble. ERDC/EL TR-08-28. Vicksburg, MS: U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center. June 10, 2022 Page 51 Corporate Office – Orange County Telephone: 949.788.4900 16431 Scientific Way Facsimile: 949.788.4901 Irvine, CA 92618-4355 Website: www.ultrasystems.com USACE. 2018. National Wetland Plant List, version 3.3. Retrieved from: http://wetland_plant USACE (United States Army Corp of Engineers). 2018. Accessed on August 26, 2021 USDA-NRCS (United States Department of Agriculture National Resources Conservation Service). 2021. Soil Data Access (SDA) Hydric Soils List. Available at https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/nrcseprd1316619.html. Accessed on August 11, 2021. USEPA, 2021b. EPA Waters GeoViewer. Available at https://www.epa.gov/waterdata/waters- geoviewer. Accessed on August 29, 2021. USFWS (United States Fish and Wildlife Service). 2008. Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Final Designation of Critical Habitat for the San Bernardino Kangaroo Rat (Dipodomys merriami parvus); Final Rule. 73 FR 20581; 50 CFR 17; FWS-R8-ES-2007-0008- 0041. October 17, 2008. USFWS. 2021a. Information for Planning, and Consultation (IPaC), IPaC Resource List. August 17, 2021. Retrieved from http://ecos.fws.gov/ipac/ Accessed on August 17, 2021. USFWS. 2021b. USFWS ECOS: Environmental Conservation Online System Species Reports. Available at https://ecos.fws.gov/ecp/species-reports. Accessed on August 20, 2021. USFWS. 2021c. National Wetlands Inventory (NWI) website, National Wetlands Mapper. U.S. Department of the Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service, Washington, D.C. Retrieved from https://www.fws.gov/wetlands/. Accessed on September 6, 2021. USFWS. 2021d. USFWS Critical Habitat Portal: http://ecos.fws.gov/crithab/. Latest database search conducted on September 17, 2021 USGS (U.S. Geological Survey). National Hydrography Dataset. Available at https://apps.nationalmap.gov/viewer/. Accessed on September 8, 2021. Wessler Engineering. 2015. Stormwater Basins: How Detention and Retention Ponds Work. Blog Post. 2015. Available at https://info.wesslerengineering.com/blog/stormwater-basins- detention-retention-ponds. Accessed on September 1, 2021. Williams et al. 1993. Taxonomy and Systematic. In: H.H. Genoways and J.H. Brown, eds. Biology of the Herteromyidae. Special Publication No. 10. The American Society of Mammalogists. Pp. 38-196. WRCC (Western Regional Climate Center). 2021. 1981-2010 Monthly Climate Summary. Fontana Kaiser, California (Coop Station 043120). Retrieved from: https://wrcc.dri.edu/cgi- bin/cliMAIN.pl?ca3120. Accessed on September 13, 2021. ATTACHMENTS ATTACHMENTS ATTACHMENTS ATTACHMENT 1 FIGURES August 02, 2021 Baltusrol Ln TamariskWayBay Hill LnSummit Ave Summit AveSierra AveProject Location SanBernardinoCounty Kern County Los AngelesCounty RiversideCounty Key Map ¯0 70 140 Feet 0 20 40 Meters Path: \\GISSVR\gis\Projects\7102_Allard_Fontana_Warehouse\MXDs\BIO\7102_Allard_Fontana_Project_Location_BSA_11X17_2021_08_02.mxdService Layer Credits: Source: Esri, Maxar, GeoEye, Earthstar Geographics, CNES/Airbus DS, USDA, USGS, AeroGRID, IGN, and the GIS User Community, Sources: Esri, HERE, Garmin, USGS, Intermap, INCREMENT P, NRCan, Esri Japan, METI, Esri China (Hong Kong), Esri Korea, Esri (Thailand), NGCC, (c) OpenStreetMap contributors, and the GIS UserCommunity; UltraSystems Environmental, Inc., 2021 Project Boundary 500ft Biological Study Area(BSA) Legend Project Boundary and Biological Study Area (BSA) Figure1 Scale: 1:1,680 Disclaimer: Representations on this map or illustration are intended only to indicate locations of project parameters reported in the legend. Project parameter information supplied by others (see layer credits) may not have been independently verified for accuracy by UltraSystems Environmental, Inc. This map orillustration should not be used for, and does not replace, final grading plans or other documents that should be professionally certified for development purposes. Fontana Warehouse Projectat Sierra Avenue and Summit Avenue August 03, 2021 Project Location SanBernardinoCounty Kern County Los AngelesCounty RiversideCounty CNDDB Known Occurences Plant Species and Habitats Key Map ¯0 1,250 2,500 Feet 0 300 600 Meters Path: \\GISSVR\gis\Projects\7102_Allard_Fontana_Warehouse\MXDs\BIO\7102_Allard_Fontana_CNDDB_Plant_11X17_2021_08_02.mxdService Layer Credits: Source: Esri, Maxar, GeoEye, Earthstar Geographics, CNES/Airbus DS, USDA, USGS, AeroGRID, IGN, and the GIS User Community, Sources: Esri, HERE, Garmin, USGS, Intermap, INCREMENT P, NRCan, Esri Japan, METI, Esri China (Hong Kong), Esri Korea, Esri (Thailand), NGCC, (c) OpenStreetMap contributors, and the GIS UserCommunity; CDFW, August 2021: UltraSystems Environmental, Inc., 2021 Project Boundary 2-Mile Radius Common Name, Scientific Name Parish's desert-thorn,Lyciumparishii Parry's spineflower,Chorizantheparryi var. parryi Plummer's mariposa-lily,Calochortus plummerae Riversidian Alluvial Fan SageScrub,Riversidian Alluvial FanSage Scrub !!!!!!!!!!!!Singlewhorl burrobrush,Ambrosiamonogyra Legend Figure 2 Scale: 1:30,000 Disclaimer: Representations on this map or illustration are intended only to indicate locations of project parameters reported in the legend. Project parameter information supplied by others (see layer credits) may not have been independently verified for accuracy by UltraSystems Environmental, Inc. This map orillustration should not be used for, and does not replace, final grading plans or other documents that should be professionally certified for development purposes. Fontana Warehouse Projectat Sierra Avenue and Summit Avenue August 03, 2021 Project Location SanBernardinoCounty Kern County Los AngelesCounty RiversideCounty CNDDB Known Occurences Wildlife Species Key Map ¯0 1,250 2,500 Feet 0 300 600 Meters Path: \\GISSVR\gis\Projects\7102_Allard_Fontana_Warehouse\MXDs\BIO\7102_Allard_Fontana_CNDDB_Wildlife_11X17_2021_08_02.mxdService Layer Credits: Source: Esri, Maxar, GeoEye, Earthstar Geographics, CNES/Airbus DS, USDA, USGS, AeroGRID, IGN, and the GIS User Community, Sources: Esri, HERE, Garmin, USGS, Intermap, INCREMENT P, NRCan, Esri Japan, METI, Esri China (Hong Kong), Esri Korea, Esri (Thailand), NGCC, (c) OpenStreetMap contributors, and the GIS UserCommunity; CDFW, August 2021: UltraSystems Environmental, Inc., 2021 Project Boundary 2-Mile Radius Common Name, Scientific Name Crotch bumble bee,Bombuscrotchii Delhi Sands flower-loving fly,Rhaphiomidas terminatusabdominalis San Bernardino kangaroo rat,Dipodomys merriami parvus San Diego black-tailed jackrabbit,Lepus californicus bennettii !!!!!!!!!!!!Southern California legless lizard,Anniella stebbinsi Coastal California gnatcatcher,Polioptila californica californica Northwestern San Diego pocketmouse,Chaetodipus fallax fallax Legend Figure 3 Scale: 1:30,000 Disclaimer: Representations on this map or illustration are intended only to indicate locations of project parameters reported in the legend. Project parameter information supplied by others (see layer credits) may not have been independently verified for accuracy by UltraSystems Environmental, Inc. This map orillustration should not be used for, and does not replace, final grading plans or other documents that should be professionally certified for development purposes. Fontana Warehouse Projectat Sierra Avenue and Summit Avenue March 25, 2022 Baltusrol Ln TamariskWayBay Hill LnSummit Ave Summit AveSierra AveBaltusrol Ln TamariskWayBayHillLnDayHillLnSummit Ave Summit AveSierra AveProject Location SanBernardinoCounty Kern County Los AngelesCounty RiversideCounty Land Cover Types Key Map ¯0 70 140 Feet 0 20 40 Meters Path: \\gissvr\GIS\Projects\7102_Allard_Fontana_Warehouse\MXDs\BIO\7102_Allard_Fontana_4_4_Land_Cover_2022_03_25.mxdService Layer Credits: Source: Esri, Maxar, GeoEye, Earthstar Geographics, CNES/Airbus DS, USDA, USGS, AeroGRID, IGN, and the GIS User Community, Sources: Esri, HERE, Garmin, USGS, Intermap, INCREMENT P, NRCan, Esri Japan, METI, Esri China (Hong Kong), Esri Korea, Esri (Thailand), NGCC, (c) OpenStreetMap contributors, and the GIS UserCommunity; UltraSystems Environmental, Inc., 2021 Project Boundary 500ft Biological Study Area(BSA) Land Cover Type Developed/Ornamental Disturbed Disturbed California buckwheatscrub Infiltration Basin Wild oats and annual bromegrasslands Legend Figure 4 Scale: 1:1,680 Disclaimer: Representations on this map or illustration are intended only to indicate locations of project parameters reported in the legend. Project parameter information supplied by others (see layer credits) may not have been independently verified for accuracy by UltraSystems Environmental, Inc. This map orillustration should not be used for, and does not replace, final grading plans or other documents that should be professionally certified for development purposes. Fontana Warehouse Projectat Sierra Avenue and Summit Avenue August 25, 2021 ProjectLocation SanBernardinoCounty Kern County Los AngelesCounty RiversideCountyOrangeCounty Key Map ¯0 0.625 1.25 Miles 0 0.6 1.2 Kilometers Scale: 1:79,200 Path: \\GISSVR\gis\Projects\7102_Allard_Fontana_Warehouse\MXDs\BIO\7102_Allard_Fontana_USFWS_Critical_Habitats_5Miles_2021_08_25.mxdService Layer Credits: Source: Esri, Maxar, GeoEye, Earthstar Geographics, CNES/Airbus DS, USDA, USGS, AeroGRID, IGN, and the GIS User Community, Sources: Esri, HERE, Garmin, USGS, Intermap, INCREMENT P, NRCan, Esri Japan, METI, Esri China (Hong Kong), Esri Korea, Esri (Thailand), NGCC, (c) OpenStreetMap contributors, and the GIS UserCommunity, Esri, HERE, Garmin, (c) OpenStreetMap contributors, Esri, HERE, Garmin, (c) OpenStreetMap contributors, and the GIS user community; USFWS Critical Habitats, July 2021; UltraSystems Environmental, Inc., 2021 Project Location 5-Mile Radius Critical Habitat Arroyo (=arroyo southwestern)toad San Bernardino Merriam'skangaroo rat Legend Disclaimer: Representations on this map or illustration are intended only to indicate locations of project parameters reported in the legend. Project parameter information supplied by others (see layer credits) may not have been independently verified for accuracy by UltraSystems Environmental, Inc. This map orillustration should not be used for, and does not replace, final grading plans or other documents that should be professionally certified for development purposes. USFWS Critical Habitat Fontana Warehouse Projectat Sierra Avenue and Summit Avenue Figure 5 ATTACHMENTS ATTACHMENT 2 SITE PLANS SUMMIT AVENUESIERRA AVENUE Brisbane BoxTristania confertaTREES24" BoxAfghan PinePinus eldarica30L36" BoxAfrican SumacRhus lancea3LBOTANICAL/COMMON NAMESYMBOL PLANTING LEGENDWUCOLSSIZEQTYREMARKSM1315 GalStandardChilopsis linearisDesert WillowL1024" BoxMultiChitalpa tashkentensisChitalpaL624" BoxStandardStandardStandard8' O.C.1 GalAcacia redolens 'Low Boy'Dwarf AcaciaACCENTSGROUNDCOVER48" O.C.1 GalRosmarinus o. 'Huntington Carpet'6' O.C.1 GalBaccharis p. 'Pigeon Point'Dwarf Coyote Bush24" O.C.1 GalLRosemaryRosmarinus o. 'Tuscan Blue'Autumn SageSalvia greggiiCoast RosemaryWestringia fruticosaLLL5 GalM0QTYSIZEREMARKSSYMBOL SHRUBSBOTANICAL/COMMON NAMEWUCOLSQTYSIZEREMARKSSYMBOL BOTANICAL/COMMON NAMEWUCOLSSPACINGSIZEREMARKSSYMBOL BOTANICAL/COMMON NAMEWUCOLSLProstrate Rosemary1 Gal30" O.C.Dasylerion wheeleriDesert SpoonHesperaloe parvifloraRed YuccaTexas PrivetLigustrum j. TexanumVariegated Mock OrangeBuxus j. Green Beauty'Japanese BoxwoodYellow Day LilyHemerocallis hybridus-YellowPittosporum tobira 'Variegata'Lonicera j. 'Halliana'Hall's HoneysuckleCarissa macrocarpa 'Tuttle'Natal PlumHopseed BushDodonaea viscosa 'Purpurea'Pittosporum t. 'Wheeleri'Wheeler's DwarfRhaphiolepis i. 'Clara'Indian HawthornIndian HawthornRhaphiolepis i. 'Springtime'Big Blue Lily TurfLiriope giganteaStar JasmineTrachelopspermum jasminiodesMyoporumMyoporum parvifoliumXylosma congestumShiny Xylosma24" O.C.1 GalMRosa 'Flower Carpet' -RedRed Flower Carpet Rose24" O.C.1 GalM48" O.C.1 GalLL1 Gal36" O.C.Altas FescueFestuca mairei24" O.C.1 GalM18" O.C.1 GalSesleria autumnalisMMoor GrassL1 Gal30" O.C.Pennisetum orientaleOriental Fountain GrassPink MuhlyMuhlenbergia capillarisL1 Gal36" O.C.Society GarlicTulbaghia violacea24" O.C.1 GalMGrassGrassGrassGrassCoral AloeAloe striataLantana 'Gold Mound'Yellow LantanaAloe maculataSoap AloeAloe petricolaStone AloeAgave5 Gal0LAgave victoria-reginae5 Gal0L1 Gal0L1 Gal0L5 Gal0L5 Gal0LRuffles EcheveriaEcheveria 'Ruffles'5 Gal0L5 Gal0L5 GalM05 GalM05 GalM05 GalM05 GalM05 GalM05 GalM05 GalL0Callistemon 'Little John'Dwarf Bottle Brush5 GalM0SilverberryElaeagnus pungensBear's BreechAcanthus mollisMexican SageSalvia leucantha5 GalM05 GalL05 GalL05 GalL05 GalL05 GalM05 Gal0LAgave 'Blue Flame'Blue Flame Agave5 Gal0LAgave 'Blue GlowBlue Glow AgaveDianellaDianella tasmanica5 GalM0Dwarf DianellaDianella 'Little Rev'5 GalM0Pineapple GauvaAcca sellowiana5 GalM0HedgeHedgeHedgeHedgeHedgeCistus 'Sunset Pink'Sunset Pink Rockrose5 GalM0Fortnight LilyDietes bicolor5 GalM0Street TreesFontana, California21-00211.02.20Sierra Ave. and Summit Ave.010'20'40'711 FEE ANA STREET714.986.2400 FAX 714.986.2408PLACENTIA, CA 92870N01.27.21 Project:Consultants:Project Number:Revision:Date:Drawn by:Title:Sheet:1633 GLENNWOOD AVE.UPLAND, CA 91784THIENES20330CR12/01/20HUNTERC I V I LSTRUCTURALMECHANICALPLUMBINGELECTRICALLANDSCAPESOILS ENGINEERFIRE PROTECTIONfax: 949 863 0851tel: 949 863 1770email: hpa@hparchs.com92612irvine, ca18831 bardeen avenue - ste. #100hpa, inc.-----FONTANA, CA 92336-AND SUMMIT AVEINTERSECTION OF SIERRA AVE.MANGNO Y LIC E N SEDARCHITECTSTATEOFCALI FORNIADATERENEWAL3-31-21C-29451SKG PACIFICENTERPRISESINC.OVERALL SITE PLANDAB-A1.18+%+0+6;/#2241,'%6#SITE2412'46;190'4#&&4'551(6*'2412'46;#55'551452#4%'.07/$'4.')#.&'5%4+26+10#22.+%#06#22.+%#0654'24'5'06#6+8'<10+0) ATTACHMENTS ATTACHMENT 3 SITE PHOTOGRAPHS PHOTO 2:Southeast facing view of the project site from the northwest corner of the project site. Date: August 8,2021. PHOTO 4:East facing view from northeast corner of the project site. Date: August 8, 2021. PHOTO 1:Northwest-facing overview photo taken from the southeast corner of the project site. Date: August 5, 2021. PHOTO 3:Northeast facing view from the southwest corner of the project site. Date: August 8, 2021 1 PHOTO 6:East facing view of some commercial buildings, developed areas, and ornamental plants in the BSA. Date: August 8,2021. PHOTO 8:The eastern most infiltration basin’s north side is pictured. Date: August 8, 2021. PHOTO 5:North-facing view of Sierra Avenue, residential areas, and ornamental vegetation in the BSA Date: August 5, 2021. PHOTO 7:North facing view of the BSA, picturing the easternmost infiltration basin. Date: August 8, 2021 1 PHOTO 10:East facing view of disturbed area in the BSA, the dirt roads. Date: August 8,2021. PHOTO 12: Northwest facing view from the northeast corner of the project site. These areas of the site consist of disturbed California buckwheat. Date: August 8, 2021. PHOTO 9:Southwest facing view of the southernmost infiltration basin. Date: August 5, 2021. PHOTO 11: Southwest facing view of the project site area, showing sparsely distributed California buckwheat and non-native grassland. Date: August 8, 2021 1 PHOTO 13:Infiltration basin located just north of the northwestern corner of project site. Date: August 5, 2021. 1 PHOTO 14: Infiltration basin located south of the project site. Vegetation community in bottom area is Disturbed California Buckwheat Scrub, dominated by species such as California buckwheat and brittlebush (Encelia farinose). Date: August 8, 2021. PHOTO 16:Complex of small mammal burrows at eastern edge of project site boundary. Date: August 8, 2021. PHOTO 15:Small mammal burrow at the base of shrub within irrigated landscaping strip directly north of project site boundary. Date: August 8, 2021. ATTACHMENTS ATTACHMENT 4 SOIL REPORT United States Department of Agriculture A product of the National Cooperative Soil Survey, a joint effort of the United States Department of Agriculture and other Federal agencies, State agencies including the Agricultural Experiment Stations, and local participants Custom Soil Resource Report for San Bernardino County Southwestern Part, California Natural Resources Conservation Service September 28, 2021 Preface Soil surveys contain information that affects land use planning in survey areas. They highlight soil limitations that affect various land uses and provide information about the properties of the soils in the survey areas. Soil surveys are designed for many different users, including farmers, ranchers, foresters, agronomists, urban planners, community officials, engineers, developers, builders, and home buyers. Also, conservationists, teachers, students, and specialists in recreation, waste disposal, and pollution control can use the surveys to help them understand, protect, or enhance the environment. Various land use regulations of Federal, State, and local governments may impose special restrictions on land use or land treatment. Soil surveys identify soil properties that are used in making various land use or land treatment decisions. The information is intended to help the land users identify and reduce the effects of soil limitations on various land uses. The landowner or user is responsible for identifying and complying with existing laws and regulations. Although soil survey information can be used for general farm, local, and wider area planning, onsite investigation is needed to supplement this information in some cases. Examples include soil quality assessments (http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/ portal/nrcs/main/soils/health/) and certain conservation and engineering applications. For more detailed information, contact your local USDA Service Center (https://offices.sc.egov.usda.gov/locator/app?agency=nrcs) or your NRCS State Soil Scientist (http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/detail/soils/contactus/? cid=nrcs142p2_053951). Great differences in soil properties can occur within short distances. Some soils are seasonally wet or subject to flooding. Some are too unstable to be used as a foundation for buildings or roads. Clayey or wet soils are poorly suited to use as septic tank absorption fields. A high water table makes a soil poorly suited to basements or underground installations. The National Cooperative Soil Survey is a joint effort of the United States Department of Agriculture and other Federal agencies, State agencies including the Agricultural Experiment Stations, and local agencies. The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) has leadership for the Federal part of the National Cooperative Soil Survey. Information about soils is updated periodically. Updated information is available through the NRCS Web Soil Survey, the site for official soil survey information. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, and where applicable, sex, marital status, familial status, parental status, religion, sexual orientation, genetic information, political beliefs, reprisal, or because all or a part of an individual's income is derived from any public assistance program. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.) Persons with disabilities who require 2 alternative means for communication of program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact USDA's TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TDD). To file a complaint of discrimination, write to USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20250-9410 or call (800) 795-3272 (voice) or (202) 720-6382 (TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer. 3 Contents Preface....................................................................................................................2 How Soil Surveys Are Made..................................................................................5 Soil Map..................................................................................................................8 Soil Map (Allard Fontana Warehouse)..................................................................9 Legend................................................................................................................10 Map Unit Legend (Allard Fontana Warehouse)..................................................12 Map Unit Descriptions (Allard Fontana Warehouse)..........................................12 San Bernardino County Southwestern Part, California...................................14 SoC—Soboba gravelly loamy sand, 0 to 9 percent slopes.........................14 Soil Information for All Uses...............................................................................16 Suitabilities and Limitations for Use....................................................................16 Water Management.........................................................................................16 Pond Reservoir Areas (Allard Fontana Warehouse)...................................16 Soil Properties and Qualities..............................................................................23 Soil Chemical Properties.................................................................................23 pH (1 to 1 Water) (Allard Fontana Warehouse)...........................................23 Water Features...............................................................................................29 Ponding Frequency Class (Allard Fontana Warehouse).............................29 References............................................................................................................36 Glossary................................................................................................................38 4 How Soil Surveys Are Made Soil surveys are made to provide information about the soils and miscellaneous areas in a specific area. They include a description of the soils and miscellaneous areas and their location on the landscape and tables that show soil properties and limitations affecting various uses. Soil scientists observed the steepness, length, and shape of the slopes; the general pattern of drainage; the kinds of crops and native plants; and the kinds of bedrock. They observed and described many soil profiles. A soil profile is the sequence of natural layers, or horizons, in a soil. The profile extends from the surface down into the unconsolidated material in which the soil formed or from the surface down to bedrock. The unconsolidated material is devoid of roots and other living organisms and has not been changed by other biological activity. Currently, soils are mapped according to the boundaries of major land resource areas (MLRAs). MLRAs are geographically associated land resource units that share common characteristics related to physiography, geology, climate, water resources, soils, biological resources, and land uses (USDA, 2006). Soil survey areas typically consist of parts of one or more MLRA. The soils and miscellaneous areas in a survey area occur in an orderly pattern that is related to the geology, landforms, relief, climate, and natural vegetation of the area. Each kind of soil and miscellaneous area is associated with a particular kind of landform or with a segment of the landform. By observing the soils and miscellaneous areas in the survey area and relating their position to specific segments of the landform, a soil scientist develops a concept, or model, of how they were formed. Thus, during mapping, this model enables the soil scientist to predict with a considerable degree of accuracy the kind of soil or miscellaneous area at a specific location on the landscape. Commonly, individual soils on the landscape merge into one another as their characteristics gradually change. To construct an accurate soil map, however, soil scientists must determine the boundaries between the soils. They can observe only a limited number of soil profiles. Nevertheless, these observations, supplemented by an understanding of the soil-vegetation-landscape relationship, are sufficient to verify predictions of the kinds of soil in an area and to determine the boundaries. Soil scientists recorded the characteristics of the soil profiles that they studied. They noted soil color, texture, size and shape of soil aggregates, kind and amount of rock fragments, distribution of plant roots, reaction, and other features that enable them to identify soils. After describing the soils in the survey area and determining their properties, the soil scientists assigned the soils to taxonomic classes (units). Taxonomic classes are concepts. Each taxonomic class has a set of soil characteristics with precisely defined limits. The classes are used as a basis for comparison to classify soils systematically. Soil taxonomy, the system of taxonomic classification used in the United States, is based mainly on the kind and character of soil properties and the arrangement of horizons within the profile. After the soil 5 scientists classified and named the soils in the survey area, they compared the individual soils with similar soils in the same taxonomic class in other areas so that they could confirm data and assemble additional data based on experience and research. The objective of soil mapping is not to delineate pure map unit components; the objective is to separate the landscape into landforms or landform segments that have similar use and management requirements. Each map unit is defined by a unique combination of soil components and/or miscellaneous areas in predictable proportions. Some components may be highly contrasting to the other components of the map unit. The presence of minor components in a map unit in no way diminishes the usefulness or accuracy of the data. The delineation of such landforms and landform segments on the map provides sufficient information for the development of resource plans. If intensive use of small areas is planned, onsite investigation is needed to define and locate the soils and miscellaneous areas. Soil scientists make many field observations in the process of producing a soil map. The frequency of observation is dependent upon several factors, including scale of mapping, intensity of mapping, design of map units, complexity of the landscape, and experience of the soil scientist. Observations are made to test and refine the soil-landscape model and predictions and to verify the classification of the soils at specific locations. Once the soil-landscape model is refined, a significantly smaller number of measurements of individual soil properties are made and recorded. These measurements may include field measurements, such as those for color, depth to bedrock, and texture, and laboratory measurements, such as those for content of sand, silt, clay, salt, and other components. Properties of each soil typically vary from one point to another across the landscape. Observations for map unit components are aggregated to develop ranges of characteristics for the components. The aggregated values are presented. Direct measurements do not exist for every property presented for every map unit component. Values for some properties are estimated from combinations of other properties. While a soil survey is in progress, samples of some of the soils in the area generally are collected for laboratory analyses and for engineering tests. Soil scientists interpret the data from these analyses and tests as well as the field-observed characteristics and the soil properties to determine the expected behavior of the soils under different uses. Interpretations for all of the soils are field tested through observation of the soils in different uses and under different levels of management. Some interpretations are modified to fit local conditions, and some new interpretations are developed to meet local needs. Data are assembled from other sources, such as research information, production records, and field experience of specialists. For example, data on crop yields under defined levels of management are assembled from farm records and from field or plot experiments on the same kinds of soil. Predictions about soil behavior are based not only on soil properties but also on such variables as climate and biological activity. Soil conditions are predictable over long periods of time, but they are not predictable from year to year. For example, soil scientists can predict with a fairly high degree of accuracy that a given soil will have a high water table within certain depths in most years, but they cannot predict that a high water table will always be at a specific level in the soil on a specific date. After soil scientists located and identified the significant natural bodies of soil in the survey area, they drew the boundaries of these bodies on aerial photographs and Custom Soil Resource Report 6 identified each as a specific map unit. Aerial photographs show trees, buildings, fields, roads, and rivers, all of which help in locating boundaries accurately. Custom Soil Resource Report 7 Soil Map The soil map section includes the soil map for the defined area of interest, a list of soil map units on the map and extent of each map unit, and cartographic symbols displayed on the map. Also presented are various metadata about data used to produce the map, and a description of each soil map unit. 8 9 Custom Soil Resource Report Soil Map (Allard Fontana Warehouse)3778810377889037789703779050377913037792103778730377881037788903778970377905037791303779210459550 459630 459710 459790 459870 459950 460030 460110 460190 460270 459550 459630 459710 459790 459870 459950 460030 460110 460190 460270 34° 9' 11'' N 117° 26' 20'' W34° 9' 11'' N117° 25' 50'' W34° 8' 55'' N 117° 26' 20'' W34° 8' 55'' N 117° 25' 50'' WN Map projection: Web Mercator Corner coordinates: WGS84 Edge tics: UTM Zone 11N WGS84 0 150 300 600 900 Feet 0 50 100 200 300 Meters Map Scale: 1:3,440 if printed on A landscape (11" x 8.5") sheet. Soil Map may not be valid at this scale. MAP LEGEND MAP INFORMATION Area of Interest (AOI) Area of Interest (AOI) Soils Soil Map Unit Polygons Soil Map Unit Lines Soil Map Unit Points Special Point Features Blowout Borrow Pit Clay Spot Closed Depression Gravel Pit Gravelly Spot Landfill Lava Flow Marsh or swamp Mine or Quarry Miscellaneous Water Perennial Water Rock Outcrop Saline Spot Sandy Spot Severely Eroded Spot Sinkhole Slide or Slip Sodic Spot Spoil Area Stony Spot Very Stony Spot Wet Spot Other Special Line Features Water Features Streams and Canals Transportation Rails Interstate Highways US Routes Major Roads Local Roads Background Aerial Photography The soil surveys that comprise your AOI were mapped at 1:24,000. Warning: Soil Map may not be valid at this scale. Enlargement of maps beyond the scale of mapping can cause misunderstanding of the detail of mapping and accuracy of soil line placement. The maps do not show the small areas of contrasting soils that could have been shown at a more detailed scale. Please rely on the bar scale on each map sheet for map measurements. Source of Map: Natural Resources Conservation Service Web Soil Survey URL: Coordinate System: Web Mercator (EPSG:3857) Maps from the Web Soil Survey are based on the Web Mercator projection, which preserves direction and shape but distorts distance and area. A projection that preserves area, such as the Albers equal-area conic projection, should be used if more accurate calculations of distance or area are required. This product is generated from the USDA-NRCS certified data as of the version date(s) listed below. Soil Survey Area: San Bernardino County Southwestern Part, California Survey Area Data: Version 12, May 27, 2020 Soil map units are labeled (as space allows) for map scales 1:50,000 or larger. Date(s) aerial images were photographed: Apr 1, 2018—Jun 30, 2018 The orthophoto or other base map on which the soil lines were compiled and digitized probably differs from the background Custom Soil Resource Report 10 MAP LEGEND MAP INFORMATION imagery displayed on these maps. As a result, some minor shifting of map unit boundaries may be evident. Custom Soil Resource Report 11 Map Unit Legend (Allard Fontana Warehouse) Map Unit Symbol Map Unit Name Acres in AOI Percent of AOI SoC Soboba gravelly loamy sand, 0 to 9 percent slopes 43.6 100.0% Totals for Area of Interest 43.6 100.0% Map Unit Descriptions (Allard Fontana Warehouse) The map units delineated on the detailed soil maps in a soil survey represent the soils or miscellaneous areas in the survey area. The map unit descriptions, along with the maps, can be used to determine the composition and properties of a unit. A map unit delineation on a soil map represents an area dominated by one or more major kinds of soil or miscellaneous areas. A map unit is identified and named according to the taxonomic classification of the dominant soils. Within a taxonomic class there are precisely defined limits for the properties of the soils. On the landscape, however, the soils are natural phenomena, and they have the characteristic variability of all natural phenomena. Thus, the range of some observed properties may extend beyond the limits defined for a taxonomic class. Areas of soils of a single taxonomic class rarely, if ever, can be mapped without including areas of other taxonomic classes. Consequently, every map unit is made up of the soils or miscellaneous areas for which it is named and some minor components that belong to taxonomic classes other than those of the major soils. Most minor soils have properties similar to those of the dominant soil or soils in the map unit, and thus they do not affect use and management. These are called noncontrasting, or similar, components. They may or may not be mentioned in a particular map unit description. Other minor components, however, have properties and behavioral characteristics divergent enough to affect use or to require different management. These are called contrasting, or dissimilar, components. They generally are in small areas and could not be mapped separately because of the scale used. Some small areas of strongly contrasting soils or miscellaneous areas are identified by a special symbol on the maps. If included in the database for a given area, the contrasting minor components are identified in the map unit descriptions along with some characteristics of each. A few areas of minor components may not have been observed, and consequently they are not mentioned in the descriptions, especially where the pattern was so complex that it was impractical to make enough observations to identify all the soils and miscellaneous areas on the landscape. The presence of minor components in a map unit in no way diminishes the usefulness or accuracy of the data. The objective of mapping is not to delineate pure taxonomic classes but rather to separate the landscape into landforms or landform segments that have similar use and management requirements. The Custom Soil Resource Report 12 delineation of such segments on the map provides sufficient information for the development of resource plans. If intensive use of small areas is planned, however, onsite investigation is needed to define and locate the soils and miscellaneous areas. An identifying symbol precedes the map unit name in the map unit descriptions. Each description includes general facts about the unit and gives important soil properties and qualities. Soils that have profiles that are almost alike make up a soil series. Except for differences in texture of the surface layer, all the soils of a series have major horizons that are similar in composition, thickness, and arrangement. Soils of one series can differ in texture of the surface layer, slope, stoniness, salinity, degree of erosion, and other characteristics that affect their use. On the basis of such differences, a soil series is divided into soil phases. Most of the areas shown on the detailed soil maps are phases of soil series. The name of a soil phase commonly indicates a feature that affects use or management. For example, Alpha silt loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes, is a phase of the Alpha series. Some map units are made up of two or more major soils or miscellaneous areas. These map units are complexes, associations, or undifferentiated groups. A complex consists of two or more soils or miscellaneous areas in such an intricate pattern or in such small areas that they cannot be shown separately on the maps. The pattern and proportion of the soils or miscellaneous areas are somewhat similar in all areas. Alpha-Beta complex, 0 to 6 percent slopes, is an example. An association is made up of two or more geographically associated soils or miscellaneous areas that are shown as one unit on the maps. Because of present or anticipated uses of the map units in the survey area, it was not considered practical or necessary to map the soils or miscellaneous areas separately. The pattern and relative proportion of the soils or miscellaneous areas are somewhat similar. Alpha-Beta association, 0 to 2 percent slopes, is an example. An undifferentiated group is made up of two or more soils or miscellaneous areas that could be mapped individually but are mapped as one unit because similar interpretations can be made for use and management. The pattern and proportion of the soils or miscellaneous areas in a mapped area are not uniform. An area can be made up of only one of the major soils or miscellaneous areas, or it can be made up of all of them. Alpha and Beta soils, 0 to 2 percent slopes, is an example. Some surveys include miscellaneous areas. Such areas have little or no soil material and support little or no vegetation. Rock outcrop is an example. Custom Soil Resource Report 13 San Bernardino County Southwestern Part, California SoC—Soboba gravelly loamy sand, 0 to 9 percent slopes Map Unit Setting National map unit symbol: hckt Elevation: 30 to 4,200 feet Mean annual precipitation: 10 to 20 inches Mean annual air temperature: 61 to 63 degrees F Frost-free period: 175 to 250 days Farmland classification: Not prime farmland Map Unit Composition Soboba and similar soils:85 percent Minor components:15 percent Estimates are based on observations, descriptions, and transects of the mapunit. Description of Soboba Setting Landform:Alluvial fans Landform position (two-dimensional):Backslope Landform position (three-dimensional):Tread Down-slope shape:Linear Across-slope shape:Linear Parent material:Alluvium derived from granite Typical profile H1 - 0 to 12 inches: gravelly loamy sand H2 - 12 to 36 inches: very gravelly loamy sand H3 - 36 to 60 inches: very stony sand Properties and qualities Slope:0 to 9 percent Depth to restrictive feature:More than 80 inches Drainage class:Excessively drained Runoff class: Low Capacity of the most limiting layer to transmit water (Ksat):High to very high (5.95 to 19.98 in/hr) Depth to water table:More than 80 inches Frequency of flooding:Rare Frequency of ponding:None Maximum salinity:Nonsaline (0.0 to 1.0 mmhos/cm) Available water supply, 0 to 60 inches: Low (about 3.2 inches) Interpretive groups Land capability classification (irrigated): 4s Land capability classification (nonirrigated): 6s Hydrologic Soil Group: A Hydric soil rating: No Minor Components Unnamed Percent of map unit:5 percent Hydric soil rating: No Custom Soil Resource Report 14 Delhi, fine sand Percent of map unit:5 percent Hydric soil rating: No Tujunga, gravelly loam Percent of map unit:3 percent Hydric soil rating: No Unnamed Percent of map unit:2 percent Landform:Drainageways Hydric soil rating: Yes Custom Soil Resource Report 15 Soil Information for All Uses Suitabilities and Limitations for Use The Suitabilities and Limitations for Use section includes various soil interpretations displayed as thematic maps with a summary table for the soil map units in the selected area of interest. A single value or rating for each map unit is generated by aggregating the interpretive ratings of individual map unit components. This aggregation process is defined for each interpretation. Water Management Water Management interpretations are tools for evaluating the potential of the soil in the application of various water management practices. Example interpretations include pond reservoir area, embankments, dikes, levees, and excavated ponds. Pond Reservoir Areas (Allard Fontana Warehouse) Pond reservoir areas hold water behind a dam or embankment. Soils best suited to this use have low seepage potential in the upper 60 inches. The seepage potential is determined by the saturated hydraulic conductivity (Ksat) of the soil and the depth to fractured bedrock or other permeable material. Excessive slope can affect the storage capacity of the reservoir area. The ratings are both verbal and numerical. Rating class terms indicate the extent to which the soils are limited by all of the soil features that affect the specified use. "Not limited" indicates that the soil has features that are very favorable for the specified use. Good performance and very low maintenance can be expected. "Somewhat limited" indicates that the soil has features that are moderately favorable for the specified use. The limitations can be overcome or minimized by special planning, design, or installation. Fair performance and moderate maintenance can be expected. "Very limited" indicates that the soil has one or more features that are unfavorable for the specified use. The limitations generally cannot be overcome without major soil reclamation, special design, or expensive installation procedures. Poor performance and high maintenance can be expected. Numerical ratings indicate the severity of individual limitations. The ratings are shown as decimal fractions ranging from 0.01 to 1.00. They indicate gradations 16 between the point at which a soil feature has the greatest negative impact on the use (1.00) and the point at which the soil feature is not a limitation (0.00). The map unit components listed for each map unit in the accompanying Summary by Map Unit table in Web Soil Survey or the Aggregation Report in Soil Data Viewer are determined by the aggregation method chosen. An aggregated rating class is shown for each map unit. The components listed for each map unit are only those that have the same rating class as listed for the map unit. The percent composition of each component in a particular map unit is presented to help the user better understand the percentage of each map unit that has the rating presented. Other components with different ratings may be present in each map unit. The ratings for all components, regardless of the map unit aggregated rating, can be viewed by generating the equivalent report from the Soil Reports tab in Web Soil Survey or from the Soil Data Mart site. Onsite investigation may be needed to validate these interpretations and to confirm the identity of the soil on a given site. Custom Soil Resource Report 17 18 Custom Soil Resource Report Map—Pond Reservoir Areas (Allard Fontana Warehouse)3778810377889037789703779050377913037792103778730377881037788903778970377905037791303779210459550 459630 459710 459790 459870 459950 460030 460110 460190 460270 459550 459630 459710 459790 459870 459950 460030 460110 460190 460270 34° 9' 11'' N 117° 26' 20'' W34° 9' 11'' N117° 25' 50'' W34° 8' 55'' N 117° 26' 20'' W34° 8' 55'' N 117° 25' 50'' WN Map projection: Web Mercator Corner coordinates: WGS84 Edge tics: UTM Zone 11N WGS84 0 150 300 600 900 Feet 0 50 100 200 300 Meters Map Scale: 1:3,440 if printed on A landscape (11" x 8.5") sheet. Soil Map may not be valid at this scale. MAP LEGEND MAP INFORMATION Area of Interest (AOI) Area of Interest (AOI) Soils Soil Rating Polygons Very limited Somewhat limited Not limited Not rated or not available Soil Rating Lines Very limited Somewhat limited Not limited Not rated or not available Soil Rating Points Very limited Somewhat limited Not limited Not rated or not available Water Features Streams and Canals Transportation Rails Interstate Highways US Routes Major Roads Local Roads Background Aerial Photography The soil surveys that comprise your AOI were mapped at 1:24,000. Warning: Soil Map may not be valid at this scale. Enlargement of maps beyond the scale of mapping can cause misunderstanding of the detail of mapping and accuracy of soil line placement. The maps do not show the small areas of contrasting soils that could have been shown at a more detailed scale. Please rely on the bar scale on each map sheet for map measurements. Source of Map: Natural Resources Conservation Service Web Soil Survey URL: Coordinate System: Web Mercator (EPSG:3857) Maps from the Web Soil Survey are based on the Web Mercator projection, which preserves direction and shape but distorts distance and area. A projection that preserves area, such as the Albers equal-area conic projection, should be used if more accurate calculations of distance or area are required. This product is generated from the USDA-NRCS certified data as of the version date(s) listed below. Soil Survey Area: San Bernardino County Southwestern Part, California Survey Area Data: Version 12, May 27, 2020 Soil map units are labeled (as space allows) for map scales 1:50,000 or larger. Date(s) aerial images were photographed: Apr 1, 2018—Jun 30, 2018 The orthophoto or other base map on which the soil lines were compiled and digitized probably differs from the background Custom Soil Resource Report 19 MAP LEGEND MAP INFORMATION imagery displayed on these maps. As a result, some minor shifting of map unit boundaries may be evident. Custom Soil Resource Report 20 Tables—Pond Reservoir Areas (Allard Fontana Warehouse) Map unit symbol Map unit name Rating Component name (percent) Rating reasons (numeric values) Acres in AOI Percent of AOI SoC Soboba gravelly loamy sand, 0 to 9 percent slopes Very limited Soboba (85%)Seepage (1.00)43.6 100.0% Slope (0.32) Totals for Area of Interest 43.6 100.0% Rating Acres in AOI Percent of AOI Very limited 43.6 100.0% Totals for Area of Interest 43.6 100.0% Rating Options—Pond Reservoir Areas (Allard Fontana Warehouse) Aggregation Method: Dominant Condition Aggregation is the process by which a set of component attribute values is reduced to a single value that represents the map unit as a whole. A map unit is typically composed of one or more "components". A component is either some type of soil or some nonsoil entity, e.g., rock outcrop. For the attribute being aggregated, the first step of the aggregation process is to derive one attribute value for each of a map unit's components. From this set of component attributes, the next step of the aggregation process derives a single value that represents the map unit as a whole. Once a single value for each map unit is derived, a thematic map for soil map units can be rendered. Aggregation must be done because, on any soil map, map units are delineated but components are not. For each of a map unit's components, a corresponding percent composition is recorded. A percent composition of 60 indicates that the corresponding component typically makes up approximately 60% of the map unit. Percent composition is a critical factor in some, but not all, aggregation methods. The aggregation method "Dominant Condition" first groups like attribute values for the components in a map unit. For each group, percent composition is set to the sum of the percent composition of all components participating in that group. These groups now represent "conditions" rather than components. The attribute value associated with the group with the highest cumulative percent composition is returned. If more than one group shares the highest cumulative percent composition, the corresponding "tie-break" rule determines which value should be returned. The "tie-break" rule indicates whether the lower or higher group value should be returned in the case of a percent composition tie. The result returned by this aggregation method represents the dominant condition throughout the map unit only when no tie has occurred. Custom Soil Resource Report 21 Component Percent Cutoff: None Specified Components whose percent composition is below the cutoff value will not be considered. If no cutoff value is specified, all components in the database will be considered. The data for some contrasting soils of minor extent may not be in the database, and therefore are not considered. Tie-break Rule: Higher The tie-break rule indicates which value should be selected from a set of multiple candidate values, or which value should be selected in the event of a percent composition tie. Custom Soil Resource Report 22 Soil Properties and Qualities The Soil Properties and Qualities section includes various soil properties and qualities displayed as thematic maps with a summary table for the soil map units in the selected area of interest. A single value or rating for each map unit is generated by aggregating the interpretive ratings of individual map unit components. This aggregation process is defined for each property or quality. Soil Chemical Properties Soil Chemical Properties are measured or inferred from direct observations in the field or laboratory. Examples of soil chemical properties include pH, cation exchange capacity, calcium carbonate, gypsum, and electrical conductivity. pH (1 to 1 Water) (Allard Fontana Warehouse) Soil reaction is a measure of acidity or alkalinity. It is important in selecting crops and other plants, in evaluating soil amendments for fertility and stabilization, and in determining the risk of corrosion. In general, soils that are either highly alkaline or highly acid are likely to be very corrosive to steel. The most common soil laboratory measurement of pH is the 1:1 water method. A crushed soil sample is mixed with an equal amount of water, and a measurement is made of the suspension. For each soil layer, this attribute is actually recorded as three separate values in the database. A low value and a high value indicate the range of this attribute for the soil component. A "representative" value indicates the expected value of this attribute for the component. For this soil property, only the representative value is used. Custom Soil Resource Report 23 24 Custom Soil Resource Report Map—pH (1 to 1 Water) (Allard Fontana Warehouse)3778810377889037789703779050377913037792103778730377881037788903778970377905037791303779210459550 459630 459710 459790 459870 459950 460030 460110 460190 460270 459550 459630 459710 459790 459870 459950 460030 460110 460190 460270 34° 9' 11'' N 117° 26' 20'' W34° 9' 11'' N117° 25' 50'' W34° 8' 55'' N 117° 26' 20'' W34° 8' 55'' N 117° 25' 50'' WN Map projection: Web Mercator Corner coordinates: WGS84 Edge tics: UTM Zone 11N WGS84 0 150 300 600 900 Feet 0 50 100 200 300 Meters Map Scale: 1:3,440 if printed on A landscape (11" x 8.5") sheet. Soil Map may not be valid at this scale. MAP LEGEND Area of Interest (AOI) Area of Interest (AOI) Soils Soil Rating Polygons Ultra acid (ph < 3.5) Extremely acid (pH 3.5 - 4.4) Very strongly acid (pH 4.5 - 5.0) Strongly acid (pH 5.1 - 5.5) Moderately acid (pH 5.6 - 6.0) Slightly acid (pH 6.1 - 6.5) Neutral (pH 6.6 - 7.3) Slightly alkaline (pH 7.4 - 7.8) Moderately alkaline (pH 7.9 - 8.4) Strongly alkaline (pH 8.5 - 9.0) Very strongly alkaline (pH > 9.0) Not rated or not available Soil Rating Lines Ultra acid (ph < 3.5) Extremely acid (pH 3.5 - 4.4) Very strongly acid (pH 4.5 - 5.0) Strongly acid (pH 5.1 - 5.5) Moderately acid (pH 5.6 - 6.0) Slightly acid (pH 6.1 - 6.5) Neutral (pH 6.6 - 7.3) Slightly alkaline (pH 7.4 - 7.8) Moderately alkaline (pH 7.9 - 8.4) Strongly alkaline (pH 8.5 - 9.0) Very strongly alkaline (pH > 9.0) Not rated or not available Soil Rating Points Ultra acid (ph < 3.5) Extremely acid (pH 3.5 - 4.4) Very strongly acid (pH 4.5 - 5.0) Strongly acid (pH 5.1 - 5.5) Moderately acid (pH 5.6 - 6.0) Slightly acid (pH 6.1 - 6.5) Neutral (pH 6.6 - 7.3) Slightly alkaline (pH 7.4 - 7.8) Moderately alkaline (pH 7.9 - 8.4) Strongly alkaline (pH 8.5 - 9.0) Very strongly alkaline (pH > 9.0) Not rated or not available Water Features Streams and Canals Transportation Rails Interstate Highways US Routes Major Roads Local Roads Background Aerial Photography Custom Soil Resource Report 25 MAP INFORMATION The soil surveys that comprise your AOI were mapped at 1:24,000. Warning: Soil Map may not be valid at this scale. Enlargement of maps beyond the scale of mapping can cause misunderstanding of the detail of mapping and accuracy of soil line placement. The maps do not show the small areas of contrasting soils that could have been shown at a more detailed scale. Please rely on the bar scale on each map sheet for map measurements. Source of Map: Natural Resources Conservation Service Web Soil Survey URL: Coordinate System: Web Mercator (EPSG:3857) Maps from the Web Soil Survey are based on the Web Mercator projection, which preserves direction and shape but distorts distance and area. A projection that preserves area, such as the Albers equal-area conic projection, should be used if more accurate calculations of distance or area are required. This product is generated from the USDA-NRCS certified data as of the version date(s) listed below. Soil Survey Area: San Bernardino County Southwestern Part, California Survey Area Data: Version 12, May 27, 2020 Soil map units are labeled (as space allows) for map scales 1:50,000 or larger. Date(s) aerial images were photographed: Apr 1, 2018—Jun 30, 2018 The orthophoto or other base map on which the soil lines were compiled and digitized probably differs from the background Custom Soil Resource Report 26 MAP INFORMATION imagery displayed on these maps. As a result, some minor shifting of map unit boundaries may be evident. Custom Soil Resource Report 27 Table—pH (1 to 1 Water) (Allard Fontana Warehouse) Map unit symbol Map unit name Rating Acres in AOI Percent of AOI SoC Soboba gravelly loamy sand, 0 to 9 percent slopes 6.6 43.6 100.0% Totals for Area of Interest 43.6 100.0% Rating Options—pH (1 to 1 Water) (Allard Fontana Warehouse) Aggregation Method: Dominant Component Aggregation is the process by which a set of component attribute values is reduced to a single value that represents the map unit as a whole. A map unit is typically composed of one or more "components". A component is either some type of soil or some nonsoil entity, e.g., rock outcrop. For the attribute being aggregated, the first step of the aggregation process is to derive one attribute value for each of a map unit's components. From this set of component attributes, the next step of the aggregation process derives a single value that represents the map unit as a whole. Once a single value for each map unit is derived, a thematic map for soil map units can be rendered. Aggregation must be done because, on any soil map, map units are delineated but components are not. For each of a map unit's components, a corresponding percent composition is recorded. A percent composition of 60 indicates that the corresponding component typically makes up approximately 60% of the map unit. Percent composition is a critical factor in some, but not all, aggregation methods. The aggregation method "Dominant Component" returns the attribute value associated with the component with the highest percent composition in the map unit. If more than one component shares the highest percent composition, the corresponding "tie-break" rule determines which value should be returned. The "tie- break" rule indicates whether the lower or higher attribute value should be returned in the case of a percent composition tie. The result returned by this aggregation method may or may not represent the dominant condition throughout the map unit. Component Percent Cutoff: None Specified Components whose percent composition is below the cutoff value will not be considered. If no cutoff value is specified, all components in the database will be considered. The data for some contrasting soils of minor extent may not be in the database, and therefore are not considered. Tie-break Rule: Higher The tie-break rule indicates which value should be selected from a set of multiple candidate values, or which value should be selected in the event of a percent composition tie. Interpret Nulls as Zero: No Custom Soil Resource Report 28 This option indicates if a null value for a component should be converted to zero before aggregation occurs. This will be done only if a map unit has at least one component where this value is not null. Layer Options (Horizon Aggregation Method): All Layers (Weighted Average) For an attribute of a soil horizon, a depth qualification must be specified. In most cases it is probably most appropriate to specify a fixed depth range, either in centimeters or inches. The Bottom Depth must be greater than the Top Depth, and the Top Depth can be greater than zero. The choice of "inches" or "centimeters" only applies to the depth of soil to be evaluated. It has no influence on the units of measure the data are presented in. When "Surface Layer" is specified as the depth qualifier, only the surface layer or horizon is considered when deriving a value for a component, but keep in mind that the thickness of the surface layer varies from component to component. When "All Layers" is specified as the depth qualifier, all layers recorded for a component are considered when deriving the value for that component. Whenever more than one layer or horizon is considered when deriving a value for a component, and the attribute being aggregated is a numeric attribute, a weighted average value is returned, where the weighting factor is the layer or horizon thickness. Water Features Water Features include ponding frequency, flooding frequency, and depth to water table. Ponding Frequency Class (Allard Fontana Warehouse) Ponding is standing water in a closed depression. The water is removed only by deep percolation, transpiration, or evaporation or by a combination of these processes. Ponding frequency classes are based on the number of times that ponding occurs over a given period. Frequency is expressed as none, rare, occasional, and frequent. "None" means that ponding is not probable. The chance of ponding is nearly 0 percent in any year. "Rare" means that ponding is unlikely but possible under unusual weather conditions. The chance of ponding is nearly 0 percent to 5 percent in any year. "Occasional" means that ponding occurs, on the average, once or less in 2 years. The chance of ponding is 5 to 50 percent in any year. Custom Soil Resource Report 29 "Frequent" means that ponding occurs, on the average, more than once in 2 years. The chance of ponding is more than 50 percent in any year. Custom Soil Resource Report 30 31 Custom Soil Resource Report Map—Ponding Frequency Class (Allard Fontana Warehouse)3778810377889037789703779050377913037792103778730377881037788903778970377905037791303779210459550 459630 459710 459790 459870 459950 460030 460110 460190 460270 459550 459630 459710 459790 459870 459950 460030 460110 460190 460270 34° 9' 11'' N 117° 26' 20'' W34° 9' 11'' N117° 25' 50'' W34° 8' 55'' N 117° 26' 20'' W34° 8' 55'' N 117° 25' 50'' WN Map projection: Web Mercator Corner coordinates: WGS84 Edge tics: UTM Zone 11N WGS84 0 150 300 600 900 Feet 0 50 100 200 300 Meters Map Scale: 1:3,440 if printed on A landscape (11" x 8.5") sheet. Soil Map may not be valid at this scale. MAP LEGEND MAP INFORMATION Area of Interest (AOI) Area of Interest (AOI) Soils Soil Rating Polygons None Rare Occasional Frequent Not rated or not available Soil Rating Lines None Rare Occasional Frequent Not rated or not available Soil Rating Points None Rare Occasional Frequent Not rated or not available Water Features Streams and Canals Transportation Rails Interstate Highways US Routes Major Roads Local Roads Background Aerial Photography The soil surveys that comprise your AOI were mapped at 1:24,000. Warning: Soil Map may not be valid at this scale. Enlargement of maps beyond the scale of mapping can cause misunderstanding of the detail of mapping and accuracy of soil line placement. The maps do not show the small areas of contrasting soils that could have been shown at a more detailed scale. Please rely on the bar scale on each map sheet for map measurements. Source of Map: Natural Resources Conservation Service Web Soil Survey URL: Coordinate System: Web Mercator (EPSG:3857) Maps from the Web Soil Survey are based on the Web Mercator projection, which preserves direction and shape but distorts distance and area. A projection that preserves area, such as the Albers equal-area conic projection, should be used if more accurate calculations of distance or area are required. This product is generated from the USDA-NRCS certified data as of the version date(s) listed below. Soil Survey Area: San Bernardino County Southwestern Part, California Survey Area Data: Version 12, May 27, 2020 Soil map units are labeled (as space allows) for map scales 1:50,000 or larger. Date(s) aerial images were photographed: Apr 1, 2018—Jun 30, 2018 The orthophoto or other base map on which the soil lines were compiled and digitized probably differs from the background Custom Soil Resource Report 32 MAP LEGEND MAP INFORMATION imagery displayed on these maps. As a result, some minor shifting of map unit boundaries may be evident. Custom Soil Resource Report 33 Table—Ponding Frequency Class (Allard Fontana Warehouse) Map unit symbol Map unit name Rating Acres in AOI Percent of AOI SoC Soboba gravelly loamy sand, 0 to 9 percent slopes None 43.6 100.0% Totals for Area of Interest 43.6 100.0% Rating Options—Ponding Frequency Class (Allard Fontana Warehouse) Aggregation Method: Dominant Condition Aggregation is the process by which a set of component attribute values is reduced to a single value that represents the map unit as a whole. A map unit is typically composed of one or more "components". A component is either some type of soil or some nonsoil entity, e.g., rock outcrop. For the attribute being aggregated, the first step of the aggregation process is to derive one attribute value for each of a map unit's components. From this set of component attributes, the next step of the aggregation process derives a single value that represents the map unit as a whole. Once a single value for each map unit is derived, a thematic map for soil map units can be rendered. Aggregation must be done because, on any soil map, map units are delineated but components are not. For each of a map unit's components, a corresponding percent composition is recorded. A percent composition of 60 indicates that the corresponding component typically makes up approximately 60% of the map unit. Percent composition is a critical factor in some, but not all, aggregation methods. The aggregation method "Dominant Condition" first groups like attribute values for the components in a map unit. For each group, percent composition is set to the sum of the percent composition of all components participating in that group. These groups now represent "conditions" rather than components. The attribute value associated with the group with the highest cumulative percent composition is returned. If more than one group shares the highest cumulative percent composition, the corresponding "tie-break" rule determines which value should be returned. The "tie-break" rule indicates whether the lower or higher group value should be returned in the case of a percent composition tie. The result returned by this aggregation method represents the dominant condition throughout the map unit only when no tie has occurred. Component Percent Cutoff: None Specified Components whose percent composition is below the cutoff value will not be considered. If no cutoff value is specified, all components in the database will be considered. The data for some contrasting soils of minor extent may not be in the database, and therefore are not considered. Tie-break Rule: More Frequent Custom Soil Resource Report 34 The tie-break rule indicates which value should be selected from a set of multiple candidate values, or which value should be selected in the event of a percent composition tie. Beginning Month: January Ending Month: December Custom Soil Resource Report 35 References American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO). 2004. Standard specifications for transportation materials and methods of sampling and testing. 24th edition. American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM). 2005. Standard classification of soils for engineering purposes. ASTM Standard D2487-00. Cowardin, L.M., V. Carter, F.C. Golet, and E.T. LaRoe. 1979. Classification of wetlands and deep-water habitats of the United States. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service FWS/OBS-79/31. Federal Register. July 13, 1994. Changes in hydric soils of the United States. Federal Register. September 18, 2002. Hydric soils of the United States. Hurt, G.W., and L.M. Vasilas, editors. Version 6.0, 2006. Field indicators of hydric soils in the United States. National Research Council. 1995. Wetlands: Characteristics and boundaries. Soil Survey Division Staff. 1993. Soil survey manual. Soil Conservation Service. U.S. Department of Agriculture Handbook 18. http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/ nrcs/detail/national/soils/?cid=nrcs142p2_054262 Soil Survey Staff. 1999. Soil taxonomy: A basic system of soil classification for making and interpreting soil surveys. 2nd edition. Natural Resources Conservation Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture Handbook 436. http:// www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/detail/national/soils/?cid=nrcs142p2_053577 Soil Survey Staff. 2010. Keys to soil taxonomy. 11th edition. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service. http:// www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/detail/national/soils/?cid=nrcs142p2_053580 Tiner, R.W., Jr. 1985. Wetlands of Delaware. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control, Wetlands Section. United States Army Corps of Engineers, Environmental Laboratory. 1987. Corps of Engineers wetlands delineation manual. Waterways Experiment Station Technical Report Y-87-1. United States Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service. National forestry manual. http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/detail/soils/ home/?cid=nrcs142p2_053374 United States Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service. National range and pasture handbook. http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/ detail/national/landuse/rangepasture/?cid=stelprdb1043084 36 United States Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service. National soil survey handbook, title 430-VI. http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/ nrcs/detail/soils/scientists/?cid=nrcs142p2_054242 United States Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service. 2006. Land resource regions and major land resource areas of the United States, the Caribbean, and the Pacific Basin. U.S. Department of Agriculture Handbook 296. http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/detail/national/soils/? cid=nrcs142p2_053624 United States Department of Agriculture, Soil Conservation Service. 1961. Land capability classification. U.S. Department of Agriculture Handbook 210. http:// www.nrcs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/nrcs142p2_052290.pdf Custom Soil Resource Report 37 Glossary Many of the terms relating to landforms, geology, and geomorphology are defined in more detail in the following National Soil Survey Handbook link: “National Soil Survey Handbook.” ABC soil A soil having an A, a B, and a C horizon. Ablation till Loose, relatively permeable earthy material deposited during the downwasting of nearly static glacial ice, either contained within or accumulated on the surface of the glacier. AC soil A soil having only an A and a C horizon. Commonly, such soil formed in recent alluvium or on steep, rocky slopes. Aeration, soil The exchange of air in soil with air from the atmosphere. The air in a well aerated soil is similar to that in the atmosphere; the air in a poorly aerated soil is considerably higher in carbon dioxide and lower in oxygen. Aggregate, soil Many fine particles held in a single mass or cluster. Natural soil aggregates, such as granules, blocks, or prisms, are called peds. Clods are aggregates produced by tillage or logging. Alkali (sodic) soil A soil having so high a degree of alkalinity (pH 8.5 or higher) or so high a percentage of exchangeable sodium (15 percent or more of the total exchangeable bases), or both, that plant growth is restricted. Alluvial cone A semiconical type of alluvial fan having very steep slopes. It is higher, narrower, and steeper than a fan and is composed of coarser and thicker layers of material deposited by a combination of alluvial episodes and (to a much lesser degree) landslides (debris flow). The coarsest materials tend to be concentrated at the apex of the cone. 38 Alluvial fan A low, outspread mass of loose materials and/or rock material, commonly with gentle slopes. It is shaped like an open fan or a segment of a cone. The material was deposited by a stream at the place where it issues from a narrow mountain valley or upland valley or where a tributary stream is near or at its junction with the main stream. The fan is steepest near its apex, which points upstream, and slopes gently and convexly outward (downstream) with a gradual decrease in gradient. Alluvium Unconsolidated material, such as gravel, sand, silt, clay, and various mixtures of these, deposited on land by running water. Alpha,alpha-dipyridyl A compound that when dissolved in ammonium acetate is used to detect the presence of reduced iron (Fe II) in the soil. A positive reaction implies reducing conditions and the likely presence of redoximorphic features. Animal unit month (AUM) The amount of forage required by one mature cow of approximately 1,000 pounds weight, with or without a calf, for 1 month. Aquic conditions Current soil wetness characterized by saturation, reduction, and redoximorphic features. Argillic horizon A subsoil horizon characterized by an accumulation of illuvial clay. Arroyo The flat-floored channel of an ephemeral stream, commonly with very steep to vertical banks cut in unconsolidated material. It is usually dry but can be transformed into a temporary watercourse or short-lived torrent after heavy rain within the watershed. Aspect The direction toward which a slope faces. Also called slope aspect. Association, soil A group of soils or miscellaneous areas geographically associated in a characteristic repeating pattern and defined and delineated as a single map unit. Available water capacity (available moisture capacity) The capacity of soils to hold water available for use by most plants. It is commonly defined as the difference between the amount of soil water at field moisture capacity and the amount at wilting point. It is commonly expressed as inches of water per inch of soil. The capacity, in inches, in a 60-inch profile or to a limiting layer is expressed as: Custom Soil Resource Report 39 Very low: 0 to 3 Low: 3 to 6 Moderate: 6 to 9 High: 9 to 12 Very high: More than 12 Backslope The position that forms the steepest and generally linear, middle portion of a hillslope. In profile, backslopes are commonly bounded by a convex shoulder above and a concave footslope below. Backswamp A flood-plain landform. Extensive, marshy or swampy, depressed areas of flood plains between natural levees and valley sides or terraces. Badland A landscape that is intricately dissected and characterized by a very fine drainage network with high drainage densities and short, steep slopes and narrow interfluves. Badlands develop on surfaces that have little or no vegetative cover overlying unconsolidated or poorly cemented materials (clays, silts, or sandstones) with, in some cases, soluble minerals, such as gypsum or halite. Bajada A broad, gently inclined alluvial piedmont slope extending from the base of a mountain range out into a basin and formed by the lateral coalescence of a series of alluvial fans. Typically, it has a broadly undulating transverse profile, parallel to the mountain front, resulting from the convexities of component fans. The term is generally restricted to constructional slopes of intermontane basins. Basal area The area of a cross section of a tree, generally referring to the section at breast height and measured outside the bark. It is a measure of stand density, commonly expressed in square feet. Base saturation The degree to which material having cation-exchange properties is saturated with exchangeable bases (sum of Ca, Mg, Na, and K), expressed as a percentage of the total cation-exchange capacity. Base slope (geomorphology) A geomorphic component of hills consisting of the concave to linear (perpendicular to the contour) slope that, regardless of the lateral shape, forms an apron or wedge at the bottom of a hillside dominated by colluvium and slope-wash sediments (for example, slope alluvium). Bedding plane A planar or nearly planar bedding surface that visibly separates each successive layer of stratified sediment or rock (of the same or different lithology) Custom Soil Resource Report 40 from the preceding or following layer; a plane of deposition. It commonly marks a change in the circumstances of deposition and may show a parting, a color difference, a change in particle size, or various combinations of these. The term is commonly applied to any bedding surface, even one that is conspicuously bent or deformed by folding. Bedding system A drainage system made by plowing, grading, or otherwise shaping the surface of a flat field. It consists of a series of low ridges separated by shallow, parallel dead furrows. Bedrock The solid rock that underlies the soil and other unconsolidated material or that is exposed at the surface. Bedrock-controlled topography A landscape where the configuration and relief of the landforms are determined or strongly influenced by the underlying bedrock. Bench terrace A raised, level or nearly level strip of earth constructed on or nearly on a contour, supported by a barrier of rocks or similar material, and designed to make the soil suitable for tillage and to prevent accelerated erosion. Bisequum Two sequences of soil horizons, each of which consists of an illuvial horizon and the overlying eluvial horizons. Blowout (map symbol) A saucer-, cup-, or trough-shaped depression formed by wind erosion on a preexisting dune or other sand deposit, especially in an area of shifting sand or loose soil or where protective vegetation is disturbed or destroyed. The adjoining accumulation of sand derived from the depression, where recognizable, is commonly included. Blowouts are commonly small. Borrow pit (map symbol) An open excavation from which soil and underlying material have been removed, usually for construction purposes. Bottom land An informal term loosely applied to various portions of a flood plain. Boulders Rock fragments larger than 2 feet (60 centimeters) in diameter. Breaks A landscape or tract of steep, rough or broken land dissected by ravines and gullies and marking a sudden change in topography. Custom Soil Resource Report 41 Breast height An average height of 4.5 feet above the ground surface; the point on a tree where diameter measurements are ordinarily taken. Brush management Use of mechanical, chemical, or biological methods to make conditions favorable for reseeding or to reduce or eliminate competition from woody vegetation and thus allow understory grasses and forbs to recover. Brush management increases forage production and thus reduces the hazard of erosion. It can improve the habitat for some species of wildlife. Butte An isolated, generally flat-topped hill or mountain with relatively steep slopes and talus or precipitous cliffs and characterized by summit width that is less than the height of bounding escarpments; commonly topped by a caprock of resistant material and representing an erosion remnant carved from flat-lying rocks. Cable yarding A method of moving felled trees to a nearby central area for transport to a processing facility. Most cable yarding systems involve use of a drum, a pole, and wire cables in an arrangement similar to that of a rod and reel used for fishing. To reduce friction and soil disturbance, felled trees generally are reeled in while one end is lifted or the entire log is suspended. Calcareous soil A soil containing enough calcium carbonate (commonly combined with magnesium carbonate) to effervesce visibly when treated with cold, dilute hydrochloric acid. Caliche A general term for a prominent zone of secondary carbonate accumulation in surficial materials in warm, subhumid to arid areas. Caliche is formed by both geologic and pedologic processes. Finely crystalline calcium carbonate forms a nearly continuous surface-coating and void-filling medium in geologic (parent) materials. Cementation ranges from weak in nonindurated forms to very strong in indurated forms. Other minerals (e.g., carbonates, silicate, and sulfate) may occur as accessory cements. Most petrocalcic horizons and some calcic horizons are caliche. California bearing ratio (CBR) The load-supporting capacity of a soil as compared to that of standard crushed limestone, expressed as a ratio. First standardized in California. A soil having a CBR of 16 supports 16 percent of the load that would be supported by standard crushed limestone, per unit area, with the same degree of distortion. Canopy The leafy crown of trees or shrubs. (See Crown.) Custom Soil Resource Report 42 Canyon A long, deep, narrow valley with high, precipitous walls in an area of high local relief. Capillary water Water held as a film around soil particles and in tiny spaces between particles. Surface tension is the adhesive force that holds capillary water in the soil. Catena A sequence, or “chain,” of soils on a landscape that formed in similar kinds of parent material and under similar climatic conditions but that have different characteristics as a result of differences in relief and drainage. Cation An ion carrying a positive charge of electricity. The common soil cations are calcium, potassium, magnesium, sodium, and hydrogen. Cation-exchange capacity The total amount of exchangeable cations that can be held by the soil, expressed in terms of milliequivalents per 100 grams of soil at neutrality (pH 7.0) or at some other stated pH value. The term, as applied to soils, is synonymous with base-exchange capacity but is more precise in meaning. Catsteps See Terracettes. Cement rock Shaly limestone used in the manufacture of cement. Channery soil material Soil material that has, by volume, 15 to 35 percent thin, flat fragments of sandstone, shale, slate, limestone, or schist as much as 6 inches (15 centimeters) along the longest axis. A single piece is called a channer. Chemical treatment Control of unwanted vegetation through the use of chemicals. Chiseling Tillage with an implement having one or more soil-penetrating points that shatter or loosen hard, compacted layers to a depth below normal plow depth. Cirque A steep-walled, semicircular or crescent-shaped, half-bowl-like recess or hollow, commonly situated at the head of a glaciated mountain valley or high on the side of a mountain. It was produced by the erosive activity of a mountain glacier. It commonly contains a small round lake (tarn). Custom Soil Resource Report 43 Clay As a soil separate, the mineral soil particles less than 0.002 millimeter in diameter. As a soil textural class, soil material that is 40 percent or more clay, less than 45 percent sand, and less than 40 percent silt. Clay depletions See Redoximorphic features. Clay film A thin coating of oriented clay on the surface of a soil aggregate or lining pores or root channels. Synonyms: clay coating, clay skin. Clay spot (map symbol) A spot where the surface texture is silty clay or clay in areas where the surface layer of the soils in the surrounding map unit is sandy loam, loam, silt loam, or coarser. Claypan A dense, compact subsoil layer that contains much more clay than the overlying materials, from which it is separated by a sharply defined boundary. The layer restricts the downward movement of water through the soil. A claypan is commonly hard when dry and plastic and sticky when wet. Climax plant community The stabilized plant community on a particular site. The plant cover reproduces itself and does not change so long as the environment remains the same. Coarse textured soil Sand or loamy sand. Cobble (or cobblestone) A rounded or partly rounded fragment of rock 3 to 10 inches (7.6 to 25 centimeters) in diameter. Cobbly soil material Material that has 15 to 35 percent, by volume, rounded or partially rounded rock fragments 3 to 10 inches (7.6 to 25 centimeters) in diameter. Very cobbly soil material has 35 to 60 percent of these rock fragments, and extremely cobbly soil material has more than 60 percent. COLE (coefficient of linear extensibility) See Linear extensibility. Colluvium Unconsolidated, unsorted earth material being transported or deposited on side slopes and/or at the base of slopes by mass movement (e.g., direct gravitational action) and by local, unconcentrated runoff. Custom Soil Resource Report 44 Complex slope Irregular or variable slope. Planning or establishing terraces, diversions, and other water-control structures on a complex slope is difficult. Complex, soil A map unit of two or more kinds of soil or miscellaneous areas in such an intricate pattern or so small in area that it is not practical to map them separately at the selected scale of mapping. The pattern and proportion of the soils or miscellaneous areas are somewhat similar in all areas. Concretions See Redoximorphic features. Conglomerate A coarse grained, clastic sedimentary rock composed of rounded or subangular rock fragments more than 2 millimeters in diameter. It commonly has a matrix of sand and finer textured material. Conglomerate is the consolidated equivalent of gravel. Conservation cropping system Growing crops in combination with needed cultural and management practices. In a good conservation cropping system, the soil-improving crops and practices more than offset the effects of the soil-depleting crops and practices. Cropping systems are needed on all tilled soils. Soil-improving practices in a conservation cropping system include the use of rotations that contain grasses and legumes and the return of crop residue to the soil. Other practices include the use of green manure crops of grasses and legumes, proper tillage, adequate fertilization, and weed and pest control. Conservation tillage A tillage system that does not invert the soil and that leaves a protective amount of crop residue on the surface throughout the year. Consistence, soil Refers to the degree of cohesion and adhesion of soil material and its resistance to deformation when ruptured. Consistence includes resistance of soil material to rupture and to penetration; plasticity, toughness, and stickiness of puddled soil material; and the manner in which the soil material behaves when subject to compression. Terms describing consistence are defined in the “Soil Survey Manual.” Contour stripcropping Growing crops in strips that follow the contour. Strips of grass or close-growing crops are alternated with strips of clean-tilled crops or summer fallow. Control section The part of the soil on which classification is based. The thickness varies among different kinds of soil, but for many it is that part of the soil profile between depths of 10 inches and 40 or 80 inches. Custom Soil Resource Report 45 Coprogenous earth (sedimentary peat) A type of limnic layer composed predominantly of fecal material derived from aquatic animals. Corrosion (geomorphology) A process of erosion whereby rocks and soil are removed or worn away by natural chemical processes, especially by the solvent action of running water, but also by other reactions, such as hydrolysis, hydration, carbonation, and oxidation. Corrosion (soil survey interpretations) Soil-induced electrochemical or chemical action that dissolves or weakens concrete or uncoated steel. Cover crop A close-growing crop grown primarily to improve and protect the soil between periods of regular crop production, or a crop grown between trees and vines in orchards and vineyards. Crop residue management Returning crop residue to the soil, which helps to maintain soil structure, organic matter content, and fertility and helps to control erosion. Cropping system Growing crops according to a planned system of rotation and management practices. Cross-slope farming Deliberately conducting farming operations on sloping farmland in such a way that tillage is across the general slope. Crown The upper part of a tree or shrub, including the living branches and their foliage. Cryoturbate A mass of soil or other unconsolidated earthy material moved or disturbed by frost action. It is typically coarser than the underlying material. Cuesta An asymmetric ridge capped by resistant rock layers of slight or moderate dip (commonly less than 15 percent slopes); a type of homocline produced by differential erosion of interbedded resistant and weak rocks. A cuesta has a long, gentle slope on one side (dip slope) that roughly parallels the inclined beds; on the other side, it has a relatively short and steep or clifflike slope (scarp) that cuts through the tilted rocks. Custom Soil Resource Report 46 Culmination of the mean annual increment (CMAI) The average annual increase per acre in the volume of a stand. Computed by dividing the total volume of the stand by its age. As the stand increases in age, the mean annual increment continues to increase until mortality begins to reduce the rate of increase. The point where the stand reaches its maximum annual rate of growth is called the culmination of the mean annual increment. Cutbanks cave The walls of excavations tend to cave in or slough. Decreasers The most heavily grazed climax range plants. Because they are the most palatable, they are the first to be destroyed by overgrazing. Deferred grazing Postponing grazing or resting grazing land for a prescribed period. Delta A body of alluvium having a surface that is fan shaped and nearly flat; deposited at or near the mouth of a river or stream where it enters a body of relatively quiet water, generally a sea or lake. Dense layer A very firm, massive layer that has a bulk density of more than 1.8 grams per cubic centimeter. Such a layer affects the ease of digging and can affect filling and compacting. Depression, closed (map symbol) A shallow, saucer-shaped area that is slightly lower on the landscape than the surrounding area and that does not have a natural outlet for surface drainage. Depth, soil Generally, the thickness of the soil over bedrock. Very deep soils are more than 60 inches deep over bedrock; deep soils, 40 to 60 inches; moderately deep, 20 to 40 inches; shallow, 10 to 20 inches; and very shallow, less than 10 inches. Desert pavement A natural, residual concentration or layer of wind-polished, closely packed gravel, boulders, and other rock fragments mantling a desert surface. It forms where wind action and sheetwash have removed all smaller particles or where rock fragments have migrated upward through sediments to the surface. It typically protects the finer grained underlying material from further erosion. Diatomaceous earth A geologic deposit of fine, grayish siliceous material composed chiefly or entirely of the remains of diatoms. Custom Soil Resource Report 47 Dip slope A slope of the land surface, roughly determined by and approximately conforming to the dip of the underlying bedrock. Diversion (or diversion terrace) A ridge of earth, generally a terrace, built to protect downslope areas by diverting runoff from its natural course. Divided-slope farming A form of field stripcropping in which crops are grown in a systematic arrangement of two strips, or bands, across the slope to reduce the hazard of water erosion. One strip is in a close-growing crop that provides protection from erosion, and the other strip is in a crop that provides less protection from erosion. This practice is used where slopes are not long enough to permit a full stripcropping pattern to be used. Drainage class (natural) Refers to the frequency and duration of wet periods under conditions similar to those under which the soil formed. Alterations of the water regime by human activities, either through drainage or irrigation, are not a consideration unless they have significantly changed the morphology of the soil. Seven classes of natural soil drainage are recognized—excessively drained, somewhat excessively drained, well drained, moderately well drained, somewhat poorly drained, poorly drained, and very poorly drained. These classes are defined in the “Soil Survey Manual.” Drainage, surface Runoff, or surface flow of water, from an area. Drainageway A general term for a course or channel along which water moves in draining an area. A term restricted to relatively small, linear depressions that at some time move concentrated water and either do not have a defined channel or have only a small defined channel. Draw A small stream valley that generally is shallower and more open than a ravine or gulch and that has a broader bottom. The present stream channel may appear inadequate to have cut the drainageway that it occupies. Drift A general term applied to all mineral material (clay, silt, sand, gravel, and boulders) transported by a glacier and deposited directly by or from the ice or transported by running water emanating from a glacier. Drift includes unstratified material (till) that forms moraines and stratified deposits that form outwash plains, eskers, kames, varves, and glaciofluvial sediments. The term is generally applied to Pleistocene glacial deposits in areas that no longer contain glaciers. Custom Soil Resource Report 48 Drumlin A low, smooth, elongated oval hill, mound, or ridge of compact till that has a core of bedrock or drift. It commonly has a blunt nose facing the direction from which the ice approached and a gentler slope tapering in the other direction. The longer axis is parallel to the general direction of glacier flow. Drumlins are products of streamline (laminar) flow of glaciers, which molded the subglacial floor through a combination of erosion and deposition. Duff A generally firm organic layer on the surface of mineral soils. It consists of fallen plant material that is in the process of decomposition and includes everything from the litter on the surface to underlying pure humus. Dune A low mound, ridge, bank, or hill of loose, windblown granular material (generally sand), either barren and capable of movement from place to place or covered and stabilized with vegetation but retaining its characteristic shape. Earthy fill See Mine spoil. Ecological site An area where climate, soil, and relief are sufficiently uniform to produce a distinct natural plant community. An ecological site is the product of all the environmental factors responsible for its development. It is typified by an association of species that differ from those on other ecological sites in kind and/or proportion of species or in total production. Eluviation The movement of material in true solution or colloidal suspension from one place to another within the soil. Soil horizons that have lost material through eluviation are eluvial; those that have received material are illuvial. Endosaturation A type of saturation of the soil in which all horizons between the upper boundary of saturation and a depth of 2 meters are saturated. Eolian deposit Sand-, silt-, or clay-sized clastic material transported and deposited primarily by wind, commonly in the form of a dune or a sheet of sand or loess. Ephemeral stream A stream, or reach of a stream, that flows only in direct response to precipitation. It receives no long-continued supply from melting snow or other source, and its channel is above the water table at all times. Custom Soil Resource Report 49 Episaturation A type of saturation indicating a perched water table in a soil in which saturated layers are underlain by one or more unsaturated layers within 2 meters of the surface. Erosion The wearing away of the land surface by water, wind, ice, or other geologic agents and by such processes as gravitational creep. Erosion (accelerated) Erosion much more rapid than geologic erosion, mainly as a result of human or animal activities or of a catastrophe in nature, such as a fire, that exposes the surface. Erosion (geologic) Erosion caused by geologic processes acting over long geologic periods and resulting in the wearing away of mountains and the building up of such landscape features as flood plains and coastal plains. Synonym: natural erosion. Erosion pavement A surficial lag concentration or layer of gravel and other rock fragments that remains on the soil surface after sheet or rill erosion or wind has removed the finer soil particles and that tends to protect the underlying soil from further erosion. Erosion surface A land surface shaped by the action of erosion, especially by running water. Escarpment A relatively continuous and steep slope or cliff breaking the general continuity of more gently sloping land surfaces and resulting from erosion or faulting. Most commonly applied to cliffs produced by differential erosion. Synonym: scarp. Escarpment, bedrock (map symbol) A relatively continuous and steep slope or cliff, produced by erosion or faulting, that breaks the general continuity of more gently sloping land surfaces. Exposed material is hard or soft bedrock. Escarpment, nonbedrock (map symbol) A relatively continuous and steep slope or cliff, generally produced by erosion but in some places produced by faulting, that breaks the continuity of more gently sloping land surfaces. Exposed earthy material is nonsoil or very shallow soil. Esker A long, narrow, sinuous, steep-sided ridge of stratified sand and gravel deposited as the bed of a stream flowing in an ice tunnel within or below the ice (subglacial) or between ice walls on top of the ice of a wasting glacier and left Custom Soil Resource Report 50 behind as high ground when the ice melted. Eskers range in length from less than a kilometer to more than 160 kilometers and in height from 3 to 30 meters. Extrusive rock Igneous rock derived from deep-seated molten matter (magma) deposited and cooled on the earth’s surface. Fallow Cropland left idle in order to restore productivity through accumulation of moisture. Summer fallow is common in regions of limited rainfall where cereal grain is grown. The soil is tilled for at least one growing season for weed control and decomposition of plant residue. Fan remnant A general term for landforms that are the remaining parts of older fan landforms, such as alluvial fans, that have been either dissected or partially buried. Fertility, soil The quality that enables a soil to provide plant nutrients, in adequate amounts and in proper balance, for the growth of specified plants when light, moisture, temperature, tilth, and other growth factors are favorable. Fibric soil material (peat) The least decomposed of all organic soil material. Peat contains a large amount of well preserved fiber that is readily identifiable according to botanical origin. Peat has the lowest bulk density and the highest water content at saturation of all organic soil material. Field moisture capacity The moisture content of a soil, expressed as a percentage of the ovendry weight, after the gravitational, or free, water has drained away; the field moisture content 2 or 3 days after a soaking rain; also called normal field capacity, normal moisture capacity, or capillary capacity. Fill slope A sloping surface consisting of excavated soil material from a road cut. It commonly is on the downhill side of the road. Fine textured soil Sandy clay, silty clay, or clay. Firebreak An area cleared of flammable material to stop or help control creeping or running fires. It also serves as a line from which to work and to facilitate the movement of firefighters and equipment. Designated roads also serve as firebreaks. Custom Soil Resource Report 51 First bottom An obsolete, informal term loosely applied to the lowest flood-plain steps that are subject to regular flooding. Flaggy soil material Material that has, by volume, 15 to 35 percent flagstones. Very flaggy soil material has 35 to 60 percent flagstones, and extremely flaggy soil material has more than 60 percent flagstones. Flagstone A thin fragment of sandstone, limestone, slate, shale, or (rarely) schist 6 to 15 inches (15 to 38 centimeters) long. Flood plain The nearly level plain that borders a stream and is subject to flooding unless protected artificially. Flood-plain landforms A variety of constructional and erosional features produced by stream channel migration and flooding. Examples include backswamps, flood-plain splays, meanders, meander belts, meander scrolls, oxbow lakes, and natural levees. Flood-plain splay A fan-shaped deposit or other outspread deposit formed where an overloaded stream breaks through a levee (natural or artificial) and deposits its material (commonly coarse grained) on the flood plain. Flood-plain step An essentially flat, terrace-like alluvial surface within a valley that is frequently covered by floodwater from the present stream; any approximately horizontal surface still actively modified by fluvial scour and/or deposition. May occur individually or as a series of steps. Fluvial Of or pertaining to rivers or streams; produced by stream or river action. Foothills A region of steeply sloping hills that fringes a mountain range or high-plateau escarpment. The hills have relief of as much as 1,000 feet (300 meters). Footslope The concave surface at the base of a hillslope. A footslope is a transition zone between upslope sites of erosion and transport (shoulders and backslopes) and downslope sites of deposition (toeslopes). Forb Any herbaceous plant not a grass or a sedge. Custom Soil Resource Report 52 Forest cover All trees and other woody plants (underbrush) covering the ground in a forest. Forest type A stand of trees similar in composition and development because of given physical and biological factors by which it may be differentiated from other stands. Fragipan A loamy, brittle subsurface horizon low in porosity and content of organic matter and low or moderate in clay but high in silt or very fine sand. A fragipan appears cemented and restricts roots. When dry, it is hard or very hard and has a higher bulk density than the horizon or horizons above. When moist, it tends to rupture suddenly under pressure rather than to deform slowly. Genesis, soil The mode of origin of the soil. Refers especially to the processes or soil-forming factors responsible for the formation of the solum, or true soil, from the unconsolidated parent material. Gilgai Commonly, a succession of microbasins and microknolls in nearly level areas or of microvalleys and microridges parallel with the slope. Typically, the microrelief of clayey soils that shrink and swell considerably with changes in moisture content. Glaciofluvial deposits Material moved by glaciers and subsequently sorted and deposited by streams flowing from the melting ice. The deposits are stratified and occur in the form of outwash plains, valley trains, deltas, kames, eskers, and kame terraces. Glaciolacustrine deposits Material ranging from fine clay to sand derived from glaciers and deposited in glacial lakes mainly by glacial meltwater. Many deposits are bedded or laminated. Gleyed soil Soil that formed under poor drainage, resulting in the reduction of iron and other elements in the profile and in gray colors. Graded stripcropping Growing crops in strips that grade toward a protected waterway. Grassed waterway A natural or constructed waterway, typically broad and shallow, seeded to grass as protection against erosion. Conducts surface water away from cropland. Custom Soil Resource Report 53 Gravel Rounded or angular fragments of rock as much as 3 inches (2 millimeters to 7.6 centimeters) in diameter. An individual piece is a pebble. Gravel pit (map symbol) An open excavation from which soil and underlying material have been removed and used, without crushing, as a source of sand or gravel. Gravelly soil material Material that has 15 to 35 percent, by volume, rounded or angular rock fragments, not prominently flattened, as much as 3 inches (7.6 centimeters) in diameter. Gravelly spot (map symbol) A spot where the surface layer has more than 35 percent, by volume, rock fragments that are mostly less than 3 inches in diameter in an area that has less than 15 percent rock fragments. Green manure crop (agronomy) A soil-improving crop grown to be plowed under in an early stage of maturity or soon after maturity. Ground water Water filling all the unblocked pores of the material below the water table. Gully (map symbol) A small, steep-sided channel caused by erosion and cut in unconsolidated materials by concentrated but intermittent flow of water. The distinction between a gully and a rill is one of depth. A gully generally is an obstacle to farm machinery and is too deep to be obliterated by ordinary tillage whereas a rill is of lesser depth and can be smoothed over by ordinary tillage. Hard bedrock Bedrock that cannot be excavated except by blasting or by the use of special equipment that is not commonly used in construction. Hard to reclaim Reclamation is difficult after the removal of soil for construction and other uses. Revegetation and erosion control are extremely difficult. Hardpan A hardened or cemented soil horizon, or layer. The soil material is sandy, loamy, or clayey and is cemented by iron oxide, silica, calcium carbonate, or other substance. Custom Soil Resource Report 54 Head slope (geomorphology) A geomorphic component of hills consisting of a laterally concave area of a hillside, especially at the head of a drainageway. The overland waterflow is converging. Hemic soil material (mucky peat) Organic soil material intermediate in degree of decomposition between the less decomposed fibric material and the more decomposed sapric material. High-residue crops Such crops as small grain and corn used for grain. If properly managed, residue from these crops can be used to control erosion until the next crop in the rotation is established. These crops return large amounts of organic matter to the soil. Hill A generic term for an elevated area of the land surface, rising as much as 1,000 feet above surrounding lowlands, commonly of limited summit area and having a well defined outline. Slopes are generally more than 15 percent. The distinction between a hill and a mountain is arbitrary and may depend on local usage. Hillslope A generic term for the steeper part of a hill between its summit and the drainage line, valley flat, or depression floor at the base of a hill. Horizon, soil A layer of soil, approximately parallel to the surface, having distinct characteristics produced by soil-forming processes. In the identification of soil horizons, an uppercase letter represents the major horizons. Numbers or lowercase letters that follow represent subdivisions of the major horizons. An explanation of the subdivisions is given in the “Soil Survey Manual.” The major horizons of mineral soil are as follows: Custom Soil Resource Report 55 O horizon: An organic layer of fresh and decaying plant residue. L horizon: A layer of organic and mineral limnic materials, including coprogenous earth (sedimentary peat), diatomaceous earth, and marl. A horizon: The mineral horizon at or near the surface in which an accumulation of humified organic matter is mixed with the mineral material. Also, a plowed surface horizon, most of which was originally part of a B horizon. E horizon: The mineral horizon in which the main feature is loss of silicate clay, iron, aluminum, or some combination of these. B horizon: The mineral horizon below an A horizon. The B horizon is in part a layer of transition from the overlying A to the underlying C horizon. The B horizon also has distinctive characteristics, such as (1) accumulation of clay, sesquioxides, humus, or a combination of these; (2) prismatic or blocky structure; (3) redder or browner colors than those in the A horizon; or (4) a combination of these. C horizon: The mineral horizon or layer, excluding indurated bedrock, that is little affected by soil-forming processes and does not have the properties typical of the overlying soil material. The material of a C horizon may be either like or unlike that in which the solum formed. If the material is known to differ from that in the solum, an Arabic numeral, commonly a 2, precedes the letter C. Cr horizon: Soft, consolidated bedrock beneath the soil. R layer: Consolidated bedrock beneath the soil. The bedrock commonly underlies a C horizon, but it can be directly below an A or a B horizon. M layer: A root-limiting subsoil layer consisting of nearly continuous, horizontally oriented, human-manufactured materials. W layer: A layer of water within or beneath the soil. Humus The well decomposed, more or less stable part of the organic matter in mineral soils. Hydrologic soil groups Refers to soils grouped according to their runoff potential. The soil properties that influence this potential are those that affect the minimum rate of water infiltration on a bare soil during periods after prolonged wetting when the soil is not frozen. These properties include depth to a seasonal high water table, the infiltration rate, and depth to a layer that significantly restricts the downward movement of water. The slope and the kind of plant cover are not considered but are separate factors in predicting runoff. Igneous rock Rock that was formed by cooling and solidification of magma and that has not been changed appreciably by weathering since its formation. Major varieties include plutonic and volcanic rock (e.g., andesite, basalt, and granite). Illuviation The movement of soil material from one horizon to another in the soil profile. Generally, material is removed from an upper horizon and deposited in a lower horizon. Custom Soil Resource Report 56 Impervious soil A soil through which water, air, or roots penetrate slowly or not at all. No soil is absolutely impervious to air and water all the time. Increasers Species in the climax vegetation that increase in amount as the more desirable plants are reduced by close grazing. Increasers commonly are the shorter plants and the less palatable to livestock. Infiltration The downward entry of water into the immediate surface of soil or other material, as contrasted with percolation, which is movement of water through soil layers or material. Infiltration capacity The maximum rate at which water can infiltrate into a soil under a given set of conditions. Infiltration rate The rate at which water penetrates the surface of the soil at any given instant, usually expressed in inches per hour. The rate can be limited by the infiltration capacity of the soil or the rate at which water is applied at the surface. Intake rate The average rate of water entering the soil under irrigation. Most soils have a fast initial rate; the rate decreases with application time. Therefore, intake rate for design purposes is not a constant but is a variable depending on the net irrigation application. The rate of water intake, in inches per hour, is expressed as follows: Very low: Less than 0.2 Low: 0.2 to 0.4 Moderately low: 0.4 to 0.75 Moderate: 0.75 to 1.25 Moderately high: 1.25 to 1.75 High: 1.75 to 2.5 Very high: More than 2.5 Interfluve A landform composed of the relatively undissected upland or ridge between two adjacent valleys containing streams flowing in the same general direction. An elevated area between two drainageways that sheds water to those drainageways. Interfluve (geomorphology) A geomorphic component of hills consisting of the uppermost, comparatively level or gently sloping area of a hill; shoulders of backwearing hillslopes can narrow the upland or can merge, resulting in a strongly convex shape. Custom Soil Resource Report 57 Intermittent stream A stream, or reach of a stream, that does not flow year-round but that is commonly dry for 3 or more months out of 12 and whose channel is generally below the local water table. It flows only during wet periods or when it receives ground-water discharge or long, continued contributions from melting snow or other surface and shallow subsurface sources. Invaders On range, plants that encroach into an area and grow after the climax vegetation has been reduced by grazing. Generally, plants invade following disturbance of the surface. Iron depletions See Redoximorphic features. Irrigation Application of water to soils to assist in production of crops. Methods of irrigation are: Basin: Water is applied rapidly to nearly level plains surrounded by levees or dikes. Border: Water is applied at the upper end of a strip in which the lateral flow of water is controlled by small earth ridges called border dikes, or borders. Controlled flooding: Water is released at intervals from closely spaced field ditches and distributed uniformly over the field. Corrugation: Water is applied to small, closely spaced furrows or ditches in fields of close-growing crops or in orchards so that it flows in only one direction. Drip (or trickle): Water is applied slowly and under low pressure to the surface of the soil or into the soil through such applicators as emitters, porous tubing, or perforated pipe. Furrow: Water is applied in small ditches made by cultivation implements. Furrows are used for tree and row crops. Sprinkler: Water is sprayed over the soil surface through pipes or nozzles from a pressure system. Subirrigation: Water is applied in open ditches or tile lines until the water table is raised enough to wet the soil. Wild flooding: Water, released at high points, is allowed to flow onto an area without controlled distribution. Kame A low mound, knob, hummock, or short irregular ridge composed of stratified sand and gravel deposited by a subglacial stream as a fan or delta at the margin of a melting glacier; by a supraglacial stream in a low place or hole on the surface of the glacier; or as a ponded deposit on the surface or at the margin of stagnant ice. Custom Soil Resource Report 58 Karst (topography) A kind of topography that formed in limestone, gypsum, or other soluble rocks by dissolution and that is characterized by closed depressions, sinkholes, caves, and underground drainage. Knoll A small, low, rounded hill rising above adjacent landforms. Ksat See Saturated hydraulic conductivity. Lacustrine deposit Material deposited in lake water and exposed when the water level is lowered or the elevation of the land is raised. Lake plain A nearly level surface marking the floor of an extinct lake filled by well sorted, generally fine textured, stratified deposits, commonly containing varves. Lake terrace A narrow shelf, partly cut and partly built, produced along a lakeshore in front of a scarp line of low cliffs and later exposed when the water level falls. Landfill (map symbol) An area of accumulated waste products of human habitation, either above or below natural ground level. Landslide A general, encompassing term for most types of mass movement landforms and processes involving the downslope transport and outward deposition of soil and rock materials caused by gravitational forces; the movement may or may not involve saturated materials. The speed and distance of movement, as well as the amount of soil and rock material, vary greatly. Large stones Rock fragments 3 inches (7.6 centimeters) or more across. Large stones adversely affect the specified use of the soil. Lava flow (map symbol) A solidified, commonly lobate body of rock formed through lateral, surface outpouring of molten lava from a vent or fissure. Leaching The removal of soluble material from soil or other material by percolating water. Custom Soil Resource Report 59 Levee (map symbol) An embankment that confines or controls water, especially one built along the banks of a river to prevent overflow onto lowlands. Linear extensibility Refers to the change in length of an unconfined clod as moisture content is decreased from a moist to a dry state. Linear extensibility is used to determine the shrink-swell potential of soils. It is an expression of the volume change between the water content of the clod at 1/3- or 1/10-bar tension (33kPa or 10kPa tension) and oven dryness. Volume change is influenced by the amount and type of clay minerals in the soil. The volume change is the percent change for the whole soil. If it is expressed as a fraction, the resulting value is COLE, coefficient of linear extensibility. Liquid limit The moisture content at which the soil passes from a plastic to a liquid state. Loam Soil material that is 7 to 27 percent clay particles, 28 to 50 percent silt particles, and less than 52 percent sand particles. Loess Material transported and deposited by wind and consisting dominantly of silt- sized particles. Low strength The soil is not strong enough to support loads. Low-residue crops Such crops as corn used for silage, peas, beans, and potatoes. Residue from these crops is not adequate to control erosion until the next crop in the rotation is established. These crops return little organic matter to the soil. Marl An earthy, unconsolidated deposit consisting chiefly of calcium carbonate mixed with clay in approximately equal proportions; formed primarily under freshwater lacustrine conditions but also formed in more saline environments. Marsh or swamp (map symbol) A water-saturated, very poorly drained area that is intermittently or permanently covered by water. Sedges, cattails, and rushes are the dominant vegetation in marshes, and trees or shrubs are the dominant vegetation in swamps. Not used in map units where the named soils are poorly drained or very poorly drained. Mass movement A generic term for the dislodgment and downslope transport of soil and rock material as a unit under direct gravitational stress. Custom Soil Resource Report 60 Masses See Redoximorphic features. Meander belt The zone within which migration of a meandering channel occurs; the flood- plain area included between two imaginary lines drawn tangential to the outer bends of active channel loops. Meander scar A crescent-shaped, concave or linear mark on the face of a bluff or valley wall, produced by the lateral erosion of a meandering stream that impinged upon and undercut the bluff. Meander scroll One of a series of long, parallel, close-fitting, crescent-shaped ridges and troughs formed along the inner bank of a stream meander as the channel migrated laterally down-valley and toward the outer bank. Mechanical treatment Use of mechanical equipment for seeding, brush management, and other management practices. Medium textured soil Very fine sandy loam, loam, silt loam, or silt. Mesa A broad, nearly flat topped and commonly isolated landmass bounded by steep slopes or precipitous cliffs and capped by layers of resistant, nearly horizontal rocky material. The summit width is characteristically greater than the height of the bounding escarpments. Metamorphic rock Rock of any origin altered in mineralogical composition, chemical composition, or structure by heat, pressure, and movement at depth in the earth’s crust. Nearly all such rocks are crystalline. Mine or quarry (map symbol) An open excavation from which soil and underlying material have been removed and in which bedrock is exposed. Also denotes surface openings to underground mines. Mine spoil An accumulation of displaced earthy material, rock, or other waste material removed during mining or excavation. Also called earthy fill. Mineral soil Soil that is mainly mineral material and low in organic material. Its bulk density is more than that of organic soil. Custom Soil Resource Report 61 Minimum tillage Only the tillage essential to crop production and prevention of soil damage. Miscellaneous area A kind of map unit that has little or no natural soil and supports little or no vegetation. Miscellaneous water (map symbol) Small, constructed bodies of water that are used for industrial, sanitary, or mining applications and that contain water most of the year. Moderately coarse textured soil Coarse sandy loam, sandy loam, or fine sandy loam. Moderately fine textured soil Clay loam, sandy clay loam, or silty clay loam. Mollic epipedon A thick, dark, humus-rich surface horizon (or horizons) that has high base saturation and pedogenic soil structure. It may include the upper part of the subsoil. Moraine In terms of glacial geology, a mound, ridge, or other topographically distinct accumulation of unsorted, unstratified drift, predominantly till, deposited primarily by the direct action of glacial ice in a variety of landforms. Also, a general term for a landform composed mainly of till (except for kame moraines, which are composed mainly of stratified outwash) that has been deposited by a glacier. Some types of moraines are disintegration, end, ground, kame, lateral, recessional, and terminal. Morphology, soil The physical makeup of the soil, including the texture, structure, porosity, consistence, color, and other physical, mineral, and biological properties of the various horizons, and the thickness and arrangement of those horizons in the soil profile. Mottling, soil Irregular spots of different colors that vary in number and size. Descriptive terms are as follows: abundance—few, common, and many; size—fine, medium, and coarse; and contrast—faint, distinct, and prominent. The size measurements are of the diameter along the greatest dimension. Fine indicates less than 5 millimeters (about 0.2 inch); medium, from 5 to 15 millimeters (about 0.2 to 0.6 inch); and coarse, more than 15 millimeters (about 0.6 inch). Mountain A generic term for an elevated area of the land surface, rising more than 1,000 feet (300 meters) above surrounding lowlands, commonly of restricted summit area (relative to a plateau) and generally having steep sides. A mountain can Custom Soil Resource Report 62 occur as a single, isolated mass or in a group forming a chain or range. Mountains are formed primarily by tectonic activity and/or volcanic action but can also be formed by differential erosion. Muck Dark, finely divided, well decomposed organic soil material. (See Sapric soil material.) Mucky peat See Hemic soil material. Mudstone A blocky or massive, fine grained sedimentary rock in which the proportions of clay and silt are approximately equal. Also, a general term for such material as clay, silt, claystone, siltstone, shale, and argillite and that should be used only when the amounts of clay and silt are not known or cannot be precisely identified. Munsell notation A designation of color by degrees of three simple variables—hue, value, and chroma. For example, a notation of 10YR 6/4 is a color with hue of 10YR, value of 6, and chroma of 4. Natric horizon A special kind of argillic horizon that contains enough exchangeable sodium to have an adverse effect on the physical condition of the subsoil. Neutral soil A soil having a pH value of 6.6 to 7.3. (See Reaction, soil.) Nodules See Redoximorphic features. Nose slope (geomorphology) A geomorphic component of hills consisting of the projecting end (laterally convex area) of a hillside. The overland waterflow is predominantly divergent. Nose slopes consist dominantly of colluvium and slope-wash sediments (for example, slope alluvium). Nutrient, plant Any element taken in by a plant essential to its growth. Plant nutrients are mainly nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, magnesium, sulfur, iron, manganese, copper, boron, and zinc obtained from the soil and carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen obtained from the air and water. Organic matter Plant and animal residue in the soil in various stages of decomposition. The content of organic matter in the surface layer is described as follows: Custom Soil Resource Report 63 Very low: Less than 0.5 percent Low: 0.5 to 1.0 percent Moderately low: 1.0 to 2.0 percent Moderate: 2.0 to 4.0 percent High: 4.0 to 8.0 percent Very high: More than 8.0 percent Outwash Stratified and sorted sediments (chiefly sand and gravel) removed or “washed out” from a glacier by meltwater streams and deposited in front of or beyond the end moraine or the margin of a glacier. The coarser material is deposited nearer to the ice. Outwash plain An extensive lowland area of coarse textured glaciofluvial material. An outwash plain is commonly smooth; where pitted, it generally is low in relief. Paleoterrace An erosional remnant of a terrace that retains the surface form and alluvial deposits of its origin but was not emplaced by, and commonly does not grade to, a present-day stream or drainage network. Pan A compact, dense layer in a soil that impedes the movement of water and the growth of roots. For example, hardpan, fragipan, claypan, plowpan, and traffic pan. Parent material The unconsolidated organic and mineral material in which soil forms. Peat Unconsolidated material, largely undecomposed organic matter, that has accumulated under excess moisture. (See Fibric soil material.) Ped An individual natural soil aggregate, such as a granule, a prism, or a block. Pedisediment A layer of sediment, eroded from the shoulder and backslope of an erosional slope, that lies on and is being (or was) transported across a gently sloping erosional surface at the foot of a receding hill or mountain slope. Pedon The smallest volume that can be called “a soil.” A pedon is three dimensional and large enough to permit study of all horizons. Its area ranges from about 10 to 100 square feet (1 square meter to 10 square meters), depending on the variability of the soil. Custom Soil Resource Report 64 Percolation The movement of water through the soil. Perennial water (map symbol) Small, natural or constructed lakes, ponds, or pits that contain water most of the year. Permafrost Ground, soil, or rock that remains at or below 0 degrees C for at least 2 years. It is defined on the basis of temperature and is not necessarily frozen. pH value A numerical designation of acidity and alkalinity in soil. (See Reaction, soil.) Phase, soil A subdivision of a soil series based on features that affect its use and management, such as slope, stoniness, and flooding. Piping Formation of subsurface tunnels or pipelike cavities by water moving through the soil. Pitting Pits caused by melting around ice. They form on the soil after plant cover is removed. Plastic limit The moisture content at which a soil changes from semisolid to plastic. Plasticity index The numerical difference between the liquid limit and the plastic limit; the range of moisture content within which the soil remains plastic. Plateau (geomorphology) A comparatively flat area of great extent and elevation; specifically, an extensive land region that is considerably elevated (more than 100 meters) above the adjacent lower lying terrain, is commonly limited on at least one side by an abrupt descent, and has a flat or nearly level surface. A comparatively large part of a plateau surface is near summit level. Playa The generally dry and nearly level lake plain that occupies the lowest parts of closed depressions, such as those on intermontane basin floors. Temporary flooding occurs primarily in response to precipitation and runoff. Playa deposits are fine grained and may or may not have a high water table and saline conditions. Custom Soil Resource Report 65 Plinthite The sesquioxide-rich, humus-poor, highly weathered mixture of clay with quartz and other diluents. It commonly appears as red mottles, usually in platy, polygonal, or reticulate patterns. Plinthite changes irreversibly to an ironstone hardpan or to irregular aggregates on repeated wetting and drying, especially if it is exposed also to heat from the sun. In a moist soil, plinthite can be cut with a spade. It is a form of laterite. Plowpan A compacted layer formed in the soil directly below the plowed layer. Ponding Standing water on soils in closed depressions. Unless the soils are artificially drained, the water can be removed only by percolation or evapotranspiration. Poorly graded Refers to a coarse grained soil or soil material consisting mainly of particles of nearly the same size. Because there is little difference in size of the particles, density can be increased only slightly by compaction. Pore linings See Redoximorphic features. Potential native plant community See Climax plant community. Potential rooting depth (effective rooting depth) Depth to which roots could penetrate if the content of moisture in the soil were adequate. The soil has no properties restricting the penetration of roots to this depth. Prescribed burning Deliberately burning an area for specific management purposes, under the appropriate conditions of weather and soil moisture and at the proper time of day. Productivity, soil The capability of a soil for producing a specified plant or sequence of plants under specific management. Profile, soil A vertical section of the soil extending through all its horizons and into the parent material. Proper grazing use Grazing at an intensity that maintains enough cover to protect the soil and maintain or improve the quantity and quality of the desirable vegetation. This practice increases the vigor and reproduction capacity of the key plants and Custom Soil Resource Report 66 promotes the accumulation of litter and mulch necessary to conserve soil and water. Rangeland Land on which the potential natural vegetation is predominantly grasses, grasslike plants, forbs, or shrubs suitable for grazing or browsing. It includes natural grasslands, savannas, many wetlands, some deserts, tundras, and areas that support certain forb and shrub communities. Reaction, soil A measure of acidity or alkalinity of a soil, expressed as pH values. A soil that tests to pH 7.0 is described as precisely neutral in reaction because it is neither acid nor alkaline. The degrees of acidity or alkalinity, expressed as pH values, are: Ultra acid: Less than 3.5 Extremely acid: 3.5 to 4.4 Very strongly acid: 4.5 to 5.0 Strongly acid: 5.1 to 5.5 Moderately acid: 5.6 to 6.0 Slightly acid: 6.1 to 6.5 Neutral: 6.6 to 7.3 Slightly alkaline: 7.4 to 7.8 Moderately alkaline: 7.9 to 8.4 Strongly alkaline: 8.5 to 9.0 Very strongly alkaline: 9.1 and higher Red beds Sedimentary strata that are mainly red and are made up largely of sandstone and shale. Redoximorphic concentrations See Redoximorphic features. Redoximorphic depletions See Redoximorphic features. Redoximorphic features Redoximorphic features are associated with wetness and result from alternating periods of reduction and oxidation of iron and manganese compounds in the soil. Reduction occurs during saturation with water, and oxidation occurs when the soil is not saturated. Characteristic color patterns are created by these processes. The reduced iron and manganese ions may be removed from a soil if vertical or lateral fluxes of water occur, in which case there is no iron or manganese precipitation in that soil. Wherever the iron and manganese are oxidized and precipitated, they form either soft masses or hard concretions or nodules. Movement of iron and manganese as a result of redoximorphic processes in a soil may result in redoximorphic features that are defined as follows: Custom Soil Resource Report 67 1.Redoximorphic concentrations.—These are zones of apparent accumulation of iron-manganese oxides, including: A.Nodules and concretions, which are cemented bodies that can be removed from the soil intact. Concretions are distinguished from nodules on the basis of internal organization. A concretion typically has concentric layers that are visible to the naked eye. Nodules do not have visible organized internal structure; and B.Masses, which are noncemented concentrations of substances within the soil matrix; and C.Pore linings, i.e., zones of accumulation along pores that may be either coatings on pore surfaces or impregnations from the matrix adjacent to the pores. 2.Redoximorphic depletions.—These are zones of low chroma (chromas less than those in the matrix) where either iron-manganese oxides alone or both iron-manganese oxides and clay have been stripped out, including: A.Iron depletions, i.e., zones that contain low amounts of iron and manganese oxides but have a clay content similar to that of the adjacent matrix; and B.Clay depletions, i.e., zones that contain low amounts of iron, manganese, and clay (often referred to as silt coatings or skeletans). 3.Reduced matrix.—This is a soil matrix that has low chroma in situ but undergoes a change in hue or chroma within 30 minutes after the soil material has been exposed to air. Reduced matrix See Redoximorphic features. Regolith All unconsolidated earth materials above the solid bedrock. It includes material weathered in place from all kinds of bedrock and alluvial, glacial, eolian, lacustrine, and pyroclastic deposits. Relief The relative difference in elevation between the upland summits and the lowlands or valleys of a given region. Residuum (residual soil material) Unconsolidated, weathered or partly weathered mineral material that accumulated as bedrock disintegrated in place. Rill A very small, steep-sided channel resulting from erosion and cut in unconsolidated materials by concentrated but intermittent flow of water. A rill generally is not an obstacle to wheeled vehicles and is shallow enough to be smoothed over by ordinary tillage. Custom Soil Resource Report 68 Riser The vertical or steep side slope (e.g., escarpment) of terraces, flood-plain steps, or other stepped landforms; commonly a recurring part of a series of natural, steplike landforms, such as successive stream terraces. Road cut A sloping surface produced by mechanical means during road construction. It is commonly on the uphill side of the road. Rock fragments Rock or mineral fragments having a diameter of 2 millimeters or more; for example, pebbles, cobbles, stones, and boulders. Rock outcrop (map symbol) An exposure of bedrock at the surface of the earth. Not used where the named soils of the surrounding map unit are shallow over bedrock or where “Rock outcrop” is a named component of the map unit. Root zone The part of the soil that can be penetrated by plant roots. Runoff The precipitation discharged into stream channels from an area. The water that flows off the surface of the land without sinking into the soil is called surface runoff. Water that enters the soil before reaching surface streams is called ground-water runoff or seepage flow from ground water. Saline soil A soil containing soluble salts in an amount that impairs growth of plants. A saline soil does not contain excess exchangeable sodium. Saline spot (map symbol) An area where the surface layer has an electrical conductivity of 8 mmhos/cm more than the surface layer of the named soils in the surrounding map unit. The surface layer of the surrounding soils has an electrical conductivity of 2 mmhos/cm or less. Sand As a soil separate, individual rock or mineral fragments from 0.05 millimeter to 2.0 millimeters in diameter. Most sand grains consist of quartz. As a soil textural class, a soil that is 85 percent or more sand and not more than 10 percent clay. Sandstone Sedimentary rock containing dominantly sand-sized particles. Custom Soil Resource Report 69 Sandy spot (map symbol) A spot where the surface layer is loamy fine sand or coarser in areas where the surface layer of the named soils in the surrounding map unit is very fine sandy loam or finer. Sapric soil material (muck) The most highly decomposed of all organic soil material. Muck has the least amount of plant fiber, the highest bulk density, and the lowest water content at saturation of all organic soil material. Saturated hydraulic conductivity (Ksat) The ease with which pores of a saturated soil transmit water. Formally, the proportionality coefficient that expresses the relationship of the rate of water movement to hydraulic gradient in Darcy’s Law, a law that describes the rate of water movement through porous media. Commonly abbreviated as “Ksat.” Terms describing saturated hydraulic conductivity are: Very high: 100 or more micrometers per second (14.17 or more inches per hour) High: 10 to 100 micrometers per second (1.417 to 14.17 inches per hour) Moderately high: 1 to 10 micrometers per second (0.1417 inch to 1.417 inches per hour) Moderately low: 0.1 to 1 micrometer per second (0.01417 to 0.1417 inch per hour) Low: 0.01 to 0.1 micrometer per second (0.001417 to 0.01417 inch per hour) Very low: Less than 0.01 micrometer per second (less than 0.001417 inch per hour). To convert inches per hour to micrometers per second, multiply inches per hour by 7.0572. To convert micrometers per second to inches per hour, multiply micrometers per second by 0.1417. Saturation Wetness characterized by zero or positive pressure of the soil water. Under conditions of saturation, the water will flow from the soil matrix into an unlined auger hole. Scarification The act of abrading, scratching, loosening, crushing, or modifying the surface to increase water absorption or to provide a more tillable soil. Sedimentary rock A consolidated deposit of clastic particles, chemical precipitates, or organic remains accumulated at or near the surface of the earth under normal low temperature and pressure conditions. Sedimentary rocks include consolidated equivalents of alluvium, colluvium, drift, and eolian, lacustrine, and marine deposits. Examples are sandstone, siltstone, mudstone, claystone, shale, conglomerate, limestone, dolomite, and coal. Custom Soil Resource Report 70 Sequum A sequence consisting of an illuvial horizon and the overlying eluvial horizon. (See Eluviation.) Series, soil A group of soils that have profiles that are almost alike, except for differences in texture of the surface layer. All the soils of a series have horizons that are similar in composition, thickness, and arrangement. Severely eroded spot (map symbol) An area where, on the average, 75 percent or more of the original surface layer has been lost because of accelerated erosion. Not used in map units in which “severely eroded,” “very severely eroded,” or “gullied” is part of the map unit name. Shale Sedimentary rock that formed by the hardening of a deposit of clay, silty clay, or silty clay loam and that has a tendency to split into thin layers. Sheet erosion The removal of a fairly uniform layer of soil material from the land surface by the action of rainfall and surface runoff. Short, steep slope (map symbol) A narrow area of soil having slopes that are at least two slope classes steeper than the slope class of the surrounding map unit. Shoulder The convex, erosional surface near the top of a hillslope. A shoulder is a transition from summit to backslope. Shrink-swell The shrinking of soil when dry and the swelling when wet. Shrinking and swelling can damage roads, dams, building foundations, and other structures. It can also damage plant roots. Shrub-coppice dune A small, streamlined dune that forms around brush and clump vegetation. Side slope (geomorphology) A geomorphic component of hills consisting of a laterally planar area of a hillside. The overland waterflow is predominantly parallel. Side slopes are dominantly colluvium and slope-wash sediments. Silica A combination of silicon and oxygen. The mineral form is called quartz. Custom Soil Resource Report 71 Silica-sesquioxide ratio The ratio of the number of molecules of silica to the number of molecules of alumina and iron oxide. The more highly weathered soils or their clay fractions in warm-temperate, humid regions, and especially those in the tropics, generally have a low ratio. Silt As a soil separate, individual mineral particles that range in diameter from the upper limit of clay (0.002 millimeter) to the lower limit of very fine sand (0.05 millimeter). As a soil textural class, soil that is 80 percent or more silt and less than 12 percent clay. Siltstone An indurated silt having the texture and composition of shale but lacking its fine lamination or fissility; a massive mudstone in which silt predominates over clay. Similar soils Soils that share limits of diagnostic criteria, behave and perform in a similar manner, and have similar conservation needs or management requirements for the major land uses in the survey area. Sinkhole (map symbol) A closed, circular or elliptical depression, commonly funnel shaped, characterized by subsurface drainage and formed either by dissolution of the surface of underlying bedrock (e.g., limestone, gypsum, or salt) or by collapse of underlying caves within bedrock. Complexes of sinkholes in carbonate-rock terrain are the main components of karst topography. Site index A designation of the quality of a forest site based on the height of the dominant stand at an arbitrarily chosen age. For example, if the average height attained by dominant and codominant trees in a fully stocked stand at the age of 50 years is 75 feet, the site index is 75. Slickensides (pedogenic) Grooved, striated, and/or glossy (shiny) slip faces on structural peds, such as wedges; produced by shrink-swell processes, most commonly in soils that have a high content of expansive clays. Slide or slip (map symbol) A prominent landform scar or ridge caused by fairly recent mass movement or descent of earthy material resulting from failure of earth or rock under shear stress along one or several surfaces. Slope The inclination of the land surface from the horizontal. Percentage of slope is the vertical distance divided by horizontal distance, then multiplied by 100. Thus, a slope of 20 percent is a drop of 20 feet in 100 feet of horizontal distance. Custom Soil Resource Report 72 Slope alluvium Sediment gradually transported down the slopes of mountains or hills primarily by nonchannel alluvial processes (i.e., slope-wash processes) and characterized by particle sorting. Lateral particle sorting is evident on long slopes. In a profile sequence, sediments may be distinguished by differences in size and/or specific gravity of rock fragments and may be separated by stone lines. Burnished peds and sorting of rounded or subrounded pebbles or cobbles distinguish these materials from unsorted colluvial deposits. Slow refill The slow filling of ponds, resulting from restricted water transmission in the soil. Slow water movement Restricted downward movement of water through the soil. See Saturated hydraulic conductivity. Sodic (alkali) soil A soil having so high a degree of alkalinity (pH 8.5 or higher) or so high a percentage of exchangeable sodium (15 percent or more of the total exchangeable bases), or both, that plant growth is restricted. Sodic spot (map symbol) An area where the surface layer has a sodium adsorption ratio that is at least 10 more than that of the surface layer of the named soils in the surrounding map unit. The surface layer of the surrounding soils has a sodium adsorption ratio of 5 or less. Sodicity The degree to which a soil is affected by exchangeable sodium. Sodicity is expressed as a sodium adsorption ratio (SAR) of a saturation extract, or the ratio of Na+ to Ca++ + Mg++. The degrees of sodicity and their respective ratios are: Slight: Less than 13:1 Moderate: 13-30:1 Strong: More than 30:1 Sodium adsorption ratio (SAR) A measure of the amount of sodium (Na) relative to calcium (Ca) and magnesium (Mg) in the water extract from saturated soil paste. It is the ratio of the Na concentration divided by the square root of one-half of the Ca + Mg concentration. Soft bedrock Bedrock that can be excavated with trenching machines, backhoes, small rippers, and other equipment commonly used in construction. Custom Soil Resource Report 73 Soil A natural, three-dimensional body at the earth’s surface. It is capable of supporting plants and has properties resulting from the integrated effect of climate and living matter acting on earthy parent material, as conditioned by relief and by the passage of time. Soil separates Mineral particles less than 2 millimeters in equivalent diameter and ranging between specified size limits. The names and sizes, in millimeters, of separates recognized in the United States are as follows: Very coarse sand: 2.0 to 1.0 Coarse sand: 1.0 to 0.5 Medium sand: 0.5 to 0.25 Fine sand: 0.25 to 0.10 Very fine sand: 0.10 to 0.05 Silt: 0.05 to 0.002 Clay: Less than 0.002 Solum The upper part of a soil profile, above the C horizon, in which the processes of soil formation are active. The solum in soil consists of the A, E, and B horizons. Generally, the characteristics of the material in these horizons are unlike those of the material below the solum. The living roots and plant and animal activities are largely confined to the solum. Spoil area (map symbol) A pile of earthy materials, either smoothed or uneven, resulting from human activity. Stone line In a vertical cross section, a line formed by scattered fragments or a discrete layer of angular and subangular rock fragments (commonly a gravel- or cobble- sized lag concentration) that formerly was draped across a topographic surface and was later buried by additional sediments. A stone line generally caps material that was subject to weathering, soil formation, and erosion before burial. Many stone lines seem to be buried erosion pavements, originally formed by sheet and rill erosion across the land surface. Stones Rock fragments 10 to 24 inches (25 to 60 centimeters) in diameter if rounded or 15 to 24 inches (38 to 60 centimeters) in length if flat. Stony Refers to a soil containing stones in numbers that interfere with or prevent tillage. Custom Soil Resource Report 74 Stony spot (map symbol) A spot where 0.01 to 0.1 percent of the soil surface is covered by rock fragments that are more than 10 inches in diameter in areas where the surrounding soil has no surface stones. Strath terrace A type of stream terrace; formed as an erosional surface cut on bedrock and thinly mantled with stream deposits (alluvium). Stream terrace One of a series of platforms in a stream valley, flanking and more or less parallel to the stream channel, originally formed near the level of the stream; represents the remnants of an abandoned flood plain, stream bed, or valley floor produced during a former state of fluvial erosion or deposition. Stripcropping Growing crops in a systematic arrangement of strips or bands that provide vegetative barriers to wind erosion and water erosion. Structure, soil The arrangement of primary soil particles into compound particles or aggregates. The principal forms of soil structure are: Platy: Flat and laminated Prismatic: Vertically elongated and having flat tops Columnar: Vertically elongated and having rounded tops Angular blocky: Having faces that intersect at sharp angles (planes) Subangular blocky: Having subrounded and planar faces (no sharp angles) Granular: Small structural units with curved or very irregular faces Structureless soil horizons are defined as follows: Single grained: Entirely noncoherent (each grain by itself), as in loose sand Massive: Occurring as a coherent mass Stubble mulch Stubble or other crop residue left on the soil or partly worked into the soil. It protects the soil from wind erosion and water erosion after harvest, during preparation of a seedbed for the next crop, and during the early growing period of the new crop. Subsoil Technically, the B horizon; roughly, the part of the solum below plow depth. Subsoiling Tilling a soil below normal plow depth, ordinarily to shatter a hardpan or claypan. Custom Soil Resource Report 75 Substratum The part of the soil below the solum. Subsurface layer Any surface soil horizon (A, E, AB, or EB) below the surface layer. Summer fallow The tillage of uncropped land during the summer to control weeds and allow storage of moisture in the soil for the growth of a later crop. A practice common in semiarid regions, where annual precipitation is not enough to produce a crop every year. Summer fallow is frequently practiced before planting winter grain. Summit The topographically highest position of a hillslope. It has a nearly level (planar or only slightly convex) surface. Surface layer The soil ordinarily moved in tillage, or its equivalent in uncultivated soil, ranging in depth from 4 to 10 inches (10 to 25 centimeters). Frequently designated as the “plow layer,” or the “Ap horizon.” Surface soil The A, E, AB, and EB horizons, considered collectively. It includes all subdivisions of these horizons. Talus Rock fragments of any size or shape (commonly coarse and angular) derived from and lying at the base of a cliff or very steep rock slope. The accumulated mass of such loose broken rock formed chiefly by falling, rolling, or sliding. Taxadjuncts Soils that cannot be classified in a series recognized in the classification system. Such soils are named for a series they strongly resemble and are designated as taxadjuncts to that series because they differ in ways too small to be of consequence in interpreting their use and behavior. Soils are recognized as taxadjuncts only when one or more of their characteristics are slightly outside the range defined for the family of the series for which the soils are named. Terminal moraine An end moraine that marks the farthest advance of a glacier. It typically has the form of a massive arcuate or concentric ridge, or complex of ridges, and is underlain by till and other types of drift. Terrace (conservation) An embankment, or ridge, constructed across sloping soils on the contour or at a slight angle to the contour. The terrace intercepts surface runoff so that water soaks into the soil or flows slowly to a prepared outlet. A terrace in a field Custom Soil Resource Report 76 generally is built so that the field can be farmed. A terrace intended mainly for drainage has a deep channel that is maintained in permanent sod. Terrace (geomorphology) A steplike surface, bordering a valley floor or shoreline, that represents the former position of a flood plain, lake, or seashore. The term is usually applied both to the relatively flat summit surface (tread) that was cut or built by stream or wave action and to the steeper descending slope (scarp or riser) that has graded to a lower base level of erosion. Terracettes Small, irregular steplike forms on steep hillslopes, especially in pasture, formed by creep or erosion of surficial materials that may be induced or enhanced by trampling of livestock, such as sheep or cattle. Texture, soil The relative proportions of sand, silt, and clay particles in a mass of soil. The basic textural classes, in order of increasing proportion of fine particles, are sand, loamy sand, sandy loam, loam, silt loam, silt, sandy clay loam, clay loam, silty clay loam, sandy clay, silty clay, and clay. The sand, loamy sand, and sandy loam classes may be further divided by specifying “coarse,” “fine,” or “very fine.” Thin layer Otherwise suitable soil material that is too thin for the specified use. Till Dominantly unsorted and nonstratified drift, generally unconsolidated and deposited directly by a glacier without subsequent reworking by meltwater, and consisting of a heterogeneous mixture of clay, silt, sand, gravel, stones, and boulders; rock fragments of various lithologies are embedded within a finer matrix that can range from clay to sandy loam. Till plain An extensive area of level to gently undulating soils underlain predominantly by till and bounded at the distal end by subordinate recessional or end moraines. Tilth, soil The physical condition of the soil as related to tillage, seedbed preparation, seedling emergence, and root penetration. Toeslope The gently inclined surface at the base of a hillslope. Toeslopes in profile are commonly gentle and linear and are constructional surfaces forming the lower part of a hillslope continuum that grades to valley or closed-depression floors. Custom Soil Resource Report 77 Topsoil The upper part of the soil, which is the most favorable material for plant growth. It is ordinarily rich in organic matter and is used to topdress roadbanks, lawns, and land affected by mining. Trace elements Chemical elements, for example, zinc, cobalt, manganese, copper, and iron, in soils in extremely small amounts. They are essential to plant growth. Tread The flat to gently sloping, topmost, laterally extensive slope of terraces, flood- plain steps, or other stepped landforms; commonly a recurring part of a series of natural steplike landforms, such as successive stream terraces. Tuff A generic term for any consolidated or cemented deposit that is 50 percent or more volcanic ash. Upland An informal, general term for the higher ground of a region, in contrast with a low-lying adjacent area, such as a valley or plain, or for land at a higher elevation than the flood plain or low stream terrace; land above the footslope zone of the hillslope continuum. Valley fill The unconsolidated sediment deposited by any agent (water, wind, ice, or mass wasting) so as to fill or partly fill a valley. Variegation Refers to patterns of contrasting colors assumed to be inherited from the parent material rather than to be the result of poor drainage. Varve A sedimentary layer or a lamina or sequence of laminae deposited in a body of still water within a year. Specifically, a thin pair of graded glaciolacustrine layers seasonally deposited, usually by meltwater streams, in a glacial lake or other body of still water in front of a glacier. Very stony spot (map symbol) A spot where 0.1 to 3.0 percent of the soil surface is covered by rock fragments that are more than 10 inches in diameter in areas where the surface of the surrounding soil is covered by less than 0.01 percent stones. Water bars Smooth, shallow ditches or depressional areas that are excavated at an angle across a sloping road. They are used to reduce the downward velocity of water and divert it off and away from the road surface. Water bars can easily be driven over if constructed properly. Custom Soil Resource Report 78 Weathering All physical disintegration, chemical decomposition, and biologically induced changes in rocks or other deposits at or near the earth’s surface by atmospheric or biologic agents or by circulating surface waters but involving essentially no transport of the altered material. Well graded Refers to soil material consisting of coarse grained particles that are well distributed over a wide range in size or diameter. Such soil normally can be easily increased in density and bearing properties by compaction. Contrasts with poorly graded soil. Wet spot (map symbol) A somewhat poorly drained to very poorly drained area that is at least two drainage classes wetter than the named soils in the surrounding map unit. Wilting point (or permanent wilting point) The moisture content of soil, on an ovendry basis, at which a plant (specifically a sunflower) wilts so much that it does not recover when placed in a humid, dark chamber. Windthrow The uprooting and tipping over of trees by the wind. Custom Soil Resource Report 79 ATTACHMENTS ATTACHMENT 5 SPECIES OBSERVED 1 Table 1 contains the list of vascular plant taxa recorded during the biological field surveys conducted within the BSA. Plant nomenclature and taxonomic order is based on The Jepson Manual: Vascular Plants of California, second Edition (Baldwin et al., 2012). Table 1 Plant Species Observed during the Field Surveys Scientific Name Common Name Eudicots Anacardiaceae Cashew Family Schinus molle* Peruvian pepper tree Amaranthaceae Amaranthus albus* tumbleweed Asteraceae Sunflower Family Ambrosia psilostachya western ragweed Artemisia californica California sagebrush Erigeron sp. fleabane Heterotheca grandiflora telegraph weed Baccharis pilularis ‘Pigeon Point’* dwarf coyote brush Baccharis salicifolia mule fat Encelia farinosa brittlebush Lactuca serriola* prickly lettuce Boraginaceae Forget-Me-Not Family Heliotropium curassavicum heliotrope Bignoniaceae Chilopsis linearis desert willow Chenopodiaceae Amaranth Family (subgroup) Salsola tragus* Russian thistle Fabaceae Pea Family Acmispon glaber deerweed Melilotus albus* sweetclover Fagaceae Oak Family Quercus sp. oak Onagraceae Willowherb Family 2 Scientific Name Common Name Clarkia epilobioides canyon clarkia Salicaceae Willow Family Salix gooddingii Goodding’s black willow Sapindaceae Soapberry Family Dodonaea viscosa* Florida hopbush Koelreuteria paniculata* goldenrain tree Tamaricaceae Tamarix ramosissima tamarisk Lamiaceae Salvia mellifera black sage Nyctaginaceae Bougainvillea sp*. bougainvillea Magnoliaceae Magnolia grandiflora southern magnolia Myrtaceae Myrtle Family Callistemon citrinus* crimson bottlebrush Polygonaceae Polygonum aviculare prostrate knotweed Eriogonum fasciculatum California buckwheat Verbenaceae Verbena Family Lantana camara lantana Zygophyllaceae Caltrop Family Tribulus terrestris* puncture vine Solanaceae Datura wrightii Jimsonweed Solanum douglasii Douglas' nightshade Monocots Agavaceae Agave Family Agave americana* American century plant 3 Scientific Name Common Name Poaceae Grass Family Avena sp.* wild oat Bromus diandrus* ripgut brome Bromus madritensis* foxtail chess Phalaris aquatica* bulbous canarygrass Muhlenbergia rigens deergrass Distichlis spicata salt grass Arecaceae Washingtonia robusta* Mexican fan palm Juncaceae Juncus sp. rush Gymnosperms Pinaceae Pine Family Pinus sp.* pine tree Legend and Notes * = non-native plant species Table 2 contains the list of wildlife species observed and/or detected during the biological field surveys conducted within the BSA. Table 2 Wildlife Species Observed/Detected during the Field Surveys Scientific Name Common Name Status Reptiles Phrynosomatidae Sceloporus occidentalis western fence lizard Birds Fringillidae Haemorhous mexicanus house finch Charadriidae Charadrius semipalmatus semipalmated plover Mimidae 4 Scientific Name Common Name Status Mimus polyglottos northern mockingbird Not covered by MBTA Mammals Geomyidae Canis latrans* coyote Sciuridae Spermophilus beecheyi ground squirrel Legend and Notes * non-native wildlife species