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HomeMy WebLinkAbout3 Biological Assessment BIOLOGICAL RESOURCES ASSESSMENT PROPOSED SUBDIVISION TENTATIVE TRACT MAP 20079 FONTANA, SAN BERNADINO COUNTY, CALIFORNIA PREPARED FOR: The Planning Consortium, Inc. 29422 Modjeska Canyon Road Silverado, California 92676 Contact: W. Dean Brown (714) 328-6313 PREPARED BY: H. Lee Jones, Ph.D. P.O. Box 1214 9452 Angelly Way Cobb, California 95426 (909) 856-6346 October 2017 The Planning Consortium H. Lee Jones, Ph.D. TTM 20079 Subdivision Consulting Biologist Biological Resources Assessment 1 October 2017 INTRODUCTION The project addressed by this habitat assessment is Tentative Tract Map (TTM) 20079, a proposed 21-unit single family residential project within the Hunter Ridge Specific Plan in northwestern Fontana, San Bernardino County, California (Exhibit 1). The site comprises approximately 9.5 gross acres, which includes a remainder portion of approximately 3.4 acres and a letter lot (Lot “A”) of approximately 0.3 acres. The project also includes two drainage easements 10 and 15 feet wide, respectively, across the remaining portion, and a fuel modification area north of the subdivision. The site is three miles southwest of Lytle Creek Wash in a broad alluvium on the southern flank of the San Gabriel Mountains and is within the U. S. Geological Survey 7.5-minute Cucamonga Peak quadrangle, with Its center point 34° 10’ 02” N; 117° 29’ 05” W (Exhibit 2). It is bounded by housing developments on the north and south, Foxboro Drive and open space on the east, and a flood-control levee and channel and open space to the west. The project site is relatively flat, sloping north to south, with a maximum elevation of 1945 feet above sea level at the northern boundary and a minimum elevation of 1771 feet above sea level along the southernmost boundary. No significant drainages, canyons, or hillside slopes are found on the site. The predominant soil type is Soboba stony loamy sand. TTM 20079 is included within the City of Fontana’s multi-species habitat conservation plan, now called North Fontana Conservation Plan. BIOLOGICAL RESOURCES An assessment of the site’s biological resources was conducted by H. Lee Jones, Ph.D. on 8 August 2017. The results of this field reconnaissance are presented below and in the floral and faunal species lists provided in Appendix A of this report. VEGETATION The great majority of the project site supports mature Riversidian sage scrub. In the central portion (Exhibit 2) a latticework of previously cleared north-south and east-west strips is comprised of regenerating Riversidian sage scrub with a weedy component. The extreme northern edge and southeastern border are dominated by roadside ruderal (weedy) vegetation. A few cultivars from the adjacent residential community also occur along the northern border. Riversidian Alluvial Fan Sage Scrub Riversidian alluvial fan sage scrub dominates the site (Photos 1–9) and is the only plant community present aside from narrow strips of roadside ruderal vegetation at the edges of the property. Coastal sagebrush (Artemisia californica) dominates the site, with white sage (Salvia apiana) and coastal California buckwheat (Eriogonum fasciculatum var. fasciculatum) subdominant. Other prominent shrubs in this plant association are skunk bush (Rhus aromatica), blue elderberry (Sambucus nigra subsp. caerulea), and Southern California black walnut (Juglans The Planning Consortium H. Lee Jones, Ph.D. TTM 20079 Subdivision Consulting Biologist Biological Resources Assessment 2 October 2017 californica), the latter primarily in the southern central portion. Less common shrubs and subshrubs encountered include chaparral whitethorn (Ceanothus leucodermis), California croton (Croton californicus), deerweed (Acmispon glaber var. glaber), and western poison-oak (Toxicodendron diversilobum). Frequently encountered annuals and short-lived perennials were primarily telegraph weed (Heterotheca grandiflora), common sunflower (Helianthus annuus), short-podded mustard (Hirschfeldia incana)—a non-native species, and twiggy wreathplant (Stephanomeria virgata). Although the latter group were all encountered occasionally well within the sage scrub community, they were more plentiful near the perimeter and none were dominant. Grasses were sparse, consisting of scattered small patches of wild oat (Avena sp.), ripgut grass (Bromus diandrus), foxtail chess (Bromus madritensis subsp. rubens), and rattail fescue (Festuca myuros). Ruderal The northern and southeastern borders of the site were dominated with weedy vegetation typical of the roadside ruderal (i.e., weedy) plant association. Other than the occasional regenerating sage scrub species listed above, typical plants of this association were tecalote (Centauria melitensis), jimson weed (Datura wrightii), red-stemmed filaree (Erodium cicutarium), and many-rayed desert-marigold (Baileya multiradiata), the latter a local cultivar of a plant native to the California desert. In all, 27 species of plants were identified on the site, 20 native and 7 non-native (four of which were grasses). A list of all plant species identified on the site during the August reconnaissance is provided in Appendix A. TERRESTRIAL VERTEBRATES Animals found on the site are typical of those associated with Riversidian sage scrub communities. The 21 species of birds detected on, flying over, or adjacent to the site during the early August visit are listed in the appendix and recorded in eBird, a global database of birds encountered by bird observers afield. Most common onsite at the time of the visit were house finch (Haemorhous mexicanus), lesser goldfinch (Spinus psaltria), and California towhee (Melozone crissalis). The only other terrestrial vertebrates observed on the site were California ground squirrel (Spermophilus beecheyi) and side-blotched lizard (Uta stansburiana). One or more other species of mammals and reptiles undoubtedly occur, as well as a host of other bird species that likely visit the site on occasion or at other seasons. A list of terrestrial vertebrates encountered on the site during the site survey is provided in Appendix A. SPECIAL STATUS SPECIES Special Status Designations A federally endangered species is a species of invertebrate, plant, or wildlife formally listed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) under the federal Endangered Species Act (ESA) as facing extinction throughout all or a significant portion of its geographic range. A federally The Planning Consortium H. Lee Jones, Ph.D. TTM 20079 Subdivision Consulting Biologist Biological Resources Assessment 3 October 2017 threatened species is one formally listed by the USFWS as likely to become endangered within the foreseeable future throughout all or a significant portion of its range. "Take" of a federally endangered or threatened species or its habitat is prohibited by federal law without a special permit. The term "take", under ESA, means to harass, harm, pursue, hunt, shoot, wound, kill, trap, capture, or collect, or to attempt to engage in such conduct. Harm is defined by the USFWS as encompassing "an act which actually kills or injures wildlife. Such an act may include significant habitat modification or degradation where it actually kills or injures wildlife by significantly impairing essential behavioral patterns, including breeding, feeding or sheltering" (50 CFR § 17.3). A proposed threatened or endangered species is one officially proposed by the USFWS for addition to the federal threatened or endangered species lists. The State of California considers an endangered species one whose prospects of survival and reproduction are in immediate jeopardy. A threatened species is one present in such small numbers throughout its range that it is considered likely to become an endangered species in the near future in the absence of special protection or management, and a rare species is one present in such small numbers throughout its range that it may become endangered if its present environment worsens. The designation "rare species" applies only to California native plants. State threatened and endangered species include both plants and wildlife -- but do not include invertebrates -- and are legally protected against "take", as this term is defined in the California Endangered Species Act (California Fish & Game Code Section 2050 et seq.). Species of special concern is an informal designation used by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) for some declining wildlife species that are not officially listed as endangered, threatened, or rare. This designation does not provide legal protection, but signifies that these species are recognized as vulnerable by CDFW. Species that are California fully protected include those protected by special legislation for various reasons, such as the mountain lion (Felis concolor) and white-tailed kite (Elanus leucurus). The California Native Plant Society (CNPS) is a statewide resource conservation organization that has developed an inventory of California's special status plant species (visit http://www.cnps.org/cnps/rareplants/inventory/ for the latest CNPS list and rankings). This inventory is a summary of information on the distribution, rarity, and endangerment of California's vascular plants. This rare plant inventory consists of four lists. CNPS presumes that List 1A plant species are extinct in California because they have not been seen in the wild for many years. CNPS considers List 1B plants as rare, threatened, or endangered throughout their range. List 2 plant species are considered rare, threatened, or endangered in California, but more common in other states. Plant species on lists 1A, 1B, and 2 meet CDFW criteria for endangered, threatened, or rare listing. Plant species for which CNPS requires additional information in order to properly evaluate their status are included in List 3. List 4 plant species are those of limited distribution in California whose susceptibility to threat is considered low at the time of listing. The Planning Consortium H. Lee Jones, Ph.D. TTM 20079 Subdivision Consulting Biologist Biological Resources Assessment 4 October 2017 Special Status Resources Potentially Occurring on the Project Site Plant Communities No official designation as threatened or endangered exists for plant communities; however, coastal sage scrub within the United States range of the federally threatened coastal California gnatcatcher (Polioptila californica californica) occupied or potentially occupied by that species has been designated as “critical habitat” by the USFWS (2000, 2007). Riversidian sage scrub is an inland sub-classification of coastal sage scrub. A small part of southwestern San Bernardino County, where the California gnatcatcher may still occur or potentially occur, including the 9.5- acre project site, was designated as critical habitat in 2000 (USFWS 2000); however, this designation was dropped for the southwestern San Bernardino component when California gnatcatcher critical habitat parameters were revised seven years later (USFWS 2007). California walnut woodland is a special-status plant community that occurs sporadically in southern California from the coastal foothills to the desert edge. Although a true walnut woodland community arguably does not occur on the project site, several small clusters of California walnut arborescent shrubs and small trees are located in the south-central portion of the site (Photos 7, 8, and 9). Plants No special-status plant species were found on the site, but at least four have the potential to occur. Three of these, Parry’s spineflower (Corizanthe parryi var. parryi), mesa horkelia (Horkelia cuneata var. puberula), and Plummer’s mariposa-lily (Calochortus plummerae) are annuals (spineflower) or perennial herbs that would not have been present in August. The fourth, short-joint beavertail cactus (Opuntia basilaris var. brachyclada), is a small, low-growing perennial that would not be in bloom in August and could have been easily overlooked. It also prefers sparsely vegetated areas with a sandy-gravelly substrate that would be present, if at all, in only a few places near the perimeter of the site. All but the mariposa-lily are ranked by the CNPS as 1B—rare, threatened, or endangered in California and elsewhere; the mariposa-lily has a CNPS rank of 4.2 (limited distribution but not considered rare, threatened, or endangered). A spring survey would be necessary to ascertain presence or absence of these four species. Animals No special-status animal species were found on the site during the August 2017 survey, although one or more may occur. The coastal California gnatcatcher, a species that is federally threatened, has been found in the vicinity and may occur on or adjacent to the site. It has been found at the North Etiwanda Reserve in Rancho Cucamonga, 2.2 miles west of the project site on multiple occasions between March 2010 and March 2017 (eBird database). Also of note, the author observed one at the Devil’s Canyon Percolation Basins nine miles east of the site on 29 March 2013 (recorded in eBird); however, the bird was not relocated during multiple subsequent visits to the site that spring and was presumed to be a stray. In addition to these two records, the CNDDB lists five records from 1999 and one from 1998 from southwestern San Bernardino County, all within a few miles of the project site, but these cannot be confirmed without additional information, most importantly the names and The Planning Consortium H. Lee Jones, Ph.D. TTM 20079 Subdivision Consulting Biologist Biological Resources Assessment 5 October 2017 qualifications of the observers. One of these was reported from only 1.6 miles west of the project site and another was observed at the same location as the birds recorded in eBird 2.2 miles west of the site. The other four reports were of birds between 3.2 and 4.4 miles from the project site. The federally Endangered San Bernardino kangaroo rat (Dipidomys merriami parvus) was listed as a federally endangered species in 1998 because approximately 95 percent of its preferred alluvial scrub habitat had been converted to agriculture, urban, and industrial development, including ongoing sand-and-gravel mining operations, flood control projects, and off-highway vehicle use (USFWS 1998). This endangered subspecies of the widespread Merriam’s kangaroo rat typically occupies gravelly soils and sandy washes with a cover of alluvial fan sage scrub, coastal sage scrub, or less frequently, chaparral on the Pacific slope of Southern California from Devore south to Ontario and east and southeast to Redlands and Hemet. The San Bernardino kangaroo rat reaches its peak abundance in alluvial fan sage scrub associated with sandy alluvial deposits left following fluvial scouring and sand deposition on relatively sterile, fast-draining substrates characterized by low-growing shrubs. TTM 20079 lies within the historical range of this species; however, it has not been found in the vicinity of the site since 2002 when it was reported approximately 0.9 miles west of the project site (CNDDB). It formerly occurred, and may still occur, on or in the general vicinity of the project site; however, suitable habitat on and near the site may now be too densely vegetated for this species. Although the San Bernardino kangaroo rat tolerates vegetation associations with a wide range of shrub and annual plant cover, it is most abundant in areas with less than 40 percent shrub cover and less than 70 percent cover of annual plants. The vast majority of the project site has close to 100 percent cover of perennial and annual plants typically associated with Riversidian sage scrub, with few sparsely vegetated interstices. California Species of Special Concern that may occur on or near the project site are southern California legless lizard (Anniella stebbinsi), coast horned lizard (Phrynosoma blainvillii), coastal whiptail (Apidoscelis tigris stejnegeri), California glossy snake (Arizona elegans occidentalis), coast patch-nosed snake (Salvadora hexalepis virgultea), two-striped garter snake (Thamnophis hammondii), western yellow bat (Lasiurus xanthimus), western mastiff bat (Eumops perotis californicus), San Diego black-tailed jackrabbit (Lepus californicus bennettii), northwestern San Diego pocket mouse (Chaetodipus fallax), Los Angeles Pocket mouse (Perognathus longimembris brevinasus) and San Diego desert woodrat (Neotoma lepida intermedia). The Los Angeles pocket mouse is of particular concern to CDFW, and the department has requested that onsite surveys be conducted during the environmental review process. Diurnal raptors (hawks and falcons) are expected to use the site occasionally for foraging, but not for nesting, as there are no trees or other suitable nest sites on the property. The two most common raptors in the vicinity of the site, and therefore most likely to forage on the site, are the red-tailed hawk (Buteo jamaicensis) and American kestrel (Falco sparverius), neither of which is a species of special concern. No raptors were observed during the 8 August 2017 site reconnaissance. The Planning Consortium H. Lee Jones, Ph.D. TTM 20079 Subdivision Consulting Biologist Biological Resources Assessment 6 October 2017 Wetland Resources No wetlands or drainages that would be considered Waters of the United States are found on the site. BIOLOGICAL CONSEQUENCES Based on the results of the site reconnaissance, it has been determined that the proposed subdivision of the site may result in one or more adverse impacts on biological resources anticipated to occur or potentially occur on the site. These impacts, and their significance, are discussed in the following sections. THRESHOLDS OF SIGNIFICANCE Appendix G of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines (as amended through 2009) is used by public agencies in determining whether a project may have a significant impact on biological resources. Under Appendix G, a project may have a significant impact on biological resources if it would: 1. Have a substantial adverse effect, either directly or through habitat modification, on any species identified as a candidate, sensitive, or special status species in local or regional plans, policies, or regulations by the CDFW or USFWS. 2. Have a substantial adverse effect on any riparian habitat or other sensitive natural community identified in the City or regional plans, policies, or regulations by the CDFW or USFWS. 3. 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. 4. 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. 5. Conflict with any local policies or ordinances protecting biological resources, such as a tree preservation policy or ordinance (e.g., oak trees or California walnut woodlands). 6. 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 addition, Section 15065(a) of the CEQA Guidelines establishes that a significant impact may occur if "[t]he project has the potential to substantially degrade the quality of the environment, substantially reduce the habitat of a fish and wildlife species, cause a fish or wildlife population The Planning Consortium H. Lee Jones, Ph.D. TTM 20079 Subdivision Consulting Biologist Biological Resources Assessment 7 October 2017 to drop below self-sustaining levels, threaten to eliminate a plant or animal community, [or] reduce the number or restrict the range of an endangered, rare or threatened species." For purposes of this assessment, the project was evaluated on the basis of the above criteria in determining whether or not it will cause a significant impact. An evaluation of whether an impact on biological resources would be significant must consider the resource and how that resource fits into a regional or ecological context. The definition of “significant” depends on the resource in question. Significant impacts are those that would diminish or result in the loss of an important biological resource, or those that would obviously conflict with local, state, or federal resource conservation plans, goals, or regulations. Impacts are sometimes locally important but not significant because, although they would result in an adverse alteration of existing local conditions, they would not substantially diminish, or result in the permanent loss of, an important resource on a population-wide or region-wide basis. SITE DEVELOPMENT Based on a preliminary analysis of the development plan, implementation of the proposed project will entail the subdivision of approximately 7.0 of 9.5 gross acres into 21 lots for the development of single-family homes, a letter lot, two drainage easements, and the required fuel modification north of the development. The remaining 2.5 acres will remain in open space. Accordingly, approximately 7.0 acres of Riversidian sage scrub would be impacted, with 2.5 acres of Riversidian sage scrub preserved. If either the California gnatcatcher or San Bernardino kangaroo rat is found to be occupying the project site, the USFWS would likely require the Applicant to obtain mitigation habitat in another location to offset impacts resulting from habitat removal. IMPACTS ON TERRESTRIAL VERTEBRATES AND THEIR HABITAT Approximately 7.0 acres of mature Riversidian sage scrub will be cleared during the grading phase. As this vegetation association has the potential to support one or more pairs of the federally threatened California Gnatcatcher and may also support a small population of the federally endangered San Bernardino kangaroo rat, its removal would represent a significant adverse impact, even if these two species are not found on the site during surveys conducted prior to project approval. Additionally, all migratory birds are protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918 (MBTA), a law implemented as a result of treaties with Britain (on behalf of Canada), Mexico, the U.S.S.R. (now Russia), and Japan that makes it unlawful, except as formally permitted, to take (pursue, hunt, capture, or kill) migratory birds except under permits for special situations such as imminent threat to human safety or scientific research. The law currently applies to more than 1,000 species including most native birds and covers the destruction or removal of active nests of those species. These protections apply whether or not there was intent and regardless of whether other entitlements are in place, such as approvals under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). The Planning Consortium H. Lee Jones, Ph.D. TTM 20079 Subdivision Consulting Biologist Biological Resources Assessment 8 October 2017 In practice, adult birds are seldom directly harmed incidental to construction and related activities because they can easily avoid construction equipment and humans; however, their eggs, nestlings, and still-dependent fledglings are vulnerable to harm, either directly or indirectly, by these activities. Nest abandonment due to construction-related activities could result directly or indirectly in the destruction of eggs or nestlings, and would therefore constitute a significant adverse impact. MITIGATION MEASURES Wherever feasible, mitigation is required to offset significant adverse impacts on biological resources that cannot be avoided or minimized to a level of less than significant. Since it has been determined that the federally threatened California gnatcatcher, and perhaps the federally endangered San Bernardino kangaroo rat, may inhabit the site, it is proposed that USFWS surveys be conducted on the site according to strict USFWS survey protocol for both of these species prior to project approval. Additionally, the CDFW requires surveys for the Los Angeles pocket mouse, a species of special concern, in areas where it historically occurred and my still be present. The project site is within its historical range and has suitable habitat for its occupancy; therefore, a survey for Los Angeles pocket mouse to be conducted concurrently with the San Bernardino kangaroo rat survey is also recommended. Regardless of whether any of these three species is determined to be present, Riversidian sage scrub itself is a protected resource that must be either restored on- or off-site or acquired through purchase of existing high-quality Riversidian sage scrub elsewhere. Alternatively or additionally, the project applicant may be required to pay a fee on a per-acre basis for all habitat removed during project implementation. If either the California gnatcatcher or San Bernardino kangaroo rat is determined to be present on the site, a Habitat Conservation Plan and additional mitigation and fees and would be required. To assure the protection of resident birds and their offspring during the nesting season, it is recommended that between three (3) and seven (7) days prior to commencement of vegetation clearance, the site and a buffer zone of 100 feet around the site be surveyed by a qualified biologist for nests containing viable eggs or nestlings. Such surveys are only necessary if vegetation clearance is to take place during the breeding season, which is typically defined as 1 March to 1 September for most species. If any active nests or dependent fledglings are found, construction-related activities shall be postponed until all young have fledged and are no longer dependent on the adults. REFERENCES American Ornithologists’ Union. 1998. The A. O. U. Check-list of North American Birds, 7th ed. Allen Press. Lawrence, KA. American Ornithologists’ Union. 2000–2017. Forty-second through fifty-eighth supplements to the A. O. U. Check-list of North American Birds, 7th ed. Allen Press. Lawrence, KA. The Planning Consortium H. Lee Jones, Ph.D. TTM 20079 Subdivision Consulting Biologist Biological Resources Assessment 9 October 2017 Baldwin, B. G., Goldman, D. H., Keil, D. J., Patterson, R., Rosatti, T. J., and Wilken, D. H. 2012. The Jepson Manual: Vascular Plants of California, second edition. University of California Press. California Department of Fish and Game (CDFG) and Point Reyes Bird Observatory (PRBO). 2003. California Bird Species of Special Concern: Draft List and Solicitation of Input. (http://www.prbo.org/BSSC/draftBSSClist.pdf). Jameson, Jr., E. W., and Peeters, H. J. 2004. Mammals of California. University of California Press, Berkeley, CA. Stebbins, R. C. 2003. A Field Guide to Western Reptiles and Amphibians, 3rd ed. Houghton Mifflin, Boston, MA. United States Fish and Wildlife Service. 1998. Final rule to list the San Bernardino kangaroo rat as endangered. Federal Register 63(185):51005–51017. September 24. United States Fish and Wildlife Service. 2000. Final Determination of Critical Habitat for the Coastal California Gnatcatcher; Final Rule. Federal Register 65 (206):63738 ff. October 24. United States Fish and Wildlife Service. 2007. Revised Designation of Critical Habitat for the Coastal California Gnatcatcher; Final Rule. Federal Register 72 (243):72009–72213. December 19. The Planning Consortium H. Lee Jones, Ph.D. TTM 20079 Subdivision Consulting Biologist Biological Resources Assessment 10 October 2017 EXHIBITS AND PHOTOGRAPHS Exhibit 1. Vicinity map for Tentative Tract Map 20079. Exhibit 2. Site map for Tentative Tract Map 20079. The Planning Consortium H. Lee Jones, Ph.D. TTM 20079 Subdivision Consulting Biologist Biological Resources Assessment 11 October 2017 Photo 1. View NW from SC portion of site. Photo 2. View S from C portion of site. Photo 3. View SW from C portion of site. Photo 4. View SW from NC portion of site. Photo 5. View WNW from E edge of site. Photo 6. View N from SE corner of site. The Planning Consortium H. Lee Jones, Ph.D. TTM 20079 Subdivision Consulting Biologist Biological Resources Assessment 12 October 2017 Photo 7. Sage scrub in S portion of site. Photo 8. Sage scrub in C portion of site. Photo 9. Road cut through C portion of site. APPENDIX A FLORAL AND FAUNAL COMPENDIUM The Planning Consortium H. Lee Jones, Ph.D. TTM 20079 Subdivision Consulting Biologist Biological Resources Assessment 1 October 2017 INTRODUCTION TO FLORAL AND FAUNAL SURVEY1 Floral and faunal components listed in this compendium are those actually recorded on or, in the case of birds, also adjacent to the site during the 8 August 2017 survey. A few additional species are likely to be present at other seasons, or in the case of birds, as occasional visitors or migrants. Floral taxonomy used in this report follows Baldwin et al. (2012). Vertebrates identified in the field by sight, calls, tracks, scat, or other signs are cited according to the nomenclature of the American Ornithologists’ Union (1998) and supplements (2000 through 2017) for birds, Jameson and Peeters (2004) for mammals, and Stebbins (2003) for reptiles. LEGEND ABUNDANCE (PLANTS ONLY)2 Abundant: ubiquitous throughout the noted community; occurs in high numbers or in large, pure stands (percent cover on the site is generally 50% or greater). Common: a dominant species in the noted community; occurs in relatively high numbers (percent cover on the site is generally between 5 and 50%). Frequent: occurs in moderate numbers, but not a dominant element of the noted community (percent cover on the site is generally between 1 and 5 %). Infrequent: occurs sporadically in the noted community; generally not an obvious or conspicuous component (percent cover on the site is generally less than 1%). Occasional: occurs rarely, or only in a small portion of the noted community; often not apparent unless searched for (generally, only 1-5 individuals found). * denotes non-native species 1 This is not intended as an exhaustive listing of the vascular plants and terrestrial vertebrates occurring on the site; some annual herbs, transients, seasonal visitors, and uncommon species may not have been detected by the field survey. 2 This is an indication (for plants only) of relative frequency of occurrence on the site. The Planning Consortium H. Lee Jones, Ph.D. TTM 20079 Subdivision Consulting Biologist Biological Resources Assessment 2 October 2017 VASCULAR PLANTS Abundance EUDICOTS ADOXACEAE — ELDERBERRY FAMILY Sambucus nigra subsp. caerulea – blue elderberry occasional ANACARDIACEAE — SUMAC FAMILY Rhus aromatica – skunk bush frequent Toxicodendron diversilobum − western poison oak occasional ASTERACEAE — SUNFLOWER FAMILY Ambrosia acanthicarpa − annual bur-sage edge Ambrosia psilostachya − western ragweed edge Artemisia californica – coastal sagebrush common * Baileya multiradiata – many-rayed desert-marigold (cultivar) edge mostly Ericameria sp. – goldenbush infrequent Helianthus annuus – annual sunflower infrequent Heterotheca grandiflora – telegraph weed edge mostly Isocoma menziesii – coastal goldenbush infrequent Stephanomeria virgata − twiggy wreathplant infrequent BORAGINACEAE — BORAGE FAMILY Phacelia cicutaria var. hispida − caterpillar phacelia occasional BRASSICACEAE — MUSTARD FAMILY * Hirschfeldia incana – shortpod mustard frequent edge mostly EUPHORBIACEAE — SPURGE FAMILY Croton californicus – California croton frequent FABACEAE — PEA FAMILY Acmispon glaber var. glaber − deerweed infrequent GERANIACEAE — GERANIUM FAMILY * Erodium cicutarium – red-stemmed filaree edge JUGLANDACEAE — WALNUT FAMILY Juglans californica − Southern California black walnut frequent LAMIACEAE — MINT FAMILY Salvia apiana − white sage common Salvia mellifera − black sage occasional POLYGONACEAE — BUCKWHEAT FAMILY Eriogonum fasciculatum var. fasciculatum – coastal California buckwheat frequent RHAMNACEAE — BUCKTHORN FAMILY Ceanothus leucodermis − chaparral whitethorn infrequent SOLANACEAE — NIGHTSHADE FAMILY Datura wrightii − jimson weed edge MONOCOTS The Planning Consortium H. Lee Jones, Ph.D. TTM 20079 Subdivision Consulting Biologist Biological Resources Assessment 3 October 2017 POACEAE — GRASS FAMILY * Avena sp. − wild oat frequent * Bromus diandrus − ripgut grass infrequent * Bromus madritensis subsp. rubens − foxtail chess frequent * Festuca myuros – rattail sixweeks grass frequent The Planning Consortium H. Lee Jones, Ph.D. TTM 20079 Subdivision Consulting Biologist Biological Resources Assessment 4 October 2017 TERRESTRIAL VERTEBRATES Number REPTILES PHRYNOSOMATIDAE — FRINGE-TOED, SPINY, SIDE-BLOTCHED & HORNED LIZARDS Uta stansburiana − side-blotched lizard 4 BIRDS ODONTOPHORIDAE — NEW WORLD QUAILS Callipepla californica − California quail 2 COLUMBIDAE — PIGEONS AND DOVES Zenaida macroura − mourning dove 4 TROCHILIDAE — HUMMINGBIRDS Archilochus alexandri − black-chinned hummingbird 2 Calypte anna – Anna’s hummingbird 5 Calypte costae − Costa's hummingbird 2 Selasphorus sasin − Allen's hummingbird 1 Selasphorus sp. − rufous/Allen’s hummingbird 3 TYRANNIDAE — TYRANT FLYCATCHERS Sayornis saya – Say’s phoebe 1 Myiarchus cinerascens − ash-throated flycatcher 1 HIRUNDINIDAE — SWALLOWS Petrochelidon pyrrhonota − cliff swallow 1 TROGLODYTIDAE — WRENS Troglodytes aedon − house wren 2 Thryomanes bewickii − Bewick's wren 5 TIMALIIDAE — BABBLERS Chamaea fasciata – wrentit 4 MIMIDAE — THRASHERS Toxostoma redivivum − California thrasher 1 Mimus polyglottos − northern mockingbird 1 EMBERIZIDAE — TOWHEES, SPARROWS, & JUNCOS Melozone crissalis − California towhee 9 Aimophila ruficeps − rufous-crowned sparrow 3 Pipilo maculatus − spotted towhee 1 CARDINALIDAE — GROSBEAKS & BUNTINGS Pheucticus melanocephalus − black-headed grosbeak 3 The Planning Consortium H. Lee Jones, Ph.D. TTM 20079 Subdivision Consulting Biologist Biological Resources Assessment 5 October 2017 ICTERIDAE — BLACKBIRDS Icterus cucullatus − hooded oriole 2 FRINGILLIDAE — FINCHES Haemorhous mexicanus − house finch 40 Spinus psaltria − lesser goldfinch 10 MAMMALS SCIURIDAE — SQUIRRELS Spermophilus beecheyi − Beechey’s ground squirrel 2