HomeMy WebLinkAboutAppendix B_Bio and Arborist ReportLSA is a business name of LSA Associates, Inc.
CARLSBAD
CLOVIS
IRVINE
LOS ANGELES
PALM SPRINGS
POINT RICHMOND
RIVERSIDE
ROSEVILLE
SAN LUIS OBISPO
1500 Iowa Avenue, Suite 200, Riverside, California 92507 951.781.9310 www.lsa.net
November 10, 2022
Aaron Anderson
Public Storage
701 Western Avenue
Glendale, CA 92335
Subject: Biological Resources and Arborist Report for the Fontana Public Storage Project in
Fontana (LSA Project No. PUB2202)
Dear Mr. Anderson:
LSA conducted a general biological resources assessment and tree inventory for the Fontana Public
Storage project (project). The 5.3-acre project site is at 17173 Valley Boulevard in Fontana, San
Bernardino County, California (Figure 1; all figures provided as Attachment B).
The biological resources assessment was conducted for the identification of potential jurisdictional
waters and to address California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) requirements regarding
biological resources. The results of the assessment are summarized below.
• There are no features on the site subject to jurisdiction of the United States Army Corps of
Engineers (USACE) or the Regional Water Quality Control Board (RWQCB) as wetland or
nonwetland waters of the United States, or to jurisdiction of the California Department of Fish
and Wildlife (CDFW) as rivers, lakes, or streams. Additionally, there are no features on the site
subject to jurisdiction by the RWQCB as waters of the State.
• No endangered, rare, or threatened species, as defined in State CEQA Guidelines Section 15380,
are expected to inhabit the project site. The site is not within the designated critical habitat of
any species.
• No substantial project impacts to other special-status species are anticipated. The site does not
have habitat suitable for burrowing owls (Athene cunicularia).
• There are no sensitive natural communities on the project site.
The tree inventory was conducted in accordance with the City of Fontana’s (City) tree protection
ordinance.1 No trees on the site are protected under the City’s ordinance as Significant, Heritage or
Specimen trees. However, replacement will be required for all living trees to be removed.
1 City of Fontana. 1994. Fontana Municipal Code. Chapter 28, Article III (Preservation of Heritage,
Significant, and Specimen Trees). https://library.municode.com/ca/fontana/codes/code_of_
ordinances?nodeId=CO_CH28VE_ARTIIIPRHESISPTR (accessed February 10, 2022).
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METHODS
Literature Review
LSA conducted a literature review to determine the existence or potential occurrence of special-
status plant and animal species on or in the vicinity of the project site. Database records for the
Fontana, Guasti, and San Bernardino South, California, United States Geological Survey 7.5-minute
quadrangles for locations from 1,000 to 1,300 feet elevation were searched on October 25, 2022,
using the CDFW’s Natural Diversity Database application Rarefind 5 (version 5.2.14,)1. Current and
historic aerial photographs were reviewed using Google Earth2. United States Fish and Wildlife
Service (USFWS) listed species and designated critical habitat information determined the locations
of any listed species sightings and critical habitat boundaries on and in the vicinity of the project
site. Soil types were determined using the California Soil Resources Lab application SoilWeb Earth3.
Reconnaissance Field Survey
LSA biologist Stan Spencer conducted a general reconnaissance-level field survey on October 26,
2022 from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. Weather conditions were mild, with partly cloudy skies, winds of less
than 3 miles per hour, and a temperature of 61 degrees. Dr. Spencer made notes on general site
conditions, vegetation, wildlife, potential jurisdictional waters, and suitability of habitat for various
special-status species. He surveyed the project area on foot. Plant and animal species observed
during the field survey were noted and are listed in Table A-1 (all tables provided as Attachment A).
Arborist Study
Trees on the site were inventoried on October 25 from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. by LSA arborist Stan
Spencer (International Society of Arboriculture Certified Arborist WE-9358A). All trees on the project
site with a single-stem trunk caliper of at least 0.75 inch were inventoried and assigned a number.
Trees were further evaluated by measuring height and trunk caliper and assessing general condition.
The trunk diameter for multi-stem trees was calculated by taking the square root of the sum of the
squared diameters of the individual stems. The inventory and assessment were conducted in
accordance with Section 28-67 of Article III (preservation of Heritage, Significant, and Specimen
Trees) of the Fontana Municipal Code. Trunk diameter was measured at 6 inches above ground level
for trees with trunk diameters of 0.75 to 4 inches, at 12 inches above ground level for trees with
trunk diameters of 5 to 8 inches, and at 54 inches above ground level for trees with trunk diameters
of 9 inches or greater. The height of measurement was lowered if necessary to avoid branch points.
A tree health rating was applied on a scale of 10 to 100 to each tree, taking into account the species,
trunk diameter, height, canopy, and structure.
1 California Natural Diversity Database. 2022. RareFind 5 [Internet]. California Department of Fish and
Wildlife. Website: https://wildlife.ca.gov/Data/CNDDB/Maps-and-Data (accessed October 25, 2022).
2 Google Earth Pro. 2022. Images of the project site and vicinity. Version 7.3.4.8642.
3 California Soil Resources Lab. 2022. SoilWeb Earth. Website: https://casoilresource.lawr.ucdavis.edu/
soilweb-apps/ (accessed October 8, 2022).
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ENVIRONMENTAL SETTING
Existing and Adjacent Land Use
The project site is 5.3 acres and is surrounded by industrial uses, with Interstate 10 (I-10) bordering
the project on the south. The project site is developed except for a small area of ruderal vegetation
in the western portion of the site (Figure 2; Figure 3, Photograph 1). Figure 2 shows the assessed
project area and photograph locations. Site photographs are provided as Figure 3.
Elevation, Topography, and Soils
The project site is generally flat and level with elevation ranging from 1,112 to 1,125 feet above
mean sea level.
The soil mapped on the site is Tujunga gravelly loamy sand. Soil observed on the site was loamy
sand and sandy loam. The undeveloped portion of the site is highly disturbed due to frequent
discing. A review of aerial photographs on Google Earth (years 1994, 2002–2020) confirms that the
site has been devoid of natural vegetation and regularly disced since 2003 at least.
Vegetation and Wildlife Observed
Vegetation in the undeveloped portion of the site is ruderal and dominated by redstem stork’s bill
(Erodium cicutarium). There are ornamental trees in the western portion of the site. There are no
natural communities present. Animal species observed on the site are typical of urban
environments. No special-status wildlife species were observed. A complete list of plant and
vertebrate animal species observed on the site is included in Table A-1. Trees on the site may
provide habitat for nesting birds.
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
Wetlands and Other Jurisdictional Waters
The USACE, under Section 404 of the federal Clean Water Act (CWA), regulates discharges of dredged
or fill material into “waters of the United States.” These waters include wetlands and non-wetland
bodies of water that meet specific criteria, including a connection to interstate commerce. This
connection may be direct (through a tributary system linking a stream channel with traditional
navigable waters used in interstate or foreign commerce) or it may be indirect (through a connection
identified in USACE regulations). The USACE typically considers any body of water displaying an
“ordinary high water mark” for designation as wetland waters of the United States, subject to the
applicable definition of waters of the United States To be considered a “jurisdictional wetland” under
Section 404, an area must possess hydrophytic vegetation, hydric soils, and wetland hydrology.
The CDFW, under Sections 1600 et seq. of the California Fish and Game Code, regulates alterations
to lakes, rivers, and streams. A stream is defined by the presence of a channel bed and banks and at
least an occasional flow of water.
The RWQCB is responsible for the administration of Section 401 of the CWA, through water quality
certification of any activity that may result in a discharge to jurisdictional waters of the United States
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The RWQCB may also regulate discharges to “waters of the State,” including wetlands, under the
California Porter-Cologne Water Quality Control Act.
No drainage features, ponded areas, wetlands, or riparian habitat subject to jurisdiction of the
CDFW, the USACE, and/or the RWQCB were found within the project area.
Special-Status Species
Species in danger of extinction or that may soon be in danger of extinction may be listed as
endangered or threatened under the federal and California Endangered Species Acts. The USFWS
can also designate critical habitat areas that are essential to the conservation of a listed species. In
addition to threatened and endangered species, the CDFW maintains lists of plant species
considered rare, threatened, or endangered, and animal species designated as Species of Special
Concern.
Special-status species that have been reported from the general project vicinity are listed in Table
A-2, along with assessments of habitat suitability on the project site.
Threatened and Endangered Species and Critical Habitats
The results of the literature search indicated the potential occurrence of the following threatened,
endangered, or candidate species in the project vicinity:
• Santa Ana River woollystar (Eriastrum densifolium ssp. sanctorum)
• Marsh sandwort (Arenaria paludicola)
• Salt marsh bird’s-beak (Chloropyron maritimum spp. maritimum);
• Gambel's water cress (Nasturtium gambelii)
• Delhi Sands flower-loving fly (Rhaphiomidas terminatus abdominalis)
• Quino checkerspot butterfly (Euphydryas editha quino)
• Coastal California gnatcatcher (Polioptila californica californica)
• Crotch bumble bee (Bombus crotchii)
• California black rail (Laterallus jamaicensis coturniculus)
• Swainson's hawk (Buteo swainsoni)
• Western yellow-billed cuckoo (Coccyzus americanus occidentalis)
• Least Bell’s vireo (Vireo bellii pusillus)
• San Bernardino kangaroo rat (Dipodomys merriami parvus)
All of these species are considered to be absent from the project site based on lack of suitable
habitat, as explained in Table A-2.
The site is not within the designated critical habitat of any species.
Burrowing Owl
Burrowing owl, a California Species of Special Concern, occurs in open habitats with low vegetation
throughout the region. This special-status species requires special consideration at proposed
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construction sites because its habit of nesting underground makes it vulnerable to grading and other
project-related soil disturbance.
The project area does not provide suitable habitat for burrowing owls because of its small size and
isolation from open habitats by the surrounding dense urban development, combined with a history
of regular and intense disturbance. The trees around the site also provide perching locations hawks
and large owls that prey on burrowing owl and make the site undesirable for this species.
Other Non-Listed Special-Status Species
Besides the species discussed above, the literature search indicated the potential presence of
several rare plants and animal Species of Special Concern in the project vicinity. As explained in
Table A-2, none of these species is expected to occur on the site due to lack of suitable habitat.
Nesting/Migratory Birds
Most birds and their active nests are protected from “take” (meaning destruction, pursuit,
possession, etc.) under Sections 3503–3801 of California Fish and Game Code. Some protection is
also provided under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. Activities that cause destruction of active nests,
or that cause nest abandonment and subsequent death of eggs or young, may constitute violations
of one or both of these laws.
The project site has trees suitable for nesting. If tree removal is to be conducted during the nesting
season (approximately February through August), a nesting bird survey may be required prior to
tree removal.
Natural Communities of Concern
There are no sensitive natural communities on the project site.
Wildlife Movement, Corridors, and Nursery Sites
The project site is not in a wildlife corridor and does not contain nursery sites. The project would not
substantially limit wildlife movement.
Adopted Habitat Conservation Plans
The project site is not within an adopted Habitat Conservation Plan area.
Local Policies and Ordinances—Arborist Report of Trees
City and County of San Bernardino General Plans and development ordinances may include
regulations or policies governing biological resources. For example, policies may include tree
preservation, locally designated species survey areas, local species of interest, and significant
ecological areas. The City’s tree protection ordinance (City Municipal Code Chapter 28: Vegetation,
Article III) specifies replacement requirements for trees to be removed from a site and provides for
the protection of Heritage, Significant, and Specimen Trees.
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Figure 2 shows locations of trees on the proposed project site. These trees consist of one small non-
native oak and 31 eucalyptus trees. The City’s tree protection ordinance considers eucalyptus trees
to be Heritage trees if they are part of a windrow that is “representative of a significant period of
the city’s growth or development.” Eucalyptus windrows were a characteristic feature of the
agricultural period of the city’s history during the first half of the 20th century. The tree protection
ordinance defines a windrow as a series of 4 or more trees spaced no more than 10 feet apart. By
this definition, Trees 3-6, 9-13, and 14-25 are windrow trees. These trees would not be considered
Heritage trees, however, since most of these trees are quite young and small (1.5 to 7 inches in
trunk diameter) and not part of a historic windrow. This is apparent in the 1994 Google Earth aerial
photograph, which shows no windrow at this location but does show a windrow of large trees
extending along the edge of I-10 about 30 to 40 feet south of the project site. By the time of the
2002 Google Earth aerial photograph, the windrow along I-10 had been removed and many of the
eucalyptus trees on the project site were large enough to be clearly visible.
Table A-3 provides information and replacement requirements for the trees on the project site
according to criteria specified in the City’s ordinance. One of the eucalyptus trees is dead (Tree 20)
and does not require replacement. The remaining trees are in generally poor condition due to
overcrowding, drought, or structural damage, and most are infested with eucalyptus gall wasp
(Ophelimus maskelli; Figure 3: Photograph 4). None of the trees on the project site meets the City’s
definitions of Heritage, Significant, or Specimen trees; however, all living trees proposed to be
removed will need to be replaced as indicated in the City’s tree protection ordinance and
summarized in Table A-3.
If you have any questions or comments about this report, please do not hesitate to contact me at
(951) 232-4124 or stan.spencer@lsa.net.
Sincerely,
LSA Associates, Inc.
Stan Spencer, Ph.D.
Associate
Attachments: A: Tables
B: Figures
BIOLOGICAL RESOURCES AND ARBORIST REPORT NOVEMBER 2022 FONTANA PUBLIC STORAGE FONTANA, CALIFORNIA
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ATTACHMENT A
TABLES
Table A-1: Species Observed
Table A-2: Special-Status Species Summary
Table A-3: Trees on the Project Site
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Table A-1: Species Observed
Scientific Name Common Name
EUDICOT FLOWERING PLANTS
Asteraceae Sunflower family
Helianthus annuus Common sunflower
Heterotheca grandiflora Telegraph weed
Lactuca serriola* Prickly lettuce
Euphorbiaceae Spurge family
Euphorbia maculata* Spotted spurge
Geraniaceae Geranium family
Erodium brachycarpum* Shortfruit stork’s bill
Erodium cicutarium* Redstem stork’s bill
Malvaceae Mallow family
Malva parviflora* Cheeseweed mallow
Polygonaceae Buckwheat family
Polygonum aviculare* Common knotweed
Portulacaeae Purslane family
Portulaca oleracea* Common purslane
Solanaceae Nightshade family
Datura wrightii Sacred thorn-apple
Zygophyllaceace Caltrop family
Tribulus terrestris* Puncture vine
MONOCOTS FLOWERING PLANTS
Poaceae Grass family
Avena sp.* Oat
Bromus diandrus* Ripgut brome
Cynodon dactylon* Bermuda grass
Eragrostis sp. Lovegrass
Schismus barbatus* Common Mediterranean grass
BIRDS
Tyrannidae Tyrant Flycatchers
Sayornis saya Say’s phoebe
Fringillidae Finches
Haemorhous mexicanus House finch
* non-native species
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Table A-2: Special-Status Species Summary
Species Status Habitat and Distribution Occurrence Probability
PLANTS
Arenaria paludicola
Marsh sandwort
US: FE
CA: SE/1B
Boggy areas in freshwater marshes and swamps below 170 meters (560 feet)
elevation (formerly higher). Known to presently occur only in San Luis Obispo
County (at Oso Flaco Lake and Morro Bay). Believed extirpated from Los Angeles,
San Francisco, Santa Cruz, Riverside, and San Bernardino counties, and from the
State of Washington. The last known record of this species in Riverside, San Bernardino, or Los Angeles counties is from 1900.
Absent. Site lacks
wet areas.
Astragalus hornii var. hornii
Horn's milk-vetch
US: –
CA: 1B
BLM: S
Alkaline playas and lake margins from 60 to 850 meters (200 to 2,800 feet)
elevation. In California, known only from Inyo and Kern Counties. Believed
extirpated from San Bernardino County. Also occurs in Nevada.
Absent. Site lacks
alkaline or wet areas.
Carex comosa
Bristly sedge
US: – CA: 2B Bogs and fens, freshwater marshes and swamps, and lake margins below 425 meters (1,400 feet). Known from Lake, Santa Cruz, San Francisco, Shasta, San Joaquin, and Sonoma counties and Idaho, Oregon, and Washington. Believed extirpated from San Bernardino County (last known occurrence was in 1882).
Absent. Site lacks wet areas.
Centromadia pungens ssp. laevis
Smooth tarplant
US: –
CA: 1B
MSHCP: S
Generally alkaline areas in chenopod scrub, meadows, playas, riparian woodland,
valley and foothill grassland below 480 meters (1,600 feet) elevation. Known from
Riverside and San Bernardino counties, extirpated from San Diego County.
Absent. Site lacks
alkaline areas or
other suitable
habitat.
Chloropyron maritimum spp. Maritimum
Salt marsh bird’s-beak
US: FE CA: SE/1B Coastal dunes and salt marshes. In California, known from Los Angeles, Orange, Santa Barbara, San Bernardino, San Diego, San Luis Obispo, and Ventura counties. Historical collections referred to this taxon from alkaline meadow in vicinity of San Bernardino Valley and from interior San Diego County are intermediate to C. maritimus ssp. canescens. Also occurs in Mexico.
Absent. Site lacks dunes or wet areas.
Chorizanthe parryi var. parryi
Parry’s spineflower
US: –
CA: 1B
Sandy or rocky soils in chaparral, coastal scrub, oak woodlands, and grassland at 40
to 1,705 meters (100 to 5,600 feet) elevation. Known only from Los Angeles,
Riverside, and San Bernardino counties.
Absent. Site lacks
suitable natural
communities.
Eriastrum densifolium ssp.
Sanctorum
Santa Ana River woollystar
US: FE
CA: SE/1B
Riversidean alluvial fan sage scrub and chaparral in sandy or gravelly soils of
floodplains and terraced fluvial deposits of the Santa Ana River and larger
tributaries (Lytle and Cajon creeks, lower portions of City and Mill creeks) at 90 to
625 meters (300 to 2,100 feet) elevation in San Bernardino and Riverside counties.
Absent. Site lacks
suitable natural
communities.
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Table A-2: Special-Status Species Summary
Species Status Habitat and Distribution Occurrence Probability
Helianthus nuttallii ssp. Parishii
Los Angeles sunflower
US: –
CA: 1A
Marshes and swamps (coastal salt and freshwater) at 10 to 500 meters (30 to
1,600 feet) elevation. This species is historically known from Los Angeles, Orange
and San Bernardino counties, California. Last seen in 1937. Presumed extinct.
Plants found in 2002 at Castaic Spring along the Santa Clara River in Los Angeles
County were initially reported as possibly this taxon, but instead appear to be
hybrids or evolutionary intermediates between H. nuttallii and H. californicus,
based on chromosome counts and pollen morphology (A Quantitative Analysis of
Pollen Variation in Two Southern California Perennial Helianthus (Heliantheae:
Asteraceae), J.M. Porter and N. Fraga, 2004).
Absent. Site lacks
wet areas.
Horkelia cuneata ssp. puberula
Mesa horkelia
US: – CA: 1A Sandy or gravelly soils in chaparral, or rarely in cismontane woodland or coastal scrub at 70 to 825 meters (200 to 2,700 feet) elevation. Known only from San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, Ventura, Los Angeles, Orange, and San Bernardino counties, California. Believed extirpated from Riverside and San Diego counties.
Absent. Site lacks suitable natural communities.
Malacothamnus parishii
Parish’s bush mallow
US: –
CA: 1A
Known only from one occurrence in 1895, in chaparral and coastal sage scrub at
490 meters (1,600 feet) elevation in vicinity of San Bernardino. Presumed extinct.
Absent. Site lacks
suitable natural
communities.
Monardella pringlei
Pringle’s monardella
US: – CA: 1A Sandy hills in coastal sage scrub at 300 to 400 meters (980 to 1,300 feet) elevation. Known only from two occurrences west of Colton. Last seen in 1941. Habitat lost to urbanization. Presumed extinct.
Absent. Site lacks suitable natural communities.
Nasturtium (Rorippa) gambelii
Gambel’s watercress
US: FE
BLM: –
CA: ST/1B
Marshes from 5 to 330 meters (20 to 1,100 feet) elevation. Currently believed to
occur in California only in Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo counties. There are
historical records from Los Angeles, Orange, and San Bernardino counties. A
historical report from San Diego County likely constitutes a misidentification. Also
occurs in Baja California.
Absent. Site lacks
wet areas.
Phacelia stellaris
Brand’s star phacelia
US: –
CA: 1B
Dunes and sandy openings in coastal scrub communities at 5 to 400 meters (20 to
1,300 feet) elevation. In western Riverside County, this species appears to be
restricted to sandy washes and benches in alluvial floodplains. Known only from
Los Angeles (believed extirpated), Riverside and San Diego counties, California.
Absent. Site lacks
suitable natural
communities.
Ribes divericatum var. parishii
Parish’s gooseberry
US: –
CA: 1A
Deciduous shrub of willow swales in riparian habitats at 60 to 300 meters (200 to
1,000 feet) elevation. Believed to be extinct. Historical collections from Los Angeles
and San Bernardino counties.
Absent. Site lacks
suitable natural
communities.
Sidalcea neomexicana
Salt Spring checkerbloom
US: –
CA: 2B
NCCP: NC
ECMSCP: –
Alkaline springs and brackish marshes below 1,530 meters (5,000 feet) elevation.
In California, known only from Kern, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Diego,
and Ventura counties. Believed extirpated from Los Angeles County. Also known
from Arizona, New Mexico, Nevada, Utah, and Mexico.
Absent. Site lacks
alkaline and wet
areas.
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Table A-2: Special-Status Species Summary
Species Status Habitat and Distribution Occurrence Probability
Sphenopholis obtusata
Prairie wedge grass
US: –
CA: 2B
Wet meadows, stream banks, and ponds at 300 to 2,000 meters (1,000 to 6,600
feet) elevation. Widely distributed. In Southern California, known only from San
Bernardino, Riverside (Santa Ana River), and perhaps San Diego Counties.
Absent. Site lacks
wet areas.
Symphyotrichum defoliatum
San Bernardino aster
US: –
CA: 1B
Vernally wet sites (such as ditches, streams, and springs) in many plant
communities below 2,040 meters (6,700 feet) elevation. In California, known from
Ventura, Kern, San Bernardino, Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, and San Diego
counties. May also occur in San Luis Obispo County. In the western Riverside County area, this species is scarce and documented only from Temescal and San Timoteo canyons (The Vascular Plants of Western Riverside County, California. F.M. Roberts et al., 2004).
Absent. Site lacks
wet areas.
INVERTEBRATES
Bombus crotchii
Crotch bumble bee
US: – CA: SCE Inhabits open scrub and grassland from coastal California to crest of Sierra-Cascade and in desert edge areas, south into Mexico. Suitable bumble bee habitat requires the availability of flowers on which to forage throughout the duration of the colony (spring through fall), colony nest sites, and overwintering sites for the queens.
Absent. Site lacks sufficient variety of flowering vegetation and is isolated from better habitat.
Euphydryas editha quino
Quino checkerspot butterfly
US: FE
CA: SA
BLM: –
MSHCP: C
Meadows or openings within coastal sage scrub or chaparral below about 5,000
feet where food plants (Plantago erecta and/or Orthocarpus purpurascens) are
present. Historically known from Santa Monica Mountains to northwest Baja
California; currently known only from southwestern Riverside County, southern
San Diego County, and northern Baja California.
Absent. Site lacks
suitable natural
communities.
Rhaphiomidas terminatus abdominalis
Delhi Sands flower-loving fly
US: FE CA: SA Restricted to Delhi series sands in western Riverside and San Bernardino counties. Absent. Site lacks Delhi soils. There are no Delhi soils in the site vicinity.
AMPHIBIANS
Spea hammondii
Western spadefoot
US: –
CA: SSC
BLM: S
MSHCP: C
NCCP: C
Grasslands and occasionally hardwood woodlands; largely terrestrial but requires
rain pools or other ponded water persisting at least 3 weeks for breeding; burrows
in loose soils during dry season. Occurs in the Central Valley and adjacent foothills,
the non-desert areas of Southern California, and Baja California.
Absent. Site lacks
suitable natural
communities and
ponded areas.
REPTILES
Anniella stebbinsi
Southern California legless lizard
US: –
CA: SSC
Inhabits sandy or loose loamy soils with high moisture content under sparse
vegetation in Southern California.
Absent. No moist
soils present on site.
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Table A-2: Special-Status Species Summary
Species Status Habitat and Distribution Occurrence Probability
Arizona elegans occidentalis
California glossy snake
US: –
CA: SSC
Scrub and grassland habitats, often with loose or sandy soils. Patchily distributed
from the eastern portion of San Francisco Bay to southern San Joaquin Valley and
in non-desert areas of Southern California. Also occurs in Baja California, Mexico.
Absent. Site lacks
suitable natural
communities.
Aspidoscelis tigris stejnegeri
Coastal western whiptail
US: –
CA: SSC
Woodlands, riparian areas, and sparsely vegetated areas in a wide variety of
habitats including coastal sage scrub and sparse grassland. Occurs in valleys and
foothills from Ventura County to Baja California.
Absent. Site lacks
suitable natural
communities.
Coleonyx variegatus abbotti
San Diego banded gecko
US: –
CA: SSC
BLM: –
MSHCP: C
Often associated with rocks. Coastal sage scrub and chaparral, most often on
granite or rocky outcrops in these habitats. Interior Ventura County south.
Absent. Site lacks
suitable natural
communities.
Phrynosoma blainvillii (coronatum)
Coast horned lizard
US: – CA: SSC Primarily in sandy soil in open areas, especially washes and floodplains, in many plant communities. Requires open areas for sunning, bushes for cover, patches of loose soil for burial, and an abundant supply of ants or other insects. Occurs west of the deserts from northern Baja California north to Shasta County below 2,400 meters (8,000 feet) elevation.
Absent. Site lacks suitable open sandy areas and is in an urban context.
BIRDS
Agelaius tricolor (nesting colony)
Tricolored blackbird
US: – CA: ST/SSC (breeding) BLM: S MSHCP: C NCCP: C
Open country. Forages in grassland and cropland habitats. Nests in large groups near fresh water, preferably in emergent wetland with tall, dense cattails or tules, but also in thickets of willow, blackberry, wild rose, or tall herbs. Seeks cover for roosting in emergent wetland vegetation, especially cattails and tules, and also in trees and shrubs. Occurs in western Oregon, California, and northwestern Baja California.
Absent. Site lacks suitable nesting and foraging habitat.
Athene cunicularia
(burrow sites)
Burrowing owl
US: –
CA: SSC
Open country in much of North and South America. Usually occupies ground
squirrel burrows in open, dry grasslands, agricultural and range lands, railroad
rights-of-way, and margins of highways, golf courses, and airports. Often utilizes
man-made structures, such as earthen berms, cement culverts, cement, asphalt,
rock, or wood debris piles. They avoid thick, tall vegetation, brush, and trees, but
may occur in areas where brush or tree cover is less than 30 percent.
Absent. Site is small
with too many trees
and isolated from
better habitat.
BIOLOGICAL RESOURCES AND ARBORIST REPORT NOVEMBER 2022 FONTANA PUBLIC STORAGE FONTANA, CALIFORNIA
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Table A-2: Special-Status Species Summary
Species Status Habitat and Distribution Occurrence Probability
Buteo swainsoni
(nesting)
Swainson’s hawk
US: –
CA: ST
BLM: S
MSHCP: C
Open desert, grassland, or cropland containing scattered, large trees or small
groves. Breeds in stands with few trees in juniper-sage flats, riparian areas, and in
oak savannah in the Central Valley. Forages in adjacent grasslands or suitable grain
or alfalfa fields, or livestock pastures. Breeds and nests in western North America;
winters in South America. Uncommon breeding resident and migrant in the Central
Valley, Klamath Basin, Northeastern Plateau, Lassen County, and Mojave Desert.
Very limited breeding reported from Lanfair Valley, Owens Valley, Fish Lake Valley,
and Antelope Valley. In Southern California, now mostly limited to spring and fall
transient. Formerly abundant in California with wider breeding range.
Absent. Site lacks
suitable natural
communities.
Coccyzus americanus occidentalis (nesting)
Western yellow-billed cuckoo
US: FT CA: SE BLM: S MSHCP: S
Breeds and nests in extensive stands of dense cottonwood/willow riparian forest along broad, lower flood bottoms of larger river systems at scattered locales in western North America; winters in South America.
Absent. Site lacks suitable natural communities.
Laterallus jamaicensis coturniculus
California black rail
US: –
CA: ST/CFP
BLM: S
Requires shallow water in salt marshes, freshwater marshes, wet meadows, or
flooded grassy vegetation. Prefers areas of moist soil vegetated by fine-stemmed
emergent plants, rushes, grasses, or sedges, with scattered small pools. Known
from coastal California, northwestern Baja California, the lower Imperial Valley,
and the lower Colorado River of Arizona and California. Now extirpated from
virtually all of coastal Southern California.
Absent. Site lacks
wet areas.
Polioptila californica californica
Coastal California gnatcatcher
US: FT CA: SSC Inhabits coastal sage scrub in low-lying foothills and valleys up to about 500 meters (1,640 feet) elevation in cismontane southwestern California and Baja California.
Absent. Site lacks suitable natural communities.
Vireo bellii pusillus
Least Bell’s vireo
US: FE
CA: SE
Riparian forests and willow thickets. The most critical structural component of
least Bell’s vireo habitat in California is a dense shrub layer 2 to 10 feet (0.6–3.0
meters) above ground. Willows usually dominant. Nests from central California to
northern Baja California. Winters in southern Baja California.
Absent. Site lacks
suitable natural
communities.
MAMMALS
Eumops perotis californicus
Western mastiff bat
US: –
CA: SSC
Occurs in many open, semi-arid to arid habitats, including conifer and deciduous
woodlands, coastal scrub, grasslands, chaparral, etc.; roosts in crevices in vertical
cliff faces, high buildings, and tunnels, and travels widely when foraging.
Absent. Site lacks
nesting habitat; but
bats may
occasionally forage
over site.
BIOLOGICAL RESOURCES AND ARBORIST REPORT NOVEMBER 2022 FONTANA PUBLIC STORAGE FONTANA, CALIFORNIA
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Table A-2: Special-Status Species Summary
Species Status Habitat and Distribution Occurrence Probability
Lasiurus xanthinus
Western yellow bat
US: –
CA: SSC
Found mostly in desert and desert riparian areas of the southwest United States,
but also expanding its range with the increased usage of native and non-native
ornamental palms in landscaping. Individuals typically roost amid dead fronds of
palms in desert oases, but have also been documented roosting in cottonwood
trees. Forage over many habitats.
Absent. Site lacks
nesting habitat; but
bats may
occasionally forage
over site.
Nyctinomops femorosaccus
Pocketed free-tailed bat
US: – CA: SSC Usually associated with cliffs, rock outcrops, or slopes. May roost in buildings (including roof tiles) or caves. Rare in California, where it is found in Riverside, San Diego, Imperial, and possibly Los Angeles Counties. More common in Mexico.
Absent. Site lacks nesting habitat; but bats may occasionally forage over site.
Chaetodipus fallax fallax
Northwestern San Diego pocket
mouse
US: –
CA: SSC
Found in sandy herbaceous areas, usually associated with rocks or coarse gravel in
coastal scrub, chaparral, grasslands, and sagebrush, from Los Angeles County
through southwestern San Bernardino, western Riverside, and San Diego counties
to northern Baja California.
Absent. Site lacks
suitable natural
communities.
Dipodomys merriami parvus
San Bernardino kangaroo rat
US: FE CA: SSC Gravelly and sandy soils of alluvial fans, braided river channels, active channels and terraces; San Bernardino Valley (San Bernardino County) and San Jacinto Valley (Riverside County). In San Bernardino County, this species occurs primarily in the Santa Ana River and its tributaries north of Interstate 10, with small remnant populations in the Etiwanda alluvial fan, the northern portion of the Jurupa Mountains in the south Bloomington area, and in Reche Canyon.
Absent. No alluvial habitat present on site.
Neotoma lepida intermedia
San Diego desert woodrat
US: –
CA: SSC
Found in desert scrub and coastal sage scrub habitat, especially in association with
cactus patches. Builds stick nests around cacti, or on rocky crevices. Occurs along
the Pacific slope from San Luis Obispo County to northwest Baja California.
Absent. Site lacks
suitable natural
communities.
Onychomys torridus ramona
Southern grasshopper mouse
US: – CA: SSC
BLM: –
Believed to inhabit sandy or gravelly valley floor habitats with friable soils in open and semi-open scrub, including coastal sage scrub, mixed chaparral, low
sagebrush, riparian scrub, and annual grassland with scattered shrubs, preferring
low to moderate shrub cover. More susceptible to small- and large-scale habitat
loss and fragmentation than most other rodents, due to its low fecundity, low
population density, and large home range size. Arid portions of southwestern
California and northwestern Baja California.
Absent. Site lacks suitable natural
communities.
Perognathus longimembris
brevinasus
Los Angeles pocket mouse
US: –
CA: SSC
Prefers sandy soil for burrowing, but has been found on gravel washes and stony
soils. Found in coastal sage scrub in Los Angeles, Riverside, and San Bernardino
counties.
Absent. Site lacks
suitable natural
communities.
BIOLOGICAL RESOURCES AND ARBORIST REPORT NOVEMBER 2022 FONTANA PUBLIC STORAGE FONTANA, CALIFORNIA
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Table A-2: Special-Status Species Summary
Species Status Habitat and Distribution Occurrence Probability
Taxidea taxus
American badger
US: –
CA: SSC
BLM: –
Primary habitat requirements seem to be sufficient food and friable soils in
relatively open uncultivated ground in grasslands, woodlands, and desert. Widely
distributed in North America.
Absent. Site lacks
suitable natural
communities.
LEGEND
US: Federal Classifications
– No applicable classification FE Taxa listed as Endangered. FT Taxa listed as Threatened.
CA: State Classifications
SE Taxa State-listed as Endangered.
ST Taxa State-listed as Threatened.
SCE Taxa Candidate for State listing. SSC California Species of Special Concern. Refers to animals with vulnerable or seriously declining populations. CFP California Fully Protected. Refers to animals protected from take under Fish and Game Code Sections 3511, 4700, 5050, and 5515.
SA Special Animal. Refers to any other animal monitored by the Natural Diversity Database, regardless of its legal or rarity status.
1A California Rare Plant Rank 1A: Presumed extinct.
1B California Rare Plant Rank 1B: Rare, threatened, or endangered in California and elsewhere. 2B California Rare Plant Rank 2B: Rare, threatened, or endangered in California, but more common elsewhere. California Rare Plant Ranks are assigned by a committee of government agency and non-governmental botanical experts and are not official State designations of rarity status.
BIOLOGICAL RESOURCES AND ARBORIST REPORT NOVEMBER 2022 FONTANA PUBLIC STORAGE FONTANA, CALIFORNIA
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Table A-3: Trees on the Project Site
Tree No. Species Rating Trunk Caliper (inches) Height (feet)
Heritage, Significant, or Specimen Tree?
Replacement Tree Requirement (based on rating and trunk caliper)
1 Holm oak (Quercus ilex) 50 7 (multi-stem) 10 No 1 × 15 gallon1
2 Red river gum (Eucalyptus
camaldulensis)
65 17 42 No 24-inch box1
3 Red river gum (Eucalyptus
camaldulensis)
55 17 40 No 1 × 15 gallon1
4 Red river gum (Eucalyptus camaldulensis) 65 8 30 No 24-inch box1
5 Red river gum (Eucalyptus
camaldulensis)
55 10 @ 1.5 feet 30 No 1 × 15 gallon1
6 Red river gum (Eucalyptus camaldulensis) 55 7 @ 1 foot 30 No 1 × 15 gallon1
7 Red river gum (Eucalyptus
camaldulensis)
45 1.5 7 No 1 × 15 gallon2
8 Red river gum (Eucalyptus camaldulensis) 50 20 (multi-stem) 42 No 1 × 15 gallon1
9 Red river gum (Eucalyptus
camaldulensis)
55 7 16 No 1 × 15 gallon1
10 Red river gum (Eucalyptus camaldulensis) 60 7 20 No 24-inch box1
11 Red river gum (Eucalyptus
camaldulensis)
55 14 (multi-stem) 32 No 1 × 15 gallon1
12 Red river gum (Eucalyptus
camaldulensis)
55 8 33 No 1 × 15 gallon1
13 Red river gum (Eucalyptus
camaldulensis)
55 6 16 No 1 × 15 gallon2
14 Red river gum (Eucalyptus
camaldulensis)
45 17 (multi-stem) 42 No 1 × 15 gallon1
15 Red river gum (Eucalyptus
camaldulensis)
65 7 27 No 24-inch box1
16 Red river gum (Eucalyptus
camaldulensis)
55 7 25 No 1 × 15 gallon1
17 Red river gum (Eucalyptus
camaldulensis)
45 5 18 No 1 × 15 gallon2
18 Red river gum (Eucalyptus
camaldulensis)
45 2 12 No 1 × 15 gallon2
19 Red river gum (Eucalyptus
camaldulensis)
55 5 18 No 1 × 15 gallon2
20 Red river gum (Eucalyptus
camaldulensis)
Dead 7 20 No None3
21 Red river gum (Eucalyptus
camaldulensis)
60 10 (multi-stem) 32 No 24-inch box1
22 Red river gum (Eucalyptus
camaldulensis)
45 1.5 7 No 1 × 15 gallon2
23 Red river gum (Eucalyptus camaldulensis) 55 7 20 No 1 × 15 gallon1
24 Red river gum (Eucalyptus
camaldulensis)
45 3 16 No 1 × 15 gallon2
BIOLOGICAL RESOURCES AND ARBORIST REPORT NOVEMBER 2022 FONTANA PUBLIC STORAGE FONTANA, CALIFORNIA
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Table A-3: Trees on the Project Site
Tree No. Species Rating Trunk Caliper (inches) Height (feet)
Heritage, Significant, or Specimen Tree?
Replacement Tree Requirement (based on rating and trunk caliper)
25 Red river gum (Eucalyptus
camaldulensis)
60 11 (multi-stem 27 No 24-inch box1
26 Red river gum (Eucalyptus
camaldulensis)
45 3 8 No 1 × 15 gallon2
27 Red river gum (Eucalyptus
camaldulensis)
50 26 @ 3 feet 43 No 1 × 15 gallon1
28 Red river gum (Eucalyptus camaldulensis) 45 6 (multi-stem) 18 No 1 × 15 gallon2
29 Red river gum (Eucalyptus
camaldulensis)
55 19 50 No 1 × 15 gallon1
30 Red river gum (Eucalyptus camaldulensis) 50 16 (multi-stem) 46 No 1 × 15 gallon1
31 Red river gum (Eucalyptus
camaldulensis)
50 19 (multi-stem) 46 No 1 × 15 gallon1
32 Red river gum (Eucalyptus camaldulensis) 55 9 25 No 1 × 15 gallon1
1 Replacement requirement indicated in Table No. IV (for Other Trees 7 inches or greater in diameter) in Fontana Municipal Code,
Section 28-67.
2 Replacement requirement indicated in Table No. III (for Other Trees under 7 inches in diameter) in Fontana Municipal Code, Section 28-67.
3 No replacement is required for trees determined to be diseased or dead by a certified arborist and approved by City staff (Fontana
Municipal Code, Section 28-65(4)).
BIOLOGICAL RESOURCES AND ARBORIST REPORT NOVEMBER 2022 FONTANA PUBLIC STORAGE FONTANA, CALIFORNIA
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ATTACHMENT B
FIGURES
Figure 1: Project Location and Vicinity
Figure 2: Study Area
Figure 3: Site Photographs
304.80
SOURCE: USGS 7.5' Quad - Fontana (1980), CA
I:\PUB2202\GIS\MXD\Bio\ProjLoc_USGS_Bio.mxd (10/26/2022)
FIGURE 1
Fontana Public Storage
Project Location and Vicinity
0 1000 2000
FEET
LEGEND
Project Location
SanBernardinoCounty
RiversideCounty
ÃÃ330
ÃÃ38
ÃÃ71
ÃÃ18 ÃÃ173
ÃÃ210
ÃÃ60
ÃÃ91
Project Location
§¨¦15
§¨¦215
§¨¦10
Project Vicinity
!Å
!Å !Å
§¨¦10
SOURCE: Google Imagery (2020)
I:\PUB2202\GIS\Pro\Fontana Public Storage\Fontana Public Storage.aprx (11/7/2022)
FIGURE 2
Fontana Public Storage
Study Area
0 75 150
FEET
Study Area
!Å Photo Location
Tree
1
2 3
VALLEY BLVD
2
3
4
5 6 7 8 14910111213 15
16 17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24 25
26 27
28
29
30
31
32
1
HE
A
L
T
H
C
A
R
E
PK
W
Y
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FIGURE 3
Site Photographs
Public Storage Redevelopment Project
Photograph 1.View of undeveloped portion of project site, looking south.
Photograph 2.View of Tree 1, looking west.
Page 1 of 2
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FIGURE 3
Fontana Public Storage
Site Photographs
Photograph 3.View of Trees 2 through 32, looking southwest.
Photograph 4.Eucalyptus gall wasp infestation on Tree 7.
Page 2 of 2