biological assessment - smcgov.org · 2015-04-27 · april 5, 2015. for . 333 valencia street,...

Biological Assessment

FOR

Green Valley Trail Alignment

San Mateo County, California

Prepared by:

333 Valencia Street, Suite 324, San Francisco, CA 94103 (415) 255-8077

Prepared for:

Questa Engineering 1220 Brickyard Cove Rd. #206

Point Richmond, CA 94807 AND

County of San Mateo Parks Department

455 County Center, 4th Floor Redwood City, CA 94063

April 5, 2015

TABLE OF CONTENTS

SUMMARY .................................................................................................................................... 1

INTRODUCTION .......................................................................................................................... 3

BIOLOGICAL RESOURCES - REGULATORY BACKGROUND ............................................ 9

WETLANDS AND OTHER WATERS ................................................................................................ 9 WETLANDS, RIPARIAN COMMUNITIES AND SPECIAL-STATUS NATURAL COMMUNITIES ............ 10 SPECIAL-STATUS PLANT SPECIES ............................................................................................... 10 SPECIAL-STATUS WILDLIFE SPECIES .......................................................................................... 11

METHODS ................................................................................................................................... 12

RESULTS ..................................................................................................................................... 12

SPECIAL-STATUS PLANT SPECIES ............................................................................................... 12 SPECIAL-STATUS WILDLIFE SPECIES .......................................................................................... 12

California Red-legged Frog .................................................................................................. 13 San Francisco Garter Snake.................................................................................................. 14 San Francisco Dusky-footed Woodrat ................................................................................... 14

CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS ....................................................................... 15

REFERENCES ............................................................................................................................. 16

LIST OF FIGURES

Figure 1. General Location of Study Area……………………………….………..……...…....4 Figure 2. Trail Segments …………………………………………….……………......…….....5 Figure 3. Potential Wetlands/Waters of the US …………………………………......…….....7

APPENDICES

Appendix A. Special-status Plant Species Table

Appendix B. Special-status Wildlife Species Table

Appendix C. Plant Species Observed in the Green Valley Trail Study Area

Appendix D. Photos of the Green Valley Trail Study Area

BioMaAS – Green Valley Trail Alignment, San Mateo County 1

SUMMARY

At the request of the County of San Mateo County, BioMaAS, Inc. conducted an assessment of biological resources in the vicinity of the proposed Green Valley Trail project. The site is located just below the western flanks of Montara Mountain, east of Highway One and immediately southeast of the newly completed Devil’s Slide tunnel in San Mateo County, California. The study area includes several potential trail alignments, as well as a “Preferred Alignment” under consideration for the construction necessary to complete an approximately one mile segment of the California Coastal Trail. The new Green Valley Trail segment will connect the recently completed California Coastal Trail at Devil’s Slide with an existing trail on McNee Ranch State Park that connects to a parking lot used for access to Gray Whale Cove State Beach. This report presents the results of our biological assessment. Based on a review of available biological databases and literature for the region of the study area, certain sensitive or “special-status” plant and animal species were identified as having at least some potential to occur in the vicinity of the study area. Reconnaissance-level field surveys were conducted on February 21 and 22, and March 13, 2015. The scope of the field surveys was to identify and characterize the various vegetation communities present within the study area, and to assess the potential for special-status plant or animal species to be present within the study area. The results of these studies are presented in this report. In addition to the identification of potentially-occurring sensitive plant and animal species, surveys were also conducted in order to determine the presence of wetlands or other aquatic resources that may fall under the jurisdiction of certain regulatory agencies including the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the Regional Water Quality Control Board, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, and the California Coastal Commission. Certain activities are restricted in aquatic habitats for the protection of water quality as well as the protection of certain sensitive animal or plant species that may be present in wetland communities. A formal wetland delineation of the study area was prepared concurrently. Based on this biological assessment, there is at least some likelihood of the presence of certain special-status or sensitive animal species within the study area, including California red-legged frog and San Francisco garter snake, aquatic species potentially associated with the stream crossings where perennial water is present, including a large expanse of riparian willow scrub or woodland, and adjacent seeps, springs, or creek channels supporting freshwater marsh vegetation. In such areas, as well as adjacent uplands, there is a potential for sensitive animal species to use the site for habitation, protection from predators, breeding, movement, and foraging. Although active nests were not confirmed during reconnaissance surveys, the presence of San Francisco dusky-footed woodrat within the project construction area is high, given the observation of at least one stick nest near the construction area in the eastern portion of the study area.


In addition, several special-status plant species were considered to have at least some potential for occurrence within the study area. Such species were not identifiable during the present surveys because the timing of the surveys did not correspond to the appropriate season during which these plants can be accurately identified. Recommendations to avoid impacts to sensitive resources include the following: 1) Prior to trail construction, preconstruction surveys should be conducted to determine the

presence or absence of potentially occurring sensitive animal species within and adjacent to project construction. If the presence of sensitive aquatic amphibians or reptiles including California red-legged frog or San Francisco garter snake is confirmed or suspected, protection measures such as appropriate placement of exclusion and silt fencing, and construction monitoring, especially during work in or near aquatic resources should be implemented, in order to avoid harm or harassment of any state or federally listed species during construction activities.

2) Based on the appropriate timing for proper identification, a focused botanical survey

conducted by a qualified botanist during May should be completed to identify any of the potentially occurring plants if they are present. If sensitive plant species are determined to be present within the study area, consultation with appropriate agencies should be initiated, and measures should be devised to avoid impacts to these resources to the maximum extent possible. These could include local trail realignments or plant salvage operations.

3) In addition, if pre-construction surveys determine the presence of active nests of San Francisco dusky-footed woodrat or nesting birds within or adjacent to the project construction area, consultation with appropriate agencies should be initiated, and measures should be devised to avoid impacts to nests to the maximum extent possible. For woodrats this may include the dismantling and relocation of woodrat nests. For nesting birds this may include the establishment of nest buffers or the delay of construction beyond the nesting season.


INTRODUCTION

Green Valley is located along the east side of Highway One in San Mateo County, California, immediately southeast of the Devil’s Slide tunnel project recently completed by The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans). As a part of the Devil’s Slide project, a 1.2-mile stretch of abandoned highway west of the newly built tunnels has been improved and adopted as a segment of the California Coastal Trail. The California Coastal Conservancy in partnership with the County of San Mateo plans to extend an approximately one mile segment of the California Coastal Trail from the new Devil’s Slide Trail through Green Valley, connecting Highway One south of the tunnel with McNee Ranch State Park and Gray Whale Cove State Beach (Figure 1). The proposed Green Valley Trail alignment, including a fifty-foot wide buffer along the preferred alignment as well as alternatives, comprise the study area that is the subject of this biological assessment (Figure 2). Construction of the trail on the north side of Green Valley would likely consist of reconstructing an overgrown historic trail, including clearing brush from the immediate trail environment, widening the trail 4 to 5 feet, minor grading and leveling, installing trail drainage features, out-sloping, and reshaping cut slopes on steep hill sides, including across an un-named drainage referred in this report as the “Northern Drainage” (Figure 2). In a few limited areas with steep slopes and loose or unstable soils, 2 to 4 foot high wood retaining walls would be used to stabilize cut and fill slopes and maintain a minimum trail width. Boardwalks would be used to cross small drainage features and wetlands.

On the south side of the valley, an existing surfaced access road extends roughly a half-mile from the State Park employee housing complex to the parking lot serving Gray Whale Cove State Beach at Highway One. The proposed Green Valley Trail plan does not include any modifications to the existing road from “C” to “B” and south to the edge of the map as shown on Figure 2, and this portion of the trail is not included as part of this biological assessment. The conceptual plan for the Green Valley Trail avoids adverse impacts to the natural resources of the valley by placing it out of riparian areas to the fullest extent possible. A majority of the trail alignment will follow an existing trail that is situated within dense, mature scrub vegetation with low potential for the presence of special-status plant or animal species. The preferred alignment primarily follows an existing, graded trail that will be widened and improved. The preferred trail alignment crosses Green Valley Creek in the upper end of the valley where a riparian canopy comprised of a dense willow thicket is the narrowest, limiting impacts to existing riparian vegetation. Approximately 600 feet of the trail will involve new trail construction, with an several hundred feet of elevated boardwalk installed to minimize creek impacts where the trail crosses wetlands in the understory of the riparian woodland. Most of the trail is expected to be unsurfaced compacted earth and, if necessary, treated in localized areas with a polymer or natural stabilizer to harden the soil, or a ground surface course applied to provide wet weather passage and to ensure compliance with Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) guidelines. On the south side of the valley, the trail will be located on State Park land at McNeer Ranch State Park and connect to an existing surfaced access road that heads west to an existing parking lot and trailhead serving visitors to Gray Whale Cove State Beach. Only minor drainage improvements will be made to the existing service road.

UESTAP.O. Box 70356 1220 Brickyard Cove Road Point Richmond, CA 94807

UESTA Environmental

& Water Resources

Civil

(510) 236-6114

FAX (510) 236-2423

[email protected]

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SETTING

Green Valley encompasses an alluvial fan draining a small creek, surrounded by steep, eroded slopes with natural gradients ranging between 30 to 70 percent. Soils within the valley are deep and moderately well drained, and groundwater as well as surface flow is eventually carried along a west-draining creek channel in the valley bottom, ultimately traveling through a culvert under Highway One and emptying directly into the Pacific Ocean. A currently unoccupied house situated in the upper end of the valley just upstream of the easternmost extent of the trail alignment is the only structure within the study area.

Just east of Highway One, outside of the study area but in the vicinity of the northern entrance to the proposed Green Valley Trail corridor, former staging areas and fill-disposal sites associated with the construction of the Devil’s Slide tunnel are present. A new Caltrans maintenance and operations facility building is also present. These highly disturbed areas are currently undergoing extensive revegetation with native plant species characteristic of the area.

Protected conservation lands owned by Caltrans, and planned for open space recreational use surround the upper sections of the trail corridor and valley, including several thousand acres that are expected to be eventually transferred to the California Department of Parks and Recreation and/or the National Park Service. As described in the trail conceptual plan (Questa Engineering April, 2015 ), a large part of the Green Valley trail project will consist of reconstructing an overgrown primitive trail on Caltrans-owned land on the north side of the Valley, including clearing brush, and minor widening, grading and leveling the existing primitive trail. In a few areas with steep slopes and loose or unstable soils wood retaining walls, or other approaches to slope stabilization and erosion control will likely be needed to stabilize the loose decomposed granite soils and maintain a minimum trail width.

This report presents the results of the field surveys and an analysis of potential project-related impacts on biological resources, including special-status plant and wildlife species.

The identification of sensitive aquatic resources, including wetlands and other waters subject to the jurisdiction of federal, state, and local agencies, is being presented in a separate report (Wetland Delineation of the Green Valley Trail, BioMaAS 2015). The wetlands and sensitive resource areas are shown in Figure 3.

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Sources: BioMaAs 2015, Questa Engineering 2015,ESRI Aerial Basemap (4/2/2015)

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VEGETATION

The mountain slopes surrounding Green Valley support a dense, upland vegetative cover characterized as northern coastal scrub comprised primarily of native shrubs and scattered herbaceous species, while vegetation in the valley bottom is dominated by a dense, nearly continuous thicket of Central Coast riparian scrub with an understory of herbs, ferns, and low shrubs typical of freshwater marsh.

Northern coastal scrub is typical of the San Mateo County coastal region. Dominant species include native shrubs such as coyote brush (Baccharis pilularis), California sagebrush (Artemisia californica), California coffeeberry (Frangula californica), blue blossom (Ceanothus thyrsiflorus var. thyrsiflorus), and bush monkey-flower (Mimulus aurantiacus), among others, as well as the highly invasive, non-native Pampas grass (Cortaderia jubata), which is abundant throughout the region. Openings in the scrub, including the margins of the existing trail, support sparse to patchy, herbaceous native species such as Douglas iris (Iris douglasiana), yarrow (Achillea millefolium), and California aster (Symphyotrichum chilense) among many others.

Vegetation in the valley bottom is dominated by a dense riparian woodland comprised mostly of arroyo willow (Salix lasiolepis), which forms a nearly continuous canopy in the overstory. Scouler’s willow (Salix scouleriana) is also present in lesser amount. Beneath the willow canopy, a scattered to nearly continuous layer of native plants characteristic of freshwater marsh vegetation is present, some of which are associated with several small, incised channels. Freshwater marsh vegetation on site is dominated by Pacific oenanthe (Oenanthe sarmentosa), small-fruited bulrush (Scirpus microcarpus), giant chain fern (Woodwardia fimbriata), lady fern (Athyrium filix-femina var. cyclosorum), California blackberry (Rubus ursinus), and hoary nettle (Urtica dioica ssp. holosericea), among others. Cape ivy (Delairia odorata), a highly invasive exotic species, is abundant in the willow understory.

A perennial freshwater seep emerges on the northern slopes above the preferred trail alignment near the center of the study area, and is here referred to as the northern drainage (Figure 2). Shallow waters from the seep cross the trail in three small channels each approximately two feet wide, and continue downslope through dense, nearly impenetrable vegetation, ultimately flowing into the drainage of Green Valley Creek in the valley bottom. Above and below the trail where the seep crosses, vegetation in the understory is typical of freshwater marsh within a moderately dense willow canopy.

In addition, where the preferred trail alignment crosses the upstream reach of Green Valley Creek just west of the existing unoccupied residence, the spring-fed drainage crosses the trail within an approximately 15-foot wide swath of freshwater marsh vegetation under an open willow overstory before entering the dense willow thicket just downstream.

In the vicinity of the existing, unoccupied residence at the eastern end of the study area, where human activity and ground disturbance has been significant, a sparse to dense cover of non-native plant species characteristic of ruderal vegetation is present. Ruderal vegetation on site is dominated by non-native annual grass species such as wild oats (Avena fatua), rip-gut brome (Bromus diandrus), Italian ryegrass (Festuca perennis), and soft chess (Bromus hordeaceus), as well as common weedy herbaceous species such as cudweed (Pseudognaphalium luteoalbum), rough cat’s-ear (Hypochaeris radicata), Bermuda buttercup (Oxalis pes-capre), long-beaked


storkbill (Erodium botrys), red-stemmed filaree (Erodium cicutarium), white ramping fumatory (Fumaria capreolata), Italian thistle (Carduus pycnocephalus), English plantain (Plantago lanceolata), cut-leaved plantain (Plantago coronopus), and bristly ox-tongue (Helminthotheca echioides), among others. In addition, planted ornamental species including Monterey pine (Pinus radiata) and Monterey cypress (Hesperocyparis macrocarpa), both native to the Monterey Peninsula but frequently planted along the San Mateo coast.

BIOLOGICAL RESOURCES - REGULATORY BACKGROUND

Wetlands and Other Waters

Aquatic resources, including riparian areas, wetlands, and many other aquatic vegetation communities are considered sensitive biological resources and normally fall under the jurisdiction of several regulatory agencies.

Impacts to stream channels with a defined bed and bank are addressed specifically by the California Fish and Wildlife Code (§1600 et seq.). In addition to stream channels, riparian vegetation adjacent to waterways is generally considered as waters of the State, extending to the outer drip-line of the canopy.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) exerts jurisdiction over “waters of the U.S.”, including, but not limited to, all waters which are subject to the ebb and flow of tide, wetlands, lakes, rivers, streams (including intermittent or ephemeral streams), mudflats, sandflats, sloughs, prairie potholes, vernal pools, wet meadows, playa lakes, natural ponds, and tributaries of the above features.

The extent of waters of the U.S. is generally defined as that portion which falls within the limits of “ordinary high water.” Field indicators of ordinary high water include clear and natural lines on opposite sides of the banks, scouring, sedimentary deposits, drift lines, exposed roots, shelving, destruction of terrestrial vegetation, and the presence of litter or debris. Typically, the width of waters corresponds to the two-year flood event.

Wetlands, including swamps, bogs, seasonal wetlands, seeps, marshes and similar areas, are defined by the USACE as “those areas that are inundated or saturated by surface or ground water at a frequency and duration sufficient to support, and that under normal circumstances do support, a prevalence of vegetation typically adapted for life in saturated soil conditions” (33 CFR 328.3 [b]; 40 CFR 230.3 [t]). Indicators of three wetland parameters (hydric soils, hydrophytic vegetation, and wetlands hydrology as determined by field investigation) must be present for a site to be classified as a wetland by the USACE (Environmental Laboratory 1987) and Regional Supplement to the Corps of Engineers Wetland Delineation Manual: Arid West Region (Version 2.0) (USACE, 2008).

Waters of the State are generally understood to include those aquatic features protected under California Fish and Wildlife Code (§1600 et seq.). These include stream bed, channel, and stream banks, as well as associated wetland vegetation and/or riparian tree cover. Specifically, wetlands are defined by the State as lands transitional between terrestrial and aquatic systems


where the water table is usually at or near the surface or the land is covered by shallow water, or periodically support hydrophytic dominant vegetation, or in which soils are hydric in nature (CERES 2011).

Swales or erosional features (e.g., gullies, swales characterized by low volume, infrequent, or short duration flow) and ditches (including roadside ditches) excavated wholly in and draining only uplands and that do not carry a relatively permanent flow of water, are generally not considered streams or jurisdictional waters.

Wetlands, Riparian Communities and Special-Status Natural Communities

Special-status natural vegetation communities are those that are considered rare in the region, support special-status plant or wildlife species, or receive regulatory protection under Section 404 of the federal Clean Water Act or Section 1600, et seq. of the California Fish and Wildlife Code. The California Natural Diversity Data Base (CNDDB) has designated a number of communities as rare or sensitive and these communities are given the highest inventory priority (CDFW 2010).

Riparian habitats are considered by state and federal regulatory agencies to represent a sensitive and declining resource. Wetlands and riparian areas often serve important biological functions by providing nesting, breeding, foraging, and spawning habitat for a wide variety of resident and migratory wildlife species.

A formal wetland delineation, following methods approved by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers as well as appropriate state agencies will be presented in a separate report.

Special-Status Plant Species Special-status plant species include those that are listed as Endangered, Threatened, or Rare or are proposed for listing by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW), and the California Native Plant Society (CNPS). The CNPS listing is acknowledged by the CDFW, and serves essentially as a list of species that are or may become candidates for listing. It is mandatory that such species be considered during preparation of environmental documents subject to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). Scientific names for plants follow The Jepson Manual, 2nd edition (Baldwin et al. 2012).

Based on a search of the California Natural Diversity Database (CNDDB) and the CNPS Online Inventory of Rare and Endangered Plants for special-status plants that occur in San Mateo County, 40 special-status plant species were considered in this analysis to have some potential to occur in the study (Appendix B). Of those, thirty-five could be ruled out from being present in the study area based on a lack of suitable habitat such as soils derived from serpentine, old dunes or other sandy substrates, a lack of specific plant communities such as coastal salt marsh or coniferous forest or because they are perennial plants that, if present, would have been detectable during the reconnaissance surveys.

One species that cannot be ruled out is Hickman's cinquefoil (Potentilla hickmanii), which is considered to be extremely rare and is both federally and State-listed as Endangered, having the highest and most sensitive status of any ranking of rare plant species. Although the possibility of


its presence within wetlands on site is low, it cannot be ruled out based on the reconnaissance surveys, due to the presence of suitable habitat, and the known presence of the species at Martini Creek less than two miles south of the study area (CCH, 2015). As such, its potential for occurrence is likely to be closely scrutinized by both state and federal regulatory agencies CDFW and USFWS. Because of its elevated status, and the possibility that it might not have been detectable during the present surveys, focused surveys for Hickman's cinquefoil are recommended during May when, if present, it would be detectable. Two other potentially-occurring, special-status species that would not have been identifiable during the present surveys, including bent-flowered fiddleneck (Amsinckia lunaris) and Oregon polemonium (Polemonium carneum), would also be detectable during a botanical survey in May.

Woodland woollythreads (Monolopia gracilens) is a fire follower, typically remaining dormant and unseen until emerging after a wildfire event. As such it would be likely to be detected in the absence of fire, although soil disturbance such as that proposed for the trail improvements could provide disturbance sufficient to cause the plant to emerge.

Although considered very unlikely to be detected, the moss species California triquetrella (Triquetrella californica) is considered to have at least some potential to be present on rocks or rocky slopes along the proposed trail improvement corridor. If concern over the potential presence of this species arises during the environmental review process, a focused moss survey, conducted by a qualified bryologist would be required to determine the presence or absence of this moss.

A list of vascular plants observed during the reconnaissance surveys is presented in Appendix C. Special-status Wildlife Species Special-status wildlife species include those listed as Endangered, Threatened, Rare, or as Candidates for listing by the USFWS (2015) and/or CDFW (2015). Other species regarded as having special-status include special animals, as listed by the CDFW (2015). Additional animal species receive special protection under the federal Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act and the federal Migratory Bird Treaty Act. The Fish & Game Code of California provides protection for “fully protected birds”, “fully protected mammals”, “fully protected reptiles and amphibians”, and “fully protected fish”. Federal Species of Concern is not defined in the federal Endangered Species Act of 1973; however, USFWS maintains a website (Environmental Conservation Online System, http://ecos.fws.gov/tess_public/) which lists plant and wildlife species that are declining or appear to be in need of conservation and designates species of special concern or a similar status. The California Department of Fish and Wildlife is the responsible agency for protecting animals that are State listed as Species of Special Concern (SSC). Riparian habitat is also protected, and mitigation is required for projects that affect this habitat. Section 2080 of the Fish and Game Code prohibits "take" of any species that the commission determines to be an endangered or threatened species. Take is defined in Section 86 of the Fish and Game Code as "hunt, pursue, catch, capture, or kill, or attempt to hunt, pursue, catch, capture, or kill." The California Fish and Game Code §3503 and §3503.5 also protect birds of prey along with their nests and eggs.


The state has designated some wildlife species as “fully protected” which means that CDFW is charged with identifying and providing additional protection to those animals that are rare or face possible extinction. Fully Protected species may not be taken or possessed at any time and no licenses or permits may be issued for their take except for collection for scientific research.

METHODS

An initial biological reconnaissance survey of the study area was conducted by BioMaAS biologist Christopher Thayer on February 21 and 22, 2015. A follow-up survey was conducted by Mr. Thayer on March 13, 2015. During the field reconnaissance, the entire study area was surveyed on foot, following the existing trail, as well as several proposed alternative alignments, and an approximately fifty foot buffer zone outside of the alignments, where accessible. A literature review and database search for special-status plant and wildlife species included the Montara Mountain 7.5 minute USGS topographic quadrangle and adjacent quadrangles (Montara Mountain OEW, Half Moon Bay, San Mateo, Woodside, La Honda, and San Gregorio). Information on special-status plants, wildlife and vegetation communities was compiled through a review of references published by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW 2015), California Natural Diversity Data Base searches, the California Native Plant Society’s Online Inventory of Rare, Threatened and Endangered Plants (CNPS 2015), and the USFWS (USFWS 2015). Scientific names for plants conform to The Jepson Manual, 2nd edition (Baldwin et al. 2012). For the purposes of this assessment, special-status plant species were defined as species with federal or state listing of threatened or endangered and/or CNPS rare plant ranks of 1A, 1B, 2A and 2B.

RESULTS

Special-Status Plant Species Based on a database and literature review, a list of “target species” was compiled of 40 special-status plant species that are known to occur within the study area and surrounding areas (see Appendix A). Of these, based on observations of vegetation made during field visits to the site on February 21 and 22, and March 13, 2015, 35 species could be ruled out based on an absence of suitable habitat, or because they would have been detectable during the reconnaissance surveys. The remaining target species, including bent-flowered fiddleneck (Amsinckia lunaris), Oregon polemonium (Polemonium carneum), and the Federally-listed Hickman's cinquefoil (Potentilla hickmanii) would not have been detectable during the surveys and are considered to have at least some potential to be present in the study area. Woodland woollythreads (Monolopia gracilens) is unlikely to be detectable in the absence of fire, and is unlikely to be present on the site. The presence or absence of California triquetrella (Triquetrella californica) is very unlikely, but cannot be entirely ruled out without a survey by a qualified bryologist. Special-Status Wildlife Species Based on review of the California Natural Diversity Data Base (CNDDB 2015), USFWS Species Lists and the geographic range and habitat affinities of special-status animals, a total of 43 special-status wildlife species were considered to have potential to occur in the vicinity of the Study Area. Of these species, three were considered to have some potential to occur in the study


area, including California red-legged frog (Rana draytonii, CRLF), San Francisco garter snake (Thamnophis sirtalis tetrataenia, SFGS), and San Francisco dusky-footed woodrat (Neotoma fuscipes annectens). CRLF has been observed within Green Valley in recent years (Questa Engineering, 2006) and, although trapping studies in 1996 failed to find them, SFGS is considered to have at least some potential to occur, due to the presence of at least marginally suitable habitat and known occurrences to the south near Half Moon Bay and within less than four miles to the north of the study area in the vicinity of Calera Creek and the Sharp Park Golf Course in Pacifica. San Francisco dusky-footed woodrat is considered likely to be present due to the observation of their stick nests near the eastern end of the study area. No special-status species were observed during recent reconnaissance surveys. A summary of the formal status, habitat affinities, and potential for occurrence within the Study Area for each of the wildlife species assessed is presented in Appendix B. Three species with potential to occur in the study area, or that may be affected by potential project activities, are discussed below. California Red-legged Frog

The CRLF is a federally threatened species and a California Species of Special Concern. CRLF are pond frogs that breed from late November to early April, with earlier breeding records occurring in southern localities (Storer 1925). Adult CRLF appear to prefer dense, shrubby or emergent riparian vegetation closely associated with deep (>2.3 feet), still, or slow-moving water (Hayes and Jennings 1988). This species is known to disperse during periods of wet weather, typically starting with the first rains of fall. These long-distance movements are straight-line, point-to-point migrations through all terrain and not necessarily through riparian or other topographic corridors (Bulger et al. 2003). The longest distance traversed by an individual was 2.24 miles by moving between two sites 1.74 miles apart (Bulger et al. 2003). Despite these observations of long distance dispersal, data from Bulger et al. (2003) suggest that only a relatively small segment of the adult population is liable to disperse in any given year. If a breeding site has suitable conditions, most adult frogs will remain year round. There are four primary constituent elements (PCEs) that are considered to be essential for the conservation or survival of this species. The PCEs for the CRLF include: aquatic breeding habitat; non-breeding aquatic habitat; upland habitat; and dispersal habitat (USFWS 2006a). Dispersal Habitat includes accessible upland or riparian habitats between occupied locations within 0.7 miles of each other that allow for movement between these sites. Dispersal habitat includes various natural and altered habitats such as agricultural fields, which do not contain barriers to dispersal. Moderate to high density urban or industrial developments, large reservoirs and heavily traveled roads without bridges or culverts are considered barriers to dispersal (USFWS 2006a). Populations of CRLF were identified in lower Green Valley during a 1995 field survey conducted by Dr. Samuel McGinnis. Individuals of this species were also found in two small pool sites along the course of the Green Valley drainage (Questa Engineering, 2006). CRLF larvae and an adult were observed in the isolated wetland north of the proposed trail alignment


(Figure 2), during a 2005 survey by Hillary Hodge. No CRLF eggs, larvae or adults were observed during the present reconnaissance surveys. However, as CRLF is recorded from the vicinity, and onsite aquatic features are likely to provide suitable aquatic breeding habitat, CRLF is presumed to be present within the study area. San Francisco Garter Snake

The SFGS is a subspecies of the common garter snake that is endemic to San Mateo County and northern Santa Cruz County. It eats a wide variety of prey, which includes the CRLF. This species is typically associated with ponds and emergent and bankside vegetation such as cattails (Typha spp.), bulrushes (Scirpus spp.), and spike rushes (Juncus spp. and Eleocharis spp.) are preferred and used for cover (Stebbins, 2011). There are two significant components to SFGS habitat: 1) ponds that support the CRLF, American Bullfrog (Rana catesbeiana), and the Sierran Treefrog (Pseudacris sierra) and 2) the surrounding upland that supports the Botta's Pocket Gopher (Thomomys bottae) and the California Meadow Vole (Microtus californicus) (USFWS 2006b). Ranid frogs are an obligate component of the SFGS's diet (USFWS 2006b). Little is known regarding SFGS dispersal distances. Studies at Ano Nuevo State Reserve found the mean distance of female hibernacula to the Visitor Center Pond was 459 feet, with a maximum distance of 637 feet. Distances of greater than 637 feet have been reported, including an unconfirmed distance of approximately 1000 feet (McGinnis et al. 1987). In addition, a study of SFGS in coastal San Mateo County (Halstead et al., 2011) found SFGS up to 700 feet from aquatic habitat.

The San Francisco garter snake was not trapped or observed in Green Valley during a 1995 field survey conducted by Dr. Samuel McGinnis. It appears that the reason that the San Francisco garter snake was not present, even though suitable habitat exists, is the inaccessibility of the habitats to San Francisco garter snake populations in nearby drainages. The San Francisco garter snake was not found during any of the field surveys conducted for the California red-legged frog between 1997 and 1998. In addition, this species was not found during any of the other biological field studies (Questa Engineering, 2006).

One known SFGS occurrence is at Sharp Park in Pacifica, less than four miles north of the Study Area (CNDDB). San Francisco Dusky-footed Woodrat

The SFDFW occurs in brushy habitat in chaparral and woodlands around San Francisco Bay and (Hafner et al. 1998). As generalist herbivores; they consume a wide variety of nuts and fruits, fungi, foliage and some forbs (Linsdale and Tevis 1951). They construct large stick houses, some of which can last for twenty or more years (Linsdale and Tevis, 1951). Houses may be placed on the ground against logs or roots, and, are often located in dense brush. Nests are also placed in the crotches and cavities of trees. This special-status species is considered likely to inhabit the study area as at least one stick nest was observed during initial reconnaissance of the site. The nest is located on and within an abandoned camper shell near the stream crossing just west of the existing house structure (see Photos). It was not determined conclusively during reconnaissance surveys whether or not the nest is currently occupied. A preconstruction survey should be conducted by a qualified biologist


to determine if this or any other potentially-occurring nests are active and would be compromised during trail construction, and appropriate mitigation measures (e.g., nest relocation) should be specified.

CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

Based on reconnaissance surveys, no special-status plant species were observed, although most target species could be ruled out due to a lack of suitable habitat or because they would have been detectable. Nevertheless, four species of special-status vascular plants and one sensitive moss species have at least some potential to occur within the study area based on the presence of at least marginally suitable habitat, and known presence within the general region in San Mateo County. A focused botanical survey for potentially occurring special-status plant species should be conducted by a qualified botanist during May, when potentially-occurring vascular plant species, including bent-flowered fiddleneck (Amsinckia lunaris), Oregon polemonium (Polemonium carneum), and Hickman's cinquefoil (Potentilla hickmanii) would be detectable. Appropriate mitigation measures (e.g., trail realignment, plant salvage) should be specified at that time. Woodland woollythreads (Monolopia gracilens) is not likely to emerge in the absence of fire, and is therefore unlikely to be detected on the site. Although not likely to occur within the study area, the presence or absence of California triquetrella (Triquetrella californica) is unlikely to be determined without consultation with a qualified bryologist, specializing in moss identification. CRLF is presumed to be present based on known historical occurrences, and SFGS, although unlikely, has at least some potential to occur in the Study Area, due to the presence of marginally suitable habitat, and the known occurrence of the subspecies in the region. A nesting bird survey should be conducted prior to any vegetation clearing or construction. A survey for active nests of San Francisco dusky-footed woodrat should also be conducted prior to trail construction. The use of appropriately placed wildlife exclusion fencing and on-site biological monitoring prior to initial ground disturbance and during active construction should be implemented to avoid disturbance or harm to any of these species. Although SFGS is not likely present, the exclusion fencing should be designed for both CRLF and SFGS. In addition, monofilament netting, which is commonly used in straw wattle and other erosion preventatives, should not be used in or adjacent to the construction area in order to prevent possible entrapment of both common and special status wildlife species. The isolated wetland feature should be avoided by any construction, and the existing trail should be realigned to decrease its impact on this area. A section of existing trail is approximately ten feet uphill from the edge of the feature. It is a potential source of erosion into the wetland, and brings bicycle and foot traffic extremely close to potential CRLF breeding and foraging habitat. An alternate trail alignment at a greater distance from this pond would decrease the likelihood of impact to CRLF in this area.


REFERENCES

Baldwin, B. G., D. H. Goldman, D. J. Keil, R. Patterson, T. J. Rosatti, and D. H. Wilken, editors. 2012. The Jepson manual: Vascular Plants of California, Second Edition. University of California Press, Berkeley. Bulger J. B., J. S. Norman, and R. B. Seymour. 2003. Terrestrial activity and conservation of

adult California red-legged frogs Rana aurora draytonii in coastal forests and grasslands. Biological Conservation 110:85-95

California Native Plant Society (CNPS). CNPS Rare Plant Program. 2015. Inventory of Rare and

Endangered Plants (online edition, v8-02). California Native Plant Society, Sacramento, CA. Accessed March 8, 2015.

California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW). 2010. List of Vegetation Alliances and

Associations. Vegetation Classification and Mapping Program, Sacramento, CA. September. Natural Communities List Arranged Alphabetically by Life Form, Sept. 2010

California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW). 2015. California Natural Diversity Data

Base. Accessed online February 11, 2015, at http://www.dfg.ca.gov/biogeodata/cnddb/pdfs/spanimals.pdf.

CERES 2011. California Natural Resources Agency. Accessed at

www.ceres.ca.gov

Consortium of California Herbaria (CCH). 2015. http://ucjeps.berkeley.edu/consortium/. Accessed on March 8, 2015.

Hafner, D.J., Yensen, E. and Kirkland, Jr,, G.L. (compilers and editors) 1998. North American

Rodents: Status Survey and Conservation Action Plan. IUCN/SSC Rodent Specialist Group. IUCN, Gland, Switzerland and Cambridge, UK

Halstead B. J., Wylie G. D., Amarello M., Smith J. J., Thompson M. E., Routman E. J., Casazza

M. L. 2011. Demography of the San Francisco garter snake in coastal San Mateo County, California. Journal of Fish and Wildlife Management 2:41–48

Hayes, M.P. and M.R. Jennings. 1988. Habitat correlates of distribution of the California red-legged frog (Rana aurora draytonii) and the foothill yellow-legged frog (Rana boylii): implications for management. Pp. 144–158. In Szaro, R.C., K.E. Severson and D.R. Patton (Tech.Coords.), Management of Amphibians, Reptiles and Small Mammals in North America. U.S.D.A. Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Forest and Range Experiment Station, General Technical Report RM-166, Fort Collins, Colorado

Linsdale, J. M., and L. P. Tevis, Jr. 1951. The duskyfooted wood rat . Univ. California Press, Berkeley and Los Angeles, 664 pp. McGinnis, S.M. 2006. Freshwater Fishes of California. University of California Press, Berkeley.

http://www.dfg.ca.gov/biogeodata/vegcamp/pdfs/natcomlist.pdf�

http://www.dfg.ca.gov/biogeodata/cnddb/pdfs/spanimals.pdf�


McGinnis, S., P. Keel, and E, Burko. 1987. The use of upland habitats by snake species at Ano Nuevo State Reserve. Report to California Department of Fish and Game, Sacramento, California. 13 pp.

Questa Engineering Corporation. 2006. Linking the California Coastal Trail South of the Devils

Slide Tunnel: Design and Feasibility Study for the Green Valley Trail, Montara, CA.

Stebbins, R.C. and S.M. McGinnis. 2011. Amphibians and Reptiles of California. University of California Press, Berkeley.

Storer, T.I. 1925. A synopsis of the amphibia of California. University of California Publications in Zoology 27: 60-71.

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE). 2008a. Regional Supplement to the Corps of Engineers Wetland Delineation Manual: Arid West Region Version 2.0), ed. J.S. Wakely, R.W. Lichvar and V.C. Noble. ERDC/EL TR-08-28. Vicksburg, MS: U.S.Army Engineer Research and Development Center.

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE). 2008b. A Field Guide to the Identification of the Ordinary High Water Mark (OHWM) in the Arid West Region of the Western United States. R.W. Lichvar and S.M. McColley ERDC/CRREL TR-08-12. Hanover New Hampshire: Cold Regions Research and Engineering Laboratory. August.

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE). 2013. Regional Wetland Plant List. Accessed online at: http://rsgisias.crrel.usace.army.mil/NWPL/static/cfg/doc/pdl_2013_pub/Regions/pdf/reg_AW_2013v1.pdf

United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS). 2015. Threatened and Endangered Species System (TESS) Candidate Species. Accessed on February 23, 2015, at http://ecos.fws.gov/tess_public USFWS 2006a. Designation of Critical habitat for the California Red-legged Frog, and Special

Rule Exemption Associated with Final Listing for Existing Routine Ranching Activities; Final Rule. Federal Register 71(71):19243-19346. April 13.

USFWS. 2006b. Formal Consultation on the Mori Point Restoration and Trail Plan in the Golden

Gate National Recreation Area in the City of Pacifica, San Mateo County, California. United States Geological Survey (USGS). Montara Mountain 7.5 minute USGS topographic

quadrangle and adjacent quadrangles (Montara Mountain OEW, Half Moon Bay, San Mateo, Woodside, La Honda, and San Gregorio).

http://ecos.fws.gov/tess_public�


APPENDIX A Special-status Plant Species Table

(San Mateo County)


APPENDIX A: Potentially Occurring Special-Status Plant Taxa, Based on a Database Search for the Montara Mountain and Adjacent Quadrangles Scientific Name

Common Name

CDFG/CNPS Status

Federal/State Status

Life form, habitat and bloom time.

Potential for occurrence/comments

Acanthomintha duttonii

San Mateo thorn-mint

1B.1 E/E

Annual herb; chaparral, valley and foothill grassland, coastal scrub. Extant populations only known from very uncommon serpentinite vertisol clays; in relatively open areas. 50-200m. Apr. - Jun.

None. No suitable habitat present.

Allium peninsulare var. franciscanum

Franciscan onion

1B.2 --

Perennial herb; cismontane woodland, valley and foothill grassland. Clay soils, dry hillsides; often on serpentine. 100-300m. May - Jun.


Amsinckia lunaris

bent-flowered fiddleneck 1B.2 --

Annual herb; cismontane woodland, valley and foothill grassland. 50-500m. Mar. Jun.

Low. Only limited, marginally suitable habitat present.

Arctostaphylos andersonii

Anderson's manzanita

1B.2 --

Shrub; broadleaved upland forest, chaparral, north coast coniferous forest. Open sites, redwood forest. 180-800m. Nov. - May.

Not present. Would have been detected during reconnaissance surveys.

Arctostaphylos montaraensis

Montara manzanita

1B.2 --

Shrub, chaparral, coastal scrub. Slopes and ridges. 150-500m. Jan. - Mar.


Arctostaphylos regismontana

Kings Mountain manzanita 1B.2 --

Shrub, broadleaved upland forest, chaparral, North Coast coniferous forest. Granitic or sandstone outcrops. 305-730m. Jan. - Apr.


Astragalus pycnostachyus var. pycnostachyus

coastal marsh milk-vetch 1B.2 --

Perennial herb; coastal dunes, coastal salt marshes. Mesic sites in dunes or along streams or coastal salt marshes. 0-30m. Apr. Oct.


California macrophylla

round-leaved filaree

1B.1 --

Annual herb; cismontane woodland, valley and foothill grassland. Clay soils. 15-1200m. Mar. - May.

None. No suitable habitat present. Would have been detected during reconnaissance surveys.

Centromadia parryi ssp. parryi

pappose tarplant

1B.2 --

Annual herb; coastal prairie, meadows and seeps, coastal salt marsh, valley and foothill grassland. Vernally mesic, often alkaline sites. 2-420m. May - Nov.




Common Name

CDFG/CNPS Status




Chloropyron maritimum ssp. palustre

Point Reyes bird's-beak

1B.2 --

Annual herb, coastal salt marsh. Usually in coastal salt marsh with Salicornia, Distichlis, Jaumea, Spartina, etc. 0-10 m. Jun. - Oct.


Chorizanthe cuspidata var. cuspidata

San Francisco Bay spineflower 1B.2 --

Annual herb; coastal bluff scrub, coastal dunes, coastal prairie, coastal scrub. Sandy soil on terraces and slopes. 5-550m. Apr. - July.

None. No suitable dune habitat present.

Cirsium andrewsii

Franciscan thistle

1B.2 --

Perennial herb; coastal bluff scrub, broadleaved upland forest, coastal scrub, seeps, sometimes serpentine. 0-135m. Mar. - Jul.

None. Marginally suitable habitat present. Would have been detectable during reconnaissance surveys.

Cirsium fontinale var. fontinale

fountain thistle

1B.1 E/E

Perennial herb; valley and foothill grassland, chaparral. Serpentine seeps and grassland. 90-180m. Mar. - Oct.

None. No suitable serpentine habitat present. Would have been detectable during reconnaissance surveys.

Collinsia multicolor

San Francisco collinsia

1B.2 --

Annual herb; closed-cone coniferous forest, coastal scrub, riparian forest On decomposed shale (mudstone) mixed with humus. 30-250m. Mar. - May.

None. No suitable habitat present. Would have been detected during reconnaissance survey.

Dirca occidentalis

western leatherwood

1B.2 --

Shrub; broadleafed upland forest, chaparral, closed-cone coniferous or cismontane woodland, mostly in mixed evergreen & foothill woodland communities. 30-550m. Jan. - Mar.

None. Suitable habitat present. Would have been detected during reconnaissance surveys.

Eriophyllum latilobum

San Mateo woolly sunflower 1B.1 E/E

Perennial herb; cismontane woodland. Often on roadcuts; found on and off of serpentine. 45-150 m. Mar. - Jun.


Fritillaria biflora var. ineziana

Hillsborough chocolate lily

1B.1 --

Perennial herb; cismontane woodland, valley and foothill grassland. 90-160 m. Mar. - Apr.




Common Name

CDFG/CNPS Status




Fritillaria liliacea

fragrant fritillary

1B.2 --

Perennial herb; coastal scrub, valley and foothill grassland, coastal prairie. Often on serpentine; various soils reported though usually clay, in grassland. 3-410m. Feb. - Apr.


Hesperevax sparsiflora var. brevifolia

short-leaved evax

1B.2 --

Annual herb; coastal bluff scrub, coastal dunes, sandy bluffs and flats. 0-200m. Mar. - Jun.

None. No suitable sandy habitat present.

Hesperolinon congestum

Marin western flax

1B.1 T/T

Annual herb; chaparral, valley and foothill grassland. In serpentine barrens and in serpentine grassland and chaparral. 30-370 m. Apr. - Jul.

None. No suitable serpentine habitat present.

Horkelia cuneata var. sericea

Kellogg's horkelia

1B.1 --

Perennial herb; closed-cone coniferous forest, coastal scrub, coastal dunes, chaparral. Old dunes, coastal sandhills; openings. 10-200 m. Apr - Sept.


Horkelia marinensis

Point Reyes horkelia

1B.2 --

Perennial herb; coastal dunes, coastal prairie, coastal scrub. Sandy flats and dunes near coast; in grassland or scrub plant communities. 5-30m. May - Sept.


Lasthenia californica ssp. macrantha

perennial goldfields

1B.2 --

Perennial herb; coastal bluff scrub, coastal dunes, coastal scrub. 5-520m. Jan - Nov.


Leptosiphon croceus

coast yellow leptosiphon

1B.1 --

Annual herb; coastal bluff scrub, coastal prairie. 10-150 m. Apr. - May.

None. No suitable coastal prairie habitat present.

Leptosiphon rosaceus

rose leptosiphon 1B.1 --

Annual herb, coastal bluff scrub. 0-100 m. Apr. - Jul.

None. No suitable coastal bluff scrub habitat present.

Lessingia arachnoidea

Crystal Springs lessingia

1B.2 --

Annual herb, coastal sage scrub, valley and foothill grassland, cismontane woodland. Grassy slopes on serpentine; sometimes on roadsides. 60-200 m. Jul. - Oct.




Common Name

CDFG/CNPS Status




Malacothamnus aboriginum

Indian Valley bush-mallow 1B.2 --

Shrub; cismontane woodland, chaparral. Granitic outcrops and sandy bare soil, often in disturbed soils. 150-1700m. Apr. - Oct.


Malacothamnus arcuatus

arcuate bush-mallow

1B.2 --

Shrub; chaparral. Gravelly alluvium. 80-355m. Apr. - Sept.


Malacothamnus davidsonii

Davidson's bush-mallow

1B.2 --

Shrub; coastal scrub, riparian woodland, chaparral, cismontane woodland. Sandy washes. 185-855 m. Jul. - Jan.


Malacothamnus hallii

Hall's bush-mallow

1B.2 --

Shrub; chaparral. Often on serpentine. 10-550m. May - Sept.

None. Suitable habitat present. Would have been detected during reconnaissance survey.

Microseris paludosa

marsh microseris

1B.2 --

Annual herb, closed-cone coniferous forest, cismontane woodland, coastal scrub, valley and foothill grassland. 5-300m. Apr. - Jun.


Monolopia gracilens

woodland woollythreads

1B.2 --

Annual herb; chaparral, valley and foothill grasslands (serpentine), cismontane woodland, broadleafed upland forests, north coast coniferous forest. Grassy sites, in openings; sandy to rocky soils. Often seen on serpentine after burns but may have only weak affinity to serpentine. 100-1200m. Mar. - Jul.

Low. Fire follower. Very unlikely to occur in in the absence of a burn. Might have been detectable in disturbed areas during reconnaissance surveys.



Common Name

CDFG/CNPS Status




Pentachaeta bellidiflora

white-rayed pentachaeta

1B.1 E/E

Annual herb; valley and foothill grassland, cismontane woodland. Open dry rocky slopes and grassy areas, often on soils derived from serpentine bedrock. 35-620 m. Mar. - May.


Plagiobothrys chorisianus var. chorisianus

Choris' popcornflower 1B.2 --

Annual herb; chaparral, coastal scrub, coastal prairie. Mesic sites. 15-100m. Mar - Jun.

None. No coastal prairie habitat present.

Polemonium carneum

Oregon polemonium

2B.2 --

Coastal prairie, coastal scrub, lower montane coniferous forest. Prefers open areas. 0-1830m. Apr. - Sept.

Very unlikely. Very limited habitat present.

Potentilla hickmanii

Hickman's cinquefoil

1B.1 E/E

Perennial herb; coastal bluff scrub, closed-cone coniferous forest, meadows and seeps, freshwater marshes, swamps, and small streams in open or forested areas along the coast. 10-150 m. Apr. - Aug.

Unlikely. Very limited wetland habitat present. Might not have been detectable during reconnaissance surveys.

Silene verecunda ssp. verecunda

San Francisco campion

1B.2 --

Annual herb; coastal scrub, valley and foothill grassland, coastal bluff scrub, chaparral, coastal prairie. Often on mudstone or shale; one site on serpentine. 30-645m. Mar. - Jun.

None. No suitable shale or mudstone habitat present. Plant would have been detectable during reconnaissance surveys.

Trifolium hydrophilum

saline clover

1B.2 --

Marshes and swamps, valley and foothill grassland, vernal pools. Mesic, alkaline sites. 0-300m. Apr. - Jun.




Common Name

CDFG/CNPS Status




Triphysaria floribunda

San Francisco owl's-clover 1B.2 --

Coastal prairie, valley and foothill grassland. On serpentine and nonserpentine substrate (such as at Pt. Reyes). 10-160m. Apr. - Jun.


Triquetrella californica

coastal triquetrella

1B.2 None

Coastal bluff scrub, coastal scrub valley and foothill grasslands. Grows within 30m from the coast in coastal scrub, grasslands and in open gravels on roadsides, hillsides, rocky slopes, and fields. On gravel or thin soil over outcrops. 10-100m.

Very Unlikely. Moss. Not observed during reconnaissance survey.

Explanation of Status Codes for Special-Status Plants Federal: FE Listed as endangered under the Federal Endangered Species Act FT Listed as threatened under the Federal Endangered Species Act State: SE Listed as endangered under the California Endangered Species Act ST Listed as threatened under the California Endangered Species Act California Native Plant Society: 1B Rare, threatened or endangered in California 2 Rare, threatened or endangered in California


APPENDIX B

Special Status Wildlife Species Table

(San Mateo County)


APPENDIX B: Special-status Wildlife Species Table

Species Status

Habitat Association Potential for

Occurrence in the Study Area Federal State

Invertebrates

Euphydryas editha bayensis Bay checkerspot butterfly

FT --

Restricted to native grasslands on outcrops of serpentine soil in the vicinity of San Francisco Bay. Plantago erecta is the primary host plant, Castilleja densiflora and C.excerta are secondary host plants.


Speyeria callippe callippe Callippe silverspot

FE --

The Callippe silverspot butterfly is a subspecies of the more common callippe fritallary butterfly (Speyeria callippe). The silverspot’s host plant is Johnny jump-up (Viola pedunculata).


Plebejus icarioides missionensis Mission blue butterfly FE --

Inhabits grasslands of the San Francisco peninsula. The mission blue butterfly uses three larval host plants: Lupinus albifrons, L. formosus, and L. variicolor.

None. No suitable grassland habitat present. Only a few, scattered individuals of larval host plants are present in the study area.

Callophrys mossii bayensis San Bruno elfin butterfly FE --

Occurs in coastal, mountainous areas with grassy ground cover, mainly in the vicinity of San Bruno Mountain. Elfin colonies are located on steep, north-facing slopes within the fog belt. The San Bruno elfin butterfly’s larval host plant is Sedum spathulifolium.

None. No suitable grassland habitat present. Larval host plant not detected during present surveys.

Danaus plexippus Monarch butterfly

-- Special

Consideration under CEQA

Winter roosts sites located in wind-protected tree groves (eucalyptus, Monterey pine, cypress) with water and nectar sources nearby.

None. No suitable roost sites in the vicinity of the study area.

Tryonia imitator California brackish water snail

-- --

The California brackish water snail is listed in the City of Half Moon Bay Land Use Plan Chapter 3 and Municipal Code Section 18.38.085 as a “rare and endangered species”. This species presumably inhabits brackish waters.


Fish



Species Status



Eucyclogobius newberryi Tidewater goby

FE SC

Brackish water habitats along the California Coast from San Diego north to the mouth of the Smith River in Del Norte County.


Oncorhynchus kisutch Coho salmon-central CA coast

FE SE

Central California Coast ESU includes all naturally spawned populations of coho salmon from Punta Gorda in northern California south to and including the San Lorenzo River in central California, as well as populations in tributaries to San Francisco Bay, excluding the Sacramento–San Joaquin River system, as well as four artificial propagation programs.

None. No habitat is present in the Study Area. Watershed isolated from the Ocean.

Oncorhynchus mykiss Steelhead -central CA coastal ESU (DPS) FT --

Requires beds of loose, silt-free, well-oxygenated coarse gravel for spawning. After hatching, juveniles spend at least one summer in the freshwater rearing areas, so the stream must have either perennial flow or cool intermittent pools with subsurface flow, shade, food, and shelter during the dry season.

None. No habitat is present in the Study Area. Watershed isolated from the Ocean.



Species Status



Amphibians

Ambystoma californiense California tiger salamander FT ST

Need underground refuges, especially ground squirrel burrows and vernal pools or other seasonal water sources for breeding.

Very Low. This species is unlikely to occur in the Study Area because of an absence of suitable underground refugia. No CNDDB occurrences on coastal side of San Mateo County.

Rana boylii Foothill yellow-legged frog

-- SC

Partly-shaded, shallow streams and riffles with a rocky substrate in a variety of habitats. Need at least some cobble-sized substrate for egg laying.

Low. Marginally suitable aquatic habitat is present. However, species is not recorded from the vicinity of the Study Area. CNDDB occurrence at Pescadero Creek County Park, 1999, approx. 24 miles to the southeast.

Rana draytonii California red-legged frog

FT SC

Occurs in a variety of ponds, sloughs, low-gradient streams, and low-salinity lagoons. Adults may forage in, and migrate through, terrestrial grasslands, riparian woodlands, and forests, but require weedy, slow moving or standing water that persists through most of the dry season for successful reproduction. Introduced bullfrogs and predatory fish are implicated in the decline of red-legged frogs throughout their range.

High. CNDDB occurrence 1997. This species is likely to occur in the Study Area due to the presence of suitable aquatic habitat. Egg masses, recent breeding have been observed in pond at western end of Green Valley Creek adjacent to Hwy One. (S.Powell)

Reptiles

Emys marmorata Western pond turtle

-- SC Ponds, marshes rivers, streams, and irrigation ditches that have emergent or riparian vegetation and sunny basking sites. Upland nesting habitat consists of friable soil exposed to full sun.

Low. Marginally suitable aquatic habitat is present in the Study Area.

Thamnophis sirtalis tetrataenia San Francisco garter snake

FE SE, FP

Vicinity of freshwater marshes, ponds, and slow moving streams. Prefers dense cover and water depths of at least one foot. Upland areas near water are important.

Low. Unlikely to occur due to isolation from known populations in the vicinity. 1995 study failed to trap or observe the species in Green Valley.



Species Status



Birds

Pelecanus occidentalis californicus California brown pelican

-- FP

This pelican nests from the Channel Islands of southern California southward along the Baja California coast and in the Gulf of California to coastal southern Mexico.

None. No suitable breeding or foraging habitat in the Study Area.

Circus cyaneus Northern harrier -- SC

Coastal salt and freshwater marsh. Nest built of a large mound of sticks in wet areas.

Low. Suitable nesting or breeding habitat is limited or absent. May forage in Study Area.

Elanus leucurus White-tailed kite

-- FP

Rolling foothills and valley margins with scattered oaks and river bottomlands or marshes next to deciduous woodland. Open grasslands, meadows or marshes for foraging close to isolated, dense-topped trees for nesting and perching.

Low. Suitable nesting habitat is absent in the Study Area, and foraging habitat is very limited.

Aquila chrysaetos Golden eagle

-- FP

Rolling foothills, mountain areas, sage-juniper flats and deserts. Cliff-walled canyons provide nesting habitat in most parts of range; also large trees in open areas.

Low. May forage in the area. Suitable nesting habitat is present on rock cliffs above project, but not within Study Area.

Falco peregrinus anatum Peregrine falcon -- FP

Breeding sites located on cliffs. Forages far afield, even to marshlands and ocean shores.

Low. May forage in the area. Suitable nesting habitat is present on slopes above project, but not within Study Area.

Rallus longirostris obsoletus California clapper rail

FE SE, FP

Saltwater and brackish marshes traversed by tidal sloughs in the vicinity of San Francisco Bay.


Laterallus jamaicensis coturniculus California black rail

-- ST

Inhabits freshwater marshes, wet meadows and shallow margins of saltwater marshes bordering larger bays.




Species Status



Charadrius alexandrinus nivosus Western snowy plover

FT SC

Sandy beaches, salt pond levees and shores of large alkali lakes. Needs sand, gravelly or friable soils for nesting.


Sternula antillarum browni California least tern

FE SE

Nests along the coast from San Francisco Bay south to northern Baja California. Colonial breeder on bare or sparsely vegetated, flat substrates: sand beaches, alkali flats, landfills or paved areas.


Rynchops niger Black skimmer -- SC

Nests on gravel bars, low islets, and sandy beaches, in unvegetated sites. Nesting colonies usually less than 200 pairs.


Asio otus Long-eared owl

-- SC

Nests in conifer, oak, riparian, pinyon-juniper, and desert woodlands that are either open or are adjacent to grasslands, meadows, or shrublands. Key habitat components include dense cover for nesting and roosting, suitable nest platforms, and open foraging areas.

Very Low. Only marginally suitable nesting habitat is present in willows; suitable foraging habitat is very limited.

Athene cunicularia hypugea Western burrowing owl

-- SC

Open, dry annual or perennial grasslands, deserts, and scrublands characterized by low-growing vegetation. Subterranean nester, dependent upon burrowing mammals, most notably, the California ground squirrel.

None. No suitable nesting habitat present.

Lanius ludovicianus Loggerhead shrike

-- SC

In California, Loggerhead Shrikes breed mainly in shrublands or open woodlands with a fair amount of grass cover and areas of bare ground.

None. No suitable breeding habitat is present in the Study Area.

Ammodramus savannarum Grasshopper sparrow

-- SC

Grasshopper Sparrows in California prefer short to middle-height, moderately open grasslands with scattered shrubs.

None. No suitable breeding habitat is present in the Study Area.



Species Status



Riparia riparia Bank swallow

-- ST

Colonial nester, nests primarily in riparian and other lowland habitats west of the desert. Requires vertical banks/cliffs with fine textured/sandy soils near streams, rivers, lakes, ocean to dig nesting holes.

None. No suitable nesting habitat present in the Study Area.

Dendroica petechia brewsteri Yellow warbler -- SC

Riparian plant associations. Prefers willows, cottonwoods, aspens, sycamores, and alders for nesting and foraging.

Moderate. Suitable habitat present, however breeding is declining in the region. Surveys should be conducted prior to project activity in the riparian habitat.

Geothlypis trichas sinuosa Saltmarsh common yellowthroat

-- SC

Resident of the San Francisco bay region, in fresh and saltwater marshes.

Low. Typical nesting habitat is not present.

Agelaius tricolor Tricolored blackbird

-- SC

Highly colonial species, most numerous in Central Valley and vicinity. Largely endemic to California. Requires open water, protected nesting substrate, and foraging area with insect prey within a few km of the colony.

Low. No suitable habitat is present.

Mammals

Arctocephalus townsendi Guadalupe fur seal

FT ST, FP

Guadalupe fur seals reside in the tropical waters of the Southern California/ Mexico region. During breeding season, they are found in coastal rocky habitats and caves.


Enhydra lutris nereis Southern sea otter -- ST,

FP

This species ranges from San Mateo County in the north to Santa Barbara County in the south and live in the nearshore waters along the mainland coastline of California.




Species Status



Neotoma fuscipes annectens San Francisco dusky-footed woodrat -- SC

Prefers forest habitats with moderate canopy, year-round greenery, a brushy understory, and suitable nest building materials. Feeds mainly on woody plants, especially live oak, maple, coffeeberry, alder, and elderberry when available (Linsdale and Tevis 1951).

High. Two stick houses were observed within or adjacent to the Study Area during recent site visits.

Sorex vagrans halicoetes Salt marsh wandering shrew

-- SC

Salt marshes of the south arm of San Francisco Bay.


Reithrodontomys raviventris Salt marsh harvest mouse

FE SE, FP

Salt marshes of the San Francisco Bay.


Antrozous pallidus Pallid bat

-- SC Roosts in caves, mine tunnels, crevices in rocks, bridges, buildings, and hollowed trees.

Low. Limited, marginally suitable roost habitat present in the Study Area.

Eumops perotis californicus Western mastiff bat

-- SC

Primarily a cliff dwelling species with maternity roosts under exfoliating rock slabs, and crevices in large boulders and buildings. Foraging habitat includes dry desert washes, flood plains, chaparral, oak woodland, open ponderosa pine forest, grassland and agricultural areas (Siders 2005).

Low. Limited, marginally suitable roost habitat present in the Study Area. May forage on site.

Corynorhinus townsendii Townsend’s big-eared bat

-- SC

Requires caves, mines, tunnels, buildings, or other human-made structures for roosting. May use separate sites for night, day, hibernation, or maternity roosts.

Low. Limited suitable roost habitat present in the Study Area. May forage on site.

Taxidea taxus American badger

-- SC

Dry open stages of most shrub, forest and herbaceous habitats with friable soils.

Low. Although suitable habitat is present in the Study Area, no burrows were observed during present surveys.


Status Legend Federal: FE Listed as endangered under the Federal Endangered Species Act FT Listed as threatened under the Federal Endangered Species Act FRT Listed as rare/threatened under the Federal Endangered Species Act FUR Listed as uncommon/rare under the Federal Endangered Species Act FSC Species of Concern - A species under consideration for listing, for which there is

insufficient information to support listing at this time State: SE Listed as endangered under the California Endangered Species Act ST Listed as threatened under the California Endangered Species Act SSC Species of special concern under the California Endangered Species Act


Appendix C

Plant Species Observed in the Green Valley Trail Alignment

(Based on Surveys Conducted February 21 and 22, and March 13, 2015)

FERNS

Woodwardia fimbriata giant chain fern Blechnaceae - Deer Fern Family

Polystichum munitum western sword fern Dryopteridaceae - Fern Family

Athyrium filix-femina var. cyclosorum lady fern Woodsiaceae

GYMNOSPERMS

Hesperocyparis macrocarpa* Monterey cypress Cupressaceae - Cypress Family

Pinus radiata * Monterey pine Pinaceae - Pine Family

MONOCOTYLEDONAE

Chlorogalum pomeridianum var. pomeridianum wavy-leaf soap plant Agavaceae – Century Plant Family

Zantedeschia aethiopica* calla lily Araceae - Arum Family

Carex c.f. harfordii Harford's sedge Cyperaceae - Sedge Family

Scirpus microcarpus small-fruited bulrush

Iris douglasiana Douglas iris Iridaceae - Iris Family

Juncus effusus var. pacificus common rush Juncaceae - Rush Family

Juncus patens spreading rush


Melanthiaceae – False-Hellebore Family

Trillium chloropetalum giant trillium Toxicoscordion fremontii death camas

EUDICOTS

Carpobrotus edulis* iceplant Aizoaceae - Carpetweed Family

Toxicodendron diversilobum poison oak Anacardiaceae - Sumac Family

Conium maculatum* poison hemlock Apiaceae - Parsley Family

Heracleum maximum cow parsnip Oenanthe sarmentosa Pacific oenanthe

Achillea millefolium yarrow Asteraceae - Sunflower Family

Artemisia californica California sagebrush Cirsium vulgare* bull thistle Delairia odorata* Cape ivy Eriophyllum staechadifolium seaside woolly sunflower

Logfia gallica* narrow-leaf filago Gamochaeta ustulata purple cudweed Pseudognaphalium luteoalbum* cudweed Sonchus asper* prickly sow-thistle Sonchus oleraceus* common sow-thistle Symphyotrichum chilense California aster Taraxacum officinale* common dandelion

Echium candicans* pride of Madeira Boraginaceae - Borage Family

Barbarea orthoceras winter cress Brassicaceae - Mustard Family

Brassica rapa field mustard Cardamine oligosperma bitter cress Erysimum capitatum var. capitaum western wallflower Hirschfeldia incana* hoary mustard Raphanus sativus* wild radish

Sambucus racemosa var. racemosa red elderberry Caprifoliaceae - Honeysuckle Family


Marah fabaceus California man-root Cucurbitaceae - Gourd Family

Dipsacus sativus* Fuller's teasel Dipsacaceae - Teasel Family

Euphorbia lathyris* caper spurge Euphorbiaceae - Spurge Family

Euphorbia peplus* petty spurge

Medicago polymorpha* bur-clover Fabaceae - Pea Family

Lathyrus vestitus var. vestitus Pacific pea Lupinus arboreus yellow bush lupine

Erodium botrys* long-beaked storkbill Geraniaceae - Geranium Family

Erodium cicutarium* red-stemmed filaree Erodium moschatum* white-stemmed filaree Geranium dissectum* cranesbill

Monardella villosa coyote mint Lamiaceae - Mint Family

Stachys bullata hedge nettle

Anagallis arvensis* scarlet pimpernel Myrsinaceae – Myrsine Family

Myricaceae - Bayberry Family

Morella californica California wax-myrtle

Ludwigia peploides ssp. peploides water primrose Onagraceae - Evening Primrose Family

Oenothera elata ssp. hookeri Hooker's evening primrose

Oxalis pes-caprae* Bermuda buttercup Oxalidaceae - Oxalis Family

Mimulus aurantiacus bush monkey-flower Phrymaceae – Lopseed Family

Plantago coronopus* cut-leaved plantain Plantaginaceae - Plantain Family

Plantago lanceolata * English plantain Polygonaceae - Buckwheat Family


Pterostegia drymarioides pterostegia

Fumaria capreolata white ramping fumatory Papaveraceae

Delphinium californicum ssp. californicum coast larkspur Ranunculaceae - Buttercup Family

Fragaria chiloensis beach strawberry Rosaceae - Rose Family

Fragaria vesca wood strawberry Heteromeles arbutifolia toyon Rubus ursinus California blackberry

Ceanothus thyrsiflorus var. thyrsiflorus blue blossom Rhamnaceae - Buckthorn Family

Frangula californica ssp. californica California coffeeberry

Galium aparine bedstraw Rubiaceae - Madder Family

Galium murale* tiny bedstraw Galium parisiense* wall bedstraw

Salix scouleriana Scouler’s willow Salicaceae - Willow Family

Salix lasiolepis arroyo willow

Scrophularia californica California figwort, bee plant Scrophulariaceae - Figwort Family

Solanum furcatum* forked nightshade Solanaceae - Nightshade Family

Hesperocnide tenella western nettle Urticaceae - Nettle Family

Urtica dioica ssp. holosericea hoary nettle * non-native species


APPENDIX D

Site Photographs

Photo 1.

Green Valley Overview – Montara Mountain from the West. Unoccupied Residence at

Upper End of Study Area in Distant Center.


Photo 2.

Upper Green Valley – Willow Scrub between foreground and distant center, Coastal Scrub in upper left and distant background. Willow canopy within the new trail construction area is expected to fall under the jurisdiction of the CDFW and California Coastal Commission. Portions of willow scrub that support freshwater marsh under the canopy will fall under USACE jurisdiction as wetlands.


Photo 3.

Dusky-footed Woodrat nest at abandoned camper shell at creek crossing adjacent to existing abandoned residence


Photo 4.

Typical freshwater marsh vegetation in willow scrub understory. Freshwater marsh, where present in the

new trail construction area, will fall under USACE and other regulatory agencies’ jurisdiction as wetlands.


USGS 1915 – Montara Mountain Quadrangle

biological assessment - smcgov.org · 2015-04-27 · april 5, 2015. for . 333 valencia street,...

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