APPENDIX Biological Resources Review Guide
Draft July 19, 2011 November 17, 2011
Prepared for:
County of Tuolumne Community Development Department 48 W. Yaney Avenue Sonora, CA 95370
Prepared by:
Michael Brandman Associates 2000 ‘O’ Street, Suite 200 Sacramento, CA 95811 916-447-1100
Contents:
Chapter 1: Special Status Species Information 4
Chapter 2 Special Status Plant Species Accounts 5 Table 2-1 Special Status Plant Species 5 Table 2-2 Status Key 6 Table 2-3 Special Status Plant Species by Habitat 33 Table 2-4 Habitat Codes 35 Table 2-5 First Priority Plant Species–Mitigation Measures 36
Chapter 3 Special Status Wildlife Species 37 Table 3-1 Special Status Wildlife Species 37 Table 3-2 Special Status Wildlife Species by Habitat 111 Table 3-3 Habitat Codes 115 Table 3-4 Raptor Species Protected Under Section 3503.5 116 Table 3-5 First Priority Wildlife Species–Mitigation Measures 118 Table 3-6 Second Priority Wildlife Species–Mitigation Measures 124
Chapter 4 Survey Protocols 133 Table 4-1 Established Survey Protocols 133
Chapter 5 Critical Habitats / Recovery Plans 134 Table 5-1 Recovery Plans by Species 135 Map 5-1 Vernal Pool Critical Habitat–Fleshy Owl’s Clover 136 Map 5-2 Vernal Pool Critical Habitat–Hoover’s Spurge 137 Map 5-3 Vernal Pool Critical Habitat–Colusa Grass 138 Map 5-4 Vernal Pool Critical Habitat–Greene’s Tuctoria 139 Map 5-5 Critical Habitat for the California Central Valley Steelhead 140 Map 5-6 Critical Habitat for the Sierra Nevada Bighorn Sheep (Unit 1) 141 Map 5-7 Critical Habitat for the Sierra Nevada Bighorn Sheep (Unit 2) 142 Map 5-8 Core Areas within the Southern Sierra Foothills vernal pool region 143
Chapter 6 Promoting Connectivity/Avoiding Barriers to Dispersal 144 Figure 6-1 Determining Potential Project Impacts 150
Chapter 7 Mitigation Monitoring 153
Chapter 8 Habitats 158 8.1 Annual Grassland (ags) 158 8.2 Aspen (ASP) 159 8.3 Barren (bar) 160 8.4 Blue Oak-Foothill Gray Pine (bop) 160 8.5 Blue Oak Woodland (bow) 161 8.6 Chaparral (chc, mch, mcp) 162 8.7 Cropland (crp) 163
Biological Resources Conservation Handbook Appendix Page 2 of 187 8.8 Ditches (DIT) 163 8.9 Fresh Emergency Wetland (FEW) 164 8.10 Irrigated Pasture (pas) 164 8.11 Jeffrey Pine (jpn) 165 8.12 Lake, Reservoir or Pond (LAK) 165 8.13 Lodgepole Pine Forest (lpn) 166 8.14 Montane Hardwood Conifer (mhc) 167 8.15 Montane Hardwood (mhw) 167 8.16 Montane Riparian (MRI) 168 8.17 Native Perennial Grassland (PGS) 168 8.18 Old Growth Conifer Forest (OGC) 169 8.19 Old Growth Oak (OGO) 169 8.20 Ponderosa Pine (ppn) 170 8.21 Red Fir (rfr) 170 8.22 Riverine (rivers and streams) 171 8.23 Residential park (rsp) 172 8.24 Subalpine Conifer Forest (scn) 172 8.25 Serpentine Soil (SER) 173 8.26 Sierran Mixed Conifer (smc) 173 8.27 Natural Springs and Seeps (SPR) 174 8.28 Seasonal Wetland (SW) 175 8.29 Valley Oak Woodland (VOW) 175 8.30 Vernal Pool (VPL) 176 8.31 Valley Foothill Riparian (VRI) 177 8.32 White Fir (wfr) 177 8.33 Wet Meadow (WTM) 178
Chapter 9 Glossary 180
Biological Resources Conservation Handbook Appendix Page 3 of 187 Chapter 1. Special Status Species Information
The special-status species discussed in this section of the Appendix were compiled from queries (Tuolumne County) of the California Native Plant Society (CNPS) On-Line Rare Plant Inventory (CNPS 2011), California Natural Diversity Database (CNDDB 2011), and California Wildlife Habitat Relationships (WHR, CDFG 2005), and from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) list of endangered and threatened species that may occur or be affected by projects in Tuolumne County. Detailed species accounts are provided only for those species that are considered special-status. These include species that are:
• Listed as threatened or endangered under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) and those species formally proposed or candidates for listing.
• Listed as threatened or endangered under the California ESA (CESA) or candidates for listing.
• Designated as endangered or rare pursuant to the California Fish and Game Code (Section 1901).
• Designated as fully protected pursuant to California Fish and Game Code (Section 3511, Section 4700, Section 5050).
• Designated as a species of special concern by the California Department of Fish and Game (CDFG).
• Designated as Medium or High Priority species by Western Bat Working Group (WBWG).
• Plants listed as rare under the California Native Plant Protection Act or considered by the California Native Plant Society (CNPS) as List 1A, 1B, or 2 species.
• Ranked as critically imperiled (S1), imperiled (S2) or vulnerable (S3) by the California Natural Diversity Database.
The Tuolumne County Wildlife Habitat Maps and the Geographic Information System database, maintained by the Community Development Department, contain the locations of confirmed special status species sitings within the County. These maps are available for review by qualified professionals during regular business hours
Biological Resources Conservation Handbook Appendix Page 4 of 187 Chapter 2. Special Status Plant Species Accounts
The County is home to approximately 61 special-status plant species, representing 20 plant families. They range from the lowest to some of the highest elevations in the County, and occur in every natural habitat type identified in the County. The following is a description of each species, which includes details from the CNDDB and CNPS such as federal and state listing status, the BRRG priority, range, habitat associations, known occurrences, life history/special habitat conditions and the blooming period of the plant. Table 2-3 located at the end of the species accounts lists each species along with its preferred habitat.
Table 2-1: SPECIAL STATUS PLANT SPECIES Map Scientific Common Code Name Name Ag he Agrostis hendersonii Henderson’s bent grass Ag hu Agrostis humilis Mountain bent grass Al jep Allium jepsonii Jepson’s onion Al tri Allium tribracteatum Three bracted onion Al tu Allium tuolumnense Rawhide hill onion Al yo Allium yosemitense Yosemite onion Arc nis Arctostaphylos nissenana Nissenan manzanita Bal ma ma Balsamorhiza macrolepis var. macrolepis Big scale balsamroot Bo lu Botrychium lunaria Common moonwort Br bo Bruchia bolanderi Bolander’s bruchia Br pa Brodiaea pallida Chinese camp brodiaea Ca lim Carex limosa Mud sedge Ca pr Carex praticola Northern meadow sedge Ca sc p Carex scirpoidea ssp. pseudoscirpoidea Single-spike sedge Ca ti Carex tiogana Tioga pass sedge Ca vi vi Carex viridula var. viridula Green yellow sedge Or ca s Castilleja campestris ssp. Succulenta Succulent (fleshy) owl’s clover Ch do a Chaenactis douglasii var. alpine Alpine dusty maidens Ch ho Chamaecyse hooveri Hoover’s spurge Ch gr Chlorogalum grandiflorum Red hills soaproot Cl au Clarkia australis Small’s southern clarkia Cl bi a Clarkia biloba ssp. Australis Mariposa clarkia Cl ro Clarkia rostrata Beaked clarkia Cla me Claytonia megarhiza Fell fields claytonia Cr cr Cryptantha crymophila Subalpine cryptantha Cr ma Cryptantha mariposae Mariposa cryptantha Di no Didymodon norrisii Norris’ beard moss Dr as a Draba asterophora var. asterophora Tahoe draba Dr pr Draba praealta Tall draba El sc Elymus scribneri Scribner’s wheat grass Ep ho Epilobium howellii Subalpine fireweed Er lu sa Eriogonum luteolum var. saltuarium Jack’s wild buckwheat Er nu Eriophyllum nubigenum Yosemite woolly sunflower
Biological Resources Conservation Handbook Appendix Page 5 of 187 Map Scientific Common Code Name Name Er pi Eryngium pinnatisectum Tuolumne button celery Er sp Eryngium spinosepalum Spiny sepaled button celery Er tu Erythronium tuolumnense Tuolumne fawn lily Er ta Erythronium taylorii Pilot ridge fawn lily Fe mi Festuca minutiflora Small-flowered fescue Fr ag Fritillaria agrestis Stinkbells Hu br Hulsea brevifolia Short leaved hulsea Ir ha c Iris hartwegii ssp. Columbiana Tuolumne iris Le di Lewisia disepala Yosemite lewisia Lo co Lomatium congdonii Congdon’s lomatium Lo st Lomatium stebbinsiii Stebbins’ lomatium Lu gr Lupinus gracilentis Slender lupine Lu sp Lupinus spectabilis Shaggyhair lupine Mi fi Mimulus filicaulis Slender stemmed monkeyflower Mi pu Mimulus pulchellus Yellow lip pansy monkeyflower Mo do v Monardella douglasii ssp. Venosa Veiny monardella Ne co Neostapfia colusana Colusa grass Se la Packera layneae Layne’s ragwort Pe hy Peltigera hydrothyria Aquatic felt lichen Po ep nu Potamogeton epihydrus ssp. nuttallii Nuttal’s ribbon-leaved pondweed Po ro Potamogeton robbinsii Robbins’ pondweed Ps ba Pseudobahia bahiifolia Hartweg’s golden sunburst Sa ni Salix nivalis Snow willow Sc su Schoenoplectus subterminalis Water bulrush Se ci Senecio clevelandii var. heterophyllus Red hills’ ragwort St ol Streptanthus oliganthus Masonic Mountain Jewel flower Tu gr Tuctoria greenei Greene’s tuctoria Ve ca Verbena californica Red Hills vervain
Table 2-2: STATUS KEY CODE DEFINITION CNPS California Native Plant Society. CNPS 1A Plants presumed extinct in California. CNPS 1B Plants rare and endangered in California and elsewhere. CNPS 1B.1 Seriously threatened in California (high degree/immediacy of threat) CNPS 1B.2 Fairly threatened in California (moderate degree/immediacy of threat) Not very threatened in California (low degree/immediacy of threat or no CNPS 1B.3 current threat known) Plants rare, threatened or endangered in California, but more common CNPS 2 elsewhere CNPS 2.2 Fairly threatened in California (moderate degree/immediacy of threat) Not very threatened in California (low degree/immediacy of threat or no CNPS 2.3 current threat known)
Biological Resources Conservation Handbook Appendix Page 6 of 187 Plants lacking the necessary information to assign them to another list or to CNPS 3.2 reject them. Suspected to be fairly threatened in California. Plants of limited distribution throughout California. Plants on this list are CNPS 4.2 uncommon enough that their status should be monitored regularly. Critically imperiled in the State because of extreme rarity or of some other CNDDB S1 factors, such as very steep declines, making it especially vulnerable to extirpation from the State. Imperiled in the State because of rarity due to very restricted range, very few CNDDB S2 populations, steep declines, or other factors making it very vulnerable to extirpation from the nation or State. Vulnerable in the State due to a restricted range, relatively few populations, CNDDB S3 recent and widespread declines, or other factors making it vulnerable to extirpation.
Agrostis hendersonii–Henderson’s Bent Grass1
Listing Status: CNDDB Rank S1.1, CNPS List 3.2
BRRG Priority: 1
Range: 230 to 1,000 feet in elevation.
Habitat Associations: Valley grasslands, freshwater wetlands, wetland-riparian, vernal pools.
Known Occurrences: No known occurrences within Tuolumne County; however, suitable habitat is present.
Life History/Special Habitat Conditions: Henderson’s bent grass is an annual herb native to California and Oregon.
Blooming Period: Blooms April though June.
Agrostis humilis–Mountain Bent Grass2
Listing Status: State CNPS List 2.3
BRRG Priority: 2
Range: 8,858 to 10,499 feet in elevation.
Habitat Associations: Lodgepole pine, red fir, subalpine conifer, and Sierran mixed conifer.
Known Occurrences: Stanislaus National Forest and Yosemite National Park
Life History/Special Habitat Conditions: Mountain bent grass is a small, perennial bunch grass. Restricted to meadows, seeps, and swamps.
1 CNPS 2010
Biological Resources Conservation Handbook Appendix Page 7 of 187 Blooming Period: Blooms July through September; bloom time is dependent upon elevation and seasonal weather patterns such as temperature and rainfall, particularly in the winter and spring.
Allium jepsonii–Jepson’s Onion3
Listing Status: CNPS List 1B.2
BRRG Priority: 1
Range: 984 to 4,331 feet in elevation.
Habitat Associations: Blue oak–foothill gray pine, blue oak woodland, chaparral, Jeffrey pine, montane hardwood–conifer, montane hardwood, ponderosa pine, Sierran mixed conifer, valley oak woodland and white fir.
Known Occurrences: Table Mountain
Life History/Special Habitat Conditions: Jepson’s onion is a perennial, bulbiferous herb that is endemic to California. Restricted to volcanic or serpentinite soils.
Blooming Period: Blooms May through August; bloom time is dependent upon elevation and seasonal weather patterns such as temperature and rainfall, particularly in the winter and spring.
Allium tribracteatum–Three Bracted Onion4
Listing Status: CNPS List 1B.2
BRRG Priority: 1
Range: 3,609 to 9,843 feet in elevation.
Habitat Associations: Chaparral, Jeffrey pine, lodgepole pine, montane hardwood–conifer, ponderosa pine, red fir, Sierran mixed conifer and white fir.
Known Occurrences: Several, including Bald Mountain, Strawberry Lake, Bailey Ridge, Dodge Ridge, Grant Ridge, Crandall Peak, Confidence Ridge, several locations near Twain Harte, and additional locations on the Stanislaus National Forest.
Life History/Special Habitat Conditions: Three-bracted onion is a perennial, bulbiferous herb that is endemic to California. Restricted to volcanic soils.
Blooming Period: Blooms April through August; bloom time is dependent upon elevation and seasonal weather patterns such as temperature and rainfall, particularly in the winter and spring.
Allium tuolumnense–Rawhide Hills Onion5
3 CNPS 2011
Biological Resources Conservation Handbook Appendix Page 8 of 187 Listing Status: CNPS List 1B.2
BRRG Priority: 1
Range: 984 to 1,969 feet in elevation.
Habitat Associations: Blue oak–foothill gray pine, blue oak woodland, chaparral and valley oak woodland. Restricted to serpentinite soils.
Known Occurrences: Chinese Station, Moccasin, Rawhide Hill, and several occurrences in the Red Hills; others located on private lands.
Life History/Special Habitat Conditions: Rawhide Hill onion is a perennial, bulbiferous herb. Restricted to serpentinite soils.
Blooming Period: Blooms March through May; bloom time is dependent upon elevation and seasonal weather patterns such as temperature and rainfall, particularly in the winter and spring.
Allium yosemitense–Yosemite Onion6
Listing Status: State Rare, CNPS List 1B.3
BRRG Priority: 1
Range: 1,755 to 7,218 feet in elevation.
Habitat Associations: Blue oak–foothill gray pine, blue oak woodland, chaparral, Jeffrey pine, lodgepole pine, montane hardwood–conifer, montane hardwood, ponderosa pine, red fir, Sierran mixed conifer, valley oak woodland, and white fir.
Known Occurrences: Near Pilot Ridge Crest on the Stanislaus National Forest.
Life History/Special Habitat Conditions: Yosemite onion is a perennial, bulbiferous herb. Restricted to rocky, metamorphic or granitic soils.
Blooming Period: Blooms April through July; bloom time is dependent upon elevation and seasonal weather patterns such as temperature and rainfall, particularly in the winter and spring.
Arctostaphylos nissenana–Nissenan Manzanita7
Listing Status: CNPS List 1B.2
BRRG Priority: 1
Range: 1,476 to 3,609 feet in elevation.
5 CNPS 2011
Biological Resources Conservation Handbook Appendix Page 9 of 187 Habitat Associations: Blue oak–foothill gray pine, chaparral, Jeffrey pine, montane hardwood–conifer, ponderosa pine and Sierran mixed conifer.
Known Occurrences: Near Sonora.
Life History/Special Habitat Conditions: Nissenan manzanita is an evergreen shrub that is endemic to California. Restricted to rocky soils.
Blooming Period: Blooms February through March; bloom time is dependent upon elevation and seasonal weather patterns such as temperature and rainfall, particularly in the winter and spring.
Balsamorhiza macrolepis var. macrolepis–Big Scale Balsamroot8
Listing Status: CNPS List 1B
BRRG Priority: 2
Range: 295 to 5,100 feet in elevation.
Habitat Associations: chaparral, cismontane woodland, valley and foothill grassland
Known Occurrences: Near Standard
Life History/Special Habitat Conditions: Big Scale Balsamroot is a perennial herb, sometimes on serpentenite soils.
Blooming Period: Blooms March–June; bloom time is dependent upon elevation and seasonal weather patterns such as temperature and rainfall, particularly in the winter and spring.
Botrychium lunaria–Common Moonwort9
Listing Status: CNPS List 2.3
BRRG Priority: 2
Range: 7,480 to 11,155 feet in elevation.
Habitat Associations: Jeffrey pine, lodgepole pine, ponderosa pine, red fir, subalpine conifer, Sierran mixed conifer and white fir.
Known Occurrences: Twin Peak and Yosemite National Park
Life History/Special Habitat Conditions: Common moonwort is a rhizomatous herbaceous plant. Restricted to meadows and seeps.
8 CNPS 2010
Biological Resources Conservation Handbook Appendix Page 10 of 187 Blooming Period: Blooms March–June; bloom time is dependent upon elevation and seasonal weather patterns such as temperature and rainfall, particularly in the winter and spring.
Brodiaea pallida–Chinese Camp Brodiaea10
Listing Status: Federally Threatened, State Endangered, CNPS List 1B.1
BRRG Priority: 1
Range: 1,268 feet in elevation.
Habitat Associations: Annual and perennial grasslands, blue oak–foothill gray pine, blue oak woodland, and valley oak woodland.
Known Occurrences: Near Chinese Camp School.
Life History/Special Habitat Conditions: Chinese Camp brodiaea is a perennial bulbiferous herb that is endemic to California. Primarily in vernal streambeds and often on serpentinite soils.
Blooming Period: Blooms May through July; bloom time is dependent upon elevation and seasonal weather patterns such as temperature and rainfall, particularly in the winter and spring.
Bruchia bolanderi–Bolander’s Bruchia11
Listing Status: CNPS List 2.2
BRRG Priority: 2
Range: 5,577 to 9,186 feet in elevation.
Habitat Associations: Jeffrey pine, lodgepole pine, ponderosa pine, red fir, subalpine conifer, Sierran mixed conifer, and white fir.
Known Occurrences: Stanislaus National Forest (Emigrant Wilderness) and near Tioga Pass in Yosemite National Park.
Life History/Special Habitat Conditions: Bolander’s bruchia is a moss. Restricted to meadows and seeps, and to mesic soils in coniferous habitats.
Blooming Period: Mosses do not bloom but are identifiable using leaf and stem structure.
Carex limosa–Mud Sedge12
Listing Status: CNPS List 2.2
10 CNPS 2011
Biological Resources Conservation Handbook Appendix Page 11 of 187 BRRG Priority: 2
Range: 3,937 to 8,858 feet in elevation.
Habitat Associations: Restricted to bogs and fens and to meadows and seeps in all habitats at the appropriate elevation.
Known Occurrences: Bourland Meadow, Clear Lake, and Swamp Lake.
Life History/Special Habitat Conditions: Mud sedge is a perennial rhizomatous herb in the sedge family.
Blooming Period: Blooms June through August; bloom time is dependent upon elevation and seasonal weather patterns such as temperature and rainfall, particularly in the winter and spring.
Carex praticola–Northern Meadow Sedge13
Listing Status: CNPS List 2.2
BRRG Priority: 2
Range: 0 to 10,499 feet in elevation.
Habitat Associations: Restricted to mesic soils in meadows and seeps in all habitats at the appropriate elevation.
Known Occurrences: Andrews Peak and near Tioga Pass.
Life History/Special Habitat Conditions: Northern meadow sedge is a perennial herb in the sedge family.
Blooming Period: Blooms May through July; bloom time is dependent upon elevation and seasonal weather patterns such as temperature and rainfall, particularly in the winter and spring.
Carex scirpoidea ssp. pseudoscirpoidea–Single-spike sedge14
Listing Status: CNPS List 2.2
BRRG Priority: 2
Range: 10,500 to 36,600 feet in elevation.
Habitat Associations: Subalpine coniferous forest, alpine boulder and rock field, meadows and seeps
Known Occurrences: None listed; however, suitable habitat is present.
13 CNPS 2010
Biological Resources Conservation Handbook Appendix Page 12 of 187 Life History/Special Habitat Conditions: single-spike sedge is a perennial rhizomatous herb. Restricted to alpine boulder and rock field, meadows and seeps, and rocky subalpine coniferous forests.
Blooming Period: Blooms July–September; bloom time is dependent upon elevation and seasonal weather patterns such as temperature and rainfall, particularly in the winter and spring.
Carex tiogana–Tioga Pass Sedge15
Listing Status: CNPS List 1B.3
BRRG Priority: 2
Range: 10,175 to 10,830 feet in elevation.
Habitat Associations: Restricted to meadows and seeps
Known Occurrences: None listed; however, suitable habitat is present.
Life History/Special Habitat Conditions: Tioga Pass sedge is a perennial herb restricted to meadows and seeps.
Blooming Period: Blooms July through August; bloom time is dependent upon elevation and seasonal weather patterns such as temperature and rainfall, particularly in the winter and spring.
Carex viridula var. viridula–Green Yellow Sedge16
Listing Status: CNPS List 2.2
BRRG Priority: 2
Range: 0 to 5,249 feet in elevation.
Habitat Associations: Restricted to wetland areas such as bogs, fens, freshwater marshes and swamps in all habitat types at the appropriate elevation.
Known Occurrences: Swamp Lake area.
Life History/Special Habitat Conditions: Green yellow sedge is a perennial herb in the sedge family. Restricted to subalpine and alpine habitats.
Blooming Period: Blooms August through September; bloom time is dependent upon elevation and seasonal weather patterns such as temperature and rainfall, particularly in the winter and spring.
Castilleja campestris ssp. succulenta–Succulent (Fleshy) Owl’s Clover17
15 CNPS 2010
Biological Resources Conservation Handbook Appendix Page 13 of 187 Listing Status: Federally threatened, State endangered, CNPS List 1B.2
BRRG Priority: 1
Range: 164 to 2,461 feet in elevation.
Habitat Associations: Vernal pools.
Known Occurrences: None listed; however, suitable habitat is present.
Life History/Special Habitat Conditions: Succulent owl’s-clover is an annual herb that is a hemiparasite. A hemiparasite is a plant that contains chlorophyll and therefore makes its own energy, but also parasitizes adjacent plants for energy resources. This species is restricted to vernal pool habitats.
Blooming Period: Blooms April to May; bloom time is dependent upon elevation and seasonal weather patterns such as temperature and rainfall, particularly in the winter and spring.
Chaenactis douglasii var. alpina–Alpine Dusty Maidens18
Listing Status: CNPS List 2.3
BRRG Priority: 2
Range: 9,840 to 11,152 feet in elevation.
Habitat Associations: Lodgepole pine forest and alpine fell fields.
Known Occurrences: Near Sonora Pass in northeastern Tuolumne County.
Life History/Special Habitat Conditions: Found in open alpine to subalpine gravel, boulder and rock fields and crevices.
Blooming Period: Blooms July through September.
Chamaesyse hooveri–Hoover’s Spurge19
Listing Status: Federally Threatened, CNPS List 1B.2
BRRG Priority: 1
Range: 82 to 820 feet in elevation.
Habitat Associations: Vernal pools.
Known Occurrences: None listed; however, suitable habitat is present.
17 CNPS 2011
Biological Resources Conservation Handbook Appendix Page 14 of 187 Life History/Special Habitat Conditions: Hoover’s spurge is an annual herb that is endemic to California. This species is restricted to vernal pool habitats.
Blooming Period: Blooms July–September; bloom time is dependent upon elevation and seasonal weather patterns such as temperature and rainfall, particularly in the winter and spring.
Chlorogalum grandiflorum–Red Hills Soaproot20
Listing Status: CNPS List 1B.2
BRRG Priority: 1
Range: 804 to 3,839 feet in elevation.
Habitat Associations: Blue oak–foothill gray pine, blue oak woodland, chaparral, Jeffrey pine, montane hardwood–conifer, montane hardwood, ponderosa pine, Sierran mixed conifer, and valley oak woodland.
Known Occurrences: Several, including several in the Red Hills, and in Peoria Basin, near Jamestown, Rawhide Hill, and Woods Creek.
Life History/Special Habitat Conditions: Red Hills soaproot is a perennial, bulbiferous herb that is endemic to California. This species is restricted to serpentinite or gabbroic soils.
Blooming Period: Blooms May through June; bloom time is dependent upon elevation and seasonal weather patterns such as temperature and rainfall, particularly in the winter and spring.
Clarkia australis–Small’s Southern Clarkia21
Listing Status: CNPS List 1B.2
BRRG Priority: 1
Range: 2,625 to 6,808 feet in elevation.
Habitat Associations: Blue oak–foothill gray pine, blue oak woodland, Jeffrey pine, montane hardwood–conifer, montane hardwood, ponderosa pine, Sierran mixed conifer, valley oak woodland, and white fir.
Known Occurrences: Several locations all within Yosemite National Park or the Stanislaus National Forest.
Life History/Special Habitat Conditions: Small’s southern clarkia is an annual herb that is endemic to California.
20 CNPS 2011
Biological Resources Conservation Handbook Appendix Page 15 of 187 Blooming Period: Blooms May through August; bloom time is dependent upon elevation and seasonal weather patterns such as temperature and rainfall, particularly in the winter and spring.
Clarkia biloba ssp. australis–Mariposa Clarkia22
Listing Status: CNPS List 1B.2
BRRG Priority: 1
Range: 984 to 3,232 feet in elevation.
Habitat Associations: Blue oak–foothill gray pine, blue oak woodland, chaparral, Jeffrey pine, montane hardwood–conifer, montane hardwood, ponderosa pine, Sierran mixed conifer, and valley oak woodland.
Known Occurrences: None listed; however, suitable habitat is present.
Life History/Special Habitat Conditions: Mariposa clarkia is an annual herb that is endemic to California. Restricted to serpentinite soils.
Blooming Period: Blooms May through July; bloom time is dependent upon elevation and seasonal weather patterns such as temperature and rainfall, particularly in the winter and spring.
Clarkia rostrata–Beaked Clarkia23
Listing Status: CNPS List 1B.3
BRRG Priority: 1
Range: 197 to 1,640 feet in elevation.
Habitat Associations: Annual and perennial grasslands, blue oak–foothill gray pine, blue oak woodland, pasture, Sierran mixed conifer, valley oak woodland, and valley foothill riparian.
Known Occurrences: Near Shotgun Creek.
Life History/Special Habitat Conditions: Beaked clarkia is an annual herb that is endemic to California. Requires mesic sites. Restricted to serpentinite soils.
Blooming Period: Blooms April through May; bloom time is dependent upon elevation and seasonal weather patterns such as temperature and rainfall, particularly in the winter and spring.
Claytonia megarhiza–Fell Fields Claytonia24
Listing Status: CNPS List 2.3
22 CNPS 2010
Biological Resources Conservation Handbook Appendix Page 16 of 187 BRRG Priority: 2
Range: 8,530 to 10,827 feet in elevation.
Habitat Associations: Jeffrey pine, lodgepole pine, red fir, subalpine conifer.
Known Occurrences: A few around Mt. Lyell and in Yosemite National Park; all records date before 1950.
Life History/Special Habitat Conditions: Fell fields claytonia is a perennial herb that is restricted to subalpine and alpine habitats.
Blooming Period: Blooms July–August; bloom time is dependent upon elevation and seasonal weather patterns such as temperature and rainfall, particularly in the winter and spring.
Cryptantha crymophila–Subalpine Cryptantha25
Listing Status: CNPS List 1B.3
BRRG Priority: 1
Range: 8,530 to 10,499 feet in elevation.
Habitat Associations: Jeffrey pine, lodgepole pine, red fir, and subalpine conifer.
Known Occurrences: Headwaters of Sardine Creek, Bald Peak, and near Sonora Pass.
Life History/Special Habitat Conditions: Subalpine cryptantha is a perennial herb that is endemic to California. Restricted to rocky, volcanic soils.
Blooming Period: Blooms July through August; bloom time is dependent upon elevation and seasonal weather patterns such as temperature and rainfall, particularly in the winter and spring.
Cryptantha mariposae–Mariposa Cryptantha26
Listing Status: CNPS List 1B.3
BRRG Priority: 1
Range: 656 to 2,133 in elevation.
Habitat Associations: Restricted to rocky, serpentinite soils in chaparral habitats.
Known Occurrences: Rawhide Hill, Red Hills, and near Quartz Mountain.
Life History/Special Habitat Conditions: Mariposa cryptantha is an annual herb that is endemic to California.
25 CNPS 2010
Biological Resources Conservation Handbook Appendix Page 17 of 187 Blooming Period: Blooms April through June; bloom time is dependent upon elevation and seasonal weather patterns such as temperature and rainfall, particularly in the winter and spring.
Didymodon norrisii–Norris’ Beard Moss27
Listing Status: CNPS List 2.2
BRRG Priority: 2
Range: 1,969 to 5,577 feet in elevation.
Habitat Associations: Blue oak–foothill gray pine, blue oak woodland, montane hardwood– conifer, montane hardwood, ponderosa pine, Sierran mixed conifer, valley oak woodland, and white fir.
Known Occurrences: In the vicinity of the Mi-Wok Ranger Station.
Life History/Special Habitat Conditions: Norris’ beard moss is a type of moss that grows in mesic soils or rock.
Blooming Period: Mosses do not bloom but are identifiable using leaf and stem structure.
Draba asterophora var. asterophora–Tahoe Draba28
Listing Status: CNPS List 1B.2
BRRG Priority: 1
Range: 8,202 to 11,499 feet in elevation.
Habitat Associations: Jeffrey pine, montane hardwood–conifer, red fir, and subalpine conifer.
Known Occurrences: Mt. Gibbs, Yosemite National Park.
Life History/Special Habitat Conditions: Tahoe draba is a perennial herb that grows at high elevations and under harsh winter conditions. Found in alpine boulder fields.
Blooming Period: Blooms July through August; bloom time is dependent upon elevation and seasonal weather patterns such as temperature and rainfall, particularly in the winter and spring.
Draba praealta–Tall Draba29
Listing Status: CNPS List 2.3
BRRG Priority: 2
27 CNPS 2010
Biological Resources Conservation Handbook Appendix Page 18 of 187 Range: 8,202–11,204 feet in elevation.
Habitat Associations: Found in meadows and seeps in all habitats at appropriate elevations.
Known Occurrences: Mt. Gibbs, Yosemite National Park.
Life History/Special Habitat Conditions: Tall draba is a perennial herb in the Brassicaceae family. Restricted to mesic sites in all habitat types at appropriate elevations.
Blooming Period: Blooms July through August; bloom time is dependent upon elevation and seasonal weather patterns such as temperature and rainfall, particularly in the winter and spring.
Elymus scribneri–Scribner’s Wheat Grass30
Listing Status: CNPS List 2.3
BRRG Priority: 2
Range: 9,514 to 13,780 feet in elevation.
Habitat Associations: Subalpine conifer and alpine boulder fields.
Known Occurrences: None listed; however, suitable habitat is present.
Life History/Special Habitat Conditions: Scribner’s wheat grass is a small, perennial bunch grass.
Blooming Period: Blooms July through August; bloom time is dependent upon elevation and seasonal weather patterns such as temperature and rainfall, particularly in the winter and spring.
Epilobium howellii–Subalpine Fireweed31
Listing Status: CNPS List 1B.3
BRRG Priority: 1
Range: 6,562 to 8,858 feet in elevation.
Habitat Associations: Jeffrey pine, lodgepole pine, montane hardwood–conifer, ponderosa pine, red fir, Sierran mixed conifer, and white fir.
Known Occurrences: Lyell Fork of the Tuolumne River in Tuolumne Meadows.
Life History/Special Habitat Conditions: Subalpine fireweed is a perennial, stoloniferous (bearing or developing stolons: shoots that bend to the ground or that grow horizontally above the ground and produce roots and shoots at the nodes) herb that is endemic to California. Restricted to meadows, seeps and mesic soils.
30 CNPS 2010
Biological Resources Conservation Handbook Appendix Page 19 of 187 Blooming Period: Blooms July through August; bloom time is dependent upon elevation and seasonal weather patterns such as temperature and rainfall, particularly in the winter and spring.
Eriogonum luteolum var. saltuarium–Jack’s Wild Buckwheat32
Listing Status: CNPS List 1B.2
BRRG Priority: 1
Range: 5,576 to 7,872 feet in elevation.
Habitat Associations: Upper montane coniferous forests.
Known Occurrences: Near Dardanelle Resort and Brightman Flat.
Life History/Special Habitat Conditions: Found in sandy granitic soils.
Blooming Period: Blooms July through September.
Eriophyllum nubigenum–Yosemite Woolly Sunflower33
Listing Status: CNPS List 1B.3
BRRG Priority: 1
Range: 5,003 to 7,759 feet in elevation.
Habitat Associations: Chaparral, Jeffrey pine, lodgepole pine, montane hardwood–conifer, ponderosa pine, red fir, Sierran mixed conifer, and white fir.
Known Occurrences: Pilot Ridge.
Life History/Special Habitat Conditions: Yosemite woolly sunflower is an annual herb that is endemic to California. Restricted to gravelly soils.
Blooming Period: Blooms May through August; bloom time is dependent upon elevation and seasonal weather patterns such as temperature and rainfall, particularly in the winter and spring.
Eryngium pinnatisectum–Tuolumne Button Celery34
Listing Status: CNPS List 1B.2
BRRG Priority: 1
Range: 230 to 3,002 feet in elevation.
32 CNPS 2010
Biological Resources Conservation Handbook Appendix Page 20 of 187 Habitat Associations: Blue oak–foothill gray pine, blue oak woodland, vernal pools, valley oak woodland, and valley foothill riparian.
Known Occurrences: Big Oak Flat, near Yosemite Junction, Standard townsite, Duffield Canyon, near Yosemite Junction, Rawhide Flat area, and Chinese Camp.
Life History/Special Habitat Conditions: Tuolumne button-celery is an annual/perennial herb that is endemic to California. Restricted to mesic sites.
Blooming Period: Blooms June through August; bloom time is dependent upon elevation and seasonal weather patterns such as temperature and rainfall, particularly in the winter and spring.
Eryngium spinosepalum–Spiny Sepaled Button Celery35
Listing Status: CNPS List 1B.2
BRRG Priority: 1
Range: 262 to 837 feet in elevation.
Habitat Associations: Annual and perennial grasslands and vernal pools.
Known Occurrences: Near La Grange, and in the vicinity of Shotgun Creek.
Life History/Special Habitat Conditions: Spiny sepaled button-celery is an annual/perennial herb that is endemic to California.
Blooming Period: Blooms April through May; bloom time is dependent upon elevation and seasonal weather patterns such as temperature and rainfall, particularly in the winter and spring.
Erythronium taylorii–Pilot Ridge Fawn Lily36
Listing Status: CNPS List 1B.2
BRRG Priority: 1
Range: 496 to 4,593 feet in elevation.
Habitat Associations: Jeffrey pine, montane hardwood–conifer, ponderosa pine, Sierran mixed conifer, and white fir.
Known Occurrences: Sensitive, information suppressed.
Life History/Special Habitat Conditions: Pilot Ridge fawn lily is perennial, bulbiferous herb that is endemic to California. Restricted to metamorphic and rocky soils.
35 CNPS 2010
Biological Resources Conservation Handbook Appendix Page 21 of 187 Blooming Period: Blooms April through May; bloom time is dependent upon elevation and seasonal weather patterns such as temperature and rainfall, particularly in the winter and spring.
Erythronium tuolumnense–Tuolumne Fawn Lily37
Listing Status: CNPS List 1B.2
BRRG Priority: 1
Range: 1,673 to 4,019 feet in elevation.
Habitat Associations: Blue oak–foothill gray pine, blue oak woodland, chaparral, Jeffrey pine, montane hardwood–conifer, montane hardwood, montane riparian, ponderosa pine, Sierran mixed conifer.
Known Occurrences: Several, including Duckwall Creek, Buchanan Road, Hunter Creek, North Fork Tuolumne River, South Fork Stanislaus River, Italian Bar, Five-Mile Creek, Horseman Bridge, Grant Ridge, Murphy Peak, Eagle Creek, Cedar Ridge area, American Camp area, Rose Creek, Deer Creek area, and others.
Life History/Special Habitat Conditions: Tuolumne fawn lily is a perennial, bulbiferous herb that is endemic to California.
Blooming Period: Blooms March through June; bloom time is dependent upon elevation and seasonal weather patterns such as temperature and rainfall, particularly in the winter and spring.
Festuca minutiflora–Small-Flowered Fescue38
Listing Status: CNPS List 2.3
BRRG Priority: 2
Range: 10,496 to 13,284 feet in elevation.
Habitat Associations: Subalpine forest, bristlecone pine forest, and alpine fell fields.
Known Occurrences: Mount Dana and the Conness Range
Life History/Special Habitat Conditions: Found in alpine boulder and rock fields.
Blooming Period: Blooms during July.
Fritillaria agrestis–Stinkbells39
Listing Status: CNPS List 4.2
37 CNPS 2010
Biological Resources Conservation Handbook Appendix Page 22 of 187 BRRG Priority: 3
Range: 33 to 5,100 feet in elevation.
Habitat Associations: Chaparral, cismontane woodland, pinyon pine and juniper woodland, and annual grassland.
Known Occurrences: Chinese Camp, Lake Don Pedro Subdivision near Merced Falls Road and State Route 132.
Life History/Special Habitat Conditions: Most populations are small. Found in clay depressions or other low heavy soils.
Blooming Period: Blooms March through June.
Hulsea brevifolia–Short-leaved hulsea40
Listing Status: CNPS List 1B.2
BRRG Priority: 1
Range: 4,920 to 10,496 feet in elevation.
Habitat Associations: Red fir forest.
Known Occurrences: Several in Yosemite National Park along the Tioga Road, near Smokey Jack Campground, and near the Tuolumne Grove.
Life History/Special Habitat Conditions: Perennial herb found on granitic or volcanic gravely or sandy soils.
Blooming Period: Blooms May through August.
Iris hartwegii ssp. columbiana–Tuolumne Iris41
Listing Status: CNPS List 1B.2
BRRG Priority: 1
Range: 1,394 to 4,593 feet in elevation.
Habitat Associations: Blue oak–foothill gray pine, blue oak woodland, Jeffrey pine, montane hardwood–conifer, montane riparian, ponderosa pine, Sierran mixed conifer, valley foothill riparian, and white fir.
Known Occurrences: South and Middle Fork Stanislaus River.
40 CNPS 2010
Biological Resources Conservation Handbook Appendix Page 23 of 187 Life History/Special Habitat Conditions: Tuolumne iris is a perennial, rhizomatous herb that is endemic to California.
Blooming Period: Blooms May through June; bloom time is dependent upon elevation and seasonal weather patterns such as temperature and rainfall, particularly in the winter and spring.
Lewisia disepala–Yosemite Lewisia42
Listing Status: CNPS List 1B.2
BRRG Priority: 1
Range: 3,396 to 11,483 feet in elevation.
Habitat Associations: Jeffrey pine, lodgepole pine, montane hardwood–conifer, ponderosa pine, red fir, subalpine conifer, Sierran mixed conifer, pinyon-juniper and white fir.
Known Occurrences: None listed; however, suitable habitat is present.
Life History/Special Habitat Conditions: Yosemite lewisia is a perennial herb that is endemic to California. Restricted to granitic and sandy soils.
Blooming Period: Blooms March through June; bloom time is dependent upon elevation and seasonal weather patterns such as temperature and rainfall, particularly in the winter and spring.
Lomatium congdonii–Congdon’s Lomatium43
Listing Status: CNPS List 1B.2
BRRG Priority: 1
Range: 984 to 6,890 feet in elevation.
Habitat Associations: Blue oak–foothill gray pine, blue oak woodland, chaparral, Jeffrey pine, montane hardwood–conifer, montane hardwood, ponderosa pine, Sierran mixed conifer, valley oak woodland, and white fir.
Known Occurrences: Several occurrences in and around the Chinese Camp, Red Hills, and Crimea House areas.
Life History/Special Habitat Conditions: Congdon’s lomatium is a perennial herb that is endemic to California. Restricted to serpentinite soils.
Blooming Period: Blooms March through June; bloom time is dependent upon elevation and seasonal weather patterns such as temperature and rainfall, particularly in the winter and spring.
42 CNPS 2010
Biological Resources Conservation Handbook Appendix Page 24 of 187 Lomatium stebbinsii–Stebbins’ Lomatium44
Listing Status: CNPS List 1B.1
BRRG Priority: 1
Range: 4,085 to 6,430 feet in elevation.
Habitat Associations: Chaparral, Jeffrey pine, montane hardwood–conifer, ponderosa pine, Sierran mixed conifer, and white fir.
Known Occurrences: Dodge Ridge, Upper Lily Creek, Grant Ridge, Rattlesnake Ridge, Basalt Ridge Peak, Strawberry Creek, Pinecrest, Spring Gap, Star Ridge, Crandall Peak, Lyons Reservoir, and the Rush Creek area.
Life History/Special Habitat Conditions: Stebbins’ lomatium is a perennial herb that is endemic to California. Restricted to gravelly, volcanic clay soils.
Blooming Period: Blooms March through May; bloom time is dependent upon elevation and seasonal weather patterns such as temperature and rainfall, particularly in the winter and spring.
Lupinus gracilentis–Slender Lupine45
Listing Status: CNPS List 1B.3
BRRG Priority: 1
Range: 8,202 to 11,483 feet in elevation.
Habitat Associations: Jeffrey pine, lodgepole pine, red fir, subalpine conifer, and white fir.
Known Occurrences: Tuolumne River Canyon.
Life History/Special Habitat Conditions: Slender lupine is an annual herb that is endemic to California.
Blooming Period: Blooms April through May; bloom time is dependent upon elevation and seasonal weather patterns such as temperature and rainfall, particularly in the winter and spring.
Lupinus spectabilis–Shaggyhair Lupine46
Listing Status: CNPS List 1B.2
BRRG Priority: 1
Range: 853–2,707 feet in elevation.
44 CNPS 2010
Biological Resources Conservation Handbook Appendix Page 25 of 187 Habitat Associations: Blue oak–foothill gray pine, blue oak woodland, chaparral, and valley oak woodland.
Known Occurrences: None listed; however, suitable habitat is present.
Life History/Special Habitat Conditions: Shaggyhair lupine is an annual herb that is endemic to California. Restricted to serpentinite soils.
Blooming Period: Blooms April through May; bloom time is dependent upon elevation and seasonal weather patterns such as temperature and rainfall, particularly in the winter and spring.
Mimulus filicaulis–Slender Stemmed Monkeyflower47
Listing Status: CNPS List 1B.2
BRRG Priority: 1
Range: 2,953 to 5,741 feet in elevation.
Habitat Associations: Blue oak–foothill gray pine, blue oak woodland, Jeffrey pine, montane hardwood–conifer, montane hardwood, ponderosa pine, Sierran mixed conifer, valley oak woodland, and white fir, also found in meadows and seeps.
Known Occurrences: Several locations in Yosemite National Park and Stanislaus National Forest. Also in the Groveland area and on a private in-holding in Ackerson Meadow.
Life History/Special Habitat Conditions: Slender-stemmed monkeyflower is an annual herb that is endemic to California. Restricted to vernally mesic soils.
Blooming Period: Blooms April through August; bloom time is dependent upon elevation and seasonal weather patterns such as temperature and rainfall, particularly in the winter and spring.
Mimulus pulchellus–Yellow Lip Pansy Monkeyflower48
Listing Status: CNPS List 1B.2
BRRG Priority: 1
Range: 1,969 to 6,567 feet in elevation.
Habitat Associations: Jeffrey pine, lodgepole pine, montane hardwood–conifer, ponderosa pine, Sierran mixed conifer, and white fir.
Known Occurrences: Ackerson Meadow, Crandall Peak, Long Barn, several occurrences in Twain Harte, and several additional locations in the Stanislaus National Forest.
47 CNPS 2011
Biological Resources Conservation Handbook Appendix Page 26 of 187 Life History/Special Habitat Conditions: Yellow-lip pansy monkeyflower is an annual herb that is endemic to California. Restricted to vernally mesic, often disturbed areas and clay soils.
Blooming Period: Blooms April through July; bloom time is dependent upon elevation and seasonal weather patterns such as temperature and rainfall, particularly in the winter and spring.
Monardella douglasii ssp. Venosa–Veiny Monardella49
Listing Status: CNPS List 1B.1
BRRG Priority: 1
Range: 197 to 1,345 feet in elevation.
Habitat Associations: Annual and perennial grasslands, blue oak–foothill gray pine, blue oak woodland, and valley oak woodland.
Known Occurrences: Three sitings near the Baseline Conservation Camp on New Peoria Flat Road.
Life History/Special Habitat Conditions: Veiny monardella is an annual herb that is endemic to California. Restricted to heavy clay soils.
Blooming Period: Blooms May through July; bloom time is dependent upon elevation and seasonal weather patterns such as temperature and rainfall, particularly in the winter and spring.
Neostapfia colusana–Colusa Grass50
Listing Status: Federally Endangered, State Threatened, CNPS List 1B.1
BRRG Priority: 1
Range: 16 to 656 feet in elevation.
Habitat Associations: Vernal pools.
Known Occurrences: None listed; however, suitable habitat is present.
Life History/Special Habitat Conditions: Colusa grass is an annual herb that is endemic to California. Restricted to adobe soils in large vernal pools.
Blooming Period: Blooms May through August; bloom time is dependent upon elevation and seasonal weather patterns such as temperature and rainfall, particularly in the winter and spring.
Packera layneae–Layne’s Ragwort51
49 CNPS 2010
Biological Resources Conservation Handbook Appendix Page 27 of 187 Listing Status: CNPS List 1B.2
BRRG Priority: 1
Range: 656 to 3,281 feet in elevation.
Habitat Associations: Annual and perennial grasslands, blue oak–foothill gray pine, blue oak woodland, chaparral, montane hardwood, montane hardwood–conifer, ponderosa pine, Sierran mixed conifer, and valley oak woodlands.
Known Occurrences: Several occurrences in the Red Hills and Chinese Camp areas.
Life History/Special Habitat Conditions: Layne’s ragwort is a perennial herb that is endemic to California. Restricted to serpentinite or gabbroic, rocky soils occasionally along streams.
Blooming Period: Blooms April through August; bloom time is dependent upon elevation and seasonal weather patterns such as temperature and rainfall, particularly in the winter and spring.
Peltigera hydrothyria–Aquatic Felt Lichen52
Listing Status: CNDDB Rank S3.2
BRRG Priority: 2
Range: Found along the western slope of the Sierra Nevada.
Habitat Associations: Found in cold unpolluted streams in conifer forests. It is a black, “lettuce-like” lichen that grows on rocks and on stream bottoms.
Known Occurrences: None known.
Life History/Special Habitat Conditions: How the lichen colonizes new habitats is unknown.
Blooming Period: Clumps range in size from a few centimeters to over one decimeter.
Potamogeton epihydrus ssp. nuttallii–Nuttall’s Ribbon-Leaved Pondweed53
Listing Status: CNPS List 2.2
BRRG Priority: 2
Range: 1,210 to 7,124 feet in elevation.
Habitat Associations: Lakes and ponds.
Known Occurrences: Lukens Lake in Yosemite National Park and Chain Lakes in the Emigrant Wilderness.
51 CNPS 2010
Biological Resources Conservation Handbook Appendix Page 28 of 187
Life History/Special Habitat Conditions: Rhizomatous aquatic herb. Found in shallow freshwater marshes and swamps.
Blooming Period: Blooms July through September.
Potamogeton robbinsii–Robbins’ Pondweed54
Listing Status: CNPS List 2.3
BRRG Priority: 2
Range: 5,200 to 10,827 feet in elevation.
Habitat Associations: Marshes and swamps associated with lakes and other deep water bodies.
Known Occurrences: None listed; however, suitable habitat is present.
Life History/Special Habitat Conditions: Robbins’ pondweed is an aquatic perennial, rhizomatous herb.
Blooming Period: Blooms July through August; bloom time is dependent upon elevation and seasonal weather patterns such as temperature and rainfall, particularly in the winter and spring.
Pseudobahia bahiifolia–Hartweg’s Golden Sunburst55
Listing Status: Federally Endangered, State Endangered, CNPS List 1B.1
BRRG Priority: 1
Range: 49 to 492 feet in elevation.
Habitat Associations: Annual and perennial grasslands, blue oak–foothill gray pine, blue oak woodland, valley oak woodland, and valley riparian.
Known Occurrences: None listed; however, suitable habitat is present.
Life History/Special Habitat Conditions: Hartweg’s golden sunburst is an annual shrub that is endemic to California. Restricted to clay, often acidic soils and occurs mostly on northern slopes, but also near shady creeks and vernal pools.
Blooming Period: Blooms March through April; bloom time is dependent upon elevation and seasonal weather patterns such as temperature and rainfall, particularly in the winter and spring.
Salix nivalis–Snow Willow56
54 CNPS 2010
Biological Resources Conservation Handbook Appendix Page 29 of 187 Listing Status: CNPS List 2.3
BRRG Priority: 2
Range: 10,171 to 11,483 feet in elevation.
Habitat Associations: Alpine dwarf scrub.
Known Occurrences: Two sitings in Yosemite National Park near Mt. Dana and Mt. Gibbs.
Life History/Special Habitat Conditions: Deciduous shrub native to California.
Blooming Period: Blooms July through August.
Schoenoplectus subterminalis–Water Bulrush57
Listing Status: CNPS List 2.3
BRRG Priority: 2
Range: 2,460 to 7,380 feet in elevation.
Habitat Associations: Freshwater wetlands.
Known Occurrences: Lily Lake, headwaters of the Clavey River, and Swamp Lake in Yosemite National Park.
Life History/Special Habitat Conditions: Perennial rhizomatous herb native to California. Found along lake margins and edges.
Blooming Period: Blooms June through August.
Senecio clevelandii var. heterophyllus–Red Hills Ragwort58
Listing Status: CNPS List 1B.2
BRRG Priority: 1
Range: 853 to 1,263 feet in elevation.
Habitat Associations: Blue oak–foothill gray pine, blue oak woodland, valley oak woodland, and valley foothill riparian.
Known Occurrences: Several occurrences in the Red Hills area.
Life History/Special Habitat Conditions: Red Hills’ ragwort is a perennial herb that is endemic to California. Restricted to serpentine seeps.
56 CNPS 2010
Biological Resources Conservation Handbook Appendix Page 30 of 187 Blooming Period: Blooms June through July; bloom time is dependent upon elevation and seasonal weather patterns such as temperature and rainfall, particularly in the winter and spring.
Streptanthus oliganthus–Masonic Mountain Jewel Flower59
Listing Status: CNPS List 1B.2
BRRG Priority: 1
Range: 6,496 to 10,007 feet in elevation.
Habitat Associations: Jeffrey pine, lodgepole pine, montane hardwood–conifer, ponderosa pine, red fir, subalpine conifer, Sierran mixed conifer, and white fir. Also in pinyon-juniper stands.
Known Occurrences: Sonora Pass.
Life History/Special Habitat Conditions: Masonic Mountain jewel-flower is a perennial herb that is endemic to California. Restricted to rocky, volcanic, or granitic soils.
Blooming Period: Blooms June through July; bloom time is dependent upon elevation and seasonal weather patterns such as temperature and rainfall, particularly in the winter and spring.
Tuctoria greenei–Greene’s Tuctoria60
Listing Status: Federally Endangered, State Rare, CNPS List 1B.1
BRRG Priority: 1
Range: 98 to 3,510 feet in elevation.
Habitat Associations: Vernal pools.
Known Occurrences: None listed; however, suitable habitat is present.
Life History/Special Habitat Conditions: Greene’s tuctoria is an annual herb that is endemic to California.
Blooming Period: Blooms May through July; bloom time is dependent upon elevation and seasonal weather patterns such as temperature and rainfall, particularly in the winter and spring.
Verbena californica–Red Hills Vervain61
Listing Status: Federally Threatened, State Threatened, CNPS List 1B.1
59 CNPS 2010
Biological Resources Conservation Handbook Appendix Page 31 of 187 BRRG Priority: 1
Range: 853 to 1,312 feet in elevation.
Habitat Associations: Annual and perennial grassland, blue oak–foothill gray pine, blue oak woodland, valley oak woodland, and valley foothill riparian.
Known Occurrences: Several occurrences in the Red Hills and Chinese Camp areas.
Life History/Special Habitat Conditions: Red Hills vervain is a perennial herb that is endemic to California. Restricted to mesic sites, usually serpentinite seeps or creeks.
Blooming Period: Blooms May through September; bloom time is dependent upon elevation and seasonal weather patterns such as temperature and rainfall, particularly in the winter and spring.
Biological Resources Conservation Handbook Appendix Page 32 of 187 Table 2-3: SPECIAL STATUS PLANT SPECIES BY HABITAT d an
tl h s e c
g w W Scientific Name w rfr jpn lpn wfr VRI scn bop MRI ppn VPL bo smc mhc mh VO Common name tic/W ags/p Chc/m Aqua
Agrostis hendersonii X X X Henderson’s bent grass Agrostis humilis X X X X Mountain bent grass Allium jepsonii X X X X X X X X X X Jepson’s onion Allium tribracteatum X X X X X X X X Three-bracted onion Allium tuolumnense X X X X Rawhide Hills onion Allium yosemitense X X X X X X X X X X X X Yosemite onion Arctostaphylos nissenana X X X X X X Nissenan manzanita Balsamorhiza macrolepis var. macrolepis X X Big Scale Balsamroot Botrychium lunaria X X X X X X X Common moonwort Brodiaea pallida X X X X Chinese Camp brodiaea Bruchia bolanderi X X X X X X X X Bolander’s bruchia Carex limosa X Mud sedge Carex praticola X Northern meadow sedge Carex scirpoidea ssp. pseudoscirpoidea X Single-spike sedge Carex tiogana X Tioga Pass Sedge Carex viridula var. viridula X Green yellow sedge Castilleja campestris ssp. succulenta X Succulent owl’s-clover Chaenactis douglasii var. alpine X Alpine dusty maidens Chamaesyce hooveri X Hoover’s spurge Chlorogalum grandiflorum X X X X X X X X X Red Hills soaproot Clarkia australis X X X X X X X X X Small’s southern clarkia Clarkia biloba ssp. australis X X X X X X X X X Mariposa clarkia
Biological Resources Conservation Handbook Appendix Page 33 of 187 d an
tl h s e c
g w W Scientific Name w rfr jpn lpn wfr VRI scn bop MRI ppn VPL bo smc mhc mh VO Common name tic/W ags/p Chc/m Aqua
Clarkia rostrata X X X X X X Beaked clarkia Claytonia megarhiza X X X X Fell-fields claytonia Cryptantha crymophila X X X X Subalpine cryptantha Cryptantha mariposae X Mariposa cryptantha Didymodon norrisii X X X X X X X X Norris’ beard moss Draba asterophora var. asterophora X X X X Tahoe draba Draba praealta X Tall draba Elymus scribneri X Scribner’s wheat grass Epilobium howellii X X X X X X X Subalpine fireweed Eriogonum luteolum var. saltuarium X X X X Jack’s wild buckwheat Eriophyllum nubigenum X X X X X X X X Yosemite woolly sunflower Eryngium pinnatisectum X X X X X Tuolumne button-celery Eryngium spinosepalum X X Spiny-sepaled button-celery Erythronium taylorii X X X X X Pilot Ridge fawn lily Erythronium tuolumnense X X X. X X X X X X Tuolumne fawn lily Festuca minutiflora X X Small-flowered fescue Fritillaria agrestis X X X Stinkbells Hulsea brevifolia X X X X X X X X Short-leaved hulsea Iris hartwegii ssp. columbiana X X X X X X X X X Tuolumne iris Lewisia disepala X X X X X X X X Yosemite lewisia Lomatium congdonii X X X X X X X X X X Congdon’s lomatium Lomatium stebbinsii X X X X X X Stebbins’ lomatium Lupinus gracilentus X X X X X Slender lupine Lupinus spectabilis X X X X Shaggyhair lupine
Biological Resources Conservation Handbook Appendix Page 34 of 187 d an
tl h s e c
g w W Scientific Name w rfr jpn lpn wfr VRI scn bop MRI ppn VPL bo smc mhc mh VO Common name tic/W ags/p Chc/m Aqua
Mimulus filicaulis X X X X X X X X X X Slender-stemmed monkeyflower Mimulus pulchellus X X X X X X Yellow-lip pansy monkeyflower Monardella douglasii ssp. venosa X X X X Veiny monardella Neostapfia colusana X Colusa grass Packera layneae X X X X X X X X X Layne’s ragwort Peltigera hydrothyria X Aquatic felt lichen Potamogeton epihydrus ssp. nuttallii X Nuttall’s ribbon-leaved pondweed Potamogeton robbinsii X Robbins’ pondweed Pseudobahia bahiifolia X X X X X Hartweg’s golden sunburst Salix nivalis X Snow willow Schoenoplectus subterminalis X Water bulrush Senecio clevelandii var. heterophyllus X X X X Red Hills ragwort Streptanthus oliganthus X X X X X X X X Masonic Mountain jewel-flower Tuctoria greenei X Greene’s tuctoria Verbena californica X X X X X Red Hills vervain Table 2-4: HABITAT CODES ags/PGS Annual grassland/Native Perennial Grassland bop Blue oak–foothill gray pine bow Blue oak woodland chc/mch Chamise chaparral/mixed chaparral jpn Jeffrey pine lpn Lodgepole pine mhc Montane hardwood-conifer mhw Montane hardwood MRI Montane riparian woodland ppn Ponderosa pine rfr Red fir scn Subalpine conifer
Biological Resources Conservation Handbook Appendix Page 35 of 187 smc Sierran mixed conifer VPL Vernal pool VOW Valley oak woodland VRI Valley-foothill riparian woodland wfr White fir
Potential impacts to federally listed or state listed plant species shall require consultation with the California Department of Fish and Game (CDFG) (state-listed species) and/or the United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) (federally listed species) before assessing impacts and determining appropriate mitigation measures unless full (100%) and complete avoidance of any impacts to the species can be achieved through the use of O (Open Space) or O-1 (Open Space-1) zoning and adopted mitigation measures. Anticipated mitigation measures are provided below:
Table 2-5 FIRST PRIORITY PLANT SPECIES–MITIGATION MEASURES
Species Common Name Mitigation Measures Brodiaea pallida Chinese Camp Requires Consultation with United States Fish brodiaea and Wildlife Service if the site is located in designated Critical Habitat Areas for these Castilleja campestris Succulent owl’s- species (see Pages 137 through 140 for ssp. succulenta clover illustrations of critical habitat areas). If not located in a designated Critical Habitat Area, Chamaesyce hooveri Hoover’s spurge requires consultation with appropriate agencies, generally the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service or the California Department of Fish and Game, if the listing agencies do not concur that the project Neostapfia colusana Colusa grass achieves full avoidance of potential habitat. WQ-01 through WQ-08 mitigation measures contained in Chapter 8 of the BRRG shall be Pseudobahia bahiafolia Hartweg’s golden implemented to reduce potential for impacts sunburst unless these measures are contrary to mitigation measures specified by the jurisdictional agency. Unless otherwise specified by the appropriate Tuctoria greenei Greene’s tuctoria agency, recommendations contained in adopted
Recovery Plans for First Priority Biological Resources and published in accordance with the Verbena californica Red Hills vervain Federal Endangered Species Act will be implemented to the maximum extent feasible to achieve full avoidance.
Biological Resources Conservation Handbook Appendix Page 36 of 187 Chapter 3. Special Status Wildlife Species
The County is home to approximately 105 special-status wildlife species; including 20 invertebrate, four fish, eight amphibian, six reptile, 41 bird, and 26 mammal species. Although some of these species are associated with rare or uncommon habitats (e.g., old growth oak), many can be found utilizing even the most common habitat types (e.g., pastures and annual grasslands). Following Table 3-1 is a description of each species, which includes details such as BRRG priority, range, known occurrences, habitat associations, life history and the time during which they are most observable. Information regarding each species was gathered from the California Wildlife Habitat Relationships System (CWHRS) as well as from California’s Wildlife Volume I-III (Zeiner, D.C., W.F. Laudenslayer, Jr., K.E. Mayer, and M. White, eds. 1988–1990). The species listed in the table are listed by order and then alphabetically by genus.
Following these descriptions, Table 3-2 lists all wildlife species and the habitats in which they may occur.
Table 3-1: SPECIAL STATUS WILDLIFE SPECIES Map Scientific Common Code Name Name Invertebrates Ana cal Anodonta californiensis California floater Ban mar Banksula martinorum Martins’ cave harvestman Ban mel Banksula melons Melones cave harvestman Ban tu Banksula tuolumne Tuolumne cave harvestman Bra In Branchinecta lynchi Vernal pool fairy shrimp Des caldi Desmocerus californicus Valley elderberry longhorn beetle dimorphus Hyd sim Hydroporus simplex Simple hydroporus diving beetle La la Larca laceyi Lacey’s cave pseudoscorpion Ps or Pseudogarypus orpheus Music hall cave pseudoscorpion Pu ha Punctum hannai Trinity spot Lav sym Lavinia symmetricus ssp. 1 San Joaquin roach Lav sym Lavinia symmetricus ssp. 3 Red Hills roach Le pa Lepidurus packardi Vernal pool tadpole shrimp Mon cir Monadenia circumcarinata Keeled sideband Mon Monadenia mormonum buttoni Buttons Sierra sideband morbut Mon Monadenia mormonum hirsute Hirsute Sierra sideband morhir Mon tuo Monadenia tuolumneana Tuolumne sideband Sty gra Stygobromus gradyi Grady’s cave amphipod Sty ha Stygobromus harai Hara’s cave amphipod Te si Tetrix sierrana Sierra pygmy grasshopper Fish Onc cla Oncorhynchus clarki henshawi Lahontan cutthroat trout hen Onc cla Oncorhynchus clarki seleniris Paiute cutthroat trout sel Onc myk Oncorhynchus mykiss Central Valley steelhead
Biological Resources Conservation Handbook Appendix Page 37 of 187 Map Scientific Common Code Name Name Onc tsh Oncorhynchus tshawytscha Chinook salmon Amphibians Amb cal Ambystoma californiense California tiger salamander An can Anaxyrus canorus Yosemite toad Bat rel Batrachoseps relictus Relictual slender salamander Hyd pla Hydromantes platycephalus Mount Lyell salamander Ran aurdr Rana draytonii California red-legged frog Ran boy Rana boylii Foothill yellow-legged frog Ran Si Rana sierrae Sierra Nevada yellow-legged frog Sca ham Spea hammondii Western spadefoot Reptiles Cle mar Actinemys marmorata Pacific pond turtle Cha tri Charina trivirgata Rosy boa Mas fla Masticophis flagellum ruddocki San Joaquin whipsnake rud Ph bl Phrynosoma blainvillii Coast horned lizard Birds CH Accipiter cooperii Cooper’s hawk NG Accipiter gentilis Northern goshawk ShH Accipiter striatus Sharp-shinned hawk TriB Agelaius tricolor Tricolored blackbird GS Ammodramus savannarum Grasshopper sparrow GE Aquila chrysaetos Golden eagle SeO Asio flammeus Short eared owl LO Asio otus Long eared owl BO Athene cunicularia Burrowing owl AY Aythya valisineria Canvasback duck BT Botaurus lentiginosa American bittern BI Bucephala islandica Barrow’s goldeneye BR Buteo regalis Ferruginous hawk CL Carduelis lawrencei Lawrence’s goldfinch CM Charadrius montanus Mountain plover VS Chaetura vauxi Vaux’s swift NH Circus cyaneus Northern harrier BS Cypseloides niger Black swift DO Dendroica occidentalis Hermit warblers YW Dendroica petechia brewsteri Yellow warbler BK Elanus leucurus White tailed kite WF Empidonax traillii Willow flycatcher EA Eremophila alpestris actia California horned larks FC Falco columbarius Merlin PF Falco mexicanus Prairie falcon APF Falco peregrinus anatum American peregrine falcon CL Gavia immer Common loon BE Haliaeetus leucocephalus Bald eagle HH Histrionicus histrionicus Harlequin duck YCh Icteria virens Yellow-breasted chat
Biological Resources Conservation Handbook Appendix Page 38 of 187 Map Scientific Common Code Name Name IE Ixobrychus exilis Least bittern LS Lanius ludovicianus Loggerhead shrike OS Pandion haliaetus Osprey NY Nycticorax nycticorax Black crowned night heron WP Pelecanus erythrorhynchos American white pelican PA Phalacrocorax auritus Double-crested cormorant PM Progne subis Purple martin SA Spizella atrogularis Black-chinned sparrow SP Spizella passerine Chipping sparrow GO Strix nebulosa Great gray owl SO Strix occidentalis California spotted owl Mammals PaBt Antrozous pallidus Pallid bat SNMB Aplodontia rufa californica Sierra Nevada mountain beaver RtC Bassariscus astutus Ringtail TWBBt Corynorhinus townsendii Townsend’s big-eared bat Mkrat Dipodomys heermanni dixoni Merced kangaroo rat SPBt Euderma maculatum Spotted bat CMBt Eumops perotis californicus Greater western mastiff bat Wolv Gulo gulo California wolverine SHBt Lasionycteris noctivagans Silver-haired bat RBt Lasiurus blossevillii Western red bat SNSH Lepus americanus tahoensis Sierra Nevada snowshoe hare Wwtrbt Lepus townsendii townsendii Western white-tailed jackrabbit SiMa Martes americana sierrae Sierra marten PaFi Martes pennanti pacifica Pacific fisher SfBt Myotis ciliolabrum Western small-footed bat LeBt Myotis evotis Long-eared bat LBBt Myotis lucifugus Little brown bat FMBt Myotis thysanodes Fringed myotis LIBt Myotis volans Long-legged myotis NeFu Neotoma fuscipes riparia San Joaquin valley woodrat Yopi Ochotona princeps muiri Yosemite pika CBS Ovis canadensis sierrae Sierra Nevada bighorn sheep PeIn Perognathus inornatus inornatus San Joaquin pocket mouse MtLSH Sorex lyelli Mount Lyell shrew AmBa Taxidea taxus American badger SNRF Vulpes vulpes necator Sierra Nevada red fox
Invertebrates
Anodonta californiensis–California floater62
Listing Status: CNDDB Rank S2
62 The Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation 2011
Biological Resources Conservation Handbook Appendix Page 39 of 187 BRRG Priority: 2
Range: California, Nevada, Utah and Arizona.
Known Occurrences: None listed; however, suitable habitat is present.
Habitat Associations: A freshwater mussel that inhabits shallow muddy or sandy substrate in large rivers, reservoirs and lakes. Prefers standing water or backwater areas of flowing water.
Diet and Foraging: Filter feeder that obtains food by filtering water through its gills.
Breeding: Requires species-specific host fish during the parasitic larval portion of its life cycle.
Seasonal Movements: Adults are sedentary and spend their lives near where they first settled. They will move during spawning or if prompted by a stimulus, such as water disturbance, exposure due to low water or seasonal temperature changes.
Period of Identification: Year around.
Banksula martinorum–Martins’ cave harvestman63
Listing Status: CNDDB Rank S1
BRRG Priority: 1
Range: Central Sierra Nevada.
Known Occurrences: Heater Cave in Calaveras County approximately 5 miles north of Columbia.
Habitat Associations: Terrestrial spider restricted to caves.
Diet and Foraging: Probably predator on cave microarthropods.
Breeding:
Seasonal Movements: Remain in caves.
Period of Identification: Year around. Adults are less than 2 mm in length and shades of yellow to yellow-orange.
Banksula melones–Melones cave harvestman64
Listing Status: CNDDB Rank S2S3
BRRG Priority: 2
63 CDFG Special Status Invertebrate Species Accounts 2011.
Biological Resources Conservation Handbook Appendix Page 40 of 187 Range: Central Sierra Nevada.
Known Occurrences: McLean’s Cave along the South Fork of the Stanislaus River in Tuolumne County prior to flooding and an adjacent Transplant Mine in Tuolumne County. McNamee Cave in Tuolumne County prior to demolition. Lost Piton Cave.
Habitat Associations: Terrestrial spider restricted to caves.
Diet and Foraging: Probably predator on cave microarthropods, such as genuses Collembola, Psocoptera and Acarida.
Breeding:
Seasonal Movements: Remain in caves.
Period of Identification: Year around. Adults are approximately 2.2 mm in length and shades of yellow to yellow-orange. Most frequently found in wall crevices or under large rocks, especially near roots. Less frequently found on cave walls or floor.
Banksula Tuolumne–Tuolumne cave harvestman65
Listing Status: CNDDB Rank S1
BRRG Priority: 1
Range: Central Sierra Nevada.
Known Occurrences: Tuolumne Crystal Cave 8 miles southeast of Tuolumne.
Habitat Associations: Terrestrial spider restricted to caves.
Diet and Foraging: Probably predator on cave microarthropods.
Breeding:
Seasonal Movements: Remain in caves.
Period of Identification: Year around. Adults are less than 2 mm in length and shades of yellow to yellow-orange.
Branchinecta lynchi–Vernal Pool Fairy Shrimp66
Listing Status: Federally Threatened
BRRG Priority: 1
Range: The historic range of the vernal pool fairy shrimp includes lower elevations of California’s Central Valley region. This species is currently known to occur north to Shasta
65 CDFG Special Status Invertebrate Species Accounts 2011.
Biological Resources Conservation Handbook Appendix Page 41 of 187 County, south to western Riverside County, east into the Sierra Nevada foothills in Tulare County, and west into Santa Barbara County. Highest concentrations generally occur within Tehama, Sacramento, and Merced counties.
Known Occurrences: Within Tuolumne County, this species is known from one location approximately 0.5 mile south of the intersection of Highway 120 and Highway 108, Yosemite Junction.
Habitat Associations: The vernal pool fairy shrimp is known to occur within vernal pool habitats and other short-lived, cool-watered, grassy or muddy bottomed, seasonally inundated swales, earth slumps, or basalt-flow depressions throughout California. This species is known to exist within traditional vernal pools at a ratio of 79 percent compared to other ephemeral scenarios, although they have been found in a range of natural and artificially created ephemeral habitats such as alkali pools and seasonal drainages of moderate to high quality. Pools that support this species are relatively undisturbed when associated with grassland habitat, and not subject to agricultural or grazing activities. As a result of their short duration of inundation, the pools that support this species are typically astatic (not static or stable) cool-water pools that may exist for only three weeks in the spring, with low to moderate total dissolved solids (TDS) and alkalinity values, and a pH range that straddles neutral.
Diet and Foraging: Fairy shrimp are opportunistic, non-selective, particle-feeder and filter- feeder omnivores.
Breeding: Sexually mature females carry a clutch of eggs within an ovisac that are deposited and fertilized by sexually mature males within the water column or on the pool basin, whereby they remain as dormant cysts. Hatching of vernal pool fairy shrimp cysts typically occurs very early in the wet season, when water temperatures are below 10° Celsius (50° Fahrenheit). After hatching and undergoing a larval stage as a juvenile, the time to sexual maturity is dependent upon water temperatures warming typically to at least 15° Celsius (59° Fahrenheit). They can reach sexual maturity in only 18 days under optimal conditions, however more typically reach maturity in 41 days.
Seasonal Movements: Individuals remain stationary within resident pools throughout their life cycle. As a dispersal mechanism, cysts may be transported to separate pools inadvertently via other animals.
Period of Identification: November–May
Desmocerus californicus dimorphus–Valley Elderberry Longhorn Beetle67
Listing Status: Federally Threatened
BRRG Priority: 1
Range: Occurs only within the Central Valley and foothills of California to 3,000 feet in elevation.
Known Occurrences: A number of recorded occurrences within Tuolumne County including Yosemite Junction Bench Mark 1166 vicinity, Algerine School vicinity, south of Stanislaus
67 Evans, A.V. and J. Hogue. 2004. An Introduction to California Beetles.
Biological Resources Conservation Handbook Appendix Page 42 of 187 River and South Fork Stanislaus River confluence, west side of Rawhide Flat, Columbia and Whitto Mine Road.
Habitat Associations: Riparian habitat types that support the host plant, elderberry (Sambucus ssp.). Host elderberry shrubs typically have a stem diameter of 2 to 8 inches. There is evidence that the species prefers elderberry shrubs that are stressed.
Diet and Foraging: Adults feed on foliage and flowers of elderberry. Larvae feed on pith of elderberry.
Breeding: Adult beetles mate, and females lay eggs from March through early June. First instar (an insect that is between molts) larvae bore to center of elderberry stems where they develop for 1 to 2 years, feeding on pith. Before forming pupae, larvae chew through bark, bore a hole, and then plug holes with wood shavings. Larvae crawl back into the pupal chamber and pack it with frass (debris or excrement). Larvae metamorphose into a pupae, and then into adults that emerge from pupal chamber between mid-March through June. An exit hole is left behind in the stem of the elderberry.
Seasonal Movements: Remain in vicinity of emerging location.
Period of Identification: March–June
Larca laceyi–Lacey’s cave pseudoscorpion68
Listing Status: CNDDB Rank S1, Federal Species of Concern
BRRG Priority: 1
Range: California.
Known Occurrences: Upper Tuolumne River watershed, Upper Stanislaus River watershed, Music Hall Cave in Calaveras County.
Habitat Associations: Cavernous, subterrestrial.
Diet and Foraging: Pseudoscorpions feed on small arthropods.
Breeding: Eggs are held in a sac attached to the female. The young emerge from the sac after molting twice and molt twice more before becoming adults. Pseudoscorpions generally live for two to five years.
Seasonal Movements:
Period of Identification:
Lepidurus packardi–Vernal Pool Tadpole Shrimp69
Listing Status: Federally Endangered
68 Munchmore, W.B. 1981. Cavernicolous species of Larca, Aracheloarca and Pseudogarypus with notes on the genera (Pseudoscorpionida, Garypidae and Pseudogarypidae). J. Arachnol. 9:47-60. 69 CDFG Special Status Invertebrate Species Accounts 2011.
Biological Resources Conservation Handbook Appendix Page 43 of 187 BRRG Priority: 1
Range: The historic range of the vernal pool tadpole shrimp includes lower elevations of California’s Central Valley region. This species is currently known to occur throughout the Central Valley and in the San Francisco Bay area. Highest concentrations generally occur within the Southeastern Sacramento Vernal Pool Region, where the species occurs on a number of public and private lands in Sacramento County.
Known Occurrences: Within Tuolumne County, this species is known to occur east of Knight’s Ferry.
Habitat Associations: This tadpole shrimp occurs within a wide variety of ephemeral wetland habitats, including alkaline pools, clay flats, vernal lakes, vernal pools, vernal swales, and other seasonal wetlands throughout the Central Valley of California.
Diet and Foraging: Tadpole shrimp are opportunistic, non-selective, particle-feeder and filter-feeder omnivores.
Breeding: Similar to fairy shrimp species, the life cycle of tadpole shrimp generally consists of a dormant cyst (embroyonic egg) stage, a hatching or emergent phase, an immature swimming phase, and a sexually mature swimming phase before reproduction, death, and cyst deposit. Sexually mature females carry a clutch of eggs within an ovisac that are deposited and fertilized by sexually mature males within the water column or on the pool basin, whereby they remain as cysts. Multiple clutches and hatching within the same wet season allows vernal pool tadpole shrimp to persist within suitable pools as long as pools remain inundated, which may last as long as six months under appropriate conditions. Hatching of vernal pool fairy shrimp cysts typically occurs when water temperatures reach 10 to 15° Celsius (50 to 59° Fahrenheit), with hatching rates decreasing significantly as temperatures exceed 20° Celsius (68° Fahrenheit). Vernal pool tadpole shrimps generally take between 3 to 4 weeks to become sexually mature. Once mature, individuals may have both male and female reproductive organs, and large females can deposit as many as six clutches during a life cycle thereby increasing their fecundity success and persistence during a single wet season.
Seasonal Movements: Individuals remain stationary within resident pools throughout their life cycle. As a dispersal mechanism, cysts may be transported to separate pools inadvertently via other animals.
Period of Identification: November–May
Monadenia circumcarinata–Keeled sideband snail70
Listing Status: CNDDB Rank S1
BRRG Priority: 1
Range: Endemic to the United States.
70 CDFG 2011 Wildlife Species Matrix.
Biological Resources Conservation Handbook Appendix Page 44 of 187 Known Occurrences: Tuolumne River canyon in Tuolumne and Stanislaus counties. Paper Cabin Ridge, above the Tuolumne River.
Habitat Associations: Medium-sized air-breathing land snail found in association with steep limestone outcrops and talus slopes.
Diet and Foraging:
Breeding:
Seasonal Movements:
Period of Identification:
Monadenia mormonum buttoni–Button’s Sierra sideband snail71
Listing Status: CNDDB Rank S1
BRRG Priority: 1
Range: 0 to 7,044 feet in elevation.
Known Occurrences:
Habitat Associations: Terrestrial snail. Canyon habitat.
Diet and Foraging:
Breeding:
Seasonal Movements:
Period of Identification: Shell is dark reddish brown in color.
Monadenia mormonum hirsute–Hirsute Sierra sideband snail72
Listing Status: CNDDB Rank S1
BRRG Priority: 1
Range:
Known Occurrences: Yosemite Junction.
Habitat Associations: Associated with basalt of Table Mountain.
71 CDFG 2011 Wildlife Species Matrix.
Biological Resources Conservation Handbook Appendix Page 45 of 187 Diet and Foraging:
Breeding:
Seasonal Movements:
Period of Identification:
Monadenia tuolumneana–Tuolumne sideband snail73
Listing Status: CNDDB Rank S1
BRRG Priority: 1
Range:
Known Occurrences: Crystal Butterfly Cave, T1N, R16E, Section 21. Crystal Tuolumne Cave, T1N, R16E, Section 21.
Habitat Associations:
Diet and Foraging:
Breeding:
Seasonal Movements:
Period of Identification:
Pseudogarypus orpheus–Music hall cave pseudoscorpion74
Listing Status: CNDDB Rank S1
BRRG Priority: 1
Range:
Known Occurrences: Music Hall Cave in Calaveras County and two sitings near Tuolumne in Tuolumne County.
Habitat Associations: Lakes and watercourses.
Diet and Foraging: Pseudoscorpions feed on small arthropods.
73 CDFG 2011 Wildlife Species Matrix.
Biological Resources Conservation Handbook Appendix Page 46 of 187 Breeding: Eggs are held in a sac attached to the female. The young emerge from the sac after molting twice and molt twice more before becoming adults. Pseudoscorpions generally live for two to five years.
Seasonal Movements:
Period of Identification:
Punctum hannai–Trinity spot75
Listing Status: CNDDB Rank S1S3
BRRG Priority: 1
Range:
Known Occurrences: Tuolumne County 1921, Mariposa County 1923 and Trinity County 1931.
Habitat Associations: Terrestrial snail.
Diet and Foraging:
Breeding:
Seasonal Movements:
Period of Identification:
Stygobromus gradyi–Grady’s cave amphipod76
Listing Status: CNDDB Rank S1
BRRG Priority: 1
Range: Endemic to the United States.
Known Occurrences: Crystal Palace cave, just north of the South Fork of the Stanislaus River in Tuolumne County, approximately 10 miles east of Angels Camp. Masonic Cave, Amador County.
Habitat Associations: Subterranean freshwater amphipod collected from intermittent stream pools in caves. Associated with caves and springs.
Diet and Foraging:
75 CDFG 2011 Wildlife Species Matrix.
Biological Resources Conservation Handbook Appendix Page 47 of 187 Breeding:
Seasonal Movements:
Period of Identification: Females measure up to 7.0 mm in length. Males measure up to 4.5 mm in length.
Stygobromus harai–Hara’s cave amphipod77
Listing Status: CNDDB Rank S1S2
BRRG Priority: 1
Range: Endemic to the United States.
Known Occurrences: Pinnacle Point (Windeler?) Cave and a mine tunnel near the cave on the south side of the Stanislaus River in Tuolumne County, approximately 10 miles east of Valecito.
Habitat Associations: Subterranean freshwater amphipod found in small lakes and standing water in caves and mine tunnels.
Diet and Foraging:
Breeding:
Seasonal Movements:
Period of Identification: Females measure up to 7.5 mm in length, Males measure up to 7.0 mm in length.
Tetrix sierrana–Sierra Pygmy Grasshopper78
Listing Status: CNDDB Rank S1S2
BRRG Priority:
Range: Endemic to the United States
Known Occurrences: No recorded occurrences within Tuolumne County; however, suitable habitat is present.
Habitat Associations: Lower montane coniferous forest, ponderosa pine, and mixed coniferous forests.
Diet and Foraging:
77 CDFG 2011 Wildlife Species Matrix.
Biological Resources Conservation Handbook Appendix Page 48 of 187 Breeding:
Seasonal Movements:
Period of Identification: Approximately 0.5 inch in length.
Fish
Lavinia symmetricus ssp. 1–San Joaquin Roach79
Listing Status: California species of special concern.
BRRG Priority: 2
Range: The San Joaquin roach historically had a broad continuous distribution in the San Joaquin River drainage, but the range has been reduced through extirpations from certain tributaries of the San Joaquin River. In general, they are most abundant in mid-elevation streams in the Sierra Nevada foothills and lower reaches of a few coastal streams. Within Tuolumne County, this species is generally known to occur in the Upper Tuolumne River watershed.
Known Occurrences: Hatch Creek, Second Creek, Big Jackass Creek, Rough Creek, Ready Creek, Sullivan Creek, Woods Creek, First Creek, and Curtis Creek.
Habitat Associations: Small, warm, intermittent streams with deep-bottomed pools. Tolerant of high temperatures and low dissolved oxygen levels. Populations are frequently found in isolated pools.
Diet and Foraging: Roach species are omnivorous, feeding primarily on filamentous algae with lesser quantities of crustaceans and aquatic insects. They have also been observed preying on larval lampreys. In Tuolumne River and Clavey River, larger roach have been observed feeding on drift organisms within fairly fast current.
Breeding: Spawning is dependent upon water temperatures reaching approximately 16° Celsius (60.8° Fahrenheit) which typically occurs from March to June throughout the known range, and rarely extending into July during a typical year. During spawning, schools of roach move into shallow waters characterized by moderate flows and supported by gravel and rubble substrate. Once hatched, fry remain within substrate interstices until they are free-swimming. Growth is seasonal, with rapid growth occurring under the warm water temperatures during the summer. Sexual maturity is typically reached during the second year.
Seasonal Movements: Local movement is seasonally from deeper pools to shallow areas for spawning and rearing.
Period of Identification: N/A
Lavinia symmetricus ssp. 3–Red Hills Roach80
79 Moyle, Peter. 2002. Inland Fishes of California. University of California Press. 80 Moyle, Peter. 2002. Inland Fishes of California. University of California Press.
Biological Resources Conservation Handbook Appendix Page 49 of 187 Listing Status: California species of special concern.
BRRG Priority: 2
Range: The Red Hills roach is historically known from Horton Creek and other small streams such as Amber Creek and Roach Creek near Sonora, San Joaquin River drainage, California.
Known Occurrences: Horton Creek, Roach Creek, Amber Creek, Poor Man’s Gulch, Minnow Gulch, Six Bit Gulch, Andrew Creek, and Peoria Creek.
Habitat Associations: Restricted to areas characterized by serpentine soils and stunted vegetation. Small, warm, intermittent streams with deep-bottomed pools. Tolerant of high temperatures and low dissolved oxygen levels. Populations are frequently found in isolated pools.
Diet and Foraging: Roach species are omnivorous, feeding primarily on filamentous algae with lesser quantities of crustaceans and aquatic insects. They have also been observed preying on larval lampreys. In Tuolumne River and Clavey River, larger roach have been observed feeding on drift organisms within fairly fast current.
Breeding: Spawning is dependent upon water temperatures reaching approximately 16° Celsius (60.8° Fahrenheit) which typically occurs from March to June throughout the known range, and rarely extending into July during a typical year. During spawning, schools of roach move into shallow waters characterized by moderate flows and supported by gravel and rubble substrate. Once hatched, fry remain within substrate interstices until they are free-swimming. Growth is seasonal, with rapid growth occurring under the warm water temperatures during the summer. Sexual maturity is typically reached during the second year.
Seasonal Movements: Local movement is seasonally from deeper pools to shallow areas for spawning and rearing.
Period of Identification: N/A
Oncorhynchus clarki henshawi–Lahontan Cutthroat Trout81
Listing Status: Federally Threatened.
BRRG Priority: 1
Range: The Lahontan cutthroat trout is endemic, or native, to the Lahontan Basin of northern Nevada, eastern California, and southern Oregon. Its range extends east in to Utah as well. In California, this species is historically known from Walker Lake, Lake Tahoe, and Independence Lake, as well as the Humboldt River, Carson River, Truckee River, Walker River, Donner Creek and Prosser Creek. This species is currently known from as many as 129 streams within the Lahontan Basin, and has been found in 5 of the lakes that once supported its historic range, including Pyramid Lake, Walker Lake, Fallen Leaf Lake, Independence Lake, and Summit Lake. Lahontan cutthroats are also currently known from
81 Moyle, Peter. 2002. Inland Fishes of California. University of California Press.
Biological Resources Conservation Handbook Appendix Page 50 of 187 numerous lakes and streams within the Sierra Nevada and elsewhere outside of their historic range.
Known Occurrences: This species is known within Wheats Meadow Creek from the south end of Clover Meadow to 2 miles due north of Donnells Reservoir.
Habitat Associations: Lahontan cutthroat trout are known from a wide variety of cold-water habitats including large, terminal, alkaline lakes, alpine lakes, slow meandering rivers, mountain rivers, and small headwater tributary streams. They require cool flowing water supported by stable banks and well-vegetated cover, and often stage in stream velocity breaks, and relatively silt-free, rocky riffle-run areas. This species competes very poorly and cannot tolerate the presence of other salmonid species.
Diet and Foraging: Stream resident trout are opportunistic feeders, with diets consisting of drift organisms that typically consist of terrestrial and aquatic insects. Lake residents feed on insects and zooplankton until they mature into larger piscivores (feed or subsist on fish), whereby they shift their diet to fish.
Breeding: Lahontan cutthroat trout are obligate stream spawners. Spawning sites include headwater riffles and pool crests within small, intermittent, tributary streams that support gravelly substrate. Lake residents migrate up tributaries to spawn in riffle sections or tail ends of pools. Spawning generally occurs from April through July depending on environmental conditions. Females mature at 3 to 4 years of age, and males mature at 2 to 3 years of age. Consecutive year spawning is uncommon by individuals.
Seasonal Movements: Lahontan cutthroat trout inhabiting streams remain within perennial reaches as adults until migrating upstream into tributaries and headwater reaches for spawning sites. Trout inhabiting lakes remain within the main lake body as adults until migrating upstream into tributaries to spawn. The distance traveled varies with stream size and race of cutthroat trout. After spawning, fry may remain in tributaries and headwaters until they are flushed downstream during higher runoff.
Period of Identification: N/A
Oncorhynchus clarki seleniris–Paiute Cutthroat Trout82
Listing Status: Federally Threatened.
BRRG Priority: 1
Range: The presumed historic range of Paiute cutthroat trout includes portions of Silver King Creek from Llewellyn Falls downstream to Silver King Canyon, as well as accessible reaches of three smaller tributaries that include Tamarack Creek, Tamarack Lake Creek, and the lower reaches of Coyote Valley Creek, all of which fall within the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest in California. It is also believed without conclusive evidence that this species is native to Corral Valley and Coyote Valley creeks. The present distribution of Paiute cutthroat trout consists of a population in Silver King Creek above Llewellyn Falls and tributary populations in Fly Valley, Four Mile Canyon Creek, Coyote Valley, and Corral Valley creeks, and four self-sustaining populations outside the native drainage in the North Fork of Cottonwood and Cabin creeks, and Stairway and Sharktooth creeks.
82 Moyle, Peter. 2002. Inland Fishes of California. University of California Press.
Biological Resources Conservation Handbook Appendix Page 51 of 187
Known Occurrences: Within Tuolumne County, known from Delaney Creek, a tributary to the Tuolumne River within Yosemite National Park.
Habitat Associations: All life stages of Paiute cutthroats require cool, well-oxygenated waters of higher elevation streams. Adult fish prefer stream pool habitat in lower gradient meadows with undercut or overhanging banks and an abundance of riparian vegetation. Juveniles utilize pools as rearing habitat and for refuge during the winter months. Paiute cutthroat trout demonstrate fluvial spawning behavior and require access to flowing streams supporting clean gravel substrates.
Diet and Foraging: Paiute cutthroat trout are opportunistic feeders, with diets consisting of drift organisms that typically consist of terrestrial and aquatic invertebrates. Individuals set up dominance hierarchies for foraging territories, with the largest fish typically occupying pools, and smaller fish foraging within runs and riffles, and other unoccupied habitats within the stream.
Breeding: Paiute cutthroat trout are obligate stream spawners. Spawning sites include riffles within small, intermittent, tributary streams that support gravelly substrate. Peak spawning activity typically occurs in June and July depending on environmental conditions. Once hatched, young-of-the-year fish rear in mainstem shoals or stream backwaters, moving into intermittent tributary stream courses once they reach about 2 inches in length. Paiute cutthroat trout reach sexual maturity at 2 years of age.
Seasonal Movements: Paiute cutthroat trout remain within perennial stream reaches as adults until migrating upstream into tributaries and headwater reaches for spawning sites. During winter months, they move into pools to avoid physical damage from ice scouring and to conserve energy. After spawning, fry may remain in tributaries and headwaters until they are flushed downstream during higher runoff.
Period of Identification: Consult agency
Oncorhynchus mykiss–Central Valley Steelhead83
Listing Status: Federally Threatened
BRRG Priority: 1
Range: Central Valley steelhead Distinct Population Segment is historically known within the Sacramento and San Joaquin rivers and their tributaries. Within Tuolumne County, this includes portions of the Tuolumne and Stanislaus River watersheds permitting fish access.
Known Occurrences: Tuolumne and Stanislaus River watersheds permitting fish access.
Habitat Associations: The primary constituent elements defined for this species’ critical habitat include spawning sites with adequate water quantity and quality conditions and suitable substrate; rearing sites with adequate water quantity and floodplain connectivity to support and maintain juvenile development, and natural cover such as shade, submerged and overhanging large wood, log jams and beaver dams, aquatic vegetation, large rock and boulders, side channels, and undercut banks to support juvenile mobility and survival; and
83 Moyle, Peter. 2002. Inland Fishes of California. University of California Press.
Biological Resources Conservation Handbook Appendix Page 52 of 187 freshwater migration corridors free of obstruction with adequate water quantity and quality conditions, natural cover such as shade, submerged and overhanging large wood, log jams and beaver dams, aquatic vegetation, large rocks and boulders, side channels, and undercut banks to support juvenile and adult mobility and survival.
Diet and Foraging: Adults are predatory and opportunistic foragers of drift organisms.
Breeding: Steelhead are iteroparous, meaning they can spawn more than one time. Steelhead can spawn up to four times, generally with a higher incidence of mortality in successional years. In California, peak spawning occurs from December through April in small streams and tributaries with cool, well-oxygenated water. Steelhead eggs typically hatch in approximately 30 days, with fry typically subsequently emerging from the redd gravel four to six weeks after hatching.
Seasonal Movements: Central Valley steelhead are anadromous species that migrate seasonally to and from saltwater and freshwater environments. They are born in freshwater, migrate to the ocean where most of their growth occurs, and return to freshwater to spawn. Central Valley steelhead are considered “winter” steelhead, because they enter streams between August and October and hold in freshwater until tributary flows are high enough to enter for spawning. They typically spawn shortly after reaching spawning grounds, often traveling long distances to reach ideal spawning habitat.
Period of Identification: Consult agency
Oncorhynchus tshawytscha–Chinook Salmon84
Listing Status: Federally Threatened; State Threatened.
BRRG Priority: 2
Range: Spawning runs of Chinook salmon once occurred as far south as the Ventura River, but the southernmost runs at the present time occur in the Sacramento-San Joaquin System. Prior to the construction of the Shasta Dam, Chinook salmon ran up into the upper reaches of the Sacramento River, McCloud River, and the Lower Pit River. Today they spawn only in the Sacramento River below the dam and in its tributary streams, especially the American and Feather rivers.
Known Occurrences: Tuolumne and Stanislaus River watersheds permitting fish access.
Habitat Associations: The primary constituent elements defined for this species’ critical habitat include spawning sites with adequate water quantity and quality conditions and suitable substrate; the species requires rearing sites and migration corridors with adequate water quantity and floodplain connectivity to support juvenile and adult mobility and survival.
Diet and Foraging: Adults are predatory and opportunistic foragers of drift organisms and take a wide variety of terrestrial and aquatic insects.
Breeding: Spawning adults are the largest Pacific salmon, typically 9 to 10 kg. Spawning Chinook salmon can migrate considerable distances; up to 350 km in the Sacramento River. They home to the stream they were spawned in, using olfactory and visual cues to find their
84 Moyle, Peter. 2002. Inland Fishes of California. University of California Press.
Biological Resources Conservation Handbook Appendix Page 53 of 187 way back. Enough fish miss these cues, so that in years of high water they can be found spawning in unexpected places. Most spawning runs are up fairly large streams. However, spawning may occur in surprisingly small tributaries to the larger streams, although most spawning takes place in coarse gravel riffles in the main streams. For maximum egg survival, water temperatures have to be less than 14°C. Each female lays 2,000 to 14,000 eggs. The alevins remain the gravel for two to three weeks until the yolk sac is absorbed. Once they emerge, most California fry start moving downstream at once, seldom spending more than three to four weeks in fresh water. A majority of these fish also moves through the estuaries fairly rapidly and enters the ocean when they are only two to four months old.
Seasonal Movements: Spring run Chinook are anadromous and live part of their lives in the sea, but begin and end their lives in freshwater streams. When they return inland for spawning, they require cool freshwater while they mature over the summer.
Period of Identification: Consult agency.
Amphibians
Ambystoma californiense–California Tiger Salamander85
Listing Status: Federally Endangered (Distinct Population Segment) and Threatened (Distinct Population Segment). California Threatened.
BRRG Priority: 1
Range: Endemic to California. Occurs mainly within disjunct remnant vernal pool complexes from Sonoma County east through the Central Valley to Yolo and Sacramento counties and south to Tulare County; and from the vicinity of San Francisco Bay south to Santa Barbara County. They occur at elevations from approximately 3 feet to 3,200 feet.
Known Occurrences: One occurrence within Tuolumne County located along Big Creek between McNulty Ridge and Bonds Flat Road, south of Don Pedro Reservoir.
Habitat Associations: This species is most commonly found in valley lowlands and lower elevation foothills supporting permanent and semi-permanent water sources characterized by a variety of habitat types including forests, woodlands, scrub and grasslands. Breeding habitat consists of fresh water bodies, including natural and man-made ponds, vernal pools, or other ephemeral or permanent wetland features. Aquatic habitats for breeding must have the potential to hold water for a minimum of 12 weeks during the winter or spring in an average year. Adults and juveniles require upland habitats free of barriers and within 0.7 mile from breeding sites containing underground or covered refuge such as burrows and cracks in soils where they are protected from desiccation during non-breeding activities and dispersal.
Diet and Foraging: Diet consists of a wide variety of aquatic and terrestrial prey items that include zooplankton, aquatic larvae, aquatic invertebrates, tadpoles, terrestrial invertebrates, insects, frogs, and worms.
85 CWHRS 2005.
Biological Resources Conservation Handbook Appendix Page 54 of 187 Breeding: Most tiger salamanders do not breed until 4 or 5 years of age, and while some individuals have been known to live up to 10 years, they may only breed a single time.
Seasonal Movements: Adult California Tiger Salamanders will often disperse from aquatic sites after the first winter rains to seek alternate aquatic habitat for breeding. They may also disperse from aquatic sites in response to receding water during the driest time of the year. Although they have been recorded moving up to one mile from their breeding pond, 95% are found within 2,200 feet (0.4 mile) from breeding ponds.
Period of Identification: October–May
Anaxyrus (Bufo) canorus–Yosemite Toad86
Listing Status: Federal Candidate and California Species of Special Concern.
BRRG Priority: 1
Range: The Yosemite toad is restricted to the vicinities of wet meadows in the central high Sierra. It ranges from El Dorado County south to near Kaiser Pass, Fresno County. It occurs at elevations of about 6,400 feet above mean sea level to 11,320 feet above mean sea level.
Known Occurrences: Within Tuolumne County, occurrences include Upper Piute Creek, Deadman Creek, Dog Lake, Bond Pass, Tuolumne Meadows, Dana Meadows, Tioga Meadows, Elizabeth Lake, Lyell Canon, Dingley Creek, Young Lakes, Lyell Glacier, Gaylor Lakes, and Grizzly Meadow, among many others.
Habitat Associations: This toad primarily frequents montane wet meadows, but also occurs in seasonal ponds associated with lodgepole pine and subalpine conifer forests. Quiet pools in alpine meadows provide optimal habitat. During inactive periods, these toads seek cover inside abandoned rodent burrows, or move to adjacent forests. Individuals occasionally hide under rocks in streambeds. When disturbed, they often hop into nearby water. Males defend small areas around themselves during the breeding period. The defended space changes as the male toad moves. Some males are silent, and do not appear to defend a territory. Territoriality varies with density of males, with high densities resulting in breakdown of territorial behavior.
Diet and Foraging: The diet of this toad includes beetles, ants, mosquitoes, dragonfly nymphs, larval lepidopterans, centipedes, and spiders. Tadpoles feed on bottom detritus, or by filtering suspended plant material and planktonic animals.
Breeding: Breeding and egg-laying occur from mid-April to mid-July depending on local conditions. Eggs are deposited in shallow, quiet pools in wet meadows, or in shallow tarns surrounded by forest.
Seasonal Movements: Movement to and from breeding sites may be extensive. Montane relatives of this species in Colorado have traveled as much as 2,790 feet from areas of
86 CWHRS 2000
Biological Resources Conservation Handbook Appendix Page 55 of 187 summer activity to winter hibernacula, and Yosemite toad has been collected 15 inches deep in meadow sod. It is possible that other individuals hibernate in similar sites. They may also cross expanses of snowfields to reach breeding pools from winter hibernacula.
Period of Identification: April–September
Batrachoseps relictus–Relictual Slender Salamander87
Listing Status: CNDDB Rank S3
BRRG Priority: 2
Range: Yearlong resident of the western slope of the southern Sierra Nevada.
Known Occurrences: None listed; however, suitable habitat is present.
Habitat Associations: Occur along streams and in moist wooded canyons in valley foothill riparian habitats, blue oak woodlands, and Sierra mixed conifer woodlands. They are usually found under boards, rotting logs, rocks, and surface litter.
Diet and Foraging: Earthworms, small slugs, a variety of terrestrial arthropods, and insects (including collembolans, aphids, caterpillars, small beetles, beetle larvae, and ants.
Breeding: Reproductive activities take place underground; eggs are usually laid in communal sites underground, but near or under a flat surface object. Egg sets are usually found between December and January, with the number of eggs per set ranging from 13 to 20. Hatchlings emerge during winter and early spring.
Seasonal Movements: Highly sedentary; hatchlings presumably disperse.
Period of Identification: N/A
Hydromantes platycephalus–Mount Lyell Salamander88
Listing Status: California Species of Special Concern.
BRRG Priority: 2
Range: Endemic to California. Known range extends from Smith Lake in El Dorado County to Franklin Pass in Tulare County in the Sierra Nevada. An isolated population is known from the Sierra Buttes in Sierra County. This species has a known elevation range of 1,260 to 3,640 meters (4,130 to 11,940 feet) above mean sea level.
Known Occurrences: This species is known from numerous locales within Tuolumne County including Mount Lyell, Upper Lyell Canyon, Sonora Pass, Chipmunk Flat, North Peak Lake, Conness Lake, and Middle Emigrant Lake.
87 CWHRS 2005
Biological Resources Conservation Handbook Appendix Page 56 of 187 Habitat Associations: This species is extremely susceptible to desiccation, nocturnal, and restricted to areas subject to cool wet conditions. Largely restricted to alpine and subalpine habitats with scattered occurrence in lower elevations. This species requires extensive rock outcrops and boulders near free surface water, such as a permanent stream, waterfall, seepage or runoff area for snowmelt.
Diet and Foraging: Insectivorous with diet consisting of smaller insects such as springtails and fungus gnats.
Breeding: Undergo direct development similar to other plethodontid (use tongue to capture prey) salamanders, with females laying undeveloped eggs that are already fertilized. The season of near-surface activity ranges between May 1 to late August, after which individuals seek upland refugia within talus slopes and fissures with sufficient moisture.
Seasonal Movements: Does not travel far between aquatic sites and upland sites. Individuals retreat to moist areas within deep rock fissures when snow banks recede and the substratum dries.
Period of Identification: April–early September
Rana draytonii–California Red-Legged Frog89
Listing Status: Federally-Threatened. California Species of Special Concern.
BRRG Priority: 1
Range: Endemic to California and northern Baja California. Occurs along the coast from Mendocino County in northern California, south to northern Baja California, and inland through the northern Sacramento Valley into the foothills of the Sierra Nevada, south to Tulare county, and possibly Kern county. A narrow range overlap with Rana aurora occurs in Marin, Sonoma and Mendocino counties. This frog usually occurs from sea level to 3,940 feet above mean sea level.
Known Occurrences: Two occurrences within Tuolumne County including Parrotts Ferry Road and Woods Creek just north of the Regional Wastewater Treatment Plant.
Habitat Associations: This species is most commonly found in lowlands and lower elevation foothills supporting permanent and semi-permanent water sources and characterized by a variety of habitat types including humid forests, woodlands, scrub and grasslands. Breeding habitat includes permanent water sources including lakes, ponds, reservoirs, slow streams, marshes, bogs, and swamps. The primary constituent elements for critical habitat of this species include at a minimum, two (or more) suitable breeding locations, a permanent water source, associated uplands surrounding these water bodies up to 150 meters (492± feet) from the water’s edge, all within 2 kilometers (6,561± feet) of one another and connected by barrier-free dispersal habitat that is at least 150 meters (492± feet) in width. When these elements are all present, all other suitable aquatic habitat within 2 kilometers (6,561± feet), and free of dispersal barriers, is also considered critical habitat.
89 CWHRS 2008.
Biological Resources Conservation Handbook Appendix Page 57 of 187 Diet and Foraging: Diet consists of a wide variety of invertebrates. Typical of most frogs, the prey is located by vision, then a large sticky tongue is used to catch the prey and bring it into the mouth to eat.
Breeding: Mating and egg-laying occurs in permanent bodies of water from late January to July, depending on the location, and lasts for only a week or two. Females lay 750–4,000 eggs in a large gelatinous cluster up to 10 inches across, which is attached to vegetation 2 to 6 inches beneath the water. The egg mass will eventually float to the surface. Eggs hatch after about four weeks. Tadpoles metamorphose in four to five months.
Seasonal Movements: Adult California red-legged frogs will often disperse from aquatic sites after the first winter rains to seek alternate aquatic habitat for breeding. They may also disperse from aquatic sites in response to receding water during the driest time of the year. Adults have been recorded to move up to 1.88 miles from rearing sites.
Period of Identification: January–September
Rana boylii–Foothill Yellow-Legged Frog90
Listing Status: California Species of Special Concern.
BRRG Priority: 2
Range: Historically known from most Pacific drainages from the Santiam River system in Oregon south to the San Gabriel River system in California. This species is known to occur from sea level to 1,940 meters (6,370± feet) above mean sea level. Currently in California, this species is generally known within Klamath Ranges, Coast Ranges north of Santa Barbara County, and the Sierra Nevada foothills.
Known Occurrences: There are a number of known occurrences within Tuolumne County including Hatch Lake, Second Lake, Rose Creek, Hunter Creek, Bull Meadow, confluence of Big Jackass Creek and Moccasin Creek, south of Table Mountain, and tributaries to the South Fork Stanislaus River.
Habitat Associations: This species is generally known from partially shaded shallow streams and riffles supported by rocky substrate in a variety of habitats. Requires shallow flowing water in small to medium sized streams with at least some cobble-sized substrate to lay egg masses and use as refuge. Absent or infrequent within habitats occupied by predators, namely fish and bullfrogs.
Diet and Foraging: Diet consists of a wide variety of aquatic and terrestrial prey items that include epiphytic diatoms, zooplankton, aquatic larvae, aquatic invertebrates, tadpoles, terrestrial invertebrates, insects, frogs, and worms.
Breeding: Egg masses are laid following periods of high flow discharge from winter rainfall and snowmelt, typically between late March and early June depending on local water conditions. The breeding season at any locality is usually about two weeks for most
90 CWHRS 2000.
Biological Resources Conservation Handbook Appendix Page 58 of 187 populations; however, it can be as long as 3 months. Females deposit eggs in clusters of 200 to 300, which hatch in about five days. After oviposition, a minimum of 15 weeks is required to attain metamorphosis.
Seasonal Movements: Not extensively researched. Primarily stream-dwelling.
Period of Identification: January–February
Rana sierrae–Sierra Nevada Yellow-Legged Frog91
Listing Status: Federal Candidate. California Species of Special Concern.
BRRG Priority: 1
Range: Historically found primarily within California in the Sierra Nevada from north of the Feather River in Butte County to Tulare County. Extinct population known from Lake Tahoe area in Nevada. Current range includes portions of its historic range, within the Sierra Nevada from south Plumas County to southern Tulare County, and from elevations ranging from 370 meters (1,213± feet) to 3,660 meters (12,007± feet) above mean sea level.
Known Occurrences: This species is known from numerous locations within Tuolumne County, including Deadman Creek, Elizabeth Lake, tributaries to Wood Lake, Lukens Lake, Dog Lake, North Fork Cherry Creek, Rafferty Creek, north of Lyell Glacier, Tuolumne Meadows, North Fork of Dana Fork and Dana Meadows, Tioga Pass, Suesta Lake, Cathedral Creek, Young Lakes, Medlicott Dome, Evelyn Lake, Chewing Gum Lake, Blackbird Lake, Five Acre Lake, Coyote Lake, Karl’s Lake, Fisher Lakes, Tilden Lake, Ardeth Lake, Kerrick Meadow, Dorothy Lake, Lake Vernon, Camp Wolfeboro, White Wolf, South Fork Griswold Creek, Fraser Lakes, and Shallow Lake.
Habitat Associations: This species is generally found in glaciated lakes, ponds, tarns, springs, and streams, and is usually associated with montane riparian habitats in lodgepole pine, yellow pine, sugar pine, white fir, whitebark pine, and wet meadow habitat types. Alpine lakes usually have grassy or muddy margins, and stream characteristics vary from rocky high gradient streams with pools, rapids, and small waterfalls to lower gradient streams with marsh edges and sod banks. Most frogs are observed on a wet substrate within 1 meter (3.3± feet) of water. Absent or infrequent within habitats occupied by predators, namely fish and bullfrogs.
Diet and Foraging: Diet consists of a wide variety of aquatic and terrestrial prey items that include epiphytic diatoms, zooplankton, aquatic larvae, aquatic invertebrates, tadpoles, terrestrial invertebrates, insects, and frogs.
Breeding: Sierra Nevada yellow-legged frogs breed shortly after ice melt between June and August, depending on local conditions. Egg masses of up to 500 eggs are laid in shallow water or deep water attached to vegetation, banks, or rocks. Depending on elevation and temperatures, metamorphosis requires from a single season up to four seasons. Larvae transform in July or August. Time to sexual maturity and overall longevity is unknown.
91 CWHRS 2000.
Biological Resources Conservation Handbook Appendix Page 59 of 187 Seasonal Movements: This frog is chiefly diurnal and emerges shortly after winter snow melts. Thermoregulation requires individuals to move between microhabitats of different water temperatures and sun exposure. Adult frogs typically move less than a few hundred meters from overwintering sites to breeding sites, however distances up to 1 kilometer (3,280± feet) have been observed. Juvenile dispersal is largely unknown.
Period of Identification: May–August
Spea hammondii–Western Spadefoot92
Listing Status: California Species of Special Concern.
BRRG Priority: 2
Range: Throughout the Central Valley and adjacent foothills. In the Coast Ranges, it is found from Point Conception, Santa Barbara County, south to the Mexican border. Elevation ranges from near sea level at coastal and valley areas, to 4,460 feet above mean sea level in the southern Sierra foothills.
Known Occurrences: No known occurrences within Tuolumne County, but suitable habitat is present and the area is within the known range for the species.
Habitat Associations: This species occurs primarily in grasslands, but occasional populations also occur in valley-foothill hardwood woodlands. Some populations persist for a few years in orchard or vineyard habitats. Most of the year is spent in underground burrows up to 36 inches deep, which they construct themselves, but some individuals also use mammal burrows. Recently metamorphosed juveniles seek refuge in the immediate vicinities of breeding ponds for up to several days after transformation. They hide in drying mud cracks, under boards and other surface objects including decomposing cow dung. Because of their secretive behavior during most of the year, adults probably avoid predators. Dense populations of tadpoles may be heavily preyed upon by wading birds, or certain species of mammals including raccoons.
Diet and Foraging: Adults feed on worms, other invertebrates and may consume insects such as ants, termites, butterfly and moth larvae, and beetles. Tadpoles consume planktonic organisms and algae, but are also carnivorous and consume dead aquatic larvae of amphibians, including their own species.
Breeding: Breeding and egg laying normally occurs from late winter to the end of March. Chorusing males may be heard during this period, but agricultural irrigation may elicit vocalizations in any month. Females lay numerous small, irregular clusters containing 10 to 42 eggs. They may lay more than 500 eggs in one season. Eggs hatch rapidly, normally within two weeks.
Seasonal Movements: Adults remain in underground burrows during most of the year, but the first rains of fall usually initiate surface movements. Breeding activities normally conclude by the end of March. Tadpoles transform during late spring and disperse after spending a few hours or days near the pond margins.
92 CWHRS 2000.
Biological Resources Conservation Handbook Appendix Page 60 of 187 Period of Identification: October–May
Reptiles
Actinemys marmorata–Pacific Pond Turtle93
Listing Status: California Species of Special Concern
BRRG Priority: 2
Range: The historic range of the Pacific pond turtle (previously split into thee subspecies including western, northwestern, and southwestern pond turtle) included a continuous distribution within most Pacific slope drainages from Klickitat County, Washington along the Columbia River to Arroyo Santo Domingo, northern Baja California, Mexico. Elevation range extends from near sea level to 4,690 feet.
Known Occurrences: Within Tuolumne County, this species is known from occurrences at Laurel Lake, Pleasant Valley, Moccasin Creek, Camp Mather, Rose Creek, Turnback Creek at Hayden Road and Hetch Hetchy Dam.
Habitat Associations: This species is associated with ponds, marshes, rivers, streams, and irrigation ditches that support permanent or near permanent water and aquatic vegetation. Basking sites are required in or near aquatic habitat. Sandy banks or grassy open fields are required for depositing eggs.
Diet and Foraging: Adult turtles are dietary generalists and highly opportunistic, and will consume almost anything that they are able to catch and overpower. Turtles have been known to feed on plant material, pond lilies, beetles, and a variety of aquatic invertebrates as well as fishes, frogs, and even carrion. Juveniles feed primarily on zooplankton.
Breeding: Reproductive maturity occurs at about eight years of age. Mating, which has been rarely observed, typically occurs between March and August, but may occur year-round depending on local conditions. Females emigrate from the aquatic site to an upland location that may be a considerable distance, up to 325 feet to find suitable egg-laying sites. Most oviposition occurs during May and June, although some individuals may deposit eggs as early as late April and as late as early August. Females may lay more than one clutch a year. Hatchlings typically emerge from the nest site in the spring.
Seasonal Movements: Western pond turtles increase their level of activity when water temperatures near the surface consistently reach at least 15° Celsius (59° Fahrenheit). The northwestern subspecies typically become active in March or April, and disappear to over wintering sites in October or November. Western pond turtles leave their aquatic sites to reproduce, aestivate, and over winter within different habitats. It has been documented that adult turtles can tolerate at least seven days without water. Movement away from water except to nest is rare.
Period of Identification: Year-round (for adults in aquatic environment)
93 CWHRS 2000.
Biological Resources Conservation Handbook Appendix Page 61 of 187 Actinemys marmorata marmorata–Northwestern Pond Turtle94
Listing Status: California Species of Special Concern
BRRG Priority: 2
Range: The historic range of the western pond turtle, of which the northwestern pond turtle is a subspecies, included a continuous distribution within most Pacific slope drainages from Klickitat County, Washington along the Columbia River to Arroyo Santo Domingo, northern Baja California, Mexico. The northwestern subspecies is known throughout the northern half of California, west of the Sierra Nevada, generally from sea level to 4,691 feet above mean sea level.
Known Occurrences: Within Tuolumne County, this species is known from a single occurrence at Green Springs Run, approximately 0.5 mile upstream from the Mountain Pass Creek confluence, southwest of Sonora.
Habitat Associations: This species is associated with permanent or near permanent water within a wide variety of habitat types. Basking sites are required within or near aquatic habitat.
Diet and Foraging: Adult turtles are dietary generalists and highly opportunistic, and will consume almost anything that they are able to catch and overpower. Juveniles feed primarily on zooplankton.
Breeding: Reproductive maturity occurs between 7 and 11 years of age. Mating, which has been rarely observed, typically occurs in late April or early May, but may occur year-round. Females emigrate from the aquatic site to an upland location that may be a considerable distance, up to 1,640 feet. Most oviposition occurs during May and June, although some individuals may deposit eggs as early as late April and as late as early August. Females may lay more than one clutch a year. Hatchlings typically emerge from the nest site in the spring.
Seasonal Movements: Northwestern pond turtles increase their level of activity when water temperatures near the surface consistently reach at least 15° Celsius (59° Fahrenheit). The northwestern subspecies typically become active in March or April, and disappear to over wintering sites in October or November. Western pond turtles leave their aquatic sites to reproduce, aestivate, and over winter within different habitats. It has been documented that adult turtles can tolerate at least seven days without water. Movement away from water except to nest is rare.
Period of Identification: May – September
Charina trivirgata–Rosy Boa95
94 CWHRS 2000.
Biological Resources Conservation Handbook Appendix Page 62 of 187
Listing Status: CNDDB Rank S3S4
BRRG Priority: 2
Range: The rosy boa is found throughout southern California, south of Los Angeles, from the coast to the Mojave and Colorado deserts. It is absent in extreme eastern California and in the vicinity of the Salton Sea.
Known Occurrences: None listed; however, suitable habitat is present.
Habitat Associations: It inhabits rocky chaparral-covered hillsides and canyons. The rosy boa prefers areas with moderate to dense vegetation and rocky cover. It has been found under rocks, in boulder piles, and along rock outcrops and vertical canyon walls.
Diet and Foraging: Its diet consists of small rodents and birds. The species will eat lizards in captivity and may also do so in the wild.
Breeding: Little is known about the rosy boa’s breeding. Young are live-born with 6-10 in a brood in a quiet, protected area.
Seasonal Movements: Early in the season, individuals may be crepuscular, but most are nocturnal. On rare occasions, they may be abroad during the day. The rosy boa probably does not migrate, but long foraging movements may occur.
Period of Identification: May–September.
Masticophis flagellum ruddocki–San Joaquin Whipsnake96
Listing Status: CNDDB Rank S2; California Species of Special Concern
BRRG Priority: 2
Range: This California endemic species ranges north from Arbuckle in the Sacramento Valley south to Kern County in the San Joaquin Valley, and westward to the inner South Coast Ranges. Its elevation range is close to sea level up to nearly 900 m.
Known Occurrences: No recorded occurrences within Tuolumne County; however, suitable habitat is present.
Habitat Associations: The San Joaquin coachwhip (aka San Joaquin whipsnake) generally occurs in open, arid, treeless areas of valley grasslands and saltbush scrub. Protection from the elements and predators includes small mammal burrows and shade of low-lying vegetation and/or other shade-producing objects.
Diet and Foraging: This species is a dietary generalist and preys upon small mammals, birds and their eggs, other snakes, lizards, amphibians and even carrion.
96 CalHerps 2011.
Biological Resources Conservation Handbook Appendix Page 63 of 187 Breeding: May seems to be the height of the breeding season, and eggs are laid early in the summer, hatching between 45 and 70 days.
Seasonal Movements: Little data is available on seasonal movements of the species.
Period of Identification: March through October
Phrynosoma blainvillii–Coast Horned Lizard97
Listing Status: California Species of Special Concern
BRRG Priority: 2
Range: Little is known about the home range of the Coast Horned lizard. However, it has been known to occur in the Sierra Nevada foothills from Butte County to Kern County, and throughout the central and southern California Coast. Its elevational range extends up to 4,000 feet in the Sierra Nevada foothills, and up to 6,000 feet in the mountains of southern California.
Known Occurrences: Red Hills
Habitat Associations: Several habitat types including open shrub lands, clearings in riparian woodlands, chamise chaparral and annual grassland. It has also been observed in conifer and riparian habitats, as well as pine-cypress, and juniper habitats. Typically found in sandy or gravelly soils.
Diet and Foraging: Horned lizards forage on the ground in open areas, usually between shrubs and often near ant nests. May consume many ants and small beetles also will feed on wasps, grasshoppers, flies and caterpillars.
Breeding: Little is known about the habitat requirements for breeding and egg-laying. The reproductive season for the coast horned lizard varies from year to year and geographically depending on local conditions. Egg laying may extend from late May through June. Eggs are apparently laid in nests constructed by females in loose soil and hatching occurs after two months.
Seasonal Movements: Being a diurnal lizard, most activity occurs during the middle of the day in spring and fall but is restricted to morning and late afternoon during mid-summer. Nocturnal activity may occur during particularly warm periods. Fall and winter are inactive periods in most areas. Pronounced seasonal movement or migration has not been reported.
Period of Identification: Year-round
Birds
Accipiter cooperii–Cooper’s Hawk98
97 CWHRS 2000.
Biological Resources Conservation Handbook Appendix Page 64 of 187
Listing Status: None.
Range: A breeding resident throughout most of the wooded portion of the State. Breeds in the southern Sierra Nevada foothills, New York Mountains, Owens Valley, and other local areas in southern California at elevations from sea level to 9,000 feet.
Known Occurrences: Mi-Wok Ranger station.
Habitat Associations: Montane riparian, valley foothill riparian, valley oak woodland, blue oak woodland, blue oak-foothill gray pine, montane hardwood, montane hardwood-conifer, ponderosa pine, and Sierran mixed conifer.
This species frequents landscapes where wooded areas occur in patches and groves, and often uses patchy woodlands and edges with snags for perching. Dense stands of live oak, riparian deciduous or other forest habitats near water used most frequently. Cooper’s hawk typically nest in second-growth conifer stands or in deciduous riparian areas, usually near streams. This species has adapted to developed areas and commonly nests in mature trees in suburban and urban environments.
Diet and Foraging: Cooper’s hawk hunt in broken woodland and habitat edges; it catches prey in the air, on ground, and in vegetation. The diet includes small birds, small mammals, and reptiles and amphibians.
Breeding: Nests in deciduous trees in crotches 10 to 80 feet above the ground. Breeding occurs from March through August, with clutch sizes of 2 to 6. The female will incubate the eggs for 35 to 65 days, while the male provides food during this period. Fledging success is generally one to two per year, and this species is known to commit siblicide.
Seasonal Movements: Typically a year-long resident. At higher elevations will move downslope during heavy snowfall, only to return in the spring.
Period of Identification: Year-round, though easiest to see during the breeding season between March and August
Accipiter gentilis–Northern Goshawk99
Listing Status: California Species of Special Concern.
BRRG Priority: 2
Range: Summer breeding range extends from Alaska, south and east throughout most of Canada, New England, the northern Great Lakes region, Rockies, Cascades, and Sierra Nevada. Also within mountains of Mexico and throughout Europe, the Middle East, and
98 CWHRS 2000.
Biological Resources Conservation Handbook Appendix Page 65 of 187 Asia. Winter range includes much of the summer range, with some individuals migrating into central and southern portions of the U.S.
Known Occurrences: Numerous occurrences include Fiddler’s Green, Tuolumne Meadows Lodge, Tuolumne Meadows Ranger Station, Lily Lake, Cascade Creek, Cow Creek, Niagara Lake, Eagle Creek, Kennedy Lake, Brightman, Pohono Trail, Ireland Lake, Rancheria Mountain Trail, Sonora Pass, Eagle Meadows vicinity, Long Valley Creek, downstream of Lyons Reservoir, Mount Knight vicinity, Soap Creek Pass vicinity, Griswold Creek, Campoodle Creek, Beaver Creek, Beardsley Lake, Skull Creek, Looney Creek, and south of Afterbay Dam.
Habitat Associations: Preferred habitat is dense coniferous forest and deciduous forest.
Diet and Foraging: Diet primarily consists of birds, mammals, reptiles, and invertebrates. May take large prey weighing up to half its size. Forages from a perch and able to maneuver through thick forest vegetation.
Breeding: The breeding season typically extends from March through July. Nest sites are located within large trees of coniferous and deciduous forests, and are constructed of live and dead twigs, conifer needles, and bark. Most nests contain 2 to 4 eggs, which hatch within approximately 36 to 41 days. Eggs are incubated by the female. Juveniles fledge the nest within approximately 35 to 45 days after hatching.
Seasonal Movements: Residents may move into lower elevations during the winter. Some northern individuals migrate into central and southern U.S.
Period of Identification: Year-round
Accipiter striatus–Sharp Shinned Hawk100
Listing Status: California Species of Special Concern.
BRRG Priority: 2
Range: Throughout wooded portions of the county.
Known Occurrences: Long Barn and Donnells Reservoir watershed.
Habitat Associations: Summer breeding habitat restricted to coniferous forests: montane hardwood-conifer, ponderosa pine, sierran mixed conifer, red fir, lodgepole pine, Jeffrey pine, subalpine conifer, montane riparian, and white fir. Nesting typically occurs in dense, pole and small-tree stands of conifers, which are cool, moist, well shaded, with little groundcover, near water. North facing slopes with plucking perches are critical nesting habitat requirements for this species. Winter habitat can be similar, but also includes lower elevation wooded/semi-wooded areas, and rural and urban areas with moderate tree growth.
Diet and Foraging: Hunts in the upper canopy of tall trees, in or beneath the canopy of small trees, along edges of wooded and brush areas, and in open areas. Small birds form bulk of diet.
100 Wheeler, Brian K. 2003. Raptors of Western North America. Princeton University Press.
Biological Resources Conservation Handbook Appendix Page 66 of 187 Breeding: Breeding occurs from late March to mid-September, depending on latitude and elevation.
Seasonal Movements: Common winter resident. Less common permanent resident and breeder in mid-elevation habitats. At higher elevations will move downslope during heavy snowfall.
Period of Identification: Year-round
Agelaius tricolor–Tricolored Blackbird101
Listing Status: California Species of Special Concern.
BRRG Priority: 2
Range: Found locally throughout Central Valley and in coastal districts from Sonoma County south.
Known Occurrences: Phoenix Lake area and Nelson Road near Jamestown.
Habitat Associations: Annual grassland, perennial grassland, blue oak woodland, blue oak- foothill gray pine, and chaparral habitats where suitable freshwater emergent wetland occurs. Breeds near fresh water, preferably in emergent wetland with tall, dense cattails or tules, but also in thickets of willow, blackberry, wild rose and tall herbs. Highly colonial; nesting area must be large enough to support a minimum colony of about 50 pairs. Will roost in large flocks in fresh emergent wetland or in trees.
Diet and Foraging: Forages on seeds and grains in grassland and cropland habitats.
Breeding: Breeding occurs from April through July, also active breeding from October through November in the Sacramento Valley. It is a polygymous bird, and each male may have several mates nesting in his small territory. A colony varies in size from a minimum of 50 nests to over 20,000 in an area of 10 acres or less. Clutch size is usually 3 or 4 eggs and 2 broods may be raised per year. Incubation lasts about 11 days, with young leaving the nest at about 13 days.
Seasonal Movements: Year-round resident.
Period of Identification: April–July
Ammodramus savannarum–Grasshopper Sparrow102
Listing Status: State Species of Special Concern.
BRRG Priority: 2
101 CWHRS 2000.
Biological Resources Conservation Handbook Appendix Page 67 of 187 Range: An uncommon and local summer resident and breeder in foothills and lowlands west of the Cascade-Sierra Nevada crest from Mendocino and Trinity counties, south to San Diego County. In southern California occurs mainly on hillsides and mesas in coastal districts, but has bred up to 5,000 feet in the San Jacinto Mountains. It also has been found in Shasta Valley, Siskiyou County.
Known Occurrences: No recorded occurrences within Tuolumne County; however, suitable habitat is present.
Habitat Associations: Occurs in dry, dense grasslands, especially those with a variety of grasses and tall forbs and scattered shrubs for singing perches.
Diet and Foraging: The grasshopper sparrow feeds primarily on insects, grasses and forb seeds. Searches for food on ground and low foliage within relatively dense grasslands; sometimes scratches in litter.
Breeding: Builds nests of grasses and forbs in a slight depression in ground, hidden at base of an overhanging clump of grasses or forbs. Breeds from early April to mid-July, with a peak in May and June. Clutch size is usually 4 to 5 eggs and young leave the nest at about 9 days, although still unable to fly.
Seasonal Movements: Data on seasonal movements is scare. Species winters rarely but regularly in California, chiefly along the southern coast.
Period of Identification: March–September
Aquila chrysaetos–Golden Eagle
Listing Status: California State Fully Protected
BRRG Priority: 1
Range: Golden eagles range within all foothill and mountain areas throughout California and are an uncommon non-breeding visitor to lowlands such as the Central Valley. It can be found anywhere from sea level up to 11,500 feet above sea level.
Known Occurrences: Several sitings in the Stanislaus River canyon between New Melones Reservoir and Tulloch Reservoir and in the vicinity of Don Pedro Reservoir north of State Route 120.
Habitat Associations: Preferred nesting habitat includes cliffs and escarpments or tall trees within a variety of habitat types. Forages over annual grasslands, chaparral, and oak woodlands.
Diet and Foraging: Forages primarily on small mammals such as rabbits, hares, ground squirrels, prairie dogs, and marmots, but will also take birds, reptiles, and fish, in addition to larger prey such as coyotes.
Breeding: The breeding season typically extends from March through August, though pair bonding can occur as early as January, depending on elevation and latitude. Nest sites are constructed out of sticks and vegetation on cliffs, trees, riverbanks and man-made structures, such as windmills, observation towers, nest platforms, and electrical towers.
Biological Resources Conservation Handbook Appendix Page 68 of 187 Pairs may have several nest sites within a territory and often re-use nests from year-to-year. Eggs are incubated primarily by the female. Most nests contain 1 to 4 eggs, which hatch within approximately 35 to 45 days. Hatchlings fledge the nest after about 10 weeks. Sexual maturity is reached within 4 to 7 years.
Seasonal Movements: Some regions support resident golden eagles, while others support migrants. For migratory golden eagles, pair formation and courtship begin when the eagles return to the breeding grounds, between February and mid-April.
Period of Identification: Year-round
Asio flammeus–Short Eared Owl103
Listing Status: California Species of Special Concern.
BRRG Priority: 2
Range: Formerly found the length of the State, excluding higher mountains regions. Now found primarily in the Central Valley, in the western Sierra Nevada foothills, and along the coastline. Breeding range includes coastal areas in Del Norte and Humboldt counties, the San Francisco Bay Delta, northeastern Modoc plateau, the east side of the Sierra from Lake Tahoe south to Inyo County, and the San Joaquin Valley.
Known Occurrences: No recorded occurrences within Tuolumne County; however, suitable habitat is present.
Habitat Associations: This species prefers open spaces that support habitat types such as grasslands, prairies, agricultural fields, salt marshes, estuaries, mountain meadows, and tundra.
Diet and Foraging: Forages primarily at night over open landscapes. Prey items include voles, mice, shrews, ground squirrels, pocket gophers, pocket mice, moles, rats, small rabbits, and muskrats. May also take small birds and large insects.
Breeding: The breeding season typically extends from March to July in the northern hemisphere. In California, the most common breeding areas are in the northeast and in Suisun Marsh, and they are known to breed intermittently throughout their range.104 Ground nests are typically constructed as a scrape within a slightly-sloping ridge or mound surrounded by vegetation. Courtship consists of aerial displays and hooting, producing clutch sizes of about 4 to 14 eggs. The eggs are incubated by the female for approximately 21 to 28 days. The male brings food to the female, which feeds and cares for semialtricial young. Fledging is about 31 to 36 days.
Seasonal Movements: Winter migrant throughout the U.S. Migrants usually arrive in California in September or October, and leave in April. Concentrates in winter in areas where prey is abundant, and snow cover is scant or absent.
103 CWHRS 2005.
Biological Resources Conservation Handbook Appendix Page 69 of 187 Period of Identification: Year-round
Asio otus–Long Eared Owl105
Listing Status: California Species of Special Concern.
BRRG Priority: 2
Range: Occurs throughout the northern hemisphere. In North America, this species can be observed year-round throughout the northeastern and western portions of the U.S., with a breeding range extending within the northern portions of the U.S. and into Canada, and a winter range extending throughout the midwest and southwest of the U.S. They are found from sea level to 3,000 meters.
Known Occurrences: No recorded occurrences within Tuolumne County; however, suitable habitat is present.
Habitat Associations: Preferred habitats include dense riparian vegetation and thickets in proximity to grasslands or shrub lands in addition to open forests. Diet and Foraging: Typical prey items include mice, moles, ground squirrels, small birds, small snakes, and insects. Like most owls of its size, prey is pursued primarily by sound due to its ability to locate mice in complete darkness. The majority of prey is captured on the ground or in low vegetation. Breeding: The breeding season extends from March to July. This species occasionally builds its own nest, but more often uses cavities or abandoned corvid (any of a family, Corvidae, of stout billed passerine birds including crows, jays, magpies and raven) and hawk nests within the forest canopy. Anywhere from two to ten white eggs are laid. Female incubates eggs for 21 to 28 days, while the male feeds. Nestlings fledge in about 50 days or less. Seasonal Movements: California supports year-round residents. Displays communal behavior during the winter months within thickets of vegetation. Often congregates in winter flocks. May exhibit seasonal movement westward from the Sierra Nevada foothills in the fall.
Period of Identification: Year-round
Athene cunicularia–Burrowing Owl 106
Listing Status: California Species of Special Concern.
BRRG Priority: 2
Range: This species is thought to have been historically distributed within appropriate habitats throughout California, excluding the humid northwest coastal forests, and high mountains. Currently, this species is sparsely distributed within lowland areas of California. It
105 CWHRS 2005.
Biological Resources Conservation Handbook Appendix Page 70 of 187 is known to occur on the larger offshore islands, and can be found as high as 5,300 ft above mean sea level in Lassen County.
Known Occurrences: This species is known from one occurrence approximately 0.25 mile west of Algerine Creek, between Page Mountain and Hog Mountain.
Habitat Associations: Burrowing owls are year long residents of flat, lower elevation grassland, scrub, and desert habitats characterized by low-lying sparse vegetation. This ground-nesting crepuscular (active in twilight) species uses rodent burrows, particularly California ground squirrel burrows, or other burrows for roosting and nesting. Pipes, culverts, and nest boxes are used where burrows are scarce. Burrowing owl nests have also been observed in buildings. Alternate perches are set up around burrow sites and are rotated throughout the day to thermo-regulate; perches in open sunlight in early morning, and moves to shade perch or to burrow site when hot.
Diet and Foraging: Primarily feeds on insects and small mammals, and is known to prey on reptiles, birds, and carrion. Burrowing owls hunt from a perch and hover, hawk, dive, and hop after prey on ground.
Breeding: The male gives a courtship display and notes in front of burrow. Breeding will then occur from February through August, with the peak of breeding season between mid-April and mid-July. The pair will produce a clutch size of about 2-10. Young emerge from the burrow at about 2 weeks old, and are able to fly by about 4 weeks. This species shows high site fidelity, and may return to the same burrow for breeding several years in a row.
Seasonal Movements: Individuals in northern parts of the range may winter to the south, as far as Central America, but most are year-round residents of California. Burrowing owls from the Rockies and western Canada are known to winter in California. Resident owls may disperse downslope from higher elevation territories in the winter, seeking higher temperatures and food sources; however, strong site fidelity is suggested throughout their known range.
Period of Identification: December 1–August 31
Aythya valisineria–Canvasback Duck107
Listing Status: CNDDB Rank S2
BRRG Priority: 2
Range: Found in estuarine and lacustrine habitats throughout much of California. Canvasback duck is also found in bays along the northern and central California coast, especially San Francisco Bay. Common on the Salton Sea and in the Central Valley, less common elsewhere in lowlands and southern California, and rare on northern mountain lakes.
Known Occurrences: None listed; however, suitable habitat is present.
107 CWHRS 2000.
Biological Resources Conservation Handbook Appendix Page 71 of 187 Habitat Associations: The canvasback is found in estuarine and lacustrine habitats throughout California. Usually rests on water far from shore, but stays near protected shorelines during high winds. Breeds in fresh, emergent wetlands bordering open water.
Diet and Foraging: The canvasback eats seeds, tubers, leaves, and stems of aquatic plants (mainly submergents), aquatic mollusks, crustaceans, worms, insects, and fish. Invertebrates are the principal source of food.
Breeding: The canvasback nests in small numbers and creates a nest that is a mound of aquatic vegetation amidst emergent plants, over shallow water, and near open water. The body of water may be a small pond, slough, or large emergent wetland or lake. Sometimes nests are stranded on dry land when water recedes. A majority of young are reported June through August. The canvasback produces of a clutch size that is usually 7 to 9, with an incubation period lasting 23 to 29 days. Precocial young are tended by the female and first fly after 60 to 70 days.
Seasonal Movements: Except for a small breeding population in northeastern California, the wintering population migrates to breeding grounds in the northern continental U.S., Canada, and Alaska, and is mostly absent June through August.
Period of Identification: November–March.
Botaurus lentiginosa–American Bittern108
Listing Status: CNDDB Rank S3
BRRG Priority: 2
Range: The American bittern is a summer resident at the Salton Sea and Colorado River. It breeds locally in the Owns Valley and Mojave Desert. Also found in San Diego County, the Sacramento and San Joaquin valleys, and northeastern California.
Known Occurrences: None listed; however, suitable habitat is present.
Habitat Associations: The American bittern resides in dense emergent wetlands near sources of freshwater and in desert riparian. Typically nests in emergent wetlands. It rests, roosts, and hides in dense emergent vegetation or in thickets of saltcedar in desert riparian habitat.
Diet and Foraging: The American bittern eats mainly small fishes, aquatic and terrestrial insects, and crayfish. It may also prey on amphibians, small mammals, and miscellaneous invertebrates.
Breeding: Makes nests of dried and living plants that are built low in tules or cattails, usually above water level. This species arrives to its California breeding grounds late March to May, and lays eggs mid-April to early July. Its clutch size is usually 3 to 5, with an incubation of about 24 days. Hatchlings are tended solely by the female and remain in the nest for approximately two weeks.
108 CWHRS 2008.
Biological Resources Conservation Handbook Appendix Page 72 of 187 Seasonal Movements: Most of the California population migrates south to Mexico between October and March. Part of the population in southern California is nonmigratory.
Period of Identification: April–September.
Buteo regalis–Ferruginous Hawk109
Listing Status: CNDDB Rank S3S4
BRRG Priority: 2
Range: The ferruginous hawk is found in the Modoc Plateau, Central Valley, and Coast Ranges.
Known Occurrences: None listed; however, suitable habitat is present.
Habitat Associations: Often found in lower elevations and open grasslands in the Modoc Plateau, Central Valley, and Coast Ranges. Also found in grasslands and agricultural areas in southern California. Frequents open grasslands, sagebrush flats, desert scrub, low foothills surrounding valleys, and fringes of pinyon-juniper habitats.
Diet and Foraging: Mostly eats lagomorphs, ground squirrels, and mice; also eats birds, reptiles, and amphibians. Population trends reflect lagomorph population cycles.
Breeding: Typically, the ferruginous hawk nests in foothills or prairies on low cliffs, buttes, cut banks, shrubs, trees, or other elevated structures, natural or human-made. This species shows high nest site fidelity. Nesting begins late February to late March and typically ends between mid-June and late August. Egg laying begins in April, and clutch sizes are about 2 to 6. The eggs are incubated for about 28 days; young fledge at 38 to 50 days. Breeding in California is uncommon.
Seasonal Movements: The ferruginous hawk is migratory and generally arrives in California in September and departs by mid-April.
Period of Identification: September–March.
Bucephala islandica–Barrow’s Goldeneye110
Listing Status: CNDDB Rank S1
BRRG Priority: 2
Range: Barrow’s goldeneye is found in the San Francisco Bay and vicinity and in Marin and Sonoma counties. It is also found in Southern California along the Colorado River. Formerly nested in the southern Cascades and Sierra Nevada south to at least Fresno County, but no potential breeders have been reported since before 1940.
109 CWHRS 2008.
Biological Resources Conservation Handbook Appendix Page 73 of 187 Known Occurrences: None listed; however, suitable habitat is present.
Habitat Associations: Typically found on estuarine (lagoons and bays) and brackish lacustrine waters. Also found inland on lacustrine and riverine waters.
Diet and Foraging: Principally the Barrow’s goldeneye preys on mollusks and crustaceans in saltwater, and aquatic insects and crustaceans in freshwater, but also eats fish eggs and young.
Breeding: Usually, the Barrow’s goldeneye nests in a tree or snag cavity or the deserted nest-hole of a pileated woodpecker or flicker. It may also use nest boxes and, where tree cavities are unavailable, rock crevices or buildings, or even nests under bushes, often near lakes or quiet rivers. While it does not appear that this species breeds in California any longer, young were formerly found June through August. It produces a clutch of about 4 to 13, and incubates for about 32 to 34 days. Precocial young are tended by the female only. By six weeks of age, the young is deserted and attain flight at about eight weeks.
Seasonal Movements: The California wintering population migrates to breeding grounds in Oregon, Washington, western Canada, and Alaska. It is typically absent from California between April and September.
Period of Identification: October–March.
Carduelis montanus–Lawrence’s Goldfinch111
Listing Status: CNDDB Rank S3
BRRG Priority: 2
Range: Common along the western edge of southern deserts and common in Santa Clara County, on the coastal slope of Monterey County south, and in the foothills surrounding the Central Valley.
Known Occurrences: None listed; however, suitable habitat is present.
Habitat Associations: Often found in open oak or other arid woodland and chaparral, near water. Typical habitats include valley foothill hardwood; valley foothill hardwood-conifer; and, in southern California, desert riparian, palm oasis, pinyon-juniper, and lower montane habitats, which it uses for feeding.
Diet and Foraging: Lawrence’s goldfinch mostly eats seeds and a few insects. In particular, favored seeds include pigweed, fiddleneck, starthistle, and chamise.
Breeding: Builds nests in dense tree or shrub foliage. While Lawrence’s goldfinch prefers to nest in oak, it also uses cypress or deodar cedar or riparian thickets. Most often tests near water in open, arid woodlands, but also in chaparral. Breeding season begins in late March or early April. It will lay 3 to 6 eggs per clutch and has an incubation of approximately 12 to
111 CWHRS 2000.
Biological Resources Conservation Handbook Appendix Page 74 of 187 13 days. Altricial young are tended by both the male and female and leave the nest at about 11 days.
Seasonal Movements: Most individuals that breed in California winter in southwestern states and northern Mexico and are absent from September through March. Moderate numbers of Lawrence’s goldfinches winter in southern coastal lowlands and the Colorado River Valley.
Period of Identification: April–August.
Chaetura vauxi–Vaux’s Swift112
Listing Status: California Species of Special Concern.
BRRG Priority: 2
Range: Breeding range extends from southeast Alaska through Montana and central California. Wintering range extends into the tropics.
Known Occurrences: No recorded occurrences within Tuolumne County.
Habitat Associations: Nesting habitat includes large hollow trees within coniferous and deciduous forest. Forages within forest openings, especially above streams.
Diet and Foraging: Forages in flight primarily on insects and spiders.
Breeding: The breeding season typically extends from April through July. Nests are constructed from twigs, conifer needles, and weed stems as a saucer-shaped disk within a tree cavity, typically within a woodpecker hole. Anywhere from 3 to 7 eggs are laid which both parents incubate for 18 to 20 days. Altricial young are tended by both parents; leave the nesting tree at about 28 days.
Seasonal Movements: Winter migrant from Alaska, Canada, and northwest U.S. down through California and Mexico to tropical Central America.
Period of Identification: May–August
Charadrius montanus–Mountain Plover113
Listing Status: CNDDB Rank S2; Federally proposed as Threatened; California species of special concern
BRRG Priority: 2
Range: Mountain plover has been found in the Central Valley, from Sutter and Yuba counties southward. Also found in foothill valleys west of the San Joaquin Valley, Imperial
112 CWHRS 2000.
Biological Resources Conservation Handbook Appendix Page 75 of 187 Valley, plowed fields of Los Angeles, and western San Bernardino counties and along the central Colorado River Valley. Recent records exist for locations along the northern coast of California.
Known Occurrences: None listed; however suitable habitat is present.
Habitat Associations: Often, the mountain plover is found on short grasslands and plowed fields with little vegetation and open sagebrush areas.
Diet and Foraging: This species often searches on the ground for large insects, especially grasshoppers.
Breeding: While it typically does not nest in California, it does nest in high-elevation grassland, often blue grama and buffalo grass patches. It breeds from late April through June, with a peak in late May. Females lay an average clutch of 3 eggs. In years of abundant food, male may incubate and brood young white female lays another clutch, often tended by another male.
Seasonal Movements: It breeds from northern Montana and North Dakota south in the Great Plains to southeastern New Mexico and Texas. Winters from northern California, southern Arizona, and central Texas south into north-central Mexico.
Period of Identification: September–March.
Cypseloides niger–Black Swift114
Listing Status: California Species of Special Concern.
BRRG Priority: 2
Range: Ranges throughout coastal belt in Santa Cruz and Monterey counties, Sierra Nevada, San Bernardino and San Jacinto Mountains in California. Research suggests that black swifts winter in South America.
Known Occurrences: No recorded occurrences within Tuolumne County.
Habitat Associations: Nesting habitat includes cliff faces and bluffs adjacent or behind waterfalls in montane and coastal locales.
Diet and Foraging: Forages primarily on insects including caddisflies, mayflies, beetles, flesh flies, and wasps.
Breeding: The breeding season typically extends from May through September. This species is a colonial nester. Nests are well-hidden adjacent to or behind a waterfall or on a protected sea cliff ledge, and are constructed of mud, ferns, moss, grass, and algae. Typically, a single egg is laid which both parents incubate for 24 to 27 days. Altricial young leave the nest at about 45 days.
114 CWHRS 2000.
Biological Resources Conservation Handbook Appendix Page 76 of 187 Seasonal Movements: Leaves wintering grounds to arrive in breeding grounds in May. Returns to wintering grounds in October.
Period of Identification: June–August
Dendroica occidentalis–Hermit Warbler115
Listing Status: CNDDB Rank S3
BRRG Priority: 2
Range: Hermit warblers are found in major mountain ranges form San Gabriel and San Bernardino mountains, northward, excluding coastal ranges south of Santa Cruz County. Uncommon in lowlands. Migrant on Farallon and Channel islands.
Known Occurrences: None listed; however, suitable habitat is present.
Habitat Associations: Often found in mature ponderosa pine, montane hardwood-conifer, mixed conifer, Douglas fir, redwood, red fir, and Jeffrey pine habitats.
Diet and Foraging: Gleans insects and spiders from foliage in middle to upper canopy.
Breeding: Builds nests 25 to 125 feet above ground in conifers and breeds from late April into early July with peak activity in June. Lays 3 to 5 eggs.
Seasonal Movements: A migrant wave passes through in April and May, and again in August and early September. Most fall migrants and local breeders follow major mountain ranges southward.
Period of Identification: September–April
Dendroica petechia brewsteri–Yellow Warbler116
Listing Status: California Species of Special Concern
BRRG Priority: 2
Range: Breeding range extends from Alaska across Canada to Newfoundland, and south to southern California, northern Oklahoma, and Georgia. Nests over all of California except the Central Valley, the Mojave Desert region, and high altitudes in the Sierra Nevada. Winter range extends from Florida to southern California and south into the tropics. Winters along the Colorado River and in parts of Imperial and Riverside counties, with two small permanent populations in San Diego and Santa Barbara counties. A common migrant of the Channel and Farallon Islands in the spring and fall.
115 CWHRS 2000.
Biological Resources Conservation Handbook Appendix Page 77 of 187 Known Occurrences: No recorded occurrences within Tuolumne County; however, suitable habitat is present.
Habitat Associations: Preferred habitat includes riparian types dominated by willows, cottonwoods, aspens, sycamores, and alders. Also montane shrub types in open conifer forests. Forages within riparian openings and adjacent scrub.
Diet and Foraging: Forages in flight, primarily on insects, by flycatching and hovering. Also hover-gleans foliage. May also take spiders and berries.
Breeding: The breeding season typically extends from May through August. Nests are constructed as a deep cup positioned within upright fork of shrub or tree. Anywhere from 3 to 7 eggs are laid which the female incubates for 11 to 12 days. Juveniles fledge the nest within 8 to 10 days. Juveniles continue to be fed by parents up to 3 weeks after they fledge the nest.
Seasonal Movements: Primarily migratory, heading south to winter in the early fall and returning again to breeding grounds in early summer.
Period of Identification: April–September
Elanus leucurus–White Tailed Kite117
Listing Status: California Fully Protected.
BRRG Priority: 1
Range: In the low-elevation western portions of the County.
Known Occurrences: No recorded occurrences within Tuolumne County, however, suitable habitat is present.
Habitat Associations: Annual grassland, perennial grassland, valley oak woodland, blue oak woodland, blue oak-foothill gray pine, valley foothill riparian, montane hardwood, and montane hardwood-conifer. Inhabits herbaceous and open stages of most habitats. White- tailed kite typically nests in and roosts in substantial groves of dense, broad-leafed deciduous trees located near an open foraging area. May also nest in isolated trees or patches of trees if suitable foraging habitat is nearby.
Diet and Foraging: Foraging occurs mainly in undisturbed, open grasslands, meadows, farmlands and emergent wetlands. Preys mostly on voles and other small, diurnal mammals, and occasionally on birds, insects, reptiles, and amphibians. Considered a beneficial predator in agricultural fields.
Breeding: Breeding occurs from February through October, with a peak from May to August. A monogamous pair will produce a clutch of about 4 to 5. The female incubates for about 28 days; young fledge in 35 to 40 days. During the incubation period, the male will feed the female, and supply her with food to feed the young.
117 CWHRS 2005.
Biological Resources Conservation Handbook Appendix Page 78 of 187 Seasonal Movements: Breeding resident.
Period of Identification: April–September
Empidonax traillii–Willow Flycatcher118
Status: State Endangered.
BRRG Priority: 1
Range: Summer resident in wet meadow and riparian habitats at 2,000 to 8,000 feet in the Sierra Nevada and Cascade ranges. Has been observed breeding along the Santa Ynez River in Santa Barbara County and along the Santa Clara River in Ventura County. May still nest elsewhere in lowland California, as in San Diego County.
Known Occurrences: A number of recorded occurrences within Tuolumne County including Ackerson Meadow, Hogdon Meadow, Upper Bell Meadows, Eagle Meadow, and Long Valley Creek.
Habitat Associations: Nesting and roosting habitat includes extensive thickets of low, dense willows on the edge of wet meadows, ponds, or backwaters from approximately 2,000 to 8,000 feet above mean sea level. Forages within riparian openings.
Diet and Foraging: Forages in flight primarily on insects. May also hover-glean foliage.
Breeding: The breeding season typically extends from May through September. Nests are constructed as a cup-shaped nest positioned within interior canopy and dense thicket. Anywhere from 3 to 4 eggs are laid which the female incubates for 12 to 13 days. Juveniles fledge the nest within 13 to 14 days, but may remain in the nest for longer.
Seasonal Movements: Migratory, heading south to winter in the early fall, returning again to breeding grounds in early summer.
Period of Identification: March–August
Eremophila alpestris actia–California Horned Larks119
Listing Status: CNDDB Rank S3
BRRG Priority: 2
Range: Throughout California
Known Occurrences: No recorded occurrences within Tuolumne County; however, suitable habitat is present.
118 CWHRS 2005.
Biological Resources Conservation Handbook Appendix Page 79 of 187 Habitat Associations: California horned larks are found in open, short grass fields or prairies devoid of trees and large shrubs. They commonly utilize row-crop fields, meadows, open coastal plains, and alkali flats.
Diet and Foraging: Primarily a granivorous bird during most of the year, they shift to insects in the summer months (especially during the breeding season).
Breeding: Breeds on the ground by digging a small depression, often with a clump of vegetation on one side. Breeding occurs between April and June.
Seasonal Movements: Little seasonal variation.
Period of Identification: Year-round
Falco columbarius–Merlin120
Listing Status: CNDDB Rank S3
BRRG Priority: 2
Range: Occurs in most of the western half of the State below 3,900 feet. Rarely found in the Mojave Desert and Channel Islands. A rare winter migrant in the Mojave Desert; and a few observations on the Channel Islands.
Known Occurrences: None listed; however, suitable habitat is present.
Habitat Associations: Seldom found in heavily wooded areas or open deserts. Frequents coastlines, open grasslands, savannahs, woodlands, lakes, wetlands, edges, and early successional stages. Ranges from annual grasslands to ponderosa pine and montane hardwood-conifer habitats.
Diet and Foraging: Primarily the merlin feeds on small birds, small mammals, and insects. Young may rely on insects while developing predatory skills.
Breeding: The merlin does not breed in California; it primarily breeds in Alaska and Canada. Typically, it modifies existing corvid or hawk nests consisting of an open platform of sticks in a tree, usually a conifer. Sometimes it nests in cavities, cliffs, in deserted buildings, or on the ground, usually close to water. Eggs are laid from late May into June. Produces a clutch of about 4 to 5 eggs that are incubated for 28 to 32 days. Chicks fledge at 24 days.
Seasonal Movements: The merlin winters in California from September to May, wandering in search of abundant prey. Some individuals migrate as far as South America in the winter.
Period of Identification: September–May.
Falco mexicanus–Prairie Falcon121
120 CWHRS 1999.
Biological Resources Conservation Handbook Appendix Page 80 of 187 Listing Status: CNDDB Rank S3
BRRG Priority: 2
Range: Year-round resident throughout much of the State; winters in the Central Valley and along the coast.
Known Occurrences: Shell Road area
Habitat Associations: Occurs in open habitats such as grasslands, desert scrub, rangelands and croplands.
Diet and Foraging: Eats mostly small mammals, some small birds and reptiles. Catches prey in air and on ground in open areas. Dives from a perch with rapid pursuit or dives from searching flight 50 to 300 feet above ground.
Breeding: Usually nests in a scrape on a sheltered ledge of a cliff overlooking a large, open area. Sometimes nests on old raven or eagle stick nest on cliff, bluff, or rock outcrop. Aerial courtship display occurs near nest site. Breeds from mid-February through mid-September, with peak April to early August. It produces a clutch size of about 3 to 6 eggs. Young begin to disperse in June and July.
Seasonal Movements: Migrates from north to winter in California. Some prairie falcon wander upslope in summer and downslope in winter.
Period of Identification: Year-round
Falco peregrinus anatum–American Peregrine Falcon122
Listing Status: Federally Delisted; State Delisted and Fully Protected,.
BRRG Priority: 1
Range: Very uncommon breeding resident, and uncommon as a migrant. Active nesting sites are known along the coast north of Santa Barbara, in the Sierra Nevada, and in other mountains of northern California. In winter, found inland throughout the Central Valley, and occasionally on the Channel Islands. Migrants occur along the coast and in the western Sierra Nevada in spring and fall.
Known Occurrences: Sensitive nesting locations are known within Tuolumne County.
Habitat Associations: Breeds mostly in woodland, forest, and coastal habitats. Riparian areas and coastal and inland wetlands are important habitats year long, especially in non- breeding seasons. An uncommon breeder along the southern Colorado River, and uncommon winter visitor along the coast of southern California. Associated strictly with large, fish-bearing waters, primarily in ponderosa pine through mixed conifer habitats. Occurs worldwide, in a cosmopolitan distribution pattern in a wide variety of habitats.
121 CWHRS 1999.
Biological Resources Conservation Handbook Appendix Page 81 of 187 Individuals often wander. Golden eagles, great horned owls, raccoons and other mammals may prey on young. May compete with ravens and prairie falcons for nest site.
Diet and Foraging: Often hunts by swooping from a high perch above flying prey (mainly pigeons and doves), which they chase in flight. They are very maneuverable and can reach diving speeds over 140 km per hour (Alerstam 1987). Takes a variety of birds up to ducks in size; occasionally takes mammals, insects, and fish. In Utah, nests averaged 3.3 miles from the nearest foraging marsh, and 7.6 miles from the nearest marsh over 320 acres in area.
Breeding: This species breeding season typically extends from early March to late August. Breeds near wetlands, lakes, rivers, or other water on high cliffs, banks, dunes and mounds. Nest is a scrape on a depression or ledge in an open site. Will nest on human-made structures, and occasionally uses tree or snag cavities or old nests of other raptors. Clutch size typically consists of 3 to 7 eggs, which incubate for about 32 days until hatching. May double clutch.
Seasonal Movements: Resident breeder populations occur in California. Non-residents breeding in northern latitudes migrate to winter in California.
Period of Identification: Year-round
Gavia immer–Common Loon123
Listing Status: California Species of Special Concern.
BRRG Priority: 2
Range: Common loons breed from the Aleutian Islands, Alaska, and northern Canada south into California, Montana, and Massachusetts, in addition to Greenland and Iceland. Winter range includes the Great Lakes and the Atlantic, Gulf, and Pacific coasts.
Known Occurrences: No recorded occurrences within Tuolumne County; however, suitable habitat is present along lakes and rivers.
Habitat Associations: Preferred nesting habitat includes offshore islands, islets, and flotsam adjacent to lakes and rivers. Common loons cannot nest on frozen water. Preferred wintering habitat includes coastal bays and nearshore ocean waters.
Diet and Foraging: Forages primarily on fish by diving from the water’s surface and pursuing prey underwater. Will also prey upon crustaceans and other benthic (relating to or occurring at the bottom of a body of water) organisms.
Breeding: The breeding season for the common loon typically extends from May through September. Nest sites are constructed with stems, grasses, and twigs, and are positioned along lakes, seashore areas, and rivers at locations with easy access to deep water. Eggs are incubated by both parents. Most nests contain 1 to 3 eggs that are incubated for about 29 days. Precocial young are cared for by both parents until they can fly at 12 weeks.
123 CWHRS 2000
Biological Resources Conservation Handbook Appendix Page 82 of 187 Seasonal Movements: Common loons migrate from coastal waters and interior lakes to breed in northern latitudes during the summer.
Period of Identification: September–May
Haliaeetus leucocephalus–Bald Eagle124
Listing Status: Federally Delisted; California State Endangered and Fully Protected.
BRRG Priority: 1
Range: Throughout North America. Permanent resident restricted to breading in Butte, Lake, Lassen, Modoc, Plumas, Shasta, Siskiyou, and Trinity counties. Largest numbers occur at Big Bear Lake, Cachuma Lake, Lake Mathews, Nacimiento Reservoir, San Antonio Reservoir, and along the Colorado River.
Known Occurrences: This species is known from a number of locations within Tuolumne County including Cherry Lake, Don Pedro Reservoir, and Beardsley Lake.
Habitat Associations: This species generally uses old-growth habitat adjacent to ocean shores, lake margins, rivers, and other water bodies for nesting. Most nests are within 1 mile of water within large, old growth, dominant or co-dominant live trees characterized by open branches, at least one perch, and a clear view of the closest water body. Other nest sites occur on snags, cliffs, rock promontories, man-made structures, and artificial nest structures or platforms. Wintering habitat is similar to nesting habitat, and communal roosts are typically formed. Wintering eagles utilize a variety of perch sites that are typically isolated and located in remote areas, with the most important variable being proximity to food source.
Diet and Foraging: Primary foraging items include fish, waterfowl, jack rabbits, and various types of carrion. Anadromous and non-anadromous fish are perhaps the most important food item for eagles in the Pacific region.
Breeding: Eagles in the Pacific Northwest and California region typically nest in large, old- growth or dominant live trees within open branchwork, especially ponderosa pine. Nests most frequently in stands with less than 40% canopy, but usually with some foliage shading the nest. They will often choose the largest tree in a stand on which to build a stick platform nest. The bald eagle will breed February through July, with peak activity March through June. They produce a clutch size of 2 eggs, which are incubated approximately 34 to 36 days. Semialtricial young hatch asynchronously.
Seasonal Movements: Many of the eagles in the Pacific region remain within breeding territories throughout the year; however, some wintering individuals migrate south from Canada and other areas in the fall, to return to breeding areas again in January.
Period of Identification: Year-round
Histrionicus histrionicus–Harlequin Duck125
124 CWHRS 1999.
Biological Resources Conservation Handbook Appendix Page 83 of 187 Listing Status: CNDDB Rank S2; California Species of Special Concern
BRRG Priority: 2
Range: The Harlequin duck is found in marine waters along the rocky coast from San Luis Obispo County north. Also found along the Fresno River and on large Sierran rivers from Madera to Tuolumne counties.
Known Occurrences: None listed; however, suitable habitat is present.
Habitat Associations: Often found along rocky coastlines and Sierran rivers. It rests on the water, or near water on offshore rocks or rocky shores or riverbanks.
Diet and Foraging: Eats almost entirely crustaceans, mollusks, and aquatic insects.
Breeding: Usually nests along shores of shallow, swift rivers with plentiful aquatic invertebrates. Nest is often in a recess, sheltered overhead by a stream bank, rocks, woody debris, or low shrubs, but there is no evidence of nesting in tree cavities. In California, nests rarely from May to August. Clutch size is usually 3 to 7; seldom more than 9 and are incubated for about 27 to 29 days. The precocial young are tended by the female only, but several families commonly combine into larger groups. The female may desert the young before they are able to fly.
Seasonal Movements: Except for a few breeding pairs and stragglers, the California wintering population migrates to breeding grounds in the northwestern U.S. and Canada, and is absent from late April to September.
Period of Identification: October–March.
Icteria virens–Yellow-Breasted Chat126
Listing Status: California Species of Special Concern.
BRRG Priority: 2
Range: Found up to about 4,800 feet above sea level in valley foothill riparian and up to 6,500 feet above sea level east of the Sierra Nevada in desert riparian habitats. Also found along the coast of northern California east to the Cascades, and occurs only locally south of Mendocino County. In migration, it may be found in lower elevations of mountains in riparian habitat.
Known Occurrences: No recorded occurrences within Tuolumne County; however, suitable habitat is present.
Habitat Associations: This species prefers second-growth, low, dense, riparian thickets and brush near water sources including streams, swampy ground, and borders of small ponds.
125 CWHRS 2008.
Biological Resources Conservation Handbook Appendix Page 84 of 187
Diet and Foraging: Forages primarily for small invertebrates and fruits by gleaning prey from foliage.
Breeding: The breeding season typically extends from May through July. Constructs a small cup of grasses, leaves, strips of bark, stems of weeds, and other plant material within dense shrubs. Typically, 3 to 6 eggs are laid, which are incubated for about 11 to 15 days. The young fledges in about 8 to 11 days. Altricial young are tended by both parents until fledging.
Seasonal Movements: Migrates north from wintering grounds in Mexico and Central America to breed in the spring in the U.S. and Canada.
Period of Identification: April – July
Ixobrychus exilis–Least Bittern127
Listing Status: CNDDB Rank S1; California Species of Special Concern
BRRG Priority: 2
Range: The least bittern is a common resident of the Salton Sea and Colorado River. It is also found in the Owens Valley and Mojave Desert, San Diego County, and the Sacramento and San Joaquin valleys. In northeastern California, recent breeding records exist in Siskiyou Modoc and Lassen counties.
Known Occurrences: None listed; however, suitable habitat is present.
Habitat Associations: Often, the least bittern is found in dense emergent wetlands near sources of freshwater and in desert riparian habitat.
Diet and Foraging: The least bittern mainly eats small fishes, aquatic and terrestrial insects, and crayfish. It also consumes amphibians, small mammals, and miscellaneous invertebrates, often feeding in the open-water side of emergent vegetation, using vegetation stalks as stepping-stones.
Breeding: It arrives in its California breeding ground in late March to May and lays eggs mid-April to early July. Its nests are made of dried and living plants, and are built low in tules or cattails, usually above water level. It produces a clutch size of about 4 to 5. Semi-altricial young are tended to by both the male and female, until up to 26 days old.
Seasonal Movements: Most of the California least bittern population migrates south to Mexico for winter (mainly in October to March). Part of the population in southern California is nonmigratory.
Period of Identification: April–September
Lanius ludovicianus–Loggerhead Shrike128
127 CWHRS 2008.
Biological Resources Conservation Handbook Appendix Page 85 of 187 Listing Status: California Species of Special Concern.
BRRG Priority: 2
Range: Common resident and winter visitor in lowlands and foothills throughout California. In the Great Basin, from Inyo County north, the population declines markedly from November through March. Rare on the coastal slope north of Mendocino County, occurring only in the winter.
Known Occurrences: No recorded occurrences within Tuolumne County; however, suitable habitat is present.
Habitat Associations: Annual grassland, perennial grassland, valley oak woodland, blue oak woodland, blue oak-foothill gray pine, valley foothill riparian, montane hardwood, and montane hardwood-conifer. This species prefers open habitats with scattered shrubs, trees, posts, fences, utility lines, or other perches. Occurs only rarely in heavily urbanized areas, but often found in open cropland. Builds nest on stable branch in densely-foliaged shrub or tree, usually well-concealed.
Diet and Foraging: Eats mostly large insects, but also takes small birds, mammals, amphibians, reptiles, fish, carrion, and various other invertebrates. Frequently skewers prey on thorns, sharp twigs, or wire barb; or forces it into a crotch to feed on or to cache for feeding later.
Breeding: The loggerhead shrike builds a nest on a stable branch in a densely foliaged shrub or tree, usually well concealed (at 1.3 to 50.0 feet above the ground). Eggs are laid from March into May, and young become independent by July or August. A monogamous, solitary nester, the shrike produces clutch sizes of about 4 to 8 and incubates for about 14 to 15 days. Altricial young are tended to by both parents and leave the nest at 18 to 19 days.
Seasonal Movements: None.
Period of Identification: Year-round
Nycticorax nycticorax–Black Crowned Night Heron129
Listing Status: CNDDB Rank S3
BRRG Priority: 2
Range: Yearlong resident in lowlands and foothills throughout most of California, including the Salton Sea and Colorado River areas. Uncommon in northwestern and rare in northeastern California during the winter.
Known Occurrences: None listed; however, suitable habitat is present.
128 CWHRS 2008.
Biological Resources Conservation Handbook Appendix Page 86 of 187 Habitat Associations: Nests and roosts in dense-foliaged trees and dense emergent wetlands along the margins of lacustrine, riverine, fresh and saline emergent habitats, and kelp beds in marine subtidal habitats.
Diet and Foraging: Feeds mostly nocturnally and crepuscularly. Highly variable diet consists of fishes, crustaceans, aquatic insects and other invertebrates, amphibians, reptiles, small mammals, and rarely young birds.
Breeding: The black-crowned night heron breeds mainly between February and July and produces a clutch that is 3 to 4, sometimes 5, which are incubated for about 24 to 26 days. Semi-altricial, the young are tended to by both parents. The young first fly at 6 weeks, but are not independent until some time later. The black-crowned night heron nests in dense- foliaged trees, dense fresh or brackish emergent wetlands, or dense shrubbery or vine tangles, usually near aquatic or emergent feeding areas. Nests are built of twigs and/or marsh plants.
Seasonal Movements: It is a local migratory, dispersing widely from breeding colonies after nesting. Much of the breeding population from northern California probably moves southward and is absent from those areas in midwinter.
Period of Identification: February–July
Pandion haliaetus–Osprey130
Listing Status: CNDDB Rank S3
BRRG Priority: 2
Range: Breeds in Northern California from the Cascade Range south to Lake Tahoe and along the Pacific Coast south to Marin County.
Known Occurrences: Cherry Lake, Pinecrest Lake, Lyons Reservoir, New Melones Reservoir and Lake Don Pedro.
Habitat Associations: Ponderosa pine (ppn), and Sierran mixed conifer (smc). Uses large trees, snags and dead-topped trees in open forest habitats for cover and nesting.
Diet and Foraging: Preys mostly on fish, also takes mammal, birds, amphibians, reptiles and invertebrates. Requires open clear waters for foraging. Uses rivers, lakes and reservoirs. Swoops from flight, hovers or perches to catch fish near surface of water.
Breeding: Nests on platform of sticks on top of large snags, dead-topped trees, cliffs or man-made structures. Nests usually within 1,312 feet of fish-producing water but may be up to one mile from water. Needs tall open-branched trees near the nest for landing prior to approaching the nest. The Osprey breeds March to September and produces a clutch size of about 1 to 4 eggs.
130 CWHRS 2000.
Biological Resources Conservation Handbook Appendix Page 87 of 187 Seasonal Movements: Arrives on nesting grounds mid-March to early April. Migrates south along coast and western slope of Sierra Nevada in October to Central and South America.
Period of Identification: March to October.
Pelecanus erythrorhynchos–American White Pelican131
Listing Status: California Species of Special Concern.
BRRG Priority: 2
Range: In California, it nests only at large lakes in the Klamath Basin, especially Clear Lake National Wildlife Refuge. Bred at Honey Lake, and formerly bred in large numbers in the Central Valley and the Salton Sea. From August to December, found on salt ponds of San Francisco Bay and on the coastal slope from Sonoma County south. Also observed at Lake Tahoe, the Salton Sea, Colorado River, Morro Bay, and San Diego Bay.
Known Occurrences: No recorded occurrences within Tuolumne County; however, suitable habitat is present.
Habitat Associations: Nesting habitat includes large brackish and freshwater lakes with protected islets. Outside the breeding season, this species’ preferred habitat includes shallow lakes and coastal lagoons with adequate foraging resources.
Diet and Foraging: Forages primarily on fish while swimming on water surface. Displays cooperative feeding behavior in which groups may corral and concentrate prey in shallow water.
Breeding: The American white pelican is a monogamous colonial nester, in groups of a few to several hundred pairs. Courtship begins soon after arrival at breeding grounds in March or April. Nest building begins in March or April; nests are flat or generally sloping, lacking shrubs or other obstructions that would impede taking flight, free of human disturbance, and usually with loose earth suitable for nest-mounds. A typical clutch size consists of about 2 eggs, which are incubated about 36 days. Altricial young are fed by both parents and leave the nest at 3 to 4 weeks.
Seasonal Movements: Migrates north in March or April from wintering grounds in the southern U.S. and Mexico to breed in the U.S. and Canada. They migrate south to wintering grounds again in September or October.
Period of Identification: March–September
Phalacrocorax auritus–Double-Crested Cormorant132
Listing Status: CNDDB Rank S3.
131 CWHRS 2008.
Biological Resources Conservation Handbook Appendix Page 88 of 187 BRRG Priority: 2
Range: The cormorant is a yearlong resident along the entire coast of California and on inland lakes, in fresh, salt, and estuarine waters.
Known Occurrences: No recorded occurrences within Tuolumne County.
Habitat Associations: Lakes and large rivers and streams. Rests in daytime and roosts overnight beside water on offshore rocks, islands, steep cliffs, dead branches of trees, or even transmission lines. Perching sites must be barren of vegetation. Perches visited periodically throughout the day to dry plumage. May rest or sleep on water in daytime.
Diet and Foraging: Feeds mainly on fish, but consumes crustaceans and amphibians. Dives from water surface and pursues prey underwater.
Seasonal Movements: Migrates out of the County for breeding.
Breeding: Requires undisturbed nest-sites beside water, on islands or mainland. It uses wide rock ledges on cliffs, rugged slopes, and trees. The cormorant breeds mostly April to July or August. It is a monogamous bird that nests in colonies of a few to hundreds of pairs and produces a clutch size of about 3 to 4, which are incubated for about 25 to 29 days. Altricial young are tended to by both parents, first fly at 5 to 6 weeks, and are fully independent at 10 weeks.
Progne subis–Purple Martin133
Listing Status: California Species of Special Concern.
BRRG Priority: 2
Range: Absent from higher desert regions in California; however, observed on the coast and inland to Modoc and Lassen counties. It is absent from higher slopes of the Sierra Nevada, and prefers wooded, low-elevation habitats throughout the State.
Known Occurrences: No recorded occurrences within Tuolumne County; however, suitable habitat is present.
Habitat Associations: Montane riparian, valley-foothill riparian, valley oak woodland, blue oak woodland, blue oak-foothill gray pine, montane hardwood, montane hardwood-conifer, ponderosa pine, lodgepole pine, red fir, and Sierran mixed conifer. Nests typically are established in an old woodpecker cavity and sometimes in human-made structures such as nesting boxes, bridges, and culverts. In urban areas, this species commonly nests in weep holes in overpasses and bridges.
Diet and Foraging: Forages for insects on the wing. Occasionally forages on the ground.
Breeding: It nests in old woodpecker cavities, sometimes in human-made structures, nesting boxes, under bridges, or culverts. Nesting occurs from April into August, with peak activity in
133 CWHRS 2000.
Biological Resources Conservation Handbook Appendix Page 89 of 187 June. Each pair will nest colonially or singly, depending on nest site availability and will produce 3 to 8 eggs. Altricial young are tended to by both the male and female and leave the nest at about 24 to 31 days.
Seasonal Movements: Summer resident; does not winter in California.
Period of Identification: April–September
Spizella atrogularis–Black-chinned Sparrow134
Listing Status: CNDDB Rank S3
BRRG Priority: 2
Range: Often found in the foothills bordering the Central Valley and on arid mountain slopes of southern California. Breeds regularly north to Mariposa and Lake counties, and irregularly north to Shasta and Trinity counties. In southern California, it breeds on desert ranges north to White Mountains, Inyo County, and on arid slopes west of deserts, but only very locally near coast.
Known Occurrences: Not listed; however, suitable habitat is present.
Habitat Associations: Occurs mostly on sloping ground in mixed chaparral, chamise- redshank chaparral, sagebrush, and similar brushy habitats, including those in understory of sparse pinyon-juniper, juniper, and other conifer habitats. Frequents shrub stands of mixed species.
Diet and Foraging: The black-chinned sparrow feeds on seeds, insects, and fruits associated with shrubs.
Breeding: Breeding season occurs between April and early August, with a peak in May and June. They construct nests of dry grass and forb stems, lined with finer grasses, plant fibers, hairs, and feathers in the dense foliage of a shrub. Clutch sizes average about 3 to 4 eggs, which are incubated for 12 to 13 days. Altricial young are tended to by both the male and female.
Seasonal Movements: Usually, the black-chinned sparrow arrives in California during April and departs in August or September.
Period of Identification: April–September
Spizella passerina–Chipping Sparrow135
Listing Status: CNDDB Rank S3S4
BRRG Priority: 2
134 CWHRS 2000.
Biological Resources Conservation Handbook Appendix Page 90 of 187 Range: The chipping sparrow is commonly found throughout most of California, excluding the Central Valley, southern deserts, and alpine areas. Less common in the Central Valley and southern California lowlands.
Known Occurrences: None listed; however, suitable habitat is present.
Habitat Associations: Prefers wooded habitats with a sparse or low herbaceous layer and few shrubs, if any. Although it requires trees for resting and singing, and prefers trees for nesting, it often forages in nearby herbaceous and open shrub habitats, including dry margins of wet meadows.
Diet and Foraging: Eats mostly insects and spiders in breeding season, and mostly grass and forb seeds the rest of the year.
Breeding: The chipping sparrow usually begins to breed in April or May, and produces a clutch size of about 3-5. In California it usually nests in a conifer, but deciduous trees or shrubs are also used. A monogamous, solitary nester, the chipping sparrow will produce a clutch size of about 3 to 5 eggs, which will be incubated for 11 to 14 days by the female. Altricial young are tended to by both parents. Young leave the nest at 9 to 12 days, but do not fly until about 14 days.
Seasonal Movements: Breeders mostly leave California in September or early October and return in April or May. Some move downslope to winter from the Central Valley to southern Mexico, but it is not known what portion of the breeding population remains to winter in the State and what portion migrates farther south. They are present year-round in parts of southwestern California, but the breeding population may be replaced or augmented by a different wintering population.
Period of Identification: May–September
Strix nebulosa–Great Gray Owl136
Listing Status: State Endangered.
BRRG Priority: 1
Range: A rarely seen resident at 4,500 to 7,500 feet in the Sierra Nevada from the vicinity of Quincy, Plumas County south to the Yosemite Region. Most recent records are from the Merced and Tuolumne river drainages of Yosemite National Park. Occasional reported in northwestern California in winter, and in Warner Mountains in the summer.
Known Occurrences: Numerous occurrences within Tuolumne County including Crane Flat, Ackerson Meadow, White Wolf Campground, Salt Lick Meadow, junction of Ireland Creek and Lyell Fork, Kassabaum Meadow, Upper Relief Valley, Wilson Meadow, South Ackerson Meadow, Stone Meadow, Camp Mather, Lower Tuolumne Meadow, Cottonwood Meadow, Tamarack Creek, Italian Bar Road, Pine Mountain Lake vicinity, Belleview School site, Star Ridge, Jack Main Canyon at Falls Creek, Eagle Creek, and Ackerson-Stringer Meadow.
136 CWHRS 2000.
Biological Resources Conservation Handbook Appendix Page 91 of 187 Habitat Associations: Preferred habitat is boreal forest.
Diet and Foraging: Forages from a perch primarily on small mammals, but may also take birds. Can locate and capture prey beneath the snow.
Breeding: The breeding season typically extends from March through July, with nesting peaking between mid-April and late May. Nest sites located within open landscapes, marshes, and forests on broken-topped dead trees and existing nests of other birds such as crows and hawks. Eggs are incubated by the female. Most nests contain 1 to 5 eggs, which hatch within approximately 28 to 29 days.
Seasonal Movements: Residents may move into lower elevations during the winter.
Period of Identification: Year-round
Strix occidentalis–California Spotted Owl137
Listing Status: California Species of Special Concern.
BRRG Priority: 2
Range: Breeding range extends west of the Cascade Range through the North Coast Ranges, the Sierra Nevada, and in more localized areas of the Transverse and Peninsular ranges. May move downslope in winter along the eastern and western slopes of the Sierra Nevada, and in other areas.
Known Occurrences: There have been several sitings of the California Spotted Owl throughout the forested areas of Tuolumne County including Shanahan Flat, Long Gulch Ranch, Lyons Reservoir, Beardsley Lake, Sourgrass Meadow, Hunter Ridge, the Middle Fork of the Stanislaus River, Thompson Meadow, Reed Creek, Bear Springs Creek, Skunk Creek, Jawbone Station, Grizzly Creek, Beaver Creek, Soap Creek, Knight Creek and Griswold Creek.
Habitat Associations: Preferred habitats include dense old growth coniferous forest, redwood, and Douglas fir habitats, from sea level up to approximately 7,600 feet above sea level.
Diet and Foraging: Forages primarily on northern flying squirrels and dusky-footed woodrats. Other prey items include gophers, mice, squirrels, shrews, moles, bats, birds, frogs, lizards, and insects. Spotted owls hunt primarily at night from an elevated perch whereby they swoop and pounce their prey, capturing it with their talons.
Breeding: The spotted owl uses dense, multi-layered canopy cover for roost seclusion. The owl breeds from early March through June, with a peak in April and May. Most nests contain 2 eggs, which hatch within approximately 30 days. Chicks fledge the nest 34 to 36 days after hatching. Each mating pair may use the same breeding site for 5 to 10 years, but may not breed every year.
137 CWHRS 1999.
Biological Resources Conservation Handbook Appendix Page 92 of 187 Seasonal Movements: Generally non-migratory, remaining within the same home ranges year-round. In the Sierra Nevada, some individuals migrate down slope from higher elevations and into winter ranges in lower elevations.
Period of Identification: Year-round
Mammals
Antrozous pallidus–Pallid Bat138
Listing Status: State Species of Special Concern, considered a High Priority species by the Western Bat Working Group.
BRRG Priority: 2
Range: The pallid bat occurs throughout California except for the high Sierra Nevada from Shasta to Kern counties, and the northwestern corner of the State from Del Norte and western Siskiyou counties to northern Mendocino County. It is a yearlong resident in most of its range.
Known Occurrences: Pinecrest Lake, Jamestown mine site, Long Barn, Don Pedro Reservoir, Tuolumne River, Moccasin, Pate Valley, and several occurrences in the Stanislaus National Forest.
Habitat Associations: This species occurs in a variety of habitats throughout the State. It is most abundant is xeric ecosystems. Pallid bats roost alone, and in both large and small groups. Day and night roosts include crevices in rocky outcrops and cliffs, caves, mines, trees, and human structures such as bridges, barns, porches, bat boxes, and buildings. This species also has been found roosting on or near the ground under stone piles, rags, and baseboards. Pallid bat is a gregarious species and often roost in colonies of 20 to several hundred individuals. The tendency to roost gregariously, combined with a relative sensitivity to disturbance, make it vulnerable to mass displacement.
Diet and Foraging: Pallid bats are generalists that surface glean for arthropods (organisms having a hard jointed exoskeleton and paired jointed legs) and also capture insects on the wing.
Breeding: Occurs from October to February. Gestation is 53 to 71 days long. Young are born from April to July, mostly from May to June. The average litter is 2, but females reproducing for the first time usually only have 1 young. The altricial young are weaned in 7 weeks and are first observed flying in July and August.
Seasonal Movements: Non-migratory. Hibernate during winter, with very little activity.
Period of Identification: April–October
Aplodontia rufa californica–Sierra Nevada Mountain Beaver139
138 CWHRS 2000.
Biological Resources Conservation Handbook Appendix Page 93 of 187 Listing Status: State Species of Special Concern
BRRG Priority: 2
Range: Mountain beavers range throughout the Cascade, Klamath, and Sierra Nevada. In the coast ranges, most populations occur below 2,700 feet.
Known Occurrences: No known occurrences have been recorded within Tuolumne County; however, suitable habitat is present.
Habitat Associations: Preferred habitat includes montane riparian with an open canopy and dense understory. Deep friable soils are required for burrowing along with a cool, moist microclimate.
Diet and Foraging: Diet consists of vegetative parts of plants. Stores food sources near burrow entrance and within underground chambers.
Breeding: Mountain beavers breed between December and March, with the peak of the breeding season occurring in February. A litter of 2 to 3 young are born from February to June following a gestation period of 28 to 30 days.
Seasonal Movements: Sedentary and non-migratory outside of home range.
Period of Identification: Year-round
Bassariscus astutus–Ringtail140
Listing Status: State Fully Protected
BRRG Priority: 1
Range: The ringtail is widely distributed in North America.
Known Occurrences: No known occurrences have been recorded within Tuolumne County; however, suitable habitat is present.
Habitat Associations: Ringtail occur in a variety of low- to mid-elevation riparian, forest, and shrub habitats supporting hollow trees, logs, snags, cavities in talus and other rocky areas, and other recesses. Usually found within 0.6 miles of permanent water.
Diet and Foraging: Ringtails are primarily carnivorous and typically prey upon rodents and rabbits on the ground, among rocks, in trees, and near water. May also take birds, eggs, reptiles, invertebrates, fruits, nuts, and carrion.
Breeding: Nests are constructed within rock recesses, hollow trees, logs, snags, abandoned burrows, and wood rat nests. The breeding season for ringtail typically occurs between
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Biological Resources Conservation Handbook Appendix Page 94 of 187 March and April. A litter of 1 to 5 young are born in May and June after a 40 to 50 day gestation period.
Seasonal Movements: May move downslope into lower elevations in the winter in search of resources before returning to higher elevations in the summer.
Period of Identification: Year-round
Corynorhinus townsendii -Townsend’s Big-Eared Bat141
Listing Status: California species of special concern, considered a High Priority species by the Western Bat Working Group.
BRRG Priority: 2
Range: Throughout the County from sea level to 11,000 feet in elevation. Distribution correlated with availability of caves and cave-like roosting habitat.
Known Occurrences: Jawbone Creek, Goodwin Dam, Quartz Mountain, Stanislaus River Canyon, Columbia area.
Habitat Associations: All. Population centers occur in areas dominated by exposed, cavity forming rock and/or historic mining districts. Day roosts include open surfaces in caves and abandoned mines. Also reported to utilize buildings, bridges, rock crevices, and hollow trees for roosting, particularly for night roosting. Winter hibernating colonies range in size from a single individual to several hundred. The tendency to roost gregariously, combined with a relative sensitivity to disturbance, make it vulnerable to mass displacement.
Diet and Foraging: Foraging associations include edge habitats along streams and areas adjacent to and within a variety of wooded habitats. Townsend’s big-eared bat is a moth specialist; over 90% of its diet is composed of moths.
Breeding: Occurs from November to February. Gestation lasts anywhere from 56 to 100 days, depending on the temperature, size of the hibernating cluster, and time in hibernation. Pups are born from late May to June, peaking in late May and are volant at 4 to 6 weeks of age.
Seasonal Movements: Seasonal movement patterns not well understood. There may be local migration along altitudinal gradients. Hibernate during winter, with very little activity.
Period of Identification: Consult agency
Dipodomys heermanni dixoni–Merced kangaroo rat142
Listing Status: CNDDB Rank S2S3
141 CWHRS 2000.
Biological Resources Conservation Handbook Appendix Page 95 of 187 BRRG Priority: 2
Range: Distributed in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada from Kern to El Dorado counties, in the San Joaquin Valley, and in the Coast Ranges south of San Francisco Bay to Point Conception.
Known Occurrences: None; however, suitable habitat is present.
Habitat Associations: Live in burrows, often use ground squirrel tunnels. Upper and Lower Sonoran life zoned. May extend into the Transition Zone.
Diet and Foraging: Nocturnal feeder. Feeds on green vegetation and seeds of grasses and forbs. Will also capture insects at night.
Breeding: Breeds from February into October, with a peak in April. Each litter size is about 2 or 3 young; the young are weaned at 17 to 25 days.
Seasonal Movements: None.
Period of Identification: Year around. This species does not hibernate. Spends approximately 23 hours per day within the burrow. Species emerges from burrows shortly after dark and forages for 15 to 20 minutes.
Euderma maculatum–Spotted Bat143
Listing Status: California Species of Special Concern, considered a High Priority species by the Western Bat Working Group.
BRRG Priority: 2
Range: The spotted bat has been found in the foothills, mountains, and desert regions of southern California. Elevational range extends from below sea level to above 10,000 feet above sea level.
Known Occurrences: Standard area, Stage Flat Meadow, Schaeffer Meadow, Hess Meadow, Donnell Reservoir Dam, Pate Valley, Tuolumne Meadow, Harden Flat, Dana Meadow, Hetch Hetchy Reservoir
Habitat Associations: All. Spotted bat depends upon rock-faced cliff roosting habitat, which limits this species to areas with these specific geologic features. Thought to roost singly during the day. Spotted bat forages throughout the night, so it does not utilize night roosts. Echolocations (sensory system in which usually high-pitched sounds are emitted and their echoes interpreted to determine the direction and distance of objects) calls of this bat are often audible.
Diet and Foraging: Has been documented foraging in many habitat types. Feeds primarily on flying moths.
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Biological Resources Conservation Handbook Appendix Page 96 of 187 Breeding: The breeding season occurs from October to February. Mating is done in the autumn. Pups are born from late May to July, with most births occurring before mid-June, and are volant at 4 to 6 weeks of age.
Seasonal Movements: Non-migratory. There may be local migration along altitudinal gradients.
Period of Identification: April–October
Eumops perotis californicus–Greater Western Mastiff Bat144
Listing Status: California species of special concern, considered a High Priority species by the Western Bat Working Group.
BRRG Priority: 2
Range: Found in the southeastern San Joaquin Valley and Coastal Ranges from Monterey County southward through southern California, from the coast eastward to the Colorado Desert.
Known Occurrences: Hetch Hetchy Reservoir, Table Mountain, Tulloch Reservoir, Glen Aulin, Pate Valley, Tuolumne Meadows, Moccasin, Don Pedro Reservoir, Tuolumne River, Harden Flat, Dana Meadow, Knights Ferry.
Habitat Associations: Chaparral, mixed chaparral, montane chaparral, valley oak woodland, blue oak woodland, blue-oak foothill gray pine, montane hardwood, montane hardwood conifer, and ponderosa pine. Any habitat with cliffs may be suitable. Greater western mastiff bat is a cliff-dwelling species. Roosts are generally high above the ground, allowing a clear vertical drop of at least 10 feet for flight. Maternity colonies range from 30 to several hundred individuals and generally include adult males. This species has an audible echolocation call and is easily detected while foraging.
Diet and Foraging: Greater western mastiff bat forages primarily on moths, but also takes crickets and katydids. Forages most frequently in broad open areas, including flood plains, chaparral, oak woodland, open ponderosa pine forest, grassland, montane meadows, and agricultural areas.
Breeding: Mating occurs in the early spring (March). The length of the gestation period is unknown. In California, parturition may occur from early April through August or September. One young is produced per female each year.
Seasonal Movements: Non-migratory; may move short distances. Does not hibernate and is active periodically throughout the winter.
Period of Identification: April–October
Gulo gulo–California Wolverine145
144 CWHRS 2000.
Biological Resources Conservation Handbook Appendix Page 97 of 187 Listing Status: Federal Candidate for Listing; California State Threatened and Fully Protected
BRRG Priority: 1
Range: A scarce resident of the North Coast mountains and Sierra Nevada. Sightings range from Del Norte and Trinity counties, east through Siskiyou and Shasta counties, and south through Tulare County. A few possible sightings occur in the north coastal region as far south as Lake County. Habitat distribution in California is poorly known for the North Coast and northern Sierra Nevada. Most sightings in the region range from 1,600 to 4,800 feet in the north coast areas, 4,300 to 7,300 feet in the northern Sierra Nevada, and 6,400 to 10,800 feet in the southern Sierra Nevada.
Known Occurrences: A number of recorded occurrences within Tuolumne County including Tilden Lake, Bourland Meadow, Mono Pass, Horse Meadow, Huckleberry Lake, Castle Rock, Sonora Pass, vicinity of Frog and Summit lakes, Long Barn on Highway 108, White Springs, Relief Reservoir, Toejam Lake, and the head of Lyell Canyon.
Habitat Associations: Occurs within a wide variety of high elevation habitat types. Uses caves, logs, and existing burrows for cover and as denning habitat. Requires nearby water source. Forages in open areas.
Diet and Foraging: Opportunistic, primarily scavenging carrion, preying on small animals and birds, and foraging on fruits, berries, and insects.
Breeding: Probably polygamous, they mate from May to July. Active gestation is about 30 to 40 days. The young are born from January through April, with one litter produced per year (averaging 2 to 4 young per litter). Young are weaned in 7 to 9 weeks and are sexually mature in their second or third year.
Seasonal Movements: Home range can be relatively large, and they can travel long distances throughout the year.
Period of Identification: Year-round
Lasionycteris noctivagans–Silver-Haired Bat146
Listing Status: Western Bat Working Group: Medium.
BRRG Priority: 2
Range: Silver-haired bats are found from the Oregon border south along the coast to San Francisco Bay, and along the Sierra Nevada and Great Basin region to Inyo County. They occur in southern California from Ventura and San Bernardino counties south to Mexico, and on some of the Channel Islands. The species has also been recorded in Sacramento, Stanislaus, Monterey, and Yolo counties. Their summer range is generally below 9,000 feet.
145 CWHRS 2000. Biological Resources Conservation Handbook Appendix Page 98 of 187 Known Occurrences: Several occurrences in Yosemite National Park and Stanislaus National Forest Habitat Associations: Blue-oak foothill gray pine, montane hardwood, montane hardwood conifer, ponderosa pine, and Sierran mixed conifer. Silver-haired bat is a forest bat, and is associated primarily with conifer and mixed conifer/hardwood forests. This species is a solitary, tree-roosting bat whose typical day roost is under loose bark. Both males and females change roosts frequently and use multiple roosts throughout the summer. This suggests that clusters of suitable snags are required for this species. Maternity roosts occur in trees, including inside natural hollows and bird-excavated cavities, or under loose bark of large diameter snags. Nursery colonies range in size of up to 70 individuals. Diet and Foraging: Silver-haired bat forages above the forest canopy, over open meadows, and in riparian habitats along water courses. Feeds on midges, gnats, and moths. Breeding: They mate in autumn, beginning in late August. After a gestation of about 50 to 60 days, the young are born from May to July. One or two pups are born at a time. The young are mature in their first summer. Seasonal Movements: Migratory. Migrate south in the winter, and return north for breeding. Period of Identification: April–October Lasiurus blossevillii–Western Red Bat147 Listing Status: California species of special concern; Western Bat Working Group High Priority species. BRRG Priority: 2 Range: Found from Shasta County to the Mexican border, west of the Sierra Nevada/Cascade crest and deserts. The winter range includes western lowlands and coastal regions south of San Francisco Bay. Known Occurrences: Moccasin, Fiesta Lake, Knights Ferry and Hetch Hetchy Reservoir Habitat Associations: All. Western red bat is a solitary, foliage-roosting species. Day roosts are commonly in edge habitats adjacent to streams or open fields, in orchards, and sometimes in urban areas. This species is believed also to be closely associated with riparian habitats; cottonwood stands are considered preferred roost sites. Roosts sites are behind foliage and hidden from sight, but with no obstructions below so that the bat can drop for light. Roost sites also typically have adjacent vegetation to reduce wind and dust and are located on the south or southwest side of the tree for maximum heat. Females do not form maternity colonies, but give birth singly in trees. Diet and Foraging: Forage in many habitat types. Feeds on moths, beetles, bees, wasps, flies, and cicadas, treehoppers, and other sucking insects. 147 CWHRS 2000. Biological Resources Conservation Handbook Appendix Page 99 of 187 Breeding: Mating occurs in August and September. After delayed fertilization, there is an 80- to 90-day gestation. Births are from late May through early July. Most females bear 2 or 3 young, though the single litter may have 1 to 5. Lactation lasts approximately 4 to 6 weeks, and the young are capable of flight between 3 to 6 weeks of age. Seasonal Movements: Migratory. Migrate south in the winter, and return north for breeding. Period of Identification: March–September Lasiurus cinereus–Hoary Bat148 Listing Status: Western Bat Working Group Medium Priority species. BRRG Priority: 2 Range: A solitary species, the hoary bat winters along the coast in southern California, breeding inland and north of the winter range. During migration, it may be found at locations far from the normal range, such as the Channel Islands and the Farallon Islands. Known Occurrences: Tuolumne, Don Pedro Reservoir, Moccasin, Drew Meadow, Tuolumne Meadows, Dana Meadows, Harden Flat, and other areas in Yosemite National Park and Stanislaus National Forest Habitat Associations: Forested habitats. Valley oak woodland, montane riparian, valley foothill riparian, blue oak woodland, blue oak-foothill gray pine, montane hardwood, montane hardwood-conifer, ponderosa pine and Sierran mixed conifer. Hoary bat is a solitary, foliage-roosting species. Day roosts include foliage of both coniferous and deciduous trees near the ends of branches. Roosts are usually at the edge of a clearing. Hoary bat has also been observed roosting in caves, beneath rock ledges, in woodpecker holes and squirrel nests, and under driftwood. Females do not form maternity colonies, but give birth singly in trees. Diet and Foraging: Forage in many habitat types. Prefer moths; will also feed on beetles, flies, grasshoppers, termites, dragonflies, and wasps. Breeding: Copulation occurs in autumn, in migration or on the wintering grounds. Mating is followed by delayed fertilization. The young are born from mid-May through early July. From 1 to 4 young may be born, but most litters have 2. The offspring are capable of flight after 33 days. Seasonal Movements: Migratory. No migration routes have been identified. Period of Identification: Consult agency Lepus americanus tahoensis–Sierra Nevada Snowshoe Hare149 148 CWHRS 2000. Biological Resources Conservation Handbook Appendix Page 100 of 187 Listing Status: California Species of Special Concern BRRG Priority: 2 Range: In California, ranges within upper elevations in the Cascade Mountains of Siskiyou and Del Norte counties south through the Sierra Nevada into Madera and Mono counties. A small, insular population has been recorded in the Warner Mountains in Modoc County. Known Occurrences: Two recorded occurrences within Tuolumne County including vicinity of Pinecrest and Bell Meadow, and northeast of Strawberry. Habitat Associations: Preferred habitat includes riparian edges, and areas dominated by young conifers and surrounded by shrub types with dense low-growing vegetation. Diet and Foraging: Snowshoe hares generally graze and browse for grasses, forbs, sedges, and low shrubs. During the winter, hares will eat the conifer’s needles and bark, leaves, and green twigs of willow and alder. Breeding: Grass, fur, or needles may line a shallow depression beneath a shrub, log, or deadfall. The hare breeds mid-February to June or July. The gestation period is 35 to 37 days. Litter size varies from 1 to 7; it produces 2 to 3 litters per year. Seasonal Movements: May move between summer and winter ranges in response to availability of food and cover, but there is no definitive data that suggests Sierra Nevada snowshoe hares have seasonal movement patterns. Period of Identification: Year-round Lepus townsendii townsendii–Western white-tailed jackrabbit150 Listing Status: CNDDB Rank S3, California Species of Special Concern BRRG Priority: 2 Range: Year-round resident of the crest and upper east slope of the Sierra Nevada from the Oregon border south to Tulare and Inyo counties. Known Occurrences: None. Habitat Associations: Sagebrush, subalpine conifer, juniper, alpine dwarf shrub and perennial grassland. Also uses low sagebrush, wet meadow and early successional stages of various conifer habitats. Diet and Foraging: During spring through fall, feeds on grasses and a variety of herbaceous plants. In the winter, buds, bark and twigs of shrubs, particularly sagebrush, creambush and small trees are preferred. Forages on ground and in lower branches. 150 CWHRS 2000. Biological Resources Conservation Handbook Appendix Page 101 of 187 Breeding: Breeds from February to July. Gestation period lasts 30 to 42 days, with 1 to 6 born. Three to four litters are commonly produced per year. Young forage for themselves soon after birth and are independent at 3 to 4 weeks or sooner. Seasonal Movements: From higher to lower elevations in winter. Period of Identification: Year around. Activity is primarily nocturnal. Martes Americana sierrae–Sierra Marten151 Listing Status: CNDDB Rank S3S4 BRRG Priority: 2 Range: 8,596 to 11,073 feet in elevation. Known Occurrences: Numerous sitings throughout higher elevations of the Stanislaus National Forest and Yosemite National Park. Habitat Associations: The Sierra marten prefers forested habitat, including Sierran mixed conifer, lodgepole pine, pure or mixed stands of white fir, California red fir, Douglas fir, ponderosa pine, Jeffrey pine, western white pine, whitebark pine and mountain hemlock. Stream corridors are important for movement. Martens prefer to be within 200 feet of a meadow. Diet and Foraging: Prefer stands with 40-60% cover at foraging sites. Stream corridors are also important for foraging. Martens are opportunistic predators. Voles typically dominate the diet of the marten. Snowshoe hares, deer mice and shrews are also eaten. Diet may shift seasonally with summer diets containing more fruit, other vegetation and insects. Breeding: Breeding season is July to September. Females typically give birth in late March or early April to a litter of one to five kits. Kits generally stay in the company of their mother through the end of their first summer then disperse. Seasonal Movements: Activity during the snow-free season is diurnal. During the winter activity is primarily nocturnal. Activity ranges from 60% of the day during the summer to 16% in winter. May exhibit seasonal shift in home range, moving up in elevation in the spring and lower in elevation in the fall. Period of Identification: Year around. Martes pennanti pacifica–Pacific Fisher152 Listing Status: Federal Candidate. California State Species of Special Concern BRRG Priority: 1 151 Buskirk, S. and W. Zielinski. 1997. American marten (Martes Americana) Ecology and Conservation. In: Mesocarnivores of Northern California: Biology, Management, & Survey Techniques. 152 CWHRS 2000. Biological Resources Conservation Handbook Appendix Page 102 of 187 Range: Range includes forested areas along the California-Oregon coast to the Sierra Nevada, with an elevation range of approximately 1,970 to 8,530 feet above mean sea level. Known Occurrences: A number of recorded occurrences within Tuolumne County including El Portal vicinity, Aspen Valley vicinity, Mather vicinity, Tuolumne Meadows, Lyell Canyon, Emigrant Basin Wilderness, Wheats Meadow, Niagara Creek, south of Hetch Hetchy Valley, and a location off Herring Loop Road northeast of Pinecrest Lake Habitat Associations: Preferred habitat includes intermediate- to large-tree stages of mature coniferous forests and dense deciduous riparian types with closed canopies. Cavities, snags, logs, and rocky areas are used for cover and denning habitat. Requires large areas. Diet and Foraging: Fishers typically prey on small mammals, particularly mice and voles, but will also take insects, birds, fruits and nuts. Breeding: The breeding season typically extends from late July to August. Females give birth after gestation and delayed implantation from February through May. Young remain with the female until late autumn. Seasonal Movements: Requires large areas for home range. Seasonal movement is dependent upon availability of resources. Period of Identification: Year-round Myotis ciliolabrum–Western Small-Footed Bat153 Listing Status: Western Bat Working Group Medium Priority species. BRRG Priority: 2 Range: Found in arid uplands of California. In coastal California it occurs from Contra Costa County south to the Mexican border. It also occurs in the west and east sides of the Sierra Nevada, and in Great Basin and desert habitats from Modoc to Kern and San Bernardino counties. Known Occurrences: No recorded occurrences within Tuolumne County. Habitat Associations: All. Western small-footed bat is widely distributed in many habitat types. This species roosts singly or in small groups in cliff and rock crevices, buildings, bridges, concrete overpasses, caves, and mines and beneath exfoliating tree bark. Hibernates in caves and mines. Often hibernates alone in tight crevices. Diet and Foraging: Forage in many habitat types. Feeds on many types of small insects. Breeding: Mating occurs in fall. Females give birth to one pup in late spring or early summer (May through June). Usually there is a single young, but twins are not uncommon. Young are volant at 4 to 6 weeks of age. 153 CWHRS 2000. Biological Resources Conservation Handbook Appendix Page 103 of 187 Seasonal Movements: Non-migratory. Period of Identification: Year around. Myotis evotis–Long-Eared Bat154 Listing Status: Western Bat Working Group Medium Priority species. BRRG Priority: 2 Range: Found throughout California, but avoids the arid Central Valley and hot deserts, occurring along the entire coast and in the Sierra Nevada, Cascades, and Great Basin from the Oregon border south through the Tehachapi Mountains to the Coast Ranges from sea level to 9,000 feet above sea level. Known Occurrences: Aspen Valley, Harden Flat, Siesta Lake, Dana meadow, and other locations in Yosemite National Park and Stanislaus National Forest Habitat Associations: Blue oak–foothill gray pine, montane hardwood-conifer, ponderosa pine, and Sierran mixed conifer. Long-eared myotis is widely distributed in many forested habitat types, especially coniferous forests. Roosts singly or in small groups under exfoliating tree bark, and in hollow trees, caves, mines, cliff crevices, sink-holes, bridges, and rock outcrops on the ground. Occasionally found in buildings and under bridges. Presumed to hibernate during the winter. Diet and Foraging: Forage in many habitat types. Feeds on moths, small beetles, flies, lacewings, wasps, and true bugs. Breeding: Mating occurs in fall. Females give birth to one pup in late spring or early summer (May through July, with a peak in June). The single yearly litter averages 1 young. Young are volant at 4 to 6 weeks of age. Seasonal Movements: Non-migratory. Period of Identification: Year around. Myotis lucifugus–Little Brown Bat155 Listing Status: Western Bat Working Group Medium Priority species. BRRG Priority: 2 Range: Throughout the County. Known Occurrences: No recorded occurrences within Tuolumne County; however, suitable habitat is present. 154 CWHRS 2000. Biological Resources Conservation Handbook Appendix Page 104 of 187 Habitat Associations: Valley oak woodland, valley foothill riparian, montane riparian, blue oak woodland, blue oak–foothill gray pine, montane hardwood, montane hardwood-conifer, ponderosa pine, and Sierran mixed conifer. Little brown myotis is widely distributed in many habitat types. Roosts singly or in small groups under exfoliating tree bark, and in hollow trees, caves, mines, cliff crevices, sink-holes, bridges, and rock outcrops on the ground. Occasionally found in buildings and under bridges. Presumed to hibernate during the winter. Diet and Foraging: Forage in many habitat types. Feeds on flies, beetles, moths, lacewings, and a variety of other insects. Breeding: Mating occurs in fall. Females give birth to one pup in late spring or early summer. Young are volant at 4 to 6 weeks of age. Seasonal Movements: Migrates short distances to hibernation sites. Period of Identification: Year around. Myotis thysanodes–Fringed myotis156 Listing Status: Western Bat Working Group High Priority species. BRRG Priority: 2 Range: Throughout California, occurring in all but the Central Valley and Colorado and Mojave deserts. It has been recorded at elevations between sea level and 9,350 feet. Optimal habitats are pinyon-juniper, valley foothill hardwood, and hardwood-conifer, at 4,000 to 7,000 feet above sea level. Known Occurrences: South Fork Tuolumne River and Drew Meadow. Habitat Associations: All. Fringed myotis is found in a broad range of habitat types, from desert scrubland to subalpine coniferous forests. However, this species appears to be most abundant in xeric woodlands, such as oak and pinyon-juniper forests. Fringed myotis roosts in caves, buildings, underground mines, rock crevices in cliff faces, and bridges in groups ranging from 10 to 2,000 individuals. Roosting has occasionally occurred in large conifer snags. Hibernation takes place in buildings or underground mines. Diet and Foraging: Forage in many habitat types; eats on the wing and also ground gleans. Prey is primarily moths and beetles; however, harvestmen, crickets, crane flies, spiders, and true bugs are also documented. Breeding: Mating occurs in fall. Gestation lasts about 50 to 60 days. Females give birth to one pup from May to July. Young are volant at 20 days. Seasonal Movements: Known to migrate, but little information available. Period of Identification: Year around. 156 CWHRS 2000. Biological Resources Conservation Handbook Appendix Page 105 of 187 Myotis volans–Long-Legged Myotis157 Listing Status: Western Bat Working Group High Priority species. BRRG Priority: 2 Range: Found throughout California, occurring in the coastal ranges from Oregon to Mexico, the Cascade/Sierra Nevada ranges to southern California, most of the Great Basin region, and in several Mojave Desert mountain ranges. It is absent only from the Central Valley, the Colorado and Mojave deserts, and from eastern Lassen and Modoc counties in woodland and forest habitats above 4,000 feet above sea level. Known Occurrences: Aspen Valley, Don Pedro Reservoir, Siesta Lake, and South Fork Tuolumne River. Habitat Associations: Primarily forested areas. Especially blue oak-foothill gray pine, montane hardwood-conifer, ponderosa pine, and Sierran mixed conifer. Roosts in abandoned buildings, cracks in the ground, bridges, cliff crevices, exfoliating tree bark, and hollows within snags. Females form large maternity colonies of hundreds of individuals. Hibernates in winter in caves and mines. Diet and Foraging: Feeds in and around forest canopy. Feeds primarily on moths and other soft-bodied insects. Breeding: Mating occurs in fall. Females give birth to one pup from May to August. Young are volant within 4 to 6 weeks. Seasonal Movements: Migrates short distances to hibernation sites. Period of Identification: Year around. Ochotona princeps muiri–Yosemite pika158 Listing Status: CNDDB Rank S2S4 BRRG Priority: 2 Range: The Yosemite pika ranges from El Dorado County to Inyo County from 7,700 to 12,000 feet in elevation. Known Occurrences: Numerous sitings in Yosemite National Park. Habitat Associations: The pika inhabits talus fields fringed by suitable vegetation on rocky slopes of alpine areas. Most often seen near talus-meadow interface though also seen in talus fields. 157 CWHRS 2000. Biological Resources Conservation Handbook Appendix Page 106 of 187 Diet and Foraging: Pikas are generalist herbivores. Feeding occurs throughout the year, haying occurs during the summer months following the breeding season. The most common plants eaten are short alpine grasses. More forbs and tall grasses are hayed than eaten directly. Breeding: Adult females have two litters per year. The first litter is conceived one month prior to snowmelt in May or, more likely, in June. Females only wean the second litter if the first litter is lost to predation or other causes. Seasonal Movements: Pikas do not hibernate and remain active throughout the winter. Adult pikas are individually territorial and rarely disperse. Juveniles must typically find a territory the summer following their birth. Period of Identification: Year around. Ovis canadensis sierrae–Sierra Nevada Bighorn Sheep159 Listing Status: Federally Endangered. State Endangered and State Fully Protected. BRRG Priority: 1 Range: Mostly uncommon in California, two herds in Mount Baxter and Mount Williamson. Known Occurrences: Yosemite National Park Habitat Associations: In the County occurs only in open, rocky, alpine habitats. Diet and Foraging: Diet varies seasonally depending on whether in summer or winter range. Forage on grasses, sedges, and rushes. Breeding: The goat is polygamous and the lambing season is mid-April to early June, depending on conditions. The ewe gives birth to a single young generally from April through July. Twins are rare. Seasonal Movements: Moves to winter range located at the eastern base of the Sierra Nevada at approximately 4,760 feet. Period of Identification: Year-round Neotoma fuscipes riparia–San Joaquin Valley Woodrat160 Listing Status: Federally Endangered; California Species of Concern BRRG Priority: 2 Range: It is found in both the Coast Ranges and interior. 159 CWHRS 2000. Biological Resources Conservation Handbook Appendix Page 107 of 187 Known Occurrences: None listed; however, suitable habitat is present. Habitat Associations: Generally absent from cultivated land and open grasslands of the Central Valley; more common in forest habitats of moderate canopy and moderate to dense understory; can also be found in chaparral habitats. Diet and Foraging: The San Joaquin Valley woodrat mostly feeds on woody plants, especially live oak, maple, coffeeberry, alder, and elderberry when available. In addition, it eats fungi, flowers, grasses, and acorns. Breeding: Breeds from December to September, with a peak in mid-spring. Nests are located in the stick house, and are constructed of shredded grass, leaves, and other materials (e.g., bird feathers). Litter size averages 2-3 young, with 1 to 5 litters per year. Seasonal Movements: A year-long resident that does not migrate. Period of Identification: Year-round Perognathus inornatus inornatus–San Joaquin Pocket Mouse161 Listing Status: CNDDB Rank S2S3 BRRG Priority: 2 Range: Found between 1,100 and 2,000 feet in the Central and Salinas valleys. Known Occurrences: None listed; however, suitable habitat is present. Habitat Associations: The San Joaquin Pocket Mouse lives in dry, open grasslands or scrub areas on fine-textured soils, particularly on shrubby ridge tops and hillsides where it digs burrows for cover. Diet and Foraging: It primarily consumes seeds, however also eats green vegetation and insects. Breeding: Reproduction occurs during the spring and early summer; young are born and raised in a nest built in the burrow. Seasonal Movements: It is a non-migratory species and year-long resident of its limited range. Period of Identification: NA Sorex lyelli–Mount Lyell Shrew162 Listing Status: California Species of Special Concern. 161 CWHRS 2000. Biological Resources Conservation Handbook Appendix Page 108 of 187 BRRG Priority: 2 Range: Historic range includes a few high elevation locations in the central Sierra Nevada near Mt. Lyell. Current range is more widespread within high elevation montane and cold steppe communities of the central and eastern slopes of the Sierra Nevada. Known Occurrences: There are a few recorded occurrences within Tuolumne County including Tioga Pass, Glen Aulin, and Lyell Canyon. Habitat Associations: Preferred habitat includes riparian areas and areas supporting moist soil. Typically found in patches of grass or beneath stream-side willows and other vegetation. Uses logs, stumps, and other objects for cover. Diet and Foraging: Shrews typically forage on the ground and within stumps and logs for insects and other invertebrates. Breeding: While minimal data exists, young are thought to be born between May and August during a typical year. Seasonal Movements: A year long resident within its restricted range. Period of Identification: N/A Taxidea taxus–American Badger163 Listing Status: California Species of Special Concern BRRG Priority: 2 Range: Range includes most of California with the exception of the northern North Coast area. Known Occurrences: A single occurrence is recorded within Tuolumne County at Tuolumne Meadows. Habitat Associations: Preferred habitat includes dry open stages of herbaceous, shrub, and forest types supported by friable soils for burrow construction. Diet and Foraging: Badgers are carnivorous preying primarily upon fossorial rodents, but also reptiles, insects, earthworms, eggs, birds, and carrion. Breeding: Badgers mate in the summer and early fall. Gestation period lasts about 183 to 265 days, including delayed implantation. Following gestation and delayed implantation, young are born in burrows around March and April. An average litter of 2 to 3 are born. Seasonal Movements: A year long resident within its relatively large home range. May travel long distances seeking resources. In summer months may dig a new burrow nightly. Period of Identification: Year-round 163 CWHRS 2000. Biological Resources Conservation Handbook Appendix Page 109 of 187 Vulpes vulpes necator–Sierra Nevada Red Fox164 Listing Status: State Threatened BRRG Priority: 1 Range: The Sierra Nevada red fox is found in the Cascades in Siskiyou County, and in the Sierra Nevada from Lassen County south to Tulare County, between 3,900 and 11,900 feet above mean sea level. Known Occurrences: A number of occurrences have been recorded within Tuolumne County including Old Big Oak Flat Drive, Buck Meadows, south of Drew Meadows, Emigrant Wilderness Area, Bell Meadow and Bell Mountain vicinity. Habitat Associations: Preferred habitat includes forest types interspersed with meadows or alpine fell-fields. Dense vegetation and rocky areas are typically associated with den sites, and specifically, rock outcrops, hollow logs and stumps, and existing burrows within deep friable soil. Foraging habitat includes meadows, fell-fields, grasslands, wetlands, and other open habitats. Diet and Foraging: Preys upon small- and medium-sized mammals from mice to rabbits, in addition to birds, eggs, insects, and earthworms. Caches food. Will also take carrion and fruit. Breeding: Red fox mate in late winter, typically between January and March. Gestation is followed by young being born in dens from March through May. The average red fox litter contains 4 to 6 pups. Pups are dependent upon the parents for 6 months and become sexually mature at 10 months. Seasonal Movements: May move downslope into lower elevations in the winter in search of resources, before returning to higher elevations in the summer. Period of Identification: N/A 164 CWHRS 2000. Biological Resources Conservation Handbook Appendix Page 110 of 187 Table 3-2. SPECIAL STATUS WILDLIFE SPECIES BY HABITAT nd s tla Scientific Name g We rfr / s/p wfr jpn lpn VRI c/mch scn bop MRI ppn VPL smc bow mhc mhw Common name VOW tic ag ch Aqua INVERTEBRATES Anodonta californiensis X California floater Banksula martinorum Martins’ cave harvestman Banksula melones Melones cave harvestman Banksula tuolumne Tuolumne cave harvestman Branchinecta lynchi X X Vernal pool fairy shrimp Desmocerus californicus dimorphus X X X X X X X Valley elderberry longhorn beetle Hydroporus simplex Simple hydroporus diving beetle Larca laceyi Lacey’s cave pseudoscorpion Lepidurus packardi X X Vernal pool tadpole shrimp Monadenia circumcarinata Keeled sideband snail Monadenia mormonum buttoni Button’s Sierra sideband snail Monadenia mormonum hirsute Hirsute Sierra sideband snail Monadenia tuolumneana Tuolumne sideband snail Pseudogarypus orpheus X Music hall cave harvestman Punctum hannai Trinity spot Stygobromus gradyi Grady’s cave amphipod Stygobromus harai Hara’s cave amphipod Tetrix sierrana X X Sierra pygmy grasshopper FISH Lavinia symmetricus ssp. 1 X San Joaquin roach Lavinia symmetricus ssp. 3 X Red Hills roach Oncorhynchus clarki henshawi X Lahontan cutthroat trout Biological Resources Conservation Handbook Appendix Page 111 of 187 nd s tla Scientific Name g We rfr / s/p wfr jpn lpn VRI c/mch scn bop MRI ppn VPL smc bow mhc mhw Common name VOW tic ag ch Aqua Oncorhynchus clarki seleniris X Paiute cutthroat trout Oncorhynchus mykiss X Central Valley steelhead Oncorhynchus tshawytscha X Chinook salmon AMPHIBIANS Ambystoma californiense X X X X X X California tiger salamander Anaxyrus (Bufo) canorus X X X Yosemite toad Batrachoseps relictus X X X Relictual slender salamander Hydromantes platycephalus X X X X X X X X Mount Lyell salamander Rana aurora draytonii X California red-legged frog Rana boylii X Foothill yellow-legged frog Rana sierrae X X X X X Sierra Nevada yellow-legged frog Spea hammondii X X X X X Western spadefoot REPTILES Actinemys marmorata X Pacific pond turtle Actinemys marmorata marmorata X Northwestern pond turtle Charina trivirgata X Rosy boa Masticophis flagellum ruddocki X San Joaquin whipsnake Phrynosoma coronatum (frontale population) X X X Coast horned lizard BIRDS Accipiter cooperii X X X X X X X Coopers hawk Accipiter gentilis X X X X X X X X X X Northern goshawk Accipiter striatus X X X X X X X X X X Sharp-shinned hawk Agelaius tricolor Tricolored blackbird X Ammodramus savannarum X Grasshopper sparrow Aquila chrysaetos X X Golden eagle Biological Resources Conservation Handbook Appendix Page 112 of 187 nd s tla Scientific Name g We rfr / s/p wfr jpn lpn VRI c/mch scn bop MRI ppn VPL smc bow mhc mhw Common name VOW tic ag ch Aqua Asio flammeus X Short-eared owl Asio otus X X X X X X X X X X X X X Long-eared owl Athene cunicularia X X Burrowing owl Aythya valisineria X Canvasback duck Botaurus lentiginosa X American bittern Buteo regalis X Ferruginous hawk Bucephala islandica X Barrow’s goldeneye Carduelis lawrencei X X X X Lawrence’s goldfinch Chaetura vauxi X X X X X X X Vaux’s swift Charadrius montanus X X Mountain plover Circus cyaneus X X Northern harrier Cypseloides niger X Black swift Dendroica occidentalis X X X X X Hermit warbler Dendroica petechia brewsteri X X Yellow warbler Elanus leucurus X X X White-tailed kite Empidonax traillii X X Willow flycatcher Eremophila alpestris ssp. Actia X California horned lark Falco columbarius X X X X X X Merlin Falco mexicanus X X X Prairie falcon Falco peregrinus X X X American peregrine falcon Gavia immer X Common loon Haliaeetus leucocephalus X X X X X Bald eagle Histrionicus histrionicus X Harlequin duck Biological Resources Conservation Handbook Appendix Page 113 of 187 nd s tla Scientific Name g We rfr / s/p wfr jpn lpn VRI c/mch scn bop MRI ppn VPL smc bow mhc mhw Common name VOW tic ag ch Aqua Icteria virens X X Yellow-breasted chat Ixobrychus exilis X Least bittern Lanius ludovicianus X X X X X Loggerhead shrike Pandion haliaetus X X X Osprey Pelecanus erythrorhynchos X American white pelican Progne subis X X X X X X X X X Purple martin Strix nebulosa X X X Great grey owl Strix occidentalis occidentalis X X X X X X X X X California spotted owl MAMMALS Antrozous pallidus X X X X X X X X X Pallid bat Aplodontia rufa californica X X Sierra Nevada mountain beaver Bassariscus astutus X X X X X X X X X X X X X Ringtail Corynorhinus townsendii X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X Townsend’s big-eared bat Dipodomys heermanni dixoni X X Merced kangaroo rat Euderma maculatum X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X Spotted bat Eumops perotis californicus X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X Greater western mastiff-bat Gulo gulo X X X X X X California wolverine Lasionycteris noctivagans X X X X X X X X X X X X Silver-haired bat Lasiurus blossevillii X X Western red bat Lepus americanus tahoensis X X Sierra Nevada snowshoe hare Lepus townsendii townsendii X Western white-tailed jackrabbit Martes Americana sierrae X X X X X X X X X Sierra marten Martes pennanti (pacifica) X X X X X X Pacific fisher Biological Resources Conservation Handbook Appendix Page 114 of 187 nd s tla Scientific Name g We rfr / s/p wfr jpn lpn VRI c/mch scn bop MRI ppn VPL smc bow mhc mhw Common name VOW tic ag ch Aqua Myotis ciliolabrum X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X Western small-footed bat Myotis evotis X X X X X X X X X X Long-eared bat Myotis lucifigus X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X Little brown bat Myotis thysanodes X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X Fringed myotis Myotis volans X X X X X X X X X X X X Long-legged myotis Ochotona princeps muiri X Yosemite pika Ovis Canadensis sierrae Sierra Nevada bighorn sheep Sorex lyelli X Mt. Lyell shrew Taxidea taxus X X X X American badger Vulpes vulpes necator X X X X X X Sierra Nevada red fox Table 3-3: HABITAT CODES ags/PGS Annual grassland/Native Perennial Grassland bop Blue oak–foothill gray pine bow Blue oak woodland chc/mch Chamise chaparral/Mixed chaparral jpn Jeffrey pine lpn Lodgepole pine mhc Montane hardwood-conifer mhw Montane hardwood MRI Montane riparian woodland ppn Ponderosa pine rfr Red fir scn Subalpine conifer smc Sierran mixed conifer VPL Vernal pool VOW Valley oak woodland Biological Resources Conservation Handbook Appendix Page 115 of 187 VRI Valley-foothill riparian woodland wfr White fir Several raptor species receive protection under California Fish and Game Code Section 3503.5, but have no formal listing status (e.g., red-tailed hawk, barn owl, American kestrel, northern harrier). These species are included in the wildlife table (Table 3-2), but detailed accounts are not provided. All raptors protected under Section 3503.5 and with potential to occur within the County are listed below in Table 3-4. Table 3-4: RAPTOR SPECIES PROTECTED UNDER CALIFORNIA FISH AND GAME CODE SECTION 3503.5 Listing Status BRRG Species (Federal/State) Priority FALCONIFORMES–HAWKS, KITES, HARRIERS, EAGLES, AND FALCONS Cooper’s hawk (Accipiter cooperii) —/— Second Northern goshawk (Accipiter gentilis) —/BOF Second Sharp-shinned hawk (Accipiter striatus) —/— Second Golden eagle (Aquila chrysaetos) FP/BOF First Red-tailed hawk (Buteo jamaicensis) —/— Second Rough-legged hawk (Buteo lagopus) —/— Second Red-shouldered hawk (Buteo lineatus) —/— Second Broad-winged hawk (Buteo platypterus) —/— Second Ferruginous hawk (Buteo regalis) —/— Second Swainson’s hawk (Buteo swainsonii) —/CT First Northern harrier (Circus cyaneus) —/CSC Second White-tailed kite (Elanus leucurus) —/CFP First Merlin (Falco columbarius) —/— Second Prairie falcon (Falco mexicanus) —/CSC Second Peregrine falcon (Falco peregrinus) FD/SE First American kestrel (Falco sparverius) —/— Second Bald eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) /BOF, SE First Osprey (Pandion haliaetus) —/BOF Second STRIGIFORMES–OWLS Northern saw-whet owl (Aegolius acadicus) —/— Second Biological Resources Conservation Handbook Appendix Page 116 of 187 Listing Status BRRG Species (Federal/State) Priority Short-eared owl (Asio flammeus) —/CSC Second Long-eared owl (Asio otus) —/CSC Second Burrowing owl (Athene cunicularia) —/CSC Second Great horned owl (Bubo virginianus) —/— Second Northern pygmy owl (Glaucidium gnoma) —/— Second Flammulated owl (Otus flammeolus) —/— Second Western screech-owl (Otus kennicottii) —/— Second Great gray owl (Strix nebulosa) —/CE, BOF First Spotted owl (Strix occidentalis) FT/CSC, BOF Second Barn owl (Tyto alba) —/— Second FEDERAL: FT Threatened FP Fully Protected FD Delisted STATE: SE Endangered ST Threatened CSC Species of Special Concern BOF Board of Forestry, Sensitive CFP Fully Protected Biological Resources Conservation Handbook Appendix Page 117 of 187 Potential impacts to federally listed or state listed wildlife species shall require consultation with CDFG (state-listed species) and/or the USFWS (federally listed species) before assessing impacts and determining appropriate mitigation measures unless full (100%) and complete avoidance of any impacts to the species can be achieved through the use of O (Open Space) or O-1 (Open Space-1) zoning and adopted mitigation measures. Anticipated mitigation measures are provided below: Table 3-5 FIRST PRIORITY WILDLIFE SPECIES–MITIGATION MEASURES Species–First Priority Mitigation Measures Invertebrates Branchinecta lynchi VPL-01: Requires consultation with United States Fish and Wildlife Vernal pool fairy Service (USFWS) if site is located in a designated Critical Habitat Area shrimp for this species (see Maps 5-1 through 5-8). VPL-02: If not located in a designated Critical Habitat Area, requires consultation with the USFWS if the USFWS does not concur that the project achieves full avoidance of potential habitat. VPL-03: Conserve all vernal pool (VPL) and seasonal wetland (SW) habitat as Open Space encompassing, at a minimum, 150 feet from the outermost edge of hydrophytic plant species (i.e., where hydrophytes transition into upland plant species) and sufficient to preserve hydrological features (e.g., springs, creeks, swales, drainages) necessary to maintain the habitat VPL-04: Implement WQ-01 through WQ-08: (BRRG, Chapter 8). VPL-05: Unless otherwise specified, recommendations contained in adopted Recovery Plans for First Priority Biological Resources and published in accordance with the Federal Endangered Species Act will be implemented to the maximum extent feasible. Desmocerus Elderberry (Sambucus species) plants located at 3,000 feet in elevation or californicus dimorphus below that have at least one stem measuring 1.0 inch or greater in diameter Valley elderberry at ground level provide potential habitat for the valley elderberry longhorn longhorn beetle beetle. VELB-01: For a project to completely avoid a shrub, a buffer of at least 100 feet must be maintained from the dripline of the shrub. Within this buffer, no construction, earth moving or vegetation removal, including defensible space or firebreaks, may occur. Projects that do not directly or indirectly impact the area within 100 feet of a shrub are determined to have no affect on the valley elderberry longhorn beetle. Standard Protective Measures must be implemented for each fully avoided shrub in accordance with the Conservation Guidelines for the Valley Elderberry Longhorn Beetle (USFWS Guidelines 1999). VELB-02: If all any elderberry plants on a project site cannot be completely avoided, the Conservation Guidelines for the Valley Elderberry Longhorn Beetle (USFWS Guidelines 1999) must be complied with. VELB-03: A reduction in the 100-foot buffer area around an elderberry plant may be approved by the USFWS. The USFWS must be consulted prior to any disturbances in the buffer area. Prior to considering a request for reduction of the buffer, the USFWS should be provided the following: Biological Resources Conservation Handbook Appendix Page 118 of 187 1. A diagram showing the location of elderberry shrubs and proposed project activity (roads, buildings, etc.). The location of the project site should be identified on the applicable USGS topographic quadrangle map. The environmental setting of the site should be described, including the elevation of the site and the nearest known Valley Elderberry Longhorn Beetle (VELB) occurrence. 2. Results of examination of all stems on the the elderberry shrub that are one inch or greater in diameter at gound level for exit holes. Absence of exit holes suggests the shrub is not active habitat for the VELB. 3. A statement that elderberry shrubs will be protected by fencing and signs in accordance with the USFWS Guidelines. 4. Dust control measures proposed to protect the elderberry shrub(s). 5. Measures to inform contractors and work crews regarding the need to protect elderberry shrubs and implement minimization measures. 6. A plan describing restoration of disturbed areas to natural conditions. Lepidurus packardi VPL-06: Requires consultation with United States Fish and Wildlife Service Vernal pool tadpole (USFWS) if site is located in designated Critical Habitat Area for this species shrimp (see Maps 5-1 through 5-8). VPL-07: If not located in a designated Critical Habitat Area, requires consultation with appropriate agency or agencies, CDFG or USFWS, if the listing agencies do not concur that the project achieves full avoidance of potential habitat. VPL-08: Seasonal Wetland (SW) habitat shall be protected in O (Open Space) or O-1 (Open Space-1) zoning encompassing, at a minimum, 150 feet from the outermost edge of hydrophytic plant species (i.e. where hydrophytes transition into upland plant species) and shall include sufficient hydrological features (e.g. springs, creeks, swales, drainage) necessary to maintain the habitat. VPL-09: Unless otherwise specified, recommendations contained in adopted Recovery Plans for First Priority Biological Resources and published in accordance with the Federal Endangered Species Act will be implemented to the maximum extent feasible to achieve full avoidance. VPL-10: Implement WQ-01 through WQ-08: (BRRG, Chapter 8). Fish Oncorhynchus clarki TROUT-01: Requires consultation with the USFWS if the USFWS does not henshawi concur that the project achieves full avoidance of potential habitat. Lahontan TROUT-02: Conserve all river or stream habitat encompassing, at a cutthroat trout minimum: all riparian vegetation associated with the habitat; the Ordinary High Water Mark (OHWM); the 100-year flood zone; a minimum of 250 feet from the top of the bank and a 25 foot buffer zone from the edge of riparian vegetation (where riparian vegetation extends beyond 225 feet). TROUT-03: Implement WQ-01 through WQ-08: (BRRG, Chapter 8). Biological Resources Conservation Handbook Appendix Page 119 of 187 Oncorhynchus clarki TROUT-04: Requires consultation with the USFWS if the USFWS does not seleniris concur that the project achieves full avoidance of potential habitat. Paiute cutthroat trout TROUT-05: Conserve all river or stream habitat encompassing, at a minimum: all riparian vegetation associated with the habitat; the Ordinary High Water Mark (OHWM); the 100-year flood zone; a minimum of 250 feet from the top of the bank and a 25 foot buffer zone from the edge of riparian vegetation (where riparian vegetation extends beyond 225 feet). TROUT-06: Implement WQ-01 through WQ-08: (BRRG, Chapter 8). Oncorhynchus mykiss STEEL-01: May be included in designated Critical Habitat Area (see Map 5- Central Valley 5). If so, compliance with Adopted Management Plan and provisions of steelhead designated Critical Habitat Area required. STEEL-02: If not located in a designated Critical Habitat Area, requires consultation with the USFWS if the USFWS does not concur that the project achieves full avoidance of potential habitat. STEEL-03: Conserve all river or stream habitat encompassing, at a minimum: all riparian vegetation associated with the habitat; the OHWM; the 100-year flood zone; a minimum of 250 feet from the top of the bank and a 25 foot buffer zone from the edge of riparian vegetation (where riparian vegetation extends beyond 225 feet). STEEL-04: Implement WQ-01 through WQ-08: (BRRG, Chapter 8). STEEL-05: Unless otherwise specified, recommendations contained in adopted Recovery Plans for First Priority Biological Resources and published in accordance with the Federal Endangered Species Act will be implemented to the maximum extent feasible. Amphibians Ambystoma CTS-01: Requires consultation with USFWS and CDFG. californiense CTS-02: In consultation with appropriate wildlife agencies, establish and California tiger salamander implement a plan including, but not limited to, measures addressing: a) effects to aquatic habitat, including retaining pools and maintaining appropriate pool hydrology to enable successful metamorphosis of larvae to occur, but without fostering non-native aquatic predators; b) retention of small mammal burrows and other suitable estivation habitat (e.g., underground holes, cracks, or niches) in adjacent uplands; c) maintenance of open habitat between breeding ponds and estivation sites (e.g., roads and other linear barriers can increase mortality or even prevent migrations and dispersal, significantly increasing harm to and mortality of salamanders). CTS-03: Conserve all Vernal Pool (VPL) habitat in O (Open Space) or O-1 (Open Space-1) zoning encompassing, at a minimum, the area 150 feet from the OHWM of the pool and sufficient to preserve any hydrological features (e.g., springs, creeks, swales, drainages) necessary to maintain the habitat CTS-04: Implement WQ-01 through WQ-08: (BRRG, Chapter 8). Rana aurora draytonii CRLF-01: County or applicant shall search the California Natural Diversity California red-legged Database (CNDDB) and initiate informal consultation with CDFG to frog determine whether there are known records of California Red Legged Frog (CRLF) within 5 miles of the project boundaries. Informal consultation may result in a requirement by CDFG or USFWS for a protocol-level site assessment and/or protocol-level surveys. If CRLF are found on or near the site, applicant shall avoid impacts or implement appropriate mitigation, in Biological Resources Conservation Handbook Appendix Page 120 of 187 consultation with CDFG and USFWS. Birds Aquila chrysaetos GEAG-01: For non-timber/forestry projects located within 1.5 miles of a Golden eagle known and/or suitable golden eagle foraging area, apply the same measures identified for Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) (see below). GEAG-02: For Timber Operations and Forestry Practices to avoid disturbing tree-nesting eagles and their young, apply the same measures identified for Bald Eagle (see BEAG-02, below). GEAG-03: Apply the additional conservation measures specified for Bald Eagle, as applicable (see BEAG-03, below). GEAG-04: The presence of a golden eagle (alive or dead, or any part, nest, or egg thereof) on a project site (including an unoccupied nest) shall require consultation with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in accordance with the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act. Elanus leucurus KITE-01: Mitigation measures for nesting and/or breeding sites shall be White-tailed kite determined in consultation with CDFG. Empidonax traillii WFL-01: Requires consultation with CDFG. Willow flycatcher WFL-02: Protect nesting territory through implementing measures WTM-01 through WTM-03. (BRRG, Chapter 4) WFL-03: Implement WQ-01 through WQ-08. (BRRG, Chapter 8) WFL-04: Manage grazing to limit browsing on low willow foliage (below 6 feet), which is required for nesting cover. Falco peregrinus FAL-01: Mitigation measures for nesting and/or breeding sites shall be American peregrine determined in consultation with CDFG. falcon Haliaeetus BEAG-01 For non-timber/forestry projects located within 1.5 miles of a leucocephalus known and/or suitable bald eagle foraging area (e.g., New Melones Lake, Bald eagle Cherry Lake, Lake Don Pedro, Beardsley Lake): A Maintain a buffer of at least 660 feet (200 meters) between the project activities and the nest (including active and alternate nests). If a similar existing (permitted) activity is closer than 660 feet, then you may maintain a distance buffer as close to the nest as the existing tolerated activity. B. If project activities occur closer than 660 feet due to a similar existing (permitted) activity, then restrict all clearing, external construction, and landscaping activities within 660 feet of the nest to outside the nesting season (i.e., outside the nesting season is from September 1st through December 31st since the nesting and rearing season in CA is generally from January through late August). C. Maintain established landscape buffers that screen the activity from the nest. D. See also BEAG-03. BEAG-02: For Timber Operations and Forestry Practices, to avoid disturbing nesting eagles and their young: A. Avoid clear-cutting or removal of overstory trees within 330 feet Biological Resources Conservation Handbook Appendix Page 121 of 187 (100 meters) of both active and alternate nests at any time. B. Avoid timber harvesting operations, including road construction and chain saw and yarding operations, during the nesting season within 660 feet (200 meters) of the nest. The distance may be decreased to 330 feet around alternate nests within a particular territory, including nests that were attended during the current nesting season but not used to raise young, after eggs laid in another nest within the territory have hatched. C. Selective thinning and other silviculture management practices designed to conserve or enhance habitat, including prescribed burning close to the nest tree, should be undertaken outside the nesting season. D. If burning during the nesting season is necessary, do the following: Conduct burns only when adult eagles and young are absent from the nest tree (i.e., at the beginning of, or end of, the nesting season, either before the particular nest is active or after the young have fledged from that nest). Take precautions such as raking leaves and woody debris from around the nest tree to prevent crown fire or fire climbing the nest tree. E. Avoid construction of log transfer facilities and in-water log storage areas within 330 feet (100 meters) of active and alternate nests. F. See also BEAG-03. BEAG-03: Additional Mitigation Measures The following are additional mitigation measures that can be used to benefit bald eagles. Many of these measures are designed to protect and preserve bald eagle habitat. A. Protect and preserve potential roost and nest sites by retaining mature trees and old growth stands, particularly within ½ mile from water. B. Where nests are blown from trees during storms or are otherwise destroyed by the elements, continue to protect the site in the absence of the nest for up to three (3) complete breeding seasons. Many eagles will rebuild the nest and reoccupy the site. C. To avoid collisions, site wind turbines, communication towers and high voltage transmission power lines away from nests, foraging areas, and communal roost sites. D. Employ industry-accepted best management practices to prevent birds from colliding with or being electrocuted by utility lines, towers and poles. If possible, bury utility lines in important eagle areas. E. Where bald eagles are likely to nest in human-made structures (e.g., cell phone towers) and such use could impede operation or maintenance of the structures or jeopardize the safety of the eagles, equip the structures with either (1) devices engineered to discourage bald eagles from building nests, or (2) nesting platforms that will safely accommodate bald eagle nests without interfering with structure performance. F. Do not intentionally feed bald eagles. Artificially feeding bald Biological Resources Conservation Handbook Appendix Page 122 of 187 eagles can disrupt their essential behavioral patterns and put them at increased risk from power lines, collision with windows and cars, and other mortality factors. G. Use pesticides, herbicides, fertilizers, and other chemicals only in accordance with Federal and state laws. H. Monitor and minimize dispersal of contaminants associated with hazardous waste sites (legal or illegal), permitted releases, and runoff from agricultural areas, especially within watersheds where eagles have shown poor reproduction or where bio accumulating contaminants have been documented. These factors present a risk of contamination to eagles and their food sources. BEAG-04: Alternatives: Reduced setbacks for some activities may be allowed under specific circumstances as described in U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, National Bald Eagle Management Guidelines (May, 2007); http://www.fws.gov/midwest/eagle/guidelines/NationalBaldEagleManagemen tGuidelines.pdf The presence of a bald eagle (alive or dead, or any part, nest, or egg thereof) on a project site (including an unoccupied nest) shall require consultation with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in accordance with the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act. Strix nebulosa GO-01: Requires consultation with CDFG. Great grey owl GO-02: Prohibit disturbances to wet, moist and dry meadows within occupied breeding territories. See BRRG Chapter 4 for mitigation measures for the following habitats: FEW, SPR, SW, WTM and apply applicable avoidance measures for habitats that are present and used by the owl. GO-03: Prohibit major disturbances (e.g., clearcutting) in forests and woodlands within 600 feet of wet, moist and dry meadows within breeding territories. Within the 600 foot buffer area, some selective timber harvesting may occur outside the nesting season with retention of sufficient large trees and snags. To the extent feasible, the remaining canopy closure should be more than 40%, with overstory trees 21” or greater in dbh and with at least 3 snags 21” or greater in dbh per acre. GO-04: Prohibit disturbance within 500 feet of any nest tree that has been active within 3 years, but is not currently active, and is still suitable for nesting. Within this setback, some timber harvest and vegetation clearing may be permitted as prescribed in GGO-03, but not within 200 feet of the nest tree or during the nesting season (March 15–August 15). GO-05: A management plan shall be prepared for and approved by applicable wildlife agencies prior to undertaking any disturbances within a breeding territory. GO-06: If a project may have impacts on a regularly used wintering area, appropriate mitigation shall be devised in consultation with the appropriate wildlife agencies. Mammals Bassariscus astutus RING-01: Prior to project approval, potential den sites shall be monitored by Ring-tailed cat a qualified biologist to determine if the occupant is an adult only or the den is natal. Biological Resources Conservation Handbook Appendix Page 123 of 187 RING-02: Den sites shall be incorporated into O (Open Space) or O-1 (Open Space-1) zoning with a minimum 200 foot buffer maintained around den sites. Construction and ground disturbance within this buffer is prohibited. O zoning encompassing a den site shall be configured to provide entry and escape routes from the den site without traversing areas that have been converted from open space uses. RING-03: Additional mitigation measures shall be determined in consultation with CDFG. Gulo gulo WOLV-01: Mitigation measures shall be determined in consultation with California wolverine CDFG. Ovis canadensis SHEEP-01: Mitigation measures shall be determined in consultation with sierrae CDFG and USFWS and shall comply with adopted Recovery Plan. For Sierra Nevada bighorn designated CRITICAL HABITAT in County, see Maps 5-6 and 5-7 for sheep location. See: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Recovery Plan for the Sierra Nevada Bighorn Sheep (2007) SHEEP-02: Unless otherwise specified, recommendations contained in adopted Recovery Plans for First Priority Biological Resources and published in accordance with the Federal Endangered Species Act will be implemented to the maximum extent feasible to achieve full avoidance. Vulpes vulpes necator SNRF-01: Mitigation measures shall be determined in consultation with Sierra Nevada red fox CDFG. Biological Resources Conservation Handbook Appendix Page 124 of 187 Potential impacts to federally listed or state listed wildlife species shall require consultation with the California Department of Fish and Game (CDFG) (state listed species) and/or the United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) (federally listed species) before assessing impacts and determining appropriate mitigation measures unless full (100%) and complete avoidance of any impacts to the species can be achieved through the use of O (Open Space) or O-1 (Open Space-1) zoning and adopted mitigation measures. Anticipated mitigation measures are provided below: Table 3-6 SECOND PRIORITY WILDLIFE SPECIES– MITIGATION MEASURES Species–Second Priority Mitigation Measures Fish Lavinia symmetricus ssp. 1 SJR-01: To fully protect this species, the occupied stream shall be San Joaquin roach treated as a perennial stream (and not as an intermittent or ephemeral stream, even if so designated on USGS topographic maps) for the purposes of providing sufficient protection of the species. SJR-02: Conserve all Valley Foothill Riparian (VRI) habitat in O (Open Space) or O-1 (Open Space-1) zoning. a) Non-urban areas: 150 feet on both sides of perennial streams, measured from the midline of the stream. b) Urban areas: 100 feet on both sides of perennial streams, measured from the midline of the stream. SJR-03: Avoid vegetation clearing within 150 feet of perennial streams, measured from the midline of the stream. Setbacks will be increased to fully encompass riparian vegetation where VRI habitat extends beyond 150 feet from the midline to encompass, at a minimum, all riparian vegetation. Building and/or clearing setback reductions should be avoided to the maximum extent feasible where this species is present. Reductions to less than 75 feet in urban areas or 100 feet in non-urban areas should occur only if the County, in consultation with CDFG, finds that a narrower setback: • would not increase the potential for erosion, due to substantial existing vegetation cover and soil and slope stability, • would still encompass the 100-year floodplain, • would not reduce identified setbacks necessary to protect a special status species as prescribed in the BRRG, • would not increase the potential for degrading water quality, and • would fully protect existing riparian vegetation at the site. Alternatively, the setbacks may be decreased if the County, in consultation with CDFG, finds that this would be appropriate given existing development near the stream in the vicinity, or is necessary to avoid a “taking” of private property. If so, careful design measures shall be required to protect riparian habitat (e.g., limit the amount of clearing and fencing allowed, and locate it on the side of riparian habitat away from the stream). SJR-04: Implement WQ-01 through WQ-08 (BRRG, Chapter 8). Biological Resources Conservation Handbook Appendix Page 125 of 187 Species–Second Priority Mitigation Measures Lavinia symmetricus ssp. 3 RHR-01: Apply Mitigation Measures SJR-01 through SJR-04. Red Hills roach Amphibians Anaxyrus (Bufo) canorus Appropriate mitigation measures must be proposed in consultation with Yosemite toad a qualified biologist, for review and approval by the County. Hydromantes platycephalus Appropriate mitigation measures must be proposed in consultation with Mount Lyell salamander a qualified biologist, for review and approval by the County. Rana boylii FYLF-01: A 300-foot setback, incorporating both riparian vegetation and Foothill yellow-legged frog uplands, shall be provided on both sides of streams (for a total of 600 feet in setbacks) and on all sides of wetlands occupied by foothill yellow- legged frogs. Setbacks are to be measured from the midline of the stream or the edge of the wetland, whichever is greater. FYLF-02: Setbacks shall maintain existing vegetation free of disturbance and free of new construction, new wells, storage or parking of equipment or materials, and other activities which compact or disturb soils or vegetation or which could introduce contaminants into the aquatic habitat. FYLF-03: Water quality within creeks and wetlands inhabited by foothill yellow-legged frogs shall be maintained through implementation of appropriate erosion control measures to reduce siltation and contaminated runoff from project sites (e.g., by maintaining vegetation within buffers and/or through the use of fiber rolls, filter fences, vegetative buffer strips, or other accepted equivalents). FYLF-04: O (Open Space) or O-1 (Open Space-1) zoning encompassing setbacks shall be indicated on final maps and include a map note referencing prohibitions within the setbacks. For entitlements which do not include a map, the condition shall be enforced through the recordation of a Notice of Action referencing prohibitions within the setback. FYLF-05: The use of insecticides, herbicides, rodenticides and pesticides within established setbacks shall occur in accordance with U.S. Environmental Protection Agency guidelines addressing the use of these materials in occupied foothill yellow-legged frog habitat and, if applicable, any additional requirements established by the Tuolumne County Agricultural Commissioner. FYLF-06: Setbacks shall be delineated by flagging or brightly colored temporary fencing during the construction process. Construction and other ground disturbances shall be prohibited within established setbacks. FYLF-07: Setbacks may be reduced only through consultation with wildlife agencies where the reduction: 1) does not affect habitat or 2) the reduction will not result in an adverse impact to the species or reduction in the biological values of the habitat. FLYF-08: Implement WQ-01 through WQ-08: (BRRG, Chapter 8). FLYF-09: Requirements for habitat setbacks from streams, meadows or other water sources also apply (BRRG, Chapter 4). Biological Resources Conservation Handbook Appendix Page 126 of 187 Species–Second Priority Mitigation Measures Rana sierrae SNYLF-01: Implement WQ-01 through WQ-08: (BRRG, Chapter 8). Sierra Nevada yellow-legged SNYLF-02: Requirements for habitat setbacks from streams, meadows frog or other water sources also apply (BRRG, Chapter 4). Spea hammondii WSF-01: Appropriate mitigation measures must be proposed in Western spadefoot consultation with a qualified biologist, for review and approval by the County. Reptiles Actinemys marmorata TURTLE-01: Establish a buffer area of 300 feet encompassing and Western pond turtle between each nesting site (which may be immediately adjacent to wetlands or in uplands up to 400 feet away from wetlands) and the wetland located near the nesting site. Open space areas encompassing these buffers shall be indicated on final maps. These buffers shall be indicated by temporary fencing if construction has begun or will begin before nesting periods have ended (the nesting period, from egg laying to emergence of hatchlings, is normally April to November). TURTLE-02: Implement WQ-01 through WQ-08: (BRRG, Chapter 8). TURTLE-03: Requirements for habitat setbacks from streams, meadows or other water sources also apply (BRRG, Chapter 4). Phrynosoma coronatum CHL-01: Appropriate mitigation measures must be proposed in (frontale population) consultation with a qualified biologist, for review and approval by the Coast horned lizard County. Birds Rookeries, Colonial Nesting ROOKERY-01: Avoid construction activities within ¼ mile of the colony Sites site during the nesting season (February 15–September 1) (great blue heron, great egret, etc.) ROOKERY-02: Building setbacks of 1,000 feet shall be provided from colony sites that have been active within 2 years. Upon consultation with CDFG; this may be reduced to not less than 300 feet when the colony is out of sight of construction and building activities and inaccessible due to topographic or water barriers. Accipiter gentilis NG-01: Avoid all construction activities within ¼ mile of an active nest Northern goshawk during the nesting season (April 15–July 15) NG-02: Establish building and clearing setbacks of 500 feet around active nest sites, and nest sites that have been active within 3 years but are not currently active, if they are still suitable for nesting. Within this setback, some timber harvest and vegetation clearing may be permitted, but not within 200 feet of the nest tree during the nesting season (April 15–July 15). Sufficient large trees and snags shall be left in place. To the extent feasible, given existing habitat conditions, the remaining canopy closure should be more than 40%, with over-story trees 21” in diameter at breast height (dbh) or greater and at least 3 snags greater than 21” dbh per acre. NG-03: Setbacks and buffer zones may be reduced based on considerations of inaccessibility and lack of visibility of the nest or roost site, sensitivity of the nesting pair, or other biological parameters, but only on the recommendation of a qualified biologist that has inspected the site. Biological Resources Conservation Handbook Appendix Page 127 of 187 Species–Second Priority Mitigation Measures NG-04: Disturbance of any nest (active within 3 years) or roost (currently active) is prohibited. Accipiter striatus SSH-01: Avoid construction activities within ¼ mile of an active nest Sharp-shinned Hawk during the nesting season (May 15–August 31) SSH-02: Establish building and clearing setbacks of 500 feet around active nest sites, and nest sites that have been active within 3 years, but are not currently active, if they are still suitable for nesting. Within this setback, some timber harvest and vegetation clearing may be permitted, but not within 200 feet of the tree during the nesting season (May 15– August 31). Sufficient large trees and snags shall be left in place. To the extent feasible, given existing habitat conditions, the remaining canopy closure should be more than 40% with over-story trees 21” in dbh or greater and at least 3 snags greater than 21” dbh per acre. SSH-03: Setbacks and buffer zones may be reduced based on considerations of inaccessibility and lack of visibility of the nest or roost site, sensitivity of the species, or other biological parameters, but only on the recommendation of a qualified biologist that has inspected the site. SSH-04: Disturbance of any actual nest (active within 3 years) or roost (currently active) is prohibited. Agelaius tricolor TBB-01: A setback of 500 feet from colonial nesting areas Tricolored blackbird encompassing both nesting habitat (blackberry thickets, cattails, tules, etc.) and foraging habitat (open grassland and agricultural fields, including flooded fields) shall be established and maintained. TBB-02: Disturbance of any actual nest or roost is prohibited. TBB-03: Requirements for habitat setbacks from streams, meadows or other water sources also apply (BRRG, Chapter 4). Ammodramus savannarum GSP-01: Implement NEST-01 (BRRG, Chapter 5). Grasshopper sparrow Asio flammeus SOWL-01: Establish building and clearing setbacks, and prohibit all Short-eared owl construction, within 600 feet of active nests during the nesting season (March through July). Asio otus LOWL-01: Establish building and clearing setbacks, and prohibit all Long-eared owl construction, within 600 feet of active nests during the nesting season (March 1–June 30). LOWL-02: Establish building and clearing setbacks of 300 feet around nest sites that have been active within 3 years, but are not currently active, if they are still suitable for nesting. Within this setback, some timber harvest and vegetation clearing may be permitted, but not within 200 feet of the nest tree during the nesting season (March 1–June 30). Sufficient large trees shall be left standing. To the extent feasible, given existing habitat conditions, the remaining canopy closure should be more than 40%, with over-story trees 21” in dbh or greater. LOWL-03: Establish a setback of 600 feet around colonial roosting sites used regularly by 4 or more owls during the season of regular use. LOWL-04: Setbacks and buffer zones may be reduced based on considerations of inaccessibility and lack of visibility of the nest or roost Biological Resources Conservation Handbook Appendix Page 128 of 187 Species–Second Priority Mitigation Measures site, sensitivity of the species, or other biological parameters, but only on the recommendation of a qualified biologist who has inspected the site. LOWL-05: Direct disturbance of any nest or roost (active within 3 years) is prohibited. Athene cunicularia BUOW-01: Establish a setback of at least 250 feet from each owl burrow Burrowing owl occupied during the breeding season within the past three years. BUOW-02: Preserve 6.5 acres of foraging habitat per burrowing owl pair, contiguous to the owl population. The configuration of preserved foraging habitat in relation to owl burrows requires review and approval by a qualified biologist. BUOW-03: Construction and other ground disturbances shall be prohibited within the established setbacks and foraging habitat. Natural vegetation shall be maintained within the setback. The use of insecticides, herbicides and fertilizers is prohibited within established setbacks. BUOW-04: All setbacks and foraging habitat shall be preserved in perpetuity through O (Open Space) or O-1 (Open Space-1) zoning. O or O-1 zoning boundaries encompassing setbacks shall be indicated on recorded maps, whenever projects involve parcel or subdivision maps. Chaetura vauxi VSWIFT-01: Implement NEST-01. (BRRG, Chapter 5). Vaux’s swift VSWIFT-02: Requirements for habitat setbacks from streams, meadows or other water sources also apply (BRRG, Chapter 4). Circus cyaneus NH-01: Establish building and clearing setbacks and prohibit all Northern harrier construction within ¼ mile of active nests during the nesting season (April 1–June 30). NH-02: Establish building and clearing setbacks of 500 feet around nest sites that have been active within 3 years, but are not currently active, if they are still suitable for nesting. Within this setback, some vegetation clearing may be permitted, but not within 300 feet of the nest-site during the nesting season (April 1–June 30). NH-03: Setbacks may be reduced based on considerations of lack of visibility of the nest site, sensitivity of the species, or other biological parameters, but only on the recommendation of a qualified biologist who has inspected the site. NH-04: Disturbance of any active nest is prohibited. Cypseloides niger BSWIFT-01: Implement NEST-01. (BRRG, Chapter 5). Black swift BSWIFT-02: Requirements for habitat setbacks from streams, meadows or other water sources also apply (BRRG, Chapter 4). Dendroica petechia brewsteri YW-01: Implement NEST-01. (BRRG, Chapter 5) Yellow warbler YW-02: Requirements for habitat setbacks from streams, meadows or other water sources also apply (BRRG, Chapter 4). Elanus leucurus WTK-01: Avoid construction activities within 500 feet of an active nest White-tailed kite during the nesting season (February 15–September 15). Biological Resources Conservation Handbook Appendix Page 129 of 187 Species–Second Priority Mitigation Measures WTK-02: Establish building and clearing setbacks of 500 feet around nest sites that have been, but are not currently, active within 3 years if they are still suitable for nesting. Within this setback, some vegetation clearing may be permitted, but not within 300 feet of the nest tree during the nesting season (February 15–September 15). Sufficient large trees shall remain as nesting habitat. WTK-03: Establish a buffer zone of 500 feet around colonial roosting sites used regularly by 4 or more white-tailed kites during the season of regular use. WTK-04: Setbacks and buffer zones may be reduced based on considerations of inaccessibility and lack of visibility of the nest or roost site, sensitivity of the species, or other biological parameters, but only on the recommendation of a qualified biologist who has inspected the site. WTK-05: Disturbance of any actual nest site or colonial roost site (as defined above) is prohibited. Falco mexicanus PRF–01: Establish building and clearing setbacks and prohibit all Prairie falcon construction within ½ mile of active nests during the nesting season (April 15–July 15). PRF-02: Establish building setbacks of 1,000 feet around nest sites that have been active within 3 years, but are not currently active, if they are still suitable for nesting. PRF-03: Setbacks may be reduced based on considerations of inaccessibility and lack of visibility of the nest site, sensitivity of the species, or other biological parameters, but only on the recommendation of a qualified biologist who has inspected the site. PRF-04: Disturbance of any actual nest site is prohibited. Gavia immer Rare visitor and non breeder in county. No mitigation required. Common loon Icteria virens CHAT-01: Establish riparian setbacks as prescribed for Valley Foothill Yellow-breasted chat Riparian (VRI) or Montane Riparian (MRI) habitat, as appropriate. Riparian setback reductions shall be allowed only in consultation with a qualified biologist if this species is present. CHAT-02: Implement NEST-01 (BRRG, Chapter 5). CHAT-03: Requirements for habitat setbacks from streams, meadows or other water sources also apply (BRRG, Chapter 4). Lanius ludovicianus SHRIKE–01: Establish building and clearing setbacks and prohibit all Loggerhead shrike construction within 300 feet of active nests during the nesting season (April 15–July 15). SHRIKE- 02: Disturbance of any actual nest is prohibited. Pandion haliaetus OSP–01: Establish building and clearing setbacks and prohibit all Osprey construction within ½ mile of active nests during the nesting season (April 15–August 1). OSP-02: Establish building and clearing setbacks of 1,000 feet around nest sites that have been, but are not currently, active within 3 years if they are still suitable for nesting. Within this setback, some timber Biological Resources Conservation Handbook Appendix Page 130 of 187 Species–Second Priority Mitigation Measures harvest and vegetation clearing may be permitted, but not within 200 feet of the tree during the nesting season (April 15–August 1). Sufficient large trees and snags shall remain. To the extent feasible, given existing habitat conditions, the remaining canopy closure should be more than 40% with over-story trees 21” in dbh or greater and at least 3 snags greater than 21” dbh per acre. OSP-03: Setbacks and buffer zones may be reduced based on considerations of inaccessibility and lack of visibility of the nest or roost site, sensitivity of the species, or other biological parameters, but only on the recommendation of a qualified biologist that has inspected the site. OSP-04: Disturbance of any actual nest or roost is prohibited. Requirements for habitat setbacks from streams, meadows or other water sources also apply (BRRG, Chapter 4). Pelecanus erythrorhynchos Species is occasional visitor and non-breeder in County. No mitigation American white pelican required. Progne subis MARTIN-01: Avoid construction activities and human disturbance within Purple martin 200 feet of each active nest during the nesting season (March 1–August 15th). MARTIN-02: Provide a 200-foot building and clearing setback around each nest tree that has been active within 2 years, but is not currently active, and is still suitable for nesting. Limited tree cutting may be permitted within these setbacks outside of nesting season (March 1– August 15). Strix occidentalis occidentalis SPO-01: Avoid construction activities within ¼ mile around each active California spotted owl nest during the nesting season (March 1–August 31st). SPO-02: Maintain a 500-foot building and clearing setback around each nest tree that has been, but is not currently, active within 3 years and is still suitable for nesting. Within this setback, some timber harvest and vegetation clearing may be permitted, but not within 200 feet of the tree during the nesting season (March 1–August 31). Sufficient large trees and snags shall remain. To the extent feasible, given existing habitat conditions, the remaining canopy closure should be more than 40% with over-story trees 21” in dbh or greater and at least 3 snags greater than 21” dbh per acre. SPO-03: For regularly used winter roost sites; consult with CDFG to establish appropriate setbacks prohibiting all disturbance in the vicinity of roost sites. SPO-04: Setbacks and buffer zones may be reduced based on considerations of inaccessibility and lack of visibility of the nest or roost site, sensitivity of the species, or other biological parameters, but only on the recommendation of a qualified biologist that has inspected the site. SPO-05: Disturbance of any actual nest or roost is prohibited. Mammals BATS: Nursery and/or BAT-01: When a nursery site and/or colonial roosting site is located colonial roosting sites within a riparian corridor, preserve the nursery site or roosting site (including a minimum 200’ buffer around colonial roosting sites) and Antrozous pallidus preserve the riparian corridors located within the borders of the project Biological Resources Conservation Handbook Appendix Page 131 of 187 Species–Second Priority Mitigation Measures Pallid bat site. The riparian corridors should retain the riparian vegetation plus a 100-foot buffer from the edge of the riparian vegetation. Corynorhinus townsendii BAT-02: When nursery sites and/or colonial roosting sites are not Townsend’s big-eared bat located within riparian corridors, preserve the roosting site (including a Euderma maculatum 200’ buffer around colonial roosting sites) . Spotted bat BAT-03: When colonial roosting sites are located on a project site, and openings may pose a threat to health and safety, gates may be used to Lasionycteris noctivagans close mines, caves and similar openings to allow for the continued use Silver-haired bat of these areas by bats. Prior to installing gates, consultation with a qualified biologist is required (for listed bat species, consultation with the Lasiurus blossevillii appropriate wildlife agency is required). Gating should be installed to Western red bat allow bats to continue entry and exit of roosting or nursery sites Myotis ciliolabrum BAT-04: Some bat species will not accept full gates (gates that Western small-footed myotis completely fill the entrance) at their maternity (nursery) caves. Prior to installing gates at entrances to nursery (maternity) sites, consultation Myotis evotis with a qualified biological is required. Long-eared myotis See additional mitigation measures for selected bat species, below. Myotis lucifigus Little brown bat Myotis thysanodes Fringed myotis Myotis volans Long-legged myotis Antrozous pallidus BAT-05: Implement BAT-01 through BAT-04. Pallid bat Aplodontia rufa californica BEAVER-01: Implement ST-01 and ST-02 (BRRG, Chapter 4). Sierra Nevada mountain BEAVER-02: Implement WQ-01 through WQ-08 (BRRG, Chapter 8). beaver BEAVER-03: Requirements for habitat setbacks from streams, meadows or other water sources also apply (BRRG, Chapter 4). Corynorhinus townsendii BAT-06: Implement BAT-01 through BAT-04. Townsend’s big-eared bat Euderma maculatum BAT-07: Implement BAT-01 through BAT-04. Spotted bat Eumops perotis californicus BAT-08: Implement CLIFF-01 and CLIFF-02. (BRRG, Chapter 4). Greater western mastiff-bat Lasionycteris noctivagans BAT-09: Implement BAT-01 through BAT-04. Silver-haired bat Lasiurus blossevillii BAT-10: Implement BAT-01 through BAT-04. Western red bat Lepus americanus tahoensi SNSH-01: Mitigation measures shall be determined in consultation with Sierra Nevada snowshoe appropriate wildlife agencies. hare Martes pennanti (pacifica) PF-01: Mitigation measures shall be determined in consultation with Biological Resources Conservation Handbook Appendix Page 132 of 187 Species–Second Priority Mitigation Measures Pacific fisher appropriate wildlife agencies. Myotis ciliolabrum BAT-11: Implement BAT-01 through BAT-04. Western small-footed myotis Myotis evotis BAT-12: Implement BAT-01 through BAT-04. Long-eared myotis Myotis lucifigus BAT-13: Implement BAT-01 through BAT-04. Little brown bat Myotis thysanodes BAT-14: Implement BAT-01 through BAT-04. Fringed myotis Myotis volans BAT-15: Implement BAT-01 through BAT-04. Long-legged myotis Sorex lyelli SHREW-01: Mitigation measures shall be determined in consultation Mt. Lyell shrew with appropriate wildlife agencies. Taxidea taxus BADGER-01: Prior to project approval, potential den sites shall be American Badger monitored by a qualified biologist to determine if the occupant is an adult only or the den is natal. BADGER-02: Den sites shall be incorporated into O (Open Space) zoning with a minimum 200 foot buffer maintained around den sites. Construction and ground disturbance within this buffer is prohibited. Open Space encompassing a den site shall be configured to provide entry and escape routes from the den site without traversing areas that have been converted from open space uses. Biological Resources Conservation Handbook Appendix Page 133 of 187 Chapter 4. Survey Protocols Table 4-1 lists all species for which survey protocols were established and in use at the time the BRRG was prepared. Table 4-1: Established Survey Protocols Species/Taxonomic Group Survey Protocols INVERTEBRATES Vernal pool fairy shrimp Interim Survey Guidelines to Permittees for Recovery Branchinecta lynchi Permits under Section 10 (A)(1)(A) of the Endangered Vernal pool tadpole shrimp Species Act for the Listed Vernal Pool Brachiopods (April Lepidurus packardi 1996) Valley elderberry longhorn beetle U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Sacramento Fish and Desmocerus californicus dimorphus Wildlife Office; Conservation Guidelines for the Valley Elderberry Longhorn Beetle (July 1999) U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Sacramento Fish and Wildlife Office; Avoidance and Mitigation Guidelines for Impacts to the Valley Elderberry Longhorn Beetle (September 1996) AMPHIBIANS California tiger salamander Department of Fish and Game, Interim Guidance on Site Ambystoma californiense Assessment and Field Surveys for Determining Presence of a Negative Finding of the California Tiger Salamander (October 2003) California red-legged frog U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Revised Guidance on Rana draytonii Site Assessments and Field Surveys for the California Red-Legged Frog (August 2005) BIRDS Burrowing owl The California Burrowing Owl Consortium, Burrowing Athene cunicularia Owl Survey Protocol and Mitigation Guidelines, (April 1993) Department of Fish and Game, Staff Report on Burrowing Owl Mitigation (October 1995) Bald Eagle Department of Fish and Game, Bald Eagle Breeding Haliaeetus leucocephalus Survey Instructions (November 1999) U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Protocol for Evaluating Bald Eagle Habitat and Populations in California (June 2004) Great gray owl USDA Forest Service, Pacific Southwest Region; Survey Strix nebulosa Protocol for the Great Gray Owl in the Sierra Nevada of California (May 2000) PLANTS All special-status plants California Native Plant Society, CNPS Botanical Survey Guidelines, (December 1983; revised June 2001) Department of Fish and Game, Guidelines for Assessing the Effects of Proposed Projects on Rare, Threatened, and Endangered Plants and Natural Communities (December 1983, revised May 2000) Federally listed plants Guidelines For Conducting And Reporting Botanical Inventories For Federally Listed, Proposed And Candidate Plants (September 1996) Endangered Species Recovery Program, General Rare Plant Survey Guidelines (July 2002) Biological Resources Conservation Handbook Appendix Page 134 of 187 Chapter 5. Critical Habitats / Recovery Plans Critical Habitats are First Priority Biological Resources pursuant to the Biological Resources Review Guide (BRRG). Critical Habitat is defined pursuant to the Federal Endangered Species Act as a specific geographic area with biological and/or physical features essential for the conservation of a federally-listed threatened or endangered species that may require special management and protection. Critical Habitats are supposed to be designated in conjunction with the listing of a threatened or endangered species under the Federal Endangered Species Act as a mechanism for pursuing and securing recovery of the listed species. However, only approximately one third of federally listed species have designated Critical Habitat. Critical Habitats are designated pursuant to the Federal Endangered Species Act by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service through the United States Department of the Interior after public noticing, review and comment through the Federal Register. Critical Habitats may include areas not occupied by a listed species but that will be needed by a species for its recovery. Critical Habitat areas may also include large geographic areas encompassing some parcels that are not considered Critical Habitat due to the absence of physical and/or biological conditions necessary for a species survival. Normally, existing developed areas (e.g. buildings, roads, airports, parking lots) are excluded from Critical Habitats within the boundaries of designated Critical Habitat Areas. Federal agencies must consult with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for federal actions undertaken in a designated Critical Habitat. A Critical Habitat designation has no effect on situations where a federal agency is not involved (e.g. a landowner undertaking a project on private land that involves no federal funding or permitting). However, federal actions may be an element of some private activities (e.g. through a required permit, license or funding). More importantly, Section 15065(a)(1) of the State CEQA Guidelines states that: A project may have a significant effect on the environment if the project has the potential to substantially reduce the habitat of a fish or wildlife species, cause a fish or wildlife population to drop below self-sustaining levels; or substantially reduce the number or restrict the range of an endangered, rare or threatened species. Critical Habitat designations, by definition, are essential for the conservation of a federally-listed, threatened or endangered species. Areas encompassing land identified in an adopted Recovery Plan are First Priority Biological Resources pursuant to the BRRG. The Federal Endangered Species Act (Section 4(f)) requires the preparation and implementation of a Recovery Plan for species listed as endangered or threatened. Recovery Plans are prepared by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service or the National Marine Fisheries Service. Recovery Plans identify reasonable actions believed necessary to recover and/or protect a listed species. Recovery plans are voluntary guidance documents, not regulatory documents and broadly address conservation needs of the species by identifying research, habitat protection and restoration, management and all other actions that must be taken to bring a species to a state in which it may be delisted or downlisted. Recovery Plans are necessarily expansive, identifying as many options and strategies that may contribute to recovery as possible. Recovery plans guide the conservation of federally listed species and are used to provide context in conjunction with agency consultations. Biological Resources Conservation Handbook Appendix Page 135 of 187 In contrast to Recovery Plans, Critical Habitat (see preceding paragraphs) designation and management is a regulatory process. Critical Habitat may include a subset of areas that may be identified within a Recovery Plan as important for species recovery. The regulatory standard of adverse modification used for Critical Habitat is measured in terms of effects on the primary constituent elements and essential functions provided by the Critical Habitat as identified in the Critical Habitat designation, and not against the less stringent Recovery Plan thresholds. Maps 5-1 through 5-8 identify five Critical Habitat areas that are at least partially in Tuolumne County. Development within Critical Habitat areas requires consultation with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and compliance with the adopted Recovery Plan for the species. Additional studies and surveys may be required by the Service in order to determine if adverse modification to the habitat would result. Table 5-1: Recovery Plans by Species Species Guidelines, Recovery Plans INVERTEBRATES Vernal pool tadpole shrimp Recovery Plan for Vernal Pool Ecosystems of California and Southern Oregon; USFWS, Region 1,12/15/05 Lepidurus packardi Valley elderberry longhorn beetle Valley Elderberry Longhorn Beetle Recover Plan; Desmocerus californicus dimorphus 6/28/84 FISH Lahonton cutthroat trout Recovery Plan for the Lahonton Cutthroat Trout, Oncorhynchus clarki henshawi USFWS, Region 1; 1995 AMPHIBIANS Red-legged frog Recovery Plan for the California Red-Legged Frog, Rana aurora draytonii USFWS, Region 1, 2002 MAMMALS Sierra Nevada bighorn sheep Final Recovery Plan for the Sierra Nevada Bighorn Sheep; USFWS, Region 1, 2/13/08 Ovis Canadensis sierrae San Joaquin kit fox Recovery Plan for Upland Species of the San Joaquin Valley; USFWS, Region 1, 1998 Vulpes macrotis mutica PLANTS Succulent/Fleshy owl’s clover Recovery Plan for Vernal Pool Ecosystems of California Castilleja campestris ssp. succulenta and Southern Oregon; USFWS, Region 1, 12/15/2005 Hoover’s spurge Recovery Plan for Vernal Pool Ecosystems of California Chamaesyce hooveri and Southern Oregon; USFWS, Region 1.12/15/2005 Colusa Grass Recovery Plan for Vernal Pool Ecosystems of California Neostapfia colusana and Southern Oregon; USFWS, Region 1, 12/15/2005 Layne’s butterweed/ragwort Recovery Plan for Gabbro Soil Plants of the Central Packera Layneae Sierra Nevada Foothills, Kristen Tarp; USFWS, Region 1, 2002 Greene’s tuctoria Recovery Plan for Vernal Pool Ecosystems of California Tuctoria greenei and Southern Oregon; USFWS, Region 1, 12/15/2005 Biological Resources Conservation Handbook Appendix Page 136 of 187 Map 5-1 Biological Resources Conservation Handbook Appendix Page 137 of 187 Map 5-2 Biological Resources Conservation Handbook Appendix Page 138 of 187 Map 5-3 Biological Resources Conservation Handbook Appendix Page 139 of 187 Map 5-4 Biological Resources Conservation Handbook Appendix Page 140 of 187 h Map 5-5 h h Goodwin Dam h h h h Tuolumne County h h h h hh County Boundary Biological Resources Conservation Handbook Appendix Page 141 of 187 Map 5-6 Biological Resources Conservation Handbook Appendix Page 142 of 187 Map 5-7 Biological Resources Conservation Handbook Appendix Page 143 of 187 Map 5-8 Core Areas within the Southern Sierra Foothills Vernal Pool Region. San Joaquin, Shotgun Creek, Farmington, Waterford, Turlock and Merced Biological Resources Conservation Handbook Appendix Page 144 of 187 Chapter 6. Promoting Connectivity / Avoiding Barriers to Dispersal This Chapter discusses the importance of promoting connectivity, and provides sample measures for promoting connectivity and avoiding the establishment of barriers to movement, to ensure the safe movement and adequate genetic exchange of wildlife and fish populations within the County. Project conditions should be used to require appropriate fencing techniques for avoiding barriers to migratory and resident deer and for projects within designated deer herd boundaries (see the Tuolumne County Deer Herd maps). Additional measures should be included within project conditions to assure the maintenance of and promote connectivity within project boundaries for bats, amphibians and other small animals. Other connectivity issues involving special- status species should be addressed through consultation with the appropriate agency and/or other qualified consultants to ensure project designs that encourage continued species movement through project sites. Strategies that may be considered for addressing connectivity on a landscape (countywide) scale are also discussed in this chapter. What are Wildlife Movement Corridors and Habitat Linkages? Understanding wildlife movement activities and the physical settings that aid in facilitating movement is key in promoting connectivity and avoiding the establishment of barriers in the County. For any given species, wildlife movement is dependent upon the availability and access to areas that support the resources that are vital to the individual and the overall population. Wildlife movement activities usually fall into one of three movement categories: • dispersal (e.g., juvenile animals moving from birthing areas or individuals extending range distributions); • seasonal migration (e.g. seeking lower elevations or lower latitudes during the winter); and • activities within a home range (e.g., foraging for food or water, defending territories, or searching for mates, breeding areas, or cover). Identifying physical attributes of the land such as topographic features and vegetation cover is the first step in determining whether or not an area could contribute to facilitating wildlife movement or connecting important habitats. Wildlife movement traditionally follows the path of least resistance. The most time and energy efficient route is taken to get from one point to another. Such routes must also provide the resources that are necessary for survival during wildlife movement activities. All or portions of an area may help to facilitate wildlife movement if it contains the following land features: • steep gullied land ● canyons • drainage features ● ridgetops • floodplains ● existing roads, paths, trails, etc. • valleys ● linear forested/shrubby corridors Biological Resources Conservation Handbook Appendix Page 145 of 187 A number of ecological terms have been used to define areas that are used in wildlife movement activities including wildlife movement corridors, travel routes, wildlife crossings, and habitat linkages. Wildlife Corridors Wildlife corridors are strips of habitat that connect two or more use areas that would otherwise be isolated from one another. They are used for the movement and migration of individuals of a species to and from important use areas. Use areas, in this context, are areas that are large enough and contain all the habitat elements (trees, snags, brush piles, etc.) required to support an individual through its entire life cycle by providing habitat suitable for breeding, foraging, resting, and cover. In contrast, a corridor is generally narrow and provides only some of the habitat elements required by a species; therefore, it functions primarily to provide a safe route of passage from one use area to another. Larger, landscape-level corridors, often referred to as habitat or landscape linkages, can provide both transitory and resident habitat for a variety of species. Wildlife corridors occur within a matrix of unsuitable habitat. A common type of wildlife corridor is an urban stream that supports riparian habitat. These types of corridors allow wildlife to move safely through an urban landscape from one use area to another. Travel Routes Travel routes include landscape features (such as ridgelines, drainages, canyons, or riparian strips) within a larger natural habitat area that are used frequently by animals to facilitate movement and provide access to necessary resources (e.g., water, food, cover, den sites). Travel routes differ from corridors in that they occur within a natural landscape and tend to be chosen out of convenience rather than absolute necessity. A travel route is generally preferred (over other routes) because it provides the least amount of topographic resistance in moving from one area to another, contains adequate food, water, and/or cover while moving between habitat areas, and provides a relatively direct link between use areas. Wildlife Crossings Wildlife crossings are constructed features that allow wildlife to pass under or through an obstacle or barrier that otherwise hinders or prevents movement. Crossings typically include culverts, underpasses, ladders (for fish), drainage pipes, and tunnels to provide access across or under roads, highways, pipelines, or other physical obstacles. In facilitating vital wildlife movement activities, wildlife corridors, travel routes, and crossings provide connectivity to use areas that are otherwise separated by rugged terrain, changes in vegetation, or urban development. These areas effectively act as links between different populations of a species that may occur within a region, allowing individuals to carry out vital movement activities that are important to the success of the individual and the overall population. The fragmentation of use areas, such as the construction of a highway through a riparian streambed, creates isolated “islands” of habitat for those species unwilling or unable to cross a highway, or for those that are killed in an attempt to cross. By maintaining corridors, in this example by raising the road above the streambed, individuals can continue to move between remaining undisturbed habitats, which allows depleted populations to be replenished, promotes genetic diversity and provides escape routes from fire, predators, and human disturbances (Noss 1991, Simberloff and Cox 1987). In the absence of corridors and habitat linkages, various studies have concluded that some wildlife species, especially the Biological Resources Conservation Handbook Appendix Page 146 of 187 larger and more mobile mammals, will not likely persist over time in fragmented or isolated habitat (MacArthur and Wilson 1967, Harris and Scheck 1991, Bennett 1990). What are the Goals and Objectives for Promoting Connectivity / Avoiding Barriers to Dispersal in Tuolumne County? The overlying goals for promoting connectivity and avoiding barriers to dispersal within the County are: (1) To conserve land that facilitates the movement of target resident and migratory wildlife and fish species to and from nursery sites. (2) To conserve land that contributes to the local and/or regional assembly of wildlife movement corridors and habitat linkages for target resident and migratory wildlife and fish species. The functions and values of corridors and linkages within any geographic locale are based on any number of biological factors that are specific to the area and the type of habitat it supports, as well as the species for which the corridor or linkage is intended to benefit. Special considerations should be given during environmental review to resources within the County that contribute to these goals. Habitat types, watercourses, and other resources important to target species and the assembly and function of wildlife movement corridors and habitat linkages have been designated different priority levels for the County based on species-specific and habitat-specific conservation objectives. These are discussed in detail in the Biological Resources Review Guide (BRRG) Chapters 3, 4, and 5. In achieving the overlying goals for promoting connectivity and avoiding barriers to dispersal, there are a number of general biological issues and considerations to take into account as objectives for the County: • Maintain habitat connectivity and preserve the biological and hydrological functions and values of the Upper Tuolumne River and Stanislaus River watersheds. • Conserve linear corridors with adequate buffers containing important Riparian and Riverine resources. • Conserve core blocks of habitat supporting First Priority and Second Priority resources. • Maintain linkages between core blocks of habitat supporting First Priority and Second Priority resources. The BRRG in Chapter 3 discusses First Priority resources that include areas that are known to be occupied by federally- and state-listed endangered, threatened, and proposed wildlife species and their habitat, including critical habitat. Chapter 4 discusses Second Priority resources that include areas that are known to be occupied by federal candidate species, state candidate species, and species of special concern and their habitat. First Priority and Second Priority resource areas known to be occupied by special status species and areas designated as critical habitat include locales that support the primary constituent elements required for each species, including nursery sites supporting breeding, nesting, and roosting habitat. Chapter 4 also describes other Second Priority resources that are important to promoting connectivity, including habitats restricted in acreage and known to support unique suites of plant and wildlife species, areas that function as wildlife nursery sites, areas that Biological Resources Conservation Handbook Appendix Page 147 of 187 function as important wildlife movement corridors, and wetlands, streams, and other water resources. Tuolumne County is characterized by many different habitat types that provide live-in habitat and facilitate wildlife movement. These are discussed in detail in the BRRG Chapter 9. Habitat types within the County that are most important in the assemblage of corridors and linkages because of their physical attributes in facilitating movement and resources that they support year-round include: • Montane riparian (MRI) ● Vernal pool/swale complexes (VPL) • Valley foothill riparian (VRI) ● Fresh emergent wetland (FEW) • Lake/Pond (LAK) ● Wet meadow (WTM) • Seasonal wetland (SW) ● Riverine (blue line streams) Other habitat types within the County that provide large contiguous blocks of live-in habitat for which corridors and linkages should be maintained include: • annual grassland (ags) • Native perennial grassland (PGS) • chaparral (chamise chaparral, mixed chaparral and montane chaparral) (chc/mch/mcp) • Aspen grove (ASP) • Valley oak woodland (VOW) • Blue oak-foothill gray pine (bop) • Blue oak woodland (bow) • Montane hardwood-conifer (mhc) • Montane hardwood (mhw) • Old growth oak (OGO) • Ponderosa pine (ppn) • Sierran mixed conifer (smc) • Red fir (rfr) • Lodgepole pine (lpn) • Jeffrey pine (jpn) • Subalpine conifer (scn) • White fir (wfr) • Old growth coniferous forest (OGC) Fragmentation of contiguous habitat blocks and disruption of existing corridors and linkages between habitat blocks are detrimental to the long-term survival of resident and migratory species. As discussed in detail in Chapter 3, Tuolumne County hosts a number of narrow- and wide-ranging wildlife species with important dispersal and migration requirements in their life history. Special-status mammals such as the state-threatened California wolverine and Sierra Nevada red fox, and common mammals such as mountain lion, black bear, and mule deer have large home ranges and specific dispersal and migration patterns by which they travel long distances, These trips are made during seasonal migration, during movement to and from breeding/denning sites and natal/fawning sites; and for deer during movement among major concentration areas, winter range, and foraging areas. These species will follow Biological Resources Conservation Handbook Appendix Page 148 of 187 traditional travel routes on ridgelines and river corridors, and preservation of corridor and linkage habitat for these species should take a regional approach. Conversely, special-status amphibians such as California red-legged frog and California tiger salamander, and common amphibians such as the Pacific tree frog and Sierra newt have smaller and more confined home ranges, but may disperse from aquatic breeding sites to upland aestivation sites in the vicinity. These species may only disperse a few hundred feet from aquatic sites, but may disperse greater distances if environmental conditions are right. Dispersal routes for these species are less predictable and more dependent upon local factors such as availability of habitat and appropriate conditions. Preservation of corridor and linkage habitats for these species should be approached at the local level. What Information should be considered during Project Review? In addressing corridors and linkages and determining the significance of project impacts, the following information should be analyzed during project review and provided in the environmental documentation. Analysis and description of the regional context of the project site. The review process for a proposed project should include information on the site’s proximity and biological relevance to regionally important geologic features (mountain ranges, valleys, peaks, etc), hydrogeomorphic features (watershed, rivers, streams, etc.), prevalent habitat types (forest, woodland, scrub, grassland, etc.). The region’s climate and typical weather patterns may also be discussed. The analysis of the regional context will provide rationale on how the project site may contribute to the assembly of a corridor or linkage that is important to the region. Analysis and description of the land uses on and in the surrounding vicinity of the project site. Project review should include descriptions of the previous and existing land uses of the project site and areas to the immediate north, south, east, and west. Descriptions can be general (e.g. residential development, rural residential development, undeveloped land) or specific and consistent with the County’s General Plan Land Use designations (e.g. high density residential, estate residential, agricultural, open space). The discussion should include the site’s proximity and biological relevance to protected lands in the local area such as parks, preserves, and other land owned and managed for conservation purposes, including adopted or proposed habitat conservation plan areas, Yosemite and Stanislaus National Forest lands, BLM lands, etc. A detailed discussion of all natural and human- induced disturbances should be provided. Clear distinction should be made between areas that are highly disturbed or developed, and areas that contain vegetation and functioning habitat types. Description and mapping of all habitat types and watercourses on the project site. The review should detail the biological and hydrological functions and values of these habitats and watercourses, and whether or not they are entirely contained within the project site, or if they continue into offsite areas adjacent to the project site. Mapping of habitats and watercourses on aerial imagery and topographic maps provide a depiction of the resource Biological Resources Conservation Handbook Appendix Page 149 of 187 distribution and continuity, and offer a visual aid in determining the relative importance of the resources on a local and regional scale. Description of resident wildlife species and species that may range through the area. Information on what wildlife species were detected during surveys and what species may have the potential to reside or range through the area is important in understanding the functions and values of the site and the resources it supports. Detection of certain wide- ranging species may suggest that the site functions to facilitate wildlife movement at the local or regional level. Description and mapping of areas occupied by special status wildlife species. This is typically provided as an aerial-based map of the results of the California Natural Diversity Data Base query and/or the results of protocol surveys. When identifying local and regional corridors and linkages and potential project impacts, it is important to understand the distribution of special-status wildlife species occurrences and the habitat types that support them. Depending on the life history demands of each species in question, a physical connection of usable habitat should be maintained between occupied areas. For a discussion of special status wildlife species including habitat requirements, refer to Chapter 3 of this Appendix. Description of how special status wildlife species with the potential to occur on the project site may use the site and surrounding vicinity. The site may be important for breeding, nesting, roosting, foraging, dispersal, etc. In determining the overall function and value of resources on the site, it is important to note which species may use the site and surrounding vicinity and how. For example, a site that contains low quality riparian habitat may not be suitable for nesting or establishing a breeding territory, but may provide important foraging and dispersal opportunities for individual species breeding in the surrounding vicinity and migrants. What are the Guidelines for Determining Significant Impacts during Project Review? With respect to wildlife corridors and habitat linkages, the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) guidelines state that a project will normally have a significant effect on the environment if it will interfere substantially with the movement of any resident or migratory fish or wildlife species. This impact is typically addressed under the Wildlife Movement and Nursery Sites impact within a CEQA document and stated as the following: Would the project interfere substantially with the movement of native resident or migratory fish or wildlife species, or with established native resident or migratory wildlife corridors, or impede the use of native wildlife nursery sites? Figure 6.1, which follows, may be used to identify potentially significant impacts that could occur to a site given the proposed design and layout of a development project. If potentially significant impacts are identified through use of the table, appropriate mitigation measures or project redesign should be incorporated into the proposed project to reduce impacts to a less than significant level. Biological Resources Conservation Handbook Appendix Page 150 of 187 FIGURE 6-1. DETERMINING POTENTIAL PROJECT IMPACTS To determine the potential significance of project related impacts, the following questions may be used as a guideline during project review. 9 POTENTIALLY SIGNIFICANT IMPACTS Potential Impacts (Species Related) Would the project result in direct and/or indirect impacts to habitat that may restrict access to an existing corridor or linkage for special status wildlife species? Would the project prevent, constrain, or impede wildlife access to important resources or areas necessary for wildlife and fish reproduction? Would the project result in direct and/or indirect impacts to migration corridors, land connecting corridors and/or habitat for migratory or resident deer? Would the project result in direct and/or indirect impacts to stream courses and riparian habitats containing important resources necessary for special status fish species? Potential Impacts Related to Project Design Does the project result in a substantial interruption of existing connectivity between blocks of important habitat and wildlife use areas, or result in a substantial permanent interruption or blockage of a local or regional wildlife corridor or linkage area? Does the project include the development of permanent aboveground structures within the functioning area of a corridor or linkage, for example a road that has not been designed to include features that accommodate wildlife and fish movement? Does the project include any adverse changes to the width of an existing corridor or linkage that would impede target wildlife below minimum requirements? Does the project design incorporate a false wildlife corridor that is inadequate in size, location, resources or other qualities necessary for the movement of wildlife and fish? Will the project result in an increase in indirect noise and/or nighttime lighting to wildlife corridor or linkage areas such that target species potentially moving through or using the area are adversely and significantly affected? Will the project include the placement of development and design features that emit adverse noise and lighting without appropriate attenuation features, baffles, and shielding such that wildlife use of an adjacent area is impaired? Will the project result in an impairment or blockage to existing lines-of-sight within a corridor or linkage? Will the project include the development of structures that do not promote visual continuity through a corridor or linkage such that target wildlife movement and use could be adversely affected? Will the project include the development of tall structures along the rim of a corridor or linkage that would be visible from the base of the corridor and could result in avoidance of the corridor? Biological Resources Conservation Handbook Appendix Page 151 of 187 What Planning Objectives, Project Design Considerations and Mitigation Measures Should be Promoted During Project Review? Planning Objectives: The following regional and local planning objectives should be considered during project review: Regional Planning Objectives: • Project design should be sensitive to the regional significance of the area and its role in supporting or contributing to large blocks of habitat. • Project design should be sensitive to the regional significance of the area and its role in providing a connection and linkage between large blocks of habitat. Local Planning Objectives: • Projects should be designed around existing land features and habitat types that promote wildlife movement through the local area. • Projects should not constrain the size and function of existing wildlife movement corridors on and adjacent to the site. • Project design should not include corridors that are constricted or do not function for target species. Project Design Considerations: To achieve regional and local planning objectives for corridors and linkages, a project should be sited appropriately and incorporate design features to avoid, minimize, and reduce short-term and long-term impacts. The following project design considerations, and avoidance and minimization measures help reduce a project’s impacts to corridors and linkages for wildlife movement: • Consolidate development and maximize the surface area-to-perimeter ratio such that developments are planned interior to open space that abuts project boundaries and existing resources. • Conserve large contiguous blocks of habitat as opposed to small non-contiguous fragments. • Incorporate project avoidance and adequate setbacks and open space buffers from riparian and riverine resources. • Incorporate adequately sized corrals, underpasses, ladders, etc into wildlife corridors and crossings that accommodate the requirements of target species. • Create open space elements that are contiguous with offsite areas that may contribute to corridors and linkages. • Minimize indirect impacts during operation phase (physical edge effects, encroachment, domestic pet use, noise, nighttime lighting, introduction of exotic species, toxic substances, and other adjacency issues that might devalue or degrade adjacent areas over time). Biological Resources Conservation Handbook Appendix Page 152 of 187 Promoting Connectivity at the Landscape Level: To begin to achieve connectivity between important habitat areas on a countywide scale, the County should pursue one or more of the following and continue to expand this list over time. Opportunities to partner with other resource conservation organizations countywide should be pursued to the maximum extent feasible to facilitate implementing these goals: Preserve Stream and River Corridors: Streams provide well-defined, pre-existing wildlife corridors countywide. The protection of stream corridors and removal of existing obstructions along stream corridors should be of the highest priority in achieving connectivity between habitats countywide. Preservation of Second Priority habitats involving streams should remain a high priority in the Biological Resources Review Guide (BRRG) and reductions in stream setbacks should be allowed only where such reductions will not jeopardize the continuity of wildlife corridors. Establish Habitat Banks: As funds are available, inventory and prioritize lands available for banking opportunities to offset impacts to Second and Third Priority habitats county-wide. Criteria for establishing these banks (e.g., minimum size, habitat quality and diversity) should be established in consultation with permitting agencies, willing-seller landowners and other stakeholders. The location of habitat banks should consider the ability to achieve linkages between these banks and other “already protected” open spaces and public lands. Once potential banking areas have been identified; consider mechanisms for achieving connectivity between habitat banks (e.g., stream corridors, public lands). Pursue Corridors that Provide Multiple Benefits: Consider other uses compatible with wildlife use when establishing wildlife corridors. For example, consider the use of abandoned railroad corridors to enhance connectivity between habitats for common wildlife species while also providing compatible recreational uses and expanding funding opportunities. Biological Resources Conservation Handbook Appendix Page 153 of 187 Chapter 7. Mitigation Monitoring The County will establish a monitoring program to assess the success or failure of the wildlife mitigation measures prescribed in the Biological Resources Review Guide (BRRG). It would not be feasible to monitor hundreds of individual open space areas scattered countywide, given the constraints of staffing and budget. Therefore, as part of a more comprehensive monitoring program, the County may wish to pursue some or all of the following measures: • Establish and undertake monitoring plans for compensation (mitigation) banks. If the County can identify and acquire relatively large blocks of undisturbed habitat, mitigation for certain impacts to biological resources could be accomplished through payment of fees by developers to reimburse the County for the cost of acquiring and managing the habitat in these mitigation banks. If large-scale compensation banks are established in the County, they could provide opportunities to develop more cost-effective monitoring plans than could be implemented for multiple, smaller mitigation sites. Data from monitoring such banks could be used to refine BRRG mitigation measures for individual projects. • Establish mitigation monitoring and enforcement fees for large projects. For large-scale projects (e.g., 100 acres or larger), consider requiring a fee to cover the cost of hiring a professional biologist to conduct ongoing monitoring and to prepare reports for submittal to the County. Alternatively, the developer could retain a qualified consultant to monitor the effectiveness of mitigation and report to the County. Goals of Monitoring A monitoring program would assess the degree to which the County’s biological resources conservation policies achieve their stated goals. The goals of the monitoring program are: (1) provide quantitative and qualitative data for analysis of effectiveness of mitigation measures on individual projects; (2) evaluate general approaches to mitigation; (3) expand and update the biological data base; (4) provide a basis for assessing cumulative impacts on biological resources; and (5) provide a basis for refining mitigation measures in future BRRG updates to increase effectiveness (adaptive management). Monitoring Measures for Individual Projects For individual projects, the purpose of monitoring is to ensure that the required mitigation measures are actually implemented and meet some standard of minimal adequacy. Ideally, all projects should be monitored during and after construction, and some projects should be monitored over longer time periods as well. During construction, monitoring should focus on measures designed to avoid or minimize impacts such as erosion control measures, protection of large trees and sensitive habitat areas, and buffer zones established to minimize disturbance to nesting birds. The level of construction monitoring can range from weekly checks to ensure installed mitigation measures are being followed, to full-time daily monitoring to ensure no direct impacts to threatened or endangered species. After construction, monitoring should include a final evaluation of these preventive measures and would also focus on measures (such as habitat improvement) that are designed to compensate for unavoidable impacts. In addition, long-term monitoring may be needed to Biological Resources Conservation Handbook Appendix Page 154 of 187 evaluate mitigation measures (such as revegetation) that require extensive time to implement. Requirements for monitoring should be explicitly incorporated into the conditions of approval for the appropriate entitlement and should include the following elements: Performance Standards: Performance standards should be set at a realistic level that will ensure the long-term success and establishment of mitigation implementations such as revegetation and exotic species control. Standards can have different goals over time to make results more realistic and achievable without lowering the final mitigation goals. An example of this type of performance standards would be: less than 15% non-native cover by year 2, less than 10% non-native cover by year 3 and less than 5% non-native cover by year 5. • The following are more detailed examples of performance standards: 1. Vegetative cover is present over at least 85 percent of the total ground surface within the treated area. 2. Native Vegetation Coverage: Native species must provide at least 70 percent total coverage within the treated area and 85 percent relative coverage as measured over 300 foot long segments within the treated area. Therefore, any area covering at least a 300 foot length of the treatment area that exhibits only the minimum of 85 percent total cover by vegetation (i.e., the remaining 15 percent remains barren), appropriate native species must contribute at least approximately 70 percent total cover and 85 percent relative cover in that particular treated area. In areas exhibiting 100 percent total cover, native plants must constitute at least 85 percent of the total coverage. Native vegetation may include seeded species as well as “volunteers” (naturally recruited specimens), native to the area. This standard implies that no more than 15 percent of all vegetative cover may consist of ruderal non- native species. However, of the ruderal species “permitted” on the site, only species of very common, “naturalized,” non-native grasses and herbs, such as Bromus, Avena, Conyza, Brassica spp., may be allowed, particularly if their removal would likely promote erosion or incur significant collateral damage to healthy native species. 3. Exotic Vegetation Coverage: Particularly noxious invasive exotic species must not contribute more than 1 percent of all vegetative cover. • The project conditions of approval need to specify corrective measures required if the standards are not met • The conditions need to specify intervals at which monitoring will be conducted • The conditions need to reflect the applicant’s responsibility to employ qualified consultants to periodically report to the County the success or failure of all mitigation measures along with any maintenance and/or corrective measures. Long Term Monitoring Biological Resources Conservation Handbook Appendix Page 155 of 187 Long-term monitoring is usually defined as longer than the typical 5 year monitoring period and would be appropriate for the following types of mitigation measures: • Revegetation–The monitoring of plantings until they are established and need no further maintenance. Long-term monitoring may be necessary specifically with projects involving chaparral and woodland restoration. • Locked gates–The objective is to ensure that gates are locked and are effective at preventing vehicle access to sensitive areas while allowing for emergency access. Monitoring should ideally continue indefinitely. • Habitat improvements that require periodic maintenances–Maintenance such as the removal of non-native invasive species, checking and maintaining fencing and other hardware used to protect planted plants. • Any other measure that requires continuous maintenance, such as oak replanting, which requires monitoring for a period of seven (7) years pursuant to Section 21083.4 of the Public Resources Code. Monitoring of Experimental Mitigation Some mitigation measures may be considered experimental and may require monitoring to determine if they benefit habitat quality and wildlife to the extent desired. Other measures may be controversial because they are considered too difficult to implement or too constraining to development. Although it is unlikely that the County would have sufficient funds to conduct actual studies of the success or failure of various types of mitigation measures, it could maintain a “Mitigation Update” file on this subject. Sources of information would include: • Studies described in various scientific publications: • Agreements and research studies with educational institutions utilizing students work study degree programs or faculty expertise. • Discussions with biologists from the Department of Fish and Game, Stanislaus National Forest, and Bureau of Land Management • Comments submitted by County staff, local biologists, developers, and other concerned citizens • In addition, the County planning staff should devote at least one in-house meeting each year to share information on mitigation and evaluate the relative success of selected measures. Mitigation, Monitoring and Maintenance Plan Large complex projects involving Priority 1 biological resources, impacts to wetlands, or permits required by the United States Army Corps. of Engineers (USACE), Regional Water Quality Control Board (RWQCB), United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), or California Department of Fish and Game (CDFG) will require a stand alone Mitigation, Monitoring, and Maintenance Plan. This plan will need to be formulated through consultation with the appropriate agency and may require the involvement of a qualified professional with expertise in the area of potential impact. Such a stand alone Mitigation, Monitoring and Biological Resources Conservation Handbook Appendix Page 156 of 187 Maintenance Plan would typically not be required for projects that can avoid impacts to all first priority biological resources through O (Open Space) or O-1 (Open Space-1) zoning. The plan should provide a detailed description of the monitoring program. This description should include, at a minimum: 1. a list of the attributes to be monitored; 2. methods for monitoring each attribute, including monitoring frequency and the location of monitoring stations; 3. a rationale for monitoring each attribute in relationship to the project goals, objectives, and performance standards; 4. a rationale for the inclusion or exclusion of reference sites; 5. a description of how the resulting data will be analyzed and how the level of performance will be determined; 6. identification of how the need for remediation or alteration of project operation will be assessed; and 7. an explicit timetable for the monitoring program including data collection, data analysis, and reporting of results. Remedial Action Plan A Remedial Action Plan should be included in the Mitigation, Monitoring, and Maintenance Plan and identify any potential problems and describe the various actions appropriate for remediation. The plan should include documentation of potential site conditions that could require remediation, and the remedial actions that would be taken if those conditions arise. A remedial action is required when data from the monitoring program indicate the mitigation project cannot meet the established goals in an acceptable time frame without further intervention. Remediation may be necessary to correct a design or implementation problem, or to ensure recovery from a natural disaster. The remedial action plan may also be referred to as the adaptive management plan. Mitigation plans can be quite complex. In a regulatory context, it may be most practical to develop one plan that meets all the requirements of the different agencies involved. Although specific requirements may vary among agencies, it is in the best interest of all parties to work together early-on to identify the components that must be included in the mitigation plan. These agencies should also work together during the plan review stage. Agency coordination is especially critical in larger, more complex mitigation projects. Once an acceptable plan is approved, project implementation should occur as soon as practical. One of the chronic problems relating to revegetation mitigation projects is the often lengthy delays between adverse impacts and completion of the mitigation project. One way to avoid this problem is to have mitigation precede the adverse impacts. The evaluation of mitigation project performance should begin immediately after implementation is completed (i.e., after all of the necessary construction is completed) and should ultimately continue until sustained success is achieved. Biological Resources Conservation Handbook Appendix Page 157 of 187 Annual Monitoring Reports Records of inspection and maintenance activities performed should be retained. The records will include the date, name of inspector, observations, and the maintenance activities performed. Annual reports will also include all photographs from monitoring site visits and photo point monitoring. Annual reports should be submitted to the County, USACE, RWQCB, USFWS, and CDFG, as appropriate, for a period of 5-years, or until the mitigation areas have met the success criteria set forth in the Mitigation and Monitoring Report and have been approved by the appropriate regulatory agency. Annual reports for oak replanting must be submitted for a period of seven (7) years pursuant to Section 21083.4 of the Public Resources Code. These reports should include the following items: 1. Results from the qualitative and quantitative surveys. 2. Success status of the mitigation area, including percent survival of container plants, percent cover of native vs. non-native plants, slope stabilization by vegetation, and irrigation status. 3. Any contingency measures implemented, including reseeding or replacement of container plants. 4. Any recommendations for meeting the success criteria and agency sign-off by year five. Biological Resources Conservation Handbook Appendix Page 158 of 187 Chapter 8. Habitats This chapter provides a description of each habitat that has been mapped or that occurs within the County, including their Priority rating. The descriptions include a list of the common dominant species that characterize the habitat, where the habitat typically occurs within the County (elevation, land form, etc.) and a list of wildlife species that are likely to occur there. After each habitat name, in parentheses, is the abbreviation used on the Wildlife Habitat Maps. Establishment of a specific habitat on a project site is subject to the numerous steps detailed in Chapter 2, including the need for a field assessment of the site. These steps will lead to the establishment of a dominant priority habitat; however, portions of a project site that have been identified as a lower priority habitat such as Third or Fourth Priority Biological Resources may contain biological resources that are consistent with First or Second Priority resources (for example habitat for a special status species or a blue-line stream), and the portion of the project site containing those resources will need to be re-classified to the appropriate priority designation. For a list of special status species associated with each habitat, refer to Tables 2-3 (plants) and 3-2 (wildlife) in the Appendix. In order to predict the wildlife species associated with each of the habitats listed, the California Wildlife Habitat Relationships (WHR) system, which is administered by the Department of Fish and Game, has been incorporated into the habitat definitions. WHR is a predictive model that lists species likely to occur in a given location under certain habitat conditions. It also predicts the suitability of those conditions for reproduction, cover, and feeding. In some cases, the definitions provided by WHR do not make clear, quantitative distinctions between similar habitats. Therefore, descriptions have been refined; for example, by specifying the percentage of a stand occupied by a particular species of tree or shrub species. These percentages refer to the proportion of the overstory canopy cover occupied by a species. When a definition states that a stand is "dominated" by a particular species, it means that the species occupies at least 50% of the total overstory cover. All forest or woodland types, by definition, have a tree cover of 10% or more. A reference is included where habitat definitions were taken from sources other than WHR. 8.1 Annual Grassland (ags) Priority: Fourth. Annual Grassland (ags) is a Fourth Priority habitat where the site is not occupied by a special-status species and does not have potential to support a special-status species; does not contain wetlands or other waters of the United States; does not provide an important linkage (i.e., readily available alternatives are not available to the species) to First, Second or Third Priority Biological Resources bordering on or in the vicinity of the project site; and is not essential to the movement of species from one location to another. Criteria: Open grassland composed primarily of annual plant species which also occur as understory plants in oak woodland and other habitats. Characteristics: Annual grasslands in California support a diversity of annual grasses and herbaceous annual and perennial forbs. Annual grasses commonly occurring in this habitat Biological Resources Conservation Handbook Appendix Page 159 of 187 include wild oat, rip-gut brome, soft chess, red brome, Italian ryegrass, barley, rabbitfoot grass, and hedgehog dogtail. Some native perennial grasses, such as purple needlegrass and California melic may also occur in patches. The presence of native perennial grasses (in patches or dominant) indicate that the site, or portions of the site, may qualify to be classified as Native Perennial Grassland (PGS) habitat—a Second Priority habitat. Similarly, the presence of underlying serpentine soils may qualify the site as Serpentine Soil (SER) – a Second Priority habitat. Although typically dominated by non-native annual grasses, these habitats are reservoirs for populations of native annual and perennial herbaceous plants. These may include brodiaea, blue-dicks, gumplant, red-maids, cryptantha, miniature lupine, fiddleneck, bitter-cress, whisker brush, goldfields, valley tassels, Chinese houses, and clarkia, among others. Range: Below 3,900 feet in elevation in Tuolumne County. Special Considerations: Mediterranean climate: cool, wet winters and dry, hot summers. The amount of rainfall varies annually. The presence of a special status species in a portion of the ags moves that portion of the project site from the Fourth Priority habitat category and elevates the habitat to the habitat priority of the special status species occupying the area. Associated Wildlife: Annual grasslands provide pollen and nectar sources crucial to California’s native bees and other pollinators. They also provide important habitat for a variety of wildlife species. Raptors, including red-tailed hawk, barn owl, American kestrel, northern harrier, and others, commonly use open grassland areas for foraging, while species such as western meadowlark and burrowing owl, use open grassland areas for nesting. Mammals common to grassland include coyote, California ground squirrel, black- tailed jackrabbit, and California meadow vole. 8.2 Aspen (ASP) Priority: Second Criteria: Stands of trees that are dominated by quaking aspen where aspen occupies >50% of the canopy cover. Characteristics: Co-occurring overstory species include lodgepole pine, Jeffrey pine, ponderosa pine, red fir, white fir, and Douglas-fir. Mature stands are dense; in these stands there are very few co-occurring overstory species. Understory shrubs include sagebrush, rose, snowberry, western chokecherry, and western serviceberry. Aspen stands support a rich herbaceous layer of forbs and grasses. Aspen is a clonal species, which means that they reproduce asexually by sprouting from modified underground roots. Individuals are self-sufficient but remain connected underground; therefore, large aspen stands may be comprised of just a single individual. Range: From 6,500 to 9,900 feet in elevation in the eastern portion of the County. Found with red fir, Sierran mixed conifer, and lodgepole pine habitats. Special Considerations: Aspen stands occur where there is adequate moisture in the soil but will not grow in soils saturated at the surface for long periods. Aspen generally occurs in Biological Resources Conservation Handbook Appendix Page 160 of 187 pure stands fringing wet or moist meadows, and on slopes weathered by springs or seeps or subsurface water (Barbour et al. 2007). Aspen is intolerant of shade; therefore, fire is critical to the perpetuation of this habitat type. Aspen stand decline has been observed at many locations within the interior western U.S. and is generally attributed to conifer encroachment, fire suppression, and/or excessive grazing by livestock and/or native ungulates (hooved animals). Additionally, aspens are unlikely to be established by seeds in California, so retention and enhancement of existing groves is important (CDFG 2008). Associated Common Wildlife: Although no wildlife species is totally dependent on habitats dominated by aspen, this habitat adds significantly to the richness of the wildlife in areas where it occurs. Meadows are often adjacent to aspen stands; this and the shrub understory within stands provide nesting cover for several species that might otherwise be scarce or absent. The mesic sites that permit aspen to establish also result in higher insect production compared to adjacent forests or shrublands. This insect production, together with a high rate of fungal infection of trees, is thought to account for the greater variety and abundance of birds in this habitat compared with adjacent forests and shrublands. Aspen stands are habitats favored by a variety of cavity-nesting birds such as bluebirds, sapsuckers, and chickadees. Snags are important to cavity nesters in these stands, but live aspens are easily drilled and therefore are commonly used by these species. 8.3 Barren (bar) Priority: Fourth Criteria: Barren habitat is defined by the absence of vegetation. Any habitat with <2% total vegetation cover by herbaceous or non-wildland species and <10% cover by tree or shrub species is defined this way. Characteristics: Barren habitat may be found in combination with many different habitats. The physical settings for permanently barren habitat represent extreme environments for vegetation. An extremely hot or cold climate, a near vertical slope, an impermeable substrate, constant disturbance by either human or natural forces, or a soil either lacking in organic matter or excessively saline can each contribute to a habitat being inhospitable to plants. Range: Varies Special Considerations: None Associated Common Wildlife: Where there is little or no vegetation, structure of the non- vegetated substrate becomes a critical component of the habitat. Many hawks and falcons will nest on rock ledges and bats will occupy rocky river canyon walls above open water. 8.4 Blue Oak – Foothill Gray Pine (bop) Priority: Third Criteria: Stands of trees that are dominated by blue oak and foothill gray pine where blue oak is typically more abundant. Biological Resources Conservation Handbook Appendix Page 161 of 187 Characteristics: Blue oak - foothill gray pine is highly variable, and is characterized by a diverse mix of hardwoods, conifers, and shrubs. Interior live oak and California buckeye are common associates. Interior live oak becomes more abundant on steeper slopes, shallower soils, and at higher elevations. Shrub associates include ceanothus, manzanita, poison-oak, redbud, coffeeberry, toyon, and elderberry. Shrubs typically are clumped in areas of full sunlight (Barbour et al. 2007). Range: From 800 to 3,900 feet in elevation in Tuolumne County. Special Considerations: Blue oak – foothill gray pine is found in a wide range of soils; they are all generally derived from a variety of well-drained parent materials, ranging from gravelly loam through stony clay loam. Soils rich in rock fragments are typical. Blue oaks are slow-growing and long-lived trees; most stands exist as groups of medium to large trees with few or no young trees. Blue oak trees do not recruit well from acorns, and there is concern that blue oak woodlands are transitioning into savannas and grasslands as trees die and are not replaced. Poor recruitment may be due to competition for soil moisture from annual grasses, grazing damage to seedlings, or a combination of these. Blue oaks tolerate grass fires but not hot brush fires (Barbour et al. 2007). Stands of blue oak-foothill gray pine that are dominated by foothill gray pine tend to lose their blue oak trees, which are intolerant of shade. Associated Common Wildlife: Oak woodlands, including blue oak woodlands, are known to support an especially diverse community of bird species. These include acorn woodpecker, blue-gray gnatcatcher, oak titmouse, western bluebird, California quail, red- shouldered hawk, wild turkey, Lewis’s woodpecker, Nuttall’s woodpecker, western scrub-jay, white-breasted nuthatch, California thrasher, western screech owl, and California towhee. Mammal species common in blue oak woodlands include gray fox, mule deer, gray squirrel, western red bat, pallid bat, and hoary bat. Blue oak-foothill gray pine is structurally diverse because of its pine component and a patchy distribution of dense shrub stands. 8.5 Blue Oak Woodland (bow) Priority: Third Criteria: Stands of trees that are dominated by blue oak where blue oak occupies >80% of the canopy cover. Characteristics: Blue oak woodlands are highly variable, with blue oak comprising 80 to 100 percent of the trees present. The overstory of blue oak woodland ranges from sparsely scattered trees on poor sites (blue oak savannah) to nearly closed canopies on good quality sites (blue oak woodlands) (Barbour et al 2007). Co-occurring tree species include foothill gray pine, California buckeye, valley oak, interior live oak, and California black oak. This habitat supports a well-developed shrub understory that can include poison-oak, California coffeeberry, buckbrush, toyon, California buckeye, redbud, and manzanita. On harsher sites where blue oak woodlands are savannah-like, the understory is dominated by herbaceous grasses and forbs with only a few scattered shrubs. At lower elevations on gentle slopes, blue oak woodlands typically occur as large blocks with a variable canopy cover. On steeper ground, they occur in small patches within other vegetation such as annual grassland, chaparral, and others (Barbour et al. 2007). Biological Resources Conservation Handbook Appendix Page 162 of 187 Range: From approximately 500 to 2,500 feet in elevation in the western Sierra Nevada. Special Considerations: Blue oak woodlands are often on shallow, rocky, infertile, and well drained soils. Blue oaks are well adapted to dry, hilly terrain where the water table is usually unavailable; and are extremely drought tolerant. Blue oaks are intolerant of supplemental watering, and will not survive in irrigated landscapes. Blue oaks are slow-growing and long-lived trees; most stands exist as groups of medium to large trees with few or no young trees. Blue oak trees do not recruit well from acorns, and there is concern that blue oak woodlands are transitioning into savannas and grasslands as trees die and are not replaced. Blue oaks tolerate grass fires but not hot brush fires (Barbour et al. 2007). Associated Common Wildlife: Oak woodlands, including blue oak woodlands, are known to support an especially diverse community of bird species. These include acorn woodpecker, blue-gray gnatcatcher, oak titmouse, western bluebird, California quail, red- shouldered hawk, wild turkey, Lewis’s woodpecker, Nuttall’s woodpecker, western scrub-jay, white-breasted nuthatch, California thrasher, western screech owl, and California towhee. Mammal species common in blue oak woodlands include gray fox, mule deer, gray squirrel, western red bat, pallid bat, and hoary bat. 8.6 Chaparral (includes montane chaparral (mcp), mixed chaparral (mch) and chamise chaparral (chc)) Priority: Third Criteria: Woody species dominated by shrubs with thick, tough, evergreen leaves. Habitat structure is influenced by fire. Habitat density is dependent upon the quality of site. Characteristics: This type of habitat can be characterized into one of three different forms based on elevation, slope, aspect, and other factors. Chamise Chaparral This type of habitat is dominated by chamise and is commonly found on south- and west- facing slopes and in serpentine soils. Typically xeric with little ground cover and canopy. Common associated species found in drainages of this type of habitat include toyon, poison oak, redberry and California buckthorn. Other associated species include ceanothus, manzanita and laurel sumac. Mixed Chaparral A foothill habitat dominated by one or more species of evergreen shrubs. The dominant species of mixed chaparral include ceanothus and manzanita. Associated species include chamise, birchleaf mountain mahogany, silk-tassel, toyon, yerba-santa, California buckeye, poison oak, sumac, California buckthorn, holly leaf cherry and California fremontia. Species found within the serpentine soils of this type of habitat include incense cedar, knobcone pine, and foothill gray pine. Montane Chaparral Biological Resources Conservation Handbook Appendix Page 163 of 187 Presence of dominant species is mainly dependent upon elevational and geographical range, soil type, and aspect. Dominant species commonly found in this type include: whitethorn ceanothus, greenleaf manzanita, pinemat manzanita, bitter cherry, huckleberry oak, sierra chinquapin, juneberry, Fremont silktassel, Greene goldenweed, mountain mahogany, toyon, sumac, and California buckthorn. Range: To 10,000 feet in elevation. Special Considerations: Occurs on any type of slope, but particularly on moderate to steep slopes. Soils are typically rocky, alluvial, coarse textured, poorly developed, and well drained. In Tuolumne County, many serpentine habitats overlap with the chaparral habitat type. Associated Wildlife: Species common to chaparral habitats include a wide variety of wildlife including herbivores primarily for grazing; deer primarily for fawning; birds and other mammals may use this type of habitat for shade, protection, nesting, and food. 8.7 Cropland (crp) Priority: Fourth Criteria: Includes all field crops, orchards and vineyards, but not pasturelands. (The California Wildlife Habitat Relationships (CWHR) system defines orchard-vineyard as a separate type.) Characteristics: Cropland occurs in association with orchard-vineyard, irrigated pasture, residential park and wildlife habitats such as riparian, chaparral, wetlands and herbaceous types. Range: N/A Special Considerations: None Associated Common Wildlife: May include raptors, dove and avian wildlife. 8.8 Ditches (DIT) Priority: Second Criteria: Linear water conveyance systems constructed to move surface water to areas where it was needed for mining, agriculture or domestic use. Characteristics: Ditches typically follow the contour of the land for the majority of their length and may use flumes where berms are impractical to construct. Range: Ditches that still convey water in Tuolumne County are located primarily below 4,200 feet, the elevation of Lyons Reservoir. Special Considerations: Ditches can be considered as streams if they support aquatic life, riparian vegetation or stream dependent terrestrial wildlife. However, the ditches that remain in use in Tuolumne County have rights of use by either private parties or public Biological Resources Conservation Handbook Appendix Page 164 of 187 utilities, such as the Tuolumne Utilities District, that allow access to and maintenance of the ditches for water conveyance purposes. These rights of use must be considered when evaluating impacts resulting from adjacent development. Ditches that carry landscape runoff and/or natural flow that are connected from waters of the United States and flow into another water of the United States are under the jurisdiction of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and are subject to Section 404 of the Clean Water Act. Associated Common Wildlife: Various native and introduced fish and aquatic species live in the waters flowing in ditches. A myriad of terrestrial wildlife use ditches as a source of food and water. 8.9 Fresh Emergent Wetland (FEW) Priority: Second Criteria: Areas that are seasonally inundated for a duration sufficient to support emergent vegetation. Characteristics: Fresh emergent wetland habitats may occur in association with terrestrial habitats or aquatic habitats including riverine, lacustrine (LAK) and wet meadows (WTM). The upland limit of fresh emergent wetland is the boundary between land with predominantly hydrophytic plant species and land with primarily upland plant species. The boundary between fresh emergent wetlands and deep water habitats is the deep water edge of the emergent vegetation. This generally is at or above 6.6 feet in depth, which is the maximum depth to which emergent plants normally grow. Associated species: Sedges, baltic rush, redroot nutgrass, narrowleaf and common cattail, tule bulrush and river bulrush, and arrowhead. Range: At nearly all elevations, but most prevalent below 7,500 feet. Special Considerations: This habitat develops under specific hydrologic regimes, and an alteration of hydrology will result in loss of species or a shifting in the boundaries of these habitats. Fresh emergent wetlands can occur in any habitat where conditions are suitable. Associated Wildlife: Suspended organisms such as plankton and zooplankton, and aquatic insects such as water boatmen and water striders. Amphibians such as salamanders, frogs, and toads all utilize fresh emergent habitat during portions of their life cycle. Waterfowl nest, forage, and use as refuge; and northern harrier uses dense stands for nesting. Fresh emergent wetland habitat provides high quality foraging habitat for egrets, cranes, and herons. 8.10 Irrigated Pasture (pas) Priority: Fourth Criteria: Pasture vegetation is a mix of perennial grasses and legumes that normally provide 100 percent canopy closure. Characteristics: Height of vegetation varies, according to season and livestock stocking levels, from a few inches to two or more feet on fertile soils before grazing. The mix of Biological Resources Conservation Handbook Appendix Page 165 of 187 grasses and legumes varies according to management practices such as seed mixture, fertilization, soil type, irrigation, weed control and the type of livestock on the pasture. Range: Varies Special Considerations: Irrigated pastures can be found adjacent to habitats such as Valley Foothill Riparian (VRI), mixed chaparral (mch), Fresh Emergent Wetland (FEW) and Native Perennial Grasslands (PGS). Associated Wildlife: Pastures are used by a variety of wildlife including ground nesting birds and may be used by deer where there is adequate escape cover. 8.11 Jeffrey Pine (jpn) Priority: Third Criteria: Forests dominated by Jeffrey pine, either in relatively pure stands or mixed with other conifers. Understory usually consists of scattered montane chaparral. Complete canopy cover is rare. Characteristics: Dominant upper tree layer usually forming pure stands. Varying litter accumulation, shading, and moisture availability dictate the open understory of Jeffrey pine stands. This type of habitat is usually composed of both Ponderosa and Jeffrey pines, as they are closely related and have been known to hybridize. Associated species include white fir, incense cedar, red fir, lodgepole pine, ponderosa pine, sugar pine, and black cottonwood. Associated shrubs include huckleberry oak, manzanita and mountain misery. Most mesic sites have deciduous hardwood as second canopy layer. Dry sites have evergreen hardwood. Xeric sites have conifer species as second canopy layer. Range: 5,000 to 9,500 feet in elevation (Barbour et al. 2007) Special Considerations: N/A Associated Wildlife: This type of habitat provides cover and shelter for wildlife. Many species of wildlife rely on the seeds of the Jeffrey pine. Squirrels and mule deer rely on the bark and foliage from the trees. Jeffrey pines provide nesting cover to nuthatch, brown creeper, woodpecker, and flying squirrel. 8.12 Lake, Reservoir or Pond (LAK) Priority: Second Criteria: Lake, reservoir or ponds (lacustrine habitat) are defined as holding water year round and include both natural and man-made habitat. These habitats include inland depressions or damned riverine channels that contain standing water, and include permanently flooded lakes and reservoirs up to several feet in diameter and hundreds of feet in depth, intermittent lakes such as playa lakes, and ponds as small as one hectare (approximately 2.5 acres) or less in area and a few centimeters (one centimeter equals 0.4 inch) in depth. Biological Resources Conservation Handbook Appendix Page 166 of 187 Characteristics: Lacustrine habitat is broken down into three general zones that include a limnetic or open water zone, a submerged littoral zone, and a shoreline. The limnetic zone ranges from maximum depth to the depth of effective light penetration. The littoral zone includes all areas shallow enough to permit light penetration, including the perimeter of lakes and the entirety of most ponds. To qualify as shoreline, a water border must be present with less than two percent vegetative cover. Shoreline areas supporting vegetative cover exceeding two percent would classify as a riparian habitat type. Lakes and ponds are considered temporary features in the landscape as a result of siltation processes that eventually fill them up with sediment. Associated species: A surface blanket of duckweed may cover shallow areas of lacustrine habitats. Submerged aquatic plants such as algae and pondweeds may occur within the littoral zone, with floating rooted plants such as water lilies and smartweed appearing as depths to sediment become shallower closer to the shoreline. Range: Found at all elevations throughout California. Special Considerations: Occur in association with any terrestrial habitats, in addition to Riverine and Fresh Water Emergent habitat types. Associated Wildlife: Suspended organisms such as plankton and zooplankton are very important to the ecology of lacustrine habitats. Aquatic insects such as water boatmen and water striders occur throughout the water column. Crustaceans such as crayfish, mollusks such as freshwater snails, and bivalves such as freshwater clams occur within the benthic (related to or happening on the bottom) environment. Amphibians such as salamanders, frogs, and toads all utilize lacustrine habitats during portions of their life cycle. Waterfowl nest, forage, and use as refuge. Permanent lacustrine habitats typically support fish life whereas intermittent habitats do not. Piscivorous (fish eating) mammals and birds frequent lacustrine habitats to forage. 8.13 Lodgepole Pine Forest (lpn) Priority: Third Criteria: Stands of trees that are dominated by lodgepole pine where lodgepole pine occupies greater than 56 percent of the canopy cover. Characteristics: Open stands of lodgepole pine forests make up a widespread upper montane forest/woodland over much of the Sierra Nevada (Barbour 2007). There is little understory and soil litter. Associated with red fir, Jeffrey pine and western white pine. Shrub associates include pinemat manzanita, gooseberry currant and huckleberry oak. Range: Lodgepole pines can be found at many elevations. Significant stands typically occur above 6,000 feet. Special Considerations: Grow on seasonally wet soils which derive the majority of precipitation from winter snow. Soils are generally thin and lacking in nutrients. Associated Wildlife: Species common to lodgepole pine forest usually inhabit the meadow edge. Lodgepole pine forest can provide habitat for wolverine, goshawk, bald eagle, and prairie falcon. Biological Resources Conservation Handbook Appendix Page 167 of 187 8.14 Montane Hardwood Conifer (mhc) Priority: Third Criteria: Includes both conifers and hardwoods often as a closed forest. To be considered mhc, at least one-third of the trees must be conifer and at least one-third must be hardwood. Characteristics: Montane hardwood-conifer often occurs in a mosaic interspersed with patches of pure conifer stands and small hardwood stands. This habitat type typically has a dense canopy, and therefore tends to have a poorly developed shrub and herb layer, although ground and shrub cover can occur following disturbance such as fire or logging. Common associates include California black oak, black cottonwood, canyon live oak, Jeffrey pine, Douglas-fir, ponderosa pine, sugar pine, incense-cedar, and localized areas of giant sequoia. Range: From approximately 1,400 to 5,800 feet in elevation. Special Considerations: Mixed hardwood conifer habitat generally occurs on coarse, well drained mesic soils, in mountainous terrain with narrow valleys. Slopes average approximately 57 percent. Associated Wildlife: Montane hardwood conifer provides habitat for a variety of wildlife species. Mature forests are valuable to cavity nesting birds, and mast crops of acorns are an important food source for many birds as well as mammals. Canopy cover and understory vegetation are variable which makes the habitat suitable for a diversity of species. 8.15 Montane Hardwood (mhw) Priority: Third Criteria: Dominated by hardwood tree species with greater than 50 percent canopy cover. Characteristics: This habitat type typically is composed of a pronounced hardwood tree layer with an infrequent and poorly developed shrub layer and only a sparse herbaceous layer. On high quality sites, trees or patches of trees are closely spaced; spacing is increased on poorer sites. At lower elevation, common overstory species include canyon live oak, foothill-gray pine, knobcone pine, and scrubby California-laurel. Associated understory vegetation includes Oregon-grape, currant, wood rose, snowberry, manzanita, poison-oak, and a few forbs and grasses. At higher elevation, overstory associates are typical mixed conifer and California black oak. On steep, rocky south slopes of major river canyons, the habitat is comprised of canyon live oak and scattered old-growth Douglas-fir. Range: From approximately 2,100 to 4,800 feet in elevation in Tuolumne County. Special Considerations: Occurs on any slopes, but particularly on moderate to steep slopes. Soils are typically rocky, alluvial, coarse textured, poorly developed, and well drained. Biological Resources Conservation Handbook Appendix Page 168 of 187 Associated Wildlife: Species common to montane hardwood habitat include those that rely on acorns as a major food source. Bird and animal species characteristic of this habitat include scrub and Steller’s jays, acorn woodpecker, and western gray squirrel, wild turkey, mountain quail, band-tailed pigeon, California ground squirrel, dusky-footed woodrat, black bear, and mule deer. Deer also use the foliage of several hardwoods to a moderate extent. Many amphibians and reptiles are found on the forest floor, including ensatina, relictual slender salamander, western fence lizard, and sagebrush lizard. Snakes include rubber boa, western rattlesnake, California mountain kingsnake, and sharp tailed snake. 8.16 Montane Riparian (MRI) Priority: Second Criteria: Dominated by water-dependent vegetation. Characteristics: This type of habitat can be generally characterized by the small trees and large shrubs, but can vary by elevation. Riparian areas in mixed conifer forests include big- leafed maple, Pacific dogwood, California laurel, black cottonwood, and white alder. Shrubs consist primarily of willows, California buckeye, Coyote brush, blue elderberry, California blackberry, Himalayan blackberry, and common button bush. Low to moderate cover consists of vines such as the Western virgin's-bower, California pipe vine, Pacific poison oak, and California wild grape. Typical species found within the herbaceous layer include stinging nettle, dwarf nettle, Santa Barbara sedge, burr chervil, ripgut brome, blue wild rye, and Bermuda grass. Range: Usually below 8,000 feet in the Sierra Nevada. Special Considerations: Riparian areas are found associated with montane lakes, ponds, seeps, bogs, meadows, rivers, streams and springs. Water may be permanent or ephemeral. Associated Wildlife: Species common in montane riparian habitat include those species that rely on water, thermal cover, migration corridors, and diverse nesting and feeding opportunities: amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals. Species common in valley riparian habitat include species that rely on water, thermal cover, migration corridors, and diverse nesting and feeding opportunities. These types of wildlife include various insects and aquatic invertebrates, mammals, amphibians, reptiles, and many types of birds. Examples of amphibians include such species as native red legged and foothill and mountain yellow legged frogs, introduced bullfrogs, and Western toads. Reptiles found in riparian habitats include garter snakes, Western pond turtles, and other introduced turtles. Bird species include flycatchers, vireos, goldfinches, warblers, sparrows, red-wing blackbirds, house wrens, American dippers, belted kingfishers as well as introduced species such as house sparrows and starlings. 8.17 Native Perennial Grassland (PGS) Native Perennial Grassland habitat is not mapped on the Wildlife Habitat Maps; however, this habitat may occur on private land within the County. Priority: Second Biological Resources Conservation Handbook Appendix Page 169 of 187 Criteria: Relatively treeless habitat supporting native perennial grasses. Characteristics: Native Perennial Grassland habitats are usually relics found within annual grassland, and annual grasses may predominate. Perennial grasses that are or historically were present in the County include purple needlegrass, California melic, deer grass, one- sided bluegrass, and blue wild rye (Stromberg et al. eds). Co-occurring non-native annual grasses include wild oak, rip-gut brome, cheat grass, annual ryegrass, soft chess, and others. Range: From approximately 700 feet to 3,000 feet in elevation in Tuolumne County. Special Considerations: N/A Associated Wildlife: Raptors such as the northern harrier, barn owl, and red-tailed hawk as well as turkey vulture typically use this type of open grassland habitat primarily for foraging, whereas the burrowing owl use the open areas primarily for nesting. Native perennial grasslands provide habitat for garter snakes. Mammals such as the coyote and black-tailed deer typically use the native perennial grasslands for foraging or grazing and migration. 8.18 Old Growth Conifer Forest (OGC) Priority: Second Criteria: Forest stands dominated by unusually large, old conifers in moderate- to high- density stands having 40% canopy cover or greater. Characteristics: In old growth conifer forest the dominant overstory is over 150 years old and, except for lodgepole pine and mountain hemlock forests, the overstory trees have an average diameter at breast height of at least 24 inches and typically 30 inches or more. Range: Old growth conifer forest can be found in stands of ponderosa pine and incense cedar at elevations near 3,000 feet to stands of lodgepole pine and red fir at 9,000 feet and above. Special Considerations: Because old growth conifer forest is becoming relatively rare in Tuolumne County and throughout California, it is becoming a more important component of the forest ecosystem to maintain biological diversity. Associated Common Wildlife: This habitat type provides cover and shelter for numerous species throughout its elevational range, including the Pacific fisher, great gray owl and northern goshawk. 8.19 Old Growth Oak (OGO) Priority: Second Criteria: Old growth oak habitat consists of hardwood forest where the canopy is dominated by native oak species in which the majority of the individual trees are at least 100 years old and exhibit characteristics typical of old growth oak trees. Biological Resources Conservation Handbook Appendix Page 170 of 187 Characteristics: Old growth oak stands consist of California black oak, valley oak, interior live oak and canyon live oak with a diameter at breast height of at least 18 inches and blue oak trees with a stem diameter of at least 12 inches. Old growth oak habitat provides extremely important wildlife habitat which cannot be provided by younger trees. Examples include large cavities for roosting and nesting and an abundant acorn crop. Range: Old growth oak habitat in Tuolumne County ranges from elevations near 900 feet in western Tuolumne County where blue oak abounds to the upper elevation of California black oak near 6,000 feet. Special Considerations: Loss of old growth oaks cannot be easily mitigated because most trees require 100 years or more to attain the characteristics that make this habitat so valuable. Associated Common Wildlife: This habitat type provides cover, shelter and food for numerous species of birds and mammals throughout its elevational range. For additional information, refer to bow, mhc and VOW. 8.20 Ponderosa Pine (ppn) Priority: Third Criteria: Includes pure stands of ponderosa pine as well as stands of mixed species in which at least 50% of the canopy area is ponderosa pine. Characteristics: This habitat can be divided into two categories mainly by the amount of moisture and fire history (Barbour 2007): dry and moist. Dry ponderosa pine habitat can be found on south-facing slopes at lower elevations and is composed mainly of Ponderosa pine associated with Jeffrey pines, foothill pines, California black oak, and incense cedar. It is also associated with and is interspersed with chaparral habitat, canyon live oak stands, and Douglas fir. The drier category is typically composed of both Ponderosa and Jeffrey pines, as they are closely related and have been known to hybridize. The moist ponderosa pine category typically occurs on north-facing slopes and at higher elevations. This habitat is dominated by white fir, sugar pine and ponderosa pine, and is associated with Douglas fir and giant sequoias. The shrub and herbaceous layers in this type of habitat are variable and are dependent upon shade tolerance. Range: 3,000 to 6,900 feet in elevation in the central and southern Sierra Nevada. Special Considerations: Ponderosa pines are generally shade intolerant, fire resistant, less tolerant to cold, and require moisture. Associated Wildlife: This type of habitat provides cover and shelter for numerous species of wildlife. 8.21 Red Fir (rfr) Priority: Third Criteria: Any stand dominated by dense canopies of red fir. Canopy is typically monotypic (consisting of only one type). Biological Resources Conservation Handbook Appendix Page 171 of 187 Characteristics: This type of habitat can be classified into one of four stages. Seedlings prefer shallow litter or mineral soil in full sunlight. Saplings are shade-tolerant and compete with post-disturbance shrubs. Young trees grow into dense stands that continue to grow slowly, compete for moisture, and contribute to the litter beneath them. Mature stands have dense canopies and thick litter with little to no understory. Associated species may include white fir, sugar pine, lodgepole pine, Jeffrey pine, mountain hemlock and western white pine. In lower elevations, red fir can be found with white fir and sugar pine. In higher elevations, red fir can be found with mountain hemlock, western white pine and whitebark pine. Range: From approximately 6,000 feet to 9,000 feet in elevation in the Sierra Nevada. Special Considerations: In areas of higher elevations and moist soils. Associated Wildlife: Species common to red fir habitat include those that rely on the trees to provide food or cover. Sensitive species include goshawk, great gray owl, red fox, pine marten, and wolverine. 8.22 Riverine (rivers and streams) Riverine habitat is not included on the Wildlife Habitat Maps; however, rivers and streams are shown on the USGS topographic base maps as either solid blue (perennial) or dashed (intermittent) blue lines. Priority: Second Criteria: Riverine habitats include rivers and streams distinguished by intermittent or continually running water contained within a channel, bed and bank (WHR). Characteristics: Riverine habitat is described as containing three zones that include an open water zone, a submerged zone, and a shoreline. Open water within riverine habitat includes areas greater than two meters (6± feet) in depth and/or areas that fall below the depth of floating rooted plants. Open water habitats do not involve substrate. Smaller rivers and streams may not have an open water zone. The submerged zone occurs between the open water zone and the shoreline. The shoreline is defined as the boundary of water and land and only includes areas that are seldom flooded with less than ten percent canopy cover. Shorelines with ten percent canopy cover or more are designated as terrestrial habitat. Stream structure may also be defined two dimensionally in a linear fashion moving from upstream reaches to downstream reaches. Depending on the changes in topography, streams may support riffle, run, and pool sections throughout their reach, as well as waterfall areas over areas with steep relief. Associated species: Water moss and filamentous algae hold fast to rocks and align with the current, while other algae grow in spherical cushion-like colonies with smooth gelatinous surfaces. Emergent vegetation grows along the banks of riverine habitats, with floating vegetation such as duckweed covering the surface of backwaters and low-flow pools. Range: Rivers and streams occur throughout California between sea level and 8,000 feet above mean sea level. Biological Resources Conservation Handbook Appendix Page 172 of 187 Special Considerations: Vegetated riverine areas are commonly associated with riparian habitats and depending upon their watershed contribution, may be found contiguous to lacustrine (lake, reservoir or pond) habitat and fresh emergent wetlands. Riverine habitats can occur in association with a number of terrestrial habitats as well and are important for species connectivity. Associated Wildlife: Riverine habitats support a wide range of fishes and aquatic invertebrates. Aquatic insects inhabiting high flow reaches, include larvae of mayflies, caddisflies, alderflies, stoneflies, water pennies, and black flies, and live in riffles on the underside of rubble and gravel. Pools support mayfly nymhs, dragonfly and damselfly larvae, and water striders. Mollusks and crustaceans inhabit benthic (related to or happening on the bottom) environments of slower moving pools. Open water zones of larger rivers provide cover for many species of waterfowl. Gulls, terns, osprey and bald eagle forage over riverine habitats. The submerged and shoreline zones within near-shore waters provide foraging opportunities for waterfowl, herons, shorebirds, belted-kingfisher and American dipper. Insectivorous birds and bats also forage over riverine habitats. Mammals that occur in riverine habitats include river otters, beavers, mink, and muskrat. 8.23 Residential Park (rsp) Priority: Fourth Criteria: Urbanized areas including residential, commercial and industrial development as well as landscaped parks and gardens, including developed residential areas with lot sizes of less than 5 acres. Characteristics: This type of habitat is dominated by native and/or ornamental shade trees, manicured hedges, and manicured monotypic grass lawns. Range: Varies. Habitat Requirements: Urban residential areas are usually irrigated and closely manicured. Associated Wildlife: Species common to urban residential park habitat include scrub jay, mourning dove, eastern red squirrel, house finch, house sparrow, Brewer’s blackbird, robin, common bushtit, insects, and other species that tolerate urban and suburban development. 8.24 Subalpine Conifer Forest (scn) Priority: Third Criteria: Open coniferous forests above 9,000 feet in elevation dominated by trees of small to medium stature. Characteristics: Stands have low densities, are low-growing, and fragmented (Barbour 2007). Tree species found within subalpine conifer include mountain hemlock, western white pine, lodgepole pine, whitebark pine and foxtail pine. Shrub species found within this habitat can include Parry manzanita, purple mountain heather, oceanspray, and big sagebrush. If the ground cover is not bare soil or rock, vegetative ground cover can include Western wheatgrass, California brome, several species of lupines, and a variety of flowering annuals. Biological Resources Conservation Handbook Appendix Page 173 of 187 Range: 9,000 to 11,000 feet in elevation. Special Considerations: Subalpine conifer habitats have a short growing season with cool temperatures all year round. Soils are generally thin and are of low quality because of the lack of organic matter. Soils are composed of coarse sand, gravel, volcanic debris, and rocks derived from decomposing parent material, making it difficult for vegetation to grow. Snow is the primary source of precipitation and provides cover to the vegetation. Areas exposed to high wind also expose the soil creating a lack of moisture and also lowering the soil temperature. This type of habitat generally occurs above the upper montane forest stands of red fir and lodgepole pine (Barbour 2007). Associated Wildlife: Only a few significant types of wildlife are known to find the conditions in this habitat suitable: great gray owl, pileated woodpecker, Clark’s nutcracker, mountain chickadee, martin, fisher, and wolverine. The harsh weather conditions and lack of primary productivity make it difficult to support an abundance of species year-round. 8.25 Serpentine Soil (SER) Serpentine Soil habitat is not included on the Wildlife Habitat Maps; however, this habitat may be identified during initial project review. Priority: First or Second if the habitat contains special status species, or Second Third if there are no special status species present. Criteria: Ultramafic soils containing the mineral serpentine, a hydrated form of magnesium silicate, as well as exceptionally low concentrations of calcium, an essential plant nutrient. Serpentine soils also have high magnesium levels and several heavy metals present. All of these factors make this type of habitat and the vegetation within it unique. Characteristics: Vegetation in this type of soil habitat can be generally characterized as dwarfed, drought-tolerant, and occurring often in discrete patches that correspond to soil units. Range: Eastern edge of the Great Valley and foothills of the Sierra Nevada, including Red Hills and Table Mountain. Special Considerations: Serpentine soils can overlap within other types of habitats meeting the criteria and characteristics stated above. In Tuolumne County, many serpentine habitats overlap with the chaparral habitat type. Associated Wildlife: Wildlife associations are based on the dominant vegetation or habitat type associated with the serpentine soil: serpentine soil can be found in many of the other habitat types in Tuolumne County, especially chaparral. 8.26 Sierran Mixed Conifer (smc) Priority: Third Criteria: An assemblage of hardwood and conifer species forming a multi-layered canopy; canopy cover is typically 100%. Biological Resources Conservation Handbook Appendix Page 174 of 187 Characteristics: This type of habitat is a multilayer forest composed of conifer and hardwood species. Trees are typically dominated by white fir, Douglas-fir, ponderosa pine, sugar pine, incense-cedar, and/or California black oak. Composition of this habitat varies strongly with elevation and aspect. Big Tree Forest (BTF), which is dominated by Giant Sequoias, is a subset of this habitat type. Dominant shrub species include deerbrush, manzanita, chinquapin, tan oak, bitter cherry, prostrate ceanothus, mountain whitethorn, gooseberry, rose, and mountain misery. Stand structures vary depending on the age of the stands. Virgin stands tend to have two- tiered canopies and forested stands tend to have more multi-layered canopies, with the hardwoods growing in the more open areas. Range: Approximately 4,000 to 9,000 feet in elevation. Special Considerations: Occurs on any type of slope, but particularly on moderate to steep slopes. Soils are typically rocky, alluvial, coarse-textured, poorly developed, and well drained. Associated Wildlife: Species common to Sierran mixed conifer habitat include those that rely on the trees to provide shelter and shade. Sensitive species include spotted owl, fisher, pine marten, and endangered species include bald eagle and peregrine falcon. The shade provided by this type of tree habitat also indirectly provides food such as black acorns, berries from bushes, and herbaceous vegetation for wildlife. Other wildlife include salamanders, toads, frogs, Western skink, Northern and Southern alligator lizards, Steller’s jay, dark-eyed junco, mountain chickadee, woodpeckers, warblers, Western gray squirrel, mule deer and black bears. Spring and summer passerine (perching birds) include black- headed grosbeak, Western tanager, and the American robin. 8.27 Natural Springs and Seeps (SPR) Priority: Second Criteria: Where groundwater emerges naturally on the earth's surface by either gravity or artesian pressure. Characteristics: A spring or seep occurs when groundwater emerges naturally on the earth's surface by either gravity or artesian pressure. Springs commonly occur along hillsides and in low areas where porous soils or fractured rock formations allow water to flow onto the ground surface. A spring that occurs over a large area is called a seep. Associated species: May support species common to seasonal wetlands such as rush, sedge, common monkeyflower, etc. The habitat in which the spring or seep is located will determine the associated species. Range: At nearly all elevations. Special Considerations: At high elevations, seeps and springs may supply a significant portion of surface water to support riverine (RIV), lacustrine (LAC), and other wet habitats. Plant and insect populations thrive in spring ecosystems; by supporting the base of the food Biological Resources Conservation Handbook Appendix Page 175 of 187 chain, springs indirectly support upland communities (Greater Yellowstone Science Learning Center 2008). Associated Wildlife: Seeps and springs are an important source of water for a variety of wildlife species. 8.28 Seasonal Wetland (SW) Priority: Second Criteria: Areas that are seasonally inundated but which do not support vernal pool endemics or emergent vegetation. Characteristics: Seasonal wetlands are areas that are inundated or saturated by surface or ground water seasonally for a duration sufficient to support a prevalence of vegetation typically adapted for life in saturated soil conditions. Seasonal wetlands are not inundated for a duration long enough to support emergent vegetation such as bulrush, cattail, or willow. Associated species: Common associates include nutsedge, dallisgrass, Italian ryegrass, curlydock, popcornflower, sedge, rush, Boggs lake hedge-hyssop, meadow barley, meadowfoam, butter-and-eggs, hyssop loosestrife, pepper grass, common monkeyflower, navarretia, plantain, and spinyfruit buttercut, among others. Range: At nearly all elevations. Special Considerations: This habitat may be difficult to detect during summer and fall months when soils are dry and plants are dead. Identification of this habitat requires identification of hydrology and soils as well as plants. Observations during the blooming period may be required to separate vernal pools, a type of seasonal wetland, from the broader category of seasonal wetlands. Associated Wildlife: Suspended organisms such as plankton and zooplankton, as well as aquatic insects such as water boatmen and water striders. Freshwater snails may also occur where inundation occurs for long periods of time. Salamanders, frogs, and toads all utilize seasonal wetland habitats during portions of their life cycle. 8.29 Valley Oak Woodland (VOW) Priority: Second Criteria: Stands of trees that are dominated by valley oak (Quercus lobata) (occupies >50% of canopy cover). Valley oak woodlands are endemic to California. Characteristics: Valley oak woodland canopy is dominated almost exclusively by valley oak. Co-occurring tree species include sycamore, black walnut, interior live oak, boxelder, and blue oak. This habitat often supports a well-developed shrub understory that can include poison-oak, California wild grape, elderberry, toyon, California coffeeberry, Himalayan blackberry, and coyotebrush. Individual valley oak trees can live from 200 to 250 years (Barbour et al 2007). Biological Resources Conservation Handbook Appendix Page 176 of 187 Range: To approximately 3,250 feet in elevation in Tuolumne County Special Considerations: Valley oak woodlands are best developed on deep, well-drained alluvial soils that usually occur in valley bottoms, streambeds, and lower foothills. In the County, valley oak woodland intergrades with blue oak woodland or blue oak-foothill gray pine habitat; near stream courses it typically intergrades with valley foothill riparian habitat. Associated Wildlife: Oak woodlands, including valley oak woodlands are known to support an especially diverse community of bird species. These include acorn woodpecker, blue- gray gnatcatcher, oak titmouse, western bluebird, California quail, rufous-sided towhee, red- shouldered hawk, wild turkey, Lewis’s woodpecker, Nuttall’s woodpecker, western scrub-jay, white-breasted nuthatch, California thrasher, western screech owl, and California towhee. Mammal species common in valley oak woodlands include gray fox, mule deer, dusky- footed woodrat, gray squirrel, western red bat, pallid bat, and hoary bat. 8.30 Vernal Pool (VPL) Priority: Second Criteria: Seasonally inundated depressions supporting vernal pool endemic plant species. Characteristics: Vernal pools are seasonally flooded depressions found on ancient soils with an impermeable layer such as hardpan, claypan, or volcanic basalt. The impermeable layer allows the pools to retain water much longer then the surrounding uplands; nonetheless, the pools are shallow enough to dry up each season. Vernal pools often fill and empty several times during the rainy season. Only plants and animals that are adapted to this cycle of wetting and drying can survive in vernal pools over time (San Joaquin County RCD 2002). Associated species: Vernal pools in the County can be classified into two community types based upon the dominant plant species present (Barbour et al. 2007). Alliance Lasthenia glaberrima – This alliance occurs in deeper pools that are inundated for long periods of time. Diagnostic species of this alliance are smooth goldfields (Lasthenia glaberrima), and spike rush (Eleocharis macrostachya). Other associated common plants are coyote thistle (Eryngium castrense, E. vaseyi), and quillwort (Isoetes howellii). Pools in this alliance are freshwater pools and may be underlain by either claypan, hardpan, or volcanic rock. Order Downingia bicornuta-Lasthenia fremontii – This Order occurs in freshwater pools that are inundated for short periods of time. Diagnostic species are stickyseed (Blennosperma nanum), toothed calicoflower (Downingia cuspidate), Fitch’s tarplant (Hemozonia fitchii), cowbag clover (Trifolium depauperatum), rosy Douglas’ meadowfoam (Limnanthes douglasii ssp. rosea), timwort (Cicendia quadrangularis), pepper grass (Lepidium nitidum), and Greene’s popcornflower (Plagiobothrys greenei). Pools in this alliance may be underplayed by either a claypan or a hardpan. Range: Where suitable conditions exist below 5,000 feet in elevation. Special Considerations: Blooming is controlled by pool hydrology and blooming may not occur in dry years. This habitat is extremely difficult to detect during summer and fall months Biological Resources Conservation Handbook Appendix Page 177 of 187 when pools are dry and plants are dead. Observations during the blooming period typically are required to separate this habitat from the broader category of seasonal wetland habitat. Uplands required to maintain pollinators. Associated Wildlife: Many vernal pool plants have one or more native, solitary, specialist bee that collects pollen only from them. In turn, these bees provide effective pollination services. Although solitary bees live underground in upland areas, they specialize on vernal pool plant species and depend upon them for pollen. 8.31 Valley Foothill Riparian (VRI) Priority: Second Criteria: Dominated by water-dependent vegetation. Characteristics: This type of habitat is generally characterized by small trees and large shrubs, but can vary by elevation. Western sycamore, Fremont cottonwood, sycamore, valley oak, California box elder, California black walnut, and tree-sized willows are dominant along larger streams in the valley and foothill riparian areas. The shrub layer consists of Pacific poison oak, California blackberry, Himalayan blackberry, blue elderberry, and California wild rose. Herbaceous species include tall flatsedge, clustered field sedge, Santa Barbara sedge, beardless wildrye, wild oat, ripgut brome, Italian ryegrass, common Lippia, devil’s beggartick, prickly lettuce, poison hemlock, soap plant. Range: From sea level to 3,000 feet in elevation (up to 5,000 on south-facing slopes). Special Considerations: Needs a permanent or ephemeral water source, such as valley lakes, ponds, seeps, bogs, meadows, rivers, streams or springs. USGS topographic maps may be used to determine status as a perennial, intermittent or ephemeral drainage, but ground-verification is required near or downstream from developed areas where hydrology has been altered from historical conditions. Associated Wildlife: Species common in valley foothill riparian habitat include species that rely on water, thermal cover, migration corridors, and diverse nesting and feeding opportunities. These types of wildlife include various insects and aquatic invertebrates, mammals, amphibians, reptiles, and many types of birds, and mammals. Examples of amphibians include such species as native red legged and foothill and mountain yellow legged frogs, introduced bullfrogs, and Western toads. Reptiles found in riparian habitats include garter snakes, Western pond turtles, and other introduced turtles. Bird species include flycatchers, vireos, goldfinches, warblers, sparrows, red-wing blackbirds, house wrens, American dippers, belted kingfishers as well as introduced species such as house sparrows, starlings, brown-headed cowbirds. 8.32 White Fir (wfr) Priority: Third Criteria: White fir habitat generally has a nearly monotopic (>80% of canopy) even-aged canopy. Biological Resources Conservation Handbook Appendix Page 178 of 187 Characteristics: This type of habitat is dominated by white fir. Stands having dense canopy cover are characteristic although open stands are common also. Shade and downed woody material tend to inhibit understory species. Herbaceous species are limited to swales and drainage bottoms due to the thick layer of litter. Fungi are not uncommon. White fir habitat is heavily influenced by fire, which causes mosaics of similarly-aged stands. Range: At approximately 5,500 feet in elevation. Special Considerations: Amount of precipitation and the influence of fire. Coarse-textured, well-drained, rocky, and cold soils. Associated Wildlife: Species common to mature white fir habitat include snag- and cavity- dependent species such as yellow-rumped warblers, western tanagers, mountain chickadee, chestnut-backed chickadee, golden-crowned kinglet, and black-headed grosbeak. 8.33 Wet Meadow (WTM) Priority: Second Criteria: Except where broken by boulders, canopy cover is dense (60 to 100 percent). Species may differ, but several genera are common throughout the State, including bentgrass, sedge, oatgrass, willow, and rush. Characteristics: Wet meadows occur where water is at or near the surface most of the growing season following spring runoff, and generally have a simple structure consisting of a layer of herbaceous plants. Wet meadows exist indefinitely unless the hydrologic regimes are altered. Associated species: Grasses include thingrass, abruptbeak sedge, beaked sedge, Nebraska sedge, tufted hairgrass, needle spikerush, few-flowered spikerush, common spikerush, baltic rush, Nevada rush, iris-leaf rush, pullup muhly, and panicled bulrush. Forbs include Anderson aster, Jeffrey shootingstar, trailing Saint-Johnswort, hairy pepperwort, primrose monkeyflower, western cowbane, American bistort, cows clover, and small white violet. Shrubs include willow and bilberry. Range: Generally above 5,000 feet in elevation in the County. Special Considerations: Usually occur as ecotones between fresh emergent wetlands (FEW) and perennial grassland (PGS) or mesic meadow types. Mesic meadows contain some species in common with wet meadows, and the distinction between wet and mesic meadows is not always clear. Where wet meadows merge with fresh emergent wetlands, slight differences in water depth control the species present. Associated Wildlife: In late summer, small mammals may forage over wet meadows, and mule deer and elk may forage on forbs and palatable grasses after winter snowmelt. Mallards and other ducks frequent streams flowing through wet meadows, and yellow- headed and red-winged blackbirds and willow flycatchers occasionally nest in wet meadows with tall vegetation and adequate water to discourage predators. Great gray owls forage in wet meadows. The striped racer is the common snake of wet meadows in the Sierra Nevada and Cascade Range. Various frog species are abundant in wet meadows Biological Resources Conservation Handbook Appendix Page 179 of 187 throughout California, and six species of trout (brown, cutthroat, golden, rainbow, eastern brook, and Mackinaw) inhabit streams of the Sierra Nevada, and presumably may occur in perennial streams of wet meadows. In the southern Sierra Nevada, the golden trout is the important fish of meadow habitats at high elevations. Biological Resources Conservation Handbook Appendix Page 180 of 187 Chapter 9. Glossary Active Nest (CDF/Board of Forestry, 895.1). A bird nest site at which breeding efforts have recently occurred as determined by the Department of Fish and Game, as follows: for great blue heron and great egret, recently means within the last two years; for golden eagle, osprey, and goshawk, recently means within the last three years; for bald eagle and peregrine falcon, recently means within the last five years. For all other species, an Active Nest is a nest occupied during the current breeding season. Annual. A plant that completes its entire life cycle within the space of a year. Avoidance. Avoidance as defined in the BRRG means the prevention of all potential impacts to a biological resource. Avoidance may also include measures to address indirect impacts to biological resources (e.g., on-site runoff into protected wetlands). Measures to achieve full avoidance may include, but are not limited to, conditions of project approval to eliminate temporary construction impacts, remove barriers to species dispersal, address ongoing vegetation management, limit use of pesticides or other long-term best management practices and related measures. Compensation. An alternative form of mitigation; something (such as an in-lieu fee or land/habitat conservation) given or received as payment or reparation for a loss of or impact to a protected resource. Includes mitigation undertaken to replace lost or adversely impacted habitat with habitat having similar functions of equal or greater ecological value. Coniferous. Coniferous means ‘cone-bearing’ (or ‘grows cones’). Conifers are cone-bearing trees or bushes. They are also known as ‘evergreens’, ‘needle-leafed’ trees or ‘softwood’ trees. Common coniferous species in the County include Douglas-fir, Jeffrey pine, ponderosa pine, sugar pine, white fir, etc. Critical Habitat. A habitat determined to be important to the survival of a threatened or endangered species, to general environmental quality, or for other reasons as designated by the State or Federal government. As defined by the Federal Endangered Species Act of 1973, critical habitat means i) the specific areas within the geographical area occupied by the species, at the time it is listed in accordance with the provisions of section 4 of this Act, on which are found those physical or biological features (I) essential to the conservation of the species and (II) which may require special management considerations or protection; and (ii) specific areas outside the geographical area occupied by the species at the time it is listed in accordance with the provisions of section 4 of this Act, upon a determination by the Secretary of Interior or Commerce that such areas are essential for the conservation of the species. Proposed Critical Habitat: Those areas officially proposed for designations as critical habitat by the Secretary of Interior or Commerce. Occupied Habitat: Those areas currently occupied or utilized by threatened and/or endangered species. Potential Habitat: Areas of historic habitat not currently occupied or designated as critical that could potentially contribute to the recovery of threatened and/or endangered species. Biological Resources Conservation Handbook Appendix Page 181 of 187 Current Land Value. For the purposes of the in-lieu fee, the land value of one acre of agricultural land is established herein as $5,700 $5,100 per acre. On March 1 of each year, this in-lieu fee shall be modified to correspond to the land value of one acre of agricultural land as determined by the County Assessor based upon the sales of parcels not larger than forty (40) acres in size area during the previous twelve-month period or other method determined appropriate by the Assessor. Detrital. Fragments of rock produced by disintegration or abrasion; any debris. Diameter at Breast Height (dbh). Trunk diameter measured at 4.5 feet above ground level on the uphill side of the tree. Direct Impacts. Those impacts caused by project construction. They include, but are not limited to: removal of trees, damage to trees through physical injury, soil compaction, root damage resulting from grade changes; and fragmentation of “intact” oak woodland habitat into patches too small to support native plants and wildlife. A Protected Oak Tree is considered directly impacted if any construction activities occur affect more than 50% of the area within the Root Protection Zone Area (RPZ) Dripline. Discretionary. Refers to actions taken by a governmental agency which calls for the exercise of judgment in deciding whether to approve and/or how to carry out a project. Diurnal. Wildlife that are active during daylight hours. Documented Occurrence. A special status species siting that is recognized by a jurisdictional agency (USFWS, ACOE, DFG) or the California Natural Diversity Database or is documented in a biological suvey prepared by a qualified consultant. Dripline. A circle drawn at the soil line directly under the outermost branches of a tree. Endangered. The classification provided to an animal or plant in danger of extinction within the foreseeable future throughout all or a significant portion of its range. Ephemeral stream. A drainage lacking surface water throughout most of the year, bearing water only during and immediately following a rain or snow event. Epiphytic. Living on the surface of plants. Estivation. a dormant state involving vastly lowered metabolism which certain animals enter in order to survive hot weather. Fen. An area of low, flat, marshy land (i.e. a swamp or bog). Forest. An ecosystem dominated by trees and other woody vegetation growing more or less closely together. Forests are characterized as having continuous, unbroken canopies. Gabbroic. Coarse-grained igneous rock composed of calcic plagioclase and pyroxene. Greatest Dripline Radius. The distance from the tree trunk to the furthest dripline point. Habitat. The place where an organism lives and/or the conditions of that environment including the soil, vegetation, water and food. Biological Resources Conservation Handbook Appendix Page 182 of 187 Habitat Conservation Plan (HCP). A habitat conservation plan or "HCP" must accompany an application for an incidental take permit. The purpose of the habitat conservation planning process associated with the permit is to ensure there is adequate minimizing and mitigating of the effects of the authorized incidental take. Hydrophytic. Growing wholly or partially in water. Indirect Impacts. Impacts that result from activities or effects associated with a project, but which are not directly caused during project construction. They include (in part) increased access by people and/or pets, changes to hydrology or water table, introduction of horticultural plant species from adjacent landscaping, increased risk of wildfire, and increased wildlife road-kill. Intact Oak Woodland. A woodland that is currently in an undisturbed state, and all of the ecological functions are still being provided (i.e., shade, ground water filtration, wildlife/fish habitat, nutrient cycling, wind/noise/dust abatement, carbon sequestration). These areas may be managed for activities such as grazing, open space and recreation. Roads and buildings are rare across the site. Intermittent stream. A stream channel that carries surface water for at least 30 days following the last major rain or snow event of the season and is dry for a large part of the year but may retain water in pools for the majority of the year. This type of channel receives groundwater flow when it is available. Intermittent streams are indicated on the USGS 7.5 Minute Topographic Quadrangle Maps by a dashed blue line. Invasive Plant. A non-native, introduced plant that thrives in its new environment and is able to out-compete native species, resulting in a decrease in the number of native individuals or species present. Highly aggressive invasive plants may result in changes to ecosystem processes such as hydrology, fire regimes, and soil chemistry. Common invasives in the County include yellow star-thistle, cheat grass, perennial pepperweed, and common mullein. Lacustrine. Of or having to do with a lake, relating to, formed, growing or living in lakes. Mesic. Typically refers to soils or habitats. A habitat that is well-drained but usually moist through most of the growing season. Ministerial Project. Projects, including issuance of building permits and approval of individual utility service connections and disconnections, which do not call for the exercise of judgment by the governmental agency. Projects that have both ministerial and discretionary aspects should be considered discretionary overall and subject to environmental review under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). Migratory Deer. A deer population that changes elevation seasonally in response to weather conditions such as snowline. Native Oak Tree. A native tree species in the genus Quercus, not designated as a Group A or Group B commercial species pursuant to regulations adopted by the State Board of Forestry and Fire Protection pursuant to Section 4526 of the Public Resources Code, and that is 5 inches or more in diameter at breast height. Biological Resources Conservation Handbook Appendix Page 183 of 187 No Net Loss. A policy by which regulatory agencies and governments strive to balance unavoidable loss of a resource with replacement of that resource on a per-unit basis. Oak Canopy Cover. Oak canopy cover means the area directly under the branches of the oak trees, defined as a percent of a given unit of land. Oak trees of any size are to be counted in calculating canopy cover. Canopy cover is used for quantifying impacts because it measures a habitat rather than individual trees. Oak Woodland. A stand of three or more native oaks trees that is at least one-half (0.5) acre in area where the canopy cover of the native oak trees is ten percent (10%) or greater. A project site may have one or more oak woodlands on it. Oak woodland may include not just standing live oak trees, but also trees of other species, damaged or senescent (aging) trees, a shrubby and herbaceous layer beneath the oak canopy, standing snags, granary trees, and downed woody debris in conjunction with an oak woodland. These elements create the structural diversity that is essential for many species of wildlife. Ordinary High Water Mark (OHWM) The ordinary high water mark is the line on the shores established by the fluctuations of water and indicated by physical characteristics such as: • a clear natural line impressed on the bank • shelving • changes in the character of the soil • destruction of terrestrial vegetation • presence of litter and debris or other appropriate means that consider the characteristics of the surrounding areas. Perennial. A plant that lives three years or longer. A perennial can be herbaceous or woody. Perennial stream. A stream channel that carries water throughout the year, being fed by a fairly stable groundwater flow. May be small or large. When large it may be referred to as a river. Perennial streams are indicated on the USGS 7.5 Minute Topographic Quadrangle Maps by a solid blue line. Pervious Paving Materials. Surfacing materials that permit water to enter the ground by virtue of their porous nature or by large spaces in the material including, but not limited to, gravel, compacted gravel, crushed stone, open paving blocks, pervious paving blocks, pervious concrete, porous pavement, pervious interlocking paving blocks, concrete grid pavers and perforated brick pavers. Plankton. The collection of small or microscopic organisms, including algae and protozoans, that float or drift in great numbers in fresh or salt water, especially at or near the surface, and serve as food for fish and other larger organisms. Planktonic. Of or relating to plankton. Project Site. A parcel or parcels of land on which a land development project is proposed. Biological Resources Conservation Handbook Appendix Page 184 of 187 Protected Oak Tree. Any native oak trees 5” or larger dbh that occurs within an oak woodland, and/or any native oak tree that has been classified as a specimen oak where the Root Protection Zone (RPZ) dripline has been protected within O (Open Space) or O-1 (Open Space -1 ) zoning or a Building Setback. Qualified Consultant. A person or firm having a bachelors degree in a particular subject matter and qualified by this education and previous work to be included on the Tuolumne County Consultants List. Qualified Professional. Same as Qualified Consultant. Resident Deer. A population of deer that remain at the same general elevation year-round. Rhizome. Underground stem that sends out roots and shoots from its nodes. Rhizomatous. Producing or possessing or resembling rhizomes. Root Protection Zone (RPZ). A circular area around the tree that is 1.5 times the greatest dripline radius. Sag Pond. A small body of water occupying an enclosed depression or sag formed where active or recent fault movement has impounded drainage. Section 404. Refers to Section 404 of the Federal Clean Water Act. Serpentine. A habitat type that occurs in soils derived from ultramafic rocks, which are characterized as containing more than 70% iron/magnesium minerals. Serpentine soils have high levels of magnesium and are deficient in calcium and other essential nutrients, and also contain high concentrations of toxic heavy metal elements. Severely Degraded. Habitats considered severely degraded include, but are not limited to: 1) A site that has been dramatically altered and currently contains no or only very few trees; OR 2) is being managed in such a way that natural regeneration is not possible or practical; OR 3) contains compacted or contaminated soils; OR 4) has been used for residential, commercial or industrial purposes. Roads and stream crossings are commonplace and fencing and other obstructions limit wildlife access and movement. Severely Degraded Oak Woodland. Severely Degraded Oak Woodland includes, but is not limited to: 1) A site that has been dramatically altered and currently contains no or only very few trees; OR 2) is being managed in such a way that natural regeneration is not possible or practical; OR 3) contains compacted or contaminated soils; OR 4) has been used for residential, commercial or industrial purposes. Roads and stream crossings are commonplace and fencing and other obstructions limit wildlife access and movement. A Severely Degraded Oak Woodland may not contain areas that meet the definition of an oak woodland but may still contain Specimen Oak trees that are subject to the provisions of the oak woodland mitigation program. Special-Status Species. • Listed as threatened or endangered under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) and those species formally proposed or candidates for listing. Biological Resources Conservation Handbook Appendix Page 185 of 187 • Listed as threatened or endangered under California ESA (CESA) or candidates for listing. • Designated as endangered or rare pursuant to California Fish and Game Code (Section 1901). • Designated as fully protected pursuant to California Fish and Game Code (Section 3511, Section 4700, Section 5050). • Designated as a species of special concern by CDFG. • Designated as Medium or High Priority species by the Western Bat Working Group. • Plants listed as rare under the California Native Plant Protection Act or considered by CNPS as List 1A, 1B, or 2 species. • Ranked as critically imperiled (S1), imperiled (S2) or vulnerable (S3) by the California Natural Diversity Database. Significant Adverse Impact to an Oak Woodland. A significant adverse impact to an oak woodland is one that will adversely affect 10% or more of that oak woodland either directly or indirectly. Specimen Oak (SO). A single native oak tree that meets the following threshold: A. A live oak, California black oak, blue oak, valley oak or other native oak tree that is equal to or exceeds eighteen inches diameter at breast height (dbh) or that has multiple stems including at least one stem that exceeds eighteen inches in diameter at dbh, or B. a blue oak tree that is equal to or exceeds twelve inches dbh, or CB. a single native oak tree that provides substantial wildlife habitat as determined by the California Department of Fish and Game, or a resource professional with expertise in oak woodlands ecology who is on the list of qualified consultants maintained by the Tuolumne County Community Development Department. Take. Endangered Species Act (ESA) definition: "…to harass, harm, pursue, hunt, shoot, wound, kill, trap, capture, or collect, or to attempt to engage in any such conduct" with respect to federally listed endangered species of wildlife. Federal regulations provide the opportunity to apply take prohibitions to threatened species as would ordinarily only apply to endangered species [50 CFR 17.31(a)]. Take of a listed species includes modifying the habitat of a listed species in such a way that interferes with essential behavioral patterns including breeding, feeding or sheltering. California Endangered Species Act (CESA) definition: to hunt, pursue, kill, or capture a listed species, as well as any other actions that may result in adverse impacts when attempting to take individuals of a listed species. Biological Resources Conservation Handbook Appendix Page 186 of 187 Ultramafic. Igneous or metamorphic rocks containing more than 70% iron/magnesium minerals. Valley Oak Woodland (VOW). Stands of trees that are dominated by valley oak (Quercus lobata). Land containing one or more valley oak trees per acre. Vegetation/Vegetative Community. An assembly of different species of plants growing together in a particular habitat, the composition of which is influenced strongly by both abiotic and biotic factors. Waters of the United States. Rivers, streams (ephemeral and intermittent), drainages, ponds for which USACE has jurisdiction. See also wetlands. Wetland. 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. Wetlands generally include swamps, marshes, bogs, and similar areas. Typically, there are three characteristics necessary for a wetland to be considered a jurisdictional wetland: • hydric soils • hydrophytic vegetation (i.e., hydrophytes) • hydrology The criteria for evaluating each of these three characteristics used by EPA and USACE are found in Wetlands are delineated using the 1987 Corps of Engineers’ Wetland Delineation Manual (Environmental Laboratory 1987) and the Interim Regional Supplement to the Corps of Engineers’ Wetland Delineation Manual: Arid West Region (Corps 2006). Although there is a requirement to use the Arid West Supplement (Corps, 2006), if the determination is different than it would be using the 87 manual, the Corps requires data forms for both determination methods. When an area meets all three criteria (soils, vegetation and hydrology), it is considered a wetland. Those areas that function as wetlands, but exhibit only one or two of the three characteristics, do not currently qualify as jurisdictional wetlands and activities in these wetlands are not regulated under the Section 404 program. However, for the purposes of “no net loss” of wetland pursuant to General Plan Program 4.J.c, wetland areas with only one or two of the characteristics may qualify under definitions provided by other jurisdictional agencies including the California Department of Fish and Game and the Regional Water Quality Control Board. Xeric. A habitat that is deficient in moisture. 11/17/11 S:\Planning\PROJECTS\Tuolumne County\2006\TC06-002 Biological Resources Conservation Handbook\BRRG\Draft BRRG Appendix.doc Biological Resources Conservation Handbook Appendix Page 187 of 187