Bishop Peak Natural Reserve

CONSERVATIONCONSERVATION PLANPLAN

BishopBishop PeakPeak NaturalNatural ReserveReserve

Natural Resources Protection Program City of San Luis Obispo 990 Palm Street San Luis Obispo, CA 93401

Conservation Plan for the Bishop Peak Natural Reserve

City of San Luis Obispo

Natural Resources Protection Program www.slocity.org/naturalresources

Neil Havlik, Ph.D. Natural Resources Manager

805.781.7211

Michael Clarke, Ph.D. Biologist

805.781.7511

Published July 2004

Conservation Plan for the Bishop Peak Natural Reserve 2

Table of Contents

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ...... 4 List of Figures 1. INTRODUCTION...... 5 FIGURE 1 Bishop Peak Natural Reserve 1.1 BACKGROUND...... 5 Regional Setting ...... 6 1.2 HISTORY ...... 5 1.3 LEGAL BACKGROUND...... 8 FIGURE 2 BPNR Topography ...... 7 1.4 PLANTS & WILDLIFE...... 9 FIGURE 3 BPNR Physical Features...... 11 1.5 ACCESS ...... 10 FIGURE 4 BPNR Soil Types...... 12 2. INVENTORY ...... 10 Bishop 2.1 PHYSICAL FEATURES ...... 10 FIGURE 5 BPNR Habitat Types ...... 14 2.2 CULTURAL/HISTORIC FIGURE 6 BPNR Sensitive Species ...... 18 Peak FEATURES ...... 13 2.3 BIOLOGICAL FEATURES ...... 13 FIGURE 7 BPNR Land Use Natural 2.4 DOMINANT VEGETATIVE Designations ...... 26 COMMUNITIES ...... 13 FIGURE 8 BPNR Wildfire Preparedness Reserve is Mixed Scrub-Chaparral Habitat ...... 15 Coast Live Oak Woodland Habitat ...... 15 Plan...... 35 a 352- Grassland Habitat...... 16 FIGURE 9 BPNR Photo-points...... 38 2.5 WILDLIFE SURVEY...... 16 acre area Birds ...... 17 Mammals...... 17 located Reptiles...... 22 Amphibians...... 22 List of Tables Invertebrates ...... 22 northwest TABLE 1 List of Birds Identified During 3. GOALS & Wildlife Surveys of BPNR.... 19 of the City RECOMMENDATIONS...... 25 TABLE 2 List of Mammals Identified During of San 4. CONSERVATION PLAN ...... 28 Wildlife Surveys of BPNR.... 21 4.1 SYSTEM MAP ...... 28 Luis 4.2 NEEDS ANALYSIS ...... 29 TABLE 3 List of Reptiles Identified During 4.3 IMPLEMENTATION Wildlife Surveys of BPNR.... 23 Obispo. STRATEGY ...... 32 TABLE 4 List of Invertebrates Identified Ongoing Tasks...... 32 During Wildlife Surveys of Specific Tasks...... 32 BPNR...... 24 Years 1-2...... 32 Years 3-4...... 33 Years 5-7...... 33 As Funds Become Available...... 33 4.4 GRAZING PLAN ...... 33 Appendix 4.5 WILDFIRE PREPAREDNESS PLAN...... 34 APPENDIX 1 Soils 4.6 FISCAL STATEMENT ...... 36 APPENDIX 2 Trails 4.7 PHOTO-POINTS & MONITORING ...... 37 APPENDIX 3 Wildlife Survey

APPENDIX 4 Brochure

APPENDIX 5 Resolution

Conservation Plan for the Bishop Peak Natural Reserve 3

• The ultimate goal for many hikers Executive Summary on BPNR is to reach the summit to experience the magnificent vis- Bishop Peak Natural Reserve tas of the City and Morros af- (BPNR) is a 352-acre area located forded from the vantage point. northwest of the City of San Luis The trail system to the peak could Obispo. The Reserve crosses be isolated by wildfire originating City/County boundaries with 248 in the foothills, effectively trap- acres lying within the City limits and ping people at the peak with no 104 acres in the County. Manage- safe route for decent. ment of the Reserve is a joint

City/County effort. The Reserve con- The Conservation Plan addresses Bishop Peak sists of three primary habitat types: live oak woodland, mixed scrub- these and other issues by calling for: Natural chaparral, and grassland. Bishop Peak is an important local landmark • Habitat and restoration efforts Reserve is readily identifiable with the San Luis Obispo area. concentrated in the region of the pond, and an evaluation of hard- the most Important natural features: scaping the trail system in this area. heavily used BPNR contains a number of sensitive • Development of a continuous of all the or otherwise important wildlife species, including: emergency access route through the Reserve accessible from the City-owned Two species of raptor with sensitive public road system.

open space status (White-tailed kite, and Coopers Hawk); • Implementation of a feasibility study to identify possible wildfire lands. San Diego Desert Woodrat; Loggerhead Shrike; refuge areas. Western Skink; and Ringneck Snake; and The thrust of this Conservation Plan Morro Shoulderband Snail*. is to strike an acceptable balance between protecting the existing re- Management issues or concerns sources on BPNR while providing for associated with BPNR: recreational use and public safety. At the same time proposed actions are BPNR is the most heavily used of all respectful of the privacy of the resi- the City-owned open space lands; dents adjoining the Reserve. this presents a number of unique problems and challenges, including:

• The area around the pond concen- trates foot traffic as trails from the Highland Drive and Patricia Drive trailheads converge at this point. The result of this concentration is a braided trail system and associated erosion problems. (*As of May 2004 the form of Morro Shoulderband Snail found in the vicinity of the City of San Luis Obispo is no longer recognized as ‘Endangered’ by the USFWS)

Conservation Plan for the Bishop Peak Natural Reserve 4

1. Introduction remained, leaving the prominent Mor- ros that we see today. This material, Bishop Peak Natural Reserve (BPNR) like most volcanic rock, is quite resis- is a 352-acre open space located in the tant to erosion and thus leaves very northwest of the City of San Luis steep sides and other features that con- Obispo (Figure 1). The three-pointed tribute to the striking quality of the City summit is the tallest and most distinc- of San Luis Obispo skyline. tive of the peaks that make up the string of Morros known locally as the Bishop Peak, tallest of the Morros, Nine Sisters. BPNR is jointly man- reaches an elevation of 1,546 feet aged by the City and County of San above sea level. Luis Obispo. The Reserve is an important element of the local commu- 1.2 History* nity’s setting and character. It provides opportunities for enjoyment of Bishop Peak was first given that title by the natural environment and is a favor- Spanish missionaries who perceived a ite spot for hiking, picnicking, and resemblance between the peak and the Bishop rock climbing by local residents and cap or miter worn by the bishops of the students from nearby Cal Poly Univer- time. The peak together with other Peak sity. Morros has always been an area landmark. It has also been a source of some reaches an 1.1 Background* economic exploitation over the years, principally for stone. At least two and elevation The Morros are a series of igneous possibly three small quarry operations rock intrusions into the overlying rock have gone on at various locations of 1,546 that formed approximately 25 million around the base of the peak over the years ago as part of the Franciscan years. The mountain was quarried most feet above Formation. They occupy a 40-square- heavily during the late 1800’s and early mile area from Morro Rock (to the 1900’s, when rock was removed to sea level.

northwest in Morro Bay) to Islay Hill build the breakwater at Port San Luis. on the southeast side of the City of To haul the rock from Bishop Peak to San Luis Obispo. These formations are the Port a narrow gauge railway was not true volcanoes in that they did not built from the Pacific Coast Line in San erupt and spew lava or ash over the Luis Obispo, through the Avila Valley countryside. Instead, magma deep to Port San Luis. within the earth found a weak spot in the earth’s crust, and pushed through the overlying rocks like toothpaste be- (*Information adapted from the book ‘Mountains of Fire’ by S. L. ing squeezed out of a tube. The rocks Dickerson) of the Morros, a type of basalt known as dacite, are between 24 and 26 million years old. Since that time the overlying rocks have eroded away and the hard erosion-resistant dacite has

Conservation Plan for the Bishop Peak Natural Reserve 5

Bishop Peak Natural Reserve is a 352-acre open space located in the northwest of the City of San Luis Obispo. The three-pointed summit is the tallest and most distinctive of the peaks that make up the string of Morros known locally as The Nine Sisters.

CONSERVATION PLAN FIGURE 1 BISHOP PEAK NATURAL RESERVE

Bishop Peak Natural Reserve

Regional Setting

Conservation Plan for the Bishop Peak Natural Reserve 6

BPNR Boundary Parcel Boundary Trail System

CONSERVATION PLAN FIGURE 2 BISHOP PEAK NATURAL RESERVE

Bishop Peak Natural Reserve

Topography

Conservation Plan for the Bishop Peak Natural Reserve 7

All quarrying activities on the mountain were small or 1.3 Legal Background intermittent operations, and none succeeded in remov- BPNR was acquired as several differ- ing large quantities of mate- ent parcels. Two of these parcels to- rial. Bishop Peak has long taling 248 acres were acquired by the been perceived as a com- City of San Luis Obispo, the other munity landmark, and many 104 acres gifted to the State of Cali- parties were interested in fornia, but managed by the County of protecting the peak to pro- San Luis Obispo. Several conditions vide public access and to were attached to these acquisitions, preserve its natural beauties two of which were donations, and forever. those conditions are legally binding upon the City and County in the In 1977 the heirs of the Gnesa Ranch management of the Reserve. Among donated the land above the 800-foot the conditions are:

elevation (approximately 104 acres) to Ferrini Open Space: the State Parks Foundation; this land • Emergency Services: Yes is now managed by the County of San • Vehicular Maintenance Ac- Luis Obispo. In 1995, an additional cess: Yes 140 acres was donated to the City of • Utilities: Yes San Luis Obispo as the Ferrini Ranch • Horses: No Open Space. In 1998, 108 acres was • MTN Biking: No purchased from Ray Bunnell, and has • Foot Traffic: Yes brought the Bishop Peak Natural Re-

serve to its present size of approxi- Bunnell Open Space: mately 352 acres. The property now • Emergency Services: Yes has a trail system from the official • Vehicular Maintenance Ac- access points at Patricia Drive and cess: Yes Highland Drive to the summit, a dis- • Utilities: Yes tance of two miles with an elevation • Horses: Yes gain of 1,000 feet. Another trail • Mtn Biking No. known as the Felsman Loop, traverses • Foot Traffic: Yes several canyons in the northern part of the Reserve and provides interesting Gnesa Open Space views of oak woodland, chaparral, • Emergency Services: No and coastal sage scrub, as well as at- • Vehicular Maintenance Ac- tractive views of the surrounding area. cess: With Prior Permission • Utilities: Not Required Management of BPNR is a joint pro- • Horses: No gram of the City and County of San • MTN Biking: No Luis Obispo. • Foot Traffic: Yes

Conservation Plan for the Bishop Peak Natural Reserve 8

In addition, horses boarded at the sta- generally found more in inland areas bles on the former Bunnell property and is not common near the coast. have a right of use of the trails on the However, in certain areas of BPNR portion of the Reserve purchased and on the other Morros, chaparral from Ray Bunnell (shaded area Fig- species such as chamise, manzanita, ure 3) as said trails existed at the time mountain mahogany, toyon and cean- of the March 1998 purchase (Note: othus can sometimes be found. the trail to the top of Bishop Peak The varied was not in existence at the time of The varied plant cover and the exis- purchase and is therefore not covered tence of steep rocky cliffs provides plant cover by this condition). No access points attractive habitat for a wide variety of other than the three agreed to under birds, mammals, reptiles and other and the the ‘Easement and Boundary Mainte- wildlife. Over 200 species of birds nance Agreement’ are permitted. are found within the San Luis Obispo existence of area, and perhaps as many as half of these may be found on Bishop Peak. steep rocky 1.4 Plants & Wildlife Among the more notable bird species are golden eagles, bald eagles (which cliffs The rocky soils of BPNR, derived are occasionally sighted during the from volcanic parent material have wintertime), hawks, owls, vultures, provides been undisturbed for a long time, and kestrels and other birds of prey. have retained their original vegetation More commonly seen are the numer- attractive in pristine form. Many woody plants ous jays, and a wide variety of perch- are found in the Reserve that are not ing birds. habitat for found on the finer surrounding soils. Common vegetation types include Deer are fairly common on the peak, a wide oak woodland, grassland, coastal sage and foxes, coyotes, bobcats, and even scrub, and chaparral. mountain lions are occasionally en- variety of countered. At night, raccoons and The most prominent tree species in opossums can often be seen around birds, the Reserve are coast live oak and the base of the mountain or moving California bay, with an occasional into urban areas from the cover pro- mammals, sycamore indicating the vided by the site of a spring or seep. dense brush reptiles and Beneath the oaks is the of the moun- ubiquitous poison oak, tain. the most common shrub other found on the peak. To- gether with California wildlife. blackberry this woodland understory creates some of the best wildlife habitat in the area. Common species of coastal sage scrub include: coyote brush, black sage, monkeyflower, and California sagebrush. These plants are aromatic, with clearly recogniz- able odors of sage or other minty smells. The hard or true chaparral is

Conservation Plan for the Bishop Peak Natural Reserve 9

1.5 Access 2. Inventory Highland Drive: - Parking: Use existing Street Parking only, no additional 2.1 Physical Features off street parking allowed Pedestrian Traffic Only, Dogs on The reserve consists of the distinctive Leash, No Bikes, or Horses 1546 ft three-pointed peak to the southwest, with areas of chaparral Patricia Ave: - Parking: Use existing and grassland below 800ft lying to Street Parking only, no additional off the north and east. street parking allowed Pedestrian Traffic Only, Dogs on Physical changes to Leash, No Bikes, or Horses the landscape result- Maintenance of Water Tank, Emer- ing from past and pre- gency services, and maintenance of sent human activities trails as required. include: 4.1 miles of established trail sys- Foothill Blvd: - Not a formal access tem; two water tanks; point but is used heavily by the pub- six established rock lic. climbing areas; two authorized access Bishop Peak Ranch Northern Gate: - points at Patricia Not open to public. Access for Bishop Drive and Highland Peak Ranch owners and guests, plus Drive. Natural physi- Emergency Services and maintenance cal features include the peak, and a small seasonal pond Bishop Peak Ranch Southern Gate: - in the foothills east of the peak (see Not open to public. Access for move- Figure 3). ment of cattle only, pedestrian Emer- gency Services and maintenance Soils - Survey maps indicate that seven soil types are represented on Bishop Peak Ranch Middle Gate: - BPNR (Figure 4). They are primar- Not open to public. Access for move- ily dacite rock outcrops (63.25 ment of cattle only, pedestrian Emer- acres), Lodo shale/clay loams (88.46 gency Services and maintenance. acres), Diablo complex soils (78.82 acres), and Gaviota fine sandy loams Highway 1 Gate: - Access emergency (63.50 acres). Smaller areas of services only, and access for cattle. Briones (20.75 acres), Los Osos (16.31 acres) and Salinas (2.72) soils The reader is referred to the trail are also present (see Appendix 1 for guide in Appendix 2 for details of the detailed soil descriptions). trail system and designated access points.

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CONSERVATION PLAN FIGURE 3 BISHOP PEAK NATURAL RESERVE

Bishop Peak Natural Reserve

Physical Features

Conservation Plan for the Bishop Peak Natural Reserve 11

CONSERVATION PLAN FIGURE 4 BISHOP PEAK NATURAL RESERVE

Bishop Peak Natural Reserve

Soil Types

Conservation Plan for the Bishop Peak Natural Reserve 12

and game trails. The detailed wildlife 2.2 Cultural/Historic Features report in Appendix 3 presents a list of wildlife species identified in the field A rich and diverse assemblage of cul- during surveys and those described as tural and historic resources are pre- occurring within, or directly adjacent sent within the BPNR. Eleven sepa- to BPNR by Ostrowski (1979). rate cultural resources have been identified ranging in age from recent 2.4 Dominant Vegetative historic to prehistoric, possibly in ex- Communities cess of several thousand years. A report detailing the specifics of each Three broadly defined native vegeta- site and its location has been prepared tive communities are dominant habi- (Betrando and Betrando, 1997); a tat types within BPNR. These in- copy of which is available from the clude live oak woodland, mixed City of San Luis Obispo only by writ- ten request. scrub-chaparral, and grassland habitats. The locations and coverage of 2.3 Biological Features each of these communities is shown Eleven in Figure 5. Mixed scrub/chaparral BPNR encompasses a mo- habitat and separate saic of woodland, grass- grassland land, and scrub habitats habitat oc- cultural that encircle Bishop Peak cupy resources and extend upward to roughly merge with its rocky fa- equal areas have been cade. These natural com- of BPNR (37 munities support a diverse and 36 per- identified assemblage of plants and cent, respec- animals. Wildlife surveys tively). Ap- ranging in of BPNR were conducted proximately between November 2002 27 percent of age from and June 2003. Represen- the area tative areas of scrub, live within recent oak woodland, and grass- BPNR is oc- historic to land habitats were sampled cupied by using standard survey oak wood- prehistoric. methods. land habitat. The composition and abundance of dominant species A variety of bird, mammal, reptile, within each community is variable. amphibian, and invertebrate species were observed or detected during the surveys. Dense undergrowth of poison oak (Toxicodendron diversi- lobum) and/or thick scrub vegetation limited the areas above 800 feet in elevation that were accessible for sur- veying. Wildlife observations in these areas were made from footpaths

Conservation Plan for the Bishop Peak Natural Reserve 13

CONSERVATION PLAN FIGURE 5 BISHOP PEAK NATURAL RESERVE

Bishop Peak Natural Reserve

Habitat Types

Conservation Plan for the Bishop Peak Natural Reserve 14

Coast Live Oak Woodland Habitat - Mixed Scrub-Chaparral Habitat - Areas identified as coast live oak Scrub vegetation occupies nearly 129 woodland occupy approximately 97 acres of BPNR. This community is acres of BPNR and are present on variable with observed differences many of the north and east facing likely resulting from differences in hillsides and swales. Oak woodland soil type, location/exposure, topogra- habitat also extends up into the Re- Coyote Brush phy, and degree of disturbance serve along a few of the drainage (including fire). Scrub habitat recov- swales located on the scrub-chaparral ering from recent brush fires is en- dominated southern exposure of countered along a ridge in the north- Bishop Peak. As with scrub- eastern region of BPNR. Although chaparral habitats, the species compo- the species composition, abundance, sition, density, and height of the coast

and density/height of the community live oak community is variable. Gen- Chamise varies, the dominant vegetative com- erally, coast live oak woodland along ponents within scrub-chaparral habi- the eastern and northern exposures of tats generally include: the peak is dominated by a mixed coast live oak/California bay-laurel • California sagebrush (Artemisia community. A mixed coast live californica) oak/toyon community vegetates • Black sage (Salvia mellifera) southern exposures and the drier • Coyote brush (Baccharis pilu- (upper) areas within drainage swales.

laris) The dominant species identified Oak Live Coast • Chamise (Adenostoma fascicu- within coast live oak woodland latum) include: • Toyon (Heteromeles arbutifo- • Coast live oak (Quercus agrifolia) lia) • Coast live oak (Quercus agrifo- • California bay-laurel lia) (Umbellularia californica) • Deerweed (Lotus scoparius) • Toyon (Heteromeles arbutifo- • Poison oak (Toxicodendron di- lia) versilobum) • Poison Oak (Toxicodendron di- versilobum) • Monkeyflower (Mimulus auran- Fern Wood tiacus) • Coffeeberry (Rhamnus califor- • Wedgeleaf ceanothus/buck nica) brush (Ceanothus cuneatus var. • Sycamore (Platanus racemosa) cuneatus) • Monkeyflower (Mimulus auran- • Wild buckwheat (Eriogonum tiacus) fasciculatum) • Blackberry (Rubus vitifolius) • Wood fern (Dryopteris arguta) A variety of less common flowering • Blue elderberry (Sambucus plants and shrubs were found during mexicana) surveys of the scrub/chaparral habitat.

These include fuchsia-flowered Toyon gooseberry (Ribes speciosum), Indian paintbrush (Castilleja sp.), morning glory (Calystegia sp.), blue dicks (Dichelostemma pulchella), golden- rod (Solidago occidentalis), and coast silktassel (Garrya elliptica).

Conservation Plan for the Bishop Peak Natural Reserve 15

and blue dicks (Dichelostemma capi- Understory vegetation is generally tatum). sparse beneath the oak canopy but includes poison oak, blackberry, 2.5 Wildlife Survey monkeyflower, ferns, and grasses. Fuchsia-flowered gooseberry, hum- The three broad habitat types identi- mingbird sage (Salvia spathacea), fied within BPNR support a diversity and shooting stars (Dodecatheon of wildlife species. Most of the spe- spp.) are among the flowering plants cies observed or detected during encountered in oak woodland habi- wildlife surveys are relatively com- tats. mon inhabitants of scrub-chaparral, oak woodland, and grassland habitat. Grassland Grassland Habitat - Grassland habitat However, five special-status wildlife occupies a combined area of approxi- habitat mately 126 acres within BPNR. The species were encountered, including: grasslands consist of a variable mix- Cooper’s hawk (Accipiter cooperii); occupies ture of native and non-native grass white-tailed kite (Elanus leucurus); species, wildflowers, and forbs. Gen- loggerhead shrike (Lanius ludovi- approximately erally, grasslands along the lower cianus); San Diego desert woodrat 126 acres slopes appear to be dominated by an- (Neotoma lepida intermedia); and nual grasses. Purple needlegrass Morro shoulderband snail* (Stipa pulchra) is the most common (Helminthoglypta walkeriana var. within BPNR. native grass species in the Reserve morroensis). Additionally, several and the following species are preva- species of local concern were encoun- lent: tered during surveys. These included • Foxtail barley (Hordeum muri- ringneck snake (Diadophis puncta- num) taus), western skink (Eumeces skilto- • Ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum) nianus), yellow-rumped warbler • Common wild oats (Avena (Dendroica coronata), Olive-sided fatua) flycatcher (Contopus borealis), • Ripgut brome (Bromus dian- greater roadrunner (Geococcyx cali- drus) fornianus), rufous-crowned sparrow • Hummingbird sage (Salvia (Aimophila ruficeps), and monarch spathacea) butterfly (Dananus plexippus). A • Mustard (Brassica ni- gra) summary of the • Wild rose (Rosa cali- wildlife species fornica) identified is pre- sented in the fol- A variety of native wildflow- lowing section; ers are observed blooming in further informa- grassland areas, including: buttercup tion relative to their observed distri- (Ranunculus californicus); Golden- bution is included in Appendix 3. star (Bloomeria crocea); soap plant (Chlorogalum pomeridanum); mari- posa lily (Calochortus spp.); Califor- (*As of May 2004 the form of Morro Shoulderband Snail found nia poppy (Eschscholzia californica); in the vicinity of the City of San Luis Obispo is no longer recognized as ‘Endangered’ by the USFWS) chocolate lily (Fritillaria biflora);

Conservation Plan for the Bishop Peak Natural Reserve 16

Birds - The varied habitats within ing wildlife surveys (Table 2). BPNR offer food, shelter, and roost- Scrub/chaparral habitats appeared to ing/nesting sites for a wide variety of support the greatest di- bird species. A total of 55 bird spe- versity of mammal species were identified during surveys cies. Mule deer including three special status species. (Odocoileus herionus) Table 1 presents a list of the bird spe- were encountered in cies identified. Undoubtedly many each of the habitat types more resident and migratory bird spe- sampled and woodrat cies would be detected with a more nests were common in extensive seasonal sampling effort. chaparral and oak woodland areas. A Cooper’s hawk was observed on Two species of woodrat, the dusky- two occasions, once in oak woodland footed woodrat (Neotoma fuscipes habitat near the Highland Drive ac- macrotis) and the San Diego desert cess trail and once in an oak wood- woodrat (Neotoma lepida interme- land area near the northern extent of dia), were identified in BPNR during the Reserve. On both occasions the small mammal trapping efforts hawk appeared to be hunting. A (Figure 6). The San Diego desert white-tailed kite was woodrat is a federal and state species observed in both of special concern. Positive identifi- grassland (perching cation of the sub-species of dusky- and foraging) and oak footed woodrat encountered on woodland (perching) Bishop Peak was not determined, habitats in the north- however, it is not believed to be a eastern region of special concern species. Bishop Peak BPNR on several oc- is situated several miles to the south- casions. Nesting east of the described range of the white-tailed kites and Monterey dusky-footed woodrat, Cooper’s hawks are which is a special concern species. listed in the CNDDB as fully protected in Bats (Order Chiroptera) were de- California and as migratory non-game tected by sound in a rock crevice near birds of management concern by the the top of Bishop Peak, however, United States Fish and Wildlife Ser- their taxa could not be determined. vice (USFWS). Another federal and Numerous rock crevices suitable for state special concern species, logger- roosting bats are present in BPNR as head shrike, has been observed in well as an abundant prey base for BPNR in recent years. A single log- special status species such as the pal- gerhead shrike was sighted in a syca- lid bat (Antrozous pallidus). more tree near Highway 1 (across from Stenner Creek Road) in 2000. Additionally, BPNR supports a variety of warblers, wrens, vireos, fly- catchers, and native sparrows that are considered species of local concern.

Mammals - A total of seventeen mammal species were observed dur-

Conservation Plan for the Bishop Peak Natural Reserve 17

Live Morro Shoulderband Snail Morro Shoulderband Snail Shell

CONSERVATION PLAN FIGURE 6 CONSERVATIONBISHOP PEAK NATURAL PLAN RESERVE BISHOP PEAK NATURAL RESERVE Bishop Peak Natural Reserve

Sensitive Species PAGE ##

Conservation Plan for the Bishop Peak Natural Reserve 18

Table 1. List of birds identified during wildlife surveys of BPNR showing habitats in which the species were observed.

Scrub Live Oak Scientific Name Common Name Grassland and Chaparral Woodland

Accipiter cooperii Cooper’s hawk √ Aeronautes saxatalis White-throated swift √ √ Aimophila ruficeps Rufous-crowned sparrow √ in stock Anas platyrhynchos Mallard pond Aphelocoma californica Western scrub-jay √ √ Buteo lineatus Red-shouldered hawk √ Buteo jamaicensis Red-tailed hawk √ √ √ Callipepla californica California quail √ √ Catherpes mexicanus Canyon wren √ Calypte anna Anna’s hummingbird √ Carduelis tristis American goldfinch √ Carpodacus mexicanus House finch √ √ Cathartes aura Turkey vulture √ Catharus ustulatus Swainson’s thrush √ √ Chamaea fasciata Wrentit √ Chondestes grammacus Lark sparrow √ Colaptes auratus Northern flicker √ Columba livia Rock dove (pigeon) √ Contopus borealis Olive-sided flycatcher √ Corvus brachyrhynchos American crow √ √ Dendroica coronata Yellow-rumped warbler √ Dendroica townsendi Townsend’s warbler √ Elanus leucurus White-tailed kite √ √ √ Euphagus cyanocephalus Brewer’s blackbird √ Falco sparverius American kestrel √ √ Geococcyx californianus Greater roadrunner √ Hirundo pyrrhonta Cliff swallow √ Junco hyemalis Dark-eyed junco √ √ Lanius ludovicianus Loggerhead shrike √ Meleagris gallopavo Wild turkey √ Mimus polyglottis Northern mockingbird √ √

Conservation Plan for the Bishop Peak Natural Reserve 19

Table 1. List of birds identified during wildlife surveys of BPNR showing habitats in which the species were observed. (Continued)

Scrub Live Oak Scientific Name Common Name Grassland and Chaparral Woodland

Parus inornatus Plain (oak) titmouse √ Chestnut-backed Parus rufescens √ chickadee Phalaenoptilus nuttalii Common poorwill √ Picoides villosus Hairy woodpecker √ Pipilo crissalis California towhee √ √ Pipilo erythrophthalmus Spotted towhee √ √ Polioptila caerulea Blue-gray gnatcatcher √ Psaltriparus minimus Bushtit √ √ Regulus calendula Ruby-crowned kinglet √ Sialia mexicana Western bluebird √ √ Sayornis nigricans Black phoebe √ √ Selasphorus sasin Allen’s hummingbird √ Spizella passerina Chipping sparrow √ √ Sterna sp. U.I. tern Sturnella neglecta Western meadowlark √ Thryomanes bewickii Bewick’s wren √ Toxostoma redivivum California thrasher √ Turdus migratorius American robin √ Tyto alba Barn owl √ Vireo huttoni Hutton’s vireo √ Vermivora celata Orange-crowned warbler √ √ Zenaida macroura Mourning dove √ √ Zonotrichia atricapilla Golden-crowned sparrow √ √ √ Zonotrichia leucophrys White-crowned sparrow √ √

Conservation Plan for the Bishop Peak Natural Reserve 20

Table 2. List of mammals identified during wildlife surveys of BPNR showing habitats in which the species were observed or detected.

Scrub and Live Oak Grass- Scientific Name Common Name Chaparral Woodland land

Canis latrans Coyote √ √ Order Chiroptera Bat √ Didelphis marsupialis Opossum √ Peromyscus boylei Brush mouse √ √ Peromyscus californicus California mouse √ Peromyscus maniculatus Deer mouse √ √ Procyon lotor Raccoon √ Mephitis mephitis Striped skunk √ Microtus californicus California meadow mouse √ √ Neotoma fuscipes macrotis Dusky-footed woodrat √ √ Neotoma lepida intermedia San Diego desert woodrat √ √ Odocoileus herionus Mule deer √ √ √ Sciurus griseus Western gray squirrel √ Spermophilus beecheyi California ground squirrel √ Sylvilagus bachmani Brush rabbit √ Thomomys bottae Botta’s pocket gopher √ √ Urocyon cinereoargenteus Gray fox √ √

Conservation Plan for the Bishop Peak Natural Reserve 21

Reptiles- Five reptile (Helminthoglypta species were encoun- walkeriana). A tered during wildlife total of five live surveys including two Morro shoulder- species of local con- band snails (MSS) cern; ringneck snake and 12 empty and western skink shells were found (Figure 6). The reptile during surveys of species identified during the survey BPNR. All of the shells and two live are listed in Table 3. Western fence snails were found within grassland lizard (Sceloporus occidentalis) was habitat in the eastern region of the the most commonly encountered rep- Reserve. Live specimens were also tile and was present in all of the sur- encountered beneath rocks in grass- veyed habitat types. The western land habitat located between the stock skink appeared to be relatively abun- pond (near Highland Drive) and the dant in grassland areas on the eastern Patricia Drive access gate (Figure 6). and northern exposures of the peak. A related but more widely distributed terrestrial snail species, Big Sur Amphibians - Two amphibian spe- shoulderband snail (Helminthoglypta cies, Pacific tree frog (Hyla regilla) umbilicata), was also encountered in and California slender salamander BPNR. A number of live Big Sur (Batrachoseps attenuatus) were en- shoulderband snails, as well as empty shells, were found during surveys.

Other invertebrates noted during surveys include various butterflies, bees, centipedes, millipedes, spiders, crick- ets, scorpions, and several ant species. Monarch butterflies were observed within the Reserve, however, no over-wintering sites were identified during surveys.

countered during surveys. Both species were found in greatest abundance in grassland areas, although they were (*As of May 2004 the form of Morro Shoulderband Snail found in the vicinity of the City of San Luis Obispo is no longer recog- also observed in oak woodland habi- nized as ‘Endangered’ by the USFWS) tat. Pacific tree frog larvae and juve- niles were present in the stock pond near the Highland Drive access point and in ephemeral pools associated with two of the larger watercourses that drain the northern areas of the peak. Invertebrates - A variety of invertebrates were identified during surveys including one special status terrestrial snail species, the federally endangered Morro shoulderband snail*

Conservation Plan for the Bishop Peak Natural Reserve 22

Table 3. List of reptiles identified during wildlife surveys of BPNR showing habitats in which the species were observed.

Scrub and Live Oak Scientific Name Common Name Grassland Chaparral Woodland

Diadophis punctataus Ringneck snake √ √ Elgaria multicarinatus Southern alligator lizard √ Eumeces skiltonianus Western skink √ Pituophis melanoleucus Gopher snake √ Sceloporus occidentalis Western fence lizard √ √ √

Conservation Plan for the Bishop Peak Natural Reserve 23

Table 4. List of invertebrates identified during wildlife surveys of BPNR showing habitats in which the species were observed.

Scrub and Live Oak Scientific Name Common Name Grassland Chaparral Woodland

Dananus plexippus Monarch butterfly √ Eleodes sp. Stink beetle √ √ Gryllus pennsylvanicus Field cricket √ √ Helix aspersa European garden snail √ Helminthoglypta walkeriana Morro shoulderband √ var. morroensis snail* Big Sur shoulderband Helminthoglypta umbilicata √ snail Latrodectus mactans Black widow spider √ Lygaeus kalmii Common milkweed bug √ √ Nymphalis antiopa Mourning-cloak butterfly √ Stenoplematus fuscus Jerusalem cricket √ Vespula sp. Yellow jacket √

(*As of May 2004 the form of Morro Shoulderband Snail found in the vicinity of the City of San Luis Obispo is no longer recognized as endangered by the USFWS)

Conservation Plan for the Bishop Peak Natural Reserve 24

3. Goals & Recommendations

Goals 3.1-3.4 will be achieved by the The document “Conservation Guide- identification and appropriate man- This Con- lines for Open Space Lands of the agement of land use designations City of San Luis Obispo” describes within BPNR as described in servation City-adopted management guidelines “Conservation Guidelines for Open and policies designed to achieve the Space Lands of the City of San Luis Plan also stated goals of the City’s Open Space Obispo”. Land use designations for Element (i.e., OS1.1.1-OS1.1.4). The BPNR are shown on the system map aims to ac- goals relevant to BPNR are: in Figure 7. commodate 3.1 To conserve, enhance, and re- This Conservation Plan also aims to the store natural plant communi- accommodate the desires and wishes ties; to protect sensitive and of the general public for BPNR, as desires and endangered plant species and well as addressing the general goals their habitats; and to maintain of the City’s Open Space Element. wishes of biodiversity of native plants The points detailed below are a result and animals. of input solicited from members of the general the public during workshops and 3.2 To provide the public with a other public meetings held to discuss public for safe and pleasing natural envi- the future management of BPNR. ronment in which to pursue BPNR, as passive recreational activities, 3.5 Wildlife habitat enhancements while maintaining the integrity should be implemented when- well as of the resource and minimizing ever possible (enhancement to the impact on the wildlife and California quail habitat was addressing habitats represented. specifically identified as requiring attention as local resi- the general 3.3 To preserve and restore creeks, dents have noticed a reduction wetlands and ephemeral seeps in quail numbers on the prop- goals of the or springs in a natural state, erty in recent years). and provide suitable habitat to City’s all native aquatic and riparian 3.6 Information guides should be species. To minimize the im- prepared informing local resi- Open pacts of harmful activities, dents and users of the charac- such as the release of pollut- teristics of the wildlife and Space ants, while maintaining the habitats represented in BPNR, creek system as a means of and measures that can be Element. conveying storm water within taken to preserve wildlife and urban areas. habitat. A webpage dedicated to BPNR was agreed to be a 3.4 To conserve and protect native suitable medium for the dis- plant and animal species and semination of this informa- enhance their habitats, in order tion. to maintain viable wildlife populations within balanced 3.7 The current ban on mountain ecosystems. biking on BPNR should continue.

Conservation Plan for the Bishop Peak Natural Reserve 25

FIGURE 7 CONSERVATION PLAN FIGURE 7 BISHOP PEAK NATURAL RESERVE

Bishop Peak Natural Reserve

Land Use Designations

Conservation Plan for the Bishop Peak Natural Reserve 26

plored as a means of addressing the erosion problems 3.8 The City should encourage Cal caused by bootleg trails, trail Poly University to address prob- braiding, and switchback cut- lems associated with the sports ting (the public response to complex lights. There are con- this suggestion was mixed cerns that the complex is cur- with proponents for and rently a source of light pollution against the idea). for BPNR. 3.16 Public support for addressing 3.9 The area of BPNR designated as scenic problems associated ‘Habitat’ during the land use with the ‘P’ which was designation process should be painted on the rock face. maximized. 3.17 Photo-points should be estab- 3.10 The City should explore meth- lished within the first year of ods of ‘people management’ implementation of the Conser- (i.e. changes in user behavior) vation Plan to provide a in addressing impacts to re- ‘baseline’ for resource condi- sources resulting from over use tion. of BPNR. 3.18 Further outreach efforts 3.11 Impacts on viewsheds both of, should be made to Cal Poly and from, BPNR should be University to help with resto- avoided (e.g. the use of orange ration efforts on BPNR and to snow fencing to delineate resto- educate students on proper ration areas should be avoided). conduct while using the Re- serve. 3.12 Both grazing and wildfire preparedness plans should be pre- 3.19 Maintenance of the scenic pared for BPNR. quality of resources at the pond area should be a priority. 3.13 Fuel management below the peak should be performed rou- 3.20 The City should be more dili- tinely. Cattle grazing and pre- gent in management of brush scribed burning were suggested on BPNR, this could cause a as appropriate means of fuel fire hazard. management. 3.21 Use of BPNR during hours of 3.14 Risks to the public from wild- darkness should be discour- fire should be assessed and ad- aged due to issues with van- dressed. Suggestions for risk dalism and potential for fires. reduction included the establishment of a helipad close to the peak and the establishment of marked and maintained ‘wildfire refuge areas’.

3.15 The prospect of armoring (by paving or other means) trails as a means of keeping users on designated trails should be ex-

Conservation Plan for the Bishop Peak Natural Reserve 27

3.22 Vegetation along Highland Drive should be trimmed, 4. Conservation Plan this may have traffic safety implications due to a reduc- The Conservation Plan describes how tion in visibility resulting the City and County of San Luis from overhanging vegetation. Obispo intend to manage BPNR to Suggestion to widen High- fulfill adopted goals and recommen- land drive to address parking dations of the community for the issues associated with BPNR. property. The land use designations proposed for BPNR are shown on the 3.23 More Ranger staff hours system map (Figure 7). The general should be added to manage day-to-day management of these ar- the heavy user load on eas will be in accordance with direc- BPNR. tion in the City-adopted document “Conservation Guidelines for Open 3.24 Rock climbing activities on Space Lands of the City of San Luis BPNR should not interfere Obispo”. The Conservation Plan also with raptor nesting. Impacts describes a series of tasks that will be on lichens and vegetation at implemented in order to achieve more access points to climbing specific goals and recommendations. routes should also be monitored. 4.1 SYSTEM MAP

3.25 There should be no increase The land use designations proposed in the current level of horse for BPNR are shown in Figure 7. traffic in BPNR due to the Three designations are represented: detrimental impact of heavy use on the resource. 1. Habitat: 225 acres (64%) 2. Management/Trail Corridor: 110 3.26 In grazing plans prepared for acres (30%) BPNR recovery of young oak 3. Restoration: 20 acres (6%) trees should be identified as an objective of grazing. (‘Agricultural’ and ‘Cultural/Historic’ designations are not represented/ 3.27 The establishment of a con- recognized within the boundaries of nection road across the site BPNR) for emergency and maintenance access that will elimi- In keeping with the City/County com- nate the requirement for ac- mitment to the conservation of native cess through the Brittany wildlife and vegetation, 64% of Court development at the end BPNR has been designated as of Highland Drive should be ‘Habitat’. This figure will increase considered. slightly as restoration projects are completed and land is upgraded.

Conservation Plan for the Bishop Peak Natural Reserve 28

4.2 NEEDS ANALYSIS 4.2.2 A ban on mountain biking is a legally binding condition of The following tasks will be under- some of the parcels and the high taken over the next 5-7 years to ac- usage by foot traffic makes it complish goals and address the rec- unsafe. Therefore the ommendations described in Section 3. City/County shall continue to enforce the current ban on To achieve goals 3.1-3.4 BPNR will mountain biking in the Reserve ‘Protect be managed in accordance with City- (3.7). resources adopted policies described in 4.2.3 A stated goal of the City’s Open “Conservation Guidelines for Open Space Element is to ‘Protect (such as Space Lands of the City of San Luis resources (such as creeks, sen- creeks, Obispo”. The reader is referred to sitive habitat, and agriculture), this document for specific details of and be sensitive to the factors sensitive how these policies relate to land use which allow these resources to designations identified on the system remain viable’ (OS 1.1.2). This habitat, map (Figure 7), and an explanation shall be achieved by maximiza- and agri- of how policies are identified in the tion of the area designated as following discussion (e.g. LV7; ‘Habitat’ within BPNR (3.9). culture), HA12, etc). 4.2.4 City-adopted policy relating to and be Many of the policies described in the protection of viewsheds on “Conservation Guidelines for Open City-owned open space is de- sensitive to Space Lands of the City of San Luis scribed by item HA12 in the the factors Obispo” are designed to be protective document “Conservation Guide- of City-owned resources by restrict- lines for Open Space Lands of which ing activities that may have a nega- the City of San Luis Obispo” tive impact (e.g. prohibition of trail (3.11; 3.19). allow these construction in ‘Habitat’ areas resources [HA12]). Providing such limitations 4.2.5 City-adopted policy relating to are observed, implementation of re- the development of grazing and to remain strictions is primarily a passive affair wildfire management plans is requiring no active management or described by items LV1 and viable’ changes in prevailing conditions or LV9 in the document activities. However, other recom- “Conservation Guidelines for mendations do require active manage- Open Space Lands of the City of ment and will result in changes in San Luis Obispo” (3.12; 3.20). management practices or altered re- 4.2.6 City-adopted policy relating to source conditions. These are:* the management of vegetative fuel on City-owned open spaces 4.2.1 Restoration of wildlife habitat is described by items LV8 and is considered an integral part of LV9 in the document management, maintenance, and “Conservation Guidelines for restoration of all City-owned Open Space Lands of the City of open spaces. Habitat enhance- San Luis Obispo” (3.13; 3.20). ments will be implemented as opportunities and funding arise. Special grant funding will be sought for habitat enhancement projects (3.5). *(Note: The specific goal or recommendation identified in Section 3 that is addressed by the proposed action is given in parentheses)

Conservation Plan for the Bishop Peak Natural Reserve 29

4.2.7 The City of San Luis Obispo 4.2.10 The grazing plan for BPNR is Municipal Code, item described in Section 6 (3.26). 12.22.050B states: ‘Presence in Open Space Lands Restricted to 4.2.11 The letter ‘P’ painted on the Certain Hours - No Overnight east-facing slope of Bishop Usage. Open space lands where Peak during the 1960’s is public access is permitted shall viewed as an eyesore by some be open to the public from dawn local residents. However, oth- to dusk. It shall be unlawful to ers believe that it is now a part enter or remain within such of the community’s character lands between one hour after and heritage. The City and sunset and one hour before sun- County have explored the pos- rise of the following day without sibility of removing this graf- approval from the director’. fiti with local rock climbers. Presence in BPNR outside of There have been previous at- stated hours of use is a violation tempts to remove/alter it of this regulation, and enforce- which were unsuccessful, in- ment is a matter for the City’s cluding an ill fated attempt to police department (3.21). haul up a compressor/sandblaster. From a safety 4.2.8 The City-adopted policy relat- perspective, removal of the ing to the closure of rock climb- graffiti would be a very dan- ing routes on City-owned open gerous task. Sandblasting spaces is described by item would probably be the only HA9 in the document viable means of removal. The “Conservation Guidelines for compressor would have to be Open Space Lands of the City of carried up to the summit with San Luis Obispo” (3.24). a gas-powered generator to run it. The work would have 4.2.9 Horses boarded at the stables on to be performed from the top the former Bunnell prop- down using ropes erty have a legal right of and harnesses. use of the trails on the There are no com- portion of the Reserve mercial/heavy purchased from Ray duty anchors Bunnell (i.e. shaded area above the ‘P’ to Figure 3) . No other sta- anchor from and a ble has rights to use the contractor would property, nor is there have to create his indication that horse own anchor sys- traffic from the Bunnell tem. Due to the stable will increase sig- technical and dan- nificantly above its present gerous nature of the process level. The City does not antici- the prospect of a local climber pate that the level of horse traf- volunteering to perform this fic using BPNR will increase task is low (3.16). significantly within the time- frame of this Conservation Plan (3.25).

Conservation Plan for the Bishop Peak Natural Reserve 30

the City Fire Department and 4.2.12 The City and County of San CDF will explore the feasi- Luis Obispo have jointly bility of establishing sign- published an information posted ‘wildfire refuge leaflet entitled “Bishop Peak zones’ within BPNR (3.14). Natural Reserve” (Appendix 4), which outlines rules of 4.2.16 Paving (hardscaping) of por- use of the Reserve and gives tions of the Bishop Peak information on history, biol- Trail will be evaluated as a ogy and geology. This infor- method to address the user mation will be supplemented impact induced erosion prob- City of San by the creation of a webpage lems in the pond area when dedicated to BPNR on which all other reasonable methods Luis Obispo more detailed up-to-date in- (such as exclusion fencing formation can be posted and public education) have commits (3.6). been exhausted. If the evaluation concludes that approx. 500 4.2.13 The City and County of San paving of the area is neces- Luis Obispo will work with sary then all specifications man-hours Cal Poly to address problems regarding length of trail to be relating to lighting from paved, materials used etc, annually to sports complex disturbing will be identified in the 5-7 wildlife on BPNR (3.8). year update of this conserva- patrol/ tion plan (3.15). 4.2.14 BPNR is the most heavily maintenance used open space in the area 4.2.17 Photo-points have been iden- and regular ranger patrols are tified (see Section 4.7) to es- of BPNR. essential to minimize user tablish a pictorial record of behavior that is detrimental the status of the resource to the resource. At present over time (3.17). the City of San Luis Obispo commits approximately 500 4.2.18 The City and County have man-hours annually to pa- produced a body of educa- trol/maintenance of BPNR, tional materials about BPNR, with an additional 150 hours including: a color brochure, being supplied by the webpage County. As funding re- (http://www.slocity.org/natur sources become available al resources/bishop.asp), and patrol hours should be in- trailhead signage. It is a con- creased to a minimum of cern of the public that the 1000 man-hours annually Reserve is not publicized in (3.10; 3.23); with up to 1/3 of such a way as to attract large this labor being provided by numbers of additional, non- the County. local, tourists to an already heavily used resource. City 4.2.15 The establishment of a heli- Natural Resources staff are of pad close to the peak has the opinion that the informa- been investigated and was tion currently available deemed to be infeasible due strikes the appropriate bal- to the lack of a suitable loca- ance between public education. However, the City and tion and active promotion of County in coordination with the Reserve.

Conservation Plan for the Bishop Peak Natural Reserve 31

staff will advise the neighbor- Further efforts will be made to hoods about the City’s park- educate Cal Poly students ing permit district program about responsible use of the and of other potential actions Reserve. Campus media out- which may be pursued to ad- lets such as the ‘Mustang dress those concerns. Daily’ will be utilized for this purpose whenever possible 4.3 Implementation Strategy (3.18). The priority and order in which these 4.2.19 The vegetation that overhangs tasks shall be implemented is detailed Highland Drive is on private below. Each task has been desig- property. The City arborist nated to staff from the City’s Natural will assess if this vegetation Resources Program (NR), Parks and poses a safety risk to motor- Recreation Department (PR), or other ists using Highland Drive, and City/County staff. if so enforcement action may be taken to address the prob- Ongoing Tasks lem (3.22). Tasks 4.2.1-4.2.11 are general main- 4.2.20 The development of a con- tenance activities or activities that the tinuous emergency / mainte- City has decided not to implement for nance road traversing BPNR the reasons stated. Maintenance ac- with multiple access points is tivities will be implemented on a discussed in the ‘Wildfire Pre- regular or ‘as needed’ basis through- paredness Plan’ in Section 4.5 out the 5-7 years covered by this (3.27). Conservation Plan (NR/PR).

In addition... Specific Tasks

4.2.21 The ongoing program to con- Years 1-2 trol infestations of Purple and • Create a webpage dedicated to Yellow Star thistle, and Dis- BPNR (task 4.2.12; NR). taff thistle will continue. The • Discuss the issue of light pollu- methods of control utilized tion from the Cal Poly sports fields will be in accordance with the with the appropriate university repre- Integrated Pest Management sentative (task 4.2.13; NR/PR). (IPM) policy described in • Establish appropriate photo- item LV12 of the appendix to points to monitor resource status over the document “Conservation time (task 4.2.17; NR). Guidelines for Open Space • Assess the vegetation overhang- Lands of the City of San Luis ing Highland Drive as a potential haz- Obispo. ard to motorists and take action as appropriate (task 4.2.19; NR/City 4.2.22 City staff will monitor public Arborist). parking for access to Bishop • Outreach to Cal Poly University Peak Natural Reserve at the using media such as the ‘Mustang Highland Avenue and Patricia Daily’ newspaper and by attending Drive accesses. If problems on-campus environmental awareness or complaints are raised by fairs (4.2.18; NR/PR). the adjacent neighborhoods,

Conservation Plan for the Bishop Peak Natural Reserve 32

• Develop a continuous emergency grazing plan will be implemented as access/maintenance road with access follows: from the public highway system (task 4.2.20; NR/PR/County). • The area will be divided by fenc- • Assess the feasibility of establishing into two pastures, lower pasture ing wildfire refuge areas at the peak. and upper pasture. If found appropriate, clearly post these areas (task 4.2.15; NR/PR/City • Vegetation management objec- Fire/CDF). tives for the upper pasture will be to control amount of residual dry matter Years 3-4 (RDM) at the end of the growing sea- • Install educational materials in the son to approximately 1,500 pounds form of notice boards or informa- per acre. This will be accomplished tional booths at the trailhead (task by permitted livestock grazing from 4.2.18; NR/PR/County). about March 15 to the end or near- • Create a two-pasture system to end of the growing season (about accommodate the modified grazing June 15). Numbers of livestock will system as described in the grazing be based upon NRCS soil survey data plan (task 4.2.10; NR. Section 4.4). for the area.

Years 5-7 • Vegetation management objec- • Address any continuing erosion tives for the lower pasture will be to and trail braiding problems currently provide fuel reduction to the adjacent existing at the pond area where trails residential area, and to control originating at Patricia Dr. and High- amount of residual dry matter (RDM) land Dr. converge. Hardscape the at the end of the growing season to trails in this region if deemed appro- approximately 800 pounds per acre, priate (task 4.2.16; NR/PR). with lower values near the boundary with private developed land, and As Funds/Opportunities Become higher values elsewhere. This will be Available accomplished by permitted livestock • Increase annual Ranger patrol grazing from about March 15 to the hours at BPNR to 1000 (task 4.2.14; beginning or near-beginning of the PR); with up to 1/3 of time being pro- following growing season (about No- vided by the County of San Luis vember 1). Numbers of livestock will Obispo be based upon NRCS soils survey data for the area.

4.4 Grazing Plan • Livestock will not be within Livestock grazing will be permitted BPNR from approximately Novem- on the Ferrini Open Space portion of ber 1 to approximately March 15, to BPNR. allow full establishment of new growth and minimize soil damage The Ferrini Open Space was a dona- from trampling during the winter. tion to the City of San Luis Obispo. Livestock will not be within the upper A condition of the donation was that pasture from approximately June 15 the donor could continue his tradi- to March 15, to minimize potential tional use of the site for livestock conflict with recreational use and to grazing for ten years. The ten-year allow full establishment of new period will expire in summer 2005. growth and minimize soil damage Following such expiration, a new from trampling during the winter.

Conservation Plan for the Bishop Peak Natural Reserve 33

• The overall acreage currently sub- • The small spring above Anacapa ject to grazing is about 140 acres; this Court will be fenced to preclude live- includes about 40 acres of brush and stock access and encourage native woodland that is not contributing to vegetation establishment. the forage resource. About 30 of these acres would be fenced if neces- 4.5 Wildfire Preparedness Plan sary; however, they are currently only lightly used by livestock and this use The City document “Conservation would decline under the proposed Guidelines for Open Space Lands of program. Of the remaining 110 acres, the City of San Luis Obispo” recom- Five areas about 30 would be in the lower, more mends that a Wildfire Preparedness heavily used pasture, and 70 in the Plan be developed for City open have been upper pasture. RDM at the end of the space lands. After consultation with grazing period under the proposal the City’s Fire Department and CDF, identified would be less than currently, and con- five areas have been identified that siderably less than currently in the will receive specific treatment with that will upper pasture, which is estimated at respect to fighting wildfires and pre- between 600 and 800 pounds per acre scribed burning (Figure 8). The proc- receive at the end of the grazing period. ess of identification of these areas takes into account a number of factors, including: the topography of the specific • Grazing use will be monitored to land; proximity to urban develop- ensure that management objectives ments; vegetation type; and the pres- treatment are being met. This will be done ence of sensitive species. The areas through ocular estimates of standing are: with crop biomass, and the establishment and monitoring of permanent tran- Potential prescribed burning area – respect to sects to determine species composi- areas identified as supporting a high tion and forage production within the load of vegetative fuel that could be fighting pastures. A goal of the program will safely reduced by burning under pre- be to maintain native bunchgrasses scribed weather and wind conditions. wildfires and forbs, measured as a percent cover by the transect measurements. Fuel management area – areas adjacent to the urban/wildland interface • An exclosure will be constructed that could not be safely burned in a to control livestock access into the controlled manner. These areas will unnamed creek in the lower pasture, require active pruning, mowing and permit revegetation of that fea- and/or other active management of ture with willows, oaks and other ap- the vegetation (including livestock propriate vegetation. grazing) to reduce fuel • The stock pond in loads adja- the upper pasture will cent to de- be partially fenced to veloped permit establishment of properties. appropriate vegetation on the banks, while still allowing livestock access to the water.

Conservation Plan for the Bishop Peak Natural Reserve 34

CONSERVATION PLAN FIGURE 8 BISHOP PEAK NATURAL RESERVE

Bishop Peak Natural Reserve

Wildfire Preparedness Plan

Conservation Plan for the Bishop Peak Natural Reserve 35

City staff believe that construction of this portion of the access road Active firefighting area – areas acting is essential ensure the continued as a buffer between the surrounding safety of people using the Reserve. urban developments and the pristine habitat lying to the west but still 4.6 Fiscal Statement within the BPNR. Active firefighting techniques such as the use of heavy The fiscal impact of the adoption of machinery and cutting of fuel breaks the Bishop Peak Conservation Plan is can be used to isolate property from expected to be minor. It will consist an advancing wildfire. These areas of maintaining the patrol and mainte- have also been identified because the nance of the property at basically its physical resources and topography existing level (unless supplemental are conducive to successful restora- funding becomes available), and the tion efforts following a wildfire. implementation of several small-scale capital improvements. The latter in- Passive (habitat sensitive) firefighting clude: area – areas of important wildlife habitat, mostly on steep hillsides. • Construction of connectors be- These areas are also somewhat re- tween the two existing roads on the moved from urban development. property, to permit establishment of a They are particularly sensitive to ag- single, through fire road on the site; gressive firefighting techniques such as the use of heavy machinery. • Revegetation and restoration of Therefore, wherever practicable, fire- areas in the vicinity of the pond, the fighting strategies in these areas unnamed tributary to Stenner Creek, should be limited to low impact, habi- and two other locations within the site tat friendly methods. (See Figure 7).

None of these projects is considered Construction of continuous emer- costly. The fire road connector is gency/maintenance road – at the pre- anticipated to cost $5,000 to $10,000 sent time, vehicular access to portions and would be paid out of maintenance of BPNR which experience high funds from the Natural Resources, maintenance and occasional emer- Ranger program, and Fire Depart- gency access is poor. This is particu- ment monies. larly problematic in the area of the pond. A ¼ mile of new jeep road connecting the upper Bunnell Road to the road from Brittany Court (Highland Drive), which reaches Highway 1, will be constructed. This will create a continuous emergency/maintenance road access across the property. Due to two recent fires on the open space and the level of heavy use the area receives,

Conservation Plan for the Bishop Peak Natural Reserve 36

Revegetation projects may be funded using a system of coordinates, bear- internally or may utilize grant fund ings, and the date to identify the loca- sources. Overall cost of the revegetation, direction and time of each pho- tion programs is expected to be in the tograph. It is recommended that an- $25,000 range. nual photographs are taken on approximately the same date to give an The fire preparedness plan has certain accurate record of the status of the minor maintenance costs associated resource during comparable times of with it. Specifically, periodic pruning the year. of vegetation in a limited area, and the periodic removal of downwood Photo-point 1: An area of high traffic within 200 feet of the Reserve bound- in the region of the stock pond where ary where it is adjacent to residential the trails from the Patricia Drive and property. For the most part, however, Highland Drive access points meet. the fire preparedness plan would util- The concentration of foot traffic in ize livestock grazing as the primary this area has resulted in trail braiding, management tool, as most of the erosion problems, and has prevented lands identified as fuel management the establishment of native shrubs areas are non-native grasslands most and trees. Recent restoration efforts appropriately managed by proper have fenced large portions of the range management techniques. open grassland areas adjacent to the stock pond, and planted native vege- There is interest in increasing the tation. The success of these efforts ranger presence at BPNR. Currently will be monitored from this photo the City ranger force expends about 6 point. hours per week at BPNR on patrol and an average of an additional 4 Photo-point 2: The main access trail hours per week in maintenance. for both the Felsman loop trail and There is a possibility of an increase in the Peak trail, it experiences very County ranger presence to augment heavy traffic. This photo point will City staff; however, at this time fund- monitor the status of this heavily used ing is not available to increase staff- portion of the trail system and in- ing levels for BPNR. creases in trail width and/or braiding of the trail in this area.

4.7 Photo-points and Monitoring Photo-point 3: An area of the Fels- man loop trail that is currently experi- A series of 10 photo-points have been encing a small degree of gully forma- established at sensitive areas within tion and width expansion on the main the BPNR (Figure 9). The purpose of trail. This photo point will monitor establishing such points is to build a any deterioration in this portion of the pictorial record of how the status of trail system over time. the resource is changing over time. This will allow managers to make informed decisions about actions that should be taken to address issues relating to overuse of the reserve and associated impacts to the resource. Individual photo-points are identified

Conservation Plan for the Bishop Peak Natural Reserve 37

CONSERVATION PLAN FIGURE 9 BISHOP PEAK NATURAL RESERVE

Bishop Peak Natural Reserve

Photopoints

Conservation Plan for the Bishop Peak Natural Reserve 38

Photo-point 4: A Series of problems and should be closely moni- switchbacks ascending towards the tored for signs of gully formation and peak, this area of the trail system is expansion in width. particularly susceptible to erosion due

to the steep terrain, and high levels of Photo-point 10: The ridge trail is use it experiences from users who very heavily used by hikers who sum- summit the mountain. mit the peak. As of 2003, the trail

was in good repair, having narrow Photo-point 5: A shortcut trail which width and good growth of trailside has developed close to the pond area vegetation. Due to the heavy use in in the foot hills of the peak. This area this area, the ridge trail should be should be monitored carefully and closely monitored for signs of dete- restorative activities implemented to rioration. either make the shortcut the official trail or concentrate use on to the existing official trail.

Photo-point 6: A pop-

lar bouldering rock in the BPNR foothills. Heavy use of this area has resulted in the

elimination of all native vegetation around the rock and erosion of top soil has resulted.

Photo-point 7: Trail- head for the Bishop Peak trail, this is a very heavily used section of the Bishop Peak trail,

and should be moni- References tored for increases in trail width and braiding of the trail. Bertrando, E and Bertrando, B (1997) Cul- tural Investigation of San Luis Obispo City Photo-point 8: Junction of the boot- and County Property on and surrounding leg trail originating from the unoffi- Bishop Peak, San Luis Obispo, CA.—County cial access point on Foothill Drive, of san Luis Obispo.

and the official Bishop Peak trail. City of San Luis Obispo, Natural Resources This junction of two heavily used Program (2002). Conservation Guidelines trails is an area of heavy foot traffic for Open Space lands of the City of San Luis and should be monitored for increases Obispo. 25 pp. in trail width, braiding and erosion Dickerson, S. L. (1990) Mountains of Fire. problems. EZ Nature Books, SLO, San Luis Obispo. 128 pp. Photo-point 9: The bootleg trail originating from the unofficial access Ostrowski, M.J. (1979). The vertebrate wildlife of Bishop peak. Senior Project. point on Foothill Drive, this trail is California Polytechnic State University. 24 very steep and has no switchbacks. pp. This trail is very prone to erosion

Conservation Plan for the Bishop Peak Natural Reserve 39

Appendix 1.

Soil Descriptions and have medium to rapid runoff. Los Osos loams occur above the Their effective rooting depth is from sandstone and shale in the mélange six to 20 inches. They are medium (Franciscan Formation). Los Osos acid to neutral. Uncultivated areas clay loams appear dark grayish brown have a cover of annual grasses and and fine textured at the surface. Un- forbs. Steeper areas usually have a derneath they are primarily brown to cover of brush. yellowish brown heavy clay loam. They have relatively slow permeabil- Obispo-rock outcrop often support ity, are well drained, and have me- soils which are very dark gray at the dium runoff. The effective rooting surface. Beneath the top layer is depth is 20 to 40 inches. The pH is black, yellowish brown, or olive col- slightly to medium acid to neutral. ored serpentinite. This soil type has Vegetation is mostly annual grasses very slow permeability. Obispo rock- and forbs with some perennial outcrops are very well drained and grasses, coastal sagebrush (Artemisia have rapid to very rapid runoff. Their californica), and coast live oak effective rooting depth is between (Quercus agrifolia). eight and 20 inches. Their pH ranges from moderately alkaline to neutral. Diablo complex soils are formed The sparse vegetative cover on from weathered sandstone, shale, and Obispo-rock outcrops and associated conglomerate. The surface layers soils consists of scattered shrubs such include brown gravelly loam under- as leather oak (Quercus durata), neath un-decomposed leaves. Beneath toyon (Heteromeles arbutifolia), and is a light yellowish brown gravelly sagebrush (Artemisia fasciculatum), loam over bedrock. Maymen sandy as well as grasses and forbs. loams have relatively slow permeability, are well drained, and have medium runoff. The effective rooting depth is approximately 15 inches, with a few large woody roots that grow through the rocky substrate to 60 inches in depth. Maymen soils are medium to strongly acidic. Vegeta- tion is usually open stands of chaparral consisting of chamise (Adenostoma fasciculatum), scrub oak (Quercus berberidifolia), and, in protected sites, scattered coast live oak (Quercus agrifolia).

Gaviota soils are a brown to dark grayish brown fine sandy loam, developed from light yellowish brown sandstone. They have moderately rapid permeability, are well drained,

Conservation Plan for the Bishop Peak Natural Reserve 40

Shell-hash conglomerate is made up Lodo is a grayish brown to very dark of interlocking mollusk and barnacle grayish brown shaly clay loam over shells and shell fragments in a white dark grayish brown hard shale. It has calcareous sandstone matrix. moderate permeability, is somewhat excessively drained, and has medium to rapid runoff. The effective rooting depth is from four to 20 inches. It is slightly acid. Native vegetation is primarily chaparral, with some buckwheat (Eriogonum fasciculatum) and scattered oaks (Quercus spp.). Natu- ralized cover includes annual grasses and forbs.

Salinas soils are typically deep and well drained, formed in alluvium or weathered from sandstone and shale. Salinas soils are found on alluvial plains, fans, and terraces and have slopes of 0 to 9 percent. Salinas soils are found at elevations of 50 to 2,000 feet. The climate is dry subhumid mesothermal with cool to warm rainless summers with some fog and cool moist winters. Mean annual pre- cipitation is 12 to 20 inches. They are well drained soils, with slow to medium runoff and moderately slow permeability.

Briones formation typically consists of distinctly bedded, gray to white, fine-grained sandstone and siltstone. Sandstone beds are as thin as 5 to 10 cm, with 2 to 10 cm thick shale inter- beds. These are interbedded with massive fine-grained sandstone beds as much as five meters thick. The middle part of the Formation consists of indistinctly bedded, white, fine- to coarse-grained sandstone, conglomer- atic sandstone, and massive shell- hash conglomerate (shell beds).

Conservation Plan for the Bishop Peak Natural Reserve 41