Chapter 3 Affected Environment, Environmental Consequences, and Mitigation Measures

3.12

The information in this section is based on the Paleontological Resources Identification and Evaluation Report (LSA Associates, Inc. 2008).

3.12.1 Regulatory Setting

Paleontology is the study of life in past geologic time based on plants and animals. A number of federal statutes specifically address paleontological resources, their treatment, and funding for mitigation as a part of federally authorized or funded projects (e.g., Antiquities Act of 1906 [16 USC 431-433], Federal-Aid Highway Act of 1935 [20 USC 78]). Under California law, paleontological resources are protected by the California Environmental Quality Act, the California Administrative Code, Title 14, Section 4306 et seq., and Public Resources Code Section 5097.5.

3.12.2 Affected Environment Paleontological resources () are defined as any trace of a past life form. While wood, bones, teeth, and shells are the most common fossils, under certain conditions soft tissues, tracks and trails may be preserved as fossils. Fossils are most commonly found in sedimentary rock layers

The proposed MCP project is located in the northwestern Peninsular Range Geologic Province of southern California. This province is bounded on the north by the Transverse Mountain Ranges, on the east by the Colorado and Mojave Deserts, and on the west by the Pacific Ocean.

The layers of rock material of the northwestern Peninsular Range Province date from the late Paleozoic and Mesozoic eras (between 540 and 248 million years ago [mya]) and through the Cenozoic Period (approximately 65 mya to present). The dominant rock material in this region is granitic, with overlying sedimentary formations. Subdivisions of the Peninsular Range Province include the Perris Block, a 32 by 50 kilometer (km) (20 by 50 mile [mi]) mass of crystalline rocks formed in the Cretaceous Period (approximately 146–65 mya), and the Elsinore Trough (west of the Perris Block), a valley controlled by the Elsinore Fault Zone.

Paleontological resources identified in the MCP study area are described in the following sections.

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3.12.2.1 Cenozoic-Tertiary: The Age of Mammals Silverado Formation—Paleocene This formation is composed of marine and nonmarine sandstone, siltstone, and claystone. Sediments contain diverse fossil flora, abundant fossil gastropods and pelecypods, and may contain fossil vertebrates. There are approximately 22 fossil localities within the MCP study area that are attributed to the Silverado Formation. Two outcrops of this formation are near the I-15/Cajalco Road interchange.

Vaqueros and Sespe Formations—Late Eocene—Oligocene—Early Miocene These formations are a combination of marine and nonmarine sediments that provide important details relating continental and marine events along the ancient California coast. Fossil vertebrates previously found in these formations include tarsiers, lemurs, rhinoceros, camels, and small mammals including hedgehogs, shrews, and rodents. These formations are found south of the I-15/Cajalco Road interchange. Two fossil localities within the MCP study area are attributed to these formations.

Topanga Formation—Early Miocene Fossiliferous marine sandstones of the Topanga Formation contain mixtures of marine and land fossils, marine mollusks and vertebrates include pelecypods and gastropods, sharks, rays, bony fishes, turtles, crocodiles, birds, whales, porpoises, sea lions, and sea cows. Land vertebrate fossils include three-toed horse and deer mouse. Fossil birds in this formation are rare in most sedimentary formations. Four fossil localities with the MCP study area are attributed to the Topanga Formation and outcrop of this formation is found northwest of the I-15/Cajalco Road interchange, within the MCP study area.

Lake Mathews Formation—Middle Miocene This formation has produced important collections of fossil vertebrates, including two species of oredonts, camels, gophers, javelinas, deer mice, and ground squirrels. Four fossil localities associated with this formation are located within the MCP study area. Outcrops of this formation are also found within the MCP study area on the northeastern and southern sides of Lake Mathews.

Puente Formation—Upper Miocene This formation is composed of marine sandstone shales and siltstone. Fossils include marine algae, mollusks, whale, fish, marine turtles, sharks, bony fishes, land plants, and land mammals such as rhinoceros, camel, and elephant. Outcrops of the Puente

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Formation are closely associated with and consistently occur between outcrops of the Topanga Formation and the Fernando Formation. Nine fossil localities related to this formation are within the MCP study area.

Fernando Formation—Pliocene Pebbly sandstone and estuary siltstone of this formation contain fossil vertebrates such as mastodon, rabbits, and rodents. Eighteen (18) fossil localities are found within the MCP study area, and outcrops of this formation are found northwest of the I-15/Cajalco Road interchange.

Plio-Pleistocene Transition Sediments near Corona that span the Plio-Pleistocene transition contain fossil mammals. These sediments are similar to formations near Murrieta with a diverse assemblage of fossil reptiles, birds, and large and small mammals.

3.12.2.2 Quaternary-Pleistocene – Ice Age Pleistocene Alluvium Pleistocene Alluvium is located east of the I-215. The Perris Block is covered by Pleistocene sediments. Mammoths and bison are the indicator species for this time period. The central portion of the Perris Block has produced complex faunas of vertebrate fossils, including the saber cat Smilodon (the California state fossil) and mammoth, as well as large and small mammals, reptiles, gastropods, wood, and seeds. More than 100 Pleistocene-age fossil localities have been recorded within the MCP study area, and all segments of the MCP project cross Pleistocene-age sediments.

3.12.3 Fossil Localities Generally, scientifically significant paleontological resources are geologic sites or sedimentary deposits containing individual fossils or assemblages of fossils that are unique or unusual, are stratigraphically important, and add to the existing body of knowledge in specific areas, stratigraphically, taxonomically, or regionally. All vertebrate fossils are classified as “significant.” Those fossils found undisturbed and not subjected to disturbance after their initial burial and fossilization are particularly important, as they provide information for interpretation of tectonic events, past climates, the relationships between aquatic and terrestrial species, and evolution in general. Table 3.12.A identifies the fossil localities recorded in the MCP study area.

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Table 3.12.A Fossil Localities within the Mid County Parkway Study Area by Formation

Era Period Epoch Formation No. of Localities Mesozoic 0 248–65 mya Paloecene Silverado 22 65–54.8 mya Oligocene Sespe- 2 33.7–23.8 mya Vaqueros Early Miocene Topanga 4 Tertiary 23.8–17 mya 65–1.8 mya Middle Miocene Lake Mathews 4 17–10 mya Cenozoic Late Miocene Puente 9 65 mya to 10–5 mya present Pliocene Fernando 18 5–1.8 mya Early Pleistocene Perris Block 3 1.8 mya–780,000 ya Quaternary Middle Pleistocene 0 1.8 mya to 780,000–126,000 ya present Late Pleistocene/Holocene 114 120,000–11,000 ya Total 176 Localities Source: Paleontological Resources Identification and Evaluation Report, LSA Associates, Inc., 2008. mya = million years ago ya = years ago

3.12.3.1 Paleontological Sensitivity A formation or rock unit has paleontological sensitivity if it previously has produced, or has characteristics conducive to the preservation of, vertebrate fossils and associated fossil environmental indicators or regionally uncommon invertebrate and plant fossils. All sedimentary rocks and certain volcanic and mildly metamorphosed rocks are considered to have sensitivity for paleontological resources.

As discussed above, formations with paleontological sensitivity are located within the MCP study area. One method of assessing paleontological sensitivity is by comparing the areas of sediment sensitivity within each alternative. The sensitivity of a resource can be designated in one of the following ways:

• High Sensitivity (H): Formations or rock units that are known to contain or have the correct age and depositional conditions to contain paleontologic resources. High Sensitivity formations can be further classified:

• Ha: areas where nonrenewable paleontological resources are known from surface outcrops.

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• Hb: areas of high sensitivity where sediments containing paleontological resources are expected at depth. The depth at which these sediments occur must be determined by developing cross sections and/or reviewing geotechnical boring logs that locate such sediments. • Low Sensitivity (L): determined by a qualified vertebrate paleontologist conducting a literature and records review as well as a field survey. Low sensitivity can not be determined by simply looking for rock unit descriptions on a geologic map. • Undetermined Sensitivity (U): areas underlain by sedimentary rocks about which literature and unpublished studies are not available and which, therefore, must be evaluated by field studies and then designated Ha, Hb, or L.

3.12.3.2 Literature Review and Records Search A paleontological literature review was conducted for the MCP project using unpublished reports, paleontological assessment and monitoring reports, field notes, and published literature.

The literature review utilized recent geologic mapping summaries (Morton 2004) to verify the location, extent, and lithologic descriptions of sedimentary formations within the proposed rights of way. The Paleontological Resource Sensitivity Map (Figure 3.12.1) is based on sedimentary formations that have either a record of producing fossils or are relatively fine-grained sediments conducive to the preservation of paleontological resources.

During the records search, the San Bernardino County Museum responded with a recommendation that “…development of the Mid County Parkway in Riverside County, California has a high potential to adversely impact significant nonrenewable paleontological resources. Sediments of the Silverado Formation, Topanga, Formation, and the Lake Mathews Formation as well as Pleistocene older alluvium all have high paleontological sensitivity. A qualified professional, vertebrate paleontologist must be retained to develop a program to mitigate adverse impacts to paleontological resources. The impact [sic] program would need to be consistent with provisions of the California Environmental Quality Act, as well as with regulations implemented by the County of Riverside and with the proposed guidelines of the Society of ” (Eric Scott, Curator of Paleontology, written correspondence, dated March 23, 2005).

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INDEX MAP FIGURE 3.12.1 Legend Sheet 1 of 2 Right of Way High Paleontological Sensitivity at Surface (Ha) Research Area High Paleontological Sensitivity at Depth (Hb) Map Sheet Boundary Low Paleontological Sensitivity (L) 1 2

SOURCE: USGS Geologic Quads, Eagle Aerial (2004), Jacobs Engineering (2/2007), LSA (2007) 0120.5 Miles Paleontological Resource Sensitivity Map 010.8 .63.2Kilometers KP 0.0/51.0 (PM 0.0/31.7) EA 08-0F3200

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INDEX MAP FIGURE 3.12.1 Legend Sheet 2 of 2 Right of Way High Paleontological Sensitivity at Surface (Ha) Research Area High Paleontological Sensitivity at Depth (Hb) Map Sheet Boundary Low Paleontological Sensitivity (L) 1 2

SOURCE: USGS Geologic Quads, Eagle Aerial (2004), Jacobs Engineering (2/2007), LSA (2007) 0120.5 Miles Paleontological Resource Sensitivity Map 010.8 .63.2Kilometers KP 0.0/51.0 (PM 0.0/31.7) EA 08-0F3200

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The Los Angeles County Museum of Natural History added that “Excavations in the mixed Sespe-Vaqueros undifferentiated deposits, the non-marine Lake Mathews formation, or the marine Topanga, Puente and Fernando Formations have a very good chance of uncovering significant fossil vertebrate specimens. Therefore, any substantial excavations in the portions of the proposed project area containing older sedimentary deposits at or near the surface should be closely monitored to quickly and professionally collect any vertebrate fossils without impeding development” (Samuel A. McLeod, Ph.D., written correspondence, dated June 23, 2005).

3.12.3.3 Field Inspection A vehicular survey of the MCP study area was conducted during May 2005 and again in December 2006. The survey verified the results of the literature review and the analysis of the geologic mapping along the rights of way mapped for the MCP Build Alternatives.

A foot survey was conducted between April and July 2005. Paleontological crew members walked parallel transects along all areas within the proposed MCP rights of way that the records and literature search had determined might contain sediments that could contain paleontological resources or had undetermined sensitivity.

3.12.4 Environmental Consequences Because sedimentary formations with paleontological sensitivity are geographically restricted to the Elsinore Trough and the Perris Block, the paleontological sensitivity is discussed by alternative in the following sections.

3.12.4.1 Permanent Impacts Build Alternatives Fossils and their associated contextual data are significant nonrenewable scientific resources, and the loss of these resources resulting from construction of the MCP Build Alternatives would be the primary impact on paleontological resources. Earthmoving operations would result in the destruction of fossils and fossiliferous rock units within the construction disturbance limits. It is often not possible to completely eliminate impacts to fossil resources. It is understood that earthmoving activity would, unavoidably, destroy some fossils. These types of impacts can be partially mitigated by collecting and preserving a representative sample of the entire fossil assemblage and associated geologic information in the areas disturbed by project construction.

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Permanent impacts from the MCP Build Alternatives on paleontological resources would include:

• Destruction of paleontological resources • Damage to paleontological resources during grading • Destruction of rock units that may contain paleontological resources • Loss of contextual data associated with paleontological resources • Loss of associations between paleontological resources

The MCP Build Alternatives cross areas that contain seven fossiliferous Tertiary formations (65–2 mya) and fossiliferous early to late Pleistocene sediments deposited during the last 2 million years. These fossiliferous sediments crop out at the surface and may also be encountered below surface at many locations within the MCP study area, depending upon the alternative.

Table 3.12.B summarizes the amount of area with high sensitivity for paleontological resources within the footprint of each MCP Build Alternative. Based on the data presented in Table 3.12.B, all alternatives have approximately the same degree of sensitivity ranging from 67–76 percent of the total land area within the footprint of each MCP Build Alternative.

Another permanent impact of the MCP Build Alternatives on paleontological resources would be the provision of access to currently inaccessible areas of Riverside County and the cities of Corona, Perris, and San Jacinto, thereby increasing human presence in those areas. Increased human presence afforded by this access creates opportunities for increased disturbance to paleontological resources, including:

• Human-created erosion • Increased natural erosion due to human modification of the environment • Damage or erosion created by off-road motor vehicle traffic • Increased illegal access to, disruption of, and unauthorized collecting of exposed fossil resources by construction personnel during MCP project construction, or by amateur collectors during construction and operation of the MCP.

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Table 3.12.B MCP Build Alternatives in Relation to Sensitive Formations

Level of Sensitivity Sensitive Hectares Sensitive Acres Alternative 4 L (low) 256 632 Ha (surface) 666 1,646 Hb (subsurface) 206 509 High Total 872 hectares 2,155 acres Alternative 5 L (low) 269 664 Ha (surface) 634 1,568 Hb (subsurface) 191 473 High Total 825 hectares 2,041 acres Alternative 6 L (low) 427 1,056 Ha (surface) 693 1,712 Hb (subsurface) 211 522 High Total 904 hectares 2,234 acres Alternative 7 L (low) 440 1,087 Ha (surface) 661 1,634 Hb (subsurface) 196 486 High Total 857 hectares 2,120 acres Alternative 9 L (low) 353 873 Ha (surface) 512 1,266 Hb (subsurface) 202 498 High Total 714 hectares 1,764 acres Source: Paleontological Resources Identification and Evaluation Report, LSA Associates, Inc., 2008.

The recovery of fossils as part of the construction of the MCP Build Alternatives would make new information available to scientists, educators, and the general public that they would not possess without construction of the project. Fossil recovery and new data would be beneficial effects of the project, including new data on the evolutionary relationships and developmental trends among organisms, information on the age of rock units or sedimentary strata, depositional history of the region and timing of geologic events, development of biological communities, interactions between ancient plant and animal species, geographic restrictions of past species, and unusual or spectacular circumstances in the . Recovered fossil specimens or casts of specimens could also serve as a source of educational material and be incorporated into exhibits for public display.

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No Build Alternatives Under the MCP No Build Alternatives 1A and 1B, the permanent impacts discussed above for the MCP Build Alternatives would not occur for the MCP project itself, but impacts to paleontological resources in other areas would occur for the other transportation improvement projects included in No Build Alternatives 1A and 1B that require grading or excavation in areas with high paleontological resource sensitivity.

Discussion of Impacts Relative to MSHCP Amendment Paleontology was determined not to be a topic of concern and was therefore not analyzed in the Multiple Species Habitat Conservation Plan (MSHCP) EIR/EIS. An amendment to the MSHCP to provide coverage for Alternative 9 Temescal Wash Area Design Variation (TWS DV) would not change the conclusion of the MSHCP EIR/EIS related to paleontology.

3.12.4.2 Temporary Impacts Build Alternatives Direct impacts to paleontological resources would result from construction of any of the MCP Build Alternatives, not from operation of the facility itself. Impacts to paleontological resources are considered permanent, not temporary, as discussed above.

No Build Alternatives As discussed above for the MCP Build Alternatives, impacts to paleontological resources are considered permanent, not temporary. Although the MCP project would not be built under No Build Alternatives 1A and 1B, impacts to paleontological resources could result from other transportation improvement projects included in No Build Alternatives 1A and 1B that would require grading or excavation in areas with high paleontological resource sensitivity.

3.12.5 Avoidance, Minimization, and/or Mitigation Measures Since the MCP project could adversely impact paleontological resources during ground-disturbing activities, mitigation is required. Implementation of PAL-1, described below, requires RCTC to prepare a Paleontological Mitigation Plan (PMP) prior to completion of the final design to reduce impacts to paleontological resources.

PAL-1 Prior to the beginning of construction, the Riverside County Transportation Commission (RCTC), in accordance with the

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guidelines on the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) Standard Environmental Reference Web site, the County of Riverside guidelines, guidelines of the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), and the guidelines of the Society of Vertebrate Paleontology, shall develop a Paleontological Mitigation Plan (PMP) for implementation during the excavation phase of the MCP project. The PMP shall include the following steps:

• Prior to the start of construction activity, RCTC shall retain a qualified paleontologist. The paleontologist shall establish procedures (monitoring plan) for paleontological resource monitoring and procedures for temporarily halting or redirecting work to permit the sampling, identification, and evaluation of the paleontological resources as appropriate. The paleontologist shall also be present at the pregrading conferences to explain the established procedures based on a preapproved monitoring plan. If paleontological resources are discovered, a qualified project paleontologist shall determine appropriate actions, in cooperation with RCTC, for testing and/or data recovery, plans for which may be developed in advance to avoid construction delays. The paleontologist shall submit a follow-up report to RCTC that shall include the period of inspection, an analysis of any fossils found, the results of any testing or data recovery, and the present repository of the fossil specimens. Paleontological monitoring reports shall be submitted to RCTC on a monthly or more frequent basis during grading and excavation activities of the construction phase of the MCP project. • A qualified paleontological monitor will be present during ground- disturbing activities within the project disturbance limits in potentially fossiliferous formations crossed by the MCP project. These sediments are likely to contain paleontological resources. The monitoring for paleontological resources will be conducted on a full-time basis where fossiliferous sediments are exposed at the surface (High A) and at elevations where excavation is 0.9 meter (3 feet) below the surface where paleontological resources are anticipated at depth (High B). The monitor will be empowered to temporarily halt or redirect construction activities to ensure

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avoidance of adverse impacts to paleontological resources. The monitor will be equipped to rapidly remove any large fossil specimens encountered during excavation. During monitoring, samples will be collected and processed to recover microvertebrate fossils. Processing will include wet screen washing and microscopic examination of the residual materials to identify small vertebrate remains. • On encountering a large deposit of fossils, the monitor will salvage all fossils in the area using additional field staff and in accordance with modern paleontological techniques. • All fossils collected will be prepared to a reasonable point of identification. Excess sediment or matrix will be removed from the specimens to reduce the bulk of the material and the storage cost. Itemized catalogs of all material collected and identified will be provided to the repository along with the specimens. • A compliance report addressing Caltrans and Riverside County guidelines that document the results of the monitoring and salvage activities and the significance of the fossils will be prepared and submitted for filing at RCTC within 4 months of the end of project construction. Consideration shall be given to budgeting for tasks of wet screen matrix processing, fossil preparation, and identification to start while excavation monitoring is ongoing. • All fossils collected during this work, along with the itemized inventory of these specimens and the compliance report, will be deposited for permanent curation and storage into an established repository (Society of Vertebrate Paleontology [SVP], 1995 and 1996) such as the Riverside Metropolitan Museum. • There are two federal land (Bureau of Land Management [BLM]) parcels traversed by Alternatives 4, 5, and 9. If the qualified paleontologist determines that the formations in these areas have paleontological sensitivity and construction activities will occur that may disturb these formations, an appropriate BLM paleontological resource use permit will be obtained.

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