Biological Assessment
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
GENERAL BIOLOGICAL RESOURCES ASSESSMENT VISTA SOLEADA PROJECT (TTM 36590) Located Within SECTION 35, RANGE 7 EAST, TOWNSHIP 6 SOUTH GPA # 01125 and Tract # 36590 Parcel 764-290-003 Riverside County, California Prepared For: MERIDIAN CONSULTANTS 860 Hampshire Road, Suite P Westlake Village, California 91361 E-mail [email protected] Telephone 805-367-5734 Field Study and Report Completed By: JAMES W. CORNETT Ecological Consultants P.O. Box 846 Palm Springs, California 92263 760-320-8135 November 4, 2013 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY An intensive plant and animal survey was conducted on an 80-acre site located adjacent to the City of La Quinta, Riverside County, California. The entire project site is an active agricultural field. No sensitive or non-covered species were observed on the project site. Grading and development of the site will have no direct or indirect significant adverse impacts upon biological resources in the region. CONTENTS Executive Summary . 3 Introduction . 4 Figure 1, Regional Location Map . 5 Figure 2, Area Location Map . 6 Figure 3, Project Site Location . 7 Figures 4-7, Project Site Images . 8 Site and Project Descriptions . 9 Study Methods . 11 Plant Survey Results . 13 Animal Survey Results . 15 Findings and Recommendations . 17 References . 19 Certification Statement . 20 Appendix . 21 Table 1 - Plant List . 22 Table 2 – Animal List . 24 Vista Soleada Biological Study Page 2 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY A proposed residential subdivision in an unincorporated area adjacent to the City of La Quinta and totaling 80 acres necessitated a biological resource analysis and field surveys for non- covered species as indicated under the Coachella Valley Multiple Species Habitat Conservation Plan (CVMSHCP). The western burrowing owl, a non-covered species under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, was not observed on or near the project site. However the burrowing owl is known to occur in the general region and could take up residence on the project site at any time. Therefore, a burrowing owl clearance survey should occur not more than 30 days prior to ground disturbance. The loggerhead shrike, a non-covered State-Sensitive Species was not observed on the project site and no active or abandoned nests were found. In addition, no suitable nesting habitat for this species was found on the project site. Therefore, no future breeding surveys for this species are recommended. Although the desert tortoise is a covered species under the CVMSHCP, clearance surveys for the tortoise can be required by the United State Fish & Wildlife Service prior to site disturbance. Field surveys, however, revealed no evidence of the desert tortoise within or adjacent to the project site and no suitable habitat for this species occurs on or near the project site. Therefore, no additional surveys for this species are recommended. The federally endangered Casey’s June beetle is known to occur within the Coachella Valley and is not a covered species under the CVMSHCP. However, this species has not yet been found in the lower Coachella Valley. Therefore, Casey’s June beetle was determined not to occur on the project site and no further surveys or mitigation for this species are recommended or required. The project site does not lie within a Conservation Area of the CVMSHCP. Blue-line stream corridors (streams or dry washes) are not a covered habitat under the CVMSHCP. However, no such corridors were present and no botanical indicators of such corridors existed within the project boundaries. Therefore, there are no biological justifications for the requiring of streambed alteration permits from state or federal agencies. Following the implementation of the required and recommended mitigation described in this report, development of the project site is not expected to have significant adverse impacts upon sensitive species or other biological resources in the region. Vista Soleada Biological Study Page 3 I. INTRODUCTION On October 19, 2013, the firm of James W. Cornett - Ecological Consultants, Inc., was retained by Meridian Consultants to conduct a biological survey and analysis on an approximately 80- acre site located in an unincorporated area adjacent to the City of La Quinta, Riverside County, California. The project site encompassed a portion of Section 35, Range 7 East, Township 6 South (San Bernardino Baseline and Meridian). The regional location is shown in Figure 1, the area location in Figure 2, and the specific location with project boundaries is shown in Figure 3. Site photographs are shown in Figures 4-7. This study was included as part of an environmental assessment mandated by the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and Riverside County, California. The biological survey and impact analysis were designed to ascertain the impacts of development on the biological resources of the project site and immediate vicinity. The specific purposes of the biological surveys and impact analyses are listed below. 1. Determine the vascular plant and vertebrate animal species that occur on, and immediately adjacent to, the project site. 2. Ascertain the presence of any plant or animal species given special status by federal or state governments or is not a covered species under the Coachella Valley Multiple Species Habitat Conservation Plan. 3. Ascertain the existence of other significant biotic elements, corridors or communities, particularly those not covered under the CVMSHCP. 4. Consider the site location as it relates to Conservation Areas as designated under the CVMSHCP. 5. If necessary and where feasible, recommend measures to mitigate significant adverse impacts of the project on any non-covered or special-status species, unique biotic elements or communities. Vista Soleada Biological Study Page 4 Figure 1. Regional Location Project Site Riverside Joshua Tree National Park La Quinta* N Figure 2. Area Location Project Site Monroe Street La Quinta 60th Avenue * N Figure 3. Project Site (in red) Monroe Street 60th Avenue 61st Avenue N Project Site Figures 4-7. Project Site Images Figure 4. View across site to northheast. Figure 5. View across site to northwest. Figure 6. View across site to southwest. Figure 7. View across site to southeast. II. SITE AND PROJECT DESCRIPTIONS Climate The project area lies within the confines of a geographical region known as the Colorado Desert (Jaeger, 1957). As is typical of this subdivision of the Sonoran Desert, annual rainfall averages less than five inches (National Climatic Center, 2012). Most precipitation falls during the winter and late spring with occasional summer storms accounting for approximately one fifth of the annual total. Winter days are mild, averaging 71 degrees Fahrenheit. Winter nights occasionally drop to near freezing. The month of July brings the hottest temperatures with daytime highs averaging 108 degrees F. Physical Features The elevation of the project site ranges from approximately 79 feet below sea level at the northwest corner of the project site declining to 88 feet below sea level in the southeast corner. Except for five-foot high berms that contain a small irrigation pond in the extreme northwest corner of the site, there is no topographical relief. There are no naturally occurring springs or permanent aquatic habitats within the project site boundaries. No blue-line stream corridors (streams or dry washes) are shown on U.S. Geological Survey maps for the project site nor are there botanical indicators of such corridors. Thus, there appear to be no biological justifications for the requiring of streambed alteration permits from state or federal governments. Soil characteristics are uniform over the entire site. Soil is composed of fine silt, the former lakebed of ancient Lake Cahuilla that occupied the area approximately five hundred years before present. Surrounding Lands To the east of the project site is an abandoned agricultural field overgrown with both native and introduced weed species. th To the north of the project site lies 60 Avenue and an active agricultural field. st To the south of the project site exists 61 Avenue and active agricultural area. Vista Soleada Biological Study Page 9 To the west of the project site lays an abandoned agricultural field presently overgrown with native and introduced weed species. Existing Impacts The project site is an active agricultural field that was plowed and planted as of October 31, 2013. No native vegetation communities exist on site. Project Description The entire project area is to be graded and residential units and paved access streets are to be constructed. Vista Soleada Biological Study Page 10 III. STUDY METHODS Prior to the initiation of field work, reviews of the literature and institutional records were conducted to determine the biological resources that might exist within the general area and to determine the possible occurrence of special status species. Records, collections, websites and/or staff of the University of California at Riverside Herbarium, the Boyd Deep Canyon Desert Research Center and the Coachella Valley Association of Governments were consulted for specific information as to the occurrence of selected species. A California Department of Fish & Game Natural Diversity Database (updated, October, 2013) check was also reviewed. Field surveys were initiated in October of 2013. Specific dates of biological surveys were October 22, 26, 27 and 30, 2013. A night survey were conducted on the evening of October 23, 2013. Survey dates occurred in fall when most perennial species and most resident bird and mammal species would be observed. Survey dates did not include spring when most ephemeral plant and reptile species would be encountered. However, because no native plant communities existed on site it was concluded that no sensitive plant species were likely to occur on or near the project boundaries. Because the project site was an active agricultural field, surveys were conducted by walking around the perimeter of the project site and using binoculars to examine the site interior. This technique was considered adequate since the site had been plowed and planted within a few days of the first survey on October 22.