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Monrovia Nursery Specific Plan and Project 4.9 Biological and Agricultural Resources Draft EIR 4.9 BIOLOGICAL AND AGRICULTURAL RESOURCES SCOPE AND METHODOLOGY This section examines the potential for the proposed project to result in significant adverse impacts to agricultural and biological resources. The existence (or lack) of such resources in the project area and immediate surroundings were identified through consultation with appropriate local, state, and federal agencies, including the United States Army Corps of Engineers (Corps), United States. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), California Department of Fish and Game (CDFG), the California Department of Conservation, and the City of Azusa. Biological surveys of the site were conducted by Glenn Lukos Associates, Inc. (GLA) from April to July 2002 to ascertain the nature of biological resources on the site and the potential for impacts (See Appendix G).1 Previous biological surveys were conducted by Michael Brandman Associates (MBA) in 1992 and 1996. MBA reports provided detailed descriptions of the site, including the nursery areas occupied by native habitats.2 3 4 The focus of the 2002 GLA surveys was determined through a review of the MBA reports, which can be viewed in the Rosedale Specific Plan EIR, also used to prepare this Section. Field studies were conducted and focused on a number of primary objectives: (1) confirmation of previous vegetation mapping; (2) focused plant surveys; (3) general wildlife surveys (including considerations of wildlife movement corridors); (4) focused surveys for the coastal California gnatcatcher (Polioptila californica californica); (5); focused surveys for Bell’s sage sparrow (Amphisipiza belli belli) and rufus crowned sparrow (Aimiophila ruficeps) and (6) raptor surveys, and an oak tree survey conducted in accordance with the Los Angeles County Oak Tree Permit requirements set forth in Title 22, Part 16 of the Los Angeles County Code (see Appendix G). Observations of all plant and wildlife species were recorded. ENVIRONMENTAL SETTING Agricultural Resources A review of the most recent California Department of Conservation, Los Angeles County Important Farmland Map, 2002 determined that the proposed project site does not contain and is not adjacent to, any Prime Farmland, Unique Farmland, or Farmland of Statewide Importance. The project site, located in the City of Azusa, and its sphere of influence, consists of approximately 333.5 acres of active nursery operations (Monrovia Nursery Company) and approximately 155.9 acres of native habitat. The Monrovia Nursery Company propagates and grows containerized ornamental plants, flowers, shrubs, and trees on the project site, except in the rugged foothill areas. The foothills in the northern area are in a natural state. 1 Glenn Lukos Associates. Biological Technical Report Monrovia Nursery Development Project Los Angeles County, California. September 2002. 2 Michael Brandman Associates. 1997. Biological and Regulatory Opportunities and Constraints Analysis Update, Monrovia Nursery/Rosedale Specific Plan, Los Angeles County. 3 Michael Brandman Associates. Letter Report dated September 21, 1992. Subject: Results of focused surveys for sensitive species on 600-acre site owned by the Monrovia Nursery Company, Los Angeles County, California. 4 Michael Brandman Associates. 1992. Biological and Regulatory Opportunities and Constraints Analysis Update, Monrovia Nursery/Rosedale Specific Plan, Los Angeles County. 4.9-1 Monrovia Nursery Specific Plan and Project 4.9 Biological and Agricultural Resources Draft EIR The active nursery areas historically supported native plant communities. These habitats were long ago converted to agriculture use (primarily citrus groves) and later to the present horticultural operation. The project site does not constitute a farmland use of the type recognized by the California Department of Conservation as being either Prime, or Unique or of Statewide importance. Biological Resources Elevations on the site range from approximately 620 feet above sea level at the southern edge of the site to approximately 1,880 feet above sea level at the north portion of the site, above the canyon of the San Gabriel River. Topographic features include hills, steep slopes, canyons, and small flats. Remaining native vegetation within the project area reflects existing semi-arid conditions. Local climate is typical of the Mediterranean-type climate of eastern Los Angeles County, which is characterized by cool, wet winters and hot, dry summers. The average annual temperature of the area is about 63 °F, with summer highs in the mid 90s and winter lows in the upper 30s. Annual precipitation averages about 13 inches, with over 90 percent falling between the months of October and April. Runoff from precipitation in the San Gabriel Mountains flows north of the site via the San Gabriel River and its tributaries.5 Significant Ecological Area (SEA No. 45). The County of Los Angeles Regional Planning Department has designated Significant Ecological Area (SEA) No. 45 within this area of the San Gabriel Mountains. A portion of SEA No. 45 extends to the northeast portion of the site, north of Glendora Ridge Motorway (Figure 4.9-1). Per County policies, SEAs are established to protect areas which (1) possess uncommon, unique, or rare biological resources; (2) represent prime examples of native vegetation; or (3) are located where biological resources are at the extreme of their geological distribution. SEA No. 45 is known as the Dudleya densiflora SEA due to the presence of the sensitive plant species Dudleya densiflora. Responsible Agencies. The USFWS and the CDFG share responsibility for management and protection of biological resources in the project area. Under separate federal and state legislation, each agency conducts a detailed review of any project that could affect a special status plant or animal species within their jurisdiction. Based on a field verification conducted by Vandermost Consulting Services (VCS), 7.82 acres of the project site are under CDFG jurisdiction. The Corps, pursuant to Section 404 of the Clean Water Act, and the CDFG, pursuant to Section 1603 of the Fish and Game Code of California, have jurisdiction over streambeds and riparian habitat. In 2001, regulatory specialists from VCS conducted a review of a jurisdictional delineation. VCS determined, and the Corps concurred that the project site supports 7.53 acres of waters of the United States (see Figure 4.9-2). Vegetation Associations Eight vegetation associations representing over 150 different plant species within the plant communities on the project site were identified during the April to July 2002 field surveys. Vegetation communities include coastal sage scrub/chaparral (73.71 acres), chaparral (29.3 acres), coast live oak woodland (21.28 acres), mulefat scrub (0.78 acre), southern willow scrub (2.34 acres), California walnut woodland (5.86 acres), non- native grassland (0.23 acre), scrub live oak chaparral (22.4 acres), and horticultural nursery operations 5 Rosedale Specific Plan Final EIR. July 1998. 4.9-2 PROJECT SITE Not a part Not a part LEGEND: Project Site Dudleya Densiflora Significant Ecological Area N SOURCE: Glenn Lukos Associates, 2002 Monrovia Nursery Specific FIGURE 4.9-1 Plan and Project EIR SIGNIFICANT ECOLOGICAL AREA CITY OF AZUSA Not a part Not a part LEGEND: Project Site N SOURCE: Vandermost Consulting Services, Inc., 2002 Monrovia Nursery Specific FIGURE 4.9-2 Plan and Project EIR ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS AND CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF FISH CITY OF AZUSA AND GAMES JURISDICTIONAL WATERS Not a part LEGEND: Not a part N SOURCE: RBF Consulting, 2002 Monrovia Nursery Specific FIGURE 4.9-3 Plan and Project EIR PLANT COMMUNITIES CITY OF AZUSA Monrovia Nursery Specific Plan and Project 4.9 Biological and Agricultural Resources Draft EIR (333.50 acres) as described below. Figure 4.9-3 displays the location of these associations within the project site. Coastal Sage Scrub/Chaparral Ecotone. The dominant native vegetation association on the site identified in the 2002 GLA report is coastal sage scrub/chaparral. This plant community comprises 73.71 acres of the site, and is located north of Sierra Madre Avenue. This vegetation association is typically confined to the drier, south-facing steep slopes in the northern portion of the site. On the moister north-facing slopes, this habitat blends with chaparral, the second most dominant plant community of the site. The coastal sage scrub/chaparral community is most commonly characterized by large laurel sumac (Malosma laurina) shrubs in a stand of smaller shrubs, grasses, and herbaceous species. Commonly occurring species include California sagebrush (Artemisia californica), black sage (Salvia mellifera), deerweed (Lotus scoparius), chamise (Adenostoma fasciculatum), coastal prickly pear (Opuntia littoralis), Mexican elderberry (Sambucus mexicana), Spanish bayonet (Yucca whipplei), and California buckwheat (Eriogonum fasciculatum). In some areas, the understory is composed of slender wild oats (Avena barbata), tocalote (Centaurea melitensis), and many other native and non-native herbaceous species. Chaparral. The northwest-facing slopes of the major canyons on the site support a mixed chaparral plant community totaling 29.3 acres. The chaparral plant community is common throughout California and is not considered sensitive. Chaparral is the dominant vegetation type within the Angeles National Forest to the north. The chaparral community is characterized by a
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