SAWA 2012 ANNUAL REPORT

Former Arundo infestation mixed with native habitat on the mainstem in SAWA’s Hidden Valley project area.

About SAWA For nearly 17 years, the Santa Ana Watershed Association (SAWA) and its partners have been promoting a healthy Santa Ana River watershed for the wildlife and the people who inhabit it. The watershed spans approximately 2,600 square miles and ranges in elevation from 11,500 feet to sea level through five distinctive life zones. The watershed lies in one of Earth’s 25 Biodiversity Hotspots—areas rich in flora and fauna that are threatened by human activity.

A major goal of SAWA is to restore the natural functions of the watershed through the enhancement and restoration of the native riparian community. This is accomplished by the removal of exotic species and the management of existing resources, including both habitat and wildlife species. The largest thre at to the riparian habitat within the Santa Ana Watershed is takeover by invasive species, notably Arundo donax . This exotic plant is highly aggressive and has invaded much of the watershed, out-competing native vegetation and having drastic impacts on the wildlife. Removing Arundo is difficult and complex, requiring multiple treatments and intensive monitoring.

SAWA’s comprehensive eradication efforts include identification and mapping of exotic species, initial biomass removal, post treatment, and intensive biological surveying during all stages of eradication. Most importantly, SAWA monitors the removal areas long after the Arundo has been eradicated to ensure that native vegetation and wildlife are recovering and that there is no return of the invasive species. These intensive monitoring efforts are required to prevent re-growth that can lead to total re-infestation over time and to prevent any impacts to native species. Active restoration and enhancement is often employed when natural succession is not sufficient to ensure recovery of native habitat.

To date, SAWA has removed nearly 4,500 acres of Arundo and other invasive plants throughout the watershed. 1 SAWA 2012 ANNUAL REPORT (CONTINUED)

Collaboration SAWA conducts environmental management projects, working collaboratively with governmental agencies, organizations, and private citizens. SAWA implements facets of the Santa Ana River Watershed Program, continuously restoring natural functions and resources of the river and its tributaries.

The most notable collaborating agencies include the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (USF&WS), California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW), Carbon Canyon Arundo removal. James Law and the Regional Water Quality Control Board (RWQCB).

The Watershed Program formally began in 1995, with the signing of a landmark agreement between the OCWD, USACE, and the U.S. Department of Interior for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. This agreement allowed OCWD to conserve water behind Prado Dam but also recognized the need for watershed restoration by allowing a portion of the project mitigation to occur in the upper Santa Ana River watershed, many miles from the project site.

Mitigation was required to offset inundation of habitat in the Prado Basin due to water conservation. Two of the major federal regulatory agencies were convinced enough of the river’s degradation to break away from decades of traditional mitigation dictating that impact compensation was to occur within or very near the project area. Orange County Water District contributed $1 million to a fund that was the beginning of today’s efforts to restore the function of the Santa Ana River.

The Watershed Program is staffed by the partnering agencies. At monthly meetings, project plans and accomplishments are discussed. Project goals are specified in work plans that are compiled by SAWA with input from the other partners.

The work plans are reviewed by the various partnering agencies for their input and eventual endorsement. Changes and additions are made through staff-generated amendments. The work items and components of the plans are largely dictated by responsibilities inherited with the funding and the long-term commitment for follow-up.

Achievements and audits of expenditures are reported each year. In addition, the partnering agencies and regulators are toured through specific project areas on request. Photographic and data documentation of work progress is collected in each project area and there are regular site visits are conducted. SAWA or the local RCD is responsible for contract and contractor oversight. Funding Sources The Watershed Program focus is dictated by the responsibilities that come with the public funds provided to mitigate for typically large federal projects. These include control of invasive species, SAWA biologists monitor habitat particularly giant reed and cowbirds, targeted for their throughout the watershed . Terry Reeser interference with river function and resource abundance; increasing wetlands and open space; managing endangered species toward recovery; and public involvement.

2 SAWA 2012 ANNUAL REPORT (CONTINUED)

Arundo control started in the upper watershed and continues downstream because Arundo invades by pieces washing down and sprouting in moist soil. Arundo seeds are sterile in our area, so that the spread of giant reed has been by vegetative means.

Habitat restoration, primarily through Arundo control, is the current focus of the Watershed Program because most of the funding obtained was earmarked for Arundo control. The work with endangered species and other wildlife is necessary for compliance with the regulatory permits to do the Arundo work. Funds are obtained from grants and mitigation of projects on the river, and the Watershed Program took on the funds and the mitigation responsibilities. Carbon Canyon Arundo removal. James Law The projects providing funds included the Seven Oaks Dam, Prado Water Conservation, Highway 71 Improvements, Norco Bluffs Stabilization, Santa Ana River Flood Control, Environmental Protection Agency grants, state Department of Water Resources grants, and mitigations that have been ordered because of construction impacts in the watershed. Some of the funding sources did not specify acreage requirements but did provide adequate funding for treatment of several hundred additional acres and more importantly, for long-term re-treatment. Beginning in 2002, there was an additional $9 million for Arundo control due to a successful grant application for Proposition 13 funds.

SAWA Projects By early March 2003, SAWA became a 501(c) (3) nonprofit organization, and changed from fiscal year to calendar year. In January of 2004, SAWA established an in-lieu fee program with the Corps for invasive species removal. This program gives developers the option to mitigate for impacts in locations other than the project site. The funds generated by this program are used to support invasive plant removal efforts throughout the watershed. In some cases, mitigation projects are assigned to a specific property in the watershed.

Work is performed either directly by SAWA, or through one of the RCDs. In the latter case, an individual RCD performs a piece of work, authorized through the annual work plan and within the budgetary constraints dictated therein. That RCD then invoices SAWA and it is paid out of the fund. Approved work Terry Reeser retired from SAWA in early is confined to the activities specified in current grants and to 2013 after 10 years of dedicated service on maintenance obligations. The trust fund must be kept at a behalf of SAWA's mission for the level that will yield enough operating capital to continue long- betterment of people and wildlife in the term Arundo maintenance and other follow-up Santa Ana Watershed. SAWA’s thanks and responsibilities. best wishes go with him.

3 SAWA 2012 ANNUAL REPORT (CONTINUED)

SAWA projects are designated and approved by the Board of Directors in a long-term work plan. This plan is carried out with a focus on ongoing maintenance and enhancement of river system function, eventually leading to whole watershed health. The work plan develops projects that further these goals.

Work accomplished on the ground through SAWA is done by SAWA staff and the partnering agencies. The invasive species removal to date was originally accomplished by the individual Resource Conservation Districts within their geographic spheres of influence.

Volunteers planting in Hidden Valley. Lee Reeder More recently, long-term and many first-time proposals are being managed directly by SAWA. This report reflects the 12-month period from Jan. 1, 2012 to Dec. 31, 2012, and supplements many other reports produced throughout the period.

In 2012, SAWA removed approximately 200 acres of invasives and maintained control over thousands of acres of former infestation in 33 project areas throughout the watershed (see the SAWA project reports at the end of the main report).

SAWA’s Governance The Nature Conservancy (TNC) originally managed the watershed fund and the restoration work in the upper watershed. In 1996, the RCDs came together as SAWA, which then included the East Valley, Inland Empire West, Riverside-Corona, and San Jacinto Basin RCDs.

SAWA is governed by a five-member board comprised of one representative each from four resource conservation districts (RCDs) within the watershed, and one from the Orange County Water District. The four RCDs are the Inland Empire RCD (IERCD), the San Jacinto Basin RCD (SJBRCD), the Riverside-Corona RCD (RCRCD) and the Elsinore-Murrieta-Anza RCD SAWA crew working in Prado/Mill Creek . James Law (EMARCD). Descriptions of our partner organizations follow in the next section.

4 SAWA 2012 ANNUAL REPORT (CONTINUED)

Elsinore-Murrieta-Anza Resource Conservation District

Elsinore-Murrieta-Anza Resource Conservation District (EMARCD) is the newest member of the Santa Ana Watershed Association, joining SAWA as a full member in December 2008. Prior to that, EMRCD was an associate member of SAWA.

The northwestern portion of the district near Lake Elsinore and a small northeastern portion of the district above Anza are located in the Santa Ana River watershed, which is also in SAWA’s area of responsibility.

EMARCD promotes conservation practices of natural resources, opportunities for education and participation, and a sustainable quality of life for communities within the district. The district's territory includes 505,000 acres, or approximately 789 square miles, extending south from Scott Road to the San Diego County line, and from east of Anza west to the Orange County line. It also includes a loop around the north of Lake Elsinore. Its RCD neighbors are San Jacinto Basin RCD and Riverside- Corona RCD in Riverside County and Mission RCD in San Diego County.

Conservation districts began to form following federal enabling legislation in the late 1930s. In response to the terrible "dust bowl’ of that period, the federal Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS; then called the Soil Conservation Service) was formed. It was realized that for the NRCS to function effectively, local state districts were needed as a bridge to the public. So the RCDs were formed across the nation and continue to cooperate closely with the NRCS.

5 SAWA 2012 ANNUAL REPORT (CONTINUED)

What EMARCD Does Mitigation: EMARCD accepts many forms of mitigation to allow projects in the District to run smoothly through the permitting process, yet fit into EMARCD’s goal of a sustainable and healthy environment for the communities it serves.

Public Outreach: Hosting Earth Day events, assisting in and presenting community education programs and networking with various non-profit and governmental agencies makes EMARCD’s connection with the residents of the district grow.

Partners: By attending meetings, workshops and conferences, EMARCD continually keeps connected with ongoing efforts to protect and evaluate the watersheds (Santa Margarita River, San Jacinto River and San Mateo Creek) in the district. Affiliating with other groups and agencies allows EMARCD to work more efficiently and partner where it can.

In 2012, SAWA had no active mitigation projects with the EMARCD, but is planning to work on current mitigations that will likely involve this portion of the Santa Ana River watershed.

The board of directors of the Elsinore-Murrieta-Anza Resource Conservation District (EMARCD) meets the second Friday of each month at: Santa Rosa Plateau Ecological Reserve Visitor Center, 39400 Clinton Keith Road, Murrieta, CA 92582.

The EMARCD office is located at 21535 Palomar Rd., Suite A, Wildomar, CA 92595-7763. The office phone number is (951) 609-0066.

6 SAWA 2012 ANNUAL REPORT (CONTINUED)

Inland Empire Resource Conservation District

On July 1, 2005, the formerly independent Inland Empire West Resource Conservation District and the East Valley Resource Conservation District were consolidated by the Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCO), in an effort to reduce overhead and improve financial strength, resource planning and project coordination. The consolidation resulted in the creation of the Inland Empire Resource Conservation District, headquartered in the City of Redlands.

The Inland Empire Resource Conservation District (IERCD) has been a member agency of the Santa Ana Watershed Association since its inception, and has been active in the organization through management of mitigation work, partnering on a variety of education and preservation projects, and in serving in a variety of positions on SAWA’s board of director. The District’s boundaries include multiple cities and unincorporated county areas over 825,000-acres within San Bernardino and Riverside Counties, over which its five full-time and one part-time employees perform the restoration, conservation, and education/outreach work consistent with its organizational mandates.

IERCD is governed by a seven-member Board of Directors comprised of District landowners appointed by the County Board of Supervisors, serving terms of four years each. The mission of the IERCD is based on the concept that the quality of one’s environment determines the quality of life; accordingly, 7 SAWA 2012 ANNUAL REPORT (CONTINUED) the IERCD works to preserve and enhance the natural resources existing within District boundaries for the benefit of area wildlife, vegetation, and people. This is accomplished through a variety of tasks, including conservation of open space, restoration of area wildlands, and facilitation of an array of outreach opportunities for the residents of the IERCD service area.

As a member agency of SAWA, the IERCD performs a variety of tasks designed to assist the Association in fulfillment of its mission and g oals as they relate to open space conservation, degraded lands’ rehabilitation, and resident education and outreach.

One of SAWA
s oldest and most successful projects is managed in conjunction with the Inland Empire Resource Conservation Distric t in San Timoteo Canyon. . In the past ten years of project work, 209 acres of giant cane ( Arundo donax), 2.2 acres of tree of heaven ( Ailanthus altissima) , and 132.8 acres of yellow starthistle ( Centaurea solstitialis) have been removed , in addition to other target species for a total of 384.99 acres of continually managed new and ongoing removal areas. 8 SAWA 2012 ANNUAL REPORT (CONTINUED)

Orange County Water District

The Orange County Water District (OCWD) was formed in 1933 by a special act of the California State Legislature to protect Orange County’s rights to water in the Santa Ana River. OCWD’s primary responsibility is managing the vast groundwater basin under northern and central Orange County that supplies water to more than 20 cities and water agencies, serving more than 2.3 million Orange County residents.

Since 1933, OCWD has replenished and maintained the groundwater basin at safe levels while more than doubling the basin’s annual yield. This important source of water provides local groundwater producers with a reliable supply of high-quality water.

OCWD primarily recharges the basin with water from the Santa Ana River and, to a lesser extent, with imported water purchased from the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California. OCWD currently holds rights to all Santa Ana River flows reaching Prado Dam. Water enters the groundwater basin via settling or percolation ponds in the cities of Anaheim and Orange. Behind Prado Dam (constructed and owned by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for flood prevention), OCWD owns 2,400 acres in Riverside County, which the District uses for water conservation, water quality improvement and environmental enhancement.

OCWD monitors the groundwater taken out each year to ensure that the basin is not overdrawn; refills the basin; and carries out an assessment program to pay for operating expenses and the cost of imported replenishment water. The groundwater basin holds millions of acre-feet of water (an acre-foot satisfies the needs of two families for one year). The groundwater basin provides more than half of all water used within the district. Protection, safety and enhancement of groundwater are OCWD’s highest priorities. With one of the most sophisticated groundwater protection programs in the country, OCWD uses more than 700 wells providing more than 1,400 sampling points—from which OCWD takes more than 18,000 water samples and conducts more than 350,000 analyses every year. OCWD’s monitoring program looks for more than 330 constituents—far more than the 122 required by the regulatory agencies. OCWD Prado ponds. Lee Reeder

9 SAWA 2012 ANNUAL REPORT (CONTINUED)

OCWD is leading the way in purification of wastewater for reuse to provide a reliable, new, drought-proof high- quality source of water. The Groundwater Replenishment System, a joint project of OCWD and the Orange County Sanitation District, went on-line in January 2008 and can produce enough near-distilled quality water for 500,000 people.

OCWD efforts to increase local water supplies also include expanding the capacity of the existing percolation facilities, treating poor quality water to make it useable, studying methods to extend the life of filtration membranes, improving advanced purification technologies, using bacteria to remove contaminants, and studying the quality of Santa Ana River water and other water-related issues. Other OCWD groundwater management and water quality activities focus on expanding the Prado wetlands, groundwater treatment at well heads, computer modeling of the groundwater basin and conservation of endangered or threatened species.

As a member of SAWA, OCWD has contributed millions of dollars in mitigation funding to further the restoration mission and complementary goals of SAWA. OCWD personnel assist SAWA with its watershed-wide biological monitoring and reporting. The district plays a pivotal role in SAWA’s relationships with regulatory and funding agencies, and helps support SAWA’s work in the Prado Basin and in Orange County.

In 2012, OCWD allowed SAWA to conduct a project to remove 50 acres of Arundo, eucalyptus and other invasive plants from one of its properties in the Prado Basin. SAWA planted hundreds of Coast Live Oaks above the project and planted the former Arundo-infested area with native riparian plants.

10 SAWA 2012 ANNUAL REPORT (CONTINUED)

Riverside-Corona Resource Conservation District

Since 1953, the Riverside-Corona Resource Conservation District (RCRCD) has worked to create a sustainable community by helping people use water, soil, wildlife, plant and air resources so they last forever. As a SAWA member, RCRCD supports the management of each acre of land according to its needs and provides additional conservation assistance through cooperative agreements and conservation easements with landowners.

The district is located in parts of western Riverside and San Bernardino counties, and includes cities of Riverside, Corona, Norco, Canyon Lake, Grand Terrace and parts of Lake Elsinore and Colton. RCRCD personnel provide technical advice to land users and educational programs for the community. They also conduct on-the- land conservation projects.

Technical assistance is provided to land owners, “cooperators,” who are interested in conserving natural resources while using or developing property. Services provided to cooperators include:

 onsite evaluation of problems, such as inefficient irrigation systems  conservation planning based on resource data such as soil type and crop water needs,  design and/or specifications for the installation of conservation practices, such as erosion control structures, revetment, drainage systems and habitat restoration.

Natural resource management and conservation planning information is provided to district cooperators with assistance from the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS)., Army Corps of Engineers (ACOE), Santa Ana Regional Water Quality Control Board (SARWQCB), U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), California Department of Fish and Game (DFG), U.S. Forest Service (USFS), and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

11 SAWA 2012 ANNUAL REPORT (CONTINUED)

The RCRCD office provides resource data and planning tools, including soil and water testing, soil survey maps, copies of histor ic aerial photos, and a technical guide, Best Management Practices Handbook for Erosion and Sediment Control and Storm Water Retention/Detention , a book on Inland Empire Birds and sponsorship of the book, Native Plants of the Santa Ana River and Environs.

Resource Educators are available to present the following programs for community groups, staff meetings, high school level students, and public events:

 Help Create a Sustainable Community  Keep our Water Clean: Healing Waterways (Sponsored by the Cities and County of Riverside’s StormWater/CleanWater Protection Program).  Home Gardening...Simple and Environmentally Friendly  Arroyos: Sanctuaries for Wildlife (a joint project with the Riverside Land Conservancy; developed from a State and Private Forestry Grant). Educational Programs and Facilities The Riverside-Corona Resource Conservation District provides educational materials and programs free of charge to teachers, students and homeschooling families who reside or work within the RCRCD service area.

Mini-grants are available to all levels of school and youth groups to help fund outdoor conservation projects such as tree plantings, re-vegetation projects, and gardens.

The Land Use Learning Center at RCRCD is a 3½-acre educational facility that demonstrates land conservation methods. The purpose of the center is to foster community conservation efforts and to empower Southern Californians to practice natural resource stewardship at home, at work, and in the community.

The demonstrations provide models to explain local resource issues, conflicts, and solutions. Displays and signs explain plantings and demonstrations depicting ways we can use land efficiently and live in more sustainable ways.

Planted areas depict three main land uses of Southern California:

 native habitats  urban areas  agricultural lands

The RCRCD conducts on-the-land rehabilitation by removing invasive species and reestablishing natural landscape.

12 SAWA 2012 ANNUAL REPORT (CONTINUED)

San Jacinto Basin Resource Conservation District

The mission of the San Jacinto Basin Resource Conservation District is to help people protect, conserve and restore natural resources through information, education and technical assistance programs.

RCDs are organized for the purposes of soil, water, and related natural resource conservation in open space areas, agricultural areas, urban development, wildlife areas, recreational developments, watershed management, the protection of water quality and the treatment of each acre of land according to its needs. The San Jacinto Basin Resource Conservation District has demonstrated success with a wide variety of resource challenges.

The San Jacinto River is in Riverside County. The river’s headwaters originate in the San Jacinto Mountains and it flows through the San Jacinto Valley. The lower portion of the 765-square-mile watershed is urban and agricultural land and flows about 10 miles from its source to Lake Hemet, which holds 14,000 acre feet of water. Downstream of the dam, the river continues northeast passing through an area filled with citrus orchards and dairy and agricultural farms, until it discharges into Mystic Lake.

Overflow from the river then flows southwest to Railroad Canyon Reservoir, or Canyon Lake, which has a capacity of 11,900 acre-feet. Downstream of Railroad Canyon Dam, the river continues flowing roughly southwest for about 3 miles until it drains into Lake Elsinore. The lake has very little outflow, but in rare cases of heavy rain events, it has overflowed into Temescal Creek which drains into the Santa Ana River near Prado.

The San Jacinto Basin RCD has managed several major SAWA invasive removal and mitigation projects in its watershed, including Mystic Lake, the San Jacinto Wildlife Area and the Sate Street/Gibble Road area.

13 SAWA 2012 ANNUAL REPORT (CONTINUED)

SAWA will continue to monitor these areas, since the alternate drying and wetting of this zone has led to reinfestations of both Arundo and tamarisk in past decades. Subsequent treatments with herbicides approved for wetlands areas, will be applied by SAWA, necessary for the 20-year restoration plan of this site.

In 2012, SAWA and the San Jacinto Basin Resource Conservation District began working together on several mitigations in the Wolfskill-Gilman area southeast of Mystic Lake. The work involves removing invasive plants from a canyon there along with active restoration.

In 2012 the Santa Ana Watershed Association started working with San Jacinto Basin RCD on a project to remove the tamarisk infestation in Laborde Canyon and replace much of the formerly infested area with native plants. This photo shows part of the former tamarisk infestation in the watercourse. In 2012, SAWA/SJBRCD removed all of the invasive plants and active restoration began in early 2013.

14 SAWA 2012 ANNUAL REPORT (CONTINUED)

SAWA 2012 Financial Information The Santa Ana Watershed Association is a partnership of Elsinore-Murrieta-Anza RCD, Inland Empire RCD, Orange County Water District, Riverside-Corona RCD and San Jacinto Basin RCD. SAWA receives revenue from a variety of sources to fund its operations. The charts below show the revenues and expenses of the Santa Ana Watershed Association for 2012 based on its audited financial statements for the year.

Mitigation Fees $ 1,631,043 Grant Income $ 1,208,311 Investment Income 997617 Other Revenues $ 28,802 Biological Monitoring $ 10,947 MSHCP Net Income $ 32,167 Total $ 3,908,887 15 SAWA 2012 ANNUAL REPORT (CONTINUED)

Administration $ 542,096 Brown-headed Cowbird $ 128,127 Education Programs $ 142,988 Endangered Species $ 509,359 Invasive Species Removal $ 1,517,551 IERCD $ 95,786 RCRCD $ 48,371 SJBRCD $ 39,210 EMARCD $ 25,992 OCWD $ 150,622 Total $ 3,200,102

16 SAWA 2012 ANNUAL REPORT (CONTINUED)

SAWA Biological Program for 2012 SAWA’s target endangered species, the least Bell's vireo, has made tremendous progress toward recovery during the past 13 years. We believe it is due in great part to the work of SAWA biologists, who have worked throughout the watershed to manage habitat and cowbird parasitism to increase the species' breeding success. Numbers have increased considerably throughout the watershed since SAWA began monitoring in 2000. In 2000, 11 individual territories were documented at 2 sites outside of Prado Basin. In 2012, more than 1,230 individual territories were documented in the Santa Ana Watershed. In San Timoteo Canyon, where SAWA has removed 239 acres of Arundo donax, vireo abundance has increased from five in 2000 and 2001 to 118 in 2012.

In addition to managing the Least Bell's Vireo, the SAWA biologists have been active in managing other sensitive species, and monitoring raptors, amphibians and reptiles. We are also doing long-term studies Vireo chicks. Terry Reeser on 25-acre plots to track abundance and distribution of avian species in riparian habitat affected by removal of invasive plants.

In 2012, the biological staff was reduced by one full-time biologist and on half-time biologist. The biological staff includes one Lead Biologist, one Field Biologist II, and four Field Biologists, one half-time Natural Resource Specialist, one Biological Specialist/naturalist and one Field Assistant. One field biologist was out all season on pregnancy leave and a half-time contract biologist started in May to replace one Natural Resource Specialist who had been promoted by OCWD.

Least Bell's Vireo Monitoring. The monitoring effort consists of active nest management that requires multiple visits to sites and a less intense monitoring effort consisting of three visits during the season to smaller riparian habitat patches to detect the presence of vireos. Some nest monitoring occurs during these three visits based on habitat conditions and presence of cowbirds. Sites receiving nest management include San Timoteo Canyon, Mockingbird Canyon, Santa Ana River at Norco, Hidden Valley, Temescal Canyon, and the Santa Ana Canyon below Prado Dam.

Sites that have increased population size dramatically with the removal of invasives and cowbird management include San Timoteo Canyon, Temescal Canyon, Mockingbird Canyon and the Santa Ana River at Norco. Nest management is also done at sites that include the San Jacinto Basin, Sycamore Canyon, and Butterfield Ranch in Chino Hills that may not have large subpopulations but require nest management due to a history of cowbird parasitism. SAWA has also worked with the Center for Natural Lands Management in 2012 to monitor vireos in two of its preserves—Coyote Hills East Preserve in Fullerton, and March Stephens’ Kangaroo Rat Preserve in Riverside.

Monitoring began in mid-March and ended in August. Biologists walked riparian habitat and entered territories of the endangered bird into a global positioning system database. Frequent trips were made to determine breeding status, and to locate and monitor nests. Biologists were in the field between dawn and late afternoon five days a week during the season. Biologists operate on a buddy system for safety reasons. Each biologist is paired with another and each check in and out with one another each field day.

Once territories are located, birds are observed for nesting behaviors. Nests are checked approximately every seven days to remove cowbird eggs or chicks, and to document reproductive success. A pair of vireos will usually double-brood and may try up to five times to successfully fledge young. More than 2,350 field hours 17 SAWA 2012 ANNUAL REPORT (CONTINUED) were expended monitoring vireos in 2012. Results of vireo monitoring in managed areas and territory numbers watershed-wide are shown in Table 1.

Table 1. Number of vireo territories, pairs, fledglings and nesting success rate in the watershed

Site # Vireo # Vireo # Vireo Nesting Territories Pairs Fledglings Success

San Jacinto 42 36 49 69%

San Timoteo 118 102 153 64%

March SKR Preserve 13 11 8 Not monitored

Sycamore Canyon 7 7 5 Not monitored

Mockingbird Canyon 28 26 39 47%

Santa Ana River

--Mission to Van Buren Blvd. 41 11 7 Not monitored

--Hidden Valley 62 37 45 63%

--PAR (north side HV) 9 3 1 Not monitored

--Norco 95 51 86 71%

Temescal Canyon 109 63 71 58%

Santa Ana Canyon 65 31 29 40%

Chino Hills 8 2 1 0

Total Managed Sites 597 380 494 Not applicable

Watershed Totals 1,237 610 793 Not applicable

Table 1

Cowbird Trapping/Management Program. Integral to the vireo management program is control of the brown- headed cowbird. Each biologist managed the cowbird trapping program at his/her vireo monitoring sites. Six seasonal assistants were hired to service 49 traps throughout the watershed. Assistants were college students or people interested in wildlife. Giving people the chance to handle birds and learn about the native birds that they remove from the traps usually ignites an enthusiasm for understanding the pressures under which our local wildlife lives. The assistants were trained in bird identification and handling. An administrative and safety

18 SAWA 2012 ANNUAL REPORT (CONTINUED) orientation was held for the seasonal employees immediately after hiring. Cowbird traps were deployed in late February and opened in early March, before the season began. Most of the traps were closed by the end of July.

Traps deployed at the San Jacinto-area dairies are kept open throughout the winter because winter trapping usually catches a few thousand cowbirds. In 2013, a new trap in Lake Elsinore will be kept open throughout the winter. Traps are serviced seven days a week by agreement with USFWS and the State of California in order that all non-target birds get released back into the habitat in a timely manner and to ensure that the bait cowbirds have food and water.

Assistants report in at the start of the work day to the biologist and check out at the end of the day. This requirement assures the program that the traps have been serviced and provides a safety check for personnel in the field. Results are shown in Figure 1.

2012 Brown-headed Cowbird Trap Results 2000 1800 1600 1400 1200 1000 During Vireo Season 800 During Winter 600 400 200 0 Males Females Juveniles

FIGURE 1. Cowbirds trapped by SAWA in the Santa Ana River watershed, 2012.

The success of our extensive vireo and cowbird management program is due to many public and private entities that have contributed to our efforts by allowing us access to their property. Private property owners in Mockingbird Canyon, San Timoteo Canyon, Norco, Mira Loma and San Jacinto allowed SAWA to place cowbird traps on their property, which greatly aided efforts to enhance local riparian habitat. Private companies and public agencies also contributed to SAWA’s cowbird management program or to its vireo management program. They include 3M, the Green River Golf Club, Paradise Knolls Golf Course, River Trails Stables in Norco, DeJong Dairy, Goose Creek Golf Club, City of Chino Hills Public Works Department, City of Corona, Canyon RV Park, KB Home, Fisherman’s Retreat in San Timoteo, County of Riverside Regional Parks and Open Space District, State of California Department of Parks and Recreation, City of Riverside Public Works Department, Elsinore Valley Municipal Water Cowbird trap with perching Cooper’s District, Railroad Canyon Water Treatment Facility, Western Municipal Hawk. Melody Aimar

19 SAWA 2012 ANNUAL REPORT (CONTINUED)

Water District, Gage Canal, Eastern Municipal Water District, the Center for Natural Lands Management and Harbor, Beaches, and Parks, County of Orange.

Monitoring Invasive Species Removal. In accordance with permit conditions, SAWA biologists monitor invasive species removal and spraying to avoid impacts to wildlife. In 2012, biologists conducted nesting bird surveys and monitored Arundo donax removal and spraying at Hidden Valley (PAR), Mill Creek/Pigeon Hill area (CCIP1) in Prado Basin, Chino Creek (CCIP2) in Chino Hills, Norco Burn (ongoing restoration mitigation), and Carbon Canyon (PAR), as well as perennial pepperweed, Lepidium latifolium , spraying in Temescal Canyon.

Biologists conducted night surveys for nesting owls and bat activity at Hidden Valley and Chino Creek. Biologists worked closely with the project manager and the contractors to plan access routes to the Arundo and other invasive flora to prevent damage to native vegetation. Upon completion of the CCIP-1 (Mill Creek/Pigeon Hill area) and CCIP-2 (Chino Creek) projects, a SAWA biologist wrote a detailed project report Great Horned Owl. Lee Reeder for each location to be submitted to the agencies. SAWA biologists also documented and reported invasive plant re-growth and new infestations found during field activities to the project manager.

Breeding Bird and Winter Bird Surveys. Each SAWA biologist manages a bird study plot, a minimum of 25 acres, on which both breeding bird and winter bird surveys are conducted. These sites are located where invasive plants have been or will be removed by SAWA. In 2012, a vegetative analyses was conducted on each plot using a modified line-intercept transect protocol. Eight breeding bird surveys (BBS) are done at each site between mid February and the end of July.

Repeated surveys during the season are necessary for determining territorial and breeding status. All birds exhibiting breeding behavior are mapped per the Resident Bird Count Protocol of the Cornell Laboratory of Ornithology. Results are published in the Institutes of Bird Populations by PRBO Observatory and the Cornell Laboratory of Ornithology.

Winter bird studies (WBS) are also conducted on the study plots. Eight surveys are done from December 15 to February 15. Results include number of individual birds/species per 100 acres, number of times the species is observed, and the highest number of individuals/species documented, and average number of sightings. In 2012, studies were conducted in San Timoteo Creek, San Jacinto River, Mockingbird Canyon (WBS only), Santa Ana River at Norco, Featherly Park, Hidden Valley PAR (2 locations), the Santa Ana River marsh and the Santa Ana River levee in Orange County.

Breeding bird survey and winter bird survey results are depicted in Tables 2 and 3 below.

20 SAWA 2012 ANNUAL REPORT (CONTINUED)

Table 2: 2012 Breeding Bird Survey Results (Numbers are territories per 100 acres of the 20 most abundant species)

Van Buren Norco PAR San Featherly PAR Burn Project Timoteo Park Avian Species Scientific name 25 acres 36 acres 28 acres 30.3 acres 44 acres

Song Sparrow Melospiza melodia 60.0 44.4 64.0 62.7 93.3

Common Yellowthroat Geothlypis trichas 40.0 38.9 50.0 16.5 73.3

Spotted Towhee Pipilo maculates 32.0 33.3 57.0 36.3 30

Yellow Warbler Setophaga petechia 0 55.6 32.0 26.4 45

Least Bell's Vireo Vireo belli pusillus 4.0 38.9 14.0 33 15

House Wren Troglodytes aedon 4.0 11.1 29.0 36.3 23.3

Anna's Hummingbird Calypte anna 4.0 22.2 4.0 29.7 36.7

California Towhee Pipilo crissalis 12.0 11.1 7.0 39.6 13.3

Bewick's Wren Thryomanes bewickii 0 5.6 7.0 49.5 16.7

Lesser Goldfinch Carduelis psaltria 0 8.3 21.0 39.6 0

Yellow -breasted Chat Icteria virens 0 25.0 4.0 6.6 25

Black -headed Grosbeak Pheucticus melanocephalus 0 25.0 0 13.2 20

Northern Rough -winged Swallow Stelgidopteryx serripennis 8.0 0 0 25 13.3

Bushtit Psaltriparus minimus 0 5.6 7.0 26.4 0

Mourning Dove Zenaida macroura 0 11.1 7.0 19.8 0

Black Phoebe Sayornis nigricans 4.0 0 14.0 9.9 6.7

Nuttall's Woodpecker Picoides nuttallii 0 2.8 14.0 6.6 6.7

Tree Swallow Tachycineta bicolor 8.0 0 7.0 0 13.3

House Finch Carpodacus mexicanus 0 0 4.0 23.1 0

Phainopepla Phainopepla nitens 0 0 14.0 6.6 3.3

TABLE 2

21 SAWA 2012 ANNUAL REPORT (CONTINUED)

Table 3: Winter Bird Survey Results 2011- 2012 15 Most Abundant Species (numbers per 100 acres)

Hidden Mockingbird Norco San Featherly Avian Species Scientific Name Valley- Canyon Burn Timoteo Park PAR

Song sparrow Melospiza melodia 87.8 87.8 58.2 87.8 101.2

Bushtit Psaltriparus minimus 59.7 59.7 78.8 59.7 75.6

House finch Carpodacus mexicanus 50.7 50.7 66.8 50.7 63.1

White -crowned sparrow Zonotrichia leucophrys 56.6 56.6 64.8 56.6 33.9

Lesser goldfinch Spinus psaltria 16.0 16.0 115.1 16.0 42.9

Yellow -rumped warbler Dendroica coronata 25.0 25.0 46.2 25.0 83.3

Spotted towhee Pipilo maculatus 30.6 30.6 26.0 30.6 36.3

Anna's hummingbird Calypte anna 22.6 22.6 26.8 22.6 11.9

Common yellowthroat Geothlypis trichas 12.8 12.8 11.6 12.8 49.4

Ruby -crowned kinglet Regulus calendula 18.4 18.4 29.7 18.4 11.9

California towhee Melozone crissalis 11.5 11.5 31.4 11.5 11.9

Bewick's wren Thryomanes bewickii 8.0 8.0 34.7 8.0 13.1

Mourning dove Zenaida macroura 6.6 6.6 39.6 6.6 3.6

California thrasher Toxostoma redivivum 14.6 14.6 0.4 14.6 4.8

House wren Troglodytes aedon 4.5 4.5 9.1 4.5 6.5

TABLE 3

Sensitive Species. Because of the success of the vireo management program (i.e., the increasing abundance and distribution of the species and the lower cowbird parasitism rates, SAWA biologists have cut back on the extent of vireo nest monitoring to dedicate more time to monitoring other sensitive species in the watershed. While not listed as endangered or threatened, many other species are declining due to habitat loss or degradation. These species are listed by the State of California as Species of Special Concern and by the Western Riverside County Multiple Species Habitat Conservation Plan (MSHCP) as Covered Species. In 2012, SAWA biologists continued to document the presence of these species in the watershed during the vireo mon itoring efforts and breeding and winter bird surveys. Two of the sensitive species documented include the Yellow Warbler, Setophaga petechia, and the Yellow-breasted Chat, Icteria viren . Biologists detected a minimum of 806 Yellow Warblers and 171 Yellow-breasted Chats in the watershed outside of the

22 SAWA 2012 ANNUAL REPORT (CONTINUED)

Prado Basin. Melody Aimar, Biologist II, leads the Riverside/San Bernardino sub-working group for the recovery of the Cactus Wren, Camphylorphynchus brunneicapillus.

Santa Ana Sucker, Catostomus santaanae . In 2010, SAWA biologists participated in the feasibility study for the restoration of Sunnyslope Creek as a sucker breeding habitat. In 2011 SAWA and OCWD staff implemented restoration and aquatic research recommended by the feasibility study. Vegetation removal and gravel addition enhanced creek flow and habitat for the sucker. Exotic predatory fish and amphibians were documented and removed. Native fish, including the sucker were documented in Sunnyslope after this restoration effort Santa Ana Sucker. began. Restoration and aquatic research continued in 2012. We continued work at the SAWA native fish stream. SAWA biologists and field assistants also participated in the annual
Riverwalk. This study originated with SAWA in 2006 and is currently run by the Santa Ana Sucker Conservation Team. A major problem in the recovery of the sucker is the loss of cobble substrate in the river, which is a major silt trap. Riverw alk participants walk the Santa Ana River and document types of substrate to establish changes to sucker habit.

California Least Tern Monitoring. At the request of the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, SAWA biologists took over monitoring of the California Least Tern, Sterna antillarum browni , nesting colony at Huntington Beach in 2008 . In 2012, SAWA monitored 542 nests. It is estimated that between 422 and 534 pairs of Least Terns nested in the colony but only 90 fledglings were detected. The Army Corps of Engineers Least Tern Island at the Santa Ana Marsh, across the river from the Huntington Beach Tern Colony, was also monitored by a SAWA biologist. Least terns were observed foraging in the river and the marsh channel, but no nesting terns were detected on the island.

SAWA’s Herpetological Program. Biologists continued to survey for the presence and distribution of amphibians and reptiles in the watershed. Biologist Melody Aimar leads the herp program. Herp arrays were installed at Santa Rosa Plateau in November 2011. This location was chosen primarily to assist the MSHCP Monitoring Program in identifying the presence of three covered species that have yet to be detected at this core reserve. MSHCP biologists are working with SAWA biologists in monitoring herpetofauna at this location. In August, one of the targeted species, the orange-throated whiptail ( Aspidocelis hyperythra) , was caught in the SAWA arrays. This is the first record of this species at Santa Rosa Plateau. Due to recent drought conditions, it was decided to keep the arrays open at this location for one more winter in hopes of documenting another covered species, the western spadefoot toad. Currently, preparations are being made to open arrays at Hidden Valley Wildlife Area where SAWA is conducting invasive plant removal ongoing maintenance maintenance and habitat restoration (PAR project).

Biological Monitoring at IEUA’s Chino Creek Wetlands Park (CCP). SAWA biologists support biological activities in the Chino Creek Wetlands Park at the Inland Empire Utilities Agency. SAWA biologist Jill Coumoutso performs monthly bird surveys in the park and keeps current a CCP Bird Checklist, available at the reception desk at the CCP. One singing male Least Bell’s Vireo was detected at the CCP in 2012. Breeding was not confirmed for this individual. Breeding was confirmed for the following species: American Coot ( Fulica Americana ), Anna's Hummingbird ( Selasphorus sasin ), Bushtit ( Psaltriparus minimus ), Common Gallinule (Gallinula galeata ), Common Yellowthroat ( Geothlypis trichas ), House Finch ( Carpodacus mexicanus ), Lesser Goldfinch ( Spinus psaltria ), Mallard ( Anas platyrhynchos ), Mourning Dove ( Zenaida macroura ), Pied-billed Grebe 23 SAWA 2012 ANNUAL REPORT (CONTINUED)

(Podilymbus podiceps ), Ruddy Duck ( Oxyura jamaicensis ), Song Sparrow (Melospiza melodia ), and Tree Swallow ( Tachycineta bicolor ). Biologists Jill Coumoutso and Talula Barbee monitored 22 tree swallow nesting boxes at the ponds in the park in 2012. Twenty boxes were used, which is a 91% utilization rate. Nesting success was 76% and a minimum of 85 fledglings was confirmed. Installation of bat boxes at the park is also planned. SAWA also studies native small mammal presence and absence in the constructed wetlands at the Chino Creek Wetlands Park. However, in 2012 it was decided to postpone surveys due to Argentine ant infestation throughout the park. Biologist Talula Barbee led small Anna’s Hummingbird. Lee Reeder mammal trapping surveys in PAR-Hidden Valley in 2012. Only one small mammal species , Deer Mouse, Peromyscus maniculatus, was trapped . Biologists had booths at the IEUA Earth Day Festival, Evening in the Park, and the Fall Bird Festival with information on local bats. Live hawks— the Northern Goshawk ( Accipiter gentilis) and a Harris Hawk ( Parabuteo unicinctus )—were on display.

Bluebird Box Program. Biologist Giovanni Arechavaleta led the effort to deploy bluebird boxes at appropriate vireo monitoring sites. Sixteen boxes were deployed in 2012 at PAR-Hidden Valley, San Timoteo Canyon, San Jacinto Basin, and Norco. Species that used the boxes included Tree Swallows ( Tachycineta bicolor) , House Wrens ( Troglodytes aedon) , Ash-throated Flycatchers ( Myiarchus cinerascens) , and House Finches ( Carpodacus mexicanus) . Western Bluebirds ( Sialia Mexicana ) were observed near boxes but were not observed using them.

Santa Ana River Levee Surveys. SAWA and OCWD biologists conduct bird counts along 11 miles of the Santa Ana River in the cities of Yorba Linda, Anaheim, and Orange. In 2012, eight levee surveys were conducted during the spring and summer. This portion of the Santa Ana River is channelized by cement levees on both sides but, with soft bottom and water management, it still provides important habitat, particularly for ducks and wading birds. In the winter, biologists record bird species and the number of each species seen on the river and in the upland habitat next to the river. Binoculars and spotting Osprey . Lee Reeder scopes are used to help biologists properly identify birds. In the spring and summer, during nesting season, biologists record breeding birds— those birds that are paired for breeding, have nests, or have young. These surveys are important in showing what type of birds and how many birds use the river for food, habitat and nesting sites. Also, data from the water bird surveys highlight how human activity and changing physical features along the river can affect the presence of avian life in the river.

SAWA's Bat Program. The bat program focused on education in 2012. We had an educational bat booth display at several Chino Creek Wetlands Park events, including the Earth Day Festival, Family Night in the Park, and the Fall Bird Festival. Biologist Jill Coumoutso is leading the bat activities for SAWA.

Biological Support to Outside Agencies. SAWA biologists continue to provide information and advice to agencies and project developers. SAWA is often contacted by government agencies and consulting firms for information on whether the vireo, other listed species and their preferred habitat are present at specific sites.

24 SAWA 2012 ANNUAL REPORT (CONTINUED)

In 2012 SAWA biologists…

o Participated in field meetings as advisors to Riverside County Parks, Department of Fish and Game, US Fish and Wildlife Service, Regional Water Quality Control Board and Orange County Water District. o Attended the SAR Canyon Habitat Management Plan meeting and will serve as technical and administrative advisors for the plan’s implementation. o Conducted several informal training sessions on vegetation survey protocols for Inland Empire RCD staff. o Monitored well installation sites for the Yucaipa Water District o Conducted Santa Ana sucker surveys in Featherly Park for the ACOE. o Conducted nest-monitoring surveys at the Carbon Canyon Dam area for the Army Corps of Engineers. o Conducted nest-monitoring surveys for the IERCD Eastvale clean-up. o Conducted nest-monitoring surveys for the City of Lake Elsinore clean-up o Are working with the Inland Empire RCD, California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) and the Goose Creek Golf Club to develop a mitigation plan. o Terry Reeser served as technical advisor for the City of Chino Hills open space planning workshop and regularly communicated with them regarding city projects. o Continue to survey important bird areas for CDFW at their request. o Continue to work with the Army Corps of Engineers to mitigate the project to reinforce the Santa Ana River downstream of Prado Dam. o Continue to work with the developers at Mockingbird Canyon Estates II to protect the riparian corridor adjacent to its construction zone.

Publications. Biologists have written fact sheets on the status and distribution of endangered, threatened, or other sensitive species. Twenty-seven factsheets have been developed for community outreach to educate the public on the presence of sensitive and invasive species in the watershed and can be found at SAWA’s website (www.sawatershed.org). Biologists have developed several research posters for presentation at peer-reviewed conferences and community outreach events. Breeding bird survey results for eight locations throughout the watershed are published annually in the online journal Bird Populations by PRBO Observatory and the Cornell Laboratory of Ornithology.

Education. In 2012, SAWA biologists participated in SAWA's Vireo fledgling. Terry Reeser. Education and Public Outreach activities including the Earth Day Festival, Family Night in the Park, and the Fall Bird Festival. We had an educational bat booth display at each of these events. Biologist Melody Aimar created a Bird-friendly Tree Trimming guide for educational and public outreach purposes. Staff also assisted with environmental education for high school students at the Prado Wetlands. Biologists participated in professional society activities and community public outreach.

Conferences and Meetings. SAWA biologists participated in a conference on the status of the California Least Tern. We presented current data on the distribution of the Coastal Cactus Wren at the annual symposium. We attended a Grasslands Symposium, a Climate Change Conference, an Ambrosia Beetle Workshop and the monthly Multi-species Habitat Conservation Plan meetings for reserve land managers. SAWA Biologists also participated in CPR/First Aid re-certification. 25 SAWA 2012 ANNUAL REPORT (CONTINUED)

In 2013, SAWA biologists plan to increase field time spent investigating sensitive species, leading to the implementation of adaptive management strategies to improve their status. At least two new assessment areas have been identified to survey for vireo in 2013. We will continue our vireo and cowbird management programs and continue to work with public and private agencies to resolve issues dealing with wildlife management. Issues that need to be addressed include vegetation management during the breeding season, off-road vehicle use and feral pig infestations. SAWA will continue to work to educate the public on wildlife needs.

26 SAWA 2012 ANNUAL REPORT (CONTINUED)

SAWA Education and Public Outreach The Education and Public Outreach Department consists of a manager and two full-time naturalists. A biological specialist, Brett Mills, assists with education programs on an as-needed basis. Education and Public Outreach Manager Carrie Raleigh joined the SAWA team in 2010. During 2012, she was working on her Master of Arts in Education degree. She has been in the field of Environmental Education since 1997. In October she served as the Volunteer Coordinator at the North American Association of Environmental Education’s (NAAEE) annual conference.

Naturalists Annie Yennie and Samantha Dempster SAWA display at Redlands Conservancy have been part of SAWA for multiple years and have Kids Day. Staff photo. certification from the National Association of Interpretation as Certified Interpretive Guides. From July to November, the education staff was assisted by a temporary naturalist, Bill Brown. Water Discovery Field Trips SAWA facilitates a Water Discovery field trip program at the Chino Creek Wetlands and Educational Park in Chino through a partnership with Inland Empire Utilities Agency. These field trips introduce students to the wetlands and emphasize the role of water in our daily lives. The program is free to participating schools. SAWA helps fund a bus grant to allow schools that do not have a budget for buses to participate in the program. The field trips are customized for each school. Teachers may choose, from several activities, the experiences that best meet the needs of their students. All of the activities are aligned with grade-level state science standards.

In 2012, 15 schools and organizations participated in the Water Discovery field trips with a total of 582 students and 70 teachers and chaperones. Two of the schools attended through a program with Inland Empire Waterkeeper. These field trips included an added service learning project where the students planted native and drought-tolerant plants in the demonstration garden portion of the park.

In addition to the regular field trips, SAWA works with the Inland Empire Utilities Naturalist Annie Yennie teaches watershed basics. Staff photo. Agency and the City of Chino to host an Earth Day event that incorporates several of the Water Discovery activities. On April 19, approximately 820 students participated in the Earth Day event. This event was open to the public in the evening with an additional 500 participants.

SAWA also conducts guided tours through the wetlands. There were three tours held with a total of 62 participants. All of the tours were held for local scout groups.

27 SAWA 2012 ANNUAL REPORT (CONTINUED)

Educator Workshops SAWA offers educator workshops to give local teachers and informal educators tools to teach about the watershed and local environment. These workshops incorporate curriculum guides from Project Wet, Project Learning Tree, and/or Flying Wild. The Project Wet guides are generously provided to SAWA by the Water Education foundation. The Flying Wild guides were purchased with a grant from 3M. The Project Learning Tree Guides are provided by CAL FIRE.

SAWA appreciates the support of these organizations, which allows us to continue to present educator workshops. Seven educator workshops were held in 2012. SAWA also presented workshops at the San Bernardino Unified School District’s CAPS mini-conference and the California Association of Bilingual Education conference in Riverside.

Macroinvertebrate activity training Volunteer Days in educator workshop. Staff photo. SAWA hosts several volunteer days each year to engage community members with local waterways and to increase awareness of watershed wide issues. There were five volunteer days in 2012 with more than 325 participants. The volunteer days included two creek cleanups at Sunnyslope Creek near the Louis Rubidoux Nature Center, one brush removal day at the Chino Creek Wetlands and Educational Park with IEUA, Inside the Outdoors, and volunteers from Boeing, one creek cleanup at the Riverwalk Park with the Jurupa Community Services District, and one acorn planting day with the Riverside Land Conservancy at their Cienega Canyon property in San Timoteo.

Outreach Events SAWA hosted booths at a variety of community events:  San Gorgonio Girl Scouts BIG Expo  Frank G. Bonelli Regional Park Arbor Day  Orange County Water District’s Children’s Water Education Festival  Butterfly Day at the Louis Rubidoux Nature Center  Earth Night in the Garden at the WMWD California Landscapes Garden  Earth Day at the Frontier Project  Earth Day at the Norco Naval Weapons Base  Community Water Festival at the Elsinore Storm Stadium  Fire Awareness Fair at the Chino State Park  Earth Day at Newman Elementary OCWD Children’s Water Education  Iris Festival at Yucaipa Regional Park Festival activity. Staff photo.  Turtle and Tortoise Day at Louis Rubidoux Nature Center  Green Schools Conference at the Pasadena Convention Center  National Public Lands Day at Mary Vagle Nature Center  Redlands Conservancy Kids Day at the San Timoteo Nature Preserve  Chino Fire Open House at Station 61 in Chino

28 SAWA 2012 ANNUAL REPORT (CONTINUED)

SAWA coordinated several outreach programs at the Chino Creek Wetlands and Educational Park. World Water Day events were held on March 21 and 23 with 105 scouts visiting the park to learn about water conservation and riparian wildlife. During the summer, we debuted our Family Nights in the Park Series. Four evening events in the park brought more than 300 visitors who learned about raptors, nocturnal animals, astronomy, and water. The annual Fall Festival of Birds on November 3 introduced more than 400 visitors to local birds. At this event 14 agencies provided displays and bird-related activities. Nature Photographer Steve Kaye gave a presentation on local birds. Acorn planting day in Cienega Canyon. Staff photo. Outreach Presentations SAWA Education and Public Outreach staff presented to several organizations throughout the year. Topics included invasive species, composting, native gardening and SAWA projects and programs. The organizations included:  Buena Vista High School  San Gorgonio Sierra Club  Vernon Middle School  Toyota Distribution Center in Ontario  Rio Vista Elementary School  Science Leaders at San Bernardino County Superintendent of Schools  Organic Gardeners Meet Up  Inland Empire Turtle and Tortoise Club  Walnut Avenue Elementary School  Friendship Garden Club

Additional outreach programs included a bird walks at the San Jacinto Wildlife area and the Frank G. Bonelli Regional Park.

Professional Development There were multiple opportunities for growth during the year. In addition to attending the North American Association for Environmental Education (NAAEE) conference, Samantha Dempster also attended the Forestry Institute for Teachers. Additionally, she participated in a Palm Identification workshop. Carrie Raleigh participated in a California Naturalist training, a social networking workshop, and a vermicomposting training. Samantha and Carrie both attended the NAAEE conference, a native landscaping talk, a Project Wild Facilitator training, Environmental Education Initiative seminar at the Green Schools conference, and received CPR/First Aid Training. All of the staff participated in a guided tour of the Living Desert.

Additional Outreach The SAWA Says E-newsletter is sent out quarterly. In January there were less than 400 subscribers to the newsletter. By the end of December there were 610 subscribers. The open and click rates for the newsletter are consistently higher than industry averages. Many program participants have noted that they learned about 29 SAWA 2012 ANNUAL REPORT (CONTINUED) programs because of the newsletter. SAWA maintains an active Facebook presence with 140 followers. The SAWA websites, www.sawatershed.org and www.sawaedu.org , both have a steady visitation rates. The Education and Public Outreach staff continues to maintain and update both sites.

Looking Ahead to 2013 The Education and Public Outreach Department will debut the California Naturalist program in 2013. This class, created by UC Cooperative Extension, is designed to build a solid, educated citizen science group. The class will give SAWA the opportunity to collaborate with many local organizations to create a memorable class experience. The California Naturalist program is growing throughout the state and this will be the first class offered in the Inland Empire.

Programs will continue to grow with an emphasis on engaging more community members in the efforts of SAWA. Additional volunteer days and collaboration with other community organizations will be a priority. New outreach materials, including videos, will allow us to reach a wider audience.

Naturalist Samantha Dempster leads a bird-watching activity during a field trip . Staff photo.

30 SAWA 2012 ANNUAL REPORT (CONTINUED)

SAWA Restoration Department Activities

The SAWA Restoration Department, consisting of a Project Manager and three Restoration Technicians, is responsible for keeping former major invasive plant removal project areas under control and managing current mitigation projects. Once a cutting and spraying contract ends or a mitigation term expires, the SAWA crew continues, using mitigation funds for ongoing restoration or grant funding, to monitor sites to ensure that invasive weeds do not recover, and that natural, native habitat continues to develop.

The SAWA Restoration Department spends thousands of hours in the field every year, monitoring and treating more than 30 large project areas, and monitoring the work and progress of subcontractors. The crew also assists biologists with annual vireo assessments and documents the progress of removal and restoration projects. In 2013, the role of the department is expected to be expanded to include more removal and restoration activities.

The following project reports document the work of the Restoration Department in 2012.

Santa Ana Watershed Association PO Box 5407 Riverside, CA 92517 Phone: 951-780-1012 Fax: 951-780-5893 www.sawatershed.org

31 SAWA PROJECT: CALNEV PIPELINE MITIGATION Location: The CalNev Pipeline Project Mitigation area includes the Cajon Creek drainage from Cajon Junction (intersection of Interstate 15 and State Route 138), south to Keenbrook, Township 2 North, Range 6 West, portions of sections 1, 6, 7, 12-14; and Township 3 North, Range 6 West, portions of sections 35 and 36, San Bernardino Base and Meridian.

Permit/Agreement: the CalNev Pipeline project is a combination of three individual projects: CalNev – Cajon, CalNev – Deadmans, and CalNev – Swarthout. Permits assigned in association with these projects include:

• CalNev – Cajon o CDFW Streambed Alteration Agreement #1600-2006-0189-R6 o RWQCB: Section 401 Permit; USACE Reference No. Unavailable o USACE: Section 404 Permit #200601563 • CalNev – Deadmans o CDFW; Streambed Alteration Agreement #1600-2006-0105-R6 o RWQCB: Section 401 Permit/USACE Reference No Unavailable o USACE: Section 404 Nationwide Permit No. 12: Utility Line Activities and 22: Temporary Dewatering • CalNev - Swarthout o CDFW; Streambed Alteration Agreement #1600-2006-0075-R6 o RWQCB: Section 401 Permit/USACE Reference No Unavailable o USACE: Section 404 Nationwide Permit No. 12: Utility Line Activities and 22: Temporary Dewatering

Project Origin: The CalNev Pipeline Project refers to a combination of three individual projects, as listed n the above section, all of which involved pipeline washout repair activities within the Cajon Creek subwatershed. These activities involved a variety of tasks designed to stabilize system pipelines, including but not limited to p lacement of geotube with earthen fill, and overlain by concrete mat revetments, over both exposed locations of the 14-inch pipeline, excavation of stream banks to allow for securing of the concrete mat revetments, and installation of rip-rap slope protection for a distance of sixty feet on the north bank. Adverse effects of individual projects were calculated to include: CalNev – Cajon/.17-A of permanent impacts; CalNev – Deadmans/.09-A of permanent and .86-A of temporary impacts; and CalNev – Swarthout/.06-A of permanent and .02-A of temporary impacts.

Amount of Mitigation: The mitigation assigned for impacts related to this work varied for each project: • CalNev – Cajon: .51 acre of eradication of invasive vegetation with six years of follow-up maintenance • CalNev – Deadmans: .27 acre of eradication of invasive vegetation with six years of follow-up maintenance, done through an approved In-Lieu-Fee Program operator. • CalNev – Swarthout: .30 acre of eradication of invasive vegetation with six years of follow-up maintenance, done through an approved In-Lieu-Fee Program operator.

Purpose/ Goal of the Mitigation: The purpose of this mitigation was to offset impacts to riparian habitat from the excavation and placement of fill performed in cooperation with the pipeline stabilization work. First, SAWA calculated total cumulative mitigation requirements and funding to evaluate potential of co-placement of all three projects, a step the Association ultimately decided to take. Following that analysis, SAWA worked with property-holding/managing partners in the area immediately adjacent to projected impacts to ensure effective placement of mitigation, and in 2009, was notified that the United States Forest Service (USFS) had suitable land. Prior to partnering with SAWA, the USFS had already conducted all of the

1 studies and reporting necessary for performance of invasive vegetation removal and associated tasks on Federal land, making placement of the CalNev Pipeline mitigation responsibilities a relatively smooth process. Once project work began, SAWA worked with USFS staff as well as the Urban Conservation Corps (UCC) to carry out the required management and monitoring on the site.

Project Status: All of the preparation work for this project began in 2009, which included scouting potential placement locations, coordinating with the USFS on the development of documents required to move the project forward, and developing an implementation plan for all supplies and staff time needed to execute the removals and monitoring on the site. In 2010, project removals and site monitoring began and have continued through calendar year 2012, with additional monitoring and removals scheduled for 2013, which is year four of implementation. Currently, SAWA is working with partners adjacent to the CalNev project boundary to secure permission to remove over additional properties if necessary to achieve total cumulative enhancement requirement.

As of the 2012 calendar year, a total of $41, 801.80 had been spent, of the original $87,000 in cumulative funding received for this project.

Site Visits: Each site visit has been documented in individual field sheets for each day of work performed on the project, summarized according to year in the following bullets:

• 2010: six removal and monitoring events, totaling 413.75 cumulative staff hours (SAWA: 48.25 hours; USFS: 56.25 hours; UCC: 309.25 total crew hours) • 2011: six removal and monitoring events, totaling 437.5 hours (SAWA – 52.5 hours; USFS – 60.75 hours; UCC – 324.5 total crew hours) • 2012: five removal and monitoring events, totaling 125.5 hours (SAWA – 118 hours; USFS – 7.5 hours). Note that in the 2012 calendar year, SAWA learned the UCC was no longer eligible to contract on this project, resulting in far fewer hours; in 2013, SAWA will contract with the eligible California Conservation Corps for additional removals.

Habitat Status: the area over which this multi-mitigation project has been placed is an approximately 300- acre section of Cajon Creek watershed, characterized by largely functional native habitat with intermittent patches of invasive vegetation including but not limited to giant reed ( Arundo donax ), tamarisk ( Tamarix spp. ), pampas grass ( Cortaderia selloana ), and tree of heaven ( Ailanthus altissima ). Native species consistent among this southern part of this subwatershed include species common to southern cottonwood/willow riparian forest and include cottonwood ( Populous fremontii ), arroyo willow ( Salix lasiolepis), Western sycamore ( Platanus racemosa), coast live oak ( Quercus agrifolia ), mulefat shrubs (Baccharis salicifolia), and wild grape ( Vitis californica ) vine. In drier areas the wash is open and is comprised of a shorter shrub layer including scalebroom ( Lepidospartun squamatum ), white sage ( Salvia apiana ), Yerba santa (Eriodictyon californicum), California buckwheat ( Eriogonum fasciculatum ), our lord’s candle ( Yucca whipplei) and mixed manzanita ( Arctostaphylos spp. ).

Wildlife: Wildlife observed during monitoring and removal activities includes a variety of avian species such as: red- tailed hawks ( Buteo jamaicensi s), Cooper's hawk ( Accipiter cooperii ), common yellowthroat, (Geothlypis trichas), song sparrow (Melospiza melodia), American kestrel (Falco sparverius) and Anna's hummingbird ( Calypte anna ). Mammals and reptiles have also been observed including the bobcat ( Lynx rufus ), coyote ( Canis latrans), and cast horned lizard ( Phrynosoma coronatum ). Fish are present in the stream and species include speckled dace ( Rhinichthys osculus) and Arroyo chub ( Gila orcuttii ).

2 SAWA PROJECT: CALNEV PIPELINE – PHOTOS AND MAPS

2012 CalNev Monitoring: Wild Grape and Arundo Donax Former Treatment Area

2012 CalNev Monitoring: Arundo Donax Recolonizing Riparian and Formerly Treated Areas

3 2012 CalNev Removals: Arundo Donax and Tamarisk

4 5 SAWA PROJECT: CARBON CANYON—2012 Location : The Carbon Canyon project area follows Carbon Creek through most of the canyon, located in northeastern Orange County and is broken down into three phases. Phase I: 40 acres, coordinates 426354 N & 3754692E. Phase II: 15 acres, coordinates 426079 N & 3754467 E. Phase III: 16 acres , coordinates 426097 N & 3754477 E.

Purpose/ Goal of the Project: Remove all Arundo donax, and remove and treat emergent areas of other invasives from the site. Monitor regrowth of native vegetation.

Mitigations/Grants Assigned to the Project : See mitigation table on page 2

Project Origin: A fire burned through Carbon Canyon in November 2008. One week after the fire, arundo began to re-sprout and grew quickly to two feet tall; however, an unusual dry season slowed down the growth. SAWA sent out letters to landowners to gain access and permission to control arundo on their properties. SAWA also applied for a Caltrans right-of-way permit and was granted permission to control arundo in their easements. This project site starts at the community of Sleepy Hollow and heads downstream into Orange County and ends behind the new State Parks Discovery Center. Herbicide applications began in early 2009 on private property and Caltrans rights-of-way. This is a cooperative effort among SAWA, the Chino Hills Fire Safe Council, Hills for Everyone and the Santa Ana Watershed Project Authority.

Project Status: This site runs from Sleepy Hollow downstream to the State Parks Discovery Center. In 2012 contractors continued to apply herbicide applications to re-growth. In addition, a new 4-acre patch of arundo, located behind the California State Parks Discovery Center, was removed. Ongoing monitoring and herbicide applications are contracted out until the end of 2012. All arundo has since been removed from Sleepy Hollow downstream to the new State Parks Discovery Center.

Site Visits: SAWA crews and biologists were at the project site numerous times in 2012 monitoring removal and treatment efforts.

Costs: A total of $59,993.21 was spent on contractor invoices and SAWA monitoring in 2012.

Habitat Status: The site is composed of ~25-50% open space and the canopy cover in the spring/summer months is ~ 50-75%. The tree height class is 10-15 meters and the shrub height class is 2-5 meters. The following native species were documented on site, and have been recorded in percent cover using stratum categories from rapid assessment method, in 2012: 1-5% coast live oak ( Quercus agrifolia ), <1% false jimson weed ( Datura wrightii ), <1% mugwort ( Artemisia douglasiana ) 5-15% mulefat ( Baccharis salicifolia ), <1% California wild rose ( Rosa californica ), <1% wild gourd ( Cucurbita foetidissima ), <1% Mexican elderberry ( Sambucus Mexicana ), 1-5% black willow ( Salix gooddingii ), 1-5% cottonwood ( Populus fremontii ), 1-5% coyote bush ( Baccharis pilularis ), <1% common cattail ( Typha latifolia ), <1% western sycamore ( Platanus racemosa ) and <1% poison oak ( Toxicodendron diversiloba ).

The following non-native species were documented on site, and have been recorded in percent cover using stratum categories from rapid assessment method, in 2012: <1% milk thistle ( Silybum marianum ), <1% giant reed ( Arundo donax ), 1-5% tree tobacco, <1% saltcedar ( Tamarix ramosissima ), <1% Peruvian pepper tree ( Schinus molle ), <1% common olive ( Olea europaea ), <1% tuna cactus ( Opuntia ficus-indica ), 1-5% tocolote ( Centaurea melitensis ) and <1% blue gum eucalyptus ( Eucalyptus globules ).

Wildlife: SAWA biologists report that six Least Bell’s Vireo, a federally endangered species, held territories in this area in 2013. This is an increase from four territories held in 2012 and two territories held in 2011.

1 Many common bird species such as Song Sparrow, Spotted Towhee, Common Yellowthroat, Western Scrub Jay, and Anna’s Hummingbird are present. California species of special concern present on site include Yellow Warbler and Yellow Breasted Chat. A pair of Red-tailed Hawks regularly nests in this area. In 2008 a bobcat was spotted with a cub. Coyotes are also known to frequent this area. In 2012, a northern red-diamond rattlesnake (a California species of concern), was found dead in the street adjacent to habitat.

Carbon Canyon Mitigations Permit number Impact Contributing Agency Amount: Purpose of Funds Impact Mit Date Received

SPL -2009 -00292 - Impacts from road building Metropolitan Water $75,000 Removal and 0.2 0.7 12/4/2009 JPL, 2009-0020- in Carbon Canyon District ongoing restoration R5, CRWQCB on Aera property 09/17/09

Total acreage 0.7

2 SAWA PROJECT: CARBON CANYON MAPS AND PHOTOS

Arundo re-growth after fire Arundo infestation in Chino Hills State Park.

Arundo removal in State Park. Carbon Creek in State Park after 2012 removal.

3 SAWA PROJECT: CHINO CREEK INTEGRATED PROJECT 1 (PRADO BASIN)—2012 Location: The CCIP1 project is located in the middle of the Prado Basin along Mill Creek and on Pigeon Hill. The main invasive removal area was 75 acres, but the upland restoration portion of the project ranges from Pigeon Hill to Prado Regional Park. After two years of waiting for the Army Corps of Engineers to approve an Environmental Assessment for the project, SAWA was able to secure a license from SAWA member OCWD to conduct the majority of the project on its property. The coordinates are 442133 N & 3753704 E.

Purpose/ Goal of the Project: The purpose of the CCIP1 project was to remove 50 acres of invasive plants, including Eucalyptus and Arundo and replant with native plants and trees.

Mitigations/Grants Assigned to the Project : The first two years of work on this project (initial removal and restoration planting) was paid by a $1 million grant from the State Department of Water Resources using American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funding and administered by SAWA’s partner, the Inland Empire Utilities Agency (Contract # 4600000574, Project # PL05002.00). SAWA used $927,620.09 of the contract funding before the grant expired on March 31, 2012 for the project. SAWA plans to use ongoing restoration mitigation funding to continue keeping the area under control.

Project Origin: This project consisted of the initial removal of ~ 50 acres of giant reed ( Arundo donax ), saltcedar ( Tamarix ssp. ), perennial pepperweed ( Lepidium latifolium ) and eucalyptus ssp. The project area runs along both sides of Mill Creek Prado, starting at the Riverside/San Bernardino County lines downstream to the OCWD detention basins. The initial removal phase of this project began in 2011. After initial removal was completed herbicide applications were completed by Washburn Grove Management. In addition to the monitoring and spraying of non-native weeds a restoration plan was adopted and implemented. Four 4,000 gallon water tanks were installed for irrigating the 634 oaks that were planted.

Site Visits: 1/3, 1/5, 1/11, 1/18, 1/19, 1/23, 1/25, 1/31, 2/7, 2/21, 2/22, 2/23, 2/27, 2/28, 2/29, 3/5, 3/6, 3/7, 3/12, 3/27, 3/28, 3/29, 4/3, 4/4, 7/12, 7/23, 9/11, 11/15, 12/5

Costs: The total costs for CCIP 1 in 2012 were $312,946.83. The contractor costs came to $308,815.03, while SAWA spent 106 hours, which came to a total of $4,131.80.

Habitat Status: At the beginning of 2012 Washburn was contracted to plant and install riparian vegetation to restore the area back to a successful functioning habitat (see attached plant palette). Currently it is estimated that less than 10% mortality has occurred in the riparian planted areas. The oaks have had a higher mortality rate as typically expected with oak species. The oak mortality rate has been estimated at approximately ~ 30%. The re-growth of the targeted non-native species has been minimal. The native canopy cover was estimated to be at 70% during the spring/summer months before trees start to drop foliage. The tree height class was between 15-20 meters. The shrub height was between 2-5 meters.

The following native plants were documented at the site in 2012: arroyo willow ( Salix lasiolepis ), black willow ( Salix gooddingii ), alkali heliotrope ( Heliotropium curassavicum ), common sunflower ( Helianthus annuus ), bulrush ( Scirpus ssp. ), common cattail ( Typha latifolia ) , mulefat ( Baccharis salicifolia ), red willow (Salix laevigata ), hoary nettle ( Urtica dioica ), California blackberry ( Rubus ursinus ), false jimson weed (Datura wrightii ), cocklebur ( Xanthium strumarium ), cottonwood ( Populus fremontii ), tarragon ( Artemisia dracunculus), mugwort ( Artemisia douglasiana ), coast live oak ( Quercus agrifolia ), doveweed ( Croton setigerus ), California wild rose ( Rosa californica ), California buckwheat ( Eriogonum fasciculatum ), coastal prickly pear ( Opuntia littoralis ), and valley cholla ( Opuntia parryi ).

1 The following non-native species were documented at the site in 2012: lamb’s quarters ( Chenopodium album ), summer cypress ( Kochia scoparia ), white sweetclover ( Melilotus albus ), Perennial pepperweed (Lepidium latifolium ), giant reed ( Arundo donax ), Russian thistle ( Salsola tragus ), golden crownbeard (Verbesina encelioides ), poison hemlock ( Conium maculatum ), edible fig ( Ficus carica ), wild lettuce (Lactuca serriola ), castorbean ( Ricinus communis ), Johnson grass ( Sorghum halepense ), curly dock (Rumex crispus ), tree tobacco ( Nicotiana glauca ) and horehound ( Marrubium vulgare ).

Wildlife: The CCP1 project site is situated along Mill Creek. This riparian habitat is surrounded by a wetland and recreational gun range. Recently non-native species which include Arundo donax were removed along the creek. This recovering riparian contains many common avian species such as Common Yellowthroat and Song Sparrow. Sensitive species such as the Yellow Warbler and the Yellow -breasted Chat occupy the habitat as well. The state and federally-list endangered Least Bell's Vireo is also present throughout the site. Raptors or bird of prey species such as the White-tailed Kite, Red-tailed hawk, and Great Horned Owl can be found breeding or foraging within the site. The adjacent wetlands and open nearby fields provide the raptors with a variety of prey species like the deer mouse and western harvest mouse. The CCP1 site also provides habitat to a range of other mammals such as the raccoon, mule deer, bobcat and coyote.

.

2 SAWA PROJECT: CHINO CREEK INTEGRATED PROJECT 1 MAPS AND PHOTOS

Pigeon Hill November 2011 Pigeon Hill July 2012

Pigeon Hill November 2011 Pigeon Hill July 2012

3 Pigeon Hill Coast Live Oak planting Mill Creek area after Arundo removal

CCIP1 PLANT PALETTE

Riparian Edge

Mulefat---Baccharis salicifolia 700 (containers) Coyotebush---Baccharis pilularis 150 Mugwort---Artemesia douglasiana 150 Elderberry---Sambucus mexicanus 25

Riparian Interior

Mulefat---Baccharis salicifolia 2,200 (pole cuttings) Black Willow—Salix goodingii 300 California Rose---Rosa californica 200 California Blackberry---Rubus ursinus 200

Upland

Coast Live Oak---Quercus agrifolia 634

Totals For Purchasing

Mulefat 700 Coyotebush 150 Mugwort 150 Black Willow 300 California Rose 200 California Blackberry 200

4 SAWA PROJECT: CHINO CREEK INTEGRATED PROJECT 2—2012 Location: This 45-acre project is located in the channelized portion of Chino Creek from Cental Avenue downstream to the Field of Dreams baseball complex. The coordinates are 437333 N & 3758207 E.

Purpose/ Goal of the Project: Removal of scattered infestations of arundo, tamarisk, palms, eucalyptus and castor bean, and allowing for natural succession of native vegetation.

Mitigations/Grants Assigned to the Project : The first two years of work on this project (initial removal and restoration planting) was paid by a $125,000 grant from the State Department of Water Resources using American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funding and administered by Inland Empire Utilities Agency (Contract # 4600000628, Project # PL07001). SAWA plans to use ongoing restoration mitigation funding to continue keeping the area under control.

Project Origin: The CCP2 project site is a narrow riparian habitat surrounded by high-use areas such as residential and industrial buildings. In 2012, non-native species, which include arundo donax and castor bean, were removed along the creek.

Project Status: All ongoing monitoring and herbicide applications have been completed by SAWA’s ISR department. Control of the non-natives has been fairly effective with minimal re-growth occurring. Bi-annual surveying and herbicide applications are conducted to ensure that the site doesn’t become re-infested.

Site Visits: 1/11, 1/12, 1/18, 1/23, 1/25, 1/30, 1/31, 2/1, 2/2, 2/3, 2/6, 2/7, 2/8, 2/9, 2/10, 2/13, 2/14, 2/15, 2/16, 2/21, 2/22, 2/23, 2/24, 2/27, 2/28, 2/29 3/12, 3/27, 3/28, 4/5, 7/17, 8/15, 8/20, 10/30

Costs: In 2012 the total labor costs for CCIP 2 were $117,419.33. The contractor costs came to $99,846.00, while SAWA spent 412.5 hours on monitoring and removal coming to a total of $16,241.83. SAWA spent a total of $1,331.50 on herbicide

Habitat Status: This project initiated with a partnership with the Inland Empire Utilities Agency (IEUA). The funding was received by SAWA to enhance the habitat along Chino Creek. The project acreage was approximately 45 acres starting at Central Ave and running downstream to Pine Ave. The project initially targeted the removal of giant cane ( Arundo donax ), palms ssp. and eucalyptus. Nature’s Image was contracted to removed and chip all of the large trees up above the high-water mark. The biological monitoring and removal of giant cane was completed by SAWA staff. Initial removal began in February of 2012 and was completed on February 29 th , 2012. In addition, other non-native species such as wild radish (Raphanus sativus ), castor bean ( Ricinus communis ), milk thistle ( Silybum marianum ), black mustard (Brassica nigra ), tree of heaven ( Ailanthus altissima ) and black locust ( Robinia pseudoacacia ) were treated to aid the establishment of native species.

The tree canopy cover in the spring/summer months is 50-75%, and the open space cover is 25-50%. The tree height class ranges between 15-20 meters and the shrub height class is between 2-5 meters. There is a large amount of trash that washes into Chino Creek after heavy rains that clogs the stream and impacts wildlife. The following native species were documented on site, and have been recorded in percent cover using stratum categories from rapid assessment method, in 2012: 15-25% red willow ( Salix laevigata ), <1% mugwort ( Artemisia douglasiana ), 15-25% black willow ( Salix gooddingii ), <1% common cattail ( Typha latifolia ), <1% sandbar willow ( Salix exigua ), 15-25% mulefat ( Baccharis salicifolia ), <1% telegraph weed (Heterotheca grandiflora ), <1% common sunflower ( Helianthus annuus ), <1% false jimson weed ( Datura wrightii ), <1% California buckwheat ( Eriogonum fasciculatum ) and <1% western sycamore ( Platanus racemosa ). 1 The following non-native species were documented on site, and have been recorded in % cover using stratum categories from rapid assessment method, in 2012: <1% giant reed ( Arundo donax ), 1-5% castorbean ( Ricinus communis ), <1% California fan palm ( Washingtonia filifera ), 1-5% poison hemlock (Conium maculatum ), <1% tree tobacco ( Nicotiana glauca ), <1% fennel ( Foeniculum vulgare ), <1% black locust ( Robinia pseudoacacia ), <1% horehound ( Marrubium vulgare ), <1% saltcedar ( Tamarix ramosissima ), 1-5% tocolote ( Centaurea melitensis ), <1% blue gum eucalyptus ( Eucalyptus globulus ), <1% Mexican palo verde ( Parkinsonia aculeate ), 1-5% milk thistle ( Silybum marianum ), 1-5% black mustard (Brassica nigra ) and 1-5% wild radish ( Raphanus sativus ).

Wildlife: The CCP2 project site is a narrow riparian habitat surrounded by high uses areas such as residential and industrial builds. Recently non-native species where removed along the creek which include Arundo donax and castor bean. Although this is a narrow riparian strip, it provides habitat to a number of species. Raptors or bird of prey species such as the White-tailed Kite, Cooper ’s hawk, and Great Horned Owl can be found breeding within the site. The fields adjacent to the riparian strip provide the raptors with a variety of prey species including deer mouse, western harvest mouse, and California ground squirrel. Other mammal species such as the coyotes, bobcats, and feral pigs also utilize the habitat. The common bird species that are often found include the Common Yellowthroat and Song Sparrow. Sensitive species such as the Yellow warbler and the Yellow-breasted chat occupy the habitat as well. The state and federally listed endangered Least Bell's Vireo is also present throughout the site. CCP2 is also home to a few reptile and amphibians including Pacific tree frogs and the Southwestern Alligator lizard.

2 SAWA PROJECT: CHINO CREEK INTEGRATED PROJECT 2 MAPS AND PHOTOS

Central Ave April 2011 Central Ave August 2012

First industrial block April 2011 First industrial block, August 2012

3 SAWA PROJECT: GOLDEN STAR—2012 Location: The coordinates in the middle of this 0.4-acre project area are 465266 N & 3751559 E.

Purpose/ Goal of the Project: Retain control over Arundo donax, and remove and treat emergent areas of inva. SAWA also monitors and treats former mitigation removal areas from to prevent re-infestation.

Mitigations Assigned to the Project : SAWA is not allowed to place mitigation in this area.

Project Origin: This project is a completed SAWA mitigation formerly managed by RCRCD, which was turned back over to SAWA in 2008. SAWA has been providing ongoing monitoring and treatment since then.

Project Status: There was very little re-growth of giant cane at the Golden Star location in 2012. Approximately 30 castor bean plants were treated in 2012 along with approximately 20 canes of arundo. The major non-native species of concern at this location are castor bean, tree tobacco and mustard. Future monitoring and treatments are scheduled to prevent these non-native plants from taking over the site.

Site Visits: 4/2, 8/28

Costs: The SAWA ISR crew spent a total of 5 hours treating this site, which came to a total of $88.69. The total herbicide costs were only $4.66 bringing the total direct costs for this project to $93.35 in 2012.

Habitat Status: The Golden Star site begins at Goldenstar Avenue and runs downstream approximately 100 meters. The next street downstream below the project is Washington Street. There has been very minimal re-growth of giant reed ( Arundo donax ) and castor bean ( Ricinus communis ) during the past few years. Recently there has been an emergence of tree tobacco ( Nicotiana glauca); however it is treated when encountered. In 2012 ~ 30 castor bean plants, 10 tree tobacco and 20 canes of Arundo were treated. Future monitoring and treatments are scheduled to prevent these non-natives from taking over the site.

The site is composed of ~ 75% open space and the canopy cover in the spring/summer months is ~ 15- 25%. The tree height class is 5-10 meters and the shrub height class is 1-2 meters. The following native species were documented on site, and have been recorded in percent cover using stratum categories from rapid assessment method, in 2012: <1% common phacelia ( Phacelia distans ), 1-5% mulefat ( Baccharis salicifolia ), 1-5% Mexican elderberry ( Sambucus Mexicana ) and <1% common sunflower ( Helianthus annuus ).

The following native species were documented on site, and have been recorded in percent cover using stratum categories from rapid assessment method, in 2012: <1% tree tobacco ( Nicotiana glauca ), <1% tuna cactus ( Opuntia ficus-indica ), <1% Peruvian pepper tree ( Schinus molle ), <1% Russian thistle ( Salsola tragus ), <1% castor bean ( Ricinus communis ) and <1% short-podded mustard ( Hirschfeldia incana ).

Wildlife: The Golden Star site consists primarily of riparian habitat, surrounded by mostly residential land. Cooper’s Hawk and American Kestrel are regularly seen at this site, and probably also nest there. Red- tailed Hawk are also seen regularly in the area. In some years migrating Willow Flycatcher are observed on site, but breeding has not been confirmed. Common bird species occurring on site include Song Sparrow, House Finch, Lesser Goldfinch, Bewick’s Wren, and Anna’s Hummingbird. Yellow Warbler, a California State Species of Special Concern, also use the site and may be breeding. Mammals utilizing the Golden Star site include Audubon’s cottontail and coyote, as well as bobcat.

1 SAWA PROJECT: GOLDEN STAR (MAPS AND PHOTOS)

Photo looking west. Photo looking east.

Arundo can be a problem even 10 years later. Another view of a removal area.

2 SAWA PROJECT: HABITAT FOR HAMNER—2012 Location: Santa Ana River mainstem in the Eastvale/Norco area, between the Altfillisch property on the west and Hamner Avenue on the east. The coordinates are 448133 N & 3756380 E.

Permit/Agreement: ACOE # SPL-2008-00785, DFG # 1600-2008-0104-R6, and RWQCB Notification dated 11/27/12, Mitigant: Jurupa Community Services District Flood (ongoing restoration, 2.0 acres).

Project Origin: In February 2007, SAWA removed 26 acres of arundo from this nearly totally infested site using Task Order funding provided by the Santa Ana Watershed Project Authority, and controlled growth through 2008 with Task Order funding. The cost for initial removal and control through 2008 was $235,380.

Amount of Mitigation: The Jurupa CSD Plant 1 100-Year Flood Protection Project resulted in 0.1-acre of rip-rap fill into waters of the U.S., for which the organization was ordered to provide 2.0 acres of ongoing restoration mitigation. SAWA received $120,000 in February 2009. The Jurupa CSD mitigation funding is assigned to this project area and to the adjacent Norco Burn project area, which was removed with Federal Appropriations funding by IERCD, and was then turned over to SAWA for ongoing restoration.

Purpose/ Goal of the Mitigation: The purpose of this project is to maintain control of arundo and other invasives over this 30-acre area, which is highly prone to reinfestation because of its location on the banks of the Santa Ana River. As SAWA works downstream to the Prado Basin to remove arundo from the mainstem, it will be critical to keep the Habitat for Hamner area free from arundo.

Project Status: The removals assigned in conjunction with this project have been completed and it is now in the monitoring phase. In 2012, SAWA increased maintenance and monitoring because of areas of regrowth and new infestation. The Arundo donax is currently in the 1-5% control range. Herbicide treatments have been extremely successful and natives are starting to fill in the void left from the previous arundo removals. Unfortunately some other herbaceous non-native weeds have taken advantage of the newly opened spaces. Herbicide treatments have also been conducted on the castor bean, fennel, tree tobacco and perennial pepperweed as they are encountered.

Site Visits: 6/19, 7/3, 7/19, 7/23, 7/26, 7/30, 8/2, 8/29, 11/19, 12/4, 12/5, 12/10, 12/12, 12/18, 12/19, 12/20, 12/27.

Costs: A total of 342.5 hours were required to monitor and treat this location. There were $385.40 in herbicide costs and $6,146.90 in labor, for total direct costs of $6,532.09.

Habitat Status: The site is composed of ~25-50% open space and the canopy cover in the spring/summer months is ~ 50-75%. The tree height class is 15-20 meters and the shrub height class is 2-5 meters. The following native species were documented on site, and have been recorded in percent cover using stratum categories from rapid assessment method, in 2012: <1% false jimson weed ( Datura wrightii ), <1% wild gourd ( Cucurbita foetidissima ), 15-25% mulefat ( Baccharis salicifolia ), <1% mare’s tail ( Conyza Canadensis ), <1% California buckwheat ( Eriogonum fasciculatum ), <1% coyote bush ( Baccharis pilularis ), 5-15% cottonwood ( Populus fremontii ), 1-5% sandbar willow ( Salix exigua ), 1-5% mugwort ( Artemisia douglasiana ), 5-15% common sunflower ( Helianthus annuus ), 1-5% California sagebrush ( Artemisia californica ), <1% common phacelia ( Phacelia distans ), <1% alkali heliotrope ( Heliotropium curassavicum ), 1-5% Mexican elderberry ( Sambucus Mexicana ), <1% Southern California black walnut ( Juglans californica ), 1-5% common cattail ( Typha latifolia ), 1-5% wild grape ( Vitis girdiana ), 5-15% red willow ( Salix laevigata ), 5-15% black willow ( Salix gooddingii ) and 1-5% arroyo willow ( Salix lasiolepis ). Most trees are approximately 5 meters tall with a few reaching 9 meters. There are approximately five acres of open areas on the site. In early 2013, SAWA will be placing mulefat pole cuttings and other natives on the site to begin filling in some of the wider open areas and discouraging the other non-natives.

1 The following non-native species were documented in this stretch of the river, and have been recorded in percent cover using stratum categories from the rapid assessment method, in 2012: <1% tree tobacco (Nicotiana glauca ), <1% short-podded mustard ( Hirschfeldia incana ), <1% tocolote ( Centaurea melitensis ), <1% blue gum eucalyptus ( Eucalyptus globules ) , <1% castorbean ( Ricinus communis ), <1% Peruvian pepper tree ( Schinus molle ), <1% saltcedar ( Tamarix ramosissima ), 1-5% giant reed ( Arundo donax ), 1-5% white sweetclover ( Melilotus albus ) and <1% California fan palm ( Washingtonia filifera ).

Wildlife: SAWA biologists report that there were 6 least Bell’s vireo territories on the site in 2012. Unfortunately, one of these had to be taken in 2012 due to the City of Norco’s widening of Hamner Ave. Biologists assume that this territory will show up again at the site. California species of concern present on site include the Yellow Warbler, Yellow-breasted Chat, and Cooper’s Hawk, which is regularly seen occupying an area on the south side of the river. A pair of Red-tailed Hawks regularly nests on the north side of the river. A bobcat is often reported in the area and feral pigs have been seen occasionally. In 2010, a red-sided garter snake was seen.

2 SAWA PROJECT: HABITAT FOR HAMNER (MAPS AND PHOTO POINTS - 2012

Photo Point 1 (NW) Photo Point 2 (E)

Photo Point 3 (S) Photo Point 4 (SE)

3 SAWA PROJECT: LA SIERRA/WOODCREST—2012 Location: The coordinates in the middle of this 16-acre project are 457851 N & 3747714 E.

Purpose/ Goal of the Project: Retain control over Arundo donax, and remove and treat emergent areas of tamarisk, perennial pepperweed, bull thistle and milk thistle infestations from the canyon. SAWA also keeps former mitigation removal areas from re-infestation.

Mitigations Assigned to the Project : SAWA is not allowed to place mitigation in this area.

Project Origin: This project is located within the La Sierra Watershed and an unincorporated area in Woodcrest in Riverside County. Thirty acres of invasive species were removed here in 2001. Herbicide applications were managed successfully by spray contractors until 2006, when SAWA crews acquired the management of this project.

Project Status: Natural re-vegetation and control management in this area are highly successful.

Site visit and costs: This project site has had very little re-growth of giant reed since the initial removal and spray contracts expired. In 2012, a quick site assessment determined that no treatments were necessary. The total cost to monitor and treat this area in 2012 was $80.78.

Habitat Status: The following native species were documented in this stretch of the creek, and have been recorded in percent cover using stratum categories from the rapid assessment method, in 2012: 1-5% cottonwood ( Populus fremontii ), 1-5% arroyo willow ( Salix lasiolepis ), <1% Mexican elderberry ( Sambucus Mexicana ), 5-15% red willow ( Salix laevigata ), 5-15% black willow ( Salix gooddingii ), <1% hoary nettle (Urtica dioica ), <1% white sage ( Salvia apiana ), 1-5% California buckwheat ( Eriogonum fasciculatum ), 5- 15% mulefat ( Baccharis salicifolia ), <1% coyote bush ( Baccharis pilularis ) and <1% Sugarbush ( Rhus ovate ).

The following non-native species were documented in this stretch of the creek, and have been recorded in percent cover using stratum categories from the rapid assessment method, in 2012: <1% saltcedar (Tamarix ramosissima ), <1% red gum eucalyptus ( Eucalyptus camaldulensis ), <1% Peruvian pepper tree (Schinus molle ), <1% date palm ( Phoenix canariensis ), <1% tree tobacco ( Nicotiana glauca ), <1% Mexican palo verde ( Parkinsonia aculeate ) and <1% castor bean ( Ricinus communis ).

Wildlife: Biological resources at the La Sierra project site include the federally-listed Threatened California Gnatcatcher, which resides in the coastal sage scrub, and federally-listed Endangered Least Bell's Vireo which occupies the riparian habitat. Successful nesting by the Least Bell's Vireo was documented in 2013. A state species of concern, the Yellow Warbler, is also found in the riparian canopy. This narrow strip of vegetation also provides habitat for the more common avian species such as the Lesser Goldfinch, California and Spotted Towhees, California Thrasher, Bushtit, and the Greater Roadrunner. Orioles, hummingbirds, and wrens also occupy the site. Raptor species such as the Red-tailed Hawk and Red- shouldered Hawk forage and perch. Other species that inhabit the project area include the Western whiptail, California ground squirrel, and coyote. Tree frogs can be found in the creek.

1 SAWA PROJECT: LA SIERRA/WOODCREST MAPS AND PHOTOS

Native vegetation in the upper drainage Date palm, Peruvian pepper tree occur here.

Farther down there are individual castor bean plants. Looking back up to the upper drainage.

2 SAWA PROJECT: MOCKINGBIRD CANYON PHASE I—2012 Location: Mockingbird Canyon is a 2,429 acre, 8-mile long drainage in Riverside County. The canyon is characterized by a variety of willow species and native understory species. SAWA now breaks the canyon into three different sections for monitoring and billing purposes. The uppermost section is our mitigation area located on our 11-acre conservation easement off of Markham Avenue. The next section (Phase I) is ~ 267 acres and runs downstream from the mitigation area to Van Buren Boulevard. The last section (Phase II) is ~ 78 acres and runs from Van Buren Boulevard downstream to the dam at the bottom of the retention basin that starts at Firethorn Avenue.

The coordinates in the center of this 267-acre project (Phase 1) area are 464175 N & 3747929 E.

Purpose/ Goal of the Project: Retain control over Arundo donax, and remove and treat emergent areas of tamarisk, perennial pepperweed, bull thistle and milk thistle infestations from the canyon. SAWA also keeps former mitigation removal areas from re-infestation.

Mitigations Assigned to the Project : SAWA is not allowed to place mitigation in this area.

Project Origin: Arundo removal began in summer 2003 on 170 acres throughout the canyon and was completed in October 2003. A five-year management plan was implemented in 2003 and subsequent herbicide applications were conducted by spray contractors. SAWA crews acquired management of this project in June 2008. Re-growth of Arundo was minimal and the focus for herbicide applications was on tamarisk and pepperweed.

Project Status: Mockingbird Canyon had very little re-growth of giant reed in 2012. The SAWA spray crew treated approximately 1 acre of giant reed throughout the entire canyon. Perennial pepperweed has been the major focus of the SAWA spray crew the past couple of years. Perennial pepperweed has been documented to have explosive invasive potential and it is important to try and stop its spread before it infests the entire canyon. In addition to the pepperweed, bull thistle and milk thistle have started showing up in low numbers. They are treated while monitoring to prevent them from becoming widely established as well.

Site Visits: 2/7, 3/8, 3/12, 3/13, 3/14, 3/15, 3/19,3/20, 3/21, 3/27, 3/28, 3/29, 4/9, 4/17, 5/8, 6/11.

Costs: The direct cost to manage Mockingbird Canyon (Phases I and II) in 2012 was $7,101.20 in labor and $685.13 in herbicide costs, for a total of $7,786.33.

Habitat Status: Phase I of the project was broken into five different sections for purposes of assessments to accurately portray the differences in vegetation cover. The farthest upstream section starts just below SAWA’s Mockingbird Easement site and goes downstream to Washington Street. This section of Mockingbird Canyon is composed of ~15-20% open space and the canopy cover in the spring/summer months is >75%. The tree height class is 15-20 meters and the shrub height class is 1-5 meters. This section has copious amounts of trash along the perimeter of the riparian corridor. In addition, there is a much equestrian and off-road activity along the edge of the riparian corridor. The following native species were documented in this section, and have been recorded in percent cover using stratum categories from rapid assessment method, in 2012: 50-75% red willow ( Salix laevigata ), 15-25% arroyo willow ( Salix lasiolepis ), 5-15% mulefat ( Baccharis salicifolia ), 5-15% Mexican elderberry ( Sambucus Mexicana ), 5-15% hoary nettle ( Urtica dioica ), <1% brittle bush ( Encelia farinose ), <1% arrow weed ( Pluchea sericea ), <1% coyote bush ( Baccharis pilularis ), <1% California buckwheat ( Eriogonum fasciculatum ), <1% coastal prickly pear ( Opuntia littoralis ), <1% wild gourd ( Cucurbita foetidissima ), 1-5% wild grape ( Vitis girdiana ), <1% 1 mare’s tail ( Conyza Canadensis ), 1-5% California sagebrush ( Artemisia californica ), <1% saltbush ( Atriplex canescens ), <1% bulrush ( Scirpus ssp. ), <1% mugwort ( Artemisia douglasiana ), <1% yerba mansa (Anemopsis californica ), <1% western ragweed ( Ambrosia psilostachya ), <1% common cattail ( Typha latifolia ) and <1% interior goldenbush ( Ericameria linearifolia ).

The following non-native species were documented in this section, and have been recorded in percent cover using stratum categories from rapid assessment method, in 2012: 1-5% tree tobacco ( Nicotiana glauca ), 5-15% short-podded mustard ( Hirschfeldia incana ), <1% Perennial pepperweed ( Lepidium latifolium ), <1% Peruvian pepper tree ( Schinus molle ) and <1% golden crownbeard ( Verbesina encelioides ).

The next section downstream starts at Washington Street and goes downstream to Winters Lane/Markham Street. This section of Mockingbird Canyon is composed of ~50-75% open space and the canopy cover in the spring/summer months is 25-50%. The tree height class is 20-35 meters and the shrub height class is 2- 5 meters. The following native species were documented in this section, and have been recorded in percent cover using stratum categories from rapid assessment method, in 2012: 15-25% mulefat ( Baccharis salicifolia ), 25-50% red willow ( Salix laevigata ), 15-25% arroyo willow ( Salix lasiolepis ), 5-15% black willow (Salix gooddingii ), <1% western sycamore ( Platanus racemosa ), <1% valley cholla ( Opuntia parryi ), 1-5% brittle bush ( Encelia farinose ), 1-5% California sagebrush ( Artemisia californica ), 1-5% California juniper (Juniperus californica ), 5-15% California buckwheat ( Eriogonum fasciculatum )<1% cottonwood ( Populus fremontii ), <1% California croton ( Croton californica ), <1% telegraph weed ( Heterotheca grandiflora ) and 1- 5% fourwing saltbush ( Atriplex canescens ).

The following non-native species were documented in this section, and have been recorded in percent cover using stratum categories from rapid assessment method, in 2012: 1-5% Peruvian pepper tree (Schinus molle ), 1-5% blue gum eucalyptus ( Eucalyptus globulus ), 15-25% Perennial pepperweed (Lepidium latifolium ), 1-5% tree tobacco ( Nicotiana glauca ), <1% Mexican fan palm ( Washingtonia robusta ), 1-5% poison hemlock ( Conium maculatum ) and 1-5% Mexican palo verde ( Parkinsonia aculeate ).

The third section downstream starts at Winters Lane/Markham Street and goes downstream to the bridge located at Mariposa Avenue. This section of Mockingbird Canyon is composed of ~25-50% open space and the canopy cover in the spring/summer months is 50-75%. The tree height class is 20-35 meters and the shrub height class is 2-5 meters. The following native species were documented in this section, and have been recorded in percent cover using stratum categories from rapid assessment method, in 2012: 5-15% mulefat ( Baccharis salicifolia ), 5-15% red willow ( Salix laevigata ), 1-5% arroyo willow ( Salix lasiolepis ), <1% western sycamore ( Platanus racemosa ), 1-5% brittle bush ( Encelia farinose ), 1-5% California sagebrush (Artemisia californica ), 1-5% California juniper ( Juniperus californica ), 1-5% California buckwheat (Eriogonum fasciculatum ), <1% California croton ( Croton californica ), <1% telegraph weed ( Heterotheca grandiflora ), <1% Mexican elderberry ( Sambucus Mexicana ), 1-5% interior goldenbush ( Ericameria linearifolia ), <1% fourwing saltbush ( Atriplex canescens ) and 1-5% hoary nettle ( Urtica dioica ).

The following non-native species were documented in this section, and have been recorded in percent cover using stratum categories from rapid assessment method, in 2012: 25-50% Peruvian pepper tree (Schinus molle ), <1% blue gum eucalyptus ( Eucalyptus globulus ), <1% golden crownbeard ( Verbesina encelioides ) and <1% saltcedar ( Tamarix ramosissima ).

The fourth section downstream starts at Mariposa Avenue and goes downstream to Granite Avenue. This section of Mockingbird Canyon is composed of ~50-75% open space and the canopy cover in the spring/summer months is 25-50%. The tree height class is 15-20 meters and the shrub height class is 2-5 meters. The following native species were documented in this section, and have been recorded in percent cover using stratum categories from rapid assessment method, in 2012: 15-25% mulefat ( Baccharis salicifolia ), 15-25% arroyo willow ( Salix lasiolepis ), 1-5% brittle bush ( Encelia farinose ), <1% California sagebrush ( Artemisia californica ), <1% California croton ( Croton californica ), <1% fourwing saltbush 2 (Atriplex canescens ), <1% cottonwood ( Populus fremontii ), <1% false jimson weed ( Datura wrightii ) and <1% coastal prickly pear ( Opuntia littoralis ).

The following non-native species were documented in this section, and have been recorded in percent cover using stratum categories from rapid assessment method, in 2012: 1-5% Peruvian pepper tree (Schinus molle ), 1-5% blue gum eucalyptus ( Eucalyptus globulus ), 1-5% tree tobacco ( Nicotiana glauca ), 1- 5% short-podded mustard ( Hirschfeldia incana ), <1% Mexican fan palm ( Washingtonia robusta ), 5-15% poison hemlock ( Conium maculatum ) and 5-15% tree of heaven ( Ailanthus altissima ).

The fifth and final section of Mockingbird Canyon Phase I begins at Granite Avenue and runs downstream to the bridge at Van Buren Boulevard. This section of Mockingbird Canyon is composed of ~25-50% open space and the canopy cover in the spring/summer months is 50-75%. The tree height class is 15-20 meters and the shrub height class is 2-5 meters. The following native species were documented in this section, and have been recorded in percent cover using stratum categories from rapid assessment method, in 2012: 15- 25% mulefat ( Baccharis salicifolia ), 15-25% arroyo willow ( Salix lasiolepis ), <1% California croton ( Croton californica ), <1% cottonwood ( Populus fremontii ), <1% false jimson weed ( Datura wrightii ), <1% coastal prickly pear ( Opuntia littoralis ), 1-5% telegraph weed ( Heterotheca grandiflora ) and 1-5% sandbar willow (Salix exigua ).

The following non-native species were documented in this section, and have been recorded in percent cover using stratum categories from rapid assessment method, in 2012: 5-15% Peruvian pepper tree (Schinus molle ), 1-5% blue gum eucalyptus ( Eucalyptus globulus ), 1-5% tree tobacco ( Nicotiana glauca ), <1% Mexican fan palm ( Washingtonia robusta ), 5-15% poison hemlock ( Conium maculatum ), 1-5% tree of heaven ( Ailanthus altissima ), 1-5% saltcedar ( Tamarix ramosissima ), <1% Mexican palo verde ( Parkinsonia aculeate ), <1% giant reed ( Arundo donax ), 1-5% castorbean ( Ricinus communis ) and <1% date palm (Phoenix canariensis ).

Wildlife: Mockingbird Canyon contains both riparian and upland habitat for many common and sensitive species of wildlife. There is a diverse group of riparian birds including common species like the Bewick’s Wren, Spotted Towhee, and Nuttall’s Woodpecker as well as species of special concern including the Yellow-breasted Chat and Yellow Warbler. The state and federally endangered Least Bell's Vireo is found throughout the project site. Some of the upland areas adjacent to the riparian provide habitat for the federally threatened Coastal California Gnatcatcher as well as other sensitive species including Burrowing Owl, Loggerhead Shrike, and Horned Lark. Nests for raptors such as Red-tailed Hawks and Cooper’s Hawks have been found in Mockingbird Canyon, while Red-shouldered Hawks, White Tailed Kites, Great- horned Owls, and Western Screech-Owls have also been detected. Reptiles and amphibians seen in Mockingbird include the orange-throated whiptail, western whiptail, granite spiny lizard, and pacific tree frog. Mockingbird Canyon also provides habitat to mammals including raccoon, black-tailed jack rabbit, coyote, and bobcat.

3 SAWA PROJECT: MOCKINGBIRD CANYON PHASE I (MAPS AND PHOTOS)

Native vegetation in the center of Phase I. A variety of non-natives are treated in this section.

Rip rap channel near Greenview Dr. Sandy channel near Firethorn Basin.

4 SAWA PROJECT: MOCKINGBIRD CANYON PHASE II (FIRETHORN BASIN)—2012 Location: Mockingbird Canyon is a 2,429 acre, 8-mile long drainage in Riverside County. The canyon is characterized by a variety of willow species and native understory species. SAWA now breaks the canyon into three different sections for monitoring and billing purposes. The uppermost section is our mitigation area located on our 11-acre conservation easement off of Markham Avenue. The next section (Phase I) is ~ 267 acres and runs downstream from the mitigation area to Van Buren Boulevard. The last section (Phase II) is ~ 78 acres and runs from Van Buren Boulevard downstream to the dam at the bottom of the retention basin that starts at Firethorn Avenue. This area (Phase II) encompasses the Firethorn flood control basin.

The coordinates of this 78-acre project area are 461900 N & 3750289 E.

Purpose/ Goal of the Project: Retain control over Arundo donax, and remove and treat emergent areas of tamarisk, perennial pepperweed, bull thistle and milk thistle infestations from the canyon. SAWA also protects former mitigation removal areas from re-infestation.

Mitigations Assigned to the Project : SAWA is not allowed to place mitigation in this area.

Project Origin: Arundo removal began in summer 2003 on 170 acres throughout the canyon and was completed in October 2003. A five-year management plan was implemented in 2003 and subsequent herbicide applications were conducted by spray contractors. SAWA crews acquired management of this project in June 2008. Re-growth of Arundo was minimal and the focus for herbicide applications was on tamarisk and pepperweed.

Project Status: Mockingbird Canyon had very little re-growth of giant reed ( Arundo donax ) in 2012. The SAWA spray crew treated approximately 1 acres of giant reed throughout the entire canyon. Perennial pepperweed ( Lepidium latifolium ) has been the major focus of the SAWA spray crew the past couple of years. Perennial pepperweed has been documented to have explosive invasive potential and it is important to try and stop its spread before it infests the entire canyon. In addition to the pepperweed, bull thistle (Cirsium vulgare ) and milk thistle ( Silybum marianum ) have started showing up in low numbers. They are treated while monitoring to prevent them from becoming widely established as well.

Site Visits: 2/7, 3/8, 3/12, 3/13, 3/14, 3/15, 3/19,3/20, 3/21, 3/27, 3/28, 3/29, 4/9, 4/17, 5/8, 6/11.

Costs: The direct cost to manage Mockingbird Canyon (Phases I and II) in 2012 was $7,101.20 in labor and $685.13 in herbicide costs, for total direct costs of $7,786.33.

Habitat Status: Mockingbird Canyon Phase II starts at the Van Buren Boulevard Bridge and covers the downstream retention basin below Firethorn Avenue (see attached map). This area is subject to inundation after large storm events. Near the water’s edge there is a higher percent cover of perennial pepperweed (Lepidium latifolium ) due to the change in water level. The changing of the water level distributes the seed and also presents favorable conditions for pepperweed to thrive. For the purposes of accurately portraying the vegetation communities that occur in this stretch of Mockingbird staff has broken the basin into three sub-sections. The first section starts at the Van Buren Boulevard bridge and goes downstream to the following GPS coordinates: 462155 N & 3749877 E. This uppermost section of Mockingbird Canyon Phase II is composed of ~50-75% open space and the canopy cover in the spring/summer months is 25-50%. The tree height class is 10-15 meters and the shrub height class is 2-5 meters. The following native species were documented in this section, and have been recorded in percent cover using stratum categories from rapid assessment method, in 2012: 25-50% mulefat ( Baccharis salicifolia ), 1-5% California croton ( Croton californica ), 5-15% fourwing saltbush ( Atriplex canescens ), 1-5% alkali heliotrope ( Heliotropium curassavicum ), 1-5% Mexican elderberry ( Sambucus Mexicana ), <1% common sunflower ( Helianthus annuus ), <1% mare’s tail ( Conyza Canadensis ), <1% brittle bush ( Encelia farinose ), 5-15% black willow (Salix gooddingii ), 1-5% cudweed aster ( Corethrogyne filaginifolia ), 1-5% fiddleneck ( Amsinckia menziesii ), 1-5% caterpillar phacelia ( Phacelia cicutaria ), <1% California sagebrush ( Artemisia californica ), <1% California dodder ( Cuscuta californica ), 1-5% coyote bush ( Baccharis pilularis ) and <1% scale-broom (Lepidospartum squamatum ).

The following non-native species were documented in this section, and have been recorded in percent cover using stratum categories from rapid assessment method, in 2012: <1% Peruvian pepper tree (Schinus molle ), <1% tree tobacco ( Nicotiana glauca ), <1% Mexican fan palm ( Washingtonia robusta ), 1- 5% short-podded mustard ( Hirschfeldia incana ) and 1-5% horehound ( Marrubium vulgare ).

The second section starts at the following GPS coordinates: 462155 N & 3749877 E. and goes downstream to 461822 N & 3750309 E. This middle section of Mockingbird Canyon Phase II is composed of ~50-75% open space and the canopy cover in the spring/summer months is 15-25%. The tree height class is 10-15 meters and the shrub height class is 2-5 meters. The following native species were documented in this section, and have been recorded in percent cover using stratum categories from rapid assessment method, in 2012: 5-15% mulefat ( Baccharis salicifolia ), 1-5% California croton ( Croton californica ), 5-15% fourwing saltbush ( Atriplex canescens ), 1-5% alkali heliotrope ( Heliotropium curassavicum ), 5-15% Mexican elderberry ( Sambucus Mexicana ), <1% common sunflower ( Helianthus annuus ), <1% mare’s tail ( Conyza Canadensis ), 5-15% black willow ( Salix gooddingii ), 1-5% cudweed aster ( Corethrogyne filaginifolia ), 1-5% fiddleneck ( Amsinckia menziesii ), 1-5% caterpillar phacelia ( Phacelia cicutaria ), <1% California dodder (Cuscuta californica ), 1-5% scale-broom ( Lepidospartum squamatum ), <1% cottonwood ( Populus fremontii ), <1% cocklebur ( Xanthium strumarium ), <1% valley cholla ( Opuntia parryi ) and <1% coastal prickly pear (Opuntia littoralis ).

The following non-native species were documented in this section, and have been recorded in percent cover using stratum categories from rapid assessment method, in 2012: 1-5% Peruvian pepper tree (Schinus molle ), 1-5% tree tobacco ( Nicotiana glauca ), 1-5% short-podded mustard ( Hirschfeldia incana ), 1- 5% horehound ( Marrubium vulgare ), <1% yellow bird of paradise ( Caesalpinia gilliesii ), 1-5% Mexican palo verde ( Parkinsonia aculeate ), 1-5% blue gum eucalyptus ( Eucalyptus globulus ), <1% Arizona ash ( Fraxinus velutina ), 1-5% Perennial pepperweed ( Lepidium latifolium ) and <1% castorbean ( Ricinus communis ).

The third section starts at the following GPS coordinates: 461822 N & 3750309 E and goes downstream to 4691241 N to 3750512 E. This lower section of Mockingbird Canyon Phase II is composed of ~25-50% open space and the canopy cover in the spring/summer months is 50-75%. The tree height class is 15-20 meters and the shrub height class is 2-5 meters. The following native species were documented in this section, and have been recorded in percent cover using stratum categories from rapid assessment method, in 2012: 25-50% mulefat ( Baccharis salicifolia ), 1-5% fourwing saltbush ( Atriplex canescens ), <1% alkali heliotrope ( Heliotropium curassavicum ), 1-5% Mexican elderberry ( Sambucus Mexicana ), <1% common sunflower ( Helianthus annuus ), <1% mare’s tail ( Conyza Canadensis ), 25-50% black willow ( Salix gooddingii ), 1-5% cudweed aster ( Corethrogyne filaginifolia ), 1-5% fiddleneck ( Amsinckia menziesii ), 1-5% caterpillar phacelia ( Phacelia cicutaria ), 1-5% scale-broom ( Lepidospartum squamatum ), 1-5% cottonwood (Populus fremontii ), <1% valley cholla ( Opuntia parryi ), 1-5% brittle bush ( Encelia farinose ), <1% telegraph weed ( Heterotheca grandiflora ), <1% false jimson weed ( Datura wrightii ), 1-5% California sagebrush (Artemisia californica ), <1% California buckwheat ( Eriogonum fasciculatum ), <1% wild gourd ( Cucurbita foetidissima ) and <1% white sage ( Salvia apiana ).

The following non-native species were documented in this section, and have been recorded in percent cover using stratum categories from rapid assessment method, in 2012: 1-5% Peruvian pepper tree (Schinus molle ), 1-5% tree tobacco ( Nicotiana glauca ), 1-5% short-podded mustard ( Hirschfeldia incana ), 1- 5% horehound ( Marrubium vulgare ), <1% Mexican palo verde ( Parkinsonia aculeate ), 5-15% blue gum eucalyptus ( Eucalyptus globulus ), 1-5% Perennial pepperweed ( Lepidium latifolium ), 1-5% castor bean

2 (Ricinus communis ), <1% Mexican fan palm ( Washingtonia robusta ) and <1% Russian thistle ( Salsola tragus ).

Wildlife: Mockingbird Canyon contains both riparian and upland habitat for many common and sensitive species of wildlife. There is a diverse group of riparian birds including common species like the Bewick’s Wren, Spotted Towhee, and Nuttall’s Woodpecker as well as species of special concern including the Yellow-breasted Chat and Yellow Warbler. The state and federally endangered Least Bell's Vireo is found throughout the project site. Some of the upland areas adjacent to the riparian provide habitat for the federally threatened Coastal California Gnatcatcher as well as other sensitive species including Burrowing Owl, Loggerhead Shrike, and Horned Lark. Nests for raptors such as Red-tailed Hawks and Cooper’s Hawks have been found in Mockingbird Canyon, while Red-shouldered Hawks, White Tailed Kites, Great- horned Owls, and Western Screech-Owls have also been detected. Reptiles and amphibians seen in Mockingbird include the orange-throated whiptail, western whiptail, granite spiny lizard, and pacific tree frog. Mockingbird Canyon also provides habitat to mammals including raccoon, black-tailed jack rabbit, coyote, and bobcat.

3 SAWA PROJECT: MOCKINGBIRD CANYON PHASE II (MAPS AND PHOTOS)

Native vegetation at Firethorn Rd basin entrance. Dry wash bounded by native vegetation.

Native vegetation with castor bean foreground. Native veg with Peruvian pepper & pepperweed.

4 SAWA PROJECT: MOCKINGBIRD EASEMENT—2012 Location: The coordinates in the middle of this 11-acre project are 468011 N & 3746314 E.

Purpose/ Goal of the Project: Retain control over Arundo donax, and remove and treat emergent areas of tamarisk, perennial pepperweed, bull thistle and milk thistle infestations from the canyon. Replant and restore riparian and upland areas of the easement with native vegetation.

Mitigations Assigned to the Project : See mitigation table on page 2.

Project Origin: The11-acre Mockingbird conservation easement was acquired by SAWA in late 2009 from The Environmental Trust. The control phase of the project began in late 2009 with mapping and restoration planning. Herbicide applications on a variety of invasive plants, dominated by perennial pepperweed, began in early 2010. In March 2011, SAWA conducted a planting at the Mockingbird Easement mitigation site. In one day, seven people planted a total of 122 native container plants.

Project Status: In May 2012 two releve survey plots were established with six GPS photo points for each plot set. Hand watering is conducted as needed. A more detailed report of the Mockingbird mitigation for 2012 including releve sheets and all photo points is available on request.

Site Visits: 1/19, 1/24, 1/25, 1/26, 2/8, 2/14, 2/16, 2/22, 3/8, 4/2, 4/4, 4/5, 4/17, 5/8, 5/11, 5/14, 5/18, 5/21, 5/31, 6/6, 6/7, 6/8.6/14, 6/18, 6/21, 6/25, 6/28, 7/2, 7/5, 7/9, 7/12, 7/16, 7/18, 7/26, 7/27, 7/30, 7/31, 8/1, 8/13, 8/20, 8/21, 8/27, 8/28, 8/30, 9/4, 9/6, 9/10, 9/19, 9/25, 9/27, 10/1, 10/9, 10/17, 10/25, 11/1, 11/15, 12/3, 12/4, 12/13.

Costs: The costs to manage the Mockingbird easement site in 2012 included $11,043.76 in labor and 124.55 in herbicide costs, for a total of $11,168.31.

Habitat Status: The tree canopy cover within this project is 50-75% and the open space cover is 25-50%. Tree height class is 20-35 meters and the shrub height class is 2-5 meters. The following native species were documented on site, and have been recorded in percent cover using stratum categories from rapid assessment method, in 2012: 5-15% Mexican elderberry ( Sambucus Mexicana ), 1-5% Emory’s Baccharis (Baccharis emoryi ), 25-50% hoary nettle ( Urtica dioica ), 1-5% common sunflower ( Helianthus annuus ), <1% mare’s tail ( Conyza Canadensis ), 50-75% ( Salix gooddingii ), 50-75% arroyo willow ( Salix lasiolepis ), <1% sandbar willow ( Salix exigua ), 25-50% mulefat ( Baccharis salicifolia ), 1-5% mugwort ( Artemisia douglasiana ), <1% coastal prickly pear ( Opuntia littoralis ), <1% coyote tobacco ( Nicotiana quadrivalvis ), <1% deer weed ( Lotus scoparius ), 5-15% cottonwood ( Populus fremontii ) and <1% doveweed ( Croton setigerus ).

The following native species were documented on site, and have been recorded in % cover using stratum categories from rapid assessment method, in 2012: <1% wild lettuce ( Lactuca serriola ), <1% short-podded mustard ( Hirschfeldia incana ), <1% lamb’s quarters or pigweed ( Chenopodium album ), <1% sow thistle (Sonchus asper ) and <1% Perennial pepperweed ( Lepidium latifolium ).

Wildlife: Mockingbird Canyon contains both riparian and upland habitat for many common and sensitive species of wildlife. There is a diverse group of riparian birds including common species like the Bewick’s Wren, Spotted Towhee, and Nuttall’s Woodpecker as well as species of special concern including the Yellow-breasted Chat and Yellow Warbler. The state and federally endangered Least Bell's Vireo is found throughout the project site. Some of the upland areas adjacent to the riparian provide habitat for the federally threatened Coastal California Gnatcatcher as well as other sensitive species including Burrowing 1 Owl, Loggerhead Shrike, and Horned Lark. Nests for raptors such as Red-tailed Hawks and Cooper’s Hawks have been found in Mockingbird Canyon, while Red-shouldered Hawks, White Tailed Kites, Great- horned Owls, and Western Screech-Owls have also been detected. Reptiles and amphibians seen in Mockingbird include the orange-throated whiptail, western whiptail, granite spiny lizard, and pacific tree frog. Mockingbird Canyon also provides habitat to mammals including raccoon, black-tailed jack rabbit, coyote, and bobcat.

Mockingbird Easement Project Mitigations Permit number Impact Contributing Agency Amount: Purpose of Funds Impact Mit Date Received

SPL -2008 -00254 - North Town Housing Project NorthTown Housing 35,000 Removal and 0.5 0.5 11/8/2008 YLC CDFW Op restoration HMMP and 7/7/09 Law Letter 9/6/08 SPL-2007-00874- Discharging fill into .03 acres A&T Partners LLC 60,000 Initial removal and 0.03 1 1/27/2009 JPL 1600-2007- of waters of the US ongoing 0106-R6, RWQCB restoration Cert 12/4/07 1600-2004-0145- Alteration to Quincy Channel Thirty-Seven Moreno 75,000 Initial removal and 0.41 1 3/23/2009 R6 to widen Cottonwood Ave. Valley LLC ongoing for residential dev in Moreno restoration Valley SPL -2008 -0923, Discharging fill into unnamed City of Moreno Valley $75,000 Initial removal and 0.183 0.183 6/18/2009 1600-2008-0096- drainage in Moreno Valley (Kitching Street) active restoration R6 near Allessandro. (HMMP) SPL-2008-00814- Impacts of pipeline and AMB Property Corp $112,500 Removal and 0.05 0.54 12/17/2009 SLP 1600-2008- outfall in Agua Mansa Rd. ongoing 0105-R6 area of Colton restoration and 1 cowbird trap for ffive years. 1600-2009-0009- Impacts to .21 acre of Southern California $26,300 Removal and 0.01 0.45 3/10/2010 R6, RWQCB Cert riparian habitat due to Edison (Demens active restoration 5/13/09 Demens Canyon road project. Canyon, taken over from IERCD)

Total acreage 3.7

2 SAWA PROJECT: MOCKINGBIRD EASEMENT (MAPS AND PHOTOS)

Photo Point 1, 6/21/11 4/4/12: Large cottonwood growing on site.

3 Photo Point 2, 6/21/11 4/4/12: Stinging nettle has increased here.

Photo Point 3, 6/21/11 4/4/12: Growth seen in planted cottonwood.

Photo Point 4, 6/21/11 4/4/12 : Container plants can be seen.

4 Photo Point 5, 6/21/11 4/4/12 : Trails cut for watering, less nettle.

Photo Point 6, 6/21/11 4/4/12: Growth can be seen in elderberry.

Photo Point 7, 6/21/11 4/4/12 : Growth shows in container plants.

5 SAWA PROJECT: MORREY ARROYO—2012 Location: The project is located in a small channel adjacent to an apartment complex within the City of Redlands. Coordinates at the center of the project are 480848 N & 3768116 E

Purpose/ Goal of the Project: Remove non-native weeds and trash, and trim native overgrown plants.

Mitigations/Grants Assigned to the Project : This project was a one-time cleanup for SBI Developers Plus Inc., which owns the adjacent townhomes.

Project Origin: This project was initiated by a development adjacent to the Morrey Arroyo drainage in Redlands, California in 2011. The developer was having troubles selling homes due to the fact that the creek was unsightly and had homeless encampments. They approached SAWA about clearing up some of the smaller native and non-native vegetation. We proposed that we could do minor clearing, in addition to removing non-native vegetation and by doing active restoration. The developer agreed and we moved forward with the non-native plant removal, smaller native limb clean up and planting of native mulefat pole cuttings.

Project Status: The SAWA ISR crew felled the limbs and non-natives trees with chainsaws and applied herbicide the recently cut trunks (cut-stump treatment). RPW Services was hired to bring a grinder in to grind the biomass into wood chips which were left in place as mulch. After the removal was completed pole cuttings were planted along the slopes to stabilize the soils and discourage access to the homeless. This area is in the maintenance phase. SAWA crews monitor and treat for invasive plants.

Site Visits: 1/4, 1/5 3/7, 4/9, 5/14, 5/21, 5/24, 6/6, 6/14, 6/18, 6/21, 6/25, 6/28, 7/2, 7/5, 7/9, 7/12, 7/16, 7/19, 7/23, 7/26, 7/30, 8/2, 8/6, 8/9, 8/13, 8/16, 8/20, 8/23, 8/27, 8/28, 8/30, 9/4, 9/6, 9/10, 9/19, 9/24, 10/1, 10/9, 10/17, 10/25, 11/14

Costs: A total of 244.5 hours was spent on this project in 2012. Total labor costs were $6,815.89 with herbicide costs of $4.65. Total direct project costs were $6,820.54

Habitat Status: The pole cuttings are currently doing fairly well. However, the soils and hydrology seem to be limiting the rate of growth. Currently the pole cuttings are between 1-2.5 meters tall. The SAWA ISR crew has not encountered re-growth of giant cane ( Arundo donax ) since the spring of 2012. There is minimal tree of heaven re-sprouts, which are treated when they are watering the site. There is a 20’X10’ patch of Russian thistle that sprouted at the beginning of 2012, but it has since been treated.

The following native species were documented on site, and have been recorded in percent cover using stratum categories from rapid assessment method, in 2012: 1-5% wild grape ( Vitis girdiana ), <1% common sunflower ( Helianthus annuus ), 1-5% tarragon ( Artemisia dracunculus), 5-15% mulefat ( Baccharis salicifolia ), 50-75% cottonwood ( Populus fremontii ), <1% common cattail ( Typha latifolia ), <1% Mexican elderberry ( Sambucus Mexicana ), <1% false jimson weed ( Datura wrightii )

The following non-native species were documented on site, and have been recorded in percent cover using stratum categories from rapid assessment method, in 2012: 1-5% Johnson grass ( Sorghum halepense ), <1% summer cypress ( Kochia scoparia ), 1-5% Russian thistle ( Salsola tragus ), <1% wild lettuce ( Lactuca serriola ), <1% giant reed ( Arundo donax ), 1-5 Arizona ash ( Fraxinus velutina ), <1% California fan palm (Washingtonia filifera ), <1% tree of heaven ( Ailanthus altissima ), <1% tree tobacco ( Nicotiana glauca ), <1% lamb’s quarters or pigweed ( Chenopodium album ).

1 SAWA PROJECT: MORREY ARROYO MAPS AND PHOTOS

Original condition of project site Removal operations

2 SAWA PROJECT: MORREY ARROYO—2012 Location: The project is located in a small channel adjacent to an apartment complex within the City of Redlands. Coordinates at the center of the project are 480848 N & 3768116 E

Purpose/ Goal of the Project: Remove non-native weeds and trash, and trim native overgrown plants.

Mitigations/Grants Assigned to the Project : This project was a one-time cleanup for SBI Developers Plus Inc., which owns the adjacent townhomes.

Project Origin: This project was initiated by a development adjacent to the Morrey Arroyo drainage in Redlands, California in 2011. The developer was having troubles selling homes due to the fact that the creek was unsightly and had homeless encampments. They approached SAWA about clearing up some of the smaller native and non-native vegetation. We proposed that we could do minor clearing, in addition to removing non-native vegetation and by doing active restoration. The developer agreed and we moved forward with the non-native plant removal, smaller native limb clean up and planting of native mulefat pole cuttings.

Project Status: The SAWA ISR crew felled the limbs and non-natives trees with chainsaws and applied herbicide the recently cut trunks (cut-stump treatment). RPW Services was hired to bring a grinder in to grind the biomass into wood chips which were left in place as mulch. After the removal was completed pole cuttings were planted along the slopes to stabilize the soils and discourage access to the homeless. This area is in the maintenance phase. SAWA crews monitor and treat for invasive plants.

Site Visits: 1/4, 1/5 3/7, 4/9, 5/14, 5/21, 5/24, 6/6, 6/14, 6/18, 6/21, 6/25, 6/28, 7/2, 7/5, 7/9, 7/12, 7/16, 7/19, 7/23, 7/26, 7/30, 8/2, 8/6, 8/9, 8/13, 8/16, 8/20, 8/23, 8/27, 8/28, 8/30, 9/4, 9/6, 9/10, 9/19, 9/24, 10/1, 10/9, 10/17, 10/25, 11/14

Costs: A total of 244.5 hours was spent on this project in 2012. Total labor costs were $6,815.89 with herbicide costs of $4.65. Total direct project costs were $6,820.54

Habitat Status: The pole cuttings are currently doing fairly well. However, the soils and hydrology seem to be limiting the rate of growth. Currently the pole cuttings are between 1-2.5 meters tall. The SAWA ISR crew has not encountered re-growth of giant cane ( Arundo donax ) since the spring of 2012. There is minimal tree of heaven re-sprouts, which are treated when they are watering the site. There is a 20’X10’ patch of Russian thistle that sprouted at the beginning of 2012, but it has since been treated.

The following native species were documented on site, and have been recorded in percent cover using stratum categories from rapid assessment method, in 2012: 1-5% wild grape ( Vitis girdiana ), <1% common sunflower ( Helianthus annuus ), 1-5% tarragon ( Artemisia dracunculus), 5-15% mulefat ( Baccharis salicifolia ), 50-75% cottonwood ( Populus fremontii ), <1% common cattail ( Typha latifolia ), <1% Mexican elderberry ( Sambucus Mexicana ), <1% false jimson weed ( Datura wrightii )

The following non-native species were documented on site, and have been recorded in percent cover using stratum categories from rapid assessment method, in 2012: 1-5% Johnson grass ( Sorghum halepense ), <1% summer cypress ( Kochia scoparia ), 1-5% Russian thistle ( Salsola tragus ), <1% wild lettuce ( Lactuca serriola ), <1% giant reed ( Arundo donax ), 1-5 Arizona ash ( Fraxinus velutina ), <1% California fan palm (Washingtonia filifera ), <1% tree of heaven ( Ailanthus altissima ), <1% tree tobacco ( Nicotiana glauca ), <1% lamb’s quarters or pigweed ( Chenopodium album ).

1 SAWA PROJECT: MORREY ARROYO MAPS AND PHOTOS

Original condition of project site Removal operations

2 PROJECT: MOUNTAIN PARK DEVELOPMENT – THE IRVINE COMPANY—2012 Location: Santiago Creek in Orange County, beginning at Black Star Canyon Road and heading west, downstream to just above Irvine Lake. The coordinates at the middle of this 61.5-acre project are 437670 N & 3734981 E.

Mitigation Assigned to this Project: United States Army Corps of Engineers Section 404 Permit # ACOE- 200200505-DPS.

Project Origin: The Irvine Company was required to mitigate due to the creation of the Mountain Park Project, consisting of the construction of up to 2,500 dwelling units, a fire station, trail system, staging area, interpretive center and/or store concession, a school site and adjacent community park, and other infrastructure. This site was originally removed in 2003. In 2006 the Mountain Park mitigation was placed for the on-going control of non-native species within the 61.5 acre project area.

Amount of Mitigation: The Santa Ana River Conservation Trust Fund received $846,180 in February 2006 for 18.8 acres of arundo control.

Purpose/ Goal of the Mitigation: Remediation of permanent impacts to a riparian system connected to the larger Santa Ana River Watershed is critical for overall health and function of the region and its dependent species. For this assigned mitigation, target species including giant cane ( Arundo donax ), tree of heaven (Ailanthus altissima ), castor bean ( Ricinus communis ), Spanish broom ( Spartium junceum ) and tree tobacco ( Nicotiana glauca ) were slated for active biomass removal followed by herbicide applications to discourage re-growth. After removal, native species including cottonwoods ( Populous fremontii ), mulefat (Baccharis salicifolia), and mixed willows ( Salix spp. ) were encouraged to re-colonize the site to increase site health due to benefits to native wildlife, water quality and quantity, and discouragement of fire and erosion from flooding.

Site Visits: Visits to this site for the purposes of photo documentation and planning for re-treatment took place on 5/16/2012. Retreatments were conducted by the SAWA crew over approximately 23 acres on 5/23/2012 and 5/29/2012. During those visits 15 small patches of arundo were removed/treated totaling 282 canes; one pepperweed plant was treated; 99 Spanish broom plants were cut/stump treated, 30 individual castor bean plants were treated; and one artichoke thistle plant was treated. The initial removal of Spanish broom ( Spartium junceum ) was conducted in May 2012 throughout the job site.

Costs: A total of $2,354.77 was spent in 2012 with $2,325.51 in labor costs and $29.26 in herbicide costs.

Project Status: The removals assigned in conjunction with this project have been completed and it is now in the monitoring phase. Monitoring and treatments are conducted annually to prevent future re-infestation. In 2012, increased maintenance and monitoring was undertaken to target re-growth of original mitigation species as well as to plan for removals of species that have become problematic since its inception in 2006. There is less than 1-percent cover of invasives in the project area as of December 2012.

Habitat Status: The canopy cover in this project area was ~ 50-75%, the open space cover was ~ 25-50%, the tree height class was 15-20 meters, and the shrub height class was 1-5 meters. The following native species were documented in this stretch of the creek, and have been recorded in percent cover using stratum categories from the rapid assessment method, in 2012: 5-15% laurel sumac ( Malosma laurina ), 5- 15% California buckwheat ( Eriogonum fasciculatum ), 5-15% mulefat ( Baccharis salicifolia ), <1% scale- broom ( Lepidospartum squamatum ), 1-5% western sycamore ( Platanus racemosa ), <1% Mexican

1 elderberry ( Sambucus Mexicana ), <1% chalky live-forever ( Dudleya pulverulenta ), <1% coast live oak (Quercus agrifolia ), 5-15% California sagebrush ( Artemisia californica ), <1% cottonwood ( Populus fremontii ), <1% chaparral yucca ( Yucca whipplei ), <1% deer weed ( Lotus scoparius ), 1-5% black sage (Salvia mellifera ), <1% white sage ( Salvia apiana ), <1% chamise ( Adenostoma fasciculatum ), <1% Matilija poppy ( Romneya coulteri ), 1-5% thickleaf yerba santa ( Eriodictyon crassifolium ), <1% coastal prickly pear (Opuntia littoralis ), <1% valley cholla ( Opuntia parryi ), 1-5% black willow ( Salix gooddingii ), <1% California dodder ( Cuscuta californica ), 1-5% arroyo willow ( Salix lasiolepis ), 1-5% red willow ( Salix laevigata ), 1-5% golden willow ( Salix lucida ) and <1% chaparral bush mallow ( Malacothamnus fasciculatus ).

The following non-native species were documented in this stretch of the creek, and have been recorded in percent cover using stratum categories from the rapid assessment method, in 2012: <1% blue gum eucalyptus ( Eucalyptus globules ), <1% giant reed ( Arundo donax ), <1% fennel ( Foeniculum vulgare ), <1% Spanish broom ( Spartium junceum ), <1% Italian thistle ( Carduus pycnocephalus ), <1% tree tobacco (Nicotiana glauca ), <1% short-podded mustard ( Hirschfeldia incana ), <1% California fan palm (Washingtonia filifera ) and <1% tocolote ( Centaurea melitensis ).

Wildlife: The common bird species that are often found include the Common Yellowthroat, Song Sparrow, and Red-winged Blackbird. Sensitive species such as the Yellow-warbler and the Yellow -breasted chat occupy the habitat as well. The state and federally-list endangered Least Bell's is also present throughout the site. Western Ring-necked snake, Western Whiptail, Garden Slender Salamander, and the San Diego Horned Lizard are some of the reptile and amphibians species located on the project site. Santiago also provides habitat to a range of mammals from the small western harvest mouse and deer mouse to the skunk, raccoon, mule deer, bobcat and coyote.

2 SAWA PROJECT: MOUNTAIN PARK MAPS AND PHOTOS

Main project area 2012 Spanish broom removal

Broom and other invasives being removed Black Star Canyon, where the site is located

3 SAWA PROJECT: SAR MAINSTEM (NORCO BURN)—2012 Location: This 360-acre project is located at coordinates 449496 N & 3756998 E

Purpose/ Goal of the Project: Retain control over Arundo donax, and remove and treat emergent areas of tamarisk, and perennial pepperweed from the site. Monitor regrowth of native vegetation.

Mitigations/Grants Assigned to the Project : ACOE # SPL-2008-00785, DFG # 1600-2008-0104-R6, and RWQCB Notification dated 11/27/12, Mitigant: Jurupa Community Services District Flood (ongoing restoration, 2.0 acres), and SAWPA Task Order # SAWA 387-04 for ongoing restoration.

Project Origin: The Norco Burn project is located along the Santa Ana River starting at California Avenue in Norco and runs downstream to Hamner Avenue. The project originated in December 2002 after a fire burned through the habitat. An emergency herbicide application contract was issued to Washburn Grove Management, thus preventing the costly initial removal of the biomass. The original contracted amount was for ~ 300 acres, however in January of 2004 another 185 acres was added to the project.

Project Status: The area was reduced in 2012 after the Inland Empire Resource Conservation District received a conservation easement adjacent to Goose Creek Golf Course. The area is now ~ 360 acres, which was treated by Natures Image in 2012.

Site Visits: No SAWA crew site visits were made (contractor did treatments).

Costs: Contractor costs for 2012 were $44,649.90.

Habitat Status: The canopy cover at the Norco Burn in 2012 was ~ 50-75% in the spring/summer months, with open space cover accounting for 25-50%. The tree height class was at the 10-15 meter range and the shrub height class was within the 2-5 meter range. The following native species were documented on site, and have been recorded in percent cover using stratum categories from rapid assessment method, in 2012: 5-15% cottonwood ( Populus fremontii ), 1-5% sandbar willow ( Salix exigua ), 1-5% golden willow ( Salix lucida ), 1-5% western sycamore ( Platanus racemosa ), 5-15% red willow ( Salix laevigata ), <1% California croton ( Croton californica ), <1% cocklebur ( Xanthium strumarium ), 1-5% wild grape ( Vitis girdiana ), 5-15% mulefat ( Baccharis salicifolia ), <1% California buckwheat ( Eriogonum fasciculatum ), <1% common sunflower ( Helianthus annuus ), <1% ( Cuscuta subinclusa ), <1% common phacelia ( Phacelia distans ), <1% common cattail ( Typha latifolia ), <1% California wild rose ( Rosa californica ) and <1% hoary nettle ( Urtica dioica ).

The following non-native species were documented on site, and have been recorded in percent cover using stratum categories from rapid assessment method, in 2012: <1% castorbean ( Ricinus communis ), <1% giant reed ( Arundo donax ), <1% tree tobacco ( Nicotiana glauca ), <1% blue gum eucalyptus ( Eucalyptus globulus ), <1% golden crownbeard ( Verbesina encelioides ), <1% summer cypress ( Kochia scoparia ), <1% saltcedar ( Tamarix ramosissima ) and <1% short-podded mustard ( Hirschfeldia incana ).

Wildlife: A variety of common riparian bird species are found on site including, Song Sparrow, Common Yellowthroat, California Towhee, and Spotted Towhee. The federally-endangered Least Bell’s Vireo held 77 territories in this area in 2013. California species of concern present on site have included Yellow Warbler, Yellow-breasted Chat, Cooper’s Hawk, Loggerhead Shrike, and Merlin. The White-tailed Kite, which is a state protected species, has successfully nested on site in past years. Mammals include long-tailed weasel, which is an MSHCP (Western Riverside County Multiple Species Habitat Conservation Plan) listed species, as well as coyote, bobcat, raccoon, and feral pig. Common reptiles present include the Western fence lizard, side-blotched lizard, gopher snake, and red racer. In 2009, two red-sided garter snakes were seen. SAWA PROJECT: SAR MAINSTEM (NORCO BURN) MAPS AND PHOTOS

Norco Burn south western portion Main project area

Upstream northeastern portion of project area Middle of project area

2 SAWA PROJECT: PAR PROP 50 SAR MAINSTEM (HIDDEN VALLEY)—2012 Location: Located in the Hidden Valley Wildlife Area of the Santa Ana River main stem. The coordinates at the center of this 995-acre project area are 454298 N & 3758799 E.

Purpose/ Goal of the Project: Remove and maintain control over 770 acres of arundo, perennial pepperweed, tamarisk, castor bean, eucalyptus and other invasive plants, and actively restore and re- establish as much of the area as possible to native riparian habitat.

Mitigations/Grants Assigned to the Project : The Proposition 50 Arundo Removal (PAR) project in Hidden Valley is paid for by Prop. 50 grant funds administered by the state Department of Water Resources (Grant # 07-503-550-3)

Project Origin: Proposition 50 Arundo Removal (PAR), is a SAWA restoration project to remove approximately 770 acres of invasive plant species within 995 acres of Hidden Valley Wildlife Area in Riverside, and maintain restoration of 11 acres in Carbon Canyon that was once infested with Arundo. Some of the target species are arundo, tamarisk, castor bean and perennial pepperweed.

The PAR project began in February 2008, and has been expanded from its original scope of removing 500 acres of invasives because of cost-effective management by SAWA. Carefully planned herbicide applications for several years to control re-growth have been vital, to maximize control and limit the amount of re-growth. It is estimated that 2,400 acre-feet of water will be restored to the river annually as a result of the removal efforts when this project is complete.

Project Status: The Proposition funding for our PAR project is slated to expire in March of 2014. SAWA has been actively planning restoration efforts for large open areas that are now void of arundo. SAWA anticipates restoring at least 20 acres of riparian habitat within the project boundary prior to the grant funding expiring.

Site Visits: Almost daily during weekdays throughout the year.

Costs: PAR Project costs for SAWA were $68,972.88 and $656,805.97 for contractors, for a project total of $725,778.85. Total cost to manage PAR for 2012 was $725,778.85, bringing the project total since inception to December 2012 to $2,595,794.61.

Habitat Status: The tree canopy cover in the spring/summer months is 50-75%, and the open space cover is 25-50%. The tree height class ranges between 15-20 meters and the shrub height class is between 2-5 meters. The following native species were documented on site, and have been recorded in percent cover using stratum categories from rapid assessment method, in 2012: 1-5% wild grape ( Vitis girdiana ), <1% hoary nettle ( Urtica dioica ), <1% common cattail ( Typha latifolia ), <1% common phacelia ( Phacelia distans ), 5-15% mulefat ( Baccharis salicifolia ), <1% Mexican elderberry ( Sambucus Mexicana ), 1-5% golden willow (Salix lucida ), 5-15% red willow ( Salix laevigata ), <1% common sunflower ( Helianthus annuus ), <1% sandbar willow ( Salix exigua ), <1% telegraph weed ( Heterotheca grandiflora ), 1-5% cottonwood ( Populus fremontii ), <1% false jimson weed ( Datura wrightii ), <1% fourwing saltbush ( Atriplex canescens ), <1% California sagebrush ( Artemisia californica , 1-5% Emory’s Baccharis ( Baccharis emoryi ), <1% cocklebur (Xanthium strumarium ), <1% alkali heliotrope ( Heliotropium curassavicum ), <1% California wild rose ( Rosa californica ), <1% poison oak ( Toxicodendron diversiloba ), <1% California croton ( Croton californica ), <1% California buckwheat ( Eriogonum fasciculatum ), <1% doveweed ( Croton setigerus ) and <1% western sycamore ( Platanus racemosa ).

1 The following non-native species were documented on site, and have been recorded in percent cover using stratum categories from rapid assessment method, in 2012: 5-15% white sweetclover ( Melilotus albus ), <1% wild lettuce ( Lactuca serriola ), 1-5% Russian thistle ( Salsola tragus ), 1-5% giant reed ( Arundo donax ), <1% short-podded mustard ( Hirschfeldia incana ), <1% tree tobacco ( Nicotiana glauca ), <1% saltcedar ( Tamarix ramosissima ), 5-15% summer cypress ( Kochia scoparia ), <1% golden crownbeard (Verbesina encelioides ), <1% castorbean ( Ricinus Communis ), <1% date palm ( Phoenix canariensis ), <1% California fan palm ( Washingtonia filifera ), <1% Mexican fan palm ( Washingtonia robusta ), <1% red gum eucalyptus ( Eucalyptus camaldulensis ) and <1% tree of heaven ( Ailanthus altissima ).

Wildlife: The PAR project site provides dense riparian habitat for many common and sensitive species of wildlife. There is a diverse group of riparian birds from the common Song Sparrow and Common Yellowthroat to the sensitive Yellow-breasted Chat and Yellow Warbler. Abundant older trees provide nesting sites for the cavity-nesting birds such as the Ash-throated Flycatcher and House Wren. The state and federally-list endangered Least Bell's Vireo is found throughout the project site. Over the last few years the population of Least Bell's Vireos has increased to over 50 territories, from about 10 territories in 2000. Raptors such as the Red-tailed Hawk nest at PAR. Cooper's Hawks and White-tailed Kites are also found at the PAR site and probably nest there. The federally-listed native fish, the Santa Ana Sucker, is occasionally found in the Santa Ana River that bisects the PAR site when rocky substrate is available. Reptiles at PAR include the gopher snake and coachwhip, alligator lizard and western fence lizard. The butterflies, Loquin's Admiral and Tiger Swallowtail are also found at the PAR site. PAR also provides habitat to a range of mammals from the small harvest mouse and deer mouse to the striped skunk, raccoon, long-tailed weasel, bobcat and coyote.

2 SAWA PROJECT: SAR MAINSTEM PAR PROP 50 MAPS AND PHOTOS

Removal of Eucalyptus and other invasives 2012 Photo after 2012 removal in expansion area

Control in area that is being restored in 2013 Another area chosen for 2013 restoration

3 SAWA PROJECT: PRADO BASIN, HIGHWAY 71—2012 Location: The project is located on the western edge of the Prado Basin along Highway 71 on Army Corps property. Coordinates at the center of the project are coordinates 440077 N & 3752615 E.

Purpose/ Goal of the Project: Retain control over former Eucalyptus removal areas and remove and treat emergent areas of tamarisk, perennial pepperweed and milk thistle from the site. Monitor re-growth of native vegetation.

Mitigations assigned to this area: See mitigation table on page 2.

Project Origin: This project originated with several mitigations conducted jointly among SAWA and its partners, Orange County Water District and Riverside-Corona Resource Conservation District. These expired mitigation areas from Caltrans and Century American Development are now being monitored and treated by SAWA every year. In late 2012, the Army Corps of Engineers approved the Environmental Assessment for SAWA’s Eucalyptus Forest Conversion to Native Riparian Habitat Project, which is designed to provide 100 acres of establishment, restoration and enhancement mitigation credit in this area. The areas shown on the maps below will be expanded to accommodate this new project area. SAWA is expecting to receive the license to do this work in 2013 so that this project area can be expanded and several unassigned mitigations can be placed here.

Project Status: The Highway 71 project has had minimal re-growth of eucalyptus in 2012. On-going monitoring and maintenance was completed in 2012 to ensure that re-growth is kept under control. A fire started by a careless smoker caused damage to mostly mulefat in the Phase 1 area, but nearly all of the affected mulefat is rebounding completely.

Site Visits : 10/30

Costs: The total direct costs to manage the Highway 71 project in 2012 was $809.20, with $291 in herbicide expenses and $518.02 in labor expenses.

Habitat Status: The site is composed of ~25-50% open space and the canopy cover in the spring/summer months is ~ 50-75%. The tree height class is 10-15 meters and the shrub height class is 2-5 meters. The following native species were documented on site, and have been recorded in percent cover using stratum categories from rapid assessment method, in 2012: 5-15% mulefat ( Baccharis salicifolia ), 5-15% black willow ( Salix gooddingii ), <1% mugwort ( Artemisia douglasiana ), <1% Mexican elderberry ( Sambucus Mexicana ), 1-5% California sagebrush ( Artemisia californica ), 1-5% California blackberry ( Rubus ursinus ), <1% hoary nettle ( Urtica dioica ), <1% common sunflower ( Helianthus annuus ), 1-5% cottonwood ( Populus fremontii ).

The following non-native species were documented on site, and have been recorded in percent cover using stratum categories from rapid assessment method, in 2012: 1-5% blue gum eucalyptus ( Eucalyptus globules ), <1% tree of heaven ( Ailanthus altissima ), <1% tree tobacco ( Nicotiana glauca ), 1-5% short- podded mustard ( Hirschfeldia incana ) and 1-5% Perennial pepperweed ( Lepidium latifolium ).

Wildlife: The Highway 71 site primarily consists of coastal sage scrub and native and non-native grassland habitats. A few strips of riparian habitat are present. Many common bird species utilize all of these habitats, including Song Sparrow, Mourning Dove, California and Spotted Towhees, and Northern Mockingbird. Pairs of Hooded Oriole and Blue Grosbeak have also been observed on site, and are probably using the site for nesting. The endangered California Gnatcatcher is breeding on site; Two pairs produced offspring in 2013.

1 A single Least Bell’s Vireo was also observed in one riparian stretch on this site. Rufous-crowned Sparrow, a California Species of Special Concern, also utilizes the coastal sage scrub habitat. Grasshopper Sparrows are using the grassland habitat. Non-native Tree Tobacco occurs on this site, and is used by many hummingbirds, including Allen’s Hummingbird, which may be breeding on site. A single Willow Flycatcher was observed on one visit to the Highway 71 site, likely used as a stop-over to better habitat. Observed mammal species include Audubon’s cottontail and California ground squirrel, which provide food for the Red-tailed Hawks that have been regularly observed at the site. Deer are also using this site.

Highway 71 Mitigations (several more are slated for this area) Permit number Impact Contributing Agency Amount: Purpose of Funds Impact Mit Date Received

200501337-SJH, Discharging fill into waters of Century American $376,000 Initial removal and 0.19 7.52 12/5/2005 1600-2005-0092-R6 the US, residential Development Corp. ongoing Op Law developoment, Riverside. restoration

Total acreage 7.5

2 SAWA PROJECT: PRADO BASIN, HIGHWAY 71 MAPS AND PHOTOS

3 Vegetation and snags left in old SAWA project. Mulefat growth in the former removal area.

Fire damage to Highway 71 Phase 1 site. Native regrowth from fire

4 SAWA PROJECT: PRADO BASIN, MILL CREEK—2012 Location: The 175-acre project is located on the northern edge of the Prado Basin along Mill Creek. Coordinates at the center of the project are 442596 N & 3755399 E.

Purpose/ Goal of the Project: Annual treatments to remove minimal areas of re-infestation.

Mitigations/Grants Assigned to the Project : Not yet assigned.

Project Origin: Mill Creek Prado was originally removed in 2003 by Washburn Grove Management and there is minimal re-growth since the last herbicide application contract expired in 2009.

Project Status: The SAWA ISR crew monitors and treats the site once annually to ensure that re-growth doesn’t re-infest the project area.

Site Visits: 9/10, 9/11, 9/12, 9/13, 9/19, 9/20, 10/10, 10/11, 11/7, 11/20, 12/31.

Costs: A total of 251.5 hours was spent on this project in 2012. Total labor costs were $4,411.69 with herbicide costs of $78.26. Total direct project costs were $4,489.95.

Habitat Status: In 2012 the SAWA ISR crew used backpack sprayers to apply aquatically approved glyphosate to: castor bean ( Ricinus communis ), giant cane ( Arundo donax ), perennial pepperweed (Lepedium latifolium ), and tree tobacco ( Nicotiana glauca ). The habitat is inundated with trash from storm water runoff from all developments upstream. This site requires a lot of hiking to gain access to the interior due to steep canyon walls.

The following native species were documented on site, and have been recorded in percent cover using stratum categories from rapid assessment method, in 2012: 5-15% arroyo willow ( Salix lasiolepis ), 15-25% black willow ( Salix gooddingii ),<1% alkali heliotrope ( Heliotropium curassavicum ),<1% common sunflower (Helianthus annuus ), <1% common cattail ( Typha latifolia ) , 15-25% mulefat ( Baccharis salicifolia ), 5-15% red willow ( Salix laevigata ), 1-5% hoary nettle ( Urtica dioica ), 1-5% California blackberry ( Rubus ursinus , 1- 5% cocklebur ( Xanthium strumarium ), 1-5% cottonwood ( Populus fremontii ), 1-5% tarragon ( Artemisia dracunculus), 1-5% mugwort ( Artemisia douglasiana ), <1% coast live oak ( Quercus agrifolia ),<1% doveweed ( Croton setigerus ), <1% California wild rose ( Rosa californica ), 1-5% California buckwheat (Eriogonum fasciculatum ).

The following non-native species were documented on site, and have been recorded in percent cover using stratum categories from rapid assessment method, in 2012: <1% lamb’s quarters ( Chenopodium album ), 1- 5% white sweetclover ( Melilotus albus ), 1-5% Perennial pepperweed ( Lepidium latifolium ), 1-5% giant reed (Arundo donax ), 1-5% Russian thistle ( Salsola tragus ), 1-5% poison hemlock ( Conium maculatum ), <1% edible fig ( Ficus carica ), 1-5% wild lettuce ( Lactuca serriola ), 1-5% castorbean ( Ricinus communis ), <1% Johnson grass ( Sorghum halepense ), 1-5% curly dock ( Rumex crispus ), 1-5% tree tobacco ( Nicotiana glauca ) and 1-5% horehound ( Marrubium vulgare ).

Wildlife: The recovering vegetation at the site provides habitat to many common avian species such as the Common Yellowthroat and the Song Sparrow. Sensitive species such as the Yellow Warbler and the Yellow -breasted Chat occupy the habitat as well. The state and federally-listed endangered Least Bell's Vireo is also present throughout the site. Non-native Red-Eared Sliders and, on occasion, the native Western Pond Turtle (Species of Special Concern) can be found on the project site. Mammals of various sizes also occupy the habitat such as bobcats, skunks, western harvest mice, deer mice, and feral pigs.

1 SAWA PROJECT: PRADO BASIN, MILL CREEK PRADO MAPS AND PHOTOS

Removing castor bean from the site in 2012. Arundo regrowth

Arundo growth that was removed in 2012 Hand removal by SAWA

2 SAWA PROJECT: PRADO BASIN, SAWPA PEPPERWEED—2012 Location: This 10-acre project is located adjacent to the Corona Airport. Coordinates at the center of the project are 443770 N & 3750659 E

Purpose/ Goal of the Project: Remove perennial pepperweed, tamarisk and other invasive plants from the area and restore the area with native vegetation.

Mitigations/Grants Assigned to the Project : The SAWPA pepperweed project is a 10-acre mitigation project located in the Prado Basin. The Santa Ana Project Authority was required by the CDFW to mitigate here for work on its brine pipeline. SAWA conducts a permittee-responsible mitigation for SAWPA under a task order. SAWPA reports separately on this mitigation and is ultimately responsible for its success.

Project Origin: The project is mitigation for repairs to the brine (SARI) line in the Prado Basin and the Santa Ana Canyon. SAWPA approached SAWA and in 2011 work began to control perennial pepperweed and conduct active planting to restore the 10 acres back to a naturally functioning habitat.

Project Status: Herbicide applications were conducted in 2012 by Natures Image. SAWA and its contractor have removed the invasive vegetation and replanted the area with a variety of native plants, using containers, cutting and seed. Control has been successful and Natures Image completed the planting of natural habitat at the end of 2012.

Site Visits: 1/3, 7/10, 8/13, 8/14, 10/24, 11/5, 11/7, 11/13, 12/10

Costs: A total of 94.5 hours was spent on this project in 2012. Total labor costs were $706.83 with contractor costs of $30,012. Total direct project costs were $30,718.83.

Habitat Status: The tree canopy cover within this project is 50-75% and the open space cover is 25-50%. Tree the height class is 10-15 meters and the shrub height class is 2-5 meters. The following native species were documented on site, and have been recorded in percent cover using stratum categories from rapid assessment method, in 2012: 1-5% hoary nettle ( Urtica dioica ), 5-15% mulefat ( Baccharis salicifolia ), <1% mugwort ( Artemisia douglasiana ), <1% Mexican elderberry ( Sambucus Mexicana ), 1-5% wild grape ( Vitis girdiana ), <1% alkali heliotrope ( Heliotropium curassavicum ), 5-15% black willow ( Salix gooddingii ), <1% cocklebur ( Xanthium strumarium ), <1% common sunflower ( Helianthus annuus ), <1% doveweed ( Croton setigerus ), <1% false jimson weed ( Datura wrightii ), <1% cottonwood ( Populus fremontii ) and <1% California wild rose ( Rosa californica ).

The following non-native species were documented on site, and have been recorded in percent cover using stratum categories from rapid assessment method, in 2012: <1% tree tobacco ( Nicotiana glauca ), <1% blue gum eucalyptus ( Eucalyptus globules ), <1% black mustard ( Brassica nigra ), 1-5% wild radish (Raphanus sativus ), <1% giant reed ( Arundo donax ), <1% castorbean ( Ricinus communis ), <1% tocolote (Centaurea melitensis ), <1% wild lettuce ( Lactuca serriola ), <1% California fan palm ( Washingtonia filifera ), <1% saltcedar ( Tamarix ramosissima ), <1% Italian thistle ( Carduus pycnocephalus ), 1-5% London rocket (Sisymbrium irio ), 1-5% Perennial pepperweed ( Lepidium latifolium ), <1% Russian thistle ( Salsola tragus ) and <1% cheeseweed ( Malva parviflora ).

Wildlife: The most abundant bird species found in this area include the Song Sparrow, Common Yellowthroat and Spotted Towhee. Other common birds present are Anna’s Hummingbird, Bushtit, Lesser Goldfinch, and House Finch. Winter migrants include White-crowned Sparrow, and Ruby-crowned Kinglet. The Federally-endangered Least Bell’s Vireo nests in the adjacent native riparian habitat during the spring 1 breeding season. This same adjacent riparian habitat, in past years, has also been occupied by the critically Federally-endangered Southwestern Willow Flycatcher.

2 SAWA PROJECT: PRADO BASIN, SAWPA PEPERWEED MAPS AND PHOTOS

Photo Point 1 - 9/2011 Photo Point 1 - 10/2012

Photo Point 2 - 9/2011 Photo Point 2 -10/2012

3 SAWA PROJECT: PRADO PROJECT—2012 Location: This project runs from River Road along OCWD’s diversion channel down to their groundwater recharge basins. There are numerous non-natives that were treated in 2012, however the focus being on Arundo.

Purpose/Goal of the Project: Retain control over former Arundo removal area and remove and treat emergent areas of tamarisk, perennial pepperweed and milk thistle from the site. Monitor re-growth of native vegetation.

Project Origin: The project originated with a 1997 Biological Opinion from the US Fish and Wildlife Service as a result of OCWD retaining water behind the Prado Dam, resulting in a loss of habitat, and continues from subsequent biological opinions.

Project Status: Approximately 15 acres of invasive plants were treated along the diversion channel in 2012. There is still a large amount of giant cane in the Prado basin that is slated for removal as funds become available. Expansion areas adjacent to the current project area are slated for removal in early 2013. The SAWA ISR crew continued to monitor and treat the area in 2012 to prevent re-infestation of non- native species within the project area.

Site Visits: 3/15, 4/10, 4/18, 4/23, 4/24, 4/30, 5/1, 5/2, 5/3, 5/16, 5/17, 5/21, 5/24, 7/25, 9/30, 10/23, 11/1, 11/15, 12/10, 12/11, 12/17

Costs: The SAWA ISR crew spent a total of 434 hours monitoring and treating re-growth at this project in 2012. The total cost to treat this area during 2012 was $9,319.33, with $1,476.21 in herbicide expenses and $7,843.12 in labor expenses.

Habitat Status: This project runs from River Road along OCWD’s diversion channel down to their groundwater recharge basins. There are numerous non-natives that were treated in 2012, however the focus being on Arundo. There was approximately 15 acres of invasives treated along the diversion channel in 2012. There is still a large amount of giant cane in the Prado basin that is slated for removal as funds become available. Expansion areas adjacent to the current project area are slated for removal in early 2013. The SAWA ISR crew continued to monitor and treat the area in 2012 to prevent re-infestation of non- native species within the project area.

The site is composed of ~25-50% open space and the canopy cover in the spring/summer months is ~ 50- 75%. The tree height class is 10-15 meters and the shrub height class is 2-5 meters. The following native species were documented on site, and have been recorded in percent cover using stratum categories from rapid assessment method, in 2012: 1-5% cocklebur ( Xanthium strumarium ), <1% common phacelia (Phacelia distans ), 5-15% mulefat ( Baccharis salicifolia ), 15-25% black willow ( Salix gooddingii ), 15-25% arroyo willow ( Salix lasiolepis ), 5-15% golden willow ( Salix lucida ), <1% sandbar willow ( Salix exigua ), 1-5% cottonwood ( Populus fremontii ), 1-5% hoary nettle ( Urtica dioica ), 1-5% common sunflower ( Helianthus annuus ), 1-5% bulrush ssp., 1-5% common cattail ( Typha latifolia ), <1% canyon dodder ( Cuscuta subinclusa ), <1% telegraph weed ( Heterotheca grandiflora ), <1% western ragweed ( Ambrosia psilostachya ), <1% false jimson weed ( Datura wrightii ), <1% tarragon ( Artemisia dracunculus), <1% evening primrose ( Oenothera elataI ), <1% alkali heliotrope ( Heliotropium curassavicum ) and <1% wild grape ( Vitis girdiana ).

The following non-native species were documented on site, and have been recorded in percent cover using stratum categories from rapid assessment method, in 2012: 1-5% golden crownbeard ( Verbesina 1 encelioides ), <1% Perennial pepperweed ( Lepidium latifolium ), 5-15% summer cypress ( Kochia scoparia ), 5-15% white sweetclover ( Melilotus albus ), <1% short-podded mustard ( Hirschfeldia incana ), <1% castor bean ( Ricinus communis ), 1-5% curly dock ( Rumex crispus ), 15-25% giant reed ( Arundo donax ), 1-5% lamb’s quarters or pigweed ( Chenopodium album ), <1% wild lettuce ( Lactuca serriola ), 1-5% Russian thistle (Salsola tragus ), <1% saltcedar ( Tamarix ramosissima ) and <1% tree tobacco ( Nicotiana glauca ).

Wildlife: The recovering vegetation at the site provides habitat to many common avian species such as the Common Yellowthroat and the Song Sparrow. Sensitive species such as the Yellow Warbler and the Yellow -breasted Chat occupy the habitat as well. The state and federally-list endangered Least Bell's Vireo is also present throughout the site. The federally-listed native fish, the Santa Ana Sucker, can at times be found in the Santa Ana River that is adjacent to the Water Con Mitigation site. Non-native Red-Eared Sliders and, on occasion, the native Western Pond Turtle (Species of Special Concern) can be found on the project site. Mammals of various sizes also occupy the habitat such as bobcats, skunks, western harvest mice, deer mice, and feral pigs.

2 SAWA PROJECT: PRADO PROJECT MAPS AND PHOTOS

Spray treatments Spray treatments

Ongoing spray treatments Demo of new spray rig

3 SAWA PROJECT: PRADO BASIN, RIVER ROAD—2012 Location: This project runs along the south side of the Santa Ana River starting at the River Road Bridge and running downstream ~ 1000 meters.. Coordinates at the center of the project are 444344 N & 3753154 W. The original project acreage is 70 acres. The recent expansion covers 4.75 acres and is located at coordinates 443712 N & 3752399 E.

Purpose/ Goal of the Project: Retain control over former Arundo removal area and remove and treat emergent areas of invasives. Monitor re-growth of native vegetation.

Mitigations/Grants Assigned to the Project : The Water Con project is an Orange County Water District mitigation originating from a 1995 cooperative agreement among OCWD, the US Army Corps of Engineers and the US Fish and Wildlife Service. SAWA manages this project for OCWD.

Project Origin: The project originated with a 1995 Biological Opinion from the US Fish and Wildlife Service as a result of OCWD retaining water behind the Prado Dam, resulting in a loss of habitat.

Project Status: The River Road/Water Con Mitigation project sites are well-developed riparian areas that have been cleared of the invasive Arundo donax . These areas are in the maintenance phase. The expansion area contains agreater percentage of arundo than in the original project area.

Site Visits: 3/15, 4/4, 8/21, 8/22, 8/23

Costs: The total to treat and monitor both the River Road and River Road Expansion projects in 2012 was $1,196.31. The herbicide costs was $215.04, the labor costs was 981.27 and a total of 44.5 hours were spent by SAWA on this project.

Habitat Status: River Road Original Project. The canopy cover at this site in the spring/summer months is ~50-75% and the open space cover is ~ 25-50%. The tree height class is 10-15 meters and the shrub height class is 2-5 meters. The following native species were documented on site, and have been recorded in percent cover using stratum categories from rapid assessment method, in 2012: 5-15% wild grape ( Vitis girdiana ), 1-5% hoary nettle ( Urtica dioica ), 15-25% black willow ( Salix gooddingii ), 1-5% cottonwood (Populus fremontii ), 5-15% red willow ( Salix laevigata ), 5-15% arroyo willow ( Salix lasiolepis ), <1% common phacelia ( Phacelia distans ), 1-5% common sunflower ( Helianthus annuus ), 5-15% mulefat ( Baccharis salicifolia ), 1-5% tarragon ( Artemisia dracunculus), <1% poison oak ( Toxicodendron diversiloba ), 1-5% cocklebur ( Xanthium strumarium ), 1-5% common cattail ( Typha latifolia ) and <1% false jimson weed (Datura wrightii ).

The following non-native species were documented on site, and have been recorded in percent cover using stratum categories from rapid assessment method, in 2012: 5-15% summer cypress ( Kochia scoparia ), 1- 5% short-podded mustard ( Hirschfeldia incana ), 1-5% Russian thistle ( Salsola tragus ), 1-5% golden crownbeard ( Verbesina encelioides ), 1-5% Johnson grass ( Sorghum halepense ), <1% castorbean ( Ricinus communis ), <1% lamb’s quarters or pigweed ( Chenopodium album ), <1% tree tobacco ( Nicotiana glauca ), <1% wild lettuce ( Lactuca serriola ), 1-5% white sweetclover ( Melilotus albus ), <1% Perennial pepperweed (Lepidium latifolium ), 1-5% giant reed ( Arundo donax ), <1% saltcedar ( Tamarix ramosissima ), <1% Italian thistle ( Carduus pycnocephalus ), <1% red gum eucalyptus ( Eucalyptus camaldulensis ), 1-5% edible fig (Ficus carica ) and <1% Mexican fan palm ( Washingtonia robusta ).

River Road Expansion. The tree canopy cover within this project is 50-75% and the open space cover is 25- 50%. Tree the height class is 10-15 meters and the shrub height class is 2-5 meters. The following native

1 species were documented on site, and have been recorded in percent cover using stratum categories from rapid assessment method, in 2012: 1-5% cottonwood ( Populus fremontii ), 1-5% black willow ( Salix gooddingii ), 1-5% red willow ( Salix laevigata ), 5-15% mulefat ( Baccharis salicifolia ), <1% common phacelia (Phacelia distans ), 1-5% tarragon ( Artemisia dracunculus), 1-5% common sunflower ( Helianthus annuus ), <1% false jimson weed ( Datura wrightii ) and <1% evening primrose ( Oenothera elataI ).

The following non-native species were documented on site, and have been recorded in percent cover using stratum categories from rapid assessment method, in 2012: 1-5% red gum eucalyptus ( Eucalyptus camaldulensis ), <1% tree tobacco ( Nicotiana glauca ), <1% castorbean ( Ricinus Communis ), 25-50% giant reed ( Arundo donax ), 1-5% summer cypress ( Kochia scoparia ), 1-5% Russian thistle ( Salsola tragus ), 1-5% short-podded mustard ( Hirschfeldia incana ), <1% white sweetclover ( Melilotus albus ), <1% Perennial pepperweed ( Lepidium latifolium ) and <1% wild lettuce ( Lactuca serriola ).

Wildlife: The recovering vegetation at the site provides habitat to many common avian species such as the Common Yellowthroat and the Song Sparrow. Sensitive species such as the Yellow Warbler and the Yellow -breasted Chat occupy the habitat as well. The state and federally-list endangered Least Bell's Vireo is also present throughout the site. The federally-listed native fish, the Santa Ana Sucker, can at times be found in the Santa Ana River that is adjacent to the Water Con Mitigation site. Non-native Red-Eared Sliders and, on occasion, the native Western Pond Turtle (Species of Special Concern) can be found on the project site. Mammals of various sizes also occupy the habitat such as bobcats, skunks, western harvest mice, deer mice, and feral pigs.

2 SAWA PROJECT: PRADO BASIN, RIVER ROAD MAPS AND PHOTOS

. Scattered infestations in the original project area . More small infestations.

Treated infestations in the expansion area. Another angle of the same infestation at left.

3 SAWA PROJECT: SYCAMORE CANYON QUAIL RUN PHASE II—2012 Location: The 23-acre site is located on Quail Run along Central Ave. in Riverside, just west of the 215/60 Freeway. The coordinates are 470558 N & 3757417 E.

Mitigations/Grants Assigned to the Project : See mitigation/grants table on page 2.

Project Origin: SAWA identified this area as a potential mitigation site in 2011. During 2012, SAWA obtained landowner permissions and assessed the site.

Amount of Mitigation: The 23-acre site contains 1.68 acres of arundo and 1.0 acres of castor bean.

Purpose/ Goal of the Project: To remove significant stands of arundo and castor bean imbedded in riparian habitat in Quail Run.

Project Status: SAWA has gained landowner permissions and plans to begin removals in this area in the fall of 2013.

Habitat Status: Historic aquatic losses at this location include displacement of native vegetation from exotic weed species. Of the proposed ~ 23 acres of habitat, ~ 2.67 acres have been degraded from the stated infestations and other anthropogenic activities. Current aquatic resources are fair in quality due to control of exotic weed species by SAWA. Native succession is actively occurring and active restoration may only be necessary in some places. Preservation objectives, amounts, types and locations of aquatic resources along the Sycamore Canyon (Quail Run Phase II) area includes approximately 23 acres of preservation of willow and mule-fat scrub with ~ 2.67 acres of enhancement by controlling exotic weed species throughout the riparian corridor.

Wildlife: Wildlife in this area is similar to the adjacent Sycamore Canyon Wilderness Park. A diverse group of riparian birds throughout the park include the Song Sparrow, Anna’s Hummingbird, Black-headed Grosbeak, Bullock’s Oriole, House Wren, and the Ash-throated Flycatcher. Sensitive species found in the park include the Yellow-breasted Chat, Yellow Warbler, Horned Lark, Rufous-crowned Sparrow, and state and federally endangered Least Bell’s Vireo. Raptors found in Sycamore Canyon include Red-tailed Hawk, Red-shouldered Hawk, Cooper’s Hawk, Turkey Vulture, and Great-horned Owl. The habitat also supports a range of reptiles and amphibians including the orange-throated whiptail (species of special concern), granite spiny lizard, common side-blotched, red diamond rattlesnake, rosy boa, ring-necked snake, Pacific tree frog, and garden slender salamander. Sycamore Canyon also provides habitat to several mammals from the small deer mouse, harvest mouse, and ornate shrew, to the larger coyote and black-tailed jackrabbit. Quail Run Phase II Project Mitigations Permit number Impact Contributing Agency Amount: Purpose of Funds Impact Mit Date Received

SPL-2007-01094- Impact from construction City of Corona $50,000 Initial removal and 0.16 0.48 9/30/2008 FBV, 1600-2007- from Stagecoach Park; ongoing 0148-R6 (Op Law), relocation of storm drain restoration RWQCB Cert date inlet. 4/11/08 SPL-2008-00358-FBV Discharge of fill into non- Starfield Sycamore $33,000 Removal and 0.15 0.15 2/10/2010 1600-2008-0040-R6 wetland waters in Temescal Investors ongoing Wash near City of Corona restoration 2004 -899 -WJC, Impacts to unnamed City of Beaumont $25,000 Initial removal and 0.15 0.15 5/18/2010 1600-2004-0045-R6, tributary of Potrero Creek in ongoing RWQCB Cert dated Beaumont along First Street restoration 8/5/04

SPL 2009 -00139 - Discharge of fill into Salt Countryside $33,000 Initial removal and 0.056 0.112 7/20/2010 VCC, 1600-2009- Creek Marketplace ongoing 0010-R6 restoration

SPL -2009 -00139 -VCC, Discharge of fill into I-215 Donahue Schriber $50,000 Initial removal and 0.189 0.191 10/1/2010 correct RWQCB Certs West Perimeter Project in ongoing 332009-02 & Menifee. restoration 332009-23 SPL -2009 -00750- Discharge of fill Hemet Hospitality $62,000 Initial removal and 0.24 0.48 12/1/2010 0JPL, 1600-2009- Investments ongoing 0138-R6, RQWCB restoration 2010-054 SPL -2204 -00654 -G5, Discharge of fill in Crafton Department of Water $33,000 Initial removal and 0.06 0.25 12/21/2010 1600-2004-0009-R6, Hills drainage. Resources ongoing RWQCB 36-2004- restoration 04DGW SPL -2007 -00128 -SLP, Impacts to riparian wetland San Bernardino $25,000.00 Initial removal and 0.25 0.25 2/22/2011 1600-2010-0123-R6 County Flood Control ongoing (Op Law) Dist. restoration

SPL -2010 -00209 - Permanent impacts to .11 Southern California $33,000.00 Initial removal and 0.11 0.22 2/25/2011 CLD, RWQCB Cert acres or wetland habitat Edison ongoing 332010-08 restoration

SPL -2011 -00236, Impacts to .13 acres of Kinder Morgan $25,000 Initial removal and 0.13 0.25 10/13/2011 CDFG 1600-2011- riparian habitat Energy ongoing 0007-R6, SARWQCB restoration No. 332011-12

1600-2010-0089-R6 Fill of drainage in Wildomar Bundy I-15 $33,000 Initial removal and 0.07 0.14 1/25/2012 due to gas station ongoing construction restoration

Total acreage 2.7

2 SAWA PROJECT: SYCAMORE CANYON QUAIL RUN PHASE II MAPS AND PHOTOS

Photo Point 1 Photo Point 2

Photo Point 3 Photo Point 4

3 SAWA PROJECT: RACEWAY FORD—2012 Location: The coordinates at the center of this 3.5-acre project are Coordinates 472509 N & 3755975 E

Mitigations/Grants Assigned to the Project : SAWA is not allowed to place mitigation at this site.

Purpose/ Goal of the Project: To retain control over arundo and control emerging infestations.

Project Status: This site has had very little re-growth for the past couple of years. Site visits were conducted and no re-growth of Arundo was found. On-going monitoring and maintenance will continue to ensure the site doesn’t become re-infested with invasives.

Site Visits: 12/28

Habitat Status: The site is composed of ~50-75% open space and the canopy cover in the spring/summer months is ~ 25-50%. The tree height class is 5-10 meters and the shrub height class is 1-2 meters. The following native species were documented on site, and have been recorded in % cover using stratum categories from rapid assessment method, in 2012: 5-15% mulefat ( Baccharis salicifolia ), 1-5% California buckwheat ( Eriogonum fasciculatum ), 5-15% black willow ( Salix gooddingii ) and <1% California croton (Croton californica ).

The following non-native species were documented on site, and have been recorded in percent cover using stratum categories from rapid assessment method, in 2012: 1-5% tree tobacco ( Nicotiana glauca ), <1% saltcedar ( Tamarix ramosissima ), 1-5% short-podded mustard ( Hirschfeldia incana ) and 1-5% blue gum eucalyptus ( Eucalyptus globulus ).

Wildlife: The Raceway Ford project site provides some riparian habitat along the 215 and 60 freeways in Riverside County. Existing and surrounding habitat support various bird species including Anna’s Hummingbird, California Towhee, Song Sparrow, Mourning Dove, Black Phoebe, and Greater Roadrunner. Raptors among the site include Red-tailed Hawk and Turkey Vulture. Raceway Ford also provides habitat for reptile species including side-blotch lizard, granite spiny lizard, and western fence lizard. Mammals also occupy the project area and include coyote and Audubon’s cottontail.

1 SAWA PROJECT: RACEWAY FORD MAPS AND PHOTOS

No 2012 photos are available of the Raceway Ford site.

2 SAWA PROJECT: REACH 3B FLOOD CONTROL MITIGATION Location: The area over which this mitigation can be carried out is dependent upon the specific task. For revegetation for rehabilitation of existing or establishment of new foraging/nesting opportunities, the work must be done within 300 feet of the mainstem or major tributaries of the San Timoteo Creek; for all other invasive vegetation management, sensitive species surveying, trash removal, and vandalism prevention and remediation, the potential service area is the entirety of the San Timoteo Creek subwatershed

Mitigations/Grants Assigned to this Project: USFWS Biological Opinion #FWS-SB-740.4, issued June 14 th , 2011, and memorialized in a Memorandum of Understanding between SAWA and the USACE governing performance of mitigation responsibilities and executed on October 6, 2003.

Project Origin: In July 24 th , 2000, the USACE submitted a request to USFWS for formal consultation on the flood control improvement work slated for Reach 3B of San Timoteo Creek, scheduled to include installation of 1,200 feet of reinforcements along channel walls, establishment of 18 sediment basins and drop structures to control flow velocity and sediment loads, creation of a 20-foot-wide maintenance access road, and permission to manage basins in the long term to allow for continued function.

Amount of Mitigation: The mitigation assigned for impacts related to this work included 34.56 acres of enhancement of riparian habitat to include sensitive species protection, acquisition and protection of property, invasive species removal, passive revegetation of removal areas, remediation of trash/vandalism, and education and outreach to prevent illegal access/threats to biological functionality of area. In 2011, in light of failure to move forward on securing unconserved land (a requirement of the original agreement), the acquisition of property requirement was changed to active revegetation consisting of site preparation followed by installation of container species and five years of active maintenance/monitoring to ensure full establishment. This change in mitigation was approved by USFWS in cooperation with a detailed Habitat Mitigation and Monitoring Plan prepared by SAWA.

Purpose/ Goal of the Mitigation: The purpose of this mitigation was to minimize adverse effects to environmental resources, through: (1) active monitoring of sensitive species, (2) provision of nesting and foraging opportunities for least Bell’s vireo ( Vireo bellii pusillus ) and southwestern willow flycatcher (Empidonax traillii extimus ) through rehabilitation of degraded habitat, first passively then actively with the updated 2011 plan, (3) working with partners to address and remediate vandalism/illegal trespass concerns, and (4) reducing predation on sensitive species through management of brown-headed cowbird (Molothrus ater) populations in the canyon.

Project Status: Work on this project began in 2003, and has included annual performance of tasks identified in aforementioned sections and critical for ensuring remediation of impacts from original flood control project work. In the past ten years of project work, 209 acres of giant cane ( Arundo donax), 2.2 acres of tree of heaven ( Ailanthus altissima) , and 132.8 acres of yellow starthistle ( Centaurea solstitialis) have been removed , in addition to other target species for a total of 384.99 acres of continually managed new and ongoing removal areas. Regular surveying of sensitive species has revealed significant population recovery, as seen in the number of least Bell’s vireo territories increasing from 29 in 2004 to 118 in 2012. Using the USFWS 2-A of functional riparian habitat required per LBV territory, this translated to an increase of 178 acres within the project area. This recovery in riparian habitat was further supported in a historical imagery analysis conducted by Aerial Information Systems in 2011, demonstrating succession in nearly every vegetation category.

Site Visits: A total of 2,337 hours were spent on this site including 626 on invasive vegetation removal, 498 on least Bell’s vireo management, 403 on brown-headed cowbird management, 142.5 on photo documentation and assessments, and 69.25 on data management/map creation, in addition to other tasks/hours. The total spent on this site including staff salaries, supplies, and travel was $97,975.20 in the 2012 calendar year. Habitat Status: The San Timoteo Canyon subwatershed is characterized by a functional riparian corridor consisting of thick stands of native species including mixed willows ( S. laevigata, arroyo, lasiolepis) , cottonwood trees ( Populous fremontii) , and mulefat and Emoryii’s baccharis shrubs ( B. salicifolia and emoryii) . On the south side of the Creek, much of the vegetation is native upland scrub that remains intact and functional, contrasted by the north side where much of the upland areas have been subjected to historic grazing that has enabled the replacement of native scrub with populations of mixed mustards ( Brassica spp) and thistles, primarily yellow starthistle ( Centaurea solstitialis). Properties owned by partners including the Oak Valley property managed by the Regional Conservation Authority of Western Riverside County (RCA) and the Cienega property managed by the Riverside Lands Conservancy (RLC), both located on the north side of the Creek, are primary targets of SAWA invasive vegetation management and planned active revegetation efforts. The former property is primarily infested with aforementioned annual invasives although it does contain functional washes populated by California buckwheat ( Eriogonum fasciculatum ), redberry ( Rhamnus crocea ), and mulefat ( Baccharis salicifolia interspersed among occasional tree of heaven ( Ailanthus altissima ) and giant reed ( Arundo dona) clumps. The latter does have annual invasives in addition to significant populations of perennial pepperweed ( Lepidium latifolium ) in addition to non-native trees including Mexican fan palms ( Washingtonia robusta ) and tamarisk ( Tamarix spp. ) in the tributary to San Timoteo Creek that runs through its property.

Wildlife: Regular surveying by SAWA biological staff has resulted in annual documentation of wildlife filling multiple observation tables. Highlights of this surveying include winter birds consisting of yellow-rumped warblers ( Dendroica coronate ; 46.2/100-A), spotted towhees ( Pipilo maculatus; 26/100-A) and western bluebirds ( Sialia Mexicana ; 3.7/100-A), among others; and hawks consisting of red-tailed hawks ( Buteo jamaicensis; 55/100-A), American kestrals ( Falco sparverius; 25/100-A), and Cooper’s Hawks ( Accipiter cooperii; 3/100-A).

Full tables of observed wildlife are included in annual reports for the Reach 3B mitigation project, and can be easily submitted at the request of CDFW staff.

SAWA PROJECT: REACH 3B MITIGATION – PHOTOS AND MAPS The area over which Reach 3B project tasks can be performed is quite large, consisting of approximately 126 square miles of the cities of Redlands and Yucaipa in addition to unincorporated Riverside County. This considerable area has resulted in project work performed over properties owned/managed by a significant partner list including but not limited to the aforementioned RLC and RCA, in addition to the Redlands Conservancy, California State Parks, The Riverside County Parks and Open Space District, and San Bernardino County Flood Control District, among others. The sheer number of partners and project areas makes inclusion of all monitoring photos in this abbreviated document an impossibility; however, highlights of 2012 work are included and photos of all 2012 work are available to CDFW anytime it is determined that these would assist in project review.

2 REGIONAL CONSERVATION AUTHORTY OF WESTERN RIVERSIDE COUNTY (RCA)

Oak Valley Property Yellow Starthistle Removal

Oak Valley Property Revegetation Planning – Irrigation System Testing

3 RIVERSIDE LAND CONSERVANCY (RLC)

Cienega Property Mexican Fan Palm Removal

Post -Yellow Starthistle Removal Recolonization of Site by Native Fiddleneck

4 Post -Removal Direct Seeding Application CALIFORNIA STATE PARKS SAN TIM PROPERTY

Yellow Starthistle Removal, Tree of Heaven Treatment, and Bio-monitoring on State Parks Property

REDLANDS CONSERVANCY

Arundo Removal and Bio -Monitoring5 on Redlands Conservancy Property 6 SAWA PROJECT: SANTIAGO CREEK (IRVINE LAKE)—2012 Location: The project is located at Irvine Lake in the Santiago Creek sub-watershed. The coordinates are 433570 N & 3737600 E.

Mitigations/Grants Assigned to the Project : See mitigation/grants table on page 2.

Project Origin: SAWA sought this project in order to place mitigations ordered in Orange County. The project area includes 1.88 acres of arundo infestation and 1.194 acres of tamarisk infestation.

Purpose/Goal of the Project: The goal of the first phase of this project is to remove 1.88 acres of arundo from the shores of the lake and to demonstrate that this operation can be done safely at a critical drinking water reservoir without causing water pollution from herbicide and removal activities. Extensive best management practices have been employed by SAWA to ensure that there is no significant water pollution from our activities.

Project Status: This project was slated to begin prior to the migratory bird season in 2012 when delays were encountered. Throughout the rest of 2012 SAWA has been working with the following partners to get a plan implemented: Serrano Water District (SWD), Irvine Ranch Water District (IRWD), The Irvine Conservancy, and Orange County Parks (OC Parks). A plan is close to being finalized and removal is expected to be completed in 2013. The project is targeting 1.88 acres of giant cane ( Arundo donax ) around the perimeter of Irvine Lake. SAWA is excited to see this gap in the Santiago Creek watershed get completed to prevent future re-infestation downstream in areas already removed.

Site Visits: 3/20, 8/28, 8/30, 9/5, 9/6, 9/10, 10/1, 10/3, 10/4

Costs: A total of 22.5 hours were spent on this project in 2012. Total labor costs were $908.78. Total direct project costs were $908.78.

Habitat Status: The project currently contains 1.88 acres of Arundo. The area around the lake also contains 1.194 acres of tamarisk, which SAWA plans to remove in the second phase if further permissions can be gained.

Wildlife: The Irvine Lake environs has a diverse wildlife population. Along with the more common avian species are Yellow Warblers and Downy Woodpeckers. California Gnatcatchers have been documented in the creeks leading into Irvine Lake. Common reptiles documented include Southern Alligator Lizard, Western Fence Lizard, Side-blotched Lizard, and Pacific Tree Frog. Several species of the less common reptiles have been documented including the Orange-throated Whiptail, Gilbert's Skink, San Diego Horned Lizard, Western Blind Snake, Western Ring-necked Snake, Red Diamond Rattlesnake, Striped Racer and Coast Patch-nosed Snake.

1 Irvine Lake Project Mitigations Permit number Impact Contributing Agency Amount: Purpose of Funds Impact Mit Date Received

SPL-2008-01063- Discharging fill into waters of OCTA Fullerton 19,000 Ongoing 0.09 0.09 4/1/2009 JPL, 1600-2008- the US Turnback restoration 0314-R5 SPL-2009-00674- Discharges due to expansion of Orange County Waste $75,000 Removal and 1 1 9/1/2009 JPL, RWQCB R8- Olinda Landfill and Recycling ongoing 2009-0047 restoration SPL-2008-01145- Santiago Creek Bike Trail City of Orange $75,000 Initial removal and 0.06 0.79 10/1/2010 MAS, 2008-0420- improvements ongoing R5 restoration

Total acreage 1.9

SAWA PROJECT: SANTIAGO CREEK (IRVINE PARK) MAP AND PHOTOS

No 2012 photos of the project are available. Project photos will be available in the 2013 report.

2 SAWA PROJECT: SANTIAGO CREEK (IRVINE PARK)—2012 Location: The coordinates are 429408 N & 3740966 E.

Mitigations/Grants Assigned to the Project : See mitigation/grants table.

Project Origin: Eight different mitigations were originally placed at Irvine Park. IERCD managed these mitigations with the assistance of SAWA. In 2012, management of this mitigation area was taken over by SAWA.

Purpose/Goal of the Project: To continue to remove emergent invasive plants from this former mitigation area that was managed jointly by SAWA and IERCD

Project Status: All of the mitigations have been completed. SAWA will continue to monitor and treat the site for emergent invasive infestations.

Site Visits: 6/5

Costs: A total of 6 hours was spent on this project in 2012. Total labor costs were $242.34. Total direct project costs were $2,906.89.

Habitat Status: This site on the eastern end is dominated by an established native tree cover that ranges from 10-15 meters in height and a shrub layer that is in the range of 2-5 meters. There is a seasonal drainage with cottonwood and willow saplings becoming established. Under the large tree canopy is a dense stand of poison oak. Just to the west there is a large open undulating gravel area that is dominated by scale broom, California croton, African fountain grass and California buckwheat. As you move west through the site a dense willow forest becomes the dominate vegetation type. The willow species are mostly 10-15 meters in height with areas of established mulefat that ranges between 2-5 meters.

The giant cane ( Arundo donax ) is over 98% controlled with only a few isolated patches still coming back. Due to the minimal amount of re-growth each year site assessments have been bi-annual. In 2012 during SAWA’s assessment they noticed castor bean ( Ricinus communis ) and Italian thistle ( Carduus pycnocephalus ) have started to invade the site. In addition a very minimal amount of tree tobacco (Nicotiana glauca ) and eucalyptus ssp.. are present. SAWA is currently drafting a plan to conduct treatments in 2013 to address these non-native invaders. Other potential impacts to the Irvine Park mitigations are due to anthropogenic causes from people using the park for recreational uses. Such impacts can vary from spreading of weeds, trash, erosion and animal manure.

The following native species were documented on site, and have been recorded in percent cover stratum categories, in 2012: ~ 1-5% mugwort ( Artemisia douglasiana ), 1-5% poison oak ( Toxicodendron diversiloba ), <1% coastal prickly pear ( Opuntia littoralis ), <1% canyon dodder ( Cuscuta subinclusa ), 1-5% California buckwheat ( Eriogonum fasciculatum ), <1% telegraph weed ( Heterotheca grandiflora ), 5-15% western sycamore ( Platanus racemosa ), 1-5% coast live oak ( Quercus agrifolia ),5-15% red willow ( Salix laevigata ),5-15% mulefat ( Baccharis salicifolia ), 1-5% California sagebrush ( Artemisia californica ),<1% black sage ( Salvia mellifera ), 5-15% laurel sumac ( Malosma laurina ), <1% deer weed ( Lotus scoparius ), <1% western ragweed ( Ambrosia psilostachya ), <1% California croton ( Croton californica ), <1% alkali heliotrope ( Heliotropium curassavicum ), 1-5% scale-broom ( Lepidospartum squamatum ), 1-5% common cattail ( Typha latifolia ), <1% thickleaf yerba santa ( Eriodictyon crassifolium ) and 1-5% cottonwood ( Populus fremontii ).

The following non-native species were documented on site in 2012: 1-5% giant cane ( Arundo donax ), 1-5% castorbean ( Ricinus communis ), 5-15% eucalyptus ssp.., <1% date palm ( Phoenix canariensis ), 1-5% tree 1 tobacco ( Nicotiana glauca ), <1% umbrella sedge ( Cyperus involucratus ), 1-5% African fountain grass (Pennisetum setaceum ),<1% tocolote ( Centaurea melitensis ), <1% white sweetclover ( Melilotus albus ), <1% saltcedar ( Tamarix ramosissima ), 1-5% fennel ( Foeniculum vulgare ), <1% short-podded mustard (Hirschfeldia incana ), and 1-5% Italian thistle ( Carduus pycnocephalus ).

Wildlife: The Irvine Park project site contains dense riparian habitat for many common and sensitive species of wildlife. There is a diverse group of riparian birds including common species like the Song Sparrow, Spotted Towhee, Bewick’s Wren, and Common Yellowthroat as well as species of special concern including the Yellow-breasted Chat and Yellow Warbler. The state and federally endangered Least Bell's Vireo is found throughout the project site. Other interesting passerines of note are the Pacific-slope Flycatcher, Swainson’s Thrush, and Wilson’s Warbler. Raptors such as the American Kestrel, Red-tailed Hawk, Cooper’s Hawk, Red-shouldered Hawk, White Tailed Kite, and Western Screech-Owl have also been documented. Reptiles seen in the project area include the side-blotched lizard and fence lizard. Irvine Park also provides habitat to mammals including raccoon, mule deer, coyote, and bobcat.

2 SAWA PROJECT: SANTIAGO CREEK (IRVINE PARK) MAPS AND PHOTOS

Former California Quartet mitigation site Former OCWD GWRS site

Former Pulte Yorba Linda Heights site Former So Cal Regional Rail Authority site

3 SAWA PROJECT: SANTIAGO CREEK PHASE I—2012 Location: This 615-acre project covers a large portion of Santiago Creek. Coordinates at the center of the project are 437522 N & 3734903 E.

Mitigations Assigned to This Project: United States Army Corps of Engineers Section 404 Permit # ACOE-200200505-DPS.

Project Origin: Several expired and active in-lieu fee mitigation projects in Santiago Creek are managed by SAWA. Modjeska Canyon is the uppermost project at the top of the sub-watershed. It starts at the top of Modjeska Canyon and goes downstream to Santiago Canyon Road. The next project runs from Santiago Canyon Road downstream to Irvine Lake. The third project is farther downstream starting at the Prospect Road channelized drainage in the City of Orange heading downstream to Tustin Ave. These three projects have now been merged and managed by SAWA.

Santiago Creek Phase Ihas had very minimal re-growth of Arundo in recent years. SAWA in conjunction with the Irvine Ranch Conservancy treated Spanish broom ( Spartium junceum ) that was present upstream from Irvine Lake. In addition to treating the Spanish broom, SAWA’s ISR crew treated other major non- natives throughout the project site. Herbicide applications were conducted in May 2012.

Purpose/ Goal of the Project: To retain control over Arundo and tamarisk throughout the sub-watershed and remove new areas of emergent invasive vegetation.

Project Status: Impacts from trash, recreational impacts from anthropogenic uses, flooding. Canopy cover ~ 50-75%, Open space cover ~ 25-50%, Tree height class 10-15 meters, Shrub height class 1-5 meters.

Site Visits: 5/16, 5/23, 5/29, 5/30, 6/12, 6/18, 6/20, 12/10

Costs : A total of 23 hours was used to monitor and treat both Phase I and Phase II of Santiago Creek, for a total direct cost of $581.38. A total of $574.06 was used to pay for labor, while $7.32 was spent on herbicide. Due to the large area required to monitor and the minimal amount of re-growth a majority of the costs are associated with labor to monitor the site.

Habitat Status: The following native species were documented in this stretch of the creek, and have been recorded in percent cover using stratum categories from the rapid assessment method, in 2012: 5-15% laurel sumac ( Malosma laurina ), 5-15% California buckwheat ( Eriogonum fasciculatum ), 5-15% mulefat (Baccharis salicifolia ), <1% scale-broom ( Lepidospartum squamatum ), 1-5% western sycamore ( Platanus racemosa ), <1% Mexican elderberry ( Sambucus Mexicana ), <1% chalky live-forever ( Dudleya pulverulenta ), <1% coast live oak ( Quercus agrifolia ), 5-15% California sagebrush ( Artemisia californica ), <1% cottonwood ( Populus fremontii ), <1% chaparral yucca ( Yucca whipplei ), <1% deer weed ( Lotus scoparius ), 1-5% black sage ( Salvia mellifera ), <1% white sage ( Salvia apiana ), <1% chamise ( Adenostoma fasciculatum ), <1% Matilija poppy ( Romneya coulteri ), 1-5% thickleaf yerba santa ( Eriodictyon crassifolium ), <1% coastal prickly pear ( Opuntia littoralis ), <1% valley cholla ( Opuntia parryi ), 1-5% black willow ( Salix gooddingii ), <1% California dodder ( Cuscuta californica ), 1-5% arroyo willow ( Salix lasiolepis ), 1-5% red willow ( Salix laevigata ), 1-5% golden willow ( Salix lucida ) and <1% chaparral bush mallow ( Malacothamnus fasciculatus ).

The following non-native species were documented in this stretch of the creek, and have been recorded in percent cover using stratum categories from the rapid assessment method, in 2012: <1% blue gum eucalyptus ( Eucalyptus globules ), <1% giant reed ( Arundo donax ), <1% fennel ( Foeniculum vulgare ), <1% Spanish broom ( Spartium junceum ), <1% Italian thistle ( Carduus pycnocephalus ), <1% tree tobacco (Nicotiana glauca ), <1% short-podded mustard ( Hirschfeldia incana ), <1% California fan palm (Washingtonia filifera ) and <1% tocolote ( Centaurea melitensis ). Wildlife: The Santiago Phase I project site is a mostly dense riparian habitat. In the early 2000s, Arundo donax was removed throughout the site. Since this time the habitat has recovered nicely and provides habitat for many types of animals ranging from mammals to reptiles. The common bird species that are often found include the Common Yellowthroat, Song Sparrow, and Red-winged Blackbird. Sensitive species such as the Yellow-warbler and the Yellow -breasted chat occupy the habitat as well. The state and federally-list endangered Least Bell's is also present throughout the site. Western Ring-necked snake, Western Whiptail, Garden Slender Salamander, and the San Diego Horned Lizard are some of the reptile and amphibians species located on the project site. Santiago also provides habitat to a range of mammals from the small western harvest mouse and deer mouse to the skunk, raccoon, mule deer, bobcat and coyote.

2 SAWA PROJECT: SANTIAGO CREEK PHASE I MAPS AND PHOTOS—2012

Black Star Canyon, uppermost section of Phase 1. Black Star Canyon, mostly upland scrub habitat.

Photo downstream pointed s outh and upstream. Dead arundo in front of the willows in the canyon . 3 SAWA PROJECT: SANTIAGO CREEK PHASE I PHOTOS (CONT..)—2012

This is upstream portion of the project. This picture was taken from Black Star Canyon Road in the middle portion of the project.

This picture was taken near the gate on Black Star This portion is near the bend in the canyon where Canyon Road by the parking area. the riparian cover greatly increases.

4 SAWA PROJECT: SANTIAGO CREEK PHASE II—2012 Location: This 19-acre project covers a large portion of Santiago Creek. Coordinates at the center of the project are 423558 N & 3739311 E

Mitigations Assigned to This Project: Not yet assigned.

Project Origin: Several project areas in Santiago Creek are managed by SAWA. Modjeska Canyon is the uppermost project at the top of the sub-watershed. It starts at the top of Modjeska Canyon and goes downstream to Santiago Canyon Road. The next project runs from Santiago Canyon Road downstream to Irvine Lake. The third project is Phase II, farther downstream starting at the Prospect Road channelized drainage in the City of Orange heading downstream to Tustin Ave. These three projects have now been merged and managed by SAWA.

Santiago Creek has had very minimal re-growth of Arundo in recent years. SAWA in conjunction with the Irvine Ranch Conservancy treated Spanish broom ( Spartium junceum ) that was present upstream from Irvine Lake. In addition to treating the Spanish broom, SAWA’s ISR crew treated other major non-natives throughout the project site. Herbicide applications were conducted in May 2012.

Purpose/ Goal of the Project: To retain control over Arundo and tamarisk throughout the sub-watershed and remove new areas of emergent invasive vegetation.

Project Status: This stretch of Santiago Creek Phase II starts at Prospect Road channelized drainage in the City of Orange heading downstream to Tustin Ave. The canopy cover in this stretch was ~ 25-50%, the open space cover was ~ 50-75%, the tree height class was 15-20 meters, and the shrub height class 2-5 meters. There are a few homeless camps in this project area thus increasing the amount of trash found in the riparian corridor.

Costs : A total of 23 hours was used to monitor and treat both Phase I and Phase II of Santiago Creek, for a total cost of $581.38. A total of $574.06 was used to pay for labor, while $7.32 was spent on herbicide. Due to the large area required to monitor and the minimal amount of re-growth a majority of the costs are associated with labor to monitor the site.

Habitat Status: The following native species were documented in this stretch of the creek, and have been recorded in percent cover using stratum categories from the rapid assessment method, in 2012: 1-5% California buckwheat ( Eriogonum fasciculatum ), 5-15% mulefat ( Baccharis salicifolia ), 5-15% black willow (Salix gooddingii ), 1-5% coast live oak ( Quercus agrifolia ), <1% laurel sumac ( Malosma laurina ), <1% alkali heliotrope ( Heliotropium curassavicum ), 1-5% red willow ( Salix laevigata ), 1-5% scale-broom (Lepidospartum squamatum ) and <1% Southern California black walnut ( Juglans californica ).

The following non-native species were documented in this stretch of the creek, and have been recorded in percent cover using stratum categories from the rapid assessment method, in 2012: <1% giant reed (Arundo donax ), 1-5% short-podded mustard ( Hirschfeldia incana ), 1-5% watercress ( Nasturtium officinale ), 1-5% castorbean ( Ricinus communis ), 1-5% tocolote ( Centaurea melitensis ), <1% California fan palm (Washingtonia filifera ), 1-5% Peruvian pepper tree ( Schinus molle ), <1% edible fig ( Ficus carica ), <1% Arizona ash ( Fraxinus velutina ), 1-5% blue gum eucalyptus ( Eucalyptus camaldulensis ), <1% horehound (Marrubium vulgare ), <1% black locust ( Robinia pseudoacacia ) and <1% tree tobacco ( Nicotiana glauca ).

Wildlife: When water is present this stretch of the creek can have mallards and foraging cliff swallows. Goldfinches, house finches, common yellowthroats and mourning doves occupy the willows along the edge, along with an occasional hawk. Common ravens use the open space adjacent to the creek. Cottontails are also present. SAWA PROJECT: SANTIAGO CREEK PHASE II MAPS AND PHOTOS—2012

Riparian and upland mix. Removed arundo, re -growth and mixed edge plants.

Isolated arundo clumps near the stream. Riparian edge and upland mix.

2 SAWA PROJECT: SAR MAINSTEM (RIVERSIDE) 2012 Location: The project runs along the Santa Ana River main stem from Highway 215/10 interchange southwest to the railroad bridge in Martha McLean Anza Narrows Park. Coordinates in the middle of this 1,473-acre project area are 470754N & 3768048 E.

Mitigations Assigned to this Project : See mitigation table on page 4.

Project Origin: Much of the invasive plants in this section of the river were removed more than a decade ago using Proposition 13 and in-lieu fee mitigation funding. Hundreds of acres of Arundo and other invasives were removed under these now-expired projects.

Purpose/Goal of the Project: To retain control over former invasives-infested areas and control emergence of new infestations.

Project Status: SAWA monitors this large project area annually to retain control over historical infestation areas and areas of emergent vegetation and re-infestation.

Site Visits: 1/25, 7/9, 8/6, 8/7, 9/3, 9/14, 9/15, 9/16, 9/27

Costs: The SAWA ISR crew spent a total of 151.5 hours treating this section of the river. The total labor cost was $2,998.14 and the herbicide cost was $276.82, bringing the total direct cost to monitor and treat this section to $3,274.96.

Habitat Status: This project runs from the 215/10 interchange downstream to the railroad bridge adjacent to the Martha McLean Anza Narrows Park. There has been a new influx of perennial pepperweed ( Lepidium latifolium ) along the lower stretch of this project. In addition to the pepperweed there is approximately 5% cover of new small saltcedar ( Tamarix ramosissima ) growth that looks to be coming from upstream seed sources. Each year new tamarisk is found growing among the natives. To maximize the time of the spray crew we focus on treating all tamarisk that is >5 feet to allow for the natives to have a competitive edge. All other areas are being treated by the SAWA spray crew to enhance the native habitat and prevent the non- natives from dominating the site. The river changes in hydrology and vegetation cover multiple times from the 10-215 interchange and the railroad bridge located adjacent to Martha McLean Anza Narrows Park. In an effort to accurately depict the river we have done separate assessments for each stretch where the vegetation cover and hydrology changes.

The river is mostly undulating sandy washes from the interchange to the point where the Aqua Mansa plant releases effluent water into the river. At that point the vegetation cover increases dramatically due to the availability of water. In this stretch the canopy cover is less than 25% and open space accounts for > 75% of the total area. The average tree height class is 10-15 meters and the average shrub height class is 2-5 meters.

The following native species were documented in this stretch of the river, and have been recorded in percent cover using stratum categories from the rapid assessment method, in 2012: 1-5% red willow ( Salix laevigata ), <1% California buckwheat ( Eriogonum fasciculatum ), <1% yerba santa ( Eriodictyon trichocalyx ), <1% Mexican palo verde ( Parkinsonia aculeataI ), <1% California croton ( Croton californica ), <1% western sycamore ( Platanus racemosa ), <1% coastal prickly pear ( Opuntia littoralis ), <1% tall umbrella-sedge (Cyperus eragrostis ), <1% telegraph weed ( Heterotheca grandiflora ), <1% brittle bush ( Encelia farinose ), <1% common sunflower ( Helianthus annuus ), 1-5% cottonwood ( Populus fremontii ), 1-5% mulefat (Baccharis salicifolia ) and <1% sandbar willow ( Salix exigua ).

1 The following non-native species were documented in this stretch of the river, and have been recorded in percent cover using stratum categories from the rapid assessment method, in 2012: <1% tree tobacco (Nicotiana glauca ), <1% giant reed ( Arundo donax ), <1% Peruvian pepper tree ( Schinus molle ), <1% castor bean ( Ricinus Communis ), <1% saltcedar ( Tamarix ramosissima ) and <1% short-podded mustard (Hirschfeldia incana ).

The next stretch of river is gradually higher in percent cover from the Aqua Mansa treatment plant downstream to the Mission bridge. The overall canopy cover in this stretch is ~ 50-75% while the open space cover is ~ 25-50%. The tree class height along this stretch is 15-20 meters and the shrub height class is 2-5 meters. The river in this stretch is defined by a riparian forest intermixed with open sandy areas.

The following native species were documented in this stretch of the river, and have been recorded in percent cover using stratum categories from the rapid assessment method, in 2012: 15-25% red willow (Salix laevigata ), <1% California buckwheat ( Eriogonum fasciculatum ), <1% California croton ( Croton californica ), <1% common sunflower ( Helianthus annuus ), 25-50% cottonwood ( Populus fremontii ), 1-5% mulefat ( Baccharis salicifolia ), <1% canyon dodder ( Cuscuta subinclusa ), <1% cocklebur ( Xanthium strumarium), 1-5% black willow ( Salix gooddingii ) and <1% common cattail ( Typha latifolia ).

The following non-native species were documented in this stretch of the river, and have been recorded in percent cover using stratum categories from the rapid assessment method, in 2012: <1% tree tobacco (Nicotiana glauca ), <1% giant reed ( Arundo donax ), 1-5% castorbean ( Ricinus Communis ), <1% saltcedar (Tamarix ramosissima ), <1% short-podded mustard ( Hirschfeldia incana ), <1% white sweetclover ( Melilotus albus ), <1% red gum eucalyptus ( Eucalyptus camaldulensis ), <1% edible fig ( Ficus carica ), <1% Russian thistle ( Salsola tragus ) and <1% tree of heaven ( Ailanthus altissima ).

The next stretch starts at the Mission bridge and runs downstream to the Tequesquite dump. The canopy cover is thinner near the Mission bridge and gradually increases as you approach the Tequesquite dump. The average canopy cover for this stretch is 50-75% and the open space cover is ~ 25-50%. There are a lot of homeless live in this area, thus resulting in unapproved vegetation cutting and the presence of trash.

The following native species were documented in this stretch of the river, and have been recorded in percent cover using stratum categories from the rapid assessment method, in 2012: <1% California buckwheat ( Eriogonum fasciculatum ), <1% California croton ( Croton californica ), <1% common sunflower (Helianthus annuus ), 15-25% cottonwood ( Populus fremontii ), 1-5% mulefat ( Baccharis salicifolia ), <1% canyon dodder ( Cuscuta subinclusa ), 5-15% black willow ( Salix gooddingii ), <1% California sagebrush (Artemisia californica ), <1% doveweed ( Croton setigerus ), <1% brittle bush ( Encelia farinose ), 5-15% sandbar willow ( Salix exigua ), <1% Mexican elderberry ( Sambucus Mexicana ), <1% false jimson weed (Datura wrightii ), <1% wild grape ( Vitis girdiana ), <1% yerba santa ( Eriodictyon trichocalyx ), <1% wild gourd (Cucurbita foetidissima ), <1% scale-broom ( Lepidospartum squamatum ), <1% poison oak ( Toxicodendron diversiloba ), <1% alkali heliotrope ( Heliotropium curassavicum ), <1% common phacelia ( Phacelia distans ), <1% giant wildrye ( Elymus condensatus ), 1-5% arroyo willow ( Salix lasiolepis ) and 1-5% golden willow (Salix lucida ).

The following non-native species were documented in this stretch of the river, and have been recorded in percent cover using stratum categories from the rapid assessment method, in 2012: <1% tree tobacco (Nicotiana glauca ), <1% giant reed ( Arundo donax ), >1% castor bean ( Ricinus Communis ), 1-5% saltcedar (Tamarix ramosissima ), <1% short-podded mustard ( Hirschfeldia incana ), <1% white sweetclover ( Melilotus albus ), <1% red gum eucalyptus ( Eucalyptus camaldulensis ), <1% Russian thistle ( Salsola tragus ), <1% tree of heaven ( Ailanthus altissima ), <1% California fan palm ( Washingtonia filifera ), <1% Peruvian pepper tree ( Schinus molle ), <1% date palm ( Phoenix canariensis ), <1% tuna cactus ( Opuntia ficus-indica ), <1% bull thistle ( Cirsium vulgare ) and <1% black locust ( Robinia pseudoacacia ).

2 The last stretch that we include in this section of the river starts at the Tequesquite dump and runs downstream to the railroad bridge adjacent to Martha McLean Anza Narrows Park. This last section has the most homeless of any stretch covered in Riverside County. There are a lot of impacts to trails from trash throughout the habitat in this section. The canopy cover in this portion is ~50-75% with ~ 25-50% being open space. The tree height class is 15-20 meters and the shrub height class is 2-5 meters. Non-native vegetation was originally removed in this 301-acre area in 2006. There were ~ 106 acres of giant reed (Arundo donax ) infesting this section of the river. Contractors were responsible for herbicide applications until 2011 at which point SAWA took over the monitoring and spraying. The largest concern in this stretch is the emergence of perennial pepperweed ( Lepidium latifolium ) and the overgrown habitat by the native wild grape ( Vitis girdiana ). The grape makes access extremely difficult for monitoring and herbicide applications. Another portion of the project has a “palm tree forest” that completely shades out the understory, thus leaving just trees and sand underneath.

The following native species were documented in this stretch of the river, and have been recorded in percent cover using stratum categories from the rapid assessment method, in 2012: <1% giant wildrye (Elymus condensatus ), <1% California buckwheat ( Eriogonum fasciculatum ), <1% hoary nettle ( Urtica dioica ), 5-15% wild grape ( Vitis girdiana ), <1% alkali heliotrope ( Heliotropium curassavicum ), 1-5% common sunflower ( Helianthus annuus ), <1% canyon dodder ( Cuscuta subinclusa ), 1-5% saltgrass ( Distichlis spicata ), 1-5% sandbar willow ( Salix exigua ), 5-15% black willow ( Salix gooddingii ), <1% Mexican elderberry ( Sambucus Mexicana ), 15-25% mulefat ( Baccharis salicifolia ), <1% false jimson weed ( Datura wrightii ), 15-25% cottonwood ( Populus fremontii ), <1% wild gourd ( Cucurbita foetidissima ), <1% mugwort (Artemisia douglasiana ), <1% poison oak ( Toxicodendron diversiloba ), 1-5% California wild rose ( Rosa californica ), <1% Mexican palo verde ( Parkinsonia aculeataI ), <1% California croton ( Croton californica ), <1% coyote bush ( Baccharis pilularis ), <1% mare’s tail ( Conyza Canadensis ), <1% douglas nightshade (Solanum douglasii) , <1% California scrub oak ( Quercus berberidifolia ), <1% yerba mansa ( Anemopsis californica ), <1% common cattail ( Typha latifolia ), <1% telegraph weed ( Heterotheca grandiflora ), <1% cocklebur ( Xanthium strumarium ), willow weed ( Polygonum lapthifolium ), <1% tall scouring-rush ( Equisetum hyemale ) and <1% arroyo willow ( Salix lasiolepis ).

The following non-native species were documented in this stretch of the river, and have been recorded in percent cover using stratum categories from the rapid assessment method, in 2012: <1% tree tobacco (Nicotiana glauca ), <1% giant reed ( Arundo donax ), >1% castor bean ( Ricinus Communis ), 1-5% saltcedar (Tamarix ramosissima ), 1-5% short-podded mustard ( Hirschfeldia incana ), 5-15% white sweetclover (Melilotus albus ), <1% Russian thistle ( Salsola tragus ), <1% tree of heaven ( Ailanthus altissima ), <1% California fan palm ( Washingtonia filifera ), <1% Peruvian pepper tree ( Schinus molle ), 1-5% date palm (Phoenix canariensis ), <1% tuna cactus ( Opuntia ficus-indica ), <1% bull thistle ( Cirsium vulgare ), <1% black locust ( Robinia pseudoacacia ), <1% wild lettuce ( Lactuca serriola ), <1% poison hemlock ( Conium maculatum ), 5-15% Perennial pepperweed ( Lepidium latifolium ), <1% horehound ( Marrubium vulgare ), <1% Mexican fan palm ( Washingtonia robusta ), <1% edible fig ( Ficus carica ), <1% Brazilian pepper tree (Schinus terebinthifolius ) and white mulberry ( Morus alba ).

Wildlife:

Wildlife at the La Cadena area. This section of the river includes minimal riparian habitat and can be characterized as a dry river wash. Various bird species can be found within the project site including Red- tailed Hawk, Cassin’s Kingbird, California Towhee, and Anna’s Hummingbird. The La Cadena site also supports an array of mammal species including coyote, Audubon’s cottontail, and harvest mouse. In addition, a variety of reptiles are supported within the habitat such as the side-blotched lizard, western whiptail, and red-diamond rattlesnake.

3 Wildlife at the Mission 4 Arundo and Mission 4 Arundo Expansion sites. The site provides dense riparian habitat for many common and sensitive species of wildlife. The state and federally-listed endangered Least Bell’s Vireo is found throughout the site. Several state species of special concern occur on the site as well, including Yellow Warbler, Yellow-breasted Chat, and Tree Swallow. Cooper’s Hawk and Red-shouldered Hawk have been observed in the project site, and are probably nesting. Red-tailed Hawk and American Kestrel have also been seen in the area. More common riparian birds that occur here include Song Sparrow, Common Yellowthroat, House Finch, and House Wren. In the river near this site, Arroyo chub, state species of special concern, and federally-listed threatened Santa Ana sucker, occur infrequently where gravel is present. Reptiles at Mission 4 Arundo include gopher snake, coachwhip, California king snake, Western fence lizard, side-blotched lizard, and Southern Pacific rattlesnake. This site also provides habitat for a variety of mammal species, including deer mouse, harvest mouse, long-tailed weasel, coyote, bobcat, and Audubon’s cottontail. Deer have also been seen at this site, and there are sporadic reports of mountain lion in the area. Wild pig may also be present on the site.

Wildlife at SAR Mission to Tequesquite site. The site provides dense riparian habitat for many common and sensitive species of wildlife. The state and federally-listed endangered Least Bell’s Vireo is found throughout the site. Several state species of special concern occur on the site as well, including Yellow Warbler, Yellow-breasted Chat, and Tree Swallow. Cooper’s Hawk and Red-shouldered Hawk have been observed in the project site, and are probably nesting. Red-tailed Hawk and American Kestrel have also been seen in the area, and may be nesting. More common riparian birds that occur here include Song Sparrow, Common Yellowthroat, House Finch, and House Wren. In the river near this site, Arroyo chub, state species of special concern, and federally-listed threatened Santa Ana sucker, occur infrequently where gravel is present. Reptiles at the SAR Mission to Tequesquite site include gopher snake, coachwhip, California king snake, Western fence lizard, side-blotched lizard, and Southern Pacific rattlesnake. This site also provides habitat for a variety of mammal species, including deer mouse, harvest mouse, long-tailed weasel, coyote, bobcat, raccoon, and Audubon’s cottontail. There are sporadic reports of mountain lion in the area. Wild pig may also be present on the site.

SAR Mainstem Project Mitigations Permit number Impact Contributing Agency Amount: Purpose of Funds Impact Mit Date Received

SPL -2008 -01078 - Taylor Morrison Project Taylor Morrison of 25,000 Ongoing 0.165 0.165 2/28/2009 JEM California LLC maintenance

200501214 -CLM, Christian school Friends Christian $135,000 Ongoing 2.4 2.4 11/9/2009 1600-2005-0309-R5 development High Restoration

Total acreage 2.6

4 SAWA PROJECT: SAR MAINSTEM (RIVERSIDE) MAPS

5 SAWA PROJECT: SAR MAINSTEM (RIVERSIDE) PHOTOS

Arundo re-infesting through the understory Infestation of perennial pepperweed

Typical clumps of Arundo in the open Habitat is periodically blown out by floods

6 SAWA PROJECT: SAR MAINSTEM (SAN BERNARDINO) 2012 Location: The project consists of 975 acres along the San Ana River main stem from Highway 210 to the Highway 10/215 Interchange. The coordinates at the middle of the project area are 478057N & 3771775 E.

Project Origin: Much of the invasive plants in this section of the river were removed more than a decade ago using Proposition 13 and in-lieu fee mitigation funding. Hundreds of acres of Arundo and other invasives were removed under these now-expired projects.

Mitigations Assigned to the Project: See mitigation table on page 3.

Purpose/ Goal of the Project: To retain control over former invasives-infested areas and control emergence of new infestations.

Project Status: SAWA monitors this large project area annually to retain control over historical infestation areas and areas of emergent vegetation and re-infestation.

Site Visits: 1/9, 1/10, 1/11, 1/12, 1/17, 1/18, 3/21, 12/3

Costs: The SAWA ISR crew spent 73.5 hours treating this stretch of the river in 2012, for total direct labor costs of $1,548.14. SAWA spent $141.33 on herbicide bringing the total direct project costs to $1,548.14.

Habitat Status: This project runs from the Highway 210 in Redlands downstream to the 215/10 interchange. There was much less re-growth along this stretch in 2012. There are a few patches of castor bean that are found and treated annually between the 210 freeway and Alabama Street. The river’s native percent cover gradually increases once below Alabama street becoming approximately 70% canopy cover near Waterman Ave.

The section of the river from the 210 freeway downstream to approximately Alabama street consists of mostly open sandy dry wash habitat. There are a few small patches of giant reed ( Arundo donax) and castorbean ( Ricinus communis) in this section. The percent open space cover is ~50-75% and consists of ~25-50% vegetation cover. The tree canopy in this section in the spring/summer is 5-10 meters and the shrub height class is 2-5 meters. There is a minimal anthropogenic impact in this stretch of the river other than trash that is washed into the river from storm events.

The following native species were documented on site, and have been recorded in percent cover using stratum categories from rapid assessment method, in 2012: 1-5% black willow ( Salix gooddingii ), 5-15% cottonwood ( Populus fremontii ), 1-5% sandbar willow ( Salix exigua ), <1% western sycamore ( Platanus racemosa ), <1% California juniper ( Juniperus californica ), <1% woolly star ( Eriastrum sapphirinum ), 5-15% mulefat ( Baccharis salicifolia ), 1-5% scale-broom ( Lepidospartum squamatum ), <1% chaparral yucca (Yucca whipplei ), 1-5% California buckwheat ( Eriogonum fasciculatum ), <1% coastal prickly pear ( Opuntia littoralis ), <1% deer weed ( Lotus scoparius ), <1% California croton ( Croton californica ), <1% Mexican elderberry ( Sambucus Mexicana ), <1% white sage ( Salvia apiana ), <1% brittle bush ( Encelia farinose ) and <1% Mexican palo verde ( Parkinsonia aculeataI ).

The following non-native species were documented on site, and have been recorded in percent cover using stratum categories from rapid assessment method, in 2012: <1% tree of heaven ( Ailanthus altissima ), <1% tree tobacco ( Nicotiana glauca ), <1% castor bean ( Ricinus communis ), <1% short-podded mustard (Hirschfeldia incana ), <1% giant cane ( Arundo donax ), <1% Johnson grass ( Sorghum halepense ), <1% Mexican fan palm ( Washingtonia robusta ), <1% blue gum eucalyptus ( Eucalyptus globules ) and <1% saltcedar ( Tamarix ramosissima ). The next section below Alabama Street consists of a gradual change from open sandy washes to established habitat. In this section the percentage of open space is ~ 25-50% and the percentage of vegetation cover is ~50-75%. Below Waterman Ave. the percent canopy cover approaches 70%, with the areas adjacent to the river being mostly open with a small saplings growing along the water. The Edison generating station located along the river at Mountain Ave. has an effluent that helps support a growing riparian plant community. The willows and cottonwoods are starting to approach the 5-10 meter range. Adjacent to the effluent the river mostly consist of open undulating sandy washes with a plant community that mostly consist of: scale-broom ( Lepidospartum squamatum ), deer weed ( Lotus scoparius ), California croton ( Croton californica ), California buckwheat ( Eriogonum fasciculatum ) and chaparral yucca ( Yucca whipplei ). Between the Waterman Ave Bridge and the 10-215 bridge, the homeless impact becomes quite significant. A large number of people and a great amount of trash occupy the river channel in this section.

The following native species were documented in this stretch of the river, and have been recorded in percent cover using stratum categories from the rapid assessment method, in 2012: <1% alkali heliotrope (Heliotropium curassavicum ), <1% California buckwheat ( Eriogonum fasciculatum ), 5-15% mulefat (Baccharis salicifolia ), 15-25% black willow ( Salix gooddingii ), <1% canyon dodder ( Cuscuta subinclusa ), <1% false jimson weed ( Datura wrightii ), 1-5% California sagebrush ( Artemisia californica ), <1% deer weed (Lotus scoparius ), 15-25% red willow ( Salix laevigata ), <1% mugwort ( Artemisia douglasiana ), <1% brittle bush ( Encelia farinose ), 1-5% cocklebur ( Xanthium strumarium ), <1% common cattail ( Typha latifolia ), 15- 25% cottonwood ( Populus fremontii ) and <1% common phacelia ( Phacelia distans ).

The following non-native species were documented in this stretch of the river, and have been recorded in percent cover using stratum categories from the rapid assessment method, in 2012: <1% castor bean (Ricinus communis ), <1% giant reed ( Arundo donax ), <1% saltcedar ( Tamarix ramosissima ), <1% short- podded mustard ( Hirschfeldia incana ), 1-5% blue gum eucalyptus ( Eucalyptus globules ), <1% Russian thistle ( Salsola tragus ), <1% tocolote ( Centaurea melitensis ), <1% tree of heaven ( Ailanthus altissima ), 1- 5% tree tobacco ( Nicotiana glauca ), <1% edible fig ( Ficus carica ), <1% Italian thistle ( Carduus pycnocephalus ) and <1% white sweetclover ( Melilotus albus ).

There is a smaller drainage channel that feeds into the Santa Ana River between East Orange Show Road and Waterman Avenue that we call the “Mission Channel.” This channel has a slightly higher percentage of giant reed ( Arundo donax ) and castorbean ( Ricinus communis ). There are a few homeless that also occupy the drainage. The drainage is soft-bottom channelized upstream and is a natural channel for ~500 meters before it converges with the Santa Ana River mainstem. The canopy cover is ~75% along the Mission Channel with ~15-25% open space during the spring/summer months.

The following native species were documented in this stretch of the river, and have been recorded in percent cover using stratum categories from the rapid assessment method, in 2012: 1-5% wild grape ( Vitis girdiana ), <1% saltgrass ( Distichlis spicata ), 1-5% mulefat ( Baccharis salicifolia ), 15-25% cottonwood (Populus fremontii ), <1% cocklebur ( Xanthium strumarium ), <1% false jimson weed ( Datura wrightii ), <1% Mexican palo verde ( Parkinsonia aculeataI ), 5-15% black willow ( Salix gooddingii ), <1% sandbar willow (Salix exigua ), <1% common sunflower ( Helianthus annuus ) and <1% of mare’s tail ( Conyza Canadensis ).

The following non-native species were documented in this stretch of the river, and have been recorded in percent cover using stratum categories from the rapid assessment method, in 2012: <1% Mexican fan palm (Washingtonia robusta ), <1% California fan palm ( Washingtonia filifera ), <1% Russian thistle ( Salsola tragus ), 1-5% tree tobacco ( Nicotiana glauca ), <1% tree of heaven ( Ailanthus altissima ), <1% horehound (Marrubium vulgare ), 1-5% castor bean ( Ricinus communis ), <1% Italian thistle ( Carduus pycnocephalus ), 1-5% giant reed ( Arundo donax ) and <1% short-podded mustard ( Hirschfeldia incana ).

The last section that we monitor for this stretch of the river begins at E Street and ends at the downstream side of the interchange. It is only approximately 200 meters in length. There are a few homeless that live in 2 this stretch of the river and the plant community becomes less dense due to shading from the overpasses. The percent open space in this stretch is ~ 75% and has ~ 15-25% vegetation cover.

The following native species were documented in this stretch of the river, and have been recorded in percent cover using stratum categories from the rapid assessment method, in 2012: <1 common cattail (Typha latifolia ), 1-5% black willow ( Salix gooddingii ), 1-5% cocklebur ( Xanthium strumarium ), <1% common sunflower ( Helianthus annuus ), <1% giant wildrye ( Elymus condensatus ), 1-5% cottonwood (Populus fremontii ), 1-5% mulefat ( Baccharis salicifolia ) and 1-5% sandbar willow ( Salix exigua ).

The following native species were documented in this stretch of the river, and have been recorded in percent cover using stratum categories from the rapid assessment method, in 2012: <1% castor bean (Ricinus communis ), <1% white sweetclover ( Melilotus albus ), <1% wild lettuce ( Lactuca serriola ), <1% saltcedar ( Tamarix ramosissima ) and <1% California fan palm ( Washingtonia filifera ).

Wildlife: The Highway 210-215 Interchange Project spans about 975 acres along the Santa Ana River mainstem in San Bernardino County. The dry river wash includes sparse and scattered riparian habitat and perennial shrubs such as yucca and California buckwheat. The site also contains the Santa Ana River Woolly Star Conservation Area protecting the state and federally-listed endangered Santa Ana River Woolly Star. A diverse group of riparian birds can be found throughout the site including Red-tailed Hawk, Song Sparrow, House Finch, Bewick’s Wren, and Black Phoebe. Mammals observed within the project boundaries include Audubon’s cottontail, raccoon, and coyote. The project site also provides habitat for various reptile species including side-blotched lizard, western whiptail, and western fence lizard.

SAR Mainstem (San Bernardino) Project Mitigations Permit number Impact Contributing Agency Amount: Purpose of Funds Impact Mit Date Received

SPL -2008 -01078 - Taylor Morrison Project Taylor Morrison of 25,000 Ongoing 0.165 0.165 2/28/2009 JEM California LLC maintenance

200501214 -CLM, Christian school Friends Christian $135,000 Ongoing Restoration 2.4 2.4 11/9/2009 1600-2005-0309-R5 development High

2007 -379 -SLP, Impacts from construction at San Bernardino $300,000 0.9 Restoration, . 0.9 3/26/2008 RWQCB Cert Crafton Hills Colllege Community College (SAR), 0.35 and 8/13/07, and CDFG District Establishment .35 HMMP (Prado)

Total acreage 3.5

3 SAWA PROJECT: SAR MAINSTEM (SAN BERNARDINO) MAPS AND PHOTOS

.

SBCCD Photo Point 1-11/2011 SBCCD Photo Point 1 -06/2013

SBCCD Photo Point 2-11/2011 SBCCD Photo Point 2-06/2013

4 STATE STREET/GIBBLE ROAD, SAN JACINTO RIVER—2012 Location: The ~ 20 acre site is located just east of State Street at the end of Domenigoni Parkway in the City of Hemet. The coordinates of this 20-acre site are 503431 N 3729260 E

Mitigations/Grants Assigned to the Project : None.

Project Origin: This site was a historic site that Gayle Holyoak, San Jacinto Basin Recourse Conservation District Manager, informed SAWA’s project manager was once a removal site and that re-growth was occurring.

Purpose/ Goal of the Project: Remove small areas of infestation.

Project Status: Invasive weeds have been controlled and ongoing monitoring will continue.

Site Visits: 12/5

Habitat Status: The site is a sandy wash with minimal vegetation. It is a seasonal drainage to the nearby foothills. SAWA’s project manager then conducted a site assessment. He determined that the re-growth of giant reed ( Arundo donax ) was very minimal and could be treated in one day. It was determined that the best treatment method for the biomass would be a cut-stump treatment, which requires that the biomass is cut at ground height and then herbicide is immediately applied to the freshly cut surface. SAWA’s ISR crew treated the re-growth in December 2012.

Costs: A total of 14.5 hours were required to treat the infestation with a labor cost of $424.03. A total of 15.50 of herbicide were required bringing the direct project costs to $439.53 for 2012.

Wildlife: The San Jacinto River is often a dry river wash, covered in open riparian scrub forest. The state and federally listed Least Bell’s Vireo successfully breeds on this site, and has been increasing in number in recent years. As of 2013 there are about 40 territories on the site. In addition to Least Bell’s Vireo, Yellow Warbler and Yellow-breasted Chat also occur and nest on site. Both are species of special concern. Several raptors have been observed and likely nest in the San Jacinto River, including the Red-shouldered Hawk, Cooper’s Hawk, Red-tailed Hawk, and American Kestrel. Occasionally White-tailed Kite, Northern Harrier, Peregrine Falcon, and Prairie Falcon are also seen in the area. Other bird species utilizing the site include the common Song Sparrow, House Finch, Lesser Goldfinch, Lawrence’s Goldfinch, California Thrasher, Western Bluebird, and Common Yellowthroat. Reptiles in the San Jacinto River include the San Diego horned lizard, a species of special concern, and the more common gopher snake, coachwhip, California king snake, Western fence lizard, and side-blotched lizard. Eggs of the Western spadefoot toad, a California species of special concern, have been documented in pools left over from winter rains. Mammalian species of special concern observed in the San Jacinto River include the San Diego black- tailed jackrabbit, San Bernardino kangaroo rat, and San Diego pocket mouse. Other mammalian species in the river are Audubon’s cottontail, deer mouse, and harvest mouse. There are also woodrat middens on the site, but species has not been identified. Tracks and burrow for American badger were found in the river early in 2013.

1 SAWA PROJECT: STATE STREET GIBBLE ROAD MAPS AND PHOTOS

Photo Point 1 Photo Point 2

Photo Point 3 Photo Point 4

2 SAWA PROJECT: SAR MAINSTEM (SUNNYSLOPE)—2012 Location: This 9.28-acre site which originally was infested with 4.0 acres of invasives is located on the banks of Sunnyslope Creek near the Santa Ana River mainstem. The middle of the project is located at coordinates 460108 N & 3759158 E.

Mitigations Assigned to this Project: See mitigation table on page 2.

Project Origin: Sunnyslope Creek is a drainage that starts about Rubidoux Nature Center in Riverside and merges with the Santa Ana River mainstem just above the railroad bridge adjacent to Martha McLean Anza Narrows Park. The creek is known to have the endangered Santa Ana Sucker fish ( Catostomus santaanae ). In an effort to restore habitat for the Santa Ana Sucker, the Santa Ana Watershed Association has put into place a non-native removal plan to help increase the percent native cover adjacent to the stream.

Purpose/ Goal of the Project: To augment joint efforts among SAWA and OCWD to restore Sunnyslope Creek for the Santa Ana Sucker.

Project Status: Work began to completely remove the invasives next to Sunnyslope Creek before the bird season in 2013. The site is now being monitored and treated for regrowth.

Site Visits: 10/23

Costs: In 2012 the Sunnyslope project was still in the planning phases, thus only 3 total hours were spent on the planning process at a total cost of $121.17.

Habitat Status: The main non-native species that have invaded the creek are: giant reed ( Arundo donax) and saltcedar ( Tamarix ramosissima). The scheduled removal is to begin prior to the migratory bird season (March 2013). The canopy cover for the stream was documented at >75% and the open space cover was 5- 15% in the spring/summer of 2012. The tree height class was 10-15 meters and the shrub height class was 2-5 meters. SAWA’s biology department along with the Orange County Water District started clearing of the actual creek to encourage the Santa Ana Sucker to begin using it for breeding. The channel prior to clearing was clogged with trash and common cattail ( Typha latifolia ). The trash is washed down into the creek during large storm events. In the removal plan slated for early 2013, no heavy equipment will be allowed in the creek to limit impacts to aquatic wildlife. Hand removal will be the primary method of removal and the herbicide application technique utilized will be “cut-stump” treatment. That is the process of cutting the biomass at ground level and applying herbicide directly to the recently cut biomass.

The following native species were documented on site, and have been recorded in percent cover using stratum categories from rapid assessment method, in 2012: <1% false jimson weed ( Datura wrightii ), 5-15% mulefat ( Baccharis salicifolia ), <1% common sunflower ( Helianthus annuus ), telegraph weed ( Heterotheca grandiflora ), 5-15% cottonwood ( Populus fremontii ), <1% hoary nettle ( Urtica dioica ), 1-5% common cattail (Typha latifolia ), <1% wild grape ( Vitis girdiana ), 15-25% black willow ( Salix gooddingii ), 15-25% red willow (Salix laevigata ), <1% mugwort ( Artemisia douglasiana ), <1% western sycamore ( Platanus racemosa ), <1% cocklebur ( Xanthium strumarium ), <1% willow weed ( Polygonum lapthifolium ), <1% sandbar willow ( Salix exigua ) and <1% tall umbrella-sedge ( Cyperus eragrostis ).

The following non-native species were documented on site, and have been recorded in percent cover using stratum categories from rapid assessment method, in 2012: <1% common plantain ( Plantago major ), <1% castorbean ( Ricinus communis ), 1-5% Russian thistle ( Salsola tragus ), 1-5% short-podded mustard (Hirschfeldia incana ), <1% tree tobacco ( Nicotiana glauca ), 1-5% saltcedar ( Tamarix ramosissima ), <1% 1 California fan palm ( Washingtonia filifera ), <1% wild lettuce ( Lactuca serriola ), <1% poison hemlock (Conium maculatum ), <1% red gum eucalyptus ( Eucalyptus camaldulensis ), <1% tree of heaven ( Ailanthus altissima ) and <1% edible fig ( Ficus carica ).

Wildlife: The Sunnyslope project site is a tributary that feeds into the Santa Ana Watershed. The native and non-native riparian community varies from a recreation trail system to dense vegetation thickets. Many common species are located in this area such as the Song Sparrows, Common Yellowthroats, and Coyotes. Sensitive species such as the Yellow-warbler and the state and federally-list endangered Least Bell's vireo are also located throughout the project site. In previous years, Sunnyslope was a breeding ground for the federally-listed native fish, the Santa Ana Sucker. Recent restoration to the creek has enhanced connectivity to the Santa Ana River therefore providing the creek as a breeding site for the Santa Ana Sucker. Mammals of various sizes also occupy the habitat such as raccoons, skunks, western harvest mice, deer mice, and feral pigs. The butterflies, Lorquin's Admiral and Tiger Swallowtail are also found at the site.

Sunnyslope Project Mitigations Permit number Impact Contributing Agency Amount: Purpose of Funds Impact Mit Date Received

SPL -2011 -00570 - Impacts from the North Riverside County $82,500 Active restoration 2.2 1.1 6/5/2013 SME, 1600-2011- Norco Channel construction. Flood Control with removal (trans from 0165-R6, Amended Norco City) RWQCB # 33- 2011-07 SPL-2008-00242, Construction of Walgreen's at Arlington/Van Buren $156,000 Removal and 0.54 2.08 2/24/2010 1600-2007-0213- Arlington and Van Buren in Investors ongoing R6 (Op Law) Riverside restoration RWQBC #332007- 43 SPL -2008 -00358 - Discharge of fill into non - Starfield Sycamore $33,000 Removal and 0.15 0.15 2/10/2010 FBV 1600-2008- wetland waters in Temescal Investors ongoing 0040-R6 Wash near City of Corona restoration

SPL-2008-00996- Impacts from SARI Line Orange County $29,750 Maintenance of 0.3 0 1/3/2012 R6 Construction Sanitation District Sucker habitat

Total acreage 3.4

2 SAWA PROJECT: SAR MAINSTEM (SUNNYSLOPE) MAPS AND PHOTOS

Arundo bordering and shading the creek. Arundo mixed in with native creekside habitat.

Project implementation photos will be included in the 2013 report.

3 SAWA PROJECT: SYCAMORE CANYON—2012 Location: The coordinates at the middle of this 97-acre project are 471193 N & 3754380 E.

Mitigations Assigned to this Project: SAWA is not allowed to place mitigation on this project.

Project Origin: The project area for this site is seven acres in the city of Riverside. Natural re-vegetation has been successful including one acre of 200 cuttings of willow and mule fat that were planted in 2000 by the Riverside Corona Resource Conservation District.

Purpose/ Goal of the Project: Retain control over Arundo donax and tamarisk in riparian areas of the wilderness park.

Project Status: Invasive plants make up a tiny fraction of the riparian habitats throughout the wilderness park. Canopy cover is ~ 50-75%, with open space cover at ~ 25-50%. Tree height class is 10-15 meters, Shrub height class is 2-5 meters.

Site Visits: 12/28

Habitat Status: In Sycamore Canyon there has been very little re-growth of giant reed since the initial contracts there expired. All re-growth has and will continue to be monitored and treated by the SAWA spray crew. No herbicide applications were necessary in 2012.

The following native species were documented on site, and have been recorded in percent cover using stratum categories from rapid assessment method, in 2012: <1% common sunflower ( Helianthus annuus ), <1% alkali heliotrope ( Heliotropium curassavicum ), 5-15% mulefat ( Baccharis salicifolia ), 5-15% California buckwheat ( Eriogonum fasciculatum ), 1-5% Mexican elderberry ( Sambucus Mexicana ), 1-5% doveweed (Croton setigerus ), <1% vinegar weed ( Trichostema lanceolatum ), 1-5% red willow ( Salix laevigata ), 5-15% black willow ( Salix gooddingii ), <1% San Bernardino aster ( Aster defoliates ) and 1-5% cottonwood (Populus fremontii ).

The following non-native species were documented on site, and have been recorded in percent cover using stratum categories from rapid assessment method, in 2012: <1% tree tobacco ( Nicotiana glauca ), 1-5% horehound ( Marrubium vulgare ), 1-5% short-podded mustard ( Hirschfeldia incana ), 1-5% tocolote (Centaurea melitensis )

Wildlife: Sycamore Canyon Wilderness Park provides dense riparian and upland habitat for a variety of common and sensitive wildlife species. A diverse group of riparian birds throughout the park include the Song Sparrow, Anna’s Hummingbird, Black-headed Grosbeak, Bullock’s Oriole, House Wren, and the Ash- throated Flycatcher. Sensitive species found in the park include the Yellow-breasted Chat, Yellow Warbler, Horned Lark, Rufous-crowned Sparrow, and state and federally endangered Least Bell’s Vireo. Raptors found in Sycamore Canyon include Red-tailed Hawk, Red-shouldered Hawk, Cooper’s Hawk, Turkey Vulture, and Great-horned Owl. The habitat also supports a range of reptiles and amphibians including the orange-throated whiptail (species of special concern), granite spiny lizard, common side-blotched, red diamond rattlesnake, rosy boa, ring-necked snake, Pacific tree frog, and garden slender salamander. Sycamore Canyon also provides habitat to several mammals from the small deer mouse, harvest mouse, and ornate shrew, to the larger coyote and black-tailed jackrabbit. Others mammals of interest found in the park include the San Diego pocket mouse and kangaroo rat (unconfirmed Stephens’ or Dulzura sp.). SAWA PROJECT: SYCAMORE CANYON MAPS AND PHOTOS

Typical mature riparian vegetation No invasive plants are found in most areas

Large, mature vegetation streamside. Emergen t Arundo treated by SAWA .

2 SAWA PROJECT: TEMESCAL CANYON 2012 Location: The 130-acre project area is located along Temescal Creek from Cajalco Road to the 3M plant. The coordinates in the center of the project are 452640 N & 3745466 E.

Mitigations assigned to this Project: SAWA is not allowed to place mitigation in this area.

Project Origin: In the winter of 2001, 220 acres of Arundo and 70 acres of tamarisk were removed, followed by a five-year management plan. In 2006, the management plan for this project was turned over to SAWA for continued control and monitoring.

Purpose/ Goal of the Project: Maintain control over formerly infested areas of Temescal Creek by monitoring and treating Arundo, tamarisk, castor bean and pepperweed and other invasive species.

Project Status: Temescal Canyon is a 15-mile-long major drainage into the Santa Ana River. Annually, SAWA crews walk this site from Cajalco Road downstream to just below the 3M property, canyon wall to canyon wall and apply spot treatments to Arundo, tamarisk, castor bean and pepperweed along with other invasive species as they are encountered.

Perennial pepperweed has recently started spreading throughout Temescal Wash. It is currently isolated to the lower portion of the canyon just above where it is channelized at Magnolia. There is scattered tamarisk throughout the wash which is treated while monitoring the canyon. Giant reed has had very little re-growth in the past year and the minimal amount encountered is treated annually to prevent it from re-establishing. The main focus of treatments in 2012 were on perennial pepperweed near the 3M plant along the lower portion of Temescal Wash.

Site Visits: 4/2, 4/3, 4/5, 4/17

Costs: A total of 75.5 hours was spent on this project in 2012. Total direct labor costs were $1,519.29 with herbicide costs of $165.98. Total direct project costs were $1,685.27

Habitat Status: The entire site is composed of ~ 5-15% open space and the canopy cover in the spring/summer months is ~ >75%. The tree height class is 15-20 meters and the shrub height class is 2-5 meters. For assessment purposes this site was broken into two sections based on the change in vegetation cover. The upstream section runs from Cajalco Road downstream to the first bridge when entering the 3M plant off of Minnesota Road. The following native species were documented on this portion of the project site, and have been recorded in percent cover using stratum categories from rapid assessment method, in 2012: 5-15% black willow ( Salix gooddingii ), 15-25% cottonwood ( Populus fremontii ), black cottonwood (Populus trichocarpa ), 5-15% red willow ( Salix laevigata ), 1-5% arroyo willow ( Salix lasiolepis ), 1-5% Mexican elderberry ( Sambucus Mexicana ), <1% western sycamore ( Platanus racemosa ), 15-25% mulefat (Baccharis salicifolia ), 1-5% California buckwheat ( Eriogonum fasciculatum ), <1% California sagebrush (Artemisia californica ), 1-5% brittle bush ( Encelia farinose ), <1% common cattail ( Typha latifolia ), <1% canyon dodder ( Cuscuta subinclusa ), <1% wild grape ( Vitis girdiana ) and <1% coast live oak ( Quercus agrifolia ).

The following non-native species were documented on this portion of the project site, and have been recorded in percent cover using stratum categories from rapid assessment method, in 2012: <1% Peruvian pepper tree ( Schinus molle ), 5-15% blue gum eucalyptus ( Eucalyptus Globulus ), 1-5% castorbean ( Ricinus communis ), 1-5% Perennial pepperweed ( Lepidium latifolium ), <1% tree tobacco ( Nicotiana glauca ), <1% saltcedar ( Tamarix ramosissima ), <1% giant reed ( Arundo donax ), <1% Russian thistle ( Salsola tragus ), <1% Mexican fan palm ( Washingtonia robusta ). The downstream section runs from first bridge when entering the 3M plant off of Minnesota Road down to ~ 250 meters above the point where the creek becomes channelized. The following native species were documented on this lower portion of the project site, and have been recorded in percent cover using stratum categories from rapid assessment method, in 2012: 50-75% black willow ( Salix gooddingii ), 5-15% cottonwood ( Populus fremontii ), 15-25% mulefat ( Baccharis salicifolia ), <1% black cottonwood ( Populus trichocarpa ), 5-15% arroyo willow ( Salix lasiolepis ), 5-15% red willow ( Salix laevigata ), <1% California buckwheat ( Eriogonum fasciculatum ), <1% California sagebrush ( Artemisia californica ), <1% Mexican elderberry ( Sambucus Mexicana ), 1-5% brittle bush ( Encelia farinose ), 1-5% western sycamore ( Platanus racemosa ), <1% laurel sumac ( Malosma laurina ), 1-5% common cattail ( Typha latifolia ), <1% Southern California black walnut ( Juglans californica ), 1-5% Sugarbush ( Rhus ovate ) and <1% vinegar weed (Trichostema lanceolatum ).

The following non-native species were documented on this lower portion of the project site, and have been recorded in percent cover using stratum categories from rapid assessment method, in 2012: <1% Peruvian pepper tree ( Schinus molle ), 1-5% blue gum eucalyptus ( Eucalyptus Globulus ), <1% saltcedar ( Tamarix ramosissima ), <1% Mexican fan palm ( Washingtonia robusta ), <1% Mexican palo verde ( Parkinsonia aculeate ), 1-5% tree tobacco ( Nicotiana glauca ), 5-15% Perennial pepperweed ( Lepidium latifolium ), 1-5% castorbean ( Ricinus communis ), 1-5% giant reed ( Arundo donax ) and <1% Russian thistle ( Salsola tragus ).

Wildlife: The riparian habitat within the project area is dominated by stands of large, native willow trees with a moderately dense understory of native plants. Wildlife within the project area is diverse and includes mammals, birds, reptiles, and amphibians. Some of the mammals detected within this habitat include bobcat, coyote, and raccoon. The project area also contains suitable habitat for a variety of small mammals including the California meadow vole and harvest mouse. Bird species found within the riparian zone include the state and federally-listed Least Bell’s Vireo which occupies nearly the entire site in varying density. Two additional state listed species, Yellow Warbler and Yellow-breasted Chat, occur here as well. A few of the reptiles that utilize the habitat within the project area include Orange-throated Whiptail, Western Whiptail, Granite Spiny Lizard, and Red Diamond Rattlesnake. Amphibians found in the habitat include the state-listed species of concern Western Spadefoot Toad, as well as Western Toad.

2 SAWA PROJECT: TEMESCAL CANYON (MAPS AND PHOTOS)

Native vegetation upstream from 3M plant. Native riparian vegetation at the 3M entrance.

Dense native vegetation in the creek. Old arundo biomass in center of project area.

3 SAWA PROJECT: WOLFSKILL-GILMAN PROJECT—2012 Location: This project area is located above the San Jacinto Basin southeast of Mystic Lake in the area known as Wolfskill-Gilman. The coordinates are 498151 N 3748531 E

Mitigations/Grants Assigned to the Project : See mitigation/grants table on page 2.

Project Origin: The Wolfskill-Gilman mitigation project consists of four different mitigations. Three of the mitigations are SAWA’s responsibility. The fourth is the responsibility of SAWA’s partner, the San Jacinto Basin RCD. However, SAWA is performing permitee-responsible mitigation for the RCD. The mitigations are placed on Riverside Conservation Authority (RCA) properties along Laborde Canyon. The canyon starts just south of Beaumont and runs south to Gilman Springs Road in San Jacinto. Two of the mitigations required initial removal and on-going maintenance. The other two required the same, but in addition required active restoration. SAWA then drafted a restoration plan with the RCA, which, once approved, paved the way for the project. The Caltrans Highway 91 mitigation is assigned to San Jacinto Basin RCD, and SAWA is performing the physical work on that 2.98-acre, active-restoration mitigation.

Purpose/ Goal of the Project: The goal of the project is to remove all tamarisk from La Borde Canyon and replace much of the riparian area and streamside slopes with native vegetation.

Project Status: Removals of invasives have been completed, plants have been installed and irrigation is in place with watering as necessary.

Site Visits: 1/4, 1/10, 1/24, 2/8, 2/9, 2/13, 2/16, 3/6, 4/9, 4/10, 4/11, 6/21, 7/11, 7/16, 7/18, 7/26, 8/1, 8/2, 8/7, 8/8, 8/23, 8/27, 8/28, 8/29, 8/30, 9/5, 24, 25, 26, 10/3, 10/4, 10/15, 10/16, 10/18, 10/22, 10/24, 10/29, 11/5, 11/6, 11/13, 11/14, 11/26, 11/27, 11/28, 12/3, 12/10, 12/12, 12/18, 12/20

Costs: A total of 494.5 hours was spent on this project in 2012. Total labor costs were $26,032.43 with herbicide costs of $9,356.16. Supplies and services (including water tanks, plants, wood chips and archaeological survey) costs were $17,197.58 Total direct project costs were $52,586.

Habitat Status: SAWA’s ISR crew began by treating the saltcedar ( Tamarix ramosissima ) with backpack sprayers during the fall months to maximize the translocation of the chemical into the root zone, thus maximizing the mortality rate. SAWA’s project manager then put out a bid for the grinding of the biomass and planting of the restoration sites. Washburn Grove Management won the bid and is slated to begin grinding the biomass in January 2013. Once the grinding of the biomass is completed Washburn will begin placing water tanks, irrigation lines and planting of native plants.

The following native species were documented on site, and have been recorded in percent cover using stratum categories from rapid assessment method, in 2012: 1-5% false jimson weed ( Datura wrightii ), 1-5% doveweed ( Croton setigerus ), <1% California croton ( Croton californica ), 1-5% white sage ( Salvia apiana ), <1% black sage ( Saliva mellifera ), 1-5% wild gourd ( Cucurbita foetidissima ), 1-5% hoary nettle ( Urtica dioica ), 1-5% California blackberry ( Rubus ursinus ), 1-5% California wild rose ( Rosa californica ), 1-5% cottonwood ( Populus fremontii ), 1-5% arroyo willow ( Salix lasiolepis ), 5-15% fourwing saltbush ( Atriplex canescens ), 5-15% brittle bush ( Encelia farinose ), 1-5% Mexican elderberry ( Sambucus Mexicana ), 5-15% California buckwheat ( Eriogonum fasciculatum ), <1% narrow leaf buckwheat ( Eriogonum elongatum), <1% Pomona locoweed ( Astragalus pomonensis ), 1-5% common fiddleneck ( Amsinckia menziesii ), 5-15% California sagebrush ( Artemisia californica ), 1-5% California scrub oak ( Quercus berberifolia ), <1% tarragon (Artemisia dracunculus ), <1% bur ragweed ( Ambrosia acanthicarpa ), <1% cholla cactus ( Opuntia parryi ), <1% caterpillar phacelia ( Phacelia cicutaria ), 1-5% mulefat ( Baccharis salicifolia ), <1% douglas nightshade (Solanum douglasii ), co<1% common sunflower ( Helianthus annuus ). The following non-native species were documented on site, and have been recorded in percent cover using stratum categories from rapid assessment method, in 2012: 1-5% horehound ( Marrubium vulgare ), 5-15% Russian thistle ( Salsola tragus ), 1-5% bull thistle ( Cirsium vulgare ), 1-5% short-podded mustard (Hirschfeldia incana ), 1-5% tocolote ( Centaurea melitensis ), 1-5% tree tobacco ( Nicotiana glauca ), 25-50% saltcedar ( Tamarix ramosissima ).

Wildlife: The Wolfskill/Gilman project site contains riparian and upland habitat for many species of wildlife. There is a diverse group of riparian birds including common species like the Song Sparrow, Spotted Towhee, Bewick’s Wren, Anna’s Hummingbird, and Nuttall’s Woodpecker. Other interesting birds of note are the Black-headed Grosbeak, Phainopepla, and California Thrasher. Raptors such as the American Kestrel and Red-tailed Hawk have also been documented. Reptiles seen in the project area include the western whiptail, side-blotched lizard, fence lizard, and southern pacific rattlesnake. The project site also provides habitat to mammals including mule deer, coyote, bobcat, and gopher. Evidence (scat and tracks) of non-native feral pigs has also been documented on-site.

Wolfskill -Gilman Project Mitig ations Permit number Impact Contributing Agency Amount: Purpose of Funds Impact Mit Date Received

1600 -2009 -0060 - Discharge of fill into City of Moreno Valley -- $33,000 Initial removal and 0.08 0.25 6/30/2010 R6 tributaries of Box Springs Ironwood Ave. ongoing restoration Creek 1600-2009-0115- Permanent fill of portion of City of Moreno Valley-- $148,500 Initial removal and 0.74 1.98 6/28/2010 R6 Bale Creek, Indiana Ave. Bale Creek ongoing restoration

SPL-2010-00944- Impacts from widening of Riverside County $89,250 Initial removal and 0.387 1.19 5/29/2013 SCH, 1600-2012- Highway 215 Transportation active restoration. (from 0024-R6 Commission SJBRCD) orig. 06/12

Total acreage 3.4

2 SAWA PROJECT: WOLFSKILL-GILMAN MAPS AND PHOTOS

Tamarisk after treatment by SAWA crew. More treated tamarisk.

Removal of tamarisk biomass. Plants destined for the restoration sites.

3