APPENDIX D BIOLOGICAL RESOURCES ASSESSMENT BIOLOGICAL RESOURCES ASSESSMENT CITY OF SHASTA LAKE WASTEWATER TREATMENT FACILITY UPGRADE
NOVEMBER 2014
PREPARED FOR:
City of Shasta Lake 1650 Stanton Drive Shasta Lake, CA 96019 BIOLOGICAL RESOURCES ASSESSMENT CITY OF SHASTA LAKE WASTEWATER TREATMENT FACILITY UPGRADE
NOVEMBER 2014
PREPARED FOR:
City of Shasta Lake 1650 Stanton Drive Shasta Lake, CA 96019
PREPARED BY:
Analytical Environmental Services 1801 7th Street, Suite 100 Sacramento, CA 95811 (916) 447-3479 www.analyticalcorp.com TABLE OF CONTENTS BIOLOGICAL RESOURCES ASSESSMENT FOR THE CITY OF SHASTA LAKE WWTF UPGRADE PROJECT
1.0 Introduction ...... 1 1.1 Project Location and Description ...... 1 2.0 Regulatory Overview ...... 6 2.1 Federal ...... 6 2.2 State ...... 7 2.3 Local ...... 8 3.0 Methodology ...... 9 3.1 Preliminary Data Gathering and Literature Review ...... 9 3.2 Field Surveys ...... 10 4.0 Environmental Setting ...... 10 4.1 Climate ...... 10 4.2 Soil Types ...... 10 4.3 Vegetation Communities and Wildlife ...... 12 5.0 Results ...... 17 5.1 Habitat Types ...... 17 5.2 Special Status Species ...... 20 6.0 Impacts And Mitigation Measures ...... 32 6.1 Sensitive Habitat Impacts ...... 32 6.1 Waters of the U.S...... 32 6.2 Trees ...... 33 6.3 Special Status Plants ...... 33 6.4 Special Status Wildlife ...... 33 7.0 References ...... 35
Analytical Environmental Services i City of Shasta Lake WWTF Upgrade Project November 2014 Appendix D - Biological Resources Assessment LIST OF FIGURES
Figure 1 Regional Location ...... 2 Figure 2 Site and Vicinity ...... 3 Figure 3 Aerial Photograph ...... 4 Figure 4 Site Layout ...... 5 Figure 5 Soils Map ...... 11 Figure 6a Photograph Locations ...... 13 Figure 6b Site Photographs ...... 14 Figure 7 Habitat Types ...... 15 Figure 8 Wetland Features and Other Waters...... 16
LIST OF TABLES
Table 1 Habitat Types by Acreages within the Study Area ...... 17 Table 2 Regionally Occurring Federal Special Status Species ...... 21
LIST OF ATTACHMENTS
Attachment 1 USFWS, CNDDB, and CNPS Species Lists Attachment 2 Plant Species Observed
Analytical Environmental Services ii City of Shasta Lake WWTF Upgrade Project November 2014 Appendix D - Biological Resources Assessment 1.0 INTRODUCTION
This Biological Resources Assessment (BRA) documents sensitive biological habitats and special status species that have the potential to be affected by the proposed Wastewater Treatment Facility (WWTF) Upgrade Project (Proposed Project), located in the City of Shasta Lake, Shasta County, California (Figure 1). This BRA has been prepared on behalf of the City of Shasta Lake (City) and may be used in support of permit applications and environmental review conducted in accordance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).
1.1 PROJECT LOCATION AND DESCRIPTION
The WWTF is located at 3700 Tibbitts Road within the incorporated boundaries of the City of Shasta Lake, Shasta County, California. The City-owned property consists of three parcels with corresponding assessor’s parcel numbers (APN) 064150070000, 064160005000, and 064160007000. For the purpose of this BRA, the study area only includes areas of the City’s property with the potential to be directly impacted by the Proposed Project. The approximately 106-acre study area is shown on Figures 2 and 3. The study area is bounded by Pine Grove Avenue to the north, Ashby Road to the west, and Churn Creek, a perennial stream that is a direct tributary to the Sacramento River, to the east. Regional access to the WWTF is provided by I-5. The study area is situated on Township 32 North, Range 5 West, Section 1 of the Shasta Dam U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) 7.5-minute topographic quadrangle (quad) (USGS, 1980). The centroid of the study area is 40° 39’ 46.7” North, 122° 23’ 00.4” West.
The existing WWTF was designed to meet Title 22 requirements for reuse purposes and is currently regulated on a variety of biological, chemical, and physical contaminant parameters under Central Valley Regional Water Quality Control Board (CVRWQCB) Order No. RS-201400052, National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Permit No. CA0079511, and Time Schedule Order R5-2014-0052 adopted on March 28, 2014. Treated effluent at the WWTF is discharged into Churn Creek at two discharge points (001 and 002), and used to irrigate approximately 60-acres of sprayfields in the southeast portion of the study area. Additionally, the City provides recycled water to three contracted users. Under the current NPDES Permit, discharge of wastewater to Churn Creek, or its tributaries, is limited to the winter months (October 16th to April 14th) when the10:1 dilution requirement (receiving water to effluent flow) can be met. Sprayfield irrigation is used almost year round for the disposal of treated effluent, but especially during the summer months when the WWTF cannot discharge to Churn Creek.
The Proposed Project consists of various upgrades to the City’s WWTF which would result in the production of high-quality effluent that could be discharged to Churn Creek year-round under a direct discharge NPDES Permit with no dilution requirements. The spray fields and 400-acre-foot reclaimed water reservoir would be taken off line and abandoned in place. The City would continue to serve existing recycled water users using effluent that would be stored for short-term in the existing chlorine contact basin. Additionally, the Proposed Project includes a new effluent discharge pipeline, cascade re‐aeration structure, and replacement of the Churn Creek outfall at discharge point 001. The specific location of the replacement effluent discharge pipe alignment is still being determined. Discharge point 002 would be abandoned in place. As shown in Figure 3 and 4, with the exception of the improvements to the effluent pipeline and outfall structure in the riparian area of Churn Creek, the majority of proposed improvements would take place within the existing development footprint of the WWTF.
Analytical Environmental Services 1 City of Shasta Lake WWTF Upgrade Project November 2014 Appendix D - Biological Resources Assessment SCALE
Miles ^_ Project Site ^_ Shasta County NORTH !¢Ð 0 5 10
Shasta Lake ^_
City of Shasta Lake WWTF
City of Shasta Lake WWTF Upgrade / 214516 SOURCE: ESRI Data, 2014; AES, 2014 Figure 1 Regional Location LEGEND SCALE
H
Study Area T
R O
¢N Proposed Project Areas !Ð City of Shasta Lake
City of Shasta Lake WWTF Upgrade / 214516 Figure 2 PULLUP PL PULLUP
WALTONAVE
PAGE CT
CANA DR D'ALENE AVE FARM HILL DR
COEUR D'ALENE AVE ASHBY RD
PINE GROVE AVE Discharge Point 001
IRONHORSE RD WASTEWATER
TIBBITTS RD TREATMENT FACILITY
Churn Creek RECLAIMED WATER RESERVOIR TRINITY ST SPRAYFIELD
PEMBROKE LN
SHASTA GATEWAY DR IRON CT
QUIGLEYCT
Discharge Point 002
BRONZE CT
LEGEND
ASHWICK CT Project Site Outfall
Proposed Project Components Proposed Effluent Pipeline
To be abandoned under Proposed Project Blueline Stream
Feet NORTH !¢Ð 0 400 800
City of Shasta Lake WWTF Upgrade / 214516 SOURCE: Microsoft aerial photograph, 6/12/2010; AES, 2014 Figure 3 Aerial Photograph PINE GROVE AVE
Location of Existing Discharge Point 001 Outfall
Approximate Location of Approximate Alignment of Proposed Outfall Proposed Effluent Pipeline
3 WWTF Manhole 1 Churn Creek
4 2
5 6
12 7 10 13 8 9
11 LEGEND
Proposed Project Components
Blueline Stream
Proposed Effluent Pipeline
1 - ACTIVATED SLUDGE BASINS (2) 2 - METHANOL STORAGE AND FEED FACILITY
14 3 - CASCADE RE-AERATION FACILITY 4 - EQUIPMENT BUILDING 5 - 4th MIXED LIQUOR SCREW PUMP 6 - DEMO EXISTING OXIDATION DITCH 7 - 3RD 60 FT DIAMETER SECONDARY CLARIFIER 8 - COAGULATION STORAGE AND FEED 9 - FILTRATION FACILITY 10 - SODIUM HYPOCHLORITE STORAGE AND FEED FACILITY SCALE 11 - LINED SECONDARY EQUALIZATION BASIN
Feet 12 - FILTER BACKWASH PUMP STATION Outlet Channel 13 - SLUDGE DRYING BEDS NORTH !¢Ð 0 120 240 14 - STAGING AREA
City of Shasta Lake WWTF Upgrade / 214516 SOURCE: Microsoft aerial photograph, 6/12/2010; AES, 2014 Figure 4 Site Layout The City’s approval of the Proposed Project is a discretionary action that triggers the need for compliance with the CEQA. This BRA has been prepared as an appendix to an Initial Study (IS) being prepared for the Proposed Project in accordance with CEQA and the California Clean Water State Revolving Fund Program requirements.
2.0 REGULATORY OVERVIEW 2.1 FEDERAL Endangered Species Act The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) and the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) are agencies responsible for implementing the federal Endangered Species Act (ESA) of 1973 (16 USC Section 1531 et seq.). Under the ESA, threatened and endangered species on the federal list and their habitats (50 CFR Subsection 17.11, 17.12) are protected from “take” (i.e., activities that harass, harm, pursue, hunt, shoot, wound, kill, trap, capture, or collect) as well as any attempt to engage in any such conduct, unless a Section 10 permit is granted to an individual or a Section 7 consultation and a Biological Opinion with incidental take provisions are provided to a lead federal agency. Pursuant to the requirements of the ESA, an agency reviewing a proposed project within its jurisdiction must determine whether any federally listed species may be present within the study area and vicinity and determine whether the proposed project will have a potentially significant impact upon such species. Under the ESA, habitat loss is considered to be an impact to the species. In addition, the agency is required to determine whether the project is likely to jeopardize the continued existence of any species proposed to be listed under the ESA or result in the destruction or adverse modification of critical habitat proposed to be designated for such species (16 USC Section 1536[3], [4]). Therefore, project-related impacts to these species, or their habitats, would be considered significant and require mitigation.
Under the ESA, critical habitat may be designated by the Secretary of the Interior for any listed species. The term "critical habitat" for a threatened or endangered species refers to the following: specific areas within the geographical range of the species at the time it is listed that contain suitable habitat for the species, which may require special management considerations or protection; and specific areas outside the geographical range of the species at the time it is listed that contain suitable habitat for the species and is determined to be essential for the conservation of the species. Under Section 7 of the ESA, all federal agencies (including the USFWS and NMFS) are required to ensure that any action they authorize, fund, or carry out will not likely jeopardize the continued existence of a listed species or modify their critical habitat.
Migratory Bird Treaty Act Most bird species, especially those that are breeding, migrating, or of limited distribution, are protected under federal and/or State regulations. Under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA) of 1918 (16 USC Subsection 703-712), migratory bird species, their nests, and their eggs are protected from injury or death, and any project-related disturbances during the nesting season. As such, project-related disturbances must be reduced or eliminated during migratory bird nesting activities.
Analytical Environmental Services 6 City of Shasta Lake WWTF Upgrade Project November 2014 Appendix D - Biological Resources Assessment Wetlands and Waters of the U.S. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) has primary federal responsibility for administering regulations that concern waters of the U.S. (including wetlands), under Section 404 of the Clean Water Act (CWA). Section 404 of the CWA regulates the discharge of dredged or fill material into waters of the U.S. The USACE requires that a permit be obtained if a project proposes the placement of structures within, over, or under navigable waters and/or discharging dredged or fill material into waters below the ordinary high water mark (OHWM). The USACE has established a series of nationwide permits (NWP) that authorize certain activities in waters of the U.S.
In addition, a Section 401 Water Quality Certification Permit is required to comply with CWA Sections 301, 302, 303, 306, and 307 and has been delegated by EPA to the Regional Water Quality Control Board (RWQCB). Anyone that proposes to conduct a project that may result in a discharge to U.S. surface waters and/or “waters of the state” including wetlands (all types) year round and seasonal streams, lakes, and all other surface waters would require a federal permit. At a minimum, any beneficial uses lost must be replaced by a mitigation project of at least equal function, value, and area. Waste Discharge Requirements Permits also required pursuant to California Water Code Section 13260 for any persons discharging or proposing to discharge waste, including dredge/fill, that could affect the quality of the waters of the state. The RWQCB addresses both the federal and State requirements in the issuance of a discharge permit.
2.2 STATE California Endangered Species Act The California Endangered Species Act (CESA) prohibits the take of State-listed threatened and endangered species. Under the CESA, State agencies are required to consult with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) when preparing CEQA documents. Under the CESA, the CDFW is responsible for maintaining a list of rare, threatened, and endangered species designated under State law (California Fish and Game Code 2070-2079). The CDFW also maintains lists of candidate species, species of special concern, and fully protected species. Candidate species are those taxa which have been formally recognized by the CDFW and are under review for addition to the State threatened and endangered list. Species of special concern are those taxa, which are considered sensitive and this list serves as a “watch list”. Pursuant to the requirements of the CESA, agencies reviewing proposed projects within their jurisdictions must determine whether any State-listed species have the potential to occur within a proposed project site and if the proposed project would have any significant impacts upon such species. Project-related impacts to species on the CESA’s rare, threatened, and endangered list would be considered significant and require mitigation. The CDFW can authorize take if an incidental take permit is issued by the Secretary of the Interior or Commerce in compliance with the ESA, or if the director of the CDFW issues a permit under Section 2081 in those cases where it is demonstrated that the impacts are minimized and fully mitigated.
California Environmental Quality Act Section 15380(b) of the CEQA Guidelines provides that a species not listed on the federal or State list of protected species may be considered rare or endangered if the species can be shown to meet certain
Analytical Environmental Services 7 City of Shasta Lake WWTF Upgrade Project November 2014 Appendix D - Biological Resources Assessment specified criteria. Section 15380 defines “endangered” species of plants, fish, or wildlife as those whose survival and reproduction in the wild are in immediate jeopardy and “rare” species as those who are in such low numbers that they could become endangered if their environment worsens. Therefore, a project will normally have a significant effect on the environment if it will substantially affect a rare or endangered species or the habitat of the species. The significance of impacts to a species under CEQA must be based on analyzing actual rarity and threat of extinction despite legal status or lack thereof.
California Fish and Game Codes The California Fish and Game Code defines take (Section 86) and prohibits taking of a species listed as threatened or endangered under the CESA (California Fish and Game Code Section 2080), or otherwise fully protected (California Fish and Game Code Sections §3511, §4700, §5050, and §5515). Section 2081(b) and (c) of the CESA allows the CDFW to issue an incidental take permit for a State listed threatened and endangered species if specific criteria outlined in Title 14 CCR, Sections 783.4(a), (b) and California Fish and Game Code Section 2081(b) are met. The California Fish and Game Code Section 3503 states that it is unlawful to take, possess, or needlessly destroy the nest or eggs of any bird, except as otherwise provided by the code. Section 3503.5 states that it is unlawful to take, possess, or destroy any birds in the order Falconiformes or Strigiformes (birds of prey) or to take, possess, or destroy the nest or eggs of any such bird. Section 3513 states that it is unlawful to take or possess any migratory nongame bird as designated in the MBTA or any part of such migratory nongame bird except as provided by rules and regulations adopted by the Secretary of the Interior under provisions of the MBTA. If a project is planned in an area where a species or specified bird occurs, an applicant must design the project to avoid all take of non-listed migratory birds; the CDFW cannot provide take authorization under the CESA. The CDFW protects plants designated as endangered or rare under Fish and Game Code Section 1900.
California Fish and Game Code Sections 1600-1619 regulate impacts to State waters and stream and lake beds. Section 1602 requires notification before beginning any activity that may obstruct or divert the natural flow of a river, stream, or lake; change or use any material from the bed, channel, or bank of a river, stream, or lake; or deposit or dispose of debris, waste, or other material containing crumbled, flaked, or ground pavement where it can pass into a river, stream, or lake. California Fish and Game Code Section 1602 applies to all perennial, intermittent, and ephemeral rivers, streams, and lakes in the state. Notification of the CDFW will be required prior to installation of the proposed outfall. The City and the CDFW must enter into an agreement prior to such any action which will result in such an impact.
2.3 LOCAL City of Shasta Lake General Plan (1999) and Amendments The City of Shasta Lake General Plan (General Plan) seeks to conserve and manage significant fish, wildlife and vegetation resources in addition to surface and groundwater resources.
The following General Plan guiding and implementation policies associated with biological resources are applicable to the Proposed Project.
Analytical Environmental Services 8 City of Shasta Lake WWTF Upgrade Project November 2014 Appendix D - Biological Resources Assessment Guiding Policies W-a This City shall maintain standards for erosion and sediment control plans for development.
W-b Septic systems, waste disposal sites, and other sources of hazardous or polluting materials shall be designed to prevent contamination to rivers, creeks, streams, reservoirs, or the groundwater basin in accordance with standards accepted by or imposed by the City, Shasta County Environmental Health Division and the State Regional Water Quality Control Board.
FW-b Projects that may impact rare, threatened or endangered plant or animal species, as officially designated by federal and State resource agencies, shall be designed or conditioned to avoid significant adverse impacts on those species.
3.0 METHODOLOGY 3.1 PRELIMINARY DATA GATHERING AND LITERATURE REVIEW Prior to conducting the biological surveys, Analytical Environmental Services (AES) obtained biological information for the study area from the following sources:
. USFWS list, updated April 9, 2014, of federally listed special-status species with the potential to occur on or be affected by projects on the Shasta Dam, CA quad (Attachment 1); . California Native Plant Society (CNPS) query, dated April 9, 2014, of State and federally listed special-status species known to occur on the Shasta Dam quad and eight surrounding quads (Schell Mtn, Bohemotash Mountain, O’Brien, Whiskey Town, Project City, Igo, Redding, and Enterprise quads) (Attachment 1); . California Natural Diversity DataBase (CNDDB) query, dated April 9, 2014, of State and federally listed special-status species known to occur on the Shasta Dam quad and eight surrounding quads (Schell Mtn, Bohemotash Mountain, O’Brien, Whiskey Town, Project City, Igo, Redding, and Enterprise quads) (CDFW, 2003) (Attachment 1); . CNDDB map of State and federally listed special-status species known to occur within five miles of the study area; . USFWS map (2014) of federally listed species with designated critical habitat in the vicinity of the study area; . National Wetlands Inventory map of wetland features in the vicinity of the study area (USFWS, 2014b); . Preliminary Environmental and Permitting Constraints Evaluation prepared for the Proposed Project (North State Resources, 2013); and . A project description and preliminary maps provided by the City.
Standard references used for the biology and taxonomy of plants include: Abrams (1951, 1960), CNPS (2014), CDFW (2009 2014), Hickman, ed. (1993), Mason (1957), Munz (1959), and Sawyer and Keeler- Wolf (1995). Standard references used for the biology and taxonomy of wildlife include CDFW (2005), Cornell Lab of Ornithology (2005), Ehrlich et al. (1988), Harris (2000), Jennings and Hayes (1994), Moyle (2002), Nussbaum et al. (1983), Peterson (1990), Sibley (2003), and Stebbins (2003).
Analytical Environmental Services 9 City of Shasta Lake WWTF Upgrade Project November 2014 Appendix D - Biological Resources Assessment 3.2 FIELD SURVEYS The 106-acre study area for this BRA includes the WWTF and associated ponds and reservoirs as well as the reach of Churn Creek which runs east of the property with specific emphases on the area around discharge point 001 and those identified in the separate Biological Assessment/Essential Fish Habitat Assessment Report (AES, 2014b; Appendix E of Initial Study). General biological surveys, botanical inventory survey, arborist inventory, essential fish habitat assessment, and a California red-legged frog (Rana draytonii) site assessment were conducted within the study area between March 27 and May 28, 2014. General biological surveys were conducted on March 27 and May 2, 2014. The botanical inventory survey, arborist survey, and wetland delineation were conducted within the study area on May 2, 2014. The essential fish habitat assessment and a California red-legged frog site assessment were conducted on March 27, and May 27-28, 2014.
The botanical surveys consisted of conducting a floristic inventory, in accordance with CDFW’s (2009) plant survey protocols. The general biological surveys consisted of evaluating biological communities and documenting potential habitat for special status species with the potential to occur within the study area. Plants observed within the study area are identified in Attachment 2.
The habitat types were classified using the Manual of California Vegetation, Second Edition (MCV; Sawyer et al, 2009) and were modified based on existing habitat conditions within the study area. Wetlands and other aquatic habitats within the study area were identified based on the wetland features mapped on the NWI map (USFWS, 2007). Wetland features were mapped within the WWTF site using criteria defined in the 1987 Wetland Delineation Manual by the USACE and the Regional Supplement for the Corps of Engineers Wetland Delineation Manual: Arid West Region (Version 2.0) (USFWS, 2008).
4.0 ENVIRONMENTAL SETTING 4.1 CLIMATE The Sacramento Valley-Shasta College (Station #224) climate data obtained in the vicinity of the study area documented an average total annual precipitation of 8.68 inches for the April 2013 to March 2014 water year (CIMIS, 2014). The Shasta Dam (Station #048135) monthly record climate data recorded an average total annual precipitation of 61.82 inches from January 1943 to March 2013 (WRCC, 2014). Therefore, the average precipitation obtained for the 2013 through 2014 water year is approximately 14 percent of the average total annual precipitation documented over the last 70 years.
4.2 SOIL TYPES The study area is comprised of the following three soil types: (AnD) Auburn loam, 8 to 30 percent slopes, (BkC) Boomer gravelly loam, 0 to 15 percent slopes, and (AtE2) Auburn Very Stony Clay Loam, 30 to 50 Percent Slopes (NRCS, 2014). None of these soils are considered hydric (NRCS, 2014). A soils map of the study area is provided in Figure 5. The soil types are described in detail below.
Analytical Environmental Services 10 City of Shasta Lake WWTF Upgrade Project November 2014 Appendix D - Biological Resources Assessment PAGE CT
CANA DR
D'ALENE AVE FARM HILL DR BkD
COEUR D'ALENE AVE
ASHBY RD
PINE GROVE AVE Discharge Point 001
AnD
BkC
TIBBITTS RD
BkD
W
BkC
LEGEND AtE2
Proposed Project ComponentsIRON CT Outfall SHASTA GATEWAY DR Project Site Proposed Effluent Pipeline
Soil Type Boundaries
AnB - Auburn loam, 0 to 8 percent slopes
AnD - Auburn loam, 8 to 30 percent slopes
AtE2 -BRONZE Auburn CT very stony clay loam, 30 to 50 percent slopes, eroded
BkC - Boomer gravelly loam, 0 to 15 percent slopes
BkD - Boomer gravelly loam, 15 to 30 percent slopes
W - Water Feet AnD
H AnB
T
R O
¢N !Ð 0 275 550
City of Shasta Lake WWTF Upgrade / 214516 SOURCE:USDA NRCS SSURGO, Soil Survey Data for Shasta County; Microsoft aerial photograph, 6/12/2010; AES, 2014 Figure 5 Soils Map Boomer Gravelly Loam, 0 to 15 Percent Slopes (BkC) This soil type is found on summit, shoulder and backslopes of the upper third of mountainflank with parent material of residuum weathered from metavolcanics. Depth to water table is more than 80 inches. Depth to restrictive feature is 45 to 49 inches to paralithic bedrock. The soil type is well drained with a very low to moderately low capacity of the most limiting layer to transmit water. The soil profile is typically gravelly loam from 0 to 3 inches, gravelly sandy clay loam from 3 to 23 inches, clay loam from 23 to 45 inches, and weathered bedrock from 45 to 49 inches (NRCS, 2014).
Auburn Loam, 8 to 30 Percent Slopes (AnD) This soil type is found on the backslope and shoulder landforms of the mountain flank with parent material from residuum weathered from metavolcanics. Depth to water table is more than 80 inches. Depth to restrictive feature is from 24 to 28 inches to paralithic bedrock. The soil type is well drained with a very low to moderately low capacity of the most limiting layer to transmit water. The soil profile is typically loam from 0 to 8 inches, gravelly loam from 8 to 24 inches, and unweathered bedrock from 24 to 28 inches (NRCS, 2014).
Auburn Very Stony Clay Loam, 30 to 50 Percent Slopes (AtE2) This soil type is found on the backslope and mountainflank landforms of the mountain landform with parent material from residuum weathered from metavolcanics. Depth to water table is more than 80 inches. Depth to restrictive feature is from 27 to 31 inches to paralithic bedrock. The soil type is well drained with a low to moderately low capacity of the most limiting layer to transmit water. The soil profile is typically slightly acid, very stony clay loam from 0 to 5 inches, slightly acid, gravelly clay loam from 5 to 27 inches, and unweathered bedrock from 27 to 31 inches (NRCS, 2014).
4.3 VEGETATION COMMUNITIES AND WILDLIFE Vegetation communities (assemblages of plant species growing in an area of similar biological and environmental factors) in upland habitats were classified using the CDFW Terrestrial Natural Communities of California system, or “Holland type” (Holland, 1986), and where applicable, detailed by "Vegetation Series" (distinctive associations of plants, described by dominant species and particular environmental setting) using the CNPS Vegetation Classification system (Sawyer and Keeler-Wolf, 1995). Wetlands and other aquatic habitats were classified using the USFWS National Wetlands Inventory Classification System for Wetland and Deepwater Habitats, or “Cowardin class” (Cowardin et al., 1979).
The study area is located in an urbanized setting surrounded primarily by residential/industrial development. There are six different land cover types in the study area for the WWTF site: ruderal/developed, riparian, oak woodland, disturbed oak savanna, perennial stream, and man-made drainage ditch. Representative photographs of the habitat types within the study area are shown in Figure 6. A habitat map is provided as Figure 7. Wetland features and waters of the U.S. are shown in Figure 8. Dominant vegetation occurring within each land cover type is described in further detail below.
The majority of the study area consists of disturbed habitat and does not provide high wildlife value due to nearby traffic on surrounding roadways and the high level of human activity associated with proximity to
Analytical Environmental Services 12 City of Shasta Lake WWTF Upgrade Project November 2014 Appendix D - Biological Resources Assessment PULLUPPL LEGEND
Project Site WALTONAVE
Photograph Locations
Feet PAGE CT
H CANA DR
T R D'ALENE AVE
O FARM HILL DR N !¢Ð 0 260 520
COEUR D'ALENE AVE
ASHBY RD
PINE GROVE AVE
Photo 2 IRONHORSE RD TIBBITTS RD Photo 1
Photo 3
Photo 4
IRON CT
SHASTA GATEWAY DR
BRONZE CT
City of Shasta Lake WWTF Upgrade / 214516 SOURCE: Microsoft aerial photograph, 6/12/2010; AES, 2014 Figure 6a Photograph Locations PHOTO 1: View facing northeast of representative ruderal/ disturbed habitat.
PHOTO 2: View facing east of representative oak wood- land habitat.
PHOTO 3: View facing east of representative disturbed oak savanna habitat.
PHOTO 4: View facing southeast of representative riparian habitat.
City of Shasta Lake WWTF Upgrade / 214516 SOURCE: AES, 2014 Figure 6b Site Photographs PAGE CT
Churn Creek CANA DR
D'ALENE AVE FARM HILL DR
COEUR D'ALENE AVE
Nelson Creek ASHBY RD
PINE GROVE AVE Churn Creek
Churn Creek
TIBBITTS RD
IRON CT
SHASTA GATEWAY DR
LEGEND
Project Site Habitat Types Outside Project Site: Habitat Types Within Project Site: H
T
R O
Disturbed Oak Savanna 40.45 ac ¢N Man-Made Ditch Oak Woodland 12.84ac !Ð Outlet Channel Riparian 1.47ac Oak Woodland 2.22 ac Feet BRONZE CT Creek Riparian 3.54 ac Ruderal/Developed 59.98 ac 0 250 500
City of Shasta Lake WWTF Upgrade / 214516 SOURCE: Microsoft aerial photograph, 6/12/2010; AES, 2014 Figure 7 Habitat Types PAGE CT
CANA DR
D'ALENE AVE FARM HILL DR
COEUR D'ALENE AVE
ASHBY RD
R-001 PINE GROVE AVE ±± Discharge Point 001 R-002
Churn Creek
TIBBITTS RD
±± ±±
LEGEND IRON CT
Project BoundarySHASTA GATEWAY DR Potential Jurisdictional Waters of the U.S.
±± Culvert Churn Creek 226.61 lin ft/0.40 ac
Outfall Outlet Channel 206.75 lin ft./0.35 ac
Temperature Collection Point Tributary Stream 1431.79 lin ft./1.80 ac Non-Jurisdictional Features
Feet H
T BRONZE CT Man-Made Ditch 962.90 lin ft./0.40 ac
R O
¢N !Ð Manmade Basins/Reservoir 25.02 ac 0 250 500
City of Shasta Lake WWTF Upgrade / 214516 SOURCE: Microsoft aerial photograph, 6/12/2010; AES, 2014 Figure 8 Wetland Features and Other Waters urban areas and the ongoing activities at the WWTF. The majority of the project area lacks the quality of habitat needed to support diverse wildlife populations and their use; however, wildlife species that are tolerant of high levels of human disturbance may utilize the study area for foraging and cover. Several bird species were observed in the study area including black phoebe (Sayornis nigricans), killdeer (Charadrius vociferous), American crow (Corvus brachyrhynchos), house sparrow (Passer domesticus), mourning dove (Zenaida macroura), mallard duck (Anas platyrhynchos), and Canadian goose (Branta Canadensis). Small mammals such as California ground squirrel (Spermophilus beecheyi) were observed in the study area. Other small mammals including vole (Microtus spp.), opossum (Didelphis virginiana), and raccoon (Procyon lotor) are expected to live in and use the study area for a dispersal corridor.
5.0 RESULTS 5.1 HABITAT TYPES Terrestrial habitat types within the study area include ruderal/developed areas, riparian, oak woodland and disturbed oak savanna. Aquatic habitats within the study area include man-made reservoirs, man- made ditches, irrigated wetland-like formations, and stream courses. A general discussion of each habitat type is provided below. Table 1 summarizes the acreages of habitat types within the study area.
TABLE 1 HABITAT TYPES BY ACREAGES WITHIN THE STUDY AREA Habitat Type Acreage1 Terrestrial Ruderal Disturbed 59.98 Riparian 3.54 Oak Woodland 2.22 Disturbed Oak Savanna 40.45 Aquatic Man-Made Ditches 0.40 Outlet Channel 0.35 Churn Creek 0.40 Tributary Streams 1.80 Total 109.14 Notes: 1 - GIS calculations may not reflect exact acreage of study area due to rounding.
5.1.1 Terrestrial Habitats within the Study Area Ruderal/Disturbed The majority of the study area is comprised of ruderal/developed areas. These areas include paved and graded roads and road shoulders within the WWTF site and along Tibbitts Road that extends east from Ashby Road through the WWTF site, infrastructure associated with the WWTF site, ornamental
Analytical Environmental Services 17 City of Shasta Lake WWTF Upgrade Project November 2014 Appendix D - Biological Resources Assessment landscaping, and human-disturbed areas associated with earth-moving activities. Dominant weedy vegetation associated with this habitat type includes ripgut brome (Bromus diandrus), soft chess brome (Bromus hordeaceus), winter vetch (Vicia villosa), prickly lettuce (Lactuca serriola), common sowthistle (Sonchus oleraceus), short-pod mustard (Hirschfeldia incana), wild oat (Avena fatua), and rough cat’s ear (Hypochaeris radicata). Ornamental landscaping vegetation includes American sweetgum (Liquidamber stryraciflua), palm (Washingtonia sp.), and California redwood (Sequioa sempervirens).
Riparian Riparian habitat occurs along the perennial reaches of Churn Creek within the east and south portions of the study area. This habitat type consists primarily of an overstory of valley oak (Quercus lobata), arroyo willow (Salix lasiolepis), Goodding’s willow (Salix gooddingii), and white alder (Alnus rhombifolia). Understory shrub and herbaceous species include California rose (Rosa californica), narrow-leaved willow (Salix exigua), California coffeeberry (Rhamnus californica), western poison oak (Toxicodendron diversilobum), Himalayan blackberry (Rubus discolor), toad rush (Juncus bufonius), soft rush (Juncus effuses), spreading rush (Juncus patens), tall flatsedge (Cyperus eragrostis), and sedge (Carex sp.). To a lesser extent similar riparian habitat exists along the two unnamed tributaries which flow through the southern portion of the study area.
Oak Woodland Oak woodland occurs in the east areas of the study area and on both sides of Churn Creek. Dominant overstory vegetation includes blue oak (Quercus douglasii), valley oak, and interior live oak (Quercus wislizenii), with scattered California buckeye (Aesculus californica) and foothill pine (Pinus sabiniana) dispersed throughout. The understory vegetation varies in density and is relatively thin with little understory. Intermittently dense understory shrub vegetation occurs in other areas associated with rock outcroppings. Understory vegetation includes western poison oak, California coffeeberry, and buckbrush (Ceanothus cuneatus).
Disturbed Oak Savanna Disturbed oak savanna habitat occurs in the eastern portions of the study area. This land cover type includes sparse vegetation previously described for the ruderal/disturbed areas and oak woodland habitat within the study area. A spray field irrigation system for the disposal of treated effluent has been installed by trenching below ground and is currently operated throughout the disturbed oak savanna habitat type. This area is also actively used as pasture land for cattle grazing.
5.1.2 Aquatic Habitats within the Study Area Treatment Basins and Reservoir Five man-made basins and one 400 acre-foot (af) reclaimed reservoir exist within the ruderal/developed habitat within study area and serve as seasonal and intermittent storage for intermediate stages of wastewater treatment. The unlined basins are man-made, engineered, and constructed fully in uplands. Dominant obligate and/or facultative vegetation observed in the basins include prickly lettuce (Lactuca serriola), rough cocklebur (Xanthium strumarium), Italian ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum), and curly dock (Rumex crispus).
Analytical Environmental Services 18 City of Shasta Lake WWTF Upgrade Project November 2014 Appendix D - Biological Resources Assessment The 400-af reclaimed reservoir is located in the western portion of the study area. The reservoir is lined with natural clay and is used for temporary storage of tertiary treated recycled water. During the time when the WWTF cannot discharge to Churn Creek, recycled water from the reservoir is used to supply the WWTF’s reclamation accounts or is disposed of via sprayfield irrigation. During the winter, the treated water can be discharged to Churn Creek via discharge point 002 in accordance with the NPDES permit. The reservoir itself does not exhibit significant aquatic vegetation. The reservoir currently experiences regular changes in volume based on the reclaimed water storage needs, including holding water during the wet months when irrigation rates and recycled water demands are low.
Man-made Ditches Several manmade roadside ditches occur within the study area. Features observed along the bed and banks of the man-made ditches include defined bed and banks that range between approximately one- and 1.5-feet wide, a clearly defined OHWM, and distinct drainage patterns. Although hydric soils necessary to meet the criteria of wetland features are not present, the features are considered ditches because they contain defined beds and banks in accordance with the USACE regulations identified in 33 CFR Part 328. The man-made ditches receive water via direct precipitation during rain events and from runoff from unnamed graded access roads within the WWTF property, and adjacent nonnative grassland and agricultural areas. The ditches were excavated wholly in and drain only uplands and do not carry a relatively permanent flow of water. Water from the ditches is culverted under roadways and drains over land to Churn Creek, which flows southeast of the property.
Stream Courses A perennial stream, Churn Creek and some reaches of unnamed tributaries, occurs within the study area. Churn Creek is a perennial blue line stream that runs east and south of the WWTF. During the summer months when there is little rainfall, Churn Creek flows often run low in its lower reaches, occasionally causing ponding of standing water to occur within the creekbed. Dominant vegetation associated with this perennial stream is identical to those described within the riparian habitat above. The two unnamed tributaries are also bordered by the riparian habitat description above. The cobble-reinforced discharge channel which drains the reclaimed reservoir in the winter months flows into the natural water course of the northern unnamed channel. This cobble-reinforced channel shows developed riparian vegetation including blackberries and willows, but is otherwise marginal due to variable intermittent flows and restricted stream habitat diversity. Below the cobble reinforced area is a significant riparian area. The tributary which originates offsite has a more consistent flow pattern but is still intermittent in nature. Downstream from where these unnamed tributaries merge, there is a small check dam which collects any runoff from the spray fields in the summer to prevent runoff from reaching Churn Creek. This small check dam overtops during the time when water from the reclaimed reservoir is discharged through the pump station into the upper cobble-lined channel in accordance with the WTTF’s NPDES permit. Discharge point 002 is the location of where these tributaries enter Churn Creek.
Irrigated Wetland-like Features Several man-made irrigated wetland-like features were observed to occur throughout the disturbed oak savanna habitat and treated effluent sprayfields located along the eastern perimeter of the study area . These wetland-like features have formed solely as a result of WWTF standard operations, including spray
Analytical Environmental Services 19 City of Shasta Lake WWTF Upgrade Project November 2014 Appendix D - Biological Resources Assessment field irrigation and from leaks in the effluent pipeline that connects to the discharge point 001 outfall in Churn Creek.
During surveys, pooling irrigation water was observed in the immediate vicinity of some of the sprinklers within the spray fields. Hydrophytic vegetation typical of disturbed wet areas is growing sparsely in areas where spraying has been relatively concentrated. Vegetation observed in these areas primarily consisted of curly dock (Rumex crispus), water smartweed (Polygonum coccineum), mannagrass (Glyceria sp.), and water speedwell (Veronica anagallis-aquatica). Due to the sloped topography of the site and well drained soils, standing water would not naturally form long enough to facilitate wetland creation in these areas without WWTF-associated activity.
Further, neither sufficient hydric vegetation nor hydric soils were observed within the wet areas. Wetland hydrology indicators including visible irrigation water, saturation, and visible inundation are present as a result of WWTF standard operations and procedures including utilization of spray fields. Based on the three-parameter test, the absence of hydric soil indicators and sufficient hydrophytic vegetation indicates these features do not constitute a wetland.
SPECIAL STATUS SPECIES For the purposes of this assessment, special status has been defined to include those species that are:
. Listed as endangered or threatened under the ESA (or formally proposed for, or candidates for, listing); . Listed as endangered or threatened under the CESA (or proposed for listing); . Designated as endangered or rare, pursuant to California Fish and Game Code (§1901); . Designated as fully protected, pursuant to California Fish and Game Code (§3511, §4700, or §5050); . Designated as species of concern by the CDFW (CEQA Guidelines Section 15380); or, . Defined as rare or endangered under CEQA.
Table 2 summarizes the regionally occurring special status species identified on the USFWS, CNPS, and the CNDDB lists and provides a rationale as to whether the species have the potential to occur within the study area. Presence of the species or their habitat was evaluated during the biological surveys. Species without the potential to occur in the vicinity of the study area are not discussed further in this section. Special status species with the potential to occur within the study area are discussed below, including distances from the study area to reported CNDDB occurrences (CDFW, 2003). USFWS, CNDDB, and CNPS lists are provided in Attachment 1.
Special Status Wildlife Fish Central Valley steelhead (Oncorhynchus mykiss irideus) and Central Valley spring-, fall/late fall-, and winter-run Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) have the potential to occur in Churn Creek in the vicinity of the study area. Specific information pertaining to each of these species and the suitability
Analytical Environmental Services 20 City of Shasta Lake WWTF Upgrade Project November 2014 Appendix D - Biological Resources Assessment TABLE 2 REGIONALLY OCCURRING FEDERAL SPECIAL-STATUS SPECIES FEDERAL/ SCIENTIFIC NAME STATE/ CNPS- PERIOD OF POTENTIAL TO OCCUR ON- DISTRIBUTION HABITAT REQUIREMENTS COMMON NAME OTHER IDENTIFICATION SITE STATUS Plants Ageratina shastensis --/--/1B.2 Occurs in Shasta County, California Perennial herb requires rocky, often June - October No. Suitable habitat for this Shasta ageratina carbonate soils in chaparral and lower species does not occur within montane coniferous forest habitats. the study area. This species Elevation: 400 – 1800 meters. has not been previously observed in the study area or documented within a five-mile radius of the study area. Anomobryum julaceum --/--/2B.2 Occurs in Butte, Contra Costa, Moss requires damp rock and soil on N/A No. Suitable habitat for this Slender silver moss Humboldt, Los Angeles, Mariposa, outcrops, usually on roadcuts in species does not occur within Santa Barbara, Santa Cruz, Shasta, broadleafed upland forest, lower the study area. This species and Sonoma counties, California, montane coniferous forest, and North has not been previously and in Oregon. Coast coniferous forest habitat types. observed in the study area or Elevation: 100 – 1000 meters. documented within a five-mile radius of the study area. Brodiaea matsonii --/--/1B.1 Only known to occur along Sulphur Perennial bulbiferous herb requires May - June No. The study area is beyond Sulphur Creek brodiaea Creek in Shasta County, California. rocky, metamorphic amphibolites schist the known range of this in cismontane woodland (streambanks) species. This species has not and meadows and seaps. Elevation: been previously observed in 195 – 215 meters. the study area. Clarkia borealis ssp. --/--/1B.3 Occurs in Shasta, Siskiyou, and Annual herb often found in roadcuts in June - September No. This species has not been borealis Trinity counties, California. chaparral, cismontane woodland and previously observed in the Northern clarkia lower montane coniferous forest habitat study area or documented types. Elevation: 400 – 1390 meters. within a five-mile radius of the study area. Cryptantha crinita --/--/1B.2 Occurs in Shasta and Tehama Annual herb requires gravelly April - May No. This species had the Silky cryptantha counties, California. streambeds in cismontae woodland, potential to occur within the lower montane coniferous forest, riparian riparian and woodland habitats forest, riparian woodland, valley and located on the study area; foothill grassland habitat types. however, bloom period Elevation: 61 – 1215 meters. surveys were conducted and determined that this species is not present within the study area
Analytical Environmental Services 21 City of Shasta Lake WWTF Upgrade Project November 2014 Appendix D - Biological Resources Assessment FEDERAL/ SCIENTIFIC NAME STATE/ CNPS- PERIOD OF POTENTIAL TO OCCUR ON- DISTRIBUTION HABITAT REQUIREMENTS COMMON NAME OTHER IDENTIFICATION SITE STATUS Didymodon norrisii --/--/2B.2 Occurs in Butte, Contra Costa, Moss found in intermittently mesic and N/A No. Suitable habitat for this Norris’ beard moss Colusa, Humboldt, Lake, Los rock soils in cismontane woodland and species does not occur within Angeles, Madera, Monterey, lower montane coniferous forest habitat the study area. This species Mariposa, Nevada, Plumas, San types. Elevation: 600 – 1973 meters. has not been previously Benito, Santa Cruz, Shasta, Sierra, observed in the study area or Sonoma, Tehama, Tulare, and documented within a five-mile Tuolumne counties, California and radius of the study area. Oregon. Eriogonum ursinum var. --/--/1B.3 Occurs in Lassen, Shasta, Siskiyou, Perennial herb found in rocky, scree, June - September No. Suitable habitat for this erubescens and Trinity counties, California. talus soils in chaparral (montane) and species does not occur within Blushing wild buckwheat lower montane coniferous forest habitat the study area. This species types. Elevation: 750 – 1900 meters has not been previously observed in the study area or documented within a five-mile radius of the study area. Juncus leiospermus var. --/--/1B.1 Occurs in Butte, Placer, Shasta and Annual herb found in vernally mesic soils March – June No. Suitable habitat for this leiospermus Tehama counties, California. in chaparral, cismontane woodland, species does not occur within Red Bluff dwarf rush meadows and seeps, valley and foothill the study area. This species grassland, and vernal pools. Elevation: has not been previously 35 – 1250 meters. observed within the study area. Legenere limosa --/--/1B.1 Occurs in Alameda, Lake, Monterey, Annual herb requires vernal pools. April - June No. Suitable habitat for this Legenere Napa, Placer, Sacramento, Santa Elevation: 1 – 880 meters. species does not occur within Clara, Shasta, San Joaquin, San the study area. This species Mateo, Solano, Stanislaus, Tehama, has not been previously and Yuba counties, California. observed in the study area or documented within a five-mile radius of the study area. Lewisia cantelovii --/--/1B.2 Occurs in Butte, Nevada, Plumas, Perennial herb found in mesic, granitic, May – October No. Suitable habitat for this Cantelow’s lewisia Shasta, and Sierra counties, sometimes serpentinite seeps in species does not occur within California. broadleafed upland forest, chaparral, the study area. This species cismontane woodland, and lower has not been previously montane coniferous forest habitat types. observed in the study area or Elevation: 330 – 1370 meters. documented within a five-mile radius of the study area.
Analytical Environmental Services 22 City of Shasta Lake WWTF Upgrade Project November 2014 Appendix D - Biological Resources Assessment FEDERAL/ SCIENTIFIC NAME STATE/ CNPS- PERIOD OF POTENTIAL TO OCCUR ON- DISTRIBUTION HABITAT REQUIREMENTS COMMON NAME OTHER IDENTIFICATION SITE STATUS Neviusia cliftonii --/--/1B.2 Occurs in Shasta County, California. Perennial deciduous shrub often found in April – June No. Suitable habitat for this Shasta snow-wreath streamsides, sometimes carbonate, species does not occur within volcanic, or metavolcanic soils in the study area. This species cismontane woodland, lower montane has not been previously coniferous forest and riparian woodland observed in the study area or habitat types. Elevation: 300 – 590 documented within a five-mile meters. radius of the study area. Orcuttia tenuis FT/CE/1B.1 Occurs in Butte, Lake, Lassen, Annual herb found in gravelly soils in May - October No. Suitable habitat for this Slender Orcutt grass Modoc, Plumas, Sacramento, vernal pool habitats. Elevation: 35 – species does not occur within Shasta, Siskiyou, and Tehama 1760 meters. the study area. This species counties, California. has not been previously observed in the study area or documented within a five-mile radius of the study area. Sagittaria sanfordii --/--/1B.2 Occurs in Butte, Del Norte, El Perennial rhizomatous herb found in May - October No. Suitable habitat for this Sanford’s arrowhead Dorado, Fresno, Merced, Mariposa, marsh and swamp (assorted shallow species does not occur within Orange, Placer, Sacramento, San freshwater) habitat types. Elevation: 0 – the study area. This species Bernardino, Shasta, San Joaquin, 650 meters. has not been previously Solano, Tehama, Ventura, and observed in the study area or Yuba counties, California. documented within a five-mile radius of the study area. Sedum obtusatum spp. --/--/1B.3 Occurs in Shasta and Trinity Perennial herb found in granitic, rocky May - June No. Suitable habitat for this paradisum counties, California. soils in broadleafed upland forest, species does not occur within Canyon Creek stonecrop chaparral, lower montane coniferous the study area. This species forest and subalpine coniferous forest has not been previously habitat types. Elevation: 300 – 1900 observed in the study area or meters. documented within a five-mile radius of the study area. Animals Invertebrates Branchinecta conservatio FE/--/-- Known from six disjunct populations Requires ephemeral or temporary pools Wet season: No. Suitable habitat for this Conservancy fairy shrimp in California: Vina Plains, Tehama of fresh water (vernal pools) that form in typically January- species does not occur within County; south of Chico, Butte the cool wet months of the year. None March (adults) the study area. This species County; Jepson Prairie, Solano are known to occur in running or marine Dry season: has not been previously County; Sacramento National waters or other permanent bodies of typically April- observed in the study area or Wildlife Refuge; Glenn County; near water. December (cysts) documented within a five-mile Haystack Mountain northeast of radius of the study area. Merced, Merced County; and the Lockewood Valley, northern Ventura
Analytical Environmental Services 23 City of Shasta Lake WWTF Upgrade Project November 2014 Appendix D - Biological Resources Assessment FEDERAL/ SCIENTIFIC NAME STATE/ CNPS- PERIOD OF POTENTIAL TO OCCUR ON- DISTRIBUTION HABITAT REQUIREMENTS COMMON NAME OTHER IDENTIFICATION SITE STATUS Branchinecta lynchi FT/--/-- Endemic to California and the Agate Requires ephemeral or temporary pools Wet season: No. Suitable habitat for this Vernal pool fairy shrimp Desert of southern Oregon. of fresh water (vernal pools) that form in typically January- species does not occur within the cool wet months of the year. None March (adults) the study area. This species are known to occur in running or marine Dry season: has not been previously waters or other permanent bodies of typically April- observed in the study area or water. December (cysts) documented within a five-mile radius of the study area. Desmocerus californicus FT/--/-- Endemic to the Central Valley of Requires riparian habitat which supports Year Round No. Suitable habitat for this dimorphus California from southern Shasta its host plant, Elderberry (Sambucus species does not occur within Valley elderberry County south to Fresno County in spp.). the study area. No elderberry longhorn beetle the San Joaquin Valley. Although plants were observed on the records exist for Kern County subject property. This species (CDFW, 2003), no speciments or has not been previously observations of living beetles exist observed in the study area or that support the assertion that the documented within the study species is found there (Talley et al. area. 2006). Lepidurus packardi FE/--/-- Known to occur in Alameda, Requires ephemeral freshwater habitats, Wet season: No. Suitable habitat for this Vernal pool tadpole Amador, Butte, Calaveras, Colusa, including alkaline pools, clay flats, vernal typically January- species does not occur within shrimp Contra Costa, El Dorado, Fresno, lakes, vernal pools, vernal swales, and March (adults) the study area. This species Glenn, Kings, Lake, Madera, other seasonal wetlands in California. Dry season: has not been previously Mariposa, Merced, Napa, Nevada, typically April- documented within a five-mile Placer, Sacramento, San Joaquin, December (cysts) radius of the study area. San Mateo, Santa Clara, Shasta, Solano, Stanislaus, Sutter, Tehama, Tulare, Tuolumne, Yolo, and Yuba counties, California. Pacifastacus fortis FE/CE/-- Known to occur in Shasta and Requires cool, clear spring-fed lakes, Year Round No. This species has not been Shasta crayfish Siskiyou counties, California and in rivers and streams with a clean, firm, previously documented within Oregon. Restricted to the sand or gravel substrate with large rocks a five-mile radius of the study midsections of the Pit River for cover. area. drainage in Shasta County, California.
Analytical Environmental Services 24 City of Shasta Lake WWTF Upgrade Project November 2014 Appendix D - Biological Resources Assessment FEDERAL/ SCIENTIFIC NAME STATE/ CNPS- PERIOD OF POTENTIAL TO OCCUR ON- DISTRIBUTION HABITAT REQUIREMENTS COMMON NAME OTHER IDENTIFICATION SITE STATUS Fish Acipenser medirostris FT/--/-- Known to occur in Alameda, Butte, Green sturgeon utilize freshwater and Adults March No. Suitable habitat for this Green sturgeon Colusa, Contra Costa, Del Norte, saltwater habitats and spawn in deep through species does not occur within Glenn, Humboldt, Marin, pools in large, turbulent, freshwater river September; the study area. This species Mendocino, Merced, Napa, habitats. juveniles May has not been previously Sacramento, San Francisco, San through August documented within a five-mile Joaquin, San Mateo, Santa Clara, radius of the study area. Shasta, Siskiyou, Solano, Sonoma, Stanislaus, Sutter, Tehama, Trinity, Yolo, and Yuba counties, California.
Hypomesus FT/CE/-- Known from Contra Costa, Requires relatively turbid waters for Year Round No. Suitable habitat for this transpacificus Sacramento, San Joaquin, Solano, feeding and spawning. species does not occur within Delta smelt and Yolo counties. the study area. This species has not been previously documented within a five-mile radius of the study area. Oncorhynchus mykiss FT/--/-- All naturally spawned populations Steelhead trout are born in fresh water Adults and redds Yes. This species has the irideus (and their progeny) in rivers from the streams, and emigrate to the ocean December potential to occur in Churn Central Valley steelhead Santa Maria River to Malibu Creek, where most of their growth occurs, then through April; Creek, tributary to the California. return to their native fresh water stream juveniles year Sacramento River, in the to spawn. round if present vicinity of the study area. See although Essential Fish Habitat indistinguishable Report (Appendix E of Initial from resident Study). rainbow trout Oncorhynchus FT/CT/-- Known from the Sacramento River Chinook salmon occur in freshwater Adults March No. This species may utilize tshawytscha and its tributaries in California, streams and rivers as well as mixed salt through July; the Sacramento River at the Central Valley spring –run including Feather River as well as and freshwater estuaries and open redds August mouth of Churn Creek as a Chinook salmon the Feather River Hatchery spring- ocean habitats. through non-natal rearing area, but are run Chinook program. September; not known to use any upstream juveniles possibly areas within Churn Creek. year round See Essential Fish Habitat Report (Appendix E of Initial Study).
Analytical Environmental Services 25 City of Shasta Lake WWTF Upgrade Project November 2014 Appendix D - Biological Resources Assessment FEDERAL/ SCIENTIFIC NAME STATE/ CNPS- PERIOD OF POTENTIAL TO OCCUR ON- DISTRIBUTION HABITAT REQUIREMENTS COMMON NAME OTHER IDENTIFICATION SITE STATUS Oncorhynchus FC/CSC/-- Known from the Sacramento River Chinook salmon occur in freshwater Adults and redds Yes. This species has the tshawytscha and its tributaries in California, streams and rivers as well as mixed salt between potential to occur in Churn Central Valley fall/late fall- including Feather River. and freshwater estuaries and open September and Creek, tributary to the run Chinook salmon ocean habitats. January; juveniles Sacramento River, in the November vicinity of the study area. See through May Essential Fish Habitat Report (Appendix E of Initial Study). Oncorhynchus FE/CE/-- Known from the Sacramento River Chinook salmon occur in freshwater Adults from No. This species may utilize tshawytscha and its tributaries in California, streams and rivers as well as mixed salt February through the Sacramento River at the Sacramento River winter- including Feather River as well as and freshwater estuaries and open June; juveniles mouth of Churn Creek as a run Chinook salmon the two artificial propagation ocean habitats. from September non-natal rearing area, but are programs. through not known to use any upstream December areas within Churn Creek. See Essential Fish Habitat Report (Appendix E of Initial Study). Amphibians Hydromantes shastae --/CT/-- Restricted to the Cascade range Found near cliff faces, vertical cavern October – No. Suitable habitat for this Shasta salamander near Shasta Lake in Shasta County, walls, and level ground in mixed November species does not occur within California. Elevation: 300 – 900 coniferous forests. Lives in moist caves (hatching period) the study area meters. and rock cracks. Rana boylii --/CSC/-- Known from California and Oregon. Require shallow, flowing water in November-March No. The manmade aquatic Foothill yellow-legged moderate sized streams with some (breeding) resources and the streambeds frog cobble substrate. June-August of Churn Creek provides (non-breeding) marginally suitable habitat for this species; however, it is not expected that this species would be present within the study area. See text. Rana aurora draytonii FT/--/-- Historic range is much reduced. Occupies lowlands and foothills within or November-March No. The manmade aquatic California red-legged frog Populations are known from near permanent sources of relatively (breeding) resources and the streambeds Alameda, San Francisco, Placer, deep water with dense shrubby or June-August of Churn Creek provides Riverside, Santa Barbara, San Luis emergent riparian vegetation dominated (non-breeding) marginally suitable habitat for Obispo, San Mateo, Santa Cruz, by sandbar willow, cattail, and bulrush. this species; however, it is not Santa Clara, Marin, Sonoma, and expected that this species Contra Costa Counties. Generally, would be present within the range includes Shasta County south study area. See text. to the Mexican border.
Analytical Environmental Services 26 City of Shasta Lake WWTF Upgrade Project November 2014 Appendix D - Biological Resources Assessment FEDERAL/ SCIENTIFIC NAME STATE/ CNPS- PERIOD OF POTENTIAL TO OCCUR ON- DISTRIBUTION HABITAT REQUIREMENTS COMMON NAME OTHER IDENTIFICATION SITE STATUS Reptiles Emys marmorata --/CSC/-- Distribution ranges from Washington Inhabit rivers, streams, lakes, ponds, Year Round Yes. The manmade aquatic Western pond turtle to northern Baja California. reservoirs, stock ponds, and permanent resources and the streambeds and ephemeral wetland habitats. of Churn Creek provides marginally suitable habitat for this species within the study area. Birds Coccyzus americanus FC/CE/-- Occurs in southern California, A riparian species that breeds in low- to Year Round No. The study area is outside occidentalis southern Nevada, southern Utah, moderate-elevation native forests of the known geographical Western yellow-billed Arizona, New Mexico, western adjacent to rivers and streams in the range for this species. This cuckoo Texas, southwestern Colorado, and western U.S. species has not been northwestern Mexico. In California previously observed within the this species occurs in Kern, Tulare, study area or documented San Bernardino, Riverside, San within a five-mile radius of the Diego, Santa Barbara, Orange, Los study area. Angeles, Imperial, and Inyo Counties. Haliaeetus leucocephalus --/CE/-- Ranges from Alaska and Canada Nest in deciduous, coniferous, and Year Round No. Suitable habitat for this Bald eagle down to Mexico. mixed forest stands. Winter foraging species does not occur within areas are located near open waters. the study area. Strix occidentalis caurina FT/--/-- Known to occur in Colusa, Del Primarily occur in older forested habitats Year Round No. Suitable habitat for this Northern spotted owl Norte, Glenn, Humboldt, Lake, with structures suitable for nesting, species does not occur within Marin, Mendocino, Modoc, Napa, roosting and foraging with moderate to the study area. This species Shasta, Siskiyou, Sonoma, Tehama, high canopy closure. has not been previously and Trinity counties, California. documented within a five-mile radius of the study area. There is no suitable nesting habitat for this species within the study area. Mammals Martes pennanti FC/CSC/-- Known to occur in Oregon and Inhabits coniferous and mixed coniferous Year Round No. Suitable habitat for this fisher California. forest habitats with dense canopy species does not occur within closure and large diameter trees. the study area.
Analytical Environmental Services 27 City of Shasta Lake WWTF Upgrade Project November 2014 Appendix D - Biological Resources Assessment STATUS CODES
FEDERAL: United States Fish and Wildlife Service FE Federally Endangered FT Federally Threatened FC Candidate for Federal Listing FD Federally Delisted
STATE: California Department of Fish and Game CE California Listed Endangered CT California Listed Threatened CR California Rare CSC California Species of Special Concern CFP California Fully Protected Species
CNPS: California Native Plant Society Rank 1A Plants Presumed Extinct in California Rank 1B Plants Rare, Threatened, or Endangered in California and Elsewhere Rank 2B Plants Rare, Threatened, or Endangered in California, But More Common Elsewhere Rank 3 Plants About Which We Need More Information – A Review List (not included in this table) Rank 4 Plants of Limited Distribution – A Watch List (not included in this table)
CNPS Threat Ranks: 0.1 – Seriously Threatened in California (Over 80% of occurrences threatened / high degree and immediacy of threat) 0.2 – Fairly Threatened in California (20-80% occurrences threatened / moderate degree and immediacy of threat) 0.3 – Not Very Threatened in California (<20% of occurrences threatened / low degree and immediacy of threat or no current threats known)
Months in parenthesis are uncommon. Source: USFWS 2014a; CDFW 2014; CNPS 2014.
Analytical Environmental Services 28 City of Shasta Lake WWTF Upgrade Project November 2014 Appendix D - Biological Resources Assessment of potential habitat in Churn Creek the vicinity of the study area is presented and analyzed in the separate Biological Assessment/Essential Fish Habitat Assessment (AES, 2014b; Appendix E of Initial Study).
Amphibians Foothill yellow-legged frog (Rana boylii) Federal Status – None State Status – Species of Concern
Foothill yellow-legged frogs occur in suitable habitat throughout California. Suitable habitat consists of shallow, flowing freshwater in moderate sized streams with some cobble substrate. Foothill yellow-legged frogs utilize streams and rivers with rocky substrate and open banks in forest, chaparall, and woodland habitats. They are occasionally found in isolated pools, backwaters with substantial vegetation, and deep, shaded spring-fed pools. Suitable habitat ranges from sea level to 6,700 feet (2,040 meters).
The USFWS has not published a recovery plan or designated critical habitat for the Foothill yellow-legged frog. An Animal Candidate Review for Listing as Endangered or Threatened Species was completed for the Foothill yellow-legged frog in November of 1991 and 1994. The species is currently under review.
There are 5 CNDDB records for this species within 5 miles of the study area. All 5 records of the Foothill yellow-legged frog are located immediately adjacent to the Sacramento River. There are no recorded occurrences of Foothill yellow-legged frogs within the Churn Creek tributary of the Sacramento River within 5 miles of the study area. The nearest record is approximately 3.5 miles southwest of the study area adjacent to the Sacramento River (CNDDB occurrence: 460). The record is dated June 4, 2005 and states that the occurrence is presumed extant.
The riparian woodland surrounding Churn Creek and oak woodland could potentially provide upland refugia and dispersal habitat for Foothill yellow-legged frogs. Foothill yellow-legged frogs are not likely to occur in the man-made reservoirs due to the absence of significant aquatic vegetation. The reservoirs also experience regular changes in volume based on the storage needs and releases performed under standard WWTF operations, which yields the reservoirs further unsuitable for use by Foothill yellow- legged frogs. Similarly, the wetland-like formations do not meet Foothill yellow-legged frogs breeding habitat requirements due to variable intermittent flows, inundation that does not persist for a sufficient portion of the breeding season. Churn Creek provides potential breeding habitat for Foothill yellow- legged frogs due to its dense, emergent vegetation, and water depth that persists for a sufficient portion of the breeding season. However, the presence of predators such as bullfrogs, decreases the quality of habitat. Bullfrog tadpoles were observed throughout the study area within Churn Creek during the site assessment conducted by AES on May 2, 2014.
This species was not observed in the study area and the only occurrences of this species within 5 miles of the study area were located immediately adjacent to the Sacramento River. Due to the ruderally developed characteristics of the aquatic resources found on the subject property and the marginal habitat quality of these resources, combined with the lack of documented historic population use, it is determined that study area would not support Foothill yellow-legged frogs.
Analytical Environmental Services 29 City of Shasta Lake WWTF Upgrade Project November 2014 Appendix D - Biological Resources Assessment California Red-Legged Frog (Rana aurora draytonii; CRLF) Federal Status – Threatened State Status – California Species of Concern
The California red-legged frog (CRLF) requires aquatic breeding areas embedded within a matrix of riparian and upland dispersal habitats. Breeding aquatic habitats include pools and backwaters within streams, creeks, ponds, marshes, springs, sag ponds, dune ponds, and lagoons. CRLF also breed in artificial impoundments including stock ponds. The breeding period is from November to March. Beginning with the first rains of fall, CRLF may make overland excursions through upland habitats. Most of these overland movements occur at night. CRLF may move distances up to 1.6 kilometers throughout one wet season. CRLF rest and forage in riparian vegetation (USFWS, 2002a). CRLF disperse from their breeding habitat to forage and seek summer habitat if water is not available. Summer habitats include spaces under boulders or rocks and organic debris, such as downed trees or logs; industrial debris; and agricultural features, such as drains, watering troughs, abandoned sheds, or hay-ricks (USFWS, 2002b). CRLF requires 11 to 30 weeks of permanent water for larval development (CDFW, 2003).
On May 28, 2002, the USFWS published a recovery plan for the CRLF throughout California. The objective of the recovery plan is to reduce any threats to the species and to improve the status of the CRLF populations sufficiently to warrant delisting. In this recovery plan, 35 Core Areas have been designated within eight recovery unit boundaries for CRLF (USFWS, 2002b). Recovery units are “regions of the species’ distribution that are distinct from one another based on ecological characteristics, status of the species, threats to the continued existence of the species, or recovery actions needed within the area.” Core Areas are “watersheds, or portions thereof, that have been determined to be essential to the recovery of the CRLF.” Core Areas have no legal mandate for protection under the ESA and solely rely upon voluntary implementation. The study area does not occur within any of the Core Areas of the Recovery Unit Boundary. The USFWS revised the critical habitat designated for CRLF on March 17, 2010 (USFWS, 2010a). The study area does not occur within designated critical habitat for this species.
There are no CNDDB occurrences documented for CRLF within the 5-mile radius of the study area;. No CNDDB occurrences have been recorded on the Shasta Dam quad or eight surrounding quads. The study area occurs outside of the current known geographic range for this species as it does not occur within any of the Core Areas of the Sierra Nevada Foothills and Central Valley Recovery Unit Boundary or within designated critical habitat for CRLF.
The riparian woodland surrounding Churn Creek and oak woodland could potentially provide upland refugia and dispersal habitat for CRLF. CRLF are not likely to occur in the man-made reservoirs due to the absence of significant aquatic vegetation. The reservoirs also experience regular changes in volume based on the storage needs and releases performed under standard WWTF operations, which yields the reservoirs further unsuitable for use by CRLF. Similarly, the wetland-like formations do not meet CRLF breeding habitat requirements due to variable intermittent flows, water depth less than 2 1/3-feet deep, and inundation that does not persist for a sufficient portion of the breeding season. Churn Creek provides potential breeding habitat for CRLF due to its dense, emergent vegetation, and water depth greater than 2 1/3-feet deep that persists for a sufficient portion of the breeding season. However, the presence of
Analytical Environmental Services 30 City of Shasta Lake WWTF Upgrade Project November 2014 Appendix D - Biological Resources Assessment predators such as bullfrogs, decreases the quality of habitat. Bullfrog tadpoles were observed throughout the study area within Churn Creek during the site assessment conducted by AES on May 2, 2014.
This species was not observed in the study area. Additional information pertaining to the suitability of available habitat for CRLF within the study area can be found in the separate CRLF Site Assessment Report prepared by AES for the City of Shasta Lake. Due to the ruderally developed characteristics of the aquatic resources found on the subject property and the marginal habitat quality of these resources, combined with the lack of documented historic population use, it is determined that study area would not support CRLF.
Reptiles Western pond turtle (Emys marmorata; WPT) Federal Status – None State Status – Species of Concern
Western pond turtles (WPT) require terrestrial and aquatic habitats. They are found along ponds, marshes, rivers, streams, and irrigation ditches with abundant aquatic vegetation (Jennings, 2000; Reese and Welsh, 1997). WPT requires aquatic habitats with suitable basking sites. Nest sites are most often characterized as having gentle slopes less than 15 percent with little vegetation or sandy banks. WPT are found from zero to 1,430 meters above sea level (Stebbins, 2003). WPT prefers pools with rocky or muddy bottoms in woodland, forest, or grassland areas. During summer droughts, WPT aestivate in burrows in soft bottom mud (The Center for North American Herpetology, 2014). The period of identification for WPT is March through October. WPT are known throughout California west of the Sierra-Cascade crest, and are absent from desert regions except along the Mohave River and its tributaries (Stebbins, 2003).
There are 5 CNDDB records for western pond turtles within 5 miles of the study area. The nearest records are located approximately 1.3 miles northeast of the study area from March 29, 2007 (CNDDB occurrence number: 656). The record states that the occurrence is presumed extant. The study area provides moderately suitable terrestrial habitat within the riparian woodland and oak woodland habitats in the vicinity of aquatic resources in the study area. The study area provides marginally suitable habitat for the western pond turtle within the man-made aquatic resources including the cobble-reinforced outflow channel, the reservoirs, and Churn Creek. WPT are not likely to occur in the man-made reservoirs due to the absence of significant aquatic vegetation. The reservoirs also experience regular changes in volume based on the storage needs and releases performed under standard WWTF operations, which yields the reservoirs further unsuitable for use by WPT. Churn Creek provides potential habitat for WPT due to its dense, emergent vegetation, available basking sites, and perennial flows.
WPT were not observed during the surveys conducted between March and May of 2014. Due to the ruderally developed characteristics of the aquatic resources found on the subject property, the site only provides marginally suitable habitat. Therefore, it is possible, but unlikely for WPT to occur In the vicinity of Churn Creek, including the portion of Churn Creek that runs adjacent to the study area.
Analytical Environmental Services 31 City of Shasta Lake WWTF Upgrade Project November 2014 Appendix D - Biological Resources Assessment Migratory Birds and Birds of Prey California Fish and Game Code 3503.5 protects all birds in the orders Falconiformes and Strigiformes (collectively known as birds of prey). Migratory birds and other birds of prey have the potential to nest in the shrubs and trees within the disturbed, riparian, and oak woodland habitats of the study area. As discussed previously, several birds were observed within the study area during biological surveys including black phoebe (Sayornis nigricans), killdeer (Charadrius vociferous), American crow (Corvus brachyrhynchos), house sparrow (Passer domesticus), and mourning dove (Zenaida macroura). Although suitable habitat is present, no migratory birds or birds of prey that would be protected by California Fish and Game Code 3503.5 were observed within or in the vicinity of the study area during biological surveys conducted by AES.
6.0 IMPACTS AND MITIGATION MEASURES 6.1 SENSITIVE HABITAT IMPACTS Sensitive habitats include those that are of special concern to resource agencies or those that are protected under CEQA, Section 1600 of the California Fish and Game Code, or Section 404 of the CWA. Additionally, sensitive habitats are protected under the specific policies outlined in the City of Shasta Lake General Plan. Sensitive habitats within the study area include Churn Creek, riparian habitat, oak savanna and oak woodland (Figure 7). Impacts to Churn Creek and riparian habitat are discussed further within the Waters of the U.S. section below. The majority of construction activities associated with the Proposed Project will take place within the previously disturbed footprint of the WWTF. While use of sprayfields would cease as a result of the Proposed Project, the irrigation infrastructure would be abandoned in place, so there would be no potential effects to the disturbed oak savanna habitat type. The elimination of irrigation activities would allow this habitat type to return to its more natural state. As the ruderal/developed areas within the WWTP do not provide quality habitat for native plants and wildlife that USFWS and CDFW consider sensitive, this impact is considered less than significant. No mitigation is recommended.
6.2 WATERS OF THE U.S. A wetland delineation was conducted for the study area and has been submitted to the USACE for verification (AES, 2014c; Appendix F of Initial Study). The results are considered preliminary until the USACE verifies the findings. The majority of construction activities associated with the Proposed Project will take place within the previously disturbed footprint of the WWTF. While use of sprayfields would cease as a result of the Proposed Project, the irrigation infrastructure would be abandoned in place, so there would be no potential effects to the unnamed tributaries that occur in the southern portion of the study area. Similarly, the 400-acre foot seasonal storage reservoir would be abandoned in place. However, construction of the new effluent discharge pipeline and outfall structure will result in impacts to riparian habitat and impacts within the bed bank and channel of Churn Creek, a jurisdictional waters of the U.S. Prior to construction, the City shall obtain a permit from the USACE in accordance with Section 404 of the CWA, a 401 Water Quality Certification from the CVRWQCB and a Section 1602 Streambed Alteration Agreement (SAA) from CDFW. All conditions of the permits shall be adhered to. Final mitigation requirements and habitat restoration/replacement ratios will be identified as a condition of the USACE 404 Permit and SAA obtained from the CDFW. At minimum, as a requirement of permits, the
Analytical Environmental Services 32 City of Shasta Lake WWTF Upgrade Project November 2014 Appendix D - Biological Resources Assessment City would be required to replace lost habitat be restoring the riparian vegetation impacted during construction activities at a 1:1 ratio (meaning that one acre will be restored for every one acre impacted). Additionally, the City shall comply with the State’s NPDES General Construction Permit issued by the RWQCB and prepare a Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP). Implementation of the SWPPP will ensure that measures are in place to prevent water quality effects in Churn Creek.
6.3 TREES The Proposed Project has the potential to impact trees in the vicinity of Churn Creek. Construction activities associated with the replacement of the existing effluent discharge pipeline may require the removal of trees. Trees in the vicinity of Churn Creek that have the potential to be impacted by the Proposed Project have been inventoried and are discussed in further detail in the separate Arborist Report prepared by AES for the City. In the event that the removal of existing trees is required, mitigation measures are also provided in the Arborist Report (AES, 2014a; Appendix H of Initial Study).
6.4 SPECIAL STATUS PLANTS A focused botanical survey was conducted within the study area during the appropriate bloom period all special status plant species with the potential to occur in the study area. No special status plants were observed during the focused botanical surveys of the study area; therefore, special status plants do not occur in the study area and would not be impacted by the Proposed Project. No mitigation is required.
6.5 SPECIAL STATUS WILDLIFE Fish The Proposed Project has the potential to result in impacts to special status fish species as a result of construction activities in the vicinity of Churn Creek and the discharge from the Proposed Project. As a direct tributary to the Sacramento River, Churn Creek provides potentially suitable habitat for Central Valley steelhead, and various runs of Chinook salmon. Impacts that have the potential to occur to these species as a result of the Proposed Project are analyzed in the separate Biological Assessment/Essential Fish Habitat Assessment Report (AES, 2014b; Appendix E of Initial Study). The analysis shows that the expected flow increase due to increased discharge from the WWTF and location of the outfall would not adversely impact to salmonid habitat in Churn Creek. Additionally, the City shall comply with the State’s NPDES General Construction Permit issued by the RWQCB and prepare a SWPPP. Implementation of the SWPPP will ensure that measures are in place to prevent temporary water quality effects from construction that could affect fish habitat in Churn Creek. No further mitigation is required.
Reptiles The Proposed Project has the potential to impact the western pond turtle within the riparian habitat, adjacent to Churn Creek. The following mitigation measures are recommended to avoid impacts to western pond turtles:
. A qualified biologist shall conduct a preconstruction survey within 14 days prior to commencement of construction activities anticipated to occur within 100 feet from riparian
Analytical Environmental Services 33 City of Shasta Lake WWTF Upgrade Project November 2014 Appendix D - Biological Resources Assessment vegetation surrounding Churn Creek. A report shall be submitted to the City to document the reports of the preconstruction survey. . Prior to commencement of any groundbreaking activities, all construction personnel will receive training on identification of western pond turtle and procedures to be implemented in the event that western pond turtle is encountered during construction activities. . Prior to commencement of daily construction activities within a 100-foot buffer of riparian vegetation surrounding Churn Creek, a qualified biologist will conduct two preconstruction surveys for WPT. The first survey shall be conducted within 14 days prior to construction, and the second survey will be conducted within 24 hours prior to construction. If WPT is present, the qualified biologist will be allowed sufficient time to move the species from the work site before work activities begin. . Because WPT may take refuge in cavity-like and den-like structures such as pipes and may enter stored pipes and become trapped, all construction pipes, culverts, or similar structures that are stored at a construction site for one or more overnight periods will be either securely capped prior to storage or thoroughly inspected for these animals before the pipe is subsequently buried, capped, or otherwise used or moved in any way. . In the event that WPT enters a 100 foot buffer of on-going construction activities, a qualified biologist shall be contacted and construction activities shall be placed on hold until the WPT is confirmed to have left the project area or is relocated by a qualified biologist.
Migratory Birds and Other Birds of Prey The Proposed Project has the potential to impact nest sites for federally protected migratory birds within the study area. Construction activities in the vicinity of active nests and any trees anticipated for removal within the oak woodland and riparian vegetation could impact nesting habitat for migratory birds and other birds of prey protected under the MBTA and California Fish and Game Code sections 3503, 3503.5, 3513, and 3511. The following mitigation measures are recommended to avoid impacts to nest sites for migratory birds and other birds of prey:
. For vegetation removal and/or earth-disturbing activities occurring during the nesting season (February 1 through September 1), a qualified biologist shall conduct pre-construction surveys of all potential nesting habitat for all migratory birds within 500 feet of construction activities. The qualified biologist shall document and submit the results of the preconstruction survey in a letter report to the City within 10 days following the survey. If no active nests are identified during the preconstruction survey, then no further mitigation is required provided construction commences within 14 days. . If any active special status bird, migratory bird, or raptor nests are identified during the preconstruction survey within the study area, a no-disturbance buffer zone deemed appropriate to the species will be established around the nests to avoid disturbance or destruction of the nest. The distance around the no-disturbance buffer will be determined by the biologist in coordination with CDFW and will depend on the level of noise or construction activity, the level of ambient noise in the vicinity of the nest, and line-of-sight between the nest and disturbance. These buffers shall be no less than: 1) 500-foot no-disturbance buffer will be created around active raptor nests during the breeding season or until it is determined that all young have fledged, and 2) a 250-100-foot buffer zone will be created around the nests of other migratory or special status
Analytical Environmental Services 34 City of Shasta Lake WWTF Upgrade Project November 2014 Appendix D - Biological Resources Assessment birds and all other birds that are protected by California Fish and Game Code 3503. These buffer zones are consistent with CDFW avoidance guidelines and CDFW buffers required on other similar projects; however, they may be modified in coordination with CDFW based on existing conditions at the project site. A qualified biologist will monitor nests weekly during construction to evaluate potential nesting disturbance by construction activities. The biologist will delineate the buffer zone with construction tape or pin flags until the young have fledged. Guidance from the CDFW will be requested if the nestlings within the active nest appear disturbed. A report shall be prepared and submitted to the City and CDFW following the fledging of the nestlings to document the results. . If vegetation removal activities are delayed or suspended for more than two weeks after the pre- construction survey, the areas will be resurveyed.
7.0 REFERENCES
Analytical Environmental Services (AES), 2014a. Arborist Report. Prepared for the City of Shasta Lake WWTF Upgrade Project. (Appendix H of Initial Study)
Analytical Environmental Services (AES), 2014b. Essential Fish Habitat Report. Prepared for the City of Shasta Lake WWTF Upgrade Project. (Appendix E of Initial Study)
Analytical Environmental Services (AES), 2014c. Wetland Delineation Report. Prepared for the City of Shasta Lake WWTF Upgrade Project. (Appendix F of Initial Study)
Abrams, L., 1951, 1960. Illustrated Flora of the Pacific States. Stanford University Press, Stanford, California.
California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW), 2003. RareFind 3 Version 3.1.0, California Natural Diversity Data Base. Fresno, California. Accessed in May, 2014. Available online at: https://www.dfg.ca.gov/biogeodata/cnddb/rarefind.asp.
California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW), 2005. California Wildlife Habitat Relationships- Version 8.1. California Department of Fish and Wildlife. California Interagency Wildlife Task Group. Sacramento, California.
California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW), 2009. Protocols for Surveying and Evaluating Impacts to Special Status Native Plant Populations and Natural Communities. State of California, California Natural Resources Agency. Department of Fish and Game. November 24, 2009. Available online at: http://www.dfg.ca.gov/biogeodata/cnddb/pdfs/protocols_for_surveying_and_evaluating_impacts.pdf.
California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW). 2014. List of California Terrestrial Natural Communities Recognized by the Natural Diversity Database. Natural Heritage Division, CNDDB,
Analytical Environmental Services 35 City of Shasta Lake WWTF Upgrade Project November 2014 Appendix D - Biological Resources Assessment Sacramento, California. Available online at: https://www.dfg.ca.gov/biogeodata/vegcamp/natural_comm_list.asp.
California Native Plant Society (CNPS). 2014. Inventory of Rare and Endangered Plants of California. California Native Plant Society. Sacramento, California. Available at: http://www.rareplants.cnps.org/. Accessed on April 16, 2014.
California Irrigation Management Information System (CIMIS), 2014. Online Weather Data. Department of Water Resources. Office of Water Use Efficiency. Available at: http://www.cimis.water.ca.gov/. Accessed on April 16, 2014.
City of Shasta Lake. 1999. City of Shasta Lake General Plan. Adopted June 15,1999. Available at: http://ca-shastalake.civiccities.com/DocumentCenter/Home/View/115. Accessed on April 16, 2014.
Cornell Lab of Ornithology, 2005. The Birds of North America. Available at: http://bna.birds.cornell.edu/BNA. Accessed on April 16, 2014.
Cowardin, L. M., V. Carter, and E. T. LaRoe, 1979. Classification of Wetlands and Deepwater Habitats of the United States. Office of Biological Services, U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Washington, District of Columbia.
Ehrlich, P., D. Dobkin, and D. Wheye, 1988. The Birder’s Handbook. Simon and Schuster, New York, New York Environmental Laboratory, 1987. Corps of Engineers wetlands delineation manual. Technical Report Y-87-1. U.S. Army Engineer Waterways Experiment Station. Vicksburg, Mississippi.
Harris, 2000. Originally written by: California Wildlife Habitat Relationships Systems. California Department of Fish and Game. California Interagency Wildlife Task Group. January 2000. Zeiner, D.C., W.F.Laudenslayer, Jr., K.E. Mayer, and M. White, eds. 1988-1990. California's Wildlife. Vol. I-III. California Depart ment of Fish and Game, Sacramento, California.
Hickman, James C., ed., 1993. The Jepson Manual, Higher Plants of California. University of California Press. Berkeley, California.
Holland, Robert. 1986. Preliminary Descriptions of the Terrestrial Natural Communities of California. State of California, The Resource Agency Department of Fish and Game. October 1986.
Jennings, M. R. and M. P. Hayes, 1994. Amphibian and Reptile Species of Special Concern in California. California Department of Fish and Game, Rancho Cordova, California.
Analytical Environmental Services 36 City of Shasta Lake WWTF Upgrade Project November 2014 Appendix D - Biological Resources Assessment Jennings, M. R. 2000. Western Pond Turtle: Clemmys marmorata. In: Goals Project. Baylands Ecosystem Species and Community Profiles: Life Histories and Environmental Requirements of Key Plants, Fish, and Wildlife. Prepared by the San Francisco Bay Area Wetlands Ecosystem Goals Project. P.R. Olofson, editor. San Francisco Bay Regional Water Quality Control Board, Oakland, California. pp 204-207.
Mason, 1957. Flora of the Marshes of California. University of California Press, Berkeley and Los Angeles, California.
Moyle, P.B., 2002. Inland Fishes of California. Revised and expanded edition. University of California Press, Berkley, California.
Munz, P., 1959. A California Flora. University of California Press, Berkeley, California.
Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS, 2014). Solano County, California. Soil Area Data Version 5. December 12, 2007. Web Soil Survey. National Cooperative Soil Survey. Available at: http://websoilsurvey.nrcs.usda.gov/app/HomePage.htm. Accessed on April 16, 2014.
NatureServe, 2009. NatureServe Explorer: An Online Encyclopedia of Life [Web Application]. Last updated: October 2009. Version 7.1. NatureServe, Arlington, Virginia. Available at: http://www.natureserve.org/explorer. Accessed on April 16, 2014.
North State Resources, 2013. City of Shasta Lake Wastewater Treatment Facility Upgrade and Expansion Project: Preliminary Environmental and Permitting Constraints Evaluation. Prepared for Water Works Engineers, inc. April 2013. Available online at: http://www.ci.shasta- lake.ca.us/DocumentCenter/View/512.
Nussbaum, R. A., E. D. Brodie, Jr., and R. M. Storm, 1983. Amphibians and Reptiles of the Pacific Northwest. Univ. Press of Idaho. 332pp.
Peterson, R. T., 1990. A Field Guide to Western Birds. Houghton Mifflin Company, Boston, Massachusetts.
Reese, D. and H. Welsh, 1997. Use of Terrestrial Habitat by Western Pond Turtles, Clemmys marmorata: Implications for Management. In Proceedings: Conservation, Restoration and Management of Tortoises and Turtles, An International Conference, held by the New York Turtle and Tortoise Society, Vol. 47, No. 2. pgs 352-357. June 2002. Available online at: http://www.fs.fed.us/psw/publications/reese/reese3.pdf.
Sawyer, J. O., and T. Keeler-Wolf, 1995. A Manual of California Vegetation. California Native Plant Society. Fresno, California.
Analytical Environmental Services 37 City of Shasta Lake WWTF Upgrade Project November 2014 Appendix D - Biological Resources Assessment Sawyer, J.O., Keeler-Wolf, T. and J. M. Evans. 2009. A Manual of California Vegetation. Second Edition. California Native Plant Society Press, Sacramento, California.
Sibley, D.A., 2003. National Audubon Society: The Sibley Field Guide to Birds of Western North America. Alfred A. Knopf, Inc., New York, New York.
Stebbins, R.C., 2003. A Field Guide to Western Reptiles and Amphibians, 3rd ed. Houghton Mifflin, Boston, Massachusetts.
Talley, T. S., D. Wright, and M. Holyoak. 2006. Valley elderberry longhorn beetle (Desmocerus californicus dimorphus) 5-year review: summary and evaluation. Prepared for U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Sacramento Office, Sacramento, California. http://www.fws.gov/sacramento/es/Five-Year- Reviews/Documents/VELB_5yr_review_Talley_etal.pdf
The Center for North American Herpetology, 2014. Western Pond Turtle Main Page (Clemmys marmorata marmorata). Accessed in October 2014. Available online at: http://www.pondturtle.com/ptmain.html.
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), 2002a. Species profile: California Red-Legged Frog. Available online at: http://ecos.fws.gov/speciesProfile/profile/speciesProfile.action?spcode=D02D. Accessed in May, 2014.
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), 2002b. Recovery Plan for the California Red-legged Frog (Rana aurora draytonii). Available online at: http://www.fws.gov/carlsbad/SpeciesStatusList/RP/20020528_RP_CRLF.pdf. Accessed in May, 2014.
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), 2007. (Accessed May, 2014). National Wetlands Inventory. Available online at: http://www.fws.gov/wetlands/.
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), 2008. 1987 Wetland Delineation Manual by the USACE and the Regional Supplement for the Corps of Engineers Wetland Delineation Manual: Arid West Region (Version 2.0). Available online at: http://el.erdc.usace.army.mil/elpubs/pdf/wlman87.pdf.
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), 2010a. Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Revised Designation of Critical Habitat for the California Red-Legged Frog (Fish and Wildlife Service) 50 CFR Part 17. Department of the Interior. Fish and Wildlife Service. March 17, 2010. 75 FR 12816-12959.
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), 2014a. Federal Endangered and Threatened Species that Occur On or may be Affected by Projects on the Shasta Dam USGS 7.5 Topographic
Analytical Environmental Services 38 City of Shasta Lake WWTF Upgrade Project November 2014 Appendix D - Biological Resources Assessment Quadrangle. Available online at: http://www.fws.gov/sacramento/es_species/Lists/es_species_lists-form.cfm . Accessed on April 16, 2014.
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), 2014b. National Wetlands Inventory. Available at: http://www.fws.gov/wetlands/data/index.html. Accessed on April 16, 2014.
U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), 1980. Shasta Dam U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) 7.5-Minute Topographic Quadrangle.
Western Regional Climate Center (WRCC), 2014. California Weather Database. Available at: http://www.wrcc.dri.edu/summary/Climsmnca.html. Accessed on April 16, 2014.
Analytical Environmental Services 39 City of Shasta Lake WWTF Upgrade Project November 2014 Appendix D - Biological Resources Assessment ATTACHMENTS
ATTACHMENT 1
USFWS, CNDDB, AND CNPS SPECIES LISTS
4/9/2014 Sacramento Fish & Wildlife Office Species List
U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Sacramento Fish & Wildlife Office Federal Endangered and Threatened Species that Occur in or may be Affected by Projects in the Counties and/ or U.S.G.S. 7 1/ 2 Minute Quads you requested Document Number: 140409072346 Current as of: April 9, 2014
Quad Lists Listed Species Invertebrates Branchinecta conservatio Conservancy fairy shrimp (E) Branchinecta lynchi Critical habitat, vernal pool fairy shrimp (X) vernal pool fairy shrimp (T) Desmocerus californicus dimorphus valley elderberry longhorn beetle (T) Lepidurus packardi Critical habitat, vernal pool tadpole shrimp (X) vernal pool tadpole shrimp (E) Pacifastacus fortis Shasta crayfish (E) Fish Acipenser medirostris green sturgeon (T) (NMFS) Hypomesus transpacificus delta smelt (T) Oncorhynchus mykiss Central Valley steelhead (T) (NMFS) Critical habitat, Central Valley steelhead (X) (NMFS) Oncorhynchus tshawytscha Central Valley spring-run chinook salmon (T) (NMFS) Critical Habitat, Central Valley spring-run chinook (X) (NMFS) Critical habitat, winter-run chinook salmon (X) (NMFS) winter-run chinook salmon, Sacramento River (E) (NMFS) Amphibians Rana draytonii California red-legged frog (T) Birds Strix occidentalis caurina Critical habitat, northern spotted owl (X) northern spotted owl (T) Plants Orcuttia tenuis Critical habitat, slender Orcutt grass (X) slender Orcutt grass (T)
Candidate Species http://www.fws.gov/sacramento/es_species/Lists/es_species_lists.cfm 1/6 4/9/2014 Sacramento Fish & Wildlife Office Species List
Birds Coccyzus americanus occidentalis Western yellow-billed cuckoo (C) Mammals Martes pennanti fisher (C) Quads Containing Listed, Proposed or Candidate Species: PROJECT CITY (647A) SHASTA DAM (647B) REDDING (647C) ENTERPRISE (647D) WHISKEYTOWN (648A) IGO (648D) BOHEMOTASH MTN. (665C) O'BRIEN (665D) SCHELL MTN. (666D)
County Lists Listed Species Invertebrates Branchinecta conservatio Conservancy fairy shrimp (E) S
Branchinecta lynchi Critical habitat, vernal pool fairy shrimp (X) vernal pool fairy shrimp (T) S
Desmocerus californicus dimorphus valley elderberry longhorn beetle (T) S
Lepidurus packardi Critical habitat, vernal pool tadpole shrimp (X) vernal pool tadpole shrimp (E) S
Pacifastacus fortis Shasta crayfish (E) S
Fish Acipenser medirostris green sturgeon (T) (NMFS) S
Hypomesus transpacificus delta smelt (T) S http://www.fws.gov/sacramento/es_species/Lists/es_species_lists.cfm 2/6 4/9/2014 Sacramento Fish & Wildlife Office Species List
Oncorhynchus kisutch coho salmon, So OR/No CA (T) (NMFS) S
Oncorhynchus mykiss Central Valley steelhead (T) (NMFS) Critical habitat, Central Valley steelhead (X) (NMFS) S
Oncorhynchus tshawytscha Central Valley spring-run chinook salmon (T) (NMFS) Critical Habitat, Central Valley spring-run chinook (X) (NMFS) Critical habitat, winter-run chinook salmon (X) (NMFS) winter-run chinook salmon, Sacramento River (E) (NMFS) S
Amphibians Rana draytonii California red-legged frog (T) S
Birds Strix occidentalis caurina Critical habitat, northern spotted owl (X) northern spotted owl (T) S
Plants Orcuttia tenuis Critical habitat, slender Orcutt grass (X) slender Orcutt grass (T) S
Tuctoria greenei Critical habitat, Greene's tuctoria (=Orcutt grass) (X) Greene's tuctoria (=Orcutt grass) (E) S
Candidate Species Birds Coccyzus americanus occidentalis Western yellow-billed cuckoo (C) S
Mammals Martes pennanti fisher (C) S
Key: (E) Endangered - Listed as being in danger of extinction. http://www.fws.gov/sacramento/es_species/Lists/es_species_lists.cfm 3/6 4/9/2014 Sacramento Fish & Wildlife Office Species List (T) Threatened - Listed as likely to become endangered within the foreseeable future. (P) Proposed - Officially proposed in the Federal Register for listing as endangered or threatened. (NMFS) Species under the Jurisdiction of the National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration Fisheries Service. Consult with them directly about these species. Critical Habitat - Area essential to the conservation of a species. (PX) Proposed Critical Habitat - The species is already listed. Critical habitat is being proposed for it. (C) Candidate - Candidate to become a proposed species. (V) Vacated by a court order. Not currently in effect. Being reviewed by the Service. (X) Critical Habitat designated for this species
Important Information About Your Species List How We Make Species Lists We store information about endangered and threatened species lists by U.S. Geological Survey 7½ minute quads. The United States is divided into these quads, which are about the size of San Francisco.
The animals on your species list are ones that occur within, or may be affected by projects within, the quads covered by the list. Fish and other aquatic species appear on your list if they are in the same watershed as your quad or if water use in your quad might affect them. Amphibians will be on the list for a quad or county if pesticides applied in that area may be carried to their habitat by air currents. Birds are shown regardless of whether they are resident or migratory. Relevant birds on the county list should be considered regardless of whether they appear on a quad list.
Plants Any plants on your list are ones that have actually been observed in the area covered by the list. Plants may exist in an area without ever having been detected there. You can find out what's in the surrounding quads through the California Native Plant Society's online Inventory of Rare and Endangered Plants.
Surveying Some of the species on your list may not be affected by your project. A trained biologist and/or botanist, familiar with the habitat requirements of the species on your list, should determine whether they or habitats suitable for them may be affected by your project. We recommend that your surveys include any proposed and candidate species on your list. See our Protocol and Recovery Permits pages. For plant surveys, we recommend using the Guidelines for Conducting and Reporting Botanical Inventories. The results of your surveys should be published in any environmental documents prepared for your project.
Your Responsibilities Under the Endangered Species Act All animals identified as listed above are fully protected under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended. Section 9 of the Act and its implementing regulations prohibit the take of a federally listed wildlife species. Take is defined by the Act as "to harass, harm, pursue, hunt, shoot, wound, kill, trap, capture, or collect" any such animal. Take may include significant habitat modification or degradation where it actually kills or injures wildlife by significantly impairing essential behavioral patterns, including breeding, feeding, or shelter (50 CFR §17.3). http://www.fws.gov/sacramento/es_species/Lists/es_species_lists.cfm 4/6 4/9/2014 Sacramento Fish & Wildlife Office Species List Take incidental to an otherwise lawful activity may be authorized by one of two procedures: If a Federal agency is involved with the permitting, funding, or carrying out of a project that may result in take, then that agency must engage in a formal consultation with the Service. During formal consultation, the Federal agency, the applicant and the Service work together to avoid or minimize the impact on listed species and their habitat. Such consultation would result in a biological opinion by the Service addressing the anticipated effect of the project on listed and proposed species. The opinion may authorize a limited level of incidental take. If no Federal agency is involved with the project, and federally listed species may be taken as part of the project, then you, the applicant, should apply for an incidental take permit. The Service may issue such a permit if you submit a satisfactory conservation plan for the species that would be affected by your project. Should your survey determine that federally listed or proposed species occur in the area and are likely to be affected by the project, we recommend that you work with this office and the California Department of Fish and Game to develop a plan that minimizes the project's direct and indirect impacts to listed species and compensates for project-related loss of habitat. You should include the plan in any environmental documents you file.
Critical Habitat When a species is listed as endangered or threatened, areas of habitat considered essential to its conservation may be designated as critical habitat. These areas may require special management considerations or protection. They provide needed space for growth and normal behavior; food, water, air, light, other nutritional or physiological requirements; cover or shelter; and sites for breeding, reproduction, rearing of offspring, germination or seed dispersal. Although critical habitat may be designated on private or State lands, activities on these lands are not restricted unless there is Federal involvement in the activities or direct harm to listed wildlife. If any species has proposed or designated critical habitat within a quad, there will be a separate line for this on the species list. Boundary descriptions of the critical habitat may be found in the Federal Register. The information is also reprinted in the Code of Federal Regulations (50 CFR 17.95). See our Map Room page.
Candidate Species We recommend that you address impacts to candidate species. We put plants and animals on our candidate list when we have enough scientific information to eventually propose them for listing as threatened or endangered. By considering these species early in your planning process you may be able to avoid the problems that could develop if one of these candidates was listed before the end of your project.
Species of Concern The Sacramento Fish & Wildlife Office no longer maintains a list of species of concern. However, various other agencies and organizations maintain lists of at-risk species. These lists provide essential information for land management planning and conservation efforts.
More info
Wetlands If your project will impact wetlands, riparian habitat, or other jurisdictional waters as defined by section 404 of the Clean Water Act and/or section 10 of the Rivers and Harbors Act, you will need to obtain a permit from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Impacts to wetland http://www.fws.gov/sacramento/es_species/Lists/es_species_lists.cfm 5/6 4/9/2014 Sacramento Fish & Wildlife Office Species List will need to obtain a permit from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Impacts to wetland habitats require site specific mitigation and monitoring. For questions regarding wetlands, please contact Mark Littlefield of this office at (916) 414-6520.
Updates Our database is constantly updated as species are proposed, listed and delisted. If you address proposed and candidate species in your planning, this should not be a problem. However, we recommend that you get an updated list every 90 days. That would be July 08, 2014.
http://www.fws.gov/sacramento/es_species/Lists/es_species_lists.cfm 6/6 CNDDB OCCURRENCES WITHIN 5-MILES OF PROJECT
1 - Antioch Dunes anthicid beetle 9 - Henderson's bent grass 17 - silver-haired bat 5-Mile Radius 2 - bald eagle 10 - Oregon shoulderband 18 - steelhead Central Valley DPS
Bio APE 3 - chinook salmon Central Valley spring-run ESU 11 - Red Bluff dwarf rush 19 - Sulphur Creek brodiaea
4 - chinook salmon Sacramento River winter-run ESU 12 - Sacramento anthicid beetle 20 - valley elderberry longhorn beetle
5 - dubious pea 13 - Sanford's arrowhead 21 - western pearlshell
6 - fisher West Coast DPS 14 - Shasta chaparral 22 - western pond turtle
¢NORTH !Ð 7 - foothill yellow-legged frog 15 - Shasta salamander 8 - Great Valley Cottonwood Riparian Forest 16 - silky cryptantha
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UV151
¨¦§5 UV299 UV273
UV299 UV299 UV44
City of Shasta Lake WWTP Upgrade / 214516 4/9/2014 CNPS Inventory Results
Plant List
25 matches found. Click on scientific name for details
Search Criteria
Found in 9 Quads around 40122F4
Rare Plant State Global Scientific Name Common Name Family Lifeform Rank Rank Rank Ageratina shastensis Shasta ageratina Asteraceae perennial herb 1B.2 S2 G2 Henderson's bent Agrostis hendersonii Poaceae annual herb 3.2 S2 G2Q grass perennial Allium sanbornii var. sanbornii Sanborn's onion Alliaceae 4.2 S3.2 G3T3 bulbiferous herb Anomobryum julaceum slender silver moss Bryaceae moss 2B.2 S2 G4G5 perennial evergreen Arctostaphylos malloryi Mallory's manzanita Ericaceae 4.3 S3.3? G3 shrub Shasta County perennial Arnica venosa Asteraceae 4.2 S3.2 G3 arnica rhizomatous herb depauperate milk- Astragalus pauperculus Fabaceae annual herb 4.3 S3.3 G3 vetch Sulphur Creek perennial Brodiaea matsonii Themidaceae 1B.1 S1 G1 brodiaea bulbiferous herb thread-leaved Bulbostylis capillaris Cyperaceae annual herb 4.2 S3.2 G5 beakseed Clarkia borealis ssp. borealis northern clarkia Onagraceae annual herb 1B.3 S3 G3T3 Cryptantha crinita silky cryptantha Boraginaceae annual herb 1B.2 S2 G2 clustered lady's- perennial Cypripedium fasciculatum Orchidaceae 4.2 S3.2 G4 slipper rhizomatous herb mountain lady's- perennial Cypripedium montanum Orchidaceae 4.2 S4.2 G4 slipper rhizomatous herb Didymodon norrisii Norris' beard moss Pottiaceae moss 2B.2 S3S4 G3G4 Eriogonum ursinum var. blushing wild Polygonaceae perennial herb 1B.3 S2.3 G3G4T2 erubescens buckwheat Juncus leiospermus var. Red Bluff dwarf rush Juncaceae annual herb 1B.1 S2 G2T2 leiospermus Lathyrus sulphureus var. dubious pea Fabaceae perennial herb 3 S1S2 G5T1T2 argillaceus Legenere limosa legenere Campanulaceae annual herb 1B.1 S2.2 G2 Lewisia cantelovii Cantelow's lewisia Montiaceae perennial herb 1B.2 S3 G3 Shasta snow- perennial deciduous Neviusia cliftonii Rosaceae 1B.2 S2.2 G2 http://www.rareplants.cnps.org/result.html?adv=t&quad=40122F4:9wreath shrub 1/2 4/9/2014 CNPS Inventory Results wreath shrub slender Orcutt Orcuttia tenuis Poaceae annual herb 1B.1 S2 G2 grass Sanford's perennial Sagittaria sanfordii Alismataceae 1B.2 S3 G3 arrowhead rhizomatous herb Sedum obtusatum ssp. Canyon Creek Crassulaceae perennial herb 1B.3 S2 G4G5T2 paradisum stonecrop Redding Sidalcea celata Malvaceae perennial herb 3 S2S3 G2G3 checkerbloom perennial Thermopsis gracilis slender false lupine Fabaceae 4.3 S3.3 G3G4 rhizomatous herb
Suggested Citation
CNPS, Rare Plant Program. 2014. Inventory of Rare and Endangered Plants (online edition, v8-02). California Native Plant Society, Sacramento, CA. Website http://www.rareplants.cnps.org [accessed 09 April 2014].
Search the Inventory Information Contributors Simple Search About the Inventory The Calflora Database Advanced Search About the Rare Plant Program The California Lichen Society Glossary CNPS Home Page About CNPS Join CNPS
© Copyright 2010-2014 California Native Plant Society. All rights reserved.
http://www.rareplants.cnps.org/result.html?adv=t&quad=40122F4:9 2/2 ATTACHMENT 2
PLANT SPECIES OBSERVED
PLANT SPECIES OBSERVED City of Shasta Lake WWTF Upgrade Project May 2, 2014
(*) Asterisk indicates a non-native sp. (#) Number indicates a cultivated sp.
Scientific Name Common Name ACERACEAE MAPLE FAMILY Acer macrophyllum Bigleaf maple ALISMATACEAE WATER-PLANTAINS FAMILY Alisma plantago-aquatica Water plantain ANACARDIACEAE CASHEW FAMILY Toxicodendron Diversilobum Western poison oak APIACEAE CARROT FAMILY Torilis arvensis* Field hedge parsley Foeniculum vulgare Fennel APOCYNACEAE DOGBANE FAMILY Vinca major Bigleaf periwinkle ASPARAGACEAE Chlorogalum pomeridianium California soaproot ASTERACEAE SUNFLOWER FAMILY Baccharis pilularis# Coyote bush Carduus pycnocephalus* Italian thistle Cirsium vulare Bull thistle Hypochaeris glabra Smooth cat’s ear Hypochaeris radicata Cat’s ear Lactuca serriola* Prickly lettuce Sonchus oleraceus* Common sowthistle BETULACEAE Alnus rhombifolia White alder BRASSICACEAE MUSTARD FAMILY Brassica nigra* Black mustard Hirschfeldia incana* Short-pod mustard Raphanus sativus Cultivated radish Raphanus sp. Radish CARYOPHYLLACEAE PINK FAMILY Claytonia perfoliata Minors lettuce Stellaria media* Common chickweed CONVOLVULACEAE MORNING-GLORY FAMILY Convolvulus arvensis* Morning glory CYPERACEAE SEDGE FAMILY Carex sp. sedge Cyperus eragrostis Tall flatsedge FABACEAE LEGUME FAMILY Cercis occidentalis Western redbud Lotus scoparius Deerweed Lupinus nanus Sky lupine Medicago polymorpha* Bur clover Trifolium campestre Low hop clover Vicia sativa Spring vetch
Analytical Environmental Services 1 City of Shasta Lake WWTF Upgrade Project November 2014 Appendix D - Biological Resources Assessment PLANT SPECIES OBSERVED City of Shasta Lake WWTF Upgrade Project May 2, 2014
(*) Asterisk indicates a non-native sp. (#) Number indicates a cultivated sp.
Scientific Name Common Name Vicia villosa* Winter vetch Trifolium hirtum Rose clover Trifolium sp. Clover FAGACEAE OAK FAMILY Quercus douglasii Blue oak Quercus lobata# Valley oak Quercus wislizenii# Interior live oak GERANIACEAE GERANIUM FAMILY Erodium botrys Filaree Erodium Cicitarium Redstem filaree Geranium sp. Geranium Geranium molle* Hairy geranium HIPPOCASTANACEAE BUCKEYE FAMILY Aesculus californica# California buckeye JUGLANDACEAE WALNUT FAMILY Juglans hindsii Hinds’ black walnut JUNCACEAE RUSH FAMILY Juncus bufonius Toad rush Juncus effusus Soft rush LAMIACEAE MINT FAMILY Salvia sp. Sage LYTHRACEAE LOOSESTRIFE FAMILY Lythrum hyssopifolia* Hyssop loosestrife MALVACEAE MALLOW FAMILY Malva parviflora* Cheeseweed MYRTACEAE MYRTLE FAMILY Eucalyptus globulus* Blue gum ONAGRACEAE EVENING PRIMROSE FAMILY Epilobium ciliatum Hairy willow-herb PINACEAE PINE FAMILY Pinus Sabiniana Gray pine PLANTAGINACEAE Plantago lanceolata Ribwort plantain Plantago major Greater plantain POACEAE GRASS FAMILY Aira caryophyllea silver hairgrass Avena fatua* Slender wild oat Briza maxima Quaking grass Briza minor Quaking grass Bromus diandrus* Ripgut brome Bromus hordeaceus* Soft brome Cortaderia jubata Purple pampas grass Holcus lanatus* Velvet grass
Analytical Environmental Services 2 City of Shasta Lake WWTF Upgrade Project November 2014 Appendix D - Biological Resources Assessment PLANT SPECIES OBSERVED City of Shasta Lake WWTF Upgrade Project May 2, 2014
(*) Asterisk indicates a non-native sp. (#) Number indicates a cultivated sp.
Scientific Name Common Name Hordeum brachyantherum Meadow barley Hordeum murinum Wall barley Lolium multiflorum* Italian ryegrass Poa annua Annual meadow grass Polypogon monspeliensis* Annual beard grass POLYGONACEAE BUCKWHEAT FAMILY Rumex crispus* Curly dock Rumex pulcher Fiddle dock RHAMNACEAE BUCKTHORN FAMILY Rhamnus californica# Coffeeberry Ceanothus cuneatus Buckbrush ROSACEAE ROSE FAMILY Heteromeles arbutifolia Toyon Rosa gymnocarpa Wood rose Rubus armeniacus* Himalayan blackberry Rubus ursinus California blackberry Horkelia sp. Cinquefoil SALICACEAE WILLOW FAMILY Salix lasiolepis Arroyo willow Salix gooddingii Gooddingii willow Salix exigua Narrow-leaved willow SAPINDACEAE Aesculus californica California buckeye SCOOPHULARIACEAE Mimulus guttatus Common monkey flower
Analytical Environmental Services 3 City of Shasta Lake WWTF Upgrade Project November 2014 Appendix D - Biological Resources Assessment