DOCSLIB.ORG

Buena Vista Lagoon Enhancement Project Environmental Impact Report San Diego, California SCH#2013041079

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Buena Vista Lagoon Enhancement Project Environmental Impact Report San Diego, California SCH#2013041079 Final EIR Buena Vista Lagoon Enhancement Project Environmental Impact Report San Diego, California SCH#2013041079 Prepared for: SANDAG 401 B Street, Suite 800 San Diego, California 92101 Prepared by: AECOM 401 West A Street, Suite 1200 San Diego, California 92101 September 2017 BUENA VISTA LAGOON ENHANCEMENT PROJECT ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REPORT FINAL SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA (SCH NO. 2013041079) Prepared for: SANDAG 401 B Street, Suite 800 San Diego, California 92101 Prepared by: AECOM 401 West A Street, Suite 1200 San Diego, California 92101 Phone: (619) 610-7600 Fax: (619) 610-7601 September 2017 401 B Street, Suite 800 September 1, 2017 File Number 3200100 San Diego, CA 92101-4231 (619) 699-1900 Fax (619) 699-1905 TO: Interested Agencies, Organizations, and Individuals sandag.org FROM: Keith Greer, Principal Regional Planner� {µ,-­ SUBJECT: Changes Incorporated into the Final Environmental Impact Report for the Buena Vista Lagoon Enhancement Project, MEMBER AGENCIES State Clearinghouse Number 201304179 Cities of Carlsbad Chula Vista This document is being prepared and processed under the California Environmental Coronado Quality Act (CEQA) by the San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG) as the De/Mar lead agency. This document constitutes the Final Environmental Impact Report El Cajon (EIR) and the title of the document has been updated to reflect that status. Encinitas Escondido Following the public review period of the Draft EIR, clarifications and Imperial Beach corrections were incorporated into the Final EIR. The changes incorporated La Mesa into the Final EIR were for information and clarification purposes and did not Lemon Grove National City result in the identification of new or substantial increase in the severity of Oceanside significant environmental impacts. Key changes are identified and summarized Poway in the table below. Text changes in the Final EIR are indicated by San Diego underline/strikeout text with a line in the margin next to the modified text. San Marcos Note that some minor text changes (e.g., typographic changes) are not Santee reflected in this table or in the underline/strikeout text of the Final EIR. Solana Beach Additionally, copies of all letters and comments received regarding the Draft Vista EIR and the responses to the comments are included in Appendix P of and County of San Diego the Final EIR. The Draft EIR purposefully did not identify a single proposed project but ADVISORY MEMBERS analyzed four project alternatives at an equal level of detail to provide a Imperial County thorough and complete analysis for the public, agencies, and SANDAG Board California Department of Directors to consider. SANDAG acknowledges that there were many of Transportation differing public opinions regarding preferences for the Saltwater, Hybrid, Metropolitan Freshwater, and No Project Alternatives and that the alternatives represent a Transit System series of tradeoffs that could be made (e.g., freshwater habitat over saltwater North County habitat). TransitDistrict United States Department of Defense As the CEQA lead agency, SANDAG is required to identify a proposed project for consideration by the SANDAG Board of Directors prior to San Diego certification of the Final EIR. The selection of the proposed project for the EIR Unified Port District is based upon that alternative that best meets the objectives identified in San Diego County Section 1.2 of the EIR. While all alternatives analyzed in the EIR would Water Authority create improvements over the existing conditions, SANDAG finds that the Southern California Saltwater Alternative accomplishes the project objectives to the Tribal Chairmen's Association highest degree relative to the other alternatives. Section 4.5 of the Final EIR Mexico elaborates on the rationale for the selection of the proposed project. Location in Description of Change Final EIR Section 3.11.3 Additional information added regarding natural odors anticipated under each alternative. Section 3.12.2, and Text added as appropriate to include consultation with California State throughout document as Coastal Conservancy guidance document in the design and engineering necessary of the Carlsbad Boulevard bridge and Boardwalk along with the SANDAG Sea Level Rise Study. Section 3.15-4 Mitigation Measure Safety-1, which specifies the placement of signage has been added. The addition of this measure does not change the significance conclusion or reduce the impact to less than significant, but incorporates a feasible measure to help enhance public safety associated with the new inlet under the Saltwater and Hybrid alternatives. Section 4.3 Clarifies why a new inlet to the ocean remain a public health and safety concern even if an inlet crossing was provided. Section 4.4 Clarifies the CEQA requirement pertaining to identification of the Environmental Superior Alternative. Adds clarification on why the No Project is not the Environmental Superior Alternative. Section 4.5 Identifies the proposed project and provided the rationale for the selection of this alternative as the proposed project. Table 5-1 Schedule dates updated for the l-5/SR78 Interchange project. Throughout document Characterization of the freshwater fishing areas as subtidal was revised, as necessary as a freshwater system would not be tidally influenced. Throughout document Reference to kelp establishment has been removed. as necessary Appendix K Revision of one metric on Sea Level Rise and minor math corrections in the table. All shown as a strike-out/underline. 4 Table of Contents TABLE OF CONTENTS Section Page EXECUTIVE SUMMARY .......................................................................................................ES-1 CHAPTER 1.0 INTRODUCTION .............................................................................................. 1-1 1.1 Background .......................................................................................................... 1-1 1.1.1 Project Background ................................................................................ 1-1 1.1.2 Previous Documentation Related to the Enhancement Project .............. 1-4 1.2 Project Objectives ................................................................................................ 1-5 1.3 Public Involvement and the CEQA Environmental Process................................ 1-6 1.3.1 Notice of Preparation and Public Scoping Period .................................. 1-6 1.3.2 Comments Received and Areas of Known Controversy ........................ 1-7 1.3.3 Public Comments on Draft EIR ............................................................ 1-10 1.3.4 CEQA EIR Process .............................................................................. 1-11 1.4 Permits/Approvals Required .............................................................................. 1-12 1.5 Organization of the EIR ..................................................................................... 1-24 CHAPTER 2.0 DESCRIPTION OF PROJECT ALTERNATIVES ........................................... 2-1 2.1 Project Location and Environmental Setting ....................................................... 2-1 2.1.1 Lagoon Characteristics and Background ................................................ 2-1 2.1.2 Littoral Zone Nourishment Site Characteristics and Background .......... 2-5 2.2 Alternatives Selection Process ............................................................................. 2-6 2.3 Alternatives Eliminated from Detailed Review ................................................... 2-7 2.4 Project Alternatives Carried Forward .................................................................. 2-7 2.5 Components Common to Multiple Alternatives ................................................ 2-12 2.5.1 Boardwalk ............................................................................................ 2-12 2.5.2 Carlsbad Boulevard Bridge .................................................................. 2-13 2.5.3 I-5 and NCTD LOSSAN Improvements .............................................. 2-18 2.5.4 Deep-Water Fish Areas ........................................................................ 2-19 2.6 Alternatives Characteristics ............................................................................... 2-21 2.6.1 Freshwater Alternative ......................................................................... 2-21 2.6.2 Saltwater Alternative ............................................................................ 2-29 2.6.3 Hybrid Alternative ................................................................................ 2-33 2.6.4 No Project Alternative .......................................................................... 2-39 Buena Vista Lagoon Enhancement Project Final EIR Page i September 2017 Table of Contents TABLE OF CONTENTS (Continued) Section Page 2.7 Materials Disposal/Reuse ................................................................................... 2-40 2.7.1 Vegetation ............................................................................................ 2-40 2.7.2 Sediment ............................................................................................... 2-40 2.8 Construction Methods, Schedule, and Design Features..................................... 2-49 2.8.1 General Construction Features ............................................................. 2-50 2.8.2 Construction Equipment Mobilization and Demobilization ................ 2-56 2.8.3 Construction Access,
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Chapter 9.0 Literature Cited
    9.0 Literature Cited CHAPTER 9.0 LITERATURE CITED AECOM 2013 2013 Buena Vista Lagoon Enhancement Project Southwestern Willow Flycatcher, Least Bell’s Vireo, and Coastal California Gnatcatcher Summary Report, San Diego County, California. Airnav.com 2014 Airports Search. Website available at https://www.airnav.com/airports/. Accessed September 13. Applegate, June 1982 Buena Vista Lagoon and Watershed Sediment Control Study. Prepared for the California Coastal Conservancy. Aquatic Environments 2014 Personal communication via phone between Eli Kirsch, Aquatic Environments, and Liz Schneider, AECOM, regarding cattail mowing rates. December. Atwood, J. L., and D. E. Minsky 1983 USFWS Least Tern Foraging Ecology at Three Major California Breeding Colonies. Western Birds 14:57–72. Bash, J., C. Berman, and S. Bolton 2001 Effects of Turbidity and Suspended Solids on Salmonids. Center for Streamside Studies, University of Washington. Beare, P. A., and J. B. Zedler 1987 Cattail Invasion and Persistence Salt Marsh: The Role of Salinity in a Coastal Reduction. Estuaries 10:165-170. Beier, P., D. R. Majka, and W. D. Spencer 2008 Forks in the Road: Choices in Procedures for Designing Wildland Linkages. Conservation Biology 22:836–851. Buena Vista Lagoon Enhancement Project Final EIR Page 9-1 September 2017 9.0 Literature Cited Beier, P., and R. F. Noss 1998 Do Habitat Corridors Provide Connectivity? Conservation Biology 12:1241–1252. Bell, M. C. 1991 Fisheries Handbook of Engineering Requirements and Biological Criteria. Third edition. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Office of the Chief of Engineers, Fish Passage Development and Evaluation Program. Portland, Oregon. Beller, E., S. Baumgarten, R. Grossinger, S.
    [Show full text]
  • Shorebird Numbers in Wetlands of the Pacific Flyway: ~ Summary of Spring, Fall, & Winter Counts in 1988, 1989, and 1990
    SHOREBIRD NUMBERS IN WETLANDS OF THE PACIFIC FLYWAY: ~ SUMMARY OF SPRING, FALL, & WINTER COUNTS IN 1988, 1989, AND 1990 0 Janet Iqelmyr, Gary W. Page, W. David Shuford, & Lynne E. Stenzel -~-~~~-'."!~'-, ( JulyJ991 ;-... ,_;:~ . v-n· ~ :·-' A report of Point Reyes Bird Observatory 4990 Shoreline Highway . · Stinson Beach, CA 94970 © Copyright, PRBO The data reported herein are part of an ongoing study of shorebird use of wetlands in the Pacific Flyway. For pennission to cite results from this report . in the scientific literature, please contact the authors. !d ~'i:!' ~~k.kfl ~ A 'Irsf, ;: Ch~~'t<"'~~~ PJaska Resources Library & Information Services Anchorage Alaskg KEY TO NUMBERED SITES 1 SMITH RIVER MOUTH 2 POINT ST. GEORGE 3 EEL RIVER MOUTH 4 POINT REYES(BODEGA BAY WETLANDS BODEGA HARBOR ESTERO AMERICANO TOMALES BAY DRAKES ESTERO LIMANTOUR ESTERO BOUNAS LAGOON 5 MONTEREY BAY AREA PAJARO RIVER(WATSONVILLE SLOUGH ELKHORN SLOUGH SAUNAS RIVER MOUTH SALINAS SEWAGE PONDS 8 LOS ANGELES RIVER 7 SEAL BEACH NWR 8 BOLSACHICA 9 BATIQUrTOS LAGOON & SAN EUJO LAGOON 10 SAN DIEGO BAY AREA MISSION BAY SAN DIEGO BAY TIJUANA RIVER MOUTH 11 HARNEY LAKE 12 MUD LAKE 13 CAMPBELL LAKE 14 HART LAKE 15 GOOSE LAKE 18 UPPER ALKAU LAKE 17 SACRAMENTO NWR ... 18 DELEVAN NWR - ·-··- ·-:·:. '·'· -~-- ; 19 COLUSANWR 20 BUTTE SINK NWR 21 GRAY LODGE WA 22 SUTTER NWR 23 WOODLAND SUGAR PONDS 24 NATOMAS ROAD 25 UPPER BEACH LAKE 28 MODESTO SEWAGE PONDS . ·.··· ... ~- ~~~: . : .... - ··,. 27 GRASSLAND RESOURCE CONSERVATION DISTRICT 28 BARBIZON FARMS & WESTLAKE FARMS NORTH EVAPORATION PONDS 29 HANFORD SEWAGE PONDS 30 DINUBA SEWAGE PONDS 31 CROWLEY LAKE ____ ,·..,. -.-·- 32 CORCORAN SEWAGE PONDS 33 TULARE SEWAGE PONDS · '' 34 VISAUA SEWAGE PONDS .
    [Show full text]
  • Cattle Egret Bubulcus Ibis the Cattle Egret Has Enjoyed the Most Explosive Natural Range Expansion of Any Bird in Recorded His- Tory
    Herons and Bitterns — Family Ardeidae 139 Cattle Egret Bubulcus ibis The Cattle Egret has enjoyed the most explosive natural range expansion of any bird in recorded his- tory. In 25 years it went from being a new arrival to the most abundant bird in southeastern California’s Imperial Valley. In San Diego County, however, it has seen a reversal as well as an advance. Since the spe- cies first nested in 1979, colonies have formed and vanished in quick succession; from 1997 through 2001 the only important one was that at the Wild Animal Park. After a peak in the 1980s the popula- tion has been on the decline; the conversion of pas- tures and dairies to urban sprawl spells no good for this bird whose lifestyle is linked to livestock. Breeding distribution: The Cattle Egret colony at the Wild Animal Park (J12) is part of the mixed-species heronry in the Heart of Africa exhibit—a site eminently Photo by Anthony Mercieca suitable for this species of African origin. Maximum numbers reported here in the breeding season during the Beyond a 15-mile radius of the Wild Animal Park, the atlas period were 100 individuals on 15 June 1998 (D. and Cattle Egret is uncommon and irregular, especially during D. Bylin) and 43 nests on 9 May 1999 (K. L. Weaver). the breeding season. It is still rather frequent in the San Luis In 2001, one or two pairs nested in the multispecies Rey River valley between Oceanside and Interstate 15 (up to heronry at Lindo Lake, Lakeside (P14).
    [Show full text]
  • Cultural Resources Technical Report
    APPENDIX G Cultural Resources Technical Report CULTURAL RESOURCES TECHNICAL REPORT IN SUPPORT OF THE BUENA VISTA LAGOON ENHANCEMENT PROJECT ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REPORT, SAN DIEGO COUNTY, CALIFORNIA Prepared for: SANDAG 401 B Street, Suite 800 San Diego, California 92101 Prepared by: AECOM 401 West A Street, Suite 1200 San Diego, California 92101 (619) 610-7600 Authors: Tanya Wahoff, M.A., R.P.A. Theodore Cooley, M.A., R.P.A. Contributions by: Robin Cleland, M.A. Andrew L. York, M.A., R.P.A. Survey Area: Approximately 12 acres USGS Quadrangles: San Luis Rey, Calif. July 2015 TABLE OF CONTENTS Section Page MANAGEMENT SUMMARY ...................................................................................................... v INTRODUCTION .......................................................................................................................... 1 Project Description .............................................................................................................. 1 Area of Potential Effects ..................................................................................................... 5 State Legislation.................................................................................................................. 5 Project Personnel ................................................................................................................ 6 NATURAL AND CULTURAL SETTING .................................................................................... 7 Natural Setting ...................................................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Dissertation Submitted in Partial Satisfaction of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Biology
    LOMA LINDA UNIVERSITY School of Science and Technology in conjunction with the Faculty of Graduate Studies ____________________ Factors Affecting Phytoplankton Biodiversity and Toxin Production by Tracey Magrann ____________________ A Dissertation submitted in partial satisfaction of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Biology ____________________ June 2011 © 2011 Tracey Magrann All Rights Reserved Each person whose signature appears below certifies that this dissertation in his opinion is adequate, in scope and quality, as a dissertation for the degree Doctor of Philosophy. , Chairperson Stephen G. Dunbar, Associate Professor of Biology Danilo S. Boskovic, Assistant Professor of Biochemistry, School of Medicine H. Paul Buchheim, Professor of Geology William K. Hayes, Professor of Biology Kevin E. Nick, Associate Professor of Geology iii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS I would like to express my deepest gratitude to Dr. Stephen G. Dunbar, who assisted with the majority of the editing and for his wonderful guidance throughout this research project, Dr. Danilo Boskovic for providing space in his laboratory, constructing data sheets, giving careful directions in proper water chemistry analysis techniques, and editing proficiency, Dr. Bill Hayes for his contribution in the statistics portion of this work, Dr. Martha Sutula for site selection and providing laboratory and field equipment, Dr. H. Paul Buchheim for contributing expertise in limnology, and Dr. Kevin Nick for his insightful editing contributions. I am also very thankful to those who provided grants and other funding which allowed this project to expand throughout five counties. The Southern California Coastal Waters Research Project (SCCWRP) funded the water chemistry analysis, and the toxin analysis was funded by grants from Marine Research Group (MRG) of Loma Linda University, the Southern California Academy of Sciences, Newport Bay Naturalists and Friends, El Dorado Audubon Society, Friends of Madrona Marsh, Sea and Sage Audubon Society, Blue Water Technologies, and Preserve Calavera.
    [Show full text]
  • <Insert Month, Day and Year>
    APPENDIX A Project Personnel Qualifications Brad Comeau Archaeologist Brad Comeau is an archaeologist with over 9 years’ experience EDUCATION as a field director, archaeological monitor, and laboratory University of Sheffield technician. He has conducted numerous surveys, evaluation MS, Experimental Archaeology, 2012 excavations, and data recoveries, primarily in Southern University of Massachusetts, Amherst California. He has extensive experience in San Diego County, BA, Anthropology, 2004 with additional experience in Riverside County, the Mojave BA, Italian Studies, 2004 Desert, San Joaquin Valley, and Imperial County, as well as CERTIFICATIONS Massachusetts, Arizona, and England. His research interests Occupational Health and Safety include the role of experimentation in archaeology, copper Administration Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response production techniques, and lithic production. 40-hour Course, 2011 City of San Diego, Certified Archaeological Project Experience Monitor, 2009 Development PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS Society for American Archaeology, 2012 St. John Garabed Church Project, San Diego County, Bath and Camerton Archaeological California. As field director, conducted site examinations and Society, 2012 limited shovel test pit excavation for an Extended Phase 1 survey; Society for California Archaeology, 2008 directed a crew of two people; prepared a letter report of findings. Rhodes Crossing Update, Rhodes Properties, San Diego, California. As field director, led a crew of two people for a Class III pedestrian survey of 88 acres; coordinated Native American monitor participation; assisted with preparation of Archaeological Resource Management Report (ARMR). Gregory Canyon Landfill Environmental Impact Statement PHI Assessments, PCR Services Corporation, Pala, San Diego, California. As field director, conducted pedestrian survey of proposed landfill; relocated and verified previously recorded sites; led a crew of four people; coordinated with Native American monitors; prepared site forms and site descriptions for ARMR report.
    [Show full text]
  • 2018 Resilient Imperial Beach LCP/GP Update AECOM City of Imperial Beach 2018 Resilient Imperial Beach (RIB) Local Coastal Program (LCP) / General Plan (GP) Update
    Prepared for City of Imperial Beach Ryan Wiggins February 28, 2017 410 West A Street, Suite 1200 San Diego, CA 92101 (619) 610-7718 [email protected] PROPOSAL FOR 2018 Resilient Imperial Beach LCP/GP Update AECOM City of Imperial Beach 2018 Resilient Imperial Beach (RIB) Local Coastal Program (LCP) / General Plan (GP) Update TABLE OF CONTENTS I. Cover Letter ����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������1 II. Proposer’s Strategic Plan .............................................................................................................................3 III. Qualifications and Experience ................................................................................................................16 IV. List of Project Personnel .............................................................................................................................27 V. Organization Chart �����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������65 VI. Insurance Coverage .......................................................................................................................................66 VII. Schedule of Rates ������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������67 Table of Contents | TOC I. Cover Letter Cover I. I. Cover Letter 2018 RESILIENT IMPERIAL
    [Show full text]
  • APPENDIX B Cultural Resources Impact Table and Cultural Resources Evaluation Report
    APPENDIX B Cultural Resources Impact Table and Cultural Resources Evaluation Report The following provides a list of project components resulting in potential impacts to historical and archaeological resources. This list is adopted from Table 4.0-1, Pipeline ID in Archaeolgocial Site Vicinities, as presented in the Cultural Resources Evaluation. Cultural Resources Impact Table Presence of Recorded Presence of Undisturbed or Site within Recorded Site Disturbed/ Partially Sub-Basin DESCRIPTOR 100’ within 500’ Site Number Developed Disturbed B01 B01070.00-B01071.00 x SDI-5779 x B01 B01111.A0-B01111.B0 x SDI-5785H x B01 B01076.00-B01079.00 x SDI-5787H x B01 B01074.00-B01075.00 x SDI-5787H x B01 B01070.00-B01071.00 x SDI-5787H x B01 B01108.00-B01109.00 x SDI-5787H x B01 B01118.00-B01119.00 x SDI-5792 x B01 B01017.00-B01018.00 x SDI-5792 x B01 B01111.A0-B01111.B0 x SDI-5792 x B01 B01016.00-B01017.00 x SDI-5792 x B01 B01015.00-B01016.00 x SDI-5792 x B01 B01076.00-B01079.00 x SDI-5792 x B01 B01074.00-B01075.00 x SDI-5792 x B01 B01118.00-B01119.00 x SDI-5792 x B01 B01070.00-B01071.00 x SDI-5792 x B01 B01117.00-B01118.00 x SDI-5792 x B01 B01031.E0-B01031.F0 x SDI-5792 x B01 B01108.00-B01109.00 x SDI-5792 x B01 B01037.00-B01038.00 x SDI-5792 x B01 B01036.00-B01037.00 x SDI-5792 x B01 B01035.00-B01036.00 x SDI-5792 x B01 B01034.00-B01035.00 x SDI-5792 x B01 B01032.00-B01033.00 x SDI-5792 x B01 B01028.00-B01030.00 x SDI-5792 x B01 B01013.00-B01014.00 x SDI-5792 x B01 B01011.00-B01013.00 x SDI-5792 x B01 B01009.00-B01010.00 x SDI-5792 x B01 B01113.B0-B01113.C0
    [Show full text]
  • Foraging Habits and Local Movements of the Wood Ibis in San Diego County, California
    Nov., 1956 427 FORAGING HABITS AND LOCAL MOVEMENTS OF THE WOOD IBIS IN SAN DIEGO COUNTY, CALIFORNIA By ANDREAS B. RECHNITZER Published records and personal observations indicate that each summer a few Wood Ibises (Mycteria americana) visit southern California, particularly the Imperial Valley marshes, Imperial County, and the coastal lagoons of San Diego County. Occasional stragglers have been recorded farther north: Long Beach (Law, 1912) ; Bixby, Los An- geles County (Daggett, 1903) ; San Bernardino Valley (Feudge, 1903) ; Daggett, San Bernardino County (Lamb, 1912); Santa Barbara (Rett, 1954); San Francisco Bay (Cooper, 1887). These annual migrants which are thought to come from the coast of western Mexico, where the species is common, appear in late June or early July and depart by mid-October. The numbers recorded vary considerably from year to year as shown in table 1. Except for the years from 1953 to 19.55, when a definite effort was made to locate all individuals within the limits of San Diego County, it is suspectedthat the recorded numbers are underestimates of the numbers present in the county. Surveys made weekly or biweekly in the summers from 1953 to 1955 showed that the Lt. Maxton Brown Sanctuary (Buena Vista Lagoon), between Oceanside and Carlsbad, is the major foraging area for the Wood Ibis. The Santa Marguerita River mouth, north of Ocean- side, and the San Elijo Lagoon at Cardiff are used as foraging areits to a lesser extent. The other lagoons and bays shown in figure 1 are now used only very infrequently. All of these areas have been occupied in the past (Lawrence Huey, personal communica- tion) , but probably they have been rendered unsuitable by dredging, filling, and sewage disposal.
    [Show full text]
  • A Review of the Status of the White-Faced Ibis in Winter in California
    WESTERN BIRDS Volume 27, Number 4, 1996 A REVIEW OF THE STATUS OF THE WHITE-FACED IBIS IN WINTER IN CALIFORNIA W. DAVID SHUFORD and CATHERINE M. HICKEY, Point ReyesBird Observatory, 4990 ShorelineHighway, Stinson Beach, California 94970 REBECCAJ. SAFRAN, Departmentof Wildlife,Humboldt State University, Arcata, California 95521 GARY W. PAGE,Point Reyes Bird Observatory.4990 ShorelineHighway, Stinson Beach, California 94970 The White-facedIbis (Plegadis chihi) has been classified as a Bird Species of SpecialConcern in California(Remsen 1978, S. Laymonpers. comm.) and a potential candidatefor federal threatenedor endangeredstatus (USFWS 1991, Trapp 1995) becauseof populationdeclines in the western UnitedStates, particularly in the 1960s and 1970s (USFWS 1985, Ryder and Manry 1994). Althoughthe breedingstatus of the ibisin thisregion has been reviewed(Ryder 1967, USFWS 1985, Ryderand Manry 1994), little has been publishedon its abundanceand distributionin winter. Here we summarizedata on the winterdistribution, abundance, and habitatuse of the White-facedIbis in Californiaduring the lasthalf century.We alsoestimate the currentwinter population size and reviewhistorical population trends. METHODS We determined the winter status of the White-faced Ibis from wetland censuses,roost counts, and publishedand unpublishedobservations. As part of Point Reyes Bird Observatory'sPacific Flyway Project, we organized surveysof all shorebirdsand ibisin all key weftandsof California'sCentral Valleyand the Mojave,Colorado, and southernGreat Basindeserts once to twice per winter from November 1992 to February1995. Surveyswere conductedfrom the ground,except in the CentralValley where logistical constraintsdictated a combinationof aerial and groundcounts. The aerial countswere conductedprimarily from a Cessna172 aircraftby Pageand WesternBirds 27:169-196, 1996 169 WHITE-FACED IBIS IN WINTER IN CALIFORNIA Shuford,the groundcounts by a network of skilledvolunteers, agency personnel,and projectstaff.
    [Show full text]
  • The Breeding Status of the Snowy Plover in California
    WESTERN BIRDS Volume 12, Number 1, 1981 THE BREEDING STATUS OF THE SNOWY PLOVER IN CALIFORNIA GARY W. PAGE and LYNNE E. STENZEL, Editors, Point Reyes Bird Observatory, 4990 Shoreline Highway, StinsonBeach, California94970 The westernrace of the Snowy Plover (Charadriusalexandrinus nioosus) breeds on the Pacific coast from southern Washington to southern Baja California, inland in Oregon, California, Nevada, Utah, Colorado, New Mexico, Kansas, Oklahoma and Texas, and along the coastsof Texas and northeasternMexico (AOU 1957). For many yearsornithologists believed that the number of Snowy Plovers breeding along the Pacific coast was decliningas developmentdestroyed suitable habitat. In May, June and July, from 1977 to 1980, Point Reyes Bird Observatory(PRBO) biologistsand volunteers conducted surveys of potential breeding habitat throughout Californiato gather informationon the distributionand abundanceof Snowy Plovers.This paper summarizesthe resultsof thosesurveys and the available data on the species'past abundanceand distribution.We attempt to define suitablebreeding habitat and to describethe effectsof human activitieson it. Detailedstudies of marked birdsundertaken by John and Jane Warriner at Pajaro Dunes on MontereyBay have been very helpfulin interpretingthe surveyresults. Their informationon migrationperiods, mid-breedingseason movements and the detection rate of birds on censuses is summarized in this paper. Detailed information on the occurrence of birds at specificsites is available in a report (Page and Stenzel 1979) on file with the California Department of Fish and Game in Sacramento. If readers have information indicatinggreater breeding numbers or know of breedingsites not mentioned here, we and the Departmentof Fishand Game encouragethem to contactus. METHODS The breedingsurvey covered the coastbetween the Golden Gate and the Oregon border in 1977, the remainder of the California coastand interior in 1978, and the ChannelIslands from 1978 to 1980.
    [Show full text]
  • Chronology of Buena Vista Lagoon
    CHRONOLOGY OF BUENA VISTA LAGOON A summary of important dates, compiled from Department of Fish and Game records in Long Beach and from a proposal for a Buena Vista Lagoon State Park prepared early in 1966 by the Buena Vista Lagoon State Park Committee of Carlsbad and Oceanside, published by the Buena Vista Lagoon Foundation. 1769 The first record of the lagoon is found in the diary of Fr. Juan Crespit who accompanied Don Gaspar de Portola on his military mission from San Diego to Monterey: Monday, July 17th at three in the afternoon we left the camp (now Batiquitos Lagoon), following the valley in a continued direction (After crossing Agua Hedionda Creek) we continued on our way in the same northerly direction, over hills and broad mesas supplied with good pasture, and after about one more leagues travel we descended to a small, very green valley, which has a narrow plain some fifty varas wide. We pitched camp on the slope of the valley on the west side. The water is collected in pools, and we noticed that it flowed out of several springs, forming about it mashed, or stagnant pools, covered with rushes and grass. We named this place Santa Sintrosa (now Buena Vista Creek and Lagoon). 1939 A young Carlsbad resident, Maxton Brown, later killed during World War II, secured the support of 135 organizations in Carlsbad, Encinitas, Oceanside and Vista in obtaining a county ordinance that prohibited shooting around the lagoon, thus, in effect, making it a bird sanctuary. The Buena Vista Lagoon Association was formed by property owners adjacent to the lagoon.
    [Show full text]