INFORMATION HANDOUT
For Hardin Flat Road Bridge Replacement Project Contract No. 1673 Federal Aid No. BRLO-5932(079)
PLACS PLAC Summary
PERMITS U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service Temporary Special – Use Permit
AGREEMENTS California Department of Fish and Wildlife Notification No. 1600-2016-0114-R4
MATERIALS INFORMATION Final Foundation Report Hardin Flat Road Bridge (Replace) over South Fork Tuolumne River Bridge No. 32C-0053 - February 2017
MISCELLANEOUS INFORMATION Natural Environment Study Hardin Flat Road Bridge (32C0053) over the South Fork Tuolumne River Replacement Project - August 2015 Hardin Flat Road Bridge Replacement Project Contract No. 1673
PLACS
PLAC Summary PLAC CONDITION RESPONSIBILTY (PCR) SUMMARY
General: This PCR Summary clarifies the various PLAC requirements. Perform all work described in the PLACs on behalf of the County unless otherwise stated below in Table 2. If a discrepancy exists between the PCR Summary and the PLAC, the PCR Summary governs. Definitions: Agency: A board, agency, or other entity that issues a PLAC Activity: A task, event or other project element PLAC Condition: A work activity and/or submittal required by a PLAC
Table 1 – Clarification of PLAC Requirements PLAC Name Section of the PLAC PLAC Requirement Submittals: Submit to the Engineer when PLAC conditions require: 1. Communications. The Engineer will contact the agencies. All PLACs Applicable PLAC Sections 2. Records to be maintained, within 5 working days after the activity. 3. Submittals 5 days before the agencies require them. The Engineer will review and submit to the agencies.
Table 2 – Work to be performed by the County PLAC Name Section of the PLAC PLAC Requirement Measure 2.3(a), (b), Listed and Other Special The County to provide surveys. Status Species California Department of Fish and Wildlife Measure 2.4(b), (c) Fish and Wildlife The County to provide surveys. Notification No. 1600-2016-0114-R4 Measure 2.5(b) Vegetation The County to provide replanting Measure 3.1(a) Revegetation and Restoration The County to provide plan and replanting The County to provide reports related to Measure 3.2 Reports Measure 2.3(a), (b), and Measure 2.4(b), (c).
Hardin Flat Road Bridge Replacement Project Contract No. 1673 Hardin Flat Road Bridge Replacement Project Contract No. 1673
PERMITS U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service Temporary Special – Use Permit
Hardin Flat Road Bridge Replacement Project Contract No. 1673
AGREEMENTS California Department of Fish and Wildlife Notification No. 1600-2016-0114-R4
Hardin Flat Road Bridge Replacement Project Contract No. 1673
MATERIALS INFORMATION Final Foundation Report Hardin Flat Road Bridge (Replace) over South Fork Tuolumne River
FINAL FOUNDATION REPORT Hardin Flat Road Bridge (Replace) over South Fork Tuolumne River Bridge No. 32C-0053 Tuolumne County, California
Prepared by: BLACKBURN CONSULTING 2491 Boatman Avenue West Sacramento, CA 95691 (916) 375-8706
February 2017
Prepared for: Tuolumne County Community Resources Agency 2 South Green Street Sonora, California 95370 West Sacramento Office: 2491 Boatman Ave. . West Sacramento, CA 95691 Main Auburn Office: (530) 887-1494 (916) 375-8706 . Fax (916) 375-8709 Fresno Office: (559) 438-8411 Geotechnical . Geo-Environmental . Construction Services . Forensics
File No. 2721.X February 17, 2017
Ms. Blossom Scott-Heim, P.E. Tuolumne County Community Resources Agency 2 South Green Street Sonora, California 95370
Subject: FINAL FOUNDATION REPORT Hardin Flat Road Bridge (Replace) over S. Fork Tuolumne River Bridge No. 32C-0053 Tuolumne County, California
Dear Ms. Scott-Heim:
Blackburn Consulting (BCI) prepared this Final Foundation Report for the Hardin Flat Road Bridge (Replace) Project over the South Fork Tuolumne River in Tuolumne County, California. BCI prepared this report in accordance with our July 14, 2014 Agreement and November 14, 2016 Amendment No. 1 with Tuolumne County for the project. This report contains our findings, conclusions and geotechnical recommendations for design of the new bridge, bridge wing walls and associated roadway improvements.
Please call if you have questions or require additional information.
Sincerely,
BLACKBURN CONSULTING Reviewed by,
David J. Morrell, P.E., G.E. Patrick Fischer, P.G., C.E.G., C.E. Senior Project Manager Senior Project Manager
Distribution: Tuolumne County Community Resource Agency (3) – Attention: Ms. Blossom Scott-Heim, P.E. Cornerstone Structural Engineering Group, Inc. (1) – Attention: Mr. Bobby Zermeno, P.E. FINAL FOUNDATION REPORT Hardin Flat Road Bridge (Replace) over S. Fork Tuolumne River Bridge No. 32C-0053 Tuolumne County, California
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1. INTRODUCTION...... 1 1.1 Purpose ...... 1 1.2 Scope of Services ...... 1 2. SITE LOCATION AND DESCRIPTION ...... 2 3. PROJECT DESCRIPTION ...... 2 4. SUBSURFACE EXPLORATION ...... 2 5. SITE GEOLOGY AND SUBSURFACE CONDITIONS ...... 3 5.1 Geologic Setting ...... 3 5.2 Local Geology and 1:1 Cut Slope Field Geologic Review ...... 3 5.3 Subsurface Conditions ...... 3 5.4 Groundwater ...... 4 6. LABORATORY TESTING ...... 4 7. CORROSION EVALUATION ...... 5 8. SCOUR CONSIDERATIONS ...... 5 9. SEISMIC DATA AND EVALUATION...... 5 9.1 Ground Motion Study ...... 5 9.2 Liquefaction Evaluation ...... 6 9.3 Fault Rupture Study ...... 6 9.4 Seismic Settlement ...... 6 9.5 Seismic Slope Stability ...... 7 10. FOUNDATION RECOMMENDATIONS ...... 7 10.1 Abutment Foundation Design Data and Loading ...... 7 10.2 Pile Data Table ...... 8 10.3 Abutment 48-inch CIDH Pile Analysis ...... 8 10.3.1 Compressive Resistance ...... 8 10.3.2 Lateral Resistance ...... 8 10.3.3 Settlement ...... 9 10.3.4 Negative Skin Friction ...... 9 10.4 Lateral Earth Pressures ...... 9 11. APPROACH FILL EARTHWORK ...... 10 11.1 Fill Material ...... 10 11.2 Slope Geometry and Stability ...... 11 11.3 Settlement ...... 11 12. NEW HMA APPROACH PAVEMENT SECTIONS ...... 11 13. CONSTRUCTION CONSIDERATIONS ...... 11 i FINAL FOUNDATION REPORT Hardin Flat Road Bridge (Replace) over S. Fork Tuolumne River Bridge No. 32C-0053 Tuolumne County, California
TABLE OF CONTENTS (continued)
13.1 Earthwork ...... 11 13.2 Excavations and Dewatering ...... 12 13.3 CIDH Piles ...... 12 13.4 Naturally Occurring Asbestos ...... 13 14. RISK MANAGEMENT...... 13 15. LIMITATIONS ...... 13
APPENDIX A Figure 1 – Vicinity Map Figure 2 – Geologic Map Log of Test Borings
APPENDIX B Laboratory Test Results
APPENDIX C Design Response Spectrum and Tabular Data
APPENDIX D Abutment Pile Analysis Results
ii FINAL FOUNDATION REPORT Hardin Flat Road Bridge (Replace) over S. Fork Tuolumne River Bridge No. 32C-0053 BCI File No. 2721.X Tuolumne, California February 17, 2017
1. INTRODUCTION
1.1 Purpose Blackburn Consulting (BCI) prepared this Final Foundation Report for the proposed Hardin Flat Bridge (Replace) Project over the S. Fork Tuolumne River in Tuolumne County, California. This report contains our findings, conclusions and recommendations for design of the new bridge, wing walls and associated roadway improvements.
This report is for Cornerstone Structural Engineering Group (CSEG) and the County of Tuolumne to use during design and construction of the project. Do not use or rely upon this report for different locations or improvements without the written consent of BCI.
1.2 Scope of Services To prepare this report, BCI: • Discussed the project with Ms. Blossom Scott-Heim with Tuolumne County Community Resources Agency, and with Mr. Bobby Zermeno with CSEG. • Reviewed a preliminary October 21, 2016 90% Submittal General Plan (Sheet S1) and Foundation Plan (Sheet S3) for the proposed replacement structure prepared and provided by CSEG. • Reviewed a preliminary August 29, 2016 90% Submittal Construction Details Plan (Sheet X1) prepared by ISL Engineering and provided by CSEG. • Reviewed Caltrans Bridge Inspection Reports for the structure (6/20/2012 and 9/23/2013 inspection dates) and 1956 as-built plans (general plan and details sheet) for the Hardin Flat Road Bridge entitled “Redecking Bridge Across South Fork Tuolumne Bridge”. • Reviewed published geologic maps and literature pertaining to the site. • Reviewed the July 2015 Bridge Design Hydraulic Study Report prepared by WRECO for the project. • Reviewed our March 5, 2015 Preliminary Foundation Report and September 25, 2015 Draft Foundation Report for the project. • Drilled, logged and sampled two borings near the proposed bridge abutments to depths of 47.0 to 50.7 ft., and two borings within the proposed bridge roadway approach areas to depths of 3 ft. BCI performed the drilling and associated field review of existing site conditions on September 29-30, 2014 and on March 25, 2014 prior to proposing on the project. • Performed a field geologic review of the proposed 1:1 cut slope area directly northeast of the new Abutment 2 area on January 16, 2017. • Performed engineering analysis to support the conclusions and recommendations contained in this report.
1 FINAL FOUNDATION REPORT Hardin Flat Road Bridge (Replace) over S. Fork Tuolumne River Bridge No. 32C-0053 BCI File No. 2721.X Tuolumne County, California February 15, 2017
2. SITE LOCATION AND DESCRIPTION
The site is located on Hardin Flat Road (old State Route 120) at the South Fork Tuolumne River, about 2.2 miles east of the west-most intersection of State Route 120/Hardin Flat Road in Tuolumne County, California. Site coordinates are approximately latitude 37.812194° N and longitude 119.93220° W. Figure 1 in Appendix A shows the site location. The existing bridge was built in 1933 and is a five-span, 100-foot long, 26-foot wide, timber bridge with two stringer approach spans and three braced center stringer spans. Roadway grade elevations range from about Elev. 3540.5 ft. at the west abutment, and about Elev. 3542.0 at the east abutment. The bridge was re-decked in 1956. Foundations are assumed to be spread footings. The bridge sustained fire damage during the recent RIM fire and the west-bound lane is currently closed.
At the project location, the river flows towards the southwest at a moderate gradient. The deepest channel bottom elevation at the bridge site is about Elev. 3511.0 ft. During our site visits, BCI observed hard, resistant granitic rock outcrops (“knockers”) and/or large granitic boulders within the river channel beneath the bridge and in the immediate vicinity both upstream and downstream.
3. PROJECT DESCRIPTION
Based on the preliminary general plan, we understand that the project will replace the existing bridge with a new single-span, cast-in-place, post-tensioned concrete box girder bridge on a similar alignment as the existing bridge. The replacement bridge will be 120 feet long and 28.5 feet wide, and have cantilever wing walls with level backfill. New approach fills will extend no more than a few feet above existing grades and have side slope gradients of 2:1 (horizontal to vertical) or flatter. New abutment front slopes will have a gradient of 1.5:1 or flatter. Current plans call for an approximately 11-foot high, 1:1 rock cut slope directly northeast of the new Abutment 2 area to accommodate the widening.
CSEG indicates that the 2010 Caltrans Standard Plans, Specifications and Special Provisions will be used for project design and construction.
4. SUBSURFACE EXPLORATION
BCI drilled, logged and sampled two borings on September 29-30, 2014 near the existing bridge abutments to depths of 47.0 to 50.7 ft., and two borings in the unpaved roadway shoulder within the proposed bridge approach areas to depths of 3 ft. Taber Drilling advanced the borings using 4-inch solid flight auger, then switched to diamond-bit core drilling to complete the abutment borings when auger refusal occurred upon encountering granitic rock and/or granitic boulders. The drillers obtained relatively undisturbed samples using both Modified California Samplers (equipped with 2.4-inch I.D. brass liners) and Standard Penetration Test samplers (1.4-inch I.D.).
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The samplers were driven into the ground with the force of a 140-pound hammer falling 30 inches using a hammer operated with an automated drop system. BCI retained recovered rock cores in core boxes. BCI delivered all the cores and soil samples to our West Sacramento laboratory.
BCI also drilled two auger borings to a depth of 3 feet within the unpaved shoulder areas (about 100 feet from the abutment on each end of the existing bridge) to obtain R-value samples for approach pavement design.
BCI logged the borings generally consistent with the Caltrans 2010 Soil and Rock Logging, Classification and Presentation Manual.
5. SITE GEOLOGY AND SUBSURFACE CONDITIONS
5.1 Geologic Setting The project site is located within the Sierra Nevada geomorphic province. This province is a tilted fault block with a length (north-south) of approximately 400 miles. It has a steep eastern face and a gently sloping western slope that extends beneath sediments of the Great Valley (Sacramento and San Joaquin Valleys). Rock of the Sierra Nevada is primarily igneous and metamorphic units of diverse age and composition, including plutonic, volcanic, metavolcanic, and metasedimentary rocks. Rock structure (faulting, foliation, etc.) has a predominant northwest-southeast trend.
5.2 Local Geology and 1:1 Cut Slope Field Geologic Review Published geologic mapping1 shows that the site is underlain by Jurassic age granitic rock (granite) that consists of medium grained, hornblende-biotite tonalite and granodiorite. Our field review and the subsurface conditions encountered in our borings confirm that the site is underlain by granite, although it appears to be very deeply weathered and decomposed, except for resistant lenses and/or boulders (knockers).
BCI performed a field geologic review of the proposed 1:1 cut slope area (directly northeast of the new Abutment 2 area) on January 16, 2017. This review indicates that the 1:1 cut slope will extend primarily into moderately hard granite. Up to 18 inches of surficial soil could remain over the granite in some locations within the lower cut slope area.
We present a geologic map showing the site location as Figure 2 in Appendix A.
5.3 Subsurface Conditions In Boring R-14-001 (west abutment area), we encountered fill that consists of dense, silty sand with gravel to a depth of about 12 ft. below existing ground surface (bgs), which contained boulders of granitic rock up to 3 feet in diameter. Beneath the fill, we encountered decomposed,
1F.C.W. Dodge and L.C. Calk, 1987, Geologic Map of the Lake Eleanor Quadrangle, California, 1:62,500: United States Geological Survey (USGS).
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very soft to soft granitic rock (dense clayey sand) to the maximum depth explored. The decomposed rock contained resistant granite “knockers” up to 3 feet in thickness, that consist of slightly to moderately weathered, moderately hard granite.
In Boring R-14-002 (east abutment area), we encountered fill that consists of loose, silty sand with gravel to a depth of about 5.5 ft. bgs, followed by loose clayey sand to a depth of about 7.5 ft. bgs. Beneath the clayey sand, we observed loose to medium dense, silty sand with gravel and occasional boulders of granitic rock to a depth of about 20 ft. bgs. Below this depth, we encountered decomposed, very soft to soft granitic rock (medium dense to dense clayey sand) to the maximum depth explored. The decomposed rock contained resistant granite “knockers” up to 1.5 feet in thickness, that consist of slightly to moderately weathered, moderately hard granite.
In the approach shallow auger borings (B3 on west approach and B4 on east approach), we encountered clayey sand to the 3-foot depth explored. We did not prepare logs of these borings.
Refer to the Draft Log of Test Borings in Appendix A for more detailed descriptions of the subsurface conditions encountered in the bridge borings.
5.4 Groundwater BCI did not encounter groundwater within the upper 5 to 11.5 feet of the borings during auger drilling through the soil. We could not measure potential groundwater levels at deeper depths in the borings since water was introduced into the holes during coring. We anticipate that local groundwater levels will be at or near the river water level.
6. LABORATORY TESTING
We performed the following laboratory tests on soil and rock samples obtained from the test borings: • Grain Size Analysis (ASTM D6913) • Rock Point Load (ASTM D5731) • pH/Minimum Resistivity (CTM 643) • Chloride (CTM 422) • Sulfate (CTM 417) • R-value (CTM 301)
BCI performed laboratory tests in substantial conformance with the designated test procedures. We present the laboratory test results in Appendix B.
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7. CORROSION EVALUATION
Table 1 presents the soil corrosivity test results.
Table 1: Soil Corrosion Test Summary Minimum Chloride Sulfate Sample Boring Depth (ft) Resistivity pH Content Content No. (ohm-cm) (ppm) (ppm) R-14-001 7 31.5-33.0 13,130 7.19 10.8 6.3 R-14-002 5 20.5-22.0 5,900 7.05 13.3 0.4
Caltrans considers soils corrosive to foundation elements if one or more of the following conditions exist: Chloride concentration is 500 parts per million (ppm) or greater; sulfate concentration is 2000 ppm or greater; or pH is 5.5 or less. Based on the laboratory test results, the site soils are classified as “non-corrosive” to structural elements according Caltrans Corrosion Guidelines (Version 2.0, November 2012). Appendix B contains the soil corrosion test results.
8. SCOUR CONSIDERATIONS
While the large granite boulders and/or rock outcrops (knockers) observed within the river channel and bank areas beneath the bridge are scour resistant, the soil/decomposed granite surrounding the resistant rock and observed in our borings is not considered scour resistant. Within the 100-year flood plain limits, the effective median grain size diameter (D50) of the channel bed and bank material is over 12 inches based on our field observations of the numerous boulders and/or rock outcrops within this area. WRECO considered this median grain size in their scour evaluation. The July 2015 Bridge Design Hydraulic Study Report prepared by WRECO indicates that total scour is negligible for the propose bridge abutments.
9. SEISMIC DATA AND EVALUATION
9.1 Ground Motion Study BCI used the Caltrans ARS Online Version 2.3.07 (web-based tool) to evaluate the preliminary minimum design acceleration response spectrum (Design Response Spectrum) for preliminary design of the bridge. Caltrans Seismic Design Criteria Version 1.7 (April 2013) defines the Design Response Spectrum as the maximum design envelope across the period spectrum developed by considering both deterministic and probabilistic spectra. Table 2 provides a summary of our ground motion study results.
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Table 2: Ground Motion Study Results Peak Ground Acceleration (PGA) 0.23g
VS30 (Small Strain Shear Wave Velocity) *284 meters per second Near Fault Factors N/A Basin Amplification Factor N/A Foothills Fault System, southern reach section (Bowie Flat Fault) • Fault ID: 419 Nearest Late Quaternary Fault • Style: Normal • Maximum Moment Magnitude (Mmax) = 6.3 Site to fault distance (RRUP) = 32.0 miles Controlling Deterministic Scenario Minimum Deterministic Design Response Spectrum is a combination of the Minimum Deterministic Spectrum, which controls at periods less than about 1.1 seconds, and the DESIGN RESPONSE SPECTRUM Probabilistic Spectrum (probability of exceedance equal to 5% in 50 years, a 975-year return period) which controls at greater periods. *Calculated in accordance with Caltrans guidelines based on the boring data.
Appendix C contains a graphical display of our recommended Design Response Spectrum along with the tabular data used to create the spectrum.
9.2 Liquefaction Evaluation Liquefaction is a secondary effect associated with seismic loading. It can occur when saturated, loose to medium dense, granular soils (generally within 50 feet of the surface), or specifically defined cohesive soils, are subjected to ground shaking. Based on the soil and rock conditions at the site and the relatively low peak ground acceleration, we consider the potential for detrimental liquefaction to be very low.
9.3 Fault Rupture Study No known active faults cross the site and the site is not within or adjacent to an Alquist–Priolo Earthquake Fault Zone2 for fault rupture hazard. We therefore consider the potential for fault rupture and ground displacement to adversely affect the proposed structure as very low to non-existent.
9.4 Seismic Settlement During a seismic event, ground shaking can cause densification of granular soil above the water table that can result in settlement of the ground surface. Based on the soil and rock conditions at the site and the relatively low peak ground acceleration, we consider the potential for detrimental seismic settlement to be very low.
2Bryant, W.A and Hart, E.W., 2007, Fault Rupture Hazard Zones in California, California Geological Survey, Special Publication 42, Interim Revision.
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9.5 Seismic Slope Stability We consider the potential for seismic slope instability of the existing creek banks to be very low, limited to some potential for minor bank slumping.
10. FOUNDATION RECOMMENDATIONS
10.1 Abutment Foundation Design Data and Loading Based on the subsurface conditions encountered in our borings, Cast-In-Drilled-Hole (CIDH) piles appear to be the most feasible foundation type to support the bridge. Driven piling is not a suitable foundation alternative since the piles would likely experience refusal to driving or exceed allowable pile driving stresses upon encountering shallow boulders and/or resistant granitic rock (knockers) prior to reaching the necessary tip elevation. Spread footings are not considered feasible for bridge support due to the potential for excessive settlement.
The bridge will be designed per AASHTO LRFD Bridge Design Specifications - 6th Edition and associated 2014 Caltrans Amendments to these specifications. CSEG provided the foundation design data and loading in Tables 3 and 4 below:
Table 3: Foundation Design Data Provided By CSEG
Finish Permissible Cut-Off Pile Cap Size (ft) Number of Support Design Pile Grade Settlement Elevation Piles Per No. Method Type Elev. – Service (ft) Support (ft) B L Load (in) 48-Inch Abut 1 LRFD 3,539.99 3,528.25 6 28.5 1 3 CIDH 48-inch Abut 2 LRFD 3,542.49 3,530.25 6 28.5 1 3 CIDH
Table 4: Foundation Design Loads Provided By CSEG
Strength/Construction Service-I Limit State (kips) Extreme Limit State Limit State (Controlling Group, kips) (Controlling Group, kips) Support No. Permanent Total Load Compression Tension Compression Tension Loads Max. Max. Max. Max. Per Per Per Per Per Per Per Per Per Per Per Support Pile Support Support Support Support Support Pile Pile Pile Pile Abut 1 1,110 390 920 1,680 610 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A Abut 2 1,110 390 920 1,680 610 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
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10.2 Pile Data Table Based on the above information, we provide recommended pile tip elevations in Table 5. We describe our engineering analysis in the following section.
Table 5: Pile Data Table Nominal Resistance Design Pile Tip Specified Tip Location Type Compression Tension Elevation Elevation (feet) (kips) (kips) (feet) 48-Inch 3,492.0 (1) Abut 1 880 0 3,487.0 CIDH 3,487.0 (2) 48-Inch 3,494.0 (1) Abut 2 880 0 3,489.0 CIDH 3,489.0 (2) - Design tip elevations at Abutments are controlled by: (1) Compression, (2) Lateral. - Lateral design tip elevations provided by CSEG. - Do not raise specified tip elevations.
10.3 Abutment 48-inch CIDH Pile Analysis 10.3.1 Compressive Resistance We determined the compressive resistance for the 48-inch CIDH piles using SHAFT 6.0 software developed by Ensoft, Inc. SHAFT 6.0 computes the axial capacity and short-term settlement analysis. In general, SHAFT 6.0 analytical methods are based on methods recommended in the FHWA manual Drilled Shafts: Construction Procedures and Design Methods, by L.C. Reese and M. W. O’Neill, published in November 1999. BCI used a geotechnical resistance factor (ϕ) of 0.7 to evaluate compressive resistance at the Strength Limit State. Our analysis indicates that the piles will achieve the required nominal compressive resistance of 880 kips (Strength Limit State) with a pile length of 36 feet. BCI neglected end bearing in our analysis consistent with Caltrans guidelines.
Refer to the pile compressive resistance calculations in Appendix D.
10.3.2 Lateral Resistance CSEG requested soil parameters to use in their lateral pile analysis using LPILE software. Based on the conditions encountered in the borings, BCI provides the following LPILE soil parameters in Table 6.
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TABLE 6: Recommended LPILE Parameters Friction Elevation L-Pile Soil Type Unit Weight Modulus k Angle (feet) (p-y curve model) (lb/ft3) (lb/in3) (degrees) 3540.0 to 3515.0 Sand (Reese) 120 32 80
3515.0 to 3508.0 Sand (Reese) *63 32 60
3508.0 to 3503.0 Sand (Reese) *68 35 100
Below 3503.0 Sand (Reese) *73 40 125 *Buoyant Unit Weight
To account for group effects based on the pile center-to-center spacing of 10 feet, use a p- multiplier of 0.80 for lateral loading in the longitudinal bridge direction, and a p-multiplier of 0.48 for lateral loading in the transverse bridge direction.
Use a minimum factor of safety of 1.25 to calculate the design lateral pile tip elevation using the pile head deflection vs. pile length data in accordance with Caltrans guidelines.
10.3.3 Settlement Using the Shaft 6.0 software, BCI calculated an immediate settlement (including axial pile compression) of less than 1/2-inch for the Service-I Limit State Loads. We do not anticipate significant long-term settlement at this site.
Refer to the pile settlement output graph in Appendix D.
10.3.4 Negative Skin Friction We do not anticipate negative skin friction at the abutments.
10.4 Lateral Earth Pressures Table 7 provides our recommended equivalent fluid weights (EFW’s) to design the abutment walls and wing walls assuming level backfill conditions.
Table 7: Equivalent Fluid Weights (level backfill)
Static EFW Seismic EFW Condition (pcf) (pcf) Active 39 6 Passive 220 190
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For static design, apply the resultant of the static active earth pressure at a depth of 0.33H from the base of the wall where H equals the wall height in ft. For seismic design, calculate the resultant of Seismic EFW and apply the magnitude of the seismic resultant at 0.5H from the base of the wall, in addition to applying the static active earth pressure as recommended above.
To limit wall deflection to acceptable levels, BCI applied a factor of safety of 2.0 to the ultimate passive pressure to generate the allowable passive pressures provided above.
The above EFW’s assume drained backfill conditions. CSEG should design a back-wall drainage system to effectively drain the backfill.
BCI estimated the EFWs for seismic loading using the Mononobe-Okabe equation for active and passive lateral coefficients Ka and Kp. In the Mononobe-Okabe equation, we use a horizontal seismic acceleration coefficient (kh) of 0.12 calculated using the equation in Appendix A11, Section th A11.5.1 of the AASHTO LRFD Bridge Design Specifications-6 Edition. This kh value assumes that the walls displace at least 1-inch during the design seismic event. BCI calculated the above static EFWs using methods presented in the 1982 Naval Facilities (NAVFAC) Design Manual 7.2.
For seismic loading into abutments, use a maximum passive pressure of 5.0 ksf for longitudinal abutment response, with the proportionality factor presented in Section 7.8.1 of Caltrans Seismic Design Criteria (SDC) v.1.7 (April 2013). Use an initial embankment fill stiffness of 50 (kips/in)/ft in accordance with Section 7.8.1 of the above SDC.
For surcharge loads, apply an additional uniform lateral load behind the wall equivalent to 0.3-times the surcharge pressure for the active condition. Use a coefficient of friction of 0.45 to resist sliding for concrete placed on native undisturbed soil or compacted fill.
11. APPROACH FILL EARTHWORK
11.1 Fill Material Embankments will be constructed using imported borrow material, supplemented with material excavated from shallow on-site cuts. The source(s) of borrow material for construction of approach fills has not been identified. Proposed borrow must be tested and approved for use by the project engineer prior to transporting to the site.
Fill placed within the upper 4 feet of finish pavement subgrade shall have a minimum R-value of 25.
Expansive soil (Expansion Index > 50 or Sand Equivalent < 20) shall not be used as fill within 5 feet of abutment backwalls or wing walls.
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11.2 Slope Geometry and Stability New approach fills will extend up to a few feet above existing grades, and will have side slope gradients of 2:1 (horizontal to vertical) or flatter. New abutment front slopes will be at a gradient of 1.5:1 or flatter. Current plans call for an approximately 11-foot high, 1:1 rock cut slope directly northeast of the new Abutment 2 area to accommodate the widening.
The proposed slopes should be stable provided fill placement and construction are in accordance with recommendations of this report and the 2010 Caltrans Standard Specifications.
11.3 Settlement We do not anticipate significant immediate or long-term embankment settlement. No waiting period is necessary prior to construction of bridge abutment foundations.
12. NEW HMA APPROACH PAVEMENT SECTIONS
We completed an R-value test (CTM 301) on a bulk sample of anticipated roadway subgrade that yielded an R-value of 29. We used an R-value of 25 for pavement design. ISL Engineering, Inc. designated a traffic index (TI) of 4.0 for the roadway in accordance with County Ordinance Code 11.12.020 (Structural Design Standards).
Table 8 provides our recommended new pavement section calculated in accordance with Caltrans Flexible Pavement Design Methods (Highway Design Manual, Chapter 630) for a TI of 4.0 and an R-value = 25.
TABLE 8: New Pavement Section (R-value = 25) Traffic Index (TI) 4.0
*Dense Graded Hot Mix Asphalt, inches 2.5 Class 2 Aggregate Base (AB), inches 6.0 *Use Asphalt Binder Grade PG 64-16 for Caltrans “Low Mountain” Climate Zone.
If imported soil is used for roadway approach construction, it should have a minimum R-value of 25.
13. CONSTRUCTION CONSIDERATIONS
13.1 Earthwork Perform earthwork and structure backfill in accordance with Section 19 of the 2010 Caltrans Standard Specifications.
11 FINAL FOUNDATION REPORT Hardin Flat Road Bridge (Replace) over S. Fork Tuolumne River Bridge No. 32C-0053 BCI File No. 2721.X Tuolumne County, California February 15, 2017
13.2 Excavations and Dewatering Excavations within the soil units can be achieved using typical heavy-duty construction equipment, however, considerable effort could be required to remove large granite boulders. Excessively large, resistant granite boulders (such as those exposed in the existing river channel and bank areas beneath the bridge) could require rock blasting to remove them during excavation. It may also be feasible to use heavy duty pneumatic or hydraulic rock excavation/rock splitting tools to break up and remove large boulders. If rock blasting is necessary, it should be designed and performed by an experienced blasting contractor such that the integrity of the surrounding soil and rock is not disrupted or degraded.
Abutment excavations and footing excavations that extend below the river water level will require dewatering and/or diking/diversion of the river. Therefore, we strongly recommend scheduling foundation excavation and construction during the late Summer to early Fall months to avoid surface water impacts.
The contractor is responsible for design and construction of excavation sloping and shoring in accordance with CalOSHA Standards.
13.3 CIDH Piles CIDH pile installation should conform to Section 49-3 of the 2010 Caltrans Standard Specifications and 2010 Caltrans Standard Special Provisions 49-3.02A(4)(b), 49- 3.02A(4)(d)(ii), and 49-3.02B(6)(c).
Given the pile center-to-center spacing of 2.5 pile diameters, there is a risk that drilling adjacent holes simultaneously could result in hole caving or blowout of the freshly poured concrete from one hole to another. Therefore, CIDH pile installation sequencing shall conform to 2010 Caltrans Standard Special Provision 49-3.02C(1).
Difficult pile installation is anticipated due to shallow groundwater conditions, potential caving of sand deposits, and required rock excavation through massive, decomposed to hard, granitic rock (knockers and boulders) to achieve specified tip elevation. CIDH pile installation will require coring through granitic knockers and boulders with estimated rock uniaxial compressive strengths up to about 2,500 psi based on our rock point load testing (ASTM D5731) conducted on core samples retrieved from the borings. Rock uniaxial compressive strength can be highly variable in granitic formations, and the contractor should be prepared to core material with uniaxial compressive strengths of 20,000 psi or greater if encountered.
CIDH piles will require construction using the wet method (slurry drilling, tremie concrete placement, gamma gamma inspection tubes) since groundwater flow into pile excavations is highly likely given the year-round flows in the river. CIDH piles may also require temporary casing during installation to prevent caving of the sand deposits above the decomposed rock.
Do not use permanent casing for CIDH installation since the piles would not meet the required nominal bearing resistance due to reduced skin friction resistance.
12 FINAL FOUNDATION REPORT Hardin Flat Road Bridge (Replace) over S. Fork Tuolumne River Bridge No. 32C-0053 BCI File No. 2721.X Tuolumne County, California February 15, 2017
13.4 Naturally Occurring Asbestos We do not expect naturally occurring asbestos to be present at the site based on the site geology, the subsurface conditions encountered in the borings, and review of published literature3.
14. RISK MANAGEMENT
Our experience and that of our profession clearly indicates that the risks of costly design, construction, and maintenance problems can be significantly lowered by retaining the geotechnical engineer of record to provide services through construction. For this project, BCI should be retained to: • Review and provide written comments on the civil/structural plans, and specifications, prior to construction. • Monitor construction to check and document our report assumptions. At a minimum, we should observe CIDH pile installation to verify that appropriate bearing materials have been exposed prior to placement of the reinforcing steel. • Update this report if design changes occur, two years or more lapse between this report and construction, and/or site conditions change.
If BCI is not retained to perform the above applicable services, we are not responsible for any other parties’ interpretation of our report, subsequent addenda, letters, or discussions.
15. LIMITATIONS
This report should only be used for design and construction of the Hardin Flat Road Bridge (Replace) Project, as described herein.
BCI performed services in accordance with the generally accepted geotechnical standard of practice currently used in this area. Where referenced, we used CTM and ASTM standards as a general (not strict) guideline only. We do not warranty our services.
BCI based this report on the current site and project conditions. We assume that the soil, rock and groundwater conditions encountered in our exploratory borings are representative of the subsurface conditions across the site. Actual conditions may be different and groundwater may be higher in other locations and at other times than that observed in the borings.
The interface between soil/rock units on the logs is approximate. The transition between soil/rock units may be abrupt or gradual. We based our recommendations on the final logs, which represent our interpretation of the field logs and general knowledge of the site and geological conditions.
3 R.K. Churchill and R.L. Hill, 2000, A General Location Guide for Ultramafic Rocks in California – Areas More Likely to Contain Naturally Occurring Asbestos, California Geological Survey Open File Report 2000-19. 13 FINAL FOUNDATION REPORT Hardin Flat Road Bridge (Replace) over S. Fork Tuolumne River Bridge No. 32C-0053 BCI File No. 2721.X Tuolumne County, California February 15, 2017
Modern design and construction are complex, with many regulatory sources, restrictions, involved parties, construction alternatives, etc. It is common to experience changes and delays. The owner should set aside a reasonable contingency fund based on complexities and cost estimates to cover changes and delays.
14 FOUNDATION REPORT Hardin Flat Road Bridge (Replace) over South Fork Tuolumne River Bridge
APPENDIX A
Figure 1- Vicinity Map Figure 2- Geologic Map Log of Test Borings
Geotechnical . Geo-Environmental . Construction Services . Forensics SITE
NO SCALE
File No. 2721.x 2491 Boatman Avenue VICINITY MAP West Sacramento, CA 95691 Hardin Flat Rd Bridge (Replace) at Phone: (916) 375-8706 February 2017 Fax: (916) 375-8709 South Fork Tuolumne River (Br. No. 32C0053) www.blackburnconsulting.com Tuolumne County, California Figure 1 2/15/2017 2/15/2017 2721.x Fig1 Hardin Flat Rd Bridge.dwg SITE
L E G E N D ALLUVIUM (HOLOCENE)--Chiefly fluvial and lacustrine deposits underlying meadows. GRANODIORITE OF SAWMILL MOUNTAIN (CRETACEOUS)--Medium to coarse grained; highly variable composition that ranges from biotite leucogranite to hronblende-biotite trondhjemite. MAFIC INTRUSIVE ROCKS (CRETACEOUS OR JURASSIC)--Most commonly medium to coarse grained hrnblende gabbro, homblendite, and pyroxenite; includes some fine to medium grained diorite. TONALITE OF GRANITE CREEK (JURASSIC)--Medium grained hrnblende-biotite tonalite and granodiorite. Commonly strongly foliated; subhedral to euhedral mafic minerals; interstitial potassium feldspar.
Quartzite Schist and marble--Quartz-mica schist with minor graphitic schist and marble. SCALE: 1:31,250 REFERENCE: F.C.W. Dodge and L.C. Calk, 1987, Geologic Map of the Lake Eleanor Quadrangle, California, 1:62,500: United States Geological Survey (USGS). File No. 2721.x 2491 Boatman Avenue GEOLOGIC MAP West Sacramento, CA 95691 Hardin Flat Rd Bridge (Replace) over Phone: (916) 375-8706 February 2017 Fax: (916) 375-8709 South Fork Tuolumne River (Br. No. 32C0053) www.blackburnconsulting.com Tuolumne County, California Figure 2 2/15/2017 2/15/2017 2721.x Fig2 Hardin Flat Road Bridge.dwg NOTES: 1. Field classification of soils was in accordance with the Caltrans Soil & Rock Logging, Classification, and Presentation Manual 2010. 2. Legends sheets are not included in plan set. See Caltrans Standard Plans, 2010 Edition, sheets A10F, A10G (soil legends), and A10H (rock legend). Sample ID's, Moisture and Dry Density are shown on the boring logs as; Sample ID Dry Density (pcf) Sample Size (in.) Moisture (%) OF Blow Count 3. Standard Penetration tests were performed in accordance with ASTM D 1586 using an automated SHEET drop system. Drill rods were 1 5/8-inch diameter "A"-rods; sampler was driven with brass liners. 4. Where indicated by an asterisk (*) the number of blows shown is for only that fraction of the initial 0.5 ft. "seating drive" interval penetrated. 5. If laboratory tests are not shown as being performed, the soil descriptions presented in the LOTB are based solely on the visual practices described in the before mentioned Manuals. 6. The length of each sampled interval is shown graphically on the boring log. 7. Consistency of soils shown in ( ) where estimated. R-14-001 8. Groundwater surface (GWS) reflect the fluid level in the borings on the specified date. Groundwater surface is subject to seasonal fluctuations and may occur at higher or lower elevations depending on POST MILE TO PROJECT the conditions at any particular time. 9. Electronic media for plan view provided by Cornerstone Structural Engineering Group, 90% R-14-002 Foundation Plan received October 19, 2016. ROUTE 10. Boring elevations are approximate and based on "Topography". 11. The "Log of Test Borings" drawing is included with plans in accordance with Section 2-1.06B of Caltrans "Standard Specifications", 2010. SIGNATURES: REGISTERED GEOTECHNICAL ENGINEER PLANS APPROVAL DATE SUPERVISOR'S APPROVAL DIST COUNTY
12. 3528.00 Indicates bottom of abutment pile cap
13. 290 Indicates contour elevation.
14. Indicates CIDH Pile.
15. Indicates Existing Bridge
16. Indicates existing rock outcropping
BENCHMARK PLAN PHONE (209) 533-5633 2 SOUTH GREEN STREET FAX (209) 533-5698 SONORA, CALIFORNIA 95370 3550 3550 TUOLUMNE COUNTY
R-14-002 COMMUNITY RESOURCES AGENCY R-14-001 3542.3 3540 3540.4 3540
Approximate OG along 3530 centerline of bridge. 3530
3520 3520
3510 3510 IMPROVEMENT PLANS FOR: 3500 3500 LOG OF TEST BORINGS TUOLUMNE COUNTY, CALIFORNIA OVER S. FORK TUOLUMNE RIVER 3490 3490 HARDIN FLAT ROAD BRIDGE (REPLACE)
JOB NO. 2014051 DATE 2/15/2017 DR BY M. ROBERTSON - BCI PROFILE CK BY D. MORRELL - BCI 32+00 33+00 34+00 BRIDGE NO. 32C0053
SHEET BLACKBURN CONSULTING NUMBER 2491 Boatman Avenue West Sacramento, CA 95691 916.375.8706 fax 916.375.8709 S12 FILE No. 2721.x 16 OF 16 SHEETS FOUNDATION REPORT Hardin Flat Road Bridge (Replace) over South Fork Tuolumne River Bridge
APPENDIX B
Laboratory Test Results
Geotechnical . Geo-Environmental . Construction Services . Forensics Particle Size Distribution Report 6in. 3in. 2in. in.1½ 1in. in.¾ in.½ 3/8in. #4 #10 #20 #30 #40 #60 #100 #140 #200 100
90
80
70
60
50
40 PERCENT FINER PERCENT
30
20
10
0 100 10 1 0.1 0.01 0.001 GRAIN SIZE - mm. % Gravel % Sand % Fines % +3" Coarse Fine Coarse Medium Fine Silt Clay 0 0 4 10 28 36 22
SIEVE PERCENT SPEC.* PASS? Material Description SIZE FINER PERCENT (X=NO) CLAYEY SAND, yellowish brown 3/4" 100 3/8" 99 #4 96 #10 86 Atterberg Limits #20 72 PL= LL= PI= #40 58 Coefficients #60 46 D90= 2.6973 D85= 1.8938 D60= 0.4649 #100 35 D50= 0.3009 D30= 0.1147 D15= #140 28 D10= Cu= Cc= #200 22 Classification USCS= AASHTO= Remarks
* (no specification provided) Source of Sample: B1 Depth: 26.5-28.0' Sample Number: #6 Date: 11/3/2014 Blackburn Consulting Client: Tuolumne County Project: Hardin Flat Road Bridge
W. Sacramento, CA Project No: 2721.x Figure Particle Size Distribution Report 6in. 3in. 2in. in.1½ 1in. in.¾ in.½ 3/8in. #4 #10 #20 #30 #40 #60 #100 #140 #200 100
90
80
70
60
50
40 PERCENT FINER PERCENT
30
20
10
0 100 10 1 0.1 0.01 0.001 GRAIN SIZE - mm. % Gravel % Sand % Fines % +3" Coarse Fine Coarse Medium Fine Silt Clay 0 0 0 4 25 42 29
SIEVE PERCENT SPEC.* PASS? Material Description SIZE FINER PERCENT (X=NO) CLAYEY SAND, yellowish brown 3/8" 100 #4 100 #10 96 #20 86 Atterberg Limits #40 71 PL= LL= PI= #60 56 Coefficients #100 44 D90= 1.1132 D85= 0.8053 D60= 0.2860 #140 35 D50= 0.1953 D30= 0.0809 D15= #200 29 D10= Cu= Cc= Classification USCS= AASHTO= Remarks
* (no specification provided) Source of Sample: B2 Depth: 15.5-17.0' Sample Number: #4 Date: 11/3/2014 Blackburn Consulting Client: Tuolumne County Project: Hardin Flat Road Bridge
W. Sacramento, CA Project No: 2721.x Figure R-VALUE TEST REPORT
100
80
60 R-value 40
20
0 800 700 600 500 400 300 200 100
Exudation Pressure - psi
Resistance R-Value and Expansion Pressure - Cal Test 301
Compact. Expansion Horizontal Sample Exud. R Density Moist. R No. Pressure Pressure Press. psi Height Pressure Value pcf % Value psi psf @ 160 psi in. psi Corr. 1 350 117.8 14.5 0 71 2.46 374 47 47 2 229 114.0 15.6 0 99 2.54 279 26 26 3 146 111.5 16.8 0 107 2.60 197 23 24
Test Results Material Description
R-value at 300 psi exudation pressure = 29 CLAYEY SAND, yellowish red
Project No.: 2721.x Tested by: MDR Project: Hardin Flat Road Bridge Checked by: RBL Source of Sample: B3 Depth: 0.5-3.0' Remarks: 9.2% retained on No. 4 sieve, sample Sample Number: Bulk batched. Date: 10/31/2014 R-VALUE TEST REPORT
Blackburn Consulting Figure Project: Hardin Flat Road Bridge Replacement, 2721.x Date: 10/30/2014 Technician: BRL ASTM D 5731 Point Load Testing Maximum UCS Load at Core Size PLI (Point Size Run Pressure Estimate Boring Depth (ft) D (in) L (in) L/D Ratio Failure Correction Load Index) Corrected Notes Number Reading (psi, (lbf) Factor (F) (psi) PLI (psi) (psi) K=24.5)
B1 6 6.0 2.38 12.000 5.0 129.6 190.4346 1.09 34 37 897 Diametral Break
6.0 2.39 5.500 2.3 147.2 216.2961 1.09 38 41 1012 Diametral Break
6.0 2.39 6.500 2.7 130.6 191.904 1.09 34 37 898 Diametral Break
6.0 2.39 3.500 1.5 143.3 210.5654 1.09 37 40 986 Diametral Break
6.0 2.39 3.000 1.3 155 227.7575 1.09 40 44 1066 Diametral Break
6.0 2.4 3.000 1.3 105 154.2873 1.09 27 29 717 Diametral Break
6.0 2.38 3.000 1.3 137.5 202.0429 1.09 36 39 952 Diametral Break
4 17.0 2.38 10.000 4.2 327.6 481.3764 1.09 85 93 2268 Diametral Break
B2 6 47.0 2.39 5.500 2.3 109 160.1649 1.09 28 31 750 Diametral Break Sunland Analytical 11419 Sunrise Gold Cir.#10 Rancho Cordova, CA 95742 (916) 852-8557
Date Reported 11/05/14 Date Submitted 10/31/14
To: David Morrell Blackburn Consulting 2491 Boatman Ave West Sacramento, 95691
From: Gene Oliphant, Ph.D. \ Randy Horney General Manager \ Lab Manager The reported analysis was requested for the following: Location : 2721-HARDIN FLAT Site ID: B1-7 Thank you for your business.
* For future reference to this analysis please use SUN # 68261 - 141792 ------EVALUATION FOR SOIL CORROSION
Soil pH 7.19 Minimum Resistivity 13.13 ohm-cm (x1000) Chloride 10.8 ppm 0.0011 % Sulfate-S 6.3 ppm 0.0006 %
METHODS: pH and Min.Resistivity CA DOT Test #643 Mod.(Sm.Cell) Sulfate CA DOT Test #417, Chloride CA DOT Test #422 Sunland Analytical 11419 Sunrise Gold Cir.#10 Rancho Cordova, CA 95742 (916) 852-8557
Date Reported 11/05/14 Date Submitted 10/31/14
To: David Morrell Blackburn Consulting 2491 Boatman Ave West Sacramento, 95691
From: Gene Oliphant, Ph.D. \ Randy Horney General Manager \ Lab Manager The reported analysis was requested for the following: Location : 2721-HARDIN FLAT Site ID: B2-5 Thank you for your business.
* For future reference to this analysis please use SUN # 68261 - 141791 ------EVALUATION FOR SOIL CORROSION
Soil pH 7.05 Minimum Resistivity 5.90 ohm-cm (x1000) Chloride 13.3 ppm 0.0013 % Sulfate-S 0.4 ppm < .0001 %
METHODS: pH and Min.Resistivity CA DOT Test #643 Mod.(Sm.Cell) Sulfate CA DOT Test #417, Chloride CA DOT Test #422 FOUNDATION REPORT Hardin Flat Road Bridge (Replace) over South Fork Tuolumne River Bridge
APPENDIX C
Design Response Spectrum and Tabular Data
Geotechnical . Geo-Environmental . Construction Services . Forensics Design ARS Curve (5% Damping) - ARS Online (V2.3.07) Hardin Flat Road Bridge (Replace) 1.000
0.900
0.800
0.700
0.600
0.500
0.400 Spectral Acceleration, Sa (g) Acceleration, Spectral 0.300
0.200
0.100
0.000 0.000 0.500 1.000 1.500 2.000 2.500 3.000 3.500 4.000 4.500 5.000 Period (sec) Hardin Flat Road Bridge (Replace) BCI No. 2721.x ARS Online Design Envelope Data (V2.3.07) 11/28/16
Period Spectral Period Spectral Period Spectral (sec.) Accel. (g) (sec.) Accel. (g) (sec.) Accel. (g) 0.010 0.227 0.260 0.499 2.800 0.085 0.020 0.230 0.280 0.493 3.000 0.079 0.022 0.232 0.290 0.490 3.200 0.073 0.025 0.235 0.300 0.487 3.400 0.067 0.029 0.240 0.320 0.479 3.500 0.065 0.030 0.241 0.340 0.470 3.600 0.063 0.032 0.244 0.350 0.466 3.800 0.059 0.035 0.250 0.360 0.462 4.000 0.055 0.036 0.251 0.380 0.453 4.200 0.053 0.040 0.258 0.400 0.445 4.400 0.051 0.042 0.262 0.420 0.434 4.600 0.049 0.044 0.266 0.440 0.424 4.800 0.047 0.045 0.268 0.450 0.419 5.000 0.045 0.046 0.269 0.460 0.414 0.048 0.273 0.480 0.405 0.050 0.277 0.500 0.396 0.055 0.290 0.550 0.369 0.060 0.303 0.600 0.345 0.065 0.316 0.650 0.325 0.067 0.321 0.667 0.318 0.070 0.328 0.700 0.306 0.075 0.341 0.750 0.290 0.080 0.354 0.800 0.274 0.085 0.367 0.850 0.260 0.090 0.380 0.900 0.247 0.095 0.392 0.950 0.235 0.100 0.404 1.000 0.224 0.110 0.424 1.100 0.207 0.120 0.443 1.200 0.193 0.130 0.459 1.300 0.181 0.133 0.463 1.400 0.170 0.140 0.473 1.500 0.161 0.150 0.486 1.600 0.153 0.160 0.493 1.700 0.145 0.170 0.498 1.800 0.139 0.180 0.503 1.900 0.133 0.190 0.507 2.000 0.127 0.200 0.510 2.200 0.114 0.220 0.507 2.400 0.103 0.240 0.504 2.500 0.098 0.250 0.502 2.600 0.093 FOUNDATION REPORT Hardin Flat Road Bridge (Replace) over South Fork Tuolumne River Bridge
APPENDIX D
Abutment Pile Analysis Results
Geotechnical . Geo-Environmental . Construction Services . Forensics
Hardin Flat Road Bridge Replacement Project Contract No. 1673
MISCELLANEOUS INFORMATION Natural Environment Study Hardin Flat Road Bridge (32C0053) over the South Fork Tuolumne River Replacement Project - August 2015
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i Table of Contents Table of Contents
1. Summary ...... 1 2. Introduction ...... 4 2.1. Project Location ...... 4 2.2. Project History ...... 4 2.3. Project Description ...... 4 2.4. Preparation History ...... 12 3. Study Methods ...... 13 3.1. Regulatory Requirements ...... 13 3.2. Literature Review ...... 16 3.3. Personnel and Survey Dates ...... 17 3.4. Agency Coordination and Professional Contacts ...... 17 3.5. Limitations That May Influence Results ...... 17 4. Environmental Setting ...... 18 4.1. Description of the Existing Biological and Physical Conditions ...... 18 4.1.1. Biological Study Area ...... 18 4.1.2. Physical Conditions ...... 18 4.1.3. Biological Conditions in the BSA ...... 18 4.2. Regional Species and Habitats of Concern ...... 24 4.3. Natural Communities of Special Concern ...... 24 4.3.1. Discussion of the South Fork Tuolumne River ...... 24 4.3.2. Discussion of White Alder Groves ...... 25 4.4. Special-Status Plants ...... 25 4.4.1. Discussion of Yosemite Onion (Allium yosemitense) ...... 25 4.4.2. Discussion of Big-scale Balsamroot (Balsamorhiza macrolepis) ...... 25 4.4.3. Discussion of Tompkins’ sedge (Carex tompkinsii) ...... 26 4.4.4. Discussion of Small’s Southern Clarkia (Clarkia australis) ...... 27 4.4.5. Discussion of Slender-stemmed Monkeyflower (Mimulus filicaulis) ...... 27 4.5. Special-Status Bryophytes ...... 28 4.5.1. Discussion of Holzinger’s Orthotrichum Moss (Orthotrichum holzingeri) ...... 28 4.6. Special-Status Animals ...... 28 4.6.1. Discussion of Foothill Yellow-Legged Frog (FYLF; Rana boylii) ...... 28 4.6.2. Western pond turtle (WPT; Emys marmorata) ...... 29 4.6.3. Pallid bat (Antrozous pallidus) ...... 30 4.6.4. Townsend’s big-eared bat (Corynorhinus townsendii) ...... 31 4.6.5. Discussion of Migratory Birds and Birds of Prey ...... 33 5. Project Impacts ...... 34 5.1. South Fork Tuolumne River ...... 34 5.2. White Alder Groves ...... 34 5.3. Special-Status Plants and Bryophytes ...... 34 5.4. Foothill Yellow-legged Frog (Rana boylii) and Western Pond Turtle (Emys marmorata) .. 34 5.5. Special-Status Bats (Pallid Bat [Antrozous pallidus] and Townsend’s Big-eared Bat [Corynorhinus townsendii]) ...... 35 5.6. Migratory Birds and Birds of Prey ...... 35 6. Avoidance and Minimization Measures ...... 36 6.1. South Fork Tuolumne River ...... 36 6.2. White Alder Groves ...... 36 6.3. Special-Status Plants and Bryophytes ...... 36 6.4. Foothill yellow-legged frog (Rana boylii) and Western Pond Turtle (Emys marmorata) .... 37 6.5. Special-Status Bats (Pallid Bat [Antrozous pallidus] and Townsend’s Big-eared Bat [Corynorhinus townsendii]) ...... 38 6.6. Migratory Birds and Birds of Prey ...... 38
BRLO-5932(079)_Hardin Flat NESMI_2015-08-07.docx August 2015 ii Table of Contents 7. Permits Required ...... 40 7.1. Federal Endangered Species Act (FESA) Consultation Summary ...... 40 7.2. California Endangered Species Act (CESA) Consultation Summary ...... 42 7.3. Wetlands and Other Waters Coordination Summary ...... 42 7.4. Essential Fish Habitat (EFH) ...... 42 7.5. Evaluation of Invasive Plant Species (EO 13112) ...... 42 8. References ...... 44
Appendix A USFWS Letter and List Appendix B California Natural Diversity Database (CNDDB) Summary and California Native Plant Society (CNPS) Inventory Results Appendix C Regional Species and Habitats of Concern Appendix D Plant and Wildlife Species Observed Appendix E Photographs Appendix F Revegetation Planting and Erosion Control Specifications Appendix G Restoration Plan
List of Figures
Figure 1. Project Location Map ...... 5 Figure 2. Aerial Photograph ...... 7 Figure 3. Proposed Project ...... 9 Figure 4. Biological Resources Map...... 21
List of Tables
Table 1. Rare Plant Rank 3 or 4, National Park and Forest Service Listed Plant Species ...... 17 Table 2. Biological Communities in the BSA ...... 19 Table 3. Summary of FESA Consultation Requirements ...... 40
BRLO-5932(079)_Hardin Flat NESMI_2015-08-07.docx August 2015 iii NES (MI)
1. Summary
The Hardin Flat Road Bridge (Br. No. 32C0053) over South Fork Tuolumne River Replacement Project (Project) is a federally funded project through the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA). Hardin Flat Road Bridge is located approximately 0.25 mile south of State Route 120, and 7 miles (mi) east of the community of Buck Meadows in Tuolumne County. The existing bridge is an approximately 100-feet (ft) long and 26-ft wide five span timber bridge on timber abutments. The bridge was built in 1933 and re-decked with concrete in 1956. The bridge is eligible for replacement due to damage sustained during the Rim Fire of 2013. In September 2013, the California Department of Transportation classified this bridge as structurally deficient, with a Sufficiency Rating of 36.7.
The purpose of the Project is to replace the existing Hardin Flat Road Bridge with a structure supported on seat type abutments and built on approximately the same horizontal and vertical alignment as the existing bridge. The replacement structure would be approximately 28-ft wide, have two 10-ft wide traffic lanes and a five-foot sidewalk on the downstream side of the proposed bridge. The sidewalk will connect to paths developed by the Berkeley Tuolumne Camp (BTC). The existing roadway is 20-ft wide and will be reconstructed for approximately 100 ft on both sides of the bridge; until reaching the nearest attainable touchdown on either side of the replacement bridge. Road reconstruction will include removing and replacing the existing asphalt and base. All work will be on the existing alignment and within the existing roadway prism.
No work is anticipated in the South Fork Tuolumne River below the ordinary high-water mark. If water diversion becomes necessary, flows would be allowed to pass through the existing channel under the bridge. The existing bridge pier locations (Appendix E, photo 2) may be used for falsework pier supports during construction as they are located outside of the ordinary high water mark. Existing roadside drainage ditches will be re-graded as necessary and roadside culverts within the roadway prism may be rehabilitated or replaced. No right-of- way acquisition is necessary. A construction easement will be obtained from the United States Forest Service (USFS).
Hardin Flat Road will be closed at the bridge during construction. Access is available to both sides of the bridge from State Route 120. The detour length is approximately 6 mi. Overhead power lines near the bridge may need to be temporarily relocated to accommodate construction equipment, but no permanent relocation is expected. No existing power poles will be relocated. Extra conduits will be placed in or on the new bridge structure to accommodate any future utility installation.
BRLO-5932(079)_Hardin Flat NESMI_2015-08-07.docx August 2015 1 NES (MI)
The Biological Study Area (BSA) for the Project occupies approximately 2.621 acres (ac). The BSA includes a portion of paved Hardin Flat Road and road shoulders, a dirt USFS road and dirt roads to BTC, a paved turnout and parking area, portions of the adjacent Ponderosa pine forest, and a segment of the South Fork Tuolumne River and its riparian corridor (white alder groves). The County has a maintenance easement for the road and bridge, which is surrounded by USFS land (Stanislaus National Forest). The BTC occurs southwest of the bridge.
The Project is subject to federal and state environmental review requirements. The Project must comply with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), as the Project proposes the use of federal funds from the FHWA and/or the Project requires an approval from FHWA. Tuolumne County Community Resources Agency is the project proponent and the lead agency under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).
Caltrans is responsible to comply with NEPA, Executive Orders, and other federal laws, such as the Federal Endangered Species Act (FESA) and the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) prior to the release of federal funds. The Local Assistance Procedures Manual (LAPM) and Caltrans’ on-line Standard Environmental Reference (SER) describe the procedures for preparing technical studies and environmental documentation (Caltrans 2015).
FHWA’s responsibility for environmental review, consultation, and any other action required in accordance with applicable federal laws for this project is being, or has been, carried-out by Caltrans under its assumption of responsibility pursuant to the Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act (MAP-21; 23 USC 327).
The BSA is located in the Upper Tuolumne hydrologic unit (18040009) which is not designated as Essential Fish Habitat (EFH) for Pacific salmon (NMFS 2008). The BSA is located above the Don Pedro Main Dam, which is an impassable barrier to fish. The project will not affect EFH.
The BSA does not provide habitat for any federal-listed plant or wildlife species and is not located in any designated critical habitat. The Project will have no effect to federal-listed species, species proposed for listing, or designated critical habitat.
The Project will not result in the take of state-listed species or species proposed for listing. The BSA provides suitable habitat for California species of special concern foothill yellow- legged frog (Rana boylii), western pond turtle (Emys marmorata), pallid bat (Antrozous pallidus), Townsend’s big-eared bat (Corynorhinus townsendii), and birds protected by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA) and California Fish and Game Code 3503. With
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implementation of the avoidance and minimization measures, the proposed Project will not impact these species.
The BSA provides suitable habitat for five special-status plants and one bryophyte ranked by the California Native Plant Society (CNPS). Live Oak Associates, Inc. (LOA) conducted a botanical survey for the BTC project during the evident and identifiable period for these species (LOA 2015a, 2015b). The BTC project survey area included a majority of the BSA. Yosemite onion, big-scale balsamroot, Tompkins’ sedge, Small’s southern clarkia and Holzinger’s orthotrichum moss were not observed during the floristic botanical surveys conducted during the evident and identifiable period. Slender-stemmed monkeyflower was observed at several locations adjacent to and outside the BSA, and at one location within the BSA. With implementation of avoidance and minimization measures, the Project will not impact slender-stemmed monkeyflower.
There are eight invasive plant species that occur in the BSA (California Invasive Plant Council, Cal-IPC 2006). Himalayan blackberry (Rubus armeniacus) and cheat grass (Bromus tectorum) are the only species rated “High” by Cal-IPC in the BSA. The spread of invasive species in the BSA will be reduced by revegetating disturbed areas with native or sterile nonnative species. The limited scope of this Project precludes effective eradication of invasive species from the BSA.
There are no wetlands in the BSA. No impacts to the South Fork Tuolumne River are anticipated. The project will not impact waters of the U.S and will not require a Section 404 Permit from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) or a Section 401 Water Quality Certification from the Regional Water Quality Control Board (RWQCB). A Streambed Alteration Agreement from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) will be needed for work in the riparian corridor adjacent to the South Fork Tuolumne River. A National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Permit from the RWQCB would be needed if the impact area is more than one acre.
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2. Introduction
2.1. Project Location
The BSA is located along Hardin Flat Road, approximately 0.25 mi south of State Route 120 and 7 mi east of the community of Buck Meadows in Tuolumne County (Figures 1 and 2). The BSA is on the Ascension Mountain USGS topographic quad (T1S, R19E, Section 31; Mt. Diablo Base and Meridian). Photographs of the BSA are in Appendix E.
2.2. Project History
Tuolumne County proposes to replace the Hardin Flat Road Bridge (Br. No. 32C0053) over South Fork Tuolumne River on the existing alignment. The Hardin Flat Road Bridge was built in 1933 and re-decked with concrete in 1956. The existing bridge is an approximately 100-ft long and 26-ft wide five span timber bridge on timber abutments.
This bridge is eligible for replacement due to damage sustained during the Rim Fire of 2013. In September 2013, the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) classified this bridge as structurally deficient, with a Sufficiency Rating of 36.7. The bridge superstructure and substructure, as well as the right Abutment 6 wingwall, were all damaged by the fire.
2.3. Project Description
Hardin Flat Road is a low-ADT (130), rural local road that serves the public, as well as users of the nearby BTC. Hardin Flat Road is a county maintained road located within the Stanislaus National Forest. The Project proposes to replace the existing five-span, 100-ft long bridge with a clear span bridge approximately 120-ft in length. The replacement bridge is planned to consist of a cast-in-place post tensioned box girder superstructure. The replacement structure will be supported on seat type abutments and will be built on approximately the same horizontal and vertical alignment as the existing bridge. The location could vary by as much as one foot horizontally, vertically or both. The existing 2-lane structure is approximately 26-ft wide, including a pedestrian sidewalk; the replacement structure would be approximately 29-feet wide. The new bridge will have two 10-ft wide traffic lanes and a five-foot sidewalk on the downstream side of the proposed bridge. The sidewalk will connect to paths developed by the BTC. The proposed Project is shown on Figure 3.
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Calaveras Mono County County Tuolumne County Project Location
Stanislaus County «¬140 «¬49 Mariposa County
«¬49 Madera Merced County County Fresno 41 County «¬ 0 105Miles «¬168
Hardin Flat Road Bridge (32C-0053) Project Location Over South Fork Tuolumne River Tuolumne County, CA 21 October 2014
Figure 1. Location Map
Project Location
2,000 1,000 0 2,000 Feet Scale: 1 inch = 2,000 feet ³
Ascension Mountain, CA (Photoinspected 1992) USGS 7.5' Quadrangle Topographic DRG 7.5 Minute (C) Series, Albers Nad83 Mosaics (MrSID) CA Spatial Library (CASIL) o_se0101.sid
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YOSEMITE LAKES DRIVE
UNDEF HARDIN FLAT ROAD South Fork
Tuolumne River
BIOLOGICAL STUDY AREA BOUNDARY
Hardin Flat Road Bridge (32C-0053) 1,000 500 0 1,000 Feet Over South Fork Tuolumne River Tuolumne County, CA Scale: 1 inch = 1,000 feet ³ 18 May 2015 Biological Study Area Boundary Aerial Photograph: 12 May 2010 UC-G Imagery, Microsoft ArcGIS Imagery Basemap Layer Figure 2. Aerial Photograph Tuolumne County GIS Roads layer
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BRLO-5932(079)_Hardin Flat NESMI_2015-08-07.docx August 2015 8 Start Road Improvements (Conform to existing) 3550 Ponderosa Pine Forest DDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD3545 (Burned & Partially Cleared) DDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD STANISLAUS NATIONAL FOREST DDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDExisting Culvert 3545 DDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDProposed 31+00 Abutment 30+18 DDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD3540
3535 32+00 DDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD3540 Proposed Bridge (Existing bridge 3530 DDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD3535 to be removed)
3540 3540 3530 3520 Ponderosa Pine Forest 3515 DDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD3525 3530 3520 (Burned & Partially Cleared) 3515 3540 3535 DDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD3540 FLOW DDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD3520
33+00 DDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD3520 3515 3515 3525 3530 3535 DDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD3515 DDDDDDDDDDDDDDProposed 3535 Abutment DDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDBTC_35 DDDDDDDDDDDDDD3545 !( BERKELEY D DDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD3515 DDDDDDDDDDDDDD TUOLUMNE CAMP 3540
DDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDWhite Alder GrovesDDDDDDDDDDDDDD3520 DDDDDDDDDDDDDD
DDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD34+00 3520 DDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD 3550 Ponderosa DDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD Hardin Flat Road (Paved)Pine Forest DDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD(Burned & Cleared) End Road Improvements DDDDDDDDDDDDDD(Conform to existing)DDDDDDDDDDDDDD
DDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD3570
DDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD35+00 3575 Tuolumne River Ponderosa Pine Forest 3565
DDDDDDDDDDDDDD(Burned & Cleared)DDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD 3560 DDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD35+33 DDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD S o u t h F o r k DDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD DDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD3555 DDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDPonderosa Pine Forest (Burned & Cleared) BTC_32 DDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD D(! DDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD DDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD DDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD DDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD DDDDDDDDDDDDDDGravel TurnoutDDDDDDDDD DDDDDDDDDDDDDD DDDDDDDDDDDDDD
BERKELEY TUOLUMNE CAMP Area Impacts (ac) Biological Community (ac) Temporary Permanent Total Ponderosa Pine Forest 1.775 ------(Burned & Partially Cleared - 0.590 ac) 0.095 0.009 0.104 (Burned & Cleared - 1.185 ac) 0.079 0.002 0.081 White Alder Groves 0.066 0.028 0 0.028 South Fork Tuolumne River 0.082 0 0 0 50 25 0 50 Feet Paved / Gravel Turnout 0.698 ------Total: 2.621 0.202 0.011 0.213 1 inch = 50 feet ³
Hardin Flat Road Bridge (32C-0053) Biological Study Area (BSA) Proposed Road and Bridge Improvements Over South Fork Tuolumne River Tuolumne County, CA South Fork Tuolumne River Proposed Grading 16 July 2015 White Alder Groves Berkley Tuolumne Camp (BTC) Study Area Boundary
DD Ponderosa Pine Forest D!( Slender-stemmed Monkey Flower (Mimulus filicaulis) DD Paved/Gravel Road Aerial Photograph: 26 May 2014 Google Earth Imagery DRAFT General Plan CAD File: 2014051S1 - GP+Road.dwg provided by Permanent Impact Tuolumne County Community Resources Agency (Recv'd 23 April 2015) Figure 3. Proposed Project Map Population Data for Mimulus filicaulis at Berkeley Tuolumne Temporary Impact Camp (May and June, 2015) by Live Oak Associates.
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The existing roadway is 20-ft wide and will be reconstructed for approximately 100 ft on both sides of the bridge; until reaching the nearest attainable touchdown on either side of the replacement bridge. Reconstruction will include removing and replacing of the existing asphalt and base. All work will be on the existing alignment and within the existing roadway prism.
Construction of the new bridge will include excavation for the new bridge abutments and drilling pile foundations. The new bridge abutments will be located within the road prism, behind the existing abutments (i.e. further away from the river channel). The maximum depth of excavation will be determined by the geotechnical report. Excavation for the foundations will be into previously disturbed fill soil. In order to accommodate the deeper replacement superstructure, removal of existing rock in the vicinity of the abutments will also be required. Depending on the rip ability of the material, rock removal may require blasting. Foundations will consist of cast in drilled hole (CIDH) piles. The earthwork is expected to balance on site.
No work is anticipated in the South Fork Tuolumne River below the ordinary high-water mark. If water diversion becomes necessary, flows would be allowed to pass through the existing channel under the bridge. Diversion methods may include the use of water pillows, rock, sandbags, sheet piling, pipes or coffer dams, or other structural methods approved by the County Project Engineer and CDFW. The County will determine whether water diversion is necessary during the final design phase. If construction of the new abutments requires dewatering, shoring or cofferdams may be needed prior to dewatering.
Falsework will be required to construct the replacement bridge’s superstructure. The existing bridge pier locations may be used for falsework pier supports during construction as they are located outside of the ordinary high water mark. Existing roadside drainage ditches will be re-graded as necessary and roadside culverts within the roadway prism may be rehabilitated or replaced.
Hardin Flat Road will be closed at the bridge during construction. Access is available to both sides of the bridge from Highway 120. The detour length is approximately 6 mi. Overhead power lines near the bridge may need to be temporarily relocated to accommodate construction equipment, but no permanent relocation is expected. No existing power poles will be relocated. Extra conduits will be placed in or on the new bridge structure to accommodate any future utility installation.
No right-of-way acquisition is necessary. A construction easement will be obtained from the United States Forest Service (USFS). Tuolumne County and the USFS have a cooperative agreement that governs the maintenance of Hardin Flat Road.
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Tree and/or shrub removal or branch trimming may be required to facilitate placement of the new bridge structure, especially at the southwest corner of the bridge. Tree trimming and tree removal may be conducted by the County, utility provider, or their contractors, as applicable.
The existing bridge will be demolished and properly disposed of. Undamaged bridge timbers may be salvaged. Standard construction equipment will be used. Staging may take place on the existing paved surfaces on the south-eastern side of the bridge. A portion of the parcel used by BTC, located south of the bridge at the eastern approach may also be used for staging and creek access. On the north-western side of the bridge, staging may take place on the existing roadway and in an area north of the existing roadway, beyond the USFS gate. No work will take place outside of the road prism, immediately adjacent to the roadway and bridge, on the south side of the north-western approach. Temporary shoring may be required in this area in order to complete demolition of the existing bridge abutment as well as the required excavation for the replacement abutment while remaining outside of the designated cultural resource boundary. Construction is scheduled to take place in 2016 and will take one season to complete.
2.4. Preparation History
Sycamore Environmental Consultants, Inc. is under contract to Tuolumne County Community Resources Agency to prepare this Natural Environment Study Minimal Impacts (NESMI).
Jeffery Little is the Principal-in-Charge. Leane Dunn, M.F., is the Project Manager. Jessica Orsolini, B.S., Wildlife Biologist, conducted the field survey and prepared the report. Ms. Dunn assisted with report preparation. Aramis Respall and Noosheen Pouya prepared the figures and calculated Project impacts.
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3. Study Methods
An evaluation of biological resources was conducted to determine whether any special-status plant or wildlife species, or their habitat, or sensitive habitats occurs in the BSA. Data on special-status species and habitats known in the area was obtained from state and federal agencies. Maps and aerial photographs of the BSA and surrounding areas were reviewed. A field survey was conducted to determine the habitats present. The field survey, map review, and a review of the biology of evaluated species and habitats were used to determine the special-status species and sensitive habitats that could occur in the BSA.
Special-status species in this NESMI are those listed (or candidate or proposed) under the federal or state endangered species acts, under the California Native Plant Protection Act, as a California species of special concern or fully protected by CDFW, or that are California Rare Plant Rank 1 or 2 (CNPS 2015). Special-status natural communities in this NESMI are waters, wetlands, riparian communities, and any natural community ranked S1, S2, or S3 by CDFW (2010).
3.1. Regulatory Requirements The purpose of the NESMI is to document biological studies and perform analyses and evaluations necessary to satisfy the legal requirements of State and federal statutes. These statutes are listed below. Statues applicable to this project are discussed in further detail.
• National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.); • Section 404 of the Clean Water Act (33 U.S.C. 1251-1376); • Section 401 Water Quality Certification (33 U.S.C. 1341); • Section 402 of the Clean Water Act (33 U.S.C. 1342) • Section 10 of the Rivers and Harbors Act (33 U.S.C. 401 et seq.); • Section 1602 of the California Fish and Game Code pertains to streambed alterations; • Federal Endangered Species Act (16 U.S.C. 1531-1543); • Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act (16 U.S.C. 661-666); • National Wild and Scenic Rivers Act (16 U.S.C. 1271-1287); • Executive Order 11990, Protection of Wetlands (May 24, 1977); • California Environmental Quality Act (P.R.C. 21000 et seq.); • California Endangered Species Act (California Fish and Game Code 2050 et seq.); • Native Plant Protection Act (California Fish and Game Code 1900-1913); • California Wild and Scenic Rivers Act (P.R.C. 5093.50 et seq.); • California Porter-Cologne Water Quality Control Act (CA Water Code 13000 et seq.) • Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918 (16 U.S.C. 703-711);
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• Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (as amended through 11 October 1996); • California Fish and Game Code 3503.5 – Birds of Prey; • California Fish and Game Code 3511, 4700, 5050, 5515 – Fully Protected Species; • Executive Order 13112, Invasive Species (3 February 1999). • Other S pecial-Status S pecies C lassification - California S pecies o f S pecial C oncern (SSC), s pecies on l ists 1B a nd 2 of t he C alifornia N ative P lant S ociety ( CNPS 201 4), plants listed under the California Native Plant Protection Act, and active raptor nests.
Federal Endangered Species Act (FESA)
FESA defines “take” (section 9) and prohibits “taking” of a listed endangered or threatened species ( 16 U .S.C. 1532, 50 C FR 17.3) . If a f ederal-listed s pecies co uld b e h armed b y a project, t hen s ection 7 o r 10 c onsultations must be i nitiated a nd a n Incidental T ake P ermit must be obtained (16 U.S.C. 1539, 50 CFR 13).
Section 7 of FESA states that all federal departments and agencies shall, in consultation with and w ith t he as sistance of t he S ecretary o f t he Interior/Commerce, in sure th at a ny actions authorized, f unded, or carried out b y t hem do not j eopardize t he c ontinued e xistence of federal-listed or pr oposed s pecies or r esult i n a dverse m odification of designated c ritical habitat, unless an exception has been granted by the Endangered Species Committee (16 USC 1536(a)(2)).
Section 9(a)(1) of FESA and federal regulation pursuant to section 4(d) of FESA prohibit the take of endangered and threatened fish and wildlife species. Take is defined as harass, harm, pursue, hunt, shoot, wound, kill, trap, capture or collect, or to attempt to engage in any such conduct.
Harass is defined by U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) as an intentional or negligent act or omission which creates the likelihood of injury to a listed species by annoying it to such an e xtent a s t o s ignificantly di srupt no rmal b ehavioral p atterns w hich i nclude, but are not limited to, breeding, feeding, or sheltering.
Harm is d efined b y U SFWS to in clude s ignificant h abitat mo dification or d egradation t hat results in death or injury to listed species by impairing behavioral patterns including breeding, feeding, or sheltering.
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Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act
Under the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act, the Pacific Fishery Management Council (PFMC) manages salmon fisheries through the designation of EFH and monitoring of t hreats t o t hat ha bitat from bot h fishing and non -fishing activities. S almon EFH includes all those streams, lakes, ponds, wetlands, and other water bodies currently or historically accessible to salmon in Washington, Oregon, Idaho, and California. Salmon EFH excludes areas upstream of longstanding naturally impassible barriers (i.e. natural waterfalls in existence for several hundred years), but includes aquatic areas above all artificial barriers except specifically named impassible dams. E ssential habitat types identified by NMFS for salmon i nclude j uvenile r earing a reas, j uvenile migration c orridors, a reas f or gr owth a nd development into adulthood, adult migration corridors, and spawning areas (65 FR 7773).
Evaluation of Invasive Plant Species (EO 13112)
Executive Order 13112, issued 3 February 1999, directs federal agencies, whose actions may affect the status of invasive plant species, to use relevant programs and authorities to prevent the i ntroduction of i nvasive s pecies, control e xisting popul ations of s uch s pecies, m onitor populations of such species, and provide for the restoration of native species. The FHWA is ordered to not authorize, fund, or carry out projects that are likely to cause or promote the introduction or spread of invasive species.
The California Invasive Plant Council (Cal-IPC) maintains an inventory of invasive nonnative plants that threaten wildland areas of California (Cal-IPC 2006). A ssessments are based on Warner et al. (2003; “Criteria for Categorizing Non-Native Plants that Threaten Wildlands”). The C al-IPC i nventory involves e valuation of ecological i mpacts, i nvasive pot ential, a nd ecological d istribution. S pecies r eceive a n o verall r ating o f High, M oderate, o r Limited. Ratings are defined below (Cal-IPC 2006).
High: “These species have severe ecological impacts on physical processes, plant and animal communities, and vegetation structure. Their reproductive biology and other attributes a re c onducive t o m oderate t o h igh r ates of di spersal a nd e stablishment. Most are widely distributed ecologically.”
Moderate: “ These s pecies h ave s ubstantial an d ap parent-but generally not s evere- ecological imp acts on ph ysical pr ocesses, p lant a nd a nimal communities, a nd vegetation structure. Their reproductive biology and other attributes are conducive to moderate to high rates of dispersal, though establishment is generally dependent upon ecological disturbance. Ecological amplitude and distribution may range from limited to widespread.”
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Limited: “These s pecies ar e i nvasive, b ut t heir eco logical i mpacts ar e minor o n a statewide level or there was not enough information to justify a higher score. T heir reproductive bi ology and ot her attributes r esult i n l ow t o m oderate r ates of invasiveness. E cological amplitude and distribution are generally limited, but these species may be locally persistent and problematic” (Cal-IPC 2006).
3.2. Literature Review A species list was obtained from the USFWS, Sacramento Field Office, on 16 June 2014. An updated list was obtained from USFWS on 19 May 2015 (Appendix A). The list identifies federal-listed, candidate, or proposed species that potentially occur in, or could be affected by, projects on the Ascension Mountain quad or in Tuolumne County.
The California Natural Diversity Database (CNDDB) was queried for the Ascension Mountain quad and the eight surrounding quads to determine known occurrences of special- status species in or near the BSA on 16 June 2014. The CNDDB was queried again on 19 May 2015 (data dated 5 May 2015, Appendix B).
The CNPS inventory of rare and endangered plants was queried on 16 June 2014 for known occurrences of special-status plant species in or near the BSA (Ascension Mountain quad and the eight surrounding quads). The CNPS inventory was queried again on 19 May 2015 (Appendix B).
Data received from the USFWS, CNDDB and CNPS records were used to compile a table of regional species and habitats of concern (Appendix C). The CNDDB tracks other species that have not been designated by CDFW as a California species of special concern; these species were not evaluated as special-status species in this NESMI. California Rare Plant Rank 3 or 4 plant species are either more common or more information is needed; these species were not evaluated as special-status species in this NESMI.
Biological surveys consisted of walking through the BSA to determine if any special-status plant or wildlife species or their habitat were present. Plant species and plant communities were identified and recorded. Wildlife species observed, their sign, and potential habitats were recorded. Appendix D is a list of plant and wildlife species observed during surveys. Photographs of the BSA are in Appendix E.
LOA conducted a focused botanical survey for the BTC project. The LOA botanical surveys included an approximate 23.3-ac portion of the BTC. The BTC survey area overlaps 99.95% of the BSA. The BTC Draft Biological Evaluation for Sensitive Plants (LOA 2015a) and Draft Botanical Report (LOA 2015b) were reviewed in preparation of this NESMI.
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The LOA survey included plants with a Rare Plant Rank of 3 or 4, and plant species listed by Yosemite National Park and the Forest Service. The LOA found the plants listed below in the BTC study area. These plants are not evaluated for as part of this project.
Table 1. Rare Plant Rank 3 or 4, National Park and Forest Service Listed Plant Species Common Name Scientific name Listing Status1 Sierra clarkia Clarkia virgate CNPS 4.3, FBIS Small-flowered monkeyflower Mimulus inconspicuus PR, CNPS 4.3 Cut-leaved monkeyflower Mimulus laciniatus PR, CNPS 4.3 Sierra sweet bay Myrica hartwegii PR, FBIS Pacific starflower Trientalis latifolia PR Narrow-petaled wakerobin Trillium angustipetalum PR, FBIS 1 Status codes: CNPS Rare Plant Rank: 3 = More information is needed about this plant species (review list); 4 = Limited distribution (watch list); CNPS Decimal Extensions: .3 = Not very endangered in California (<20% of occurrences threatened or no current threats known) FBIS: Forest Service Botanical Interest Species PR: Park Rare
3.3. Personnel and Survey Dates Jeff Little, Principal-in-Charge, Leane Dunn, M.F., Project Manager, and Jessica Orsolini, B.S., Biologist, attended a site review with Tuolumne County on 14 October 2014.
Ms. Orsolini conducted a general biological survey on 23 October 2014.
LOA conducted a botanical survey for the BTC project on 2 April, 19 May, 28 May and 2 June 2015. The BSA is located within the BTC project study area. Prior to the Rim Fire, LOA botanists conducted a focused botanical survey for the BTC on 10 May, 26 May and 11 July 2011.
3.4. Agency Coordination and Professional Contacts Coordination occurred with Blossom Scott-Heim, P.E., Civil Engineer II, Tuolumne County Community Resources Agency, on an ongoing basis.
Coordination occurred with Ms. Wendy Fisher, Senior Project Manager, Live Oak Associates, Inc., regarding special-status botanical surveys for the Berkeley Tuolumne Camp Project.
3.5. Limitations That May Influence Results LOA botanical survey for the BTC included 2.50 ac (99.95%) of the BSA. A 0.12 ac section of the BSA upstream of the Hardin Flat Bridge was not included in the botanical survey conducted by LOA. No other problems or limitations were encountered that may have influenced the results.
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4. Environmental Setting
4.1. Description of the Existing Biological and Physical Conditions 4.1.1. Biological Study Area The 2.621 ac BSA is located along Hardin Flat Road, 7 mi east of the community of Buck Meadows in Tuolumne County. The County has a maintenance easement for the road and bridge, which is surrounded by USFS land (Stanislaus National Forest). The South Fork Tuolumne River flows east to southwest through the center of the BSA. BTC occurs southwest of the bridge, though it, and the majority of the BSA, was burned in the 2013 Rim Fire.
4.1.2. Physical Conditions The BSA is on the Ascension Mountain USGS topographic quad (T1S, R19E, Section 31; Mt. Diablo Base and Meridian) and is in the Upper Tuolumne hydrologic unit (hydrologic unit code 18040009). The centroid (WGS84) is 37.877859° north, 119.932342° west, UTM 241,863.62 m East; 4,188,992.41 m North, Zone 10 North (WGS84). Elevation in the BSA ranges from approximately 3,520 to 3,578 ft above sea level. Topography at the site includes gentle, moderate, and steep slopes of varying aspect..
Soil in the BSA consists of Holland family, deep-moderately deep complex, 5 to 35 percent slopes. The Holland series consists of deep, well drained soils formed in residuum weathered from granite (NRCS 2014).
4.1.3. Biological Conditions in the BSA Biological communities are defined by species composition and relative abundance. Natural communities that occur in the BSA are listed in Table 1 and shown on Figure 4. These communities correlate where applicable with the list of California terrestrial natural communities recognized by CDFW (2010). Descriptions of biological communities present in the BSA are included below.
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Table 2. Biological Communities in the BSA Vegetation Alliance 1 and Rarity Natural Community Acreage CDFW Alliance Code 2 Rank 3 Ponderosa Pine Forest . Burned & Partially Cleared Pinus ponderosa Forest (0.590 ac.) G5 S4 1.775 Alliance (87.010.00) . Burned & Cleared (1.185 ac.) Alnus rhombifolia Alliance White Alder Groves G4 S4 0.066 (61.420.00) South Fork Tuolumne River -- -- 0.082 Paved Road/Gravel Turnouts -- -- 0.698 1 Vegetation alliances based on descriptions and classification methods in Sawyer et al. (2009). 2 Alliance codes from CDFW (2010). 3 Rarity ranking follows NatureServe’s Heritage Methodology and is based on degree of imperilment as measured by rarity, trends, and threats. State (S) ranks of 1-3 are considered highly imperiled (CDFW 2010).
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3545 (Burned & Partially Cleared) DDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD STANISLAUS NATIONAL FOREST DDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDExisting Culvert DDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD3545 DDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD
DDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD3535 3540 3540 Existing Bridge DDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD 3535 3530 3540 3540 DDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDPonderosa Pine Forest 3520 3530 3540 3525 3520 3515 DDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD(Burned & Partially Cleared) FLOW 3540 3515 DDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD3535 3530
DDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD3520 DDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD3515 3515 DDDDDDDDDDDDDD3530 3515 3535 3535 DDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD DDDDDDDDDDDDDD BTC_35 3545 !( DDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDBERKELEY DDDDDDDDDDDDDDD DDDDDDDDDDDDDD 3515 TUOLUMNE CAMP 3540 3525 DDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDWhite Alder GrovesDDDDDDDDDDDDDD3520 DDDDDDDDDDDDDD DDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD DDDDDDDDDDDDDD3520 DDDDDDDDDDDDDD DDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD3550 Hardin Flat Road (Paved) Ponderosa DDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDPine Forest (Burned & Cleared) DDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD
DDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD3555 3570
3565
DDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD3575 Tuolumne River Ponderosa Pine Forest DDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD (Burned & Cleared) 3560 DDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD DDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD S o u t h F o r k DDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD DDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD
DDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDPonderosa Pine Forest (Burned & Cleared) BTC_32 DDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD D(! DDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD DDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD DDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD DDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD
DDDDDDDDDDDDDDGravel TurnoutDDDDDDDDD DDDDDDDDDDDDDD DDDDDDDDDDDDDD
Area BERKELEY Biological Community (ac) TUOLUMNE CAMP
Ponderosa Pine Forest 1.775 (Burned & Partially Cleared - 0.590 ac) (Burned & Cleared - 1.185 ac) White Alder Groves 0.066 South Fork Tuolumne River 0.082 Paved / Gravel Turnout 0.698 50 25 0 50 Feet Total: 2.621 1 inch = 50 feet ³
Hardin Flat Road Bridge (32C-0053) Biological Study Area (BSA) D!( Slender-stemmed Monkey Over South Fork Tuolumne River Flower (Mimulus filicaulis) Tuolumne County, CA South Fork Tuolumne River Berkley Tuolumne Camp (BTC) 16 July 2015 Study Area Boundary White Alder Groves DDD DRAFT Ponderosa Pine Forest Aerial Photograph: 26 May 2014 DDD Google Earth Imagery Paved/Gravel Road Population Data for Mimulus filicaulis at Berkeley Tuolumne Figure 4. Biological Resources Camp (May and June, 2015) by Live Oak Associates.
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Ponderosa Pine Forest: The primary upland biological community in the BSA and surrounding area is Ponderosa pine forest (Appendix D, photos 3 and 5). This community is dominated by Ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa) in the overstory. Other species present in the overstory include incense cedar (Calocedrus decurrens) and black oak (Quercus kelloggii). The shrub layer is mostly lacking, consisting of a few sapling black oaks and sapling manzanita (Arctostaphylos sp.) shrubs. The herbaceous layer is sparse to moderately vegetated. The dominant species is mountain misery (Chamaebatia foliolosa); other species in the herb layer include sapling black oaks and native and nonnative forbs and grasses, such as cudweed (Pseudognaphalium luteoalbum), bedstraw (Galium sp.), morning glory (Calystegia sp.), bristly dogtail grass (Cynosurus echinatus), currant (Ribes sp.), and blue wild-rye (Elymus glaucus). Ponderosa Pine Forest is not a special-status natural community.
The majority of the Ponderosa pine forest community, as well as the adjacent BTC, was burned in the 2013 Rim Fire. Since then, clearing and salvage logging has taken place. The majority of the burned trees south of the river have been removed. A few pines on the southwest bank of the river survived the fire and were not removed. North of the river, the fire appears to have been less intense and the area has only been partially cleared. Secondarily to the salvage logging operation, the understory was also cleared of most vegetation, particularly south of the river.
White Alder Groves: The white alder groves community occurs along the banks of the South Fork Tuolumne River in the BSA (Appendix E, photo 4). The sparse to intermittent overstory of this community is dominated by white alder (Alnus rhombifolia). Big-leaf maple (Acer macrophyllum) is also present in lesser quantities. The understory is sparse to moderately dense with species such as willow saplings (Salix spp.), sedges (Carex spp.), umbrella plant (Darmera peltata), and monkey flower (Mimulus kelloggii). The white alder groves community is a special-status natural community and is discussed further in Section 4.3.2.
South Fork Tuolumne River: The South Fork Tuolumne River is a perennial channel that flows east to southwest through the center of the BSA (Appendix E, photos 1 and 4). It originates approximately 20 mi east of the BSA and flows west down through the Sierras where it drains to the Tuolumne River approximately 9 mi west of the BSA, before emptying into Don Pedro Reservoir. Within the BSA, the South Fork Tuolumne River is approximately 50 ft wide and flows over gravel with many medium to large rocks and boulders. Small water falls are formed over the large boulders. Plants such a sedge (Carex sp), monkey flower, umbrella plant, and willows (Salix sp.) have established within the ordinary high water mark of the river where the water is shallow.
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The banks of the South Fork Tuolumne River in the BSA are moderately steep to steep and consist of medium to large rocks and boulders. The river bank southwest of the bridge has an approximately 15 ft wide sandy flat area with large boulders located between the river and the steep banks. The South Fork Tuolumne River in the BSA supports the white alder groves community along its bank. The South Fork Tuolumne River is a special-status natural community and is discussed further in Section 4.3.1
Paved Road/Gravel Turnouts: Hardin Flat Road is a paved two-lane road that runs roughly northwest to southeast in the BSA (Appendix E, photo 3). The road makes a turn to the southwest at the northwest end of the BSA. At the northwest edge of the BSA, there is an intersection with a dirt USFS road on the north side of Hardin Flat Road and a dirt stub out into the BTC on the south side of Hardin Flat Road. A paved turnout parallels the west side of Hardin Flat Road south of the bridge in the BSA, and a paved road and parking area leading into the BTC occur at the southern end of the BSA (Appendix E, photo 5). The paved and dirt roads and turnouts are mostly devoid of vegetation.
4.2. Regional Species and Habitats of Concern Data acquired from USFWS, CNDDB and CNPS records were used to compile a table of regional species and habitats of concern (Appendix C). Field surveys were conducted to determine if individuals or suitable habitat for the species occur in the BSA. Appendix C provides a brief habitat description for each species and a determination as to whether habitat for each species is present or absent from the BSA. Species for which there is no habitat in the BSA, or have ranges that preclude occurrence in the BSA, are evaluated in Appendix C and are not discussed further.
Special-status species identified in Appendix C as having potential habitat present in the BSA are further discussed in this chapter. Wetlands and waters potentially subject to CWA jurisdiction, birds listed under the Federal Migratory Bird Treaty Act, birds listed under California Fish and Game Code 3503.5, and impacts to natural communities of special concern are also discussed.
4.3. Natural Communities of Special Concern
4.3.1. Discussion of the South Fork Tuolumne River The South Fork Tuolumne River is a natural community of special concern because it is a potential waters of the U.S. The South Fork Tuolumne River in the BSA is a perennial channel that flows southwest under the Hardin Flat Road Bridge. Approximately 0.082 ac of the South Fork Tuolumne River occurs in the BSA.
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4.3.2. Discussion of White Alder Groves White alder groves are a natural community of special concern because it is a riparian woodland part of the stream zone protected by California Fish and Game Code Section 1600. Approximately 0.066 ac of white alder groves occur in the BSA. Native trees with a minimum 5 inch diameter at breast height (dbh) in the white alder groves community were surveyed during the biological fieldwork.
4.4. Special-Status Plants
4.4.1. Discussion of Yosemite Onion (Allium yosemitense) Yosemite onion is a bulbiferous herb found in rocky, metamorphic, or granitic soil of broadleaved upland forest, chaparral, and cismontane woodland, and lower montane coniferous forest from 1,750 to 7,200 ft. Blooms April through July (CNPS 2015).
Range: Yosemite onion is known from fewer than 20 occurrences in Mariposa and Tuolumne counties (CNPS 2015).
Known Records: There are six CNDDB records of Yosemite onion on the 9 quads surrounding the BSA. The closest CNDDB record is located approximately 2.7 mi southwest of the BSA, just west of Pilot Ridge crest. Habitat at this site consists of metamorphic gravels and scree with canyon live oak (Quercus chrysolepis), black oak, Douglas fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii), incense cedar, Ponderosa pine, fork-toothed ookow (Dichelostemma congestum), mountain jewelflower (Streptanthus tortuosus) and manzanita (Arctostaphylos viscida). Fewer than 10,000 plants over less than one hectare were observed in 1982 and 1989.
Survey Results: The Ponderosa pine forest provides habitat for Yosemite onion. LOA conducted a botanical survey in May and July 2011 and in April, May and June 2015 for the BTC project, which includes a majority of the BSA. Yosemite onion was not observed during the floristic botanical surveys conducted during the evident and identifiable period in 2011 or 2015. The BTC Draft Biological Evaluation for Sensitive Plants (LOA 2015a) and Draft Botanical Report (LOA 2015b) determined the BTC survey area provided marginal habitat for Yosemite onion, and stated no species of Allium was observed on the site.
4.4.2. Discussion of Big-scale Balsamroot (Balsamorhiza macrolepis) Big-scale balsamroot is a perennial herb found in chaparral, cismontane woodland, and valley and foothill grassland, sometimes on serpentinite, from 295 to 5,102 ft. Blooms March through July (Baldwin et al. 2012; CNPS 2015).
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Range: Big-scale balsamroot is known from Alameda, Amador, Butte, Colusa, El Dorado, Lake, Mariposa, Napa, Placer, Santa Clara, Shasta, Solano, Sonoma, Tehama, and Tuolumne counties (CNPS 2015).
Known Records: There are five CNDDB records of big-scale balsamroot on the 9 quads surrounding the BSA. There are three CNDDB records of big-scale located near Ackerson Mountain between 3.6 and 4 mi northeast of the BSA. The closest of these, and the closest CNDDB record to the BSA, is located next to an old skid trail in a dry conifer forest with many cedars and dry, fine, rocky soil of granite origin. Plants associated include triteleia (Triteleia sp.) and blue dicks (Dichelostemma sp.). Fewer than 10 plants were observed in 2006.
Survey Results: The Ponderosa pine forest provides habitat for big-scale balsamroot. LOA conducted a botanical survey in May and July 2011 and in April, May and June 2015 for the BTC project, which includes a majority of the BSA. Big-scale balsamroot was not observed during the floristic botanical surveys conducted during the evident and identifiable period in 2011 or 2015 (LOA 2015b).
4.4.3. Discussion of Tompkins’ sedge (Carex tompkinsii) Tompkins’ sedge is a perennial rhizomatous herb found in sometimes granitic soil of chaparral, cismontane woodland, lower montane coniferous forest, and upper montane coniferous forest from 1,375 to 6,000 ft. Blooms May through July (CNPS 2015).
Range: Tompkins’ sedge is known from Fresno, Mariposa, and Tuolumne counties (CNPS 2015).
Known Records: There are two CNDDB records of Tompkins’ sedge on the 9 quads surrounding the BSA. Both of these records are located approximately 12 mi southeast of the BSA on the north side of the Merced River along Highway 140. Habitat at the sites consists of canyon live oak woodland. The plants are scattered along the river and road on shady south facing slopes. Hundreds of plants were found in 1979; fewer than 100 were observed in 1991; and 454 plants were observed in 1994.
Survey Results: The Ponderosa pine forest provides habitat for Tompkins’ sedge. LOA conducted a botanical survey in May and July 2011 and in April, May and June 2015 for the BTC project, which includes a majority of the BSA. Tompkins’ sedge was not observed during the floristic botanical surveys conducted during the evident and identifiable period in 2011 or 2015 (LOA 2015b).
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4.4.4. Discussion of Small’s Southern Clarkia (Clarkia australis) Small’s southern clarkia is an annual herb found in cismontane woodland and lower montane coniferous forest from 2,625 to 6,800 ft. Blooms May through August (CNPS 2015).
A study in the Journal of American Botany evaluated whether Small’s southern clarkia (C. australis) and Sierra clarkia (C. virgata) were two species (Gottlieb and Ford 1999). Both species grow on the western slope of the Sierra Nevada and are morphologically similar. In previous studies, Clarkia populations on the south side of the Tuolumne River were unable to be successfully hybridized with populations on the north side of the river. The study determined that C. australis and C. virgata were indeed two separate species, though C. australis is found on both sides of the Tuolumne River and typically occupies higher elevations (Gottlieb and Ford 1999).
Range: Small’s southern clarkia is known from Calaveras, Madera, Mariposa, and Tuolumne counties (CNPS 2015).
Known Records: There are 34 CNDDB records of Small’s southern clarkia on the 9 quads surrounding the BSA. The closest CNDDB record is located approximately 0.3 mi north of the BSA along Highway 120. The main source of information for this occurrence is a 1967 collection. Other collections from 1950, 1957, and 1959 are also attributed to this site.
The 1999 study by Gottlieb and Ford determined the Clarkia populations at the BTC are Sierra clarkia (C. virgata). Sierra clarkia has a rare plant rank of 4.3.
Survey Results: Clarkia populations in the area are considered to be Sierra clarkia. The BSA is not within the geographic range of Small’s southern clarkia.
4.4.5. Discussion of Slender-stemmed Monkeyflower (Mimulus filicaulis) Slender-stemmed monkeyflower is an annual herb found on vernally mesic soils in cismontane woodland, upper and lower montane coniferous forest, and meadows and seeps from 2,953 to 5,741 ft. Blooms April through August (Baldwin et al. 2012; CNPS 2015).
Range: Slender-stemmed monkeyflower is known from Mariposa and Tuolumne counties (CNPS 2015).
Known Records: There are 35 CNDDB records of slender-stemmed monkeyflower on the 9 quads surrounding the BSA. The closest CNDDB record is located approximately 1.5 mi east-northeast of the BSA along an unnamed northwest facing ephemeral drainage to the South Fork Tuolumne River. Habitat at the site consists of a narrow stretch of black oak woodland surrounded by montane chaparral. Twelve plants were observed in 1993.
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Survey Results: The white alder groves and margin along the South Fork Tuolumne River provide habitat for slender-stemmed monkeyflower. LOA conducted a botanical survey in May and July 2011 and in April, May and June 2015 for the BTC project, which includes a majority of the BSA. Slender-stemmed monkeyflower was observed at several locations surrounding the BSA, and at one location within the BSA boundary (see Figure 3 and Figure 4). Slender-stemmed monkey flower could occur in the while alder groves upstream of the bridge. The area upstream of the bridge was not surveyed by LOA.
4.5. Special-Status Bryophytes
4.5.1. Discussion of Holzinger’s Orthotrichum Moss (Orthotrichum holzingeri) Holzinger’s orthotrichum is a moss usually found on rocks in and along streams, rarely on tree limbs, in cismontane woodland, lower montane coniferous forest, pinyon and juniper woodland, and upper montane coniferous forest from 2,345 to 5,905 ft (CNPS 2015).
Range: Holzinger’s orthotrichum moss is known from Amador, Calaveras, Modoc, Siskiyou, Tulare and Tuolumne counties (CNPS 2015).
Known Records: There is one CNDDB record of Holzinger’s orthotrichum moss on the 9 quads surrounding the BSA. This record is located approximately 4.7 mi northeast of the BSA along the Middle Fork of the Tuolumne River at Middlefork Campground. The moss was found on a frequently submerged sunny boulder in the stream surrounded by Ponderosa pine, incense cedar and Douglas fir. The only source of information for this occurrence is a collection by D. Norris in 2002.
Survey Results: Rocks along South Fork Tuolumne River provides habitat for Holzinger’s orthotrichum moss. LOA conducted a botanical survey in May and July 2011 and in April, May and June 2015 for the BTC project, which includes a majority of the BSA. Holzinger’s orthotrichum moss was not observed during the surveys in 2011 and 2015. The BTC Draft Botanical Report (LOA 2015b) stated no species of Orthotrichum was observed on the site.
4.6. Special-Status Animals 4.6.1. Discussion of Foothill Yellow-Legged Frog (FYLF; Rana boylii) FYLF are a CDFW species of special concern (CDFW 2015). FYLF are found in or near rocky streams in a variety of habitats, including valley-foothill hardwood, valley-foothill hardwood-conifer, valley-foothill riparian, ponderosa pine, mixed conifer, coastal scrub, mixed chaparral, and wet meadow types (CWHR 2014). FYLF require shallow, flowing water, preferably in small to moderate sized streams with at least some cobble-sized substrate (Jennings and Hayes 1994). Adults bask on exposed rock surfaces near streams, diving into BRLO-5932(079)_Hardin Flat NESMI_2015-08-07.docx August 2015 28 NES (MI)
the water for refuge when disturbed. During periods of inactivity, especially during cold weather, FYLF seeks cover under rocks in the steams or on shore within a few meters of water. This species is rarely encountered far from permanent water, even on rainy nights (CWHR 2014).
In California, breeding and egg-laying occur at the end of spring flooding, from late-March to early June depending on local water conditions, and lasts about two weeks. Females deposit eggs in clusters of 200 to 300 (range 100 to 1,200) attached to gravel or rocks in moving water near stream margins. Eggs hatch in about five days, and metamorphose between July and September. Water is required for at least three or four months to complete development (CWHR 2014; Jennings and Hayes 1994).
Threats to FYLF include garter snakes which feed heavily on tadpoles and adults. Bullfrogs are correlated with the observed reduction of FYLF populations in the Sierra Nevada. Non- native centrachid fishes, which eat FYLF eggs, may also contribute to FYLF decline (CWHR 2014).
Range: Historically, this species was known from most Pacific drainages from the Santiam River system (Marion County, OR) to the San Gabriel River system (Los Angeles County, CA). This species has not been observed in or south of the Transverse Ranges since before 1978 (Jennings and Hayes 1994). In California, FYLF currently occur in the Coast Ranges from the Oregon border south to the Transverse Mountains in Los Angeles County, in most of Northern California west of the Cascade Crest, and along the western flank of the Sierra south to Kern County from near sea level to 6,370 ft. Isolated populations have been reported in San Joaquin County and the mountains of Los Angeles (CWHR 2014).
Known Records: There are eight CNDDB records of FYLF on the 9 quads surrounding the BSA. The closest CNDDB record for FYLF is located approximately 5 mi northeast of the BSA, along the Middle Tuolumne River, at Middlefork Campground in the Stanislaus National Forest, approximately 1.9 mi northwest of Ackerson Meadow. The record states that 2 FYLF were collected on 8 July, and 8 were collected on 15 July 1972.
Survey Results: FYLF were not observed in the BSA during the general biological fieldwork. The South Fork Tuolumne River in the BSA provides habitat for FYLF.
4.6.2. Western pond turtle (WPT; Emys marmorata) WPT are a CDFW species of special concern (CDFW 2015). WPT prefer aquatic habitats with abundant vegetative cover and exposed basking sites such as logs. WPT are associated with permanent or nearly permanent water in a wide variety of habitat types, normally in ponds, lakes, streams, irrigation ditches, or permanent pools along intermittent streams
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(CWHR 2014). They are omnivorous generalists and opportunistic predators that prey upon small insects, aquatic invertebrates, fish, frogs, snakes, and small mammals. They also eat aquatic plant material and carrion (Stebbins 2003).
Two distinct habitats may be used for oviposition. Along large slow-moving streams, eggs are deposited in nests constructed in sandy banks. Along foothill streams, females may climb hillsides, sometimes traveling over 330 ft to find a suitable nest site. Soil must usually be at least 4 inches deep for nesting. Generally, 3 to 11 eggs are laid from March to August depending on local conditions and are incubated for approximately 73 to 80 days (CWHR 2014).
Range: WPT occur throughout northern California west of the Sierra Nevada (Stebbins 2003) from sea level to 4,690 ft (CWHR 2014).
Known Records: There are nine CNDDB records of WPT on the 9 quads surrounding the BSA. The closest CNDDB record for WPT is located approximately 5 mi south-southeast of the BSA from Bull Creek at Anderson Flat in the Stanislaus National Forest. One subadult was observed on 19 August 1997.
Survey Results: WPT were not observed in the BSA during the general biological fieldwork. The South Fork Tuolumne River in the BSA provides habitat for WPT.
4.6.3. Pallid bat (Antrozous pallidus) Pallid bat are a CDFW species of special concern (CDFW 2015). Pallid bats are large, light- colored bats with prominent ears that inhabit rocky arid deserts and canyonlands, shrub-steppe grasslands, karst formations, and higher elevation coniferous forests, often in xeric ecosystems. Foraging occurs over open shrub-steppe grasslands, oak savannah grasslands, open Ponderosa pine forests, talus slopes, gravel roads, lava flows, fruit orchards, and vineyards. Winter habitats are poorly known, but pallid bats do not migrate long distances between summer and winter sites. Overwintering sites in coastal California are located in protected structures that have a relatively cool, stable temperature. Elsewhere, pallid bats have been found hibernating alone or in small groups wedged deeply into narrow fissures in mines, caves, and buildings (WBWG 2005).
Most pallid bats (95%) roost in groups of 20, or more, ranging to 162. Group size is important for metabolic economy and growth of young (CWHR 2014). Day and night roosts are similar, consisting of crevices in rocky outcrops and cliffs, caves, mines, trees (basal hollows of coast redwoods and giant sequoias, bole cavities of oaks, exfoliating Ponderosa pine and valley oak bark, deciduous trees in riparian areas, and fruit trees in orchards), and various human structures such as bridges (especially wooden and concrete girder designs),
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barns, porches, bat boxes, and human occupied as well as vacant buildings. Roosts are warm and high above the ground where they are inaccessible to terrestrial predators, though the species has been found roosting on or near the ground under burlap sacks, stone piles, rags, and baseboards. Roosting sites are often reused, but are switched on a daily and seasonal basis (WBWG 2005). Pallid bat is known to nest in artificial roosting sites. Smaller artificial roosts are typically used by males, and do not attract larger maternity colonies (Tatarian 2001). Pallid bats are very sensitive to roosting site disturbance (CWHR 2014).
Female and young pallid bats roost in maternity colonies separate from adult and yearling males. Mating occurs from October to February, with one to two (sometimes three) pups born from late April to July. Young are weaned in August, and maternity colonies disperse between August and October. Exact dates vary across latitudes and between years. Sexual maturity can be reached in one year for both males and females (WBWG 2005).
Passive acoustic cues, occasionally echolocation, are usually used to locate prey. This species has an extensive collection of social communication calls, some of which can be heard by humans. Pallid bats are opportunistic generalists that eat a variety of insects captured on the ground and on the wing. Rarely, they eat geckos, lizards, skinks, and small rodents. Diet and foraging style tend to vary within and between populations (WBWG 2005). Pallid bat is known to roost with other bats, typically Myotis spp. and Brazilian free-tailed bat (Tadarida brasiliensis; CWHR 2014).
Range: Pallid bats occur throughout California except for the high Sierra Nevada from Shasta to Kern counties, and the northwestern corner of the state from Del Norte and western Siskiyou counties to northern Mendocino County. They occur from sea level up to 3,000 ft in elevation (Bolster 1998, CWHR 2014).
Known Records: There are five CNDDB records of pallid bat on the 9 quads surrounding the BSA. The closest CNDDB record for pallid bat occurs approximately 0.8 mi west of the BSA at the Berkeley Tuolumne Camp in the Stanislaus National Forest. Approximately 20 individuals were captured with a hand net or observed day roosting on a bridge on 1 June 1998. The exact location of the bridge is not provided.
Survey Results: Pallid bats were not observed in the BSA during the general biological fieldwork. The Hardin Flat Road Bridge in the BSA provides potential roosting habitat for pallid bat.
4.6.4. Townsend’s big-eared bat (Corynorhinus townsendii) Townsend’s big-eared bats are a CDFW species of special concern and a candidate for listing as State threatened (CDFW 2015). They are a medium-sized bat with very long “rabbit-like”
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ears that generally roost in caves, tunnels, or abandoned mines (WBWG 2014, CWHR 2014). Habitat associations include: coniferous forests, deserts, native prairies, riparian communities, active agricultural areas, and coastal habitat types (WBWG 2014). The habit of roosting pendant-like on open surfaces makes this species readily detectable, and it can be the species most readily observed when present (commonly in low numbers) (WBWG 2014).
In addition to caves and abandoned mines, Townsend’s big-eared bats have also been reported to utilize buildings, bridges, rock crevices, and hollow trees as roost sites. Mesic habitats are preferred due to relatively poor urine concentrating ability and the need to drink water relatively frequently (WBWG 2014, CWHR 2014). The peak activity of this species is late in the evening preceded by flights close to the roost. They are moth specialists, with up to 90% of their diet being composed of Lepidopterans, though beetles and a variety of soft-bodied insects are also taken. This species is not territorial and tends to forage with many other species, gleaning from bushes or trees along habitat edges and streams (CWHR 2014). Evidence of large home ranges and foraging distances has been documented in California, including movements of 93 mi during a single evening (WBWG 2014).
Most mating occurs from November to February, and maternity colonies form between March and June (based on local climactic factors). A single pup is born between May and July, and maternity groups begin to break up in August. Males and yearlings roost separately during the maternity period (WBWG 2014, CWHR 2014).
Range: Townsend’s big-eared bats occur throughout the west and are distributed from the southern portion of British Columbia south along the Pacific coast to central Mexico and east into the Great Plains, with isolated populations occurring in the central and eastern United States. In California, they are found everywhere except subalpine and alpine habitats (CWHR 2014).
Known Records: There are nine CNDDB records of Townsend’s big-eared bat on the 9 quads surrounding the BSA. The closest CNDDB record occurs approximately 4.4 mi west of the BSA in the vicinity of the intersection of Highway 120 and the South Fork Tuolumne River. The exact location of this occurrence is unknown due to imprecise record information, but based on the given information was mapped to include the Highway 120 bridge and another bridge over the South Fork Tuolumne River. Habitat at the site consists of a bridge used as a night roost. One bat was captured or observed on 1 August 1999. There are two other recent records of Townsend’s big-eared bat approximately 5 mi north of the project site, along Cherry Creek and the Tuolumne River. Most recent observations at these sites are from July and August 2014 and describe the habitat as tunnels of an aqueduct and adits, within the remnants of mixed conifer forest completely burned during the 2013 Rim Fire. These records
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indicate the possibility of these sites being used as maternity and bachelor roosts or winter hibernacula.
Survey Results: Townsend’s big-eared bats were not observed in the BSA during the general biological fieldwork. The Hardin Flat Road Bridge in the BSA provides potential roosting habitat for Townsend’s big-eared bat.
4.6.5. Discussion of 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). Birds of prey include raptors, falcons, and owls. Migratory birds are protected under the federal MBTA of 1918 (16 U.S.C. 703-711). The MBTA makes it unlawful to take, possess, buy, sell, purchase, or barter any migratory bird listed in 50 CFR Part 10 including feathers or other parts, nests, eggs, or products, except as allowed by implementing regulations (50 CFR 21). All migratory bird species are protected by the MBTA. Any disturbance that causes direct injury, death, nest abandonment, or forced fledging of migratory birds, is restricted under the MBTA. Any removal of active nests during the breeding season or any disturbance that results in the abandonment of nestlings is considered a ‘take’ of the species under federal law. Survey Results: The fieldwork was conducted past the typical nesting season. The BSA provides potential nesting habitat for birds of prey and birds listed by the MBTA. Birds such as black phoebes (Sayornis nigricans) and swallows frequently build their nests on human- made structures, particularly near water, and have the potential to nest on the bridge. One nest was observed on a wooden beam on the downstream side of Hardin Flat Road Bridge in the BSA (Appendix E, photo 6). Nests could become active in or near the BSA before construction begins.
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5. Project Impacts
5.1. South Fork Tuolumne River No construction or placement of fill will occur in the South Fork Tuolumne River. With implementation of the avoidance and minimization measures in Section 6.1, the Project will have no impacts on the South Fork Tuolumne River.
5.2. White Alder Groves Approximately 0.028 ac of white alder groves in the BSA will be temporarily impacted by access to the bridge. Tree and/or shrub removal or branch trimming may be required to facilitate placement of the new bridge structure. The final tree removal determination will be made by the Tuolumne County Community Resources Agency. There will be no permanent impacts to this community.
5.3. Special-Status Plants and Bryophytes LOA conducted a botanical survey in May and July 2011 and in April, May and June 2015 for the BTC project, which includes 99.5% of the BSA. Yosemite onion, big-scale balsamroot, Tompkins’ sedge, Small’s southern clarkia and Holzinger’s orthotrichum moss were not observed during the floristic botanical surveys conducted during the evident and identifiable period. LOA determined the BTC provided marginal habitat for Yosemite onion, and stated no species of Allium were observed. In additional, no species of Orthotrichum was observed during the LOA surveys. The likelihood of Yosemite onion, big-scale balsamroot, Tompkins’ sedge, or Holzinger’s orthotrichum moss occurring in the 0.12 ac (0.5% of the BSA) area not surveyed by LOA is very low. The Project will not impact Yosemite onion, big-scale balsamroot, Tompkins’ sedge, or Holzinger’s orthotrichum moss.
Current research indicates the BSA is not located in the geographic distribution of Small’s southern clarkia. The Project will not impact Small’s southern clarkia.
Slender monkey flower could occur within the 0.12 ac area not surveyed by LOA upstream of the Hardin Flat Bridge. With implementation of the avoidance and minimization measure in Section 6.3, there will be no impacts to slender-stemmed monkeyflower.
5.4. Foothill Yellow-legged Frog (Rana boylii) and Western Pond Turtle (Emys marmorata) With implementation of the avoidance and minimization measures in Section 6.4, there will be no impacts to FYLF or WPT.
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5.5. Special-Status Bats (Pallid Bat [Antrozous pallidus] and Townsend’s Big-eared Bat [Corynorhinus townsendii]) With implementation of the avoidance and minimization measures in Section 6.5, there will be no impacts to pallid bat or Townsend’s big-eared bat.
5.6. Migratory Birds and Birds of Prey With implementation of the avoidance and minimization measures in Section 6.6, there will be no impacts migratory birds or birds of prey.
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6. Avoidance and Minimization Measures
The County will incorporate the following avoidance and minimization measures into the project description for implementation during the proposed Project.
6.1. South Fork Tuolumne River During construction, water quality will be protected by implementation of best management practices (BMPs) consistent with the Caltrans Stormwater Quality Handbooks (Caltrans 2011a) to minimize the potential for siltation and downstream sedimentation of the South Fork Tuolumne River.
6.2. White Alder Groves Tree removal or branch trimming may be required to facilitate placement of the new bridge structure. Efforts to minimize impacts to the portions of the white alder groves community outside of the BSA will include marking the limits of construction with temporary fencing. Trucks and other vehicles will not be allowed to park beyond, nor shall equipment be stored beyond, the fencing. No vegetation removal or ground disturbing activities will be permitted beyond the fencing.
Tree removal will be minimized to the maximum extent possible. Native riparian trees removed that are over 5 inch dbh will be replaced at a proposed 3:1 ratio. Replacement of trees removed will occur on-site within the white alder groves. Tree removal and replacement is specified in the Restoration Plan in Appendix G.
Areas temporarily disturbed on the banks of the South Fork Tuolumne River will be revegetated and reseeded with native grasses and other native herbaceous annual and perennial species (Appendix F). Reseeded areas with steep slopes will be covered with a biodegradable erosion control fabric to further prevent erosion and downstream sedimentation. The project engineer will determine the specifications needed for erosion control fabric (e.g., sheer strength) based on anticipated maximum flow velocities and soil types. The seed type will consist of commercially available native grass and herbaceous species as described in Appendix F. No seed of nonnative species will be used unless certified to be sterile.
6.3. Special-Status Plants and Bryophytes LOA conducted a botanical survey in May and July 2011 and in April, May and June 2015 for the BTC project, which includes a majority of the BSA. Several populations of slender- stemmed monkeyflower were observed outside the BSA, and one population was observed within the BSA. The area upstream of the bridge was not surveyed by LOA. Slender monkey
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flower could occur within the South Fork Tuolumne River and white alder groves not surveyed by LOA.
• A botanical survey for slender-stemmed monkeyflower will be conducted in suitable habitat north of the bridge during the evident and identifiable period of these species. The survey will be conducted prior to the initiation of construction activities. One survey conducted in April through August will cover the evident and identifiable period of slender-stemmed monkeyflower.
• Known populations of slender-stemmed monkeyflower will be avoided to the maximum extent practicable during construction of the proposed Project. Environmentally Sensitive Areas (ESAs) will be established around sensitive plant occurrences within or adjacent to the BSA to exclude construction activities. Temporary exclusionary fencing will be installed to define the limits of the ESA.
• If avoidance to special-status plants is not feasible, the plants will be transplanted by a qualified biologist to a suitable location in or near the BSA.
6.4. Foothill yellow-legged frog (Rana boylii) and Western Pond Turtle (Emys marmorata) • A preconstruction survey for FYLF and WPT will occur immediately prior to the initiation of construction activities within the white alder groves community and the banks of the South Fork Tuolumne River. The preconstruction survey will be conducted by a biologist experienced with amphibian and reptile surveys in California. If FYLF and/or WPT are not found, construction will proceed. If FYLF and/or WPT are found, construction will not proceed in the white alder groves community until either the frog and/or turtle has left the area of construction, or the biologist has moved the frog and/or turtle out of the construction zone. • Environmentally Sensitive Areas (ESAs) will be established along the limits of construction in the BSA to exclude construction activities from avoided habitat. The fencing will be installed after initial clearing of vegetation but prior to any further work on the Project. • All vegetation scheduled for removal in the white alder groves community will be removed by hand or with hand tools. Mechanized vehicles will not be used to clear the brush in the white alder groves community. • A qualified biologist will be present during grubbing and clearing activities in the white alder groves community to monitor for FYLF and WPT. • During construction, if a FYLF and/or WPT is observed in the active construction zone, construction will cease and a qualified biologist will be notified. Construction
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will resume when the biologist has either relocated the FYLF and/or WPT to nearby suitable habitat outside the construction zone, or, after thorough inspection, determined that the FYLF and/or WPT has moved away from the construction zone. • Staging areas as well as fueling and maintenance activities shall be a minimum of 100 ft from the South Fork Tuolumne River and white alder groves community. A toxic materials control and spill-response plan will be developed and implemented for the proposed Project. • During construction, water quality will be protected by implementation of best management practices (BMPs) consistent with the Caltrans Stormwater Quality Handbooks (Caltrans 2011a) to minimize the potential for siltation and downstream sedimentation of the South Fork Tuolumne River.
6.5. Special-Status Bats (Pallid Bat [Antrozous pallidus] and Townsend’s Big-eared Bat [Corynorhinus townsendii]) Prior to the start of construction, a survey of the existing bridge will be conducted for the presence of roosting bats. If roosting bats are identified, passive exclusionary devices will be installed by a qualified person prior to the start of construction. Timing for installation of these devices will be after all bats have left the roost to forage. Prior to demolition of the existing bridge, a survey for roosting bats will again be conducted.
6.6. Migratory Birds and Birds of Prey Under the MBTA, nests that contain eggs or unfledged young are not to be disturbed during the breeding season. Nesting or attempted nesting by migratory birds and birds-of-prey is anticipated from 1 February through 31 August. Implementation of the following measures will avoid potential impacts. Swallows & Black Phoebes Cliff swallows arrive in mid-February, increase in numbers until late March, and remain until October. Nesting begins in April, peaks in June, and continues into August. Black phoebes arrive in mid-February, and may remain as late as November. They nest from March to August with peak activity in May (CWHR 2014). Measures should be taken to prevent establishment of cliff swallow and black phoebe nests prior to construction. Techniques to prevent nest establishment include the following:
• Visit the site weekly and remove partially completed nests using either hand tools or high pressure water until bridge demolition occurs; or
• Hang netting from the bridge before nesting begins. If this technique is used, netting should be in place from late February until bridge demolition.
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Other Birds of Prey, Birds Protected by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, and Yellow Warbler
• If construction begins outside the 1 February to 31 August breeding season, there will be no need to conduct a preconstruction survey for active nests.
• Vegetation scheduled for removal should be removed during the non-breeding season from 1 September to 31 January.
• If construction is scheduled to begin between 1 February and 31 August, a biologist shall conduct a survey for active bird of prey nests within 250 ft and active MTBA bird nests within 100 ft of the BSA from publicly accessible areas within two weeks prior to construction. The measures listed below shall be implemented based on the survey results. No Active Nests Found:
• If no active nest of a bird of prey, MBTA bird, or other CDFW protected bird is found, then no further avoidance and minimization measures are necessary. Active Nests Found:
• If an active nest of a bird of prey, MBTA bird, or other CDFW protected bird is found, then the biologist shall establish a minimum 250-ft Environmentally Sensitive Area (ESA) around the nest if the nest is of a bird of prey, and a minimum 100-ft ESA around the nest if the nest is of an MBTA bird other than a bird of prey.
• No construction activity shall be allowed in the ESA until the biologist determines that the nest is no longer active, or unless monitoring determines that a smaller ESA will protect the active nest.
• The buffer may be reduced if the biologist monitors the construction activities and determines that no disturbance to the active nest is occurring. The size of suitable buffer depends on the species of bird, the location of the nest relative to the Project, Project activities during the time the nest is active, and other Project specific conditions.
• Between 1 February and 31 August, if additional trees or shrubs need to be trimmed and/or removed after construction has started, a survey will be conducted for active nests in the area to be affected. If an active nest is found, the above measures will be implemented.
• If an active nest is identified in or adjacent to the construction zone after construction has s tarted, t he a bove m easures w ill be i mplemented t o e nsure c onstruction i s not causing disturbance to the nest.
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7. Permits Required
7.1. Federal Endangered Species Act (FESA) Consultation Summary The Project will have no effect on federally listed species. For projects that have no effect on federal-listed species or critical habitat, no consultation is required. Table 3 summarizes potential Project effects on federal listed special-status species. Table 3. Summary of FESA Consultation Requirements May Federal No May affect, is not affect, is Scientific Name Common Name likely to likely to Status Effect adversely affect adversely affect Invertebrates Branchinecta Conservancy fairy E, CH X conservatio shrimp
Branchinecta lynchi Vernal pool fairy T, CH X shrimp
Desmocerus Valley elderberry californicus E, CH X longhorn beetle dimorphus
Lepidurus packardi Vernal pool tadpole E, CH X shrimp Fish Hypomesus Delta smelt T X transpacificus
Oncorhynchus Lahontan cutthroat (=Salmo) clarki T X trout henshawi
Oncorhynchus (=Salmo) clarki Paiute cutthroat trout T X seleniris
Oncorhynchus Steelhead, Central T, CH X mykiss (irideus) Valley DPS
Oncorhynchus Steelhead, Northern T, CH X mykiss California DPS
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May Federal No May affect, is not affect, is Scientific Name Common Name likely to likely to Status Effect adversely affect adversely affect Oncorhynchus Chinook salmon, tshawytscha Central Valley T, CH X spring-run ESU
Oncorhynchus Chinook salmon, tshawytscha Sacramento River E, CH X winter-run ESU Amphibians California tiger Ambystoma salamander, central T, CH X californiense population Anaxyrus (=Bufo) Yosemite toad T, PCH X canorus California red- Rana draytonii T, CH X legged frog Sierra Nevada Rana sierra E, PCH X yellow-legged frog Reptiles Thamnophis gigas Giant garter snake T X Mammals Pekania (=Martes) Fisher – West Coast PT X pennanti DPS
Ovis canadensis Sierra Nevada sierrae (=California) E, CH X (=californiana) bighorn sheep
Vulpes macrotis San Joaquin kit fox E X mutica Plants Chinese Camp Brodiaea pallida T X brodiaea Castilleja campestris Succulent (=fleshy) T, CH X var. succulenta owl's-clover
Chamaesyce hooveri Hoover's spurge T, CH X
Neostapfia colusana Colusa grass T, CH X
Orcuttia pilosa Hairy Orcutt grass E, CH X
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May Federal No May affect, is not affect, is Scientific Name Common Name likely to likely to Status Effect adversely affect adversely affect Packera (=Senecio) Layne’s ragwort T X layneae (=butterweed)
Pseudobahia Hartweg's golden E, CH X bahiifolia sunburst Greene's tuctoria Tuctoria greenei E, CH X (=Orcutt grass) Verbena californica Red Hills vervain T, CH X
1 T = Federal Threatened; C = Federal Candidate; CH = Critical Habitat
7.2. California Endangered Species Act (CESA) Consultation Summary No take of California state listed species will occur as a result of this Project.
7.3. Wetlands and Other Waters Coordination Summary There are no wetlands in the BSA. There will be no impacts to the South Fork Tuolumne River. The project will not impact waters of the U.S.
7.4. Essential Fish Habitat (EFH) The BSA is located in the Upper Tuolumne hydrologic unit (18040009) which is not designated as EFH for Pacific salmon (NMFS 2008). The BSA is located above the Don Pedro Main Dam, which is an impassable barrier to fish. The project will not affect EFH.
7.5. Evaluation of Invasive Plant Species (EO 13112) There are 8 invasive plant species that occur in the BSA (Cal-IPC 2006). Two species in the BSA are rated as “High” by Cal-IPC (2006) relative to their ecological impact, invasive potential, and ecological distribution: Himalayan blackberry (Rubus armeniacus) and cheat grass (Bromus tectorum). Invasive plant species in the BSA categorized by Cal-IPC (2006) as moderate or limited are noted in Appendix D. Himalayan blackberry typically occurs on disturbed moist open sites, roadsides, fencerows, fields, canal and ditch banks, and riparian areas in many plant communities. It tolerates periodic flooding and brackish water. Himalayan blackberry is common throughout California, except in deserts, to 5,250 ft. It forms impenetrable thickets and rapidly displaces native plant species (Bossard et al. 2000). It reproduces by seed, root sprouting, and stem tip rooting. Seeds may be transported long distances by wildlife, especially birds. Germination
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occurs mainly in spring. Small populations may be controlled effectively by manual removal (DiTomaso and Healy 2007). Cheat grass is an annual grass (Poaceae family) that crowds out native grasses and may increase the frequency and extent of wildfires (Cal-IPC 2003). It reproduces only by seed, which can remain viable for up to three years. It generally spreads by wind, attachment to human clothing or animal fur, hay transport, or machinery transport (Bossard et al. 2000). Himalayan blackberry and cheat grass are common in Tuolumne County. The limited scope of this Project precludes effective eradication of these species from the BSA. The spread of invasive species in the BSA will be reduced by cleaning equipment before it comes to the BSA and revegetating disturbed areas with native or sterile nonnative species. By revegetating disturbed areas with native species, the Project will reduce the spread of invasive species in the BSA.
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8. References
Books, Journal Articles, Reports: Baldwin, B. G., D. H. Goldman, D. J. Keil, R. Patterson, T. J. Rosatti, and D. H. Wilken, eds. 2012. The Jepson manual: Vascular plants of California, 2nd ed. University of California Press, Berkeley, CA.
Bat Conservation International, Inc (BCI). Accessed 2014. All about bats: Species profiles: Lasiurus blossevillii. http://www.batcon.org/resources/media-education/species-profiles
Bolster, B.C., ed. 1998. Terrestrial mammal species of special concern in California. Draft Final Report prepared by P.W. Collins. Report submitted to California Department of Fish and Game Wildlife Management Division, Nongame Bird and Mammal Conservation Program for Contract No.FG3146WM.
Bossard, C. C., J. M. Randall, and M. C. Hoshovsky, eds. 2000. Invasive plants of California’s wildlands. University of California Press, Berkeley, CA.
Busby, P. J., T. C. Wainwright, and G. J. Bryant. 1996. Status review of West Coast steelhead from Washington, Oregon and California. NOAA Technical Memorandum NMFS-NWFSC-27. National Marine Fisheries Service, Seattle, WA.
California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW). 2005. The status of rare, threatened, and endangered plants and animals of California 2000-2004. State of California, Resources Agency, and Department of Fish and Game. http://www.dfg.ca.gov/wildlife/nongame/t_e_spp/new_te_rpt.html
California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW). September 2010. Vegetation classification and mapping program: Natural Communities − List. Biogeographic Data Branch, Sacramento, CA.
California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW). Accessed December 2014. Biogeographic Information and Observation System: BIOS viewer 5.24.12. http://www.dfg.ca.gov/biogeodata/bios/
California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW). March 2015. Special animals. Habitat Conservation Division, CNDDB, Sacramento, CA.
California Department of Transportation (Caltrans). June 2011 (2011a). Stormwater quality handbooks. H. Hakim and C. Suszko, editors. CTSW-RT-11-255.08.01.
California Department of Transportation (Caltrans). Local Assistance Procedures Manual. Design and Local Programs, Sacramento, CA. Web. 25 June 2015.
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California Invasive Plant Council (Cal-IPC). February 2003 (2003). California Invasive Plant Inventory Form for Bromus tectorum. California Invasive Plant Council, Berkeley, CA. http://www.cal-ipc.org/ip/inventory/PAF/Bromus%20tectorum.pdf
California Invasive Plant Council (Cal-IPC). 2006. Invasive plant inventory. California Invasive Plant Council, Berkeley, CA. www.cal-ipc.org
California Native Plant Society (CNPS). Accessed 2015. Inventory of rare and endangered plants (online edition, v8-02). California Native Plant Society, Sacramento, CA. http://www.rareplants.cnps.org/
California Wildlife Habitat Relationships (CWHR) Program. Accessed 2014. California Wildlife Habitat Relationships System, life history account and range map for various wildlife species. Updated from Zeiner, D.C. et al 1988-1990. CWHR Program, California Department of Fish and Game, Sacramento, CA. http://www.dfg.ca.gov/biogeodata/cwhr/cawildlife.aspx
Consortium of California Herbaria (CCH). Accessed May 2015. Results for search: Scientific name=Rhynchospora californica. Data provided by the participants of the Consortium of California Herbaria (ucjeps.berkeley.edu/consortium/).
DiTomaso, J. M. and E. A. Healy. 2007. Weeds of California and other western states, Vol 2, Geraniaceae-Zygophyllaceae. Publication 3488. Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of California, Oakland, CA.
Gottlieb, L. D., and V.S. Ford. March 1999. The status of Clarkia australis (Onagraceae). American journal of botany 86(3): 428-435.
Holland, R. 1986. Preliminary descriptions of the terrestrial natural communities of California. California Department of Fish and Game, Sacramento, CA.
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, CA.
Live Oak Associates, Inc. (LOA). 10 July 2015 (2015a). Draft Berkeley Tuolumne Camp biological evaluation for sensitive plants. Berkeley Tuolumne Camp Master Development Plan, Groveland Ranger District. Prepared by LOA, Oakhurst, CA.
Live Oak Associates, Inc. (LOA). 22 July 2015 (2015b). Draft botany report, Tuolumne County, California. City of Berkeley Tuolumne Camp Permit (46690), Groveland Ranger District. Prepared by LOA, Oakhurst, CA.
Malcolm, B., N. Malcolm, J. Shevock, D. Norris. 2009. California mosses. Micro-Optics Press, New Zealand.
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McGinnis, S. M. 1984. Freshwater fishes of California. University of California Press, Berkeley, CA.
Moyle, P. B. 2002. Inland fishes of California. University of California Press, Berkeley, CA.
National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS). February 1998. Status review of Chinook salmon from Washington, Idaho, Oregon, and California. NOAA Technical Memorandum NMFS- NWFSC-35.
National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS). 5 January 2006. Endangered and threatened species; Final listing determination for 10 distinct population segments of west coast steelhead; Final rule. Federal Register 71(3):834-862; 50 CFR Parts 223 and 224. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS). 15 October 2008. Fisheries off west coast states; west coast salmon fisheries; amendment 14; essential fish habitat descriptions for Pacific salmon. Final Rule. Federal Register 73(200): 60987-60994; 50 CFR Part 660. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS). January 2013. Species Boundary Maps, Northern California Steelhead Distinct Population Segment map, Current as of January 2013. Habitat Conservation Division, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Santa Rosa, CA.
Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). Accessed December 2014. Official soil series descriptions. Soil Survey Staff, United States Department of Agriculture. https://soilseries.sc.egov.usda.gov/osdname.asp
Norris, D. H. and J. R. Shevock. 2004. Contributions toward a Bryoflora of California: II. A key to the mosses. Madrono 51(1):132-269.
Sawyer, J. O., T. Keeler-Wolf, and J. M. Evens. 2009. A manual of California vegetation, 2nd ed. California Native Plant Society, Sacramento, CA.
Stebbins, R. C. 2003. A field guide to western reptiles and amphibians. Houghton Mifflin Company, Boston, MA.
Tatarian, Greg. 2001. Long-term use of artificial roosts by maternity colonies of pallid bat Antrozous pallidus and Mexican free-tailed bats Tadarida brasiliensis including cautionary notes. Wildlife Research Associates, Petaluma, CA. http://www.wildliferesearchassoc.com/BCI_Pallid_Bat_House_Article.pdf
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS). 19 September 1994 (1994a). Endangered and threatened wildlife and plants; determination of endangered status for the conservancy fairy shrimp, longhorn fairy shrimp, and the vernal pool tadpole shrimp; and threatened status for the vernal pool fairy shrimp. Federal Register 59:48136. BRLO-5932(079)_Hardin Flat NESMI_2015-08-07.docx August 2015 46 NES (MI)
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS). 1994b. Endangered and threatened wildlife and plants; critical habitat determination for the Delta smelt. Federal Register 59(242):65256-65277; 50 CFR Part 17. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS). 1994c. Lahontan cutthroat trout (Oncorhynchus clarkii henshawi) Recovery Plan. Portland, OR. Pp. 147.
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS). 9 July 1999 (199a). Conservation guidelines for the Valley elderberry longhorn beetle. U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Sacramento, CA.
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS). 1999b. Draft recovery plan for the giant garter snake (Thamnophis gigas). U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Portland, OR.
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS). 28 May 2002. Recovery plan for the California red-legged frog (Rana aurora draytonii). Region 1, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Portland, OR.
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS). 10 August 2004. Revised recovery plan for the paiute cutthroat trout (Onocorhynchus clarki seleniris). U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Portland, OR.
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS). September 2007 (2007a). Conservancy fairy shrimp (Branchinecta conservatio) five year review, summary and evaluation. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Sacramento Fish and Wildlife Office, Sacramento, CA.
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS). 2007 (2007b). Recovery plan for the Sierra Nevada bighorn sheep. USFWS Office, Sacramento, CA.
U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (USFWS). February 2010. San Joaquin kit fox (Vulpes macrotis mutica) 5-year review: summary and evaluation. Sacramento Fish and Wildlife Office, Sacramento, CA.
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS). Accessed December 2014. Critical Habitat Portal. http://crithab.fws.gov/
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and National Marine Fisheries Service (USFWS & NMFS). 1998. Endangered species consultation handbook. Procedures for conducting consultations and conferences under section 7 of the Endangered Species Act.
Warner, P. J., C.C. Bossard, M. L. Brooks, J.M. DiTomaso, J. A. Hall, A. M. Howald, D. W. Johnson, J. M. Randall, C. L. Roye, and A. E. Stanton. 2003. Criteria for categorizing invasive non- native plants that threaten wildlands. California Exotic Pest Plant Council and Southwest Vegetation Management Association. http://www.cal-ipc.org
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Western Bat Working Group (WBWG). Updated 2005. Species Accounts for Antrozous pallidus, Eumops perotis californicus, and Lasiurus blossevillii. http://www.wbwg.org/speciesinfo/species_accounts/species_accounts.html
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Appendix A USFWS Letter and List
BRLO-5932(079)_Hardin Flat NESMI_2015-08-07.docx August 2015 Appendix A USFWS Letter and List
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BRLO-5932(079)_Hardin Flat NESMI_2015-08-07.docx August 2015 United States Department of the Interior
FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE Sacramento Fish and Wildlife Office FEDERAL BUILDING, 2800 COTTAGE WAY, ROOM W-2605 SACRAMENTO, CA 95825 PHONE: (916)414-6600 FAX: (916)414-6713
Consultation Code: 08ESMF00-2015-SLI-0552 May 19, 2015 Event Code: 08ESMF00-2015-E-02133 Project Name: Hardin Flat Road Bridge (32C0053) over the South Fork Tuolu
Subject: List of threatened and endangered species that may occur in your proposed project location, and/or may be affected by your proposed project
To Whom It May Concern:
The enclosed species list identifies threatened, endangered, proposed and candidate species, as well as proposed and final designated critical habitat, under the jurisdiction of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) that may occur within the boundary of your proposed project and/or may be affected by your proposed project. The species list fulfills the requirements of the Service under section 7(c) of the Endangered Species Act (Act) of 1973, as amended (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq. ).
Please follow the link below to see if your proposed project has the potential to affect other species or their habitats under the jurisdiction of the National Marine Fisheries Service: http://www.nwr.noaa.gov/protected_species/species_list/species_lists.html
New information based on updated surveys, changes in the abundance and distribution of species, changed habitat conditions, or other factors could change this list. Please feel free to contact us if you need more current information or assistance regarding the potential impacts to federally proposed, listed, and candidate species and federally designated and proposed critical habitat. Please note that under 50 CFR 402.12(e) of the regulations implementing section 7 of the Act, the accuracy of this species list should be verified after 90 days. This verification can be completed formally or informally as desired. The Service recommends that verification be completed by visiting the ECOS-IPaC website at regular intervals during project planning and implementation for updates to species lists and information. An updated list may be requested through the ECOS-IPaC system by completing the same process used to receive the enclosed list.
The purpose of the Act is to provide a means whereby threatened and endangered species and the ecosystems upon which they depend may be conserved. Under sections 7(a)(1) and 7(a)(2) of the Act and its implementing regulations (50 CFR 402 et seq. ), Federal agencies are required to utilize their authorities to carry out programs for the conservation of threatened and endangered species and to determine whether projects may affect threatened and endangered species and/or designated critical habitat.
A Biological Assessment is required for construction projects (or other undertakings having similar physical impacts) that are major Federal actions significantly affecting the quality of the human environment as defined in the National Environmental Policy Act (42 U.S.C. 4332(2) (c)). For projects other than major construction activities, the Service suggests that a biological evaluation similar to a Biological Assessment be prepared to determine whether the project may affect listed or proposed species and/or designated or proposed critical habitat. Recommended contents of a Biological Assessment are described at 50 CFR 402.12.
If a Federal agency determines, based on the Biological Assessment or biological evaluation, that listed species and/or designated critical habitat may be affected by the proposed project, the agency is required to consult with the Service pursuant to 50 CFR 402. In addition, the Service recommends that candidate species, proposed species and proposed critical habitat be addressed within the consultation. More information on the regulations and procedures for section 7 consultation, including the role of permit or license applicants, can be found in the "Endangered Species Consultation Handbook" at: http://www.fws.gov/endangered/esa-library/pdf/TOC-GLOS.PDF
Please be aware that bald and golden eagles are protected under the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act (16 U.S.C. 668 et seq. ), and projects affecting these species may require development of an eagle conservation plan (http://www.fws.gov/windenergy/eagle_guidance.html). Additionally, wind energy projects should follow the wind energy guidelines (http://www.fws.gov/windenergy/) for minimizing impacts to migratory birds and bats.
Guidance for minimizing impacts to migratory birds for projects including communications towers (e.g., cellular, digital television, radio, and emergency broadcast) can be found at: http://www.fws.gov/migratorybirds/CurrentBirdIssues/Hazards/towers/towers.htm; http://www.towerkill.com; and http://www.fws.gov/migratorybirds/CurrentBirdIssues/Hazards/towers/comtow.html.
We appreciate your concern for threatened and endangered species. The Service encourages Federal agencies to include conservation of threatened and endangered species into their project planning to further the purposes of the Act. Please include the Consultation Tracking Number in the header of this letter with any request for consultation or correspondence about your project that you submit to our office.
The table below outlines lead FWS field offices by county and land ownership/project type. Please refer to this table when you are ready to coordinate (including requests for section 7 consultation) with the field office corresponding to your project, and send any documentation regarding your project to that corresponding office. Therefore, the lead FWS field office may not be the office listed above in the letterhead. Please visit our office's website (http://www.fws.gov/sacramento) to view a map of office jurisdictions.
2 United States Department of Interior Fish and Wildlife Service
Project name: Hardin Flat Road Bridge (32C0053) over the South Fork Tuolu
Official Species List
Provided by: Sacramento Fish and Wildlife Office FEDERAL BUILDING 2800 COTTAGE WAY, ROOM W-2605 SACRAMENTO, CA 95825 (916) 414-6600
Consultation Code: 08ESMF00-2015-SLI-0552 Event Code: 08ESMF00-2015-E-02133
Project Type: BRIDGE CONSTRUCTION / MAINTENANCE
Project Name: Hardin Flat Road Bridge (32C0053) over the South Fork Tuolu Project Description: Bridge Replacement Project in Tuolumne County, CA
Please Note: The FWS office may have modified the Project Name and/or Project Description, so it may be different from what was submitted in your previous request. If the Consultation Code matches, the FWS considers this to be the same project. Contact the office in the 'Provided by' section of your previous Official Species list if you have any questions or concerns.
http://ecos.fws.gov/ipac, 05/19/2015 10:16 AM 1 United States Department of Interior Fish and Wildlife Service
Project name: Hardin Flat Road Bridge (32C0053) over the South Fork Tuolu
Project Location Map:
Project Coordinates: MULTIPOLYGON (((-119.93328630924223 37.812512430202766, - 119.93309855461122 37.81225391152605, -119.93289470672609 37.81231748177637, - 119.93285179138182 37.81219881726483, -119.93260502815245 37.8121479609872, - 119.93237972259521 37.81198691587696, -119.93264257907866 37.81169449096301, - 119.93235826492308 37.81119863737501, -119.93216514587401 37.81111811382845, - 119.93181109428406 37.81102911401697, -119.93152141571044 37.81107149489296, - 119.93149995803833 37.81143173135677, -119.93114054203033 37.81167330070686, - 119.93167161941527 37.812217464548155, -119.93197202682495 37.81232341498726, - 119.93229925632477 37.81251412539452, -119.93258893489838 37.81263702739596, - 119.93295907974243 37.812649741384426, -119.93321657180788 37.812594647418564, - 119.93328630924223 37.812512430202766)))
Project Counties: Tuolumne, CA
http://ecos.fws.gov/ipac, 05/19/2015 10:16 AM 2 United States Department of Interior Fish and Wildlife Service
Project name: Hardin Flat Road Bridge (32C0053) over the South Fork Tuolu
Endangered Species Act Species List
There are a total of 4 threatened or endangered species on your species list. Species on this list should be considered in an effects analysis for your project and could include species that exist in another geographic area. For example, certain fish may appear on the species list because a project could affect downstream species. Critical habitats listed under the Has Critical Habitat column may or may not lie within your project area. See the Critical habitats within your project area section further below for critical habitat that lies within your project. Please contact the designated FWS office if you have questions.
Amphibians Status Has Critical Habitat Condition(s)
California red-legged frog (Rana Threatened Final designated draytonii) Population: Entire
Fishes
Delta smelt (Hypomesus Threatened Final designated transpacificus) Population: Entire
steelhead (Oncorhynchus (=salmo) Threatened Final designated mykiss) Population: Northern California DPS
Mammals
fisher (Martes pennanti) Proposed Population: West coast DPS Threatened
http://ecos.fws.gov/ipac, 05/19/2015 10:16 AM 3 United States Department of Interior Fish and Wildlife Service
Project name: Hardin Flat Road Bridge (32C0053) over the South Fork Tuolu
Critical habitats that lie within your project area There are no critical habitats within your project area.
http://ecos.fws.gov/ipac, 05/19/2015 10:16 AM 4 Appendix B California Natural Diversity Database (CNDDB)Summary California Native Plant Society (CNPS) Inventory Results
Appendix B California Natural Diversity Database (CNDDB) Summary and California Native Plant Society (CNPS) Inventory Results
BRLO-5932(079)_Hardin Flat NESMI_2015-08-07.docx August 2015 Appendix B California Natural Diversity Database (CNDDB)Summary California Native Plant Society (CNPS) Inventory Results
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BRLO-5932(079)_Hardin Flat NESMI_2015-08-07.docx August 2015 Selected Elements by Scientific Name California Department of Fish and Wildlife California Natural Diversity Database
Query Criteria: Quad is (Ackerson Mtn. (3711977) or Ascension Mtn. (3711978) or Buckhorn Peak (3712061) or Cherry Lake South (3711988) or Duckwall Mtn. (3712081) or El Portal (3711967) or Jawbone Ridge (3712071) or Kinsley (3711968) or Lake Eleanor (3711987))
Rare Plant Rank/CDFW Species Element Code Federal Status State Status Global Rank State Rank SSC or FP Agrostis humilis PMPOA040P0 None None G4Q S2 2B.3 mountain bent grass Allium yosemitense PMLIL022L0 None Rare G3 S3 1B.3 Yosemite onion Anaxyrus canorus AAABB01040 Threatened None G2 S2 SSC Yosemite toad Antrozous pallidus AMACC10010 None None G5 S3 SSC pallid bat Aplodontia rufa californica AMAFA01013 None None G5T3T4 S2S3 SSC Sierra Nevada mountain beaver Balsamorhiza macrolepis PDAST11061 None None G2 S2 1B.2 big-scale balsamroot Banksula tuolumne ILARA14090 None None G1 S1 Tuolumne cave harvestman Big Tree Forest CTT84250CA None None G3 S3.2 Big Tree Forest Brasenia schreberi PDCAB01010 None None G5 S2 2B.3 watershield Calicina conifera ILARAU8030 None None G1 S1 Crane Flat harvestman Carex limosa PMCYP037K0 None None G5 S3 2B.2 mud sedge Carex tompkinsii PMCYP03DR0 None Rare G4 S4 4.3 Tompkins' sedge Carex viridula ssp. viridula PMCYP03EM5 None None G5T5 S2 2B.3 green yellow sedge Clarkia australis PDONA05040 None None G2 S2 1B.2 Small's southern clarkia Clarkia biloba ssp. australis PDONA05051 None None G4G5T2T3 S2S3 1B.2 Mariposa clarkia Clarkia lingulata PDONA050P0 None Endangered G1 S1 1B.1 Merced clarkia Corynorhinus townsendii AMACC08010 None Candidate G3G4 S2 SSC Threatened Townsend's big-eared bat Empidonax traillii ABPAE33040 None Endangered G5 S1S2 willow flycatcher Emys marmorata ARAAD02030 None None G3G4 S3 SSC western pond turtle
Commercial Version -- Dated May, 5 2015 -- Biogeographic Data Branch Page 1 of 3 Report Printed on Tuesday, May 19, 2015 Information Expires 11/5/2015 Selected Elements by Scientific Name California Department of Fish and Wildlife California Natural Diversity Database
Rare Plant Rank/CDFW Species Element Code Federal Status State Status Global Rank State Rank SSC or FP Eriophyllum congdonii PDAST3N030 None Rare G2 S2 1B.2 Congdon's woolly sunflower Eriophyllum nubigenum PDAST3N0A0 None None G2 S2 1B.3 Yosemite woolly sunflower Erythronium taylorii PMLIL0U0S0 None None G1 S1 1B.2 Pilot Ridge fawn lily Euderma maculatum AMACC07010 None None G4 S3 SSC spotted bat Eumops perotis californicus AMACD02011 None None G5T4 S3S4 SSC western mastiff bat Haliaeetus leucocephalus ABNKC10010 Delisted Endangered G5 S2 FP bald eagle Helminthoglypta allynsmithi IMGASC2020 None None G1 S1 Merced Canyon shoulderband Horkelia parryi PDROS0W0C0 None None G2 S2 1B.2 Parry's horkelia Hulsea brevifolia PDAST4Z020 None None G3 S3 1B.2 short-leaved hulsea Hydromantes brunus AAAAD09010 None Threatened G1 S1 FP limestone salamander Lasionycteris noctivagans AMACC02010 None None G5 S3S4 silver-haired bat Lasiurus blossevillii AMACC05060 None None G5 S3 SSC western red bat Lasiurus cinereus AMACC05030 None None G5 S4 hoary bat Lewisia congdonii PDPOR04040 None Rare G2 S2 1B.3 Congdon's lewisia Margaritifera falcata IMBIV27020 None None G4G5 S1S2 western pearlshell Mielichhoferia elongata NBMUS4Q022 None None G4 S2 2B.2 elongate copper moss Mielichhoferia shevockii NBMUSA1010 None None G1 S1 1B.2 Shevock's copper moss Mimulus filicaulis PDSCR1B150 None None G2 S2 1B.2 slender-stemmed monkeyflower Mimulus pulchellus PDSCR1B280 None None G2G3 S2S3 1B.2 yellow-lip pansy monkeyflower Monadenia yosemitensis IMGASZ3010 None None G1 S1 Yosemite Mariposa sideband Myotis evotis AMACC01070 None None G5 S3 long-eared myotis
Commercial Version -- Dated May, 5 2015 -- Biogeographic Data Branch Page 2 of 3 Report Printed on Tuesday, May 19, 2015 Information Expires 11/5/2015 Selected Elements by Scientific Name California Department of Fish and Wildlife California Natural Diversity Database
Rare Plant Rank/CDFW Species Element Code Federal Status State Status Global Rank State Rank SSC or FP Myotis thysanodes AMACC01090 None None G4 S3 fringed myotis Myotis volans AMACC01110 None None G5 S3 long-legged myotis Myotis yumanensis AMACC01020 None None G5 S4 Yuma myotis Orthotrichum holzingeri NBMUS560E0 None None G3 S2 1B.3 Holzinger's orthotrichum moss Pekania pennanti AMAJF01021 Proposed Candidate G5T2T3Q S2S3 SSC Threatened Threatened fisher - West Coast DPS Plagiobothrys torreyi var. torreyi PDBOR0V152 None None G4T3Q S3 1B.2 Yosemite popcornflower Potamogeton epihydrus PMPOT03080 None None G5 S2S3 2B.2 Nuttall's ribbon-leaved pondweed Potamogeton robbinsii PMPOT030Z0 None None G5 S3 2B.3 Robbins' pondweed Rana boylii AAABH01050 None None G3 S2S3 SSC foothill yellow-legged frog Rana draytonii AAABH01022 Threatened None G2G3 S2S3 SSC California red-legged frog Rana sierrae AAABH01340 Endangered Threatened G1 S1 SSC Sierra Nevada yellow-legged frog Rhynchospora capitellata PMCYP0N080 None None G5 S1 2B.2 brownish beaked-rush Schoenoplectus subterminalis PMCYP0Q1G0 None None G4G5 S3 2B.3 water bulrush Stellaria obtusa PDCAR0X0U0 None None G5 S4 4.3 obtuse starwort Strix nebulosa ABNSB12040 None Endangered G5 S1 great gray owl Stygobromus wengerorum ICMAL05620 None None G1 S1 Wengerors' Cave amphipod Tetrix sierrana IIORT27010 None None G1G2 S1S2 Sierra pygmy grasshopper Vulpes vulpes necator AMAJA03012 None Threatened G5T1T2 S1 Sierra Nevada red fox Record Count: 58
Commercial Version -- Dated May, 5 2015 -- Biogeographic Data Branch Page 3 of 3 Report Printed on Tuesday, May 19, 2015 Information Expires 11/5/2015 NES (MI)
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Plant List
46 matches found. Click on scientific name for details
Search Criteria
Found in 9 Quads around 37119G8
Rare Plant State Global Scientific Name Common Name Family Lifeform Rank Rank Rank Agrostis humilis mountain bent grass Poaceae perennial herb 2B.3 S2 G4Q Allium sanbornii var. perennial Sanborn's onion Alliaceae 4.2 S4? G3T4? sanbornii bulbiferous herb perennial Allium yosemitense Yosemite onion Alliaceae 1B.3 S3 G3 bulbiferous herb Balsamorhiza macrolepis big-scale balsamroot Asteraceae perennial herb 1B.2 S2 G2 Bolandra californica Sierra bolandra Saxifragaceae perennial herb 4.3 S4 G4 perennial Brasenia schreberi watershield Cabombaceae 2B.3 S2 G5 rhizomatous herb thread-leaved Bulbostylis capillaris Cyperaceae annual herb 4.2 S3 G5 beakseed perennial Carex buxbaumii Buxbaum's sedge Cyperaceae 4.2 S3 G5 rhizomatous herb perennial Carex limosa mud sedge Cyperaceae 2B.2 S3 G5 rhizomatous herb perennial Carex tompkinsii Tompkins' sedge Cyperaceae 4.3 S4 G4 rhizomatous herb Carex viridula ssp. viridula green yellow sedge Cyperaceae perennial herb 2B.3 S1.3 G5T5 perennial Ceanothus fresnensis Fresno ceanothus Rhamnaceae 4.3 S4 G4 evergreen shrub Small's southern Clarkia australis Onagraceae annual herb 1B.2 S2 G2 clarkia Clarkia biloba ssp. australis Mariposa clarkia Onagraceae annual herb 1B.2 S2S3 G4G5T2T3 Clarkia lingulata Merced clarkia Onagraceae annual herb 1B.1 S1 G1 Clarkia virgata Sierra clarkia Onagraceae annual herb 4.3 S3 G3 Claytonia parviflora ssp. streambank spring Montiaceae annual herb 4.2 S3 G5T3 grandiflora beauty Cordylanthus rigidus ssp. short-bracted bird's- annual herb Orobanchaceae 4.3 S4 G5T4 brevibracteatus beak (hemiparasitic) perennial Cypripedium montanum mountain lady's-slipper Orchidaceae 4.2 S4 G4 rhizomatous herb perennial Eriophorum gracile slender cottongrass Cyperaceae 4.3 S4 G5 rhizomatous herb Congdon's woolly Eriophyllum congdonii Asteraceae annual herb 1B.2 S2 G2 http://www.rareplants.cnps.org/result.htmsunflowerl?adv=t&quad=37119G8:9 1/3 5/19/2015 CNPS Inventory Results sunflower Yosemite woolly Eriophyllum nubigenum Asteraceae annual herb 1B.3 S2 G2 sunflower perennial Erythronium taylorii Pilot Ridge fawn lily Liliaceae 1B.2 S1 G1 bulbiferous herb Horkelia parryi Parry's horkelia Rosaceae perennial herb 1B.2 S2 G2 Hulsea brevifolia short-leaved hulsea Asteraceae perennial herb 1B.2 S3 G3 Jensia yosemitana Yosemite tarplant Asteraceae annual herb 3.2 S3 G3 Lewisia congdonii Congdon's lewisia Montiaceae perennial herb 1B.3 S2 G2 Lupinus spectabilis shaggyhair lupine Fabaceae annual herb 1B.2 S2 G2 Lycopus uniflorus northern bugleweed Lamiaceae perennial herb 4.3 S4 G5 Mielichhoferia elongata elongate copper moss Mielichhoferiaceae moss 2B.2 S2 G4 Shevock's copper Mielichhoferia shevockii Mielichhoferiaceae moss 1B.2 S1 G1 moss slender-stemmed Mimulus filicaulis Phrymaceae annual herb 1B.2 S2 G2 monkeyflower small-flowered Mimulus inconspicuus Phrymaceae annual herb 4.3 S4 G4 monkeyflower cut-leaved Mimulus laciniatus Phrymaceae annual herb 4.3 S4 G4 monkeyflower yellow-lip pansy Mimulus pulchellus Phrymaceae annual herb 1B.2 S2S3 G2G3 monkeyflower Holzinger's Orthotrichum holzingeri Orthotrichaceae moss 1B.3 S2 G3 orthotrichum moss Piperia colemanii Coleman's rein orchid Orchidaceae perennial herb 4.3 S4 G4 Plagiobothrys torreyi var. chaparral Boraginaceae annual herb 4.3 S3 G4T3 perplexans popcornflower Plagiobothrys torreyi var. Yosemite popcorn- Boraginaceae annual herb 1B.2 S3 G4T3Q torreyi flower perennial Potamogeton robbinsii Robbins' pondweed Potamogetonaceae 2B.3 S3 G5 rhizomatous herb perennial Pseudostellaria sierrae Sierra starwort Caryophyllaceae 4.2 S3 G3G4 rhizomatous herb perennial Rhynchospora californica California beaked-rush Cyperaceae 1B.1 S1 G1 rhizomatous herb Rhynchospora capitellata brownish beaked-rush Cyperaceae perennial herb 2B.2 S1 G5 Schoenoplectus perennial water bulrush Cyperaceae 2B.3 S3 G4G5 subterminalis rhizomatous herb perennial Stellaria obtusa obtuse starwort Caryophyllaceae 4.3 S4 G5 rhizomatous herb Wyethia elata Hall's wyethia Asteraceae perennial herb 4.3 S4 G4
Suggested Citation
CNPS, Rare Plant Program. 2015. Inventory of Rare and Endangered Plants (online edition, v8-02). California Native Plant Society, Sacramento, CA. Website http://www.rareplants.cnps.org [accessed 19 May 2015].
http://www.rareplants.cnps.org/result.html?adv=t&quad=37119G8:9 2/3 5/19/2015 CNPS Inventory Results
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=37119G8:9 3/3 NES (MI)
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Appendix C Regional Species and Habitats of Concern
Habitat Federal State Scientific Name Common Name General Habitat Description Present/ Rationale Status a Status a Absent c Invertebrates Occurs in swales in grassland communities and in large turbid vernal pools, where rooted vegetation is absent (USFWS 1994a). Known from eight populations in There are no vernal pools in California: Vina Plains, Butte and Tehama counties; the BSA. The BSA is outside Branchinecta Conservancy fairy Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge, Glenn County; Yolo the range of this species. E, CH -- Absent conservatio shrimp Bypass Wildlife Area, Yolo County; Jepson Prairie, Solano Critical habitat for this species County; Mapes Ranch, Stanislaus County; University of does not occur in the BSA California, Merced, Merced County; Grasslands Ecological (USFWS 2014). Area, Merced County; and Los Padres National Forest, Ventura County (USFWS 2007a). There are no vernal pools in the BSA. The BSA is outside Occurs in grassy (occasionally mud-bottomed), swale, earth Branchinecta Vernal pool fairy the range of this species. T, CH -- slump, or basalt-flow depression pools in unplowed Absent lynchi shrimp Critical habitat for this species grasslands (USFWS 1994a). does not occur in the BSA (USFWS 2014). There are no elderberries in the BSA. The BSA is outside Desmocerus Valley elderberry Requires an elderberry shrub (Sambucus spp.) as a host the range of this species. californicus T, CH -- Absent longhorn beetle plant (USFWS 1999a). Critical habitat for this species dimorphus does not occur in the BSA (USFWS 2014). There are no vernal pools in the BSA. The BSA is outside Lepidurus Vernal pool the range of this species. E, CH -- Occurs in a variety of vernal pool habitats (USFWS 1994a). Absent packardi tadpole shrimp Critical habitat for this species does not occur in the BSA (USFWS 2014). Fish The BSA is outside the Euryhaline (tolerant of a wide salinity range) species that geographic range of this Hypomesus Delta smelt T, CH E spawns in freshwater dead-end sloughs and shallow edge- Absent species. Critical habitat for transpacificus waters of channels of the Delta (USFWS 1994b). this species does not occur in the BSA (USFWS 2014).
BRLO-5932(079)_Hardin Flat NESMI_2015-08-07.docx August 2015 C-1 Appendix C Regional Species and Habitats of Concern
Habitat Federal State Scientific Name Common Name General Habitat Description Present/ Rationale Status a Status a Absent c Non-anadromous stream-spawning salmonid known from both lake and river habitats. Known only from three natural Oncorhynchus populations: 1) Western Lahontan basin comprised of The BSA is outside the Lahontan cutthroat (=Salmo) clarki T -- Truckee, Carson, and Walker river basins; 2) Northwestern Absent geographic range of this trout henshawi Lahontan basin comprised of Quinn River, Black Rock species. Desert, and Coyote Lake basins; and 3) Humboldt River basin (USFWS 1994c). Native to Silver King Creek and tributaries of Fly Valley, Four Mile Canyon, Coyote Valley, and Corral Valley creeks, in the East Fork Carson River drainage of the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest, Alpine Co., CA. Four Oncorhynchus The BSA is outside the Paiute cutthroat self-sustaining, pure populations also occur outside the (=Salmo) clarki T -- Absent geographic range of this trout historic range in the North Fork of Cottonwood and Cabin seleniris species. creeks (Inyo National Forest, Mono Co., CA), Sharktooth Creeks (Sierra National Forest, Fresno Co., CA), and Stairway Creek (Sierra National Forest, Madera Co., CA; USFWS 2004). Anadromous salmonid historically distributed throughout the Sacramento and San Joaquin river drainages. While Historical watershed; steelhead is found elsewhere in the Sacramento River currently anthropogenically system, the principal remaining wild populations are a few blocked. There are multiple hundred fish that spawn annually in Deer and Mill Creeks complete barriers to fish in Tehama County and a population of unknown size in the Oncorhynchus Steelhead, Central downstream of the Project T, CH -- lower Yuba River. With the possible exception of a small Absent mykiss (irideus) Valley DPS site, including the San Pedro population in the lower Stanislaus River, steelhead appear Main Dam (CDFW 2014). to have been extirpated from the San Joaquin basin (Moyle Critical habitat for this species 2002). Spawning occurs in small tributaries on coarse does not occur in the BSA gravel beds in riffle areas (Busby et al. 1996). Federal (USFWS 2014). listing includes all runs in the Sacramento and San Joaquin Rivers and their tributaries (CDFW 2015).
BRLO-5932(079)_Hardin Flat NESMI_2015-08-07.docx August 2015 C-2 Appendix C Regional Species and Habitats of Concern
Habitat Federal State Scientific Name Common Name General Habitat Description Present/ Rationale Status a Status a Absent c This DPS is defined to include all naturally spawned populations of steelhead in California coastal river basins from Redwood Creek in Humboldt Co. southward to, and The BSA is not located in including, the Gualala River in Sonoma Co., including the geographic area delineated as Steelhead, Eel River (Moyle 2002, NMFS 2006). This DPS extends the Northern California Oncorhynchus Northern T, CH SSC southward to, but not including, the Russian River. Two Absent Steelhead DPS (NMFS 2013). mykiss California DPS artificial propagation programs are considered part of the The BSA is not located within DPS: the Yager Creek Hatchery, and North Fork Gualala critical habitat for this species River Hatchery (Gualala River Steelhead Project) steelhead (USFWS 2015). hatchery programs (NMFS 2006). The CDFW SSC designation refers only to the summer-run (CDFW 2015). Anadromous salmonid historically distributed throughout Historical watershed; the Sacramento and San Joaquin river drainages. Extant currently anthropogenically populations spawn in the Sacramento River and its blocked. There are multiple tributaries (Moyle 2002). Populations in the San Joaquin complete barriers to fish Chinook salmon, River are believed to be extirpated (NMFS 1998). Enters Oncorhynchus downstream of the Project Central Valley T, CH T the Sacramento River from March to July and spawns from Absent tshawytscha site, including the San Pedro spring-run ESU late August through early October. Requires streams with Main Dam (CDFW 2014). suitable gravel composition, water depth, and velocity for Critical habitat for this species spawning. Federal listing refers to the Central Valley does not occur in the BSA Spring-run ESU, which includes populations spawning in (USFWS 2014). the Sacramento River and its tributaries (CDFW 2015). Anadromous salmonids historically distributed throughout the upper Sacramento River basin. Now confined to the The BSA is outside the ESU Chinook salmon, mainstem Sacramento River below Keswick Dam (Moyle of this species (CDFW 2014). Oncorhynchus Sacramento E, CH E 2002). Adults enter the Sacramento River from December Absent Critical habitat for this species tshawytscha River winter-run through July and spawn from April to July. Requires does not occur in the BSA ESU streams with suitable gravel composition, water depth, and (USFWS 2014). velocity for spawning (McGinnis 1984). Amphibians Occurs in grassland, oak savannah, and edges of mixed There is no habitat for this woodland and lower elevation coniferous forest. Spends California tiger species in the BSA. The BSA much time underground in mammal burrows. Requires Ambystoma salamander, is outside the range of this T, CH T, SSC pools lasting approximately 10 weeks or longer to complete Absent californiense central species. Critical habitat for larval development (Jennings and Hayes 1994). May also population this species does not occur in breed in slower parts of streams and some permanent waters the BSA (USFWS 2014). (Stebbins 2003).
BRLO-5932(079)_Hardin Flat NESMI_2015-08-07.docx August 2015 C-3 Appendix C Regional Species and Habitats of Concern
Habitat Federal State Scientific Name Common Name General Habitat Description Present/ Rationale Status a Status a Absent c Restricted to the vicinities of wet meadows in the central There is no habitat for this high Sierra from El Dorado Co. south to near Kaiser Pass, species in the BSA. The BSA Anaxyrus (=Bufo) Fresno Co., from 6,400 to 11,320 ft. Primarily frequents is outside the range of this Yosemite toad T, PCH SSC Absent canorus montane wet meadows, but also occurs in seasonal ponds species. There is no proposed associated with lodgepole pine and subalpine conifer forests critical habitat for this species (CWHR 2014). in the BSA (USFWS 2014). Restricted to the mixed chaparral habitats along the Merced River and its tributaries in Mariposa Co. at 836 to 2,600 ft (CWHR 2014). Found in the Merced River Canyon near Briceburg and along Bear Creek, a tributary to the Merced Hydromantes Limestone River, and at Hell Hollow about four miles above Lake The BSA is outside the range -- T/ FP Absent brunus salamander McClure, and at the confluence of Hell Hollow Creek with of this species. Lake McClure (CDFW 2005). Sometimes associated with limestone outcrops. Active from early November to end of March. California buckeye may serve as an indicator species for optimal habitat (CWHR 2014). Occurs in or near rocky streams in a variety of habitats, including valley-foothill hardwood, valley-foothill hardwood-conifer, valley-foothill riparian, ponderosa pine, Foothill yellow- Rana boylii -- SSC mixed conifer, coastal scrub, mixed chaparral, and wet Present See Section 4.6.1. legged frog meadow types from near sea level to 6,370 ft in the Sierra. This species is rarely encountered (even on rainy nights) far from permanent water (CWHR 2014). Occurs along the Coast Ranges from Mendocino Co. south and in portions of the Sierra Nevada and Cascade ranges (CWHR 2014). Nearly all sightings have occurred below 3,500 ft (USFWS 2002). Inhabits quiet pools of streams, CRLF are considered marshes, and occasionally ponds. Prefers shorelines with extirpated from the Tuolumne California red- extensive vegetation. Requires permanent or nearly River Watershed (USFWS Rana draytonii T, CH SSC Absent legged frog permanent pools for larval development which takes 11 to 2002). The BSA is at the 20 weeks. Sierra populations are highly restricted and edge of the range of this consist of small numbers of individuals. Introduction of species (CWHR 2014). exotic competitors such as bullfrogs and green sunfish may have a negative effect on these few existing Sierra populations (CWHR 2014). Occurs in the Sierra Nevada from Plumas Co. to Fresno Co, Sierra Nevada from 4,500 to over 11,980 ft. Associated with streams, The BSA is outside the Rana sierra yellow-legged E, PCH T, SSC lakes and ponds in montane riparian, lodgepole pine, Absent elevation range of this frog subalpine conifer, and wet meadow habitats. Always species. encountered within a few feet of water (CWHR 2014).
BRLO-5932(079)_Hardin Flat NESMI_2015-08-07.docx August 2015 C-4 Appendix C Regional Species and Habitats of Concern
Habitat Federal State Scientific Name Common Name General Habitat Description Present/ Rationale Status a Status a Absent c Reptiles Found in aquatic habitats with abundant vegetative cover and requires exposed basking sites such as logs, rocks, floating vegetation, or open mud banks. Associated with Western pond Emys marmorata -- SSC permanent or nearly permanent water in a wide variety of Present See Section 4.6.2. turtle habitat types, normally in ponds, lakes, streams, irrigation ditches, or permanent pools along intermittent streams, from sea level to 4,690 ft (CWHR 2014). Endemic to the valley floor wetlands of the Sacramento and San Joaquin valleys in CA, where it inhabits marshes, sloughs, ponds, small lakes, low gradient streams and other waterways and agricultural wetlands. Current extant range extends from Butte Co. southward to Fresno Co. Habitat The BSA is outside the requisites consist of 1) adequate water during the snake’s geographic range of this Thamnophis active season (early spring through mid-fall) to provide Giant garter snake T T Absent species and above the gigas food and cover; 2) emergent, herbaceous wetland elevation range of this vegetation, such as cattails and bulrushes, for escape cover species. and foraging habitat during the active season; 3) grassy banks and openings in waterside vegetation for basking; and 4) higher elevation uplands for cover and refuge from flood waters during the snake’s winter dormant season (USFWS 1999b). Birds A rare to locally uncommon, summer resident in wet meadow and montane riparian habitats of the Sierra Nevada There is no habitat for this and Cascade Range from 2,000 to 8,000 ft. Most often Empidonax species in the BSA. The BSA Willow flycatcher -- E occurs in broad, open river valleys and large mountain Absent traillii does not contain dense growth meadows with dense growth of shrubby willows adjacent to of shrubby willows. wet meadows, ponds, or backwaters (CWHR 2014). Nesting sites are of concern to CDFW (2015).
BRLO-5932(079)_Hardin Flat NESMI_2015-08-07.docx August 2015 C-5 Appendix C Regional Species and Habitats of Concern
Habitat Federal State Scientific Name Common Name General Habitat Description Present/ Rationale Status a Status a Absent c Restricted to breeding mostly in Butte, Lake, Lassen, Modoc, Plumas, Shasta, Siskiyou, and Trinity cos. More common at lower elevations; not found in the high Sierra Nevada. Requires large bodies of water, or free flowing rivers with abundant fish, and adjacent snags or other There are no large bodies of Haliaeetus perches. Perches high in large, stoutly limbed trees, on Bald eagle D E, FP Absent water with abundant fish in leucocephalus snags or broken-topped trees, or on rocks near water. the BSA. Roosts communally in winter in dense, sheltered, remote conifer stands. Nests in large, old-growth, or dominant live tree with open branch work, especially ponderosa pine (CWHR 2014). Nesting and wintering sites are of concern to CDFW (2015). Inhabits the Sierra Nevada from Plumas Co. south to Yosemite from 4,500 to 7,500 ft. Most recent records from The BSA is below the the Merced and Tuolumne River drainages of Yosemite elevation range of this Strix nebulosa great gray owl -- E National Park. Breeds in old-growth red fir, mixed conifer, Absent species. There are no wet or lodgepole pine habitats, always in the vicinity of wet meadows in or adjacent to the meadows (CWHR 2014). Nesting sites are of concern to BSA. CDFW (2015). Mammals Locally common at low elevations where it occupies a wide variety of habitats including desert, grasslands, shrublands, woodlands, rocky canyons, lower elevation oak savannah, coast redwood, open farmland and mixed conifer forest from sea level up to 3,000 ft in elevation (Bolster 1998, CWHR 2014). Prefers open, dry habitats with rocky areas for roosting, and rock outcrops, cliffs, and crevices with access to open habitats for foraging. Day roosts in caves, Antrozous crevices, mines, and occasionally buildings and hollow Pallid bat -- SSC Present See Section 4.6.3. pallidus trees. Night roosts may be more open, such as porches and open buildings. Social, often roosting in groups of 20 or more. Absent in the high Sierra Nevada from Shasta to Kern cos. and northwest CA from Del Norte and western Siskiyou cos. south to northern Mendocino Co. (CWHR 2014). May be more dependent on tree roosts than was previously realized. They have been located in tree cavities in oak, Ponderosa pine, coast redwood and giant Sequoia (Bolster 1998).
BRLO-5932(079)_Hardin Flat NESMI_2015-08-07.docx August 2015 C-6 Appendix C Regional Species and Habitats of Concern
Habitat Federal State Scientific Name Common Name General Habitat Description Present/ Rationale Status a Status a Absent c Uncommon in the Sierra Nevada. Occurs in dense riparian- deciduous and open, brushy stages of most forest types. Typical habitat in the Sierra Nevada is montane riparian. They frequent open- and intermediate-canopy coverage with a dense understory near water. Deep, friable soils and Aplodontia rufa Sierra Nevada a cool, moist microclimate are required for burrowing. There is no habitat for this -- SSC Absent californica mountain beaver Feed on vegetative parts of plants, mostly thimbleberry, species in the BSA. salmonberry, blackberry, dogwood, salal, ferns, lupines, willows, and grasses. Vegetation is stored near a burrow entrance or in underground chambers. Burrows are located in deep soils in dense thickets, preferably near a stream or spring (CWHR 2014). Found throughout CA in all but subalpine and alpine habitats, and may be found at any season throughout its range. Most abundant in mesic habitats. Requires caves, Corynorhinus Townsend’s big- -- CT/ SSC mines, tunnels, buildings, or other human-made structures Present See Section 4.6.4. townsendii eared bat for roosting. Hibernation sites are cold but not below freezing. Maternity roosts are warm, found in caves, tunnels, mines and buildings (CWHR 2014). Generally found in the foothills, mountains and desert regions of southern CA in arid deserts, grasslands, and Euderma mixed conifer forests from sea level to 10,000 ft. Prefers to There are no caves, buildings Spotted bat -- SSC Absent maculatum roost in rock crevices. Occasionally found in caves and or cliffs in the BSA. buildings. Cliffs provide optimal roosting habitat. Typically a solitary species (CWHR 2014). Found in southeastern San Joaquin Valley and Coastal Ranges from Monterey Co. south through Southern CA. Inhabits open areas of semi-arid to arid habitats, including conifer and deciduous woodlands, coastal scrub, annual and Western mastiff bat Eumops perotis perennial grasslands, palm oases, chaparral, desert scrub, There are no significant rock (=Greater -- SSC Absent californicus and urban. Crevices in cliff faces, high buildings, trees, and features in the BSA. bonneted bat) tunnels are required for roosting (CWHR 2014). The distribution is likely geomorphically determined, with the species being present only where there are significant rock features offering suitable roosting habitat (WBWG 2005).
BRLO-5932(079)_Hardin Flat NESMI_2015-08-07.docx August 2015 C-7 Appendix C Regional Species and Habitats of Concern
Habitat Federal State Scientific Name Common Name General Habitat Description Present/ Rationale Status a Status a Absent c Occurs from Shasta Co. to the Mexican border, west of the Sierra Nevada/Cascade crest in forests and woodlands from sea level up through mixed conifer forests. Not found in deserts (CWHR 2013). Associated with cottonwoods in riparian areas at elevations below 6,500 ft. Favor roosts where leaves form a dense canopy above and branches do There are no riparian areas Lasiurus Western red bat -- SSC not obstruct the bats’ flyway below. Also known to roost in Absent with dense canopy of blossevillii orchards, especially in the Sacramento Valley. Typically cottonwoods in the BSA. feed along forest edges, in small clearings, or around street lights where they prefer moths (BCI 2014). Day roosts typically in edge habitats adjacent to streams or open fields, in orchards, and sometimes urban areas. Occasionally uses caves (WBWG 2005). Found in Sierra Nevada, Cascades, Klamath Mountains, and the North Coast Range in intermediate to large-tree stages of coniferous forests and deciduous-riparian habitats with a The BSA does not provide Pekania Fisher – West high percent canopy closure. Suitable habitat consists of habitat for this species. There (=Martes) PT CT, SSC Absent Coast DPS large areas of mature, dense forest stands with snags and are no dense stands of mature pennanti greater than 50% canopy closure (CWHR 2014). Federal conifer trees in the BSA. candidate status refers to the DPS in WA, OR & CA (CDFW 2015). Use habitats ranging from alpine to Great Basin sagebrush scrub from the highest elevations along the crest of the Sierra Nevada (13,120+ ft) to winter ranges at the eastern The BSA does not provide base of the range as low as 4,760 ft. Primary elements of habitat for this species. The preferred habitats are visual openness and close proximity BSA does not contain alpine Ovis canadensis Sierra Nevada to steep rocky terrain used to escape from predators. or sagebrush scrub; and does sierrae (=California) E, CH E, FP Historically scattered along and east of the alpine crest of Absent not provide visual openness or (=californiana) bighorn sheep the Sierra Nevada from the Sonora Pass area south to close proximity to steep rocky Olancha Peak; and similar habitat west of the Kern River as terrain. The BSA is outside far south as Maggie Mountain, with concentrated use in the the elevation range of this regions of Mineral King, Big Arroyo, and Red Spur. The species. vast majority of current habitat is publicly-owned land (USFWS 2007b).
BRLO-5932(079)_Hardin Flat NESMI_2015-08-07.docx August 2015 C-8 Appendix C Regional Species and Habitats of Concern
Habitat Federal State Scientific Name Common Name General Habitat Description Present/ Rationale Status a Status a Absent c Historically ranged in alkali scrub/shrub and arid grasslands throughout the level terrain of the San Joaquin Valley floor from southern Kern County north to Tracy in San Joaquin County, and surrounding foothills and adjoining valleys of the interior Coast Range. Associated with open, level, The BSA does not provide sandy ground that is relatively stone-free to depths of about habitat for this species. The 3 to 4.5 ft. Utilizes subsurface dens, (6 ft or more) for BSA does not contain shrub Vulpes macrotis San Joaquin kit fox E T shelter and for reproduction. Absent or scarce in areas Absent or arid grassland habitat, or mutica where soils are shallow due to high water tables, open ground. The BSA is impenetrable hardpans, or proximity to parent material, outside the elevation range of such as bedrock. Does not den in saturated soils or in areas this species. subjected to periodic flooding. Habitat with slopes of less than 5% is optimal, with slopes greater than 15% unsuitable. In addition, 98% of dens found are below 1,100 ft in elevation (USFWS 2010). Found in the Cascades in Siskiyou Co., and from Lassen Co. south to Tulare Co. Found in a variety of habitats, including alpine dwarf-shrub, wet meadow, subalpine conifer, lodgepole pine, red fir, aspen, montane chaparral, montane riparian, mixed conifer, and ponderosa pine. Range from 3,900 to 11,900 ft. but most sightings in the There is no habitat for this Sierra Nevada are above 7,000 ft. Uses dense vegetation Vulpes vulpes Sierra Nevada red species in the BSA. The BSA -- T and rocky areas for cover and den sites. Den sites include Absent necator fox is below the elevation range rock outcrops, hollow logs and stumps, and burrows in of this species. deep, loose soil. Prefers forests interspersed with meadows or alpine fell-fields. Edge habitats are utilized extensively. Moves downslope in winter to ponderosa pine and mixed conifer, and upslope in summer to lodgepole pine, subalpine conifer, alpine dwarf-shrub, and red fir habitats (CWHR 2013). Plants and Bryophytes /CNPS b Perennial herb found in sometimes carbonate soils of alpine boulder and rock fields, meadows and seeps, and subalpine The BSA is below the Mountain bent coniferous forest from 8,750 to 10,500 ft. Known from elevation range of this Agrostis humilis -- --/ 2B.3 Absent grass Alpine, Madera, Mono, Mariposa, and Tuolumne cos., but species. There is no habitat expected to be elsewhere in CA. Blooms July through for this species in the BSA. September (CNPS 2015).
BRLO-5932(079)_Hardin Flat NESMI_2015-08-07.docx August 2015 C-9 Appendix C Regional Species and Habitats of Concern
Habitat Federal State Scientific Name Common Name General Habitat Description Present/ Rationale Status a Status a Absent c Perennial bulbiferous herb found in rocky, metamorphic, or granitic soil of broadleaved upland forest, chaparral, and Allium cismontane woodland, and lower montane coniferous forest Yosemite onion -- R/ 1B.3 Present See Section 4.4.1. yosemitense from 1,750 to 7,200 ft. Known from fewer than 20 occurrences in Mariposa and Tuolumne cos. Blooms April through July (CNPS 2015). Perennial herb in chaparral, cismontane woodland and valley and foothill grassland, sometimes on serpentinite, from 295 to 5,102 ft. Known from Alameda, Amador, Balsamorhiza Big-scale -- --/ 1B.2 Butte, Colusa, El Dorado, Lake, Mariposa, Napa, Placer, Present See Section 4.4.2. macrolepis balsamroot Santa Clara, Shasta, Solano, Sonoma, Tehama, and Tuolumne cos. (CNPS 2015). Blooms March through July (Baldwin et al. 2012; CNPS 2015). Perennial rhizomatous herb found in freshwater marshes and swamps from 100 to 7,200 ft. Known from El Dorado, Fresno, Lake, Lassen, Mendocino, Nevada, Plumas, There are no freshwater Brasenia Watershield -- --/ 2B.3 Sacramento, Shasta, Siskiyou, San Joaquin, Sutter, Tehama, Absent marshes or swamps in the schreberi Tulare, and Tuolumne cos. May also occur in Butte and BSA. Kern cos, though distribution or identity is uncertain. Blooms June through September (CNPS 2015). Perennial bulbiferous herb found in intermittent streambeds and vernal swales, often on serpentinite soils, in cismontane There are no intermittent woodland and valley and foothill grassland in the Sierra streambeds, vernal swales, or Nevada foothills from 525 to 1,280 ft (Baldwin et al. 2012; serpentine soils in the BSA. Chinese Camp Brodiaea pallida T E/ 1B.1 CNPS 2013). Hybrids with Brodiaea elegans reported Absent The BSA is outside and above brodiaea (Baldwin et al. 2012). Known from only two occurrences the elevation range of this near Chinese Camp in Calaveras and Tuolumne cos. (CNPS species. The BSA is over 25 2015). Blooms May through June (Baldwin et al. 2012; miles from Chinese Camp. CNPS 2015). Annual hemiparasitic herb found in vernal pools, often on The BSA is outside and above Castilleja acidic soil, from 164 to 2,461 ft. Known from Fresno, Succulent (=fleshy) the elevation range for this campestris var. T, CH E/ 1B.2 Madera, Merced, Mariposa, San Joaquin, and Stanislaus Absent owl's-clover species. There are no vernal succulenta cos. (CNPS 2015). Blooms April through July (Baldwin et pools in the BSA. al. 2012; CNPS 2015). Annual herb found in vernal pools from 82 to 820 ft. The BSA is outside and above Chamaesyce Known form Butte, Colusa, Glenn, Merced, Stanislaus, the elevation range for this Hoover's spurge T, CH --/ 1B.2 Absent hooveri Tehama, and Tulare cos. (CNPS 2015). Blooms July species. There are no vernal through October (Baldwin et al. 2012; CNPS 2015). pools in the BSA.
BRLO-5932(079)_Hardin Flat NESMI_2015-08-07.docx August 2015 C-10 Appendix C Regional Species and Habitats of Concern
Habitat Federal State Scientific Name Common Name General Habitat Description Present/ Rationale Status a Status a Absent c Perennial rhizomatous herb found in bogs and fens, lower and upper montane coniferous forest, meadows and seeps, and marshes and swamps from 3,900 to 8,850 ft. Known There are no bogs or fens in Carex limosa Mud sedge -- --/ 2B.2 from Butte, El Dorado, Fresno, Lassen, Nevada, Plumas, Absent the BSA. Siskiyou, and Tuolumne cos. Blooms June through August (CNPS 2015). Ball & Reznicek (2003) reported the habitat as sphagnum bogs, wet meadows, and shores. Perennial rhizomatous herb found in sometimes granitic soil of chaparral, cismontane woodland, lower montane Carex tompkinsii Tompkins’ sedge -- R/ 4.3 coniferous forest, and upper montane coniferous forest from Present See Section 4.4.3. 1,375 to 6,000 ft. Known from Fresno, Mariposa, and Tuolumne cos. Blooms May through July (CNPS 2015). Perennial herb found in bogs and fens, freshwater marshes and swamps, and mesic North Coast coniferous forest from There are no bogs, fens, Carex viridula Green yellow -- --/ 2B.3 0 to 5,250 ft. Known from Del Norte, Humboldt, Absent marshes, or swamps in the ssp. viridula sedge Mendocino, and Tuolumne cos. Blooms June through BSA. November (CNPS 2015). Annual herb found in cismontane woodland and lower montane coniferous forest from 2,625 to 6,800 ft. Known Small's southern Clarkia australis -- --/ 1B.2 from Calaveras, Madera, Mariposa, and Tuolumne cos. Present See Section 4.4.4. clarkia (CNPS 2015). Blooms May through August (Baldwin et al. 2012; CNPS 2015). Annual herb found on serpentinite soils in chaparral and cismontane woodland from 984 to 4,790 ft (CNPS 2014). Clarkia biloba There are no serpentinite soils Mariposa clarkia -- --/ 1B.2 Known only from the Merced River drainage in Mariposa Absent ssp. australis in the BSA. and Tuolumne cos. Blooms May through July (Baldwin et al. 2012; CNPS 2015). Annual herb found in chaparral and cismontane woodland from 1,300 to 1,500 ft. Known from only two occurrences The BSA is outside the range Clarkia lingulata Merced clarkia -- E/ 1B.1 Absent along the Merced River in Mariposa Co. Blooms May of this species. through June (CNPS 2015). Annual herb found in rocky, metamorphic soil of chaparral, The BSA is outside the range cismontane woodland, lower montane coniferous forest, and Eriophyllum Congdon’s woolly of this species. There are no -- R/ 1B.2 valley and foothill grassland from 1,640 to 6,230 ft. Known Absent congdonii sunflower metamorphic soils in the only from the Merced River drainage in Mariposa Co. BSA. Blooms April through June (CNPS 2015).
BRLO-5932(079)_Hardin Flat NESMI_2015-08-07.docx August 2015 C-11 Appendix C Regional Species and Habitats of Concern
Habitat Federal State Scientific Name Common Name General Habitat Description Present/ Rationale Status a Status a Absent c Annual herb found in gravelly, granitic soil of chaparral, lower montane coniferous forest, and upper montane The BSA is below the Eriophyllum Yosemite woolly -- --/ 1B.3 coniferous forest from 5,000 to 9,000 ft. Known from Absent elevation range of this nubigenum sunflower fewer than twenty occurrences in Madera, Mariposa, and species. Tuolumne cos. Blooms May through August (CNPS 2015). Perennial bulbiferous herb found on cliffs in metamorphic, rocky, lower montane coniferous forest from 4,400 to 4,600 Erythronium Pilot Ridge fawn The BSA is outside range of -- --/ 1B.2 ft. Known from only the type locality near Pilot Ridge in Absent taylorii lily this species. Mariposa and Tuolumne cos. Blooms April through May (CNPS 2015). Perennial herb found mainly on Ione formation soils in There is no habitat for this chaparral and cismontane woodland from 262 to 3,500 ft. species in the BSA. There are Horkelia parryi Parry's horkelia -- --/ 1B.2 Known from Amador, Calaveras, El Dorado, and Mariposa Absent no Ione soils, chaparral, or cos. (CNPS 2015). Blooms April through September woodland habitats in the BSA. (Baldwin et al. 2012; CNPS 2015). Perennial herb found in granitic or volcanic, gravelly or sandy soil, of lower and upper montane coniferous forest The BSA is below the Hulsea brevifolia Short-leaved hulsea -- --/ 1B.2 from 4,900 to 10,500 ft. Known from El Dorado, Fresno, Absent elevation range of this Madera, Mariposa, Tulare, and Tuolumne cos. Blooms species. May through August (CNPS 2015). Perennial herb found in granitic or metamorphic, rocky, mesic soil of chaparral, cismontane woodland, lower and upper montane coniferous forest, and valley and foothill Lewisia The BSA is outside the range Congdon’s lewisia -- R/ 1B.3 grassland from 1,640 to 9,200 ft. Known from Absent congdonii of this species. approximately ten occurrences in the canyons of the Kings and Merced rivers in Fresno and Mariposa cos. Blooms April through June (CNSP 2015). There are no serpentine or Annual herb found on serpentinite soil in chaparral and gabbroic soils in the BSA. Lupinus cismontane woodland from 850 to 2,710 ft. Known from Shaggyhair lupine -- --/ 1B.2 Absent The BSA is outside the spectabilis Mariposa and Tuolumne cos. Blooms April through May elevation range of this (CNPS 2015). species. Moss found on metamorphic, rocky, and vernally mesic substrates in cismontane woodland from 1,641 to 4,265 ft There are no metamorphic (CNPS 2015). Generally occurs in areas with high soils or high concentrations of Mielichhoferia Elongate copper -- --/ 2B.2 concentration of heavy metal ores, especially copper (Norris Absent heavy metal ores in the BSA. elongata moss and Shevock 2004). Known from Fresno, Humboldt, Lake, This species is not known Mariposa, Marin, Nevada, Placer, Plumas, Santa Cruz, from Tuolumne County. Trinity and Tulare cos (Baldwin et al. 2012; CNPS 2015).
BRLO-5932(079)_Hardin Flat NESMI_2015-08-07.docx August 2015 C-12 Appendix C Regional Species and Habitats of Concern
Habitat Federal State Scientific Name Common Name General Habitat Description Present/ Rationale Status a Status a Absent c Moss found on metamorphic, rocky, and mesic substrates in There are no metamporphic cismontane woodland from 2,461 to 4,593 ft (CNPS 2015). soils or soils containing heavy Mielichhoferia Shevock’s copper Found on gravelly soil among rocks usually containing -- --/ 1B.2 Absent metals in the BSA. This shevockii moss heavy metals (Malcolm et al. 2009). Known from Fresno, species is not known from Mariposa, Riverside and Tulare cos (Baldwin et al. 2012; Tuolumne County. CNPS 2015). Annual herb found on vernally mesic soils in cismontane woodland, lower montane coniferous forest, meadows and Slender-stemmed seeps, and upper montane coniferous forest from 2,950 to Mimulus filicaulis -- --/ 1B.2 Present See Section 4.4.5. monkeyflower 5,740 ft. Known from Mariposa and Tuolumne cos. (CNPS 2015). Blooms April through August (Baldwin et al. 2012; CNPS 2015). Annual herb found on vernally mesic, often disturbed areas, of clay soils in lower montane coniferous forest and Mimulus Yellow-lip pansy meadows and seeps from 1,970 to 6,560 ft. Known from There are no clay soils in the -- --/ 1B.2 Absent pulchellus monkeyflower Calaveras, Mariposa and Tuolumne cos. (CNPS 2015). BSA. Blooms April through July (Baldwin et al. 2012; CNPS 2015). Annual herb found in large, adobe vernal pools from 16 to The BSA is outside the range 656 ft. Known from Glenn, Merced, Solano, Stanislaus, Neostapfia of this species. There are no Colusa grass T, CH E/ 1B.1 and Yolo cos. Presumed extirpated in Colusa Co. (CNPS Absent colusana large adobe vernal pools in 2015). Blooms May through August (Baldwin et al. 2012; the BSA. CNPS 2015). Annual herb found in vernal pools from 151 to 656 ft. The BSA is outside the range Known from Butte, Glenn, Madera, Merced, Stanislaus, and Orcuttia pilosa Hairy Orcutt grass E, CH E/ 1B.1 Absent of this species. There are no Tehama (CNPS 2015). Blooms May through September vernal pools in the BSA. (Baldwin et al. 2012; CNPS 2015). Moss usually found on rocks in and along streams, rarely on tree limbs, in cismontane woodland, lower montane Holzinger's Orthotrichum coniferous forest, pinyon and juniper woodland, and upper orthotrichum -- --/ 1B.3 Present See Section 4.5.1. holzingeri montane coniferous forest from 2,345 to 5,905 ft. Known moss from Amador, Calaveras, Modoc, Siskiyou, Tulare, and Tuolumne cos. (CNPS 2015). Perennial herb found in rocky areas with serpentine or Packera gabbroic soils in chaparral and cismontane woodland from Layne’s ragwort There are no serpentine or (=Senecio) T R/ 1B.2 656 to 3,281 ft. Known from Butte, El Dorado, Placer, Absent (=butterweed) gabbroic soils in the BSA. layneae Tuolumne, and Yuba cos. (CNPS 2015). Blooms April through August (Baldwin et al. 2012; CNPS 2015).
BRLO-5932(079)_Hardin Flat NESMI_2015-08-07.docx August 2015 C-13 Appendix C Regional Species and Habitats of Concern
Habitat Federal State Scientific Name Common Name General Habitat Description Present/ Rationale Status a Status a Absent c Annual herb found in lower montane coniferous forest and Plagiobothrys meadows and seeps from 3,397 to 4,495 ft. Known only Yosemite popcorn The BSA is outside the range torreyi var. -- --/ 1B.2 from the Yosemite Valley in Mariposa Co (CNPS 2015). Absent flower of this species. torreyi Blooms April through June (Baldwin et al. 2012; CNPS 2015). Perennial rhizomatous herb found in assorted shallow There are no marshes or freshwater marshes and swamps from 1,211 to 7,126 ft. Nuttall’s ribbon- swamps in the BSA. The Potamogeton Known from El Dorado, Madera, Mendocino, Modoc, leaved -- --/ 2B.2 Absent South Fork Tuolumne River epihydrus Mariposa, Placer, Plumas, Shasta, and Tuolumne cos. pondweed in the BSA is not habitat for (CNPS 2015). Blooms June through September (Baldwin this species. et al. 2012; CNPS 2015). Perennial rhizomatous herb found in marshes and swamps There are no marshes, around deep water and lakes from 5,012 to10,827 ft. swamps, or lakes in the BSA. Potamogeton Robbins’ Known from Alpine, El Dorado, Fresno, Inyo, Lassen, -- --/ 2B.3 Absent The South Fork Tuolumne robbinsii pondweed Madera, Mono, Mariposa, Nevada, Plumas, Sierra, River in the BSA is not Siskiyou, and Tuolumne cos. (CNPS 2015). Blooms from habitat for this species. July through August (Baldwin et al. 2012; CNPS 2015). Annual herb found in clay, often acidic soils, in cismontane woodland and valley and foothill grassland from 49 to 492 The BSA is above the Pseudobahia Hartweg's golden ft. Known from Fresno, Madera, Merced, Stanislaus, and elevation range for this E E/ 1B.1 Absent bahiifolia sunburst Tuolumne. Presumed extirpated in Yuba Co. Many species. There is no habitat occurrences are very small (CNPS 2015). Blooms March for this species in the BSA. through May (Baldwin et al. 2012; CNPS 2015). Perennial rhizomatous herb found in bogs and fens, lower montane coniferous forest, meadows and seeps, and freshwater marshes and swamps from 150 to 3,315 ft. Known from Butte, Marin, Napa and Sonoma cos. Blooms May through July (CNPS 2015). Records also occur in The BSA is outside the Rhynchospora California beaked- -- --/ 1B.1 Plumas and Nevada cos (CCH 2015). Baldwin et al. (2012) Absent geographic range of this californica rush describes this species as occurring in marshes and seeps at species. elevations of less than 660 ft in the outer North Coast Ranges (Pitkin Marsh, Sonoma Co.), northern Sierra Nevada Foothills (Butte Co.), and Central Coast (Point Reyes, Marin Co.).
BRLO-5932(079)_Hardin Flat NESMI_2015-08-07.docx August 2015 C-14 Appendix C Regional Species and Habitats of Concern
Habitat Federal State Scientific Name Common Name General Habitat Description Present/ Rationale Status a Status a Absent c Perennial herb found in mesic soils in lower and upper There are no wet meadows, montane coniferous forest, meadows and seeps, and fens, seeps, marshes, or other marshes and swamps from 148 to 6,562 ft (CNPS 2015). slow moving water features in Occurs in wet meadows, fens, seeps, and marshes (Baldwin Rhynchospora Brownish beaked- the BSA. The South Fork -- --/ 2B.2 et al. 2012). Known from Butte, El Dorado, Mariposa, Absent capitellata rush Tuolumne River in the BSA is Nevada, Plumas, Tehama, Trinity, and Yuba cos. Possibly high energy and does not once occurred in Sonoma Co, but considered extirpated provide habitat for this (CNPS 2015). Blooms July through August (Baldwin et al. species. 2012; CNPS 2015). Perennial rhizomatous herb found in bogs, fens, marshes, and swamps on montane lake margins from 2,461 to 7,382 There are no bogs, fens, Schoenoplectus ft. Known from Butte, Del Norte, El Dorado, Humboldt, Water bulrush -- --/ 2B.3 Absent marshes, swamps, or lakes in subterminalis Lassen, Nevada, Plumas, Shasta, Tehama, Trinity, and the BSA. Tuolumne cos. (CNPS 2015). Blooms July through September (Baldwin et al. 2012; CNPS 2015). Annual herb found in vernal pools from 98 to 3,510 ft. Known from Butte, Colusa, Glenn, Merced, Modoc, Shasta Greene's tuctoria and Tehama cos. Presumed extirpated in Fresno, Madera, There are no vernal pools in Tuctoria greenei E, CH R/ 1B.1 Absent (=Orcutt grass) San Joaquin, Stanislaus and Tulare cos. (CNPS 2015). the BSA. Blooms May through September (Baldwin et al. 2012; CNPS 2015). The BSA is outside the range Perennial herb found on mesic soils, usually serpentinite of this species. This species is seeps or creeks, in cismontane woodland and valley and Verbena only known from the Red Red Hills vervain T T/ 1B.1 foothill grassland from 853 to 1,312 ft. Known only from Absent californica Hills, which occurs the Red Hills in Tuolumne Co. (CNPS 2015). Blooms May approximately 28 miles west through September (Baldwin et al. 2012; CNPS 2015). of the BSA.
BRLO-5932(079)_Hardin Flat NESMI_2015-08-07.docx August 2015 C-15 Appendix C Regional Species and Habitats of Concern
Habitat Federal State Scientific Name Common Name General Habitat Description Present/ Rationale Status a Status a Absent c Natural Communities Very similar to Sierran Mixed Conifer Forest, but lacking its more xeric species and with the conspicuous addition of giant sequoia (Sequoiadendron giganteum), which grows to about 330 ft tall and 40 ft dbh. Giant sequoias usually occur in discrete groves, usually intermixed with Sierran Mixed Conifer Forest. Associated with abundant ground There are no giant sequoias in water; often near springs, but rarely associated with major Big Tree Forest -- -- Absent the BSA. This community streams. Probably dependent on periodic fires for does not occur in the BSA. establishment of giant sequoia seedlings. Most of the groves of giant sequoia occur in a 70-mile portion of the southern Sierra Nevada, from Converse Basin in southern Fresno County to Deer Creek in southern Tulare County. Elevation ranges from 2,700 to 8,800 ft, but are usually between 5,000 and 7,000 ft (Holland 1986). a Status: Endangered (E); Threatened (T); Proposed (P); Candidate (C), Delisted (D), Fully Protected (FP); Rare (R); State Species of Special Concern (SSC); Proposed Critical Habitat (PCH); Critical Habitat (CH) - Project footprint is located within a designated critical habitat unit, but does not necessarily mean that appropriate habitat is present. b CNPS Rare Plant Rank: 1A = Presumed Extinct in CA; 1B = Rare or Endangered in CA and elsewhere; 2 = Rare or Endangered in CA and more common elsewhere; 3 = More information is needed about this plant species (review list); 4 = Limited distribution (watch list). CNPS Decimal Extensions: .1 = Seriously endangered in California (over 80% of occurrences threatened / high degree and immediacy of threat); .2 = Fairly endangered in California (20-80% occurrences threatened); .3 = Not very endangered in California (<20% of occurrences threatened or no current threats known). c Absent = No habitat present and no further evaluation required. Present = Habitat is, or may be present.
BRLO-5932(079)_Hardin Flat NESMI_2015-08-07.docx August 2015 C-16 Appendix D. Plant and Wildlife Species Observed
Appendix D Plant and Wildlife Species Observed
Plant Species Observed
Family Scientific Name Common Name N/I1 Cal-IPC2 GYMNOSPERMS Cupressaceae Calocedrus decurrens Incense cedar N Ponderosa pine, western Pinaceae Pinus ponderosa N yellow pine Pseudotsuga menziesii var. menziesii Douglas fir N DICOTS Anacardiaceae Toxicodendron diversilobum Western poison oak N Asteraceae Achillea millefolium Yarrow N Erigeron Canadensis Horseweed Lessingia leptoclada Sierra lessingia N Pseudognaphalium luteoalbum Cudweed, everlasting I Solidago velutina ssp. californica California goldenrod N Tragopogon sp. Goat's beard, salsify I Betulaceae Alnus rhombifolia White alder N Corylus cornuta ssp. californica California hazelnut N Brassicaceae Nasturtium officinale Water cress N Rorippa sp. Yellow cress -- Caprifoliaceae Symphoricarpos albus var. laevigatus Snowberry N Caryophyllaceae Cerastium sp. Mouse-ear chickweed -- Chenopodiaceae Chenopodium album Lamb’s quarters I Convolvulaceae Calystegia sp. Morning-glory -- Datiscaceae Datisca glomrata Durango root N Ericaceae Arctostaphylos sp. Manzanita N Fabaceae Acmispon nevadensis var. nevadensis Deervetch, deerweed N Fagaceae Quercus kelloggii California black oak N Grossulariaceae Ribes spp. Currant, gooseberry N Lamiaceae Stachys albens Hedge-nettle N Onagraceae Epilobium spp. (seed hair tufted) Willowherb -- Phrymaceae Mimulus cardinalis Monkeyflower N Mimulus floribundus Monkeyflower N Mimulus kelloggii Monkeyflower N Plantaginaceae Keckiella sp. Bush penstemon N Plantago lanceolata English plantain I Limited Polemoniaceae Gilia sp. Gilia N Leptosiphon sp. Leptosiphon N Polygonaceae Persicaria sp. Smartweed -- Persicaria amphibian Water smartweed N Rumex acetosella Sheep sorrel I Moderate Rhamnaceae Ceanothus spp. California lilac N Birch-leaf mountain- Rosaceae Cercocarpus betuloides var. betuloides mahogany Chamaebatiaria foliolosa Mountian misery N Drymocallis sp. Drymocallis N Prunus sp. Prunus -- Rubus armeniacus Himalayan blackberry I High Rubiaceae Galium sp. Bedstraw -- Salicaceae Populus fremontii ssp. fremontii Fremont cottonwood N
BRLO-5932(079)_Hardin Flat NESMI_2015-08-07.docx August 2015 D-1 Appendix D. Plant and Wildlife Species Observed
Salix spp. (likely gooddingii and Willow N laevigata) Sapindaceae Acer macrophyllum Big-leaf maple N Saxifragaceae Darmera peltata Umbrella plant N Heuchera/Micranthes/Saxifraga Alumroot/Saxifrage N mertensiana Scrophulariaceae Scrophularia californica California figwort N MONOCOTS Cyperaceae Carex sp. Sedge -- Juncaceae Juncus effusus Soft or lamp rush N Poaceae Agrostis capillaris Colonial bent I Aira caryophyllea Silver hair grass I Bromus sp. Brome, chess -- Bromus hordeaceus Soft chess I Moderate Bromus tectorum Cheat grass, downy chess I High Cynosurus echinatus Bristly dogtail grass I Moderate Elymus glaucus ssp. glaucus Blue or western wild-rye N Festuca spp. Fescue, rye grass -- Festuca myuros Rattail sixweeks grass I Moderate Holcus lanatus Common velvet grass I Moderate Melica sp. Oniongrass, melic N Phalaris sp. Canary grass -- Themidaceae Brodiaea/Dichelostemma sp. Brodiaea/Dichelostemma N
Wildlife Species Observed
Common Name Scientific Name BIRDS Acorn woodpecker Melanerpes formicivorus American dipper Cinclus mexicanus American robin Turdus migratorius Black phoebe Sayornis nigricans Common raven Corvus corax Stellar’s jay Cyanocitta stelleri
BRLO-5932(079)_Hardin Flat NESMI_2015-08-07.docx August 2015 D-2 Appendix E Photographs
Appendix E Photographs
BRLO-5932(079)_Hardin Flat NESMI_2015-08-07.docx August 2015 Appendix E Photographs
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BRLO-5932(079)_Hardin Flat NESMI_2015-08-07.docx August 2015 Appendix E Photographs
Photo 1. View northeast of Hardin Flat Road Bridge and South Fork Photo 2. View of existing piers underneath west side bridge (23 Tuolumne River (23 October 2014). October 2014).
Photo 3. View northwest of Hardin Flat Road at the bridge crossing SF Photo 4. View downstream (southwest) from the bridge of the white Tuolumne River. The surrounded by Ponderosa pine community was alder grove along SF Tuolumne River (14 October 2014) burned in the 2013 Rim Fire and has been cleared (23 October 2014).
Photo 5. View south from Hardin Flat Road of paved road and parking Photo 6. View northeast of Hardin Flat Road, north of the bridge. The area leading into the Berkeley Tuolumne Camp (23 October 2014). surrounding Ponderosa pine forest was burned in the 2013 Rim Fire and partially cleared (23 October 2014).
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AttE_BRLO-(5932(079)_Hardin Flat NESMI photo page.docx Appendix F Revegetation Planting and Erosion Control Specifications
Appendix F Revegetation Planting and Erosion Control Specifications
The Hardin Flat Road Bridge (Br. No. 32C0053) over South Fork Tuolumne River Replacement Project (Project) is a federally funded project through the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA). This bridge is eligible for replacement due to damage sustained during the Rim Fire of 2013. Erosion control measures will be appropriate for the level of impact that will result from construction of the project. The Project Engineer shall specify the appropriate erosion control measures, if any, to be implemented, using the following specifications as a guideline. The Revegetation Planting and Erosion Control Specifications included in this Appendix incorporate by reference Sections 13, 20, and 21 of the Caltrans 2010 Standard Specifications.
I. Highway Planting General The work performed in connection with highway planting shall conform to the provisions in Section 21, “Erosion Control,” of the Caltrans 2010 Standard Specifications. B. Highway Planting Materials - General Disturbed soils in the project area will be hydroseeded with native species. C. Plant Establishment Work The plant establishment period shall conform to the provisions in Section 20-9 “Landscape, Plant Establishment Work” of the Caltrans 2010 Standard Specifications, shall be Type 2, and shall be not less than 30 working days from completion of construction. Weed control, as specified in Section 20-9.03D “Landscape, Plant Establishment, Construction, Weed Control” of the Caltrans 2010 Standard Specifications shall be performed as required. Weeds removed shall be disposed of in conformance with provisions in Sections 13-4 “Water Pollution Control, Job Site Management,” 16-1.03D “Clearing and Grubbing, Construction, Disposal of Material,” and 20-9.03D “Landscape, Plant Establishment, Construction, Weed Control” of the Caltrans 2010 Standard Specifications. D. Environmentally Sensitive Areas Tuolumne County will establish Environmentally Sensitive Areas (ESAs) along the limits of construction in the BSA to exclude construction activities from avoided habitat. Trucks and other vehicles shall not be allowed to park in, nor shall equipment be stored in, an ESA. No storage or dumping of oil, gasoline, or other substances shall be permitted within an ESA. All
BRLO-5932(079)_Hardin Flat NESMI_2015-08-07.docx August 2015 F-1 Appendix F Revegetation Planting and Erosion Control Specifications
ESAs shall be clearly delimited with yellow caution tape or temporary fencing prior to commencement of construction activities. Environmentally Sensitive Areas will be protected as specified in Section 13-4 “Water Pollution Control, Job Site Management” and in Section 14 “Environmental Stewardship” and specifically in Section 14-1.03 “Environmental Stewardship, Type ESA Temporary Fence” of the Caltrans 2010 Standard Specifications and the contract special provisions.
II. Erosion Control (Type D) Erosion control (Type D) shall conform to the provisions in Sections 13 “Water Pollution Control” and 21 “Erosion Control,” of the Caltrans 2010 Standard Specifications and the Contract special provisions.
Erosion control work shall consist of applying one application of erosion control materials to embankment slopes, excavation slopes, and other areas designated by the Engineer. Hydroseed shall be a mix of fiber, tackifier, fertilizer, seed, and other erosion control materials specified. The project engineer will determine the specifications needed for erosion control fabric based on anticipated maximum flow velocities and soil types (e.g., sheer strength).
A. Materials Materials shall conform to Sections 13-5.02 “Water Pollution Control, Temporary Soil Stabilization, Materials” and 21-1.02 “Erosion Control, Materials,” of the Caltrans 2010 Standard Specifications and the following:
1. Seed Seed shall conform to the provisions in Sections 20-8.02C “Landscape, Materials, Seed” and 21-1.02G “Erosion Control, Materials, Seed” of the Caltrans 2010 Standard Specifications and as specified in the contract special provisions and as shown on the plans.
Purity and germination shall be tested and documented according to Section 21-1.01C “Erosion Control, Quality Control and Assurance” of the Caltrans 2010 Standard Specifications. Results from testing or retesting seed for purity and germination shall be furnished to the Engineer prior to applying seed.
The seed mixture shall consist of at least two species from Category A (grasses) and at least four species from Category B (legumes), and one from Category C (wildflowers). These species shall be selected from the following seed mixture table:
BRLO-5932(079)_Hardin Flat NESMI_2015-08-07.docx August 2015 F-2 Appendix F Revegetation Planting and Erosion Control Specifications
Percentage Common Purity /& Pounds Category Scientific Name Type Name Germination per acre (Minimum) California A Bromus carinatus Perennial grass 95/85 15 brome A Elymus glaucus Blue wild rye Perennial grass 90/70 15 Hordeum California A brachyantherum Perennial grass 90/70 15 barley ssp. californicum Festuca California A Perennial grass 90/70 15 californica fescue A Poa secunda Pine bluegrass Perennial grass 90/70 15 Miniature B Lupinus bicolor Flowering annual 90/70 10 lupine Acmispon B Deervetch Flowering annual 90/90 10 americanus Trifolium Small-head B Flowering annual 90/90 10 microcephalum clover Trifolium B Tomcat clover Flowering annual 90/90 10 willdenovii Achillea Flowering C Yarrow 90/70 5 millefolium perennial Eschscholzia California C Flowering annual 90/80 5 californica poppy Sisyrinchium Flowering C Blue-eyed grass 90/70 5 bellum perennial
2. Commercial Fertilizer Commercial fertilizer shall conform to the provisions in Sections 20 “Landscape” and 21 “Erosion Control” of the Caltrans 2010 Standard Specifications. When required by site specific conditions, modification of the type, amount, and application method of fertilizer application may occur at the engineer’s discretion and as indicated in the contract special provisions.
BRLO-5932(079)_Hardin Flat NESMI_2015-08-07.docx August 2015 F-3 Appendix F Revegetation Planting and Erosion Control Specifications
3. Fiber Fiber used shall conform to the provisions in Section 21-1.02E “Erosion Control, Materials, Fiber” of the Caltrans 2010 Standard Specifications.
B. Application Hydromulch and hydroseed application shall conform to the provisions in Section 21-1.03E “Erosion Control, Construction, Hydromulch and Hydroseed” of the Caltrans 2010 Standard Specifications. When premixed seed from containers is added to hydro-seeding equipment, the entire contents of the containers shall be used in preparing the hydro-seeding mixture. Partial use of a container of premixed seed will not be permitted in a hydro-seeding mixture.
III. Water Quality Protection A. Water Quality and Erosion Control Goals The goal of water quality and erosion control is to prevent the loss of soil, to prevent siltation, and to prevent adverse impacts on waterways. B. Water Quality and Erosion Control Specifications The proposed Project will adhere to erosion control specifications of the appropriate regulatory and resource agencies including Caltrans and CDFW. The County will implement soil erosion control measures identified in the Best Management Practices of the Stormwater Quality Handbooks (Caltrans 2011a) and shall conform to Sections 13 “Water Pollution Control” and Section 21 “Erosion Control” of the Caltrans 2010 Standard Specifications and the contract Special Provisions. The BMPs used during the construction include revegetating the work zone at the conclusion of construction, establishing temporary water bars where necessary to reduce the potential for sheet erosion, and minimizing construction impacts in the BSA. IV. Summary Erosion control materials will be applied to the area affected by the Project. Specifications of the appropriate regulatory and resource agencies will be followed.
BRLO-5932(079)_Hardin Flat NESMI_2015-08-07.docx August 2015 F-4 Appendix G Restoration Plan
Appendix G Restoration Plan
I. Introduction A. Purpose of this Plan The purpose of this Plan is to describe the approach for restoring disturbed areas along the South Fork Tuolumne River to mitigate for impacts to white alder groves as a result of the Hardin Flat Road Bridge (32C0053) over the South Fork Tuolumne River Replacement Project (Project) construction. This Plan describes goals, methods of implementation, and monitoring requirements in accordance with guidance provided by the Corps (2004). This plan incorporates as background information the NESMI for the Project and all other appendices of the NESMI.
B. Responsible Parties 1. Applicant: County of Tuolumne Community Resources Agency 2 South Green Street Sonora, CA 95370 Phone: (209) 533-5904 Blossom Scott-Heim, P.E., Civil Engineer II
2. Preparer of restoration plan: Sycamore Environmental Consultants, Inc. 6355 Riverside Boulevard, Suite C Sacramento, CA 95831 Phone: 916/ 427-0703 Fax: 916/ 427-2175 Contact: Jeff Little, Vice President
3. Parties having financial responsibility for the attainment of the success criteria required by the proposed restoration plan: County of Tuolumne Community Resources Agency (see contact information above).
4. Parties responsible for long-term maintenance of restoration site: County of Tuolumne Community Resources Agency (see contact information above).
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II. Project Requiring Restoration More specific location information concerning the project location, project description, and the site characteristics are in the NESMI.
A. Location The Project is located along Hardin Flat Road, approximately 0.25 mi south of State Route 120 and 7 mi east of the community of Buck Meadows in Tuolumne County. The County has a maintenance easement for the road and bridge, which is surrounded by USFS land (Stanislaus National Forest). The South Fork Tuolumne River flows east to southwest through the center of the Project. Berkeley Tuolumne Camp occurs southwest of the bridge, though it, and the majority of the BSA, was burned in the 2013 Rim Fire.
B. Brief Summary of Overall Project Hardin Flat Road is a county maintained road located within the Stanislaus National Forest. The Project proposes to replace the existing five-span, 100-ft long bridge with a clear span bridge approximately 120-ft in length. The replacement bridge is planned to consist of a cast- in-place post tensioned box girder superstructure. The replacement structure will be supported on seat type abutments and will be built on approximately the same horizontal and vertical alignment as the existing bridge. The location could vary by as much as one foot horizontally, vertically or both. The existing 2-lane structure is approximately 26-ft wide, including a pedestrian sidewalk; the replacement structure would be approximately 29-feet wide. The new bridge will have two 10-ft wide traffic lanes and a five-foot sidewalk on the downstream side of the proposed bridge. The sidewalk will connect to paths developed by the Berkeley Tuolumne Camp. The existing roadway is 20-ft wide and will be reconstructed for approximately 100 ft on both sides of the bridge; until reaching the nearest attainable touchdown on either side of the replacement bridge. Reconstruction will include removing and replacing of the existing asphalt and base. All work will be on the existing alignment and within the existing roadway prism.
C. Site Characteristics The primary biological communities at the Project site are ponderosa pine forest and white alder groves. Ponderosa pine is the primary upland community at the Project site, and is dominated by Ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa) in the overstory. Other species present in the overstory include incense cedar (Calocedrus decurrens) and black oak (Quercus kelloggii). The shrub layer is mostly lacking, consisting of a few sapling black oaks and sapling manzanita (Arctostaphylos sp.) shrubs. The herbaceous layer is sparse to moderately vegetated, with mountain misery (Chamaebatia foliolosa) as the dominate species. The
BRLO-5932(079)_Hardin Flat NESMI_2015-08-07.docx August 2015 G-2 Appendix G Restoration Plan
majority of the Ponderosa pine forest community, as well as the adjacent Berkeley Tuolumne Camp, was burned in the 2013 Rim Fire. Since then, clearing and salvage logging has taken place.
The white alder groves community occurs along the banks of the South Fork Tuolumne River in the BSA. The sparse to intermittent overstory of this community is dominated by white alder (Alnus rhombifolia). The understory is sparse to moderately dense with species such as willow saplings (Salix spp.), sedges (Carex spp.), umbrella plant (Darmera peltata), and monkey flower (Mimulus kelloggii). South Fork Tuolumne River is the only water in the Project site.
III. Restoration Design A. Location and Basis for Design The proposed Project may remove native trees as a result of Project impacts. The final tree removal determination will be made by the County of Tuolumne Community Resources Agency. Below are proposed ratios for replacement of trees removed.
Riparian woodland is part of the stream zone protected by Fish and Game Code Section 1600. Riparian trees will be replaced at a 3:1 ratio. Native riparian trees will be replaced on-site on both sides of the South Fork Tuolumne River. Native oak trees not in the riparian community will be replaced at a 1:1 ratio. The entire restoration site is located within the Project site. Trees may be replanted in the temporarily disturbed areas and in openings within the undisturbed areas of the riparian woodland. Bare soil slopes will be hydroseeded with native grasses in accordance with the “Revegetation Planting and Erosion Control Specifications” in Appendix F.
B. Proposed Restoration Site The proposed restoration area will occur within the areas temporarily disturbed by construction activities.
C. Restored Habitats The Project goal is to restore areas impacted by the Project and to remove and properly dispose of artificial (i.e. man-made) debris resulting from the removal of the existing bridge. The long-term goal is for the restored habitats to approximate the adjacent undisturbed habitats within the Project site.
BRLO-5932(079)_Hardin Flat NESMI_2015-08-07.docx August 2015 G-3 Appendix G Restoration Plan
IV. Success Criteria and Monitoring A. Success Criteria The proposed success criteria is 60% survival rate of replanted trees within the revegetated portions of the Project site for two years from the time of planting. Naturally recruited oak trees and riparian species in the temporarily disturbed areas will also count toward the success criteria.
B. Monitoring The proposed restoration site will be monitored twice each year, once in spring and once in autumn, for two years after planting, or until success criteria have been met. During each of the four monitoring events, the condition and number of surviving restoration plantings will be recorded. Natural recruitment of native tree species will also be recorded. The functioning of any erosion control materials and any occurrences of nonnative or invasive plants will be noted. A general assessment of the condition of the restoration site will be made.
V. Implementation Plan A. Site Preparation Immediately after construction has been completed, appropriate sturdy erosion control materials shall be placed on top of the temporarily impacted areas containing erosion-prone soils. The erosion control material will be securely anchored so as to prevent erosion of soil during precipitation events and high flows in South Fork Tuolumne River. Erosion control material should be biodegradable if possible.
B. Planting Planting shall be conducted with species appropriate for the riparian corridor and upland areas. Proposed replacement ratios are as follows: • Riparian trees will be replaced at a 3:1 ratio of native riparian trees removed. • Native oak trees will be replaced at a 1:1 ratio of native oak trees removed. Trees will be planted from container grown stock of at least one-gallon size. Each tree will be tagged and numbered after planting to facilitate annual monitoring and to track the performance of individual plants.
Restoration planting may occur along the edge of bridge, but should not occur far underneath where it is dark and precipitation may be limited. It is not expected that plants will survive if planted underneath the new bridge.
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The soil may be compacted and planting holes may need to be excavated with power machinery or picks. Planting holes will be excavated to at least the depth of planting containers and three times the width. Shrubs cleared for construction will be chipped and used as mulch around tree plantings. Mulch should be placed over the root system. Mulch should not be placed against the trunk as it promotes fungal growth.
C. Planting Schedule Site preparation and planting should occur in the fall. Planting at the beginning of the wet season will increase the probability of plant survival. If planting needs to occur in the summer, the revegetation contractor (or County) will need to ensure that the plants are adequately watered.
VI. Maintenance During Monitoring Period Maintenance during the monitoring period may include upkeep of erosion control materials, additional plantings, control of invasive species, or addition of protective devices for plantings. Maintenance activities will be undertaken based on the results and suggestions of the bi-annual monitoring events and shall be the responsibility of the County.
VII. Monitoring Reports A. As-Built Report The as-built report shall be prepared in the fall at the completion of planting. The as-built report shall include a map of the plantings, a description of the methods and materials used, and establishment of photo-documentation points. A copy of the as-built report shall be due by 31 December of the year of planting.
B. Annual Reports The first monitoring event shall occur in the spring following planting. The annual report shall be prepared by 31 December each year. Each annual report shall include the results of the two monitoring events for that year, and a comparison of the results to the success criteria.
VIII. Potential Contingency Measures If the monitoring report determines that the restoration site is not meeting or is unlikely to meet the success criteria, then contingency measures shall be recommended by the monitoring report. Contingency measures could include additional plantings, different species, different methods, invasive species control, or other measures designed towards the goal of meeting the success criteria. It is the responsibility of the County of Tuolumne Community Resources
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Agency to meet the success criteria, including implementation of any contingency measures towards that end.
IX. Completion of Restoration Responsibilities Restoration is complete if the success criteria are met after the second year of monitoring. If the success criteria are not met after the second year of monitoring, then monitoring shall continue with the same methods and frequency until the success criteria are met.
X. Long-Term Management Plan The restoration site will be in the Project site. The restoration site will be managed the same as the surrounding land after the completion of restoration responsibilities.
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