City of Azusa General Plan & Development Code 4.4 Biological
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City of Azusa General Plan & Development Code 4.4 Biological Resources Draft EIR 4.4 BIOLOGICAL RESOURCES SCOPE AND METHODOLOGY This section examines the potential for the proposed project to result in significant adverse impacts to biological resources. The existence (or lack of) such resources in the City and immediate surroundings were identified in a study performed by Envicom Corporation, in consultation with appropriate local, state, and federal agencies, and through a review of the Natural Diversity Database. A general survey of Azusa’s plants was performed by Envicom Corporation on November 30 and December 2, 9, and 16, 1999, for the purpose of making contemporary observations of biological conditions and to prepare related maps1. A tabulation of vascular plants observed during the field surveys, supplemented by a list of plants2 of the San Gabriel Canyon from Morris Dam to Foothill Boulevard is contained in Appendix E. A variety of biological surveys were utilized to characterize the range of wildlife species (vertebrates) that are known, or reasonably expected to occur within the City boundaries. The Draft Environmental Impact Report for Mountain Cove Residential Development Project, October 1999 and the Monrovia Nursery Specific Plan Draft Environmental Impact Report, October 2002 were also referenced. ENVIRONMENTAL SETTING Current Conditions Vegetation. The majority of Azusa is urbanized. Relatively natural vegetation communities and habitats for wildlife are largely limited to the remaining undeveloped floodplain of the San Gabriel River and tributaries including Van Tassel Canyon, upper Fish Canyon, Roberts Canyon, and the upland foothill areas of the San Gabriel Mountains that occur in the northern portion of the City. The foothills, adjoining the Angeles National Forest, contain a variety of species depending primarily on aspect and slope. The different habitats present in the foothills are displayed in Figure 4.4-1 and those in the southern portion of the city in Figure 4.4-2. Steep, south-facing slopes on the north and west sides of the San Gabriel River support rather sparse vegetation which would be classified as coastal sage scrub, with the dominants being coastal sagebrush (Artemisia californica), California buckwheat (Eriogonum fasciculatum), California brickellbush (Brickellia californica), Whipple’s yucca (Yucca whipplei ssp. parishii), white sage (Salvia apiana), wishbone bush (Mirabilis californica) and local dense patches of prickly-pear cactus (Opuntia littoralis), with scattered larger shrubs of laurel-leaf sumac (Malosma laurina) and lemonadeberry (Rhus integrifolia ). In some locations, such as the slopes adjacent to the Fish Canyon trailhead and quarry, the noxious castor bean (Ricinus communis) has severely invaded the dry slopes. On the north-facing slopes, especially on the north side of the Glendora Ridge and upper areas of Fish, Van Tassel and Roberts Canyons, a denser, chaparral vegetation prevails. On these moderately moist slopes, trees and larger shrubs can be found such as mountain mahogany (Cercocarpus betuloides), toyon (Heteromeles arbutifolia ), Jim brush (Ceanothus oliganthus sorediatus), and scattered individuals of big leaf maple (Acer macrophyllum) and big cone Douglas Fir (Pseudotsuga macrocarpa). 1 Field surveys conducted by Carl Wishner, Principal Biologist of Envicom Corporation. 2 White, Scott. Characterization of the San Gabriel River Wash, 1997, Scott White Biological Consulting. taha 9926 4.4-1 City of Azusa General Plan & Development Code 4.4 Biological Resources Draft EIR Figure 4.4-1 taha 9926 4.4-2 City of Azusa General Plan & Development Code 4.4 Biological Resources Draft EIR Figure 4.4-2 taha 9926 4.4-3 City of Azusa General Plan & Development Code 4.4 Biological Resources Draft EIR The north facing slopes are also the known habitat of sensitive, endemic (occurring naturally in only a particular region) species such as San Gabriel River dudleya (Dudleya cymosa crebrifolia ) and San Gabriel Mountains dudleya (D. densiflora). Heretofore unreported is the extensive occurrence of chaparral dominated by San Gabriel leather oak (Quercus durata gabrielensis) on the north slopes south of Fish Canyon. This species is endemic to the San Gabriel Mountains. As reported by the California Department of Fish and Game (1999b), the canyon bottoms of Van Tassel, Fish, and Roberts Canyons support Southern Sycamore/Alder Riparian Woodland, the dominants being western Sycamore (Platanus racemosa), white alder (Alnus rhombifolia), and probably also coast live oak (Quercus agrifolia) and canyon live oak (Q. chrysolepis). For the San Gabriel River, the extent of natural vegetation is restricted west of the levee, as it exits from the mouth of San Gabriel Canyon. The vegetation near the mouth of the canyon consists of alluvial scrub and woodland, wherein the dominant species are those typical of coastal sage scrub and riparian habitats, namely coastal sagebrush, brittlebush (Encelia farinosa), golden aster (Heterotheca sessiliflora), California buckwheat, scalebroom (Lepidospartum squamatum), laurel-leaf sumac, lemonadeberry, mulefat (Baccharis salicifolia), and willow (Salix spp.). In the lower-most reach, upstream from the Foothill Boulevard Bridge, the invasive giant reed (Arundo donax) is prevalent, whereas, in the upstream portions, the native specie s dominate, with increasing amounts of Whipple’s yucca imparting a unique appearance to the alluvial scrub there. The plants and their location described are summarized in Table 4.4-1. TABLE 4.4-1: HABITATS Location Vegetation Association Dominant Species South Facing Slope South Slope Coastal Sage Scrub coastal sagebrush, California buckwheat, California brickellbush, Whipple’s yucca, white sage, wishbone bush, prickly-pear cactus, laurel- leaf sumac, and lemonadeberry, castor bean* North Facing Slope North Slope Chapparal mountain mahogany, toyon, Jim brush, big leaf maple, big cone Douglas fir, San Gabriel River dudleya, San Gabriel Mountains dudleya River and/or Tributaries Alluvial Scrub and Woodland coastal sagebrush, brittlebush, golden aster, California buckwheat, scalebroom, laurel-leaf sumac, mulefat, willow, giant reed* Canyon Bottom Southern Sycamore/Alder Sycamore, white alder, coast live oak, canyon live Riparian Woodland oak *Non-native, invasive species SOURCE: Envicom Corporation, 1999. Wildlife Table 4.4-2 states in general terms the habitat in which the various animals exist and includes wildlife species commonly found in Azusa. Different animals use different amounts of space to fulfill their need for food, water, and cover. Small mammals, such as a mouse, need a limited area in which to survive while larger mammals like a fox, coyote, or bear will roam larger amounts of territory in search of essentials. Depending on the time of year, there may be more species present in the City. In the spring, fall, and during yearly migrations, a greater number of birds are present in the City’s habitats. In addition, although not mentioned as a specific habitat in the table below, inactive quarries in the northern part of the City filled with open water, serve as a groundwater recharge area and provide habitat for wildlife, especially waterfowl. taha 9926 4.4-4 City of Azusa General Plan & Development Code 4.4 Biological Resources Draft EIR TABLE 4.4-2: WILDLIFE FOUND IN AZUSA Species Group and Habitat Typically Occurring Species Fishes occurring in the San Gabriel River and Rainbow trout, green sunfish, large mouth bass, carp surrounding reservoirs Amphibians occurring the San Gabriel River and Pacific slender salamander, black-bellied salamander, tributaries Pacific and California treefrogs Amphibians occurring in north slope chaparral and Pacific slender salamander and Pacific treefrog canyon bottoms Reptiles occurring in coastal sage scrub and chaparral Western fence lizard, side-blotched lizard, western skink, California whipsnake, gopher snake, western rattlesnake, southern alligator lizard, common kingsnake, Gilbert skink, San Diego banded gecko, rosy boa, western whiptail, ringneck snake, racer, western patch- nosed snake Birds occurring in coastal sage scrub and chaparral California towhee, spotted towhee, wrentit, bushtit, Bewick’s wren, Cactus wren, California quail, Anna’s hummingbird, western scrub-jay, Northern mockingbird, California thrasher, black phoebe, house finch Birds occurring in native woodlands Northern flicker, mourning dove, acorn woodpecker, house wren, Hutton’s vireo, lesser goldfinch, American crow, common raven Mammals occurring in coastal sage scrub and chaparral Audubon’s cottontail, California ground squirrel, Botta’s pocket gopher, deer mouse, desert woodrat, Pacific kangaroo rat, ornate shrew, California mouse, dusky- footed wood rat, black-tailed jack rabbit, raccoon, coyote, striped skunk, gray fox, bobcat, mountain lion, American black bear SOURCE: Bon Terra Consulting as cited in the Draft Environmental Impact Report for Mountain Cove Residential Development Project and Glenn Lukos Associates, October 1999. Biological Technical Report Monrovia Nursery Development Project Los Angeles County, California, September 2002, as cited in the Monrovia Nursery Specific Plan and Project Draft Environmental Impact Report, October 2002. Sensitive Species and Habitats The “sensitive” or “special” label denotes that a species is state or federally listed as threatened or endangered, is a potential candidate for state or federal listing as threatened or endangered, or, though not listed, may be