San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge Complex Annual Narrative 1980

San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge

Page I. ' GENERAL j ' A. Introduction. . . -, B. Climatic and Habitat Conditions „ C. Land Acquisition .,..,,.,. • - ? D. System Status

II. CONSTRUCTION 'AND MAINTENANCE A. Construction 4 -. B. Maintenance , •, 5 C . Wildfire : , 5

III. HABITAT MANAGEMENT A. Croplands...... 5 B . Gras s lands...... 6 C . Wetlands ...... • • - ,6 D . Forestlands ...... 7 E . Other Habitat...... 7 F . Wilderness and Special Areas . . . -...... 7 G. Easements for Waterfowl Management ......

IV. WILDLIFE A. Endangered Species- ...... 7 B. Migratory Birds ...... , ...... ,^g C. Mammals and Non-Migratory Birds and Others ...... • • -12

V. INTERPRETATION AND "RECREATION A. Information and Interpretation. . . .14 B. Recreation. ,..,,..., 20 C. Enforcement 21

VI. OTHER ITEMS

A. Field Investigations 2 2 B . Cooperative Programs ...... 23 C. I terns of Interest 23 D. Safety .24 1980 PERSONNEL

1. ROGER D. JOHNSON Project Leader GS-13 PPT (EOD 06/03/79)

2. BEN H. CRABB Assistant Project Leader GS-12 PPT

3. DIANA A. OLSEN Administrative Officer GS-07 PFT (Transferred 12/27/80)

4. VERONICA H. RAY Clerk-Typist GS-04 CS

5. LARRY H. WORDEN Assistant Refuge Manager GS-11 PFT (EOD 08/26/79)

6. MICHAEL S.BITSKO Outdoor Recreation Planner GS-11 PFT

7. CHRISTINE E. TOUGAS Environmental Education GS-09 PFT Specialist (EOD 02/11/79) Converted Perm. Intermittent (09/21/80)

JANE GULL«.MOSS Wildlife Biologist GS-09 PFT (resigned 11/26/80)

PATRICIA A. COMERPORD Interpretive Specialist GS-07 CS .(EOD 07/29/79-resigned ., 07/06/80)

10. LARRY G. VOJKDFKA Park Tech/Interpretation GS-05 CS (EOD 08/12/79)

11. ROBERT E. ROGERS Police Officer GS-05 CS (EOD 02/05/79-resigned 05/03/80)

12. JAMES E. FERRIER Police Officer GS-06 CS (EOD 02/05/79)

13. JANET CARRIER Environmental Ed. Specialist GS-05 CS (EOD 09/23/79) Interm. 14. CHRISTOPHER SWARTH Biological-Technician GS-OSj Appt. (EOD 10/21/79-terminated 06/26/80) 15. JOHN F. DRISCOLL Maintenance Worker WG-08 TPT (Transferred 12/27/80) 16. ART MCCLAIN Police Officer GS-05 CS (EOD 06/15/80)

17. KATHY APODACA Laborer WG-03 TFT (EOD 01/06/80)

18. PIERS ADY YACC Crew Leader WG-08 TPT ;' (EOD'-;as Maintenance worker on 12/28/80)

19. SALLY WALTERS Park Technician GS-05 TFT (EOD 10/22/80)

REVIEW AND APPROVALS

Area Office Date

San Francisco Bay NWR Complex Regional Office Date Fremont, California Complex Office • - : M \l \ \ M M Hi VMl.v^ I \ | \|| s I III \l V I \ II (HIS I X

'[' 1 S

T 6 ,s

It 2 AV K I \ • [1 IN THt LHVIMON Of HtAUfY Vr D" ') MKIUDIAN , •HVl VS HV HIM (.' S O c- F \ S 3 '- pi•',:•<•} •i /j i«f.••*,»*>'if\*'ON POM it AND PHI OON OICEMtltH >v' HfV lit CAI.Ih. ll')» 121 —1 SAN FRANCISCO BAY NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE

I. GENERAL

A. Introduction

San Francisco Bay is many things to many people: a port of call for world commerce, a scenic view from a city hill, a vast sailboat basin, a moderator of the climate -- even a garbage dump and a sewer cesspool. One aspect of the Bay that a casual viewer may not be aware of is its role as a habitat for wildlife. A person whizzing across one of the bay bridges at 50 miles an hour will not see much of the teeming life of the bay; but if he walks quietly along the marshy shore line, a whole new world will unfold. South San Francisco Bay is a part of the larger bay that is extremely rich in marine and bird wildlife.

Tidal flats, marshes and salt ponds, fulfill a number of wildlife habitats and functions. Public Law 92-330 created the 23,000 acre Refuge in the South Bay in 1972. The Service has purchased approximately 15,300 acres to date. The Act provided that the Secretary of the Interior would establish the Refuge as a unit of the National Wildlife Refuae System when the lands, waters, and interests therein became sufficient to constitute an efficiently administrable refuge. A notice was published in the Federal Register on October 20, 1980 establishing the Refuge as a unit of the System. '/Sa Weather

drought 2. Habitat period.

<* ; upland, tidal mudflats, and open bav M tion.of the four refuge uÎtsîieâbî Sh°WS the acreage estimates by Unit and HabiLt Type" PrSSents C Land Acquisition

1. Fee Title

Nothing to report 2 . Easements

Nothing to report

3. Other Nothing to report

D. System Status 1. Ob-jectives The. Refuge has. three major objectives. The most important of these is the preservation of the natural resources of the South Bay, which include the habitat of migratory birds, harbor seals and five endangered species; the California clapper rail, California least tern,. brown pelican, peregrine falcon, and the salt marsh harvest mouse. The second major objective is to provide environmental education opportunities to Bay Area schools and residents. Third, the Refuge will ensure the protection of an important open space resource and provide wildlife oriented recreation oppor- i tunities for the enjoyment of surrounding communities. » Table I

Acreage estimates by Unit and Habitat Type San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge

Salt Salt Tidal Open Percent of Unit Ponds Marsh Mudflats Upland Water Total Total

Fremont 2,760 225 1,305 0 0 • 4,290 18,6 Greco • 625 1,312 2,639 35 417 5,028 Island 21.9

Mo wry 6,330 1,704 1,474 162 360 10,030 Slough 43.6

Alviso 2,975 587 17 35 38 3,652 15. 9 12,690 3,828 5 , 4 35 232 815 23,000 2. Funding

Operating cost budgets (O&M) and manpower levels for FY 1977 through FY 1980 follows:

Base O&M Funds

FY 1110 (ECE) 1210 (MB) 1220 (MNB) 1240 (I&R) 1400 (SE) 1977 3.0 96.6 16.5 39 .0 26 .7 1978 109. 1 15. 2 84 .2 30 .5 1979 2.0 216. 5* 22.0* 142 .7 31 .0 * 1980 217.5* 19.0* 116 .7* 21 .0

*•A- T-V-IncludeN >-, 1 -,-, ^ ,~,ns r\-^On s-*.e rrii'-rv-,Time^ /"O&^ r AM* -,-*-an, ,d3 /-i,.Cycli, i _• c -A/MaintenancT • , e " " — ~~ •

The Complex, with the exception of Humboldt Bay, is funded as San Francisco Bay NWR,

Manpower

PFT FY CS TEMP . TOTAL 1977 7 7 1978 7 1 8 1979 8 5 3 16 1980 7 6 3 "r-r 4

II. CONSTRUCTION AND MAINTENANCE

A. Construction .

New construction on the refuge was limited to a contract issued by Cal Trans (California State Transportation Department). The contract was for construction of a lift pump for Leslie Salt Co. and replacement of a Trail and bridge for the refuge. This was a result of the states construction of a new freeway (Highway 84) and four lane bridge to. replace the old Dumbarton Drawbridge which is approximately 53 years old. Under our management agreement with Leslie, the refuge contracted out the construction of an eight foot, chain-link security fence for the lift pump. Total cost for the fence and double gates was $1,094.70.

Fish and Wildlife Service Contracts awarded.in 1980 follows: Bridges, Boardwalks, and Observation Platforms

Headquarters/Interpretive Center , .- DHL Marine - • P.O. Box 719 Antioch, CA. 94509 Amount: $359,400.00 .

Fire Sprinkler System , ;

Headquarters/Interpretive Center , Standard Fire,Protection, Inc. 37750 Timber St.- , Unit D P. 0. Box 504 . . . Newark, CA. 94560 ; , :" Amount: $38,220..00 Intrusion - Fire Alarm System (24 hour monitoring) Headquarters/Interpretive Center and Environmental Ed. Center Security General Company . 848-A Stewart Drive Sunnyvale, CA. 94086 Amount: $17,900.00 (3 years 1979-1981) Janitorial Services Headquarters/Interpretive Center Day and Nite Janitorial Services P. O. Box 6087 ' Oakland, CA. 94603 Amount: $7,500.00 (1 year) Environmental Education Center Thomas Janitorial Serivce . 11150 Lochard St. Oakland, CA. 94605 ' - Amount: $6,444.00 (1 year) B. Maintenance . • .

On January 6, ..toe -Refuge again tapped it's favorite source of maintenance workers, the YACC program, by hiring Kathy Apodoca. Piers Ady, hired in late December, 1979, had been the YACC crew leader. Piers continues to direct YACC operations. Major projects for the year were graveling dike roads and trails and installation of new pipe gates. Approximately 18 miles of road and trails, were improved to all-weather status. This project was accomplished using 5- ton dump trucks because of Leslie Salt Co. weight restrictions on dikes. Standard refuge pipe gates were installed as part of our project to replace wooden gates of long service to Leslie Salt Co, or to control trespass. C. Wildfire Nothing to report . III. HABITAT MANAGEMENT

A. Croplands

Not applicable

B. Grasslands

Not applicable

C. Wetlands

1. In May of 1979, refuge personnel assisted the California Department of Fish and Game (CDFG). in a cordgrass transplanting project on the State-owned portion of Bair Island. This area was formerly an abandoned salt pond that natural- ly restored itself to tidal flow when bay waters breached the dike. Cordgrass plugs were taken from the outboard side of the dike and transplanted in various locations of newly restored area.

Inspection of this area well into the summer growing season revealed that for the most part the cordgrass failed to establish in the transplant areas. Although the cordgrass did fail, pickleweed is growing rapidly and beginning to expand in this marsh. At this time there is no further proposals by the state to transplant vegetation in the marsh.

2. In 1979, the San Jose/Santa Clara Water Pollution Control Plant applied for permits from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers -, Bay Conservation and Development Commission and the Regional Water Quality Control Board to remove marsh vegetation (hardstem bulrush) from Mallard Slough. The proposal calls for the removal of all vegetation in the effluent channel from the discharge down to the S02 build- ing/wier. The purpose of vegetation removal is to decrease the velocity of flow in the effluent channel which serves as the chlorine contact chamber. The refuge has voiced concern for this project since.the proposal is to completely clear the channel of all vegetation which would, impact local bird nesting populations of American coots, common gallinules, salt marsh, yellow throats, salt marsh song sparrows and'.various other species. We expressed our desires to the waste treatment plant to clear only one side of the channel or random clumps on both sides. Unfortunately, in late 1980 the permitting, agencies ruled that the channel was outside their jurisdiction since it- was created by man and was not natural. This ruling is contrary to others made by the Corps of Engineers in which they determined man-made wetlands to be covered under section 404 and 10 jurisdiction-. Vegetation removal had not begun by the end of the. year. D. Forestlands

Not applicable

E. Other Habitat

For the second year the refuge attempted to remove all of the scotch broom (Cytisus sp.) on "refuge hill" just east of the headquarters. This European import is considered to be a nox- ious pest plant and if left unchecked, will out compete native plants such as coyote bush, lupine and sage. Regeneration from the roots and sprouts from seed will probably occur for many years, therefore/.this will have to be an annual spring project. . .

P. Wilderness:and Special Areas

Not applicable G. Easements for Waterfowl Management Not applicable

IV. WILDLIFE

A. Endangered Species

California Brown Pelican - Brown pelican numbers in 'the south bay appeared to be about the same as last year when the peak count reached 150. Thorough censusing was not conducted in the south bay this year, however, brown pelican activities were monitored in the vacinity of the Dumbarton Bridge, South Pacific Railroad Bridge and the Alviso salt ponds. Peak numbers recorded in the Alviso area was approximately 100 birds while at the S.P. bridge peak numbers reached 37- Observations near the Dumbarton bridge recorded a high count of 30 pelicans. A study of brown-pelican use on the south bay is proposed for next year. American Peregrine Falcon -.Peregrine falcon sightings were again reported to refuge personnel by reputable observers. Prey availability is extremely high on the refuge due to large numbers of shorebirds, ..waterfowl and grebes wintering here. Wintering and migrant .falcons are probably more common than the number of sightings indicate. California Least Tern - Under contract to the refuge, Michael Rigney and Lorraine Emery of the South Bay Institute for Avain Studies conducted a breeding survey of least terns on the refuge and adjacent lands. At the known colony site on Bair Island the researchers found the area inundated with x\rater in late April due to heavy winter rains and a breach in the level allowing high tides to spill into the area. After plugging the breach and natural evaporation, the area began to dry out by mid-May. The researchers attempted to aid nesting in this wet year by-placing 12 elevated nest platforms near the known nesting site.. The platforms were constructed of old tires filled with gravel and topped off with a' shell from the local- . area. Six painted decoys were also placed in this area. When nesting activities started in early June, the terns were attracted to. the nest platforms and subsequently, four of the platforms were found to contain nests- As the surrounding - area continued-to dry-out, a-hard salt crust formed on the ground'surface. At this time all>of the nesting shifted to use of the ground surface and no further use of the platforms was observed'.. -It is interesting to 'note -that after the mid- breeding season (mid-July) , 63% of .all--new nests were fo.und in the heel, of .foot prints left by the1 researchers ! The effectiveness of-the decoys on colony .'formation is unknown, .•-•'•• however, courtship display directe:d. 'toward the decoys was '••' .observed at the .beginning of the breedi-ng season. .':' Due to nest ^flooding by a late-season storm and continued har- rassment by American kestrels, the colony of: least terns,'located at the A.lameda Naval'Air Station, completely abandoned . their colony site. One week after, the abandonment at Alameda, observation of adult .least terns on Bair Island began to increase. Two weeks after abandonment,, the numbers on Bair Island had increased from 20-25 adults to 60-70 adults and active nests almost doubled from 13 to. 24. Thus the influx of terns to Bair Island was probably attributable to the Ala- meda failure. A.total .of 38 nesting attempts were recorded during the breeding seas.on. Fledging success is unknown, - For the second year,:least terns, were found nesting on the dike and hiking -trail near Coyote Hills'Redional Park. _-A total of 12 nests .were recorded at this colony site. Due to the colony being' located along a-major service road, hiking trail and bicycle path, disturbance to the terns was great. Continued disturbance forced the closing of the area to the public in late.'July. This measure was too little and too. late as mortality of eggs and young was high,- Only 3 young were known .to have fledged from this site. California Clapper.,.Rail - A winter population survey of ../ clapper rails was conducted on portions <,of the refuge by refuge staff and volunteers. Areas censused included Ideal Cement Marsh, Dumbarton Point, Audubon Marsh, Mowry North and Triangle Marsh. During the study .period of 30 November 1979 to 16 January 1980, a total of 261 clapper rails were recorded. The overall density for the marshes surveyed range from .07 to .66 rails per hectare. Under contract to the refuge, Tom Harvey conducted a breeding season survey of the clapper rail in south San Francisco Bay. The study was conducted between April and August. The rer- .. searcher selected three sites to conduct extensive surveys of nesting activities. The sites he selected were Ideal Cement Marsh, Dumbarton Point, and the north side of Mowry Slough. Egg laying began during the last week of March. Of 25 nests surveyed, the average clutch size.was 7.56 with a range of 6 to 9. The percentage of successfully hatching eggs for these nests was only 38%. Predation by Norway rats was a. major cause of mortality resulting in a 33% loss of all eggs layed. During the study, four cases of clapper rails probably breaking their own eggs were encountered. Reasons for this behavior are unknown. Breeding density in the .3 study areas ranged -from 0.80 to 1.57 rails per hectare and averaged 1.47. This compares favorably with estimates', made in the early 1970's indicating a relatively stable population. Salt Marsh Harvest Mouse- - Anne Gilroy, under supervision of Dr. Howard Shellhammer, was contracted by the Refuge to conduct a trapping survey, of the salt marsh'harvest mouse (Reithro dontomys raviventris raviventris) in South San Francisco Bay during the summer :of 1980. The study took place in vacuous marshes south of the San Mateo Bridge. A total of seventeen marshes were trapped for;3,765 trap nights during July, August and September, Seven of the seventeen marshes trapped yielded at a total of 15 harvest mice-. , Harvest mouse populations appeared to be low this year in the south bay as evidenced by the trapping success; 1 mouse/251 trap nights. Researchers conducting similar trapping in San Pablo Bay during this time recorded a capture rate of 1 harvest mouse/77 trap nights but they indicated that this was also evidence of low densities for harvest mice. Table-. 1. is- a summary of the trap sites and animals captured in south San Francisco Bay during the study. Surprisingly, the Coyote Hills marsh yielded the highest capture rate for harvest mice (4/100 trap nights). This marsh is a deteriorated pickl.eweed marsh that is isolated from tidal flow by dikes. The only moisture this site receives is from.rainfall. The research felt that there is a positive correlation between increasing salinity of this marginal area and the presence of salt marsh harvest mice. ^^ 1^_

H-* 1—» V— t >—» X— 1 • J—• > KJ I*-1 *»O CO -~,1 O- vT> J> -vO K) l-4 •o 0-> v1 £~ VA> ro — • O ' »»*»**»»

7'. > 0 -Z. 0 21. 21. 5=; 2- 0 r-j o 0 p f; ;'j 7; "J •? -^ ?? ? r-! ° ^ ^

)r T HJ r1- 3 6 r1- O' li) iJ ' -j -i ~ 3§ : ? -". o vT P> 0. ^ "• p.' >." .' X.' a-- W C •" Q — ' " .- C >1 O "3 ni re' a. -: ~> -• *j 'j Jl M O -" -T D (V ft > "' u\ ','.-'* :. ~\- ct co ', , -•*• c-1- ':.! -1 'i—' O' '.i ;_! •> L" n> ft r-> (u T3 f *•!.'•• I/ rt- o, o .-r ;j* Q Qu ft V) -1 O >•} » 5 P ?T r '-J' fu C 03 r-J W CO O p r- >-(_ a . n» O '1 1 51^ C/i

jr- fot_i|_i rororoôi— ' ^-roro-t-rov-JHjro 0 OOQOQQO^Q i .H) g QQQPP-^ôo-i-lx-iooSo c5 o o o o o vi o oa s H- H P> h-1 Rovthrodontomys to V"1 v>3 i j> i i ro i v-> i l _ v-^ i i «-• i v>) i raviveniris o p \_n -f> 4. Reit hrodont, cmy I—1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 —^ meâlctis (T) i i i i >->• i l I P- Hie rot is ro ro ro \_o ro >-* CO calif ornicus hH o> o Hvis ro »-> M co I (-> -j ro — o ro 01 fo muscuûs Sorex ro ."O o ro i i i i M i i Yagrans

. • feromyscus %

<> V/, CO 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 l i v l • w l l l l /naniculatus Neotoma l 1 1 l i 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 M fUcipas

D O ~o vn i-1 4> ro o ro 8 vo co CQv/iro^oco-Ot-'vi •p-Ovjov^ocoojroi-i 0 10

B. Migratory Birds 1. Waterfowl

Botulism occurred again this year in south San Francisco Bay during late summer and early fall. Although the number of sick and dead birds picked up increased greatly over last year, the outbreaks were still considered small. Outbreaks occurred in Mallard (Artesian) Slough and at the City of Hayward waste water treatment facility. In Mallard Slough, 92.4 birds (mostly waterfowl) were picked up during the first three weeks of October. Both sick and dead birds were taken care of by the Santa Clara Humane Society. Refuge staff and the California Depart- ment of Pish and Game participated in the pick up effort. At the oxidation ponds of the Hayward sewage plant, a total of 410 ducks were picked up. Refuge personnel initiated the pick up of birds, however, the city work crews took over the program and did an excellent job. The refuge loaned four Zon Guns to the city and provided some shell- crackers to attempt to drive waterfowl out of the area. This appeared to be somewhat successful in scaring puddle ducks from the area. Sick birds were taken to Sulfur Creek Nature Sanctuary and dead birds were buried by city crews. 2. Marsh and Waterbirds The refuge currently has two active breeding colonies of herons and egrets. The colony on Bair Island, San Mateo County, was established in 1967 when great blue herons first colonized the area. Two years later black-crowned night herons and snowy egrets initiated breeding activities on the island and the number of breeding pairs began to increase rapidly. The other breeding site is located in Mallard (Artesian) Slough in Santa Clara County. This Colony was formed in 1976 when black-crowned night herons and a few snowy egrets colonized the area. The colony in Mallard Slough seems to have stabilized somewhat at approximately 150 pairs each of black-crowned night herons and snowy egrets. Also, several pairs of cattle egrets and a possible snowy egret x little blue heron pair also bred in the colony this year. The colony is located in dense stands of hardstem bulrush that established in this tidal area as a result of the tremendous outfall of treated wastewater effluent (freshwater?) released into Mallard Slough by the San Jose/Santa Clara Water Pollution Control Plant. .11

The Bair Island colony is located at the bayward side of the island in a stand of Coyote Brush. Due to the exten- . sive nesting in the brush and possibly other factors, the Coyote Brush is degenerating and some of the bushes containing multiple nests have fallen over. In response to this and due to nest site competition snowy egrets have begun to nest on the ground. In 1980 over 25% of the snowy egret nest attempts were located on the ground and these nests appear to be more susceptible to disturbance as many of the ground nests contained broken eggs or dead young. Also as a response to increasing nest site competition, black- crowned night heron increased utilization of the peripheral areas of the colony. Many of the nests in the peripheral areas were supported entirely by star thistle (Centaurea sp.) and sow thistle (Sanchus oleraceus). The colony on Bair Island did fare well again this year even considering nest site competition. Great blue- heron numbers appear to holding steady at 20 pairs however, the 1980 fledging rate was the highest ever recorded on Bair Island (2.80/breeding pair). Approximately 350 pairs each of snowy egrets and black-crowned night herons were census- '. ed in the colony this year.

3. Shorebirds, Gulls, Terns, and Allied Species During the last two weeks of June a dike nesting bird survey was conducted by the refuge biologist with the assistance of various staff members. The survey was conducted on the salt pond dikes mostly within the refuge boundaries. Nesting species surveyed included American avocet, black- necked stilt, snowy plover, killdeer, Caspian tern, Forester's tern, and California least tern.. The biologist attempted to locate as many nests with eggs and/or young as possible. Due to the short duration of the study and time of the breeding season estimates of breeding bird numbers can not be reliably shown. More importantly, the study was able to provide documentation of sensitive breeding areas within the refuge and also shed some light on nest site selection by the various species. Total nests found during the study included American avocet (86), black-necked stilt (53), snowy plover (6), killdeer (1). , Caspian tern (500), Forester's tern (65), California least tern (9). In order to make appropriate management decisions, more information on breeding numbers, locations and requirements is surely needed. Ideally, a similar study should be conducted throughout the breeding season which begins in early April .and runs through mid-August. .. Also, dikes should be censused at least twice during the breeding season and.more often if possible. The survey should also be expanded to salt pond.areas outside the refuge in order to treat.the'area more as a biological ecosystem rather than a designated boundary ecosystem, since manage- 12

ment decisions for refuge property iffect resources of the entire south bay.

4. Raptors

Burrowing owls, white-tailed kites and marsh hawks were again common nesting raptors on some portions of the refuge. In addition to these species, ..two successful short-eared owl nests were observed on Bair Island. 5. Other Migratory Birds

Presumably, the same two flamingos seen in previous years continue to do well on the salt ponds of the south bay. These birds are considered to.be escapees from Marine"World. The pink color of the birds is holding up remarkably well. This is of no surprise since they are feeding on a plenti- ful supply of brine shrimp.

C. Mammals and Non-Migratory Birds.and Others

1. Game Mammals Not applicable

2. Other Mammals The harbor seal population on the refuge appears to be a stable one. Again, this year, the year-round average was approximately 25 to 30 individuals increasing to over 300 at the end of pupping season. A total of 83 pups are known to have been born at the haul-out/pupping area on Mowry Slough. The following table containing peak counts for four years indicates the stability of this population.

1976 1977 1978 1979 1980

Adults 234 224 No 238 235

Pups 80 57 Data 82 83 Total 314 281 320 318 13

The refuge biologist and two researchers published a short paper on harbor seal and fish populations before and after the 1979 sewage spill by the San Jose - Santa Clara Water Pollution Control Plant. The paper was published in the California Fish and Game Bulletin, The biologist and the researchers had begun sampling fish and invertebrates and harbor seal censused in Mowry Slough prior to the spill and continued this research well past the 25 day spill. Based on the results of the study, the researchers concluded that there was no noticeable short-term effects of the sewage spill on Mowry Slough seal and fish populations. 3. Resident Birds . Nothing to report 4. Other Animal Life Nothing to report A. Visitors are greeted by a refuge staff member when they enter • the Interpretive Center. The reception desk also serves as a sales counter for field guides,and posters, and a work desk where reservations are taken for future activities. Brochures- are handed out here and phone calls are received. 14

V. INTERPRETATION AND RECREATION

A. Information and Interpretation

1. On-Refuge 1980 brought major changes to the refuge interpretive program. For the first full year since the completion of the Interpretive Center, the interpretive effort em- phasized on-site activities. The completion of displays and trail panels enhanced the effectiveness on non-guided interpretation, and 3,655 visitors accompanied naturalists on guided tours. In addition, the begining of a college level seminar series created the opportunity for visitors to experience in depth treatment of natural history subjects.

In November, all exhibits, prepared by Promotion Products, Inc., of Portland, Oregon, were installed. Five major themes are interpreted: shrinking wetlands, migratory birds, endangered species, coastal islands and estuaries. An automated illustrated program, with its own disappearing "theatre, presents a seven minute conservation story. Several bulletin boards provide space for temporary displays by local artists. A self guided trail, through grassland and salt marsh, received a series of illustrated panels at look- out points and alongside the trail. The following illustrations of visitor center and trail desplays will give the reader an idea of the entire project. B. Displays in the Interpretive Center present 5 basic themes; the different! types of refuges found within San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge Complex. Salinas River, San Francisco Bay and San Pablo Bay NWR's are estuaries. This exhibit demonstrates the parts of an estuary, and discusses the importance of this type of habitat to wildlife.

C. Most of the refuges within the Complex were established to preserve wetlands, among other reasons. This exhibit explains the recent loss of..;much of California's wetlands, and describes for the visitor the importance of wetlands to waterfowl.

D. San Pablo ;Bay and San Francisco Bay National Wildlife refuge's were established to benefit migratory birds. This display discusses migration, as well as the role that refuges play in preserving migratory species.

E. San Francisco Bay, Ellicott Slough and Farallon Islands Nat'l Wildlife Refuges were established to save needed habitat for endangered species. The display shows why animals and plants become extinct and discusses the status of several of the refuges' endangered species. A revolving drum shows California's endangered species, one at a time, with a short narrative for each.

F. The importance of Coastal Islands to sea bird populations and marine mammals is described in photographs taken at Farallons Islands National Wildlife Refuge.

G. Questions on Zoology, Botany, wildlife management and subjects of local interest are included in this display. Visitors must lift each question board to learn the answers.:

H. Several display areas were left empty, to accomodate temporary j exhibits. This display is of art work and letters from young ! refuge visitors. !

I. The Tidelands Trail is a self guided loop.which begins and ends at the Interpretive Center. A map is displayed at various points along the trail to orient hikers. •'

J. Salt marsh productivity is discussed on this display panel. All panels have multicolored illustrations and descriptive texts which are sandwiched between sheets of clean fiber- glass and mounted in a wooden frame.

K. Subjects of similar nature appear along the trail together in series. This set of panels tells the geological story of the bay.

M,.O Observation points are located at several points along the trail. This one, next to the Interpretive Center, has a series of display panels, mounted binoculars and benches.

Changing the natural salt marsh to salt ponds has altered wildlife populations. Hikers are reminded of the changes when they stop to rest at this panel. r

L- 75% of San Francisco Bay's marshlands have disappeared since 1855. Visitors are asked to think about the effect of this loss of habitat on marshland wildlife. sass^sr"*SSs1*.51 1980 Visitation & Trail Use SFBNWR 3200 •

- TOTAL TRAIL USE 2600 • ANNUAL TOTAL: 19,645

i i 2000 • • 1400 • 1 • ' 800 - i • • ' Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

2400 • i m 2000 - SELF GUIDED TRAIL USE ANNUAL TOTAL : 15,990 n i u 1600 - m • t b 1200 - e i i r > 800 -1 ' • • ' ' o Jan Feb 'Mar ^pr Vlay jun 'jul Aug 'sep bet Wv bee f 800 - P < CONDUCTED NATURE WALKS e 600 - 0 i ANNUAL TOTAL: 3,655

P l . 1 400 - ' e r 200 - ' . . . 0 - Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

2200 -

- VISITOR CENTER 1800 - ANNUAL TOTAL: 15,315 1

1400 - i

1000 - ' . . • ' fion - Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug T3ep Oct TsTov bee 15

Types of refuges, rather than individual refuges within the refuge complex, are represented. Most of the displays involve active participation of viewer. Correct answers to questions are rewarded with a bell, or increments of a whole illustration light up seperately when buttons are pushed. Some answers are revealed by flipping up cards or pulling levers. The illustrated program involves three projectors, a lapse- dissolve unit, a sound system and a computer. Four main characters, the Sun, Wind, Water and Mother Nature, recount the sad state of the environment. The show ends on an optimi- stic note with the observation by the group that humans deserve another chance; that they possess the abilities and resources to repair the damage. The new displays, trail panels and illustrated program have all been well received by refuge visitors. Not much time has been available during 1980 to gisage public reaction to the project, but from what feedback we have received., we are confident that visitors enjoy the displays and will continue to learn from them as 1981 progresses. Coastal Parks Association, a non-profit corporation, main- tained a retail sales outlet in the Visitor Center. Refuge staff members served as cashiers for the association. Total 1980 taxable sales amounted to $2,336.84. Profits are used by the association to enhance interpretation in the area. This year, Coastal Parks Association sponsored the Bay Ad- venture Seminar -series. These seminars, coordinated by • Young Adult Conservation Corps enrollee Melinda Mark's, were field courses taught by recognized professionals. Partici- pants were charged a fee, which offset some of the adminis-- trative expenses. It is intended that the seminar series will eventually separate itself from Coastal Parks Association, and;'become self-supporting. A major clean up effort for refuge trails was held on April 27. 100 South Bay residents spent the day removing several decades' worth of litter and garbage from the marshes and salt ponds and piling it on the dikes. WorHers drank soft drinks during the heat of the day and relaxed at a well earned wiener roast that evening. A good time was had by all. Food and drinks were donated by local merchants. 1980 marked the first full year of operation for the refuge's Environmental Education program. The EE Center in Alviso opened in late 1979 and showed a steady rise in visitation throughout 1980. At year's end, a total of 219'groups had visited the EEC, an average.of 12 per month. The majority were scheduled school groups, grades.4-6. A total of 970 teachers & group leaders visited the center in 1980 or some 87 per month. Teachers & group leaders are required to attend a three-hour orientation session at the EEC before they can bring a group for a visit.' In .1980, a total of 4,391 students visited the EEC, an .average of 366 per.month. In addition to these scheduled groups, the center averaged 185 drop-in 16 visitors monthly, including birders, cyclists and photographers as well as those attending weekend Bay Adventure Seminars, the refuge's adult education program.

Visitation at the EEC is encouraging since the center only opened in October of 1979. Also, .the center has an out-of- the-way location in the Alviso district of San Jose, a rural, primarily Mexican-American community. A total of 280 teachers and group leaders attended mandatory orientation sessions in 1980, an average of 14 per session. Leaders must attend an orientation session before they can bring their group to the center. Each orientation lasts three hours. Topics covered include an intorduction to the FWS, the National Wildlife Refuge System and San Francisco Bay NWR; a brief discussion of EE goals and objectives, a "discovery hunt" to familiarize participants with the EEC and grounds; an on-site investigation of various habitats surrounding the EEC and a concluding lesson-planning activity using EEC library materials.

The public's response to the opening of the EEC has been very positive. In its first full-year of operation, the center not only hosted school groups on a daily basis but was utilized by colleges and universities as well as Audubon chapters and other adult groups. The acceptance of the EEC by schools from the bay area was the most satisfying aspect of 1980, however. Daily use by schools with good attendance at orientations proved that there is a "niche" for a special-purpose EE facility. In an area abounding with myriad types of nature centers and environmental education programs, the EEC fills a void by providing a place where teachers are taught to direct children in "hands-on" outdoor activities. Also, since the EEC site ie:."an":aiEeaiv4s!Lbiby!:;a!tefced:iby^^ , a superb site for revealing how social processes impinge upon natural processes.

Superb support of the EEC was received from two local school., systems in particular in 1980. The Oak Grove School District made plans to send every 6th grade class in the district to the EEC during 1980-81. This experience will expose over 1,500 sixth graders to a "hands-on" awareness of environmental re- lationships. The district also produced an outstanding student, activity guide to .accompany such visits. A companion teacher's guide made the Oak Grove project a model for other school systems to follow* Both the student activity guide and teacher's guide were produced with the assistance of refuge EE Specialist Janet Carrier.

Likewise, the Santa Clara Unified School District produced its own activity guide for the EEC with lesson plans for grades K-6. In both .Oak Grove and Santa Clara, concerned teachers and administrators cooperated with EEC personnel in providing model programs for students. As a result, the EEC has become virtually an extension classroom for these two districts. 17

The busiest time of the year for the EE program comes in mid- March with the annual arrival of National Wildlife Week. This year,', s. activities ranged from the interpretive center to the EE center with enough diversity and action for everyone. At the EEC, activities included a week-long open house with wildlife films during the week in addition to regularly scheduled activities by visiting groups. 'A special weekend program brought visitors to the EEC to learn more about wildlife via such activities as bird banding demonstrations, wildlife rescue programs and guest speakers. The first volunteers to help out at the EEC were high school students from the Community Environment Based Alternative School (CEBAS) in Sunnyvale. Three students assisted groups in spring and fall and developed activities including an extensive wildlife-oriented Halloween program for local Alviso school children. In addition to school-related activities in 1980, the EEC earned the interest of the Bay area's adult community. In June, 25 members of the Santa Clara Valley Audubon chapter' held a day-long meeting at the EEC. Also in June, the Army Corps of Engineers held a series of wetlands determination seminars conducted by San Jose State University biology professor Dr. Thomas Harvey.

The Ee program1s adult education component, Bay Adventure Seminars, was responsible for exposing, numerous area residents to the "refuge in their backyard". Seminars are conducted by local experts each weekend at the refuge interpretive center or EEC. Each seminar.includes from 15-24 persons and may be taken for college credit. A nominal fee is charged. In 1980, Bay Adventure Seminars included such offerings as "Sharing Nature With Children" based on the book of the same name by author/educator Joseph Cornell, who taught the course; "New Games" emphasizing environmental awareness through imaginative EE activities; EE techniques by San Jose State professor Dr. Diane Conradsen and courses on bird flight, biological illustration, urban wildlife and much more. Sponsored by the non-profit Coastal Parks Association, Bay Adventure Seminars have proven to be a valuable facet of the refuge's EE program. Other adult groups using the EEC in 1980 included area camera clubs, college and university courses and workshops sponsored by the League of Women Voters and Environmental Volunteers, to name a few. The Sough Bay Institute for Avian Studies also began.bird banding demonstrations at the EEC for school groups in the fall. Summer showed the expected decrease in use of the EEC by school groups but the center was used by a summer school class in ecology of the south bay,.conducted by teachers Dennis Dowling and John Trapani of Montebello Ridge High School. Several day camps, church groups and youth programs also came to the center for EE experiences. 18

While 1980 marked a period of public acceptance in which, the refuge's program began to take shape, it was also beset by numerous problems. The county transit system that provided daily bus service to the EEC for many teachers was discontinued in August. Ahzardous road and parking conditions were cited as reasons for the termination. Teachers.who must take buses to the EEC now must plan to transfer at least once and allow for a mile walk from the nearest bus stop. Only time will tell if this will reduce the number of groups visiting the center. Efforts should be made to restore bus service to the EEC as many teachers comments reflect their desire to use public transit. But while bus" service is merely an inconvenience, a potentially dangerous problem confronted the EE program in 1980, namely, the danger of escaping toxic chlorine ga,s from the San Jose- Santa Clara sewage treatment plant adjacent to. the center.. The threat occurs an average of twice a month when railroad tank cars of liquid chlorine are hooked up to the treatment . facility. A faulty connection or other failure would allow the dispersal of the liquid-turned-gas as a toxic clo.ud over the surrounding area, including the EEC. For most of the year, standard operating.procedure was to evacuate everyone from the center whenever a chlorine hook-up was imminent. These weekly evacuations disrupted EE programs and troubled students, teachers and staff alike. In the latter part of 1980, the evacuations ceased. 'While the potentially deadly situation still exists,, sewage plant personnel now try to schedule hook-ups for hours when the center is not in use. In addition to the associated problems of chlorine, the sewage plant has caused more immediate envieonmental degradation -aasound:--the EEC. -In 19-80, as in 1979, the plant malfunctioned, resulting in several million gallons; of partially-treated sewage entering the south bay adjacent to the EEC. While the spill didn't result in any visible environmental damage, only time will tell what long-term effects -may be. Needless to say, the adverse publicity doesn't help the area's image any. The malfunction of the south bay's sewage treatment plant is only a symptom of the disease which affects the entire area, namely, too many people and industries making demands on"a limited resource—San Francisco Bay, The sewage treatment plant was not the only problem facing the refuge EE program this year. In September, EE Specialist Chris Tougas left the refuge to attend graduate school at the University of California at Berkeley. . Chris was largely responsible for planning and implementing the EE program and much of its success can be attributed to her. Chris will have the opportunity to put some of her new ideas to work as she'll remain on intermittent status with FWS and assist in planning EE programs for some of the satellite units. 19

Chris' departure caused a personnel shortage the last quarter of 1980. The EEC wal closed for three weeks when EE Specialist Janet Carrier was on furlough. In the fall, group visitation was slightly restricted duetto reduction of staff. One group per day was scheduled Tuesday thru Thursday with no groups scheduled on days when orientations were held. YACC enrollee Linda Romero began working at the EEC on Monday, Wednesday and Friday afternoons which helped the situation. Beyond immediate crises of personnel shortages and sewage plant malfunctions, another problem for the refuge EE program surfaced in 1980 when the Santa Clara Unified_ School District revealed it had closed 14 of the district's 34 schools since 1975 due to a 40% decrease in enrollments. After much re- organization, .35% of the teachers lost their jobs. And this is one of the fastest igrowing areas of the countryl De- clining enrollments combined with the recent "back to basics" fervor sweeping America's schools could spell extinction for already endangered environmental education programs. In an age of educational systems bent on austerity, fundamentals and no-frills, EE cannot afford to be viewed as something extra; it must be seen by parents, teachers and students alike as not' the ...frosting, .but rather the cake. To further the bay area's awareness of the role of environmental education in 1980, the refuge joined with other organizations in various EE associations to take a more aggressive stand. The refuge is now an active member of the Mid-Peninsula Environmental Education Association (MEAA), the Regional" Environmental Learning Systems (RELS), the EE Forum and the Western Interpreter:':^ Association (WIA) 7 The EEC had the honor of hosting the Regional Directorate in 1980 which, by R. Kahler Martinson, held a three-day meeting at the EEC. -One. afternoon of the. meeting was devoted to an orientation to the EEC and a presentation.and feedback program. Undoubtedly, though, the-most prestigious visitor the EEC hosted in 1980 was Presidential candidate John Anderson, who held a press conference and meeting with San Jose Vice-Mayor Jerry Estruth in regards to the environmental impacts of sewage effluent on the south bay. The highly publicized event focused the public's attention, if only briefly, on the fragile nature of the bay environment. 20

2. Off-Refuge A mailing list was created which included interested individuals, families and organizations which had re- quested an activity schedule. Newsletters, describing coming attractions and other important information, were mailed every three months. These written schedules were the chief. means of advertising our activities. A sign-up sheet was kept in. a prominent spot on the visitor reception station counter.

EE Specialist Janet Carrier attended the two-day Associ- ation of Environmental and Outdoor Education Conference in January. EE Specialist Chris Tougas attended the joint Western Interpreter's Association/California Park Rangers Association Conference in Santa Cruz, March 5-9. On March 7> Janet Carrier presented a program to the Council of Math Science Educators of San Mateo County. In April, Janet presented a similar workshop for the Elementary School Science Association meeting at San Jose's Cabrillo College. Also in March, EE staff participated in the annual Bay Area Environmental: Education Resources or "BAEER Pair" at the Santa Clara County Fairgrounds. Janet Carrier presented a workshop on "Green Box" EE activities while Chris Tougas conducted a session on careers with FWS. B. Recreation 1. Wildlife Oriented 15,790 visitors walked refuge trails for the purposes of bird watching, photography and excercise. Local residents occasionally rode bicycles. Peak usage months were May and June. Trail use data were gathered with reflected light beam trail counters set up at strategic places. 2. Non-Wildlife Oriented

Several picnic tables ;served visitors who brought lunches to the refuge. Primarily,. these were organized school groups who opted for the tables rather than eat their sack lunches on the bus. 21

C.". Enforcement Our Public Safety Unit has been established to provide basic public safety services to the staff and visiting public using the Refuge Complex. Obviously it is better to prevent violations than to apprehend violators after the resource has been depleted or the damage done. Crime prevention or "preventive enforcement" is a term of ten discussed in this respect. Crime deterrence can be thought of as a short-range goal, •// whereas crime prevention results in the long-term goal. The Public Safety Officers are responsible for approximately 35,000 acres (6\refuges) located in 9 Bay Area Counties and super,imposed over the city limits of seven cities. SFBNWR areas are patrolled selectively, depending on previous incidents that have occurred and the number of visitors using the area. All other refuge units are patrolled primarily on a. reactive basis; re: when called by other agencies or citizens. With only two Public Safety Officers on the staff, we are obviously meeting the short-term goal of crime deterrence rather than the more desirable long-term goal of crime prevention. Public Safety activities for the 6 refuges, making up the refuge complex, have been tabulated on Tables 6, 7, 8, & 9. Tables 6 and 7 list violations and disposition of federal and state fish and wildlife Codes,, while tables 8 and 9 list the number and types of incidents we 'were involved in. An incident is an event which occurs on Service lands or is personally encountered by Service enforcement personnel during the course of official duty. A total of 43 Refuge Permits were issued for controlled activities on the six units of the Complex. This reflects a decrease in permit activities from 1979 when 54 permits were issued. Permits are issued for gathering biological data to assist in management activities, photography, sail boat races, dog trails, bait fishing and for filming various T.V. productions and news reports. TABLE 6 1980 FEDERAL VIOLATIONS 16DSC; 50CFR

*I^PT; & Number Result/Guilty Fines Probation Suspended ismisse • Trespass Person ...26 . 21(a)

87 80 $3,620.00 ; 379 days $210/284 hours 7 Possession of a Firearm 27.41

11 11 $600.00 0 $10/0 . 0 Possession " Over Limit (Waterfowl) 20.35 2 2 $350.00 0 0 0 No Valid Duck Stamp in Poss- ess ion 16USC,718 (a)

3 $150.00 0 0 0 Disturbing ^^V 3 Violation with a Vehicle 27. 31

4 3 $110.00 0 0 1 Destruction. or Removal of Property 27. 61 0 0 0 1 0 i 1 1 1 1

i Total - 108 . 99 $4,830.00 379 days $220/284 hour 9 ii I; TABLE 7; j 1980 STATE. FISH S GAME. VIOLATIONS

.TITLE 14; F&GJ (CODE . .1 . : '• as • & Number Re suit /Guilty;, Fines Probation Suspended Di.s m i s s e d

Hunter Tres- pass 2016 FSG

7 $590.00 0 0 1

No Valid Hunt- _.,,- ing License T-700

6 $240. 00 0 0 0 No Valid Fishing L i.c,en s; T-700

1 $25. 00 0 0 0 . No State Duck Stamp 3700 FSG

1 $50.00 4j^ o o i 0 Possessio^^^V n of Game not in Season T-14 1 $30.00 365 days 0 0 Littering on a Public Road 374b PC

1 $50.00 0 . 0 0 Trespass 602 PC

21 $55.00 365 days 0 5

38 , $1,040.00 '." 730 " days ^^^p t a 1 s 0 6 TABLE 8 1980 INCIDENT REPORTS FISH..& WILDLIFE SERVICE INV-5

TYPE NUMBER

Unsecured Installation 54

Assist Other Agency .28

Assist Citizen 13"

Accident -.Traffic 8

Accident - Other 3

Person Injured/111 4

Hazardous Area 6

Fire Property 3

Animal Trespass 4

Property - Lost/Found 5

TOTAL- 128

TABLE 9 1980 INCIDENT REPORTS UNIFORM CRIME INCIDENTS

TYPE ::".;N.UMEER

Vandalism (S.F. Bay, Antioch 17 $4,710.00 Dunes Refuges)

Weapons (S.F. Bay, Antioch Dunes Refuges)

Stolen Property (S.F. & Antioch.) 4 - ; 3 ,175 . 00

Suspicion . 3 150. 00

Disorderly Conduct 1

Simple As suit 1

Larceny 1

Burglary 1

TOTALS- 133 $8,035.00 22

VI. OTHER,ITEMS

A. Field Investigations

1. A year long bird census was completed in September, 1980 on bird use on "headquarters hill". This data was gathered by the refuge biologist for comparison with data to be collected after construction of the wind generator proposed for headquarters hill. A--total of 39 species and 1159 individual birds were recorded during the census period. Unfortunately, the refuge learned at the end of the year that the State Energy Commission had withdrawn its tech- nical and monetary support for the 25 KW wind turbine energy system..

2. John Howard, a Master's student at San Jose State Univer- sity, ..continued gathering information on his study of food habits and behavior of ruddy ducks using the salt ponds on the refuge. Some preliminary results indicate that ruddy ducks are feeding on vegetation in the lower salinity ponds and utilizing brine shrimp and water boat- men in the higher salinity ponds. Completion of his Master's thesis is expected next year.

3. Dr. Wayne Sousa of the University of California, Berkeley, working under a National Science Foundation grant continued his study of mud snails in Ideal Cement Marsh. Dr. Sousa is continuing a study initiated by Dr. Margaret Race, concerning interaction competition between native and introduced mud snails.

4. Mr. Bruce M. Pavlik of the University of California, Davis, conducted a plant survey on four of the refuges within the complex. Mr. Pavlik's intent is to search for possible threatened or endangered plant species on the refuges. Field work was completed in 1980 and a report of his find- ings should be received soon.

5. Mr. Neal Havlik was granted permission to conduct a floral survey in the. Mowry Unit of the refuge. Limited plant collecting was done within the field identification of species. Mr. Havlik is working on a book of the flora of the East San Francisco Bay Area. Results of his work on the refuge will be provided in 1981.

6. Ms. Mildred Comar was granted permission to record voc- alizations of shorebirds as part of a project being con^ ducted by the Cornell University Laboratory of Ornithology and Sanderling.Holdings Limited of Alberta, Canada. Re- cordings of North American shorebirds are being assembled with the intent to publish them in record and cassette form. A copy of the record and cassette will be donated to the refuge. - 23

7. San Jose State University applied for and received a National Science Foundation grant for Student Originated Studies. The 26,000 dollar.grant was awarded to conduct an ecological study of a salt marsh in South San Francisco Bay. The marsh is located in the Alviso Unit of the refuge and is within the area where the 2.7 billion gallon sewage spill occurred in 1979. Eight interrelated subjects were investigated; geology, water chemistry, microbiology, invertebrates, vegetation, entomology, vertebrates and sociology. The field work was conducted during the summer of 1980 and a final report should be published in early 1981, B. Cooperative Programs

The YACC program, alive, but not well, was a welcome addition again this year.

During the year'the enrollees were involved with boundary posting, landscaping and grounds maintenance, installation of pipe gates (replaced old Leslie Salt Co. wooden gates), tract maintenance and litter pick-up, and assisting"the California Conservation Corps in a clean-up at our Central Alviso site. Enrollees also assisted the biologist with botulism transects. One enrollee was hired as our reception- ist clerk. The refuge benefited from a Cooperative program with the California Conservation Corps .camp located in Alviso. The CCC enrollees spent the better part of two months cleaning up the Central Alviso site and an additional month working on landscaping and grounds maintenance at the Environmental Education Center. In return, the EEC staff provided the environmental education programs required by the Corps. C. Items of Interest Refuge revenue sharing checks totaling $59,683.00 were distributed to the counties in which the refuge is located as follows: Alameda County - $42,921.00; Santa Clara County - $11,362.00; and San Mateo.-County - $5,400.00. The entire refuge staff participated in.the collection and preparation of the rough draft of this report. The following individuals prepared the final sections: Crabb - Sections I, II A, V..C, and VI B & C; Ady - Section II B & C; Lowe - Sections III, IV, VI A; Boylan and: .Steineri'- Section V A & B; Ferrier - Section VI D. . 24

-D. Safety Safety Meetings were held monthly when staff was available, which was approximately every two months. There was one lost time accident involving a day and a half lost. We had four personal injuries at the Environmental Education Center where first aid was administered to the visitors. We had two minor non-injury auto accidents, at the Environmental Education Center. There were no known accidents at San Pablo Bay .NWR or Antioch Dunes NWR. The Safety Committee Staff consists of one person from each of the following Departments: 1. Public Safety 2. Inter- pretation and Recreation 3. Environmental Education 4. Wildlife Management and 5. Maintenance.

Farallon National Wildlife Refuge

•-.-"-.., U'«»«KitU^i^:iI.-,l,r.^3K>*»;. --,

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Page I. ' 'GENERAL

A. Introduction . , 25 B . Climatic and Habitat Conditions , . . 25 C. Land Acquisition. 25 D. System Status 25

II. 'CONSTRUCTION 'AND' MAINTENANCE

A. Construction , 26 B. Maintenance. , , •, 26 C. Wildfire 26

III. HABITAT MANAGEMENT

A. Croplands 26 B. Grasslands 26 C. Wetlands • ,26 D . Forestlands 27 E. Other Habitat 27 F . Wilderness and Special Areas 27 G. Easements for Waterfowl Management 27

IV. WILDLIFE 97 A. Endangered Species. ..-...- • '""'"op B . Migratory Birds ^° . C. Mammals and Non-Migratory Birds and Others. . . . .30 .

V. INTERPRETATION AND' 'RECREATION

A. Information and Interpretation...... 31 . B . Recreation .,...,.,....,....,,...... ,...31 C. Enforcement. .,,...,.,,,...... ,,„....,,. .3]_

VI. OTHER ITEMS

A. Field Investigations 32 B. Cooperative Programs..,...,...,.,....».. 33 • C. Items of Interest ..,.,,,..>,,„,...,.,,. .33 D. Safety., .33 113*10'

Noonday Rock

r A N N Y SHO A L

North Farallons

0 I/Z

*M!ddle Farallon

Maintop Farallon National Wildlife Refuge lilorid California Southeast Farallon

CTOBEd fivuto MANCM isro

( PHELIMINAft Y - SUBJECT TO CHANOt)

'V1 25

FARALLONS NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE

I. GENERAL

A. Introduction

The Farallon National Wildlife Refuge consists of a group of rocky islets totalling 211 acres, and is, located 30 miles west of San Francisco. The islets extend for about 8 miles in a northwesterly direction, and are roadless, essentially inaccessible, and with.one exception, undeveloped. A U. S. Coast .Guard light- house installation exists on the largest island, Southeast Farallon. The southern Farallons include several rocks which total about ": 120 acres. The main island, Southeast Farallon, reaches a height of 340 feet above sea level and is approximately 70 acres. Two miles northwest is Middle Farallon, a single rock 50 yards in diameter and 20 feet high. The North Farallons are 4 miles north and consist of two clusters of islets and rocks, extending over 1 mile. They reach a height of 155 feet above sea level. Noon- day Rock is the westernmost island, located about 3 miles northwest of the North Farallons.

The Refuge was established by Executive Order in 1909, but excluded Southeast Farallon Island. This island was subsequently added by secondary withdrawal through a Public Land Order in 1969.

B. Climate and Habitat Conditions

The Farallon Islands lie along the outer edge of continental shelf, between 13 and 19 nautical miles (24 and 35 km) southwest of Point Reyes. The islands are located on a part of a larger shore sub- marine ridge and extend for a distance of - approximately 16 nautical miles (30 km) along the shelf break. The islands provide a secluded shoreline habitat that is essential for seabirds and marine mammals. Intense winter storms and dense summer fogs characterize the area. The winter storm season usually stretches from December to early March. During winter storms, winds peaking at velocities of 40 to 50 knots generally shift from the south or east during approach to a prevailing northwesterly direction after passage. C. Land Acquisition Not applicable D. System Status

1. Objectives The Farallon National Wildlife Refuge was officially included in the San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge Complex on September 1, 1973. 26

The main Refuge:- objectives are to provide nesting habitat for eleven species of seabirds, fall and winter habitat for brown pelicans and peregrine falcons, resting area for migrating land birds, and to provide haul-out and pupping areas for three marine mammals.

Because the Refuge is part of the San Francisco Bay Complex, the area is treated as part of the whole Complex for annual work planning and program scheduling purposes.

2. Funding

Refuge funding is treated as part of the entire Complex. See San Francisco Bay section for funding of the Complex.

II. CONSTRUCTION AND MAINTENANCE

A. Construction

Nothing to report B. Maintenance In late summer a leaky roof on the drinking water cistern was replaced. The refuge provided materials and the labor was sup- plied by a Point Reyes Bird Observatory volunteer.

A" Lister generator rebuilt by the U. S. Coast Guard was delivered to the island in March. Lack of parts held up the installation until mid-December. Facilities maintenance is a joint effort between the refuge and U. S. Coast Guard.

C. Wildfire Not applicable

III. HABITAT MANAGEMENT

A. Cropland Not applicable B. Grasslands Not applicable C. Wetlands Not applicable 27

D. Forestlands

Woodland habitat on the Refuge amounts to three trees on South- east Farallon Island. Two Monterey cypress trees approximately 30 feet tall, are located in the lee of the Coast Guard residence. The third tree, a: Monterey pine, is growing prostrate along the. ground near east landing. The three trees on the island serve as magnets to vagrant land birds and thus facilitate censusing and trapping of thise birds. The cypress trees at the Coast Guard house have been showing increased wear and stress the last few years. Due to the extremely harsh weather on the island,-..the trees could theoretically succumb at any time, therefore, to prevent the total disappearance of trees from the Refuge, Point Reyes Bird Observatory biologists planted three additional cypress trees in the lee of the Coast Guard house. Hopefully, they will be able to survive transplanting to this site. E. Other Habitat

Nothing significant to report

F. Wilderness and Special Areas

Nothing significant to report

G. Easements for Waterfowl Management

Not applicable

IV. WILDLIFE

A. Endangered Species

1. Peregrine Falcon

Peregrine Falcon sightings have remained relatively constant over the last three years as shown below. The exception is the total use days which is considerably higher in 1980. Some of the increase in 1980 may be due to more observation and recording of this species by PRBO biologists. Results for 1981 should prove more useful for comparison with 1980.

PEAK NO.

MONTH 1978 1979 1980

January 3 2 3 February 2 3 3 March. 3 2 2 April 0 0 0 May : l 0 0 28

MONTH 1978 1979 1980 June 0 0 0 July 0 0 0 August 0 0 0 September . 1 1 1 October 2 2 3 November 3 3 3 December 3 3 3 TOTAL USE-DAYS 344 365 456

2. Brown Pelican

Peak numbers of brown pelicans were down slightly in 1980 however,, total use days increased sharply, surpassing the '. 1979 figure by 21,033 use days, (see below) Again this year, West End appeared to be the main roost site for these birds. PEAK NO. - . . •

MONTH 1979 1980

January 0 0 February 0 0 March 0 1 April 0 1 May 6 . 19 June 13 329 July 862 180 August 861 500 September 2105 1400 October 1672 2000. November 300 950 December 40 93 TOTAL USE-DAYS .72,981 94,014

B. Migratory Birds 1. Waterfowl Nothing significant to report 29

2. Marsh and Water Birds Comments In number 3 below apply to cormorants and petrels of this bird group. During mid-May large numbers of sooty shearwaters were observed migrating past the Refuge. Most of the shearwaters were observed just flying by, but some were observed participating in feeding flocks with western gulls. During peak counts over 2000/5 minutes were recorded. By the end of May, shearwaters had mostly disappeared from the area. 3. Shorebirds, Gulls, Terns and Allied Species The 1980 breeding season started late, apparently because the production cycle in the surrounding ocean was delayed. This was well documented by PRBO biologists by recording daily ocean temperatures at SE Farallon Island, which were 1 ,to 2°C above average throughout much of the late winter and spring. Also of major importance to the breeding marine birds of the islands,Lis -'the.:, fact that few birds feed within sight of the islands, in marked contrast to 1979, an excellent breeding season when large feeding flocks occurred daily within 1 to 2 km of the islands. This biological fact was borne out by the two species with the poorest breeding success in 1980, the pelagic cormorant and pigeon guillemot, both inshore feeders which normally rely on food sources close to the island. Due to the two major factors mentioned above, breeding population sizes were small when compared with 1979. From a management point-of-view, the Farallon bird populations continue to do well. The 1980 season was not the best breeding year on record, nor was it the.worst. It showed very well, however, how extremely sensitive island birds are to annual fluctuations in ocean conditions and how they cope with those fluctuations. 4. Raptors American kestrels, burrowing owls and peregrine falcons overwintered on the islands as usual. Two other species, prarie falcon and rough-legged hawk make brief appearances on SE Farallon during migration. 5. Other Migratory Birds As usual, waves of landbirds appeared on SE Farallon Island during spring, summer and fall - including many eastern vag- rants. Most notable was a dusky warbler (Phylloscopus fuscatus) which is an Asiatic old world warbler. This bird was mist netted and died during handling for identification. This is the first record for this species in North America, except for possibly one or two sightings in Alaska. The first sighting of a parrot on the refuge (a nanday conure) occurred this year. This bird was undoubtedly, an escaped exotic. -I.". _ 30

Two other birds new to the refuge were also observed this year; a Bewick's wren (eastern subspecies) and a yellow- green vireo. Other rare migrants worth mentioning include: golden-winged, .chestnut-sided, mourning, bay-breasted, Tennessee, magnolia, yellow-throated biackpoll and palm' warblers, overbird, red-eyed vireo, scarlet tanager, bobo- link, Bendire's thrasher, rose-breasted grosbeak, and indigo bunting.

C. Mammals and Non-Migratory Birds and Others

Information on the average minimum and maximum monthly population numbers and breeding success for the resident marine mammal species for the past four years is shown in table 1 and 2. Minimum and maximum numbers of California sea lions and northern elephant seals established new highsrin 1980. Maximum numbers of harbor seals more than doubled the average for 1978 and 1979.

A total of 210 northern elephant seal pups were born on the refuge this' year establishing a new high. Survivorship of pups was down this year from a two year average of 73% to 62%. Steller seal lions continue to be of great concern. While maximum numbers and numbers of pups born was the highest since 1977, survivorship of the young was down to a miserable 3.8.5%. Of the 26 pups born, 14 were premature miscarriages, 1 was born dead and 1 died shortly after birth. It is hypothesized that the miscarriages may be due to high levels of DDT compounds in these animals. One of the fetuses was collected and sent to Mary F. Platter-Rieger of the Naval Undersea Research Center in San Diego". Histological studies could not be conducted on the fetus because it had been frozen and had been dead more than four hours when collected.. The fetus has been transferred to the Bodega Bay Institute where Dr. Robert Risebrough will conduct tests for heavy metals and o'rganochlorine residues.

For the fifth time in six years a California sea lion pup was born on the refuge. Northern fur seals were present on SE : -.:: Farallon.during March, July, August, September and October with a maximum one day high of three. One individual fur seal was recognized as having been on the island in past years.

Whales continue to be common in the waters surrounding the refuge. Gray whales were sighted during the months of February, March, May, June, August, November and December. During the first 18 days of March, the mean number of gray whales observed per day was 10 with a peak one day count of 42 observed on 9 March. Most of these whales were migrating north. In June two grays' were recognized as having been around the islands earlier in the year while one of these was also recognized as having been sighted in previous years. Humpback whales"(an endangered species) put on an impressive showing this year being sighted in March, May, June, July, September, October and November. Of the peak count of 5 recorded in June, one female individual ("Notch") was recognized as having been observed in previous years. Notch was first observed near the islands on October 8, 1974. 31

In May a female humpback with a possible calf was observed. Confirmation of such a sighting would be valuable information to obtain since humpbacks are not known to calve in this area. A pod of 10 orcas (killer whales) was observed passing SE Farallon Island in February and a pod of 12 Ball Porpoise was observed passing through the same area in June.

During fall migration, .hoary bats occassionally visit SE Farallon Island. The 1980 fall migration saw the largest invasion ever of these bats when 66 were recorded. The only -: other years coming close to this were 1973 (40 bats) and 1979 (38 bats) . .

In the category, other wildlife we must mention is the great white shark. Biologists with Point.Reyes Bird Observatory and other biologists along the California coast crenerally agree that the great white shark population has been increasing along coastline probably as a result of the increasing marine mammal populations, a primary food source of this shark. Many shark attacks on seals and sea lions around the Farallon Islands were observed this year by P.R.B.O. personnel. The commonplace occurance of great whites around the Farallons has put a severe crimp on sport diving around the island. Commercial abalone diving has decreased around the islands and those remaining post aimed lookouts or dive in shark cages. Biologists with P.R.B.O. had an interesting encounter on 18 October, when a large great white shark surfaced next to their 10 foot Boston Whaler during boat landing operations at east landing.

V. INTERPRETATION AND RECREATION

A. Information and Interpretation

1. On-Refuge Nothing to report

2. Off-Refuge Nothing to report B. Recreation 1. Wildlife Oriented Natural barriers and rough seas make public use of the Farallons prohibitive. 2. Non-Wildlife Oriented Nothing to report TABLE 1. POPULATION NUMBERS

1977 1978 1979 1980 MINIMUM California Sea Lion 141 (July) 310 (April) 278 (June) 482 (Jan, )

Stellar Sea Lion ' 39 (Jan.) 58 (Oct. ) 27 (Sept.) 38 (Sept.)

Harbor Seal 2 (Oct.) 8 (Jan.) 4 (Sept) 10 XJan.)

!; Elephant Seal 26 (Aug.) 28 (July) 46 (July) 54 (July)

MAXIMUM

California Sea Lion 1000 (Apr.) 1649 (Oct.) 1338 (Mar.) 2573 (Nov.)

Stellar Sea Lion 200 (June) 142 (June): 147 (June ) 155 (Sept.)

Harbor Seal 200 (June) 31 (July) 24 (July) 46 (Nov.)

No. Elephant Seal 480 (Apr.) 640 (May) 638 (Apr.) 734 (Apr.) TABLE 2. ANNUAL PRODUCTION FIGURES

NUMBER OF. .PUPS BORN

1977, 1978 1979 1980

California Sea Lion 1-2

Stellar Sea Lion :'•:/2.7 18 15 26

Harbor Seal

No. Elephant Seal 133 184 210

NUMBER OF SURVIVING PUPS

1977 1978 1979 1980

California Sea Lion

Stellar Sea Lion 16 10

/BJarbor Seal

No. Elephant Seal 84 98 134 130 32

In May a female humpback with a possible calf was observed. Con- firmation of such a sighting would be valuable information*to obtain since humpbacks are not known to calve in this area. A pod of 10 orcas (killer whales) was observed passing SE Farallon Island in February and a pod of 12 Ball Porpoise was observed passing through the same area in June.

During fall migration hoary bats occassionally visit SE Farallon Island. The 1980 fall migration saw the largest invasion ever of these bats when 66 were recorded. The only other years coming close to this were 1973 (40 bats) and 1979 (38 bats). In the category,, other wildlife we must mention is the great white shark. Biologists with Point Reyes Bird Observatory and other biologists along the California coast generally agree that the great white shark population has been increasing along the coastline probably as a result of the increasing marine mammal populations, a primary food source of this shark. Many shark attacks on seals and sea lions around the Farallon Islands were observed this year by P.R.B.O. personnel. The commonplace occurance of great whites around the:Farallons has put a severe crimp on sport diving around the island. Commercial abalone diving has decreased around the islands and those remaining post aimed lookouts_or'dive in shark cages. .Biologists with P.R.B.O. had and interesting encounter on 18 October, when a large great white shark surfaced next to their 10 foot Boston Whaler during boat landing operations at east landing.

VI. OTHER ITEMS

A. Field Investigations 1. Continuing Studies

For field studies begun in 1979 continued in 1980.

Doug Nelson continued his study of alcid communications into 1980. In addition to the studies continued from last year he also attempted some tape-playback experiments as well as presentations of tufted puffin and common murre models to /. study:.alarm" calis in" guillemots . Matthais V. Radecki of West Germany continued work on his doctoral thesis dealing with the comparative flight biology of North Pacific alcids. His thesis should be completed in the near future. Michael Vasey, a MS student at San Francisco State Univer- sity continued his study of the "Origin, Ecology, and Dist- ribution of Farallon Weed (Lasthenia minor Orn.. subsp. maritima Orn.). This is the only "bird guano-loving" native plant in western North America. 33

Larry Spear continued his MS thesis work with western gulls. His work involves studying western gull dispersal pattern using color marked "Farallon" gulls. He is also continuing study of known-age breeding success in the gulls. 2. New Studies

Tom Schwann began a doctoral thesis study of nest para-;_. . sites of marine birds breeding on the Refuge. With the help of P.R.B.O.,. biologist Schwann will collect up to 100 bird nests for evaluation of presence and abundance of ectoparasites. Dr. D. Michael Fry of the University of California/ Davis, began a study of the effects of organochlorine pollutants on the development of western gull embryos. This study involved the collection of 100 gull eggs for incubation at U.C. Davis. He is attempting to determine the sensi- tivity of western gulls to the effects of DDT and related compounds which have been contaminants of eggs during the past three decades. Farallon biologists collected samples of enteric bacteria from several marine birds for Dr. Stanley Scher of Sonoma State University for study and analysis. Frans Lanting spent a week on SE Farallon gathering information and taking pictures for a proposed book of the : islands of California. 3. Results/Documentation of Previous Studies Harriet Hill provided a short summary of a study she completed on Colony Differences and Hatching Asynchrony.in Western Gulls Breeding on the Farallon Islands. Doug Nelson and Mathias V. Radecki provide status reports on their research as described in number 1 above. B. Co-operative Programs Nothing to report C. Items of Interest Roy Lowe prepared sections III, IV, and VI. The other sections were prepared by Ben Crabb. Typing was by Vina Tchokreff. D. Safety Safety is covered in the San Francisco Bay NWR narrative.

San Pablo Bay National Wildlife Refuge

•TJT ">•"•• —n—trr~r.ii

TABLE OP CONTENTS

Page I. ' 'GENERAL

A. Tntroduction, ...... 34 B. Climatic and Habitat Conditions 34 C. Land Acquisition. , . 34 D. System Status 35

II. 'CONSTRUCT I ON 'AND MAINTENANCE

A. Construction 35 B. Maintenance. , ,....„..„.....•» 35 C. Wildfire> 35

III. HABITAT MANAGEMENT

A. Croplands , 35 B. Grasslands 35 C. Wetlands ,36 D. Forestlands '36 E . Other Habitat 35 F . Wilderness and Special Areas 35 G. Easements for Waterfowl Management. ....35

IV. WILDLIFE

A. Endangered Species .36 B. Migratory Birds 38 C. Mammals and Non-Migratory Birds and Others. .33 ,

V. INTERPRETATION 'AND 'RECREATION

A. Information and Interpretation.•. ....,...,. .39 , B. Recreation.. , . , . ...•,.-..,,....,...... 39 C. Enforcement,...... ,...... t ...... 39

VI. OTHER ITEMS

A. Field Investigations .39 B. Cooperative Programs...... 39 • C. Items of Interest-. ...,...,...,, f ..>....,,...T ...... 39 D. Safety...... ,...,..,.,.,.,.,„..,.».,,,...,...... 4 Q SAN PABLO BAY NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE UNITED STATES SOLANO AND SONOMA COURTIES, CALIFORNIA UNITED STATES OEPARTtrtENT OF THE INTERIOR FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE iaa«as R 5 W R 4 W

LOCATION MAP 0 10 20 30 f, N.lll^g LE IN MILES

COMPiJ-tD IN TMl CIVI6.OK Of RtM.rv fflOK iuRvtVt BV Ufcet, IS(.M. 34

San Pablo Bay National Wildlife Refuge

I. GENERAL

A. Introduction

The Refuge was approved for acquisition in 1970 and included in the San Francisco Bay Complex on September 1, 1973. To date, 185 acres ahs been purchased, and 250 acres deeded to the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service as a. conditional gift from the Nature Conservancy (Lower Tubbs Island). A 66 year lease for 11,200 acres of California State lands was signed ad a dedication held on October 15, 1980. (See Section 1C) B. Climatic and Habitat Condition

Most of the Refuge is tedal marsh and mudflat. Habitat within the dikes on Lower Tubbs Island be managed when the outer dike and water structure rehabilitation is completed (See Section IIA). Deeper Channels along the outer dike held water through summer. Heavy rain continued through the winter, providing varied habitat for small birds and mammals, plus pheasants, rabbits, foxes and raptors. Weather conditions were similar to those described in;this section of the San Francisco Bay report.

C. Land Acquisition

1. Fee Title

Realty continued negotiations with the owners of the Sonoma Ranch concerning about 1,700 acres of diked agricultural land adjacent to Lower Tubbs Island. Lack of migratory bird acquisition funds has precluded the pur-, chase. The owner's have a contract with the City of Vallejo for deposition of limed sewage sludge on. the fields. Vallejo is also negotiating to purchase the ranch. Production of oat hay and oats would probably continue'-, under city ownership.

2. Easements Nothing to Report

3. Other After many years of negotiations, the wording of a lease for state owned lands within the Refuge was agreed to. The State Lands Commission and the Fish and Wildlife Service signed the 66 year lease in September. This has paved the way for similar leases pending for San Francisco Bay and Humboldt Bay Refuges. 35

D. System Status

1. Objectives

Only minor public use outputs were reported this year. Out-puts will increase substantially now that the state land is under lease and Lower Tubbs Island habitat is being rehabilitated.

E. Funding ' •

O&M funding for the Refuge has been via the San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge Complex's budget. B.L.H.P. funds available .in FY80 to rehabilitate the outer dike, water control structures and access road-have been obligated and construction is progressing.

II. CONSTRUCTION AND MAINTENANCE

A. Construction - ,

The dike, water control structure and road rehabilitation contract was awarded to Elting Inc. of Clackamas, Oregon on 10-10-80, for $394,560.00. As of December 31, 1980, all work except installation of the water control, has been completed. There has been a delay in delivery of combination' flap-lift gates so installation is not expected until March. The use of side dump trucks to deliver the rip-rap was a significant factor in the quality and low cost of the job. Very little reshaping of the rip-rap was needed.

B. Maintenance

Nothing significant to report III. HABITAT MANAGEMENT

A. Croplands . Eithty five acres.of land-in oat hay production were included in the state lease. This will be put in sharecropping, with the refuge share to be left standing until long range plans are implemented. •••-,-..

B. Grasslands Not applicable 36

C. Wetlands

Five 48 inch x 40 feet fipes with flap-lift gates on each end will be installed this spring. This will give much more management versatility and control than simply breaking the outer dike or installing screw lift gates to restore tidal action. It is expected that inflow will exceed outflow. The outboard gates can be adjusted accordingly. Periodically, some inboard gates may be closed to build a head and force circulation to desilt a channel. : Changes in vegetation, wildlife diversity and mosquito larvae production can be managed to some degree.by manipulating the gates. A water/ habitat management plan will be developed as experiences with the system is gained and: some studies are made. D. Forest Lands - Not Applicable E. Other Habitats - Not Applicabe F. Wilderness and Special Areas - Not Applicable G. Easements for Waterfowl Management - Not Applicable

IV. WILBLI-FB.

A. Endangered Species The California clapper rail.and the salt marsh harvest mouse, are resident species of the refuge. Under contract to San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge Complex, Dr. Howard Shellhammer and Lee Simons conducted a trapping survey of the salt marsh harvest mouse throughout the "San Francisco Bay estuarine system. On San Pablo Bay NWR, trapping efforts centered around the Tubbs' Isla.nd/Tolay Creek Unit of the refuge. Of the five areas trapped, four produced salt marsh harvest mice (see enclosures and maps). A total of 12 harvest mice were captured in 395 trap nights. Only lower Tubbs Island produced negative capture results for harvest mice. All three trap sites on Tubbs Island Accessory produced harvest mouse captures.' Of the. three sites, two fall within the area of marsh restoration. Construction of water level control structures will be completed in 1981. At that time, the refuge will begin water level management in this salt marsh. Further investigation of harvest mouse occurrence and management practices needed for. local recovery of this species is needed and willbe conducted in 1981 and 1982. 37

California clapper rails are known to occur in the Tubbs Island area of San Pablo Bay NWR, however, no surveys have been conducted since the mid-1970's. Clapper rail surveys were not conducted on the refuge in 1980, but are proposed for the winter high tides of 1981. Both the California clapper rail and the salt marsh harvest mouse are expected to occur in the salt marsh on the recently acquired Hamilton Air Force Base Unit of the Refuge. During 1981 and 1982, rail and mouse surveys will be conducted on this refuge land and management proposals will be developed. 38

B. Migratory Birds

1. ... Waterfowl Nothing significant to report 2. Marsh and Water Birds

Nothing significant to report 3. Shorebirds, Gulls, Terns, and Allied Species Large flocks of shorebirds continue to concentrate on San Pablo Bay audflats during migration and winter. As of yet, censuses are not conducted (except during waterfowl counts) on shorebirdsy*. .but will be initiated in the future. ..''..

4. Raptors , .... Raptors are extremely common, and abundant on the refuge, especially near Tubbs .Island. Species commonly seen foraging in the area included Red-tailed Hawk, marsh hawk, Cooper's hawk, American kestrel, short-eared owl, burrowing owl and barn owl. . Peregrine falcon and bald eagles are occassionally seen on the refuge.

5. Other Migratory Birds

Nothing significant to report C. Mammals and Non-Migratory Birds and Others 1. Game. Mammals Mule Deer are seen occassionally on Lower Tubbs Island.

2. Other Mammals Approximately 6-8 harbor seals regularily use Lower Tubbs Island as a haul out area. To date,'..there is no indication of breeding on the refuge. 3. Resident Birds Ring-necked pheasants are extremely common and abundant on Tubbs Island, mostly as a result of continued stocking by an adjacent private pheasant club that operates between October and March. Due to the density and the un- awareness of pheasants on the refuge, they supply a good food source for both avian and terrestrial predators. Unfortunately, the pheasants also attract many feral cats and illegal hunters. 39

V. INTERPRETATION AND RECREATION

A. Information and Interpretation

1. On-Refuge Nothing to report

2. Off-Refuge

Nothing to report

B. Recreation .

1. Wildlife Oriented

A number of groups from local Audubon clubs and other clubs visited, lower..Tubbs Island. Wording in the deed from the Nature Conservancy,; prohibits hunting on our portion of Lower Tubbs Island. Wording in the lease from the State Lands Commission requires that public hunting bill be permitted on state lands unless it is determined after consultation with the State Dept. of Fish and Game that areas will be closed because of public safety, for waterfowl protection, or for administrative purposes. 2. Non-Wildlife. Oriented Nothing to report

C. Enforcement

Weekend patrols were made throughout the waterfowl and pheasant season. There .were no.citations issued by Refuge personnel. .,.•;'••

'VI, OTHER ITEMS

A. Field Investigations "• , ''.:; ': .' :

See. Section IV-A for -discussion of. Salt. Marsh Harvest Mouse survey.

B. Cooperative Programs - - . Nothing to report

C. Items of Interest ... Subsequent to the signing of the State Lands Lease, a dedication was held on October 15. Appropriate public officials, politicians, organizations and news media were invited to join State Land Commission and Fish and Wildlife Service personnel at an overlooking site on Mare Island Naval Reser- vation. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR U.S. FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE . . P, -Ov-Box 5-24 -- - HEUS • - Newark, CA 94560 Refer: Larry Worden k_AAA_A^J (415) 792-0222 V_A-/^AA^A>O

RELEASE : October 10, 1980

DEDICATION SLATED FOR 13;, 2QO-ACRE SAN PABLO BAY NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE

A milesto'nerin ±he creation of the San Pablo Bay National Wildlife Refuge will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m., Wednesday, October 15, 1980, when the California State Lands Commission transfers management of 11,200 acres of Bay tidelands to the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service through a long-term lease. A dedication ceremony, open to invited guests only, will take place at nearbysHare Isiand^Naval-JReservation.

Located along the north shore of San Pablo Bay between the Petaluma River and Mare Island, this 11,200-acre expanse of open water and tidelands is an important winter home of the canvasback duck and many other waterbirds. More than half of the canvasback population of the Pacific Coast — along with great numbers of other ducks, coots, loons, grebes, cormorants and terns — use San Pablo Bay. During winter months some of the largest concentrations of shorebirds in the Bay Area are often seen feeding on the Refuge mudflats.

Few of the approximately 400 National Wildlife Refuges in the United States are estuarine. San Pablo Bay Refuge protects an outstanding example of this diminishing landform -^:_alongiwith-its;_plaiitS7:.fish^:_birds-ahd.-'Qther wildlife — at a tijae when such areas are rapidly being destroyed by dredging, filling and pollution. Facilities for public access and enjoyment of the area will be developed over the next several years by the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

********** 18

Figure 8. Lower Tubbs Island, 100 T. N.

Antioch Dunes National Wildlife Refuge

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Page 1. ' 'GENERAL A. Introduction , 41 B. Climatic and Habitat Conditions ., 41 C. Land Acquisition 42 D. System Status , .42

II. CONSTRUCTION 'AND MAINTENANCE A. Construction 42 B. Maintenance ,....., •. ,..43 C. Wildfire , 43

III. HABITAT 'MANAGEMENT

A. Croplands .• 43 B. Gras s lands 43 C. Wetlands 43 D . Forestlands 43 E. Other Habitat .44 F . Wilderness and Special Areas 45 G. Easements for Waterfowl Management. .4^

IV. WILDLIFE

A. Endangered Species ....45 B . Migratory Birds 43 C. Mammals and Non-Migratory Birds and Others, . 49

V. INTERPRETATION AND 'RECREATION A. Information and Interpretation, 50 B. Recreation.,.,., ....,.....*...,,...... <...... 5 0 C. Enforcement. ,,..»,, , 50

VI. OTHER ITEMS A. Field Investigations ....?! B. Cooperative Programs. ."...,,...,-.-....., . . . 51 C. Items of Interest ...... ,,..•.,,,..>,...-...,.,..... 51 D. Safety '. „ , ...... 51 41

ANTIOCH DUNES NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE I. GENERAL

A. Introduction

In March of 1980 the Service completed acquisition of 55 acres of sand dunes along the southern shore of the San Joaquin River near its confluence with the Sacramento River. The area is just north .of the City of Antioch,;'. in Costra County, California approximately 30 air miles northeast of San Fran- cisco. From San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge Complex headquarters in Fremont, it is a drive of about 60 miles.

The area, formerly known as Antioch Dunes and now known as Antioch Dunes National Wildlife Refuge, was acquired to protect the only known sites of 3 endangered species; Lange's Metal- mark Butterfly (Apodemia mormo langei), Antioch Dunes Evening Primrose (Denothera deltoides ssp. howellii), and the Contra Costa Wallflower (Erysimum capitaturn var. angustatum). The acquisition id the first ever by the Fish and Wildlife Service for the protection of insects and plants.

Beginning in late March boundaries were posted, parking area's designated and foot trails to the river marked. Because of the fragile nature of the dunes,'.much of the area will be designated as sensitive sites and will be excluded from public use.

B. Climatic and Habitat Conditions The refuge and vacinity have a typical Mediterranean climate, with warm to hot, dry summers and moist, mild winters. Summers are slightly warmer and winters slightly cooler than both San Francisco Bay NWR and San Pablo Bay NWR located nearby.

Several decades ago,:.the Antioch Dunes extended 3 miles along the bank of the San Joaquin River and had an average width of % mile. The area covered approximately 500 acres and is now reduced to a little more than 60 acres, or a loss of 88 percent of the original habitat. Heavy industrialization, housing development, sandmining, agriculture, weed abatement for fire control, powerline rights-of-way, off-road vehicles (ORV) and other recreational uses have caused the severe habitat deterioration. Weedy, often exotic plant species have invaded this area as it has become more disturbed. The habitat remaining inside the refuge boundaries is highly altered and the impacts severe to the endangered species. Restora- tion of the dunes to approximate the original habitat and facilitate recovery of the endangered species is the number 'one goal of the refuge. ;" 42

C. Land Acquisition

1. Fee Title

The 55 acre refuge was purchased from 2 principal owners. .at a cost of $2,135,000.00. The land owners involved cooperated with the Service throughout the transaction. The Stamm Theatres, Inc. et al Tract (12) contains 29.82 acres, an additional 10.89 acres (Tract 13) was purchased from Ruth Stamm, et. al. The Ethel M. Sardis, et al Tract (10) contains 14.29 acres.

2. Easements

Efforts are underway to secure cooperative management agreements and/or conservation easements with the owners of the remaining continguous dune areas. 3. Other

Nothing to report ' - .

D. Systems Status

1. Objectives .

This is the Service's first acquisition in the United States for an insect or plant. A recovery plan has been approved and Management plans are being formulated to rehabilitate and/or re-establish the dune areas. In addition to stabilizing the.dune ecosystem and preservation of the two plants._and butterfly plans are being made to allow, for public access to the shoreline of the river, nature trails and opportunities for educational ; institutions and .others.; to conduct scientific studies and research in the area

2. Funding . • •

Funding, all Endangered Species (1400) dollars, is included, in the San Francisco Bay NWR Complex budget. Washington set aside $10,000 of the total SE budget for O & M operations at such time we assumed the ownership. II. CONSTRUCTION AND MAINTENANCE

A. Construction

Nothing to Report 43

B. Maintenance . '

Maintenance staff and YACC enrollees posted both units and delineated public use.trails. .The Stamm Unit was secured against ORV use by the installation of a pile and cable fence. C. Wildfire .

The Riverview Fire District requires fire breaks and weed abatement controls as part of .their fire protection service. The same contractor used by the Fire District was hired to construct a break on the Sardis Unit. Location of the fire break had been established in 1979 by an advisory group made up of Fish & .Wildlife Service (SE) , California Fish and Game and the Fire District.

III. HABITAT MANAGEMENT

A. Croplands At the time of purchase, .approximately 5 acres of the'. 55 acres of sand dunes acquired were under cultivation as a vineyard. This vineyard has been under cultivation for a long time as evidenced by the age of the vines. Since the growing season had begun at the time of the land purchase, the refuge allowed -the farmer to continue his operation through until harvesting. The management plan[(restoration plan) will dictate what happens to this area in the future. The grapes from this vineyard reportedly produce a premium Calif- ornia zinfandel wine!

B. Grasslands Not applicable

C. Wetlands . . The northern boundary of the refuge is the San Joaquin River, which is influenced by the tides at this location. The riparian corridor is less than-10 feet wide due to the tall embankment along the rivers edge. Like the rest of the refuge, the riparian area is highly altered. Dominant vegi- tation:.includes scattered willow trees and small patches of emergent aquatic plants^, such as bulrush and cattail.

D. Forestlands ..•'•- Not applicable 44

E. Other Habitat 1. Sand Dunes The historical occurrence of the Antioch Dunes has been outlined previously in part I, section B. The area has many other unique flora and fauna in addition to the three endangered species already mentioned. The Antioch Dunes is the type locality for 24 insect taxa; ten of these are endemic, six are known only from other imperiled habitats, and two (with wider ranges in pre-qgricultural times) may now exist only on the refuge. Some species of insects originally known from Antioch have been extirpated from the area, such as Coelus gracilis, Anthicus antiochensis, Campsomeris pilipes, and Campsomeris toleca. Two plant taxa present on the refuge are Lilalopsis masonii and Suisun aster (Aster chilensis var. lentis), were previously proposed for endangered species classification (Federal Register, June 16., 1976). Other plant species of interest include an undescribed subspecies of Lupinus albifrons and Eriogonum latifblium var. auriculaturn (Antioch buckwheat); which is the host plant for Lange's metalmark butterfly. Three species of reptiles reach their northernmost range extensions on the refuge. These ;are:'.glossy snake, side-blotched lizard and the legless lizard. The invasion of the dunes by seedy plant species is a major impact to the endangered and unique fauna and flora of the area. The intorduced species compete vigorously with the native plant species for the available resources and thus refuce the potential for re- establishment of original habitat type. Much of the refuge except for a,few small scattered pockets and crumb- ling bluffs, is diluted with humus from the invading plant species. Appendix 1 is a list of the exotic plants now occurring in the dunes. Restoration of: the dunes, -'.on the refuge is expected to be a difficult and probably expensive project. Tight control and hopefully, elimination of the invading non- native plant species will be a major factor in determin- ing the success of a restoration project. Also, since muc'h of the area was mined for sand and left barren or graded and put in agriculture a large source of fill material is. .needed for the area. Future plans invision- ed include placing dredged spoils (sand) on the area and contouring with heavy equipment and capping of the spoils with several feet of - native sand (if a source is available) . Propagation of endangered and unique fauna and flora for re-introduction to the dunes will also prob--.. ably be necessary. The restoration effort will most likely prove to be a lengthly process. 45

F. Wilderness and Special Areas Not applicable G. Easements for Waterfowl Management Not applicable IV. WILDLIFE

A. Endangered Species 1. Lange's Metalmark Butterfly This insect was first described in 1938 following inten- sive entomological studies at Antioch Dunes initiated in 1931, and extending through that decade. Additional studies were conducted for a few years following World War II. The butterfly was listed as an endangered species by the Secretary of the Interior in the June 1, 1976 Federal Register. Critical habitat was proposed in the February 2, 1977 Federal Register. To date, habitat ha.s:;.-.- not been designated. The actual national habitat of these species has been reduced to approximately 15 acres on and between the 2 parcels of refuge property. Only two remnant sand dunes within this area are known as sites for this butterfly. The two existing sub-populations of the butterfly are estimated to contain between 150-200 individuals each. Densities are reported as 26.4 males/ha and 15.0 females/ha. Langes metalmark butterfly produces one brood per season with adults emerging in Dearly August and flying until", mid or late September. The peak in population numbers is reached two to three weeks after the earlier date of emergents. Males generally emerge earlier than females but are shorter lived. Females survive nine days or less. Eggs laying occurs throughout the adult flight period after mating. The gray eggs are laid at the junction of axils and on less pubescent surfaces of the withered foliage on the lower half of the larval foodplant. Erigonum latifolium var. auriculaturn. This plant has several local common names, including Antioch, naked or coast buckwheat and Libinagua. The eggs are often deposited on the host plant in clusters of two to four, less commonly singly. The eggs remain attached until the rainy season when the larvae emerge and crawl to the base of the plant. The larvae do not appear until the following spring when they begin their nocturnal feeding on the new growth foliage and stems of the buckwheat in May or June. Pupation occurs in June or July in the duff at the base of the foodplant. 46

Prior to weed control activities on the PG&E west tower property (off refuge) and sandmining on the Stamm property in the summer of 1978 (2 years prior to acquisition) the reported total Eriogonum population contained 1,661 mature (flowering) plants 1,352, rosette plants, 206 seedlings and 20 dead plants. Approximately 400-500 of the 600 Eriogonum plants at the west tower site were inadvertantly destroyed when PG&E disced the area. Ap- proximately 20% of the plants on the Stamm property were destroyed by sand mining between May 1979 and the time of acquisition. A devastating wildfire in 1976 near one of the PG&E east towers destroyed most of the immature stages •of the butterfly and nearly eliminated the buckwheat at the, site. The impact on the butterfly was severe at the time, although its ability to move from colony to colony was significant in its survival. Now, with a partial recovery of the buckwheat foodplant, butterflies have been observed at the tower site again. 2. Antioch Dunes Evening-Primrose (Oenothera deltoides ••:..; ssp'. -Howellii This member of the evening-primrose family is an at- tractive, short-lived perennial with large, white flowers. It was first described by Munz in 1949 based on specimens collected by Alice Eastwood and John Howell in 1936. In 1962 W.M. Klein elevated the variety to rank of subspecies. Fearing the exterpation of this Antioch Dunes endemic, staff members of the Regional"Parks'Botanical Garden in Berkeley, California have transplanted it and studied its life cycle in cultivation. The California Native Plant Society has also investigated cultivation potential of this species. The Antioch Dunes evening- primrose was listed as an endangered species by the Secretary of the Interior in the April 26, 1978 Federal Register. Once relatively common in the Antioch Dunes area, this taxon's natural range has been reduced to 60 acres which is now known as the last remaining native habitat for the species: In 1978 the reported total population of •'::.:';. ^this£sp'ec;'i,e:s included 872 flowering plants, 376 small ^plants with few or no flowers, 184 rosette plants, and 97 dead plants. No small seedlings were observed. This plant readily recolonizes disced and mined sites and the previously disced PG&E east tower site was recently found to contain many new seedlings. This taxon flowers through the daylight and evening hours in April and May and produces many light, wind-borne seeds. Bees are believed to be the primary pollinating agent on the refuge, Hawkmoths are present at the site and may be a pollinating vector, however, nocturnal studies to document this have not yet been conducted. Further field studies need to be conducted.on the refuge to more precisely determine the phenology of flowering, pollination and seedset. 47

The Antioch Dunes evening-primrose appears to grow only in a pure sand medium. It is not known at this time if the natural limitation may be Delhi soil (sand) which is more widely distributed than the dunes proper. It has been suggested that the adult plants use up the nur- rients in their microhabitat and unless fresh sand is regularly deposited, insufficient nutrients remain to allowing young seedlings to sprout and develop into mature plants. As the Antioch Dunes became more and more disturbed by human activities, exotic plants species invaded and colonized the disturbed areas. These weedy species stab- ilize dune slopes preventing the deposition or uncovering of fresh sand necessary for the establishment of evenings- primrose seedlings. The mining, agricultural and urban and industrial expansion activities has severely restricted the fresh sand availability to the point that large enough quantities and areas to support adequate populations of this plant may not now exist. Reduction of the dune habitat has also probably limited the resources necessary to support the pollinators of this species. The potential natural range of this endemic species is said to be limited to the unique dunes of Antioch Dunes National Wildlife Refuge and a few small adjacent areas. 3. Contra Costa Wall Flower (Erysimum capitaturn var. angustatumj" This flower is a biennial member of the Brassicaceae or mustard family and was first described as a new species by E.L. Greene in 1896, based on specimens collected from the banks of the San Joaquin River in the interior of California. In 1958 Rosbach changed the scientific name and lowered its classification to a variety of Erysimum capitatum. The Contra Costa wallflower was listed as an endangered species by the Secretary of the Interior in the April 26, 1978 Federal Register. Critical habitat was established in the August 31, 1978 Federal Register. Endemic to the Antioch Dunes, Contra Costa wallflower habitat totalled several hundred acres a few decades ago but is now limited to'a: few acres. Studies conducted by the Service in February of 1976 found only total population of 28 plants. In 1978 Johnson found a total of 174 fruiting plants and 60 rosettes. Since Erysimum is a biennial, all of the fruiting plants die and the next year's reproductive individuals are produced from the rosettes. Johnson's data indicated tha.tvth.is population had decreased since the number of deaths (174) had far exceeded the number of individuals in the rosette stage (60). 48

A count in 1979 indicated plant numbers to be comparable to 1978 survey results possibly indicating a stable population, however, two years data is insufficient to draw accurate conclusions.

Rosbach, in 1958/ described this species as restricted to stabilized dunes of fine sand and some clay dust with sparse herbs and shrubs, or less often with pasture grasses,", heijbs and scattered Quercus agrifolia. These observations are supported by field data collected by Johnson in 1979 in which he observed that reproducing individuals occurred principally on uneven sites in the dunes(river-fronting cliff faces and edges). However, the largest number of rosettes occurred on the excavated dunes fronting the river. Wallflower plants were not found more than 4 meters inland from the Siver bluffs and therefore, appeared to have a more restricted habitat than the Antioch Dunes evening-primrose which is found more than 100 meters inland from the river. In contrast, Service botanists have recorded the wallflower in disturbed areas of stabilized dunes and they, have found it growing up to 160 meters away from the shoreline near the PG&E tower site. In virtually .all areas where observed the species occupied very unstable slopes which were not well vegetated. Species on such areas are often better able to compete with aggressive weeds under these conditions. Major destruction and alteration of habitat by human activities as described in the two previous species accounts is also responsible for the decline of the wallflower. More information is needed on the reproductive biology and habitat requirements for this species to define recovery efforts necessary for its conservation. The potential natural range of this endemic species is limited to the unique dunes of Antioch Dunes National Wildlife Refuge and a few small adjacent areas.

B. Migratory Birds 1. Waterfowl Not applicable 2. Marsh & Water Birds' Nothing to Report 3. Shorebirds, Gulls, Terns & Allied Species Not applicable 49

4. Raptors

Nothing to Report 5. Other Migratory Birds

Nothing to Report

C. Mammals and Non-Migratory Birds & Others

1. Game Mammals Not applicable

2. Other Mammals Nothing to Report 3. Resident Birds

Nothing to Report

4. Other Animal Life

Nothing to Report 50

V. INTERPRETATION AND RECREATION

A. Information and Interpretation

1. On-Refuge

No interpretive or environmental education programs were conducted by Service personnel at Antioch Dunes NWR during 1980. However, signs were erected to advise visitors of the refuge's purpose and to solicit their coopera- tion in protecting the area.

2. Off-Refuge

A press release concerning the Service's acquisition of, and plans for, Antioch Dunes NWR was issued on March 24, 1980. Stories about the dunes appeared in the San Francisco Chronicle, .Antioch Daily Ledger and other news- papers. B. Recreation

1. Wildlife Oriented

Both units of Antioch Dunes NWR are open to hiking and fishing. Signs were posted during 1980 to indicate trails and fishing areas, as well as closed areas.

The vacant and badly vandalized Little Corral Bar on the Sardis Unit was demolished and hauled away by a local contractor. This job served the dual purposes of creating additional visitor parking, and doing away with an eye- sore and safety hazard. 2. Non-Wildlife Oriented

Nothing to Report

C. Enforcement

The area was being badly misused by ORV s when the Service purchased the property. Installation of the pile-cable barrier and heavy patrol during the first three months after posting controlled these activities. Violations at Antioch Dunes have been reported in the San Francisco Bay report. 51

VI. OTHER ITEMS

A. . lEield Investigations Mr. Richard Arnold and Associates, University of California, Agricultural Experiment Station, Division of Entomology and Parasitology was issued FWS Permit # PRT 2-682 to capture Lange's Metalmark Butterfly for propagation and release and to collect, transplant, and establish study plots on Buckwheat (Eriogonum)plants. B. Cooperative Programs Nothing to Report C. Items of Interest A Refuge Revenue Sharing check for $15,113.00 was presented to the Contra Costa County Supervisors. Sections of htis reprot'were prepared'by: Roy Lowe, Section I-A, B; Section III A-G; Section IV A-C; Ben Crabb, Section I- C-D, Section.II A-C, Section V C and Section VI A-D; Mike Bitsko, Section V A-B. This .report was typed by Vina Tchokreff. D. Safety See San Francisco Bay; NWR. .

Salinas National Wildlife Refuge

TABLE OP CONTENTS

Page 1. ' GENERAL A. Introductioo n 52 B. Climatic and Habitat Conditions 52 C. Land Acquisition, . . 52 D. System Status. . . ,

II. CONSTRUCTION AND MAINTENANCE A. Construction ..,„....,.,-.. -*•* B . Maintenance , •. -> 3 C. Wildfire 53

III. HABITAT MANAGEMENT A. Croplands 53 B. Gr as s lands 53 C. Wetlands 53 D. Forestlands 53 E. Other Habitat 54 P. Wilderness and Special Areas 54 G. Easements for Waterfowl Management. 54

IV. WILDLIFE A. Endangered Species...... ,..,...... ».,, .54 B. Migratory Birds ,...... ,.,*.,,...... 54 C. Mammals and Non-Migratory Birds and Others...... 54

V. INTERPRETATION AND' 'RECREATION A. Information and Interpretation.. ,-...» .55 B. Recreation., ,...... ,.,.,*....,.,....,..,.. ,55 C. Enforcement. .,,,,.«...... ,»...... ,. .55

VI. OTHER ITEMS

A. Field Investigations....;- .....55 B. Cooperative Programs. ....,....,.»...•.,....»...,...... 55 C. Items of Interest .,•...,,...>/,...... ,,,.. .55 D. Safety. ..,.„..„,.,..,.,,,..,.».».„,,.,.,.,«,,,,..,...... United States Fish and Wildlife Service Salinas Lagoon National Wildlife Refuge Monterey County, California

LEGEND National Wildlife Refuge Boundary Dunes and Beach 52

SALINAS RIVER

I. GENERAL

A. Introduction

During the spring of 1973, 424 acres of excess property from the U. S. Army, and 94 acres from the U. S. Coast Guard were transferred to the Service. The two tracts are contiguous and managed as one unit. In September 1974, a cooperative agreement was effected between the Service and California Department of Fish & Game, allowing the latter agency to manage the area even though it is an "exclusive jurisdiction" area as far as enforcement is concerned.

B. Climatic and Habitat Conditions

The Monterey Bay area has pleasing year-round climate with dry, warm summers and mild, wet winters. The area is an important coastal wetland and consists of the following habitat types: ocean - 130 acres; beach - 22 acres; salt marsh - 78 acres; lagoon - 45 acres; grassland - 44 acres; river - 74 acres; sand dunes - 32 acres; and former cultivated land (artichokes) - 93 acres. C. Land Acquisition

1.. Eee' Title

Nothing to report

2. Easements Nothing to report

3. Other Nothing to report

D. Systems Status 1. Objectives Preservation of a coastal wetlands habitat for multi-purpose public use. 2. Funding

Any administrative or law enforcement work performed for the unit has been charged to San Francisco Bay NWR.

II. CONSTRUCTION AND MAINTENANCE 53

A. Construction

Nothing to report

B. Maintenance

Nothing to report

C. Wildfire

Nothing to report

III. HABITAT MANAGEMENT

A. Croplands

Nothing to report

B. Grasslands Nothing to report

C. Wetlands

Monterey Regional Water Pollution Control Agency is proposing to build a regional wastewater treatment plant in the vacinity of the refuge. When complete, all local treatment plants will be abandoned and their flows consolidated to the new regional facility. After treatment, the effluent from the regional plant will be discharged through a new ocean outfall in central Monterey Bay. Currently, the various local treatment plants discharge treated effluent directly into the Salinas River forming a major portion of the freshwater flow during the non-rainy season.

Since construction of the regional facility would greatly reduce surface flows on the lower 12.1 miles of the Salinas River, ..the Service, California Department of Fish and Game and the Coastal Commission expressed environmental concerns associated with this project. Chief among our concerns are changes in or loss of riparian habitat, adverse effects on terrestrial wildlife, changes in vegetation adjacent to the lagoon on the refuge, and reduction of warm water and estuarine fisheries habitats. ~"In response to our concerns the M.R.W.P.C.A. agreed to prepare a flow reduction impact report. .This"lengthly document was released in July for review and comment. We are still working with the various agen-:.. cies involved on a preferred mitigation plan. At this point, the favored plan calls for supplementing river surface flows with water from the perched aquifer water table. D. Forestland Not applicable 54

E. Other Habitat

Nothing to report F. Wilderness and Special Areas

Not applicable

G. Easements for Waterfowl Management Not applicable

IV. WILDLIFE

A. Endangered .and/or: Threatened Species

Nothing to report

B. Migratory Birds

1. Waterfowl

Nothing to report

2. Marsh and Water Birds

Nothing to report

3. Shorebirds, Gulls, Terns, and Allied Species Nothing to report

4. Raptors Nothing to report

5. Other Migratory Birds Nothing to report

C. Mammals and Non-Migratory Birds and Others 1. Game Mammals Nothing to report 2. Other Mammals Nothing to report 55

D. Resident Birds

Nothing to report

E. Other Animal Life

Nothing to report

V. INTERPRETATION AND RECREATION

A. Information and Interpretation

1. . On-Refuge ; :-.-.,

Nothing to report

2. Off-Refuge

Nothing to report

B. Recreation

1. Wildlife Oriented

Nothing to report 2. Non-Wildlife Oriented Nothing to report

C. Enforcement

Lack of staff has precluded patrols to this refuge unit except for the opening weekend of the waterfowl season.

VI. OTHER ITEMS

A. Field Investigations Nothing to report B. Cooperative Programs Nothing to report C. Items of Interest In accordance with P.L. 88-523, a revenue sharing payment of $4,209.00 was made to Monterey County., Roy Lowe prepared section III & IV, Ben Crabb all other sections. Vina Tchokreff typed this section. See San Francisco Bay NWR for Safety.

Ellicott Slough National Wildlife Refuge TABLE OF CONTENTS

Page 1. ' GENERAL A . Introduction...... , ...... 56 B . Climatic and Habitat Conditions ...... 5 6 C. Land Acquisition ...... 5 6 D . System Status ...... , ...... 5,6

II. CONSTRUCTION 'AND MAINTENANCE A. Construction ...... ,,„.,...... 57 B . Maintenance ...... 5 7 C. Wildfire ...... , ...... 57

III. HABITAT 'MANAGEMENT

A. Croplands ...... 57 B. Grasslands ...... 57 C . Wetlands ...... 57 D . Forestlands...... 5 7 E . Other Habitat ...... 57 F . Wilderness and Special Areas...... 5 j G. Easements for Waterfowl Management ...... ,-7

IV. WILDLIFE

A. Endangered Species- ...... ,57 B . Migratory Birds ...... 53 C. Mammals and Non-Migratory Birds and Others...... 53

V. INTERPRETATION AND 'RECREATION A. Information and Interpretation...... 59 B . Recreation ,,,,,, ...... „...... ,....,..,„»., ...... 5 9 C , Enforcement ...... ,....,.,.,.,.,,...... ,,,., ...... 59

VI. OTHER ITEMS A. Field Investigations ?^ B. Cooperative Programs.....,,...,.,...-.»,...... ,...... 5 9 C, Items of Interest...... ,,,. 5 9 D, Safety. . 1 ,...... „ , . . .,,.,»... 59 SANTA CRUZ CO CLARA** VALENCIA LAGOON Watsonviile

ELLICOTT SLOUGH NWR

MAP AREA

BENNETT SLOUGH (Struve Pond)

MONTEREY

COUNTY ALINAS LAGOON

MONTEREY 10 M !.<<'*

The known disf-n'buncn ei the Si i Cruz :• Lcng-Toed Sclcmar.isr: Velar etc igoon,-; Ellicoff Slough and Bennetf Slouch. |, 56

ELLICOTT SLOUGH NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE I. GENERAL

A. Introduction

The Ellicott Slough site was identified in 1972 as an essential habitat, area for the Santa Cruz long-toed salamander. ".'Theooo-ne area, 30 acres, was purchased by the State of California (Depart- ment of Fish and Game) in 1973 and placed in Ecological Reserve status in 1974. ...The Service began acquiring an additional 128 acres around the pond in 1974 in order to more fully protect the species. -The final purchase was made, in 1978. B. Climatic and Habitat Conditions

The climate of the Santa Cruz vicinity is mediterranean with the annual rainfall of 32 inches occurring predominately between Novem- ber and March. Ellicott Pond is temporary and vernal, usually holding water from late July until early June. The hillsides to the northeast and southwest are covered with a Bacharis dominant, coastal scrub-chaparral plant community. Extensive oak woodland and dense willow thickets occur also. C. Land Acquisition 1. .Fee..Title

Nothingutorrepert.

2. Easements

Nothing to report.

3. Other Nothing to report

D. System Status 1. Objectives The prime objective of the Refuge is to restore the salamander to a non-endangered status by maintenance of the Ellicott Slough population at or above present levels and maintenance of the habitat in an optimum condition.

2. Funding Funding for this unit of the Complex is included in the San Francisco Bay NWR budget. 57

II. CONSTRUCTION AND MAINTENANCE

A. Construction

Nothing to report,

B. Maintenance

Nothing to report,

C. Wildfire Nothing to report

III!... HABITAT MANAGEMENT

A. Croplands

Not applicable

B. Grasslands

Nothing to report

C. Wetlands

Nothing to report

D. Forestlands

Nothing to report

E. Other Habitat

Nothing to report F. Wilderness and Special Areas Not applicable G. Easement for Waterfowl Management Not applicable IV. WILDLIFE

A. Endangered and Threatened Species Rhonda J. Reed was contracted by the Refuge to conduct a population study of the Ellicott Slough population of the endangered Santa 58

Cruz long-toed, salamander (Ambystoma macrodactylum croceum) The study was conducted during the salamander breeding season of Oct- tober 1979 thru June 1980. The researcher installed light discon- tanueous trap lines composed of drift fence and can traps. "A total 345 adult salamandersr 287 males and 58 females, were captured migrating toward Ellicott Slough. An additional 146 adults, 31 males and 115 females, were captured leaving the slough. Conclusions reached as a result of the study indicates that there has been no recent obvious increase or decline in population numbers at Ellicott Slough. Therefore, Marlow's 1973 estimate of 6,000 to 8,000 breeding adults at Ellicott is probably still reasonable, reflecting a stable population. .The distribution of captures along the trap.lines .reinforces the hupothesis .that the salamanders are utilizing terrestrial habitat in the chaparral areas to the north, east and south of the breeding pond. Current reproduction appears to be healthy. B. Migratory Birds 1. Waterfowl Nothing to report 2. Marsh and Water Birds Nothing to report 3. Shorebirds, Gulls, Terns, and Allied Species Not applicable 4. Raptors Nothing to report 5. Other Migratory Birds Nothing to report

C. Mammals and Non-Migratory Birds and Others 1. Game Mammals Nothing to report 2. Other Mammals Nothing to report 3. Resident Birds . Nothing to report 59

4. Other Animal Life Nothing to report

VI. OTHER ITEMS A. Field Investigations Nothing to report B. Cooperative Programs Nothing to report

C. Items of Interest In accordance with.PJL. 88-523, a revenue sharing payment of $4,170.00 was made to Santa Cruz County. Sections III and IV were prepared by Roy Lowe, all other sections by Ben Crabb. Report was typed by Vina Tchokreff,

D. Safety Safety is reported under San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge.

V. INTERPRETATION AND RECREATION A. Information and Interpretation 1. On-Refuge Nothing to report

2. Off-Refuge

Nothing to report B. Recreation

1. Wildlife Oriented Nothing to report 2. Non-Wildlife Oriented Nothing to report C. Enforcement

The entire area has been fenced and posted which as resulted in a marked decrease of unauthorized uses. Patrols are conducted whenever there are scheduled activities in the Santa Cruz-Monterey area.