Appendix E-2 Paleontological Resources Assessment, Cogstone, November 2014, Revised December 2016

PALEONTOLOGICAL RESOURCES ASSESSMENT REPORT FOR THE PARADISE VALLEY SPECIFIC PLAN PROJECT IN RIVERSIDE COUNTY, CALIFORNIA

Project Information: Cottonwood Basin USGS 7.5’ quadrangle 1988 Thermal Canyon USGS 7.5’ quadrangle 1972 APN# 713-05-0002, 713-06-0001, 713-06-0004, 713-03-1006, 713-03-2001, 713-03-1005, 713-03-1004, 713-03- 1002, 713-03-1012, 705-17-0025, 713-03-1001, 713-06-0003, 713-07-2005, 713-07-2001, 713-07-1001, 713-04- 0005, 713-04-0006, 713-04-0007, 713-04-0008, 713-06-0002, 713-04-0003, 713-04-0002, 713-07-2004 SP 399

Prepared on Behalf of: Glorious Land Company 13181 Crossroads Parkway North, Suite 350, City of Industry, CA 91746

Prepared for: County of Riverside, Planning Department Bureau of Land Management Riverside Co Desert Permit Assistance Center Palm Springs-South Coast Field Office 38686 El Cerrito Road 1201 Bird Center Drive Palm Desert, CA 92211 Palm Springs, CA 92262-8001

Principal Investigator: Sherri Gust 1518 West Taft Avenue, Orange, CA 92865 (714) 974-8300

BLM Paleontological Use Permit: CA-13-005; Paleontological Field Authorization: 14-04 Project No: 66.66 14-15; Cogstone Project Number: 2831 Type of Study: Paleontological Assessment Fieldwork Dates: October 6, 2011 and September 22-26, 2014 Localities: None Area: 5,000 acres Key Words: negative survey; Holocene; Quaternary alluvium; older Quaternary alluvium; Pleistocene to Pliocene Ocotillo Formation; Pliocene Palm Springs Formation; Miocene to Pliocene Mecca Formation; pre-Cenozoic plutonic, metamorphic, and granitic rocks

Authors: Courtney Richards and Sherri Gust

November 2014; revised December 2016 1518 West Taft Avenue Branch Offices cogstone.com Orange, CA 92865 West Sacramento - Morro Bay - Inland Empire - San Diego Toll free (888) 333-3212 Office (714) 974-8300 Federal Certifications 8(a), SDB, 8(m) WOSB State Certifications DBE, WBE, SBE, UDBE

Paradise Valley Specific Paleontological

TABLE OF CONTENTS

MANAGEMENT SUMMARY ...... III! INTRODUCTION AND SETTING ...... 1! PURPOSE OF STUDY ...... 1! PROJECT LOCATION ...... 2! PROJECT DESCRIPTION ...... 7! PROJECT PERSONNEL ...... 8! REGULATORY ENVIRONMENT ...... 9! CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT OF 1970 ...... 9! PUBLIC RESOURCES CODE ...... 9! RIVERSIDE COUNTY GENERAL PLAN, MULTIPURPOSE OPEN SPACE ELEMENT ...... 10! DEFINITION OF SIGNIFICANCE FOR PALEONTOLOGICAL RESOURCES ...... 10! BACKGROUND ...... 12! GEOLOGIC SETTING ...... 12! STRATIGRAPHY ...... 12! RECORD AND LITERATURE SEARCH RESULTS ...... 14! SENSITIVITY ANALYSIS ...... 14! RECONNAISSANCE RESULTS ...... 15! POTENTIAL PALEONTOLOGICAL RESOURCES ...... 17! RECOMMENDATIONS ...... 18! CERTIFICATION...... 18! REFERENCES CITED ...... 19! APPENDIX A: QUALIFICATIONS ...... 21! APPENDIX B: RECORDS SEARCH RESULTS ...... 26! APPENDIX C: PFYC SYSTEM ...... 31!

LIST OF FIGURES

FIGURE 1. PROJECT VICINITY ...... 1! FIGURE 2A. PROJECT AREA MAP 1 ...... 3! FIGURE 2B. PROJECT AREA MAP 2 ...... 4! FIGURE 2C. PROJECT AREA MAP 3 ...... 5! FIGURE 3. PARADISE VALLEY LAND USE PLAN ...... 6! FIGURE 4. PROJECT GEOLOGY MAP ...... 13! FIGURE 5. SURFICIAL QUATERNARY ALLUVIUM ...... 16! FIGURE 6. SURFICIAL OCOTILLO FORMATION ...... 16! FIGURE 7. WASH WALL WITH OCOTILLO FORMATION EXPOSED ...... 17!

LIST OF TABLES

TABLE 1. PROJECT LOCATION INFORMATION ...... 2! TABLE 2. PARADISE VALLEY LAND USE SUMMARY...... 8! TABLE 3. PALEONTOLOGICAL SENSITIVITY RESULTS ...... 15 !

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MANAGEMENT SUMMARY

The purpose of this study was to determine the potential effects on paleontological resources of the proposed Paradise Valley Specific Plan project in unincorporated Riverside County, California. This study was requested by the County of Riverside to meet their responsibility as the lead agency under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).

Of the 5, 000 acre project area, 1,800 acres are slated for development (planned development area), leaving the remaining 3,200 acres as open space (planned open space area). Off-site improvements would include, a 92 kV power line and associated access roads, and realignment of an existing AT&T fiber optic communication line through the property, requiring off-site work within the existing AT&T easement on U.S. Bureau of Land Management (BLM) land. The proposed power line easement will encompass 75 acres, the alternative power line easement will encompass 89 acres, and the ATT fiber optic splice alignment will encompass 22 acres.

The project surface is mapped as Quaternary alluvium; Pleistocene to Pliocene Ocotillo Formation, Pliocene Palm Springs Formation, Miocene to Pliocene Mecca Formation, and pre- Cenozoic plutonic, metamorphic, and granitic rocks. Field surveys conducted by Cogstone personnel confirmed the sediments as mapped. No fossils were observed during any of the surveys. The record searches determined that there are no known fossil localities within the Project Study Area (PSA). However, significant fossils have been recovered from the Ocotillo and Palm Springs formations in the vicinity. Additionally subsurface excavation deeper than 5 feet into sediments mapped as Quaternary alluvium may encounter older alluvial sediments with moderate potential to produce fossils.

If excavations greater than 5 feet in depth are planned in areas mapped as Quaternary alluvium, or if excavations are planned in sediments mapped as Ocotillo Formation or Palm Springs Formation, a qualified principal investigator for paleontology should be retained to prepare a PRIMP per Riverside County Policy OS 19.6. The PRIMP should include steps to be taken to mitigate impacts to paleontological resources, including paleontological monitoring in areas with sediments conducive to fossil preservation.

In the event of unanticipated paleontological finds, the County Geologist should be notified and work should be halted within 100 feet of the discovered resource until it can be evaluated by a qualified paleontologist per Riverside County Policy OS 19.7. Once the extent and potential significance of the paleontological resources on the site has been determined, the qualified paleontologist and County shall establish appropriate mitigation measures for further site development.

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INTRODUCTION AND SETTING

PURPOSE OF STUDY The purpose of this study was to determine the potential effects on paleontological resources of the proposed Paradise Valley Specific Plan project in unincorporated Riverside County, California (Figure 1). This study was requested by the County of Riverside to meet their responsibility as the lead agency under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).

Figure 1. Project vicinity

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PROJECT LOCATION The Specific Plan project site covers 5,000 acres of land with a development footprint of 1,800 acres in Shavers Valley, an unincorporated portion of the eastern Riverside County, eight (8) miles east of the City of Coachella (Figure 2). The project is located on the Cottonwood Basin and Thermal Canyon 7.5 minute quadrangles (Table 1). Access to the project site is provided by way of Frontage Road, a paved roadway loop with on- and off-ramps to the U.S. Interstate 10 Highway, also known as the I-10 freeway. The project site boundaries, shown in Figure 2 and Figure 3, encompass an irregularly shaped land area measuring approximately three (3) miles across from north to south and four (4) miles from east to west, as measured from the furthest east boundary to the furthest west boundary. Approximately one quarter of the project site is located north of the I-10 freeway, with the northern boundary of the project site extending into the foothills of the Cottonwood Mountains. The majority of the project development (the remaining three quarters of the site), is located south of the I-10 freeway. The Mecca Hills bound the site on the south and west; the Orocopia Mountains are located to the southeast. Varying terrain is found on the project site, including foothills, gentle sloping valley floor, desert pavement, and dry desert washes. Pinkham Wash, originating in the mountains to the northwest of the valley, dividing the Little San Bernardino Mountains from the Cottonwood Mountains, flows in a north-to-south direction through the project site and reaches its confluence with the east-to-west flowing Shavers Wash, southeast of the site. There are a number of existing utility lines and easements that traverse the site including: electrical transmission and distribution lines, natural gas transmission lines, a fiber optic communication line, flood protection berms, and associated dirt access roads. The Colorado River Aqueduct is located off-site adjacent to the northern property boundary.

Off-site improvements would include a 92 kV power line and associated access roads, and realignment of an existing AT&T fiber optic communication line through the property, requiring off-site work within the existing AT&T easement on U.S. Bureau of Land Management (BLM) land. The proposed power line easement will encompass 75 acres, the alternative power line easement will encompass 89 acres, and the ATT fiber optic splice alignment will encompass 22 acres.

Table 1. Project Location Information

Quad Township Range Section Thermal Canyon 5S 8E 36 5S 9E 29, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35 6S 8E 1, 2, 11, 12 6S 9E 1, 2, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 Cottonwood Basin 6S 9E 1, 12 6S 10E 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18

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Figure 2A. Project area map 1

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Figure 3B. Project area map 2

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Figure 4C. Project area map 3

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Figure 3. Paradise Valley Land Use Plan

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PROJECT DESCRIPTION The project will include a broad range of land uses including residential, commercial, light industrial, schools, parks, other public facilities, and open space. The plan will provide for several modes of transportation through a system of backbone and neighborhood roadways, walkways, bikeways, and internal roadway designs that accommodate Neighborhood Electric Vehicles (NEVs). The Specific Plan will be made up of six villages, with the first to be the Town Center, establishing a mixed-use core, including commercial, higher density residential and services, to serve as the hub of social, entertainment and functional activity for the new town. Other planned villages include: the Resort Village, with a resort hotel, time share units, and tourist-serving commercial uses; Casa Eco-Terra, an age restricted community for seniors, designed for aging in place; North Point, a higher density residential and freeway oriented and neighborhood-serving commercial uses; and South Village and East Village, both of which will provide a mix of high density residential, commercial and public service uses. Each village will have a village core, and will also be designed to integrate with the Town Center. Connectivity as well as individual village identities will be achieved through complementary design (development themes, signage, landscaping, complementary architectural styles and massing), an interconnected system of open space and recreation elements, and an interconnected system of travel (vehicular, pedestrian and bicycle).

A preliminary project layout is provided in Figure 3, Paradise Valley Land Use Plan. The Land Use Plan would accommodate close to 8,500 homes (including a variety of product types and densities) and over 1 million square feet of mixed-use, commercial and light industrial uses (Table 2). The overall development timeframe for the project is anticipated to be approximately 35 years. The Specific Plan will call for key portions of the Town Center village to be constructed first. Beyond this, the remainder of the development will be constructed in multiple phases (or projects) over the build out timeframe, with the precise phasing unspecified at this time. Improvements to services, utilities, and infrastructure will be phased in concert with development of planned uses to assure the self-sustaining nature of the new town.

Consistent with the requirement for new towns to be self-sufficient, the plan will provide on-site service facilities and utility infrastructure that will be annexed into County service districts and/or may involve the formulation of new districts over time. Off-site improvements would include a 92 kV power line and associated access roads, and realignment of an existing AT&T fiber optic communication line through the property, requiring off-site work within the existing AT&T easement on U.S. Bureau of Land Management (BLM) land. The remaining property outside the development footprint, over 3,000 acres of land, will be retained in permanent natural open space and conservation habitat, compliant with the CVMSHCP.

The approach to the provision of services and utilities will be developed along with the Specific Plan, and the economic viability of the provision of these services and utilities will be

!"#$%"&'( 7 Paradise Valley Specific Paleontological demonstrated in the required fiscal analysis. Power will primarily be supplied to the project via a new 92 kilovolt (kV) transmission line and poles, extending from the Imperial Irrigation District Coachella Valley substation, or via an on-site gas powered generation facility. To reduce energy demand, the Specific Plan will incorporate passive solar energy design guidelines, as well as energy conservation and renewable energy features, such as photovoltaic panels on buildings.

Table 2. Paradise Valley Land Use Summary

GROSS % OF DEV. DWELLING SQUARE LAND USE DENSITY ACRES FOOTPRINT UNITS FOOTAGE Medium Density Residential - MDR 576.5 31.3% 3.9 2,246 Medium High Density Residential - MHDR 573.0 31.1% 6.1 3,496 High Density Residential - HDR 86.8 4.7% 9.5 826 Highest Density Residential - HHDR 11.3 0.6% 19.6 222 Mixed Use – MU 223.6 12.1% 7.6 1,700 968,860 TOTAL RESIDENTIAL 1,471.2 79.8% 5.8 8,490 Non-Residential Commercial Retail - CR 12.5 0.7% 138,850 Light Industrial – LI 6.3 0.3% 53,190 Open Space - Recreation - OS-R* 142.0 7.7% Public Facilities – PF 77.5 4.2% Roads 134.1 7.3% TOTAL NON- RESIDENTIAL 372.3 20.2% Total 1,843.5 4.6 8,490 1,160,900 Open Space - Conservation Habitat 3,100.0 PROJECT TOTAL 4,943.5

PROJECT PERSONNEL Cogstone Resource Management Inc. conducted the paleontological resource studies. Sherri Gust served as the Principal Investigator for the project, supervised all work, and edited this report. She has a M.S. in Anatomy (Evolutionary Morphology) from the University of Southern California, a B.S. in Anthropology from the University of California at Davis and over 35 years of experience in California, and is a Riverside County Certified paleontologist.

Courtney Richards prepared sections of this report. Richards has a M.S. in Biological Sciences with an emphasis in Paleontology from Marshall University. Kim Scott performed the 2011 paleontological field survey. Scott has a M.S. in Biology with and emphasis in Paleontology from California State University San Bernardino, and over 18 years of experience in California

!"#$%"&'( 8 Paradise Valley Specific Paleontological paleontology and geology. Molly Valasik and Andre Simmons prepared the GIS report maps. Valasik also prepared sections of this report. Valasik has a M.A. in Anthropology from Kent State University in Kent, Ohio, over five years of experience in southern California archaeology, and is a cross-trained paleontologist. Simmons has a B.A. in Anthropology from the University of California, Fullerton, is a cross-trained paleontologist, and has three years of GIS experience.

The 2014 field crew included Tadhg Kirwan; Field Director, Dustin Keeler, Francisco Arellano, Lindsay Porras, Michael Schimkus, and Damien Teitjen. All additional personnel have a minimum of a Bachelor’s degree and are cross-trained paleontologists. Qualifications of Cogstone staff are detailed in Appendix A.

REGULATORY ENVIRONMENT

The following discussion of applicable laws has been excerpted and reordered from the Caltrans Standard Environmental Reference, Volume 1, Chapter 8 on Paleontology (Caltrans 2003, updated 2012). Paleontological resources are protected by state law. This protection covers all vertebrate fossils (animals with backbones) and any unique paleontological locality.

CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT OF 1970 CEQA declares that it is state policy to “take all action necessary to provide the people of this state with…historic environmental qualities.” It further states that public or private projects finance or approved by the state are subject to environmental review by the state. All such projects, unless entitled to an exemption, may proceed only after this requirement has been satisfied. CEQA requires detailed studies that analyze the environmental effects of a proposed project. In the event that a project is determined to have a potential significant environmental effect, the act requires that alternative plans and mitigation measures be considered.

If paleontological resources are identified as being within the proposed project area, the sponsoring agency must take those resources into consideration when evaluating project effects. The level of consideration may vary with the importance of the resource (Caltrans 2012).

PUBLIC RESOURCES CODE Public Resources Code (PRC) Section 5097.5 states that no person shall knowingly and willfully excavate upon, or remove, destroy, injure or deface any historic or prehistoric ruins, burial grounds, archaeological or vertebrate paleontological site, including fossilized footprints, inscriptions made by human agency, or any other archaeological, paleontological or historical feature, situated on public lands, except with the express permission of the public agency having jurisdiction over such lands. Violation of this section is a misdemeanor. As used in this section,

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"public lands" means lands owned by, or under the jurisdiction of, the state, or any city, county, district, authority, or public corporation, or any agency thereof.

RIVERSIDE COUNTY GENERAL PLAN, MULTIPURPOSE OPEN SPACE ELEMENT The following policies provide direction for paleontological resources:

OS 19.6 Whenever existing information indicated that a site proposed for development has high paleontological sensitivity …, a paleontological resource impact mitigation program (PRIMP) shall be filed with the County Geologist. The PRIMP shall specify the steps to be taken to mitigate impacts to paleontological resources.

OS 19.7 Whenever existing information indicates that a site proposed for development has low paleontological sensitivity…, no direct mitigation is required unless a fossil is encountered during site development. Should a fossil be encountered, the County Geologist shall be notified and a paleontologist shall document the extent and potential significance of the paleontological resources on the site and establish appropriate mitigation measures for further site development.

OS 19.8 Whenever existing information indicates that a site proposed for development has undetermined paleontological sensitivity…, a report shall be filed with the County Geologist documenting the extent and potential significance of the paleontological resources on site and identifying the mitigation measures for the fossil and for impacts to significant paleontological resources.

OS 19.9 Whenever paleontological resources are found, the County Geologist shall direct them to a facility within Riverside County for their curation, including the Western Science Center in the City of Hemet.

(http://planning.rctlma.org/Portals/0/genplan/general_plan_2016/elements/Ch05_MOSE_120815 .pdf?ver=2016-04-01-100801-367)

DEFINITION OF SIGNIFICANCE FOR PALEONTOLOGICAL RESOURCES Only qualified, trained paleontologists with specific expertise in the type of fossils being evaluated can determine the scientific significance of paleontological resources. Fossils are considered to be significant if one or more of the following criteria apply:

1. The fossils provide information on the evolutionary relationships and developmental trends among organisms, living or extinct;

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2. The fossils provide data useful in determining the age(s) of the rock unit or sedimentary stratum, including data important in determining the depositional history of the region and the timing of geologic events therein;

3. The fossils provide data regarding the development of biological communities or interaction between paleobotanical and paleozoological biotas;

4. The fossils demonstrate unusual or spectacular circumstances in the history of life;

5. The fossils are in short supply and/or in danger of being depleted or destroyed by the elements, vandalism, or commercial exploitation, and are not found in other geographic locations.

As so defined, significant paleontological resources are determined to be fossils or assemblages of fossils that are unique, unusual, rare, uncommon, or diagnostically important. Significant fossils can include remains of large to very small aquatic and terrestrial vertebrates or remains of plants and animals previously not represented in certain portions of the stratigraphy.

Assemblages of fossils that might aid stratigraphic correlation, particularly those offering data for the interpretation of tectonic events, geomorphologic evolution, and paleoclimatology are also critically important. Paleontological remains are recognized as nonrenewable resources significant to the history of life (Scott and Springer 2003).

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BACKGROUND

GEOLOGIC SETTING The Project Study Area (PSA) is located within the Coachella Valley subsection of the Colorado Desert Geomorphic Province (Miles et al. 1998). The Colorado Desert Province is a depressed desert basin located between braches of the San Andres Fault (Wagner 2002). Coachella Valley, the northernmost subsection of the province, is located between the San Gorgonio Pass and the northern extent of the Salton Sea. The valley is predominantly comprised of Quaternary alluvial fan, lake basin, and eolian deposits (Miles et al. 1998).

STRATIGRAPHY The PSA is primarily situated on Quaternary alluvium, Pleistocene to Pliocene Ocotillo Formation, Mesozoic plutonic rocks, and Precambrian metamorphic and granitic rocks. A few outcrops of Pliocene Palm Springs Formation and Miocene to Pliocene Mecca Formation are present along the alternative powerline easement in the western portion of the PSA (Figure 4; Dibblee 2008a,b).

Quaternary alluvium Quaternary alluvium (Qa) was deposited during the Holocene (<11,700 year ago). It consists of unconsolidated and undissected deposits of clays, silts, sands, and gravels of the valley areas (Dibblee 2008a,b). These sediments are generally underlain by Pleistocene older alluvial sediments at depth (Scott 2011).

Ocotillo Formation The upper unit of the Ocotillo Formation (Qo-u) that is present within much of the Project consists primarily of a grey boulder conglomerate. The lower unit (Qo-l) is a pebble-cobble conglomerate. This formation was deposited during the Pleistocene to Pliocene (5.33 million to 11, 700 years ago) in a terrestrial environment (Dibblee 2008a,b).

Palm Springs Formation The Palm Springs Formation (Tp) is composed of light pink to grey, arkosic sandstone with red clay interbeds. The sandstone is weakly to moderately consolidated and locally pebbly. It was deposited during the Pliocene (5.33 to 2.58 million years ago) in a terrestrial environment (Dibblee 2008a,b).

Mecca Formation Sediments of the Mecca Formation (Tma) are Miocene to Pliocene in age (23.03 to 2.58 million years old). This terrestrial, alluvial fan deposit consists of reddish to gray and yellow, weakly to moderately lithified clay, sandstone, and conglomerate composed of clasts of granitic and metamorphic debris. This formation underlies the Palm Spring Formation in the vicinity of the PSA (Dibblee 2008b).

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Figure 4. Project geology map

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Plutonic and metamorphic rocks Mesozoic and older (>66 million years old) plutonic and metamorphic rocks are present in the northern portion of the PSA. Rock types include quartz monzonite (qm); grey biotite-rich granodiorite to quartz diorite (grd); aplitic, pink granite (gr); and dark grey, foliated gneiss and mica schist to phyllite (gn) (Dibblee 2008a).

RECORD AND LITERATURE SEARCH RESULTS

A paleontological records search was performed at the San Bernardino County Museum (Scott 2011; Appendix B) and in available online databases and literature. There are no previously- known fossil localities within the proposed project area or within a radius of several miles (Scott 2011).

Although the Quaternary alluvium covering much of the proposed project area is unlikely to contain fossil material, it is likely underlain by potentially fossiliferous Pleistocene older alluvial sediments. These fossil bearing sediments are often found ~5’ or more below the surface (Scott 2011). The Ocotillo and Palm Springs formations in Riverside County have demonstrated potential for fossil plant, invertebrate, and terrestrial vertebrate remains (Scott 2011, UCMP 2014, Scott 2000a,b). Vertebrate remains recovered from the Ocotillo Formation in the area include mammoth and extinct horse (Mammuthus sp., Equus sp.; Jefferson 2003, unpublished). Palm Spring Formation fossils from the PSA vicinity include extinct species of elephant (Proboscidea), cotton rat (Sigmodon sp), and horse (Equus scotti); bivalves (Pelecypoda); and trace fossils including mammal tracks and burrows (Scott 2000a,b). No fossils were reported from the Mecca Formation (Scott 2011; Scott 2000a,b; PBDB 2014; LACMIP 2014; UCMP 2014).

SENSITIVITY ANALYSIS

Best current professional practice to characterize paleontological sensitivity utilizes the federal Potential Fossil Yield Classification (PFYC) system (BLM 2007; Appendix C) which has a multi-level scale based on demonstrated yield of fossils. Occurrences of fossil resources are closely tied to the geologic units (e.g., formations or members) that contain them. The probability for finding significant fossils in a project area can be broadly predicted from previous records of fossils recovered from the geologic units present in and/or adjacent to the study area. Using the PFYC system, geologic units are classified based on the relative abundance of vertebrate fossils or scientifically significant invertebrate or plant fossils and their sensitivity to adverse impacts. This ranking is not designed to be applied to specific paleontological localities or small areas within units. Although significant localities may occasionally occur in a geologic

!"#$%"&'( 14 Paradise Valley Specific Paleontological unit, a few widely scattered important fossils or localities do not necessarily indicate a higher PFYC value; instead, the relative abundance of localities is intended to be the major determinant for the value assignment. Geological setting and fossil localities were considered in determining paleontological sensitivity according to PFYC criteria.

All of the pre-Cenozoic plutonic and metamorphic rocks of the PSA are assigned a very low potential (PFYC 1; Table 3a). The Quaternary alluvium is assigned a low potential (2) as it is too young to contain fossils. Holocene alluvial sediments are likely underlain by older, Pleistocene deposits at depth. Vertebrate fossils are known to occur intermittently but with low predictability in these deposits resulting in a PYFC ranking of 3a or moderate (Table 3). Outcrops of the Ocotillo and Palm Springs formations near the PSA have produced significant vertebrate fossil material. On this basis, the formations are considered to have a moderate but unevenly distributed potential for fossils (PFYC 3a; Table 3). The boulder conglomerate facies of the Ocotillo Formation is likely too coarse grained for fossil preservation; however, fossils may be recovered from areas of fine grained sediments. No fossils are recorded from the Mecca Formation in the vicinity of the PSA, resulting in a moderate, but undemonstrated fossil potential or PFYC 3b (Table 3a).

Table 3. Paleontological Sensitivity Results

5 3a 1 Rock Units very 4 moderate; 3b moderate; very high high patchy undemonstrated 2 low low Quaternary alluvium X Pleistocene alluvial sediments* X Ocotillo Formation X Palm Springs Formation X Mecca Formation X pre-Cenozoic plutonic and metamorphic rocks X *Not mapped at the surface within PSA

RECONNAISSANCE RESULTS

A field survey to assess the sediments and potential impacts was conducted on October 6, 2011 by Kim Scott. The survey consisted of a windshield survey of the planned development area not previously surveyed followed by a pedestrian survey of those sediments determined conducive to fossil preservation as they were encountered. Photographs were taken to document specific features of the PSA (Figures 5-7). Sediments were assigned to formations based on pre-existing geological mapping (Dibblee 2008) and observations of sediment color, consistency and

!"#$%"&'( 15 Paradise Valley Specific Paleontological depositional environment. The percent of ground visibility was excellent at about 90 to 100% throughout the surveyed area. No paleontological resources were observed.

Figure 5. Surficial Quaternary alluvium

Figure 6. Surficial Ocotillo Formation

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Figure 7. Wash wall with Ocotillo Formation exposed

Survey of the off-site improvements which includes the proposed 92 kV power line, the alternative 92 kV power line, and realignment of an existing AT&T fiber optic communication line was conducted on September 22 to 26, 2014 by Tadhg Kirwan, Dustin Keeler, Francisco Arellano, Lindsay Porras, Michael Schimkus, and Damien Teitjen. During the survey, the field crew walked in parallel north-south and east-west transects spaced at approximately 15 meter intervals over the project area, while closely inspecting the ground surface. The percent of ground visibility was good to excellent at about 60 to 90% throughout the project area. No paleontological resources were observed.

POTENTIAL PALEONTOLOGICAL RESOURCES

Paleontological resources are considered to be significant if they provide new data on fossil animals, distribution, evolution or other scientifically important information. The plutonic and metamorphosed rocks in the northern portion have no potential for fossil resources. The surficial Quaternary alluvium present throughout much of the PSA is unlikely to produce significant vertebrate fossils due to its young age. No fossils are recorded from the Mecca Formation within the vicinity of the PSA, resulting in an undemonstrated, but moderate potential depending on lithology. Older surficial and subsurficial including Pleistocene older alluvial sediments, the

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Ocotillo Formation (exclusive of the grey boulder facies), and Palm Springs Formation are considered to have a moderate paleontological sensitivity due to previous paleontological finds in the area.

The potential to impact any fossils varies with depth of impacts, previous disturbance, lithology and presence of non-fossiliferous sediments. Logistics of excavation also affect the possibility of recovering scientifically significant fossils since information on exact location, vertical elevation, rock unit of origin, and other aspects of context are critical.

RECOMMENDATIONS

If excavations greater than 5 feet in depth are planned in areas mapped as Quaternary alluvium, or if excavations are planned in sediments mapped as Ocotillo Formation or Palm Springs Formation, a qualified principal investigator for paleontology should be retained to prepare a PRIMP per Riverside County Policy OS 19.6. The PRIMP should include steps to be taken to mitigate impacts to paleontological resources, including paleontological monitoring in areas with sediments conducive to fossil preservation.

In the event of unanticipated paleontological finds, the County Geologist should be notified and work should be halted within 100 feet of the discovered resource until it can be evaluated by a qualified paleontologist per Riverside County Policy OS 19.7. Once the extent and potential significance of the paleontological resources on the site has been determined, the qualified paleontologist and County shall establish appropriate mitigation measures for further site development.

CERTIFICATION

CERTIFICATION: I hereby certify that the statements furnished above and in the attached exhibits present the data and information required for this paleontological report, and that the facts, statements, and information presented are true and correct to the best of my knowledge and belief.

DATE: November 6, 2014

SIGNED:

PRINTED NAME: Sherri M. Gust

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REFERENCES CITED

BLM 2007 Potential Fossil Yield Classification. http://www.blm.gov/pgdata/etc/medialib/blm/wo/Information_Resources_Management/policy/i m_attachments/2008.Par.69083.File.dat/IM2008-009_att1.pdf

California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) 2012 Paleontology, Online Environmental Handbook, vol. 1, chapter 8. http://www.dot.ca.gov/ser/vol1/sec3/physical/Ch08Paleo/chap08paleo.htm

Dibblee, T.W. 2008a Geologic Map of the Cottonwood Spring and Canyon Spring 15 Minute Quadrangles. Dibblee Geology Center Map #DF-375. Scale 1:62500.

Dibblee, T.W. 2008b Geologic Map of the Palm Desert and Coachella 15 Minute Quadrangles. Dibblee Geology Center Map #DF-373. Scale 1:62500.

LACMIP 2014 Online database search of the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County Department of Invertebrate Paleontology.

Miles, S.R, C.B. Goudey, E.B. Alexander, and J.O. Sawyer 1998 Ecological subregions of California (electronic resource); section & subsection descriptions. http://www.fs.fed.us/r5/projects/ecoregions/322c.htm

PBDB 2014 Online database search of the PaleoBiology Database.

Scott, E 2000a Paleontology literature and records review, Coachella Valley Region, Riverside County, California. On File with Cogstone, Orange, California.

Scott, E 2000b Paleontology literature and records review, Te’ayawa Energy Center, Coachella Valley Region, Riverside County, California. On File with Cogstone, Orange, California.

Scott, E 2011 Paleontology literature and records review, Paradise Valley Project, Shaver’s Valley, Riverside County, California. On File with Cogstone, Orange, California.

Scott, E. and K. Springer 2003 CEQA and fossil preservation in southern California. The Environmental Monitor, Winter: 4-10,17.

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UCMP 2014 Online database search of the University of California Museum of Paleontology.

Wagner, D.L. 2002 California geomorphic provinces. California Geological Survey note 36. Website: http://www.consrv.ca.gov/cgs/information/

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APPENDIX A: QUALIFICATIONS

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SHERRI GUST Project Manager & Principal Investigator

EDUCATION 1994 M. S., Anatomy (Evolutionary Morphology), University of Southern California, Los Angeles 1979 B. S., Anthropology (Physical), University of California, Davis

SUMMARY QUALIFICATIONS Gust has more than 35 years of experience in California, acknowledged credentials for meeting national standards, and is a certified/qualified principal archaeologist and paleontologist in all California cities and counties that maintain lists. Gust is an Associate of the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County in the Vertebrate Paleontology and Rancho La Brea Sections. She is a Member of the Society of Vertebrate Paleontology, Society for Archaeological Sciences, Society for Historical Archaeology, the Society for California Archaeology and others. She has special expertise in the identification and analysis of human, animal and fossil bone.

SELECTED PROJECTS Exposition Light Rail Transit Phase II, Exposition Rail Construction Authority/Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority, sub to URS Corporation, Los Angeles. Conducted paleontological assessment, including a field survey, for the extension of the Expo Light Rail system for 8 miles from Culver City to Santa Monica involving construction of seven stations. Managed paleontological and archaeological monitoring during construction. Quaternary old alluvial fan sediments deposited during the middle to late Pleistocene, between 800,000 to 11,000 years ago, were present in about a third of the project alignment. A vertebrate fossil locality known within the alignment was updated with the Natural History Museum. Principal Archaeologist and Paleontologist. 2009- Present

Purple Line Extension (Westside Subway) Final EIS/EIR and Mitigation Plans, Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority, Los Angeles. The project involves construction of seven stations from the existing Purple Line at Wilshire/Western Avenue along Wilshire Boulevard to the Veterans Administration Hospital in Westwood for 8.6 miles. Completed the paleontology section and prepared the Paleontological Mitigation Plan (PMP) for the Final EIS/EIR. Prepared a separate Paleontological Mitigation Plan and MOA with the Natural History Museum for the Wilshire/Fairfax Station Exploratory Shaft. Supervised paleontological monitoring during shaft excavation. Completed supplemental Archaeology and Architectural Survey Reports for the FEIS/EIR. Project Manager/Principal Paleontologist. 2011-Present

California State University, Long Beach, On-Call Archaeological Services, Long Beach, Los Angeles County. Manages archaeological and Native American monitoring tasks for California State University, Long Beach. Principal Investigator for Archaeology. 2011-present

Bloomington Affordable Housing, Related Companies, San Bernardino County Department of Land Use Services, San Bernardino County. The proposed project is to develop and construct a 196-unit affordable housing apartment complex and community amenities. Oversaw cultural and paleontological record searches, Native American Sacred Lands file search, consultation with Native American tribes and individuals, and pedestrian field survey of the nine-acre project area or area of potential effect. Principal Investigator. 2013

Arbor Green Affordable Housing Project, Affirmed Housing Group, Carson, Los Angeles County. Provided project supervision and quality control during archaeological mitigation monitoring and prepared portions of Cultural Resources Monitoring Compliance Report. Arbor Green consists of a 40-unit, three-story affordable family housing development on a 1-acre parcel. Principal in Charge. 2013

Fort Irwin, U.S. Army National Training Center/GSA Region 9, San Bernardino County. Cultural Resources Inventory Survey and National Register Evaluation of Archaeology Sites. Supervised cultural resources inventory of 58 sq. km east of Goldstone in four survey blocks. Prepared overview of literature, research design and field evaluation guidelines. Directed survey, site recording and site evaluation to Section 106 standards. Principal Investigator/Project Manager. 2012-2013

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COURTNEY RICHARDS Paleontologist and Assistant Field Director

EDUCATION 2011 M.S., Biological Sciences, Marshall University 2006 B.S., Earth and Space Science, University of Washington

SUMMARY QUALIFICATIONS Richards is a qualified paleontologist with research, field, and laboratory experience. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Earth and Space Science at the University of Washington and her Master’s degree in Biological Sciences with a paleontology focus at Marshall University. Richards has published papers on dinosaur and marine reptile paleontology research. Richards has personal expertise in fossil salvage, stratigraphy, fossil preparation, database analysis and identification. She has over two years of professional experience in California.

SELECTED PROJECTS

Purple Line Extension (Westside Subway), Exploratory Shaft, Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority, Los Angeles. Assistant Field Director. Supervised and conducted paleontological monitoring and recorded stratigraphy during pre-construction drilling and excavation to a depth of 75’ for a 36’ by 18’ exploratory shaft located in the La Brea Zone. 2012-present

SR 91 HOV Project, Caltrans District 8, Riverside County. Paleontology Technician. Performed paleontological monitoring of sensitive sediments during HOV lane construction along a 6-mile segment of SR- 91 in Riverside County. 2012-present

SANDAG San Diego River Bridge Double Track Project, San Diego County. Paleontology Technician. Conducted a pedestrian survey and co-authored the subsequent paleontological technical report for the proposed construction of a new double track bridge across the San Diego River and the alignment of the track to each side of the bridge along a 1.1-mile long segment of the LOSSAN railroad corridor. 2013

Pioneer High School Project, Los Angeles County. Report Contributor. Prepared paleontology and geology sections of a combined archaeological and paleontological resources assessment report for a stadium improvement project at Pioneer High School in Whittier, CA. 2013

East San Fernando Valley Transit Corridor, Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority, Los Angeles County. Paleontology Technician. Conducted a paleontological survey; co-authored paleontological assessment and existing condition reports for Metro’s proposed project to construct a light railway and new bus lines from Sylmar to Sherman Oaks in the eastern portion of the San Fernando Valley. 2012-present

Jackson Valley Rehabilitation Project, Caltrans District 10, Amador County. Paleontology Technician. Performed paleontological monitoring of sensitive sediments during road widening along SR-88 near Ione, CA and co-authored the Paleontological Mitigation Plan and final monitoring report. 2012-2013

Merced Freeway Project, Caltrans District 10. Assistant Field and Lab Director. Alternated 2 week rotations performing direction of fossil recovery and field preparation of fossils for 5-mile segment of State Route 99 south of Merced. Some 128 localities and 1667 fossils recovered in five months of excavation for detention basins. Prepared fossils in lab and supervised matrix washing and microfossil sorting. Contributed to final report including preparation of stratigraphic columns. 2012.

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KIM SCOTT Field & Lab Director for Paleontology

EDUCATION 2013 M.S., Biology with a paleontology emphasis, California State University, San Bernardino 2000 B.S., Geology with paleontology emphasis, University of California, Los Angeles

SUMMARY QUALIFICATIONS Scott has more than 18 years of experience in California paleontology. She is a qualified geologist and field paleontologist with extensive survey, monitoring and fossil salvage experience. In addition, she has special skills in fossil preparation (cleaning and stabilization) and preparation of stratigraphic sections and other documentation for fossil localities. Scott serves as company safety officer and is the author of the company safety and paleontology manuals.

SELECTED PROJECTS

Los Angeles Metropolitan Transportation Authority, Purple Line Extension (Westside Subway), Exploratory Test Shaft, Los Angeles, CA. Supervised paleontological field monitoring of exploratory test shaft activities in the La Brea Deposit area using ground penetrating radar. She recovered and processed over 500 fossils. Cogstone prepared a Paleontological Mitigation Plan (PMP) to provide guidelines for paleontological monitoring, fossil recovery and subsequent studies to offset adverse impacts to significant paleontological resources. Cogstone also prepared the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Page Museum. The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) is the lead agency for the project. Sub to Parsons Brinckerhoff. Field and Laboratory Director. 2012-2014

SR 99 Arboleda Drive Freeway Project, Caltrans District 10, Merced County, CA. Conducted paleontological resources monitoring, fossil recovery, and fossil preparation for a 5-mile segment. Prepared GIS report maps. Some 128 localities and 1,667 fossils recovered in five months of excavation for detention basins. Paleontology & GIS Technician. 2012

SR 41 Widening, Caltrans District 6, near Kettleman City. Directed monitoring for widening and rehabilitating of an 8.5 mile segment of Highway 41 near Kettleman City. Supervised preparation of about 800 vertebrate, invertebrate and plant fossils recovered, prepared stratigraphic columns and contributed to report. Field / Lab Director and Report Co-author. 2012

Geospatial Paleontology Database, Caltrans District 6, 9, and 10. Conducted paleontological research for 15 counties in central and eastern California for paleontological screening tool. Paleontology Researcher. 2011- 2012

Devers-Mirage 115 KV System Split Project, Southern California Edison, Riverside County. Performed preconstruction paleontological survey, directed paleontological monitoring during construction activities and co-authored monitoring compliance report associated with electrical systems upgrade in of Cathedral City, Indian Wells, Palm Desert, Palm Springs, Rancho Mirage, Thousand Palms and unincorporated Riverside County. Field and Lab Director and Report Co-author. 2011

Eldorado-Ivanpah Transmission Line, Southern California Edison, Eldorado, NV to Ivanpah, CA. Conducted paleontological survey and prepared assessment report for 71 miles of SCE electrical lines and associated telecommunications across both BLM and private lands. Field and Lab Director. 2010

Tehachapi Renewable Transmission Project, Segments 1-3. Paleontological resources management plans, paleontological monitoring, fossil recovery, lab work, multiple supplemental survey and variance reports for construction of new electrical transmission facilities in Los Angeles and Kern Counties. Paleontology Field and Lab Director. 2007-9

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MOLLY VALASIK Qualified Archaeologist/ Cross-Trained Paleontologist

EDUCATION 2009 M.A., Anthropology, Kent State University, Kent, Ohio 2006 B.A., Anthropology, Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio

SUMMARY QUALIFICATIONS Valasik is a Registered Professional Archaeologist with six years of professional field and academic research experience. She has completed more than 24 hours of paleontological field training and logged four years as a dual archaeology/paleontology monitor. Valasik is GIS proficient and currently supervises digitizing and mapping at Cogstone with the use of advanced Trimble software in addition to serving as Principal Archaeologist.

SELECTED PROJECTS

Trabuco Road at Monroe Avenue Project, City of Irvine/Caltrans District 12, Irvine. Prepared archaeological literature study including record search, Native American consultation, analysis and recommendations for a traffic signal improvement project. Principal Investigator. 2013

Santiago Canyon Bridges Project, Orange County Parks, south Orange County. Prepared archaeological Phase I assessment including record search, Native American consultation, survey, impact analysis and recommendations for nine bridge rehabilitation projects. Principal Investigator. 2013

13th Street Bridge Replacement Project, San Diego County Department of Public Works/Caltrans District 11, Ramona. Prepared Archaeological Survey Report and Historic Properties Survey Report including record search, survey, impact analysis and recommendations for bridge replacement. Principal Investigator. 2013

Rose Creek Bike Trail, SANDAG, San Diego. Prepared archaeological Phase I assessment including record search, Native American consultation, survey, impact analysis and recommendations for new bike trail along creek. Principal Investigator. 2013

Gopher Canyon Restoration Project, Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy, Chatsworth. Prepared archaeological Phase I assessment including record search, survey, impact analysis and recommendations for stream restoration project. Principal Investigator. 2013

Sun Ranch, City of San Juan Capistrano. Directed archaeological and Native American monitoring of a City water system improvement project over several months and prepared final monitoring compliance report. Principal Investigator. 2012

Placentia Metrolink Station Project, OCTA, Orange County. Performed an archaeological records search and field survey, prepared GIS maps and sections of the Archaeological Survey Report for expanded station. Archaeologist, GIS Specialist & Report Contributor. 2012

Uptown Newport Village Project, Orange County. Conducted an archaeological records search and NAHC consultation, prepared GIS maps, and authored the Prehistoric and Historic Background section and the Record Search section of a combined Archaeological and Paleontological Assessment Report for a 25-acre residential development project in the City of Newport Beach. GIS Specialist & Report Contributor. 2011-2012

Conrad N. Hilton Foundation Headquarters Project, Agoura Hills. Conducted paleontological and archaeological resources monitoring, supervised archaeological excavations and artifact recovery, prepared GIS maps, and wrote portions of the mitigation compliance report. A total of 372 artifacts were recovered during monitoring and testing. Field Supervisor & GIS Specialist. 2011-2012

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APPENDIX B: RECORDS SEARCH RESULTS

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APPENDIX C: PFYC SYSTEM

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POTENTIAL FOSSIL YIELD CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM

The Potential Fossil Yield Classification (PFYC) System provides the most detailed evaluation of sensitivity to produce fossils and is current professional practice. The PFYC System was developed by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Forest Service and refined by the BLM (2007). This system is being considered for adoption by the Society of Vertebrate Paleontology in addition. Occurrences of paleontological resources are closely tied to the geologic units (i.e., formations, members, or beds) that contain them. The probability for finding paleontological resources can be broadly predicted from the geologic units present at or near the surface. Therefore, geologic mapping can be used for assessing the potential for the occurrence of paleontological resources.

Using the PFYC system, geologic units are classified based on the relative abundance of vertebrate fossils or scientifically significant invertebrate or plant fossils and their sensitivity to adverse impacts, with a higher class number indicating a higher potential. This classification is applied to the geologic formation, member, or other distinguishable unit, preferably at the most detailed mapable level. It is not intended to be applied to specific paleontological localities or small areas within units. Although significant localities may occasionally occur in a geologic unit, a few widely scattered important fossils or localities do not necessarily indicate a higher class; instead, the relative abundance of significant localities is intended to be the major determinant for the class assignment.

The PFYC system is meant to provide baseline guidance for predicting, assessing, and mitigating paleontological resources. The classification should be considered at an intermediate point in the analysis, and should be used to assist in determining the need for further mitigation assessment or actions.

The descriptions for the classes below are written to serve as guidelines rather than as strict definitions. Knowledge of the geology and the paleontological potential for individual units or preservational conditions should be considered when determining the appropriate class

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Class 1 – Very Low. Geologic units that are not likely to contain recognizable fossil remains. The probability for impacting any fossils is negligible. Assessment or mitigation of paleontological resources is usually unnecessary. The occurrence of significant fossils is non- existent or extremely rare. This class includes: • Units that are igneous or metamorphic, excluding reworked volcanic ash units. • Units that are Precambrian in age or older.

Class 1 Management notes: 1) Management concern for paleontological resources in Class 1 units is usually negligible or not applicable. 2) Assessment or mitigation is usually unnecessary except in very rare or isolated circumstances.

Class 2 – Low. Sedimentary geologic units that are not likely to contain vertebrate fossils or scientifically significant nonvertebrate fossils. The probability for impacting vertebrate fossils or scientifically significant invertebrate or plant fossils is low. Assessment or mitigation of paleontological resources is not likely to be necessary. Localities containing important resources may exist, but would be rare and would not influence the classification. These important localities would be managed on a case-by-case basis. This class includes: • Vertebrate or significant invertebrate or plant fossils not present or very rare. • Units that are generally younger than 10,000 years before present. • Recent aeolian deposits. • Sediments that exhibit significant physical and chemical changes (i.e., diagenetic alteration).

Class 2 Management notes: (1) Management concern for paleontological resources is generally low. (2) Assessment or mitigation is usually unnecessary except in rare or isolated circumstances.

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Class 3 – Moderate or Unknown. Fossiliferous sedimentary geologic units where fossil content varies in significance, abundance, and predictable occurrence; or sedimentary units of unknown fossil potential. This classification includes a broad range of paleontological potential. It includes geologic units of unknown potential, as well as units of moderate or infrequent occurrence of significant fossils. Management considerations cover a broad range of options as well, and could include pre-disturbance surveys, monitoring, or avoidance. Surface-disturbing activities will require sufficient assessment to determine whether significant paleontological resources occur in the area of a proposed action, and whether the action could affect the paleontological resources. These units may contain areas that would be appropriate to designate as hobby collection areas due to the higher occurrence of common fossils and a lower concern about affecting significant paleontological resources. This class includes: • Formations with sporadic known occurrences of vertebrate fossils - often marine in origin. • Vertebrate fossils and scientifically significant invertebrate or plant fossils known to occur intermittently; predictability known to be low. • Poorly studied and/or poorly documented formations. Potential yield cannot be assigned without ground reconnaissance.

Class 3 Management notes: (1) Management concern for paleontological resources is moderate; or cannot be determined from existing data. (2) Surface-disturbing activities may require field assessment to determine appropriate course of action.

Class 3a – Moderate Potential. Units are known to contain vertebrate fossils or scientifically significant nonvertebrate fossils, but these occurrences are widely scattered. Common invertebrate or plant fossils may be found in the area, and opportunities may exist for hobby collecting. The potential for a project to be sited on or impact a significant fossil locality is low, but is somewhat higher for common fossils.

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Class 3b – Unknown Potential. Units exhibit geologic features and preservational conditions that suggest significant fossils could be present, but little information about the paleontological resources of the unit or the area is known. This may indicate the unit or area is poorly studied, and field surveys may uncover significant finds. The units in this Class may eventually be placed in another Class when sufficient survey and research is performed. The unknown potential of the units in this Class should be carefully considered when developing any mitigation or management actions.

Class 4 – High. Geologic units containing a high occurrence of significant fossils. Vertebrate fossils or scientifically significant invertebrate or plant fossils are known to occur and have been documented, but may vary in occurrence and predictability. Surface disturbing activities may adversely affect paleontological resources in many cases. The probability for impacting significant paleontological resources is moderate to high, and is dependent on the proposed action. Mitigation considerations must include assessment of the disturbance, such as removal or penetration of protective surface alluvium or soils, potential for future accelerated erosion, or increased ease of access resulting in greater looting potential. If impacts to significant fossils can be anticipated, on-the-ground surveys prior to authorizing the surface disturbing action will usually be necessary. On-site monitoring or spot-checking may be necessary during construction activities. This class includes: • Extensive soil or vegetative cover; bedrock exposures are limited or not expected to be impacted. • Areas of exposed outcrop are smaller than two contiguous acres. • Outcrops form cliffs of sufficient height and slope so that impacts are minimized by topographic conditions. • Other characteristics are present that lower the vulnerability of both known and unidentified paleontological resources.

Class 4 Management notes:

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(1) Management concern for paleontological resources in Class 4 is moderate to high, depending on the proposed action. (2) A field survey by a qualified paleontologist is often needed to assess local conditions. (3) Management prescriptions for resource preservation and conservation through controlled access or special management designation should be considered. (4) Class 4 and Class 5 units may be combined as Class 5 for broad applications, such as planning efforts or preliminary assessments, when geologic mapping at an appropriate scale is not available. Resource assessment, mitigation, and other management considerations are similar at this level of analysis, and impacts and alternatives can be addressed at a level appropriate to the application.

Class 4a – Unit is exposed with little or no soil or vegetative cover. Outcrop areas are extensive with exposed bedrock areas often larger than two acres. Paleontological resources may be susceptible to adverse impacts from surface disturbing actions. Illegal collecting activities may impact some areas.

Class 4b – These are areas underlain by geologic units with high potential but have lowered risks of human-caused adverse impacts and/or lowered risk of natural degradation due to moderating circumstances. The bedrock unit has high potential, but a protective layer of soil, thin alluvial material, or other conditions may lessen or prevent potential impacts to the bedrock resulting from the activity.

Class 5 – Very High. Highly fossiliferous geologic units that consistently and predictably produce vertebrate fossils or scientifically significant invertebrate or plant fossils, and that are at risk of human-caused adverse impacts or natural degradation. The probability for impacting significant fossils is high. Vertebrate fossils or scientifically significant invertebrate fossils are known or can reasonably be expected to occur in the impacted area. On-the-ground surveys prior to authorizing any surface disturbing activities will usually be necessary. On-site monitoring may be necessary during construction activities. This class includes: • Extensive soil or vegetative cover; bedrock exposures are limited or not expected to be impacted.

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• Areas of exposed outcrop are smaller than two contiguous acres. • Outcrops form cliffs of sufficient height and slope so that impacts are minimized by topographic conditions. • Other characteristics are present that lower the vulnerability of both known and unidentified paleontological resources.

Class 5 Management notes: (1) Management concern for paleontological resources in Class 5 areas is high to very high. (2) A field survey by a qualified paleontologist is usually necessary prior to surface disturbing activities or land tenure adjustments. Mitigation will often be necessary before and/or during these actions. (3) Official designation of areas of avoidance, special interest, and concern may be appropriate.

Class 5a – Unit is exposed with little or no soil or vegetative cover. Outcrop areas are extensive with exposed bedrock areas often larger than two contiguous acres. Paleontological resources are highly susceptible to adverse impacts from surface disturbing actions. Unit is frequently the focus of illegal collecting activities.

Class 5b – These are areas underlain by geologic units with very high potential but have lowered risks of human-caused adverse impacts and/or lowered risk of natural degradation due to moderating circumstances. The bedrock unit has very high potential, but a protective layer of soil, thin alluvial material, or other conditions may lessen or prevent potential impacts to the bedrock resulting from the activity.

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