TEMESCAL VALLEY TOSCANA VILLAGE CORONA, RIVERSIDE COUNTY, CALIFORNIA Habitat Assessment and MSHCP Consistency Analysis Prepared For: Ruth Villalobos & Associates, Inc. 3602 Inland Empire Blvd., Suite C310 Ontario, California 91764 Contact: Ms. Ruth Villalobos Prepared By: Contact: Thomas J. McGill, Ph.D. 951.285.6014 Report and Survey Prepared By: Travis J. McGill, Biologist October 2013 Updated January 2017 TEMESCAL VALLEY TOSCANA VILLAGE CORONA, RIVERSIDE COUNTY, CALIFORNIA Habitat Assessment and MSHCP Consistency Analysis The undersigned certify that the statements furnished in this report and exhibits present data and information required for this biological evaluation, and the facts, statements, and information presented is a complete and accurate account of the findings and conclusions to the best of our knowledge and beliefs. Travis J. McGill Biologist Natural Resources Thomas J. McGill, Ph.D. Vice President Natural Resources October 2013 Updated January 2017 Executive Summary The approximate 27.11-Acre Temescal Valley Toscana Village project is located in the City of Corona, Riverside County, California. The project site is located within the jurisdiction of the Western Riverside County Multiple Species Habitat Conservation Plan (MSHCP). Specifically, the project site is located in Subunit 1: Estelle Mountain/Indian Canyon of the Elsinore Area Plan. The proposed project is primarily located in Criteria Cell 3448 with portions of the project site extending into Criteria Cells 3349 and 3350. These cells contribute to the assembly of the Proposed Extension of Existing Core 2 which consists of habitat associated with Temescal Canyon Wash and adjacent upland areas. The primary goal of this Cell group will focus on riparian scrub, woodland, forest, and Riversidean alluvial fan sage scrub habitat associated with Temescal Wash and provides habitat for species listed in Section 4.3.3 and 4.3.4 above, and also provides for movement of species. Nine (9) plant communities were observed within the boundaries of the project site during the habitat assessment: annual grassland; Riversidean sage scrub (RSS); southern cottonwood willow riparian forest; coast live oak riparian forest; mulefat scrub; wetland; eucalyptus woodland; disturbed; and developed. Based on the 2013 Jurisdictional Delineation Report, the project applicant will be required to obtain the following regulatory approvals: Untied States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Clean Water Act (CWA) Section 404 Nationwide Permit No. 39: Commercial and Institutional Developments; a Regional Water Quality Control Board (RWQCB) CWA Section 401 Water Quality Certification; and a California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) Section 1602 Streambed Alteration Agreement (SAA). Separate from the regulatory permits, a Determination of Biologically Equivalent or Superior Preservation (DBESP) analysis will need to be prepared to address the loss of the riparian/riverine habitat under the MSHCP. It should be noted that the project site is no longer located within federally designated Critical Habitat. Based on habitat requirements for specific species, availability and quality of habitats needed by sensitive plant species, it was determined that the project site does not provide suitable habitat for MSHCP Narrow Endemic or Criteria Area plant species. A focused survey was conducted in 2012 for sensitive plant species on the proposed project site and was negative. Since current site conditions have not changed since the 2012 focused survey, based on the 2013 habitat assessment, it can be presumed that MSHCP Narrow Endemic and Criteria Area plant species are absent from the project site. A focused survey conducted in 2012 for burrowing owl was negative. Current site conditions have not changed since the 2012 focused survey and based on the lack of sign or observation of burrowing owl on the project site during the 2013 habitat assessment, it can be presumed that burrowing owl do not occur onsite. Temescal Valley Toscana Village Habitat Assessment and MSCHP Consistency Analysis ES-1 Executive Summary Least Bell’s vireo (Vireo bellii pusillus; LBVI) is known to nest within Temescal Creek, which is located approximately 800-feet from the riparian habitat on the project site. LBVI is an edge species and could migrate onto the project site. In accordance with the USFWS least Bell’s vireo survey guidelines, all riparian areas and any other potential vireo habitats within the project boundaries were surveyed at eight (8) times between April 10 and July 31, at least ten (10) days apart. Biologist Travis J. McGill conducted eight focused LBVI surveys on May 9, May 19, May, 29, June 8, June 19, June 29, July 12, and July 26, 2014. All surveys were conducted between the hours of 0600 and 1000. No LBVI were observed during these surveys and LBVI can be presumed to be absent from the project site. Temescal Valley Toscana Village Habitat Assessment and MSCHP Consistency Analysis ES-2 Table of Contents Executive Summary ....................................................................................................................... ES-1 Section 1 Introduction ...................................................................................................................... 1 1.1 Project Location...................................................................................................................... 1 1.2 Project Description ................................................................................................................. 1 Section 2 Methodology ...................................................................................................................... 6 2.1 Western Riverside County MSHCP Consistency Analysis .................................................... 6 2.2 Literature Review ................................................................................................................... 6 2.3 Habitat Assessment and Field Investigation ........................................................................... 7 2.4 Soil Series Assessment ........................................................................................................... 8 2.5 Plant Communities ................................................................................................................. 8 2.6 Plants ...................................................................................................................................... 8 2.7 Wildlife ................................................................................................................................... 8 2.8 Riparian / Riverine Habitat and Jurisdictional Areas ............................................................. 8 2.9 Stephen’s Kangaroo Rat Habitat Conservation Plan .............................................................. 9 Section 3 Existing Conditions ........................................................................................................ 10 3.1 Local Climate ....................................................................................................................... 10 3.2 Topography and Soils ........................................................................................................... 10 3.3 Surrounding Land Uses ........................................................................................................ 12 Section 4 Discussion ........................................................................................................................ 13 4.1 Site Conditions ..................................................................................................................... 13 4.2 Vegetation ............................................................................................................................ 13 4.2.1 Annual Grasslands ............................................................................................................ 15 4.2.2 Riversidean Sage Scrub .................................................................................................... 15 4.2.3 Riparian ............................................................................................................................ 15 4.2.3.1 Southern Cottonwood Willow Riparian Forest ............................................................ 16 4.2.3.2 Coast Live Oak Riparian Forest ................................................................................... 16 4.2.3.3 Mulefat Scrub ............................................................................................................... 16 4.2.4 Wetland ............................................................................................................................ 16 4.2.5 Eucalyptus Woodland ....................................................................................................... 16 Temescal Valley Toscana Village Habitat Assessment and MSHCP Consistency Analysis i Table of Contents 4.2.6 Disturbed .......................................................................................................................... 17 4.2.7 Developed ......................................................................................................................... 17 4.3 Wildlife ................................................................................................................................. 17 4.3.1 Amphibians......................................................................................................................