CALIFORNIA ESS E NTIAL HABITAT CONN ec TIVITY PROJ ec T : A STRAT E GY FOR CONS E RVING A CONN ec T E D CALIFORNIA FE BRUARY 2010 PR ep AR E D FOR : CALIFORNIA Dep ARTM E NT OF TRANS P ORTATION CALIFORNIA Dep ARTM E NT OF FIS H AND GAM E WIT H FUNDING FROM : FE D E RAL HIG hw AYS ADMINISTRATION California Essential Habitat Connectivity Project “A Strategy for Conserving a Connected California” Funding for this project was provided by the California Department of Transportation, State Planning and Research program (80% Federal Highway Administration and 20% State transportation funds). In-kind services were provided by the California Department of Fish and Game. Disclaimer The statements and conclusions in this report are those of the authors and advisory committees and not necessarily those of the Federal Highways Administration, California Department of Transportation or Department of Fish and Game. The mention of commercial products, their source or their use in connection with material reported herein is not to be construed as either an actual or implied endorsement of such products. The user accepts sole responsibility for the correct interpretation of this report and the correct use of its accompanying data sets in environmental documents. No statement or data set shall by itself be considered an official response from a state agency regarding impacts to wildlife resulting from a management action subject to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). Copyright Information The text of this document and any images (e.g., photos, graphics, figures, and tables) that are specifically attributed (in full, or in coordination with another group) to the California Department of Transportation may be freely distributed or copied, so long as full credit is provided. However, this document also includes a number of copyrighted images (e.g., photographs, illustrations, graphics, figures, and tables) that are not owned by the State of California (which are reprinted in this report with permission). Before using any of these copyrighted items in another publication, it is necessary to obtain specific permission from the attributed owners. The names of these copyright holders are provided vertically next to each of these images. (Note: the U.S. Copyright Office provides “Fair Use” guidelines on this subject.) Cover image: Left-side photo by SC Wildlands (Rocky Peak Rd.). Preferred Citation Spencer, W.D., P. Beier, K. Penrod, K. Winters, C. Paulman, H. Rustigian-Romsos, J. Strittholt, M. Parisi, and A. Pettler. 2010. California Essential Habitat Connectivity Project: A Strategy for Conserving a Connected California. Prepared for California Department of Transportation, California Department of Fish and Game, and Federal Highways Administration. Document Availability This document and companion data files are available online at: http://www.dot.ca.gov/hq/env/bio/program_efforts.htm http://www.dfg.ca.gov/habcon http://www.scwildlands.org For individuals with sensory disabilities, this document is available in Braille, large print, on audiocassette, or computer disk. To obtain a copy in one of these alternate formats, please call or write to Caltrans, Attn: Amy Pettler, Senior Planner, 1120 N. Street MS 27, Sacramento, CA 95814; telephone number: (916)651-8166. California Essential Habitat Connectivity Project i Members of the Steering Committee California Department of California Department of Transportation Fish and Game Amy Pettler, AICP Monica Parisi Senior Endangered Species Coordinator Staff Environmental Scientist and Wildlife Biologist Conservation Planning Program Division of Environmental Analysis Habitat Conservation Planning Branch Gregg Erickson Tina Bartlett Chief, Office of Biological and Chief Technical Assistance Habitat Conservation Planning Branch Division of Environmental Analysis California Department of Marilee Mortenson Parks and Recreation Senior Environmental Planner Rick Rayburn Division of Transportation Planning Chief, Natural Resources Division Katie Benoaur California Department of Senior Environmental Planner Water Resources Collaborative Planning Branch Marc Hoshovsky Division of Transportation Planning Environmental Program Manager Floodway Ecosystem Sustainability Robert Cervantes Branch Associate Transportation Planner Division of Transportation Planning United States Fish and Wildlife Service Roberta Gerson Regional Transportation Coordinator - Region 8 Consultant Team The Dangermond Group Conservation Biology Institute Karin Winters, Project Manager Wayne Spencer, PhD Pete Dangermond James Strittholt, PhD Heather Rustigian-Romsos SC Wildlands Kristeen Penrod Paul Beier, PhD Candace Paulman California Essential Habitat Connectivity Project ii Members of the Technical Advisory Group Amador County San Joaquin Council of Governments Keith Johnson Steve Mayo Association of Monterey Bay Area Santa Clara Valley Habitat Plan Governments Ken Schreiber David Johnston Sierra Nevada Conservancy California Department of Fish and Game Steve Beckwitt Armand Gonzales Jim Branham David Johnston Liz VanWagtendonk Tom Lupo Ray McDowell State Coastal Conservancy Kent Smith Nadine Hitchcock Chris Stermer United States Bureau of Land Management California Department of Transportation Amy Fesnock Bruce April Russell Scofield Kelly Eagan United States Bureau of Reclamation California Tahoe Conservancy David Hansen Adam Lewandowski Barbara Simpson John Thomson California Department of Water Resources Ted Frink United States Fish and Wildlife Service Sally Brown East Bay Regional Parks Cat Darst Steve Bobzien Laura Finley Cheryl Hickam Enterprise Rancheria Steve Kirkland Ren Reynolds Rocky Montgomery Jerry Roe Federal Highway Administration Michael Morris United States Forest Service Larry Vinzant Don Yasuda Peter Stine National Park Service Diana Craig David Graber Ray Sauvajot United States Geological Survey Robert Fisher Sacramento Area Council of Governments Joe Concannon Washoe Environmental Protection Department San Gabriel and Lower Los Angeles Rivers and John Warpeha Mountains Conservancy Luz Torres California Essential Habitat Connectivity Project iii Multi-Disciplinary Team Participating Agencies Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians Sacramento Area Council of Alpine County Governments Amador County Sacramento County Planning Arizona Game and Fish Department Department Association of Bay Area Governments San Diego Association of Governments Association of Monterey Bay Area San Diego River Conservancy Governments San Gabriel and Lower Los Angeles Butte County Association of Governments Rivers and Mountains Conservancy Calaveras Council of Governments San Joaquin Council of Governments California Department of Conservation San Joaquin River Conservancy California Department of Fish and Game Santa Clara Valley Habitat Plan California Department of Parks and Sierra Nevada Conservancy Recreation Southern California Association of California Department of Transportation Governments California Department of Water Resources Sutter County California Energy Commission Tahoe Regional Planning Agency California Tahoe Conservancy Transportation Agency Monterey Coachella Valley Association of Gov County Coachella Valley Mountains Conservancy Tuolumne County Transportation Colusa County Transportation Council Commission United States Air Force Western Contra Costa County Regional Environmental Office Contra Costa Transportation Authority United States Bureau of Land Council of Fresno County Governments Management County of San Diego United States Bureau of Reclamation East Bay Regional Parks United States Department of Defense - Enterprise Rancheria Marines Federal Highway Administration United States Environmental Protection Fresno Flood Control Agency Lake County/City Area Planning United States Fish and Wildlife Service Mono County United States Forest Service National Park Service United States Geological Survey Nevada County Transportation Ventura County Transportation Commission Commission Office of Planning and Research Washoe Tribe of Nevada and California Orange County Transportation Authority Western Riverside Council of Placer County Governments Rancho Palos Verdes Yolo Habitat Joint Powers Authority Riverside County Regional Conservation Yurok Tribe Authority Robinson Rancheria California Essential Habitat Connectivity Project iv Peer Reviewers Kevin Crooks, Ph.D. Colorado State University Patrick Huber, Ph.D. University of California, Davis Brad McRae, Ph.D. The Nature Conservancy Reed Noss, Ph.D. University of Central Florida John Wiens, Ph.D. PRBO Conservation Science California Essential Habitat Connectivity Project v Table of Contents Chapter 1. Introduction............................................................................................................. 1 1.1. Project Goals................................................................................................................. 1 1.2. Project Approach .......................................................................................................... 2 1.3. Report Goals and Organization..................................................................................... 4 Chapter 2. Methods .................................................................................................................. 5 2.1. Delineating Natural Landscape Blocks......................................................................... 5 2.1.1. Ecological Condition Index ................................................................................