U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Antioch Dunes National Wildlife Refuge Comprehensive Conservation Plan Vision Statement “Our vision is that endangered species management will be incorporated into the overall management of the riverine sand dune ecosystem. Using management actions that mimic natural processes, the Refuge will support self-sustaining populations of Lange’s, wallflower, primrose, and other native species.” “Through high quality interpretive and environmental education programs, the public will have opportunities to visit and gain an appreciation for the unique ecosys- tem of the Refuge and an understanding of endan- gered species protection and the role of the Refuge System in recovering endangered species.” U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service California/Nevada Refuge Planning Office 2800 Cottage Way, Room W-1916 Sacramento, CA 95825 August 2002 Antioch Dunes National Wildlife Refuge Table of Contents Acronymns and Definitions ......................................................................................................................................iii List of Selected Scientific Names ............................................................................................................................ iv Chapter 1 - Introduction ............................................................................................................................................ 1 Introduction.................................................................................................................................................. 1 Purpose and Need for the Plan ................................................................................................................. 1 The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the National Wildlife Refuge System ................................ 2 U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Responsibilities ....................................................................................... 2 The National Wildlife Refuge System ....................................................................................................... 2 Legal and Policy Guidance........................................................................................................................... 2 The Antioch Dunes National Wildlife Refuge ........................................................................................ 3 Location .......................................................................................................................................................... 3 Land Ownership............................................................................................................................................ 6 Partnerships .................................................................................................................................................. 6 Refuge Setting .............................................................................................................................................. 6 Refuge History .............................................................................................................................................. 7 Refuge Purpose ........................................................................................................................................... 10 Related Projects and Studies in the Area ............................................................................................. 10 U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service .................................................................................................................. 10 The Recovery Plan for the Primrose, Wallflower, and Lange’s ....................................................... 10 Other Agencies ............................................................................................................................................ 11 Brannan Island State Recreation Area .............................................................................................. 11 The Regional Parks Botanic Garden at Tilden Regional Park ........................................................ 11 Montezuma Wetlands ........................................................................................................................... 11 CALFED ................................................................................................................................................ 12 Chapter 2 - The Planning Process .......................................................................................................................... 13 The Planning Process ............................................................................................................................... 13 Issues .......................................................................................................................................................... 14 Issues Identified by the Public ................................................................................................................. 14 Issues Identified by Refuge Staff, Panel of Experts, and Other Agencies ......................................... 15 Chapter 3 - Refuge and Resource Description .................................................................................................... 17 Ecoregion Setting...................................................................................................................................... 17 Geographic and Physical Setting ............................................................................................................ 17 Wilderness .................................................................................................................................................. 18 Management Area Designations............................................................................................................. 18 Topography ................................................................................................................................................. 18 Geology........................................................................................................................................................ 18 Soils.............................................................................................................................................................. 21 Climate ........................................................................................................................................................ 21 Air Quality .................................................................................................................................................. 21 Contaminants ............................................................................................................................................. 22 Hydrology ................................................................................................................................................... 23 Water Supply .............................................................................................................................................. 23 Vegetation .................................................................................................................................................... 23 Wildlife ........................................................................................................................................................ 26 Fish .............................................................................................................................................................. 26 Invertebrates ............................................................................................................................................. 26 i Endangered Species ................................................................................................................................. 27 Lange’s Metalmark Butterfly - Apodemia mormo langei .................................................................... 28 Background ............................................................................................................................................ 28 Population Size and Status ................................................................................................................... 29 Antioch Dunes Evening Primrose, Oenothera deltoides spp. howellii ............................................... 30 Background ............................................................................................................................................ 30 Population Size and Status ................................................................................................................... 32 Contra Costa Wallflower, Erysimum capitatum spp. angustatum ....................................................... 32 Background ............................................................................................................................................ 32 Population Size and Status ................................................................................................................... 34 Public Use .................................................................................................................................................. 34 Easements .................................................................................................................................................