Diegan Coastal Sage Scrub Restoration Plan TransNet EMP Grant Project: Calavera Preserve Planning Area Prepared for: City of Carlsbad Parks and Recreation Department Carlsbad, CA Prepared by: Technology Associates 5930 Priestly Dr. Carlsbad, CA August 24, 2009 Table of Contents Contents Page 1.0 INTRODUCTION.......................................................................................................................... 3 2.0 PROJECT DESCRIPTION .......................................................................................................... 3 3.0 EXISTING SITE CONDITIONS ................................................................................................. 6 3.1 SITE CONDITIONS......................................................................................................................... 6 3.2 REFERENCE AREA VEGETATION SAMPLING ................................................................................. 6 3.3 SOIL TESTING............................................................................................................................... 7 4.0 PERSONNEL AND SUPPLIES.................................................................................................... 7 4.1 RESTORATION ECOLOGIST ........................................................................................................... 7 4.2 LANDSCAPE MAINTENANCE CONTRACTOR .................................................................................. 8 4.3 CONTRACT NURSERY/SEED SUPPLY ............................................................................................ 9 5.0 RESTORATION IMPLEMENTATION ..................................................................................... 9 5.1 PRECONSTRUCTION MEETING ...................................................................................................... 9 5.2 SITE PREPARATION..................................................................................................................... 10 5.2.1 Fencing and Signs ................................................................................................................ 10 5.2.2 Site Access and Best Management Practices........................................................................ 11 5.2.3 Soil Preparation ................................................................................................................... 11 5.3 INSTALLATION ........................................................................................................................... 12 5.3.1 Seed Procurement and Inspection ........................................................................................ 12 5.3.2 Mycorrhizal Inoculation ....................................................................................................... 14 5.3.3 Imprinting Equipment........................................................................................................... 14 5.3.4 Imprinting Execution ............................................................................................................16 5.3.5 Supplemental Irrigation (Optional)...................................................................................... 18 5.4 INSTALLATION SCHEDULE.......................................................................................................... 19 6.0 PROJECT MAINTENANCE AND MONITORING................................................................ 19 6.1 120-DAY ESTABLISHMENT MONITORING AND MAINTENANCE .................................................. 19 6.1.1 Weed Abatement ................................................................................................................... 20 6.1.2 Vandalism Control and Trash Removal................................................................................ 21 6.1.3 Erosion Control .................................................................................................................... 21 6.1.4 Herbivory/Predator Control................................................................................................. 21 6.1.5 Completion of 120-day Maintenance.................................................................................... 22 6.2 LONG-TERM MONITORING AND MAINTENANCE – SEPARATE CONTRACT .................................. 22 6.2.1 Long-term Monitoring .......................................................................................................... 23 6.2.2 Performance Standards ........................................................................................................ 25 6.2.3 Long-Term Maintenance ...................................................................................................... 26 6.2.4 Contingency Measures.......................................................................................................... 27 7.0 REFERENCES............................................................................................................................. 28 APPENDIX A. Results of Soils Analysis for Lake Calavera Preserve APPENDIX B. California Invasive Plant Inventory, High and Moderate Risk Species Restoration Plan: Calavera Preserve Planning Area i August 24, 2009 List of Figures Contents Page Figure 1. Regional Location Map ................................................................................................................ 4 Figure 2. Project Site Map ........................................................................................................................... 5 List of Tables Contents Page Table 1. Average Cover Model for Coastal Sage Scrub............................................................................. 7 Table 2. Plant Palette for Restoration Project........................................................................................... 13 Table 3. Maximum Allowable Bulk Densities after Imprinting ............................................................... 17 Table 4. Recommended Installation Schedule.......................................................................................... 19 Table 5. Recommended Establishment Monitoring and Maintenance Schedule...................................... 20 Table 6. Recommended Long-Term Monitoring and Maintenance Schedule.......................................... 23 Table 7. Success Criteria .......................................................................................................................... 25 Restoration Plan: Calavera Preserve Planning Area ii August 24, 2009 1.0 Introduction This document is a conceptual restoration plan for the Calavera Preserve Planning Area Project, which is funded by a grant from the San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG) TransNet Environmental Mitigation Program (EMP). The purpose of this project is to provide access control, habitat restoration, and public outreach for the 735- acre Calavera Preserve Planning Area. The planning area is part of Core Area 3 for the City of Carlsbad Habitat Management Plan (HMP), a Subarea Plan for the Multiple Habitat Conservation Program (MHCP). In addition, it contributes to the Natural Communities Conservation Planning (NCCP) preserve system by serving as a regional movement corridor for the federally threatened California gnatcatcher (Polioptila californica californica). 2.0 Project Description The Calavera Preserve Planning Area is located in the northeastern portion of the City of Carlsbad, San Diego County, California (Figure 1). One of the largest blocks of undeveloped natural open space in the City of Carlsbad, this area consists of three preserves: Lake Calavera, which is owned by the City and managed by Center for Natural Lands Management (CNLM), and Calavera Heights Mitigation Parcel and Carlsbad Highlands Ecological Reserve, which are both owned and managed by California Department of Fish and Game (CDFG). In addition, Robertson Ranch/Calavera Hills Preserve, owned and managed by CNLM, abuts on the western boundary, and the Cantarini/Holly Springs Proposed Hardline (a development project that has a pre- negotiated open space boundary, but is not currently conserved) abuts on the southern boundary. In this document, “Project” refers only to the restoration component of the EMP grant project referenced above. The goal this Project is to restore 5 acres of non-native grassland habitat to Diegan coastal sage scrub that is (a) self-sustaining, (b) suitable habitat for the California gnatcatcher, and (3) free of non-native invasive species that could invade adjacent native habitat. The restoration will occur in an area near the northern boundary of Lake Calavera Preserve (Figure 2). The south side of the restoration area is adjacent to existing coastal sage scrub habitat that is known to support the coastal California gnatcatcher (Polioptila californica californica). The north side of the restoration area is adjacent to a 60-foot (recently reduced from 100-feet) fuel modification area that is regularly mowed. Restoration Plan: Calavera Preserve Planning Area 3 August 24, 2009 CITY OF OCEANSIDE S.D. COUNTY S.D. TAM AR D A V COUNTY A VILL E DR C K A B AG S L R A CITY OF C Lake Calavera Preserve OCEANSIDE T AMARACK A V EL C CA CITY OF VISTA A MIN O R RE L AL S B A D B L D R N O N N CA L B E G E LL O C D T R R CITY OF PO IR SAN A AR M MARCOS P M E A L O L R O N S A L E TI ET D S.D. INS R PO COUNTY N L TIA ET S A IN V ALGA RD O IA CITY OF P RA P SAN Y MARCOS D R LA V E C A F O A A S T T N A S O H Regional Location Map C N A R City of Carlsbad OLIVENHAIN