PRELIMINARY REVIEW

Transcription

1 WESTERN RIVERSIDE COUNTY MSHCP BURROWING OWL HABITAT ASSESSMENT (Athene cunicularia hypugaea) PRELIMINARY REVIEW APN LOCATION: Northwest corner of intersection of A Street and Ellis Avenue in City of Perris, Riverside County, California. Mapped in Southwest 1/4 of Section 31, Township 4 South and Range 3 West of USGS Topographic Map, 7.5 Minute Series, Perris, California Quadrangle APPLICANT: Greg Lansing EVEREST AT PERRIS, LLC High Bluff Drive Suite 150 San Diego, California (858) glansing@lansingcompanies.com PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR AND REPORT PREPARER: Paul A. Principe PRINCIPE AND ASSOCIATES Los Nogales Road Temecula, California (951) paulprincipe2@gmail.com BURROW SURVEY CONDUCTED BY PAUL A. PRINCIPE ON: March 10, 2017 REPORT DATE: March 22, 2017

2 PRINCIPE AND ASSOCIATES CONSULTING BIOLOGISTS Los Nogales Road Temecula, California (951) March 22, 2017 Brian Muhu CITY OF PERRIS DEVELOPMENT SERVICES DEPARTMENT PLANNING DIVISION 135 North D Street Perris, California Subject: Preliminary Review APN Unit Senior Apartment Project Burrowing Owl Habitat Assessment Mr. Muhu, Principe and Associates was hired by Greg Lansing, Everest at Perris, LLC, to prepare a Western Riverside County Multiple Species Habitat Conservation Plan (MSHCP) Burrowing Owl Habitat Assessment on 4.22 acres of land located at the northwest corner of the intersection of A Street and Ellis Avenue in the City of Perris, Riverside County, California (Site Vicinity Map). It is mapped in a portion of Section 31, Township 4 South and Range 3 West of USGS Topographic Map, 7.5 Minute Series, Perris, California Quadrangle (USGS Location Map). Based on Figure 6-4 of the MSHCP, the site is located within the Burrowing Owl Survey Area. As such, a Habitat Assessment was completed for the burrowing owl. A survey was conducted on March 10, 2017, and followed the Burrowing Owl Survey Instructions for the Western Riverside Multiple Species Habitat Conservation Plan Area (March 29, 2006). 1

3 SITE VICINITY MAP PR Legend Display Parcels roadsanno highways HWY INTERCHANGE INTERSTATE OFFRAMP ONRAMP USHWY counties cities hydrographylines waterbodies Lakes Rivers *IMPORTANT* Maps and data are to be used for reference purposes only. Map features are approximate, and are not necessarily accurate to surveying or engineering standards. The County of Riverside makes no warranty or guarantee as to the content (the source is often third party), accuracy, timeliness, or completeness of any of the data provided, and assumes no legal responsibility for the information contained on this map. Any use of this product with respect to accuracy and precision shall be the sole responsibility of the user. 0 1,893 3,786 Feet REPORT PRINTED ON... 3/7/ :32:03 AM Riverside County RCIT GIS Notes NORTHWEST CORNER OF A STREET AND ELLIS AVENUE IN THE SOUTH WEST PORTION OF THE CITY

4 USGS LOCATION MAP PR Legend Display Parcels Townships Survey Faults <all other values> ALQUIST-PRIOLO RIVERSIDE COUNTY Fault Zones <all other values> COUNTY FAULT ZONE ELSINORE FAULT ZONE SAN ANDREAS FAULT ZONE SAN JACINTO FAULT ZONE roadsanno highways HWY INTERCHANGE INTERSTATE OFFRAMP ONRAMP USHWY counties cities hydrographylines waterbodies Lakes Rivers *IMPORTANT* Maps and data are to be used for reference purposes only. Map features are approximate, and are not necessarily accurate to surveying or engineering standards. The County of Riverside makes no warranty or guarantee as to the content (the source is often third party), accuracy, timeliness, or completeness of any of the data provided, and assumes no legal responsibility for the information contained on this map. Any use of this product with respect to accuracy and precision shall be the sole responsibility of the user. 0 1,893 3,786 Feet REPORT PRINTED ON... 3/7/ :50:13 AM Riverside County RCIT GIS Notes SW 1/4 OF SECTION 31, TOWNSHIP 4 SOUTH AND RANGE 3 WEST OF THE USGS PERRIS QUADRANGLE

5 SITE DESCRIPTION Aerial photographs from 2002 through 2016 shows that the site was vacant and undeveloped except for two dirt access roads and a walking path. The roads roughly follow the extensions of Ellis and Park Avenues through the site, and the path parallels A Street. Prior to 2006, the site was covered by a mix of sage scrub and grassland vegetation. The aerial photographs show that grassland was growing on the majority of the site, and it was disced at least once per year for fire prevention purposes. At that time, the sage scrub was confined to an area measuring approximately one acre that was not included in the area disced for fire prevention purposes because of the present of numerous rock outcrops. A few trees were either planted or became established from seed dispersals on the site (windblown or bird droppings). By 2009, all of the sage scrub and the rock outcrops were removed. The adjacent property owner remembers that the rock outcrops were initially broken up by explosives, then removed to the undeveloped properties located to the south by heavy construction equipment (personal communication). For legal reasons, many of those rock outcrops were returned to the western portion of the subject site. In 2012, sage scrub species, primarily interior California buckwheat recruits, had succeeded into the area with the rock outcrops. The sage scrub became established in area measuring approximately 0.5 acres. At the present time, the patch of sage scrub and a few rock outcrops are still located in this area of the site. Weed abatement appears to be the only regular activities occurring on the site over the past 14 years. The site remains in that condition today (see Site Photographs attached). The site is located on the rocky, rolling hills present in Southwest Perris. The site slopes downward in a west to east direction, and slightly in a south to north direction. There is a change of elevation of approximately 20 feet between the southwest and southeast corners of the site. Natural watercourses are not present on the site, and drainage is by gravity flow in the direction of slope. Review of the Soil Survey of Western Riverside Area, California revealed that the surficial soils at the site are included in the Cieneba-Rock Land-Fallbrook Association (Soils of the Southern California Coastal Plain). Within this association, Vista rocky coarse sandy loam was mapped at the site. Vista soils are derived from weathering granite and granodiorite. Remnant Riversidean sage scrub (±0.5 acres) is currently scattered around the rock outcrops located in the western portion of the site (see Site Photographs attached). It s growth form is sparse and intermittent, and it is growing under highly disturbed conditions. The only typical native sage scrub species identified were sand pigmystonecrop (Crassula connata), jimsonweed (Datura wrightii), interior California buckwheat (Eriogonum fasciculatum subsp. foliolosum). 4

6 Ruderal vegetation (±3.5 acres including trees) has previously succeeded onto all areas of the site that are regularly disced (Biological Resources Map and see Site Photographs attached). Ruderal vegetation is the first to colonize disturbed land like that present at the site. The dirt roads and other highly disturbed areas are bare ground void of any vegetation, and occupy the remaining approximately 0.22 acres of the site. Before discing, the onsite Ruderal vegetation is overgrown and dense. Because of the above average seasonal precipitation total by the beginning of March 2017, some of the non-native species were growing 3-4 feet tall, or taller. Species composition is abundant, but not that diverse. The dominant vegetation includes invasive, non-native species, but a mix of native wildflower species were also found growing at the site this winter and spring. Surveys conducted to inventory the flora were conducted in February, March and April Two non-native species, *stink-net (Onocosiphon piluliferum) and *London rocket (Sisymbrium irio) account for the majority of the biomass present at the site. Stink-net is an invasive species that was introduced into Southern California, and is now spreading rapidly in the Moreno Valley to Perris areas. Other species include common fiddleneck (Amsinckia menziesii var. intermedia), *slender wild oat (Avena barbata), *shortpod mustard (Brassica geniculata), *brome grasses (Bromus diandrus and B. hordeaceus), California sun cup (Camissonia bistorta), *shepherd s purse (Capsella bursa-pastoris), *lambs quarters (Chenopodium album), common cryptantha (Cryptantha intermedia), *filarees (Erodium botrys and B. cicutarium), *foxtail barley (Hordeum murinum subsp. leporinum), coastal goldfields (Lasthenia gracilis), *bird s foot trefoil (Lotus corniculatus), miniature lupine (Lupinus bicolor), *cheeseweed (Malva parvifolia), valley popcorn-flower (Plagiobothrys canescens), *annual bluegrass (Poa annua), *Russian-thistle (Salsola tragus), *Mediterranean schismus (Schismus barbatus), *common groundsel (Senecio vulgaris), and *white clover (Trifolium repens). The tree species include five clumps of *Tree of Heaven (Ailanthus altissima), four clumps of *river red gum (Eucalyptus camaldulensis) and one *tree tobacco (Nicotiana glauca). Four of the trees still standing are dead. Wildlife is not abundant nor diverse at the site. The small disturbed patch of remnant Riversidean sage scrub and rock outcrops provides the only permanent live-in habitat remaining on the site. Spring annuals provide temporary habitat for opportunistic species that inhabit and forage in environments altered by humans, but this habitat is removed after discing occurs. Surveys to inventory the fauna were conducted during late morning and early afternoon hours under weather conditions that are conducive to observing animals foraging and outside of their burrows, and detecting animal signs. The few species observed include *Denotes non-native species Scientific nomenclature after Roberts, Jr., Fred M., Scott D. White, Andrew C. Sanders, David E. Bramlet, and Steve Boyd

7 BIOLOGICAL RESOURCES MAP PR Legend Display Parcels roadsanno highways HWY INTERCHANGE INTERSTATE OFFRAMP ONRAMP USHWY counties cities hydrographylines waterbodies Lakes Rivers *IMPORTANT* Maps and data are to be used for reference purposes only. Map features are approximate, and are not necessarily accurate to surveying or engineering standards. The County of Riverside makes no warranty or guarantee as to the content (the source is often third party), accuracy, timeliness, or completeness of any of the data provided, and assumes no legal responsibility for the information contained on this map. Any use of this product with respect to accuracy and precision shall be the sole responsibility of the user Feet REPORT PRINTED ON... 3/9/ :23:01 AM Riverside County RCIT GIS Notes RUDERAL VEGETATION = 3.5 AC. RIVERSIDEAN SAGE SCRUB = 0.5 AC NO VEGETATION = 0.22 AC.

8 the western fence lizard (Sceloporus occidentalis), rock pigeon (Columba livia), western kingbird (Tyrannus verticalis), black phoebe (Sayornis nigricans), northern mockingbird (Mimus polyglottos), white-crowned sparrow (Zonotrichia leucophrys), house finch (Carpodacus mexicanus), and house sparrow (Passer domesticus). Only one kind of diagnostic animal sign was discovered on the site. Mounds of loose dirt pushed to the surface indicated the presence of Botta s pocket gopher (Thomomys bottae). Active small mammal burrows and droppings of species like the California ground squirrel (Spermophilus beecheyi), pocket mice (Perognathus sp.) and/or deer mice (Peromyscus sp.) were not discovered. This may be due to the presence of domestic cats (Felis catus) observed hunting on the site. Pellets or scat of common species like the desert cottontail (Sylvilagus audubonii) or coyote (Canis latrans) were also not discovered. THE BURROWING OWL (Athene cunicularia hypugaea) The burrowing owl is perhaps the easiest owl to identify. It is commonly seen perching on a fence post or standing at the entrance to its nesting burrow. The long, exposed stilt legs and the characteristic bobbing behavior that is displayed when an individual is approached or otherwise disturbed quickly distinguishes this species. The burrowing owl is a year-long resident of the lowlands over much of the southern California region. The burrowing owl is primarily a diurnal species with crepuscular hunting habits. They hunt by using short flights, running along the ground, hovering, or by using an elevated perch. They are a relatively opportunistic forager, dieting on a variety of foods including deer or white-footed mice, meadow voles and beetles. Although they eat mostly insects and small mammals, they also take reptiles, birds and carrion. The burrowing owl usually nests in an abandoned burrow of a ground squirrel or other small mammal, but may also use the burrows of badgers and marmots. The mammal burrows are modified and enlarged. It may dig its own burrow in soft soils. One burrow is typically selected for use as the nest, however satellite burrows are usually found in the immediate vicinity of the nest burrow within the defended territory of the owl. Pipes, culverts, nest boxes, and other manmade structures are used where burrows are scarce. Their home range may vary from 0.1 to 4.0 acres (mean 2.0 acres), with average distance of 436 feet between burrows. This species is semi-colonial, and is probably the most gregarious owl in North America. BURROWING OWL STATUS, MSHCP GROUP DESIGNATION AND RATIONALE The burrowing owl is listed as a Species of Special Concern in California because of declines of suitable habitats, and both localized and statewide population declines. It is also a Federal-listed Species of Special Concern, Partners in Flight Priority Bird Species, and Fish and Wildlife Service Species of Management Concern. Furthermore, the Burrowing owl is a migratory bird species protected by international treaty under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA) of

9 The burrowing owl is a Group 3 species in the MSHCP. It is narrowly distributed at relatively few locations within the Plan Area in suitable habitat. Although the preferred habitat, grassland and some forms of agriculture land, is well distributed, the recent locations of the burrowing owl are clumped in only a few locations. Because this species requires specific soil and micro-habitat conditions, occurs in few locations within a broad habitat category, requires a relatively large home range to support its life history requirements, occurs in relatively low numbers, and is semi-colonial, the burrowing owl will require site-specific considerations and management conditions. This is a species on the Additional Survey Needs and Procedures (Section 6.3.2) list and surveys for burrowing owl will be conducted as part of the project review process for public and private projects within the Burrowing Owl Survey Area where suitable habitat is present (see Burrowing Owl Survey Area Map, Figure 6-4 of the MSHCP, Volume I). Burrowing owls located as a result of survey efforts shall be conserved in accordance with procedures described within Section 6.3.2, MSHCP, Volume 1. HABITAT UTILIZATION The burrowing owl occurs within the central portion of Western Riverside County. It has a sparsely scattered distribution throughout the open lowlands of the MSHCP Plan Area outside of montane areas. Burrowing owls use a variety of natural and modified habitats for nesting and foraging. Burrowing owl habitats can be found in shortgrass prairies, annual and perennial grasslands, lowland scrub, agricultural lands and rangelands, prairies, coastal dunes, deserts, scrublands characterized by low-growing vegetation, and some artificial areas (i.e., golf courses, cemeteries, irrigation ditches, etc.). Suitable owl habitat may also include trees and shrubs if the canopy covers less than 30 percent of the ground surface, and they may also occur in forb and open stages of pinyon-juniper and ponderosa pine habitats. They require large open expanses of sparsely vegetated areas on gentle rolling or level terrain with an abundance of active small mammal burrows. As a critical habitat feature, they require the use of rodent or other burrows for roosting and nesting. Burrows are the essential component of burrowing owl habitats. Both natural and artificial burrows provide protection, shelter and nests for burrowing owls. The burrowing owl usually nests in an abandoned burrow of a ground squirrel or other small mammal, but may also use the burrows of badgers and marmots. The mammal burrows are modified and enlarged. It may dig its own burrow in soft soils. One burrow is typically selected for use as the nest (natal burrow), however satellite burrows are usually found in the immediate vicinity of the natal burrow within the defended territory of the owl. Pipes, culverts, nest boxes, and other manmade structures are used where burrows are scarce. HABITAT ASSESSMENT Pursuant to Step I, Habitat Assessment, of the Burrowing Owl Survey Instructions for the Western Riverside Multiple Species Habitat Conservation Plan Area (March 29, 2006), a complete walk-over survey was conducted on March 10, 2017 between 7:00 8

10 and 8:00 AM PST to determine if the site is occupied by burrowing owls and to identify the presence or absence of suitable and critical burrowing owl habitats on the site. (Sunrise was at 6:06 AM PST on March 10, 2017.) Typical survey transects to allow 100 percent visual coverage of the ground surface were not possible at this site due to the nature of the vegetative cover. Weather conditions included mostly clear skies and temperatures between 51 F and 58 F with 0-2 mph winds (temperature is measured in the shade in degrees Fahrenheit including the wind chill factor, and wind speed is given in miles per hour measured over a few moments using a Kestrel 2000.) The survey was not conducted within five days of rain, or during high winds (> 20 mph), dense fog, or temperatures over 90 F. Suitable burrowing owl habitats consisting of large open expanses of sparsely vegetated areas on gentle rolling or level terrain with an abundance of active small mammal burrows are not present on this site. Unsuitable burrowing owl habitat is present on the site and in a portion of the buffer zone. It consists of densely vegetated annual grassland that is overgrown with 3-4-foot-high weeds. Active small mammal burrows were not discovered at the ground surface beneath this vegetation, nor were California ground squirrel burrows. Areas located north, east and west of the site are developed. During the survey, it became apparent that critical burrowing owl habitats were not present on the site (Step II, Part A of the Survey Instructions). The burrow survey was negative. California ground squirrel burrows, other similarly-sized burrows or manmade structures capable of being used for roosting or nesting by burrowing owls were not discovered on the site. In the unlikely event that the overgrown vegetation is obscuring California ground squirrel burrows that may be present on the ground surface, these critical burrowing owl habitat features are not capable of being used for roosting and/or nesting. Due to the nature of the rock outcrops returned to the site, crevices were not discovered. In addition, animal signs diagnostic of burrowing owls that are sometimes overlooked were not discovered anywhere on the site (i.e., molted feathers, cast pellets, prey remains, eggshell fragments, and/or excrement at or near a burrow entrance). There was no evidence of either active habitats presently being used by burrowing owls, or habitats abandoned within the last year on the site. In summary, the site is not occupied by the burrowing owl and also does not provide suitable or critical habitats for this species. Implementing Step II, Part B of the Survey Instructions (Focused Burrowing Owl Surveys) is not required in this case. Also, based on Step I of the Survey Instructions (Habitat Assessment), no 30-day pre-construction surveys are necessary if there is no suitable habitat on the site. The project is then consistent with Species Conservation Objectives 5 and 6 in the MSHCP for the Burrowing Owl. 9

11 CERTIFICATION STATEMENT Date: March 22, 2017 I hereby certify that the statements furnished herein and in the attached exhibits present the data and information required to complete this Nesting Season Survey for the Burrowing Owl to the best of my ability, and that the facts, statements and information presented are true and correct to the best of my knowledge and belief. Paul A. Principe ipe PRINCIPE AND ASSOCIATES Paul A. Principe Principal 10

12 REFERENCES County of Riverside, Transportation and Land Management Agency, Environmental Programs Department. Revised August 17, Burrowing Owl Survey Instructions for Western Riverside Multiple Species Habitat Conservation Plan Area, March 29, County of Riverside, Transportation and Land Management Agency, Environmental Programs Department. Revised August 17, MSHCP 30-day Pre-Construction Burrowing Owl Survey Report Format. Dudek & Associates, Inc. June 17, Riverside County Integrated Project. Final Western Riverside County Multiple Species Habitat Conservation Plan. Volume I, The Plan. Dudek & Associates, Inc. June 17, Riverside County Integrated Project. Final Western Riverside County Multiple Species Habitat Conservation Plan. Volume 2, The MSHCP Reference Document. Google Earth. Search: Perris valley Airport-L65, Perris, California. Imagery Dates: 6/5/2002 through 10/21/2016 Images: U.S.G.S., NASA, USDA Farm Service Agency, and 2016 DigitalGlobe Riverside County Information Technology Map My County Riverside County. Roberts, Jr., Fred M., Scott D. White, Andrew C. Sanders, David E. Bramlet, and Steve Boyd The Vascular Plants of Western Riverside County, California, An Annotated Checklist. F.M. Roberts Publications, San Luis Rey, California. 11

13 Suitable and critical burrowing owl habitats are not present on this site. Unsuitable habitat consists of densely vegetated annual grassland that is overgrown with weeds. Small mammal burrows were not discovered beneath this vegetation. SITE PHOTOGRAPH 1 PR PRINCIPE AND ASSOCIATES

14 The annual grassland that is overgrown with 3-4-foot-high weeds. In the unlikely event that this vegetation is obscuring ground squirrel burrows, these critical burrowing owl habitat features are not capable of being used for roosting and/or nesting by burrowing owls. SITE PHOTOGRAPH 2 PR PRINCIPE AND ASSOCIATES

15 The approximately 0.5 acres of Remnant Riversidean sage scrub is also not providing suitable or critical burrowing owl habitats. Due to the nature of the rock outcrops returned to the site, artificial burrows provided by crevices in the rocks were not discovered. SITE PHOTOGRAPH 3 PR PRINCIPE AND ASSOCIATES