laurence p. stromberg, ph. d

Laurence P. Stromberg, Ph. D. Wetlands Consultant

59 Jewell Street, San Rafael, CA 94901 Tel. & Fax: (415) 721-0700

Prepared for:

Mr. Harvey Rich, Managing Member Alton Preserve, LLC 336 Bon Air Center, Box 320 Greenbrae, CA 94904

Prepared by:

Laurence P. Stromberg, Ph.D. Wetlands Consultant 59 Jewell Street San Rafael, CA 94901

March 19,2007 Revised September 24,2007

'e

Jurisdictional Determinations Wetland Mitigation Planning Regulatory Analysis and Permitting Endangered Species Surveys

TABLE OF CONTEN=

II"jtS1 t%N!3C'i;R f tW" TANH USE .................................................................................... 6

I .4. P I !VtZf<*;tl, AND RlOt XX"tlC"h1, C:ONl>lTlC)MS ......................... .. .,,,,.. ....................... $7 1.4, I . Snits, X r)pgr;lphy, arxd flminztpe .......................................................,......................... b

l,i-J2. Sr;lsnnnl ti'cllarti!~ ...........................................................................................~.....~...... 8 1-43, t ???liintf (\rTincy:frd ~lnd Annuri! C"fr&sstand) ................................,.............-..................... 8 2.4.4. Spc~ii~l-a~trttrs Plma S eir% ..................... ,,. ................................................................. 8

................................................................................... ! .4,5, Sp"i:tl-~tarrt~ iVilt.jfSfc Spcies I I

I ,X, :jVQIf X3ANCYF', PlkC3'IbflC"T ION, AND MTNIMlXstTIOY M\;A34 [RES ............................ 1'1 1 .X. 2 . A~~c~icisrlce. atrd l%tttc~titlrz Mcrlauees ........................................................................... B 3

va" ~IIVIMEAAIION M~:AS$I ES ................... ,.. ,............................................................ X.C $2) . 1 , t ucf \!?rim I+cracin ...................,...,,,.. ..................................................................... 1 5 X .'),Z, I+lotr~gil=at Monit ...................................................................................................... 15 1.9.3. Strrt-m Water Ptrllutic3~ Pwventinn Plan (S PI ...................................................... !5 f .9.4. tSrrsr I ' t ~ ~ t m f ......................................,......................................................................... ldi

20. MONt t OHIN(; .................................. ZZ,.,,, .......................................................................... $6 2-1. F 1: Jrtil~~gic I:toncfion ...................................................................................................... Eh

Z,1.1. tternd podl; i d f'7S knycfing wnd, .................................................................. I 0 2.12, Nwrrk.;, ........................eR.....e.*e*....s.s.........., ]el

2.2. cr'egetatic311 Iqtah-tishment ..............................+.....*...*+-,, ................................................. 22.1 . V'emrl priok ....................,..,,............., 16 ? > ? ,,,, ,. Swalcs, .................................................... .. I f r

2.3, ftztrkc"s I rc~lrflicfds tan4 Sonoma Sunshine RstaMishrnenr .................. ,. ..... ,.. ........... 14.1

rXar .?.a,. I Z I I I V + C ' ~ ~ S ox IJSTED ~ t ~ i i ~ f ~ i c ; ..................................................................................... 1 7 3.1. 9irec1 anti litdirect Imp:rcts ....................... ..,,,.*$.,-*, ..........,........................................... 1-B

7. f . l . Sp~"~ia[-sl;r?~~s falime spccies. .................................................................................. 1 7

I:igi~re 4. i"3ktlrng I-,ascmt.n$s on Alron North Conmatian t3snk ~ . , , . , , , , . . , , , . . ~ . . , . ~ , ~ ~ ~ ~ , ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ x + ~ ~ ~ . ~ . ~ . ~ ~ %

Biological Assessment, Alton North Conservation Bank, Sonoma County, California

1.0. INTRODUCTION

This Biological Assessment ("BA") addresses the impacts resulting from the enhancement and creation of approximately 7.24 acres of vernal pools at the Alton North Conservation Bank ("ANCB"), which will be inoculated with Burke's goldfields (Lasthenia burkei) seed, and management of the site for the benefit of California tiger salamander ("CTS") upland habitat and potential habitat for Burke's goldfields. Additional swale habitat will also be enhanced and created. Management of the site includes installation of perimeter fencing, gate(s) and a corral; removal of some small existing structures, vineyards, and ornamental vegetation; and implementation of vegetation control measures (grazing) and control of undesirable vegetation from the newly constructed wetland habitat and the surrounding uplands.

1.1. GEOGRAPHIC SETTING AND LOCATION

The proposed ANCB is located northwest of the City of Santa Rosa (Figure I), at 2779 Piner Road between Piner Road and Alton Lane (Figure 2). The north property boundary of the proposed ANCB is at Alton Lane. The property and proposed bank site are divided by an access road that connects Alton Lane and Piner Road and provides access to the existing residence on the bank site and another 300 feet to the south. The location of ANCB is within the limits of the Alton Conservation Area (Figure 3). The General Plan land use designation and zoning for the ANCB are the same, LIA or "Land Intensive Agricultural."

1.2. DESCRIPTION OF THE SITE

ANCB is approximately 22.67 acres, a portion of a 24.77-acre parcel (A. P. No. 034-042-080) previously owned by the Porter Family and managed as Vera Gold Vineyards for wine grape production for several decades. Most ofthis area is currently actively managed vineyards. That part of the 24.77-acre parcel that will not become part of ANCB includes two residences, a driveway and parking area, large barn, storage sheds, and several outbuildings used to store vineyard management equipment. All are clustered on approximately four acres with an array of other facilities used by the owners for their own recreational pleasure and for catered events, such as weddings and parties. These facilities include a gazebo, bocciball courts, horseshoe pits, swings, barbeque grills, restrooms, etc. The area around the residences and these facilities has been landscaped with lawns and ornamental vegetation. The remaining area of the 24.77-acre parcel includes a leachfield, access roads, older farm and vineyard management equipment stored outside the barn and sheds, and ruderal annual grassland habitat.

The primary vegetation on ANCB is vineyards. Most of the remaining area is landscaped or is ruderal annual grassland. The site provides migratory and potential estivation habitat for the California tiger salamander, which is known to occur in a vernal pool created in the northwest corner of the existing Alton Lane Preserve and is well within the migratory distance for juvenile and adult CTS.

No leases exist on the proposed ANCB. Several easements do exist on the proposed ANCB site *)* (Figure 4). These include an ingress-egress easement in the northwest corner of the proposed bank

site (DN 2000-047263), an easement granted to Pacific Gas & Electric (2743 O.R. 329), its respective successors, assigns, lessees, and agents to construct, reconstruct, install, maintain, and

Biological Assessment, Alton North Conservation Rank, Sonoma County, California

operate an overhead electric transmission line along the access road, and a conservation easement granted in favor of the CDFG (DN 1994-0009048). Twenty feet of the access easement is within the proposed ANCR west of the access road, and 20 feet are within the vineyard block east of the access road. A 15-foot right-of-way easement in the favor of Porter (prior owner of the property) is also present along the access road between the west and east parts of the proposed ANCB site.

PG&E has the rights for vehicular access to the property, and to transport all necessary persons, equipment, materials, etc. within the easement to conduct whatever activities are necessary to transmit, distribute, and supply electrical power to the public in general, to install gates in existing or future fences as necessary to maintain access for these purposes, and to trim branches from or remove any trees or brush that might interfere with the line.

First-year special-status plant species surveys were completed in the spring of 2007. Sonoma sunshine (Blenvosperma hakeri) was observed at three locations in the vineyard block east of the access road. The total number of Sonoma sunshine plants present, based on full-count methods, is estimated to be 3,919. The second year of the survey, conducted to provide the basis for improving the estimate of the number of plants present, will be completed in 2008.

Fee title to the proposed ANCR site will be transferred to the California Department of Fish and Game ("CDFG") along with the management endowment, and the CDFG will be responsible for implementation of the elements of this Plan.

1.3. BAST AND CURRENT LAND USE

Approximately 20.8 acres of the 24.77-acre property that includes the proposed ANCB has been divided into several vineyard blocks and, as the Vera Gold Vineyards, has been managed for wine grape production for several decades. Two residences, a driveway and parking area, large barn, storage sheds, and szveral outbuildings used to store vineyard management equipment (grape boxes, tee posts, cable, spraying equipment, stakes) are clustered on approximately four acres with an array of facilities used by the owners for their own recreational pleasure and for catered events, such as weddings and parties. These facilities include a gazebo, bocciball courts, horseshoe pits, swings, barbeque grills, restrooms, etc.

The 2.10-acre area around the residences and these facilities has been landscaped with lawns and ornamental vegetation. This area includes a leach field, access roads, older farm and vineyard management equipment stored outside the barn and sheds, and ruderal annual grassland habitat. The access road will be part of the proposed ANCB; any structures within its limits will be demolished and all stored equipment, materials, and debris will be removed.

1.4. PHYSICAL AND BIOLOGICAL CONDITIONS

1.4.1. Soils, Topography, and Drainage

The soils on the property are mapped by the Soil Conservation Service (U.S. Soil Conservation X i Service 1992) as belonging to three phases of the Huichica loam series [HtA (0 - 2 percent slopes;

HvC, (shallow 0 - 9 percent slopes); and HwB (shallow, ponded, 0 - 5 percent slopes)]. The terrain on the property may once have been hummocky, characterized by low "mima" mounds and

inacrvcniug swlw and dc.pr*ss,srianal ground, hut the re1ieff.r~ k e n mrsdiEed over thc yearn o f t . i ~ e y 2 d trlanngument. "i'hc ! t uichica innm m i l s . p o s m s a ~ l ~ horj~on md hardpan Maw the clay.

e clay r;rngrec in rhickncss krm &w tt, I4 inches, and is thickest (and d e w s t ) crra the hip& grsjtand west of'the r.esiclerlce.s+ The harcjprt is present in the nesrthcm of the area west ~j-ihe E ~ C C ~ S C

a east oi'the acces mad hug is G icutmsiy iphwc.nt f r ~ ~ r n ~f t e higl~ gr.t~t~t~cf ncsk dfEw mistin nces, I%ysioal site in\r~stigstio~a reveal ahat h:wdpt.tn cementailirrtx varies fsrtirn wctib. t t ~ strong, httr wkn . the cementntiarn is strong, the lrardpm rakes the f irm a thin \ cnwr I f - 2 n m thick) c3f'rra;inyzanex- and ironcement& Iuam, BeIow the thin hut w.crl!-cmcnt't"e"t vcnccr. t l v sstre~~gtll ol"cemc"ntaticm declines abruptly and the sails ln. generally coarse-teuturcrl and In& the c;ty\acin) 10 pereft V v i t r ~ T ~

."Erpetwc%rk cbf w d c s driiins ahc pmpfly. carrying watm from the east and south tflrurrgh thc pr~prbs, toward Ahramsttt,n C'reck. Mut~otl"fmm rhc northwest ecrrnwoftk vlxneyad block cast of the ace.ee.ss road d~,aita.a 4 0 t k ntv-tb intu the Rwfer Mitigation Sitc but eventually finds i ts w y , thrt~rlgXt a ract~ts& rrf'crsns~nicte~l vcrnsl pinls, imo thc swale network that mf.crass~"s the mjor hank site arm w . ~ of tho M X ~ S ma& Itunnrt'f from if^ r~nflhegst amcr of %he viaeysd block east af rhr i.~cccss rsm1 also i h \ s I hmugh :t nctt~ork of n;irur;rl swlrlcs and cot*ks;;trud& ve a1 pools t+tn.ld nr~r~-wetjnnd depressieins tnsmrcf t t x nmf rclsidcntiszt area to the cast of the exxlstisrg A ~ Y Pmsewe, A stwk lhn~ragh fhc centcr ol'ahc ed;xsx vineyzttc3 k t ~ k carries w&w through the Allton South Conwn..llrisn

Stv&.i tsi !I tw construct~d tto prrbvfde hydmlogic i;onnwtions a m # the: psis and kawcen the p d s iinrl c8xis$ialp w a t w f hcac swler; will have grdients c~t'kttwnprrrt" and thm pwcnt and % i l l we ill txiJfh IWW Iff k t lit1 f i .

Scale: 1 :2,&00

S 1.t nt l arms ir how fhe 1~yw.ii I i 4 ~ ~ ~ e b l t 4 in the lower liw* 9friw 2w;tt%ven the vines, silvwgt. u ill he t'trrtdtrct~d prior to u~tn*irfa~a.titrn, f%-k%e upper 0, l - 0.2 A nffnpmil wiH be mflwred nlcmg with the n~rrtch rind ::ce.d Scpanatr. snl\*:f~ CP $ions will k cc.&ui:teci in the sf;?rtwnf~f wetlanti and upE:rold scab;, Srar!ttlni$ %iznc;!~inc in ?!te M% rrrd himk will he. ct>f!~xtc,d a& 9tc~kpilt.d ~.;cp).rrrtely linc.t rcywrd i n tht* t~)tf~\nb d ~ t l ; ~ : f;trge vernal pxrl p~~psc? i f in the: ceratw ofthe blwk and in se\*rml {?~!~er smdf prtlh Irt k ~ c k ~ f e ~ l f i"f l l t t~vi~~_! c(*nst~a.l~%i(~~~, Burke's pa~ldfields seat will he cnllccta.st fmm w1frc2 po i* i i t t 1 1 ~ taxistitlg?: !$!ton I m e h x w c and will k ifi ($the otlwp p&,

t Sfcm % : ; x ~ fYoifttfif~l~ Ib~c\t:nrion Pfan {'"St!?OsPY) wiEl tx dc?xelr)N 6\rconstntetii,n oFahe wnxal p<ale ; i i i , t?4C'Tb 111 prm crrf prr~t.ctei~nslmctian i r n p c t s ~ ~ habitat and mkmdmitlit~g~ttt~idefk wwk arens, I .rmit m co11frc 11 will he ;~c;cr)snpf ishtd using cctlnve~tiollijf rechniqx~s s~ltaitahlc. fixr local ccrardi~laj~s ~ " r r f i f ty8'fltb, -&qw, PEL-. f , , tp f l i l t~~f ' ) !~ ~c?tircri#~ measHn.s. swarrh 8s waMfc h s m i t . ~ ( ( w i t h t r t nylrrrr or 1~Xnmc t~ett i trg r ;311&or S I ~ I i2nc.ing atd rcgulm onaite monit t~~q, a d f be us& to protest against jrt;tcf\ crtcalr rntp;rct\ t t ~ areas orrwdt. ak pruject inap& uwct drziirag eon

12. MI ~ " ~ { ~ i p n i e a l ~ will be rtlait~taind stick that klme will k no teuaksrrfsutt~rnotive ,\Ifuids, stack as gsscllinc., oils, o r wlveratu,

k " k ;~ppliv;tnt a c i i i de~srlup ,rmd i~nfrlcment a SWPl,l"IVdc~ to p~vent impncts of %vet !:an$ ~ ~ s t n ~ : t t t c ~ ~ s : i d C O I W S [ I ' I I C ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Z CXI !tahit;gt OUIS~~C the work - The appficnnr wifl r~linimi~e Jisrtrrhlt~~c car'uf~1;lnd 1$:tt*it:tf during tt't"%larlcl restomtion at1 ion. I'trc: Icng~h $ti' ;iccess, h t j l s " ~ ~ B s m d t l w tireij ttt'stwk piEw will tw rfhitrrizd e l c t fy idcnfified prit3r t ~ \ gr%~t~ncI?~aezlhi~~g. ,any awrs tifihrtrrkd daring lturtliwrrtk will kdiLwd,anc$ stiwkpiled ttpland tctpsoi! crln~ainrnp sc .4 ml mtricft %i l l be resppficc! tn cncclumge rwstkttslishet nf'tfre spccirt; uc5rnmott in the. s n r ~ r A gi.,i\\!iind laahifax on ANC'Fk


pool comparisons of the vegetation between areas that are and are not colonized by Burke's goldfields and/or Sonoma sunshine between-pool comparisons with other vernal pools occupied by Burke's goldfields andlor Sonoma sunshine both within and outside the proposed ANCB. A systematic distribution of quadrats will be used to sample the vegetation throughout the area below the outlet of each monitored pool. Data collected in each quadrat will include:

1. number of Burke's goldfields and Sonoma sunshine;

2. total cover (percent of the ground covered by the vegetation as a whole); and

3. semi-quantitative measure of the cover of each species, including Burke's goldfields and Sonoma sunshine, using cover classes of the type employed with the releve method (i.e., 0 - 1 percent, 1 - 5 percent, 2 - 25 percent, 25 - 50 percent, 50 - 75 percent, 75 - 95 percent, and 95 - 100 percent).

All monitoring results will be provided by Bank Sponsor in an annual monitoring report to the Service and CDFG by November 30 of each year for the first five years. The report will, if necessary, recommend maintenance practices, repairs, etc. (subject to the review and approval of CDFG and Service) necessary to ensure ANCB continues to function as habitat for the Lasthenia burhi and Blennosperma bakeri.

3.0. IMPACTS ON LISTED SPECIES

3.1. Direct and Indirect Impacts

3.1.1. Special-status plant species. The affected area of the site will be limited to approximately fifteen acres of existing upland habitat and 1.48 acres of seasonal wetland habitat. Sonoma sunshine does occur in three locations in the vineyard block on the east side of the access road. Topsoil containing this seed will be salvaged and stockpiled prior to construction and will be respread into suitable vernal pools selected following construction. The currently annual disturbance will be discontinued and the created and enhanced habitat will be superior to the existing seasonal wetland habitat for both Sonoma sunshine and Burke's goldfields. Both species have become established in vernal pools created with the appropriate combination of soil and hydrologic conditions, and both are expected to be present in the pools constructed at the proposed ANCB. The impact on Sonoma sunshine will, therefore, be temporary but beneficial over the long term.

3.1.2. California tiger salamander. CTS are known to breed in one very deep vernal pool approximately 460 feet east of the proposed bank site. No breeding habitat is present on the proposed bank site. The existing residences and associated structures pose physical barriers to migration between the existing breeding pond and the southwest corner of the proposed bank site. Although the soils on much of the bank site are shallow, dry early, and have been disturbed annually for several decades, the proposed ANCB provides migratory habitat and potentially suitable estivation habitat. Because ofthe proximity of the known breeding pond in the Alton Lane Preserve, CTS are assumed to be present on the proposed ANCB.

Impacts on CTS are limited effectively to the impacts on upland and seasonal wetland habitat during construction and the disturbance of the ground surface during excavation and mound construction.

i he ttrlrea1.i t o E3iirbc'c gb*~ltffic,.ltls, such 8.; trnauthorixed fit! uf tt&&nlmtie~n. incrt;";f?;c.* ix? ~zr i f~ -~a ; t f i \ ' t ' <pcciC4. ea%n!inua.t irripattor-c at' pgsiures w4rl.r myc id wasteHQacr disetl~trge, md la&. 191" fnu~t;rgt'tBrvnt rleceqqlrry to reduce lhritck are likely to continue coracnmitant :~ctvcrsc cfl2c1f; 1 w t1PC~e ~ ; ~ c c I ; * P ~ . ! l~r : B ~ W ~ E S are 'C"fjkel3 10 Snctude dditiizrtsl kahit~t foss 3rd ~ f c g ~ t d ~ t l l ~ ~ l , ia1craisirag1~ I ~ d a f c d poptiZ;itittn~i (e~~eerhttil~g the cfiswpti~tn gent: i l ~ w pttterr~s), anal ftirlltcr ~dtfcticv~\ in t hc rcjs*llro~laie't iw. I I~PP~I~L'M, ;ZI~XI Jistri hiltit~~f ~>f'tl~ex s~~)cies, ltvfhi~i~ will dcurcz'uw .tfrt.ir :.thiltt> $41 i.e.*ptjit<f t c r :ittrr:i~;i?;frc* L.\ cxlkc,

t'unrcil:sti\ r* df;-cis t m "IaalA.kr ' \ ycrlcifielrfu an*.! llre CsJifomict ~i~m~tlamandcr cmld incrcasc in taw

iitture i f ' the curre131 :i/pplit":btiorr of' the 1 1 - S. Amy Carps af Enginwrs' {Y'rwps'") rocgxriarar\ aazfI.urrily ~ i ~ l r k ' ~ the L"1cm3r4 %%Wr Act changes. On Jrrnimq 9,2CXI 1 , thc Zfnitcd States Suprenre d:L~tlrt isstted an itpiaticllr rcganling Ihc %bid Wasic Agency af Noelmern Cfwk t'ntfnty. IkCtitjtmera. 1 $1'iilc11 Stiikes :trrrr: C'c~rps elf-J rrrtinci.ss. et i i f , (SWANUC:! t b t tldcfrcssd tho Corps' wgtiltifrrry authctriay oter iictlnlctf ttt*tlntilfs. I tw t 'twpsfSa.* 3 ;1 * i tnc i~~ E3igf;t.ria.t gem~rnlly Stas wgulated wezt,mrfs ~ $ 3 the Santn Kn.*;6 Oltlira h a t u * i * !I? rlrrlfrrgicaiiy ct~nneolccf to the l,aguaasi de Sania Rtrstt, rr triiauOt$%p of the fter.;uitu~ iErt.cr, l t e ~ t t ~ ~ ~ * c f i i p ~ ~ l i c ~ ~ i r t t ~ or the C'oqx' regutatc~p authlprit3~~ and sukseytrtknt Eaek of' Stacaitsn 7 ca~i?sttf~ntit)n if11 the S m ice. on st& isolated wH-tiancfs. cmM metit in irtcrectsecf in . rp~~c1~ t r ~ f;"cicnrfla listcrf specit.% in fix Saatu Rosa Plain frcm &ture sfntc ~ r i h J . Iocal, or priuasc acticmt. c t ' ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ \ ~ l r t f i k t " a ' f ' f k ~ ~ cm rhz C' 1 '.: waukf includecttntintrifigatld fsirtrrecttnverrriot~u~fsuir:rblc hrcvtling. frlir:zgirrg, .*hclicritrp. .mf di.;praI habitat resulting f nm urktn deuctn~ent . :%tfditiea~:tt ~zrh3miralittn c m rcsdr rrr mid widening and increz~qed tmfic im rwds that hisect breeding 3rd

tapland ilirhif;ats, ttrtbr"t'k:r incrc:kq.i;ing mad-Lil f wbik recdticing ;a s& annd fur% her fritgurerrtinp of the rer~lninirrg h;rhit;trs,


4.0. PROPOSED MITIGATION FOR LISTED SPECIES

The proposed action at ANCB will be self-mitigating. Construction of 7.24 acres of vernal pools will increase the acreage of wetlands at the site and provide undisturbed, potentially occupiable habitat for Lasthenia burkei. Removal of the grape vines and exotic non-native trees and shrubs will provide an increase in the value of the uplands areas for CTS.

5.0. REFERENCES

CH2M Hill. 1998. Final training manual to evaluate habitat quality of venal pool ecosystem sites in Santa Rosa Plain. Prepared for the U. S. Army Corps of Engineers. December 1998.

Stromberg, L. P., Wetlands Consultant. 1997. Wetland mitigation plan, northwest Santa Rosa Annexation Area 8-87 (part), City of Santa Rosa, California. Prepared for Mr. George Tedeschi, Project Coordinator of the Northwest Property Owners Committee. March 6, 1997. 70 p and appendices.

Stromberg, L.P.. Wetland Consultant. 2007. Results of survey for special-status plant species, Wagner-Hall property, Sonoma County, California. Report prepared for Mr. Harvey Rich, TRI Development Company. LLC, dated July 8,2004.

Stromberg, L.P., Wetland Consultant. 2006. Wetland and Endangered Species Mitigation Plan, Kerry Ranch 2 and 3 Projects, Santa Rosa, California. Prepared for Mr. Harvey Rich, Kerry Ranch, LLC.

U. S. Army Corps of Engineers. 2006. Interim regional supplement to the U. S. Army Corps of Engineers wetland delineation manual: arid west region. ERDCIEL TR-06-16. U. S. Army Engineers Research and Development Center, Vicksurg, MS. December 2006. 110 p.

U.S.D.A. Forest Service and Soil Conservation Service and the University of California Agricultural Experiment Station. 1972. Soil survey of Sonoma County. 188 pp. + maps, illus.

Personal Communications

Cay Goude, Supervisor, Endangered Species Division, Sacramento Field Office, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

Liam Davis, Environmental Specialist, Bay-Delta Region, California Department of Fish and Game.

Vincent Griego, Biologist, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

Carl Wilcox, California Department of Fish and Game.

INTERIM MONITORING AND MANAGEMENT PLAN FOR THE

ALTON NORTH CONSERVATION BANK SONOMA COUNTY, CA

Submitted on behalf of:

Mr. Harvey 0. Rich Managing Member

Alton Preserve, LLC 336 Ron Air Center, Box 232

Greenbrae, CA 94904 (41 5) 472-1 086

Prepared by:

Ted P. Winfield, Ph.D. Ted Winfield & Associates

1 455 Wagoner Drive Livermore, CA 94550

(925) 37 1 -6379

August 2007 Revised September 24,2007

Interim Monitoring and Management Plan Alton North Conservation Bank

Table of Contents

I INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................................................... 1

11 PROPERTY DESCRIPTION ............................................................................................................. 2

A GEOGRAPHIC SETTING AND L O C A T I ~ N .............................................................................................. 2 ................................................................................................................... B HISTORY AND LAND USE 2

C SO1l.S AND HYDROLOGY .................................................................................................................... 3

1 1 1 HABITAT AND SPECIES DESCRIPTION ..................................................................................... 7

A VEGETATION COMMIJNITIES. HABITATS AND PLANT SPECIES ........................................................... 7 B ANIMAL. SPECIES ............................................................................................................................... 9 C ENDANGERED. THREATENED. AND RARE SPECIES ........................................................................... 9

IV MANAGEMENT AND MONITORING: ELEMENTS. GOALS. AND TASKS ........................ 1 1

................................................................................ A SUPER El. EMENT 1 . BIOLOGICAL RESOURCES 1 1 . B SUPER ELEMENT 2 INFRASTRUCTURE AND FACILITIES ................................................................. 15

D SIJPER ELEMENT 3 . REPORTING AND ADMINISTRATION .............................................................. 16

V OPERATIONS FUNDING ............................................................................................................... 17

VI MANAGEMENT AND MONITORING REPORTING FORMS ................................................. 18

VII REFERENCES .............................................................................................................................. 22

List of Figures

FIGURE I . ALTON NOKTII CONSERVATION BANK LOCATION MAP ................................................................... 4 FIGIJRE 2 . A L I'ON NOK.I.H CONSERVATION BANK VICINITY MAP ..................................................................... 5 FIGURE 3 . MAP O F IiASEMENTS AT THE AL;I.ON NORTH CONSERVATION BANK ............................................... 6

....... FlCrJRE 4 . JIJKISDICTIONAL. WATEIIS OF TIIF: U.S. AND STATE AT ALI'ON NORTH CONSERVATION BANK 8

Revised September 24. 2007


es+-

I INTRODUCTION

This Interim Monitoring and Management Plan ("Plan") describes the initial monitoring and management activities on the Alton North Conservation Bank ("ANCB") that will be implemented and funded by Alton Preserve, LLC. The initial activities include creation and enhancement of approximately 7.24 acres of seasonal wetland habitat to provide habitat for Lasthenia burkei (Burke's goldfields) and Blennosperma bakeri (Sonoma sunshine), monitoring for five ( 5 ) years the performance of the wetlands and colonization of the wetlands by Lasthenia hurkei and/or Blennosperrna hakeri, removal of grapevines and other exotic and undesirable vegetation currently growing at the ANCB, and installation of a perimeter fence (with two sets of gates) around the ANCB. Fee title to the ANCB will be transferred to the California Department of Fish and Game ("CDFG") as a condition of bank establishment. The Bank Sponsor will be responsible for the enhancement and development of the bank as well as all activities outlined in this Interim Monitoring and Management Plan. CDFG will be responsible for implementing the elements of the Long-term Management and Monitoring Plan

The ANCB is approximately 22.67 acres of active grapevines, seasonal wetlands, and small areas planted with native and non-native trees and shrubs. The site provides potential habitat for the California tiger salamander ("CTS"), which is known to occur in the vernal pools created in the northwest comer of the existing Alton Lane Preserve and well within the migratory distance for juvenile and adult CTS.

Revised September 24.2007


I I PROPERTY DESCRIPTION

A Geographic Setting and Location

The ANCB is approximately 22.67 acres, part of a larger parcel (A. P. No. 034-042-080) located at 2795 Piner Road in the northwest part of the City of Santa Rosa, along the north side of Piner Road between Marlow Road and Fulton Avenue (Figure 1). The ANCB is also within the limits of the Alton Conservation Area. The General Plan land use designation and zoning for the ANCB are the same, LIA or "Land Intensive Agricultural."

B History and Land Use

The ANCB is currently an active vineyard. No structures or outbuildings are present within the ANCB, but dirt access roads run along the east boundary of most of the site and the south boundary of the small southern part of the site adjacent to the Alton South Conservation Bank (Figure 2). This dirt road provides access to the site from Piner Road to the south and Alton Lane to the north.

The bank site was part of the Vera Gold Vineyards, and most of the site was managed for wine grape production for several decades and is currently in managed vineyards. Two residences, a driveway and parking area, large barn, storage sheds, and several outbuildings used to store vineyard management equipment (grape boxes, tee posts, cable, spraying equipment, stakes) are clustered with an array of facilities used by the owners for their own recreational pleasure and for catered events, such as weddings and parties, on approximately 2.10 acres adjacent to the ANCB on property, which is to be retained by the current owner. These facilities include a gazebo, bocciball courts, horseshoe pits, swings, barbeque grills, restrooms, etc. The area around the residences and other facilities has been landscaped with lawns and ornamental vegetation. This area also includes a leachfield, access roads, older farm and vineyard management equipment stored outside the barn and sheds, and ruderal annual grassland habitat. A handful of large valley oaks (Quercus lohata) are scattered throughout these areas adjacent to the ANCB.

Five easements currently exist on the ANCB (Figure 3). California Telephone Light Company has a pole line easement along the northern border of the ANCB. Pacific Gas & Electric Company has a pole line easement (2743 OR 329 and 333) that runs parallel with the dirt access road along the eastern boundary of main part of the ANCB. This easement straddles the ANCB and the adjacent Alton Lane Preserve for much of its length along across the ANCB. PG&E has the rights for vehicular access to the property and for transport of all necessary persons, equipment, materials, etc. within the easement to conduct whatever activities are necessary to transmit. distribute, and supply electrical power to the public in general, to install gates in existing or future fences, as necessary, to maintain access for these purposes, and to trim branches from or remove any trees or brush that might interfere with the line.

The State of California has a conservation easement (DN 1994-0009048) over a small portion of the ANCB where is adjoins part of the Alton Lane Preserve (Figure 3). There is a small ingress - & egress easement (DN 2000-0047263) in favor of Thomas F. Feeney at the northwest comer of the ANCB. Finally, there is a right-of-way easement (1458 OR 480) granted to Ken Porter that provides access to the site from Piner Road.

Revised September 24,2007

laurence p. stromberg, ph. d

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