Wet Weather Discharge MBC Discharge and Dechlorination Facilities

Revised FINAL Biological Assessment

Prepared for the City of San Diego

Public Utilities Department Engineering and Program Management Division

Environmental Section

July 1, 2013

Prepared By: _________________________________

Keli Balo, Project Officer I

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Wet Weather Discharge

MBC Discharge and Dechlorination Facilities Biological Assessment

This report summarizes the biological resources present within and adjacent to the project area, analyzes potential impacts to sensitive resources, and proposes mitigation or minimization measures to compensate for potential impacts associated with this project. Project Location The MBC Wet Weather Discharge Facility (project) is located north of State Route 52, west of Convoy Street, and adjacent to the Metropolitan Biosolids Center (MBC) on Marine Corps Air Station Miramar (MCAS) Naval property (Figure 1) in the Miramar/Kearny Mesa Community Area (Thomas Bros 1228J8, USGS La Jolla Quadrangle). Project Description The wet weather discharge project is a proposed project designed to alleviate the peak wet weather flows in the City of San Diego’s Metropolitan Wastewater System. During rain events the wastewater system is subjected to infiltration and inflow that cause the system to reach capacity. Additionally, during the wet season, demand for recycled water is low, which results in recycled water being diverted back into the wastewater system further aggravating the capacity issues during the wet season. To alleviate the capacity issue, the Public Utilities Department is proposing to discharge recycled water from the water treatment plant to a local stream as an alternative way to offset peak loading of the wastewater system during wet weather events. This project proposes to install the piping needed to transfer water from recycled water pipelines to the nearest drainage outfall structure. The project would also incorporate a dechlorinization system treating water prior to discharge. A storm water outfall structure currently exists near the MBC facility that empties seasonal flows into San Clemente canyon. This project would upgrade the outfall structure to meet the current requirements for increased discharge and required water dissipation. This project proposes the creation of an access roadway, installation of piping and decholorinization systems, and upgrades to the existing storm water outfall structure. The Project design was modified in 2012 to eliminate all development located outside the City’s leasehold on MCAS Miramar. This report summarizes the impacts associated with the revised project design.

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FIGURE 1 Project Location

0 1 2 3 40.5 Miles¯

MBC Wet Weather Discharge Project

World Street Map: Esri, DeLorme, NAVTEQ, TomTom, USGS, Intermap

Project

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Methods Public Utilities personnel surveyed the project site on November 1, 2011 to analyze potential impacts to biological resources within the proposed project footprint and general vicinity. Using a printed satellite image and through field observation and measurement, vegetation mapping was conducted of the project area along with calculations of proposed disturbance. All plant and animal observations were noted along with general site conditions. The survey was conducted during daytime hours and as a result some nocturnal wildlife species would not have been observed. A focused, seasonally appropriate survey for rare plants was not conducted as part of this survey. Nomenclature in this report follows Holland (1986) for habitat classifications, Simpson (2006) for plants, and the San Diego Natural History Museum for birds and butterflies. Existing Conditions The site is currently a mixture of developed and undeveloped lands. Existing utilities including sludge lines, recycled water, gas lines, and electrical lines are present in the project area and vicinity. Developed areas that include roadways, small structures, valves, and meters are present in the project area. Undeveloped natural landscapes found onsite include Diegan coastal sage scrub, southern mixed chaparral, and an unvegetated streambed (Figure 2). The project is located on federally owned lands within the leasehold of the City of San Diego for the management of the MBC facility and Miramar landfill. Elevations on site range from 380-420 feet above mean sea level. The project is located on the canyon rim of the eastern portion San Clemente Canyon, within the Los Peñasquitos Watershed. The project is located outside the City of San Diego’s Multiple Species Conservation Program (MSCP) Multi-Habitat Planning Area (MHPA). Soils Soils found onsite are Redding Gravelly Loam 2-9% slopes. The Redding series are well drained undulating gravely loams that have a clay subsoil and a hardpan. Underground utilities transect the project area and as a result much of the project area has disturbed soils. Vegetation Communities Six habitat types or cover classifications were documented in the project area including Diegan coastal sage scrub, southern mixed chaparral, streambed, disturbed habitat, ornamental, and developed land. Plant species observed onsite are listed in Appendix A.

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XX

FIGURE 2 Biological Resources

0 50 100 150 20025Feet¯

LegendX Ceanothus_verrucosus

Vegetation TypesDiegan Coastal Sage ScrubSouthern Mixed ChaparralStreambedOrnamentalDisturbed HabitatDeveloped Navy Level II OccupiedNavy Level IV

MBC Wet Weather Discharge Project

* Imagery: ESRI ArcGIS Online and data partners 20114

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Diegan Coastal Sage Scrub (Tier II) Diegan coastal sage scrub is a drought deciduous shrub community composed of aromatic low growing plant species. Dominant species found within coastal sage scrub onsite include California sagebrush (Artemisia californica), goldenbush (Isocoma menziesii), deerweed (Lotus scoparius), California encelia (Encelia californica), broom baccharis (Baccharis sarothroides), black sage (Salvia mellifera), white sage (Salvia apiana), fascicled tarweed (Deinandra fasciculata), flat-topped buckwheat (Eriogonum fasiculatum), soft chess (Bromus hordeaceus), and lemonadeberry (Rhus integrifolia). The sage scrub habitat appears to be revegetated with old restoration signs present, planting basins clearly visible, and a moderate stature of shrub development. It is assumed that portions of the sage scrub are within an old habitat restoration site over the sewer sludge lines and areas adjacent to the MBC facility that may have been disturbed during construction of the facilities. Diegan coastal sage scrub is considered a sensitive habitat type by the City and mitigation is required for impacts. Southern Mixed Chaparral (Tier IIIA) Chaparral is a woody, evergreen, shrub community that grows to 6-15 feet in height. Chaparral vegetation is found on the canyon slopes entering San Clemente canyon. Species found within the chaparral onsite include chamise (Adenostoma fasiculatum), wart stemmed ceanothus (Ceanothus verrucosus), lilac ceanothus (Ceanothus tomentosus), toyon (Heteromeles arbutifolia), laurel sumac (Malosma laurina), lemonadeberry, felt-leaved yerba santa (Eriodictyon crassifolium), mission Manzanita (Xylococcus bicolor), black sage, and Mohave yucca (Yucca schidigera). Southern mixed chaparral is considered a sensitive habitat type by the City and mitigation is required for impacts. Streambed An unvegetated streambed is found on the northern side of the project area that starts at the storm drain outfall structure and descends into San Clemente canyon heading north. The waterway carries seasonal flows into the canyon. The streambed varies in width from 14 feet wide at the outfall structure to less than 3 feet wide. The bottom of the drainage is dirt and cobble with chaparral shrubs overhanging the banks. The streambed is severely incised with bank heights that exceed 12 feet in some areas. One arroyo willow (Salix lasiolepis) is found in the drainage. No other wetland plants were observed in the streambed. The streambed onsite is considered an ephemeral/intermittent drainage and does not satisfy the City’s wetland definition as outlined in the Biology Guidelines.

Disturbed Habitat (Tier IV)

Disturbed habitat onsite is mostly composed of dirt roadways and bare ground areas used previously for other construction projects. Less than 10% vegetative cover is present in these areas and includes mostly non-native species such as Russian thistle (Salsola tragus), stinkwort (Dittrichia graveolens), red brome (Bromus madritensis) and native species like broom baccharis, telegraph weed (Heterotheca grandiflora), and doveweed

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(Croton setigerus). Disturbed habitat is not expected to provide any valuable service for native wildlife and not considered a sensitive habitat type by the City MSCP. No mitigation is required for impacts to disturbed habitat. Ornamental (Tier IV) Ornamental landscaping in the project area includes a strip of land directly adjacent to the MBC facility development that has been planted with eucalyptus (Eucalyptus sp.), and pine trees (Pinus sp.). Developed Land Developed lands include paved roads, parking lot area, and buildings. Developed lands are found on the northeastern side of the project area within the MBC facility. Sensitive Species One sensitive plant species was observed within the study area. No sensitive animal species were observed within the project area during the monitoring. During vegetation mapping, a habitat assessment was done to determine the suitability for habitats onsite to support certain sensitive species. Species specific focused or protocol plant and animal surveys were not conducted to identify potential sensitive species due to the limited nature of project disturbance to intact habitat communities and native soils. A literature search was conducted using the California Natural Diversity Database (CNDDB), MSCP mapping, and the MCAS Miramar Integrated Natural Resources Management Plan (INRMP). The potential for City narrow endemics and other sensitive species to occur onsite is detailed in Appendix B.

Wart-Stemmed Ceanothus (Ceanothus verrucosus) Status: MSCP Covered Species, CNPS List 2.2 Distribution: San Diego County; Baja California Habitat: Chaparral Status Onsite: present as a subdominant shrub in the southern mixed chaparral habitat

Jurisdictional Resources A formal wetland delineation was not performed onsite as the extent of wetlands or non-wetland waters onsite is very limited and 2 characteristics, hydrology and vegetation, were sufficient indicators to provide a jurisdictional determination for this baseline biological survey.

Streambed (non-wetland Waters of the U.S.) From the edge of the storm drain outfall and throughout the bottom of the canyon that leads into San Clemente canyon, there is an unvegetated streambed. This streambed is Army Corps of Engineers (ACOE) and California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) jurisdictional. Jurisdictional boundaries are delineated at the top of bank for

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CDFW and the ordinary high water mark for ACOE which due to the topography of this incised channel (vertical banks), are the same square footage and area. One willow is growing adjacent to the outfall structure but no other vegetation is supported in the waterway. The unvegetated streambed is not considered a City of San Diego wetland or flood channel. Project Impacts Direct Impacts Impacts to Diegan coastal sage scrub, southern mixed chaparral, disturbed habitat, ornamental landscaping, developed lands, and an unvegetated streambed will result from the implementation of this project (Figure 3). Temporary and permanent impacts are broken down by habitat type and are outlined in Table 1 below. The City’s Biological Guidelines Tiers and the Navy’s INRMP Management Area Levels, both of which are used to determine mitigation ratios, have also been included in Table 1. Temporary impacts are those which will not result in the permanent conversion of habitat type. Areas that are temporarily impacted will be restored to pre-impact conditions, providing habitat functions and values equivalent to what existed prior to impacts. Permanent impacts are defined as direct impacts which permanently alter the landscape and result in conversion to another condition or vegetation classification.

Table 1. Wet Weather Discharge MBC Facility Project Impacts

Habitat Type City Tier

Navy Level

Temporary

Permanent

Total

Diegan Coastal Sage Scrub

II II and IV 8,490

7,944

16,434 (0.38 acre)

Southern Mixed Chaparral

IIIA IV 3,256

1,761

5,017 (0.11 acre)

Ornamental IV IV 1,180

619

1,799 (0.04 acre)

Disturbed Habitat IV IV 13,513

13,399

26,912 (0.62 acre)

Developed Lands NA NA 478 4,774 5,252 (0.12 acre)

Streambed NA IV 92

494

586 (0.01)

Total Impacts* 27,009 (0.62 acre)

28,991 (0.66 acre)

56,000 (1.28 acre)

* Impact analysis based on revised 2012 project design and vegetation mapping completed in 2011. No additional field surveys were conducted for project impact revisions.

FIGURE 3 Project Impacts

0 50 100 150 20025Feet¯

LegendProject ImpactsType_of_Im

PermanentTemporary

Vegetation Typeshabitat

DevelopedDiegan Coastal Sage ScrubDisturbed HabitatOrnamentalSouthern Mixed ChaparralStreambed

MBC Wet Weather Discharge Project

* Imagery: ESRI ArcGIS Online and data partners 2011

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Direct impacts to sensitive and non-sensitive habitat types will occur as a result of the project. Staging and construction activities will result in temporary impacts to habitat when vegetation is cleared to provide working room for equipment and construction activities. The construction of dechlorination facilities, upgrades to the storm drain structure, and the construction of the maintenance road will result in permanent impacts. Impacts to one sensitive plant species will occur as a result of the project. A few individuals of wart-stemmed ceanothus will be removed to facilitate the upgrades to the storm drain outlet structure. Indirect Impacts Potential indirect impacts associated with this project are limited but may include noise, drainage/toxins, lighting, and non-native plant species. Noise Construction related noise has the potential to indirectly and temporarily affect nesting birds. Noise impacts could displace birds and result in the failure if the nest or death of nestlings. Construction scheduled outside the bird nesting season (February – September) would eliminate potential impacts to nesting birds. If construction is planned to occur within bird nesting season, then a pre-construction bird nesting survey shall be completed to determine project noise constraints. Drainage/Toxins Disturbance of soils and construction activities have the potential to release sediment and toxins into adjacent areas. The storm drain outfall structure upgrades have the potential to spread concrete and other construction related debris and contaminants downstream. To prevent this, standard Best Management Practices (BMP’s) including silt fencing, straw wattles, and other devices will be used to stabilize site soils and prevent the movement of sediment and debris offsite. Future use of the discharge facility and release of recycled water into the drainage and canyon system are being analyzed separately and are not addressed in this report. Lighting Artificial lighting has the potential to affect wildlife movement and behavior. No night time lighting will be used as construction will be limited to daylight hours only. Any permanent lighting affixed to structures will direct light to developed areas and away from adjacent habitat. Non-Native Plants Following disturbance of soils, non-native plants species (weeds) could colonize the area and spread into adjacent habitat areas. To prevent the establishment and spread of weeds, habitat restoration will be initiated to plant and seed native species and maintain the site

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free of invasive weeds. This post construction restoration will eliminate the potential for non-native plant species to spread into adjacent habitat areas. Proposed Mitigation Measures The project is designed to minimize impacts to sensitive biological resources and limit the amount of ground disturbance necessary. Complete avoidance of sensitive resources is not possible and impacts will occur to Diegan coastal sage scrub, southern mixed chaparral, and a streambed. The City of San Diego’s Biological Guidelines and the MCAS Miramar Integrated Natural Resources Management Plan (INRMP) are both used to determine the mitigation requirements for the MBC Wet Weather Discharge Project. When mitigation requirements are not equal between the two plans, the most conservative mitigation requirements will be selected and implemented. For impacts to Diegan coastal sage scrub, the INRMP’s mitigation requirements are stricter than the City’s Biological Guidelines in areas occupied by federally threatened and endangered (T/E) species (i.e. California gnatcatcher, Polioptila californica). Occupancy for this federally threatened species is based on the California gnatcatcher report for MCAS Miramar (Haas 2010). Permanent and temporary impacts to 0.25 acre of INRMP Management Area Level II T/E Occupied Diegan coastal sage scrub would require 0.50 acre of mitigation. For impacts to unoccupied Diegan coastal sage scrub and southern mixed chaparral (both Navy Level IV), the City’s Biological Guidelines are either equivalent or require more mitigation. Direct impacts to 0.13 acre of unoccupied Diegan coastal sage scrub would result in 0.13 acre mitigation within the MHPA Impacts to 0.11 acre of southern mixed chaparral would require 0.06 acre of mitigation within the MHPA. Mitigation for all upland impacts would be satisfied through the payment into the Habitat Acquisition Fund or allocation of credit at the Marron Valley Cornerstone Land Bank. Impacts to 0.01 acre of streambed would require 0.01 acre of mitigation. Mitigation for streambed impacts will be satisfied through allocation of credit at an existing PUD wetland mitigation site within the Los Penasquitos Watershed (San Clemente Mitigation Site). No mitigation is required for Tier IV habitats (disturbed habitat, ornamental). Impacts to the wart-stemmed ceanothus will be mitigated through the use of wart-stemmed ceanothus in the post construction habitat restoration efforts for all temporarily impacted areas. This species will be added to the planting palette.

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Table 2. Wet Weather Discharge MBC Facility Mitigation Requirements

Vegetation Type

Impacts

City Mitigation Ratio

(Impact Outside MHPA/Mitigation

Inside MHPA)

Navy Mitigation

Ratio

Required Mitigation

Diegan Coastal Sage Scrub Navy Level II; T/E

Occupied 10,885

(0.25 acre) 1:1 2:1 21,770

(0.50 acre) Navy Level IV; T/E

Unoccupied 5,549

(0.13 acre) 1:1 1:1 5,549

(0.13 acre) Southern Mixed Chaparral (Navy Level IV;

T/E Unoccupied)

5,017 (0.11 acre)

0.5:1 None required

2,508 (0.06 acre)

Streambed* (Navy Level IV;

T/E Unoccupied)

586 (0.01 acre)

1:1 1:1 586 (0.01 acre)

* This ephemeral drainage is not a City wetland but is considered a non-wetland Waters of the U.S. by the Army Corps of Engineers and unvegetated streambed by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife. The typical mitigation ratio required for impacts to streambed is 1:1 and would be required as a permit condition from those regulatory agencies. Proposed Revegetation Measures Mitigation for the project is completely satisfied off site, as described above. Habitat revegetation will be implemented post construction for erosion control and to provide habitat functions and values equivalent to what existed prior to temporary impacts. Erosion control devices such as straw wattles and hydroseed will be installed following construction. Native seed and container plants appropriate for the location and habitat will be installed to restore native habitats to previous functions. A Conceptual Revegetation Plan has been provided with this report. A Final Revegetation Plan will be established in conjunction with the post-impact report, and will include site-specific native seed mix and container plants appropriate for the surrounding habitat (including the species listed in the Conceptual Plan). Distribution of plants will be natural and incorporate clumping tendencies of natural vegetation communities. The Final Revegetation Plan will also outline maintenance and monitoring requirements and success standards:

• Within 25 months, native plant coverage shall be equal to the native species present in the adjacent area, or 30%, whichever is greater. Restored areas shall be evaluated visually by a qualified biologist.

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• Within 25 months, perennial weeds will be present in the impact area at less than 1%, and annual weeds will be present in the impact area at less than 10%.

Maintenance of the revegetation areas will include contingency measures (e.g. additional planting to meet coverage criteria) and will ensure the establishment of native plants, and maintain the sites in a weed and trash-free condition. Specific Recommendations To reduce the potential impacts to sensitive resources, the following impact minimization measures and mitigation measures are proposed before, during, and post-construction.

1. A pre-construction meeting will take place onsite to identify any sensitive resources and/or additional parameters for work prior to construction.

2. Work limits will be flagged and/or fenced prior to start of work to avoid additional impacts to biological resources.

3. Predefined staging areas will be used for parking vehicles, equipment and stockpiling of materials.

4. All equipment must utilize existing access roads and work areas within the authorized limited of work. No work activities may occur outside the preapproved limits of disturbance.

5. A preconstruction bird nesting survey shall be conducted no more than 72 hours prior to vegetation clearing and/or any initiation of construction activities if work occurs between February and September.

6. No habitat-disturbing activities will be allowed within the Navy’s Level II T/E Occupied Area between 15 February and 31 August in accordance with the INRMP.

7. If construction is scheduled between February and August and active nests of listed species are detected within 300 feet of the project limits, noise reduction measures would be necessary.

8. All work will be conducted during daylight hours only, eliminating the need for nighttime lighting.

9. Appropriate BMP’s will be used during and after construction to address erosion and sediment control.

10. A biological monitor will be onsite during the work to ensure compliance with environmental regulations.

11. Trenches and excavations shall be covered or fenced to prevent wildlife entrapment.

12. Photographs will be taken of the project area before, during, and after the work to document the condition of the site and the extent of any impacts to the surrounding area.

13. Post construction habitat restoration will be implemented for areas no longer necessary for routine access and maintenance.

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References California Department of Fish and Game. California Natural Diversity Database. City of San Diego. 2011. Significance Determination Under the Enviornemnal Quality Act- Biological Resources. City of San Diego. 2002. Guidelines for conducting Biological Surveys, City of San Diego, July 2002. City of San Diego. 2001. Land Development Code Biology Guidelines. City of San Diego. May 19, 2001. City of San Diego. 1997. City of San Diego Multiple Species Conservation Program. City Planning and Community Investment Department. San Diego, California Haas, W. E. 2010. Distribution of the California gnatcatcher (Polioptila californica) on Marine Corps Air Station Miramar; Results of 2009 surveys. Report prepared under contract M67865-08-T-0068. 33pp+figs. Holland, R. F. 1986. Preliminary Descriptions of the Terrestrial Natural Communities of California. State of California, The Resources Agency, Department of Fish and Game. Sacramento, California. Lemm, J.M. 2006. Field Guide to Amphibians and Reptiles of the San Diego Region. University of California Press. Lightner, J. 2011. San Diego County Native Plants. Third Edition. San Diego Flora, San Diego, California. MCAS Miramar INRMP 2010. Integrated Natural Resources Management Plan for Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, California. San Diego Natural History Museum. Checklist for Butterflies of San Diego. Available at: http://www.sdnhm.org/research/entomology/sdbutterflies.html. Simpson, Michael and Rebman, Jon. 2006. Checklist of Vascular Plants of San Diego County. Fourth Edition. San Diego Natural History Museum. San Diego. California. United States Department of Agriculture. 1973. Soil Survey, San Diego Area California.

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Appendix A Species List

PLANTS Scientific Name Common Name Agavaceae Yucca schidigera Mohave yucca Aizoaceae *Carpobrodus edulis iceplant Anacardiaceae Malosma laurina laurel sumac Rhus integrifolia lemonadeberry Asteraceae Ambrosia psilostachya ragweed Artemisia californica sagebrush Baccharis salicifolia mulefat Baccharis sarothroides broom baccharis *Centaurea melitensis tocolote Conyza canadensis horseweed Deinandra fasciculata tarplant *Dittrichia graveolens stinkwort Encelia californica California sunflower Eriophyllum confertiflorum golden yarrow Isocoma menziesii goldenbush *Picris echoides bristly ox-tongue Brassicaceae *Brassica nigra black mustard Cyperaceae Cyperus eragrostis sedge Ericaceae Xylococcus bicolor mission manzanita Fabaceae Lotus scoparius deerweed Geraniaceae *Erodium botrys filaree Hydrophyllaceae Eriodictyon crassifolium felt-leaved yerba santa Lamiaceae Salvia apiana white sage Salvia mellifera black sage

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Poaceae *Avena barbata wild oat *Bromus hordaceus soft chess brome *Bromus madritensis red brome Polygonaceae Eriogonum fasciculatum flat-top buckwheat *Rumex crispus curly dock Primulaceae *Anagallis arvesis scarlet pimpernel Rhamnaceae Ceanothus verrucosus wart-stemmed ceanothus Rosaceae Adenostoma fasciculatum chamise Heteromeles arbutifolia toyon Salicaceae Salix lasiolepis arroyo willow Solanaceae Solanum sp. Nightshade ANIMALS Scientific Name Common Name___ BUTTERFLIES Pontia protodice common white BIRDS Buteo jamaicensis red-tailed hawk Psaltriparus minimus bushtit Zenaida macroura mourning dove Aphelocoma californica western scrub-jay Corvus brachyrhynchos American crow Melospiza melodia song sparrow Pipilo crissalis California towhee Toxostoma redivivum California thrasher Callipepla californica California quail MAMMALS Canis latrans clepticus coyote Spermophilus beecheyi nudipes California ground squirrel Sylvilagus audubonii desert cottontail * denotes Non-Native

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Appendix B

Sensitive Species with Potential to Occur Onsite

Potential Sensitive Species To Occur Onsite

MBC Wet Weather Discharge Plants Species Status Habitat Potential Status Onsite California adolphia Adolphia californica

CNPS – List 2.1 Chaparral, Valley Grassland, Coastal Sage Scrub.

Low. Not observed during survey.

San Diego sagewort Artemisia palmeri

CNPS – List 4.2 Chaparral, coastal sage scrub. Low. Not observed during survey.

San Diego Thorn-mint Acanthomintha ilicifolia

MSCP Narrow Endemic CNPS- List 1B.1

Grassy openings in sage scrub or chaparral.

Low. Soils not appropriate.

Shaw’s agave Agave shawii

MSCP Narrow Endemic CNPS –List 2.1

Coastal bluff scrub and coastal sage scrub.

Low. Would have been observed if present.

San Diego ambrosia Ambrosia pumila

Federal Endangered MSCP Narrow Endemic CNPS – List 1B.1

Coastal sage scrub, grasslands, and open areas.

Low. Would have been observed if present.

Aphanisma Aphanisma blitoides

MSCP Narrow Endemic CNPS –List 1B.1

Occurs in coastal area such as coastal bluff scrub, coastal dunes or sage scrub.

None. Soils not appropriate.

Coastal dunes milk-vetch Astragalus tener var. titi

Federal/State Endangered MSCP Narrow Endemic CNPS –List 1B.1

Coastal habitats with sandy soils.

None. Appropriate habitat not found onsite.

Encinitas baccharis Baccharis vanessae

Federal Threatened State Endangered MSCP Narrow Endemic CNPS – List 1B.1

Early successional chaparral. Low. Not observed during survey.

San Diego goldenstar Bloomeria clevelandii

CNPS- List 1B.1 Grasslands Low. Would not occur in disturbed soils or under dense chaparral canopy.

Wart-Stemmed Ceanothus Ceanothus verrucosus

MSCP CNPS List 2.2

Chaparral High. Species observed during survey.

Summer holly Comarostaphylis diversifolia

CNPS- List 1B.2 North facing slopes in chaparral.

Moderate. Would have been observed during survey.

Otay tarplant Deinandra conjugens

Federal Threatened State Endangered MSCP Narrow Endemic CNPS-List 1B.1

Coastal sage scrub and grasslands

None. Outside species documented range.

Short-leaved dudleya Dudleya brevifolia

State Endangered MSCP CNPS- List 1B.1

Open areas in chamise chaparral with sandstone soils.

Low. Soils not appropriate.

Variegated dudleya Dudleya variegata

MSCP Narrow Endemic CNPS – List 1B.2

Chaparral, coastal sage scrub, grasslands.

Low. Disturbed soils in project area limit potential and no known observations in area.

San Diego button celery Eryngium aristulatum

Federal/State Endangered MSCP Narrow Endemic

Vernal Pools None. Appropriate habitat not present onsite.

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CNPS-List 1B.1 San Diego barrel cactus Ferocactus viridescens

MSCP CNPS – List 2.1

Hillsides, coastal sage scrub and grasslands.

Low. Not observed during survey.

Willowy monardella Monardella viminea

Federal Endangered State Endangered MSCP CNPS –List 1B.1

Riparian scrub along sandy banks of seasonal drainages.

None. Appropriate habitat not found onsite.

Prostrate navarretia Navarretia fossalis

Federal Threatened MSCP Narrow Endemic CNPS –List 1B.1

Vernal pools None. Appropriate habitat not present onsite.

Snake Cholla Orcuttia californica

MSCP Narrow Endemic CNPS-List 1B.1

Chaparral and coastal sage scrub.

Low. Would have been observed if present.

San Diego Mesa Mint Pogogyne abramsii

Federal/State Endangered MSCP Narrow Endemic CNPS-List 1B.1

Vernal Pools None. Appropriate habitat not present onsite.

Otay Mesa Mint Pogogyne nudiuscula

Federal/State Endangered MSCP Narrow Endemic CNPS-List 1B.1

Vernal Pools None. Appropriate habitat not present onsite. Outside species range.

Nuttall’s scrub oak Quercus dumosa

CNPS- List 1B.1 Chaparral Low. Would have been observed during survey.

Animals Species Status Habitat Potential Status Onsite Orange-throated whiptail Aspidoscelis hyperythra ssp. beldingi

CDFG – Species of Special Concern MSCP

Coastal sage scrub, chaparral; avoids open areas.

Moderate. Not observed during survey.

San Diego horned lizard Phrynosoma coronatum blainvillei

Federal Species of Special Concern CDFG – Species of Special Concern MSCP

Open, sandy areas in annual grasslands, coastal sage scrub, and chaparral; near ant colonies.

Moderate. Not observed during survey. No ants observed during survey.

Cooper’s hawk Accipiter cooperii

MSCP

Oak woodland and mature riparian woodland; urban areas with trees or bird feeders.

Moderate potential to occur foraging in vicinity of project.

San Diego rufous-crowned sparrow Aimophila ruficeps canescens

MSCP

Coastal sage scrub and chaparral.

High. Not observed during survey.

Coastal cactus wren Campylorhynchus brunneicapilus sandiegensis

MSCP CDFG – Species of Special Concern

Coastal sage scrub, maritime succulent scrub; dense cactus stands.

Low. Not observed during survey and habitat not appropriate for nesting

Northern harrier Circus cyaneus

MSCP CDFG – Species of Special Concern

Marshes and grasslands. Moderate. Not observed during survey. May forage in more open sage scrub habitat.

Rosy boa Charina trivirgata

Species of Special Concern

Rocky areas in sage scrub and chaparral.

Moderate.

Two-Striped Garter Snake Thamnophis hammondii

Species of Special Concern

Near water. Low. No surface water present in the project area.

Southwestern willow flycatcher Empidonax traillii extimus

MSCP Federal and State Endangered

Riparian woodlands along rivers and streams.

No appropriate habitat onsite.

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American peregrine falcon Falco peregrinus anatum

MSCP

Wetlands, woodlands, grasslands, forests, urban areas. Nests on cliffs or ledges.

Low potential to occur foraging near project site. Not observed during survey.

Coastal California gnatcatcher Polioptila californica californica

MSCP CDFG – Species of Special Concern Federal Threatened

Coastal sage scrub. High. Not observed during survey. Documented in project vicinity.

Least Bell’s vireo Vireo bellii pusillus

MSCP Federal and State Endangered

Early succession riparian forest and southern willow scrub.

None. No appropriate habitat onsite.

Southern mule deer Odocoileus hemionus fuliginata

MSCP Variety of terrestrial habitats. Moderate. Documented in the vicinity of the project area.

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Appendix C

Representative Photographs

Photo 1 (P1) Photo 2 (P2)

Photo 3 (P3) Photo 4 (P4)

Photo 5 (P5) Photo 6 (P6)

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Photo 7 (P7) Photo 8 (P8)

Ó¿P5

Ó¿P6

Ó¿P2

Ó¿

Discharge Structure

Proposed Dechlorination Facility

P1Ó¿

P3

P4Ó¿

P7Ó¿P8Ó¿

®Wet Weather Intermittent Stream Discharge Project Key Map - Bio Survey Photos

Photo Direction Óë

0 30 60 90 12015 Feet 21