Hydrology and Vegetation. Constructed Ponds. Eleven of the 13 constructed mitigation ponds (3-P, 4-P, 6-P, 7-P, 9-P, 15-P, 16- P, 17-P, 19-P, 20-P, and, 21-P) met vegetation performance criteria in 2016 as stated in the MMP for California red-legged frog (Xxxx xxxxxx draytonii1; CRLF) mitigation habitat. These ponds support a combination of emergent vegetation and open water wherein one component does not occupy more than two-thirds of the pond area. The total area of constructed mitigation ponds meeting MMP vegetation performance criteria is 1.51 acres, or 128 percent of the 2:1 in-kind mitigation commitment. The remaining constructed ponds (1-P, and 18-P) did not meet vegetation performance criteria. These ponds (1-P and 18-P) were designed as shallow ponds that seep towards constructed mitigation wetlands. The number of ponds meeting the vegetation performance criteria has increased from previous dryer years. During surveys conducted in 2016, native plant species observed growing within and around the mitigation ponds were similar to those observed in previous years and included willows (Salix spp.), cattails (Typha spp.), bulrush (Schoeneoplectus [Scirpus] spp.), rushes (Juncus effusus and J. patens), xxxxx xxxx (Eleocharis sp.) sedges (Carex spp.), blue-eyed grass, (Sisyrinchium bellum), and iris-leaf rush (Juncus xiphioides). All of the constructed mitigation ponds at the project site met hydrology performance criteria by drying out before mid-October; however, shallower ponds (1-P, 4-P, 15-P, 17-P, 18-P, and 19-P) did not hold the MMP performance requirement of 1 meter of water on July 1 in 2016. Seven (7) of the constructed mitigation ponds (3-P, 6-P, 7-P, 9-P 16-P, 20-P, and 21-P) held 1 meter or more of water on July 1. In previous normal rainfall years not following a drought (most recently 2011), all of the constructed mitigation ponds, except Pond 15-P, have typically achieved both vegetation and hydrology performance criteria. LSA monitored erosion repairs at ponds 1-P, and 17-P in 2016. These areas remained stable and no additional maintenance is necessary at this time for the constructed ponds. Enhanced Ponds. In 2016, all of the enhanced existing ponds at the project site met hydrology performance criteria by drying out before mid-October. With the exception of one enhanced pond (9- P) all of these ponds also held the MMP minimum requirement of 1 meter of water on July 1. LSA monitored the erosion repair at the Pond 10 spillway in 2016. Although the majority of the...
Hydrology and Vegetation. Constructed Ponds. Eleven of the 13 constructed mitigation ponds (3-P, 4-P, 6-P, 7-P, 9-P, 15-P, 16-P, 17-P, 19-P, 20-P, and, 21-P) met vegetation performance criteria in 2017 as stated in the MMP for California red-legged frog (Xxxx xxxxxx draytonii1; CRLF) mitigation habitat. These ponds support a combination of emergent vegetation and open water wherein one component does not occupy more than two-thirds of the pond area. The total area of constructed mitigation ponds meeting MMP vegetation performance criteria is 1.51 acres, or 128 percent of the 2:1 in-kind mitigation commitment. The remaining constructed ponds (1-P, and 18-P) contained only sparse vegetation and did not meet vegetation performance criteria. These ponds (1-P and 18-P) were designed as shallow ponds that seep towards constructed mitigation wetlands. Although pond 18-P did not meet MMP vegetation performance criteria, CRLF use was documented at this pond in 2017 (see section
