Special-Status Species. 13 3.1 ALAMEDA WHIPSNAKE 13 3.2 CALIFORNIA RED-LEGGED FROG 13 3.2.1 Habitat Monitoring 13 3.2.2 Water Quality 13 3.2.3 Exotic Species Monitoring 15
Special-Status Species. Table 5-1 lists the special-status species known to occur, or potentially occurring, on the Xxxx and Xxxxxx NWRs and their habitat associations. These species were identified in a March 20, 2000, letter from the Service to Reclamation. In addition to the list from the Service, the following documents were reviewed to identify any additional special-status species potentially occurring at the refuges: • Master Plans for Xxxx and Xxxxxx NWRs (Service, 1986a and 1986b)
Special-Status Species. Nothing shall be done to “take” any special-status species, including a California condor, in violation of the ESA or the MBTA. “Take” activities are defined in the Notice, and should be carefully reviewed. GUT PILES
Special-Status Species. A botanical survey conducted in May and June 200 discovered two special status plants within 50 feet of the preliminary trail alignment (Ruygt 2006). The trail was realigned to avoid affecting the plants and the plants themselves were protected with a low rock ring. The plants are Allium peninsualre ssp. franciscanum, Franciscan onion, on the California Native Plant Society (CNPS) list of rare and endangered plants of California and elsewhere, and Brodiaea californica var. leptandra (narrow-anthered California Brodiaea, also on the CNPS list of rare and endangered plants of California. The onion was found under a stand of buckeye and bay. The Brodiaea was found along a grassy segment in a small draw. The habitat and distribution of both of these plants is very limited within the Preserve. Natural Processes Natural processes are generally disturbance factors to which an ecosystem has evolved. These natural processes are typically major disruptions to the current order of the ecosystem such as flooding or fire and shift the natural process of succession. Flooding is probably not a major factor in Xxxxxxx Preserve vegetation types. Fire, however was likely a part of this landscape. Role of Fire. Fire is a natural part of California’s oak woodlands. It was also used by Native Americans as a management tool to improve access for hunting and gathering acorns and to prevent encroachment of other, less useful tree species. The use of fire as a management tool continued with the European settlers and cattle ranchers to increase forage production and keep stands open for cattle. Higher fire frequencies have been correlated with better oak regeneration (UC Cooperative Extension no date). Oak recruitment was associated with fire events, although the mechanism by which this occurs is unknown. It is thought that postfire oak sprout growth may play a role. No significant wildland fire has occurred on the Preserve since at least 1939 (Sonoma County Permit Resource and Management Department 2004).
Special-Status Species. For the purposes of this report, a special-status plant or animal is any taxon (species, subspecies, or variety) that is officially listed by the federal or California Endangered Species Acts as Endangered, Threatened, or Rare, or a candidate for one of those listings; classified as Fully Protected, or Species of Special Concern animal species by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW); or included in California Rare Plant Ranks (CRPR) 1 through 4. Presence of special-status species will be investigated during the baseline biological survey and focused special-status plant survey. Lists of special-status plants and animals with the potential to occur on the site were generated from the California Natural Diversity Database (CNDDB) RareFind5 database based on a search of the site’s USGS 7.5’ quadrangle and surrounding quadrangles. Appendix D provides information on these special-status plant species, with an evaluation of the potential for each species to occur on-site, based on CNDDB, the CNPS Inventory of Rare and Endangered Plants (online version, 2018), Xxxxxx’x Rare Plants of San Diego County (2001), professional botanical experience, and field observations. Appendix E provides information on these animal species, and an evaluation of the potential for each species to occur on-site, based on species requirements, CNDDB search results, field observations, and local records.
Special-Status Species. As described under Vegetation and Wildlife above, no effects to vegetation and wildlife are expected under the Proposed Action. Therefore, the project would not contribute to any cumulative impacts on special-status species in the region.
