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HomeMy WebLinkAboutLEAP 2022-02 MSHCP Consistency Findings - Revised 8.4.2022 Redlined LEAP 2022-02/Rome Hill Commercial MSHCP CONSISTENCY FINDINGS Revised 7/1/20228/4/2022 Background Paragraph C of MSHCP Section 6.1.1 (Property Owner Initiated Habitat Evaluation and Acquisition Negotiation Strategy (HANS)) establishes procedures regarding the evaluation of properties for which a development application is not filed and states that “(1) Initial Application Review - Applications for proposed projects which are within the Criteria Area shall be subject to an initial review to determine if all or part of the property is necessary for inclusion in the MSHCP Conservation Area.” The subject application (LEAP 2022-02) was submitted to the City of Lake Elsinore for such a determination. The following analysis and findings are based upon text found in the MSHCP and site-specific documentation from the following documents: • “General Biological Assessment and Western Riverside County Multiple Species Habitat Conservation Plan Consistency Analysis for Assessor’s Parcel Numbers 371-150-001 & 371-150-002” dated July 2022, prepared by Hernandez Environmental Services. Project Site Description The subject property (Assessor Parcel Numbers 371-150-001 & 371-150-002) consists of approximately 6.76 acres located in the City of Lake Elsinore (City), Riverside County (County), California. The Project site is on the southeast side of Grand Avenue, between Russel Street and Kathryn Way. (Figure 1, Aerial Photograph), as shown on the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) 7.5 minute Lake Elsinore quadrangle map in Township 6 South, Range 4 West, Section 8. Under the City of Lake Elsinore General Plan, the project site is primarily designated for “High Density Residential” uses, but is designated “General Commercial” immediately adjacent to Grand Avenue. The Projects site’s zoning is primarily R-3 (High Density Residential) with Commercial Park (CP) adjacent to Grand Avenue. Elevation onsite ranges between 1,272 feet above mean sea level (AMSL) in the northwest corner and 1,289 feet AMSL where the site meets Grand Avenue. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation District’s Web Soil Survey, soils within the Project site are predominately Hanford sandy loam (156), 2 to 9 Page 2 of 20 percent slopes and Monserate sandy loam (MmE3), 15 to 25 percent slopes and severely eroded. There are also very small areas in the northern corner of the project site mapped as Ramona sandy loam, 5 to 8 percent slopes, eroded (RaC2) and Traver loamy fine sand, eroded (0 to 5 percent slopes) (Tp2). Figure 1 Page 3 of 20 Development Project Description The proposed project PA 2021-19 (PAR 2021-03) (Rome Hill Commercial) is a preliminary application for the development of a new industrial warehouse complex with four (4) buildings that are approximately 107,760 sq. ft. in total (80,960 sq. ft. of warehouse, 26,800 sq. ft. of mezzanine) with 220 parking spaces. (See Figure 2, Site Plan.) Implementation of the proposed project would include lid infiltration basins that will run southwest to northeast along the eastern boundary of the site. The project will also be requesting a General Plan Amendment and a Zone Change to change the site’s designation from “General Commercial” and “High Density Residential” to “Commercial Manufacturing”. The project is located north of Grand Avenue between Russel Street and Kathryn Way (APNs 371-150-001 and 002). The existing roadway adjacent to the project’s western boundary in APN 371-150-016 will remain and be used for emergency fire access. No improvement or construction activities will occur on APN 371-150- 016, which is not part of the proposed project. The project will result in permanent impacts to the entire 6.76-acre project site and will not result in any temporary impacts. The project is part of the City of Lake Elsinore’s East Lake District. MSHCP Cell Criteria Approximately 4.28 acres of the project site is located in the southern portion of Criteria Cell 5038, which is in MSHCP Elsinore Area Plan, Subunit 3 (Elsinore). The balance of the project site is not located within either a criteria cell or Subunit 3. Findings 1. Development of the project site would be a project under the City’s MSHCP Resolution, and the City would be required to make an MSHCP Consistency finding before approval of a development application. Basis for Finding: Approximately 4.28 acres of the project site is located within an MSHCP criteria cell. Pursuant to the City’s MSHCP Resolution, the project has been reviewed for MSHCP consistency, including consistency with “Other Plan Requirements.” These include the Protection of Species Associated with Riparian/Riverine Areas and Vernal Pool Guidelines (MSHCP, § 6.1.2), Protection of Narrow Endemic Plant Species Guidelines (MSHCP, § 6.1.3), Additional Survey Needs and Procedures (MSHCP, § 6.3.2), Urban/Wildlands Interface Guidelines (MSHCP, § 6.1.4), Vegetation Mapping (MSHCP, § 6.3.1) requirements, Fuels Management Guidelines (MSHCP, § 6.4), and payment of the MSHCP Local Development Mitigation Fee (MSHCP Ordinance, § 4). Page 4 of 20 Figure 2 FIGURE 2 LEAP NO. 2022-02 SITE PLAN Page 5 of 20 2. The proposed project is subject to the City’s LEAP and the County’s Joint Project Review processes. Basis for Finding: Approximately 4.28 acres of the project site is located in Criteria Cell 5038, which is in MSHCP Elsinore Area Plan, Subunit 3 (Elsinore). Therefore, a formal and complete LEAP application, LEAP 2022-02 was submitted to the City on January 12, 2022. 3. The proposed project is consistent with the Riparian/Riverine Areas and Vernal Pools Guidelines. Basis for Finding: On November 22, 2021, Hernandez Environmental Services conducted a field survey of the site to determine whether the project site includes riparian/riverine area or vernal pools. The project area does not contain any streams or drainages or riparian habitat. The project site is flat with elevations ranging from 1,272 feet AMSL in the northwest corner to 1,289 feet AMSL which is above the 1,265 feet AMSL limit of CDFW jurisdiction around Lake Elsinore. No defined bed, bank, channel, or obvious shifts in vegetation that would suggest a drainage feature occur on the site. Furthermore, no vegetation associated with riparian or wetland habitats was found on the site. Therefore, the project site does not contain habitat that may be considered riparian/riverine areas as defined in Section 6.1.2 of the Western Riverside County MSHCP. Due to the lack of suitable riparian habitat on the project site, focused surveys for riparian/riverine bird species listed in Section 6.1.2 of the MSHCP are not warranted. Vernal pools are seasonal depressional wetlands that occur under Mediterranean climate conditions of the west coast and in glaciated conditions of northeastern and midwestern states. They are covered by shallow water for variable periods from winter to spring but may be completely dry most of the summer and fall. Vernal pools are usually associated with hard clay layers or bedrock, which helps keep water in the pools. Vernal pools and seasonal depressions usually are dominated by hydrophytic plans, hydric soils, and evidence of hydrology. The entire site was evaluated for the presence of habitat capable of supporting branchiopods. The site was evaluated as described in the USFWS Survey Guidelines for the Listed Large Branchiopods (May 31, 2016). The project area is primarily comprised of sandy loams. The onsite soils do not allow for water pooling on the site for any significant length of time after rain events. No vernal pools, swales, or vernal pool mimics such as ditches, borrow pits, cattle troughs, or cement culverts with signs of pooling water were found on the site. In addition, Page 6 of 20 the site does not contain areas that showed signs of ponding water, hydrophytic vegetation, or soils typical of vernal pools that would be suitable for large branchiopods. The Project is therefore consistent with the Riparian/Riverine Areas and Vernal Pool Guidelines set forth in Section 6.1.2 of the MSHCP. No further action regarding this section of the MSHCP is required. . The proposed project is consistent with the Protection of Narrow Endemic Plant Species Guidelines. Basis for Finding: Approximately four acres of the project site are located within the Narrow Endemic Plant Species Survey Area (NEPSSA). The species in this survey area include the following Narrow Endemic Plant Species: Munz's onion (Allium munzii), San Diego ambrosia (Ambrosia pumila), Many-stemmed dudleya (Dudleya multicaulis), Spreading navarretia (Navarretia fossalis), California Orcutt grass (Orcuttia californica), Hammitt's clay-cress (Sibaropsis hammittii), and Wright's trichocoronis (Trichocoronis wrightii). On November 22, 2021, Hernandez Environmental Services conducted a field survey of the site to determine whether the project site contains suitable habitat for narrow endemic plant species. It was determined that the project site is continually disturbed by the use of motor vehicles and the storage of large materials. No suitable habitat for the above-listed Narrow Endemic Plant Species is present on the site. The proposed project is therefore consistent with the Protection of Narrow Endemic Plant Species Guidelines. 5. The proposed project is consistent with the Additional Survey Needs and Procedures. Basis for Finding: The MSHCP requires additional surveys for certain species if the project is located in certain locations. Pursuant to MSHCP Figure 6-2 (Criteria Area Species Survey Area), Figure 6-3 (Amphibian Species Survey Areas with Criteria Area), Figure 6-4 (Burrowing Owl Survey Areas with Criteria Area), and Figure 6-5 (Mammal Species Survey Areas With Criteria Area), burrowing owl surveys and surveys for Criteria Area species are required for the subject property prior to approval of a development proposal. Criteria Area Species The species in this survey area include the following Criteria Area Species: San Jacinto Valley Crownscale (Atriplex coronata var. notatior), Parish's brittlescale (Atriplex parishii), Davidson's Page 7 of 20 saltscale (Atriplex serenana davidsonii), Thread-leaved brodiaea (Brodiaea filifolia), Round- leaved filaree (Californica macrophylla), Smooth tarplant (Centromadia pungens ssp. laevis), Coulter's goldfields (Lasthenia galbrata var. coulteri), little mousetail (Myosurus minimus var. apus). Approximately 4.28 acres of the project site are located within the survey area for Criteria Area Species. The above-listed Criteria Area Species were not observed on the Project site during the November 22, 2021 field survey,. Although a very small amount (0.01 acre) of Traver soils, which are known to retain moisture, are mapped within the northern portion of the site, this area consists of a slope containing artificial fill and debris. and iIt was determined that suitable habitat for these species does not exists on the Project site. Burrowing Owl A burrowing owl (Athene cunicularia) habitat assessment was conducted by Hernandez Environmental Services during its November 2021 field survey of the project site. The habitat assessment conducted for this species found that the project site is continually disturbed by the use of motor vehicles on site. No suitable habitat is present on the site due to the lack of small mammal burrows and manmade structures that could be utilized as burrows, such as earthen berms; cement, asphalt, rock, or wood debris piles; or openings beneath cement or asphalt pavement. No suitable burrowing owl habitat occurs on site. This species is not present. Nevertheless, as a mitigation measure for the proposed project, the City of Lake Elsinore will require a pre-construction presence/absence survey for burrowing owl to be conducted within 30 days of the commencement of project-related grading or other land disturbance activities including vegetation clearing, clearing and grubbing, tree removal, or site water, to ensure that the species has not moved onto the site since completion of the surveys. If burrowing owl have colonized the property site prior to the initiation of construction, the Project proponent shall immediately inform the Wildlife Agencies and the RCA, and prepare a Burrowing Owl Protection and Relocation Plan for approval by RCA and the Wildlife Agencies, prior to initiating ground disturbance. Additionally, if ground-disturbing activities occur, but the site is left undisturbed for more than 30 days, a pre-construction survey will again be necessary to ensure burrowing owl have not colonized the site since it was last disturbed. If burrowing owl are found, the same coordination described above will be necessary. Therefore, the subject project is consistent with the Additional Survey Needs and Procedures of the MSHCP. Page 8 of 20 6. The proposed project is consistent with the Urban/Wildlands Interface Guidelines. Basis for Finding: Section 6.1.4 of the MSHCP sets forth guidelines that are intended to address indirect effects associated with locating development in proximity to the MSHCP Conservation Area, where applicable. The guidelines in Section 6.1.4 of the MSHCP are intended to address indirect effects associated with development near MSHCP Conserved Areas. Developments in proximity to MSHCP Conserved Areas may result in “edge effects” that might adversely affect biological resources within MSHCP Conserved Areas. Lake Elsinore, which is identified as “Public/Quasi Public (PQP) Conserved Lands” by the MSHCP is located to the north and west of the project site. According to the MSHCP development may occur adjacent to Conservation Areas. Future Development in proximity to Conservation Areas may result in Edge Effects that will adversely affect biological resources within the Conservation Areas. To minimize such Edge Effects, the Project Applicant will be required to follow the Urban/Wildlands Interface Guidelines in Section 6.1.4 of the MSHCP to minimize urban/wildlands interface issues in the nearby Criteria Area. These include measures related to indirect impacts such as water quality (drainage), use of toxics, night lighting, indirect noise, invasive plant and wildlife species, protection of habitat areas (barriers), and grading/land development adjacent to habitat areas. Drainage Pursuant to the UWIG, proposed developments in proximity to the MSHCP Conservation Area shall incorporate measures, including measures required through the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) requirements, to ensure that the quantity and quality of runoff discharged to the MSHCP Conservation Area is not altered in an adverse way when compared with existing conditions. Measures such as those employed to address drainage issues will be implemented for toxics. Land uses proposed in proximity to Lake Elsinore that use chemicals or generate bioproducts that are potentially toxic or may adversely affect wildlife species, habitat or water quality must incorporate measures to ensure that application of such chemicals does not result in discharge to the lake. Toxics The UWIG states that land uses proposed in proximity to the MSHCP Conservation Area that use chemicals or generate bioproducts such as manure that are potentially toxic or may adversely affect wildlife species, Habitat or water quality shall incorporate measures Page 9 of 20 to ensure that application of such chemicals does not result in discharge to the MSHCP Conservation Area. Measures such as those employed to address drainage issues shall be implemented for toxics. Land uses proposed in proximity to Lake Elsinore that use chemicals or generate bioproducts that are potentially toxic or may adversely affect wildlife species, habitat or water quality must incorporate measures to ensure that application of such chemicals does not result in discharge to the lake. Lighting Night lighting shall be directed away from the MSHCP Conservation Area to protect species within the MSHCP Conservation Area from direct night lighting. Shielding shall be incorporated in project designs to ensure ambient lighting in the MSHCP Conservation Area is not increased. Night lighting shall be directed away from Lake Elsinore to protect species from direct night lighting. Shielding shall be incorporated in Project designs to ensure ambient lighting adjacent to the lake is not increased. Noise The UWIG states “Proposed noise generating land uses affecting the MSHCP Conservation Area shall incorporate setbacks, berms or walls to minimize the effects of noise on MSHCP Conservation Area resources pursuant to applicable rules, regulations and guidelines related to land use noise standards. For planning purposes, wildlife within the MSHCP Conservation Area should not be subject to noise that would exceed residential noise standards.” Proposed noise generating land uses affecting Lake Elsinore shall incorporate setbacks, berms or walls to minimize the effects of noise on resources pursuant to applicable rules, regulations and guidelines related to land use noise standards. Invasives When approving landscape plans for Development that is proposed adjacent to the MSHCP Conservation Area, Permittees shall consider the invasive, non-native plant species (see MSHCP Table 6-2) and shall require revisions to landscape plans (subject to the limitations of their jurisdiction) to avoid the use of invasive species for the portions of development that are adjacent to the MSHCP Conservation Area. Considerations in reviewing the applicability of this list shall include proximity of planting areas to the MSHCP Conservation Areas, species considered in the planting plans, resources being protected within the MSHCP Conservation Area and their relative sensitivity to invasion, and barriers to plant and seed dispersal, such as walls, topography and other features. Page 10 of 20 Any project landscaping shall avoid the use of plants shown on MSHCP Table 6.2. Those species will be excluded from landscape plans on the project. Barriers According to the UWIG, proposed land uses adjacent to the MSHCP Conservation Area shall incorporate barriers, where appropriate in individual project designs to minimize unauthorized public access, domestic animal predation, illegal trespass or dumping in the MSHCP Conservation Area. Such barriers may include native landscaping, rocks/boulders, fencing, walls, signage and/or other appropriate mechanisms. Lake Elsinore, which is identified as “Public/Quasi Public (PQP) Conserved Lands” by the MSHCP is located to the north of the project site; although the project site is not immediately adjacent to the lake. The edges of the Project shall include walls, fences, or other barriers to prevent unauthorized public access, domestic animal predation, illegal trespass, excessive noise, or dumping in the MSHCP Conservation. Grading/Land Development The UWIG states, “Manufactured slopes associated with proposed site development shall not extend into the MSHCP Conservation Area.” Manufactured slopes are not proposed within existing or planned MSHCP Conservation Areas. For these reasons, the subject project is consistent with the Urban/Wildlife Interface Guidelines. 7. The proposed project is consistent with the Vegetation Mapping requirements. Basis for Finding: On November 22, 2021, Hernandez Environmental Services conducted a field survey of the project site. The field survey identified plant and animal species found on the project site. The project site contains approximately 0.05 acre of habitat dominated by Tamarisk (Tamarix sp.). This habitat is located at the northwest corner of the site. The project site contains approximately 6.71 acres of habitat classified as disturbed. These areas are graded and predominantly unvegetated. The only vegetation present within these areas includes scattered ornamental trees including tree of heaven (Ailanthus altissima) and gum tree (Eucalyptus sp.). This mapping is sufficient under the MSHCP and is consistent with the MSHCP vegetation mapping requirements. Page 11 of 20 8. The proposed project is consistent with the Fuels Management Guidelines. Basis for Finding: Section 6.4 of the MSHCP requires that new developments adjacent to the MSHCP Conservation Area or other undeveloped lands incorporate any fuel/brush management zones and Best Management Practices. The Project will required to incorporate the BMPs outlined in Volume I, Appendix C of the MSHCP as part of the development pursuant to regulatory and/or County requirements. Therefore, the Project is consistent with the Fuels Management Guidelines as set forth in Section 6.4 of the MSHCP. 9. The proposed project will be conditioned to pay the City’s MSHCP Local Development Mitigation Fee. Basis for Finding: The applicant shall pay MSHCP Local Development Mitigation fees as determined by the City. The Western Riverside County Regional Conservation Authority (RCA) adjusts the fee schedule annually. Effective January 1, 2022, the fees are: Category Jan 1, 2022 – June 30, 2022 Residential, density less than 8.0 dwelling units per acre $3,635 per dwelling unit Residential, density between 8.0 and 14.0 dwelling units per acre $1,515 per dwelling unit Residential density greater than 14.0 dwelling units per acre $670 per dwelling unit Commercial $16,358 per acre Industrial $16,358 per acre 10. The proposed project is consistent with the MSHCP. Basis for Finding: MSHCP Sequential Approach The MSHCP describes a sequential approach to application of the Reserve Assembly guidance provided in the MSHCP. (MSHCP, page 3-122 through 3-124). The project can be shown to be consistent with the MSHCP on an Area Plan and Area Plan Subunit Basis as outlined below. Page 12 of 20 Step 1 – Examine the project in the context of the overall MSHCP Conservation Area by relating the project to the MSHCP Conservation Area description in Section 3.2.2 of the Plan and the descriptions of the applicable Cores and Linkages in Section 3.2.3 of the Plan. (MSHCP, page 3-122) Section 3.2.2 of the MSHCP summarizes the MSHCP Conservation Area in terms of bioregions, vegetation, soils, patch size and edge affected land. Section 3.2.2 also states, “The MSHCP Conservation Area may also be described in terms of Cores and Linkages.” (MSHCP, page 3-19). The following description of the project site in the context of the overall MSHCP Conservation Area is in terms of applicable Cores and Linkages. Section 3.2.2 of the MSHCP summarizes the MSHCP Conservation Area in terms of bioregions, vegetation, soils, patch size and edge affected land. Section 3.2.2 also states, “The MSHCP Conservation Area may also be described in terms of Cores and Linkages.” (MSHCP, page 3-19). The following description of the project site in the context of the overall MSHCP Conservation Area is in terms of applicable Cores and Linkages. Approximately 4.28 acres of the project site is located in the southern portion of Criteria Cell 5038, which is in MSHCP Elsinore Area Plan, Subunit 3 (Elsinore). The balance of the project site is not located within either a criteria cell or Subunit 3. Conservation within this Cell will contribute to assembly of Proposed Extension of Existing Core 3. The MSHCP describes Proposed Extension of Existing Core 3 as: “Proposed Extension of Existing Core 3 Proposed Extension of Existing Core 3 (Lake Elsinore Soils) consists of two blocks of land extending from the southern border of Existing Core E (Lake Elsinore). The northern portion of the proposed extension is also connected to Proposed Linkage 8. Proposed Extension of Existing Core 3 conserves soils of the Traver series, which is important to the maintenance of several species of Narrow Endemic Plants. The northern portion of the extension also provides for movement of species along the lower San Jacinto River to Proposed Linkage 8. Together with Existing Core E, Proposed Extension of Existing Core 3 provides Habitat for shorebird use. Since surrounding land uses include city (Lake Elsinore) and community Development, management of edge conditions in this area will be necessary to maintain high quality Habitat in this area. Guidelines Pertaining to Urban/Wildlands Interface for the management of edge factors such as lighting, urban runoff, toxics, and domestic predators are presented in Section 6.1 of this document. (MSHCP, Page 3-48) Page 13 of 20 Table 1 PROPOSED EXTENSION OF EXISTING CORE 3 Approximate Dimension Data for Linkage Approx. Total (ac.) Approx. Edge (ac.) Approx. Interior (ac.) Approx. Perimeter/ Area Ratio (ft./ac) Planning Species Adjacent Proposed General Plan Land Use Major Covered Activities Affecting Linkage 1,290 410 880 63 Riverside fairy shrimp, Quino checkerspot butterfly, western pond turtle, Bell’s sage sparrow, American bittern, mountain plover, northern harrier, white-tailed kite, southwestern willow flycatcher, loggerhead shrike, black-crowned night heron, osprey, double- crested cormorant, white-faced ibis, least Bell’s vireo, bobcat, Munz’s onion, San Diego ambrosia, and smooth tarplant. City (Lake Elsinore None Step 2 – Identification of the specific Area Plan and Area Plan Subunit within which the particular project is located. Planning Species and Biological Issues and Considerations as well as variable target acreages for the overall Area Plan and Area Plan Subunit should be reviewed between Permittee staff and the applicant along with any variable project specific biological information. Planning Species and Biological Issues and Considerations that apply to the specific project should be identified. Not all Planning Species and Biological Issues and Considerations for particular Area Plan or Area Plan Subunit will apply to every project. (MSHCP, page 3-122) Page 14 of 20 Approximately 4.28 acres of the project site is located in the southern portion of Criteria Cell 5038, which is in MSHCP Elsinore Area Plan, Subunit 3 (Elsinore). The balance of the project site is not located within either a criteria cell or Subunit 3. Subunit 3 (Elsinore) has a target conservation acreage of 925 to 1,815 acres of Additional Reserve Lands. As of December 31, 2019, 12 acres of Subunit 3 had been conserved. (Western Riverside County MSHCP Annual Report 2019, page A-3) Conservation within Criteria Cell 5038 will contribute to assembly of Proposed Extension of Existing Core 3. Conservation within this Cell will focus on grassland habitat. Areas conserved within this Cell will be connected to grassland habitat proposed for conservation in Cell #5036 to the east. Subunit 3 of the Elsinore Area Plan includes the following list of biological issues and considerations that relate to conservation goals of the MSHCP. Planning Species • American bittern (Botaurus lentiginosus) • Bell’s sage sparrow (Amphispiza belli belli) • black-crowned night heron (Nycticorax nycticorax) • double-crested cormorant (Phalacrocorax auritus) • least Bell’s vireo (Vireo bellii pusillus) • mountain plover (Charadrius montanus) • northern harrier (Circus cyaneus) • osprey (Pandion haliaetus) • southwestern willow flycatcher (Empidonax traillii extimus) • white-faced ibis (Plegadis chihi) • white-tailed kite (Elanus leucurus) • Quino checkerspot butterfly (Editha quino) • Riverside fairy shrimp (Streptocephalus woottoni) • bobcat (Lynx rufus) • western pond turtle (Actinemys marmorata) • Munz’s onion (Allium munzii) • San Diego ambrosia (Ambrosia pumila) • smooth tarplant (Centromadia pungens) Biological Issues and Considerations: • Conserve wetlands including Temescal Wash, Collier Marsh, Alberhill Creek, Lake Elsinore and the floodplain east of Lake Elsinore (including marsh Habitats) and maintain water quality. • Conserve clay soils supporting Munz’s onion. • Conserve Travers-Willow-Domino soil series. Page 15 of 20 • Conserve foraging Habitat for raptors, providing a sage scrub-grassland ecotone. • Conserve grassland Habitat for mountain plover. • Conserve breeding Habitat for northern harrier. • Maintain linkage area for bobcat. • Conserve San Diego ambrosia at Alberhill and Nichols Road or find new populations that would allow for loss of known populations. • Maintain Core and Linkage Habitat for western pond turtle. • Maintain Core Area for Riverside fairy shrimp. • Maintain opportunities for Core and Linkage Habitat for Quino checkerspot butterfly. Step 3 – Review of the specific Criteria for the identified Cell or Cell Group within which the project site is located. a. Pursuant to page 3-122 of the MSHCP, the “first criterion for each Cell or Cell Group is the identification of the applicable Core or Linkage. This relationship of the project to the applicable Core or Linkage should already have been identified and discussed as part of the first steps in the sequential process.” This identification was made in Step 1 above. b. “The next criteria for each Cell or Cell Group” as described on page 3-122 of the MSHCP “are the identification of Vegetation Communities toward which Conservation should be directed along with connectivity requirements.” The site contains two types of habitat types: 0.05 acre of tamarisk dominant ruderal habitat and 6.71 acres of disturbed habitat. Tamarisk Dominant Habitat The project site contains approximately 0.05 acre of habitat dominated by Tamarisk (Tamarix sp.). This habitat is located at the northwest corner of the site. Disturbed Habitat The project site contains approximately 6.71 acres of habitat classified as disturbed. These areas are graded and predominantly unvegetated. The only vegetation present within these areas includes scattered ornamental trees including tree of heaven (Ailanthus altissima) and gum tree (Eucalyptus sp.). Page 16 of 20 The existing vegetation communities notwithstanding, the Western Riverside County Regional Conservation Authority (RCA) utilizes baseline vegetation mapping that was completed during the development of the MSHCP. According to the RCA’s website, this mapping of vegetation “represent baseline Western Riverside County's Vegetation types. This data layer was used to develop MSHCP conservation goals and is used in ongoing reserve assembly accounting to insure that habitat is being conserved consistent with the rough step formula (see Section 6 of the MSHCP document). It was originally obtained from WRCOG and produced by KTUA consultants. Source date approx. 1994.” (Accessed at http://data- wrcrca.opendata.arcgis.com/datasets/cc951f0366e1471abe303629b44106f3_0 on October 24, 2017) Table 2 shows the proposed project’s estimated impacts upon these MSHCP mapped vegetation communities. Table 2 MSHCP VEGETATION COMMUNITIES Community Acres Impacted Grassland 4.13 Developed or Disturbed Land 2.63 TOTAL 6.76 The MSHCP recognizes that “[t]he MSHCP vegetation map is limited by the timeframe within which the data were assembled as well as the precision of those data. The vegetation map represents conditions at the time the data were assembled, in this case 1991-1995; the current extent and character of Vegetation Communities may differ from that depicted on the MSHCP vegetation map.” (MSHCP, page 2-3) c. “Finally, the project should be examined with respect to the percentage conservation portion of the Cell Criteria, which is the last criterion provided for each Cell and Cell Group.”. (MSHCP, pages 3-122 and 3-123) Target conservation in Criteria Cell 5038 will range from 35%-45% of the Cell focusing in the eastern central portion of the Cell. Conservation within this Cell will focus on grassland habitat. Areas conserved within this Cell will be connected to grassland habitat proposed for conservation in Cell #5036 to the east. Approximately 4.28 acres of the project site is located within the southern portion of Criteria Cell 5038. Conservation within this Criteria Cell 5038 focuses on grassland habitat. Areas conserved within this Cell should be connected to grassland habitat proposed for conservation in Criteria Cell 5036 to the east. Page 17 of 20 Conservation within this Cell will range from 35 to 45 percent of the Cell focusing on the eastern central portion of the Cell. The project site consists of disturbed habitat with scattered ornamental trees and a small patch of tamarisk dominant habitat within the northwestern corner of the site. The project site does not contain the grassland habitat sought for conservation in Criteria Cell 5036. Further, the site is not located within the eastern central portion of Criteria Cell 5038 which would provide a connection to Criteria Cell 5036 to the east. Therefore, conservation of the project the site would not contribute to the conservation goals of the Criteria Cell due to the absence of grassland habitat with connectivity to grassland habitat within Criteria Cell 5036 to the east. The proposed project is consistent with the MSHCP. The following is an assessment of the project site’s consistency with the above-listed biological issues and considerations: i. Conserve wetlands including Temescal Wash, Collier Marsh, Alberhill Creek, Lake Elsinore and the floodplain east of Lake Elsinore (including marsh Habitats) and maintain water quality. Analysis: The project area does not contain any streams or drainages or riparian habitat. There are no CDFW, United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), or Regional Water Quality Control Board (RWQCB) jurisdictional waters within the project boundaries. The project site elevations range from 1,272 feet above mean sea level (AMSL) in the northwest corner to 1,289 feet AMSL which is above the 1,265 feet AMSL limit of CDFW jurisdiction around Lake Elsinore. Further, the project area does not contain any wetlands or vernal pools. This goal of the MSHCP does not apply to the project. ii. Conserve clay soils supporting Munz’s onion. Analysis: Munz’s onion is found on clay and cobbly clay soils, which include the following series: Altamont, Auld, Bosanko, Claypit, and Porterville. (MSHCP Plants Species Accounts, Page P-215) Soils within the Project site are predominately Hanford sandy loam (156), 2 to 9 percent slopes and Monserate sandy loam (MmE3), 15 to 25 percent slopes and severely eroded. No suitable habitat or soils for the Munz’s onion occur within the project site. This goal of the MSHCP does not apply to the project. Page 18 of 20 iii. Conserve Travers-Willow-Domino soil series. Analysis: Travers-Willow-Domino soil series is not found on the subject property. There are no Travers, Willow or Domino soils on the site.; There is a very small area (0.01 acre) in the northern corner of the project site that the U.S. Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation District’s Web Soil Survey maps as Traver loamy fine sand, eroded (0 to 5 percent slopes). This area of the site is located on a slope containing artificial fill and debris. tTherefore, this goal of the MSHCP does not apply to the project. iv. Conserve foraging Habitat for raptors, providing a sage scrub-grassland ecotone. The project site contains suitable foraging and nesting habitat for raptors, however there is no sage scrub habitat within the area. The foraging potential at this site is relatively low. Based on the marginal habitat and surrounding development, the project as proposed will not conflict with this conservation goal. v. Conserve grassland Habitat for mountain plover. Analysis: The Western Riverside MSHCP Species Accounts for Birds describes the habitat for mountain plover as: “Potential habitat for the mountain plover includes playas and vernal pools and select agriculture lands (e.g., fallow, recently burned) and grasslands. These areas are located within the Riverside lowlands Bioregions. Within the vegetation mapping for the Plan Area, the suitable open grassland and fallow agriculture field acreage and locations are not available, thus, for the purpose of the conservation analysis, potential habitat for the mountain plover includes playas and vernal pools within the Riverside Lowlands bioregion.” (Page B-330) The Project site has two vegetation communities/land cover types. These vegetation communities/land cover types are 0.05 acre of tamarisk dominant ruderal habitat and 6.71 acres of disturbed habitat. No suitable grasslands occur within this site. This goal of the MSHCP does not apply to the project. vi. Conserve breeding Habitat for northern harrier. Analysis: The Western Riverside MSHCP Species Accounts for Birds describes the breeding habitat for northern harrier as: “This species has specific habitat requirements for breeding (primary habitats: cismontane alkali marsh, freshwater marsh, playas and vernal pools, and grassland) but uses a wider array of Habitat for foraging and wintering (secondary Habitats: agriculture land, Riversidean alluvial fan sage scrub, and coastal sage scrub).” (Page B-380) The habitat on site is not suitable for nesting harriers. This goal of the MSHCP does not apply to the project. Page 19 of 20 vii. Maintain linkage area for bobcat. Analysis: The Species Conservation Objectives for the bobcat describe key habitat connections and corridors in vicinity of Lake Elsinore as: • Santa Ana Mountains to Lake Mathews-Estelle Mountain via Indian Canyon and Horsethief Canyon • Santa Ana Mountains to Agua Tibia Wilderness-Palomar Mountains via Pechanga Creek or future wildlife overpass over Interstate15 north of Rainbow (possibly in San Diego County). The project site is not located near either of these corridor areas. Due to development in the area, it is unlikely that this site is part of a linkage area for the bobcat. The project site cannot not contribute to any linkage for bobcat. This goal of the MSHCP does not apply to the project. viii. Conserve San Diego ambrosia at Alberhill and Nichols Road or find new populations that would allow for loss of known populations. Analysis: The property is not located in proximity to Alberhill or Nichols Road. The site has no connectivity to those populations. No suitable habitat is present on site and this species is not present on site. Therefore, this issue does not apply. ix. Maintain Core and Linkage Habitat for western pond turtle. Analysis: The Western Riverside MSHCP Species Accounts for Reptiles states that the western pond turtle “has narrow habitat requirements and potentially limited distribution within the Plan Area, typically being restricted to slow moving permanent or intermittent streams, small ponds, small lakes, reservoirs, and other long term water deposits, where abundant cover is available.” (Page R-127) Lake Elsinore provides suitable habitat for the western pond turtle. The project site lacks suitable habitat for upland hibernation and foraging as the site is fairly disturbed and the vegetation is sparse. Therefore, this issue does not apply. x. Maintain Core Area for Riverside fairy shrimp. Analysis: Riverside fairy shrimp (Streptocephalus woottoni) is a federally listed Endangered species. This species is covered by the Western Riverside County MSHCP. This species is found in seasonal pools of water in coastal sage scrub and grasslands. There is no habitat for this species on the project site. This species is not present. Therefore, this issue does not apply. Page 20 of 20 xi. Maintain opportunities for linkage area for Quino checkerspot butterfly. Analysis: The project site does not contain any habitat suitable for the Quino checkerspot butterfly (QCB). No larval host plants are expected to occur and QCB are assumed to extirpated west of Interstate 15.Therefore, this issue does not apply. Conclusion Approximately 4.28 acres of the project site is located in the southern portion of Criteria Cell 5038, which is in MSHCP Elsinore Area Plan, Subunit 3 (Elsinore). The balance of the project site is not located within either a criteria cell or Subunit 3. Target conservation in Criteria Cell 5038 will range from 35%-45% of the Cell focusing in the eastern central portion of the Cell. Conservation within this Cell will focus on grassland habitat. Areas conserved within this Cell will be connected to grassland habitat proposed for conservation in Cell #5036 to the east. The project site does not contain the grassland habitat sought for conservation in Criteria Cell 5036. Further, the site is not located within the eastern central portion of Criteria Cell 5038 which would provide a connection to Criteria Cell 5036 to the east. Therefore, conservation of the project the site would not contribute to the conservation goals of the Criteria Cell due to the absence of grassland habitat with connectivity to grassland habitat within Criteria Cell 5036 to the east. The proposed project is consistent with the MSHCP.