environmental assessment for the hog lake road improvement project

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Ramona Hog Lake Road Improvement Project August 2011 Red Shank-Chamise Chaparral Red shank-chamise chaparral is the dominant vegetation community in the proposed Project area. Red shank-chamise chaparral is a vegetation community dominated by red shank (Adenostoma sparsifolium) and chamise (Adenostoma fasciculatum). This chaparral is similar to chamise chaparral, but is typically taller (2-4 meters) and somewhat more open. It often grows in pure stands of redshank. Red shank chaparral is usually confined to granitic soils, often at higher elevations than chamise chaparral, and with greater precipitation and colder winters (Holland 1986). Dominant species observed within the proposed Project area include red shank, chamise, California buckwheat (Eriogonum fasciculatum), and big sagebrush (Artemisia tridentate). The red shank-chamise chaparral onsite is relatively open with diverse shrub and herb layers. The herbaceous layer included several host plants for the Quino checkerspot butterfly (Euphydryas editha quino), including white snapdragon (Antirrhinum coulterianum) and purple owl’s clover (Castilleja exserta). California Buckwheat Scrub California buckwheat scrub is a vegetation community dominated by California buckwheat. The buckwheat scrub within the proposed Project area is heavily disturbed and contains large areas of open ground. Dominant plants included matchweed (Gutierrezia californica) and California buckwheat. Interior Live Oak Scrub Interior live oak scrub is a vegetation community typically found on north-facing slopes and shaded ravines. This vegetation community is located along the easternmost portion of the proposed Project area. The species observed within the area included scattered interior live oak (Quercus wislizenii var. frutescens) with a scrub habitat understory. Figure 8: Vegetation Communities L & L Environmental, Inc. 2009 Frank Springer & Associates, Inc. Page 39 of 79 Environmental Assessment
Ramona Hog Lake Road Improvement Project August 2011 Wildlife Fauna in the proposed Project area consists of species that utilize red shankchamise chaparral, California buckwheat scrub, Interior live oak scrub, and dry washes and may include species that utilize sparse individual trees in open habitat for nesting, roosting or perching. The Project impact area consists of an unvegetated, graded dirt road and 0.15 acres of red shank-chamise chaparral. The Project area is surrounded by vast, open and relatively undisturbed habitat for these species. A complete list of plant and animal species observed during surveys and expected to occur in the Project area can be found in the BE/BA (L & L Environmental, Inc. 2009). Threatened, Endangered, Proposed and Candidate (TEPC) Species Species currently listed as Threatened, Endangered, Candidate, Proposed, Sensitive, and Watch-list species and that have the potential to occur in the southern San Jacinto Mountain area were considered in the BE/BA (L & L Environmental, Inc. 2009), which is part of the Project record and available upon request. Federally listed plants: Three TEPC plant species were identified as having the potential to occur in the Project area: Slender-horned spineflower (Docecahema leptoceras) San Bernardino bluegrass (Poa atropurpurea) California dandelion (Taraxacum californicum) No occurrences of TEPC plants were identified in the record for the area. No designated or proposed critical habitat and no suitable habitat for these species occur within the proposed Project area. Federally listed animals: The Project area contains suitable and occupied habitat for the Quino checkerspot butterfly (Euphydryas editha quino). The Project area contains designated Critical Habitat for the Quino Checkerspot butterfly (Quino). Surveys for Quino were conducted in the area in 2002, 2005 and 2008. Quino were observed in relatively high numbers adjacent to the proposed Project in 2005 (Mooney, Jones and Stokes, 2005). Frank Springer & Associates, Inc. Page 40 of 79 Environmental Assessment
Page 1 and 2: FINAL FRANK SPRINGER & ASSOCIATES,
Page 3 and 4: LIST OF TABLES Table 1: Mitigation
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environmental assessment for the hog lake road improvement project

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