environmental assessment for the hog lake road improvement project

Ramona Hog Lake Road Improvement Project August 2011
The Santa Ana Regional Water Quality Control Board regards every land owner in
the watershed to be a contributing agent to the water quality of these lakes. Although
Bautista Creek is not listed on the State's 303(d) list of impaired water bodies, the
Proposed Action will take steps to ensure that sedimentation (which in turn affects
nitrogen and phosphorus) movement in the watershed is not negatively affected by
the Proposed Action.
Surface water runoff is derived from precipitation in surrounding mountains and
springs with minor perennial surface flow. On the Ramona Reservation, the primary
source of water supply to the groundwater basin appears to be natural recharge from
precipitation; there are no irrigation returned flows and artificial recharge at the time
of this writing.
There are no federally-delineated wetlands on or in the immediate vicinity of the
Project area. The field surveys conducted by L & L Environmental Inc. during the
preparation of the Biological Assessment for this project confirmed that there were
no flood plains located along the proposed project alignment that could be impacted.
A portion of Bautista Creek has been designated a Wild and Scenic River. The
portion of the Creek that is designated comes within 0.25 miles of the Project area.
The climate in the Anza region is hot to temperate and sub-humid, and water is a
critical resource. Average rainfall in the area is approximately 22 inches per year
(Pryde 1979). Wide temperature fluctuations are characteristic of the area, with the
possibility of snow during winter months and temperatures exceeding 100 °F in
summer. The mean annual temperature for the San Jacinto foothills is
approximately 55 °F. Average annual evapotranspiration is approximately 10 inches
(CDWR, 1975).
A single mapped intermittent blueline stream crosses the road alignment. Two other
small drainages are formed along the road alignment and show connectivity to the
mapped blueline system of the area. Although drainages fall within the impact area
these are dry drainages with little to no riparian vegetation.
Two small manmade ponding/percolation areas were observed by L&L
Environmental, Inc. during the biological survey, but only one (near the mapped
blueline) falls within the planned impact zone. No riparian, aquatic or vernal pool
habitat occurred at this ponding location or within the drainages on the Project site.
Nor were any naturally occurring vernal pools suitable for occupation by fairy shrimp
were observed during the survey.
Direct and Indirect Effects
No Action:
For the No Action Alternative, it is expected that all direct and indirect impacts on soil
and water resources would remain unchanged from current condition. Channeling
Frank Springer & Associates, Inc. Page 72 of 79 Environmental Assessment