State Route 58 Widening Project - Bakersfield Freeways

Chapter 3 Results: Environmental Setting
3.1.3. Biological Conditions in the BSA
3.1.3.1. Vegetation Types
The following vegetation types occur in the BSA: non-native grassland, ruderal or
disturbed, open water or waterways, and developed or ornamental (Table 2,
Figures 2A–2C). This section describes each of the vegetation types and other areas
observed in the BSA.
Table 2
Vegetation Types and Other Areas Within the BSA
Vegetation Types and Other Areas
Existing in
BSA (Acres)
Non-native Grassland 64.83
Ruderal/Disturbed 54.91
Open Water/Waterway* 9.29
Developed/Ornamental 603.59
Total 732.62
* Open water/waterway is the mapping unit to describe areas
potentially within the jurisdiction of the U.S. Army Corps of
Engineers (USACE), the CDFG, and the Regional Water Quality
Control Board (RWQCB), primarily the canals within the BSA.
These areas are vegetated with non-native grassland vegetation.
Non-native Grassland
Non-native grassland is dominated by non-native annual grasses and both native and
non-native herbs, including red brome (Bromus madritensis ssp. rubens), foxtail
barley (Hordeum murinum), telegraph weed (Heterotheca grandiflora), red-stemmed
filaree (Erodium cicutarium), and rancher’s fiddleneck (Amsinckia menziesii).
Non-native grassland areas occur primarily in undeveloped lots interspersed with
developed areas along SR-58. These areas match Holland’s (1986) description of
non-native grassland.
Ruderal/Disturbed
Ruderal/disturbed areas consist of graded and regularly maintained areas such as dirt
roads, active oil fields, and cleared roadsides. These areas are generally without
vegetation or have a sparse cover of ornamental or weedy annual species.
Open Water/Waterways
Open water is present in the Friant-Kern Canal, a concrete-lined channel that bisects
SR-58 just east of Coffee Road. No vegetation was observed within the open water or
State Route 58 Widening Project Biological Assessment 25