2008 Annual Monitoring Report (pdf 10.9MB) - Bolsa Chica ...

Bolsa Chica Lowlands Restoration Monitoring
2008 Annual Report
By the end of 2008, the flood shoal in the FTB inlet had reached its greatest extent as anticipated, and
the reduction of tidal range in the basin had progressed as well. During low oceanic tides, the blockage
of the inlet by the shoal prevented the FTB from draining out as fully as it had immediately following
construction. This resulted in a muting of low tides in the basin, which had an effect on the biological
communities by increasing the daily durations of tidal inundation in the FTB and on the physical
functioning of the system, which relies on low tides in the FTB to adequately gravity drain Freeman
Creek and the Seasonal Ponds. These conditions were anticipated as part of the project design and
were the triggers that indicated that maintenance dredging at the end of 2008 was warranted.
Development of the flood shoal and the resulting effects on the biological communities, tidal ranges,
and maintenance plans are discussed in the following chapters.
MONITORING PROGRAM
The follow-up monitoring of the restoration generally conforms to the Bolsa Chica Lowland
Restoration Project Biological Monitoring and Follow-up Plan prepared by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service in 2001 (Monitoring Plan)(USFWS 2001a). The Monitoring Plan notes that the purpose of the
monitoring program is to document the habitat improvements for fish and wildlife, the success of
revegetation efforts, and the use of the site by endangered species. Additional monitoring elements in
the Monitoring Plan are intended to ensure that the inlet is properly maintained, constructed nesting
areas have adequate maintenance, any impacts to sensitive plant species are offset, and that
construction impacts to Belding’s Savannah sparrow (Passerculus sandwichensis beldingi) were
minimized.
The Plan identifies the ecological monitoring objectives as follows:
• Facilitate evaluation of the effectiveness of the restoration to provide habitat for fish and
wildlife.
• Document changes in the ecology of the wetlands environment over time.
• Provide timely identification of any problems with the physical, or biological development of
the restored area.
• Assist in providing a technical basis for resource management of the restored wetland by
documenting maintenance needs and enhancement opportunities.
The plan calls for biological monitoring to be conducted during the 2nd, 5th, and 10th years after
completion of construction. Listed species will be monitored each year. Physical monitoring will be
conducted in years 1, 2, 3, 5, and 10.
Immediately west of the Lowlands is Inner Bolsa Bay, which was established as an Ecological Reserve
in 1973 to be managed by the California Department of Fish and Game (CDFG) (Figure 0-1). On
August 24, 2006, the Bolsa Chica Lowlands Restoration Project acreage and the Muted Pocket Marsh
were incorporated into the Ecological Reserve by agreement of the State Lands Commission and
CDFG. This monitoring program study boundary includes only the restored Lowlands and Muted
Pocket Marsh, not Bolsa Bay, with the exception that California least tern and western snowy plover
monitoring was conducted throughout the Ecological Reserve (Restoration Area and Inner Bolsa Bay).
The Beach Monitoring for this program conforms to the Bolsa Chica Lowlands Restoration Project
Beach Monitoring Plan (USFWS, 2001b). The Beach Monitoring Plan defines monitoring activities
and analyses that are expected to assure restoration project-related adverse impacts to area beaches are
mitigated.
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