West Mojave Plan FEIR/S - Desert Managers Group

3.3.8.3 Carbonate Endemics (Cushenbury Buckwheat, Cushenbury Milkvetch,CushenburyOxytheca and Parish's Daisy)Life History: These species are restricted to limestone and dolomite substrates in theSan Bernardino Mountains at the southern edge of western Mojave Desert. The majority of therange of these species is on the adjoining San Bernardino National Forest. An extensivedatabase of localities and underlying land uses has been assembled in cooperation with theUniversity of Redlands.These species are substrate dependent; carbonate outcrops and soils on the north slope ofthe San Bernardino Mountains and conservation of habitat generally protects all species in theplant community. Parish’s daisy and Cushenbury milk vetch are found at lower elevations thanCushenbury oxytheca and Cushenbury buckwheat.Population Status in the Planning Area: Restricted to the north slope of the SanBernardino Mountains on carbonate substrates. The majority of the populations are on ForestService lands at higher elevations. The distribution of Parish’s daisy extends east to the Town ofYucca Valley.Regulatory Status: Federal Endangered – Cushenbury buckwheat, Cushenburymilkvetch, Cushenbury oxytheca, Federal Threatened – Parish's daisy.Threats Affecting the Carbonate Endemics: The primary threat is mining, which hasfragmented some existing populations and eliminated others. Existing regulatory mechanismsunder the mining law are inadequate to prevent fragmentation of populations. The extent ofmining claims covering the carbonate substrates limits the opportunities for conservation.Vehicle travel on occupied habitat is a minor potential threat and travel off roads could adverselymodify designated critical habitat.3.3.8.4 Charlotte’s PhaceliaLife History: Parish’s phacelia is a striking blue and white annual wildflower, aboutseven inches tall, blooming from April to June. The flower falls off before the fruits develop. Itis generally associated with naturally disturbed or unstable habitats such as loose sand, talus, andwashes, and is most often found on open, arid slopes ranging in elevation from 2,500 to 7,200feet. Population numbers fluctuate considerably from year to year, probably depending onrainfall.Population Status in the Planning Area: This species occurs in the high SierraNevada, its desert-facing foothills, and the adjacent El Paso Mountains, mostly from the foothillsabove Fremont Valley, north through Red Rock Canyon State Park, to east-facing canyons aboveIndian Wells Valley. The range is almost entirely within the planning area. Most documentedpopulations are near roads or trails in the lower canyons and washes, or are in high-interestnatural areas (e.g., Red Rock Canyon State Park). Several locations are associated with the LosAngeles Aqueduct and its various access roads. In view of the documented locations at the SierraNevada crest and on its lower slopes, it is likely that additional undocumented populations occurChapter 3 3-186