West Mojave Plan FEIR/S - Desert Managers Group

3.3.8.16 Red Rock PoppyLife History: This species occurs at elevations between 2300 and 3280 ft. It appears tobe found in a rather common rock type of rhyolite tuffs, granitics and similar rocks.Population Status in the Planning Area: All known occurrences of Red Rock poppy,including a probable occurrence on Edwards Air Force Base, are within the western MojaveDesert. A possible location in the Black Mountains is outside the eastern boundary of theplanning area.The taxon is definitely known from only four locations: Red Rock Canyon State Park(many locations); Mesquite Canyon, 0.4-0.6 miles north of Randsburg Road; 2 miles southeast ofSearles Station (which may be in San Bernardino County, and is in the Summit Range); and onan “unnamed road” 1.2 miles north of Red Rock-Randsburg Road at a junction 3.3 miles east ofthe junction of California highway 14 and the Red Rock-Randsburg Road.Regulatory Status: BLM Sensitive.Threats Affecting the Red Rock Poppy: The CNPS inventory (Skinner and Pavlik,1994) states that vehicles threaten the Red Rock poppy, but the extent of this threat is unknown.There may be other threats in various areas, but so little is known about this plant that it isimpossible at this time to outline the nature of any additional threats.3.3.8.17 Red Rock TarplantLife History: The Red Rock tarplant is found in seeps, springs and seasonally moistalluvium in an extremely hot and arid part of the Mojave Desert in the rain shadow of thesouthern Sierra Nevada Mountains. Specifically, it is found in: 1) sandy to gravelly washes, 2)moist alkaline margins of seeps and springs, 3) sandy alluvium at the foot of ridges and cliffs,and 4) ledges of dry colluvium supported by ribs of bedrock on cliffs.Population Status in the Planning Area: The Red Rock tarplant is a very localendemic of the western El Paso Mountains. Once thought to only occur in Red Rock Canyon, itis now known to occur in adjacent Last Chance Canyon as well. Within Red Rock Canyon itoccurs along the bottom of the canyon for about 4-5 miles.Regulatory Status: California Rare.Threats Affecting the Red Rock Tarplant: Repeated disturbance is the biggest threatto this species. OHV activity posed the greatest threat in the past, but it is now restricted withinRed Rock Canyon State Park.3.3.8.18 Salt Springs CheckerbloomLife History: This plant is an herbaceous perennial, blooming from April to June, thendying back to ground level in the late summer, fall and winter. Specimens have been collected inChapter 3 3-193