West Mojave Plan FEIR/S - Desert Managers Group

a variety of habitats, including chaparral, coastal sage scrub and yellow pine forest. In the desert,it appears to be restricted to alkali seeps and springs.Population Status in the Planning Area: Although formerly widespread outside thedesert, virtually no records are available since 1966. A single site at Rabbit Springs in LucerneValley supports this species, which emerges and flowers every year because of the reliability ofthe groundwater at this alkali seep.Regulatory Status. No special status.Threats Affecting the Salt Springs Checkerbloom: Urbanization has eliminated mosthistorical locations.3.3.8.19 Shockley’s Rock CressLife History: Shockley’s rock cress is a perennial herb found on limestone and quartziteoutcrops and gravelly substrates at 3,000 - 6,000 feet elevation.Population Status in the Planning Area: This plant is found primarily in the SanBernardino National Forest on the north slope of the San Bernardino Mountains, although itranges to Inyo County, Nevada, and Utah. Nine occurrences have been reported by the NDDBwithin the planning area, 3 on public lands and 6 on private lands. The latter have been surveyedmore intensively. In 1998, this plant was found within 51 plots randomly placed across theproposed carbonate plants conservation area, mainly within the San Bernardino National Forest.One isolated historical record is from Highway 247 north of its junction with Highway 18 inLucerne Valley.Regulatory Status: No special status.Threats Affecting the Shockley’s Rock Cress: Populations have been reduced bylarge-scale mining operations and this threat continues. The majority of public lands where thisplant occurs have mining claims. Off road travel within occupied habitat is a minor potentialthreat.3.3.8.20 Short-joint Beavertail CactusLife History: Short-joint beavertail cactus is mostly associated with Joshua tree, pinyonpine, and juniper woodlands, although it also occurs in chaparral and Mojave desert scrubcommunities. It has been reported from a wide variety of well-drained soils, from sandy torocky, in open streambeds and on rocky slopes.Population Status in the Planning Area: Short-joint beavertail cactus is found alongthe north slopes of the San Gabriel Mountains from the Anaverde Valley west of Palmdale eastto the Cajon Pass. It occurs between elevations of 3000 – 6500 feet, and is found within theAngeles National Forest south of the West Mojave boundary. At the eastern edge of its range,between Cajon Pass and the Mojave River Forks Dam in the San Bernardino Mountains, theChapter 3 3-194