Northern San Luis Obispo County Coastal Trail Master Plan

Northern San Luis Obispo County Coastal Trail Master Plan
The natural habitats in the study area provide suitable conditions for a variety of special-status plant and
animal species. Although numerous occurrences of sensitive species are listed on the CNDDB, many
occurrences are not listed, and many more are likely to be discovered during this and other projects. It is
therefore appropriate to use known habitat types and their potential to contain sensitive species as a basis for
this general overview. For example, herbaceous (grassland) is the most common habitat type present in the
study area, and provides suitable conditions for sensitive plant species, and nesting areas for songbirds and
burrowing owls. Riverine (stream) habitats such as those present at Villa, Pico, San Carpoforo, and other
creeks, as well as ponds and wetland areas, have potential to support a variety of sensitive aquatic species,
including steelhead trout, the red-legged frog, and the southwestern pond turtle. The Piedras Blancas
Realignment Final Environmental Impact Report discusses coastal prairie as a sensitive resource that occurs
in this area.
Table 2-5 lists the major habitat types present in the study area, and correlates those habitats with known or
potential occurrences of special-status species. The approximate locations and extent of each habitat type
listed in Table 2-5 is illustrated in the Draft Constraints Maps in the Appendix. Other known or potentially
sensitive biological areas such as marine mammal haul-outs, documented sensitive species occurrences, and
serpentine soil areas, are also included.
Table 2-5: General Constraints and Special-Status Species of the Study Area
Habitat Type General Constraints Special-status Species Associations
Marine/Estuarine/Beaches � Waters of the U.S. (below high tide � Western snowy plover (sandy beaches)
mark) USACE 404 permit required. � Potential “haul-out” areas for elephant
� Waters of the State. RWQCB 401 permit seals (sandy beaches)
required.
� Tidewater goby (estuarine)
� Regulated by CDFG. 1602 Streambed � Steelhead migration (estuarine)
Alteration Agreement required. � Southwestern pond turtle (estuarine)
� Potential habitat for sensitive plant � California red-legged frog (estuarine)
and animal species.
� California sea-blite
� Salt marsh bird’s beak
Riverine
� Waters of the U.S. USACE 404 permit � Steelhead migration corridor (larger
(streams/riparian)
required.
streams)
� Waters of the State. RWQCB 401 permit � Southwestern pond turtle
required.
� California red-legged frog
� Regulated by CDFG. 1602 Streambed � Two-striped garter snake
Alteration Agreement required.
� Potential habitat for sensitive aquatic
animal species.
� Willow flycatcher (nesting)
Freshwater Emergent / � Waters of the U.S. USACE 404 permit � Northern harrier (nesting)
Forested Wetland
required.
� Tricolored blackbird (nesting)
(freshwater marsh) � Waters of the State. RWQCB 401 permit � Southwestern pond turtle
required.
� California red-legged frog
� Regulated by CDFG. 1602 Streambed � Two-striped garter snake
Alteration Agreement required.
� Potential habitat for sensitive aquatic
animal species.
� Willow flycatcher (nesting)
Shrub (Coastal scrub, � Considered sensitive by CCC.
� Compact cobwebby thistle.
Coastal dune scrub, � Potential habitat for sensitive plant � Blochman’s dudleya.
Northern coastal bluff
scrub)
and animal species.
� Loggerhead shrike (nesting).
Herbaceous (grasslands) � Contains areas of native grassland. � Compact cobwebby thistle
� Contains areas of coastal prairie. � Jones’s layia
2-20