Initial Study MND - Sonoma County Agricultural Preservation and ...

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Taylor MountainINITIAL STUDY/MITIGATED NEGATIVE DECLARATIONconstruction. These measures may include protecting soil surfaces by seeding or plantingpromptly with appropriate native species and covering with weed-free straw mulch. S4 – Maintain buffers (setbacks) from native grasslands for all new development. (See Table 3in Section 5.10.1 of the Master Plan.)Operational Phase S2 – Develop and implement a long-term monitoring program to evaluate the effects oflivestock grazing on plant species composition and wildlife usage within grasslands andwildflower fields. Use the results to guide grazing management. S5 – Maintain a moderate stocking rate, with livestock use well-distributed throughout thegrasslands. S6 – In coordination with grazing lessee, prevent the introduction of noxious weeds throughlivestock feed. S7 – Prevent the spread of invasive plant populations in grasslands. S8 – Eradicate high-and medium-priority invasive species with populations that are currentlylimited in extent on the property. These currently include distaff thistle and Klamath weed. S9 – Reduce and control high-and medium-priority invasive species with populations that arealready extensive on the property. These currently include black mustard, French and Scotchbroom, Italian thistle, medusahead, milk thistle, purple starthistle, and yellow starthistle. S285 – Minimize the use of disking for fire hazard reduction. Where possible, use livestockgrazing to reduce fuels, where needed. Remove only enough vegetation to accomplish firehazard management goals.Implementation of the above measures would ensure that impacts are less than significant.Wildflower FieldsThe largest expanse of wildflowers mapped on the property occurs just to the southeast of theexisting water tanks. Because of the association of this plant community with thin-soiled areasthat are difficult for non-native species to infiltrate, invasive species are not common.However, as in needlegrass grassland, wildflower fields are not immune to invasion bygrassland weeds and annual grasses, especially if they are subject to ground disturbance.The development of access, parking and trails has the potential to impact sensitive wildflowerhabitat (Figure B.3.4-2). Development of the proposed uses would have the potential topermanently remove approximately 0.29 acre of wildflower habitat throughout the property.The impact estimates are provided in Table B.3.4-2.Avoidance and minimization measures included for native grasslands (described above) wouldserve to protect sensitive wildflower habitat and therefore additional mitigation measures arenot required. As shown in the table, the majority of impact is related to potential traildevelopment. Master Plan standards implemented during final trail design will serve to reduceFinal B-58 September 2012
Taylor MountainINITIAL STUDY/MITIGATED NEGATIVE DECLARATIONthe area of potential impact by requiring alignment of trails to avoid sensitive vegetationcommunities (see S1, S2 and S3).Table B.3.4-2. Estimated Potential Impacts on Wildflower HabitatLand Use TypeImpact Area (acres)Access and Parking 0.04Buildings and Infrastructure —Camping —Trails 0.25Total 0.29Oregon White Oak WoodlandsNative oak trees and oak communities are one of the most significant resources on theproperty and provide both food and shelter for wildlife. Most of the forest and woodlandhabitats of Taylor Mountain are currently dominated by native plant species. Invasive speciesare not abundant in Taylor Mountain’s oak woodlands, but there are patches of substantialinfestations.Native plant regeneration appears to be significant in the interior of woodlands but morelimited on the edges of woodlands and in savanna settings. In these areas, livestock tramplingand browsing, herbivory or seed predation by native wildlife, greater heat and drought stress,and other variables may reduce the germination and establishment of native species. Thespread of Sudden Oak Death (SOD), caused by a water mold (Phytophthora ramorum), is also aconcern in Taylor Mountain woodlands. Human visitors can spread P. ramorum by trackinginfected mud along trails and between the park and other locations.All of these forest and woodland health issues are influenced by the extent of fragmentation ofhabitat on the site. Fragmentation of forests and woodlands reduces the viability of local plantand wildlife populations by limiting genetic exchange and the number of individuals a habitatcan support. Fragmentation also contributes to edge effects where microclimate changes alterthe ecosystem and increases risk of invasions by exotic species that thrive in disturbedenvironments. Human activity on the property has the potential to fragment existingwoodlands via roads and formal or informal trail use.Implementation of the Master Plan will result in the enhancement of existing trails and thedevelopment of new trails over time (see conceptual trail plan in Figure B.3.4-2). Trails androads have the potential to fragment habitats, increase edge effects and reduce the ability ofwoodland species to regenerate, thrive and support intact wildlife communities. Larger roadshave a greater potential for these impacts than ‘single-track’ paths. Both roads and trails,although the most extensive development aspect of the Master Plan, will be sited andconstructed in a manner to avoid removal of individual oak trees and to reduce habitatfragmentation and edge effects. The development of access, parking, buildings andinfrastructure has the potential to remove a very limited number of individual oak trees andimpact this sensitive community. Development of the proposed uses would have the potentialto permanently remove approximately 1.41 acres of oak woodland throughout the property, asSeptember 2012 B-59 Final
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Initial Study MND - Sonoma County Agricultural Preservation and ...

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