COMMISSION

To qualify for a specific treatment level, 51 percent of the area surrounding the site needed
to consist of the specific treatment level for a 100 meters radius. For example, an OHV blue
oak site had to be within the riding area and blue oak habitat for at least 51 percent of the
surrounding area. An OHV site is defined as an area
within the SVRA where recreation occurs. Some sites
have restricted OHV activity but are labeled as OHV
sites because they are located within these boundaries.
There were 110-point count sites during the 2011-2014
bird surveys. Each sample point is surveyed twice each
Red-tailed hawk
season (winter/spring) for a period of ten minutes per
survey. There is a minimum of ten days between the first
survey at any given point and the second survey. The survey period is from 0700 to 1300 in
the winter and 0630 to 1100 in the spring. Upon arrival at the site, the observer/note taker
is quiet for one minute. Birds are identified by sight and sound. Distances from the observer
are recorded using a rangefinder, when needed, or the observer’s estimate. Direction and
habitat type is also recorded. Each survey is conducted with one skilled observer able to
identify birds by sight and call, and one note taker or a voice recorder. Typically, two or
three teams of observer and note taker are sent out so that all the points can be visited over
three to four days. Data is recorded in the HMS database (de Silva and Meisel 2015, 8).
Aquatic Amphibians and Reptiles Monitoring Program
Aquatic resources at Carnegie SVRA include the ephemeral Corral Hollow Creek and its
seasonal drainages, as well as other water bodies comprised of stock ponds and sediment
retention basins. These water bodies can hold water into the late spring, depending on
pond characteristics and seasonal rainfall. A variety of special status amphibian species
are known to occur at the SVRA, including special status California red-legged frog (Rana
draytonii), California tiger salamander (Ambystoma californiense), foothill yellow-legged
frog (Rana boylii), and western spade foot toad (Spea hammondii). Western pond turtle
(Actinemys marmorata), a special status aquatic reptile, also occurs at Carnegie SVRA and
may be detected during aquatic monitoring. Other species regularly encountered include
coast range newt (Taricha torosa), western toad (Anaxyrus boreas), aquatic garter snake
(Thamnophis atratus), and Sierran tree frog (Pseudacris regilla), also known as Pacific
chorus frog.
The purpose of aquatic species monitoring is to determine species presence and species’
use of aquatic breeding habitat at the sites surveyed. In addition, monitoring the water
bodies allows an opportunity to assess the aquatic habitat and adjacent uplands and record
any changes or threats to these habitats. Work is currently being done to expand the
variables measured during surveys to allow for more in-depth population analyses over time.
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California State Parks, Off-Highway Motor Vehicle Recreation Commission