Section 2.2 Biological Resources - San Diego …...Coastal California gnatcatcher, California towhee...

Draft Final Environmental Impact Report

Agriculture Promotion Project 2.2‐1

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Section 2.2 Biological Resources

ThissectiondescribesthegeneralbiologicalconditionsintheCountyandpertinentregulationsthatgovernbiologicalresources,anddiscussesthepotentialforimpactsonbiologicalresourcesasaresultofprojectimplementation.

2.2.1 Existing Conditions

ThelandscapeoftheCountyisdiversewithbroad,flatvalleys;deepcanyons;perenniallyflowingrivers;intermittentandephemeraldrainages;moderatelyandsteeplyslopedterrain;flatmesas;rollingfoothills;andaseriesofcoastallagoons.TheCountyincludesvariedtopography;arangeofmicro‐climates,soils,andothernaturalfeatures;andnumeroushabitatsandspecies,manyofwhichareuniquetotheregion.Thedevelopmentofurban,rural,andagriculturalareas,aswellastheinfluxofinvasiveplantsandspecies,haveposedathreattotheconservationoftheCounty’snativehabitatandendemicspecies.

ThemajorityoftheprojectareaislocatedinthewesternportionoftheCounty,surroundingtheincorporatedareas.Theexistingconditionthroughoutmuchoftheprojectareaconsistsofestateresidentialandagriculturaluseslocatedinvalley,mesa,andfoothillterrain.Farthereast,thelandislessdeveloped,withthelargestdevelopedareaintheeasternportionoftheprojectareabeingthecommunityofBorregoSprings.TheareasthathavebeendevelopedintheeasternportionoftheCountyarepredominantlyrural,withlargelotsforresidential,agriculturalorrelateduses,andlimitedinfrastructureandserviceavailability.

2.2.1.1 Vegetation Communities

Forthepurposeofthisdocument,themultiplevegetationtypeswithintheprojectareahavebeencombinedintothreevegetationcommunitycategories,whicharedescribedbelow(seeFigure2.2‐1).

Scrub and Chaparral

Scrubandchaparralisoneofthemostwidespreadvegetationcommunitycategoriesintheprojectarea.Thisvegetationcommunitycategorycomprises42individualvegetationcommunities,suchascoastalscrub,Sonorandesertscrub,southernmixedchaparral,northernmixedchaparral,coastalsage–chaparralscrub,chamisechaparral,Diegancoastalsagescrub,andRiversidiansagescrub.Generaldescriptionsofthescrubandchaparralcommunitiesareprovidedbelow.

DiegancoastalsagescrubisthedominanttypeofscrubcommunityintheCountyandprovideshabitatforthesensitivecoastalCaliforniagnatcatcher(Polioptilacalifornicacalifornica).ThereareseveraldifferenttypesofDiegancoastalsagescrubthroughouttheCounty,includingDiegancoastalscrub,Diegancoastalsagescrub(coastalform),Diegancoastalsagescrub(inlandform),andDiegancoastalscrub(Baccharis‐dominated).Diegancoastalsagescrubconsistspredominantlyoflow‐growing,aromatic,andgenerallysoft‐leavedshrubs.Diegancoastalsagescrubisanativeplantcommunitycharacterizedbysoft,low,aromatic,shrubsandsubshrubscharacteristicallydominated

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bydrought‐deciduousspecies.Thiscommunitytypicallyoccursonsiteswithlowmoistureavailability,suchasdryslopesandclay‐richsoilsthatareslowtoreleasestoredwater.TherepresentativespeciesinthishabitattypeareCaliforniasagebrush(Artemisiacalifornica),flat‐topped(California)buckwheat(Eriogonumfasciculatum),blacksage(Salviamellifera),saw‐toothgoldenbush(Hazardiasquarrosa),andlaurelsumac(Malosmalaurina)(Oberbaueretal.2008).

RiversideansagescrubhassimilarspeciesasDiegancoastalsagescrub,butitoccursmoreinlandinthenorthernpartoftheCountyandonsteepslopes,severelydrainedsoils,orclaysthatslowlyreleasestoredsoilsmoisture.Representativespeciesincludeseveraloftheshrubspecieslistedabove,aswellasfourwingsaltbrush(Atriplexcanescens),brittlebrush(Enceliafarinosa),deerweed(Acmisponglaber),andLord’scandle(Hesperoyuccawhipplei)(Oberbaueretal.2008).

CoastalCaliforniagnatcatcher,Californiatowhee(Melozonecrissalis),whitecrownedsparrow(Zonotrichialeucophrys),rufous‐crownedsparrow(Aimophilaruficeps),andCaliforniathrasher(Toxostomaredivivum)arerepresentativebirdsofthecoastalsagescrubcommunities.Orange‐throatedwhiptail(Aspidoscelishyperythra),SanDiegohornedlizard(Phrynosomablanvillii),SanDiegobandedgecko(Coleonyxvariegatusabbotti),desertcottontail(Sylvilagusaudubonii),anddeermouse(Peromyscusmaniculatus)alsousecoastalsagescrubhabitats.Coyotes(Canislatrans)arecommonpredatorsinthiscommunity,andmuledeer(Odocoileushemionus)areoccasionallyseen.(CountyofSanDiego2010a).

Chaparral

Therearemanytypesofchaparralcommunitieswithinthisclassification,includingsouthernmixedchaparral,northernmixedchaparral,chamisechaparral,redshankchaparral,montanechaparral,scruboakchaparral,andmaritimechaparral.Thechaparraltypeatanyonelocationisdeterminedbythedominantsoils,elevation,rainfall,andotherconditionssuchasslopeanderosionpotential.Althoughvariousformsofchaparralhavebeenlosttoagricultureandurbanization,chaparralstilloccursthroughoutthemesasandslopesofthecoastallowlandswithintheCounty.Chaparralisgenerallycomposedofhard‐stemmedshrubswithleatheryleavesthatavoiddesiccationduringthedryseason.Forexample,cismontanechaparralsarecharacterizedbylargeshrubspeciessuchasmanzanita(Arctostaphylosspp.),chamise(Adenostomafasciculatum),scruboak(QuercusdumosaorQ.berberidifolia),mountainmahogany(Cercocarpusbetuloides),andwildlilac(Ceanothusspp.).

Chaparralishometoawidevarietyofbirds.Spottedtowhee(Pipilomaculates),wrentit(Chamaeafasciatahenshawi),Bell’ssparrow(Artemisiospizabelli),andCaliforniathrasherarerepresentativebirdsofthechaparralcommunity.Anumberofreptilesalsoinhabitthiscommunity,includingthewesternwhiptail(Aspidoscelistigris),granitespinylizard(Sceloporusorcutti),SanDiegohornedlizard,andSouthernPacificrattlesnake(Crotalusoreganushelleri).Inrocky,boulder‐strewnterrainontheeasternsideofthemountains,barefootgecko(Coleonyxswitaki)andchuckwalla(Sauromalusater)liveinchaparral.Mammalsincludeanumberofspeciesofbats,deermice,pocketmice(Chaetodipusfallax),desertcottontail,coyote,bobcat(Lynxrufus),muledeer,andmountainlion(Pumaconcolor)(Oberbaueretal.2008).

Woodland

WoodlandsthroughouttheCountygenerallyincludeoakwoodland(blackoakwoodland,coastliveoakwoodland,andEngelmannoakwoodland),walnutwoodland,peninsularpinonandjuniperwoodland,peninsularpinonwoodland,peninsularjuniperwoodlandandscrub,elephanttreewoodland,andeucalyptuswoodland.Oakwoodlandsoccurinavarietyoflocationswheresoil

JulianJulian

BorregoBorregoSpringsSpringsValleyValley

CenterCenterBonsallBonsall

HiddenHiddenMeadowsMeadowsTwinTwin

OaksOaks

CentralCentralMountainMountain CuyamacaCuyamaca

BaronaBarona

PinePineValleyValley

DescansoDescanso

AlpineAlpineMountainMountainEmpireEmpireCrest -Crest -

DehesaDehesaValleValle

De OroDe Oro

RainbowRainbow

Pala -Pala -PaumaPauma

DesertDesert

SanSanDieguitoDieguito

PalomarPalomarMountainMountain

JacumbaJacumbaBoulevardBoulevardLakeLake

Morena /Morena /CampoCampo

PotreroPotrero

TecateTecate

JamulJamul

OtayOtay

SweetwaterSweetwater

SpringSpringValleyValley

LakesideLakeside

NorthNorthCountyCountyMetroMetro

NorthNorthMountainMountain

RamonaRamona

FallbrookFallbrookPendletonPendleton- De Luz- De Luz

Figure 2.2-1Vegetation Communities and Land Cover Types

County of San Diego Agriculture Promotion Program

Source: Vegetation - SanGIS (2014); Background Files - SanGIS (2014), BLM (2015).

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Vegetation Communities/Land Cover TypesAgricultureBog and MarshDune CommunityForestGrasslands, Vernal Pools, Meadows, and Other Herb CommunitiesNon-Native Vegetation, Developed Areas, or Unvegetated HabitatRiparian and Bottomland HabitatScrub and ChaparralWoodland

Community/Subregional Planning AreasIncorporated Cities (Not a Part of Project)Tribal, Military, and State Parks (Not a Part of Project)FreewaysHighways

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conditionsaremoisterthanthesoilsthathostscrubandchaparralvegetation.Inthelowlands,theyaremostlyconfinedtostreamandcanyonbottoms,butinthefoothillsandmountainstheyoccurinareaswithgoodsoilonnorth‐andsouth‐facingslopes.Woodlandscreateanopencanopyandserveashabitatforbirdspeciessuchasoaktitmouse(Baeolophusinornatustranspositus),mountainchickadee(Poecilegambelibaileyae),Nuttall’swoodpecker(Picoidesnuttallii),northernflicker(Colaptesauratus),westernscrub‐jay(Aphelocomacalifornica),andavarietyofflycatchersandowls.Becauseoakwoodlandsoftenoccuraslinearfeaturesalongdrainages,themammalsthatinhabitthemareoftenthesameonesthatoccurinthesurroundingchaparralhabitat,includingcoyote,bobcat,spottedskunk(Spilogalegracilis),stripedskunk(Mephitismephitis),andseveralspeciesofbats.Shrewsandlong‐tailedweasels(Mustelafrenata)tendtopreferoakwoodlandareasthatprovidemoremoisture.

Grasslands, Meadows, Vernal Pools, and Other Herb Communities

Grasslands

GrasslandsinSanDiegoaregenerallydividedintotwotypes:nativeandnonnative.Nativegrasslandsarecomposedmostlyofnativeperennialgrassesandherbs,includingseveralspeciesofbunchgrasses(Stipaspp.),blue‐eyedgrass(Sisyrinchiumbellum),checker‐bloom(Sidalceamalviflorassp.sparsifolia),andgoldenstar(Bloomeriaspp.).NonnativegrasslandsconsistofnonnativeannualgrassspeciesthatoriginatedintheMediterraneanregionandsupportspeciessuchasfoxtailchess(Bromusmadritensisssp.rubens),ripgutgrass(Bromusdiandrus),wildoats(Avenaspp.),fescues(Festucaspp.),red‐stemfilaree(Erodiumcicutarium),mustards(Brassicaspp.),lupines(Lupinusspp.),andgoldfields(Lastheniaspp.).Duetourbanizationandagriculturalactivities,nonnativeannualgrasslandshavepredominantlyreplacednativegrasslandsandshrublands,includingcoastalsagescrubandchaparral.

Meadows and Seeps

Thisclassificationincludesmontanemeadows,alkalimeadowsandseeps,freshwaterseeps,andvernalpools.Naturallyoccurringmeadowsexistprimarilyinthemountainsandfoothillswheretheyforminareasoffinesiltysoilswithgroundwaterclosetothesurface.Foothillvalleys,suchasCampoValley,McCainValley,andtheareasurroundingLakeHenshaw,supportextensivemeadows.LagunaMeadowintheLagunaMountainsandtheareasurroundingCuyamacaLakeintheCuyamacaMountainsareexamplesofmontanemeadows.Montanemeadowsaredominatedbybunchgrasses(Agropyronspp.),sedges(Carexspp.),andspikesedges(Eleocharisspp.).Duringspring,theyaresomewhatboggyandmoist,andtheyremaingreenlongaftertheherbaceousvegetationoftheirsurroundingshasdried.Manyoftheplantsandanimalsofthedesertsrelyonwaterfrommountainrunoff,andfromsprings,seeps,meadows,marshes,andotherwetareasscatteredonthedesertfloorandthedesertslopesofthemountains.Densevegetationgenerallysurroundsthesewetareas,andthetemperatureisusuallycoolerthanthesurroundingaridlands,thusprovidingwildlifesomerespitefromthedrydesertsummerheat.

Vernal Pools

Vernalpoolsarefoundingrasslands,meadows,andopeningsincoastalsagescrub;theysitaboveclayorhardpansubsoils.Vernalpoolsfillduringwinterandspringrainsanddryduringtheearlysummer,whichhascauseduniqueassemblagesofplantandanimallifetohaveevolvedwiththiswettinganddryingregime.Plantandanimalspeciescanremaindormantinsoilsforyearsuntilthe

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rightconditionsarepresenttosupportthecompletionoftheirlifecycles.Fairyshrimp(Branchinectaspp.)hatchfromhardenedcyststhatprotecttheanimalduringthedryseasonandcompletetheirlifecycleswithinacoupleofweeks.Otherpondanimals,suchastadpolesandverysmallcrustaceans,hatchwhenthepoolsarefull.Plantspeciescharacteristicofvernalpoolsinclude,butarenotlimitedto,thewingedwaterstarwort(Callitrichemarginata),waterpygmyweed(Crassulaaquatica),annualhairgrass(Deschampsiadanthonioides),calicoflower(Downingiacuspidate),Californiawaterwort(Elatinecalifornica),pygmywillowherb(Epilobiumpygmaeum),Hoover’sbutton‐celery(Eryngiumaristulatum),Howell'squillwort(Isoeteshowellii),Orcutt’squillwort(Isoetesorcuttii),awl‐leaflilaea(Lilaeascilloides),hairywaterclover(Marsileavestita),alkalimallow(Malvellaleprosa),tinymousetail(Myosurusminimus),spreadingnavarretia(Navarretiafossalis),andCaliforniaOrcuttgrass(Orcuttiacalifornica).

Forests

Coniferousforestsgenerallyoccuraboveanelevationof3,500feetandextendacrossthemajormountainranges,includingthePalomar,Volcan,Hotsprings,Cuyamaca,andLagunaMountains.Conifersgenerallygrowinareasthatreceivemorethan20inchesofprecipitationeachyear,includingsomesnow.ConiferousforestsareidentifiedbythepresenceofoneoranumberofspeciesofpinesincludingCoulter(Pinuscoulteri),Jeffrey(P.jeffreyi),Pacificponderosa(P.ponderosa),andsugar(P.lambertiana).Thered‐barkedincensecedar(Calocedrusdecurrens)andtheChristmastree–likewhitefir(Abiesconcolor),commonlymixedwiththedeciduousCaliforniablackoak(Quercuskelloggii),canyonliveoak(Q.chrysolepis),andcoastliveoak(Q.agrifolia),alsocharacterizeconiferousforestsintheCounty.

CommonbirdsthatinhabitconiferousforestsincludeSteller’sjay(Cyanocittastelleri),Americanrobin(Turdusmigratorius),westernbluebird(Sialiamexicana),black‐headedgrosbeak(Pheucticusmelanocephalus),mountainchickadee,oaktitmouse(Baeolophusinornatus),andavarietyofflycatchers.Forestlandsprovideimportanthabitatformammals,includingsouthernmuledeer,bobcat,bat,androdentspecies.Reptilesinconiferousforestincluderingnecksnake(Diadophispunctatus),mountainswiftlizards,andmountainkingsnake(Lampropeltiszonata).Thebrightlycoloredlarge‐blotchedsalamander(Ensatinaklauberi)alsooccurswithinthishabitat.

Oakforestrepresentsacommunitythatisfoundnearorblendsinwithotherforestvegetation.Oakforestsconsistofsubstantialtreesgrowinginamannerthatproducesaclosedcanopyoftreecover,andischaracterizedbycoastliveoak,Californiablackoak,andcanyonliveoak.Inmanylocations,thesespeciesgrowintomassivetreesthatarehundredsofyearsold.Thishabitatisoftenfoundadjacenttoandintermixeswithconiferousforestandoakwoodlandvegetation.TheprimarylocationsforoakforestarethenorthernendofPalomarMountain,theslopesandcanyonsonHotSpringsMountain,andpartsoftheCuyamacaandLagunaMountainranges.Animalspeciesfoundinoakforestincludeacornwoodpeckers(Melanerpesformicivorus),westernbluebirds,plaintitmouse,andmountainchickadees.Westerngraysquirrels(Sciurusgriseus)andMerriam’schipmunks(Tamiasmerriami)arealsoknowntoinhabittheseforests,asaresouthernmuledeer,bobcats,coyotes,andmountainlions.

Riparian

Riparianvegetationcommunitiesincludesoutherncoastliveoakriparianforest,southerncottonwood–willowriparianforest,southernriparianscrub,southernsycamore–alderriparianwoodland,southernwillowscrub,desertdrywashwoodland,ColoradoDesertwashscrub,mulefatscrub,desertsinkscrub,Sonoranwashscrub,whitealderriparianforest,tamariskscrub,and

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southernarroyowillowriparianforest.Riparianvegetationoccursalongrivers,streams,andotherdrainagesintheCounty.Generallywillows(Salixspp.),cottonwoods(Populusspp.),sycamore(Platanusracemosa),ormulefat(Baccharissalicifolia)providethestructureoftheriparianhabitatsintheunincorporatedCounty.Oaks(QuercusagrifoliaandQ.engelmannii)arealsopresentinsomeriparianhabitats,suchassoutherncoastliveoakriparianforest(CountyofSanDiego2010a).

RiparianvegetationcommunitiesareoneofthemostsensitivehabitatsinCaliforniaandoneofthemostimportantvegetationcommunitiesforwildlife.ThefederallyendangeredleastBell’svireo(Vireobelliipusillus)andsouthernwillowflycatcher(Empidonaxtrailliiextimus),aswellasthemorecommonyellow‐breastedchat(Icteriavirens)andcommonyellowthroat(Geothlypistrichas),arecompletelydependentonriparianhabitats.Otherbirdspecies,suchastheAmericangoldfinch(Carduelistristis),yellowwarbler(Dendroicapetechia),andlong‐earedowl(Asiootus),alsofrequentriparianscrubsandwoodlands.Smallcarnivoresthatinhabitriparianvegetationincludespottedandstripedskunks,raccoons(Procyonlotor),andbobcats.Riparianvegetationandassociatedstreamcoursesarecriticalforavarietyofamphibians,includingthePacifictreefrog(Pseudacrisregilla)andthefederallyendangeredarroyosouthwesterntoad(Bufocalifornicus)thatinhabitthewateranddampbanksofwatercourses.Silveryleglesslizards(Anniellapulchrapulchra)liveintheleaflitter.Duringthedrysummermonths,speciesfromnearbyaridterrestrialhabitatsusetheriparianareasforrespitefromtheheat.RiparianvegetationinthedesertregionincludesunusuallylargemesquitebosqueforestsinBorregoValleyneartheBorregoSink.Mesquitebosquesaredensewoodlandsofhoneymesquiteandmesquitetrees(Prosopisglandulosavar.torreyanaandP.pubescens).

Atonetime,allofthemajorriverbedsintheunincorporatedCountysupportedextensiveareasofriparianforestsandwoodlands.ExamplesofriparianvegetationstillexistalongthemajorriversoftheCounty,includingtheSantaMargarita,SanLuisRey,SanDieguito,SanDiego,Sweetwater,andTijuanaRivers.Riparianvegetationexistsalongstreamandvalleybottomsaswellasdeepcanyonsinareaswherethewatertableisnotfarbelowthesoilsurface(CountyofSanDiego2010a).

Bog and Marsh

Marshesareveryimportantforwildlifeandhavebeenextensivelyreducedbychannelization,dredging,anddevelopment.MostofthemarshesintheunincorporatedCountyarefreshwater,withalkalimarshinareaswherethesoilismorealkaline,andsaltmarshdirectlyalongthecoast.Freshwatermarshesarefoundalongriversandtheirtributaries,aroundtheedgesofwaterbodies,andalsonearnaturalspringsandpondedareaswithinmajorstreamchannels.Rushes(Juncusspp.),bulrushes(Scirpusspp.),andsedges(Carexspp.andScirpusspp.)arecommon,andcattails(Typhaspp.)areoftenfoundintheshallowerwaternearthemarginsofthefreshwatermarsh.Arroyowillow(Salixlasiolepis),blackwillow(S.gooddingii),andredwillow(S.lasiandra)arealsooftenfoundinfreshwatermarshes.Openwaterstandsindepressionsornaturalsprings,andduckweeds(family:Limnaceae)oftenformfloatingmats.Plantspeciesthattypifyalkalimarshareyerbamansa(Anemopsiscalifornica),alkaliheath(Frankeniasalina),andpickleweed(Salicorniaspp.).Mulefatisfoundaroundthemarginsoffreshwateroralkalimarsh.

Freshwatermarshessupportavarietyofanimalspeciesincludingthecommonyellowthroat,redwingedandtricolorblackbirds(AgelaiusphoeniceusandA.tricolor),andseveralspeciesofegrets,rails(Rallusspp.),andmigratoryshorebirds.

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Smallareasofactive,stabilized,andpartlystabilizeddesertdunesoccurintheBorregoValleyintheDesertSubregion.Desertdunesincludeactivedesertdunes,stabilizedandpartiallystabilizeddesertsandfields,andstabilizedalkalinedunes.Activedesertdunesarebarrenexpansesofactivelymovingsand.Stabilizedandpartiallystabilizeddesertsandfieldsaredesertsandaccumulationsthatarenotobviouslyworkedintodunelandforms.Vegetationvariesfromscantcoverofwidelyscatteredshrubsandherbstonearlyclosedshrubcanopies.

WildlifespeciessupportedbythedunecommunitiesincludereptilessuchasColoradoDesertfringe‐toedlizard(Umanotate),westernshovel‐nosesnake(Chionactisoccipitalisannulata),andColoradoDesertsidewinder(Crotaluscerasteslaterorepens).

Agriculture

Agricultureisusedtodefinelandsthatactivelysupportagriculturalproduction.Commercialagriculturaloperationsincludeorchards,vineyards,dairies,nurseries,chickenranches,fields,androwcrops.Wildlifecanbenonexistentwithinagriculturalareasusedforcommercialrowcrops,orchards,andvineyards;however,fieldsandpasturescanprovidehabitatfornativesmallmammalsandforaginghabitatforraptors,especiallynorthernharriers(Circuscyaneus)andred‐tailedhawks(Buteojamaicensis).

2.2.1.2 Developed Areas, Nonnative Vegetation, and Unvegetated

Developed

Developedareas,orurbanland,consistofallresidential,commercial,andindustrialdevelopments,andlandcoveredbynonnativevegetation(exceptgrasslands).Mosturbantypesofdevelopmentprovidelittlehabitatfornativespecies,butsupportseveralnonnativespecies,suchasrockpigeon(Columbalivia),Europeanstarlings(Sturnusvulgaris),housesparrows(Passerdomesticus),mice,andrats.Nativespeciesthatexemplifyadaptabilitytourbandevelopmentincludethenorthernmockingbird(Mimuspolyglottos),mourningdove(Zenaidamacroura),housefinch(Carpodacusmexicanus),blackphoebe(Sayornisnigricans),opossum(Didelphisvirginiana),andstripedskunk.Duringthepastdecade,Americancrows(Corvusbrachyrhynchos)havemovedintourbanareasoftheunincorporatedCounty.Migratingsongbirdsuselargestandsofornamentalplantingsduringspringorfall,andsomespecies,suchaswhite‐crownedsparrowandcedarwaxwing(Bombycillacedrorum),spendthewinterinresidentialneighborhoodsofthecoastallowlands.Disturbedlandincludesareasinwhichthereissparsevegetativecoverandwherethereisevidenceofsoilsurfacedisturbanceandcompactionfromprevioushumanactivityand/orthepresenceofbuildingfoundationsanddebris.Vegetationondisturbedland(ifpresent)hasahighpredominanceofnonnativeand/orweedyspeciesthatareindicatorsofsurfacedisturbanceandsoilcompaction,suchasRussianthistle(Salsolatragus),telegraphweed(Heterothecagrandiflora),horehound(Marrubiumvulgare),andsow‐thistle(Sonchusoleraceus)(CountyofSanDiego2010a).

Nonnative Vegetation

Nonnativevegetationincludesmanyornamentalplantspeciessuchaseucalyptustrees(Eucalyptusspp.),whicharenotnativebutoccurwithintheCounty.Eucalyptustreesproducealargeamountofleafandbarklitter.Thechemicalandphysicalcharacteristicsofthislitterlimittheabilityofother

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speciestogrowintheunderstory,andfloristicdiversitydecreasesbeneaththecanopyofthesetrees.

Unvegetated

Disturbedlandincludesunvegetatedareasorareasinwhichthereissparsevegetativecoverandwherethereisevidenceofsurfacedisturbanceandcompactionfromprevioushumanactivityand/orthepresenceofbuildingfoundationsanddebris.Whenvegetationoccursondisturbedland,ithasahighpredominanceofnonnativeand/orweedyspeciesthatareindicatorsofsurfacedisturbanceandsoilcompaction,suchasRussianthistle,telegraphweed,horehound,andsow‐thistle.

2.2.1.3 Sensitive Biological Resources

Special‐statusbiologicalresourcesincludedeclininghabitatsandspeciesthathavebeenaccordedspecialrecognitionbyfederal,state,orlocalconservationagenciesandorganizationsasendangered,threatened,rare,orotherwiseofconcern.DatabasesofsuchresourcesaremaintainedbytheCaliforniaDepartmentofFishandWildlife(CDFW,formerlyCaliforniaDepartmentofFishandGame),U.S.FishandWildlifeService(USFWS),andspecialgroupssuchastheCaliforniaNativePlantSociety(CNPS).Sensitivebiologicalresourcesaredefinedasfollows:(1)habitatareasofvegetationcommunitiesthatareunique,ofrelativelylimiteddistribution,orofparticularvaluetowildlife;and(2)speciesthathavebeengivenspecialrecognitionbyfederalorstateagencies,orareincludedinregionalplansduetolimited,declining,orthreatenedpopulations.

FederallistingofendangeredandthreatenedwildlifeandplantsisadministeredbytheUSFWSforterrestrialandfreshwaterspecies,andbytheNationalMarineFisheriesServiceformarineandanadromousspecies.USFWSandNationalMarineFisheriesServicealsorecognizespeciesofspecialconcernthatarecandidatesforlisting.BeforeaplantoranimalspeciescanreceiveprotectionunderthefederalEndangeredSpeciesAct(FESA),itmustfirstbeplacedonthefederallist.Theprogramfollowsastrictlegalprocesstodeterminewhethertolistaspecies.Anendangeredspeciesisdefinedasonethatisindangerofextinctionthroughoutallorasignificantportionofitsrange.Athreatenedspeciesisonethatislikelytobecomeendangeredintheforeseeablefuture.USFWSalsomaintainsalistofplantandanimalspeciesnativetotheUnitedStatesthatarenotspeciesofspecialconcernforpossibleadditiontothefederallistbutthatarenotcurrentlyregulated.

CDFWimplementstheCaliforniaEndangeredSpeciesAct(CESA),whichisaprogramthatissimilarinstructureto,butdifferentindetailfrom,theUSFWSprogramimplementingtheFESA.CDFWmaintainsalistofdesignatedendangered,threatened,andrareplantandanimalspecies.ListedspeciesareeitherdesignatedundertheNativePlantProtectionActordesignatedbytheFishandGameCommission.Inadditiontorecognizingthreelevelsofendangerment,CDFWaffordsinterimprotectiontocandidatespecieswhiletheyarebeingreviewedbytheFishandGameCommission.CDFWalsomaintainsalistof“SpeciesofSpecialConcern,”mostofwhicharespecieswhosebreedingpopulationsinCaliforniamayfaceextirpation.Althoughthesespecieshavenolegalstatus,CDFWrecommendsconsiderationofthemduringanalysisoftheimpactsofaproposedprojecttoprotectdecliningpopulationsandavoidtheneedtolistthemasendangeredinthefuture.TheCESAalsoprotectsplantspecies,whichtheFESAdoesnot.SensitiveplantspeciesarerecordedundertheCaliforniaRarePlantRanking(CRPR),whichismaintainedbyCDFW.

UndertheprovisionofSection15380(d)oftheStateCEQAGuidelines,theleadagency,inmakingadeterminationofsignificance,musttreatrarenon‐listedplantandanimalspeciesasequivalentto

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listedspeciesifsuchspeciessatisfytheminimumbiologicalcriteriaforlisting.Ingeneral,CDFWconsidersspeciesonLists1A,1B,or2oftheInventoryofRareandEndangeredVascularPlantsofCalifornia(CNPS2015)asqualifyingforconsiderationunderthisCEQAprovision.SpeciesontheCNPSList3or4may,butgenerallydonot,qualifyforprotectionunderthisprovision.SpeciesonCNPSList1Aare“presumedextinctinCalifornia.”SpeciesonList1Bare“rareorendangeredinCaliforniaandelsewhere.”SpeciesonLists3and4arethosethatrequiremoreinformationtodeterminestatusandplantsoflimiteddistribution,respectively.

Theprimaryinformationsourceonthedistributionofspecial‐statusspeciesinCaliforniaistheCaliforniaNaturalDiversityDatabase(CNDDB)inventory,whichismaintainedbytheWildlifeandHabitatDataAnalysisBranchoftheCDFW.TheCNDDBinventoryprovidesthemostcomprehensivestatewideinformationonthelocationanddistributionofspecial‐statusspeciesandsensitivenaturalcommunities.Occurrencedataareobtainedfromavarietyofscientific,academic,andprofessionalorganizations;privateconsultingfirms;andknowledgeableindividuals;andisenteredintotheinventoryasexpeditiouslyaspossible.Theoccurrenceofaspeciesofconcerninaparticularregionisanindicationthatanadditionalpopulationmayoccuratanotherlocationifhabitatconditionsaresuitable.However,theabsenceofanoccurrenceinaparticularlocationdoesnotnecessarilymeanthatspecial‐statusspeciesareabsentfromtheareainquestion,onlythatnodatahasbeenenteredintotheCNDDBinventory.

Sensitive Vegetation Communities

Ofthevegetationcommunitieslistabove,thefollowingareconsideredsensitivebyCDFW:scrubandchaparral;woodland;grassland,meadow,vernalpool,andotherherbcommunities;forest;riparian;bogandmarsh;anddune.

Special‐Status Plant and Wildlife Species

Plantorwildlifespeciesareconsideredsensitiveiftheyare:(1)onListA,B,C,orDoftheCountyofSanDiegoSensitivePlantListorGroup1or2oftheCountySensitiveAnimalList(CountyofSanDiego2010b);(2)coveredorlistedasanarrowendemicundertheSouthCountyMultipleSpeciesConservationProgram(MSCP)SubareaPlan(CountyofSanDiego1997);(3)listedbystateorfederalagenciesasthreatened,endangered,orrare,orareproposedforlisting(CDFW2015a,2015b,2015c,2015d);(4)onCRPR1B(consideredendangeredthroughoutitsrange)orCRPR2Aor2B(consideredendangeredinCaliforniabutmorecommonelsewhere)(CDFW2015d);or(5)listedbyotherlocalagencies.Raptors(birdsofprey)andactiveraptornestsareprotectedbytheCaliforniaFishandGameCode,Section3503.5,whichstatesthatitis“unlawfultotake,possess,ordestroyanybirdsintheordersFalconiformesorStrigiformes(birds‐of‐prey)ortotake,possess,ordestroythenestoreggsofanysuchbird”unlessauthorized.

Special‐Status Plant Species

Asof2014,therewereapproximately266special‐statusplantspeciesdocumentedthroughouttheCounty,mostofwhichoccurinuplandhabitatsoutsideofnaturalstreamchannels,creeks,wetlands,andotherspecialaquaticsites.Theremainingspecial‐statusplantspeciestypicallyoccurinnaturalriparianand/oraquaticareas(vernalpools,riparianforests,riparianscrub,riparianwoodland,playas,meadows,marshes,swamps,bogs,andfens).Listedplantspecieshavethepotentialtooccurinprojectareaswheresuitablehabitatandsoilsarepresent.Ofthe266documentedspecial‐statusspecies,34arestate‐and/orfederallylistedendangered,threatened,orrare.Ofthose34species,

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aboutathird(includingGambel’swatercress[Rorippagambellii]andBorregobedstraw[Galiumangustifoliumssp.Borregoense])arelimitedtohigherelevationsthanoccurwithintheincorporatedmunicipalboundaries,ortodeserthabitatsoutsidetheincorporatedboundariesintheCountyandintheprojectarea.Theremaining23listedplantspeciesincludewetland‐orriparian‐associatedspeciesanduplandspecies(RebmanandSimpson2014).

WithintheCounty,USFWShasdesignatedvariousareasascriticalhabitatforfourlistedplantspecies:Otaytarplant(Deinandraconjugens),thread‐leavedBrodiaea(Brodiaeafilifolia),spreadingNavarretia(Navarretiafossalis),andwillowymonardella(Monardellaviminea).PursuanttoSection3oftheFESA,criticalhabitatidentifiesgeographicareasthatcontainfeaturesessentialfortheconservationofathreatenedorendangeredspeciesandmayrequirespecialmanagementconsiderationsorprotection.Inaddition,criticalhabitatincludesspecificareasoutsidethegeographicareaoccupiedbythespeciesatthetimeitislisted,ifitisdeterminedthatsuchareasareessentialfortheconservationofthespecies.

Special‐Status Wildlife Species

Special‐statuswildlifespeciesthatoccur,orhavethepotentialtooccur,intheprojectareabasedonasearchoftheCNDDB(CDFW2015e)areprovidedinTableC‐2inAppendixCoftheCounty’sGeneralPlanUpdateEIR.Ofthepotentiallyoccurringwildlifespecieswithintheprojectarea,19arefederallyendangered,3arefederallythreatened,1isacandidateforfederallisting,and1hasbeendelisted.Elevenofthespecial‐statusspeciesarerecognizedunderCESAasstate‐endangered,5arelistedasstate‐threatenedunderCESA,and51arelistedasCaliforniaSpeciesofConcern.Special‐statuswildlifespeciesarethoselistedasthreatenedorendangered,proposedforlisting,orcandidatesforlistingbyUSFWSandCDFW,andthatareconsideredsensitivebyCDFW.

Intotal,theCountyishometoapproximately114special‐statuswildlifespecies,consistingof21invertebrates,6fish,6amphibians,16reptiles,34birds,and31mammals.Ofthe114specialstatusspecies,only27arestate‐and/orfederallylistedendangeredorthreatened.Ofthe27listedspecies,7(includingdesertpupfish[Cyprinodonmacularius],mountainyellow‐leggedfrog[Ranamuscosa],andpeninsularbighornsheep[Oviscanadensisssp.nelsoni])arelimitedtoareasoutsidetheincorporatedmunicipalboundariesintheCountyandintheprojectarea.Theremaining20wildlifespeciesincludeaquaticspecies,wetland‐orriparian‐associatedspecies,anduplandspecies(EDAW,Inc.2008).USFWShasaffordedcriticalhabitattoeightofthespecies,includingleastBell’svireo,southwesternwillowflycatcher,Quinocheckerspotbutterfly(Euphydryasedithaquino),arroyotoad,coastalCaliforniagnatcatcher,SanDiegofairyshrimp(Branchinectasandiegonensis),Riversidefairyshrimp(Streptocephaluswoottoni),andtidewatergoby(Eucyclogobiusnewberryi).

2.2.1.4 Jurisdictional Wetlands and Waterways

Allwetlands,wetlandbufferareas,andnon‐wetlandwatersoftheUnitedStatesareconsideredsensitivebiologicalresources.Disturbancetowetlandsisregulatedbyseveralagencies,eachofwhichhasveryspecificdefinitionsastowhatconstitutesawetlandandwhattypesofdisturbancesareregulated.Ingeneral,wetlandsandnon‐wetlandwatersareunderthejurisdictionoftheU.S.ArmyCorpsofEngineers(USACE).Underthefederalmethodology,anareaisajurisdictionalwetlandifitmanifestsallofthefollowingundernormalconditions:prevalenceofhydrophyticvegetation,hydricsoils,andwetlandhydrology.StreamsarejurisdictionalareaslocatedbelowtheOrdinaryHighWaterMark,whichisthelineontheshoreestablishedbythefluctuationsofwaterandindicatedbyphysicalcharacteristicssuchasaclear,naturallineimpressedonthebank;

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shelving;changesinthecharacterofsoil;destructionofterrestrialvegetation;thepresenceoflitterandotherdebris;orotherappropriatemeansthatconsiderthecharacteristicsofthesurroundingareas,asdefinedin33CFR328.3(e).WatersoftheUnitedStates,aswellaswatersofthestate,alsoareunderthejurisdictionoftheRegionalWaterQualityControlBoard(RWQCB).TheRWQCBmayregulateisolatedwatersthatUSACEdoesnot.

StreambedswithinCDFWjurisdictionaredefinedasbodiesofwaterthatflowatleastperiodicallyorintermittentlythroughabedorchannelhavingbanksandsupportingfishorotheraquaticlife.Thisincludeswatercourseshavingasurfaceorsubsurfaceflowthatsupportsriparianvegetation.

WetlandsandwetlandbufferareasunderthejurisdictionoftheCountyaredefinedintheCounty’sResourceProtectionOrdinance(RPO).Wetlandsincludelandshavingoneormoreofthefollowingattributes:(1)atleastperiodically,thelandsupportsapredominanceofhydrophytes(plantswhosehabitatiswaterorverywetplaces);(2)thesubstratumispredominantlyundrainedhydricsoil;or(3)anephemeralorperennialstreamispresent,whosesubstratumispredominantlynon‐soilandsuchlandscontributesubstantiallytothebiologicalfunctionsofwetlandsinthedrainagesystem.Landsthathaveoneormoreoftheaboveattributessolelyduetoman‐madestructures(e.g.,culverts,ditches,roadcrossings,oragriculturalponds)arenotconsideredwetlands,providedthattheyhavenegligiblebiologicalfunctionorvalueaswetlands,aresmallandgeographicallyisolatedfromotherwetlandsystems,arenotvernalpools,anddonothavesubstantialorlocallyimportantpopulationsofwetland‐dependentsensitivespecies,pursuanttoRPOSection86.602(q)(2)(aa).Landsthathavebeendegradedbypastlegallanddisturbanceactivitiesthathavenonegligiblebiologicalfunctionorvalueaswetlands(evenifrestoredtotheextentfeasible)andthatdonothavesubstantialorlocallyimportantpopulationsofwetland‐dependentsensitivespeciesalsowouldnotbeconsideredwetland,pursuanttoRPOSection86.602(q)(2)(bb).TheCountyalsohasjurisdictionoverwetlandbuffers,whichprovidebufferareasofanappropriatesize(50to200feetfromtheedgeofthewetland)toprotecttheenvironmentalandfunctionalvaluesofwetlands.

Jurisdictionalwetlandsandwaterwaysoccurthroughouttheprojectarea.Formaljurisdictionaldelineationswouldberequiredtodeterminetheextentofjurisdictionalareas.However,thefollowingvegetationcommunitieswithintheprojectareawouldlikelyfallunderoneorallofthejurisdictionslistedabove:vernalpool,riparian,andbogandmarsh.

2.2.1.5 Wildlife Movement and Habitat Connectivity

Thereareseveralelementsthathelptodefinewildlifemovementandhowwildlifemovespatiallythroughanarea.Wildlifecorridorsarelinearlandscapefeaturesthatconnectlargepatchesofnaturalopenspaceandprovideavenuesforanimalstomigratebetweenthesenaturalareas.Wildlifecorridorscontributetopopulationviabilitybyassuringcontinualexchangeofgenesbetweenpopulations,providingaccesstoadjacenthabitatareasforforagingandmating,andprovidingroutesforrecolonizationofhabitatafterlocalextirpationorecologicalcatastrophes(e.g.,fires).

Habitatlinkagesaresmallpatchesthatjoinlargerblocksofhabitatandhelpreducetheadverseeffectsofhabitatfragmentation.Habitatlinkagesprovideapotentialrouteforgeneflowandlong‐termdispersalofplantsandanimalsandmayalsoserveasprimaryhabitatforsmalleranimals,suchasreptilesandamphibians.Habitatlinkagesmaybecontinuoushabitatordiscretehabitatislandsthatfunctionassteppingstonesfordispersal.Nativewildlifenurserysitesrefertoareasinwhichmembersofthesamespeciescollectivelybreedandrearoffspringinsubstantialnumbers.

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Tofunctioneffectively,awildlifecorridormustlinktwoormorepatchesofhabitatforwhichconnectivityisdesired,anditmustbesuitableforthefocaltargetspeciestoachievethedesireddemographicandgeneticexchangebetweenpopulations.Ingeneral,theCountysupportsamixtureofhighlyurbanizeddevelopment,relativelynaturallands,andintactnaturallandscapesfringedwithencroachingdevelopment.High‐mobility(e.g.,coyoteandmuledeer)andmoderate‐mobility(e.g.,raccoonandstripedskunk)ground‐dwellingspeciesarelikelytoaccessmoreurban,populatedcentersbytraversingmajorroadways,drainageculverts,andstreams/creeks.TheCountysupportsnumerouslarge,contiguousundevelopedareasthatconnectnaturalareasineasternSanDiegoCountytothePacificcoastandprovidemovementareasforwildlife.

Wildlifemovementthroughouttheregionforcommonwildlifeandresidentandmigratoryavifaunaallowsforaccesstoforaginghabitat,breedinghabitat,andwatersourcesnecessaryforreproduction.TheSouthCountyMSCPSubareaPlandefinescorehabitatareas(e.g.,biologicalresourcecoreareas)andlinkagesbetweenthem(e.g.,habitatlinkages).

2.2.2 Regulatory Setting

Biologicalresourcesaresubjecttoregulatoryoversightatthreelevels:federal,state,andlocal.

2.2.2.1 Federal Regulations

Federal Endangered Species Act

TheFESAwasenactedin1973toconservethreatenedandendangeredspeciesandtheirecosystems.Actionsthatjeopardizeendangeredorthreatenedspeciesandthehabitatsuponwhichtheyrelyareconsidereda“take”undertheFESA.Takeofafederallylistedthreatenedorendangeredspeciesisprohibitedwithoutaspecialpermit.TheFESAallowsfortakeofathreatenedorendangeredspeciesincidentaltodevelopmentactivitiesonceaHabitatConservationPlan(HCP)hasbeenpreparedtothesatisfactionoftheUSFWSandanincidentaltakepermithasbeenissued.TheFESAalsoallowsforthetakeofthreatenedorendangeredspeciesafterconsultationwithUSFWShasdeemedthatdevelopmentofthefederalactionassociatedwithactivitieswillnotjeopardizethecontinuedexistenceofthespecies.

“Criticalhabitat”isatermwithintheFESAdesignedtoguideactionsbyfederalagencies(asopposedtostate,local,orotheragencyactions)anddefinedas“anareaoccupiedbyaspecieslistedasthreatenedorendangeredwithinwhicharefoundphysicalorgeographicalfeaturesessentialtotheconservationofthespecies,oranareanotcurrentlyoccupiedbythespecieswhichisitselfessentialtotheconservationofthespecies.”

Federal Water Pollution Control Act (Clean Water Act)

TheCleanWaterAct(CWA)provideswetlandregulationatthefederallevelaswellasastructureforregulatingdischargesintothewatersoftheUnitedStates.ThepurposeoftheCWAistorestoreandmaintainthechemical,physical,andbiologicalintegrityofallwatersoftheUnitedStates.Throughthisact,theU.S.EnvironmentalProtectionAgency(EPA)isgiventheauthoritytoimplementpollutioncontrolprograms.Theseincludesettingwastewaterstandardsforindustryandwaterqualitystandardsforcontaminantsinsurfacewaters.Thedischargeofanypollutantfromapointsourceintonavigablewatersisillegalunlessapermitunderitsprovisionsisacquired.In

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California,theStateWaterResourcesControlBoard(SWRCB)andthenineRWQCBsareresponsibleforimplementingtheCWA.

Migratory Bird Treaty Act

TheMigratoryBirdTreatyAct(MBTA)wasenactedin1918toprotectthenativemigratorybirdsoranypart,nest,oreggofsuchbirdunlessallowedbyanotherregulationadoptedinaccordancewiththeMBTA.EnforcedintheUnitedStatesbyUSFWS,theMBTAmakesitunlawfultotake,possess,buy,sell,purchase,orbarteranymigratorybirdlistedinCodeofFederalRegulations(CFR),Title50,Section10,includingfeathersorotherparts,nests,eggs,orproducts,exceptasallowedbyimplementingregulations(50CFR21).Disturbancethatcausesnestabandonmentand/orlossofreproductiveeffort(e.g.,killingorabandonmentofeggsoryoung)maybeconsidereda“take”andispotentiallypunishablebyfinesand/orimprisonment.

Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act

TheBaldandGoldenEagleProtectionActwasenactedin1940toprohibitthetake,transport,orsaleofbaldeagles(Haliaeetusleucocephalus),theireggs,oranypartofaneagleexceptwhereexpresslyallowedbytheSecretaryoftheInterior.Thisactwasamendedin1962toextendthisprotectiontothegoldeneagle(Aquilachrysaetos).

2.2.2.2 State Regulations

California Endangered Species Act

TheCESA,similartotheFESA,containsaprocessforlistingofspeciesandregulatingpotentialimpactsonlistedspecies.Statethreatenedandendangeredspeciesincludebothplantsandwildlife,butdonotincludeinvertebrates.Thedesignation“rarespecies”appliesonlytoCalifornianativeplants.StatethreatenedandendangeredplantspeciesareregulatedlargelyundertheNativePlantPreservationActinconjunctionwiththeCESA.Statethreatenedandendangeredanimalspeciesarelegallyprotectedagainst“take.”TheCESAauthorizesCDFWtoenterintoamemorandumofagreementfortakeoflistedspeciestoissueanincidentaltakepermitforastate‐listedthreatenedandendangeredspeciesonlyifspecificcriteriaaremet.

California Fish and Game Code

TheCaliforniaFishandGameCoderegulatesthetakingorpossessionofbirds,mammals,fish,amphibians,andreptiles,aswellasnaturalresourcessuchaswetlandsandwatersofthestate.TheCaliforniaFishandGameCodeisadministeredbyCDFW.TakeisdefinedinSection86as“hunt,pursue,catch,capture,orkill,orattempttohunt,pursue,catch,capture,orkill.”Section5050listsprotectedamphibiansandreptiles.Section3515prohibitstakeoffullyprotectedfishspecies.EggsandnestsofallbirdsareprotectedunderSection3503,nestingbirds(includingraptorsandpasserines)underSections3503.5and3513,birdsofpreyunderSection3503.5,andfullyprotectedbirdsunderSection3511.Migratorynon‐gamebirdsareprotectedunderSection3800.MammalsareprotectedunderSection4700.TheCESA,describedabove,isprovidedinSections2050–2115.TheStreambedAlterationAgreementregulationsareprovidedinSections1600–1616,describedinmoredetailbelow.

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Streambed Alteration Agreements (Section 1602 et seq.)

CDFWhasjurisdictionalauthorityoverwetlandresourcesassociatedwithrivers,streams,andlakesunderCaliforniaFishandGameCodeSection1602.Section1602oftheCaliforniaFishandGameCoderequiresanyperson,state,orlocalgovernmentalagencytoprovideadvancewrittennotificationtoCDFWpriortoinitiatinganyactivitythatwould:(1)divert,obstructthenaturalflowof,orsubstantiallychangeorremovematerialfromthebed,channel,orbankofariver,stream,orlake;or(2)resultinthedisposalordepositionofdebris,waste,orothermaterialintoanyriver,stream,orlake.TheStatedefinitionof“lakes,rivers,andstreams”includesallriversorstreamsthatflowatleastperiodicallyorpermanentlythroughabedorchannelwithbanksthatsupportfishorotheraquaticlife,andwatercourseswithsurfaceorsubsurfaceflowsthatsupportorhavesupportedriparianvegetation.

Natural Community Conservation Planning Act of 1991

ThestateNaturalCommunityConservationPlanning(NCCP)Actisdesignedtoconservenaturalcommunitiesattheecosystemscalewhileaccommodatingcompatiblelanduse.CDFWistheprincipalstateagencyimplementingtheNCCPprogram.NCCPplansdevelopedinaccordancewiththeactprovideforcomprehensivemanagementandconservationofmultiplewildlifespecies,andtheyidentifyandprovidefortheregionalorarea‐wideprotectionandperpetuationofnaturalwildlifediversitywhileallowingcompatibleandappropriatedevelopmentandgrowth.

Porter‐Cologne Water Quality Control Act

ThePorter–CologneWaterQualityControlActprovidesforstatewidecoordinationofwaterqualityregulations.TheCaliforniaSWRCBwasestablishedasthestatewideauthority,andnineseparateRWQCBsweredevelopedtooverseewaterqualityonaday‐to‐daybasis,whichaffectsregionalbiologicalresources.

2.2.2.3 Local Regulations

San Diego Multiple Species Conservation Program

TheSanDiegoMSCPSubareaPlanisahabitatplanthatencompasses582,000acresandestablishesa172,000‐acrepreservesystemover12jurisdictions.EachjurisdictionhasitsownSubareaPlanandeachdiffersinhowitimplementstheMSCP.TheSubareaPlanfortheCounty’sjurisdiction,adoptedbytheBoardofSupervisorsonOctober22,1997,covers252,132acresinthesouthwesternportionoftheunincorporatedareaandcovers85speciesofplantsandanimalsand23vegetationtypes.About73percent(approximately184,000acres)oftheCountySubareaprovideshabitatfornativeplantsandwildlife.Theremaining27percent(approximately68,000acres)isdisturbed,developed,oragriculturallandthatisconsideredtohavelittletonohabitatvalue.ThedocumentsusedtoimplementtheMSCPincludetheSouthCountySubareaPlan(adoptedOctober1997),theBiologicalMitigationOrdinance(BMO),theFinalMSCPPlan(datedAugust1998),andtheImplementingAgreementbetweentheCountyandwildlifeagencies(signedMarch1998).TheImplementingAgreementbetweenUSFWS,CDFW,andtheCountyisatooltofulfilltheobligationsoftheMSCP.This50‐yearcooperativeagreementprovidesfortheconservationof85plantandanimal“coveredspecies,”establishesmanagementconditions,andrequireseachofthepartiestoperformcertaindutiesandresponsibilities.Italsoprovidesforremediesandrecourseshouldanyofthepartiesfailtoperform.AlldiscretionaryprojectswithintheSubareaPlanboundariesaresubject

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totheMSCPforthesouthernareaoftheCountyandmustcomplywithrequirementsoftheCountyBMO.TheCountySubareaPlanisregulatedbytheBMO,whichoutlinesthespecificcriteriaandrequirementsforprojectswithintheMSCPboundaries.TheMSCPandtheBMOprovidespecificcriteriaforprojectdesign,impactallowances,andmitigationrequirements.

TheMSCPNorthCountyPlaniscurrentlybeingpreparedbytheCountyincoordinationwithUSFWSandCDFW.ThedocumentisajointHCPandNCCP.ADraftNorthCountyPlanwaspreviouslyreleasedforpublicreviewin2009.Sincethattime,thedraftNorthCountyPlanhasbeenupdatedandrevised.TheCountyanticipatesreleasinganupdatedDraftNorthCountyPlanandDraftEIR/EISforpublicreviewin2016/2017.Inthefuture,theCountyalsoanticipatespreparinganMSCPEastCountyPlan.Atthistime,thereisnoscheduleforcompletionofanEastCountyPlan,butitisincludedasafutureprojectontheCounty’sAdvancePlanningWorkProgram.

County of San Diego Code of Regulatory Ordinances Sections 86.501–86.509, Biological Mitigation Ordinance

TheCounty’sBMO(2004)enablestheCountytoachievetheconservationgoalssetforthintheSubareaPlanfortheMSCP.TheBMOsetsforththecriteriaforavoidingimpactsonbiologicalresourcecoreareasandonplantandanimalpopulationswithinthoseareas,aswellasthemitigationrequirementsformostprojectsrequiringadiscretionarypermit.

County of San Diego Code of Regulatory Ordinances Sections 86.601–86.608, Resource Protection Ordinance

TheCounty’sRPOwasadoptedin1989andwaslastamendedinAugust2011.TheRPOplacesspecialcontrolsondevelopmentthatcouldaffecttheCounty’swetlands,wetlandbuffers,floodplains,steepslopes,sensitivebiologicalhabitats,andprehistoricandhistoricsites.CertaindiscretionarypermittypesaresubjecttotherequirementtoprepareresourceprotectionstudiesundertheRPO.SuchdiscretionarypermitsincludeTentativeMaps,TentativeParcelMaps,RevisedTentativeMaps,RevisedTentativeParcelMaps,Rezones,MajorUsePermits(MUPs),MUPmodifications,SitePlans,AdministrativePermits,andOpenSpaceEasementVacations.TheRPOrequiresthatwetlandsandtheiradjacentwetlandbuffersbeprotectedonsiteswherethesepermitsaregranted.However,italsosetsforthcertainallowableuseswithintheseareas.Inaddition,theRPOrequiresthatapplicablediscretionaryprojectsprotectsensitivehabitatlands.Sensitivehabitatlandsincludeuniquevegetationcommunitiesand/orthehabitatthatiseithernecessarytosupportaviablepopulationorsensitivespecies,iscriticaltotheproperfunctioningofabalancednaturalecosystem,orwhichservesasafunctioningwildlifecorridor.

County of San Diego Code of Regulatory Ordinances Sections 86.101–86.105, Habitat Loss Permit Ordinance

TheHabitatLossPermit(HLP)OrdinanceestablishesaprocessthatenablestheCountytoissue“take”permitsforthefederallylistedcoastalCaliforniagnatcatcher(intheformofHLPs)inlieuofthetypicallyrequiredSection7orSection10(a)permits,whichispermittedbytheFESApursuanttotheSpecial4(d)Rule.TheHLPOrdinancewasadoptedinresponsetothefederallistingofthecoastalCaliforniagnatcatcherasathreatenedspeciesandtheadoptionoftheNCCPActbytheState.TheHLPOrdinancerequiresprojectstoobtainanHLPpriortotheissuanceofaGradingPermit,ClearingPermit,orimprovementplaniftheprojectwillindirectlyordirectlyaffectanycoastalsagescrubhabitats.TheHLPisrequiredifcoastalsagescruborrelatedhabitatwillbeaffected,

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regardlessofwhetherornotthesiteiscurrentlyoccupiedbycoastalCaliforniagnatcatcher.HLPsarenotrequiredforprojectswithintheboundariesofanadoptedMSCPbecausetakeauthorizationisconveyedtothoseprojectsthroughcompliancewiththeMSCP.

County of San Diego Code of Regulatory Ordinances Sections 67.801–67.814, Watershed Protection, Stormwater Management, and Discharge Control Ordinance

TheCounty’sWatershedProtection,StormwaterManagement,andDischargeControlOrdinance(WPO)wasadoptedinMarch2008andrevisedinJanuary2010.TheWPOestablishesstandardsandrequirementsthatarelegallyenforceablebytheCountywithintheCounty’sjurisdiction.Projectsthatrequireapermit(e.g.,AdministrativePermit,MajorUsePermit,GradingPermit)arerequiredtodemonstratecompliancewiththeWPO.RequirementsintheWPOareintendedto(1)prohibitpollutednon‐stormwaterdischargestothestormwaterconveyancesystemandreceivingwaters,(2)establishrequirementstopreventandreducepollutiontowaterresources,(3)establishrequirementsfordevelopmentprojectsitedesigntoreducestormwaterpollutionanderosion,(4)establishrequirementsforthemanagementofstormwaterflowsfromdevelopmentprojectstopreventerosionandtoprotectandenhanceexistingwater‐dependenthabitats,(5)establishstandardsfortheuseofoffsitefacilitiesforstormwatermanagementtosupplementonsitepracticesatnewdevelopmentsites,and(6)establishnoticeproceduresandstandardsforadjustingstormwaterandnon‐stormwatermanagementrequirements,wherenecessary.

Special Area Regulations

TheprovisionsofSanDiegoCountyZoningOrdinanceSections5000through5999areknownastheSpecialAreaRegulationsandincludeatotalof15designators.ThepurposeoftheseprovisionsistosetforthspecializedregulationsthathavelimitedapplicationwithintheCounty,butwhichassurethatconsiderationisprovidedinthoseareasofspecialinterestorunusualvalue.SomeSpecialAreaRegulationsarefortheprotectionofbiologicalresources,includingSections5300through5307,SensitiveResourceAreaRegulations(DesignatorG);Sections5950through5957,CoastalResourceProtectionAreaRegulations(DesignationR);and/orSections5850through5856,VernalPoolAreaRegulations(DesignatorV).

2.2.3 Analysis of Project Effects and Determination of Significance

TheproposedprojectconsistsofanamendmenttotheZoningOrdinancerelatedtoaccessoryagriculturalusesinunincorporatedportionsoftheCountyoverwhichtheCountyhaslandusejurisdictions(seeSection1.4,ProjectDescription,forfurtherdetails).Specifically,theproposedprojectappliestopropertieswhereactiveagricultureexistswithintheCountyorpropertieswhereagriculturalusesareallowed.DuringtheInitialStudypreparationandscopingprocessforthisproject,whichconsideredpotentiallysignificantenvironmentalimpactsandinvolveda30‐daypubliccommentperiod,itwasdeterminedthattheproposedprojectwouldnotresultinasignificantimpactrelatedtoconflictswithlocalpoliciesorordinancesprotectingbiologicalresourcesoradoptedhabitatconservationplans.Assuch,potentialimpactsrelatedtolocalpoliciesandordinancesprotectingbiologicalresourcesarenotevaluatedbelowandarefurtherdiscussedintheInitialStudypreparedfortheproject,whichisprovidedasAppendixB.AdiscussionofadoptedhabitatconservationplansisincludedinSection2.2.3.5,below,tosupplementtheInitialStudy.

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Threecommentlettersthatarerelevanttobiologicalresourceswerereceivedduringthe30‐daypubliccommentperiod.TheCityofSanDiegoindicatedthatMSCPcornerstonelandsareofconcernforthelocalgovernment.TheClevelandNationalForestindicatedthatbiologicalresourcesareofparticularconcernfortheagencyandrequestedthattheEIRconsidereffectsofintensifiedlandusesontheforest.CDFWrecommendedthattheEIRevaluatehowtheproposedprojectandrelatedpotentialforagriculturalexpansionwouldaffecttheCounty’sadoptedSouthCountyMSCPSubareaPlanandthein‐progressNorthCountyandEastCountyMSCPplans.

2.2.3.1 Candidate, Sensitive, or Special‐Status Species

Guidelines for the Determination of Significance

ThefollowingsignificanceguidelinefromAppendixGoftheStateCEQAGuidelinesappliestoboththedirectandcumulativeimpactanalyses.Asignificantimpactwouldresultif:

Theprojectwouldhaveasubstantialadverseeffect,eitherdirectlyorthroughhabitatmodifications,onacandidate,sensitive,orspecial‐statusspecieslistedinlocalorregionalplans,policies,orregulations,orbytheCaliforniaDepartmentofFishandWildlifeorU.S.FishandWildlifeService.

Analysis

AsdiscussedinSection2.2.1,ExistingConditions,above,special‐statusspeciesincludeplantsandanimalsthatareofficiallyrecognizedbyfederal,state,and/orlocalagenciesandorganizationsbasedoneitherlimited,declining,orthreatenedpopulationsizes.Candidatespeciesincludespeciesthatareeligibleandcouldbelisted,buthavenotyetbeenformallyrecognized,asspecial‐statusspecies.Collectively,thesecandidate,sensitive,andspecial‐statusspeciesarereferredtoassensitivespeciesforthepurposesofthissection.TheproposedamendmentstotheCounty’sZoningordinancewouldpromoteandencourageadditionallanduseactivitiesonactiveagriculturalpropertiesthroughoutunincorporatedSanDiegoCounty.Disturbancerelatedtoclearinglandforneworadditionaluseableareaorforbuildingstructurescouldresultinadversedirecteffectsoncandidate,sensitive,orspecial‐statusspecies.TheaccessoryagriculturalusesincludedaspartoftheproposedupdatetotheCounty’sZoningOrdinancewouldgenerallyincreaseactivitiesonagriculturalpropertiesandcouldresultinadverseindirecteffectsonsensitivespeciesonsiteornearby.Potentialimpactsassociatedwitheachoftheusesthatwouldbepromotedwithadoptionoftheproposedprojectaredescribedbelow.

Agricultural Homestays

AgriculturalhomestaysarecurrentlyregulatedanddefinedintheCounty’sZoningOrdinance;however,theproposedchangestotheZoningOrdinancewouldpromotehomestayusesbyreducingthelevelofreviewrequired,and,assuch,operationssimilartoexistinghomestayoperationsareanticipatedtogenerallyincrease.Agriculturalhomestayoperationsincludetemporarylodgingforguestswhowouldoccupyaroominanexistingresidenceorwithinadetachedcabinonpropertiesof4acresorlargerintheA70,A72,andS92zones,uponapprovalofaMinorUsePermit.Adoptionoftheproposedprojectwouldresultintheextensionofagriculturalhomestaysonproperties4acresorlargerintheRRandS90zonesalso.Inaddition,agriculturalhomestayswouldbeallowedwithaministerialZoningVerificationPermitratherthanadiscretionaryMinorUsePermit,subjecttocertaincriteria.Directimpactscouldresultifanewresidence(onavacantlot)oradetachedcabinareplacedonhabitatoccupiedbysensitivespecies,andotherassociatedimpactscouldoccur

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asaresultofadditionaldevelopmenttosupportagriculturalhomestayactivities.Futuredevelopmentofanewresidence(onavacantlot)oradetachedcabintosupportanagriculturalhomestaywouldnotnecessarilyrequireanydiscretionaryreviewunlessaMajorGradingPermitisrequired(seeSection1.4.2inChapter1,ProjectDescription,fordetailsonpermittingrequirements).Assuch,insomeinstances,agriculturalhomestayscouldbeapprovedandpermittedwithoutreviewforpotentialimpactsonsensitivespecies.BecausesensitivespeciesareknowntoexistonagriculturalpropertiesintheunincorporatedCounty,andthereisnotenoughinformationorevidencetocompletelydismissthepotentialforimpacts,theproposedprojectcouldresultindirectimpactsonsensitivespeciesasaresultofpromotingthedevelopmentandoperationofagriculturalhomestays.Also,additionallanddisturbanceactivitiescouldresultfromsiteimprovementstosupportagriculturalhomestays,suchasparkingareas,storageareas,andrecreationalorothervisitorgatheringareas.Inothercases,proponentsofanagriculturalhomestaythatwouldutilizeuptothreeroomswithinanexistingresidenceonthepropertymaynotneedtoconstructanewstructureandmayavoidpotentiallysignificantimpactsonsensitivespecies.However,thepotentialforrelatedparkingareasorotherlanddisturbanceactionstosupportagriculturalhomestayswithinexistingbuildingswouldstillexist,andimpactswouldstillpotentiallybesignificant.MSCPandopenspacecompliancewouldbereviewedthroughtheministerialgradingchecklistandwouldlimitthepotentialforadverseimpactsonsensitivespecies;however,thereisthepotentialfordirectimpactsonsensitivespeciestooccurrelatedtositedisturbanceorclearingactivitiesandforindirectimpactstooccurduetoincreasedagriculturalhomestaysinoperationthroughoutunincorporatedSanDiegoCounty.

Agricultural and Horticultural Retail Sales

TheprojectwouldalsoinvolveamendingthelanguageintheZoningOrdinancerelatedtoagriculturalandhorticulturalretailuseswithinA70,A72,S88,S90,S92,andRRzones,includingagriculturalstandsandagriculturalstores(bothsmallandlarge).ProjectapprovalwouldallowforanagriculturalstandbyrightinS88zonesthatcouldcontainsensitivespecies.Anagriculturalstandwouldincludearoadsidestandupto300squarefeetinsizetobeoperatedbythepropertyownerortenantandwouldbeusedtosellagriculturalproductsproducedonsite.Agriculturalstoreswouldincludeindividualdevelopmentprojectsinvolvinglandclearingtosupportupto1,500squarefeetforsmallagriculturalstoresandupto3,000squarefeetforlargeagriculturalstores.Anagriculturalstoreisintendedtosellanddisplayproductsproducedorraisedonthesiteandwouldbecomposedofretailspace.Parkingareaswouldberequiredtosupportanagriculturalstoreandwouldresultinadditionalsitedisturbanceactivities.Forlargeagriculturalstores,someoftheindoorspacewouldsupportfoodpreparationandindoorseatingareasforpatrons.Smallagriculturalstoreswouldnotincludefoodservicespace.Visitorandgeneralactivitywouldincreaseonpropertiesthatdevelopanagriculturalstandorstore,andthedevelopmentfootprintcouldincreasefromtheretailuseandassociatedparkingareas.Therefore,amendingthelanguageintheZoningOrdinancerelatedtoagriculturalandhorticulturalretailuseswithinA70,A72,S88,S90,S92,andRRzonescouldresultinpotentiallysignificantindirectanddirectimpactsonsensitivespecies.

Agricultural Tourism

Adoptionoftheproposedprojectwouldcontinuetoallowagriculturaltourismactivitiessuchasu‐pickoperations,onsitetours,andonsiteagriculturalinstructionanddemonstrationsbyrightinseveralzones;however,theseby‐rightuseswouldbeextendedintotheS88zone,andlanguagewouldbeaddedtotheZoningOrdinancetospecificallyprohibiteventsinvolvinglargergroupsofpeople(suchasweddings,musicconcerts,etc.).Sitedisturbanceordevelopmentprojectsrelatedto

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agriculturaltourismwouldlikelybeminimalbutcouldincludeadditionalparkingareas,additionalclearedareasforinstruction,demonstrations,orotheroperations,andadditionalareasforstorageofrelatedequipmentandmaterials.Dependingonthespecificsite,sensitivebiologicalresourcescouldexistandcouldbeaffectedbythedevelopmentofanyadditionalparkingareasorotherareasthatareclearedtosupportagriculturaltourism.Therefore,implementationofagriculturaltourismintheS88zonecouldresultinpotentiallysignificantindirectanddirectimpactsonsensitivespecies.

Animal Raising

Theproposedproject‐relatedchangestotheZoningOrdinancecouldresultinmoreanimalsonagriculturalproperties,anditispossiblethatareasonactiveagriculturalpropertiesthatcontainsensitivespeciescouldbeclearedordisturbedtomakespaceforadditionalanimalkeepingactivities.Accessoryimprovements,suchasincreasedparkingareas,arenotanticipatedasaresultofthechangestotheanimalschedulebecausethereisnovisitorcomponenttotheproposedanimaldesignatorchanges.Assuch,impactsaregenerallylimitedtodirectimpactsassociatedwiththeclearingoflandtoaccommodateadditionalanimalsonagivensite.

Aquaponics and Hydroponics

TheproposedchangestotheZoningOrdinancewouldadddefinitionsforbothaquaponicsandhydroponics.Typicalsystemsinvolvetheinstallationofwatertanksandgrowingareas.Theareasrequiredforthesesystemsvariesdependingonthescaleoftheoperation;however,theytypicallyinvolvetheuseofwatertanksforplantsand/orfishandassociatedpipesandpumpingsystemseitheroutdoorsorwithinagreenhousetypeofstructure.Theinstallationanduseofanaquaponicsorhydroponicssystemmayinvolvenewsitedisturbanceandthereforehasthepotentialtoresultinimpactsonsensitivespecies.Becauseaquaponicsandhydroponicssystemswouldbeaccessorytotheexistingagriculturaloperationsonanyindividualpropertyandarenotexpectedtocreateademandformoreemployeesorvisitors,therewouldbelimitedsitedisturbance,ifany,relatedtoexpandedparkingareasorotherimprovementsrelatedtoaquaponicsandhydroponicsoperations.Therefore,tTheinstallationanduseofanaquaponicsorhydroponicssystemmayinvolvenewsitedisturbanceandthereforehasthepotentialtocouldresultinpotentiallysignificantindirectanddirectimpactsonsensitivespecies.

Creamery/Dairy

Implementationoftheproposedcreamery/dairyusescouldresultinindividualdevelopmentprojectsinvolvinglandclearingtosupportuptoa4,000‐square‐footbuilding;constructionofancillaryparkingareas,driveways,fences,andoutdoorseating;andanincreaseinsiteactivityrelatedtoadditionalvisitorsandnewemployees.Creamery/dairyuseswouldrequirethedevelopmentofnon‐residentialstructurestosupporttheproductionofbutter,cream,milk,orcheesewithinanenclosedbuilding,andwouldalsorequireindoorspaceforproductstorageintendedforwholesalesalesaswellasretailsales.Parkingareas,driveways,andfenceswouldalsobeincludedastypicalsiteimprovementsassociatedwiththedevelopmentofnewstructureswithretailcomponents.Therefore,theimplementationanduseofcreameriesanddairiesmayinvolvenewsitedisturbanceandcouldresultinpotentiallysignificantindirectanddirectimpactsonsensitivespecies.

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Fishermen’s Markets

Impactsonsensitivebiologicalresourcesrelatedtofishermen’smarketsareexpectedtobelessthansignificant.Fishermen’smarketsinvolvetheretailsaleoffishtothegeneralpublicandwouldbeallowedonatemporarybasis,similartofarmers’markets,ondevelopedpublicpropertyzonedforcommercialuse,onschoolproperty,orinconjunctionwithafarmers’market.Theretailareaitselfwouldlikelyconsistofashadetentorstructureandoutdoortablesandwouldnotrequirepermanentstructuresorothersiteimprovements.Itisnotanticipatedthatafishermen’smarketwouldinvolvegrounddisturbanceorclearingactivities,andbecausetheywouldoccuronschoolpropertiesordevelopedcommercialareas,itisnotexpectedthatanysensitivespecieswouldoccurwhereafishermen’smarketwouldtakeplace.

Microbreweries, Cideries, and Micro‐Distilleries

Agriculturalmicrobreweries,cideries,andmicro‐distilleriesarenotcurrentlyregulatedintheCounty’sZoningOrdinance,andtheproposedprojectwouldpermitlargeoperationsunderadiscretionarypermit(AdministrativePermit)andsmalloperationsunderaministerialpermit(ZoningVerificationPermit).Implementationoftheproposedagriculturalmicrobrewery,cidery,andmicro‐distilleryusescouldincludeindividualdevelopmentprojectsinvolvinglandclearingtosupportuptoa5,000‐square‐footbuilding;constructionofancillaryparkingareas,driveways,fences,oroutdoorseating;andanincreaseinthenumberofvisitorsandemployeesinagriculturalareas.Buildingsassociatedwithagriculturalmicrobreweries,cideries,andmicro‐distillerieswouldbedevelopedtohousebrewingequipmentandmachinery,aswellasprovideforretailsalesandatastingroomforlargemicrobreweries,cideries,andmicro‐distilleries.Dependingonthespecificsiteandplacementoffuturefacilities,significantenvironmentalimpactsonsensitivespeciescouldresult,similartothediscussionaboveforagriculturalhomestays.

Mobile Butchering

Mobilebutcheringactivitiesproposedaspartoftheprojectwouldinvolveamotorvehicleand/ortrailertravelingtoagriculturalpropertiestoprocessanimals.Insomecases,agriculturaloperationsmayclearanareaandpouraconcreteslabforthisperiodicuse.Itispossiblethatsomeadditionalstoragemayalsobedevelopedtosupportmobilebutcheringusesthatcouldinvolvelimitedgrounddisturbanceorclearingactivities.Therefore,theproposedmobilebutcheringactivitiesmayinvolvenewsitedisturbanceandcouldresultinpotentiallysignificantindirectanddirectimpactsonsensitivespecies.

Wineries

Theproposedchangestowineriesincludedaspartoftheprojectcouldincludeindividualdevelopmentprojectsinvolvinglandclearingtosupportuptoa5,000‐square‐footbuilding;constructionofancillaryparkingareas,driveways,fences,andoutdoorseating;andanincreaseinvisitorsandemployeesinagriculturalareas.Futuredevelopmentwouldbenecessarytohousevariousequipmentassociatedwithwinemaking,tostorewineduringtheagingprocess,andtoprovidefortastingroomsandotherretailspace.

AsdiscussedinSection1.4,ProjectDescription,someoftheproposedaccessoryagriculturalusesmaybepermittedwithaministerialpermitorallowedbyright,andmaynotrequireadditionalorsubsequentenvironmentalreviewpursuanttoCEQA.However,forsomeusesthatwouldrequireaministerialpermit,adiscretionarygradingpermitmayberequireddependingontheamountof

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earthworkinvolved(e.g.,200cubicyardsofimportorexportisneededormorethan2,500cubicyardsofgradingisproposed),andadditionalenvironmentalreviewpursuanttoCEQAwouldberequired.Eventhoughsubsequentenvironmentalreviewisanticipatedforsomecomponentsoftheproposedproject,suchaslargemicrobreweries,thereisnoguaranteethatfutureenvironmentalreviewwouldconcludethatimpactswouldbelessthansignificant.

Summary

TheproposedamendmentstotheCounty’sZoningOrdinancewouldpromoteandencourageadditionallanduseactivitiesonactiveagriculturalpropertiesthroughoutunincorporatedSanDiegoCounty.Impactsoncandidate,sensitive,orspecial‐statusspeciescouldresultdirectlyfromdisturbancerelatedtoclearinglandforneworadditionalusableareaorforbuildingstructures.Indirectimpactscouldresultfromthegeneralexpectedincreaseinactivitiesonagriculturalpropertiesthatcouldoccuronlandswithsensitivespeciesonsiteornearby.Directandindirectimpactsrelatedtocandidate,sensitive,orspecial‐statusspeciesareconsideredtobepotentiallysignificantandunavoidable(ImpactBI‐1).

2.2.3.2 Riparian Habitat or Sensitive Natural Community

Theprojectwouldhaveasubstantialadverseeffectonriparianhabitatoranothersensitivenaturalcommunityidentifiedinlocalorregionalplans,policies,regulations,orbytheCaliforniaDepartmentofFishandWildlifeorU.S.FishandWildlifeService.

Analysis

Riparianhabitatgenerallyoccursalongrivers,streams,anddrainagesandcanprovideconnectionsforterrestrialandaquatichabitats.LocalandregionalplansthataddresssensitivenaturalcommunitiesincludetheCountyofSanDiegoMSCP,theCountyofSanDiegoRPO,NCCP,FishandGameCode,ESA,andCWA,asdiscussedaboveunderSection2.2.2,RegulatorySetting.CompliancewiththeprovisionsintheseplanswouldberequiredforallfutureprojectsassociatedwiththeproposedchangestotheZoningOrdinance.Asdiscussedaboveundertheimpactanalysisforsensitivespecies,theproposedchangestotheZoningOrdinancecouldsimilarlyresultingrounddisturbanceandincreasedvisitorandemployeeactivityonagriculturalpropertiesthatcouldresultinsignificantimpactsonriparianhabitatorsensitivenaturalcommunities,withtheexceptionoffishermen’smarketsastheywouldoccuronschoolsitesordevelopedcommercialareas.Increasesinbuildingandparkingareas,driveways,fences,oroutdoorseatingcouldoccurassociatedwithneworexpandedagriculturalhomestays,agriculturalmicrobreweries,cideries,andmicro‐distilleries,agriculturalandhorticulturalretailuses,agriculturaltourism,animalraising,aquaponics,creamery/dairy,mobilebutchering,andwineries,whichcouldpotentiallyaffectriparianhabitatorsensitivenaturalcommunities.

Compliancewithlocalandregionalplansthataddresssensitivenaturalcommunitieswouldberequiredaspartofthediscretionaryreviewprocessforlargerprojectsaswellaspartoftheministerialgradingpermitreviewprocessforministerialprojects.Ifriparianhabitatorothersensitivenaturalcommunitiesexistonaspecificprojectsite,avoidance,mitigation,and/or

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minimizationofimpactswouldberequired.However,evenwithcompliancewiththeCounty’sMSCPandotherlocalandregionalplansthatprotectriparianhabitatandsensitivenaturalcommunities,thereisnoguaranteeorindicationthatimpactswouldbereducedtoalevelbelowsignificanceuntilasite‐specificprojectsiteanddesignisdevelopedandreviewedbytheappropriateregulatoryagencies,includingtheCountyofSanDiego.Furthermore,itisanticipatedthatadditionalgrounddisturbanceislikelytooccurtofurthersupportaccessoryagriculturalusessuchasfences,parkingareas,outdoorseatingoreatingareas,oradditionalstorageareas.Thepotentialforadditionalgrounddisturbancetooccurwithoutreviewforpotentialimpactsperlocalorregionalplans,policies,orregulationsrepresentsapotentiallysignificantimpactonriparianorsensitivenaturalcommunities.

Compliancewithapplicablelocalandregionalplanscouldbeachievedandstillresultinsignificantunavoidableimpacts.Adiscretionarygradingpermitmaybetriggeredbythelargeraccessoryagriculturaluses,suchasagriculturalmicrobreweries,cideries,andmicro‐distilleries,wineries,andagriculturalstores,whichcouldrequireenvironmentalreviewpursuanttoCEQA;however,whileabestefforttoavoid,minimize,andmitigatepotentialimpacts,thereisnoguaranteethatimpactstoriparianhabitatorsensitivenaturalcommunitieswouldbeconcludedtobelessthansignificantwithorwithoutmitigation.

Therefore,impactsonriparianhabitatandsensitivenaturalcommunitiesfromtheadoptionoftheproposedZoningOrdinanceamendmentsareconsideredtobepotentiallysignificant(ImpactBI‐2).

2.2.3.3 Federally Protected Wetlands

TheprojectwouldhaveasubstantialadverseeffectonfederallyprotectedwetlandsasdefinedbySection404oftheCleanWaterAct(including,butnotlimitedto,marsh,vernalpool,coastal,etc.)throughdirectremoval,filling,hydrologicalinterruption,orothermeans.

Analysis

FederallyprotectedwetlandsaredefinedinSection404oftheCWAasareasthatareinundatedorsaturatedbysurfaceorgroundwateratafrequencyanddurationsufficienttosupport,andthatundernormalcircumstancesdosupport,aprevalenceofvegetationtypicallyadaptedforlifeinsaturatedsoilconditions.Suchwetlandsgenerallyincludeswamps,marshes,bogs,andsimilarareas.DirectimpactsonfederallyprotectedwetlandswouldoccurifdevelopmentundertheproposedZoningOrdinanceAmendmentwouldresultintheremoval,filling,hydrologicalinterruption,orotherdisturbancetotheseresources.Someaccessoryagriculturalusesmaybelocatedondevelopedlotsoralreadyclearedareasandmaynothaveanimpactonfederallyprotectedwetlands;however,otherfutureaccessoryusestoagriculturemaybebuiltonlandthatcontainsfederallyprotectedwetlands,includingvernalpools.Compliancewithpermitrequirementsandregulationsatthestateandfederallevelwouldberequiredofallfuturedevelopment,whichwouldgenerallyrequireeitheravoidance,minimization,ormitigationforpotentialwetlandimpacts.Becausethereisnospecificdevelopmentproposalassociatedwiththeproposedproject,compliancewithfederalpermittingrequirementsdoesnotapplytoadoptionoftheproposedchangestothe

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CountyZoningOrdinance.However,similartothediscussionaboveforsensitivespecies,associateddevelopmentisanticipatedformostoftheaccessoryagriculturaluses,whichmaynotbereviewedforpotentialimpacts,andsignificantimpactscouldoccur.Forinstance,parkingareasoroutdoorseatingareastosupportvariousproposedaccessoryagriculturalusesmaynotrequireanypermitreview,and,assuch,grounddisturbanceonanagriculturalpropertycouldoccurandimpactafederallyprotectedwetland,suchasavernalpool.

Twofederalagencies,USACEandRWQCB,regulatethedischargeofdredgedorfillmaterialintowatersoftheUnitedStatesunderSections401and404oftheCWA.Section401oftheCWArequiresafederallicenseorpermittoconductanyactivitythatmayresultinadischargeofapollutantintowatersoftheUnitedStatesandtoobtainacertificationthatthedischargewillcomplywiththeapplicableeffluentlimitationsandwaterqualitystandards.Atthestatelevel,theLakeandStreambedAlterationProgramrequireswrittennotificationtoCDFWpriortoalteringariparianarea(atypeofwetland)supportedbyalake,river,orstream,includingfederallyprotectedwetlands.Forwaterqualityimpactsonallwetlands,theCaliforniaPorter–CologneWaterQualityControlActdirectstheRWQCBstodevelopregionalBasinPlans,whicharedesignedtopreserveandenhancethequalityofwaterresourcesineachregion.Atthelocallevel,theCountyRPOrestrictsimpactsonvariouswetlands,wetlandbuffers,floodways,andfloodplainfringeareas,whichpotentiallycontainfederallyprotectedwetlands.Inaddition,boththeWPOandtheZoningOrdinanceincludespecialprotectionsforwetlandsthatwouldapplytofederallyprotectedwetlands.Compliancewiththesepermitrequirementsandregulationswouldminimizesubstantialadverseimpactsonfederallyprotectedwetlands.Regardlessofminimizationofimpactsonwetlands,includingvernalpools,impactsareconsideredtobepotentiallysignificant.

Implementationoftheproposedprojectwouldpromoteusesthatcouldresultingrounddisturbanceactivitiesonagriculturalproperties;althoughexistingfederalregulationswouldbeenforcedthroughthepermittingprocess,itisexpectedthatfutureimplementationoftheproposedprojectcouldalsoinvolvenon‐permittedsitedisturbanceactivities,suchasparkingandseatingareasforvisitors,and,asaresult,theproposedprojectcouldviolatefederalregulationsrelatedtowetlands.Impactsonfederallyprotectedwetlandsasaresultofprojectimplementationareconsideredtobepotentiallysignificant(ImpactBI‐3).

2.2.3.4 Wildlife Movement

Theprojectwouldinterferesubstantiallywiththemovementofanynativeresidentormigratoryfishorwildlifespeciesorwithestablishednativeresidentormigratorywildlifecorridorsorimpedetheuseofnativewildlifenurserysites.

Analysis

Theproposedprojectwouldencourageactivitiesthatmayresultinlandclearingand/ordevelopmentinactiveagriculturalareas.Newlandclearingordevelopmentcouldadverselyaffectwildlifemovementifitoccursonlandthatcontainsnativehabitatthatprovideslinkagestowildlifecorridors.FuturedevelopmentundertheproposedZoningOrdinanceAmendmentwouldalsohavethepotentialtobelocatedinareasthatwouldaffectnurserysites.Nurserysitesarelocated

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throughoutthehabitatsoftheunincorporatedCountyandincludeareasthatprovidetheresourcesnecessaryforreproductionofaspecies,includingforaginghabitat,breedinghabitat,andwatersources.

Asdiscussedaboveundertheimpactanalysesforsensitivespeciesandriparianhabitat,theproposedchangestotheZoningOrdinancecouldresultingrounddisturbanceandincreasedvisitorandemployeeactivityonagriculturalproperties,withtheexceptionoffishermen’smarketsastheywouldoccuronschoolsitesordevelopedcommercialareas.Forproposedaccessoryagriculturalusesthatwouldnotrequirefurtherenvironmentalreview,increasesinbuildingandparkingareas,driveways,fences,oroutdoorseatingcouldoccurassociatedwithneworexpandedagriculturalhomestays,agriculturalmicrobreweries,cideries,andmicro‐distilleries,agriculturalandhorticulturalretailuses,agriculturaltourism,animalraising,aquaponics,creamery/dairy,mobilebutchering,andwineries,whichcouldpotentiallyaffectwildlifemovement.Althoughthelargeraccessoryagriculturaluses,suchasagriculturalmicrobreweries,wineries,andagriculturalstorescouldundergofutureenvironmentalreviewpursuanttoCEQA,thereisnoguaranteethatanyidentifiedpotentialimpactswouldbelessthansignificant.Aspartofthediscretionarypermittingprocessforlargeraccessoryagriculturalusesthatdorequireenvironmentalreview,proposedprojectswouldberequiredtodetermineifabiologicalresourcesreportisrequired,pursuanttotheCountyGuidelinesforDeterminingSignificanceandReportFormatandContentRequirementsforBiologicalResources.Ifrequired,thereportwouldanalyzepotentialeffectsofprivateandpublicprojectsonwildlifemovements,corridors,andnurserysites;wouldevaluatesite‐specificconditionsandidentifypotentialimpacts;andwouldsuggestfeasiblemitigationmeasures.Indirecteffectsrelatedtolightingandnoisemayalsofurtherimpactwildlifecorridorsorlinkages.

Implementationoftheproposedprojectwouldpromoteusesthatcouldresultinthedevelopmentofpermanentstructuresandtheexpansionofactivitiesonagriculturalpropertiesthathavethepotentialtointerferewithwildlifemovementorimpedetheuseofnativewildlifenurserysitesifdisturbanceornewdevelopmentissitedwithinoradjacenttoanareathatsupportsthisuse.Althoughthepossibilityofanimpactoccurringisslight,asexplainedabove,therearecircumstanceswhenactivitiessupportedbytheprojectcouldresultinthisoccurrence;therefore,itisconcludedthatimpactsfromtheprojectonwildlifemovementwouldbepotentiallysignificant(ImpactBI‐4).

2.2.3.5 Habitat Conservation Plans

TheprojectwouldconflictwiththeprovisionsofanadoptedHabitatConservationPlan,NaturalCommunityConservationPlan,orotherapprovedlocal,regional,orstatehabitatconservationplan.

Analysis

Theprojectareacangenerallybedividedintotwoareasforthepurposeofthistopic:(1)areascoveredbytheadoptedSouthCountyMSCPSubareaPlan;and(2)areaswithoutanadoptedMSCPsubareaplanbutthathaveMSCPsubareaplansinpreparation(NorthCountyandEastCounty).FortheSouthCountyMSCPSubareaPlanarea,asignificantimpactwouldoccuriftheproposedproject

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wasconsideredtoconflictwiththeprovisionsoftheplan.TheSanDiegoMSCPandtheSouthCountyMSCPSubareaPlanwerereviewedwithconsiderationoftheproposedprojectandnoconflictswereidentified.Asdiscussedabove,theproposedprojectwouldpromoteaccessoryagricultureuses,whichcouldresultinthedevelopmentoflandscontainingnaturalhabitat.However,anyclearingofvegetationwouldbesubjecttotheCounty’sGradingandClearingOrdinanceandBiologicalMitigationOrdinance.TheSouthCountyMSCPSubareaPlanincludesanexemptionforagriculturalclearingthatisoutsideofthePre‐ApprovedMitigationArea.However,thecumulativeclearingislimitedto3,000acres,atwhichtimeanyfurtherclearingissubjecttotheBMO.Therefore,whiletheproposedprojectcouldresultinsomeadditionalclearingbeyondthe3,000acres,thisisnotconsideredaconflictwiththeplan,becauseadditionalclearingwouldberequiredtocomplywiththeBMO.AsdiscussedunderSection2.2.3.1,itislikelythatsomeclearingwillbenotbesubjecttoCountyreviewandforthepurposeofthatdiscussion,impactswereconsideredpotentiallysignificantbecausethereisnocertaintyoftheoutcomeofspecificindividualprojectspromotedbytheproposedproject.SuchpotentialindividualimpactsarenotconsideredtorepresentaconflictbetweentheproposedprojectandtheSouthCountyMSCPSubareaPlan.Asaresult,theproposedprojectwouldnotconflictwiththeSouthCountyMSCPSubareaPlan,andimpactswouldbelessthansignificant.

IntheNorthandEastCountyMSCPplanningareas,asignificantimpactwouldoccuriftheproposedprojectwouldprecludeorpreventthepreparationofasubregionalNCCPsuchasthoseunderdevelopmentforthoseareas.DuetotheextentofexistingagricultureintheNorthCountyMSCPplanningarea,thedraftplanplacesimportanceonsomeagriculturelandsforitssupportofwildlifehabitat,foraging,andmovement.Therefore,conversionofactiveagriculturelandstodevelopedlandcouldbeconsideredapotentialconflictwiththeoverallplan.However,suchconversionisnotanticipatedtobesubstantial.Mostagriculturaloperationsrangefromafewacrestodozensofacres.Thedevelopedlandthatsupportsaccessoryusestotheagriculturaloperationsisasmallpercentageofthoselandsand,formanyoftheusespromotedbytheproposedproject,squarefootagelimitationsonthebuildingswouldensurethatlanddisturbanceassociatedwiththemisnotsubstantial.Additionally,oneofthegoalsoftheproposedprojectistosupporttheviabilityofexistingagriculturaloperations,whichwouldaddtotheretentionofagriculturalareasanddiscouragetheirconversiontoresidentialdevelopment.ThedraftNorthCountyplancontainsanagriculturalclearingexemptionsimilartotheSouthCountyplanand,similarly,clearingthatisconsistentwiththeplanandtheCounty’sregulationswouldnotbeconsideredaconflict.AdraftdocumentisnotyetavailablefortheEastCountyarea.UntiltheNorthandEastCountyplansareadopted,theCounty’sClearingandGradingOrdinanceandCEQAcomplianceminimizesthepotentialforbiologicalimpactsthatcouldaffectpreparationoftheplans.AswithSouthCounty,thereisthepotentialforindividualimpactsfromindividualprojects,buttheyarenotanticipatedtoprecludeorpreventthepreparationoftheMSCPsubareaplans.Asaresult,impactswouldbelessthansignificant.

2.2.4 Cumulative Impacts Analysis

Thegeographicscopeofcumulativeimpactanalysisvariesdependingonthetypeofresourcewithpotentialtobeaffected.BiologicalresourcesonacumulativelevelincludeallnativevegetationandhabitattypesinSouthernCaliforniaastheyareallconnectedandintegratedinsomeform.Assuch,thegeographicscopeforthecumulativeanalysisincludestheentireCounty(incorporatedandunincorporatedareas)aswellasthesurroundingcountiesinSouthernCalifornia.Theareawithinthecumulativegeographicscopeforbiologicalresourceshashistoricallyincludedundeveloped

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coastalareasandhasbeentransformedbypastdevelopmentprojectsthatrepresenttheurbanandsuburbansettinginSouthernCalifornia.ManypartsofSouthernCaliforniaareundeveloped,andthereisthepotentialforadditionaldegradationofbiologicalresourceswithinthecumulativestudyarea.

Pastprojectshaveresultedincumulativelysignificantimpactsoncandidate,sensitive,orspecial‐statusspeciesthroughouttheCounty,includinglossofhabitat.Inordertoaddresscumulativeimpactsonsensitivespecies,theMSCPwasadoptedtoprotectplants,animals,andtheirhabitatsataregionallevelwhilealsoallowingeconomicactivitywherecompatibleandappropriatetoreducecumulativeeffectsofindividualprojects.AportionoftheprojectislocatedwithintheCounty’sadoptedMSCPSubareaPlan,andanyfutureimpactsonsensitivespeciesfrompresentandfutureprojectswouldbeaddressedandmitigatedatthecumulativelevelaccordingtotherequirementsoftheMSCPSubareaPlan.InprojectareasnotsubjecttotheCounty’sadoptedMSCPSubareaPlan,acomprehensiveregionalplanforhabitatandspeciesconservationdoesnotcurrentlyexist,andincrementalcontributionstotheexistingcumulativelysignificantimpactsidentifiedforcandidate,sensitive,orspecial‐statusspeciescouldoccur.Allpresentandreasonablyforeseeablefutureprojectswouldberequiredtocomplywithapplicablefederalandstateregulations,suchastheFESA,CESA,andNCCP,andmayrequireapprovalsfromUSFWSandCDFW.WithoutacomprehensiveNCCPinplacefortheentireSouthernCaliforniaregion,acumulativelossofhabitatsupportingspecial‐statusplantandwildlifespeciesmayoccur,evenwithimplementationofmitigationattheprojectlevel.FutureprojectswithintheCounty’sadoptedMSCPSubareaPlanwouldbereviewedforMSCPandopenspacecompliancethroughtheministerialgradingchecklistorfuturediscretionaryandCEQAprojectreview;however,thereisnoguaranteethatproject‐specificmitigationmeasureswouldreduceimpactsoncandidate,sensitive,orspecial‐statusspeciestoalevelbelowsignificant.Therefore,past,present,andfutureprojectsinSouthernCaliforniacouldcontinuetoresultinimmitigableimpactsonsensitivespeciesoroccuroutsideofareasthatprotectsensitivespecies.Whenthesignificantproject‐levelimpactonsensitivespecies(ImpactBI‐1)isconsideredatthecumulativelevel,theproject’scontributiontoacumulativeimpactisconsideredtobepotentiallysignificant(ImpactBI‐5).

Impactsonriparianhabitatandsensitivenaturalcommunitiesfrompastprojectshaveoccurredasaresultofdevelopmentandurbanizationintheregion,andmuchoftheriparianhabitatintheregionhasbeenlostornegativelyaffected.Asaresult,directandindirectlossordegradationwithinthecumulativestudyareahasresultedinacumulativelysignificantimpactonriparianhabitat.Althoughcurrentandfutureprojectswouldberequiredtocomplywithapplicablestateandfederalregulationsprotectingriparianhabitatandsensitivenaturalcommunities,eitherthroughtheministerialgradingprocessordiscretionaryusepermitandCEQAreview,thereisnocomprehensiveNCCPplaninplacefortheentireSouthernCaliforniaregion,andacumulativelossofhabitatsupportingspecial‐statusplantandwildlifespeciesmayoccur,evenaftermitigationhasbeenimplementedonanindividualprojectbasis.Therefore,past,present,andfutureprojectsinSouthernCaliforniacouldcontinuetoresultinimmitigableimpactsonriparianhabitatoroccuroutsideofareasthatprotectriparianspecies.Whenthesignificantproject‐levelimpactonsensitivespecies(ImpactBI‐2)isconsideredatthecumulativelevel,theproject’scontributiontoacumulativeimpactisconsideredtobepotentiallysignificant(ImpactBI‐6).

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Impactsonwetlandswithinthecumulativestudyareaforbiologicalresourceshaveoccurredrelatedtopastprojectsand,asaresult,areconsideredtobecumulativelysignificant.Otherprojectsinadjacentjurisdictionswouldberequiredtocomplywithapplicablefederalregulations,suchasSections401and404oftheCWA.However,existingCountyregulationswouldnotensurethatasignificantcumulativeimpactassociatedwithfederallyprotectedwetlandswouldnotoccur(asidentifiedaboveasImpactBI‐3).AllaccessoryagriculturalactivitiesincludedaspartoftheproposedprojectwouldberequiredtocomplywithfederalregulationssuchasSection401and404oftheCWAduringtheministerialgradingprocessordiscretionaryusepermitandCEQAreview,andboththeWPOandtheZoningOrdinanceincludespecialprotectionsforwetlandsthatwouldapplytofederallyprotectedwetlands.Therefore,thelikelihoodofadditionallandclearingactivitiesthatwouldnotbereviewedorregulatedrepresentsapotentiallysignificantimpact.Compliancewiththesepermitrequirementsandregulationswouldavoidsubstantialadverseimpactsonfederallyprotectedwetlands;however,thepotentialforasignificantimpactwouldstillexist.Pastprojectshaveresultedincumulativelysignificantimpactsonwetlands,and,althoughcurrentandfutureprojects,includingtheproposedproject,wouldberequiredtocomplywithexistingfederalwetlandregulations,itispossiblethatapprovaloftheaccessoryagriculturalusesundertheproposedprojectwouldcontributetoacumulativelyconsiderablesignificantimpact(ImpactBI‐7).

Pastprojectslocatedinthecumulativestudyareahaveresultedinacumulativelysignificantimpactassociatedwithwildlifemovementcorridorsandnurserysites.Adjacentjurisdictions,includingincorporatedcities,counties,andfederallyandstate‐managedlandswouldberequiredtocomplywithapplicablefederaland/orstateregulations,suchastheCaliforniaNCCPAct.Ifpotentiallysignificantimpactswouldoccurfromparticularcumulativeprojects,thenmitigationmeasureswouldbeimplementedtoreduceimpactstotheextentfeasibleorarationaleastowhymitigationisnotfeasiblewouldbeprovided.However,withoutacomprehensiveNCCPinplaceforthelong‐termprotectionofwildlifemovementcorridorsandnurserysitesfortheentireSouthernCaliforniaregion,acumulativelossofwildlifemovementcorridorsandnurserysiteswouldoccur,evenaftermitigationhasbeenimplementedforindividualprojects.Therefore,asignificantcumulativeimpactassociatedwithwildlifemovementcorridorsandnurserysiteswouldoccur.Theproposedprojectwouldpotentiallyresultintheintroductionofnewstructuresordevelopmentthatcouldfurtherinterferewithwildlifemovementorimpedeuseofnurserysites.Therefore,becausepastprojectshaveresultedinacumulativelysignificantimpactonwildlifemovementandtheproposedprojectcouldsimilarlycontinuetoaffectwildlifemovementthroughouttheunincorporatedCounty,thecontributionoftheprojectwouldbecumulativelyconsiderable(ImpactBI‐8).

2.2.4.5 Habitat Conservation Plans

AsdiscussedaboveinSection2.2.3.5,theproposedprojectwouldnotconflictwiththeSouthCountyMSCPSubareaPlannorwoulditprecludeorpreventthepreparationoftheNorthandEastCountyMSCPplans.Nocumulativeprojectswereidentifiedthat,whenconsideredincombinationwiththeproposedproject,wouldresultinconflict.Therefore,theprojectwouldnothaveaconsiderablecontributiontoacumulativeimpactrelativetotheprovisionsofahabitatconservationplan.

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2.2.5 Significance of Impacts Prior to Mitigation

Theproposedprojectwouldresultinpotentiallysignificantimpactsassociatedwithbiologicalresources,includingspecial‐statusspecies(ImpactsBI‐1,direct/indirect,andBI‐5,cumulative),riparianandothersensitivenaturalcommunities(ImpactsBI‐2,direct/indirect,andBI‐6,cumulative),federallyprotectedwetlands(ImpactsBI‐3,direct/indirect,andBI‐7,cumulative),andwildlifemovementcorridors(ImpactsBI‐4,direct/indirect,andBI‐8,cumulative).Theproposedprojectwouldnotresultinpotentiallysignificantimpactsonlocalpoliciesandordinancesorhabitatconservationplans.

2.2.6 Mitigation Measures

Theproposedprojectconsistsofazoningordinanceamendmentandisnotprojectspecific;therefore,theimpactsofspecificfutureagricultureprojectscannotbedeterminedatthisstage,norcanappropriateproject‐specificmitigationmeasuresbeidentifiedorenforced.However,someoftheseunidentifiedfutureagricultureprojectsmayberequiredtoobtainadiscretionarypermit,suchasaGradingPermit,whichwouldtriggerCEQAreviewofafutureaccessoryagriculturaluseproject.Forsuchprojects,feasiblemitigationmeasurescouldbeincludedinthepermit,thusmakingthemenforceable.Typicalmitigationmeasurestobeimplementedwouldincludeavoidance,preservation,orreplacementofsensitiveresources,habitats,species,ornaturalcommunities.Whereaproposedprojecthasthepotentialtoconflictwithwildlifemovement,localordinances,oranHCP/NCCP/MSCP,mitigationsuchasopenspaceeasements,buffers,andadjacencyguidelines(amongothers)maybeusedtomitigateimpacts.Asaresult,specificimpactsonbiologicalresourceswouldbeanalyzedandmitigatedforthesetypesofby‐rightprojects.

Atthesametime,theremayalsobefutureby‐rightprojectsforwhichrelateddiscretionarypermitsarerequired,butforwhichmitigationwouldnotbefeasible,orforwhichnorelateddiscretionarypermitisrequiredatall(e.g.,wheregradingislessthan200cubicyards,butwhichwouldaffectnativeorfallowland).Forsuchby‐rightprojects,CEQAreviewwouldnotberequired,andappropriatemitigationwouldnotbeimplemented.Asitcannotbeconcludedatthisstagethatimpactsonbiologicalresourcesfromallfutureagricultureprojectsallowedbytheordinanceamendmentwouldbeavoidedormitigated,impactswouldremainsignificantandunmitigated.By‐rightusesmaynotbesubjecttodiscretionaryapproval,and,thus,additionalenvironmentalreviewmaynotbeconducted.Therefore,theseimpactsaresignificantandunmitigatedbecausetherewouldbenoenforcementmechanismtoguaranteeresourceavoidanceorcompliancewithenvironmentalregulations.

Theproposedprojectwouldpromotethedevelopmentofaccessoryagriculturefacilities,someofwhichwouldnotneeddiscretionaryreview.Mitigationmeasures(describedbelow)havebeenidentifiedthatwouldreduceimpactsrelatedtocandidate,sensitive,orspecial‐statusspecies,butnotbelowasignificantlevel.

Mitigation Measures

M‐BIO‐1:Duringtheenvironmentalreviewprocessforfuturediscretionarypermitsforaccessoryagriculturaluses,theCountyGuidelinesforDeterminingSignificanceforBiologicalResourcesshallbeapplied.Whenimpactsonbiologicalresourcesaredeterminedtobe

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significant,feasibleandappropriateproject‐specificmitigationmeasuresshallbeincorporatedpursuanttoCEQAandRPO,BMO,andHLPOrdinancerequirements,asapplicable.ExamplesofstandardmitigationmeasureswithintheCountyGuidelinesinclude:avoidanceofsensitiveresources;preservationofhabitat;revegetation;resourcemanagement;andrestrictionsonlighting,runoff,access,and/ornoise.

Infeasible Mitigation Measures

Thefollowingmitigationmeasurewasconsideredinattemptingtoreduceimpactsassociatedwithcandidate,sensitive,orspecial‐statusspecieswithintheCountytobelowalevelofsignificance.However,theCountyhasdeterminedthatthismeasureisinfeasibleforreasonsdescribedasfollows.Therefore,thefollowingmitigationmeasurewouldnotnecessarilybeimplemented.

AdoptMSCPplansforNorthCountyandEastCountythatprovidecoverageforspecial‐statusspeciesaswellasprotectionsforwildlifecorridors,habitatlinkages,andcorehabitatareasinthoseregions.

BecausetheCountyiscurrentlyintheprocessofpreparingsuchplans,thismeasureisfeasibleandattainable.However,theseconservationplansrequireapprovalatthefederalandstatelevels,whichtheCountycannotguaranteewouldoccurpriortoapprovalandimplementationoftheproposedproject.Inaddition,thetimingoftheseprograms(e.g.,MSCPadoptionandimplementation)maynotcoincidewiththeproposedprojectimpactsintheseareas.Therefore,thismeasurecannotbeconsideredfeasiblemitigationfortheproposedproject.

Becausethemeasurelistedabovehasbeenfoundtobeinfeasible,impactswouldremainsignificantandunavoidable.Chapter4,ProjectAlternatives,providesadiscussionofalternativestotheproposedprojectthatwouldresultinsomereducedimpactsassociatedwithcandidate,sensitive,orspecial‐statusspeciesascomparedtotheproposedproject.

Theproposedprojectwouldallowforthedevelopmentofaccessoryagriculturalfacilities,someofwhichwouldnotneeddiscretionaryreview.MitigationmeasureM‐BIO‐1isalsoapplicabletothisissueandisincorporatedherebyreference.Incorporationofthismitigationmeasure,inadditiontothemitigationmeasurelistedbelow,couldreducepotentiallysignificantimpactsonriparianhabitatandsensitivenaturalcommunities,butnotbelowasignificantlevel.

Mitigation Measures

M‐BIO‐2:RequirethatdevelopmentprojectsobtainCWASection401/404permitsissuedbytheCaliforniaRWQCBandUSACEforapplicablediscretionaryproject‐relateddisturbancesofwatersoftheU.S.and/orassociatedwetlands.AlsocontinuetorequirethatdiscretionaryprojectsobtainFishandGameCodeSection1602StreambedAlterationAgreementsfromCDFWforapplicableproject‐relateddisturbancesofstreambeds.

TheinfeasiblemitigationmeasurelistedaboveinSection2.2.6.1,Candidate,Sensitive,orSpecial‐StatusSpecies,wasconsideredinattemptingtoreduceimpactsassociatedwithriparianhabitatandsensitivenaturalcommunitieswithintheCountytobelowalevelofsignificance.However,the

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Countyhasdeterminedthatthismeasureisinfeasibleforreasonsdescribedabove.Therefore,themitigationmeasurewouldnotnecessarilybeimplemented.

Impactswouldremainsignificantandunavoidable.Chapter4,ProjectAlternatives,providesadiscussionofalternativestotheproposedprojectthatwouldresultinsomereducedimpactsassociatedwithriparianhabitatandsensitivenaturalcommunitiesascomparedtotheproposedproject.

Theproposedprojectwouldallowforthedevelopmentofaccessoryagriculturalfacilities,someofwhichwouldnotneeddiscretionaryreview.MitigationmeasuresM‐BIO‐1andM‐BIO‐2arealsoapplicabletothisissueandareincorporatedherebyreference.Incorporationofthesemitigationmeasurescouldreducepotentiallysignificantimpactsonfederallyprotectedwetlands,butnotbelowasignificantlevel.

TheinfeasiblemitigationmeasurelistedaboveinSection2.2.65.1,Candidate,Sensitive,orSpecial‐StatusSpecies,wasconsideredinattemptingtoreduceimpactsassociatedwithfederallyprotectedwetlandswithintheCountytobelowalevelofsignificance.However,theCountyhasdeterminedthatthismeasureisinfeasibleforreasonsdescribedabove.Therefore,themitigationmeasurewouldnotnecessarilybeimplemented.

Impactswouldremainsignificantandunavoidable.Chapter4,ProjectAlternatives,providesadiscussionofalternativestotheproposedprojectthatwouldresultinsomereducedimpactsassociatedwithfederallyprotectedwetlandsascomparedtotheproposedproject.

Theproposedprojectwouldallowforthedevelopmentofaccessoryagriculturalfacilities,someofwhichwouldnotneeddiscretionaryreview.MitigationmeasuresM‐BIO‐1andM‐BIO‐2arealsoapplicabletothisissueandareincorporatedherebyreference.Incorporationofthesemitigationmeasurescouldreducepotentiallysignificantimpactsonwildlifemovementcorridorsandnurserysites,butnotbelowasignificantlevel.

TheinfeasiblemitigationmeasurelistedaboveinSection2.2.65.1,Candidate,Sensitive,orSpecial‐StatusSpecies,wasconsideredinattemptingtoreduceimpactsassociatedwithwildlifemovementcorridorsandnurserysiteswithintheCountytobelowalevelofsignificance.However,theCountyhasdeterminedthatthismeasureisinfeasibleforreasonsdescribedabove.Therefore,themitigationmeasurewouldnotnecessarilybeimplemented.

Impactswouldremainsignificantandunavoidable.Chapter4,ProjectAlternatives,providesadiscussionofalternativestotheproposedprojectthatwouldresultinsomereducedimpactsassociatedwithwildlifemovementcorridorsandnurserysitesascomparedtotheproposedproject.

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2.2.7 Conclusion

Althoughimplementationoftheproposedmitigationmeasures,inadditiontocompliancewithapplicableregulations,wouldreducepotentialimpactsassociatedwiththeproposedproject,developmentoffutureaccessoryagriculturaloperationsenabledbyadoptionoftheproposedzoningordinanceamendmentatunspecifiedlocationswithintheprojectareawouldresultinsignificantdirectandcumulativeunmitigatedimpactsoncandidate,sensitive,orspecial‐statusplantorwildlifespecies;riparianhabitatorothersensitivenaturalcommunities;federallyprotectedwetlands;andwildlifemovementcorridorsornurserysites(ImpactsBI‐1,BI‐2,BI‐3,BI‐4,BI‐5,BI‐6,BI‐7,andBI‐8).

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