D
Draft Conceptual Area Protection Plan and Grant Application for the Santa Ana-Palomar Mountains Linkage
in Riverside & San Diego Counties
1. SITE NAME: Santa Ana-Palomar Linkage
The Santa Ana-Palomar Linkage is a landscape level connection that serves two expansive core areas, Camp Pendleton and the Trabuco District of Cleveland National Forest in the Santa Ana Mountains west of I-15 and the Palomar District of Cleveland National Forest east of the Interstate; several existing conservation investments exist in the linkage (Attachment 1). The proposed Santa Ana-Palomar Linkage CAPP is part of a highly collaborative partnership involving representatives from the Department of Fish and Game, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the Counties of Riverside and San Diego, Department of Defense, U.S. Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, The Nature Conservancy, San Diego State University Field Station Programs, Trust for Public Land, and South Coast Wildlands, among others. The Santa Ana-Palomar Linkage encompasses 3 existing Draft Conceptual Area Protection Plans and 1 Land Acquisition Evaluation area, all of which address habitat connectivity issues (Attachment 2). The Mount Olympus-Magee Ridge Preserve serves to connect existing protected areas east of I-15 (i.e., Mount Olympus County Park, BLM parcels) to the Agua Tibia Wilderness Area in the Palomar District of the Cleveland National Forest. The proposed Vail Lake Conceptual Area (currently inactive) would also provide a contiguous connection to the Agua Tibia Wilderness Area. The Santa Rosa Plateau Ecological Reserve Expansion Tenaja Corridor provides a connection between the Plateau and the Trabuco District of Cleveland National Forest. While the Santa Margarita River Ecological Reserve Gavilan Mountain Unit adjoins other large protected areas and contributes to maintaining watershed integrity in the mainstem of the River, a primary conduit for wildlife movement in the linkage.
Multiple agencies and organizations are expected to implement the proposed CAPP. As such, various partners will acquire different parts of the CAPP and lands acquired will have multiple designations. Of course, any ownership going to the Department would be designated as a state ecological reserve and could be named pursuant to the habitat/natural characteristics of the subject lands. The Department has one existing Ecological Reserve in the proposed CAPP, the Santa Rosa Plateau Ecological Reserve, which could be expanded to include contiguous target parcels in the Tenaja Corridor. The Santa Margarita Ecological Reserve, managed as part of the San Diego State University Field Station Programs, has expressed interest in adding additional habitat to the reserve (Attachment 3). In addition, San Diego County Department of Parks and Recreation currently manages the Mount Olympus Preserve and would be an appropriate entity to administer land in the eastern portion of the proposed CAPP (i.e., Mount Olympus-Magee Ridge Preserve), as part of their North County Multiple Species Conservation Plan. Similar opportunities exist in other portions of the proposed CAPP.
2. SUMMARY
Habitat loss and fragmentation are the leading threats to biodiversity, both in southern California and in the Santa Ana-Palomar Linkage, where habitat conversion to agricultural and urban uses is occurring at an alarming rate. Efforts to combat these threats must focus on conserving well-connected networks of large wildland areas where natural ecological and evolutionary processes can continue operating over large spatial and temporal scales—such as top-down control by large predators, and natural patterns of gene flow, pollination, dispersal, energy flow, nutrient cycling, inter-specific competition, and mutualism. Adequate landscape connections will thereby allow these ecosystems to respond appropriately to natural and unnatural environmental perturbations, such as fire, flood, climate change, and invasions by alien species. The Santa Ana – Palomar Mountains Linkage is one of 15 priority linkages identified by the South Coast Missing Linkages Project as critical for preserving ecosystem processes in the South Coast Ecoregion
The proposed CAPP boundary is largely based on the Santa Ana-Palomar Mountains Linkage Design, developed by SDSU Field Station Programs and South Coast Wildlands in collaboration with the South Coast Missing Linkages project, an ambitious multi-agency effort focused on maintaining landscape level connectivity in the South Coast Ecoregion. The South Coast Missing Linkages project supports and enhances existing efforts by providing information on regional linkages critical to achieving the conservation goals of various planning efforts, such as the Western Riverside Multiple Species Habitat Conservation Plan, the Northern San Diego Multiple Species Conservation Plan, the Orange County Southern NCCP Subregional Plan, The Nature Conservancy’s Ecoregional Plans, and the South Coast Conservation Forum. The Santa Ana-Palomar Mountains Linkage also incorporates 3 existing Conceptual Area Protection Plans (i.e., Mount Olympus-Magee Ridge Preserve, Vail Lake Conceptual Area (currently inactive), Santa Rosa Plateau Ecological Reserve Expansion Tenaja Corridor) and 1 Land Acquisition Evaluation (i.e., Santa Margarita River Ecological Reserve Gavilan Mountain Unit).
The proposed Santa Ana-Palomar Linkage CAPP meets all 10 of the Department’s criteria for local, regional and statewide significance. The Conceptual Area is extremely diverse; supporting over 30 distinct natural communities, including several natural communities designated as sensitive by the Department, including Valley Needlegrass grassland, Valley and Foothill Grassland, Riversidian sage scrub, Alluvial Fan Scrub, Engelmann oak woodland, Coast Live Oak Riparian Forest, White Alder Riparian Forest, Coastal and Valley Freshwater Marsh, Southern Cottonwood-willow Riparian Forest, Sycamore-Alder Riparian Woodland. Many native species that occur in the proposed Santa Ana-Palomar Linkage CAPP are undergoing regional declines. A total of 1014 of the targeted Priority 1 and 2 parcels contain designated critical habitat and 86 Priority 1 and 2 parcels have recorded occurrences of threatened, endangered or sensitive species. A total of 153 species of plants and animals that occur or have the potential to occur in the planning area, are afforded special status by US Fish and Wildlife Service, California Department of Fish and Game or the California Native Plant Society. Thirty-three of these species are listed as threatened or endangered (T&E) by federal or state agencies.
The proposed CAPP would secure a functional landscape level connection between the Santa Ana and Palomar core areas and help to ensure the ecological integrity of areas already protected in the linkage. There are a number of existing conservation investments (i.e., BLM, SMER, SRP, Mt. Olympus, etc.) in the Santa Ana-Palomar Linkage, covering 18,313 acres, which are protected from habitat conversion. The proposed CAPP encompasses a total of 54,413 acres, which are targeted for acquisition or conservation easements, 28,418 acres in Riverside County and 25,995 acres in San Diego County. The Santa Ana-Palomar Linkage CAPP encompasses a total of 3,339 parcels, 1,750 in Riverside County and 1,589 in San Diego County. Of the 1,750 parcels in Riverside County, the Western Riverside MSHCP covers 822 of the parcels, representing 62% (17,724 of 28,418 acres) of the unprotected land targeted in Riverside County. Of the 1,589 parcels in San Diego County, the Northern San Diego County MSCP covers 1,021 of the parcels, representing 83% (21,471 of 25,995 acres) of the unprotected land targeted in San Diego County. Assuming all of 54,413 acres identified within the CAPP can be acquired, the cost for fee acquisition would be a minimum of $100-$200 million. Easement purchases, where applicable, would reduce the cost of each transaction. Partners anticipated to be engaged in acquiring or protecting land in addition to Department include the Department of Defense Camp Pendleton, The Nature Conservancy, Trust for Public Land, San Diego State University, Fallbrook Land Conservancy, Riverside County and San Diego County. The Conceptual Area is absolutely critical for establishing a protected area network for the South Coast Ecoregion.
3. GEOGRAPHIC LOCATION AND DESCRIPTION
The Santa Ana-Palomar Linkage spans a distance of over 15 miles, stretching from Camp Pendleton and the Trabuco District of Cleveland National Forest in the Santa Ana Mountains to the Palomar District of Cleveland National Forest in the Palomar Mountains. The Linkage is virtually bisected by the Riverside and San Diego County line and includes land in southwestern Riverside and northwestern San Diego counties. The cities of Temecula and Murrieta lie to the north of the CAPP, while the communities of Fallbrook, Rainbow and Pala are near the southern boundary.
The proposed CAPP is topographically complex (Attachment 4), linking habitats at sea level to those at elevations above 6,000 ft on Palomar Mountain. Within the linkage, the cool coastal fog-belt gives way to high inland temperatures of the interior valleys, often generating differences in temperature of 10 to 15 F over a 30-mile stretch. Annual rainfall along this gradient also shows high geographic variability, ranging from 12 to 40 inches per year (Miles and Goudey 1997, Stephenson and Calcarone 1999).
The proposed CAPP would secure a functional landscape level connection between the Santa Ana and Palomar core areas and help to ensure the ecological integrity of areas already protected in the linkage. There are a number of existing conservation investments (i.e., BLM, SMER, SRP, Mt. Olympus, etc.) in the Santa Ana-Palomar Linkage, covering 18,313 acres, which are protected from habitat conversion (Attachment 1). The proposed CAPP encompasses a total of 54,413 acres (15,218 acres not covered by any NCCP), which are targeted for acquisition or conservation easements, 28,418 acres in Riverside County (10,694 acres not covered by the W. Riverside MSHCP) and 25,995 acres in San Diego County (4,524 acres not covered by N. San Diego MSCP). In addition, various utility districts administer land within the boundary of the overall Santa Ana-Palomar Linkage (Attachment 5), covering 3,095 acres. The Pechanga, Temecula, Pala, Pauma, and La Jolla Bands of Luiseno Mission Indians are also major landowners in the planning area (Attachment 5). In Riverside County, the Pechanga and Temecula Bands collectively own 1,323 acres, while the La Jolla, Pauma, and Pala Bands own 10,913 acres in San Diego County that is contiguous to the southeastern boundary of the proposed CAPP.
Land targeted for acquisition or conservation easements in the Santa Ana-Palomar Linkage CAPP encompass a total of 3,339 parcels, 1,750 in Riverside County (928 parcels not covered by W. Riverside MSHCP) and 1,589 in San Diego County (568 parcels not covered by N. San Diego MSCP). In many instances, multiple large parcels are owned by a particular landowner, often in strategic locations for linking together existing protected areas in the linkage. Of the 1750 parcels in Riverside County, there are 1,039 landowners. The 3 largest landholders in the proposed CAPP in Riverside County are Vail Lake USA (6,344 ac), William Thurber (551 ac), and John Marana (515 ac). In San Diego County, there are 1,133 landowners represented by the 1589 parcels. The 3 largest landholders in San Diego County are Frank Spain (1164 ac), Schoepe Enterprises (650 ac), and Red Mountain LLC (371 ac). Please see Appendix A for geographical location and descriptive information (e.g., APN, acreage, location, access, minimum and maximum elevation, slope range, landuse) for each parcel. For ease of description, we have divided the proposed CAPP into 4 sub areas (i.e., Santa Ana Mountains, Santa Rosa Plateau, Palomar Range, and Temecula Creek).
Santa Ana Mountains Sub Area: The Santa Ana Mountains Sub Area extends from the Trabuco District of Cleveland National Forest near Margarita Peak to the northeast corner of Camp Pendleton MCB and over to Interstate 15. The major topographic features in this sub area are Margarita Peak, Gavilan Mountain, and Red Mountain, as well as the Santa Margarita River, which winds through Temecula Gorge, and a few of its tributaries, including lower De Luz and Sandia creeks, and Rainbow Creek. The Santa Ana-Palomar Linkage planning effort identified two strongly preferred movement routes in this sub area (Luke et al. 2004). A riparian connection up the Santa Margarita River that winds through Temecula Gorge on the Santa Margarita Ecological Reserve to the confluence of Temecula and Murrieta creeks near Interstate 15. And, an upland connection from the Santa Margarita Mountains that rises and falls through De Luz and Sandia canyons and over Gavilan Mountain into the granitic ridgelines of the Santa Ana foothills at Interstate 15. A few species also benefited from a connection from the Santa Margarita River up Rainbow Creek (Luke et al. 2004).
There are 1133 parcels in the Santa Ana Mountains Sub Area, with 751 landowners; Appendix A delineates which of the 1133 parcels is addressed by an NCCP. Areas protected from conversion to urban and agricultural uses in this sub area include land encompassed by the Santa Margarita Ecological Reserve (SMER), a research and teaching field station operated by San Diego State University (SDSU) Field Station Programs; a few large parcels administered by the Bureau of Land Management; and the Fallbrook Public Utility District, which includes riparian and upland habitat along the Santa Margarita River from SMER to Camp Pendleton. Representative photographs of this sub area are provided in Attachment 6.
The Santa Ana Mountains Sub Area is located in Township 8 South, Range 3 West, Sections 31-36; Township 8 South, Range 4 West, Sections 20-22 and 25-36; Township 8 South, Range 5 West, Sections 25, 34-35; Township 9 South, Range 3 West, Sections 1-11, 15, 17-18; and Township 9 South, Range 4 West, Sections 1-13. Elevations in this sub area range from sea level to 3,167 feet. Access to this sub area is off of Interstate 15, via Mission Road. The primary surface streets are Willow Glen Road, De Luz Road, Gavilan Mountain Road, Stage Coach Lane, and Rainbow Glen. Please see Appendix A for parcel level geographical location and descriptive information for this sub area.
Palomar Range Sub Area: The Palomar Range Sub Area lies within the San Luis Rey Watershed and is bound on the west by Interstate 15 and the community of Rainbow, on the east by the Aqua Tibia Wilderness Area in the Palomar District of Cleveland National Forest, to the north by Redhawk Golf Course and Pechanga land, and on the south by Pala and Pauma land. The most prominent topographic features in this area are Mount Olympus, Tourmaline Queen, Chief, and Heriot mountains, and Magee Ridge, as well as several tributaries of the San Luis Rey River, including Gomez, Pala Trujillo and Magee creeks. The Santa Ana-Palomar Linkage Design identified significant habitat for all terrestrial and semi-aquatic species in this sub area (Luke et al. 2004).
There are 837 parcels in this sub area, with 591 landowners; Appendix A delineates which of the 837 parcels is addressed by an NCCP. Habitat protected from conversion in this sub area is represented by parcels administered by the Bureau of Land Management and the Mount Olympus Preserve managed by the San Diego County Department of Parks and Recreation. Representative photographs of this sub area are provided in Attachment 7.
The Palomar Range Sub Area is located in Township 8 South, Range 2 West, Sections 25-36; Township 9 South, Range 1 West, Sections 18-30, 32-34; Township 9 South, Range 2 West, Sections 1-17, 20-29, and 32-33; and Township 9 South, Range 3 West, Sections 1, 11, and 12. Elevations range from sea level to 3,509 ft. Access to this sub area is off State Highway 76, exit Pala Temecula Road (County Highway S16); targeted parcels lie on either side of S16. Please see Appendix A for parcel level geographical location and descriptive information for this sub area.
Santa Rosa Plateau Sub Area: The Santa Rosa Plateau Sub Area consists of three connections to the Plateau (Tenaja Corridor, Sandia Creek, and a Foothill Connection), ranging in elevation from 557 to 2,835 feet. The Santa Rosa Plateau Sub Area encompasses 573 parcels, with 379 landowners; Appendix A delineates which of the 573 acres the Western Riverside MSHCP covers.
The Tenaja Corridor is bounded on the north and south by rural residential development, on the west by the San Mateo Wilderness Area in the Trabuco District of the Cleveland National Forest, and on the East by the Santa Rosa Plateau Ecological Reserve. The major topographic feature is a vernal pool complex, stretching from the Santa Rosa Plateau (Mesa de Colorado, Mesa de Burro, Mesa de la Punta), through the Tenaja Corridor (i.e., Avenaloca Mesa, and Mesa Redonda) to the Forest Service boundary. Other significant topographic elements in the Tenaja Corridor include Squaw Mountain and portions of Cole, De Luz and Tenaja Creeks. The Tenaja Corridor is located in Township 7 South, Range 4 West, and includes Sections 21, 22, 23, 26, 27, 28, 33, and 34. Access to this portion of the sub area via Clinton Keith Road, which becomes Tenaja Road; target parcels are situated along Tenaja Road.
The central branch in this Sub Area includes a narrow band of parcels encompassing Sandia Creek, from the Santa Rosa Plateau to the Santa Margarita River. Sandia Creek drains the Plateau and flows into the Santa Margarita River. Access to this section of the Santa Rosa Plateau sub area is via Sandia Creek Drive.
The Foothill Connection in this Sub Area includes chaparral habitats between the Santa Margarita Ecological Reserve and the Plateau. Representative photographs of this sub area are provided in Attachment 8. Please see Appendix A for parcel level geographical location and descriptive information for this sub area.
Temecula Creek Sub Area: The Temecula Creek Sub Area is bound on the west by Interstate 15, on the north by the city of Temecula, on the east by Sage Road (R3), and on the south by the Agua Tibia Wilderness on the Palomar District of Cleveland National Forest. Three of the selected focal species in the Santa Ana-Palomar Linkage planning effort benefited from a strong riparian connection from the mainstem of the Santa Margarita River up Temecula Creek to Vail Lake and associated drainages that reach the Palomar Ranger District (Luke et al. 2004). The sub area includes the broad sandy riverbed of Temecula Creek in Pauba Valley, a narrow canyon in the foothills of the Palomar Mountains, the upper reaches of which are damned to create Vail Lake. Passing across Vail Lake, riparian habitats fork to follow the Arroyo Seco, and Temecula creek drainages to the northern boundary of the Aqua Tibia Wilderness on the Palomar District of Cleveland National Forest. For aquatic and semi-aquatic species, the Temecula Creek connection is the only area of the Linkage Design that provides for movement between populations in the Core Areas. While this connection was historically viable, today it will require significant restoration efforts to preserve linkage function (Luke et al. 2004).
The Temecula Creek Sub Area lies entirely within Riverside County and is comprised of 796 parcels, with 445 landowners; Appendix A delineates which of the 796 parcels are covered by the Western Riverside MSHCP. Representative photographs of this sub area are provided in Attachment 9.
The Temecula Creek Sub Area is located in Township 8 South, Range 1 East, Sections 18-19; Township 8 South, Range 1 West, Sections 3-5, 12-13, 19-22, 24, 28-29; and Township 8 South, Range 2 West, Sections 21-24, and 27. Most of the parcels in this sub area are on a fairly level grade along Temecula Creek but rise steeply in elevation near Vail Lake, with elevations ranging from 999 to 2,492 feet. Access to this sub area is via State Route 79. Please see Appendix A for parcel level information for this sub area.
4. PURPOSE OF ACQUISITION
The primary purpose of the proposed acquisitions is to secure the Santa Ana-Palomar Linkage, a Significant Natural Area (20), which provides live-in and move-through habitat for countless species associated with these ranges. The proposed acquisitions also promote recovery of threatened and endangered animals (01) and plants (19), including steelhead trout and arroyo chub (11, 34, 38), by protecting the habitats these species depend upon (02, 03, 06, 18, 21, 27, 41, 37), and ensuring the integrity of coastal habitats downstream (08, 09). Please see Appendix B for a detailed breakdown of Purpose of Acquisition (POA) codes by parcel.
The Santa Ana-Palomar Mountains Linkage has been identified as one of 15 regionally important linkages associated with the South Coast Ecoregion. Natural habitats on the southern end of the Santa Ana Mountains are rapidly disappearing due to agricultural and urban expansion, potentially turning the range from a peninsula into an island of protected habitat. Should such a severance occur, habitat and movement patterns of countless native species would be severely disrupted, and opportunities for the necessary influx of genes needed to sustain populations would be forever eliminated. The predictable consequences of this isolation are a loss of top predators in the range (Beier 1993) with associated failure of top-down regulation of food chain interactions, disruption to a suite of natural ecosystem processes, and an increased risk of extinction for native species during the upcoming century of rapid climatic change in California (Field et al. 1999). The Mountain lion population in the Santa Ana Mountains is predicted to go extinct, should the linkage be severed (Beier 1993). Protection of the target parcels through acquisition or conservation easements will help to secure functional habitat connectivity between significant core areas and existing conservation investments in the linkage.
Implementation of the proposed CAPP will help to protect habitat and movement patterns of 104 special status species in the area (Attachment 10). The California Natural Diversity Database (CDFG 2004) identifies 111 recorded occurrences of listed or sensitive species or communities on the targeted parcels. Please see Appendix C for the CNDDB report and Appendix B for parcel level information relative to special status species. Numerous recovery plans cite the importance of maintaining habitats in the linkage. Roughly 32% of the land area in the Santa Ana-Palomar Linkage has been designated as critical habitat for five federally listed species, representing 1,019 of the parcels targeted by either the Western Riverside County MSHCP, the Northern San Diego County MSCP, or the proposed CAPP. Species with critical habitat in the Santa Ana-Palomar Linkage include Coastal California gnatcatcher, Least Bell’s vireo, Arroyo toad, Quino checkerspot butterfly, and Riverside fairy shrimp. Furthermore, recently conducted wildlife surveys indicate that these habitats still support an almost complete assemblage of native species (Fisher and Crooks 2001), including those that are typically sensitive to habitat fragmentation.
The Santa Margarita River and its associated riparian vegetation is a prominent feature of the linkage and an important movement corridor for many species, providing cover, water and relative ease of travel. The River is one of the last free-flowing rivers in southern California, feeding an estuary at the coast on Camp Pendleton. Arroyo chub, one of the few remaining native freshwater fish in the region, also persist in the linkage. The Santa Margarita has also been identified as a potential recovery watershed for Southern steelhead trout (Swift et al. 1993). Steelhead have recently returned to San Mateo Creek, and the probability of their eventual return to the Santa Margarita River is high. The majority of the riparian corridor is protected to some extent from habitat conversion on Camp Pendleton Marine Corps Base, Fallbrook Public Utility District, and the Santa Margarita Ecological Reserve. Protecting upland and riparian habitats in the linkage will help maintain watershed integrity.
The Santa Ana-Palomar Linkage is extremely diverse, supporting over 30 distinct natural communities (Table 1). Upland habitats in the linkage are the same as those found at low elevations in the two Core Areas, with chaparral and scrub communities dominating. Chaparral communities, the most common life form in the linkage, are distributed in a predominantly northwest to southeasterly direction. Southern Mixed Chaparral is the dominant chaparral type covering 21,621 acres (8,750 ha). Coastal scrub connections occur from the lower coastal areas at Camp Pendleton to Temecula Valley, with Diegan Coastal Sage Scrub being the principal scrub community. Grasslands and vernal pools are found primarily in the northern area of the linkage where slopes are more gradual, while oak woodlands are spotty throughout the linkage. Riparian and aquatic communities cover 4% of the land targeted for conservation in the linkage, with Sycamore-Alder Riparian Forest as the dominant riparian community. The pine associations found at higher elevations in the Core Areas do not currently occur in the linkage. However, affinities between high-elevation plant assemblages (e.g. canyon live oak, and knob-cone pine) in the Santa Ana Mountains and northern inland ranges suggest that under moister climatic conditions, the linkage may have allowed dispersal of plant species from inland ranges into the Santa Ana Mountains.
These natural habitats consist of a highly diverse community of plants and animals across a broad elevational range and variable microclimates. This diversity of climatic conditions across a broad elevational gradient is critical for allowing ecosystems to respond to changes in climate. If protected, the Linkage would allow inland species to move towards the coast or lowland species to move upward in elevation in response to predicted warming trends (Field et al. 1999). Please see Attachment 11 for a description of these natural communities.
Attachment 12 depicts the results of a prioritization analysis for parcels in the proposed Conceptual Area based on habitat connectivity, listed and sensitive species, and special habitats of interest to the Department. Since maintaining habitat connectivity between
|Table 1. Vegetation Types in the Santa Ana-Palomar Mountains Linkage |
|Vegetation Type |Acres | Hectares |
|Herbaceous Communities (7%) | | |
|Valley Needlegrass Grassland ** |37.60 |15.22 |
|Valley and Foothill Grassland ** |177.00 |72.00 |
|Non-Native Grassland |3,742.10 |1,514.38 |
|Scrub Communities (16%) | | |
|Alluvial Fan Scrub ** |28.59 |11.57 |
|Coastal Sage-Chaparral Scrub |390.26 |157.94 |
|Riversidian Sage Scrub ** |1,782.04 |721.17 |
|Diegan Coastal Sage Scrub |6,206.13 |2,511.54 |
|Chaparral Communities (46%) | | |
|Granitic Northern Mixed Chaparral |31.50 |12.75 |
|Chamise Chaparral |194.22 |78.60 |
|Red Shank Chaparral |199.26 |80.64 |
|Northern Mixed Chaparral |412.51 |166.94 |
|Ceanothus crassifolius Chaparral |995.67 |402.94 |
|Chaparral |1,587.90 |642.60 |
|Southern Mixed Chaparral |21,621.00 |8,750.00 |
|Woodland & Forest Communities (7%) | | |
| | | |
|Cismontane Woodland |36.68 |14.84 |
|Engelmann Oak Woodland ** |247.43 |100.13 |
|Coast Live Oak Woodland |3,010.76 |1,218.41 |
|Jeffrey Pine Forest |1.93 |0.78 |
|Black Oak Forest |227.656 |92.130 |
|Riparian & Aquatic Communities (4%) | | |
|Riparian Forests |3.496 |1.415 |
|White Alder Riparian Forest ** |7.284 |2.948 |
|Non-Vegetated Channel, Floodway, Lakeshore Fringe |55.42 |22.43 |
|Coastal and Valley Freshwater Marsh ** |63.64 |25.76 |
|Southern Riparian Forest |70.48 |28.52 |
|Freshwater |71.24 |28.83 |
|Southern Cottonwood-willow Riparian Forest ** |168.00 |68.00 |
|Southern Coast Live Oak Riparian Forest ** |338.83 |137.12 |
|Southern Riparian Scrub |309.00 |125.00 |
|Mule Fat Scrub |386.40 |156.37 |
|Southern Willow Scrub |416.00 |168.00 |
|Southern Sycamore-alder Riparian Woodland ** |513.00 |208.00 |
|Other Land Cover (20%) | | |
|Urban/Developed |3,368.00 |1,363.00 |
|Agriculture (Field/Pasture, Row Crops, General) |3,170.20 |1,282.94 |
|Orchards and Vineyards |4,540.31 |1,838.13 |
|Eucalyptus Woodland |1.487 |0.602 |
|**Asterisks indicate designated sensitive natural communities. |
the Santa Ana Mountains and the Palomar Range was the primary impetus for developing a CAPP, parcels that are absolutely critical to maintaining a functional habitat connection for wildlife movement were identified as Priority 1. These Priority 1 parcels were identified based on the Linkage Design developed by the South Coast Missing Linkages Project. The Priority 1 parcels would establish a direct connection between the Trabuco District of Cleveland National Forest and Camp Pendleton in the Santa Ana Mountains core area and the Palomar District of Cleveland National Forest in the Palomar Mountains core area. A total of 542 parcels were identified as Priority 1, 405 in San Diego County and 137 in Riverside County. All 542 Priority 1 parcels also contain one or more of the following habitats of interest to the Department (e.g., riparian, oak woodland, coastal sage scrub, grassland). In addition, of the 405 Priority 1 parcels in San Diego County, 68 parcels contain designated critical habitat and 22 parcels have recorded occurrences of threatened, endangered or sensitive species. Of the 137 Priority 1 parcels in Riverside County, 96 parcels contain designated critical habitat. Appendix B provides detailed information for each Priority 1 parcel.
All other parcels containing recorded occurrences of threatened, endangered, or sensitive species and/or designated critical habitat that were not identified as Priority 1 parcels were identified as Priority 2 parcels. A total of 883 parcels were identified as Priority 2, 625 parcels in San Diego County and 258 parcels in Riverside County. All 883 Priority 2 parcels, with the exception of 1 in San Diego County, contain habitats of interest to the Department. Of the 625 parcels identified as Priority 2 in San Diego County, 612 contain designated critical habitat and 25 contain recorded occurrences of threatened, endangered or sensitive species. Of the 258 parcels identified as Priority 2 in Riverside County, 238 contain designated critical habitat and 40 contain recorded occurrences of threatened endangered, or sensitive species. Appendix B provides detailed information for each Priority 2 parcel.
All other parcels containing habitats of interest to the Department or that are part of an existing CAPP (i.e., Mt. Olympus, Tenaja, and the inactive Vail Lake) that were not identified as Priority 1 or 2 parcels were identified as Priority 3 parcels. A total of 1428 parcels were identified as Priority 3, 383 in San Diego County and 1045 in Riverside County. Of the 383 Priority 3 parcels in San Diego County, 271 parcels contain habitats of interest to the Department and 217 parcels are part of the Mt. Olympus CAPP. Of the 1045 Priority 3 parcels in Riverside County, 1033 parcels contain habitats of interest to the Department, 110 parcels are part of the Tenaja Corridor CAPP and 4 parcels are part of the inactive Vail Lake CAPP. Appendix B provides detailed information for each Priority 3 parcel.
All other parcels that were not identified as Priority 1, 2, or 3 parcels were identified as Priority 4. While these parcels do not contain habitats of interest to the Department, threatened, endangered, or sensitive species occurrences, designated critical habitat, or part of an existing CAPP, these parcels provide buffers to edge effects for the Priority 1, 2 and 3 parcels.
4.1 Local and Statewide Importance: The proposed Santa Ana-Palomar Linkage CAPP meets all 10 of the Department’s criteria for local, regional, and statewide significance.
4.1.1 Wintering, Breeding, or Migratory Habitat: The Santa Ana-Palomar Linkage provides critical wintering, breeding, and migratory habitat for numerous species. Some winter residents in the linkage include Northern harrier (Circus cyaneus), Band-tailed pigeon (Columba fasciata), Red breasted sapsucker (Sphyrapicus ruber), Lewis’ woodpecker (Melanerpes lewis), Ruby-crowned kinglet (Regulus calendula), Hermit thrush (Catharus guttatus), Varied thrush (Ixoreus naevius), American robin (Turdus migratorius), Yellow-rumped warbler (Dendroica coronata), and Townsend’s warbler (Dendroica townsendi).
The linkage supports breeding habitat for countless species, including many habitat specialists. Western pond turtle (Clemmys marmorata) populations were documented on the Santa Margarita River and in the Tenaja Corridor during surveys conducted between 1996 and 2000 (Fisher and Crooks 2001). Potentially suitable breeding habitat was also identified for this species along De Luz, Sandia, and Pechanga creeks (Luke et al. 2004). The linkage also supports Arroyo chub (Gila orcutti), which have been recorded at 6 locations: on the main stem of the Santa Margarita River, De Luz, lower Sandia, Rainbow, Murrieta (near the confluence), Cole, and Temecula (upstream of Vail Lake) creeks (Swift et al. 1993, Fisher and Swift 1998, Swift et al. 2000, Luke et al. 2004). Several special status bird species also nest in the linkage, including golden eagle (Aquila chrysaetos), cooper’s hawk (Accipiter cooperii), sharp-shinned hawk (Accipiter striatus), white-tailed kite (Elanus caeruleus), northern harrier (Circus cyaneus), olive-sided flycatcher (Contopus borealis), grasshopper sparrow (Ammodramus savannarum), Bell’s sage sparrow (Amphispiza belli belli), and rufous-crowned sparrow (Aimophila ruficeps canescens). Quino checkerspot butterfly were also recently recorded in the linkage (CDFG 2004).
The linkage also provides habitat for several migratory bird species, including the endangered southwestern willow flycatcher (Empidonax traillii extimus) and the western yellow-billed cuckoo (Coccyzus americanus occidentalis). Other migratory birds that utilize habitats in the linkage include species such as American wigeon (Anas americana), Western bluebird (Sialia mexicana), Rufous hummingbird (Selasphorus rufus), Olive-sided flycatcher, Western tanager (Piranga ludoviciana), Orange-crowned warbler (Vermivora celata), and Wilson’s warbler (Wilsonia pusilla).
4.1.2 Extremely Rare Species or Habitats: Many native species that occur in the proposed Santa Ana-Palomar Linkage CAPP are undergoing regional declines. A total of 153 species of plants and animals that occur or have the potential to occur in the planning area, are afforded special status by US Fish and Wildlife Service, California Department of Fish and Game or the California Native Plant Society, including 84 plants, 5 invertebrates, 3 fish, 5 amphibians, 12 reptiles, 30 birds, and 14 mammals (Attachment 10). Thirty-three of these species are listed as threatened or endangered (T&E) by federal or state agencies.
The proposed CAPP also encompasses several natural communities designated as sensitive by the Department, including Valley Needlegrass grassland, Valley and Foothill Grassland, Riversidian sage scrub, Alluvial Fan Scrub, Engelmann oak woodland, Coast Live Oak Riparian Forest, White Alder Riparian Forest, Coastal and Valley Freshwater Marsh, Southern Cottonwood-willow Riparian Forest, Sycamore-Alder Riparian Woodland.
4.1.3 Excellent Representative Examples of Specific Species or Habitats: Approximately 33% (18,025 acres) of the land targeted for acquisition or conservation easements is covered with habitats of interest to the Department. Riparian habitats (POA code 03) occur on 9% of the targeted parcels, covering 2,403 acres. Grassland habitats (POA code 21) occupy 28% of the parcels, covering 3,957 acres. Oak Woodland (POA code 27) occurs on 25% of the parcels, covering 3,258 acres. Coastal Sage (POA code 41) occurs on 30% of the targeted parcels, covering 8,407 acres. The target parcels contain excellent examples of several unique communities, which support a diversity of species, many of which are endemic to the region. Please see Appendix B for a list of POA codes by parcel. Appendix B also delineates which parcels are addressed by an NCCP.
4.1.4 Essential Habitat Linkages: Movement is essential to wildlife survival, whether it be the day-to-day movements of individuals seeking food, shelter, or mates, dispersal of offspring (e.g., seeds, pollen, fledglings) to new home areas, or migration of organisms to avoid seasonally unfavorable conditions (Forman 1995). Movements can lead to recolonization of unoccupied habitat after environmental disturbances, the healthy mixing of genes among populations, and the ability of organisms to respond or adapt to environmental stressors. In natural environments, movements at various spatial and temporal scales lead to complex mosaics of ecological and genetic interactions. Establishing connections among natural lands has long been recognized as important for sustaining natural ecological processes and biological diversity (Noss 1987, Harris and Gallagher 1989, Noss 1991, Beier and Noss 1998, Beier and Loe 1992, Noss 1992, Beier 1993, Forman 1995, Crooks and Soulé 1999, Soulé and Terborgh 1999, Penrod et al. 2001, Crooks 2001, Tewksbury et al. 2002, Forman et al. 2003, Luke et al. 2004).
The Santa Ana – Palomar Mountains Linkage is one of 15 priority linkages identified by the South Coast Missing Linkages Project as critical for preserving ecosystem processes in the South Coast Ecoregion (Appendix D). This region-wide effort is supported by funding and in-kind services from 12 agency and NGO partners: California Legacy Project, California State Parks, California State Parks Foundation, South Coast Wildlands, SDSU Field Station Programs, Zoological Society of San Diego, Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy, The Nature Conservancy, Conservation Biology Institute, the Wildland Conservancy, The National Park Service, and US Forest Service. The protection of these 15 landscape linkages would establish a regional conservation network of ecologically intact wildlands.
A series of habitat connectivity workshops were held in 2001 to lay the biological foundation for planning in the linkage. The workshops engaged over 100 biologists and planners to identify focal species from multiple taxonomic groups that are sensitive to habitat fragmentation and designate lands needed to conserve linkage function. Workshop participants selected 21 focal species (Table 2). A priority linkage area was identified between the Trabuco Ranger District of the Cleveland National Forest and Camp Pendleton Marine Corps Base eastward to the Palomar Ranger District of the Cleveland National Forest. The Santa Ana-Palomar Mountains Linkage Planning Effort,
|Table 2. Focal Species Selected |
|Plants |
|Rainbow manzanita (Arctostaphylos rainbowensis) |
|Yucca whipplei (Hesperoyucca whipplei) |
|Engelmann oak (Quercus engelmannii |
|Cuyamaca meadowfoam (Limnanthes gracilis var parishii) |
|Invertebrates |
|Timema walkingstick (Timema podura) |
|California sister (Adelpha bredowii) |
|Comstock’s fritillary (Speyeria callippe comstocki) |
|Pale swallowtail (Papilio eurymedon) |
|Fish |
|Arroyo chub (Gila orcutti) |
|Southern steelhead trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss irideus) |
|Amphibians and Reptiles |
|Western toad (Bufo boreas) |
|California treefrog (Hyla cadaverina) |
|Western pond turtle (Clemmys marmorata) |
|Red diamond rattlesnake (Crotalus rubber) |
|Birds |
|Oak titmouse (Baeolophus inornatus) |
|California quail (Callipepla californica) |
|Golden eagle (Aquila chrysaetos) |
|Yellow warbler (Dendroica petechia) |
|Mammals |
|American badger (Taxidea taxus) |
|Dusky-footed woodrat (Neotoma fuscipes) |
|Mountain lion (Felis concolor) |
in collaboration with the South Coast Missing Linkages project analyzed landscape conditions in the CAPP area to identify those areas necessary to accommodate continued movement of selected focal species through this landscape. Several spatial analyses were conducted (i.e., habitat suitability, patch size and configuration, and landscape permeability) to identify the final Linkage Design.
The most significant barrier to movement is Interstate 15. Although some species are able to cross the Interstate, mortality costs are high. A survey of roadkill along I-15 revealed significant costs to large vertebrate populations (e.g., coyote, bobcat and mountain lion) (Fisher and Crooks 2001, Beier and Barrett 1993). Smaller vertebrates were underrepresented in the survey since surveyors were unable to drive slowly or collect specimens from traffic lanes.
The California Department of Transportation has begun to discuss the construction of a wildlife crossing as a mitigation project for transportation improvement projects in the region. Such overpasses have been successfully constructed in the United States and Europe (see for complete review of habitat overpasses and their function). The most appropriate location for the overpass is just north of the border checkpoint station. Appropriate management of the parcels in this vicinity may be necessary to “funnel” species movement through the overpass area.
4.1.5 Critical Buffer Zones: The Linkage was designed to buffer against edge effects. For the Linkage to remain a viable avenue of travel for plants and animals, habitat quality must be preserved even as surrounding areas develop. Human activities in neighboring areas can have undesirable effects on protected areas. These edge effects, including artificial lighting, nest predation by species supported by human environments, use of irrigation and pesticides, pet ownership, and vegetation clearance, reduce plant and animal populations that live in adjacent natural areas. The majority of edge effects (abiotic, and direct and indirect biological effects)(Murcia 1995) have been quantified in rainforests and other forest habitats and can extend up to 300 m (980 ft) or more into the forest (Debinski and Holt 2000) depending on forest type, edge orientation, edge age and the variable under consideration (Norton 2002). The best available data on edge effects for southern California habitats include: reduction in leaf-litter and declines in populations of some species of birds and mammals up to 250 m (800 ft) in coastal scrub (Kristan et al. 2003), collapse of native ant population due the invasion of argentine ants up to 200 m (650 ft) from irrigated areas (Suarez et al. 1998), and predation by pet cats which decimate small vertebrate populations (Churcher and Lawton 1987, Hall et al. 2000) up to 100 m (300 ft)(K. Crooks, unpublished data) to 300 m (980 ft)(radius of 32 ha (79 ac) home range reported by Hall et al. (2000). In addition, fire safety concerns and insurance requirements at the wildland urban interface can cause homeowners to clear vegetation up to 61 m (200 ft) around their homes (Longcore 2000).
In areas of the Linkage with streams, upland habitat protection is needed to prevent the degradation of aquatic habitat quality. Contaminants, sediments, and nutrients can reach streams from distances greater than 1 km (0.6 mi)(Maret and MacCoy 2002, Scott 2002, Naicker et al. 2003), and fish, amphibians, and aquatic invertebrates often are more sensitive to land use at watershed scales than at the scale of narrow riparian buffers (Goforth 2000, Fitzpatrick et al. 2001, Stewart et al. 2001, Wang et al. 2001, Scott 2002, Willson and Dorcas 2003). The target parcels are needed to secure linkage function and include appropriate buffer zones to insure that adjacent impacts do not impede movements of organisms through the linkage.
The Linkage Design must also allow natural processes of disturbance and subsequent recruitment to operate with minimal constraints from adjacent urban areas. The Linkage was designed to be sufficiently wide, such that the temporary devastation caused by fires, floods and other natural processes would not affect all habitats in the linkage simultaneously.
4.1.6 Species or Habitats That Are Experiencing Significant Declines or Threats Throughout Their Statewide Distribution: Many native species that occur in the proposed Santa Ana-Palomar Linkage CAPP are undergoing regional declines. A total of 153 species of plants and animals that occur or have the potential to occur in the planning area, are afforded special status by US Fish and Wildlife Service, California Department of Fish and Game or the California Native Plant Society (Attachment 10). Thirty-three of these species are listed as threatened or endangered (T&E) by federal or state agencies.
Several natural communities in the linkage are also undergoing regional declines, such as riparian, grassland, oak woodland, and coastal sage habitats. For instance, despite their importance to biological communities, over 90% of the historic wetland and riparian vegetation in Southern California has been eliminated or severely altered by urban and agricultural activities (Peters and Noss 1995). Coastal watersheds, in particular, have suffered due to dams, diversions, channelization, development, livestock grazing, and land disturbance (Dennis et al. 1984, Bell 1997). This extensive loss of habitat has resulted in declines in wildlife and plant populations that depend wholly or in part on riparian systems (Faber et al. 1989). The proposed CAPP would protect 2,177 acres of riparian and aquatic habitats. The Conceptual Area would also protect 3,257 acres of oak woodlands, 3,957 acres of grasslands, and 8,407 acres of coastal sage scrub habitats. Each Appendix identifies which parcels are addressed by an NCCP.
4.1.7 Species With Highly Restricted Distributions Within the Region or State: Several species with highly restricted distributions occur within the proposed CAPP; a few examples are two rare plant species.
Rainbow manzanita (Arctostaphylos rainbowensis) has a highly restricted distribution, known only from a 275 km2 area within the Santa Ana – Palomar Mountains Linkage (Keeley and Massihi 1994). Rainbow manzanita occurs in chaparral, principally on gabbro soils or those rich in ferro-magnesium minerals (Boyd and Banks 1995). It is the sole Arctostaphylos species throughout its range, but co-occurs and hybridizes with A. glandulosa on its western and eastern boundaries (Keeley and Massihi 1994).
Engelmann oak is another highly restricted species. Ninety-three percent of the remaining stands are in San Diego County, with only 6% in Riverside County and 0.5% in Orange County (Scott 1991, Stephenson and Calcarone 1999). The majority of stands in Riverside County are in the linkage planning area in a 373 km2 (144 mi2) area around the Santa Rosa Plateau and scattered populations in the Gavilan Hills (Scott 1990). A large stand of oaks is also known from Camp Pendleton (Reiser 1994, RCIP 2000).
4.1.8 Critical Parts for Maintaining Ecosystem Function: The Santa Ana-Palomar Mountains Linkages maintains essential ecosystem functions, such as top-down regulation by large predators, gene flow, natural patterns and mechanisms of pollination and seed-dispersal, natural competitive or mutualistic relationships among species, resistance to invasion by alien species, and prehistoric patterns of energy flow and nutrient cycling (Penrod et al. 2003, Luke et al. 2004).
The Santa Ana – Palomar Mountains Linkage maintains ecosystem function throughout the Santa Ana Mountains. In a population modeling study, Beier (1993) showed that protected lands in the Santa Ana Mountains (i.e., protected area on the Cleveland National Forest, Trabuco Ranger District and Camp Pendleton Marine Corps Base) were not large enough to sustain mountain lion populations. He found that the immigration of individuals from the Palomar Mountains were necessary to prevent the extinction of mountain lions in the range. The extinction of this top predator in the food chain is expected to have a “trickle down” effect through the ecosystem, altering predator-prey and herbivore-plant interactions throughout the region.
Conservation of target parcels also potentially has significant effects on watershed management. The Santa Margarita River is one of the last protected coastal rivers in the intensively developed region between Los Angeles and San Diego. From its formation near the town of Temecula to its mouth at the Pacific Ocean twenty-seven miles away, the main stem of the river has been conserved with an ownership pattern largely made up of public or private organizations that manage the land in its natural state (California Department of Fish and Game, The Nature Conservancy, California State University (the Santa Margarita Ecological Reserve), Fallbrook Municipal Utility District, San Diego County Parks and the Camp Pendleton Marine Corps Base). Despite protection of the main stem, planting of avocado orchards in the region and the upstream urban development in the City of Temecula has caused drastic changes to most tributaries. Increased runoff from irrigation has altered natural flow rates and increased nitrogen and phosphorus loads from fertilizers. These alterations have prompted the State Water Quality Control Board to recommend the upper portion of the Santa Margarita River be added to the list of impaired water bodies (Section 303(d)) under the Clean Water Act. The listing of nearby Rainbow Creek as a TMDL indicates the potential severity of this problem. Some tributaries, such as Stone Creek, are still relatively unimpacted by urban and agricultural development and provide unique opportunities for understanding natural watershed processes in the region. The Stone Creek watershed has been highlighted at recent watershed management meetings (e.g., Santa Margarita River Water Quality Managers Group) as a valuable resource for establishing water quality standards in the watershed. More than ever, high-quality unaffected tributaries such as Stone Creek must be preserved to provide baseline data on natural aquatic conditions and a high quality source of water for aquatic organisms.
4.1.9 Critical Habitat for Species of High Importance to the Department (listed, game, wide-ranging species): The proposed Santa Ana-Palomar Linkage CAPP encompasses designated critical habitat for 5 federally listed species (Attachment 13). Of the 54,413 acres included in the proposed CAPP, 17,162 acres are designated as critical habitat for one or more of the following listed species: Riverside fairy shrimp (Streptocephalus woottoni), Quino checkerspot butterfly (Euphydreas editha quino), arroyo toad (Bufo microscaphus), California gnatcatcher (Polioptila californica californica), and least Bell’s vireo (Vireo belli pusillus) (Table 3). A total of 1,016 of the target parcels are designated as critical habitat for one or more of these species, covering roughly 32% of the land targeted for conservation in the proposed CAPP. Each Appendix delineates which parcels are addressed by an NCCP.
Each of these species has been recently sighted in the linkage. The California gnatcatcher was recorded in 2000 along Murrieta Creek (CDFG 2004). Least Bell’s vireo was recorded in 2001 along the Santa Margarita River (CDFG 2004). Quino checkerspot butterfly has been recently recorded (2001) in 3 locations in the vicinity of Vail Lake (CNDDB 2004). Riverside fairy shrimp was recorded in 2001 just east of I-15, near the Red Hawk Golf Course. Finally, there are 6 recorded occurrences for Arroyo
| |Acres in Riverside & |Acres in CAPP |% of CAPP |
|Species |San Diego Counties | | |
|Quino checkerspot butterfly |5,680 |5,277 |9.70% |
|Arroyo toad |7,199 |4,950 |9.09% |
|Least Bell’s vireo |2,426 |1,152 |2.12% |
|Coastal California gnatcatcher |16,943 |10,469 |19.24% |
|Riverside fairy shrimp |4,135 |281 |0.52% |
toad in the CNDDB from 1959 (CDFG 2004), and more recent sightings in Pala and Arroyo Seco creeks by the Forest Service in 1995.
The proposed Santa Ana-Palomar Linkage CAPP also provides live-in and move-through habitat for several game species (e.g., Mule deer, California quail), providing the exchange of genetic material necessary to maintain viable populations in core areas, where hunting is permitted. Protection of the linkage is also essential for species such as Mountain lion, American badger, and Mule deer, who have expansive spatial requirements and require functional habitat connectivity between subpopulations in order to persist (Luke et al. 2004). Radio-tracking studies (Beier and Barrett 1993) confirm the importance of securing this connection for mountain lions.
4.1.10 Lands Critical for Successfully Implementing Landscape or Regional Conservation Plans: Lands targeted for acquisition or conservation easements in the proposed CAPP support regional NCCP efforts by conserving large-scale ecosystem processes across the landscape. The proposed CAPP is literally bisected by 2 NCCP efforts, the Western Riverside Multiple Species Habitat Conservation Plan (MSHCP) and the North San Diego County Multiple Species Conservation Plan (MSCP). The proposed CAPP and lands identified as potential acquisition areas in these 2 regional NCCP efforts overlap considerably (Attachment 14). Attachment 15 identifies the parcels that are not addressed by either NCCP effort. Including lands already protected from habitat conversion, there is a 72% overlap with the W. Riverside MSHCP, and a 92% overlap with the N. San Diego MSCP. The proposed Santa Ana-Palomar Linkage CAPP truly meets the intent of the NCCP Act for a regional conservation strategy that transcends political boundaries for the conservation of biological diversity.
Securing the Santa Ana-Palomar Linkage is also critical for successfully implementing landscape level conservation plans, such as the South Coast Missing Linkages effort, an ambitious ecoregion wide effort that complements the NCCP planning process.
2. Viability, habitat condition, and contribution to Department’s planning efforts: For the Linkage to remain a viable avenue of travel for plants and animals, habitat quality must be preserved even as surrounding areas develop. Recent surveys at the Santa Margarita Ecological Reserve (Fisher and Crooks 2001) revealed a full complement of species in the vertebrate community, including birds sensitive to habitat fragmentation (e.g., roadrunners, California quail, California thrasher), and top predators (mountain lion, bobcat, coyote), with few mesopredators (e.g., skunk, fox, opossum). Low densities of mesopredators are indicators of good habitat quality (Crooks and Soule 1999). The Linkage was designed to maintain its viability over time. The Linkage is intended to: 1) provide live-in and move-through habitat for multiple species; 2) support metapopulations of smaller species; 3) ensure the availability of key resources; 4) buffer against edge effects; 5) reduce contaminants in streams; 6) allow natural processes to operate with minimal constraints from adjacent urban areas; and 7) allow species and natural communities to respond to climatic changes (Luke et al. 2004). The proposed Santa Ana-Palomar Linkage CAPP is expected to ensure the viability of existing conservation investments in the planning area in perpetuity.
The proposed Santa Ana-Palomar Linkage CAPP covers an expansive area of natural habitats that are contiguously distributed between 2 significant blocks of protected habitat (i.e., Trabuco District of CNF and Camp Pendleton and the Palomar District of CNF). The linkage stretches over 15 miles and encompasses a diversity of natural communities (over 30 different habitat types). Although intact natural vegetation comprises most of the CAPP, agriculture and urban or rural residential development cover roughly 20% of its area. For the most part, these areas were included in the Linkage Design to maintain a minimum linkage width (Luke et al. 2004), and occur primarily along Temecula Creek and in the De Luz area. Initiating habitat restoration projects and land stewardship programs in these areas will help ensure functional habitat connectivity between the Santa Ana Mountains and the Palomar Range. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Partners for Fish & Wildlife Program supplies funds and technical assistance to landowners who want to restore and enhance wetlands, native grasslands, and other declining habitats, to benefit threatened and endangered species, migratory birds, and other wildlife. This program may be helpful in restoring habitat on private lands in the linkage.
The proposed Santa Ana-Palomar Linkage CAPP contributes significantly to the Department’s planning efforts. The proposed CAPP would implement portions of 2 NCCP planning efforts, the Western Riverside County MSHCP and the North County San Diego MSCP. There is significant concurrence with the proposed CAPP and these 2 regional NCCP efforts (Attachment 13). The majority of the Santa Ana – Palomar Mountains Linkage that occurs in San Diego County is targeted for conservation by the North San Diego County MSCP. There is 92% overlap between this MSCP and the proposed CAPP (including protected areas), and 83% of land targeted for conservation overlaps with land in the North County Plan, covering 21,471 acres. Seventy-two percent of land in the linkage (including protected areas) overlaps with areas identified as potential acquisition areas in the Western Riverside MSHCP, while there is a 62% overlap with lands targeted in the CAPP, representing 17,724 acres. The proposed CAPP also helps ensure the ecological integrity of the Department’s existing conservation investments in the linkage. As stated earlier, the proposed CAPP truly meets the intent of the NCCP Act.
4.3 Site Diversity: The Santa Ana-Palomar Mountains Linkage is one of 15 critically important landscape linkages that must be conserved if ecological and evolutionary processes that promote genetic diversity, species diversity, habitat diversity, and landscape diversity are to be maintained in the South Coast Ecoregion. The linkage is an excellent example of functional diversity, providing both live-in and move-through habitat for countless native species, and allowing natural processes to operate in a semblance of their natural patterns. The Conceptual Area is absolutely critical for establishing a protected area network for the South Coast Ecoregion.
The best indication of species diversity in the linkage comes from the Santa Margarita Ecological Reserve, a field station administered by SDSU Field Station Programs. The Reserve is a significant stepping-stone of protected habitat (approx. 4,500 ac) in the linkage, providing opportunities for research and monitoring of linkage function. The SMER species list is a compilation of sightings made by researchers and qualified biologists since the inception of the reserve in 1962. At least 512 species are known to occur on the reserve, and the list is still not complete. Dr. Mike Simpson at SDSU estimates that the plant list may be only 75% complete. Taxonomic field surveys by specialists visiting the Reserve have revealed that the documentation of biological diversity in the region is far from complete. In 2001, the Jepson Herbarium conducted a survey of the reserve for bryophytes. In one weekend, they found 60 species of mosses (about 10% of the mosses known for California). One of the species found at the reserve (Tortula californica) was the third confirmed occurrence for the species in the State. Another species sent to specialists at Duke University is new to southern California and may be new for the State as well.
Species diversity is supported by a diversity of soils and micro-climate sites. While most soils in the linkage are decomposed granite, lenses of iron-rich clay soils (gabbroic) are scattered throughout the landscape. These lenses potentially support a host of species specialized to live in this micro-environment. In the eastern part of the proposed CAPP, there is a diversity of specialized species living on gabbroic soils.
Existing or planned regional planning efforts to protect wildlife resources. Conservation of the target parcels will support a number of regional planning efforts, including:
Riverside County NCCP - The Western Riverside MSHCP recognizes the value of connecting natural areas within the planning area to the Santa Ana Mountains (7 corridors are identified that link to the Santa Ana Mountains). Riverside County is engaged in the South Coast Conservation Forum (see below), as the forum may help to implement portions of the MSHCP that lie within the Santa Ana-Palomar Linkage. Protection of the target parcels will support NCCP efforts by conserving large-scale ecosystem processes.
San Diego NCCP - The Northern San Diego County MSCP identifies roughly the same target parcels as those in the proposed CAPP, providing continuity for the linkage from Camp Pendleton to the San Diego-Riverside County border. Representatives from San Diego County have been involved in the South Coast Missing Linkages Project as workshop speakers and participants, and the County is also an active participant in the South Coast Conservation Forum. Conservation of the targeted parcels supports San Diego planning efforts by providing cross-county connections that serve regional ecosystem goals.
Orange County NCCP - The Southern Orange County NCCP is currently in the planning process, providing opportunities to protect significant core habitat in the coastal foothills of the Santa Ana Mountains that is contiguous with the Cleveland National Forest and Camp Pendleton. However, the primary landowner, Rancho Mission Viejo, has applied for General Plan amendments at the same time the NCCP is being developed. Senate Bill 1468 (Knight) and the Defense Authorization Act should prohibit any encroachment upon Camp Pendleton. Orange County is also a participant in the South Coast Conservation Forum.
Department of Defense - Funds have been appropriated for land acquisition under the Defense Authorization Act to create buffer zones around military installations vulnerable to civilian encroachment. The South Coast Conservation Forum is a consortium of agencies and non-governmental organizations formed to strategically identify priority lands for acquisition, or conservation easements around Camp Pendleton that meet the intent of the Act. The approval of Senate Bill 1468 (Knight) reinforces this Act, in that all counties in the state of California must now address the effects of land use zoning on military base encroachment, specifically to “define open-space land to include areas adjacent to military installations, military training routes, and restricted airspace.” Working with representatives from Camp Pendleton, San Diego and Riverside counties, The Nature Conservancy, and Trust for Public Land, SDSU Field Station Programs, South Coast Wildlands, and others have helped to identify numerous parcels in the Santa Ana–Palomar Linkage that would meet the intent of the Bill. The Forum also provides opportunities for San Diego, Riverside, and Orange Counties to implement portions of their respective MSCP, MSHCP, and NCCP.
Bureau of Land Management - The Bureau of Land Management currently administers over 3,800 acres of land in the linkage. The existing South Coast Resource Management Plan designates all BLM parcels in the Santa Ana – Palomar Mountain linkage as “Land Not Available for Disposal.” In addition, a suite of parcels clustered around the Santa Margarita Ecological Reserve is currently proposed for acquisition. BLM parcels inside the Santa Margarita Ecological Reserve are designated as Areas of Critical Environmental Concern for the purposes of research and education. Representatives from the South Coast Conservation Forum have met with BLM to discuss target areas in the linkage. BLM acquisition is expected to be somewhat limited in the linkage until 2006 when the RMP revision is scheduled for release.
U.S. Forest Service -Land and Water Conservation Funds are allocated annually to the Forests to protect recreational open space, watershed integrity, and wildlife habitat, especially for listed and sensitive species. The land acquisition division of Cleveland National Forest may purchase inholdings and undeveloped perimeter parcels within their jurisdictional boundaries. As a project partner of the South Coast Missing Linkages effort, the Forest Service is working with adjacent land management agencies, scientists and conservation groups to biologically connect the four forests as part of an integrated regional network of wildlands. The Santa Ana–Palomar Linkage joins the Trabuco Ranger District to the Palomar Ranger District of the Cleveland National Forest and insures the integrity of ecosystem processes in the Trabuco Ranger District.
South Coast Missing Linkages Project - SCML is a coalition of agencies, organizations and universities committed to conserving 15 priority landscape linkages in the South Coast Ecoregion. Since the South Coast Missing Linkages Project addresses connectivity needs for the major linkages associated with the South Coast Ecoregion, it can provide a landscape context to localized planning efforts to assist them in achieving their conservation goals. The project is administered and coordinated by South Coast Wildlands. Partners in the South Coast Missing Linkages Project include but are not limited to: The Wildlands Conservancy, The Resources Agency California Legacy Project, California State Parks, California State Parks Foundation, United States Forest Service, National Park Service, Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy, Conservation Biology Institute, San Diego State University Field Station Programs, The Nature Conservancy, Environment Now, and the Zoological Society of San Diego Center for Reproduction of Endangered Species. The Santa Ana – Palomar Mountains Linkage is one of the priority linkages targeted for conservation by this group.
Tri-Agency Agreements - The Coal Canyon Biological Corridor was a significant public conservation investment designed to link the Chino Hills (Chino Hills State Park) to the Santa Ana Mountains (Cleveland National Forest). California State Parks, Caltrans, The Wildlands Conservancy, and Hills for Everyone recently held an asphalt-breaking ceremony to celebrate the preservation of the Coal Canyon Biological Corridor. Caltrans has closed the Coal Canyon interchange to traffic so that the existing bridge can function solely as a wildlife underpass; plans include the removal of asphalt, habitat restoration, and installation of fencing to guide wildlife to the underpass (Transportation Research Board 2002). The acquisition of target parcels will ensure that the mountain lions targeted for conservation by the Coal Canyon Biological Corridor project do not go extinct in the Santa Ana Mountains.
Tenaja Corridor Project – Over the last 10 years, The Nature Conservancy has been acquiring lands between the Santa Rosa Plateau Ecological Reserve and the Cleveland National Forest Trabuco Ranger District. Conservation of this connection will ensure that the Santa Ana Mountains remain a viable ecosystem that supports ecological processes on the Santa Rosa Plateau Ecological Preserve through the Tenaja Corridor. A Conceptual Area Protection Plan exists for the Tenaja Corridor.
Mount Olympic Magee Ridge Reserve Conceptual Area Protection Plan – This existing CAPP encompasses the majority of land east of Interstate 15 in San Diego County within the proposed CAPP. Conservation of the target parcels will benefit species in the Mount Olympic Magee Ridge Reserve by providing contiguous habitat for dispersal to other areas. This CAPP is part of the North San Diego County MSCP Subarea and directly connects to the Palomar District of Cleveland National Forest and the Riverside MSHCP.
Vail Lake Conceptual Area Protection Plan (currently inactive) – This existing CAPP lies within the northeastern portion of the proposed CAPP and is contiguous with the Palomar District of Cleveland National Forest. This CAPP includes the largest parcels targeted for acquisition or conservation easements in the linkage. The area is also identified as a conservation priority of the Western Riverside MSHCP.
Santa Margarita Ecological Reserve Acquisition – The California Department of Fish and Game, SDSU Field Station Programs, and The Nature Conservancy worked together to purchase the last private inholding of riparian habitat on the Santa Margarita River. These lands, now managed as part of the Santa Margarita Ecological Reserve, are promoting research and education of natural lands in the region by providing facilities and natural areas.
The Wildlands Conservancy – The Save the Saints Program is aimed at bringing together multiple land trusts and conservancies to work with the land acquisition divisions of the Forest Service to identify key lands for acquisition within National Forest boundaries and lands contiguous with the Forests in the Santa Ana, San Gabriel, San Jacinto, and San Bernardino Mountains. Land acquisition and better forest consolidation is a vital requirement for the future viability of these landscapes.
Santa Margarita Water Quality Managers Group – This group is comprised of representatives from Camp Pendleton, Fallbrook Public Utility District, Eastern Municipal Water District, Murrieta Water District, the Regional Water Quality Control Board, Riverside County Flood Control District, and SDSU Field Station Programs. This group has spawned a number of planning efforts to better understand water quality needs in the watershed. The current project to build a watershed model (WARMF) is collaboratively funded and spearheaded by the Bureau of Reclamation. The model will be used to better understand how land use affects water quality. Data from local watersheds with low levels of impact, such as Stone Creek, are currently being sought to provide data that will be used to calibrate the model.
Proximity to other federal, state, or private conservation ownerships: The Santa Ana–Palomar Mountains Linkage stretches from Camp Pendleton and the Trabuco Ranger District of the Cleveland National Forest in the Santa Ana Mountains to the Palomar District of the Cleveland National Forest in the Palomar Range. Though the linkage spans a distance of roughly 16 miles, there are several existing conservation investments in the linkage. Major property owners within the linkage that protect lands from urban and agricultural development are the Bureau of Land Management, The Nature Conservancy, SDSU Field Station Programs, and California Department of Fish and Game. Distances among these protected areas doesn’t exceed 1½ miles, with most being less than ½ mile apart. Fallbrook Public Utility District also owns lands along the Santa Margarita River that are currently managed for recreational purposes in collaboration with the Fallbrook Land Conservancy. These lands are currently being proposed as mitigation for a joint venture project between FPUD and Camp Pendleton.
Value to other conservation-oriented landholdings in the region: The Santa Ana-Palomar Linkage is one of 15 critically important landscape linkages that must be conserved if ecological and evolutionary processes are to continue operating in the South Coast Ecoregion, as they have for millennia. As such, the value to other conservation landholdings is immense, as the linkage serves to connect two districts of the Cleveland National Forest that are fundamentally part of the same ecological system. Furthermore, all conservation-oriented landholders in the region will benefit from the connection of their isolated islands of habitat to protected habitat. These benefits are far-reaching and not only include landholders in the linkage (California Department of Fish and Game, U.S. Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, San Diego County Parks, Camp Pendleton Marine Corps Base, Fallbrook Public Utility District, SDSU Field Station Programs), but also those benefiting regionally from the connection, such as Chino Hills State Park.
Long-term prospects for this property's ecological viability based on surrounding land use patterns: The long-term prospects for the ecological viability of habitats in the linkage are excellent once protected, though parcels on the perimeter may be more susceptible to edge effects. Ultimately, conservation of the linkage is critical to ensure the ecological viability of species and habitats in the Santa Ana Mountains. Development pressure is intense in and adjacent to the City of Temecula, particularly along Temecula Creek, while ranchette style development is the primary concern in the rest of the linkage. As such, priority should be given to parcels between existing protected areas that have a good chance of remaining connected to both the Santa Ana and Palomar Mountains via linkage habitats conserved through collaborative projects with a wide variety of interested agencies.
5. MANAGEMENT OBJECTIVES
Although multiple entities will be implementing different portions of the Conceptual Area, the primary management objectives for the Santa Ana-Palomar Linkage will be consistent with maintaining wildlife movement patterns between the Santa Ana and Palomar Core Areas.
5.1 Conservation, protection, restoration, and/or enhancement of species, habitats, or communities (including connective corridors): Protecting and restoring functional connectivity will help to maintain ecological interactions among species, habitats, and entire natural communities. The linkage provides live-in and move-through habitat for countless native species. However, 5 types of features currently impede species movements through the linkage to varying degrees: roads, dams and other impediments to stream flow, residential development, agriculture, and some recreation facilities. Although these comprise only a small portion of the linkage, their adverse effects on species movements are disproportionately large, and ameliorating them is essential to maintain or restore functional linkages (Luke et al. 2004). Please see Appendix D, A Linkage Design for the Santa Ana-Palomar Mountains Connection (Luke et al. 2004) for specific recommendations. Some examples of strategies intended to meet this management objective include:
▪ Work with the transportation agencies to install a habitat overpass across Interstate 15, just north of the Border Patrol checkpoint, using funds appropriated under the Transportation Equity Act of the 21st century.
▪ Encourage transportation agencies to use road improvement projects as opportunities to replace inadequate crossing structures with ecological infrastructure.
▪ Install specialized culverts and bridges in streams to address outfall height, water velocities, and water depth for adequate upstream fish passage (Carey and Wagner 1996, Evink 2002).
▪ Pursue cooperative programs with landowners to improve conditions in riparian and upland habitats on private land in the linkage.
5.2 Re-introductions of species or restoration of degraded habitats: The primary goal of many riparian restoration projects has been to restore habitat for targeted species; however, few restoration projects have focused on the natural dynamics of the systems on which these species depend (Bell 1997). Because of the adaptation and resilience of riparian plants to high-disturbance regimes such as floods, revegetation can be a natural process if threats (i.e. invasive species) are removed from the system and physical processes are restored (e.g., dams and diversions are mitigated or removed, natural flow regimes restored). Some of the management strategies proposed to meet this objective include:
▪ Develop and implement a comprehensive removal and control strategy for removing exotic aquatic plants and animals from streams, rivers, and Vail Lake.
▪ Investigate the historic flow regime and develop a surface and groundwater management program to restore and recover properly functioning aquatic/riparian conditions.
Habitat restoration is also a priority in areas of the linkage severely constricted by agricultural development. Where possible, restore a 2 km (1.2 mi) wide isthmus of habitat through adjacent agricultural developments. And, work with the local Resource Conservation Districts to help local farmers to adopt Best Management Practices (Luke et al. 2004).
5.3 Public use and access: Although, the primary goals of the Conceptual Area are to provide for wildlife movement and habitat connectivity, it is expected that recreation (e.g., hiking, bird watching, picnicking, camping, hunting and fishing) will be part of the proposed uses in some areas of the CAPP. Existing recreational opportunities in the linkage include annual docent led tours of the Santa Margarita Ecological Reserve; interpretive trails and educational programs at the Santa Rosa Ecological Plateau; day use areas at Mount Olympus County Park; camping and water activities at Vail Lake; and hiking trails along the Santa Margarita River on land owned by the Fallbrook Public Utility District and overseen by the Fallbrook Land Conservancy. It may be feasible to create a trail connecting the San Mateo Wilderness Area in the Trabuco District to the Aqua Tibia Wilderness Area in the Palomar District. In addition, there is potential for regulated hunting and fishing on land acquired by the Department. Certainly, land acquisitions to maintain functional connectivity between the Santa Ana and Palomar core areas will enhance hunting on the Cleveland National Forest and DFG lands.
Management strategies to allow recreational activities while maintaining linkage function include: monitoring trail development and recreational use (e.g., levels, types, and timing of use); monitoring special status species, species movements, and vegetation disturbance in areas of high recreational activity; and enforcing existing regulations and developing new ones to ensure recreational activities don’t deter wildlife movement or degrade habitat (Luke et al. 2004). For example, to maintain riparian and aquatic habitat integrity, it should be required that recreational users with domestic animals (e.g., dogs, horses) clean up after their animals. Off-road vehicle use is a recreational activity that is inappropriate for the linkage; opportunities for off-road vehicle use are available in designated areas in Cleveland National Forest.
5.4 Estimate of how many users for each type of use: At this time, it is difficult to estimate the number of users but this will be established based upon criteria outlined above.
5.5 Management strategies that will implement or, at least, promote partnerships and/or multi-interest stewardship programs (e.g., NCCPs, CRMPs, HCPs): A variety of planning efforts addressing the conservation and use of natural resources are currently underway in the Santa Ana-Palomar Mountains Linkage. Multiple entities came together under the auspices of the South Coast Conservation Forum, a consortium of agencies and non-governmental organizations formed to strategically identify priority lands for acquisition, or conservation easements around Camp Pendleton that meet the intent of the Defense Authorization Act. The Forum is a highly collaborative venture that has engaged several complementary planning efforts with a unified goal of implementing the Santa Ana-Palomar Mountains Linkage. The proposed CAPP is the result of the efforts of various subcommittees (e.g., biological, real estate) engaged in the Forum. Participants in the Forum include, but are not limited to:
▪ U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
▪ Department of Defense, Camp Pendleton
▪ U.S. Forest Service Cleveland National Forest
▪ Bureau of Land Management
▪ California Department of Fish and Game
▪ Wildlife Conservation Board
▪ San Diego County
▪ Riverside County
▪ Orange County
▪ The Nature Conservancy
▪ Trust for Public Land
▪ San Diego State University, Field Station Programs
▪ South Coast Wildlands
The Forum offers opportunities to implement multi-interest stewardship programs and promotes partnerships for acquisition and land management. The proposed CAPP boundary is largely based on the Santa Ana-Palomar Mountains Linkage Design, developed by SDSU Field Station Programs and South Coast Wildlands in collaboration with the South Coast Missing Linkages (SCML) project (Appendix D), an ambitious multi-agency effort focused on maintaining landscape level connectivity in the South Coast Ecoregion. Participants in the Biological Subcommittee of the Forum and SCML overlap considerably. The proposed CAPP provides significant opportunities for San Diego, Riverside, and Orange Counties to implement portions of their respective MSCP, MSHCP, and NCCP, to which the County and Department will be signatories. Cleveland National Forest is in the process of revising their Resource Management Plan and the preferred alternative identifies the Santa Ana-Palomar Mountains Linkage as a priority. The proposed CAPP also provides significant partnership opportunities for research and monitoring activities to assist in management of the linkage. Because the proposed CAPP covers such an expansive area, cooperative management agreements, such as those employed at the Santa Rosa Ecological Plateau and the Santa Margarita Ecological Reserve will be pursued. Entities that could potentially own and manage the land in the proposed CAPP include:
Department of Fish and Game: The mission of the Department of Fish and Game (DFG) is “to manage California's diverse fish, wildlife, and plant resources, and the habitats upon which they depend, for their ecological values and for their use and enjoyment by the public.” The mission includes habitat protection and management to ensure viable populations of all species and natural communities. DFG supports the recreational, commercial, scientific and educational uses of the resources they manage. DFG currently owns and/or manages lands associated with the Santa Rosa Plateau and Santa Margarita Ecological Reserves. Tentatively, DFG will manage additional lands acquired within the Santa Rosa Plateau Sub Area with funds from the current management endowment established for the Santa Rosa Plateau Ecological Reserve.
San Diego State University Field Station Programs: The mission of the San Diego State University Field Station Programs (FSP) is “to support teaching, research and education on the ecosystems of Southern California by collecting, sharing and understanding environmental data. In keeping with this goal, the stations are managed for the long-term preservation of native fauna and flora.” The Santa Margarita Ecological Reserve (SMER) provides protected sites for the research and education of intact native ecosystems. FSP currently manage approximately 4400 acres of land within the CAPP area and is committed to manage additional lands located adjacent to SMER within the eastern portion of the Santa Ana Mountains Sub Area (Attachment 3).
Fallbrook Land Conservancy: The Fallbrook Land Conservancy (FLC), is a private, nonprofit, tax exempt organization dedicated to preserving and enhancing the rural lifestyle and natural beauty of Fallbrook. FLC currently manages six open space areas within or adjacent to the CAPP area.
U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service: The mission of the U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service is “to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of the Nation’s forests and grasslands to meet the needs of present and future generations.” Additionally, “the mission is to achieve quality land management under the sustainable multiple-use management concept to meet the diverse needs of people.” The primary goal of the CAPP is to establish a viable linkage between Forest Service lands located to the northwest and southeast of the CAPP area.
Department of Interior Bureau of Land Management: The mission of the Department of Interior Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is “to sustain the health, diversity and productivity of the public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations.” BLM currently owns or manages numerous key land holdings within the area covered by the CAPP.
San Diego County Parks and Recreation: The mission of San Diego County Parks and Recreation is “to preserve regionally significant natural and cultural resources and provide opportunities for high quality parks and recreation experiences." Department objectives include leveraging Federal, State and private funding to implement habitat conservation programs and to enhance and expand parks and open space. Currently, San Diego Parks owns and manages lands within the CAPP area. San Diego Parks is a potential management partner for lands additional lands acquired adjacent to their existing holdings.
Riverside County Regional Park and Open-Space District: The mission of Riverside County Regional Park and Open-Space District is “to acquire, protect, develop, manage, and interpret for the inspiration, use, and enjoyment of all people, a well-balanced system of areas of outstanding scenic, recreation, and historic importance.” The mission includes serving the public by providing recreational opportunities, educational programs and responsible stewardship of the County’s natural and cultural resources. Currently, Riverside County Parks owns and manages lands on the Santa Rosa Plateau in the northern portion of the CAPP area. Riverside Parks is a potential management partner for lands within the CAPP area under that lie within areas covered by the MSHCP.
Center for Natural Lands Management: The mission of the Center for Natural Lands Management (CNLM) is to preserve natural habitat, native species and functioning ecosystems through the long-term stewardship of mitigation and conservation lands. Primary components of the mission are to manage lands in an ecologically beneficial manner consistent with federal and state environmental laws, promote the conservation values of such lands through education, and facilitate uses by the public that preserve the conservation values. CNLM has expressed interest in managing lands within the area covered by the CAPP.
6. When a conservation easement is the means of acquisition, specific terms of management practices or limitations that should be written into the easement: Due to the number of parcels involved in the proposed CAPP, each acquisition will have to be assessed based upon the CAPP criteria. Priority properties may be acquired through either direct acquisition or conservation easements. Some rural estates (e.g., 1 structure per 40 acres) may be compatible with linkage function, but should be sited to provide contiguous natural habitat, with a minimum width of 2 km in the linkage. The minimum width buffer should be imposed along all upland and riparian habitats in the linkage. Some agriculture may also be compatible, with appropriate buffers, but should be all organic crops that require little water; Best Management Practices should be used. Where conservation easements are employed, consideration should be given to such factors as appropriate fencing, lighting, buffer zones, construction set-backs, noise levels, potential for disturbance of the hydrology, and safety.
6. FINANCIAL INFORMATION
The properties targeted for acquisition or conservation easements consist of 3,339 parcels, 1,750 in Riverside County (928 parcels not covered by NCCP) and 1,589 in San Diego County (568 not covered by NCCP). Land values in the area range from $2,000-$40,000+ per acre. Please see Appendix E, for detailed parcel level financial information (e.g., property owners, contact information, pricing). The Following computations are from recent appraisals:
(1) $2,000 per acre - West of De Luz Road, Fallbrook, SD Cnty; 200 acres; no improvements; dirt road, no legal access (10/22/04)
(2) $2,500 per acre - South of intersection of SR 79 and S1, Cuyamaca, SD Cnty; 2,080 acres; old ranch improvements, but no structures; paved access (1/16/02)
(3) $3,750 per acre - Honey Springs Road east of SR 94, SE of Jamul, SD Cnty; 1,978 acres; miscellaneous improvements, including two rental houses and storage structure; paved access (1/23/04)
(4) $4,836 per acre - Intersection of Honey Springs Rad and Skyline Truck Trail, Jamul; 675 acres; 4,000 sq. foot home and two guest cottages, mobile home, etc.; paved access (3/3/04)
(5) $5,007 per acre - Along Rockwood Road, San Pasqual, SD Cnty; 776
acres; no improvements; unimproved road access (NA)
(6) $6,122 per acre - South of HWY 76 at Pauma Rancho Road, Pauma Valley, SD Cnty; 599 acres; no improvements; unimproved road access (NA)
(7) $6,217 per acre - East of Valley center Road at Morales Lane, Valley Center, SD Cnty; 517 acres; five houses, barns, etc.; dirt road, no legal access (NA)
(8) $654 per acre - N. Stage Coach Ln., Fallbrook/San Diego County;
Approximately 32 acres; no legal access (11/20/03)
(9) $12,308 per acre - De Luz Rd., De Luz/San Diego County; Approximately 52 acres; Arizona crossing provided access to the property, but now in need of repair (04/23/04)
(10) $6,763 per acre - Interstate-15, Temecula/Riverside County;
Approximately 65 acres; no legal access (03/14/05)
Due to the sheer magnitude of properties in the proposed CAPP, information requested on the method of protection (e.g., fee title by Department, purchase of a conservation easement, or approving a grant to another agency) is not provided for every parcel under consideration. Several conservation partners will be engaged in acquiring or protecting land to implement the Santa Ana-Palomar Mountains Linkage CAPP, in addition to the Department, including, but not limited to:
▪ Department of Defense, Camp Pendleton
▪ Bureau of Land Management
▪ U.S. Forest Service, Cleveland National Forest
▪ Western Riverside County MSHCP
▪ Northern San Diego County MSCP
▪ The Nature Conservancy
▪ Trust for Public Land
▪ San Diego State University, Field Station Programs
▪ Fallbrook Land Conservancy
The DoD intends to fund a portion of the acquisitions that will be completed in the CAPP priority areas. At this time, no official partnership/funding arrangement has been established; however, currently the DoD and Wildlife Conservation Board (WCB) are discussing the potential of a 50/50 split in costs for some initial transactions. Where DoD and WCB would share the acquisition costs, it has been proposed that DoD would receive a conservation easement over each property acquired with its contribution and WCB's contribution would, in effect, fund the purchase of the restricted fee. The DoD's conservation easement would ensure habitat protection for specific species where applicable and compatible uses would be permitted where appropriate. A Memorandum of Understanding between the Department of Defense and the State Of California is currently in place (Attachment 16). In addition, The Nature Conservancy and Trust for Public Land have already initiated contacts with several landowners in the proposed CAPP, on behalf of the Real Estate Subcommittee of the South Coast Conservation Forum.
7. CULTURAL RESOURCES
Archaeological and cultural assessments have been conducted at selected sites within the proposed CAPP and the potential for additional cultural resources to exist in the linkage is high. Archeological inventories should be conducted prior to acquisition in coordination with the Pechanga, Temecula, Pala, Pauma, and La Jolla Bands of Luiseno Mission Indians. A representative from the Pechanga Band was invited to speak at the Santa Ana-Palomar Mountains Linkage habitat connectivity workshop on conservation design and the Reserve Director at the Santa Margarita Ecological Reserve, Dr. Claudia Luke, has continued to communicate with high ranking officials.
Previously, assessments have been conducted on the Bureau of Land Management’s ACEC lands administered by the Santa Margarita Ecological Reserve. A search of archaeological site records for the area on October 11, 2000 revealed the following sites:
▪ SDi-1092 : Mortar holes and cooking stones and chips. A note indicates that pictographs were reported from this site in 1956-7. This site is not on the targeted parcels.
▪ 4-RIV-523, 4-RIV-270 and 4-RIV-365: The Temeku village site is located on California Department of Fish and Game lands and on the adjacent parcel, at the extreme northeast corner of the Santa Margarita Ecological Reserve near the confluence of Temecula and Murrieta creeks. McGown excavated a portion of this site in the 1950s; it is a valuable archaeological site.
In 1973, as part of a planning document for the Santa Margarita Ecological Reserve, Meredith Small at SDSU Field Station Programs conducted a site survey of California State University owned lands in the reserve (Cooper et al. 1973), but did not find additional sites to those mentioned above.
In 1985, Larry Leach of the Cultural Resource Management Center at SDSU Field Station Programs prepared a cultural resource survey report for a proposal (never realized) to transfer BLM properties to the Santa Margarita Ecological Reserve. The BLM parcel adjacent to the target parcels was included in the report. Report of this parcel included aerial photo analysis and ground surveys of the most likely areas. No cultural resources were encountered and prehistoric occupation was considered unlikely due to rugged terrain and abundance of natural resources in accessible areas nearby.
In 1986, Larry Leach prepared a cultural resource survey report for a proposal (never realized) for SDSU to lease the southern 42-acre BLM parcel in the reserve. The report included a record and publication search. Walker and Bull (1979) conducted surveys of property adjacent to the BLM parcel as part of a cultural reconnaissance for a 230KV transmission line corridor. No cultural resources were found.
In spring of 2000, a second BLM survey of the BLM ACEC parcel adjacent to the target was conducted was in conjunction with a private application process for a use permit to BLM by reserve neighbors. BLM archaeologists hiked the same easternmost BLM parcel inside the reserve survey to assess the potential for significant archaeological impacts. Discussions with the BLM archaeologists (C. Luke pers. comm.) indicated that she felt there was little potential for archaeological sites in the higher elevations of the reserve.
Assessments have also been conducted in the Vail Lake area, which indicate there are at least 34 archeological sites in the vicinity. The literature and records indicate that six potentially significant historic locations exist: 1) the Southern Immigrant Trail/Butterfield Stage Road, 2) an 1876 structure location, 3) an 1876 camp, 4) an 1898 structure location, 5) the settlement of the ex-slaves at Dripping Springs, and 6) Vail Lake Dam.
Evidence of culturally significant Native American sites have also been identified on the Santa Rosa Ecological Plateau in the form of village sites, moneros, and cupule stones. In addition, the 2 oldest buildings in Riverside County, remnants of Rancho Santa Rosa from the 1840’s, are found on the Plateau.
8. HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
No historical usage or dumping of hazardous materials is known on the targeted properties. It is suggested that Phase I hazardous materials assessments being conducted on suspect parcels prior to acquisition.
9. LOCAL AND REGIONAL ISSUES
1. Project Support: The proposed CAPP is strongly supported by land managers and planners, regulatory agencies, military officials, and several conservation organizations. All entities that manage land for conservation in the linkage (e.g., BLM, CDFG, USFS, SMER, San Diego County) are enthusiastic about implementing the proposed CAPP. All participants in the South Coast Conservation Forum are in support of the project. The counties of Riverside and San Diego are both dedicated to implementing their respective NCCPs and therefore strongly support the proposed CAPP. Project partners in the South Coast Missing Linkages project are ecstatic about the opportunity to implement the Linkage Design for the Santa Ana-Palomar Mountains Connection. Regulatory Agencies, such as U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and California Department of Fish and Game also support securing this critical landscape level linkage. Agencies and organizations in support of the proposed CAPP include:
Federal agencies in support of the proposed CAPP include: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of Defense, Camp Pendleton, U.S. Forest Service, Cleveland National Forest, Bureau of Land Management , and National Park Service.
State Agencies in support of the project include: The Resources Agency California Legacy Project, California Department of Fish and Game, California State Parks, and the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy.
Local Agencies that support the CAPP include: County of San Diego Department of Planning and Land Use, County of San Diego Department of Parks and Recreation, County of Riverside, County of Orange, and the Elsinore-Murrieta-Anza Resource Conservation District.
Conservation Organizations that support implementation of the Santa Ana-Palomar Mountains Linkage include: San Diego State University Field Station Programs, The Nature Conservancy, South Coast Wildlands, The Wildlands Conservancy, California State Parks Foundation, Conservation Biology Institute, Environment Now, Zoological Society of San Diego Center for Reproduction of Endangered Species, Endangered Habitat League, Sierra Club, San Bernardino Valley Audubon Society, California Native Plant Society, San Diego Biodiversity Project, San Diego Herpetology Society, San Diego Natural History Museum, and Friends of the Santa Margarita River.
9.2 Senate and Assembly District representatives:
36th State Senatorial District
Senator Dennis Hollingsworth
27555 Ynez Road, Suite 204
Temecula, CA 92591
916/445-9781
38th State Senatorial District
Senator Bill Morrow
27126A Paseo Espada, Suite 1621
San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675
949/489-9838
64th State Assembly District
Assemblyman John Benoit
1223 University Avenue, Suite 230
Riverside, CA 92507
65th State Assembly District
Assemblyman Russ Bogh
34932 Yucaipa Blvd.
Yucaipa, CA 92399
66th State Assembly District
Assemblyman Ray Hanes
27555 Ynez Road, Suite 205
Temecula, CA 92591
909/699-1113
73rd State Assembly District
Assemblywoman Patricia Bates
30012 Ivy Glenn Drive, Suite 120
Laguna Niguel, CA 92677
74th State Assembly District
Assemblyman Mark Wyland
221 East Main Street, Suite 205
Vista, CA 92084
10. THREATS
Habitat among the existing protected areas in the Linkage Planning Area is undergoing conversion to both agricultural and urban uses. Dramatic changes have occurred in the area since the mid 1980’s. The spatial extent of urban areas has changed by a magnitude of 230% over a 16-year period, from roughly 7,000 acres in 1984 to nearly 23,000 acres as of the year 2000 (FMMP 2000). The majority of this urban growth has been concentrated in Temecula, Fallbrook, and the growing community of Rainbow. Agriculture has played a rather significant role in the economies of both San Diego and Riverside Counties. Temecula Valley is known for its vineyards, while Interstate 15, which bisects the Linkage Planning Area, was christened the Avocado Highway. A number of landowners in the Linkage Planning Area live on large properties and plant extensive avocado or citrus orchards. While agriculture is obviously still an important part of the economy in both San Diego and Riverside counties, the future remains uncertain, due to the continued water supply shortages facing southern California. Though, water supply shortages haven’t slowed the rate of urbanization in southern California, or in the planning area. Certainly, time is of the essence, if we are to maintain functional habitat connectivity between the Santa Ana and Palomar Mountains.
11. CONTACT PERSON(S) IN REGION
CAPP Preparation:
Kristeen Penrod
South Coast Wildlands
PO Box 1102
Idyllwild, CA 92549
(951) 659-9946
kristeen@
California Department of Fish and Game
Earl Lauppe, Senior Wildlife Biologist
3602 Inland Empire Blvd., Suite C-220
Ontario, CA 91764
(909) 980-3248
Regional Lands Coordinators:
Dee Sudduth
Eastern Sierra-Inland Desert, Region 6
PO Box 220
Jamul, CA 91929
(619) 468-9231
Terry Stewart
South Coast, Region 5
4949 View Ridge Ave
San Diego, CA 92123
(858)467-4209
Appendices
Appendix A, Geographic Location
Appendix B, Purpose of Acquisition
Appendix C, California Natural Diversity Database Report
Appendix D, Santa Ana-Palomar Linkage Report
Appendix E, Financial Information
Appendix F, Mandatory Maps
Attachments
Attachment 1, Existing Conservation Investments in Relation to the Santa Ana-Palomar Linkage
Attachment 2, Existing CAPPs and LAE within the Santa Ana-Palomar Linkage CAPP
Attachment 3, San Diego State University Field Stations Program Desired Footprint
Attachment 4, Topography of the Santa Ana-Palomar Linkage CAPP
Attachment 5, Major Landholders
Attachment 6, Santa Ana Mountains Sub Area (representative photos)
Attachment 7, Palomar Mountains Sub Area (representative photos)
Attachment 8, Tenaja Sub Area and Santa Rose Plateau (representative photos)
Attachment 9, Temecula Creek Sub Area (representative photos)
Attachment 10, Special Status Species in Relation to Santa Ana-Palomar Linkage CAPP
Attachment 11, Natural Communities in the Santa Ana-Palomar Linkage CAPP
Attachment 12, Prioritization of Santa Ana-Palomar Linkage Parcels
Attachment 13, Designated Critical Habitat in Relation to the Santa Ana-Palomar Linkage CAPP
Attachment 14, Santa Ana-Palomar Linkage CAPP in Relation to W. Riverside and N. San Diego NCCP Efforts
Attachment 15, Santa Ana-Palomar Linkage CAPP Priority Parcels in Relation to NCCP Efforts
Attachment 16, Memorandum of Understanding
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Table 3. Critical Habitat Summary for 5 listed species whose survival is dependent on land within the proposed CAPP.
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