Natural Resource Mngmt Plan 2009.pdf

NATURAL RESOURCE MANAGEl\ffiNT PLAN

November 4, 2009

Prepared far :

DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS

NATIONAL CEMETERY ADMINISTRATION

810 Vermont Avenue, NW, LAF 235 Washington, D.C. 20420

Prepared by :

HELIX ENVIRONMENTAL PLANNING, INC.

7578 El Cajon Boulevard, Suite 200 La Mesa, California 91942

Section

Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery Annex at MCAS Miramar Natural Resource Management Plan

TABLE OF CONTENTS

ES EXECUTNE SUMMARY ................................................................................... ES-1

1.0 IN"TRODUCTION ....................................................................................................... l

1.1 Purpose of Resource Management Plan

1.2 Project-related Impacts

1.2.1 Conditions and/or Mitigation Measures that Require an NRMP

1.2.2 Agency Review and Coordination

1.3 Implementation

1.3 .1 Responsible Parties and Designation of Resource Manager

1.3.2 Financial Responsibility/Mechanism

1.3.3 Cost Estimate/Budget

1.3.4 Annual Reports

2.0 PROPERTY DESCRIPTION

2.1 Project Location

2.2 Geographic Setting ........................... ;

2.3 Land Use

2.4 Geology, Soils, Climate, and Hydrology

2.5 Trails

2.6 Easements or Rights

2.7 Fire History

3.0 BIOLOGICAL RESOURCES DESCRIPTION

3 .1 Vegetation Communities/Habitats

3.1.1 Southern Willow Scrub (including disturbed)

3.1.2 Mule Fat Scrub (including disturbed)

3 .1.3 Coastal and Valley Freshwater Marsh

3.1.4 Diegan Coastal Sage Scrub (including disturbed)

3.1.5 Scrub Oak Chaparral

3.1.6 Southern Mixed Chaparral

3 .1. 7 Chamise Chaparral (including disturbed)

3.1.8 Non-native/Native Grassland (including disturbed)

3.1.9 Non-native Grassland

3.1.10 Disturbed Habitat

3.1.11 Developed Land

3.2 Vernal Pools and Other Vernal Pool Habitats

TABLE OF CONTENTS (cont.)

3.0 BIOLOGICAL RESOURCES DESCRIPTION (cont.)

3.3 Plant Species

3. 3 .1 Rare, Threatened, or Endangered Plants 3 .3 .1.1 Special Status Species

3.3.1.2 Other Plants of Regional Concern

3.3.2 Non-native and/or Invasive Plant Species

3.4 Wildlife Species

3.4.1 Rare, Threatened, or Endangered Wildlife

3.4.1.1 Special Status Species

3 .4.1.2 Other Wildlife Species of Regional Concern

3.4.2 Non-native and/or Invasive Wildlife Species

3.5 Overall Biological Value

3 .6 Enhancement Opportunities

4.0 MANAGEMENT ELEMENTS AND GOALS

4.1 Goals

4.2 Management Elements/Tasks

4.2.1 Cemetery Development/Construction Management Elements

and Tasks

4.2.1.1 Limited Operating Period

4.2.1.2 Construction During Daylight Hours

4.2.1.3 Contractor Training Program

4.2.1.4 Biological Monitoring During Construction

4.2.1.5 Collection of Vernal Pool Habitat Components

4.2.1.6 Construction Near Vernal PoolsNernal Pool Watersheds .. 19 4.2.1.7 4.2.1.8 4.2.1.9 4.2.1.10 4.2.1.11

Demarcation of Construction Limits Installation of Permanent Fencing Landscape Plan and Irrigation Implementation of Best Management Practices Implementation of a Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan

4.2.1.12 Dust Management Monitoring

4.2.1.13 Interpretive Sign Installation

4.2.2 Cemetery Operations Management Elements/Tasks

4.2.2.1 General Monitoring

4.2.2.2 Vernal Pool Monitoring

4.2.2.3 Exotic Plant Control

4.2.2.4 Pest Control

4.2.2.5 Animal Damage/Nuisance Wildlife Management

4.2.2.6 Landscaping Maintenance

TABLE OF CONTENTS (cont.)

4.0 MANAGEMENT ELEMENTS AND GOALS (cont.)

4.2 Management Elements/Tasks (cont.)

4.2.2 Cemetery Operations Management Elements/Tasks (cont.)

4.2.2.7 Maintenance of Storm Water Detention Facilities/Implementation of the Storm Water Management Plan (SWMP)

4.2.2.8 Access Control/Fencing

4.2.2.9 Trash Removal and Vandalism Repair

4.2.2.10 Maintenance of Interpretive Signs

4.2.2.11 Proper Handling of Hazardous Materials and Wastes

4.2.2.12 Fire and Flood Management

4.2.2.13 Annual Monitoring Reports

4.2.2.14 Management Plan Review

4.2.3 Prohibited Uses

4.2.4 Management Constraints

4.2.5 Adaptive Management

5.0 RESOURCE MANAGEMENT PLAN SUMMARY

6.0 LIST OF PREPARERS

7.0 REFERENCES

LIST OF FIGURES

Number Title Follows

Page

1 Regional Location Map 2 Project Location Map 3 Vegetation Communities 4 Utility Easements and Phasing 5 V~rnal Pools/Ephemeral Basins 6 Non~Vernal Pool Rare Plant Locations 7 Vernal Pools and Sensitive Species 8 Conceptual Vernal Pool Restoration/Enhancement and Adjacent Upland

Restoration iii

LIST OF TABLES

Number Title

1 Vegetation Communities Outside of the Approved Project Footprint 2 Management Elements and Tasks

Letter

A

BAGEPA

BMP

CDFG

CNPS

DON

EIS

ESA

FE

FT

HEM

INRMP

IPMP

MA

MCAS

NCA

NEPA

NRMP

PA

SAAPCD

SSC

SDG&E

Station

SWPPP

USFWS

VA

APPENDIX

Explanation of Status Codes for Plant and Animal Species

LIST OF ACRONYMS AND ABBREVIATIONS

Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act Best Management Practice California Department of Fish and Game California Native Plant Society Department of the Navy Environmental Impact Statement Endangered Species Act Federally endangered Federally threatened Habitat Evaluation Model Integrated Natural Resources Management Plan Integrated Pest Management Plan Management Area Marine Corps Air Station National Cemetery Administration National Environmental Policy Act Natural Resource Management Plan Preserved Area San Diego Air Pollution Control District Species of Special Concern San Diego Gas and Electric Marine Corps Air Station Miramar Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan United States Fish and Wildlife Service Department of Veterans Affairs lV

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

This Natural Resource Management Plan (NRMP) has been prepared for the Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery Annex at Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Miramar (Station) in accordance with mitigation requirements identified in the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS [EDA W 2007]) and Biological Opinion issued by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service ([USFWS] 2007). The cemetery occupies a 323-acre parcel of federally owned land. The EIS and Biological Opinion identified an approximate 214-acre approved project footprint within which all cemetery development and operations are to occur, with the remaining lands protected from cemetery development and operations. The cemetery will be constructed in phases and the actual development boundary may change over time as the different phases of development proceed to construction; however, cemetery development will never exceed the approved project footprint.

As a result of a master planning effort, current cemetery development occupies approximately 144 acres of the 214-acre approved project footprint.

The site is located on MCAS Miramar in the northern portion of the City of San Diego, approximately 13 miles north of downtown San Diego and approximately 12 miles northeast of the existing Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery. It is situated in the northwest comer of the Station and is roughly bounded by Miramar Road along the northern edge, Interstate 805 and Nobel Drive along the western edge, and existing commuter railway tracks running along the southeastern edge.

The purpose of this NRMP is to provide the cemetery staff as well as the site Resource Manager with guidance on protecting on site and adjacent natural and biological resources from unplanned and indirect impacts associated with the development and operation of the cemetery.

The project proponent (U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs National Cemetery Administration

· [NCA]) will select a qualified entity to serve as Resource Manager; the entity selected is subject· to joint approval by the NCA, USFWS, and MCAS Miramar.

Management responsibility for the project site is the responsibility of the NCA and, except for the vernal pool restoration and enhancement areas, will begin in conjunction with the start of cemetery development. Management responsibility by the NCA for the vernal pool restoration and enhancement areas will begin following successful completion of the 5 year maintenance and monitoring period for these areas.

The NCA is responsible for all NRMP funding requirements, including direct funds to support specific tasks associated with each phase of construction, as well as funding for long-term NRMP management elements associated with operation of the cemetery.

The NCA and Resource Manager will be responsible for ensuring that all applicable management elements and tasks are implemented during each phase of cemetery construction and as an ongoing component of cemetery operations.

Management elements/tasks that must occur during all applicable phases of cemetery development include ( 1) observing a limited operating period to prevent vegetation clearing

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Natural Resource Management Plan for Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery Annex at MCAS Miramar I VAN-OJ I November 4, 2009 ES-1 cemGaussM Highlight cemGaussM Highlight activities in suitable coastal California gnatcatcher habitat during the breeding season [February 15 to August 31], (2) ensuring that construction activities take place during daylight hours,

(3) providing a contractor training program to educate construction personnel about the coastal California gnatcatcher, (4) having qualified biological monitors present during vegetation clearing and grading activities that may affect gnatcatchers and/or the watersheds of vernal pools/ephemeral basins outside the impact footprint, (5) ensuring that prior to any earthwork in pools/basins supporting San Diego fairy shrimp, collection of vernal pool habitat components from these pools is completed, (6) ensuring that clearing/grading near vernal pools/ephemeral basins is conducted when the soils are dry enough to reduce the potential for erosion, (7) clearly delineating the limits of construction, (8) installing permanent perimeter fencing around areas supporting protected vernal pools/ephemeral basins, (9) ensuring the landscape plan contains native species and/or non-invasive climatically-adapted species and that the irrigation plan would not adversely impact nearby vernal pools/ephemeral basins, (10) ensuring that Best Management Practices (BMPs) are implemented, (11) ensuring that the Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP) is implemented, (12) monitoring dust control activities to comply with San Diego Air Pollution Control District (SDAPCD) measures, and (13) installation of interpretive signs.

Management elements/tasks related to cemetery operations include ( 1) general monitoring of vernal pool islands and other areas protected from cemetery development and operations,

(2) monitoring of vernal pool islands and vernal pools/ephemeral basins within 100 feet of cemetery development, (3) exotic plant control, (4) pest control, (5) animal damage/nuisance wildlife management, (6) landscaping maintenance, (7) storm water detention basin maintenance/implementation of the Storm Water Management Plan (SWMP), (8) access control/fence maintenance, (9) trash removal and vandalism repair, (10) maintenance of interpretive signs, (11) proper handling of hazardous materials and wastes, (12) fire/flood management, (13) preparation of annual reports, and (14) reviewing and making any necessary revisions to the NRMP at 5 year intervals, including documenting the construction of the various phases of cemetery development. Implementation of the NRMP will be consistent with and complementary to the MCAS Miramar Integrated Natural Resources Management Plan (INRMP) because the parcel is also managed under the INRMP.

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Natural Resource Management Plan for Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery Annex at MCAS Miramar IV AN-01INovember4, 2009 ES·2

1.0 INTRODUCTION

This Natural Resource Management Plan (NRMP) has been prepared for the Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery Annex (project) at Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Miramar (Station) in accordance with mitigation requirements identified in the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS;

[EDA W 2007]), the Biological Opinion issued by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service ([USFWS] 2007a), and related clarification letters (U.S. Marine Corps [USMC] 2007 and USFWS 2007b ). The purpose of the project is to provide needed burial space for military veterans and their eligible dependents in the San Diego area. This NRMP provides guidance to cemetery staff and the Resource Manager on protecting on site and adjacent natural and biological resources from unplanned and indirect impacts associated with the development and operation of the cemetery annex. The cemetery annex occupies a 323-acre parcel of federally owned land. The EIS and Biological Opinion identified an approximate 214-acre approved project footprint within which all cemetery development and operations are to occur, with the remaining lands protected from cemetery development and operations. The cemetery will be constructed in phases and the actual development boundary may change over time as the different phases of development proceed to construction; however, cemetery development will never exceed the approved project footprint. As a result of a master planning effort, current cemetery development occupies approximately 144 acres of the 214-acre approved project footprint. Areas outside of the approved project footprint include a large vernal pool complex along the northern site boundary, a canyon supporting riparian vegetation in the northwestern corner, steep slopes along the southern parcel boundary, and several small vernal pool "islands" that will be surrounded by cemetery development (any vernal pool areas outside of the approved project footprint and not within the large vernal pool complex in the northern portion of the site are collectively referred to as the vernal pool islands).

1.1 PURPOSE OF RESOURCE MANAGEMENT PLAN

The purpose of this NRMP is to ensure that cemetery development and operations do not impact the existing functions and values of the biological resources outside of the project footprint.

Specifically, this NRMP:

1. Guides cemetery development during all phases of construction to protect adjacent lands and the vernal pool islands from unplanned impacts;

2. Guides cemetery operations to ensure that management activities do not adversely impact the vernal pool islands or other biological resources outside of the project footprint;

3. Complements the Station's Integrated Natural Resources Management Plan (INRMP) by providing site-specific measures intended to protect adjacent biological resources and the vernal pool islands from cemetery development and operations;

4. Serves as a descriptive inventory of vegetation communities and sensitive plant and animal species that occur within the areas outside of the project footprint;

5. Establishes the baseline conditions from which adaptive management will be determined and success will be measured; and

6. Provides an overview of cemetery development and operation requirements to implement management goals, and serves as a budget planning aid.

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Natural Resource Management Plan for Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery Annex at MCAS Miramar IV AN-01INovember4, 2009

1.2 PROJECT-RELATED IMPACTS

Complete development of the approved project footprint described in the EIS would impact the following communities: 14.8 acres of Diegan coastal sage scrub (including disturbed), 2.4 acres of coastal sage scrub-chaparral, 14.7 acres of scrub oak chaparral, 34.3 acres of southern mixed chaparral, 87.2 acres of chamise chaparral, 6.7 acres of non-native grassland/native grassland (including disturbed), 8.1 acres of non-native grassland (including disturbed), 44.3 acres of disturbed habitat, and 1.2 acre of developed land. These acreages represent what would be impacted given complete development of the approved project footprint. The actual development boundary has not been finalized but is expected to be smaller than that described in the EIS. The currently proposed limits of development are presented in this report, but may change over time as the final design of different phases of development occur. Regardless, all development would take place within the limits of the approved project footprint, and all areas outside of the ultimate extent of cemetery development are subject to this NRMP.

The project will be constructed in phases over the course of several years and numerous conservation measures and mitigation measures identified in the USFWS Biological Opinion and Final EIS will be implemented to avoid and minimize impacts to sensitive biological resources both during and after construction.

No impacts to federally listed plant species would occur. Direct impacts would occur to 5 regionally sensitive plant species, including Palmer's sagewort (Artemisia palmeri), wart stemmed ceanothus (Ceanothus verrucosus), long-spined spineflower (Chorizanthe polygonoides var. longispina), summer-holly (Comarostaphylis diversifolia spp. diversifolia), and Nuttall's scrub oak (Quercus dumosa). Impacts to 2 individual Palmer's sagewort, numerous wart stemmed ceanothus individuals, approximately 1,740 long-spined spineflower individuals, fewer than 100 summer-holly individuals, and at least 230 Nuttall's scrub oak individuals would result from cemetery construction. The numbers of wart-stemmed ceanothus and scrub oaks that would be impacted is unknown because portions of their populations were mapped as overall areas in which the species occurred and individual counts were not completed. Impacts to summer-holly were based on the mapping of a population of 100 individuals as an overall area, approximately half of which would be impacted, but since the distribution of the summer-holly individuals within the area mapped is unknown, a precise tally of impacted plants could not be determined.

Impacts to occupied coastal California gnatcatcher (Polioptila californica californica) habitat supporting 2 breeding pairs would also occur upon project implementation. Mitigation for these impacts consisted of the purchase of 15.98 acres of gnatcatcher occupied habitat off site in the East Fortuna Mountain Preserve within Mission Trails Regional Park, east of the Station, and is covered under a separate management plan.

The project also would impact an undetermined number of San Diego fairy shrimp (Branchinecta sandiegonensis) in 2 vernal pools (0.010 acre) and 27 man-made basins (0.299 acre), as well as grading and filling 4 vernal pools (0.013 acre) not occupied by threatened or endangered species, comprising 0.322 acre of impact to a total of 6 vernal pools and 27 man made basins (0.023 acre of impact to vernal pools and 0.299 acre of impact to man-made basins).

Natural Resource Management Plan for Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery Annex at MCAS Miramar IV AN-01INovember4, 2009 2

Required mitigation for these impacts consists of the restoration/re-establishment of 0.492 acre of San Diego fairy shrimp habitat. This will be accomplished through the implementation of a separate Vernal Pool Restoration Plan. Areas surrounding the restored/enhanced pools will be restored as native upland habitat and will include soil salvage and/or seed collection and translocation of long-spined spineflower to these areas. A total of 0.510 acre of vernal pools and

3.9 acres of associated upland habitat/watershed area will be restored/enhanced under the Vernal Pool Restoration Plan.

Indirect effects of cemetery construction and operations may include aerial drift of pesticides into areas supporting protected vernal pools/ephemeral basins, alteration of hydrological regimes of protected vernal pools/ephemeral basins, and colonization by non-native species into areas protected from cemetery development and operations. These impacts will be avoided by

(1) implementation of an Integrated Pest Management Plan (IPMP), (2) implementation of a Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP) and Best Management Practices (BMPs), and

(3) incorporating native plants and climatically adapted species into the cemetery landscaping to the maximum extent practicable, using native plants in landscaping along the cemetery perimeter, and prohibiting the use of non-native, invasive species in the landscape plan.

Implementing these measures and plans is important to ensuring that pesticide drift, pollutant laden runoff, construction debris/fill, etc., as well as invasive plant species, do not reach the vernal pools/ephemeral basins and adversely affect San Diego fairy shrimp or .other sensitive species by altering water chemistry, changing the depth of the pools/basins, or outcompeting native plant species.

Lands outside the approved project footprint support the majority of the vernal pools/ephemeral basins and associated watersheds occurring on the 323-acre site, including numerous occurrences of two federally listed endangered plant species: San Diego mesa mint (Pogogyne abramsii) and San Diego button-celery (Eryngium aristulatum var. parishii); one federally listed endangered animal species: San Diego fairy shrimp; and 5 regionally sensitive plant species: San Diego goldenstar (Bloomeria [Muilla] clevelandii), Orcutt's brodiaea (Brodiaea orcuttii), wart-stemmed ceanothus, long-spined spineflower, and Nuttall's scrub oak. These areas also support habitat suitable for occupation by the federally listed threatened coastal California gnatcatcher.

1.2.1 Conditions and/or Mitigation Measures that Require an NRMP

This NRMP contains measures to comply with the Endangered Species Act (BSA) and National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), as well as being consistent with the Integrated Natural Resources Management Plan (INRMP) for MCAS Miramar. Pursuant to the USFWS' s Biological Opinion (USFWS 2007) for the project, an NRMP for the areas protected from cemetery development and operations must be prepared and implemented in perpetuity. The NRMP is intended to guide cemetery operations for the life of the cemetery so that activities occurring on cemetery grounds do not adversely affect adjacent habitat or other biological resources outside of the project footprint. As documented in correspondence between the Station and the USFWS (USMC 2007), the Station does not have the authority to establish the areas protected from cemetery development and operations as environmental preserves.

Natural Resource Management Plan for Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery Annex at MCAS Miramar IV AN-OJ I November4, 2009 3

1.2.2 Agency Review and Coordination

The final NRMP shall be approved by USFWS and MCAS Miramar prior to implementation.

1.3 IMPLEMENTATION

1.3.1 Responsible Parties and Designation of Resource Manager

The NCA will select a qualified entity to serve as Resource Manager. The USFWS, MCAS Miramar, and NCA will jointly approve the selection of a Resource Manager, who must possess the following qualifications:

• Ability to carry out habitat monitoring or mitigation activities;

• Fiscal stability, including preparation of an operational budget (using an appropriate analysis technique) for the management of this NRMP;

• Resource managers must have at least 1 staff member with a biological, ecological, or wildlife management degree;

• Experience with habitat management in southern California.

The Resource Manager will ensure that the NRMP is implemented in perpetuity to protect the existing biological functions and values of the areas protected from cemetery development and operations. Implementation of the NRMP will begin following approval of this plan by USFWS and MCAS Miramar and in conjunction with project initiation. Management responsibility for the vernal pool restoration/enhancement and associated upland restoration will begin upon successful completion of the 5-year maintenance and monitoring period.

1.3.2 Financial Responsibility/Mechanism

The NCA is responsible for all NRMP funding requirements, including direct funds to support specific tasks associated with each phase of construction, as well as funding for long-term NRMP management tasks associated with operation of the cemetery. Such tasks involve the implementation of management elements designed to guide cemetery development and operations such that unplanned and indirect impacts to areas outside the project footprint do not occur. Once this plan has been approved by the USFWS and MCAS Miramar, the management elements and tasks outlined in this plan will commence upon initiation of cemetery construction for all portions of the protected areas, with the exception of the restored vernal pools and associated upland habitat,. Habitat management tasks for the restored/re established vernal pools and upland habitat adjacent to these pools will commence immediately following success of the 5 year maintenance and monitoring period.

1.3.3 Cost Estimate/Budget

A cost estimate for implementing this NRMP will be prepared by the Resource Manager, once identified by the NCA. The budget will include sufficient funding to carry out all activities identified in this NRMP.

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Natural Resource Management Plan for Fort Rosecrans National, Cemetery Annex at MCAS Miramar IV AN-()J I November 4, 2009 4 cemGaussM Rectangle cemGaussM Rectangle

1.3.4 Annual Reports

The Resource Manager will prepare an annual letter report to be submitted to the USFWS and MCAS Miramar that will summarize the previous year's management and monitoring as well as that anticipated for the upcoming year. The reports will be submitted electronically to the USFWS staff biologist responsible for MCAS Miramar. The report will provide a summary of methods employed, identify new management issues, and address the success or failure of previous management approaches based on monitoring. It shall include a summary of the overall condition of monitored vernal pools/ephemeral basins, sensitive species observed/detected, assess any changes from the baseline or from the previous year's conditions, document new phases of development and resulting expansion of monitoring/maintenance areas, and address any monitoring and management limitations. All adaptive management (changes) resulting from previous monitoring results and methods for measuring the success for such adaptive management will be discussed.

2.0 PROPERTY DESCRIPTION

2.1 PROJECT LOCATION

The site is located on MCAS Miramar in the northern portion of the City of San Diego, approximately 13 miles north of downtown San Diego (Figure 1) and approximately 12 miles northeast of the existing Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery. It is situated in the northwest corner of the Station and is roughly bounded by Miramar Road along the northern edge, Interstate 805 and Nobel Drive along the western edge, and existing commuter railway tracks running along the southeastern edge. It is located on unsectioned lands in Township 15 South, Range 3 West of the U.S. Geological Survey 7.5-minute Del Mar and La Jolla quadrangle maps (Figure 2).

2.2 GEOGRAPHICAL SETTING

The site is located within the coastal plain of San Diego County and is positioned directly north of Rose Canyon. Elevations within the project site range from approximately 258 feet above mean sea level (amsl) in the southern tip of the site to 406 feet amsl in the northeastern comer.

The majority of vernal pools are on the mesa in the northeastern comer. A portion of an east west oriented ravine occurs in the northwest comer, while portions of several south-trending ravines are· present along the southeastern site boundary.

2.3 LANDUSE

The site is located in the 'West Miramar' portion of MCAS Miramar. This portion of the Station is largely undeveloped, and is primarily used as a buffer to mitigate noise and aircraft accident potential from the airfield located in 'Main Station', east of the site (EDA W and Department of the Navy [DON] 2007).

Non-MCAS Miramar land adjacent to the northern edge of the site is partially undeveloped with some existing industrial businesses and commercial districts nearby. To the west, the areas between the site and Nobel Drive and 1-805 are undeveloped and designated as open space in the

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Natural. Resource Management Plan for Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery Annex at MOl.S Miramar /VAN-OJ /November 4, 2009 5 cemGaussM Highlight

Rectangle

University Community Plan, while areas on the west side of 1-805 are shown in the Community Plan as Industrial (Van Dyke Landscape Architects 2008).

2.4 GEOLOGY, SOILS, CLIMATE, AND HYDROLOGY

The site is located within the coastal sub-province of the Peninsular Ranges Geomorphic Province of southern California (Leighton 2008). The underlying geologic formation of the site is the Linda Vista formation, which is considered to be Pleistocene (from about 1.6 million years ago to about 11,000 years ago) in age. Gravelly marine terraces or mesas and some areas of terrace escarpment and alluvium are typical to the site (Leighton 2008).

Eight soil types, representing 6 soil series (Altamont, Chesterton, Olivenhain, Redding, Riverwash, and Terrace Escarpments) are mapped within the areas protected from cemetery development and operations (Bowman 1973). The majority of these areas are comprised of the Redding group of shallow, cobbly or gravelly loams, which are present in the areas supporting vernal pools. Altamont clays are mapped in the northwestern comer, as well as in small areas in the southern portion of the site. Chesterton fine sandy loams are mapped in one area adjacent to Miramar Road, while Olivenhain cobbly loams are mapped along the southern tip of the site.

Terrace escarpments occur in association with eroded soils in the south-central portion of the site and along the southeastern site boundary. Riverwash is mapped as a sliver of land along the southeastern site boundary, adjacent to the railroad.

The climate in San Diego County is generally characterized by warm, dry summers and mild winters. Temperatures on MCAS Miramar are generally highest in August (mean high temperatures are 82°F) and lowest in December (mean low temperatures are 43°F). Average annual precipitation on MCAS Miramar is approximately 12 inches, with the highest average rainfall totals occurring in January, February, and March (2.52 inches, 2.31 inches, and

2.47 inches, respectively). The driest months are June, July, and August with approximately 0.09, 0.05, and 0.07 inch of rainfall, respectively, per month (Weather.com 2009).

The site is located within the Miramar Hydrologic Area of the Peiiasquitos Hydrologic Unit, which is drained by three principal streams: Los Peiiasquitos, San Clemente, and Rose Canyon creeks. Areas protected from cemetery development and operations support portions of several drainages, 2 of which support wetland vegetation and the remainder of which are ephemeral.

Site drainage across the northern half of the site is in a more or less westerly direction, while drainage across the southern half of the site is to the south-southeast toward Rose Creek.

2.5 TRAILS

A number of dirt roads and trails traverse the areas protected from cemetery development and operations; these include utility access roads as well as informal trails created by human disturbance.

2.6 EASEMENTS OR RIGHTS

Although the land on which the project site is located is owned by MCAS Miramar, a Use Agreement between MCAS Miramar and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) was

Natural Resource Management Plan for Fort Rosecrans Nationd Cemetery Annex at MCAS Miramar IV AN-OJ /November 4, 2009 6

Project Site

Poway

Oceanside

Carlsbad

Vista

Escondido

Otay

Chula Vista

Santee

San Marcos

Encinitas

El Cajon

La Mesa

Coronado

National City

Imperial Beach

Lemon Grove

Solana Beach

Del Mar

Camp Pendleton

Lake San Marcos

Lake

Hodges

Lake Wohlford

Lake Ramona

Lake Poway

Miramar Reservoir

San Vicente Reservoir

Lake Murray

Sweetwater Reservoir

Lake Jennings

Otay Reservoir

Pacific

Ocean

San D ieg o B a y

Santee Lakes

Sutherland Reservoir

Lake Henshaw

El Capitan Reservoir

Loveland Reservoir

Vail Lake

O'Neill Lake

Barrett Lake

Tijuana

UNITED STATES

MEXICO

Dulzura

Julian

Ramona

Warner Springs

RIVERSIDE

COUNTY

ORANGE

COUNTY

SAN DIEGO

COUNTY

San Diego

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WÛ

WÙ

AÒ

A©

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Fallbrook

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Regional Location Map

FORT ROSECRANS NATIONAL CEMETERY ANNEX AT MCAS MIRAMAR

Figure 1 µ 8 0 84

Miles

I:\ArcGIS\V\VAN-01 FortRosecrans\Map\BIO\NRMP\Fig1_Regional.mxd -NM

323-Acre Project Boundary

Project Location Map

FORT ROSECRANS NATIONAL CEMETERY ANNEX AT MCAS MIRAMAR

I:\ArcGIS\V\VAN-01 FortRosecrans\Map\BIO\NRMP\Fig2_Location.mxd -NM

Figure 2

Source: USGS 7.5' Quads; Del Mar and La Jolla

2,000 0 2,0001,000

Feet µ Job No: VAN-01 Date: 07/10/09

Approved Project Footprint executed (#N6247308RP00049) allowing the VA to use the land for a national veterans cemetery in accordance with the Final Environmental Impact Statement dated July 2007 and the Record of Decision dated April 2008 (Federal Register 2008). The VA is responsible for all development and operations of the cemetery and for protecting on-site vernal pools (those contained within the cemetery, i.e., the vernal pool islands) and adjacent lands from impacts associated with cemetery operations.

Several utility easements occur on site and are partially within the areas protected from cemetery development and operations (Figure 4). These include (1) a City of San Diego potable water main running north-south in a 50-foot (ft) wide easement in the western portion of the site,

(2) a City of San Diego reclaimed water main, blended sludge, landfill gas, and centrate line in a 40-ft wide easement cutting roughly diagonally across the site, (3) a grouping of San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E) overhead electric lines and an underground gas line in a 230-ft wide easement paralleling the western site boundary, (4) a Kinder Morgan fuel line in a 20-ft wide easement through the south-central portion of the site, (5) a City of San Diego storm drain easement of varying width perpendicular to Miramar Road in the northern portion of the site, and

(6) a 2-ft wide SDG&E easement in the northeastern comer. SDG&E also maintains an east west overhead power line along a dirt road/trail through the center of the site and in the northeastern corner. In addition, the City of San Diego has a slope easement of varying widths adjacent to Nobel Drive and Miramar Road.

Final design for Phase I of cemetery development is currently in progress and will maintain existing access to affected easements. Phase I construction does not affect access to the northeast comer of the site, where the large vernal pool complex is located. Final design of future phases will take place during the construction document process for each phase and these documents will demonstrate how access to affected easements will be maintained. Access for all easements will either be maintained in place or by providing new access points and will be coordinated with the affected parties. Management access to the northeast comer of the site also must be maintained as part of the construction phase.

2.7 FIRE HISTORY

The rate of fires in San Diego County coastal shrublands generally increased over the last half of the 20th century. Over 600 fires occurred in the foothills and mountains of San Diego County between 1910 and 1999, and several major fires in excess of 50,000 acres have occurred in recent years. Although wildfire typically occurs on MCAS Miramar each year, fire in any one area is typically much less frequent (i.e., approximately every 20 years or more; INRMP 2006).

A large portion of MCAS Miramar east of Kearny Villa Road burned in the Cedar Fire of 2003, but did not extend onto the 323-acre project site.

3.0 BIOLOGICAL RESOURCES DESCRIPTION

Vegetation community classifications follow Holland (1986); plant names follow Hickman, ed.

(1993) or Rebman and Simpson (2006). Animal nomenclature is taken from Collins and Taggart (2002) for amphibians and reptiles, American Ornithologists' Union (2008) for birds, and Baker et al. (2003) for mammals.

Natural Resource M=gement Plan for Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery Annex at MCAS Miramar IV AN-011November4, 2009 7

3.1 VEGETATION COMMUNITIES/HABITATS

Ten (10) vegetation communities/habitat types occur within the areas outside of the approved project footprint: southern willow scrub, mule fat scrub, Diegan coastal sage scrub (including disturbed), scrub oak chaparral, southern mixed chaparral, chamise chaparral (including disturbed), non-native/native grassland, non-native grassland, disturbed habitat, and developed land (Figure 3; Table 1). Numerous vernal pools and other ephemeral basins also occur within these areas (Figure 5) and are further discussed in Section 3.2.

Table 1

VEGETATION COMMUNITIES

OUTSIDE OF THE APPROVED PROJECT FOOTPRINT

Vegetation Community/Habitat* Acre(s)t Southern willow scrub (including disturbed; 63320) 1.14 Mule fat scrub (including disturbed; 63310) 0.52 Coastal and valley freshwater marsh (52410) 0.11 Diegan coastal sage scrub (including disturbed; 32500) 30.9 Scrub oak chaparral (37900) 0.2 Southern mixed chaparral (37120) 8.9 Charnise chaparral (including disturbed; 37200) 28.4 Non-native/native grassland ( 42220/42100) 17.6 Non-native grassland (42220) 8.9 Disturbed habitat ( 11300) 10.9 Developed land (12000) 1.8

TOTAL 109.4

*Vegetation categories and numerical codes are from Holland (1986) tUpland habitats are rounded to the nearest 0.1 acre, while wetland habitats are rounded to the nearest 0.01; thus, totals reflect rounding

3.1.1 Southern Willow Scrub (including disturbed)

Southern willow scrub consists of dense, broadleaved, winter-deciduous stands of trees dominated by shrubby willows (Salix sp.) in association with mule fat (Baccharis salicifolia), and often with scattered emergent cottonwood (Populus fremontii) and/or western sycamores (Platanus racemosa). This vegetation community occurs on loose, sandy or fine gravelly alluvium deposited near stream channels during flood flows. Frequent flooding maintains this early seral community, preventing succession to a riparian woodland or forest (Holland 1986).

Species observed in this habitat on site include willows, giant reed (Arundo donax), and pampas grass ( Cortaderia spp.). Approximately 1.14 acres of southern willow scrub occur in association with a drainage course in the northwestern portion of the site.

Natural Resource Management Plan for Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery Annex at MCAS Miramar IV AN-01INovember4, 2009 8

FUTURE

COMMITTAL

SHELTER &

CORTEGE

PARKING

(887)

(904)

(590)

(824) (570)

(786)

(2823)

(1901)

(745)

(1015)

(1350) (2784)

(539)

(829) (1766)

(1784)

(1783)

(874) (421)

(742)

(2332)

(2152) (2048)

(1648)

(1600)

(763)

(1374)

(683)

(630)

(601)

(3387)

(376)

(2025)

(1387)

(975)

(1486)

(803)

(1444)

(483)

(1912)

(1627)

(1426)

(1600)

(1569)

(1110)

(1616)

(588)

(647)

(2829)

(2505)

(501)

(808)

(470)

(377)

(620)

(1380)

(717)

(576)

(526)

(749)

(809)

(1366)

(1078) (563)

(636)

(458)

(678)

(569)

33 34 35

1626 999

NOPAR

KIN

G

8 7 6 5

NO PAR

KIN

G

NO

PARKIN

G

+ 5 5 T RA DI TI ON AL

384.9 2

386.9 2

384.7 3

175840

+114

+173

Miramar Road

N o b e l D ri v e

%&s(

Vegetation Communities

FORT ROSECRANS NATIONAL CEMETERY ANNEX AT MCAS MIRAMAR

Figure 3

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Feet

Southern Willow Scrub

Southern Willow Scrub-Disturbed

Mule Fat Scrub-Disturbed

Coastal and Valley Freshwater Marsh

Diegan Coastal Sage Scrub

Diegan Coastal Sage Scrub-Disturbed

Coastal Sage-Scrub Chaparral

Scrub Oak Chaparral

Southern Mixed Chaparral

Southern Mixed Chaparral-Disturbed

Chamise Chaparral

Chamise Chaparral-Disturbed

Non-Native/Native Grasslands-Disturbed

Non-Native Grassland

Non-native Grassland-Disturbed

Disturbed Habitat

Developed/Proposed Project Footprint

Project Boundary

Limits of Approved Project Footprint

SHELTER &

CORTEGE

PARKING

(887)

(904)

(590)

(824) (570)

(786)

(2823)

(1901)

(745)

(1015)

(1350) (2784)

(539)

(829) (1766)

(1784)

(1783)

(874) (421)

(742)

(2332)

(2152) (2048)

(1648)

(1600)

(763)

(1374)

(683)

(630)

(601)

(3387)

(376)

(2025)

(1387)

(975)

(1486)

(803)

(1444)

(483)

(1912)

(1627)

(1426)

(1600)

(1569)

(1110)

(1616)

(588)

(647)

(2829)

(2505)

(501)

(808)

(470)

(377)

(620)

(1380)

(717)

(576)

(526)

(749)

(809)

(1366)

(1078) (563)

(636)

(458)

(678)

(569)

33 34 35

1626 999

NOPAR

KIN

G

8 7 6 5

NO PAR

KIN

G

NO

PARKIN

G

+ 5 5 T RA DI TI ON AL

384.9 2

386.9 2

384.7 3

175840

+114

+173

Miramar Road

N o b e l D ri v e

%&s( 50' City of San Diego Water Pipeline Easement230' SDG&E

Easement

20' Kinder Morgan Fuel Line Easement

40' City of San Diego

Utility Easement

City of San Diego Slope Easement

(width varies)

City of San Diego Storm Drain Easement

(width varies)

SDG&E Overhead Power Line

SDG&E Overhead Power Line

2' City of San Diego Storm Drain Easement

Utility Easements and Phasing

FORT ROSECRANS NATIONAL CEMETERY ANNEX AT MCAS MIRAMAR

Figure 4

Job No: VAN-01 Date: 07/21/09 µ I:\ArcGIS\V\VAN-01 FortRosecrans\Map\BIO\NRMP\Fig4_Phasing.mxd -NM

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Feet

Phase 1

Phase 2

Phase 3

Phase 4

Phase 5

Phase 6

Project Boundary

Site Plan

SHELTER &

CORTEGE

PARKING

(887)

(904)

(590)

(824) (570)

(786)

(2823)

(1901)

(745)

(1015)

(1350) (2784)

(539)

(829) (1766)

(1784)

(1783)

(874) (421)

(742)

(2332)

(2152) (2048)

(1648)

(1600)

(763)

(1374)

(683)

(630)

(601)

(3387)

(376)

(2025)

(1387)

(975)

(1486)

(803)

(1444)

(483)

(1912)

(1627)

(1426)

(1600)

(1569)

(1110)

(1616)

(588)

(647)

(2829)

(2505)

(501)

(808)

(470)

(377)

(620)

(1380)

(717)

(576)

(526)

(749)

(809)

(1366)

(1078) (563)

(636)

(458)

(678)

(569)

33 34 35

1626 999

NOPAR

KIN

G

8 7 6 5

NO PAR

KIN

G

NO

PARKIN

G

+ 5 5 T RA DI TI ON AL

384.9 2

386.9 2

384.7 3

175840

+114

+173

Miramar Road

N o b e l D ri v e

%&s(

Vernal Pools/Ephemeral Basins

FORT ROSECRANS NATIONAL CEMETERY ANNEX AT MCAS MIRAMAR

Figure 5

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550 0 550275

Feet

Vernal Pool/Ephemeral Basin

Restored Pools

Project Boundary

Watersheds

Proposed Project Footprint

3.1.2 Mule Fat Scrub (including disturbed)

Mule fat scrub is a depauperate, shrubby riparian scrub community dominated by mule fat and interspersed with small willows. This vegetation community occurs along intermittent stream channels with a fairly coarse substrate and moderate depth to the water table. Species present on site include mule fat, giant reed, tamarisk (Tamarix sp.), pampas grass, and eucalyptus (Eucalyptus sp.). Approximately 0.52 acre of mule fat scrub occurs in association with a drainage course in the southern portion of the site.

3.1.3 Coastal and Valley Freshwater Marsh

Coastal and valley freshwater marsh is dominated by perennial, emergent monocots which reach a height of 12-15 feet, often forming completely closed canopies. This vegetation type occurs along the coast and in coastal valleys near river mouths and around the margins of lakes and springs.

These areas are permanently flooded by fresh water yet lack a significant current (Holland 1986).

Characteristic species on site include cattails (Typha sp.), bulrush (Scirpus sp.), smartweed (Polygonum sp.), and dock (Rumex sp.). Approximately 0.11 acre of freshwater marsh occurs in association with a drainage course in the northwestern portion of the site.

3.1.4 Diegan Coastal Sage Scrub (including disturbed)

Diegan coastal sage scrub is dominated by sub-shrubs with leaves that abscise during drought and are replaced by a lesser amount of smaller leaves. This adaptation of drought evasion allows these species to better withstand the prolonged drought period in the summer and fall in areas of low precipitation. This vegetation community may be dominated by a variety of species depending upon soil type, slope, and aspect. Typical species found within Diegan coastal sage scrub include California sagebrush (Artemisia californica), California buckwheat (Eriogonum fasciculatum ssp. fasciculatum), laurel sumac (Malosma laurina), black sage (Salvia mellifera), white sage (S. apiana), lemonade berry (Rhus integrifolia) and broom baccharis (Baccharis sarothroides). Disturbed areas of this habitat type exhibit fewer and more widely spaced shrubs with higher densities of grasses (oats [Avena spp.] and bromes [Bromus spp.]) as well as fascicled tarweed (Deinandra fasciculata). Approximately 30.9 acres of Diegan coastal sage scrub occur within the northwestern and southern portions of the site.

3.1.5 Scrub Oak Chaparral

Scrub oak chaparral is a dense, evergreen chaparral up to 20 feet tall, dominated by scrub oak with considerable mountain mahogany (Cercocarpus betuloides). Scrub oak chaparral occurs in somewhat more mesic areas than many other chaparrals, such as north facing slopes, and recovers more rapidly from fires than other chaparrals due to resprouting capabilities of scrub oak (Holland 1986; Keeley and Keeley 1988). Approximately 0.2 acre of scrub oak chaparral occurs near Nobel Drive in the western portion of the site.

3.1.6 Southern Mixed Chaparral

Southern mixed chaparral is composed of broad-leaved sclerophyllous shrubs that can reach 6 to 10 feet in height and· form dense often nearly impenetrable stands with poorly developed

Natural Resource Management Plan for Fort Rosecrans Nationol Cemetery Annex at MCAS Miramar IV AN-OJ I November 4, 2009 9 understories. In this mixed chaparral the shrubs are generally tall and deep rooted, with a well developed soil litter layer, high canopy coverage, low light levels within the canopy, and lower soil temperatures (Keeley and Keeley 1988). This vegetation community occurs on dry, rocky, often steep north-facing slopes with little soil. As conditions become more mesic, broad-leaved sclerophyllous shrubs that resprout from underground root crowns become dominant.

Depending upon relative proximity to the coast, southern mixed chaparral is dominated by chamise (Adenostoma fasciculatum), mission manzanita (Xylococcus bicolor), wart-stemmed ceanothus, Ramona lilac (Ceanothus tomentosus), white-stem wild-lilac (Ceanothus leucodermis), big-berry manzanita (Arctostaphylos glauca), and scrub oak. Approximately

8.9 acres of southern mixed chaparral occur primarily within southern and eastern portions of the site.

3.1.7 Chamise Chaparral (including disturbed)

Chamise chaparral is the most widely distributed chaparral shrub and is dominated by the species chamise. This vegetation community is found from Baja to northern California in pure or mixed stands. Chamise chaparral's ubiquitous distribution may be the result of chamise being the only chaparral species that regenerates from fire from both an underground root crown and the production of seeds (Rundel 1986). It often dominates at low elevations and on xeric south facing slopes with 60-90 percent canopy cover. Along its lower elevation limit, chamise chaparral intergrades with coastal sage scrub (Rundel 1986). Approximately 28.4 acres of chamise chaparral occur in a scattered distribution outside of the approved project footprint.

3.1.8 Non-native/Native Grassland (including disturbed)

Non-native grassland is a dense to sparse cover of annual grasses, often associated with numerous species of showy-flowered native annual forbs. This association occurs on gradual slopes with deep, fine-textured, usually clay soils. Characteristic species include oats, red brome (Bromus rubens), ripgut (B. diandrus), ryegrass (Lolium sp.), and mustard (Brassica sp.). Most of the annual introduced species that comprise the majority of species and biomass within the non-native grassland originated from the Mediterranean region, an area with a long history of agriculture and a climate similar to California.

Native grassland is a community dominated by perennial bunchgrasses such as purple needle grass (Nassella pulchra) with annual and perennial forbs such as common golden stars (Bloomeria crocea ssp. crocea) and California blue-eyed grass (Sisyrinchium bellum). Native grasslands generally occur on fine-textured soils that exclude the annual, exotic grasses. Almost all of the native grasslands in California have been displaced by non-native grassland dominated by introduced annual species. Native grasslands occur throughout California as small isolated islands.

Areas mapped as non-native/native grassland are dominated by non-native grasses and forbs but also exhibit varying amounts of cover by native bunch grasses such as needle grass.

Approximately 17 .6 acres of non-native/native grassland occur in association with vernal pool habitat in the northeastern portion of the site, as well as in the southernmost portions of the site.

Natuml Resource Management P/,anfor Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery Annex at MC4S Miramar IV AN-01INovember4, 2009 10

3.1.9 Non-native Grassland

Non-native grassland is characterized in Section 3.1.8, above. Approximately 8.9 acres of non native grassland occur in association with vernal pool habitat in the northern and northwestern portions of the site, as well as in the southernmost portion of the site.

3.1.10 Disturbed Habitat

Disturbed habitat includes land cleared of vegetation (e.g., dirt roads), land containing a preponderance of non-native plant species such as ornamentals or ruderal exotic species that take advantage of disturbance (previously cleared or abandoned landscaping), or land showing signs of past or present animal usage that removes any capability of providing viable habitat. Within the areas outside of the approved project footprint, disturbed habitat occurs in a scattered distribution and is comprised of dirt roads and other bare ground, as well as areas dominated by non-native forbs such as filaree (Erodium sp.), smooth cat's ear (Hypochaeris glabra), fennel (Foeniculum vulgare), and Russian thistle (Salsola tragus). Approximately 10.9 acres of disturbed habitat occur within these areas.

3.1.11 Developed Land

Developed land is where permanent structures and/or pavement have been placed, which prevents the growth of vegetation, or where landscaping is clearly tended and maintained.

Approximately 1.8 acres of developed land occur as a road within the northwest portion of the site.

3.2 VERNAL POOLS AND OTHER VERNAL POOL HABITATS

Vernal pools are a highly specialized habitat that support a unique flora. Vernal pools are associated with two important physical conditions: a subsurface hardpan or claypan that inhibits the downward percolation of water and a topography characterized by a series of low hummocks called mima mounds and low depressions (the vernal pools) which prevents above ground water runoff. As the result of these two physical conditions, water collects in these depressions during the rainy season. As the rainy season ends, the water that has collected in these vernal pools is gradually evaporated.