HomeMy WebLinkAboutPA2023-0034_20230206_GLA Pre-Construction Survey Finding Letter 2-17-2021TECHNICAL MEMORANDUM
1940 E Deere Avenue, Suite 250 ● Santa Ana, California 92705 ● 949.837.0404
PROJECT NUMBER:10850007BLUF
TO: Pua Whitford, CAA Planning
FROM: Tony Bomkamp
DATE: February 17, 2021
SUBJECT: Pre-Construction Avian Surveys for Park Newport Rockfall Mitigation Project (PA2021-008), Emergency Coastal Development Permit No. CD2021-001
On February 16, 2021 I conducted a pre-construction survey for the federally-listed coastal California gnatcatcher at the above-referenced site at the corner of Back Bay Drive and San
Joaquin Hills Road in accordance with the Orange County Central Coastal NCCP/HCP “NCCP Construction Measures”.
SITE CONDITIONS
The area, subject repairs/remediation, consists of a steep slope, a portion of which contains a large unvegetated rocky outcrop and other portions of the slope been recently disturbed by a landslide that removed vegetation from portions of the slope. The area immediately below the proposed work area supported a dense mat of fig marigold (ice plant) (Carpobrotus edulis) that extended to near the edge of Back Bay Drive. The area subject to the work efforts supported no
native habitat, specifically coastal sage scrub. Surrounding areas included big saltbush (Atriplex
lentiformus), black mustard (Brassica nigra), and a mosaic of various native shrubs and non-native species, including coast goldenbush (Isocoma menziesii), California bush sunflower (Encelia californica), coyote brush (Baccharis pilularis), lollipop plant (Myoporum laetum), summer mustard (Hirschfeldia incana), and non-native Mediterranean grasses.
NCCP CONSTRUCTION MEASURES
Because the area subject to subject repairs/remediation, contained no coastal sage scrub and
adjacent areas were not subject to any other disturbance such as grading, equipment staging, etc., it was not necessary to implement any of the minimization measures, except for the pre-construction survey requirement:
Additionally, prior to the commencement of grading operations or other activities
involving disturbances CSS, a survey will be conducted to locate gnatcatchers and cactus
3 - Pre-Construction Survey
MEMORANDUM February 17, 2021
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wrens within 100 feet of the outer extent of projected soil disturbance activities, and the locations of any such species shall be clearly marked and identified on the
construction/grading plans.
While the project did not require disturbance of any coastal sage scrub, a pre-construction survey was conducted within 100 feet of the project work limits. No coastal California gnatcatchers were detected during the surveys and, thus it was not necessary to mark any locations. In
addition, there is no suitable habitat for the cactus wren in the vicinity of the site, and cactus
wren was also not detected. CONCLUSIONS
The project exhibits no potential for impacts to coastal sage scrub and surveys for the coastal California gnatcatcher and cactus wren were conducted, as noted above. The project is thus in compliance with the NCCP Construction Minimization Measures. It should also be noted that the project plans have incorporated native scrub elements in the seed mix for post construction
erosion control including:
Quailbush (Atriplex lentiformis) 3 lbs./acre California bush sunflower (Encelia californica) 3 lbs./acre Coast Goldenbush (Isocoma menziesii) 3 lbs./acre