3033 Fifth ave, Suite # 315, San Diego, CA 92103 (858) 842-1800 tel [email protected] www.wra-ca.com
Narrow Endemic Rare Plant Survey Report
Whitewood Residential Development Project
CITY OF MURIETTA, RIVERSIDE COUNTY, CALIFORNIA
Prepared For:
Sancerra
2618 San Miguel Dr, Suite 1223
Newport Beach, CA 92660
WRA Contacts:
Michael Nieto
[email protected]
Date:
Revised May 2024
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1 TABLE OF CONTENTS
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY .................................................................................................................................. 3
1.0 INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................................................... 4
1.1 Study Area Description ............................................................................................. 4
1.1.1 Soils ............................................................................................................. 4
1.1.2 Plant Communities ......................................................................................... 5
1.2 Survey Information .................................................................................................. 7
2.0 METHODS ............................................................................................................................................ 7
2.1 Background Data ..................................................................................................... 7
2.2 Rare Plant Surveys ................................................................................................... 9
3.0 RESULTS ............................................................................................................................................... 9
3.1 Background Data Search Results ................................................................................ 9
3.2 Field Survey Results ................................................................................................10
4.0 SUMMARY ......................................................................................................................................... 11
5.0 REFERENCES ...................................................................................................................................... 12
LIST OF APPENDICES
Appendix A – Figures
Appendix B – Potential Sensitive Plant Species within the Study Area Appendix C – List of Plant Species Observed within the Study Area
2 LIST OF PREPARERS
Michael Nieto- Principal in Charge
Tyler Hanson – Associate Botanist
3 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
WRA, Inc. (WRA) conducted protocol -level, floristic rare plant surveys within the Whitewood I (West) Residential Development (Study Area) on April 29 and May 20th, 2022 . Prior to the initial survey, WRA reviewed the California Native Plant Society’s (CNPS) Inventory of Endangered and Rare Plants, the United States Fish and Wildlife Service’s (USFWS) Information for Planning and Conservation Trust Resource Report, and the California Natural Diversity Database (CNDDB) lists to determine which species have been documented in the vicinity of the Study Area. Based on a review of occurrence records and a comparison of species habitat requirements with Study Area conditions, it was determined that a total of five (5) rare plant species had a moderate to high likelihood to occur within the Study Area.
Surveys were conducted by trained botanists familiar with the flora of Southern California. Surveys were performed using meandering transects covering the entire project area and were floristic in nature (i.e. all plants observed were identified to the lo west level possible to determine rarity, often subspecies or variety). The 2022 spring and summer survey dates correspond to the peak identifiable periods of the species that were considered to have potential to occur in the Study Area. Precipitation pre ceding the surveys was below normal.
In total, 40 plant species were identified in the Study Area. Of these, a total of four (4) sensitive plant species were observed in the Study Area including: Intermediate mariposa lily ( Calochortus weedii var. intermedius), Parry’s spineflower (Chorizanthe parryi var. parryi), long- spined spineflower (Chorizanthe polygonoides var. longispina), and San Diego tarweed (Deinandra paniculata).
4 1.0 INTRODUCTION
WRA, Inc. (WRA) conducted protocol-level, floristic rare plant surveys within the Survey Area. The Survey Area consists of approximately 17.26 acres in the northeastern portion of the City of Murrieta. From a regional perspective, the Project site is located 0.26 mile west of the French Valley area of unincorporated Riverside County. Interstate 215 (I-215) is located 0.6 mile west of the Project site. Specifically, the Project site is located east of Whitewood Road, north of Clinton Keith Road (Appendix A: Figures 1 and 2).
The western Riverside County Multiple Species Habitat Conservation Plan (MSHCP) requires rare plant habitat assessments, surveys, and impact evaluations for special- status plant (Narrow Endemic Plant Species Survey Areas [NEPSSAs] and Criteria Area Species Survey Areas [CASSAs]) species . The Project is outside of a criteria cell but lies within an established NEPSSA. Habitat assessments and surveys were conducted for all rare plants as well as two (2) MSHCP Narrow Endemic species : Munz’s onion ( Allium munzii) and Orcutt’s grass (Orcuttia californica).
Surveys were conducted on two dates in 2022 (April 29 and May 20) for the evaluation of both early and late blooming species. These two survey dates correspond to the peak identifiable periods of the species that were considered to have potential to occur in the Study Area.
1.1 Study Area Description
The Study Area is approximately 17.59 acres in size. The Study Area is located of four parcels in the within the City of Murietta and is located w ithin the Murrietta U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) 7.5 -minute quadrangle (USGS 2018). The Study Area is a combination of recent high-density development, new road infrastructure, and older sparse rural single-family homes. It is located at the intersection of Whitewood and Clinton Keith (see Figure 1).
The Study Area consists primarily of disturbed bare ground, developed areas, chamise chaparral, southern coast live oak riparian woodland vegetation. Topography on site contains gently rolling hills disrupted by graded residential pads and small valleys cut by flowing water associated with the unnamed stream on the property. Elevations within the Study Area range from approximately 1430 feet to 1490 feet in elevation. Historically, the Study Area was open space with some amount of ranching in the immediate vicinity (NETR 2022).
The average monthly maximum temperature in the area is 80.6 degrees Fahrenheit, while the average monthly minimum temperature is 47.2 degrees Fahrenheit. Predominantly, precipitation falls as rainfall between November and March with an annual average precipitation of 12.01 inches (WRCC 2022).
1.1.1 Soils
The online soil survey of the Study Area (California Soil Resources Lab [CSRL] 2022) indicates that the Study Area has four native soil types: Cajalco fine sandy loam, Cajalco rocky sandy loam, Cajalco rocky fine sandy loam, and Las Posas loam. These soil types are described below and are shown on Figure 3. 5 • Cajalco fine sandy loam (CaC2), 2 to 8 percent slopes, eroded . The Cajalco fine sandy loams are composed of 85 percent Cajalco and similar soils and 15 percent of minor components. These soils are well-drained with medium surface runoff.
• Cajalco rocky fine sandy loam (CbD2), 5 to 15 percent slopes, eroded. The Cajalco rocky fine sandy loam are composed of 75 percent Cajalco and similar soils and 25 percent minor components.
These soils are well-drained with medium surface runoff.
• Cajalco rocky fine sandy loam (CbF2), 15 to 50 percent slopes, eroded. The Cajalco rocky fine sandy loam are composed of 75 percent Cajalco and similar soils and 25 percent minor components.
These soils are well-drained with a high surface runoff.
• Las Posas loam (LaD2), 8 to 15 percent slopes, eroded . The Las Posas loam are composed of 85 percent Cajalco and similar soils and 15 percent minor components. These soils are well-drained with very high surface runoff.
1.1.2 Plant Communities
A total of nine plant communities occur in the Study Area. Biological communities are described in detail below and are shown in Figure 4.
Developed Area (no vegetation alliance). CDFW Rank: None. Approximately 1.23 acres of the Study Area is developed area. In these areas, vegetation is minimal and is primarily bare ground (i.e., dirt roads and driveways) or structures. What vegetation is present is composed of scattered annual weeds such as short-pod mustard (Hirschfeldia incana) or ornamental trees such as Eucalyptus sp. This community is not considered sensitive by CDFW or any other regulatory entity.
Disturbed/Ruderal Area (no vegetation alliance). CDFW Rank: None. Developed/ruderal areas total 6.95 acres within the Study Area. These areas intergrade with areas of mature chamise chaparral and are potentially managed as defensible space or for fuels management reasons. Vegetation is varied in terms of dominance across the Study Area but typically include one or more of the following species: California buckwheat, deerweed, paniculate tarplant, short -pod mustard, and yellow annual sweet clover.
Additional species that are found within these areas include tocalote, red brome, rattail sixweeks grass, and common sand aster. This community is not considered sensitive by CDFW or any other regulatory agency.
Diegan Coastal Sage Scrub ( restored). G5/S5. CDFW Rank: Not sensitive. Approximately 1.18 acres of Diegan coastal sage scrub (restored) were observed within the study area. The Diegan coastal sage scrub is associated with the cut slope facing Clinton Keith Road along the southern boundary of the survey area.
Given the standard plant palette, evidence of irrigation, and land use history, this vegetation type is likely planted a part of a native plant erosion control/habitat restoration program.
Chamise Chaparral (Adenostoma fasciculatum Shrubland Alliance). G5/S5. CDFW Rank: Not sensitive .
Chamise chaparral totals 7.27 acres of the Study Area with the largest stands of the vegetation community located in the far eastern and central sections of the Study Area. Chamise chaparral occurs throughout cismontane California from lower mountain slopes to coastal bluffs. Chamise chaparral stands in the Study 6 Area is dominated by chamise with other shrubs such as deerweed, California buckwheat, and lemonade berry (Rhus integrifolia) providing less than five percent cover. Annual groundcover is sparse within the community and include common annual species found across the Study Area such as red brome, tocalote, short-pod mustard, and Cryptantha sp. This community is not considered sensitive by CDFW or any other regulatory agency.
Coast Live Oak Woodland ( Quercus agrifolia Forest & Woodland Alliance). G5/S4. CDWF Rank: Not sensitive. Coast live oak woodland total 0.35 acres in the northwest corner of the Study Area. Coast live oak woodland occurs along cismontane coastal foothills and valleys from San Diego County to southern Mendocino County. Coast live oak is the dominant species of the upper canopy for this alliance with red willow (Salix laevigata), blue elderberry ( Sambucus nigra ssp. caerulea), and poison oak ( Toxicodendron diversilobum) forming a mixed, woody mid canopy. Herbaceous groundcover is sparse and primarily composed of ripgut brome (Bromus diandrus) and iris-leaved rush (Juncus xiphioides).
Unvegetated streambed. (no vegetation alliance). CDFW Rank: Sensitive . Approximately 0.05 acres of unvegetated streambed habitat was observed within the project area. Stream bed habitat is composed of small, linear unvegetated features caused by the flow of water.
Mulefat Scrub (Bacharris salisifolia shrubland alliance) G4/S4, CDFW Rank: Not sensitive. Mulefat scrub total 0.04 acres in the southwest corner of the Study Area and are associated with a culvert at the intersection of Clinton Keith Road and Whitewood Road. The shrubland alliance occurs throughout the state except for the southeast deserts, high elevations of the Sierra Nevada range, and in the far northeast of the state. The alliance is commonly found in canyon bottoms, floodplains, and stream margins. Th is community is not considered sensitive; however, within the Study Area the community is associated with a stream, which may be considered riparian habitat and sensitive by CDFW as riparian habitat.
Emergent Marsh. CDFW Rank: Sensitive. Emergent marsh totals 0.01 acres and includes areas dominated by herbaceous, low -growing hydrophytic vegetation often rooted in shallow water adjacent to a larger waterbody such as a stream or lake. Emergent marsh within the Study Area is associated with a northeast trending drainage. The dominant vegetation within the emergent marsh is iris-leaved rush, and included annual beard grass ( Polypogon monspeliensis), seep monkeyflower ( Mimulus guttata), poison hemlock (Conium maculatum ), and curly dock ( Rumex crispus ). Emergent marshlands are sensitive biological communities.
Southern Willow Scrub. (Salix gooddingii - Salix laevigata Forest & Woodland Alliance). G4/S3. CDFW Rank: Sensitive. Southern willow scrub totals 0.53 acres located in the northwest quarter of the Project Area. The forest and woodland alliance occurs throughout the state except for high elevation in the Sierra Nevada range and in the far northeast of the state. The alliance is commonly found along large rivers and canyon terraces, lake edges, seeps, springs, and stream floodplains. The dominant vegetation within the southern willow scrub is red willow (Salix laevigata) in the tree canopy with Fremont’s cottonwood (Populus fremontii) and coast live oak also present. Shrub cover within the alliance included coyote bush (Baccharis pilularis) and poison oak. Herbaceous cover was light and included iris -leaved rush, annual beard grass, annual yellow sweet clover, and poison h emlock. Southern willow scrub are sensitive biological communities.
7 1.2 Survey Information
Protocol-level rare plant surveys were conducted in a manner that will locate any rare plants species that may be present. The California Native Plant Society’s (CNPS 2022) guidelines state that surveys should be conducted “at the proper time of year when rare, threatened, or endangered species are both evident and identifiable”. Usually, this timeline refers to when the subject species is in bloom; however, there are species that are identifiable outside of the blooming period because non-floral structures (e.g., leaves or roots) are sufficient to make a species determination and/or floral structures (e.g. , fruits or buds) are necessary to be in a state of maturity beyond or prior to the documented blooming period. When rare plants are known to occur in the type(s) of habitat present in the Study Area , nearby accessible occurrences of the plant (reference sites) should be observed to determine that the plants are identifiable at the time of the survey. In addition, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW 2022a) and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service ( USFWS 2022) give detailed instructions pertaining to the adequacy of surveys and results. The following section provides details related to precipitation and other conditions that may affect the survey results and includes detailed information about the results of previous surveys conducted in the Study Area.
1.2.1 Conditions Affecting Results
The CDFW plant survey guidelines (CDFW 2022) state that “adverse conditions may prevent investigators from determining the presence of, or accurately identifying, some species in potential habitat of target species. Disease, drought, predation, or herbivory may preclude the presence or identification of target species in any given year.
The CDFW plant survey guidelines (CDFW 2022) also state that “the failure to locate a known rare plant occurrence during one field season does not constitute evidence that this plant occurrence no longer exists at this location, particularly if adverse conditions are present. For example, surveys over a number of years may be necessary if the species is an annual plant having a persistent, long -lived seed bank and is known not to germinate every year. To further substantiate negative findings for a known occurrence, a visit to a nearby reference site may ensure that the timing of the survey was appropriate.”
2.0 METHODS
2.1 Background Data
Rare plants are defined here to include: (1) all plants that are federal- or state-listed as rare, threatened, or endangered, (2) all federal and state candidates for listing, (3) all plants included in Ranks 1 through 4 of the CNPS Inventory of Rare, Threated, and Endangered Plants of California (Inventory; CNPS 2022a), and (4) plants that qualify under the definition of "rare" in the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), section 15380.
A background information search was conducted to identify potential rare plant species that may occur in the Study Area vicinity. A table of these species, which summarizes their protection status, habitat requirements, and likelihood to occur in the Study Area is provided in Appendix A. Database searches were conducted for known occurrences of rare species in the Murrieta USGS 7.5-minute quadrangle and the eight surrounding quadrangles (USGS 2022). Sources included:
8 • California Natural Diversity Database (CNDDB; CDFW 2022b) • CNPS Inventory (CNPS 2022a)
• USFWS IPaC (USFWS 2022a)
• Consortium of California Herbaria (CCH 2022)
All rare plant species documented within the vicinity of the Study Area were then assessed based on associated vegetation communities, soil affinity, associated species, topographic position, shade tolerance, disturbance tolerance, elevation, and population distribution to determine the potential for these species to occur in the Study Area (Appendix B).
Special-status species considered in this evaluation are those that are listed as endangered or threatened under either the Federal Endangered Species Act or California Endangered Species Act, including those that are candidates or are proposed for listing ; species designated as rare, protected, or fully protected under the California Fish and Game Code; species designated as Species of Special Concern or Watch List species by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife; those designated as rare or endangered under Section 15380 of the California Environmental Quality Act; or those having a California Rare Plant Rank of 1A, 1B, 2A, 2B, or 3. In addition, the MSHCP maintains a list of covered species for which take coverage is included. Impacts to species on the MSHCP list would not require additional mitigation measures.
Potential occurrence of special-status species in the Study Area was evaluated by first determining which special-status species occur in the vicinity of the Study Area through a literature and database review as described above. Presence of suitable habitat for special-status species was evaluated during the site visit based on physical and biological conditions of the site as well as the professional expertise of the investigating biologists. The potential for each special-status species to occur in the Study Area was then determined according to the following criteria:
• No Potential . Habitat on and adjacent to the site is clearly unsuitable for the species requirements (foraging, breeding, cover, substrate, elevation, hydrology, plant community, site history, disturbance regime).
• Unlikely. Few of the habitat components meeting the species requirements are present, and/or the majority of habitat on and adjacent to the site is unsuitable or of very poor quality. The species is not likely to be found on the site.
• Moderate Potential. Some of the habitat components meeting the species requirements are present, and/or only some of the habitat on or adjacent to the site is unsuitable. The species has a moderate probability of being found on the site.
• High Potential. All of the habitat components meeting the species requirements are present and/or most of the habitat on or adjacent to the site is highly suitable. The species has a high probability of being found on the site.
• Present. Species is observed on the site or has been recorded (i.e., CNDDB, other reports) on the site in the recent past.
9 2.2 Rare Plant Surveys
Floristic in nature, protocol-level rare plant surveys were conducted on April 29, and May 20, 2022. The surveys entailed using meandering transects across the entirety of the Study Area, with a disproportionate focus in areas thought to be suitable for rare species and sensitive natural communities. The survey dates correspond to the peak blooming periods for observing and accurately identifying hundreds of plant species in Riverside County, including the various species with a moderate or high potential to occur in the Study Area.
The surveys followed the protocol for plant surveys described in recommended resource agency guidelines (CDFW 2022a, CNPS 2022, USFWS 2022 ). All plants were identified using the Jepson eFlora (Jepson Flora Project 2022) to the taxonomic level necessary to determine whether or not they were rare.
Names given follow the Jepson Flora Project (20 22). Sensitive natural communities were identified following A Manual of California Vegetation, Online Edition ( CNPS 2022b), the California Fish and Game Code, or other applicable regulations (such as the Clean Water Act). Plant surveys were floristic in nature with all observed species recorded and included on a species list provided in Appendix C. All rare plant populations and sensitive natural community locations were mapped using a combination of handheld Global Positioning System equipment with sub-meter accuracy and interpretation of recent aerial imagery (Google Earth 2022) based on field observations.
3.0 RESULTS
3.1 Background Data Search Results
Based on a review of the resource datab ases listed in Section 3.2.1, seven rare plant species have been documented in the vicinity of the Study Area , which was defined to include the Murrietta 7.5-minute quadrangle and eight surrounding quadr angles. Appendix B summarizes the potential for these seven species to occur within the Study Area.
A total of seven special-status plant species have been documented within 2 miles of the Study Area. Of these, four have a moderate to high likelihood of being found within study area. These species include:
• Intermediate Mariposa Lily (Calochortus weedii var. intermedius) • Parry’s spineflower (Chorizanthe parryii var. parri)
• Long-spined spineflower (Chorizanthe polygonoides var. longispina) • Palmer’s grapplinghook (Harpagonella palmeri)
Intermediate mariposa lily ( Calochortus weedii var. intermedius). CNPS Rank 1B.2. MSHCP Covered Group 2. High Potential. Intermediate mariposa lily is a native perennial bulb in the lily family (Liliacea) that typically is observed blooming from blooms from May to July. It is known from the foothills of Orange, Los Angeles, and western Riverside Counties in southern California It typically occurs on heavy or rocky soils within coastal sage scrub, chaparral, and valley and foothill grassland vegetation at elevations ranging from 0 to 6200 feet (CDFW 2022, CNPS 2022a).
10 Intermediate mariposa lily has a high potential to occur within the Study Area due to the presence of suitable soil types, vegetation associations and known associated species and the fact that this species has been documented in similar conditions near the Study Area.
Parry’s spineflower ( Chorizanthe parryii var. parri). CNPS Rank 1B.1. MSHCP Covered Group 2. High Potential. Parry’s spineflower is an annual herb endemic to California in the buckwheat family (Polygonaceae) that has been observed blooming from April through June. It is typically observed growing in sandy soils within gaps of sparse coastal sage scrub and chaparral in Los Angeles and Riverside counties at elevations ranging from 200 and 2400 feet (CDFW 2022, CNPS 2022a).
Parry’s spineflower has a high potential to occur within the Study Area due to the presence of suitable soil types, vegetation associations, and known associated species and the fact that this species has been documented in similar conditions near the Study Area.
Long-spined spineflower (Chorizanthe polygonoides var. longispina). CNPS Rank 1B.2. MSHCP Covered Group 2. High Potential . Parry’s spineflower is an annual herb endemic to California in the buckwheat family (Polygonaceae) that has been observed blooming from April through July. It is typically found in sandy to gravelly soil in gaps within sparse coastal sage scrub and chaparral as well as within valley grassland meadows. This species ranges from 100 to 4,500 feet. (CDFW 2022, CNPS 2022a).
Long-spined spineflower has a high potential to occur within the Study Area due to the presence of suitable soil types, vegetation associations, and known associated species and the fact that this species has been documented in similar conditions near the Study Area.
Palmer’s grappling hook (Harpagonella palmeri). CNPS Rank 4.2. MSHCP Covered Group 2 . Palmer’s grappling hook is an annual herb in the borage family (Boraginaceae) that typically blooms from March through May. It is known from the foothills of Orange, Los Angeles, western Riverside , and San Diego counties in southern California It typically occurs on dry slopes or mesas in sandy, clay, or gravelly soils within coastal sage scrub, chaparral, and valley and foothill grassland vegetation at elevations ranging from 0 to 1500 feet (CDFW 2022, CNPS 2022a).
Palmer’s grappling hook has a high potential to occur within the Study Area due to the presence of suitable soil types, vegetation and known associated species and the fact that this species has been documented in similar conditions near the Study Area.
3.2 Field Survey Results
A total of four rare plant species were observed in the Study Area and are shown in Table 1 and discussed below. Locations of observed rare plant species are shown in Figure 5. 11 TABLE 1. RARE PLANTS OBSERVED WITHIN THE STUDY AREA
SPECIES COMMON NAME SENSITIVITY STATUS POPULATION SIZE Calochortus weedii var. intermedius Intermediate mariposa lily MSHCP, CRPR 1B.2
6 Chorizanthe parryi var. parryi Parry’s spineflower MSHCP CRPR 1B.1
~12,000
Chorizanthe polygonoides var.
longispina
Long-spined spineflower MSHCP
CRPR 1B.2
150
Deinandra paniculata San Diego tarweed CRPR 4.2 ~ 22,000
Intermediate mariposa lily. CNPS Rank 1B.2 . A total o f six individuals were observed in the northwest corner of the Study Area within the disturbed/ruderal vegetation community. Individuals were often associated with shrubs such as California buckwheat and deerweed (see Figure 5).
Parry’s spineflower . CNPS Rank 1B.1. Approximately 12,000 individuals of Parry’s spineflower were observed within the Study Area. As a small, widespread annual species this population number represents a best estimate. This taxon was widespread and abundant on sandy soil within clearings of disturbed and undisturbed chamise chaparral in the southwestern portion of the study area (see Figure 5).
Long-spined spineflower. CNPS Rank 1B.2. Approximately 150 individuals of long spined spineflower were observed within the Study Area. Th is population was observed to be associated with clearing in chamise chaparral and Diegan coastal sage scrub in the southwestern portion of the Study area and grew adjacent to and within populations of the more widespread Parry’s spineflower (see Figure 5).
San Diego tarweed. CNPS Rank 4.2. Approximately 22,000 individuals of San Diego tarweed were observed within the Study Area. As a small, widespread annual species, this population number represents a best estimate San Diego tarweed is not covered by the MSHCP, is an annual which has a CNPS California Rare Plant Rank (CRPR) of 4.2. San Diego tarplant is not state or federally listed as threatened or endangered, and List 4 plants have a low sensitivity ranking in the CNPS system as “Plants of Limited Distribution - a Watch List. ” This taxon was observed to be widespread and abundant within ruderal vegetation communities and within gaps and spaces within chamise chaparral within the survey area (see Figure 5).
4.0 SUMMARY
Based on a review of literature and site assessments, the Study Area contained potentially suitable habitat for 7 rare plant species. Protocol-level surveys were conducted in April and May of 2022 during the peak blooming period for the 7 rare plant species with the potential to occur in the Study Area. A total of 40 plant species were observed by WRA in the Study Area during the 20 22 surveys, including 4 sensitive species: intermediate mariposa lily, parry’s spineflower, long-spined spineflower, and San Diego tarweed.
No MSHCP narrow endemic plant species were observed during sensitive species surveys.
12 5.0 REFERENCES
CCH 2022 Data provided by the participants of the Consortium of California Herbaria. Available online at: http://ucjeps.berkeley.edu/consortium/; most recently accessed: May 2022.
CDFW 2022 Protocols for Surveying and Evaluating Impacts to Rare Native Plant Populations and Natural Communities. State of California, California Natural Resources Agency, Department of Fish and Wildlife, Riverside.
March 2022.
CDFW 2022a California Natural Diversity Database. California Department of Fish and Wildlife. Biogeographic Data Branch, Vegetation Classification and Mapping Program, Riverside, California. Available online at:
http://www.dfg.ca.gov/biogeodata/cnddb/mapsanddata.asp; most recently accessed: May 2022.
CDFW 2022b Natural Communities. Biogeographic Data Branch. Available online at:
https://www.wildlife.ca.gov/data/VegCAMP/Natural-
Communities/Background#sensitive%20natural%20communities; most recently accessed: May 2022.
CNPS 2022 CNPS Botanical Survey Guidelines. Riverside, California. Available online at:
http://cnps.org/cnps/rareplants/pdf/cnps_survey_guidelines.pdf; most recently accessed: May 2022.
CNPS 2022a Inventory of Rare and Endangered Plants (online edition, v8-03 0.39).
Riverside, California. Online at: http://rareplants.cnps.org/; most recently accessed: May 2022.
CNPS 2022b A Manual of California Vegetation, Online Edition. Riverside, California.
Available online at: http://vegetation.cnps.org/; most recently accessed: May 2022.
CSRL 2022 Online Soil Survey. Online at:
http://casoilresource.lawr.ucdavis.edu/drupal; most recently accessed:
May 2022.
Google Earth 2022 Aerial Imagery 1993-2022. Most recently accessed: May 2022.
Jepson Flora Project 2022 Jepson eFlora. Available online at:
http://ucjeps.berkeley.edu/IJM.html;most recently accessed: May 2022.
13 NETR 2022 Historic Aerials Website. Available online at:
http://www.historicaerials.com; most recently accessed: May 2022.
USFWS 2022 Guidelines for Conducting and Reporting Botanical Inventories for Federally Listed, Proposed, and Candidate Plants. Riverside Fish and Wildlife Office. September.
USFWS 2022a IPaC - Information for Planning and Conservation Trust Resource Report. Riverside Fish and Wildlife Office. Available online:
http://ecos.fws.gov/ipac/; most recently accessed: May 2022.
USGS 2018 Murrietta 7.5-minute Quadrangle map.
WRCC 2022 Record for Elsinore, California (04805), Period of Record Monthly Climate Summary. Period of Record: 03-10-1897 to 05-17-2022
APPENDIX A.
FIGURES
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Path: L:\Acad 2000 Files\31000\31314\GIS\ArcMap\31314Base.aprx Project Area
View Extent
0 10.5
Miles
Sources: National Geographic, WRA | Prepared By: njander, 12/13/2021
Figure 1. Study Area Location
Whitewood Residential Development Project
Riverside County, California
±
Arendt L
n
Clin ton K eith Rd
Clinton Ke ith Rd
Whitewood
Rd
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US Feet
Sources: USDA NAIP Imagery 2020, WRA | Prepared By: njander, 12/13/2021
Figure 2. Aerial Photograph of Study Area
Whitewood Residential Development Project
Riverside County, California
±
Project Area (17.59 ac.)
Arendt L
n
Clin ton K eith Rd
Clinton Ke ith Rd
Whitewood
Rd
CaC2
LaD2
CbF2
CbD2
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US Feet
Sources: USDA NAIP Imagery 2020, WRA | Prepared By: njander, 8/5/2022 Figure 3. Soils Mapped within Survey Area
Whitewood Residential Development Project
Riverside County, California
Project Area (17.59 ac.)
CaC2 Cajalco fine sandy loam, 2 to 8 percent slopes, eroded CbD2 Cajalco rocky fine sandy loam, 5 to 15 percent slopes, eroded CbF2 Cajalco rocky fine sandy loam, 15 to 50 percent slopes, eroded LaD2 Las Posas loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes, eroded
White
w
oo
d
Rd
Mooref ie ld St
W
hitewo
od R
d
Whitewo d Rd
Clinton Keith Rd
Rocky Glen Pl
Cli nt on Ke it h R d
Rocky Glen Pl
Arendt L
n
Clinton Keith Rd
Arendt Ln
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Fee
t
o
Sources: USDA NAIP Imagery 2020, Western Riverside Co Regional Conservation Authority, WRA | Prepared By: njander, 5/14/2024
Figure 4. Vegetation Communities within Project Area
Whitewood Residential Development Project
Riverside County, California
±
Project Area (17.59 ac.)
Land Cov
er Type
Chamise Chaparral (7.25 ac.)
Coastal sage scrub (restored) (1.18 ac.)
Developed (1.24 ac.)
Disturbed/Ruderal (6.94 ac.)
Mulefat Scrub (0.04 ac.)
Stream (0.05 ac.)
Coast Live Oak Woodland (0.35 ac.)
Emergent Marsh (0.01 ac.)
Southern Willow Scrub (0.53 ac.)
Moorfield S t
Whitewood Rd
W
hitewood Rd
Clinton Ke ith Rd Clinton Ke ith Rd
Arendt Ln
Arendt Ln
Clinton Keith Rd
Path: L:\Acad 2000 Files\31000\31314\GIS\ArcMap\31314Base.aprx Sources: USDA NAIP Imagery 2020, Western Riverside Co Regional Conservation Authority, WRA | Prepared By: njander, 10/7/2022 0 10050
Feet
Figure 5. Observed Special-Status Plant Species
in the Study Area
Whitewood Residential Development Project
Riverside County, California
Project Area (17.59 ac.)
Chorizathe parryi var. parryi (0.38 ac.)
Deinandra paniculata (1.05 ac.)
Calochortus weedii
Chorizathe parryi var. parryi
Chorizathe poligoniides var. longispina
Deinandra paniculata
APPENDIX B.
POTENTIAL FOR RARE PLANT SPECIES
TO OCCUR IN THE STUDY AREA
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Special-Status Plant Species with the Potential to Occur within the Study Area
SPECIES CONSERVATION STATUS MSHCP STATUS HABITAT POTENTIAL TO OCCUR Special Status Plant Species
California orcutt grass
Orcuttia californica
Federal Endangered
California Endangered
CRPR 1B.1
MSHCP Covered,
Narrow Endemic
DBESP species
Vernal pools. 10-660 m. No potential. The Study
Area consists primarily of
disturbed native scrub,
southern willow scrub and
lacks suitable vernal pool
features for this species.
Intermediate Mariposa Lily
Calochortus weedii var.
intermedius
CRBR 1B.2 MSHCP Covered Coastal Sage Scrub, Chaparral, Valley Grassland
High. Habitat available
onsite and specimens have
been documented in
adjacent, similar habitats.
Smooth tarplant
Centromadia pungens ssp. laevis
CRPR 1B.1 MSHCP Covered,
DBESP species
Additional Survey
needs
Valley and foothill grassland, chenopod
scrub, meadows and seeps, playas,
riparian woodland. Alkali meadow, alkali
scrub; also in disturbed places. 5-1170 m.
Moderate potential.
Degraded habitat for the
species occurs on the site.
Parry’s spineflower
Chorizanthe parryii var. parri
CRPR 1B.1 MSHCP Covered Annual herb; openings in chapparal and coastal sage scrub. 30-2,500 m
High. Habitat available
onsite and specimens have
been documented in
adjacent, similar habitats.
Long-spined spineflower
Chorizanthe polygonoides var.
longispina
CRBR 1B.2 MSHCP Covered Coastal Sage Scrub, Chaparral, Valley Grassland
High. Habitat available
onsite and specimens have
been documented in
adjacent, similar habitats.
SPECIES CONSERVATION STATUS MSHCP STATUS HABITAT POTENTIAL TO OCCUR Palmer’s grapplinghook
Harpagonella palmeri
CRBR 4.2 MSHCP Covered Coastal Sage Scrub, Chaparral, Valley Grassland
High. Habitat available
onsite and specimens have
been documented in
adjacent, similar habitats.
Spreading navarretia
Navarretia fossalis
Federal Threatened
CRPR 1B.1
MSHCP Covered,
Narrow Endemic
Vernal pools, chenopod scrub, marshes
and swamps, playas. San Diego hardpan
and San Diego claypan vernal pools; in
swales & vernal pools, often surrounded
by other habitat types. 15-850 m.
No potential. The Study
Area consists primarily of
disturbed native scrub,
southern willow scrub and
lacks suitable vernal pool
features for this species.
APPENDIX C.
LIST OF PLANT SPECIES OBSERVED WITHIN THE STUDY AREA
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Scientific Name Common Name
Acourtia microcephela Sacapellote
Acmispon glaber Deerweed
Adenostoma fasciculatum Chamise
Ambrosia acanthicarpa Annual burrweed
Ambrosia psilostachya Ragweed
Artemisia californica Coastal sage brush
Avena barbata Slim oat
Bromus madritensis Foxtail brome
Centaurea melitensis Tocalote
Chorizanthe parryi Parry's spineflower
Cneoridium dumosum Bushrue
Daucus pusillus Wild carrot
Deinandra fasciculata Clustered tarweed
Eriastrum filifolium Lavender eriastrum
Erigeron coulteri Coulter's daisy
Erigeron foliosus Leafy daisy
Erigeron multiceps Kern River daisy
Erigonum fasciculatum California buckwheat
Erigonum fasciculatum foliolosum California buckwheat
Erodium cicutarium Red stemmed filaree
Gutierrezia sarothrae Matchweed
Hirschfeldia incana Mustard
Leymus condenstatus Canyon prince wild rye
Marah macrocarpa Chilicothe
Mimulus guttatus Seep Monkeyflower
Mirabilis leavis Wishbone bush
Navarretia hamata Hooked navarritea
Nicotiana quadrivalvis Indian tobacco
Oncosiphon pilulifer stinket
Phacelia cicutaria Caterpillar phacelia
Polypogon monspelienis Annual beard-grass
Pseudognaphalium luteoalbum Jersey cudweed
Quercus agrifola Coast live oak
Rhus tribolata Sugar bush
Rumex crispus Curly dock
Schimus barbatus Old han schismus
Schistidium terebinthifolius Brazilian peppertree
Stephanomeria exigua Small wirelettuce
Zeltnera venusta Charming centaury