County of Tuolumne

Transcription

County of Tuolumne

APPENDIX
Biological Resources Review Guide
Draft
July 19, 2011 November 17, 2011
Prepared for:
County of Tuolumne
Community Development Department
48 W. Yaney Avenue
Sonora, CA 95370
Prepared by:
Michael Brandman Associates
2000 ‘O’ Street, Suite 200
Sacramento, CA 95811
916-447-1100
Contents:
Chapter 1:
Special Status Species Information
Chapter 2
Special Status Plant Species Accounts
Table 2-1 Special Status Plant Species
Table 2-2 Status Key
Table 2-3 Special Status Plant Species by Habitat
Table 2-4 Habitat Codes
Table 2-5 First Priority Plant Species–Mitigation Measures
Chapter 3
Special Status Wildlife Species
Table 3-1 Special Status Wildlife Species
Table 3-2 Special Status Wildlife Species by Habitat
Table 3-3 Habitat Codes
Table 3-4 Raptor Species Protected Under Section 3503.5
Table 3-5 First Priority Wildlife Species–Mitigation Measures
Table 3-6 Second Priority Wildlife Species–Mitigation Measures
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Chapter 4
Survey Protocols
Table 4-1 Established Survey Protocols
133
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Chapter 5
Critical Habitats / Recovery Plans
Table 5-1 Recovery Plans by Species
Map 5-1 Vernal Pool Critical Habitat–Fleshy Owl’s Clover
Map 5-2 Vernal Pool Critical Habitat–Hoover’s Spurge
Map 5-3 Vernal Pool Critical Habitat–Colusa Grass
Map 5-4 Vernal Pool Critical Habitat–Greene’s Tuctoria
Map 5-5 Critical Habitat for the California Central Valley Steelhead
Map 5-6 Critical Habitat for the Sierra Nevada Bighorn Sheep (Unit 1)
Map 5-7 Critical Habitat for the Sierra Nevada Bighorn Sheep (Unit 2)
Map 5-8 Core Areas within the Southern Sierra Foothills
vernal pool region
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Chapter 6
Promoting Connectivity/Avoiding Barriers to Dispersal
Figure 6-1 Determining Potential Project Impacts
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Chapter 7
Mitigation Monitoring
153
Chapter 8
Habitats
8.1
Annual Grassland (ags)
8.2
Aspen (ASP)
8.3
Barren (bar)
8.4
Blue Oak-Foothill Gray Pine (bop)
8.5
Blue Oak Woodland (bow)
8.6
Chaparral (chc, mch, mcp)
8.7
Cropland (crp)
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Biological Resources Conservation Handbook Appendix
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5
5
6
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8.8
8.9
8.10
8.11
8.12
8.13
8.14
8.15
8.16
8.17
8.18
8.19
8.20
8.21
8.22
8.23
8.24
8.25
8.26
8.27
8.28
8.29
8.30
8.31
8.32
8.33
Chapter 9
Ditches (DIT)
Fresh Emergency Wetland (FEW)
Irrigated Pasture (pas)
Jeffrey Pine (jpn)
Lake, Reservoir or Pond (LAK)
Lodgepole Pine Forest (lpn)
Montane Hardwood Conifer (mhc)
Montane Hardwood (mhw)
Montane Riparian (MRI)
Native Perennial Grassland (PGS)
Old Growth Conifer Forest (OGC)
Old Growth Oak (OGO)
Ponderosa Pine (ppn)
Red Fir (rfr)
Riverine (rivers and streams)
Residential park (rsp)
Subalpine Conifer Forest (scn)
Serpentine Soil (SER)
Sierran Mixed Conifer (smc)
Natural Springs and Seeps (SPR)
Seasonal Wetland (SW)
Valley Oak Woodland (VOW)
Vernal Pool (VPL)
Valley Foothill Riparian (VRI)
White Fir (wfr)
Wet Meadow (WTM)
Glossary
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Chapter 1. Special Status Species Information
The special-status species discussed in this section of the Appendix were compiled from
queries (Tuolumne County) of the California Native Plant Society (CNPS) On-Line Rare
Plant Inventory (CNPS 2011), California Natural Diversity Database (CNDDB 2011), and
California Wildlife Habitat Relationships (WHR, CDFG 2005), and from the U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service (USFWS) list of endangered and threatened species that may occur or be
affected by projects in Tuolumne County. Detailed species accounts are provided only for
those species that are considered special-status. These include species that are:
•
Listed as threatened or endangered under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) and
those species formally proposed or candidates for listing.
•
Listed as threatened or endangered under the California ESA (CESA) or candidates
for listing.
•
Designated as endangered or rare pursuant to the California Fish and Game Code
(Section 1901).
•
Designated as fully protected pursuant to California Fish and Game Code (Section
3511, Section 4700, Section 5050).
•
Designated as a species of special concern by the California Department of Fish and
Game (CDFG).
•
Designated as Medium or High Priority species by Western Bat Working Group
(WBWG).
•
Plants listed as rare under the California Native Plant Protection Act or considered by
the California Native Plant Society (CNPS) as List 1A, 1B, or 2 species.
•
Ranked as critically imperiled (S1), imperiled (S2) or vulnerable (S3) by the California
Natural Diversity Database.
The Tuolumne County Wildlife Habitat Maps and the Geographic Information System
database, maintained by the Community Development Department, contain the locations of
confirmed special status species sitings within the County. These maps are available for
review by qualified professionals during regular business hours
Page 4 of 187
Chapter 2. Special Status Plant Species Accounts
The County is home to approximately 61 special-status plant species, representing 20 plant
families. They range from the lowest to some of the highest elevations in the County, and
occur in every natural habitat type identified in the County. The following is a description of
each species, which includes details from the CNDDB and CNPS such as federal and state
listing status, the BRRG priority, range, habitat associations, known occurrences, life
history/special habitat conditions and the blooming period of the plant. Table 2-3 located at
the end of the species accounts lists each species along with its preferred habitat.
Table 2-1: SPECIAL STATUS PLANT SPECIES
Map
Code
Ag he
Ag hu
Al jep
Al tri
Al tu
Al yo
Arc nis
Bal ma ma
Bo lu
Br bo
Br pa
Ca lim
Ca pr
Ca sc p
Ca ti
Ca vi vi
Or ca s
Ch do a
Ch ho
Ch gr
Cl au
Cl bi a
Cl ro
Cla me
Cr cr
Cr ma
Di no
Dr as a
Dr pr
El sc
Ep ho
Er lu sa
Er nu
Scientific
Name
Agrostis hendersonii
Agrostis humilis
Allium jepsonii
Allium tribracteatum
Allium tuolumnense
Allium yosemitense
Arctostaphylos nissenana
Balsamorhiza macrolepis var. macrolepis
Botrychium lunaria
Bruchia bolanderi
Brodiaea pallida
Carex limosa
Carex praticola
Carex scirpoidea ssp. pseudoscirpoidea
Carex tiogana
Carex viridula var. viridula
Castilleja campestris ssp. Succulenta
Chaenactis douglasii var. alpine
Chamaecyse hooveri
Chlorogalum grandiflorum
Clarkia australis
Clarkia biloba ssp. Australis
Clarkia rostrata
Claytonia megarhiza
Cryptantha crymophila
Cryptantha mariposae
Didymodon norrisii
Draba asterophora var. asterophora
Draba praealta
Elymus scribneri
Epilobium howellii
Eriogonum luteolum var. saltuarium
Eriophyllum nubigenum
Common
Name
Henderson’s bent grass
Mountain bent grass
Jepson’s onion
Three bracted onion
Rawhide hill onion
Yosemite onion
Nissenan manzanita
Big scale balsamroot
Common moonwort
Bolander’s bruchia
Chinese camp brodiaea
Mud sedge
Northern meadow sedge
Single-spike sedge
Tioga pass sedge
Green yellow sedge
Succulent (fleshy) owl’s clover
Alpine dusty maidens
Hoover’s spurge
Red hills soaproot
Small’s southern clarkia
Mariposa clarkia
Beaked clarkia
Fell fields claytonia
Subalpine cryptantha
Mariposa cryptantha
Norris’ beard moss
Tahoe draba
Tall draba
Scribner’s wheat grass
Subalpine fireweed
Jack’s wild buckwheat
Yosemite woolly sunflower
Page 5 of 187
Map
Code
Er pi
Er sp
Er tu
Er ta
Fe mi
Fr ag
Hu br
Ir ha c
Le di
Lo co
Lo st
Lu gr
Lu sp
Mi fi
Mi pu
Mo do v
Ne co
Se la
Pe hy
Po ep nu
Po ro
Ps ba
Sa ni
Sc su
Se ci
St ol
Tu gr
Ve ca
Scientific
Name
Eryngium pinnatisectum
Eryngium spinosepalum
Erythronium tuolumnense
Erythronium taylorii
Festuca minutiflora
Fritillaria agrestis
Hulsea brevifolia
Iris hartwegii ssp. Columbiana
Lewisia disepala
Lomatium congdonii
Lomatium stebbinsiii
Lupinus gracilentis
Lupinus spectabilis
Mimulus filicaulis
Mimulus pulchellus
Monardella douglasii ssp. Venosa
Neostapfia colusana
Packera layneae
Peltigera hydrothyria
Potamogeton epihydrus ssp. nuttallii
Potamogeton robbinsii
Pseudobahia bahiifolia
Salix nivalis
Schoenoplectus subterminalis
Senecio clevelandii var. heterophyllus
Streptanthus oliganthus
Tuctoria greenei
Verbena californica
Common
Name
Tuolumne button celery
Spiny sepaled button celery
Tuolumne fawn lily
Pilot ridge fawn lily
Small-flowered fescue
Stinkbells
Short leaved hulsea
Tuolumne iris
Yosemite lewisia
Congdon’s lomatium
Stebbins’ lomatium
Slender lupine
Shaggyhair lupine
Slender stemmed monkeyflower
Yellow lip pansy monkeyflower
Veiny monardella
Colusa grass
Layne’s ragwort
Aquatic felt lichen
Nuttal’s ribbon-leaved pondweed
Robbins’ pondweed
Hartweg’s golden sunburst
Snow willow
Water bulrush
Red hills’ ragwort
Masonic Mountain Jewel flower
Greene’s tuctoria
Red Hills vervain
Table 2-2: STATUS KEY
CODE
DEFINITION
CNPS
California Native Plant Society.
CNPS 1A
Plants presumed extinct in California.
CNPS 1B
Plants rare and endangered in California and elsewhere.
CNPS 1B.1
Seriously threatened in California (high degree/immediacy of threat)
CNPS 1B.2
Fairly threatened in California (moderate degree/immediacy of threat)
Not very threatened in California (low degree/immediacy of threat or no
current threat known)
Plants rare, threatened or endangered in California, but more common
elsewhere
Fairly threatened in California (moderate degree/immediacy of threat)
Not very threatened in California (low degree/immediacy of threat or no
current threat known)
CNPS 1B.3
CNPS 2
CNPS 2.2
CNPS 2.3
Page 6 of 187
CNPS 3.2
CNPS 4.2
CNDDB S1
CNDDB S2
CNDDB S3
Plants lacking the necessary information to assign them to another list or to
reject them. Suspected to be fairly threatened in California.
Plants of limited distribution throughout California. Plants on this list are
uncommon enough that their status should be monitored regularly.
Critically imperiled in the State because of extreme rarity or of some other
factors, such as very steep declines, making it especially vulnerable to
extirpation from the State.
Imperiled in the State because of rarity due to very restricted range, very few
populations, steep declines, or other factors making it very vulnerable to
extirpation from the nation or State.
Vulnerable in the State due to a restricted range, relatively few populations,
recent and widespread declines, or other factors making it vulnerable to
extirpation.
Agrostis hendersonii–Henderson’s Bent Grass1
Listing Status: CNDDB Rank S1.1, CNPS List 3.2
BRRG Priority: 1
Range: 230 to 1,000 feet in elevation.
Habitat Associations:
pools.
Valley grasslands, freshwater wetlands, wetland-riparian, vernal
Known Occurrences: No known occurrences within Tuolumne County; however, suitable
habitat is present.
Life History/Special Habitat Conditions: Henderson’s bent grass is an annual herb native to
California and Oregon.
Blooming Period: Blooms April though June.
Agrostis humilis–Mountain Bent Grass2
Listing Status: State CNPS List 2.3
BRRG Priority: 2
Range: 8,858 to 10,499 feet in elevation.
Habitat Associations: Lodgepole pine, red fir, subalpine conifer, and Sierran mixed conifer.
Known Occurrences: Stanislaus National Forest and Yosemite National Park
Life History/Special Habitat Conditions: Mountain bent grass is a small, perennial bunch
grass. Restricted to meadows, seeps, and swamps.
1
2
CNPS 2010 <http://www.rareplants.cnps.org/detail/78.html>.
Page 7 of 187
Blooming Period: Blooms July through September; bloom time is dependent upon elevation
and seasonal weather patterns such as temperature and rainfall, particularly in the winter
and spring.
Allium jepsonii–Jepson’s Onion3
Listing Status: CNPS List 1B.2
BRRG Priority: 1
Habitat Associations: Blue oak–foothill gray pine, blue oak woodland, chaparral, Jeffrey
pine, montane hardwood–conifer, montane hardwood, ponderosa pine, Sierran mixed
conifer, valley oak woodland and white fir.
Known Occurrences: Table Mountain
Life History/Special Habitat Conditions: Jepson’s onion is a perennial, bulbiferous herb that
is endemic to California. Restricted to volcanic or serpentinite soils.
Blooming Period: Blooms May through August; bloom time is dependent upon elevation and
seasonal weather patterns such as temperature and rainfall, particularly in the winter and
spring.
Allium tribracteatum–Three Bracted Onion4
BRRG Priority: 1
Habitat Associations: Chaparral, Jeffrey pine, lodgepole pine, montane hardwood–conifer,
ponderosa pine, red fir, Sierran mixed conifer and white fir.
Known Occurrences: Several, including Bald Mountain, Strawberry Lake, Bailey Ridge,
Dodge Ridge, Grant Ridge, Crandall Peak, Confidence Ridge, several locations near Twain
Harte, and additional locations on the Stanislaus National Forest.
Life History/Special Habitat Conditions: Three-bracted onion is a perennial, bulbiferous herb
that is endemic to California. Restricted to volcanic soils.
Blooming Period: Blooms April through August; bloom time is dependent upon elevation and
spring.
Allium tuolumnense–Rawhide Hills Onion5
3
4
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BRRG Priority: 1
Habitat Associations: Blue oak–foothill gray pine, blue oak woodland, chaparral and valley
oak woodland. Restricted to serpentinite soils.
Known Occurrences: Chinese Station, Moccasin, Rawhide Hill, and several occurrences in
the Red Hills; others located on private lands.
Life History/Special Habitat Conditions: Rawhide Hill onion is a perennial, bulbiferous herb.
Restricted to serpentinite soils.
Blooming Period: Blooms March through May; bloom time is dependent upon elevation and
spring.
Allium yosemitense–Yosemite Onion6
Listing Status: State Rare, CNPS List 1B.3
BRRG Priority: 1
pine, lodgepole pine, montane hardwood–conifer, montane hardwood, ponderosa pine, red
fir, Sierran mixed conifer, valley oak woodland, and white fir.
Known Occurrences: Near Pilot Ridge Crest on the Stanislaus National Forest.
Life History/Special Habitat Conditions: Yosemite onion is a perennial, bulbiferous herb.
Restricted to rocky, metamorphic or granitic soils.
Blooming Period: Blooms April through July; bloom time is dependent upon elevation and
spring.
Arctostaphylos nissenana–Nissenan Manzanita7
BRRG Priority: 1
5
6
7
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Habitat Associations: Blue oak–foothill gray pine, chaparral, Jeffrey pine, montane
hardwood–conifer, ponderosa pine and Sierran mixed conifer.
Known Occurrences: Near Sonora.
Life History/Special Habitat Conditions: Nissenan manzanita is an evergreen shrub that is
endemic to California. Restricted to rocky soils.
Blooming Period: Blooms February through March; bloom time is dependent upon elevation
and spring.
Balsamorhiza macrolepis var. macrolepis–Big Scale Balsamroot8
Listing Status: CNPS List 1B
BRRG Priority: 2
Habitat Associations: chaparral, cismontane woodland, valley and foothill grassland
Known Occurrences: Near Standard
Life History/Special Habitat Conditions: Big Scale Balsamroot is a perennial herb,
sometimes on serpentenite soils.
Blooming Period: Blooms March–June; bloom time is dependent upon elevation and
spring.
Botrychium lunaria–Common Moonwort9
Listing Status: CNPS List 2.3
BRRG Priority: 2
Habitat Associations: Jeffrey pine, lodgepole pine, ponderosa pine, red fir, subalpine conifer,
Sierran mixed conifer and white fir.
Known Occurrences: Twin Peak and Yosemite National Park
Life History/Special Habitat Conditions: Common moonwort is a rhizomatous herbaceous
plant. Restricted to meadows and seeps.
8
9
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Blooming Period: Blooms March–June; bloom time is dependent upon elevation and
spring.
Brodiaea pallida–Chinese Camp Brodiaea10
Listing Status: Federally Threatened, State Endangered, CNPS List 1B.1
BRRG Priority: 1
Range: 1,268 feet in elevation.
Habitat Associations: Annual and perennial grasslands, blue oak–foothill gray pine, blue oak
woodland, and valley oak woodland.
Known Occurrences: Near Chinese Camp School.
Life History/Special Habitat Conditions: Chinese Camp brodiaea is a perennial bulbiferous
herb that is endemic to California. Primarily in vernal streambeds and often on serpentinite
soils.
Blooming Period: Blooms May through July; bloom time is dependent upon elevation and
spring.
Bruchia bolanderi–Bolander’s Bruchia11
BRRG Priority: 2
Habitat Associations: Jeffrey pine, lodgepole pine, ponderosa pine, red fir, subalpine conifer,
Sierran mixed conifer, and white fir.
Known Occurrences: Stanislaus National Forest (Emigrant Wilderness) and near Tioga
Pass in Yosemite National Park.
Life History/Special Habitat Conditions: Bolander’s bruchia is a moss. Restricted to
meadows and seeps, and to mesic soils in coniferous habitats.
Blooming Period: Mosses do not bloom but are identifiable using leaf and stem structure.
Carex limosa–Mud Sedge12
10
11
12
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BRRG Priority: 2
Habitat Associations: Restricted to bogs and fens and to meadows and seeps in all habitats
at the appropriate elevation.
Known Occurrences: Bourland Meadow, Clear Lake, and Swamp Lake.
Life History/Special Habitat Conditions: Mud sedge is a perennial rhizomatous herb in the
sedge family.
Blooming Period: Blooms June through August; bloom time is dependent upon elevation
and spring.
Carex praticola–Northern Meadow Sedge13
BRRG Priority: 2
Habitat Associations: Restricted to mesic soils in meadows and seeps in all habitats at the
appropriate elevation.
Known Occurrences: Andrews Peak and near Tioga Pass.
Life History/Special Habitat Conditions: Northern meadow sedge is a perennial herb in the
sedge family.
spring.
Carex scirpoidea ssp. pseudoscirpoidea–Single-spike sedge14
BRRG Priority: 2
Habitat Associations: Subalpine coniferous forest, alpine boulder and rock field, meadows
and seeps
Known Occurrences: None listed; however, suitable habitat is present.
13
14
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Life History/Special Habitat Conditions: single-spike sedge is a perennial rhizomatous herb.
Restricted to alpine boulder and rock field, meadows and seeps, and rocky subalpine
coniferous forests.
Blooming Period: Blooms July–September; bloom time is dependent upon elevation and
spring.
Carex tiogana–Tioga Pass Sedge15
BRRG Priority: 2
Habitat Associations: Restricted to meadows and seeps
Life History/Special Habitat Conditions: Tioga Pass sedge is a perennial herb restricted to
meadows and seeps.
Blooming Period: Blooms July through August; bloom time is dependent upon elevation and
spring.
Carex viridula var. viridula–Green Yellow Sedge16
BRRG Priority: 2
Habitat Associations: Restricted to wetland areas such as bogs, fens, freshwater marshes
and swamps in all habitat types at the appropriate elevation.
Known Occurrences: Swamp Lake area.
Life History/Special Habitat Conditions: Green yellow sedge is a perennial herb in the sedge
family. Restricted to subalpine and alpine habitats.
Blooming Period: Blooms August through September; bloom time is dependent upon
elevation and seasonal weather patterns such as temperature and rainfall, particularly in the
winter and spring.
Castilleja campestris ssp. succulenta–Succulent (Fleshy) Owl’s Clover17
15
16
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Listing Status: Federally threatened, State endangered, CNPS List 1B.2
BRRG Priority: 1
Habitat Associations: Vernal pools.
Life History/Special Habitat Conditions: Succulent owl’s-clover is an annual herb that is a
hemiparasite. A hemiparasite is a plant that contains chlorophyll and therefore makes its
own energy, but also parasitizes adjacent plants for energy resources. This species is
restricted to vernal pool habitats.
Blooming Period: Blooms April to May; bloom time is dependent upon elevation and
spring.
Chaenactis douglasii var. alpina–Alpine Dusty Maidens18
BRRG Priority: 2
Habitat Associations: Lodgepole pine forest and alpine fell fields.
Known Occurrences: Near Sonora Pass in northeastern Tuolumne County.
Life History/Special Habitat Conditions: Found in open alpine to subalpine gravel, boulder
and rock fields and crevices.
Blooming Period: Blooms July through September.
Chamaesyse hooveri–Hoover’s Spurge19
Listing Status: Federally Threatened, CNPS List 1B.2
BRRG Priority: 1
Range: 82 to 820 feet in elevation.
17
18
19
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Life History/Special Habitat Conditions: Hoover’s spurge is an annual herb that is endemic
to California. This species is restricted to vernal pool habitats.
Blooming Period: Blooms July–September; bloom time is dependent upon elevation and
spring.
Chlorogalum grandiflorum–Red Hills Soaproot20
BRRG Priority: 1
conifer, and valley oak woodland.
Known Occurrences: Several, including several in the Red Hills, and in Peoria Basin, near
Jamestown, Rawhide Hill, and Woods Creek.
Life History/Special Habitat Conditions: Red Hills soaproot is a perennial, bulbiferous herb
that is endemic to California. This species is restricted to serpentinite or gabbroic soils.
Blooming Period: Blooms May through June; bloom time is dependent upon elevation and
spring.
Clarkia australis–Small’s Southern Clarkia21
BRRG Priority: 1
Habitat Associations: Blue oak–foothill gray pine, blue oak woodland, Jeffrey pine, montane
hardwood–conifer, montane hardwood, ponderosa pine, Sierran mixed conifer, valley oak
woodland, and white fir.
Known Occurrences: Several locations all within Yosemite National Park or the Stanislaus
National Forest.
Life History/Special Habitat Conditions: Small’s southern clarkia is an annual herb that is
endemic to California.
20
21
Page 15 of 187
spring.
Clarkia biloba ssp. australis–Mariposa Clarkia22
BRRG Priority: 1
conifer, and valley oak woodland.
Life History/Special Habitat Conditions: Mariposa clarkia is an annual herb that is endemic
to California. Restricted to serpentinite soils.
spring.
Clarkia rostrata–Beaked Clarkia23
BRRG Priority: 1
woodland, pasture, Sierran mixed conifer, valley oak woodland, and valley foothill riparian.
Known Occurrences: Near Shotgun Creek.
Life History/Special Habitat Conditions: Beaked clarkia is an annual herb that is endemic to
California. Requires mesic sites. Restricted to serpentinite soils.
Blooming Period: Blooms April through May; bloom time is dependent upon elevation and
spring.
Claytonia megarhiza–Fell Fields Claytonia24
22
23
24
Page 16 of 187
BRRG Priority: 2
Habitat Associations: Jeffrey pine, lodgepole pine, red fir, subalpine conifer.
Known Occurrences: A few around Mt. Lyell and in Yosemite National Park; all records date
before 1950.
Life History/Special Habitat Conditions: Fell fields claytonia is a perennial herb that is
restricted to subalpine and alpine habitats.
Blooming Period: Blooms July–August; bloom time is dependent upon elevation and
spring.
Cryptantha crymophila–Subalpine Cryptantha25
BRRG Priority: 1
Habitat Associations: Jeffrey pine, lodgepole pine, red fir, and subalpine conifer.
Known Occurrences: Headwaters of Sardine Creek, Bald Peak, and near Sonora Pass.
Life History/Special Habitat Conditions: Subalpine cryptantha is a perennial herb that is
endemic to California. Restricted to rocky, volcanic soils.
spring.
Cryptantha mariposae–Mariposa Cryptantha26
BRRG Priority: 1
Range: 656 to 2,133 in elevation.
Habitat Associations: Restricted to rocky, serpentinite soils in chaparral habitats.
Known Occurrences: Rawhide Hill, Red Hills, and near Quartz Mountain.
Life History/Special Habitat Conditions: Mariposa cryptantha is an annual herb that is
endemic to California.
25
26
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Blooming Period: Blooms April through June; bloom time is dependent upon elevation and
spring.
Didymodon norrisii–Norris’ Beard Moss27
BRRG Priority: 2
Habitat Associations: Blue oak–foothill gray pine, blue oak woodland, montane hardwood–
conifer, montane hardwood, ponderosa pine, Sierran mixed conifer, valley oak woodland,
and white fir.
Known Occurrences: In the vicinity of the Mi-Wok Ranger Station.
Life History/Special Habitat Conditions: Norris’ beard moss is a type of moss that grows in
mesic soils or rock.
Blooming Period: Mosses do not bloom but are identifiable using leaf and stem structure.
Draba asterophora var. asterophora–Tahoe Draba28
BRRG Priority: 1
Habitat Associations: Jeffrey pine, montane hardwood–conifer, red fir, and subalpine
conifer.
Known Occurrences: Mt. Gibbs, Yosemite National Park.
Life History/Special Habitat Conditions: Tahoe draba is a perennial herb that grows at high
elevations and under harsh winter conditions. Found in alpine boulder fields.
spring.
Draba praealta–Tall Draba29
BRRG Priority: 2
27
28
29
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Range: 8,202–11,204 feet in elevation.
Habitat Associations: Found in meadows and seeps in all habitats at appropriate elevations.
Known Occurrences: Mt. Gibbs, Yosemite National Park.
Life History/Special Habitat Conditions: Tall draba is a perennial herb in the Brassicaceae
family. Restricted to mesic sites in all habitat types at appropriate elevations.
spring.
Elymus scribneri–Scribner’s Wheat Grass30
BRRG Priority: 2
Habitat Associations: Subalpine conifer and alpine boulder fields.
Life History/Special Habitat Conditions: Scribner’s wheat grass is a small, perennial bunch
grass.
spring.
Epilobium howellii–Subalpine Fireweed31
BRRG Priority: 1
Habitat Associations: Jeffrey pine, lodgepole pine, montane hardwood–conifer, ponderosa
pine, red fir, Sierran mixed conifer, and white fir.
Known Occurrences: Lyell Fork of the Tuolumne River in Tuolumne Meadows.
Life History/Special Habitat Conditions: Subalpine fireweed is a perennial, stoloniferous
(bearing or developing stolons: shoots that bend to the ground or that grow horizontally
above the ground and produce roots and shoots at the nodes) herb that is endemic to
California. Restricted to meadows, seeps and mesic soils.
30
31
Page 19 of 187
spring.
Eriogonum luteolum var. saltuarium–Jack’s Wild Buckwheat32
BRRG Priority: 1
Habitat Associations: Upper montane coniferous forests.
Known Occurrences: Near Dardanelle Resort and Brightman Flat.
Life History/Special Habitat Conditions: Found in sandy granitic soils.
Eriophyllum nubigenum–Yosemite Woolly Sunflower33
BRRG Priority: 1
Habitat Associations: Chaparral, Jeffrey pine, lodgepole pine, montane hardwood–conifer,
ponderosa pine, red fir, Sierran mixed conifer, and white fir.
Known Occurrences: Pilot Ridge.
Life History/Special Habitat Conditions: Yosemite woolly sunflower is an annual herb that is
endemic to California. Restricted to gravelly soils.
spring.
Eryngium pinnatisectum–Tuolumne Button Celery34
BRRG Priority: 1
32
33
34
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Habitat Associations: Blue oak–foothill gray pine, blue oak woodland, vernal pools, valley
oak woodland, and valley foothill riparian.
Known Occurrences: Big Oak Flat, near Yosemite Junction, Standard townsite, Duffield
Canyon, near Yosemite Junction, Rawhide Flat area, and Chinese Camp.
Life History/Special Habitat Conditions: Tuolumne button-celery is an annual/perennial herb
that is endemic to California. Restricted to mesic sites.
Blooming Period: Blooms June through August; bloom time is dependent upon elevation
and spring.
Eryngium spinosepalum–Spiny Sepaled Button Celery35
BRRG Priority: 1
Habitat Associations: Annual and perennial grasslands and vernal pools.
Known Occurrences: Near La Grange, and in the vicinity of Shotgun Creek.
Life History/Special Habitat Conditions: Spiny sepaled button-celery is an annual/perennial
herb that is endemic to California.
spring.
Erythronium taylorii–Pilot Ridge Fawn Lily36
BRRG Priority: 1
Habitat Associations: Jeffrey pine, montane hardwood–conifer, ponderosa pine, Sierran
mixed conifer, and white fir.
Known Occurrences: Sensitive, information suppressed.
Life History/Special Habitat Conditions: Pilot Ridge fawn lily is perennial, bulbiferous herb
that is endemic to California. Restricted to metamorphic and rocky soils.
35
36
Page 21 of 187
spring.
Erythronium tuolumnense–Tuolumne Fawn Lily37
BRRG Priority: 1
pine, montane hardwood–conifer, montane hardwood, montane riparian, ponderosa pine,
Sierran mixed conifer.
Known Occurrences: Several, including Duckwall Creek, Buchanan Road, Hunter Creek,
North Fork Tuolumne River, South Fork Stanislaus River, Italian Bar, Five-Mile Creek,
Horseman Bridge, Grant Ridge, Murphy Peak, Eagle Creek, Cedar Ridge area, American
Camp area, Rose Creek, Deer Creek area, and others.
Life History/Special Habitat Conditions: Tuolumne fawn lily is a perennial, bulbiferous herb
that is endemic to California.
Blooming Period: Blooms March through June; bloom time is dependent upon elevation and
spring.
Festuca minutiflora–Small-Flowered Fescue38
BRRG Priority: 2
Habitat Associations: Subalpine forest, bristlecone pine forest, and alpine fell fields.
Known Occurrences: Mount Dana and the Conness Range
Life History/Special Habitat Conditions: Found in alpine boulder and rock fields.
Blooming Period: Blooms during July.
Fritillaria agrestis–Stinkbells39
37
38
39
Page 22 of 187
BRRG Priority: 3
Habitat Associations: Chaparral, cismontane woodland, pinyon pine and juniper woodland,
and annual grassland.
Known Occurrences: Chinese Camp, Lake Don Pedro Subdivision near Merced Falls Road
and State Route 132.
Life History/Special Habitat Conditions:
depressions or other low heavy soils.
Most populations are small. Found in clay
Blooming Period: Blooms March through June.
Hulsea brevifolia–Short-leaved hulsea40
BRRG Priority: 1
Habitat Associations: Red fir forest.
Known Occurrences: Several in Yosemite National Park along the Tioga Road, near
Smokey Jack Campground, and near the Tuolumne Grove.
Life History/Special Habitat Conditions: Perennial herb found on granitic or volcanic gravely
or sandy soils.
Blooming Period: Blooms May through August.
Iris hartwegii ssp. columbiana–Tuolumne Iris41
BRRG Priority: 1
hardwood–conifer, montane riparian, ponderosa pine, Sierran mixed conifer, valley foothill
riparian, and white fir.
Known Occurrences: South and Middle Fork Stanislaus River.
40
41
Page 23 of 187
Life History/Special Habitat Conditions: Tuolumne iris is a perennial, rhizomatous herb that
is endemic to California.
Blooming Period: Blooms May through June; bloom time is dependent upon elevation and
spring.
Lewisia disepala–Yosemite Lewisia42
BRRG Priority: 1
pine, red fir, subalpine conifer, Sierran mixed conifer, pinyon-juniper and white fir.
Life History/Special Habitat Conditions: Yosemite lewisia is a perennial herb that is endemic
to California. Restricted to granitic and sandy soils.
spring.
Lomatium congdonii–Congdon’s Lomatium43
BRRG Priority: 1
conifer, valley oak woodland, and white fir.
Known Occurrences: Several occurrences in and around the Chinese Camp, Red Hills, and
Crimea House areas.
Life History/Special Habitat Conditions: Congdon’s lomatium is a perennial herb that is
endemic to California. Restricted to serpentinite soils.
spring.
42
43
Page 24 of 187
Lomatium stebbinsii–Stebbins’ Lomatium44
BRRG Priority: 1
Habitat Associations: Chaparral, Jeffrey pine, montane hardwood–conifer, ponderosa pine,
Sierran mixed conifer, and white fir.
Known Occurrences: Dodge Ridge, Upper Lily Creek, Grant Ridge, Rattlesnake Ridge,
Basalt Ridge Peak, Strawberry Creek, Pinecrest, Spring Gap, Star Ridge, Crandall Peak,
Lyons Reservoir, and the Rush Creek area.
Life History/Special Habitat Conditions: Stebbins’ lomatium is a perennial herb that is
endemic to California. Restricted to gravelly, volcanic clay soils.
Blooming Period: Blooms March through May; bloom time is dependent upon elevation and
spring.
Lupinus gracilentis–Slender Lupine45
BRRG Priority: 1
Habitat Associations: Jeffrey pine, lodgepole pine, red fir, subalpine conifer, and white fir.
Known Occurrences: Tuolumne River Canyon.
Life History/Special Habitat Conditions: Slender lupine is an annual herb that is endemic to
California.
spring.
Lupinus spectabilis–Shaggyhair Lupine46
BRRG Priority: 1
Range: 853–2,707 feet in elevation.
44
45
46
Page 25 of 187
Habitat Associations: Blue oak–foothill gray pine, blue oak woodland, chaparral, and valley
oak woodland.
Life History/Special Habitat Conditions: Shaggyhair lupine is an annual herb that is endemic
to California. Restricted to serpentinite soils.
spring.
Mimulus filicaulis–Slender Stemmed Monkeyflower47
BRRG Priority: 1
hardwood–conifer, montane hardwood, ponderosa pine, Sierran mixed conifer, valley oak
woodland, and white fir, also found in meadows and seeps.
Known Occurrences: Several locations in Yosemite National Park and Stanislaus National
Forest. Also in the Groveland area and on a private in-holding in Ackerson Meadow.
Life History/Special Habitat Conditions: Slender-stemmed monkeyflower is an annual herb
that is endemic to California. Restricted to vernally mesic soils.
spring.
Mimulus pulchellus–Yellow Lip Pansy Monkeyflower48
BRRG Priority: 1
pine, Sierran mixed conifer, and white fir.
Known Occurrences: Ackerson Meadow, Crandall Peak, Long Barn, several occurrences in
Twain Harte, and several additional locations in the Stanislaus National Forest.
47
48
Page 26 of 187
Life History/Special Habitat Conditions: Yellow-lip pansy monkeyflower is an annual herb
that is endemic to California. Restricted to vernally mesic, often disturbed areas and clay
soils.
Blooming Period: Blooms April through July; bloom time is dependent upon elevation and
spring.
Monardella douglasii ssp. Venosa–Veiny Monardella49
BRRG Priority: 1
woodland, and valley oak woodland.
Known Occurrences: Three sitings near the Baseline Conservation Camp on New Peoria
Flat Road.
Life History/Special Habitat Conditions: Veiny monardella is an annual herb that is endemic
to California. Restricted to heavy clay soils.
spring.
Neostapfia colusana–Colusa Grass50
Listing Status: Federally Endangered, State Threatened, CNPS List 1B.1
BRRG Priority: 1
Life History/Special Habitat Conditions: Colusa grass is an annual herb that is endemic to
California. Restricted to adobe soils in large vernal pools.
spring.
Packera layneae–Layne’s Ragwort51
49
50
Page 27 of 187
BRRG Priority: 1
woodland, chaparral, montane hardwood, montane hardwood–conifer, ponderosa pine,
Sierran mixed conifer, and valley oak woodlands.
Known Occurrences: Several occurrences in the Red Hills and Chinese Camp areas.
Life History/Special Habitat Conditions: Layne’s ragwort is a perennial herb that is endemic
to California. Restricted to serpentinite or gabbroic, rocky soils occasionally along streams.
spring.
Peltigera hydrothyria–Aquatic Felt Lichen52
Listing Status: CNDDB Rank S3.2
BRRG Priority: 2
Range: Found along the western slope of the Sierra Nevada.
Habitat Associations: Found in cold unpolluted streams in conifer forests. It is a black,
“lettuce-like” lichen that grows on rocks and on stream bottoms.
Known Occurrences: None known.
Life History/Special Habitat Conditions: How the lichen colonizes new habitats is unknown.
Blooming Period: Clumps range in size from a few centimeters to over one decimeter.
Potamogeton epihydrus ssp. nuttallii–Nuttall’s Ribbon-Leaved Pondweed53
BRRG Priority: 2
Habitat Associations: Lakes and ponds.
Known Occurrences:
Emigrant Wilderness.
51
52
53
Lukens Lake in Yosemite National Park and Chain Lakes in the
Boyd, P.; and T. Carlberg. 2007. “Peltigera hydrothyrea.” Bulletin of the California Lichen Society.
Page 28 of 187
Life History/Special Habitat Conditions:
freshwater marshes and swamps.
Rhizomatous aquatic herb. Found in shallow
Potamogeton robbinsii–Robbins’ Pondweed54
BRRG Priority: 2
Habitat Associations: Marshes and swamps associated with lakes and other deep water
bodies.
Life History/Special Habitat Conditions: Robbins’ pondweed is an aquatic perennial,
rhizomatous herb.
spring.
Pseudobahia bahiifolia–Hartweg’s Golden Sunburst55
Listing Status: Federally Endangered, State Endangered, CNPS List 1B.1
BRRG Priority: 1
woodland, valley oak woodland, and valley riparian.
Life History/Special Habitat Conditions: Hartweg’s golden sunburst is an annual shrub that is
endemic to California. Restricted to clay, often acidic soils and occurs mostly on northern
slopes, but also near shady creeks and vernal pools.
Blooming Period: Blooms March through April; bloom time is dependent upon elevation and
spring.
Salix nivalis–Snow Willow56
54
55
Page 29 of 187
BRRG Priority: 2
Habitat Associations: Alpine dwarf scrub.
Known Occurrences: Two sitings in Yosemite National Park near Mt. Dana and Mt. Gibbs.
Life History/Special Habitat Conditions: Deciduous shrub native to California.
Blooming Period: Blooms July through August.
Schoenoplectus subterminalis–Water Bulrush57
BRRG Priority: 2
Habitat Associations: Freshwater wetlands.
Known Occurrences: Lily Lake, headwaters of the Clavey River, and Swamp Lake in
Yosemite National Park.
Life History/Special Habitat Conditions: Perennial rhizomatous herb native to California.
Found along lake margins and edges.
Blooming Period: Blooms June through August.
Senecio clevelandii var. heterophyllus–Red Hills Ragwort58
BRRG Priority: 1
Habitat Associations: Blue oak–foothill gray pine, blue oak woodland, valley oak woodland,
and valley foothill riparian.
Known Occurrences: Several occurrences in the Red Hills area.
Life History/Special Habitat Conditions: Red Hills’ ragwort is a perennial herb that is
endemic to California. Restricted to serpentine seeps.
56
57
58
Page 30 of 187
Blooming Period: Blooms June through July; bloom time is dependent upon elevation and
spring.
Streptanthus oliganthus–Masonic Mountain Jewel Flower59
BRRG Priority: 1
pine, red fir, subalpine conifer, Sierran mixed conifer, and white fir. Also in pinyon-juniper
stands.
Known Occurrences: Sonora Pass.
Life History/Special Habitat Conditions: Masonic Mountain jewel-flower is a perennial herb
that is endemic to California. Restricted to rocky, volcanic, or granitic soils.
Blooming Period: Blooms June through July; bloom time is dependent upon elevation and
spring.
Tuctoria greenei–Greene’s Tuctoria60
Listing Status: Federally Endangered, State Rare, CNPS List 1B.1
BRRG Priority: 1
Life History/Special Habitat Conditions: Greene’s tuctoria is an annual herb that is endemic
to California.
spring.
Verbena californica–Red Hills Vervain61
Listing Status: Federally Threatened, State Threatened, CNPS List 1B.1
59
60
61
Page 31 of 187
BRRG Priority: 1
Habitat Associations: Annual and perennial grassland, blue oak–foothill gray pine, blue oak
woodland, valley oak woodland, and valley foothill riparian.
Known Occurrences: Several occurrences in the Red Hills and Chinese Camp areas.
Life History/Special Habitat Conditions: Red Hills vervain is a perennial herb that is endemic
to California. Restricted to mesic sites, usually serpentinite seeps or creeks.
Blooming Period: Blooms May through September; bloom time is dependent upon elevation
and spring.
Page 32 of 187
Agrostis hendersonii
Henderson’s bent grass
X
X
X
X
Allium tribracteatum
Three-bracted onion
X
X
X
X
Allium tuolumnense
Rawhide Hills onion
X
X
X
Allium yosemitense
Yosemite onion
X
X
X
X
Arctostaphylos nissenana
Nissenan manzanita
X
X
X
Balsamorhiza macrolepis var.
macrolepis
Big Scale Balsamroot
Botrychium lunaria
Common moonwort
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
Aquatic/Wetland
wfr
VRI
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
Brodiaea pallida
Chinese Camp brodiaea
VOW
X
Agrostis humilis
Mountain bent grass
Allium jepsonii
Jepson’s onion
VPL
smc
scn
rfr
ppn
MRI
mhw
mhc
lpn
jpn
Chc/mch
bow
Scientific Name
Common name
bop
ags/pgs
Table 2-3: SPECIAL STATUS PLANT SPECIES BY HABITAT
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
Bruchia bolanderi
Bolander’s bruchia
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
Carex limosa
Mud sedge
X
Carex praticola
Northern meadow sedge
X
Carex scirpoidea ssp.
pseudoscirpoidea
Single-spike sedge
X
Carex tiogana
Tioga Pass Sedge
X
Carex viridula var. viridula
Green yellow sedge
X
Castilleja campestris ssp. succulenta
Succulent owl’s-clover
X
Chaenactis douglasii var. alpine
Alpine dusty maidens
X
Chamaesyce hooveri
Hoover’s spurge
X
Chlorogalum grandiflorum
Red Hills soaproot
X
X
Clarkia australis
Small’s southern clarkia
X
X
Clarkia biloba ssp. australis
Mariposa clarkia
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
Page 33 of 187
X
X
X
X
Cryptantha crymophila
Subalpine cryptantha
X
X
X
X
Cryptantha mariposae
Mariposa cryptantha
X
X
X
Didymodon norrisii
Norris’ beard moss
X
X
X
Draba asterophora var. asterophora
Tahoe draba
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
Draba praealta
Tall draba
X
Elymus scribneri
Scribner’s wheat grass
X
Epilobium howellii
Subalpine fireweed
X
X
Eriogonum luteolum var. saltuarium
Jack’s wild buckwheat
X
X
X
X
Eriophyllum nubigenum
Yosemite woolly sunflower
X
Eryngium pinnatisectum
Tuolumne button-celery
Eryngium spinosepalum
Spiny-sepaled button-celery
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X.
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
Lomatium stebbinsii
Stebbins’ lomatium
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
Lupinus gracilentus
Slender lupine
X
X
X
Lewisia disepala
Yosemite lewisia
X
X
X
Hulsea brevifolia
Short-leaved hulsea
Lupinus spectabilis
Shaggyhair lupine
X
X
X
Festuca minutiflora
Small-flowered fescue
Lomatium congdonii
Congdon’s lomatium
X
X
Erythronium tuolumnense
Tuolumne fawn lily
Iris hartwegii ssp. columbiana
Tuolumne iris
X
X
Erythronium taylorii
Pilot Ridge fawn lily
Fritillaria agrestis
Stinkbells
Aquatic/Wetland
X
wfr
X
VPL
VRI
X
VOW
Claytonia megarhiza
Fell-fields claytonia
X
smc
scn
rfr
ppn
MRI
mhw
mhc
X
lpn
X
jpn
bow
X
Chc/mch
bop
Clarkia rostrata
Beaked clarkia
ags/pgs
Scientific Name
Common name
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
Page 34 of 187
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
Mimulus pulchellus
Yellow-lip pansy monkeyflower
X
Monardella douglasii ssp. venosa
Veiny monardella
X
X
X
X
X
X
VRI
VOW
X
Aquatic/Wetland
X
wfr
X
VPL
smc
scn
rfr
X
ppn
X
MRI
mhw
X
mhc
lpn
X
jpn
X
Chc/mch
bow
Mimulus filicaulis
Slender-stemmed monkeyflower
bop
ags/pgs
Scientific Name
Common name
X
X
X
X
X
Neostapfia colusana
Colusa grass
X
Packera layneae
Layne’s ragwort
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
Peltigera hydrothyria
Aquatic felt lichen
X
Potamogeton epihydrus ssp. nuttallii
Nuttall’s ribbon-leaved pondweed
X
Potamogeton robbinsii
Robbins’ pondweed
X
Pseudobahia bahiifolia
Hartweg’s golden sunburst
X
X
X
X
Salix nivalis
Snow willow
X
X
Schoenoplectus subterminalis
Water bulrush
X
Senecio clevelandii var. heterophyllus
Red Hills ragwort
X
X
Streptanthus oliganthus
Masonic Mountain jewel-flower
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
Tuctoria greenei
Greene’s tuctoria
X
X
X
X
Verbena californica
Red Hills vervain
X
X
X
Table 2-4: HABITAT CODES
ags/PGS
Annual grassland/Native Perennial Grassland
bop
Blue oak–foothill gray pine
bow
Blue oak woodland
chc/mch
Chamise chaparral/mixed chaparral
jpn
Jeffrey pine
lpn
Lodgepole pine
mhc
Montane hardwood-conifer
mhw
Montane hardwood
MRI
Montane riparian woodland
ppn
Ponderosa pine
rfr
scn
Red fir
Subalpine conifer
Page 35 of 187
X
X
smc
Sierran mixed conifer
VPL
Vernal pool
VOW
Valley oak woodland
VRI
Valley-foothill riparian woodland
wfr
White fir
Potential impacts to federally listed or state listed plant species shall require consultation
with the California Department of Fish and Game (CDFG) (state-listed species) and/or the
United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) (federally listed species) before assessing
impacts and determining appropriate mitigation measures unless full (100%) and complete
avoidance of any impacts to the species can be achieved through the use of O (Open
Space) or O-1 (Open Space-1) zoning and adopted mitigation measures. Anticipated
mitigation measures are provided below:
Table 2-5 FIRST PRIORITY PLANT SPECIES–MITIGATION MEASURES
Species
Common Name
Brodiaea pallida
Chinese Camp
brodiaea
Castilleja campestris
ssp. succulenta
Succulent owl’sclover
Chamaesyce hooveri
Hoover’s spurge
Neostapfia colusana
Colusa grass
Pseudobahia bahiafolia
Hartweg’s golden
sunburst
Tuctoria greenei
Greene’s tuctoria
Verbena californica
Red Hills vervain
Mitigation Measures
Requires Consultation with United States Fish
and Wildlife Service if the site is located in
designated Critical Habitat Areas for these
species (see Pages 137 through 140 for
illustrations of critical habitat areas).
If not located in a designated Critical Habitat Area,
requires consultation with appropriate agencies,
generally the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service or the
California Department of Fish and Game, if the
listing agencies do not concur that the project
achieves full avoidance of potential habitat.
WQ-01 through WQ-08 mitigation measures
contained in Chapter 8 of the BRRG shall be
implemented to reduce potential for impacts
unless these measures are contrary to mitigation
measures specified by the jurisdictional agency.
Unless otherwise specified by the appropriate
agency, recommendations contained in adopted
Recovery Plans for First Priority Biological
Resources and published in accordance with the
Federal Endangered Species Act will be
implemented to the maximum extent feasible to
achieve full avoidance.
Page 36 of 187
Chapter 3. Special Status Wildlife Species
The County is home to approximately 105 special-status wildlife species; including 20
invertebrate, four fish, eight amphibian, six reptile, 41 bird, and 26 mammal species.
Although some of these species are associated with rare or uncommon habitats (e.g., old
growth oak), many can be found utilizing even the most common habitat types (e.g.,
pastures and annual grasslands). Following Table 3-1 is a description of each species,
which includes details such as BRRG priority, range, known occurrences, habitat
associations, life history and the time during which they are most observable. Information
regarding each species was gathered from the California Wildlife Habitat Relationships
System (CWHRS) as well as from California’s Wildlife Volume I-III (Zeiner, D.C., W.F.
Laudenslayer, Jr., K.E. Mayer, and M. White, eds. 1988–1990). The species listed in the
table are listed by order and then alphabetically by genus.
Following these descriptions, Table 3-2 lists all wildlife species and the habitats in which
they may occur.
Table 3-1: SPECIAL STATUS WILDLIFE SPECIES
Map
Scientific
Code
Name
Invertebrates
Ana cal
Anodonta californiensis
Ban mar
Banksula martinorum
Ban mel
Banksula melons
Ban tu
Banksula tuolumne
Bra In
Branchinecta lynchi
Des caldi Desmocerus californicus
dimorphus
Hyd sim
Hydroporus simplex
La la
Larca laceyi
Ps or
Pseudogarypus orpheus
Pu ha
Punctum hannai
Lav sym
Lavinia symmetricus ssp. 1
Lav sym
Le pa
Lepidurus packardi
Mon cir
Monadenia circumcarinata
Mon
Monadenia mormonum buttoni
morbut
Mon
Monadenia mormonum hirsute
morhir
Mon tuo
Monadenia tuolumneana
Sty gra
Stygobromus gradyi
Sty ha
Stygobromus harai
Te si
Tetrix sierrana
Fish
Onc cla
Oncorhynchus clarki henshawi
hen
Onc cla
Oncorhynchus clarki seleniris
sel
Onc myk Oncorhynchus mykiss
Common
Name
California floater
Martins’ cave harvestman
Melones cave harvestman
Tuolumne cave harvestman
Vernal pool fairy shrimp
Valley elderberry longhorn beetle
Simple hydroporus diving beetle
Lacey’s cave pseudoscorpion
Music hall cave pseudoscorpion
Trinity spot
San Joaquin roach
Red Hills roach
Vernal pool tadpole shrimp
Keeled sideband
Buttons Sierra sideband
Hirsute Sierra sideband
Tuolumne sideband
Grady’s cave amphipod
Hara’s cave amphipod
Sierra pygmy grasshopper
Lahontan cutthroat trout
Paiute cutthroat trout
Central Valley steelhead
Page 37 of 187
Map
Scientific
Code
Name
Onc tsh
Oncorhynchus tshawytscha
Amphibians
Amb cal
Ambystoma californiense
An can
Anaxyrus canorus
Bat rel
Batrachoseps relictus
Hyd pla
Hydromantes platycephalus
Ran aurdr Rana draytonii
Ran boy
Rana boylii
Ran Si
Rana sierrae
Sca ham Spea hammondii
Reptiles
Cle mar
Actinemys marmorata
Cha tri
Charina trivirgata
Mas fla
Masticophis flagellum ruddocki
rud
Ph bl
Phrynosoma blainvillii
Birds
CH
Accipiter cooperii
NG
Accipiter gentilis
ShH
Accipiter striatus
TriB
Agelaius tricolor
GS
Ammodramus savannarum
GE
Aquila chrysaetos
SeO
Asio flammeus
LO
Asio otus
BO
Athene cunicularia
AY
Aythya valisineria
BT
Botaurus lentiginosa
BI
Bucephala islandica
BR
Buteo regalis
CL
Carduelis lawrencei
CM
Charadrius montanus
VS
Chaetura vauxi
NH
Circus cyaneus
BS
Cypseloides niger
DO
Dendroica occidentalis
YW
Dendroica petechia brewsteri
BK
Elanus leucurus
WF
Empidonax traillii
EA
Eremophila alpestris actia
FC
Falco columbarius
PF
Falco mexicanus
APF
Falco peregrinus anatum
CL
Gavia immer
BE
Haliaeetus leucocephalus
HH
Histrionicus histrionicus
YCh
Icteria virens
Common
Name
Chinook salmon
California tiger salamander
Yosemite toad
Relictual slender salamander
Mount Lyell salamander
California red-legged frog
Foothill yellow-legged frog
Sierra Nevada yellow-legged frog
Western spadefoot
Pacific pond turtle
Rosy boa
San Joaquin whipsnake
Coast horned lizard
Cooper’s hawk
Northern goshawk
Sharp-shinned hawk
Tricolored blackbird
Grasshopper sparrow
Golden eagle
Short eared owl
Long eared owl
Burrowing owl
Canvasback duck
American bittern
Barrow’s goldeneye
Ferruginous hawk
Lawrence’s goldfinch
Mountain plover
Vaux’s swift
Northern harrier
Black swift
Hermit warblers
Yellow warbler
White tailed kite
Willow flycatcher
California horned larks
Merlin
Prairie falcon
American peregrine falcon
Common loon
Bald eagle
Harlequin duck
Yellow-breasted chat
Page 38 of 187
Map
Code
IE
LS
OS
NY
WP
PA
PM
SA
SP
GO
SO
Mammals
PaBt
SNMB
RtC
TWBBt
Mkrat
SPBt
CMBt
Wolv
SHBt
RBt
SNSH
Wwtrbt
SiMa
PaFi
SfBt
LeBt
LBBt
FMBt
LIBt
NeFu
Yopi
CBS
PeIn
MtLSH
AmBa
SNRF
Scientific
Name
Ixobrychus exilis
Lanius ludovicianus
Pandion haliaetus
Nycticorax nycticorax
Pelecanus erythrorhynchos
Phalacrocorax auritus
Progne subis
Spizella atrogularis
Spizella passerine
Strix nebulosa
Strix occidentalis
Common
Name
Least bittern
Loggerhead shrike
Osprey
Black crowned night heron
American white pelican
Double-crested cormorant
Purple martin
Black-chinned sparrow
Chipping sparrow
Great gray owl
California spotted owl
Antrozous pallidus
Aplodontia rufa californica
Bassariscus astutus
Corynorhinus townsendii
Dipodomys heermanni dixoni
Euderma maculatum
Eumops perotis californicus
Gulo gulo
Lasionycteris noctivagans
Lasiurus blossevillii
Lepus americanus tahoensis
Lepus townsendii townsendii
Martes americana sierrae
Martes pennanti pacifica
Myotis ciliolabrum
Myotis evotis
Myotis lucifugus
Myotis thysanodes
Myotis volans
Neotoma fuscipes riparia
Ochotona princeps muiri
Ovis canadensis sierrae
Perognathus inornatus inornatus
Sorex lyelli
Taxidea taxus
Vulpes vulpes necator
Pallid bat
Sierra Nevada mountain beaver
Ringtail
Townsend’s big-eared bat
Merced kangaroo rat
Spotted bat
Greater western mastiff bat
California wolverine
Silver-haired bat
Western red bat
Sierra Nevada snowshoe hare
Western white-tailed jackrabbit
Sierra marten
Pacific fisher
Western small-footed bat
Long-eared bat
Little brown bat
Fringed myotis
Long-legged myotis
San Joaquin valley woodrat
Yosemite pika
Sierra Nevada bighorn sheep
San Joaquin pocket mouse
Mount Lyell shrew
American badger
Sierra Nevada red fox
Invertebrates
Anodonta californiensis–California floater62
Listing Status: CNDDB Rank S2
62
The Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation 2011 <http://www.xerces.org/california-and-winged-floaters/>.
Page 39 of 187
BRRG Priority: 2
Range: California, Nevada, Utah and Arizona.
Habitat Associations: A freshwater mussel that inhabits shallow muddy or sandy substrate
in large rivers, reservoirs and lakes. Prefers standing water or backwater areas of flowing
water.
Diet and Foraging: Filter feeder that obtains food by filtering water through its gills.
Breeding: Requires species-specific host fish during the parasitic larval portion of its life
cycle.
Seasonal Movements: Adults are sedentary and spend their lives near where they first
settled. They will move during spawning or if prompted by a stimulus, such as water
disturbance, exposure due to low water or seasonal temperature changes.
Period of Identification: Year around.
Banksula martinorum–Martins’ cave harvestman63
BRRG Priority: 1
Range: Central Sierra Nevada.
Known Occurrences: Heater Cave in Calaveras County approximately 5 miles north of
Columbia.
Habitat Associations: Terrestrial spider restricted to caves.
Diet and Foraging: Probably predator on cave microarthropods.
Breeding:
Seasonal Movements: Remain in caves.
Period of Identification: Year around. Adults are less than 2 mm in length and shades of
yellow to yellow-orange.
Banksula melones–Melones cave harvestman64
Listing Status: CNDDB Rank S2S3
BRRG Priority: 2
63
64
CDFG Special Status Invertebrate Species Accounts 2011. <http://www.dfg.ca.gov/biogeodata/cnddb/pdfs/invert
/Arachnids/Banksula_rudolphi_etc.pdf>.
CDFG Special Status Invertebrate Species Accounts 2011. <http://www.dfg.ca.gov/biogeodata/cnddb/pdfs/invert/Arachnids
/Banksula_melones.pdf>.
Page 40 of 187
Known Occurrences: McLean’s Cave along the South Fork of the Stanislaus River in
Tuolumne County prior to flooding and an adjacent Transplant Mine in Tuolumne County.
McNamee Cave in Tuolumne County prior to demolition. Lost Piton Cave.
Diet and Foraging: Probably predator on cave microarthropods, such as genuses
Collembola, Psocoptera and Acarida.
Breeding:
Period of Identification: Year around. Adults are approximately 2.2 mm in length and
shades of yellow to yellow-orange. Most frequently found in wall crevices or under large
rocks, especially near roots. Less frequently found on cave walls or floor.
Banksula Tuolumne–Tuolumne cave harvestman65
BRRG Priority: 1
Known Occurrences: Tuolumne Crystal Cave 8 miles southeast of Tuolumne.
Diet and Foraging: Probably predator on cave microarthropods.
Breeding:
Period of Identification: Year around. Adults are less than 2 mm in length and shades of
yellow to yellow-orange.
Branchinecta lynchi–Vernal Pool Fairy Shrimp66
Listing Status: Federally Threatened
BRRG Priority: 1
Range: The historic range of the vernal pool fairy shrimp includes lower elevations of
California’s Central Valley region. This species is currently known to occur north to Shasta
65
66
CDFG Special Status Invertebrate Species Accounts 2011. <http://www.dfg.ca.gov/biogeodata/cnddb/pdfs/invert
/Arachnids/Banksula_rudolphi_etc.pdf>.
CDFG Special Status Invertebrate Species Accounts 2011. <http://ecos.fws.gov/docs/life_histories/K03G.html>.
Page 41 of 187
County, south to western Riverside County, east into the Sierra Nevada foothills in Tulare
County, and west into Santa Barbara County. Highest concentrations generally occur within
Tehama, Sacramento, and Merced counties.
Known Occurrences: Within Tuolumne County, this species is known from one location
approximately 0.5 mile south of the intersection of Highway 120 and Highway 108, Yosemite
Junction.
Habitat Associations: The vernal pool fairy shrimp is known to occur within vernal pool
habitats and other short-lived, cool-watered, grassy or muddy bottomed, seasonally
inundated swales, earth slumps, or basalt-flow depressions throughout California. This
species is known to exist within traditional vernal pools at a ratio of 79 percent compared to
other ephemeral scenarios, although they have been found in a range of natural and
artificially created ephemeral habitats such as alkali pools and seasonal drainages of
moderate to high quality. Pools that support this species are relatively undisturbed when
associated with grassland habitat, and not subject to agricultural or grazing activities. As a
result of their short duration of inundation, the pools that support this species are typically
astatic (not static or stable) cool-water pools that may exist for only three weeks in the
spring, with low to moderate total dissolved solids (TDS) and alkalinity values, and a pH
range that straddles neutral.
Diet and Foraging: Fairy shrimp are opportunistic, non-selective, particle-feeder and filterfeeder omnivores.
Breeding: Sexually mature females carry a clutch of eggs within an ovisac that are
deposited and fertilized by sexually mature males within the water column or on the pool
basin, whereby they remain as dormant cysts. Hatching of vernal pool fairy shrimp cysts
typically occurs very early in the wet season, when water temperatures are below 10°
Celsius (50° Fahrenheit). After hatching and undergoing a larval stage as a juvenile, the
time to sexual maturity is dependent upon water temperatures warming typically to at least
15° Celsius (59° Fahrenheit). They can reach sexual maturity in only 18 days under optimal
conditions, however more typically reach maturity in 41 days.
Seasonal Movements: Individuals remain stationary within resident pools throughout their
life cycle. As a dispersal mechanism, cysts may be transported to separate pools
inadvertently via other animals.
Period of Identification: November–May
Desmocerus californicus dimorphus–Valley Elderberry Longhorn Beetle67
BRRG Priority: 1
Range: Occurs only within the Central Valley and foothills of California to 3,000 feet in
elevation.
Known Occurrences: A number of recorded occurrences within Tuolumne County including
Yosemite Junction Bench Mark 1166 vicinity, Algerine School vicinity, south of Stanislaus
67
Evans, A.V. and J. Hogue. 2004. An Introduction to California Beetles.
Page 42 of 187
River and South Fork Stanislaus River confluence, west side of Rawhide Flat, Columbia and
Whitto Mine Road.
Habitat Associations: Riparian habitat types that support the host plant, elderberry
(Sambucus ssp.). Host elderberry shrubs typically have a stem diameter of 2 to 8 inches.
There is evidence that the species prefers elderberry shrubs that are stressed.
Diet and Foraging: Adults feed on foliage and flowers of elderberry. Larvae feed on pith of
elderberry.
Breeding: Adult beetles mate, and females lay eggs from March through early June. First
instar (an insect that is between molts) larvae bore to center of elderberry stems where they
develop for 1 to 2 years, feeding on pith. Before forming pupae, larvae chew through bark,
bore a hole, and then plug holes with wood shavings. Larvae crawl back into the pupal
chamber and pack it with frass (debris or excrement). Larvae metamorphose into a pupae,
and then into adults that emerge from pupal chamber between mid-March through June. An
exit hole is left behind in the stem of the elderberry.
Seasonal Movements: Remain in vicinity of emerging location.
Period of Identification: March–June
Larca laceyi–Lacey’s cave pseudoscorpion68
Listing Status: CNDDB Rank S1, Federal Species of Concern
BRRG Priority: 1
Range: California.
Known Occurrences: Upper Tuolumne River watershed, Upper Stanislaus River watershed,
Music Hall Cave in Calaveras County.
Habitat Associations: Cavernous, subterrestrial.
Diet and Foraging: Pseudoscorpions feed on small arthropods.
Breeding: Eggs are held in a sac attached to the female. The young emerge from the sac
after molting twice and molt twice more before becoming adults. Pseudoscorpions generally
live for two to five years.
Seasonal Movements:
Period of Identification:
Lepidurus packardi–Vernal Pool Tadpole Shrimp69
Listing Status: Federally Endangered
68
69
Munchmore, W.B. 1981. Cavernicolous species of Larca, Aracheloarca and Pseudogarypus with notes on the genera
(Pseudoscorpionida, Garypidae and Pseudogarypidae). J. Arachnol. 9:47-60.
CDFG Special Status Invertebrate Species Accounts 2011. <http://ecos.fws.gov/docs/life_histories/K048.html>.
Page 43 of 187
BRRG Priority: 1
Range: The historic range of the vernal pool tadpole shrimp includes lower elevations of
California’s Central Valley region. This species is currently known to occur throughout the
Central Valley and in the San Francisco Bay area. Highest concentrations generally occur
within the Southeastern Sacramento Vernal Pool Region, where the species occurs on a
number of public and private lands in Sacramento County.
Known Occurrences: Within Tuolumne County, this species is known to occur east of
Knight’s Ferry.
Habitat Associations: This tadpole shrimp occurs within a wide variety of ephemeral wetland
habitats, including alkaline pools, clay flats, vernal lakes, vernal pools, vernal swales, and
other seasonal wetlands throughout the Central Valley of California.
Diet and Foraging: Tadpole shrimp are opportunistic, non-selective, particle-feeder and
filter-feeder omnivores.
Breeding: Similar to fairy shrimp species, the life cycle of tadpole shrimp generally consists
of a dormant cyst (embroyonic egg) stage, a hatching or emergent phase, an immature
swimming phase, and a sexually mature swimming phase before reproduction, death, and
cyst deposit. Sexually mature females carry a clutch of eggs within an ovisac that are
deposited and fertilized by sexually mature males within the water column or on the pool
basin, whereby they remain as cysts. Multiple clutches and hatching within the same wet
season allows vernal pool tadpole shrimp to persist within suitable pools as long as pools
remain inundated, which may last as long as six months under appropriate conditions.
Hatching of vernal pool fairy shrimp cysts typically occurs when water temperatures reach
10 to 15° Celsius (50 to 59° Fahrenheit), with hatching rates decreasing significantly as
temperatures exceed 20° Celsius (68° Fahrenheit). Vernal pool tadpole shrimps generally
take between 3 to 4 weeks to become sexually mature. Once mature, individuals may have
both male and female reproductive organs, and large females can deposit as many as six
clutches during a life cycle thereby increasing their fecundity success and persistence
during a single wet season.
Seasonal Movements: Individuals remain stationary within resident pools throughout their
life cycle. As a dispersal mechanism, cysts may be transported to separate pools
inadvertently via other animals.
Period of Identification: November–May
Monadenia circumcarinata–Keeled sideband snail70
BRRG Priority: 1
Range: Endemic to the United States.
70
CDFG 2011 Wildlife Species Matrix. <http://www.dfg.ca.gov/wildlife/WAP
/matrix_results.asp?cnddb=cnddb&sc=1&se=1&fe=1&fep=1&ft=1&ftp=1&fd=1&fdp=1&iucn=1&blm=1&usfs=1&fws=
1&cdf=1&dfg=CSC&fsc=1&xerces=1&other=1&checkall=on>.
Page 44 of 187
Known Occurrences: Tuolumne River canyon in Tuolumne and Stanislaus counties. Paper
Cabin Ridge, above the Tuolumne River.
Habitat Associations: Medium-sized air-breathing land snail found in association with steep
limestone outcrops and talus slopes.
Diet and Foraging:
Breeding:
Seasonal Movements:
Monadenia mormonum buttoni–Button’s Sierra sideband snail71
BRRG Priority: 1
Known Occurrences:
Habitat Associations: Terrestrial snail. Canyon habitat.
Diet and Foraging:
Breeding:
Seasonal Movements:
Period of Identification: Shell is dark reddish brown in color.
Monadenia mormonum hirsute–Hirsute Sierra sideband snail72
BRRG Priority: 1
Range:
Known Occurrences: Yosemite Junction.
Habitat Associations: Associated with basalt of Table Mountain.
71
72
Page 45 of 187
Diet and Foraging:
Breeding:
Seasonal Movements:
Monadenia tuolumneana–Tuolumne sideband snail73
BRRG Priority: 1
Range:
Known Occurrences: Crystal Butterfly Cave, T1N, R16E, Section 21. Crystal Tuolumne
Cave, T1N, R16E, Section 21.
Diet and Foraging:
Breeding:
Seasonal Movements:
Pseudogarypus orpheus–Music hall cave pseudoscorpion74
BRRG Priority: 1
Range:
Known Occurrences: Music Hall Cave in Calaveras County and two sitings near Tuolumne
in Tuolumne County.
Habitat Associations: Lakes and watercourses.
Diet and Foraging: Pseudoscorpions feed on small arthropods.
73
74
Page 46 of 187
Breeding: Eggs are held in a sac attached to the female. The young emerge from the sac
after molting twice and molt twice more before becoming adults. Pseudoscorpions generally
live for two to five years.
Seasonal Movements:
Punctum hannai–Trinity spot75
BRRG Priority: 1
Range:
Known Occurrences: Tuolumne County 1921, Mariposa County 1923 and Trinity County
1931.
Habitat Associations: Terrestrial snail.
Diet and Foraging:
Breeding:
Seasonal Movements:
Stygobromus gradyi–Grady’s cave amphipod76
BRRG Priority: 1
Known Occurrences: Crystal Palace cave, just north of the South Fork of the Stanislaus
River in Tuolumne County, approximately 10 miles east of Angels Camp. Masonic Cave,
Amador County.
Habitat Associations: Subterranean freshwater amphipod collected from intermittent stream
pools in caves. Associated with caves and springs.
Diet and Foraging:
75
76
Page 47 of 187
Breeding:
Seasonal Movements:
Period of Identification: Females measure up to 7.0 mm in length. Males measure up to 4.5
mm in length.
Stygobromus harai–Hara’s cave amphipod77
BRRG Priority: 1
Known Occurrences: Pinnacle Point (Windeler?) Cave and a mine tunnel near the cave on
the south side of the Stanislaus River in Tuolumne County, approximately 10 miles east of
Valecito.
Habitat Associations: Subterranean freshwater amphipod found in small lakes and standing
water in caves and mine tunnels.
Diet and Foraging:
Breeding:
Seasonal Movements:
Period of Identification: Females measure up to 7.5 mm in length, Males measure up to 7.0
mm in length.
Tetrix sierrana–Sierra Pygmy Grasshopper78
BRRG Priority:
Range: Endemic to the United States
Known Occurrences: No recorded occurrences within Tuolumne County; however, suitable
habitat is present.
coniferous forests.
Lower montane coniferous forest, ponderosa pine, and mixed
Diet and Foraging:
77
78
/matrix_results.asp?cnddb=cnddb&sc=1&se=1&fe=1&fep=1&ft=1&ftp=1&fd=1&fdp=1&iucn=1&blm=1&usfs=1&fws=1
&cdf=1&dfg=CSC&fsc=1&xerces=1&other=1&checkall=on>.
Page 48 of 187
Breeding:
Seasonal Movements:
Period of Identification: Approximately 0.5 inch in length.
Fish
Lavinia symmetricus ssp. 1–San Joaquin Roach79
Listing Status: California species of special concern.
BRRG Priority: 2
Range: The San Joaquin roach historically had a broad continuous distribution in the San
Joaquin River drainage, but the range has been reduced through extirpations from certain
tributaries of the San Joaquin River. In general, they are most abundant in mid-elevation
streams in the Sierra Nevada foothills and lower reaches of a few coastal streams. Within
Tuolumne County, this species is generally known to occur in the Upper Tuolumne River
watershed.
Known Occurrences: Hatch Creek, Second Creek, Big Jackass Creek, Rough Creek, Ready
Creek, Sullivan Creek, Woods Creek, First Creek, and Curtis Creek.
Habitat Associations: Small, warm, intermittent streams with deep-bottomed pools. Tolerant
of high temperatures and low dissolved oxygen levels. Populations are frequently found in
isolated pools.
Diet and Foraging: Roach species are omnivorous, feeding primarily on filamentous algae
with lesser quantities of crustaceans and aquatic insects. They have also been observed
preying on larval lampreys. In Tuolumne River and Clavey River, larger roach have been
observed feeding on drift organisms within fairly fast current.
Breeding: Spawning is dependent upon water temperatures reaching approximately 16°
Celsius (60.8° Fahrenheit) which typically occurs from March to June throughout the known
range, and rarely extending into July during a typical year. During spawning, schools of
roach move into shallow waters characterized by moderate flows and supported by gravel
and rubble substrate. Once hatched, fry remain within substrate interstices until they are
free-swimming. Growth is seasonal, with rapid growth occurring under the warm water
temperatures during the summer. Sexual maturity is typically reached during the second
year.
Seasonal Movements: Local movement is seasonally from deeper pools to shallow areas for
spawning and rearing.
Period of Identification: N/A
Lavinia symmetricus ssp. 3–Red Hills Roach80
79
80
Moyle, Peter. 2002. Inland Fishes of California. University of California Press.
Page 49 of 187
Listing Status: California species of special concern.
BRRG Priority: 2
Range: The Red Hills roach is historically known from Horton Creek and other small streams
such as Amber Creek and Roach Creek near Sonora, San Joaquin River drainage,
California.
Known Occurrences: Horton Creek, Roach Creek, Amber Creek, Poor Man’s Gulch, Minnow
Gulch, Six Bit Gulch, Andrew Creek, and Peoria Creek.
Habitat Associations: Restricted to areas characterized by serpentine soils and stunted
vegetation. Small, warm, intermittent streams with deep-bottomed pools. Tolerant of high
temperatures and low dissolved oxygen levels. Populations are frequently found in isolated
pools.
Diet and Foraging: Roach species are omnivorous, feeding primarily on filamentous algae
with lesser quantities of crustaceans and aquatic insects. They have also been observed
preying on larval lampreys. In Tuolumne River and Clavey River, larger roach have been
observed feeding on drift organisms within fairly fast current.
Breeding: Spawning is dependent upon water temperatures reaching approximately 16°
Celsius (60.8° Fahrenheit) which typically occurs from March to June throughout the known
range, and rarely extending into July during a typical year. During spawning, schools of
roach move into shallow waters characterized by moderate flows and supported by gravel
and rubble substrate. Once hatched, fry remain within substrate interstices until they are
free-swimming. Growth is seasonal, with rapid growth occurring under the warm water
temperatures during the summer. Sexual maturity is typically reached during the second
year.
Seasonal Movements: Local movement is seasonally from deeper pools to shallow areas for
spawning and rearing.
Oncorhynchus clarki henshawi–Lahontan Cutthroat Trout81
Listing Status: Federally Threatened.
BRRG Priority: 1
Range: The Lahontan cutthroat trout is endemic, or native, to the Lahontan Basin of
northern Nevada, eastern California, and southern Oregon. Its range extends east in to Utah
as well. In California, this species is historically known from Walker Lake, Lake Tahoe, and
Independence Lake, as well as the Humboldt River, Carson River, Truckee River, Walker
River, Donner Creek and Prosser Creek. This species is currently known from as many as
129 streams within the Lahontan Basin, and has been found in 5 of the lakes that once
supported its historic range, including Pyramid Lake, Walker Lake, Fallen Leaf Lake,
Independence Lake, and Summit Lake. Lahontan cutthroats are also currently known from
81
Page 50 of 187
numerous lakes and streams within the Sierra Nevada and elsewhere outside of their
historic range.
Known Occurrences: This species is known within Wheats Meadow Creek from the south
end of Clover Meadow to 2 miles due north of Donnells Reservoir.
Habitat Associations: Lahontan cutthroat trout are known from a wide variety of cold-water
habitats including large, terminal, alkaline lakes, alpine lakes, slow meandering rivers,
mountain rivers, and small headwater tributary streams. They require cool flowing water
supported by stable banks and well-vegetated cover, and often stage in stream velocity
breaks, and relatively silt-free, rocky riffle-run areas. This species competes very poorly and
cannot tolerate the presence of other salmonid species.
Diet and Foraging: Stream resident trout are opportunistic feeders, with diets consisting of
drift organisms that typically consist of terrestrial and aquatic insects. Lake residents feed on
insects and zooplankton until they mature into larger piscivores (feed or subsist on fish),
whereby they shift their diet to fish.
Breeding: Lahontan cutthroat trout are obligate stream spawners. Spawning sites include
headwater riffles and pool crests within small, intermittent, tributary streams that support
gravelly substrate. Lake residents migrate up tributaries to spawn in riffle sections or tail
ends of pools. Spawning generally occurs from April through July depending on
environmental conditions. Females mature at 3 to 4 years of age, and males mature at 2 to
3 years of age. Consecutive year spawning is uncommon by individuals.
Seasonal Movements: Lahontan cutthroat trout inhabiting streams remain within perennial
reaches as adults until migrating upstream into tributaries and headwater reaches for
spawning sites. Trout inhabiting lakes remain within the main lake body as adults until
migrating upstream into tributaries to spawn. The distance traveled varies with stream size
and race of cutthroat trout. After spawning, fry may remain in tributaries and headwaters
until they are flushed downstream during higher runoff.
Oncorhynchus clarki seleniris–Paiute Cutthroat Trout82
Listing Status: Federally Threatened.
BRRG Priority: 1
Range: The presumed historic range of Paiute cutthroat trout includes portions of Silver King
Creek from Llewellyn Falls downstream to Silver King Canyon, as well as accessible
reaches of three smaller tributaries that include Tamarack Creek, Tamarack Lake Creek,
and the lower reaches of Coyote Valley Creek, all of which fall within the Humboldt-Toiyabe
National Forest in California. It is also believed without conclusive evidence that this species
is native to Corral Valley and Coyote Valley creeks. The present distribution of Paiute
cutthroat trout consists of a population in Silver King Creek above Llewellyn Falls and
tributary populations in Fly Valley, Four Mile Canyon Creek, Coyote Valley, and Corral
Valley creeks, and four self-sustaining populations outside the native drainage in the North
Fork of Cottonwood and Cabin creeks, and Stairway and Sharktooth creeks.
82
Page 51 of 187
Known Occurrences: Within Tuolumne County, known from Delaney Creek, a tributary to
the Tuolumne River within Yosemite National Park.
Habitat Associations: All life stages of Paiute cutthroats require cool, well-oxygenated
waters of higher elevation streams. Adult fish prefer stream pool habitat in lower gradient
meadows with undercut or overhanging banks and an abundance of riparian vegetation.
Juveniles utilize pools as rearing habitat and for refuge during the winter months. Paiute
cutthroat trout demonstrate fluvial spawning behavior and require access to flowing streams
supporting clean gravel substrates.
Diet and Foraging: Paiute cutthroat trout are opportunistic feeders, with diets consisting of
drift organisms that typically consist of terrestrial and aquatic invertebrates. Individuals set
up dominance hierarchies for foraging territories, with the largest fish typically occupying
pools, and smaller fish foraging within runs and riffles, and other unoccupied habitats within
the stream.
Breeding: Paiute cutthroat trout are obligate stream spawners. Spawning sites include riffles
within small, intermittent, tributary streams that support gravelly substrate. Peak spawning
activity typically occurs in June and July depending on environmental conditions. Once
hatched, young-of-the-year fish rear in mainstem shoals or stream backwaters, moving into
intermittent tributary stream courses once they reach about 2 inches in length. Paiute
cutthroat trout reach sexual maturity at 2 years of age.
Seasonal Movements: Paiute cutthroat trout remain within perennial stream reaches as
adults until migrating upstream into tributaries and headwater reaches for spawning sites.
During winter months, they move into pools to avoid physical damage from ice scouring and
to conserve energy. After spawning, fry may remain in tributaries and headwaters until they
are flushed downstream during higher runoff.
Period of Identification: Consult agency
Oncorhynchus mykiss–Central Valley Steelhead83
BRRG Priority: 1
Range: Central Valley steelhead Distinct Population Segment is historically known within the
Sacramento and San Joaquin rivers and their tributaries. Within Tuolumne County, this
includes portions of the Tuolumne and Stanislaus River watersheds permitting fish access.
Known Occurrences: Tuolumne and Stanislaus River watersheds permitting fish access.
Habitat Associations: The primary constituent elements defined for this species’ critical
habitat include spawning sites with adequate water quantity and quality conditions and
suitable substrate; rearing sites with adequate water quantity and floodplain connectivity to
support and maintain juvenile development, and natural cover such as shade, submerged
and overhanging large wood, log jams and beaver dams, aquatic vegetation, large rock and
boulders, side channels, and undercut banks to support juvenile mobility and survival; and
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freshwater migration corridors free of obstruction with adequate water quantity and quality
conditions, natural cover such as shade, submerged and overhanging large wood, log jams
and beaver dams, aquatic vegetation, large rocks and boulders, side channels, and
undercut banks to support juvenile and adult mobility and survival.
Diet and Foraging: Adults are predatory and opportunistic foragers of drift organisms.
Breeding: Steelhead are iteroparous, meaning they can spawn more than one time.
Steelhead can spawn up to four times, generally with a higher incidence of mortality in
successional years. In California, peak spawning occurs from December through April in
small streams and tributaries with cool, well-oxygenated water. Steelhead eggs typically
hatch in approximately 30 days, with fry typically subsequently emerging from the redd
gravel four to six weeks after hatching.
Seasonal Movements: Central Valley steelhead are anadromous species that migrate
seasonally to and from saltwater and freshwater environments. They are born in freshwater,
migrate to the ocean where most of their growth occurs, and return to freshwater to spawn.
Central Valley steelhead are considered “winter” steelhead, because they enter streams
between August and October and hold in freshwater until tributary flows are high enough to
enter for spawning. They typically spawn shortly after reaching spawning grounds, often
traveling long distances to reach ideal spawning habitat.
Oncorhynchus tshawytscha–Chinook Salmon84
Listing Status: Federally Threatened; State Threatened.
BRRG Priority: 2
Range: Spawning runs of Chinook salmon once occurred as far south as the Ventura River,
but the southernmost runs at the present time occur in the Sacramento-San Joaquin
System. Prior to the construction of the Shasta Dam, Chinook salmon ran up into the upper
reaches of the Sacramento River, McCloud River, and the Lower Pit River. Today they
spawn only in the Sacramento River below the dam and in its tributary streams, especially
the American and Feather rivers.
Known Occurrences: Tuolumne and Stanislaus River watersheds permitting fish access.
Habitat Associations: The primary constituent elements defined for this species’ critical
habitat include spawning sites with adequate water quantity and quality conditions and
suitable substrate; the species requires rearing sites and migration corridors with adequate
water quantity and floodplain connectivity to support juvenile and adult mobility and survival.
Diet and Foraging: Adults are predatory and opportunistic foragers of drift organisms and
take a wide variety of terrestrial and aquatic insects.
Breeding: Spawning adults are the largest Pacific salmon, typically 9 to 10 kg. Spawning
Chinook salmon can migrate considerable distances; up to 350 km in the Sacramento River.
They home to the stream they were spawned in, using olfactory and visual cues to find their
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way back. Enough fish miss these cues, so that in years of high water they can be found
spawning in unexpected places. Most spawning runs are up fairly large streams. However,
spawning may occur in surprisingly small tributaries to the larger streams, although most
spawning takes place in coarse gravel riffles in the main streams. For maximum egg
survival, water temperatures have to be less than 14°C. Each female lays 2,000 to 14,000
eggs. The alevins remain the gravel for two to three weeks until the yolk sac is absorbed.
Once they emerge, most California fry start moving downstream at once, seldom spending
more than three to four weeks in fresh water. A majority of these fish also moves through the
estuaries fairly rapidly and enters the ocean when they are only two to four months old.
Seasonal Movements: Spring run Chinook are anadromous and live part of their lives in the
sea, but begin and end their lives in freshwater streams. When they return inland for
spawning, they require cool freshwater while they mature over the summer.
Period of Identification: Consult agency.
Amphibians
Ambystoma californiense–California Tiger Salamander85
Listing Status: Federally Endangered (Distinct Population Segment) and Threatened
(Distinct Population Segment). California Threatened.
BRRG Priority: 1
Range: Endemic to California. Occurs mainly within disjunct remnant vernal pool complexes
from Sonoma County east through the Central Valley to Yolo and Sacramento counties and
south to Tulare County; and from the vicinity of San Francisco Bay south to Santa Barbara
County. They occur at elevations from approximately 3 feet to 3,200 feet.
Known Occurrences: One occurrence within Tuolumne County located along Big Creek
between McNulty Ridge and Bonds Flat Road, south of Don Pedro Reservoir.
Habitat Associations: This species is most commonly found in valley lowlands and lower
elevation foothills supporting permanent and semi-permanent water sources characterized
by a variety of habitat types including forests, woodlands, scrub and grasslands. Breeding
habitat consists of fresh water bodies, including natural and man-made ponds, vernal pools,
or other ephemeral or permanent wetland features. Aquatic habitats for breeding must have
the potential to hold water for a minimum of 12 weeks during the winter or spring in an
average year. Adults and juveniles require upland habitats free of barriers and within 0.7
mile from breeding sites containing underground or covered refuge such as burrows and
cracks in soils where they are protected from desiccation during non-breeding activities and
dispersal.
Diet and Foraging: Diet consists of a wide variety of aquatic and terrestrial prey items that
include zooplankton, aquatic larvae, aquatic invertebrates, tadpoles, terrestrial invertebrates,
insects, frogs, and worms.
85
CWHRS 2005. <http://nrm.dfg.ca.gov/FileHandler.ashx?DocumentID=1416&inline=1>; Zeiner, D.C., W.F. Laudenslayer,
Jr., K.E. Mayer, and M. White, eds. 1990. California’s Wildlife. Volume I-III: Amphibians and Reptiles, Birds, Mammals.
California Statewide Wildlife Habitat Relationships System, California Department of Fish and Game, Sacramento;
Trenham et al. unpublished data as cited in USFWS 2004.
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Breeding: Most tiger salamanders do not breed until 4 or 5 years of age, and while some
individuals have been known to live up to 10 years, they may only breed a single time.
Seasonal Movements: Adult California Tiger Salamanders will often disperse from aquatic
sites after the first winter rains to seek alternate aquatic habitat for breeding. They may also
disperse from aquatic sites in response to receding water during the driest time of the year.
Although they have been recorded moving up to one mile from their breeding pond, 95% are
found within 2,200 feet (0.4 mile) from breeding ponds.
Period of Identification: October–May
Anaxyrus (Bufo) canorus–Yosemite Toad86
Listing Status: Federal Candidate and California Species of Special Concern.
BRRG Priority: 1
Range: The Yosemite toad is restricted to the vicinities of wet meadows in the central high
Sierra. It ranges from El Dorado County south to near Kaiser Pass, Fresno County. It occurs
at elevations of about 6,400 feet above mean sea level to 11,320 feet above mean sea
level.
Known Occurrences: Within Tuolumne County, occurrences include Upper Piute Creek,
Deadman Creek, Dog Lake, Bond Pass, Tuolumne Meadows, Dana Meadows, Tioga
Meadows, Elizabeth Lake, Lyell Canon, Dingley Creek, Young Lakes, Lyell Glacier, Gaylor
Lakes, and Grizzly Meadow, among many others.
Habitat Associations: This toad primarily frequents montane wet meadows, but also occurs
in seasonal ponds associated with lodgepole pine and subalpine conifer forests. Quiet pools
in alpine meadows provide optimal habitat. During inactive periods, these toads seek cover
inside abandoned rodent burrows, or move to adjacent forests. Individuals occasionally hide
under rocks in streambeds. When disturbed, they often hop into nearby water. Males defend
small areas around themselves during the breeding period. The defended space changes as
the male toad moves. Some males are silent, and do not appear to defend a territory.
Territoriality varies with density of males, with high densities resulting in breakdown of
territorial behavior.
Diet and Foraging: The diet of this toad includes beetles, ants, mosquitoes, dragonfly
nymphs, larval lepidopterans, centipedes, and spiders. Tadpoles feed on bottom detritus, or
by filtering suspended plant material and planktonic animals.
Breeding: Breeding and egg-laying occur from mid-April to mid-July depending on local
conditions. Eggs are deposited in shallow, quiet pools in wet meadows, or in shallow tarns
surrounded by forest.
Seasonal Movements: Movement to and from breeding sites may be extensive. Montane
relatives of this species in Colorado have traveled as much as 2,790 feet from areas of
86
CWHRS 2000 <http://nrm.dfg.ca.gov/FileHandler.ashx?DocumentID=1480&inline=1>; Zeiner, D.C., W.F. Laudenslayer,
California Statewide Wildlife Habitat Relationships System, California Department of Fish and Game, Sacramento.
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summer activity to winter hibernacula, and Yosemite toad has been collected 15 inches
deep in meadow sod. It is possible that other individuals hibernate in similar sites. They may
also cross expanses of snowfields to reach breeding pools from winter hibernacula.
Period of Identification: April–September
Batrachoseps relictus–Relictual Slender Salamander87
BRRG Priority: 2
Range: Yearlong resident of the western slope of the southern Sierra Nevada.
Habitat Associations: Occur along streams and in moist wooded canyons in valley foothill
riparian habitats, blue oak woodlands, and Sierra mixed conifer woodlands. They are usually
found under boards, rotting logs, rocks, and surface litter.
Diet and Foraging: Earthworms, small slugs, a variety of terrestrial arthropods, and insects
(including collembolans, aphids, caterpillars, small beetles, beetle larvae, and ants.
Breeding: Reproductive activities take place underground; eggs are usually laid in
communal sites underground, but near or under a flat surface object. Egg sets are usually
found between December and January, with the number of eggs per set ranging from 13 to
20. Hatchlings emerge during winter and early spring.
Seasonal Movements: Highly sedentary; hatchlings presumably disperse.
Hydromantes platycephalus–Mount Lyell Salamander88
Listing Status: California Species of Special Concern.
BRRG Priority: 2
Range: Endemic to California. Known range extends from Smith Lake in El Dorado County
to Franklin Pass in Tulare County in the Sierra Nevada. An isolated population is known
from the Sierra Buttes in Sierra County. This species has a known elevation range of 1,260
to 3,640 meters (4,130 to 11,940 feet) above mean sea level.
Known Occurrences: This species is known from numerous locales within Tuolumne County
including Mount Lyell, Upper Lyell Canyon, Sonora Pass, Chipmunk Flat, North Peak Lake,
Conness Lake, and Middle Emigrant Lake.
87
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Page 56 of 187
Habitat Associations: This species is extremely susceptible to desiccation, nocturnal, and
restricted to areas subject to cool wet conditions. Largely restricted to alpine and subalpine
habitats with scattered occurrence in lower elevations. This species requires extensive rock
outcrops and boulders near free surface water, such as a permanent stream, waterfall,
seepage or runoff area for snowmelt.
Diet and Foraging: Insectivorous with diet consisting of smaller insects such as springtails
and fungus gnats.
Breeding: Undergo direct development similar to other plethodontid (use tongue to capture
prey) salamanders, with females laying undeveloped eggs that are already fertilized. The
season of near-surface activity ranges between May 1 to late August, after which individuals
seek upland refugia within talus slopes and fissures with sufficient moisture.
Seasonal Movements: Does not travel far between aquatic sites and upland sites.
Individuals retreat to moist areas within deep rock fissures when snow banks recede and the
substratum dries.
Period of Identification: April–early September
Rana draytonii–California Red-Legged Frog89
Listing Status: Federally-Threatened. California Species of Special Concern.
BRRG Priority: 1
Range: Endemic to California and northern Baja California. Occurs along the coast from
Mendocino County in northern California, south to northern Baja California, and inland
through the northern Sacramento Valley into the foothills of the Sierra Nevada, south to
Tulare county, and possibly Kern county. A narrow range overlap with Rana aurora occurs
in Marin, Sonoma and Mendocino counties. This frog usually occurs from sea level to 3,940
feet above mean sea level.
Known Occurrences: Two occurrences within Tuolumne County including Parrotts Ferry
Road and Woods Creek just north of the Regional Wastewater Treatment Plant.
Habitat Associations: This species is most commonly found in lowlands and lower elevation
foothills supporting permanent and semi-permanent water sources and characterized by a
variety of habitat types including humid forests, woodlands, scrub and grasslands. Breeding
habitat includes permanent water sources including lakes, ponds, reservoirs, slow streams,
marshes, bogs, and swamps. The primary constituent elements for critical habitat of this
species include at a minimum, two (or more) suitable breeding locations, a permanent water
source, associated uplands surrounding these water bodies up to 150 meters (492± feet)
from the water’s edge, all within 2 kilometers (6,561± feet) of one another and connected by
barrier-free dispersal habitat that is at least 150 meters (492± feet) in width. When these
elements are all present, all other suitable aquatic habitat within 2 kilometers (6,561± feet),
and free of dispersal barriers, is also considered critical habitat.
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Diet and Foraging: Diet consists of a wide variety of invertebrates. Typical of most frogs, the
prey is located by vision, then a large sticky tongue is used to catch the prey and bring it into
the mouth to eat.
Breeding: Mating and egg-laying occurs in permanent bodies of water from late January to
July, depending on the location, and lasts for only a week or two. Females lay 750–4,000
eggs in a large gelatinous cluster up to 10 inches across, which is attached to vegetation 2
to 6 inches beneath the water. The egg mass will eventually float to the surface. Eggs hatch
after about four weeks. Tadpoles metamorphose in four to five months.
Seasonal Movements: Adult California red-legged frogs will often disperse from aquatic sites
after the first winter rains to seek alternate aquatic habitat for breeding. They may also
disperse from aquatic sites in response to receding water during the driest time of the year.
Adults have been recorded to move up to 1.88 miles from rearing sites.
Period of Identification: January–September
Rana boylii–Foothill Yellow-Legged Frog90
BRRG Priority: 2
Range: Historically known from most Pacific drainages from the Santiam River system in
Oregon south to the San Gabriel River system in California. This species is known to occur
from sea level to 1,940 meters (6,370± feet) above mean sea level. Currently in California,
this species is generally known within Klamath Ranges, Coast Ranges north of Santa
Barbara County, and the Sierra Nevada foothills.
Known Occurrences: There are a number of known occurrences within Tuolumne County
including Hatch Lake, Second Lake, Rose Creek, Hunter Creek, Bull Meadow, confluence of
Big Jackass Creek and Moccasin Creek, south of Table Mountain, and tributaries to the
South Fork Stanislaus River.
Habitat Associations: This species is generally known from partially shaded shallow streams
and riffles supported by rocky substrate in a variety of habitats. Requires shallow flowing
water in small to medium sized streams with at least some cobble-sized substrate to lay egg
masses and use as refuge. Absent or infrequent within habitats occupied by predators,
namely fish and bullfrogs.
include epiphytic diatoms, zooplankton, aquatic larvae, aquatic invertebrates, tadpoles,
terrestrial invertebrates, insects, frogs, and worms.
Breeding: Egg masses are laid following periods of high flow discharge from winter rainfall
and snowmelt, typically between late March and early June depending on local water
conditions. The breeding season at any locality is usually about two weeks for most
90
California Statewide Wildlife Habitat Relationships System, California Department of Fish and Game, Sacramento;
Trenham et al. unpublished data as cited in USFWS 2004.
Page 58 of 187
populations; however, it can be as long as 3 months. Females deposit eggs in clusters of
200 to 300, which hatch in about five days. After oviposition, a minimum of 15 weeks is
required to attain metamorphosis.
Seasonal Movements: Not extensively researched. Primarily stream-dwelling.
Period of Identification: January–February
Rana sierrae–Sierra Nevada Yellow-Legged Frog91
Listing Status: Federal Candidate. California Species of Special Concern.
BRRG Priority: 1
Range: Historically found primarily within California in the Sierra Nevada from north of the
Feather River in Butte County to Tulare County. Extinct population known from Lake Tahoe
area in Nevada. Current range includes portions of its historic range, within the Sierra
Nevada from south Plumas County to southern Tulare County, and from elevations ranging
from 370 meters (1,213± feet) to 3,660 meters (12,007± feet) above mean sea level.
Known Occurrences: This species is known from numerous locations within Tuolumne
County, including Deadman Creek, Elizabeth Lake, tributaries to Wood Lake, Lukens Lake,
Dog Lake, North Fork Cherry Creek, Rafferty Creek, north of Lyell Glacier, Tuolumne
Meadows, North Fork of Dana Fork and Dana Meadows, Tioga Pass, Suesta Lake,
Cathedral Creek, Young Lakes, Medlicott Dome, Evelyn Lake, Chewing Gum Lake,
Blackbird Lake, Five Acre Lake, Coyote Lake, Karl’s Lake, Fisher Lakes, Tilden Lake,
Ardeth Lake, Kerrick Meadow, Dorothy Lake, Lake Vernon, Camp Wolfeboro, White Wolf,
South Fork Griswold Creek, Fraser Lakes, and Shallow Lake.
Habitat Associations: This species is generally found in glaciated lakes, ponds, tarns,
springs, and streams, and is usually associated with montane riparian habitats in lodgepole
pine, yellow pine, sugar pine, white fir, whitebark pine, and wet meadow habitat types.
Alpine lakes usually have grassy or muddy margins, and stream characteristics vary from
rocky high gradient streams with pools, rapids, and small waterfalls to lower gradient
streams with marsh edges and sod banks. Most frogs are observed on a wet substrate
within 1 meter (3.3± feet) of water. Absent or infrequent within habitats occupied by
predators, namely fish and bullfrogs.
include epiphytic diatoms, zooplankton, aquatic larvae, aquatic invertebrates, tadpoles,
terrestrial invertebrates, insects, and frogs.
Breeding: Sierra Nevada yellow-legged frogs breed shortly after ice melt between June and
August, depending on local conditions. Egg masses of up to 500 eggs are laid in shallow
water or deep water attached to vegetation, banks, or rocks. Depending on elevation and
temperatures, metamorphosis requires from a single season up to four seasons. Larvae
transform in July or August. Time to sexual maturity and overall longevity is unknown.
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Seasonal Movements: This frog is chiefly diurnal and emerges shortly after winter snow
melts. Thermoregulation requires individuals to move between microhabitats of different
water temperatures and sun exposure. Adult frogs typically move less than a few hundred
meters from overwintering sites to breeding sites, however distances up to 1 kilometer
(3,280± feet) have been observed. Juvenile dispersal is largely unknown.
Period of Identification: May–August
Spea hammondii–Western Spadefoot92
BRRG Priority: 2
Range: Throughout the Central Valley and adjacent foothills. In the Coast Ranges, it is
found from Point Conception, Santa Barbara County, south to the Mexican border. Elevation
ranges from near sea level at coastal and valley areas, to 4,460 feet above mean sea level
in the southern Sierra foothills.
Known Occurrences: No known occurrences within Tuolumne County, but suitable habitat is
present and the area is within the known range for the species.
Habitat Associations: This species occurs primarily in grasslands, but occasional
populations also occur in valley-foothill hardwood woodlands. Some populations persist for a
few years in orchard or vineyard habitats. Most of the year is spent in underground burrows
up to 36 inches deep, which they construct themselves, but some individuals also use
mammal burrows. Recently metamorphosed juveniles seek refuge in the immediate
vicinities of breeding ponds for up to several days after transformation. They hide in drying
mud cracks, under boards and other surface objects including decomposing cow dung.
Because of their secretive behavior during most of the year, adults probably avoid
predators. Dense populations of tadpoles may be heavily preyed upon by wading birds, or
certain species of mammals including raccoons.
Diet and Foraging: Adults feed on worms, other invertebrates and may consume insects
such as ants, termites, butterfly and moth larvae, and beetles. Tadpoles consume planktonic
organisms and algae, but are also carnivorous and consume dead aquatic larvae of
amphibians, including their own species.
Breeding: Breeding and egg laying normally occurs from late winter to the end of March.
Chorusing males may be heard during this period, but agricultural irrigation may elicit
vocalizations in any month. Females lay numerous small, irregular clusters containing 10 to
42 eggs. They may lay more than 500 eggs in one season. Eggs hatch rapidly, normally
within two weeks.
Seasonal Movements: Adults remain in underground burrows during most of the year, but
the first rains of fall usually initiate surface movements. Breeding activities normally
conclude by the end of March. Tadpoles transform during late spring and disperse after
spending a few hours or days near the pond margins.
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Period of Identification: October–May
Reptiles
Actinemys marmorata–Pacific Pond Turtle93
Listing Status: California Species of Special Concern
BRRG Priority: 2
Range: The historic range of the Pacific pond turtle (previously split into thee subspecies
including western, northwestern, and southwestern pond turtle) included a continuous
distribution within most Pacific slope drainages from Klickitat County, Washington along the
Columbia River to Arroyo Santo Domingo, northern Baja California, Mexico. Elevation range
extends from near sea level to 4,690 feet.
Known Occurrences: Within Tuolumne County, this species is known from occurrences at
Laurel Lake, Pleasant Valley, Moccasin Creek, Camp Mather, Rose Creek, Turnback Creek
at Hayden Road and Hetch Hetchy Dam.
Habitat Associations: This species is associated with ponds, marshes, rivers, streams, and
irrigation ditches that support permanent or near permanent water and aquatic vegetation.
Basking sites are required in or near aquatic habitat. Sandy banks or grassy open fields are
required for depositing eggs.
Diet and Foraging: Adult turtles are dietary generalists and highly opportunistic, and will
consume almost anything that they are able to catch and overpower. Turtles have been
known to feed on plant material, pond lilies, beetles, and a variety of aquatic invertebrates
as well as fishes, frogs, and even carrion. Juveniles feed primarily on zooplankton.
Breeding: Reproductive maturity occurs at about eight years of age. Mating, which has been
rarely observed, typically occurs between March and August, but may occur year-round
depending on local conditions. Females emigrate from the aquatic site to an upland location
that may be a considerable distance, up to 325 feet to find suitable egg-laying sites. Most
oviposition occurs during May and June, although some individuals may deposit eggs as
early as late April and as late as early August. Females may lay more than one clutch a
year. Hatchlings typically emerge from the nest site in the spring.
Seasonal Movements: Western pond turtles increase their level of activity when water
temperatures near the surface consistently reach at least 15° Celsius (59° Fahrenheit). The
northwestern subspecies typically become active in March or April, and disappear to over
wintering sites in October or November. Western pond turtles leave their aquatic sites to
reproduce, aestivate, and over winter within different habitats. It has been documented that
adult turtles can tolerate at least seven days without water. Movement away from water
except to nest is rare.
Period of Identification: Year-round (for adults in aquatic environment)
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Actinemys marmorata marmorata–Northwestern Pond Turtle94
BRRG Priority: 2
Range: The historic range of the western pond turtle, of which the northwestern pond turtle
is a subspecies, included a continuous distribution within most Pacific slope drainages from
Klickitat County, Washington along the Columbia River to Arroyo Santo Domingo, northern
Baja California, Mexico. The northwestern subspecies is known throughout the northern half
of California, west of the Sierra Nevada, generally from sea level to 4,691 feet above mean
sea level.
Known Occurrences: Within Tuolumne County, this species is known from a single
occurrence at Green Springs Run, approximately 0.5 mile upstream from the Mountain Pass
Creek confluence, southwest of Sonora.
Habitat Associations: This species is associated with permanent or near permanent water
within a wide variety of habitat types. Basking sites are required within or near aquatic
habitat.
Diet and Foraging: Adult turtles are dietary generalists and highly opportunistic, and will
consume almost anything that they are able to catch and overpower. Juveniles feed
primarily on zooplankton.
Breeding: Reproductive maturity occurs between 7 and 11 years of age. Mating, which has
been rarely observed, typically occurs in late April or early May, but may occur year-round.
Females emigrate from the aquatic site to an upland location that may be a considerable
distance, up to 1,640 feet. Most oviposition occurs during May and June, although some
individuals may deposit eggs as early as late April and as late as early August. Females
may lay more than one clutch a year. Hatchlings typically emerge from the nest site in the
spring.
Seasonal Movements: Northwestern pond turtles increase their level of activity when water
temperatures near the surface consistently reach at least 15° Celsius (59° Fahrenheit). The
northwestern subspecies typically become active in March or April, and disappear to over
wintering sites in October or November. Western pond turtles leave their aquatic sites to
reproduce, aestivate, and over winter within different habitats. It has been documented that
adult turtles can tolerate at least seven days without water. Movement away from water
except to nest is rare.
Period of Identification: May – September
Charina trivirgata–Rosy Boa95
94
95
California Statewide Wildlife Habitat Relationships System, California Department of Fish and Game, Sacramento.;
Lovich, J. Western Pond Turtle. United States Geological Survey, Western Ecological Research Center
<http://www.blm.gov/ca/pdfs/cdd_pdfs/clemmys1.PDF>.
Page 62 of 187
BRRG Priority: 2
Range: The rosy boa is found throughout southern California, south of Los Angeles, from
the coast to the Mojave and Colorado deserts. It is absent in extreme eastern California and
in the vicinity of the Salton Sea.
Habitat Associations: It inhabits rocky chaparral-covered hillsides and canyons. The rosy
boa prefers areas with moderate to dense vegetation and rocky cover. It has been found
under rocks, in boulder piles, and along rock outcrops and vertical canyon walls.
Diet and Foraging: Its diet consists of small rodents and birds. The species will eat lizards in
captivity and may also do so in the wild.
Breeding: Little is known about the rosy boa’s breeding. Young are live-born with 6-10 in a
brood in a quiet, protected area.
Seasonal Movements: Early in the season, individuals may be crepuscular, but most are
nocturnal. On rare occasions, they may be abroad during the day. The rosy boa probably
does not migrate, but long foraging movements may occur.
Period of Identification: May–September.
Masticophis flagellum ruddocki–San Joaquin Whipsnake96
Listing Status: CNDDB Rank S2; California Species of Special Concern
BRRG Priority: 2
Range: This California endemic species ranges north from Arbuckle in the Sacramento
Valley south to Kern County in the San Joaquin Valley, and westward to the inner South
Coast Ranges. Its elevation range is close to sea level up to nearly 900 m.
habitat is present.
Habitat Associations: The San Joaquin coachwhip (aka San Joaquin whipsnake) generally
occurs in open, arid, treeless areas of valley grasslands and saltbush scrub. Protection from
the elements and predators includes small mammal burrows and shade of low-lying
vegetation and/or other shade-producing objects.
Diet and Foraging: This species is a dietary generalist and preys upon small mammals,
birds and their eggs, other snakes, lizards, amphibians and even carrion.
96
CalHerps 2011. <http://digital-desert.com/wildlife/snakes/coachwhip.html>; Digital-Desert: Mojave Desert 2011
<http://digital-desert.com/wildlife/snakes/coachwhip.html>.
Page 63 of 187
Breeding: May seems to be the height of the breeding season, and eggs are laid early in
the summer, hatching between 45 and 70 days.
Seasonal Movements: Little data is available on seasonal movements of the species.
Period of Identification: March through October
Phrynosoma blainvillii–Coast Horned Lizard97
BRRG Priority: 2
Range: Little is known about the home range of the Coast Horned lizard. However, it has
been known to occur in the Sierra Nevada foothills from Butte County to Kern County, and
throughout the central and southern California Coast. Its elevational range extends up to
4,000 feet in the Sierra Nevada foothills, and up to 6,000 feet in the mountains of southern
California.
Known Occurrences: Red Hills
Habitat Associations: Several habitat types including open shrub lands, clearings in riparian
woodlands, chamise chaparral and annual grassland. It has also been observed in conifer
and riparian habitats, as well as pine-cypress, and juniper habitats. Typically found in sandy
or gravelly soils.
Diet and Foraging: Horned lizards forage on the ground in open areas, usually between
shrubs and often near ant nests. May consume many ants and small beetles also will feed
on wasps, grasshoppers, flies and caterpillars.
Breeding: Little is known about the habitat requirements for breeding and egg-laying. The
reproductive season for the coast horned lizard varies from year to year and geographically
depending on local conditions. Egg laying may extend from late May through June. Eggs are
apparently laid in nests constructed by females in loose soil and hatching occurs after two
months.
Seasonal Movements: Being a diurnal lizard, most activity occurs during the middle of the
day in spring and fall but is restricted to morning and late afternoon during mid-summer.
Nocturnal activity may occur during particularly warm periods. Fall and winter are inactive
periods in most areas. Pronounced seasonal movement or migration has not been reported.
Period of Identification: Year-round
Birds
Accipiter cooperii–Cooper’s Hawk98
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Listing Status: None.
Range: A breeding resident throughout most of the wooded portion of the State. Breeds in
the southern Sierra Nevada foothills, New York Mountains, Owens Valley, and other local
areas in southern California at elevations from sea level to 9,000 feet.
Known Occurrences: Mi-Wok Ranger station.
Habitat Associations: Montane riparian, valley foothill riparian, valley oak woodland, blue
oak woodland, blue oak-foothill gray pine, montane hardwood, montane hardwood-conifer,
ponderosa pine, and Sierran mixed conifer.
This species frequents landscapes where wooded areas occur in patches and groves, and
often uses patchy woodlands and edges with snags for perching. Dense stands of live oak,
riparian deciduous or other forest habitats near water used most frequently. Cooper’s hawk
typically nest in second-growth conifer stands or in deciduous riparian areas, usually near
streams. This species has adapted to developed areas and commonly nests in mature trees
in suburban and urban environments.
Diet and Foraging: Cooper’s hawk hunt in broken woodland and habitat edges; it catches
prey in the air, on ground, and in vegetation. The diet includes small birds, small mammals,
and reptiles and amphibians.
Breeding: Nests in deciduous trees in crotches 10 to 80 feet above the ground. Breeding
occurs from March through August, with clutch sizes of 2 to 6. The female will incubate the
eggs for 35 to 65 days, while the male provides food during this period. Fledging success is
generally one to two per year, and this species is known to commit siblicide.
Seasonal Movements: Typically a year-long resident. At higher elevations will move
downslope during heavy snowfall, only to return in the spring.
Period of Identification: Year-round, though easiest to see during the breeding season
between March and August
Accipiter gentilis–Northern Goshawk99
BRRG Priority: 2
Range: Summer breeding range extends from Alaska, south and east throughout most of
Canada, New England, the northern Great Lakes region, Rockies, Cascades, and Sierra
Nevada. Also within mountains of Mexico and throughout Europe, the Middle East, and
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Asia. Winter range includes much of the summer range, with some individuals migrating into
central and southern portions of the U.S.
Known Occurrences: Numerous occurrences include Fiddler’s Green, Tuolumne Meadows
Lodge, Tuolumne Meadows Ranger Station, Lily Lake, Cascade Creek, Cow Creek, Niagara
Lake, Eagle Creek, Kennedy Lake, Brightman, Pohono Trail, Ireland Lake, Rancheria
Mountain Trail, Sonora Pass, Eagle Meadows vicinity, Long Valley Creek, downstream of
Lyons Reservoir, Mount Knight vicinity, Soap Creek Pass vicinity, Griswold Creek,
Campoodle Creek, Beaver Creek, Beardsley Lake, Skull Creek, Looney Creek, and south of
Afterbay Dam.
Habitat Associations: Preferred habitat is dense coniferous forest and deciduous forest.
Diet and Foraging: Diet primarily consists of birds, mammals, reptiles, and invertebrates.
May take large prey weighing up to half its size. Forages from a perch and able to maneuver
through thick forest vegetation.
Breeding: The breeding season typically extends from March through July. Nest sites are
located within large trees of coniferous and deciduous forests, and are constructed of live
and dead twigs, conifer needles, and bark. Most nests contain 2 to 4 eggs, which hatch
within approximately 36 to 41 days. Eggs are incubated by the female. Juveniles fledge the
nest within approximately 35 to 45 days after hatching.
Seasonal Movements: Residents may move into lower elevations during the winter. Some
northern individuals migrate into central and southern U.S.
Accipiter striatus–Sharp Shinned Hawk100
BRRG Priority: 2
Range: Throughout wooded portions of the county.
Known Occurrences: Long Barn and Donnells Reservoir watershed.
Habitat Associations: Summer breeding habitat restricted to coniferous forests: montane
hardwood-conifer, ponderosa pine, sierran mixed conifer, red fir, lodgepole pine, Jeffrey
pine, subalpine conifer, montane riparian, and white fir. Nesting typically occurs in dense,
pole and small-tree stands of conifers, which are cool, moist, well shaded, with little
groundcover, near water. North facing slopes with plucking perches are critical nesting
habitat requirements for this species. Winter habitat can be similar, but also includes lower
elevation wooded/semi-wooded areas, and rural and urban areas with moderate tree
growth.
Diet and Foraging: Hunts in the upper canopy of tall trees, in or beneath the canopy of small
trees, along edges of wooded and brush areas, and in open areas. Small birds form bulk of
diet.
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Breeding: Breeding occurs from late March to mid-September, depending on latitude and
elevation.
Seasonal Movements: Common winter resident. Less common permanent resident and
breeder in mid-elevation habitats. At higher elevations will move downslope during heavy
snowfall.
Agelaius tricolor–Tricolored Blackbird101
BRRG Priority: 2
Range: Found locally throughout Central Valley and in coastal districts from Sonoma County
south.
Known Occurrences: Phoenix Lake area and Nelson Road near Jamestown.
Habitat Associations: Annual grassland, perennial grassland, blue oak woodland, blue oakfoothill gray pine, and chaparral habitats where suitable freshwater emergent wetland
occurs. Breeds near fresh water, preferably in emergent wetland with tall, dense cattails or
tules, but also in thickets of willow, blackberry, wild rose and tall herbs. Highly colonial;
nesting area must be large enough to support a minimum colony of about 50 pairs. Will
roost in large flocks in fresh emergent wetland or in trees.
Diet and Foraging: Forages on seeds and grains in grassland and cropland habitats.
Breeding: Breeding occurs from April through July, also active breeding from October
through November in the Sacramento Valley. It is a polygymous bird, and each male may
have several mates nesting in his small territory. A colony varies in size from a minimum of
50 nests to over 20,000 in an area of 10 acres or less. Clutch size is usually 3 or 4 eggs and
2 broods may be raised per year. Incubation lasts about 11 days, with young leaving the
nest at about 13 days.
Seasonal Movements: Year-round resident.
Period of Identification: April–July
Ammodramus savannarum–Grasshopper Sparrow102
Listing Status: State Species of Special Concern.
BRRG Priority: 2
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Range: An uncommon and local summer resident and breeder in foothills and lowlands west
of the Cascade-Sierra Nevada crest from Mendocino and Trinity counties, south to San
Diego County. In southern California occurs mainly on hillsides and mesas in coastal
districts, but has bred up to 5,000 feet in the San Jacinto Mountains. It also has been found
in Shasta Valley, Siskiyou County.
habitat is present.
Habitat Associations: Occurs in dry, dense grasslands, especially those with a variety of
grasses and tall forbs and scattered shrubs for singing perches.
Diet and Foraging: The grasshopper sparrow feeds primarily on insects, grasses and forb
seeds. Searches for food on ground and low foliage within relatively dense grasslands;
sometimes scratches in litter.
Breeding: Builds nests of grasses and forbs in a slight depression in ground, hidden at base
of an overhanging clump of grasses or forbs. Breeds from early April to mid-July, with a
peak in May and June. Clutch size is usually 4 to 5 eggs and young leave the nest at about
9 days, although still unable to fly.
Seasonal Movements: Data on seasonal movements is scare. Species winters rarely but
regularly in California, chiefly along the southern coast.
Period of Identification: March–September
Aquila chrysaetos–Golden Eagle
Listing Status: California State Fully Protected
BRRG Priority: 1
Range: Golden eagles range within all foothill and mountain areas throughout California and
are an uncommon non-breeding visitor to lowlands such as the Central Valley. It can be
found anywhere from sea level up to 11,500 feet above sea level.
Known Occurrences: Several sitings in the Stanislaus River canyon between New Melones
Reservoir and Tulloch Reservoir and in the vicinity of Don Pedro Reservoir north of State
Route 120.
Habitat Associations: Preferred nesting habitat includes cliffs and escarpments or tall trees
within a variety of habitat types. Forages over annual grasslands, chaparral, and oak
woodlands.
Diet and Foraging: Forages primarily on small mammals such as rabbits, hares, ground
squirrels, prairie dogs, and marmots, but will also take birds, reptiles, and fish, in addition to
larger prey such as coyotes.
Breeding: The breeding season typically extends from March through August, though pair
bonding can occur as early as January, depending on elevation and latitude. Nest sites are
constructed out of sticks and vegetation on cliffs, trees, riverbanks and man-made
structures, such as windmills, observation towers, nest platforms, and electrical towers.
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Pairs may have several nest sites within a territory and often re-use nests from year-to-year.
Eggs are incubated primarily by the female. Most nests contain 1 to 4 eggs, which hatch
within approximately 35 to 45 days. Hatchlings fledge the nest after about 10 weeks. Sexual
maturity is reached within 4 to 7 years.
Seasonal Movements: Some regions support resident golden eagles, while others support
migrants. For migratory golden eagles, pair formation and courtship begin when the eagles
return to the breeding grounds, between February and mid-April.
Asio flammeus–Short Eared Owl103
BRRG Priority: 2
Range: Formerly found the length of the State, excluding higher mountains regions. Now
found primarily in the Central Valley, in the western Sierra Nevada foothills, and along the
coastline. Breeding range includes coastal areas in Del Norte and Humboldt counties, the
San Francisco Bay Delta, northeastern Modoc plateau, the east side of the Sierra from Lake
Tahoe south to Inyo County, and the San Joaquin Valley.
habitat is present.
Habitat Associations: This species prefers open spaces that support habitat types such as
grasslands, prairies, agricultural fields, salt marshes, estuaries, mountain meadows, and
tundra.
Diet and Foraging: Forages primarily at night over open landscapes. Prey items include
voles, mice, shrews, ground squirrels, pocket gophers, pocket mice, moles, rats, small
rabbits, and muskrats. May also take small birds and large insects.
Breeding: The breeding season typically extends from March to July in the northern
hemisphere. In California, the most common breeding areas are in the northeast and in
Suisun Marsh, and they are known to breed intermittently throughout their range.104 Ground
nests are typically constructed as a scrape within a slightly-sloping ridge or mound
surrounded by vegetation. Courtship consists of aerial displays and hooting, producing
clutch sizes of about 4 to 14 eggs. The eggs are incubated by the female for approximately
21 to 28 days. The male brings food to the female, which feeds and cares for semialtricial
young. Fledging is about 31 to 36 days.
Seasonal Movements: Winter migrant throughout the U.S. Migrants usually arrive in
California in September or October, and leave in April. Concentrates in winter in areas
where prey is abundant, and snow cover is scant or absent.
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Asio otus–Long Eared Owl105
BRRG Priority: 2
Range: Occurs throughout the northern hemisphere. In North America, this species can be
observed year-round throughout the northeastern and western portions of the U.S., with a
breeding range extending within the northern portions of the U.S. and into Canada, and a
winter range extending throughout the midwest and southwest of the U.S. They are found
from sea level to 3,000 meters.
habitat is present.
Habitat Associations: Preferred habitats include dense riparian vegetation and thickets in
proximity to grasslands or shrub lands in addition to open forests.
Diet and Foraging: Typical prey items include mice, moles, ground squirrels, small birds,
small snakes, and insects. Like most owls of its size, prey is pursued primarily by sound due
to its ability to locate mice in complete darkness. The majority of prey is captured on the
ground or in low vegetation.
Breeding: The breeding season extends from March to July. This species occasionally
builds its own nest, but more often uses cavities or abandoned corvid (any of a family,
Corvidae, of stout billed passerine birds including crows, jays, magpies and raven) and
hawk nests within the forest canopy. Anywhere from two to ten white eggs are laid. Female
incubates eggs for 21 to 28 days, while the male feeds. Nestlings fledge in about 50 days or
less.
Seasonal Movements: California supports year-round residents. Displays communal
behavior during the winter months within thickets of vegetation. Often congregates in winter
flocks. May exhibit seasonal movement westward from the Sierra Nevada foothills in the fall.
Athene cunicularia–Burrowing Owl 106
BRRG Priority: 2
Range: This species is thought to have been historically distributed within appropriate
habitats throughout California, excluding the humid northwest coastal forests, and high
mountains. Currently, this species is sparsely distributed within lowland areas of California. It
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is known to occur on the larger offshore islands, and can be found as high as 5,300 ft above
mean sea level in Lassen County.
Known Occurrences: This species is known from one occurrence approximately 0.25 mile
west of Algerine Creek, between Page Mountain and Hog Mountain.
Habitat Associations: Burrowing owls are year long residents of flat, lower elevation
grassland, scrub, and desert habitats characterized by low-lying sparse vegetation. This
ground-nesting crepuscular (active in twilight) species uses rodent burrows, particularly
California ground squirrel burrows, or other burrows for roosting and nesting. Pipes, culverts,
and nest boxes are used where burrows are scarce. Burrowing owl nests have also been
observed in buildings. Alternate perches are set up around burrow sites and are rotated
throughout the day to thermo-regulate; perches in open sunlight in early morning, and
moves to shade perch or to burrow site when hot.
Diet and Foraging: Primarily feeds on insects and small mammals, and is known to prey on
reptiles, birds, and carrion. Burrowing owls hunt from a perch and hover, hawk, dive, and
hop after prey on ground.
Breeding: The male gives a courtship display and notes in front of burrow. Breeding will then
occur from February through August, with the peak of breeding season between mid-April
and mid-July. The pair will produce a clutch size of about 2-10. Young emerge from the
burrow at about 2 weeks old, and are able to fly by about 4 weeks. This species shows high
site fidelity, and may return to the same burrow for breeding several years in a row.
Seasonal Movements: Individuals in northern parts of the range may winter to the south, as
far as Central America, but most are year-round residents of California. Burrowing owls from
the Rockies and western Canada are known to winter in California. Resident owls may
disperse downslope from higher elevation territories in the winter, seeking higher
temperatures and food sources; however, strong site fidelity is suggested throughout their
known range.
Period of Identification: December 1–August 31
Aythya valisineria–Canvasback Duck107
BRRG Priority: 2
Range: Found in estuarine and lacustrine habitats throughout much of California.
Canvasback duck is also found in bays along the northern and central California coast,
especially San Francisco Bay. Common on the Salton Sea and in the Central Valley, less
common elsewhere in lowlands and southern California, and rare on northern mountain
lakes.
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Habitat Associations: The canvasback is found in estuarine and lacustrine habitats
throughout California. Usually rests on water far from shore, but stays near protected
shorelines during high winds. Breeds in fresh, emergent wetlands bordering open water.
Diet and Foraging: The canvasback eats seeds, tubers, leaves, and stems of aquatic plants
(mainly submergents), aquatic mollusks, crustaceans, worms, insects, and fish.
Invertebrates are the principal source of food.
Breeding: The canvasback nests in small numbers and creates a nest that is a mound of
aquatic vegetation amidst emergent plants, over shallow water, and near open water. The
body of water may be a small pond, slough, or large emergent wetland or lake. Sometimes
nests are stranded on dry land when water recedes. A majority of young are reported June
through August. The canvasback produces of a clutch size that is usually 7 to 9, with an
incubation period lasting 23 to 29 days. Precocial young are tended by the female and first
fly after 60 to 70 days.
Seasonal Movements: Except for a small breeding population in northeastern California, the
wintering population migrates to breeding grounds in the northern continental U.S., Canada,
and Alaska, and is mostly absent June through August.
Period of Identification: November–March.
Botaurus lentiginosa–American Bittern108
BRRG Priority: 2
Range: The American bittern is a summer resident at the Salton Sea and Colorado River. It
breeds locally in the Owns Valley and Mojave Desert. Also found in San Diego County, the
Sacramento and San Joaquin valleys, and northeastern California.
Habitat Associations: The American bittern resides in dense emergent wetlands near
sources of freshwater and in desert riparian. Typically nests in emergent wetlands. It rests,
roosts, and hides in dense emergent vegetation or in thickets of saltcedar in desert riparian
habitat.
Diet and Foraging: The American bittern eats mainly small fishes, aquatic and terrestrial
insects, and crayfish. It may also prey on amphibians, small mammals, and miscellaneous
invertebrates.
Breeding: Makes nests of dried and living plants that are built low in tules or cattails, usually
above water level. This species arrives to its California breeding grounds late March to May,
and lays eggs mid-April to early July. Its clutch size is usually 3 to 5, with an incubation of
about 24 days. Hatchlings are tended solely by the female and remain in the nest for
approximately two weeks.
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Seasonal Movements: Most of the California population migrates south to Mexico between
October and March. Part of the population in southern California is nonmigratory.
Period of Identification: April–September.
Buteo regalis–Ferruginous Hawk109
BRRG Priority: 2
Range: The ferruginous hawk is found in the Modoc Plateau, Central Valley, and Coast
Ranges.
Habitat Associations: Often found in lower elevations and open grasslands in the Modoc
Plateau, Central Valley, and Coast Ranges. Also found in grasslands and agricultural areas
in southern California. Frequents open grasslands, sagebrush flats, desert scrub, low
foothills surrounding valleys, and fringes of pinyon-juniper habitats.
Diet and Foraging: Mostly eats lagomorphs, ground squirrels, and mice; also eats birds,
reptiles, and amphibians. Population trends reflect lagomorph population cycles.
Breeding: Typically, the ferruginous hawk nests in foothills or prairies on low cliffs, buttes,
cut banks, shrubs, trees, or other elevated structures, natural or human-made. This species
shows high nest site fidelity. Nesting begins late February to late March and typically ends
between mid-June and late August. Egg laying begins in April, and clutch sizes are about 2
to 6. The eggs are incubated for about 28 days; young fledge at 38 to 50 days. Breeding in
California is uncommon.
Seasonal Movements: The ferruginous hawk is migratory and generally arrives in California
in September and departs by mid-April.
Period of Identification: September–March.
Bucephala islandica–Barrow’s Goldeneye110
BRRG Priority: 2
Range: Barrow’s goldeneye is found in the San Francisco Bay and vicinity and in Marin and
Sonoma counties. It is also found in Southern California along the Colorado River. Formerly
nested in the southern Cascades and Sierra Nevada south to at least Fresno County, but no
potential breeders have been reported since before 1940.
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Habitat Associations: Typically found on estuarine (lagoons and bays) and brackish
lacustrine waters. Also found inland on lacustrine and riverine waters.
Diet and Foraging: Principally the Barrow’s goldeneye preys on mollusks and crustaceans
in saltwater, and aquatic insects and crustaceans in freshwater, but also eats fish eggs and
young.
Breeding: Usually, the Barrow’s goldeneye nests in a tree or snag cavity or the deserted
nest-hole of a pileated woodpecker or flicker. It may also use nest boxes and, where tree
cavities are unavailable, rock crevices or buildings, or even nests under bushes, often near
lakes or quiet rivers. While it does not appear that this species breeds in California any
longer, young were formerly found June through August. It produces a clutch of about 4 to
13, and incubates for about 32 to 34 days. Precocial young are tended by the female only.
By six weeks of age, the young is deserted and attain flight at about eight weeks.
Seasonal Movements: The California wintering population migrates to breeding grounds in
Oregon, Washington, western Canada, and Alaska. It is typically absent from California
between April and September.
Period of Identification: October–March.
Carduelis montanus–Lawrence’s Goldfinch111
BRRG Priority: 2
Range: Common along the western edge of southern deserts and common in Santa Clara
County, on the coastal slope of Monterey County south, and in the foothills surrounding the
Central Valley.
Habitat Associations: Often found in open oak or other arid woodland and chaparral, near
water. Typical habitats include valley foothill hardwood; valley foothill hardwood-conifer; and,
in southern California, desert riparian, palm oasis, pinyon-juniper, and lower montane
habitats, which it uses for feeding.
Diet and Foraging: Lawrence’s goldfinch mostly eats seeds and a few insects. In particular,
favored seeds include pigweed, fiddleneck, starthistle, and chamise.
Breeding: Builds nests in dense tree or shrub foliage. While Lawrence’s goldfinch prefers to
nest in oak, it also uses cypress or deodar cedar or riparian thickets. Most often tests near
water in open, arid woodlands, but also in chaparral. Breeding season begins in late March
or early April. It will lay 3 to 6 eggs per clutch and has an incubation of approximately 12 to
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13 days. Altricial young are tended by both the male and female and leave the nest at about
11 days.
Seasonal Movements: Most individuals that breed in California winter in southwestern
states and northern Mexico and are absent from September through March. Moderate
numbers of Lawrence’s goldfinches winter in southern coastal lowlands and the Colorado
River Valley.
Period of Identification: April–August.
Chaetura vauxi–Vaux’s Swift112
BRRG Priority: 2
Range: Breeding range extends from southeast Alaska through Montana and central
California. Wintering range extends into the tropics.
Known Occurrences: No recorded occurrences within Tuolumne County.
Habitat Associations: Nesting habitat includes large hollow trees within coniferous and
deciduous forest. Forages within forest openings, especially above streams.
Diet and Foraging: Forages in flight primarily on insects and spiders.
Breeding: The breeding season typically extends from April through July. Nests are
constructed from twigs, conifer needles, and weed stems as a saucer-shaped disk within a
tree cavity, typically within a woodpecker hole. Anywhere from 3 to 7 eggs are laid which
both parents incubate for 18 to 20 days. Altricial young are tended by both parents; leave
the nesting tree at about 28 days.
Seasonal Movements: Winter migrant from Alaska, Canada, and northwest U.S. down
through California and Mexico to tropical Central America.
Period of Identification: May–August
Charadrius montanus–Mountain Plover113
Listing Status: CNDDB Rank S2; Federally proposed as Threatened; California species of
special concern
BRRG Priority: 2
Range: Mountain plover has been found in the Central Valley, from Sutter and Yuba
counties southward. Also found in foothill valleys west of the San Joaquin Valley, Imperial
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Valley, plowed fields of Los Angeles, and western San Bernardino counties and along the
central Colorado River Valley. Recent records exist for locations along the northern coast of
California.
Known Occurrences: None listed; however suitable habitat is present.
Habitat Associations: Often, the mountain plover is found on short grasslands and plowed
fields with little vegetation and open sagebrush areas.
Diet and Foraging: This species often searches on the ground for large insects, especially
grasshoppers.
Breeding: While it typically does not nest in California, it does nest in high-elevation
grassland, often blue grama and buffalo grass patches. It breeds from late April through
June, with a peak in late May. Females lay an average clutch of 3 eggs. In years of
abundant food, male may incubate and brood young white female lays another clutch, often
tended by another male.
Seasonal Movements: It breeds from northern Montana and North Dakota south in the
Great Plains to southeastern New Mexico and Texas. Winters from northern California,
southern Arizona, and central Texas south into north-central Mexico.
Period of Identification: September–March.
Cypseloides niger–Black Swift114
BRRG Priority: 2
Range: Ranges throughout coastal belt in Santa Cruz and Monterey counties, Sierra
Nevada, San Bernardino and San Jacinto Mountains in California. Research suggests that
black swifts winter in South America.
Habitat Associations: Nesting habitat includes cliff faces and bluffs adjacent or behind
waterfalls in montane and coastal locales.
Diet and Foraging: Forages primarily on insects including caddisflies, mayflies, beetles, flesh
flies, and wasps.
Breeding: The breeding season typically extends from May through September. This
species is a colonial nester. Nests are well-hidden adjacent to or behind a waterfall or on a
protected sea cliff ledge, and are constructed of mud, ferns, moss, grass, and algae.
Typically, a single egg is laid which both parents incubate for 24 to 27 days. Altricial young
leave the nest at about 45 days.
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Seasonal Movements: Leaves wintering grounds to arrive in breeding grounds in May.
Returns to wintering grounds in October.
Period of Identification: June–August
Dendroica occidentalis–Hermit Warbler115
BRRG Priority: 2
Range: Hermit warblers are found in major mountain ranges form San Gabriel and San
Bernardino mountains, northward, excluding coastal ranges south of Santa Cruz County.
Uncommon in lowlands. Migrant on Farallon and Channel islands.
Habitat Associations: Often found in mature ponderosa pine, montane hardwood-conifer,
mixed conifer, Douglas fir, redwood, red fir, and Jeffrey pine habitats.
Diet and Foraging: Gleans insects and spiders from foliage in middle to upper canopy.
Breeding: Builds nests 25 to 125 feet above ground in conifers and breeds from late April
into early July with peak activity in June. Lays 3 to 5 eggs.
Seasonal Movements: A migrant wave passes through in April and May, and again in
August and early September. Most fall migrants and local breeders follow major mountain
ranges southward.
Period of Identification: September–April
Dendroica petechia brewsteri–Yellow Warbler116
BRRG Priority: 2
Range: Breeding range extends from Alaska across Canada to Newfoundland, and south to
southern California, northern Oklahoma, and Georgia. Nests over all of California except the
Central Valley, the Mojave Desert region, and high altitudes in the Sierra Nevada. Winter
range extends from Florida to southern California and south into the tropics. Winters along
the Colorado River and in parts of Imperial and Riverside counties, with two small
permanent populations in San Diego and Santa Barbara counties. A common migrant of the
Channel and Farallon Islands in the spring and fall.
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habitat is present.
Habitat Associations: Preferred habitat includes riparian types dominated by willows,
cottonwoods, aspens, sycamores, and alders. Also montane shrub types in open conifer
forests. Forages within riparian openings and adjacent scrub.
Diet and Foraging: Forages in flight, primarily on insects, by flycatching and hovering. Also
hover-gleans foliage. May also take spiders and berries.
Breeding: The breeding season typically extends from May through August. Nests are
constructed as a deep cup positioned within upright fork of shrub or tree. Anywhere from 3
to 7 eggs are laid which the female incubates for 11 to 12 days. Juveniles fledge the nest
within 8 to 10 days. Juveniles continue to be fed by parents up to 3 weeks after they fledge
the nest.
Seasonal Movements: Primarily migratory, heading south to winter in the early fall and
returning again to breeding grounds in early summer.
Elanus leucurus–White Tailed Kite117
Listing Status: California Fully Protected.
BRRG Priority: 1
Range: In the low-elevation western portions of the County.
Known Occurrences: No recorded occurrences within Tuolumne County, however, suitable
habitat is present.
Habitat Associations: Annual grassland, perennial grassland, valley oak woodland, blue oak
woodland, blue oak-foothill gray pine, valley foothill riparian, montane hardwood, and
montane hardwood-conifer. Inhabits herbaceous and open stages of most habitats. Whitetailed kite typically nests in and roosts in substantial groves of dense, broad-leafed
deciduous trees located near an open foraging area. May also nest in isolated trees or
patches of trees if suitable foraging habitat is nearby.
Diet and Foraging: Foraging occurs mainly in undisturbed, open grasslands, meadows,
farmlands and emergent wetlands. Preys mostly on voles and other small, diurnal mammals,
and occasionally on birds, insects, reptiles, and amphibians. Considered a beneficial
predator in agricultural fields.
Breeding: Breeding occurs from February through October, with a peak from May to August.
A monogamous pair will produce a clutch of about 4 to 5. The female incubates for about 28
days; young fledge in 35 to 40 days. During the incubation period, the male will feed the
female, and supply her with food to feed the young.
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Seasonal Movements: Breeding resident.
Empidonax traillii–Willow Flycatcher118
Status: State Endangered.
BRRG Priority: 1
Range: Summer resident in wet meadow and riparian habitats at 2,000 to 8,000 feet in the
Sierra Nevada and Cascade ranges. Has been observed breeding along the Santa Ynez
River in Santa Barbara County and along the Santa Clara River in Ventura County. May still
nest elsewhere in lowland California, as in San Diego County.
Ackerson Meadow, Hogdon Meadow, Upper Bell Meadows, Eagle Meadow, and Long
Valley Creek.
Habitat Associations: Nesting and roosting habitat includes extensive thickets of low, dense
willows on the edge of wet meadows, ponds, or backwaters from approximately 2,000 to
8,000 feet above mean sea level. Forages within riparian openings.
Diet and Foraging: Forages in flight primarily on insects. May also hover-glean foliage.
Breeding: The breeding season typically extends from May through September. Nests are
constructed as a cup-shaped nest positioned within interior canopy and dense thicket.
Anywhere from 3 to 4 eggs are laid which the female incubates for 12 to 13 days. Juveniles
fledge the nest within 13 to 14 days, but may remain in the nest for longer.
Seasonal Movements: Migratory, heading south to winter in the early fall, returning again to
breeding grounds in early summer.
Period of Identification: March–August
Eremophila alpestris actia–California Horned Larks119
BRRG Priority: 2
Range: Throughout California
habitat is present.
118
119
Clark, J.P.; and S.E. Hygnstrom. 1994. Prevention and Control of Wildlife Damage: California Horned Lark.
<http://icwdm.org/handbook/birds/bird_e63.pdf>.
Page 79 of 187
Habitat Associations: California horned larks are found in open, short grass fields or prairies
devoid of trees and large shrubs. They commonly utilize row-crop fields, meadows, open
coastal plains, and alkali flats.
Diet and Foraging: Primarily a granivorous bird during most of the year, they shift to insects
in the summer months (especially during the breeding season).
Breeding: Breeds on the ground by digging a small depression, often with a clump of
vegetation on one side. Breeding occurs between April and June.
Seasonal Movements: Little seasonal variation.
Falco columbarius–Merlin120
BRRG Priority: 2
Range: Occurs in most of the western half of the State below 3,900 feet. Rarely found in the
Mojave Desert and Channel Islands. A rare winter migrant in the Mojave Desert; and a few
observations on the Channel Islands.
Habitat Associations: Seldom found in heavily wooded areas or open deserts. Frequents
coastlines, open grasslands, savannahs, woodlands, lakes, wetlands, edges, and early
successional stages. Ranges from annual grasslands to ponderosa pine and montane
hardwood-conifer habitats.
Diet and Foraging: Primarily the merlin feeds on small birds, small mammals, and insects.
Young may rely on insects while developing predatory skills.
Breeding: The merlin does not breed in California; it primarily breeds in Alaska and Canada.
Typically, it modifies existing corvid or hawk nests consisting of an open platform of sticks in
a tree, usually a conifer. Sometimes it nests in cavities, cliffs, in deserted buildings, or on the
ground, usually close to water. Eggs are laid from late May into June. Produces a clutch of
about 4 to 5 eggs that are incubated for 28 to 32 days. Chicks fledge at 24 days.
Seasonal Movements: The merlin winters in California from September to May, wandering
in search of abundant prey. Some individuals migrate as far as South America in the winter.
Period of Identification: September–May.
Falco mexicanus–Prairie Falcon121
120
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BRRG Priority: 2
Range: Year-round resident throughout much of the State; winters in the Central Valley and
along the coast.
Known Occurrences: Shell Road area
Habitat Associations: Occurs in open habitats such as grasslands, desert scrub, rangelands
and croplands.
Diet and Foraging: Eats mostly small mammals, some small birds and reptiles. Catches prey
in air and on ground in open areas. Dives from a perch with rapid pursuit or dives from
searching flight 50 to 300 feet above ground.
Breeding: Usually nests in a scrape on a sheltered ledge of a cliff overlooking a large, open
area. Sometimes nests on old raven or eagle stick nest on cliff, bluff, or rock outcrop. Aerial
courtship display occurs near nest site. Breeds from mid-February through mid-September,
with peak April to early August. It produces a clutch size of about 3 to 6 eggs. Young begin
to disperse in June and July.
Seasonal Movements: Migrates from north to winter in California. Some prairie falcon
wander upslope in summer and downslope in winter.
Falco peregrinus anatum–American Peregrine Falcon122
Listing Status: Federally Delisted; State Delisted and Fully Protected,.
BRRG Priority: 1
Range: Very uncommon breeding resident, and uncommon as a migrant. Active nesting
sites are known along the coast north of Santa Barbara, in the Sierra Nevada, and in other
mountains of northern California. In winter, found inland throughout the Central Valley, and
occasionally on the Channel Islands. Migrants occur along the coast and in the western
Sierra Nevada in spring and fall.
Known Occurrences: Sensitive nesting locations are known within Tuolumne County.
Habitat Associations: Breeds mostly in woodland, forest, and coastal habitats. Riparian
areas and coastal and inland wetlands are important habitats year long, especially in nonbreeding seasons. An uncommon breeder along the southern Colorado River, and
uncommon winter visitor along the coast of southern California. Associated strictly with
large, fish-bearing waters, primarily in ponderosa pine through mixed conifer habitats.
Occurs worldwide, in a cosmopolitan distribution pattern in a wide variety of habitats.
121
122
Sibley, D.A. 2000. National Audubon Society: The Sibley Guide to Birds.
Page 81 of 187
Individuals often wander. Golden eagles, great horned owls, raccoons and other mammals
may prey on young. May compete with ravens and prairie falcons for nest site.
Diet and Foraging: Often hunts by swooping from a high perch above flying prey (mainly
pigeons and doves), which they chase in flight. They are very maneuverable and can reach
diving speeds over 140 km per hour (Alerstam 1987). Takes a variety of birds up to ducks in
size; occasionally takes mammals, insects, and fish. In Utah, nests averaged 3.3 miles from
the nearest foraging marsh, and 7.6 miles from the nearest marsh over 320 acres in area.
Breeding: This species breeding season typically extends from early March to late August.
Breeds near wetlands, lakes, rivers, or other water on high cliffs, banks, dunes and mounds.
Nest is a scrape on a depression or ledge in an open site. Will nest on human-made
structures, and occasionally uses tree or snag cavities or old nests of other raptors. Clutch
size typically consists of 3 to 7 eggs, which incubate for about 32 days until hatching. May
double clutch.
Seasonal Movements: Resident breeder populations occur in California. Non-residents
breeding in northern latitudes migrate to winter in California.
Gavia immer–Common Loon123
BRRG Priority: 2
Range: Common loons breed from the Aleutian Islands, Alaska, and northern Canada south
into California, Montana, and Massachusetts, in addition to Greenland and Iceland. Winter
range includes the Great Lakes and the Atlantic, Gulf, and Pacific coasts.
habitat is present along lakes and rivers.
Habitat Associations: Preferred nesting habitat includes offshore islands, islets, and flotsam
adjacent to lakes and rivers. Common loons cannot nest on frozen water. Preferred
wintering habitat includes coastal bays and nearshore ocean waters.
Diet and Foraging: Forages primarily on fish by diving from the water’s surface and pursuing
prey underwater. Will also prey upon crustaceans and other benthic (relating to or occurring
at the bottom of a body of water) organisms.
Breeding: The breeding season for the common loon typically extends from May through
September. Nest sites are constructed with stems, grasses, and twigs, and are positioned
along lakes, seashore areas, and rivers at locations with easy access to deep water. Eggs
are incubated by both parents. Most nests contain 1 to 3 eggs that are incubated for about
29 days. Precocial young are cared for by both parents until they can fly at 12 weeks.
123
CWHRS
2000 <http://nrm.dfg.ca.gov/FileHandler.ashx?DocumentID=1545&inline=1>; Zeiner, D.C., W.F.
Laudenslayer, Jr., K.E. Mayer, and M. White, eds. 1990. California’s Wildlife. Volume I-III: Amphibians and Reptiles,
Birds, Mammals. California Statewide Wildlife Habitat Relationships System, California Department of Fish and Game,
Sacramento.
Page 82 of 187
Seasonal Movements: Common loons migrate from coastal waters and interior lakes to
breed in northern latitudes during the summer.
Period of Identification: September–May
Haliaeetus leucocephalus–Bald Eagle124
Listing Status: Federally Delisted; California State Endangered and Fully Protected.
BRRG Priority: 1
Range: Throughout North America. Permanent resident restricted to breading in Butte,
Lake, Lassen, Modoc, Plumas, Shasta, Siskiyou, and Trinity counties. Largest numbers
occur at Big Bear Lake, Cachuma Lake, Lake Mathews, Nacimiento Reservoir, San Antonio
Reservoir, and along the Colorado River.
Known Occurrences: This species is known from a number of locations within Tuolumne
County including Cherry Lake, Don Pedro Reservoir, and Beardsley Lake.
Habitat Associations: This species generally uses old-growth habitat adjacent to ocean
shores, lake margins, rivers, and other water bodies for nesting. Most nests are within 1 mile
of water within large, old growth, dominant or co-dominant live trees characterized by open
branches, at least one perch, and a clear view of the closest water body. Other nest sites
occur on snags, cliffs, rock promontories, man-made structures, and artificial nest structures
or platforms. Wintering habitat is similar to nesting habitat, and communal roosts are
typically formed. Wintering eagles utilize a variety of perch sites that are typically isolated
and located in remote areas, with the most important variable being proximity to food
source.
Diet and Foraging: Primary foraging items include fish, waterfowl, jack rabbits, and various
types of carrion. Anadromous and non-anadromous fish are perhaps the most important
food item for eagles in the Pacific region.
Breeding: Eagles in the Pacific Northwest and California region typically nest in large, oldgrowth or dominant live trees within open branchwork, especially ponderosa pine. Nests
most frequently in stands with less than 40% canopy, but usually with some foliage shading
the nest. They will often choose the largest tree in a stand on which to build a stick platform
nest. The bald eagle will breed February through July, with peak activity March through
June. They produce a clutch size of 2 eggs, which are incubated approximately 34 to 36
days. Semialtricial young hatch asynchronously.
Seasonal Movements: Many of the eagles in the Pacific region remain within breeding
territories throughout the year; however, some wintering individuals migrate south from
Canada and other areas in the fall, to return to breeding areas again in January.
Histrionicus histrionicus–Harlequin Duck125
124
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BRRG Priority: 2
Range: The Harlequin duck is found in marine waters along the rocky coast from San Luis
Obispo County north. Also found along the Fresno River and on large Sierran rivers from
Madera to Tuolumne counties.
Habitat Associations: Often found along rocky coastlines and Sierran rivers. It rests on the
water, or near water on offshore rocks or rocky shores or riverbanks.
Diet and Foraging: Eats almost entirely crustaceans, mollusks, and aquatic insects.
Breeding: Usually nests along shores of shallow, swift rivers with plentiful aquatic
invertebrates. Nest is often in a recess, sheltered overhead by a stream bank, rocks, woody
debris, or low shrubs, but there is no evidence of nesting in tree cavities. In California, nests
rarely from May to August. Clutch size is usually 3 to 7; seldom more than 9 and are
incubated for about 27 to 29 days. The precocial young are tended by the female only, but
several families commonly combine into larger groups. The female may desert the young
before they are able to fly.
Seasonal Movements: Except for a few breeding pairs and stragglers, the California
wintering population migrates to breeding grounds in the northwestern U.S. and Canada,
and is absent from late April to September.
Period of Identification: October–March.
Icteria virens–Yellow-Breasted Chat126
BRRG Priority: 2
Range: Found up to about 4,800 feet above sea level in valley foothill riparian and up to
6,500 feet above sea level east of the Sierra Nevada in desert riparian habitats. Also found
along the coast of northern California east to the Cascades, and occurs only locally south of
Mendocino County. In migration, it may be found in lower elevations of mountains in riparian
habitat.
habitat is present.
Habitat Associations: This species prefers second-growth, low, dense, riparian thickets and
brush near water sources including streams, swampy ground, and borders of small ponds.
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Diet and Foraging: Forages primarily for small invertebrates and fruits by gleaning prey from
foliage.
Breeding: The breeding season typically extends from May through July. Constructs a small
cup of grasses, leaves, strips of bark, stems of weeds, and other plant material within dense
shrubs. Typically, 3 to 6 eggs are laid, which are incubated for about 11 to 15 days. The
young fledges in about 8 to 11 days. Altricial young are tended by both parents until
fledging.
Seasonal Movements: Migrates north from wintering grounds in Mexico and Central
America to breed in the spring in the U.S. and Canada.
Period of Identification: April – July
Ixobrychus exilis–Least Bittern127
BRRG Priority: 2
Range: The least bittern is a common resident of the Salton Sea and Colorado River. It is
also found in the Owens Valley and Mojave Desert, San Diego County, and the Sacramento
and San Joaquin valleys. In northeastern California, recent breeding records exist in
Siskiyou Modoc and Lassen counties.
Habitat Associations: Often, the least bittern is found in dense emergent wetlands near
sources of freshwater and in desert riparian habitat.
Diet and Foraging: The least bittern mainly eats small fishes, aquatic and terrestrial insects,
and crayfish. It also consumes amphibians, small mammals, and miscellaneous
invertebrates, often feeding in the open-water side of emergent vegetation, using vegetation
stalks as stepping-stones.
Breeding: It arrives in its California breeding ground in late March to May and lays eggs
mid-April to early July. Its nests are made of dried and living plants, and are built low in tules
or cattails, usually above water level. It produces a clutch size of about 4 to 5. Semi-altricial
young are tended to by both the male and female, until up to 26 days old.
Seasonal Movements: Most of the California least bittern population migrates south to
Mexico for winter (mainly in October to March). Part of the population in southern California
is nonmigratory.
Lanius ludovicianus–Loggerhead Shrike128
127
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BRRG Priority: 2
Range: Common resident and winter visitor in lowlands and foothills throughout California.
In the Great Basin, from Inyo County north, the population declines markedly from
November through March. Rare on the coastal slope north of Mendocino County, occurring
only in the winter.
habitat is present.
Habitat Associations: Annual grassland, perennial grassland, valley oak woodland, blue oak
woodland, blue oak-foothill gray pine, valley foothill riparian, montane hardwood, and
montane hardwood-conifer. This species prefers open habitats with scattered shrubs, trees,
posts, fences, utility lines, or other perches. Occurs only rarely in heavily urbanized areas,
but often found in open cropland. Builds nest on stable branch in densely-foliaged shrub or
tree, usually well-concealed.
Diet and Foraging: Eats mostly large insects, but also takes small birds, mammals,
amphibians, reptiles, fish, carrion, and various other invertebrates. Frequently skewers prey
on thorns, sharp twigs, or wire barb; or forces it into a crotch to feed on or to cache for
feeding later.
Breeding: The loggerhead shrike builds a nest on a stable branch in a densely foliaged
shrub or tree, usually well concealed (at 1.3 to 50.0 feet above the ground). Eggs are laid
from March into May, and young become independent by July or August. A monogamous,
solitary nester, the shrike produces clutch sizes of about 4 to 8 and incubates for about 14 to
15 days. Altricial young are tended to by both parents and leave the nest at 18 to 19 days.
Seasonal Movements: None.
Nycticorax nycticorax–Black Crowned Night Heron129
BRRG Priority: 2
Range: Yearlong resident in lowlands and foothills throughout most of California, including
the Salton Sea and Colorado River areas. Uncommon in northwestern and rare in
northeastern California during the winter.
128
129
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Habitat Associations: Nests and roosts in dense-foliaged trees and dense emergent
wetlands along the margins of lacustrine, riverine, fresh and saline emergent habitats, and
kelp beds in marine subtidal habitats.
Diet and Foraging: Feeds mostly nocturnally and crepuscularly. Highly variable diet consists
of fishes, crustaceans, aquatic insects and other invertebrates, amphibians, reptiles, small
mammals, and rarely young birds.
Breeding: The black-crowned night heron breeds mainly between February and July and
produces a clutch that is 3 to 4, sometimes 5, which are incubated for about 24 to 26 days.
Semi-altricial, the young are tended to by both parents. The young first fly at 6 weeks, but
are not independent until some time later. The black-crowned night heron nests in densefoliaged trees, dense fresh or brackish emergent wetlands, or dense shrubbery or vine
tangles, usually near aquatic or emergent feeding areas. Nests are built of twigs and/or
marsh plants.
Seasonal Movements: It is a local migratory, dispersing widely from breeding colonies after
nesting. Much of the breeding population from northern California probably moves
southward and is absent from those areas in midwinter.
Period of Identification: February–July
Pandion haliaetus–Osprey130
BRRG Priority: 2
Range: Breeds in Northern California from the Cascade Range south to Lake Tahoe and
along the Pacific Coast south to Marin County.
Known Occurrences: Cherry Lake, Pinecrest Lake, Lyons Reservoir, New Melones
Reservoir and Lake Don Pedro.
Habitat Associations: Ponderosa pine (ppn), and Sierran mixed conifer (smc). Uses large
trees, snags and dead-topped trees in open forest habitats for cover and nesting.
Diet and Foraging: Preys mostly on fish, also takes mammal, birds, amphibians, reptiles
and invertebrates. Requires open clear waters for foraging. Uses rivers, lakes and
reservoirs. Swoops from flight, hovers or perches to catch fish near surface of water.
Breeding: Nests on platform of sticks on top of large snags, dead-topped trees, cliffs or
man-made structures. Nests usually within 1,312 feet of fish-producing water but may be up
to one mile from water. Needs tall open-branched trees near the nest for landing prior to
approaching the nest. The Osprey breeds March to September and produces a clutch size
of about 1 to 4 eggs.
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Seasonal Movements: Arrives on nesting grounds mid-March to early April. Migrates south
along coast and western slope of Sierra Nevada in October to Central and South America.
Period of Identification: March to October.
Pelecanus erythrorhynchos–American White Pelican131
BRRG Priority: 2
Range: In California, it nests only at large lakes in the Klamath Basin, especially Clear Lake
National Wildlife Refuge. Bred at Honey Lake, and formerly bred in large numbers in the
Central Valley and the Salton Sea. From August to December, found on salt ponds of San
Francisco Bay and on the coastal slope from Sonoma County south. Also observed at Lake
Tahoe, the Salton Sea, Colorado River, Morro Bay, and San Diego Bay.
habitat is present.
Habitat Associations: Nesting habitat includes large brackish and freshwater lakes with
protected islets. Outside the breeding season, this species’ preferred habitat includes
shallow lakes and coastal lagoons with adequate foraging resources.
Diet and Foraging: Forages primarily on fish while swimming on water surface. Displays
cooperative feeding behavior in which groups may corral and concentrate prey in shallow
water.
Breeding: The American white pelican is a monogamous colonial nester, in groups of a few
to several hundred pairs. Courtship begins soon after arrival at breeding grounds in March
or April. Nest building begins in March or April; nests are flat or generally sloping, lacking
shrubs or other obstructions that would impede taking flight, free of human disturbance, and
usually with loose earth suitable for nest-mounds. A typical clutch size consists of about 2
eggs, which are incubated about 36 days. Altricial young are fed by both parents and leave
the nest at 3 to 4 weeks.
Seasonal Movements: Migrates north in March or April from wintering grounds in the
southern U.S. and Mexico to breed in the U.S. and Canada. They migrate south to wintering
grounds again in September or October.
Phalacrocorax auritus–Double-Crested Cormorant132
Listing Status: CNDDB Rank S3.
131
132
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BRRG Priority: 2
Range: The cormorant is a yearlong resident along the entire coast of California and on
inland lakes, in fresh, salt, and estuarine waters.
Habitat Associations: Lakes and large rivers and streams. Rests in daytime and roosts
overnight beside water on offshore rocks, islands, steep cliffs, dead branches of trees, or
even transmission lines. Perching sites must be barren of vegetation. Perches visited
periodically throughout the day to dry plumage. May rest or sleep on water in daytime.
Diet and Foraging: Feeds mainly on fish, but consumes crustaceans and amphibians. Dives
from water surface and pursues prey underwater.
Seasonal Movements: Migrates out of the County for breeding.
Breeding: Requires undisturbed nest-sites beside water, on islands or mainland. It uses
wide rock ledges on cliffs, rugged slopes, and trees. The cormorant breeds mostly April to
July or August. It is a monogamous bird that nests in colonies of a few to hundreds of pairs
and produces a clutch size of about 3 to 4, which are incubated for about 25 to 29 days.
Altricial young are tended to by both parents, first fly at 5 to 6 weeks, and are fully
independent at 10 weeks.
Progne subis–Purple Martin133
BRRG Priority: 2
Range: Absent from higher desert regions in California; however, observed on the coast and
inland to Modoc and Lassen counties. It is absent from higher slopes of the Sierra Nevada,
and prefers wooded, low-elevation habitats throughout the State.
habitat is present.
Habitat Associations: Montane riparian, valley-foothill riparian, valley oak woodland, blue
oak woodland, blue oak-foothill gray pine, montane hardwood, montane hardwood-conifer,
ponderosa pine, lodgepole pine, red fir, and Sierran mixed conifer. Nests typically are
established in an old woodpecker cavity and sometimes in human-made structures such as
nesting boxes, bridges, and culverts. In urban areas, this species commonly nests in weep
holes in overpasses and bridges.
Diet and Foraging: Forages for insects on the wing. Occasionally forages on the ground.
Breeding: It nests in old woodpecker cavities, sometimes in human-made structures, nesting
boxes, under bridges, or culverts. Nesting occurs from April into August, with peak activity in
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June. Each pair will nest colonially or singly, depending on nest site availability and will
produce 3 to 8 eggs. Altricial young are tended to by both the male and female and leave
the nest at about 24 to 31 days.
Seasonal Movements: Summer resident; does not winter in California.
Spizella atrogularis–Black-chinned Sparrow134
BRRG Priority: 2
Range: Often found in the foothills bordering the Central Valley and on arid mountain
slopes of southern California. Breeds regularly north to Mariposa and Lake counties, and
irregularly north to Shasta and Trinity counties. In southern California, it breeds on desert
ranges north to White Mountains, Inyo County, and on arid slopes west of deserts, but only
very locally near coast.
Known Occurrences: Not listed; however, suitable habitat is present.
Habitat Associations: Occurs mostly on sloping ground in mixed chaparral, chamiseredshank chaparral, sagebrush, and similar brushy habitats, including those in understory of
sparse pinyon-juniper, juniper, and other conifer habitats. Frequents shrub stands of mixed
species.
Diet and Foraging: The black-chinned sparrow feeds on seeds, insects, and fruits
associated with shrubs.
Breeding: Breeding season occurs between April and early August, with a peak in May and
June. They construct nests of dry grass and forb stems, lined with finer grasses, plant fibers,
hairs, and feathers in the dense foliage of a shrub. Clutch sizes average about 3 to 4 eggs,
which are incubated for 12 to 13 days. Altricial young are tended to by both the male and
female.
Seasonal Movements: Usually, the black-chinned sparrow arrives in California during April
and departs in August or September.
Spizella passerina–Chipping Sparrow135
BRRG Priority: 2
134
135
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Range: The chipping sparrow is commonly found throughout most of California, excluding
the Central Valley, southern deserts, and alpine areas. Less common in the Central Valley
and southern California lowlands.
Habitat Associations: Prefers wooded habitats with a sparse or low herbaceous layer and
few shrubs, if any. Although it requires trees for resting and singing, and prefers trees for
nesting, it often forages in nearby herbaceous and open shrub habitats, including dry
margins of wet meadows.
Diet and Foraging: Eats mostly insects and spiders in breeding season, and mostly grass
and forb seeds the rest of the year.
Breeding: The chipping sparrow usually begins to breed in April or May, and produces a
clutch size of about 3-5. In California it usually nests in a conifer, but deciduous trees or
shrubs are also used. A monogamous, solitary nester, the chipping sparrow will produce a
clutch size of about 3 to 5 eggs, which will be incubated for 11 to 14 days by the female.
Altricial young are tended to by both parents. Young leave the nest at 9 to 12 days, but do
not fly until about 14 days.
Seasonal Movements: Breeders mostly leave California in September or early October and
return in April or May. Some move downslope to winter from the Central Valley to southern
Mexico, but it is not known what portion of the breeding population remains to winter in the
State and what portion migrates farther south. They are present year-round in parts of
southwestern California, but the breeding population may be replaced or augmented by a
different wintering population.
Period of Identification: May–September
Strix nebulosa–Great Gray Owl136
Listing Status: State Endangered.
BRRG Priority: 1
Range: A rarely seen resident at 4,500 to 7,500 feet in the Sierra Nevada from the vicinity of
Quincy, Plumas County south to the Yosemite Region. Most recent records are from the
Merced and Tuolumne river drainages of Yosemite National Park. Occasional reported in
northwestern California in winter, and in Warner Mountains in the summer.
Known Occurrences: Numerous occurrences within Tuolumne County including Crane Flat,
Ackerson Meadow, White Wolf Campground, Salt Lick Meadow, junction of Ireland Creek
and Lyell Fork, Kassabaum Meadow, Upper Relief Valley, Wilson Meadow, South Ackerson
Meadow, Stone Meadow, Camp Mather, Lower Tuolumne Meadow, Cottonwood Meadow,
Tamarack Creek, Italian Bar Road, Pine Mountain Lake vicinity, Belleview School site, Star
Ridge, Jack Main Canyon at Falls Creek, Eagle Creek, and Ackerson-Stringer Meadow.
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Habitat Associations: Preferred habitat is boreal forest.
Diet and Foraging: Forages from a perch primarily on small mammals, but may also take
birds. Can locate and capture prey beneath the snow.
Breeding: The breeding season typically extends from March through July, with nesting
peaking between mid-April and late May. Nest sites located within open landscapes,
marshes, and forests on broken-topped dead trees and existing nests of other birds such as
crows and hawks. Eggs are incubated by the female. Most nests contain 1 to 5 eggs, which
hatch within approximately 28 to 29 days.
Seasonal Movements: Residents may move into lower elevations during the winter.
Strix occidentalis–California Spotted Owl137
BRRG Priority: 2
Range: Breeding range extends west of the Cascade Range through the North Coast
Ranges, the Sierra Nevada, and in more localized areas of the Transverse and Peninsular
ranges. May move downslope in winter along the eastern and western slopes of the Sierra
Nevada, and in other areas.
Known Occurrences: There have been several sitings of the California Spotted Owl
throughout the forested areas of Tuolumne County including Shanahan Flat, Long Gulch
Ranch, Lyons Reservoir, Beardsley Lake, Sourgrass Meadow, Hunter Ridge, the Middle
Fork of the Stanislaus River, Thompson Meadow, Reed Creek, Bear Springs Creek, Skunk
Creek, Jawbone Station, Grizzly Creek, Beaver Creek, Soap Creek, Knight Creek and
Griswold Creek.
Habitat Associations: Preferred habitats include dense old growth coniferous forest,
redwood, and Douglas fir habitats, from sea level up to approximately 7,600 feet above sea
level.
Diet and Foraging: Forages primarily on northern flying squirrels and dusky-footed woodrats.
Other prey items include gophers, mice, squirrels, shrews, moles, bats, birds, frogs, lizards,
and insects. Spotted owls hunt primarily at night from an elevated perch whereby they
swoop and pounce their prey, capturing it with their talons.
Breeding: The spotted owl uses dense, multi-layered canopy cover for roost seclusion. The
owl breeds from early March through June, with a peak in April and May. Most nests contain
2 eggs, which hatch within approximately 30 days. Chicks fledge the nest 34 to 36 days
after hatching. Each mating pair may use the same breeding site for 5 to 10 years, but may
not breed every year.
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Seasonal Movements: Generally non-migratory, remaining within the same home ranges
year-round. In the Sierra Nevada, some individuals migrate down slope from higher
elevations and into winter ranges in lower elevations.
Mammals
Antrozous pallidus–Pallid Bat138
Listing Status: State Species of Special Concern, considered a High Priority species by the
Western Bat Working Group.
BRRG Priority: 2
Range: The pallid bat occurs throughout California except for the high Sierra Nevada from
Shasta to Kern counties, and the northwestern corner of the State from Del Norte and
western Siskiyou counties to northern Mendocino County. It is a yearlong resident in most of
its range.
Known Occurrences: Pinecrest Lake, Jamestown mine site, Long Barn, Don Pedro
Reservoir, Tuolumne River, Moccasin, Pate Valley, and several occurrences in the
Stanislaus National Forest.
Habitat Associations: This species occurs in a variety of habitats throughout the State. It is
most abundant is xeric ecosystems. Pallid bats roost alone, and in both large and small
groups. Day and night roosts include crevices in rocky outcrops and cliffs, caves, mines,
trees, and human structures such as bridges, barns, porches, bat boxes, and buildings. This
species also has been found roosting on or near the ground under stone piles, rags, and
baseboards. Pallid bat is a gregarious species and often roost in colonies of 20 to several
hundred individuals. The tendency to roost gregariously, combined with a relative sensitivity
to disturbance, make it vulnerable to mass displacement.
Diet and Foraging: Pallid bats are generalists that surface glean for arthropods (organisms
having a hard jointed exoskeleton and paired jointed legs) and also capture insects on the
wing.
Breeding: Occurs from October to February. Gestation is 53 to 71 days long. Young are
born from April to July, mostly from May to June. The average litter is 2, but females
reproducing for the first time usually only have 1 young. The altricial young are weaned in 7
weeks and are first observed flying in July and August.
Seasonal Movements: Non-migratory. Hibernate during winter, with very little activity.
Period of Identification: April–October
Aplodontia rufa californica–Sierra Nevada Mountain Beaver139
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Listing Status: State Species of Special Concern
BRRG Priority: 2
Range: Mountain beavers range throughout the Cascade, Klamath, and Sierra Nevada. In
the coast ranges, most populations occur below 2,700 feet.
Known Occurrences: No known occurrences have been recorded within Tuolumne County;
however, suitable habitat is present.
Habitat Associations: Preferred habitat includes montane riparian with an open canopy and
dense understory. Deep friable soils are required for burrowing along with a cool, moist
microclimate.
Diet and Foraging: Diet consists of vegetative parts of plants. Stores food sources near
burrow entrance and within underground chambers.
Breeding: Mountain beavers breed between December and March, with the peak of the
breeding season occurring in February. A litter of 2 to 3 young are born from February to
June following a gestation period of 28 to 30 days.
Seasonal Movements: Sedentary and non-migratory outside of home range.
Bassariscus astutus–Ringtail140
Listing Status: State Fully Protected
BRRG Priority: 1
Range: The ringtail is widely distributed in North America.
Known Occurrences: No known occurrences have been recorded within Tuolumne County;
however, suitable habitat is present.
Habitat Associations: Ringtail occur in a variety of low- to mid-elevation riparian, forest, and
shrub habitats supporting hollow trees, logs, snags, cavities in talus and other rocky areas,
and other recesses. Usually found within 0.6 miles of permanent water.
Diet and Foraging: Ringtails are primarily carnivorous and typically prey upon rodents and
rabbits on the ground, among rocks, in trees, and near water. May also take birds, eggs,
reptiles, invertebrates, fruits, nuts, and carrion.
Breeding: Nests are constructed within rock recesses, hollow trees, logs, snags, abandoned
burrows, and wood rat nests. The breeding season for ringtail typically occurs between
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March and April. A litter of 1 to 5 young are born in May and June after a 40 to 50 day
gestation period.
Seasonal Movements: May move downslope into lower elevations in the winter in search of
resources before returning to higher elevations in the summer.
Corynorhinus townsendii -Townsend’s Big-Eared Bat141
Listing Status: California species of special concern, considered a High Priority species by
the Western Bat Working Group.
BRRG Priority: 2
Range: Throughout the County from sea level to 11,000 feet in elevation. Distribution
correlated with availability of caves and cave-like roosting habitat.
Known Occurrences: Jawbone Creek, Goodwin Dam, Quartz Mountain, Stanislaus River
Canyon, Columbia area.
Habitat Associations: All. Population centers occur in areas dominated by exposed, cavity
forming rock and/or historic mining districts. Day roosts include open surfaces in caves and
abandoned mines. Also reported to utilize buildings, bridges, rock crevices, and hollow trees
for roosting, particularly for night roosting. Winter hibernating colonies range in size from a
single individual to several hundred. The tendency to roost gregariously, combined with a
relative sensitivity to disturbance, make it vulnerable to mass displacement.
Diet and Foraging: Foraging associations include edge habitats along streams and areas
adjacent to and within a variety of wooded habitats. Townsend’s big-eared bat is a moth
specialist; over 90% of its diet is composed of moths.
Breeding: Occurs from November to February. Gestation lasts anywhere from 56 to 100
days, depending on the temperature, size of the hibernating cluster, and time in hibernation.
Pups are born from late May to June, peaking in late May and are volant at 4 to 6 weeks of
age.
Seasonal Movements: Seasonal movement patterns not well understood. There may be
local migration along altitudinal gradients. Hibernate during winter, with very little activity.
Dipodomys heermanni dixoni–Merced kangaroo rat142
141
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BRRG Priority: 2
Range: Distributed in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada from Kern to El Dorado counties, in
the San Joaquin Valley, and in the Coast Ranges south of San Francisco Bay to Point
Conception.
Known Occurrences: None; however, suitable habitat is present.
Habitat Associations: Live in burrows, often use ground squirrel tunnels. Upper and Lower
Sonoran life zoned. May extend into the Transition Zone.
Diet and Foraging: Nocturnal feeder. Feeds on green vegetation and seeds of grasses and
forbs. Will also capture insects at night.
Breeding: Breeds from February into October, with a peak in April. Each litter size is about 2
or 3 young; the young are weaned at 17 to 25 days.
Seasonal Movements: None.
Year around. This species does not hibernate. Spends
approximately 23 hours per day within the burrow. Species emerges from burrows shortly
after dark and forages for 15 to 20 minutes.
Euderma maculatum–Spotted Bat143
Listing Status: California Species of Special Concern, considered a High Priority species by
BRRG Priority: 2
Range: The spotted bat has been found in the foothills, mountains, and desert regions of
southern California. Elevational range extends from below sea level to above 10,000 feet
above sea level.
Known Occurrences: Standard area, Stage Flat Meadow, Schaeffer Meadow, Hess
Meadow, Donnell Reservoir Dam, Pate Valley, Tuolumne Meadow, Harden Flat, Dana
Meadow, Hetch Hetchy Reservoir
Habitat Associations: All. Spotted bat depends upon rock-faced cliff roosting habitat, which
limits this species to areas with these specific geologic features. Thought to roost singly
during the day. Spotted bat forages throughout the night, so it does not utilize night roosts.
Echolocations (sensory system in which usually high-pitched sounds are emitted and their
echoes interpreted to determine the direction and distance of objects) calls of this bat are
often audible.
Diet and Foraging: Has been documented foraging in many habitat types. Feeds primarily
on flying moths.
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Breeding: The breeding season occurs from October to February. Mating is done in the
autumn. Pups are born from late May to July, with most births occurring before mid-June,
and are volant at 4 to 6 weeks of age.
Seasonal Movements: Non-migratory. There may be local migration along altitudinal
gradients.
Eumops perotis californicus–Greater Western Mastiff Bat144
Listing Status: California species of special concern, considered a High Priority species by
BRRG Priority: 2
Range: Found in the southeastern San Joaquin Valley and Coastal Ranges from Monterey
County southward through southern California, from the coast eastward to the Colorado
Desert.
Known Occurrences: Hetch Hetchy Reservoir, Table Mountain, Tulloch Reservoir, Glen
Aulin, Pate Valley, Tuolumne Meadows, Moccasin, Don Pedro Reservoir, Tuolumne River,
Harden Flat, Dana Meadow, Knights Ferry.
Habitat Associations: Chaparral, mixed chaparral, montane chaparral, valley oak woodland,
blue oak woodland, blue-oak foothill gray pine, montane hardwood, montane hardwood
conifer, and ponderosa pine. Any habitat with cliffs may be suitable. Greater western mastiff
bat is a cliff-dwelling species. Roosts are generally high above the ground, allowing a clear
vertical drop of at least 10 feet for flight. Maternity colonies range from 30 to several
hundred individuals and generally include adult males. This species has an audible
echolocation call and is easily detected while foraging.
Diet and Foraging: Greater western mastiff bat forages primarily on moths, but also takes
crickets and katydids. Forages most frequently in broad open areas, including flood plains,
chaparral, oak woodland, open ponderosa pine forest, grassland, montane meadows, and
agricultural areas.
Breeding: Mating occurs in the early spring (March). The length of the gestation period is
unknown. In California, parturition may occur from early April through August or September.
One young is produced per female each year.
Seasonal Movements: Non-migratory; may move short distances. Does not hibernate and is
active periodically throughout the winter.
Gulo gulo–California Wolverine145
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Listing Status: Federal Candidate for Listing; California State Threatened and Fully
Protected
BRRG Priority: 1
Range: A scarce resident of the North Coast mountains and Sierra Nevada. Sightings range
from Del Norte and Trinity counties, east through Siskiyou and Shasta counties, and south
through Tulare County. A few possible sightings occur in the north coastal region as far
south as Lake County. Habitat distribution in California is poorly known for the North Coast
and northern Sierra Nevada. Most sightings in the region range from 1,600 to 4,800 feet in
the north coast areas, 4,300 to 7,300 feet in the northern Sierra Nevada, and 6,400 to
10,800 feet in the southern Sierra Nevada.
Tilden Lake, Bourland Meadow, Mono Pass, Horse Meadow, Huckleberry Lake, Castle
Rock, Sonora Pass, vicinity of Frog and Summit lakes, Long Barn on Highway 108, White
Springs, Relief Reservoir, Toejam Lake, and the head of Lyell Canyon.
Habitat Associations: Occurs within a wide variety of high elevation habitat types. Uses
caves, logs, and existing burrows for cover and as denning habitat. Requires nearby water
source. Forages in open areas.
Diet and Foraging: Opportunistic, primarily scavenging carrion, preying on small animals
and birds, and foraging on fruits, berries, and insects.
Breeding: Probably polygamous, they mate from May to July. Active gestation is about 30 to
40 days. The young are born from January through April, with one litter produced per year
(averaging 2 to 4 young per litter). Young are weaned in 7 to 9 weeks and are sexually
mature in their second or third year.
Seasonal Movements: Home range can be relatively large, and they can travel long
distances throughout the year.
Lasionycteris noctivagans–Silver-Haired Bat146
Listing Status: Western Bat Working Group: Medium.
BRRG Priority: 2
Range: Silver-haired bats are found from the Oregon border south along the coast to San
Francisco Bay, and along the Sierra Nevada and Great Basin region to Inyo County. They
occur in southern California from Ventura and San Bernardino counties south to Mexico,
and on some of the Channel Islands. The species has also been recorded in Sacramento,
Stanislaus, Monterey, and Yolo counties. Their summer range is generally below 9,000 feet.
145
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Known Occurrences: Several occurrences in Yosemite National Park and Stanislaus
National Forest
Habitat Associations: Blue-oak foothill gray pine, montane hardwood, montane hardwood
conifer, ponderosa pine, and Sierran mixed conifer. Silver-haired bat is a forest bat, and is
associated primarily with conifer and mixed conifer/hardwood forests. This species is a
solitary, tree-roosting bat whose typical day roost is under loose bark. Both males and
females change roosts frequently and use multiple roosts throughout the summer. This
suggests that clusters of suitable snags are required for this species. Maternity roosts occur
in trees, including inside natural hollows and bird-excavated cavities, or under loose bark of
large diameter snags. Nursery colonies range in size of up to 70 individuals.
Diet and Foraging: Silver-haired bat forages above the forest canopy, over open meadows,
and in riparian habitats along water courses. Feeds on midges, gnats, and moths.
Breeding: They mate in autumn, beginning in late August. After a gestation of about 50 to 60
days, the young are born from May to July. One or two pups are born at a time. The young
are mature in their first summer.
Seasonal Movements: Migratory. Migrate south in the winter, and return north for breeding.
Lasiurus blossevillii–Western Red Bat147
Listing Status: California species of special concern; Western Bat Working Group High
Priority species.
BRRG Priority: 2
Range: Found from Shasta County to the Mexican border, west of the Sierra
Nevada/Cascade crest and deserts. The winter range includes western lowlands and
coastal regions south of San Francisco Bay.
Known Occurrences: Moccasin, Fiesta Lake, Knights Ferry and Hetch Hetchy Reservoir
Habitat Associations: All. Western red bat is a solitary, foliage-roosting species. Day roosts
are commonly in edge habitats adjacent to streams or open fields, in orchards, and
sometimes in urban areas. This species is believed also to be closely associated with
riparian habitats; cottonwood stands are considered preferred roost sites. Roosts sites are
behind foliage and hidden from sight, but with no obstructions below so that the bat can drop
for light. Roost sites also typically have adjacent vegetation to reduce wind and dust and are
located on the south or southwest side of the tree for maximum heat. Females do not form
maternity colonies, but give birth singly in trees.
Diet and Foraging: Forage in many habitat types. Feeds on moths, beetles, bees, wasps,
flies, and cicadas, treehoppers, and other sucking insects.
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Breeding: Mating occurs in August and September. After delayed fertilization, there is an 80to 90-day gestation. Births are from late May through early July. Most females bear 2 or 3
young, though the single litter may have 1 to 5. Lactation lasts approximately 4 to 6 weeks,
and the young are capable of flight between 3 to 6 weeks of age.
Seasonal Movements: Migratory. Migrate south in the winter, and return north for breeding.
Lasiurus cinereus–Hoary Bat148
Listing Status: Western Bat Working Group Medium Priority species.
BRRG Priority: 2
Range: A solitary species, the hoary bat winters along the coast in southern California,
breeding inland and north of the winter range. During migration, it may be found at locations
far from the normal range, such as the Channel Islands and the Farallon Islands.
Known Occurrences: Tuolumne, Don Pedro Reservoir, Moccasin, Drew Meadow, Tuolumne
Meadows, Dana Meadows, Harden Flat, and other areas in Yosemite National Park and
Stanislaus National Forest
Habitat Associations: Forested habitats. Valley oak woodland, montane riparian, valley
foothill riparian, blue oak woodland, blue oak-foothill gray pine, montane hardwood,
montane hardwood-conifer, ponderosa pine and Sierran mixed conifer. Hoary bat is a
solitary, foliage-roosting species. Day roosts include foliage of both coniferous and
deciduous trees near the ends of branches. Roosts are usually at the edge of a clearing.
Hoary bat has also been observed roosting in caves, beneath rock ledges, in woodpecker
holes and squirrel nests, and under driftwood. Females do not form maternity colonies, but
give birth singly in trees.
Diet and Foraging: Forage in many habitat types. Prefer moths; will also feed on beetles,
flies, grasshoppers, termites, dragonflies, and wasps.
Breeding: Copulation occurs in autumn, in migration or on the wintering grounds. Mating is
followed by delayed fertilization. The young are born from mid-May through early July. From
1 to 4 young may be born, but most litters have 2. The offspring are capable of flight after 33
days.
Seasonal Movements: Migratory. No migration routes have been identified.
Lepus americanus tahoensis–Sierra Nevada Snowshoe Hare149
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BRRG Priority: 2
Range: In California, ranges within upper elevations in the Cascade Mountains of Siskiyou
and Del Norte counties south through the Sierra Nevada into Madera and Mono counties. A
small, insular population has been recorded in the Warner Mountains in Modoc County.
Known Occurrences: Two recorded occurrences within Tuolumne County including vicinity
of Pinecrest and Bell Meadow, and northeast of Strawberry.
Habitat Associations: Preferred habitat includes riparian edges, and areas dominated by
young conifers and surrounded by shrub types with dense low-growing vegetation.
Diet and Foraging: Snowshoe hares generally graze and browse for grasses, forbs, sedges,
and low shrubs. During the winter, hares will eat the conifer’s needles and bark, leaves, and
green twigs of willow and alder.
Breeding: Grass, fur, or needles may line a shallow depression beneath a shrub, log, or
deadfall. The hare breeds mid-February to June or July. The gestation period is 35 to 37
days. Litter size varies from 1 to 7; it produces 2 to 3 litters per year.
Seasonal Movements: May move between summer and winter ranges in response to
availability of food and cover, but there is no definitive data that suggests Sierra Nevada
snowshoe hares have seasonal movement patterns.
Lepus townsendii townsendii–Western white-tailed jackrabbit150
Listing Status: CNDDB Rank S3, California Species of Special Concern
BRRG Priority: 2
Range: Year-round resident of the crest and upper east slope of the Sierra Nevada from the
Oregon border south to Tulare and Inyo counties.
Known Occurrences: None.
Habitat Associations: Sagebrush, subalpine conifer, juniper, alpine dwarf shrub and
perennial grassland. Also uses low sagebrush, wet meadow and early successional stages
of various conifer habitats.
Diet and Foraging: During spring through fall, feeds on grasses and a variety of herbaceous
plants. In the winter, buds, bark and twigs of shrubs, particularly sagebrush, creambush and
small trees are preferred. Forages on ground and in lower branches.
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Breeding: Breeds from February to July. Gestation period lasts 30 to 42 days, with 1 to 6
born. Three to four litters are commonly produced per year. Young forage for themselves
soon after birth and are independent at 3 to 4 weeks or sooner.
Seasonal Movements: From higher to lower elevations in winter.
Period of Identification: Year around. Activity is primarily nocturnal.
Martes Americana sierrae–Sierra Marten151
BRRG Priority: 2
Known Occurrences: Numerous sitings throughout higher elevations of the Stanislaus
National Forest and Yosemite National Park.
Habitat Associations: The Sierra marten prefers forested habitat, including Sierran mixed
conifer, lodgepole pine, pure or mixed stands of white fir, California red fir, Douglas fir,
ponderosa pine, Jeffrey pine, western white pine, whitebark pine and mountain hemlock.
Stream corridors are important for movement. Martens prefer to be within 200 feet of a
meadow.
Diet and Foraging: Prefer stands with 40-60% cover at foraging sites. Stream corridors are
also important for foraging. Martens are opportunistic predators. Voles typically dominate
the diet of the marten. Snowshoe hares, deer mice and shrews are also eaten. Diet may
shift seasonally with summer diets containing more fruit, other vegetation and insects.
Breeding: Breeding season is July to September. Females typically give birth in late March
or early April to a litter of one to five kits. Kits generally stay in the company of their mother
through the end of their first summer then disperse.
Seasonal Movements: Activity during the snow-free season is diurnal. During the winter
activity is primarily nocturnal. Activity ranges from 60% of the day during the summer to 16%
in winter. May exhibit seasonal shift in home range, moving up in elevation in the spring and
lower in elevation in the fall.
Martes pennanti pacifica–Pacific Fisher152
Listing Status: Federal Candidate. California State Species of Special Concern
BRRG Priority: 1
151
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Buskirk, S. and W. Zielinski. 1997. American marten (Martes Americana) Ecology and Conservation. In: Mesocarnivores
of Northern California: Biology, Management, & Survey Techniques.
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Range: Range includes forested areas along the California-Oregon coast to the Sierra
Nevada, with an elevation range of approximately 1,970 to 8,530 feet above mean sea level.
El Portal vicinity, Aspen Valley vicinity, Mather vicinity, Tuolumne Meadows, Lyell Canyon,
Emigrant Basin Wilderness, Wheats Meadow, Niagara Creek, south of Hetch Hetchy Valley,
and a location off Herring Loop Road northeast of Pinecrest Lake
Habitat Associations: Preferred habitat includes intermediate- to large-tree stages of mature
coniferous forests and dense deciduous riparian types with closed canopies. Cavities,
snags, logs, and rocky areas are used for cover and denning habitat. Requires large areas.
Diet and Foraging: Fishers typically prey on small mammals, particularly mice and voles, but
will also take insects, birds, fruits and nuts.
Breeding: The breeding season typically extends from late July to August. Females give
birth after gestation and delayed implantation from February through May. Young remain
with the female until late autumn.
Seasonal Movements: Requires large areas for home range. Seasonal movement is
dependent upon availability of resources.
Myotis ciliolabrum–Western Small-Footed Bat153
BRRG Priority: 2
Range: Found in arid uplands of California. In coastal California it occurs from Contra Costa
County south to the Mexican border. It also occurs in the west and east sides of the Sierra
Nevada, and in Great Basin and desert habitats from Modoc to Kern and San Bernardino
counties.
Habitat Associations: All. Western small-footed bat is widely distributed in many habitat
types. This species roosts singly or in small groups in cliff and rock crevices, buildings,
bridges, concrete overpasses, caves, and mines and beneath exfoliating tree bark.
Hibernates in caves and mines. Often hibernates alone in tight crevices.
Diet and Foraging: Forage in many habitat types. Feeds on many types of small insects.
Breeding: Mating occurs in fall. Females give birth to one pup in late spring or early summer
(May through June). Usually there is a single young, but twins are not uncommon. Young
are volant at 4 to 6 weeks of age.
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Seasonal Movements: Non-migratory.
Myotis evotis–Long-Eared Bat154
BRRG Priority: 2
Range: Found throughout California, but avoids the arid Central Valley and hot deserts,
occurring along the entire coast and in the Sierra Nevada, Cascades, and Great Basin from
the Oregon border south through the Tehachapi Mountains to the Coast Ranges from sea
level to 9,000 feet above sea level.
Known Occurrences: Aspen Valley, Harden Flat, Siesta Lake, Dana meadow, and other
locations in Yosemite National Park and Stanislaus National Forest
Habitat Associations: Blue oak–foothill gray pine, montane hardwood-conifer, ponderosa
pine, and Sierran mixed conifer. Long-eared myotis is widely distributed in many forested
habitat types, especially coniferous forests. Roosts singly or in small groups under
exfoliating tree bark, and in hollow trees, caves, mines, cliff crevices, sink-holes, bridges,
and rock outcrops on the ground. Occasionally found in buildings and under bridges.
Presumed to hibernate during the winter.
Diet and Foraging: Forage in many habitat types. Feeds on moths, small beetles, flies,
lacewings, wasps, and true bugs.
Breeding: Mating occurs in fall. Females give birth to one pup in late spring or early summer
(May through July, with a peak in June). The single yearly litter averages 1 young. Young
are volant at 4 to 6 weeks of age.
Seasonal Movements: Non-migratory.
Myotis lucifugus–Little Brown Bat155
BRRG Priority: 2
Range: Throughout the County.
habitat is present.
154
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Habitat Associations: Valley oak woodland, valley foothill riparian, montane riparian, blue
oak woodland, blue oak–foothill gray pine, montane hardwood, montane hardwood-conifer,
ponderosa pine, and Sierran mixed conifer. Little brown myotis is widely distributed in many
habitat types. Roosts singly or in small groups under exfoliating tree bark, and in hollow
trees, caves, mines, cliff crevices, sink-holes, bridges, and rock outcrops on the ground.
Occasionally found in buildings and under bridges. Presumed to hibernate during the winter.
Diet and Foraging: Forage in many habitat types. Feeds on flies, beetles, moths, lacewings,
and a variety of other insects.
Breeding: Mating occurs in fall. Females give birth to one pup in late spring or early summer.
Young are volant at 4 to 6 weeks of age.
Seasonal Movements: Migrates short distances to hibernation sites.
Myotis thysanodes–Fringed myotis156
Listing Status: Western Bat Working Group High Priority species.
BRRG Priority: 2
Range: Throughout California, occurring in all but the Central Valley and Colorado and
Mojave deserts. It has been recorded at elevations between sea level and 9,350 feet.
Optimal habitats are pinyon-juniper, valley foothill hardwood, and hardwood-conifer, at 4,000
to 7,000 feet above sea level.
Known Occurrences: South Fork Tuolumne River and Drew Meadow.
Habitat Associations: All. Fringed myotis is found in a broad range of habitat types, from
desert scrubland to subalpine coniferous forests. However, this species appears to be most
abundant in xeric woodlands, such as oak and pinyon-juniper forests. Fringed myotis roosts
in caves, buildings, underground mines, rock crevices in cliff faces, and bridges in groups
ranging from 10 to 2,000 individuals. Roosting has occasionally occurred in large conifer
snags. Hibernation takes place in buildings or underground mines.
Diet and Foraging: Forage in many habitat types; eats on the wing and also ground gleans.
Prey is primarily moths and beetles; however, harvestmen, crickets, crane flies, spiders, and
true bugs are also documented.
Breeding: Mating occurs in fall. Gestation lasts about 50 to 60 days. Females give birth to
one pup from May to July. Young are volant at 20 days.
Seasonal Movements: Known to migrate, but little information available.
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Myotis volans–Long-Legged Myotis157
Listing Status: Western Bat Working Group High Priority species.
BRRG Priority: 2
Range: Found throughout California, occurring in the coastal ranges from Oregon to Mexico,
the Cascade/Sierra Nevada ranges to southern California, most of the Great Basin region,
and in several Mojave Desert mountain ranges. It is absent only from the Central Valley, the
Colorado and Mojave deserts, and from eastern Lassen and Modoc counties in woodland
and forest habitats above 4,000 feet above sea level.
Known Occurrences: Aspen Valley, Don Pedro Reservoir, Siesta Lake, and South Fork
Tuolumne River.
Habitat Associations: Primarily forested areas. Especially blue oak-foothill gray pine,
montane hardwood-conifer, ponderosa pine, and Sierran mixed conifer. Roosts in
abandoned buildings, cracks in the ground, bridges, cliff crevices, exfoliating tree bark, and
hollows within snags. Females form large maternity colonies of hundreds of individuals.
Hibernates in winter in caves and mines.
Diet and Foraging: Feeds in and around forest canopy. Feeds primarily on moths and other
soft-bodied insects.
Breeding: Mating occurs in fall. Females give birth to one pup from May to August. Young
are volant within 4 to 6 weeks.
Seasonal Movements: Migrates short distances to hibernation sites.
Ochotona princeps muiri–Yosemite pika158
BRRG Priority: 2
Range: The Yosemite pika ranges from El Dorado County to Inyo County from 7,700 to
12,000 feet in elevation.
Known Occurrences: Numerous sitings in Yosemite National Park.
Habitat Associations: The pika inhabits talus fields fringed by suitable vegetation on rocky
slopes of alpine areas. Most often seen near talus-meadow interface though also seen in
talus fields.
157
158
Smith, A.T. and M.L. Weston. 1990. Mammalian Species, Ochotona princes. American Society of Mammologists 352:
1-8.
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Diet and Foraging: Pikas are generalist herbivores. Feeding occurs throughout the year,
haying occurs during the summer months following the breeding season. The most common
plants eaten are short alpine grasses. More forbs and tall grasses are hayed than eaten
directly.
Breeding: Adult females have two litters per year. The first litter is conceived one month
prior to snowmelt in May or, more likely, in June. Females only wean the second litter if the
first litter is lost to predation or other causes.
Seasonal Movements: Pikas do not hibernate and remain active throughout the winter.
Adult pikas are individually territorial and rarely disperse. Juveniles must typically find a
territory the summer following their birth.
Ovis canadensis sierrae–Sierra Nevada Bighorn Sheep159
Listing Status: Federally Endangered. State Endangered and State Fully Protected.
BRRG Priority: 1
Range: Mostly uncommon in California, two herds in Mount Baxter and Mount Williamson.
Known Occurrences: Yosemite National Park
Habitat Associations: In the County occurs only in open, rocky, alpine habitats.
Diet and Foraging: Diet varies seasonally depending on whether in summer or winter range.
Forage on grasses, sedges, and rushes.
Breeding: The goat is polygamous and the lambing season is mid-April to early June,
depending on conditions. The ewe gives birth to a single young generally from April through
July. Twins are rare.
Seasonal Movements: Moves to winter range located at the eastern base of the Sierra
Nevada at approximately 4,760 feet.
Neotoma fuscipes riparia–San Joaquin Valley Woodrat160
Listing Status: Federally Endangered; California Species of Concern
BRRG Priority: 2
Range: It is found in both the Coast Ranges and interior.
159
160
Page 107 of 187
Habitat Associations: Generally absent from cultivated land and open grasslands of the
Central Valley; more common in forest habitats of moderate canopy and moderate to dense
understory; can also be found in chaparral habitats.
Diet and Foraging: The San Joaquin Valley woodrat mostly feeds on woody plants,
especially live oak, maple, coffeeberry, alder, and elderberry when available. In addition, it
eats fungi, flowers, grasses, and acorns.
Breeding: Breeds from December to September, with a peak in mid-spring. Nests are
located in the stick house, and are constructed of shredded grass, leaves, and other
materials (e.g., bird feathers). Litter size averages 2-3 young, with 1 to 5 litters per year.
Seasonal Movements: A year-long resident that does not migrate.
Perognathus inornatus inornatus–San Joaquin Pocket Mouse161
BRRG Priority: 2
Range: Found between 1,100 and 2,000 feet in the Central and Salinas valleys.
Habitat Associations: The San Joaquin Pocket Mouse lives in dry, open grasslands or scrub
areas on fine-textured soils, particularly on shrubby ridge tops and hillsides where it digs
burrows for cover.
Diet and Foraging: It primarily consumes seeds, however also eats green vegetation and
insects.
Breeding: Reproduction occurs during the spring and early summer; young are born and
raised in a nest built in the burrow.
Seasonal Movements: It is a non-migratory species and year-long resident of its limited
range.
Period of Identification: NA
Sorex lyelli–Mount Lyell Shrew162
161
162
Page 108 of 187
BRRG Priority: 2
Range: Historic range includes a few high elevation locations in the central Sierra Nevada
near Mt. Lyell. Current range is more widespread within high elevation montane and cold
steppe communities of the central and eastern slopes of the Sierra Nevada.
Known Occurrences: There are a few recorded occurrences within Tuolumne County
including Tioga Pass, Glen Aulin, and Lyell Canyon.
Habitat Associations: Preferred habitat includes riparian areas and areas supporting moist
soil. Typically found in patches of grass or beneath stream-side willows and other
vegetation. Uses logs, stumps, and other objects for cover.
Diet and Foraging: Shrews typically forage on the ground and within stumps and logs for
insects and other invertebrates.
Breeding: While minimal data exists, young are thought to be born between May and August
during a typical year.
Seasonal Movements: A year long resident within its restricted range.
Taxidea taxus–American Badger163
BRRG Priority: 2
Range: Range includes most of California with the exception of the northern North Coast
area.
Known Occurrences: A single occurrence is recorded within Tuolumne County at Tuolumne
Meadows.
Habitat Associations: Preferred habitat includes dry open stages of herbaceous, shrub, and
forest types supported by friable soils for burrow construction.
Diet and Foraging: Badgers are carnivorous preying primarily upon fossorial rodents, but
also reptiles, insects, earthworms, eggs, birds, and carrion.
Breeding: Badgers mate in the summer and early fall. Gestation period lasts about 183 to
265 days, including delayed implantation. Following gestation and delayed implantation,
young are born in burrows around March and April. An average litter of 2 to 3 are born.
Seasonal Movements: A year long resident within its relatively large home range. May travel
long distances seeking resources. In summer months may dig a new burrow nightly.
163
Page 109 of 187
Vulpes vulpes necator–Sierra Nevada Red Fox164
Listing Status: State Threatened
BRRG Priority: 1
Range: The Sierra Nevada red fox is found in the Cascades in Siskiyou County, and in the
Sierra Nevada from Lassen County south to Tulare County, between 3,900 and 11,900 feet
above mean sea level.
Known Occurrences: A number of occurrences have been recorded within Tuolumne
County including Old Big Oak Flat Drive, Buck Meadows, south of Drew Meadows, Emigrant
Wilderness Area, Bell Meadow and Bell Mountain vicinity.
Habitat Associations: Preferred habitat includes forest types interspersed with meadows or
alpine fell-fields. Dense vegetation and rocky areas are typically associated with den sites,
and specifically, rock outcrops, hollow logs and stumps, and existing burrows within deep
friable soil. Foraging habitat includes meadows, fell-fields, grasslands, wetlands, and other
open habitats.
Diet and Foraging: Preys upon small- and medium-sized mammals from mice to rabbits, in
addition to birds, eggs, insects, and earthworms. Caches food. Will also take carrion and
fruit.
Breeding: Red fox mate in late winter, typically between January and March. Gestation is
followed by young being born in dens from March through May. The average red fox litter
contains 4 to 6 pups. Pups are dependent upon the parents for 6 months and become
sexually mature at 10 months.
Seasonal Movements: May move downslope into lower elevations in the winter in search of
resources, before returning to higher elevations in the summer.
164
Page 110 of 187
Aquatic/Wetland
wfr
VRI
VOW
VPL
smc
scn
rfr
ppn
MRI
mhw
mhc
lpn
jpn
chc/mch
bow
bop
Scientific Name
Common name
ags/pgs
Table 3-2. SPECIAL STATUS WILDLIFE SPECIES BY HABITAT
INVERTEBRATES
Anodonta californiensis
California floater
Banksula martinorum
Martins’ cave harvestman
Banksula melones
Melones cave harvestman
Banksula tuolumne
Tuolumne cave harvestman
Branchinecta lynchi
Desmocerus californicus dimorphus
Hydroporus simplex
Simple hydroporus diving beetle
Larca laceyi
Lacey’s cave pseudoscorpion
Lepidurus packardi
Monadenia circumcarinata
Keeled sideband snail
Monadenia mormonum buttoni
Button’s Sierra sideband snail
Monadenia mormonum hirsute
Hirsute Sierra sideband snail
Monadenia tuolumneana
Tuolumne sideband snail
Pseudogarypus orpheus
Music hall cave harvestman
Punctum hannai
Trinity spot
Stygobromus gradyi
Grady’s cave amphipod
Stygobromus harai
Hara’s cave amphipod
Tetrix sierrana
Sierra pygmy grasshopper
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
FISH
San Joaquin roach
Red Hills roach
Lahontan cutthroat trout
X
X
X
Page 111 of 187
Oncorhynchus clarki seleniris
Oncorhynchus mykiss
Central Valley steelhead
Oncorhynchus tshawytscha
Chinook salmon
Aquatic/Wetland
wfr
VRI
VOW
VPL
smc
scn
rfr
ppn
MRI
mhw
mhc
lpn
jpn
chc/mch
bow
bop
ags/pgs
Scientific Name
Common name
X
X
X
AMPHIBIANS
Anaxyrus (Bufo) canorus
Yosemite toad
Batrachoseps relictus
Relictual slender salamander
Rana aurora draytonii
Rana boylii
Rana sierrae
Sierra Nevada yellow-legged frog
Spea hammondii
Western spadefoot
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
REPTILES
Actinemys marmorata
Pacific pond turtle
Actinemys marmorata marmorata
Northwestern pond turtle
Charina trivirgata
Rosy boa
Masticophis flagellum ruddocki
San Joaquin whipsnake
Phrynosoma coronatum (frontale
population)
Coast horned lizard
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
BIRDS
Accipiter cooperii
Coopers hawk
Accipiter gentilis
Northern goshawk
Accipiter striatus
Sharp-shinned hawk
Agelaius tricolor
Grasshopper sparrow
Aquila chrysaetos
Golden eagle
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
Page 112 of 187
Vaux’s swift
Charadrius montanus
Mountain plover
Circus cyaneus
Northern harrier
Cypseloides niger
Black swift
rfr
scn
smc
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
Dendroica occidentalis
Hermit warbler
X
X
Yellow warbler
Elanus leucurus
White-tailed kite
Empidonax traillii
Willow flycatcher
Eremophila alpestris ssp. Actia
California horned lark
Falco columbarius
Merlin
Falco mexicanus
Prairie falcon
Falco peregrinus
American peregrine falcon
Gavia immer
Common loon
Bald eagle
Histrionicus histrionicus
Harlequin duck
X
Aquatic/Wetland
ppn
X
wfr
MRI
X
VRI
mhw
X
VOW
mhc
X
VPL
lpn
chc/mch
bow
bop
jpn
Asio flammeus
Short-eared owl
Asio otus
Long-eared owl
Athene cunicularia
Burrowing owl
Aythya valisineria
Canvasback duck
Botaurus lentiginosa
American bittern
Buteo regalis
Ferruginous hawk
Bucephala islandica
Barrow’s goldeneye
Carduelis lawrencei
Lawrence’s goldfinch
Chaetura vauxi
ags/pgs
Scientific Name
Common name
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
Page 113 of 187
Icteria virens
X
X
Ixobrychus exilis
Least bittern
Lanius ludovicianus
Loggerhead shrike
Pandion haliaetus
Osprey
Progne subis
Purple martin
Strix nebulosa
Great grey owl
Strix occidentalis occidentalis
Aquatic/Wetland
wfr
VRI
VOW
VPL
smc
scn
rfr
ppn
MRI
mhw
mhc
lpn
jpn
chc/mch
bow
bop
ags/pgs
Scientific Name
Common name
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
MAMMALS
Antrozous pallidus
Pallid bat
Sierra Nevada mountain beaver
Bassariscus astutus
Ringtail
Dipodomys heermanni dixoni
Merced kangaroo rat
Euderma maculatum
Spotted bat
Greater western mastiff-bat
Gulo gulo
Silver-haired bat
Western red bat
Lepus americanus tahoensis
Sierra Nevada snowshoe hare
Lepus townsendii townsendii
Western white-tailed jackrabbit
Martes Americana sierrae
Sierra marten
Martes pennanti (pacifica)
Pacific fisher
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
Page 114 of 187
X
X
X
X
X
mhc
mhw
MRI
ppn
rfr
scn
smc
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
Table 3-3: HABITAT CODES
ags/PGS
Annual grassland/Native Perennial Grassland
bop
Blue oak–foothill gray pine
bow
Blue oak woodland
chc/mch
Chamise chaparral/Mixed chaparral
jpn
Jeffrey pine
lpn
Lodgepole pine
mhc
Montane hardwood-conifer
mhw
Montane hardwood
MRI
Montane riparian woodland
ppn
Ponderosa pine
rfr
Red fir
scn
Subalpine conifer
smc
Sierran mixed conifer
VPL
Vernal pool
VOW
Valley oak woodland
Page 115 of 187
X
X
Aquatic/Wetland
lpn
X
wfr
jpn
X
VRI
chc/mch
X
VOW
bow
X
VPL
bop
Myotis ciliolabrum
Western small-footed bat
Myotis evotis
Long-eared bat
Myotis lucifigus
Little brown bat
Myotis thysanodes
Fringed myotis
Myotis volans
Long-legged myotis
Ochotona princeps muiri
Yosemite pika
Ovis Canadensis sierrae
Sorex lyelli
Mt. Lyell shrew
Taxidea taxus
American badger
ags/pgs
Scientific Name
Common name
VRI
Valley-foothill riparian woodland
wfr
White fir
Several raptor species receive protection under California Fish and Game Code Section
3503.5, but have no formal listing status (e.g., red-tailed hawk, barn owl, American kestrel,
northern harrier). These species are included in the wildlife table (Table 3-2), but detailed
accounts are not provided. All raptors protected under Section 3503.5 and with potential to
occur within the County are listed below in Table 3-4.
Table 3-4: RAPTOR SPECIES PROTECTED UNDER
CALIFORNIA FISH AND GAME CODE SECTION 3503.5
Species
Listing Status
(Federal/State)
BRRG
Priority
FALCONIFORMES–HAWKS, KITES, HARRIERS, EAGLES, AND FALCONS
Cooper’s hawk (Accipiter cooperii)
Northern goshawk (Accipiter gentilis)
Sharp-shinned hawk (Accipiter striatus)
Golden eagle (Aquila chrysaetos)
—/—
Second
—/BOF
Second
—/—
Second
FP/BOF
First
Red-tailed hawk (Buteo jamaicensis)
—/—
Second
Rough-legged hawk (Buteo lagopus)
—/—
Second
Red-shouldered hawk (Buteo lineatus)
—/—
Second
Broad-winged hawk (Buteo platypterus)
—/—
Second
Ferruginous hawk (Buteo regalis)
—/—
Second
Swainson’s hawk (Buteo swainsonii)
—/CT
First
Northern harrier (Circus cyaneus)
—/CSC
Second
White-tailed kite (Elanus leucurus)
—/CFP
First
Merlin (Falco columbarius)
—/—
Second
Prairie falcon (Falco mexicanus)
—/CSC
Second
Peregrine falcon (Falco peregrinus)
FD/SE
First
American kestrel (Falco sparverius)
—/—
Bald eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus)
Osprey (Pandion haliaetus)
/BOF, SE
Second
First
—/BOF
Second
—/—
Second
STRIGIFORMES–OWLS
Northern saw-whet owl (Aegolius acadicus)
Page 116 of 187
Species
Listing Status
(Federal/State)
BRRG
Priority
Short-eared owl (Asio flammeus)
—/CSC
Second
Long-eared owl (Asio otus)
—/CSC
Second
Burrowing owl (Athene cunicularia)
—/CSC
Second
Great horned owl (Bubo virginianus)
—/—
Second
Northern pygmy owl (Glaucidium gnoma)
—/—
Second
Flammulated owl (Otus flammeolus)
—/—
Second
Western screech-owl (Otus kennicottii)
—/—
Second
Great gray owl (Strix nebulosa)
—/CE, BOF
Spotted owl (Strix occidentalis)
FT/CSC, BOF
Second
—/—
Second
Barn owl (Tyto alba)
FEDERAL:
FT
Threatened
FP
Fully Protected
FD
Delisted
STATE:
SE
Endangered
ST
Threatened
CSC Species of Special Concern
BOF
Board of Forestry, Sensitive
CFP
Fully Protected
Page 117 of 187
First
Potential impacts to federally listed or state listed wildlife species shall require consultation
with CDFG (state-listed species) and/or the USFWS (federally listed species) before
assessing impacts and determining appropriate mitigation measures unless full (100%) and
complete avoidance of any impacts to the species can be achieved through the use of O
(Open Space) or O-1 (Open Space-1) zoning and adopted mitigation measures. Anticipated
Table 3-5 FIRST PRIORITY WILDLIFE SPECIES–MITIGATION MEASURES
Species–First Priority
Invertebrates
Branchinecta lynchi
Vernal pool fairy
shrimp
Mitigation Measures
VPL-01: Requires consultation with United States Fish and Wildlife
Service (USFWS) if site is located in a designated Critical Habitat Area
for this species (see Maps 5-1 through 5-8).
VPL-02: If not located in a designated Critical Habitat Area, requires
consultation with the USFWS if the USFWS does not concur that the project
VPL-03: Conserve all vernal pool (VPL) and seasonal wetland (SW) habitat
as Open Space encompassing, at a minimum, 150 feet from the outermost
edge of hydrophytic plant species (i.e., where hydrophytes transition into
upland plant species) and sufficient to preserve hydrological features (e.g.,
springs, creeks, swales, drainages) necessary to maintain the habitat
VPL-04: Implement WQ-01 through WQ-08: (BRRG, Chapter 8).
VPL-05: Unless otherwise specified, recommendations contained in adopted
Recovery Plans for First Priority Biological Resources and published in
accordance with the Federal Endangered Species Act will be implemented to
the maximum extent feasible.
Desmocerus
californicus dimorphus
Valley elderberry
longhorn beetle
Elderberry (Sambucus species) plants located at 3,000 feet in elevation or
below that have at least one stem measuring 1.0 inch or greater in diameter
at ground level provide potential habitat for the valley elderberry longhorn
beetle.
VELB-01: For a project to completely avoid a shrub, a buffer of at least 100
feet must be maintained from the dripline of the shrub. Within this buffer, no
construction, earth moving or vegetation removal, including defensible space
or firebreaks, may occur. Projects that do not directly or indirectly impact the
area within 100 feet of a shrub are determined to have no affect on the
valley elderberry longhorn beetle.
Standard Protective Measures must be implemented for each fully avoided
shrub in accordance with the Conservation Guidelines for the Valley
Elderberry Longhorn Beetle (USFWS Guidelines 1999).
VELB-02: If all any elderberry plants on a project site cannot be completely
avoided, the Conservation Guidelines for the Valley Elderberry Longhorn
Beetle (USFWS Guidelines 1999) must be complied with.
VELB-03: A reduction in the 100-foot buffer area around an elderberry
plant may be approved by the USFWS. The USFWS must be consulted
prior to any disturbances in the buffer area. Prior to considering a
request for reduction of the buffer, the USFWS should be provided the
following:
Page 118 of 187
Lepidurus packardi
Vernal pool tadpole
shrimp
1.
A diagram showing the location of elderberry shrubs and
proposed project activity (roads, buildings, etc.). The location
of the project site should be identified on the applicable USGS
topographic quadrangle map. The environmental setting of the
site should be described, including the elevation of the site and
the nearest known Valley Elderberry Longhorn Beetle (VELB)
occurrence.
2.
Results of examination of all stems on the the elderberry shrub
that are one inch or greater in diameter at gound level for exit
holes. Absence of exit holes suggests the shrub is not active
habitat for the VELB.
3.
A statement that elderberry shrubs will be protected by fencing
and signs in accordance with the USFWS Guidelines.
4.
Dust control measures proposed to protect the elderberry
shrub(s).
5.
Measures to inform contractors and work crews regarding the
need to protect elderberry shrubs and implement minimization
measures.
6.
A plan describing restoration of disturbed areas to natural
conditions.
VPL-06: Requires consultation with United States Fish and Wildlife Service
(USFWS) if site is located in designated Critical Habitat Area for this species
(see Maps 5-1 through 5-8).
VPL-07: If not located in a designated Critical Habitat Area, requires
consultation with appropriate agency or agencies, CDFG or USFWS, if the
listing agencies do not concur that the project achieves full avoidance of
potential habitat.
VPL-08: Seasonal Wetland (SW) habitat shall be protected in O (Open
Space) or O-1 (Open Space-1) zoning encompassing, at a minimum, 150
feet from the outermost edge of hydrophytic plant species (i.e. where
hydrophytes transition into upland plant species) and shall include sufficient
hydrological features (e.g. springs, creeks, swales, drainage) necessary to
maintain the habitat.
VPL-09:
Unless otherwise specified, recommendations contained in
adopted Recovery Plans for First Priority Biological Resources and
published in accordance with the Federal Endangered Species Act will be
implemented to the maximum extent feasible to achieve full avoidance.
VPL-10: Implement WQ-01 through WQ-08: (BRRG, Chapter 8).
Fish
Oncorhynchus clarki
henshawi
Lahontan
cutthroat trout
TROUT-01: Requires consultation with the USFWS if the USFWS does not
concur that the project achieves full avoidance of potential habitat.
TROUT-02: Conserve all river or stream habitat encompassing, at a
minimum: all riparian vegetation associated with the habitat; the Ordinary
High Water Mark (OHWM); the 100-year flood zone; a minimum of 250 feet
from the top of the bank and a 25 foot buffer zone from the edge of riparian
vegetation (where riparian vegetation extends beyond 225 feet).
TROUT-03: Implement WQ-01 through WQ-08: (BRRG, Chapter 8).
Page 119 of 187
Oncorhynchus clarki
seleniris
TROUT-04: Requires consultation with the USFWS if the USFWS does not
concur that the project achieves full avoidance of potential habitat.
TROUT-05: Conserve all river or stream habitat encompassing, at a
minimum: all riparian vegetation associated with the habitat; the Ordinary
High Water Mark (OHWM); the 100-year flood zone; a minimum of 250 feet
from the top of the bank and a 25 foot buffer zone from the edge of riparian
vegetation (where riparian vegetation extends beyond 225 feet).
TROUT-06: Implement WQ-01 through WQ-08: (BRRG, Chapter 8).
Oncorhynchus mykiss
Central Valley
steelhead
STEEL-01: May be included in designated Critical Habitat Area (see Map 55). If so, compliance with Adopted Management Plan and provisions of
designated Critical Habitat Area required.
STEEL-02: If not located in a designated Critical Habitat Area, requires
consultation with the USFWS if the USFWS does not concur that the project
STEEL-03: Conserve all river or stream habitat encompassing, at a
minimum: all riparian vegetation associated with the habitat; the OHWM; the
100-year flood zone; a minimum of 250 feet from the top of the bank and a
25 foot buffer zone from the edge of riparian vegetation (where riparian
vegetation extends beyond 225 feet).
STEEL-04: Implement WQ-01 through WQ-08: (BRRG, Chapter 8).
STEEL-05: Unless otherwise specified, recommendations contained in
implemented to the maximum extent feasible.
Amphibians
Ambystoma
californiense
California tiger
salamander
CTS-01: Requires consultation with USFWS and CDFG.
CTS-02: In consultation with appropriate wildlife agencies, establish and
implement a plan including, but not limited to, measures addressing: a)
effects to aquatic habitat, including retaining pools and maintaining
appropriate pool hydrology to enable successful metamorphosis of larvae to
occur, but without fostering non-native aquatic predators; b) retention of
small mammal burrows and other suitable estivation habitat (e.g.,
underground holes, cracks, or niches) in adjacent uplands; c) maintenance
of open habitat between breeding ponds and estivation sites (e.g., roads and
other linear barriers can increase mortality or even prevent migrations and
dispersal, significantly increasing harm to and mortality of salamanders).
CTS-03: Conserve all Vernal Pool (VPL) habitat in O (Open Space) or O-1
(Open Space-1) zoning encompassing, at a minimum, the area 150 feet from
the OHWM of the pool and sufficient to preserve any hydrological features
(e.g., springs, creeks, swales, drainages) necessary to maintain the habitat
CTS-04: Implement WQ-01 through WQ-08: (BRRG, Chapter 8).
California red-legged
frog
CRLF-01: County or applicant shall search the California Natural Diversity
Database (CNDDB) and initiate informal consultation with CDFG to
determine whether there are known records of California Red Legged Frog
(CRLF) within 5 miles of the project boundaries. Informal consultation may
result in a requirement by CDFG or USFWS for a protocol-level site
assessment and/or protocol-level surveys. If CRLF are found on or near the
site, applicant shall avoid impacts or implement appropriate mitigation, in
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consultation with CDFG and USFWS.
Birds
Aquila chrysaetos
Golden eagle
GEAG-01: For non-timber/forestry projects located within 1.5 miles of a
known and/or suitable golden eagle foraging area, apply the same measures
identified for Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) (see below).
GEAG-02: For Timber Operations and Forestry Practices to avoid disturbing
tree-nesting eagles and their young, apply the same measures identified for
Bald Eagle (see BEAG-02, below).
GEAG-03: Apply the additional conservation measures specified for Bald
Eagle, as applicable (see BEAG-03, below).
GEAG-04: The presence of a golden eagle (alive or dead, or any part, nest,
or egg thereof) on a project site (including an unoccupied nest) shall require
consultation with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in accordance with the
Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act.
Elanus leucurus
White-tailed kite
KITE-01: Mitigation measures for nesting and/or breeding sites shall be
determined in consultation with CDFG.
Empidonax traillii
Willow flycatcher
WFL-01: Requires consultation with CDFG.
WFL-02: Protect nesting territory through implementing measures WTM-01
through WTM-03. (BRRG, Chapter 4)
WFL-03: Implement WQ-01 through WQ-08. (BRRG, Chapter 8)
WFL-04: Manage grazing to limit browsing on low willow foliage (below 6
feet), which is required for nesting cover.
Falco peregrinus
American peregrine
falcon
FAL-01: Mitigation measures for nesting and/or breeding sites shall be
determined in consultation with CDFG.
Haliaeetus
leucocephalus
Bald eagle
BEAG-01 For non-timber/forestry projects located within 1.5 miles of a
known and/or suitable bald eagle foraging area (e.g., New Melones Lake,
Cherry Lake, Lake Don Pedro, Beardsley Lake):
A Maintain a buffer of at least 660 feet (200 meters) between the project
activities and the nest (including active and alternate nests). If a
similar existing (permitted) activity is closer than 660 feet, then you
may maintain a distance buffer as close to the nest as the existing
tolerated activity.
B. If project activities occur closer than 660 feet due to a similar existing
(permitted) activity, then restrict all clearing, external construction,
and landscaping activities within 660 feet of the nest to outside the
nesting season (i.e., outside the nesting season is from September
1st through December 31st since the nesting and rearing season in
CA is generally from January through late August).
C. Maintain established landscape buffers that screen the activity from
the nest.
D. See also BEAG-03.
BEAG-02: For Timber Operations and Forestry Practices, to avoid
disturbing nesting eagles and their young:
A. Avoid clear-cutting or removal of overstory trees within 330 feet
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(100 meters) of both active and alternate nests at any time.
B. Avoid timber harvesting operations, including road construction and
chain saw and yarding operations, during the nesting season within
660 feet (200 meters) of the nest. The distance may be decreased
to 330 feet around alternate nests within a particular territory,
including nests that were attended during the current nesting
season but not used to raise young, after eggs laid in another nest
within the territory have hatched.
C. Selective thinning and other silviculture management practices
designed to conserve or enhance habitat, including prescribed
burning close to the nest tree, should be undertaken outside the
nesting season.
D. If burning during the nesting season is necessary, do the following:
Conduct burns only when adult eagles and young are absent
from the nest tree (i.e., at the beginning of, or end of, the
nesting season, either before the particular nest is active or
after the young have fledged from that nest).
Take precautions such as raking leaves and woody debris from
around the nest tree to prevent crown fire or fire climbing the
nest tree.
E. Avoid construction of log transfer facilities and in-water log storage
areas within 330 feet (100 meters) of active and alternate nests.
F. See also BEAG-03.
BEAG-03: Additional Mitigation Measures
The following are additional mitigation measures that can be used to
benefit bald eagles. Many of these measures are designed to protect
and preserve bald eagle habitat.
A.
Protect and preserve potential roost and nest sites by retaining
mature trees and old growth stands, particularly within ½ mile from
water.
B.
Where nests are blown from trees during storms or are otherwise
destroyed by the elements, continue to protect the site in the
absence of the nest for up to three (3) complete breeding seasons.
Many eagles will rebuild the nest and reoccupy the site.
C. To avoid collisions, site wind turbines, communication towers and
high voltage transmission power lines away from nests, foraging
areas, and communal roost sites.
D.
Employ industry-accepted best management practices to prevent
birds from colliding with or being electrocuted by utility lines, towers
and poles. If possible, bury utility lines in important eagle areas.
E.
Where bald eagles are likely to nest in human-made structures
(e.g., cell phone towers) and such use could impede operation or
maintenance of the structures or jeopardize the safety of the
eagles, equip the structures with either (1) devices engineered to
discourage bald eagles from building nests, or (2) nesting platforms
that will safely accommodate bald eagle nests without interfering
with structure performance.
F.
Do not intentionally feed bald eagles. Artificially feeding bald
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eagles can disrupt their essential behavioral patterns and put them
at increased risk from power lines, collision with windows and cars,
and other mortality factors.
G. Use pesticides, herbicides, fertilizers, and other chemicals only in
accordance with Federal and state laws.
H. Monitor and minimize dispersal of contaminants associated with
hazardous waste sites (legal or illegal), permitted releases, and
runoff from agricultural areas, especially within watersheds where
eagles have shown poor reproduction or where bio accumulating
contaminants have been documented. These factors present a risk
of contamination to eagles and their food sources.
BEAG-04: Alternatives:
Reduced setbacks for some activities may be allowed under specific
circumstances as described in U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, National Bald
Eagle Management Guidelines (May, 2007);
http://www.fws.gov/midwest/eagle/guidelines/NationalBaldEagleManagemen
tGuidelines.pdf
The presence of a bald eagle (alive or dead, or any part, nest, or egg
thereof) on a project site (including an unoccupied nest) shall require
consultation with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in accordance with the
Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act.
Strix nebulosa
Great grey owl
GO-01: Requires consultation with CDFG.
GO-02: Prohibit disturbances to wet, moist and dry meadows within
occupied breeding territories. See BRRG Chapter 4 for mitigation measures
for the following habitats: FEW, SPR, SW, WTM and apply applicable
avoidance measures for habitats that are present and used by the owl.
GO-03: Prohibit major disturbances (e.g., clearcutting) in forests and
woodlands within 600 feet of wet, moist and dry meadows within breeding
territories. Within the 600 foot buffer area, some selective timber harvesting
may occur outside the nesting season with retention of sufficient large trees
and snags. To the extent feasible, the remaining canopy closure should be
more than 40%, with overstory trees 21” or greater in dbh and with at least 3
snags 21” or greater in dbh per acre.
GO-04: Prohibit disturbance within 500 feet of any nest tree that has been
active within 3 years, but is not currently active, and is still suitable for
nesting. Within this setback, some timber harvest and vegetation clearing
may be permitted as prescribed in GGO-03, but not within 200 feet of the
nest tree or during the nesting season (March 15–August 15).
GO-05: A management plan shall be prepared for and approved by
applicable wildlife agencies prior to undertaking any disturbances within a
breeding territory.
GO-06: If a project may have impacts on a regularly used wintering area,
appropriate mitigation shall be devised in consultation with the appropriate
wildlife agencies.
Mammals
Bassariscus astutus
Ring-tailed cat
RING-01: Prior to project approval, potential den sites shall be monitored by
a qualified biologist to determine if the occupant is an adult only or the den is
natal.
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RING-02: Den sites shall be incorporated into O (Open Space) or O-1 (Open
Space-1) zoning with a minimum 200 foot buffer maintained around den
sites. Construction and ground disturbance within this buffer is prohibited. O
zoning encompassing a den site shall be configured to provide entry and
escape routes from the den site without traversing areas that have been
converted from open space uses.
RING-03: Additional mitigation measures shall be determined in
consultation with CDFG.
Gulo gulo
WOLV-01: Mitigation measures shall be determined in consultation with
CDFG.
Ovis canadensis
sierrae
Sierra Nevada bighorn
sheep
SHEEP-01: Mitigation measures shall be determined in consultation with
CDFG and USFWS and shall comply with adopted Recovery Plan. For
designated CRITICAL HABITAT in County, see Maps 5-6 and 5-7 for
location. See: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Recovery Plan for the Sierra
Nevada Bighorn Sheep (2007)
SHEEP-02: Unless otherwise specified, recommendations contained in
implemented to the maximum extent feasible to achieve full avoidance.
SNRF-01:
CDFG.
Mitigation measures shall be determined in consultation with
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Potential impacts to federally listed or state listed wildlife species shall require consultation
with the California Department of Fish and Game (CDFG) (state listed species) and/or the
United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) (federally listed species) before assessing
impacts and determining appropriate mitigation measures unless full (100%) and complete
avoidance of any impacts to the species can be achieved through the use of O (Open
Space) or O-1 (Open Space-1) zoning and adopted mitigation measures. Anticipated
Table 3-6 SECOND PRIORITY WILDLIFE SPECIES–
MITIGATION MEASURES
Species–Second Priority
Fish
San Joaquin roach
Mitigation Measures
SJR-01: To fully protect this species, the occupied stream shall be
treated as a perennial stream (and not as an intermittent or ephemeral
stream, even if so designated on USGS topographic maps) for the
purposes of providing sufficient protection of the species.
SJR-02: Conserve all Valley Foothill Riparian (VRI) habitat in O (Open
Space) or O-1 (Open Space-1) zoning.
a) Non-urban areas: 150 feet on both sides of perennial streams,
measured from the midline of the stream.
b) Urban areas: 100 feet on both sides of perennial streams,
measured from the midline of the stream.
SJR-03: Avoid vegetation clearing within 150 feet of perennial streams,
measured from the midline of the stream. Setbacks will be increased to
fully encompass riparian vegetation where VRI habitat extends beyond
150 feet from the midline to encompass, at a minimum, all riparian
vegetation.
Building and/or clearing setback reductions should be avoided to the
maximum extent feasible where this species is present. Reductions
to less than 75 feet in urban areas or 100 feet in non-urban areas should
occur only if the County, in consultation with CDFG, finds that a
narrower setback:
•
would not increase the potential for erosion, due to substantial
existing vegetation cover and soil and slope stability,
•
would still encompass the 100-year floodplain,
•
would not reduce identified setbacks necessary to protect a
special status species as prescribed in the BRRG,
•
would not increase the potential for degrading water quality, and
• would fully protect existing riparian vegetation at the site.
Alternatively, the setbacks may be decreased if the County, in
consultation with CDFG, finds that this would be appropriate given
existing development near the stream in the vicinity, or is necessary to
avoid a “taking” of private property. If so, careful design measures shall
be required to protect riparian habitat (e.g., limit the amount of clearing
and fencing allowed, and locate it on the side of riparian habitat away
from the stream).
SJR-04: Implement WQ-01 through WQ-08 (BRRG, Chapter 8).
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Red Hills roach
Mitigation Measures
RHR-01: Apply Mitigation Measures SJR-01 through SJR-04.
Amphibians
Anaxyrus (Bufo) canorus
Yosemite toad
Appropriate mitigation measures must be proposed in consultation with
a qualified biologist, for review and approval by the County.
Appropriate mitigation measures must be proposed in consultation with
a qualified biologist, for review and approval by the County.
Rana boylii
FYLF-01: A 300-foot setback, incorporating both riparian vegetation and
uplands, shall be provided on both sides of streams (for a total of 600
feet in setbacks) and on all sides of wetlands occupied by foothill yellowlegged frogs. Setbacks are to be measured from the midline of the
stream or the edge of the wetland, whichever is greater.
FYLF-02:
Setbacks shall maintain existing vegetation free of
disturbance and free of new construction, new wells, storage or parking
of equipment or materials, and other activities which compact or disturb
soils or vegetation or which could introduce contaminants into the
aquatic habitat.
FYLF-03: Water quality within creeks and wetlands inhabited by foothill
yellow-legged frogs shall be maintained through implementation of
appropriate erosion control measures to reduce siltation and
contaminated runoff from project sites (e.g., by maintaining vegetation
within buffers and/or through the use of fiber rolls, filter fences,
vegetative buffer strips, or other accepted equivalents).
FYLF-04: O (Open Space) or O-1 (Open Space-1) zoning
encompassing setbacks shall be indicated on final maps and include a
map note referencing prohibitions within the setbacks. For entitlements
which do not include a map, the condition shall be enforced through the
recordation of a Notice of Action referencing prohibitions within the
setback.
FYLF-05: The use of insecticides, herbicides, rodenticides and
pesticides within established setbacks shall occur in accordance with
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency guidelines addressing the use of
these materials in occupied foothill yellow-legged frog habitat and, if
applicable, any additional requirements established by the Tuolumne
County Agricultural Commissioner.
FYLF-06: Setbacks shall be delineated by flagging or brightly colored
temporary fencing during the construction process. Construction and
other ground disturbances shall be prohibited within established
setbacks.
FYLF-07: Setbacks may be reduced only through consultation with
wildlife agencies where the reduction: 1) does not affect habitat or 2) the
reduction will not result in an adverse impact to the species or reduction
in the biological values of the habitat.
FLYF-08: Implement WQ-01 through WQ-08: (BRRG, Chapter 8).
FLYF-09: Requirements for habitat setbacks from streams, meadows or
other water sources also apply (BRRG, Chapter 4).
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Rana sierrae
Sierra Nevada yellow-legged
frog
Spea hammondii
Western spadefoot
Mitigation Measures
SNYLF-01: Implement WQ-01 through WQ-08: (BRRG, Chapter 8).
SNYLF-02: Requirements for habitat setbacks from streams, meadows
or other water sources also apply (BRRG, Chapter 4).
WSF-01:
Appropriate mitigation measures must be proposed in
consultation with a qualified biologist, for review and approval by the
County.
Reptiles
Actinemys marmorata
Western pond turtle
TURTLE-01: Establish a buffer area of 300 feet encompassing and
between each nesting site (which may be immediately adjacent to
wetlands or in uplands up to 400 feet away from wetlands) and the
wetland located near the nesting site. Open space areas encompassing
these buffers shall be indicated on final maps. These buffers shall be
indicated by temporary fencing if construction has begun or will begin
before nesting periods have ended (the nesting period, from egg laying
to emergence of hatchlings, is normally April to November).
TURTLE-02: Implement WQ-01 through WQ-08: (BRRG, Chapter 8).
TURTLE-03: Requirements for habitat setbacks from streams, meadows
Phrynosoma coronatum
(frontale population)
Coast horned lizard
CHL-01:
Appropriate mitigation measures must be proposed in
consultation with a qualified biologist, for review and approval by the
County.
Birds
Rookeries, Colonial Nesting
Sites
(great blue heron, great egret,
etc.)
ROOKERY-01: Avoid construction activities within ¼ mile of the colony
site during the nesting season (February 15–September 1)
Accipiter gentilis
Northern goshawk
NG-01: Avoid all construction activities within ¼ mile of an active nest
during the nesting season (April 15–July 15)
ROOKERY-02: Building setbacks of 1,000 feet shall be provided from
colony sites that have been active within 2 years. Upon consultation with
CDFG; this may be reduced to not less than 300 feet when the colony is
out of sight of construction and building activities and inaccessible due to
topographic or water barriers.
NG-02: Establish building and clearing setbacks of 500 feet around
active nest sites, and nest sites that have been active within 3 years but
are not currently active, if they are still suitable for nesting. Within this
setback, some timber harvest and vegetation clearing may be permitted,
but not within 200 feet of the nest tree during the nesting season (April
15–July 15). Sufficient large trees and snags shall be left in place. To the
extent feasible, given existing habitat conditions, the remaining canopy
closure should be more than 40%, with over-story trees 21” in diameter
at breast height (dbh) or greater and at least 3 snags greater than 21”
dbh per acre.
NG-03: Setbacks and buffer zones may be reduced based on
considerations of inaccessibility and lack of visibility of the nest or roost
site, sensitivity of the nesting pair, or other biological parameters, but
only on the recommendation of a qualified biologist that has inspected
the site.
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Accipiter striatus
Sharp-shinned Hawk
Mitigation Measures
NG-04: Disturbance of any nest (active within 3 years) or roost (currently
active) is prohibited.
SSH-01: Avoid construction activities within ¼ mile of an active nest
during the nesting season (May 15–August 31)
SSH-02: Establish building and clearing setbacks of 500 feet around
active nest sites, and nest sites that have been active within 3 years, but
are not currently active, if they are still suitable for nesting. Within this
setback, some timber harvest and vegetation clearing may be permitted,
but not within 200 feet of the tree during the nesting season (May 15–
August 31). Sufficient large trees and snags shall be left in place. To the
extent feasible, given existing habitat conditions, the remaining canopy
closure should be more than 40% with over-story trees 21” in dbh or
greater and at least 3 snags greater than 21” dbh per acre.
SSH-03: Setbacks and buffer zones may be reduced based on
site, sensitivity of the species, or other biological parameters, but only on
the recommendation of a qualified biologist that has inspected the site.
SSH-04: Disturbance of any actual nest (active within 3 years) or roost
(currently active) is prohibited.
Agelaius tricolor
TBB-01: A setback of 500 feet from colonial nesting areas
encompassing both nesting habitat (blackberry thickets, cattails, tules,
etc.) and foraging habitat (open grassland and agricultural fields,
including flooded fields) shall be established and maintained.
TBB-02: Disturbance of any actual nest or roost is prohibited.
TBB-03: Requirements for habitat setbacks from streams, meadows or
Grasshopper sparrow
GSP-01: Implement NEST-01 (BRRG, Chapter 5).
Asio flammeus
Short-eared owl
SOWL-01: Establish building and clearing setbacks, and prohibit all
construction, within 600 feet of active nests during the nesting season
(March through July).
Asio otus
Long-eared owl
LOWL-01: Establish building and clearing setbacks, and prohibit all
construction, within 600 feet of active nests during the nesting season
(March 1–June 30).
LOWL-02: Establish building and clearing setbacks of 300 feet around
nest sites that have been active within 3 years, but are not currently
active, if they are still suitable for nesting. Within this setback, some
timber harvest and vegetation clearing may be permitted, but not within
200 feet of the nest tree during the nesting season (March 1–June 30).
Sufficient large trees shall be left standing. To the extent feasible, given
existing habitat conditions, the remaining canopy closure should be
more than 40%, with over-story trees 21” in dbh or greater.
LOWL-03: Establish a setback of 600 feet around colonial roosting sites
used regularly by 4 or more owls during the season of regular use.
LOWL-04: Setbacks and buffer zones may be reduced based on
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Mitigation Measures
the recommendation of a qualified biologist who has inspected the site.
LOWL-05: Direct disturbance of any nest or roost (active within 3 years)
is prohibited.
Athene cunicularia
Burrowing owl
BUOW-01: Establish a setback of at least 250 feet from each owl burrow
occupied during the breeding season within the past three years.
BUOW-02: Preserve 6.5 acres of foraging habitat per burrowing owl
pair, contiguous to the owl population. The configuration of preserved
foraging habitat in relation to owl burrows requires review and approval
by a qualified biologist.
BUOW-03: Construction and other ground disturbances shall be
prohibited within the established setbacks and foraging habitat. Natural
vegetation shall be maintained within the setback. The use of
insecticides, herbicides and fertilizers is prohibited within established
setbacks.
BUOW-04: All setbacks and foraging habitat shall be preserved in
perpetuity through O (Open Space) or O-1 (Open Space-1) zoning. O or
O-1 zoning boundaries encompassing setbacks shall be indicated on
recorded maps, whenever projects involve parcel or subdivision maps.
Chaetura vauxi
Vaux’s swift
VSWIFT-01: Implement NEST-01. (BRRG, Chapter 5).
Circus cyaneus
Northern harrier
NH-01: Establish building and clearing setbacks and prohibit all
construction within ¼ mile of active nests during the nesting season
(April 1–June 30).
VSWIFT-02:
Requirements for habitat setbacks from streams,
meadows or other water sources also apply (BRRG, Chapter 4).
NH-02: Establish building and clearing setbacks of 500 feet around nest
sites that have been active within 3 years, but are not currently active, if
they are still suitable for nesting. Within this setback, some vegetation
clearing may be permitted, but not within 300 feet of the nest-site during
the nesting season (April 1–June 30).
NH-03: Setbacks may be reduced based on considerations of lack of
visibility of the nest site, sensitivity of the species, or other biological
parameters, but only on the recommendation of a qualified biologist who
has inspected the site.
NH-04: Disturbance of any active nest is prohibited.
Cypseloides niger
Black swift
BSWIFT-01: Implement NEST-01. (BRRG, Chapter 5).
Yellow warbler
YW-01: Implement NEST-01. (BRRG, Chapter 5)
Elanus leucurus
White-tailed kite
WTK-01: Avoid construction activities within 500 feet of an active nest
during the nesting season (February 15–September 15).
BSWIFT-02:
Requirements for habitat setbacks from streams,
YW-02: Requirements for habitat setbacks from streams, meadows or
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Mitigation Measures
WTK-02: Establish building and clearing setbacks of 500 feet around
nest sites that have been, but are not currently, active within 3 years if
they are still suitable for nesting. Within this setback, some vegetation
clearing may be permitted, but not within 300 feet of the nest tree during
the nesting season (February 15–September 15). Sufficient large trees
shall remain as nesting habitat.
WTK-03: Establish a buffer zone of 500 feet around colonial roosting
sites used regularly by 4 or more white-tailed kites during the season of
regular use.
WTK-04: Setbacks and buffer zones may be reduced based on
the recommendation of a qualified biologist who has inspected the site.
WTK-05: Disturbance of any actual nest site or colonial roost site (as
defined above) is prohibited.
Falco mexicanus
Prairie falcon
PRF–01: Establish building and clearing setbacks and prohibit all
construction within ½ mile of active nests during the nesting season
(April 15–July 15).
PRF-02: Establish building setbacks of 1,000 feet around nest sites that
have been active within 3 years, but are not currently active, if they are
still suitable for nesting.
PRF-03: Setbacks may be reduced based on considerations of
inaccessibility and lack of visibility of the nest site, sensitivity of the
species, or other biological parameters, but only on the recommendation
of a qualified biologist who has inspected the site.
PRF-04: Disturbance of any actual nest site is prohibited.
Gavia immer
Common loon
Rare visitor and non breeder in county. No mitigation required.
Icteria virens
CHAT-01: Establish riparian setbacks as prescribed for Valley Foothill
Riparian (VRI) or Montane Riparian (MRI) habitat, as appropriate.
Riparian setback reductions shall be allowed only in consultation with a
qualified biologist if this species is present.
CHAT-02: Implement NEST-01 (BRRG, Chapter 5).
CHAT-03: Requirements for habitat setbacks from streams, meadows
Lanius ludovicianus
Loggerhead shrike
SHRIKE–01: Establish building and clearing setbacks and prohibit all
construction within 300 feet of active nests during the nesting season
(April 15–July 15).
SHRIKE- 02: Disturbance of any actual nest is prohibited.
Pandion haliaetus
Osprey
OSP–01: Establish building and clearing setbacks and prohibit all
construction within ½ mile of active nests during the nesting season
(April 15–August 1).
OSP-02: Establish building and clearing setbacks of 1,000 feet around
nest sites that have been, but are not currently, active within 3 years if
they are still suitable for nesting. Within this setback, some timber
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Mitigation Measures
harvest and vegetation clearing may be permitted, but not within 200
feet of the tree during the nesting season (April 15–August 1). Sufficient
large trees and snags shall remain. To the extent feasible, given existing
habitat conditions, the remaining canopy closure should be more than
40% with over-story trees 21” in dbh or greater and at least 3 snags
greater than 21” dbh per acre.
OSP-03: Setbacks and buffer zones may be reduced based on
OSP-04: Disturbance of any actual nest or roost is prohibited.
Requirements for habitat setbacks from streams, meadows or other
water sources also apply (BRRG, Chapter 4).
Species is occasional visitor and non-breeder in County. No mitigation
required.
Progne subis
Purple martin
MARTIN-01: Avoid construction activities and human disturbance within
200 feet of each active nest during the nesting season (March 1–August
15th).
MARTIN-02: Provide a 200-foot building and clearing setback around
each nest tree that has been active within 2 years, but is not currently
active, and is still suitable for nesting. Limited tree cutting may be
permitted within these setbacks outside of nesting season (March 1–
August 15).
Strix occidentalis occidentalis
SPO-01: Avoid construction activities within ¼ mile around each active
nest during the nesting season (March 1–August 31st).
SPO-02: Maintain a 500-foot building and clearing setback around each
nest tree that has been, but is not currently, active within 3 years and is
still suitable for nesting. Within this setback, some timber harvest and
vegetation clearing may be permitted, but not within 200 feet of the tree
during the nesting season (March 1–August 31). Sufficient large trees
and snags shall remain. To the extent feasible, given existing habitat
conditions, the remaining canopy closure should be more than 40% with
over-story trees 21” in dbh or greater and at least 3 snags greater than
21” dbh per acre.
SPO-03: For regularly used winter roost sites; consult with CDFG to
establish appropriate setbacks prohibiting all disturbance in the vicinity
of roost sites.
SPO-04: Setbacks and buffer zones may be reduced based on
SPO-05: Disturbance of any actual nest or roost is prohibited.
Mammals
BATS: Nursery and/or
colonial roosting sites
Antrozous pallidus
BAT-01: When a nursery site and/or colonial roosting site is located
within a riparian corridor, preserve the nursery site or roosting site
(including a minimum 200’ buffer around colonial roosting sites) and
preserve the riparian corridors located within the borders of the project
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Pallid bat
Mitigation Measures
site. The riparian corridors should retain the riparian vegetation plus a
100-foot buffer from the edge of the riparian vegetation.
BAT-02: When nursery sites and/or colonial roosting sites are not
located within riparian corridors, preserve the roosting site (including a
200’ buffer around colonial roosting sites) .
Euderma maculatum
Spotted bat
BAT-03: When colonial roosting sites are located on a project site, and
openings may pose a threat to health and safety, gates may be used to
close mines, caves and similar openings to allow for the continued use
of these areas by bats. Prior to installing gates, consultation with a
qualified biologist is required (for listed bat species, consultation with the
appropriate wildlife agency is required). Gating should be installed to
allow bats to continue entry and exit of roosting or nursery sites
Silver-haired bat
Western red bat
Myotis ciliolabrum
Western small-footed myotis
Myotis evotis
Long-eared myotis
BAT-04: Some bat species will not accept full gates (gates that
completely fill the entrance) at their maternity (nursery) caves. Prior to
installing gates at entrances to nursery (maternity) sites, consultation
with a qualified biological is required.
See additional mitigation measures for selected bat species, below.
Myotis lucifigus
Little brown bat
Myotis thysanodes
Fringed myotis
Myotis volans
Long-legged myotis
Antrozous pallidus
Pallid bat
BAT-05: Implement BAT-01 through BAT-04.
Sierra Nevada mountain
beaver
BEAVER-01: Implement ST-01 and ST-02 (BRRG, Chapter 4).
BEAVER-02: Implement WQ-01 through WQ-08 (BRRG, Chapter 8).
BEAVER-03: Requirements for habitat setbacks from streams,
Euderma maculatum
Spotted bat
Greater western mastiff-bat
BAT-08: Implement CLIFF-01 and CLIFF-02. (BRRG, Chapter 4).
Silver-haired bat
Western red bat
Lepus americanus tahoensi
Sierra Nevada snowshoe
hare
SNSH-01: Mitigation measures shall be determined in consultation with
appropriate wildlife agencies.
Martes pennanti (pacifica)
PF-01: Mitigation measures shall be determined in consultation with
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Pacific fisher
Mitigation Measures
appropriate wildlife agencies.
Myotis ciliolabrum
Western small-footed myotis
Myotis evotis
Long-eared myotis
Myotis lucifigus
Little brown bat
Myotis thysanodes
Fringed myotis
Myotis volans
Long-legged myotis
Sorex lyelli
Mt. Lyell shrew
SHREW-01: Mitigation measures shall be determined in consultation
with appropriate wildlife agencies.
Taxidea taxus
American Badger
BADGER-01: Prior to project approval, potential den sites shall be
monitored by a qualified biologist to determine if the occupant is an adult
only or the den is natal.
BADGER-02: Den sites shall be incorporated into O (Open Space)
zoning with a minimum 200 foot buffer maintained around den sites.
Construction and ground disturbance within this buffer is prohibited.
Open Space encompassing a den site shall be configured to provide
entry and escape routes from the den site without traversing areas that
have been converted from open space uses.
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Chapter 4. Survey Protocols
Table 4-1 lists all species for which survey protocols were established and in use at the time
the BRRG was prepared.
Table 4-1: Established Survey Protocols
Species/Taxonomic Group
INVERTEBRATES
Branchinecta lynchi
Lepidurus packardi
Survey Protocols
Interim Survey Guidelines to Permittees for Recovery
Permits under Section 10 (A)(1)(A) of the Endangered
Species Act for the Listed Vernal Pool Brachiopods (April
1996)
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Sacramento Fish and
Wildlife Office; Conservation Guidelines for the Valley
Elderberry Longhorn Beetle (July 1999)
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Sacramento Fish and
Wildlife Office; Avoidance and Mitigation Guidelines for
Impacts to the Valley Elderberry Longhorn Beetle
(September 1996)
AMPHIBIANS
Rana draytonii
BIRDS
Burrowing owl
Athene cunicularia
The California Burrowing Owl Consortium, Burrowing
Owl Survey Protocol and Mitigation Guidelines, (April
1993)
Bald Eagle
Great gray owl
Strix nebulosa
PLANTS
All special-status plants
Federally listed plants
Department of Fish and Game, Interim Guidance on Site
Assessment and Field Surveys for Determining
Presence of a Negative Finding of the California Tiger
Salamander (October 2003)
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Revised Guidance on
Site Assessments and Field Surveys for the California
Red-Legged Frog (August 2005)
Department of Fish and Game, Staff Report on
Burrowing Owl Mitigation (October 1995)
Department of Fish and Game, Bald Eagle Breeding
Survey Instructions (November 1999)
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Protocol for Evaluating
Bald Eagle Habitat and Populations in California (June
2004)
USDA Forest Service, Pacific Southwest Region; Survey
Protocol for the Great Gray Owl in the Sierra Nevada of
California (May 2000)
California Native Plant Society, CNPS Botanical Survey
Guidelines, (December 1983; revised June 2001)
Department of Fish and Game, Guidelines for Assessing
the Effects of Proposed Projects on Rare, Threatened,
and Endangered Plants and Natural Communities
(December 1983, revised May 2000)
Guidelines For Conducting And Reporting Botanical
Inventories For Federally Listed, Proposed And
Candidate Plants (September 1996)
Endangered Species Recovery Program, General Rare
Plant Survey Guidelines (July 2002)
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Chapter 5. Critical Habitats / Recovery Plans
Critical Habitats are First Priority Biological Resources pursuant to the Biological
Resources Review Guide (BRRG).
Critical Habitat is defined pursuant to the Federal Endangered Species Act as a specific
geographic area with biological and/or physical features essential for the conservation of a
federally-listed threatened or endangered species that may require special management
and protection. Critical Habitats are supposed to be designated in conjunction with the listing
of a threatened or endangered species under the Federal Endangered Species Act as a
mechanism for pursuing and securing recovery of the listed species. However, only
approximately one third of federally listed species have designated Critical Habitat. Critical
Habitats are designated pursuant to the Federal Endangered Species Act by the U.S. Fish
and Wildlife Service through the United States Department of the Interior after public
noticing, review and comment through the Federal Register.
Critical Habitats may include areas not occupied by a listed species but that will be needed
by a species for its recovery. Critical Habitat areas may also include large geographic areas
encompassing some parcels that are not considered Critical Habitat due to the absence of
physical and/or biological conditions necessary for a species survival. Normally, existing
developed areas (e.g. buildings, roads, airports, parking lots) are excluded from Critical
Habitats within the boundaries of designated Critical Habitat Areas.
Federal agencies must consult with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for federal actions
undertaken in a designated Critical Habitat. A Critical Habitat designation has no effect on
situations where a federal agency is not involved (e.g. a landowner undertaking a project on
private land that involves no federal funding or permitting). However, federal actions may be
an element of some private activities (e.g. through a required permit, license or funding).
More importantly, Section 15065(a)(1) of the State CEQA Guidelines states that: A project
may have a significant effect on the environment if the project has the potential to
substantially reduce the habitat of a fish or wildlife species, cause a fish or wildlife
population to drop below self-sustaining levels; or substantially reduce the number or restrict
the range of an endangered, rare or threatened species. Critical Habitat designations, by
definition, are essential for the conservation of a federally-listed, threatened or endangered
species.
Areas encompassing land identified in an adopted Recovery Plan are First Priority
Biological Resources pursuant to the BRRG. The Federal Endangered Species Act
(Section 4(f)) requires the preparation and implementation of a Recovery Plan for species
listed as endangered or threatened. Recovery Plans are prepared by the United States Fish
and Wildlife Service or the National Marine Fisheries Service. Recovery Plans identify
reasonable actions believed necessary to recover and/or protect a listed species.
Recovery plans are voluntary guidance documents, not regulatory documents and broadly
address conservation needs of the species by identifying research, habitat protection and
restoration, management and all other actions that must be taken to bring a species to a
state in which it may be delisted or downlisted. Recovery Plans are necessarily expansive,
identifying as many options and strategies that may contribute to recovery as possible.
Recovery plans guide the conservation of federally listed species and are used to provide
context in conjunction with agency consultations.
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In contrast to Recovery Plans, Critical Habitat (see preceding paragraphs) designation and
management is a regulatory process. Critical Habitat may include a subset of areas that may
be identified within a Recovery Plan as important for species recovery. The regulatory
standard of adverse modification used for Critical Habitat is measured in terms of effects on
the primary constituent elements and essential functions provided by the Critical Habitat as
identified in the Critical Habitat designation, and not against the less stringent Recovery
Plan thresholds.
Maps 5-1 through 5-8 identify five Critical Habitat areas that are at least partially in
Tuolumne County. Development within Critical Habitat areas requires consultation with the
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and compliance with the adopted Recovery Plan for the
species. Additional studies and surveys may be required by the Service in order to
determine if adverse modification to the habitat would result.
Table 5-1: Recovery Plans by Species
Species
Guidelines, Recovery Plans
INVERTEBRATES
Lepidurus packardi
Recovery Plan for Vernal Pool Ecosystems of California
and Southern Oregon; USFWS, Region 1,12/15/05
Valley Elderberry Longhorn Beetle Recover Plan;
6/28/84
FISH
Lahonton cutthroat trout
Recovery Plan for the Lahonton Cutthroat Trout,
USFWS, Region 1; 1995
AMPHIBIANS
Red-legged frog
Recovery Plan for the California Red-Legged Frog,
USFWS, Region 1, 2002
MAMMALS
Ovis Canadensis sierrae
San Joaquin kit fox
Final Recovery Plan for the Sierra Nevada Bighorn
Sheep; USFWS, Region 1, 2/13/08
Recovery Plan for Upland Species of the San Joaquin
Valley; USFWS, Region 1, 1998
Vulpes macrotis mutica
PLANTS
Succulent/Fleshy owl’s clover
Castilleja campestris ssp. succulenta
and Southern Oregon; USFWS, Region 1, 12/15/2005
Hoover’s spurge
Chamaesyce hooveri
and Southern Oregon; USFWS, Region 1.12/15/2005
Colusa Grass
Neostapfia colusana
Layne’s butterweed/ragwort
Packera Layneae
Recovery Plan for Gabbro Soil Plants of the Central
Sierra Nevada Foothills, Kristen Tarp; USFWS, Region
1, 2002
Greene’s tuctoria
Tuctoria greenei
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Map 5-1
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Map 5-2
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Map 5-3
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Map 5-4
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h
Map 5-5
h
h
h
Goodwin Dam
h
h
h
Tuolumne County
h
h
h
h
h h
County Boundary
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Map 5-6
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Map 5-7
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Map 5-8 Core Areas within the Southern Sierra Foothills Vernal Pool Region.
San Joaquin, Shotgun Creek, Farmington, Waterford, Turlock and Merced
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Chapter 6. Promoting Connectivity / Avoiding Barriers to Dispersal
This Chapter discusses the importance of promoting connectivity, and provides sample
measures for promoting connectivity and avoiding the establishment of barriers to
movement, to ensure the safe movement and adequate genetic exchange of wildlife and fish
populations within the County. Project conditions should be used to require appropriate
fencing techniques for avoiding barriers to migratory and resident deer and for projects
within designated deer herd boundaries (see the Tuolumne County Deer Herd maps).
Additional measures should be included within project conditions to assure the maintenance
of and promote connectivity within project boundaries for bats, amphibians and other small
animals. Other connectivity issues involving special- status species should be addressed
through consultation with the appropriate agency and/or other qualified consultants to
ensure project designs that encourage continued species movement through project sites.
Strategies that may be considered for addressing connectivity on a landscape (countywide)
scale are also discussed in this chapter.
What are Wildlife Movement Corridors and Habitat Linkages?
Understanding wildlife movement activities and the physical settings that aid in facilitating
movement is key in promoting connectivity and avoiding the establishment of barriers in the
County. For any given species, wildlife movement is dependent upon the availability and
access to areas that support the resources that are vital to the individual and the overall
population.
Wildlife movement activities usually fall into one of three movement categories:
•
dispersal (e.g., juvenile animals moving from birthing areas or individuals extending
range distributions);
•
seasonal migration (e.g. seeking lower elevations or lower latitudes during the
winter); and
•
activities within a home range (e.g., foraging for food or water, defending
territories, or searching for mates, breeding areas, or cover).
Identifying physical attributes of the land such as topographic features and vegetation cover
is the first step in determining whether or not an area could contribute to facilitating wildlife
movement or connecting important habitats. Wildlife movement traditionally follows the path
of least resistance. The most time and energy efficient route is taken to get from one point to
another. Such routes must also provide the resources that are necessary for survival during
wildlife movement activities.
All or portions of an area may help to facilitate wildlife movement if it contains the following
land features:
•
•
•
•
steep gullied land
drainage features
floodplains
valleys
●
●
●
●
canyons
ridgetops
existing roads, paths, trails, etc.
linear forested/shrubby corridors
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A number of ecological terms have been used to define areas that are used in wildlife
movement activities including wildlife movement corridors, travel routes, wildlife crossings,
and habitat linkages.
Wildlife Corridors
Wildlife corridors are strips of habitat that connect two or more use areas that would
otherwise be isolated from one another. They are used for the movement and migration of
individuals of a species to and from important use areas. Use areas, in this context, are
areas that are large enough and contain all the habitat elements (trees, snags, brush piles,
etc.) required to support an individual through its entire life cycle by providing habitat
suitable for breeding, foraging, resting, and cover. In contrast, a corridor is generally narrow
and provides only some of the habitat elements required by a species; therefore, it functions
primarily to provide a safe route of passage from one use area to another. Larger,
landscape-level corridors, often referred to as habitat or landscape linkages, can provide
both transitory and resident habitat for a variety of species. Wildlife corridors occur within a
matrix of unsuitable habitat. A common type of wildlife corridor is an urban stream that
supports riparian habitat. These types of corridors allow wildlife to move safely through an
urban landscape from one use area to another.
Travel Routes
Travel routes include landscape features (such as ridgelines, drainages, canyons, or
riparian strips) within a larger natural habitat area that are used frequently by animals to
facilitate movement and provide access to necessary resources (e.g., water, food, cover,
den sites). Travel routes differ from corridors in that they occur within a natural landscape
and tend to be chosen out of convenience rather than absolute necessity. A travel route is
generally preferred (over other routes) because it provides the least amount of topographic
resistance in moving from one area to another, contains adequate food, water, and/or cover
while moving between habitat areas, and provides a relatively direct link between use areas.
Wildlife Crossings
Wildlife crossings are constructed features that allow wildlife to pass under or through an
obstacle or barrier that otherwise hinders or prevents movement. Crossings typically include
culverts, underpasses, ladders (for fish), drainage pipes, and tunnels to provide access
across or under roads, highways, pipelines, or other physical obstacles.
In facilitating vital wildlife movement activities, wildlife corridors, travel routes, and crossings
provide connectivity to use areas that are otherwise separated by rugged terrain, changes in
vegetation, or urban development. These areas effectively act as links between different
populations of a species that may occur within a region, allowing individuals to carry out vital
movement activities that are important to the success of the individual and the overall
population. The fragmentation of use areas, such as the construction of a highway through a
riparian streambed, creates isolated “islands” of habitat for those species unwilling or unable
to cross a highway, or for those that are killed in an attempt to cross. By maintaining
corridors, in this example by raising the road above the streambed, individuals can continue
to move between remaining undisturbed habitats, which allows depleted populations to be
replenished, promotes genetic diversity and provides escape routes from fire, predators, and
human disturbances (Noss 1991, Simberloff and Cox 1987). In the absence of corridors and
habitat linkages, various studies have concluded that some wildlife species, especially the
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larger and more mobile mammals, will not likely persist over time in fragmented or isolated
habitat (MacArthur and Wilson 1967, Harris and Scheck 1991, Bennett 1990).
What are the Goals and Objectives for Promoting Connectivity / Avoiding
Barriers to Dispersal in Tuolumne County?
The overlying goals for promoting connectivity and avoiding barriers to dispersal within the
County are:
(1)
To conserve land that facilitates the movement of target resident and migratory
wildlife and fish species to and from nursery sites.
(2)
To conserve land that contributes to the local and/or regional assembly of wildlife
movement corridors and habitat linkages for target resident and migratory wildlife
and fish species.
The functions and values of corridors and linkages within any geographic locale are based
on any number of biological factors that are specific to the area and the type of habitat it
supports, as well as the species for which the corridor or linkage is intended to benefit.
Special considerations should be given during environmental review to resources within the
County that contribute to these goals. Habitat types, watercourses, and other resources
important to target species and the assembly and function of wildlife movement corridors
and habitat linkages have been designated different priority levels for the County based on
species-specific and habitat-specific conservation objectives. These are discussed in detail
in the Biological Resources Review Guide (BRRG) Chapters 3, 4, and 5.
In achieving the overlying goals for promoting connectivity and avoiding barriers to
dispersal, there are a number of general biological issues and considerations to take into
account as objectives for the County:
•
Maintain habitat connectivity and preserve the biological and hydrological functions
and values of the Upper Tuolumne River and Stanislaus River watersheds.
•
Conserve linear corridors with adequate buffers containing important Riparian and
Riverine resources.
•
Conserve core blocks of habitat supporting First Priority and Second Priority
resources.
•
Maintain linkages between core blocks of habitat supporting First Priority and
Second Priority resources.
The BRRG in Chapter 3 discusses First Priority resources that include areas that are known
to be occupied by federally- and state-listed endangered, threatened, and proposed wildlife
species and their habitat, including critical habitat. Chapter 4 discusses Second Priority
resources that include areas that are known to be occupied by federal candidate species,
state candidate species, and species of special concern and their habitat. First Priority and
Second Priority resource areas known to be occupied by special status species and areas
designated as critical habitat include locales that support the primary constituent elements
required for each species, including nursery sites supporting breeding, nesting, and roosting
habitat. Chapter 4 also describes other Second Priority resources that are important to
promoting connectivity, including habitats restricted in acreage and known to support unique
suites of plant and wildlife species, areas that function as wildlife nursery sites, areas that
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function as important wildlife movement corridors, and wetlands, streams, and other water
resources.
Tuolumne County is characterized by many different habitat types that provide live-in habitat
and facilitate wildlife movement. These are discussed in detail in the BRRG Chapter 9.
Habitat types within the County that are most important in the assemblage of corridors and
linkages because of their physical attributes in facilitating movement and resources that they
support year-round include:
•
•
•
•
Montane riparian (MRI)
Valley foothill riparian (VRI)
Lake/Pond (LAK)
Seasonal wetland (SW)
●
●
●
●
Vernal pool/swale complexes (VPL)
Fresh emergent wetland (FEW)
Wet meadow (WTM)
Riverine (blue line streams)
Other habitat types within the County that provide large contiguous blocks of live-in habitat
for which corridors and linkages should be maintained include:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
annual grassland (ags)
Native perennial grassland (PGS)
chaparral (chamise chaparral, mixed chaparral and montane chaparral)
(chc/mch/mcp)
Aspen grove (ASP)
Valley oak woodland (VOW)
Blue oak-foothill gray pine (bop)
Blue oak woodland (bow)
Montane hardwood-conifer (mhc)
Montane hardwood (mhw)
Old growth oak (OGO)
Ponderosa pine (ppn)
Sierran mixed conifer (smc)
Red fir (rfr)
Lodgepole pine (lpn)
Jeffrey pine (jpn)
Subalpine conifer (scn)
White fir (wfr)
Old growth coniferous forest (OGC)
Fragmentation of contiguous habitat blocks and disruption of existing corridors and linkages
between habitat blocks are detrimental to the long-term survival of resident and migratory
species. As discussed in detail in Chapter 3, Tuolumne County hosts a number of narrowand wide-ranging wildlife species with important dispersal and migration requirements in
their life history.
Special-status mammals such as the state-threatened California wolverine and Sierra
Nevada red fox, and common mammals such as mountain lion, black bear, and mule deer
have large home ranges and specific dispersal and migration patterns by which they travel
long distances, These trips are made during seasonal migration, during movement to and
from breeding/denning sites and natal/fawning sites; and for deer during movement among
major concentration areas, winter range, and foraging areas. These species will follow
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traditional travel routes on ridgelines and river corridors, and preservation of corridor and
linkage habitat for these species should take a regional approach.
Conversely, special-status amphibians such as California red-legged frog and California
tiger salamander, and common amphibians such as the Pacific tree frog and Sierra newt
have smaller and more confined home ranges, but may disperse from aquatic breeding sites
to upland aestivation sites in the vicinity. These species may only disperse a few hundred
feet from aquatic sites, but may disperse greater distances if environmental conditions are
right. Dispersal routes for these species are less predictable and more dependent upon local
factors such as availability of habitat and appropriate conditions. Preservation of corridor
and linkage habitats for these species should be approached at the local level.
What Information should be considered during Project Review?
In addressing corridors and linkages and determining the significance of project impacts, the
following information should be analyzed during project review and provided in the
environmental documentation.
Analysis and description of the regional context of the project site.
The review process for a proposed project should include information on the site’s proximity
and biological relevance to regionally important geologic features (mountain ranges, valleys,
peaks, etc), hydrogeomorphic features (watershed, rivers, streams, etc.), prevalent habitat
types (forest, woodland, scrub, grassland, etc.). The region’s climate and typical weather
patterns may also be discussed. The analysis of the regional context will provide rationale
on how the project site may contribute to the assembly of a corridor or linkage that is
important to the region.
Analysis and description of the land uses on and in the surrounding vicinity of the
project site.
Project review should include descriptions of the previous and existing land uses of the
project site and areas to the immediate north, south, east, and west. Descriptions can be
general (e.g. residential development, rural residential development, undeveloped land) or
specific and consistent with the County’s General Plan Land Use designations (e.g. high
density residential, estate residential, agricultural, open space). The discussion should
include the site’s proximity and biological relevance to protected lands in the local area such
as parks, preserves, and other land owned and managed for conservation purposes,
including adopted or proposed habitat conservation plan areas, Yosemite and Stanislaus
National Forest lands, BLM lands, etc. A detailed discussion of all natural and humaninduced disturbances should be provided. Clear distinction should be made between areas
that are highly disturbed or developed, and areas that contain vegetation and functioning
habitat types.
Description and mapping of all habitat types and watercourses on the project site.
The review should detail the biological and hydrological functions and values of these
habitats and watercourses, and whether or not they are entirely contained within the project
site, or if they continue into offsite areas adjacent to the project site. Mapping of habitats and
watercourses on aerial imagery and topographic maps provide a depiction of the resource
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distribution and continuity, and offer a visual aid in determining the relative importance of the
resources on a local and regional scale.
Description of resident wildlife species and species that may range through the area.
Information on what wildlife species were detected during surveys and what species may
have the potential to reside or range through the area is important in understanding the
functions and values of the site and the resources it supports. Detection of certain wideranging species may suggest that the site functions to facilitate wildlife movement at the
local or regional level.
Description and mapping of areas occupied by special status wildlife species.
This is typically provided as an aerial-based map of the results of the California Natural
Diversity Data Base query and/or the results of protocol surveys. When identifying local and
regional corridors and linkages and potential project impacts, it is important to understand
the distribution of special-status wildlife species occurrences and the habitat types that
support them. Depending on the life history demands of each species in question, a physical
connection of usable habitat should be maintained between occupied areas. For a
discussion of special status wildlife species including habitat requirements, refer to Chapter
3 of this Appendix.
Description of how special status wildlife species with the potential to occur on the
project site may use the site and surrounding vicinity.
The site may be important for breeding, nesting, roosting, foraging, dispersal, etc. In
determining the overall function and value of resources on the site, it is important to note
which species may use the site and surrounding vicinity and how. For example, a site that
contains low quality riparian habitat may not be suitable for nesting or establishing a
breeding territory, but may provide important foraging and dispersal opportunities for
individual species breeding in the surrounding vicinity and migrants.
What are the Guidelines for Determining Significant Impacts during Project
Review?
With respect to wildlife corridors and habitat linkages, the California Environmental Quality
Act (CEQA) guidelines state that a project will normally have a significant effect on the
environment if it will interfere substantially with the movement of any resident or migratory
fish or wildlife species. This impact is typically addressed under the Wildlife Movement and
Nursery Sites impact within a CEQA document and stated as the following:
Would the project interfere substantially with the movement of native resident or
migratory fish or wildlife species, or with established native resident or migratory
wildlife corridors, or impede the use of native wildlife nursery sites?
Figure 6.1, which follows, may be used to identify potentially significant impacts that could
occur to a site given the proposed design and layout of a development project. If potentially
significant impacts are identified through use of the table, appropriate mitigation measures
or project redesign should be incorporated into the proposed project to reduce impacts to a
less than significant level.
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FIGURE 6-1. DETERMINING POTENTIAL PROJECT IMPACTS
To determine the potential significance of project related impacts,
the following questions may be used as a guideline during project review.
9
POTENTIALLY SIGNIFICANT IMPACTS
Potential Impacts (Species Related)
Would the project result in direct and/or indirect impacts to habitat that may restrict
access to an existing corridor or linkage for special status wildlife species?
Would the project prevent, constrain, or impede wildlife access to important resources
or areas necessary for wildlife and fish reproduction?
Would the project result in direct and/or indirect impacts to migration corridors, land
connecting corridors and/or habitat for migratory or resident deer?
Would the project result in direct and/or indirect impacts to stream courses and riparian
habitats containing important resources necessary for special status fish species?
Potential Impacts Related to Project Design
Does the project result in a substantial interruption of existing connectivity between
blocks of important habitat and wildlife use areas, or result in a substantial permanent
interruption or blockage of a local or regional wildlife corridor or linkage area?
Does the project include the development of permanent aboveground structures within
the functioning area of a corridor or linkage, for example a road that has not been
designed to include features that accommodate wildlife and fish movement?
Does the project include any adverse changes to the width of an existing corridor or
linkage that would impede target wildlife below minimum requirements?
Does the project design incorporate a false wildlife corridor that is inadequate in size,
location, resources or other qualities necessary for the movement of wildlife and fish?
Will the project result in an increase in indirect noise and/or nighttime lighting to wildlife
corridor or linkage areas such that target species potentially moving through or using
the area are adversely and significantly affected?
Will the project include the placement of development and design features that emit
adverse noise and lighting without appropriate attenuation features, baffles, and
shielding such that wildlife use of an adjacent area is impaired?
Will the project result in an impairment or blockage to existing lines-of-sight within a
corridor or linkage?
Will the project include the development of structures that do not promote visual
continuity through a corridor or linkage such that target wildlife movement and use
could be adversely affected?
Will the project include the development of tall structures along the rim of a corridor or
linkage that would be visible from the base of the corridor and could result in avoidance
of the corridor?
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What Planning Objectives, Project Design Considerations and Mitigation
Measures Should be Promoted During Project Review?
Planning Objectives:
The following regional and local planning objectives should be considered during project
review:
Regional Planning Objectives:
•
Project design should be sensitive to the regional significance of the area and its role
in supporting or contributing to large blocks of habitat.
•
Project design should be sensitive to the regional significance of the area and its role
in providing a connection and linkage between large blocks of habitat.
Local Planning Objectives:
•
Projects should be designed around existing land features and habitat types that
promote wildlife movement through the local area.
•
Projects should not constrain the size and function of existing wildlife movement
corridors on and adjacent to the site.
•
Project design should not include corridors that are constricted or do not function for
target species.
Project Design Considerations:
To achieve regional and local planning objectives for corridors and linkages, a project
should be sited appropriately and incorporate design features to avoid, minimize, and
reduce short-term and long-term impacts. The following project design considerations, and
avoidance and minimization measures help reduce a project’s impacts to corridors and
linkages for wildlife movement:
•
Consolidate development and maximize the surface area-to-perimeter ratio such that
developments are planned interior to open space that abuts project boundaries and
existing resources.
•
Conserve large contiguous blocks of habitat as opposed to small non-contiguous
fragments.
•
Incorporate project avoidance and adequate setbacks and open space buffers from
riparian and riverine resources.
•
Incorporate adequately sized corrals, underpasses, ladders, etc into wildlife corridors
and crossings that accommodate the requirements of target species.
•
Create open space elements that are contiguous with offsite areas that may
contribute to corridors and linkages.
•
Minimize indirect impacts during operation phase (physical edge effects,
encroachment, domestic pet use, noise, nighttime lighting, introduction of exotic
species, toxic substances, and other adjacency issues that might devalue or degrade
adjacent areas over time).
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Promoting Connectivity at the Landscape Level:
To begin to achieve connectivity between important habitat areas on a countywide scale, the
County should pursue one or more of the following and continue to expand this list over
time. Opportunities to partner with other resource conservation organizations countywide
should be pursued to the maximum extent feasible to facilitate implementing these goals:
Preserve Stream and River Corridors:
Streams provide well-defined, pre-existing wildlife corridors countywide. The protection of
stream corridors and removal of existing obstructions along stream corridors should be of
the highest priority in achieving connectivity between habitats countywide. Preservation of
Second Priority habitats involving streams should remain a high priority in the Biological
Resources Review Guide (BRRG) and reductions in stream setbacks should be allowed
only where such reductions will not jeopardize the continuity of wildlife corridors.
Establish Habitat Banks:
As funds are available, inventory and prioritize lands available for banking opportunities to
offset impacts to Second and Third Priority habitats county-wide. Criteria for establishing
these banks (e.g., minimum size, habitat quality and diversity) should be established in
consultation with permitting agencies, willing-seller landowners and other stakeholders. The
location of habitat banks should consider the ability to achieve linkages between these
banks and other “already protected” open spaces and public lands. Once potential banking
areas have been identified; consider mechanisms for achieving connectivity between habitat
banks (e.g., stream corridors, public lands).
Pursue Corridors that Provide Multiple Benefits:
Consider other uses compatible with wildlife use when establishing wildlife corridors. For
example, consider the use of abandoned railroad corridors to enhance connectivity between
habitats for common wildlife species while also providing compatible recreational uses and
expanding funding opportunities.
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Chapter 7. Mitigation Monitoring
The County will establish a monitoring program to assess the success or failure of the
wildlife mitigation measures prescribed in the Biological Resources Review Guide (BRRG).
It would not be feasible to monitor hundreds of individual open space areas scattered
countywide, given the constraints of staffing and budget. Therefore, as part of a more
comprehensive monitoring program, the County may wish to pursue some or all of the
following measures:
•
Establish and undertake monitoring plans for compensation (mitigation)
banks. If the County can identify and acquire relatively large blocks of undisturbed
habitat, mitigation for certain impacts to biological resources could be accomplished
through payment of fees by developers to reimburse the County for the cost of
acquiring and managing the habitat in these mitigation banks. If large-scale
compensation banks are established in the County, they could provide opportunities
to develop more cost-effective monitoring plans than could be implemented for
multiple, smaller mitigation sites. Data from monitoring such banks could be used to
refine BRRG mitigation measures for individual projects.
•
Establish mitigation monitoring and enforcement fees for large projects. For
large-scale projects (e.g., 100 acres or larger), consider requiring a fee to cover the
cost of hiring a professional biologist to conduct ongoing monitoring and to prepare
reports for submittal to the County. Alternatively, the developer could retain a
qualified consultant to monitor the effectiveness of mitigation and report to the
County.
Goals of Monitoring
A monitoring program would assess the degree to which the County’s biological resources
conservation policies achieve their stated goals. The goals of the monitoring program are:
(1) provide quantitative and qualitative data for analysis of effectiveness of mitigation
measures on individual projects; (2) evaluate general approaches to mitigation; (3) expand
and update the biological data base; (4) provide a basis for assessing cumulative impacts
on biological resources; and (5) provide a basis for refining mitigation measures in future
BRRG updates to increase effectiveness (adaptive management).
Monitoring Measures for Individual Projects
For individual projects, the purpose of monitoring is to ensure that the required mitigation
measures are actually implemented and meet some standard of minimal adequacy. Ideally,
all projects should be monitored during and after construction, and some projects should be
monitored over longer time periods as well.
During construction, monitoring should focus on measures designed to avoid or minimize
impacts such as erosion control measures, protection of large trees and sensitive habitat
areas, and buffer zones established to minimize disturbance to nesting birds. The level of
construction monitoring can range from weekly checks to ensure installed mitigation
measures are being followed, to full-time daily monitoring to ensure no direct impacts to
threatened or endangered species.
After construction, monitoring should include a final evaluation of these preventive measures
and would also focus on measures (such as habitat improvement) that are designed to
compensate for unavoidable impacts. In addition, long-term monitoring may be needed to
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evaluate mitigation measures (such as revegetation) that require extensive time to
implement.
Requirements for monitoring should be explicitly incorporated into the conditions of approval
for the appropriate entitlement and should include the following elements:
Performance Standards:
Performance standards should be set at a realistic level that will ensure the long-term
success and establishment of mitigation implementations such as revegetation and exotic
species control. Standards can have different goals over time to make results more realistic
and achievable without lowering the final mitigation goals. An example of this type of
performance standards would be: less than 15% non-native cover by year 2, less than 10%
non-native cover by year 3 and less than 5% non-native cover by year 5.
•
The following are more detailed examples of performance standards:
1.
Vegetative cover is present over at least 85 percent of the total ground
surface within the treated area.
2.
Native Vegetation Coverage: Native species must provide at least 70 percent
total coverage within the treated area and 85 percent relative coverage as
measured over 300 foot long segments within the treated area. Therefore,
any area covering at least a 300 foot length of the treatment area that exhibits
only the minimum of 85 percent total cover by vegetation (i.e., the remaining
15 percent remains barren), appropriate native species must contribute at
least approximately 70 percent total cover and 85 percent relative cover in
that particular treated area. In areas exhibiting 100 percent total cover, native
plants must constitute at least 85 percent of the total coverage.
Native vegetation may include seeded species as well as “volunteers”
(naturally recruited specimens), native to the area. This standard implies that
no more than 15 percent of all vegetative cover may consist of ruderal nonnative species. However, of the ruderal species “permitted” on the site, only
species of very common, “naturalized,” non-native grasses and herbs, such
as Bromus, Avena, Conyza, Brassica spp., may be allowed, particularly if
their removal would likely promote erosion or incur significant collateral
damage to healthy native species.
3.
Exotic Vegetation Coverage: Particularly noxious invasive exotic species
must not contribute more than 1 percent of all vegetative cover.
•
The project conditions of approval need to specify corrective measures required if
the standards are not met
•
The conditions need to specify intervals at which monitoring will be conducted
•
The conditions need to reflect the applicant’s responsibility to employ qualified
consultants to periodically report to the County the success or failure of all mitigation
measures along with any maintenance and/or corrective measures.
Long Term Monitoring
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Long-term monitoring is usually defined as longer than the typical 5 year monitoring period
and would be appropriate for the following types of mitigation measures:
•
Revegetation–The monitoring of plantings until they are established and need no
further maintenance. Long-term monitoring may be necessary specifically with
projects involving chaparral and woodland restoration.
•
Locked gates–The objective is to ensure that gates are locked and are effective at
preventing vehicle access to sensitive areas while allowing for emergency access.
Monitoring should ideally continue indefinitely.
•
Habitat improvements that require periodic maintenances–Maintenance such as the
removal of non-native invasive species, checking and maintaining fencing and other
hardware used to protect planted plants.
•
Any other measure that requires continuous maintenance, such as oak replanting,
which requires monitoring for a period of seven (7) years pursuant to Section
21083.4 of the Public Resources Code.
Monitoring of Experimental Mitigation
Some mitigation measures may be considered experimental and may require monitoring to
determine if they benefit habitat quality and wildlife to the extent desired. Other measures
may be controversial because they are considered too difficult to implement or too
constraining to development. Although it is unlikely that the County would have sufficient
funds to conduct actual studies of the success or failure of various types of mitigation
measures, it could maintain a “Mitigation Update” file on this subject.
Sources of information would include:
•
Studies described in various scientific publications:
•
Agreements and research studies with educational institutions utilizing students work
study degree programs or faculty expertise.
•
Discussions with biologists from the Department of Fish and Game, Stanislaus
National Forest, and Bureau of Land Management
•
Comments submitted by County staff, local biologists, developers, and other
concerned citizens
•
In addition, the County planning staff should devote at least one in-house meeting
each year to share information on mitigation and evaluate the relative success of
selected measures.
Mitigation, Monitoring and Maintenance Plan
Large complex projects involving Priority 1 biological resources, impacts to wetlands, or
permits required by the United States Army Corps. of Engineers (USACE), Regional Water
Quality Control Board (RWQCB), United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), or
California Department of Fish and Game (CDFG) will require a stand alone Mitigation,
Monitoring, and Maintenance Plan. This plan will need to be formulated through consultation
with the appropriate agency and may require the involvement of a qualified professional with
expertise in the area of potential impact. Such a stand alone Mitigation, Monitoring and
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Maintenance Plan would typically not be required for projects that can avoid impacts to all
first priority biological resources through O (Open Space) or O-1 (Open Space-1) zoning.
The plan should provide a detailed description of the monitoring program. This description
should include, at a minimum:
1.
a list of the attributes to be monitored;
2.
methods for monitoring each attribute, including monitoring frequency and the
location of monitoring stations;
3.
a rationale for monitoring each attribute in relationship to the project goals,
objectives, and performance standards;
4.
a rationale for the inclusion or exclusion of reference sites;
5.
a description of how the resulting data will be analyzed and how the level of
performance will be determined;
6.
identification of how the need for remediation or alteration of project operation will be
assessed; and
7.
an explicit timetable for the monitoring program including data collection, data
analysis, and reporting of results.
Remedial Action Plan
A Remedial Action Plan should be included in the Mitigation, Monitoring, and Maintenance
Plan and identify any potential problems and describe the various actions appropriate for
remediation. The plan should include documentation of potential site conditions that could
require remediation, and the remedial actions that would be taken if those conditions arise.
A remedial action is required when data from the monitoring program indicate the mitigation
project cannot meet the established goals in an acceptable time frame without further
intervention. Remediation may be necessary to correct a design or implementation problem,
or to ensure recovery from a natural disaster. The remedial action plan may also be referred
to as the adaptive management plan.
Mitigation plans can be quite complex. In a regulatory context, it may be most practical to
develop one plan that meets all the requirements of the different agencies involved.
Although specific requirements may vary among agencies, it is in the best interest of all
parties to work together early-on to identify the components that must be included in the
mitigation plan. These agencies should also work together during the plan review stage.
Agency coordination is especially critical in larger, more complex mitigation projects.
Once an acceptable plan is approved, project implementation should occur as soon as
practical. One of the chronic problems relating to revegetation mitigation projects is the often
lengthy delays between adverse impacts and completion of the mitigation project. One way
to avoid this problem is to have mitigation precede the adverse impacts. The evaluation of
mitigation project performance should begin immediately after implementation is completed
(i.e., after all of the necessary construction is completed) and should ultimately continue until
sustained success is achieved.
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Annual Monitoring Reports
Records of inspection and maintenance activities performed should be retained. The
records will include the date, name of inspector, observations, and the maintenance
activities performed. Annual reports will also include all photographs from monitoring site
visits and photo point monitoring.
Annual reports should be submitted to the County, USACE, RWQCB, USFWS, and CDFG,
as appropriate, for a period of 5-years, or until the mitigation areas have met the success
criteria set forth in the Mitigation and Monitoring Report and have been approved by the
appropriate regulatory agency. Annual reports for oak replanting must be submitted for a
period of seven (7) years pursuant to Section 21083.4 of the Public Resources Code. These
reports should include the following items:
1.
Results from the qualitative and quantitative surveys.
2.
Success status of the mitigation area, including percent survival of container plants,
percent cover of native vs. non-native plants, slope stabilization by vegetation, and
irrigation status.
3.
Any contingency measures implemented, including reseeding or replacement of
container plants.
4.
Any recommendations for meeting the success criteria and agency sign-off by year
five.
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Chapter 8. Habitats
This chapter provides a description of each habitat that has been mapped or that occurs
within the County, including their Priority rating. The descriptions include a list of the
common dominant species that characterize the habitat, where the habitat typically occurs
within the County (elevation, land form, etc.) and a list of wildlife species that are likely to
occur there. After each habitat name, in parentheses, is the abbreviation used on the
Wildlife Habitat Maps.
Establishment of a specific habitat on a project site is subject to the numerous steps detailed
in Chapter 2, including the need for a field assessment of the site. These steps will lead to
the establishment of a dominant priority habitat; however, portions of a project site that have
been identified as a lower priority habitat such as Third or Fourth Priority Biological
Resources may contain biological resources that are consistent with First or Second Priority
resources (for example habitat for a special status species or a blue-line stream), and the
portion of the project site containing those resources will need to be re-classified to the
appropriate priority designation. For a list of special status species associated with each
habitat, refer to Tables 2-3 (plants) and 3-2 (wildlife) in the Appendix.
In order to predict the wildlife species associated with each of the habitats listed, the
California Wildlife Habitat Relationships (WHR) system, which is administered by the
Department of Fish and Game, has been incorporated into the habitat definitions. WHR is a
predictive model that lists species likely to occur in a given location under certain habitat
conditions. It also predicts the suitability of those conditions for reproduction, cover, and
feeding.
In some cases, the definitions provided by WHR do not make clear, quantitative distinctions
between similar habitats. Therefore, descriptions have been refined; for example, by
specifying the percentage of a stand occupied by a particular species of tree or shrub
species. These percentages refer to the proportion of the overstory canopy cover occupied
by a species. When a definition states that a stand is "dominated" by a particular species, it
means that the species occupies at least 50% of the total overstory cover. All forest or
woodland types, by definition, have a tree cover of 10% or more. A reference is included
where habitat definitions were taken from sources other than WHR.
8.1 Annual Grassland (ags)
Priority: Fourth.
Annual Grassland (ags) is a Fourth Priority habitat where the site is not occupied by a
special-status species and does not have potential to support a special-status species; does
not contain wetlands or other waters of the United States; does not provide an important
linkage (i.e., readily available alternatives are not available to the species) to First, Second
or Third Priority Biological Resources bordering on or in the vicinity of the project site; and is
not essential to the movement of species from one location to another.
Criteria: Open grassland composed primarily of annual plant species which also occur as
understory plants in oak woodland and other habitats.
Characteristics: Annual grasslands in California support a diversity of annual grasses and
herbaceous annual and perennial forbs. Annual grasses commonly occurring in this habitat
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include wild oat, rip-gut brome, soft chess, red brome, Italian ryegrass, barley, rabbitfoot
grass, and hedgehog dogtail. Some native perennial grasses, such as purple needlegrass
and California melic may also occur in patches.
The presence of native perennial grasses (in patches or dominant) indicate that the site, or
portions of the site, may qualify to be classified as Native Perennial Grassland (PGS)
habitat—a Second Priority habitat. Similarly, the presence of underlying serpentine soils
may qualify the site as Serpentine Soil (SER) – a Second Priority habitat.
Although typically dominated by non-native annual grasses, these habitats are reservoirs for
populations of native annual and perennial herbaceous plants. These may include brodiaea,
blue-dicks, gumplant, red-maids, cryptantha, miniature lupine, fiddleneck, bitter-cress,
whisker brush, goldfields, valley tassels, Chinese houses, and clarkia, among others.
Range: Below 3,900 feet in elevation in Tuolumne County.
Special Considerations: Mediterranean climate: cool, wet winters and dry, hot summers.
The amount of rainfall varies annually. The presence of a special status species in a portion
of the ags moves that portion of the project site from the Fourth Priority habitat category and
elevates the habitat to the habitat priority of the special status species occupying the area.
Associated Wildlife: Annual grasslands provide pollen and nectar sources crucial to
California’s native bees and other pollinators. They also provide important habitat for a
variety of wildlife species. Raptors, including red-tailed hawk, barn owl, American kestrel,
northern harrier, and others, commonly use open grassland areas for foraging, while
species such as western meadowlark and burrowing owl, use open grassland areas for
nesting. Mammals common to grassland include coyote, California ground squirrel, blacktailed jackrabbit, and California meadow vole.
8.2
Aspen (ASP)
Priority: Second
Criteria: Stands of trees that are dominated by quaking aspen where aspen occupies >50%
of the canopy cover.
Characteristics: Co-occurring overstory species include lodgepole pine, Jeffrey pine,
ponderosa pine, red fir, white fir, and Douglas-fir. Mature stands are dense; in these stands
there are very few co-occurring overstory species. Understory shrubs include sagebrush,
rose, snowberry, western chokecherry, and western serviceberry. Aspen stands support a
rich herbaceous layer of forbs and grasses.
Aspen is a clonal species, which means that they reproduce asexually by sprouting from
modified underground roots. Individuals are self-sufficient but remain connected
underground; therefore, large aspen stands may be comprised of just a single individual.
Range: From 6,500 to 9,900 feet in elevation in the eastern portion of the County. Found
with red fir, Sierran mixed conifer, and lodgepole pine habitats.
Special Considerations: Aspen stands occur where there is adequate moisture in the soil
but will not grow in soils saturated at the surface for long periods. Aspen generally occurs in
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pure stands fringing wet or moist meadows, and on slopes weathered by springs or seeps or
subsurface water (Barbour et al. 2007). Aspen is intolerant of shade; therefore, fire is critical
to the perpetuation of this habitat type. Aspen stand decline has been observed at many
locations within the interior western U.S. and is generally attributed to conifer encroachment,
fire suppression, and/or excessive grazing by livestock and/or native ungulates (hooved
animals). Additionally, aspens are unlikely to be established by seeds in California, so
retention and enhancement of existing groves is important (CDFG 2008).
Associated Common Wildlife: Although no wildlife species is totally dependent on habitats
dominated by aspen, this habitat adds significantly to the richness of the wildlife in areas
where it occurs. Meadows are often adjacent to aspen stands; this and the shrub understory
within stands provide nesting cover for several species that might otherwise be scarce or
absent. The mesic sites that permit aspen to establish also result in higher insect production
compared to adjacent forests or shrublands. This insect production, together with a high rate
of fungal infection of trees, is thought to account for the greater variety and abundance of
birds in this habitat compared with adjacent forests and shrublands. Aspen stands are
habitats favored by a variety of cavity-nesting birds such as bluebirds, sapsuckers, and
chickadees. Snags are important to cavity nesters in these stands, but live aspens are easily
drilled and therefore are commonly used by these species.
8.3
Barren (bar)
Priority: Fourth
Criteria: Barren habitat is defined by the absence of vegetation. Any habitat with <2% total
vegetation cover by herbaceous or non-wildland species and <10% cover by tree or shrub
species is defined this way.
Characteristics: Barren habitat may be found in combination with many different habitats.
The physical settings for permanently barren habitat represent extreme environments for
vegetation. An extremely hot or cold climate, a near vertical slope, an impermeable
substrate, constant disturbance by either human or natural forces, or a soil either lacking in
organic matter or excessively saline can each contribute to a habitat being inhospitable to
plants.
Range: Varies
Special Considerations: None
Associated Common Wildlife: Where there is little or no vegetation, structure of the nonvegetated substrate becomes a critical component of the habitat. Many hawks and falcons
will nest on rock ledges and bats will occupy rocky river canyon walls above open water.
8.4
Blue Oak – Foothill Gray Pine (bop)
Priority: Third
Criteria: Stands of trees that are dominated by blue oak and foothill gray pine where blue
oak is typically more abundant.
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Characteristics: Blue oak - foothill gray pine is highly variable, and is characterized by a
diverse mix of hardwoods, conifers, and shrubs. Interior live oak and California buckeye are
common associates. Interior live oak becomes more abundant on steeper slopes, shallower
soils, and at higher elevations. Shrub associates include ceanothus, manzanita, poison-oak,
redbud, coffeeberry, toyon, and elderberry. Shrubs typically are clumped in areas of full
sunlight (Barbour et al. 2007).
Range: From 800 to 3,900 feet in elevation in Tuolumne County.
Special Considerations: Blue oak – foothill gray pine is found in a wide range of soils; they
are all generally derived from a variety of well-drained parent materials, ranging from
gravelly loam through stony clay loam. Soils rich in rock fragments are typical.
Blue oaks are slow-growing and long-lived trees; most stands exist as groups of medium to
large trees with few or no young trees. Blue oak trees do not recruit well from acorns, and
there is concern that blue oak woodlands are transitioning into savannas and grasslands as
trees die and are not replaced. Poor recruitment may be due to competition for soil moisture
from annual grasses, grazing damage to seedlings, or a combination of these. Blue oaks
tolerate grass fires but not hot brush fires (Barbour et al. 2007). Stands of blue oak-foothill
gray pine that are dominated by foothill gray pine tend to lose their blue oak trees, which are
intolerant of shade.
Associated Common Wildlife: Oak woodlands, including blue oak woodlands, are known
to support an especially diverse community of bird species. These include acorn
woodpecker, blue-gray gnatcatcher, oak titmouse, western bluebird, California quail, redshouldered hawk, wild turkey, Lewis’s woodpecker, Nuttall’s woodpecker, western scrub-jay,
white-breasted nuthatch, California thrasher, western screech owl, and California towhee.
Mammal species common in blue oak woodlands include gray fox, mule deer, gray squirrel,
western red bat, pallid bat, and hoary bat. Blue oak-foothill gray pine is structurally diverse
because of its pine component and a patchy distribution of dense shrub stands.
8.5
Blue Oak Woodland (bow)
Priority: Third
Criteria: Stands of trees that are dominated by blue oak where blue oak occupies >80% of
the canopy cover.
Characteristics: Blue oak woodlands are highly variable, with blue oak comprising 80 to
100 percent of the trees present. The overstory of blue oak woodland ranges from sparsely
scattered trees on poor sites (blue oak savannah) to nearly closed canopies on good quality
sites (blue oak woodlands) (Barbour et al 2007). Co-occurring tree species include foothill
gray pine, California buckeye, valley oak, interior live oak, and California black oak. This
habitat supports a well-developed shrub understory that can include poison-oak, California
coffeeberry, buckbrush, toyon, California buckeye, redbud, and manzanita. On harsher sites
where blue oak woodlands are savannah-like, the understory is dominated by herbaceous
grasses and forbs with only a few scattered shrubs.
At lower elevations on gentle slopes, blue oak woodlands typically occur as large blocks
with a variable canopy cover. On steeper ground, they occur in small patches within other
vegetation such as annual grassland, chaparral, and others (Barbour et al. 2007).
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Range: From approximately 500 to 2,500 feet in elevation in the western Sierra Nevada.
Special Considerations: Blue oak woodlands are often on shallow, rocky, infertile, and well
drained soils. Blue oaks are well adapted to dry, hilly terrain where the water table is usually
unavailable; and are extremely drought tolerant. Blue oaks are intolerant of supplemental
watering, and will not survive in irrigated landscapes.
Blue oaks are slow-growing and long-lived trees; most stands exist as groups of medium to
large trees with few or no young trees. Blue oak trees do not recruit well from acorns, and
there is concern that blue oak woodlands are transitioning into savannas and grasslands as
trees die and are not replaced. Blue oaks tolerate grass fires but not hot brush fires (Barbour
et al. 2007).
Associated Common Wildlife: Oak woodlands, including blue oak woodlands, are known
to support an especially diverse community of bird species. These include acorn
woodpecker, blue-gray gnatcatcher, oak titmouse, western bluebird, California quail, redshouldered hawk, wild turkey, Lewis’s woodpecker, Nuttall’s woodpecker, western scrub-jay,
Mammal species common in blue oak woodlands include gray fox, mule deer, gray squirrel,
western red bat, pallid bat, and hoary bat.
8.6
Chaparral (includes montane chaparral (mcp), mixed chaparral (mch)
and chamise chaparral (chc))
Priority: Third
Criteria: Woody species dominated by shrubs with thick, tough, evergreen leaves. Habitat
structure is influenced by fire. Habitat density is dependent upon the quality of site.
Characteristics: This type of habitat can be characterized into one of three different forms
based on elevation, slope, aspect, and other factors.
Chamise Chaparral
This type of habitat is dominated by chamise and is commonly found on south- and westfacing slopes and in serpentine soils. Typically xeric with little ground cover and canopy.
Common associated species found in drainages of this type of habitat include toyon, poison
oak, redberry and California buckthorn. Other associated species include ceanothus,
manzanita and laurel sumac.
Mixed Chaparral
A foothill habitat dominated by one or more species of evergreen shrubs. The dominant
species of mixed chaparral include ceanothus and manzanita. Associated species include
chamise, birchleaf mountain mahogany, silk-tassel, toyon, yerba-santa, California buckeye,
poison oak, sumac, California buckthorn, holly leaf cherry and California fremontia. Species
found within the serpentine soils of this type of habitat include incense cedar, knobcone
pine, and foothill gray pine.
Montane Chaparral
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Presence of dominant species is mainly dependent upon elevational and geographical
range, soil type, and aspect. Dominant species commonly found in this type include:
whitethorn ceanothus, greenleaf manzanita, pinemat manzanita, bitter cherry, huckleberry
oak, sierra chinquapin, juneberry, Fremont silktassel, Greene goldenweed, mountain
mahogany, toyon, sumac, and California buckthorn.
Range: To 10,000 feet in elevation.
Special Considerations: Occurs on any type of slope, but particularly on moderate to steep
slopes. Soils are typically rocky, alluvial, coarse textured, poorly developed, and well
drained. In Tuolumne County, many serpentine habitats overlap with the chaparral habitat
type.
Associated Wildlife: Species common to chaparral habitats include a wide variety of
wildlife including herbivores primarily for grazing; deer primarily for fawning; birds and other
mammals may use this type of habitat for shade, protection, nesting, and food.
8.7
Cropland (crp)
Priority: Fourth
Criteria: Includes all field crops, orchards and vineyards, but not pasturelands. (The
California Wildlife Habitat Relationships (CWHR) system defines orchard-vineyard as a
separate type.)
Characteristics: Cropland occurs in association with orchard-vineyard, irrigated pasture,
residential park and wildlife habitats such as riparian, chaparral, wetlands and herbaceous
types.
Range: N/A
Special Considerations: None
Associated Common Wildlife: May include raptors, dove and avian wildlife.
8.8
Ditches (DIT)
Priority: Second
Criteria: Linear water conveyance systems constructed to move surface water to areas
where it was needed for mining, agriculture or domestic use.
Characteristics: Ditches typically follow the contour of the land for the majority of their
length and may use flumes where berms are impractical to construct.
Range: Ditches that still convey water in Tuolumne County are located primarily below
4,200 feet, the elevation of Lyons Reservoir.
Special Considerations: Ditches can be considered as streams if they support aquatic life,
riparian vegetation or stream dependent terrestrial wildlife. However, the ditches that
remain in use in Tuolumne County have rights of use by either private parties or public
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utilities, such as the Tuolumne Utilities District, that allow access to and maintenance of the
ditches for water conveyance purposes. These rights of use must be considered when
evaluating impacts resulting from adjacent development. Ditches that carry landscape
runoff and/or natural flow that are connected from waters of the United States and flow into
another water of the United States are under the jurisdiction of the U.S. Army Corps of
Engineers and are subject to Section 404 of the Clean Water Act.
Associated Common Wildlife: Various native and introduced fish and aquatic species live
in the waters flowing in ditches. A myriad of terrestrial wildlife use ditches as a source of
food and water.
8.9
Fresh Emergent Wetland (FEW)
Priority: Second
Criteria: Areas that are seasonally inundated for a duration sufficient to support emergent
vegetation.
Characteristics: Fresh emergent wetland habitats may occur in association with terrestrial
habitats or aquatic habitats including riverine, lacustrine (LAK) and wet meadows (WTM).
The upland limit of fresh emergent wetland is the boundary between land with predominantly
hydrophytic plant species and land with primarily upland plant species. The boundary
between fresh emergent wetlands and deep water habitats is the deep water edge of the
emergent vegetation. This generally is at or above 6.6 feet in depth, which is the maximum
depth to which emergent plants normally grow.
Associated species: Sedges, baltic rush, redroot nutgrass, narrowleaf and common cattail,
tule bulrush and river bulrush, and arrowhead.
Range: At nearly all elevations, but most prevalent below 7,500 feet.
Special Considerations: This habitat develops under specific hydrologic regimes, and an
alteration of hydrology will result in loss of species or a shifting in the boundaries of these
habitats. Fresh emergent wetlands can occur in any habitat where conditions are suitable.
Associated Wildlife: Suspended organisms such as plankton and zooplankton, and aquatic
insects such as water boatmen and water striders. Amphibians such as salamanders, frogs,
and toads all utilize fresh emergent habitat during portions of their life cycle. Waterfowl nest,
forage, and use as refuge; and northern harrier uses dense stands for nesting. Fresh
emergent wetland habitat provides high quality foraging habitat for egrets, cranes, and
herons.
8.10
Irrigated Pasture (pas)
Priority: Fourth
Criteria: Pasture vegetation is a mix of perennial grasses and legumes that normally
provide 100 percent canopy closure.
Characteristics: Height of vegetation varies, according to season and livestock stocking
levels, from a few inches to two or more feet on fertile soils before grazing. The mix of
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grasses and legumes varies according to management practices such as seed mixture,
fertilization, soil type, irrigation, weed control and the type of livestock on the pasture.
Range: Varies
Special Considerations: Irrigated pastures can be found adjacent to habitats such as
Valley Foothill Riparian (VRI), mixed chaparral (mch), Fresh Emergent Wetland (FEW) and
Native Perennial Grasslands (PGS).
Associated Wildlife: Pastures are used by a variety of wildlife including ground nesting
birds and may be used by deer where there is adequate escape cover.
8.11
Jeffrey Pine (jpn)
Priority: Third
Criteria: Forests dominated by Jeffrey pine, either in relatively pure stands or mixed with
other conifers. Understory usually consists of scattered montane chaparral. Complete
canopy cover is rare.
Characteristics: Dominant upper tree layer usually forming pure stands. Varying litter
accumulation, shading, and moisture availability dictate the open understory of Jeffrey pine
stands. This type of habitat is usually composed of both Ponderosa and Jeffrey pines, as
they are closely related and have been known to hybridize. Associated species include
white fir, incense cedar, red fir, lodgepole pine, ponderosa pine, sugar pine, and black
cottonwood. Associated shrubs include huckleberry oak, manzanita and mountain misery.
Most mesic sites have deciduous hardwood as second canopy layer. Dry sites have
evergreen hardwood. Xeric sites have conifer species as second canopy layer.
Range: 5,000 to 9,500 feet in elevation (Barbour et al. 2007)
Special Considerations: N/A
Associated Wildlife: This type of habitat provides cover and shelter for wildlife. Many
species of wildlife rely on the seeds of the Jeffrey pine. Squirrels and mule deer rely on the
bark and foliage from the trees. Jeffrey pines provide nesting cover to nuthatch, brown
creeper, woodpecker, and flying squirrel.
8.12
Lake, Reservoir or Pond (LAK)
Priority: Second
Criteria: Lake, reservoir or ponds (lacustrine habitat) are defined as holding water year
round and include both natural and man-made habitat. These habitats include inland
depressions or damned riverine channels that contain standing water, and include
permanently flooded lakes and reservoirs up to several feet in diameter and hundreds of
feet in depth, intermittent lakes such as playa lakes, and ponds as small as one hectare
(approximately 2.5 acres) or less in area and a few centimeters (one centimeter equals 0.4
inch) in depth.
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Characteristics: Lacustrine habitat is broken down into three general zones that include a
limnetic or open water zone, a submerged littoral zone, and a shoreline. The limnetic zone
ranges from maximum depth to the depth of effective light penetration. The littoral zone
includes all areas shallow enough to permit light penetration, including the perimeter of
lakes and the entirety of most ponds. To qualify as shoreline, a water border must be
present with less than two percent vegetative cover. Shoreline areas supporting vegetative
cover exceeding two percent would classify as a riparian habitat type. Lakes and ponds are
considered temporary features in the landscape as a result of siltation processes that
eventually fill them up with sediment.
Associated species: A surface blanket of duckweed may cover shallow areas of lacustrine
habitats. Submerged aquatic plants such as algae and pondweeds may occur within the
littoral zone, with floating rooted plants such as water lilies and smartweed appearing as
depths to sediment become shallower closer to the shoreline.
Range: Found at all elevations throughout California.
Special Considerations: Occur in association with any terrestrial habitats, in addition to
Riverine and Fresh Water Emergent habitat types.
Associated Wildlife: Suspended organisms such as plankton and zooplankton are very
important to the ecology of lacustrine habitats. Aquatic insects such as water boatmen and
water striders occur throughout the water column. Crustaceans such as crayfish, mollusks
such as freshwater snails, and bivalves such as freshwater clams occur within the benthic
(related to or happening on the bottom) environment. Amphibians such as salamanders,
frogs, and toads all utilize lacustrine habitats during portions of their life cycle. Waterfowl
nest, forage, and use as refuge. Permanent lacustrine habitats typically support fish life
whereas intermittent habitats do not. Piscivorous (fish eating) mammals and birds frequent
lacustrine habitats to forage.
8.13
Lodgepole Pine Forest (lpn)
Priority: Third
Criteria: Stands of trees that are dominated by lodgepole pine where lodgepole pine
occupies greater than 56 percent of the canopy cover.
Characteristics: Open stands of lodgepole pine forests make up a widespread upper
montane forest/woodland over much of the Sierra Nevada (Barbour 2007). There is little
understory and soil litter. Associated with red fir, Jeffrey pine and western white pine. Shrub
associates include pinemat manzanita, gooseberry currant and huckleberry oak.
Range: Lodgepole pines can be found at many elevations. Significant stands typically occur
above 6,000 feet.
Special Considerations: Grow on seasonally wet soils which derive the majority of
precipitation from winter snow. Soils are generally thin and lacking in nutrients.
Associated Wildlife: Species common to lodgepole pine forest usually inhabit the meadow
edge. Lodgepole pine forest can provide habitat for wolverine, goshawk, bald eagle, and
prairie falcon.
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8.14
Montane Hardwood Conifer (mhc)
Priority: Third
Criteria: Includes both conifers and hardwoods often as a closed forest. To be considered
mhc, at least one-third of the trees must be conifer and at least one-third must be hardwood.
Characteristics: Montane hardwood-conifer often occurs in a mosaic interspersed with
patches of pure conifer stands and small hardwood stands. This habitat type typically has a
dense canopy, and therefore tends to have a poorly developed shrub and herb layer,
although ground and shrub cover can occur following disturbance such as fire or logging.
Common associates include California black oak, black cottonwood, canyon live oak, Jeffrey
pine, Douglas-fir, ponderosa pine, sugar pine, incense-cedar, and localized areas of giant
sequoia.
Range: From approximately 1,400 to 5,800 feet in elevation.
Special Considerations: Mixed hardwood conifer habitat generally occurs on coarse, well
drained mesic soils, in mountainous terrain with narrow valleys. Slopes average
approximately 57 percent.
Associated Wildlife: Montane hardwood conifer provides habitat for a variety of wildlife
species. Mature forests are valuable to cavity nesting birds, and mast crops of acorns are an
important food source for many birds as well as mammals. Canopy cover and understory
vegetation are variable which makes the habitat suitable for a diversity of species.
8.15
Montane Hardwood (mhw)
Priority: Third
Criteria: Dominated by hardwood tree species with greater than 50 percent canopy cover.
Characteristics: This habitat type typically is composed of a pronounced hardwood tree
layer with an infrequent and poorly developed shrub layer and only a sparse herbaceous
layer. On high quality sites, trees or patches of trees are closely spaced; spacing is
increased on poorer sites.
At lower elevation, common overstory species include canyon live oak, foothill-gray pine,
knobcone pine, and scrubby California-laurel. Associated understory vegetation includes
Oregon-grape, currant, wood rose, snowberry, manzanita, poison-oak, and a few forbs and
grasses. At higher elevation, overstory associates are typical mixed conifer and California
black oak. On steep, rocky south slopes of major river canyons, the habitat is comprised of
canyon live oak and scattered old-growth Douglas-fir.
Range: From approximately 2,100 to 4,800 feet in elevation in Tuolumne County.
Special Considerations: Occurs on any slopes, but particularly on moderate to steep
slopes. Soils are typically rocky, alluvial, coarse textured, poorly developed, and well
drained.
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Associated Wildlife: Species common to montane hardwood habitat include those that rely
on acorns as a major food source. Bird and animal species characteristic of this habitat
include scrub and Steller’s jays, acorn woodpecker, and western gray squirrel, wild turkey,
mountain quail, band-tailed pigeon, California ground squirrel, dusky-footed woodrat, black
bear, and mule deer. Deer also use the foliage of several hardwoods to a moderate extent.
Many amphibians and reptiles are found on the forest floor, including ensatina, relictual
slender salamander, western fence lizard, and sagebrush lizard. Snakes include rubber boa,
western rattlesnake, California mountain kingsnake, and sharp tailed snake.
8.16
Montane Riparian (MRI)
Priority: Second
Criteria: Dominated by water-dependent vegetation.
Characteristics: This type of habitat can be generally characterized by the small trees and
large shrubs, but can vary by elevation. Riparian areas in mixed conifer forests include bigleafed maple, Pacific dogwood, California laurel, black cottonwood, and white alder. Shrubs
consist primarily of willows, California buckeye, Coyote brush, blue elderberry, California
blackberry, Himalayan blackberry, and common button bush. Low to moderate cover
consists of vines such as the Western virgin's-bower, California pipe vine, Pacific poison
oak, and California wild grape. Typical species found within the herbaceous layer include
stinging nettle, dwarf nettle, Santa Barbara sedge, burr chervil, ripgut brome, blue wild rye,
and Bermuda grass.
Range: Usually below 8,000 feet in the Sierra Nevada.
Special Considerations: Riparian areas are found associated with montane lakes, ponds,
seeps, bogs, meadows, rivers, streams and springs. Water may be permanent or
ephemeral.
Associated Wildlife: Species common in montane riparian habitat include those species
that rely on water, thermal cover, migration corridors, and diverse nesting and feeding
opportunities: amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals. Species common in valley riparian
habitat include species that rely on water, thermal cover, migration corridors, and diverse
nesting and feeding opportunities. These types of wildlife include various insects and
aquatic invertebrates, mammals, amphibians, reptiles, and many types of birds. Examples of
amphibians include such species as native red legged and foothill and mountain yellow
legged frogs, introduced bullfrogs, and Western toads. Reptiles found in riparian habitats
include garter snakes, Western pond turtles, and other introduced turtles. Bird species
include flycatchers, vireos, goldfinches, warblers, sparrows, red-wing blackbirds, house
wrens, American dippers, belted kingfishers as well as introduced species such as house
sparrows and starlings.
8.17
Native Perennial Grassland (PGS)
Native Perennial Grassland habitat is not mapped on the Wildlife Habitat Maps; however,
this habitat may occur on private land within the County.
Priority: Second
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Criteria: Relatively treeless habitat supporting native perennial grasses.
Characteristics: Native Perennial Grassland habitats are usually relics found within annual
grassland, and annual grasses may predominate. Perennial grasses that are or historically
were present in the County include purple needlegrass, California melic, deer grass, onesided bluegrass, and blue wild rye (Stromberg et al. eds). Co-occurring non-native annual
grasses include wild oak, rip-gut brome, cheat grass, annual ryegrass, soft chess, and
others.
Range: From approximately 700 feet to 3,000 feet in elevation in Tuolumne County.
Special Considerations: N/A
Associated Wildlife: Raptors such as the northern harrier, barn owl, and red-tailed hawk as
well as turkey vulture typically use this type of open grassland habitat primarily for foraging,
whereas the burrowing owl use the open areas primarily for nesting. Native perennial
grasslands provide habitat for garter snakes. Mammals such as the coyote and black-tailed
deer typically use the native perennial grasslands for foraging or grazing and migration.
8.18
Old Growth Conifer Forest (OGC)
Priority: Second
Criteria: Forest stands dominated by unusually large, old conifers in moderate- to highdensity stands having 40% canopy cover or greater.
Characteristics: In old growth conifer forest the dominant overstory is over 150 years old
and, except for lodgepole pine and mountain hemlock forests, the overstory trees have an
average diameter at breast height of at least 24 inches and typically 30 inches or more.
Range: Old growth conifer forest can be found in stands of ponderosa pine and incense
cedar at elevations near 3,000 feet to stands of lodgepole pine and red fir at 9,000 feet and
above.
Special Considerations: Because old growth conifer forest is becoming relatively rare in
Tuolumne County and throughout California, it is becoming a more important component of
the forest ecosystem to maintain biological diversity.
Associated Common Wildlife: This habitat type provides cover and shelter for numerous
species throughout its elevational range, including the Pacific fisher, great gray owl and
northern goshawk.
8.19
Old Growth Oak (OGO)
Priority: Second
Criteria: Old growth oak habitat consists of hardwood forest where the canopy is
dominated by native oak species in which the majority of the individual trees are at least 100
years old and exhibit characteristics typical of old growth oak trees.
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Characteristics: Old growth oak stands consist of California black oak, valley oak, interior
live oak and canyon live oak with a diameter at breast height of at least 18 inches and blue
oak trees with a stem diameter of at least 12 inches. Old growth oak habitat provides
extremely important wildlife habitat which cannot be provided by younger trees. Examples
include large cavities for roosting and nesting and an abundant acorn crop.
Range: Old growth oak habitat in Tuolumne County ranges from elevations near 900 feet in
western Tuolumne County where blue oak abounds to the upper elevation of California
black oak near 6,000 feet.
Special Considerations: Loss of old growth oaks cannot be easily mitigated because most
trees require 100 years or more to attain the characteristics that make this habitat so
valuable.
Associated Common Wildlife: This habitat type provides cover, shelter and food for
numerous species of birds and mammals throughout its elevational range. For additional
information, refer to bow, mhc and VOW.
8.20
Ponderosa Pine (ppn)
Priority: Third
Criteria: Includes pure stands of ponderosa pine as well as stands of mixed species in
which at least 50% of the canopy area is ponderosa pine.
Characteristics: This habitat can be divided into two categories mainly by the amount of
moisture and fire history (Barbour 2007): dry and moist. Dry ponderosa pine habitat can be
found on south-facing slopes at lower elevations and is composed mainly of Ponderosa pine
associated with Jeffrey pines, foothill pines, California black oak, and incense cedar. It is
also associated with and is interspersed with chaparral habitat, canyon live oak stands, and
Douglas fir. The drier category is typically composed of both Ponderosa and Jeffrey pines,
as they are closely related and have been known to hybridize. The moist ponderosa pine
category typically occurs on north-facing slopes and at higher elevations. This habitat is
dominated by white fir, sugar pine and ponderosa pine, and is associated with Douglas fir
and giant sequoias. The shrub and herbaceous layers in this type of habitat are variable and
are dependent upon shade tolerance.
Range: 3,000 to 6,900 feet in elevation in the central and southern Sierra Nevada.
Special Considerations: Ponderosa pines are generally shade intolerant, fire resistant,
less tolerant to cold, and require moisture.
Associated Wildlife: This type of habitat provides cover and shelter for numerous species
of wildlife.
8.21
Red Fir (rfr)
Priority: Third
Criteria: Any stand dominated by dense canopies of red fir. Canopy is typically monotypic
(consisting of only one type).
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Characteristics: This type of habitat can be classified into one of four stages. Seedlings
prefer shallow litter or mineral soil in full sunlight. Saplings are shade-tolerant and compete
with post-disturbance shrubs. Young trees grow into dense stands that continue to grow
slowly, compete for moisture, and contribute to the litter beneath them. Mature stands have
dense canopies and thick litter with little to no understory. Associated species may include
white fir, sugar pine, lodgepole pine, Jeffrey pine, mountain hemlock and western white
pine.
In lower elevations, red fir can be found with white fir and sugar pine. In higher elevations,
red fir can be found with mountain hemlock, western white pine and whitebark pine.
Range: From approximately 6,000 feet to 9,000 feet in elevation in the Sierra Nevada.
Special Considerations: In areas of higher elevations and moist soils.
Associated Wildlife: Species common to red fir habitat include those that rely on the trees
to provide food or cover. Sensitive species include goshawk, great gray owl, red fox, pine
marten, and wolverine.
8.22
Riverine (rivers and streams)
Riverine habitat is not included on the Wildlife Habitat Maps; however, rivers and streams
are shown on the USGS topographic base maps as either solid blue (perennial) or dashed
(intermittent) blue lines.
Priority: Second
Criteria: Riverine habitats include rivers and streams distinguished by intermittent or
continually running water contained within a channel, bed and bank (WHR).
Characteristics: Riverine habitat is described as containing three zones that include an
open water zone, a submerged zone, and a shoreline. Open water within riverine habitat
includes areas greater than two meters (6± feet) in depth and/or areas that fall below the
depth of floating rooted plants. Open water habitats do not involve substrate. Smaller rivers
and streams may not have an open water zone. The submerged zone occurs between the
open water zone and the shoreline. The shoreline is defined as the boundary of water and
land and only includes areas that are seldom flooded with less than ten percent canopy
cover. Shorelines with ten percent canopy cover or more are designated as terrestrial
habitat. Stream structure may also be defined two dimensionally in a linear fashion moving
from upstream reaches to downstream reaches. Depending on the changes in topography,
streams may support riffle, run, and pool sections throughout their reach, as well as waterfall
areas over areas with steep relief.
Associated species: Water moss and filamentous algae hold fast to rocks and align with
the current, while other algae grow in spherical cushion-like colonies with smooth gelatinous
surfaces. Emergent vegetation grows along the banks of riverine habitats, with floating
vegetation such as duckweed covering the surface of backwaters and low-flow pools.
Range: Rivers and streams occur throughout California between sea level and 8,000 feet
above mean sea level.
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Special Considerations: Vegetated riverine areas are commonly associated with riparian
habitats and depending upon their watershed contribution, may be found contiguous to
lacustrine (lake, reservoir or pond) habitat and fresh emergent wetlands. Riverine habitats
can occur in association with a number of terrestrial habitats as well and are important for
species connectivity.
Associated Wildlife: Riverine habitats support a wide range of fishes and aquatic
invertebrates. Aquatic insects inhabiting high flow reaches, include larvae of mayflies,
caddisflies, alderflies, stoneflies, water pennies, and black flies, and live in riffles on the
underside of rubble and gravel. Pools support mayfly nymhs, dragonfly and damselfly
larvae, and water striders. Mollusks and crustaceans inhabit benthic (related to or
happening on the bottom) environments of slower moving pools. Open water zones of larger
rivers provide cover for many species of waterfowl. Gulls, terns, osprey and bald eagle
forage over riverine habitats. The submerged and shoreline zones within near-shore waters
provide foraging opportunities for waterfowl, herons, shorebirds, belted-kingfisher and
American dipper. Insectivorous birds and bats also forage over riverine habitats. Mammals
that occur in riverine habitats include river otters, beavers, mink, and muskrat.
8.23
Residential Park (rsp)
Priority: Fourth
Criteria: Urbanized areas including residential, commercial and industrial development as
well as landscaped parks and gardens, including developed residential areas with lot sizes
of less than 5 acres.
Characteristics: This type of habitat is dominated by native and/or ornamental shade trees,
manicured hedges, and manicured monotypic grass lawns.
Range: Varies.
Habitat Requirements: Urban residential areas are usually irrigated and closely manicured.
Associated Wildlife: Species common to urban residential park habitat include scrub jay,
mourning dove, eastern red squirrel, house finch, house sparrow, Brewer’s blackbird, robin,
common bushtit, insects, and other species that tolerate urban and suburban development.
8.24
Subalpine Conifer Forest (scn)
Priority: Third
Criteria: Open coniferous forests above 9,000 feet in elevation dominated by trees of small
to medium stature.
Characteristics: Stands have low densities, are low-growing, and fragmented (Barbour
2007). Tree species found within subalpine conifer include mountain hemlock, western white
pine, lodgepole pine, whitebark pine and foxtail pine. Shrub species found within this habitat
can include Parry manzanita, purple mountain heather, oceanspray, and big sagebrush. If
the ground cover is not bare soil or rock, vegetative ground cover can include Western
wheatgrass, California brome, several species of lupines, and a variety of flowering annuals.
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Special Considerations: Subalpine conifer habitats have a short growing season with cool
temperatures all year round. Soils are generally thin and are of low quality because of the
lack of organic matter. Soils are composed of coarse sand, gravel, volcanic debris, and
rocks derived from decomposing parent material, making it difficult for vegetation to grow.
Snow is the primary source of precipitation and provides cover to the vegetation. Areas
exposed to high wind also expose the soil creating a lack of moisture and also lowering the
soil temperature. This type of habitat generally occurs above the upper montane forest
stands of red fir and lodgepole pine (Barbour 2007).
Associated Wildlife: Only a few significant types of wildlife are known to find the conditions
in this habitat suitable: great gray owl, pileated woodpecker, Clark’s nutcracker, mountain
chickadee, martin, fisher, and wolverine. The harsh weather conditions and lack of primary
productivity make it difficult to support an abundance of species year-round.
8.25
Serpentine Soil (SER)
Serpentine Soil habitat is not included on the Wildlife Habitat Maps; however, this habitat
may be identified during initial project review.
Priority: First or Second if the habitat contains special status species, or Second Third if
there are no special status species present.
Criteria: Ultramafic soils containing the mineral serpentine, a hydrated form of magnesium
silicate, as well as exceptionally low concentrations of calcium, an essential plant nutrient.
Serpentine soils also have high magnesium levels and several heavy metals present. All of
these factors make this type of habitat and the vegetation within it unique.
Characteristics: Vegetation in this type of soil habitat can be generally characterized as
dwarfed, drought-tolerant, and occurring often in discrete patches that correspond to soil
units.
Range: Eastern edge of the Great Valley and foothills of the Sierra Nevada, including Red
Hills and Table Mountain.
Special Considerations: Serpentine soils can overlap within other types of habitats
meeting the criteria and characteristics stated above. In Tuolumne County, many serpentine
habitats overlap with the chaparral habitat type.
Associated Wildlife: Wildlife associations are based on the dominant vegetation or habitat
type associated with the serpentine soil: serpentine soil can be found in many of the other
habitat types in Tuolumne County, especially chaparral.
8.26
Sierran Mixed Conifer (smc)
Priority: Third
Criteria: An assemblage of hardwood and conifer species forming a multi-layered canopy;
canopy cover is typically 100%.
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Characteristics: This type of habitat is a multilayer forest composed of conifer and
hardwood species. Trees are typically dominated by white fir, Douglas-fir, ponderosa pine,
sugar pine, incense-cedar, and/or California black oak. Composition of this habitat varies
strongly with elevation and aspect. Big Tree Forest (BTF), which is dominated by Giant
Sequoias, is a subset of this habitat type. Dominant shrub species include deerbrush,
manzanita, chinquapin, tan oak, bitter cherry, prostrate ceanothus, mountain whitethorn,
gooseberry, rose, and mountain misery.
Stand structures vary depending on the age of the stands. Virgin stands tend to have twotiered canopies and forested stands tend to have more multi-layered canopies, with the
hardwoods growing in the more open areas.
Range: Approximately 4,000 to 9,000 feet in elevation.
Special Considerations: Occurs on any type of slope, but particularly on moderate to steep
slopes. Soils are typically rocky, alluvial, coarse-textured, poorly developed, and well
drained.
Associated Wildlife: Species common to Sierran mixed conifer habitat include those that
rely on the trees to provide shelter and shade. Sensitive species include spotted owl, fisher,
pine marten, and endangered species include bald eagle and peregrine falcon. The shade
provided by this type of tree habitat also indirectly provides food such as black acorns,
berries from bushes, and herbaceous vegetation for wildlife. Other wildlife include
salamanders, toads, frogs, Western skink, Northern and Southern alligator lizards, Steller’s
jay, dark-eyed junco, mountain chickadee, woodpeckers, warblers, Western gray squirrel,
mule deer and black bears. Spring and summer passerine (perching birds) include blackheaded grosbeak, Western tanager, and the American robin.
8.27
Natural Springs and Seeps (SPR)
Priority: Second
Criteria: Where groundwater emerges naturally on the earth's surface by either gravity or
artesian pressure.
Characteristics: A spring or seep occurs when groundwater emerges naturally on the
earth's surface by either gravity or artesian pressure. Springs commonly occur along
hillsides and in low areas where porous soils or fractured rock formations allow water to flow
onto the ground surface. A spring that occurs over a large area is called a seep.
Associated species: May support species common to seasonal wetlands such as rush,
sedge, common monkeyflower, etc. The habitat in which the spring or seep is located will
determine the associated species.
Range: At nearly all elevations.
Special Considerations: At high elevations, seeps and springs may supply a significant
portion of surface water to support riverine (RIV), lacustrine (LAC), and other wet habitats.
Plant and insect populations thrive in spring ecosystems; by supporting the base of the food
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chain, springs indirectly support upland communities (Greater Yellowstone Science Learning
Center 2008).
Associated Wildlife: Seeps and springs are an important source of water for a variety of
wildlife species.
8.28
Seasonal Wetland (SW)
Priority: Second
Criteria: Areas that are seasonally inundated but which do not support vernal pool
endemics or emergent vegetation.
Characteristics: Seasonal wetlands are areas that are inundated or saturated by surface or
ground water seasonally for a duration sufficient to support a prevalence of vegetation
typically adapted for life in saturated soil conditions. Seasonal wetlands are not inundated
for a duration long enough to support emergent vegetation such as bulrush, cattail, or
willow.
Associated species: Common associates include nutsedge, dallisgrass, Italian ryegrass,
curlydock, popcornflower, sedge, rush, Boggs lake hedge-hyssop, meadow barley,
meadowfoam, butter-and-eggs, hyssop loosestrife, pepper grass, common monkeyflower,
navarretia, plantain, and spinyfruit buttercut, among others.
Range: At nearly all elevations.
Special Considerations: This habitat may be difficult to detect during summer and fall
months when soils are dry and plants are dead. Identification of this habitat requires
identification of hydrology and soils as well as plants. Observations during the blooming
period may be required to separate vernal pools, a type of seasonal wetland, from the
broader category of seasonal wetlands.
Associated Wildlife: Suspended organisms such as plankton and zooplankton, as well as
aquatic insects such as water boatmen and water striders. Freshwater snails may also occur
where inundation occurs for long periods of time. Salamanders, frogs, and toads all utilize
seasonal wetland habitats during portions of their life cycle.
8.29
Valley Oak Woodland (VOW)
Priority: Second
Criteria: Stands of trees that are dominated by valley oak (Quercus lobata) (occupies >50%
of canopy cover). Valley oak woodlands are endemic to California.
Characteristics: Valley oak woodland canopy is dominated almost exclusively by valley
oak. Co-occurring tree species include sycamore, black walnut, interior live oak, boxelder,
and blue oak. This habitat often supports a well-developed shrub understory that can
include poison-oak, California wild grape, elderberry, toyon, California coffeeberry,
Himalayan blackberry, and coyotebrush. Individual valley oak trees can live from 200 to 250
years (Barbour et al 2007).
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Range: To approximately 3,250 feet in elevation in Tuolumne County
Special Considerations: Valley oak woodlands are best developed on deep, well-drained
alluvial soils that usually occur in valley bottoms, streambeds, and lower foothills. In the
County, valley oak woodland intergrades with blue oak woodland or blue oak-foothill gray
pine habitat; near stream courses it typically intergrades with valley foothill riparian habitat.
Associated Wildlife: Oak woodlands, including valley oak woodlands are known to support
an especially diverse community of bird species. These include acorn woodpecker, bluegray gnatcatcher, oak titmouse, western bluebird, California quail, rufous-sided towhee, redshouldered hawk, wild turkey, Lewis’s woodpecker, Nuttall’s woodpecker, western scrub-jay,
Mammal species common in valley oak woodlands include gray fox, mule deer, duskyfooted woodrat, gray squirrel, western red bat, pallid bat, and hoary bat.
8.30
Vernal Pool (VPL)
Priority: Second
Criteria: Seasonally inundated depressions supporting vernal pool endemic plant species.
Characteristics: Vernal pools are seasonally flooded depressions found on ancient soils
with an impermeable layer such as hardpan, claypan, or volcanic basalt. The impermeable
layer allows the pools to retain water much longer then the surrounding uplands;
nonetheless, the pools are shallow enough to dry up each season. Vernal pools often fill and
empty several times during the rainy season. Only plants and animals that are adapted to
this cycle of wetting and drying can survive in vernal pools over time (San Joaquin County
RCD 2002).
Associated species: Vernal pools in the County can be classified into two community types
based upon the dominant plant species present (Barbour et al. 2007).
Alliance Lasthenia glaberrima – This alliance occurs in deeper pools that are
inundated for long periods of time. Diagnostic species of this alliance are smooth
goldfields (Lasthenia glaberrima), and spike rush (Eleocharis macrostachya). Other
associated common plants are coyote thistle (Eryngium castrense, E. vaseyi), and
quillwort (Isoetes howellii). Pools in this alliance are freshwater pools and may be
underlain by either claypan, hardpan, or volcanic rock.
Order Downingia bicornuta-Lasthenia fremontii – This Order occurs in freshwater
pools that are inundated for short periods of time. Diagnostic species are stickyseed
(Blennosperma nanum), toothed calicoflower (Downingia cuspidate), Fitch’s tarplant
(Hemozonia fitchii), cowbag clover (Trifolium depauperatum), rosy Douglas’
meadowfoam (Limnanthes douglasii ssp. rosea), timwort (Cicendia quadrangularis),
pepper grass (Lepidium nitidum), and Greene’s popcornflower (Plagiobothrys
greenei). Pools in this alliance may be underplayed by either a claypan or a hardpan.
Range: Where suitable conditions exist below 5,000 feet in elevation.
Special Considerations: Blooming is controlled by pool hydrology and blooming may not
occur in dry years. This habitat is extremely difficult to detect during summer and fall months
Page 177 of 187
when pools are dry and plants are dead. Observations during the blooming period typically
are required to separate this habitat from the broader category of seasonal wetland habitat.
Uplands required to maintain pollinators.
Associated Wildlife: Many vernal pool plants have one or more native, solitary, specialist
bee that collects pollen only from them. In turn, these bees provide effective pollination
services. Although solitary bees live underground in upland areas, they specialize on vernal
pool plant species and depend upon them for pollen.
8.31
Valley Foothill Riparian (VRI)
Priority: Second
Criteria: Dominated by water-dependent vegetation.
Characteristics: This type of habitat is generally characterized by small trees and large
shrubs, but can vary by elevation. Western sycamore, Fremont cottonwood, sycamore,
valley oak, California box elder, California black walnut, and tree-sized willows are dominant
along larger streams in the valley and foothill riparian areas. The shrub layer consists of
Pacific poison oak, California blackberry, Himalayan blackberry, blue elderberry, and
California wild rose. Herbaceous species include tall flatsedge, clustered field sedge, Santa
Barbara sedge, beardless wildrye, wild oat, ripgut brome, Italian ryegrass, common Lippia,
devil’s beggartick, prickly lettuce, poison hemlock, soap plant.
Range: From sea level to 3,000 feet in elevation (up to 5,000 on south-facing slopes).
Special Considerations: Needs a permanent or ephemeral water source, such as valley
lakes, ponds, seeps, bogs, meadows, rivers, streams or springs. USGS topographic maps
may be used to determine status as a perennial, intermittent or ephemeral drainage, but
ground-verification is required near or downstream from developed areas where hydrology
has been altered from historical conditions.
Associated Wildlife: Species common in valley foothill riparian habitat include species that
rely on water, thermal cover, migration corridors, and diverse nesting and feeding
opportunities. These types of wildlife include various insects and aquatic invertebrates,
mammals, amphibians, reptiles, and many types of birds, and mammals. Examples of
amphibians include such species as native red legged and foothill and mountain yellow
legged frogs, introduced bullfrogs, and Western toads. Reptiles found in riparian habitats
include garter snakes, Western pond turtles, and other introduced turtles. Bird species
include flycatchers, vireos, goldfinches, warblers, sparrows, red-wing blackbirds, house
wrens, American dippers, belted kingfishers as well as introduced species such as house
sparrows, starlings, brown-headed cowbirds.
8.32
White Fir (wfr)
Priority: Third
Criteria: White fir habitat generally has a nearly monotopic (>80% of canopy) even-aged
canopy.
Page 178 of 187
Characteristics: This type of habitat is dominated by white fir. Stands having dense canopy
cover are characteristic although open stands are common also. Shade and downed woody
material tend to inhibit understory species. Herbaceous species are limited to swales and
drainage bottoms due to the thick layer of litter. Fungi are not uncommon. White fir habitat is
heavily influenced by fire, which causes mosaics of similarly-aged stands.
Range: At approximately 5,500 feet in elevation.
Special Considerations: Amount of precipitation and the influence of fire. Coarse-textured,
well-drained, rocky, and cold soils.
Associated Wildlife: Species common to mature white fir habitat include snag- and cavitydependent species such as yellow-rumped warblers, western tanagers, mountain
chickadee, chestnut-backed chickadee, golden-crowned kinglet, and black-headed
grosbeak.
8.33
Wet Meadow (WTM)
Priority: Second
Criteria: Except where broken by boulders, canopy cover is dense (60 to 100 percent).
Species may differ, but several genera are common throughout the State, including
bentgrass, sedge, oatgrass, willow, and rush.
Characteristics: Wet meadows occur where water is at or near the surface most of the
growing season following spring runoff, and generally have a simple structure consisting of a
layer of herbaceous plants. Wet meadows exist indefinitely unless the hydrologic regimes
are altered.
Associated species: Grasses include thingrass, abruptbeak sedge, beaked sedge,
Nebraska sedge, tufted hairgrass, needle spikerush, few-flowered spikerush, common
spikerush, baltic rush, Nevada rush, iris-leaf rush, pullup muhly, and panicled bulrush. Forbs
include Anderson aster, Jeffrey shootingstar, trailing Saint-Johnswort, hairy pepperwort,
primrose monkeyflower, western cowbane, American bistort, cows clover, and small white
violet. Shrubs include willow and bilberry.
Range: Generally above 5,000 feet in elevation in the County.
Special Considerations: Usually occur as ecotones between fresh emergent wetlands
(FEW) and perennial grassland (PGS) or mesic meadow types. Mesic meadows contain
some species in common with wet meadows, and the distinction between wet and mesic
meadows is not always clear. Where wet meadows merge with fresh emergent wetlands,
slight differences in water depth control the species present.
Associated Wildlife: In late summer, small mammals may forage over wet meadows, and
mule deer and elk may forage on forbs and palatable grasses after winter snowmelt.
Mallards and other ducks frequent streams flowing through wet meadows, and yellowheaded and red-winged blackbirds and willow flycatchers occasionally nest in wet meadows
with tall vegetation and adequate water to discourage predators. Great gray owls forage in
wet meadows. The striped racer is the common snake of wet meadows in the Sierra
Nevada and Cascade Range. Various frog species are abundant in wet meadows
Page 179 of 187
throughout California, and six species of trout (brown, cutthroat, golden, rainbow, eastern
brook, and Mackinaw) inhabit streams of the Sierra Nevada, and presumably may occur in
perennial streams of wet meadows. In the southern Sierra Nevada, the golden trout is the
important fish of meadow habitats at high elevations.
Page 180 of 187
Chapter 9. Glossary
Active Nest (CDF/Board of Forestry, 895.1). A bird nest site at which breeding efforts
have recently occurred as determined by the Department of Fish and Game, as follows: for
great blue heron and great egret, recently means within the last two years; for golden eagle,
osprey, and goshawk, recently means within the last three years; for bald eagle and
peregrine falcon, recently means within the last five years. For all other species, an Active
Nest is a nest occupied during the current breeding season.
Annual. A plant that completes its entire life cycle within the space of a year.
Avoidance. Avoidance as defined in the BRRG means the prevention of all potential
impacts to a biological resource. Avoidance may also include measures to address indirect
impacts to biological resources (e.g., on-site runoff into protected wetlands). Measures to
achieve full avoidance may include, but are not limited to, conditions of project approval to
eliminate temporary construction impacts, remove barriers to species dispersal, address
ongoing vegetation management, limit use of pesticides or other long-term best
management practices and related measures.
Compensation. An alternative form of mitigation; something (such as an in-lieu fee or
land/habitat conservation) given or received as payment or reparation for a loss of or impact
to a protected resource. Includes mitigation undertaken to replace lost or adversely
impacted habitat with habitat having similar functions of equal or greater ecological value.
Coniferous. Coniferous means ‘cone-bearing’ (or ‘grows cones’). Conifers are cone-bearing
trees or bushes. They are also known as ‘evergreens’, ‘needle-leafed’ trees or ‘softwood’
trees. Common coniferous species in the County include Douglas-fir, Jeffrey pine,
ponderosa pine, sugar pine, white fir, etc.
Critical Habitat. A habitat determined to be important to the survival of a threatened or
endangered species, to general environmental quality, or for other reasons as designated by
the State or Federal government.
As defined by the Federal Endangered Species Act of 1973, critical habitat means i) the
specific areas within the geographical area occupied by the species, at the time it is listed in
accordance with the provisions of section 4 of this Act, on which are found those physical or
biological features (I) essential to the conservation of the species and (II) which may require
special management considerations or protection; and (ii) specific areas outside the
geographical area occupied by the species at the time it is listed in accordance with the
provisions of section 4 of this Act, upon a determination by the Secretary of Interior or
Commerce that such areas are essential for the conservation of the species.
Proposed Critical Habitat: Those areas officially proposed for designations as critical
habitat by the Secretary of Interior or Commerce.
Occupied Habitat: Those areas currently occupied or utilized by threatened and/or
endangered species.
Potential Habitat: Areas of historic habitat not currently occupied or designated as
critical that could potentially contribute to the recovery of threatened and/or
endangered species.
Page 181 of 187
Current Land Value. For the purposes of the in-lieu fee, the land value of one acre of
agricultural land is established herein as $5,700 $5,100 per acre. On March 1 of each year,
this in-lieu fee shall be modified to correspond to the land value of one acre of agricultural
land as determined by the County Assessor based upon the sales of parcels not larger than
forty (40) acres in size area during the previous twelve-month period or other method
determined appropriate by the Assessor.
Detrital. Fragments of rock produced by disintegration or abrasion; any debris.
Diameter at Breast Height (dbh). Trunk diameter measured at 4.5 feet above ground level
on the uphill side of the tree.
Direct Impacts. Those impacts caused by project construction. They include, but are not
limited to: removal of trees, damage to trees through physical injury, soil compaction, root
damage resulting from grade changes; and fragmentation of “intact” oak woodland habitat
into patches too small to support native plants and wildlife. A Protected Oak Tree is
considered directly impacted if any construction activities occur affect more than 50% of
the area within the Root Protection Zone Area (RPZ) Dripline.
Discretionary. Refers to actions taken by a governmental agency which calls for the
exercise of judgment in deciding whether to approve and/or how to carry out a project.
Diurnal. Wildlife that are active during daylight hours.
Documented Occurrence. A special status species siting that is recognized by a
jurisdictional agency (USFWS, ACOE, DFG) or the California Natural Diversity
Database or is documented in a biological suvey prepared by a qualified consultant.
Dripline. A circle drawn at the soil line directly under the outermost branches of a tree.
Endangered. The classification provided to an animal or plant in danger of extinction within
the foreseeable future throughout all or a significant portion of its range.
Ephemeral stream. A drainage lacking surface water throughout most of the year, bearing
water only during and immediately following a rain or snow event.
Epiphytic. Living on the surface of plants.
Estivation. a dormant state involving vastly lowered metabolism which certain animals enter
in order to survive hot weather.
Fen. An area of low, flat, marshy land (i.e. a swamp or bog).
Forest. An ecosystem dominated by trees and other woody vegetation growing more or less
closely together. Forests are characterized as having continuous, unbroken canopies.
Gabbroic. Coarse-grained igneous rock composed of calcic plagioclase and pyroxene.
Greatest Dripline Radius. The distance from the tree trunk to the furthest dripline point.
Habitat. The place where an organism lives and/or the conditions of that environment
including the soil, vegetation, water and food.
Page 182 of 187
Habitat Conservation Plan (HCP). A habitat conservation plan or "HCP" must accompany
an application for an incidental take permit. The purpose of the habitat conservation
planning process associated with the permit is to ensure there is adequate minimizing and
mitigating of the effects of the authorized incidental take.
Hydrophytic. Growing wholly or partially in water.
Indirect Impacts. Impacts that result from activities or effects associated with a project, but
which are not directly caused during project construction. They include (in part) increased
access by people and/or pets, changes to hydrology or water table, introduction of
horticultural plant species from adjacent landscaping, increased risk of wildfire, and
increased wildlife road-kill.
Intact Oak Woodland. A woodland that is currently in an undisturbed state, and all of the
ecological functions are still being provided (i.e., shade, ground water filtration, wildlife/fish
habitat, nutrient cycling, wind/noise/dust abatement, carbon sequestration). These areas
may be managed for activities such as grazing, open space and recreation. Roads and
buildings are rare across the site.
Intermittent stream. A stream channel that carries surface water for at least 30 days
following the last major rain or snow event of the season and is dry for a large part of the
year but may retain water in pools for the majority of the year. This type of channel receives
groundwater flow when it is available. Intermittent streams are indicated on the USGS 7.5
Minute Topographic Quadrangle Maps by a dashed blue line.
Invasive Plant. A non-native, introduced plant that thrives in its new environment and is
able to out-compete native species, resulting in a decrease in the number of native
individuals or species present. Highly aggressive invasive plants may result in changes to
ecosystem processes such as hydrology, fire regimes, and soil chemistry. Common
invasives in the County include yellow star-thistle, cheat grass, perennial pepperweed, and
common mullein.
Lacustrine. Of or having to do with a lake, relating to, formed, growing or living in lakes.
Mesic. Typically refers to soils or habitats. A habitat that is well-drained but usually moist
through most of the growing season.
Ministerial Project. Projects, including issuance of building permits and approval of
individual utility service connections and disconnections, which do not call for the exercise of
judgment by the governmental agency. Projects that have both ministerial and discretionary
aspects should be considered discretionary overall and subject to environmental review
under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).
Migratory Deer. A deer population that changes elevation seasonally in response to
weather conditions such as snowline.
Native Oak Tree. A native tree species in the genus Quercus, not designated as a Group A
or Group B commercial species pursuant to regulations adopted by the State Board of
Forestry and Fire Protection pursuant to Section 4526 of the Public Resources Code, and
that is 5 inches or more in diameter at breast height.
Page 183 of 187
No Net Loss. A policy by which regulatory agencies and governments strive to balance
unavoidable loss of a resource with replacement of that resource on a per-unit basis.
Oak Canopy Cover. Oak canopy cover means the area directly under the branches of the
oak trees, defined as a percent of a given unit of land. Oak trees of any size are to be
counted in calculating canopy cover. Canopy cover is used for quantifying impacts because
it measures a habitat rather than individual trees.
Oak Woodland. A stand of three or more native oaks trees that is at least one-half (0.5)
acre in area where the canopy cover of the native oak trees is ten percent (10%) or
greater. A project site may have one or more oak woodlands on it. Oak woodland may
include not just standing live oak trees, but also trees of other species, damaged or
senescent (aging) trees, a shrubby and herbaceous layer beneath the oak canopy, standing
snags, granary trees, and downed woody debris in conjunction with an oak woodland.
These elements create the structural diversity that is essential for many species of wildlife.
Ordinary High Water Mark (OHWM) The ordinary high water mark is the line on the
shores established by the fluctuations of water and indicated by physical characteristics
such as:
•
a clear natural line impressed on the bank
•
shelving
•
changes in the character of the soil
•
destruction of terrestrial vegetation
•
presence of litter and debris or other appropriate means that consider the
characteristics of the surrounding areas.
Perennial. A plant that lives three years or longer. A perennial can be herbaceous or
woody.
Perennial stream. A stream channel that carries water throughout the year, being fed by a
fairly stable groundwater flow. May be small or large. When large it may be referred to as a
river. Perennial streams are indicated on the USGS 7.5 Minute Topographic Quadrangle
Maps by a solid blue line.
Pervious Paving Materials. Surfacing materials that permit water to enter the ground
by virtue of their porous nature or by large spaces in the material including, but not
limited to, gravel, compacted gravel, crushed stone, open paving blocks, pervious
paving blocks, pervious concrete, porous pavement, pervious interlocking paving
blocks, concrete grid pavers and perforated brick pavers.
Plankton. The collection of small or microscopic organisms, including algae and
protozoans, that float or drift in great numbers in fresh or salt water, especially at or near the
surface, and serve as food for fish and other larger organisms.
Planktonic. Of or relating to plankton.
Project Site. A parcel or parcels of land on which a land development project is proposed.
Page 184 of 187
Protected Oak Tree. Any native oak trees 5” or larger dbh that occurs within an oak
woodland, and/or any native oak tree that has been classified as a specimen oak where the
Root Protection Zone (RPZ) dripline has been protected within O (Open Space) or O-1
(Open Space -1 ) zoning or a Building Setback.
Qualified Consultant. A person or firm having a bachelors degree in a particular subject
matter and qualified by this education and previous work to be included on the Tuolumne
County Consultants List.
Qualified Professional. Same as Qualified Consultant.
Resident Deer. A population of deer that remain at the same general elevation year-round.
Rhizome. Underground stem that sends out roots and shoots from its nodes.
Rhizomatous. Producing or possessing or resembling rhizomes.
Root Protection Zone (RPZ). A circular area around the tree that is 1.5 times the
greatest dripline radius.
Sag Pond. A small body of water occupying an enclosed depression or sag formed where
active or recent fault movement has impounded drainage.
Section 404. Refers to Section 404 of the Federal Clean Water Act.
Serpentine. A habitat type that occurs in soils derived from ultramafic rocks, which are
characterized as containing more than 70% iron/magnesium minerals. Serpentine soils have
high levels of magnesium and are deficient in calcium and other essential nutrients, and also
contain high concentrations of toxic heavy metal elements.
Severely Degraded. Habitats considered severely degraded include, but are not limited to:
1) A site that has been dramatically altered and currently contains no or only very few trees;
OR 2) is being managed in such a way that natural regeneration is not possible or practical;
OR 3) contains compacted or contaminated soils; OR 4) has been used for residential,
commercial or industrial purposes. Roads and stream crossings are commonplace and
fencing and other obstructions limit wildlife access and movement.
Severely Degraded Oak Woodland. Severely Degraded Oak Woodland includes, but is not
limited to: 1) A site that has been dramatically altered and currently contains no or only very
few trees; OR 2) is being managed in such a way that natural regeneration is not possible or
practical; OR 3) contains compacted or contaminated soils; OR 4) has been used for
residential, commercial or industrial purposes. Roads and stream crossings are
commonplace and fencing and other obstructions limit wildlife access and movement. A
Severely Degraded Oak Woodland may not contain areas that meet the definition of an oak
woodland but may still contain Specimen Oak trees that are subject to the provisions of the
oak woodland mitigation program.
Special-Status Species.
•
Listed as threatened or endangered under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) and
those species formally proposed or candidates for listing.
Page 185 of 187
•
Listed as threatened or endangered under California ESA (CESA) or candidates for
listing.
•
Designated as endangered or rare pursuant to California Fish and Game Code
(Section 1901).
•
Designated as fully protected pursuant to California Fish and Game Code (Section
3511, Section 4700, Section 5050).
•
Designated as a species of special concern by CDFG.
•
Designated as Medium or High Priority species by the Western Bat Working Group.
•
Plants listed as rare under the California Native Plant Protection Act or considered by
CNPS as List 1A, 1B, or 2 species.
•
Ranked as critically imperiled (S1), imperiled (S2) or vulnerable (S3) by the California
Natural Diversity Database.
Significant Adverse Impact to an Oak Woodland. A significant adverse impact to an oak
woodland is one that will adversely affect 10% or more of that oak woodland either directly
or indirectly.
Specimen Oak (SO). A single native oak tree that meets the following threshold:
A.
A live oak, California black oak, blue oak, valley oak or other native oak tree
that is equal to or exceeds eighteen inches diameter at breast height (dbh) or
that has multiple stems including at least one stem that exceeds
eighteen inches in diameter at dbh, or
B.
a blue oak tree that is equal to or exceeds twelve inches dbh, or
CB.
a single native oak tree that provides substantial wildlife habitat as
determined by the California Department of Fish and Game, or a resource
professional with expertise in oak woodlands ecology who is on the list of
qualified consultants maintained by the Tuolumne County Community
Development Department.
Take. Endangered Species Act (ESA) definition: "…to harass, harm, pursue, hunt, shoot,
wound, kill, trap, capture, or collect, or to attempt to engage in any such conduct" with
respect to federally listed endangered species of wildlife. Federal regulations provide the
opportunity to apply take prohibitions to threatened species as would ordinarily only apply to
endangered species [50 CFR 17.31(a)]. Take of a listed species includes modifying the
habitat of a listed species in such a way that interferes with essential behavioral patterns
including breeding, feeding or sheltering.
California Endangered Species Act (CESA) definition: to hunt, pursue, kill, or capture a
listed species, as well as any other actions that may result in adverse impacts when
attempting to take individuals of a listed species.
Page 186 of 187
Ultramafic. Igneous or metamorphic rocks containing more than 70% iron/magnesium
minerals.
Valley Oak Woodland (VOW). Stands of trees that are dominated by valley oak (Quercus
lobata). Land containing one or more valley oak trees per acre.
Vegetation/Vegetative Community. An assembly of different species of plants growing
together in a particular habitat, the composition of which is influenced strongly by both
abiotic and biotic factors.
Waters of the United States. Rivers, streams (ephemeral and intermittent), drainages,
ponds for which USACE has jurisdiction. See also wetlands.
Wetland. Areas that are inundated or saturated by surface or ground water at a frequency
and duration sufficient to support, and that under normal circumstances do support, a
prevalence of vegetation typically adapted for life in saturated soil conditions. Wetlands
generally include swamps, marshes, bogs, and similar areas.
Typically, there are three characteristics necessary for a wetland to be considered a
jurisdictional wetland:
•
hydric soils
•
hydrophytic vegetation (i.e., hydrophytes)
•
hydrology
The criteria for evaluating each of these three characteristics used by EPA and USACE are
found in Wetlands are delineated using the 1987 Corps of Engineers’ Wetland Delineation
Manual (Environmental Laboratory 1987) and the Interim Regional Supplement to the Corps
of Engineers’ Wetland Delineation Manual: Arid West Region (Corps 2006). Although there
is a requirement to use the Arid West Supplement (Corps, 2006), if the determination is
different than it would be using the 87 manual, the Corps requires data forms for both
determination methods. When an area meets all three criteria (soils, vegetation and
hydrology), it is considered a wetland.
Those areas that function as wetlands, but exhibit only one or two of the three
characteristics, do not currently qualify as jurisdictional wetlands and activities in these
wetlands are not regulated under the Section 404 program. However, for the purposes of
“no net loss” of wetland pursuant to General Plan Program 4.J.c, wetland areas with only
one or two of the characteristics may qualify under definitions provided by other jurisdictional
agencies including the California Department of Fish and Game and the Regional Water
Quality Control Board.
Xeric. A habitat that is deficient in moisture.
11/17/11
S:\Planning\PROJECTS\Tuolumne County\2006\TC06-002 Biological Resources Conservation Handbook\BRRG\Draft BRRG Appendix.doc
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County of Tuolumne

Transcription

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