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Appendix J-Wetland Delineation Study
APPENDIX J Delineation of Potentially Jurisdictional Waters of the U.S. and California for Avila Ranch Development Plan Avila Ranch Development Project Final EIR This Page Intentionally Left Blank. Delineation of Potentially Jurisdictional Waters of the U.S. and California for Avila Ranch San Luis Obispo San Luis Obispo County, California Prepared for Avila Ranch LLC c/o Stephen Peck, AICP 735 Tank Farm Road, Suite 240 San Luis Obispo, CA 93401 by ALTHOUSE AND MEADE, INC. BIOLOGICAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES 1602 Spring Street Paso Robles, CA 93446 (805) 237-9626 May 2015 Revised December 2015 838.02 This page intentionally blank. Althouse and Meade, Inc. – 838.02 Delineation of Potentially Jurisdictional Wetlands and Waters of the U.S. and California i Avila Ranch Table of Contents 1.0 Introduction .......................................................................................................................... 1 1.1 Purpose .............................................................................................................................1 1.2 Baseline Information Reviewed For This Report ............................................................1 1.3 Study Area Location and Geographic Setting .................................................................2 1.4 Responsible Parties ..........................................................................................................2 1.5 Current Land Condition ...................................................................................................3 1.5.1 Soils..............................................................................................................................3 1.5.2 Climate .........................................................................................................................5 1.5.3 Hydrology and geomorphology ...................................................................................6 2.0 Regulatory Framework ........................................................................................................ 7 2.1 Federal Jurisdiction ..........................................................................................................7 2.2 State Jurisdiction ..............................................................................................................7 3.0 Delineation Methods ............................................................................................................ 8 3.1 Federal and State Jurisdiction ..........................................................................................8 3.1.1 Overview of methodology ...........................................................................................8 3.1.2 Wetlands ......................................................................................................................8 3.1.3 Other waters of the U.S. .............................................................................................10 3.2 Mapping Methodology...................................................................................................10 4.0 Technical Findings ............................................................................................................. 11 4.1 Plant Communities .........................................................................................................11 4.2 Federal Jurisdictional Areas ...........................................................................................12 4.2.1 Federal wetlands ........................................................................................................12 4.2.2 Federal other waters ...................................................................................................16 4.2.3 Significant nexus ........................................................................................................16 4.3 State of California Jurisdictional Areas .........................................................................16 4.3.1 State wetlands ............................................................................................................17 5.0 Jurisdictional Delineation .................................................................................................. 17 5.1 Federal Jurisdictional Areas ...........................................................................................17 5.2 State Jurisdictional Areas ...............................................................................................19 6.0 Figures................................................................................................................................ 22 7.0 References .......................................................................................................................... 32 8.0 Photographs........................................................................................................................ 35 Exhibit A – Delineation of Potentially Jurisdictional Wetlands and Waters ............................ A - 1 Exhibit B – Wetland Determination Data Forms ...................................................................... B - 1 Exhibit C – Cross-Sections and Photopoint Locations ............................................................. C - 1 Althouse and Meade, Inc. – 838.02 ii San Luis Obispo, San Luis Obispo County, CA Revised December 2015 Exhibit D – Ephemeral and Intermittent Streams OHWM Datasheets ..................................... D - 1 Appendix A - PJD Summary Sheet ......................................................................... Appendix A - 1 List of Tables TABLE 1. RESPONSIBLE PARTIES ......................................................................................................3 TABLE 2. TOTAL PRECIPITATION DATA JUNE 2000 TO NOVEMBER 2015 .........................................5 TABLE 3. FIELD WORK LOG.............................................................................................................8 TABLE 4. PLANT LIST. ....................................................................................................................11 TABLE 5. FEDERAL JURISDICTIONAL WETLAND CHARACTERISTICS ..............................................18 TABLE 6. FEDERAL JURISDICTIONAL WETLAND MEASUREMENTS .................................................18 TABLE 7. STATE JURISDICTIONAL WETLAND CHARACTERISTICS ..................................................20 TABLE 8. STATE JURISDICTIONAL WETLAND MEASUREMENTS .....................................................20 List of Figures FIGURE 1. USGS NATIONAL HYDROGRAPHY DATASET .................................................................23 FIGURE 2. USGS HYDROLOGIC UNIT CODE 8 DIGITS .....................................................................24 FIGURE 3. USGS HYDROLOGIC UNIT CODE 10 DIGITS ...................................................................25 FIGURE 4. USGS TOPOGRAPHIC MAP ............................................................................................26 FIGURE 5. USDA SOIL DATA .........................................................................................................27 FIGURE 6. USFWS NATIONAL WETLANDS INVENTORY DATA ......................................................28 FIGURE 7. FEMA FLOOD INSURANCE RATE MAP ..........................................................................29 FIGURE 8. AERIAL PHOTOGRAPH HISTORY ....................................................................................30 FIGURE 9. PREVIOUS WETLAND DELINEATION (2001) ...................................................................31 List of Charts CHART 1. TOTAL PRECIPITATION FROM 2000 TO 2015 ....................................................................6 CHART 2. CROSS-SECTION A .........................................................................................................14 CHART 3. CROSS-SECTION B ..........................................................................................................14 CHART 4. CROSS-SECTION C ..........................................................................................................14 CHART 5. CROSS-SECTION D .........................................................................................................14 CHART 6. CROSS-SECTION E ..........................................................................................................15 CHART 7. CROSS-SECTION F ..........................................................................................................15 CHART 8. CROSS-SECTION G .........................................................................................................15 CHART 9. CROSS-SECTION H .........................................................................................................15 CHART 10. CROSS-SECTION I .........................................................................................................16 CHART 11. CROSS-SECTION J .........................................................................................................16 Cover Page: View west toward Tank Farm Creek. Photo taken February 24, 2014. Althouse and Meade, Inc. – 838.02 Delineation of Potentially Jurisdictional Wetlands and Waters of the U.S. and California iii Avila Ranch List of Acronyms and Abbreviations AIRS: Aerial Imagery Research Service APN: Assessor’s Parcel Number CDFW: California Department of Fish and Wildlife CFR: Code of Federal Regulations Corps: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers CWA: Clean Water Act EPA: Environmental Protection Agency FAC: Facultative FACW: Facultative wetland FACU: Facultative upland FEMA-FIRM: Federal Emergency Management Agency Flood Insurance Rate Map GIS: Geographic Information System JD: Jurisdictional Delineation NA: No agreement NI: No indicator NL: Not listed NO: Not known to occur NRCS: Natural Resource Conservation Service NTCHS: National Technical Committee for Hydric Soils NWI: National Wetlands Inventory OBL: Obligate wetland OHWM: Ordinary High Water Mark RAWS: Remote Area Weather Station RPW: Relatively Permanent Water RWQCB: Regional Water Quality Control Board SSURGO: Soil Survey Geographic Database SWANCC: Solid Waste Agency of Northern Cook County TNW: Traditional Navigable Water UPL: Obligate upland UPRR: Union Pacific Railroad U.S.: United States USACE: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers USDA: U.S. Department of Agriculture USFWS: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service USGS: U.S. Geological Survey This page intentionally blank. Althouse and Meade, Inc. – 838.02 Delineation of Jurisdictional Wetlands and Waters 1 Avila Ranch 1.0 Introduction 1.1 Purpose This report provides a delineation of potentially jurisdictional wetlands and waters according to federal and state standards on lands associated with a proposed 157 acre development (Project or Study Area). The Study Area includes residential housing, commercial buildings, Buckley Road widening and extension to South Higuera, parks, bike paths, and open space in south San Luis Obispo near the San Luis Obispo Airport. This Jurisdictional Delineation Study Area consists of the development area as well as the Buckley Road extension and includes review of adjacent watersheds visible from nearby roads and from digital resources. This document presents a comprehensive inventory and mapping effort of wetland and aquatic resources within the Study Area. The purpose of this delineation of waters of the U.S. and California is to inform planners, interested public, the United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE or Corps), and the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW). 1.2 Baseline Information Reviewed For This Report This report was conducted as an update to the Location of Areas Potentially Subject to U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Jurisdiction Report conducted by Olberding Environmental, Inc. in 2002 (fieldwork done in 2001). The 2002 report utilizes 1987 Corps-approved methodology and includes datasheets as well as a Jurisdictional Waters Map. The evidence for wetland conditions provided on datasheets was compared to current conditions to determine if the wetlands in the Study Area have changed, and/or to determine if the potential wetlands observed in 2001 qualify as wetlands under current guidelines approved by the Corps of Engineers. In addition to data collected during site work, several sources of baseline information regarding topography, hydrology, soils, and wetland resources were reviewed. Summary information used to compile a preliminary jurisdictional determination are provided in Appendix A. These baseline sources include the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Hydrologic Atlas, USGS topographic maps, U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Soil Survey and spatial data, and the National Wetlands Inventory. Historical aerial photographs were also downloaded from the Aerial Imagery Research Service (AIRS) at the University of California Santa Barbara Library. Note the scale of mapping and methods for developing these resources vary substantially, and thus the information presented may not be completely consistent with the findings of site- specific observation, data collection and analysis. Furthermore, many of these baseline datasets were not developed for purposes of jurisdictional determination, thus, some areas mapped as drainages may not readily meet the definition of waters of the U.S. under Clean Water Act (CWA) section 404, and may not be regulated under California Fish and Wildlife Code 1600. Althouse and Meade, Inc. – 838.02 2 San Luis Obispo, San Luis Obispo County, CA Revised December 2015 1.3 Study Area Location and Geographic Setting The Study Area includes Assessor’s Parcel Numbers (APNs) 053-259-004, -005, and -006 and portions of 076-071-016, 076-081-024, and 076-081-026, located in the southern City of San Luis Obispo in San Luis Obispo County, California. The Study Area is located approximately one half mile east of Highway 101, at the corner of Vachell Lane and Buckley Road with a small strip running directly west from the southwest corner and meeting South Higuera Street. It is located within the Pismo Beach United States Geological Survey (USGS) 7.5 minute quadrangle. Elevation varies from approximately 98 to 125 feet above mean sea level. The Study Area is located in a valley of the Santa Lucia Mountains between an inland range and a coastal range. The upslope watershed area includes approximately 900 acres that drain from a ridge of the Santa Lucia Range, part of downtown San Luis Obispo, and Islay Hill. Stormwater flows approximately two miles northeast to southwest from an elevation approximately 175 feet above mean sea level, through the neighboring tank farms, and then entering the site via the northern end of the drainage. Stormwater east of the Study Area may enter from the east, flow through a less prominent swale, running east to west before entering the drainage. Adjacent watersheds begin approximately four miles northeast, at elevations approximately 1,500 feet above mean sea level. The average slope of the contributing drainages is approximately five percent, and the average slope of the adjacent watersheds is approximately eight percent1. 1.4 Responsible Parties The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers regulates Waters of the U.S. Impacts to drainages and wetlands will also be regulated by the California Regional Water Quality Control Board and the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, not included in Table 1, Responsible Parties, below. 1 Percent slope of contributing watershed calculated by dividing approximately 380 feet elevation gain by 7,400 feet (approximately 1.5 miles). Adjacent watershed slope is approximately 1,450 feet elevation gain divided by 18,000 feet (approximately 3.5 miles). Althouse and Meade, Inc. – 838.02 Delineation of Jurisdictional Wetlands and Waters 3 Avila Ranch TABLE 1. RESPONSIBLE PARTIES. Owner/Applicant Project Engineer Avila Ranch LLC c/o Stephen Peck, AICP 735 Tank Farm Road, Suite 240 San Luis Obispo, CA 93401 Contact: Stephen Peck (559) 731-5778 Cannon Corp. c/o John Rogers 1050 Southwood Drive San Luis Obispo, CA 93401 Contact: John Rogers (805) 544-7407 Regulatory Agencies Biological Consultant United States Army Corps of Engineers Los Angeles District Ventura Regulatory Field Office 2151 Alessandro Drive, Suite 110 Ventura, CA 93001 Contact: Crystal Huerta* (805) 585-2143 Althouse and Meade, Inc. 1602 Spring Street Paso Robles, CA 93446 Contacts: LynneDee Althouse, LD@alt-me.com Jacqueline Tilligkeit, JT@alt-me.com (805) 237-9626 *Crystal Huerta visited the site in October 2014. Erin Hanlon will likely be the project manager for the Avila Ranch Project, as she is responsible now for San Luis Obispo County Projects. 1.5 Current Land Condition The Study Area is located in the City of San Luis Obispo, primarily between Buckley and Tank Farm Road. It consists of gently sloping hills and is actively farmed for safflower, cultivated pea, and cabbage planted in general east-west rows. Portions of the site appear to have been continuously farmed and irrigated since before 1940. Active farmland occupies property south and east of the Study Area. North of the Study Area are industrial properties and a tank farm that was built by Union Oil in 1910. A Lockheed Martin office building and parking lot, built in 2005, occupies a separate parcel between Avila Ranch and Vachell Lane. Caltrans owns farmland and a residence west of Vachell Lane. These areas are highly manipulated. Year-round farming activity on Avila Ranch and adjacent Caltrans farmland disturbs all but a few rock outcrops and deeply incised drainage features such as Tank Farm Creek and a ditch along the toe of slope east of the creek. Willows dominate Tank Farm Creek, and are confined to areas that are not easily reached with a plow. Wetland grasses and herbs dominate the managed ditch. Sandstone and shale rock outcrops on Avila Ranch and a serpentine rock outcrop adjacent to Higuera Street are dominated by introduced weeds, indicating a history of site disturbance. Soils 1.5.1 The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Soil Survey of San Luis Obispo County, California Coastal Part (1984) and the Soil Survey Geographic Database (SSURGO) describe six map units that overlap the Property. A map of soil map units on the Property is included as Figure 5 in Section 6. Althouse and Meade, Inc. – 838.02 4 San Luis Obispo, San Luis Obispo County, CA Revised December 2015 Concepcion loam, 2 to 5 percent slopes (120) is the dominant soil mapped on and adjacent to the Study Area. Concepcion consists of moderately well drained soils that formed from weekly consolidated stratified alluvium. The depth to restrictive features is 10 to 21 inches to abrupt textural change. The typical profile contains loam in the top 19 inches and clay to sandy clay loam to 63 inches. The geomorphic position of Concepcion soils is toeslope, and the landform position (three-dimensional) is tread.2 Cropley clay, 0 to 2 percent slopes (127) is another dominant soil mapped on the Study Area. Cropley consists of moderately well drained soils that formed from alluvium derived from sedimentary rock. The depth to restrictive features is more than 80 inches. The typical profile contains clay in the top 36 inches and silty clay loam to 60 inches. The geomorphic position of Cropley soils is toeslope or footslope, and the three-dimensional position is tread. Salinas silty clay loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes (197) is mapped in the southern portion of the Study Area. Salinas consists of somewhat well drained soils formed from alluvium derived from sedimentary rock. The depth to restrictive features is more than 80 inches. The typical profile contains silty clay loam to 29 inches and stratified loam to silty clay loam to 72 inches. The geomorphic position of Salinas soils is toeslope or footslope, and the three-dimensional position is tread. Marimel sandy clay loam, occasionally flooded (169) is mapped in the southwestern portion of the Study Area. Marimel consists of somewhat poorly drained soils formed from alluvium derived from sedimentary rock. The depth to restrictive layer is more than 80 inches. The typical profile consists of sandy clay loam to 16 inches and stratified loam to clay loam to silty clay loam to 60 inches. The geomorphic position of Marimel is toeslope or footslope, and the three- dimensional position is tread. Diablo clay, 5 to 9 percent slopes (129) is mapped in a small area in the southwestern portion of the Study Area. Diablo consists of well drained soils formed from residuum weathered from mudstone, sandstone, and/or shale. The depth to restrictive layer is more than 80 inches. The typical profile consists of clay to 58 inches and weathered bedrock to 68 inches. The geomorphic position of Diablo is backslope or summit and the three-dimensional position is crest3 or side slope. Marimel silty clay loam, drained (170) is mapped in a small area in the northwestern portion of the Study Area. Marimel consists of well drained soils formed from alluvium derived from sedimentary rock. The depth to restrictive layer is more than 80 inches. The typical profile consists of silty clay loam to 16 inches over stratified loam to clay loam to silty clay loam to 60 inches. The geomorphic position of Marimel is footslope and the three-dimensional position is tread. 2 Tread is a geomorphological term that describes a component of terraces, flood-plain steps, and other stepped landforms consisting of the flat to gently sloping, topmost and laterally extensive slope. 3 Crest is a geomorphology term that describes a convex slope at the summit of a hill with thin soil, typically adjacent to a cliff face. Althouse and Meade, Inc. – 838.02 Delineation of Jurisdictional Wetlands and Waters 5 Avila Ranch Climate 1.5.2 Average precipitation at the Arroyo Grande Area Weather Station (RAWS) totals 13.7 inches per water year (July to June), based on data from 2000 to December 2015 (Table 2; 2015, Western Regional Climate Center). The Arroyo Grande Weather Station, at 1048 feet elevation, is approximately 15 miles northeast of the site at 35.17917o N, -120.39194o W. Maximum rainfall is 31.5 inches (rain year 2011), and minimum rainfall is 0.75 inches (2002). Most precipitation falls as rain from October through April (11 inches average); the highest average rainfall month is December (3.4 inches on average). As demonstrated in Table 2, the last 3 years have produced less than average rainfall decreasing the likelihood of prominent hydrophytic vegetation and hydrology in historical wetland areas. TABLE 2. TOTAL PRECIPITATION DATA JUNE 2000 TO NOVEMBER 2015. Monthly precipitation for each rain year from Arroyo Grande RAWs weather data. Rain year runs July through June, with the rainy season from October to April. Grand total of year is named for ending year (e.g. July 2001 through June 2002 is rain year 2002). Year Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Grand Total 2000 - - - - - 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.02 2.60 0.01 0.15 -- 2001 5.03 4.34 3.37 1.07 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.34 0.36 0.03 16.59 2002 0.01 0.00 0.00 0.01 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.16 7.09 0.75 2003 0.12 2.36 2.17 1.34 1.34 0.00 0.09 0.00 0.00 0.48 1.72 3.14 14.58 2004 0.86 4.48 0.74 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 5.01 0.73 2.72 11.51 2005 1.93 0.53 0.32 0.17 0.03 0.06 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.60 0.90 2.70 11.50 2006 2.99 1.85 5.84 0.84 0.26 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.21 0.24 2.24 15.98 2007 0.94 2.66 0.34 0.67 0.06 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.01 1.04 0.08 3.45 7.36 2008 8.95 0.65 0.05 0.16 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.33 2.05 3.03 14.39 2009 0.35 4.69 1.41 0.69 0.18 0.43 0.00 0.02 0.00 4.52 0.05 5.39 13.16 2010 8.15 4.75 1.66 2.96 0.29 0.00 0.01 0.00 0.00 2.05 2.39 12.52 27.79 2011 1.86 4.16 6.66 0.15 0.92 0.82 0.00 0.01 0.13 1.59 2.76 0.06 31.54 2012 2.63 0.71 3.22 2.18 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.02 0.00 1.19 1.33 4.64 13.29 2013 1.54 0.59 1.06 0.08 0.03 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.39 0.11 0.57 10.48 2014 0.04 3.44 2.01 0.89 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.39 0.91 0.57 7.45 2015 0.13 1.65 0.25 0.70 0.42 0.05 0.69 0.00 0.07 0.01 1.35 2.36 9.18 Althouse and Meade, Inc. – 838.02 6 San Luis Obispo, San Luis Obispo County, CA Revised December 2015 CHART 1. TOTAL PRECIPITATION FROM 2000 TO 2015. Rainfall data from Table 2 Arroyo Grande RAWs weather station is displayed graphically. Darker lines indicate more recent years. Hydrology and geomorphology 1.5.3 The Study Area is within the Central Coastal watershed (USGS hydrologic unit number 18060006) which includes coastal creeks between Monterey Bay and Oceano, that all drain to the Pacific Ocean. Northwest and south of the Study Area (not in the Study Area) are San Luis Obispo Creek and the East Fork of San Luis Obispo Creek. Most stormwater near the Study Area flows around the Study Area and into these two larger drainages. The main drainage running through the site (Tank Farm Creek) originates about 1.4 mile off-site, north of a historic oil tank farm. Within the tank farm, Tank Farm Creek is highly manipulated. Tank Farm Creek flows from the northeast to the southwest portion of Avila Ranch, and converges with the East Fork of San Luis Obispo Creek about 500 feet offsite. Water then flows less than a mile to San Luis Obispo Creek, a tributary to the Pacific Ocean at Avila Beach. 0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov DecTotal Precipitation (inches) Althouse and Meade, Inc. – 838.02 Delineation of Jurisdictional Wetlands and Waters 7 Avila Ranch 2.0 Regulatory Framework 2.1 Federal Jurisdiction Section 404 of the Clean Water Act (CWA) authorizes the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE or Corps) to regulate activities that discharge dredged or fill material to wetlands and other waters of the United States. The term “waters of the United States” encompasses resources described by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Corps regulations, 40 CFR § 230.3(s) and 33 CFR § 328.3(a). The geographic limits of relevant federal jurisdiction for non- tidal waters of the U.S. are defined at 33 CFR § 328.4(c). Recent Supreme Court cases, particularly the SWANCC (Solid Waste Agency of Northern Cook County) and Rapanos cases, have resulted in changes to interpretation of USACE jurisdiction (USACE, USEPA 2009). The Corps of Engineers Wetlands Delineation Manual (hereafter “1987 Manual”; USACE 1987) defines wetlands (EPA regulations at 40 CFR § 230.3(t); Corps regulations at 33 CFR § 328.3(b)). Wetlands are considered “special aquatic sites” under the USACE definition. Special aquatic sites are afforded protection under the Clean Water Act (Sections 401 and 404). The Corps’ 1987 Manual and various regional supplements describe the criteria that must be met to determine the presence of a wetland, the methods used to determine whether they are met, and the geographic extent of wetland areas identified in the field. 2.2 State Jurisdiction The State of California uses a broader definition of waters and receives regulatory authority over wetlands and waters within the State as specified in Section 401 of the Clean Water Act; the Porter-Cologne Water Quality Act (State Water Code); the California Coastal Act; and Fish and Game Code Section 1600. Waters are defined in the California Water Code section 13050(e). The wetland definition was recommended by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW). The CDFW found the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) wetland definition and classification system based on the 1979 Cowardin definition to be the most biologically valid (Cowardin et al. 1979). CDFW staff uses this definition as a guide in identifying wetlands while conducting on-site inspections for the implementation of its Commission’s wetlands policy. The Regional Water Quality Control Board (RWQCB) is charged with protecting the beneficial uses of these aquatic systems from pollution and nuisance that may occur as a result of waste discharges in the region. The RWQCB may regulate impacts to wetlands and drainages under the Clean Water Act section 401 or use California Water Code Section 13260 for discharge of fill into Waters of the State. Additionally, areas within the California Coastal Commission’s Coastal Zone are subject to a stricter definition than CDFW’s. Wetlands found in the Coastal Zone are regulated under the California Coastal Act of 1976 (CCA), and are within jurisdiction of the California Coastal Commission. Under the CCA, wetlands are defined in California Public Resource Code § 30121. Althouse and Meade, Inc. – 838.02 8 San Luis Obispo, San Luis Obispo County, CA Revised December 2015 3.0 Delineation Methods 3.1 Federal and State Jurisdiction Overview of methodology 3.1.1 Potential jurisdictional wetlands and other waters were identified using techniques described in the 1987 Manual, the Regional Supplement to the Corps of Engineers Wetland Delineation Manual: Arid West Region (Version 2.0) (2008b), and A Field Guide to the Identification of the Ordinary High Water Mark (OHWM) in the Arid West Region of the Western United States (2008a and the updated datasheet from 2010). The USACE routine onsite method of wetland delineation was used. This includes locating data points within different topographic zones and habitat types that are associated with wetlands and uplands, with the majority of the data points located within the potential wetland boundary. Table 3 summarizes dates of field work and personnel attending each site visit. TABLE 3. FIELD WORK LOG. Wetland delineation survey dates, actions taken, and field personnel are provided. Survey Date Activities Personnel April 11, 2014 Investigative soil pits for hydric indicators K. Weichert and J. Tilligkeit May 8, 2014 Sample sites investigating vegetation and soil pits LD Althouse and J. Tilligkeit June 4, 2014 Sample sites investigating vegetation and soil pits J. Tilligkeit July 10, 2015 Cross-sections along Tank Farm Creek LD Althouse and J. Tilligkeit October 2, 2015 Site visit with Crystal Huerta from USACE LD Althouse and J. Tilligkeit December 15, 2015 Sample sites and cross-sections J. Pohlman and J. Tilligkeit Wetlands 3.1.2 Soil pits were dug by hand at 13 intensively described data points, and field indicators for the three USACE parameters (hydrophytic vegetation, hydric soils, and wetland hydrology) were investigated and described in full. Data points were selected where presence of hydrophytic vegetation, wetland hydrology, or low relief indicated potential wetland. Adjacent pits were dug in upland locations to compare soil features in upland locations with soil conditions in suspected wetlands. Locations of all 13 formally described soil sample sites are recorded on the Jurisdictional Delineation Map (Exhibit A). The Wetland Determination Data Forms used for each formal soil sample site are included as Exhibit B. Photos of representative sites are included as part of Photo Collections in Section 8.0. Locations of photopoints can be found on Exhibit C. Sufficient pits were dug to verify that specific assemblages of plant species associated with specific landforms and hydrology were also associated with wetland soil conditions. Each formal sample site evaluation was recorded on a Wetland Determination Data Form—Arid West Region (USACE 2008). Althouse and Meade, Inc. – 838.02 Delineation of Jurisdictional Wetlands and Waters 9 Avila Ranch Wetland hydrology The presence or absence of wetland hydrology field indicators was assessed following methodology presented in the 1987 Manual and the 2008 Supplement. Wetland scientists looked for indicators as described in those documents, including but not limited to high water table, site topography, drift lines, drainage patterns, sediment deposits, inundation, observation of wet conditions during the growing season, and saturation of soils. Wetland vegetation Vegetation in each stratum was identified to species and recorded. The indicator status of plants was confirmed by referring to the National Wetland Plant List (USACE 2015). Species dominance was noted for each stratum using the “50/20 Rule.” Percent absolute cover was estimated by species for each stratum, and species were ranked in decreasing order of coverage. Dominant species were selected from the ranked list in descending order until their cumulative cover exceeded 50 percent of total cover for each stratum. Any species that alone formed 20 percent or more of the total cover for one stratum was also considered dominant. Dominance test and prevalence index was calculated for all samples where possible. For most sample sites, species dominance could not be determined due to the Study Area being plowed. Presence and absence was determined using the small amount of vegetation growing and the plowed remains. Wetland soil Soils were examined according to methodology presented in the 2008 Arid West Supplement and 1987 Manual. Hydric soil indicators were recognized on the basis of soil characteristics verified in the USDA-NRCS publication, Field Indicators of Hydric Soils in the United States (version 7.0, USDA-NRCS 2010) and the NTCHS definition of hydric soils. Soil profiles were described for selected soil morphological characteristics such as texture, Munsell color, moisture, horizonation, and presence/absence of redoximorphic features. Soil samples were examined in the field with a hand lens where appropriate. Testing for hydric soils was performed by looking for one or more of the field indicators, which include low chroma, mottling, gleying, concretions, iron masses, depletions, and sulfidic odor. Soil series and map units were noted from United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) soils maps; however, due to coarse scale and general nature of soil survey maps, these data were used only to understand the general character of soils on site. Observations and test pits were used to investigate site-specific soil conditions. Pits were dug to 12 inches in each of the 2001 wetland locations (Figure 9) and in a new potential wetland location south of the Lockheed property. Althouse and Meade, Inc. – 838.02 10 San Luis Obispo, San Luis Obispo County, CA Revised December 2015 Other waters of the U.S. 3.1.3 For features that do not contain vegetation suggestive of wetlands, evidence of Ordinary High Water Mark (OHWM) was used to determine extent of Corps jurisdiction over other waters of the U.S. The OHWM Manual lists and describes indicators associated with areas that become flooded or ponded, but are not dominated by wetland vegetation and the duration of flooding, ponding and/or near-surface soil saturation (less than or equal to 12 inches) is not sufficient to cause hydric soils to form or wetland hydrology conditions to occur. Ordinary High Water Mark was identified and noted according to guidance provided in documentation listed in Section 3.1.1. Arid West Ephemeral and Intermittent Streams OHWM Datasheets are included under Exhibit D. Cross-sections Cross sections were completed along each jurisdictional drainage where there was a substantial change in either OHWM or TOB width. For representative cross sections, individual hydrogeomorphic floodplain units were described through vegetation cover, sediment texture, and hydrology indicators. OHWM was determined based on hydrology indicators described on the Arid West OHWM Datasheets and was defined as the division between the active floodplain and low terrace. Three photos were taken at each cross section: upstream, downstream, and substrate. Locations of cross sections are shown on Exhibit C. Waters connectivity/adjacency Connectivity of features to adjacent Traditional Navigable Waters was assessed via site work and investigation of aerial photos, and USGS topographic maps. Evidence of physical, chemical, and/or biological influence, size of watershed, and connectivity to TNWs was considered. 3.2 Mapping Methodology Boundaries of waters of the U.S. and California were interpolated from field observations, aerial photographs, topographic mapping provided by Cannon, and review of the 2002 Olberding report. Information was then imported into ArcGIS for production of Exhibit A. Althouse and Meade, Inc. – 838.02 Delineation of Jurisdictional Wetlands and Waters 11 Avila Ranch 4.0 Technical Findings 4.1 Plant Communities Vegetation observed on the subject site was used to identify location and extent of wetlands on the subject site. A list of species observed during delineation work and used to determine boundaries of wetlands versus uplands is provided Table 4. TABLE 4. PLANT LIST. Vegetative indicators recorded on site during wetland delineation work. Plant species not included in the 2015 NWPL are noted “NL” (not listed). Jepson Manual Second Edition names are provided in brackets where they differ from current NWPL names and for species not included in NWPL (Hickman 1993). NWPL Scientific Name Common Name CNPS Status Wetland Indicator Status Herbs Anagallis arvensis Scarlet pimpernel None NL Avena fatua Wild oat None NL Avena sativa Cultivated oat None UPL Brassica nigra Black mustard None NL Carex sp. Sedge None - Cirsium vulgare Bull thistle None FACU Conium maculatum Poison hemlock None FACW Convolvulus arvensis Bindweed None NL Cynara cardunculus Artichoke None NL Dipsacus sativus Fuller's teasel None NL Elymus glaucus Blue wildrye None FACU Epilobium brachycarpum Annual willowherb None NL Foeniculum vulgare Fennel None NL Helminthotheca echioides Bristly ox-tongue None FACU Hirschfeldia incana Mustard None NL Hordeum vulgare Barley None NL Lotus corniculatus Birdfoot trefoil None FAC Malvella leprosa Alkali mallow None FACU Melilotus albus White sweet clover None NL Melilotus officinalis Yellow sweet clover None UPL Matricaria discoidea Pineapple weed None FACU Phalaris aquatica Harding grass None FACU Plantago lanceolata English plantain None FAC Polypogon monspeliensis Annual beardgrass None FACW Raphanus sativa Wild radish None NL Althouse and Meade, Inc. – 838.02 12 San Luis Obispo, San Luis Obispo County, CA Revised December 2015 NWPL Scientific Name Common Name CNPS Status Wetland Indicator Status Schoenoplectus californicus California tule None OBL Silybum marianum Milk thistle None NL Sonchus asper Prickly sow-thistle None FAC Spergula arvensis Stickwort None NL Spergularia rubra Red sand spurrey None FAC Stephanomeria sp. Lettuce None - Typha angustifolia Narrow-leaved cattail None OBL Shrubs Baccharis pilularis Coyote brush None NL Salix lasiolepis Arroyo willow None FACW Trees Populus fremontii Fremont cottonwood None NL 4.2 Federal Jurisdictional Areas Our 2014 and 2015 field work resulted in delineation of 3.03 acres of potential federal jurisdictional wetlands, regulated as Clean Water Act Section 404 waters of the U.S., special aquatic sites within the Study Area. A summary of findings for each wetland feature can be found in Section 5. A discussion of significant nexus is provided below. The site was visited on October 2, 2014 by Crystal Huerta, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Project Manager to verify the draft delineation. Modifications to this document are based on her on-site investigation and input. Federal wetlands 4.2.1 Wetlands are considered “special aquatic sites” under the USACE definition. Special aquatic sites are afforded protection under the Clean Water Act Sections 401 and 404. Most areas mapped in 2001 as potentially wetland were significantly disturbed due to farming practices that have been occurring prior to 1940. Historically, the soil and vegetation have been directly affected by the plowing activity and Tank Farm Creek was rerouted around the tank farm to the north of the property, affecting the hydrology of the site. Vegetation and hydrology were also considered naturally problematic due to several years of drought in the area. Three onsite drainages were considered potential federal wetlands: the main portion of Tank Farm Creek from the confluence to the southwest corner of the property (henceforth referred to as Tank Farm Creek), the portion of Tank Farm Creek from the tank farm property north of the Study Area to the confluence (North-South Drainage), and a farm drainage ditch flowing from the eastern neighbor’s property to the confluence (East-West Drainage). Althouse and Meade, Inc. – 838.02 Delineation of Jurisdictional Wetlands and Waters 13 Avila Ranch Wetland plant communities Plant communities associated with wetlands potentially under federal jurisdiction included obligate species such as Typha angustifolia and Schoenoplectus californicus. Facultative- wetland species such as Conium maculatum and Salix lasiolepis were also present. Along Tank Farm Creek and North-South Drainage is Arroyo willow (Salix lasiolepis) dominated riparian habitat with sporadic Fremont’s cottonwoods (Populus fremontii) creating areas of varying canopy thickness. Poison hemlock (Conium maculatum) and bristly ox tongue (Helminthotheca [=Picris] echioides) line the majority of the drainage. Within the drainage, patchy disturbance areas occur with narrow-leafed cattail (Typha angustifolia), Fuller’s teasel (Dipsacus sativus), and cocklebur (Xanthium strumarium). California bulrush (Schoenoplectus [=Scirpus] californicus) and harding grass (Phalaris aquatica) was also observed in the East- West drainage. Hydric soil Depletions and redox concentrations were found in all three drainages. This is indicative of long periods of pooling water creating wetland conditions rather than non-wetland waters. A detailed list of hydric soil indicators unique to each drainage can be found in Table 5 in Section 5. Wetland hydrology Within the study area, base flow is within a defined creek channel. Pooling was observed in Tank Farm Creek during one site visit, likely from irrigation water. Clear topographic features define the bed and bank of both channels with benches evident at the edge of the base flow channel. Peak discharges from San Luis Obispo Tank Farm (SLOTF) to the project site (Tank Farm Creek) are estimated by Cannon (2015) at 60 cubic feet per second (cfs) in a 2-year storm and 81 cfs in a 10-year storm. The drainage receives 469 cfs during a 100-year event that includes a combined discharge of water flowing directly in Tank Farm Creek combined with overflow water that spills over the southernmost berm of SLOTF. Due to the drought, we did not expect to find standing water or saturation at any of the sample sites. Historical aerial photography was used to look for signs of saturation or inundation. A few locations in the onsite drainages passed the FAC-Neutral test and had evidence of water stained leaves or drift deposits. Cross-sections were completed along each drainage and are shown below. Locations of cross- sections can be found on Exhibit C. Althouse and Meade, Inc. – 838.02 14 San Luis Obispo, San Luis Obispo County, CA Revised December 2015 CHART 2. CROSS-SECTION A. Cross-section A along North-South drainage looking upstream. CHART 3. CROSS-SECTION B. Cross-section B along North-South drainage looking upstream. An OHWM datasheet and photopoints were completed (Exhibits C and D). CHART 4. CROSS-SECTION C. Cross-section C along Tank Farm Creek looking upstream. CHART 5. CROSS-SECTION D. Cross-section D along Tank Farm Creek looking upstream. 0 2 4 6 8 0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 22 24 26 28 30 32 34 36 38 40 42 44 Depth (ft)Width (ft) 0 2 4 6 8 0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 22 24 26 28 30 32 34 36 38 40 42 44 Depth (ft)Width (ft) 0 2 4 6 8 0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 22 24 26 28 30 32 34 36 38 40 42 44 Depth (ft)Width (ft) 0 2 4 6 8 0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 22 24 26 28 30 32 34 36 38 40 42 44 Depth (ft)Width (ft) Althouse and Meade, Inc. – 838.02 Delineation of Jurisdictional Wetlands and Waters 15 Avila Ranch CHART 6. CROSS-SECTION E. Cross-section E along Tank Farm Creek looking upstream. CHART 7. CROSS-SECTION F. Cross-section F along Tank Farm Creek looking upstream. CHART 8. CROSS-SECTION G. Cross-section G along Tank Farm Creek looking upstream. CHART 9. CROSS-SECTION H. Cross-section H along Tank Farm Creek looking upstream. An OHWM datasheet and photopoints were completed (Exhibits C and D). 0 2 4 6 8 0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 22 24 26 28 30 32 34 36 38 40 42 44 Depth (ft)Width (ft) 0 2 4 6 8 0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 22 24 26 28 30 32 34 36 38 40 42 44 Depth (ft)Width (ft) 0 2 4 6 8 0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 22 24 26 28 30 32 34 36 38 40 42 44 Depth (ft)Width (ft) 0 2 4 6 8 0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 22 24 26 28 30 32 34 36 38 40 42 44 Depth (ft)Width (ft) Althouse and Meade, Inc. – 838.02 16 San Luis Obispo, San Luis Obispo County, CA Revised December 2015 CHART 10. CROSS-SECTION I. Cross-section I along Tank Farm Creek looking upstream. An OHWM datasheet and photopoints were completed (Exhibits C and D). CHART 11. CROSS-SECTION J. Cross-section J along East-West drainage looking upstream. An OHWM datasheet and photopoints were completed (Exhibits C and D). Federal other waters 4.2.2 All drainages within the Study Area contained hydric soil and hydrophytic vegetation meeting the requirements for federal wetlands. No additional waters were found. Significant nexus 4.2.3 San Luis Obispo Creek, the major drainage in the vicinity of the subject watershed, connects to Traditional Navigable Waters, specifically, the Pacific Ocean, approximately 7 miles from the Study Area. Prior to reaching the ocean, water flows through the Study Area via Tank Farm Creek, exits the Study Area and flows approximately 500 feet to the East Fork of San Luis Obispo Creek and then a mile to the main San Luis Obispo Creek drainage that flows directly to the Pacific Ocean. 4.3 State of California Jurisdictional Areas Our 2014 and 2015 field work resulted in delineation of 7.08 acres of potential state jurisdictional wetlands, regulated under the Porter-Cologne act. State wetlands include all areas that are federal jurisdictional wetlands, and also include additional features that lack one or more indicators necessary to meet federal standards. 0 2 4 6 8 0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 22 24 26 28 30 32 34 36 38 40 42 44 Depth (ft)Width (ft) 0 2 4 6 8 0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 22 24 26 28 30 32 34 36 38 40 42 44 Depth (ft)Width (ft) Althouse and Meade, Inc. – 838.02 Delineation of Jurisdictional Wetlands and Waters 17 Avila Ranch State wetlands 4.3.1 The Study Area contained two types of wetlands that did not meet all three requirements for federal wetlands. These additional areas include farmed wetlands and areas along Tank Farm Creek between the top of bank and edge of riparian canopy. Wetland plant communities In the farmed wetlands, minimal vegetation was present. All farmed wetlands had signs of weedy plants such as Malvella leprosa, Convolvulus arvensis, or Helminthotheca echioides. The Lockheed wetland site had remnants of Polypogon monspeliensis in the plowed ground. Due to the site conditions, vegetation was considered significantly disturbed and naturally problematic at all farmed wetland sites. State jurisdiction of Tank Farm Creek and North-South Drainage is extended to the edge of the willow and cottonwood canopy. Wetland hydrology Wetland hydrology was considered naturally problematic due to the drought. We did not expect to find standing water or saturation. Oxidized rhizospheres were also unlikely in plowed areas due to the absence of living roots. Aerial photographs were relied on for signs of saturation or inundation. Also, if there appeared to be some reduction of crop growth in the area, we considered this a sign of hydrology. A list of hydrology indicators can be found for each wetland in Table 7. Hydric soil Soil was also considered problematic due to disturbed conditions. Farmed wetlands had minimal redox concentrations and depletions. Each farmed wetland had a soil matrix color of 10YR 2/1 or 3/1 to 18 inches with 4 or 5 inches of plowed soil as the top horizon. Although the farmed wetland areas contained depletions and redox concentrations, the depth and percentages did not match a hydric soil indicator. Riparian canopy along Tank Farm Creek did not contain any sign of hydric soil. 5.0 Jurisdictional Delineation 5.1 Federal Jurisdictional Areas Federal wetland characteristics are summarized in Table 5. Each wetland was given a unique name and the sample sites and cross-sections associated with the wetland are listed. As previously mentioned, cross-sections were completed for the potential federal wetlands located within the drainage features. Wetland indicators and ordinary high water mark indicators are also listed. Table 6 provides area in acres and square feet for each potential federal wetland. No federal non-wetland waters were found within the Study Area. Althouse and Meade, Inc. – 838.02 18 San Luis Obispo, San Luis Obispo County, CA Revised December 2015 TABLE 5. FEDERAL JURISDICTIONAL WETLAND CHARACTERISTICS. Corresponding sample sites, physical characteristics, and indicators are given for each feature in the Study Area. Indicator abbreviations are provided below. Feature Sample Site(s) Upland Sample Site(s) Cross Section Habitat Hydrophytic Vegetation Indicator Hydric Soil Indicator Hydrology Indicator OHWM Indicator East West Drainage 6 9 J Depressional wetland PR F3 B10/C9 V/B North South Drainage 7 8 B Depressional wetland DT/PI A11 C9/D5 V/B/S Tank Farm Creek 10 12 H/I Streams and rivers DT/PI A11 B9/C9/D5 V/B/S Abbreviations: A11: Depleted Below Dark Surface B: Break in bank slope B9: Water-Stained Leaves B10: Drainage Patterns C9: Saturation Visible on Aerial Imagery D5: FAC-Neutral Test DT: Dominance Test F3: Depleted Matrix PI: Prevalence Index PR: Problematic Hydrophytic Vegetation S: Change in average sediment texture V: Change in vegetation species or cover TABLE 6. FEDERAL JURISDICTIONAL WETLAND MEASUREMENTS. Calculated federal jurisdictional wetland areas are given for the Study Area. Feature Area (ac) Area (sq ft) North South Drainage 0.41 17,647 East West Drainage 0.53 23,042 Tank Farm Creek 2.10 91,289 Total Federal Wetlands 3.03 131,978 Althouse and Meade, Inc. – 838.02 Delineation of Jurisdictional Wetlands and Waters 19 Avila Ranch 5.2 State Jurisdictional Areas State wetland characteristics are summarized in Table 7. Wetlands that are exclusively state jurisdiction as well as additional federal wetlands are summarized in the table. Tank Farm Creek is divided into the creek itself to the top of bank and riparian areas outside the top of bank. Areas within the creek were considered federal jurisdiction due to the general presence of hydrophytic vegetation and hydric soil. Willow canopy beyond top of bank did not show evidence of hydric soil and are therefore exclusively state jurisdiction. Areas are provided in Table 8. Non-wetland waters were not found within the Study Area. Althouse and Meade, Inc. – 838.02 20 San Luis Obispo, San Luis Obispo County, CA Revised December 2015 TABLE 7. STATE JURISDICTIONAL WETLAND CHARACTERISTICs. Corresponding sample sites, habitat, and indicators are given for each feature in the Study Area. Feature Sample Site(s) Upland Sample Site(s) Cross-section Habitat Type Hydrophytic Vegetation Indicator Hydric Soil Indicator Hydrology Indicator OHWM Indicator Bowl Wetland 4 None None Depressional wetland PR None C3/C9 n/a Corner Wetland 2 None None Depressional wetland PR None B7/C9 n/a East West Drainage 6 9 J Depressional wetland PR F3 B10/C9 V/B Lockheed Wetland 1 None None Depressional wetland PI/DT None B10/C9/D5 n/a North South Drainage 7 8 B Depressional wetland DT/PI A11 C9/D5 V/B/S Tank Farm Creek 10 12 H/I Streams and rivers DT/PI A11 B9/C9/D5 V/B/S Tank Farm Riparian 11 12 H/I Streams and rivers PI None B10/C9 V/B/S Abbreviations: A11: Depleted Below Dark Surface B: Break in bank slope B7: Inundation Visible on Aerial Imagery B9: Water-Stained Leaves B10: Drainage Patterns C3: Oxidized rhizospheres along Living Roots C9: Saturation Visible on Aerial Imagery D5: FAC-Neutral Test DT: Dominance Test F3: Depleted Matrix PI: Prevalence Index PR: Problematic Hydrophytic Vegetation S: Change in average sediment texture V: Change in vegetation species or cover TABLE 8. STATE JURISDICTIONAL WETLAND MEASUREMENTS. Calculated state jurisdictional wetland areas are given for the Study Area. Feature Area (ac) Area (sq ft) Bowl Wetland 1.85 80,386 Corner Wetland 0.29 12,832 East West Drainage 0.53 23,042 Lockheed Wetland 0.69 29,918 North South Drainage 0.41 17,647 Tank Farm Drainage 2.10 91,289 Tank Farm Willow Riparian 1.95 84,774 Total Wetlands 7.80 339,888 Althouse and Meade, Inc. – 838.02 Delineation of Jurisdictional Wetlands and Waters 21 Avila Ranch This report is subject to verification by the United States Army Corps of Engineers and the California Department of Fish and Wildlife. This page intentionally blank. Althouse and Meade, Inc. – 838.02 22 San Luis Obispo, San Luis Obispo County, CA Revised December 2015 6.0 Figures Figure 1. USGS National Hydrography Dataset Figure 2. USGS Hydrologic Unit Code 8 digits Figure 3. USGS Hydrologic Unit Code 10 digits Figure 4. USGS Topographic Map Figure 5. USDA Soil Data Figure 6. USFWS National Wetlands Inventory Data Figure 7. FEMA Flood Insurance Rate Map Figure 8. Aerial Photograph History Figure 9. Previous Wetland Delineation (2001) ÛÛ2014 San Luis Obispo CountyNAIP Aerial ImageryMap Updated: December 31, 2015 03:43 PM Figure 1. USGS NHD Data µ0 0.5 10.25 Miles Lake / Pond Reservoir Artificial Path Stream River Study Area Avila RanchSan Luis Obispo BIOLOGICAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICESALTHOUSEANDMEADE,INC. ^_ Source: Esri, DigitalGlobe, GeoEye, Earthstar Geographics, CNES/AirbusDS, USDA, USGS, AEX, Getmapping, Aerogrid, IGN, IGP, swisstopo, andthe GIS User Community Map Updated: December 31, 2015 03:49 PM Figure 2. USGS 8-digit HUC µ 0 10 20 30 40 505Miles Central Coast: 18060006 Project Location^_ Avila RanchSan Luis Obispo BIOLOGICAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICESALTHOUSEANDMEADE,INC. ^_ Source: Esri, DigitalGlobe, GeoEye, Earthstar Geographics, CNES/AirbusDS, USDA, USGS, AEX, Getmapping, Aerogrid, IGN, IGP, swisstopo, andthe GIS User Community Map Updated: December 31, 2015 03:47 PM Figure 3. USGS 10-digit HUC µ 0 10 205Miles ^_Project Location Pismo Creek-Frontal Pacific Ocean1806000607 Avila RanchSan Luis Obispo BIOLOGICAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICESALTHOUSEANDMEADE,INC. Copyright:© 2013 National Geographic Society, i-cubed 0 1 20.5 Miles Map Updated: December 31, 2015, 03:54 PM µ Avila RanchSan Luis Obispo Copyright: © 2013 NationalGeographic Society £¤101 £¤101 ^_ Avila Ranch Santa BarbaraCounty San Luis ObispoCounty Legend Study Area Figure 4. USGS Topographic Map BIOLOGICAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICESALTHOUSEANDMEADE,INC. 170 197 120 120 127 169 127 129 221 129 130 216 197 197 130 169 130 129 216 143 178 169 221 0 1,000 2,000 3,000500Feet Soil Survey of San Luis Obispo CountyInland Paso2014 San Luis Obispo CountyNAIP Aerial PhotographyMap Updated: December 31, 2015 03:53 PM Figure 5. USDA Soils Map µ Study Area 120: Concepcion loam, 2 to 5 percent slopes127: Cropley clay, 0 to 2 percent slopes 129: Diablo clay, 5 to 9 percent slopes 169: Marimel sandy clay loam, occasionally flooded170: Marimel silty clar loam, drained197: Salinas silty clay loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes221: Xererts-Xerolls-Urban land complex, 0 to 15 percent slopes Avila RanchSan Luis Obispo BIOLOGICAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICESALTHOUSEANDMEADE,INC. 0 1 20.5 Miles 2014 San Luis Obispo CountyNAIP Aerial PhotographyMap Updated: December 31, 2015, 03:56 PM Figure 6. National Wetlands Inventory µ Study Area Freshwater Emergent Wetland Freshwater Forested/Shrub Wetland Freshwater Pond Lake Riverine Avila RanchSan Luis Obispo BIOLOGICAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICESALTHOUSEANDMEADE,INC. ÛÛ2014 San Luis Obispo CountyNAIP Aerial PhotographyMap Updated: December 31, 2015 03:58 PM Figure 7. FEMA/FIRM Map µ0 1 20.5 Miles Study Area 0.2 PCT ANNUAL CHANCE FLOOD HAZARD A AE AO X Avila RanchSan Luis Obispo BIOLOGICAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICESALTHOUSEANDMEADE,INC. 2005 Map Updated: December 31, 2015 04:01 PM Figure 8. Aerial Imagery History µ 0 1,000 2,000 3,000500Feet Avila RanchSan Luis Obispo 2010 2012 2006 Study Area BIOLOGICAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICESALTHOUSEANDMEADE,INC. Wetland 14.1 Wetland 01.2 Wetland 01.3 Drainage B Drainage A Drainage AWetland 01.1 Wetland 01.4 Study Area 2001 Potential Federal Jurisdiction 2014 San Luis Obispo CountyNAIP Aerial PhotographyMap Updated: December 31, 2015, 04:04 PMAvila RanchSan Luis Obispo Figure 9. Previous Delineation µ0 1,000 2,000500Feet BIOLOGICAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICESALTHOUSEANDMEADE,INC. Althouse and Meade, Inc. – 838.02 32 San Luis Obispo, San Luis Obispo County, CA Revised December 2015 7.0 References 33 CFR 320-332. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Regulatory Program Regulations. (Current through 2/17/2011). Text from Code of Federal Regulations. Available from: http://ecfr.gpoaccess.gov. Accessed 21 February 2011. 40 CFR 230. Guidelines for specification of disposal sites for dredged or fill material. (Current through 2/17/2011). Text from Code of Federal Regulations. Available from: http://ecfr.gpoaccess.gov. Accessed 21 February 2011. California Department of Fish and Game. 2014. Fish and Game Code Section 1600-1616. Available online at http://www.leginfo.ca.gov. Accessed September 4, 2014. California Public Resource Code § 30121. http://www.coastal.ca.gov/la/wetland_def.html. California Water Code § 13050(e). http://www.leginfo.ca.gov Cannon. 2015. Draft Drainage Report; Avila Ranch, Tentative Tract Map. Prepared for Avila Ranch, LLC. San Luis Obispo. December 17. Cowardin, L. M., V. Carter, F. C. Golet, and E. T. LaRoe. 1979. Classification of wetlands and deepwater habitats of the United States. U.S. Department of the Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service, Washington, D.C. Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). 2005. Flood Insurance Rate Map, Santa Barbara County, California; Panels 1235 and 1230, Map number 06083C. Available from http://msc.fema.gov/. Hickman, James C. 1993. The Jepson Manual. University of California Press, Berkeley and Los Angeles, California. McDaniel, Paul, ed. 2011. The Twelve Soil Orders: Soil Taxonomy. University of Idaho, Moscow, Soil and Land Resources Division. Available online at http://soils.cals.uidaho.edu/soilorders/index.htm.] Munsell Soil Color Charts. 2000 (Revised Edition). Washable Edition. Olberding Environmental, Inc. 2002. Location of areas potentially subject to U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Jurisdiction: Wetland/U.S. Waters Delineation for the Avila Ranch Property. San Luis Obispo. February. Rosatti, T.J. ed. 2008. Jepson Flora Project, Index to California Plant Names. Updated September 5, 2006. Online at http://ucjeps.berkeley.edu/db/icpn/. State of California. 2010. Porter-Cologne Water Quality Control Act. With Additions and Amendments Effective January 1, 2010. California Water Code, Division 7. Water Quality. Effective January 1, 2010. Available online at http://www.swrcb.ca.gov/ laws_regulations/docs/portercologne.pdf State Water Resources Control Board. 2001. State Regulation Of “Isolated” Waters. Memorandum. Available online at http://www.swrcb.ca.gov/water_issues/ programs/cwa401/docs/stateregulation_isolatedwaters.pdf Althouse and Meade, Inc. – 838.02 Delineation of Jurisdictional Wetlands and Waters 33 Avila Ranch U.S Army Corps of Engineers (USACE). 1987. Corps of Engineers Wetlands Delineation Manual. Technical Report Y-87-1. Environmental Laboratory. Vicksburg, MS: U.S. Army Engineer Waterways Experiment Station. __________. 2003. Interim Guidance concerning waters of the U.S. in light of SWANCC (App A of Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking on CWA definition of waters of the U.S., published in 68 Fed. Reg. 1995. Jan 15. [Accessed October 2009] Online at http://www.spn.usace.army.mil/regulatory/. __________. 2005. Regulatory Guidance Letter 05-05: Ordinary High Water Mark Identification. December 7. __________. 2008a. A Field Guide to the Identification of the Ordinary High Water Mark (OHWM) in the Arid West Region of the Western United States. Ed. R.W. Lichvar and S.M. McColley. ERDC/CRREL TR-08-12. Hanover, NH: U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center. __________. 2008b. A Regional supplement to the Corps of Engineers Wetland Delineation Manual: Arid West Region (Version 2.0). Ed. J.S. Wakeley, R.W. Lichvar, and C.V. Noble. ERDC/EL TR-08-28. Vicksburg, MS: U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center. __________. 2010. Updated Datasheet for the Identification of the Ordinary High Water Mark (OHWM) in the Arid West Region of the United States. Ed. K.E. Curtis and R.W. Lichvar. ERDC/CRREL TN-10-1. Hanover, NH: U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center. U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Farm Service Agency, Aerial Photography Field Office. 2014. Aerial Photomosaic of Santa Barbara County. Available online through http://gis.apfo.usda.gov/arcgis/services. Farm Service Agency, Aerial Photography Field Office, National Agriculture Imagery Program (NAIP) U.S. Department of Agriculture, (USDA). U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), National Cooperative Soil Survey (NCSS). 1973. Soil Survey of Santa Barbara County, California, South Coastal Part. U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). 1998. Keys to Soil Taxonomy, Eighth Edition, 1998. __________. 2008. SSURGO Data for Santa Barbara County, California, South Coastal Part. Version 4. USDA, NRCS, National Cooperative Soil Survey (NCSS). __________. 2010. Field Indicators of Hydric Soils in the United States. Version 7.0. G.W. Hurt and L.M. Vasilas (eds.). USDA, NRCS in cooperation with the National Technical Committee for Hydric Soils (NTCHS). U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Soil Survey Staff, Natural Resources Conservation Service. 2014. Available online at http://websoilsurvey.nrcs.usda.gov. Accessed 10/15/2014. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE). 2008. Clean Water Act Jurisdiction Following the U.S. Supreme Court’s Decision in Rapanos v. United States & Carabell v. United States. Althouse and Meade, Inc. – 838.02 34 San Luis Obispo, San Luis Obispo County, CA Revised December 2015 Western Regional Climate Center. 2015. Monthly Total Precipitation (inches) for Arroyo Grande California RAWS Station, NWS RAWS Station 044915. http://www.raws.dri.edu/cgi-bin/rawMAIN.pl?caCCAR. Accessed December 29, 2015. Althouse and Meade, Inc. – 838.02 Delineation of Jurisdictional Wetlands and Waters 35 Avila Ranch 8.0 Photographs Sample Site 1: View north December 2015 Sample Site 1: View south December 2015 Sample Site 1: Substrate December 2015 Althouse and Meade, Inc. – 838.02 36 San Luis Obispo, San Luis Obispo County, CA Revised December 2015 Sample Site 2: View north December 2015 Sample Site 2: View south December 2015 Sample Site 2: Substrate December 2015 Althouse and Meade, Inc. – 838.02 Delineation of Jurisdictional Wetlands and Waters 37 Avila Ranch Sample Site 4: View south Bowl Wetland May 2014 Sample Site 4: View north December 2015 Sample Site 4: View south December 2015 Althouse and Meade, Inc. – 838.02 38 San Luis Obispo, San Luis Obispo County, CA Revised December 2015 Sample Site 5: View east December 2015 Sample Site 5: View west December 2015 Sample Site 5: Substrate December 2015 Althouse and Meade, Inc. – 838.02 Delineation of Jurisdictional Wetlands and Waters 39 Avila Ranch Sample Site 6: View east East West Drainage December 2015 Sample Site 6: View west East West Drainage December 2015 Sample Site 6: Substrate East West Drainage December 2015 Althouse and Meade, Inc. – 838.02 40 San Luis Obispo, San Luis Obispo County, CA Revised December 2015 Sample Site 7: View south North South Drainage December 2015 Sample Site 7: View north North South Drainage December 2015 Sample Site 7: Substrate North South Drainage December 2015 Althouse and Meade, Inc. – 838.02 Delineation of Jurisdictional Wetlands and Waters 41 Avila Ranch Sample Site 10: View upstream Tank Farm Creek December 2015 Sample Site 10: View downstream Tank Farm Creek December 2015 Sample Site 10: Substrate Tank Farm Creek December 2015 Althouse and Meade, Inc. – 838.02 42 San Luis Obispo, San Luis Obispo County, CA Revised December 2015 Sample Site 11: View upstream Tank Farm Riparian December 2015 Sample Site 11: Substrate Tank Farm Riparian December 2015 Sample Site 13: View west Bowl Wetland December 2015 Althouse and Meade, Inc. – 838.02 Delineation of Jurisdictional Wetlands and Waters 43 Avila Ranch Cross-Section B: View upstream December 2015 Cross-Section B: View downstream December 2015 Cross-Section B: Substrate December 2015 Althouse and Meade, Inc. – 838.02 44 San Luis Obispo, San Luis Obispo County, CA Revised December 2015 Cross-Section H: View upstream December 2015 Cross-Section H: View downstream December 2015 Cross-Section H: Substrate December 2015 Althouse and Meade, Inc. – 838.02 Delineation of Jurisdictional Wetlands and Waters 45 Avila Ranch Cross-Section I: View upstream December 2015 Cross-Section I: View downstream December 2015 Cross-Section I: Substrate December 2015 Althouse and Meade, Inc. – 838.02 46 San Luis Obispo, San Luis Obispo County, CA Revised December 2015 Cross-Section J: View upstream December 2015 Cross-Section J: View downstream December 2015 Cross-Section J: Substrate December 2015 This page intentionally blank. Althouse and Meade, Inc. – 838.02 Delineation of Jurisdictional Wetlands and Waters Exhibit A - 1 Avila Ranch Exhibit A – Delineation of Potentially Jurisdictional Wetlands and Waters This page intentionally blank. Service Layer Credits: Copyright: © 2013 N ational Geographic Society !R !R !R !R !R !R !R!R !R !R !R !R !R Buckley RoadVachell LaneHiguera StreetLockheed Wetland Corner Wetland Tank Farm Creek North-South DrainageE ast-W est D rainageBowl Wetland 9 8 7 6 5 4 32 1 13 10 12 11 Map Updated: December 31, 2015 04:16 PM 0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 10.1 Mile µ Avila Ranch LLCSan Luis Obispo, CA Legend !R Soil Pits Potential CWA Sec 404 Federal Wetland (3.03 ac) Potential Additional California State Jurisdiction (4.77 ac) Study Area Exhibit A. Delineation of Potentially Jurisdictional Wetlands and Waters BIOLOGICAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICESALTHOUSEANDMEADE,INC. This page intentionally blank. Althouse and Meade, Inc. – 838.02 Delineation of Potentially Jurisdictional Wetlands and Waters of the U.S. and California Exhibit B -1 Avila Ranch Exhibit B – Wetland Determination Data Forms This page intentionally blank. Althouse and Meade, Inc. – 838.02 Delineation of Potentially Jurisdictional Wetlands and Waters of the U.S. and California Exhibit C -1 Avila Ranch Exhibit C – Cross-Sections and Photopoint Locations This page intentionally blank. Service Layer Credits: Copyright: © 2013 N ational Geographic Society " " " " " " "" " " " " " " " " " G G G G G G G G G G Buckley RoadVachell LaneHiguera StreetLockheed Wetland Corner Wetland Tank Farm Creek North-South DrainageE ast-W est D rainageBowl Wetland J I 9 8 7 6 5 4 32 1 13 10 12 11 H G F E D C B A Map Updated: December 31, 2015 04:28 PM 0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 10.1 Mile µ Avila Ranch LLCSan Luis Obispo, CA Legend G Cross-Sections "Photop oints Potential CWA Sec 404 Fed eral Wetland (3.03 ac) Potential Additional California State Jurisdiction (4.77 ac) Study Area Exhibit C. Cross-Sections and Photopoint Locations BIOLOGICAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICESALTHOUSEANDMEADE,INC. This page intentionally blank. Althouse and Meade, Inc. – 838.02 Delineation of Potentially Jurisdictional Wetlands and Waters of the U.S. and California Exhibit D -1 Avila Ranch Exhibit D – Ephemeral and Intermittent Streams OHWM Datasheets This page intentionally blank. Althouse and Meade, Inc. – 838.02 Delineation of Potentially Jurisdictional Wetlands and Waters of the U.S. and California Appendix A -1 Avila Ranch Appendix A - PJD Summary Sheet Supporting Data - Data Reviewed for PJD Maps, plans, or plots submitted by or on behalf of the applicant/consultant: Exhibit A. Delineation of Potentially Jurisdictional Wetlands and Waters Figure 1. National Hydrography Dataset Figure 2. 8-digit Hydrologic Unit Code Figure 3. 12-digit Hydrologic Unit Code Figure 4. USGS Topographic Map Figure 5. USDA Soil Map Units over 2012 Aerial Photo Figure 6. National Wetlands Inventory Figure 7. FEMA-FIRM Data Figure 8. Aerial Imagery History Figure 9. Previous Delineation 2. Data sheets prepared/submitted by consultant 3. U.S. Geological Survey maps Topography map: Pismo Beach 7.5’ Quadrangle U.S. Geological Survey NHD data (Figure 1) U.S. Geological Survey 8 and 12 digit HUC maps (Figures 2 and 3) 4. USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service Soil Survey (Figure 5) 5. National Wetlands Inventory map (Figure 8) 6. FEMA/FIRM map (Figure 7) 7. USDA 2012 National Aerial Imagery Photography and Google Earth historic aerials (Figure 8) Report Completion Date for PJD: December 2015 Name and Address of Person Requesting PJD: LynneDee Althouse, M.S. c/o Jacqueline Tilligkeit, M.S. Althouse and Meade, Inc. 1602 Spring Street Paso Robles, CA 93446 On behalf of: Avila Ranch, LLC c/o Stephen Peck 735 Tank Farm Road, Ste 240 San Luis Obispo, CA 93401 Project Location (s) and Background Information: Intersection of Vachell Lane and Buckley Road San Luis Obispo, San Luis Obispo County, California Portion of USGS Hydrologic Unit 180600060705. Center Coordinates of Site: Lat. 35.2386° N, Long. -120.6687° W (WGS84 datum) Northing: 3901994.35, Easting: 712135.34, Zone: 10S Name of Nearest Water Body: Tank Farm Creek, tributary to East Fork of San Luis Obispo Creek Estimate of Waters in the Review Area: Federal Non-wetland waters: 0 ft; Federal Wetlands: 3.03 acres Stream Flow: ephemeral stream Cowardin Class: Palustrine, emergent; [some are farmed] Section 10 Waters: Tidal: 0, Non-Tidal: 0