2007 Annual Report

FOR THE

California Department of Fish and Game

Arundo donax conducted at the Devils Canyon San Sevaine Site.

Centex Sycamore Heights Mitigation

Project: Century American Location: City of Yucaipa, County of San Bernardino Permit / Agreement # ACOE 200501150-WJC Project Origin Century American Development Corporation was required to mitigate for fill material on up to 0.1 acres of waters of the U.S. in conjunction with the development of 36 single-family homes on 38.47 acres, in unnamed tributaries to the Yucaipa Creek located in the city of Yucaipa, San Bernardino County. Amount of Mitigation The Inland Empire Resource Conservation District (formerly East Valley RCD) received mitigation funds in the amount of $24,000.00 on November 1, 2005. The money will be used for non-native species control as well as long-term management and habitat monitoring on 0.48 acres in the Santa Ana Watershed Location The IERCD had previously assigned this mitigation to be applied to restoration efforts in Yucaipa Creek; however, due to issues with stability and longevity, the creek restoration effort is currently on hold. The funds will instead be applied to restoration efforts along the perimeter of 13th Street Park in Yucaipa. Purpose/Goal of Mitigation The purpose of this mitigation is to contribute to the restoration of habitat along the perimeter of the 13th Street Sports Park in Yucaipa. Tasks associated with this type of mitigation can include eradication of invasives, replanting of natives, and associated monitoring and maintenance to ensure habitat success. Site Visits Not applicable in 2007 Project Status There have been several sites considered in the course of attempting to determine an appropriate location for the application of the mitigation funds for this project. Recently, the city of Yucaipa communicated the need for additional funding in restoring and enhancing habitat adjacent to a planned sports park on the corner of 13th street and Yucaipa Boulevard; after meeting with the IERCD, it was decided that the Century American mitigation requirements will be fulfilled in revegetating and eradicating invasives from the park. As of December 2007, $1,688.82 has been spent on this mitigation project.

Project: Century Vintage Homes: Wildwood I Location: City of Yucaipa, County of San Bernardino Permit/Agreement # CRWQCB R8-2004-0110 Project Origin Century Vintage Homes was required to mitigate due to drainage fill and the replacement of a culvert on Holmes Street located in the City of Yucaipa, County of San Bernardino. Amount of Mitigation The Inland Empire Resource Conservation District (formerly East Valley RCD) received $87,000.00 on March 15, 2005 to be used in habitat restoration in the Santa Ana Watershed. Location Originally the mitigation project was going to take place within the city of Yucaipa on an unnamed tributary to Wildwood Creek. However, issues related to creek stabilization as well as discussions with the City of Yucaipa have resulted in a change in our mitigation location. The funds will now be combined with those from the Century Vintage Homes: Wildwood II development and used toward restoration efforts in the13th Street Park in Yucaipa. Purpose/Goal of Mitigation The Century Village Home Development was required to mitigate for impacts to drainage in Yucaipa. Several mitigation options were presented, and the regulatory agencies allowed for several mitigation options. The restoration of existing habitat as well as creation of additional riparian habitat will both advance the mission of the IERCD which is maximizing native habitat restoration within district boundaries. Site Visits None in 2007 Project Status There have been several sites considered in the course of attempting to determine an appropriate location for the application of the mitigation funds for this project. Recently, the city of Yucaipa communicated the need for additional funding in restoring and enhancing habitat adjacent to a planned sports park on the corner of 13th street and Yucaipa Boulevard; after meeting with the IERCD, it was decided that the Century American mitigation requirements will be fulfilled in revegetating and eradicating invasives from the park.

Project: Southern California Regional Rail Authority Location: Santiago Creek, County of Orange Permit / Agreement # CDFG 1600-2004-0014-R5 Project Origin The Southern California Regional Rail Authority was required to mitigate .37 acres due to permanent impact construction at the Santiago Creek bridge/Santa Ana 2nd main track. Amount of Mitigation The Santa Ana River Trust Fund received $21,000 in June of 2004. Location The mitigation is also in Irvine Park. The project consists of the restoration of .37 acres of riparian habitat on Santiago Creek, located in Orange County. The mitigation location is at 334802N and 1174538W. The mitigation is located in habitat, which contains mixed vegetation such as cottonwoods, willows, coastal sage scrub and mulefat. Purpose/ Goal of the Mitigation In restoration projects, the purpose is to return the project area to its natural state; the first step in such endeavors is often to remove nonnative species from the site. In this project, the nonnative targeted was giant cane (Arundo donax), whose removal was performed in order to restore the stream back to its natural native condition. Removal of giant cane also reduces fire hazards along with conserving water. Portions of Santiago Creek are rich with willows, mulefat, costal sage and elderberry. By removing the invasives the natives will flourish, thus creating better habitat for the local wildlife. Site Visits Visits to the Orange County mitigation sites took place on the following dates: 2/13/07, 5/3/07, and 7/26/07 Project Status The mitigation was completed mainly by hand removal because the giant cane was mixed in with native vegetation; when this occurs, machines cannot typically be used because of the chance that valuable natives will end up being removed with the targeted invasives. The project is in the spray and monitoring phase and is monitored on a quarterly basis. As of December 2006, $4,525.89 has been spent on this mitigation site. July 2007

Treated giant cane rhizomes, Irvine Park

Project: Essex Nationwide, Orange Show Location: Warm Creek, County of San Bernardino Permit / Agreement # CDFG 1600-2004-0070-R6 Project Origin The Essex Group was required to mitigate for .0078 acres of impacts to the Warm Creek Channel, a tributary to the Santa Ana River. The impacts resulted from improvements to the channel, including construction of a reinforced concrete pipe storm drain outfall and a splash pad. Amount of Mitigation The mitigation was received on September 22, 2004 in the amount of $21,132.80. The mitigation terms call for initial removal of plant biomass of invasive species followed by five years of herbicide application to discourage re-growth as well as monitoring for any and all re-growth. The overall goal of the plant removal is to achieve<1% plant presence of targeted species in the project area. Location The mitigation site is located in Warm Creek, which is an upper tributary to the Santa Ana River located in the City of San Bernardino. The mitigation is located at 34 4' 10" North, 117 17' 22" West. Purpose/ Goal of the Mitigation The purpose of the mitigation was to remove giant cane from this location and encourage regrowth of native vegetation. Removal of giant cane also reduces fire hazards along with conserving water. This area has been known to burn in the past due to the Orange Show events and homeless encampments in the area. In addition, giant cane is known to consume a significantly higher amount of water annually compared with native Californian riparian vegetation. Site Visits 5/14/07, 8/14/07, and 11/15/07 Project Status The project is in the monitoring phase. The eradication efforts have been extremely successful with eradication of giant cane; currently, <1% remains in the project area. There is a small amount of tree of heaven (Ailanthus altissima), tree tobacco (Nicotiana glauca), and castor bean (Ricinus communis) that has demonstrated re-growth; the field ecologist and restoration technicians from the Santa Ana Watershed Association are in the process of removing it. The IERCD plans to use some of the mitigation funds toward further restoration of the creek, including a community clean-up scheduled for early spring 2009. As of December 2007, $843.46 has been spent on this mitigation site. Turtles found along Warm Creek

Dead rhizomes from giant cane removal

Project: Centex Sycamore Heights Location: Chino Hills, County of San Bernardino Amount: $120,000 Project Origin Centex Sycamore heights was required to mitigate due to the construction of a 324-lot single family home development and a 216unit multi-family residential development in the City of Chino Hills, county of Riverside. Required Mitigation The development resulted in permanent impacts to .44 acres of waters of the United States of which .38 acres are wetland habitat. The mitigation requirement consisted of preserving 25 acres of open space. An additional 5.3 acres of mitigation is also required which consists of first flush basins and a coastal sage scrub conservation area. Inland Empire Resource Conservation District has not accepted the 5.3 acre mitigation site at this time. Location The 25 acre mitigation is located adjacent to Chino Hills State Park on the west side of the Centex Sycamore Heights Development. The additional 5.3 acres is located within the development. Purpose/Goal of the Mitigation The 25 acre conservation easement is intended to maintain habitat on-site contiguous with offsite preserves, and reduce the fragmentation effects of the proposed project. There are many conservation organizations currently working to secure and maintain large, contiguous easements rather than several scattered pieces of protected habitat; connected pieces of habitat tend to be more valuable to species of wildlife and vegetation as they provide more food, shelter, and ultimately genetic diversity. The easement in Chino Hills contains a mosaic of sage scrub, woodlands, and riparian vegetation, all native plants existing in long, linear established communities. The overall goal of the IERCD is to preserve this piece of valuable habitat in perpetuity. Site Visits 10-30-07, 12-13-07 Project Status The field ecologist monitors the site regularly, taking photos and noting any illegal activity. To date there have been no significant restoration concerns since IERCD began monitoring the project. The conservation easement document has not been drafted at this time.

Chino Hills 25-acre preservation site

Project: Alabama Street Culvert Location: City of Redlands, County of San Bernardino Permit / Agreement # CDFG 1600-2006-0173-R6; ACOE 200601740-SLP Project Origin Quantum Structures, LLC was required to mitigate for the construction of residential Tract 17693 in the city of Redlands. The development involved the construction of 77 town homes and associated roadways and infrastructure over 7.5 acres, as well as the widening of the Alabama Street culvert that crosses the Morey Arroyo channel. This project resulted in permanent impacts to .06 acres of the Morey Arroyo. Amount of Mitigation The mitigation consists of off-site restoration of .12 acres of riparian habitat located within the Santa Ana watershed. The IERCD agreed to restore and then maintain and monitor the acreage in perpetuity. Location This development is located within the city of Redlands, in the county of San Bernardino, precisely at 34 3 46 North, 117 12 31 West. Purpose/ Goal of the Mitigation The goal of the mitigation is to contribute to the restoration of the native habitat of the acreage located within the Santa Ana watershed. Habitat restoration involves rehabilitation of degraded habitat or reestablishment of habitat that has been destroyed. Typical strategies implemented in an attempt to restore habitat within the watershed involve removal of invasives and replanting of natives in an effort to return the environment back to its native state; this in turn encourages the presence of native plants and wildlife that further the efforts to return the habitat to its natural state.

Site Visits None yet Project Status The Inland Empire RCD submitted an invoice to the developer for the amount of endowment required to care for the easement site in perpetuity. The funds were not received by the end of the calendar year in 2007, but the IERCD expects payment in full in 2008 to begin work on the mitigation. When the funds are collected, they will be combined with two other restoration projects and used to enhance the Morey Arroyo channel in Redlands.

Project: ESRI Parking Lot Location: Morey Arroyo, Redlands Permit / Agreement # CDFG 1600-2006-0219-R6, ACOE SPL-2006-1906 Project Origin ESRI was required to mitigate for impacts stemming from modifications of a reach of Mission Channel between Tennessee and New York Streets in the city of Redlands, county of San Bernardino. The channel modifications include the addition of a doublebox culvert for future road crossings and as well as the future addition of a culvert at the New York Street crossing. Amount of Mitigation The total acreage assigned to ESRI was 3 acres of mitigation to be fulfilled offsite. A deposit was received on April 16th 2007 in the amount of $2000. IERCD received the full mitigation funds in June 2007, totaling $150,000.00 Purpose/Goal of the Mitigation The goal of the mitigation is to contribute to the restoration of the native habitat of the acreage located within the Santa Ana watershed. Habitat restoration involves rehabilitation of degraded habitat or reestablishment of habitat that has been destroyed. Typical strategies implemented in attempts to restore habitat within the watershed involve removal of invasives and replanting of natives in an effort to return the environment back to its native state; this in turn encourages the presence of native plants and wildlife that further the efforts to return the habitat to its natural state. Site Visits None yet Project Status Currently, the IERCD is in receipt of the mitigation funds and is in the process of applying these funds to the restoration of the Morey Arroyo. In 2007, access letters were sent out to landowners identified within the Morey Arroyo project area. IERCD has received positive response from the landowners to conduct restoration and enhancement projects on the natural drainage.

Morrey Arroyo 6-21-07

Project: Nevada Business Park Location: City of Redlands, County of San Bernardino Permit / Agreement # CDFG 1600-2007-0079-R6 Project Origin Rossmore Enterprises was required to mitigate for impacts stemming from the construction of five industrial and commercial buildings on a 15.76 acre site. The storm drainage plan associated with the industrial/commercial park calls for construction of infrastructure that will ultimately cause .00127 acres (55 square feet) of permanent impacts to the Zanja Creek, an ephemeral drainage and tributary to the Santa Ana River. Amount of Mitigation The total acreage assigned to Rossmore Enterprises was .003 acres of mitigation to be fulfilled offsite. The funds received from Rossmore will be applied to the restoration, maintenance, and monitoring of the Morey Arroyo in Redlands. Inland Empire RCD received $15,000 in May 2007. Location The impact occurred southeast of the intersection of Nevada Street and Park Avenue in the city of Redlands, county of San Bernardino. The mitigation will be located in the general vicinity of the following coordinates: 34 3 10 North, 117 12 52 West. Purpose/ Goal of the Mitigation This mitigation is unique in that it is labeled as a micro-mitigation, meaning that it is a small amount of mitigation resulting from a very low amount of permanent impact from the project. The funds received from the developer will are quite small as a result, so they will be applied to a collective fund that is being used to restore the historic Morey Arroyo canal in Redlands. See projects: CDFG 1600-2006-0173-R6; ACOE 200601740-SLP and also CDFG 1600-2006-0219-R6, ACOE SPL-2006-1906. Site Visits None yet Project Status Currently, the IERCD is in receipt of the mitigation funds and is in the process of applying them to the restoration of the Morey Arroyo channel in Redlands. The money will go toward the replanting of natives, the removal of invasives, and the monitoring and reporting required to maintain the site. In 2007, access letters were sent out to landowners residing within the identified Morey Arroyo project area; IERCD has received a positive response from the landowners to conduct restoration and enhancement projects within the drainage.

Project: CalTrans Eucalyptus Mitigation Location: Prado Basin, unincorporated territory, Riverside County Permit / Agreement # CDFG 1600-2006-0173-R6; ACOE 200601740-SLP Project Origin The California Department of Transportation was required to mitigate for direct and indirect impacts to the least Bells vireo (Vireo bellii pusillus), a Federal and State endangered species, and its habitat as a result of construction related to the replacement of the Chino Creek Bridge. Amount of Mitigation The mitigation consists of the creation of one acre of riparian willow (Salix spp)/mulefat (Baccharis salicifolia) habitat within the Prado Basin in the county of Riverside. The creation involves the removal of nonnatives including eucalyptus trees. The acre is then replanted with native riparian species, then allowed to achieve plant establishment with supplemental irrigation if necessary. The final stage involves three years of monitoring, followed by approval of successful achievement of mitigation goals by the Department of Fish and Game. During the five years of creation, brown-headed cowbird (Molothrus ater) traps will be placed in the area of creation. Inland Empire RCD will receive $105,000 in the beginning of 2008. The invoice was sent to Caltrans in late 2007. Location The unincorporated territory encompassing the Prado Basin, in the county of Riverside, precisely at 33 55 33 North, 117 36 15 West. Purpose/ Goal of the Mitigation The goal of the mitigation is to prevent net loss of habitat critical for the least Bells vireo, an endangered bird threatened by the growing regional population and resulting habitat loss. The removal of nonnatives and creation of native riparian habitat increases the available habitat for the vireo, increasing the possibility of successful species reproduction and survival. The purpose of the Brown-headed cowbird traps is to reduce the population of these birds which threaten the reproduction of the least Bells vireo. Site Visits None yet Project Status The work in the Caltrans eucalyptus mitigation was assigned to the Santa Ana Watershed Association and is in the process of being completed. The Santa Ana Watershed Association performs eucalyptus grove restoration on a regular basis which includes eradication of nonnatives, installation of brown-headed cowbird traps, and eventual revegetation with native species.

Project: Devils Canyon (Rialto Channel), San Bernardino County Flood Control District Location: Devil Canyon, East and West Fork - County of San Bernardino Permit / Agreement # ACOE 200201259-GS Project Origin The San Bernardino County Flood Control District was required to mitigate due to the construction of a concrete box and channel lining on Rialto Channel. Amount of Mitigation Inland Empire Resource Conservation District received $61,575.00 in July 2006 to be used for 3.3 acres of non-native plant control within the Santa Ana River. Location The location selected for the application of mitigation funds was Devils Canyon, located behind the California State University campus located in the City of San Bernardino. The site was chosen based on its location within San Bernardino County, where the project impact occurred; it is precisely located at 341057 North, 117 19 47 West. Mitigation funds from the San Sevaine channel improvement project were also applied to this project site. Purpose/Goal of the Mitigation The goal of the mitigation is to restore the Santa Ana River watershed to its natural state allowing for the native species to thrive, increasing biological diversity and health. Removal of invasives took place in the Fall/Winter 2007. The invasives being targeted were: giant cane (Arundo donax), tree of heaven (Ailanthus altissima), tree tobacco (Nicotiana glauca), and castor bean (Ricinus communis). Removal of giant cane will encourage re-growth of native species, helping to restore the targeted location to a natural state. Giant cane removal will also decrease water uptake and reduce fire hazards. Site Visits This mitigation has been combined with the San Sevaine project and both are collectively being applied to the Devils Canyon area of San Bernardino County. The site visits listed here include 07/09/07 and are also applicable to the San Sevaine section of this report. Project Status The Devils Canyon project site has already gone through the cutting phase of the removal process, and is currently in the pesticide application portion. Tree of heaven (Ailanthus altissima) has several new stalks that have re-sprouted after being cut, but have since been Tree of Heaven before being removed; Devils treated with pesticides. The giant cane (Arundo donax) grew back CanyonMorrey Arroyo 6-21-07 after being cut and reached heights ranging from three to five feet; these growths have been sprayed with pesticides and are currently wilting back. There has been no castor bean (Ricinus communis) re-growth. The site will be monitored and maintained for twenty years.

10

Project: Devils Canyon (San Sevaine Channel), San Bernardino County Flood Control District Location: Devil Canyon, East and West Fork - County of San Bernardino Permit / Agreement # CDFG 1600-2003-5002-R6, ACOE 200502042-WJC Project Origin The San Bernardino County Flood Control District was required to mitigate due to channel improvements on the San Sevaine in the city of Rancho Cucamonga. Amount of Mitigation Inland Empire RCD received $450,000.00 in October 2006 for 8.95 acres of non-native plant control. Location The location selected for the application of mitigation funds was Devils Canyon, located behind the California State University campus in the City of San Bernardino. The site was chosen based on its location within San Bernardino County, where the project impact occurred; it is precisely located at 341057 North, 117 19 47 West. Mitigation funds from the Rialto channel improvement project were also applied to this project site. Purpose/ Goal of the Mitigation The goal of the mitigation is to restore the Santa Ana River watershed to its natural state allowing for the native species to thrive, increasing biological diversity and health. Removal of invasives will take place in the Fall/Winter 2007. The invasives being targeted were: giant cane (Arundo donax), tree of heaven (Ailanthus altissima), tree tobacco (Nicotiana glauca), and castor bean (Ricinus communis). Removal of giant cane will encourage regrowth of native species, helping to restore the determined location to a natural state. Giant cane removal will also decrease water uptake and reduce fire hazards. Site Visits This mitigation has been combined with the San Sevaine project and both are collectively being applied to the Devils Canyon area of San Bernardino County. The site visits listed here are therefore also applicable to the San Sevaine section of this report. The visits are 07/09/07 Project Status The Devils Canyon project site has already gone through the cutting phase of the removal process, and is currently in the pesticide application portion. All of the cutting was completed in early February of 2008. Tree of heaven (Ailanthus altissima) has several new stalks that have re-sprouted after being cut, but have since been treated with pesticides. The giant cane (Arundo donax) grew back after being cut and reached heights ranging from three to five feet; these growths have been sprayed with pesticides and are currently wilting back. There has been no castor bean (Ricinus communis) re-growth. The site will be monitored and maintained for twenty years. Giant cane (Arundo donax) located at Devils Canyon, has since been removed and is in the herbicide application portion of the contract.

Devils Canyon / San Sevaine Mitigation Area

11

Project: Goose Creek Golf Course Construction of Unauthorized Berm Location: City of Mira Loma, County of Riverside Permit / Agreement # CDFG 1600-2007-0093-R6 Project Origin Goose Creek Golf Course was required to mitigate for unauthorized construction of a berm on their property, which was built in order to protect the course from storms and floods. The total permanent impact of the berm was 1.77 acres, in addition to approximately one acre of river bed that was temporarily impacted when it was removed to help construct the berm. Amount of Mitigation For impacts resulting from berm construction to Day Creek, a tributary of the Santa Ana River, Goose Creek Golf Course was required to perform the following: remove the nonnatives from the berm and revegetate with native riparian trees and herbaceous shrubs; erect signs and fencing to prevent public access; record a conservation easement in favor of the Inland Empire Resource Conservation District over the jurisdictional areas adjacent to the berm to protect the area in perpetuity. Goose Creek may also choose to revegetate the floodplains immediately adjacent to the berm in order to help stabilize the project site in the case of severe weather; however, this is optional and is not required by the Department of Fish and Game. Location The mitigation is located in the area adjacent to Day Creek, city of Mira Loma, County of Riverside, 33 58 1.56 North, 117 31 41 West Purpose/ Goal of the Mitigation The original reason for berm construction was to prevent damage to the golf course as a result of floods from Day Creek. For this reason, the berm will remain on the course, but will be revegetated with natives to discourage presence of invasives and allow for reestablishment of native species. The area will also be protected from the public to prevent damage from debris and from offroad vehicles and horses in order to ensure proper species establishment. Site Visits None in 2007 Berm Location Project Status Currently, the mitigation deposit has been received by IERCD and the first draft of the conservation easement remains under review by the legal team employed by the Goose Creek Golf Course. IERCD is developing a habitat mitigation and monitoring plan to address the planting, monitoring, and reporting requirements set forth in the permit. Goose Creek has already begun the process of propagating cuttings from plants existing on the property for the purpose of revegetating the site beginning in October 2008.

12

Project: Goose Creek Golf Course Day Creek Stabilization Location: Day Creek, a tributary to the Santa Ana River, Riverside County Permit / Agreement # 1600-2007-0094-R6 Project Origin Goose Creek Golf Course was required to mitigate for the projected impacts associated with the maintenance and improvements proposed for the existing detention basin in Day Creek, a tributary of the Santa Ana River. The project is predicted to impact approximately 1.5 acres of vegetated riparian habitat. Amount of Mitigation Goose Creek Golf Course is required to remove 10,000 cubic yards of sediment in an effort to restore the original integrity of the basin. They are also required to enhance the existing riparian vegetation along the banks of the basin. Location The mitigation is located in Day Creek, city of Mira Loma, County of Riverside, precisely at 33 58 1.56 North, 117 31 41 West. Purpose/ Goal of the Mitigation The goal of the improvements slated for the creek detention basin is to improve the reliability of the flow of water through Day Creek in an effort to prevent the type of flooding that has occurred on the course in the last few years. The goal of the enhancement of the riparian vegetation on the banks adjacent to the basin is to restore and improve the functionality of the habitat. Site Visits N/A Project Status Currently, Goose Creek Golf Course is in the process of working with the Inland Empire Resource Conservation District as well as Riverside County Flood Control to determine the best plan of action regarding the status of the creek. Stabilization efforts will be required within the creek, and once that work has been finished, Goose Creek will plant native vegetation consisting of willows (Salix spp), mulefat (Baccharis salicifolia), and cottonwoods (Populous fremontii) on the banks of the river to assist with erosion control.

View looking toward Day Creek; Work is being planned to prevent further issues with erosion in the creekbed

13

Project: Wilson Creek/Oak Glen Basins Location: Yucaipa, San Bernardino County Permit / Agreement # CDFG 1600-200 Project Origin: The mitigation resulted from the development of the Oak Glen Creek Desilting/Detention Basins Project, in Oak Glen Creek. The project is in cooperation with the City of Yucaipa, San Bernardino County Flood Control District and the Yucaipa Valley Water District. Required Mitigation The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers required the City of Yucaipa to dedicate a two-acre conservation easement due to impacts from construction of the basins. Since the San Bernardino County Flood Control District owns the land, they agreed to transfer the easement to the RCD. The total amount paid was $102,000.00 Location The conservation easement is located within the Oak Glen Creek channel, north of Bryant Street in the city of Yucaipa, county of San Bernardino. Purpose/Goal of the Mitigation Oak Glen Creek is located in the foothills of the San Bernardino Mountains. This area is home to many different wildlife species. The channel is highly beneficial as it acts as a wildlife corridor and habitat for local species. Site Visits None in 2007 Project Status The conservation easement has been drafted by IERCD staff and reviewed by the firm of Best Best and Krieger. Currently the easement language is being reviewed by San Bernardino County Flood Control Districts county counsel. Once comments from SBCFCD are received and accepted, the easement will be discussed with the mitigation committee.

The Conservation Easement Site in Yucaipa

14

Project: OCTA, Route 22 Location: County of Orange Permit / Agreement # CDFG 1600-2003-5167-R5 Project Origin The Orange County Transportation Authority was required to mitigate for impacts projected to occur as a result of the proposed widening of 13 miles of state route 22, between Beach Boulevard and Interstate 5. Total impacts stemming from the improvements slated for state route 22 were estimated at .11 total acres, of which .04 was riparian vegetation. Amount of Mitigation The required mitigation for project impacts was a contribution to the in-lieu fee program run by the Santa Ana Watershed Association for the eradication of giant cane (Arundo donax) in the Santiago Creek sub-watershed. The total amount paid by the Orange County Transportation Authority was sufficient for the removal of .51 acres of Giant cane as well as other exotics present. Location The mitigation funds from this project will be applied within the Santiago Creek sub-watershed, located in Orange County. Purpose/Goal of the Mitigation The Orange County Transportation Authority caused permanent impacts to the Santa Ana River watershed as a result of the construction related to improvements made to state route 22, disrupting the integrity of the existing native habitat. Once habitats have been weakened due to impacts, they are extremely vulnerable to the influx of non-natives which choke out native species and can cause flooding and permanently alter landscapes. For this reason, the mitigation funds were applied to the in-lieu fee program which focuses on invasives removal in the Santa Ana watershed, particularly on giant cane (Arundo donax) removal. The goal of applying funds to this type of mitigation program is to ensure continual funding for invasive species eradication in the watershed. Site Visits 05/01/07, 07/26/07, 08/02/07, 11/15/07 Project Status The in-lieu fee program operates continuously in the Santa Ana watershed and the mitigation funds for this project have been applied to the program fund.

Santiago Creek site, post-removal of giant cane

15

Project: Riverside Flume Pipeline Location: City of Riverside, County of Riverside Permit / Agreement # CDFG 1600-2007-0143-R6 Project Origin The city of Riverside was required to mitigate for the .92 acres of temporary impacts to jurisdictional areas, including sparsely vegetated river bottom habitat. The impacts were a result of the replacement of the previously exposed Santa Ana River crossing flume pipeline. Amount of Mitigation The city is required to perform onsite restoration in the project area consisting of replacing the moved sediment, as well as reseeding the banks of the project area with native seed. Public access to the restoration site will be restricted, as will the activities allowed at the site. These restoration efforts will be documented by the city of Riverside in an annual report to the Department of Fish and Game that will be submitted for three years following the project. The city is also required to mitigate off-site by performing restoration work in Santa Ana River Wooly Star (Eriastrum densifolium sanctorum) habitat at a 1:1 ratio within the watershed. Location The mitigation will be placed within the Santa Ana watershed, near to the project site which is located at approximately 34 3 9.7 North, 117 19 47 West. Purpose/ Goal of the Mitigation This mitigation has two goals stemming from the impacts to the streambed and banks of the immediate project area. The first objective is to restore the project site, including replacing sediment that was moved during the course of construction, as well as to revegetate banks of the Santa Ana River to encourage restoration of native habitat. The second goal is to ensure no net loss of suitable habitat for the Santa Ana River wooly star (Eriastrum densifolium sanctorum), a Federal and State endangered species that occurs along the banks of the Santa Ana River. The city of Riverside will restore .92 acres of such habitat within the watershed, the location of which will be determined by the Inland Empire Resource Conservation District. Site Visits N/A Project Status The project work has been completed, and onsite mitigation has been initiated in the form of native seed planting within the area of the project site. The Inland Empire Resource Conservation District has begun working on behalf of the city of Riverside, and the development of an appropriate off-site location for habitat restoration is currently underway.

Santa Ana River Wooly Star (Eriastrum densifolium ssp. Sanctorum)

16

Project: SunCal Pulte Location: Beaumont, Riverside County Permit / Agreement # CDFG 1600-2330-5057-R6 and 1600-2004-0021-R6; ACOE 163-870AKV Project Origin SunCal Companies was required to mitigate for the construction of tentative tract map 31462, in which 3300 residential units were constructed over the course of a four-phase process. This development resulted in 2.035 acres of permanent impact to jurisdictional waters including mulefat/willow/cottonwood riparian and freshwater marsh habitat and 2.022 acres of temporary impacts to jurisdictional waters including riparian vegetation. In the course of the construction, best management practices failed and foreign materials as well as mud and silt was allowed to pollute the waterway, resulting in additional mitigation. Amount of Mitigation The mitigation consists of creation of a 4.9 acre wetland drainage consisting of 2.2 acres of freshwater marsh and southern willow scrub habitat, and 2.7 acres of riparian woodland. This habitat has been planted, and will be irrigated through the end of its second year in existence; at the end of the fifth year, pending approval from the Department of Fish and Game, a conservation easement will be recorded in favor of the IERCD. The IERCD will also record an easement over the 11.1 acre existing wetland that was added to the mitigation requirements as a penalty for the violations that occurred during the construction process. Location The 4.9 acre created wetland is located within the SunCal development among the residential units; the 11.1 acre unit lies to the east of the development, across Palmer Ave, adjacent to the golf course. The precise location is 33 57 41 North, 117 3 11 West. Purpose/ Goal of the Mitigation The goal of the mitigation is to replace the wetland and riparian habitat destroyed during the construction of tract map 31462. Habitat loss, particularly what is classified as wetland habitat, can cause changes in migratory patterns of birds, in local climate patterns, and in the make-up of plant and animal populations; for these reasons, it is imperative that wetland acreages destroyed or altered during the course of development be repaired or re-created elsewhere. The 4.9 acre created wetland was planned and implemented for this purpose. The addition of the 11.1 acre wetland to be conserved in perpetuity was a result of a violation by the developer. Site Visits N/A Project Status The 4.9 acre wetland is in its second year of the creation process. At the end of the fifth year, pending approval by the Department of Fish and Game, a conservation easement will be recorded in favor of the IERCD. The IERCD is currently awaiting comment from their legal counsel on the statuses of the two easements before sending them off to SunCal Companies.

Suncal created wetland/riparian habitat

17

Project: Sunlite Storage Location: City of Calimesa, County of Riverside Permit/Agreement #: ACOE SPL-2006-1717-CLM Project Origin The mitigation for this project resulted from the proposed construction of a self-storage facility consisting of 92,712 paved feed of storage, as well as a managers residence and a 46 space recreational vehicle storage area. In order to construct the storage facility, the developer will permanently impact .03 acres of an ephemeral drainage, which is a portion of a tributary to San Timoteo Creek. Required Mitigation This is a unique mitigation in that the developer is required to record a conservation easement over a 3 acre parcel of land encompassing an ephemeral drainage; however, there is no endowment because the amount of acreage impacted is so small. The easement holds the IERCD responsible for protection of the drainage in perpetuity. Location The mitigation will take place adjacent to the proposed storage site, off of Desert Lawn Drive in the city of Calimesa. Purpose/Goal of the Mitigation The goal of the mitigation is to hold the developer responsible for projected permanent impacts to the ephemeral drainage. The purpose of recording the easement is to ensure protection for the drainage in perpetuity, as well as the addition to another piece of the wildlife corridor the IERCD is attempting to construct between Norton Younglove and the Sunlite development. Site Visits None in 2007 Project Status This project is currently in the draft stage; upon completion, it will go to the IERCD legal team before being sent to SWN LP, the developer of the facility.

18