CALIFORNIA VALLEY SOLAR RANCH SPECIAL-STATUS PLANT ...

CALIFORNIA VALLEY 

SOLAR RANCH 

SPECIAL-STATUS PLANT SURVEY 

FINAL REPORT 

Prepared by 

H. T. Harvey & Associates 

Brian Boroski, Ph.D., Principal-in-Charge, Senior Wildlife Ecologist 

Patrick J. Boursier, Ph.D., Senior Plant Ecologist 

Kelly Hardwicke, Ph.D., Project Manager, Senior Plant Ecologist 

Catherine Roy, M.S., Plant Ecologist 

Ethan Barnes, M.S., Plant Ecologist 

Colin Wilkinson, B.S., Plant Ecologist 

Chris Winchell, Plant Ecologist 

Prepared for 

HPR II 

1414 Harbour Way South 

Richmond, CA 94804 

(510) 540-0550 

Contact: Renee Robin 

18 November 2010 Project Number 3103-02 BG 09 

983 University Avenue, Building D • Los Gatos, CA 95032 • Ph: 408.458.3200 • F: 408.458.3210

TABLE OF CONTENTS 

TABLE OF CONTENTS................................................................................................................. i 

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY .............................................................................................................1 

INTRODUCTION AND PROJECT OVERVIEW .........................................................................2 

PROJECT SITE DESCRIPTION ....................................................................................................5 

VEGETATION COMMUNITIES.............................................................................................. 8 

SURVEY METHODS .....................................................................................................................9 

2010 SURVEY OVERVIEW ..................................................................................................... 9 

PRIOR SURVEYS ................................................................................................................... 10 

CURRENT (2010) SPECIAL-STATUS PLANT SURVEYS ................................................. 11 

Target Species Selection....................................................................................................... 11 

Survey Preparation and Timing ............................................................................................ 12 

Survey Dates, Personnel, and Effort..................................................................................... 14 

Survey Methodology............................................................................................................. 15 

Reference Site Visits............................................................................................................. 20 

2010 SURVEY RESULTS ............................................................................................................24 

SPECIAL-STATUS PLANT SPECIES ................................................................................... 24 

California Androsace (Androsace elongata ssp. acuta) ....................................................... 24 

Crownscale (Atriplex coronata var. coronata) ..................................................................... 25 

Gypsum-loving Larkspur (Delphinium gypsophilum ssp. gypsophilum) ............................. 30 

Recurved Larkspur (Delphinium recurvatum)...................................................................... 31 

Ferris' Goldfields (Lasthenia ferrisiae)................................................................................. 32 

Pale-yellow Layia (Layia heterotricha)................................................................................ 32 

Munz’s Tidy-tips (Layia munzii) .......................................................................................... 33 

Jared’s Pepper-grass (Lepidium jaredii ssp. jaredii) ............................................................ 35 

Parry’s Mallow [Eremalche parryi (ssp. undetermined)]..................................................... 36 

CAMISSONIA SPECIES ......................................................................................................... 36 

PRIOR SURVEY REPORT REDACTIONS/CLARIFICATIONS ......................................... 37 

LITERATURE CITED ..................................................................................................................39 

PERSONAL COMMUNICATION...............................................................................................41 

FIGURES: 

Figure 1. Site/Vicinity.................................................................................................................... 3 

Figure 2. Survey Blocks/Study Area .............................................................................................4 

Figure 3. Soils Map........................................................................................................................ 7 

Figure 4. CNDDB ........................................................................................................................ 13 

Figure 5. Survey Dates and Blooming Periods............................................................................ 16 

Figure 6. Full Results Map........................................................................................................... 26 

Figure 7. Non-Layia Spring Results Map.................................................................................... 27 

Figure 8. Layia munzii only Spring Results Map ........................................................................ 28 

Figure 9. Summer Results Map ................................................................................................... 29 

CVSR 2010 Special-status Plant Survey 

Final Report 

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18 November 2010

TABLES: 

Table 1. Soil Type, Texture, Drainage Classification, and Mean Annual Precipitation for Soil 

Types Occurring Within the Biological Study Area............................................................... 6 

Table 2. California Valley Weather Underground Station Precipitation Totals.......................... 10 

Table 3. California Valley Solar Ranch Target Special-status Plants, 2010 Surveys.................. 11 

Table 4. Timeline for 2010 CVSR Special-status Plant Surveys................................................. 17 

Table 5. 2010 CVSR Target Special-status Plant Species Reference Site Visit Summary. ........ 20 

APPENDICES: 

APPENDIX A. LIST OF PLANT SPECIES IDENTIFIED ON THE CVSR PROJECT 

SITE .................................................................................................................................... A-1 

APPENDIX B. RESUMES OF TEAM PERSONNEL FOR 2010 SURVEYS ........................ B-1 

APPENDIX C. TEAM LEADER DATA FORMS FOR 2010 RARE PLANT SURVEYS..... C-1 

APPENDIX D. TES DATA FORMS (PLANT LISTS) FOR 2010 RARE PLANT 

SURVEYS .......................................................................................................................... D-1 


Final Report 

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18 November 2010

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 

Protocol-level special-status plant surveys were conducted in the spring and summer of 2010 at 

the California Valley Solar Ranch (CVSR) Project, site which is an approximately 5,000-acre 

(ac) property located on the Carrizo Plain in eastern San Luis Obispo County, California. The 

Project area initially consisted of 4,732 acres in the spring of 2010 which was subsequently 

expanded to include two new survey areas during the summer bringing the total acreage to 5,513 

ac. It is important to note that these additional areas were not surveyed to protocol-level and will 

require additional future spring surveys. 

Surveys took place over 34 days total in spring and summer of 2010 and involved an initial 

exhaustive, 50-foot (ft) transect-based sweep and three subsequent repeat survey efforts of site. 

In addition, quantitative population data on special-status plant occurrences was gathered via 

transect counts (for Munz’s layia [Layia munzii]) and GIS data capture in the field. The surveys 

were floristic in nature and all plants encountered on the site were identified to species. 

Several occurrences of special-status plant species were recorded on the Project site during the 

surveys. These included: 

• Approximately 37,500 individuals of the CNPS List 4 species California androsace 

(Androsace elongata ssp. acuta); 

• Approximately 104,000 individuals of the CNPS List 4 species crownscale (Atriplex 

coronata var. coronata); 

• Approximately 900 individuals of the CNPS List 4 species gypsum-loving larkspur 

(Delphinium gypsophilum ssp. gypsophilum); 

• Approximately 56 individuals of the CNPS List 1B species recurved larkspur 

(Delphinium recurvatum); 

• Approximately 22 individuals of the CNPS List 1B species pale-yellow layia (Layia 

heterotricha); 

• Over 2.5 million individuals of the CNPS List 1B species Munz’s layia; and, 

• Approximately 128 individuals of the CNPS List 1B species Jared’s pepper-grass 

(Lepidium jaredii ssp. jaredii). 

No federally or state-listed species were observed on-site. Additionally, populations of four 

species of Camissonia, some of which may serve as host plants for the federally endangered 

Kern primrose sphinx moth (Euproserpinus euterpe), were located on-site. 


Final Report 

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18 November 2010

INTRODUCTION AND PROJECT OVERVIEW 

High Plains Ranch II, LLC, (HPR II) a wholly owned subsidiary of SunPower Corporation, 

Systems (“SunPower”) proposes to construct a 250-megawatt (MW) solar photovoltaic (PV) 

energy plant, the California Valley Solar Ranch (CVSR) Project, on an approximately 5,000-acre 

(ac) site in eastern San Luis Obispo County, California (Figure 1). The Project development 

includes solar array complexes, attendant facilities, and a generation tie-line and switch station, 

which will connect the solar array complexes to an existing Pacific Gas & Electric Company 

(PG&E) transmission line. A gypsum quarry north of the switch station (the Twisselman 

Quarry) will also be expanded as part of a separate project, but materials mined from this 

expansion will be used in roadbeds and crossings for the CVSR Project. Preserved areas on-site 

between the solar array complexes would be managed as conservation lands to maintain or 

enhance conditions supporting special-status plant and wildlife species. The net annual energy 

output for the Project is estimated at 714,000 megawatt-hours (MWh), which PG&E estimates 

will provide enough electricity to power approximately 110,000 homes. 

The vast majority of impacts occurring to vegetation on the Project site are related to the 

installation and operation of the PV solar panels arranged in discrete groups called arrays. The 

arrays are of variable sizes, from 42 to 311 ac, and are comprised of the PV panels and all 

attendant features needed to operate these panels, such as maintenance roads, bioswales used to 

slow runoff flow speeds between the panels and encourage infiltration, and panel machinery. 

Nine solar arrays are proposed in areas south of State Route (SR) 58, and one array is proposed 

for the area north of SR 58. Very little grading or cut and fill will be required to install these 

arrays, except for within Array 9 and 11 on the CVSR Project site. 

Solar energy will be captured and converted directly to electricity through solar PV panels. The 

PV panels will be attached to SunPower T0 Tracker units (Trackers) or similar units. The T0 

Tracker system is a single-axis, horizontal solar tracking system configured to optimize energy 

capture by following the daily path of the sun. 

The Project will generate renewable energy for delivery to PG&E under a long-term contract. 

The solar electric power generated by HPR II’s proposed Solar Ranch is a 100% renewable 

energy source that is clean and quiet, producing no harmful emissions, requiring no fuel, and 

needing only minimal detergent-free water for periodic panel washing. According to 

calculations provided by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the Solar Ranch will offset 

the production of more than 750 million pounds of carbon dioxide per year, the equivalent of 

removing more than 2 million cars off the road over the life of the Project. 


Final Report 

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18 November 2010

46 

Templeton 229 

1 

INDIAN VALLEY RD 

101 

101 

S HIGUERA ST 

AIRPORT RD 

PRICE ST 

Oceano 

M o n t e r e y 

UNION RD 

227 

W POZO RD 

ORCUTT RD 

BERROS RD 

ODONOVAN RD 

WILLOW RD 

DIVISION ST 

Guadalupe 

Parkfield 

CHOLAME RD 

Camp Roberts Military Reser 

San Miguel 

El Paso de Robles 

Santa Margarita 

San Luis Obispo 

Shandon 

PANZA RD 

HUASNA RD 

Nipomo 

F r e s n o 

SAN JUAN RD 

SHELL CREEK RD 

FOR RT 32S07 

Cholame 

E POZO RD 

58 

Avenal 269 

BITTERWATER RD 

COTTONTAIL 

S a n L u i s O b i s p o 

K i n g s 

41 

KECKS RD 

46 

DEVILS DEN RD 

Kettleman City 

25TH AVE 

KING RD 

UTICA AVE 

TWISSELMAN RD 

HWY 58 

LOST HILLS RD 

LOST HILLS RD 

10TH AVE 

DAIRY AVE 

Lost Hills 

K e r n 

Project Site 

6TH AVE 

GUN CLUB RD 

58 

McKittrick 

ROWLEE RD 

Buttonwillow 

Taft 

SODA LAKE RD 

190 

Tipton 

Angiola 

Pixley 

24 

Alpaugh 

22 

Earlimart 

Allensworth 

43 

WASCO WAY 

AIRPORT RD 

T u l a r e 

POND RD 

Taft Heights South Taft 

Maricopa 

166 

166 

GARCES HWY 

Pond 

McFarland 

99 

Wasco 

LERDO HWY 

5 

119 

155 

Delano 

7TH STANDARD RD 

S LAKE RD 

ELMO HWY 

KIMBERLINA RD 

ENOS LN 

Shafter 

Rosedale 

58 

HILL RD 

COPUS RD 

N:\Projects3000\3103-01\Reports\Plant Special Status Survey Report 

1 

Betteravia 

246 

BLACK RD 

Santa Maria 

Honda 

Casmalia 

Vandenberg Village 

Legend 

Lompoc 

Project Site 

Sudden 

1 

1 

166 

135 

HARRIS GRADE RD 

TELEPHONE RD 

135 

Data Sources: [1] Califonia Geospatial Information Library, 

[2] ESRI BaseMap USA (2006), 

PALMER RD 

246 

Garey 

176 

Los Alamos 

Mission Vandenberg Hills 

Airforce Base 

Los Olivos 

BASELINE AVE 

Buellton 

Solvang 

Scale 

154 

S a n t a B a r b a r a 

1:780,000 

1 inch = 65,000 feet 

0 12.3 Miles 

0 32,500 65,000 Feet 

Coordinate System: North American Datum 83 Universal Trans Mecator (UTM) Zone 11 North 

FOR HWY 95 

33 

Fort Tejon State Hist Park 

V e n t u r a 

FOR HWY 95 

California Valley Solar Ranch 

CVSR 2010 Special Status Plant Survey Report 

Figure 1: Project Vicinity Map 

HPR II

BODFISH 

Twisselman Mine 

Block 1 

Additional Summer 

Survey Area 

(Alternative Switchyard) 

Block 1 

Block 2 


Survey Area 

(Alternative Switchyard) 

Block 2 

Block 3 

Block 6 

58 

CLOVERDALE 

CAMELIA 

Block 3 Block 4 Block 5 Block 6 

Block 4 

CACTUS 

COOPERSTOWN 

CIRRE 

CONCORD 

CILLE 

CIMO 

CLARENCE CROWN 

CALALITY 

CHOCTAW 

CHOWCHILLA 

CHUALAR 

CHIPPEWA 

CANYON 

CARNATION 

CLARAVILLE 

CARPENTERIA 

CALIFORNIA 

CLARKSBERG 

CLAYTON 

EL CHICOTE 

CLEAR CREEK 

CLEAR LAKE 

CAMBRIA 

Block 7 

Block 8 

BOULDER CREEK 

CAPETOWN 

CANTEEN 

CAPITOLA 

Block 5 

Block 9 

CALIPATRIA 

CALISTOGA 

CALLAN 

CALPELLA 

Block 6 

BLACK BEAR 

BASS 

Block 7 

Block 10 

BEVERLY HILLS 

BECHNELL 

BRADY 

BIEBER 

GYPSUM 

BIG BASIN 

Block 13 

Block 11 

Block 5 

Block 8 

Block 12 

BAKER 

BAIRD 

ARRIBA 

BAGBY 

AVALON 

AVON 

AVILA 


CHUBBACK 

DUNES 

CENTRAL VALLEY 

CLEMENTS 

CLIO 

Plant Study Area Boundaries 

Block 1 

Block 1 

Spring 2010 Biotic Study Area (4,732 ac) 

Summer 2010 Biotic Study Area (5,513 ac) 

Data Sources: [1] San Luis Obispo County Graphic Information Systems (February 2000), 

[2] ESRI StreetMap USA (2006), [3] USDA NAIP Aerials (2009) 

CANTUA CREEK 

BRICELAND 

COMANCHE 

CAMARILLO 

CARBONDALE 

Scale 

CARIBOU 

CARLOTTA 

BOULDER CREEK 

BURBANK 

1:30,000 

BURLINGAME 

1 inch = 2,500 feet 

BURNEY 

BOREGA 

CASPER 

0 0.47 0.94 Miles 

0 1,250 2,500 5,000 Feet 


CALNEVA 

BELMONT 


Survey Area 

(Martin Parcel) 

BIG BEAR PARK 

BANGOR 

CALICO 

BEND 

BETSY 

BARRETT 

SEVEN MILE 

BENBOW 


BELVEDERE 


ANWANNEE 

Figure 2: Survey Areas for 2010 Spring and Summer Surveys 

HPR II 

BANK

PROJECT SITE DESCRIPTION 

The Project’s spring biological study area (BSA; i.e., the area surveyed for special-status plants 

during the spring plant surveys) is located on approximately 4,732 ac of rangeland at the 

northeastern fringe of the Carrizo Plain in eastern San Luis Obispo County (Figure 1, Figure 2). 

The BSA is adjacent to the Temblor Range, 56 mi east of San Luis Obispo and 52 mi southeast 

of Paso Robles. The site is bisected by SR 58 (Figure 2). The northern extent of the Carrizo 

Plain National Monument is located approximately 2.0 mi south of the site, and Soda Lake is 1.0 

mi farther south within the National Monument. The Project site is bounded by privately owned 

parcels, undeveloped, and agricultural land in all directions. A former gypsum mine is located in 

the southwestern part of the Project site, and another is present in the south-central part of the 

site on the Martin parcel (the latter of which was included in the expanded summer BSA). A 

partially developed residential subdivision known as California Valley is located south of the 

Project site and north of the National Monument. Sparse residential uses are located south, east, 

and west of the site. 

The survey area occurs on the Simmler, McKittrick Summit and Las Yeguas Ranch U.S. 

Geological Survey (USGS) 7.5-minute quadrangle maps. Elevation ranges from 1,960 feet (ft) 

National Geodetic Vertical Datum (NGVD) in the southwest corner of the site to approximately 

2,250 ft NGVD along the edge of the Temblors in the northern portion of the site. The BSA is 

topographically diverse, dominated by slightly sloping grasslands in the southern portion 

intergrading into the moderate and steeper slopes of the Temblor Range and associated scarps 

and drainages in the north. The topography of the northeastern boundary of the site is dominated 

by narrow, long fault scarps where the San Andreas rift zone enters the BSA along its eastern 

edge. Average annual precipitation ranges from 8 to 10 inches per year, and average annual 

temperatures are between 57 and 61 degrees Fahrenheit (NRCS 2003). Most of the yearly 

precipitation occurs from November through February. 

The majority of the parcels within the BSA are zoned for agriculture, and with the exception of 

the Twissleman Quarry and Martin parcel are vacant, with abandoned farming structures and 

equipment. The vast majority of the BSA south of SR 58 has been previously disked as part of 

dryland farming (pers. communication with Mr. Darrel Twisselman, current landowner, April 

and October 2008). Currently, the un-mined portion of the site continues to be used for livestock 

grazing. No dry-farming or attendant disking has occurred on-site for more than 20 years. 

A total of nineteen different soil types underlie the BSA (Figure 3). Table 1 (following page) 

lists the names of each soil type along with the texture class, drainage classification, and mean 

annual precipitation, as determined by the National Resource Conservation Service ([NRCS] 

2003). None of these soil series or complexes are considered hydric, although inclusions 

associated with certain landforms such as basins and drainages may be hydric (NRCS 1992). 


Final Report 

5 


18 November 2010

Table 1. Soil Type, Texture, Drainage Classification, and Mean Annual Precipitation for 

Soil Types Occurring Within the Biological Study Area 1 

Soil 

Number 

Soil Name 

Soil Texture 

Drainage 

Classification 

Mean Annual 

Precipitation 

(inches) 

131 

Kilmer-Hillbrick complex, 50 to 75 

percent slopes Loam Well drained 8 - 10 

160 

Sorrento loam, 2 to 9 percent 

slopes Loam Well drained 10 - 12 

169 Polonio loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes 

Loam, clay 

loam Well drained 8 - 10 

170 

Polonio clay loam, 2 to 9 percent 

slopes Clay loam Well drained 7 - 10 

173 

Polonio gravelly loam, 2 to 9 

percent slopes Gravelly loam Well drained 7 - 10 

175 

Polonio-Thomhill complex, 2 to 9 

percent slopes 

Loam, Clay 


180 

Padres sandy loam, 2 to 9 percent 

slopes Sandy loam Well drained 7 - 10 

204 

Aramburu-Temblor complex, 30 to 

50 percent slopes 

Channery 


222 

Beam-Panoza-Hillbrick complex, 

50 to 75 percent slopes Loam Well drained 8 - 10 

240 

Panoza-Beam complex, 15 to 30 


241 



242 



280 

Seaback-Panoza_Jenks complex, 9 

to 15 percent slopes Loam Well drained 8 - 10 

310 

Yeguas-Pinspring complex, 0 to 2 


Loam, clay, 

clay loam Well drained 8 - 10 

311 

Yeguas-Pinspring complex, 2 to 5 


Loam, clay, 

clay loam Well drained 8 - 10 

321 

Thomohill loam, 2 to 5 percent 

slopes Loam Well drained 8 - 10 

360 

Chicote complex, 0 to 2 percent 

slopes 

Silty clay 

loam, clay 

Moderately 

well drained 8 - 10 

361 

Chicote complex, 2 to 5 percent 

slopes 

Silty clay 

loam, clay 

Moderately 

well drained 8 - 10 

900 Pits N/A N/A N/A 

1 Source: Soil Survey of San Luis Obispo County, California, Carrizo Plain Area (NRCS 2003) 

No aquatic resources are mapped on-site by the National Wetland Inventory Program (NWI). 

However, a portion of the depressional wetlands and tributaries to Soda Lake located south of the 

site have been identified as various palustrine wetland types. 


Final Report 

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18 November 2010

241 

120 

120 

218 

900 

204 

900 240 

221 

220 

221 

204 

220 

130 

251 

120 

170 

130 

201 

170 

240 

170 

240 

173 

204 

240 

240 

204 

222 

330 

220 

222 

160 

241 

240 

220 

131 

130 

204 

274 

121 

221 

130 

200 

251 

204 

263 

170 

271 

270 

241 

281 

321 

240 

241 

240 

241 

180 

160 

204 

240 

120 

241 

160 

905 

900 

160 

191 

240 

221 

905 

170 

241 

240 

219 

170 

900 

131 

242 

221 

130 

201 

K E R N 

C O U N T Y 

281 

311 

280 

280 

281 

281 

241 

175 

190 

240 

280 

140 

241 

240 

242 

169 

900 

240 

219 

219 

241 

241 

240 

170 

240 

221 

240 

202 

222 

200 

201 

120 

130 

200 

170 

281 

311 

170 

170 

240 

241 

58 

240 

240 

241 

222 

900 

173 

219 

219 

131 

131 

130 

240 

170 

900 

240 

219 

170 

170 

240 

130 

281 

900 

240 

170 

169 

241 

170 

240 

169 

240 

240 

175 

240 

169 

900 

310 

311 

240 

321 

173 

240 

175 

241 

240 

361 

280 

280 

170 

900 

240 

360 

240 

240 

170 

175 


361 

Data Sources: [1] San Luis Obispo County Graphic Information Systems (February 2000), 

[2] ESRI StreetMap USA (2006), [3] 1ft Natural Color SunPower Aerial (2009), Natural 

Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) 

Ecological Sites 

Clayey Hills 10-14" P.Z. 

Fine Loamy 

Fine Loamy Flat 

Loamy Bottomland 

Limy Upland (shallow) 9-12" P.Z. 

Loamy Upland 9-13" P.Z. 

Shaly Fine Loamy 

Shaly Loam 

# 

Pits 

Sorrento loam, 2 to 9 percent slopes 

Xerofluvents-Riverwash association, 

0 to 2 percent slopes 

Soil Series Boundary 

Spring 2010 Biotic Study Area 

Summer 2010 Biotic Study Area 

Scale 

1:28,200 


169 

0 0.4 0.8 Miles 

0 1,175 2,350 4,700 Feet 


240 



Figure 3: Soils Map 

HPR II

VEGETATION COMMUNITIES 

Seven vegetation community-landform types were described as occurring on the Project site 

during the first special-status plant survey effort conducted by URS Corporation in 2008 and 

2009 (described in greater detail below). The communities include: Annual Grassland, Interior 

Coast Range Saltbush Scrub, Wildflower Field, Desert Sink Scrub, Tamarisk Scrub, Alkaline 

Seasonal Wetlands-Wildflower Field Complex, and Ephemeral Drainages (H. T. Harvey & 

Associates 2009). Although our subsequent survey effort allowed closer examination of the type 

and extent of plant communities occurring on site, and we feel that most of the vegetation 

communities are probably better described by using a classification system that utilized multiple 

vegetation community associations, we decided for the sake of consistency amongst the various 

environmental documents and technical studies prepared for the Project, to retain the URS plant 

community descriptors in describing habitats on site. A few observations, however, are worthy of 

note: (1) additional wildflower fields, a California Department of Fish and Game (CDFG) 

sensitive habitat type (CDFG 2003), were identified during the 2010 special-status plant surveys; 

and (2) several of the scrub habitat types are more limited than originally described. 

In general, the site is generally grassy and dominated by non-native annual grasses and forbs, 

except in areas with more extreme topography (i.e., hills, fault scarps, exposed slopes); areas 

underlain with more clayey or sandy soils; and areas within the southwestern portion of the site. 

All of these latter areas supported significant concentrations of native species. Scrub habitats onsite 

were mostly restricted to alkaline sinks, alluvial fans and hilly areas north of SR 58. A 

complete list of all plant species identified on the Project site by H. T. Harvey & Associates is 

provided as Appendix A. 


Final Report 

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18 November 2010

SURVEY METHODS 

2010 SURVEY OVERVIEW 

Protocol-level surveys for special-status plant species considered rare, threatened or endangered 

by the California Native Plant Society (CNPS), CDFG, and/or the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 

(USFWS) were performed by H. T. Harvey & Associates on the approximately 4,732-ac spring 

BSA, Figure 2) in spring and summer of 2010. The 2010 surveys of the spring and summer 

BSAs (i.e., the area surveyed in both the spring and summer surveys) were conducted in 

accordance with the most current USFWS, CDFG, and CNPS guidelines (USFWS 2002; CDFG 

2000; CDFG 2009; CNPS 2001). These surveys included: 

• Conducting surveys in a year with average or above-average rainfall; 

• Conducting surveys using a crew of qualified botanists proficient in plant taxonomy and 

familiar with the flora of the Carrizo Plain (see Appendix B); 

• On-foot surveys conducted on 50-ft center transects of the entire BSA during the initial 

spring bloom (March-April 2010); 

• Visiting known, off-site, reference populations of target plant species during the survey 

period; and 

• Targeted re-visits occurring during the continuing bloom in late April, May, June and 

July of 2010. 

Additionally, the survey crew searched for Camissonia populations in accordance with the 

Project’s mitigation measure for the Kern primrose sphinx moth (Euproserpinus euterpe) (M- 

BIO-2, H. T. Harvey & Associates 2009). No rare or sensitive Camissonia individuals were 

expected to occur in this area, however, certain common Camissonia species act as required host 

plants for successful larval maturation for this endangered species. 

The spring BSA for the 2010 spring rare plant surveys consisted of: 

• the original 4,732-ac area for the solar power plant south and north of SR 58; 

• on-site conservation lands south and north of SR 58; 

• the generation tie-line intended to connect the solar power plant to the existing 230 kV 

Morro Bay-Midway transmission lines; 

• the Twisselman Quarry; and 

• the roadway itself that will be used for transportation of quarried rock from the 

Twisselman Quarry to the rest of the Project site (Figure 2). 

Due to the evolving Project design, the survey area was expanded in June of 2010 to include all 

areas within the 5,513-ac summer BSA (Figure 2). Therefore, areas shown within the summer 

survey blocks but not included within the spring survey blocks were not surveyed to a protocol- 


Final Report 

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18 November 2010

level for special-status plant species. Areas outside the spring BSA were surveyed during later 

spring and/or summer revisits only, which only allowed plant ecologists to adequately survey for 

late-blooming target plant species. Additionally, these areas outside the spring BSA, but within 

the summer BSA, were never subject to transect-level surveys. All such areas (i.e., the Martin 

parcel, 400-ft wide corridor along the road to the Twisselman Mine north of spring survey Block 

2 and alternative switchyard locations, Figure 2) will be subject to future protocol-level surveys 

to attain the same level of protocol survey effort described in this document for areas within the 

original survey area, the 4,732-ac spring BSA. 

The plant surveys described within this report did not include the approximately 34-mi segment 

of the PG&E Morro Bay-Midway 230 kV transmission line between the solar energy projects on 

the Carrizo Plain and the Midway Substation near Buttonwillow that will be reconductored. 

Although reconductoring and tower replacement activities along this 34-mi segment are related 

to the CVSR Project, those activities are considered a separate project and thus those areas were 

not included in the 2010 CVSR special-status plant surveys. 

PRIOR SURVEYS 

Special-status plant surveys were initially conducted in proposed impact areas (as designed in 

2009) by URS Corporation (URS) in 2009. URS biologists conducted seasonally-timed, focused 

botanical surveys in the 2009 solar array footprints and the initially proposed transmission line 

routes on the following dates: 18 to 20 March and 8, 9, 22 and 23 April 2009. The initial 

botanical surveys were conducted on-foot by crews walking intuitive (i.e., not pre-set) transects 

at variable spacing through the impact areas. In addition, URS biologists surveyed reference 

sites within the vicinity of the Project site on 16 April 2009. 

URS biologists conducting blunt-nosed leopard lizard (BNLL) surveys in June, July, and August 

2009 also surveyed for summer-flowering special-status plants. BNLL/plant surveys were 

conducted using transects walked by at least three biologists approximately 30 to 60 ft apart, 

depending on topography. However, the entire area surveyed for the original focused botanical 

surveys was not resurveyed in the summer, nor was the later survey effort primarily focused on 

special-status plant detection and identification. Also, reference populations of late-blooming 

species, such as Atriplex spp., were not revisited. No special-status plants were found during the 

2009 surveys; however, rainfall totals for the area were very low during the 2008-2009 rainy 

season (Table 2). 

Table 2. California Valley Weather Underground Station Precipitation Totals. 2 

Month 

Previous Season 

Precipitation (inches) 

2007–2008 

Prior Survey Season 


2008–2009 

Protocol-Level Survey 

Season Precipitation 

(inches) 

2009–2010 

October 0.39 0.05 0.62 

November 0.11 0.63 0.06 

December 1.4 1.2 1.95 

January 5.3 0.24 4.2 


Final Report 

10 


18 November 2010

Month 

Previous Season 


2007–2008 

Prior Survey Season 


2008–2009 

Protocol-Level Survey 

Season Precipitation 

(inches) 

2009–2010 

February 0.85 3.2 2.7 

March 0.05 0.51 0.56 

April 0.04 0.68 1.83 

Season Total 8.1 6.6 11.9 

2 Accessed on 11 May 2010 from http://www.wunderground.com/weatherstation/WXDailyHistory.asp?ID=KCACALIF2, 

Station ID (KCACALIF2) 

CURRENT (2010) SPECIAL-STATUS PLANT SURVEYS 

Target Species Selection 

Prior to site surveys, H. T. Harvey & Associates consulted the most recent available records 

within the California Natural Diversity Database ([CNDDB] 2010) (Figure 4), records for plant 

species on lists 1-4 maintained by the CNPS (2010), and herbarium specimen and record 

information available through CalFlora (2010) and the California Consortium of Herbaria 

([CCH] 2010). An initial list of species based on all CNPS-listed plants known to occur within 

San Luis Obispo and Kern Counties was narrowed based on habitat, elevation, and occurrence 

information to a list of 23 target species for the 2010 survey effort, presented in Table 3, below. 

For clarification, the 2010 surveys were floristic in nature, and aimed to identify every plant 

found on-site to the level necessary to determine its exact identity and status of that plant 

(typically variety or subspecies level). 

Table 3. California Valley Solar Ranch Target Special-status Plants, 2010 Surveys. 

Scientific Name Common Name 

Regulatory 

Status 3 Blooming Period 

Androsace elongata ssp. 

acuta California androsace CNPS 4.2 March - June 

Antirrhinum ovatum Oval-leaved snapdragon CNPS 4.2 May – November 

Astragalus macrodon Salinas milk-vetch CNPS 4.3 April – July 

Atriplex cordulata Heartscale CNPS 1B.2 

Atriplex coronata var. 

coronata Crownscale CNPS 4.2 


vallicola Lost hills crownscale CNPS 1B.2 

April – October 

(identifiable in summer and 

fall) 

March – October 


fall) 

April – August 


fall) 

California macrophylla Round-leaved filaree CNPS 1B.1 March – May 

Calochortus simulans La Panza mariposa lily CNPS 1B.3 April – June 


Final Report 

11 


18 November 2010

Scientific Name Common Name 

Regulatory 

Status 3 Blooming Period 

Caulanthus californicus California jewel-flower FE, SE, CNPS 1B.1 February – May 

Caulanthus lemmonii Lemmon’s jewel-flower CNPS 1B.2 March – May 

Delphinium gypsophilum 

ssp. gypsophilum Gypsum-loving larkspur CNPS 4.2 February – May 

Delphinium recurvatum Recurved larkspur CNPS 1B.2 March – June 

Eriastrum hooveri Hoover’s eriastrum CNPS 4.2 March – July 

Eriogonum gossypinum Cottony buckwheat CNPS 4.2 March – September 

Eriogonum temblorense Temblor buckwheat CNPS 1B.2 May – September 

Eschscholzia rhombipetala 

Diamond-petaled California 

poppy CNPS 1B.1 March – April 

Lasthenia ferrisiae Ferris’ goldfields CNPS 4.2 February – May 

Lasthenia glabrata ssp. 

coulteri Coulter’s goldfields CNPS 1B.1 February – June 

Layia heterotricha Pale-yellow layia CNPS 1B.1 March – June 

Layia munzii Munz’s tidy-tips CNPS 1B.2 March – April 

Lepidium jaredii ssp. jaredii Jared’s pepper-grass CNPS 1B.2 March – May 

Madia radiata Showy golden madia CNPS 1B.1 March – May 

Monolopia congdonii San Joaquin woollythreads FE, CNPS 1B.2 February – May 

3 Status Definitions: FE = Federally Endangered, SE = State Endangered, CNPS = California Native Plant Society, 1B = Plants 

that are rare, threatened, or endangered in California and elsewhere, 4 = A watch list of plants of limited distribution, 0.1: 

Seriously endangered in California, 0.2: Fairly endangered in California, 0.3: Not very endangered in California. 

Survey Preparation and Timing 

Survey Timing and Rainfall Totals. Beginning in January 2010, H. T. Harvey & Associates 

began reconnaissance visits for monitoring phenology and rainfall, and timing the special-status 

plant surveys of the spring BSA (Figure 2). One or both plant ecologists K. Hardwicke, Ph.D. 

and Ethan Barnes, M.S., visited the site on 28 and 29 January, 2, 12, 18, 19 and 23 February, and 

10 March 2010 to monitor the progression of phenology on the site and within the wider Carrizo 

Plain area. 

Additionally, weather was monitored very carefully during these visits, to check both for 

precipitation events and average temperatures. Accurate protocol-level surveys for springblooming 

annuals cannot take place in annual grasslands during years of less-than-normal 

rainfall. A recent soil survey (NRCS 2003) indicates that mean annual precipitation for most of 

the soil types found on site falls between 8 – 10 inches, with some soil types receiving a mean of 

as low as 7 inches annually (Table 1). Only one foothill soil type, Sorrento Loam, which 

comprises a very small portion of the BSA, receives a mean annual precipitation as high as 10 - 

12 inches (Table 1, Figure 3). Given these data, it seems reasonable to assume that mean annual 

precipitation for the site in general is between 8 – 10 inches per year. A nearby weather station 

in California Valley (Station ID KCACALIF2) recorded a very low total annual precipitation for 

the 2008-2009 season during the prior 2009 URS survey effort at 6.6 inches (Table 2). However, 


Final Report 

12 


18 November 2010

Munz's tidy-tips 

showy golden madia 

showy golden madia 

round-leaved filaree 

Hoover's eriastrum 

pale-yellow layia 

K e r n C o u n t y 

San Joaquin woollythreads 

33 

COTTONTAIL 


Lemmon's jewel-flower 

L A PA N Z A N E 

Q U A D 

BITTERWATER RD 

Indian Valley spineflower 

C A L I F O R N I A VA L L E Y 

Q U A D 

M I R A N D A P I N E M O U N TA I N 

Q U A D 

Legend 

S a n L u i s O b i s p o C o u n t y 

SODA LAKE RD 

L A S Y E G U A S R A N C H 

Q U A D 

58 

S I M M L E R 

Q U A D 

recurved larkspur 



Northern Claypan Vernal Pool 


San Luis Obispo mariposa-lily 


Lost Hills crownscale 


diamond-petaled California poppy 

Coulter's goldfields 

heartscale 


recurved larkspur Lost Hills crownscale 


Valley Sink Scrub 







Jared's pepper-grass 



C H I M I N E A S R A N C H 

Q U A D 

oval-leaved snapdragon 



Soda 

Lake 


pale-yellow layia 

golden violet 






B R A N C H M O U N TA I N San Luis Obispo mariposa-lily 

Q U A D 

umbrella larkspur 




County Boundary 

7.5 Quad Index 

Biological Study Area Boundary 

umbrella larkspur 


CNDDB Records 

Plants 



Specific Location 

Approximate Location 

General Area 

Terrestrial Communities 

Approximate Location 

General Area 

Scale 

1:190080 

1 inch = 3 miles 

0 3 Miles 

0 10,000 20,000 Feet 


C A R N E R O S R O C K S 

Q U A D 

Hoover's eriastrum 

Temblor buckwheat 


M C K I T T R I C K S U M M I T 

Q U A D 






Munz's PA I N T E D R O C K 

tidy-tips 

Q U A D 




Coulter's goldfields 


R E W A R D Q U A D B E L R I D G E Q U A D 

Kern mallow 

HWY 58 


California jewel-flower 





San Joaquin woollythreads 



Figure 4: CNDDB Results for Special-Status Plants 

HPR II 

PA N O R A M A H I L L S Q U A D

the total annual precipitation recorded for the 2009-2010 wet season leading up to and including 

our 2010 spring survey effort equaled 11.9 inches. Based on the NRCS (2003) data, it was 

determined in March of 2010 that annual precipitation totals would be at least within mean levels 

for the survey year. Including April precipitation (Table 2), 2009-2010 may even be considered 

an above-average year for rainfall in the Project site vicinity, with rainfall totals almost 2 inches 

above the upper limit of mean annual precipitation of the vast majority of soil types on-site 

(Table 1). 

Site Grazing Usage. As mentioned above in the Project Site Description, the site is currently 

used for cattle grazing. According to Daryl Twisselman, typical stocking rates over the entire 

site during the late winter and spring totaled approximately 800 head (pers. communication, 

March 2010). Because this livestock stocking rate has the potential to have a significant impact 

on herbaceous cover on the site, and because grazed annuals are often not identifiable due to 

removal of the blooms and other key features, we requested that cattle be removed from the 

property in late February - early March 2010 to allow special-status plants to produce flowering 

structures and ensure that these species would be identifiable. A reconnaissance site visit 

confirmed that the majority of the cattle (> 750 head) had been removed from the site as of 10 

March 2010. 

Survey Crew Preparation. Before commencement of surveys, a three-day orientation and 

training session was provided to the survey crew on 15-17 March 2010. Materials such as soils 

maps, URS’ original habitat map, site aerial photographs, datasheets to be used during the 

surveys and a list of the target species was provided to the crew. Additionally, crew members 

received a description of key taxonomic characters for each target species that separate these 

species from their most similar common relatives based on Hickman 1993 or, where available, 

new keys from the on-line Jepson Manual (Baldwin et al. 2011, in press). A tour of the entire 

site was conducted to familiarize the crew with the BSA, and an on-site tutorial was provided to 

instruct the crew on the use of GPS units used in the surveys and how to follow preset GIS-based 

transects (see On-site Survey Methodology, below). Finally, on 16 and 17 March 2010, the crew 

visited nearby reference site populations (see Reference Site Populations, below). 

Survey Dates, Personnel, and Effort 

The 2010 floristic surveys were scheduled in coordination with CNPS guidelines (2001), as well 

as project-specific guidance provided by Dave Hacker of CDFG and Susan Jones of the USFWS 

(pers. communication, 4 March 2010). These surveys occurred during the appropriate seasons to 

capture all target species (Table 3). The 2010 surveys were timed specifically to allow 

identification of any and all special-status plant species on-site as well as all common species. A 

summary of 2010 survey dates and personnel is also provided in Table 4. A list of survey dates 

and personnel is also shown in relation to the published blooming period for each target species 

on Figure 5, following page. A team of qualified botanists were employed to conduct the on-site 

surveys. The team included Ethan Barnes, M.S., Brian Cleary, M.S., Colin Wilkinson, B.S., 

Catherine Roy, M.S., Chris Winchell, Christopher Bronny, M.S., Cecile Shohet, M.S., and Kyle 

Christie, M.S. Resumes for the Project team are included as Appendix B. 

As described above, on-site phenology was monitored throughout January, February and early 

March 2010 to determine the best start date for the initial spring survey sweep. Because the 


Final Report 

14 


18 November 2010

majority of target species were annuals with documented blooming periods between March and 

May, comprehensive, transect based spring surveys were scheduled for the entire BSA during the 

initial bloom in late March – mid April (Figure 5, Table 4). Subsequent re-visit surveys occurred 

throughout the remainder of the growing season to monitor specific populations of springblooming 

species not yet blooming or lacking some identifying characters during the initial 

spring surveys (i.e., Calochortus sp. and Delphinium sp., late April 2010), or to revisit the entire 

site (May, June, and July 2010) (Figure 5, Table 4). Multiple revisits allowed us to monitor onsite 

phenology for later blooming species such as annual Atriplex spp. and Eriogonum spp. 

Summer surveys were conducted when on-site phenology was adequate to identify annual 

Atriplex spp. fruiting structures, which are necessary for proper identification. 

The first spring survey sweep (March – April 2010, see Figure 5) was conducted over 21 days of 

surveys and totaled approximately 1035 hours of survey time. Additional survey time occurred 

during 2 days of revisits in late April, when individual populations were checked for identifying 

character development. The spring revisit in May 2010 was conducted over 5 days of surveys 

and totaled approximately 90 hours of survey time (Figure 5). The summer revisits in June and 

July 2010 were conducted over 6 days and totaled approximately 108 hours of survey time 

(Figure 4). In summary, the 2010 surveys included over 1220 hours of on-site survey time, a 

figure which does not include time for reconnaissance visits, orientation and training, travel, 

reference site visits, quadrat sampling, or specimen identification time. 

Survey Methodology 

Taxonomy and Identification. Plants found on-site were identified using one or several of the 

following resources: A California Flora and Supplement (Munz and Keck 1968), The Jepson 

Manual (Hickman 1993), and for select genera where available, The Jepson Manual, Online 2 nd 

Edition (Baldwin et al. 2011, in press). Further supplemental information, taxonomic crosswalks 

between keys, and visual comparisons were provided by Wildflowers of San Luis Obispo, 

California (Keil 2010), Wildflowers of the Carrizo Plain Area (McLeod 2004) and CalFlora 

(2010). Additionally, expert concurrence was sought on difficult identifications. 

Voucher specimens were collected to provide verifiable documentation of species’ presence on 

the Project site and also allow for accurate identification. All special-status species observed on 

the Project site were vouchered, as such action did not jeopardize the continued existence of the 

populations. Voucher specimens are housed at H.T. Harvey & Associates, San Joaquin Valley 

Office, 7815 N. Palm Avenue, Suite 310, Fresno, CA 93711. 


Final Report 

15 


18 November 2010

Figure 5. Survey Dates and Blooming Periods for All Special-status Plant Species. 

Plants 

Legend: 

• Colored horizontal lines correspond with 

the published blooming period for each 

of the target species. 

• Colored vertical lines correspond with 

the colored survey dates explained in the 

table below. 

Androsace elongata ssp. acuta 

Antirrhinum ovatum 

Astragalus macrodon 

Atriplex cordulata 

Atriplex coronata var. coronata 

Atriplex vallicola 

California macrophylla 

Calochortus simulans 

Caulanthus californicus 

Caulanthus coulteri var. lemmonii 

Delphinium gypsophilum ssp. gypsophilum 

Delphinium recurvatum 

Eriastrum hooveri 

Eriogonum gossypinum 

Eriogonum temblorense 

Eschscholzia rhombipetala 

Lasthenia ferrisiae 

Lasthenia glabrata ssp. coulteri 

Layia heterotricha 

Layia munzii 

Lepidium jaredii ssp. jaredii 

Madia radiata 

Monolopia congdonii 

1-Jan-10 

15-Jan-10 

31-Jan-10 

15-Feb-10 

28-Feb-10 

15-Mar-10 

31-Mar-10 

15-Apr-10 

30-Apr-10 

15-May-10 

31-May-10 

15-Jun-10 

30-Jun-10 

15-Jul-10 

Notes 

Survey Dates 

March 15-17 

March 18, 19 

March 22-26 

March 29-31 

April 1-5 

April 6-12 

April 22, 29 

Tasks Areas Covered Personnel 

• Orientation 

All areas in Figure 2 labeled for spring plant survey boundaries. 

K. Hardwicke, E. Barnes, B. Cleary, K. Christie, C. Shohet, C. Bronny, C. Roy 

• Visit reference populations 

• Conduct initial spring surveys All areas in Figure 2 labeled for spring plant survey boundaries. B. Cleary, K. Christie, C. Shohet, C. Bronny, C. Roy 

• Conduct initial spring surveys All areas in Figure 2 labeled for spring plant survey boundaries. E. Barnes, B. Cleary, K. Christie, C. Shohet, C. Bronny,C. Wilkinson 

• Conduct initial spring surveys All areas in Figure 2 labeled for spring plant survey boundaries. E. Barnes, B. Cleary, K. Christie, C. Shohet, C. Bronny, C. Roy, C. Wilkinson 

• Conduct initial spring surveys All areas in Figure 2 labeled for spring plant survey boundaries. E. Barnes, B. Cleary, K. Christie, C. Shohet, C. Bronny, C. Roy, C. Wilkinson 

• Conduct initial spring surveys 

• Revisit and estimate population numbers of Munz’s 

All areas in Figure 2 labeled for spring plant survey boundaries. 

Areas identified with Calochortus and Delphinium sp. in spring surveys, and areas 

E. Barnes, B. Cleary, C. Bronny, C. Roy, C. Wilkinson 

B. Cleary, C. Wilkinson 

layia 

with dense populations of Munz’s layia 

• Track site phenology 


May 3-7 

• Revisit plants not yet in bloom from spring surveys All areas in Figure 2 labeled for spring plant survey boundaries. 

C. Wilkinson, C. Bronny 

• Survey added area and new switchyard location 

June 29 

• Visit reference populations. All areas in Figure 2 labeled for summer plant survey boundaries. C. Wilkinson, C. Winchell, E. Barnes 

June 30, July 1,2 • Survey for late-blooming species All areas in Figure 2 labeled for summer plant survey boundaries. C. Wilkinson, C. Winchell 

July 6-8 

• Survey for late-blooming species All areas in Figure 2 labeled for summer plant survey boundaries. B. Cleary, E. Barnes

Table 4. Timeline for 2010 CVSR Special-status Plant Surveys. 

Dates (2010) Location Task(s) Botanists 

January - March All areas in spring BSA Check on-site phenology for 

spring-survey start dates 

• Kelly Hardwicke 

• Ethan Barnes 

March 15-17 

Site tour all areas in 

spring BSA, reference 

population locations 

• Orientation 


• Kelly Hardwicke 


• Brian Cleary 

• Kyle Christie 

• Cecile Shohet 

• Chris Bronny 

March 18,19 

March, 22-26 

March, 29-31 

April, 1-3 

April, 5-12 

April 22, 29 

All areas in spring BSA 

Areas identified with 

Calochortus sp. in 

spring surveys, and 

areas with dense 

populations of Munz’s 

tidy-tips. 

Conduct initial spring survey 

sweep 

• Revisit and estimate 

population numbers of 

Munz’s tidy-tips. 

• Track site phenology. 


May 3-7 All areas in spring BSA • Revisit plants not yet in 

bloom from spring 

surveys. 

• Survey added area and 

new switchyard location. 

June 7,8 

June 29-July 2 

July 6-8 

Newly added Martin 

parcel and switchyard 

alternative, see areas 

added in Figure 2 for 

summer BSA 

All areas in summer 

BSA, reference 

population locations 

Identify rare plant habitat on 

new parcel 

Survey for late-blooming 

species. 

• Catherine Roy 



• Kyle Christie 

• Cecile Shohet 


• Catherine Roy 

• Colin Wilkinson 







• Chris Winchell 



Initial Spring Surveys. Field surveys of the entire spring BSA (Figure 2) were accomplished 

using teams of 3 – 7 botanists. During the initial spring survey sweep, which took place from 

mid March – mid April 2010 (Figure 5, Table 4), sometimes the entire group would survey as 

one team, and at other times the group was split into one or more, smaller survey teams. In 

either case, a team leader was always assigned to each crew on the ground, and was responsible 

for maintaining documentation and setting pace for the group. During each day, each team 

leader filled out a Team Leader data form that at a minimum provided a record of who was in the 

team for that day and where the surveys were located. Additional information was also taken on 

these forms when appropriate, such as if any target species were located, where populations of 

Camissonia spp. had been found, areas needing revisits due to early phenology, and transect 

count data (see Layia munzii Transects, below). The Team Leader forms are provided as 


Final Report 

17 


18 November 2010

Appendix C. Comprehensive, floristic plant lists were maintained for each block on Threatened, 

Endangered, or Sensitive (TES) Plant List data forms (included as Appendix D). These forms 

also allowed each team to document community and vegetation types observed, where revisits 

were needed and where target species had been found. The two types of forms created a partially 

redundant survey record that guarded against lost data. 

Photograph 1. The survey team walking 50-ft transects 

on-site during the initial spring survey sweep. 

All areas within the approximately 

4,732-ac spring BSA were walked on 

foot by the survey team, using 50-ft 

transects arranged by pre-set survey 

Blocks numbered 1-13 (Figure 2, 

Photograph 1). The transect locations 

were also pre-set and loaded onto 

hand-held submeter Trimble GPS 

units (Geo-XH and similar models) so 

that the surveyors were aware of 

which transects they were covering 

while in the field. At least one GPS 

unit was used per survey team if 

multiple teams were surveying at the 

same time. As each transect was 

completed, the transect data was 

updated in the GIS data library for the 

project, to carefully track location of the survey team(s) by day and also to provide a digital 

record of survey completion. Additionally, when target or Camissonia species were 

encountered, these were recorded using GPS data capture, using waypoints for small populations 

and polygons for larger populations (except where data was captured by transect count for 

Munz’s tidy-tips, see below). Population size for each occurrence was estimated in the field. 

Layia munzii Transects and GIS Data. During the initial spring surveys, low densities of 

Munz’s tidy-tips (Layia munzii) were found to be scattered so widely over such a large 

percentage of the spring BSA such that capturing each individual by GPS or demarcating a 

discrete population in the field was typically not feasible. In the case of this special-status 

species only, counts were recorded manually by each surveyor for the length of each 50-ft center 

transect. 

Alternatively, surveyors encountered occasional, discrete, high-density concentrations of Munz’s 

tidy-tips. In such cases where these discrete high density concentrations were discernable, as 

with all other special-status species found on-site, the extent of the discrete area of concentrated 

individuals was mapped using a submeter Trimble GPS unit, and the number of individuals of 

Munz’s tidy-tips in that area was then visually estimated. For the largest, most dense population 

of Munz’s tidy-tips, initial population estimates were refined via quadrat sampling conducted by 

Brian Cleary and Colin Wilkinson on 22 April 2010 (Figure 5, Table 4). At this time, population 

densities and extent of Munz’s tidy tips adjacent to but off the Project site were also estimated. 


Final Report 

18 


18 November 2010

Mid-Spring Revisits. On 22 and 29 April, Brian Cleary and Colin Wilkinson rechecked specific 

populations of spring-blooming species that had not been identifiable during the initial survey 

sweep. Then, a full round of revisits of the entire spring BSA (Figure 2) was conducted by Colin 

Wilkinson and Christopher Bronny on 3 – 7 May 2010 (Figure 5, Table 4). During these revisits, 

plants not yet in bloom during the initial survey and April revisits, or species requiring additional 

structures for identification (i.e. fruits) were revisited. Additionally, the survey crew conducted 

surveys within a wider area surrounding the road leading to the Twisselman Mine Site in the 

north, and encompassing the new design for the proposed switchyard (eastern alternative 

switchyard location only, see Figure 2). While the entire spring BSA (plus the additional areas 

indicated above) was resurveyed, intensive transecting methods were not used during this round 

of revisits. Instead, specific, targeted areas were intensively resurveyed on foot for this revisit. 

Such areas were either targeted by earlier GPS data or data form notes, or were intuitively 

selected based on habitat suitability for target species and prior knowledge of the site. Because 

the additional areas in the north were not included during the initial, exhaustive spring survey 

sweep, they are not considered to be surveyed to the same intensive protocol-level as all other 

areas within the spring BSA (Figure 2), and therefore will require early spring revisits at a future 

date. As with the previous surveys, when a population of Camissonia or any target species was 

encountered, the extent of the discrete population or area of concentrated individuals was 

mapped using a submeter Trimble GPS unit, and the number of individuals of target plants in the 

area was then visually estimated. All Team Leader data forms for this survey are included in 

Appendix C and TES data forms are included in Appendix D. 

Summer Revisits. Summer floristic surveys to identify late blooming species were conducted 

from 29 - 30 June, 1 - 2 July and 6 - 8 July 2010 by botanists Chris Winchell, Colin Wilkinson, 

Brian Cleary and Ethan Barnes (Figure 5, Table 4). A new system of survey blocks was used so 

that each summer survey team of two ecologists could resurvey in roughly equivalent habitats 

(Figure 2). These new blocks were designed so that all surveyors covered every habitat type onsite 

and encountered a complete representation of the Project area. Additionally, an expanded 

5,513-ac summer BSA was surveyed during this period, which included an approximately 400-ft 

wide corridor along the northern portion of the road to Twisselman mine, two alternative 

switchyard locations, and a new grassland and quarry parcel in the southern portion of the site 

known as the Martin parcel (Figure 2). Because the additional areas for this survey (i.e., the 

wide swath around the road to the northern Twisselman mine, the alternative switchyard 

locations, and the Martin parcel) were not included during the initial, exhaustive spring survey 

sweep, they are not considered to be surveyed to the same intensive protocol-level as all other 

areas within the spring BSA (Figure 2). Therefore, these additional areas will require full spring 

revisits at a future date. 

Target species for the summer revisits included the three Atriplex spp. and two Eriogonum spp. 

listed in Table 3. Floristic, on-foot surveys were conducted in all potential suitable habitats for 

Atriplex spp. (Photograph 2) and Eriogonum spp. Vehicular surveys were used to cover upland 

annual grassland areas that were unlikely to support the target species. As with the previous 

surveys, when a population of Camissonia or any target species was encountered, the extent of 

the discrete population or area of concentrated individuals was mapped using a submeter Trimble 

GPS unit, and the number of individuals of target plants in the area was then visually estimated. 


Final Report 

19 


18 November 2010

All Team Leader data forms for this 

survey are included in Appendix C and 

TES data forms are included in 

Appendix D. 

Reference Site Visits 

Protocol-level surveys include visits to 

nearby, known reference sites for target 

species, where such sites are legally 

accessible. Such visits can allow plant 

ecologists to gauge suitable habitat for 

target species on the survey site, 

determine whether annual species are 

blooming in a given year and also 

determine whether surveys are 

Photograph 2. Summer 2010 Surveys in habitat 

suitable for target Atriplex spp. 

appropriately timed. Reference populations selected for visits in the 2010 CVSR surveys were 

located using the CNDDB (2010) (Figure 4), or in cases of CNPS List 4 plants not tracked by the 

CNDDB, accession information available for the CCH (2010). A summary of reference site 

visits and additional applicable information for each target species is provided in Table 5, below. 

Table 5. 2010 CVSR Target Special-status Plant Species Reference Site Visit Summary. 

Scientific Name 

Regulatory 

Status 

Reference 

Population ID 

Dates(s) Visited 

Observed (Y/N) 

Comments 

Androsace elongata ssp. 

acuta 

Antirrhinum ovatum CNPS 4.2 

CNPS 4.2 N/A N/A N/A 

CNDDB Occ. 

#13 

6/29 N 

Astragalus macrodon CNPS 4.3 N/A N/A N/A 

Atriplex cordulata CNPS 1B.2 N/A N/A N/A 


coronata 


vallicola 

CNPS 4.2 

CNPS 

1B.2 

Accession 

#JEPS90681 

CNDDB Occ. 

#60 

6/29 Y 

6/29 Y 

Insufficient location information for 

reference site visit. 

Not found; locality information 

vague. Possibly extirpated due to 

mining activities. 

Insufficient location information for 

reference site visit. 

Reference information for CNDDB 

Occ. #36 indicates that this species 

was possibly misidentified and may 

not occur in the Carrizo Plain; 

locality information vague, site not 

visited. Mature bracts were present 

on plants at the Alkali Sink Preserve 

near Mendota, Fresno Co. on 6/24. 

Plants were in fruit/flower; mature 

fruit bracts present. 

Plants were in fruit; mature fruit 

bracts present. 


Final Report 

20 


18 November 2010


Regulatory 

Status 

Reference 

Population ID 



Comments 

California macrophylla 

Calochortus simulans 

Caulanthus californicus 

Caulanthus lemmonii 

Delphinium 

gypsophilum ssp. 

gypsophilum 


CNPS 

1B.1 

CNPS 

1B.3 

FE, SE., 

CNPS 

CNDDB Occ. 3/18 Y Plants vegetative. 

#105 4/22 Y Plants in fruit. 

CNDDB Occ. 

#15 

CNDDB Occ. 

#45 

1B.1 CNDDB Occ. 

#44 

CNPS 

1B.2 

CNPS 4.2 

CNPS 

1B.2 

Eriastrum hooveri CNPS 4.2 

Eriogonum gossypinum CNPS 4.2 

Eriogonum temblorense 

Eschscholzia 

rhombipetala 

CNPS 

1B.2 

CNPS 

1B.1 

Lasthenia ferrisiae CNPS 4.2 

Lasthenia glabrata ssp. 

coulteri 


Layia munzii 

CNPS 

1B.1 

CNPS 

1B.1 

CNPS 

1B.2 

5/3 Y Plants in flower 

3/20 N 

4/4 Y 

N/A N/A N/A 

Accession 

#SBBG80408 

CNDDB Occ. 

#26 

CNDDB Occ. 

#87 

CNDDB Occ. 

#17 

Accession 

#JEPS108267 

5/3 Y 

Plants were observed on this site by 

C. Wilkinson in ’08; however no 

plants were observed in ‘10 

Plants were in full flower; several 

plants had immature fruits. 

Limited access to reference sites 

near the monument; species not 

referenced. 

Plants were in full flower, mature 

fruits present. 

3/13, Numerous vegetative plants 

Y 

3/17 

observed south of 7 Mile Rd. 

4/17 Y Plants were in flower 

4/22 Y Plants were in flower 

6/29 Y 

6/29 N 

Kern County population. Plants 

were dead; fruits senesced 

Plants not observed; reference site 

visit possibly late in season. 

CNDDB Occ. #1 6/29 Y Plants in early flower 

CNDDB Occ. #8 

Location 

information 

from E. 

rhombipetala 

Occ. #8 

3/21, 

4/4 

3/13, 

3/16 

N 

Y 

Suitable habitat present; however 

plants not observed. 

Plants were in early flower. 

3/21 Y 

Large population; plants were in 

full flower. 

N/A N/A N/A 

CNDDB locality information 

vague; reference sites not visited. 

N/A N/A N/A 

CNDDB locality information 

vague; reference sites not visited. 

3/13 Y Plants in early flower 

CNDDB Occ. 

3/16 Y Plants in +/- early flower 

#23 

3/21 Y Plants in full flower 


Final Report 

21 


18 November 2010


Regulatory 

Status 

Reference 

Population ID 



Comments 

Lepidium jaredii ssp. 

jaredii 

Madia radiata 

Monolopia congdonii 

CNPS 

1B.2 

CNPS 

1B.1 

FE, CNPS 

1B.2 

CNDDB Occ. #6 

3/13 Y 

3/20 Y 

4/4 Y 

Plants in flower; some plants 

vegetative. 

Plants in full flower; immature 

fruits present. 

Plants in full flower; mature fruits 

present. 

CNDDB Occ. #2 3/17 Y Plants in full flower 

CNDDB Occ. 

#31 

3/13, 

3/16, 

3/20, 

4/4, 

4/17 

Y 

Numerous populations were located 

throughout the Monument, 

especially along Soda Lake Rd. and 

within the Elkhorn Plain. Most 

plants were flowering by 3/20. By 

4/17 plants were dead or in fruit. 

On 13, 16, 17, and 21 March, reference populations of several target rare plant species were 

visited by the entire spring survey team (Table 5). These included reference populations for San 

Joaquin woollythreads (Monolopia congdonii), recurved larkspur (Delphinium recurvatum), 

showy golden madia (Madia radiata), Munz’s tidy-tips, round-leaved filaree (California 

macrophylla), and Ferris' goldfields (Lasthenia ferrisiae). These species were found in nearby 

locations, occurring in similar habitats to those on-site and were documented. All of these 

species were flowering and positively identified at this time except recurved larkspur and roundleaved 

filaree, which were both in bud and later positively identified. Additional reference site 

visits were later conducted for San Joaquin woollythreads. Plants were in flower and beginning 

to set fruit on 4 April; on 17 April most individuals observed were dead and had set fruit. 

A reference site for Jared’s pepper-grass (Lepidium jaredii ssp. jaredii) was visited by Chris 

Winchell and Colin Wilkinson on 13, 20 March and 4 April 2010. Some plants were in flower 

on 13 March, however this species was not found to be in full flower and fruiting until 4 April 

(Table 5). 

A reference population for diamond-petaled poppy (Eschscholzia rhombipetala), located on the 

northeast corner of Belmont Trail and Carlesburg Road, was checked on 21 March and again on 

4 April by Chris Winchell and Colin Wilkinson (Table 5). While suitable habitat was present, no 

plants were detected. This population is presumed extant; however, it has reportedly not been 

observed in this specific location since 1995. While D. Keil made the initial discovery in 1992, 

he and M. Skinner were unable to relocate this population in 1995 (CNDDB 2010). However, 

the species was up and blooming in the Carrizo Plain during 2010 and was reportedly detected 

on the nearby Topaz Solar site off of SR 58. 


Final Report 

22 


18 November 2010

On 29 March 2010 we also corresponded with the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) botanist 

of the Carrizo National Monument, Dennis Kearns, regarding the state of extant populations of 

California jewel-flower (Caulanthus californicus) on the Carrizo, and were informed that the 

reference populations for this species had also been flowering and were at that time beginning to 

set fruit. Subsequently, Chris Winchell and Colin Wilkinson then visited a BLM population on 4 

April to take pictures of this species and population for the survey crew (Table 5). 

On 17 April, Chris Winchell visited a reference population for recurved larkspur (Table 5). 

While the population was in flower, mature fruits were not present. Similarly, on 22 April Colin 

Wilkinson observed plants in full flower with mature fruits lacking. On 22 April, Chris Winchell 

visited a reference population for round-leaved filaree; plants were found to be in full fruit 

(Table 5). 

Reference populations for later-blooming spring species La Panza mariposa lily (Calochortus 

simulans) and gypsum-loving larkspur (Delphinium gypsophilum ssp. gypsophilum) were visited 

on 3 May 2010 by Colin Wilkinson. Both species were in full flower with mature fruits found 

on gypsum-loving larkspur (Table 5). 

On 29 June, Chris Winchell, Colin Wilkinson, and Ethan Barnes visited reference populations 

for oval-leaf snapdragon (Antirrhinum ovatum), and the summer- or late spring-blooming species 

crownscale (Atriplex coronata ssp. coronata), Lost Hills crownscale (Atriplex coronata var. 

vallicola), Hoover’s eriastrum (Eriastrum hooveri), cottony buckwheat (Eriogonum 

gossypinum), and Temblor buckwheat (Eriogonum temblorense) (Table 5). Crownscale, Lost 

Hills crownscale, and Temblor buckwheat were found to be in flower and/or in fruit and readily 

identifiable. The reference population for Hoover’s eriastrum, located near Lokern Rd. and SR 

58 in Kern County, was past fruit senescence. Reference site information for cottony buckwheat 

and oval-leaf snapdragon within the Carrizo Plain valley floor was imprecise and these 

populations were not located. 


Final Report 

23 


18 November 2010

2010 SURVEY RESULTS 

SPECIAL-STATUS PLANT SPECIES 

We found populations of 8 of the 23 target species on-site. Figure 6 presents the summary 

results for the spring and summer survey efforts. Special-status species that occur on-site within 

the spring BSA include California androsace (Androsace elongata ssp. acuta), crownscale, 

recurved larkspur, gypsum-loving larkspur, Ferris’ goldfields, Munz’s tidy-tips, pale-yellow 

layia (Layia heterotricha), and Jared’s pepper-grass. 

Because so many occurrences of these special-status species were found on-site, we have 

prepared maps that show subsets of results for easier viewing (Figure 7, 8 and 9). Ferris’ 

goldfields, Munz’s tidy-tips and pale-yellow layia were found and confirmed on-site within the 

spring BSA during the initial spring survey sweep. While both special-status plant species of 

larkspur were also detected during this survey sweep, these species were not definitively 

identifiable at that time. These larkspur species were confirmed and definitively identified to 

species during subsequent spring revisits in late April and May 2010. Additionally, populations 

of California androsace and Jared’s pepper-grass were found on site during the later spring 

revisits. All spring results except for Munz’s tidy-tips are shown on Figure 7. Because Munz’s 

tidy-tips were so widely distributed and prevalent on site, and because there are two sources of 

population estimates for this species (discrete populations and transect counts), only Munz’s 

tidy-tips results are shown on Figure 8. During the summer surveys in June and July 2010, 

crownscale was identified on-site, and results for this species are depicted on Figure 9. 

Additional populations of some spring-flowering species were also identified in the expanded 

survey area and are shown on Figure 9. An expanded discussion of each special-status plant 

species found on-site is provided below. 

California Androsace (Androsace elongata ssp. acuta) 

Photograph 3. California androsace 

was associated with bare ground. 

California androsace (Photograph 3) is an annual herb 

in the primrose family (Primulaceae) that blooms from 

March through June (CNPS 2010). This species 

possesses a calyx generally >3 millimeter (mm), a leaf 

blade tapering to the petiole, and awl-like, stiffly acute 

calyx lobes (Hickman 1993, Baldwin et al. 2011 in 

press). It occurs on dry, grassy slopes (Hickman 1993) 

in chaparral, cismontane woodland, coastal scrub, 

valley and foothill grassland habitats, and meadows and 

seeps (CNPS 2010). The species ranges from Baja 

California into Oregon at elevations between 492 and 

3937 ft. California androsace is widespread in several 

counties, including: Alameda, Contra Costa, Fresno, 

Kern, San Bernardino, San Diego, Siskiyou, San 

Joaquin, San Luis Obispo, and possibly Tehema counties. It is believed to be extirpated from 

Los Angeles County. It is considered endangered in Oregon. Threats to the species include 


Final Report 

24 


18 November 2010

grazing, trampling, competition from non-native plants, alteration of fire regimes, and impacts 

from recreational activities. 

A large population (>35,000) of California androsace was found in the northern end of the BSA 

to the west of the road to Twisselman Mine, and a smaller population (60-80) was found on the 

slopes to the east of the mine itself (Figures 6 and 7). Additionally, during summer surveys for 

blunt nosed leopard lizard, two populations of approximately 1,000 individuals were found to the 

east of the mine road and a population of 500 individuals was found in the hills in the northeast 

corner of the eastern switchyard alternative, and these populations were confirmed during the 

summer rare plant surveys (Figure 9). Because this is a spring-flowering species, however, we 

do not consider these latter results up to protocol-level. These populations found outside the 

spring BSA (Figure 2), but within the summer BSA, may actually be larger than estimated 

during this late time of year, and there may be additional populations of this or other spring 

blooming species in any area not included in the original spring BSA. 

All populations of California androsace were found on steep north-facing slopes with a 

significant percentage of bare soil. Associate species also occurring on these slopes included 

slender phlox (Phlox gracilis), California plantain (Plantago erecta), one-sided bluegrass (Poa 

secunda ssp. secunda), and small fescue (Vulpia microstachys). 

Crownscale (Atriplex coronata var. coronata) 

Photograph 4 (above). A large crownscale 

specimen. 

Photograph 5 (below). Diagnostic fruit bracts 

of crownscale. 

Crownscale (Photograph 4) is an annual herb in 

the goosefoot family (Chenopodiaceae) that 

blooms from March to October (CNPS 2010). 

Crownscale possesses one to few stiff, 

generally gray-scaly stems that are decumbent 

to erect. Proximal leaf blade bases are cordate, 

while distal blade bases are rounded. Fruit 

bracts are 4.5 – 6 mm (Photograph 5), fused 

approximately to the middle, widely deltate to 

somewhat round, compressed to spheric, 

smooth to tubercled, with a greenish, toothed 

margin (Hickman 1993, Baldwin et al. 2011 in 

press). It is distributed across the Central 

Valley and the central California coast in 

strongly alkaline, open soils in chenopod scrub, 

valley and foothill grassland, and vernal pools 

at elevations from 3 to 1800 ft (CNPS 2010). 

Crownscale is a Californian endemic that is 

documented from Alameda, Contra Costa, 

Fresno, Glenn, Kings, Kern, Merced, Monterey, 

San Luis Obispo, Solano, and Stanislaus 

counties. The known occurrences with 

specimens accessioned by the CCH nearest the 

project site are approximately 1.8 mi east of 

Soda Lake Road on Belmont Trail, and south 


Final Report 

25 


18 November 2010

60-80 

3 3 

4 

~35,000 

1000 

1000 

5 

500 

1500 

200 

1 

No rare plants 

found in western 

alternative switchyard 

(Summer 2010) 

2000 

1 

0 

6 

16 

1 

5 

50 1500 

11 

4 

1 

~2.5 million 

3000 

98 

10000 

50 

20 

1500 

1 

600 

10 1 

100 

1 

7500 

2000 

500 

7 

750 2 

2500 

675 10 

25 300 

1 

1 

Block 8 

10 

50 

1 

1500 

5000 800 

5000 

3000 

4000 

50 

2000 

4000 

75 

300 

3000 100 

35 1500 

1 1 5 1 

1000 

24 6 1 40 

40000 

20 

35 

1 

1 

4 

300 

1000 

10000 6000 

30 

53 

15 3001 

250 

1 

200 

424 


5 

7 

7 

15 

19 

5 

1 

10 

5 

>500 

1 

1 

50 

14 

13 

16 

17 

0 

1 

3 

4 

68 

54 

17 

39 

73 

52 

17 

33 

25 

103 

3 3 

78 

306 

168 

303 

275 

4 153 

1 497 

1 

1 

1488 5 

11 

1268 

3000 

16 2859 

1500 

4914 

2000 

2170 

SEE INSET 

1 

1 

~2.5 million 

53 

5 

1 

100 

7 

1 

6 

75 

424 

6 

0 

0 

0 

0 

1 

4 

1 

1 

6 

6 

24 

23 

34 

38 

69 

102 

1 

7 

5 

10 

2 

1 

20 

1 

0 

58 

1 

6 

100 

50 

3 

2 

100 30 

23 

3 

3 

3 

13 

34 

12 

30 

61 

98 

1 

36 

10 

28 

2000 

1 

3 

1 

98 

3 

1 

2 

6 

4 

49 

101 

36 

0 

6 

0 

7 

50 1 

1 1 

2 

3 

75 30 

9 

1 

4 21 

11 

5 

7 

53 

3 

18 

14 

8 

8 

11 

51 

15 

31 

69 

111 

104 

232 

134 

0 

3 

4 

2 

1 

0 

77 Plant Survey Grids (Layia munzii results)* Survey GPS Point Locations with Quantity 

Survey GPS Polygon Locations with Quantity 


Camissonia boothii 



Androsace elongata ssp acuta 


Camissonia campestris ssp campestris 

Camissonia graciliflora 

Camissonia hirtella 

Scale 

1:26,400 


0 0.415 0.83 Miles 



Figure 6: Spring and Summer Plant Survey Results 

N:\Projects\3103-01\Report\ 


Delphinium gypsophilum ssp gypsophilum 

Lepidium jaredii ssp jaredii 


Layia munzii 





* Transect data for Layia munzii is in addition to polygon data. 

0 1,100 2,200 4,400 Feet 

Data Sources: [1] 1ft Natural Color SunPower Aerial (2009), 

[2] H.T. Harvey & Associates (Plant Survey Data) 


HPR II

60-80 

3 3 

4 

1 

~35,000 

5 

2000 

1 

Block 8 

1 

1 

1 

4 

1 

11 

1 

16 

50 

100 

500 

2 

98 

20 

1 

10 

1 

7 

10 

1 

24 

1 

1000 

1 1 1 

6 1 

1 

4 

53 

1 

40 

35 

1 


1 

5 

10 

>500 

1 

1 

50 

6 

100 

1 

1 

50 

3 

2 

100 

58 

30 

36 

2000 

98 

7 

1 

6 1 

1 

3 3 

1 

4 

1 

1 

1 

3 

1 

1 

1 

1 

1 

1 

11 

16 

1 

3 

4 

SEE INSET 


Survey GPS Polygon Locations with Quantity Survey GPS Point Locations with Quantity 


Androsace elongata ssp acuta 




Camissonia campestris ssp campestris 



Scale 

1:26,400 


0 0.415 0.83 Miles 



Figure 7: Spring Plant Survey Results W/out Layia munzii 



Lepidium jaredii ssp jaredii 

Delphinium gypsophilum ssp gypsophilum 




0 1,100 2,200 4,400 Feet 




HPR II

153 

306 

168 

303 

Block 8 

275 

497 

1488 

1500 

~2.5 million 

75 

1268 

3000 

2859 

0 

1500 

2000 

675 

7500 

300 

4914 

2170 

424 


5 

7 

15 

19 

7 

5 

14 

7 

13 

6 

1500 

3000 

16 

16 

17 

0 

1 

3 

4 

68 

54 

17 

39 

73 

52 

17 

33 

25 

103 

78 

153 

306 

168 

303 

275 

497 

1488 

1268 

2859 

1500 4914 

2000 

2170 

SEE INSET 

~2.5 million 

75 

424 

6 

0 

0 

0 

0 

1 

4 

1 

1 

6 

6 

24 

23 

34 

38 

69 

102 

7 

10 

2 

20 

0 

58 

23 

3 

3 

3 

13 

34 

12 

30 

61 

98 

1 

0 

10 

28 

3 

1 

2 

6 

4 

49 

101 

36 

0 

0 

7 

53 

18 

3 

1 

3 

9 

11 

14 

8 

8 

11 

51 

15 

31 

69 

111 

104 

232 

134 

1 

0 

3 

2 

0 

7 


Plant Survey Transects ( Layia munzii results)* 

Layia munzii 

Scale 

1:26,400 


0 0.415 0.83 Miles 



Figure 8: Spring Plant Survey Results ( Layia munzii only) 



0 1,100 2,200 4,400 Feet 




HPR II

58 

50 

2 

1 

75 

30 

75 

21 

4 5 

5 

50 

600 

750 

25 

50 

10000 

2500 

3000 

1500 

4000 

40000 

6000 

5000 

200 

10 

50 

1500 

3000 

5000 

800 

50 

4000 

2000 

100 

300 

1500 

5 

20 

1000 

250 

200 

300 

10000 

30 

15 


Legend 






Scale 


0 1,250 2,500 5,000 Feet 






Figure 9: Summer Plant Survey Results 

( Atriplex coronata var. coronata ) 

HPR II

of the junction of Seven Mile Road and Soda Lake Road 

(CCH 2010). 

Photograph 6. Gypsum-loving 

larkspur plants in full flower. This 

species was associated with hilly 

topography on the CVSR site. 

Large populations of crownscale were found within the 

vernally moist depressions throughout the southwestern 

corner of the BSA (or, spring survey Block 8) (Figures 6 

and 9). Additionally, smaller populations were located 

adjacent to the alkaline sinks located in the northeast corner 

of the site (in the spring survey Block 10 and the western 

edge of spring survey Block 11) (Figure 6 and 7). All 

populations on-site combined total approximately 104,000 

individuals (Figures 6 and 9). The vernal depressions and 

alkaline sinks where the species was found support 

different vegetation than the surrounding ruderal or 

grassland plant communities. Associate species such as 

blow wives (Achyrachaena mollis), Douglas’ microseris 

(Microseris douglasii), California goldfields (Lasthenia 

californica), and Ferris’ goldfields are only present in 

spring and are dry and decaying by mid-summer. Other 

shrubby associates such as alkali heath (Frankenia salina), 

and inkweed (Suaeda moquinii) are present for months 

after spring vegetation has died back. 

Gypsum-loving Larkspur (Delphinium gypsophilum ssp. 

gypsophilum) 

Gypsum-loving larkspur (Photograph 6) is a perennial herb in the 

buttercup family (Ranunculaceae) that blooms from February to May 

(CNPS 2010). This subspecies possesses 5 - 8 mm lower petal 

blades; lateral sepals generally >10 mm; pedicels generally >1 

centimeter (cm) apart on the inflorescence axis; stem bases generally 

as wide as the adjacent root with a firm attachment; wavy seed coat 

cell margins; and white to light pink sepals that are rarely reflexed 

(Photographs 7 and 8) (Hickman 1993). Gypsum-loving larkspur 

occurs in chenopod scrub, cismontane woodland, and valley and 

foothill grassland habitats from 328 to 2707 ft in elevation (CNPS 

2010). It is a California endemic species that is found in Alameda, 

Fresno, Kings, Kern, Madera, Merced, Monterey, San Benito, San 

Joaquin, San Luis Obispo, Stanislaus and Ventura counties. 

Gypsum-loving larkspur is threatened mainly by construction and 

maintenance, energy development, and grazing. 

There were 11 populations of gypsum-loving larkspur identified in 

the spring BSA during the spring surveys and revisits (Figures 6 and 

7). An additional population containing 6 individuals was identified 

during the summer revisits in the eastern alternative switchyard 

location; because it was so late in the season it is unknown if other 

Photograph 7 (above). 

Flower of gypsumloving 

larkspur. 

Photograph 8 (below). 

Lateral view. 


Final Report 

30 


18 November 2010

individuals occur in this area (not within the initial spring BSA, Figure 9). On-site populations 

ranged from 1 to over 500 individuals, with a total of approximately 900 individuals found 

within the entire spring BSA (Figure 6 and Figure 7). The largest populations were found in 

spring survey Blocks 3 and 4 in the northeastern portions of the site, where they were associated 

with steep hill-slopes and shaley, fine-loamy soils where there is a significant amount of bare 

ground. This species was not typically associated with other special-status species. Common 

associate species were one-sided bluegrass, small fescue (Vulpia microstachys), eastwoodia 

(Eastwoodia elegans), and mariposa lily (Calochortus sp.). 

Recurved Larkspur (Delphinium recurvatum) 

Photograph 9 (above). Recurved 

larkspur in flower. 

Photograph 10 (below). Bloom 

showing characteristic, but not 

always present, recurved sepals. 

Ferris’ goldfields, and Jared’s pepper-grass. 

Recurved larkspur (Photograph 9) is a perennial herb in 

the buttercup family (Ranunculaceae) that blooms from 

March to June (CNPS 2010). The key morphological 

feature for which this species is named, recurved light 

blue sepals (Photograph 10), are not always present. 

However, the combination of presence of white lower 

petals, a sepal spur ranging from 10 - 18 mm, lateral 

sepals between 11 - 16 mm in length, a winged seed with 

wavy cell margins (Hickman 1993), and edaphic 

preference for poorly drained, fine alkaline soils 

uniquely characterize this species. Recurved larkspur 

occurs in chenopod scrub, cismontane woodland, and 

valley and foothill grassland habitats from 10 to 2461 ft 

in elevation (CNPS 2010). It is a widely distributed 

Californian endemic found in 67 USGS quadrangles in 

Alameda, Contra Costa, Fresno, Glenn, Kings, Kern, 

Madera, Merced, Monterey, San Joaquin, San Luis 

Obispo, Solano, and Tulare counties (CNPS 2010). It is 

locally abundant within the area of the project site, 

especially within the historic Soda Lake drainage and 

alkaline soils within the Carrizo Plain National 

Monument (CNDDB 2010). It is extirpated from its 

historical range in Butte and Colusa counties. Threats to 

the species include habitat conversion to agriculture, 

grazing, and trampling (CNPS 2010). 

Recurved larkspur was identified in thirteen locations 

throughout the southern end of the spring BSA in spring 

survey Blocks 8 and 13 (Figures 6 and 7). These 

occurrences were small populations or scattered plants 

ranging from 1 - 24 individuals with a total of 56 

individuals on-site. Populations in spring survey Block 8 

at the southern end of the BSA were associated with 

several special-status species, such as Munz’s tidy-tips, 


Final Report 

31 


18 November 2010

Ferris' Goldfields (Lasthenia ferrisiae) 

Ferris’ goldfields (Photograph 11) is an annual herb 

in the sunflower family (Asteraceae) that blooms 

from February to May (CNPS 2010). Ferris' 

goldfields is distinguished by phyllaries fused for 2/3 

of their length and short and curved fruit hairs 

(Hickman 1993, Baldwin et al. 2011, in press). It 

occurs in central and northern California in alkaline, 

clay vernal pools and clay-based alkaline sinks at 

elevations of 66 to 2297 ft (CNPS 2010). This 

Californian, Central Valley endemic has been 

documented in Alameda, Butte, Contra Costa, 

Colusa, Fresno, Kings, Kern, Merced, Monterey, 

Sacramento, San Benito, San Joaquin, San Luis 

Obispo, Solano, Stanislaus, Tulare, Ventura and Yolo 

counties. Development and agriculture are the main 

threats to the species. 

Twenty one occurrences of Ferris’ goldfields were 

identified within the spring BSA during the initial 

spring surveys (Figures 6 and 7). These occurrences 

ranged in population size from 1 to approximately 

1000 individuals, with a total of approximately 1730 

individuals on-site. The largest populations were 

observed in more mesic soils with increased 

alkalinity, such as the alkali scalds in spring survey 

Blocks 8 and 10, and the southern end of the 

wildflower fields in spring survey Block 8 (Figures 6 

and 7, Photograph 12). Special-status species 

associated with Ferris’ goldfields included Munz’s 

tidy-tips, recurved larkspur, Jared’s pepper-grass, and 

crownscale. Common associate species observed 

with Ferris’ goldfields were those that typically 

inhabit the alkali scalds on the CVSR Project site, such as California goldfields, blow wives, 

alkali plagiobothrys (Plagiobothrys leptocladus), foxtail barley (Hordeum sp.) and alkali heath. 

Pale-yellow Layia (Layia heterotricha) 

Photograph 11 (above). Ferris’ 

goldfields in disturbed, open soils. 

Photograph 12 (below). Ferris’ 

goldfields in an alkaline scald, with 

objects for scale. 

Pale-yellow layia (Photograph 13, next page) is an annual herb in the sunflower family 

(Asteraceae) that blooms from March to June. It occurs within cismontane woodland, coastal 

scrub, pinyon and juniper woodland, and valley and foothill grassland habitats on alkaline and 

clayey soils at elevations of 984 to 5594 ft (CNPS 2010). The key characteristics for this species 

are an absent or readily deciduous pappus of bristles that are +/- long plumose below and 

scabrous above with an inner surface that is generally not wooly; white to cream-colored ligules; 

leaves that are fleshy, often clasping and entire to minutely toothed; and the plant is glandular 

(Hickman 1993, Baldwin et al. 2011 in press). The current range of this California endemic 

ia 


Final Report 

32 


18 November 2010

includes documented occurrences in 57 USGS 

quadrangles in Fresno, Los Angeles, Monterey, 

Santa Barbara, and Ventura counties, and it is 

believed extirpated from Kings, Kern, San 

Benito, and San Luis Obispo counties (CNPS 

2010). Historically pale-yellow layia was 

found from Panoche south along the South 

Coast Range and edge of adjacent interior 

valleys to the Transverse Ranges, and in the 

southern sierra foothills from Lake Isabella to 

Plieto Ridge. The CNDDB occurrences 

nearest the project site are to the north in the 

Temblor range (CNDDB 2010). There are also 

occurrences from the CCH along SR 58 in the 

pinyon juniper woodland and chaparral in the 

hills to the west of the Carrizo Plain (CCH 2010). The Carrizo Plain National Monument 

describes pale-yellow layia as a component of its alkali sink scrub habitat in its Resource 

Management Plan (BLM 2010). Agricultural conversion, the construction of the San Antonio 

Reservoir, grazing, non-native plants, and vehicles threaten the species (CNPS 2010). 

Pale-yellow layia was identified during the initial spring surveys in 9 isolated occurrences 

toward the southern and southeastern end of the BSA (Figures 6 and 7). Identification of the 

species was confirmed by Bruce Baldwin PhD, Project Curator of the UC Jepson Herbarium, on 

24 April 2010. Numbers within these occurrences ranged from 1 - 4 individuals, with a total of 

22 individuals found in the spring BSA (Figure 7). All of the pale–yellow layia identified on site 

was found in annual grassland with moderately alkaline soils. Common associate species were 

foxtail barley, redstem filaree (Erodium cicutarium), fiddleneck (Amsinckia tessellata), and 

common tidy-tips (Layia platyglossa). Distribution of pale-yellow layia was not predictable as 

occurrences were found sporadically throughout the valley grassland and wildflower fields. The 

very sporadic nature of these low-number occurrences 

may indicate the species does not have a self-sustaining 

population on the CVSR site, and these represent windbased 

propagule spread from a larger population located 

nearby but off-site. 

Munz’s Tidy-tips (Layia munzii) 

Photograph 13. Flowering head of pale-yellow 

layia. 

Munz’s tidy-tips (Photograph 14) is a Californian 

endemic, annual herb in the sunflower family (Asteraceae) 

that blooms from March to April (CNPS 2010). The key 

characteristics for this species include chaff scales in a 

single series between the ray and disk flowers; a pappus of 

lanceolate or elliptic scales of 2 - 3.5mm; purple anthers; 

ray flowers numbering 6 - 15 in one series; phyllaries not 

bulged out; stem not purple streaked; the plant is 

glandular; and ray fruits are dull (Hickman 1993, Baldwin 

et al. 2011 in press). Preferred habitat for the species is in 

Photograph 14. Munz’s tidy-tips 

plant with object for scale. 


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33 


18 November 2010

valley and foothill grassland, and chenopod scrub on alkaline or clay soils at elevations less that 

3000 ft (CNPS 2010). It is distributed across 23 USGS quadrangles in San Luis Obispo, Fresno 

and Kern counties. CNDDB (2010) records indicate 6 occurrences in San Luis Obispo County 

from 1935 - 1998. Historically Munz’s tidy-tips was found from southeastern Cuyama Valley 

north to Merced county along the western edge of the San Joaquin Valley and into the Interior 

South Coast Range (CNDDB 2010, CCH 2010). Munz’s tidy-tips is threatened by competition 

from non-native plant species (CNPS 2010). 

Munz’s tidy-tips was found widely throughout the spring BSA, excluding the northernmost 

portions of the site where no tidy-tips were found (Figure 6 and 8). Figure 8 depicts results for 

Munz’s tidy-tips only. On this figure, discrete, high-density occurrences are shown as polygon 

data, with numbers indicating the count estimates for each high-density area. Transect data is 

shown along the edge of each spring survey block, with each transect count number indicating 

sums of Munz’s tidy-tips encountered on ten 50-ft center transects (Figure 8). The counts of 

individuals associated with each high-density polygon is in addition to the transect data (Figure 

8). Therefore, a total of over 2.5 million individual Munz’s tidy-tips were recorded within the 

spring BSA, with the majority of these occurring within one high-density population in the 

southwestern corner of the spring BSA (Figure 8, Photograph 15). 

Photograph 15. A large, very dense field of Munz’s 

tidy-tips occurs in the southwestern portion of the 

spring BSA. 

Across the site, the species was typically 

found in patches that ranged in size from 

one to several hundred individuals. It is 

likely that these patches form a larger 

metapopulation that encompasses much 

of the CVSR spring BSA. In general, 

densities were observed to be highest at 

the furthest reaches of the valley floor in 

the southern portions of the site, and 

decreased gradually toward the Temblor 

range to the east and north of the BSA. 

Preferred habitat for Munz’s tidy-tips 

on-site is on valley grassland with little 

to no topography, in clayey and/or 

moister areas where soils have increased 

alkalinity. The largest population is 

located within and along a broad, grassy 

swale (Figure 8). Common tidy-tips is 

dominant throughout most of the valley 

grassland habitat south of spring survey Block 2, with patches of Munz’s tidy-tips becoming 

more common as one travels south through the site. Munz’s tidy-tips increases in number until it 

becomes dominant in the southern as the topography grades southwest from the Temblor 

mountains. Special-status species such as Ferris’ goldfields and recurved larkspur were 

associated with Munz’s tidy-tips where large patches were present or dominant. Other 

associated species include redstem filaree, red brome (Bromus madritensis ssp. rubens), shining 

peppergrass (Lepidium nitidum) and fiddleneck. 


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18 November 2010

In an attempt to refine estimates of the population size of the large population of Munz’s tidytips 

in spring survey Block 8 (Figure 8, Photograph 15), and to better compare the density of 

plants on the CVSR Project site in relation to those off-site, on 22 April 2010 Colin Wilkinson 

and Brian Cleary sub-sampled the large on-site population of Munz’s tidy-tips using 1-meter 

square quadrats. Both plant ecologists independently placed quadrats within areas of 

representative density of the large on-site population of Munz’s tidy-tips. Individual Munz’s 

tidy-tips plants were then counted within each quadrat and this was extrapolated out to derive an 

estimate of the average number of individuals per square meter for that population. A total of 10 

1-meter square quadrat placements were taken within the large on-site population, providing 

results between 1 and 2500 individuals per square meter. Visual estimates of the areas of 

differing densities within the entire population provided an average of 50 – 100 individuals per 

square meter over the entire population. Extrapolation of these measurements provided the 

estimate of approximately 2.5 million individual plants. 

Colin Wilkinson used a similar method to subsample off-site, nearby populations of Munz’s tidytips. 

He then used a Trimble (or handheld GPS when a Trimble was unavailable) to delimit a 

polygon for that population. Three off-site populations were measured. North of Carpentaria 

Trail between Cambria and Clarksburg Trails (west of the homestead), a 2.07-ac area had 

approximately 200 individuals per square meter, giving a total of approximately 1.7 million 

individuals. North of Belmont Trail between Cornell and Clarksburg Trails, A 10-meter wide, 

1,240-meter long belt had 30% coverage consisting of dense concentrations of Munz’s tidy-tips. 

A ten by fifteen meter concentrations containing approximately 1,500 individuals was 

subsampled, providing an estimate of a total population of approximately 57,000 individuals. 

Finally, a 7.46-ac polygon northeast of the intersection of Belmont Trail and Clarksburg Trails, 

west of the hills separating this polygon from the Cambria/Clarksburg population, had 

approximately 6 million individuals determined to occur with a density of approximately 200 

individuals per square meter. 

Jared’s Pepper-grass (Lepidium jaredii ssp. jaredii) 

Jared’s pepper-grass (Photograph 16) is an annual herb in 

the mustard family (Brassicaceae) (CNPS 2010). The key 

characteristics for this species include non-clasping upper 

cauline leaves; a stigma that generally exceeds the notchtipped 

fruit (Photograph 17, next page); stems that are 

generally erect; fruit valves without prominent tips; a style 

< 1/2 the length of the fruit; yellow petals fading to whitish; 

and lower pedicels 4 – 5 times the length of the fruit 

(Hickman 1993, USFWS 1998, Baldwin et al. 2011, in 

press). This Californian endemic occurs between 1,100 

and 3,300 ft in elevation, in valley and foothill grassland 

habitats on adobe, sandy, or alkaline soils (CNPS 2010). 

Within these habitats, it is typically found on alkali flats 

and sinks. 

Photograph 16. Jared’s peppergrass. 


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18 November 2010

Jared’s pepper-grass historically ranged from San Benito 

County south to San Luis Obispo County (CNPS 2010). On 

the Carrizo plain, Jared’s pepper-grass forms extensive 

colonies in low lying alkaline areas east and southeast of 

Soda Lake. Jared’s pepper-grass is documented in five 

USGS quadrangles in San Luis Obispo and Kern counties. 

The CNDDB occurrences nearest the project site are just 

west and south of Soda Lake (CNDDB 2010). 

Photograph 17. Diagnostic 

features of Jared’s pepper-grass, 

such as yellow petals and a style 

that exceeds the notch-tipped 

silicles. 

A single population of approximately 128 individuals of 

Jared’s pepper-grass was identified in the southwest corner 

of Block 8 during the follow-up surveys in May (Figures 7 

and 8). This population was found at the base of a west 

facing slope on soft, alkali soils with a significant amount of 

bare ground. It was associated with special-status species 

such as Munz’s tidy-tips, Ferris’ goldfields, recurved 

larkspur, and crownscale. Common associated species 

included common monolopia (Monolopia lanceolata), 

California goldfields, Great Valley phacelia (Phacelia 

ciliata) and red brome. 

Parry’s Mallow [Eremalche parryi (ssp. undetermined)] 

During the spring surveys Parry’s mallow (Eremalche parryi) was identified on the fault 

escarpment and slopes in spring survey Blocks 5, 11, and 12. Taxonomic discrepancies and an 

inconclusive key make it unclear as to whether this species would be identified as ssp. parryi, 

which is not a special-status species, or ssp. kernensis, which is listed as federally endangered. 

Additionally, the USFWS species account for the federally listed subspecies indicates that the 

rare form is specifically restricted to western Kern County north of McKittrick and west of 

Buttonwillow (USFWS 1998, Sandoval and Cypher 2006). Per personal communication with 

Ellen Cypher, Ph.D. of the CDFG (21 May 2010), it is unlikely that the onsite species is the 

federally endangered plant based on its bloom size and range. However the issue has been 

referred to the USFWS (E. Warne, 18 May 2010 pers. communication) and is pending further 

clarification. 

CAMISSONIA SPECIES 

Consistent with the Project EIR (H.T. Harvey & Associates 2009), the rare plant survey crew 

also searched for any species of Camissonia (sun cups or evening primrose) that occurred on site. 

This is because at least some sun cup species are known to serve as required host plants for the 

larva of the endangered Kern primrose sphinx moth. Four species of sun cups were identified in 

the BSA during the spring and late-spring surveys. Although none of the Camissonia species 

found on-site are special-status, rare, or endangered, their presence was noted to provide 

information on the presence of potential habitat for the endangered Kern primrose sphinx moth. 

Booth’s Evening Primrose. Booth’s evening primrose (Camissonia boothii) (Photo 18) was 

found in several populations in the hills of Blocks 3 and 4 on the eastern edge of the BSA 


Final Report 

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18 November 2010

(Figures 6 and 7). This white flowered Camissonia was associated with 

rose and white buckwheat (Eriogonum gracillimum), anglestem 

buckwheat (Eriogonum angulosum), yellowcomet (Mentzelia affinis), 

desert candle (Caulanthus inflatus), and one-sided bluegrass in the 

southern portion of spring survey Block 3. It was associated with 

Lemmon's poppy (Eschscholzia lemmonii ssp. lemmonii), San Joaquin 

blazingstar (Mentzelia pectinata), false spikeflower (Hollisteria lanata), 

scrub gilia (Gilia malior), and common monolopia in spring survey 

Block 4. In both areas, this species was found on slopes with some bare 

ground, eroded, fine, shaley loam soils and also with the wash habitats in 

spring survey Block 3. This species is not known to serve as a larval 

host species for the Kern primrose sphinx moth (USFWS 2007) 

Photograph 18. 

Booth’s evening 

primrose growing in 

sandy soils. 

Mojave Suncup. A population of more than 2,000 Mojave 

suncup (Camissonia campestris ssp. campestris) (Photo 19) was 

found in a sandy wash in the northern portion of spring survey 

Block 2 (Figures 6 and 7). This population was associated with 

buckwheat (Eriogonum elongatum), sessileflower false 

goldenaster (Heterotheca sessiliflora ssp. echioides), San 

Joaquin snakeweed (Gutierrezia californica), wand wirelettuce 

(Stephanomeria virgata ssp. pleurocarpa), and silver lupine 

(Lupinus albifrons). This sun cup species is considered to be 

one of the primary host food plants for the moth, particularly in 

the Carrizo Plain (USFWS 2007). 

Photograph 19. Mojave sun 

cup growing in a sandy 

wash. 

Hill Suncup. Five individuals of hill suncup (Camissonia 

graciliflora) were detected on the Martin property (Figures 6 

and 9). This species was found growing in alkaline clay and was 

associated with common monolopia, wild oat (Avena barbata), 

and bristly fiddleneck (Amsinckia tessellata). This species is not 

known to serve as a larval host species for the Kern primrose 

sphinx moth (USFWS 2007). 

Hairy Suncup. One hairy suncup (Camissonia hirtella) was found in within a sandy wash in the 

northern section of spring survey Block 3 (Figures 6 and 7). This plant was associated with 

bristly fiddleneck, hairy-leaved comb bur (Pectocarya heterocarpa), little gilia (Gilia minor), 

and alkali goldenbush (Isocoma acradenia var. bracteosa). This species is not known to serve as 

a larval host species for the Kern primrose sphinx moth (USFWS 2007). 

PRIOR SURVEY REPORT REDACTIONS/CLARIFICATIONS 

Two interim rare plant survey reports describing the results of the 2010 CVSR rare plant survey 

results were released for CEQA purposes. These reports detailed the spring (H. T. Harvey & 

Associates 2010a) and summer (H. T. Harvey & Associates 2010b) survey sweeps. Three errors 

were reported in the prior reports and have since been corrected in this report. Firstly, in the 

spring interim survey report (H. T. Harvey & Associates 2010a), a population of 100 individuals 


Final Report 

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18 November 2010

Delphinium gypsophilum ssp. gypsophilum occurring in spring survey Block 3 was incorrectly 

labeled on the survey results map as Delphinium recurvatum. This error has been rectified in 

Figures 6 and 7 of this report. Secondly, in the summer survey report, it is reported that summer 

surveys occurred on 28 June 2010; however, this in not the case, and summer surveys actually 

commenced on 29 June 2010 as reported here. 

Finally, the special-status plant Eriogonum vestitum appears on the inclusive Plants Observed list 

for the summer survey report (H. T. Harvey & Associates 2010b). This is a typo (the actual 

species identified on-site was E. viridescens); and it should be reiterated the species E. vestitum 

was never observed anywhere within the Project vicinity. In general, the species list included 

with this report (Appendix A) supercedes all other plant lists generated for the Project site, as it 

is based off of vouchered identifications confirmed by multiple Project plant ecologists. In some 

cases, species were misidentified during the initial survey effort in the field, and therefore, some 

species occur on the original data forms but are not listed in the final species list. The list 

provided here as Appendix A reflects all taxonomic edits and final species identifications for the 

site. 


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18 November 2010

LITERATURE CITED 

[BLM] Bureau of Land Management. 2010. Carrizo Plain National Monument, Approved 

Resource Management Plan and Record of Decision. Prepared by the BLM, Bakersfield 

Field Office and United States Department of Interior, April 2010. 

Baldwin, et al. (eds.). 2011 (in press). The Jepson Manual: Vascular Plants of California. 

University of California Press, Berkeley. Accessed from http://ucjeps.berkeley.edu/ 

jepsonmanual/review/ on 15 March 2010 and other dates. 

[Calflora] 2010. Calflora: Information on California plants for education, research and 

conservation. 2010. Berkeley, California: The Calflora Database. Available: 

http://www.calflora.org/. Accessed through November 2010. 

[CCH] Consortium of California Herbaria. 2010. Available from: 

http://ucjeps.berkeley.edu/consortium/. Accessed multiple dates January through 

November 2010. 

[CDFG] California Department of Fish and Game. 2000. Guidelines for Assessing the Effects 

of Proposed Projects on Rare, Threatened, and Endangered Plants and Natural 

Communities. Prepared December 1983. Revised May 2000. Sacramento, California. 

http://www.dfg.ca.gov/biogeodata/cnddb/pdfs/guideplt.pdf. 

[CDFG] California Department of Fish and Game. 2003. The vegetation classification and 

mapping program: List of California terrestrial natural communities recognized by the 

California Natural Diversity Database. Sacramento, CA. 77 pp. 

[CDFG] California Department of Fish and Game. 2009. Protocols for Surveying and 

Evaluating Impacts to Special Status Native Plant Populations and Communities. 

Prepared 24 November, 2009. Sacramento, CA. http://www.dfg.ca.gov/ 

biogeodata/cnddb/pdfs/Protocols_for_Surveying_and_Evaluating_Impacts.pdf 

[CNPS] California Native Plant Society. 2001. CNPS Botanical Survey Guidelines. Prepared 9 

December, 1983. Revised 2 June, 2001. http://www.cnps.org/cnps/rareplants/ 

pdf/cnps_survey_guidelines.pdf 

[CNPS] California Native Plant Society. 2010. Inventory of Rare and Endangered Plants 

(online edition, v7-09d). California Native Plant Society. Sacramento, California. 

Accessed on 10 January 2010 (and other dates) from http://www.cnps.org/inventory. 

[CNDDB] California Natural Diversity Database. 2010. Rarefind 3.1.0, a program created by 

the California Department of Fish and Game, allowing access to the CNDDB. 

Hickman, J. C. 1993. The Jepson Manual: Higher Plants of California. University of 

California Press. 


Final Report 

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18 November 2010

Holland, R. F. 1986. Preliminary descriptions of the terrestrial natural communities of 

California. Prepared for CDFG. 

H. T. Harvey & Associates. 2009. Biological Resources Assessment for the California Valley 

Solar Ranch Project, San Luis Obispo County, California. Project #3103-01. 

H. T. Harvey. 2010a. California Valley Solar Ranch: Special Status Plant Surveys Interim 

Survey Report. 30 July 2010. Project #3103-02. 

H. T. Harvey. 2010b. California Valley Solar Ranch: Special Status Plant Summer Surveys 

Interim Survey Report. 9 August 2010. Project #3103-02. 

Keil, D. J. 2010. Wildflowers of San Luis Obispo, California. City of San Luis Obispo and 

CNPS. 86 pp. 

McLeod, M. 2004. Wildflowers of the Carrizo Plain Area. California Native Plant Society. 

Sacramento, California. 12 pp. 

Munz, P.A. and D.D. Keck. 1968. A California Flora and Supplement. University of California 

Press, Berkeley, CA. 

[NRCS] Natural Resource Conservation Service. 1992. Hydric Soils List of San Luis Obispo 

County, California. 

[NRCS] Natural Resource Conservation Service. 2003. Soil Survey of San Luis Obispo County, 

California, Carrizo Plain Area. 

Sandoval, T.M. and E.A. Cypher. 2006. Endangered Species Recovery Program Species 

Account: Kern Mallow (Eremalche kernensis). Retrieved from http://esrp.csustan.edu/ 

speciesprofiles/profile.php?sp=erke on 5 May 2010. 

[USFWS] U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 2002. General Rare Plant Survey Guidelines. 

Prepared 1996 and revised July 2002 by Ellen A. Cypher. 

[USFWS] U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 1998. Recovery plan for upland species of the San 

Joaquin Valley, California. Region 1, Portland, OR. 

[USFWS] U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 2007. Kern Primrose Sphinx Moth (Euproserpinus 

euterpe) 5-year Review: Summary and Evaluation. Sacramento Fish and Wildlife Field 

Office, Sacramento CA. Prepared September 2007. 

Weather Underground. 2010. Station ID (KCACALIF2). Accessed from 

http://www.wunderground.com/weatherstation/WXDailyHistory.asp?ID=KCACALIF2 

on 10 January 2010 (and other dates). 


Final Report 

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18 November 2010

PERSONAL COMMUNICATION 

Cypher, Ellen. 21 May 2010. California Department of Fish and Game. Phone Call, Email. 

Hacker, Dave. 4 March 2010. California Department of Fish and Game. Phone Call, Email. 

Jones, Susan. 4 March 2010. California Department of Fish and Game. Phone Call, Email. 

Kearns, Dennis. 29 March 2010. Bureau of Land Management. Phone Call 

Daryl Twisselman. Several dates in 2008 and 2009 (with URS ecologists) and March 2010. 

Property owner. Personal interview. 

Warne, Elizabeth. 18 May 2010. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Phone Call. 


Final Report 

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18 November 2010

APPENDIX A. 

LIST OF PLANT SPECIES IDENTIFIED ON THE CVSR PROJECT SITE 


Final Report 

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18 November 2010

Appendix A. Plant Species Identified on the CVSR Project Site, 2010 Surveys. 

Family 


Amaranthaceae 

Apiaceae 

Asclepiadaceae 

Asteraceae 

Amaranthus albus 

Eryngium vaseyi 

Lomatium caruifolium 

Lomatium utriculatum 

Yabea microcarpa 

Asclepias fascicularis 

Achyrachaena mollis 

Acroptilon repens 

Agoseris heterophylla 

Artemisia californica 

Blennosperma nanum var. nanum 

Centaurea melitensis 

Chaenactis fremontii 

Chamomilla suaveolens 

Coreopsis bigelovii 

Coreopsis calliopsidea 

Eastwoodia elegans 

Ericameria linearifolia 

Eriophyllum confertiflorum var. confertiflorum 

Filago californica 

Gutierrezia californica 

Heterotheca sessiliflora ssp. echioides 

Isocoma acradenia var. bracteosa 

Lactuca serriola 

Lagophylla ramosissima ssp. ramosissima 

Lasthenia californica 



Layia munzii 

Layia pentachaeta ssp. albida 


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18 November 2010

Family 

Boraginaceae 


Layia platyglossa 

Lessingia filaginifolia 

Lessingia lemmonii var. lemmonii 

Malacothrix californica 

Malacothrix coulteri 

Micropus californicus var. californicus 

Microseris campestris 

Microseris douglasii ssp. douglasii 

Monolopia lanceolata 

Monolopia stricta 

Rafinesquia californica 

Senecio vulgaris 

Sonchus asper ssp. asper 

Stephanomeria exigua ssp. coronaria 

Stephanomeria virgata ssp. pleurocarpa 

Stephanomeria pauciflora var. pauciflora 

Uropappus lindleyi 

Amsinckia lycopsoides 

Amsinckia menziesii var. intermedia 

Amsinckia menziesii var. menziesii 

Amsinckia tessellata 

Amsinckia vernicosa var. vernicosa 

Cryptantha flaccida 

Cryptantha intermedia 

Cryptantha muricata 

Heliotropium curassavicum 

Pectocarya heterocarpa 

Pectocarya linearis ssp. ferocula 

Pectocarya penicillata 

Plagiobothrys acanthocarpus 

Plagiobothrys canescens 


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18 November 2010

Family 

Brassicaceae 

Caprifoliaceae 

Caryophyllaceae 

Chenopodiaceae 


Plagiobothrys leptocladus 

Brassica nigra 

Capsella bursa-pastoris 

Caulanthus inflatus 

Descurainia pinnata 

Descurainia sophia 

Erysimum capitatum ssp. capitatum 

Guillenia lasiophylla 

Guillenia lemmonii 

Heterodraba unilateralis 

Hirschfeldia incana 

Hutchinsia procumbens 

Lepidium dictyotum var. acutidens 

Lepidium jaredii var. jaredii 

Lepidium nitidum var. nitidum 

Lepidium strictum 

Raphanus sativus 

Sisymbrium irio 

Sisymbrium orientale 

Stanleya pinnata var. pinnata 

Thysanocarpus curvipes 

Thysanocarpus laciniatus 

Tropidocarpum gracile 

Isomeris arborea 

Herniaria hirsuta ssp. cinerea 

Spergularia marina 

Spergularia rubra 

Stellaria nitens 

Atriplex argentea 


Atriplex fruticulosa 


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18 November 2010

Family 

Convolvulaceae 

Crassulaceae 

Cucurbitaceae 

Euphorbiaceae 

Fabaceae 


Atriplex lentiformis ssp. lentiformis 

Atriplex polycarpa 

Atriplex serennana var. serennana 

Bassia hyssopifolia 

Chenopodium album 

Chenopodium californicum 

Krascheninnikovia lanata 

Monolepis nuttalliana 

Salsola tragus 

Suaeda moquinii 

Convolvulus arvensis 

Cressa truxillensis 

Crassula connata 

Marah fabaceus 

Chamaesyce ocellata ssp. ocellata 

Eremocarpus setigerus 

Astragalus didymocarpus var. didymocarpus 

Astragalus lentiginosus var. nigricalycis 

Astragalus oxyphysus 

Lotus humistratus 

Lotus strigosus 

Lotus wrangelianus 

Lupinus albifrons 

Lupinus bicolor 

Lupinus microcarpus var. horizontalis 

Lupinus microcarpus var. microcarpus 

Medicago polymorpha 

Melilotus indicus 

Trifolium albopurpureum var. albopurpureum 

Trifolium depauperatum var. amplectens 

Trifolium gracilentum var. gracilentum 


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18 November 2010

Family 

Frankeniaceae 

Geraniaceae 

Hydrophyllaceae 

Lamiaceae 

Liliaceae 

Loasaceae 

Malvaceae 

Marsileaceae 

Nyctaginiceae 

Onagraceae 


Trifolium repens 

Trifolium willdenovii 

Vicia sativa 

Frankenia salina 

Erodium botrys 

Erodium cicutarium 

Erodium moschatum 

Phacelia ciliata 

Phacelia distans 

Phacelia fremontii 

Phacelia tanacetifolia 

Pholistoma membranaceum 

Marrubium vulgare 

Salvia columbariae 

Trichostema lanceolatum 

Allium crispum 

Allium lacunosum 

Calochortus clavatus var. pallidus 

Calochortus venustus 

Dichelostemma capitatum ssp. capitatum 

Muilla maritima 

Mentzelia affinis 

Mentzelia pectinata 

Eremalche parryi cf. ssp. parryi 

Malva parviflora 

Malvella leprosa 

Pilularia americana 

Mirabilis laevis var. crassifolia 


Camissonia campestris ssp. campestris 

Camissonia graciliflora 


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18 November 2010

Family 

Papaveraceae 

Plantaginaceae 

Poaceae 



Clarkia purpurea ssp. quadrivulnera 

Clarkia tembloriensis ssp. tembloriensis 

Eschscholzia californica 

Eschscholzia lemmonii ssp. lemmonii 

Papaver hybridum 

Platystemon californicus 

Stylomecon heterophylla 

Plantago elongata 

Plantago erecta 

Avena barbata 

Avena fatua 

Cynodon dactylon 

Bromus diandrus 

Bromus hordeaceus 

Bromus tectorum 

Bromus trinii 

Bromus madritensis ssp. rubens 

Deschampsia danthonioides 

Distichlis spicata 

Elymus elymoides ssp. elymoides 

Elymus glaucus 

Hordeum brachyantherum 

Hordeum marinum ssp. gussoneanum 

Hordeum murinum ssp. leporinum 

Koeleria phleoides 

Lamarkia aurea 

Leymus triticoides 

Lolium perenne 

Nassella cernua 

Nassella pulchra 


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18 November 2010

Family 

Polemoniaceae 

Polygonaceae 


Poa bulbosa 

Poa secunda ssp. secunda 

Polypogon monspeliensis 

Schismus arabicus 

Schismus barbatus 

Triticum aestivum 

Vulpia bromoides 

Vulpia microstachys var. pauciflora 

Vulpia myuros var. hirsuta 

Vulpia octoflora 

Allophyllum gilloides 

Eriastrum densifolium ssp. austromontanum 

Eriastrum pluriflorum 

Gilia clivorum 

Gilia malior 

Gilia minor 

Linanthus bicolor 

Linanthus dichotomus 

Linanthus liniflorus 

Linanthus parviflorus 

Navarretia sp. 

Phlox gracilis 

Chorizanthe uniaristata 

Chorizanthe watsonii 

Eriogonum angulosum 

Eriogonum baileyi var. baileyi 

Eriogonum elongatum var. elongatum 

Eriogonum fasciculatum var. polifolium 

Eriogonum gracillimum 

Eriogonum nudum 

Eriogonum ordii 


Final Report 

A-8 


18 November 2010

Family 

Portulacaceae 

Primulaceae 

Ranunculaceae 

Scrophulariaceae 

Simaroubaceae 

Solanaceae 

Tamaricaceae 

Urticaceae 

Valerianaceae 


Eriogonum viridescens 

Hollisteria lanata 

Polygonum arenastrum 

Rumex crispus 

Rumex salicifolius var. denticulatus 

Rumex sp. 

Calandrinia ciliata 

Claytonia exigua ssp. exigua 

Claytonia parviflora ssp. parviflora 

Claytonia perfoliata ssp. perfoliata 




Castilleja brevistyla 

Castilleja densiflora 

Castilleja exserta ssp. exserta 

Castilleja subinclusa ssp. subinclusa 

Collinsia heterophylla 

Ailanthus altissima 

Datura wrightii 

Nicotiana quadrivalvis 

Solanum xanti 

Tamarix aphylla 

Tamarix ramosissima 

Urtica dioica ssp. holosericea 

Plectritis ciliosa 


Final Report 

A-9 


18 November 2010

APPENDIX B. 

RESUMES OF TEAM PERSONNEL FOR 2010 SURVEYS 


Final Report 

B-1 


18 November 2010

H. T. Harvey & Associates Personnel Qualifications 

Patrick Boursier, Ph.D. 

Principal, Plant Ecology 

pboursier@harveyecology.com 

408-458-3204 

AREAS OF EXPERTISE 

• Plant ecology/rangeland science 

• Land management plans 

• Wetland delineation/assessment 

• Environmental impact assessment 

• Permitting/compliance 

EDUCATION 

• Ph.D. Plant Physiology, UC Davis, 1987 

• M.S. Agronomy and Range Science, UC 

Davis, 1982 

• B.S. Biological Sciences, UC Davis, 1979 

PRIOR PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE 

• Postdoctoral researcher, salt marsh 

ecophysiology, Univ. Sussex, Brighton, 

England 1989-1991 

• Postdoctoral researcher, soil/plant relations, 

UC Davis 1988-1989 

• Postdoctoral researcher, nitrogen 

biochemistry, Oregon State Univ., Corvallis 

1987-1989 

• Biological Technician, Interior Dept., Bureau 

of Land Management, Susanville 1978-1980 

KEY PROJECTS 

• Tehachapi Renewable Transmission Project 

EIR/EIS 

• Napa-Sonoma Marsh and South Bay Salt 

Pond resource agency permits 

• Haystack/Burns Wetland delineation/rare 

plant studies 

• VTA Measure B projects environmental 

studies/resource agency permits 

KEY PUBLICATIONS 

Boursier, P. et al. 1989. Growth & nitrogen-fixing 

responses of subterranean clover to application 

and subsequent removal of ammonium nitrate. 

Crop Science 29:758-763. 

Boursier, P. & A. Lauchli. 1989. Mechanisms of 

chloride partitioning in leaves of salt-stressed 

Sorghum bicolor. Physiologia Plantarum 77:537- 

544. 

Boursier, P., F. J. Hanus, H. Papen, M. Becker, S. A. 

Russell and H. J. Evans. 1988. Selenium increases 

hydrogenase expression in autotrophically cultured 

Bradyrhizobium japonicum and is a constituent of the 

purified enzyme. J. Bacteriol. 170:5594-5600. 

Complete list of publications available upon request 

PROFESSIONAL PROFILE 

Patrick is a principal and head of our plant ecology group, a role in which he provides 

direction, training, and oversight on technical studies related to environmental 

documents, wetland delineations/assessments, quantitative sampling, rare plant studies, 

and resource agency permit preparation and processing. He is also responsible for 

providing senior management across a broad spectrum of projects. 

One of Patrick’s primary focuses within the company is wetland delineation and 

permitting. He has prepared delineations covering tens of thousands of acres in a wide 

variety of habitats involving complex hydrologic and edaphic settings including vernal 

pools and swales, farmed wetlands, tidal salt marshes, atypical situations and problem 

areas. His permitting experience and expertise includes U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, 

Regional Water Quality Control Board, California Department of Fish and Game, 

California Coastal Commission, Bay Conservation and Development Commission, U.S. 

Coast Guard, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and National Marine Fisheries Service. 

Prior to joining H. T. Harvey & Associates, Patrick was involved in monitoring and 

assessing the effects of environmental stresses on individual plant vigor and 

composition in Great Britain's coastal salt marsh communities. He has over 20 years of 

experience initiating, planning, and executing both basic and applied research from the 

whole plant to the biochemical level; in ecological and managed ecosystems; and under 

field, greenhouse, and laboratory conditions. His technical expertise includes scanning 

and transmission electron microscopy, electron x-ray microanalysis, micro-turgor 

pressure probes, radioactive isotopes, enzyme isolation, plant tissue element analysis, 

and soil physical and chemical properties. Pat’s field experience includes mapping over 

one million acres of plant communities in desert and forest ecosystems over a three-year 

period for the Bureau of Land Management. 

With over 15 years of direct consulting experience, Patrick has managed several hundred 

projects, including environmental impact reports, constraints analyses, impact 

assessments, and resource agency permit submittals, as well as mitigation and 

monitoring studies. He has mapped biotic habitats, conducted special-status plant 

surveys, and performed wetland delineations in a wide variety of plant communities 

throughout the San Francisco Bay Area, Central Valley, and Mojave Desert. 

With H. T. Harvey & Associates, Pat has overseen numerous large-scale projects. These 

have included the preparation of environmental documentation and acquisition of 

resource agency permits for nine Santa Clara County Transportation Authority highway 

and rail projects; wetland delineation and resource agency permit preparation for a 6000- 

acre salt marsh along the Napa River; permit applications and wetland delineation for 

the 15,000-acre South Bay Salt Pond Project; wetland delineation and rare plant surveys 

on over 1800 acres of vernal pool habitat in California’s Central Valley; long-term marsh 

vegetation monitoring of over 1500 acres in South San Francisco Bay; regional species 

distribution studies for the Santa Clara Valley dudleya and Congdon’s tarplant; rare plant 

distribution studies for numerous projects across several thousand acres of the Mojave 

Desert; preparation of a species management plan for the federally endangered robust 

spineflower; and compilation of habitat conservation plans for coastal grassland prairie, 

serpentine grasslands, and alkali sink habitats. Recent infrastructure improvement 

projects include Interstate-580 West-bound HOV Improvements, City of San Mateo 

South Trunk Sewer Relief Project, City of San Mateo Kingridge Sewer Project, and 

Santa Clara Valley Water District Stream Maintenance Program.


Kelly Hardwicke, Ph.D. 

Senior Plant Ecologist 

khardwicke@harveyecology.com 

408-458-3236 


• Rare/endangered plant surveys 

• Environmental impact assessment 

(NEPA/CEQA) 

• Wetland delineation/assessment 

• Permit Preparation and Assistance 

• Entomological and Branchiopod Surveys 

EDUCATION 

• Ph.D. Ecology, Colorado State Univ., 2006 

• B.A. Biology, Reed College, 1998 


• Instructor, Plant Identification, Colorado 

State Univ., 2006 

• Researcher, Shortgrass Steppe Long-term 

Ecological Research Site, 2002-2006 

• Teaching Assistant, Colorado State Univ., 

2001-2006 

• Field Researcher, US Geologic Survey, 

Grand Staircase Escalante National 

Monument, 2002 

• Research Technician, Center for Cytometry 

& Molecular Imaging, Salk Institute, 1998- 

2001 

• Field Biologist, El Paso County Parks Dept., 

1998 

KEY PROJECTS 

• California Valley Solar Ranch Rare Plant 

Surveys, Wetland Delineation, CEQA 

Support, and Branchiopod Surveys. 

• Tehachapi Renewable Energy Transmission 

Project EIR/EIS and Rare Plant Surveys 

• Trilobite Solar Rare Plant Surveys 

• East Contra Costa County HCP/NCCP 

CEQA Analysis 

• Monterey County Nacimiento Bridge 449 

Replacement Project 

• City of San Mateo Bayfront Levee 

Improvements Project 

• Salinas River Lagoon Fisheries Enhancement 

Project 

• Highway 101 Auxiliary Lane Project, 

Embarcadero to SR 85 

• Alkali Sink Conservation Bank Branchiopod 

Surveys 


Kelly is a Plant Ecologist whose work primarily involves classification and description of 

habitats and identification of the component flora and invertebrates of project sites. 

Her work also frequently includes surveying sites for special-status plants, performing 

wetland delineations, writing CEQA documents, and providing permit assistance. In 

addition, Kelly also has several years of experience in insect surveys, sample preparation, 

and identification, and studies of vernal pool invertebrates. She holds a recovery permit 

with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to conduct wet season surveys for endangered 

branchiopods throughout California. 

Kelly's botanical expertise has centered on the flora of the San Francisco Bay Area, 

Mojave Desert, Colorado shortgrass steppe and Rocky Mountains, and the Great Basin 

and associated floristic provinces. She has conducted rare plant surveys on thousands of 

acres in Alameda, Contra Costa, Kern, Los Angeles, Monterey, San Benito, San 

Bernardino, Santa Clara, Santa Cruz, San Luis Obispo, and San Mateo counties, as well 

as in Utah and Colorado. Her strong research and botanical background gives her the 

skills necessary to determine the potential for a site to support special-status species, and 

her background in plant physiology allows her to analyze habitat requirements of rare 

plant species. In addition, her entomology and community ecology background enables 

her to distinguish significant plant-invertebrate community associations. Kelly’s strong 

research background and dissertation work in pollination biology complement her 

familiarity with the rare and endemic species of the San Francisco Bay, Monterey Bay, 

Mojave Desert, Central Valley, Central Coast Range, and Transverse Range regions. 

While with H. T. Harvey & Associates, Kelly has conducted rare plant surveys on 

several large projects involving salt water, riparian, Mojavean scrub, chaparral, annual 

grassland, and vernal pool plant communities. She has written a management plan for a 

federally endangered plant, designed and performed protocol plant surveys in a variety 

of habitats, and applied geographic information system techniques to create maps of 

sensitive habitats and populations. Her surveys have involved creating floristic species 

lists from wetland, scrub, woodland, riparian, desert, and grassland plant communities 

across California. She has conducted planning surveys for habitat conservation plan 

compliance, and coordinated regulatory agency permitting for complex projects. Kelly is 

able to collaborate with project engineers to understand and relay pertinent information 

to regulatory agencies, including compilation of individual permits for the U.S. Army 

Corps of Engineers, 401 Water Quality Certification, and Bay Conservation and 

Development Commission permits. She has extensive experience with resource agency 

permitting for large public works projects and has worked closely with project engineers 

in this capacity. She has also written numerous Natural Environment Studies for the 

California Department of Transportation. Beyond her work with habitats and plants, 

Kelly has conducted wet season sampling for vernal pool branchiopods in the lower 

Sierra Nevada foothills, the Central Valley, and the Carrizo Plain, and has sampled for 

terrestrial insects for a number of projects in various habitats, from a Bay Area 

freshwater and brackish marsh community to vernal pools in the Central Valley. 

To complement her formal training in plant biology, Kelly has completed several 

courses emphasizing federal and state regulatory compliance and procedures, including 

wetland delineation training focused on soils and hydrology with the Wetland Training 

Institute; courses on the Clean Water Act (Section 404), nationwide permits, endangered 

species regulation and protection, and CEQA with UC Davis; and courses on 

branchiopod identification. She is a member of the California Native Plant Society.


Brian Cleary, M.S. 

Senior Plant Ecologist 

bcleary@harveyecology.com 

408-458-3232 


• Plant ecology 


• Vegetation mapping, qualitative and 

quantitative plant sampling 

• Wetland delineations 

• Wetland communities ecology 

• Regulatory agency permitting 

• CEQA/NEPA document preparation 

EDUCATION 

• M.S. Ecological Botany, California State 

Univ. Stanislaus, 1997. 

• B.S. Botany, California State Univ. Fresno, 

1986. 


• Senior Associate, Swanson Hydrology & 

Geomorphology, 2003-2005. 

• Botanist, H. T. Harvey & Associates 1998- 

2003. 

• Botanist, EA Engineering, Science & 

Technology, 1993-1997. 

• Professional Botanist, U.S. Forest Service, 

1989-1993. 

KEY PROJECTS 

• California Valley Solar Ranch, Rare Plant 

Surveys. 

• Tehachapi Renewable Transmission Project 

Rare Plant Surveys 

• Marine Ocean Terminal Concord Rare Plant 

Surveys. 

• Trilobite Solar Rare Plant Surveys. 

• Hunters Point Naval Shipyard Wetland 

Delineation Project. 

• Concord Naval Weapons Station Wetland 


• Clark Slough Humboldt Bay Wetland 


• U.S. Highway 101 North and South Wetland 


• Neary Mitigation Project. 


Brian is a senior plant ecologist responsible primarily for conducting large-scale 

ecological studies. These have included field surveys for rare plant species and analysis 

of potential rare plant habitats, vegetation typing, habitat mapping, and wetland 

delineations in a myriad of plant communities throughout California. Brian has over 20 

years of direct project-related field experience in California that includes extensive rare 

plant surveys in valley and foothill grassland, cismontane and transmontane woodland, 

coastal and desert scrub, montane conifer and broadleaf forests, freshwater marsh, 

coastal salt marsh and riparian communities. He is also a regulatory specialist involved 

in the permit preparation and processing of U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Section 404 

nationwide and individual permits, Regional Water Quality Control Board Section 401 

clean water certification applications, California Department of Fish and Game 

streambed alteration agreements, and California Coastal Commission development 

permits. 

Brian has also conducted botanical investigations, including rare plant surveys, in many 

states throughout the U.S and in many counties in California. Additionally, he is very 

experienced in the study of wetland ecology, including quantitative and qualitative 

determination of wetland functions and values, and specializes in field surveys for rare, 

threatened, endangered, and sensitive plant species that occur in California wetland 

communities. In 2009, Brian participated in a large-scale (several thousand acres) rare 

plant survey in the Mojave Desert for a high profile solar energy project. Brian also has 

extensive project experience conducting rare plant surveys in serpentine grassland 

habitat throughout Santa Clara and San Mateo counties in California, and specializes in 

the taxonomy and life history of rare and endangered serpentine endemic plant species. 

As a wetland scientist he has mapped tens of thousands of acres of wetlands in 

California, including a recent delineation and rare plant surveys on several hundred acres 

of the Vina Plain in Northern California, where the site was comprised of large and 

complex vernal pools that also supported endangered plant species. Brian recently 

served as an expert witness providing testimony for a wetland delineation project in 

Humboldt County, California. In early 2009, Brian completed a 5,000-acre wetland 

delineation for the inland portion of the Concord Naval Weapons Station as a part of 

the City of Concord Land Reuse Plan. 

With H. T. Harvey & Associates, Brian provides expertise in the preparation of various 

CEQA and NEPA related documents including environmental impact reports, natural 

environment studies, habitat conservation plans and biological assessments as a part of 

the Endangered Species Act (ESA) Section 7 agency consultation process. This work 

includes an assessment of project-related botanical and wetland impacts and formulation 

of mitigation management and restoration strategies for impacts to wetlands and rare, 

threatened, and endangered plant species in California. During his 9 years with H. T. 

Harvey & Associates, Brian has been involved in several hundred projects that require 

botanical adherence to CEQA, NEPA, and ESA guidelines. 

Prior to his work for H. T. Harvey & Associates, Brian used the U.S. Forest Service's 

Ecological Unit Inventory technique for vegetation typing and geographic information 

system mapping of over 300,000 acres of land in Southern California. As a vegetation 

management specialist, Brian assisted in developing fire management prescriptions in 

chaparral and mixed conifer forest to enhance biodiversity and promote age class 

diversity. In Northern California, Brian carried out data analysis and description of over 

400,000 acres of natural vegetation for Louisiana-Pacific’s Sustained Yield Timber 

Management Plan and Habitat Conservation Plan related to Section 10 of the ESA.


Colin Wilkinson 

Plant Ecologist 

cwilkinson@harveyecology.com 

559-476-3182 




• Habitat Assessments 

• Vegetation mapping, qualitative and 

quantitative plant sampling 

• CEQA/NEPA document preparation 

• Rare/endangered wildlife surveys 

EDUCATION 

• B.S. Ecology & Evolution, UC Santa Cruz, 

2006 


• Botanist/Biologist, ESRP CSU Stanislaus, 

2007-2010 

• Biologist, USFS PSW, 2003 

• Biologist, CA State Parks, 2003 

• Botanist/Biologist, Sequoia Riverlands Trust, 

2003 

KEY PROJECTS 


Surveys 

• Panoche Valley Solar Farm Peer Review 

Surveys and Reporting 

• PG&E San Joaquin Valley HCP Surveys and 

Monitoring 

• San Joaquin River Water Quality 

Improvement Project, Wildlife Monitoring 

for Panoche Drainage District 


Colin is a Plant Ecologist in our San Joaquin Valley office, specializing in special-status 

plant surveys and habitat assessments. 

Colin has worked as a botanist for numerous projects throughout California. His 

professional experience ranges from the southern California deserts, San Joaquin Valley, 

central and southern Coast Ranges, and the Sierra Nevada Mountains. In addition to his 

extensive background in special-status plant surveys he has also played a role in 

identifying and studying long-term vegetative trends and productivity in alkali scrub 

communities, and valley grassland in the southern and western San Joaquin Valley. 

Colin has conducted special-status species surveys and botanical inventories throughout 

Fresno, Kern, Kings, Madera, San Benito, San Luis Obispo, and Tulare counties. Colin 

has contributed to projects including sensitive and invasive plant species mapping in the 

San Joaquin River drainage as part of a restoration effort; surveys and mapping of 

sensitive plant species, invasive plant species, and plant species that had been deemed 

culturally significant in Sierra National Forest in Madera county. 

While employed with California State University (CSU) Stanislaus Endangered Species 

Recovery Program, Colin gained experience working on a variety of projects. He has 

performed vegetation mapping and productivity sampling, and identified habitats with 

the potential for sensitive plant associations, conducted vernal pool mapping and quality 

assessments; participated in research of native plant restoration involving the collection 

and processing of seed and native plant propagation. While at HTH, Colin has played 

an integral role on identifying rare plants and assessing habitat for these species on 

several projects. 

In addition to his strong background as a botanist, Colin also has considerable 

experience conducting wildlife surveys. For four seasons he conducted protocol surveys 

for blunt-nosed leopard lizards and spotted owl and has assisted with protocol surveys 

for great grey owl. He also has experience conducting surveys and assessments for 

California red-legged frog and California tiger salamander. In addition he has assisted in 

census, population monitoring, habitat management and improvement for California 

red-legged frog in San Benito County and assisted in pit-fall trapping of adult and 

emergent larval California tiger salamander and dip or seine netting of their larvae in 

breeding pools in Fresno and Madera counties. Colin also has hundreds of hours of 

small mammal trapping experience and has assisted in trapping for endangered species 

including: giant kangaroo rat, Fresno kangaroo rat, Tipton kangaroo rat, and Buena 

Vista Lake shrew. He conducted a rangewide census in Kern, San Luis Obispo and San 

Bernito counties for giant kangaroo rat in 2007. Further experience with endangered 

species includes surveys for valley elderberry long-horned beetle and spotlight surveys 

for San Joaquin kit fox. Colin has performed bird point count surveys in Fresno county 

for CA State Parks. He also performed bird point count surveys in Kern county for two 

seasons while participating in vegetation classification and sampling, and herpetological 

and small mammal surveys as part of a BLM-funded study on biodiversity 

. 

Colin is a member of the California Native Plant Society and is a member/volunteer for 

the Sierra Foothill Conservancy.


Ethan M. Barnes, M.S. 


ebarnes@harveyecology.com 

559-476-3185 




• Wetland delineation 

• Habitat restoration planning/monitoring 

• GIS resource mapping/analysis 

EDUCATION 

• M.S. Forestry, Northern Arizona Univ., 2006 

• B.S. Environmental Science (Terrestrial 

Ecology emphasis, Biology minor), Western 

Washington Univ. 1997 


• Instructor, Biology, Fresno City College, 

2007-2009 

• Independent Consultant, 2004-2008 

• Biological Science Technician, USDA Forest 

Service, 2004 

• Botanist, Maxim Technologies, Inc., 2003- 

2004 

• Botany/GIS Assistant, Bureau of Land 

Management, 2002-2003 

• Graduate Research Assistant, Northern 

Arizona Univ., 1999-2002 

• Seasonal Field Botanist, The Nature 

Conservancy, 1998-1999 

KEY PROJECTS 


Surveys and Report 

• Marine Ocean Terminal Concord Special- 

Status Species Survey 

• South Bay Salt Marsh Habitat Mapping 

• SCE's Tehachapi Renewable Transmission 

Project Biological Survey and EIR 

• City of Lancaster Flood Control 

Retention/Detention Basin EIR 

• MET and TLDD Water Treatment Plant 

Biological Resources Report 


Ethan is a Plant Ecologist in our San Joaquin Valley office, responsible for conducting 

special-status plant surveys, classifying and mapping different vegetation cover types, 

performing wetland assessments/delineations, and conducting environmental impact 

analyses. 

Over the last 12 years as a professional botanist, Ethan has conducted surveys for 

special-status plant species and their habitats, performed wetland delineations, and 

mapped vegetative cover types in a wide variety of plant communities throughout the 

United States. He possesses botanical experience in ecosystems in California, Arizona, 

Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Colorado, Montana, North Dakota, Texas, Nebraska, and 

Florida. Ethan is skilled in data collection and analysis using a wide array of techniques 

for quantitative vegetative characterization, toxic metals analysis, long-term monitoring, 

marine benthic macrofauna, and hydrologic studies. His botanical and ecological 

background gives him the skills needed to determine the potential for a site to support 

special-status species. 

Prior to joining H. T. Harvey & Associates, Ethan conducted surveys for sensitive 

species and noxious weeds and characterized existing conditions on 29,000 acres of 

native habitat. He also conducted annual vegetation and hydrology monitoring on 

multiple wetland mitigation and restoration projects in Idaho, Oregon, Nebraska, and 

Florida. Ethan has applied geographic information system techniques in conjunction 

with botanical skills to map potential habitat for sensitive species and vegetative cover 

types and delineate focal areas in northern Monterey County for wetland, riparian, and 

oak woodland restoration. Ethan’s experience also extends to a wide variety of plant 

communities in geographically distinct parts of the western United States, including 

mapping 1500 acres of native Rocky Mountain vegetation and delineation of wetlands 

for a 10-square mile project in the Boise National Forest. 

Since joining our firm, Ethan has performed rare plant surveys, assessed project-related 

environmental impacts, , assisted with wetland delineations, and applied geographic 

information system techniques to create maps of sensitive habitats and populations. His 

surveys have involved inventorying plant species from numerous habitat types including 

wetland, grassland, chaparral, oak woodland, desert, halophytic, and anthropogenic 

communities. Recently, Ethan has assisted with the Southern California Edison’s 

Tehachapi Renewable Transmission Project biological survey in the Antelope Valley, 

San Bernardino foothills, and Chino Hills and with the biological survey and preparation 

of an environmental impact report for the City of Lancaster Flood Control 

Retention/Detention Basin project.


Catherine L. Roy, M.S. 

Field Biologist II 

croy@harveyecology.com 

408-458-3231 


• Rare/Endangered Plant Surveys 

• Environmental Impact Assessment 

(NEPA/CEQA) 

• Restoration Ecology 

• Permit Preparation and Assistance 

PERMITS AND LICENSES HELD 

• CDFG Permit to collect State-Designated 

Rare, Threatened, or Endangered Plants. 

EDUCATION 

• M.S. Biological Sciences, California 

Polytechnic State University, San Luis 

Obispo, CA, 2009. 

• B.S. Horticulture, Utah State University, 

Logan, UT, 2000. 


• Restoration Ecologist, Rocky Canyon 

Granite Quarry, CPSU Biology Department, 

2004-2009. 

• Natural Resource Specialist, Bureau of Land 

Management, Craig, CO 2001. 

• Research Assistant, USU/NASA Crop 

Physiology Greenhouse, 1999-2001. 

• Field Biologist, USU Fisheries and Wildlife 

Department, 1999. 

KEY PROJECTS 


Surveys and Report. 

• Marine Ocean Terminal Concord Rare Plant 

Surveys. 

• South Bay Salt Marsh Habitat Mapping. 

• Santa Clara County Stream Management 

Plan EIR. 

• Oyster Point Business Park and Marina Area 

Redevelopment Master Plan EIR. 

• Almaden Pedestrian Bridge NES. 

• South County Water Recycling Master Plan 

Phase I Regulatory Permitting. 


Catherine is a Plant Ecologist and botanist at HTH, where she provides technical 

expertise related to habitat assessment, rare plant surveys, regulatory permit preparation, 

and CEQA compliance. She is familiar with ecological processes and flora found within 

a broad range of environmental settings, and finds particular interest in complex 

ecological relationships. 

Catherine finished her Master’s degree in Biological Sciences in 2009 with emphasis in 

plant conservation and restoration ecology from California Polytechnic University 

(Calpoly) in San Luis Obispo. Some of her coursework included field botany, 

conservation biology, population biology, watershed management, and statistics taught 

by experts such as David Keil PhD, and V.L. Holland PhD, her Graduate Advisor. 

Field botany and conservation biology courses included extended field trips to the 

Carrizo Plain to learn how to identify a wide variety of plant species in the diverse 

habitats of the monument and develop a conservation plan considering the many factors 

and stake holders that influence conservation planning in that region. Under the 

direction of Dr. Holland, she performed rare-plant surveys and vegetation assessments 

in grassland, vernal pool, coastal scrub and chaparral habitats for rare plants such as the 

San Luis Obispo morning glory (Calystegia subacaulis ssp. episcopalis) and Congdon’s 

tarplant (Centromadia parryi ssp. congdonii). 

Her research focused on chaparral ecology in the Santa Lucia Mountain Range, studying 

how natural regenerative processes such as succession after fire can be applied to help 

promote restoration. In addition to her education at Calpoly, she has worked as a 

Natural Resource Specialist for the BLM in Colorado where she was responsible for 

identifying rare plants and meeting with oil producers and landowners to discuss 

vegetation impacts of proposed oil development. 

While at HTH Catherine has contributed to several large field studies and reports. She 

has completed over 150 hours of protocol level rare-plant surveys on the Carrizo plain 

and identified over 200 vascular plant taxa on this project alone. Since she began work 

at HTH Catherine has identified and observed 17 special-status plant species in their 

native habitats from the Bay Area to the Carrizo Plain. She has prepared numerous 

habitat assessments including the use of GPS/GIS technology to create maps of 

sensitive habitats and special-status plant populations. Much of her work involves 

preparing documents such as Natural Environmental Studies for Caltrans, and permits 

for resource agencies such as the Army Corps of Engineers. These reports require the 

ability to characterize and describe a diverse range of habitats, assess the likelihood for 

the described habitats to support of special-status plants on a project site, and assess 

potential impacts to sensitive habitats and plants from proposed activities. Catherine is 

passionate about her ecological expertise and enjoys any opportunity to provide 

assistance to intricate environmental issues.


Chris Winchell 


cwinchell@harveyecology.com 

559-476-3180 


• Rare/TES plant surveys 


• Habitat Assessments 

EDUCATION 

• B.S. Biology, Fresno State Univ., in progress 


• Biologist, McCormick Biological, 2006-2008 

• Botanist, Sequoia Riverlands Trust, 2006 

• Botanist, Sierra National Forest, 2005-2008 

• Associate Botanist/Biologist, John Stebbins 

Biological Consulting, 2004-present 

• Botanist, Barbara Leitner Biological 

Consulting, 2004-2005 

• Botanist/Biologist, Phil Leitner Biological 

Consulting, 2005 

• Botanist/Biologist, Live Oak Associates, 

2005 

KEY PROJECTS 

• Trilobite Mojave Desert Solar Development 

Project Rare Plant Surveys 

• SCE's Tehachapi Renewable Transmission 

Habitat Mapping and Noxious Weed Survey 

• Academy Avenue North, Section 7 Adobe 

Sunburst Services mitigation 

• City of Lancaster Storm Water Drainage 

Improvement project 

• PG&E Central Valley HCP Surveys and 

Monitoring 


Chris is a Plant Ecologist in our San Joaquin Valley office, specializing in special-status 

plant surveys and habitat assessments. 

Chris has worked as a botanical consultant for numerous projects throughout California. 

His professional experience ranges from the southern California deserts, San Joaquin 

Valley, central and southern Coast Ranges, to the Sierra Nevada Mountains. In addition 

to his extensive background in special-status plant surveys, he has also played a role in 

identifying and studying long-term vegetative trends in alkali scrub communities, valley 

grassland and wetland habitats, and montane to sub-alpine meadow complexes. Chris 

also assisted in the collection of quantitative data for a long-term study on the 

phenotypic variance of certain graminoid species in response to varying environmental 

conditions. 

Chris has conducted numerous special-status species surveys and botanical inventories 

throughout California, including Fresno, Inyo, Kern, Kings, Los Angeles, Madera, 

Mariposa, Merced, Riverside, San Benito, San Bernardino, San Luis Obispo, Stanislaus, 

and Tulare counties. Chris has contributed to numerous local projects including 

botanical inventories and sensitive plant species mapping in the Kaweah, Kings, Merced, 

and San Joaquin River drainages; botanical inventories in the Sierra National Forest in 

Fresno and Madera counties, including surveys and mapping of sensitive plant species, 

invasive plant species, and plant species that had been deemed culturally significant; a 

biological inventory and assessment of various BLM parcels in the vicinity of the San 

Joaquin River Gorge in Fresno and Madera counties, including complete floristic level 

surveys, avian surveys, and wildlife surveys; and floristic level surveys conducted at 

alpine lakes in Tulare County for Southern California Edison’s Hydroelectric project. 

While employed with the Sierra National Forest, Chris gained experience working on a 

variety of projects. He has performed vegetation mapping and identified habitats with 

the potential for sensitive plant associations, conducted fen delineations in high montane 

meadows, and collected and maintained plant specimens for the Forest herbarium. He 

has experience conducting range assessments for grazing method revisions, as well as 

managing geographic information system data of threatened and endangered plants and 

noxious weeds. As a consultant, Chris also conducted wetland delineations and soil core 

sampling and implementing quadrat-sampling techniques to evaluate data required to 

meet mitigation reclamation performance standards. 

In addition to his strong background as a botanist, Chris also has considerable 

experience conducting wildlife surveys. For four seasons he conducted protocol surveys 

for blunt-nosed leopard lizards and has assisted with protocol surveys for northern 

goshawk, burrowing owl, great grey owl, spotted owl, and Mohave ground squirrel. He 

also has experience conducting surveys and assessments for Yosemite toad, California 

red-legged frog, mountain yellow-legged frog, and foothill yellow-legged frog. 

Chris is a member of the California Native Plant Society and is a member/volunteer for 

the Sierra Foothill Conservancy.

Christopher M. Bronny, M.S. 

Botanist - Biologist - Wetlands Ecologist 

Chris with Carol Witham conducting 2008 

Orcuttia surveys, Sacramento County, 

California. 

Certifications 

CRAM (California Rapid 

Assessment Method) 5-day 

Training Workshop for 

Riverine and Depressional 

Wetlands; June 2009 

CNPS Vegetation Rapid 

Assessment Protocol 

CNPS/CDFG Protocols for Botanic 

Surveys 

Army Corps of Engineers Wetland 

Delineation & Management 

Professional Affiliations 

California Native Plant Society 

Northern California Botanists 

Education 

B.A. Education (Elmhurst College, 

1981) 

M.S. Biological Science (Western 

Illinois University, 1992) 

Christopher Bronny, M.S. 

Biological Resources Services 

*Botanic and Wildlife Survey 

*Wetland Assessments/Delineations 

*Permitting/Regulatory Compliance 

*Mitigation Monitoring 

*GPS/GIS 

*Ecological Restoration/Management 

1131 Burwick Lane 

Folsom, California 95630 

chrisbronny@gmail.com 

925.330.7202 

Biological Resources Services - Providing technical analysis for a variety of 

projects throughout California. Maintaining the highest quality work and 

research efforts in conducting biological constraints analyses, protocol-level 

surveys for special-status plant and wildlife species, wetland assessments 

(including habitat functions and values), and wetland delineations (incorporating 

the new Arid West protocols). 

24 years of successfully employing ecological restoration and management 

techniques in a variety of small and large-scale applications for middle-western 

prairies and oak savannas. Extensive field experience working with the 

California ecodiversity of the San Francisco Bay region, Sierra Nevada foothills, 

Great Central Valley, Central Coast, and Southwestern California (coastal sage 

scrub communities). 

Services include regulatory compliance regarding 404 (Corps), 401 (RWQCB), 

1602 (CDFG) permitting, and Biological Assessments (USFWS). Field data 

collections incorporate GPS technology (Trimble GEO XT) at project sites for 

wetland delineations and biological resource assessments. 

PROJECT LINEATION 

RARE PLANT SURVEYS 

2009. Fort Ord. Assisted Burleson Consulting with their annual rare plant 

surveys on the 29,000 acre decommissioned Fort Ord army base, located just 

north of Monterey. Survey methodologies consisted of transects and sample 

quadrants within designated sections for three listed coastal sage scrub species: 

sand gilia (Gilia tenuiflora ssp. arenaria), seaside bird’s-beak (Cordylanthus 

rigidus ssp. littoralis), and Monterey spineflower (Chorizanthe pungens var. 

pungens). 

2008. Laguna Creek Enhancement Project. Conducted comprehensive 

floristic surveys within vernal pool, seasonal wetland, stream channel, and 

upland habitats within the proposed trailside system along Laguna Creek in 

southern Sacramento County. Local reference vernal pools containing the 

federally endangered Orcutt grasses (Orcuttia tenuis and O. viscida) were 

accessed to determine that these species were phenologically evident prior to the 

survey. 

2007. Jepson Parkway. Lead botanist responsible for conducting rare plant 

surveys within proposed alternative routes between Vacaville and Fairfield in 

Solano County. Confirmed previous CNDDB records for Contra Costa 

goldfields, and documented new occurrences of saline clover, a CNPS List 1B.2 

species. 

2007. Hunters View. Lead botanist responsible for conducting rare plant survey 

within a remnant of serpentine grassland in the City of San Francisco, 

recognized as a sensitive natural community type by the CDFG. Developed 

avoidance and mitigation measures to reduce impacts, along with recommended 

restoration and management measures to increase native biodiversity. 

2006. Salmon Falls, El Dorado County. Lead botanist responsible for 

conducting rare plant surveys in chaparral habitats potentially supporting 

endemic species restricted to unique soil substrates associated with the “Pine Hill 

Formation.”

2005-2006. Trigon Line 57c Pipeline Alignment Project, San Joaquin 

County. Lead botanist responsible for conducting rare plant surveys along 6.5 

mile alignment through various deltaic habitats and agricultural land. Findings 

included new CNDDB occurrences for the following vascular plant species: 

Mason’s lileaopsis, a state “California Rare” and CNPS List 1B.1 species; rosemallow, 

a CNPS List 2.2 species; and Suisun marsh aster, a CNPS List 1B.2 

species. 

Centromadia parryi ssp. parryi. Specimen 

collected and identified by Chris at a San 

Mateo County project site (and 

subsequently confirmed by Dr. Bruce 

Baldwin from the Jepson Herbarium) in 

2006; last recorded occurrence in San 

Mateo County was in 1921. 

2005-2006. Recycled Water Seasonal Storage Environmental Impact 

Report, El Dorado Irrigation District, El Dorado County. Provided 

comprehensive biological resources services for analysis of the multiple sites, 

including floristic surveys. Findings included new CNDDB occurrences for the 

following vascular plant species: Brandegee’s clarkia, a CNPS List 1B.2 species 

and Sanford's arrowhead, a CNPS List 1B.2 species. 

2006. Q-Ranch, JTS Communities, Amador County. Lead botanist 

responsible for conducting rare plant surveys in chaparral habitats supporting 

endemic species restricted to unique soil substrates associated with the “Ione 

Formation.” Findings included a new CNDDB occurrence for Parry's horkelia, a 

CNPS List 1B.2 species. 

2006. Pacifica Quarry. Lead botanist responsible for conducting rare plant 

surveys; worked with Jepson Herbarium in verifying the presence of pappose 

tarplant, a CNPS List 1B.2 species, thought to be extirpated from San Mateo 

County (last recorded occurrence was in 1921). 

Additional projects include: 

• Rare plant survey, 57/60 Connector Project, City of Diamond Bar, 2007 

• Rare plant survey and habitat assessment, City of Rancho Cucamonga, 2007 

• Rare plant surveys, Teichert Aggregates, Sacramento County, 2006 

• Rare plant surveys, eBART Corridor Transit Project, Contra Costa County, 

2006 

BIOLOGICAL RESOURCE ASSESSMENTS 

2009. Yuba County Biological Resource Surveys. 

Comprehensive biological resource surveys conducted on two large (>300 acre) 

parcels in the Sierra Nevada foothills; tasks included a field delineation of 

existing wetlands and “other waters”, floristic and wildlife observations, and the 

potential for the parcels to support special-status species. 



*Botanic and Wildlife Surveys 




*GPS/GIS 





925.330.7202 

2008. 16 Critical Erosion Levee Repair Sites (Sacramento River System). 

Lead biologist for Parus Consulting in assessing existing environmental 

conditions within 16 critical erosion sites for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. 

Surveys included vegetation classification, tree surveys, and surveys/analysis of 

habitat suitability for special-status species, including Swainson's hawk and 

valley elderberry longhorn beetle. 

2008. I-215/Scott Road Interchange Project, Riverside County. 

Lead biologist/wetlands ecologist for Dokken Engineering. Conducted wetland 

delineation and assessment of existing environmental conditions within 316 acre 

project area along Interstate 215. Results of surveys presented in a 

Natural Environment Study produced for Caltrans. 

2008. Seismic Retrofit Project - Four Overcrossings – City of Indio, 

Riverside County. 

Lead biologist/wetlands ecologist for Dokken Engineering to assess existing

environmental conditions at four bridge overcrossing sites in the city of Indio. 

Results of surveys presented in four Natural Environment Study (NES); Minimal 

Impacts documents. 

2006-2007. eBART Corridor Transit Project, Eastern Contra Costa County. 

Project involved a comprehensive survey of existing biological resources, 

special-status species surveys (including burrowing owl), and wetland 

delineation along the proposed 23 mile long corridor; served as lead field 

biologist. 


Bullfrog observed during 2008 protocollevel 

surveys conducted for California redlegged 

frog; Placer County, California. 

• Wetland delineation; Kern River overcrossing, Dokken Engineering 

• Biological assessment, rare plant surveys, and wetland delineation, El 

Dorado Irrigation District 

WILDLIFE STUDIES 

2008. Creekside Oaks, City of Granite Bay; Towne Consulting, LLC. 

Conducted site assessment and surveys for California red-legged frog following 

USFWS 2005 Guidance protocols. 

2006. Castle Oaks Estates Fairy Shrimp Surveys, Ione; JTS Communities. 

Conducted wetland delineation, wetland values and function assessment, 

California red-legged frog habitat assessment, California tiger salamander 

habitat assessment, and surveys for vernal pool crustaceans. 








*GPS/GIS 





925.330.7202 

• 2008. Special-status species surveys (e.g., valley elderberry longhorn beetle, 

Swainson's hawk) for Corps' 16 critical erosion repair sites; Sacramento 

River system 

• 2008. Elderberry surveys, Dokken Engineering, Tulare County 

• 2007. Elderberry surveys, Bear River Levee Repair Project, Yuba County 

• 2006. Kit Fox Surveys, San Luis Development Project, Stanislaus County 

• 2006. Elderberry surveys, JTS Communities, Amador County 

• 2005. Burrowing owl, California tiger salamander, and San Joaquin kit fox 

surveys and status report for Pipeline Repair Project, ChevronTexaco KLM, 

San Joaquin County 

• 2004. California red-legged frog survey, Standard Pacific Homes, Napa 

County 

• 2004. California clapper rail and black rail surveys for Pipeline Repair 

Project, ChevronTexaco BAPL, Contra Costa County 

• 2004. California tiger salamander pitfall trapping, seine, and dip-netting 

surveys, Bay Point Venture One, Contra Costa County 

BIOLOGICAL CONSTRUCTION MONITORING 

2008-2009. Highway 65 Self-Storage Project. This project required the 

presence of a biological monitor during phased construction activities to avoid 

impacts to wetland resources (e.g., vernal pools and swales) as part of the 

permitting process. 

2005-2006. Pacific Gas and Electric Company Jefferson-Martin 

Environmental Inspection, Segments 1 and 5, San Mateo, CA, Opus 

Environmental. Pacific Gas and Electric Company constructed a new singlecircuit 

230 kV electric transmission line from the Jefferson Substation in San

Publications 

One-Two punch: grazing history 

and the recovery potential of oak 

savannas, Restoration and 

Management Notes, Vol. 7, No. 2, 

Winter 1989. 

Ecotype dilemma: some thoughts 

on moderation, Restoration and 


Summer 1992. 

Successional restoration of an oak 

opening (Illinois), Restoration and 


Summer 1992. 

Mateo County to the Martin Substation in Brisbane. Implementation of an 

environmental compliance inspection program that included delivery of an 

environmental training program and environmental inspection and reporting 

during construction was conducted for this project; served as environmental 

monitor during construction phasing. 


• Outfall project for Pacific Union Homes, Teichert Construction 

• Pipeline Repair Project Biological Monitor, ChevronTexaco KLM 

• Pipeline Repair Project Biological Monitor, ChevronTexaco BAPL 

• Line 57c Pipeline, PG&E 

PERMITTING/MITIGATION MONITORING 

2009. Elverta Specific Plan. Prepared a Wetlands Functions and Value 

Assessment as part of the greater project proposal of converting highly degraded 

in situ wetland features into higher quality perennial stream corridors and 

greenbelts within the proposed Specific Plan area. Analysis included the 

interpretation of historic aerial photographs to document physiographic and 

anthropogenic changes within the Specific Plan area, as well as evaluation of 

selected Wetland Assessment Areas and regional reference wetlands. 

2009. Teichert Ponds Habitat Development Plan. Prepared a complete 

permitting package – Section 404 (including an Alternatives Analysis), Section 

401, and SBAA 1602 – for the city of Chico as lead agency. Project involved 

the type conversion of wetland habitats found within formerly mined quarry 

ponds into a net gain of habitats having higher wetland functions and values 

through a comprehensive restoration and management plan prepared by 

Restoration Resources. 

2007. San Antonio Spreading Grounds, Three Valleys Municipal Water 

District. Developed a comprehensive habitat mitigation and monitoring plan for 

addressing temporary impacts to Riversidean Alluvial Fan Sage Scrub (RAFSS), 

recognized by the California Department of Fish and Game as a sensitive natural 

community type. Developed appropriate seed mixes of RAFSS species, 

transplant salvaging techniques, installation/planting guidelines, and postplanting 

mitigation and monitoring performance criteria. 





*Permitting/RegulatoryCompliance 


*GPS/GIS 





925.330.7202 

2006 - Present. Belmont Creek Vegetation Monitoring. Nektar Therapeutics 

in San Carlos, California has obtained a 5-year Streambed Alteration Agreement 

from CDFG to remove vegetation from within the channel of Belmont Creek to 

alleviate drainage problems associated with high-flow events during the rainy 

season and to improve site security. The project site is within the known range of 

California red-legged frog. Biological monitoring duties include annual WEAP 

training to maintenance crews, and to ensure that all conditions of approval 

associated with the SAA are met by the biological monitor. 


• Santa Ana River riparian monitoring and status report, Southern California 

Edison 

• JTS Communities wetland mitigation and monitoring plan, Castle Oaks 

Development, Amador County 

• Tule River riparian monitoring project, Tulare County 

• Coyote Hills roadway development project, Sacramento County 

• Highway 65 self-storage development project, Placer County

CEQA SERVICES 





*Permitting/RegulatoryCompliance 


*GPS/GIS 





925.330.7202 

Preparation of EIR/IS/MND biological resources sections for the following 

projects: 

• Lincoln East Specific Plan, Yuba City 

• El Dorado Irrigation District EIR, El Dorado County 

• Western Aggregates Reclamation Plan Environmental Impact Report, Yuba 

County, CA, Western Aggregates, Inc. 

• Tesoro Viejo Development, Madera County 

• Dantoni Quarry, Yuba County 

• Otay Quarry, San Diego County 

• Diamond Quarry, El Dorado County 

• Hansen Permanente Quarry, Santa Clara County

EDUCATION 

Cecile Shohet, M.Sc. 

Botanist / Terrestrial Plant Ecologist 

Principal, Calypso Consulting, LLC 

cshohet@gmail.com 

510-604-8201 

M.Sc. Botany, Arizona State University, 1999 

(Thesis: A demographic and reproductive biology study of a rare plant in the Crassulaceae, 

Graptopetalum bartramii) 

B.A. Biology, Queens College of the City University of New York, 1989 

Post Graduate Work – Lichens and Bryophytes, Southern Oregon University 

SUMMARY OF PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE 

Over ten years of experience in botanical resource management, education, ecological research, and field 

inventory/survey work. Worked extensively with the vegetation of Northern California, Southern Oregon, and Arizona; 

both for the federal government and in the private sector as sole proprietor of Calypso Consulting. Currently works for 

the Jepson Herbarium at the University of California at Berkeley, creating and implementing educational programming 

for botanical professionals and enthusiasts. 

Awarded multiple federal and local government contracts to conduct rare plant surveys, including surveys of nonvascular 

species, on thousands of acres of federal lands in northern California (Sierra) and southern Oregon. 

Six years of experience as a botanist for regions 5 and 6, U. S. Forest Service, Lassen and Rogue River-Siskiyou 

National Forests. As District Botanist for the Illinois Valley and Galice Ranger Districts, developed and implemented a 

complex botanical management program encompassing 500,000 acres of floristically diverse federal lands rich in 

serpentine endemic species. The program included extensive inventory and survey work of both vascular and nonvascular 

species of concern; supervision of seasonal field crews; resource management of timber, mining, engineering, 

recreation, and fuel reduction projects; grant writing (received over $150,000 in grant funding) and subsequent project 

implementation. 

Implemented and supervised noxious weed program with $50,000 annual budget. As part of the program, supervised 

crews and volunteers; development of an off-road vehicle management plan for the Eight Dollar and Days Gulch 

botanical areas. Managed ArcGIS based databases of rare species and noxious weeds. Prepared numerous NEPA 

documents, including Environmental Impact Statements (EIS) and Environmental Assessments (EA), i.e., the Invasive 

Plant Treatment Project EIS for the Gifford Pinchot and Olympic National Forest, and the Columbia River Gorge 

National Recreation Area; and, the Invasive Knotweed Environmental Assessment for the Rogue River-Siskiyou 

National Forest (team leader and botanist). 

SELECT EXPERIENCE 

Botanical Consultant, Spring-Summer 2010 

URS, San Diego, CA and Wood Biological Consulting, Walnut Creek, CA 

• Botanical and Rare Plant Surveys for Stirling Energy Systems, Solar Two Project (6,100 acres), in the following 

Vegetation Communities: Sonoran Creosote Bush Scrub and Dry Desert Wash Woodland. 

Cecile Shohet Resume, page 1 of 5

Public Education Coordinator, 2008-2010 

UC Berkeley, Jepson Herbarium, Berkeley, California 

• Develops, organizes, and coordinates the Jepson Herbarium Public Workshop Program. Creates 25-30 

multi-day workshops per season, at field sites throughout California and in the laboratory. Provides the 

systematic, ecological, floristic, and conservation communities access to specialists across a spectrum of 

scientific studies, with an emphasis on botanical taxonomy. 

• Plans and develops new programs and curriculum, course topics and locations. Recruits and supervises 

qualified instructors. 

• Develops, prepares and reconciles program budgets. Negotiates contracts. Supervises caterers, students 

and volunteers. 

Consulting Botanist, 2008 

Rogue River–Siskiyou National Forest, Medford, Oregon 

• Awarded a noxious weed contract to survey lands in the SW Oregon Cascades. Surveyed approximately 500 

acres. Prepared ArcGIS maps of located target species and drafted detailed ecological reports of project area. 

Consulting Botanist, 2007-2008 

Roseburg Bureau of Land Management, Roseburg, Oregon 

• Awarded a five-year contract with the Roseburg BLM to inventory rare vascular and non-vascular species. 

Inventoried approximately 4000 acres in 2007 and 2600 acres in 2008. Senior botanist, coordinated with BLM 

staff, hired subcontracting botanists, compiled and submitted documentation. 


Plumas National Forest, Northern Sierra Nevada, California 

• Awarded three consecutive contracts with the Plumas National Forest to inventory rare plants and invasive 

weeds. Inventoried approximately 11,000 acres of the Mt. Hough Ranger District in 2005; 9,000 acres in 

2006; and 7,000 acres of the Beckwourth Ranger District in 2007. 

• Served as project coordinator and senior botanist. Hired and supervised a team of 5 botanists. 

• Served as data steward for the project. Utilized ArcView to analyze and interpret pre-field natural resource 

data (shape files: soil, geology, vegetation type, known rare plant, and invasive weed) from the Plumas 

National Forest. Downloaded all GPS files (recreational grade Garmin, and resource grade Trimble) into 

Excel and ArcView through the use of GPS Pathfinder Office software. Created ArcView generated maps, 

and Excel data tables for final reports. 

• Authored the Pre-Survey Report, which included interpretation of ArcView data to map high, moderate, and 

low survey priority areas based on likelihood of locating target species. Criteria included soil, moisture, 

topography, known invasive and rare plant sites, etc.; timing was based on phenology of individual species. 

• Co-authored the Final Report in 2005 and 2006. Report included ecology of project area, ecology of special 

interest species, rare plant/invasive weed occurrence forms, complete plant species lists for project area, 

and ArcView maps of special interest species locations. 

Special Project Botanist (GS-11), 2005-2007 

Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest, Medford, Oregon 

• Using ArcGIS, designed Invasive Weed database, and updated Rare Plant database. 

• Served as team leader and botanist for the Invasive Knotweed Environmental Assessment. 

• Monitored the rare plant Iliamna latibracteata in the Blackberry Timber Sale on the Gold Beach Ranger 

District. Inventoried the Blackberry Timber Sale Area for non-vascular plant species, and drafted the 

Botanical Biological Evaluation. 


Botanist (GS-11), 2005-2006 

Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area, Hood River, Oregon 

• Served as a Member of an Interdisciplinary Team investigating the efficacy of treatments, including 

herbicides, to control invasive weeds in the Olympic and Gifford Pinchot National Forests, and the 

Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area. 

• Authored various sections of two Environmental Impact Statements (EIS), including Affected Environment, 

Effects Analysis, including cumulative effects, for the Invasive Plant Treatment Project, Olympic National 

Forest and Invasive Plant Treatment Project, Gifford Pinchot National Forest, and Columbia River Gorge 

National Scenic Area. 

Botanist (GS-11), 2005 

Stanislaus National Forest, Sonora, California 

• Inventoried for Special Meadow Habitats (Fens). Identified associated vascular and non-vascular species 

within the fen habitats. Inventory information was used to augment regional surveys of Fen habitat 

throughout the Sierra Nevada. 


Illinois Valley Community Response Team, Cave Junction, Oregon 

• To implement National Fire Plan goals, conducted botanical surveys on private property in Cave Junction, 

Selma, and Wolf Creek, that met NEPA requirements for hazardous fuel reduction projects (for a 

community based organization). 

• Liaised with landowners to conduct botanical surveys on their property and to discuss fuel reduction goals. 

District Botanist (GS-09), 2000–2004 

Illinois Valley and Galice Ranger Districts, Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest, Oregon 

• Conducted surveys of over 30,000 acres for Threatened, Endangered, and Sensitive plant species. 

Conducted Survey and Manage of non-vascular bryophyte, lichen, and fungi species on federal lands. 

• Authored over 30 Biological Evaluations and Specialist’s Reports. Evaluations and reports outlined survey 

results and made recommendations for the preservation and management of rare and sensitive plant 

species; where appropriate, outlined mitigation measures. 

• Served on numerous interdisciplinary teams for US Forest Service projects, advocating for botanical 

management concerns. Worked with a team to formulate proposed actions and identify botanical issues 

and opportunities. Described existing and desired future conditions as part of project planning. 

• Served as the Interdisciplinary Team Leader for the controversial (potential herbicide use) Onion Camp 

Spotted Knapweed Control Project. Managed all aspects of the project from initial proposed action to the 

environmental assessment (principle author). Conducted public meetings and field trips. 

• Obtained over $100,000 in grant funding from Resource Advisory Committee, Josephine County and 

Region 6, USDA Forest Service, Special Projects Funds to fund invasive species control. 

• Assisted with the design and managed the implementation of a research contract to document the effects 

of the 2002 Biscuit Fire to serpentine Darlingtonia fens in southwestern Oregon and associated vegetation 

and rare plant taxa. Acquired baseline population data, installed permanent plots and transects, gathered 

demographic data, and compared and contrasted general vegetation trends, and effects to 5 rare fenassociated 

species in burned versus non-burned fens. 

• Obtained over $20,000 in grant funding from the Resource Advisory Committee to manage off-road vehicle 

use in the Eight Dollar and Day’s Gulch Botanical Areas. 


• Obtained over $10,000 in grant funding from the Resource Advisory Committee, Josephine County to use 

prescribed fire as a management tool for Darlingtonia fens affected by encroaching vegetation. 

Seasonal Botanist (GS-07), 2000 

Lassen National Forest, Susanville, California 

• Conducted surveys on several thousand acres of Lassen National Forest land for rare species of concern. 

Organized and maintained project files. Assisted in the preparation of biological evaluations. 

Botanist, 2000 

Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, Austin, Texas 

• Established a herbarium. Collected, pressed, and mounted plants, identified specimens, ordered supplies, 

and trained volunteers. 

TEACHING EXPERIENCE 

Instructor, Summer Program 2001, 2003, 2005 

Siskiyou Field Institute, Selma, Oregon 

• Taught one and two day field courses: Shrubs of the Klamath-Siskiyou, Serpentine Plant Ecology, and 

Serpentine Plant Communities: Savannah, Fen and Rock Outcrops. 

Instructor, Summers of 2001, 2002, 2003, and 2004 

Oregon Native Plant Society and Siskiyou Regional Education Project, 

Ashland and Takilma, Oregon 

• Led botanical identification and ecology field trips for the general public. 

Adjunct Professor, 2000 

Austin Community College, Austin, Texas 

• Taught biology and anatomy lecture and lab courses. 

Teaching Assistant, 1996-1999 

Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona 

• Taught the laboratory portion of: Plant Anatomy, Flora of Arizona, General Biology I & II, and Plants and 

Man. 

High School Principal; Teacher, 1994-1995 

Petrolia High School, Petrolia, California 

• Led a small, alternative, college preparatory boarding school geared toward environmentally sustainable 

living; taught math and earth science courses; co-led six week trip to rural Mexico. 

Park Ranger, 1993-1994 

New York, New York 

• Designed and conducted environmental education programs for schools, organizations, and the general 

public for the New York City parks department. 

PUBLICATIONS, REPORTS, AND CONFERENCE PRESENTATIONS 

2007. Environmental Assessment, Invasive Knotweed Project, Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest. 


2006. Draft Environmental Impact Statement, Invasive Plant Treatment Project, Olympic National Forest. 

2006. Draft Environmental Impact Statement, Invasive Plant Treatment Project, Gifford Pinchot National Forest and 

Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area. 

2005. Jimmy Kagan, Lisa Hoover, Mark Mousseaux, and Cecile Shohet. Conservation Agreement for Hastingsia 

bracteosa, H. atropurpurea, Gentiana sertigera, Epilobium oreganum, and Viola primulifolia var. occidentalis and 

serpentine Darlingtonia fens and wetlands from southwestern Oregon and northwestern California. 

2004. Onion Camp Spotted Knapweed Control Environmental Assessment. On file at the Illinois Valley Ranger 

District, Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest. 

2003. Rolle, Wayne and Cecile Shohet. Biscuit Fire: Vegetation Changes and Post-Fire Rehabilitation. U.S. Forest 

Service. Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest. Presentation at the “Native Plant Restoration and Management on 

Public Lands in the Pacific Northwest” conference in Corvallis, Oregon; and “Second Conference on Klamath- 

Siskiyou Ecology”, in Cave Junction, Oregon. 

2003. Voice of the Wild Siskiyou, a Publication of the Siskiyou Regional Education Project, “Weeds Invade the 

Siskiyou”. 

1996. Szarek, Stan, B. Driscoll, C. Shohet, S. Priebe. Bulbil Production in Agave (Agavaceae) and related genera. 

Southwestern Naturalist 41(4) 465-469. 

REFERENCES 

Jim Belsher, District Botanist, Mt. Hough Ranger District, Plumas National Forest, Quincy, California (530) 283- 

7657 

Rochelle Desser, NEPA Coordinator, USDA Forest Service, TEAMS Enterprise Unit, Cave Junction, Oregon (559) 

359-8114. 

Staci Markos, Project Manager, Jepson Herbarium, UC Berkeley, Berkeley, California (510) 643-7008 

Wayne Rolle, Forest Botanist, Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest, Supervisor’s Office, Medford, Oregon (541) 

618-2056 

Michael Wood, Wood Biological Consulting, Walnut Creek, CA (925) 899-1282 


Kyle Christie, M.S. 

38 Pine Cone Drive 

Flagstaff, AZ 86001 

(928) 699-8410 

kylechristie1@hotmail.com 

EDUCATION 

Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, AZ May 2006 

Master of Science with Distinction. Major: Biology 

Thesis: Vascular Flora and Floristic Analysis of the Lower San Francisco 

Volcanic Field, Coconino Co., AZ 

Biology Department Best Master's Thesis of 2007 

Colorado College, Colorado Springs, CO May 2001 

 

 

Bachelor of Arts. Major: Biology 

Merriam G. Hartwell Award for Excellence in the Classics 

EXPERIENCE 

Botanist/Crew Leader, Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, AZ 

Fall 2007 - Present 

 

 

 

Conducted backcountry vegetation surveys for the USGS-NPS Vegetation 

Classification and Mapping Project at Grand Canyon National Park 

Directed the daily operations of an 8-person field crew 

Identified rare, invasive, and special status plants in the field 

Consulting Botanist, E 2 M, Englewood, CO Spring - Summer 2007 

 

 

 


Classification and Mapping Project at Grand Canyon National Park 

Established study plots and identified vegetation to the plant association 

level following National Vegetation Classification System protocols 

Identified unknown plants using taxonomic keys; made numerous herbarium collections 

Botany Technician, United States Geologic Survey, Flagstaff, AZ Fall 2006 

 

 

Conducted an accuracy assessment survey for the USGS-NPS Vegetation 

Classification and Mapping Project at Petrified Forest National Park 

Identified plant communities to the association level; gathered environmental, 

geologic, and soil data from predefined study sites 

Botany Technician, Colorado Natural Heritage Program, Fort Collins, CO Summer 2006 

 

 


Classification and Mapping Project at Great Sand Dunes National Park 

Navigated with topographic maps, compass, and GPS to remote study site locations 

Database Assistant, Southwest Rare Plant Task Force, Flagstaff, AZ Spring 2006 

 

Collaborated with NatureServe database managers to create a list of rare plant 

species (G1/G2, S1/S2) in the southwestern United States for a regional conference

Teaching Assistant, Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, AZ Fall 2004 - Spring 2006 

 

 

 

Laboratory instructor for Biology 415: Plant Taxonomy (1 semester) 

Field instructor for Biology 414: Native Plants of Arizona (1 semester) 

Laboratory instructor for Biology 181: The Unity of Life (2 semesters) 

Consulting Botanist, National Park Service, Flagstaff AZ Summer 2005 

 

 

Collaborated on the Herbarium Specimen Verification and Databasing 

Project for the Southern Colorado Plateau National Parks 

Verified taxonomy and maintained herbaria databases in MS Access 

Consulting Botanist, Navajo Natural Heritage Program, Window Rock, AZ Summer 2004 

 

 

 

Conducted rare plant surveys for Erigeron rhizomatus; a federally-listed plant species; 

discovered 10 new populations of the species 

Conducted spatial habitat modeling in ArcGIS to identify additional inventory areas 

Submitted a final status report to the United States Fish and Wildlife Service 

GIS Technician, United States Geologic Survey, Flagstaff, AZ Spring 2004 

 

 

Constructed a digital map of vegetation associations along the Colorado River 

corridor of Grand Canyon National Park using ArcGIS 

Assessed map accuracy/ground-truthed vegetation polygons in the field 

Curatorial Assistant, Deaver Herbarium, NAU, Flagstaff AZ Spring 2004 

 

Verified the taxonomy of plant specimens at the Deaver Herbarium 

Teaching Assistant, Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, AZ Fall 2003 

 

Assistant field instructor for Biology 414: Native Plants of Arizona (1 semester) 

Botanist, Ecological Restoration Institute, Flagstaff, AZ Summer 2003 - Fall 2003 

 

 

Identified plants in the field for various ecological studies and field surveys 

Contributed to the local field guide: Plants of Northern Arizona Forests 

Research Technician, Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, AZ Fall 2002 - Spring 2003 

 

 

Assessed ecosystem-level processes and nutrient cycling across a volcanic chronosequence 

Supported all aspects of field and laboratory work including: experimental 

design, field data collection, chemical analysis, and data management 

PUBLICATIONS 

K. Christie. 2009 (in preparation). Vegetation dynamics and floristic patterns 

across a semi-arid volcanic chronosequence in northern Arizona. 

K. Christie. 2009 (in press). Phytogeography and floristics of Pinyon-Juniper 

woodlands in northern Arizona . Western North American Naturalist. 

K. Christie. 2008. Vascular flora of the lower San Francisco Volcanic 

Field, Coconino County, Arizona. Madroño 55(1): 1-14. 

K. Christie. 2006. Noteworthy Collections - Arizona. Madroño 53(4): 409. 

K. Christie, M. Currie, L.S. Davis, M. Hill, S. Neal, and T. Ayers. 2006. 

Vascular Plants of Arizona: Rhamnaceae (Buckthorn Family). Canotia 2(1): 23-46.

MEDICAL TRAINING 

Wilderness First Responder, WMI Certification, January 2007 

REFERENCES 

 

 

Dr. Tina Ayers, Professor, Northern Arizona University, (928) 523-9482, tina.ayers@nau.edu 

Dr. Michael Kearsley, Vegetation Mapping Project Coordinator, Grand Canyon National Park, 

(928) 226-0178, michael_kearsley@nps.gov 

Daniela Roth, Botanist, Navajo Nation Natural Heritage Program, (928) 523-8445, 

navajoplants@hotmail.com 

Judy Springer, Research Specialist, Ecological Restoration Institute, (928) 523-7752, 

judith.springer@nau.edu

APPENDIX C. 

TEAM LEADER DATA FORMS FOR 2010 RARE PLANT SURVEYS 


Final Report 

C-1 


18 November 2010

APPENDIX D. 

TES DATA FORMS (PLANT LISTS) FOR 2010 RARE PLANT SURVEYS 


Final Report 

D-1 


18 November 2010

CALIFORNIA VALLEY SOLAR RANCH SPECIAL-STATUS PLANT ...

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