6.1 BIOLOGICAL RESOURCES

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1 CHAPTER 6 Natural Resources The unique character of Simi Valley and many aspects of quality of life in the community are influenced by the substantial amount of hillside areas, canyons, open space, and rural and agricultural lands that surround the community. Many of these areas provide unique habitat and wildlife areas that provide recreational and ecological benefits, as wells as a source of aesthetic pleasure. This chapter describes Simi Valley s existing natural resources. This chapter includes the following sections: Biological Resources Hydrology and Water Quality Soils, Minerals, and Agriculture Visual Resources Historic and Cultural Resources Air Quality 6.1 BIOLOGICAL RESOURCES Introduction Simi Valley is a crescent-shaped valley, surrounded by steep hills. The valley is separated from the San Fernando Valley in Los Angeles County by the rugged Santa Susana Mountains north and east, rising to more than 3,000 feet, which also separate it from the communities of Fillmore and Piru and the Santa Clarita Valley to the north. The Simi Hills, rising to approximately 2,500 feet to the south and west, separate the valley from the Conejo Valley and Coastal Plain of Ventura County. Development in Simi Valley traditionally began on the flatter areas of the valley floor. When the original General Plan effort was undertaken in , substantial land was still undeveloped on the valley floor and there was little pressure to develop in the outlying canyon areas. More recently, ongoing interest in development in the outlying canyon and hillside areas resulted in new policies to guide future development within these areas, such as the adoption of the Hillside Performance Standards (HPS) in 1978 and the adoption of an urban growth boundary line named the Simi Valley City Urban Restriction Boundary (Simi Valley CURB line) in The purpose of the Simi Valley CURB line is to protect existing agricultural, open-space, viewsheds, wildlife areas, and watershed land surrounding the community from the impact of development and to limit urban sprawl. With stricter standards regarding new development into hillside and habitat areas, additional considerations for biological resources, including sensitive habitat, are being made by the City to ensure preservation/conservation to the extent feasible. This section identifies major plant and animal resources, including threatened and/or endangered species, within the General Plan Update Planning Area (also referred to as the Simi Valley Area of Interest.) The Planning Area contains significant natural features such as hillsides, canyons, and valleys, which contain a variety of ecosystems ranging from wildlife corridors to wetlands. Information was obtained from various sources, including City and County documents and regulations, California 6.1-1

2 Chapter 6 Natural Resources Department of Fish and Game, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and a Wildlife Corridor Assessment Report prepared for State Route Existing Conditions Vegetation Several plant and terrestrial communities occur within the Planning Area. Predominant vegetation types include coastal sage scrub, oak woodland, nonnative grassland, and chaparral vegetation types. Other less prevalent vegetation types in the Planning Area include southern riparian scrub, mulefat scrub, southern willow scrub, and saltgrass. Open areas of vegetation are predominantly restricted to the outer portions of the Planning Area, especially the northern and southern regions. 153 Wildlife Wildlife within the Planning Area is extremely diverse with a special abundance in undeveloped high quality habitats. The creek channels and open upland areas of the Planning Area are ideal habitat for movement and foraging by wildlife species. The nearby Los Padres National Forest, Sespe Condor Preserve, and Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area also offer habitat and movement corridors for larger species. 154,155 Native mammal diversity within the Planning Area is extensive and abundant. Among others, species of rodents, rabbits, mountain lion, weasels, badger, skunks, raccoons, fox, deer, bobcat, and coyote are known to inhabit/utilize areas scattered throughout the Planning Area. Bird diversity within the Planning Area is related to the habitat opportunities for resident, migrant, and seasonal species that are found in the area. Numerous species of raptors, sparrows, quail, hummingbirds, swallow, larks, and owls, along with federal and State special status species such as Southern California rufous-crowned sparrow (Aimophila ruficeps) and burrowing owl (Athene cunicularia), are known to be found in habitat within the Planning Area. Amphibians and reptiles are abundant and relatively diverse within certain segments of the Planning Area. Snakes, toads, frogs, lizards, and salamanders, although habitat specific, are primarily found along the Arroyo Simi as well as other creek areas within the Planning Area. Sensitive Biological Resources Sensitive biological resources are those habitat or species that have been recognized by federal, State, and/or local agencies as being endangered, threatened, rare, or in decline throughout all or part of their historical distribution. Numerous sensitive plant and animal species and communities that have been identified in the Planning Area are shown in Table (Special-Status Wildlife Species Known to Occur in the Planning Area) 153 Ventura County, March LSA Associates Wildlife Corridor Assessment Report Ventura State Route 118, May. 155 Penrod, Christine et al., South Coast Missing Linkages Project - Santa Monica-Sierra Madre Connection. June

3 6.1 Biological Resources and Table (Special-Status Plant Species Known to Occur in the Region). Terrestrial communities dispersed throughout the Planning Area are all considered sensitive habitats by the California Department of Fish and Game (CDFG), and include cismontane alkali marsh, southern coast live oak riparian woodland, southern riparian scrub, southern sycamore alder riparian woodland, and southern willow scrub, as shown in Figure (Sensitive Biological Resources). It should be noted that Figure identifies the areas in which historical sightings of these species have occurred and does not identify the limits of their potential presence. The potential presence of a species is dependent on the type of habitat available for establishment. Table Special-Status Wildlife Species Known to Occur in the Planning Area Common Name Scientific Name USFWS CDFG Arroyo chub Gila orcutti CSC Burrowing owl Athene cunicularia hypugea FSC CSC Coastal western whiptail Cnemidophorus tigris multiscutatus FSC Cooper s hawk Accipiter cooperii CSC San Diego desert woodrat Neotoma lepida intermedia FSC CSC Southern California rufous-crowned sparrow Aimophila ruficeps FSC CSC Two-striped garter snake Thamnophis hammondii FSC CSC, SP Western spadefoot Scaphiopus hammondii FSC CSC, SP White-tailed kite Elanus leucurus FSC SFP SOURCE: California Department of Fish and Game 2007, CNDDB Occurrences, January; City of Simi Valley Runkle Canyon Specific Plan Final EIR. April. FE Federally Listed as Endangered CSC California Special Concern Species SP State Protected FSC Federal Special Concern Species SE State Listed as Endangered ST State Listed as Threatened FT Federally Listed as Threatened SFP State Fully Protected Table Special-Status Plant Species Known to Occur in the Region Common Name Scientific Name USFWS CDFG CNPS Braunton s milk-vetch Astragalus brauntonii FE 1B Lyon s pentacheata Pentacheata lyonii FE SE 1B Plummer s mariposa lily Calochortus plummerae FSC 1B Santa Susana tarplant Hemizonia minthornii FSC 1B Round-leaved filaree Erodium macrophyllum 2 SOURCE: California Department of Fish and Game. CNDDB Occurrences. January FE Federally Listed as Endangered 1A Presumed extinct in California FSC Federal Special Concern Species 1B Rare, threatened, or endangered throughout their range FT Federally Listed as Threatened 2 Rare, threatened, or endangered in California, but more common in other states SE State Listed as Endangered 4 Species of limited distribution in California (i.e., naturally rare in the wild), but SR State Rare whose existence does not appear to be susceptible to threat A number of sensitive bird species, including the southern California rufous-crowned sparrow and the burrowing owl, depend on nesting and foraging habitat provided by vegetation communities found within the Planning Area. Other sensitive species historically found within the Planning Area include at 6.1-3

4 Chapter 6 Natural Resources least five plant, a fish, an amphibian, two reptile, three avian, and one mammal species. 156 The California Department of Fish and Game identifies all listed sensitive species and their habitats on its website at As illustrated in Figure and in general, important habitats and biological resource areas within the Planning Area include the following: Canyon areas, which provide important habitat (water, food, shelter, and movement corridors), biological resources, and add to the viewshed of the City State-listed endangered and threatened plant and wildlife species associated with riparian woodlands along Arroyo Simi and other creek areas within the Planning Area Open water habitats provided by Bard Reservoir, Sinaloa Lake, and isolated locations along the Arroyo Simi and other creek areas within the Planning Area Habitat for State and federally endangered and threatened plant and wildlife species found in chaparral and coastal sage scrub habitat Habitat for federally listed endangered, threatened, or rare plant, animal species associated with the riparian woodlands. Wetlands In addition to the above-mentioned habitats, the many streams and creeks within the Planning Area are known to contain wetland habitat. As defined by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, wetlands are lands where saturation with water is the dominant factor determining the nature of soil development and the types of plant and animal communities living in the soil and on its surface. As described later in the Regulations section, this habitat could be subject to protection under Sections 404 and 401 of the Clean Water Act, and Section 1600 of the Fish and Game Code. Figure (Wetlands) identifies areas of existing wetland habitat as determined by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service s National Wetlands Inventory. Wildlife Corridors/Landscape Linkages Wildlife corridors and landscape linkages are very important features that act as pathways for wildlife to travel over, connecting areas of high quality habitat. They help to compensate for the ongoing habitat isolation and fragmentation resulting from natural and man-made alterations to the environment by linking areas of suitable wildlife habitat that are otherwise separated by rugged terrain, changes in vegetation, or human disturbance. The fragmentation of open-space areas by urbanization creates isolated islands of wildlife habitat. In the absence of habitat linkages that allow movement to adjoining open-space areas, some wildlife species, especially the larger and more mobile mammals, would not likely persist over time in fragmented or isolated habitat areas because the imposed isolation would prohibit the infusion of new individuals and genetic information. Wildlife corridors mitigate the effects of this fragmentation by (1) allowing animals to move between remaining habitats, thereby permitting depleted populations to be replenished and promoting genetic exchange; (2) providing escape routes from fire, 156 California Department of Fish and Game. List of special plants. California Natural Diversity Data Base (CNDDB), January

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7 CITY of SIMI VALLEY General Plan Update WETLANDS Legend National Wetlands Inventory City Boundary City Urban Restriction Boundary Sphere of Influence Area of Interest and Planning Area Water Body Major Road Railroad AÝE Sinaloa Lake?íE Bard Reservoir Source: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service NWI, January 2003 Date Revised: June 5, 2007 D21310_Simi_Valley_GP\wetlands.mxd [ Miles Figure 6.1-2

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9 6.1 Biological Resources predators, and human disturbances, thus reducing the risk of catastrophic events (such as fire or disease) causing population or local species extinction; and (3) serving as travel routes for individual animals as they move within their home ranges in search of food, water, mates, and other needs. The South Coast Missing Linkages Project (SCML) identified several key movement corridors within and adjacent to the Planning Area. 157 These corridors are generally located in undisturbed canyon and riverine stream habitat areas. The preservation of these areas is essential for maintaining the wildlife diversity of the local area and region. As shown in Figure (Wildlife Corridors), areas for the movement of wildlife exist primarily along the eastern and western boundaries of the Planning Area, especially in the areas of Rocky Peak Park and Alamos Canyon/Tierra Rejada Valley. The figure identifies two main areas on the western and eastern sides of the City that provide a link between the larger areas of wildlife habitat located to the north and south of the City. These areas provide potential corridors/linkages for wildlife to travel freely between the Los Padres National Forest to the north and the Santa Monica Mountains to the south. Based on a study conducted by LSA in 2004, 158 numerous species were observed in these areas, including mountain lion, mule deer, coyote, bobcat, grey fox, raccoon, opossum, and skunk. Loss of Habitat Similar to any city in which the surrounding area is predominantly undeveloped, development has historically encroached and may continue to encroach into areas that contain natural plant and animal communities. This can lead to the direct loss of this habitat and the wildlife that rely on it. It could also lead to the degradation of adjacent areas that were not directly disturbed, but would be subject to increased indirect impacts by being in close proximity to urban development uses. The primary areas of concern are the undeveloped hillsides located in the northern and southern portions of the Planning Area Regulatory Setting Federal Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918 The Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA) (16 USC ) includes provisions for the protection of migratory birds, including the non-permitted take of migratory birds, under the authority of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) and CDFG. The MBTA makes it unlawful to take (kill, harm, harass, etc.) over 800 species including geese, ducks, shorebirds, raptors, songbirds, and many relatively common species. Any development within the City would be required to evaluate and avoid impacts to these species, especially during construction activities in undeveloped parcels. 157 Penrod, Christine et al., South Coast Missing Linkages Project - Santa Monica-Sierra Madre Connection. June LSA Associates Wildlife Corridor Assessment Report Ventura State Route 118, May

10 Chapter 6 Natural Resources Federal Endangered Species Act of 1973 Section 3 of the federal Endangered Species Act (ESA) defines an endangered species as any species or subspecies in danger of extinction throughout all or a significant portion of its range. A threatened species is defined as any species or subspecies of fish, wildlife, or plants likely to become an endangered species within the foreseeable future throughout all or a significant portion of its range. Threatened or endangered species and their critical habitat are designated through publication of a final rule in the Federal Register. Designated endangered and threatened animal species are fully protected from take unless an applicant has an incidental take permit issued by the USFWS under Section 10 or incidental take statement issued under Section 7 of the ESA. A take is defined as the killing, capturing, or harassing of a species. Proposed endangered or threatened species or their critical habitats are those for which a proposed regulation, but no final rule, has been published in the Federal Register. Any development within the City would evaluate the potential impact to such species during its environmental review and appropriate measures, including permitting, would be taken in cooperation with the USFWS. Section 404, Jurisdictional Waters The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps), pursuant to Section 404 of the Clean Water Act regulates discharges into waters of the United States. This term has a broad meaning that includes special aquatic sites, such as wetlands. Waters of the United States, as defined by regulation and refined by case law, include (1) the territorial seas; (2) coastal and inland waters, lakes, rivers, and streams that are navigable waters of the United States, including their adjacent wetlands; (3) tributaries to navigable waters of the United States, including adjacent wetlands; (4) interstate waters and their tributaries, including adjacent wetlands; and (5) all other waters of the United States not identified above, such as isolated wetlands and lakes, intermittent streams, prairie potholes, and other waters that are not a part of a tributary system to interstate waters or navigable waters of the United States, the degradation or destruction of which could affect interstate commerce. A permit is required prior to any modification, infill, and/or discharge into jurisdictional waters. This Section 404 permit is also required for issuance of a State Section 401 permit, which also regulates discharges into State jurisdictional waters. Any development within the City limits would evaluate its potential impact to waters of the United States and submit an application for a Section 404 Permit to the Corps, as necessary. State California Endangered Species Act The California Endangered Species Act (CESA) declares that deserving plant or animal species will be given protection by the State because they are of ecological, educational, historical, recreational, aesthetic, economic, and scientific value to the people of the state. CESA establishes that it is State policy to conserve, protect, restore, and enhance endangered species and their habitats. Under State law, plant and animal species may be formally designated as rare, threatened, or endangered through official listing by the California Fish and Game Commission. Listed species are given greater attention during the land use planning process by local governments, public agencies, and landowners than are species that have not been listed

11 MADERA RD FIRST ST TAPO ST CITY of SIMI VALLEY General Plan Update WILDLIFE CORRIDORS Legend LOS ANGELES AVE E AS Y ST ERRINGER RD SEQUOIA AVE SYCAMORE DR TAPO CANYON RD COTTONWOO D DR FALCON ST ALAMO ST COCHRAN ST STEARNS ST YOSEMITE AVE KUEHNER DR Area of Interest and Planning Area Sphere of Influence City Urban Restriction Boundary City Boundary Major Road LOST CANYONS DR Wildlife Movement Wildlife Habitat Wildlife Movement Corridor Landscape Linkage Developed AÝE Water Body Railroad LOS ANGELES AVE TIERRA REJADA RD ROYAL AVE GUARDIAN ST FITZGERALD RD?íE MADERA RD Sinaloa Lake BLACK CANYON RD BOX CANYON RD OLSEN RD Bard Reservoir WOOD RANCH PKWY LONG CANYON RD Source: Ventura County, March 2005 Date Revised: June 4, 2007 D21310_Simi_Valley_GP\wildlife_corridors.mxd [ Miles Figure 6.1-3

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13 6.1 Biological Resources On private property, endangered plants may also be protected by the Native Plant Protection Act of 1977 (NPPA). Threatened plants are protected by CESA, and rare plants are protected by the NPPA. However, CESA authorizes that Private entities may take plant species listed as endangered or threatened under the ESA and CESA through a federal incidental take permit issued pursuant to Section 10 of the ESA, if the CDFG certifies that the incidental take statement or incidental take permit is consistent with CESA. In addition, the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) requires disclosure of any potential impacts on listed species and alternatives or mitigation that would reduce those impacts for projects within the City limits. California Environmental Quality Act Treatment of Listed Plant and Animal Species ESA and CESA protect only those species formally listed as threatened or endangered (or rare in the case of the State list). Section of the CEQA Guidelines independently defines endangered species of plants or animals as those whose survival and reproduction in the wild are in immediate jeopardy and rare species as those who are in such low numbers that they could become endangered if their environment worsens. Therefore, a project within the City may have a significant effect on the environment if it will substantially affect a rare or endangered species of animal or plant or the habitat of the species. The significance of impacts to a species under CEQA must be based on analyzing actual rarity and threat of extinction despite legal status or lack thereof. State of California Sections 1601 through 1603 of the California Fish and Game Code Streambeds and other drainages that occur within the project site are subject to regulation by the CDFG. The CDFG considers most drainages to be streambeds unless it can be demonstrated otherwise. A stream is defined as a body of water that flows at least periodically or intermittently through a bed or channel with banks and supports fish or other aquatic life. This includes watercourses having a surface or sub-surface flow that supports, or has supported, riparian vegetation. CDFG jurisdiction typically extends to the edge of the riparian canopy, and therefore, usually encompasses a larger area than Corps jurisdiction. Should a development project interfere or impact with such a body of water, the project applicant would be required to submit a Streambed Alteration Agreement Application to CDFG for review and approval. State of California Sections 3503, , and 3800 of the California Fish and Game Code These sections of the Fish and Game Code prohibit the take or possession of birds, their nests, or eggs. Disturbance that causes nest abandonment and/or loss of reproductive effort (killing or abandonment of eggs or young) is considered a take. Such a take would also violate Federal law protecting migratory birds. Incidental Take Permits (i.e., Management Agreements) would be required for projects within the City from the CDFG for projects that may result in the incidental take of species listed by the State of California as endangered, threatened, or candidate species. The permits require that impacts to protected species be minimized to the extent possible and mitigated to a level of insignificance

14 Chapter 6 Natural Resources Local Simi Valley City Urban Restriction Boundary On November 3, 1998, the voters of Simi Valley adopted a City Urban Restriction Boundary (CURB) as part of Measure B, also known as the Save Open-Space and Agricultural Resources (SOAR) program. As it relates to biological resources, the CURB is intended to provide for: 1. The protection of existing agricultural, open-space, viewshed, and watershed lands surrounding the City. 2. Preservation of the unique character of the City and quality of life of City residents as it relates to the protection of a substantial amount of open-space, rural and agricultural lands particularly outside of the City limits. The protection of such lands not only ensures the continued viability of agriculture, but also protects the available water supply and contributes to flood control and the protection of wildlife, environmentally sensitive areas, and irreplaceable natural resources. The Simi Valley CURB line generally follows the Sphere of Influence line as defined in Figure (Planning Area) with five exceptions noted in the Measure. Generally, the CURB line prevents urbandensity development outside of its boundary line. Changes to the location of the CURB line require city voter approval. Simi Valley Municipal Code The City of Simi Valley implements a Tree Preservation Ordinance (Chapter 9-38 of the City Development Code) that applies to all areas of the City, and is designed to insure the protection/preservation of trees, to the greatest extent possible. The ordinance covers any tree, within the City limits, that falls under one or more of the following categories: 1. Historic Tree. A living tree designated by resolution of the City Council as an historic tree because of an association with some event or person of historical significance to the community, or because of special recognition due to aesthetic qualities, condition, or size. 2. Mature Native Oak Tree. A living native oak tree with a cross-sectional area of all major stems, as measured 4½ feet above the root crown, of 20 or more square inches. 3. Mature Tree. A living tree with a cross-sectional area of all major stems, as measured 4½ feet above the root crown, of 72 or more square inches. Mature trees shall not include stump regrowths. 4. Native Oak Tree. A living tree of the genus Quercus and species agrifolia, berberidifolia, lobata, or hybrids thereof. 5. Protected Tree. Any historic tree, mature native oak tree, or mature tree which is associated with a proposal for urban development, located on a vacant parcel, or located on a developed property. In addition, Article 9-32 (Hillside Performance Standards) implements the provisions of the City s General Plan as they relate to development in hillside areas for the protection of ridgelines, maintenance of open space, and retention of the scenic and recreational resources of the City. These development standards also afford certain protections to biological resources, especially undisturbed and sensitive habitats, through their maintenance as open space

15 6.1 Biological Resources Issues Loss of sensitive habitat may increase as a result of increased development within the Planning Area. The impact of nighttime lighting on wildlife may increase as development continues to encroach on habitat area. Encroachment from development onto wildlife corridors may increase as development continues to expand within the City boundaries. In particular, Alamos Canyon is threatened by development in the area. Additional impacts on wildlife movement and reproductive capabilities should be assessed. Noncontiguous areas impact species diversity, corridors, and larger animal migration. Preservation of contiguous areas (e.g., river corridor) within the Planning Area would help to ensure that the level of biodiversity is maintained Sources California Public Resources Code (as amended), secs et seq. California Department of Fish and Game. List of special plants. California Natural Diversity Data Base (CNDDB), January California Endangered Species Act, 14 CCR Code of Federal Regulations Wetlands definition, CE Federal Register, Final Notice of Issuance and Modification of Nationwide Permits, 65 CFR , Volume 65(47), 9 March. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Federal Register.. Accessed April 10, LSA Associates Wildlife Corridor Assessment Report Ventura State Route 118, May. MacArthur, R. H., and E. O. Wilson The Theory of Island Biogeography. Princeton University Press: Princeton, NJ. Noss, R. F A Regional Landscape Approach to Maintain Diversity. BioScience 33: Penrod, Christine et al., South Coast Missing Linkages Project - Santa Monica-Sierra Madre Connection. June Simi Valley, City of. n.d. Development Code Section Runkle Canyon Specific Plan Final EIR. April. Soule, M.E Viable populations for conservation. Cambridge Univ. Press: New York, NY

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