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HomeMy Public PortalAbout20200826 - Agenda Packet - Board of Directors (BOD) - 20-19 SPECIAL AND REGULAR MEETING BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT Wednesday, August 26, 2020 Special Meeting starts at 5:00 PM* Regular Meeting at 7:00 PM* A G E N D A Consistent with Governor Gavin Newsom's Executive Order N-29-20, the Governor has allowed local legislative bodies to hold public meetings via teleconference and to make public meetings accessible telephonically or otherwise electronically to all members of the public seeking to observe and to address the local legislative body or state body to avoid public gatherings, and has suspended all contrary provisions of the Brown Act. THIS MEETING WILL BE VIA TELECONFERENCE ONLY 1. The meeting can be viewed in real-time at: https://openspace.zoom.us/j/86159203567 or listen to the meeting by dialing (669) 900-6833 or (346) 248-7799 (Webinar ID 86159203567). 2. Members of the public may provide written comments by submitting a public comment form at: https://www.openspace.org/public-comment • Comments on matters not on the agenda must be submitted prior to the time the board president calls for public comments. • Comments on agenda items must be submitted prior to the time public comment on the agenda item is closed. • All comments shall be subject to the same rules as would otherwise govern speaker comments at the board of directors meeting. • Electronic comments on agenda may only be submitted via the public comment form. Comments via text or social media (Facebook, Twitter, etc.) will not be accepted. Any comments received after the deadline, will be provided to the Board after the meeting. 5:00 SPECIAL MEETING OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT – STUDY SESSION ROLL CALL 1. Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District American Badger and Burrowing Owl Research (R- 20-93) Staff Contact: Karine Tokatlian, Resource Management Specialist II General Manager’s Recommendations: Receive and discuss information about the status of American badger (Taxidea taxus) and burrowing owl (Athene cunicularia) in the Santa Cruz Mountains, and the District’s conservation efforts to protect both species and their habitats. No Board action required. Meeting 20-19 Rev. 1/3/20 ADJOURNMENT 7:00 REGULAR MEETING OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT ROLL CALL ORAL COMMUNICATIONS This portion of the agenda is for members of the public to comment on items not on the agenda; however, the Brown Act (Open Meeting Law) does not allow action by the Board of Directors on items not on the agenda. Individuals are limited to one comment during this section. ADOPTION OF AGENDA SPECIAL ORDERS OF THE DAY • Proclamation of the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District given to Honor the Retirement of Michael Jurich CONSENT CALENDAR All items on the Consent Calendar may be approved without discussion by one motion. Board members, the General Manager, and members of the public may request that an item be removed from the Consent Calendar during consideration of the Consent Calendar. 1. Approve August 26, 2020 Minutes 2. Claims Report 3. Acceptance of Funding from the California Conservation Corps for the Coal Creek Area Fuel Break Project (R-20-94) Staff Contact: Deborah Hirst, Grants Program Manager General Manager’s Recommendations: Adopt a resolution accepting Proposition 68 grant funding from the California Conservation Corps for the Coal Creek Area Fuel Break Project. 4. Lobitos Ridge/Elkus Uplands Ranch Grazing Lease in Purisima Creek Redwoods Open Space Preserve (R-20-95) Staff Contact: Susan Weidemann, Property Management Specialist II General Manager’s Recommendations: Adopt a resolution authorizing the General Manager to enter into a new, two-year grazing lease with an option for a one-year extension at Lobitos Ridge/Elkus Uplands Ranch in Purisima Creek Redwoods Open Space Preserve with current lessee, Vince Fontana. 5. Purchase of Capital Equipment for Fiscal Year 2020-21 (R-20-86) Staff Contact: Adriana Headley, Management Analyst II General Manager’s Recommendations: Authorize the General Manager to execute a purchase contract with the California Department of General Services and associated contract dealers for two replacement patrol vehicles and one replacement mini excavator, for a total cost not-to-exceed $110,000. Rev. 1/3/20 6. Award of Contract to Shellco General Contractor, Inc., for the Deer Hollow Farm White Barn Structural Stabilization Project at Rancho San Antonio Open Space Preserve (R-20-96) Staff Contact: Leigh Guggemos, Capital Project Manager III, Engineering and Construction Department General Manager’s Recommendations: 1. Authorize the General Manager to enter into a contract with Shellco General Contractor, Inc., of Patterson, California, for a base contract amount of $235,551. 2. Authorize a 15% contingency of $35,333 to be reserved for unanticipated issues, bringing the total contract to a not-to-exceed amount of $270,884. 7. Assign Fund Balance Transfers to Fiscal Year 2021 (R-20-85) Staff Contact: Mike Bower, Budget & Analysis Manager General Manager’s Recommendations: Adopt a resolution approving (1) balance transfers of unspent Fiscal Year 2020 appropriations in Fund 40 – General Fund Capital for projects that continue into Fiscal Year 2021, and (2) General Fund Capital budget amendments for Fiscal Year 2021. 8. Contract Amendment with Top Line Engineers to Remove an Underground Oil/Water Separator at the South Area Field Office Project Site (R-20-91) Staff Contact: Tanisha Werner, Senior Capital Project Manager General Manager’s Recommendations: 1. Authorize the General Manager to amend the original contract of $46,650 with Top Line Engineers by $61,180, bringing the base contract amount to $107,830 to remove an underground oil/water separator discovered at the South Area Field Office Project site. 2. Authorize a 15% contingency of $16,175 to be awarded, if necessary, to cover unforeseen conditions, for a new total not-to-exceed contract amount of $124,005. 9. Award of Contract to Engineering/Remediation Resources Group, Inc. for the Madonna Creek Ranch Cleanup at Miramontes Ridge Open Space Preserve (R-20-92) Staff Contact: Aaron Hébert, Senior Resources Management Specialist General Manager’s Recommendations: 1. Authorize the General Manager to enter into a contract with Engineering/Remediation Resources Group, Inc. of Martinez, CA, for a base contract amount of $106,626. 2. Authorize a 15% contingency of $15,994 to be reserved for unanticipated issues related to the base contract, bringing the total contract to a not-to-exceed amount of $122,620. 3. Authorize an allowance of $21,325 to be expended only if there are more materials or contaminants found during activities than previously estimated. BOARD BUSINESS Public comment on agenda items at the time each item is considered by the Board of Directors. Written public comments will be provided to the Board prior to the meeting and posted on the District’s website at www.openspace.org. All written comments submitted in accordance with the guidance posted on the District’s website will be read into the record. 10. Sediment Monitoring Results from the Watershed Protection Program at El Corte De Madera Creek Open Space Preserve (R-20-76) Staff Contact: Aaron Hébert, Senior Resource Management Specialist Rev. 1/3/20 General Manager’s Recommendations: Receive an informational presentation on the sediment monitoring results from the Watershed Protection Program at El Corte de Madera Creek Open Space Preserve. No Board action required. INFORMATIONAL REPORTS – Reports on compensable meetings attended. Brief reports or announcements concerning activities of District Directors and staff; opportunity to refer public or Board questions to staff for information; request staff to report to the Board on a matter at a future meeting; or direct staff to place a matter on a future agenda. Items in this category are for discussion and direction to staff only. No final policy action will be taken by the Board. A. Committee Reports B. Staff Reports C. Director Reports ADJOURNMENT SPECIAL MEETING OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT – CLOSED SESSION ROLL CALL 1. PUBLIC EMPLOYEE PERFORMANCE EVALUATION. Government Code Section 54957(b)(1) Title of Employee: Controller General Counsel General Manager ADJOURNMENT *Times are estimated and items may appear earlier or later than listed. Agenda is subject to change of order. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, if you need assistance to participate in this meeting, please contact the District Clerk at (650) 691-1200. Notification 48 hours prior to the meeting will enable the District to make reasonable arrangements to ensure accessibility to this meeting. Written materials relating to an item on this Agenda that are considered to be a public record and are distributed to Board members less than 72 hours prior to the meeting, will be available for public inspection at the District’s Administrative Office located at 330 Distel Circle, Los Altos, California 94022. CERTIFICATION OF POSTING OF AGENDA I, Jennifer Woodworth, District Clerk for the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District (MROSD), declare that the foregoing agenda for the special meetings of the MROSD Board of Directors was posted and available for review on August 20, 2020, at the Administrative Offices of MROSD, 330 Distel Circle, Los Altos California, 94022. The agenda and any additional written materials are also available on the District’s web site at http://www.openspace.org. Jennifer Woodworth, MMC District Clerk Rev. 1/3/18 R- 20-93 Meeting 20-19 August 26, 2020 SPECIAL MEETING AGENDA ITEM 1 AGENDA ITEM Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District American Badger and Burrowing Owl Research GENERAL MANAGER’S RECOMMENDATION Receive and discuss information about the status of American badger (Taxidea taxus) and burrowing owl (Athene cunicularia) in the Santa Cruz Mountains, and the District’s conservation efforts to protect both species and their habitats. No Board action required. SUMMARY The American badger (Taxidea taxus) is one of the least understood mammals in North America because of its nocturnal and underground lifestyle, and the lack of historical species data. The species has experienced population decline throughout its North American range due to habitat loss, habitat fragmentation, trapping, and poaching. As a result, American badger was listed as a species of special concern (SSC) in 1986 by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW). SSCs occur in small, isolated populations of fragmented habitat. This CDFW listing encourages attention to and research of the species at risk in order to prevent further decline. American badger distribution and condition is better understood in East Bay areas and is less so in the Santa Cruz Mountains. The burrowing owl (Athene cunicularia) is another California SSC at risk from habitat loss and fragmentation. They are found in open, treeless areas with low, sparse vegetation and, like badgers, burrowing owls are also heavily dependent on grassland habitats. They live and breed in underground burrows, typically made by another species, and they are known to use unoccupied or abandoned badger burrows. The Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District (District) has protected nearly 65,000 acres of native habitat in the Santa Cruz Mountains, 10 percent of which is characterized as grassland dominant landscape that both of these species rely on. The District is committed to protecting regional American badger and burrowing owl populations by preserving habitat and increasing habitat connectivity, particularly in areas where their movement corridors have become narrow or impeded. The District is also committed to educating and engaging the public about these species and supporting research that improves our understanding of their populations, ecology, and behavior throughout the region. As such, the District began the American Badger and Burrowing Owl Habitat Assessment Study (Study) in January 2019 (R-18-136). American badger are the primary species of focus in this study; burrowing owl are included because of their potential to occur in similar habitats and their use of badger burrows. R-20-93 Page 2 BACKGROUND Species Ecology American Badger In the United States, the American badger can be found throughout the west coast and central states, as far east as Ohio. They inhabit grassland and oak woodland communities, relying on areas with loose soils to dig their burrows where they spend the majority of their time. Badgers are sensitive to human activity and will adjust their behavior from diurnal to nocturnal activity in areas where there is more human presence. They are known for their prolific digging activity to catch prey and establish both daytime shelters and natal dens. When they are not digging, badgers may be travelling between foraging and denning areas searching for mates or moving away from their parents after reaching maturity. Badger abundance or population size in California is difficult to estimate. Population density likely depends on resource abundance and distribution, which varies considerably across the state. Badgers are most active during the breeding season when home ranges (average of 8 square kilometer in California) of male badgers can expand by up to three times as they search for females. Females also increase their movement in the fall, possibly in search of food to build fat reserves and support lactation in the early spring. During spring months, females and kits (young) become more active as they move away from their natal dens. Badgers do not truly hibernate though they do enter periods of inactivity during the winter in areas with excessively cold temperatures. Researchers have found that badgers in Monterey County reduced their activity in the winter. In coastal District properties, high levels of badger activity have been observed in early winter when gopher and vole activity increase after rains. These facts highlight the close relationship between badger behavior and region-specific conditions. Badgers have important ecological roles as bioturbators, sometimes described as ecosystem engineers who rework soils, mix sediments and organic matter, and facilitate water infiltration and nutrient cycling. Their burrows also provide habitat for many native and protected species, including snakes, salamanders, and burrowing owls. Badgers play an important role in balancing ecosystems by controlling rodent populations, which, if otherwise left uncontrolled could put excessive strain on native plant communities. Badger are known to occur within grasslands on nine District preserves, but presence is opportunistically documented and not well understood, limiting the District’s ability to effectively manage the species. Research focused on badger populations within District lands can significantly improve actions to protect food and habitat resources, and movement corridors within the San Francisco Peninsula (Peninsula). Burrowing Owl Burrowing owls in western North America generally do not dig their own burrows but rather use abandoned burrows dug by other animals. In the San Francisco Bay area, they most commonly use California ground squirrel burrows, but will also use burrows or dens dug by other animals (e.g. badger), as well as artificial burrows installed for conservation efforts. Burrowing owls nest in short grassland areas with patchy bare areas. They often perch on a mound or fence post near the burrow to scan for predators. They forage in similar habitats though much is still unknown in R-20-93 Page 3 the San Francisco Bay Area. In other parts of their range, owls may forage up to one mile from their burrow. Burrowing owls in the San Francisco Bay Area include nonmigratory breeding owls present year-round and migratory owls from more northern breeding areas that winter here, between October and April. Burrowing owls are known to occur within grasslands on four District preserves. The District has a limited understanding of their presence and distribution. To date, only overwintering (non-nesting) use has been documented. Both breeding and wintering life stages are vital to burrowing owl survival, therefore the wintering habitat found in District preserves is important to steward as birds prepare for their upcoming breeding cycle. For these reasons, burrowing owl are included in the Study scope as a secondary species of consideration, with badger as the primary focus. District Study Baseline ecological information throughout the Peninsula is critical to inform District management and protection of American badger and burrowing owl within District Preserves. The Study is identifying where these species occur within District Preserves, the habitat characteristics that best support their occurrence, critical linkage pathways throughout the Peninsula, information about the existing populations of each species, and the relationship between the species based on their mutual association with grassland habitats. The Study has four primary components: 1. Habitat Suitability Assessment – habitat characteristics associated with known occurrence locations for both species on the Peninsula are used to create a model of suitable habitat for both species within District properties. 2. Habitat Linkage Analysis – information from the Habitat Suitability Assessment is then used to run an analysis measuring how easy it is for badgers to move through the landscape based on existing habitat features. Selecting the paths of “least cost” will identify badger linkages throughout the Peninsula. 3. Field Monitoring and Data Collection – two years of field-based surveys conducted in areas with high and low probability of species occurrence are performed to ground-truth the results of components 1 and 2. Walking transect surveys and camera trapping methods are both used to confirm species presence. 4. American Badger Genetic Analysis – hair and fecal samples are collected to determine the badger genetic population structure. With enough samples we can determine the minimum number of individuals, sex, genetic diversity, and population genetic structure within District Preserves and between the Peninsula and proximate regions (East Bay, Central Coast, Marin/Sonoma). Study Findings to Date Habitat Suitability Assessment A model was created to identify species distribution from existing regional observation data. A predictive habitat mapping layer was then created that ranks habitats from “low” to “high” in their potential to support both species. Primary habitat characteristics found to influence badger presence include: landcover (grassland) and soil type (fine, sandy). R-20-93 Page 4 Habitat Linkage Analysis The linkage analysis has identified three major pathways for linking the Santa Cruz Mountains badger populations within the Santa Cruz Mountains and from the Peninsula to the remainder of the state: coastal, central, and eastern linkages. Each of these narrow linkages weave around developed or otherwise unsuitable habitats in the Peninsula and show the potential for failure if they are blocked. Focused linkage designs with District Preserves as core areas include the following zones (see Attachment): • La Honda Creek – Monte Bello Open Space Preserves (OSP) • Skyline Ridge – Windy Hill OSP • La Honda Creek – Windy Hill OSP • La Honda Creek – Windy Hill – Coal Creek – Skyline Ridge – Monte Bello OSP Network • Tunitas Creek (Toto Ranch) – La Honda Creek OSP • Purisima Creek Redwoods (October Farms) OSP – Diamond Ranch (POST) • Johnston Ranch (POST) – Purisima Creek Redwoods OSP • Pomponio State Beach – Diamond Ranch (POST) – Moore Creek • Monte Bello OSP – Calero County Park Field Monitoring To date, three of six rounds of field surveys are complete. Badger presence is confirmed at 68% of the 28 transects surveyed thus far. Transect locations are focused on the northern Skyline Preserves and coastal Preserves, including the POST Cloverdale Ranch property. Prior to the Study, badger individuals and their sign had been incidentally reported in nine District OSPs including: Coal Creek, La Honda Creek, Los Trancos, Monte Bello, Purisima Creek Redwoods, Russian Ridge, Skyline Ridge, Tunitas Creek, and Windy Hill OSPs. Burrowing owls have not been detected during transect surveys; however, one burrowing owl was captured on wildlife camera footage at the Cloverdale property in December 2019. Prior District surveys and incidental sightings have identified burrowing owl at October Farms (Purisima Creek Redwoods OSP) and Russian Ridge OSP. Owl occupancy seems to be limited by low availability of suitable burrows within District Preserves. It is anecdotally noted that erosion gullies at coastal sites, especially Cloverdale Coastal Ranches, TomKat Ranch, and Toto Ranch, offer a possible substitute for burrows. Remaining transect surveys will occur through July 2021 and will be focused in southern Foothills Preserves. American Badger Genetic Analysis When active burrows are found, hair snares affixed to burrow entrances collect badger hair samples. Hair and scat are also found within the mound of dirt excavated at the burrow entrance. These samples are being used to extract genetic material to understand the genetic diversity of the local population and compare the diversity to other known populations. To date, 14 samples have been collected (10 hair and 4 scat) from 8 different locations. Regional partners are also contributing samples to the study. Regional Collaborative and Partnership Opportunities The available badger habitat is highly fragmented in the San Francisco Peninsula. The Study’s draft coastal linkage is especially intriguing because of its narrow habitat corridor and passage through several non-District parcels. This area may prove to be very important in providing badgers the ability to travel in and out of the Peninsula and in facilitating genetic flow within the population. If this corridor were impeded at any point, American badger would be at further risk R-20-93 Page 5 of crossing dangerous terrain or busy roadways to access important habitat. It is especially important to collaborate with regional landowners along the coastal corridor to maintain continuous badger habitat, use wildlife friendly fencing, improve safe wildlife passage across roadways, and prevent development of open habitat. Local organizations have already expressed interest in the Study and are supportive of regional badger protection. Pomponio State Beach and TomKat Ranch are located at integral points along the coastal linkage where field surveys have been performed. TomKat Ranch expressed particular enthusiasm about the Study and are supportive of future collaborations regarding badger and owl monitoring and management. Stanford University’s Conservation Program supports the stewardship of biological resources on Stanford lands and connectivity to surrounding land holdings, like the District. They have observed badgers at Stanford and began replicating the Study’s survey methodology with intention to contribute additional data to the models. This collaboration between Stanford and the District toward region-wide efforts in support of badger conservation will continue to be explored. The District continues to collaborate and partner with other regional entities (e.g. Swanton Pacific Ranch). The District intends to coordinate with participants of the Santa Cruz Mountains Stewardship Network in support of shared regional management of both special status species. Furthering the understanding of the coastal linkage and potential for genetic obstruction along that narrow corridor is vital to region-wide conservation efforts. DISCUSSION District Policy In 2014, the Board of Directors (Board) approved a set of Resource Management Policies (Attachment 1) that direct District resource preservation actions as summarized in the following Resource Management Mission Statement: “The District will protect and restore the diversity and integrity of its resources and ecological processes for their value to the environment and to people, and will provide for the use of the preserves consistent with resource protection.” Within these Resource Management Policies is the Wildlife Management Policy, which has the following goal: “Maintain and promote healthy and diverse native wildlife populations.” This goal is supported by specific policies, including: • Policy WM-1: Understand and maintain the diversity of native wildlife. • Policy WM-2: Protect, maintain and enhance habitat features that have particular value to native wildlife. • Policy WM-3: Protect animal populations against the impact of human actions. • Policy WM-4: Protect and enhance the habitats and populations of special status animal species All of the above listed policies relate to District American badger and burrowing owl conservation efforts, which include funding and support of ongoing badger and owl research, preservation of their habitat, increasing habitat connectivity, public outreach and education about R-20-93 Page 6 both species, supporting legislation that regulates rodenticide use, and advocating for further legal protections for vulnerable populations. Threats to and Status of American Badgers Populations of American badger have declined significantly since the late 1800s due to habitat fragmentation and habitat loss, road mortality, disease, anticoagulant poisoning, indiscriminate trapping, and depletion of prey populations. Historical literature refer to American badgers as “common” where they occur, but no quantitative data supports this. Between 1978-87, badgers were heavily trapped in response to U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Animal Damage Control Service reports of resource losses from crop and irrigation damage due to badger digging. During this ten-year period, 1,456 badgers were killed and another 23 badgers were trapped and then released. An additional 843 badgers were trapped accidentally as non-target species and of these 589 were released. Badgers are occasionally captured incidentally while trapping coyotes and other livestock predators. As of July 2020 per CDFW Mammal Hunting Regulations (Chapter 5, Section 461), badger may be taken statewide between November 16 and the end of February with no limit. Badgers may be taken by individuals due to domestic animal depredation for which no permit or reporting is required. Though they are listed as Species of Special Concern in California, this title is an administrative designation and holds no formal legal status. Agricultural, residential, and urban development in California threatens to fragment and isolate badger populations and endanger their preferred grassland habitat. This leads to a physical restriction of their movement and reproduction, and eventually to genetic isolation. Populations with poor genetic diversity are less resilient to disturbances like drought, fire, and disease, and are at a higher risk for extirpation (localized extinction). Rodenticides Historically, badgers have been susceptible to secondary poisoning from rodenticides, which are often used in agricultural fields and near residential areas. American badger in California live in proximity to urban development and often share habitat with livestock and small mammals. Consequently, they are susceptible to pathogens from domestic animals and wildlife that they come into contact with. They are also susceptible to anticoagulant rodenticides used to control nuisance wildlife (typically rodents). Research of free ranging badgers in California found the presence of several pathogen species and 67% showed anticoagulant rodenticides in their tissues, confirming their risk of exposure to harmful toxicants. These animals were probably exposed to rodenticides used in nearby residential developments. In the peri-urban setting (areas immediately adjacent to urban areas), slow-acting, single-dose ‘‘second generation’’ anticoagulant rodenticides (SGAR) are more often used with the intent to minimize above- ground exposure of nontarget predators and scavengers. However, SGARs are still problematic in this setting and secondary poisoning is still a concern with these pesticides. Significantly, because badgers dig for their prey, they are still at risk of consuming poisoned rodents underground. The District implements a pest management program throughout its preserves that focuses on non-chemical controls and prohibits the use of SGARs to protect human and environmental health. In 2014, the legislature passed AB 2657 limiting access to SGARs to individuals with pest control licenses. Since SGARs are still used by pest control companies, these products continue to impact local predators. Proposed legislation to ban the use of SGARs in California (AB 1788) effectively creates a moratorium on SGARs until the California Department of R-20-93 Page 7 Pesticide Regulation and CDFW can safely reintroduce its use in a way that prevents impacts to non-target species. The bill goes to Senate Appropriations Committee in late August 2020 and the District is working with a statewide group to pass this legislation by August 31, 2020, at which point the Governor will make a final decision within 30 days. The District continues to communicate wildlife poisoning incidents with the bill’s author, Assemblymember Bloom, who is a committed advocate for wildlife protection against SGARs, to support passage of this important bill. Bloom’s jurisdiction covers the Santa Monica Mountains whose mountain lion population is at grave risk from SGARs. Habitat Conservation and Connectivity Approximately 10% of all District properties are characterized as grassland habitat. Many other habitats are also managed by the District that badger and burrowing owl also use. District preserves contribute to a regional greenbelt throughout the Santa Cruz Mountains and are important in supporting badger corridors to link vital fragments of habitat together. The District is currently developing wildlife and regional trail crossings across Highway 17 to connect over 30,000 acres of protected public lands. Many wide-ranging species, like American badger, will benefit from well-placed and appropriately designed wildlife crossings, allowing them to roam and reducing wildlife-vehicle collisions and wildlife mortalities. When completed, the Highway 17 Wildlife and Regional Trail Crossings Project will improve connectivity between the northern and southern portions of the Santa Cruz Mountains and facilitate dispersal into adjoining suitable habitat in the Gabilan and Hamilton ranges. Aside from regional development and fragmentation, both species rely on habitats that are also at risk from encroaching shrubby vegetation and with unnaturally high forest density due to decades of natural fire regime suppression. Understanding the distribution of these two species within District preserves as it relates to brush and forestland will inform actions under the proposed prescribed fire management program. Reliable badger and burrowing owl population data will help the District strategically select prescribed burn areas and/or the frequency of burns to maximize plant and animal biodiversity in support of these two sensitive species. It is also worth noting that both American badger and burrowing owl have adapted to life in a landscape that experiences frequent fire. FISCAL IMPACT The Study and its budget ($235,675, including 10% contingency) were approved by the Board in November 2018. Budget for all Study tasks scheduled for this fiscal year are included in the Fiscal Year 2020-21 Budget and Action Plan. BOARD COMMITTEE REVIEW This item is being brought to the full Board given full Board interest. PUBLIC NOTICE Public notice was provided as required by the Brown Act. R-20-93 Page 8 CEQA COMPLIANCE Review and discussion of American badger and burrowing owl status in California and the Santa Cruz mountains, current and future District conservation efforts and policies relating to both species, and work to further research of both species does not constitute a project subject to the California Environmental Quality Act. NEXT STEPS Below is a summary of the Study’s scheduled next steps: • August–October 2020: Year 2 Fall Field Survey • November–December 2020: Year 2 Winter Field Survey • April–June 2021: Year 2 Spring Field Survey • July-August 2021: Data Analysis and Model Truthing • September 2021: Draft Monitoring and Research Reports • October 2021: District Review of Reports • November 2021: District Brown Bag Presentation of Study Findings • December 2021: Final Monitoring and Research Reports / Contract End Attachments: 1. Resource Management Policies 2. Draft Linkage Maps Responsible Department Heads: Kirk Lenington, Natural Resources Manager Prepared by: Karine Tokatlian, Resource Management Specialist II RESOURCE MANAGEMENT POLICIES JULY 2018 MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT ATTACHMENT 1 ATTACHMENT 1 RESOURCE MANAGEMENT POLICIES MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT Board of Directors: Ward 1, Pete Siemens Ward 2, Yoriko Kishimoto Ward 3, Jed Cyr Ward 4, Curt Riffle Ward 5, Karen Holman Ward 6, Larry Hassett Ward 7, Zoe Kersteen-Tucker General Manager: Ana Maria Ruiz ATTACHMENT 1 ATTACHMENT 1 i TABLE OF CONTENTS ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ......................................................................... II PREFACE ............................................................................................... IV I.DISTRICT RESOURCE MANAGEMENT PROGRAM ................ 1 II.VEGETATION MANAGEMENT ................................................... 6 III.WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT ........................................................ 12 IV.INTEGRATED PEST MANAGEMENT ....................................... 18 V.WATER RESOURCES .............................................................. 23 VI.GEOLOGY AND SOILS ............................................................. 31 VII.SCENIC AND AESTHETIC RESOURCES ................................ 35 VIII.CULTURAL RESOURCE MANAGEMENT ................................ 39 IX.RESEARCH AND COLLECTION OF INFORMATION .............. 48 X.PUBLIC INTERPRETATION AND ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION .............................................................................. 51 XI.GRAZING MANAGEMENT ........................................................ 55 XII.FOREST MANAGEMENT .......................................................... 60 XIII.ECOLOGICAL SUCCESSION ................................................... 69 XIV.HABITAT CONNECTIVITY ........................................................ 72 XV.WILDLAND FIRE MANAGEMENT ............................................ 78 XVI.CLIMATE CHANGE ................................................................... 86 XVII.GLOSSARY ............................................................................... 90 XVIII.REFERENCES ......................................................................... 105 APPENDIX A. CEQA CRITERIA .......................................................... 106 ATTACHMENT 1 ii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS DISTRICT STAFF Ana Ruiz, Planning Manager Brian Malone, Skyline Area Superintendent Casey Cleve, GIS Coordinator Cindy Roessler, Senior Resource Management Specialist Clayton Koopman, Resource Specialist Craig Beckman, Maintenance and Resource Supervisor David Sanguinetti, Operations Manager Deane Little, (former) Board member Duncan Simmons, (former) Assistant General Counsel Erica Simmons, (former) Open Space Planner Galli Basson, Planning Technician Jeannie Buscaglia, Administrative Assistant Julie Andersen, Resource Planner Ken Nitz, (former) Board President Kirk Lenington, Senior Resource Planner Kristi Britt, Public Affairs Specialist Lisa Infante Bankosh, Open Space Planner Mary Davey, (former) Board President Matt Baldzikowski, Resource Planner Matt Freeman, (former) Planning Manager Meredith Manning, Senior Planner Mike Williams, Real Property Manager Renee Fitzsimons, Docent Program Coordinator Rudy Jurgensen, Public Affairs Manager Stan Hooper, Maintenance and Resource Supervisor Stella Cousins, (former) Resource Planner Sue Schectman, General Counsel CONSULTANTS AND PARTNERS Alida Bray, President and CEO, History of San Jose ATTACHMENT 1 MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT RESOURCE MANGEMENT POLICIES ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS iii Chris Spohrer, Resource Ecologist, California State Parks Darrell Wolf, Battalion Chief, California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire) Dr. Grey Hayes, Coastal Training Program Coordinator, Elkhorn Slough National Estuarine Research Reserve Dr. Jennifer Parke, Professor of Ecology, Oregon State University Dr. Jerry Franklin, Professor of Ecosystem Analysis, University of Washington Dr. Orrin Sage, Principal, Sage Agricultural Services Dr. Susan Frankel, Director Sudden Oak Death Research, US Forest Service Gail Raabe, Agricultural Commissioner, San Mateo County Jack Olsen (former) Executive Administrator, San Mateo County Farm Bureau Jonathan Owens, Hydrologist/Engineer, Balance Hydrologics, Inc. Laura Jones, Director of Heritage Services, Stanford University Elizabeth Clevenger, Archaeological Collections Specialist, Presidio Trust Mark Hylkema, Archeologist, California State Parks Paul Ringold, Director, Land Stewardship, Peninsula Open Space Trust Tim Frahm, Director Conservation & Agricultural Water Quality Program, San Mateo County Farm Bureau Tim Hyland, Resource Ecologist, California State Parks ATTACHMENT 1 iv PREFACE ABOUT THIS DOCUMENT Document Purpose This Resource Management Policies (RMPs) document defines the poli- cies and practices used by the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District (District) to protect and manage resources on District lands. The word resources as used in this document includes plants, animals, water, soil, terrain, geologic formations, historic, scenic, and cultural features. Rec- reational resources are described in other documents.1 The purpose of the RMPs is to: ♦ Set the framework for the District's resource management program; ♦ Provide general guidance for issue-specific and site-specific planning; ♦ Provide staff and Board a tool for informed, consistent, and effective re- source management decision making; ♦ Inform the public of the purpose and intent of the District's resource management program; ♦ Provide a basis for evaluating the District's progress in reaching its re- source management objectives. This document does not provide detailed plans for management of individ- ual preserves or resources. Other more specific master plans, site plans, and resource management plans will supplement these policies to further refine and resolve the implementation strategies on a site-specific basis. The suitability and scope of implementation of a specific RMP can only be effectively determined on a site-specific or issue-specific basis given the 1 These documents include Use and Management Plans for individual preserves, Trail Use Guidelines and Mitigation Measures, Land Use Regulations and the Visitor's Guide to the Open Space Preserves. ATTACHMENT 1 MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT RESOURCE MANGEMENT POLICIES PREFACE v circumstances and conditions to be addresses. The suitability or effective- ness of a RMP may depend on a number of factors. These may include evaluation of potential environmental impacts associated with the RMP, physical or other constraints, availability of funding, and feasibility of im- plementation. Therefore, the determination of whether and to what extent a RMP is implemented in whole or in part will be made on a site-or issue- specific basis. In some circumstances, deviations from an RMP will repre- sent a more effective resource management approach given applicable factors. In addition, carrying out and implementing RMPs will be achieved over time, and is subject to funding availability and competing District needs and overall feasibility. Competition for District funds requires balancing the expense of resource management with the cost of continued land acquisi- tion, project planning, and the cost of access and facilities improvements. Document Organization The RMPs are organized into chapters by subject and resource category. The chapter format generally consists of a background section and a sec- tion containing goals, policies, and implementation measures. The back- ground section provides rationale for the goal and policies that follow. The goal is phrased as a broad, general statement describing the desired state or condition to be achieved. The policies state what steps the District will take in order to attain that goal. Policies are numbered according to chap- ter with the first letter of each of the fist two words of the Chapter title followed by a number (e.g. VM-1 is Vegetation Management Policy 1). Each policy includes one or more recommended implementation measures, highlighted by bullets (). Implementation measures specify action items the District will strive to carry out to apply the policies to the landscape where feasible. Implementation measures are referenced in- ternally according to bullets. For instance, VM-1: Measure 2 refers to the second bulleted measure under VM-1. Informational sidebars identify cur- rent knowledge and practices regarding resource conservation. Key words are noted in bold and definitions for each can be found in the Glossary. The District will apply the RMPs to every day District functions and opera- tions from the planning of new trails and facilities to the evaluation of new ATTACHMENT 1 MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT RESOURCE MANA GEMENT POLICIES PREFACE vi prospective land acquisitions, to routine Preserve maintenance. It will draw upon varied expertise to balance resource needs and public inter- ests. The annual action plan will describe existing and proposed resource management plans and projects, and progress towards resource manage- ment goals. Document Review and Amendment The RMPs comprise a "living" document that will grow and change regu- larly, based on new experience and information. It will be reviewed and updated every five to ten years and chapters amended as needed to re- spond to ever-changing resource conditions (e.g. insect or disease out- breaks, large cataclysmic events, climate change etc.). The staff or Board may decide to amend the document for a significant single purpose at any time. ATTACHMENT 1 1 I. DISTRICT RESOURCE MANAGEMENT PROGRAM MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District (District) is a public agency that owns and manages 26 open space preserves totaling over 59,000 acres of land (as of 2011). Created by a voter initiative in 1972, the Dis- trict's mission statement is “To acquire and preserve a regional greenbelt of open space land in perpetuity; protect and restore the natural environ- ment; and provide opportunities for ecologically sensitive public enjoyment and education.” District boundaries enclose an area of 227,900 acres in northern Santa Clara and southern San Mateo counties, and a small portion of Santa Cruz County. The District’s Sphere of Influence, or the area within which the District is likely to expand, includes an additional 12,333 acres. Extending from Montara in the north to the Lexington Hills in the south, the District directly serves more than 25 communities having a combined population of over 700,000. Preserves vary in size from 59 acres (Stevens Creek Nature Study Area) to over 17,000 acres (Sierra Azul). Elevations range from sea level in the baylands preserves to 3,486 feet atop Mount Umunhum in the Sierra Azul Range. The District manages land primarily to preserve a regional greenbelt of open space land. There are few improvements, other than parking areas, some rest rooms, and informational signs. Over 220 miles of public trails invite activities such as hiking, biking, jogging, horseback riding, dog walk- ing, and picnicking limited only as required. The preserves are open to the public every day, free of charge. Because the preserves are “close to home,” they serve as popular weekday and weekend recreational destina- tions. District lands protect a variety of habitats rich in both numbers and variety of plants and animals. The District preserves tidal salt marshes in the east, home to the endangered clapper rail and salt marsh harvest mouse and ATTACHMENT 1 MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT RESOURCE MANAGEMENT POLICIES DISTRICT RESOURCE MANAGEMENT PROGRAM 2 used by thousands of migratory birds. The heart of the District straddles the eastern and western flanks of the Santa Cruz Mountains. These lands are covered in a diverse mix of oak woodland, grassland, chaparral, coastal scrub, and both evergreen and coniferous forests that form an impressive scenic backdrop for the densely populated San Francisco Bay Area and Central California Coast. Creeks and streams that run through District lands provide refuge area for endangered coho salmon and threat- ened steelhead trout. The natural setting of District preserves provides a peaceful refuge for visitors seeking low intensity recreational opportunities away from the pressures of urban life. PURPOSES OF OPEN SPACE Open space consists of land and water areas that remain in a natural state and are minimally developed. Open space may include compatible agri- culture uses. Open space preserves provide protection in the form of per- manent sanctuaries for native wildlife and vegetation. These irreplacea- ble resources are rapidly disappearing as human presence and activity encroach into natural areas. Reasons to preserve open space that are discussed in the District's Master Plan include protecting scenic beauty, public health and safety, natural, cultural and agriculture resources; shap- ing urban growth; and providing low-intensity outdoor recreation opportu- nities and environmental education. NEED FOR RESOURCE MANAGEMENT POLICIES Resource management at the District includes management of both natu- ral cultural and agricultural resources. Natural resource management gen- erally consists of protecting, restoring, enhancing, and monitoring native vegetation and wildlife, and monitoring and protecting the quality of geo- ATTACHMENT 1 MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT RESOURCE MANAGEMENT POLICIES DISTRICT RESOURCE MANAGEMENT PROGRAM 3 logical and hydrological conditions. Cultural resource management con- sists of identifying and evaluating and protecting archeological sites and cultural landscapes. The District faces many issues, challenges, and choices in management of District land and sensitive resources. Land acquisition is politically, so- cially, and opportunistically driven, sometimes independent of resource needs. Defining, identifying and communicating resource needs and man- agement objectives provides for more informed decision making, guides property acquisition, and results in better protection of land and sensitive natural and cultural resources. The complex and constantly changing ecosystems of District preserves are comprised of a wide variety of interrelated components resources that sometimes have competing needs for preservation. Managers must be able to recognize, distinguish, and decide among competing priorities. Compounding these inherent challenges is the change in open space management needs over time: the amount of land managed by the District continues to grow; employees and board members who function as care- takers change; funding sources come and go; and the public's interests, values, and use patterns differ over both time and place; and visitation continues to increase which can place increased pressure upon natural systems. A well-defined set of policies is essential for the District to main- tain consistent and effective resource management despite these changes. The Basic Policy adopted March 10, 1999 directs the District to: “follow management policies that ensure proper care of the land, that provide public access appropriate to the nature of the land, and that are consistent with ecological values and public safety.” Although the Basic Policy implies a direction for managing the land, it does not offer specific guidance as to what constitutes “proper care.” These RMPs are intended to provide that guidance. ATTACHMENT 1 MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT RESOURCE MANAGEMENT POLICIES DISTRICT RESOURCE MANAGEMENT PROGRAM 4 MISSION STATEMENT FOR RESOURCE MANAGEMENT The resource management mission statement defines the purpose toward which the District directs its resource management efforts. The District's resource management program is one of stewardship not only intended to protect resources and to sustain them in perpetuity. The District calls its lands “preserves” rather than “parks,” emphasizing the goal of resource preservation. The following overall mission statement reflects the District's commitment to resource management: Resource Management Mission Statement The District will protect and restore the diversity and integrity of its re- sources and ecological processes for their value to the environment and to people, and will provide for the use of the preserves consistent with resource protection. Overall Resource Management Strategies The following general strategies summarize how the District will achieve its resource management mission. Strategy 1 Favor protection of resources when use significantly inter- feres with resource protection and preservation. Strategy 2 Provide an effective interdisciplinary program to protect and enhance natural and cultural resources. This pro- gram should include planning, interpretation, research, protection, maintenance, and monitoring practices. Strategy 3 Prevent or minimize human-caused and accelerated im- pacts, including erosion, invasion by non-native species, disruption of the natural flow of water, degradation of wa- ter quality, trampling of vegetation, and displacement of wildlife. Strategy 4 Protect and restore known rare, endangered, special sta- tus species and sensitive habitats, as well as seriously ATTACHMENT 1 MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT RESOURCE MANAGEMENT POLICIES DISTRICT RESOURCE MANAGEMENT PROGRAM 5 degraded or deteriorating areas. Give priority to sensitive habitats and consider the relative scarcity of the specific resources involved. Strategy 5 Manage open space as a composite resource, rather than as separate and isolated parts. Maintain ecological pro- cesses as well as individual species and features. Con- sider the regional context and cumulative impacts of re- source management decisions. Favor long-term goals over short-term benefits. Strategy 6 Support low intensity recreational and agricultural use of District lands consistent with resource protection. Con- sider present and potential use. Strategy 7 Balance efforts to protect and restore resources with ef- forts to acquire and provide public access to lands. Strategy 8 Monitor changing conditions and the effectiveness of re- source management practices. Strategy 9 Increase public knowledge, understanding, and apprecia- tion of the natural and cultural resources of the preserves, and support for their conservation. PLANNING AND IMPLEMENTATION The RMPs are to be used to guide the overall planning, budgeting, and decision making processes for individual Preserves and for District-wide programs. Implementation of the policies will be through the Use and Man- agement Plan and Master Plan for each Preserve. The District’s Land Ac- quisition Policies shall reference the RMPs to help guide future land ac- quisitions. Successful implementation of the Policies will result in informed, consistent, and effective resource management. ATTACHMENT 1 6 II. VEGETATION MANAGEMENT BACKGROUND District Plant Communities The District is located along the western edge of the North American con- tinent on a geologically active peninsula between the Pacific Ocean and San Francisco Bay, which limits migration of plants and animals. This unique location is dominated by the Santa Cruz Mountains which are in- fluenced by a Mediterranean climate comprised of mild wet winters and long hot and dry summers cooled by cyclical coastal fog. Because of this climate regime, the landscape is subject to periodic fire. The San Andreas Fault, one of the world's longest and most active faults, cuts through the eastern side of the Santa Cruz Mountains. Continuing movement along the fault and differing composition of the underlying rocks created many soil types and terrain features including steep, narrow canyons, rolling hills, and flat bay lands. The eastern edge of the District is heavily influ- enced by the urban areas of San Francisco, San Jose and other peninsula cites which result in natural lands that are often used as a large “urban backyard” rather than a pristine wilderness. These and other factors have shaped diverse and dynamic native plant communities that are precisely adapted to these complex and varied conditions. A plant community is a group of plants growing in an interrelated manner on a particular site. Each community has characteristic dominant and as- sociated species, spacing, and habitat. Native plant communities in District preserves include the following gen- eral vegetation types: ♦ Salt marsh and brackish marsh ♦ Freshwater marsh ♦ Redwood forest ♦ Douglas fir forest ♦ Coastal scrub ♦ Chaparral ♦ Mixed evergreen forest ♦ Riparian forest ATTACHMENT 1 MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT RESOURCE MANAGEMENT POLICIES VEGETATION MANAGEMENT 7 ♦ Native grassland ♦ Oak woodland The condition of vegetation affects other resources in the preserves. A mixture of natural plant communities gives scenic character to a land- scape, and provides the diversity and stability needed to support native wildlife, clean water and reduce erosion. Loss or fragmentation of plant communities reduces their ability to provide the full range of ecological benefits, including maintenance of species diversity, soil and watershed protection, wildlife, and recreational and aesthetic values. It is the main reason why animal species have become endangered or threatened. Alterations to Vegetation Continuing effects of past and present land use practices, including fire suppression, grazing, logging, non-native plant invasion, feral animals, and uses which trample vegetation, threaten the District's native plant communities. Such activities have caused drastic and rapid changes in vegetation. In some areas the alteration is permanent. Protection of Sensitive Species A number of plants listed by either federal or State agencies or the Cali- fornia Native Plant Society as rare, threatened, endangered, and of limited distribution have been identified within or near District preserves. Site- specific information is needed for both existing and new properties to pro- tect sensitive species. Ecological Restoration Ecological restoration is the process of returning land that has been de- graded and disturbed into ecologically functioning habitat. The District of- ten employs the principles of ecological restoration when performing veg- etation management. Vegetation management is the maintenance, es- tablishment, or restoration of target vegetation that meets a preserve's management objectives. The term revegetation is used to describe the process of replacing existing vegetation or bare ground on a site with ap- Ecological restoration is an intentional activity initiated by the District that accelerates the recovery of an ecosystem with respect to its health, integrity and sustainability. Frequently, ecosystems requiring restoration have been degraded, damaged, transformed, or destroyed by direct and indirect human actions. ATTACHMENT 1 MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT RESOURCE MANAGEMENT POLICIES VEGETATION MANAGEMENT 8 propriate plant species. Selecting effective vegetation management strat- egies requires understanding natural ecological processes at a specific site. It also may involve coordinating with neighbors, as part of the Dis- trict's "good neighbor" policy. The District applies ecological restoration when it replaces landscaping with native vegetation, stabilizes slopes or restores degraded sites with natural drainage patterns. Management measures may include actions such as eliminating or re- stricting activities that destroy vegetation, restoring grasslands and mead- ows that were formerly maintained by natural processes, conducting pre- scribed burns, managing conservation grazing, and either planting or re- moving vegetation. Fire Suppression Periodic fires were a part of natural ecological processes on lands which now make up the District preserves. As a result, many species evolved with fire adaptations and need periodic fire for renewal. Fire opens forests to new generations of younger trees, purges grassland of invasive shrubs, and stimulates seed germination and shoot growth in chaparral. Without fire, fire-adapted communities are eventually replaced by forest, and plant and animal species are lost. Fuel in unburned areas can build up to such a high level that when a wildfire occurs, it can have devastating effects. Local Native Americans allowed natural fires to burn and also deliberately set fires to clear underbrush and create meadow areas attractive to deer and other animals. Open meadows improved visibility for hunting and en- couraged the growth of acorn oaks and other edible plants. Subsequent implementation of fire suppression policies eliminated these benefits, re- versing their positive environmental effects. Impacts of fire suppression continue to reduce biodiversity in the pre- serves. Grasslands and oak woodlands are decreasing in area due to invading brush and forest species. Stands of coastal scrub and chaparral have aged and are not being renewed. Dense tangles of brush and young trees have largely replaced the park-like understory beneath redwood and Douglas fir forests and mature oak woodlands described by early Euro- pean explorers. ATTACHMENT 1 MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT RESOURCE MANAGEMENT POLICIES VEGETATION MANAGEMENT 9 High Use Areas High use areas such as those around parking lots, visitor centers, re- strooms, and specially surfaced or whole access trails, require more inten- sive vegetation management than natural areas that make up the bulk of District land. VEGETATION MANAGEMENT GOALS, POLICIES, AND IMPLEMENTATION MEASURES Goal VM- Sustain and promote viable and diverse native plant communities characteristic of the region Policy VM-1 Maintain the diversity of native plant communities. (See WR- 7, ES-1, IS-2, and FM-6) ♦ Map and describe plant communities; analyze successional trends and formulate site-specific vegetation management goals as part of the Resource Management Plan for a preserve or geographic area. ♦ Identify appropriate areas for restoring lost or altered native plant com- munities and restore them to a natural condition. This is often best done by restoring natural processes and controlling invasive plants, rather than by planting. ♦ Manage native grassland sites to encourage reestablishment and per- petuation of California native grasses. ♦ Manage oak woodland to encourage reestablishment and perpetua- tion of California native oaks. ♦ Control invasive non-native plants. (See Section VI.) Policy VM-2 Use native species occurring naturally on similar sites in ecological restoration projects. ♦ Use seed and cuttings collected from the same geographic area to revegetate or enhance degraded areas. One source of native seed is topsoil or mulch taken from adjacent intact habitat and applied thinly. ATTACHMENT 1 MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT RESOURCE MANAGEMENT POLICIES VEGETATION MANAGEMENT 10 ♦ Use fill, mulch, and seed mixtures that are as free as possible of non- native plants in ecological restoration projects. Know where such ma- terials come from. (See GS-2 for possible exception.) ♦ Work with nurseries to grow native plants needed for ecological resto- ration projects. ♦ Avoid seeding with rye grass (unless sterile), "Zorro" fescue, Harding grass, or other non-native aggressive plants after fires to control ero- sion. ♦ Use plant material that is biologically and visually appropriate to the surrounding wild landscape and appropriate to the stage of plant com- munity development at the site. ♦ Encourage District tenants to use native plants for landscaping to pro- vide natural habitat. Policy VM-3 Protect and enhance the habitats and populations of special status plant species. ♦ Identify the location and condition of special status plants and their habitats as part of the Resource Management Plan for a preserve or geographical area. ♦ Conduct surveys for special status plants during the appropriate sea- son before significant site-specific development or any unusual antic- ipated increase in use. Modify the project or use to avoid impacting such plants. ♦ Protect areas with special status species from human activities and other negative impacts such as erosion. Examples of protective measures include trail rerouting, signs, and fencing. (See GS-2) Policy VM-4 Manage forest diseases, when necessary, to protect native biological diversity and critical ecosystem functions. ♦ Develop a plan to detect, report, and monitor areas infested by high priority insects and diseases; utilize sanitation and best management practices (BMPs) to control the spread of infestations; train staff and educate the public; and support research to guide land management decisions. Special status species are species that are state or federally listed as threatened, rare, endangered, species of special concern, candidate species, or those plant species listed by the California Native Plant Society’s list 1B and 2. ATTACHMENT 1 MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT RESOURCE MANAGEMENT POLICIES VEGETATION MANAGEMENT 11 ♦ Prioritize research and management activities to slow the spread of Sudden Oak Death (SOD) and actively pursue partnerships with other public agencies to develop treatment alternatives. Sudden Oak Death (SOD) is a prevalent disease of particular concern within District forested lands. SOD has killed over one million native oak and tanoak trees and infests many other forest species in one Oregon and 14 coastal California counties. Hundreds of dead tanoak trees and other symptoms of the SOD pathogen, Phytophthora ramorum, are commonly seen on the District’s preserves. There currently is no cure for SOD, and as with other extensive forest diseases, a strategy may take decades to develop. The District has adopted a ten-year plan to slow the spread of SOD, collaboratively study impacts on wildland ecology and recreation, and develop a restoration strategy for heavily infested forests. ATTACHMENT 1 12 III. WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT As pressures from the expanding human population increase, District pre- serves become more important as refuges for wildlife. The term wildlife as used here includes all animals, from the smallest invertebrates to the largest mammals. Without a sufficient amount of proper habitat, an ani- mal cannot survive. As a result, most management of native wildlife in- volves management of habitat conditions and habitat impacts from visitor activities rather than hands-on management of the animals themselves. Protection of habitat is key to protection of wildlife. BACKGROUND Animal Habitat Characteristics Habitat refers to the area where an organism occurs, its natural home or "neighborhood." An animal's habitat includes plant communities which provide the shelter, food, and water it needs to live and reproduce. Other aspects of the environment that affect an organism, such as geographic location, climate, and topography, are also part of its habitat. Animals move from place to place and require a variety of land, both daily and seasonally. Some have precise habitat requirements; others are more flexible. Some species live their entire lives within one vegetation type. Others use several vegetation types in a single day or use different habi- tats at different stages of their lives. Some animals use one habitat for part of the year and migrate elsewhere for the rest. Ultimately it is important to preserve all these habitats to ensure continued wildlife diversity. The habitats most important for wildlife are those which offer food, cover, topography, and other parameters essential to survival and reproduction. Examples include springs and seeps, nesting and breeding sites such as standing dead trees, movement and migration corridors, pathways to per- ennial streams, and foraging areas. Some of these habitats are consid- ered sensitive, in that they are vulnerable to disturbance and do not re- cover easily once disturbed. ATTACHMENT 1 MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT RESOURCE MANAGEMENT POLICIES WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT 13 The Importance of Riparian, Pond, and O ther Wetland Habitats Certain habitats are intensively used by many kinds of wildlife. Riparian (streamside), pond, and other wetland habitat, with their wide variety of plants and readily available water, are perhaps the most important. These habitats provide a drinking source; dense, green foliage for cover and food; shade in which to rest and escape the heat; perennial or seasonal water bodies which are required for breeding by some amphibian and other wildlife species, and protected corridors through dry, open areas. Almost all species of wildlife depend on external sources of water and will often travel long distances to reach it. People are also attracted to water, especially ponds and riparian areas. Excessive human use can cause problems from trampling, soil compaction, destruction of vegetation, alter- ation of water quality and temperature, introduction of pathogens or foreign substances and species, and frequent disturbance of wildlife. Predators Indicate Habitat Health The presence of large predators is a strong indicator of a healthy habitat. Large predators are at the top of the food pyramid and depend on the availability of large numbers of smaller animals. The greenbelts of District and neighboring public lands in the Skyline and Sierra Azul areas are large and diverse enough to support such wide-ranging predators as black bear (although no resident black bears are present in the Santa Cruz Mountains presently), mountain lion, coyote, bobcat, fox, badgers, and numerous hawks and owls. The chance to see such animals is a big incentive for many people to visit the preserves. Results of Habitat Fragmentation In the last century, population growth, urban expansion, and construction of roads and highways have fragmented habitats and interrupted wildlife movement corridors. Fragmentation has four main consequences for wild- life: ATTACHMENT 1 MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT RESOURCE MANAGEMENT POLICIES WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT 14 a. Isolated habitat patches may not be large enough to support wildlife that requires a certain size of habitat. Fragmentation may also destroy particular plant species that some animals require for food or cover. b. Wide-ranging animals such as the larger predators can be cut off from territories they need for feeding and breeding. c. Non-native species become more common, displacing natives and thereby also reducing biodiversity. d. Inbreeding increases when populations are cut off from neighboring populations. The resulting lack of diversity in the gene pool weakens the species through “inbreeding depression” and reduces the popula- tion's long-term chance of survival. A single environmental change or disease could then eliminate all members of the local population. WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT GOALS, POLICIES, AND IMPLEMENTATION MEASURES Goal WM- Maintain and promote healthy and diverse native wildlife populations Policy WM-1 Understand and maintain the diversity of native wildlife. (See WR-6 and WR-7) ♦ Identify wildlife usage, movement patterns, and habitat features with high value to wildlife. ♦ Consider and avoid or minimize impacts on wildlife when planning trails and other facilities. ♦ Develop a wildlife data base to record wildlife sightings and guide management decisions. ♦ Non-native wildlife release on District lands shall adhere to the policies identified in the Integrated Pest Management chapter (See IPM). ATTACHMENT 1 MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT RESOURCE MANAGEMENT POLICIES WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT 15 ♦ The District shall strive to control or remove non native wildlife using management actions identified in the Integrated Pest Management chapter (See IPM). ♦ Native wildlife shall not be released onto District land if it is adapted to urban conditions or interaction with human. ♦ Native wildlife can be released onto District preserves if the animal has been rehabilitated by an animal rescue center specializing in wild- life, it is disease-free, suitable unoccupied habitat is available, and there is a high likelihood for the animal to adapt and survive in its new surroundings without adversely affecting existing resources at the site. The rehabilitated animal should be marked or banded, if feasible, to allow monitoring of its adaptation. Policy WM-2 Protect, maintain and enhance habitat features that have particular value to native wildlife. (See HC-2: Measure 5, WR-6 and WR-7) ♦ Inventory critical and sensitive wildlife habitats and develop manage- ment strategies for their protection. ♦ Leave brush piles, snags, and fallen trees in areas where they do not pose a fire hazard or visual blight, to provide cover and nesting sites for animals, and nursery conditions for forest seedlings. ♦ Evaluate the wildlife habitat value associated with human-made struc- tures before altering or removing them and avoid or mitigate any im- pacts. ♦ Repair, modify, and maintain stock ponds as wildlife watering sources and habitat for aquatic and semi aquatic organisms (See WR-3). Policy WM-3 Protect animal populations against the impact of human ac- tions. (See HC-2: Measure 5) ♦ Discourage human intrusion into sensitive wildlife habitats by appro- priate placement of facilities and trails. ♦ Identify and eliminate barriers (e.g. remove unnecessary fences, old barb wire, and other barriers) and provide safe crossings (e.g. protect Examples of wildlife using human-made structures on District lands include the Red barn at La Honda Creek Open Space Preserve which is used by both the Townsend's big-eared bat (Plecotus townsendii) and Pallid bat (Antrozous pallidus). Wildlife movement and safe passage is affected at a regional level by large-scale transportation needs and development including housing, roadways, and commercial development. The District works with Preserve neighbors, municipalities, counties, and regional planning organizations to improve new development projects through the use of wildlife friendly fencing, clustering new development away from sensitive areas, and providing refuge areas for wildlife. ATTACHMENT 1 MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT RESOURCE MANAGEMENT POLICIES WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT 16 established wildlife crossings and use wildlife friendly fencing) to en- hance wildlife movement on a regional basis. (See HC-3, HC-4, and GM-2: Measure 1) ♦ Consult with responsible wildlife agencies to conserve special status species or to control problem wildlife when human life, property, or other significant natural resources are threatened. ♦ Reduce conflicts between wildlife and humans through notification and education, control of human access and, as a last resort, control of wildlife presence or movement. ♦ Prohibit hunting or trapping in District preserves except as a manage- ment tool or for scientific or educational purposes. ♦ Fishing is allowed only in areas declared by the District to be permitted fishing areas, where state laws regulate the taking of game fish. ♦ Review and update criteria for designating temporary (e.g., day-use) access areas for domestic animals into District preserves. Incorporate the criteria into District regulations. Policy WM-4 Protect and enhance the habitats and populations of special status animal species. ♦ Conduct surveys of special status animals in affected areas before initiating significant development or any substantial increase in use. Give priority to protection of special status species. ATTACHMENT 1 MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT RESOURCE MANAGEMENT POLICIES WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT 17 This page intentionally blank ATTACHMENT 1 18 IV. INTEGRATED PEST MANAGEMENT BACKGROUND Integrated Pest Management Integrated pest management (IPM) is a process for efficiently managing pests while protecting human health and environmental quality. IPM is a long-term, science-based, decision-making system that uses a specific methodology to manage damage from target pests. IPM requires monitor- ing site conditions before, during, and after treatment to determine if objec- tives are being met and if methods need to be revised. IPM requires that non-chemical methods be considered in addition to chemical methods (i.e., pesticides, herbicides, insecticides). If chemical methods are necessary to meet a pest control objective, the potential for harm to the public and work- ers are carefully considered, as are effects on the environment and non- target organisms, and then the least toxic and most effective, efficient, and target-specific method is chosen. The Problem with Invasive Species Invasive species are animal or plant species that invade and dominate sufficiently large areas causing a reduction in biodiversity. They prolifer- ate in the absence of natural control and interfere with the natural pro- cesses that would otherwise occur on wildlands. Once established, inva- sive species can become difficult to manage and they can eliminate native species or otherwise alter the ecosystem. This chapter addresses the management of invasive species in order to protect the native species and natural processes of the preserves. Invasive species can alter ecosystem processes by changing biotic ecosystem characteristics (such as plant community composition, structure, and interactions; trophic relationships; and genetic integrity) and abiotic characteristics and processes (such as fire regimes, erosion, sedimentation, hydrological regimes, nutrient and mineral conditions, and light availability). Pesticide is a broad term that includes any material (natural, organic, or synthetic) used to control or prevent pests including herbicides (weed or plant killers), insecticides (insect killers), and rodenticides (rodent killers) as a few examples. ATTACHMENT 1 MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT RESOURCE MANAGEMENT POLICIES INTEGRATED PEST MANAGEMENT 19 Invasive Plants Invasive plants have greatly altered many of California's natural plant communities. Because they originated elsewhere, many invasive plants are not susceptible to predation or diseases of this region. They are ex- tremely adaptable and can thrive in a wide range of conditions. They can grow quickly, reproduce early, produce many long-lasting seeds, and tol- erate disturbance. They reduce native biodiversity by gradually crowding out or competing with native plants for water and sun, and by reducing or modifying wildlife habitat. Invasive Animals Ranking second to loss of habitat resulting from human intrusion, invasive animals pose another threat to native wildlife. Escaped domestic animals and other non-native wildlife species can thrive in the favorable climate of the San Francisco peninsula. Once established in a preserve, they com- pete for valuable resources and disturb the sensitive balance of natural food webs. Bullfrogs and wild pigs are examples of invasive introduced animals found in District preserves that physically displace or predate upon native plants and wildlife. Programs to manage pests require long-term commitment. With many in- vasive plant and animal species, short-term lapses in management activity may negate years of expensive control programs. Wild (feral) pigs are an example of an invasive wildlife species with obvious impact on District lands. They have been widespread in the central coast of California since about 1970, reproduce rapidly, dig up meadows and wetlands, and carry diseases that can affect people and livestock. They eat acorns, bulbs, and soil animals, and are difficult to control. Feral pigs were abundant in the South Skyline region in the 1990s. The District has been trapping feral pigs since 2000 and has substantially reduced their population and damage from their rooting. ATTACHMENT 1 MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT RESOURCE MANAGEMENT POLICIES INTEGRATED PEST MANAGEMENT 20 INTEGRATED PEST MANAGEMENT GOALS, POLICIES, AND IMPLEMENTATION MEASURES Goal IPM- Control pests by consistent implementation of IPM principles to protect and restore the natural envi- ronment and provide for human safety and enjoy- ment while visiting and working on District lands. Policy IPM-1 Develop specific pest management strategies and priori- ties that address each of the five work categories. ♦ Manage pests in buildings to support existing uses, while also pro- tecting human health and surrounding natural resources. ♦ Manage pests and potential human interactions in recreational fa- cilities to minimize conflict, ensure visitor safety and enjoyment, and protect the surrounding natural resources. ♦ Manage pests in fuel management areas to reduce risk to human life and property, while also protecting natural resources. ♦ Manage pests in rangelands and on agricultural properties to sup- port existing uses, while also protecting human health and sur- rounding natural resources. ♦ Manage invasive species in natural areas and set priorities for their control based on the potential risk to sensitive native species and loss of native biodiversity. Policy IPM-2 Take appropriate actions to prevent the introduction of new pest species to District preserves, especially new invasive plants in natural areas, rangelands, and agricultural proper- ties. Best management practices for preventing the introduction of invasive species include cleaning equipment before leaving a weedy site, and using seed, plant, forage, fill, erosion- control and other materials that are free of weed seeds. The California Invasive Plant Council maintains an Invasive Plant Inventory that rates the threat of non-native plant species by evaluating their ecological impacts, invasive potential and ecological distribution. Along with local knowledge, the District uses this list to evaluate the invasive risk of existing and new non-native plants found on District preserves. ATTACHMENT 1 MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT RESOURCE MANAGEMENT POLICIES INTEGRATED PEST MANAGEMENT 21 Policy IPM-3 Manage pests using the procedures outlined in the following eight implementation measures. ♦ Develop and implement tolerance levels for pests within each of the Work Categories to determine when to undertake pest control. ♦ Identify the pest, determine its life cycle and disruptive poten- tial, and identify relevant site conditions prior to implementing a pest control activity. Review pest control objectives for con- sistency with other site goals and establish tolerance levels that must be exceeded before pest control is undertaken. ♦ Choose site-specific strategies and times of treatment that provide the best combination of protecting preserve re- sources, human health, and non-target organisms and that are efficient and cost effective in controlling the target pest. Whenever feasible, direct the control method narrowly at vul- nerable points in the target organism’s life cycle to avoid broad impacts. ♦ Monitor results and modify control methods over time as site conditions and treatment techniques change and as needed to obtain an effective level of control. ♦ Use the least harmful method(s) to control identified pests. Where the use of pesticides is necessary, apply according to the label using all safety precautions and take all measures needed to protect the environment, the health and safety of visitors, employees, neighbors, and the surrounding natural areas including water and soil resources. ♦ Plan for repeat treatments as indicated by the pest’s regener- ative capabilities. ♦ Coordinate and cooperate with adjacent landowners, neigh- bors, and other responsible agencies to control pests and limit secondary effects. ♦ If eradication of a pest from a distinct location is not feasible, apply measures to achieve containment, sustained control, slow down a pest’s rate of spread, or minimize pest damage. Policy IPM-4 Monitor pest occurrences and results of control actions and use adaptive management to improve results. Prior to the approval of the use of any new biological control agent, the US and California Departments of Agriculture conduct years of laboratory and field studies to assess the candidate’s host specificity and its potential impact on target and nontarget species and environmental safety. The District coordinates with the San Mateo County and Santa Clara County Weed Management Areas, the California Invasive Plant Council, the California Department of Fish and Game, the California Department of Food and Agriculture, County Agricultural Departments, and the Cooperative Extension Service to stay informed on invasive plants and animals, IPM techniques, and pesticide regulations. ATTACHMENT 1 MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT RESOURCE MANAGEMENT POLICIES INTEGRATED PEST MANAGEMENT 22 Policy IPM-5 Develop and implement an IPM Guidance Manual to stand- ardize pest management and IPM procedures across all District Lands. ATTACHMENT 1 23 V. WATER RESOURCES BACKGROUND Water is essential to life on earth and is also one of the most important forces shaping habitats and biodiversity. District open space lands con- tain a variety of water resources that include such diverse habitats as freshwater wetlands (including ponds and seasonal wetlands) and water- courses, salt water tidal wetlands within San Francisco Bay, and ground- water resources such as springs, seeps, and underground aquifers. These water resources have natural, scenic, recreational, scientific, and educa- tional values. In general, this policy will discuss waters (sag ponds, artifi- cial impoundments, lakes, and aquifers), watercourses (such as streams and creeks), and wetlands. These terms are discussed further below. “Waters” is a term that is broadly used to describe all aquatic systems. This policy defines “waters” as areas of standing water, both seasonal and permanent, such as lakes and ponds, as well as underground aquifers. “Watercourse” is a generic term used to define any land feature that con- veys concentrated water flow, regardless of whether the water flow is ephemeral, intermittent, or perennial. “Wetlands” are distinguished by the presence of water, either at the surface or within the root zone. Wetlands have unique soil conditions that differ from adjacent uplands and support vegetation adapted to wet conditions. Wetlands provide critical ecological functions and habitat for a variety of fish, wildlife, and plant species Wetlands are lands that are transitional between terrestrial and aquatic systems. The water table is usually at or near the surface, or land is cov- ered by shallow water. Some functions of wetlands include the following: provide habitat for fish and aquatic wildlife, offer foraging habitat or water for terrestrial wildlife and birds, absorb flood waters, reduce erosion, re- charge aquifers, cleanse pollutants, provide aesthetic values, support unique plant associations, and provide habitat for many rare species of plants and wildlife. In California, wetlands of all types have been greatly reduced in area from their historic extent and are being rapidly lost or ad- versely impacted. ATTACHMENT 1 MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT RESOURCE MANAGEMENT POLICIES WATER RESOURCES 24 Watersheds Within the District District Preserves are located within 22 major watersheds extending from the Pacific Ocean in San Mateo County to the baylands in San Mateo and Santa Clara Counties. Watersheds are land or “basins” within which all precipitation within a given watershed drains to a single body of water, often a creek or stream. Many of the District’s lands are located within the headwaters or uppermost sections of these watersheds. Most preserve watersheds contain steep ridges and deep canyons typical of the Santa Cruz Mountains. Rainfall occurs mostly between November and April with seasonal rainfall totals varying greatly within the District. The greatest rainfall quantities occur along the west facing slopes near the summit of the mountain range where totals can reach 40 to 50 inches per year, however, averages around 20 to 30 inches per year are more typical. In the Santa Cruz Mountains, fog accounts for approximately 10-20 inches of this precipitation, much of which is delivered in the dry summer months. Many smaller creeks and streams are intermittent, reflecting this seasonal distribution of rainfall. Winter flows are higher, especially during and im- mediately following storms. The Influence of Water Movement Water flows in predictable patterns on the surface, through rocks beneath the soil, and in underground water tables. Plants and animals are adapted to specific movement patterns of water, sediment, and nutrients occurring in their area. A significant change in any of these factors may reduce or eliminate original species in favor of those better able to survive in the new conditions. Maintaining and restoring hydrologic patterns is important in maintaining healthy ecosystems. The condition of soil and vegetation influences the rate at which water moves as well as its quality and quantity. Leaf litter acts as mulch that helps absorb and conserve rainwater. Maintaining a continuous cover of live and decomposing vegetation residue is the most successful long- term approach to controlling erosion and maintaining water quality and quan- tity. ATTACHMENT 1 MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT RESOURCE MANAGEMENT POLICIES WATER RESOURCES 25 Water Management Within The District As rain falls on District Preserves, it is captured and transported through the ecosystem. These processes create high-quality water for the environ- ment and people. District Preserves also support groundwater recharge that helps sustain summer and fall water availability and mitigate the im- pact of drought. The District is also dependent on water to fulfill its mission. District field offices require water for employees, equipment maintenance, dust control, and fire suppression. The District manages residential properties that are often located in areas without municipal supplies, thus relying on locally, naturally occurring water sources. Grazing operations that manage grass- lands for multiple benefits require water in remote areas. Irrigation sup- ports farming that provides local food. The District manages ponds that support aquatic and terrestrial wildlife. In the semi-arid region of the Santa Cruz Mountains, restoration of stream and aquatic ecosystems is a priority for managing ecosystems. The District relies on a variety of water sources. Springs are captured and developed to provide water to people and livestock with the goal of allow- ing wildlife access to the spring water. Wells capture deeper groundwater sources and require energy to pump the water to the surface. Streamflow can be captured by small impoundments or pumps and diverted to the place it is needed. These waters are often stored to provide water during the dry seasons in tanks or ponds Water Resource Issues Wetlands and watercourses on the District’s open space lands provide valuable and increasingly scarce habitat for a variety of native plant and animal species as well as many special status species. Where aquatic habitat is not directly present on District lands, runoff from District lands supports habitats downstream, a connection that should be recognized and preserved. Issues associated with the management of water re- sources and water quality include erosion and sedimentation, excessive diversion of water for consumptive use, severe erosion following wildland fires, agricultural runoff, pesticides and fertilizers, septic system Groundwater is water that is held underground in soil or pores and crevices in bedrock Surface water is found in streams, rivers, ponds, and lakes. Springs are a type of groundwater that surfaces at a point on the land. Consumptive use is the amount of water that is used by people, livestock, or crops that is unavailable to the environment after use. ATTACHMENT 1 MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT RESOURCE MANAGEMENT POLICIES WATER RESOURCES 26 wastewater disposal, stormwater runoff, flooding, drought, climate change, associated sea level rise, and chemical contamination from neighboring areas or from former use of preserve lands. WATER RESOURCES GOALS, POLICIES, AND IMPLEMENTATION MEASURES Goal WR- Protect and restore natural water courses, wet- lands and hydrologic processes Policy WR-1 Protect surface and ground water from contamination. ♦ Inventory existing facilities and uses that affect watercourses, riparian areas, and wetlands, and prepare plans for protection or restoration, as appropriate. ♦ Research and pursue cleanup of likely sources of pollution, such as buried fuel tanks, improperly dumped or stored material, and faulty waste or drainage systems. ♦ Utilize self-contained sanitary facilities or place rest rooms where they cannot contaminate water sources. ♦ Control activities having a high potential for pollution. ♦ Properly decommission abandoned septic systems and avoid water quality impacts when constructing new septic systems. Manage active and abandoned wells to avoid groundwater contamination ♦ Regulate the type and intensity of human activity on District lands to protect water quality. ♦ Review and comment on offsite land use and water management pro- jects and policies that affect District water resources. Recommend and support measures to maintain natural water quality, channel flow, and sedimentation rates on District lands. Contamination is man-made waste that has polluted the environment making it unfit or unsafe. Examples on District lands include deteriorated septic systems, underground storage tanks, leaking transformers, and trash and debris. ATTACHMENT 1 MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT RESOURCE MANAGEMENT POLICIES WATER RESOURCES 27 Policy WR-2 Restore, maintain or enhance water quality on District lands. ♦ Manage vegetation to improve watershed productivity and water qual- ity. ♦ Manage agricultural leases and easements to maximize the protection and enhancement of riparian areas and water quality. ♦ Monitor sediment delivery and transport on District preserves located within watersheds identified as impaired by sediment or supportive of special status animals requiring aquatic habitat. ♦ Coordinate with agencies and organizations to establish volunteer- based monitoring programs. Participate in regional watershed man- agement activities. Policy WR-3 Restore Hydrologic Processes. ♦ Incorporate best management practices (BMPs) and develop storm- water pollution prevention plans (SWPPP) when required at staging areas. ♦ Inventory and assess roads and trails on District lands to identify sig- nificant erosion and sediment sources. Prioritize maintenance and road/trail management based on most severe erosion and sediment delivery sites. ♦ Manage human activities to control erosion--for example, abandon and where feasible restore to a natural condition poorly designed or sited roads to a natural condition, close certain trails to bicycle and equestrian use during the wet season, re-route existing trails to mini- mize erosion and sediment delivery. ♦ Restore hydrologic processes altered by past land uses by ‘slowing water, spreading it, and sinking it’ through installing erosion control materials and structures, removing culverts and drainage diversions where appropriate, and using improved drainage structures that mini- mize alteration of hydrology. ♦ Minimize soil disturbance during all construction projects. ♦ Locate new trails to minimize potential water pollution and stream bank erosion and sediment delivery. Restoration and enhancement are terms that are sometimes used interchangeably when discussing habitat improvement projects. Restoration refers to the process of returning land that has been degraded and disturbed into functional habitat. Enhancement refers to the process of altering a habitat to provide specific ecosystem functions that may be missing; typically to provide habitat for endangered species. Many of the District’s properties contain legacy logging and ranching roads that were not designed or constructed for year-round use. These road systems can greatly alter the flow of water across the land, causing erosion and sediment problems due to concentrated runoff from winter rains. ATTACHMENT 1 MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT RESOURCE MANAGEMENT POLICIES WATER RESOURCES 28 ♦ Construct trails, roads, staging areas, and buildings so that streams are not permanently diverted nor interrupted, and runoff is not concen- trated. Minimize creation of impermeable surfaces. ♦ Identify and mitigate significant impacts of altered water flow on plants and animals, including aquatic organisms. Policy WR-4 Manage Water Consumption to Balance Operational and Environmental Needs. ♦ Phase in installation of water meters or other measures to monitor an- nual consumptive water use. ♦ Develop and regularly update BMPs for efficient water use in offices, field operations, residences, grazing, and farming. ♦ Evaluate and consider the environmental and operational benefits and tradeoffs of each water source for new projects. ♦ Evaluate and consider the construction and operational costs of each water source. ♦ Balance operational and consumptive use needs with the goal of maintaining healthy ecological functions. ♦ Provide technical assistance to lessees of District lands and owners of lands on which the District has an agricultural easement to secure water rights for the continuation or establishment of viable agriculture consistent with the protection of sensitive habitats (see Coastal Ser- vice Plan PA.2). Policy WR-5 Determine and maintain District water rights and utilization. ♦ Identify existing uses of surface water on newly acquired open space lands, as part of the purchase process. Protect appropriative and ri- parian water rights for appropriate and beneficial existing or possible future uses. ♦ Secure water rights for the continuation or establishment of viable ag- riculture and grazing on District land consistent with protection of sen- sitive habitats. Two types of surface water use are recognized under California law: appropriative rights and riparian rights. Appropriative rights require a permit from the State Water Resources Control Board, which grants the right to use water on parcels not adjacent to the watercourse or to store water. Riparian rights are the rights of any owner of a parcel immediately adjacent to a watercourse to use water. ATTACHMENT 1 MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT RESOURCE MANAGEMENT POLICIES WATER RESOURCES 29 Policy WR-6 Preserve and enhance fisheries habitats. (See WM poli- cies). ♦ Inventory and assess stream reaches accessible to anadromous fish to identify impediments to fish passage and opportunities for habitat enhancement. ♦ Remove artificial barriers to fish passage where removal will enhance spawning and rearing habitats. ♦ Enhance spawning and rearing habitats for native fisheries through restoration. Prioritize restoration and enhancement of areas providing habitat to sensitive species. ♦ Monitor sensitive fish species populations in District waters. ♦ Monitor water quality and condition of high priority aquatic habitats as- sociated with District projects containing spawning, breeding, rearing habitat for special status fish, reptile, amphibian, or other aquatic spe- cies. ♦ Evaluate and consider the environmental benefits and construc- tion/operational costs of off-stream storage facilities to minimize stream diversion and/or allow for the release of water into natural wa- terways during low flow seasons and implement accordingly. ♦ Avoid new direct stream diversion for consumptive uses where eco- nomically feasible alternative water sources exist, or the diversion captures the majority of flows, or the aquatic habitat would be sub- stantially impaired. Explore alternate sources for existing in stream di- versions. Policy WR-7 Preserve and enhance ponds and other wetland habitats. (See VM-1 and WM policies). ♦ Maintain ponds or other water bodies as wildlife watering sources as appropriate (See WM-2). ♦ Inventory and assess ponds and wetlands to identify opportunities for habitat maintenance and enhancement. ♦ Monitor sensitive reptile, amphibian, and aquatic organism popula- tions dependent on District wetlands. Few of the ponds in the Santa Cruz Mountains are naturally occurring features. The majority of ponds were created as artificial impoundments that require ongoing management to maintain. Regardless of their origin, ponds provide wildlife access to a scarce resource (water) and greatly increase the diversity of species inhabiting the District’s lands. ATTACHMENT 1 MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT RESOURCE MANAGEMENT POLICIES WATER RESOURCES 30 ♦ Preserve ponds through maintenance of artificial impoundment struc- tures where ponds provide habitat for sensitive and other wildlife spe- cies. Policy WR-8 Develop seasonal and multi-year drought management strat- egies for District lands. ♦ Evaluate and develop where appropriate wells and springs to create resilient water supplies. ♦ Identify and curtail diversions that strain naturally limited water sources, especially those that significantly impact special status spe- cies. ♦ Evaluate and implement where appropriate additional water storage infrastructure to store water when it is naturally abundant for later use during dry seasons. ♦ Evaluate and alter as appropriate water-intensive land management practices during drought conditions to reduce overall District-wide wa- ter consumption. ATTACHMENT 1 31 VI. GEOLOGY AND SOILS BACKGROUND District lands include a diverse set of dynamic geological resources char- acterized by steep slopes, earthquake faults, landslides, unstable and erosive soils, and attractive but fragile rock formations. Open space is an appropriate designation for such areas. Soil – A Valuable and Fragile Resource Soil is the essential surface layer that predominates in the District Pre- serves. Soil provides the rooting medium for plants and supplies most of the nutrients they require, whether native or cultivated. As plant commu- nities mature, plant roots, surface debris, and animal remains break down and are incorporated into the soil. Over time, this organic material builds up soil structure and fertility. If depleted or lost, soil takes a long time to regenerate- often longer than a single human generation. This surface layer of the land is readily accessible and easy to disturb and therefore requires the most protection by land managers. Factors Contributing to Soil Loss In some areas, District soil erosion has been accelerated by loss of plant cover, disruption of natural drainage patterns, landslide activity and/or some types of recreational uses. Some of these are naturally occurring causes, some are natural causes accelerated by human activity. By far the largest amount of soil erosion on District lands is human-caused. Poor placement of roads or trails, shortcutting of trails, poor design, construction or placement of drainage systems, excessive grazing pressure or past cul- tivation practices, and development of facilities can accelerate natural ero- sion. These activities can destroy protective plant and mulch cover, ex- posing soil to wind and water or diverting water from natural drainages. Recovery of soils from such disturbances is slow. Monitoring, preventing, and, where necessary, remedying human-caused erosion are all important parts of the District's resource management responsibilities. ATTACHMENT 1 MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT RESOURCE MANAGEMENT POLICIES GEOLOGY AND SOILS 32 GEOLOGY AND SOILS GOALS, POLICIES, AND IMPLEMENTATION MEASURES Goal GS- Avoid or minimize soil loss and prevent or remedi- ate contamination related to human land use, and protect unique or exceptional geologic features Policy GS-1 Locate and construct facilities to avoid high-risk areas sub- ject to landslides, liquefaction, faulting, flooding and erosion. ♦ Minimize construction of major improvements (examples: buildings, roads, pipelines, and septic tanks) in landslide-prone areas, active fault zones, flood zones, and highly erodible areas. ♦ Design trails with respect to natural topography to maintain or restore natural drainage patterns as much as possible. Design roads, trails and facilities to minimize disturbance to vegetation and soil. ♦ Review available geohazard data for proposed facilities and infrastruc- ture, where geologic hazards may be present. Policy GS-2 Minimize unnatural soil erosion and sedimentation. (See VM-3: Measure 3) ♦ Monitor soil erosion and slope failure and identify areas where these processes are accelerated and causing resource damage. Utilize ex- isting information (soil maps, geologic reports etc.) to avoid construc- tion in problem areas and to identify areas with conditions that may impact existing infrastructure. ♦ Reduce human-caused erosion by identifying, limiting of eliminating the causative activity, properly locating or relocating facilities, in- stalling drainage or erosion control measures, or revegetating the area. Construct roads and trails to maintain natural drainage patterns. ♦ Reconstruct or stabilize and abandon roads and trails that display or have the potential for ongoing erosion problems. ♦ Limit agricultural activities, facility development, and trail construction in riparian and other wetland areas to protect them from disturbance. ATTACHMENT 1 MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT RESOURCE MANAGEMENT POLICIES GEOLOGY AND SOILS 33 ♦ Minimize soil disturbance associated with construction and mainte- nance operations. ♦ Seed to rehabilitate disturbed ground and lessen erosion. Time seed- ing projects to ensure adequate soil moisture for seed germination. Utilize mulch or other appropriate groundcover to reduce erosion where sediment can be delivered to a watercourse or wetland. ♦ Utilize native plants when possible for projects requiring revegetation for long-term erosion control. Non-native sterile grass seed may be used to quickly establish ground cover and reduce erosion. In areas of active livestock grazing, incorporation of non-invasive pasture grasses may be utilized. ♦ Prevent, to the extent possible, the physical removal of naturally oc- curring soil. Policy GS-3 Protect unique or exceptional geologic features from human damage. ♦ Identify locations and document the condition of unique or exceptional geologic features (example: tafoni sandstone formations, serpentine outcrops, sag ponds). ♦ Monitor such features to determine if action is needed to prevent or stop damage. ♦ Control access to features requiring protection by informing visitors, placing signs and barriers, and enforcing restrictions. ♦ Develop security protocols to limit availability and distribution of geo- graphic information for geology and soil resources to protect sites from accidental destruction, looting, and vandalism. Policy GS-4 Prevent or remediate contaminated soils ♦ Prevent the release of hazardous materials into the environment as- sociated with District operations by implementing and following Best Management Practices (BMPs) for spill prevention. ♦ Investigate areas where soil contamination may have occurred due to previous land use including: disposal sites, mining areas, or leaks from storage tanks. ATTACHMENT 1 MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT RESOURCE MANAGEMENT POLICIES GEOLOGY AND SOILS 34 ♦ Remediate areas where contaminants pose a threat to human and ecological health through implementation of recommended treatment options including biodegradation, safe removal of contaminated soils, capping of soils, or other methods as recommended by a remediation professional. ♦ Adhere to requirements outlined in soil management plans approved for the preserves. ATTACHMENT 1 35 VII. SCENIC AND AESTHETIC RESOURCES BACKGROUND The District recognizes the protection of scenic values as one of the pri- mary benefits of open space. The scenic and aesthetic resources of District lands provide physical and psychological relief from the stresses and uniformity of urban life. They also contribute to our "sense of place" - our appreciation of the qualities that set this area apart from others and make it feel like home. District preserves include a variety of natural settings and landscapes that form magnificent scenic backdrops to the urbanized peninsula. Local res- idents and visitors particularly appreciate the interplay of color, pattern, form, and light on the coastal mountains, where rugged topography, hot sun, wind, and fog combine to create dramatic and appealing contrasts in vegetation. In some cases, preserving a significant scenic or historic landscape may involve managing it to actually prevent natural succession, for example, without intervention; a shallow pond may gradually fill in and become a meadow or open grassland. Active management through vegetation maintenance or pond deepening not only promotes the scenic and aes- thetic value of a wetland setting, but may also be more beneficial to wild- life. However in most instances, restoring or mimicking natural processes can help maintain the appealing visual and biological diversity of native communities. ATTACHMENT 1 MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT RESOURCE MANGEMENT POLICY DOCUMENT SCENIC AND AESTHETIC RESOURCES 36 SCENIC AND AESTHETIC RESOURCES GOAL, POLICIES, AND IMPLEMENTATION MEASURES Goal SA- Preserve lands with natural appearance, diversity, and minimal evidence of human impacts Policy SA-1 Minimize evidence of human impacts within preserves. ♦ Clarify and document appropriate standards for designing and locating trails, parking areas, and buildings. ♦ Locate trails to minimize their visibility from a distance. ♦ Where feasible, locate telecommunication towers, power lines, water towers, firebreaks, and other infrastructure along margins of roads, next to existing structures or where vegetation and terrain help ease undesirable visual and environmental impacts. Install utility lines un- derground, if practical. ♦ Cluster new facilities near existing development, where possible. ♦ Design facilities such as structures, bridges, fencing, benches, and barriers to harmonize with natural landscape features, colors, and ma- terials. ♦ Cluster, reduce, and place signs to lessen their visual impact. ♦ Rehabilitate areas degraded by human use by restricting access or type(s) of use, rerouting trails and roads, removing unsightly hu- man-made features and non-native plants, restoring natural contours, and revegetating with native plants. Policy SA-2 Maintain significant landscapes or features that were for- merly maintained by natural processes. ♦ Control encroaching vegetation where it adversely affects significant scenic, historic or habitat resources (See Vegetation Management, Cultural Resources, and Integrated Pest Management policies). District development consists of facilities such as trails, restrooms, parking lots, fencing, offices, and residences. District facilities are designed to blend into the natural surroundings and are located within or adjacent to previously disturbed areas such as placing parking lots along existing roadways, or improving, remodeling, or placing new structures in previously developed areas. ATTACHMENT 1 MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT RESOURCE MANAGEMENT POLICIES SCENIC AND AESTHETIC RESOURCES 37 ♦ Control vegetation to create or maintain important scenic viewpoints and vistas (See Vegetation Management and Integrated Pest Man- agement policies). ♦ Require District tenants to maintain landscapes and improvements to acceptable visual standards that do not detract from a visitor's experi- ence or adversely impact wildlife. Policy SA-3 Minimize unnatural noise within preserves ♦ Prevent or reduce unnatural sounds that adversely impact preserves resources or a visitors' enjoyment of them. ATTACHMENT 1 MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT RESOURCE MANGEMENT POLICY DOCUMENT SCENIC AND AESTHETIC RESOURCES 38 This page intentionally blank ATTACHMENT 1 39 VIII. CULTURAL RESOURCE MANAGEMENT BACKGROUND Cultural Resources at the District The San Francisco Peninsula has had a rich and diverse history, including settlement by Native American groups; the Spanish (1776-1821) and Mexican Republican (1821-1848) colonization of the region; the annexa- tion of California by the United States in 1848; and subsequent industrial, agricultural, and residential development. There are remains from each of these periods on District lands, including Native American village sites and bedrock mortars, barns and other ranching features, orchards, wineries, historic homes, sawmills, mines, historic roads and trails, and outdoor recreational sites. As time passes, more recent periods of California’s his- tory become historically significant. As such, some 20th century sites such as World War II and Cold War military sites are now considered his- torically significant resources throughout California. Collectively, these sites, structures, features, and artifacts comprise the cultural resources of the District. The District was founded to preserve a regional greenbelt of open space land on the San Francisco Peninsula from the rapid suburban develop- ment that accelerated in the post-World War II boom in the Bay Area. Alt- hough the District’s mission is to protect the greenbelt for open space val- ues, natural resource protection, and ecologically sensitive recreation, this mission compliments cultural resource preservation goals. The devel- opment pressures from which the District protects open space land also threaten its associated historic and prehistoric structures, cultural land- scapes, and archaeological sites. The preservation of open space land in the peninsula’s greenbelt provides the opportunity for the District to pro- tect and interpret the rural history of the Santa Cruz Mountains and San Francisco Bay for the benefit of present visitors and future generations. Native American groups, such as the Ohlone, have lived on the San Francisco Peninsula for thousands of years. Bedrock mortars and other artifacts from their habitation and use of the landscape can be seen on District lands today. During the Spanish Colonial and Mexican Republican periods, the San Francisco peninsula was divided into large ranching tracts. District preserves, including Rancho San Antonio, the Rancho de Guadalupe area of Sierra Azul, and La Honda Creek (formerly Rancho San Gregorio), were part of these large land grants. In the second half of the 19th century, District forests were used for timber harvesting, residences, and outdoor recreation. Grasslands were developed for ranching and agriculture, including vineyards and orchards. Historic roads, such as Old Page Mill Road, connected communities and industries in the growing region. ATTACHMENT 1 MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT RESOURCE MANAGEMENT POLICIES CULTURAL RESOURCE MANAGEMENT 40 Cultural resources are irreplaceable resources that face substantial threats such as disturbance from construction and maintenance activities, theft, vandalism, and deterioration over time. When the District acquires land with historic structures, the structures often have suffered years of neglect and are at risk of collapse. In these cases, it can be very expen- sive to rehabilitate and maintain these structures, many of which have already lost significant resource integrity. It is sometimes necessary to remove dilapidated historic structures due to public safety concerns and the prohibitive expense of historical rehabilitation. The District has adopted “Policies Regarding Improvements on District Lands” to provide a public process used to assess and determine whether District structures and improvements are cultural resources, and how they can most appro- priately be managed. The District has successfully completed a number of important historic preservation projects, often with assistance from granting agencies and/or public/private partnerships. Cultivating relation- ships with historic preservation groups, research organizations, and knowledgeable local residents, including Native American groups, will al- low the District to pursue new opportunities to preserve cultural resources and protect remnants of the peninsula’s heritage for present and future Bay Area residents. The District serves communities of diverse ethnic her- itage, who seek a wide variety of experiences in District preserves. To the extent that these practices can be accommodated with minimal impact to the natural and cultural resources, they should be encouraged and accom- modated wherever feasible. Regulatory Context There are a number of state and federal laws pertaining to cultural re- sources to which the District must adhere in its operations. The California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) (Guideline 15064.5, Public Resources Code 21038.2) states that a substantial adverse change to the significance of a historical resource or a unique archaeological resource must be treated as a significant effect on the environment in a project’s environ- mental review. Public Resources Code 5097.9-5097.994 mandates pro- tocols for protecting Native American graves and human remains, and pro- hibits unauthorized excavation, destruction, or vandalism to Native Amer- ican archaeological sites on public land. Examples of completed historic preservation projects on District lands include the Woodhills Home at Fremont Older, Picchetti Winery, Grant Cabin at Deer Hollow Farm, and the Red Barn at La Honda Creek. CEQA defines a historical resource as potentially significant if it is at least 50 years old and is determined to be eligible for listing on the California Register of Historic Resources. A unique archaeological site is defined as a site that is at least 100 years old and has the potential to provide useful information about the past. Therefore, as time passes, t ATTACHMENT 1 MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT RESOURCE MANAGEMENT POLICIES CULTURAL RESOURCE MANAGEMENT 41 Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 requires con- sideration of impacts to historic resources on federal lands or projects re- quiring federal permits. Likewise, any project that requires review under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 must consider impacts to cultural resources. The Native American Graves Protection and Repatri- ation Act of 1990 (NAGPRA) mandates the protection of Native American burial sites on federal lands and the repatriation of human remains and funerary objects to descendent Native American groups. Under NAGPRA, institutions with collections of Native American remains and funerary items must create an inventory and notify lineal descendents as part of the re- patriation process. In compliance with the statutes listed above, the District has included pro- tocols for unexpected discoveries of archaeological sites and human re- mains as mitigation measures in District projects. An example of a District project specifically identifying protocols for cultural resource protection is the Service Plan and accompanying Environmental Impact Report for ex- pansion of the District’s boundaries to include coastal San Mateo County completed in 2003. The Service Plan recognized the unique value of cul- tural resources in the San Mateo County coastal area and established Cul- tural Resource Policies to preserve cultural resources in the Coastal An- nexation Area. The Policies and Implementation Measures established in this Cultural RMPs are consistent with the Cultural Resource Policies in the Service Plan. The Cultural RMPs is intended to be consistent with and to supplement the District’s “Policies Regarding Improvements on District Lands.” The purpose of this policy is to formalize and enhance the District’s cultural resource management practices for the long-term stewardship of the Dis- trict’s significant historical and archaeological sites. Cultural resources are not restricted to historic structures. Many of the landscapes on District preserves are artifacts of historic and prehistoric human activity. These include agricultural landscapes, such as the orchards at Stevens Canyon Ranch; the remnants of logging in the District’s redwood forests; ranching landscapes; and the formal estates of August Schilling in Thornewood and, Harry Tevis in Bear Creek Redwoods and Fremont and Cora Older at Fremont Older. ATTACHMENT 1 MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT RESOURCE MANAGEMENT POLICIES CULTURAL RESOURCE MANAGEMENT 42 CULTURAL RESOURCE GOALS, POLICIES, AND IMPLEMENTATION MEASURES Goal CR- Identify, protect, preserve, and interpret cultural re- sources for the benefit of present and future gen- erations. Policy CR-1 Maintain an inventory of cultural resources on District pre- serves. ♦ Inventory and assess cultural resources throughout the District, in- cluding prehistoric and historic archaeological sites, structures, and cultural landscape features. The Cultural Resource Inventory should include a Geographic Information Systems database; however, access to this inventory must be restricted to District staff and qualified professionals, to the extent allowed by law to protect sites from looting and vandalism. ♦ Record cultural resources in the District’s Cultural Resource Inventory when purchasing new property and perform research on previous uses of the property. Examples of research activities include perform- ing a records search with the Northwest Information Center and consulting historic preservation organizations, previous residents, and descendents to gather local historical information. ♦ Complete archaeological site records for known unrecorded sites on District land and file reports with the Northwest Information Center. Policy CR-2 Address cultural resources in the development of preserve use and management plans. ♦ Consult the Cultural Resource Inventory when planning projects that may have an impact on cultural resources in the project area. ♦ Conduct appropriate reconnaissance measures, such as research or archaeological survey, early in the planning process for trail construc- Archaeological sites include prehistoric sites, such as Native American villages and other remnants, and historic sites dating from after European settlement. These can include Spanish Colonial /Mexican sites, and sites dating from after the annexation of California by the United States. To protect vulnerable ar- chaeological resources, the State Legislature has ex- empted sensitive archaeo- logical site information from disclosure requirements in the California Public Records Act. ATTACHMENT 1 MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT RESOURCE MANAGEMENT POLICIES CULTURAL RESOURCE MANAGEMENT 43 tion, maintenance activities, or other projects that entail ground dis- turbance in an area of known archaeological sensitivity. Monitor con- struction activities when appropriate. ♦ Locate facilities, such as trails, staging areas, and new structures, to avoid loss or degradation of historically or archaeologically significant resources wherever possible. If not possible to avoid, minimize im- pacts, for example by: capping site, recording important features and/or artifacts, relocating structures, or data recovery excavation. ♦ Include stakeholder groups when developing plans for the manage- ment of historically or archaeologically significant resources. Con- sult with descendent communities such as Native American and other ethnic groups when developing plans for the management of histori- cally or archaeologically significant resources related to their heritage. ♦ Assess the significance, integrity, and feasibility of preservation of his- toric structures when developing Preserve Use and Management Plans or Master Plans. If a structure is determined to be eligible for the California Register of Historic Resources, assess feasibility of pre- serving the resource. Policy CR-3 Protect cultural resources from disturbance to the maximum extent feasible. ♦ Wherever possible and appropriate, preserve historical resources and archaeological sites in situ. ♦ Prohibit looting, vandalism, and unauthorized removal of cultural re- sources and associated artifacts from District preserves. ♦ Implement security measures such as protective fencing and patrol- ling to reduce vulnerability of the resources due to vandalism and loot- ing. ♦ Develop security protocols to limit availability and distribution of geo- graphic information for cultural resources to protect sites from looting and vandalism. ♦ Prohibit District sale, purchase, or commercial trade of individual ar- chaeological artifacts. Looting of archaeological sites for commercial gain poses a threat to sites around the world. Codes of archaeological ethics there- fore discourage any activity that commodifies artifacts and encourages their com- mercial trade. ATTACHMENT 1 MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT RESOURCE MANAGEMENT POLICIES CULTURAL RESOURCE MANAGEMENT 44 ♦ Develop and follow guidelines for reporting, protecting and recording archaeological sites and features in the event of unexpected discov- ery. ♦ Provide District staff with basic training to identify and protect cultural resources. ♦ Assess existing operations within areas of known archaeological sen- sitivity to protect and preserve cultural resources. ♦ Require that all archaeological investigations or research activities that have the potential to physically significantly impact archaeological resources are carried out by qualified archaeologists, and that a tech- nical report for each project is provided to the District following exca- vation. Policy CR-4 Preserve and maintain cultural resources wherever feasible. ♦ Actively pursue grant assistance from local, state, federal, and other programs to supplement District funds to implement historic preserva- tion projects for historically and archaeologically significant resources. ♦ Seek partnerships with private or non-profit groups to aid in the resto- ration, management, and use of historic structures. ♦ Assess the condition, identify needed repairs, and prepare mainte- nance plans for significant high priority historic structures as funds al- low. ♦ Assess the eligibility of cultural resources for nomination on local reg- isters, the California Register of Historic Resources, and the National Register of Historic Places. Consider nomination to registers for which a resource is determined eligible. ♦ Catalog artifacts associated with sites on District lands to prevent de- terioration and to document the site and location where the artifacts were recovered. Consider curating artifacts in danger of deterioration. Maintain a cataloging system to preserve artifacts’ contextual infor- mation and storage locations. Where appropriate, coordinate with other agencies and organizations to assist in long-term curation of Dis- trict collections. ♦ Develop and follow guidelines and procedures governing loans of ar- tifacts to other agencies and organizations. There are a number of po- tential sources of grant fund- ing for historic preservation projects. In the past, the District has received grants from the Santa Clara County Historical Heritage Commis- sion and the California Herit- age Fund. Listing resources on local, state, or national registers can increase oppor- tunities for grant funding. Provenience, or the contex- tual information associated with an artifact or collection, is important for retaining its research potential and rele- vance for interested commu- nities. A cataloging system is a crucial tool for preserv- ing this information and keeping it linked to objects. ATTACHMENT 1 MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT RESOURCE MANAGEMENT POLICIES CULTURAL RESOURCE MANAGEMENT 45 Policy CR-5 Provide public access and educational programs to interpret historical and archaeological resources. (See PI-1) ♦ Provide controlled public access to historical and archaeological sites where appropriate, considering other public access resource con- straints and resource protection. ♦ Allow appropriate uses of cultural resources by descendent communi- ties. ♦ Seek input from descendent communities, such as Native American and other ethnic groups, when planning public access and educational programs that interpret cultural resources related to their heritage. ♦ When developing partnerships for the use and management of historic structures, plan for public access to the structures where appropriate while minimizing impact to the structures and respecting the needs of building occupants. ♦ Provide interpretive materials such as signage or brochures for self- guided hikes to inform visitors about the history of District lands and the San Francisco Bay Area. Develop locations to display artifacts for public benefit. ♦ Encourage, utilize, and support historical research by docents and vol- unteers. ♦ Provide training opportunities for docents to aid them in the develop- ment of docent-led tours of historic and archaeological sites and land- scapes. ♦ Facilitate school field trips of historic and archaeological sites and cultivate other opportunities to work with educational groups to inter- pret cultural resources on District preserves. ♦ Support historical and archaeological research conducted by District- approved, qualified cultural resource professionals on District lands. Public interpretation and ac- cess to non-sensitive infor- mation about cultural re- sources on District land is an important part of their preser- vation, conveying their im- portance to the general pub- lic. The District’s cultural re- sources are a valuable public asset. ATTACHMENT 1 MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT RESOURCE MANAGEMENT POLICIES CULTURAL RESOURCE MANAGEMENT 46 Policy CR-6 Preserve District institutional history. ♦ Preserve documents and artifacts important to the history of the Dis- trict. ATTACHMENT 1 MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT RESOURCE MANAGEMENT POLICIES CULTURAL RESOURCE MANAGEMENT 47 This page intentionally blank ATTACHMENT 1 48 IX. RESEARCH AND COLLECTION OF INFORMATION BACKGROUND Achieving the District's resource management objectives requires sup- port in the form of basic academic research and applied field studies. This level of research is usually conducted by colleges and universities, by con- sultants as part of environmental analysis for project proposals, or by en- vironmental and wildlife organizations such as the California Native Plant Society, the Nature Conservancy, or the Audubon Society. Although the District may conduct or sponsor research directly, it will continue to depend on and support outside research to expand its knowledge about the natu- ral resources under its care, and to provide the basis for sound planning and management decisions. RESEARCH AND INFORMATION GOALS, POLICIES, AND IMPLEMENTATION MEASURES Goal RC- Use and document scientific knowledge of pre- serve resources and resource management tech- niques as a basis for management decisions Policy RC-1 Maintain resource information files for each preserve and re- source subject. ♦ Systematically gather information and data from appropriate agencies, universities, non-profit organizations, studies, and reports. Integrate spatial data into the District’s GIS database. ♦ Maintain an electronic filing system to facilitate access of spatial data and information by location and resource type. ♦ Facilitate the reporting of resource related observational data by field staff and the public and its access by District staff. ATTACHMENT 1 MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT RESOURCE MANAGEMENT POLICIES RESEARCH AND COLLECTION INFORMATION 49 ♦ Respond to public information requests and promote release of non sensitive resource information to better distribute and share District scientific knowledge. ♦ Recruit interns and volunteers to help organize and maintain resource information files, in cooperation with the District's volunteer program. Policy RC-2 Coordinate and cooperate with institutions, agencies, organ- izations, and individuals conducting resource management or research. ♦ Maintain a list of District related potential resource research projects. Encourage research directed to specific sites, District-related issues, or resource management practices. ♦ Administer the District’s Resource Management Grant Program to fund projects that contribute to resource management projects. Incor- porate the District’s list of potential projects into the Grant Program. ♦ Explore partnerships and foster relationships with educational institu- tions, scientists, and other land management professionals in order to share information and resources and to develop Memorandums of Un- derstanding or Memorandums of Agreement between the District and other agencies. ♦ Sponsor or participate in events and activities such as symposiums, workshops, and conferences that support scientific research and sound resource management practices. ♦ Encourage and facilitate currency on resource management tech- niques, such as restoration, integrated pest management, and ero- sion control. ♦ Provide internship support for appropriate research. Policy RC-3 Undertake original research necessary for planning or man- agement decisions. ♦ Carefully research existing information and explore opportunities for cooperative studies to collect additional information. ATTACHMENT 1 MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT RESOURCE MANAGEMENT POLICIES RESEARCH AND COLLECTION INFORMATION 50 ♦ Retain qualified consultants or researchers to conduct studies or col- lect additional information in a standardized format that can be inte- grated with the District’s GIS database. ♦ Encourage and facilitate training of District staff to obtain environmen- tal permits (such as scientific collection or sensitive species handling permits) in order to participate in or conduct needed research and monitoring and to maintain relationships with agency staff. ♦ Share significant new information through resource agency contacts and local and regional databases, such as the California Natural Di- versity Data Base and Natural Resources Database. Policy RC-4 Allow collecting, trapping, or other field research activities only in conjunction with legitimate research consistent with the District's management goals. ♦ Continue to administer the District’s Special Use Permit Program for collection, trapping, archaeological research, or field studies on Dis- trict lands. ♦ Require the researcher to share the information resulting from the studies with the District and other appropriate parties. If appropriate, integrate data into electronic filing system or GIS database. Policy RC-5 Develop performance measures when designing District pro- jects and collect monitoring data to evaluate project suc- cess. ♦ Research and utilize existing performance measures from comparable prior projects and partner agencies. ♦ Collect and evaluate monitoring data to measure project success and for use in adaptive management. ♦ Engage in benchmarking opportunities with public, partners, and re- search institutions through collaborations and the sharing of project data. ATTACHMENT 1 51 X. PUBLIC INTERPRETATION AND ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION BACKGROUND Communication and outreach are key to developing broad public support for acquiring and protecting open space. Increasing public knowledge and appreciation of the preserves' natural and cultural resources will improve support for their conservation. The District needs to inform the public about District treasures, so it will care about protecting them. The resource management program will play a vital role in this effort by providing a greatly improved information base for the public. Studying the current condition of preserve resources and discovering how best to main- tain and restore them will reveal information that stimulates public interest, makes the preserves more enjoyable places to visit, and inspires respect and a sense of stewardship. The District's Public Affairs department is charged with communicating this information to the public. For example, staff works closely with local schools, districts, agencies, and other special groups to provide environ- mental education and interpretive programming to students, organiza- tions, and the general public. The Public Affairs department also gets the word out through publications, presentations, and working with the media. The volunteer and docent programs greatly increase public outreach op- portunities. The volunteer program provides a means for the public to learn firsthand about stewardship, by participating in District projects. The docent program trains docents to conduct activities on the preserves and interpret District resources. Docents also staff the Daniels Nature Center and lead environmental science-based field trips for students. Environmental education is typically a curriculum-based approach tar- geted toward students to attain an ultimate goal (such as environmental stewardship). The District’s environmental science-based programming was established in 1996 and serves elementary school students in a field trip experience at the District’s Daniel’s Nature Center and surrounding Skyline Ridge Preserve. During the program students engage in hands on discovery and learning. ATTACHMENT 1 MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT RESOURCE MANAGEMENT POLICIES PUBLIC INTERPRETATION AND ENVIRONMENETAL EDU- CATION 52 Interpretation is a communication method that reveals meanings, con- nections, and relationships by firsthand experience, and by illustrative me- dia, such as web pages or signs. The District's interpretive program in- cludes communication and outreach by District staff and docents, as well as through brochures, publications, signage, signboards, exhibits, and other means. Interpretive programs are often the most effective means of stimulating understanding and appreciation of open space, providing in- formation, promoting stewardship of resources, and helping ensure visitor safety. INTERPRETATION AND EDUCATION GOALS, POLICIES, AND IMPLEMENTATION MEASURES Goal PI- Increase public knowledge, understanding, and appreciation of the natural and cultural resources of the preserves, and support for their conserva- tion. Policy PI-1 Provide interpretive programming, facilities, and materials. (See CR-5, GM-6 and GM-7) ♦ Develop appropriate and timely projects and plans to support natural and cultural resource interpretive opportunities that are guided by rec- ommendations and priorities in the District’s Interpretive Systems Plan (ISP), ♦ Provide interpretive materials via a wide range of media (web and print based). ♦ Continue to operate an interpretive program at the David Daniels Na- ture Center at Skyline Ridge Open Space Preserve with docents and staff to support its use by the general public and local schools and organizations. An Interpretive Service Plan (ISP) serves to identify and prioritize the valuable natural and cultural resource “sto- ries” and connections that can be brought forward through enhanced or new in- terpretive programs or facili- ties at each location being evaluated. ATTACHMENT 1 MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT RESOURCE MANAGEMENT POLICIES PUBLIC INTERPRETATION AND ENVIRONMENETAL EDU- CATION 53 ♦ Provide information about the District's mission, resources, manage- ment practices, and goals in District signboards, facilities, and publi- cations. Encourage publication of this information in the general me- dia. ♦ Provide training for new docents and additional "refresher courses" to continue to help them provide interpretive services. ♦ Provide opportunities for the public to learn about natural resources and support resource management activities through the docent and volunteer programs. Policy PI-2 Provide environmental education programming and out- reach. ♦ Coordinate and cooperate with local agencies and organizations, par- ticularly schools that would like to use District lands and facilities for environmental education, whenever appropriate. ♦ Involve school children in District-sponsored environmental projects and educational activities. ♦ Provide environmental education programs and materials to schools, groups, and organizations. Policy PI-3 Provide other public outreach. ♦ Support and/or participate in special events and programs that foster public knowledge and appreciation of open space resources. ♦ Participate in multi-agency forums to share information and resources and explore partnership opportunities. ♦ Develop and use outreach opportunities to gain public support for re- source management goals and policies. ♦ Work with the Public Affairs Department to increase public awareness of resource values. ATTACHMENT 1 MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT RESOURCE MANAGEMENT POLICIES PUBLIC INTERPRETATION AND ENVIRONMENETAL EDU- CATION 54 This page intentionally blank ATTACHMENT 1 55 XI. GRAZING MANAGEMENT BACKGROUND The vegetation of the Santa Cruz Mountains is comprised of a rich and diverse assemblage of plant species. This wealth of diversity was most evident within the grassland ecosystems that evolved under a variety of disturbance pressures including fire and grazing by large herds of ungu- late animals, which are now mostly extinct. The flora that emerged has been described as one of the most diverse and species rich ecosystems in the United States. The arrival of early Spanish and Anglo settlers initiated a particularly dra- matic change in species composition of California grasslands, primarily as a result of tilling the grasslands for agricultural crop production, reduction of native grazing animals and introduction of cattle herds brought over from Europe and let loose on the new rangeland. This introduction of non- native plants and animals, coupled with the concurrent suppression of fire on the landscape as the western United States was settled, resulted in the substantial replacement of the native grassland vegetation with a predom- inately exotic, annual flora. The exotic vegetation is often more competi- tive, productive, and prolific than the native plants within which it coexists, and tends to dominate and replace existing native grasses and wildflow- ers. Over the last 150 years, coastal grassland areas have also experi- enced large-scale conversion to agriculture or urban development. The remaining undeveloped grasslands face continued development pressure and are severely impacted by exotic, invasive organisms. The District’s open space preserves contain large acreages of grasslands that in many areas have been degraded due to the pressures described above. Management of these grassland habitats is desirable to reduce the risk of wildfire and to maintain viable native plant communities. Vege- tation management using livestock grazing or other resource manage- ment tools can be a substitute for native grazing animals and recurring fire to achieve the District’s objective of preserving, protecting and restoring the natural environment. The greatest diversity within California’s coastal grasslands can be seen in the forbs or wildflowers that emerge in the spring following winter rains. Sites with adequate management of non-native vegetation will reward these efforts with bountiful displays of colorful spring wildflowers. By some estimates, nearly 80 percent of the vegetation cover within California grasslands is exotic vegetation. District lands currently contain approximately 5300 acres of grassland habitat. The largest contiguous grassland areas are within District lands in western San Mateo County. ATTACHMENT 1 MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT RESOURCE MANAGEMENT POLICIES GRAZING MANAGEMENT 56 In 2003, the District completed the Service Plan and accompanying Envi- ronmental Impact Report for the San Mateo Coastal Annexation Area ex- pansion of the District’s boundaries to include coastal San Mateo County. The Service Plan recognized the unique value of the San Mateo County coastal area and established Agricultural Policies to preserve and encour- age viable agricultural use of land. The Policies and Implementation Measures established in this Grazing Management Policy are intended to supplement and complement the Agricultural Policies in the Service Plan. Furthermore, these Grazing Management Policies will be implemented in a manner that is consistent with the Service Plan. GRAZING MANAGEMENT GOALS, POLICIES, AND IMPLEMENTATION MEASURES Goal GM- Manage District land with livestock grazing that is protective of natural resources and that is compat- ible with public access; to maintain and enhance the diversity of native plant and animal communi- ties, manage vegetation fuel for fire protection, help sustain the local agricultural economy, and preserve and foster appreciation for the region’s rural agricultural heritage. Policy GM-1 Ensure that grazing is compatible with and supports wildlife and wildlife habitats. ♦ Inventory and assess sensitive habitats to identify areas requiring spe- cial management practices. The conservation of these areas will take precedence over other uses and management practices that are de- termined to have an adverse effect on these resources. ♦ Prepare site-specific grazing management plans by a certified range- land manager including best management practices (BMPs) for pre- serves where grazing will be utilized as a resource management tool. The site-specific grazing management plan will be a component of the Livestock ranching is a small but vital part of the Bay Area’s agricultural economy. As with any business that depends on local infrastructure and services, livestock ranching is increasingly threatened with each ranch that goes out of business. Every livestock rancher depends on services and supplies including veterinary care, feed sales and delivery, farm and ranch infrastructure supplies, and livestock transportation services. As land is taken out of ranching, all of these services and supplies are incrementally affected and may cease to operate, increasing the burden for families and businesses that choose to keep ranching. Typical fencing used to control livestock movement is five-strand barbwire fencing. Other fencing types that may be used include four-strand barbwire for interior fencing, wood rail fencing and temporary electric fencing that can be installed to seasonally restrict livestock to target areas or exclude livestock from sensitive areas. Wildlife-friendly fences enable virtually all wild animals to move through an area without harm and with minimal impediment. ATTACHMENT 1 MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT RESOURCE MANAGEMENT POLICIES GRAZING MANAGEMENT 57 agricultural production plan developed through the Use and Manage- ment Planning process. The Use and Management Planning process provides for public input and Board approval of site-specific grazing management plans. ♦ Manage agricultural leases and easements to protect and enhance riparian areas and to maximize the protection or enhancement of water quality. (See WR-4) Policy GM-2 Provide necessary infrastructure to support and improve grazing management where appropriate. ♦ Utilize fencing that allows wildlife movement and fosters habitat con- nectivity. (See WM-3:Measure 3) ♦ Manage access to existing water features and where needed supply supplemental drinking water through stock ponds and water troughs to preserve clean water for livestock, protect water quality, and en- hance habitat for wildlife. ♦ Encourage and assist grazing tenants on District land to provide range improvements to restore or conserve wildland resources and to en- hance range condition. ♦ Inventory and assess roads and trails on District lands to identify sig- nificant erosion and sediment sources – abandon and where feasible restore to a natural condition poorly designed or sited roads. (See WR-4) Policy GM-3 Monitor environmental response to grazing on District lands. ♦ Monitor forage utilization and distribution by grazing animals to assure appropriate amounts of residual dry matter (RDM) remain on the ground to achieve desired resource management objectives. In the course of RDM monitoring, evaluate and report on wildland fire fuel levels that may result in an increased risk of wildland fire (See WF policies). ♦ Monitor livestock use levels and agricultural infrastructure condition to insure conformity with lease provisions to contribute to improved management. Residual Dry Matter (RDM) is a measure of the amount of vegetation left on the ground, typically measured at the end of the summer or fall. Appropriate levels of RDM strive to minimize thatch, which can inhibit new plant growth, while maintaining adequate levels of vegetation to prohibit soil erosion. ATTACHMENT 1 MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT RESOURCE MANAGEMENT POLICIES GRAZING MANAGEMENT 58 ♦ Monitor wildland conditions with an emphasis on documenting the lo- cation, distribution and abundance of native grasses, wildflowers, and other native flora and fauna. ♦ Monitor water quality in ponds, wetlands, and watercourses with un- restricted livestock access. ♦ Monitor non-native vegetation response to grazing with an emphasis on documenting the location, distribution and abundance of target, invasive species. ♦ Use information collected from monitoring to annually review range- land conditions and response to livestock grazing. Use adaptive re- source management decision making framework within grazing management plans. Policy GM-4 Utilize different livestock species to accomplish vegetation management objectives. ♦ Research the effective use of cattle, goats, sheep, and horses to man- age vegetation on District lands. ♦ Utilize appropriate species depending on management needs. Policy GM-5 Preserve and foster existing and potential grazing opera- tions to help sustain the local agricultural economy. ♦ Establish longer term grazing leases to promote financial viability for the operators and efficient land stewardship for the District. ♦ Seek grants or other economic support for agricultural infrastructure maintenance and improvements. ♦ Ensure site-specific grazing management plans are economically fea- sible and practical for grazing operators. Policy GM-6 Provide information to the public about the region’s rural ag- ricultural heritage. (See PI-1) ♦ Install display boards and give presentations highlighting historical and educational facts about ranching families and industry at appro- priate sites. Fire reduction is a great concern for some landowners. However, cattle are not able to graze all land areas effectively for fire protection purposes, such as steep slopes or slopes partially vegetated with brush. In these instances, goats may be an effective alternative. Goat herds can be rented for a short period of time and can be moved with a goat herder and dog(s) along with portable fence enclosures. ATTACHMENT 1 MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT RESOURCE MANAGEMENT POLICIES GRAZING MANAGEMENT 59 Policy GM-7 Provide public access in a manner that minimizes impacts on the grazing operation. (See PI-1) ♦ Grazing operators on District lands or lands under easement to the District shall be consulted when public access is being planned and considered for the property to minimize conflicts between the public and the grazing operation. ♦ Prepare and distribute a brochure to educate visitors about etiquette for use of open space property with livestock animals. ♦ Install signage where appropriate to educate the public about the re- source benefits of grazing and to educate visitors about approaching animals, closing gates, and other etiquette appropriate for moving through lands with livestock animals. Policy GM-8 Grazing operations on District lands in the Coastside Pro- tection Area will be managed in accordance with the policies established in the Service Plan for the San Mateo Coastal Annexation Area. ♦ Consult with appropriate agencies and interest groups, including the San Mateo County Farm Bureau and San Mateo County Agricultural Advisory Committee in the development of site-specific Use and Man- agement plans and agricultural production plan components in the Coastside Protection Area. ATTACHMENT 1 MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT RESOURCE MANAGEMENT POLICIES WILDLAND FIRE MANAGEMENT 60 XII. FOREST MANAGEMENT BACKGROUND As of 2007, District lands encompass approximately 30,000 acres of for- est and woodland habitat. Approximately 11,500 acres consist of red- wood and Douglas-fir associated coniferous forest, located primarily in the northern Skyline area of the District. These forests are often inter- mixed with a lesser component of hardwood, primarily tanoak, madrone, California bay, black oak, and various live oaks. The remaining 18,500 acres consist of a variety of hardwood forest and woodlands. These consist of numerous oak species (coast live, canyon live, and Shreve oak, black oak, blue oak, valley oak), madrone, tanoak, California bay, California buckeye, and riparian species such as red and white alder, big-leaf maple, various willow species, California sycamore, and box elder. Forest and woodlands within the District have been subject to significant historic modifications. Portions of the oak forests and woodlands have had a history of livestock grazing and fuel wood procurement. The ef- fects of these uses are not well documented, but young dense stands (primarily live oak species) occur within the preserves in areas of prior dis- turbance. These young dense stands often occur along forest margins or have regenerated within areas that had been previously cleared. At the other end of the spectrum are beautiful stands of large old majestic oaks. Concerns about the reduction of oak forest and woodland within California often center on their conversion to urbanized uses or commercial agricul- ture. The primary role for the District is the preservation and protection of these forests and woodlands, particularly considering the heavy urban growth pressures within the San Francisco Bay Area. Riparian hardwood forests have also been modified in areas by past land use practices. These practices have typically whittled away at the width of the corridors, in places narrowing the corridors to thin strips along the edges of creeks. When riparian forests are modified in this manner, it is common for the species composition to change to those species that pre- fer to be near the water (typically willow and alder), while reducing species that typically occupy elevated floodplains such as sycamore. The term forest applies to habitats dominated by tree species with a continuous or nearly continuous canopy covering substantial portions of the landscape. Woodlands consist of scattered trees across the landscape intermixed with a significant habitat component of other vegetation types such as grassland. ATTACHMENT 1 MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT RESOURCE MANAGEMENT POLICIES FOREST MANAGEMENT 61 The proximity of the redwood and Douglas-fir forests in the Santa Cruz Mountains to the urban San Francisco Bay Area and associated ports of trade fostered the development of an early and intense commercial log- ging industry. Commercial timber harvest and milling activities were well underway beginning in the 1850’s within the La Honda Creek, Purisima Creek Redwoods, and El Corte de Madera Creek Open Space Preserve areas. Timber harvest activities have generally altered the forest stands by reducing the size and age of the stands and increasing the density of the young growth. This is clearly evident when viewing the distribution of old growth redwood stumps within the forests. A second round of logging that focused on residual (left over) old growth and the second growth that re-sprouted from the late 1800’s clear cuts began in the 1950’s-1960’s. Tractor logging continued within El Corte de Madera Creek and Purisima Creek watersheds throughout the 1970’s and 1980’s, resulting in third and fourth timber harvest entries into much of the areas that are now pro- tected by the open space preserves. Numerous roads were constructed to facilitate access to early timber (and grazing) operations on the properties now owned by the District. These roads were often constructed in locations, and utilizing methods that were insufficiently protective of water quality and aquatic resources. The elim- ination or conversion of non-essential roads and the judicious mainte- nance of essential roads will be necessary to protect water quality and aquatic resources. Pathogens are a significant threat to the District forests. The most notable pathogen at present is Phytophthora ramorum which is responsible for Sudden Oak Death syndrome, commonly known as SOD. A number of oak species are susceptible to death and slow decline from SOD, particu- larly tanoak, and additional host species include many other forest trees and shrubs. SOD has the potential to seriously impact forests within the preserves and the region, presenting a number of social and ecological concerns. All of the forest ecosystems within the District preserves evolved in asso- ciation with periodic fire. Fire suppression activities within the Santa Cruz Mountains, as well as throughout the Western United States, have ATTACHMENT 1 MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT RESOURCE MANAGEMENT POLICIES FOREST MANAGEMENT 62 also had an effect on District forests. The effects of fire suppression typi- cally include an increase in forest density, a build up of forest floor fuel loads, and a decrease in herbaceous forest floor plant communities. For- est management actions can be undertaken to reduce the severity of fires within the forest ecosystem and watersheds when these fires occur. Pre- scriptive forest management can achieve conditions suitable for the rein- troduction of fire into forest ecosystems, an ecological function that has been largely absent, except under typically severe conditions, for the past sixty years. The District has preserved large blocks of forest and woodland. The over- all extent of District land holdings within the greater Santa Cruz Mountain Bioregion is exceptionally important to regional biodiversity and well suited to regional ecosystem management. State, county and local parks, non profit and conservation organization owned properties and numerous conservation easements over both public and private properties, together with the District preserves, provide tremendous opportunities for regional forest preservation and restoration. Active conifer forest management on public lands is typically limited to relatively small fuel management projects and controlled burns in old growth stands within some state parks. This limits the majority of these forests to more hands off management, requiring long periods of time where trees compete for food, water, and sunlight. During this time period, which can take hundreds of years, the dominant trees will persist, while the less dominant trees will be crowded out and die. During much of this transitional period, habitat complexity and biodiversity can remain rela- tively stagnant and simplified. Maintaining most of these protected forests under the same management paradigm has the potential to suppress re- gional biodiversity. From a regional perspective, old growth and late-seral conifer forests are very limited in distribution. Late-seral forests, or late-successional for- ests, are older forests that begin to develop some characteristics similar to old growth forests. The initial development of late-seral redwood and Douglas-fir forests is generally considered to take place between 80 to 300 years, and continue to persist for centuries, with the oldest redwoods reaching an age of 1,000 to 2,000 years old. The District preserves have retained a significant “biological legacy” of residual (uncut) single old Late-seral and old growth forest characteristics typically include: large widely spaced trees, thick bark, large complex branches, large standing snags in various stages of decay, large downed logs on the forest floor, and a closed canopy. This complex structure results in a very wide variety of habitat conditions and results in tremendous biodiversity. ATTACHMENT 1 MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT RESOURCE MANAGEMENT POLICIES FOREST MANAGEMENT 63 growth trees and small stands of old growth, as well as a substantial older Douglas fir component. These biological legacies are known to harbor significant remaining habitat components that are used by wildlife, from the canopy species such as marbled murrelets down to soil microbes. The District’s conifer dominated Preserves offer the opportunity to manage forest conditions to accelerate late-seral habitat conditions to promote biologically diverse, dynamic forest habitat, increase the extent of this lim- ited habitat, and accelerate the development of forest structure for the ben- efit of protected species and for improved fire resistance. FOREST MANAGEMENT GOALS, POLICIES, AND IMPLEMENTATION MEASURES Goal FM- Manage District land to retain and promote biolog- ically diverse, dynamic forest conditions; maintain and enhance high quality forest and aquatic habi- tat; encourage and enhance the development of late-seral conifer forest; provide for visitor experi- ences within diverse forest habitat; and promote District and regional fire management objectives. Policy FM-1 Inventory and assess District forest and woodland. ♦ Inventory and assess existing District forest conditions. Inventories within hardwood stands should include forest age, structure, health, and an evaluation of regeneration (growth of seedlings and young trees). Inventories within conifer stands should have a particular em- phasis on forest age and structural characteristics, identification of bi- ological legacies, and the reconnection and restoration of late-seral habitat. Inventories should also include the identification and assess- ment of any effects of urbanization on the forests. ♦ Identify unique habitat features such as meadows, ponds, or other non-forested communities. Evaluate the need for management to ATTACHMENT 1 MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT RESOURCE MANAGEMENT POLICIES FOREST MANAGEMENT 64 maintain landscape heterogeneity and specialized habitat for non-for- est wildlife and vegetation. ♦ Inventory District forest wildlife with a particular emphasis on special status species, such as the marbled murrelet, spotted owl, Vaux’s swift, numerous raptor species, and indicator species such as the pi- leated woodpecker. ♦ Inventory District forest to assess fuel loads and forest structure re- lated to fire. Identify access issues and District and community/re- gional fire concerns. Policy FM-2 Ensure that forest management activities are compatible with the protection of special status plant and animal spe- cies. ♦ Conduct time appropriate surveys for special status species to estab- lish the presence or absence thereof, and identify essential habitat features (nest trees, roosts, sheltering trees, springs, and ponds). ♦ Manage forests to expand critical habitat for sensitive species by re- storing forest structure and habitat elements utilized by sensitive spe- cies to develop and connect suitable habitat. ♦ Continue regular consultation with regulatory agencies and experts to develop plans to protect and enhance habitat for sensitive species. Policy FM-3 Ensure that forest management activities are compatible with riparian ecosystem and water resources protection and policies. ♦ Protect riparian ecosystems and habitat to maintain natural hydro- logic process, water quality, and wildlife benefits. Maintain essential riparian functions, and if necessary enhance and restore riparian hab- itats. ♦ Inventory and assess roads and trails on District forestlands to identify significant erosion and sediment sources. Maintain essential roads to high standards, and eliminate or reduce to trail width all non-essential roads. (See Policies WR-3 and WR-4). Riparian ecosystems are streamside ecosystems that are extremely important to numerous forest plant and wildlife species. In addition to benefits to wildlife such as fish and amphibians, these ecosystems also play critical roles regarding forest hydrology and water quality. The protection and restoration of Riparian ecosystems is a primary component of Forest Management. ATTACHMENT 1 MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT RESOURCE MANAGEMENT POLICIES FOREST MANAGEMENT 65 ♦ Discourage forest management activities within riparian areas unless justified and implemented for the specific purpose of restoring de- graded riparian habitat. Policy FM-4 Manage District conifer forests to sustain and encourage the development of late-seral habitat conditions. ♦ Prepare Forest Management Plans for high priority District forests to establish habitat goals and appropriate management treatments. Utilize restoration ecologists, forest ecologists, Registered Profes- sional Foresters, or other resource management professionals to prepare plans, as appropriate. ♦ Restore degraded forest habitats to promote the development of late- seral habitat, forest habitat complexity, and to enhance biodiversity, where existing stand conditions and access permit. Utilize state of the art silvicultural (forestry) practices to restore degraded forests. ♦ Protect existing residual old growth trees and stands, mature oaks, and most large, older Douglas fir trees. The conservation of these areas will take precedence over other uses and management prac- tices that are determined to have an adverse effect on these re- sources. ♦ Maintain and/or create large snags and downed wood for wildlife hab- itat where not a safety hazard. ♦ Foster relationships with educational institutions, forest scientists and forest professionals to inform District forest management decisions based upon sound, current science, and to contribute opportunities for continuing research of late-seral focused management. Seek grant opportunities and partnerships for forest research and monitoring. Policy FM-5 Provide necessary fire and fuel management practices to protect forest resources and public health and safety. (See WF policies) ♦ Maintain essential roads for emergency fire access, and forest man- agement activities undertaken to reduce fire hazard. ♦ Maintain adequate fire clearance around District structures and facili- ties. (See WF-3 and WF-1: Measure 5) Restoration forestry practices may result in timber that would be available for commercial sale. Revenue derived from commercial timber sales conducted in conjunction with restoration activities will be used for resource management activities (such as road upgrade projects, weed abatement projects, and long-term monitoring). Snags are dead standing trees that are important to a variety of species. As trees age and die, holes created by woodpeckers cavity decay, and broken branches create new habitat niches for a host of bird, bat, small mammal, amphibian, and insect species. Snags and large downed wood are critical components of high quality late-seral forest communities. Late-seral redwood and Douglas-fir forests are generally considered to be some of the most fire resistant and resilient type of forest. ATTACHMENT 1 MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT RESOURCE MANAGEMENT POLICIES FOREST MANAGEMENT 66 ♦ Encourage neighboring property owners to maintain adequate fire clearance around existing development. Consult with regulatory agencies to encourage that construction of new development main- tains fire agency recommended setbacks for fire clearance between new development and District forest and woodland. ♦ Evaluate the potential to reduce forest fuel loading through the re- moval of smaller trees to reduce forest floor fuel buildup and ladder fuels. ♦ Coordinate with fire agencies and local communities to define loca- tions where fire protection infrastructure is desirable and practical. ♦ Reintroduce fire as a resource management tool to reduce forest floor fuels and reestablish fire for ecosystem health where stand conditions, access, and public safety permit. Coordinate with other agencies for planning and implementation. ♦ Seek grant opportunities and partnerships for fuel management pro- jects and monitoring. Policy FM-6 Protect forest health from intense wildfire, pests, and path- ogens with high potential to cause damage. ♦ Evaluate potential for forest loss to intense wildfire, pests and patho- gens where effective methods are available and justified. ♦ Limit the scale of clearings and light-gaps in forests to reduce potential for weed establishment. Where activities occur within the forest edges, weed treatments and monitoring will be a component of the treatment plan. ♦ Manage forest diseases when necessary to protect natural biological diversity and critical ecosystem functions. Regarding Sudden Oak Death (SOD): detect, report and monitor infested areas; utilize sanita- tion and best management practices (BMPs) to control the spread of the SOD pathogen; train staff and educate the public; and support SOD research to guide land management decisions (See VM-1 and WF policies). Policy FM-7 Monitor wildlife, water quality, and vegetation response to forest management activities. Fire hazard reduction is a great concern for some landowners, particularly residential landowners. Fire can also be a significant threat to the environment, particularly water and aquatic resources. Shaded fuel breaks are an example of a fuel reduction project that the District can undertake. They consist of areas where vegetation is thinned to break up horizontal connectivity, and lower growing “ladder fuels” that can connect ground fire to tree canopy are removed. Enough tall tree canopy is retained to maintain shade to discourage the re-growth of ladder fuels. These often require follow-up maintenance. ATTACHMENT 1 MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT RESOURCE MANAGEMENT POLICIES FOREST MANAGEMENT 67 ♦ Conduct pre and post project wildlife and vegetation surveys with em- phasis on special status species. ♦ Monitor water quality upstream and downstream of forest manage- ment activities that have the potential to negatively affect water quality or aquatic resources. ♦ Periodically re-inventory forest conditions with a frequency adequate to monitor forest response to management. Policy FM-8 Provide educational opportunities for the general public and recreational users regarding forest ecosystems and man- agement. ♦ Place interpretive displays in accessible locations to inform and edu- cate the public about forest ecosystems, and management techniques employed on District lands. ♦ Conduct public outreach to inform and gain support for District activi- ties within the local community. ♦ Conduct interviews with individuals related to past land use and his- tory of forested Preserves to compile historical details and perspec- tives on District forest land. Include history into interpretation and educational opportunities within the Preserves. ATTACHMENT 1 MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT RESOURCE MANAGEMENT POLICIES FOREST MANAGEMENT 68 This page intentionally blank ATTACHMENT 1 MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT RESOURCE MANAGEMENT POLICIES WILDLAND FIRE MANAGEMENT 69 XIII. ECOLOGICAL SUCCESSION BACKGROUND Ecological succession is the sequential development of plant and animal communities following disturbance. In a land management context, this natural process can be both positive and negative. For example, the nat- ural recruitment of coyote brush in grassland areas on District lands is re- ducing the extent of this already-limited habitat type and has serious im- pacts on native plants and wildlife. Regrowth of mixed evergreen forest in previously-logged areas is threatening to shade out rare species. Ponds and seasonal wetlands, which are slowly filling in with sediment and con- verting to grassland and areas dominated by broadleaf tree species can become shaded out by coniferous forests. This policy addresses such undesirable habitat type conversions that result from the process of eco- logical succession. The directional nature of succession was once thought to result in a stable, stationary species composition (known as the “climax community”) over time. In reality, however, all natural systems are subject to disturbance and limited by seed availability and the process of succession may never reach completion. Early-succession species have specific life history strategies which allow them to take advantage of disturbance. Further- more, some species, such as knobcone pine, King’s Mountain manzanita, and many grassland plants, are disturbance-dependent: they require disturbance to maintain habitat conditions suitable for reproduction and establishment. Both natural and human disturbance drive species com- position in natural habitats. Past disturbance regimes (either natural or historic and pre-historic land management) can be artificially re-created to maintain desired habitat types. More intensive management may also be necessary as climate change causes large-scale shifts in plant commu- nity composition and distribution. Ecological disturbance is the disruption of an ecosystem's structure and function, generally with effects that last for time periods longer than a single growing season for vegetation. Physical disturbances in our region include fire, windstorm, drought, flood, and earthquake. Biogenic disturbances include the impacts of herbivorous insects, mammals, disease, and pathogens. Anthropogenic disturbances include logging, development, agricultural land use conversion, and non-native invasive species introductions. ATTACHMENT 1 MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT RESOURCE MANAGEMENT POLICIES ECOLOGICAL SUCCESSION 70 ECOLOGICAL SUCCESSION GOAL, POLICIES, AND IMPLEMENTATION MEASURES Goal ES- Use sustainable land management techniques to maintain, restore, or simulate natural disturbance in priority habitats. Policy ES-1 Manage historic grassland areas that are threatened by shrub encroachment. (See VM-1) ♦ Identify priority grasslands for management, focusing on those with cultural significance and/or a substantial component of native species. ♦ Identify the most cost-effective, safe, and least environmentally dam- aging management technique for shrub removal, including livestock grazing, mechanical removal, and prescribed fire. ♦ Prepare long-term plans for managed grassland areas to ensure that desired conditions are maintained. ♦ Monitor and manage grasslands for invasive species and biodiversity to promote use of grasslands by native and special status species Policy ES-2 Preserve and enhance pond habitats and other wetlands. ♦ Inventory and assess ponds to identify opportunities for habitat maintenance and/or aesthetic enhancement. ♦ Monitor sensitive reptile and amphibian populations on District lands. ♦ Preserve pond habitats through maintenance of infrastructure such as: pond contours, depth, earthen berms, spillways and inlet and outlet features ♦ Remove sediment or invasive vegetation to provide improved habitat for sensitive species. Policy ES-3 Facilitate regeneration of disturbance-dependent special status, rare, or unique plants. As Alpine Pond, Horseshoe Lake, and other District ponds fill with sediment, open water habitat is rapidly transitioning to cattail marsh with little open water. Certain rare amphibians as well as many common wildlife species require open water for key portions of their life cycles. Unique stands of knobcone pine, a fire-adapted species, in southern Sierra Azul Open Space Preserve will hold seeds in pine cones for up to 30 years waiting for a fire to release them. With the absence of fire, knobcone stands are not being replaced as older mature trees die off and their seeds are not released resulting in an overall decline of the species. ATTACHMENT 1 MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT RESOURCE MANAGEMENT POLICIES ECOLOGICAL SUCCESSION 71 ♦ Research, document, and implement site specific fire prescriptions to improve regeneration of fire adapted and special status vegetation in fire-dependent ecosystems where feasible. ♦ Develop and implement an alternative management protocol to en- courage seedling establishment of special status and disturbance adapted species in aging stands when regeneration by fire is not fea- sible. Nearly all stands of the rare Kings Mountain manzanita on District lands are in danger of being shaded out by Douglas fir and other trees. No regeneration has been observed in these stands. ATTACHMENT 1 MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT RESOURCE MANAGEMENT POLICIES WILDLAND FIRE MANAGEMENT 72 XIV. HABITAT CONNECTIVITY BACKGROUND Habitats are the conditions and locations in which plants and animals live and reproduce, and are a critical component of a naturally functioning eco- system. Habitats come in many forms, but are traditionally thought of as the particular communities of plants and animals that together comprise the ideal conditions for one focal species or for a broad assembly of par- ticular plants and animals. District open space lands are made up of a wide variety of habitats, including freshwater streams, redwood forests, oak woodlands, coastal grasslands, chaparral, and many others. In ar- eas surrounding District Preserves, one finds many of these same com- munities. Connections that link otherwise isolated habitats are known as corridors, and effectively extend the range of a species from one location to many locations in accessible areas. Wildlife corridors may be exten- sive contiguous natural areas suitable for a wide-ranging organism, a stream with a continuous wide buffer of riparian vegetation, or even a tunnel or culvert beneath a highway that allows passage of animals. The District’s Geographic Setting The District’s sphere of influence, spanning the San Francisco Peninsula from the Pacific Ocean in San Mateo County to the baylands in San Mateo and Santa Clara Counties, is drawn along both natural and political bound- aries. The District encompasses much of the northern portion of the Santa Cruz Mountains, numerous foothills and ridges of that mountain system, and more than 50 miles of coastline, both on the Pacific Ocean and the San Francisco Bay. The Santa Cruz Mountains are a local spur of the Coast Range, and are physically separated from the larger system by the Golden Gate to the north, the Santa Clara Valley to the east and south, and the Pajaro Valley to the south. The closest adjacent mountains and foothills with a similar suite of resident species are the Gabilan Range and the Diablo Range, and it is with these regions that biological exchange is both most likely and most critical. Although the Santa Cruz Mountains are geographically separate from the nearby mountain ranges, they share many of the same species, and are interconnected through routes of migration and dispersal. These connections often referred to as “wildlife corridors,” commonly follow watercourses into and out of the foothills and valleys. In the San Francisco Bay region and elsewhere, wildlife corridors are frequently intersected by roads and highways. ATTACHMENT 1 MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT RESOURCE MANAGEMENT POLICIES HABITAT CONNECTIVITY 73 Habitats in the Santa Cruz Mountains are both connected to and isolated from comparable habitats in nearby areas. This means that interaction between local and neighboring plant and animal populations is governed by their need and ability to move across areas that are inhospitable or even hazardous to survival of the population. These barriers can take many forms, and have differing effects on various species. Furthermore, as humans modify the natural environment, pre-existing boundaries to plant and animal movement can change dramatically. Modified habitat connectivity may result from new roads or houses, changing vegetation, or even from the effects of climatic changes on habitat distribution. Habitat features are just one aspect of a functioning interdependent ecosystem; thus, the permeability of geographic barriers is a complex and ever-chang- ing relationship. It is a function not only of the species’ capacity for cross- ing barriers, but also of the obstacles themselves. Basic Habitat Ecology An ecosystem’s many habitats form a complex mosaic on the landscape. They may gradually transform from one to another, or change suddenly at a natural or a man made boundary. Two or more habitats may coexist or form a relationship, as when a stream, a linear habitat for fish, insects, and riparian plants, flows through an oak woodland, which is found only where specific kinds of soil type, water availability, and weather conditions occur. Habitats may also be partially or completely interrupted, as when a broad river bisects a grassy plain, a highway passes through the redwoods, or a meadow forms in the woods. Both the relative size and extent of a habitat’s connectivity to other habitats are key factors in its ability to support the plants and animals that depend on it, and in the variety of species, or biodiversity, it can support. Typi- cally, the most resilient and diverse habitats are large areas connected by corridors along which wide-ranging animals can travel, plants can propa- gate, genetic interchange can occur, populations can move in response to environmental changes and natural disasters, and species at risk can be replenished from other areas. For habitats in the District, migratory and genetic linkage with neighboring mountain ranges, where many of the same plant and animals live and reproduce, is important for overall popu- lation health. Species living in small, isolated patches of habitat are more vulnerable to disease, population pressures, predation, and other Preserving contiguous natural habitats is key to preserving biodiversity in a changing world. When a species is reduced to a few isolated populations due to fragmentation of its habitat, a natural stressor such as a fire or drought can wipe out a significant portion of the remnant population, bringing it closer to extinction. Connected habitats help species respond to changes in their environment. ATTACHMENT 1 MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT RESOURCE MANAGEMENT POLICIES HABITAT CONNECTIVITY 74 stresses. Such isolation can also lead to inbreeding, which compromises genetic diversity and contributes to instability of species populations. This need for habitat connectivity is particularly true of wide-ranging animals such as mountain lions, eagles, or salmon, but is also applicable at smaller scales. For example, movement across a small road can be critical for the newt that must locate a valuable food source or find a mate. To support a viable population over the long term, a given species needs an uninterrupted patch of suitable habitat of a particular size. The needed size varies, but always greatly exceeds the range of one individual. This core habitat is bordered by edges that can fill some of an organism’s needs, but do not support stable populations. The largest patches have a high proportion of core habitats, but also provide edge zones. Barriers to movement such as roads, homes, or walls cause habitat fragmentation, in which multiple smaller edge habitats are formed. Habitat fragmentation can greatly diminish the viability of the ecosystem. As habitats become fragmented, the amount of core habitat decreases while edge habitat in- creases. This can greatly reduce habitat viability for species with unique requirements such as nesting owls or murrelets, or increase predation by edge-adapted predators such as cats or raccoons. Types of Movement and Barriers to Movement Movement of plant and animal species occurs at every scale, from the small matter of crossing a trail to the significant task of climbing a moun- tain. Furthermore, movement of species can be described not only as locomotion, or movement of individuals, but also as dispersal of eggs, seeds, or larvae. Although the challenges to a single individual can be seen as an effective model for their whole species, habitat networks are more specifically relevant to populations than to individuals. Various spe- cies use these corridors frequently, seasonally, or only on rare occasions. Again, the large and wide-ranging animals utilize regional scale habitat networks most heavily, while smaller scale networks may occur between one stream and a woodland for frogs or among interconnected grasslands for a population of deer. The District’s boundaries encompass many of the remaining undeveloped habitats within the San Francisco Peninsula. The main connection for the plants and animals inhabiting District habitats is through relatively narrow corridors at the southern end of the Santa Cruz Mountain Range and across the Santa Clara Valley. Smaller thoroughfares, residential construction, and some natural features are hindrances to the movement of smaller animals and distribution of plants. ATTACHMENT 1 MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT RESOURCE MANAGEMENT POLICIES HABITAT CONNECTIVITY 75 HABITAT CONNECTIVITY GOAL, POLICIES, AND IMPLEMENTATION MEASURES Goal HC- Protect ecosystem integrity by maximizing habitat connectivity. Policy HC-1 Identify and include habitat connectivity from a local and re- gional scale in strategic land acquisition planning. ♦ Maximize habitat connectivity for priority plant and wildlife species in new property purchases. ♦ Actively participate and coordinate with regional and local land preser- vation groups and resource agencies to develop strategic goals for protecting or purchasing critical habitat areas and/or movement corri- dors. ♦ Emphasize protection of extensive and interconnected open space habitats. Policy HC-2 Identify and protect existing habitat networks to prevent fur- ther compromise to ecosystem integrity. (See WM-2: Meas- ure3) ♦ Evaluate existing facilities and land uses that impact habitat connec- tivity and riparian corridors and prepare plans for protection or resto- ration, as appropriate. ♦ Identify wildlife movement patterns and high value habitat features and formulate site-specific habitat management goals. ♦ Encourage field research activities including collecting, trapping, and tracking in support of studies that can inform District management of natural resources and ecosystems. ♦ Incorporate construction practices that avoid the creation of unneces- sary barriers to habitat connectivity. Where feasible, utilize removable Wildlife corridors, or the paths of movement between patches of an animal’s distribution, are only one component of an effectively connected habitat. As the science of biogeography and population dynamics develops, wildlife corridors have come to mean structures or narrow reserves set aside for crossing highways at pinch points or along established migration routes. Habitat networks are a more resilient and extensive linkage of suitable environments that support dynamic and mobile populations of plants and animals. ATTACHMENT 1 MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT RESOURCE MANAGEMENT POLICIES HABITAT CONNECTIVITY 76 fencing, wildlife friendly silt trapping devices, and other design fea- tures that allow passage of plants and animals during and after project implementation ♦ Evaluate the existing habitat values of human-made structures prior to removal. ♦ Strive to connect isolated natural areas through movement corridors to facilitate connection across barrier(s). ♦ Identify unique or locally rare habitat types and target for protection. Strive to maximize habitat connectivity for locally rare habitats such as serpentine grassland, valley oak woodlands, coastal terrace prairie, etc. Policy HC-3 Collaborate with neighboring land holders and surrounding agencies to support regional efforts to establish and main- tain habitat networks. (See WM-2: Measure 3 and WM-3: Measure 3) ♦ Advocate for land use plans and policies that preserve the District’s biogeographic connectivity with the greater Santa Cruz Mountains and with the neighboring Gabilan and Diablo Ranges. ♦ Review and comment on land use decisions that impact habitat con- nectivity within the District’s jurisdiction and bioregion, including con- struction or modification of roads and proposals for large scale devel- opments. Policy HC-4 Restore, maintain or enhance local habitat networks formed within or incorporating Preserves and other protected lands. (See WM-2: Measure 3 and WM-3: Measure 3) ♦ Review and comment on land use decisions that impact habitats con- tiguous to those located on District Preserves. Recommend and sup- port measures to maintain connected and undegraded habitats where possible. ♦ Protect and restore known habitats of rare, endangered, or special status species, taking into consideration the legal protection, distribu- tion and abundance, and risk to specific resources involved. Early results from the Bay Area Puma Project indicate that Highway 17 may act as barrier to movement within the Santa Cruz Mountains. If mountain lions are not able to actively cross this barrier, it can result in a loss of con- nectivity leading to an iso- lated population of lions on the San Francisco Penin- sula. Over time this isolated population may lose genetic diversity and become vulner- able to disease, predation, and other stressors. Multiple agency and landowner coop- eration are needed to effec- tively address this issue. ATTACHMENT 1 MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT RESOURCE MANAGEMENT POLICIES HABITAT CONNECTIVITY 77 ♦ Designate sensitive habitat areas and, if necessary, limit or exclude public access to these areas for resource protection. ♦ Evaluate impacts on wildlife movement and habitat connectivity when planning trails and other facilities. ♦ Identify and protect established wildlife crossings to allow movement across existing roads. Where appropriate, modify established cross- ings to improve habitat features. ♦ Collaborate with resource agencies to restore and enhance the habi- tats of protected and special status species known to utilize preserve areas. Policy HC-5 Preserve and enhance riparian, stream, and other wetland habitat locally and at a watershed level to provide important habitat connections. (See WM-2: Measure 3) ♦ Inventory and assess stream reaches accessible to anadromous fish- eries to identify impediments to fish passage and opportunities for habitat enhancement. Remove artificial barriers to fish passage where removal would enhance spawning and rearing habitats. ♦ Enhance spawning and rearing habitats for native fisheries through restoration. Prioritize restoration and enhancement of areas providing habitat to sensitive species. ♦ Restore hydrologic processes altered by human activity by installing erosion control materials and structures, and minimizing culverts and drainage diversions where appropriate, and using improved drainage structures that minimize alteration of hydrology. ♦ Participate in regional watershed management planning and restora- tion activities. ♦ Identify and remove invasive species in riparian, stream and wetland habitats that act as a barrier to wildlife use Streams can be thought of as linear habitat corridors, particularly for fish that migrate from land to sea. Anadromous fish, such as steelhead trout, return from the open ocean as adults to freshwater streams to breed. Human activities have greatly altered and degraded many of the streams in the Bay Area primarily through barriers to fish passage, such as road culverts and dams and through degradation of spawning habitats by excessive sedimentation of spawning gravels. ATTACHMENT 1 MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT RESOURCE MANAGEMENT POLICIES WILDLAND FIRE MANAGEMENT 78 XV. WILDLAND FIRE MANAGEMENT BACKGROUND The Mediterranean climate of California’s San Francisco Bay Area affords District lands an unparalleled diversity of plants and habitats; from red- wood forests on the coast and northern portions of the District to dry chap- arral habitats and hardwood (oak, madrone) dominated forests in the southern end of the District. Given the diversity of rainfall, climate, vege- tation, soil and geology, one constant emerges throughout the District (and in fact throughout California); all landscapes have been subject to periodic fires through time. The present and future will be no different. To understand the role of wildland fire on District lands, it is important to understand the past. Native Americans within the area utilized fire as a tool for improving wildlife habitat for grazing animals (deer, elk, rabbits), maintaining productive vegetation communities for food procurement (grasslands, oak woodlands), to maintain travel routes, and to manage pests. Burning by Native Americans took place for thousands of years, a practice that significantly increased the frequency of fire locally. These practices, in addition to the benefits listed above, greatly reduced much of the fuel load on the ground and significantly reduced the severity of fires within these fire managed landscapes. Many of the vegetation communities on District lands evolved with the oc- currence of periodic fire and have acquired unique adaptations to with- stand and regenerate after a fire. Without periodic fire, these plant com- munities build abnormally high and dangerous fuel levels and are suscep- tible to large scale destructive fire events. Fire is a natural occurrence on the landscape; our challenge is to find ways to live safely with fire. From 1860 through the early 1920’s unprecedented alterations took place within the forests of the Santa Cruz Mountains. The ancient “old growth” forests were mostly clear-cut and burned. This removed the largest, most fire-resistant trees from the forested landscape. The forest that has grown back typically consists of a much higher density of trees that are more susceptible to fire. This period of time also corresponded to the first wave ATTACHMENT 1 MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT RESOURCE MANAGEMENT POLICIES WILDLAND FIRE MANAGEMENT 79 of development within the San Francisco Bay Region and ushered in a new paradigm for wildland fire response: immediate suppression. This has increased the time interval between fires on most land to time periods substantially longer than Native American burning and natural lightning-caused fire. The result is a vegetated landscape that has largely been prevented from burning, and that has accumulated fuel loads and structural characteristics that have not occurred on the landscape for thou- sands of years, if ever. The District was formed in response to the observed population growth and development pressure within the San Francisco Bay Region of the late 1900’s. This has substantially reduced residential development in some areas, and significantly decreased the level of fire risk by precluding development that would have likely otherwise resulted in additional high risk communities. Nonetheless, there is some residential development (including some on District property) intermixed with District Preserves that deserve consideration. The wildland-urban interface (WUI) refers to areas where residential de- velopment, from a few scattered houses to larger subdivisions or commu- nities, exist immediately adjacent to or nearby parks, open space pre- serves, or other relatively undeveloped “wildlands”. Important issues within this interface include defensible space around residential struc- tures, emergency vehicle access, and residential fire improvements such as water tanks, fire hydrants, sprinklers, and fire resistant construction techniques. The District is an active participant in coordinating with various fire agen- cies and community fire planning efforts. District participation in these planning efforts will continue. These include the development of regional fire plans, Fire Safe Council meetings, and the preparation of Commu- nity Wildfire Protection Plans (CWPPs). The District also coordinates with local fire agencies and other park agencies conducting and participat- ing in prescribed fire for resource management purposes. The District, for many years, has undertaken various wildland fire man- agement practices to effectively manage fuel loads and decrease wildland fire risk. Among these, the District annually maintains a series of disc lines (where vegetation is mechanically disked with a tractor to reduce dry fuel along ignition sources such as roads); vegetation is mowed or brushed back from roads and trails; roads, parking areas, and Preserve entrances The WUI is an area where urban ignition sources such as vehicles, equipment, burn piles, barbeques, chimneys, smoking, fireworks, etc. from adjacent residential properties and public streets pose a threat to Open Space lands. Residential structures can also supply fuel for fire that can cross into open space lands. ATTACHMENT 1 MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT RESOURCE MANAGEMENT POLICIES WILDLAND FIRE MANAGEMENT 80 are maintained to provide access for District patrol vehicles and other emergency vehicles; and vegetation is cleared from around District struc- tures and residences. Preserve access points are closed when appropri- ate during periods of high fire risk. The District possesses a number of firefighting apparatus including a water tank truck, and smaller water tanks with hoses outfitted on Ranger vehicles, as well as portable water- pack/spray outfits for individual personnel. Fire training is also provided to District personnel who may be involved in combating wildland fire. The District has an active vegetation management program that has been targeting invasive plant species that can be fire hazards, such as eucalyptus and French broom. Active livestock grazing is being main- tained and has been re-introduced on some Preserves to reduce the fuel loads in the mostly non-native grasslands. Conservation grazing is being used to encourage the vigor of native grasses and forbs that typically pro- duce less fuel (thatch). Given their year-round growth cycle, perennial native grasses maintain moisture later into the dry season, reducing fire hazard. The vegetation management program at the District also utilizes prescribed fire for managing invasive species in addition to fuel load re- duction benefits. The substantial historic alterations of the landscape, the history of fire suppression, and the numerous jurisdictions involved in wildland fire management and suppression, present challenges in managing wildland fire, but also present many opportunities. Effective wildland fire manage- ment actions can be undertaken to reduce the severity of fires within the WUI and within the District’s ecosystems and watersheds, when fires inevitably occur. Additionally, active management can achieve conditions suitable for the reintroduction of fire into many ecosystems, an ecological function that has been absent, except under atypically severe conditions, for most of the past century. Prescribed fire is a powerful tool that not only has ecological benefit, but also significant wildland fire management ben- efit. ATTACHMENT 1 MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT RESOURCE MANAGEMENT POLICIES WILDLAND FIRE MANAGEMENT 81 WILDLAND FIRE MANAGEMENT GOAL, POLICIES, AND IMPLEMENTATION MEASURES Goal WF- Manage District land to reduce the severity of wildland fire and to reduce the impact of fire sup- pression activities within District Preserves and adjacent residential areas; manage habitats to support fire as a natural occurrence on the land- scape; and promote District and regional fire man- agement objectives. Policy WF-1 Implement necessary fire and fuel management practices to protect public health and safety, protect natural resources, and to reduce the impacts of wildland fire. ♦ Prepare wildland fire management plans for District lands that ad- dress, at a minimum, public safety, District staff and firefighter safety, District infrastructure including residences and roads, natural resource protection (particularly special status species), cultural resources, and vegetation management for fire protection and fire behavior and hazardous fuels modification. ♦ Identify, with input from responsible fire agencies and neighboring public agencies, essential roads for wildland fire access. Maintain designated roads for fire access and patrol purposes, and improve with surfacing, additional turnouts and safety zones when necessary. ♦ Coordinate with fire agencies and local communities to identify loca- tions where additional fire infrastructure is desirable and practical (e.g. hydrants, water tanks, helicopter zones, safety zones, fuel breaks, consistent with the incident command system (ICS). Work cooper- atively with these groups to install needed infrastructure. ♦ Work with Cal Fire and other appropriate fire management and regu- latory agencies to develop and carry out plans that use prescribed burns to maintain and restore natural systems. ♦ Maintain adequate fire clearance around District structures and facili- ties. (See FM-5 and WF-4:Measure 5) ♦ Require lessees of District land or structures to maintain fire hazard reduction measures as directed. ATTACHMENT 1 MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT RESOURCE MANAGEMENT POLICIES WILDLAND FIRE MANAGEMENT 82 ♦ Prohibit activities that have a high risk of sparking fires during periods of extreme fire hazard. ♦ Close Preserve areas of particular concern during extreme fire weather, as appropriate, and increase patrol levels where appropri- ate. ♦ Seek grant opportunities and partnerships for fuel management and monitoring projects. Policy WF-2 Aggressively support the immediate suppression of all un- planned fires that threaten human life, private property or public safety. ♦ Respond to wildland and structure fires on District lands in coordina- tion with responding fire agencies. ♦ Prioritize and prepare Preserve specific wildland fire response plans that identify appropriate fire suppression activities for District lands in the event of a wildland fire. Plans should include detailed maps of infrastructure such as roads, fuel breaks, structures, water sources (hydrants, water tanks, ponds), as well as sensitive natural and cul- tural resources to be avoided during fire suppression activities. ♦ Direct bulldozer actions to areas identified in wildland fire response plans to minimize and reduce ground disturbance, erosion, and reha- bilitation efforts wherever possible. ♦ Develop guidelines for appropriate rehabilitation measures to address erosion, revegetation, invasive species, trail and road stability, secu- rity, public safety, and natural and cultural resources following fires. Policy WF-3 Work with adjacent landowners and fire agencies to main- tain adequate fire clearance around qualifying structures. (See FM-5 and WF-1: Measure 5) ♦ Maintain a permit system that enables adjacent landowners to main- tain defensible space clearance surrounding homes and other qualify- ing structures across property boundaries and onto District land as long as the activity is recommended by the local fire agency and is consistent with the District’s resource management policies, including protection of environmentally sensitive habitat. ♦ Work with fire agencies and local governments to develop require- ments for new development to maintain required fire clearance dis- tance from District land wherever possible. Defensible space is the area adjacent to a structure where basic wildfire protection practices are implemented, providing a key point of defense for an approaching wildland fire or area to escape from a structure fire. Cal Fire publishes guidelines for fuel (vegetation) treatments to create a perimeter around buildings and structures in order to maintain minimum conditions for firefighters to defend a property. ATTACHMENT 1 MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT RESOURCE MANAGEMENT POLICIES WILDLAND FIRE MANAGEMENT 83 ♦ Focus fuel management activities in areas adjacent to development, essential facilities and improvements, major egress and emergency routes, essential fuel breaks, and sensitive natural and cultural areas. ♦ Investigate alternative funding sources in conjunction with fire agen- cies and residential communities within the WUI adjacent to District Preserves to fund and implement fire hazard reduction projects. ♦ Work with fire agencies and residential communities to ensure that adequate evacuation routes and vegetation clearance around struc- tures are maintained on adjacent non-District lands. ♦ Coordinate with fire agencies and local communities to define loca- tions where community and regional fire protection infrastructure is desirable and practical. Policy WF-4 Manage District vegetation communities to reduce the risk of catastrophic fire and to maintain biological diversity. (See VM-1 and FM-6) ♦ Promote the restoration and development of late-seral forest com- munities. ♦ Evaluate the potential to reduce forest fuel loading through the re- moval of smaller trees to reduce forest floor fuel buildup and ladder fuels. ♦ Continue to utilize and expand the District’s conservation grazing pro- gram to reduce grassland fuels, brush encroachment, and encourage the vigor of native grass and forb species. ♦ Manage forest diseases such as Sudden Oak Death (SOD). ♦ Manage scrub, shrub, and chaparral communities to maintain a mo- saic of ages and species within strategic management corridors on roads, ridgetops, and near residential development or other critical in- frastructure to compartmentalize preserves and reduce fuel loads. Policy WF-5 Conduct prescribed burns to re-introduce fire into native ecosystems and maintain natural ecological processes on District lands. ♦ Continue to utilize fire as a resource management tool to reduce fuels and reestablish fire for resource benefit where vegetation conditions, access, and public safety permit. Coordinate with other agencies for planning and implementation. Sudden Oak Death mortality is also a potential concern within the wildland- urban interface area, as well as within other areas of District Preserves. This concern is currently being studied by researchers in conjunction with District staff. These studies should provide additional insight into the potential fire hazard associated with SOD mortality and propose effective management options. ATTACHMENT 1 MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT RESOURCE MANAGEMENT POLICIES WILDLAND FIRE MANAGEMENT 84 ♦ Continue to utilize prescribed fire to reduce and prevent unwanted fire damage resulting from excessive fuel load and altered plant commu- nity structure and to control invasive species. ♦ Conduct prescribed burns in an ecologically sound manner which mimic natural fire regimes, and to promote biodiversity. ♦ Conduct public outreach to recreational users, adjacent landowners and the general public through mailings, web site postings and press releases related to the benefits of prescribed fire and other fire man- agement activities. Policy WF-6 Foster and maintain interagency fire management partner- ships. ♦ Annually coordinate with fire management and other resource agen- cies to discuss pre-fire planning conditions and needs in advance of the fire season. ♦ Participate in county Fire Safe Councils and Community Wildfire Pro- tection Plan (CWPP) efforts. ♦ Train with fire agencies and participate in training burns when possi- ble. ♦ Complete and distribute to fire agencies up-to-date maps of Preserve infrastructure including existing road network available for wildland fire management, helicopter landing zones, safety zones, evacuation routes, and other pertinent information. Policy WF-7 Conduct research and monitoring to refine fire management practices. ♦ Monitor pre-project vegetation, soil, erosion, and water quality to es- tablish baseline conditions for post project analysis. ♦ Monitor post fire and vegetation management projects to assess the achievement of project objectives and to identify potential impacts to vegetation, soil, erosion, and water quality. ♦ Conduct monitoring in a manner consistent with other land manage- ment agencies to obtain comparable data. ♦ Foster relationships with educational institutions, scientists and other land management professionals to inform District land management decisions based upon sound, current science, and to create opportu- nities for continuing research. Seek grants and pursue partnerships for research and monitoring. ATTACHMENT 1 MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT RESOURCE MANAGEMENT POLICIES WILDLAND FIRE MANAGEMENT 85 ♦ Integrate wildland fire management into District interpretation and education programs. Policy WF-8 Wildland Fire management actions on District lands in the Coastside Protection Area will be in accordance with the pol- icies established in the Service Plan for the San Mateo Coastal Annexation Area. ♦ In consultation with the County of San Mateo Environmental Services Department and fire agencies, determine whether the construction of dry hydrants on specific lands acquired is feasible in order to provide additional remote area water supplies for fire suppression activities ♦ Select native plant materials and/or seed mixes utilized at staging ar- eas or along trails for their low maintenance and drought and fire re- sistant characteristics to minimize additional fuel available to wildland fires to the extent feasible. ♦ Where compatible with other trail characteristics, planners shall locate trail alignments and access points to allow trails to also serve as emer- gency access routes for patrol or emergency medical transport. Where feasible for more remote areas, emergency helicopter landing sites shall be provided. ♦ Coordinate with appropriate agencies, such as the County and Cal Fire to formalize mutual aid agreements. ♦ Consult with fire agencies in developing site-specific fuel modifica- tion and management programs for specific lands acquired as part of its Use and Management planning process, in addition to continuing the current District fuel management practices. ♦ Prohibit smoking, firearms, fireworks and off-road vehicle use and limit trail use, picnicking, and camping to designated activities. ♦ Develop and maintain staging areas and trail heads in accordance with the wildland fire hazard mitigation measures established in the Service Plan for the Coastside Protection Area. ATTACHMENT 1 MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT RESOURCE MANAGEMENT POLICIES CLIMATE CHANGE 86 XVI. CLIMATE CHANGE BACKGROUND Climate change is directly affecting temperatures, precipitation, weather patterns, species ranges, wildfire risk, and sea levels, impacting the Dis- trict’s ability to meet its resource management goals. Human activities that put excess greenhouse gases into the atmosphere, such as burning fos- sil fuels for transportation and energy generation, are the leading cause of climate change. Impacts on Natural Systems According to the National Park Service, the wide range of climate change impacts in the Bay Area include the following: ♦ Increase in average annual temperatures of 1.2 degrees Celsius (2.2 degrees Fahrenheit) between 1960 and 2010 ♦ Northern shifts in winter bird ranges of 0.5 kilometers (0.3 miles) per year between 1975 and 2004 ♦ Upward shifts in elevation for 12 percent of endemic species and 27 percent of non-native species between the periods of 1895-1970 and 1971-2009 ♦ Sea level rise of 22 centimeters (9 inches) between 1854 and 2016 ♦ Decrease in coastal fog by 33 percent between the periods of 1901- 1925 and 1951-2008 ♦ Increase in heavy storms by 25 percent between the periods of 1901- 1960 and 1991-2000 ♦ Human-caused climate change accounted for 10-20% of the 2012- 2014 drought ♦ Climate was the dominant factor controlling the extent of wildfire burn areas between 1916 and 2003, even during periods of active fire sup- pression Greenhouse gases, such as carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide, contribute to the atmospheric warming “greenhouse effect” by absorbing infrared radiation. ATTACHMENT 1 MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT RESOURCE MANAGEMENT POLICIES CLIMATE CHANGE 87 The Carbon Cycle The carbon cycle is a natural process by which carbon moves between different stores or reservoirs, such as the atmosphere, oceans, sedimen- tary rocks, soils, and plant biomass. When burning fossil fuels, humans move a massive amount of carbon from the ground to the atmosphere, putting the carbon cycle out of balance and causing climate change. The two key approaches to solving climate change are 1) to avoid adding any more carbon to the atmospheric store and 2) to move carbon from the atmospheric store to safer stores, such as plant biomass and soils. Hu- mans can avoid adding more carbon to the atmospheric store by reducing greenhouse gas emissions from fossil fuels and preventing the release of carbon in plants and soils. Humans can facilitate the movement of carbon from the atmosphere into plant biomass and soils, also known as carbon sequestration, through land conservation and management. The District stewards over 63,000 acres of open space lands, including redwood for- ests, which store large amounts of carbon in trees, other vegetation, and soils. CLIMATE CHANGE GOAL, POLICIES, AND IMPLEMENTATION MEASURES Goal CC- Reduce agency-generated greenhouse gas emis- sions, increase carbon sequestration, and pro- mote resilience to climate change impacts Policy CC-1 Reduce administrative greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions 20% below 2016 baseline by 2022, 40% below 2016 base- line by 2030, and 80% below 2016 baseline by 2050, in line with the State of California’s GHG reduction goals. ♦ Implement Climate Action Plan strategies to reduce or offset adminis- trative GHG emissions from vehicles, equipment, facilities, employee commuting, and tenant residences. ♦ Periodically update GHG Inventory and track GHG reduction. ♦ Improve GHG Inventory data quality and tracking systems. ♦ Consider GHG emissions related to all policies, plans, decisions, and management practices, in addition to other factors. Carbon sequestration is the process by which carbon is removed from the atmosphere and stored elsewhere, such as in plants and soils. The State of California set a goal to reduce GHG emissions 40% below 1990 baseline levels by 2030 and 80% by 2050 (AB 32). The District first inventoried GHG emissions in 2016 so that is the baseline for the District’s reduction goals. ATTACHMENT 1 MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT RESOURCE MANAGEMENT POLICIES CLIMATE CHANGE 88 ♦ Evaluate the full life-cycle footprint of equipment, services, and sup- plies, and choose lower impact/responsible services and supplies. ♦ Develop sustainability guidelines for facilities, operations, projects, and events. Policy CC-2 Reduce non-administrative GHG emissions related to Dis- trict activities, such as visitor transportation and livestock. ♦ Implement Climate Action Plan strategies to reduce or offset GHG emissions from visitor transportation to preserves. ♦ Implement Climate Action Plan strategies to reduce or offset GHG emissions from livestock, and research additional techniques or tech- nologies. ♦ Where agricultural sustainability is not a leading factor, select appro- priate livestock species to accomplish vegetation management objec- tives (See GM-4). Policy CC-3 Increase carbon sequestration in vegetation and soils and minimize carbon release from wildfire. ♦ Manage conifer forests to sustain and encourage the development of late-seral habitat conditions (FM-4). Evaluate the potential to reduce forest fuel loading through the removal of smaller trees to reduce fuel buildup and ladder fuels (See FM-5). ♦ Manage vegetation communities to reduce the risk of catastrophic fire and to maintain biological diversity (WF-4). Conduct prescribed burns to re-introduce fire into native ecosystems and maintain natural eco- logical processes on District lands (See WF-5). ♦ Evaluate, study, and implement additional land management strate- gies to increase carbon sequestration in vegetation and soils. ♦ Improve data on carbon sequestration in District lands. ♦ Evaluate opportunities to create and sell carbon offsets on the Califor- nia Cap and Trade market or other voluntary offset markets. Policy CC-4 Prepare for climate change impacts and promote resilience for both natural and built environments. ♦ Prioritize ecosystem function, resilience, and ecological diversity fo- cused on multiple species benefits, rather than aiming to prevent eco- logical change or return to past conditions. District GHG emissions are divided into administrative emissions, which come directly from District operations such as vehicles and facilities, and non- administrative emissions, which are related to District activities but the District has less control over. A numerical GHG reduction goal is set only for administrative emissions. Resilience is the capacity of natural and human communities to withstand and bounce back from climate stress and hazardous events. ATTACHMENT 1 MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT RESOURCE MANAGEMENT POLICIES CLIMATE CHANGE 89 ♦ Incorporate climate change impacts on natural resources such as spe- cies range and phenology changes into restoration and monitoring ac- tivities. Utilize an adaptive management framework to adjust resource management methods and priorities as impacts start to occur and cli- mate change knowledge and response options continue to increase (See GM-3). ♦ Support ecological functions and ecosystem services that protect the built environment from climate change impacts, such as flooding and increased wildland fire frequency and intensity. ♦ Incorporate climate change impacts to infrastructure, such as flooding, drought, and sea level rise, into planning, project design, and other relevant activities. ♦ Evaluate, study, and implement additional land management strate- gies to promote ecosystem resilience. Policy CC-5 Lead by example and support state, regional, and commu- nity-scale action on reducing climate change impacts to eco- system health and biodiversity, and increasing ecosystem resilience. ♦ Support and participate in regional climate change initiatives and bur- geoning community of practice. Foster partnerships to respond to cli- mate change collaboratively, and seek opportunities to share infor- mation with other agencies. ♦ Support and influence local and state climate change policies that are protective of ecosystem health and biodiversity. Seek grant opportu- nities to fund implementation of GHG reduction, carbon sequestration, and natural resource resilience efforts. ♦ Increase public awareness of climate change impacts and solutions the District is pursuing through education and outreach. Incorporate climate change into interpretive programming, facilities, and materials (See PI-1). ♦ Coordinate and cooperate with institutions, agencies, organizations, and individuals conducting research on climate change and resource management (See RC-2). ATTACHMENT 1 MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT RESOURCE MANAGEMENT POLICIES GLOSSARY 90 XVII. GLOSSARY Agricultural Infrastructure – Improvements made to a property to sup- port an agricultural operation such as fencing, roads, water supply sys- tems and structures. (Grazing Management) Anadromous – Fish, such as steelhead trout, that return from the open ocean as adults to freshwater streams to breed. (Water Resources, Habi- tat Connectivity) Archaeological site – A site in which physical evidence of past prehistoric or historic human activity has been preserved. (Cultural Resources) Artifacts – Objects created by humans or modified by human activity. (Cultural Resources) Barrier – An impediment to migration, genetic exchange, dispersal, or other essential movement of an organism. Barriers may be of natural or human-made origin. (Habitat Connectivity) Best Management Practices (BMPs) – District developed standard prac- tices that identify the preferred manner in which an activity is to be per- formed in order to be protective of both human health and the environ- ment. (Vegetation Management, Integrated Pest Management, Water Re- sources, Grazing Management, Forest Management) Biodiversity – Describes the natural variety and abundance of plants and animals and the environments in which they live. U.S. Congressional Bi- odiversity Act, 1990 HR1268, defines biodiversity as “The full range of va- riety and variability within and among living organisms, and the ecological complexes in which they occur, and encompass ecosystem or community diversity, species diversity and genetic diversity.” (Vegetation Manage- ment, Integrated Pest Management, Water Resources, Forest Manage- ment, Ecological Succession, Habitat Connectivity, Wildland Fire) Biological Legacies – The retention of forest components that were orig- inally present within the forest, prior to large scale disturbance such as fire, or timber harvesting. Notable “legacy” components include: large live ATTACHMENT 1 MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT RESOURCE MANAGEMENT POLICIES G LOSSARY 91 trees (especially old growth) with mosses and lichen growth within the can- opy, hollow cavities, and complex large branch structure; large pieces of wood on the forest floor; intact forest soil and associated fungi and mi- crobes. These forest components have a profound influence on recovering forest ecosystems and are important considerations for habitat reconnec- tion and restoration. (Forest Management) Boundary – The area of border between habitat patches or vegetation types; a zone comprised of edges of adjacent ecosystems or land types. (Habitat Connectivity) Carbon Sequestration – The process by which carbon is removed from the atmosphere and stored elsewhere, such as in plants and soils. (Cli- mate Change) Chaparral – Shrub and small tree dominated landscapes composed of species with small, thick, evergreen, leathery leaves that often grow dense and tangled. (Vegetation Management, Ecological Succession, Habitat Connectivity, Wildland Fire) Community Wildfire Protection Plan (CWPP) – The Healthy Forests Restoration Act (HFRA), passed in 2003 by the federal government, es- tablished statutory incentives for the US Forest Service (USFS) and the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) to give consideration to the priorities of local communities as they develop and implement forest management and hazardous fuel reduction projects. In order for a community to take full advantage of this federal assistance, a community must first prepare a CWPP. CWPPs may address issues such as wildfire response, hazard mitigation, community preparedness, or structure protection—or all of the above. (Wildland Fire) Compartmentalize – Using fire management techniques such as instal- lation of shaded fuel breaks, or defensible space surrounding homes to separate a potentially large scale wildland fire into distinct smaller man- agement areas separated by vegetation type, fuel loading, access, or ter- rain into pre-designated fire management units. (Wildland Fire) Conifer, Coniferous – Cone bearing trees with needles or scale-like leaves, stay green throughout the year in California. Examples include: ATTACHMENT 1 MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT RESOURCE MANAGEMENT POLICIES GLOSSARY 92 coast redwood, Douglas fir, pine trees, and cypresses. Conifers are also referred to as softwood. (Forest Management, Ecological Succession) Contamination – Human-made waste that has polluted the environment making it unfit or unsafe. (Water Resources, Geology and Soils) Core – The portion of an ecosystem or habitat where effects of the sur- rounding area are limited. (Habitat Connectivity) Cultural Landscape – A landscape modified by past human activity or otherwise holding historical or prehistoric cultural importance. (Cultural Resources, Public Interpretation, Wildland Fire) Cultural Resource – A structure, landscape feature, archaeological site, or other artifact of human activity in the past during prehistoric or historic periods. (Cultural Resources) Cultural Resource Inventory – The District’s inventory of cultural re- sources on District preserves. Information in this inventory may include site locations, descriptions, and photographs, as well as historical infor- mation on individual sites and preserves. (Cultural Resources) Data Recovery – Research and recording techniques such as the exca- vation of archaeological sites or recording of architectural features prior to site disturbance. Data recovery is a common mitigation measure for pro- jects that may have a substantial adverse impact on a significant cultural resource. (Cultural Resources) Defensible Space – Defensible space is the area adjacent to a structure where basic wildfire protection practices are implemented, providing a key point of defense for an approaching wildland fire or area to escape from a structure fire. The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire) publishes guidelines for fuel (vegetation) treatments to create a perimeter around buildings and structures in order to maintain minimum conditions for firefighters to defend a property. (Wildland Fire) Disturbance (Ecological Disturbance) – The disruption of an ecosys- tem's structure and function, generally with effects that last for time periods ATTACHMENT 1 MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT RESOURCE MANAGEMENT POLICIES G LOSSARY 93 longer than a single seasonal growing cycle for vegetation. (Wildlife Man- agement, Integrated Pest Management, Water Resources, Geology and Soils, Ecological Succession) Disturbance-dependent – Species that require disturbance to maintain habitat conditions suitable for reproduction and establishment. (Ecological Succession) Ecological Succession – The sequential development of plant and ani- mal communities following disturbance. (Ecological Succession) Ecosystem – An area within the natural environment in which physical (abiotic) factors of the environment, such as rocks and soil, function to- gether along with interdependent (biotic) organisms, such as plants and animals, within the same habitat. (Vegetation Management, Integrated Pest Management, Water Resources, Grazing Management, Forest Man- agement, Ecological Succession, Habitat Connectivity, Wildland Fire) Ecosystem Function – The interaction(s) or ecological processes that exists between organisms with one another and the physical environment, such as nutrient cycling, disturbance, soil development, water budgeting, and flammability. (Vegetation Management, Water Resources, Forest Management, Wildland Fire) Edge – The portion of an ecosystem or habitat near its perimeter, where influences of the surroundings prevent development of interior/core-area environmental conditions. (Habitat Connectivity) Enhancement – The process of altering a habitat to provide specific eco- system functions. (Water Resources, Grazing Management, ecological Succession, Habitat Connectivity) Enhance – To increase or improve a habitat in value or quality. (Vegeta- tion Management, Wildlife Management, Water Resources, Grazing Man- agement, Forest Management, Ecological Succession, Habitat Connectiv- ity) ATTACHMENT 1 MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT RESOURCE MANAGEMENT POLICIES GLOSSARY 94 Environmental Education – A learning process that increases people’s knowledge and awareness about the environment and associated chal- lenges, develops the necessary skills and expertise to address the chal- lenges, and fosters attitudes, motivations, and commitments to make in- formed decisions and take responsible action. (Public Interpretation) Exotic – Species that were not present in the Santa Cruz Mountains re- gion of California prior to the large scale development of the American continent by European humans prior to 1769. (Grazing Management) Extreme Fire Hazard/Weather – The National Weather Service, operat- ing through cooperative agreement with the State of California, issues Red Flag Warnings during conditions of extreme fire weather. This alert is used by fire agencies to plan staffing levels and preparedness and set public use restrictions (such as campfires or the use of spark producing equip- ment). (Wildland Fire) Five-Strand Barbwire Fencing – Fencing typically used in ranching op- erations to confine livestock to established areas, constructed of five evenly spaced rows of barbwire stretched between posts comprised of wood or metal. (Grazing Management) Flora – The plants of a particular region or period. (Grazing Management) Fire Agencies – Agencies with jurisdiction to respond to wildland and structure fires on District lands and that may work in cooperation with the District in planning site-specific fuel and wildland fire management prac- tices and in conducting training in fire and fuel management. They can include Cal Fire as well as local, regional, city, county and special district fire agencies. (Wildland Fire, Forest Management) Fire Behavior – The manner in which a fire reacts to fuel, weather, topog- raphy, or fire suppression efforts. (Wildland Fire) Fire Regime – The characteristic frequency, extent, intensity, severity, and seasonality of fires within an ecosystem. (Wildland Fire) ATTACHMENT 1 MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT RESOURCE MANAGEMENT POLICIES G LOSSARY 95 Fire Safe Councils – The Fire Safe Council is a coalition of public and private organizations with a common, shared interest in reducing losses from wildfires. (Wildland Fire) Fire Suppression – Human efforts connected with fire-extinguishing op- erations, such as use of tools, engines, water or aircraft, or installation of fuel breaks, or removal of fuels surrounding homes or other structures. (Vegetation Management, Forest Management, Wildland Fire) Food Web – The relationships between interconnected plants and ani- mals in an ecosystem pertaining to how each organism gets their food and meets energy requirements. (Integrated Pest Management) Forbs – A broad-leaved herb other than a grass, especially one growing in a field, prairie, or meadow. (Grazing Management, Wildland Fire) Forest – Habitats dominated by tree species with a continuous or nearly continuous canopy covering substantial portions of the landscape. (Vege- tation Management, Wildlife Management, Forest Management, Ecologi- cal Succession, Wildland Fire) Forest Conditions – A characterization of forest age, structural complex- ity (height, spacing, multiple canopy levels), species composition, habitat suitability, biological legacies, fuel loads, diseases or pathogens, regener- ation, and level of disturbance. (Forest Management) Forest Management – The active stewardship of a forest or stand to achieve a desired future condition. (Forest Management) Fuel – Combustible vegetation including live or dead forbs, shrubs, branches, trees, vines etc. (Vegetation Management, Grazing Manage- ment, Forest Management, Wildland Fire) Fuel Break – A strip of land on which vegetation has been removed, re- duced, thinned, or otherwise modified so that a fire burning into or up to it can be more readily controlled (Wildland Fire) Fuel Load – The oven-dry weight of fuel per unit area. (Wildland Fire) ATTACHMENT 1 MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT RESOURCE MANAGEMENT POLICIES GLOSSARY 96 Fuel Modification – Breaking up, thinning, reducing, or otherwise modi- fying continuous fuels to prevent or reduce the spread of a wildfire. (Wildland Fire) Fuel Wood – Woody vegetation or wood products, primarily used as fuel for heating, cooking, or industry. (Forest Management) GIS (Geographic Information System) – A combined database and mapping system used for the storage, retrieval, and analysis of geographic data. (Integrated Pest Management, Research and Collection) GIS Database – A database that contains information about the location of real-world features and the characteristics of those features. (Integrated Pest Management, Research and Collection) Geologic Hazards – Hazards created by fault zones, landslide prone ar- eas, and flood zones. (Geology and Soils) Greenhouse Gases – Gases such as carbon dioxide, methane, and ni- trous oxide that contribute to the atmospheric warming “greenhouse effect” by absorbing infrared radiation. (Climate Change) Habitat – the combination of living and non-living factors that surround and potentially influence an organism; or species’ typical environment. (Vegetation Management, Wildlife Management, Integrated Pest Manage- ment, Water Resources, Scenic and Aesthetic, Grazing Management, Forest Management, Ecological Succession, Habitat Connectivity, Wildland Fire) Habitat Fragmentation – the breaking up of a previously continuous hab- itat (or ecosystem) into spatially separated and smaller pieces. (Wildlife Management, Forest Management) Hardwood – Broadleaf trees that usually produce flowers that ripen into fruits containing seeds. Local examples include: numerous oak species, madrone, tanoak, willows, and western sycamore. (Forest Management, Wildland Fire) ATTACHMENT 1 MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT RESOURCE MANAGEMENT POLICIES G LOSSARY 97 Hazard Mitigation – action taken to reduce or eliminate long-term risk to people and their property from hazards such as proximity of flammable vegetation, dead or dying tree limbs, or pollution or contamination in close proximity to homes or public facilities. (Wildland Fire) High Priority District Forests – Forests that have been identified through inventories or other analysis as priority areas for forest management. Pri- ority can be based on different management objectives such as: restoring degraded habitat, reconnecting late-seral habitat, and/or wildland- urban interface fire concerns. (Forest Management) Historic – Dating from periods post-dating the use of written historical documents. In the American West, the historic period is generally consid- ered to refer to all periods after European exploration and colonization of the region. (Water Resources, Scenic and Aesthetic, Cultural Resources, Forest Management, Ecological Succession, Wildland Fire) Historical Rehabilitation – “The act or process of making possible a com- patible use for a property through repair, alterations and additions while preserving those portions or features which convey its historical, cultural, or architectural values.” (Definition from Secretary of the Interior’s Stand- ards for Treatment of Historic Properties) (Cultural Resources) Host – A plant or animal that provides sustenance for another organism. (Integrated Pest Management) Inbreeding Depression – The decrease in growth, survival and fertility of an individual often observed following mating among relatives or self-fer- tilization (in plants). (Wildlife Management) Incident Command System (ICS) – a standardized, on-scene, all-hazard incident management concept. ICS allows its users to adopt an integrated organizational structure to match the complexities and demands of single or multiple incidents without being hindered by jurisdictional boundaries. (Wildland Fire) In Situ – “In place;” at the site of original deposition or discovery. (Cultural Resources) ATTACHMENT 1 MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT RESOURCE MANAGEMENT POLICIES GLOSSARY 98 Integrated Pest Management (IPM) – A long-term strategy that specifi- cally reviews alternatives and monitors conditions to effectively control a target pest with minimum impact to human health, the environment, and non-target organisms. (Integrated Pest Management) Interpretation – A communication method that aims to reveal meanings, connections, and relationships by firsthand experience, and by illustrative media. (Cultural Resources, Public Interpretation, Forest Management, Wildland Fire) Interpretive Systems Plan (ISP) – An overarching analysis of the inter- pretive opportunities that exist throughout an agency’s parks or preserves. (Public Interpretation) Invasive Species – animal or plant species that take over sufficiently large areas to reduce biodiversity. (Integrated Pest Management, Grazing Man- agement, Ecological Succession, Habitat Connectivity, Wildland Fire) Ladder Fuels – Live or dead vegetation that allows a fire to ascend from low lying vegetation such as forbs and grasses, into the upper or upper- most vegetation such as taller shrubs and trees. Common fuel ladders in- clude tall grasses, shrubs, and tree branches, both living and dead. (Forest Management, Wildland Fire) Late-Seral – Stage of forest development dominated by large mature trees. Initial age development of this stage for redwood and Douglas-fir forests is generally considered to occur between 80- and 300 years. Trees and forest begin to develop some characteristics associated with old growth including large decadent trees, snags and large down logs. (Forest Management, Wildland Fire) Late-Successional – Same as late-seral. (Forest Management) Livestock – The horses, cattle, sheep, and other useful animals kept or raised on a farm or ranch. (Integrated Pest Management, Geology and Soils, Grazing Management, Forest Management, Ecological Succession, Wildland Fire) ATTACHMENT 1 MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT RESOURCE MANAGEMENT POLICIES G LOSSARY 99 Native – Those elements of the natural world occurring within an ecosys- tem prior to disturbance from an outside event. (Vegetation Management, Wildlife Management, Integrated Pest Management, Water Resources, Geology and Soils, Scenic and Aesthetic, Cultural Resources, Research and Collection, Grazing Management, Ecological Succession, Habitat Connectivity, Wildland Fire) Natural – Plant, animal, and microorganism life, native materials, and eco- system processes that make up the physical world. (Vegetation Manage- ment, Wildlife Management, Integrated Pest Management, Water Re- sources, Geology and Soils, Scenic and Aesthetic, Cultural Resources, Research and Collection, Public Interpretation, Grazing Management, Forest Management, Ecological Succession, Habitat Connectivity, Wildland Fire) Non-Native – Species which moved into, or were introduced into, pre- serve environments as a direct or indirect result of human activities. (Veg- etation Management, Wildlife Management, Integrated Pest Management, Geology and Soils, Scenic and Aesthetic, Grazing Management, Ecologi- cal Succession, Wildland Fire) Non-Target Organisms – those plants and animals that are not intention- ally targeted by a pest management strategy in order to spare benign and often beneficial species. (Integrated Pest Management) Northwest Information Center – A clearing house for historical and ar- chaeological information associated with the California Historical Re- sources Information System, which houses historical documents, site re- ports and other research pertaining to cultural resources in Northwest Cal- ifornia. (Cultural Resources) Old Growth – Stand or residual (uncut) trees in excess of 200 years old, often characterized by very large trees, large plated bark, broken, dead or forked tops, with a prevalence of mosses and lichens on large branches within the canopy. Old growth stands also typically include large snags and large downed logs. (Forest Management, Wildland Fire) Open Space – Land and water areas that remain in a natural state and are minimally developed, and may include compatible agriculture uses. ATTACHMENT 1 MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT RESOURCE MANAGEMENT POLICIES GLOSSARY 100 (Wildlife Management, Water Resources, Geology and Soils, Scenic and Aesthetic, Cultural Resources, Public Interpretation, Grazing Manage- ment, Forest Management, Ecological Succession, Habitat Connectivity, Wildland Fire) Outreach – The communication of the District’s mission and goals to a wide variety of audiences usually conducted away from the office or pre- serves. (Integrated Pest Management, Public Interpretation, Forest Man- agement, Wildland Fire) Patch – A relatively homogenous type of habitat that is spatially separated from other similar habitat and differs from its surroundings. (Habitat Con- nectivity) Pathogen – A disease causing organism. (Vegetation Management, For- est Management) Performance Measure(s) – Parameter(s) used to measure project suc- cess tied to project goals and objectives. Pesticides – A broad term used to describe any material (natural, organic, or synthetic) used to control or prevent pests including herbicides (weed or plant killers), insecticides (insect killers), and rodenticides (rodent kill- ers). (Integrated Pest Management) Pests – Animals or plants that proliferate beyond natural control and in- terfere with the natural processes which would otherwise occur on open space lands. (Integrated Pest Management, Forest Management, Wildland Fire) Plant Community – A group of plants growing in an interrelated manner on a particular site. (Vegetation Management, Integrated Pest Manage- ment, Ecological Succession, Wildland Fire) Predation – a biological interaction where a predator (an organism that is hunting or browsing) feeds on its prey (the organism that is hunted or con- sumed). (Integrated Pest Management, Wildlife Management, Habitat Connectivity) ATTACHMENT 1 MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT RESOURCE MANAGEMENT POLICIES G LOSSARY 101 Prehistoric – Dating from periods of human activity prior to the use of written history. In the American West, prehistory generally refers to all periods before European colonization of the region. (Cultural Resources) Prescribed Fire – Fire applied to wildland ecosystems under specified fuel and weather conditions to accomplish predetermined resource man- agement objective such as regeneration of sensitive species in a fire- adapted plant community. (Wildland Fire) Programming – The regularly scheduled organized, topic-specific presentations or other delivery of information, including community out- reach, education, interpretation, and docent led activities, or other special events. (Public Interpretation) Residual Dry Matter (RDM) – A measure of the amount of vegetation left on the ground, typically measured at the end of the summer or fall. Ap- propriate levels of RDM strive to minimize thatch, which can inhibit new plant growth, while maintaining adequate levels of vegetation to prohibit soil erosion. (Grazing Management) Resilience – The capacity of natural and human communities to withstand and bounce back from climate stress and hazardous events. (Climate Change) Resource Integrity – The extent to which character-defining features of a resource or its research potential remain intact. (Cultural Resources) Resource Management – Management of both natural and cultural re- sources. Natural resource management generally consists of protecting, restoring, enhancing and monitoring native vegetation and wildlife, and monitoring and protecting the quality of geological and hydrological condi- tions. Cultural resource management consists of identifying and evaluat- ing archeological sites and cultural landscapes. (Vegetation Management, Geology and Soils, Research and Collection, Public Interpretation, Graz- ing Management, Forest Management, Wildland Fire) Resources – Plants, animals, water, soil, terrain, geologic formations, his- toric, scenic, and cultural features. (Vegetation Management, Wildlife Management, Integrated Pest Management, Water Resources, Geology ATTACHMENT 1 MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT RESOURCE MANAGEMENT POLICIES GLOSSARY 102 and Soils, Scenic and Aesthetic, Cultural Resources, Research and Col- lection, Public Interpretation, Grazing Management, Forest Management, Habitat Connectivity, Wildland Fire) Restoration – The process of returning land that has been degraded and disturbed into functional habitat. (Vegetation Management, Integrated Pest Management, Water Resources, Research and Collection, Forest Management, Wildland Fire) Restore – To bring back to or put back into a former or original state. (Vegetation Management, Geology and Soils, Public Interpretation, Graz- ing Management, Forest Management, Ecological Succession, Habitat Connectivity, Wildland Fire) Revegetation – The process of replacing existing vegetation on a site with desired vegetation. (Vegetation Management, Geology and Soils, Wildland Fire) Riparian – Terrestrial environments adjacent to lakes, streams, springs and estuaries where transported surface and subsurface fresh water pro- vides soil moisture for vegetation. (Wildlife Management, Water Re- sources, Geology and Soils, Forest Management, Habitat Connectivity) Significance – A measure of the importance of an archaeological or his- torical resource. The threshold of significance determines eligibility for state and national registers and whether a cultural resource must be con- sidered in NEPA and CEQA documents related to a project. The criteria detailed in CEQA by which significance (See Appendix A) is determined differ for historic and archaeological resources but include the resource’s age, integrity, association with important individuals or trends in local his- tory, and potential to provide important information about the past. (Cul- tural Resources) Snag – A standing dead or partially dead tree, important wildlife habitat for woodpeckers and other cavity nesting birds, and small mammals. (Wildlife Management, Forest Management) Soil – Natural material that covers much of the earth’s surface; consisting of rock and mineral particles often mixed with organic matter. (Vegetation ATTACHMENT 1 MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT RESOURCE MANAGEMENT POLICIES G LOSSARY 103 Management, Wildlife Management, Integrated Pest Management, Water Resources, Grazing Management, Forest Management, Habitat Connec- tivity, Wildland Fire) Special Status – Species that are state or federally listed as threatened, rare, endangered, species of special concern, candidate species or those plant species listed by the California Native Plant Society. (Vegetation Management, Wildlife Management, Water Resources, Forest Manage- ment, Ecological Succession, Habitat Connectivity, Wildland Fire) Stand – An aggregation of trees occupying a specific area, similar in age, size, arrangement and composition, that is distinguishable from the forest in adjoining areas. (Forest Management) Target Pests – Plant or animal species that have a negative impact on other organisms or the surrounding environment and are targeted for treat- ment. (Integrated Pest Management) Ungulate Animals – Hoofed mammals, including ruminants, such as cat- tle, goats, and sheep, as well as horses, and donkeys. (Grazing Manage- ment) Vector – An organism, such as a tick or mosquito, that is able to transport and transmit a pathogen to a host. (Integrated Pest Management) Vegetation Management – The maintenance, establishment, or restora- tion of target vegetation that meets a preserve's management objectives. (Vegetation Management, Grazing Management, Wildland Fire) Watercourse – A natural or artificial channel through which water flows. (Water Resources, Geology and Soils, Habitat Connectivity) Waters – Areas of standing water, seasonal and permanent, such as lakes and ponds, as well as underground aquifers. (Water Resources) Water Quality – The chemical, physical, and biological characteristics of water. Important issues related to forest management include water tem- perature, nutrients, and sediment inputs. (Wildlife Management, Water Resources, Grazing Management, Forest Management, Wildland Fire) ATTACHMENT 1 MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT RESOURCE MANAGEMENT POLICIES GLOSSARY 104 Watershed – A bounded hydrologic system, where all of the precipitation that falls drains into a single water feature, often a creek or stream . (Veg- etation Management, Water Resources, Habitat Connectivity) Wetlands – Areas that are inundated or saturated by surface or ground water at a frequency and duration sufficient to support, and that under nor- mal circumstances do support, a prevalence of vegetation typically adapted to life in saturated soil conditions (hydrophytes). (Wildlife Man- agement, Integrated Pest Management, Geology and Soils, Grazing Man- agement, Ecological Succession, Habitat Connectivity) Wildland – Land in a natural uncultivated state that forms habitat for plants and wildlife. (Vegetation Management, Integrated Pest Management, Wa- ter Resources, Grazing Management, Wildland Fire) Wildland-Urban Interface – The area where structures and other human development meet or intermingle with undeveloped wildland. (Wildland Fire) Wildlife – A broad term that includes all living animals that have not been domesticated. (Vegetation Management, Integrated Pest Management, Water Resources, Scenic and Aesthetic, Research and Collection, Graz- ing Management, Forest Management, Habitat Connectivity, Wildland Fire) Wildlife Corridors – Avenues along which wide-ranging animals can travel, plants can propagate, genetic interchange can occur, populations can move in response to environmental changes and natural disasters, and threatened species can be replenished from other areas. (Habitat Connectivity) Woodland – A scattering of trees across a landscape intermixed with a significant component of another vegetation community, such as grass or shrub land. (Vegetation Management, Forest Management, Habitat Con- nectivity, Wildland Fire) ATTACHMENT 1 MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT RESOURCE MANAGEMENT POLICIES GLOSSARY 105 XVIII. REFERENCES California Department of Fish and Game California Natural Diversity Database (CNDDB) http://www.dfg.ca.gov/wildlife/nongame/t_e_spp/index.html Dramstad, W.E., Olson, J.D, and Forman, R.T.T. Landscape Ecology Prin- ciples in Landscape Architecture and Land-Use Planning. Harvard Univer- sity Graduate School of Design, Island Press, and the American Society of Landscape Architects, 1996 (Habitat Connectivity) Gonzalez, P. Climate Change in the National Parks of the San Francisco Bay Area, California, USA. National Park Service and University of Cali- fornia, Berkeley, 2016 (Climate Change) Jensen, D.B., Torn, M.S., and Harte, J. In Our Own Hands: A Strategy for Conserving California’s Biodiversity. University of California Press, 1993 (Habitat Connectivity) Natural Resources Database (NRDB) http://www.nrdb.org/about.asp Peck, S. Planning For Biodiversity: Issues and Examples. Island Press, 1998 (Habitat Connectivity) Townsend, C.R., Harper, J.L., and Begon, M. Essentials of Ecology. Blackwell Science, 2000 (Habitat Connectivity) UNESCO, Tbilisi Declaration, 1978 (Cultural Resources) ATTACHMENT 1 106 APPENDIX A. CEQA CRITERIA This appendix outlines the CEQA Criteria of Significance for Historic Re- sources and Archaeological Resources: HISTORICAL RESOURCES A historical resource may be considered significant under CEQA if it is listed on the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP), California Reg- ister for Historical Resources (CRHR), or a local register (e.g., a town or county register), if it is determined to be eligible for the CRHR by a quali- fied expert, or if a Lead Agency finds it to be historically significant based on substantial evidence. A resource is considered eligible for listing on the CRHR if it meets one of the following criteria: ♦ Criterion 1: Associated with events that have made a significant con- tribution to the broad patterns of local or regional history or the cultural heritage of California or the United States. ♦ Criterion 2: Associated with the lives of persons important to local, California, or national history. ♦ Criterion 3: Embodies the distinctive characteristics of a type, period, region, or method of construction or represents the work of a master or possesses high artistic value. ♦ Criterion 4: Has yielded, or has the potential to yield, information im- portant to the prehistory or history of the local area, California, or the nation. ARCHAEOLOGICAL RESOURCES In addition to the definition of historical resources above (which can in- clude archaeological sites), the following criteria for unique archaeological resources (California Public Resources Code 21083.2) determine signifi- cance under CEQA: ATTACHMENT 1 MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT RESOURCE MANA GEMENT POLICY DOCUMENT APPENDIX A. CEQA CRITERIA 107 A resource is considered a unique archaeological resource if it meets one of the following criteria: ♦ Contains information needed to answer important scientific research questions and that there is a demonstrable public interest in that infor- mation. ♦ Has a special and particular quality such as being the oldest of its type or the best available example of its type. ♦ Is directly associated with a scientifically recognized important prehis- toric or historic event or person. ATTACHMENT 1 Attachment 2: American Badger Draft Linkage Maps Cost Surface Model with Draft Linkage Design Note: three major linkage pathways are shown along the coast, interior, and central connection. Coastal Draft Linkage Network Eight Focused Draft Linkage Designs La Honda – Monte Bello OSP Skyline Ridge – Windy Hill OSP La Honda – Windy Hill OSP La Honda – Windy Hill – Coal Creek – Skyline Ridge – Monte Bello OSP Network Tunitas Creek (Toto Ranch) – La Honda OSP Purisima Creek Redwoods (October Farms) OSP – Diamond Ranch (POST) Johnston Ranch (POST) – Purisima Creek Redwoods OSP Monte Bello OSP – Calero County Park Pomponio State Beach – Diamond Ranch (POST) – Moore Creek Proclamation of the MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT Given to Honor the Retirement of Michael Jurich WHEREAS, Michael Jurich has been an employee of the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District for over 32 years and is retiring; and WHEREAS, Michael has shown tremendous honesty and professional integrity as well as demonstrating a deep caring for open space and the people with whom he works; and WHEREAS, Michael has demonstrated his deep knowledge and professional abilities in the maintenance and construction field; and WHEREAS, Michael continued to maintain his field skills and connection with the field when he transitioned to administrative and management positions; and WHEREAS, Michael has risen through the ranks of the organization and held the positions of: Open Space Technician, Lead Open Space Technician, Maintenance and Construction Supervisor, Management Analyst II, Area Manager, and Land and Facilities Manager; and WHEREAS, Michael is a steady hand in tumultuous times, who has led the organization, often with great physical effort and exertion, through difficult times and tribulations; and WHEREAS, Michael is not afraid to take on challenges and to step up when requested to manage and lead in so many aspects of the District including Property Management, Special Projects, Budget, Action Plan, Measure AA, the Grand Opening of Mount Umunhum, the introduction of new accounting software, and other District-wide needs; and WHEREAS, Michael leaves behind a legacy of trails and facilities built and maintained with pride and professionalism: and WHEREAS, Michael has contributed so much to the evolution and enhancement of the spirit and culture of the District and always been willing to grow and adapt with the agency; and WHEREAS, Michael will be greatly missed by his colleagues and friends at the District; NOW Therefore, I, KAREN HOLMAN, President of the Board of Directors of the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District, along with my colleagues on the Board of Directors, unanimously and enthusiastically congratulate Michael on a well-deserved retirement, look back on his accomplishments with gratitude and awe, and wish him all the very best for the future. ______________________________________________ KAREN HOLMAN, BOARD PRESIDENT August 12, 2020 Board Meeting 20-17 SPECIAL AND REGULAR MEETING BOARD OF DIRECTORS MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT Wednesday, August 12, 2020 The Board of Directors conducted this meeting in accordance with California Governor Newsom’s Executive Order N-29-20. All Board members and staff participated via teleconference. DRAFT MINUTES SPECIAL MEETING – CLOSED SESSION President Holman called the special meeting of the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District to order at 5:00 p.m. ROLL CALL Members Present: Jed Cyr, Larry Hassett, Karen Holman, Zoe Kersteen-Tucker, Yoriko Kishimoto, Curt Riffle, and Pete Siemens Members Absent: None Staff Present: Controller Mike Foster and General Counsel Hilary Stevenson President Holman announced this meeting is being held in accordance with Governor Newsom’s Executive Order allowing Board members to participate remotely. The District has done its best to conduct a meeting where everyone has an opportunity to listen to the meeting and to provide comment. The public has the opportunity to comment on the agenda, and the opportunity to listen to this meeting through the internet or via telephone. This information can be found on the meeting agenda, which was physically posted at the District’s Administrative Office, and on the District website. President Holman described the process and protocols for the meeting. Public comment opened at 5:01 p.m. District Clerk Jennifer Woodworth announced no public comments were submitted for this item. Public comment closed at 5:01 p.m. 1. PUBLIC EMPLOYEE PERFORMANCE EVALUATION. Government Code Section 54957(b)(1) Title of Employee: Controller General Counsel Meeting 20-17 Page 2 President Holman adjourned the special meeting of the Board of Directors of the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District at 5:02 p.m. Director Hassett joined the meeting at 5:07 p.m. President Holman continued the special meeting until after the close of the regular meeting at 6:54 p.m. REGULAR MEETING President Holman called the regular meeting of the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District to order at 7:01 p.m. ROLL CALL Members Present: Jed Cyr, Larry Hassett, Karen Holman, Zoe Kersteen-Tucker, Yoriko Kishimoto, Curt Riffle, and Pete Siemens Members Absent: None Staff Present: General Manager Ana Ruiz, General Counsel Hilary Stevenson, Chief Financial Officer Stefan Jaskulak, Assistant General Manager Brian Malone, Assistant General Manager Susanna Chan, District Clerk/Assistant to the General Manager Jennifer Woodworth, Natural Resources Manager Kirk Lenington, Integrated Pest Management Coordinator Tome Reyes, Senior Natural Resources Specialist Coty Sifuentes-Winter, Visitor Services Manager Matt Anderson, Public Affairs Specialist I Carmen Lau President Holman announced this meeting is being held in accordance with Governor Newsom’s Executive Order allowing Board members to participate remotely. The District has done its best to conduct a meeting where everyone has an opportunity to listen to the meeting and to provide comment. The public has the opportunity to comment on the agenda, and the opportunity to listen to this meeting through the internet or via telephone. This information can be found on the meeting agenda, which was physically posted at the District’s Administrative Office, and on the District website. President Holman described the process and protocols for the meeting. CLOSED SESSION REPORT The Board held a July 22, 2020 closed session following the adjournment of the Board’s regular meeting. In closed session, the Board approved a settlement in the matter of Burkhart v. MROSD, Santa Clara County Case number 18CV334473. The substance of the settlement agreement relates to the maintenance of a shared water system between Burkhart and the District. The Board vote was 7 in favor, none opposed, none abstaining. The settlement agreement is on file in the General Counsel’s office. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS District Clerk Jennifer Woodworth announced no public comments were submitted for this item. Meeting 20-17 Page 3 ADOPTION OF AGENDA Motion: Director Riffle moved, and Director Cyr seconded the motion to adopt the agenda. ROLL CALL VOTE: 7-0-0 SPECIAL ORDERS OF THE DAY • Introduction of Staff: o Ari Nuri, Planner I o Mike Bower, Budget & Analysis Manager CONSENT CALENDAR Director Siemens pulled Item 3. Public comment opened at 7:14 p.m. District Clerk Jennifer Woodworth announced no public comments were submitted for the Consent Calendar. Public comment closed at 7:14 p.m. Motion: Director Hassett moved, and Director Riffle seconded the motion to approve the Consent Calendar, except for Item 3. ROLL CALL VOTE: 7-0-0 1. Approve July 22, 2020 Minutes 2. Claims Report 3. Award of Contract to Sandbar Solar to Design and Install Solar Panels at the Skyline Field Office at Skyline Ridge Open Space Preserve (R-20-87) Item 3 was heard after the consent calendar. General Manager’s Recommendations: 1. Authorize the General Manager to enter into a contract with Sandbar Solar for a base amount of $151,533 to design and install a grid-tie solar panel system at the Skyline Field Office 2. Authorize a 10% contingency of $15,153 to be reserved for unanticipated issues, bringing the contract to a total not-to-exceed amount of $166,686. Director Hassett commented that the item should have been considered at the Committee level before Board deliberation. Director Siemens inquired regarding the country of origin for the solar panels. Meeting 20-17 Page 4 Area Manager Craig Beckman provided additional information regarding the design-build process for the project, potentially including selection of the brand of panels. Director Siemens stated he supports using solar panels that are not manufactured in China and expressed concern regarding the project costs, based on his own evaluation of solar panel projects. General Counsel Hilary Stevenson provided additional information regarding the design-build process and limitations on the District requiring the contractor to use solar panels manufactured in a specific country. General Manager Ana Ruiz stated the Board could reject all bids and re-bid the project with different specifications. Assistant General Manager Brian Malone reported the District has not previously specified country of origin for project bid specifications and stated this may be a larger discussion for the Board to consider. Director Kishimoto spoke against specifying a country that the District will not purchase from. Director Siemens spoke in favor of deferring this item until staff can talk with the contractor about the ratings for the solar panels to be used on the project. Director Hassett expressed concerns regarding the size of the project and the bids received related to the optional charging stations. Director Kersteen-Tucker expressed concern in singling out a country of origin for projects and spoke in favor of supporting local vendors. Motion: Director Riffle moved, and Director Siemens seconded the motion to 1. Approve the General Manager’s recommendation. 2. Direct staff to return to the Board at a future date to discuss appropriate sourcing guidelines for construction projects, with a preference for local contractors. ROLL CALL VOTE: 7-0-0 BOARD BUSINESS 4. Consider designation of select preserve trails, roadways, and parking areas to allow electric bicycle use under a 1-year pilot project (R-20-89) Mr. Malone discussed the Board’s prior actions related to electric bicycles (e-bikes) and described the recent opening of Ravenswood Bay Trail and its potential use as a commuter route. Chief Ranger Matt Anderson reviewed the different classifications of e-bikes and the District’s current regulations and signage prohibiting all e-bikes on District lands. Chief Andersen Meeting 20-17 Page 5 displayed maps of the areas being proposed for inclusion in the pilot program: Ravenswood Bay Trail, Mount Umunhum Road, and Rancho San Antonio bike trail. Chief Andersen provided information related to compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and monitoring plan for the proposed pilot program. Director Kishimoto inquired regarding the availability of bike parking. Chief Andersen reported staff has discussed the potential need for additional parking and the ease of installing bike parking at various preserves to accommodate additional bicycles. Director Kersteen-Tucker inquired regarding the ability of District staff to enforce e-bike regulations when visitors enter the preserves from various entry points, especially at Rancho San Antonio. Chief Andersen stated additional enforcement would be required, but to date mountain bikes entering unauthorized trails has not been an issue at Rancho San Antonio. Director Riffle inquired how the results of pilot program will measured. Chief Andersen reported that much of the data will come from visitor complaints and conflicts and through intercept surveys conducted throughout the pilot program. Mr. Malone reported staff will also conduct trail surveys at the start of the pilot program and at its completion. Director Hassett inquired if monitoring would also look at the time of day for usage to determine if usage is related to commutes. Chief Andersen reported this information could be gathered through intercept surveys and through counting users. Public comment opened at 8:25 p.m. Ms. Woodworth read the submitted comments into the record. Mike Dicker supported allowing class 1 e-bikes wherever regular bikes are permitted. E-bikes would allow visitors to reach the trailheads by bike instead of car, which would reduce carbon footprints. Andrew Fitzgerald supported the General Manager’s recommendations and stated a class 1 or 2 e-bike has a similar impact as an unassisted bicycle allowing visitors of various fitness levels and physical abilities to access open spaces. Arvind Ganesh supported being able to commute by e-bike along the Ravenswood Bay Trail. Bill Bushnell supported the General Manager’s recommendations stating the intent of the state legislation defining e-bikes was to encourage addition bicycling and e-bicycling. Meeting 20-17 Page 6 Basim Jaber suggesting allowing e-bikes at Sierra Azul or other preserves that have more interesting trails for e-bikes. Additionally, the impact of e-bikes is similar to the impact of conventional bicycles. Christine Fisher stated e-bikes are essential for visitors with disabilities and suggested regulating user behaviors, such as speed limits, noise limits, banning, jumps, staying on trails, yielding to others, etc. Catherine Sheu stated the only way she can enjoy biking on trails is by using an e-bike. Diana Tashjian was in favor of the General Manager’s recommendations. Guy Shuman stated class 3 e-bikes should be allowed, but class 2 e-bikes should be banned on District preserves. James Takasugi supported increasing trail accessibility to class 1 and 2 e-bikes. Additionally, the specific evaluation criteria and process for the pilot program should be made public prior to the start of the test period, and the results should be publicly posted. Larry Plaza stated e-bikes open recreation to many seniors, which could be unattainable otherwise. Michael McHenry supported the General Manager’s recommendations. Patrick Noon supported allowing e-bikes on District preserves to allow those who cannot use a standard bike to be able to enjoy the outdoors. Alex Liston stated he would like to be extend his enjoyment of open space by using a class 1 e- bike. Alan Muschott stated support for allowing e-bikes on all trails where bicycles are permitted and suggested starting the pilot project sooner. Carole Bridgeman expressed concern related to e-bikes being on trails with equestrians and suggested another trial period to study e-bikes on multi-use trails. Jerry Wittenauer expressed concern regarding risks associated with e-bikes users and equestrian use. Mr. Wittenauer suggested gathering data with respect to equestrian and e-bike interactions. Kevin Wang supported allowing e-bikes on District trails to help his wife access the trails. Mr. Wang suggested restricting speed, but not the tool. Lada Adamic, who is a bike commuter, expressed excitement and appreciation for the new Ravenswood Bay Trail connection. Pete Huston stated e-bikes are a great alternative to gas powered motor vehicles to allow visitors to access the preserves. Mr. Huston suggested additional signage is needed at District preserves to let visitors know e-bikes are prohibited. Mr. Huston opposed allowing e-bikes on preserve trails. Meeting 20-17 Page 7 Pejman Khosropour stated he would use his e-bike to access District preserves if allowed and stated e-bikes present no more danger to the trails or nature than mountain bikes. E-bikes also allow those with physical limitations to access outdoor recreation. Patrick Mullins encouraged the Board to consider class 1 e-bikes at El Corte de Madera, which would allow cyclists to return to the parking lot more easily in the steep elevation. Lili Esfahani supported the General Manager’s recommendations. Ron Stein supported the General Manager’s recommendations stating that class 1 and 2 e-bikes should be allowed on all trails available to standard bicycles. Additionally, e-bikes should be allowed on access roads and parking lots. Fred Trueman supported the General Manager’s recommendations. Public comment closed at 8:48 p.m. Mr. Malone clarified that the proposed pilot program is only for the trail specified in the staff report, not a pilot program for expanding e-bike use to other preserves. Director Riffle inquired regarding commuter use along Ravenswood Bay Trail and the difference between this area and allowing e-bikes at Rancho San Antonio. Chief Andersen stated that Ravenswood Bay Trail is a commuter route but may not be receiving heavy traffic during the current pandemic. However, Rancho San Antonio does not likely receive large amounts of commute traffic. Director Riffle expressed concern regarding e-bike access at Rancho San Antonio Open Space Preserve and whether access should end at the border of the Rancho San Antonio County Park. Mr. Malone stated that many visitors ride their bikes from their homes and park near Deer Hollow Farm before hiking along the trail system. The General Manager’s recommendation would allow e-bikes the same access. Also, Santa Clara County already allows e-bikes on their lands, so this would allow for consistency. President Holman suggested not allowing class 2 e-bikes into the preserve but having them park in the parking lot and expressed concerns related to the use of e-bikes around children due to speed concerns. Director Cyr commented that once a new use is allowed, it becomes difficult to alter the use later. Director Kersteen-Tucker spoke in favor of the General Manager’s recommendation and of preserve visitors being able to visit District preserves without having to use their vehicles. Director Kishimoto spoke in favor of the General Manager’s second recommendation and opening the Ravenswood Bay Trail to class 1 and class 2 e-bikes. Director Kishimoto stated opening Rancho San Antonio to e-bikes would likely lessen vehicle traffic there and help address parking concerns at the preserve. Meeting 20-17 Page 8 President Holman spoke in favor of the General Manager’s second recommendation and opening the Ravenswood Bay Trail to class 1 and class 2 e-bikes but stated additional study is needed regarding the impact of e-bikes. President Holman stated that she is uncomfortable with allowing e-bikes into the preserve at Rancho San Antonio. President Holman stated a survey is needed to further gather feedback on the pilot program. Finally, President Holman stated her discomfort with the proposed CEQA exemption. Director Hassett spoke in favor of the General Manager’s second recommendation and opening the Ravenswood Bay Trail to class 1 and class 2 e-bikes. Director Hassett stated a survey is needed to better understand the impact of e-bikes at Rancho San Antonio. Director Kersteen-Tucker stated many other partner agencies allow e-bikes on their lands, and the pilot project would not allow e-bikes on dirt trails. Additional study is needed to understand this mode of recreation and transportation that is here to stay. Director Siemens spoke in support of the General Manager’s recommendations. Director Riffle spoke in favor of the General Manager’s second recommendation and opening the Ravenswood Bay Trail to class 1 and class 2 e-bikes. Director Riffle expressed concerns related to allowing e-bikes on District trails. Directors Cyr and Kersteen-Tucker commented that the family-friendly nature of the Deer Hollow Farm area and the ability of children to access the area by bicycle. Motion: Director Holman moved, and Director Riffle seconded the motion to: 1. Designate select trails at Ravenswood Open Space Preserve where bicycles are currently allowed as open to class 1 and 2 electric bicycle use under a 1-year pilot project and determine that this action is categorically exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act. 2. Designate select trails at Rancho San Antonio Open Space Preserve and County Park where bicycles are currently allowed as open to class 1 and 2 electric bicycle use under a 1-year pilot project and determine that this action is categorically exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act. 3. Designate all roads and parking areas that are open to the public for motor vehicle use during regular preserve hours as also open to all classes of electric bicycles. Friendly Amendment: Director Riffle suggested separating out the recommendations, and vote on them individually. President Holman accepted the friendly amendment. Motion: Director Holman moved, and Director Riffle seconded the motion to: 1. Designate select trails at Ravenswood Open Space Preserve where bicycles are currently allowed as open to class 1 and 2 electric bicycle use under a 1-year pilot project and determine that this action is categorically exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act. ROLL CALL VOTE: 7-0-0 Meeting 20-17 Page 9 Motion: Director Holman moved, and Director Riffle seconded the motion to: 2. Designate select trails at Rancho San Antonio Open Space Preserve and County Park where bicycles are currently allowed as open to class 1 and 2 electric bicycle use under a 1-year pilot project and determine that this action is categorically exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act. ROLL CALL VOTE: 7-0-0 Director Kishimoto asked staff to ensure signage is placed at the Lower Meadow Trail stating that bikes are prohibited on that trail. Motion: Director Holman moved, and Director Riffle seconded the motion to: 3. Designate all roads and parking areas that are open to the public for motor vehicle use during regular preserve hours as also open to all classes of electric bicycles. ROLL CALL VOTE: 7-0-0 The Board recessed at 9:46 and reconvened with all directors present at 9:57 p.m. President Holman announced the closed session for the General Counsel’s performance evaluation will be continued to August 13, 2020 at 5:00 p.m. 5. Integrated Pest Management Program 2019 Calendar Year Report (R-20-90) Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Coordinator Tom Reyes presented the staff report describing the IPM program goals, summary of pest control treatments and labor hours by type of treatment method. Mr. Reyes described the results of the 2019 IPM program, including removal of yellow star thistle at Los Trancos and recovery of native plants at Bear Creek Redwoods OSP. The Board members thanked staff for their continued work on the program to work smart and use volunteer and staff hours wisely. Director Kersteen-Tucker inquired regarding the impact of COVID-19 on the IPM program. Mr. Reyes reported COVID-19 largely stopped volunteer work for the IPM program during the critical spring season. The impact will be seen in the following year’s report and may potentially have a lasting impact on invasive species management. The Board members inquired and received additional information regarding various invasive species control methods such as goats, sheep, use of masticators, prescribed burns, etc. Public comment opened at 10:34 p.m. District Clerk Jennifer Woodworth reported no public comments were submitted for this item. Public comment closed at 10:34 p.m. No Board action required. Meeting 20-17 Page 10 6. Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District’s Youth Outreach Plan (R-20-88) Public Affairs Specialist I Carmen Lau provided the staff presentation describing the District’s Youth Outreach Plan, which seeks to foster knowledge and appreciation for nature, conservation, and land management among youth ages four to twenty-one. Staff is working with new youth groups to provide outreach engagement and educational services to youth and families in the District and creating additional youth outreach materials and events. Additionally, staff created virtual nature experiences and other virtual events to continue outreach during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Board members thanked staff for their work to create the youth outreach program and commented on the importance of reaching out to youth. Director Holman requested staff provide additional information regarding the amount of staff hours required for the program when it returns to the Board. Public comment opened at 10:56 p.m. District Clerk Jennifer Woodworth reported no public comments were submitted for this item. Public comment closed at 10:56 p.m. Motion: Director Kersteen-Tucker moved, and Director Kishimoto seconded the motion to approve the Youth Outreach Plan. ROLL CALL VOTE: 7-0-0 INFORMATIONAL MEMORANDUM • Deer Hollow Farm White Barn -- Replacement of Attic Stairs with Pull-down Ladder • Updated Scope and Timeline for the Science Advisory Panel INFORMATIONAL REPORTS A. Committee Reports Director Kishimoto reported the Planning and Natural Resources Committee met on July 28, 2020 to discuss the La Honda Access Public Access Working Group report and on August 4, 2020 to discuss the Beatty property. Director Kishimoto provided an update regarding the Lehigh Quarry ad hoc committee met. B. Staff Reports District Clerk Jennifer Woodworth reported the elections for wards 4 and 7 will be cancelled because they are uncontested. Ward 3 is a contested election and will be included on the November 3, 2020 ballot. Meeting 20-17 Page 11 Assistant General Manager Brian Malone reported Valley Water and Santa Clara County Roads also sent support letters for the UC Davis grant proposal regarding the newt study for Alma Bridge Road. Mr. Malone reported the bids for the painting of the La Honda red barn came in below estimates and will be within the general manager’s signature authority. The eucalyptus removal along Page Mill Road for fire protection will be moving forward, and staff met with stakeholders to discuss the project. Assistant General Manager Susanna Chan reported staff submitted comments regarding the Draft Environmental Impact Report being conducted by the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission for the Southern Skyline Boulevard Ridge Trail Extension Project. Directors Kersteen-Tucker and Holman requested letters of this type be brought to the Board for their consideration before being sent. Chief Financial Officer Stefan Jaskulak reported the potential uses of the $10 million appropriation by the state legislature were expanded in the most recent state budget to include acquisition, planning, design, development, public access, restoration, etc. and the geographic area was also expanded to include Los Gatos Creek, Saratoga Creek, Upper Guadalupe watershed, etc. The funds can potentially be used for the Highway 17 crossing, Ama College rehabilitation, etc. General Manager Ana Ruiz reported staff will be taking California Senate candidate Ann Ravel for a tour of District lands. Ms. Ruiz thanked staff for their efforts to hold the virtual celebration of the Ravenswood Bay Trail opening. C. Director Reports The Board members thanked and commended staff on their work on the Ravenswood Bay Trail and the successful virtual opening event. President Holman and Director Cyr thanked and commended staff for their work with the La Honda Public Access Working Group and commented on its success. ADJOURNMENT President adjourned the regular meeting of the Board of Directors of the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District at 11:27 p.m. ________________________________ Jennifer Woodworth, MMC District Clerk MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT CLAIMS REPORT MEETING # 20-19 MEETING DATE: August 26, 2020 Fiscal Year to date EFT:56.19% Fiscal Year 18-19 EFT:29.44% Payment Number Payment Type Payment Date Notes Vendor No. and Name Invoice Description Payment Amount 2298 EFT 08/14/2020 10343 - Granite Rock Company Ravenswood Bay Trail Connection Project - thru June 2020 177,844.75 2288 EFT 08/07/2020 12050 - Wiss, Janney, Elstner Associates, Inc.Mt. Um Radar Tower Assess. Proj - June 2020/DHF White Barn Structural Stab. - May 2020 51,249.50 2284 EFT 08/07/2020 11432 - San Mateo County Resource Conserv. Dist.Santa Cruz Mtn Stewardship Network Countrywide Veg Map/Database Project 50,000.00 81336 Check 08/14/2020 10413 - Downtown Ford M238 Ford F150 Truck delayed from last FY due to COVID 37,749.47 2282 EFT 08/07/2020 12020 - Panorama Environmental, Inc.CEQA: Prescribed Fire Program Agreement - June 2020 37,654.79 2319 EFT 08/21/2020 10295 - Rhus Ridge Association Road repairs and repaving per RRA Road Agreement 32,025.28 2272 EFT 08/07/2020 11148 - Balance Hydrologics, Inc V Star ECDM work - Sediment Control Monitoring thru June 2020 18,722.50 2295 EFT 08/14/2020 *10214 - Delta Dental Dental Benefits - August 2020 18,289.12 81319 Check 08/07/2020 11772 - Ahern Rentals, Inc.Equipment Rentals - JD 650 Dozer/XCMG Roller/JD Excavator - 6/29 - 7/27 15,783.88 81321 Check 08/07/2020 10463 - Dell Business Credit 10 Monitors/docking stations - SAO, Laptops (5), batteries 12,542.08 2306 EFT 08/14/2020 11288 - R+M Paving Contractors Inc Retainage Release 9,210.00 81332 Check 08/14/2020 11772 - Ahern Rentals, Inc.Equipment Rentals - JD 550 Dozer/KU080 Excavator for BCR Phase II Trails - 6/26 - 7/24 8,855.49 81320 Check 08/07/2020 12119 - Calvey Heating & Air CAO Heat Pump Installation 8,007.00 81342 Check 08/14/2020 12126 - R.E.Y. Engineers, Inc.Set Stakes on Property Boundary for Construction of Bluebrush Fence 6,997.00 81349 Check 08/21/2020 11772 - Ahern Rentals, Inc.Equipment Rentals - JD650 Dozer/Fork Lift (FFO) - 7/27 - 8/24 6,528.85 2283 EFT 08/07/2020 11241 - Questa Engineering Corp.Engineering and Permitting Srvs Phase II Trails at BC 3/16 -6/15 6,486.05 2277 EFT 08/07/2020 11805 - Golden Hour Restoration Institute Mt. Um Phase 3 & 4 Volunteer Workshop & Revegetation Monitoring 6,275.00 81351 Check 08/21/2020 10366 - Montgomery Highlands Association Road Repairs & Vegetation Mgmt (ES)6,088.50 2269 EFT 08/07/2020 11470 - AECOM Technical Services Inc Hwy 17 Wildlife & Trail Crossings Proj. - 6/17 - 6/30/ Support Mowing Efforts, Toto Portion of TC 6,073.39 2309 EFT 08/14/2020 12117 - Signet Testing Laboratories, Inc.SAO Special Inspection Services 5,889.40 2299 EFT 08/14/2020 12105 - IBI Group Rancho San Antonio Multimodal Access Study 5,850.00 81331 Check 08/07/2020 *10309 - Verizon Wireless Wireless Service - 5/13 - 7/12 5,150.48 2286 EFT 08/07/2020 10978 - Vollmar Natural Lands Consulting, LLC Botanical Surveys - Kennedy Trail/McCanney Homestead/La Honda OSP 5/1 - 5/7 5,042.00 81339 Check 08/14/2020 10058 - Liebert Cassidy Whitmore Bay area Employee Relations Consortium Membership Subscription 4,715.00 2301 EFT 08/14/2020 10313 - John Shelton Company, Inc Culverts for LH Roadwork/FOOSP 4,517.71 81327 Check 08/07/2020 12061 - Sara Grove Pesticide Literature Review Apr - Jun 2020 4,000.00 2273 EFT 08/07/2020 11748 - Environmental & Energy Consulting State Funding Consulting - July 2020 3,750.00 81334 Check 08/14/2020 10464 - City of Foster City Recruitment Hosting - CalOpps 3,570.00 2304 EFT 08/14/2020 10288 - Mission Valley Ford Truck Sales, Inc.M027 Maintenance - Oil Change, New Hydro Boost, Master Cylinder, Left Motor Mount 3,045.51 2292 EFT 08/14/2020 10022 - Concern Flat Quarterly Rate 7/1/20 - 9/30/20 2,541.50 81337 Check 08/14/2020 10344 - Greg's Trucking Service, Inc.Trucking Costs for SFO Rock Delivery 2,408.00 81328 Check 08/07/2020 12135 - Sierra Highway Safety Road safety signs & Markers - Mt. Um Improvement Project 2,385.05 2279 EFT 08/07/2020 11617 - MIG, Inc.ADA Plan Update /Alma College Landscape Rehab/Bio Srv Plant ID - PC - June 2020 2,349.70 2271 EFT 08/07/2020 *11799 - Aztec Leasing, Inc.Printer/copier leases - 6 machines - July 2020 2,326.07 81346 Check 08/14/2020 *11730 - Standard Insurance Company RV Basic/Supplemental Life - August 2020 2,323.71 81323 Check 08/07/2020 10189 - Life Assist Face masks, bleach wipes, gloves, face shields, first aid supplies 2,252.50 81356 Check 08/21/2020 10489 - Stetson Engineers Inc Watermaster Srvs San Gregorio Stream Sys-Account/user# 45 2,188.56 2320 EFT 08/21/2020 12117 - Signet Testing Laboratories, Inc.SAO Special Inspection Services 2,050.05 2289 EFT 08/14/2020 *10128 - American Tower Corporation Repeater Lease - August 2020 2,049.96 2317 EFT 08/21/2020 *10212 - Pinnacle Towers LLC Tower Rental Skeggs Point - August 2020 2,042.30 2310 EFT 08/14/2020 11780 - Terry J Martin Associates Inspection/Construction Monitoring 1,840.00 2276 EFT 08/07/2020 10187 - Gardenland Power Equipment Chainsaw Chain, chainsaw bar, Stihl pole saw, Honda water pump 1,801.99 81329 Check 08/07/2020 11756 - Steinmetz, James Security Deposit Refund 1,800.00 2287 EFT 08/07/2020 11665 - Waterways Consulting Design, Engineer Services, Contingency Allowance Alpine Trail - 4/23/20 - 6/22/20 1,718.75 81340 Check 08/14/2020 10189 - Life Assist Gloves, face shields, face masks 1,680.27 2318 EFT 08/21/2020 12031 - Ray & Jan's Mobile Truck Service Replaced fan belt on Kubota Tractor - T32/Fuel Tank Repairs - SFO/Fan Clutch - M204 1,640.22 2311 EFT 08/14/2020 *10213 - Vision Service Plan-CA Vision Premium - August 2020 1,505.52 81326 Check 08/07/2020 12138 - San Mateo County Public Works Tabachnik Lot - split (PLN2020-00011)1,500.00 2308 EFT 08/14/2020 *10136 - San Jose Water Company Water Service (RSACP) (BCR)1,376.42 81324 Check 08/07/2020 10195 - Redwood General Tire Co Inc P85 New Tires & Oil Change 1,267.54 2291 EFT 08/14/2020 11579 - BUCHANAN, VANESSA M Security Deposit Refund/Rent 7/20/20 - 8/1/2020 1,172.39 Electronic funds transfer (EFT) for accounts payable disbursements to reduce check printing and mailing, increase payment security, and ensure quicker receipt by vendors page 1 of 9 MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT CLAIMS REPORT MEETING # 20-19 MEETING DATE: August 26, 2020 Fiscal Year to date EFT:56.19% Fiscal Year 18-19 EFT:29.44% Payment Number Payment Type Payment Date Notes Vendor No. and Name Invoice Description Payment Amount Electronic funds transfer (EFT) for accounts payable disbursements to reduce check printing and mailing, increase payment security, and ensure quicker receipt by vendors 2313 EFT 08/21/2020 12133 - Law Office of Alan Seltzer Level II hearing parking citation services - July 2020 1,080.00 81330 Check 08/07/2020 12064 - U.S. Mobile Health Exams, Inc.28 Respirator Evaluations 980.00 2270 EFT 08/07/2020 10815 - American Red Cross EMR - CPR Training 766.00 2296 EFT 08/14/2020 11151 - Fastenal Company PPE & Supplies 765.55 2314 EFT 08/21/2020 10791 - LSA Associates, Inc.CEQA & Permitting Services for Alpine Road Project 748.00 81354 Check 08/21/2020 10935 - Rice Trucking - Soil Farm Water Delivery at Toto - 7/13, 7/28 742.02 2281 EFT 08/07/2020 12127 - Onebytwo Global LLC AED Download Software, data cable 677.70 2290 EFT 08/14/2020 *10294 - AmeriGas - 0130 Propane At 16060 Skyline Blvd 676.96 2322 EFT 08/21/2020 10143 - Summit Uniforms Ranger uniform - Cowan/Schenk/Perez 592.15 81335 Check 08/14/2020 11530 - Coastside.net Skyline Broadband / Antenna rental August 2020 550.00 2303 EFT 08/14/2020 10791 - LSA Associates, Inc.Beatty Parking Area & Trail Connection 527.50 2312 EFT 08/21/2020 10001 - Aaron's Septic Tank Service WH Upper Restroom Vault Pumpout 525.00 81352 Check 08/21/2020 10578 - Old Republic Title Co.California Riding & Hiking Trail Easement Refund for overpayment 500.00 2293 EFT 08/14/2020 11013 - Confidence UST Services, Inc.FFO - replace diesel fuel hose & fuel site gauge 487.65 81348 Check 08/21/2020 *10261 - ADT LLC (Protection One)Alarm Services for AO, AO2, AO3, AO4 & CRISTO REY 469.86 81357 Check 08/21/2020 10403 - United Site Services Inc Sanitation Services at Bear Creek Stables - July 2020 388.29 81355 Check 08/21/2020 10580 - Sharp Business Systems Sharp Copies - Printer Costs - 6/30/20 - 7/29/20 372.96 81353 Check 08/21/2020 10093 - Rene Hardoy AO Gardening Services 325.00 81344 Check 08/14/2020 11526 - Republic Services Monthly Garbage Service at 16060 Skyline 299.86 2274 EFT 08/07/2020 11151 - Fastenal Company Hardware for Signs (RW)295.20 2285 EFT 08/07/2020 10302 - Stevens Creek Quarry, Inc.Base Rock (FFO)263.99 81333 Check 08/14/2020 10274 - Bay Area Air Quality Mgmt. Dist.Permit Renewal Processing Fee 234.00 2278 EFT 08/07/2020 10394 - Interstate Traffic Control Pro Hardware for Signs (RW)205.50 2307 EFT 08/14/2020 11503 - RYAN, ELISH Wells Fargo OOP direct deposit returned 200.00 81350 Check 08/21/2020 10168 - Cintas Shop Towel Service (FFO & SFO)168.95 81341 Check 08/14/2020 10160 - Office Depot Credit Plan Laminating pouch, letters, pens, tape 168.64 2321 EFT 08/21/2020 10447 - Simms Plumbing & Water Equip., Inc.Clear Backed-up Toilet at Gordon Ridge Residence 160.00 81325 Check 08/07/2020 10194 - Reed & Graham Inc BCR Stables - erosion control netting 159.94 2316 EFT 08/21/2020 10253 - Peterson Tractor Co.T-35 teeth/pins 134.44 81322 Check 08/07/2020 11728 - Kidder Matthews of California Inc Ancillary expenses split 125.93 2315 EFT 08/21/2020 10271 - Orlandi Trailer Inc Battery for T-37 & Tie Downs for M226 123.23 2305 EFT 08/14/2020 11270 - Municipal Maintenance Equipment Inc.Vehicle Part 2nd correct item for Tiger Mower 122.45 81345 Check 08/14/2020 10175 - RV Cloud Company Parts for Water Tank 102.88 81343 Check 08/14/2020 10176 - RE Borrmann's Steel Co Materials for Sign (SA)100.76 81347 Check 08/14/2020 10162 - Terminix Processing Center Pest Control for AO 94.00 2302 EFT 08/14/2020 11991 - Kunz Valley Trash, LLC Monthly Garbage Service for CAO 83.05 2300 EFT 08/14/2020 10394 - Interstate Traffic Control Pro Hardware for Signs (RW)82.21 2297 EFT 08/14/2020 10187 - Gardenland Power Equipment Pole saw repair/Sharpen Chainsaw chains/Chainsaw parts 69.23 2294 EFT 08/14/2020 11042 - County of Santa Clara Office of the Sheriff Live Scan - June 2020 69.00 2275 EFT 08/07/2020 10169 - Foster Brothers Security Systems Locks for Valve Boxes (RSACP)63.92 2280 EFT 08/07/2020 11270 - Municipal Maintenance Equipment Inc.Vehicle Part 62.92 81338 Check 08/14/2020 10421 - ID Plus, Inc.Name tags - Cowan & Schenck 19.50 618,717.49 *Annual Claims **Hawthorn Expenses A### = Administrative Office Vehicle HC = Hendry's Creek P### = Patrol Vehicle SCNT = Stevens Creek Nature Trail AO2, AO3, AO4 = Leased Office Space HR = Human Resources PCR = Purisima Creek Redwoods SCS = Stevens Creek Shoreline Nature Area BCR = Bear Creek Redwoods IPM = Invasive Plant Maintenance PIC= Picchetti Ranch SFO = Skyline Field Office CAO = Coastal Area Office ISM = Invasive Species Management PR = Pulgas Ridge SG = Saratoga Gap Abbreviations page 2 of 9 MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT CLAIMS REPORT MEETING # 20-19 MEETING DATE: August 26, 2020 Fiscal Year to date EFT:56.19% Fiscal Year 18-19 EFT:29.44% Payment Number Payment Type Payment Date Notes Vendor No. and Name Invoice Description Payment Amount Electronic funds transfer (EFT) for accounts payable disbursements to reduce check printing and mailing, increase payment security, and ensure quicker receipt by vendors CC = Coal Creek LH = La Honda Creek RR = Russian Ridge SJH = Saint Joseph's Hill DHF = Dear Hollow Farm LR = Long Ridge RR/MIN = Russian Ridge - Mindego Hill SR= Skyline Ridge ECdM = El Corte de Madera LT = Los Trancos RSA = Rancho San Antonio T### = Tractor or Trailer ES = El Sereno M### = Maintenance Vehicle RV = Ravenswood TC = Tunitas Creek FFO = Foothills Field Office MB = Monte Bello SA = Sierra Azul TH = Teague Hill FOOSP = Fremont Older Open Space Pres.MR = Miramontes Ridge SAO = South Area Outpost TW = Thornewood GP = General Preserve OSP = Open Space Preserve SAU = Mount Umunhum WH = Windy Hill page 3 of 9 MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT CLAIMS REPORT Wells Fargo Credit Card - July 2020 MEETING # 20-19 MEETING DATE 08-26-20 GL Date Amount Description 8/10/2020 9,700.00 Dead Tree Removal at Skyline Ridge Hog Barn Area - (3) 8/10/2020 8,340.87 Communications equip- 8 helmets, 9 - face flip-up chin bars, jackets, communication kits 8/10/2020 7,500.00 Rental of Green Climbing Mower - 6/2 - 6/29 8/10/2020 6,000.00 Vegetation fire clearance Thornewood Historic Mansion 60hrs@$100 8/10/2020 5,850.00 Consultant programming work - Incident & Permit databases - June 2020 8/10/2020 5,508.88 Helmets/jackets for the E-motorcycle program - 8 sets 8/10/2020 5,448.50 CDFW routine maintenance projects fees 8/10/2020 3,600.00 N95 masks - 2 pkgs of 200 ea 8/10/2020 3,163.04 Automated door opener installation for AO1 8/10/2020 3,102.33 District phone service and T1 at SAO - 7/16 - 8/15 8/10/2020 2,982.80 Plexiglass installation for AO1 8/10/2020 2,817.31 60 Wheel Stops 8/10/2020 2,534.60 2nd wave of plexiglass installation at AO1 8/10/2020 2,500.00 Green Foothills Natures Inspiration 2020 Event Sponsorship 8/10/2020 2,476.80 Envoy subscription 7/20 - 7/21 (records delivery/sign ins) 8/10/2020 2,000.00 Sponsorship of 2020 Guardians of Nature Benefit Event 8/10/2020 1,800.00 N95 masks ( qty 200) 8/10/2020 1,422.96 WH Betsy Crowder bench 8/10/2020 1,400.00 FY20-21 Membership Int'l City/County Mgmt Assoc - Ruiz 8/10/2020 1,300.00 Tavis barn clean up - BC Stables debris box 7/13 8/10/2020 1,300.00 Tavis barn clean up - BC Stables debris box 7/23 8/10/2020 1,267.54 New Tires - P84 8/10/2020 1,166.60 New Tires -P101 8/10/2020 1,092.49 Demolition hammer 8/10/2020 1,000.00 Academy Deposits for Fall Academy starting 8/17 - Cowen/Schenck 8/10/2020 939.62 Reprint of ranger citations (FY20) 8/10/2020 855.39 LH - Rip Rap for culverts 8/10/2020 841.68 SFO Alarm - July - Sept 8/10/2020 837.47 LH - Rip Rap for culverts 8/10/2020 800.60 CDFW routine maintenance special project and amendment fees 8/10/2020 800.00 Water Tank Rental - 7/16 - 8/4 BCR Phase II Trails 8/10/2020 796.55 SFO - Rock supply 8/10/2020 775.50 SFO - Rock supply 8/10/2020 752.18 Double bike carrier 8/10/2020 711.27 One-way signs for VS Department 8/10/2020 664.95 Uniform T Shirts for stock (37) 8/10/2020 633.26 Fencing Material - T-Posts & barbless wire 8/10/2020 585.00 Radar gun recertification 8/10/2020 584.97 Academy uniforms boots (2 pair) 8/10/2020 577.28 FOOSP - Sanitation Service - 7/18 - 8/14 8/10/2020 557.82 SA/Kennedy Rd - Sanitation Service 8/10/2020 550.00 Online Training CALPELRA - Wolfe 8/10/2020 533.12 Lodging - Wildland Fire Training-Augustine/Schenck 8/10/2020 520.00 CALPELRA Conference - Wolfe 8/10/2020 500.00 REI gift cards - photo contest winners 8/10/2020 495.00 Annual AFP Conference Registration - virtual - Jaskulak 8/10/2020 491.60 Combo locks x 20 8/10/2020 477.41 June 2020 Property Research Subscription Fee 8/10/2020 460.00 SFO Garbage and recycle 8/10/2020 459.90 Monthly Zoom subscription for public meetings 8/10/2020 450.00 Website Hosting - July 2020 8/10/2020 425.00 SA/Mt Um Summit - Pedestrian Canopy Rental - 6/15 - 7/12 8/10/2020 422.50 Annual field office EPA fees 8/10/2020 415.68 SA-Mt Um - Fencing Supplies 8/10/2020 410.52 2C10 locks for gates 8/10/2020 395.00 Natl Instit Govt Purchasing online training - Ward 8/10/2020 371.68 Safety glasses/rack/pitch forks/electrolyte powder 8/10/2020 370.00 CALPELRA Annual Membership 7/1/20 - 6/30/21 - Wolfe 8/10/2020 363.17 SFO Debris box swap 8/10/2020 359.00 Wesco Boots - Reed 8/10/2020 358.01 RW - Lumber for Signs 8/10/2020 357.03 Walkway stone - Skyline Ridge 8/10/2020 355.45 Attic ladder - DHF White Barn 8/10/2020 330.00 Monthly rental for storage unit - PA 8/10/2020 320.00 Newspaper Advert - Bond Oversight Recruitment 8/10/2020 309.23 M37 Battery 8/10/2020 303.04 M204 Tire 8/10/2020 300.00 CoVID resiliency training - Reiter 8/10/2020 299.70 5 x keyboard and mouse combo 8/10/2020 299.00 Univ of Georgia Online Purchasing Training Course - Mc Daniel 8/10/2020 299.00 Procurement online training series - Whelan 8/10/2020 279.99 M221 Grease Gun, Lubricants 8/10/2020 276.98 SA-Mt Um Summit - Fence Rental 7/27 - 8/23 8/10/2020 276.98 SA-Mt Um Summit - Fence Rental - 6/29 - 7/26 8/10/2020 275.00 Online Training CALPELRA Negotiations Simulation - Wolfe 8/10/2020 265.00 San Mateo County Bar Assoc Membership Renewal - Stevenson 8/10/2020 262.63 Field Supplies/PPE 8/10/2020 258.59 Coastal Area Outpost EMS Cache Restock 8/10/2020 250.00 Adobe Illistrator and Adobe Pro licenses x 1 8/10/2020 249.00 Training - Government Accounting Intensive Series 8/10/2020 245.00 Training - Fundamental of Local Govt Budgeting - Bower 8/10/2020 240.90 Annual permit for Foothills fuel tanks 8/10/2020 240.00 Janine Ward CPPB Application Fee 8/10/2020 233.14 Anti-Vibration Gloves for Crew (13 pairs) 8/10/2020 228.65 Marketing Email - July 2020 8/10/2020 220.14 Vehicle mounts 8/10/2020 218.00 LexisNexis Online Subscription - June 2020 8/10/2020 217.50 Murrelet survey refresher class - Tokatlian 8/10/2020 200.00 Monthly service fee for remote admin tool 8/10/2020 199.00 ICMA Annual Conference - Ruiz 8/10/2020 190.94 17 USB Type-C Monitor 8/10/2020 190.25 Toilet/Seat for Gordon Ridge residence 8/10/2020 190.00 Natl Instit Govt Purchasing membership fees - Ward 8/10/2020 188.00 Academy uniforms 8/10/2020 187.91 Ravenswood stickers 8/10/2020 183.04 Padlock for visitor counter boxes 8/10/2020 182.19 Field Lunch - FFO 8/10/2020 177.01 Battery for P109 8/10/2020 175.00 Online courses CEQA Basics & Beyond 7/28-29 - Nuri 8/10/2020 174.93 Air hammer tool 8/10/2020 170.18 Pressure regulator valve and parts for residence - LH 8/10/2020 170.00 CA Park/Rec Membership, Leadership/Maint Mgmt - Rodriguez 8/10/2020 163.40 New truck battery for P112 8/10/2020 163.03 Shop supplies 8/10/2020 159.78 Boots for NR employee 8/10/2020 159.09 Academy uniforms PT shoes 8/10/2020 158.42 Honda Water Pumper Parts 8/10/2020 156.63 AO Water Service - 5/13 - 6/11 8/10/2020 150.00 Public Agency Risk Mgmt Assoc Renewal 7-1-20 - 6-30-21 8/10/2020 150.00 CoVID resiliency training - Reiter 8/10/2020 150.00 CoVID resiliency training - Reiter 8/10/2020 149.00 Ongoing subscription - SF Chronicle 8/10/2020 132.12 Trailer/vehicle lights 8/10/2020 129.20 Replacement entry door locks 811 La Honda - Gordon Ridge 8/10/2020 128.90 File cabinet - SAO 8/10/2020 124.55 Propane tank rental fee for Bergman 8/10/2020 123.02 SA - Cleanup Debris Disposal 8/10/2020 121.32 Trailer hitch chain extensions 8/10/2020 120.06 Supplies - batteries, tape, laminating sheets 8/10/2020 119.95 Ongoing subscription, Sacramento information 8/10/2020 119.88 Dropbox - Yearly Fee 2020 8/10/2020 119.86 Hazmat drop off 8/10/2020 111.80 Postage Stamps - citation mailing 8/10/2020 111.32 2020/2021 tax payment for APN 510-48-001 El Sereno 8/10/2020 109.25 Tree trimming ANSI guide books 8/10/2020 107.99 Extreme markers, bench brush, surge protector 8/10/2020 106.69 Gavel for Board Meetings 8/10/2020 104.81 Volunteer PPE 8/10/2020 103.00 Clerk/ Board Academy 2020 Inst.Virtual Leader Series- # 1- Soria 8/10/2020 103.00 Clerk- Board Academy 2020 Institute Virtual Leader. Series - #2 - Soria 8/10/2020 103.00 Clerk -Board Academy 2020 Institute Virtual Leader. Series - #3 - Soria 8/10/2020 100.00 Virtual Workshop: HR Boot Camp for Special Districts - Wolfe 8/10/2020 100.00 GFOA Budget Webinar 8/10/2020 100.00 Side mirror repair 8/10/2020 99.95 Strengthfinder assessment tool for PA dept internal training 8/10/2020 99.82 Midpen Webstore Fees - July 2020 8/10/2020 95.00 Digital Camera and case 8/10/2020 94.40 Binocular, eyewash refill bottles 8/10/2020 91.17 Equip purchase for supplies supp passive bat detector monitoring 8/10/2020 90.00 Pesticide Applicator Assoc Dues & Webinar- Bankosh 8/10/2020 89.49 Rakes, pruner, squeegee 8/10/2020 85.41 Diesel fluid for trucks 8/10/2020 85.02 Batteries for murrelet acoustic recording units 8/10/2020 85.00 Training - Overview of Budgeting Best Practices - Bower 8/10/2020 85.00 Training - Project Accounting 8/10/2020 83.99 RW - Supplies for Signs 8/10/2020 82.98 Plexiglass sheet for AO1 8/10/2020 75.14 Water system pressure switch parts & trailer plug adapters 8/10/2020 75.00 MB pay phone 8/10/2020 75.00 3 additional day Tavis dumpster rental BC Stables 8/10/2020 74.14 RSACP - Plumbing Parts 8/10/2020 69.59 Ratchet Straps/Tarp 8/10/2020 65.06 A Frame walkway 8/10/2020 65.06 A Frame walkway 8/10/2020 65.00 Membership for City Clerks Assoc of CA thru 7/1/21 - Soria 8/10/2020 64.59 Stone adhesive - Skyline Ridge 8/10/2020 62.71 Rebar for Cause-Way Construction 8/10/2020 60.06 FFO - Kitchen Supplies-Coffee 8/10/2020 60.00 Ongoing Monthly Subscription - San Mateo Daily 8/10/2020 54.82 Hard drive enclosure for backing up drives 8/10/2020 54.67 Water pressure pump control switches 8/10/2020 53.71 Shop Supplies - Extension Bits & holder 8/10/2020 53.53 Volunteer PPE 8/10/2020 53.49 Reg for SV Bicycle Coalition Summit - Kishimoto 8/10/2020 53.36 PPE Storage 8/10/2020 53.03 Batteries/Paper Towels 8/10/2020 52.25 Screws for plexiglass installation 8/10/2020 51.33 M228 Nut/Bolt Set - M26 Replacement Windshield Sprayer 8/10/2020 50.71 Painting supplies, roller, spreader and bondo 8/10/2020 50.00 Reflective Leadership Training - Lumina 8/10/2020 50.00 Int'l City/County Mgmt Assoc - Reflective Leadership - Soria 8/10/2020 50.00 Reg for Clerk Train: React, Rebalance & Rebound Budget - Soria 8/10/2020 50.00 Diversity Inclusion Training - Soria 8/10/2020 50.00 Diversity Inclusion Training - Lumina 8/10/2020 50.00 FFO backup internet service 8/10/2020 49.50 Web Forms - July 2020 8/10/2020 49.00 Social Media Software - July 2020 8/10/2020 46.63 RW - Hardware for Signs 8/10/2020 45.82 Refueled district vehicle 8/10/2020 45.50 Parts for plexiglass installation 8/10/2020 44.00 Publish public notice for 6/10/2020 Budget hearing 8/10/2020 42.00 Office Supplie 8/10/2020 41.45 Work Gloves 8/10/2020 41.42 Ethnobotany Reference Book 8/10/2020 40.00 Fire Boot Repair 8/10/2020 39.34 Website Yearly Name Registration - 2020 8/10/2020 39.23 Resource books for docents/staff 8/10/2020 39.20 Food for Rolo gopher snake 8/10/2020 39.00 Web PDF viewer 8/10/2020 38.98 Gate Locks 8/10/2020 38.51 5 Gal Container for Virex 8/10/2020 38.34 Small white board/markers/eraser for work from home needs 8/10/2020 38.22 Phone charger for vehicle P120 8/10/2020 38.12 Laptop ram for Mike Bowers laptops 8/10/2020 36.71 Plumbing Parts 8/10/2020 34.64 Shipping fees - B. Crowder 8/10/2020 34.63 Sewer cap for clean out at A Frame residence 8/10/2020 34.49 Supplies for visitor counters 8/10/2020 33.52 Parts for plexiglass installation 8/10/2020 32.72 Tonneau cover support struts 8/10/2020 31.68 Circuit breakers to replace defective breaker at SFO 8/10/2020 31.68 Inner Belt for Duty Belt 8/10/2020 30.96 Facebook advertising 8/10/2020 30.24 FOOSP - Water Service 8/10/2020 29.49 M222 Wrench Set 8/10/2020 29.29 Website Analytics July 2020 8/10/2020 28.71 Sample paint for Red Barn 8/10/2020 28.55 District polo shirt for new employee 8/10/2020 26.06 DHF - Material for Attic Ladder 8/10/2020 25.12 M208 Rear door hinge 8/10/2020 25.00 Software for virtual event streaming 8/10/2020 24.78 Air gun for shop use 8/10/2020 24.30 Mailing academy applications 8/10/2020 24.11 M233 Water Tank Supplies 8/10/2020 22.31 Office supplies 8/10/2020 21.99 Chain & connectors - Thornewood 8/10/2020 21.45 Postage - Alma College docs 8/10/2020 20.74 Hasp 8/10/2020 20.60 FFO Shop - PVC Material for Shutoff 8/10/2020 20.00 Advance social media webinar - Kahn 8/10/2020 19.92 M233 Water Tank Supplies 8/10/2020 17.40 Cleaning supplies - Windex 8/10/2020 16.63 RW - Sign Supplies 8/10/2020 16.34 Replacement gas cap for P102 8/10/2020 16.25 Name badge: A Nuri 8/10/2020 15.96 Ongoing subscription - Los Alto Times 8/10/2020 15.83 Vehicle Mount strap 8/10/2020 15.16 Coastal Area Outpost EMS Cache Restock 8/10/2020 15.00 Virtual live bat event 8/10/2020 14.41 Mail onboarding packet for new employee 8/10/2020 14.27 Steel for temp gate closure prototype 8/10/2020 14.26 Field Supplies 8/10/2020 14.19 Plumbing fitting 8/10/2020 13.06 First aid bag for motorcycle 8/10/2020 12.82 Paint color samples for Red Barn project 8/10/2020 11.99 Monthly cost for District dropbox for BoD files. 8/10/2020 11.63 Glucose 8/10/2020 11.00 Stamps 8/10/2020 10.68 Field refreshments - FFO 8/10/2020 10.03 Spray paint to cover up graffiti 8/10/2020 10.00 Consumer Report Digital One-Month Membership for AGM 8/10/2020 7.00 GIS request desk subscription 8/10/2020 6.86 Valve Box for TRAFx Bike Counter at RW 8/10/2020 5.00 Webinar Training for Staff - Tjosvold 8/10/2020 5.00 Ca Science Educators Webinar, Virtual Field Trips - 8/4/20 8/10/2020 4.69 RW - Paint for Sign 8/10/2020 (8.18) ATV 10 Rokon throttle cable credit 8/10/2020 (31.83) FFO Shop - RETURN PVC Material 8/10/2020 (80.00) Refund for online training - UCD - Reiter 8/10/2020 (115.20) Return of 3 keyboard mouse combo incorrect item 8/10/2020 (128.90) Credit for returned file cabinet 8/10/2020 (249.00) HR Webinar Dispute Refund 8/10/2020 (416.13) Refund lodging for AFP conference - Oct 2020 8/10/2020 (539.00) Refund website analytics 2020 8/10/2020 (615.00) Refund of FTO Course - Cancelled for COVID 8/10/2020 122,332.97 Wells Fargo Credit Card July 2020 Rev. 1/3/18 R-20-94 Meeting 20-19 August 26, 2020 AGENDA ITEM 3 AGENDA ITEM Acceptance of Funding from the California Conservation Corps for the Coal Creek Area Fuel Break Project GENERAL MANAGER’S RECOMMENDATIONS Adopt a resolution accepting Proposition 68 grant funding from the California Conservation Corps and adopt a resolution amending the Fiscal Year 2021 Budget for the Coal Creek Area Fuel Break Project. SUMMARY The Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District (District) has an opportunity to receive up to $232,358 in Proposition 68 funding from the California Conservation Corps (CCC) in support of the Coal Creek Area Fuel Break Project (Project). All work associated with the Project will conform with the District’s Integrated Pest Management Program (IPMP) requirements. BACKGROUND The District’s approach to ecologically-sensitive vegetation management aims to reduce the threat of larger, hotter and catastrophic wildfires similar to those seen across other parts of California in recent years as a result of climate change and a shifting in temperatures, rainfall, fog cover, and soil moisture. Vegetation management for fuels reduction slows the spread of fire, affording additional time for responding fire personnel to arrive on scene and engage the fire to reduce the damage and spread, as well as time for residents in the Wildland Urban Interface (WUI) to safely evacuate. In response to the Board of Director’s 2020 Strategic Goals and Objectives, which includes Goal 2, Objective 3: “Work with fire agencies and surrounding communities to strengthen the prevention of, preparation for and response to wildland fires for enhanced ecosystem resiliency and public safety”, staff dedicated time and effort during the Summer 2020 to identify wildland fire grant funding opportunities to support this work. As a result, the California Conservation Corps (CCC) Prop 68 funding opportunity was identified as an excellent funding match for the Coal Creek Residential Area Fuel Break (Coal Creek Project). The Coal Creek Project is designated as a high priority fuel reduction project by the CalFire San Mateo/Santa Cruz Unit and meets the priority criteria from the District’s proposed Wildland Fire Resiliency Program. If the grant funding is approved, all work will need to be completed by May 31, 2021 per CCC grant requirements. To meet the timing requirements and leverage the funding, the District is seeking the assistance of an outside project manager to help manage and oversee the project. R-20-94 Page 2 Depending on costs, a separate project manager contract may come before the Board at a later date for approval. DISCUSSION The Coal Creek Project will complete nearly 50 acres of shaded and non-shaded fuel breaks in the vicinity of 15 residential inholding parcels that are surrounded by the Preserve. By removing fuel along roads in this WUI residential area, the Project will enhance the safety of Preserve visitors, adjacent community residents, and first responders and employees who enter the Preserve. The District has completed extensive analysis of fire risk and fuel reduction priorities as part of the proposed Wildland Fire Resiliency Program (https://www.openspace.org/our- work/projects/wildland-fire-resiliency). Substantial fuel exists downslope from this residential area, adjacent to Highway 35. The need for this fuel break is high and the project is identified as a priority for the Interior San Mateo County Planning Area of the San Mateo-Santa Cruz County Community Wildfire Prevention Plan (CWPP) by CalFire. CalFire’s High Severity Fire Hazard map reflects that this area is in the High Severity category. Letters of support for the project were provided to the grantor by CalFire, Supervisor Don Horsley, San Mateo Resource Conservation District, and South Skyline Fire Safe Council (Letters of Support). The Project can be completed prior to the adoption of the Wildlife Fire Resiliency Program Environmental Impact Report as the work can fall within the District’s 2019 Invasive Plan Management Environmental Impact Report (IPM EIR). The District proposes to partner with the CCC and engage Corps member labor to complete the vegetation removal by hand and with appropriate mechanical support. This project was not originally scheduled for FY2021. However, the General Manager authorized staff to pursue the grant opportunity given the high likelihood of approval to support Board goals on wildland fire prevention and preparation. Land and Facilities staff are already fully resource loaded for the grant period and this project will not be possible without the support of a contracted project manager. Staff and other Wildland Fire Coordination Team members developed a Request for Proposal and Qualifications (RFPQ) to solicit a qualified project manager that can implement the fuel reduction project with the CCC crew under District oversight and meet the May 2021 grant deadline. As part of the grant partnership, District staff will provide Corps members with orientation and training on protected special status species, native plants, forest health, and climate change resilience. Paths to careers in open space, climate resilience, and regional partnerships for conservation in the San Francisco Bay Area will also be discussed in the context of the District’s mission. Upon project completion, the District will need to submit a project completion packet, including a final project map, final project photos, a project close-out letter, and other administrative documentation. Additionally, the District will post temporary Proposition 68 signage that acknowledges the grant. FISCAL IMPACT Project costs are estimated at $535,358, to be funded by a $232,358 Prop 68 grant and $306,000 in matching District funds, including costs for biological and wildlife surveys, spike (camping) food costs, heavy equipment, $60,000 for a contracted project manager, and $27,000 in staff time R-20-94 Page 3 (Maintenance Supervisor and/or Lead Open Space Technician). No new employee positions would be added for the Project. This Project was not scheduled for FY2021 and therefore, funding was not included in this year’s Budget and Action Plan. The District match will partially be funded via project savings and partially via an Unassigned Fund Balance, utilizing the $143,500 of excess FY21 Revenue over Expenditures and $22,080 of accumulated Unassigned Fund Balance. Coal Creek Fuel Break Funding Sources Prop 68 Grant: $ 232,358 District Match: Personnel Cost $ 27,000 Fund 40 Savings $ 113,420 Unassigned Fund Balance (1) $ 143,500 Unassigned Fund Balance (2) $ 22,080 District Match $ 306,000 Total Project Cost $ 538,358 (1) FY21 excess revenue over budgeted expenditures (2) Use of Unassigned Fund Balance This project is not eligible for Measure AA funding. BOARD COMMITTEE REVIEW This report was not previously reviewed by a committee. PUBLIC NOTICE Public notice was provided as required by the Brown Act. CEQA COMPLIANCE Applying for funding is not a project subject to the California Environmental Quality Act. The Environmental Impact Report (EIR) prepared for the District’s IPMP, which the Board approved on December 10, 2014 (R-14-148) and updated through an Addendum to the Final EIR (R-19- 11), analyzed the vegetation management activities that would occur as part of this Corps work. The mitigation measures and BMPs identified in the EIR are incorporated into the project. NEXT STEPS Upon Board approval and adoption of the proposed resolution, the General Manager will execute the grant agreement and make the necessary budget amendments. Attachments R-20-94 Page 4 1. Resolution authorizing the acceptance of $232,258 of Fiscal Year 2020-2021 Proposition 68 Grant Program Funding from the California Conservation Corps for the Coal Creek Area Fuel Break Project. 2. Resolution amending the Fiscal Year 2020-2021 budget pertaining to the Coal Creek Fuel Break Project. 3. CCC Prop 68 Coal Creek Project – Letters of Support. Responsible Department Head: Stefan Jaskulak, CFO/Director of Administrative Services Prepared by: Jordan McDaniel, Senior Grants & Procurement Technician Staff contact: Deborah Hirst, Grants Program Manager Attachment 1 Resolutions/2020/R-20-__CCCProject_CoalCreekFuelBreakFunding 1 RESOLUTION NO. 20-__ RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT APPROVING THE ACCEPTANCE OF $232,258 OF FISCAL YEAR 2020-2021 PROPOSITION 68 GRANT PROGRAM FUNDING FROM THE CALIFORNIA CONSERVATION CORPS FOR THE COAL CREEK AREA FUEL BREAK PROJECT WHEREAS, the California Conservation Corps (CCC) is a state department within the California Natural Resources Agency; and WHEREAS, Proposition 68, the California Drought, Water, Parks, Climate, Coastal Protection, and Outdoor Access for All Act of 2018, was passed by the voters in June 2018. It added Section 5096.611, Section 75089.5 and Division 45 (commencing with Section 80000) to the Public Resources Code, and Section 79772.5 to the Water Code. Section 80136 of Chapter 10: Climate Preparedness, Habitat Resiliency, Resource Enhancement, and Innovation authorizes the Legislature to appropriate $40,000,000 to the CCC for natural resource conservation projects. WHEREAS, the goal of the CCC FY 2020-2021 Proposition 68 grant program is to fund projects that plan, develop and implement climate adaptation and resiliency. WHEREAS, the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District (“District”) has applied for California Conservation Corps grant funding for the Coal Creek Fuel Break Project (“the project”); and WHEREAS, the District will enter into an agreement with the CCC to carry out the project. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of Directors of the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District hereby: 1. Approves the award of grant funding from the California Conservation Corps for the project. 2. Certifies the District has or will have sufficient funds to complete and, following completion, to operate and maintain the project. 3. Agrees to provide any funds beyond the grant funding provided by the California Conservation Corps necessary to complete the project. 4. Certifies that the applicant has reviewed, understands, and agrees to the provisions contained in the contract shown in the Grant Administration Guide; and 5. Agrees to comply with all applicable federal, state and local laws, ordinances, rules, regulations and guidelines. 6. Authorizes the General Manager, or designee, to make minor revisions as needed before execution of the grant agreement. Attachment 1 Resolutions/2020/R-20-__CCCProject_CoalCreekFuelBreakFunding 2 7. Authorizes the General Manager, or designee, to act as a representative of the grantee, to conduct all negotiations, execute and submit all documents, including but not limited to applications, agreements, payment requests and so on, which may be necessary for the completion of the project. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * PASSED AND ADOPTED by the Board of Directors of the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District on ______, 2020, at a regular meeting thereof, by the following vote: AYES: NOES: ABSTAIN: ABSENT: ATTEST: APPROVED: Jed Cyr, Secretary Board of Directors Karen Holman, President Board of Directors APPROVED AS TO FORM: Hilary Stevenson, General Counsel I, the District Clerk of the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District, hereby certify that the above is a true and correct copy of a resolution duly adopted by the Board of Directors of the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District by the above vote at a meeting thereof duly held and called on the above day. Jennifer Woodworth, District Clerk Resolutions/2020/R-20-__CCCProject_CoalCreekFuelBreakBudget 1 RESOLUTION NO. 20-___ RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT AMENDING THE BUDGET FOR FISCAL YEAR 2020-2021 WHEREAS, on June 24, 2020 the Board of Directors of the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District adopted the Fiscal Year ending June 30, 2021 (FY21) Budget and Action Plan; and WHEREAS, on July 22, 2020 the Board of Directors of the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District amended the FY21 Budget; and WHEREAS, the General Manager recommends amending the FY21 Budget to reflect additional revenue from a Proposition 68 California Conservation Corps grant. NOW, THEREFORE, the Board of Directors of the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District does resolve as follows: SECTION ONE. Approve the proposed Coal Creek Fuel Break Project revenue amendments to the FY21 Budget for the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District resulting in a net increase as follows: DISTRICT REVENUE BY FY21 Adopted Budget YTD Budget Amendments Amended Budget (as of 7/22/2020) Proposed Budget Amendments FY21 Proposed Amended Budget FUNDING SOURCE Fund 10 - General Fund Operating $36,917,325 $0 $36,917,325 $367,858 $37,285,183 Fund 20 - Hawthorn Fund 110,200 0 110,200 0 110,200 Fund 30 - MAA Land/Capital 12,280,063 1,075,000 13,355,063 0 13,355,063 Fund 40 - General Fund Land/Capital 15,856,328 0 15,856,328 (113,420) 15,742,908 Fund 50 - Debt Service 16,920,115 0 16,920,115 0 16,920,115 Total $82,084,031 $1,075,000 $83,159,031 $254,438 $83,413,469 SECTION TWO. Approve the recommended Coal Creek Fuel Break Project budget amendments to the FY21 Budget for the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District resulting in a net increase as follows: DISTRICT BUDGET BY FY21 Adopted Budget YTD Budget Amendments Amended Budget (as of 7/22/2020) Proposed Budget Amendments FY21 Proposed Amended Budget FUNDING SOURCE Fund 10 - General Fund Operating $36,773,825 $0 $36,773,825 $511,358 $37,285,183 Fund 20 - Hawthorn Fund 110,200 0 110,200 0 110,200 Fund 30 - MAA Land/Capital 11,868,588 1,075,000 12,943,588 0 12,943,588 Fund 40 - General Fund Land/Capital 15,856,328 0 15,856,328 (113,420) 15,742,908 Fund 50 - Debt Service 16,640,925 0 16,640,925 0 16,640,925 Total $81,249,866 $1,075,000 $82,324,866 $397,938 $82,722,804 ATTACHMENT 2 SECTION THREE. Monies are hereby appropriated in accordance with said budget by fund. SECTION FOUR. Except as herein modified, the FY21 Budget and Action Plan, Resolution No. 20-18 as amended, shall remain in full force and effect. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * PASSED AND ADOPTED by the Board of Directors of the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District on ______, 2020, at a regular meeting thereof, by the following vote: AYES: NOES: ABSTAIN: ABSENT: ATTEST: APPROVED: Jed Cyr, Secretary Board of Directors Karen Holman, President Board of Directors APPROVED AS TO FORM: Hilary Stevenson, General Counsel I, the District Clerk of the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District, hereby certify that the above is a true and correct copy of a resolution duly adopted by the Board of Directors of the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District by the above vote at a meeting thereof duly held and called on the above day. Jennifer Woodworth, District Clerk STATE OF CALIFORNIA NATURAL RESOURCES AGENCY Gavin Newsom, Governor “The Department of Forestry and Fire Protection serves and safeguards the people and protects the property and resources of California.” DEPARTMENT OF FORESTRY AND FIRE PROTECTION P.O. Drawer F2 6059 Highway 9 Felton, CA 95018 (831) 335-6740 Website: www.fire.ca.gov May 14, 2020 Janet Wolhgemuth California Conservation Corps Monterey Bay Center 30 Aviation Way Watsonville, CA 95076 RE: Support for Prop 68 Coal Creek Residential Area Fuel Break Project Dear Ms. Wohlgemuth: I am writing to express my support for Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District’s (Midpen) Prop 68 Coal Creek Residential Area Fuel Break Project and application for $222,000 in funding from the California Conservation Corps’ Proposition 68 Program. The need for this fuel break is high and the project is identified as a priority for the Interior San Mateo County Planning Area in the San Mateo-Santa Cruz County Community Wildfire Prevention Plan (Page 85, CWPP 2018). This approximately 15-home residential area is an inholding surrounded by Midpen’s Coal Creek Open Space Preserve in the Santa Cruz Mountains. The current CAL FIRE Fire Hazard Severity Zone map reflects that this area is in the High Severity category and implementing a fuel break in this residential area will directly address this community’s safety and benefit the public use of surrounding open space at the Coal Creek Open Space Preserve. As a member of the San Mateo County Fire Safe Council, Midpen is active in collaboration on regional priorities and the proposed project addresses fuel reduction and a fire break where an extreme weather event with a north wind pattern could result in loss of life and structures on the way up a ridgeline in this Wildland Urban Interface area. Midpen is seeking California Conservation Corps (CCC) Corpsmember assistance for fuel reduction and can offer training for Corpsmembers from Ranger and Natural Resources staff on topics including natural resources, paths to work at Midpen, and approaches to climate resilience in resource management being developed for forest management and fire risk reduction. Thank you for your consideration of providing funding for this regionally important project. Sincerely, Original Signature on file at Felton HQ Richard Sampson, RPF #2422 Forest Practice Inspector 6059 Highway 9 P.O. Drawer F-2 Felton, CA 95018 (831)335-6740 Attachment 3 From:Don Horsley To:Deborah Hirst Subject:Don Horsley support for Coal Creek Project Date:Friday, May 15, 2020 11:27:41 AM EXTERNAL May 16, 2020 Janet Wolhgemuth California Conservation Corps Monterey Bay Center 30 Aviation Way Watsonville, CA 95076 RE: Support for Prop 68 Coal Creek Residential Area Fuel Break Project Dear Ms. Wohlgemuth: I am writing to express strong support for Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District’s (Midpen) Prop 68 Coal Creek Residential Area Fuel Break Project and application for $222,000 in funding from the California Conservation Corps’ Proposition 68 Program. The need for this fuel break is high and the project is identified as a priority for the Interior San Mateo County Planning Area of the San Mateo-Santa Cruz County Community Wildfire Prevention Plan (Page 85, CWPP 2018). This approximately 15- home residential area is an inholding surrounded by Midpen’s Coal Creek Open Space Preserve in the Santa Cruz Mountains. Calfire’s High Severity Fire Hazard map reflects that this area is in the High Severity category and implementing a fuel break in this residential area will directly address this community’s safety and benefit the public use of surrounding open space at the Coal Creek Open Space Preserve. As a member of the San Mateo County Fire Safe Council, Midpen is active in collaboration on regional priorities and the proposed project addresses fuel reduction and a fire break where an extreme weather event with a north wind pattern could result in loss of life and structures on the way up a ridgeline in this Wildland Urban Interface area. Midpen is proactively seeking California Conservation Corps (CCC) Corpsmember assistance for fuel reduction and can offer training for Corpsmembers from Ranger and Natural Resources staff on topics including natural resources, paths to work at Midpen, and approaches to climate resilience in resource management Attachment 3 being developed for forest management and fire risk reduction. Thank you for your consideration of providing funding for this regionally important project. Please feel free to contact me if you need further support. Sincerely Yours, San Mateo County Supervisor Don Horsley 400 County Center Redwood City, CA 94063 650-363-4569 (office) dhorsley@smcgov.org     Attachment 3 May 14, 2020 Janet Wolhgemuth California Conservation Corps Monterey Bay Center 30 Aviation Way Watsonville, CA 95076 RE: Support for Prop 68 Coal Creek Residential Area Fuel Break Project Dear Ms. Wohlgemuth: I am writing to express strong support for Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District’s (Midpen) Prop 68 Coal Creek Residential Area Fuel Break Project and application for $222,000 in funding from the California Conservation Corps’ Proposition 68 Program. The need for this fuel break is high and the project is identified as a priority for the Interior San Mateo County Planning Area of the San Mateo-Santa Cruz County Community Wildfire Prevention Plan (Page 85, CWPP 2018). This approximately 15-home residential area is an inholding surrounded by Midpen’s Coal Creek Open Space Preserve in the Santa Cruz Mountains. Calfire’s High Severity Fire Hazard map reflects that this area is in the High Severity category and implementing a fuel break in this residential area will directly address this community’s safety and benefit the public use of surrounding open space at the Coal Creek Open Space Preserve. As a member of the San Mateo County Fire Safe Council, Midpen is active in collaboration on regional priorities and the proposed project addresses fuel reduction and a fire break where an extreme weather event with a north wind pattern could result in loss of life and structures on the way up a ridgeline in this Wildland Urban Interface area. Midpen is proactively seeking California Conservation Corps (CCC) Corpsmember assistance for fuel reduction and can offer training for Corpsmembers from Ranger and Natural Resources staff on topics including natural resources, paths to work at Midpen, and approaches to climate resilience in resource management being developed for forest management and fire risk reduction. Thank you for your consideration of providing funding for this regionally important project. Sincerely, Sheena Sidhu Forest Health and Fire Resiliency Program Attachment 3 South Skyline FireSafe Council 324 Skyline Blvd, La Honda, CA 94020 www.southskylinefiresafe.org The Skyline Boulevard region in the Counties of Santa Cruz, Santa Clara and San Mateo Janet Wolhgemuth June 8, 2020 California Conservation Corps Monterey Bay Center 30 Aviation Way Watsonville, CA 95076 RE: Support for Prop 68 Coal Creek Residential Area Fuel Break Project Dear Ms. Wohlgemuth: I am writing to express strong support for Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District’s (Midpen) Prop 68 Coal Creek Residential Area Fuel Break Project and application for $222,000 in funding from the California Conservation Corps’ Proposition 68 Program. The need for this fuel break is high and the project is identified as a priority for the Interior San Mateo County Planning Area of the San Mateo-Santa Cruz County Community Wildfire Prevention Plan (Page 85, CWPP 2018). This approximately 15-home residential area is an inholding surrounded by Midpen’s Coal Creek Open Space Preserve in the Santa Cruz Mountains. Calfire’s High Severity Fire Hazard map reflects that this area is in the High Severity category and implementing a fuel break in this residential area will directly address this community’s safety and benefit the public use of surrounding open space at the Coal Creek Open Space Preserve. As a member of the San Mateo County Fire Safe Council, Midpen is active in collaboration on regional priorities and the proposed project addresses fuel reduction and a fire break where an extreme weather event with a north wind pattern could result in loss of life and structures on the way up a ridgeline in this Wildland Urban Interface area. Midpen is proactively seeking California Conservation Corps (CCC) Corpsmember assistance for fuel reduction and can offer training for Corpsmembers from Ranger and Natural Resources staff on topics including natural resources, paths to work at Midpen, and approaches to climate resilience in resource management being developed for forest management and fire risk reduction. Thank you for your consideration of providing funding for this regionally important project. Sincerely Yours, Ken MacLean - President South Skyline FireSafe Council Attachment 3 Rev. 1/3/18 R-20-95 Meeting 20-19 August 26, 2020 AGENDA ITEM 4 AGENDA ITEM Lobitos Ridge/Elkus Uplands Ranch Grazing Lease in Purisima Creek Redwoods Open Space Preserve GENERAL MANAGER’S RECOMMENDATION Adopt a resolution authorizing the General Manager to enter into a new, two-year grazing lease with an option for a one-year extension at Lobitos Ridge/Elkus Uplands Ranch in Purisima Creek Redwoods Open Space Preserve with current lessee, Vince Fontana. SUMMARY In November 2010, the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District (District) entered into a grazing lease at Lobitos Ridge/Elkus Uplands Ranch in Purisima Creek Redwoods Open Space Preserve (Lease) with Vince Fontana (Lessee). The Lease was a five-year term with one five- year extension making the final expiration date October 31, 2020. The Lessee has expressed his desire to renew the Lease. In May 2020, the District and the Lessee discussed a shorter, two- year lease term with an option for the District to extend for one additional year. BACKGROUND In the late 1990s, coastal residents expressed their support for extending District boundaries to include the San Mateo County Coast, where development was beginning to threaten the area’s rural character. When District boundaries expanded in 2004, a commitment was made to the Coastside community to preserve agricultural land and rural character, and encourage viable agricultural use of land resources as part the District’s Coastside Mission: To acquire and preserve in perpetuity open space land and agricultural land of regional significance, protect and restore the natural environment, preserve rural character, encourage viable agricultural use of land resources, and provide opportunities for ecologically sensitive public enjoyment and education. Coastal grasslands are one of the most biodiverse and threatened ecosystems in North America, and in many cases depend on regular disturbances like grazing or fire to prevent encroachment by introduced species, shrubs, and forest. These disturbances were historically provided by wildlife herds and Native American burning practices. Conservation grazing focuses on the use of livestock to pursue conservation goals such as native species habitat enhancement. This focus distinguishes conservation grazing from basic livestock production. The grazing plan for each property/ranch sets the management parameters to meet R-20-95 Page 2 resource conservation goals (such as stocking rates, class of livestock, seasonality, and duration of grazing activity). The District uses conservation grazing as a critical tool for managing approximately 8,000 acres of coastal grasslands for ecological health, biodiversity, and wildland fire safety. The District’s Conservation Grazing Program is a mutually beneficial partnership with small-scale local ranchers on the San Mateo County Coast to accomplish multiple goals aligned with the District’s mission. Lobitos/Elkus lies within the Coastside Protection Area and supports the viability of conservation grazing as a resource management tool to protect critical grassland habitat and reduce fuel loads and the risk of catastrophic wildland fires. DISCUSSION The District purchased the Elkus Uplands and Lobitos Ridge properties in August 2009 and March 2010 respectively. The Lessee held cattle grazing leases on both properties, which were assigned to the District at the time of sale. Desiring to further the conservation grazing principles as a tool for protecting critical grassland habitat and maintaining agricultural viability on the San Mateo Coast, the District approved a five-year lease with one five-year extension with the Lessee (R10-99). The Lessee, with District approval, exercised the extension in 2015. The lease terminates October 31, 2020. In May 2020, District staff met with the Lessee to discuss the lease. District staff encouraged the Lessee to take further steps in maintaining and improving the ranch infrastructure and reminded the Lessee of their responsibility to closely observe District regulations. District staff proposed a new two-year lease with an optional one-year extension. The proposed two-year lease allows the District to work closely with the Lessee over the next two grazing seasons to ensure that District grazing management objectives and requirements are met. Depending on Lessee performance, the District will exercise its sole discretion in determining whether to extend the lease for an additional year. FISCAL IMPACT Over the past five years, this Lease has provided an average annual grazing rent of $4,000 a year. The Lessee would continue to pay an annual grazing rent to the District estimated at approximately $5,000 per year. Annual grazing rent varies, depending upon the average selling price of beef cattle as well as the quantity and age of the cattle and the amount of time the cattle spends grazing on the property. BOARD COMMITTEE REVIEW A Board Committee did not previously review this item. PUBLIC NOTICE Public notice was provided as required by the Brown Act. R-20-95 Page 3 CEQA COMPLIANCE A Negative Declaration evaluating the potential environmental impacts associated with the Rangeland Management Plan for Lobitos Ridge/Elkus Uplands Ranch was approved in 2010 (see R-10-99). The proposed Lobitos Ridge/Elkus Uplands Ranch Grazing Lease is consistent with the Rangeland Management Plan. NEXT STEPS If approved, the General Manager would execute a two-year Lease with an option to extend for one additional year at the District’s sole discretion with Vince Fontana (Lessee) provided the Lessee has met all District requirements, including appropriate insurance certificates and endorsements. Attachments: 1. Lobitos Ridge/Elkus Uplands Ranch Location Map 2. Resolution Adopting Award of Grazing Lease to Vince Fontana (Lobitos Ridge/Elkus Uplands Ranch in Purisima Creek Redwoods Open Space Preserve) 3. Lobitos Ridge/Elkus Uplands Ranch Lease Responsible Department Head: Michael Jurich, Land and Facilities Services Manager Prepared by / Contact person: Susan Weidemann, Property Management Specialist II Graphics prepared by: Francisco Lopez-Tapia, GIS Technician, Information Systems & Technology P U R I S I M A C R E E K S PA C E P R E S E R V E T U N I TA S C R E E K O P E N S PA C E P R E S E R V E R E D W O O D S O P E N Tunitas Cree k R d P u r i s i m a C r e e k R d LobitosC re e k Trail C o w e l l -P u r i s i m a T r a i l V e r d e R d Lob i t o s C r e e k R d ÄÆ1 Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District (Midpen) 8/18/2020 Lobitos Ridge/Elkus Uplands Grazing Properties Pa t h : G : \ P r o j e c t s \ P u r i s i m a _ C r e e k _ R e d w o o d s \ G r a z i n g _ P r o p e r t i e s \ L o b i t o s _ E l k u s _ G r a z i n g _ 2 0 2 0 0 7 2 4 . m x d Cr e a t e d B y : f l o p e z 0 0.50.25 MilesI MROSD Preserves Private Property While the District strives to use the best available digital data, these data do not represent a legal survey and are merely a graphic illustration of geographic features. Area of Detail ÄÆ84 ÄÆ82 ÄÆ101 ÄÆ84 ÄÆ35 ÄÆ35 ÄÆ1 ÄÆ92 ÄÆ280 ÄÆ280 ÄÆ1 ÄÆ35Half Moon Bay Redwood City San Carlos Other Protected Lands Other Public Agency ELKUS UPLANDS LOBITOS RIDGE Non-MROSD Easement Over Private Lobitos/Elkus Grazing Land Lobitos Ridge/Elkus Ranch Property Boundaries Attachment 1 ATTACHMENT 2 Resolutions/2020/R-20-__Lobitos Ridge/Elkus Uplands Lease 1 RESOLUTION 20-__ RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT APPROVING THE AWARD OF A GRAZING LEASE TO VINCE FONTANA (LOBITOS RIDGE/ELKUS UPLANDS RANCH, PURISIMA CREEK REDWOODS OPEN SPACE PRESERVE) WHEREAS, the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District (District) may, under the provisions of California Public Resources Code section 5540, lease property owned by the District; and WHEREAS, the lease of the Lobitos Ridge/Elkus Uplands Ranch for grazing and range management purposes is compatible with park and open space purposes, and the lease of such premises is in the public interest; and WHEREAS, the District wishes to lease the Lobitos Ridge/Elkus Uplands Ranch to Vince Fontana on the terms set forth in the attached report. NOW, THEREFORE, the Board of Directors of Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District does hereby resolve as follows: 1. The Grazing Lease between the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District and Vince Fontana, a copy of which is attached hereto and incorporated herein by this reference, is approved. 2. The General Manager is authorized to execute the Grazing Lease on behalf of the District. The General Manager, with the concurrence of the General Counsel, is authorized to make minor changes to the Grazing Lease that do not materially amend the terms and conditions thereof. 3. The General Manager is authorized to grant an extension of the Grazing Lease on the terms and conditions set forth in the Grazing Lease. The General Manager shall report any such extension of the Grazing Lease to the Board of Directors at the Board meeting immediately following the granting of the extension. The General Manager or designee is further authorized to sign and approve all other documents necessary or appropriate to entering into the Grazing Lease. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * PASSED AND ADOPTED by the Board of Directors of the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District on ______, 2020, at a regular meeting thereof, by the following vote: AYES: NOES: ABSTAIN: ABSENT: Resolutions/2020/R-20-__Lobitos Ridge/Elkus UplandsLease 2 ATTEST: APPROVED: Jed Cyr, Secretary Board of Directors Karen Holman, President Board of Directors APPROVED AS TO FORM: Hilary Stevenson, General Counsel I, the District Clerk of the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District, hereby certify that the above is a true and correct copy of a resolution duly adopted by the Board of Directors of the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District by the above vote at a meeting thereof duly held and called on the above day. Jennifer Woodworth, District Clerk R-20-86 Meeting 20-19 August 26, 2020 AGENDA ITEM 5 AGENDA ITEM Purchase of Capital Equipment for Fiscal Year 2020-21 GENERAL MANAGER’S RECOMMENDATIONS Authorize the General Manager to execute a purchase contract with the California Department of General Services and associated contract dealers for two replacement patrol vehicles and one replacement mini excavator, for a total cost not-to-exceed $110,000. SUMMARY Annually, Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District (District) purchases vehicles, machinery, and equipment to support project and service delivery work that furthers the District’s mission. Vehicles and machinery are purchased through an existing contract with the California Department of General Services (DGS) at significant cost savings. Proposed purchases for Fiscal Year 2020-21 (FY21) are either replacement vehicles or replacement equipment. DISCUSSION Each year, the District purchases vehicles, machinery, and equipment to support project and service delivery work performed by administrative, maintenance, and patrol staff. Vehicles and machinery are purchased through an existing cooperative purchasing contract with DGS. As set forth in Board Policy 3.03, Public Contract Bidding, Vendor, and Professional Consultant Selection, and Purchasing Policy, cooperative purchasing on pricing obtained by another public agency through the competitive bidding process provides the opportunity to realize significant cost savings. The vehicles and equipment proposed for purchase in FY21 will replace two vehicles and one piece of equipment that have reached replacement guidelines per Attachment 1. The Fleet Replacement Guidelines (Attachment 1) were last updated in March 2019 to increase the mileage threshold for asset retirement. Different mileage and age standards are used for field versus administrative vehicles recognizing that travel on preserve fire roads puts significantly more wear and tear on field vehicles and higher standards of reliability are required for emergency response vehicles. The vehicles and equipment proposed for replacement in FY21 have been evaluated based on these guidelines, as well as vehicle condition and repair history. If vehicles and equipment are not available through the DGS contracts, staff will attempt to purchase using contracts from other approved cooperative purchasing agreements. If no contracts are available that meet District needs, staff will return to the Board for authorization to solicit bids directly from the dealer(s). R-20-86 Page 2 Electric Trucks Staff continue to monitor the development of electrically powered trucks as an alternative to diesel-powered vehicles. Regulations are due to take effect in 2024 that will mandate truck manufacturers to transition 5% of heavier (Class 7 & 8) vehicles sales from diesel to electric power. In subsequent years, after 2024, the percentage of required sales would increase by up to 40% by 2032. Ford, Tesla, and other manufacturers are currently working on prototypes for lighter (Class 1 – 3) electric trucks (for comparison, District F350 trucks are classified as Class 3). Their immediate focus is on vehicles designed for urban start/stop driving, such as delivery vehicles. Challenges being addressed include the availability of charging stations and vehicle range. Staff will continue to monitor the development of this technology and incorporate lower emissions vehicles into the fleet as they become available and suitable for the open space work environment. Replacement Vehicles Proposed for Purchase: Two patrol vehicles have reached the end of their useful lives. o One patrol vehicle (P85) is 13 years old, with a mileage of 93,956 as of July 2020. o The second patrol vehicle (P95) is nine years old, with a mileage of 100,109 as of July 2020. Typically, the District auctions off vehicles when they have reached the replacement guidelines. Given the current COVID-19 pandemic and requirements for social distancing, staff will retain these vehicles for maintenance staff to facilitate reduced numbers of staff carpooling to job sites. This is expected to be a short-term solution lasting until the current crisis has abated. Replacement Equipment Proposed for Purchase: One mini-excavator (M14) is 19 years old and has reached the end of its service life (see Attachment 2 for image). The mini excavator is a very versatile and useful tool for constructing and maintaining single track trails and accessing other narrow and difficult areas. The tables below breakdown the estimated costs by vehicle and equipment. Costs include tools and equipment installed by the manufacturers to outfit the vehicles, which can vary depending upon the function of each vehicle. Vehicle Type Cost Quantity Total Ford F350 pickup or similar Replacement Patrol Vehicle $55,000 1 $55,000 Ford F350 pickup or similar Replacement Patrol Vehicle $55,000 1 $55,000 Vehicle Subtotal $110,000 Equipment Type Cost Quantity Total Mini-Excavator Replacement Maintenance Equipment $40,000 1 $40,000 Equipment Subtotal $40,000 Grand Total $150,000 R-20-86 Page 3 FISCAL IMPACT The FY21 Budget includes $223,420 for District vehicles and $40,000 for field machinery, for a total budget of $263,420. The anticipated FY21 total cost for the replacement vehicles and equipment is $150,000. There are sufficient funds in the Budget to cover these recommended expenditures. As a reminder, the Board authorized the purchase of three maintenance vehicles in FY20 totaling $217,200 (R-19-91). These vehicles have been ordered, but delivery was delayed due to impacts from the shelter-in-place orders. To date, two of those vehicles have been delivered, and the third is still pending delivery. As a result, the delivery and final payment for these purchases is occurring in FY21. Payment for one vehicle was made in July, and the remaining two will be included in future claims reports for Board ratification. The cost of these vehicles are proposed to be covered by an assigned fund balance transfer as detailed in a separate Agenda Item for Assign Fund Balance Transfers that is before the Board at this same meeting of August 26, 2020 (R-20-85). Recommended FY21 Purchases FY21 Proposed Budget Expenses Mini-excavator (replacement) 40,000 Patrol vehicle (replacement) 55,000 Patrol vehicle (replacement) 55,000 FY21 Total 150,000 FY20 Carryover Vehicles (previously approved) Budget Expense Maintenance vehicle (additional) 89,700 Maintenance vehicle (additional) 89,250 Maintenance vehicle (additional) 38,250 FY20 Total Carryover 217,200 The recommended action is not funded by Measure AA. BOARD COMMITTEE REVIEW There was no Committee review for this agenda item. PUBLIC NOTICE Public notice was provided as required by the Brown Act. No additional notice is required. CEQA COMPLIANCE No environmental review is required, as the recommended action is not a project under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). R-20-86 Page 4 NEXT STEPS If approved by the Board, staff will prepare purchase orders for the vehicles and equipment utilizing the State of California Department of General Services contracts or other approved cooperative procurement contracts. Attachments 1. Fleet Replacement Guidelines 2. Equipment Image Responsible Department Head: Michael Jurich, Land & Facilities Services Prepared by: Michael Jurich, Land & Facilities Services Adriana Headley, Management Analyst II Gordon Baillie, Interim Management Analyst II Contact person: Adriana Headley, Management Analyst II M Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District Fleet Replacement Guidelines March 11, 2019 ATTACHMENT 1 FLEET REPLACEMENT GUIDELINES The following serve as general guidelines for replacing vehicles and equipment based on usage, operating costs, and down time. Adjustments in time or miles will be made to replacement criteria for individual units as conditions warrant. PATROL (CODE 3) VEHICLES 7–10 years and/or 90–100,000 miles MAINTENANCE TRUCKS 10–15 years and/or 95–110,000 miles ADMIN VEHICLES 20 years and/or 110–130,000 miles EQUIPMENT TRANSPORT TRAILERS 15–20 years TRACTORS/EXCAVATORS 15 years and 5,000 hours FIRE APPARATUS Slip-On Pumper Units 15 years As part of proposed purchases, District staff carefully consider the fuel consumption of new and replacement vehicles. Examples of vehicles purchased with fuel consumption in mind include: 1) plug-in hybrids for the administrative office, 2) smaller Ford F150 trucks for seasonal ranger aides, 3) smaller Ford F150s (without fire pumpers) to replace large F350s (with fire pumpers) in the ranger pool, and 4) diesel trucks for field offices (in 2018, the District replaced conventional diesel with renewable diesel in the field office fuel tank stations). An evaluation of the Fire Program may recommend removing pumpers from most patrol trucks and purchasing more effective patrol rigs for fire suppression. Electric vehicles, from standard sedans to electric motorcycles and ATVs, continue to be evaluated and as their technology improves, staff may recommend additional electric vehicle purchases in the future. The need for four-wheel drive and specialty vehicles limits the ability to entirely green the fleet at this time. Staff continues to monitor advances in technology to meet off-road vehicle needs. In addition to fuel consumption, options to reduce expenditures and utilize the full life of vehicles are considered for the District’s fleet. Maximizing lifespan is evaluated with maintenance cost, safety issues, fuel consumption, and reliability in mind to ensure that a subsequent sale of retired vehicles and the purchase of new vehicles remains cost effective. Currently, the District relies on the approved replacement guidelines and also evaluates individual vehicles for use beyond the mileage and age guidelines. For example, retired Visitor Services SUVs are evaluated for reuse at the administrative office if additional four-wheel drive vehicles are needed. Currently, one retired patrol vehicle, a Ford Expedition, is being used in this capacity. Mileage and age guidelines are expected to continuously be adjusted as the longevity of vehicles improves over time. Attachment 2 - Equipment Image Mini Excavator Rev. 1/3/18 R-20-96 Meeting 20-19 August 26, 2020 AGENDA ITEM 6 AGENDA ITEM Award of Contract to Shellco General Contractor, Inc., for the Deer Hollow Farm White Barn Structural Stabilization Project at Rancho San Antonio Open Space Preserve GENERAL MANAGER’S RECOMMENDATIONS 1. Authorize the General Manager to enter into a contract with Shellco General Contractor, Inc., of Patterson, California, for a base contract amount of $235,551. 2. Authorize a 15% contingency of $35,333 to be reserved for unanticipated issues, bringing the total contract to a not-to-exceed amount of $270,884. SUMMARY The recommended contract will allow the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District (District) to make structural stabilization improvements to the Deer Hollow Farm White Barn (White Barn) located in Rancho San Antonio Open Space Preserve. The structural stabilization project (Project) will install seismic braces and shear walls, strengthen the foundations, replace the roofing, stabilize damaged framing, replace existing stairs, install concrete slabs on grade, repair damaged siding, paint the exterior, and replace the existing water fountain. District staff issued a Request for Bids on June 30, 2020 and received three bid proposals on July 23, 2020, with Shellco General Contractor, Inc., identified as the lowest responsive and responsible bidder. In accordance with state law and current Board purchasing policy, the General Manager recommends awarding a contract to Shellco General Contractor, Inc., for a base contract amount of $235,551 and authorizing a 15% contingency amount of $35,333, for a total not-to-exceed amount of $270,884. The Fiscal Year 2020-21 (FY21) project budget includes sufficient funds for this contract. Work is scheduled to begin in September 2020 and be completed in December 2020. BACKGROUND Deer Hollow Farm is jointly operated by the District and City of Mountain View with funding support from the Friends of Deer Hollow Farm (FODHF) and County of Santa Clara. In 2016, the District and FODHF each accepted a $165,000 donation ($330,000 total) from the George Tindall Estate to fund projects that benefit Deer Hollow Farm. The District, City of Mountain View, and Deer Hollow Farm (DHF) staff collectively determined that the White Barn stabilization was the best use of the donated funds. In March 2020, the Board approved the structural stabilization measures for the White Barn as recommended in the Basis of Design report prepared by WJE (R-20-27). R-20-96 Page 2 DISCUSSION After Board approval of the Basis of Design recommendations, WJE completed design development and the Project construction documents in June 2020. The construction documents were prepared in accordance with the California Existing Building Code and the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for the treatment of historic properties to maintain the character-defining features of the building. A building permit application was submitted to Santa Clara County and is currently under permit review. In summary, the Project includes the following scope of work: Roof • Remove and replace all sheet metal roof panels to match existing panels. • Remove and replace damaged skip sheathing. • Stabilize damaged framing members. • Remove and replace existing gutters and downspouts. • Install wood blocking, knee braces, and metal brackets improve structural stability. Exterior Wall • Remove and replace damaged exterior sheathing to match existing. • Install diagonal wood braces and shear walls for seismic stability. • Remove loose and peeling lead-based paint and re-paint all exterior surfaces. Attic Framing • Stabilize damaged wood framing members and columns. • Install plywood on top of existing wood planking over the attic floor and install wood blocking. • Remove and replace stairs with a wooden pull-down attic ladder. Ground Floor and Foundation • Install new concrete footings at column locations below seismic bracing and shear walls. • Improve attachments of columns to existing brick pier foundations. • Install new concrete floor slab in main center section of the White Barn. • Install concrete foundations below east section flooring and columns. Accessibility Improvements • Install concrete approach and landings at north and south entrances. • Remove and Replace drinking fountain at southeast corner of White Barn. Contractor Selection A Request for Bids was issued on June 30, 2020 via BidSync and released to three builders’ exchanges. Legal notices were posted in the San Jose Mercury News and the Santa Cruz Sentinel, and a link to the solicitation was posted on the District website. Mandatory pre-bid site walks were held on July 8, 2020 and July 10, 2020 with 9 total contractors in attendance. R-20-96 Page 3 The District publicly opened the bids on July 23, 2020 and announced Shellco General Contractor, Inc., as the apparent low bidder. The detailed breakdown of the three (3) bids received is as follows: Bidder Location Total Base Bid Percent +/- from Engineer’s Estimate ($225,000) * Southwest Construction San Bruno, CA $268,219 +19% IBS USA, Inc. San Francisco, CA $238,040 +5.8% Shellco General Contractor, Inc. Patterson, CA $235,551 +4.7% Upon review of the bid proposals and confirmation of the contractors' qualifications, in accordance with state law and current Board purchasing policy, the General Manager recommends awarding the contract to Shellco General Contractor, Inc., as the lowest responsive and responsible bidder. Due to unknown material conditions and subsurface characteristics at the proposed foundation locations, a 15% contingency is requested to cover potential additional repairs. FISCAL IMPACT The FY21 adopted budget includes $359,750 for the Rancho San Antonio - Deer Hollow Farm - White Barn Rehabilitation MAA11-002 project. There are sufficient funds in the project budget to cover the recommended action and expenditures. Funding for the project includes $330,000 in donations and outside contributions. The George Tindall Estate has contributed $330,000, of which $165,000 is from the Friends of Deer Hollow Farm. The City of Mountain View will contribute $35,000 in FY21. Based on donations and outside contributions, the construction phase of the project will be fully funded by outside sources. Rancho San Antonio - Deer Hollow Farm - White Barn Rehabilitation MAA11-002 Prior Year Actuals FY21 Adopted FY22 Projected Estimated Future Years TOTAL District Funded (Fund 30): $164,600 $29,750 $0 $0 $194,350 Received Grant Amount: $0 $330,000 $0 $0 $330,000 Total Budget: $164,600 $359,750 $0 $0 $524,350 Spent-to-Date (as of 07/31/20): ($164,600) ($2,736) $0 $0 ($167,336) Encumbrances: $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 Shellco General Contractor Inc. Award of Contract: $0 ($235,551) $0 $0 ($235,551) 15% Contingency: $0 ($35,333) $0 $0 ($35,333) Budget Remaining (Proposed): $0 $86,130 $0 $0 $86,130 The following table outlines the Measure AA portfolio #11 Rancho San Antonio: Interpretive Improvements, Refurbishing, and Transit Solutions, allocation, costs-to-date, projected expenditures and projected portfolio balance remaining. R-20-96 Page 4 MAA11 Rancho San Antonio*: Interpretive Improvements, Refurbishing, and Transit Solutions - Portfolio Allocation: $10,811,000 Received Grant Income (through FY23): $330,000 Total Portfolio Allocation: $11,141,000 Life-to-Date Spent (as of 07/31/20): ($168,063) Encumbrances: $0 Remaining FY21 Project Budgets: ($86,130) Future MAA11 project costs (projected through FY23): ($270,885) Total Portfolio Expenditures: ($525,078) Portfolio Balance Remaining (Proposed): $10,615,922 The following table outlines the Measure AA Portfolio #11 Rancho San Antonio: Interpretive Improvements, Refurbishing, and Transit Solutions, projected life of project expenditures and projected portfolio balance remaining. MAA11 Rancho San Antonio*: Interpretive Improvements, Refurbishing, and Transit Solutions - Portfolio Allocation: $10,811,000 Received Grant Income (through FY23): $330,000 Total Portfolio Allocation: $11,141,000 Projected Project Expenditures (life of project): MAA11-001 New Trails to Connect Quarry Trail to Black Mountain Trail ($728) MAA11-002 Rancho San Antonio, Deer Hollow Farm: White Barn Rehabilitation ($524,350) Total Portfolio Expenditures: ($525,078) Portfolio Balance Remaining (Proposed): $10,615,922 *Please note that the Rancho San Antonio (RSA) Multimodal Access Study is budgeted in General Fund Capital (project number Vision Plan – VP11-001) and not in this Measure AA portfolio until specific implementation/construction actions are budgeted. Feasibility studies such as the multimodal study are not bond reimbursable until specific implementation/construction moves forward. BOARD COMMITTEE REVIEW The draft funding agreements were reviewed and confirmed by the Legislative, Finance, and Public Affairs (LFPAC) Committee on March 27, 2018 (R-18-31). The Board approved the funding agreements on August 22, 2018 (R-18-95). PUBLIC NOTICE Public notice was provided as required by the Brown Act. CEQA COMPLIANCE In accordance with the State CEQA Guidelines, the Project is categorically exempt from CEQA under the following sections: Section 15301 (d). Existing Facilities: Class 1 consists of the operation, repair, maintenance, permitting, leasing, licensing, or minor alternation of existing public or private structures, facilities, mechanical equipment, or topographical features, involving negligible or no R-20-96 Page 5 expansion of existing or former use. Class 1 includes restoration or rehabilitation of deteriorated or damaged structures, facilities, or mechanical equipment to meet current standards of public health and safety. The scope of the Project includes replacing the roof, replacing damaged siding, stabilizing damaged framing, replacing existing stairs, installing shear walls and seismic braces, improving existing foundations, installing concrete slabs on grade, replacing an existing water fountain, and painting the exterior walls. Section 15303 (d). Existing Facilities: Class 3 consists of construction and location of limited numbers of new, small facilities or structures; installation of small new equipment and facilities in small structures, and the conversion of existing structures from one use to another where only minor modifications are made in the exterior of the structure. Class 3 includes water main, sewage, electrical, gas, and other utility extension. As part of the Project, a drain line will be installed from the new water fountain and connect to the existing drain from the barn milk room to the existing drainage system located south of the barn. Section 15304. Minor Alterations to Land: Class 4 consists of minor public or private alterations in the condition of land, water, and/or vegetation, which do not involve removal of healthy, mature, scenic trees. Class 4 includes minor trenching and backfilling where the surface is restored. All scope for the project occurs within previously disturbed areas. Subsurface work will require excavating to a depth of approximately 2 feet for the installation of foundations and the drain line, however the grades and surface area will be restored upon completion of the installation. NEXT STEPS If approved, the General Manager will enter into a contract with Shellco General Contractor, Inc. Final contract signature is subject to meeting all District requirements, such as having all required insurance and bonding in place. Work is scheduled to begin in September 2020 and be completed in December 2020. This fiscal year, the General Manager and General Counsel will explore ways to improve the contracting process and Board purchasing policy to increase contractor participation and local sourcing. Responsible Department Head: Jason Lin, PE, Engineering and Construction Department Manager Prepared by: Leigh Guggemos, Capital Project Manager III, Engineering and Construction Department Rev. 1/3/18 R-20-85 Meeting 20-19 August 26, 2020 AGENDA ITEM 7 AGENDA ITEM Assign Fund Balance Transfers to Fiscal Year 2021 GENERAL MANAGER’S RECOMMENDATIONS Adopt a resolution approving (1) balance transfers of unspent Fiscal Year 2020 appropriations in Fund 40 – General Fund Capital for projects that continue into Fiscal Year 2021, and (2) General Fund Capital budget amendments for Fiscal Year 2021. SUMMARY The General Manager recommends Fund 40 – General Fund Capital assigned fund balance transfers and budget amendments in light of unanticipated project delays in FY20 due to COVID-19 and shelter-in-place orders that pushed a portion of the work into FY21. A total carryover of $710,000 in unspent FY20 Capital Project appropriations is proposed to be added to the FY21 Fund 40 – General Fund Capital budget. DISCUSSION On March 16, 2020, the Counties of Santa Clara and San Mateo issued shelter-in-place orders due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The orders allowed for the continued operations and maintenance of “Essential Infrastructure”. Given that many Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District (District) projects did not fall under the definition of “Essential Infrastructure” (e.g. public road repairs, hospital construction, utility repairs), worked ceased on particular activities causing delays in project schedules. As a result, certain FY20 project budgets went underspent as previously explained in the May 13, 2020 Quarter 3 Budget Amendments report (R-20-43). On June 24, 2020, the Board of Directors (Board) adopted the FY21 Budget and Action Plan (R- 20-68) with a total budget of $81.2 million. Due to the timing of COVID-19, there was no ability to update the FY21 Budget and Action Plan ahead of Board adoption for projects impacted by the shelter-in-place restrictions. This report presents a $710,000 increase in proposed assigned fund balance transfers and FY21budget adjustments for the carryover work that is now being completed in FY21. Proposed Amendments to the FY21 Fund 40 Budget – Expenses The FY21 proposed Fund 40 budget amendments in this report result in a net increase of $710,000 to the current FY21 Budget of $82,722,804, bringing the new, amended FY21 budget to $83,432,804. R-20-85 Page 2 As a reminder, on July 22, 2020, the Board approved the San Jose Water Purchase (R-20-78) and a corresponding budget amendment to increase the Fund 30 – MAA Capital budget by $1,075,000. On August 26, 2020, the Board is considering additional budget amendments to Fund 10 - General Fund Operating and Fund 40 - General Fund Capital for the Coal Creek Area Fuel Break Project for a net budget increase of $397,938 (i.e. increase of $511,358 in Fund 10 and a decrease of $113,420 in Fund 40) (see Agenda Item R-20-30 for details). These three amendments are reflected in the YTD Budget Amendments column below. Table 1 summarizes the FY21 adopted budget and proposed budget amendments by fund. A summary of the changes by fund follows Table 1. Table 1: Summary of FY21 Budget by Fund DISTRICT BUDGET BY FY21 Adopted Budget YTD Budget Amendments* Amended Budget (as of 7/22/20 with Coal Creek 8/26/2020*) Proposed Fund 40 Carryover Budget Amendments FY21 Proposed Amended Budget FUNDING SOURCE Fund 10 - General Fund Operating $36,773,825 $511,358 $37,285,183 $0 $37,285,183 Fund 20 - Hawthorn Fund 110,200 0 110,200 0 110,200 Fund 30 - MAA Land/Capital 11,868,588 1,075,000 12,943,588 0 12,943,588 Fund 40 - General Fund Land/Capital 15,856,328 (113,420) 15,742,908 710,000 16,452,908 Fund 50 - Debt Service 16,640,925 0 16,640,925 0 16,640,925 Total $81,249,866 $1,472,938 $82,722,804 $710,000 $83,432,804 *Includes the Coal Creek Area Fuel Break Project proposed amendments assumed to have been approved as part of a separate Agenda Item for the regular meeting of August 26, 2020. The proposed budget amendments totaling $710,000 that are the subject of this report reflect the following changes: •The District Wide Fiber Optics (51702) project budget is proposed to increase by $75,000 because connectivity to the Skyline Field Office (SFO) was not completed last fiscal year due to delays in getting pole permits and a signed easement with a private property owner. The unspent project budget from last fiscal year will be reallocated to this fiscal year to complete the SFO fiber optic connection. •The ADA Barrier Removal (31901) project budget is proposed to increase by $96,770 because COVID-19 bidding and permitting delays postponed delivery of the vault toilets. They will now be delivered in FY21. •The capital budget for Vehicles is proposed to increase by $217,200 to cover the cost of three maintenance vehicles, as approved by the Board in FY20. Vehicle delivery was unexpectedly delayed due to shelter-in-place orders. The trucks will now arrive in FY21. •The South Area Field Office (31601) project budget is proposed to increase by $321,030 due to shelter-in-place orders that delayed construction by roughly 1.5 months. Construction resumed in May 2020 and will continue into FY21. Proposed Changes to FY21 Assigned Fund Balance Transfers Following practices started in FY19, unspent Fund 40 – General Fund Capital funds can be “rolled-over” into the next fiscal year to complete project work. These funds are identified in the Assigned Fund Balance Transfers line in Table 3 under the Fiscal Impact section of this report. R-20-85 Page 3 The original projection for FY21 revenue and other funding sources was $82,084,031. The San Jose Water land purchase increased revenues by 1,075,000 due to an increase in MAA bond reimbursements to cover the purchase of this MAA-eligible acquisition. Revenue projections are also proposed to increase by $254,438 as further described in the Coal Creek Area Fuel Break Project Board report due to a recently secured grant and an unassigned fund balance transfer. As part the recommended actions in this report, revenue is proposed to further increase by $710,000 in assigned fund balance transfers, for an amended total revenue of $84,123,469 as summarized below. Table 2: Summary of FY21 Revenue & Other Funding Sources DISTRICT REVENUE BY FUNDING SOURCE FY21 Adopted Budget YTD Budget Amendments* Amended Budget (as of 7/22/20 with Coal Creek 8/26/2020*) Proposed Fund 40 Carryover Budget Amendments FY21 Proposed Amended Budget Fund 10 - General Fund Operating $36,917,325 $367,858 $37,285,183 $0 $37,285,183 Fund 20 - Hawthorn Fund 110,200 0 110,200 0 110,200 Fund 30 - MAA Land/Capital 12,280,063 1,075,000 13,355,063 0 13,355,063 Fund 40 - General Fund Land/Capital 15,856,328 (113,420) 15,742,908 710,000 16,452,908 Fund 50 - Debt Service 16,920,115 0 16,920,115 0 16,920,115 Total $82,084,031 $1,329,438 $83,413,469 $710,000 $84,123,469 *Includes the Coal Creek Area Fuel Break Project proposed amendments assumed to have been approved as part of a separate Agenda Item for the regular meeting of August 26, 2020. FISCAL IMPACT The original projection for FY21 revenue and other funding sources was $82,084,031. The total amended revenues are now estimated at $84,123,469. The FY21 adopted budget for expenses was $81,249,866. The proposed amended budget is now $83,432,804. Table 3 on the next page summarizes the FY21 estimated change in fund balance as a positive change, with a resulting total fund balance of $690,665. R-20-85 Page 4 Table 3: FY21 Budget by Fund FY21 Estimated Change in Fund Balance Fund 10 Fund 20 Fund 30 Fund 40 Fund 50 Total General Fund Hawthorns Measure AA Capital General Fund Capital Debt Service Revenue Property Tax Revenues $53,487,274 $6,200,000 $59,687,274 Grants Awarded 525,858 1,621,509 2,147,367 Interest Income 894,260 13,500 411,475 41,040 1,360,275 Rental Income 1,329,450 1,329,450 Rental Income - 5050 El Camino Real 400,000 400,000 Rancho San Antonio Agreement 386,761 386,761 Miscellaneous 100,000 100,000 Total Amended Revenues 57,123,603 13,500 2,032,984 0 6,241,040 65,411,127 Other Funding Sources Bond Reimbursements 11,322,079 6,415,212 17,737,291 Hawthorns Funds 96,700 96,700 Assigned Fund Balance Transfers 710,000 710,000 Committed for Infrastructure Transfer (400,000) 5,546,271 5,146,271 Committed for Future Acquisitions & Capital Projects (4,200,000) (4,200,000) Committed for Capital Maintenance (500,000) (500,000) Committed for Promissory Note (300,000) (300,000) Unassigned Fund Balance 22,080 22,080 General Fund Transfers (14,460,500) 3,781,425 10,679,075 0 Total Amended Other Funding Sources (19,838,420) 96,700 11,322,079 16,452,908 10,679,075 18,712,342 Grand Total: Revenues & Other Funding Sources 37,285,183 110,200 13,355,063 16,452,908 16,920,115 84,123,469 Expenses Operating 35,032,860 62,200 35,095,060 Labor Reimbursement (669,235) (669,235) Capital & Projects 2,921,558 48,000 12,943,588 16,452,908 32,366,054 Debt Service (General Fund Debt) 10,679,075 10,679,075 Debt Service (Measure AA Debt) 5,961,850 5,961,850 Total Amended Expenses $37,285,183 $110,200 $12,943,588 $16,452,908 $16,640,925 $83,432,804 Adopted Change in Fund Balance $143,500 $0 $411,475 $0 $279,190 $834,165 Net Change in Fund Balance (143,500) 0 0 0 0 (143,500) Amended Change in Fund Balance $0 $0 $411,475 $0 $279,190 $690,665 BOARD COMMITTEE REVIEW This item was not previously reviewed by a Board committee. PUBLIC NOTICE Public notice was provided as required by the Brown Act. CEQA COMPLIANCE This item is not a project subject to the California Environmental Quality Act. NEXT STEPS Upon Board approval, staff will make the necessary Budget amendments. Attachment 1. Resolution Amending the FY21 Fund 40 Carryover Budget Responsible Department Head: Mike Bower, Budget & Analysis Manager R-20-85 Page 5 Prepared by: Mike Bower, Budget & Analysis Manager Elissa Martinez, Management Analyst II Lupe Hernandez, Management Analyst I Contact person: Mike Bower, Budget & Analysis Manager Resolutions/2020/20-__FY21 Budget Adjustments 1 RESOLUTION NO. 20-___ RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT APPROVING CAPITAL PROJECT BALANCE TRANSFERS TO ACCOMMODATE THE CARRYOVER OF UNSPENT FISCAL YEAR 2020 CAPITAL PROJECT APPROPRIATIONS AND AMENDING THE BUDGET FOR FISCAL YEAR 2020-2021 WHEREAS, on June 24, 2020 the Board of Directors of the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District adopted the Fiscal Year ending June 30, 2021 (FY21) Budget and Action Plan; and WHEREAS, on July 22, 2020 the Board of Directors of the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District amended the FY21 Budget; and WHEREAS, the General Manager recommends amending the FY21 Budget to reflect requests for budget shifts in capital improvements, resulting in a net increase; NOW, THEREFORE, the Board of Directors of the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District does resolve as follows: SECTION ONE. Approve the carryover of $710,000 in unspent FY20 Capital Project appropriations in Fund 40 – General Fund Capital for those projects where work and expenditures will continue in FY21; SECTION TWO. Approve the recommended Fund 40 Carryover budget amendments to the FY21 Budget for the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District resulting in a net increase as follows: DISTRICT BUDGET BY FUNDING SOURCE FY21 Adopted Budget YTD Budget Amendments* Amended Budget (as of 7/22/20 with Coal Creek 8/26/2020*) Proposed Fund 40 Carryover Budget Amendments FY21 Proposed Amended Budget Fund 10 - General Fund Operating $36,773,825 $511,358 $37,285,183 $0 $37,285,183 Fund 20 - Hawthorn Fund 110,200 0 110,200 0 110,200 Fund 30 - MAA Land/Capital 11,868,588 1,075,000 12,943,588 0 12,943,588 Fund 40 - General Fund Land/Capital 15,856,328 (113,420) 15,742,908 710,000 16,452,908 Fund 50 - Debt Service 16,640,925 0 16,640,925 0 16,640,925 Total $81,249,866 $1,472,938 $82,722,804 $710,000 $83,432,804 *Includes the Coal Creek Area Fuel Break Project proposed amendments assumed to have been approved as part of a separate Agenda Item for the regular meeting of August 26, 2020. SECTION THREE. Monies are hereby appropriated in accordance with said budget by fund. SECTION FOUR. Except as herein modified, the FY21 Budget and Action Plan, Resolution No. 20-18 as amended, shall remain in full force and effect. ATTACHMENT 1 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * PASSED AND ADOPTED by the Board of Directors of the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District on __________, 2020, at a regular meeting thereof, by the following vote: AYES: NOES: ABSTAIN: ABSENT: ATTEST: APPROVED: Jed Cyr, Secretary Board of Directors Karen Holman, President Board of Directors APPROVED AS TO FORM: Hilary Stevenson, General Counsel I, the District Clerk of the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District, hereby certify that the above is a true and correct copy of a resolution duly adopted by the Board of Directors of the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District by the above vote at a meeting thereof duly held and called on the above day. Jennifer Woodworth, District Clerk R-20-91 Meeting 20-19 August 26, 2020 AGENDA ITEM 8 AGENDA ITEM Contract Amendment with Top Line Engineers to Remove an Underground Oil/Water Separator at the South Area Field Office Project Site GENERAL MANAGER’S RECOMMENDATIONS 1. Authorize the General Manager to amend the original contract of $46,650 with Top Line Engineers by $61,180, bringing the base contract amount to $107,830 to remove an underground oil/water separator discovered at the South Area Field Office Project site. 2. Authorize a 15% contingency of $16,175 to be awarded, if necessary, to cover unforeseen conditions, for a new total not-to-exceed contract amount of $124,005. SUMMARY In October 2019, the Board awarded a construction contract to Agbayani Construction (Agbayani) for the South Area Field Office Project. Agbayani’s activities began in November 2019 and continued with only a slight delay due to COVID-19 shelter-in-place restrictions that affected construction activities in March and April. In June 2020, a second contractor, Top Line Engineers, was added to the project through a competitive bidding process to remove an underground storage tank (UST). During recent routine excavation activities, an oil/water separator was discovered. Removal of the oil/water separator is necessary to continue with the site improvements. In order to keep to the schedule and avoid occupancy delays, the General Manager recommends amending the contract with Top Line Engineers to remove the oil/water separator. The scope of work for the separator removal is similar to that of the UST removal, with the exception of sludge disposal. The quote submitted by Top Line Engineers was comparable to the competitive UST removal quote and factors in the sludge disposal price. The adopted fiscal year 2020-21 (FY21) project budget includes sufficient funds for this contract amendment. BACKGROUND The site of the new South Area Field Office (SAO or Project) is located in a light-industrial zone at 240 Cristich Lane in Campbell, CA and was formerly used as a bus yard. In August 2019, the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District (District) received permit approval from the City of Campbell (City) to repurpose the industrial building as a new field office. In October 2019, the Board of Directors (Board) authorized the General Manager to enter into a contract with Agbayani Construction Corporation (Agbayani) for a not-to-exceed total contract amount of $4,133,350 (R-19-138) to deliver the Project. In June 2020, a second contractor, Top Line Engineers, was added to the project through a competitive bidding process under the General Manager’s purchasing authority to remove an underground storage tank (UST). R-20-91 Page 2 DISCUSSION Recently while excavating for the installation of the site’s bio-retention area (a stormwater management permitting requirement), Agbayani discovered an intact underground concrete structure. Upon investigation, Agbayani discovered that the unknown structure is an oil/water separator, with approximately 1,000-gallons of sludge in it. The oil/water separator is located in the new bio-retention area and its removal is needed to complete the construction activities. There is no operational need for the oil/water separator. Expedited quotes to clean and remove the oil/water separator were requested from Agbayani and Top Line Engineers because they are the two contractors currently working onsite and able to meet the project schedule. Agbayani declined to remove the oil/water separator, citing insufficient licensing to proceed with this work. Top Line Engineers possesses the appropriate licensing and provided an acceptable quote for the work. The Santa Clara County Fire Department (County Fire) is the governing agency for underground storage facility removal. County Fire has strict protocols for these removals, which must be followed without exception. As such, only a select number of contractors are able to perform the work. Top Line Engineers’ quote for the separator removal is in line with their quote for the UST removal, with the exception of a slightly higher price to remove and properly dispose the sludge within the separator. Based on the similar scope and price, staff determined the quote to be acceptable. Agbayani has agreed to accommodate the District and Top Line Engineers during removal activities. The General Manager recommends amending the contract with Top Line Engineers to expediently commence the removal work. Staff has coordinated with County Fire regarding permitting for the oil/water separator removal. The proposed scope of work under this recommended contract amendment includes: • Pump out and properly dispose sludge • Steam clean the separator • Break up the separator into small, removable pieces • Off haul and properly dispose debris • Backfill and grade the void created by the separator If the amendment with Top Line Engineers is not acceptable, staff will need to solicit quotes from other qualified contractors to perform the removal. Soliciting additional quotes and entering into another contract will delay Agbayani’s work and occupancy of the site by approximately five months. Moreover, the District would incur additional costs from the five-month delay and resulting stand-down time that would be required of Agbayani, who is unable to complete certain portions of the work until the oil-water separator is removed. Finally, per County Fire, the permit to remove the UST (which must also be done expeditiously to avoid project delays) will not be released until an application for the separator removal is submitted by a licensed contractor on the District’s behalf. FISCAL IMPACT The FY21 adopted budget includes $3,473,483 for the New South Area Field Office Facility #31601. There are sufficient funds in the project budget to cover the recommended action and expenditures. Agbayani’s construction work is expected to be completed under the Board approved budget and contingency. R-20-91 Page 3 Funding for the project continues to be available via the 2017 Parity Bond and/or in the Committed for Infrastructure Reserve Fund (total of $4.1 million) and lease revenue from the SAO property ($132,500). During the project design and permitting process, the District leased the property to the prior owner to secure lease revenue prior to entering into construction to offset project costs. The table below shows the total project budget. A budget adjustment will be forthcoming in mid- Quarter 1 to roll unspent project funds from FY20 forward to FY21 (as a reminder, the project experienced a delay in FY20 due to COVID-19 construction restrictions). New South Area Field Office Facility #31601 Prior Year Actuals FY21 Adopted FY22 Projected FY23 Projected TOTAL Total Budget: $1,189,891 $3,473,483 $0 $0 $4,663,374 Spent-to-Date (as of 8/10/20): ($1,189,891) $0 $0 $0 ($1,189,891) Encumbrances (as of 8/10/20): $0 ($185,917) $0 $0 ($185,917) Top Line Engineers Contract Amendment: $0 ($61,180) $0 $0 ($61,180) 15% Contingency: $0 ($16,175) $0 $0 ($16,175) Budget Remaining (Proposed): $0 $3,210,211 $0 $0 $3,210,211 The project and recommended action are not funded by Measure AA. PUBLIC NOTICE Public notice of this agenda item was provided as required by the Brown Act. CEQA COMPLIANCE District staff prepared a Categorical Exemption for the UST and oil/water separator, determining that the work would not result in any impacts to the environment. The District found that this work is categorically exempt from CEQA pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Sections 15304 and 15330. Section 15304 – Minor Alterations to Land: The project includes minor trenching for production piping and buried debris removal, and backfilling to restore the surface. There will be no extensive grading on site. Section 15330 – Minor Actions to Eliminate the release or Threat of Release of Hazardous Substances: The project includes removal of the UST and oil/water separator contaminated structures, piping, materials and contaminated soil, and restoration of the site. NEXT STEPS Pending Board approval, the General Manager will direct staff to amend the contract with Top Line Engineers to remove the oil/water separator. Agbayani’s work is 50% complete. All demolition work is complete, and the new sanitary sewer and storm drain utilities are installed. Structural steel framing and foundation improvements are complete on the inside of the building. In August 2020, the building siding will be removed and replaced, and the parking lot improvements will be installed. In addition, Top Line Engineers is currently working with County Fire on permitting the UST removal. The full project is expected to be substantially completed by Fall 2020 with a move-in date of Winter 2020 (December – January). R-20-91 Page 4 Responsible Department Head: Jay Lin, Engineering and Construction Department Manager Prepared by: Tanisha Werner, Senior Capital Project Manager Rev. 1/3/18 R-20-92 Meeting 20-19 August 26, 2020 AGENDA ITEM 9 AGENDA ITEM Award of Contract to Engineering/Remediation Resources Group, Inc., for the Madonna Creek Ranch Cleanup at Miramontes Ridge Open Space Preserve GENERAL MANAGER’S RECOMMENDATIONS 1. Authorize the General Manager to enter into a contract with Engineering/Remediation Resources Group, Inc., of Martinez, CA, for a base contract amount of $106,626. 2. Authorize a 15% contingency of $15,994 to be reserved for unanticipated issues related to the base contract, bringing the total contract to a not-to-exceed amount of $122,620. 3. Authorize an allowance of $21,325 to be expended only if there are more materials or contaminants found during activities than previously estimated. SUMMARY An approximately 0.025 acre (1,000 square foot) old ranch debris site located adjacent to Madonna Creek on the former Madonna Creek Ranch property within Miramontes Ridge Open Space Preserve requires cleanup and remediation. The proposed contract removes all debris, contaminants, and other materials, and installs erosion control on the site. In accordance with state law and current Board purchasing policy, the General Manager recommends awarding the contract to Engineering/Remediation Resources Group, Inc., as the lowest responsive and responsible bidder for a base contract amount of $106,626, and authorizing a 15% contingency amount of $15,994, for a total contract amount not-to-exceed $122,620. In addition, given the uncertainty in the full extent of subsurface materials that need to be removed, the General Manager also recommends awarding an allowance of $21,325 to address contamination or debris removal that extends beyond the estimated characterization of the site. The Fiscal Year 2020-21 (FY21) contains sufficient funds in the adopted budget to complete the recommendations. DISCUSSION On March 11, 2020, the Board of Directors (Board) awarded a contract to Rincon Consultants, Inc., (Rincon) to develop a remediation plan for the former Madonna Creek Ranch Cleanup project (R-20-23). The Madonna Creek Ranch property was acquired in 2012 and superficial debris was observed in a heavily vegetated area along a segment of Madonna Creek. Car parts, household appliances, and other refuse were deposited along the creek between the 1960s and the 1980s prior to purchase of the property by Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District (District). Recent vegetation clearing, subsurface investigations, and hazardous materials testing quantified the extent of the debris site as well as the presence of contaminants, including R-20-92 Page 2 lead, heavy metals, and petroleum products. Subsurface testing confirmed the presence of contaminants and some limited hazardous materials that require remediation. The remediation project intends to clean the entire site to protect the environment in this sensitive riparian area. The work includes excavation of the dump materials, segregation into hazardous and non- hazardous debris, off-haul of materials, recycling of metal debris, and testing of soils to confirm the cleanup has been effective. While the debris has been in place for decades, leaving it in place risks erosion of the site and downstream contamination. Following the debris removal, the contractor will install erosion control and spread native seed. A subsequent contractor will install willows to revegetate the area. The surrounding creek is being evaluated separately as an opportunity to remove a barrier to steelhead migration. Removing the debris provides fewer constraints for potential fish passage. The area of the cleanup is within a leased-out agricultural area. Staff has worked with the agricultural tenant throughout the planning process for this project. The tenant has advised the District of some potential concerns related to dust, compaction of farm soils, slope stabilization, the location of construction staging areas, safe ingress and egress, and maintaining the farm’s organic certification. Staff incorporated this input in the cleanup scope of work to address each tenant issue raised, and further coordination will occur prior to and during the remediation. The final stabilization of the cleanup area will depend on the quantities of soil and debris removed in a certain area (field fit) and may affect an adjacent ranch road, but not the farm field. Staff will work with the tenant and contractor once the materials are removed to refine the stabilization so as to minimize any alterations to the ranch road. During onsite project work, crops will not be growing in the field and no farming will be occurring. CONTRACTOR SELECTION A Request for Bids was issued on July 30, 2020 via BidSync, released to seven builders’ exchanges, and emailed to 22 contractors. Legal notices were posted in the San Jose Mercury News and a link to the solicitation was posted on the District website. An optional pre- bid meeting was held on August 7, 2020 with twelve total contractors in attendance. The District publicly opened the bids on August 18, 2020 and announced Engineering/Remediation Resources Group, Inc., as the apparent low bidder. The detailed breakdown of the five (5) bids received is as follows: Bidder Location Total Base Bid Percent +/- from District’s Estimate ($150,000)* 1. Engineering/Remediation Resources Group, Inc. Martinez, CA $106,625.65 -29% 2. Irish Excavation Morgan Hill, CA $144,310.00 -4% 3.Pacific States Environmental Contractors, Inc. Dublin, CA $148,432.50 -1% 4. D-Line Constructors, Inc. Oakland, CA $148,500.00 -1% 5. Bowen Engineering Fresno, CA $188,500.00 +26% *Estimate was prepared by District staff for budgeting purposes. The estimate was informed by data on file from previous projects. Upon reviewing the bid proposals, the General Manager recommends awarding the contract to Engineering/Remediation Resources Group, Inc., as the lowest responsive and responsible R-20-92 Page 3 bidder. Even after conducting subsurface investigations and testing, the full extent of the dump site will not be fully known until excavation occurs. Therefore, the General Manager recommends a 15% contingency of $15,994 to be reserved for unanticipated issues and a 20% allowance of $21,325 to account for the possibility of more or different materials or contaminants than are currently characterized. The allowance helps to account for potential hot spots of debris or contaminants, soils that cannot be reused for post-cleanup stabilization, extra work directed by the San Mateo County, or an expanded level of work to stabilize the excavation during the thirteen day cleanup process. Time is of the essence to clean up the site before rainfall begins and the allowance and contingency provide staff the ability to authorize activities needed to complete the work and stabilize the site before the onset of winter rains. FISCAL IMPACT The FY21 adopted budget includes $261,874 for the Remediation Plan & Ranch Dump Clean Up - Madonna Creek Ranch MAA01-004 project. There are sufficient funds in the project budget to cover the recommended action and expenditures. Remediation Plan & Ranch Dump Clean Up - Madonna Creek Ranch MAA01-004 Prior Year Actuals FY21 Adopted FY22 Projected FY23 Projected Estimated Future Years TOTAL Total Budget: $0 $261,874 $10,000 $4,000 $10,000 $285,874 Spent-to-Date (as of 08/05/20): $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 Encumbrances: $0 ($34,851) $0 $0 $0 ($34,851) Engineering/Remediation Resources Group, Inc. Contract: $0 ($106,626) $0 $0 $0 ($106,626) 15% Contingency: $0 ($15,994) $0 $0 $0 ($15,994) Allowance: $0 ($21,325) $0 $0 $0 $0 Budget Remaining (Proposed): $0 $83,078 $10,000 $4,000 $10,000 $128,403 The following table outlines the Measure AA Portfolio 01 Miramontes Ridge: Gateway to the Coast Public Access, Stream Restoration and Agricultural Enhancement allocation, costs-to-date, projected future project expenditures and projected portfolio balance remaining. MAA01 Miramontes Ridge: Gateway to the Coast Public Access, Stream Restoration and Agricultural Enhancement Portfolio Allocation: $27,774,000 Life-to-Date Spent (as of 08/05/20): $0 Encumbrances: ($34,851) Remaining FY21 Project Budgets: ($83,078) Future MAA01 project costs (projected through FY23): ($167,945) Total Portfolio Expenditures: ($285,874) Portfolio Balance Remaining (Proposed): $27,488,126 The following table outlines the Measure AA Portfolio 01 Miramontes Ridge: Gateway to the Coast Public Access, Stream Restoration and Agricultural Enhancement allocation, projected life of project expenditures and projected portfolio balance remaining. R-20-92 Page 4 MAA01 Miramontes Ridge: Gateway to the Coast Public Access, Stream Restoration and Agricultural Enhancement Portfolio Allocation: $27,774,000 Projected Project Expenditures (life of project):   MAA01-003 Zion Property Purchase $0 MAA01-004 Remediation Plan Development and Ranch Dump Clean Up - Madonna Creek Ranch ($285,874) Total Portfolio Expenditures: ($285,874) Portfolio Balance Remaining (Proposed): $27,488,126 BOARD COMMITTEE REVIEW This item was not previously reviewed by a Board committee. PUBLIC NOTICE Public notice was provided as required by the Brown Act. CEQA COMPLIANCE In accordance with the State California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines, this project is exempt under Section 15330 “Minor Actions to Prevent, Minimize, Stabilize, Mitigate or Eliminate the Release or Threat of Release of Hazardous Waste or Hazardous Substances.” NEXT STEPS If approved, the General Manager will enter into a contract with Engineering/Remediation Resources Group, Inc. Final contract signature is subject to meeting all District requirements, such as having all required insurance and bonding in place. Construction will begin as soon as practical and aims to be substantially complete (except for erosion control) by October 1, 2020. Related to public works contracts, this fiscal year, the General Manager and General Counsel will explore ways to improve the contracting process and Board purchasing policy to increase contractor participation and local sourcing. Attachment 1. Project Site Map Responsible Department Head: Kirk Lenington, Natural Resources Department Prepared by: Aaron Hébert, Senior Resources Management Specialist Zach Alexander, Capital Project Manager III Contact person: Aaron Hébert, Senior Resources Management Specialist Figure 3Map Extent Mado n n a C r e e k Acces s R o a d Mu d d y R o a d Pilarcitos Cree k MiramontesPond Limited Phase II Environmental Site Assessment Madonna Creek Ranch, Half Moon Bay, California Site Map Figure 2 Rincon Consultants, inc. 0 300150 Feet ± Project Boundary Waterbody Creeks Imagery provided by ESRI and its licensors © 2019.Base data from Midpeninsula Open Space District, 2019. ATTACHMENT 1: Maps and Photos ATTACHMENT 2: Maps and Photos !A !A !A !A!A RB-1 RB-2 RB-3 RB-4 RB-5 RB-6 SW-1 SW-2 GS-1 GS-2 Bridge Dam Waterfall/ Spillway RidgeMadonna Creek Madonna Creek Acce s s R o a d Inc i s e d C h a n n e l TP2 TP3 TP6 TP4 TP5 UpstreamSample DownstreamSample RB-8 RB-7 RB-9 RB-10RB-11 F' F B' C C' D D' B E E' MiramontesPond Phase II Environmental Site Assessment Madonna Creek Ranch, Half Moon Bay, California Sample Location Map Figure 3a Rincon Consultants, inc. 0 3015 Feet ± Project Boundary !A Approx Grab Surface Water Sample Location !A Approx Hand Auger Boring Location !A Approx Channel Sidewall Grab Sample Location !A Approx Grab Surface Water/ Sediment Sample Location Trench Waterbody Creeks 2 Foot Ground Elevation Contour Base data from Midpeninsula Open Space District, 2019. Estimated extent of dump debris; solid line where confirmed, dashed where unconfirmed DRAFT ATTACHMENT 2: Maps and Photos ATTACHMENT 1: Maps and Photos Rev. 1/3/18 R-20-76 Meeting 20-19 August 26, 2020 AGENDA ITEM 10 AGENDA ITEM Sediment Monitoring Results from the Watershed Protection Program at El Corte De Madera Creek Open Space Preserve GENERAL MANAGER’S RECOMMENDATION Receive an informational presentation on the sediment monitoring results from the Watershed Protection Program at El Corte de Madera Creek Open Space Preserve. No Board action required. SUMMARY In July 2017, the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District (District) contracted with Balance Hydrologics, Inc., (R-17-93) to repeat a sediment study first conducted between 2004 and 2009 at the beginning of the Watershed Protection Program (WPP) in El Corte de Madera Creek Open Space Preserve (Preserve). The recently completed study quantifies the sediment reduction in creeks as a result of road and trail improvements implemented from 2004 to 2019 as part of the Watershed Protection Plan. Results indicate reductions in stream sediment from multiple independent lines of evidence. The study correlates a reduction in downstream sedimentation with road and trail best management practices. The reduction of downstream sedimentation is providing a measurable positive impact on stream habitats particularly for salmonids. DISCUSSION In 2001, District staff met with the Regional Water Quality Control Board, California Department of Fish and Wildlife, and other regulatory agencies in response to a citizen complaint about the roads and trails within the Preserve contributing excess sediment to El Corte de Madera Creek and ultimately to San Gregorio Creek, which supports steelhead and coho salmonids. The regulatory agencies outlined four requirements to address the issues: 1. Identify sources of sedimentation in the preserve that originate from roads and trails; 2. Evaluate recreation, maintenance, or management activities that may be responsible for sedimentation; 3. Develop a plan to implement the necessary repairs or corrective actions at high-priority sites throughout the preserve; and 4. Establish a monitoring program to track the success of corrective actions. In 2002, the Board of Directors (Board) approved contracting with an engineering geologist (Tim Best) to address requirements 1 through 3 by analyzing potential and active sediment sources in the roads and trails at the Preserve, and developing road and trail improvements to reduce R-20-76 Page 2 sediment transport to nearby streams and watercourses (R-02-26). The Board approved a contract with Balance Hydrologics (Balance) to develop a monitoring program and fulfill the 4th requirement set out by the regulatory agencies, by measuring sediment as it moves through the streams in the Preserve (R-04-72). This work consisted of an inventory of large landslides near streams, installation of a stream and rain gage to measure flows and storm events, water quality monitoring, and direct measurement of sediment in pool features within the stream. The study was used as an effectiveness monitoring tool during the WPP work from 2004 to 2009. The data gathered from 2004 to 2009 characterizes the “before” or “baseline” conditions of the WPP. District staff and contractors constructed the road and trail improvements in the WPP over 15 years. This work is estimated to have cost $1.25 million, not including the cost of thousands of hours of staff time. In total, the WPP upgraded 24 miles of road and trail, which included replacing culverts, installing bridges, reducing many miles of road to trail width, and decommissioning some roads altogether (see Attachment 2). To characterize the “after” condition of the WPP, the sediment study began in the winter of 2017 and included field data gathered through the winter of 2019-20. Balance staff led the winter stream gaging and sediment sampling. District staff provided the labor for the summer V-Star pool monitoring (which measures sediment by probing a measurement rod into a pool). The District’s Water Resources Specialist oversaw the work of a Water Resources Intern in the summers of 2018 and 2019 to provide the bulk of the labor, with assistance from Land & Facilities staff and the Conservation Biology Intern. Balance provided quality assurance and control of all data products. The V-Star data indicate that sedimentation in measured pools dropped 15% from 2004-07 to 2018-19. The stream gage and sediment sampling show that when comparing storms of equal magnitude, approximately 62% less fine sediment is leaving the Preserve than before. Streambed texture data (which counts the size of streambed materials: sands, gravels, cobbles, and boulders) also show a 24% decrease in surface sedimentation and a 3% increase in exposed gravels, which directly benefits salmonids. All of the evidence (winter gaging, V-Star pool measurement, and the streambed texture) points in a positive direction. The significance of each line of evidence is evaluated in the context of the natural variation in sedimentation that is caused by drier and wetter winters. The attached report provides a broad, public-friendly executive summary and a technical report that explores the contextual analysis of the data and provides a deeper interpretation for hydrologists and practitioners. These efforts have confirmed that the District’s best management practices for road and trails make a measurable difference in the environment. Preliminary results from the study have been used to inform other V-Star related assessments from the Regional Water Quality Control Board in the Pescadero and San Gregorio Watersheds. The next phase of the project includes sharing the results with scientists and other land managers. A presentation, workshop, and field tour with Balance and District staff was scheduled as part of the 38th Annual Salmonid Restoration Conference, which was postponed due to COVID-19. District staff is evaluating further outreach amongst technical and land management communities. Public Affairs staff are developing materials and information for broader public consumption to showcase this work and the positive net results to the natural environment and to local fisheries. R-20-76 Page 3 FISCAL IMPACT This informational item has no immediate fiscal impact. BOARD COMMITTEE REVIEW This item was not previously reviewed by a Board committee. PUBLIC NOTICE Public notice was provided as required by the Brown Act. CEQA COMPLIANCE This item is not a project subject to the California Environmental Quality Act. The WPP was evaluated through an Initial Study and Mitigated Negative Declaration adopted by the Board in 2004. NEXT STEPS District staff will continue outreach and sharing the results of the WPP and the sediment monitoring study with partners, stakeholders, and the public. Attachments 1. Sediment Monitoring Report, Balance Hydrologics 2020. 2. Watershed Protection Program Map Responsible Department Head: Kirk Lenington, Natural Resources Prepared by: Aaron Hébert, Senior Resource Management Specialist Graphics prepared by: Nathan Greig, Data Analyst II 1 Executive Summary El Corte De Madera Creek Open Space Preserve Watershed Protection Program Effectiveness Monitoring July, 2020 Summary: In 2004, the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District (Midpen) adopted the El Corte de Madera Creek Open Space Preserve Watershed Protection Program (WPP). The goal of the WPP was to reduce the amount of sediment entering El Corte de Madera Creek and to improve spawning habitat for salmonids (steelhead trout and coho salmon) over 12 years of sustained construction to re-route trails, decommission roads, improve roads, install bridges, and more. Midpen construction staff performed most of the work and Midpen invested roughly $1.25M in the project through equipment, materials, and contractors. To monitor the effectiveness of the WPP, Midpen contracted with Balance Hydrologics, Inc. (Balance) in 2004. Initial monitoring focused on measuring sediment in the creeks and the data indicated more study and ways of measuring sediment were necessary. Ultimately, Balance’s monitoring work from 2004-08 formed a ‘baseline’ condition as the WPP implementation proceeded from 2009-2016, and which continues in part today through ongoing maintenance. Upon completion of the majority of WPP work, Midpen returned to Balance with the idea of capturing the ‘after’ condition in the stream systems of ECDM. The enclosed report summarizes the recent monitoring efforts from 2018- 2020, draws conclusions about the effectiveness of the WPP in reducing sedimentation instream and offers insights into the monitoring methods employed for the benefit of the scientific and resource management community. All of the evidence gathered in this study points in a positive direction. The significance of each line of evidence is evaluated in the context of the natural variation in sedimentation that is caused by drier and wetter winters. The clear outcome of the monitoring is that less sediment is entering the San Gregorio watershed than before the WPP was implemented. ATTACHMENT 1 2 Background 2004-2007: In 2001, in response to citizen complaint, Midpen worked to develop a plan to reduce sedimentation with state environmental agencies including the California Department of Fish and Wildlife and the San Francisco Water Quality Control Board). The San Gregorio watershed was listed as impaired for sediment in 1998 and remains so today. Additionally, steelhead trout and coho salmon had seen declines in populations over the proceeding decades, in part due to sediment harming salmonid eggs in the creek. Out of this grew a process to change the roads and trails in the preserve to improve the water quality and the native fish habitat, while continuing to provide an enjoyable experience for visitors. The WPP tried to balance the experience preserve visitors, particularly mountain bicyclists, would have with the environmental goals of the project and the challenges facing salmonids. The WPP used best management practices developed throughout California to identify and prioritize construction activities that would reduce sedimentation. Particular attention was paid to steep slopes, roads as they approached creeks and places where preserve visitors were likely to cause erosion. Achieving the WPP goals of reducing sedimentation also entailed changing the preserve visitor experience and the trail system as a whole. New or retrofitted trails allowed for trail designs that were less likely to have ruts, were muddy for a shorter period of the year, and, by installing drainage structures in a rolling pattern, created a varied riding experience for mountain bikers. Some mountain bikers miss the steeper trail system that was legacy of logging and motorcycle riding in the 1980s. Nonetheless, ECDM is more popular than ever and offers some of the best mountain biking in the Bay Area. The WPP reduced chronic erosion (i.e. erosion that occurs in typical year of average rainfall) and episodic erosion (i.e. erosion during rare and large storm events). Reshaping roads, rocking roads, and eliminating ruts and gullies helped reduced chronic erosion. Making larger stream crossings with bridges and bigger culverts helped reduce episodic erosion by allowing big storm flows to pass through the roads. The condition of these sites after improvement is monitored visually and qualitatively for loss of soil or erosion near the creek. These efforts are estimated to have prevented thousands of cubic yards of sediment from entering the creek over the study period of 2004-2020 (a typical dump truck carries 10 cubic yards). The Santa Cruz Mountains have naturally high rates of sedimentation compared to other regions, due to steep ATTACHMENT 1 3 slopes, erosive soils, and the underlying geology. The central challenge of this study was to develop a monitoring method that is sensitive enough to measure the relatively smaller sedimentation caused by roads and trails. The monitoring efforts have been a collaboration between Midpen and Balance, spanning over 16 years. Both organizations have many of the same people working on the past and present projects. In response to Midpen in 2004, Balance recommended an approach to monitor sediment in the creek called the “V-Star” method (V*). V* monitors change in creek sediments by probing the streambed with a metal rod marked like a ruler. Typically, one person takes the measurement and another records the data point in an unbiased grid across the stream. V* sites are all ‘pools’, which are natural depressions in the creek (visualize a small swimming hole). Anywhere from 50-200 data points at each pool may be gathered depending on the size of the pool. The average depth of the sediment and the depth of water is used to estimate how full of sediment the pool is. The V* value is a percentage of how much sediment is in the pool (0 = free of sediment and 100 = full). The V* method monitors the change in V* values year over year by remeasuring these pools. The majority of these pools are located in the very bottom of the watershed, towards the southern boundary of ECDM near the Virginia Mill Trail bridge. By locating the measurement sites lower in the watershed, Balance and Midpen aimed to better measure the effects of the WPP, which occurred upstream throughout the entire preserve. Balance trained Midpen staff to collect this data in 2004 and then Midpen collected the data in 2005 and 2006. To set up a point of comparison, Balance recommended Midpen also monitor six pool locations in nearby La Honda Creek Open Space Preserve, in the same watershed with the same geology at a similar elevation with similar rainfall, to act as a control group. Figure 1 Midpen staff gathering V* data, 2005 ATTACHMENT 1 4 Figure 2 V* Pool Locations in ECDM It was important to separate background rates of sedimentation from that created from human activity and to “normalize” V* measurements in order to provide context for the results. To do this, Balance staff surveyed large landslides that had entered the creeks throughout most of the ECDM and estimated the volume of those landslides. Most of these landslides appear to have originated or been remobilized by the 1998 El Nino event. Additionally, Balance estimated a potential range of sediment that could be coming from roads and trails. Together, these data suggested in the 2004-07 period that 80% of sediment is attributable to large landslides and 20% may have come from roads and trails. By 2006, the long-term nature of the WPP was apparent. Balance recommended an additional independent line of evidence, separate from V*, that would be necessary to effectively measure change over time. Midpen contracted with Balance to conduct a stream gaging and sediment sampling program to compliment the V* data. Balance established a stream gage at the bottom of ECDM that measures the height of stream (“stage”). Using an electronic sensor, these data were recorded every 15 minutes. The gage data are also used to measure the volume of water that is leaving ECDM. By measuring the depth of water along the stream across from the ATTACHMENT 1 5 gage, Balance could relate the stream height on the gage and the depth to create an area of water. With a velocity meter (visualize a little propeller), Balance gathered stream velocity. Multiplied by the area, velocity provides the volume of water leaving ECDM (“discharge”) in cubic feet per second. Monitoring discharge allowed Balance to describe how and when water and sediment moved through the creek system. Figure 3 At left, El Corte De Madera Creek Gage at High Flow Conditions 2019. At right, Midpen staff at Stream Gage 2006. When large storms come into the Santa Cruz Mountains, rain quickly mobilizes fine sediment particles into the creek, causing a muddy appearance. This is a natural process, but the degree to which the water is cloudy or muddy (“turbid”) reflects how much sediment is in the creek, naturally or because of human activity. During large storms, Balance collected water samples from the creek and then sent them to a laboratory to precisely weigh and describe the sediments in the creek from that exact moment it was collected. This turbidity data could then be connected to the discharge data, relating the magnitude of the storm (e.g. a 1-2 year storm event at ~200cfs, which is a storm that is likely to occur every year to every other year) to the quantity of sediment leaving ECDM. This relationship between storm events and sedimentation (bigger storms move more sediment and the inverse) established another ‘baseline’ and speaks to how sedimentation in ECDM might affect downstream salmonid habitat. ATTACHMENT 1 6 Figure 4 Balance staff collecting sediment during a storm. Sample at right. During the V* data gathering, Balance staff recommended at each data point Midpen record what size of rock is found on the pool surface (e.g. sediment, gravels, cobbles, boulders), called streambed texture. The V* values speak to the volume of sediment reduced by the WPP but does not describe directly how that might affect fish habitat on the surface of the streambed. Coho and steelhead spawn in gravels and without gravels, they cannot reproduce as well. Their eggs also get smothered in sediments, reducing oxygen at a critical time. ECDM is too high up in the watershed for salmonids, past natural waterfalls that prevent migration, but the sediments, gravels and wood that leave the preserve directly affect downstream habitats. The streambed texture data gathered alongside the V* data measures how pools in the preserve have changed in response to reduced sedimentation and suggests how downstream pools might have also changed. ATTACHMENT 1 7 Figure 5 Diagram Highlighting Stream Texture at a V* pool These three lines of evidence (V*, discharge/turbidity, and streambed texture) collectively measure the changes over time in sedimentation. 2018-2020 Study The first phase of the Balance’s efforts was to make sure the streamgage installed in 2006 was in working order to continue and repeat the discharge and turbidity data gathering. The remoteness of the site (an hour fifteen minutes from the urban San Francisco Peninsula) makes very frequent monitoring or sampling cost prohibitive. New and cheaper technology allowed for a turbidity probe to be installed to gather a measurement of the visual clarity of the water (muddiness) every 15 minutes, allowing a year-round record without frequent fieldwork. This continuous data would then be calibrated with the same sediment sampling sent to the lab to ensure accurate recording. Having continuous streamflow data and turbidity data provided a record that could be compared against the San Gregorio gage at the bottom of the watershed, operated by USGS (and partly funded by Midpen). ATTACHMENT 1 8 Figure 6 Stream Flow at ECDM and San Gregorio in 2018, log scale Additionally, Balance and Midpen walked the majority of the creek system to reevaluate how large landslides might be affecting sedimentation. How the very wet winter of 2017 may have changed the stream was an important question (many highways had closed for part of the winter due to landslides). The surprising conclusion was that relatively few new landslides had occurred. This may reflect that the historic rainfall was spread out over the winter and not highly concentrated in fewer, larger storms. In the fall of 2018, Balance and Midpen staff re-learned the complexities and technicalities of the V* method and began resurveying the same pools as studied before. Balance and Midpen staff compared past photos, sketches and GPS data to reassess the pools. 4 of the La Honda Preserve V* sites were substantially different, due to streambank/road failures and Sudden Oak Death causing tan oak die off into the pools, altering how sediment was stored. Alternatively, only 2 of the ECDM pools were significantly changed, reflecting the stability of the boulders that define most of pools. Midpen hired a Water Resources intern to carry out the bulk of the labor for the V*. The dedicated labor allowed for additional data gathering. Balance and Midpen added 7 new pools to ECDM and selected 2 new replacement pools to La Honda Preserve. An average water year followed the fall of 2018 and another year of V* data gathering continued with another Water Resources intern in fall 2019. Midpen and Balance kept the stream ATTACHMENT 1 9 gage in operation through winter 2019-20 in the event large storms would add to the data set (no such large storms occurred). Results and Interpretation: All of the data gathered show a decline in sedimentation. The strongest evidence comes from the turbidity-discharge data, comparing 2006-08 to 2018-20. For example, when a 1-2 year storm moves through ECDM, less sediment leaves the system today than before and this is true of every type of storm event. Finer sediments have decreased by 2.4x and coarser sediments of 4.3x from 2006-08 to 2018-19. Figure 7 A 1.6-year storm event transporting sediment out of ECDM, comparing the before and after conditions. Less sediment is affecting downstream fish habitat. The V* data show a 15% decline between the ‘before’ and ‘after’ data sets, but the relative volume of sediment stored in the pools ATTACHMENT 1 10 compared against the volume of sediment moving within and leaving the preserves suggests this a relatively weaker line of evidence. The La Honda Preserve V* pools track in a similar way to the ECDM pools, though no restoration occurred upstream in La Honda. The streambed texture data shows a 24% decrease in sediment and an increase 3% and 8% in gravels and cobbles respectively. The pools are covered with less sediment. This is the type of change that would better support salmonids downstream. Every year since El Nino 1998 would be expected to have less sediment as those landslides are flushed down the watershed. The drought of 2012-17 would also be expected to reduce sedimentation in the creek, because fewer storms occurred. The quantitative relationship between the WPP work on the roads and trails and what can be measured in the stream is complex. But the lack of erosion at the WPP sites combined with the three lines of evidence all pointing in the same direction (and no evidence to the contrary) suggests the work has been effective in reaching its goals. The enclosed report expands on this nuance and dives much deeper into the waters of ECDM. -Aaron Hébert, Senior Resource Management Specialist, Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District. -Jonathan Owens, Principal Hydrologist, Balance Hydrologics, Inc. Acknowledgments: Special thanks to the Water Resources Interns, Julia Hathaway and Morgan Williams, for leading the V* fieldwork and inputting and double-checking all the V* data. Special thanks to Senior Planner Meredith Manning for overseeing the V* work in 2005-06, retired Senior Resource Management Specialist Matt Baldzikowski for assisting with the stream ATTACHMENT 1 11 gaging in 2006-2008 and Natural Resources Manager Kirk Lenington for initiating this study program and for whatever managers do! To the many Midpen staff who gathered the V* data: patrol, land and facilities, Midpen volunteers, and the Conservation Biology Interns (Katarina Palermo and Elena Wolff), who were integral partners to the Water Resources Interns. Many Balance staff performed field work (during both dry weather and in the rain) and/or data entry and analyses; the following people were consistent contributors with careful observations and off-trail fortitude: Chelsea Neill, Anna Nazarov, Dana Jepsen, Zan Rubin, Emma Goodwin, John Hardy, Barry Hecht, Scott Brown, John Gartner, Brian Hastings, Shawn Chartrand and Bonnie deBerry. ATTACHMENT 1 WATERSHED PROTECTION PROGRAM EFFECTIVENESS MONITORING: EL CORTE DE MADERA CREEK OPEN SPACE PRESERVE, SAN MATEO COUNTY, CALIFORNIA August 2020 Prepared for: Aaron Hébert, Senior Resource Management Specialist Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District 330 Distel Circle, Los Altos, California 94022 P: (650) 625 - 6561 F: (650) 691 - 0485 Email: ahebert@openspace.org Prepared by: ATTACHMENT 1 WATERSHED PROTECTION PROGRAM EFFECTIVENESS MONITORING: EL CORTE DE MADERA CREEK OPEN SPACE PRESERVE Balance Hydrologics, Inc. i August 7, 2020 A REPORT PREPARED FOR: Aaron Hébert, Senior Resource Management Specialist Earth Science Program, Natural Resources Department Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District 330 Distel Circle, Los Altos, California 94022 P: (650) 625 - 6561 F: (650) 691-0485 [ahebert@openspace.org] by Jonathan Owens Principal Hydrologist Chelsea Neill, P.G. Geomorphologist © 2020 Balance Hydrologics, Inc. Project Assignment: 217020 800 Bancroft Way, Suite 101 ~ Berkeley, California 94710-2800 ~ (510) 704-1000 ~ office@balancehydro.com ATTACHMENT 1 WATERSHED PROTECTION PROGRAM EFFECTIVENESS MONITORING: EL CORTE DE MADERA CREEK OPEN SPACE PRESERVE ii Balance Hydrologics, Inc. < This page intentionally left blank > ATTACHMENT 1 WATERSHED PROTECTION PROGRAM EFFECTIVENESS MONITORING: EL CORTE DE MADERA CREEK OPEN SPACE PRESERVE Balance Hydrologics, Inc. iii TABLE OF CONTENTS 1 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 1 1.1 Problem Statement 1 1.2 Watershed Protection Program 1 1.3 Study Plan Methods 1 1.4 Results 3 1.5 Conclusions 5 2 INTRODUCTION 7 2.1 Starting Questions 8 2.2 What This Study Project Was Not Trying to Measure 8 2.3 Historic Land Use – the Impact of Logging Practices 9 2.4 Steep Terrain and Bedrock Geology 11 2.4.1 Steep Terrain 11 2.4.2 Geology 14 2.5 Hydrology 16 2.6 Role of Large Wood 19 2.7 Roads and Trails and Recent Trail Use 22 3 METHODS AND APPROACH 25 3.1 V* Method, Applicability, and Method Checks 26 3.1.1 V* Method 26 3.1.2 V* Applicability to Bed Material and Time Scale 27 3.1.3 V* Depth Measurements 27 3.1.4 Pool Selection 28 3.1.5 Grid Spacing 28 3.1.6 V* Method Checks 31 3.1.7 Sediment Texture Frequency 32 3.2 Sediment-source Inventory Method 33 3.3 Streamflow and Sediment Gaging 35 3.3.1 Streamflow Gaging 35 3.3.2 Sediment-Transport Sampling 35 4 RESULTS AND DISCUSSION 39 4.1 V* Results 39 4.1.1 Sediment Texture Frequency 45 4.2 Sediment Inventory Comparison 46 ATTACHMENT 1 WATERSHED PROTECTION PROGRAM EFFECTIVENESS MONITORING: EL CORTE DE MADERA CREEK OPEN SPACE PRESERVE iv Balance Hydrologics, Inc. 4.2.1 Sediment Inventory Mapping 2018 46 4.2.2 Sediment Inventory Volumetric Calculations 2018 50 4.2.3 Sediment Inventory Comparison Between 2004 and 2018 51 4.3 Creek and Sediment Gaging 53 4.3.1 Sediment Rating Curves 53 4.3.2 Turbidity Probe Data 59 4.3.3 Annual Sediment Load Totals 61 5 COMPARISONS AND CONCLUSIONS 65 5.1 Comparison of Pool Volumes to Sediment Source Volumes 65 5.2 Comparison of Pool Volumes to Sediment Transport Annual Totals 65 5.3 Comparison Table of Sources and Loads 66 5.4 Conclusions 68 5.4.1 Less Sediment Is Leaving ECDM Than Before The WPP 68 5.4.2 V* Shows Lower Pool-Sediment Volumes In 2018 And 2019 Than Before The WPP 68 5.4.3 Sediment Texture In Pools Show Less Sand And More Cobbles And Boulders 68 5.4.4 WPP Contributed To Improvement In Creek Conditions 68 5.4.5 Natural Weather Patterns and Fewer Recent Landslides 69 5.4.6 Wood Jams Trap Substantial Amounts of Sediment 69 6 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS 70 7 LIMITATIONS 72 8 REFERENCES 73 ATTACHMENT 1 WATERSHED PROTECTION PROGRAM EFFECTIVENESS MONITORING: EL CORTE DE MADERA CREEK OPEN SPACE PRESERVE Balance Hydrologics, Inc. v LIST OF TABLES Table 4-1 Summary of sediment inventories conducted during 2004 and 2018: El Corte de Madera Creek Open Space Preserve. 52 Table 4-2 Annual sediment load totals for El Corte de Madera Creek at Virginia Mill Bridge, water years 2004 through 2019. 63 Table 5-1 Sediment inventory totals compared to sediment transport totals over matching periods: El Corte de Madera Creek Open Space Preserve. 67 LIST OF FIGURES Figure 2-1 Regional and location map, with the larger San Gregorio Creek watershed delineated. 7 Figure 2-2 Historic sawmills in El Corte de Madera Creek Preserve. 10 Figure 2-3 Slope steepness map analysis for El Corte de Madera Creek Open Space Preserve. 12 Figure 2-4 Creek valley slopes for El Corte de Madera Creek, Lawrence Creek, and the designated Methuslah tributary: El Corte de Madera Creek Preserve. 13 Figure 2-5 Geologic Map of the vicinity. 15 Figure 2-6 Section of El Corte de Madera Creek (2018). 17 Figure 2-7 Flow hydrograph recorded for water year 2006: El Corte de Madera Creek at Virginia Mill bridge. 18 Figure 2-8 Return periods for peak flow correlated from San Gregorio Creek data. 19 Figure 2-9 Typical sediment deposit behind a wood jam in El Corte de Madera Creek Preserve (2018). 20 Figure 2-10 Typical wood jam in El Corte de Madera Creek Preserve (2004). 21 Figure 2-11 Typical sketch for using a critical dip with a culvert at a drainage/trail crossing. 23 Figure 2-12 Example sketch of a trail segment and the suggested improvements to reduce erosion and improve sustainability (from Best, 2006). 24 Figure 3-1 Periods of measurement approaches overlaid with a chronological plot of average annual flow and annual peak flow. 26 Figure 3-2 Plan View of an example pool to illustrate the V* method. 29 Figure 3-3 Sections of example pools illustrating the V* method. 30 Figure 3-4 V* measurements being performed by MROSD interns: El Corte de Madera Creek Preserve, 2019. 31 ATTACHMENT 1 WATERSHED PROTECTION PROGRAM EFFECTIVENESS MONITORING: EL CORTE DE MADERA CREEK OPEN SPACE PRESERVE vi Balance Hydrologics, Inc. Figure 3-5 V* pool showing different types of bed sediment that were recorded as part of the sediment-texture analysis. 33 Figure 3-6 Typical sediment source that was measured, mapped, and inventoried: El Corte de Madera Creek Preserve. 34 Figure 3-7 Sample in collection bottle and typical conditions during moderate to high flow: El Corte de Madera Creek at gaging station. 36 Figure 3-8 Bedload measurement near the peak flow of WY2018. 37 Figure 4-1 Plot of V* values by individual pool from 2019, grouped by creek reach. 40 Figure 4-2 Average and weighted multi-year V* results from El Corte de Madera Creek Open Space Preserve. 41 Figure 4-3 Average and median multi-year V* results: El Corte de Madera Creek Open Space Preserve. 42 Figure 4-4 Locations of V* pools 2019 and 5 years of measurement results: El Corte de Madera Creek Preserve. 43 Figure 4-5 Changes in grouped V* values from the start to the end of the WPP study; El Corte de Madera Creek Preserve. 44 Figure 4-6 Change in pool bed material over time (by measurement point): El Corte de Madera Creek Preserve. 45 Figure 4-7 Change in grouped pool-bed composition from the start to the end of the WPP study; El Corte de Madera Creek Preserve. 46 Figure 4-8 Map of large sediment sources and storage from 2018: El Corte de Madera Creek Preserve. 48 Figure 4-9 Map of large sediment sources inventoried in 2004 and again in 2018. 49 Figure 4-10 Reduction in the amount of sediment transported during a typical large storm. 54 Figure 4-11 Sediment-transport rates during an example storm. 55 Figure 4-12 Suspended-sediment transport measurements and rating curve: El Corte de Madera Creek at Virginia Mill Trail. 57 Figure 4-13 Bedload-sediment transport measurements and rating curve: El Corte de Madera Creek at Virginia Mill Trail. 58 Figure 4-14 Turbidity record and hydrograph from water year 2019: El Corte de Madera Creek. 60 Figure 4-15 Turbidity as a function of creek flow (January - March 2019): El Corte de Madera Creek Preserve. 61 ATTACHMENT 1 WATERSHED PROTECTION PROGRAM EFFECTIVENESS MONITORING: EL CORTE DE MADERA CREEK OPEN SPACE PRESERVE Balance Hydrologics, Inc. vii Figure 4-16 Calculated annual sediment transport: El Corte de Madera Creek at Virginia Mill bridge. 64 ATTACHMENT 1 WATERSHED PROTECTION PROGRAM EFFECTIVENESS MONITORING: EL CORTE DE MADERA CREEK OPEN SPACE PRESERVE viii Balance Hydrologics, Inc. < This page intentionally left blank > ATTACHMENT 1 WATERSHED PROTECTION PROGRAM EFFECTIVENESS MONITORING: EL CORTE DE MADERA CREEK OPEN SPACE PRESERVE Balance Hydrologics, Inc. 1 1 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY This report presents 2 years of measurements and monitoring during 2018 and 2019, and compares new data to data collected during “baseline” studies that were conducted from 2004 through 2008. 1.1 Problem Statement Following concerns of sediment washing from roads and trails into creeks, and potentially impacting fish habitat in the creeks, the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District (MROSD) initiated programs to improve trails to reduce sediment contributions, and also to study sediment in the El Corte de Madera Creek Open Space Preserve (ECDM). ECDM is a preserve of approximately 2,906 acres with approximately 35.9 miles of roads and trails, located in San Mateo County, California, along the crest of the Santa Cruz Mountains. ECDM creeks and sediment drain into San Gregorio Creek, which is home to threatened species Steelhead trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) and endangered species Coho salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch); resident fish are present in the ECDM creek system. The terrain is steep with elevations ranging from 550 to 2,430 feet, with history of logging throughout the Preserve from the 1860s up through the 1980s. Roads and trails in ECDM were largely inherited logging roads that were later used for dirt bike riding and were not necessarily developed with sustainability or erosion in mind. 1.2 Watershed Protection Program The MROSD began a Watershed Protection Program (WPP) with road and trail improvements in 2004 that was substantially completed in 2016 but continued in lesser degrees through 2019; this program improved drainage features, recontoured roads and trails, decommissioned some, and built or relocated other trails. During this period, this preserve has gained popularity among trail users, particularly among mountain bikers, and attracts outdoor enthusiasts from across the San Francisco Bay area. 1.3 Study Plan Methods Starting in 2004, Balance Hydrologics Inc. (Balance) worked with the MROSD to carry out a 3-pronged approach to study sediment in the creeks of ECDM. The main study elements were conducted during 2004 through 2008 and were then repeated during 2018 and 2019. The 3 study approaches are: ATTACHMENT 1 WATERSHED PROTECTION PROGRAM EFFECTIVENESS MONITORING: EL CORTE DE MADERA CREEK OPEN SPACE PRESERVE 2 Balance Hydrologics, Inc. • Using the V* [“V-star”] technique to quantify the amount of sediment that fills pools; V* uses a grid system and a sediment probe to measure the depth of fine sediment that has accumulated in pools (2004 – 2006, and 2018-2019); • Conducting a sediment-source inventory to map the locations and quantify the volume of sediment contributed to creeks by landslides and bank failures; locations and amounts of sediment stored behind wood jams were also mapped and measured (2004 and 2018); • Operating a creek gaging station to measure creek flow, measure sediment transport during storms, and calculate annual sediment transport; fine sediment (suspended sediment) and coarse sediment (bedload) are tabulated separately (water years 2006-2008, and 2018-2019).1 The annual hydrologic conditions and the timing of the methods are shown graphically in this Figure. 1 Flow gaging occurred on the tail end of first and second study periods (water years 2009 and 2020), in order to be ready to sample for sediment, in case a wet year occurred with large storms; however in both cases no additional sediment samples were collected because they were dry years with no large storms. Because no sediment was collected during those years, we generally do not refer to them in this report. ATTACHMENT 1 WATERSHED PROTECTION PROGRAM EFFECTIVENESS MONITORING: EL CORTE DE MADERA CREEK OPEN SPACE PRESERVE Balance Hydrologics, Inc. 3 1.4 Results These study methods were then used to compare the magnitude of “natural” sediment sources to the magnitude possibly derived from roads and trails, and changes from the 2004-2006 period to 2018 and 2019 conditions. Keeping in mind that a confounding factor is that sediment production and transport varies greatly between wet years and dry years, results from the comparisons are: • Sediment rating curves for both suspended sediment and bedload sediment decreased substantially, which means that sediment transported downstream has decreased (by more than 50%) and is evidence that sediment production in the watershed and availability in creeks has decreased measurably in the watershed. • Bed conditions in pools showed decreased sand (decreased 24%) and increased cobble and boulders sizes (each increased 8%); this is further evidence that sediment availability in creeks has decreased measurably in the watershed. ATTACHMENT 1 WATERSHED PROTECTION PROGRAM EFFECTIVENESS MONITORING: EL CORTE DE MADERA CREEK OPEN SPACE PRESERVE 4 Balance Hydrologics, Inc. • V* values decreased from the 2004-2006 period (approximately 0.15; V* measurements in the La Honda Creek Preserve showed a year-to-year pattern similar to ECDM. • Fewer landslides and bank failures occurred in the past several years (2017 and 2018), compared to the years preceding the first sets of measurements (1998 through 2004). • In 2018, roughly the same amount of coarse sediment that was released from landslides was found to be trapped behind log jams, therefore limiting the amount of sediment being washed downstream; this is in contrast to 2004, when landslide volumes substantially exceeded sediment stored behind log jams. ATTACHMENT 1 WATERSHED PROTECTION PROGRAM EFFECTIVENESS MONITORING: EL CORTE DE MADERA CREEK OPEN SPACE PRESERVE Balance Hydrologics, Inc. 5 1.5 Conclusions 1. Much less sediment is leaving the Preserve now than during our initial set of measurements. This could be due to the WPP, or fewer landslides, or a combination of both. 2. V* measurements show lower pool-sediment volumes in 2018 and 2019 than during the baseline period. This could be due to the WPP, or natural weather patterns, or a combination of both. 3. Sand on pool bottoms has been reduced (generally exposing more cobbles and boulders). This could be due to the WPP, or fewer landslides, or a combination of both. 4. Road and trail improvements of the WPP correspond to- and appear to have contributed to- decreased sediment transport rates in El Corte de Madera Creek. Because road and trail surfaces appear to be much less eroded now, than at the beginning of the study period, decreased sediment transport rates in El Corte de Madera Preserve can partly be attributed to road and trails-related ATTACHMENT 1 WATERSHED PROTECTION PROGRAM EFFECTIVENESS MONITORING: EL CORTE DE MADERA CREEK OPEN SPACE PRESERVE 6 Balance Hydrologics, Inc. sedimentation reduction; additionally, the same trail improvements are useful to improve the trail experience for Preserve users. 5. Wood jams trap a substantial amount of sediment in the creek channel, and therefore contribute to modulating sediment transport, especially during wet years with large storms. If the wood jams were not there, much more sediment would likely have filled pools or washed downstream. ATTACHMENT 1 WATERSHED PROTECTION PROGRAM EFFECTIVENESS MONITORING: EL CORTE DE MADERA CREEK OPEN SPACE PRESERVE Balance Hydrologics, Inc. 7 2 INTRODUCTION El Corte de Madera Creek Regional Open Space Preserve (ECDM) is owned and managed by the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District (MROSD). ECDM is a preserve of approximately 2,906 acres with more than 28 miles of roads and trails, located in San Mateo County, California, along the crest of the Santa Cruz Mountains (see Figure 2-1). The terrain is steep with elevations ranging from 550 to 2,430 feet, and has history of logging throughout the Preserve from the 1860’s up through the 1980’s. El Corte de Madera Creek drains into San Gregorio Creek, which is home to threatened species steelhead trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) and coho salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch). Figure 2-1 Regional and location map, with the larger San Gregorio Creek watershed delineated. The USGS and Balance Hydrologics creek gaging stations are shown. Skyline Boulevard (Route 35) runs along the northeast boundary of the Preserve. Highway 84 runs along the east side of the La Honda Creek Open Space Preserve. ATTACHMENT 1 WATERSHED PROTECTION PROGRAM EFFECTIVENESS MONITORING: EL CORTE DE MADERA CREEK OPEN SPACE PRESERVE 8 Balance Hydrologics, Inc. There are reportedly natural fish barriers between San Gregorio Creek and the ECDM Preserve, sediment from ECDM eventually washes downstream and effects fish habitat in San Gregorio Creek. Resident rainbow trout are frequently observed in ECDM. 2.1 Starting Questions At the beginning of the first phase of this project, the MROSD was starting a multi-year Watershed Protection Program (WPP) (adopted January 21st, 2004) to improve roads and trails to reduce sediment erosion, and to increase the sustainability of recreational use. Early work to describe locations and priorities for road and trail improvements was performed by Tim Best (2002). Balance Hydrologics, Inc. (Balance) and MROSD collaborated to define a study approach to help the MROSD study the factors contributing to sediment in the creek system from 2004 through 2008. Initial questions that we sought to answer were: • How full of sediment (sand) are pools? • How much of the sediment is due to roads and trails vs. landslides and natural processes? Some landslides and bank failures may also be influenced by modern or older roads. • Will the road and trail improvements in the WPP have an impact to the creek system that is measurable? • Will the road and trail improvements create an initial disturbance that temporarily increases sediment getting to the creek system? • How long does the logging legacy persist, and is the network of old logging roads and areas of channel fill still influencing the creeks? We designed a study approach to address some of these questions, but some of the questions remain difficult to answer, particularly those concerning the historical impact of logging on sediment and creek conditions. The study approach is described in Section 2. 2.2 What This Study Project Was Not Trying to Measure Frequently it can also be useful and clarifying to state what the project is not trying to measure or evaluate. These aspects can also make interesting follow-up projects to ATTACHMENT 1 WATERSHED PROTECTION PROGRAM EFFECTIVENESS MONITORING: EL CORTE DE MADERA CREEK OPEN SPACE PRESERVE Balance Hydrologics, Inc. 9 address related questions, but for this project we did not intend to- nor did we attempt to: • Directly measure trail erosion. This could have been done by repeat fine-detail surveys of a large number and/or a representative sampling of different roads and trails of difference width, steepness, and usership. • The amount of “active” erosion caused by road and trail use (detachment and erosion of soil particles) compared to “passive erosion” (rain splash erosion due to the presence of bare soil on roads and trails). • How much road and trail erosion may be unavoidable, even with well-designed and maintained roads and trails. • How direct measurements of trail erosion could also have been performed with “end-of-pipe” style of measurements where culverts or ditches collected runoff from road segments. • Directly measure the effectiveness of individual or collective trail treatments; this could have been done with paired segments of roads and trails that received no treatment, and various levels of treatment. • Upland sources of sediment that are far from creek channels. However, most of the steepest terrain that generates most of the sediment sources are locations close to creek channels. • The effectiveness of road decommissioning in terms of both changes in amounts of erosion. 2.3 Historic Land Use – the Impact of Logging Practices Historic land use in The ECDM Preserve could be the subject of an entire report, so we have included only a few pertinent aspects of the history as it pertains to hydrology, geomorphology and sediment conditions. The largest land-use impacts are due to multiple aspects of the logging history. Please refer to Balance’s previous report for additional background details (Owens et. al., 2006). MROSD provided the following historical timeline and map (Figure 2-2): In 1858, ECDM was part of Mexican land grant to Domingo Peralta and Máximo Martinez. ‘El Corte de Madera’ translates to ‘wood-cuttings place’, suggesting an ATTACHMENT 1 WATERSHED PROTECTION PROGRAM EFFECTIVENESS MONITORING: EL CORTE DE MADERA CREEK OPEN SPACE PRESERVE 10 Balance Hydrologics, Inc. early history of logging. Clear-cutting of the forest followed. By the early 1940s, many second-growth redwoods in the region were large enough to be harvested again. This continued periodically in 5, 10, 15, and 20-year return intervals throughout the Preserve until the late 1980s. There are many recorded harvests in the Preserve after the 1972 Forest Practice Rules were adopted and record keeping of harvests began. Earlier aerial imagery shows logging in the decades before 1972. Logging-era refuse is found throughout the Preserve in the creeks: small railroad ties, stone walls for mills, and other implements and artifacts. Figure 2-2 Historic sawmills in El Corte de Madera Creek Preserve. (Modified from Rood, 1975). Based on this map, there appear to have been 8 or 9 mills within the current boundary of ECDM. The ECDM Preserve has a history of timber harvest dating from the 1860’s (Stanger, 1967) until as recently as the 1980’s. During our investigations, we observed numerous legacies of the timber-harvest era that serve to increase or accelerate sediment delivery to the creeks. Most significant were ubiquitous former skid trails, most of which have now become revegetated. The skid trails frequently track alongside the creek channels, ATTACHMENT 1 WATERSHED PROTECTION PROGRAM EFFECTIVENESS MONITORING: EL CORTE DE MADERA CREEK OPEN SPACE PRESERVE Balance Hydrologics, Inc. 11 sometimes on both sides, and angle across nearly every hillslope throughout the preserve. It is well documented that such roads can foster mass failures and destabilize former landslides (Wieczorek and others, 1988). Skid roads constructed adjacent to streams can destabilize the banks, promoting bank failures. It should be noted that even though many of the former skid trails have been colonized by vegetation, they may still alter or accelerate the flow path of water down slope (sometimes diverting flow from one catchment to another), and the portions of these roads that were constructed on fill will continue to be at increased risk of slope failures. Logging era features that we observe in ECDM, which seem to have an influence on erosion and slope- and creek-bank- stability include: • Roads with large cuts and half-bench construction • Fall-line skid roads/cable yarding gullies • Humboldt crossings • Filled creeks in some areas • Roads along edges of channels • Mills in the creek channel • Dam foundations, dams used to store water to run logs downstream • Fire-scarred trees, perhaps from increased fire risk from post-logging slash 2.4 Steep Terrain and Bedrock Geology 2.4.1 STEEP TERRAIN The landscape at ECDM is visibly steep, with most roads and trails cut deeply into the hillslope. We performed a GIS analysis of slope steepness based on the topographic digital elevation model (DEM). As shown in Figure 2-3, almost all the terrain is greater than a 15-percent slope, and much is greater than 30 percent. The area-averaged slope over the whole ECDM Preserve is 57% (30 degrees). Please note that much of the steepest terrain is along the creek channels (“inner gorge”), which is also where landslides are more prone to occur, and thus many of the landslides we encountered often terminated in the creek channel. Frequently, the inner gorge slopes exceed 100% (45 degrees). ATTACHMENT 1 WATERSHED PROTECTION PROGRAM EFFECTIVENESS MONITORING: EL CORTE DE MADERA CREEK OPEN SPACE PRESERVE 12 Balance Hydrologics, Inc. Figure 2-3 Slope steepness map analysis for El Corte de Madera Creek Open Space Preserve. Almost all the ECDM preserve consists of hillslopes of 15% or steeper, with most of the area having greater than 30% slopes; the steepest slopes are generally near the creek valleys. The area-averaged slope is 57% (30 degrees). (100% slope = 45 degrees) Gaging station ATTACHMENT 1 WATERSHED PROTECTION PROGRAM EFFECTIVENESS MONITORING: EL CORTE DE MADERA CREEK OPEN SPACE PRESERVE Balance Hydrologics, Inc. 13 The slopes of the creek channels and valleys are also relatively steep, as shown in Figure 2-4. Please note that the slope values were developed from a GIS database, and thus the longitudinal distance is at map scale and therefore does not capture all the meanders, twists, and turns that a creek takes on the ground. Figure 2-4 Creek valley slopes for El Corte de Madera Creek, Lawrence Creek, and the designated Methuslah tributary: El Corte de Madera Creek Preserve. The changes in slope along El Corte de Madera Creek are likely mainly geologic in origin. The creek profiles diverge at their confluences. Creek valley slope will typically be steeper than the local creek slope, because the valley slope calculation does not fully account for meanders and smaller scale twists and turns in the creek channel. The steepness of the terrain within ECDM suggests that colluvial (hillslope) processes such as landslides and debris flows are the dominant geomorphic process for the landscape evolution. Alluvial (creek) processes then carry away the fine material delivered to the creek by the hillslope processes. As evidence of colluvial processes, we see many tilted stumps and landslide scars throughout the watershed, especially in steeper areas. ATTACHMENT 1 WATERSHED PROTECTION PROGRAM EFFECTIVENESS MONITORING: EL CORTE DE MADERA CREEK OPEN SPACE PRESERVE 14 Balance Hydrologics, Inc. 2.4.2 GEOLOGY The majority of the ECDM and La Honda Preserves watersheds are underlain by Butano sandstone, designated as “Tb” (Brabb and Pampeyan, 1972) in Figure 2-5. The sandstone weathers and erodes in many ways, appearing as large boulders, cobbles and sand in the creeks (Hecht and Rusmore, 1973). A portion of the uppermost mainstem of El Corte de Madera Creek is underlain by Vaqueros sandstone (designated “Tvq”) and Lambert shale (“Tla”), which tend to weather to fine-grained sand, silt and clay. Although not shown on the geologic map, dikes and sills of mainly basaltic composition occur throughout all three rock types. These intrusive rocks are coeval (of the same age) with Mindego basalts, which outcrop immediately downstream of the Preserve; collectively, they are an important part of the stream framework, constituting about 6 to 8 percent of the cobbles and pebbles on the bed of El Corte de Madera Creek downstream from the confluence with Lawrence Creek, where we assessed their prevalence. Most of the pebbles, cobbles, and boulders on the beds of the ECDM Preserve streams originate from the Butano formation; the sand and silt which constitutes the fine sediment filling the pools (and runs, glides, and riffles as well) have their sources in all three formations with the recognizable orange-tinged, poorly-sorted and often-angular sands originating in the Butano unit being obviously dominant. All three rock types generate soils with erosion hazards designated as ‘high’ and ‘extreme’ by the Natural Resources Conservation Service. Hecht and Rusmore (1973) note that the Butano formation is the most common source of pool-filling sands in the central Santa Cruz Mountains. Additional information relevant to the erodibility of formations in the El Corte de Madera Creek watershed is available in the report by Best (2002). ATTACHMENT 1 WATERSHED PROTECTION PROGRAM EFFECTIVENESS MONITORING: EL CORTE DE MADERA CREEK OPEN SPACE PRESERVE Balance Hydrologics, Inc. 15 Figure 2-5 Geologic Map of the vicinity. The main geologic units are Butano (Tb) and Vaqueros (Tvq) sandstone. Some Mindego Basalt (Tmb) appears in the creek channel near the bottom of ECDM. The sandstone geology weathers to boulders, gravel, and sand-sized sediment. (Brabb, and Pampeyan, 1972, and Brabb, Graymer, and Jones, 1998) ATTACHMENT 1 WATERSHED PROTECTION PROGRAM EFFECTIVENESS MONITORING: EL CORTE DE MADERA CREEK OPEN SPACE PRESERVE 16 Balance Hydrologics, Inc. The main geologic units are two types of sandstone. These rock types typically weather to creek sediment that is mostly boulders and sand 2. Cobbles and gravel are also present, but the typical look of creek segments are boulder fields with sand between the boulders. This aspect led us to use the V* method, in which it is important to distinguish between the long-term creek-bed and sediment in regular transport. At ECDM, the long-term creek bed consists of boulders and cobbles in most places, while the sediment in transport is mainly sand with some gravel; because it is easy to tell the difference between cobble and gravel or sand, the V* method seems like it would be relatively easy to use in a repeatable manner (because different people would all be able to tell the difference between cobbles and sand). 2.5 Hydrology ECDM Preserve contains the headwaters of El Corte de Madera Creek, Lawrence Creek and a number of unnamed tributaries; for this study, we informally called the tributary that parallels the Methuslah trail “Methuslah Creek”. Together, these tributaries are within a 4.4 square-mile sub-watershed that contributes to the 51.6 square-mile San Gregorio watershed. The La Honda Preserve contains the upper reaches of La Honda Creek, Harrington Creek, and several unnamed tributaries that drain to La Honda Creek; all of these tributaries are also within the San Gregorio watershed (Figure 2-1). A section of El Corte de Madera Creek is shown in Figure 2-1; this section is near the Methuslah tributary. The creek bed here is mainly boulders with some large wood and patches of sand. Average annual rainfall for the watershed ranges between 36 to 40 inches, depending on elevation (Saah and Nahn, 1989), and supports perennial flow in the mainstem channels during a normal rainfall year. Rainfall typically occurs October through May. Fog drip and mist can contribute a small, but measurable, component of flow to the ecosystem and stream system. Figure 2-7 shows the measured hydrograph for water year 2006, plotted with USGS data from the San Gregorio Creek station (station ID#11162570). 2 Bed-material measured as an add-on to V* measurements later confirmed our initial observations, with pool bed surfaces consisting of approximately 50% sand and 25 to 30% boulders (see Figure 4-6). We did not measure non-pool sections, but those would have more boulders and less sand. ATTACHMENT 1 WATERSHED PROTECTION PROGRAM EFFECTIVENESS MONITORING: EL CORTE DE MADERA CREEK OPEN SPACE PRESERVE Balance Hydrologics, Inc. 17 Figure 2-6 Section of El Corte de Madera Creek (2018). Looking upstream, near Methuslah tributary. Note redwoods and bedrock cliff at the right edge. ATTACHMENT 1 WATERSHED PROTECTION PROGRAM EFFECTIVENESS MONITORING: EL CORTE DE MADERA CREEK OPEN SPACE PRESERVE 18 Balance Hydrologics, Inc. There are very few impervious surfaces within the Preserve, although paved roads along some ridgelines do drain into the preserve. The impact of paved roads can be locally important for erosion near runoff outfalls, but their impact on overall hydrology appears to be small. Figure 2-7 Flow hydrograph recorded for water year 2006: El Corte de Madera Creek at Virginia Mill bridge. Water year 2006 was a wet year with several large storms; the largest occurred December 31, 2005, with a peak flow of 548 cfs (which equates to roughly a 13-year storm). We used our stream gaging data to create a correlation from San Gregorio Creek USGS flow to ECDM flow. In Figure 2-8 we use the correlation to rank 50 years of annual peak flow on San Gregorio creek and relate those to an estimated equivalent flow at ECDM. This analysis allows us to assign approximate return periods to the large storms that occurred before and/or during the period of our measurements. The largest storm in the 50-year period is from WY 1998; the 4th largest is from WY 2006 (13-year storm) on a day we visited the site and made measurements; WY 2017 was a wet year for total rainfall and ranked as a 5.7 year storm. ATTACHMENT 1 WATERSHED PROTECTION PROGRAM EFFECTIVENESS MONITORING: EL CORTE DE MADERA CREEK OPEN SPACE PRESERVE Balance Hydrologics, Inc. 19 Figure 2-8 Return periods for peak flow correlated from San Gregorio Creek data. We use these correlated data to put our measured peak flows in context of the longer-term record. This also shows that the peak flow of 1998 was the largest peak over the 50 years of data for San Gregorio Creek. The 548 cfs peak flow that we recorded for WY2006 plots as a 13-year storm. The WY2017 peak correlates to 418 cfs (5.7-year storm). The peak flows for WY2018 and WY2019 rank as 1.5 and 1.4 year storms. 2.6 Role of Large Wood Much of the large wood is redwood (Sequoia sempervirens) and Douglas fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii), with some regions of tanoak/tan-bark oak (Notholithocarpus densiflorus) (tan oak die off has increased due sudden oak death). Old stumps, whole trees, and smaller pieces of wood often fall into creek channels individually, and/or with landslides and bank failures. Individual pieces of large wood are often structural elements of the creek channel morphology, but wood jams that consist of multiple logs play a more substantial role in ATTACHMENT 1 WATERSHED PROTECTION PROGRAM EFFECTIVENESS MONITORING: EL CORTE DE MADERA CREEK OPEN SPACE PRESERVE 20 Balance Hydrologics, Inc. trapping sediment, sorting sediment, creating pool habitat and cover habitat. The creek channels of ECDM have more numerous, taller, and larger wood jams than most other local watersheds (Figure 2-9 and Figure 2-10). Figure 2-9 Typical sediment deposit behind a wood jam in El Corte de Madera Creek Preserve (2018). Flow is from left to right; this photo shows the recent sand deposit (much of which is still soft), and some winnowing to a coarser surface layer in the center of the channel. Only the top of the wood jam is visible. ATTACHMENT 1 WATERSHED PROTECTION PROGRAM EFFECTIVENESS MONITORING: EL CORTE DE MADERA CREEK OPEN SPACE PRESERVE Balance Hydrologics, Inc. 21 Figure 2-10 Typical wood jam in El Corte de Madera Creek Preserve (2004). Looking downstream: showing gravel deposit in the center, a sand deposit to the right, and a higher, partially-vegetated sand deposit to the left. Some wood jams are much larger than this example. Noticeable large pieces of the wood appear to be from the original logging era (stumps with spring-board notches, hand-squared logs, logs with metal spikes from mill structures). Thus, we conclude that the key pieces of some wood jams can last for a long period of time, and therefore may store sediment for a long period of time. However, observations also suggest that the amount of sediment trapped by long-lived wood jams may wax and wane as smaller wood pieces may be trapped and then decompose or become dislodged over time, and that this process may repeat itself. Large wood that falls and fully spans a creek channel above the water level may not initially affect sediment, but eventually, many creek spanning logs fall into the creek. ATTACHMENT 1 WATERSHED PROTECTION PROGRAM EFFECTIVENESS MONITORING: EL CORTE DE MADERA CREEK OPEN SPACE PRESERVE 22 Balance Hydrologics, Inc. 2.7 Roads and Trails and Recent Trail Use Because of the steep terrain, almost all the roads and trails are built on cuts into hillslopes. Many road sections also appear to be “half-bench” roads where approximately half the road is on a cut surface and half the road is on a fill surface. The wider road sections appear to be generally inherited from the more modern logging activities (1960s and 1970s), although some of the modern roads appear to have been widened from older logging roads. Trails are often located on segments of older logging roads that are narrower and in poor condition, and often have been partially colonized with tree growth. In 2004, the distance of roads within ECDM was 11.8 miles and the distance of trails was 17.1 miles. The current (2020) distance of roads and trails is listed as 35.9 miles, by MROSD. There are single-track trails (2’ wide tread), ATV-accessible trails (6’ wide tread), and roads with a 10-20’ tread. Prior to MROSD improvements, from an erosion perspective, roads (contrasted with trails) tended to have: • more width of bare soil • less canopy cover, allowing more rain-splash erosion on bare soil • more rills and gullies Both roads and trails often capture runoff with water flowing along the surface instead of across the surface. The MROSD began WPP road and trail improvements in 2004 that continued through 2019; this program improved drainage features, recontoured roads and trails, decommissioned some, and built or relocated other trails. During this period, this preserve has gained popularity among trail users, particularly among mountain bikers, and attracts outdoor enthusiasts from across the San Francisco Bay area. Ongoing maintenance and improvements also may occur. The following figures provided by MROSD (from Best, 2002 and 2006), show some typical road and trail improvements that were implemented with the WPP (Figure 2-11 and Figure 2-12). ATTACHMENT 1 WATERSHED PROTECTION PROGRAM EFFECTIVENESS MONITORING: EL CORTE DE MADERA CREEK OPEN SPACE PRESERVE Balance Hydrologics, Inc. 23 Figure 2-11 Typical sketch for using a critical dip with a culvert at a drainage/trail crossing. (from Best, 2002) A critical dip allows water to flow across the trail and back into the drainage, if the culvert were to become obstructed, rather than flowing along the trail for some distance. ATTACHMENT 1 WATERSHED PROTECTION PROGRAM EFFECTIVENESS MONITORING: EL CORTE DE MADERA CREEK OPEN SPACE PRESERVE 24 Balance Hydrologics, Inc. Figure 2-12 Example sketch of a trail segment and the suggested improvements to reduce erosion and improve sustainability (from Best, 2006). ATTACHMENT 1 WATERSHED PROTECTION PROGRAM EFFECTIVENESS MONITORING: EL CORTE DE MADERA CREEK OPEN SPACE PRESERVE Balance Hydrologics, Inc. 25 3 METHODS AND APPROACH At the start of the project, we originally envisioned the first 2 main methods to measure and monitor creek and sediment conditions, and a third method was added starting in water year 3 2006 (WY 2006): 1. V* to characterize pool-filling sediment (Lisle and Hilton, 1992) 2. Sediment-source inventory to quantify natural and road-influenced slides and bank failures, as well as stored sediment. 3. Streamflow and sediment gaging at the Virginia Mill trail, near the bottom of the watershed and the Preserve. Based on the time and budget available, we focused the sediment-source and storage sampling area to the main stem of El Corte de Madera Creek and two main tributaries (Lawrence Creek, and the project-designated “Methuslah tributary”). These choices were based on initial reconnaissance of observed landslides, and the locations where definable pools were observed (generally in creek segments with larger watershed area and less-steep channels). Balance staff surveyed most the creek system for potential V* pools and rated their quality by their likely durability over time (e.g. pools defined by rotting wood or gravel vs boulders). V* pools were generally located towards the bottom of the watershed to measure cumulative change and because larger, higher quality pools were more abundant there. The stream gage was sited towards the downstream edge of the property in order to capture changes from the WPP. The site for gaging and sampling was selected based on its relatively geomorphic stability, relative ease of access, and in a location the Preserve users were unlikely to notice. The time frame of these approaches are shown with a plot of annual and peak flow in Figure 3-1. 3 Most hydrologic and geomorphic monitoring occurs for a period defined as a water year, which begins on October 1 (of the year prior) and ends on September 30 of the named year. For example, water year 2006 began on October 1, 2005 and will end on September 30, 2006. ATTACHMENT 1 WATERSHED PROTECTION PROGRAM EFFECTIVENESS MONITORING: EL CORTE DE MADERA CREEK OPEN SPACE PRESERVE 26 Balance Hydrologics, Inc. Figure 3-1 Periods of measurement approaches overlaid with a chronological plot of average annual flow and annual peak flow. The sediment inventory looks back several years to when landslides and bank collapses occurred (1998 and 2017). Water year 2006 was also a disruptive year in terms of the peak flow and bed changes, which overlapped with the V* measurements and flow and sediment gaging. 3.1 V* Method, Applicability, and Method Checks 3.1.1 V* METHOD V* or V-star 4 was developed by geomorphologists Hilton and Lisle (see Lisle, T.E., and Hilton, S., 1992 and 1999, and Hilton, S., and Lisle, T.E., 1993). 4 V* (pronounced “V-star”) is a method developed by geomorphologists (Lisle, 1991; Lisle and Hilton, 1993), is frequently applied to evaluate sedimentation of pools. It is most effectively used in streams with large contrasts between bed material and the fine sediment that fills pools (Lisle, 1999). The streams in ECDM tend to have cobbles or small boulders as the dominant bed material, and to be filled with fine to medium sand. We believe it suitable for many purposes at ECDM. ATTACHMENT 1 WATERSHED PROTECTION PROGRAM EFFECTIVENESS MONITORING: EL CORTE DE MADERA CREEK OPEN SPACE PRESERVE Balance Hydrologics, Inc. 27 3.1.2 V* APPLICABILITY TO BED MATERIAL AND TIME SCALE This method works best with a well-defined pool bottom, and may be more subjective with minor gradations between pool-forming and pool-filling sediment sizes (such as trying to differentiate between large gravel and small gravel. Based on initial observations, this method seemed as though it would work well at ECDM with the dominant size classes of boulders and sand, with boulders forming the underlying pool shape, with sand being the “pool-filling” material. Smaller cobbles and gravels that partially define a pool (either at depth or along the downstream end of a pool) and that may be mobilized in large storms events would be more difficult to assess using the V* method; if the pool itself (often the riffle crest) changes substantially over the study period, the relative percent of sediment in the pools becomes difficult to interpret. Cobbles do not appear to move frequently in ECDM (except in very large storms), due to the relatively small scale of the watershed. In portions of ECDM, consolidated gravels sometimes defined the bottom of the pool (as probed by the measuring instrument) and which may be mobilized in large storm events. These materials could also be moved aside by the instrument with enough force. Being able to push through an initial resistant layer to a deeper pool bottom appeared to be a rare occurrence in ECDM, and did not appear to affect the data in the individual pools meaningfully, but could be an issue in some geomorphic settings with a greater abundance of gravels or in which storms regularly mobilized gravels. 3.1.3 V* DEPTH MEASUREMENTS A grid system is set up to measure the water depth and total depth (sediment depth is calculated by subtraction). This delineation between pool-forming and pool-filling material is important for the repeatability of measurements, and also relates to the time- scale of the study being performed. At the outset, the time scale of this study was thought to be on the order of 10 years, because that was a time scale to have a range of flow conditions and the expected duration of the WPP for road and trail improvements. Over this time frame, we expected The method tends to be applied especially to those pools supporting salmonids (c.f., Flossi and others, 2004); although barriers preclude steelhead from reaching and using the ECDM pools, V* remains a useful and suitable metric in El Corte de Madera Creek for monitoring bed sedimentation in pools. ATTACHMENT 1 WATERSHED PROTECTION PROGRAM EFFECTIVENESS MONITORING: EL CORTE DE MADERA CREEK OPEN SPACE PRESERVE 28 Balance Hydrologics, Inc. mainly sand and gravel to be transported, while we expected boulders and cobbles to be largely stable, based on our observations of bedload-abrasion and moss-growth patterns on boulders. If a longer timescale were being studied, such as the impact of the logging period, or the maximum depth of sediment behind wood jams, then deeper, more forceful probing through cobbles down to boulders or bedrock would be more appropriate and necessary. This initial assessment of sediment mobility was tested- and largely confirmed- following the peak flow of WY2006 (548 cfs, approximately a 13-year storm), when we noted that some cobbles had been moved by the flow and that most boulders had been stable. This observation was largely based on the orientation of moss growth (moss on top and horizontal if stable, and tilted or inverted if the cobble had moved). 3.1.4 POOL SELECTION While walking the creek channels during the sediment inventory, we ranked pools subjectively based on our initial assessment of how stable we thought they would be over time (e.g. larger material at downstream riffle crest tends to be more stable). We wanted to have pools in several of the main creek branches, and we also wanted a distribution of large, medium, and small pools. 3.1.5 GRID SPACING The grid spacing is customized to each pool to best describe the shape of the pool volume, and can differ longitudinally and laterally, for example a long-skinny pool would have different spacing than a wide round pool. We typically targeted 100 to 125 measurement points per pool, although large pools often had more points, and the smallest pools sometimes had fewer points. Lisle recommended 7 to 10 cross sections (data collection lines perpendicular to flow). We generally erred towards more cross sections and data than the original method recommended, where time permitted. The following schematics (Figure 3-2 and Figure 3-3) help explain the method. ATTACHMENT 1 WATERSHED PROTECTION PROGRAM EFFECTIVENESS MONITORING: EL CORTE DE MADERA CREEK OPEN SPACE PRESERVE Balance Hydrologics, Inc. 29 Figure 3-2 Plan View of an example pool to illustrate the V* method. Observers define the pool, set up a grid system of the longitudinal tape and transects, and perform sediment probing to measure the water depth and total depth to the bottom of finer sediment (from Hilton, S., and Lisle, T.E., 1993). ATTACHMENT 1 WATERSHED PROTECTION PROGRAM EFFECTIVENESS MONITORING: EL CORTE DE MADERA CREEK OPEN SPACE PRESERVE 30 Balance Hydrologics, Inc. Figure 3-3 Sections of example pools illustrating the V* method. Observers define the pool and riffle crest, set up a grid system of the longitudinal tape and transects, and perform sediment probing to measure the water depth and total depth to the bottom of finer sediment at approximately 100 points (from Hilton, S., and Lisle, T.E., 1993). V* for a given pool is then defined as the “fine-sediment” volume divided by the total volume of the “scoured residual pool” volume. The resulting value is a decimal fraction of the amount of the pool that is filled fine sediment. ATTACHMENT 1 WATERSHED PROTECTION PROGRAM EFFECTIVENESS MONITORING: EL CORTE DE MADERA CREEK OPEN SPACE PRESERVE Balance Hydrologics, Inc. 31 After walking most of the creek channels, we chose a subset of pools within ECDM and the La Honda Creek Preserve, on which to apply the V* method. We were generally successful in relocating the same pool locations year after year, although some pools changed too much to still be considered pools, and one location was not able to be relocated. Additional V* pools were added in 2018 and 2019. The transect and tape are shown in Figure 3-4. Figure 3-4 V* measurements being performed by MROSD interns: El Corte de Madera Creek Preserve, 2019. The downstream end of the pool (riffle crest) was defined here at approximately 3 feet on the tape, where the small boulders separate the flat pool surface from the moving water surface. The dog was a “volunteer” who had wandered into the Preserve, and was reunited with his owners- with assistance from MROSD rangers- at the end of the day (dogs are not permitted in ECDM). 3.1.6 V* METHOD CHECKS Various checks on application and optimization of the method were conducted: ATTACHMENT 1 WATERSHED PROTECTION PROGRAM EFFECTIVENESS MONITORING: EL CORTE DE MADERA CREEK OPEN SPACE PRESERVE 32 Balance Hydrologics, Inc. • Physical tests were conducted to replicate measurements at the same pool approximately 1 month after the first measurement (without attempting to duplicate the exact grid spacing or probe locations). MROSD interns performed replicate measurements and found that the 2nd measurements yielded V* values within 0.04 of the original value, and sometimes only 0.01 different. • Numeric tests were conducted by MROSD to evaluate how V* might change if fewer points were recorded per pool, by removing sections of data. This was done to evaluate if we were recording not enough or too many points. Because removing cross sections did not substantially change the V* values, it was concluded that more than enough points were being collected. • Variations in the amount of force applied to the rod were also tested. Because the method was performed by a mix of the same people and different people throughout the study period, and because the sensation of differentiating between pool-forming and pool-filling sediment can be subjective, the amount of force that different people apply to the rod can vary. Variations tested also included the amount of side-to-side wiggling applied to the top of the rod to get deeper through sediment and using a mallet to drive the rod deeper. 3.1.7 SEDIMENT TEXTURE FREQUENCY As an add-on to the V* depth measurements, we recorded the surface material at each depth location as a sediment size class, for example sand, gravel, cobble, or boulder (see Figure 3-5). These data were recorded in the field along with the V* data, and later analyzed by MROSD. These data represent the surface material that the sediment probe first touched, as opposed to the material that was deeper under the surface. ATTACHMENT 1 WATERSHED PROTECTION PROGRAM EFFECTIVENESS MONITORING: EL CORTE DE MADERA CREEK OPEN SPACE PRESERVE Balance Hydrologics, Inc. 33 Figure 3-5 V* pool showing different types of bed sediment that were recorded as part of the sediment-texture analysis. Photograph from 2018 when little sand was on the bed; the V* value of this pool was measured to be 0.13 at the time. 3.2 Sediment-source Inventory Method We inventoried large sediment sources near the channel, generally within the inner gorge, that were delivering sediment directly to the creek. The inventory included landslides, debris flows, bank failures, and gullies, plus selected other features (see Figure 3-6). Based on the large number of large sediment sources and deposits encountered, we also set a lower limit on the size of sources or deposits to quantify, map, and record. Therefore, these estimates undercount that total amount of sediment sources and storage areas. For sediment stored behind wood jams, in 2018, freshly deposited bedload sediment from 2018 and 2017 was easily identifiable as soft and not yet consolidated. However, in 2004, bedload sediment from 1998 that was found behind log jams was already consolidated and we did not attempt to differentiate stored 1998 bedload sediment older stored bedload sediment. ATTACHMENT 1 WATERSHED PROTECTION PROGRAM EFFECTIVENESS MONITORING: EL CORTE DE MADERA CREEK OPEN SPACE PRESERVE 34 Balance Hydrologics, Inc. Figure 3-6 Typical sediment source that was measured, mapped, and inventoried: El Corte de Madera Creek Preserve. This photograph is from 2004; at least two episodes of sliding are visible in the photo, and a substantial portion of the sediment material remains at the toe of the slide. In the 2018 inventory, the hillslope above this location had also failed. In addition to mapping locations of sediment sources and storage we quantified the dimensions of the source (missing sediment) and stored/deposited sediment. Recently stored/deposited sediment was identified by being loose and soft to stand on- or dig through. Based on field observations of the soil and rock conditions at each site, we estimated the amount of each sediment source that had been composed of sand and coarser material. older slide surface fresher slide surface Material remaining in toe ATTACHMENT 1 WATERSHED PROTECTION PROGRAM EFFECTIVENESS MONITORING: EL CORTE DE MADERA CREEK OPEN SPACE PRESERVE Balance Hydrologics, Inc. 35 Based on field assessment of revegetation, sediment density and other factors we attempted to assign a year to the origination of the sediment source. For large landslides, we confirmed our estimated dates with sequential aerial imagery. 3.3 Streamflow and Sediment Gaging Creek flow data is an intermediate step to calculating sediment transport at the station. The end product of the creek gaging and sediment sampling effort is twofold: 1. Compare the rates of sediment transport (as a function of flow) from early in the WPP to sediment-transport rates after the road and trail work has been largely completed. 2. Calculate annual sediment loads that can be compared quantitatively to the other measures of sediment volume (V* and sediment sources) Flow data was collected during water years 2006 through 2009 and 2018 through 2020; sediment sampling was conducted during water years 2006 through 2008 and 2018 through 2019. 3.3.1 STREAMFLOW GAGING Starting with water year 2006 (fall 2005), we added a gaging station to the lower section of El Corte de Madera Creek (near the Virginia Mill Trail). The station consists of a staff plate and electronic probes connected to a datalogger. The data are adjusted based on regular visits, observations, and manual measurements. Flow is calculated from the record of water height on the staff plate and applying an empirical equation that is based on manual flow measurements. The flow record allows us to assign a flow value to the time when sediment samples were collected. The flow record also allows us to create a correlation to other local gages, such as the USGS stream gage on San Gregorio Creek. That gage has a much longer period of record, which allows us to use the correlation to extrapolate additional data for use in interpreting the ECDM record. For example, we correlated annual peak flow from 50 years of data to estimate return period and peak flows at ECDM. 3.3.2 SEDIMENT-TRANSPORT SAMPLING We distinguish two types of sediment in transport: bedload sediment and suspended sediment. ATTACHMENT 1 WATERSHED PROTECTION PROGRAM EFFECTIVENESS MONITORING: EL CORTE DE MADERA CREEK OPEN SPACE PRESERVE 36 Balance Hydrologics, Inc. • Suspended sediment is supported by the turbulence of the water and is transported at a rate approaching the mean velocity of flow. • Bedload sediment is supported by the bed; it rolls and saltates along the bed, commonly within the lowermost 3 inches. Movement can be either continuous or intermittent but is generally much slower than the mean velocity of the stream. In El Corte de Madera Creek, bedload consists primarily of sands and gravels, with some cobbles at higher flow. Sediment data collection at this site was conducted by Balance and MROSD staff during water years 2006 through 2008, and water years 2018 and 2019, with suspended- and bedload-sediment sampling conducted during high-flow periods (Figure 3-7 and Figure 3-8). Figure 3-7 Sample in collection bottle and typical conditions during moderate to high flow: El Corte de Madera Creek at gaging station. Water is turbid and well mixed. We collected width- and depth-integrated suspended- sediment samples with a DH-48 sampler that we then analyzed for turbidity and suspended-sediment concentration. ATTACHMENT 1 WATERSHED PROTECTION PROGRAM EFFECTIVENESS MONITORING: EL CORTE DE MADERA CREEK OPEN SPACE PRESERVE Balance Hydrologics, Inc. 37 Figure 3-8 Bedload measurement near the peak flow of WY2018. We sampled bedload by wading across the creek and using a Helley-Smith bedload sampler at intervals across the active bed. Standard methods and equipment reviewed by the Federal Interagency Sedimentation Project (FISP) were used to make measurements of sediment transport. Field measurements of sediment transport are made either by hand samplers applied in transects across the channel at wadable flows, or from the edge-wading in partially- at higher flows that are not safe to wade. We use Helley-Smith 3-inch bedload samplers, and DH-48 or DH-81 suspended-sediment samplers. Bedload- and suspended-sediment samples are taken at multiple verticals across the creek to collect a representative sample (c.f., Emmett, 1980; Edwards and Glysson, 1999, and older references cited therein). For bedload-sediment sampling, we first establish the active-bed width by observation and/or preliminary sampling, then sample within that portion of the creek. For suspended-sediment sampling, we use two sampling methods depending on conditions; both methods are used by the USGS to collect suspended-sediment samples that are representative of the mean sediment concentration of a stream. The two ATTACHMENT 1 WATERSHED PROTECTION PROGRAM EFFECTIVENESS MONITORING: EL CORTE DE MADERA CREEK OPEN SPACE PRESERVE 38 Balance Hydrologics, Inc. methods are the equal-discharge-increment method (EDI) and the equal-width- increment method (EWI) (Edwards and Glysson, 1999). With both methods we collect depth-integrated samples at multiple verticals across the creek. Suspended-sediment samples are analyzed by Soil Control Lab in Watsonville, California, a state-certified laboratory. Bedload samples are dried and weighed at Balance’s office. ATTACHMENT 1 WATERSHED PROTECTION PROGRAM EFFECTIVENESS MONITORING: EL CORTE DE MADERA CREEK OPEN SPACE PRESERVE Balance Hydrologics, Inc. 39 4 RESULTS AND DISCUSSION Results from measurements and monitoring near the beginning of implementation of the WPP (2004 through 2008) are compared here to results from the same methods repeated again near the conclusion of the WPP (2018 and 2019). 4.1 V* Results V* results are presented below, and show substantial year-to-year variability. We suspect that much of the year-to-year variability is due to differences in winter storm magnitude and patterns. Some of the variability may be due to sediment availability within upstream creek reaches and watersheds. Other variability may be due to variation in how much force individual observers applied to the sediment probing rod (with more force leading to higher V* values). Pool-by-pool V* results from WY2019 are shown in Figure 4-1. Average V* results for a group of pools can be presented as “weighted” or “unweighted” values. Weighted V* uses the total amount of sediment and total pool volumes for all the pools in the group, thus large pools are weighted more heavily than small pools. The multi- year pattern of average and weighted V* values is shown in Figure 4-2. It should be noted that variations in application of the V* technique, and some localized changes to conditions upstream of some pools in the La Honda Creek Preserve also impact the results. The variations to the V* technique (amount of force applied to the sediment probe) tended to affect the results for larger pools more than for smaller pools. An alternate way to evaluate V* results is to use the median value instead of the average or weighted values. Using the median is less prone to skewing by a small number of pools with high V* values, but does not take weighting of large pools into account. Median V* values are shown with average values in Figure 4-3. ATTACHMENT 1 WATERSHED PROTECTION PROGRAM EFFECTIVENESS MONITORING: EL CORTE DE MADERA CREEK OPEN SPACE PRESERVE 40 Balance Hydrologics, Inc. Figure 4-1 Plot of V* values by individual pool from 2019, grouped by creek reach. There is substantial pool-to-pool variability, thus year-to-year comparisons are more important than a numeric value for an individual pool or a creek reach. V* field work, data entry, data validation, and calculations largely performed by MROSD staff, rangers, and interns. ATTACHMENT 1 WATERSHED PROTECTION PROGRAM EFFECTIVENESS MONITORING: EL CORTE DE MADERA CREEK OPEN SPACE PRESERVE Balance Hydrologics, Inc. 41 Figure 4-2 Average and weighted multi-year V* results from El Corte de Madera Creek Open Space Preserve. V* results (pool sedimentation) from 2018 and 2019 are similar to- or slightly below values from 2004, and well below results from 2005 and 2006. Results from the “control site” (although a smaller number of pools) largely mirror the year-to-year patterns, suggesting that year-to-year hydrologic patterns may play some role in variability. Weighted V* values put more weight on larger pools. V* field work, data entry, data validation, and calculations largely performed by MROSD staff, rangers, and interns. ATTACHMENT 1 WATERSHED PROTECTION PROGRAM EFFECTIVENESS MONITORING: EL CORTE DE MADERA CREEK OPEN SPACE PRESERVE 42 Balance Hydrologics, Inc. Figure 4-3 Average and median multi-year V* results: El Corte de Madera Creek Open Space Preserve. Median V* values from 2018 and 2019 are similar to or slightly lower than from 2004, and well below 2005 and 2006. Median V* values tend to be lower than average values in ECDM because a small number of pools often have high V* values. Results from the “control site” largely mirror the year-to-year patterns, suggesting that year-to-year hydrologic patterns may play some role in V* variability. V* field work, data entry, data validation, and calculations largely performed by MROSD staff, rangers, and interns. Median V* values represent conditions in the average pool; average V* values represent average conditions across many pools; weighted V* values represent the total volume of sediment compared to the total pool volume for all the measured pools. The V* pool locations are shown in Figure 4-4, along with plots of the 5-years of results. In general, we selected more pools for measurements toward the downstream portion of the creek system. ATTACHMENT 1 WATERSHED PROTECTION PROGRAM EFFECTIVENESS MONITORING: EL CORTE DE MADERA CREEK OPEN SPACE PRESERVE Balance Hydrologics, Inc. 43 Figure 4-4 Locations of V* pools 2019 and 5 years of measurement results: El Corte de Madera Creek Preserve. Prepared by MROSD. ATTACHMENT 1 WATERSHED PROTECTION PROGRAM EFFECTIVENESS MONITORING: EL CORTE DE MADERA CREEK OPEN SPACE PRESERVE 44 Balance Hydrologics, Inc. Definitive conclusions about the causation of changes in V* values are difficult to make because of the many environmental factors that can influence pool sedimentation. On a year-to-year basis the V* results make it relatively clear that pool sedimentation in 2018 and 2019 is similar to- or slightly lower than- 2004, and substantially lower than 2005 and 2006. When we average the first sets of measurements (2004 through 2006) together and compare them to the second sets of measurements (2018 and 2019), this shows a decrease in V* from 0.48 to 0.33 (decrease of 0.15) for ECDM weighted values, and a decrease from 0.46 to 0.31 (decrease of 0.16 [with extra decimal places]) for La Honda Creek Preserve weighted value (see Figure 4-5). Non-weighted and median values show similar levels of decrease over the WPP study period. Figure 4-5 Changes in grouped V* values from the start to the end of the WPP study; El Corte de Madera Creek Preserve. ATTACHMENT 1 WATERSHED PROTECTION PROGRAM EFFECTIVENESS MONITORING: EL CORTE DE MADERA CREEK OPEN SPACE PRESERVE Balance Hydrologics, Inc. 45 4.1.1 SEDIMENT TEXTURE FREQUENCY As a supplement to the V* depth measurements, we recorded the surface material at each depth location as a sediment size class, for example sand, gravel, cobble, or boulder. The change over time in pool-sediment texture was analyzed by the MROSD and is shown in Figure 4-6. Figure 4-6 Change in pool bed material over time (by measurement point): El Corte de Madera Creek Preserve. This plot shows that the occurrence of sand in pool bottoms decreased from the 2004-2006 monitoring period to the 2018-2019 monitoring period, and that cobbles and boulders increased. These results largely mirror the V* results. This plot also shows that the two main sediment sizes in pools are boulders and sand. ATTACHMENT 1 WATERSHED PROTECTION PROGRAM EFFECTIVENESS MONITORING: EL CORTE DE MADERA CREEK OPEN SPACE PRESERVE 46 Balance Hydrologics, Inc. When we average the first sets of measurements (2004 through 2006) together and compare them to the second sets of measurements (2018 and 2019), this shows a change in pool-bed texture for ECDM during the course of this study (see Figure 4-7). Figure 4-7 Change in grouped pool-bed composition from the start to the end of the WPP study; El Corte de Madera Creek Preserve. Percent of sand in pools decreased and other size classes increased, with percent of cobbles and boulders increasing the most. 4.2 Sediment Inventory Comparison 4.2.1 SEDIMENT INVENTORY MAPPING 2018 Performing the field work, it was immediately apparent that far fewer large fresh sediment sources were active in 2018 than had been inventoried in 2004 (which included landslides dating back to 1998). Landslides, bank failures, and sediment storage that we mapped ATTACHMENT 1 WATERSHED PROTECTION PROGRAM EFFECTIVENESS MONITORING: EL CORTE DE MADERA CREEK OPEN SPACE PRESERVE Balance Hydrologics, Inc. 47 in 2018 were quite fresh looking (and feeling) and we assumed they had largely occurred during the wet winter and large storms of water year 2017. The largest slide occurrence was also confirmed to have occurred between November 2016 and May 2017, based on sequential aerial imagery. Mapped sediment sources and storage from 2018 are shown in Figure 4-8. Sediment sources inventoried in 2004 and 2018 are shown together in Figure 4-9. When we conducted the sediment inventory during the summer/fall of 2004, many landslides that occurred during 1998 or remained active since 1998 were readily apparent, based on bare soil and/or revegetation that was only a few years old. These totals have been revised or recalculated slightly from their original version, based on parsing of the fine and coarse fractions, and the amount remaining in the toe of the slide (see Table 4-1). ATTACHMENT 1 WATERSHED PROTECTION PROGRAM EFFECTIVENESS MONITORING: EL CORTE DE MADERA CREEK OPEN SPACE PRESERVE 48 Balance Hydrologics, Inc. Figure 4-8 Map of large sediment sources and storage from 2018: El Corte de Madera Creek Preserve. Sediment sources are shown as yellow polygons, and storage areas are shown as purple. The sizes of polygons are exaggerated for graphical purposes, in order to be visible at this scale of map. ATTACHMENT 1 WATERSHED PROTECTION PROGRAM EFFECTIVENESS MONITORING: EL CORTE DE MADERA CREEK OPEN SPACE PRESERVE Balance Hydrologics, Inc. 49 Figure 4-9 Map of large sediment sources inventoried in 2004 and again in 2018. Sediment sources from 2004 are shown as red polygons, and those from 2018 are shown as yellow. The sizes of polygons are exaggerated for graphical purposes in order to be visible at this scale of map. ATTACHMENT 1 WATERSHED PROTECTION PROGRAM EFFECTIVENESS MONITORING: EL CORTE DE MADERA CREEK OPEN SPACE PRESERVE 50 Balance Hydrologics, Inc. 4.2.2 SEDIMENT INVENTORY VOLUMETRIC CALCULATIONS 2018 The volumetric totals from the 2018 inventory are presented in Table 4-1, for both coarse and fine sediment. For comparisons to V* values and the bedload-sediment totals, we are most interested in “coarse” sediment (such as sand that settles in pools or gravel trapped behind wood jams). The values in Table 4-1, and discussed below, are only the percent of the sediment sources that was assessed to be sand-sized or larger material (also referred to as “coarse”, in this context). For comparisons to roads and trails, and the suspended-sediment totals, we are most interested in the “fine” fraction of sediment (silt and clay in this context). Because we did not walk all of the creek channels, we scaled up the inventoried volumes by 23%, based on the remaining percent of large channels unassessed. This inventory revealed that there were a modest number and magnitude of new sediment sources generated during the wet winter of WY2017 (3,200 cubic yards of total material with 1,700 cubic yards of coarse material). However, we found 5 that approximately half of that sediment was still remaining at the toe of the slides/slumps (810 cubic yards), leaving 850 cubic yards of coarse material having washed downstream. A similar amount of fresh coarse sediment was found to have been recently deposited behind wood jams (1,070 cubic yards). For comparison, a standard dump truck holds about 10 yards of material. This means that based on the sediment sources that we found, an equivalent volume of sediment was temporarily trapped and stored by instream wood jams. This rough balance between sediment sources and sediment storage highlights the importance of wood jams for a creek system; if the wood jams were not there, much more sediment would likely have filled pools or washed downstream. While it is tempting to conclude that this means wood jams more than offset natural sediment sources during this period, there is a considerable range of uncertainty in the inventory estimates. Also, non- 5 We compared the estimated “missing” volume of the landslide scarp to the volume material at the base of the landslide. If those volumes matched, then all the material was still in the toe; in most cases the landslide volume was larger than the material remaining in the toe, because much of the material had landed in the creek and been washed away. ATTACHMENT 1 WATERSHED PROTECTION PROGRAM EFFECTIVENESS MONITORING: EL CORTE DE MADERA CREEK OPEN SPACE PRESERVE Balance Hydrologics, Inc. 51 inventoried sediment sources in other tributaries, and upland sediment would have also contributed additional coarse sediment, as well as sediment in the creek channel itself. This sediment temporarily stored behind wood jams may be mobilized in the future during a wet winter with large storms, or when wood is dislodged- or decays- from the wood jams. Additionally, 650 yards of fine material washed downstream (fine material is not typically subject to being trapped by wood jams in a narrow canyon system, although slow backwaters or small floodplain section could trap some fine sediment). 4.2.3 SEDIMENT INVENTORY COMPARISON BETWEEN 2004 AND 2018 In Table 4-1, we also compare the two sediment inventories, both as percent of the total inventoried, and on a per-year basis. Direct comparison between totals of the sediment inventory can be useful but can also be misleading. Please keep in mind that the 2004 inventory included sources back to water year 1998 (a 7-year period), while the 2018 inventory only went back to 2017 6 (a 2-year period). The total amount of inventoried sediment sources was 2.3 times higher on a per-year basis in 2004 than 2018. The amount of coarse sediment washed downstream was 1.7 times higher on a per-year basis in 2004 than 2018. This coarse sediment is similar to bedload sediment in ECDM but is not completely comparable, because some sand travels as suspended sediment at high flow and as bedload at medium and low flow. 6 This method of sediment inventory relies upon being able to visually assign a year to when a sediment source was most recently activated, thus years with large or numerous landslides and/or bank failures are natural time-stamp markers (e.g. 1998 and 2017). While water year 2006 also generated some landslides and debris flows, the time that had passed, and the revegetation that had occurred would have made accurate identification in 2018 of those 2006 scarps difficult and would have had a low degree of accuracy. ATTACHMENT 1 WATERSHED PROTECTION PROGRAM EFFECTIVENESS MONITORING: EL CORTE DE MADERA CREEK OPEN SPACE PRESERVE 52 Balance Hydrologics, Inc. Table 4-1 Summary of sediment inventories conducted during 2004 and 2018: El Corte de Madera Creek Open Space Preserve. This inventory revealed that there were a modest number and magnitude of new sediment sources generated during the wet winter of WY2017. For 2017-2018, we found that the volume of coarse sediment washed into the creeks was slightly less than the volume of fresh coarse sediment was found to have been recently deposited behind wood jams. Ca t e g o r y Calculations from Sediment Inventory 2004 Inventory (1998-2004) 2018 Inventory (2017-2018) 20 1 8 v o l u m e a s pe r c e n t o f 2 0 0 4 20 1 8 v o l u m e a s pe r c e n t o f 2 0 0 4 (pe r y e a r ) fa c t o r b y w h i c h 20 0 4 v o l u m e > 201 8 ( p e r y e a r ) 1 Coarse and fine material produced by sources (including toe of slide/slump) 26,000 3,200 (cu. yards)12% 43%2.3 2 Coarse material produced by sources (including toe of s lide/slump) 7,900 1,700 (cu. yards)22% 75%1.3 3 Coarse material stored in toe (temporary)2,900 810 (cu. yards)28% 98%1.0 4 Coarse material washed into creek system (toe s ubtracted) 5,000 850 (cu. yards)17% 60%1.7 5 Fine material washed into creek system (toe s ubtracted) 11,400 650 (cu. yards)6% 20%5.0 6 Coarse material stored behind wood jams (temporary) 3,900 1,070 (cu. yards)27%na na 7 Net volume of coarse material after storage is s ubtracted > + 1,100 -220 (cu. yards)na na 6.0 8 Sum of coarse material s tored in toe of slides and behind wood jams 6,800 1,880 (cu. yards)28% 97%1.0 Notes: The 2004 volumes have been revised slightly compared to the volumes presented in 2005. Negative values indicate net storage of sediment. For the purpose of these calculations, "coarse" includes sand and larger particles. For the purpose of these calculations, "fine" includes silt and smaller particles. "per year" calculations assign a 7-year period to 1998-2004 and a 2-year period to 2017-2018. Due to the approximate nature of the measurements and estimates, the calculations should only be evaluated to 2 significant figures; additional precision is neither intended nor implied. Volumes have been scaled up, based on this inventory having been conducted along 77% of the main creek channels. ATTACHMENT 1 WATERSHED PROTECTION PROGRAM EFFECTIVENESS MONITORING: EL CORTE DE MADERA CREEK OPEN SPACE PRESERVE Balance Hydrologics, Inc. 53 The amount of fine sediment washed downstream was 5.0 times higher on a per-year basis in 2004 than 2018. This fine sediment is similar to suspended sediment in ECDM but is not completely comparable, because some sand travels as suspended sediment at high flow and as bedload at medium and low flow. Please note that in 2004 we were not able to differentiate bedload sediment deposited in 1998 from older sediment (because the 1998 bedload sediment was already consolidated so a similar level as older sediment), so the 1,100 yards of excess coarse sediment is likely a minimum value; we assume that some of that wood jam storage may have already been filled prior to 1998. 4.3 Creek and Sediment Gaging 4.3.1 SEDIMENT RATING CURVES The principal purpose of the sediment sampling for this project is to develop an annual empirical relationship of the amount of sediment transported at a given flow, near the bottom of the watershed within ECDM. These “sediment-rating curves” are the basis for calculating the volume of sediment transported by the creek past the gaging station for each 15-minute period and hence for each day, and each year. The rating curves are also diagnostic of the processes of sediment movement through the stream system. As the position of the curve changes, a different relationship between streamflow and sediment transport is expressed, indicating limitations or increases in sediment supply. Sediment transport at a given flow may change over short periods, such as during rising and receding hydrograph limbs, and will also generally change whenever watershed or channel conditions upstream make sediment more or less available for mobilization. More sediment is transported at higher flow, and the sediment rating curve describes the rate at which sediment transport increases while flow increases. A sediment rating curve is constructed by plotting sediment transport rates (based on the weight of samples collected) plotted as a function of flow (at which the sample was collected). Sediment rating curves naturally differ between watersheds, even when accounting for the size of the watershed or rainfall differences, due to slope, geology, and other processes. The sediment rating curves are used with the creek flow record to calculate the amount of sediment transported, which can be looked at during a storm (Figure 4-10 and Figure 4-11), a series of storms, or a water year. ATTACHMENT 1 WATERSHED PROTECTION PROGRAM EFFECTIVENESS MONITORING: EL CORTE DE MADERA CREEK OPEN SPACE PRESERVE 54 Balance Hydrologics, Inc. Figure 4-10 Reduction in the amount of sediment transported during a typical large storm. For this storm hydrograph, the amount of sediment transported now would be 38% of the sediment transported during the first sampling period. The 24-hour flow record used for this calculation occurred December 26, 2005. A storm peak of 200 cfs equates to a 1.6-year storm. The hydrograph for an example typical storm is shown in Figure 4-11 with sediment transport rates through the storm for “high” and “low” sediment conditions. “High” refers to larger amounts of sediment being transported during 2006-2008 than during 2018-2019 (the “low” condition), at the same flow rate. So, when we calculate high and low sediment transport for the same storm, more sediment transported when the creek is in a high sediment condition than when the creek is in a low sediment condition. For this report, the high condition represents volumes present in the 2006-08 period and the low condition represents volumes present in the 2018-19 period. Between the data gathering periods, volumes likely changed response to the WPP and the water years, but are assumed have to generally ramped down from the high to low period. The data derived from the high and low condition calculations ATTACHMENT 1 WATERSHED PROTECTION PROGRAM EFFECTIVENESS MONITORING: EL CORTE DE MADERA CREEK OPEN SPACE PRESERVE Balance Hydrologics, Inc. 55 contextualizes all other measured volumes in the project, like V* pool volume, landslides, and storage.” As was seen from the sediment inventory, more sediment was produced and available in the creek in the 1998-2004 time period, than was produced during the 2017-2018 period. Likewise, the 2006-2008 sediment rating curves are higher than the 2018-2019 rating curves (low). The high and low sediment rating curves are shown in Figure 4-12 and Figure 4-13). Figure 4-11 Sediment-transport rates during an example storm. In this example storm, the difference in sediment-transport rates between high- and low- sediment conditions are indicated by the arrows, for both bedload- and suspended-sediment rates. Comparison between sediment-transport data collected 2006 through 2008 is plotted with suspended-sediment transport data from 2018 and 2019 in Figure 4-12, and with bedload-sediment data in Figure 4-13. ATTACHMENT 1 WATERSHED PROTECTION PROGRAM EFFECTIVENESS MONITORING: EL CORTE DE MADERA CREEK OPEN SPACE PRESERVE 56 Balance Hydrologics, Inc. Suspended-sediment transport rates appear to have decreased by a factor of approximately 2.4 (ratio of the coefficients 0.0037/0.0015). Bedload-sediment transport rates appear to have decreased by a factor of approximately 4.3 (ratio of the coefficients 0.0035/0.0008). There is more scatter in the bedload-sediment data than in the suspended-sediment data, suggesting that bedload- sediment transport is more irregular, and is also more difficult to sample repeatably in a boulder-bed creek. ATTACHMENT 1 WATERSHED PROTECTION PROGRAM EFFECTIVENESS MONITORING: EL CORTE DE MADERA CREEK OPEN SPACE PRESERVE Balance Hydrologics, Inc. 57 Figure 4-12 Suspended-sediment transport measurements and rating curve: El Corte de Madera Creek at Virginia Mill Trail. Blue symbols are samples collected during water year 2006 through 2008; orange symbols are sample collected during water years 2018 and 2019. Suspended-sediment sampling indicates that there has been a noticeable decrease in the amount of suspended sediment entrained over the range of flow. ATTACHMENT 1 WATERSHED PROTECTION PROGRAM EFFECTIVENESS MONITORING: EL CORTE DE MADERA CREEK OPEN SPACE PRESERVE 58 Balance Hydrologics, Inc. Figure 4-13 Bedload-sediment transport measurements and rating curve: El Corte de Madera Creek at Virginia Mill Trail. Blue symbols are samples collected during water year 2006 through 2008; orange symbols are sample collected during water years 2018 and 2019. Bedload-sediment sampling indicates that there has been a noticeable decrease in the amount of suspended sediment entrained over the range of flow. ATTACHMENT 1 WATERSHED PROTECTION PROGRAM EFFECTIVENESS MONITORING: EL CORTE DE MADERA CREEK OPEN SPACE PRESERVE Balance Hydrologics, Inc. 59 We interpret the high sediment rating-curve conditions in 2006-2008 as being related to recovery following the large influx of sediment from water year 1998 (as described in the sediment inventory). When larger amounts of sediment are available, more sediment will be transported at a given flow rate than when less sediment is readily available. 4.3.2 TURBIDITY PROBE DATA For water years 2018 through 2020, one of sensors attached to the datalogger was an optical backscatter “OBS 3+” turbidity probe. The submerged probe sends a light beam out into the creek water and then records how much light returns to the sensor, via bouncing off sediment particles in the creek water. Clear water causes very little light to return to the sensor, while water with more particles scatters more light back to the sensor. The probe takes a reading every three minutes and the average value over 15 minutes is stored in the datalogger. A 2-month period of turbidity and flow is shown in Figure 4-14. Balance staff collected water samples over the course of water years 2018 and 2019, which were analyzed for turbidity and suspended sediment concentration. During data processing, we then adjust the turbidity sensor data to be consistent with the laboratory values of turbidity. Turbidity probes can drift into less accurate readings over time as algae, abrasion, or other processes affect the sensor; adjustments to the data and factory recalibration is necessary over a long-term project. We also find it useful to plot the same turbidity and flow data with turbidity as a function of flow, as shown in Figure 4-15. This Figure shows how the relationship between flow and turbidity changes storm to storm and within a storm (note that the first storm of the period has higher turbidity than later storms). It also shows where the bulk of the data points fall, which indicates the dominant pattern. ATTACHMENT 1 WATERSHED PROTECTION PROGRAM EFFECTIVENESS MONITORING: EL CORTE DE MADERA CREEK OPEN SPACE PRESERVE 60 Balance Hydrologics, Inc. Figure 4-14 Turbidity record and hydrograph from water year 2019: El Corte de Madera Creek. Turbidity is low before storms, then rises quickly as creek flow rises, with the highest levels at the peaks of storm flow, and then declines following storms. Laboratory results of collected samples were used to adjust the sensor data. Values of 1 and 2 NTU look visibly clear. ATTACHMENT 1 WATERSHED PROTECTION PROGRAM EFFECTIVENESS MONITORING: EL CORTE DE MADERA CREEK OPEN SPACE PRESERVE Balance Hydrologics, Inc. 61 Figure 4-15 Turbidity as a function of creek flow (January - March 2019): El Corte de Madera Creek Preserve. This format for plotting data shows that the rate at which turbidity rises and falls compared to creek flow can be slightly different from one storm to the next. This is typical for all creeks for which we have collected data; in addition, the pattern of rising turbidity at the beginning of a storm is usually different that the pattern for decreasing turbidity after a storm. Data that plots higher has more turbidity for the same level of flow. 4.3.3 ANNUAL SEDIMENT LOAD TOTALS Based on the creek gaging flow record and the sediment-transport samples collected at ECDM (sediment rating curves), we calculated annual sediment loads for the period for which we had data. We also correlated flow data from USGS gaging stations (mostly San Gregorio Creek with some Pescadero Creek data) to the ECDM location for periods of data when we were not operating the gaging station. We constructed 15-minute records of flow and sediment-transport from WY 1998 through WY 2019; with Balance’s data used for the directly gaged period (water years 2006-2009 and 2018-2019). The annual ATTACHMENT 1 WATERSHED PROTECTION PROGRAM EFFECTIVENESS MONITORING: EL CORTE DE MADERA CREEK OPEN SPACE PRESERVE 62 Balance Hydrologics, Inc. sediment-transport totals 7 for suspended and bedload sediment are shown in Table 4-2, along with the annual mean and maximum flow. The summary period of annual loads at the bottom of Table 4-2 correspond to the two inventoried periods of landslide activity (WYs 1998–2004 and WYs 2017-2018). We calculated the annual loads for the first inventory period using the “high” version of the sediment rating curve and the “low” version of the second inventory period. As discussed with the sediment rating curve. There is a large difference in the sediment load transported in wet years with large storms (such as 2006 and 2017) compared to dry years with small storms (such as 2007 and 2018), (see Figure 4-16). Large year-to-year variability of rainfall patterns, creek flow, and sediment transport is typical in coastal California. The high and low versions of the sediment rating curves are shown above. 7 For converting between tons and cubic yards, one US ton of sediment (dry) is roughly equivalent to 0.719 cubic yards of landslide material; one cubic yard equates to 1.39 US tons. ATTACHMENT 1 WATERSHED PROTECTION PROGRAM EFFECTIVENESS MONITORING: EL CORTE DE MADERA CREEK OPEN SPACE PRESERVE Balance Hydrologics, Inc. 63 Table 4-2 Annual sediment load totals for El Corte de Madera Creek at Virginia Mill Bridge, water years 2004 through 2019. There is a large difference in the sediment load transported in wet years with large storms and dry years with small storms. Annual sediment load totals based on sediment rating curves Water Year Susp. Sed. Low Susp. Sed. High Bedload Low Bedload High Mean Flow Max. Flow (tons) (tons) (tons) (tons)(cfs) (cfs) 1998 2,055 5,069 207 904 13.1 697 1999 315 777 44 191 6.4 233 2000 658 1,624 78 341 6.9 351 2001 55 135 10 44 2.7 80 2002 171 423 25 108 4.3 240 2003 247 609 32 142 4.5 303 2004 318 785 39 171 4.3 276 2005 334 823 51 225 7.8 157 2006 1,520 3,750 150 657 10.6 548 2007 15 36 3 14 1.6 56 2008 62 152 10 43 2.1 155 2009 20 48 4 18 1.6 48 2010 307 757 38 168 5.0 403 2011 598 1,474 73 318 7.0 255 2012 202 498 27 117 3.4 224 2013 520 1,283 52 228 3.6 452 2014 1.3 3 0.4 2 0.4 19 2015 345 852 38 168 3.1 279 2016 415 1,024 55 241 5.9 244 2017 1,517 3,742 177 776 13.5 418 2018 64 158 8 37 1.5 186 2019 149 368 25 108 5.0 159 Total 9,889 24,392 1,147 5,019 Average 449 1,109 52 228 5.2 263 Median 311 767 38 168 4 242 Summary Periods Corresponding to Sediment Source Inventory Susp. Sed. Low Susp. Sed. High Bedload Low Bedload High 1998 - 2014 9,423 1,900 (tons)(tons) 2017 - 2018 1,581 186 (tons)(tons) Notes:Flow records were correlated from USGS gage data to the ECDM location for years when the ECDM gage was not operated (with 15-minute data). The "high" versions of the sediment rating curves are based on sediment- transport data from water years 2006 through 2008. The "low" versions are based on data from 2018 and 2019. Suspended Sediment Bedload Sediment Flow ATTACHMENT 1 WATERSHED PROTECTION PROGRAM EFFECTIVENESS MONITORING: EL CORTE DE MADERA CREEK OPEN SPACE PRESERVE 64 Balance Hydrologics, Inc. Figure 4-16 Calculated annual sediment transport: El Corte de Madera Creek at Virginia Mill bridge. Sediment transport is more variable than annual flow, because wet years with large storms transport much more sediment than dry years. Based on changes in the sediment rating curve, high sediment transport was occurring in the early part of this period, and low sediment transport was occurring late in this period. In general, the annual sediment transport numbers are much larger than the volume of an individual pool, and seem to be at a similar order of magnitude compared to the sediment source volumes. ATTACHMENT 1 WATERSHED PROTECTION PROGRAM EFFECTIVENESS MONITORING: EL CORTE DE MADERA CREEK OPEN SPACE PRESERVE Balance Hydrologics, Inc. 65 5 COMPARISONS AND CONCLUSIONS In order to tie together the 3 prongs of the approach, we compare volumes, time periods, and processes. 5.1 Comparison of Pool Volumes to Sediment Source Volumes The residual scoured volume (water plus sediment) of the largest pool (often the “Above Property Line” Pool) was measured at a maximum 1,320 cubic feet (49 cubic yards). The average residual scoured volume of all the ECDM pools over the 5 years of V* collection is 214 cubic feet (8 cubic yards). The most relevant sediment source value seems to be the volume of coarse material that was washed downstream into the creek system. The 2017-2018 value is 850 cubic yards, which would be enough to fill 17 maximum-size pools or 106 average-size pools. Thus, changes in pool sedimentation during wet years are not likely strictly a function of the total amount of sediment available, but are more likely related to more subtle differences that affect the balance of scour vs. fill in individual pools. But perhaps more importantly, an increase in sediment trapped behind a wood jam decreases the amount of sediment transported downstream. Although we avoided wood jams in selecting V* pool locations, many pools in the lower reaches are (unavoidably) in between large wood jams. 5.2 Comparison of Pool Volumes to Sediment Transport Annual Totals During wet years, based on annual sediment totals, there is enough bedload sediment being transported (34 tons [24 cubic yards] of bedload sediment in WY 2017) to fill most pools multiple times; this would be even more pronounced with the higher version of the sediment rating curve. Thus, changes in pool sedimentation during wet years are not likely strictly a function of the total amount of sediment available in transport, but are more likely related to more subtle differences that affect the balance of scour vs. fill in individual pools. We speculate that the final storms of a year may play an important role in the V* values captured in the following summer. In a dry year, such as 2018, the total amount of sediment would still not likely be a limiting factor in how much V* values might change. Water year 2018 transported only 8 tons [6 cubic yards] of bedload sediment past the gage site, but that is enough to fully fill an ATTACHMENT 1 WATERSHED PROTECTION PROGRAM EFFECTIVENESS MONITORING: EL CORTE DE MADERA CREEK OPEN SPACE PRESERVE 66 Balance Hydrologics, Inc. average size pool, and enough to substantially change a larger pool if that much sediment was either scoured out of- or deposited into any pool. If we also consider bedload-sediment as quasi steady state (like a conveyor belt), then sediment deposited in one pool (falling off the conveyor belt) would reduce the sediment transported to the next pool downstream. However, sediment washed out of one pool (put onto the conveyor belt) then would increase the sediment in transport to the next pool downstream. This thought experiment highlights how pools may respond in hard-to-predict ways based on subtle shifts in bedload transport or sediment availability. 5.3 Comparison Table of Sources and Loads In Table 5-1, we compare sediment-inventory totals to sediment-transport totals over matching periods. This is not a direct comparison because fine sediment from sediment sources is not quite the same as suspended sediment and coarse sediment is not quite the same as bedload sediment. However, for an order of magnitude comparison, it is the most applicable data that we collected to be able to compare results between the two methods. The totals compared below are on the same order of magnitude, and generally agree to a surprising degree. • During the 1998 through 2004 period, fine material washed into the creeks from sediment sources totaled 11,400 cubic yards; during the same period, calculated suspended sediment totaled 6,800 cubic yards (using the high-condition sediment rating curve). • During the 2017 through 2018 period, fine material washed into the creeks from sediment sources totaled 650 cubic yards; during the same period, calculated suspended sediment totaled 1,100 cubic yards (using the low-condition sediment rating curve). • During the 1998 through 2004 period, the net volume of coarse material (after storage is subtracted) totaled greater than 1,100 cubic yards; during the same period, calculated bedload sediment totaled 1,400 cubic yards (using the high- condition sediment rating curve). • During the 2017 through 2018 period, the net volume of coarse material (after wood-jam storage is subtracted) totaled -200 cubic yards (essentially zero); ATTACHMENT 1 WATERSHED PROTECTION PROGRAM EFFECTIVENESS MONITORING: EL CORTE DE MADERA CREEK OPEN SPACE PRESERVE Balance Hydrologics, Inc. 67 during the same period, calculated bedload sediment totaled +130 cubic yards (using the low-condition sediment rating curve). Table 5-1 Sediment inventory totals compared to sediment transport totals over matching periods: El Corte de Madera Creek Open Space Preserve. Cat.Calculations from Sediment Inventory 2004 Inventory (1998-2004) 2018 Inventory (2017-2018) Sediment rating curve applied to correlated flow Hi g h s e d i m e n t ra t i n g c u r v e 19 9 8 - 2 0 0 4 Lo w s e d i m e n t ra t i n g c u r v e 20 1 7 - 2 0 1 8 1 Coarse and fine material produced by sources (including toe of slide/slump) 26,000 3,200 (cu. yards) 2 Coarse material produced by sources (including toe of slide/slump) 7,900 1,700 (cu. yards) 3 Coarse material stored in toe (temporary)2,900 810 (cu. yards) 4 Coarse material washed into creek system (toe subtracted) 5,000 850 (cu. yards) 5 Fine material washed into creek system (toe subtracted) 11,400 650 (cu. yards)Suspended sediment total 6,759 1,150 6 Coarse material stored behind wood jams (temporary) 3,900 1,070 (cu. yards)(cu. yards) (cu. yards) 7 Net volume of coarse material after storage is subtracted > + 1,100 -220 (cu. yards)Bedload sediment total 1,366 137 8 Sum of coarse material stored in toe of slides and behind wood jams 6,800 1,880 (cu. yards)(cu. yards) (cu. yards) Notes: The 2004 volumes have been revised slightly compared to the volumes presented in 2005. Negative values indicate net storage of sediment. For the purpose of these calculations, "coarse" includes sand and larger particles. For the purpose of these calculations, "fine" includes silt and smaller particles. A conversion factor of 0.719 yards/US ton was used to convert sediment transport totals to a volume (assumes 1,650 kg/m3) Volumes have been scaled up, based on this inventory having been conducted along 77% of the main creek channels. Due to the approximate nature of the measurements and estimates, the calculations should only be evaluated to 2 significant figures; additional precision is neither intended nor implied. ATTACHMENT 1 WATERSHED PROTECTION PROGRAM EFFECTIVENESS MONITORING: EL CORTE DE MADERA CREEK OPEN SPACE PRESERVE 68 Balance Hydrologics, Inc. 5.4 Conclusions 5.4.1 LESS SEDIMENT IS LEAVING ECDM THAN BEFORE THE WPP The comparison of sediment rating curves from 2006 to 2008 against 2018 and 2019 show a substantial decrease in sediment transport rates at a given flow for both suspended- sediment and bedload sediment (Figure 4-12 and Figure 4-13). This is likely due to reduced sediment availability along the creek channel. This could be due to the WPP, or fewer landslides, or a combination of both. The scale of the reduction is more than 60%. The effect of this is that much less sediment is now leaving ECDM than during the baseline period (Figure 4-10). 5.4.2 V* SHOWS LOWER POOL-SEDIMENT VOLUMES IN 2018 AND 2019 THAN BEFORE THE WPP V* measurements grouped into the time periods of 2004-2006 compared to 2018-2019 show a decrease in pool sedimentation (Figure 4-5); this points to less sediment being available in the creek system. However, changes in V* in ECDM are largely mirrored in the La Honda Creek Preserve (which did not receive WPP treatments), so some of the improvement in pool conditions may be due to natural weather patterns (Figure 4-2). Although the La Honda pools were intended as control pools, other variable factors may not make this a strong, independent comparison. 5.4.3 SEDIMENT TEXTURE IN POOLS SHOW LESS SAND AND MORE COBBLES AND BOULDERS Sand on pool bottoms has decreased, generally exposing more cobbles and boulders (Figure 4-7). In addition to less volume of fine sediment in pools, less area of the pool bottoms are covered by sand. This also points to less sediment being available in the creek system. 5.4.4 WPP CONTRIBUTED TO IMPROVEMENT IN CREEK CONDITIONS Road and trail improvements of the WPP correspond to- and appear to have contributed to- decreased sediment transport rates in El Corte de Madera Creek. Because road and trail surfaces appear to be much less eroded now, than at the beginning of the study period, decreased sediment transport rates in El Corte de Madera Preserve can partly be attributed to road and trails-related sedimentation reduction; additionally, the same trail improvements are useful to improve the trail experience for Preserve users. ATTACHMENT 1 WATERSHED PROTECTION PROGRAM EFFECTIVENESS MONITORING: EL CORTE DE MADERA CREEK OPEN SPACE PRESERVE Balance Hydrologics, Inc. 69 In wetter years, this sediment ‘savings’ is estimated to be a smaller percent compared to overall transport. In drier years, the sediment savings are estimated to be more substantial compared to overall transport rates. 5.4.5 NATURAL WEATHER PATTERNS AND FEWER RECENT LANDSLIDES Less sediment is contributed to the creek system by large sediment sources now (2018 inventory) compared to 16 years ago (2004 inventory). Adjusted to a per year basis, this reduction ranges from a factor of 1.7 (coarse) to 5.0 (fine). See Table 4-1and Table 5-1. Therefore, less sediment in the creeks could also be partially due to natural weather patterns and how those patterns drive natural sediment sources. 5.4.6 WOOD JAMS TRAP SUBSTANTIAL AMOUNTS OF SEDIMENT Wood jams appear to play an important role in moderating influxes of sediment. Based on the 2018 inventory of natural sources, slightly more sediment was trapped by wood jams (160 cubic yards) than was washed into the creek system during the 2017 to 2018 period. This is in contrast to the conditions in 2004, when the sediment washed into the creek system from natural sources exceeded the total amount of sediment trapped by wood jams by at least 1,100 cubic yards (Table 4-1 and Table 5-1) (for comparison, a standard dump truck holds about 10 yards of material). If the wood jams were not there, much more sediment would likely have filled pools or washed downstream. ATTACHMENT 1 WATERSHED PROTECTION PROGRAM EFFECTIVENESS MONITORING: EL CORTE DE MADERA CREEK OPEN SPACE PRESERVE 70 Balance Hydrologics, Inc. 6 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS MROSD staff, rangers, and interns were a key part of this study. They performed a large portion of the field measurements, data entry, data validation, and were enthusiastic and active partners in designing the field program, asking questions, and following up with extra data analyses to check field methods and results. Project manager Aaron Hébert not only managed the 2018-2020 project but also assisted with all aspects of the field work and V* data work up (including sediment sampling days in the rain). Aaron also contributed significantly to the formulation of this report and the information on the history of the Preserve. Special thanks to the Water Resources Interns, Julia Hathaway and Morgan Williams, for leading the V* fieldwork, and inputting and double-checking all the V* data. Special thanks to Senior Planner Meredith Manning for overseeing the V* work in 2005-06, retired Senior Resource Management Specialist Matt Baldzikowski for assisting with the stream gaging in 2006-2008, and Natural Resources Manager Kirk Lenington for initiating this study program. To the many Midpen staff who gathered the V* data: patrol, land and facilities, Midpen volunteers, and the Conservation Biology Interns (Katarina Palermo and Elena Wolff), who were integral partners to the Water Resources Interns. Many Balance staff performed field work (during both dry weather and in the rain) and/or data entry and analyses; the following team members were consistent contributors with ideas for data analysis, careful observations and off-trail fortitude: Chelsea Neill, Anna Nazarov, Dana Jepsen, Zan Rubin, Emma Goodwin, John Hardy, Barry Hecht, Scott Brown, John Gartner, Brian Hastings, Shawn Chartrand, and Bonnie deBerry. ATTACHMENT 1 WATERSHED PROTECTION PROGRAM EFFECTIVENESS MONITORING: EL CORTE DE MADERA CREEK OPEN SPACE PRESERVE Balance Hydrologics, Inc. 71 ATTACHMENT 1 WATERSHED PROTECTION PROGRAM EFFECTIVENESS MONITORING: EL CORTE DE MADERA CREEK OPEN SPACE PRESERVE 72 Balance Hydrologics, Inc. 7 LIMITATIONS Analyses and information included in this report are intended for use at the watershed scale and for the planning and long-term monitoring purposes described above. Analyses of channels and other water bodies, rocks, earth properties, topography and/or environmental processes are generalized to be useful at the scale of a watershed, both spatially and temporally. Information and interpretations presented in this report should not be applied to specific projects or sites without the expressed written permission of the authors, nor should they be used beyond the particular area to which we have applied them. Estimates of sediment originating from mass wasting, slope sources and/or roads and trails are developed solely for the purpose of providing context for planning the monitoring program; these should not be taken, for the roads in particular, as the long- term yields from individual sediment sources. Balance Hydrologics, Inc. should be consulted prior to applying the contents of this report to evaluating upland sediment sources, any out-of-stream locations, or any in-stream locations not specifically cited in this report. Results are limited to information needed to plan a long-term monitoring program. In particular, information developed in this report is not intended for use in design of structures, or specific slope or road repairs. Readers who have additional pertinent information, who observed changed conditions, or who may note material errors should contact us with their findings at the earliest possible date, so that timely changes may be made. ATTACHMENT 1 WATERSHED PROTECTION PROGRAM EFFECTIVENESS MONITORING: EL CORTE DE MADERA CREEK OPEN SPACE PRESERVE Balance Hydrologics, Inc. 73 8 REFERENCES Best, T., 2002, Road and trail erosion inventory: El Corte de Madera Creek Open Space Preserve: Draft consulting report prepared by Timothy Best, CEG for Duncan Simmons, Esq., Attorney for the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District. November 27, 43 p. Brabb, E.E. and Pampeyan, E.H., 1972, Preliminary geologic map of San Mateo County, California, U.S. Geological Survey open-file map MF-328. (Scale 1: 62,500). Brabb, E.E., Graymer, R.W., and Jones, D.L., 1998, Geology of the onshore part of San Mateo County, California: A digital database. Pamphlet derived from digital OF98-137, U.S. Geological Survey, U.S. Department of the Interior. 13p. Hecht, B., and Rusmore, B., eds., 1973, Waddell Creek – the environment around Big Basin: UC Santa Cruz Environmental Studies Program and the Sempervirens Fund. 98 p. + 65 p. appendix Hilton, S., and Lisle, T.E., 1993, Measuring the fraction of pool volume filled with sediment, USDA Forest Service, Pacific Southwest Research Station Research Note PSW-RN-414-WEB, 11p. Lisle, T.E., and Hilton, S., 1992, The volume of fine sediment in pools: An index of sediment supply in gravel-bed streams: Water Resources Bulletin, v. 28, no. 2, p. 371-383. Lisle, T.E., and Hilton, S., 1999, Fine bed material in pools of natural gravel bed channels: Water Resources Research, v. 358, no. 4, p. 1291-1304. Owens, J., Hastings, B., Hecht, B., and Gartner, J., 2006. Initial findings of sediment source survey and creek sedimentation, El Corte de Madera Creek Open Space Preserve, San Mateo County, California. Consulting report prepared by Balance Hydrologics, Inc. for Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District, January 2006, 29 pp, plus Tables and Figures. Rood, Robert C., 1975. The historical geography and environmental impact of the lumber industry of the Santa Cruz Mountains (UCSC senior thesis, 1975). http://digitalcollections.ucsc.edu/cdm/ref/collection/p265101coll23/id/430 Saah, A.D., and Nahn, C.E., 1989, Mean annual precipitation map for San Francisco and Monterey Bay region: Santa Clara Valley Water District, hydrology open file report, 7 p. + maps. Stanger, F.M., 1967, Sawmills in the redwoods: Logging in the San Francisco Peninsula 1849-1967: San Mateo County Historical Association, p. 101-109. Wieczorek, G.F., Harp, E.L., Mark, R.K., and Bhattacharyya, A.K., 1988, Debris flows and other landslides in San Mateo, Santa Cruz, Contra Costa, Alameda, Napa, Solano, Sonoma, Lake, and Yolo Counties, and factors influencing debris-flow distribution: In Ellen, E.D., and Wieczorek G.F., 1988, Landslides, floods and marine effects of the storm of January 3-5, 1982, in the San Francisco Region, California: U.S. Geological Survey Prof. Paper 1434, p. 133-160. ATTACHMENT 1 ATTACHMENT 2