Supplemental Environmental Assessment to the Programmatic Environmental Assessment (PEA) for Typical Recurring Actions Resulting From Flood, Earthquake, Fire, Rain, and Wind Disasters in California as Proposed by the Federal Emergency Management Agency San Luis Obispo County Cambria Flood Mitigation Project: Storm Drain and Pump Station FEMA-1046-DR-CA, HMGP #1046-157-1003 November 2006 1. INTRODUCTION San Luis Obispo County (County) has applied for funds from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), through the State of California Governor's Office of Emergency Services (OES), to implement a flood mitigation project. FEMA is proposing to fund the project through the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) under a presidential disaster declaration (FEMA-DR-1046-CA) for the flood of 1995. The project area is located in the community of Cambria, California, along the northern coast of San Luis Obispo County approximately 35 miles northwest of the City of San Luis Obispo (Figure 1, Appendix A). Cambria includes two village districts, East and West Villages. The project area is located in the West Village area. 1.1 SCOPE OF DOCUMENT FEMA has prepared the Final Programmatic Environmental Assessment for Typical Recurring Actions Resulting From Flood, Earthquake, Fire, Rain, and Wind Disasters in California (PEA), which assesses common impacts of the action alternatives that are under consideration at the proposed project site (FEMA 2003). The PEA adequately assesses impacts from the action alternatives for some resource areas, but other resources are not fully assessed in the PEA. Therefore, for this specific project to comply with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA), FEMA has prepared this Supplemental Environmental Assessment (SEA) to fully evaluate the impacts of the HMGP project. This SEA hereby incorporates the PEA by reference, in accordance with Title 40 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 1508.28. The SEA has been prepared according to the requirements of NEPA, the Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) regulations implementing NEPA (Title 40 CFR Parts 1500 through 1508), and FEMA's implementing regulations (Title 44 CFR Part 10). 1.2 PURPOSE OF AND NEED FOR ACTION The objective of FEMA's HMGP is to reduce the loss of life and property due to natural disasters and to enable long-term hazard mitigation measures to be implemented during the immediate recovery from a disaster. Through this program, FEMA provides grants to state and local governments to implement long-term hazard mitigation measures after a major disaster declaration. Therefore, the purpose of this project is to provide HMGP funding to San Luis Obispo County to reduce the long-term risks associated with potential damages to the West Village from natural hazards. In March 1995, approximately 35 businesses, 20 homes, roadways, and utilities in the West Village were flooded causing nine million dollars worth of damage. A portion of the flooding was caused by runoff from local watersheds in addition to overflow of Santa Rosa Creek at the Highway 1 Bridge. The West Village has been subject to recurring flooding from localized runoff. During storms of 50-year magnitude or greater, flows in Santa Rosa Creek escape the channel, flank the highway embankment, and flood the historic floodplain of the West Village. When this occurs, Highway 1 serves to contain and sustain flooding in the northern portion of the West Village by preventing flood flows from re-entering the creek. Flooding is exacerbated by the West Village storm drain system that currently includes flap gates on existing storm drain culverts under Highway 1 that discharge runoff from the West Village into Santa Rosa Creek. These flap gates become closed during high flows in Santa Rosa Creek, which traps runoff from the West Village because the water cannot pass through the storm drains. Therefore, action is needed to reduce the threat of property damage and to reduce threats to public health and safety caused by the flooding in the West Village. 2. DESCRIPTION OF THE PROPOSED ACTIONS AND ALTERNATIVES 2.1 NO ACTION ALTERNATIVE NEPA requires the inclusion of a No Action Alternative in the environmental analysis and documentation. The No Action Alternative is defined as maintaining the status quo with no FEMA funding for any alternative action. For projects otherwise determined eligible for FEMA funding under the HMGP, the No Action Alternative is in conflict with FEMA's mission and the purpose of the HMGP. Nonetheless, the No Action Alternative is used to evaluate the effects of not providing eligible assistance for the project, thus providing a benchmark against which "action alternatives" can be evaluated. For the purpose of this alternative, it is assumed that San Luis Obispo County would be unable to implement a project for lack of federal assistance, and the flood hazard would remain unmitigated at the project site. Property damage and the resulting economic losses would continue to occur in addition to the threat to public health and safety. Temporary re-routing of traffic from Main Street during flooding would adversely affect commerce in the project area, which is heavily dependent on tourism. 2.2 PROPOSED ACTION ALTERNATIVE The Proposed Action Alternative consists of the construction and operation of three components: a detention basin to collect runoff in the hills surrounding the West Village, a gravity storm drain system to collect and transfer runoff from the hills surrounding the West Village, and a pump station to transfer runoff from the existing storm drainage system in the West Village. The detention basin would be constructed upstream of the end of Sheffield Street to collect runoff before it enters the West Village. Figure 2 (Appendix A) shows the proposed location of the detention basin. The basin would be constructed in the vicinity of an existing natural channel and would consist of an earthen berm approximately 40 feet long and 8 feet high perpendicular to the existing channel; the total fill required to construct the berm would be 350 cubic yards. The berm would be constructed approximately 100 feet upstream from the end of Sheffield Street. The maximum area the impounded water would encompass would be approximately 6,450 square feet (0.15 acre). This would extend approximately 195 feet upstream of the berm. The basin would be designed to have a maximum capacity of approximately 2 acre-feet and assumes an impoundment of water 6 feet above the channel. A dirt access road would be built adjacent to the existing natural channel from the end of Sheffield Street up to the berm and would be approximately 10 feet wide. Vegetation consisting of brush and grasses would be removed to construct the berm and access road. Vegetation would also be periodically cleared upstream of the berm to retain the basin's storage capacity and to maintain the access road. No trees would be removed to construct the berm, access road, or impoundment area. The basin would not hold water on a permanent basis and would likely only contain appreciable volumes of water once or twice during a normal rainfall year. The gravity storm drain system includes installation of stormwater drainage pipes and drainage inlets in the road right-of-ways along Sheffield Street, Cornwall Street, Hillcrest Drive, Sunbury Avenue, and Croyden Lane. Along Sheffield Street, a 54-inch-diameter concrete pipe would be installed below and towards the street centerline of an existing concrete drainage channel. The new drainage pipe would run from the proposed detention basin to an existing 30-inch-diameter culvert under Highway 1. The other streets would have variable sizes of pipes installed under the street along with drainage inlets to capture and divert storm water runoff away from the West Village. Pipe sizes and locations are shown on Figure 2 (Appendix A). The pipes would be installed between 1 and 7 feet below grade depending on locations of other underground utilities. The pump station would consist of an enclosed concrete structure and a holding pond. It would be located adjacent to Highway 1 at the north end of the West Village, as depicted in Figure 2 (Appendix A). A sump would be installed at the pump station to collect runoff from the existing storm drainage system and to provide the required submergence for the pumps. The sump would measure approximately 25 feet wide and 35 feet long with a maximum depth of 10 feet below grade. The pump station would include a system of electrically powered pumps with emergency diesel generator set back up power. The pumps would be housed inside the concrete structure and next to the holding pond. In addition, a new pipe would be constructed underneath Highway 1 from the pump station to an outlet with a flap gate on the west side of Highway 1 on the bank of Santa Rosa Creek. Approximately 15 cubic yards of riprap would be placed in an area about 10 feet wide and 30 feet long around the outlet of the new pipe to reduce flow energies and erosion at the outfall. Finally, approximately 900 feet of an existing dirt drainage ditch between the West Village and Highway 1 would be enlarged to approximately 15 feet wide to carry flows from the western end of Sheffield Street to the proposed pump station. 2.3 OTHER ACTION ALTERNATIVES Other alternatives to the proposed project are adequately addressed in Section 2 of the PEA. 3. AFFECTED ENVIRONMENT AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONSEQUENCES The PEA has adequately described the affected environment and impacts of the proposed action for many resource areas, except for geology and soils; air quality; water resources; biological resources; cultural resources; transportation; noise; and visual resources. Therefore, the affected environment and environmental consequences for those resources are described in this section, which is intended to supplement the information contained in the PEA. Necessary avoidance and minimization measures, either stipulated in the PEA, or based on the results of the impact analysis in the SEA, that are appropriate for the proposed action, are discussed in Section 4. 3.1 GEOLOGY AND SOILS The project area is located in the California Coast Range physiographic province. Locally the geology is characterized by coastal terraces, coastal beaches, and recent-to-old sand dune deposits. The majority of soils in the project area have been altered by urban development (streets, sidewalks, homes, etc.), but a few areas of soils that have not been covered by urban development exist within the project area including the upper end of Sheffield Street, an area near the proposed pump station, and the area at the outlets to Santa Rosa Creek. The characteristics of these soils vary, but generally they have silty clay loam and sandy loam surface textures, slow-to-medium runoff rates, and slight-to-moderate susceptibility to erosion. The slopes surrounding the action area are mostly undeveloped, and because of their steepness, are more susceptible to erosion. Soils would be temporarily impacted during the implementation of all project components by construction activities such as grading, removal of vegetation, and the use of heavy equipment. The potential impacts include compaction and increased susceptibility to water and wind erosion due to disturbance of soil structure and removal of vegetation. Areas that would be disturbed by construction activities would be stabilized with erosion control measures to reduce any erosion that might occur, as described in Section 4.1 of this SEA. With these measures, implementation of the proposed action would not significantly increase current erosion levels. Therefore, the proposed action would not result in adverse impacts to geology and soils. 3.2 AIR QUALITY The project site is located in the South Central Coast Air Quality Management District (SCCAQMD). San Luis Obispo County is classified as being in attainment or is unclassified for all criteria pollutants by the SCCAQMD. With respect to the standards for ozone and particulate matter less than 2.5 micrometers in diameter, the attainment status has not yet been determined. The SCCAQMD does not issue permits for mobile sources such as construction vehicles and equipment. As a result, any construction activities that only involve mobile equipment (as opposed to an asphalt batch plant, for example) would not require air quality permits. The emission thresholds for General Conformity Rule Applicability [40 CFR Part 51.583(b)] are 10 tons per year for ozone precursors, 70 tons per year for particulate matter, and 100 tons per year for all pollutants for which the area is in attainment of Federal standards. San Luis Obispo Air Pollution Control District (SLOAPCD) regulates air emissions within the County and has developed mitigation thresholds for air emissions attributable to construction activities. SLOAPCD regulates diesel generator sets with engines that exceed a combined level of 50 horsepower. The County would be responsible for obtaining any air emissions permits required by SLOAPCD and meeting the SLOAPCD air quality standards and mitigation thresholds. Implementation of the proposed action would result in a temporary deterioration of air quality. The project-related effects to air quality would include short-term increases of fugitive dust generated by haul trucks, concrete trucks, delivery trucks, and other earthmoving vehicles. These vehicles would also release minor emissions associated with fossil fuel burning, including CO and precursors to ozone. Assuming an 80-day project duration, the proposed action would create approximately 0.2 ton per year of emissions for all pollutants. Emission estimates for PM10 (particulate matter size of 10 micrometers), NOx, CO, SOx, and hydrocarbons fall below the threshold levels of the General Conformity Rule. Therefore, the proposed action qualifies as a General Conformity Rule exemption, and no further analysis is required to establish conformity with the State Implementation Plan. Section 4.2 of this SEA lists minimization measures to further reduce localized air quality impacts. 3.3 WATER RESOURCES The major drainage feature in the vicinity of the project area is Santa Rosa Creek, a perennial stream that originates in Black Mountain, flows southwest through the West Village of Cambria, and crosses Highway 1 south of the project area. Santa Rosa Creek then flows northwest towards San Simeon State Beach, where the Creek discharges into the Pacific Ocean (Figure 1, Appendix A). Although the majority of the Santa Rosa Creek flows on the west side of Highway 1 in the vicinity of the project area, there is a small portion of Santa Rosa Creek that does not cross Highway 1 and remains on the east side of Highway 1. The east side split flow ponds behind the embankment formed by Highway 1. The split flow then crosses under Highway 1 and rejoins the main flow at Highway 1's intersection with Main Street. Coastal Zone Management The Coastal Zone Management Act (CZMA) in 1972 and the Coastal Zone Act Reauthorization Amendments in 1990 apply to all actions within a designated coastal zone and require that any federal agency whose activities directly affect the coastal zone be consistent, to the maximum extent practicable, with approved state coastal zone management programs. The project area is located within a coastal zone as designated by the California Coastal Commission (CCC). Therefore, the CZMA applies to the project and all actions approved by FEMA are required to be in compliance with CCC policies regarding actions within a designated coastal zone. The County would be responsible for coordinating with the CCC and obtaining a federal consistency determination from the CCC to comply with the CZMA. Executive Order 11988: Floodplain Management Executive Order 11988 requires federal agencies to avoid, to the extent possible, the short- and long-term adverse impacts associated with the occupancy and modification of floodplains. If there is no practicable alternative to undertaking an action in a floodplain, any potential adverse impacts must be mitigated. FEMA's regulations for complying with Executive Order 11988 are found in 44 CFR Part 9. According to the FEMA Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM) Community Panel Number 060304 0188C, effective date July 18, 1985, the proposed locations of the pump station, sump, pipeline under Highway 1, pipeline along Cornwall Street, culvert across Main Street, and new pipeline under Highway 1 at the end of Sheffield Street are within the floodplain of Santa Rosa Creek and the Santa Rosa Creek split flow. The FIRM indicates that the flood zone is A16, which is an area subject to inundation by the 1-percent-annual-chance flood event, as determined by detailed methods. The base flood elevations in this area range from 26 to 29 feet. The proposed project locations are just outside the floodway of Santa Rosa Creek. According to the hydraulic study done by Questa (2005), flooding in the West Village was caused by both the split flow from Santa Rosa Creek entering the West Village and local watershed drainage that cannot drain out of the culverts to Santa Rosa Creek. The proposed action would provide an outlet for the water that is currently trapped in the West Village during flood events. The gravity storm drain system and pump station would allow the flood water to drain into Santa Rosa Creek instead of being impounded in the West Village. Therefore, catastrophic flooding in the West Village during the 100-year flood event would essentially be substantially reduced. The proposed action is expected to benefit the floodplain and restore floodplain values. The proposed action has been found to be the best way to reduce flooding in the West Village. Alternatives to the proposed action, using different pipe sizes and locations, were found to be less effective than the proposed action. No adverse impacts to floodplain values have been identified for the proposed action. Implementation of the proposed action would not support additional development of the floodplain in the project area. Also, the proposed action would not aggravate flood hazards for others. Accordingly, the proposed action complies with Executive Order 11988. FEMA published an Initial Public Notice at the declaration of the disaster. FEMA would ensure publication of a Final Public Notice in compliance with Executive Order 11988 before implementation of the Proposed Action. Executive Order 11990: Protection of Wetlands EO 11990 requires federal agencies to take action to minimize the destruction or modification of wetlands by considering both direct and indirect impacts to wetlands that may result from federally funded actions. FEMA's regulations for complying with EO 11990 are found at 44 CFR Part 9, Floodplain Management and Protection of Wetlands. The proposed action would cause temporary and permanent loss of riparian vegetation on the east side of Santa Rosa Creek (FEMA 2005a). Approximately 100 square feet of riparian vegetation would be temporarily disturbed at each of the two proposed outfalls from under Highway 1. These two areas would be revegetated to pre-existing conditions. In addition, approximately 300 square feet of riparian vegetation would be permanently disturbed at each of the two proposed outfalls. The 600 square feet of riparian vegetation, mostly consisting of shrubs growing on the creek bank and up to the edge of the highway, would be removed and replaced by riprap. There are no practicable alternatives to affecting wetlands: reducing flooding in the West Village requires a connection to Santa Rosa Creek, which is bordered by wetlands. The 600 square feet of wetlands that would be permanently impacted and 200 square feet of wetlands that would be temporarily impacted represent a small fraction of the wetlands that exist along Santa Rosa Creek. The project is not expected to cause further wetland destruction or modification. Through the permitting processes discussed in the following Water Quality section and the Best Management Practices (BMPs) described in Sections 4.1 and 4.3 of this SEA, the proposed action's adverse impacts to wetlands would be minimized. Accordingly, the proposed action complies with Executive Order 11988. FEMA published an Initial Public Notice at the declaration of the disaster. FEMA would ensure publication of a Final Public Notice in compliance with Executive Order 11990 before implementation of the Proposed Action. Water Quality Santa Rosa Creek is designated as jurisdictional waters of the United States by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE). Section 404 of the Clean Water Act requires that the proposed project receive a U.S. Department of the Army (DA) permit for work involving the discharge of dredged or fill materials in waters of the United States. USACE is responsible for reviewing projects for DA permits. In addition, Section 401 of the Clean Water Act (CWA) requires that applicants for federal permits or licenses that are conducting work involving any discharge into waters of the United States receive a Water Quality Certification. As project construction would disturb one or more acres of soil, a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) General Permit for Discharges of Storm Water Associated with Construction Activity would also be required. The County would be required to obtain a Section 404 permit, Section 401 Water Quality Certification, and NPDES General Permit. The County would also be responsible for complying with all state regulations governing water quality. With the implementation of avoidance and minimization measures such as BMPs for erosion and sediment control, as described in Sections 4.1 and 4.3 of the SEA, impacts to water resources would be minimal for the proposed action. 3.4 BIOLOGICAL RESOURCES A reconnaissance survey of the action area was conducted on July 6, 2005. Most of the pipelines for the storm drain system would run under existing roads, however, the extension of the storm drain system upstream of Sheffield Street consists of a steep drainage covered with ruderal understory vegetation and surrounded by Monterey pine (Pinus radiata), blue gum Eucalyptus (Eucalyptus globulus), and coast live oak (Quercus agrifolia). None of these trees would be removed as part of the proposed action. The ruderal vegetation is dominated by Himalayan blackberry (Rubus discolor), Pampas grass (Cortaderia jubata), sweet fennel (Foeniculum vulgare), Scotch broom (Cytisus scoparius), poison oak (Toxicodendron diversilobum), wild radish (Raphanus sativus), Canary grass (Phalaris sp.), coast wild cucumber (Marah fabaceus), and Italian thistle (Carduus pycnocephalus). The pump house would be located on a vacant lot covered with dirt and gravel and surrounded by ornamental shrubs. The two outlet locations would drain into Santa Rosa Creek (Figure 2, Appendix A). Those areas are covered with shrub-size (less than 20 feet high) arroyo willow (Salix lasiolepis) and shinning willow (S. lucida). The understory is covered with Himalayan blackberry, cattails (Typha sp.), and poison oak. Temporary and permanent loss of riparian vegetation on the east side of Santa Rosa Creek would occur as a result of the proposed action. Table 1 (Appendix B) presents the acreages for temporary and permanent losses of riparian vegetation for the two outlets to Santa Rosa Creek. FEMA obtained information concerning species listed as endangered, threatened, proposed for listing as endangered or threatened, or candidates for listing as endangered or threatened under the Federal Endangered Species Act (ESA) that may occur in the action area. A list of special status plant and wildlife species with potential to occur in the vicinity of the action area were identified from the following sources: -The California Department of Fish and Game (CDFG) Natural Diversity Database records within the following seven U.S. Geologic Survey (USGS) 7.5-minute quadrangles that include the action area and vicinity: Cambria, Pico Creek, San Simeon, Pebblestone Shut- In, Lime Mountain, Cypress Mountain, and Cayucos (CDFG 2005). -A species list for San Luis Obispo County from the Ventura Field Office of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) website was also obtained. Table 2 (Appendix B) lists the 21 listed wildlife species and 16 listed plant species identified by these sources as having potential to occur in the vicinity of the proposed action. FEMA determined that the action area provides habitat suitable to support three federally listed species regulated under the ESA: 1. Tidewater goby (Eucyclogobius newberryi) 2. California red-legged frog (Rana aurora draytonii) 3. South central California coast steelhead (Oncorhynchus mykiss irideus) FEMA prepared two Biological Assessments for the proposed action: one for submittal to USFWS (FEMA 2005a) and one for submittal to the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) (FEMA 2005b). FEMA determined that the proposed action is not likely to adversely affect the endangered tidewater goby or the steelhead trout but may adversely affect the California red-legged frog. USFWS issued a Biological Opinion on September 13, 2006; a copy is provided in Appendix C. USFWS found that the proposed project is not likely to jeopardize the continued existence of the California red-legged frog. The County must fully comply with all terms and conditions, reasonable and prudent measures, and other avoidance and minimization measures described in the BO and listed in Section 4.4 of the SEA. NMFS issued a letter of concurrence with FEMA's determination on November 30, 2005; a copy is provided in Appendix D. NMFS found that the project's impacts were discountable and insignificant. 3.5 CULTURAL RESOURCES Cultural resource investigations were undertaken to identify both previously recorded sites and previously undiscovered sites within the action area in compliance with Section 106 (Title 16 United States Code [USC] Section 470f) of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 (NHPA) and the Programmatic Agreement (PA) Among FEMA, the California State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO), OES, and the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation. FEMA's archaeological consultant conducted a pedestrian survey on July 6, 2005. The results of the archaeological survey were negative for cultural resources within all areas surveyed. FEMA contacted the California Native American Heritage Commission (NAHC) on July 7, 2005, to request a review of its Sacred Lands File and to receive a list of the individuals and groups that the NAHC believes should be contacted regarding information or concerns related to the project areas. The NAHC responded on July 15, 2005, with negative results for its search of the Sacred Lands File. On August 9, 2005, FEMA sent an informational letter to each of the Native American contacts identified by the NAHC. To date no responses from the Native American community have been received. A cultural resources literature review was performed at the Central Coastal Information Center (CCIC) of the California Historical Resources Information System on July 20, 2005 (Invoice #3532). FEMA prepared a cultural resources technical report (FEMA 2005c) and transmitted this to the SHPO on September 16, 2005; a copy of the transmittal letter is included as Appendix E. Based on the cultural resources evaluation, FEMA made a determination of "no historic properties affected." No response has been received from the SHPO to date. According to Stipulation VII.C of the PA, the SHPO did not object to FEMA's findings within 21 days of receipt of FEMA's determination; therefore FEMA has concluded its Section 106 compliance responsibility. Section 4.5 of this SEA describes steps that the County must take in the event of an unanticipated discovery. 3.6 TRANSPORTATION Construction activities would occur within areas of residential traffic flow along two-lane streets (Figure 2, Appendix A). During construction activities the County may close one lane of traffic on the street adjacent to the action area to allow equipment and construction vehicles ingress/egress to the site. Lane closure and impacts to traffic flow would be temporary. Therefore, with implementation of the avoidance and minimization measures described in Section 4.6, impacts to transportation would be minimal. 3.7 NOISE Commonly defined as unwanted and/or unwelcome sound, noise is federally regulated by the Noise Control Act of 1972. Although the Noise Control Act tasks the USEPA to prepare guidelines for acceptable ambient noise levels, it only charges those federal agencies that operate noise-producing facilities or equipment to implement noise standards. By the nature of its mission, FEMA does not have statutes defining noise. Some land uses are considered sensitive to noise. Noise-sensitive receptors are located at land uses associated with indoor and outdoor activities that may be subject to stress or significant interference from noise. These land uses often include residential dwellings, mobile homes, hotels, motels, hospitals, nursing homes, educational facilities, and libraries. The project area typically experiences noises associated with a residential neighborhood and small-town business environment, such as sounds from vehicles, televisions, radios, barking dogs, and human voices. Highway 1, along the west side of the project area, is a significant noise producer because of vehicular traffic noises. Noise-sensitive receptors within and near the project area include residences, hotels, businesses, and a church. The implementation of the proposed action would produce noise from the operation of equipment such as compacters, loaders, backhoes, bulldozers, scrapers, trucks, and concrete equipment. These pieces of equipment generate noise levels ranging from about 70 to 95 A- weighted decibels (dBA) at 50 feet from the source. Noise levels generated at any point source decrease at a rate of approximately 6 decibels per doubling of distance away from the source (Diehl 1973). In developed portions of the project area, buildings would further reduce noise levels through shielding. With implementation of the avoidance and minimization measures described in Section 4.7 of this SEA, impacts to noise-sensitive receptors is expected to be minimal. 3.8 VISUAL RESOURCES The existing visual character of the project area includes a mix of native vegetation within a residential neighborhood, an area of small businesses along Main Street, and views of the natural riparian area of Santa Rosa Creek. The existing visual character is typical within the region, and no areas of scenic importance exist within the action area. Primary viewers adjacent to the action area consist of travelers along Highway 1 (a state scenic highway), Cambria Road, Main Street, and local residents and business employees/owners. The proposed action would have a temporary effect on the character of the setting. During construction, existing vegetation would be removed from around the culvert on the west side of Highway 1 near Santa Rosa Creek, and construction activities would be visible from all viewing areas. The construction of the pump station would be a permanent effect to visual resources; however, the addition of the pump station would not substantially degrade or otherwise alter the existing visual character or quality of the site surroundings since it would be constructed in an urban setting. Implementation of the proposed action would not create additional viewsheds (such as opening up a view to a more populated area) or deteriorate existing views within the project areas. Therefore, implementation of the proposed action would not result in adverse impacts to visual resources, especially with implementation of the BMP measures described in Section 4.8 of the SEA. 3.9 CUMULATIVE IMPACTS To reduce flooding in Cambria, the County is constructing a bypass channel to connect an overflow basin (on the east side of Highway 1 near Cambria Drive) to Santa Rosa Creek. The project also includes construction of an earthen berm along Cambria Drive to act as a floodwall along the northern edge of the overflow basin, and plugging a culvert under Cambria Road that drains water from the overflow basin to Main Street. The environmental impacts of the bypass channel, earthen berm, and culvert plugging have been documented in an Environmental Assessment (EA) prepared by FEMA (2005d) – the EA includes avoidance and minimization measures to mitigate environmental impacts. The construction of the bypass channel and earthen berm, and the culvert plugging will likely be finished prior to implementation of the proposed action. Therefore, with the mitigation measures that the County will implement during construction of the bypass channel, earthen berm, and culvert plugging according to the 2005 EA and the likelihood that the proposed action will not take place concurrently, no adverse cumulative impacts are expected to occur with implementation of the proposed action. 4. MINIMIZATION AND AVOIDANCE MEASURES The following minimization and avoidance measures have been extracted from the PEA Section 4, or from measures developed for this SEA based on site specific impacts, and are applicable for the proposed action. 4.1 GEOLOGY AND SOILS The County would be responsible for implementing erosion protection measures including BMPs such as installing silt fences or mulching cleared soil to eliminate or reduce soil erosion during construction. The County would implement permanent erosion control measures such as revegetation with native species when the project is completed. 4.2 AIR QUALITY The County would be responsible for reducing potential air quality impacts from construction activities and employing minimization measures to limit fugitive dust and emissions. These measures include, but are not limited to the following: watering disturbed areas, scheduling the siting of staging areas to minimize fugitive dust, and keeping vehicles and other construction equipment tuned properly. The County would be responsible for obtaining any air emissions permits required by SLOAPCD and meeting the SLOAPCD air quality standards and mitigation thresholds. 4.3 WATER RESOURCES The County would be responsible for obtaining a federal consistency determination from the CCC to comply with the CZMA, obtaining a Section 404 permit and Section 401 Water Quality Certification to comply with the CWA, and obtaining a NPDES General Permit. The County would also be responsible for complying with all state regulations governing water quality. In addition, the County would be responsible for implementing BMPs to reduce potential impacts to water resources including: -Designating vehicle parking areas on paved surfaces where possible, -Implementing construction BMPs (such as silt fencing, hydromulching, plantings, etc.) and an erosion control plan to reduce the potential erosion and sedimentation of Santa Rosa Creek caused by construction activities such as grading. 4.4 BIOLOGICAL RESOURCES The County would be responsible for minimizing impacts to biological resources including, but not limited to, the following measures stipulated within the USFWS biological opinion letter dated September 13, 2006: -The County would conduct construction activities in Santa Rosa Creek and the riparian habitat during the latter part of the dry season (April 15 to October 15). -The County would install exclusion fences at the margins of the work areas. -A USFWS-approved biologist would conduct preconstruction surveys for California red- legged frogs. If any are found, the biologist would contact the USFWS to determine if moving them is appropriate. -Prior to construction, a qualified biologist would conduct a training session regarding California red-legged frogs for all construction personnel. -A USFWS-approved biologist would monitor construction activities along Santa Rosa Creek. -The USFWS-approved biologist would follow the Declining Amphibian Populations Task Force Fieldwork Code of Practice. -The County would revegetate the action area with native plant species. -California red-legged frogs that are at risk of injury or death would be moved from work areas. The County would request USFWS approval of any biologist it wishes to survey for, monitor, capture and relocate California red-legged frogs. The request would be in writing and be received by USFWS at least 30 days prior to any such activities being conducted. Kate Ballantyne is authorized by USFWS to independently survey for, monitor, capture and relocate California red-legged frogs for the purposes of this biological opinion. Eric N. Wier, Richard Trevis Warner and John Farhar are authorized by USFWS to independently survey for and monitor California red-frogs, and to capture and relocate them under the direct supervision of Ms. Ballantyne. -The County would ensure that the level of incidental take during project implementation is commensurate with the analysis contained in the USFWS biological opinion dated September 13, 2006 (Appendix C). If more than two (2) California red-legged frogs are found dead or injured in the action area, the County would contact USFWS immediately so USFWS can review the project activities to determine if additional protective measures are needed. Project activities may continue during this review period, provided that all protective measures proposed by FEMA and the terms and conditions of the USFWS biological opinion dated September 13, 2006, (Appendix C) have been and continue to be implemented. -The County would provide USFWS with a final report describing the impacts of the project on California red-legged frogs. The report would be submitted to USFWS within 60 days following completion of the proposed project. The information and reporting requirements that are required for the final report are outlined within the USFWS biological opinion letter dated September 13, 2006. -Upon locating a dead or injured California red-legged frog, the County would notify USFWS's Division of Law Enforcement (370 Amapola Avenue, Suite 114, Torrance, California 90501), in writing, within 3 working days of its finding. Details of the notification requirements are outlined within the USFWS biological opinion letter dated September 13, 2006 (Appendix C). 4.5 CULTURAL RESOURCES If unanticipated resources are discovered during construction, the County would stop project activities in the vicinity of the discovery, take all reasonable measures to avoid or minimize harm to the property, and notify OES and FEMA as soon as practicable so that FEMA can initiate consultation with the SHPO, in accordance with the PA. If the discovery appears to contain human remains, the County would also contact the San Luis Obispo County Coroner immediately. If the coroner determines that the remains are not subject to his or her authority and if the coroner recognizes the remains to be those of a Native American or has reason to believe that they are those of a Native American, he or she would contact the Native American Heritage Commission by telephone within 24 hours. 4.6 TRANSPORTATION The County would be responsible for minimizing the potential short-term impacts to transportation in the project area during construction: -Workers would park their privately owned vehicles at designated and appropriately developed locations to reduce transportation impacts. -A traffic plan would be implemented during mobilization of haul trucks and heavy equipment in and out of the project site to reduce the potential for accidents, slowing of public traffic flow, and street blockage. The traffic plan would include flaggers, look-outs, and barricades as necessary to reduce inconvenience and safety hazards to the public. -Staging areas and construction activities would occur completely within County right- of-way and no public traffic routes would be fully blocked at any time. 4.7 NOISE The County would be responsible for implementation of the following mitigation measures to reduce noise levels and their effects to the extent practicable: -Project activities that create noise levels of above 55 dBA would not be conducted between 7:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m., on Sundays nor on Federal holidays. -All noise-producing project equipment and vehicles using internal combustion engines would be equipped with properly operating mufflers and air inlet silencers, where appropriate, that meet or exceed original factory specification. This measure would assure that noise emissions from vehicles and other equipment are limited to the minimum feasible levels. 4.8 VISUAL RESOURCES The County would be responsible for minimizing the potential short-term and long-term impacts to visual resources from implementation of the proposed action. Mitigation measures, including revegetating and contouring of finished surfaces to blend with adjacent natural terrain where appropriate, would be implemented when the proposed action is completed. 5. REFERENCES California Department of Fish and Game (CDFG). 2005. Rarefind 3, a program created by the California Department of Fish and Game, allowing access to the California Natural Diversity Database. April 2005 version. County of San Luis Obispo Department of Planning and Building. 2001. Cambria Flood Mitigation Project Final Environmental Impact Report. State Clearinghouse #99031038. Prepared by Padre Associates, Inc. 1012 Pacific Street, Suite A, San Luis Obispo, California 93401. September 14. County of San Luis Obispo Engineering Department. 2000. Final Feasibility Report for Flood Mitigation in the West Village of Cambria, California. Prepared by Questa Engineering Corporation. June 22. Diehl, G.M., ed. 1973. Machinery Acoustics. New York, NY: John Wiley & Sons, Inc. FEMA. 1985. Flood Insurance Rate Map Community Panel Number 0603040188C, July 18. —. 2003. Programmatic Environmental Assessment (PEA) for Typical Recurring Actions, Flood, Earthquake, Fire, Rain, and Wind Disasters in California. U.S. Department of Homeland Security, FEMA Region IX. —. 2005a. Biological Assessment for U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for the Cambria Flood Mitigation Project. Prepared by URS Corporation for Federal Emergency Management Agency, Region IX in cooperation with the County of San Luis Obispo, September. —. 2005b. Biological Assessment for NOAA Fisheries for the Cambria Flood Mitigation Project. Prepared by URS Corporation for Federal Emergency Management Agency, Region IX in cooperation with the County of San Luis Obispo, September. —. 2005c. Cultural Resources Technical Report, City of Cambria Flood Control Project. Confidential: Not For Public Distribution. Prepared by URS Corporation for Federal Emergency Management Agency, Region IX in cooperation with the County of San Luis Obispo, September. —. 2005d. Final Environmental Assessment, Cambria Flood Control Project, County of San Luis Obispo, FEMA-1046-DR-CA, HMGP-#1046-157-1003, March. Questa. 2005. Hydrologic & Hydraulic Analysis for FEMA CLOMR Application, Cambria, California. Prepared for: County of San Luis Obispo Public Works. September 13, 2005. Appendix A – Figures Figure 1 Project Location - General map of State of California and Cambria Figure 2 Shows location of project activities on aerial photo of West Village of Cambria Appendix B – Tables Table 1 Temporary and Permanent Loss of Riparian Vegetation Resulting from the Proposed Action Vegetative Cover Temporary Disturbance (sq ft) Permanent Disturbance (sq ft) Storm drain outlet 100 300 Pump house outlet 100 300 Total disturbance 200 600 Table 2 Federally Listed, Proposed, and Candidate Species With Potential To Occur in the Vicinity of Cambria *Scientific Name: Ambystoma californiense *Common Name: California tiger salamander *Federal Status: C *Preferred Habitat: Annual grasslands and grassy understory of valley-foothill hardwood habitats, need underground refuges, need vernal pools, stock ponds or other seasonal water sources for breeding. The species persists in disjunct remnant vernal pool complexes in Sonoma and Santa Barbara counties, in vernal pool complexes and isolated ponds scattered mainly along narrow strips of rangeland on each side of the Central Valley from southern Colusa County south to northern Kern County, and in sag ponds and human-maintained stock ponds in the coast ranges from Suisun Bay south to the Temblor Range. *Likelihood of occuring in the action area: Not likely; appropriate habitat characteristics are not present in the action area. There are no vernal pools, nor stock ponds in the action area. No known occurrences where found near the action area. *Scientific Name: AreaBufo californicus *Common Name: Arroyo toad *Federal Status: E *Preferred Habitat: Semi-arid regions near washes or intermittent streams; habitats used include valley-foothill and desert riparian as well as a variety of more arid habitats including desert wash, palm oasis, and Joshua tree, mixed chaparral and sagebrush. *Likelihood of occuring in action area: Not likely; appropriate habitat characteristics are not present in the action area. *Scientific Name: Rana aurora draytonii *Common Name: California red-legged frog *Federal Status: T *Preferred Habitat: Dense, shrubby riparian vegetation associated with deep (> 0.7 m), still or slow-moving water. *Likelihood of occurring in action area: Known to occur in Santa Rosa Creek adjacent to the action area. Red-legged frogs were observed in 1999 in Santa Rosa Creek, within one mile of the beach (CDFG 2005). Action area is included in Unit 21 of the designated critical habitat for the California red-legged frog (USFWS 2001). *Scientific Name: Gambelia (=Crotaphytus) silus *Common Name: Blunt-nosed leopard lizard *Federal Status: E *Preferred Habitat: Inhabit the San Joaquin Valley region in expansive, arid areas with scattered vegetation; inhabit non-native grassland and alkali sink scrub communities of the Valley floor marked by poorly drained, alkaline, and saline soils, mainly because remaining natural land is of this type. Absent from areas of steep slopes and dense vegetation, and areas subject to seasonal flooding. *Likelihood of occuring in action area: Not likely; appropriate habitat characteristics are not present in the action area. Action area is located outside of this species range. *Scientific Name: Charadrius alexandrinus nivosus *Common Name: Western snowy plover *Federal Status: T *Preferred Habitat: Habitats used by nesting and non-nesting birds include sandy coastal beaches, salt pans, coastal dredged spoils sites, dry salt ponds, salt pond levees and gravel bars. *Likelihood to occur in action area: Not likely; appropriate habitat characteristics are not present in the action area. Closest known occurrence is at Toro Creek Beach, approx. 2.5 miles north- northwest of Highway 41 junction with Highway 1 (CDFG 2005). *Scientific Name: Coccyzus americanus *Common Name: Western yellow-billed cuckoo *Federal Status: C *Preferred Habitat: Inhabits extensive deciduous riparian thickets or forests with dense, low-level or understory foliage, and which abut on slow-moving watercourses, backwaters, or seeps. Now, this species is likely found only along the upper Sacramento Valley portion of the Sacramento River, the Feather River in Sutter County, the south fork of the Kern River in Kern County, and along the Santa Ana, Amargosa, and lower Colorado rivers. *Likelihood of occuring in action area:Not likely; action area is outside of species known range. No known occurrences where found near the action area. *Scientific Name: Gymnogyps californianus *Common Name: California condor *Federal Status: E *Preferred Habitat: Permanent resident of the semi-arid, rugged mountain ranges surrounding the southern San Joaquin Valley, including the Coast Ranges from Santa Clara County south to Los Angeles County; forages over wide areas of open rangelands, roosts on cliffs and in large trees and snags; occurs mostly between sea-level and 2,700 m (0- 9,000 ft), and nests from 610-1,372 m (2,000-6,500 ft). Total population in early 1980's estimated to be fewer than 20, and declining; occurrence in the wild now in question. Two U.S. Forest Service sanctuaries set aside within the Los Padres National Forest, primarily for nesting and roosting protection . *Likelihood of occuring in action area: Not likely; appropriate habitat characteristics are not present in the action area. *Scientific Name: Haliaeetus leucocephalus *Common Name: Bald eagle *FEderal Status: T *Preferred Habitat: Winters throughout most of California at lakes, reservoirs, river systems, and some rangelands and coastal wetlands on protected cliffs and ledges. Also nests on bridges and buildings in urban areas. Nests are normally built in the upper canopy of large trees, usually conifers. *Likelihood of occuring in action area: Not likely; appropriate habitat characteristics are not present in the action area. Closest known occurrence is at Las Tablas Creek territory, along Las Tablas Creek (Lake Nacimiento), approx. 5 miles northwest of Adelaida (CDFG 2005). *Scientific Name: Pelecanus occidentalis californicus *Common Name: California brown pelican *Federal Status: E *Preferred Habitat: Found in estuarine, marine subtidal, and marine pelagic waters along the California coast. In northern California, fairly common to uncommon June to November. Usually rests on water or inaccessible rocks (either offshore or on mainland), but also uses mudflats, sandy beaches, wharfs, and jetties. *Likelihood of occuring in action area: Not likely; appropriate habitat characteristics are not present in the action area. *Scientific Name: Rallus longirostris obsoletus *Common Name: California clapper rail *Federal Status: E *Preferred Habitat: Tidal salt marshes near tidal sloughs; perennial inhabitant of tidal salt marshes of the greater San Francisco Bay *Likelihood of occuring in action area: Not likely; appropriate habitat characteristics are not present in the action area. *Scientific Name: Sterna antillarum (=albifrons) browni *Common Name: California least tern *Federal Statud: E *Preferred Habitat: Migratory in California; breeding colonies are located in southern California along marine and estuarine shores, and in San Francisco Bay in abandoned salt ponds and along estuarine shores; feeds in nearby shallow, estuarine waters or lagoons where small fish are abundant. After breeding, family groups regularly occur at lacustrine waters near the coast of southern California. Prefers undisturbed nest sites on open, sandy or gravelly shores near shallow- water feeding areas in estuaries. *Likelihood of occurring in action area: Not likely; appropriate habitat characteristics are not present in the action area. *Scientific Name: Vireo bellii pusillus *Common Name: Least Bell's vireo *Federal Status: E *Preferred Habitat: Rare, local, summer resident below about 600 m (2000 ft) in willows and other low, dense valley foothill riparian habitat and lower portions of canyons mostly in San Benito and Monterey Counties; in coastal southern California from Santa Barbara County south; and along the western edge of the deserts in desert riparian habitat. *Likelihood of occurring in action area: Not likely; project location is outside of species known range. No known occurrences where found near the action area. *Scientific Name: Dipodomys heermanni morroensis *Common name: Morro Bay kangaroo rat *Federal Status: E *Preferred Habitat: Inhabits coastal scrub vegetation on old sand dune substrate and is geographically isolated from other subspecies of the Heermann's kangaroo rat. Until recently, it was found only in several small areas of less than one-half square mile in total size near Los Osos in San Luis Obispo County. Currently, if it still exists, it is thought to inhabit just one small privately-owned parcel which remains in native vegetation. This species may be extinct. *Likelihood of occurring in action area: Not likely; appropriate habitat characteristics are not present in the action area. Project location is outside of species known range. No known occurrences where found near the action area. *Scientific Name: Dipodomys ingens *Common Name: Giant kangaroo rat *Federal Statud: E *Preferred Habitat: Permanent resident occurring in scattered colonies along the western side of the San Joaquin Valley (e.g., Carrizo Plain, Panoche Valley); found on fine sandy loam soils supporting sparse annual grass/forb vegetation, and marginally found in low- density alkali desert scrub. *Likelihood of occurring in action area: Not likely; appropriate habitat characteristics are not present in the action area. Project location is outside of species known range. No known occurrences where found near the action area. *Scientific Name: Enhydra lutris nereis *Common Name: Southern sea otter *Federal Status: T *Preferred habitat: kelp beds; live in narrow band along the coast, and rarely venture much more than about 1 1/2 miles (3km) offshore. *Likelihood of occurring in action area: Not likely; appropriate habitat characteristics are not present in the action area. *Scientific Name: Vulpes macrotis mutica *Common Name: San Joaquin kit fox *Federal Status: E *Preferred Habitat: Inhabit grasslands and scrublands, many of which have been extensively modified. Types of modified habitats include those with oil exploration and extraction equipment and wind turbines, and agricultural mosaics of row crops, irrigated pastures, orchards, vineyards, and grazed annual grasslands. Oak woodland, alkali sink scrubland, and vernal pool and alkali meadow communities also provide habitat for kit foxes. *Likelihood of occurring in action area: Not likely; appropriate habitat characteristics are not present in the action area. *Scientific Name: Eucyclogobius newberryi *Common Name: Tidewater goby *Federal Status: E (PD) *Preferred Habitat: Brackish shallow lagoons and lower stream reaches where the water is fairly still but not stagnant; found in water with salinity levels from zero to 10 ppt, temperature levels from 35 to 73 degrees Fahrenheit, and water depths from 5 to 7.5 feet. *Likelihood of occurring in action area: Not likely; appropriate habitat characteristics are not present in the action area. Closest known occurrence was observed in 2002 in a shallow, warm lagoon located at least half a mile from the action area (CDFG 2005). *Scientific Name: Oncorhynchus mykiss irideus *Common Name: South Central California coast steelhead *Federal Status: T *Preferred Habitat: Pacific Ocean, spawns in coastal streams and rivers, over gravel beds. Pool depth, volume, amount of cover, and proximity to gravel for spawning play key roles. *Likelihood of occurring in action area: Known to occur in Santa Rosa Creek adjacent to action area. Steelhead were observed in 1999 in Santa Rosa Creek, along Cambria Road, near Mammoth Rock School (CDFG 2005). *Scientific Name: Branchinecta longiantenna *Common Name: Longhorn fairy shrimp *FEderal Status: E *Preferred Habitat: Vernal pools. Known around the borders of Soda Lake in San Luis Obispo County in vernal pools of the Northern Claypan type (Eriksen and Belk 1999). *Likelihood of occurringin action area: Not likely; appropriate habitat characteristics are not present in the action area. Project location is outside of species known range. No known occurrences where found near the action area. *Scientific Name: Branchinecta lynchi *Common Name: Vernal pool fairy shrimp *Federal Status: T *Preferred Habitat: Vernal pools; small swales, earth slumps, or basalt-flow depression basins with grassy or occasionally muddy bottom, in unplowed grassland (Eriksen and Belk 1999). Known in eastern San Luis Obispo County. *Likelihood of occurring in action area: Not likely; appropriate habitat characteristics are not present in the action area. Project location is outside of species known range. No known occurrences where found near the action area. *Scientific Name: Helminthoglypta walkeriana *Common Name: Morro shoulderband snail (=banded dune snail) *Federal Status: E Restricted to sandy soils of coastal dune and coastal sage scrub communities near Morro Bay. *Likelihood of occurring in action area: Not likely; appropriate habitat characteristics are not present in the action area. Project location is outside of species known range. No known occurrences where found near the action area. *Scientific Name: Arctostaphylos morroensis *Common Name: Morro manzanita *Federal Status: T *Preferred Habitat: Chaparral, cismontane woodland, coastal dune and coastal scrub; 5 - 205 meters. Blooming period from December through March. *Likelihood of occurring in action area: Not likely; appropriate habitat characteristics are not present in the action area. *Scientific Name: Arenaria paludicola *Common Name: Marsh sandwort *Federal Status: E *Preferred Habitat: Freshwater-marsh habitats; 3 - 170 meters. Blooming period from May through August. *Likelihood of occurring in action area: Not likely; appropriate habitat characteristics are not present in the action area. *Scientific Name: Caulanthus californicus *Common Name: California jewelflower *Federal Status: E *Preferred Habitat: Chenopod scrub, pinyon and juniper woodland, valley and foothill grassland; 70 and 1,000 meters. Blooming period from February through May. *Likelihood of occurring in action area: Not likely; appropriate habitat characteristics are not present in the action area. *Scientific Name: Chlorogalum purpureum var. purpureum *Common Name: Purple amole *Federal Status: T *Preferred Habitat: Chaparral, cismontane woodland, valley and foothill grassland; endemic to Monterey County; often in grassy areas with blue oaks in foothill woodland; 300 - 330 meters. Blooming period from April through June. *Likelihood of occurring in action area: Not likely; this species is endemic to Monterey County, no known occurrences where found near the action area, and no suitable habitat in action area. *Scientific Name: Chlorogalum purpureum var.reductum *Common Name: Camatta Canyon amole *Federal Status: T *Preferred Habitat: Cismontane woodland, serpentine substrate; 600 - 630 meters. Blooming period from April through May. *Likelihood of occurring in action area: Not likely; appropriate habitat characteristics are not present in the action area. *Scientific Name: Chorizanthe pungens var. pungens *Common Name: Monterey spineflower *Federal Status: T *Preferred Habitat: Coastal dunes, chaparral, cismontane woodland, coastal scrub; only known from Monterey and Santa Cruz Counties; sandy soils in coastal dunes or more inland within chaparral or other habitats; 3 - 450 meters. Blooming period from April through June. *Likelihood of occurring in action area: Not likely; this species is only known in Monterey and Santa Cruz Counties and there are no known occurrences near the action area. A historical (1842) occurrence is located 6.8 miles from the action area in San Simeon (CDFG 2005). *Scientific Name: Cirsium fontinale var.obispoense *Common Name: Chorro Creek bog thistle *Federal Status: E *Preferred Habitat: Chaparral, cismontane woodland; serpentine substrate in seep habitats; endemic to San Luis Obispo County; 35 - 365 meters. Blooming period from February through July. *Likelihood of occurring in action area: Not likely; appropriate habitat characteristics are not present in the action area. Closest known occurrences is located 4.3 miles from the action area at San Simeon Creek Roak, approx. 0.2 miles downstream (along the road) of confluence of north and south forks for San Simeon Creek, 5.2 miles from Highway 1 (CDFG 2005). *Scientific Name: Cirsium loncholepis *Common Name: La Graciosa thistle *Federal Status: E *Preferred Habitat: Moist conditions in brackish-marsh, coastal dunes and coastal scrub; 4 - 220 meters. Blooming period from May through August. *Likelihood of occurring in action area: Not likely; appropriate habitat characteristics are not present in the action area. *Scientific Name: Clarkia speciosa var.immaculata *Common Name: Pismo clarkia *Federal Status: E *Preferred Habitat: Chaparral, cismontane woodland, valley and foothill grassland; occurs in opening and edge habitats; 25 - 185 meters. Blooming period from May through July. *Likelihood of occurring in action area: Not likely; appropriate habitat characteristics are not present in the action area. *Scientific Name: Cordylanthus maritimus ssp. maritimus *Common Name: Salt marsh bird's-beak *Federal Status: E *Preferred Habitat: Coastal dunes, marshes and swamps, salt- marshes; 0 - 30 meters. Blooming period from May through October. *Likelihood of occurring in action area: Not likely; appropriate habitat characteristics are not present in the action area. *Scientific Name: Eriastrum hooveri *Common Name: Hoover's woolly-star *Federal Status: PD *Preferred Habitat: Chenopod scrub, pinyon and juniper woodland, valley and foothill grassland; 50 - 915 meters. Blooming period from March through July. *Likelihood of occurring in action area: Not likely; appropriate habitat characteristics are not present in the action area. *Scientific Name: Eriodictyon altissimum *Common Name: Indian Knob mountainbalm *Federal Status: E *Preferred Habitat: Chaparral, cismontane woodland, coastal scrub; 80 - 270 meters. Blooming period from March through June. *Likelihood of occurring in action area: Not likely; appropriate habitat characteristics are not present in the action area. *Scientific Name: Lupinus nipomensis *Common Name: Nipomo Mesa lupine *FEderal Status: E *Preferred Habitat: Dunes and coastal habitats; 10 - 50 meters. Blooming period from March through May. *Likelihood of occurring in action area: Not likely; appropriate habitat characteristics are not present in the action area. *Scientific Name: Monolopia (=Lembertia) congdonii *Common Name: San Joaquin wooly-threads *Federal Status: E *Preferred Habitat: Chenopod scrub and valley and foothill grassland; endemic to San Joaquin Valley; alkaline or loamy plains; sandy soils, often with grasses and within chenopod scrub; 60 - 800 meters. Blooming period from February through May. *Likelihood of occurring in action area: Not likely; appropriate habitat characteristics are not present in the action area. This species is endemic to San Joaquin Valley and there are no known occurrences near action area. *Scientific Name: Rorippa gambelii *Common Name: Gambel's watercress *Federal Status: E *Preferred Habitat: Freshwater-marsh and brackish-marsh habitats; 5 - 330 meters. Blooming period from April through September. *Likelihood of occurring in action area: Not likely; appropriate habitat characteristics are not present in the action area. *Scientific Name: Suaeda californica *Common Name: California seablite *FEderal Status: E *Preferred Habitat: Marshes and swamps; margins of coastal salt marshes; 0 - 5 meters. Blooming period from July through October. *Likelihood of occurring in action area: Not likely; appropriate habitat characteristics are not present in the action area. Closest known occurrence is 12.2 miles southeast of the action area. This record is located in Estero Bluffs at and adjacent to confluence of San Geronimo Creek to Estero Bay (CDFG 2005). Federal Endangered Species Act E - Endangered T- Threatened C- Candidate for listing status PD – Proposed for De-listing Source: USFWS species list for San Luis Obispo County and CNDDB search for seven quadrangles surrounding the action area. Appendix C – USFWS Biological Opinion Appendix D – NMFS Concurrence Letter Appendix E – SHPO Consultation Letter