Addressing the San Dieguito Watershed Using a Multi- Agency Approach

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1 Addressing the San Dieguito Watershed Using a Multi- Agency Approach Restoring sensitive habitat and preventing catastrophic wildfires Shea O Keefe Biologist San Diego Field Office

2 Outline Setting Sensitive species Invasive plants 2007 wildfires NRCS initiations Partnerships established Funding opportunities Watershed-level coordination Progress to date San Diego County

3 San Dieguito Watershed From Julian to Del Mar

4 Surrounding Landscape Urban Open space (CSS/Chaparral) Lake Hodges Agriculture

5 Surrounding Landscape Wildlife Corridor Urban Lake Hodges Agriculture

6 California has Highest level of endemism than any other state (except Hawaii) Biological hot spots Top 3 states of species extinctions Highest levels of federally (and state listed species)

7 San Dieguito River Biological Sensitivities Least bells vireo Federally & state endangered SWWF Federally & state endangered Arroyo toad Federally endangered Ca gnatcatcher Federally threatened Coastal cactus wren* State sensitive Greatly impacted by recent wildfires

8 Major offenders within San Dieguito watershed Invasive species 2006 project estimate >3M Arundo Eucalyptus Tamarisk Perennial pepperweed

9 2007 Wildfires (Witch Creek, Poomacha, Rice, Horno 500,000 acres)

10 2007 Wildfires (Witch Creek, Poomacha, Rice, Horno 500,000 acres) The warmer and windier conditions corresponding to a 2 CO 2 climate scenario produced fires that burned more intensely and spread faster in most locations... On average, the fire return intervals in grass and brush vegetation types were cut in half... Fried USDA Forest Service, PNW Research Station, Forest Inventory and Analysis Program could be viewed as an agent of change for US forests as the fire regime will respond rapidly to climate warming. This change in the fire regime has the potential to overshadow the direct effects of climate change on species distribution and migration. Flannigan Canadian Forest Service Increased temperature in the future will likely extend fire seasons throughout the western United States, with more fires occurring earlier and later than is currently typical we can expect significant changes in the distribution and abundance of dominant plant species in some ecosystems, which would thus affect habitat of some sensitive plant and animal species. McKENZIE Conservation Biology. 18(4): , August 2004.

11 Now is the time Instant biomass reduction! Cost ($9000 $1000 an acre) Time Permits Landowner and agency coordination NRCS WHIP program City of SD County of SD San Dieguito Conservancy San Dieguito JPA Private landowners

12 WHIP Wildlife Habitat Incentives Program Promotes improvements for wildlife (T&E priority) by addressing limiting resource concerns (shelter, food, water, movement) 2008 Farm Bill requires private land ownership; land does not need to be in agriculture production but have the potential

13 Additional Funding USFWS Partners Contributions SANDAG TransNet funding Voter approved proposition in 1988 and extended in 2004 for an additional 40 years Transportation expansion tax Allocates ~ 1 million/yr to habitat restoration

14 WHIP s within the San Dieguito River 6 WHIP projects funded in 2008 (512 ac) 1 WHIP funded in 2006 (90 ac)

15 WHIP s within the San Dieguito River Over 600 acres of native plant restoration for listed species 5 ac (1800 LF) (San Dieguito JPA) Streambank restoration 110 ac (San Dieguito Conservancy) Eucalyptus and arundo removal; Native reveg 160 ac (San Dieguito Conservancy) Arundo and tamarisk Removal; Native reveg 22 ac Pond/wetland restoration 50 ac (San Dieguito Conservancy) CSS/Chaparral Restoration from non-native grasses 90 ac Perennial pepperweed and tamarisk Removal; Native reveg 165 ac (Klemm Ranch) Arundo and tamarisk removal; Native reveg

16 Progress to date 330 acres of arundo 90 acres of tamarisk 90 acres of perennial pepperweed (2006) Target species least bells vireo, SWWF, arroyo toad

17 Progress to date 50 ac css/chaparral restoration Target species Ca gnatcatcher; coastal cactus wren 22 ac of pond/wetland/upland restoration Target species arroyo toad

18 Watershed-level approach Top down approach - decreased potential of reinfestation; passive restoration = cost effectiveness Share technical experience and expertise Government, non-profit and local landowner involvement (San Diego Weed Management Area) Coordinate around sensitive time periods and locations

19 Partnerships Leverage $$ Standardized methodologies Coordinated efforts

20 The Future Continued treatment (projects funded through 2013 with NRCS) Maintenance by the San Dieguito Land Conservancy in perpetuity Additional funding partnerships with USFWS Partners Program (6 potential 2009 projects within Orange, Riverside and San Diego counties) - over 850 acres Laguna Mt skipper Tri-colored blackbird California gnatcatcher Least tern Southwestern willow flycatcher Least bells vireo Coastal cactus wren Stephens kangaroo rat Rufous-crowned sparrow Western burrowing owl Steelhead Southwestern pond turtle

21 Questions Shea O Keefe San Diego Field Office ext 104