3.2 DESCRIPTION OF THE MSHCP CONSERVATION AREA...

3.0 Conservation Planning Process/

Description And Area Plan Criteria

of the MSHCP Conservation Area

VOLUME I � SECTION 3 June 17, 2003

FINAL MSHCP 3-16

3.2 DESCRIPTION OF THE MSHCP CONSERVATION AREA

3.2.1 The MSHCP Plan Map

Figure 3-1 depicts the Criteria Area within the Plan Area and represents the MSHCP Plan map.

Four categories are depicted on the legend for the Plan map and are described below.

Criteria Area: This represents the area within which MSHCP Criteria will be applied

and from which 153,000 acres of new Conservation will be achieved to

contribute toward assembly of the overall MSHCP Conservation Area.

Criteria have been developed for individual Cells or Cell Groupings and

are presented for each Area Plan in Section 3.3.

Public/Quasi- Under this category, existing known Public/Quasi-Public Lands (PQP)

Public Lands: that will form the initial backbone of the MSHCP Conservation Area are

depicted. Approximately 347,000 acres of Conservation are anticipated

on these lands.

Within five years of Permit issuance, the RCA shall verify the precise

acreage, location, amount and status of PQP Lands in the MSHCP

Conservation Area. Such information shall be submitted to the Wildlife

Agencies for review. In the event that a Permittee elects to use property

currently depicted as PQP Lands on the MSHCP Plan map (Figure 3-1)

in a way that alters the land use such that it would not contribute to

Reserve Assembly the Permittee shall locate and acquire or otherwise

encumber replacement acreage at a minimum ratio of 1:1 replacement

taking into account direct and indirect effects of PQP Lands in one

location with PQP Lands in another location. The Permittee must make

findings that the replacement acreage is biologically equivalent or

superior to the existing property as set forth in Section 6.5 of the MSHCP,

Volume I.

3.0 Reserve Planning Process/Description and

Area Plan Criteria of the MSCHP Conservation Area


FINAL MSHCP 3-17





FINAL MSHCP 3-18

Rural This category represents the Rural/Mountainous land use designation

Mountainous incorporated in the County General Plan. In general these lands are

Designation: characterized by steep slopes that represent constraints to Development.

For example, of the approximately 54,900 acres depicted on the MSCHP

Plan map outside the Criteria Area but within the Rural Mountainous

designation, approximately 42,500 acres (77 percent) are characterized by

slopes with gradients greater than 30 percent. While Reserve Assembly

activities are not expected to occur in Rural Mountainous designation

areas outside the Criteria Area, existing and future land use practices in

these areas may provide an edge for the MSHCP Conservation Area that

would minimize Edge Effects when compared with more urban land uses.

American Indian American Indian Lands are depicted on the MSHCP Plan map for

Lands: reference purposes. No Conservation is assumed on these lands and no

activities on these lands would be permitted under the MSHCP. The

American Indian Lands are not a part of the MSHCP.

The MSHCP Conservation Area will be comprised of existing Public/Quasi-Public Lands and new

Conservation on approximately 153,000 acres of land within the Criteria Area. While the precise

configuration for new Conservation within the Criteria Area has not been defined or mapped, a

Conceptual Reserve Design was developed for analysis purposes as described in Sections 3.1.9 and

3.3.1 of this document. While certainly not the only possible configuration to emerge from

application of Criteria within the Criteria Area, the Conceptual Reserve Design was a useful tool in

establishing conservation targets as part of the MSHCP planning process. The conservation targets

developed as part of that process, along with anticipated Conservation on Public/Quasi-Public Lands,

form the basis for the description of the MSHCP Conservation Area presented in this section.

Achievement of the conservation targets as part of the overall Reserve Assembly process will be an

important measuring and monitoring tool for the MSHCP.

3.2.2 The MSHCP Conservation Area

In addition to the features incorporated in the MSHCP Plan map, as described above, the MSHCP

Conservation Area may be described in terms of several specific analysis factors considered during

the conservation planning process. These include Bioregions, vegetation, soils, patch size, and edge





FINAL MSHCP 3-19

affected lands. This section provides a summary description of the MSHCP Conservation Area

based on those analysis factors. A more detailed description is provided in Section A of the MSHCP

Reference Document - Volume II of the MSHCP Plan. The MSHCP Conservation Area may also

be described in terms of Cores and Linkages. The description of Cores and Linkages is provided in

Section 3.2.3 of this document.

' Bioregions

Within the MSHCP Plan Area, large percentages of the Agua Tibia mountains (80.3 percent, 10,130

ac.), San Jacinto Mountains (71.7 percent, 134,000 ac.), San Jacinto Foothills (64.6 percent, 72,240

ac.) and the Santa Ana Mountains (61.3 percent, 85,810 ac.) Bioregions are conserved. Significant

amounts of the Conservation in these Bioregions occur within existing Public/Quasi-Public Lands.

Smaller portions of the Desert Transition (37.7 percent, 33,460 ac.), San Bernardino Mountains (34.5

percent, 9,990 ac.) and Riverside Lowlands (24.2 percent, 166,820 ac.) are conserved within the

MSHCP Plan Area. Much of the central portion of the Desert Transition Bioregion will not be

conserved. Six percent of the Desert Transition Bioregion currently supports urban Development

or agricultural uses. About ten percent of the San Bernardino Mountains Bioregion currently has

urban or agricultural land uses. The remaining non-conserved lands are either American Indian

Lands (5.7 percent), Rural Mountainous (15.7 percent), or undeveloped private land. The Riverside

Lowlands is the largest Bioregion and will have the lowest proportion of its acreage in Conservation,

with 24.2 percent (166,820 acres) within the MSHCP Conservation Area. Approximately 50.4

percent (about 347,800 acres) of the land in this Bioregion is currently supporting urban or

agricultural land uses. Very little of this Bioregion is within American Indian Lands or is considered

Rural Mountainous.

' Vegetation

Table 3-1 presents a summary of Vegetation Communities conserved within the MSHCP

Conservation Area. Playas/vernal pools and water vegetation types had the highest percentages of

Conservation within the MSHCP Conservation Area, with 85 percent of the total acreages of both

these Vegetation Communities conserved. Riparian scrub/woodland forest, Riversidean alluvial fan

sage scrub, woodlands/forests, chaparral, montane coniferous forest, coastal sage scrub and

meadows/marshes also are conserved at high levels, with 50 percent to 75 percent of each of these

Vegetation Communities conserved. Desert scrubs, grassland, Agriculture, and cismontane alkali

marsh are conserved at the lowest levels, with percentages of Conservation at 34 percent, 28 percent,

12 percent, and 3 percent, respectively.





FINAL MSHCP 3-20

TABLE 3-1

ESTIMATE OF CONSERVATION BY VEGETATION COMMUNITY

Vegetation

Total Acres in

Plan Area1

Total Acres in

Existing Public/

Quasi-Public

Lands

Total Acres of

Additional

Reserve Lands

Total Acres

Conserved

Percent of Total

Vegetation

Community

Acres

Conserved in

Plan Area

Agriculture 169,480 11,480 8,540 20,020 12%

Chaparral 434,950 207,380 64,900 272,280 63%

Cismontane Alkali Marsh 1,260 <5 40 40 3%

Coastal Sage Scrub 156,450 34,560 47,160 81,720 52%

Desert Scrubs 14,570 1,310 3,680 4,990 34%

Grassland 154,140 22,810 20,010 42,820 28%

Meadows and Marshes 1,020 330 180 510 50%

Montane Coniferous Forest 29,910 20,480 20 20,500 69%

Playas and Vernal Pools 7,910 2,920 3,830 6,750 85%

Riparian Scrub, Woodland, Forest 15,030 7,270 3,920 11,190 74%

Riversidean Alluvial Fan Sage Scrub 7,940 2,060 3,170 5,230 66%

Unknown 1,350 1,230 10 1,240 92%

Water 12,210 9,150 1,190 10,340 85%

Woodlands and Forests 34,300 20,770 2,730 23,500 69%

Developed or Disturbed Land 218,260 4,780 – 4,780 2%

T O T A L S 1,258,780 346,530 159,3802 505,910

1 This includes the following acreages of each Vegetation Community on American Indian Lands that, while within the Plan Area, are not a part of the

Plan:

Agriculture: 1,110 Montane Coniferous Forest: 10

Chaparral: 20,290 Riparian Scrub, Woodland, Forest: 420

Cismontane Alkali Marsh: 1,110 Riversidean Alluvial Fan Sage Scrub: 790

Coastal Sage Scrub: 3,760 Unknown: 10

Desert Scrubs: 5,190 Water: 10

Grasslands: 7,260 Woodlands and Forests: 1,050

Meadows and Marshes: 50 Developed or Disturbed Land: 510

2 This total includes 5,923 acres for Covered Activities, including planned roadways, in the

Criteria Area that would be netted out of the MSHCP Conservation Area. The total Additional Reserve Lands will be 153,000 acres.

Total is not exact due to rounding.





FINAL MSHCP 3-21

' Soils

Clay soils within the Plan Area include Bosanko, Auld, Altamont, and Porterville. In addition, areas

from which clay had been mined (known as “claypit”) were digitized. Within the Plan Area, clay

soils support several sensitive plant species, including listed species such as Munz’s onion (state

threatened, federally endangered), thread-leaved brodiaea (state endangered, federally threatened),

and San Diego button celery (state and federally endangered); and sensitive species such as Orcutt’s

brodiaea, long-spined spine flower, small-flowered morning glory, many-stemmed dudleya, Palmer’s

grapplinghook, graceful tarplant, and small-flowered microseris. The Domino-Traver-Willows soil

association includes saline-alkali soils largely located along floodplain areas within the Plan Area.

Sensitive plants supported by the Domino-Traver-Willows soil association include two listed

species, the San Jacinto Valley crownscale (federally endangered) and the spreading navarretia

(federally threatened); and sensitive plant species, including Parish’s brittlescale, Davidson’s

saltscale, Coulter’s goldfields, and vernal barley.

Within the clay soils areas, 31 percent of the total is conserved, including 12 percent within

Additional Reserve Lands and 19 percent on existing Public/Quasi-Public Lands. Of these clay soils,

18 percent of Auld, 23 percent of Bosanko, 37 percent of Porterville, 10 percent of claypit, and 12

percent of Altamont are conserved either on Public/Quasi-Public Lands or captured within the

Additional Reserve Lands. Within Domimo-Traver-Willows soils, 36 percent of the total is

conserved, including 21 percent within the MSHCP Conservation Area and 15 percent on existing

public lands. Within this soil association, 17 percent of Domino, 32 percent of Traver, and 74

percent of Willows soils are conserved either on Public/Quasi-Public Lands or within Additional

Reserve Lands.

' Patch Size

The individual sizes of patches comprising the MSHCP Conservation Area are important elements

to the functioning of the conserved lands. It is generally agreed that large-sized patches encompass

a greater portion of the landscape and allow for a greater inclusion of ecological niches, and that

larger Core Areas offer greater resistance to catastrophic changes. However, while larger-sized Core

Areas are usually considered better-functioning, widespread smaller satellite Core Areas can

incorporate higher species diversity by efficiently preserving nodes of species of limited distribution.

The MSHCP Conservation Area has both small and large areas in order to balance the need to





FINAL MSHCP 3-22

conserve narrowly-distributed species and preserve the greatest number of species and protect habitat

function with the least management effort.

The MSHCP Conservation Area is composed of approximately 575 patches. The spatial character

of the MSHCP Conservation Area is complex with large numbers of small, spatially disjunct patches

and small numbers of large connected patches. Sixty-five percent of these patches are less than ten

acres in area and make up less than 0.25 percent of the areas to be conserved under the MSHCP. The

vast majority of these small patches occur within areas heavily fragmented by urbanization in the

Riverside Lowlands Bioregion and are represented by small patches of existing Public/Quasi-Public

Lands. By contrast only 28 of the patches (5 percent) are greater than 1,000 acres but these make

up 94 percent of the areas to be conserved under the MSHCP. A single connected block makes up

the largest portion of the MSHCP Conservation Area at approximately 238,000 acres (50 percent of

the acreage).

' Edge Affected Land After Completion of Reserve

Assembly

Increases in fragmentation of the landscape lead to increases in the area where urban/agricultural

landscapes and native habitats interface. These areas of high fragmentation are subjected to Edge

Effects, which are generally unfavorable and are ultimately due to nearby human activity. Some

examples of Edge Effects include introduction/colonization of non-native species, increased

predation, increased fire frequency, and small-scale environmental changes in temperature, light, and

wind (Primack, 1993).

The MSHCP Conservation Area will be subjected to these Edge Effects due to urbanization within

the Plan Area. For the purposes of estimating Edge Effects on habitat patches at completion of

Reserve Assembly, each acre within the MSHCP Conservation Area (excluding urban and

agricultural land) was placed into one of three categories based on proximity to urban/agricultural

lands: strongly affected (1 to 250 feet from urban or agricultural land), somewhat affected (251 to

600 feet from urban or agricultural land), and not affected (more than 600 feet from urban or

agricultural land).

From this analysis, it was found that 14 percent of the MSHCP Conservation Area will be strongly

affected, 15 percent will be somewhat affected, and 71 percent will not be affected by Edge Effects.





FINAL MSHCP 3-23

This large percentage of lands not likely to be exposed to Edge Effects is due to the effect of a small

number of large habitat blocks. The strongly urban/agricultural areas of the Riverside Lowlands

Bioregion and San Bernardino Mountains Bioregion have the greatest proportion of land that may

be subject to Edge Effects.





FINAL MSHCP 3-24

3.2.3 Cores and Linkages within the MSHCP Conservation

Area

The MSHCP Conservation Area is comprised of a variety of existing and proposed Cores,

Extensions of Existing Cores, Linkages, Constrained Linkages and Non-contiguous Habitat Blocks.

These features, generally referenced as Cores and Linkages, are depicted in Figure 3-2. The

following definitions apply to the legend items shown on Figure 3-2.

Core A block of Habitat of appropriate size, configuration, and vegetation

characteristics to generally support the life history requirements of

one or more Covered Species. Although a more typical definition is

population-related and refers to a single species (see Hunter 2002,

Primack 2000), in the MSHCP this term is Habitat-related because of

the multi-species nature of the MSHCP Plan.

Extension of Existing Core A block of Habitat contiguous with an existing Core Area which

serves to provide additional Habitat for species in the adjacent

existing Core and to reduce exposed edge.

Non-contiguous Habitat A block of Habitat not connected to other Habitat areas via a Linkage

Block or Constrained Linkage.

Constrained Linkage A constricted connection expected to provide for movement of

identified Planning Species between Core Areas, where options for

assembly of the connection are limited due to existing patterns of use.

Linkage A connection between Core Areas with adequate size, configuration

and vegetation characteristics to generally provide for “Live-In”

Habitat and/or provide for genetic flow for identified Planning

Species. Areas identified as Linkages in MSHCP may provide

movement Habitat but not Live-In Habitat for some species, thereby

functioning more as movement corridors. Since it is expected that

every Linkage will provide Live-In Habitat for at least one species,

and since the term "corridor" may be easily confused with the term as

3.0 Reserve Planning Process/Description and

Area Plan Criteria of the MSCHP Conservation Area


FINAL MSHCP 3-25





FINAL MSHCP 3-26

it is applied to transportation Corridors discussed in the CETAP

portion of the RCIP, the term Linkage is used here. For a more

thorough discussion of Linkage and movement corridors, see Section

3.1.4, Applicable Conservation Biology Principles.

The Cores and Linkages depicted in Figure 3-2 are based on the Conceptual Reserve Design

developed for analytical purposes for the MSHCP. Likewise, the quantitative information presented

with each Core or Linkage is based on the Conceptual Reserve Design. As described in Section 3.2.1

of this document, the Conceptual Reserve Design forms the basis for identifying target conservation

acreages and generating quantitative data for the MSHCP biological analyses. The Conceptual

Reserve Design is intended to describe one way in which the MSHCP Conservation Area could be

configured consistent with MSHCP Criteria; it does not represent the only possible reserve that could

be assembled consistent with the MSHCP Criteria. Flexibility is intended to be incorporated in the

Reserve Assembly process to enable new information and data to be incorporated as part of the long-

term MSHCP implementation process.

The tables in the text discussion present four categories of information for each Core or Linkage:

Dimensions, Species, Adjacent Planned Land Uses, and Covered Activities.

1. Dimensional Data. Dimensional data include total acreage, edge, interior, P/A ratio, and

distance to nearest Core. For Cores, Non-contiguous Habitat Blocks, and Extensions of

Existing Cores, only total area, P/A ratio, and distance to the nearest connected Core are

considered. For Linkages and Constrained Linkages, only total area, P/A ratio minimum/

maximum widths and lengths are considered.

Total area contained within a Core or Linkage was calculated based on the Conceptual

Reserve Design and then was divided into area classified as edge and area classified as

interior. To complete this edge analysis, a 250-foot buffer was created outside and adjacent

to the Core or Linkage and designated “edge” area, while the remaining area was designated

“interior.” It is anticipated that these edge areas will incur greater “Edge Effects” due to

nearby human activities such as lighting, urban runoff, toxics such as pesticides, or domestic

predators. For the sake of simplicity, a 250-foot buffer was used, though in reality Edge

Effects may decrease in a complex fashion, depending on species and type of Edge Effect,

from the margin to the interior of the Core or Linkage (see Section 3.1.4 for a more thorough

discussion of Edge Effects.). In addition, the extent to which a Core or Linkage is affected





FINAL MSHCP 3-27

by edge varies as a function of the land use surrounding the Core or Linkage. For example,

a Rural Mountainous land use designation in areas adjacent to a Linkage would give rise to

far fewer Edge Effects than a city land use designation surrounding the Linkage. Land use

designations surrounding each Core and Linkage are discussed in the individual Core and

Linkage descriptions following the tables. Finally, Edge Effects are also species specific,

since different species respond differently to Edge Effects.

The tables also present the distance to nearest connected Core and the perimeter-to-area

(P/A) ratio of each Core or Linkage, as appropriate. Once a GIS coverage delineating Cores

and Linkages was created, perimeters and areas were computed with GIS in order to

determine the P/A ratio. Distance to nearest connected core was identified as the length of

each linkage connecting the cores in question. From a biological perspective low P/A ratios

are generally considered more favorable since low P/A ratios represent unfragmented habitat

blocks with comparatively lower amounts of exposed edge. As the overall size of the Core

or Linkage increases, however, the importance of this metric may decrease. In cases where

more than one route through a Linkage is possible, the reader is referred to the text

description of the Linkage.

Note: The sum of the areas for the proposed Cores and Linkages is 183,000 acres, a value

above the target acreage of 153,000 acres of new Conservation on private lands. This

difference arises as an artifact of the classification of each Core or Linkage as either

“Proposed” (i.e., new, private Conservation) or “Existing” (i.e., Public/Quasi-Public

Land) despite the fact that some Cores or Linkages contain a patchwork of

Public/Quasi-Public Lands and private lands identified for potential acquisition.

Thus, the additional 30,000 acres contained within the proposed Cores or Linkages

reflects the inclusion of existing Public/Quasi-Public Lands within the proposed

Cores and Linkages.

2. Planning Species. Planning Species considered for each Core or Linkage are also listed in

the tables. Planning Species are subsets of Covered Species that are identified to provide

guidance for Reserve Assembly in Cores and Linkages and/or Area Plans. Species listed in

this column may include species which are not Planning Species for the area in question but

which may have important or key populations located in the area.





FINAL MSHCP 3-28

3. Adjacent Proposed General Plan Land Use. Each table lists General Plan land uses

proposed adjacent to the Core or Linkage, as defined by the County of Riverside General

Plan. Proposed land uses include Agriculture, Community Development (including

Community Centers), Open Space/Conservation, Cities, Rural (including Mountainous),

Indian Lands, and Water. For specific descriptions of each of these categories, refer to the

General Plan. Adjacent land uses are important because of the Edge Effects each exerts on

each Core or Linkage. Community Development and Cities represent an urban level of

Development with a high density of people and associated structures, vehicles, and activity.

Agriculture and Rural (non-mountainous) represent land use designations with minimal

structures and more open, vacant land. Rural Mountainous is typically an even lower-density

land use due to steep slopes. Open space/Conservation lands are generally the most

undeveloped, as they contain few, if any, structures and are specifically intended for the

preservation of natural resources. Land use practices within these designations could affect

resources within the Cores and Linkages due to issues such as those identified in Section

6.1.4 of this document. These issues include lighting, urban runoff, toxics such as pesticides,

or domestic predators. MSHCP policies and procedures included in Section 6.0 of this

document and in the global and species-specific objectives in Section 9.0 of this document

will be implemented to ensure that the existing Habitat and movement functions of the

Linkage are maintained as planned land uses are developed along the edge of the Linkage.

4. Major Covered Activities. Major Covered Activities that may affect the Cores and

Linkages are also listed in the tables. These Covered Activities may include new facilities

or widenings or extensions of existing facilities. Guidelines for Covered Activities presented

in Section 7.0 of this document will be incorporated in the siting, design, construction and

maintenance of these facilities to avoid and minimize effects of these facilities on Core and

Linkage biological functions and values.

Quantitative data shown below for each Core and Linkage are based on the Conceptual Reserve

Design. As noted in Section 3.3.1, the Conceptual Reserve Design was developed primarily for the

purposes of developing quantitative information for the MSHCP species accounts and Area Plan

Criteria. The Conceptual Reserve Design does not represent the only possible MSHCP Conservation

Area that may be assembled during the long-term Reserve Assembly process. Flexibility is

incorporated in the MSHCP to allow Reserve Assembly to be informed by project-specific data and

planning as part of MSHCP implementation.





FINAL MSHCP 3-29

Index for Cores and Linkages

The Cores and Linkages are organized with their corresponding page numbers in this section as

follows:

Existing Core A . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-31

Existing Core B . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-32

Existing Core C . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-33

Existing Core D . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-35

Existing Core E . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-35

Existing Core F . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-36

Existing Core G . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-38

Existing Core H . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-38

Existing Core I . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-40

Existing Core J . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-41

Existing Core K . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-42

Existing Core L . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-44

Existing Core M . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-45

Proposed Extension of Existing Core 1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-46







Existing Constrained Linkage A . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-52

Existing Constrained Linkage B . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-53

Existing Constrained Linkage C . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-54

Existing Constrained Linkage D . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-55

Existing Constrained Linkage E . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-56

Existing Linkage A . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-57

Existing Noncontiguous Habitat Block A . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-58

Existing Noncontiguous Habitat Block B . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-59

Existing Noncontiguous Habitat Block C . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-60

Proposed Core 1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-61





FINAL MSHCP 3-30

Proposed Core 2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-62

Proposed Core 3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-63

Proposed Core 4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-64

Proposed Core 5 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-65

Proposed Core 6 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-66

Proposed Core 7 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-67

Proposed Noncontiguous Habitat Block 1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-68







Proposed Constrained Linkage 1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-74









Proposed Constrained Linkage 10 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-82




Proposed Constrained Linkage 14 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-86






Proposed Constrained Linkage 20 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-91







FINAL MSHCP 3-31



Proposed Linkage 1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-96




Proposed Linkage 5 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-100





Proposed Linkage 10 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-105









Existing Core A

Existing Core A consists of Prado Basin and the Santa Ana River, located in the northwest region

of the Plan Area. This southwest-to-northeast trending swath of land is composed largely of

Public/Quasi-Public Lands owned by a variety of entities, but it also contains a small number of

privately-owned lands. The Core also functions as a Linkage, connecting Orange County to the west

with San Bernardino County to the north. Existing Core A is connected to Existing Core B

(Cleveland National Forest) via both and upland and a riparian connection (Proposed Constrained

Linkage 1 and Proposed Constrained Linkage 2, respectively). This Core is constrained on all sides

by existing urban development and agricultural use, and planned land uses surrounding the Core

consist largely of high impact land uses such as city and community Development. Therefore, high

quality riparian Habitat within the Core and along the edges must be maintained for species such as

southwestern willow flycatcher, yellow warbler, yellow-breasted chat, western yellow-billed cuckoo,

and others listed in the table below. Guidelines Pertaining to Urban/Wildlands Interface for the





FINAL MSHCP 3-32

management of edge factors such as lighting, urban runoff, toxics, and domestic predators are

presented in Section 6.1 of this document. Maintenance of existing floodplain processes and water

quality along the Santa Ana River is also important to Santa Ana River woollystar and arroyo chub.

Management entities in this existing Core include: the County of Riverside Parks and Open Space

District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Orange County Water District, and California Department

of Parks and Recreation.

EXISTING CORE A

Approximate Dimension Data for Core

Planning Species

Adjacent Proposed

General Plan

Land Use

Major Covered

Activities

Potentially

Affecting Core

Approx.

Total (ac.)

Approx.

Edge (ac.)

Approx.

Interior

(ac.)

Approx.

Perimeter/

Area Ratio

(ft/ac)

Approx.

Distance to

Nearest

Connected

Core (miles)

10,740 1,640 9,100 33 1.7 Santa Ana sucker, arroyo chub,

western pond turtle, Cooper’s

hawk, tricolored blackbird,

burrowing owl, American bittern,

cactus wren, northern harrier,

western yellow-billed cuckoo,

yellow warbler, white-tailed kite,

southwestern willow flycatcher,

California horned lark, peregrine

falcon, yellow-breasted chat,

loggerhead shrike, black-crowned

night heron, osprey, double-crested

cormorant, downy woodpecker,

white-faced ibis, tree swallow,

least Bell’s vireo, bobcat, mountain

lion, and Santa Ana River

woollystar.

City (Corona, Norco,

Riverside), Community

Development, Open

Space/Conservation

SR-71, River Road,

Hammer, I -15,

Schleisman, Van

Buren, Mission,

Market

Existing Core B

Existing Core B is composed of Cleveland National Forest, which lines the western border of the

Plan Area. Within the Plan Area this Core consists of two large and two small blocks of Public/

Quasi-Public Lands. Existing Core B is connected to Existing Core A (Prado Basin/Santa Ana





FINAL MSHCP 3-33

River) in the north via two Constrained Linkages (Proposed Constrained Linkage 1 and Proposed

Constrained Linkage 2), in the center by Proposed Linkage 1 to the Lake Mathews/Estelle Mountain

area, and in the south to the Tenaja Corridor (Proposed Linkage 9). This Core represents the second

largest habitat block in the Plan Area and is located only 1.6 miles from the nearest connected Core.

Studies of mountain lion movement within this Core indicated that this Core provides both Live-In

and Linkage Habitat for this mammal, which requires very large blocks of intact Habitat. The Core

then likely also provides linkage area for other mammals such as mountain lion and bobcat in

addition to the species listed in the table below. Management entities in this existing Core include

the U.S. Forest Service.

EXISTING CORE B


Planning Species

Adjacent

Proposed General

Plan Land Use

Major Covered

Activities

Potentially

Affecting Core

Approx.

Total

(ac.)

Approx.

Edge

(ac.)

Approx.

Interior

(ac.)

Approx.

Perimeter/

Area Ratio

(ft/ac)

Approx.

Distance

to Nearest

Connected

Core

(miles)

71,490 1,720 69,770 7 1.6 Cooper’s haw k, southern C alifornia

rufous-crowned sparrow, Bell’s sage

sparrow, golden eagle, turkey vulture,

yellow warbler, mountain quail, downy

woodpecker, purple martin , California

spotted owl, tree swallow, mountain

lion, Palm er’s grapplinghook, prostrate

spine flower, graceful tarplant, and

small-flowered microseris.

Rural Mountainous,

Rural, Community

Development, City

( L a k e E l s i n o r e ,

Corona)

SR-74

Existing Core C

Existing Core C consists of public lands in the Lake Mathews/Estelle Mountain area in the

northwestern region of the Plan Area, originally assembled as a Core Reserve for the Stephens’

Kangaroo Rat Habitat Conservation Plan. Connections to other MSHCP conserved lands exist to

the east (Proposed Linkage 3) and west (Proposed Extension of Existing Core 2). This Core is





FINAL MSHCP 3-34

somewhat constrained by existing agriculture to the north and south of the Core; however some

natural lands remain along the border of the Core. A large portion of the western border of Existing

Core C is contiguous with Proposed Extension of Existing Core 2, which markedly decreases amount

of exposed edge and results in a lower actual P/A ratio than that reported in the table below. This

Core provides Live-In Habitat for a large number of species as well as linkage area for species

moving from the Gavilan Hills area to Temescal Wash. In addition to Stephens’ kangaroo rat, the

Lake Mathews/Estelle Mountain Reserve contains Habitat for other species with requirements for

high quality Habitat, such as Quino checkerspot butterfly and coastal California gnatcatcher.

Although the Core is surrounded largely by a rural planned land use designation, in areas where

community Development is planned, treatment and management of edge conditions along the

borders of this Core will be necessary to ensure that it provides Habitat and movement functions for

species using the Core. Guidelines Pertaining to Urban/Wildlands Interface for the management of

edge factors such as lighting, urban runoff, toxics, and domestic predators are presented in Section

6.1 of this document. Management entities in this existing Core include the Lake Mathews/Estelle

Mountain Reserve Management Committee.

EXISTING CORE C


Planning Species

Adjacent

Proposed

General Plan

Land Use

Major Covered

Activities

Potentially

Affecting Core

Approx.

Total

(ac.)

Approx.

Edge

(ac.)

Approx.

Interior

(ac.)

Approx.

Perimeter/

Area Ratio

(ft/ac)

Approx.

Distance

to Nearest

Connected

Core

(miles)

15,610 890 14,720 19 1.6 southern California rufous-crowned

sparrow, Bell’s sage sparrow, burrowing

owl, cactus wren, northern harrier,

white-tailed kite, loggerhead shrike,

c o a s t a l C a l i fo rn ia gnatcatche r ,

Stephens’ kangaroo rat, bobcat,

mountain lion, Munz’s onion, slender-

horned spine flower, and many-stemmed

dudleya.

R u r a l , R u r a l

M o u n t a i n o u s ,

C o m m u n i t y

Development

H e m e t t o

C o r o n a / L a k e

Elsinore, CETAP

Corridor





FINAL MSHCP 3-35

Existing Core D

Existing Core D consists of Sycamore Canyon Park. This Core is composed of two Non-contiguous

Habitat Blocks of Public/Quasi-Public Land separated by approximately 2,000 feet, in approximately

the north-central region of the Plan Area. Existing Core D is connected to Existing Noncontiguous

Habitat Block A (Box Springs Mountains) via Proposed Constrained Linkage 7. At 10.8 miles from

the nearest connected Core, Existing Core D is the most isolated of all proposed or existing Cores.

The Core is also surrounded by City and Community Development planned land use designations.

For these reasons, treatment and management of edge conditions along this Core will be necessary

to ensure that it provides Habitat and movement functions for species using the Core. Guidelines

Pertaining to Urban/Wildlands Interface for the management of edge factors such as lighting, urban

runoff, toxics, and domestic predators are presented in Section 6.1 of this document. The Core

provides Live-In Habitat for the granite spiny lizard, a species requiring rock outcrops, and likely

provides movement Habitat for bobcat. Management entities in this existing Core include the City

of Riverside Park and Recreation Department and March Joint Powers Authority.

EXISTING CORE D


Planning Species

Adjacent Proposed General

Plan Land Use

Major Covered

Activities

Potentially

Affecting Core

Approx.

Total

(ac.)

Approx.

Edge

(ac.)

Approx.

Interior

(ac.)

Approx.

Perimeter/

Area Ratio

(ft/ac)

Approx.

Distance to

Nearest

Connected

Core (miles)

2,500 560 1,940 43 10.8 Wilson’s warbler City (Riverside ), Communit y

Development

Alessandro Blvd.

Existing Core E

Existing Core E consists of Lake Elsinore, located in the west-central region of the Plan Area.

Existing Core E is connected to other MSHCP conserved lands via Proposed Extension of Existing

Core 3 (Lake Elsinore Soils). This Core provides Live-In Habitat for species as noted in the table

below and also likely provides for movement of common mammals such as bobcat. Urban

Development partially constrains the Core; however some natural lands remain along the border of





FINAL MSHCP 3-36

the Core. Since this is an existing Core with no new Reserve Assembly anticipated, treatment and

management of edge conditions along this Core will be necessary to ensure that it provides Habitat

and movement functions for species using the Core. Guidelines Pertaining to Urban/Wildlands

Interface for the management of edge factors such as lighting, urban runoff, toxics, and domestic

predators are presented in Section 6.1.4 of this document.

EXISTING CORE E


Planning Species

Adjacent

Proposed

General Plan

Land Use

Major

Covered

Activities

Potentially

Affecting

Core

Approx.

Total

(ac.)

Approx.

Edge

(ac.)

Approx.

Interior

(ac.)

Approx.

Perimeter/

Area Ratio

(ft/ac)

Approx.

Distance to

Nearest

Connected

Core (miles)

3,010 280 2,730 20 4.4 Co ope r’s hawk, tricolored blackbird,

southern California rufous-crowned sparrow,

burrow ing owl, American bittern, ferruginous

hawk, Swainson’s haw k, mounta in plover,

northern harrier, yellow warbler, white-tailed

kite, Californ ia horned lark, peregrine falcon,

bald eagle, yellow-breasted chat, loggerhead

shrike, black-crowned n ight heron, mountain

qua il, osprey, double-crested cormorant,

white-faced ibis, purple martin, tree

swallow, least Bell’s vireo, San Jacinto

Valley crownscale, prostrate sp ine flower,

Palm er’s grapplinghook, and Engelmann oak.

City (Elsinore),

Open Space ,

Conservation

None

Existing Core F

Existing Core F consists of the Santa Rosa Plateau Ecological Reserve, located in the southwest

region of the Plan Area. Existing Core F is connected to other MSHCP conserved lands via several

Linkages: Proposed Constrained Linkage 13 (Murrieta Creek) and Proposed Linkage 10 connect the

Core to conserved lands in the southeast, Proposed Constrained Linkages 11 (De Luz Canyon) and

12 (Sandia Canyon) connect the Core to San Diego County in the south, and Proposed Linkage 9

(Tenaja Corridor) connects the Core to Existing Core B in the west. This Core represents a large





FINAL MSHCP 3-37

habitat block with a relatively low proportion of its area potentially affected by edge (approximately

460 acres of the total 8,360 acres) and a comparatively low P/A ratio. Furthermore, much of the

Core is surrounded by a Rural Mountainous land use designation, which will further lower Edge

Effects at the borders of the Core. For these reasons Existing Core F can be expected to provide high

quality movement and Live-In Habitat for the species listed in the table below. Maintenance of

hydrological processes and water quality will be necessary, however, to provide Habitat for

persistence of species such as vernal pool fairy shrimp, thread-leaved brodiaea, Orcutt’s brodiaea,

western pond turtle, vernal barley, Riverside fairy shrimp, Santa Rosa Plateau fairy shrimp, and

California red-legged frog. Management entities in this existing Core include: The Nature

Conservancy, County of Riverside and California Department of Parks and Recreation.

EXISTING CORE F


Planning Species

Adjacent Proposed

General Plan

Land Use

Major Covered

Activities

Potentially

Affecting Core

Approx.

Total

(ac.)

Approx.

Edge

(ac.)

Approx.

Interior

(ac.)

Approx.

Perimeter/

Area Ratio

(ft/ac)

Approx.

Distance to

Nearest

Connected

Core (miles)

8,360 460 7,900 14 4.2 vernal pool fairy shrimp, Santa Rosa

Plateau fairy shrimp, Riverside fairy

shrimp, California red-legged frog, western

pond turtle, Cooper’s hawk, sharp-shinned

hawk, grasshopper sparrow, burrowing

owl, cactus wren, turkey vulture, northern

harrier, yellow warbler, southwestern

willow flycatcher, California horned lark,

merlin, loggerhead shrike, Lincoln’s

sparrow, MacGillivray’s warbler, mountain

quail, California spotted owl, Nashville

warbler, Wilson’s warbler, San Diego

pocket mouse, bobcat, mountain lion,

Rainbow manzanita, thread-leaved

brodiaea, Orcutt’s brodiaea, long-spined

spine flower, San Diego button celery,

graceful tarplant, vernal barley, California

black walnut, Parish’s meadowfoam,

Palomar monkeyflower, little mousetail,

spreading navarretia, California Orcutt

grass, Fish’s milkwort, Engelmann oak, and

San Miguel savory.

Rural Mountainous,

City (Murrieta)

Cl inton Keith

Road





FINAL MSHCP 3-38

Existing Core G

Existing Core G is comprised of the Santa Margarita Ecological Reserve. This Core Area provides

Live-In Habitat for species noted below and may serve as a Linkage for Planning Species, including

bobcat and mountain lion, moving between the Santa Ana Mountains and the Agua Tibia

Wilderness. In addition to maintenance of habitat quality, maintenance of existing floodplain

processes along Santa Margarita River is important for these species. Adjacent land use practices

which may affect movement of species through this Core include construction of barriers (i.e.,

fencing). Proposed widening activities of I-15 may also affect movement of wildlife species

connecting to this Core Area, as well as water quality and floodplain processes of the Santa

Margarita River. Because the distance to the Santa Rosa Plateau, the nearest connected Core Area,

is 5.5 miles, maintenance of the connection to the Santa Rosa Plateau is important for species

persistence, viability and dispersal. Management entities in this existing Core include: California

State University, San Diego, The Nature Conservancy, and California Department of Fish and Game.

EXISTING CORE G


Planning Species

Adjacent

Proposed General

Plan Land Use

Major Covered

Activities

Potentially

Affecting Core

Approx.

Total

(ac.)

Approx.

Edge

(ac.)

Approx.

Interior

(ac.)

Approx.

Perimeter/

Area Ratio

(ft/ac)

Approx.

Distance to

Nearest

Connected

Core (miles)

4,500 340 4,160 17 5.5 arroyo chub, southern California


sparrow, bobcat, mountain lion, and

Rainbow m anzanita,.

Rural Mountainous I - 1 5 w i d e n

existing facility

Existing Core H

Existing Core H is comprised of Lake Perris State Recreation Area, San Jacinto Wildlife Area,

private lands and lands with pre-existing conservation agreements. It provides Live-In Habitat for

certain species, contains soils suitable for some Narrow Endemic Plant Species, supports vernal pool

complexes and may provide a connection to Core Areas in the Badlands and the middle reach of the





FINAL MSHCP 3-39

San Jacinto River. Planning Species for which Habitat is provided within this Core Area include

bobcat, Los Angeles pocket mouse, Stephens' kangaroo rat, smooth tarplant, San Jacinto Valley

crownscale, spreading navarretia, California Orcutt grass, vernal barley and thread-leaved brodiaea.

Maintenance of habitat quality, floodplain process along the San Jacinto River, and Conservation

of vernal pool complexes are important for these species. This Core Area likely provides for Live-In

Habitat for small rodents and common mammals, including bobcat and San Diego black-tailed

jackrabbit.

EXISTING CORE H


Planning Species

Adjacent

Proposed

General Plan

Land Use

Major Covered

Activities

Potentially

Affecting Core

Approx.

Total

(ac.)

Approx.

Edge

(ac.)

Approx.

Interior

(ac.)

Approx.

Perimeter/

Area Ratio

(ft/ac)

Approx.

Distance to

Nearest

Connected

Core

(miles)

17,470 1,070 16,400 12 0 western spadefoot, western pond turtle, coastal

western whiptail, Belding’s orange-throated

whiptail, San Diego banded gecko, northern red

diamond rattlesnake, San Diego horned lizard,

granite spiny lizard, granite night lizard,

burrowing owl, Cooper’s hawk, sharp-shinned

hawk, Southern California rufous-crowned

sparrow, grasshopper sparrow, Bell’s sage

sparrow, golden eagle, American bittern,

ferruginous hawk, Swainson’s hawk, cactus

wren, turkey vulture, yellow warbler, white-

tailed kite, southwestern willow-flycatcher,

peregrine falcon, bald eagle, yellow-breasted

chat, loggerhead shrike, Lincoln’s sparrow, black-

crowned night heron, MacGillivray’s warbler,

osprey, double-crested cormorant, downy

woodpecker, purple martin, tree swallow,

northwestern San Diego pocket mouse,

Stephens’ kangaroo rat, San Diego black-tailed

jackrabbit, bobcat, San Diego desert woodrat,

Los Angeles pocket mouse, San Jacinto Valley

crownscale, Davidson's saltscale, thread-leaved

brodiaea, smooth tarplant, Coulter's goldfields,

spreading navarretia, and Wright's trichocoronis.

Agr icultu re,

C o m m u n i t y

Development,

Cities (Moreno

Val ley and

Perris)

G i lman Spr ings

R o a d , R a m o n a

Express-way, Bridge

Str ee t , C ETAP

H e m e t t o


Elsinore Alternative

1b.





FINAL MSHCP 3-40

In addition to indirect effects described in Section 6.0 of this document, other effects associated with

locating the proposed General Plan land use designations noted in the table below may occur.

Alteration of hydrology or fire suppression activities occurring on adjacent lands may adversely

affect Narrow Endemic Plant Species, including spreading navarretia, San Jacinto Valley

crownscale, vernal barley and smooth tarplant, known to occur in the vicinity of Mystic Lake and

the San Jacinto Wildlife Refuge Area.

The three roadways listed in the table below are existing roadways that are proposed to be widened

along the edge of the Core Area. The CETAP corridor, if approved, would generally follow Ramona

Expressway. Proposed widening activities may directly affect Habitat or floodplain processes

important to the species noted in the table below or may affect movement between this Core Area

and other Core Areas in the Badlands and along the San Jacinto River. Ramona Expressway and

Bridge Street cross the San Jacinto River under existing conditions and would continue to cross the

river with proposed widenings. Management entities in this existing Core include the California

Department of Parks and Recreation and California Department of Fish and Game.

Existing Core I

Existing Core I is comprised of the portion of the San Bernardino Mountains located within the

MSHCP Plan Area. This Core Area provides potential nest sites, foraging Habitat, a connection to

the portion of the San Bernardino Mountains in San Bernardino County and harbors key populations

of certain species. Planning Species for which Habitat is provided for within this Core Area include

mountain lion, San Bernardino mountain kingsnake, and California spotted owl. Maintenance of

habitat quality and large intact interconnected habitat blocks are important for these species. In

addition to the indirect effects described in Section 6.0 of this document, other activities associated

with proposed adjacent General Plan land use designations noted in the table below, including

recreation and poaching, may result in adverse effects to biological resources within the Core.

Management entities in this existing Core include the U.S. Forest Service.





FINAL MSHCP 3-41

EXISTING CORE I


Planning Species

Adjacent

Proposed

General Plan

Land Use

Major

Covered

Activities

Potentially

Affecting

Core

Approx.

Total

(ac.)

Approx.

Edge

(ac.)

Approx.

Interior

(ac.)

Approx.

Perimeter/

Area Ratio

(ft/ac)

Approx.

Distance to

Nearest

Connected

Core (miles)

9,610 920 8,690 22 0.7* San Bernardino mountain kingsnake, San

Diego mountain kingsnake, L inco ln’s sparrow,

MacGillivray’s warbler, mountain quail,

Williamson’s sapsucker, California spotted

owl, Nashville warbler, Wilson’s warbler,

mountain lion, Plummer’s mariposa lily,

peninsular spine flower, and Hall’s monardella.

Indian Lands,

C o m m u n i t y

Development,

City (Banning)

None

Note:* This Core is not connected to other MSHCP conserved lands . Distance “as the crow f lies” to nearest habitat block is reported in table.

Existing Core J

Existing Core J is comprised of Diamond Valley Lake, Lake Skinner and Johnson Ranch. It

provides potential nest sites, foraging Habitat, connections to other Core Areas in French Valley,

Cactus Valley and Wilson Valley, and harbors key populations of certain species. Planning Species

for which Habitat is provided for within this Core Area include bobcat, mountain lion, coastal

California gnatcatcher, least Bell's vireo, northern harrier, tree swallow, turkey vulture, white-tailed

kite, Quino checkerspot butterfly, and Stephens' kangaroo rat. In addition to maintenance of habitat

quality, maintenance of existing floodplain processes along Tucalota Creek and Rawson Canyon is

important for these species. This Core Area likely provides for Live-In Habitat for common

mammals, including bobcat, and larger mammals such as mountain lion moving through the Core

Area to other Core Areas in Wilson Valley and Cactus Valley. Since this is an existing Core and no

new Reserve Assembly is anticipated, maintenance of existing large intact habitat blocks will be

necessary for species persistence and movement in this Core .





FINAL MSHCP 3-42

EXISTING CORE J


Planning Species

Adjacent

Proposed

General Plan

Land Use

Major Covered

Activities

Potentially

Affecting Core

Approx.

Total

(ac.)

Approx.

Edge

(ac.)

Approx.

Interior

(ac.)

Approx.

Perimeter/

Area Ratio

(ft/ac)

Approx.

Distance to

Nearest

Connected

Core (miles)

24,360 900 23,460 12 1.11 Quino checkerspot butterfly, southern

California rufous-crowned sparrow,

grasshopper sparrow, Bell's sage sparrow,

golden eagle, burrowing owl, cactus wren,

turkey vulture, mountain plover, northern

harrier, white-tailed kite, coastal California

gnatcatcher, tree swallow, least Bell's vireo,

bobcat, Los Angeles pocket mouse, mountain

lion and long-spined spine flower.

Community

Development,

Rural, Rural

Mountainous

Rawson Road,

Borel Road, and

Butterfield Stage

Road

In addition to indirect effects described in Section 6.0 of this document, other adverse effects

associated with locating proposed General Plan land uses noted in the table below may occur. Fire

and fire suppression, hunting, and collection of species by humans would result in adverse effects

to Quino checkerspot butterfly and other Planning Species . Major Covered Activities listed in the

table below may affect resources in the Core Area by directly affecting Habitat and/or floodplain

processes important to the species noted above or result in habitat fragmentation of this Core Area.

Rawson Road and Borel Road are existing roadways that are proposed to widened within the Core

Area. Rawson Road crosses Rawson Canyon Creek under existing conditions and would continue

to cross this creek with the proposed widening. Butterfield Stage Road forms the western boundary

of Johnson Ranch would be extended north from the city limits of Temecula. Management entities

in this existing Core include the Southwestern Riverside County Multi-Species Reserve Management

Committee and County of Riverside Parks and Open Space District (Lake Skinner Recreation Area).

Existing Core K

Existing Core K is comprised of the San Bernardino National Forest and the Potrero Area of Critical

Environmental Concern. It provides nesting, breeding, foraging and Live-In Habitat for a number

of species, supports several Narrow Endemic Plant Species and connects to the eastern portions of





FINAL MSHCP 3-43

Riverside County. Planning Species for which Habitat is provided within this Core include

peninsular spine flower, San Bernardino kangaroo rat, slender-horned spine flower, graceful tarplant,

mountain lion, California spotted owl, granite spiny lizard, Johnston's rock cress, western pond turtle

and Stephens' kangaroo rat. Maintenance of habitat quality and maintenance of existing large intact

habitat blocks are important for these species. This Core likely provides for Live-In Habitat for

common mammals, including bobcat, and larger mammals such as mountain lion moving through

the Core Area to other Core Areas in Wilson Valley and Cactus Valley. In addition to indirect

effects associated with adjacent proposed General Plan land use designation described in Section

6.1.4 of this document, other activities such as off-road vehicle use, recreation and hunting may

result in adverse effects. Management entities in this existing Core include the U.S. Forest Service

and Bureau of Land Management.

EXISTING CORE K


Planning Species

Adjacent

Proposed

General Plan

Land Use

Major Covered

Activities

Potentially

Affecting Core

Approx.

Total

(ac.)

Approx.

Edge

(ac.)

Approx.

Interior

(ac.)

Approx.

Perimeter/

Area Ratio

(ft/ac)

Approx.

Distance to

Nearest

Connected

Core

(miles)

149,750 3,160 146,590 6 0* western pond turtle, northern red diamond

rattlesnake, San Bernardino Mountain kingsnake,

San Diego Mountain kingsnake, Cooper’s hawk,

northern goshawk, golden eagle, turkey vulture,

black swift, yellow warbler, Lincoln’s sparrow,

Macgillvray’s warbler, mountain quail, downy

woodpecker, purple martin, Williamson’s

sapsucker, California spotted owl, tree swallow,

Nashville warbler, Wilson’s warbler, San

Bernardino kangaroo rat, Stephens’ kangaroo rat,

mountain lion, Johnston’s rock cress, Munz’s

mariposa lily, Plummer’s mariposa lily, peninsular

spine flower, slender-horned spine flower, San

Jacinto Mountains bedstraw, California bedstraw,

Mojave tarplant, graceful tarplant, Hall’s

monardella, California beardtongue

Rural and Rural

Mountainous

SR-243, SR-74,

SR-371, and

Bautista Canyon

Road

Note: *This Core is contiguous with Proposed Core 3, Proposed Core 4, Proposed Core 5, and Proposed Core 7.





FINAL MSHCP 3-44

All four major Covered Activities that are proposed to be widened are existing roadways. Proposed

widening activities may directly affect Habitat important to the species noted above, and may

exacerbate indirect effects, including lighting, noise, road-kill, trash and runoff, associated with an

increased number of motor vehicles traveling through the Core.

Existing Core L

Existing Core L is comprised of Beauty Mountain Management Area (BLM) and Anza-Borrego

Desert State Park. This Core provides Habitat for several listed species and connections to San

Diego County and eastern Riverside County. Planning Species for which Habitat is provided within

this Core include Quino checkerspot butterfly, Stephens' kangaroo rat, golden eagle nest site,

burrowing owl, Los Angeles pocket mouse, bobcat, mountain lion, and Aguanga kangaroo rat.

Maintenance of habitat quality is important for these species, and maintenance of existing large

intact habitat blocks will be necessary to perpetuate species occupation and movement in this Core.

This Core likely provides for Live-In Habitat for common mammals, including bobcat, and larger

mammals such as mountain lion moving through the Core Area to other Core Areas in Wilson

Valley and San Diego County. In addition to indirect effects of adjacent land uses described in

Section 6.0 of this document, other activities associated with locating proposed General Plan land

use designations noted in the table below, including hunting, collection, recreation, off-road vehicle

use and poaching, may result in adverse effects to Planning Species.

EXISTING CORE L


Planning Species

Adjacent

Proposed

General

Plan

Land Use

Major

Covered

Activities

Potentially

Affecting

Core

Approx.

Total

(ac.)

Approx.

Edge

(ac.)

Approx.

Interior

(ac.)

Approx.

Perimeter/

Area Ratio

(ft/ac)

Approx.

Distance

to Nearest

Connected

Core

(miles)

24,750 590 24,160 12 0* Quino checkerspot, Bell's sage sparrow, golden

eagle nest site , cactus wren, coastal California

gnatcatcher, least Bell's vireo, Aguanga kangaroo

rat, Stephens' kangaroo rat, bobcat, Los Angeles

pocket mouse, and mountain lion, .

R u r a l ,

Ag r i cu l t u re

and India n

Lands

None

Note: * This Core is contiguous with Proposed Core 6 and Proposed Core 7.





FINAL MSHCP 3-45

No major Covered Activities are anticipated to traverse or affect this Core. Any road improvements

or maintenance activities to existing roadways will be subject to guidelines for improvements on

existing roads in Section 7.0 of this document to ensure that the Habitat and functions of the Core

are maintained. Management entities in this existing Core include the Bureau of Land Management

and California Department of Parks and Recreation.

Existing Core M

Existing Core M consists of the Agua Tibia Mountains, located along the south-central border of the

Plan Area. Existing Core M is connected to other MSHCP conserved lands in the north via Proposed

Linkages 17 (Woodchuck Road) and 18 (Arroyo Seco Creek) and Proposed Core 7 (Wilson

Valley/Aguanga). Existing Core M is not constrained by existing urban development or agricultural

uses. A very low proportion (approximately 180 acres of the 10,460 total acres) of the area of the

Core is affected by edge, and the P/A ratio is also comparatively very low. Thus the Core can be

expected to provide high quality movement and Live-In Habitat for the species listed in the table

below. Additionally, a large portion of the border of Existing Core M is contiguous with Proposed

Core 7 (Wilson Valley/Aguanga), which markedly decreases actual amount of exposed edge and

ostensibly lowers the P/A ratio reported in the table. Management entities in this existing Core

include the U.S. Forest Service.

EXISTING CORE M


Planning Species

Adjacent Proposed

General Plan

Land Use

Major

Covered

Activities

Potentially

Affecting

Core

Approx.

Total

(ac.)

Approx.

Edge

(ac.)

Approx.

Interior

(ac.)

Approx.

Perimeter/

Area Ratio

(ft/ac)

Approx.

Distance

to Nearest

Connected

Core

(miles)

10,460 180 10,280 14 3 western pond turtle, granite night lizard,

mountain lion, Jaeger’s milk vetch,

Nevin’s barberry, Vail Lake ceanothus,

long-spined spine flower, prostrate spine

flower, beautiful hulsea, ocellated

Humboldt lily, Palomar monkeyflower, and

Hall’s monardella.

Indian Lands, Open

Space/ Conservation,


Mountainous

SR-79





FINAL MSHCP 3-46

Proposed Extension of Existing Core 1

Proposed Extension of Existing Core 1 (Prado Basin Extension) consists of private land located

along the northwestern border of the Plan Area. This extension is present as two disjunct parcels in

close proximity which serve to extend Existing Core A (Prado Basin/Santa Ana River). Proposed

Extension of Existing Core 1 is connected only to Existing Core A within the Plan Area. In addition

to adding to the functional area of Existing Core A, the presence of Proposed Extension of Existing

Core 1 lowers the potential for Edge Effects in the area. Key populations of western yellow-billed

cuckoo, southwestern willow flycatcher, Cooper’s hawk, downy woodpecker, American bittern,

black-crowned night heron, California horned lark, least Bell’s vireo, tree swallow, white-tailed kite,

and yellow warbler are supported by Proposed Extension of Existing Core 1. This area is also likely

to be important for mountain lion movement from the Santa Ana Mountains to the Chino Hills

beyond the Plan Area and is thought to provide for local movement of common mammals such as

bobcat.

PROPOSED EXTENSION OF EXISTING CORE 1


Planning Species

Adjacent

Proposed

General Plan

Land Use

Major Covered

Activities

Potentially

Affecting Core

Approx.

Total

(ac.)

Approx.

Edge

(ac.)

Approx.

Interior

(ac.)

Approx.

Perimeter/

Area Ratio

(ft/ac)

Approx.

Distance to

Nearest

Connected

Core (miles)

270 0* 270 80 N/A Santa Ana sucker, arroyo chub, western

pond turtle, Cooper’s hawk, tricolored

blackbird, American bittern, cactus

wren, northern harrier, western yellow-

billed cuckoo, yellow warbler, white-

tailed kite, sou thw estern w illow

flycatcher, Californ ia horned lark,

peregrine falcon, yellow-breasted chat,

black-crowned night heron, double-

crested cormorant, downy woodpecker,

wh ite-faced ibis, tree swallow, least

Bell’s vireo, and bobcat.

O p e n S p a c e /

Conservation

None

Note: * This Noncontiguous Habitat Block is completely surrounded by Existing Core A and thus contains no edge.





FINAL MSHCP 3-47


Proposed Extension of Existing Core 2 (Lake Mathews/Estelle Mountain Extension) consists of

private lands located in the western region of the Plan Area. This extension is contiguous with

Existing Core C (Lake Mathews/Estelle Mountain) along the length of its eastern border and serves

to extend the Habitat in the Lake Mathews/Estelle Mountain area and smooth out edges along the

border of this Core. Proposed Extension of Existing Core 2 is also connected to Proposed

Constrained Linkage 4 (North Temescal Wash) in the north; and Proposed Linkage 1 and Proposed

Constrained Linkages 3, 5 (Horsethief Canyon), and 6 (Temescal Wash south) in the south. The

extension provides Habitat for species as listed in the table below, and also provides for movement

of species. The Lake Mathews/Estelle Mountain Extension supports populations of coastal

California gnatcatcher; thus high quality, connected Habitat must be maintained in this area which

is surrounded by city (Corona) and community Development planned land uses. In addition, the

proposed Hemet to Corona/Lake Elsinore CETAP Corridor Alternative 1B intersects the extension

and may contribute to Edge Effects, if chosen. Guidelines Pertaining to Urban/Wildlands Interface

for the management of edge factors such as lighting, urban runoff, toxics, and domestic predators

are presented in Section 6.1 of this document.



Planning Species

Adjacent

Proposed

General Plan

Land Use

Major Covered

Activities

Potentially

Affecting Core

Approx.

Total

(ac.)

Approx.

Edge

(ac.)

Approx.

Interior

(ac.)

Approx.

Perimeter/

Area Ratio

(ft/ac)

Approx.

Distance to

Nearest

Connected

Core (miles)

8,100 540 7,560 29 N/A Cooper’s hawk, southern California


sparrow, yellow warbler, white-tailed

kite, southw estern w illow flycatcher,

yellow-breasted chat, loggerhead

shrike, downy woodpecker, coastal

Californ ia gnatcatcher, least Bell’s

vireo, Stephens’ kangaroo rat, bobcat,

mountain lion, Munz’s onion, long-

spined spine flower, and many

stemmed dudleya.

City (Corona),

C o m m u n i t y

D ev e l o p m e n t,

Rural

Hemet to Corona/

Lake Elsinore, CETAP

Corridor, Alternative

1B





FINAL MSHCP 3-48


Proposed Extension of Existing Core 3 (Lake Elsinore Soils) consists of two blocks of land

extending from the southern border of Existing Core E (Lake Elsinore). The northern portion of the

proposed extension is also connected to Proposed Linkage 8. Proposed Extension of Existing Core

3 conserves soils of the Traver series, which is important to the maintenance of several species of

Narrow Endemic Plants. The northern portion of the extension also provides for movement of

species along the lower San Jacinto River to Proposed Linkage 8. Together with Existing Core E,

Proposed Extension of Existing Core 3 provides Habitat for shorebird use. Since surrounding land

uses include city (Lake Elsinore) and community Development, management of edge conditions in

this area will be necessary to maintain high quality Habitat in this area. Guidelines Pertaining to

Urban/Wildlands Interface for the management of edge factors such as lighting, urban runoff, toxics,

and domestic predators are presented in Section 6.1 of this document.



Planning Species

Adjacent Proposed

General Plan

Land Use

Major

Covered

Activities

Potentially

Affecting

Core

Approx.

Total

(ac.)

Approx.

Edge

(ac.)

Approx.

Interior

(ac.)

Approx.

Perimeter/

Area Ratio

(ft/ac)

Approx.

Distance to

Nearest

Connected

Core (miles)

1,290 410 880 63 N/A R ive rside fa i ry shrim p, Q uin o

checkerspot butterfly, western pond

turtle, Bell’s sage sparrow, American

bittern, mountain plover, northern

harrier, white-tailed kite, southwestern

willow flycatcher, loggerhead shrike,

black-crowned night heron, osprey,

double-crested cormorant, white-faced

ibis, least Bell’s vireo, bobcat, Munz ’s

onion, San Diego ambrosia, and smooth

tarplant.

City (Lake Elsinore),

Comm unity Develop-

ment, Rural, Open

Space/Conservation

None





FINAL MSHCP 3-49


Proposed Extension of Existing Core 4 is comprised of the middle reach of the San Jacinto River

and is contiguous with Core Area in Lake Perris Recreation Area. It provides Habitat for a number

of Narrow Endemic Plant Species and movement for species connecting to Lake Perris and areas

downstream of the San Jacinto in Canyon Lake. Planning Species for which Habitat is provided for

within this proposed Extension of Existing Core include San Jacinto Valley crownscale,

thread-leaved brodiaea, arroyo toad and Los Angeles pocket mouse. Maintenance of floodplain

processes along the San Jacinto River, as well as maintenance of habitat quality of vernal pool

complexes and the Traver-Willow-Domino soils supporting plant species noted in the table below,

are important for these species. As shown on the table below, areas not affected by edge total

approximately 2,890 acres of the total 3,330 acres occupied by this Extension of Existing Core.

Since this Extension of Existing Core may be affected by edge, treatment and management of edge

conditions will be necessary to ensure that it provides Habitat and movement functions for species

using this Core. Guidelines Pertaining to Urban/Wildlands Interface for the management of edge

factors such as lighting, urban runoff, toxics, and domestic predators are presented in Section 6.1 of

this document. Flood control activities associated with the Community Development land use

designation and major Covered Activities may adversely affect Planning Species known to occur

within the San Jacinto River.



Planning Species

Adjacent Proposed

General Plan

Land Use

Major Covered

Activities

Potentially

Affecting Core

Approx.

Total

(ac.)

Approx.

Edge

(ac.)

Approx.

Interior

(ac.)

Approx.

Perimeter/

Area Ratio

(ft/ac)

Approx.

Distance to

Nearest

Connected

Core (miles)

3,330 440 2,890 25 N/A arroyo toad, mountain plover,

white-faced ibis, Los Angeles

pocket mouse, San Jacinto Valley

crownscale, Davidson’s saltscale,

thread-leaved brodiaea, Coulter’s

goldfields, Wright’s trichocoronis,

and spread ing navarretia .

C o m m u n i t y

Development

Ramona Express-

w a y , N u e v o

Road, Ethanac

Road, and San

Jacinto Road





FINAL MSHCP 3-50


Proposed Extension of Existing Core 5 consists of upland Habitat adjacent to Core Areas in Lake

Skinner and Johnson Ranch. This extension occurs as two disjunct parcels which serve to extend

Core Areas in Johnson Ranch and Lake Skinner and reduce the amount of area exposed to Edge

Effects. This Extension of Existing Core would contribute to Conservation of species occurring

within Core Areas in Diamond Valley Lake, Lake Skinner, and Johnson Ranch, such as mountain

lion, bobcat, coastal California gnatcatcher, Quino checkerspot butterfly and Stephens’ kangaroo rat.

It would also broaden the connection between Johnson Ranch and Lake Skinner. Maintenance of

habitat quality and contiguity with adjacent Core Areas is important for these species.

Major Covered Activities that may affect this area include Butterfield Stage Road which would be

extended north from the city limits of Temecula.



Planning Species

Adjacent

Proposed

General Plan

Land Use

Major Covered

Activities

Potentially

Affecting Core

Approx.

Total

(ac.)

Approx.

Edge

(ac.)

Approx.

Interior

(ac.)

Approx.

Perimeter/

Area Ratio

(ft/ac)

Approx.

Distance to

Nearest

Connected

Core (miles)

295 65 230 91 N/A Quino checkerspot, southern Californ ia

rufous-crowned sparrow, grasshopper

sparrow, Bell’s sage sparrow, coastal

California gnatcatcher, bobcat, and Los

Angeles pocket mouse.

Rural Butterfield Stage

Road


Proposed Extension of Existing Core 6 consists of upland Habitat immediately southwest of Core

Areas in Lake Skinner and Johnson Ranch. This extension is contiguous with Core Area to the north

in Lake Skinner and to west in Johnson Ranch. This Extension of Existing Core would contribute

to Conservation of species occurring within the Core Areas in Diamond Valley Lake, Lake Skinner,





FINAL MSHCP 3-51

and Johnson Ranch, including mountain lion, bobcat, coastal California gnatcatcher, Quino

checkerspot butterfly and Stephens’ kangaroo rat. It would also broaden the connection between

Johnson Ranch and Lake Skinner. Maintenance of habitat quality and contiguity with adjacent Core

Areas is important for these species. In addition to indirect effects of adjacent land uses described

in Section 6.0 of this document, runoff and the use of toxics associated with agricultural planned land

use located adjacent to MSHCP Conservation Areas may adversely affect species noted in the table

below.

The proposed widening improvements to major Covered Activities, including Borel Road and Buck

Road, may directly affect Habitat or result in habitat fragmentation.



Planning Species

Adjacent

Proposed

General Plan

Land Use

Major

Covered

Activities

Potentially

Affecting

Core

Approx.

Total

(ac.)

Approx.

Edge

(ac.)

Approx.

Interior

(ac.)

Approx.

Perimeter/

Area Ratio

(ft/ac)

Approx.

Distance to

Nearest

Connected

Core (miles)

1,175 85 1,090 31 N/A Quino checkerspot butterfly, southern

Ca liforn ia rufous-crowned sparrow,

grasshopper sparrow, Bell’s sage sparrow,

golden eag le nest s ite, bu rrow ing owl,

cactus wren, turkey vulture, mountain

plover, northern harrier, white-tailed kite,

coastal California gnatcatcher, tree

swallow, least Bell’s vireo, Stephens’

kangaroo rat, bobcat, Los Angeles pocket

mouse, and mountain lion.

Agriculture B o re l Roa d

a n d B u c k

Road


Proposed Extension of Existing Core 7 consists of areas contiguous with Diamond Valley Lake to

the west. It contributes to Conservation of Planning Species such as coastal California gnatcatcher,





FINAL MSHCP 3-52

mountain lion and Quino checkerspot butterfly, and provides a connection to upland and wetland

Linkages in the Domenigoni Specific Plan Area and French Valley Creek, respectively. Maintenance

of habitat quality and contiguity with Diamond Valley Lake are important for these species.

Rawson Road is an existing roadway that is proposed to be widened. The proposed improvements

to Rawson Road may directly affect Habitat and/or result in habitat fragmentation.



Planning Species

Adjacent

Proposed

General Plan

Land Use

Major Covered

Activities

Potentially

Affecting Core

Approx.

Total

(ac.)

Approx.

Edge

(ac.)

Approx.

Interior

(ac.)

Approx.

Perimeter/

Area Ratio

(ft/ac)

Approx.

Distance to

Nearest

Connected

Core (miles)

3,220 130 3,090 27 N/A Quino checkerspot butterfly, southern

Californ ia rufous-crowned sparrow,

grasshopper sparrow, Bell’s sage

sparrow, golden eagle nest site, cactus

wren, turkey vulture, mountain plover,

northern harrier, white-tailed kite,

coastal California gnatcatcher, tree

swallow, least Bell’s vireo, Stephens’

kangaroo rat, bobcat, Los Angeles

pocket mouse, and mountain lion.

C o m m u n i t y

Development

Rawson Road

Existing Constrained Linkage A

Existing Constrained Linkage A consists of lands in conservation easement in the Skunk Hollow

area. This Public/Quasi-Public Linkage exists as two nearly elliptical blocks separated by

approximately 330 feet in the south-central region of the Plan Area. The presence of these lands in

the MSHCP decreases the gap between the Proposed Core 2 (Antelope Valley) to the west of the

Linkage and the Johnson Ranch section of Existing Core J to the east of the Linkage. This Linkage

is constrained by existing agriculture on all sides of the Linkage that are not connected to other

MSHCP Conservation Area lands. This Linkage likely provides for movement of common





FINAL MSHCP 3-53

mammals such as bobcat. As shown in the table below, areas not affected by edge within this

Linkage total approximately 230 acres of the approximately 310 total acres of the Linkage. This

represents a relatively high proportion of area not affected by edge compared to other MSHCP

Constrained Linkages; therefore this area likely functions as a small block of Core Area.

Nonetheless, as the planned land uses surrounding Existing Constrained Linkage A include city

(Temecula) and community Development, treatment and management of edge conditions along this

Linkage will be necessary to ensure that it provides Habitat and movement functions for species

using the Linkage. Guidelines Pertaining to Urban/Wildlands Interface for the management of edge


this document.

EXISTING CONSTRAINED LINKAGE A

Approximate Dimension Data for Linkage

Planning Species

Adjacent Proposed

General Plan

Land Use

Major

Covered

Activities

Potentially

Affecting

Linkage

Approx.

Total

(ac.)

Approx.

Edge

(ac.)

Approx.

Interior

(ac.)

Approx.

Perimeter/

Area Ratio

(ft/ac)

310 80 230 85 vernal pool fairy shrimp, Riverside fairy

shrimp, San Diego Ambrosia, sma ll-

flowered morn ing g lory, Pa lmer’s

grapplinghook, spreading navarretia, and

California Orcutt grass.

Comm unity Development,

City (Temecula), Open

Space/ Conservation

Leon Road

Existing Constrained Linkage B

Existing Constrained Linkage B is comprised of Salt Creek. This Linkage provides Habitat for

species and also provides for movement of species from the Hemet area in the east, through the

central region of the Plan Area, to Canyon Lake in the west. This Linkage is constrained by existing

urban and agriculture along both the northern and southern edges of the Linkage. As shown in the

table below, areas not affected by edge within this Linkage total approximately 5 acres of the

approximately 325 total acres of the Linkage. The Linkage also possesses the second largest P/A

ratio of all Linkages and Constrained Linkages and is surrounded by planned land uses designated





FINAL MSHCP 3-54

City and Community Development, indicating that the potential for Edge Effects in this Linkage is

extremely high. Therefore, treatment and management of edge conditions along this Linkage will

be necessary to ensure that it provides Habitat and movement functions for species using the

Linkage. Guidelines Pertaining to Urban/Wildlands Interface for the management of edge factors

such as lighting, urban runoff, toxics, and domestic predators are presented in Section 6.1 of this

document. In addition, maintenance of existing floodplain processes along Salt Creek is important

for a number of the Narrow Endemic Plant Species listed in the table below. MSHCP policies and

procedures included in Section 6.0 of this document will be implemented to ensure that the existing

Habitat and movement functions of the Linkage are maintained as planned land uses are developed

along the edge of the Linkage. Management entities in this existing Constrained Linkage include

the Riverside County Flood Control and Water Conservation District.

EXISTING CONSTRAINED LINKAGE B


Planning Species

Adjacent

Proposed General

Plan

Land Use

Major Covered

Activities

Potentially

Affecting

Linkage

Approx.

Total

(ac.)

Approx.

Edge

(ac.)

Approx.

Interior

(ac.)

Approx.

Perimeter/

Area Ratio

(ft/ac)

325 320 5 329 vernal pool fairy shrimp, Riverside fairy

shrimp, Los Angeles pocket mouse, San

Jacinto Val ley crownscale, Par ish’s

britt lesca le, Davidson’s saltscale, thread-

leaved brodiaea, smooth tarplant, vernal

barley, Coulter’s goldfields, little mousetail,

spreading navarretia, California Orcutt grass,

and Wright’s trichocoronis.

C o m m u n i t y

Development, City

(Hemet)

H e m e t t o


Elsinore, CETAP

Corr idor, Briggs

Road, Leon Road,

H i g h w a y 7 9

R e a l i g n m e n t

Corridor

Existing Constrained Linkage C

Existing Constrained Linkage C consists of the middle segment of the San Jacinto River, located in

the northeast region of the Plan Area. This Public/Quasi-Public Linkage connects Proposed Core

5 in the east (upper San Jacinto River area) with Proposed Constrained Linkage 20 to the west. It

is also connected to Proposed Core 3 (Badlands/Potrero area) via Proposed Constrained Linkage 21.





FINAL MSHCP 3-55

Like Existing Constrained Linkage B (Salt Creek), Existing Constrained Linkage C is constrained

on all sides by existing Development, has large amounts of area potentially affected by edge

(approximately 240 acres of the total 245 acres), and possesses a high P/A ratio (230 feet per acre).

However, unlike Salt Creek, this Constrained Linkage is largely surrounded by an open space/

conservation planned land use. Thus Edge Effects may not affect the Linkage to such a strong

degree. In areas of the Linkage bordering a planned land use designated city, however, treatment and

management of edge conditions along the Linkage will still be necessary to ensure that it provides

Habitat and movement functions for species using the Linkage. Guidelines Pertaining to


and domestic predators are presented in Section 6.1 of this document. Furthermore, maintenance of

existing floodplain processes along the San Jacinto River is important for a number of the Narrow

Endemic Plant Species listed in the table below.

EXISTING CONSTRAINED LINKAGE C


Planning Species

Adjacent

Proposed General

Plan

Land Use

Major Covered

Activities

Potentially

Affecting

Linkage

Approx.

Total

(ac.)

Approx.

Edge

(ac.)

Approx.

Interior

(ac.)

Approx.

Perimeter/

Area Ratio

(ft/ac)

245 240 5 230 arroyo toad, Los Angeles pocket mouse,

mountain plover, white-faced ibis, San

Jacinto Valley c row nscale, Parish’s

brittlescale, Davidson’s saltscale, thread-

leaved brodiaea, Coulter’s goldfields, and

spreading navarretia.

O p e n S p a c e /

Conservation, City

(San Jacinto)

H i g h w a y 7 9


Corridor

Existing Constrained Linkage D

Existing Constrained Linkage D is comprised of Bautista Creek. This Linkage provides Habitat for

species noted below, movement of species along the San Jacinto River, and a connection to Cactus

Valley and the San Jacinto Mountains. This Linkage is constrained by proposed General Plan

Community Development designation along both sides of this existing Linkage. Planning Species,

for which Habitat is provided within this Linkage, include least Bell's vireo, southwestern willow





FINAL MSHCP 3-56

flycatcher, arroyo toad, western pond turtle, mountain yellow-legged frog, San Bernardino kangaroo

rat, and slender-horned spine flower. In addition to maintenance of habitat quality, maintenance of

existing floodplain processes along Bautista Creek is important for these species. This Linkage

likely provides for movement of common mammals such as bobcat. As shown on the table below,

areas not affected by edge within this Linkage total approximately 10 acres of the total 120 acres of

the Linkage. Since this is an existing Constrained Linkage with no new Reserve Assembly

anticipated and it is already affected by edge, treatment and management of edge conditions along

this Linkage will be necessary to ensure that it provides Habitat and movement functions for species



this document.

EXISTING CONSTRAINED LINKAGE D


Planning Species

Adjacent

Proposed

General Plan

Land Use

Major

Covered

Activities

Potentially

Affecting

Linkage

Approx.

Total

(ac.)

Approx.

Edge (ac .)

Approx.

Interior

(ac.)

Approx.

Perimeter/

Area Ratio

(ft/ac)

120 110 10 271 arroyo toad, mountain yellow-legged frog, western

pond turt le, Cooper’s hawk, southw estern w illow

flycatcher, least Bell’s vireo, San Bernardino kangaroo

rat, and slender-horned spine flow er.

C o m m u n i t y

D evelopment,

Agriculture

R a m o n a

Expressway

Existing Constrained Linkage E

Existing Constrained Linkage E is generally comprised of lands set aside as part of a pre-existing

conservation agreement and lower Tucalota Creek. This Linkage provides potential nest sites and

foraging Habitat for certain species and connections to Core Areas in French Valley and Johnson

Ranch. This Linkage is constrained by existing agricultural practices and roadways, including Borel

Road and Pourroy Road. Planning Species for which Habitat is provided within this Linkage include

grasshopper sparrow, Bell’s sage sparrow, and Munz’s onion. Maintenance of habitat quality and

floodplain processes along lower Tucalota Creek are important for these species. This Linkage likely

provides for movement of common mammals such as bobcat. As shown on the table below, areas





FINAL MSHCP 3-57

not affected by edge within this Linkage total approximately 40 acres of the total 180 acres of the

Linkage. Since this is an existing Linkage already affected by edge, treatment and management of

edge conditions along this Linkage will be necessary to ensure that it provides Habitat and movement

functions for species using this Linkage. Guidelines Pertaining to Urban/Wildlands Interface for the


presented in Section 6.1 of this document.

Butterfield Stage Road forms the eastern boundary of this Linkage and is proposed to be widened.

Proposed widening activities may affect movement through this Linkage.

EXISTING CONSTRAINED LINKAGE E


Planning Species

Adjacent

Proposed General

Plan

Land Use

Major Covered

Activities

Potentially

Affecting

Linkage

Approx.

Total

(ac.)

Approx.

Edge

(ac.)

Approx.

Interior

(ac.)

Approx.

Perimeter/

Area Ratio

(ft/ac)

180 140 40 169 southe rn Cal i forn ia ru fous-crowned

sparrow, grasshopper sparrow, Bell’s sage

sparrow, California horned lark, bobcat,

long-spined spine flower, Munz ’s onion and

Palmer’s grappling hook.

C o m m u n i t y

Development

Borel Road and

Butterfield Stage

Road

Existing Linkage A

Existing Linkage A consists of a parcel of BLM-owned (Public/Quasi-Public) land located on the

southern border of the Plan Area, directly east of I-15. This Linkage is connected to other MSHCP

conserved lands via Proposed Constrained Linkage 14 (Pechanga Creek). The Linkage may be used

to move from Pechanga Creek south into San Diego County (a journey of approximately 7,350 feet),

or to the east, to Rural Mountainous land beyond the Linkage (a journey of approximately 7,740

feet). Existing agriculture or urban Development do not constrain the Linkage, which is surrounded

largely by a planned land use designation of Rural Mountainous. This Linkage likely provides for

movement of common mammals such as bobcat as well as Live-In Habitat for species listed in the





FINAL MSHCP 3-58

table below. Since this is an existing Linkage with no new Reserve Assembly anticipated, treatment

and management of edge conditions along this Linkage will be necessary to ensure that it provides

Habitat and movement functions for species using the Linkage. Guidelines Pertaining to Urban/

Wildlands Interface for the management of edge factors such as lighting, urban runoff, toxics, and

domestic predators are presented in Section 6.1 of this document. Management entities in this

existing Linkage include the Bureau of Land Management.

EXISTING LINKAGE A


Planning Species

Adjacent

Proposed General

Plan

Land Use

Major

Covered

Activities

Potentially

Affecting

Linkage

Approx.

Total

(ac.)

Approx.

Edge

(ac.)

Approx.

Interior

(ac.)

Approx.

Perimeter/

Area Ratio

(ft/ac)

870 170 700 45 Santa Ana sucker, Cooper’s hawk, tricolored

blackbird, burrow ing owl, American bittern,

ferruginous hawk, cactus wren, northern harrier,

western yellow-billed cuckoo, yellow warb ler,

white-tai led k i te , southwestern w illow

flycatcher, California horned lark, peregrine

falcon, yellow-breasted chat, loggerhead shrike,

black-crowned night heron, osprey, double-

crested cormorant, downy woodpecker, white-

faced ibis, tree swa llow, least Bell’s vireo,

bobcat, and mountain lion.

Rural Mountainous,

Indian Lands

None

Existing Noncontiguous Habitat Block A

Existing Noncontiguous Habitat Block A consists of the Box Springs Mountains, located in the

extreme northern region of the Plan Area. Existing Noncontiguous Habitat Block A includes two

pieces of land connected to each other by Proposed Constrained Linkage 8. This habitat block is in

turn connected to other MSHCP conserved lands via Proposed Constrained Linkage 7 and Proposed

Linkage 4 (Reche Canyon). Although this habitat block has a relatively high P/A ratio (44 feet per

acre) compared to the existing and proposed Core Areas, it is well connected overall and situated

only 1.7 miles from Existing Core D. This habitat block provides Live-In Habitat for species, and





FINAL MSHCP 3-59

it likely contains movement Habitat for common mammals such as bobcat. However, Existing

Noncontiguous Habitat Block A is partially constrained by existing urban Development and is

surrounded by a city planned land use designation. Potential alignment of the San Bernardino to

Moreno Valley corridor may also affect movement and viability of species within the habitat block.

As such, treatment and management of edge conditions along this habitat block will be necessary

to ensure that it provides Habitat and movement functions for species using the habitat block.

Guidelines Pertaining to Urban/Wildlands Interface for the management of edge factors such as

lighting, urban runoff, toxics, and domestic predators are presented in Section 6.1 of this document.

Management entities in this existing Noncontiguous Habitat Block include the County of Riverside

Park and Open Space District.

EXISTING NONCONTIGUOUS HABITAT BLOCK A

Approximate Dimension Data for Block

Planning Species

Adjacent

Proposed General

Plan Land Use

Major Covered

Activities

Potentially

Affecting

Block

Approx.

Total

(ac.)

Approx.

Edge

(ac.)

Approx.

Interior

(ac.)

Approx.

Perimeter/

Area Ratio

(ft/ac)

Approx.

Distance to

Nearest

Connected

Core (miles)

2,650 540 2,110 44 1.7 southern California rufous-crowned

sparrow, Bell’s sage sparrow,

cactus wren, loggerhead shrike,

Stephens’ kangaroo rat, bobcat,

and Nevin’s barberry.

Rural Mountainous,

C i t y ( R i ve r s id e ,

M o r e n o Val le y ) ,

O p e n S p a c e /

Conservation

P i g eo n P a s s

R o a d , S a n

Bernardino to

Moreno Valley

CETAP Corridor

Existing Noncontiguous Habitat Block B

Existing Noncontiguous Habitat Block B consists of Bogart County Park, located in the northeastern

portion of the Plan Area. This publicly-owned habitat block is connected to other MSHCP

conserved lands via Proposed Constrained Linkage 23 (Cherry Valley Linkage). Existing urban

Development and a Community Development planned land use designation constrain some margins

of the block. Therefore, special care must be taken to maintain high quality Habitat within the Core

and along the edges for species sensitive to Edge Effects listed in the table below. Guidelines






FINAL MSHCP 3-60

runoff, toxics, and domestic predators are presented in Section 6.1 of this document. Despite

potential Edge Effect issues, this habitat block provides Live-In Habitat for a number of species as

noted in the table below and possibly movement Habitat for other common mammals such as bobcat.

EXISTING NONCONTIGUOUS HABITAT BLOCK B


Planning Species

Adjacent

Proposed

General Plan

Land Use

Major Covered

Activities

Potentially

Affecting Block

Approx.

Total

(ac.)

Approx.

Edge (ac.)

Approx.

Interior

(ac.)

Approx.

Perimeter/

Area Ratio

(ft/ac)

Approx.

Distance to

Nearest

Connected

Core (miles)

660 160 500 46 8.8 San Bernardino mountain kingsnake,

Bell’s sage sparrow, bobcat, and Los


Rural Mountainous,

C o m m u n i t y

Development

None

Existing Noncontiguous Habitat Block C

Existing Noncontiguous Habitat Block C is comprised of BLM land north of the Cahuilla Indian

Reservation. This habitat block supports known populations of Quino checkerspot butterfly.

Maintenance of habitat quality and connections to other areas supporting populations of Quino

checkerspot butterfly is important for this species. As shown in the table below, approximately 550

acres of a total of 660 acres within this habitat block are not affected by edge. Since this is an

existing Noncontiguous Habitat Block affected by edge with no new Reserve Assembly anticipated,

management of edge conditions along the habitat block will be necessary to ensure that habitat

quality is maintained and indirect effects of widening Cary Road (existing facility) and planned land

uses are minimized. Guidelines Pertaining to Urban/Wildlands Interface for the management of edge


this document.

EXISTING NONCONTIGOUS HABITAT BLOCK C


Planning Species

Adjacent Proposed General Plan

Land Use

Major Covered

Activities

Potentially

Affecting Block

Approx.

Total (ac.)

Approx.

Edge (ac.)

Approx.

Interior

(ac.)

Approx.

Perimeter/

Area Ratio

(ft/ac)

Approx.

Distance to

Nearest

Connected Core

(miles)

660 110 550 33 1 Quino checkerspot butterfly Community Development to the east,

and Rural to the south and west

Cary Road





FINAL MSHCP 3-61

Proposed Core 1

Proposed Core 1 is located approximately in the east-central region of the Plan Area. This Core Area

consists largely of private lands in the Alberhill area but also contains small pieces of

Public/Quasi-Public Lands. The Core exists in two blocks, one east and one west of I-15.

Connections are made from the Core to Proposed Linkage 1, Proposed Linkage 2 (Alberhill Creek),

Proposed Linkage 3, and Existing Core C (Lake Mathews/Estelle Mountain). The Core provides

Habitat for species and also provides for movement of species. Key populations of coastal California

gnatcatcher, Munz’s onion, many-stemmed dudleya, cactus wren, tricolored blackbird, and yellow

warbler are supported in this Core Area. The Core likely provides for movement of common

mammals such as bobcat. Since this Core is contiguous with Existing Core C (Lake Mathews/

Estelle Mountain) via an approximately 10,000-foot connection, the functional area of the Core is

much greater than 7,470 acres reported in the table below. Because a portion of the Core is

surrounded by city (Lake Elsinore) and community Development planned land uses, and since this

Core may be affected by the proposed Hemet to Corona/Lake Elsinore CETAP Corridor,

management of edge conditions in these areas will be needed to maintain high quality Habitat within

the Core. Guidelines Pertaining to Urban/Wildlands Interface for the management of edge factors


document.

PROPOSED CORE 1


Planning Species

Adjacent

Proposed

General Plan

Land Use

Major Covered

Activities

Potentially

Affecting Core

Approx.

Total

(ac.)

Approx.

Edge

(ac.)

Approx.

Interior

(ac.)

Approx.

Perimeter/

Area Ratio

(ft/ac)

Approx.

Distance to

Nearest

Connected

Core (miles)

7,470 1,120 6,350 30 0* coastal California gnatcatcher, cactus

w r e n , t r i - c o l o r e d b l a c k b i r d ,

southw estern willow flycatcher, Munz’s

onion and many-stemmed dudleya.

C i t y ( L a k e

Elsinore), Rural


C o m m u n i t y

D e v e l o p m e n t ,

Open S p a ce/

Conservation

I-15, Hemet to


Elsinore CETAP

Corridor

Note: * This Core is contiguous with Existing Core C.





FINAL MSHCP 3-62

Proposed Core 2

Proposed Core 2 (Antelope Valley) is located approximately in the southwest region of the Plan

Area. This Core Area consists largely of private lands but also contains small pieces of

Public/Quasi-Public Lands. Connections from the Core are made through Proposed Constrained

Linkages 15 (Lower Warm Springs Creek), 16, 17 (Paloma Valley), and 18. The Core is constrained

in all directions by existing agricultural uses and urban Development. Though the Core has one of

the highest P/A ratios of all MSHCP proposed or existing Cores, it is highly connected to other

MSHCP conserved lands and is located only 1.1 miles from the nearest connected Core, Existing

Core J (Lake Skinner/Diamond Valley Lake). This Core provides important Habitat for the Quino

checkerspot, which has key populations in this area. This butterfly is restricted by the distribution

and availability of its hosts plants, which in many areas have been replaced by non-native exotic

weed species and habitat type conversion. Because of the large number of Covered Activities

planned in this area and the constrained condition of the Core, management of edge conditions will

be necessary in this area to maintain high quality Habitat for the Qunio checkerspot and other species

using this Core. Guidelines Pertaining to Urban/Wildlands Interface for the management of edge


this document.

PROPOSED CORE 2


Planning Species

Adjacent

Proposed General

Plan

Land Use

Major Covered

Activities

Potentially

Affecting Core

Approx.

Total (ac.)

Approx.

Edge

(ac.)

Approx.

Interior

(ac.)

Approx.

Perimeter/

Area Ratio

(ft/ac)

Approx.

Distance to

Nearest

Connected

Core (miles)

5,050 910 4,140 35 1.1 Quino checkerspot butterfly, western

pond turtle, southern California rufous-

crowned sparrow, grasshopper

sparrow, Bell’s sage sparrow,

Swainson’s hawk, California horned

lark, coastal California gnatcatcher,

bobcat, Los Angeles pocket mouse,

Munz’s onion, San Diego ambrosia,

spreading navarretia, and California

Orcutt grass.

City (Murr ieta),

C o m m u n i t y

Development, Rural

Menifee Road,

B r i g gs R o a d ,

Whitewood Road,

C l i n ton K e i th

Road, Los Alamos

Auld Road





FINAL MSHCP 3-63

Proposed Core 3

Proposed Core 3 (Badlands/Potrero) is located in the northeast region of the Plan Area. This Core

consists mainly of private lands but also contains a few Public/Quasi-Public parcels including De

Anza Cycle Park. The Core is connected to Proposed Linkage 12 (north San Timoteo Creek),

Proposed Linkage 4 (Reche Canyon), Proposed Constrained Linkage 22 (east San Timoteo Creek),

Existing Core H (Lake Perris), Existing Core K (San Jacinto Mountains), Proposed Linkage 11

(Soboba/Gilman Springs), and Proposed Constrained Linkage 21. The Core also functions as a

Linkage, connecting the San Bernardino National Forest to the southwest with San Bernardino

County and other conserved areas to the north of the Core. With a total acreage of approximately

24,920 acres, Proposed Core 3 is one of the largest MSHCP Core Areas. In addition, the Core is

contiguous with Existing Core H (Lake Perris/Mystic Lake) and Existing Core K (San Jacinto

Mountains), thus greatly enlarging the functional area of the Core. The Core has both a large

proportion of its area unaffected by edge (approximately 23,420 acres of the total 24,940 acres) and

is only partially constrained by existing agricultural use. Within the Core, important Live-In and

movement Habitat is provided for Bell’s sage sparrow, loggerhead shrike, cactus wren, Stephens’

kangaroo rat, southern California rufous-crowned sparrow, and mountain lion, which have key

populations in the Badlands. Management of edge conditions will be necessary in the Badlands to

maintain high quality Habitat for these species in areas which may be affected by covered facilities

including Lambs Canyon Road, San Timoteo Canyon Road, and Gilman Springs Road. Guidelines


runoff, toxics, and domestic predators are presented in Section 6.1 of this document.

PROPOSED CORE 3


Planning Species

Adjacent Proposed

General Plan

Land Use

Major Covered Activities

Potentially Affecting

Core

Approx.

Total (ac.)

Approx.

Edge (ac.)

Approx.

Interior

(ac.)

Approx.

Perimeter/

Area Ratio

(ft/ac)

Approx.

Distance to

Nearest

Connected

Core (miles)

24,940 1,520 23,420 13 0* southern California rufous-crowned

sparrow, Bell’s sage sparrow, cactus

wren, loggerhead shrike, San

Bernardino kangaroo rat, Stephens’

kangaroo rat, bobcat, Los Angeles

pocket mouse, mountain lion, Nevin’s

barberry

City (Beaumont, Cherry

Valley, Moreno Valley),

Open Space/ Conservation,

Rural, Rural Mountainous,

Community Development

SR-60, Lambs Canyon Road,

San Timoteo Canyon Road,

Gilman Springs Road

Note: * This Core is contiguous with Existing Core H and Existing Core K.





FINAL MSHCP 3-64

Proposed Core 4

Proposed Core 4 (East Cactus Valley) is located in the east-central region of the Plan Area. This

Core is composed of private lands and is generally unconstrained by existing urban Development

or agricultural use. Connections are made from the Core via Existing Constrained Linkage D

(Bautista Creek), Proposed Linkage 14 (Cactus Valley), and Existing Core K (San Jacinto

Mountains). The Core also functions as a Linkage, connecting the Diamond Valley Lake/Lake

Skinner and Cactus Valley areas in the west with the San Jacinto Mountains in the east. Proposed

Core 4 is contiguous with Existing Core K (San Jacinto Mountains), thus greatly enlarging the

functional area of the Core. The Core provides Live-In and movement Habitat for several species,

including the Quino checkerspot, which has key populations in this area. As previously mentioned,

this butterfly is restricted by the distribution and availability of its host plants, which in many areas

have been replaced by non-native exotic weed species and habitat type conversion. However, due

to the lack of planned roadway facilities, the large size of the Core (11,890 acres), and surrounding

planned land uses largely of Rural Mountainous, these types of Edge Effects are not expected to

compromise the integrity of the Core.

PROPOSED CORE 4


Planning Species

Generalized Adjacent

Planned

Land Use

Major

Covered

Activities

Potentially

Affecting

Core

Approx.

Total

(ac.)

Approx.

Edge

(ac.)

Approx.

Interior

(ac.)

Approx.

Perimeter/

Area Ratio

(ft/ac)

Approx.

Distance to

Nearest

Connected

Core (miles)

11,890 550 11,340 14 0* Quino checkerspot butterfly,

arroyo toa d, B ell’s sage

s p a r r o w , c a c t u s w r e n ,

loggerhead shrike, Stephens’

kangaroo rat, bobcat, Los

Angeles pocket mouse, and

mountain lion.

Rural Mounta inous, Open

S p a c e / C o n s e rv a t i o n ,

Agriculture, Community

Development, Rural

None

Note: * This Core is contiguous with Existing Core K.





FINAL MSHCP 3-65

Proposed Core 5

Proposed Core 5 is comprised of the portion of the upper San Jacinto River extending from the San

Jacinto Mountains to just west of State Street. It is contiguous with Core Areas in the San Jacinto

Mountains and areas downstream along the San Jacinto River. Planning Species for which Habitat

is provided within this Core include mountain yellow-legged frog, arroyo toad, least Bell’s vireo,

southwestern willow flycatcher, San Bernardino kangaroo rat, and Los Angeles pocket mouse.

Maintenance of floodplain processes and water quality of the San Jacinto River is important for these

species, as well as maintenance of habitat quality. This Core likely provides for movement of

mammals such as mountain lion and bobcat, connecting to Core Areas in the San Jacinto Mountains,

Lake Perris and San Jacinto Wildlife Refuge. In addition to indirect effects associated with adjacent

planned land uses identified in Section 6.0 of this document, flood control activities resulting from

adjacent planned land uses may also adversely affect species such as arroyo toad, San Bernardino

kangaroo rat, least Bell’s vireo, southwestern willow flycatcher and Los Angeles pocket mouse.

PROPOSED CORE 5


Planning Species

Adjacent

Proposed

General Plan

Land Use

Major

Covered

Activities

Potentially

Affecting

Core

Approx.

Total

(ac.)

Approx.

Edge

(ac.)

Approx.

Interior

(ac.)

Approx.

Perimeter/

Area Ratio

(ft/ac)

Approx.

Distance

to Nearest

Connected

Core

(miles)

3,220 700 2,520 58 N/A arroyo toad, mountain yellow-legged frog,

C o o p e r ’ s h a w k , y e l l o w w a r b l e r,

southw estern willow flycatcher, least Bell’s

vireo, San Bernardino kangaroo rat, bobcat,

mountain lion, slender-horned spine flower,

and western pond turtle.

Ind ian Lands

(Soboba Indian

Reservation)

R a m o n a

Expressway,

SR-74 and

Soboba Road





FINAL MSHCP 3-66

Proposed Core 6

Proposed Core 6 is comprised largely of the Silverado Ranch. It provides Habitat for a number of

Planning Species such as Quino checkerspot butterfly, Stephens’ kangaroo rat, Los Angeles pocket

mouse, mountain lion and bobcat. As shown on the table below, areas not affected by edge within

this proposed Core total approximately 4,060 acres of the total 4,290 acres of the Core. Maintenance

of large intact interconnected habitat blocks is important for these species.

In addition to indirect effects of adjacent land uses described in Section 6.0 of this document, fire,

fire suppression, and sheep and cattle grazing associated with Development adjacent to MSHCP

Conservation Areas may adversely affect species listed in the table below. Other activities which

may affect biological resources within the proposed Core include widening of existing roadways.

The proposed roadway widening noted in the table below may result in habitat fragmentation and

increased motor vehicle traffic may adversely affect Quino checkerspot butterfly during their flight

season.

PROPOSED CORE 6


Planning Species

Adjacent

Proposed General

Plan

Land Use

Major Covered

Activities

Potentially

Affecting Core

Approx.

Total

(ac.)

Approx.

Edge

(ac.)

Approx.

Interior

(ac.)

Approx.

Perimeter/

Area Ratio

(ft/ac)

Approx.

Distance to

Nearest

Connected

Core (miles)

4,290 230 4,060 22 0* Quino checkerspot butterfly , Bell’s

sage sparrow, golden eagle nest

site, cactus wren, least Bell’s vireo,

Aguanga kangaroo rat, Stephens’

kangaroo rat, bobcat, mountian lion,

Los Angeles pocket mouse, Payson’s

jewelflower.

I n d i a n L a n d s

( C a h u i l l a Ind ia n

Reservation), Open

Space/ Conservation

and Rural

C a r y R o a d ,

Rams ey Road

and Tule Peak

Road

Note: * This Core is contiguous with Existing Core L.





FINAL MSHCP 3-67

Proposed Core 7

Proposed Core 7 is comprised of a mosaic of upland and wetland habitat types in the Vail Lake, Sage

and Wilson Valley areas. The proposed large intact habitat blocks provide Live-In Habitat for a

number of Planning Species and movement for species connecting to other Core Areas located in

the Agua Tibia Wilderness, San Bernardino National Forest and Beauty Mountain Management

Area. This Core supports Quino checkerspot butterfly, coastal California gnatcatcher, Stephens’

kangaroo rat, least Bell’s vireo, bobcat, mountain lion and several Narrow Endemic Plant Species

occurring on Travers-Willow-Domino soil series. Maintenance of large intact interconnected habitat

blocks and wetland functions and values of Vail Lake and portions of Tucalota Creek, Temecula

Creek, Tule Creek, Cottonwood Creek, Arroyo Seco Creek, Kolb Creek and Wilson Creek is

important for these species. As shown on the table below, areas not affected by edge within this

Core total approximately 48,510 acres of the total 50,000 acres occupied by this Core. For portions

of Core Areas adjacent to Development, treatment and management of edge conditions will be

necessary to ensure habitat quality for species using the Core. Guidelines Pertaining to



PROPOSED CORE 7


Planning Species

Adjacent

Proposed

General Plan

Land Use

Major Covered

Activities

Potentially

Affecting Core

Approx.

Total

(ac.)

Approx.

Edge

(ac.)

Approx.

Interior

(ac.)

Approx.

Perimeter/

Area Ratio

(ft/ac)

Approx.

Distance to

Nearest

Connected

Core (miles)

50,000 1,490 48,510 7 0* arroyo toad, California red-legged frog,

Quino checkerspot butterfly, Cooper’s

hawk, tricolored blackbird, southern

California rufous-crowned sparrow, Bell’s

sage sparrow, cactus wren, northern

harrier, yellow warbler, white-tailed kite,

loggerhead shrike, coastal California

gnatcatcher, tree swallow, least Bell’s

vireo, Aguanga kangaroo rat, Stephens’


mouse, mountain lion, Payson’s

jewelflower, and Parry’s spine flower.



Agriculture and

C o m m u n i t y

Development

SR-79, SR-371,

and Pauba Road

Note: * This Core is contiguous with Existing Core K, Existing Core L, and Existing Core M.





FINAL MSHCP 3-68

The major Covered Activities, SR-79, SR-371, and Pauba Road, are existing roadways that are

planned to be widened. Proposed widening activities may directly affect Habitat, floodplain

processes along Temecula Creek important to the species noted above and in the table below, or may

affect movement through this Core.

Proposed Noncontiguous Habitat Block 1

Proposed Noncontiguous Habitat Block 1 consists of two habitat blocks containing soils suitable for

supporting the Delhi Sands flower-loving fly. This habitat block is constrained by existing adjacent

agricultural activities. Maintenance of Delhi sands soil series is important for this species. As

shown in the table below, areas not affected by edge within this habitat block total approximately

190 acres of the total 290 acres occupied by this proposed Noncontiguous Habitat Block. Because

this species is adversely affected by agricultural activities such as grazing and discing, treatment and

management of edge conditions will be necessary to maintain intact habitat blocks of Delhi sands.



PROPOSED NONCONTIGUOUS HABITAT BLOCK 1


Planning Species

Adjacent

Proposed

General Plan

Land Use

Major Covered

Activities

Potentially

Affecting

Block

Approx.

Total

(ac.)

Approx.

Edge

(ac.)

Approx.

Interior

(ac.)

Approx.

Perimeter/

Area Ratio

(ft/ac)

Approx.

Distance to

Nearest

Connected

Core (miles)

290 100 190 89 N/A Delhi Sands flower-loving fly and Los


C o m m u n i t y

Development

SR-60


Proposed Noncontiguous Habitat Block 2 is comprised of the Jurupa Mountains. This

Noncontiguous Habitat Block provides Habitat for Planning Species such as Delhi Sands flower-

loving fly, loggerhead shrike, San Bernardino kangaroo rat and coastal California gnatcatcher. It





FINAL MSHCP 3-69

may also provide a “stepping stone” for birds connecting to areas in San Bernardino County.

Maintenance of large intact interconnected habitat blocks is important for these species. As shown

in the table below, areas not affected by edge total approximately 1,070 acres of the total 1,230 acres

occupied by this habitat block. Since this habitat block may be affected by edge, treatment and

management of edge conditions will be necessary to ensure that it provides Habitat and movement

functions for species using this habitat block. Guidelines Pertaining to Urban/Wildlands Interface





Planning Species

Adjacent

Proposed

General Plan

Land Use

Major Covered

Activities

Potentially

Affecting

Block

Approx.

Total

(ac.)

Approx.

Edge

(ac.)

Approx.

Interior

(ac.)

Approx.

Perimeter/

Area Ratio

(ft/ac)

Approx.

Distance to

Nearest

Connected

Core (miles)

1,230 160 1,070 38 N/A Delhi Sands flow er-lov ing f ly,

southern California rufous-crowned

sparrow, Bell's sage sp arrow,

loggerhead shrike, coastal Californ ia

gnatca tche r , S a n B ernard in o

kangaroo rat, bobcat, and Los


C o m m u n i t y

Development and

O p e n S p a c e /

Conservation

None


Proposed Noncontiguous Habitat Block 3 consists of a habitat block containing soils suitable for

supporting the Delhi Sands flower-loving fly. This habitat block is constrained by existing adjacent

agricultural activities. Maintenance of Delhi Sands soil series is important for this species. As

shown in the table below, areas not affected by edge within this habitat block total approximately

120 acres of the total 185 acres occupied by this proposed Noncontiguous Habitat Block. Because

this species is adversely affected by agricultural activities such as grazing and discing, and by exotic

invasive species, treatment and management of edge conditions will be necessary to maintain intact

habitat blocks of Delhi Sands as adjacent planned community Development is developed along the

edge of the habitat block. Guidelines Pertaining to Urban/Wildlands Interface for the management





FINAL MSHCP 3-70

of edge factors such as lighting, urban runoff, toxics, and domestic predators are presented in Section

6.1 of this document.



Planning Species

Adjacent

Proposed

General Plan

Land Use

Major Covered

Activities

Potentially

Affecting

Block

Approx.

Total

(ac.)

Approx.

Edge

(ac.)

Approx.

Interior

(ac.)

Approx.

Perimeter/

Area Ratio

(ft/ac)

Approx.

Distance to

Nearest

Connected

Core (miles)

185 65 120 114 N/A Delhi Sands flower-loving fly, Los Angeles

pocket mouse

C o m m u n i t y

Development

None


Proposed Noncontiguous Habitat Block 4 is comprised of the Motte Rimrock Reserve. It provides

Habitat for a number of Planning Species, including Quino checkerspot butterfly, coastal California

gnatcatcher, and Stephens’ kangaroo rat. Maintenance of large intact interconnected habitat blocks

is important for these species. As shown in the table below, areas not affected by edge total

approximately 920 acres of the total 1,150 acres occupied by this habitat block. Since this habitat

block may be affected by edge, treatment and management of edge conditions will be necessary to

ensure that it provides Habitat and movement functions for species using this habitat block as

planned adjacent land uses are developed along the edge. Guidelines Pertaining to Urban/Wildlands

Interface for the management of edge factors such as lighting, urban runoff, toxics, and domestic

predators are presented in Section 6.1 of this document. Activities associated with proposed adjacent

land uses such as fire, fire suppression, off-road vehicle use and landscaping with exotic invasive

species may be harmful to Stephens’ kangaroo rat.



Planning Species

Adjacent

Proposed General

Plan

Land Use

Major Covered

Activities

Potentially

Affecting Block

Approx.

Total (ac.)

Approx.

Edge (ac.)

Approx.

Interior

(ac.)

Approx.

Perimeter/

Area Ratio

(ft/ac)

Approx.

Distance to

Nearest

Connected

Core (miles)

1,150 230 920 36 N/A Bell’s sage sparrow, cactus wren, coastal

California gnatcatcher, Stephens’ kangaroo rat,

and long-spined spine flower.

C o m m u n i t y

Development and

Rural

None





FINAL MSHCP 3-71


Proposed Noncontiguous Habitat Block 5 consists of the Lakeview Mountains, located

approximately in the center of the Plan Area. This habitat block is connected to other MSHCP

conserved lands via Proposed Constrained Linkage 20. The Lakeview Mountains are located 1.2

miles from the nearest connected Core (Existing Core H, Lake Perris/Mystic Lake). Private lands

comprise the vast majority of lands in the habitat block, but a few small parcels of Public/

Quasi-Public Lands are also present. The Lakeview Mountains represent a large block of Habitat,

which has a low P/A ratio and contains only 900 of the total approximately 7,150 acres as edge area.

As such, this Noncontiguous Habitat Block supports the species listed in the table below, including

a key population of Bell’s sage sparrow. Since surrounding land uses include a substantial amount

of city and agriculture, and one alternative for the Highway 79 Realignment Corridor would impact

the habitat block, treatment and management of edge conditions in these affected areas will be

necessary to ensure that it maintains high quality sage scrub Habitat, particularly for the Bell’s sage

sparrow. Guidelines Pertaining to Urban/Wildlands Interface for the management of edge factors


document.



Planning Species

Adjacent Proposed

General Plan Land Use

Major Covered

Activities

Potentially

Affecting Block

Approx.

Total

(ac.)

Approx.

Edge

(ac.)

Approx.

Interior

(ac.)

Approx.

Perimeter/

Area Ratio

(ft/ac)

Approx.

Distance to

Nearest

Connected

Core (miles)

7,150 900 6,250 23 1.2 Be ll’s sage sparrow,

burrowing owl, bobcat

and Los Angeles pocket

mouse.

City (San Jacinto), Rural,

R u r a l M o u n t a i n o u s ,

Agriculture, Comm unity

Development

Bridge Street, Hemet

t o C o r o n a / L a k e

E l s in o r e C E T A P

Corridor





FINAL MSHCP 3-72


Proposed Noncontiguous Habitat Block 6 consists of three vernal pools west of Hemet/San Jacinto,

and east of the Lakeview Mountains. Though small in size, these parcels preserve important

populations of Narrow Endemic Plant Species, including Davidson’s saltscale, thread-leaved

brodiaea, little mousetail, California Orcutt grass and spreading navarretia, as well as vernal pool

fairy shrimp. Maintenance of vernal pool hydrology, water quality and Traver-Willow- Domino soil

series is important for these species. Proposed Noncontiguous Habitat Block 6 is constrained by

existing urban development and agricultural use. As shown in the table below, approximately 220

acres of the total 330 acres occupied by the vernal pools are not affected by edge. Adjacent urban

Development in the City of San Jacinto, and realignment of the SR-79 North Corridor may affect

resources within this habitat block. Treatment and management of edge conditions will be necessary

to ensure that habitat quality and vernal pool hydrology are maintained as planned land uses are

developed and major Covered Activities are implemented along the edge of this habitat block.





Planning Species

Adjacent

Proposed

General Plan

Land Use

Major Covered

Activities

Potentially

Affecting

Block

Approx.

Total

(ac.)

Approx.

Edge

(ac.)

Approx.

Interior

(ac.)

Approx.

Perimeter/

Area Ratio

(ft/ac)

Approx.

Distance to

Nearest

Connected

Core (miles)

330 110 220 62 N/A vernal pool fairy shrimp, burrowing owl,

mountain plover, loggerhead shrike,

Davidson’s salt sca le, thread-leaved

brodiaea, vernal barley, little mousetail,

spreading navarretia, and C alifornia

Orcutt grass.

C i t y ( S a n

Jacinto)

H i g h w a y 7 9


Corridor





FINAL MSHCP 3-73


Proposed Noncontiguous Habitat Block 7 is comprised of a complex of vernal pools west of the City

of Hemet. Though small in size and connected to other MSHCP lands solely via Existing

Constrained Linkage B (Salt Creek), these parcels preserve important populations of Narrow

Endemic Plant Species, including Davidson’s saltscale, thread-leaved brodiaea, little mousetail,

California Orcutt grass and spreading navarretia, as well as vernal pool fairy shrimp. Maintenance

of vernal pool hydrology, water quality associated with Salt Creek and Traver-Willow-Domino soil

series is important for these species. Proposed Noncontiguous Habitat Block 7 is constrained by

existing urban Development and agricultural use. As shown in the table below, approximately 1,030

acres of the total 1,260 acres occupied by this habitat block are not affected by edge. Adjacent

planned community Development, rural, urban Development in the City of Hemet, and expansion

of existing facilities such as SR-74 and SR-79 may affect resources within this habitat block.

Treatment and management of edge conditions will be necessary to ensure that habitat quality and

vernal pool hydrology are maintained as planned land uses are developed along the edge of this

habitat block. Guidelines Pertaining to Urban/Wildlands Interface for the management of edge


this document.



Planning Species

Adjacent

Proposed

General Plan

Land Use

Major Covered

Activities

Potentially

Affecting

Block

Approx.

Total

(ac.)

Approx.

Edge

(ac.)

Approx.

Interior

(ac.)

Approx.

Perimeter/

Area Ratio

(ft/ac)

Approx.

Distance to

Nearest

Connected

Core (miles)

1,260 230 1,030 35 N/A vernal pool fairy shrimp, burrowing

owl, mountain plover, loggerhead

shrike, Mu nz’s onion, sp read ing

navarretia, and California Orcutt grass.

City (Hemet),

R u ra l , R u r a l

M o u n ta i n o u s,

Agriculture

H i g h w a y 7 9


Corridor





FINAL MSHCP 3-74

Proposed Constrained Linkage 1

Proposed Constrained Linkage 1 is located in the northwest portion of the Plan Area. The Linkage

connects Existing Core A (Prado Basin/Santa Ana River) with Existing Core B (Cleveland National

Forest) to the south. Existing urban Development constrains the Linkage at its northern terminus;

the Linkage is unconstrained in the south. In addition, SR91 intersects this Linkage at its northern

border. Despite this, Proposed Constrained Linkage 1 likely provides for movement of mountain

lion and bobcat from the Santa Ana Mountains to the Chino Hills area beyond the Plan Area.

Maintenance of contiguous habitat blocks with appropriate refugia for resting, such as rockpiles,

brushpiles, windfalls, hollow snags and hollow trees, is important for dispersal of juveniles in this

proposed Linkage.

In addition, the Linkage has a relatively low P/A ratio (79 feet per acre) compared to other MSHCP

Constrained Linkages, and the Linkage is surrounded by a Rural Mountainous planned land use

designation. Thus Edge Effects will be somewhat mitigated by these factors. Guidelines Pertaining

to Urban/Wildlands Interface for the management of edge factors such as lighting, urban runoff,

toxics, and domestic predators are presented in Section 6.1 of this document. In addition, as SR-91

intersects the Linkage at its northern terminus, an adequate wildlife underpass or overpass may need

to be implemented to insure movement of species in this area and to reduce the chance of mortality

from vehicle collision.

PROPOSED CONSTRAINED LINKAGE 1


Planning Species

Adjacent Proposed

General Plan

Land Use

Major Covered

Activities

Potentially

Affecting

Linkage

Approx.

Total

(ac.)

Approx.

Edge

(ac.)

Approx.

Interior

(ac.)

Approx.

Perimeter/

Area Ratio

(ft/ac)

300 110 190 79 Cooper’s hawk, coastal California

gnatca tche r , b o b cat , and

mountain lion.



City (Corona)

SR-91





FINAL MSHCP 3-75


Proposed Constrained Linkage 2 consists of Fresno Canyon, located along the eastern border of the

Plan Area. Like Proposed Constrained Linkage 1, this Linkage connects Existing Core A (Prado

Basin and Santa Ana River) with Existing Core B (Cleveland National Forest) to the south. Unlike

Constrained Linkage 1, however, the Fresno Canyon Constrained Linkage provides a riparian

connection from the Prado Basin and Santa Ana River to the Cleveland National Forest, thus

allowing for movement of species such as coast range newt and western pond turtle. This Linkage

is also likely to be important for mountain lion movement from the Santa Ana Mountains to the

Chino Hills beyond the Plan Area. Maintenance of contiguous habitat blocks with appropriate

refugia for resting, such as rockpiles, brushpiles, windfalls, hollow snags and hollow trees, is

important for dispersal of juveniles in this proposed Linkage.

Existing agricultural use and a small amount of urban Development constrain the Linkage along

much of its length, and the vast majority of the Linkage is surrounded by a city (Corona) planned

land use designation; thus treatment and management of edge conditions along this Linkage will be

necessary to ensure that it provides Habitat and movement functions for species using the Linkage.



In addition, as SR-91 intersects the Linkage at its northern terminus, an adequate wildlife underpass

or overpass may need to be implemented to insure movement of species in this area and to reduce

the chance of mortality from vehicle collision.



Planning Species

Adjacent

Proposed

General Plan

Land Use

Major Covered

Activities

Potentially

Affecting

Linkage

Approx.

Total

(ac.)

Approx.

Edge (ac .)

Approx.

Interior

(ac.)

Approx.

Perimeter/

Area Ratio

(ft/ac)

200 110 90 106 coast range newt, western pond turtle,

bobcat, and mountain lion

City (Corona),

O p e n S p a c e /

Conservation

SR-91





FINAL MSHCP 3-76


Proposed Constrained Linkage 3 is comprised of upland Habitat located in the vicinity of Indian

Truck Trail. It provides movement of species between Core Areas along Temescal Wash and Lake

Mathews/Estelle Mountain area to the Santa Ana Mountains in the Cleveland National Forest via

an undercrossing of I-15. Although this Linkage is constrained by planned community Development.

Planning Species such as bobcat may use this Linkage and maintenance of contiguous Habitat with

appropriate refugia for resting, such as rockpiles, brushpiles, windfalls, hollow snags and hollow

trees, is important for dispersal of juveniles. As shown below, areas not affected by edge within this

Linkage total approximately 20 acres of the total 80 acres of the Linkage. Since this Linkage is

affected by edge, it is anticipated that treatment and management of edge conditions along this

Linkage will be necessary to ensure that it provides linkage area for species, such as bobcat moving

through this area. Guidelines Pertaining to Urban/Wildlands Interface for the management of edge


this document.

Habitat fragmentation or construction of barriers as a result of planned community Development may

affect large mammal movement through this Constrained Linkage. Proposed widening of I-15 may

also affect movement through this Constrained Linkage. Maintenance of an adequate wildlife

undercrossing at least 10-20 feet wide with fencing and vegetative cover will be important to

accommodate movement of bobcats.



Planning Species

Adjacent Proposed

General Plan

Land Use

Major Covered

Activities

Potentially

Affecting

Linkage

Approx.

Total

(ac.)

Approx.

Edge (ac .)

Approx.

Interior

(ac.)

Approx.

Perimeter/

Area Ratio

(ft/ac)

80 60 20 201 bobcat Community Development I-15


Proposed Constrained Linkage 4 is comprised of the portion of Temescal Wash extending from

Indiana Avenue to El Cerrito Road. This Linkage provides Habitat for wetland species, Narrow

Endemic Plant Species, and movement for species connecting to Core Areas in Lake





FINAL MSHCP 3-77

Mathews/Estelle Mountain and areas upstream along Temescal Wash. The northern extent of this

Linkage is constrained by existing Development in the City of Corona. Planning Species for which

Habitat is provided within this Linkage include Parry's spine flower, peninsular spine flower, smooth

tarplant, least Bell's vireo and southwestern willow flycatcher. Maintenance of habitat quality and

floodplain processes along Temescal Wash are important for these species. As shown below, areas

not affected by edge within this Linkage total approximately 160 acres of the total 380 acres of the

Linkage. Since this Linkage is affected by edge, it is anticipated that treatment and management of

edge conditions along the portion of this Linkage adjacent to urban Development in the City of

Corona will be necessary to ensure that it provides Habitat and movement functions for species using

the Linkage. Guidelines Pertaining to Urban/Wildlands Interface for the management of edge factors


document.



Planning Species

Adjacent Proposed

General Plan

Land Use

Major Covered

Activities

Potentially

Affecting

Linkage

Approx.

Total

(ac.)

Approx.

Edge

(ac.)

Approx.

Interior

(ac.)

Approx.

Perimeter/

Area Ratio

(ft/ac)

380 220 160 106 yellow warbler, yellow-breasted chat,

downy woodpecker, least Bell’s vireo,

Munz’s onion, long-sp ined spine flower,

and many stemmed dudleya

City (Corona), Open

Space/ Conservat ion

and Rural Mountainous

None


Proposed Constrained Linkage 5 is a wildlife undercrossing located in the vicinity of I-15 and

Horsethief Canyon Road. It provides a connection to Core Areas along Temescal Wash and in the

Lake Mathews/Estelle Mountain area to ultimately the Santa Ana Mountains in the Cleveland

National Forest. It augments a proposed Linkage north of Alberhill. It is constrained by planned

community Development to the east and to the north along I-15. Maintenance of contiguous Habitat

is important for these species. This Linkage likely provides for movement for mammals such as

mountain lion and bobcat. Maintenance of contiguous Habitat with appropriate refugia for resting,

such as rockpiles, brushpiles, windfalls, hollow snags and hollow trees, is important for dispersal

of juveniles.





FINAL MSHCP 3-78

As shown below, areas not affected by edge within this Linkage total approximately 15 of the 25

acres of the Linkage. Since this Linkage is affected by edge, it is anticipated that treatment and

management of edge conditions along this Linkage will be necessary to ensure that it provides



and domestic predators are presented in Section 6.1 of this document. Adjacent planned community

Development and widening of I-15 may affect movement of species through this Constrained

Linkage. Maintenance of an adequate wildlife undercrossing at least 10-20 feet wide with fencing

and vegetative cover will be important to accommodate movement of bobcat and mountain lion.



Planning Species

Adjacent Proposed

General Plan

Land Use

Major Covered

Activities

Potentially

Affecting

Linkage

Approx.

Total

(ac.)

Approx.

Edge (ac .)

Approx.

Interior

(ac.)

Approx.

Perimeter/

Area Ratio

(ft/ac)

25 10 15 188 bobcat, mountain lion Community Development I-15


Proposed Constrained Linkage 6 is located approximately in the east-central region of the Plan Area

and consists of a portion of Temescal Wash. This Linkage connects Proposed Core 1 (Alberhill),

Proposed Extension of Existing Core 2 (Lake Mathews/Estelle Mountain Extension), and Proposed

Linkage 1. Private lands comprise the entirety of the Linkage, which provides important upland and

riparian Habitat for species such as those listed in the table below. High quality riparian Habitat

must be maintained within the Core and along the edges for species such as Cooper’s hawk, yellow

warbler, white-tailed kite, yellow-breasted chat and least Bell’s vireo, which have key populations

located in or along the wash. Since existing agricultural use completely constrains this Linkage, and

the Linkage is partially surrounded by community Development planned land use, treatment and

management of edge conditions along this Linkage will be necessary to ensure that it provides








FINAL MSHCP 3-79



Planning Species

Adjacent Proposed

General Plan

Land Use

Major

Covered

Activities

Potentially

Affecting

Linkage

Approx.

Total

(ac.)

Approx.

Edge (ac .)

Approx.

Interior

(ac.)

Approx.

Perimeter/

Area Ratio

(ft/ac)

175 110 65 130 Cooper’s hawk, yellow warbler, white-tailed

kite, southwestern willow flycatcher, yellow-

breasted chat and least Bell’s vireo

Urban Development,

Agriculture

I-15


Proposed Constrained Linkage 7 is comprised of upland Habitat in the vicinity of Central Avenue.

It is the only connection from Sycamore Canyon Park to Box Springs Reserve. This Linkage is

important for species dispersal and would reduce the likelihood of species extinction as a result of

population isolation. Habitat for Planning Species such as cactus wren and Bell's sage sparrow

occurs within this Linkage. This Linkage likely provides for movement of common mammals such

as bobcat. Maintenance of contiguous Habitat with appropriate refugia for resting, such as rockpiles,

brushpiles, windfalls, hollow snags and hollow trees, is important for dispersal of juveniles.

As shown in the table below, areas not affected by edge within this Linkage total approximately 65

acres of the total 175 acres of the Linkage. Since this Linkage is affected by edge, it is anticipated

that treatment and management of edge conditions along this Linkage will be necessary to ensure

that it provides Habitat and movement functions for species using the Linkage. Guidelines


runoff, toxics, and domestic predators are presented in Section 6.1 of this document. The Linkage

is constrained by existing urban Development and roadways. Adjacent planned community

Development, urbanized areas of the City of Riverside and proposed widening activity of I-215 may

affect bobcat movement through this Constrained Linkage. Maintenance of an adequate wildlife

undercrossing at least 10-20 feet wide with fencing and vegetative cover will be important to

accommodate bobcat movement.





FINAL MSHCP 3-80



Planning Species

Adjacent Proposed

General Plan

Land Use

Major Covered

Activities

Potentially

Affecting

Linkage

Approx.

Total

(ac.)

Approx.

Edge (ac .)

Approx.

Interior

(ac.)

Approx.

Perimeter/

Area Ratio

(ft/ac)

175 110 65 118 Bell’s sage sparrow, cactus wren, and

bobcat

City (Riverside) and

Comm unity Development

I-215


Proposed Constrained Linkage 8 is comprised of upland Habitat in the Pigeon Pass Valley and

connects to two existing Noncontiguous Habitat Blocks in the Box Springs Mountain area. Planning

species such as cactus wren and bobcat may occur. This Linkage likely provides for movement of

common mammals such as bobcat. Maintenance of contiguous Habitat with appropriate refugia for

resting, such as rockpiles, brushpiles, windfalls, hollow snags and hollow trees, is important for

dispersal of juveniles.



Planning Species

Adjacent Proposed

General Plan

Land Use

Major Covered

Activities

Potentially

Affecting

Linkage

Approx.

Total

(ac.)

Approx.

Edge

(ac.)

Approx.

Interior

(ac.)

Approx.

Perimeter/

Area Ratio

(ft/ac)

270 50 220 69 southern California rufous-crowned

sparrow, Bell’s sage sparrow, cactus

wren, loggerhead shrike, and bobcat

Rural Mo untainous

and Open Space/

Conservation

None

As shown on the table above, areas not affected by edge within this Linkage total approximately 220

acres of the total 270 acres of the Linkage. This Linkage is constrained by planned Rural

Mountainous Development to the north. Since this Linkage is affected by edge, it is anticipated that





FINAL MSHCP 3-81

treatment and management of edge conditions along this Linkage will be necessary to ensure that

it provides Habitat and movement functions for species using the Linkage. Guidelines Pertaining


toxics, and domestic predators are presented in Section 6.1 of this document.


Proposed Constrained Linkage 9 is one of four Constrained Linkages connecting the Santa Rosa

Plateau and Tenaja Corridor to San Diego County. It provides an upland connection to the

Cleveland National Forest and areas in San Diego County via the Tenaja Corridor for large

mammals. This connection may serve as one component of a larger movement corridor for mountain

lions traveling between the Santa Ana Mountains and the Palomar Mountains. A Linkage between

these two mountain ranges would reduce the risk of extirpation of the Santa Ana Mountains

population of mountain lion, which was considered to be “demographically unstable” without a

movement connection (Beier 1993). Maintenance of contiguous Habitat with appropriate refugia

for resting, such as rockpiles, brushpiles, windfalls, hollow snags and hollow trees, is important for

dispersal of juveniles. This Linkage also may serve as foraging Habitat for raptors and other wildlife

species noted in the table below.

PROPOSED LINKAGE 9


Planning Species

Adjacent Proposed

General Plan

Land Use

Major Covered

Activities

Potentially

Affecting

Linkage

Approx.

Total

(ac.)

Approx.

Edge (ac .)

Approx.

Interior

(ac.)

Approx.

Perimeter/

Area Ratio

(ft/ac)

55 50 5 363 Be lding ’s orange-throa ted wh ipta il,

southern Cal i fornia rufous-crowned

sparrow, Bell's sage sparrow, cactus wren,

and mountain lion.

Rural Mountainous None

As shown in the table above, approximately 5 acres of a total 55 acres within this Constrained

Linkage is not affected by edge. Since this Constrained Linkage is affected by edge, it is anticipated





FINAL MSHCP 3-82

that management of edge conditions will be necessary to ensure that this Linkage maintains

movement of large mammals. Guidelines Pertaining to Urban/Wildlands Interface for the


presented in Section 6.1 of this document. This Linkage is constrained by surrounding planned Rural

Mountainous land uses. Any barriers, including roadways and fencing, associated with adjacent

planned Rural Mountainous land uses may result in fragmentation of this Constrained Linkage and

affect wildlife movement.


Proposed Constrained Linkage 10 is one of four Constrained Linkages connecting the Santa Rosa

Plateau and Tenaja Corridor to San Diego County. It provides an upland connection to the

Cleveland National Forest and areas in San Diego County via the Tenaja Corridor for large

mammals. This connection may serve as one component of a larger movement corridor for mountain

lions traveling between the Santa Ana Mountains and the Palomar Mountains. A Linkage between

these two mountain ranges would reduce the risk of extirpation of the Santa Ana Mountains




dispersal of juveniles. This Linkage also may serve as foraging Habitat for raptors and other wildlife

species noted in the table below.

As shown in the table below, approximately 100 acres of a total 105 acres within this Constrained

Linkage is affected by edge. Upon Reserve Assembly of this proposed Constrained Linkage,

management of edge conditions will be necessary to ensure that this Linkage maintains movement

of large mammals. Guidelines Pertaining to Urban/Wildlands Interface for the management of edge


this document. It is constrained by surrounding planned Rural Mountainous land use. Any barriers,

including roadways and fencing, associated with adjacent planned Rural Mountainous land uses may

result in fragmentation of this Constrained Linkage and affect wildlife movement.





FINAL MSHCP 3-83



Planning Species

Adjacent

Proposed

General Plan

Land Use

Major

Covered

Activities

Potentially

Affecting

Linkage

Approx.

Total

(ac.)

Approx.

Edge

(ac.)

Approx.

Interior

(ac.)

Approx.

Perimeter/

Area Ratio

(ft/ac)

105 100 5 244 southern California rufous-crowned sparrow,

Bell's sage sparrow, turkey vulture, loggerhead

shrike, bobcat, mountain lion.



Proposed Constrained Linkage 11 consists of De Luz Canyon, located along the southwestern border

of the Plan Area. The Linkage is composed of a west fork and an east fork, which connect San

Diego County in the south to Proposed Linkage 9 (Tenaja Corridor) and Existing Core F (Santa Rosa

Plateau Nature Reserve), respectively. The west route, from Proposed Linkage 9 to San Diego

County, is approximately 15,850 feet (3.0 miles) in length, while the east route, from Existing Core

F to San Diego County, is approximately 18,980 feet (3.6 miles) in length. This Constrained

Linkage contains a very high proportion of its area (approximately 250 of the total 260 acres) defined

as “edge” area and has one of the highest P/A ratios of all Constrained Linkages. Furthermore, the

Linkage is constrained for the majority of its length by existing agricultural use. For these reasons

care must be taken to maintain high quality Habitat along the edges for species sensitive to Edge

Effects listed in the table below. Guidelines Pertaining to Urban/Wildlands Interface for the


presented in Section 6.1.4 of this document.

Despite potential Edge Effect issues, this Linkage provides Live-In Habitat for a number of species

as noted in the table below and possibly movement Habitat for mammals such as bobcat and

mountain lion. This connection may serve as one component of a larger movement corridor for

mountain lions traveling between the Santa Ana Mountains and the Palomar Mountains. A Linkage

between these two mountain ranges would reduce the risk of extirpation of the Santa Ana Mountains







FINAL MSHCP 3-84


dispersal of juveniles.



Planning Species

Adjacent

Proposed General

Plan

Land Use

Major

Covered

Activities

Potentially

Affecting

Linkage

Approx.

Total

(ac.)

Approx.

Edge

(ac.)

Approx.

Interior

(ac.)

Approx.

Perimeter/

Area Ratio

(ft/ac)

260 250 10 257 southern Californ ia rufous-crowned sparrow,

Bell’s sage sparrow, bobcat, and m ountain

lion



Proposed Constrained Linkage 12 (Sandia Canyon) is located along the southwestern border of the

Plan Area, just east of Proposed Constrained Linkage 11 (De Luz Canyon). Like Proposed

Constrained Linkage 11, Proposed Constrained Linkage 12 is composed of a west fork and an east

fork. Only the west fork, however, is connected to other MSHCP lands (Existing Core F, Santa Rosa

Plateau Nature Reserve). The Linkage provides important Live-In Habitat for many species as noted

in the table below and also likely provides an upland connection to the Cleveland National Forest

and areas in San Diego County via the Tenaja Corridor for large mammals. This connection may

serve as one component of a larger movement corridor for mountain lions traveling between the

Santa Ana Mountains and the Palomar Mountains. A Linkage between these two mountain ranges

would reduce the risk of extirpation of the Santa Ana Mountains population of mountain lion, which

was considered to be “demographically unstable” without a movement connection (Beier 1993).

Maintenance of contiguous Habitat with appropriate refugia for resting, such as rockpiles, brushpiles,

windfalls, hollow snags and hollow trees, is important for dispersal of juveniles.

Although existing agricultural use constrains the Linkage and the Linkage’s P/A ratio is somewhat

large (196 feet per acre), the Linkage contains 170 acres of interior area, and surrounding planned

land uses consist almost entirely of Rural Mountainous. Treatment and management of edge

conditions along this Linkage will be necessary to ensure that it provides Habitat and movement





FINAL MSHCP 3-85

functions for species using the Linkage. Guidelines Pertaining to Urban/Wildlands Interface for the





Planning Species

Adjacent Proposed

General Plan

Land Use

Major

Covered

Activities

Potentially

Affecting

Linkage

Approx.

Total

(ac.)

Approx.

Edge

(ac.)

Approx.

Interior

(ac.)

Approx.

Perimeter/

Area Ratio

(ft/ac)

730 560 170 196 southern California rufous-crowned

sparrow, grasshopper sparrow, Bell’s

sage sparrow, bobcat, mountain lion



Open Space/ Conservation

None


Proposed Constrained Linkage 13 consists of Murrieta Creek, located in the southwestern region of

the Plan Area. This Constrained Linkage connects Existing Core F (Santa Rosa Plateau Ecological

Reserve) in the north to Proposed Linkage 10 in the south. This Linkage is constrained along most

of its length by existing urban Development and agricultural use and the planned land use

surrounding the Linkage consists of city (Murrieta and Temecula). Therefore, care must be taken

to maintain high quality riparian Habitat within the Linkage and along the edges for species such as

yellow warbler, yellow-breasted chat, and least Bell’s vireo, which have key populations located in

or along the creek. Maintenance of existing floodplain processes and water quality along the creek

is also important to western pond turtle and arroyo chub in this area. Guidelines Pertaining to


and domestic predators are presented in Section 6.1.4 of this document.





FINAL MSHCP 3-86



Planning Species

Adjacent

Proposed

General Plan

Land Use

Major

Covered

Activities

Potentially

Affecting

Linkage

Approx.

Total

(ac.)

Approx.

Edge

(ac.)

Approx.

Interior

(ac.)

Approx.

Perimeter/

Area Ratio

(ft/ac)

1,400 700 700 105 Cooper’s hawk, yellow warb ler, southwestern willow

flycatcher, tree swallow, least Bell’s vireo, and

western pond turt le

City (Murrieta,

Temecula)

None


Proposed Constrained Linkage 14 consists of portions of Pechanga and Temecula Creeks, located

in the southwestern region of the Plan Area. This Constrained Linkage connects Existing Core G

(Santa Margarita Ecological Reserve) and Proposed Linkage 10 in the west to Existing Linkage A

in the south. This Linkage bifurcates and may be used to move directly to the east, along Temecula

Creek, or to the southeast, along Pechanga Creek to Existing Linkage A. This Linkage is constrained

along most of its length by existing urban Development and the planned land uses surrounding the

Linkage consist almost entirely of city (Temecula). I-15 also intersects the Linkage at its western

terminus. Therefore, high quality Live-In riparian Habitat must be maintained, and movement

Habitat for bobcat and mountain lion must be provided, as these species are known to use the

Linkage for movement. This portion of Pechanga and Temecula Creek may serve as one component

of a larger movement corridor for mountain lions traveling between the Santa Ana Mountains and

the Palomar Mountains. A Linkage between these two mountain ranges would reduce the risk of

extirpation of the Santa Ana Mountains population of mountain lion, which was considered to be

“demographically unstable” without a movement connection (Beier 1993). Maintenance of

contiguous Habitat with appropriate refugia for resting, such as rockpiles, brushpiles, windfalls,

hollow snags and hollow trees, is important for dispersal of juveniles. Maintenance of existing

floodplain processes and water quality along the creek is also important for wetland species noted

in the table below.





FINAL MSHCP 3-87



Planning Species

Adjacent Proposed

General Plan Land

Use

Major Covered

Activities

Potentially

Affecting Linkage

Approx.

Total

(ac.)

Approx.

Edge

(ac.)

Approx.

Interior

(ac.)

Approx.

Perimeter/

Area Ratio

(ft/ac)

500 230 270 85 Californ ia red-legged frog, arroyo chub,

mountain lion, western pond turt le

City (Temecula) None


Proposed Constrained Linkage 15 is located in the southwestern region of the Plan Area. This

Constrained Linkage consists of a portion of Lower Warm Springs Creek, from just east of the I-15

freeway to Proposed Core 2 (Antelope Valley). The Linkage provides Live-In Habitat for species

such as western pond turtle and Los Angeles pocket mouse and also provides important linkage area

for bobcat. This Linkage contains one of the highest P/A ratios of all MSHCP Constrained Linkages

(160 feet per acre), and contains a relatively small proportion of its area as interior area

(approximately 30 acres of the total 180 acres). In addition, existing urban Development constrains

much of the Linkage, and planned land uses surrounding the Linkage include city (Murrieta) and

community Development. For these reasons, special care must be taken to maintain high quality

Habitat within the Linkage and along the edges for species sensitive to Edge Effects. Guidelines





Planning Species

Adjacent

Proposed

General Plan

Land Use

Major

Covered

Activities

Potentially

Affecting

Linkage

Approx.

Total

(ac.)

Approx.

Edge

(ac.)

Approx.

Interior

(ac.)

Approx.

Perimeter/

Area Ratio

(ft/ac)

180 150 30 160 western pond turtle, bobcat and Los Angeles

pocket mouse

City (Tem ecula),

Rural Mountainous

I-15





FINAL MSHCP 3-88


Proposed Constrained Linkage 16 is located approximately in the south-central region of the Plan

Area. This Constrained Linkage consists of an unnamed blueline drainage connecting Proposed

Linkage 8 in the west with Proposed Core 2 (Antelope Valley) in the east. The Linkage provides

Habitat for species and also provides for movement of species. The Linkage likely provides for

movement of common mammals such as bobcat. Existing urban Development and agricultural use

constrain the Linkage along its entire length, and the Linkage is completely surrounded by a

city-designated planned land use. Species movement through the Linkage may also be affected by

the intersection of the Linkage with I-215. Therefore, treatment and management of edge conditions

along this Linkage will be necessary to ensure that it provides Habitat and movement functions for

species using the Linkage. Guidelines Pertaining to Urban/Wildlands Interface for the management


6.1 of this document.



Planning Species

Adjacent

Proposed

General Plan

Land Use

Major

Covered

Activities

Potentially

Affecting

Linkage

Approx.

Total

(ac.)

Approx.

Edge (ac .)

Approx.

Interior

(ac.)

Approx.

Perimeter/

Area Ratio

(ft/ac)

80 35 45 98 Quino checkerspot butterf ly, coastal California

gnatcatcher, bobcat

City (Murrieta) I-15


Proposed Constrained Linkage 17 (Paloma Valley) is located in the south-central region of the Plan

Area. Proposed Extension of Existing Core 7 (Lake Skinner/Diamond Valley Lake Extension) is

located to the east of this Linkage. The Linkage provides Habitat for species and also provides for

movement of species. Although this Linkage is constrained by existing urban Development and

agricultural use along much of its length, planned land uses surrounding the Constrained Linkage

are nearly entirely rural. In addition, the Constrained Linkage has a comparatively low P/A ratio.

Thus, Edge Effects on this Constrained Linkage may be substantially lower than for other





FINAL MSHCP 3-89

Constrained Linkages. Nonetheless, treatment and management of edge conditions along this

Linkage will be necessary to ensure that it provides Habitat and movement functions for species

using the Linkage, since several major Covered Activities are proposed for extension or widening

within or adjacent to the Linkage. Guidelines Pertaining to Urban/Wildlands Interface for the


presented in Section 6.1 of this document. An adequate wildlife underpass or overpass may need to

be implemented to insure movement of species in this area and to reduce the chance of mortality

from vehicle collision.



Planning Species

Adjacent Proposed

General Plan

Land Use

Major

Covered

Activities

Potentially

Affecting

Linkage

Approx.

Total

(ac.)

Approx.

Edge

(ac.)

Approx.

Interior

(ac.)

Approx.

Perimeter/

Area Ratio

(ft/ac)

950 240 710 49 Quino checkerspot butterfly, coastal

California gnatcatcher, bobcat

Rural, Com mu nity

Development

W a s h i n g t o n

Street, Leon

Road, SR-79


Proposed Constrained Linkage 18 consists of an unnamed drainage located in the south-central

region of the Plan Area. This Constrained Linkage connects Proposed Core 2 (Antelope Valley) to

the west with Proposed Extension of Existing Core 7 (Lake Skinner/Diamond Valley Lake

Extension). Existing agricultural use constrains the Linkage, and planned land uses surrounding the

Linkage are limited nearly entirely to community Development. The Linkage also has a relatively

high proportion of land affected by edge (approximately 250 acres of the total 310 acres) and will

also be subject to Edge Effects also due to the widening or extension of several facilities including

Washington Street, Briggs Road, and SR-79. Despite these issues, the Linkage nonetheless provides

Live-In and movement Habitat for species. Guidelines Pertaining to Urban/Wildlands Interface for

the management of edge factors such as lighting, urban runoff, toxics, and domestic predators are

presented in Section 6.1 of this document. This Linkage likely provides for movement of common





FINAL MSHCP 3-90

mammals such as bobcat. An adequate wildlife underpass or overpass may need to be implemented

to insure movement of species in this area and to reduce the chance of mortality from vehicle

collision.



Planning Species

Adjacent

Proposed General

Plan

Land Use

Major Covered

Activ ities Potentially

Affecting Linkage

Approx.

Total

(ac.)

Approx.

Edge

(ac.)

Approx.

Interior

(ac.)

Approx.

Perimeter/

Area Ratio

(ft/ac)

310 250 60 146 bobcat, Los Angeles pocket mouse C o m m u n i t y

Development

Wash ington Street,

Briggs Road, SR-79


Proposed Constrained Linkage 19 (Lower San Jacinto River) is located approximately in the center

of the Plan Area. This Constrained Linkage connects Proposed Linkage 7 in the southwest with

Proposed Extension of Existing Core 4 (San Jacinto River Core) in the northeast. Existing

agricultural use and a small amount of existing urban Development constrain the Linkage along

much of its length. Surrounding planned land uses include only city (Perris). Although the river will

be channelized for flood control in this area, the Linkage will nonetheless maintain connectivity

along the river and provide for movement of common mammals such as bobcat. An adequate

wildlife underpass or overpass may need to be implemented to insure movement of species in this

area and to reduce the chance of mortality from vehicle collision. Treatment and management of

edge conditions along this Linkage will be necessary to ensure that it provides Habitat and movement

functions for species using the Linkage and that wetland functions and values are maintained for the

benefit of Narrow Endemic Plant Species known to occur in the San Jacinto River. Guidelines







FINAL MSHCP 3-91



Planning Species

Adjacent

Proposed

General Plan

Land Use

Major Covered

Activities

Potentially

Affecting

Linkage

Approx.

Total

(ac.)

Approx.

Edge

(ac.)

Approx.

Interior

(ac.)

Approx.

Perimeter/

Area Ratio

(ft/ac)

510 250 260 92 mountain plover, loggerhead shrike, white-faced

ibis, bobcat, Los Angeles pocket mouse, San

Jacinto Valley crownscale, Davidson’s saltscale,

thread-leaved brodiaea, vernal barley, Coulter’s

goldfields, spreading navarretia, and Wright ’s

trichocoronis.

City (Perris) Ethanac Road ,

I-215


Proposed Constrained Linkage 20 is located approximately in the north-central region of the Plan

Area. This Linkage connects Existing Core H (Lake Perris) in the north with Proposed

Noncontiguous Habitat Block 5 (Lakeview Mountains) in the south. Maintenance of this connection

is important to reduce the likelihood of species extirpation as a result of population isolation for

species occurring in the Lakeview Mountains. Existing agricultural use completely constrains this

Linkage, and the proposed General Plan land use designation surrounding the Linkage is entirely

agriculture. The extension/widening of Bridge Street and the proposed alignment of the Hemet to

Corona/Lake Elsinore CETAP Corridor may also compromise the integrity of Proposed Constrained

Linkage 20 by adding to Edge Effects contributed by surrounding land use practices. Counteracting

these potentially strong Edge Effects, however, are the dimensions of this Linkage. The Linkage has

one of the lowest P/A ratios (60 feet per acre) of all MSHCP Cores and Linkages and a high

proportion of its area represented as interior (approximately 270 of the total 360 acres). Thus the

Linkage can be expected to provide Live-In and movement Habitat for the species listed in the table

below. Nevertheless, treatment and management of edge conditions along this Linkage will be

necessary to ensure that it provides Habitat and movement functions for species using the Linkage.



Maintenance of wetland functions and values is important for Narrow Endemic Plant Species known

to occur in the Lake Perris/Mystic Lake area.





FINAL MSHCP 3-92



Planning Species

Adjacent

Proposed

General Plan

Plan

Land Use

Major Covered

Activities

Potentially

Affecting

Linkage

Approx.

Total

(ac.)

Approx.

Edge

(ac.)

Approx.

Interior

(ac.)

Approx.

Perimeter/

Area Ratio

(ft/ac)

360 90 270 60 arroyo toad, western pond turtle, tricolored

blackbird, mountain plover, white-faced ibis,

Los Angeles pocket mouse, San Jacinto Valley

crownscale, Par ish’s britt lesca le, Davidson’s

saltscale, thread-leaved brodiaea, vernal barley,

Coulter’s goldfields, spreading navarretia,

Wright’s trichocoronis.

Agriculture B r i d g e S t r e e t ,

H e m e t t o


Els inore C ETAP

Corridor


Proposed Constrained Linkage 21 is comprised of riparian and alluvial fan sage scrub Habitats

connecting the upper San Jacinto River to the southern Badlands. It provides Live-In Habitat for

certain species and serves as a connection to Core Areas in the Badlands and the San Jacinto River.

The Linkage is constrained by Gilman Springs Road on the northern end of the Linkage and

proposed General Plan land use designation, Community Development, along Gilman Spring Road

to the west of the Linkage. Planning Species for which Habitat is provided within this Linkage

include bobcat, Stephens' kangaroo rat, Belding’s orange-throated whiptail, San Bernardino kangaroo

rat, and Los Angeles pocket mouse. In addition to maintenance of habitat quality, maintenance of

floodplain processes along the upper San Jacinto River is important for these species. This Linkage

likely provides for movement of common mammals such as bobcat. As shown below, areas not

affected by edge within this Linkage total approximately 140 acres of the total 185 acres of the

Linkage. Upon Reserve Assembly of this proposed Constrained Linkage, management of edge

conditions will be necessary to ensure maintenance of floodplain processes and movement of

mammals through this Linkage. Guidelines Pertaining to Urban/Wildlands Interface for the


presented in Section 6.1 of this document. Habitat fragmentation or construction of barriers as a

result of planned community Development may affect large mammal movement through this





FINAL MSHCP 3-93

Constrained Linkage, and any flood control or alteration of hydrology associated with widening of

Gilman Springs Road may affect Habitat supporting arroyo toad and San Bernardino kangaroo rat.

Adequate wildlife crossings may be needed to facilitate wildlife movement across Gilman Springs

Road.



Planning Species

Adjacent Proposed

General Plan

Land Use

Major Covered

Activities

Potentially

Affecting

Linkage

Approx.

Total

(ac.)

Approx.

Edge

(ac.)

Approx.

Interior

(ac.)

Approx.

Perimeter/

Area Ratio

(ft/ac)

185 45 140 70 arroyo toad, Belding’s orange-

throated whipta il, San Bernard ino

kangaroo rat, Stephens’ kangaroo

rat, bobcat, and Los Angeles pocket

mouse

Open Space/ Conservation

and Comm unity Development

Gilman Springs


Proposed Constrained Linkage 22 is comprised of the portion of San Timoteo Creek extending west

from I-10 to De Anza Cycle Park. This Linkage provides Habitat for certain species and a

connection to Core Area in the Badlands. This Linkage is constrained by I-10 to the east, San

Timoteo Canyon Road and railroad tracks to the north, SR-60 to the south, and by existing

agricultural land uses within the City of Beaumont. Planning Species for which Habitat is provided

for within this Linkage include least Bell’s vireo and Los Angeles pocket mouse. In addition to

maintenance of habitat quality, maintenance of floodplain processes along the San Timoteo Creek

is important for this species. This Linkage likely provides for movement of common mammals such

as bobcat. As shown below, areas not affected by edge within this Linkage total approximately 260

acres of the total 400 acres. Upon Reserve Assembly of this proposed Constrained Linkage,

management of edge conditions will be necessary to ensure maintenance of floodplain processes and

movement of mammals through this Linkage. Guidelines Pertaining to Urban/Wildlands Interface


are presented in Section 6.1 of this document. Flood control or alteration of hydrology associated





FINAL MSHCP 3-94

with land use activities in the City of Beaumont and with widening of major existing roadways may

affect Habitat supporting least Bell’s vireo and Los Angeles pocket mouse.



Planning Species

Adjacent

Proposed

General Plan

Land Use

Major Covered

Activities

Potentially

Affecting

Linkage

Approx.

Total

(ac.)

Approx.

Edge

(ac.)

Approx.

Interior

(ac.)

Approx.

Perimeter/

Area Ratio

(ft/ac)

400 140 260 68 least Bell’s vireo, Los Angeles pocket mouse,

bobcat

City (Beaumont) I -10, SR-60 and

S a n T i m o t e o

Canyon Road


Proposed Constrained Linkage 23 is an upland Linkage located in the vicinity of Cherry Valley,

which provides a connection to Bogart County Park and San Timoteo Creek for certain species. This

Linkage is constrained by surrounding existing urban and rural residential Development in the City

of Calimesa. Planning Species for which Habitat is provided within this Linkage include Bell’s sage

sparrow, Los Angeles pocket mouse, and San Bernardino mountain kingsnake. Maintenance of a

contiguous connection is important for these species. This Linkage likely provides for movement

of common mammals such as bobcat. As shown below, areas not affected by edge within this

Linkage total approximately 860 acres of the total 1,410 acres. Upon Reserve Assembly of this

proposed Constrained Linkage, management of edge conditions will be necessary to provide

movement of mammals through this Linkage. Guidelines Pertaining to Urban/Wildlands Interface


are presented in Section 6.1 of this document. Barriers, including roadways and fencing constructed

as part of adjacent Development, may result in fragmentation of the Linkage and affect movement

through the Linkage by mammals such as bobcats.





FINAL MSHCP 3-95



Planning Species

Adjacent

Proposed

General Plan

Land Use

Major Covered

Activities

Potentially

Affecting

Linkage

Approx.

Total

(ac.)

Approx.

Edge

(ac.)

Approx.

Interior

(ac.)

Approx.

Perimeter/

Area Ratio

(ft/ac)

1,410 550 860 70 Bell’s sage sparrow, Los Angeles pocket

mouse, bobcat, and San Bernardino mountain

kingsnake

City (Calimesa) I-10


Proposed Linkage 24 is comprised of the portion of Temecula Creek east of Redhawk Parkway and

west of Pauba Road. This Linkage provides Habitat for wetland species and a connection to Core

Areas in Wilson Valley. The Linkage is constrained by existing roadways and planned community

Development. Planning Species for which Habitat is provided for within this Linkage include

bobcat, mountain lion, Stephens’ kangaroo rat, Aguanga kangaroo rat, western pond turtle, yellow

warbler, southwestern willow flycatcher, arroyo chub, loggerhead shrike, tree swallow, white-tailed

kite, Cooper's hawk and least Bell's vireo. In addition to maintenance of habitat quality, maintenance

of existing floodplain processes along Temecula Creek is important for these species. While specific

studies of movement along this Linkage have not been conducted, it likely provides for movement

of common mammals such as bobcat. As shown below, areas not affected by edge within this

Linkage total approximately 110 acres of the total 340 acres of the Linkage. Since this is an existing

Constrained Linkage already affected by edge, treatment and management of edge conditions along

this Linkage will be necessary to ensure that it provides Habitat and movement functions for species



this document.





FINAL MSHCP 3-96



Planning Species

Adjacent

Proposed

General Plan

Land Use

Major Covered

Activities

Potentially

Affecting

Linkage

Approx.

Total

(ac.)

Approx.

Edge

(ac.)

Approx.

Interior

(ac.)

Approx.

Perimeter/

Area Ratio

(ft/ac)

340 230 110 125 arroyo chub, California red-legged frog, coast

range new t, western pond turt le, Cooper’s

hawk, yellow warbler, white-tailed kite,

southw estern willow flycatcher, yellow-

breasted chat, loggerhead shrike, downy

woodpecker, tree swallow, least Bell’s vireo,

bobcat, and Los Angeles pocket mouse.

C o m m u n i t y

Deve lopmen t,

A g r i c u l t u r a l

and Rural

Pauba Road

Pauba Road is an existing road that is proposed to be widened. Proposed widening activities may

directly affect Habitat or floodplain processes in Temecula Creek, or may affect movement through

this Linkage. Pauba Road crosses Temecula Creek under existing conditions and would continue

to cross the creek with proposed widening. Adequate wildlife crossing may be needed to facilitate

wildlife movement across Pauba Road.

Proposed Linkage 1

Proposed Linkage 1 consists of the foothills of the Santa Ana Mountains just west of Lee Lake in

the west-central region of the Plan Area. The Linkage is contiguous with Existing Core B (Santa

Ana Mountains) to the west, Proposed Constrained Linkages 5 (Horsethief Canyon) and 6 (Temescal

Wash South) and Proposed Extension of Existing Core 2 (Lake Mathews/Estelle Mountain) to the

north, and Proposed Core 1 (Alberhill) to the east. Both Live-In and movement Habitat are provided

by the Linkage. Several different routes, ranging from 5,400 to 14,950 feet, may be taken through

the Linkage to surrounding MSHCP Conservation Area lands. This Linkage likely provides for

movement of common mammals such as bobcat. Mountain lions are also likely to use the Linkage

to access Core Areas in the Lake Mathews/Estelle Mountain Reserve. Maintenance of contiguous

Habitat with appropriate refugia for resting, such as rockpiles, brushpiles, windfalls, hollow snags

and hollow trees, is important for dispersal of juveniles. Since existing urban Development

constrains much of the Linkage, and surrounding planned land uses include city (Lake Elsinore) and





FINAL MSHCP 3-97

community center, management of Edge Effects in this area will be necessary. Guidelines Pertaining


toxics, and domestic predators are presented in Section 6.1 of this document.

PROPOSED LINKAGE 1


Planning Species

Adjacent

Proposed General

Plan

Land Use

Major

Covered

Activities

Potentially

Affecting

Linkage

Approx.

Total

(ac.)

Approx.

Edge

(ac.)

Approx.

Interior

(ac.)

Approx.

Perimeter/

Area Ratio

(ft/ac)

2,310 380 1,930 48 Cooper’s hawk, Bell’s sage sparrow,

loggerhead shrike, mountain qua il, coastal

Californ ia gnatcatcher, Stephens’ kangaroo

rat, bobcat, and mountain lion.

City (Lake Elsinore),

O p e n S p a c e /

Conservation, Rural,

Rural Mountainous,

C o m m u n i t y

Development

I-15

Proposed Linkage 2

Proposed Linkage 2 is comprised of wetland Habitat associated with Collier Marsh in the City of

Lake Elsinore. It supports key populations of the following species: yellow-breasted chat, San

Diego ambrosia, downy woodpecker, least Bell’s vireo, yellow warbler and southwestern willow

flycatcher. Maintenance of wetland functions and values and water quality of Collier Marsh is

important for these species. As shown below, areas not affected by edge within this Linkage total

approximately 70 acres of the total 160 acres occupied by this Linkage. Since this Linkage may be

affected by edge, treatment and management of edge conditions will be necessary to ensure that land

uses adjacent to the Linkage do not degrade water quality or inhibit floodplain processes. Guidelines







FINAL MSHCP 3-98

PROPOSED LINKAGE 2


Planning Species

Adjacent Proposed

General Plan

Land Use

Major

Covered

Activities

Potentially

Affecting

Linkage

Approx.

Total

(ac.)

Approx.

Edge

(ac.)

Approx.

Interior

(ac.)

Approx.

Perimeter/

Area Ratio

(ft/ac)

160 90 70 107 Amer ican b i t te rn , mounta in p lover ,

southwestern willow flycatcher, black-

crowned night heron, osprey, double-crested

cormorant, wh ite-faced ibis, and least Bell’s

vireo

City (Lake Elsinore) None

Proposed Linkage 3

Proposed Linkage 3 is generally comprised of upland Habitats in the Gavilan Hills, Harford Springs

and proposed North Peak Conservation Bank area under Public/Quasi-Public and private ownership.

This Linkage is one of two connections between the Lake Mathews/Estelle Mountain Reserve and

Core Areas in Alberhill. Planning Species for which Habitat is provided for within the Linkage

include coastal California gnatcatcher, Quino checkerspot butterfly, and Stephens' kangaroo rat. The

Linkage also contains clay soils capable of supporting sensitive plant species such as thread-leaved

brodiaea, Munz's onion and many-stemmed dudleya. This Linkage likely provides for movement

of common mammals such as bobcat, connecting to Core Areas in Lake Mathews/Estelle Mountain

and Alberhill. Maintenance of large intact interconnected habitat blocks is important for these

species, as well as Conservation of clay soils supporting sensitive plant species. This Linkage is

generally unconstrained by existing urban Development or agricultural use. As shown on the table

below, 4,620 acres of the total 5,550 acres occupied by the Linkage are not affected by edge. No

major Covered Activities are planned to be located within this Linkage; however, adjacent planned

land uses, which generally consists of rural Development, may affect resources within the Linkage.

Fire, fire suppression, livestock grazing, and off-road vehicle activities associated with the rural land

uses may result in adverse Edge Effects. Guidelines Pertaining to Urban/Wildlands Interface for the







FINAL MSHCP 3-99

PROPOSED LINKAGE 3


Planning Species

Adjacent

Proposed

General Plan

Land Use

Major Covered

Activities

Potentially

Affecting

Linkage

Approx.

Total

(ac.)

Approx.

Edge

(ac.)

Approx.

Interior

(ac.)

Approx.

Perimeter/

Area Ratio

(ft/ac)

5,550 930 4,620 32 Quino checkerspot butterfly, Munz’s onion,

many-stemmed dudleya, thread-leaved

brodiaea, bobcat, Stephens’ kangaroo rat,

Belding’s orange-throated wh ipta il, southern

Californ ia rufous-crowned sparrow and Bell’s

sage sparrow


M o u n t a i n ou s ,

C o m m u n i t y

D e v e lo p m e n t ,

O p e n S p a c e /

Conservation

None

Proposed Linkage 4

Proposed Linkage 4 is comprised of generally upland Habitat in Reche Canyon. Planning Species

for which Habitat is provided for within the Linkage include Bell’s sage sparrow, Stephens’

kangaroo rat, bobcat, and Nevin’s barberry, known to occur within chaparral and coastal sage scrub

Habitats. This Linkage likely provides for movement of common mammals such as bobcat,

connecting to Box Springs Reserve, the Badlands and San Bernardino County. The Reche Canyon

area represents one of the largest intact Core Areas within the MSHCP Plan Area; therefore

maintenance of existing large habitat blocks is important for species and reserve design. The

Linkage is relatively unconstrained by adjacent planned Rural Mountainous land uses. Major

Covered Activities intersecting the Linkage include the San Bernardino to Moreno Valley CETAP

Corridor and Reche Canyon Road. Widening of existing Reche Canyon Road will need to consider

wildlife crossings as part of the design.





FINAL MSHCP 3-100

PROPOSED LINKAGE 4


Planning Species

Adjacent Proposed

General Plan

Land Use

Major Covered

Activities

Potentially

Affecting Linkage

Approx.

Total

(ac.)

Approx.

Edge

(ac.)

Approx.

Interior

(ac.)

Approx.

Perimeter/

Area Ratio

(ft/ac)

2,740 550 2,190 41 Bell’s sage sparrow, Stephens’

kangaroo rat, bobcat, and

Nevin’s barberry.

Rural Mounta inous, Open

Space, Conservat ion, Rural,

Community Development

San Bernardino to

M o r e n o V a l l e y

C ET A P C o r r id o r ,

Reche Canyon Road

Proposed Linkage 5

Proposed Linkage 5 is comprised of the portion of San Timoteo Creek extending northwest from

Redlands Boulevard to San Bernardino County. This Linkage provides Habitat for a number of

Planning Species, including Los Angeles pocket mouse, yellow-breasted chat, least Bell's vireo,

bobcat, and yellow warbler. This Linkage likely provides for movement of mountain lion and bobcat

connecting to San Bernardino County and Core Areas in the Badlands and Reche Canyon.

Maintenance of wetland functions and values and water quality of San Timoteo Creek is important

for these species. Widening of San Timoteo Canyon Road may affect movement along this Linkage

as well as water quality in San Timoteo Creek.

PROPOSED LINKAGE 5


Planning Species

Adjacent Proposed

General Plan

Land Use

Major

Covered

Activities

Potentially

Affecting

Linkage

Approx.

Total

(ac.)

Approx.

Edge

(ac.)

Approx.

Interior

(ac.)

Approx.

Perimeter/

Area Ratio

(ft/ac)

210 90 120 89 Cooper’s hawk, yel low wa rbler,

southw estern willow flycatcher, yellow-

breasted chat, least Bell’s vireo, bobcat,

Los Angeles pocket mouse

Rural Mountainous S a n T i m o t e o

Canyon Road





FINAL MSHCP 3-101

Proposed Linkage 6

Proposed Linkage 6 is an upland Linkage connecting San Timoteo Creek and Core Areas in the

Badlands to San Bernardino County. It provides Habitat for raptors and movement for species, such

as bobcat, connecting to San Bernardino County and San Timoteo Creek. Maintenance of large

intact contiguous habitat blocks is important for these species. As shown below, areas not affected

by edge within this Linkage total approximately 490 acres of the total 545 acres occupied by this

Linkage. Since this Linkage may be affected by edge, treatment and management of edge conditions

will be necessary to ensure that it provides Habitat and movement functions for species using this

Linkage. Guidelines Pertaining to Urban/Wildlands Interface for the management of edge factors


document.

PROPOSED LINKAGE 6


Planning Species

Adjacent

Proposed

General Plan

Land Use

Major Covered

Activities

Potentially

Affecting

Linkage

Approx.

Total

(ac.)

Approx.

Edge

(ac.)

Approx.

Interior

(ac.)

Approx.

Perimeter/

Area Ratio

(ft/ac)

545 55 490 36 Bell’s sage sparrow, white-tailed kite,

loggerhead shrike, Los Angeles pocket mouse,

and bobcat.



City (Calimesa)

None

Proposed Linkage 7

Proposed Linkage 7 consists of a patchwork of riparian Habitat associated with the San Jacinto River

and Canyon Lake and adjacent upland Habitat occurring within Kabian Park, Canyon Lake, and Four

Seasons Conservation Land. Similar to Proposed Linkage 8, this Linkage is a major component of

one of the two main east-west connections within the MSHCP Plan Area. The Linkage provides for

movement of species connecting to Sedco Hills, Alberhill and to areas upstream along the San

Jacinto River. Planning Species for which Habitat is provided for within the Linkage include Bell's

sage sparrow, coastal California gnatcatcher, least Bell's vireo, and bobcat. The Linkage also

contains the Traver-Willow-Domino soils series, which is capable of supporting several Narrow

Endemic Plant Species such as San Jacinto Valley crownscale, vernal barley and spreading





FINAL MSHCP 3-102

navarretia. Maintenance of large intact interconnected habitat blocks is important for these species,

as well as maintenance of water quality and existing functions and values of wetland Habitats

associated with the the San Jacinto River. As shown on the table below, 2,560 acres of the total

3,400 acres occupied by the Linkage are not affected by edge.

Adjacent planned land uses and major Covered Activities traversing the Linkage, noted in the table

below, may affect resources within the Linkage. Adjacent planned land uses generally consist of

Community Development and City (Perris, Lake Elsinore and Canyon Lake). The areas within these

Cities that are adjacent to the Linkage are generally characterized as urban and rural residential land

uses. Land use activities within either the City or Community Development designation, may result

in Edge Effects associated with fire suppression, fire, and dispersal of invasive species. Major

Covered Activities may also contribute additional Edge Effects such as trash and runoff and result

in habitat fragmentation. Guidelines Pertaining to Urban/Wildlands Interface for the management


6.1 of this document. Construction of the proposed Hemet to Corona/Lake Elsinore CETAP Corridor

Alternative 5A and 5E along SR-74 (Ethanac Road) may isolate the Linkage from Core Areas

upstream along the San Jacinto River. Improvements to this facility will need to consider a

terrestrial crossing for wildlife and maintenance of the hydrology of the San Jacinto River.

PROPOSED LINKAGE 7


Planning Species

Adjacent

Proposed

General Plan

Land Use

Major

Covered

Activities

Potentially

Affecting

Linkage

Approx.

Total

(ac.)

Approx.

Edge

(ac.)

Approx.

Interior

(ac.)

Approx.

Perimeter/

Area Ratio

(ft/ac)

3,400 840 2,560 53 Quino checkerspot butterfly, western pond turtle,

burrowing owl, Cooper’s hawk, southern

Californ ia rufous-crowned sparrow, grasshopper

sparrow, Bell’s sage sparrow, yellow warbler,

white-tailed kite, southwestern willow flycatcher,

Californ ia horned lark, loggerhead shrike,

mountain quail, coastal Ca lifornia gnatcatcher,

tree swallow , least Bell’s vireo, Stephens’

kangaroo rat, and bobcat.

C i t y ( L a k e

Elsinore, Perris),

R u r a l


C o m m u n i t y

Development

H e m e t t o

C o r o n a / La k e

E l s i n o r e

C E T A P

C o r r i d o r

A l t e rn a t i ves

SA and SE





FINAL MSHCP 3-103

Proposed Linkage 8

Proposed Linkage 8 (Sedco Hills/Wildomar) is composed largely of upland Habitat in the Sedco

Hills and Wildomar area. This Linkage is a major component of one of the two main east-west

connections between Core Areas in the Lake Mathews/Estelle Mountain, Alberhill and the Cleveland

National Forest in the western portion of the MSHCP Plan Area and Core Areas in French Valley,

Johnson Ranch, Diamond Valley Lake and San Jacinto Mountains in the eastern portion of the

MSHCP Plan Area. This Linkage provides Live-In Habitat for over 50 pairs of coastal California

gnatcatcher, as well as a connection to other key populations of gnatcatcher known to occur in

Alberhill, North Peak and the Ramsgate area. Other Planning Species for which Habitat is provided

include Quino checkerspot butterfly, Stephens' kangaroo rat, and bobcat. The grasslands occurring

within this proposed Linkage also provide foraging Habitat for a number of raptors. Maintenance

of large intact interconnected habitat blocks is important for these species. The northern portion of

this Linkage includes a portion of the lower San Jacinto River extending under I-15 to connect with

Proposed Extension of Existing Core 3.

As shown on the table below, 4,560 acres of the total 5,470 acres occupied by the Linkage is not

affected by edge. Adjacent planned land uses and major Covered Activities traversing the Linkage

may affect resources within the Linkage. Adjacent planned land uses generally consist of

Community Development and Agriculture. Land use activities within either designation may result

in Edge Effects associated with fire suppression, fire, and dispersal of invasive species. Major

Covered Activities may also contribute additional Edge Effects such as trash and runoff and result

in fragmentation of habitat blocks. Guidelines Pertaining to Urban/Wildlands Interface for the


presented in Section 6.1 of this document. Widening of I-215, which abuts this Linkage to the east,

may isolate the Linkage from Core Areas in French Valley. Improvements to this facility will need

to consider both an avian crossing and terrestrial crossing for wildlife. Widening of I-15 will need

to consider maintenance of wildlife movement along the lower San Jacinto River.

This Linkage likely provides for movement of common mammals such as bobcat, connecting to Core

Areas in Lake Mathews/Estelle Mountain and Alberhill. Coastal California gnatcatcher may use the

Linkage to disperse to other Core Areas supporting gnatcatchers, such as the Hogbacks and

Alberhill. Because the coastal California gnatcatcher has lower dispersal capabilities than other

small passerine birds, the dispersal of juveniles requires a corridor of native vegetation which

provides foraging and cover opportunities to link larger patches of appropriate sage scrub vegetation

(Soule 1991).





FINAL MSHCP 3-104

PROPOSED LINKAGE 8


Planning Species

Adjacent Proposed

General Plan

Land Use

Major

Covered

Activities

Potentially

Affecting

Linkage

Approx.

Total

(ac.)

Approx.

Edge

(ac.)

Approx.

Interior

(ac.)

Approx.

Perimeter/

Area Ratio

(ft/ac)

5,470 910 4,560 30 Quino checkerspot butterfly, western

pond turt le, southern C alifornia rufous-

crowned sparrow , Bell’s sage sparrow,

southwestern will ow flycatcher,


gnatca tcher, least Be l l’s vireo,

Stephens’ kangaroo rat, and bobcat.

Agriculture, Comm unity

Development

Widening of I-

215 and of I-15

Proposed Linkage 9

Proposed Linkage 9 is comprised of a mosaic of upland and wetland Habitats in the area known as

the Tenaja Corridor. This Linkage provides Live-In Habitat for a number of Planning Species and

movement for species connecting to Core Areas in the Santa Rosa Plateau or to the Santa Ana

Mountains in the Cleveland National Forest. Planning Species for which Habitat is provided for

within this Linkage include three fairy shrimp species. Maintenance of water quality in this Linkage

and the watershed supporting the vernal pools is important for these species. This Linkage also

provides for movement of species, including mountain lion and bobcat, through the Tenaja Corridor

to the Santa Rosa Plateau and the Cleveland National Forest. Maintenance of habitat quality and

large contiguous Habitat with appropriate refugia for resting, such as rockpiles, brushpiles, windfalls,

hollow snags and hollow trees, is important for dispersal of juvenile bobcat and mountain lion. As

shown below, areas not affected by edge within this Linkage total approximately 2,730 acres of the

total 3,100 acres occupied by this Linkage. Habitat fragmentation or construction of barriers as a

result of planned Rural Mountainous Development may affect large mammal movement through this

Linkage.





FINAL MSHCP 3-105

PROPOSED LINKAGE 9


Planning Species

Adjacent

Proposed

General Plan

Land Use

Major

Covered

Activities

Potentially

Affecting

Linkage

Approx.

Total

(ac.)

Approx.

Edge

(ac.)

Approx.

Interior

(ac.)

Approx.

Perimeter/

Area Ratio

(ft/ac)

3,100 370 2,730 28 vernal pool fairy shrimp, Santa Rosa plateau

fairy shrimp, Riverside fairy shr imp, Californ ia

red-legged frog, southern California rufous-

crowned sparrow, loggerhead shrike, bobcat,

mountain lion, California black walnut and

Engelmann oak.


Proposed Linkage 10

Proposed Linkage 10 consists of an upland connection in the southwest region of the Plan Area

extending from Existing Core F (Santa Rosa Plateau Ecological Reserve) in the north to Existing

Core G (Santa Margarita Ecological Reserve) in the south. Private lands compose the entirety of the

Linkage, which consists of upland Habitat complementary to the riparian Linkage provided between

these two Cores by Proposed Constrained Linkage 13 (Murrieta Creek). This Linkage, which is only

somewhat constrained by existing urban Development, provides for movement between these two

Cores for species such as bobcat and mountain lion. Although the Linkage is somewhat lengthy at

5.5 miles, it is also nearly a mile wide and thus provides Live-In Habitat for many species.

Surrounding planned land uses are approximately evenly divided between Rural Mountainous and

city (Murrieta, Temecula). In areas of the Linkage bordering Cities, treatment of edge conditions

will be necessary to maintain the proper Habitat and movement functions of the Linkage.





FINAL MSHCP 3-106

PROPOSED LINKAGE 10


Planning Species

Generalized

Adjacent Planned

Land Use

Major

Covered

Activities

Potentially

Affecting

Linkage

Approx.

Total

(ac.)

Approx.

Edge

(ac.)

Approx.

Interior

(ac.)

Approx.

Perimeter/

Area Ratio

(ft/ac)

1,520 400 1,120 51 southern California rufous-crowned sparrow,

grasshopper sparrow, Bell’s sage sparrow,

turkey vulture, mountain quail, bobcat,

mountain lion, California black walnut, and

Engelman oak.

Rural Mountainous,

C i t y ( M u r r i e t a ,

Temecula)

I-15

Proposed Linkage 11

Proposed Linkage 11 (Soboba/Gilman Springs) is located in the northeastern section of the Plan

Area. This Linkage connects to Proposed Core 3 (Badlands/Potrero) in the north, Existing Core K

(San Jacinto Mountains) in the southeast, and Proposed Core 5 (Upper San Jacinto River) to the

southwest. Private lands compose the entirety of the Linkage, which is only somewhat constrained

by existing urban Development. This Linkage likely provides for movement of common mammals

such as bobcat and may be an important Linkage area for mountain lions moving between the

Badlands and the San Jacinto Mountains. Tributaries to the San Jacinto River occur within this

Linkage that support arroyo toad and Los Angeles pocket mouse.

A low proportion of the area of the Linkage is affected by edge (approximately 190 acres of the total

1,670 acres), and the Linkage is 6,020 feet wide; thus Proposed Linkage 11 provides Live-In Habitat

for many species in addition to movement Habitat. Nonetheless, management of edge conditions

along the Linkage will be necessary due to surrounding planned land uses and possible effects of

planned facilities such as Soboba Road. Guidelines Pertaining to Urban/Wildlands Interface for the


presented in Section 6.1 of this document. A terrestrial crossing for mammals and reptiles may need

to be considered at Soboba Road.





FINAL MSHCP 3-107

PROPOSED INKAGE 11


Planning Species

Adjacent

Proposed

General Plan

Land Use

Major

Covered

Activities

Potentially

Affecting

Linkage

Approx.

Total

(ac.)

Approx.

Edge

(ac.)

Approx.

Interior

(ac.)

Approx.

Perimeter/

Area Ratio

(ft/ac)

1,670 190 1,480 32 arroyo toad, southern California rufous-crowned

sparrow, Bell’s sage sparrow, cactus wren,

loggerhead shrike, San Bernardino kangaroo rat,

Stephens’ kangaroo rat, bobcat, Los Angeles

pocket mouse, and mountain lion.

O p e n S p a c e /

C o n s e r v a t i o n ,

C o m m u n i t y

Development

Soboba Road

Proposed Linkage 12

Proposed Linkage 12 is comprised of riparian Habitats associated with San Timoteo Creek. Planning

Species which use this Linkage include yellow warbler, white-tailed kite, yellow-breasted chat, least

Bell’s vireo, and Los Angeles pocket mouse. This Linkage likely provides for movement of

common mammals such as bobcat connecting to San Bernardino County and Core Areas in the

Badlands. Maintenance of habitat quality and wetland functions and values of San Timoteo Creek

are important for these species.

As shown on the table below, 1,340 acres of the total 1,530 acres occupied by the Linkage are not

affected by edge. This Linkage is relatively unconstrained by adjacent land uses, which include

planned Rural Mountainous land uses and rural portions of the City of Calimesa. Widening of San

Timoteo Creek may affect resources within the Linkage by contributing to Edge Effects such as

runoff and trash. Improvements to this Covered Activity should be conducted away from the creek

to conserve wetland functions and values. Guidelines Pertaining to Urban/Wildlands Interface for

the management of edge factors such as lighting, urban runoff, toxics, and domestic predators are






FINAL MSHCP 3-108

PROPOSED LINKAGE 12


Planning Species

Adjacent

Proposed

General Plan

Land Use

Major Covered

Activities

Potentially

Affecting

Linkage

Approx.

Total

(ac.)

Approx.

Edge

(ac.)

Approx.

Interior

(ac.)

Approx.

Perimeter/

Area Ratio

(ft/ac)

1,530 190 1,340 48 Cooper’s hawk, Bell’s sage sparrow, yellow

warb ler, white-tailed kite, southw estern

willow flycatcher, yellow-breasted chat,

loggerhead shrike, least Bell’s vireo, San

Bernardino kangaroo rat, Stephens’ kangaroo

rat, bobcat, and Los Angeles pocket mouse



City (Calimesa),

O p e n S p a c e /

C o n s e r v a t io n ,

C o m m u n i t y

Development

S a n T i m o t e o

Canyon Road

Proposed Linkage 13

Proposed Linkage 13 is comprised of Tucalota Creek and adjacent upland Habitats. It is one of two

Linkages connecting Core Areas in Diamond Valley Lake, Lake Skinner and Johnson Ranch to Core

Areas in the eastern portion of the MSHCP Plan Area. Because this Linkage is generally

unconstrained by existing urban development or agricultural use, the Linkage provides Live-In

Habitat for several Planning Species, including Quino checkerspot butterfly and Stephens’ kangaroo

rat . The Linkage also provides a connection for coastal California gnatcatcher, southwestern willow

flycatcher, and bobcat, connecting to Core Areas in Diamond Valley Lake, Lake Skinner, and Wilson

Valley. Maintenance of habitat quality, intact interconnected habitat blocks and wetland functions

and values of Tucalota Creek are important for these species. As shown on the table below, 1,570

acres of the total 1,910 acres occupied by the Linkage are not affected by edge. No major Covered

Activities are planned to be located within this Linkage; however, adjacent planned land uses, which

generally consists of rural and Rural Mountainous Development may affect resources within the

Linkage. Fire, fire suppression, livestock grazing, and off-road vehicle activities associated with

these land use designations may result in adverse Edge Effects. Guidelines Pertaining to







FINAL MSHCP 3-109

PROPOSED LINKAGE 13


Planning Species

Adjacent

Proposed

General Plan

Land Use

Major Covered

Activities

Potentially

Affecting

Linkage

Approx.

Total

(ac.)

Approx.

Edge

(ac.)

Approx.

Interior

(ac.)

Approx.

Perimeter/

Area Ratio

(ft/ac)

1,910 340 1,570 41 Quino checkerspot butterfly, arroyo toad,

western pond turtle, Cooper’s hawk,

tricolored blackbird, southern Californ ia

rufous-crowned sparrow, grasshopper

sparrow, Bell’s sage sparrow, golden eagle

nest site, burrowing ow l, cactus wren, turkey

vulture, northern harrier, white-tailed kite,


gnatcatcher, tree swallow, least Bell’s vireo,

Stephens’ kangaroo rat, bobcat, Los Angeles

pocket mouse, Jaeger’s milk-vetch, and

California muhly.


Mountainous

None

Proposed Linkage 14

Proposed Linkage 14 is comprised of a mosaic of upland Habitat in the Mica Butte area. It provides

Core Areas for a number of Planning Species, including Quino checkerspot butterfly, Bell’s sage

sparrow, and bobcat. It also provides a connection to Core Areas in Cactus Valley and the Diamond

Valley Lake/Lake Skinner area for species such as mountain lion. Maintenance of habitat quality,

as well as maintenance of large interconnected intact habitat blocks are important for these species.

As shown below, areas not affected by edge within this Linkage total approximately 3,990 acres of

the total 4,320 acres occupied by this Linkage. Fire, fire suppression, off-road vehicle and grazing

activities associated with adjacent planned agricultural and Rural Mountainous land uses may

adversely affect Quino checkerspot butterfly. Guidelines Pertaining to Urban/Wildlands Interface







FINAL MSHCP 3-110

PROPOSED LINKAGE 14


Planning Species

Adjacent Proposed

General Plan

Land Use

Major

Covered

Activities

Potentially

Affecting

Linkage

Approx.

Total

(ac.)

Approx.

Edge

(ac.)

Approx.

Interior

(ac.)

Approx.

Perimeter/

Area Ratio

(ft/ac)

4,320 330 3,990 20 Quino checkerspot butterfly, Bell’s sage

sparrow, cactus wren, Stephens’ kangaroo

rat, bobcat, Los Angeles pocket mouse,

and mountain lion.

Rural Mountainous,

Agriculture

None

Proposed Linkage 15

Proposed Linkage 15 is comprised of upland Habitat connecting the San Jacinto Mountains to

existing Noncontiguous Habitat Block C. This Linkage provides Habitat and connectivity for Quino

checkerspot butterfly, known to occur in this area. Other Planning Species that may use this Linkage

include bobcat and mountain lion. Maintenance of habitat quality and contiguous habitat blocks is

important for these species. As shown below, areas not affected by edge within this Linkage total

approximately 570 acres of the total 690 acres occupied by this Linkage. Since this Linkage may

be affected by edge, treatment and management of edge conditions will be necessary to ensure that

it provides Habitat and movement functions for species using this Linkage. Guidelines Pertaining


toxics, and domestic predators are presented in Section 6.1 of this document. Existing vehicle traffic

on roadways within the Linkage may affect Quino checkerspot butterfly during their flight season.

PROPOSED LINKAGE 15


Planning Species

Adjacent

Proposed

General Plan

Land Use

Major Covered

Activities

Potentially

Affecting

Linkage

Approx.

Total

(ac.)

Approx.

Edge

(ac.)

Approx.

Interior

(ac.)

Approx.

Perimeter/

Area Ratio

(ft/ac)

690 120 570 38 Quino checkerspot butterfly, San Bernardino

mountain kingsnake, bobcat and mountain

lion.

Rural None





FINAL MSHCP 3-111

Proposed Linkage 16

Proposed Linkage 16 is comprised of Tule Creek and adjacent upland Habitat. This Linkage

provides Habitat for a number of Planning Species, including Quino checkerspot butterfly, coastal

California gnatcatcher, bobcat, mountain lion, and Stephens’ kangaroo rat. It also serves as a

Linkage for species connecting to Core Areas in Wilson Valley, Vail Lake, Silverado Ranch and

Anza Borrego State Park. Maintenance of wetland function and values along Tule Creek and

maintenance of large intact interconnected habitat blocks are important for these species. As shown

below, areas not affected by edge within this Linkage total approximately 2,570 acres of the total

2,710 acres occupied by this Linkage. As rural planned land uses are developed along the edge the

Linkage, the indirect effects of runoff may affect resources within this Linkage. Guidelines



PROPOSED LINKAGE 16


Planning Species

Adjacent

Proposed General

Plan Land Use

Major Covered

Activities

Potentially

Affecting

Linkage

Approx.

Total

(ac.)

Approx.

Edge

(ac.)

Approx.

Interior

(ac.)

Approx.

Perimeter/

Area Ratio

(ft/ac)

2,710 140 2,570 27 Quino checkerspot butterfly, Bell’s sage

sparrow, golden eagle nest site, cactus

wren, coasta l California gnatcatcher, least

Bell’s vireo, Aguanga kangaroo rat,

Stephens’ kangaroo rat, bobcat, Los

Angeles pocket mouse, and mountain lion.

Rural None

Proposed Linkage 17

Proposed Linkage 17 is comprised of Kolb Creek. It provides Habitat for a number of Planning

Species, including mountain lion, bobcat, western pond turtle, Quino checkerspot butterfly, slender-

horned spine flower, and Stephens’ kangaroo rat. It also provides movement for species connecting

to Core Areas in Wilson Valley, Vail Lake, and the Agua Tibia Wilderness Area. This Linkage





FINAL MSHCP 3-112

contributes to regional connectivity between open space in San Diego County and Core Areas in

Wilson Valley and Vail Lake. Conservation of wetland functions and values in Kolb Creek is

important for this Linkage, as well as maintenance of large intact interconnected habitat blocks. As

shown below, areas not affected by edge within this Linkage total approximately 340 acres of the

total 405 acres occupied by this Linkage. SR-79 is an existing roadway that is planned to be

widened. Planned widening activities may directly affect Habitat, floodplain processes along Kolb

Creek important to the species noted below, or may affect movement through this Linkage.

PROPOSED LINKAGE 17


Planning Species

Adjacent

Proposed

General Plan

Land Use

Major Covered

Activities

Potentially

Affecting

Linkage

Approx.

Total

(ac.)

Approx.

Edge

(ac.)

Approx.

Interior

(ac.)

Approx.

Perimeter/

Area Ratio

(ft/ac)

405 65 340 54 Quino checkerspot butterfly, arroyo chub,

arroyo toad, Cooper’s hawk, tricolored

blackbird, cactus w ren, yellow warbler, white-

tailed kite, prairie falcon, peregrine falcon,

bald eagle, yellow-breasted chat, downy

woodp ecker , osp rey, d oub le-c r es ted

cormorant, purple martin, tree swallow, least

Bell’s vireo, Aguanga kangaroo rat, Stephens’


mouse, bobcat, Nevin’s barberry, Parry’s spine

flower, and slender-horned spine flower.

O p e n S p a c e /

C o n s e r v a t io n ,

Rural

SR-79

Proposed Linkage 18

Proposed Linkage 18 is comprised of Arroyo Seco Creek. It provides Habitat for a number of

Planning Species, including mountain lion, bobcat, western pond turtle, Quino checkerspot butterfly,

slender-horned spine flower, and Stephens’ kangaroo rat. It also provides movement for species

connecting to Core Areas in Wilson Valley, Vail Lake, and the Agua Tibia Wilderness Area. This

Linkage contributes to regional connectivity between open space in San Diego County and Core

Areas in Wilson Valley and Vail Lake. Conservation of wetland functions and values in Arroyo





FINAL MSHCP 3-113

Seco Creek is important for this Linkage, as well as maintenance of large intact interconnected

habitat blocks. As shown below, areas not affected by edge within this Linkage total approximately

170 acres of the total 210 acres occupied by this Linkage. SR-79 is an existing roadway that is

planned to be widened. Planned widening activities may directly affect Habitat, floodplain processes

along Arroyo Seco Creek important to the species noted below, or may affect movement through this

Linkage.

PROPOSED LINKAGE 18

Size of Existing Core

Planning Species

Adjacent Proposed

General Plan

Land Use

Major Covered

Activities

Potentially

Affecting

Linkage

Approx.

Total

(ac.)

Approx.

Edge

(ac.)

Approx.

Interior

(ac.)

Approx.

Perimeter/

Area Ratio

(ft/ac)

210 40 170 90 Quino checkerspot butterfly, arroyo chub,

arroyo toad, Cooper’s hawk, tricolored

blackbird, cactus wren, yellow warbler, white-

tailed kite, prairie falcon, peregrine falcon, bald

eag l e , ye l lo w-b r ea st ed ch a t, d o w ny

woodpecker, osprey, double-crested corm orant,

purple martin, tree swallow, least Bell’s vireo,

Aguanga kangaroo rat, Stephens’ kangaroo rat,

bobcat, Los Angeles pocket mouse, bobcat,

Nevin’s barberry, Parry’s spine flower, and

slender-horned spine flower.

O p e n S p a c e /

Conservation, Rural

SR-79

3.2 DESCRIPTION OF THE MSHCP CONSERVATION AREA...

Documents

Transcript of 3.2 DESCRIPTION OF THE MSHCP CONSERVATION AREA...