bo 3500.1n - Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton

BO 3500.1N
25 Mar 08
prohibited in all coastal marshes from 1 March to 15 September, and prohibited
all year in the Santa Margarita Estuary (portions of Beach Section G
or Blue Beach) and the mouth of Cocklebur Canyon (Beach Section F).
b. Vehicle operations and foot traffic in the vicinity of coastal
marshes, estuaries, and lagoons are authorized year round on existing roads,
trails and established crossings. Off-road vehicular traffic or foot
traffic, excavations, and/or fill activities needing to occur in coastal
marshes, estuaries, and lagoons must be reviewed by the AC/S, ES, and receive
appropriate permits and approvals prior to conducting the action.
7. Endangered Species
a. The endangered California Least Tern nests on most Base beaches
between 1 March and 15 September. This bird uses coastal lagoons, mud/salt
flats, beaches, dunes, ocean, and tide line for nesting, foraging, and
resting. Training activities can disrupt nesting, frighten adult birds,
cause nest abandonment, and separate chicks from their parents.
b. The threatened Western Snowy Plover nests on most Base beaches
between 1 March and 15 September. They may be present on any Camp Pendleton
beach throughout the year. This bird uses coastal lagoons, mud/salt flats,
beaches, dunes, ocean, and tide line for nesting, foraging, and resting.
Training activities can disrupt nesting, frighten adult birds, cause nest
abandonment, and separate chicks from their parents.
c. The Light-footed Clapper Rail is a secretive marsh bird. This bird
was last documented nesting at the Santa Margarita Estuary in 2003, but some
are still occasionally found using the coastal marshes of the Base.
d. The endangered Tidewater Goby is a small fish living in the shallow
water of coastal lagoons and estuaries on Camp Pendleton. These small fish
are most abundant in lagoons where fresh water flowing downstream meets the
salt water from the Pacific Ocean. All coastal estuaries and lagoons aboard
Camp Pendleton provide habitat for this species, including those on Red,
Blue, and Green Beaches; and Beach Sections D and F. Activities disturbing
the waters and vegetation of coastal lagoons/estuaries, or causing sediment
to be transported into these lagoons will affect the Tidewater Goby. Any
vehicular traffic within or across a lagoon/estuary can be harmful due to the
very limited area of suitable Goby habitat within most lagoons and estuaries.
Even small POL leaks from vehicles can contaminate water enough to adversely
impact the Gobies.
e. The endangered Southern Steelhead Trout is an extremely rare fish
found in San Mateo Creek. Ocean-going steelhead can grow to 24” before
returning upstream to spawn during the winter rainy periods. Spawning and
rearing occurs in stream pools in the Delta Training Area and further
upstream (off the Base). Southern Steelhead Trout may be adversely affected
during this critical time since its lifecycle is adversely altered in the
estuary, rearing pools, or flowing stream waters of San Mateo Creek.
8. Estuarine/Beach Endangered Species Management Zones. To protect the
California Least Tern, Western Snowy Plover, Light-footed Clapper Rail and
Tidewater Goby, the restrictions listed below apply when operating within the
following areas: all coastal lagoons and estuaries; marshes and salt flats
associated with San Mateo Creek, San Onofre Creek, Las Flores Creek, “Hidden
Creek” grid coordinates 580818, Aliso Creek, French Creek, and Cocklebur
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