Chapter 3 - Natural Resources - Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton

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MCB Camp Pendleton, California MCBCP Status Guidance for protection and management of the southwestern willow flycatcher and its habitat is provided for in the Estuarine and Beach Conservation Plan as an attachment to the Riparian and Estuarine/Beach BO (1-6-95-F-02) signed on 30 October 1995. The Estuarine and Beach Conservation Plan is located in Appendix B and the terms and conditions to the BO are located in Appendix L. Specific programmatic instructions that provide basewide proscriptions for avoidance and minimization of impacts to the species and its habitat, especially during the Special Management Season, which coincides with its breeding season are located in the Estuarine and Beach Conservation Plan and Base Order P3500.1M (Range and Training Regulations). Management details, survey information, etc., for the southwestern willow flycatcher are located in Appendix F, Section F.18. DISTRIBUTION Global The breeding range of the southwestern willow flycatcher includes southern California, Arizona, New Mexico, extreme southern portions of Nevada and Utah, far western Texas, perhaps southwestern Colorado, and extreme northwestern Mexico (USFWS 2002a). Between August and September, the southwestern willow flycatcher migrates to the wintering grounds in Mexico, Central America, and possibly northern South America. Regional In San Diego County, the population of the southwestern willow flycatcher is fewer than 90 pairs and fewer than 200 Statewide (Unitt 2004). There are two main colonies of southwestern willow flycatchers in the county: along 4.6 miles of the upper San Luis Rey River and on Camp Pendleton along the Santa Margarita River. Four newer colonies have recently formed and are located at: Whelan Lake, Guajome Lake Marsh, Couser Canyon, and Pala (Unitt 2004). Other pairs or unmated individuals are scattered in small numbers throughout the County. MCBCP Southwestern willow flycatchers inhabit riparian woodlands made up of mixed willow riparian habitat and riparian scrub with a dense understory. On Camp Pendleton, the southwestern willow flycatcher is found on the following rivers, creeks and tributaries: Santa Margarita River, Newton Canyon, Hidden Canyon, Cristianitos Creek, San Mateo Creek, San Onofre Creek, Piedra de Lumbre, Las Flores Creek, Aliso Creek, French Creek, De Luz Creek, Fallbrook Creek, Roblar Creek, Windmill Canyon, and Pilgrim Creek (Figure 3-17). In 2008, the number of southwestern willow flycatcher territories (singing males) recorded on Camp Pendleton was 9 (Howell and Kus 2009). For detailed information on the southwestern willow flycatcher and its management on Base see Appendix F, Section F.18. 3-50 Chapter 3 – Natural Resources
Integrated Natural Resources Management Plan [March 2012 - Update] 3.2.4.8. Western Snowy Plover (Charadrius alexandrinus nivosus) The western snowy plover (Charadrius alexandrinus nivosus) is a small shorebird (length 6 inches), pale in color, with a thin dark bill, dark or grayish legs, partial breast band and a dark ear patch. They forage above the mean high-water line of coastal beaches, gathering invertebrates from sand surface, kelp, marine-mammal carcasses, or low foredune vegetation (USFWS 2005a). Typical FIGURE 3-19. WESTERN SNOWY PLOVER breeding season occurs within the Special Management Season (PHOTO SOURCE: STEPHEN J. DAVIES, USFWS) from 1 March through 15 September. Factors contributing to the decline of the western snowy plover are attributed to predation, loss of habitat and human disturbance. MANAGEMENT STATUS Federal Status The western snowy plover (Charadrius alexandrinus nivosus) was listed by the USFWS as threatened on 5 March 1993 (USFWS 1993b). Critical habitat for the western snowy plover was published on 7 December 1999 (USFWS 1999c), and no critical habitat was designated within the Base boundary at that time due to anticipated completion of the Base INRMP. On 17 December 2004, the USFWS published a proposal to designate critical habitat for the Pacific coast distinct population segment of the western snowy plover, pursuant to a court order issued in July 2003 (USFWS 2004d). The court order partially vacated critical habitat established for the Pacific coast population of the western snowy plover and remanded the previous designation of critical habitat for preparation of a new analysis of the economic impacts (Coos County Board of County Commissioners et al. v. Department of the Interior (DoI) et al.). On 29 September 2005, the USFWS published a final rule designating critical habitat for the Pacific coast population of the western snowy plover, and approximately 40 acres of critical habitat was designated on Base within State Park leased lands (Unit CA 24, San Onofre Beach) (USFWS 2005j). This unit stretches roughly 0.8 miles from the mouth of San Mateo Creek to the mouth of San Onofre Creek (USFWS 2005j). An additional 49 acres on Base, outside of the State Park lease area, were excluded from critical habitat designation pursuant to Section 4(a)(3) of the ESA because the USFWS review found that the Camp Pendleton INRMP provides a benefit for the species (USFWS 2005j). The snowy plover is protected by the MBTA. On 20 February 2004, the USFWS announced a 90-day finding on a petition to remove the Pacific coast population of the western snowy plover from the Federal List of Threatened Chapter 3 – Natural Resources 3-51
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Chapter 3 - Natural Resources - Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton

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