Chapter 3 - Natural Resources - Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton

MCB Camp Pendleton, California
and Endangered Wildlife and Plants (USFWS 2004e). The USFWS found that the petition
presents substantial information that delisting the Pacific coast population of the western
snowy plover may be warranted, and initiated a status review. On 21 April 2006, the
USFWS announced a 12-month finding on the petition to remove the Pacific coast
population of the western snowy plover from the Federal List of Threatened and
Endangered Wildlife pursuant to the ESA of 1973, as amended. After reviewing the best
scientific and commercial information, the USFWS found that the petitioned action was not
warranted (USFWS 2006d). However, results of the USFWS 5-year review, signed June
2006, found that the Pacific coast population constitutes a valid Distinct Population
Segment (DPS) (USFWS 2006f).
On 22 March 2011, the USFWS proposed to revise the critical habitat designation for the
western snowy plover. All 441 ac considered for designation on Base are proposed to be
exempted under 4(a)(3) of the ESA in the final rule (USFWS 2011e).
California Status
The western snowy plover (coastal population) is listed as a Species of Special Concern by
the CDFG (CDFG 2008b).
Regional Status
The western snowy plover is a covered species in the following southern California NCCP
documents:
• Cal. Dept. of Corrections Statewide Electrified Fence Project.
• Kern Water Bank.
• MHCP, City of Carlsbad Habitat Management Plan.
• MSCP, City of Chula Vista Subarea Plan.
• MSCP, City of La Mesa Subarea Plan.
• MSCP, City of Poway Subarea Plan.
• MSCP, City of San Diego Subarea Plan.
• MSCP, County of San Diego Subarea Plan.
• SDG&E.
MCBCP Status
Protection and management of the western snowy plover and its habitat is provided for in
the Estuarine and Beach Conservation Plan as an attachment to the Riparian BO 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. 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 provided in the Estuarine and Beach Conservation
Plan and Base Order P3500.1N (Range and Training Regulations). Management details,
survey information, etc., for the western snowy plover are located in Appendix F, Section
F.23.
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