Chapter 3 - Natural Resources - Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton

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MCB Camp Pendleton, California MCBCP Camp Pendleton contains three of the remaining 19 drainage basins where arroyo toads are reasonably believed to be extant: the Santa Margarita, San Onofre, and San Mateo (Figure 3-30). It is likely that some of the largest remaining populations of this species occur on Camp Pendleton (Holland & Goodman 1998a). For detailed information on the arroyo toad and its management on Base see Appendix F, Section F.1. Distribution of arroyo toads on Camp Pendleton are areas identified as believed to be required by the USFWS for recovery of the species in the recovery plan (USFWS 1999a). 3.2.4.14. Riverside Fairy Shrimp (Streptocephalus woottoni) FIGURE 3-32. RIVERSIDE FAIRY SHRIMP Riverside Fairy Shrimp (Streptocephalus woottoni) are free-swimming filter feeder crustaceans, which hatch from dormant cysts once hydrated under specific environmental conditions. Mature male Riverside fairy shrimp are approximately 0.5 to 1.0 inches long and the females are approximately 0.5 to 0.87 inches in total length (USFWS 2005). Riverside fairy shrimp generally occur in groups of vernal pools (aka IEW) referred to as vernal pool complexes, and are typically visible from January to March; however, the hatching period may be extended in years of late rainfall (USFWS 2008h). Vernal pool complexes tend to average between 5 and 50 (PHOTO SOURCE: C. BROWN, USGS) vernal pools, although some contain as few as two vernal pools and others contain several hundred vernal pools (complexes containing Riverside fairy shrimp often contain only 1 or 2 pools; however, on MCB Camp Pendleton and Otay Mesa in San Diego County, complexes generally contain many pools). Vernal pools within a complex are generally hydrologically connected, such that water flows over the surface from one pool to another, and/or water flows and collects belowground such that the soil becomes saturated with water, thus filling the vernal pool (USFWS 2008h). For this reason, vernal pool complexes are best described from a watershed perspective (USFWS 2008h). The vernal pool watershed includes all areas around a vernal pool complex needed to collect rainfall and adequately fill the vernal pools within the complex. Vernal pools begin to fill following the onset of fall and winter rains and may remain hydrated until April or May. Some pools in a complex have substantial watersheds that contribute to filling the vernal pools, while others fill almost entirely from rainfall (USFWS 2008h). Additionally, subsurface inflows from surrounding soils may be an important factor in filling some vernal pools (USFWS 2008h). Riverside fairy shrimp are restricted to dilute vernal pools, having relatively low sodium (Na+) concentrations (below 60 millimoles per liter), low alkalinity (below 1000 milligrams per liter), and neutral pH (near 7) (USFWS 2008h). Riverside fairy shrimp are unable to regulate their internal ion levels and mortality increases at higher Na+ concentrations and alkalinity (USFWS 2008h). 3-66 Chapter 3 – Natural Resources
Integrated Natural Resources Management Plan [March 2012 - Update] MANAGEMENT STATUS Federal Status The USFWS listed the Riverside fairy shrimp (Streptocephalus woottoni) as federally endangered on 3 August 1993, because the species is significantly threatened by loss and degradation of habitat range-wide (USFWS 1993c). Final critical habitat was published for the Riverside fairy shrimp on 30 May 2001. On 30 October 2002, the DC Circuit Court vacated the published critical habitat. Critical habitat was then proposed again on 27 April 2004 (USFWS 2004h). On 19 October 2004, the comment period was reopened until 18 November 2004, and the draft economic analysis was made available. The proposed critical habitat excluded “mission-critical” training areas on Base. “Non-mission-critical” training areas within Camp Pendleton, including lands at the Cocklebur Sensitive Area and lands leased to the State Parks, were included within the North San Diego County Critical Habitat Unit (Map Unit 4). Final critical habitat was published on 12 April 2005. All areas owned and operated by Camp Pendleton were excluded from designation in accordance with Section (4)(a)(3) of the ESA. A recovery plan has been approved for the listed species of southern California vernal pools, which includes the Riverside fairy shrimp (USFWS 1998b). In 2008, a 5-year review of the species status was conducted and based on the most current scientific evidence no change in federal listing status was recommended, and a revision of the downlisting criteria presented in the 1998 Vernal Pools of Southern California Recovery Plan was recommended (USFWS 2008h). California Status No special status has been assigned to the Riverside fairy shrimp in the State of California. Regional Status The Riverside fairy shrimp is a covered species in the following southern California NCCP documents: • Assessment District 161 • 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 • Orange County Southern Subregion NCCP/HCP • Orange County Central/Coastal NCCP/HCP • Rancho Bella Vista (Pacific Bay Properties) • Redhawk Communities • SDG&E • Western Riverside MSHCP MCBCP Status The Base is in consultation with the USFWS regarding management of Upland habitats and species basewide, including the Riverside fairy shrimp and the pools it occupies. When this species was listed, the Base instituted measures for avoidance and minimization of impacts Chapter 3 – Natural Resources 3-67
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Chapter 3 - Natural Resources - Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton

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