West Mojave Plan FEIR/S - Desert Managers Group

Population Status in the Planning Area: This species is a western Mojave Desertendemic, found from California City east to the Superior Valley and from the Cuddeback Lakearea south to near Kramer Junction. Early collections of this plant from Lucerne Valley,Victorville and Apple Valley are from areas now developed, and the most recent records datefrom 1941.Desert cymopterus is found in low densities and is widely dispersed. The vast majorityof known recent occurrences >90%) are from Edwards AFB. Several studies of utility corridorshave verified presence northeast of Kramer Junction on BLM and private lands, and additionallocations were detected in 200 and 2001 near Hinkley and in the Superior Valley, the latter onlands transferred to the Army for the Fort Irwin expansion. Desert cymopterus remains one ofthe rarest and least known of the West Mojave target plant species.The pattern of distribution of desert cymopterus suggests that it favors lands on the eastside of desert playas where blowsand has accumulated.Regulatory Status: BLM SensitiveThreats Affecting the Desert Cymopterus: Threats to the desert cymopterus are notobvious. Urbanization in the Victor Valley and utility development east of Kramer Junctionhave eliminated some plants or reduced available habitat. Off-road vehicle travel has been citedas a threat, but documentation of loss of plants is missing. Cattle and sheep formerly grazed inoccupied habitat, but livestock grazing is mostly restricted at known populations. Herbivory tothe leaves by native insects, rodents, and perhaps tortoises is apparent, but the extent of damageto population size is not documented.3.3.8.7 Kelso Creek MonkeyflowerLife History: Loamy, coarse sands on alluvial fans and deposits of granitic origin withinthe Joshua tree and juniper woodlands of the Kelso Valley in Kern County.Population Status in the Planning Area: Seven of eight known occurrences are withina 12 square mile area in the Kelso Valley, with the remaining occurrence outside the Planningarea nine miles to the northwest. Approximately 990 acres of public land and 1,000 acres ofprivate land are occupied habitat. An additional 1,600 acres of potential habitat on public landhas been identified.Regulatory Status: Federal Candidate.Threats Affecting the Kelso Creek Monkeyflower: Identified threats includetrampling by cattle and off-highway vehicle activity. The main threat to this species is thepresent or threatened destruction, modification, or curtailment of its habitat or range. Mobilehome and subdivision developments, including road access, threaten populations on private land.Fire-fighting operations have damaged one population in the past.Chapter 3 3-188