APPENDIX D
The purpose of the biological monitoring is to identify adverse impacts that can be avoided, minimized and mitigate by mapping important resources such as fish habitat and riparian vegetation. This monitoring plan is not a river management plan but part of the Corps regulatory requirements to ensure protection of the aquatic ecosystem.
Each applicant will study his/her project reach which shall include the gravel extraction reach (or zone) and distances upstream and downstream of the gravel extraction area equal to half the gravel extraction reach. Modifications to the project reach may be made by the Corps for projects in close proximity to other gravel operators, and for projects that span large distances -with relatively small excavations. Each Class A applicant shall submit the following biological monitoring data to be obtained by a qualified biologist. Each applicant is responsible for ensuring that all data submitted is accurate and obtained by qualified individuals. Failure to employ qualified individuals may require resurveying, and or suspension of the permit.
A. Vegetation:
1. All vegetation in each project reach shall be mapped, at a scale of I inch = 500 feet, during the 1996 year or first year of operations for riparian and wetland vegetation and formatted to be consistent to the USFWS National Wetlands Inventory methodology. Mapping consistency shall be provided by the Vegetation coordinator on the CHERT. Riparian and wetland mapping will require the use of the 1996 or current year aerial photo, existing reports and ground truthing. Vegetation shall be typed including age, complexity (using Shannon - Weiner index or other Corps approved index), species composition, and quantified in acreage. Three years after the initial mapping of the project reach, mapping shall be redone. Yearly summaries in vegetational changes in age structure and areal coverage shall be required, and can be supplied using stereoscopic aerial photos. Vegetation mapped shall extend a minimum of 100 feet from the top of the banks of the watercourse, or until a change in land use or paved road is found.
B. Anadromous Fish:
1. Each project reach shall be mapped for fish habitat, in early summer, using the CDFG's Habitat Level III typing techniques, as provided in the CDFG California Salmonid Stream Habitat Restoration Manual, at a final scale of approximately I inch = 500 feet. This mapping effort should be completed in 1997 or first year of operations and use aerial photography and on the ground visual observations for ground truthing.
a. When habitat mapping, the recorder shall make specific note of pool depths, eddies, deltas, key inchannel habitat features formed by large woody debris (e.g. fallen trees, large logs, and root wads), and unique substrate conditions that are of high importance to fish.
b. Habitat typing of the project reach shall be redone after three years.
2. Temperature readings shall be taken during the same year of mapping, between July I and October 31 to help document cold water refugia suitable for anadromous fish document temperature stratification, and locate cold water refugia. Researchers shall record the temperature of the deepest pool at the head of the pool and at its deepest point using continuous recording thermometers (long- term temperature recorders such as hobo temps or stowaways) that only need to be read once per month. In addition, temperatures shall be taken at any suspected cold water refugia. Temperature data shall be submitted with post extraction cross sections.
3. Project reaches in the lower mainstems of the rivers shall be annually surveyed using snorkeling or visual surveys over a three year period to document adult salmonid upstream migration patterns, use of holding areas such as pools, and how fish generally distribute themselves while they are transporting up the rivers. Project reaches below the Hatchery on the Mad River, below Cuddeback Creek on the Van Dozen River, below the South Fork Eel River on the Eel River, and on the Trinity River below the confluence of the South Fork of the Trinity River. Surveys shall begin September 1 and continue every ten days through December 1 as water conditions (flow and visibility) permit. Any redds observed shall be mapped. Locations and dates shall be submitted by December 3 1. 1
4. An annual adult summer steelhead snorkeling survey shall be conducted once each year for three years. The annual survey shall be taken between July I and August 31 and shall survey all pools within the project reach. Pools where fish are present shall be mapped.
5. Class A applicants shall be responsible for developing a joint study, working, with USFWS, NMFS, CDFG and the Corps, which will analyze juvenile stranding caused by gravel mining. The study shall be developed by the end of '96, approved by the Corps, and begin implementation in the spring of '97. The study shall include selected sites on the river basins including control sites. A study team of qualified biologists and a statistician shall be selected by the operators and approved by the Corps to develop and run the study. Results shall be documented and analyzed yearly. One research group shall study all sites to obtain consistency of results.
C. Amphibians:
After completion of the level III fish habitat mapping, each project reach, which shall be surveyed once in early June, August and October to determine the presence or absence of foothill yellow- legged frogs northern redlegged frogs, and bullfrogs. Surveys will focus on the ponded areas within the floodplain as well as shallow. slow moving water along the river's edges. During the tri-yearly surveys, all suitable habitat shall be investigated and delineated on appropriate aerial photos. Data recorded will include water temperatures taken during the survey, and number of sightings of adult juveniles, egg masses and tadpoles seen. Visual inspections shall include scans of the steam banks and rivers' edges for egg masses, tadpoles, and adults. If adults are present, the surveyor shall note any adverse affects of the operations on amphibians.
D. Birds:
Permittees with operations on the Eel River, downstream of the confluence With the Van Duzen River, or on the Mad River, downstream of the Mad River Fish Hatchery in Blue Lake, shall conduct Snowy Plover surveys on their gravel bars that are scheduled for extraction and/or will be used in haul routes between March I and September 15. Surveys shall be conducted within a two week period prior to operation. Each gravel bar shall be thoroughly searched t%vice for nesting, foraging or resting Snowy plovers. The surveys shall be conducted 6-7 days apart. Surveys must be conducted by a qualified biologist approved by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
Any gravel operation that begins in the spring (March, April or May) may adversely affect nesting and brooding activities of avian species. Monitoring of avian species to determine use of riparian areas and gravel bars according to sex, age, and breeding status may be required of any operator that commences gravel extraction before June 1. Monitoring shall include point counts and mist netting and shall be approved by CDFG and USFWS personnel.
E. Mammals and Pond Turtles
1. No surveys shall be required for mammals and pond turtles, however, anecdotal information shall be recorded during other surveys and shall be submitted to the Corps.