The vernal pools at the Spring Canyon/Goat Mesa complex (J16-J18) and surrounding open space have suffered considerable off-road damage over the years. This damage has resulted in changes in hydrologic, flow patterns, and inundation characteristics. This vernal pools complex was identified by the adopted Recovery Plan for Vernal Pools of Southern California (USFWS 1998) as necessary to stabilize populations of the following endangered and threatened MSP species: E. aristulatum, P. nudiuscula, N. fossalis, O. californica, B. sandiegonensis, and S. wootoni. The Management Strategic Plan (MSP) for Conserved Lands in Western San Diego County (SDMMP) also lists other MSP species historically found onsite, including D. variegata, M. minimus, S. hammondii, and A cunicularia. Minimization of illegal off-road vehicle use is the primary goal. The main objective to reach the goal is to use to fence off as many of the key access points and areas of frequent off-road vehicle use throughout the City open space to protect the habitat for the endangered and threatened species that exist onsite. This will be done by hiring a fence contractor to provide all supplies and install the fence.
Project type: Habitat restoration
Main implementing entity: City of San Diego, Park and Recreation Department
Project Page manager: Sarah McCutcheon
SDMMP lead: Sarah McCutcheon
Study lead: Jason Allen
vernal pools and alkali playa
Goal: Protect, enhance, and restore vernal pool habitat on Conserved Lands in the MSPA that supports or has the potential to support VF and SL species (i.e., California Orcutt grass, Otay mesa mint, San Diego button-celery, San Diego mesa mint, spreading navarretia, Riverside fairy shrimp, San Diego fairy shrimp, and western spadefoot) so that the vegetation community has high ecological integrity, and these species are resilient to environmental stochasticity and threats, such as altered hydrology, climate change and invasive plants, and will be likely to persist over the long term (>100 years).
Regional and/or Local
NFO
2018, 2019, 2020, 2021
MGT-IMP-VPML1 VERPOO-4
Management units: 2, 3, 4, 5, 6
Beginning in 2018, conduct annual routine stewardship management to maintain vernal pool habitat and existing MSP species populations as defined in the VPMMP (City of San Diego 2015). Level 1 pools are those where little maintenance is needed, other than routine access patrols and enforcement, removal of trash and debris, edge effects maintenance (e.g., offsite erosion control and irrigation management), maintaining fencing and signage, reparing trespass damage, repairing minor topographic disturbances, and controlling invasive plants for MSP species and general habitat maintenance (2 visits per spring).
Criteria |
Deadline year |
Level 1 Management implemented annually and report submitted |
2021 |
Human uses of the Preserves
Goal: The goal for managing human use of preserves is to understand and reduce the impacts of human uses on Conserved Lands where human use is reducing the population levels and/or viability of MSP species populations.
local
NFO
2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021
MGT-IMP-BMP HUMUSE-4
Management units: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11
Beginning in 2017, limit or restrict passive recreation uses within Important Management Areas and/or significant occurrences of MSP species during the breeding season for animals and peak growing season for plants and minimize adverse effects from vegetation trampling, erosion, and trash.
Criteria |
Deadline year |
Restrictions on Passive Recreation Implemented for the Protection of MSP Resources |
2021 |