Lorraine Rhoads, a Wildlife Biologist with EEC distributed copies of a PowerPoint presentation
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to explain the biology data gathering and analysis on the project. She explained the Sonoran Desert Conservation Plan and the categories that are part of it. She noted that the conservation land system is made up of Graphical Information System (GIS) Layers. This mapping device consists of several layers of information, including topographical information, street mapping, etc. Several layers are used for the purpose of the Sonoran conservation plan like important riparian areas and biological core areas, which are laid over the project vicinity to decipher which areas are of environmental importance. Special elements are another form of GIS layers that include springs, perennial streams and other vegetative communities like Mesquite and Paloverde cactus. There are 55 priority vulnerable species that are part of the Sonoran Desert Conservation Plan. She invited the audience to visit the website to take a closer look at
http://www.dot.co.pima.az.us/gis/mapguide/mgmap.cfm?path=/cmo/spcpmaps/sdep.mwf. Lorraine then explained the goals of the Environmentally Sensitive Roadway Design Guidelines. One is to minimize the impacts to the regional resources. The second is to allow the design team to adjust according to those resources present; these being cultural, historical and biological. Several criteria define the Environmentally Sensitive Roadway (ESR). The four main categories are: 1) the project is located within the Sonoran Desert Conservation Plan Lands System boundaries, 2) it is in an archeologically sensitive or historic area, 3) the project is an environmentally sensitive roadway or 4) the project is a scenic drive. Craycroft is an environmentally sensitive project because it is a scenic drive. Lorraine reviewed the conservation land system along Craycroft Road and pointed out the several GIS layers of important riparian areas, biological core and multiple use or recovery areas. The Rillito River is not necessarily being impacted by the roadway expansion of Craycroft Road but it is being included as part of the project area because of the noise disturbances and the easement for the construction will impact the Rillito River on the south end of the project. Lorraine explained the special elements and how GIS layers are used to locate them. The special elements present within the project area are the Mesquite, the Paloverde Mixed Cacti and the Sonoran Riparian Scrub. The Mesquite's highest population in the area is located along the Rillito River. The Paloverde Mixed Cacti is in the majority of the project area and the Sonoran Riparian Scrub is located along riparian areas (drainage areas or washes). Lorraine explained that the Special Status Species and Priority Vulnerable Species (PVS) are the wildlife species that can be potentially impacted by the project. The special status species are inclusive of endangered species by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, which are federally listed species like the Cactus Ferruginous Pygmy-owl (CFPO) and the Lesser Long-Nosed Bat. The list also includes species protected by the Arizona Game & Fish like the Desert Tortoise. There are 55 PVS and, of those, only 25 have a habitat model that will overlap the project area. Habitat models can be informative but do not prove that the species exist there. Seven of the 55 species have a priority conservation area that overlaps the Craycroft Road project area. Some of these species are a bird called Bell's Vireo, the Rufous-Winged Sparrow, the Desert Box Turtle, the Giant Spotted Whiptail and the Mexican Garter Snake. The Gila Monster is included on the list as wildlife species of special concern and is not part of the 55 PVS, federally or state endangered species. The population is not critical, but the habitat is dwindling and as the habitat gets more fragmented then the population reduces in number. Lorraine encouraged the audience to notify her and the EEC team of any sightings of animals so that they may be documented properly. She can be reached at 312-4625 or via e-mail
lrhoads@eectuc.com.
Lorraine presented an example of a PVS habitat modeled along Craycroft Road specific to the Cactus Ferruginous Pygmy-owl (CFPO). She explained that GIS layers are used to design the habitat models and several factors are taken into account, like topography, wash alignment and type of vegetation. The biologists and GIS analysts use these layers of information to rank the potential of habitat for each of these 55 species as low, medium or high. In this case, 25 species have the potential to appear in our project area. Of these 25 species, very few have a medium to a high rank. The majority of them have a low likelihood to occur in the area. She also presented an example PVS habitat for the Acuna Cactus, which is listed on the 55 Priority Vulnerable Species. The Acuna Cactus has never been found anywhere east of the Tohono O'odham reservation. It is located in the Ajo Mountains and in the Cabeza Prieta National Wildlife Refuge. According to the model presented it is inaccurately showing the cactus having a high potential to appear in this area. This, therefore, requires the biologists to go out into the field and verify what species are really there.
Lorraine then presented a map of an example Priority Conservation Area (PCA) along Craycroft Road. This information indicates the potential of the species being in the area and it is based on professional experts, biologists with the help of the GIS layers. There are four levels of a PCA: 1) based on historical information, critical for species and the population does exist; 2) areas that are of value, meaning the species is nearby and the potential for the species to disburse into this area is great; 3) habitat connectivity and how well the area is connected to the values of 1 and 2; and 4) potential for the habitat to be restored or improved. Seven of the 55 species have a PCA that contacts or comes close to contacting our project area. Out of the seven only three have a PCA of value 1, which means the biologists believe that area to be critical to the species. These are three birds, which are the CFPO, Bell's Vireo and the Rufous-Winged Sparrow.
Chuck Freitas asked if any CFPO's have been spotted in the area. Lorraine answered that there haven't been very many seen on the eastside of Tucson. However, surveys are still being completed. The bird will still be included on the list because of the potential for it to appear in the project area. Because it is a federally listed species and there is a federal nexus involved, it has to be taken into account by law (Section 7 of the Endangered Species Act).
Lorraine added that other species like the giant spotted whiptail and the Mexican garter snake have a PCA value of 3 or 3-4, meaning they overlap each other. In other words, the area is good for connectivity and has the potential to be restored or improved for these species.
To conclude, Lorraine reviewed the possible mitigation measures. The first mitigation measure would include the required CFPO surveys. Other mitigation measures could include lighted culverts. These types of culverts would allow for connectivity from the mountainous area, through the residential area and then toward the Rillito River. Herp walls are specially designed concrete walls with a high slope that encourage reptiles to use the culverts. This type of mitigation will hopefully reduce the amount of wildlife killed on the road and allow the species to have a larger range for resources and reproduction opportunities. She noted there are many other possible mitigation measures that will be considered for this project, many of them can be found in the Environmentally Sensitive Roadway Design Guidelines. Lorraine also noted that the presentation contains a list of website links for the audience to visit for more information and reminded them to notify the EEC team of any Gila monster sightings.
Cecily Surace asked at what point it is decided what mitigation measures to take. Lorraine responded that right now she is only making a recommendation on what to use. Sal added that once they complete the environmental assessment then the mitigation report is developed and that report specifies where the mitigation measures will occur.
Jonathan Robertson with Sage Landscape distributed excerpts from the Environmentally Sensitive Roadway Design Guidelines
(ESR) (html | pdf). He explained that Sage's roll is to perform a biological visual inventory and assessment of the area at a more detailed level. Sage uses the GIS to randomly choose 5 plots to biologically inventory and establish what exists. This information is then used to determine the seed mix and rates of application to be utilized to recreate the conditions that will be similar to those now existing once the project is done.
Cecily Surace asked at what point do they actually go in and recreate the landscape. Jonathan responded that would be further ahead in the project. Mrs. Surace also asked if the committee gets involved in any way. Sal responded that once the EAMR process is completed then the committee is presented with a landscape plan for their review and comment.
Don Baker asked since this is a scenic corridor and the plans are to replenish it, will you enhance it as well? Sal responded that the density will not increase but the vegetation will be strategically located.
Jonathan continued to explain that the visual inventory takes into account the views from the roadway and views into the roadway. The setting determines the character of the project, such as undisturbed or developed areas, residential or other, and density. Finally, the project description is made up of the elements of the project that may affect the visual quality of the roadway. This is a subjective process that is performed by a qualified professional. The goal of the inventory is to establish what the existing conditions are and the average visual character of the corridor. Then they conduct a visual analysis to assess the existing conditions and proposed elements of the project and determine if there are any impacts. They identify the type of treatments that are needed as mitigation measures for a negatively impacted area that is of high visual quality. Jonathan then presented several samples of the plots used in their surveys.
Sherman Madere asked if the landscape would include an irrigation system. Jonathan responded that a permanent system would be installed and added that it wouldn't be a problem if the system breaks down since the plants are all native to the area. Mr. Madere also asked if it is a federal or state requirement that the desert landscape be retained. Jonathan responded that it is all part of the Pima County Sonoran Desert Conservation Plan.
Mrs. Surace asked about the extent of the improvements. Sal explained that the right-of-way (ROW) is 150-feet wide. The existing roadway is built mainly along the east side of the ROW; therefore, most of the widening work will occur to the west side of the existing roadway.
Donald Baker asked about the wall on Sunrise and how it was permitted for it to block the viewshed. Sal explained that the homeowners often have a different opinion on what the viewshed towards the roadway should be. On the Sunrise project many property owners wanted to be screened from seeing the roadway from their homes. Many homeowners thought these walls were important and the design group included some of these as part of the mitigation recommended to the Board of Supervisors. The Board then makes the decision whether to accept the recommendations made. Mr. Baker then added that the business viewsheds should be maintained. Sal agreed that the County is very interested in meeting with the property owners and is willing to discuss access and views to and from the
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