Supplemental Environmental Assessment to the Programmatic Environmental 
Assessment (PEA) for Typical Recurring Actions Resulting From Flood, Earthquake, 
Fire, Rain, and Wind Disasters in California as Proposed by the Federal Emergency 
Management Agency

San Luis Obispo County

Cambria Flood Mitigation Project: Storm Drain and Pump Station

FEMA-1046-DR-CA, HMGP #1046-157-1003

November 2006

1.	INTRODUCTION
San Luis Obispo County (County) has applied for funds from the Federal Emergency 
Management Agency (FEMA), through the State of California Governor's Office of 
Emergency Services (OES), to implement a flood mitigation project. FEMA is proposing to 
fund the project through the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) under a presidential 
disaster declaration (FEMA-DR-1046-CA) for the flood of 1995.
The project area is located in the community of Cambria, California, along the northern coast 
of San Luis Obispo County approximately 35 miles northwest of the City of San Luis Obispo 
(Figure 1, Appendix A). Cambria includes two village districts, East and West Villages. The 
project area is located in the West Village area.
 
1.1	SCOPE OF DOCUMENT
FEMA has prepared the Final Programmatic Environmental Assessment for Typical 
Recurring Actions Resulting From Flood, Earthquake, Fire, Rain, and Wind Disasters in 
California (PEA), which assesses common impacts of the action alternatives that are under 
consideration at the proposed project site (FEMA 2003). The PEA adequately assesses 
impacts from the action alternatives for some resource areas, but other resources are not fully 
assessed in the PEA. Therefore, for this specific project to comply with the National 
Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA), FEMA has prepared this Supplemental 
Environmental Assessment (SEA) to fully evaluate the impacts of the HMGP project. This 
SEA hereby incorporates the PEA by reference, in accordance with Title 40 of the Code of 
Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 1508.28. The SEA has been prepared according to the 
requirements of NEPA, the Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) regulations 
implementing NEPA (Title 40 CFR Parts 1500 through 1508), and FEMA's implementing 
regulations (Title 44 CFR Part 10).

1.2	PURPOSE OF AND NEED FOR ACTION
The objective of FEMA's HMGP is to reduce the loss of life and property due to natural 
disasters and to enable long-term hazard mitigation measures to be implemented during the 
immediate recovery from a disaster. Through this program, FEMA provides grants to state 
and local governments to implement long-term hazard mitigation measures after a major 
disaster declaration. Therefore, the purpose of this project is to provide HMGP funding to San 
Luis Obispo County to reduce the long-term risks associated with potential damages to the 
West Village from natural hazards.

In March 1995, approximately 35 businesses, 20 homes, roadways, and utilities in the West 
Village were flooded causing nine million dollars worth of damage. A portion of the flooding 
was caused by runoff from local watersheds in addition to overflow of Santa Rosa Creek at 
the Highway 1 Bridge. 

The West Village has been subject to recurring flooding from localized runoff. During storms 
of 50-year magnitude or greater, flows in Santa Rosa Creek escape the channel, flank the 
highway embankment, and flood the historic floodplain of the West Village. When this 
occurs, Highway 1 serves to contain and sustain flooding in the northern portion of the West 
Village by preventing flood flows from re-entering the creek. Flooding is exacerbated by the 
West Village storm drain system that currently includes flap gates on existing storm drain 
culverts under Highway 1 that discharge runoff from the West Village into Santa Rosa Creek. 
These flap gates become closed during high flows in Santa Rosa Creek, which traps runoff 
from the West Village because the water cannot pass through the storm drains. 

Therefore, action is needed to reduce the threat of property damage and to reduce threats to 
public health and safety caused by the flooding in the West Village.

2.	DESCRIPTION OF THE PROPOSED ACTIONS AND ALTERNATIVES

2.1	NO ACTION ALTERNATIVE
NEPA requires the inclusion of a No Action Alternative in the environmental analysis and 
documentation. The No Action Alternative is defined as maintaining the status quo with no 
FEMA funding for any alternative action. For projects otherwise determined eligible for 
FEMA funding under the HMGP, the No Action Alternative is in conflict with FEMA's 
mission and the purpose of the HMGP. Nonetheless, the No Action Alternative is used to 
evaluate the effects of not providing eligible assistance for the project, thus providing a 
benchmark against which "action alternatives" can be evaluated. For the purpose of this 
alternative, it is assumed that San Luis Obispo County would be unable to implement a 
project for lack of federal assistance, and the flood hazard would remain unmitigated at the 
project site. Property damage and the resulting economic losses would continue to occur in 
addition to the threat to public health and safety. Temporary re-routing of traffic from Main 
Street during flooding would adversely affect commerce in the project area, which is heavily 
dependent on tourism. 

2.2	PROPOSED ACTION ALTERNATIVE
The Proposed Action Alternative consists of the construction and operation of three 
components: a detention basin to collect runoff in the hills surrounding the West Village, a 
gravity storm drain system to collect and transfer runoff from the hills surrounding the West 
Village, and a pump station to transfer runoff from the existing storm drainage system in the 
West Village. 

The detention basin would be constructed upstream of the end of Sheffield Street to collect 
runoff before it enters the West Village. Figure 2 (Appendix A) shows the proposed location 
of the detention basin. The basin would be constructed in the vicinity of an existing natural 
channel and would consist of an earthen berm approximately 40 feet long and 8 feet high 
perpendicular to the existing channel; the total fill required to construct the berm would be 
350 cubic yards. The berm would be constructed approximately 100 feet upstream from the 
end of Sheffield Street. The maximum area the impounded water would encompass would be 
approximately 6,450 square feet (0.15 acre). This would extend approximately 195 feet 
upstream of the berm. The basin would be designed to have a maximum capacity of 
approximately 2 acre-feet and assumes an impoundment of water 6 feet above the channel. A 
dirt access road would be built adjacent to the existing natural channel from the end of 
Sheffield Street up to the berm and would be approximately 10 feet wide. Vegetation 
consisting of brush and grasses would be removed to construct the berm and access road. 
Vegetation would also be periodically cleared upstream of the berm to retain the basin's 
storage capacity and to maintain the access road. No trees would be removed to construct the 
berm, access road, or impoundment area. The basin would not hold water on a permanent 
basis and would likely only contain appreciable volumes of water once or twice during a 
normal rainfall year.

The gravity storm drain system includes installation of stormwater drainage pipes and 
drainage inlets in the road right-of-ways along Sheffield Street, Cornwall Street, Hillcrest 
Drive, Sunbury Avenue, and Croyden Lane. Along Sheffield Street, a 54-inch-diameter 
concrete pipe would be installed below and towards the street centerline of an existing 
concrete drainage channel. The new drainage pipe would run from the proposed detention 
basin to an existing 30-inch-diameter culvert under Highway 1. The other streets would have 
variable sizes of pipes installed under the street along with drainage inlets to capture and 
divert storm water runoff away from the West Village. Pipe sizes and locations are shown on 
Figure 2 (Appendix A). The pipes would be installed between 1 and 7 feet below grade 
depending on locations of other underground utilities.

The pump station would consist of an enclosed concrete structure and a holding pond. It 
would be located adjacent to Highway 1 at the north end of the West Village, as depicted in 
Figure 2 (Appendix A). A sump would be installed at the pump station to collect runoff from 
the existing storm drainage system and to provide the required submergence for the pumps. 
The sump would measure approximately 25 feet wide and 35 feet long with a maximum depth 
of 10 feet below grade. The pump station would include a system of electrically powered 
pumps with emergency diesel generator set back up power. The pumps would be housed 
inside the concrete structure and next to the holding pond. In addition, a new pipe would be 
constructed underneath Highway 1 from the pump station to an outlet with a flap gate on the 
west side of Highway 1 on the bank of Santa Rosa Creek. Approximately 15 cubic yards of 
riprap would be placed in an area about 10 feet wide and 30 feet long around the outlet of the 
new pipe to reduce flow energies and erosion at the outfall. Finally, approximately 900 feet of 
an existing dirt drainage ditch between the West Village and Highway 1 would be enlarged to 
approximately 15 feet wide to carry flows from the western end of Sheffield Street to the 
proposed pump station. 

2.3	OTHER ACTION ALTERNATIVES

Other alternatives to the proposed project are adequately addressed in Section 2 of the PEA.

3.	AFFECTED ENVIRONMENT AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONSEQUENCES
The PEA has adequately described the affected environment and impacts of the proposed 
action for many resource areas, except for geology and soils; air quality; water resources; 
biological resources; cultural resources; transportation; noise; and visual resources. Therefore, 
the affected environment and environmental consequences for those resources are described 
in this section, which is intended to supplement the information contained in the PEA. 
Necessary avoidance and minimization measures, either stipulated in the PEA, or based on the 
results of the impact analysis in the SEA, that are appropriate for the proposed action, are 
discussed in Section 4. 

3.1	GEOLOGY AND SOILS
The project area is located in the California Coast Range physiographic province. Locally the 
geology is characterized by coastal terraces, coastal beaches, and recent-to-old sand dune 
deposits.  

The majority of soils in the project area have been altered by urban development (streets, 
sidewalks, homes, etc.), but a few areas of soils that have not been covered by urban 
development exist within the project area including the upper end of Sheffield Street, an area 
near the proposed pump station, and the area at the outlets to Santa Rosa Creek. The 
characteristics of these soils vary, but generally they have silty clay loam and sandy loam 
surface textures, slow-to-medium runoff rates, and slight-to-moderate susceptibility to 
erosion.  The slopes surrounding the action area are mostly undeveloped, and because of their 
steepness, are more susceptible to erosion.  

Soils would be temporarily impacted during the implementation of all project components by 
construction activities such as grading, removal of vegetation, and the use of heavy 
equipment. The potential impacts include compaction and increased susceptibility to water 
and wind erosion due to disturbance of soil structure and removal of vegetation. Areas that 
would be disturbed by construction activities would be stabilized with erosion control 
measures to reduce any erosion that might occur, as described in Section 4.1 of this SEA. 
With these measures, implementation of the proposed action would not significantly increase 
current erosion levels. Therefore, the proposed action would not result in adverse impacts to 
geology and soils.

3.2	AIR QUALITY
The project site is located in the South Central Coast Air Quality Management District 
(SCCAQMD). San Luis Obispo County is classified as being in attainment or is unclassified 
for all criteria pollutants by the SCCAQMD.  With respect to the standards for ozone and 
particulate matter less than 2.5 micrometers in diameter, the attainment status has not yet been 
determined. The SCCAQMD does not issue permits for mobile sources such as construction 
vehicles and equipment.  As a result, any construction activities that only involve mobile 
equipment (as opposed to an asphalt batch plant, for example) would not require air quality 
permits.  The emission thresholds for General Conformity Rule Applicability [40 CFR Part 
51.583(b)] are 10 tons per year for ozone precursors, 70 tons per year for particulate matter, 
and 100 tons per year for all pollutants for which the area is in attainment of Federal 
standards.

San Luis Obispo Air Pollution Control District (SLOAPCD) regulates air emissions within 
the County and has developed mitigation thresholds for air emissions attributable to 
construction activities. SLOAPCD regulates diesel generator sets with engines that exceed a 
combined level of 50 horsepower. The County would be responsible for obtaining any air 
emissions permits required by SLOAPCD and meeting the SLOAPCD air quality standards 
and mitigation thresholds.  

Implementation of the proposed action would result in a temporary deterioration of air 
quality. The project-related effects to air quality would include short-term increases of 
fugitive dust generated by haul trucks, concrete trucks, delivery trucks, and other earthmoving 
vehicles. These vehicles would also release minor emissions associated with fossil fuel 
burning, including CO and precursors to ozone. Assuming an 80-day project duration, the 
proposed action would create approximately 0.2 ton per year of emissions for all pollutants. 
Emission estimates for PM10 (particulate matter size of 10 micrometers), NOx, CO, SOx, and 
hydrocarbons fall below the threshold levels of the General Conformity Rule. Therefore, the 
proposed action qualifies as a General Conformity Rule exemption, and no further analysis is 
required to establish conformity with the State Implementation Plan. Section 4.2 of this SEA 
lists minimization measures to further reduce localized air quality impacts.

3.3	WATER RESOURCES
The major drainage feature in the vicinity of the project area is Santa Rosa Creek, a perennial 
stream that originates in Black Mountain, flows southwest through the West Village of 
Cambria, and crosses Highway 1 south of the project area.  Santa Rosa Creek then flows 
northwest towards San Simeon State Beach, where the Creek discharges into the Pacific 
Ocean (Figure 1, Appendix A).  Although the majority of the Santa Rosa Creek flows on the 
west side of Highway 1 in the vicinity of the project area, there is a small portion of Santa 
Rosa Creek that does not cross Highway 1 and remains on the east side of Highway 1.  The 
east side split flow ponds behind the embankment formed by Highway 1. The split flow then 
crosses under Highway 1 and rejoins the main flow at Highway 1's intersection with Main 
Street.

Coastal Zone Management 
The Coastal Zone Management Act (CZMA) in 1972 and the Coastal Zone Act 
Reauthorization Amendments in 1990 apply to all actions within a designated coastal zone 
and require that any federal agency whose activities directly affect the coastal zone be 
consistent, to the maximum extent practicable, with approved state coastal zone management 
programs.

The project area is located within a coastal zone as designated by the California Coastal 
Commission (CCC).  Therefore, the CZMA applies to the project and all actions approved by 
FEMA are required to be in compliance with CCC policies regarding actions within a 
designated coastal zone. The County would be responsible for coordinating with the CCC and 
obtaining a federal consistency determination from the CCC to comply with the CZMA.

Executive Order 11988: Floodplain Management
Executive Order 11988 requires federal agencies to avoid, to the extent possible, the short- 
and long-term adverse impacts associated with the occupancy and modification of 
floodplains. If there is no practicable alternative to undertaking an action in a floodplain, any 
potential adverse impacts must be mitigated. FEMA's regulations for complying with 
Executive Order 11988 are found in 44 CFR Part 9.

According to the FEMA Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM) Community Panel Number 
060304 0188C, effective date July 18, 1985, the proposed locations of the pump station, 
sump, pipeline under Highway 1, pipeline along Cornwall Street, culvert across Main Street, 
and new pipeline under Highway 1 at the end of Sheffield Street are within the floodplain of 
Santa Rosa Creek and the Santa Rosa Creek split flow.  The FIRM indicates that the flood 
zone is A16, which is an area subject to inundation by the 1-percent-annual-chance flood 
event, as determined by detailed methods. The base flood elevations in this area range from 
26 to 29 feet. The proposed project locations are just outside the floodway of Santa Rosa 
Creek.

According to the hydraulic study done by Questa (2005), flooding in the West Village was 
caused by both the split flow from Santa Rosa Creek entering the West Village and local 
watershed drainage that cannot drain out of the culverts to Santa Rosa Creek. The proposed 
action would provide an outlet for the water that is currently trapped in the West Village 
during flood events. The gravity storm drain system and pump station would allow the flood 
water to drain into Santa Rosa Creek instead of being impounded in the West Village. 
Therefore, catastrophic flooding in the West Village during the 100-year flood event would 
essentially be substantially reduced. 

The proposed action is expected to benefit the floodplain and restore floodplain values.  The 
proposed action has been found to be the best way to reduce flooding in the West Village. 
Alternatives to the proposed action, using different pipe sizes and locations, were found to be 
less effective than the proposed action. No adverse impacts to floodplain values have been 
identified for the proposed action. Implementation of the proposed action would not support 
additional development of the floodplain in the project area. Also, the proposed action would 
not aggravate flood hazards for others. Accordingly, the proposed action complies with 
Executive Order 11988. FEMA published an Initial Public Notice at the declaration of the 
disaster. FEMA would ensure publication of a Final Public Notice in compliance with 
Executive Order 11988 before implementation of the Proposed Action.

Executive Order 11990: Protection of Wetlands 
EO 11990 requires federal agencies to take action to minimize the destruction or modification 
of wetlands by considering both direct and indirect impacts to wetlands that may result from 
federally funded actions. FEMA's regulations for complying with EO 11990 are found at 44 
CFR Part 9, Floodplain Management and Protection of Wetlands.

The proposed action would cause temporary and permanent loss of riparian vegetation on the 
east side of Santa Rosa Creek (FEMA 2005a). Approximately 100 square feet of riparian 
vegetation would be temporarily disturbed at each of the two proposed outfalls from under 
Highway 1. These two areas would be revegetated to pre-existing conditions. In addition, 
approximately 300 square feet of riparian vegetation would be permanently disturbed at each 
of the two proposed outfalls. The 600 square feet of riparian vegetation, mostly consisting of 
shrubs growing on the creek bank and up to the edge of the highway, would be removed and 
replaced by riprap.

There are no practicable alternatives to affecting wetlands: reducing flooding in the West 
Village requires a connection to Santa Rosa Creek, which is bordered by wetlands. The 600 
square feet of wetlands that would be permanently impacted and 200 square feet of wetlands 
that would be temporarily impacted represent a small fraction of the wetlands that exist along 
Santa Rosa Creek. The project is not expected to cause further wetland destruction or 
modification.

Through the permitting processes discussed in the following Water Quality section and the 
Best Management Practices (BMPs) described in Sections 4.1 and 4.3 of this SEA, the 
proposed action's adverse impacts to wetlands would be minimized. Accordingly, the 
proposed action complies with Executive Order 11988. FEMA published an Initial Public 
Notice at the declaration of the disaster. FEMA would ensure publication of a Final Public 
Notice in compliance with Executive Order 11990 before implementation of the Proposed 
Action.

Water Quality 
Santa Rosa Creek is designated as jurisdictional waters of the United States by the U.S. Army 
Corps of Engineers (USACE). Section 404 of the Clean Water Act requires that the proposed 
project receive a U.S. Department of the Army (DA) permit for work involving the discharge 
of dredged or fill materials in waters of the United States. USACE is responsible for 
reviewing projects for DA permits. In addition, Section 401 of the Clean Water Act (CWA) 
requires that applicants for federal permits or licenses that are conducting work involving any 
discharge into waters of the United States receive a Water Quality Certification. As project 
construction would disturb one or more acres of soil, a National Pollutant Discharge 
Elimination System (NPDES) General Permit for Discharges of Storm Water Associated with 
Construction Activity would also be required. 

The County would be required to obtain a Section 404 permit, Section 401 Water Quality 
Certification, and NPDES General Permit. The County would also be responsible for 
complying with all state regulations governing water quality. With the implementation of 
avoidance and minimization measures such as BMPs for erosion and sediment control, as 
described in Sections 4.1 and 4.3 of the SEA, impacts to water resources would be minimal 
for the proposed action.

3.4	BIOLOGICAL RESOURCES
A reconnaissance survey of the action area was conducted on July 6, 2005. Most of the 
pipelines for the storm drain system would run under existing roads, however, the extension 
of the storm drain system upstream of Sheffield Street consists of a steep drainage covered 
with ruderal understory vegetation and surrounded by Monterey pine (Pinus radiata), blue 
gum Eucalyptus (Eucalyptus globulus), and coast live oak (Quercus agrifolia). None of these 
trees would be removed as part of the proposed action. The ruderal vegetation is dominated 
by Himalayan blackberry (Rubus discolor), Pampas grass (Cortaderia jubata), sweet fennel 
(Foeniculum vulgare), Scotch broom (Cytisus scoparius), poison oak (Toxicodendron 
diversilobum), wild radish (Raphanus sativus), Canary grass (Phalaris sp.), coast wild 
cucumber (Marah fabaceus), and Italian thistle (Carduus pycnocephalus).

The pump house would be located on a vacant lot covered with dirt and gravel and 
surrounded by ornamental shrubs. The two outlet locations would drain into Santa Rosa Creek 
(Figure 2, Appendix A). Those areas are covered with shrub-size (less than 20 feet high) 
arroyo willow (Salix lasiolepis) and shinning willow (S. lucida). The understory is covered 
with Himalayan blackberry, cattails (Typha sp.), and poison oak.
Temporary and permanent loss of riparian vegetation on the east side of Santa Rosa Creek 
would occur as a result of the proposed action. Table 1 (Appendix B) presents the acreages for 
temporary and permanent losses of riparian vegetation for the two outlets to Santa Rosa 
Creek. 

FEMA obtained information concerning species listed as endangered, threatened, proposed 
for listing as endangered or threatened, or candidates for listing as endangered or threatened 
under the Federal Endangered Species Act (ESA) that may occur in the action area. A list of 
special status plant and wildlife species with potential to occur in the vicinity of the action 
area were identified from the following sources:

-The California Department of Fish and Game (CDFG) Natural Diversity Database records 
within the following seven U.S. Geologic Survey (USGS) 7.5-minute quadrangles that 
include the action area and vicinity: Cambria, Pico Creek, San Simeon, Pebblestone Shut-
In, Lime Mountain, Cypress Mountain, and Cayucos (CDFG 2005).

-A species list for San Luis Obispo County from the Ventura Field Office of the U.S. Fish 
and Wildlife Service (USFWS) website was also obtained.
Table 2 (Appendix B) lists the 21 listed wildlife species and 16 listed plant species identified 
by these sources as having potential to occur in the vicinity of the proposed action. 

FEMA determined that the action area provides habitat suitable to support three federally 
listed species regulated under the ESA:

1. Tidewater goby (Eucyclogobius newberryi)
2. California red-legged frog (Rana aurora draytonii)
3. South central California coast steelhead (Oncorhynchus mykiss irideus)

FEMA prepared two Biological Assessments for the proposed action: one for submittal to 
USFWS (FEMA 2005a) and one for submittal to the National Marine Fisheries Service 
(NMFS) (FEMA 2005b). FEMA determined that the proposed action is not likely to adversely 
affect the endangered tidewater goby or the steelhead trout but may adversely affect the 
California red-legged frog. USFWS issued a Biological Opinion on September 13, 2006; a 
copy is provided in Appendix C. USFWS found that the proposed project is not likely to 
jeopardize the continued existence of the California red-legged frog. The County must fully 
comply with all terms and conditions, reasonable and prudent measures, and other avoidance 
and minimization measures described in the BO and listed in Section 4.4 of the SEA. NMFS 
issued a letter of concurrence with FEMA's determination on November 30, 2005; a copy is 
provided in Appendix D. NMFS found that the project's impacts were discountable and 
insignificant.

3.5	CULTURAL RESOURCES
Cultural resource investigations were undertaken to identify both previously recorded sites 
and previously undiscovered sites within the action area in compliance with Section 106 (Title 
16 United States Code [USC] Section 470f) of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 
(NHPA) and the Programmatic Agreement (PA) Among FEMA, the California State Historic 
Preservation Office (SHPO), OES, and the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation. 
FEMA's archaeological consultant conducted a pedestrian survey on July 6, 2005.  The 
results of the archaeological survey were negative for cultural resources within all areas 
surveyed.

FEMA contacted the California Native American Heritage Commission (NAHC) on July 7, 
2005, to request a review of its Sacred Lands File and to receive a list of the individuals and 
groups that the NAHC believes should be contacted regarding information or concerns related 
to the project areas. The NAHC responded on July 15, 2005, with negative results for its 
search of the Sacred Lands File. On August 9, 2005, FEMA sent an informational letter to 
each of the Native American contacts identified by the NAHC. To date no responses from the 
Native American community have been received. 

A cultural resources literature review was performed at the Central Coastal Information 
Center (CCIC) of the California Historical Resources Information System on July 20, 2005 
(Invoice #3532). 

FEMA prepared a cultural resources technical report (FEMA 2005c) and transmitted this to 
the SHPO on September 16, 2005; a copy of the transmittal letter is included as Appendix E.  
Based on the cultural resources evaluation, FEMA made a determination of "no historic 
properties affected."  No response has been received from the SHPO to date. According to 
Stipulation VII.C of the PA, the SHPO did not object to FEMA's findings within 21 days of 
receipt of FEMA's determination; therefore FEMA has concluded its Section 106 compliance 
responsibility. Section 4.5 of this SEA describes steps that the County must take in the event 
of an unanticipated discovery.

3.6	TRANSPORTATION
Construction activities would occur within areas of residential traffic flow along two-lane 
streets (Figure 2, Appendix A). During construction activities the County may close one lane 
of traffic on the street adjacent to the action area to allow equipment and construction vehicles 
ingress/egress to the site. Lane closure and impacts to traffic flow would be temporary. 
Therefore, with implementation of the avoidance and minimization measures described in 
Section 4.6, impacts to transportation would be minimal.

3.7	NOISE
Commonly defined as unwanted and/or unwelcome sound, noise is federally regulated by the 
Noise Control Act of 1972. Although the Noise Control Act tasks the USEPA to prepare 
guidelines for acceptable ambient noise levels, it only charges those federal agencies that 
operate noise-producing facilities or equipment to implement noise standards. By the nature 
of its mission, FEMA does not have statutes defining noise.

Some land uses are considered sensitive to noise. Noise-sensitive receptors are located at land 
uses associated with indoor and outdoor activities that may be subject to stress or significant 
interference from noise. These land uses often include residential dwellings, mobile homes, 
hotels, motels, hospitals, nursing homes, educational facilities, and libraries. 
The project area typically experiences noises associated with a residential neighborhood and 
small-town business environment, such as sounds from vehicles, televisions, radios, barking 
dogs, and human voices. Highway 1, along the west side of the project area, is a significant 
noise producer because of vehicular traffic noises. Noise-sensitive receptors within and near 
the project area include residences, hotels, businesses, and a church. 

The implementation of the proposed action would produce noise from the operation of 
equipment such as compacters, loaders, backhoes, bulldozers, scrapers, trucks, and concrete 
equipment. These pieces of equipment generate noise levels ranging from about 70 to 95 A-
weighted decibels (dBA) at 50 feet from the source. Noise levels generated at any point 
source decrease at a rate of approximately 6 decibels per doubling of distance away from the 
source (Diehl 1973). In developed portions of the project area, buildings would further reduce 
noise levels through shielding. 

With implementation of the avoidance and minimization measures described in Section 4.7 of 
this SEA, impacts to noise-sensitive receptors is expected to be minimal. 

3.8	VISUAL RESOURCES
The existing visual character of the project area includes a mix of native vegetation within a 
residential neighborhood, an area of small businesses along Main Street, and views of the 
natural riparian area of Santa Rosa Creek.  The existing visual character is typical within the 
region, and no areas of scenic importance exist within the action area. Primary viewers 
adjacent to the action area consist of travelers along Highway 1 (a state scenic highway), 
Cambria Road, Main Street, and local residents and business employees/owners. 
 
The proposed action would have a temporary effect on the character of the setting. During 
construction, existing vegetation would be removed from around the culvert on the west side of 
Highway 1 near Santa Rosa Creek, and construction activities would be visible from all 
viewing areas. The construction of the pump station would be a permanent effect to visual 
resources; however, the addition of the pump station would not substantially degrade or 
otherwise alter the existing visual character or quality of the site surroundings since it would be 
constructed in an urban setting. Implementation of the proposed action would not create 
additional viewsheds (such as opening up a view to a more populated area) or deteriorate 
existing views within the project areas. Therefore, implementation of the proposed action 
would not result in adverse impacts to visual resources, especially with implementation of the 
BMP measures described in Section 4.8 of the SEA.

3.9	CUMULATIVE IMPACTS
To reduce flooding in Cambria, the County is constructing a bypass channel to connect an 
overflow basin (on the east side of Highway 1 near Cambria Drive) to Santa Rosa Creek. The 
project also includes construction of an earthen berm along Cambria Drive to act as a 
floodwall along the northern edge of the overflow basin, and plugging a culvert under 
Cambria Road that drains water from the overflow basin to Main Street.

The environmental impacts of the bypass channel, earthen berm, and culvert plugging have 
been documented in an Environmental Assessment (EA) prepared by FEMA (2005d)  the 
EA includes avoidance and minimization measures to mitigate environmental impacts. The 
construction of the bypass channel and earthen berm, and the culvert plugging will likely be 
finished prior to implementation of the proposed action. Therefore, with the mitigation 
measures that the County will implement during construction of the bypass channel, earthen 
berm, and culvert plugging according to the 2005 EA and the likelihood that the proposed 
action will not take place concurrently, no adverse cumulative impacts are expected to occur 
with implementation of the proposed action.

4.	 MINIMIZATION AND AVOIDANCE MEASURES
The following minimization and avoidance measures have been extracted from the PEA 
Section 4, or from measures developed for this SEA based on site specific impacts, and are 
applicable for the proposed action. 
 
4.1	GEOLOGY AND SOILS
The County would be responsible for implementing erosion protection measures including 
BMPs such as installing silt fences or mulching cleared soil to eliminate or reduce soil erosion 
during construction. The County would implement permanent erosion control measures such 
as revegetation with native species when the project is completed.

4.2	AIR QUALITY
The County would be responsible for reducing potential air quality impacts from construction 
activities and employing minimization measures to limit fugitive dust and emissions. These 
measures include, but are not limited to the following: watering disturbed areas, scheduling 
the siting of staging areas to minimize fugitive dust, and keeping vehicles and other 
construction equipment tuned properly. The County would be responsible for obtaining any 
air emissions permits required by SLOAPCD and meeting the SLOAPCD air quality 
standards and mitigation thresholds.  

4.3	WATER RESOURCES
The County would be responsible for obtaining a federal consistency determination from the 
CCC to comply with the CZMA, obtaining a Section 404 permit and Section 401 Water 
Quality Certification to comply with the CWA, and obtaining a NPDES General Permit. The 
County would also be responsible for complying with all state regulations governing water 
quality.

In addition, the County would be responsible for implementing BMPs to reduce potential 
impacts to water resources including: 

-Designating vehicle parking areas on paved surfaces where possible, 
-Implementing construction BMPs (such as silt fencing, hydromulching, plantings, etc.) 
and an erosion control plan to reduce the potential erosion and sedimentation of Santa 
Rosa Creek caused by construction activities such as grading.

4.4	BIOLOGICAL RESOURCES
The County would be responsible for minimizing impacts to biological resources including, 
but not limited to, the following measures stipulated within the USFWS biological opinion 
letter dated September 13, 2006:

-The County would conduct construction activities in Santa Rosa Creek and the riparian 
habitat during the latter part of the dry season (April 15 to October 15).
-The County would install exclusion fences at the margins of the work areas.
-A USFWS-approved biologist would conduct preconstruction surveys for California red-
legged frogs. If any are found, the biologist would contact the USFWS to determine if 
moving them is appropriate.
-Prior to construction, a qualified biologist would conduct a training session regarding 
California red-legged frogs for all construction personnel.
-A USFWS-approved biologist would monitor construction activities along Santa Rosa 
Creek.
-The USFWS-approved biologist would follow the Declining Amphibian Populations Task 
Force Fieldwork Code of Practice.
-The County would revegetate the action area with native plant species.
-California red-legged frogs that are at risk of injury or death would be moved from work 
areas. The County would request USFWS approval of any biologist it wishes to survey 
for, monitor, capture and relocate California red-legged frogs. The request would be in 
writing and be received by USFWS at least 30 days prior to any such activities being 
conducted. Kate Ballantyne is authorized by USFWS to independently survey for, 
monitor, capture and relocate California red-legged frogs for the purposes of this biological 
opinion. Eric N. Wier, Richard Trevis Warner and John Farhar are authorized by USFWS 
to independently survey for and monitor California red-frogs, and to capture and relocate 
them under the direct supervision of Ms. Ballantyne.
-The County would ensure that the level of incidental take during project implementation is 
commensurate with the analysis contained in the USFWS biological opinion dated 
September 13, 2006 (Appendix C). If more than two (2) California red-legged frogs are 
found dead or injured in the action area, the County would contact USFWS immediately 
so USFWS can review the project activities to determine if additional protective measures 
are needed. Project activities may continue during this review period, provided that all 
protective measures proposed by FEMA and the terms and conditions of the USFWS 
biological opinion dated September 13, 2006, (Appendix C) have been and continue to be 
implemented.
-The County would provide USFWS with a final report describing the impacts of the project 
on California red-legged frogs. The report would be submitted to USFWS within 60 days 
following completion of the proposed project. The information and reporting requirements 
that are required for the final report are outlined within the USFWS biological opinion 
letter dated September 13, 2006. 
-Upon locating a dead or injured California red-legged frog, the County would notify 
USFWS's Division of Law Enforcement (370 Amapola Avenue, Suite 114, Torrance, 
California 90501), in writing, within 3 working days of its finding. Details of the 
notification requirements are outlined within the USFWS biological opinion letter dated 
September 13, 2006 (Appendix C).

4.5	CULTURAL RESOURCES
If unanticipated resources are discovered during construction, the County would stop project 
activities in the vicinity of the discovery, take all reasonable measures to avoid or minimize 
harm to the property, and notify OES and FEMA as soon as practicable so that FEMA can 
initiate consultation with the SHPO, in accordance with the PA. If the discovery appears to 
contain human remains, the County would also contact the San Luis Obispo County Coroner 
immediately. If the coroner determines that the remains are not subject to his or her authority 
and if the coroner recognizes the remains to be those of a Native American or has reason to 
believe that they are those of a Native American, he or she would contact the Native 
American Heritage Commission by telephone within 24 hours.

4.6	TRANSPORTATION
The County would be responsible for minimizing the potential short-term impacts to 
transportation in the project area during construction:

-Workers would park their privately owned vehicles at designated and appropriately 
developed locations to reduce transportation impacts.
-A traffic plan would be implemented during mobilization of haul trucks and heavy 
equipment in and out of the project site to reduce the potential for accidents, slowing 
of public traffic flow, and street blockage. The traffic plan would include flaggers, 
look-outs, and barricades as necessary to reduce inconvenience and safety hazards to 
the public.  
-Staging areas and construction activities would occur completely within County right-
of-way and no public traffic routes would be fully blocked at any time.

4.7	NOISE
The County would be responsible for implementation of the following mitigation measures to 
reduce noise levels and their effects to the extent practicable:
-Project activities that create noise levels of above 55 dBA would not be conducted between 
7:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m., on Sundays nor on Federal holidays.  
-All noise-producing project equipment and vehicles using internal combustion engines 
would be equipped with properly operating mufflers and air inlet silencers, where 
appropriate, that meet or exceed original factory specification. This measure would assure 
that noise emissions from vehicles and other equipment are limited to the minimum 
feasible levels.

4.8	VISUAL RESOURCES
The County would be responsible for minimizing the potential short-term and long-term 
impacts to visual resources from implementation of the proposed action. Mitigation measures, 
including revegetating and contouring of finished surfaces to blend with adjacent natural 
terrain where appropriate, would be implemented when the proposed action is completed.

5.	REFERENCES
California Department of Fish and Game (CDFG). 2005. Rarefind 3, a program created by the 
California Department of Fish and Game, allowing access to the California Natural 
Diversity Database. April 2005 version.

County of San Luis Obispo Department of Planning and Building. 2001. Cambria Flood 
Mitigation Project Final Environmental Impact Report.  State Clearinghouse 
#99031038. Prepared by Padre Associates, Inc. 1012 Pacific Street, Suite A, San 
Luis Obispo, California 93401. September 14.

County of San Luis Obispo Engineering Department. 2000. Final Feasibility Report for Flood 
Mitigation in the West Village of Cambria, California. Prepared by Questa 
Engineering Corporation. June 22.

Diehl, G.M., ed. 1973. Machinery Acoustics. New York, NY: John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
FEMA. 1985. Flood Insurance Rate Map Community Panel Number 0603040188C, July 18.

.  2003. Programmatic Environmental Assessment (PEA) for Typical Recurring Actions, 
Flood, Earthquake, Fire, Rain, and Wind Disasters in California. U.S. Department 
of Homeland Security, FEMA Region IX.

.  2005a. Biological Assessment for U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for the Cambria Flood 
Mitigation Project. Prepared by URS Corporation for Federal Emergency 
Management Agency, Region IX in cooperation with the County of San Luis 
Obispo, September.

.  2005b. Biological Assessment for NOAA Fisheries for the Cambria Flood Mitigation 
Project. Prepared by URS Corporation for Federal Emergency Management 
Agency, Region IX in cooperation with the County of San Luis Obispo, 
September.

. 2005c. Cultural Resources Technical Report, City of Cambria Flood Control Project.  
Confidential: Not For Public Distribution. Prepared by URS Corporation for 
Federal Emergency Management Agency, Region IX in cooperation with the 
County of San Luis Obispo, September.

.  2005d. Final Environmental Assessment, Cambria Flood Control Project, County of San 
Luis Obispo, FEMA-1046-DR-CA, HMGP-#1046-157-1003, March.
Questa. 2005. Hydrologic & Hydraulic Analysis for FEMA CLOMR Application, Cambria, 
California. Prepared for: County of San Luis Obispo Public Works. September 13, 
2005.



Appendix A  Figures 
Figure 1	Project Location - General map of State of California and Cambria
Figure 2	Shows location of project activities on aerial photo of West Village of Cambria



Appendix B  Tables 

Table 1 Temporary and Permanent Loss of Riparian Vegetation Resulting from the Proposed Action

Vegetative Cover	Temporary Disturbance (sq ft)	Permanent Disturbance (sq ft)
Storm drain outlet	100				300
Pump house outlet	100				300
Total disturbance	200				600


Table 2 Federally Listed, Proposed, and Candidate Species With Potential To Occur in the Vicinity of Cambria

*Scientific Name: Ambystoma californiense
*Common Name: California tiger salamander
*Federal Status: C
*Preferred Habitat: Annual grasslands and grassy understory of 
valley-foothill hardwood habitats, need 
underground refuges, need vernal pools, 
stock ponds or other seasonal water 
sources for breeding. The species persists 
in disjunct remnant vernal pool complexes 
in Sonoma and Santa Barbara counties, in 
vernal pool complexes and isolated ponds 
scattered mainly along narrow strips of 
rangeland on each side of the Central 
Valley from southern Colusa County south 
to northern Kern County, and in sag ponds 
and human-maintained stock ponds in the 
coast ranges from Suisun Bay south to the 
Temblor Range. 
*Likelihood of occuring in the action area: Not likely; appropriate habitat 
characteristics are not present in the action 
area. There are no vernal pools, nor stock 
ponds in the action area. No known 
occurrences where found near the action 
area.

*Scientific Name: AreaBufo californicus
*Common Name: Arroyo toad
*Federal Status: E
*Preferred Habitat: Semi-arid regions near washes or 
intermittent streams; habitats used include 
valley-foothill and desert riparian as well 
as a variety of more arid habitats including 
desert wash, palm oasis, and Joshua tree, 
mixed chaparral and sagebrush. 
*Likelihood of occuring in action area: Not likely; appropriate habitat 
characteristics are not present in the action 
area.

*Scientific Name: Rana aurora draytonii
*Common Name: California red-legged frog
*Federal Status: T
*Preferred Habitat: Dense, shrubby riparian vegetation 
associated with deep (> 0.7 m), still or 
slow-moving water.
*Likelihood of occurring in action area: Known to occur in Santa Rosa Creek 
adjacent to the action area. Red-legged 
frogs were observed in 1999 in Santa Rosa 
Creek, within one mile of the beach 
(CDFG 2005). 
Action area is included in Unit 21 of the 
designated critical habitat for the California 
red-legged frog (USFWS 2001). 


*Scientific Name: Gambelia (=Crotaphytus) silus
*Common Name: Blunt-nosed leopard lizard
*Federal Status: E
*Preferred Habitat: Inhabit the San Joaquin Valley region in 
expansive, arid areas with scattered 
vegetation; inhabit non-native grassland 
and alkali sink scrub communities of the 
Valley floor marked by poorly drained, 
alkaline, and saline soils, mainly because 
remaining natural land is of this type.
Absent from areas of steep slopes and 
dense vegetation, and areas subject to 
seasonal flooding.
*Likelihood of occuring in action area: Not likely; appropriate habitat 
characteristics are not present in the action 
area. Action area is located outside of this 
species range.

*Scientific Name: Charadrius alexandrinus nivosus
*Common Name: Western snowy plover
*Federal Status: T
*Preferred Habitat: Habitats used by nesting and non-nesting 
birds include sandy coastal beaches, salt 
pans, coastal dredged spoils sites, dry salt 
ponds, salt pond levees and gravel bars.
*Likelihood to occur in action area: Not likely; appropriate habitat 
characteristics are not present in the action 
area. Closest known occurrence is at Toro 
Creek Beach, approx. 2.5 miles north-
northwest of Highway 41 junction with 
Highway 1 (CDFG 2005).

*Scientific Name: Coccyzus americanus
*Common Name: Western yellow-billed cuckoo
*Federal Status: C
*Preferred Habitat: Inhabits extensive deciduous riparian 
thickets or forests with dense, low-level or 
understory foliage, and which abut on 
slow-moving watercourses, backwaters, or 
seeps. Now, this species is likely found 
only along the upper Sacramento Valley 
portion of the Sacramento River, the 
Feather River in Sutter County, the south 
fork of the Kern River in Kern County, and 
along the Santa Ana, Amargosa, and lower 
Colorado rivers.
*Likelihood of occuring in action area:Not likely; action area is outside of species 
known range. No known occurrences 
where found near the action area.

*Scientific Name: Gymnogyps californianus
*Common Name: California condor
*Federal Status: E
*Preferred Habitat: Permanent resident of the semi-arid, 
rugged mountain ranges surrounding the 
southern San Joaquin Valley, including the 
Coast Ranges from Santa Clara County 
south to Los Angeles County; forages over 
wide areas of open rangelands, roosts on 
cliffs and in large trees and snags; occurs 
mostly between sea-level and 2,700 m (0-
9,000 ft), and nests from 610-1,372 m 
(2,000-6,500 ft). 
Total population in early 1980's estimated 
to be fewer than 20, and declining; 
occurrence in the wild now in question. 
Two U.S. Forest Service sanctuaries set 
aside within the Los Padres National 
Forest, primarily for nesting and roosting 
protection . 
*Likelihood of occuring in action area: Not likely; appropriate habitat 
characteristics are not present in the action 
area.

*Scientific Name: Haliaeetus leucocephalus
*Common Name: Bald eagle
*FEderal Status: T
*Preferred Habitat: Winters throughout most of California at 
lakes, reservoirs, river systems, and some 
rangelands and coastal wetlands on 
protected cliffs and ledges. Also nests on 
bridges and buildings in urban areas. Nests 
are normally built in the upper canopy of 
large trees, usually conifers.
*Likelihood of occuring in action area: Not likely; appropriate habitat 
characteristics are not present in the action 
area. Closest known occurrence is at Las 
Tablas Creek territory, along Las Tablas 
Creek (Lake Nacimiento), approx. 5 miles 
northwest of Adelaida (CDFG 2005).

*Scientific Name: Pelecanus occidentalis californicus
*Common Name: California brown pelican
*Federal Status: E
*Preferred Habitat: Found in estuarine, marine subtidal, and 
marine pelagic waters along the California 
coast. In northern California, fairly 
common to uncommon June to November. 
Usually rests on water or inaccessible 
rocks (either offshore or on mainland), but 
also uses mudflats, sandy beaches, wharfs, 
and jetties.
*Likelihood of occuring in action area: Not likely; appropriate habitat 
characteristics are not present in the action 
area.

*Scientific Name: Rallus longirostris obsoletus
*Common Name: California clapper rail
*Federal Status: E
*Preferred Habitat: Tidal salt marshes near tidal sloughs; 
perennial inhabitant of tidal salt marshes of 
the greater San Francisco Bay
*Likelihood of occuring in action area: Not likely; appropriate habitat 
characteristics are not present in the action 
area.

*Scientific Name: Sterna antillarum (=albifrons) browni
*Common Name: California least tern
*Federal Statud: E
*Preferred Habitat: Migratory in California; breeding colonies  
are located in southern California along 
marine and estuarine shores, and in San 
Francisco  Bay in abandoned salt ponds and along 
estuarine shores; feeds in nearby shallow, 
estuarine waters or lagoons where small 
fish are abundant. After breeding, family 
groups regularly occur at lacustrine waters 
near the coast of southern California. 
Prefers undisturbed nest sites on open, 
sandy or gravelly shores near shallow-
water feeding areas in estuaries.
*Likelihood of occurring in action area: Not likely; appropriate habitat 
characteristics are not present in the action 
area.

*Scientific Name: Vireo bellii pusillus
*Common Name: Least Bell's vireo
*Federal Status: E
*Preferred Habitat: Rare, local, summer resident below about 
600 m (2000 ft) in willows and other low, 
dense valley foothill riparian habitat and 
lower portions of canyons mostly in San 
Benito and Monterey Counties; in coastal 
southern California from Santa Barbara 
County south; and along the western edge 
of the deserts in desert riparian habitat. 
*Likelihood of occurring in action area: Not likely; project location is outside of 
species known range. No known occurrences where found near the action area.

*Scientific Name: Dipodomys heermanni morroensis
*Common name: Morro Bay kangaroo rat
*Federal Status: E
*Preferred Habitat: Inhabits coastal scrub vegetation on old 
sand dune substrate and is geographically 
isolated from other subspecies of the 
Heermann's kangaroo rat. Until recently, it 
was found only in several small areas of 
less than one-half square mile in total size 
near Los Osos in San Luis Obispo County. 
Currently, if it still exists, it is thought to 
inhabit just one small privately-owned 
parcel which remains in native vegetation. 
This species may be extinct.
*Likelihood of occurring in action area: Not likely; appropriate habitat 
characteristics are not present in the action 
area. Project location is outside of species 
known range. No known occurrences 
where found near the action area.

*Scientific Name: Dipodomys ingens
*Common Name: Giant kangaroo rat
*Federal Statud: E
*Preferred Habitat: Permanent resident occurring in scattered 
colonies along the western side of the San 
Joaquin Valley (e.g., Carrizo Plain, 
Panoche Valley); found on fine sandy loam 
soils supporting sparse annual grass/forb 
vegetation, and marginally found in low-
density alkali desert scrub. 
*Likelihood of occurring in action area: Not likely; appropriate habitat 
characteristics are not present in the action 
area. Project location is outside of species 
known range. No known occurrences 
where found near the action area.

*Scientific Name: Enhydra lutris nereis
*Common Name: Southern sea otter
*Federal Status: T
*Preferred habitat: kelp beds; live in 
narrow band along the coast, and rarely 
venture much more than about 1 1/2 miles 
(3km) offshore.
*Likelihood of occurring in action area: Not likely; appropriate habitat 
characteristics are not present in the action 
area.

*Scientific Name: Vulpes macrotis mutica
*Common Name: San Joaquin kit fox
*Federal Status: E
*Preferred Habitat: Inhabit grasslands and scrublands, many of 
which have been extensively modified. 
Types of modified habitats include those 
with oil exploration and extraction 
equipment and wind turbines, and 
agricultural mosaics of row crops, irrigated 
pastures, orchards, vineyards, and grazed 
annual grasslands. Oak woodland, alkali 
sink scrubland, and vernal pool and alkali 
meadow communities also provide habitat 
for kit foxes. 
*Likelihood of occurring in action area: Not likely; appropriate habitat 
characteristics are not present in the action 
area.

*Scientific Name: Eucyclogobius newberryi
*Common Name: Tidewater goby
*Federal Status: E (PD)
*Preferred Habitat: Brackish shallow lagoons and lower stream 
reaches where the water is fairly still but 
not stagnant; found in water with salinity 
levels from zero to 10 ppt, temperature 
levels from 35 to 73 degrees Fahrenheit, 
and water depths from 5 to 7.5 feet.
*Likelihood of occurring in action area: Not likely; appropriate habitat 
characteristics are not present in the action 
area. Closest known occurrence was 
observed in 2002 in a shallow, warm 
lagoon located at least half a mile from the 
action area (CDFG 2005). 

*Scientific Name: Oncorhynchus mykiss irideus
*Common Name: South Central California coast steelhead
*Federal Status: T
*Preferred Habitat: Pacific Ocean, spawns in coastal streams 
and rivers, over gravel beds. Pool depth, 
volume, amount of cover, and proximity to 
gravel for spawning play key roles.
*Likelihood of occurring in action area: Known to occur in Santa Rosa Creek 
adjacent to action area. Steelhead were 
observed in 1999 in Santa Rosa Creek, 
along Cambria Road, near Mammoth Rock 
School (CDFG 2005).

*Scientific Name: Branchinecta longiantenna
*Common Name: Longhorn fairy shrimp
*FEderal Status: E
*Preferred Habitat: Vernal pools. Known around the borders of 
Soda Lake in San Luis Obispo County in 
vernal pools of the Northern Claypan type 
(Eriksen and Belk 1999).
*Likelihood of occurringin action area: Not likely; appropriate habitat 
characteristics are not present in the action 
area. Project location is outside of species 
known range. No known occurrences 
where found near the action area.

*Scientific Name: Branchinecta lynchi
*Common Name: Vernal pool fairy shrimp
*Federal Status: T
*Preferred Habitat: Vernal pools; small swales, earth slumps, 
or basalt-flow depression basins with 
grassy or occasionally muddy bottom, in 
unplowed grassland (Eriksen and Belk 
1999). Known in eastern San Luis Obispo 
County.
*Likelihood of occurring in action area: Not likely; appropriate habitat 
characteristics are not present in the action 
area. Project location is outside of species 
known range. No known occurrences 
where found near the action area.

*Scientific Name: Helminthoglypta walkeriana 
*Common Name: Morro shoulderband snail (=banded dune snail)
*Federal Status: E
Restricted to sandy soils of coastal dune 
and coastal sage scrub communities near 
Morro Bay. 
*Likelihood of occurring in action area: Not likely; appropriate habitat 
characteristics are not present in the action 
area. Project location is outside of species 
known range. No known occurrences 
where found near the action area.

*Scientific Name: Arctostaphylos morroensis
*Common Name: Morro manzanita
*Federal Status: T
*Preferred Habitat: Chaparral, cismontane woodland, coastal 
dune and coastal scrub; 5 - 205 meters. 
Blooming period from December through 
March.
*Likelihood of occurring in action area: Not likely; appropriate habitat 
characteristics are not present in the action 
area.

*Scientific Name: Arenaria paludicola
*Common Name: Marsh sandwort 
*Federal Status: E
*Preferred Habitat: Freshwater-marsh habitats; 3 - 170 meters. 
Blooming period from May through 
August.
*Likelihood of occurring in action area: Not likely; appropriate habitat 
characteristics are not present in the action 
area.

*Scientific Name: Caulanthus californicus
*Common Name: California jewelflower
*Federal Status: E
*Preferred Habitat: Chenopod scrub, pinyon and juniper 
woodland, valley and foothill grassland; 70 
and 1,000 meters. Blooming period from 
February through May.
*Likelihood of occurring in action area: Not likely; appropriate habitat 
characteristics are not present in the action 
area.

*Scientific Name: Chlorogalum purpureum var. purpureum
*Common Name: Purple amole
*Federal Status: T
*Preferred Habitat: Chaparral, cismontane woodland, valley 
and foothill grassland; endemic to 
Monterey County; often in grassy areas 
with blue oaks in foothill woodland; 300 - 
330 meters. Blooming period from April 
through June.
*Likelihood of occurring in action area: Not likely; this species is endemic to 
Monterey County, no known occurrences 
where found near the action area, and no 
suitable habitat in action area.

*Scientific Name: Chlorogalum purpureum var.reductum
*Common Name: Camatta Canyon amole
*Federal Status: T
*Preferred Habitat: Cismontane woodland, serpentine 
substrate; 600 - 630 meters. Blooming 
period from April through May.
*Likelihood of occurring in action area: Not likely; appropriate habitat 
characteristics are not present in the action 
area.

*Scientific Name: Chorizanthe pungens var. pungens
*Common Name: Monterey spineflower
*Federal Status: T
*Preferred Habitat: Coastal dunes, chaparral, cismontane 
woodland, coastal scrub; only known from 
Monterey and Santa Cruz Counties; sandy 
soils in coastal dunes or more inland within 
chaparral or other habitats; 3 - 450 meters. 
Blooming period from April through June.
*Likelihood of occurring in action area: Not likely; this species is only known in 
Monterey and Santa Cruz Counties and 
there are no known occurrences near the 
action area. A historical (1842) occurrence 
is located 6.8 miles from the action area in 
San Simeon (CDFG 2005).

*Scientific Name: Cirsium fontinale var.obispoense 
*Common Name: Chorro Creek bog thistle
*Federal Status: E
*Preferred Habitat: Chaparral, cismontane woodland; 
serpentine substrate in seep habitats; 
endemic to San Luis Obispo County; 35 - 
365 meters. Blooming period from 
February through July.
*Likelihood of occurring in action area: Not likely; appropriate habitat 
characteristics are not present in the action 
area. Closest known occurrences is located 
4.3 miles from the action area at San 
Simeon Creek Roak, approx. 0.2 miles 
downstream (along the road) of confluence 
of north and south forks for San Simeon 
Creek, 5.2 miles from Highway 1 (CDFG 
2005).

*Scientific Name: Cirsium loncholepis
*Common Name: La Graciosa thistle
*Federal Status: E
*Preferred Habitat: Moist conditions in brackish-marsh, coastal 
dunes and coastal scrub; 4 - 220 meters. 
Blooming period from May through 
August.
*Likelihood of occurring in action area: Not likely; appropriate habitat 
characteristics are not present in the action 
area.

*Scientific Name: Clarkia speciosa var.immaculata
*Common Name: Pismo clarkia
*Federal Status: E
*Preferred Habitat: Chaparral, cismontane woodland, valley 
and foothill grassland; occurs in opening 
and edge habitats; 25 - 185 meters. 
Blooming period from May through July.
*Likelihood of occurring in action area: Not likely; appropriate habitat 
characteristics are not present in the action 
area.

*Scientific Name: Cordylanthus maritimus ssp. maritimus
*Common Name: Salt marsh bird's-beak
*Federal Status: E
*Preferred Habitat: Coastal dunes, marshes and swamps, salt-
marshes; 0 - 30 meters. Blooming period 
from May through October.
*Likelihood of occurring in action area: Not likely; appropriate habitat 
characteristics are not present in the action 
area.

*Scientific Name: Eriastrum hooveri
*Common Name: Hoover's woolly-star
*Federal Status: PD
*Preferred Habitat: Chenopod scrub, pinyon and juniper 
woodland, valley and foothill grassland; 50 
- 915 meters. Blooming period from March 
through July.
*Likelihood of occurring in action area: Not likely; appropriate habitat 
characteristics are not present in the action 
area.

*Scientific Name: Eriodictyon altissimum
*Common Name: Indian Knob mountainbalm
*Federal Status: E
*Preferred Habitat: Chaparral, cismontane woodland, coastal 
scrub; 80 - 270 meters. Blooming period 
from March through June.
*Likelihood of occurring in action area: Not likely; appropriate habitat 
characteristics are not present in the action 
area.

*Scientific Name: Lupinus nipomensis
*Common Name: Nipomo Mesa lupine
*FEderal Status: E
*Preferred Habitat: Dunes and coastal habitats; 10 - 50 meters. 
Blooming period from March through 
May.
*Likelihood of occurring in action area: Not likely; appropriate habitat 
characteristics are not present in the action 
area.

*Scientific Name: Monolopia (=Lembertia) congdonii
*Common Name: San Joaquin wooly-threads
*Federal Status: E
*Preferred Habitat: Chenopod scrub and valley and foothill 
grassland; endemic to San Joaquin Valley; 
alkaline or loamy plains; sandy soils, often 
with grasses and within chenopod scrub; 
60 - 800 meters. Blooming period from 
February through May.
*Likelihood of occurring in action area: Not likely; appropriate habitat 
characteristics are not present in the action 
area. This species is endemic to San 
Joaquin Valley and there are no known 
occurrences near action area.

*Scientific Name: Rorippa gambelii
*Common Name: Gambel's watercress 
*Federal Status: E
*Preferred Habitat: Freshwater-marsh and brackish-marsh 
habitats; 5 - 330 meters. Blooming period 
from April through September.
*Likelihood of occurring in action area: Not likely; appropriate habitat 
characteristics are not present in the action 
area.

*Scientific Name: Suaeda californica
*Common Name: California seablite 
*FEderal Status: E
*Preferred Habitat: Marshes and swamps; margins of coastal 
salt marshes; 0 - 5 meters. Blooming 
period from July through October.
*Likelihood of occurring in action area: Not likely; appropriate habitat 
characteristics are not present in the action 
area. Closest known occurrence is 12.2 
miles southeast of the action area.  This 
record is located in Estero Bluffs at and 
adjacent to confluence of San Geronimo 
Creek to Estero Bay (CDFG 2005).

Federal Endangered Species Act
E - Endangered
T- Threatened
C- Candidate for listing status
PD  Proposed for De-listing
Source: USFWS species list for San Luis Obispo County and CNDDB search for seven quadrangles surrounding the action area.



Appendix C  USFWS Biological Opinion


Appendix D  NMFS Concurrence Letter


Appendix E  SHPO Consultation Letter