List of Appendices

Scroll down to view the Appendices

Appendix A - Compatibility Determinations

Appendix B - Technical Panel

Appendix C - Environmental Assessment

Appendix D - Response to Comments

Appendix E - Wilderness Review

Appendix F - Plant List

Appendix G - Bird List

Appendix H - Fish List

Appendix I - Insect List

Appendix J - Fire Management Plan

Appendix K - Glossary
Appendix A

Compatibility Determinations

A-1

Appendix A - Compatibility Determinations

Compatibility Determination

Use: Environmental Education, Interpretation, Wildlife Observation, and Photography

Refuge Name: Antioch Dunes National Wildlife Refuge, Contra Costa County, adjacent to Antioch,

California; a unit of Don Edwards San Francisco Bay NWR Complex.

Establishing and Acquisition Authority: Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended

(16 U.S.C. 1531 - 1544)

Refuge Purpose: “... to conserve (A) fish or wildlife which are listed as endangered species or threatened

species... or (B) plants...” (Endangered Species Act of 1973)

National Wildlife Refuge System Mission: The mission of the National Wildlife Refuge System is “to

administer a national network of lands and waters for the conservation, management, and where

appropriate, restoration of the fish, wildlife, and plant resources and their habitats within the United

States for the benefit of present and future generations of Americans.” (National Wildlife Refuge

Administration Act of 1966, as amended [16 U.S.C. 668dd-668ee]).

Description of Use(s): Environmental education, interpretation, wildlife observation, and photography

are priority public uses of the National Wildlife Refuge System. As proposed, they would occur from

outside the protective fence or under controlled visits inside the protective fence since the Refuge is

otherwise closed to the public. Antioch Dunes NWR provides an opportunity for increasing awareness of

the two endangered plants and one endangered insect species on the Refuge through guided tours and

interpretive programs and information. There will be a concurrent opportunity for wildlife observation

and photography during any led tours. Establishment of interpretive panels at a vehicle turnout will

foster the above uses with little impact to Refuge resources. The Refuge was established to protect the

unique riverine dune ecosystem which provides habitat for the endangered Antioch Dunes evening

primrose (Oenothera deltoides howellii), Contra Costa wallflower (Erysimum capitatum angustatum)

and Lange’s metalmark butterfly (Apodemia mormo langei). Environmental education and

interpretation at the Refuge will focus on endangered species. In addition, the Refuge will educate the

public about the National Wildlife Refuge System and the Service mission. Currently, interpretive efforts

and guided tours occur at the Refuge several times per year. Developing the vehicle turnout and

interpretive panels would provide an avenue for viewing and increasing awareness when guided tours are

not available. For additional details about these proposed uses, please see the Draft Antioch Dunes

National Wildlife Refuge Comprehensive Conservation Plan and Environmental Assessment September

2001 (CCP/EA) which is herein incorporated by reference. Although the Refuge manager has the

authority to close certain areas to public access, the State Lands Commission has reserved all lands below

mean high water for public access. Thus, complete closure of the entire river beach by the Service would

not be possible. To controll all access to the Refuge, the Refuge would pursue a lease of these beach areas.

Availability of Resources: Minimal staff exist to manage for environmental education, interpretation,

wildlife observation, and photography at the Antioch Dunes National Wildlife Refuge. Volunteers to lead

tours would need to be recruited and trained. Increased funding would be required for interpretive panels

and educational materials.
A-2

Anticipated Impacts of the Use(s): The goals of the Refuge are:

1. To protect, restore, and manage the Antioch Dunes ecosystem for a diversity of native plant and animal

species.

2. To protect, enhance, and maintain habitat for threatened and endangered species, emphasizing species

known to inhabit the Refuge, including the Lange’s metalmark butterfly, Contra Costa wallflower, and

Antioch dunes evening primrose.

3. To establish an educational program for the public to foster an appreciation of the natural habitats and

endangered species supported by the native riverine dune habitat of the Refuge.

Controlled access through guided tours at appropriate times for public participation supports the third

goal and should have minimal impacts upon the first two goals of the Refuge, although the possibility

exists of damaging endangered plants, disturbing endangered butterflies, and introducing unwanted

plants through seed transfer while on guided tours. Currently, the endangered species are monitored and

population impacts would be detected. The protective fence was established and uncontrolled access to

the Refuge was stopped in 1986 due to endangered species being trampled and illegal campfires causing

wildfires. For more information see the CCP/EA.

Public Review and Comment: Was conducted concurrently with the public review and comment perriod

for the CCP/EA. All comments received and the Refuge responses were summarized in the final CCP.

Comments received to date have been supportive of controlled visitor use.

Determination (check one below):

Use is Not Compatible

 X Use is Compatible With Following Stipulations

Stipulations Necessary to Ensure Compatibility: The Refuge would remain closed to public use other

than guided tours and interpretive opportunities outside the protective fence. Tours will be led by persons

trained in identification, ecology and necessary restrictions of behavior in the vicinity of the endangered

plants and butterfly. Protection of other native plants and animals on the Refuge will be incorporated into

the guided tours.

Interpretive panels and materials used from outside the fence require no stipulations. Panels would not be

constructed on areas that would impact endangered or other sensitive species.

Justification: The National Wildlife Refuge System Improvement Act of 1997 identifies environmental

education, interpretation, wildlife observation, and photography as priority public uses for National

Wildlife Refuges. As priority uses of the Refuge system, these uses take precedence over other potential

public uses in Refuge planning and management. The Service strives to provide priority public uses when

compatible with the purpose and goals of the Refuge and the mission of the National Wildlife Refuge

System. The above four priority uses support one of the Refuge goals identified in the Comprehensive

Conservation Plan, the purpose of the Refuge and the mission of the National Wildlife Refuge System.

Mandatory Re-evaluation Date (provide month and year for “allowed” uses only):

July 2017 Mandatory 15-year Reevaluation Date (for priority public uses)

________ Mandatory 10-year Reevaluation Date (for all uses other than priority public uses)
A-3

NEPA Compliance for Refuge Use Decision (check one below):

Conducted with the Comprehensive Conservation Plan

______Categorical Exclusion without Environmental Action Statement

______Categorical Exclusion and Environmental Action Statement

 X Environmental Assessment and Finding of No Significant Impact

Environmental Impact Statement and Record of Decision

References Cited:

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 2001. Draft Antioch Dunes National Wildlife Refuge Comprehensive

Conservation Plan and Environmental Assessment

A-5

Compatibility Determination

Use: Scientific Research

Refuge Name: Antioch Dunes National Wildlife Refuge, Contra Costa County, adjacent to Antioch,

California; a unit of Don Edwards San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge Complex.

Establishing and Acquisition Authority: Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended

(16 U.S.C. 1531 - 1544)

Refuge Purpose: “... to conserve (A) fish or wildlife which are listed as endangered species or threatened

species... or (B) plants...” (Endangered Species Act of 1973)

National Wildlife Refuge System Mission: The mission of the National Wildlife Refuge System is “to

administer a national network of lands and waters for the conservation, management, and where

appropriate, restoration of the fish, wildlife, and plant resources and their habitats within the United

States for the benefit of present and future generations of Americans.” (National Wildlife Refuge

Administration Act of 1966, as amended [16 U.S.C. 668dd-668ee]).

Description of Use(s): Antioch Dunes National Wildlife Refuge (Refuge) receives periodic requests to

conduct scientific research on the Refuge. Priority will be given to studies that contribute to the

enhancement, protection, preservation and management of threatened and endangered species and their

ecosystem. Research applicants must submit a proposal that would outline: 1) objectives of the study; 2)

justification for the study; 3) detailed methodology and schedule; 4) potential impacts on Refuge endemic

species and their ecosystem, including disturbance (short and long term), injury, or mortality; 5) Refuge

and research personnel required; 6) costs to Refuge, if any; and 7) end products (i.e., reports,

publications). Research proposals would be reviewed by Refuge staff or others as appropriate. Some

research opportunities such as available pollinators, the effects of nitrogen fixing plants and the effects of

the gypsum (nearby wallboard factory) in relation to the endangered species are identified in the Antioch

Dunes National Wildlife Refuge Comprehensive Conservation Plan and Environmental Assessment

(Draft) September 2001 (ADCCP/EA) which is herein incorporated by reference. Research would be

accomplished under Special Use Permits (SUPs) since they enable the Refuge to tailor any additional

stipulations (terms and conditions) to a specific research project.

The following criteria, and others as necessary, would be used to assess research proposals:

1. Research that would contribute to Refuge goals would have higher priority than other requests.

2. Research that would conflict with other ongoing research, monitoring or management programs would

not be granted.

3. Research projects that can be done elsewhere off-Refuge are less likely to be approved.

4. Research which causes undue disturbance or is intrusive, will likely not be granted. Level and type of

disturbance would be carefully weighed when evaluating a request.

5. Research evaluation would determine if any effort has been made to minimize disturbance through

study design, including considering adjusting location, timing, scope, number of research personnel, study

methods, number of study sites, etc.

6. If staffing or logistics make it impossible for the Refuge to monitor researcher activity in a sensitive

area this may be reason to deny the request depending on the circumstances.

7. The length of the project would be considered and agreed upon before approval. Projects would not be

open ended and would be reviewed annually.

Availability of Resources: Adequate funding and staff exist to monitor projects and compliance with

stipulations presented herein and conditions of the Special Use Permits issued to researchers whose

proposals are accepted for research at Antioch Dunes National Wildlife Refuge. As always, discretionary

use of staff time is weighed through a cost/benefit analysis.
A-6

Anticipated Impacts of the Use(s): The goals of the Refuge are:

1. To protect, restore, and manage the Antioch Dunes ecosystem for a diversity of native plant and animal

species.

2. To protect, enhance and maintain habitat for threatened and endangered species, emphasizing species

known to inhabit the Refuge, including the Lange’s metalmark butterfly, Contra Costa wallflower, and

Antioch dunes evening primrose.

3. To establish an educational program for the public in order to foster an appreciation of the natural

habitats and endangered species supported by the native riverine dune habitat of the Refuge.

Previous scientific research has directly contributed to the first two goals and provided information that

has been and would continue to be used to support the third goal. The possibility exists of damaging

endangered plants, disturbing endangered butterflies and introducing unwanted plants through seed

transfer while doing research. There is also the potential for illegal collection of endangered plants and

insects at the Refuge.

Minimal impact to Refuge resources is expected with scientific research studies. Some level of

disturbance is expected with all research activities since most researchers would be entering areas that

are normally closed to the public and may be collecting samples or handling wildlife. Special Use Permits

would contain conditions to ensure that impacts to wildlife and habitats are kept to a minimum. Please see

Chapter 4 of the CCP/EA for a discussion of problems and opportunities.

Public Review and Comment: Was conducted concurrently with the public review and comment period

for the CCPlan/EA. No comments about research have been received to date.

Determination (check one below):

_____ Use is Not Compatible

 X Use is Compatible With Following Stipulations

Stipulations Necessary to Ensure Compatibility: Threatened and endangered species and Refuge

resources will be monitored by Refuge staff. If the proposed research methods would impact or

potentially impact Refuge resources, the research applicant must demonstrate to the Refuge’s satisfaction

that the research is necessary, and the researcher must identify the issues in advance of the impact.

Minimization measures for potential impacts would need to be developed and be listed as conditions to the

Special Use Permit. Extremely sensitive areas will be considered when determining locations for

proposed research. At any time, refuge staff may accompany the researchers to determine potential

impacts to Refuge resources. Staff may determine that previously approved research and Special Use

Permits be terminated. All Refuge rules and regulations must be followed unless otherwise excepted in

writing by the Refuge Manager.

Justification: Restrictions would be placed on the researcher to ensure that disturbance is kept to a

minimum. Concerns about protecting rare native plants and animals and the overall integrity of the dune

ecosystem require that Refuge staff closely review proposed research projects and that research activities

be monitored. Research projects will contribute to the enhancement, protection, preservation, and

management of native Refuge populations.

Mandatory Re-evaluation Date (provide month and year for “allowed” uses only):

July 2012 Mandatory 15-year Reevaluation Date (for priority public uses)

Mandatory 10-year Reevaluation Date (for all uses other than priority public uses)
A-7

NEPA Compliance for Refuge Use Decision (check one below):

Conducted with the Comprehensive Conservation Plan

Categorical Exclusion without Environmental Action Statement

Categorical Exclusion and Environmental Action Statement

 X Environmental Assessment and Finding of No Significant Impact

Environmental Impact Statement and Record of Decision

References Cited:

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 2001. Draft Antioch Dunes National Wildlife Refuge Comprehensive

Conservation Plan and Environmental Assessment

Appendix B

Technical Panel

B-1

Appendix B - Technical Panel

Antioch Dunes Technical Panel Participants from February 1999 Meeting

Continued on page 2

N N AME AFFILIATIO

Richard Arnold, PhD Consulting Entomologist

Peter Baye USFWS, Endangered Species Recovery Branch Biologist

Joelle Buffa USFWS, San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge Complex, Supervisory

Biologist

S t ally de Becker PG&E, Biologis

Joe DiTomaso, PhD UC Davis, Biology Professor, starthistle specialist

Steve Edwards Director, East Bay Regional Parks Botanic Garden

Barbara Ertter Director, UC Berkeley - Jepson Herbarium

Erin Fernandez USFWS, Wildlife Biologist in charge of Antioch Dunes NWR

Holly Forbes California Native Plant Society - East Bay Chapter President, and UC

Botanical Garden (Berkeley)

Julie Greene Center for Natural Lands Management, Assistant Reserve Manager

Diana Hickson Natural Heritage Division, California Department of Fish and Game

M r elody Kercheval PG&E, Sr. Associate Planne

John Lauenroth Student Diablo Valley College, cryptogrammic soils expert

Leslie Lew USFWS, Refuge Planner for Antioch Dunes National Wildlife Refuge

Wesley A. Maffei Napa Co. Mosquito Abatement District, Manager

S t andra Matasol USFWS, Biologis
B-2

Antioch Dunes Technical Panel Participants from February 1999 Meeting

(Continued from page 1)

N N AME AFFILIATIO

Rick Morat USFWS, Wildlife Biologist, Public Affairs Specialist

C t huck Morton CalTrans, Senior Biologis

Michael Parker USFWS, previous Wildlife Biologist in charge of Antioch Dunes NWR

J r erry Powell, PhD UC Berkeley, Entomology Professo

John Randall, PhD Nature Conservancy/UC Davis, Professor, weed specialist

John Rusmore UC Davis, Graduate Student, Private Consultant, weed specialist

Victoria Slowik USFWS, Biological Intern

D t iane Thomson UC Santa Cruz, graduate studen

Louise Vicencio San Pablo Bay NWR, Wildlife Biologist

B t etty Warne USFWS, Plant Biologis

David Wright USFWS, Invertebrate Biologist

L r oretta McCorkle USFWS, Writer-Edito

Mark Pelz USFWS, Refuge Planner

D r on DeLong USFWS, Supervising Refuge Planne
B-3

Antioch Dunes Technical Panel Participants from November 1999 Meeting

N n ame Affiliatio

Stephen Edwards Director, East Bay Regional Parks Botanic Garden

B m arbara Ertter Director, UC Berkeley - Jepson Herbariu

Holly Forbes California Native Plant Society - East Bay Chapter President, UC Botanical

Garden (Berkeley)

K n ari Jensen USFWS, Biological Inter

Marge Kolar USFWS, San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge Complex Manager

John Lauenroth Diablo Valley College, Student and cryptogrammic soils expert

Leslie Lew USFWS, Refuge Planner for Antioch Dunes National Wildlife Refuge

Ivette Loredo USFWS, Wildlife biologist in charge of Antioch Dunes National Wildlife

Refuge

Wes Maffei Napa Co. Mosquito Abatement District Manager

Linda MaldonadoDoyleUSFWS, Office Assistant

Loretta McCorkle USFWS, Writer-Editor

C t huck Morton CalTrans, Supervising Biologis

Bruce Pavlik Mills College, Conservation Biology Professor

M r ark Pelz USFWS, Refuge Planne

Andrea Pickart USFWS, Ecologist, Lanphere Dunes Unit, Humboldt Bay National Wildlife

Refuge

J r erry Powell UC Berkeley, Entomology Professo

Diane Thomson UC Santa Cruz, graduate student
B-4
Appendix C

Environmental Assessment

C-1

Under separate cover.

Appendix C - Environmental Assessment
C-2
Appendix D

Response to Comments

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D-8
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D-11
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RESPONSE TO COMMENTS

CALFED Bay-Delta Program

Response to Comment 1:

The text has been changed to reflect the comment given.

California Department of Transportation

Response to Comment 1:

Thank you for your comment.

California State Lands Commission

Response to Comment 1:

The locations of these plants were recently mapped in a cooperative effort between the refuge and the

California Native Plant Society. However, populations have not been quantified, nor have trends been determined.

Objective 2.7 seeks to restore the littoral zone. Strategy 2.7.1 seeks to determine the natural condition of the

shoreline ecosystem. A trend analysis would likely be a part of any restoration effort.

Response to Comment 2:

Currently, the Service has no jurisdiction over the State Lands within the littoral zone. The Service may

seek to expand the Approved Refuge Boundary to include the littoral zone or possibly leasing these lands from the

State Lands Commission (see strategy 2.6.4). Should that occur, the Service would then be more actively involved

in the management of plants in the littoral zone.

Response to Comment 3:

Concur.

Response to Comment 4:

The text has been changed to reflect the comment given.

City of Antioch - Community Development Department

Response to Comment 1:

The text has been changed to reflect the comment given.

Response to Comment 2:

Concur.

Sierra Club

Response to Comment 1:

Concur.

Pacific Gas and Electric Company

Response to Comment 1:

The CCP does not intend to portray PG&E land as part of the Sardis Unit. The figures and text have been

further clarified to reflect that the goals, objectives, and strategies do not apply to PG&E land.
D-19

Response to Comment 2:

An approved refuge boundary gives service authority to acquire land contained within the boundary. The

approved refuge boundary identifies important and sensitive resource areas that the Service is looking to protect

for a long period of time. Landowners within a refuge boundary retain all the rights, privileges, and

responsibilities of private land ownership. After the Director approves a refuge boundary, the Service can make

offers to purchase land, or enter into management agreements with willing landowners within the approved

boundary. Lands do not become part of the National Wildlife Refuge System unless they are purchased or are

placed under a management agreement with the individual landowner. The text has been changed to further

clarify that the CCP does not apply to privately owned lands.

Response to Comment 3:

The text has been revised to reflect the comment given. The term “approved refuge boundary” has been

further clarified under the “Land Ownership” section.

Response to Comment 4:

The text has been revised to reflect the comment given. The term “approved refuge boundary” has been

further clarified under the “Land Ownership” section.

Response to Comment 5:

The text has been revised to reflect the comment given.

Response to Comment 6:

Although the agreement restricts the Service from conducting certain types of activities on portions of the

12 acres, the previous cooperative management agreement and subsequent draft agreements apply to the entire 12

acres.

Response to Comment 7:

The figure has been changed to say “Survey Areas” vs. “Management Areas.”

Response to Comment 7.1:

The map already clearly delineates PG&E property from Service property.

Response to Comment 7.2:

The text has been revised to reflect the comment given. The term “approved refuge boundary” has been

further clarified under the “Land Ownership” section.

Response to Comment 7.3:

The figure has been changed to reflect the comment given.

Response to Comment 8.1:

The figure has been changed to reflect the comment given.

Response to Comment 8.2:

The text has been revised to reflect the comment given. The term “approved refuge boundary” has been

further clarified under the “Land Ownership” section.

Response to Comment 9.1:

The figure has been changed to reflect the comment given.

Response to Comment 9.2:

The figure has been changed to reflect the comment given.

Response to Comment 9.3:

The figure has been changed to reflect the comment given.

Response to Comment 9.4:

The figure has been changed to reflect the comment given.
D-20

Response to Comment 9.5:

The text has been revised to reflect the comment given. Also, the term “approved refuge boundary” has

been further clarified under the “Land Ownership” section.

Response to Comment 10:

The text has been revised to reflect the comment given.

Response to Comment 11.1:

This figure already clearly delineates the PG&E property.

Response to Comment 11.2:

Please see response to comment 11.1.

Response to Comment 11.3:

The text has been revised to reflect the comment given. The term “approved refuge boundary” has been

further clarified under the “Land Ownership” section.

Response to Comment 12:

Please see response to comment 6.

Response to Comment 13:

The text has been changed to reflect the comment given.

Response to Comment 14:

The two PG&E parcels are within the approved refuge boundary. The text has been revised to reflect the

comment given. The term “approved refuge boundary” has been further clarified under the “Land Ownership”

section of the CCP and under the “Project Area” section of this EA.

Response to Comment 15:

The text has been changed to reflect the comment given.

Response to Comment 16.1:

The figure has been changed to reflect the comment given.

Response to Comment 16.2:

The figure has been changed to reflect the comment given.

Response to Comment 16.3:

The figure has been changed to reflect the comment given.

Response to Comment 17:

The figure has been changed to reflect the comment given. The text has been revised to reflect the

comment given. The term “approved refuge boundary” has been further clarified under the “Land Ownership”

section.

Response to Comment 18.1:

The figure has been changed to reflect the comment given.

Response to Comment 18.2:

The figure has been changed to reflect the comment given.

Response to Comment 18.3:

The figure has been changed to reflect the comment given.

Response to Comment 18.4:

The figure has been changed to reflect the comment given.
D-21

Response to Comment 18.5:

The text has been revised to reflect the comment given. The term “approved refuge boundary” has been

further clarified under the “Land Ownership” section.

Response to Comment 19:

This section is from a document finalized in 1997 and cannot be changed.

Response to Comment 20:

This section is from a document finalized in 1997 and cannot be changed.

Frank and Janice Delfino

Response to Comment 1:

Concur.

Response to Comment 2:

Concur.

Response to Comment 3:

Concur.

Response to Comment 4:

The Service has been moving in this direction on the Refuge. Recently, we have been concentrating

planting efforts on areas that have been treated for weeds with prescribed fire. However, it is likely that we will

continue some planting throughout the refuge to maintain populations of the primrose, wallflower, and nakedstemmed buckwheat on the portions of the refuge that have not yet been treated.

Steven A. Janosik

Response to Comment 1:

Concur. The Service’s preferred alternative does not open the Refuge to unrestricted public use.

Response to Comment 2:

An interpretive viewing area has been identified for Minaker Drive. This viewing area would be open all

the time. The preferred alternative includes footpaths. However, these footpaths will not be open to unrestricted

public use because of the sensitivity of the endangered species.

Response to Comment 3:

An investigation of a variety of different disturbance measures is identified as strategy 1.5.2 and includes

supervised public use.

Lisa W. Kroeber

Response to Comment 1:

Concur.

Rebecca Valdez

Response to Comment 1:

A visitor center was considered as part of the comprehensive conservation planning process, and was not

included for two main reasons. With only 55 acres, the refuge is very small - there isn’t really adequate space on
D-22

the Refuge for a visitor center. The footprint of any visitor center would further reduce the amount of potential

habitat for the endangered species. Also, at this time, not enough public interest has been expressed in the Refuge

to merit constructing a visitor center. However, the plan does identify a viewing area with interpretive panels at

Minaker Drive. Should funds become available, this viewing area would act as a mini visitor center. Furthermore,

there are currently plans to construct the Delta Science Center adjacent to the City of Antioch in Oakley, a regional

science center that could feature a display about the Refuge and its unique species. An additional strategy has

been added to the CCP to work with the staff developing the center and interpretive programs.
Appendix E

Wilderness Review

E-1

Appendix E - Wilderness Review

A wilderness review is the process used by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) to determine

whether or not to recommend lands or waters in the National Wildlife Refuge System to Congress for

designation as wilderness. The Service is required to conduct a wilderness review for each refuge as

part of the Comprehensive Conservation Plan (CCP) process. Lands or waters that meet the minimum

criteria for wilderness are identified in a CCP and further evaluated to determine whether they merit

recommendation for inclusion in the Wilderness System.

According to Section 13 of the Service’s Director’s Order No. 125 (12 July 2000), for a refuge to be

considered for wilderness designation, all or part of the refuge must:

• Be affected primarily by the forces of nature, with the human imprint substantially unnoticeable;

• Have outstanding opportunities for solitude or a primitive and unconfined type of recreation;

• Have at least 5,000 contiguous acres (2,000 ha) or be sufficient in size to make practicable its

preservation and use in an unimpaired condition, or be capable of restoration to wilderness character

through appropriate management, at the time of review; and

• Be a roadless island.

The Antioch Dunes National Wildlife Refuge (Refuge) comprises 55 acres, which is much smaller than

the area required for designation as wilderness. Moreover, the Refuge contains much evidence of past

human use, including dirt roads, remnants of an old vineyard, rip rap, and an abandoned sand quarry.

For these reasons, the Refuge does not meet the criteria for wilderness designation.
E-2
Appendix F

Plant List

F-1

Appendix F - Vascular Plant List For Antioch Dunes National Wildlife

Refuge

Current Plant Species at Antioch Dunes National Wildlife Refuge. Compiled from California Native Plant

Society surveys and other sources. 1974 - 2001.

SEAFIG FAMILY (AIZOACEAE)

Ice Plant (Carpobrotus edulis)

AMARANTH FAMILY (AMARANTHACEAE)

Tumbleweed (Pigweed) (Amaranthus albus)

Prostrate Amaranth (Amaranthus blitoides)**N

Amaranthus (Amaranthus sp.)

AMARYLLIS FAMILY (AMARYLLIDACEAE)

Naked Ladies (Amaryllis belladonna)

CASHEW FAMILY (ANACARDIACEAE)

California Pepper Tree (Schinus molle)?N

Poison Oak (Toxicodendron diversilobum)N

CELERY(CARROT) FAMILY (APIACEAE)

Button-celery (Coyote Thistle) (Eryngium aristulatum)**N

Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare)

Floating Marsh Pennywort (Hydrocotyle ranunculoides)**N

Whorled Marsh Pennywort (Hydrocotyle verticillata)**N

Mason’s Lilaeopsis (Lilaeopsis masonii)*N (CA RARE/CNPS 1B)

Water Parsley (Oenanthe sarmentosa)N

Hemlock Water Parsnip (Sium suave)**N

DOGBANE FAMILY (APOCYNACEAE)

Indian-hemp (Apocynum cannabinum)**N

Oleander (Nerium oleander)

MILKWEED FAMILY (ASCLEPIADACEAE)

Narrow-leaf Milkweed (Asclepias fascicularis)N

ASTER FAMILY (ASTERACEAE)

Yarrow (Achillea millefolium)N

Western Ragweed (Ambrosia psilostachya)

Unknown (Ambrosia sp.)

Mugwort (Artemisia douglasiana)N

Suisun Marsh Aster (Aster lentus)*N (CNPS 1B)

Coyote Brush (Baccharis pilularis)N

Mule Fat (Baccharis salicifolia)N

Bur Marigold (Bidens laevis)**N

Italian Thistle (Carduus pycnocephalus)

Slender-flowered Thistle (Carduus teniflorus)?

Tocalote (Centaurea melitensis)

Yellow Starthistle (Centaurea solstitialis)

Spikeweed (Centromadia pungens ssp?)N

Horseweed (Conyza canadensis)

Kellogg’s Tarweed (Deinandra kelloggii) (formerly by Hemizonia k.)**N

Western Goldenrod (Euthamia occidentalis)***N
F-2

California Fluffweed (Filago californica)N

Herba Impia (Fluffweed) (Filago gallica)N

Fragrant Everlasting (Gnaphalium canescens ssp. beneolens)**N

Common Cudweed (Gnaphalium luteo-album)

Cotton Batting Plant (Gnaphalium stramineum)N

Cudweed (Gnaphalium sp.)

Gumplant (Grindelia camporum var. camporum)N

Hirsute Grindelia (Grindelia hisutula var. h.)**N

Marsh Gumplant (Grindelia stricta var. angustifolia)**N (CNPS 4)

Grindelia (Grindelia sp.)N

California Matchweed (Gutierrezia californica)***N

Bigelow’s Sneezeweed (Helenium bigelovii)**N

Hayfield Tarweed (Hemizonia congesta ssp. c.)**N

Telegraph Weed (Heterotheca grandiflora)N

Bristly Golden Aster (Heterotheca sessiliflora ssp. echioides)***N

Tarweed (Holocarpha sp.)N

Smooth Cat’s Ear (Hypochaeris glabra)

Rough Cat’s Ear (Hypochaeris radicata)

Prickly Lettuce (Lactuca serriola)

California Goldfields (Lasthenia californica)N

Tidy-tips (Layia platyglossa)***N

Glandular Lessingia (Lessingia glandulifera var. g.)**N

Slender Cottonweed (Micropus californicus var. c.)N

Cupped Monolopia (Monolopia major)**N

Bristly Ox-tongue (Picris echioides)

Bush Groundsel (Shrubby Butterweed) (Senecio flaccidus var. douglasii)**N

Alkali-marsh Butterweed (Senecio hydrophilus)**N

Common Butterweed (Senecio vulgaris)

Unknown (wet grower) (Senecio sp.)

Prickly Sow Thistle (Sonchus asper)

Common Sow Thistle (Sonchus oleraceus)

Purple Salsify (Tragopogon porrifolius)

Cocklebur (Xanthium strumarium)N

BIRCH FAMILY (BETULACEAE)

White Alder (Alnus rhombifolia)N

BORAGE FAMILY (BORAGINACEAE)

Common Fiddleneck (Amsinckia menziesii var. intermedia)N

Rancher’s Fireweed (Amsinckia menziesii var. menziesii)N

Devil’s Lettuce (Amsinckia tessellata var. t.)**N

Alkali Heliotrope (Heliotropium curassavicum)N

Bracted Popcornflower (Plagiobotrys bracteatus)

MUSTARD FAMILY (BRASSICACEAE)

Black Mustard (Brassica nigra)

Hoary Cress (Cardaria sp.)

Contra Costa Wallflower (Erysimum capitatum ssp. angustatum)*N(US & CA ENDANGERED/

CNPS 1B)

Summer Mustard (Hirschfeldia incana)

Wide-leaved Peppergrass (Lepidium latifolium)

Radish (Raphanus sativus)

Tumble Mustard (Sisybrium altissimum)

Oriental Sisybrium (Sisybrium orientale)

CACTUS FAMILY (CACTACEAE)

Prickly-pear Cactus (Opuntia ficus-indica)
F-3

HONEYSUCKLE FAMILY (CAPRIFOLIACEAE)

Blue Elderberry (Sambucus mexicana)N

PINK FAMILY (CARYOPHYLLACEAE)

Mouse-ear Chickweed (Cerastium glomeratum)

Windmill Pink (Silene gallica)

Sand-spurrey (Spergularia rubra)

Common Chickweed (Stellaria media)

(CASUARINACEAE)

Beefwood (Casuarina sp.)

GOOSEFOOT FAMILY (CHENOPODIACEAE)

Spearscale (Atriplex triangularis)N

Goosefoot (Chenopodium murale)

Russian Thistle (Salsola tragus)

MORNING GLORY FAMILY (CONVOLVULACEAE)

Hedge Morning-glory (Bindweed) (Calystegia sepium ssp. limnophila)**N

Bindweed (Convolvulus arvensis)

STONECROP FAMILY (CRASSULACEAE)

Pygmyweed (Crassula connata)N

Pygmyweed (Crassula tillaea)

GOURD FAMILY (CUCURBITACEAE)

Man-root (Wild Cucumber) (Marah fabaceus)N

CYPRESS FAMILY (CUPRESSACEAE)

Cypress (Cupressus sp.)

Arbivitae (Thuja sp.)

DODDER FAMILY (CUSCUTACEAE)

Field Dodder (Cuscuta pentagona)**N

SEDGE FAMILY (CYPERACEAE)

Sitka Sedge (Carex aquatilis var. dives)**N

Nebraska Sedge (Carex nebrascensis)**N

Sedge (Carex sp.)N

Tall Cyperus (Nutsedge) (Cyperus eragrostis)N

Common Tule (Scirpus acutus var. occidentalis)N

Three Square (Scirpus americanus)N

California Tule (Cali. Bulrush) (Scirpus californicus)N

Tule (Low Club Rush) (Scirpus cernuus)**N

HORSETAIL FAMILY (EQUISETACEAE)

Smooth Scouring Rush (Equisetum laevigatum)N

SPURGE FAMILY (EUPHORBIACEAE)

California Croton (Croton californicus)**N

LEGUME FAMILY (FABACEAE)

Bird-of-paradise Bush (Caesalpinia gilliesii)

French Broom (Genista monspessulana)
F-4

Leather Root (Hoita macrostachya)**N

Delta Tule Pea (Lathyrus jepsonii var. jepsonii)*N (CNPS 1B)

Birdfoot Trefoil (Lotus corniculatus)

Spanish-clover (Lotus purshianus var. purshianus)N

Deerweed (Lotus scoparius)N

Stipulate Trefoil (Lotus stipularis var. stipularis)**N

Strigose Trefoil (Lotus strigosus)**N

Common Trefoil (Lotus wrangelianus)N

Silver Lupin (Lupinus albifrons)N

Dove Lupine (Dwarf Lupine) (Lupinus bicolor var. pipersmithii)**N

Dove Lupine (Dwarf Lupine) (Lupinus bicolor var. umbellatus)**N

Chamisso’s Bush Lupine (Lupinus chamissonis)**N

Lupine (Lupinus sp.)N

Arroyo Lupine (Lupinus succulentus)N

Burr Clover (Medicago polymorpha)

Alfalfa (Medicago sativa)

White Sweetclover (Melilotus alba)

Yellow Sweetclover (Melilotus indica)

Black Locust (Robinia pseudoacacia)

Pin-point Clover (Trifolium gracilentum)N

Rose Clover (Trifolium hirtum)

Clover (Trifolium sp.)N

Tomcat Clover (Trifolium willdenovii)N

Common Vetch (Vicia sativa ssp. nigra)

Spring Vetch (Vicia sativa ssp. sativa)

Winter Vetch (Vicia villosa ssp. varia)

Winter Vetch (Vicia villosa ssp. villosa)

BEECH FAMILY (FAGACEAE)

Coastal Live Oak (Quercus agrifolia)N

Coastal Live Oak-Interior Live Oak Hybrid (Quercus agrifolia var. wizliseni)N

Valley Oak (Quercus lobata)

GENTIAN FAMILY (GENTIANACEAE)

Monterey Centaury (Centaurium muehlenbergii)***N

GERANIUM FAMILY (GERANIACEAE)

Large-flowered Filaree (Erodium botrys)

Red-stemmed Filaree (Erodium cicutarium)

Cut-leaf Geranium (Geranium dissectum)

WATER-MILFOIL FAMILY (HALORAGACEAE)

Milfoil (Myriophyllum sp.)

WATERWEED FAMILY (HYDROCHARITACEAE)

Common Waterweed (Elodea canadensis)

IRIS FAMILY (IRIDACEAE)

Yellow Flag (Iris pseudacorus)

WALNUT FAMILY (JUGLANDACEAE)

N. Cali. Black Walnut (Juglans californica var. hindsii)*N

RUSH FAMILY (JUNCACEAE)

Jointed Rush (Juncus articulatus)**N

Baltic Rush (Juncus balticus)N
F-5

Toad Rush (Juncus bufonius (var.?))N

Bog Rush (Juncus effusus)

Irisleaf Rush (Juncus xiphioides)?N

ARROW-GRASS FAMILY (JUNCAGINACEAE)

Flowering Quillwort (Lilaea scilloides)?

Arrow-grass (Triglochin sp.)N

MINT FAMILY (LAMIACEAE)

Cutleaf Bugleweed (Lycopus americanus)**N

Horehound (Marrubium vulgare)

Field mint (Mentha arvensis)

Mint (Mentha sp.)

Hoary Hedge-nettle (White Hedge-nettle) (Stachys albens)**N

Vinegar Weed (Trichostema lanceolatum)N

LILY FAMILY (LILIACEAE)

Asparagus (Asparagus officinalis ssp. o.)

Blue Dicks (Dichelostemma capitatum)N

LOOSESTRIFE FAMILY (LYTHRACEAE)

California Loosestrife (Lythrum californicum)**N

MALLOW FAMILY (MALVACEAE)

Lavatera (Lavatera arborea)

Cretican Tree-mallow (Cretan lavatera) (Lavatera cretica)

Cheeseweed (Malva parviflora)

(MELIACEAE)

Chinaberry (Melia azedanach)

MYRTLE FAMILY (MYRTACEAE)

Blue Gum (Eucalyptus globulus)

OLIVE FAMILY (OLEACEAE)

Oregon Ash (Fraxinus latifolia)**N

Olive (Olea europaea)

EVENING-PRIMROSE FAMILY (ONAGRACEAE)

Contorted Primrose (Camissonia contorta)?**N

Small-flowered Sun Cup (Small Primrose) (Camissonia micrantha)?**N

Camissonia (Camissonia sp.)N

Elegant Clarkia (Clarkia unguiculata)N

Panicled Willowherb (Epilobium brachycarpum)N

Willowherb (Epilobium ciliatum ssp. ciliatum)N

Smooth Boisduvalia (Epilobium pygmaeum)**N

Willowherb (Epilobium sp.)N

Water Primrose (Ludwigia peploides)?**N

Antioch Dunes Evening Primrose (Oenothera deltoides ssp. howellii)*N (US & CA

ENDANGERED/CNPS 1B)

Hooker’s Evening Primrose (Oenothera elata ssp. hookeri)**N
F-6

OXALIS FAMILY (OXALIDACEAE)

Bermuda Buttercups (Oxalis pes-caprae)

POPPY FAMILY (PAPAVERACEAE)

California Poppy (Eschscholzia californica)N

Narrow-leaved Meconella (Meconella linearis)**N

Wind Poppy (Stylomecon heterophylla)N

PLANTAIN FAMILY (PLANTAGINACEAE)

Crownfoot Plantain (Cutleaf Plantain) (Plantago coronopus)

English Plantain (Plantago lanceolata)

Mexican Plantain (Plantago subnuda)**N

SYCAMORE FAMILY (PLANTANACEAE)

Western Sycamore (Platanus racemosa)**N

GRASS FAMILY (POACEAE)

Spike Redtop (Agrostis exarata)N

Giant Reed (Arundo donax)

Slender Wild Oats (Avena barbata)

Wild oat (Avena fatua)

Bamboo (Bambusa sp.)

Ripgut Brome (Bromus diandrus)

Soft Brome (Bromus hordeaceus)

Red Foxtail Brome (Bromus madritensis ssp. rubens)

Pampas Grass (Cortaderia selloana)

Bermuda Grass (Cynodon dactylon)

Tufted Hairgrass (Deschampsia cespitosa ssp. c.)**N

Tufted Hairgrass (Deschampsia cespitosa ssp. holiciformis)?**N

Saltgrass (Distichlis spicata)N

Meadow Barley (Hordeum brachyantherum ssp. b.)N

Farmer’s Foxtail (Hordeum murinum ssp. leporinum)

Farmer’s Foxtail (Hordeum murinum ssp. m.)

Bristly Koeleria (Koeleria phleoides)

Alkali Rye (Creeping Ryegrass) (Leymus triticoides)N

Italian Ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum)

Witchgrass (Panicum capillare)**N

Canary Grass (Phalaris canariensis)

Common Reed (Phragmites australis)**N

Smilo Grass (Piptatherum miliaceum)

Kentucky Bluegrass (Poa pratensis)

Pacific Fescue (Vulpia microstachys var. pauciflora)N

Zorro Grass (Vulpia myuros var. hirsuta)

Zorro Grass (Vulpia myuros var. m.)

PHLOX FAMILY (POLEMONIACEAE)

Blue-headed Gilia (Range Gilia) (Gilia capitata ssp. staminea)**N

KNOTPLANT FAMILY (POLYGONACEAE)

Slender Buckwheat (Eriogonum gracile var. g.)**N

Naked-stemmed Buckwheat (Eriogonum nudum var. auriculatum)N

Hairyflower Buckwheat (Eriogonum nudum var. pubiflorum)**N

Willow Weed (Polygonum lapathifolium)***N

Water Smartweed (Polygonum punctatum)**N

Knotweed (Polygonum sp.)

Curly Dock (Rumex crispus)
F-7

PICKEREL-WEED FAMILY (PONTEDERIACEAE)

Water-hyacinth (Eichornia crassipes)

PURSLANE FAMILY (PORTULACACEAE)

Red Maids (Calandrinia ciliata)N

Miner’s Lettuce (Claytonia parviflora)N

Miner’s Lettuce (Claytonia perfoliata)N

Common Purslane (Portulaca oleracea)

ROSE FAMILY (ROSACEAE)

Toyon (Heteromeles arbutifolia)N

Silverplant (Potentilla anserina ssp. pacifica)**N

Almond (Prunus dulcis)

Stone Fruit (Prunus sp.)

California Rose (Rosa californica)N

Himalayan Blackberry (Rubus discolor)

California Blackberry (Rubus ursinus)N

MADDER FAMILY (RUBIACEAE)

Button-willow (Cephalanthus occidentalis var. californicus)**N

Goose Grass (Common Bedstraw) (Galium aparine)

Bedstraw (Galium sp.)

WILLOW FAMILY (SALICACEAE)

Fremont Cottonwood (Populus fremontii ssp. fremontii)N

Narrow-leaved Willow (Sandbar Willow) (Salix exigua)N

Arroyo Willow (Salix lasiolepis)N

Shining Willow (Salix lucida ssp. lasiandra)***N

SAXIFRAGE FAMILY (SAXIFRAGACEAE)

Fringe Cups (Tellima grandiflora)**N

SNAPDRAGON FAMILY (SCROPHULARIACEAE)

Cream Sacs (Castilleja attenuata)N

Purple Owlsclover (Castilleja exserta (ssp.?))N

Delta Mudwort (Limosella subulata)N (CNPS 2)

Yellow Monkeyflower (Mimulus guttatus)N

Purslane Speedwell (Veronica peregrina ssp. xalapensis)N

QUASSIA FAMILY (SIMAROUBACEAE)

Tree of Heaven (Ailanthus altissima)

NIGHTSHADE FAMILY (SOLANACEAE)

Thorn-apple (Tolguacha) (Datura wrightii)N

Tree Tobacco (Nicotiana glauca)

Blue Witch (Solanum umbelliferum)N

CATTAIL FAMILY (TYPHACEAE/SPARGANIACEAE)

Giant Burreed (Sparganium eurycarpum or erectum)?N

Narrow-leaved Cattail (Typha angustifolia)N

Southern Cattail (Typha domingensis)N

ELM FAMILY (ULMACEAE)

Dwarf Asiatic Elm (Ulmus pumila)
F-8

NETTLE FAMILY (URTICACEAE)

Dwarf Nettle (Urtica urens)

GRAPE FAMILY (VITACEAE)

Cultivated Grape (Vitis vinifera)

RARE PLANTS OF HISTORICAL OCCURRENCE

Hoover’s Cryptantha (Cryptantha hooveri) (CNPS 4)*N

Small Spikerush (Eleocharis parvula) (CNPS 4)*N

Diamond-petaled Calif.Poppy (Eschscholzia rhombipetala) (CNPS 1B)*N

Contra Costa Goldfields (Lasthenia conjugens) (CA ENDANGERED/CNPS 1B)*N

Showy Madia (Madia radiata) (CNPS 1B)*N

N Native Species

* Rare, threatened or endangered in California. Special Plants List, July 2000, California Dept. of Fish and

Game, Natural Diversity Database; and drafot of CNPS Inventory of Rare and Endangered Vascular Plants of

California, Sixth ed, Due for publicaion 2001.

**Rare, thereatend or endangered in Alameda and Contra Costa counties. Listed in Unusaul and Significant

Plants of Alameda and Contra Costa Counties, Dianne Lake, (CNPS, East ay Chapter, sixth ed, 2001).

***Watch List for Alameda anc Contra Costa counties. Unusual and Significant Plants of Alameda and Contra

Costa Counites, Diane Lake, (CNPS, East Bay Chapter, six ed, 2001).
Appendix G

Bird List

G-1

Appendix G - Bird List for Antioch Dunes National Wildlife Refuge and

Offshore Waters

Red-throated loon (Gavia stellata)

Pied-billed grebe (Podilymbus podiceps)

Western grebe (Aechmophorus occidentalis)

Brown pelican (Pelecanus occidentalis)

Double-crested cormorant (Phalacrocorax auritus)

Black-crowned night-heron (Nycticorax nycticorax)

Unknown egret (Egretta thula or Ardea alba?)

Great blue heron (Ardea herodias

Snow goose (Anser caerulescens)

Canada goose (Branta canadensis)

Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos platyrhynchos)

Greater scaup (Aythya marila)

Turkey vulture (Cathartes aura)

Osprey (Pandion haliaetus)

White-tailed kite (Elanus leucurus)

Black kite (Milvus migrans)

Marsh hawk (Northern harrier) (Circus cyaneus)

Cooper’s hawk (Accipiter cooperii)

Red-tailed hawk (Buteo jamaicensis)

American kestrel (Falco sparverius)

Ring-necked pheasant (Phasianus colchicus)

California quail (Callipepla californica)

American coot (Fulica americana)

Killdeer (Charadrius vociferus)

Spotted sandpiper (Actitis macularia)

Common snipe (Gallinago gallinago)

Ring-billed gull (Larus delawarensis)

Herring gull - North American (Larus argentatus smithsonianus)

Caspian tern (Sterna caspia)

Forster’s tern (Sterna forsteri)

Rock dove (Columba livia)

Mourning dove (Zenaida macroura)

Barn owl (Tyto alba)

White-throated swift (Aeronautes saxatalis)

Ruby throated hummingbird (Archilochus colubris)

Anna’s hummingbird (Calypte anna)

Rufous hummingbird (Selasphorus rufus)

Belted kingfisher (Ceryle alcyon)

Nuttall’s woodpecker (Picoides nuttallii)

Red-shafted flicker (Colaptes cafer)

Black phoebe (Sayornis nigricans)

Western kingbird (Tyrannus verticalis)

Loggerhead shrike (Lanius ludovicianus)

Blue jay (Cyanocitta cristata)

Western scrub-jay (Aphelocoma californica)

American crow (Corvus brachyrhynchos)

Common raven (Corvus corax)

Violet-green swallow (Tachycineta thalassina)

Cliff swallow (Petrochelidon pyrrhonota)

Northern rough-winged swallow (Stelgidopteryx serripennis)

Barn swallow (Hirundo rustica)

Bushtit - coastal (Psaltriparus minimus minimus)
G-2

Marsh wren (Cistothorus palustris)

Ruby-crowned kinglet (Regulus calendula)

American robin (Turdus migratorius)

Northern mockingbird (Mimus polyglottos)

European starling (Sturnus vulgaris)

Water pipit (Anthus spinoletta)

Cedar waxwing (Bombycilla cedrorum)

Orange-crowned warbler (Vermivora celata)

Yellow-rumped warbler (Dendroica coronata)

Yellow-throated warbler (Dendroica dominica)

Yellow warbler (Dendroica petechia)

Rufous sided towheeSpotted (Pipilo maculatus)

Song sparrow (Melospiza melodia)

Fox sparrow (Passerella iliaca)

White-crowned sparrow (Zonotrichia leucophrys)

Dark-eyed junco (Junco hyemalis)

Eastern meadowlark (Sturnella magna)

Western meadowlark (Sturnella neglecta)

Red-winged blackbird (Agelaius phoeniceus)

Tri-colored blackbird (Agelaius tricolor)

Brewer’s blackbird (Euphagus cyanocephalus)

Bullock’s oriole (Icterus bullockii)

Lawrence’s goldfinch (Carduelis lawrencei)

Pine siskin (Carduelis pinus)

Lesser goldfinch (Carduelis psaltria)

American goldfinch (Carduelis tristis)

House finch (Carpodacus mexicanus)
Appendix H

Fish List

H-1

Appendix H - Fish Species Found Offshore of Antioch Dunes National

Wildlife Refuge

American shad (Alosa sapidissima)

Yellowfin goby (Acanthogobius flavimanus)

Sacramento sucker (Catostomus occidantalis)

Prickly sculpin (Cottus asper) (Richardson)

Shiner surfperch (Cymatogaster aggregata)

Threadfin shad (Dorosoma petenense)

Sculpin family (Family Cottidae)

Goby family (Family Gobiidae)

Western mosquitofish (Gambusia affinis)

Threespine stickleback (Gasterosteus aculeatus) (Linnaeus)

Delta smelt (Hypomesus transpacificus)

Tule perch (Hysterocarpus traski) (Gibbons)

Hitch (Lavinia exilicauda)

Bluegill (Lepomis macrochirus)

Redear sunfish (Lepomis microlopus)

Pacific staghorn sculpin (Leptocottus armatus) (Girard)

Rainwater killifish (Lucania parva)

Inland silverside (Menidia beryllina)

Largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides)

Striped bass (Morone saxatilis)

Hardhead (Mylopharodon conocephalus)

Golden shiner (Notemigonus crysoleucas)

Rosyface shiner (Notropis rubellus)

Steelhead trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss)

Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha)

Sacramento blackfish (Orthodon microlepidotus) (Ayres)

Bigscale logperch (Percina macrolepida) (Stevenson)

Starry flounder (Platichthys stellatus)

Sacramento splittail (Pogonichthys macrolepidotus)

Sacramento squawfish (Ptychocheilus grandis) (Ayres)

Logfin smelt (Spirinchus thaleichthys) (Ayres)

Goby shimofuri (Tridentiger bifasciatus)

Chameleon goby (Tridentiger trigonocephalus)

Unknown Bass
H-2
Appendix I

 Insect List

I-1

Appendix I- Insect List for Antioch Dunes National Wildlife Refuge

 Invertebrates observed or collected (1/95 - 6/97)

 Arranged alphabetically for ease of reference

Order Coleoptera (Beetles)

Family Alleculidae

Lopopoda sp.

Family Anthicidae

Anthicus biguttulus

Formicilla sp. *

Family Buprestidae

Acmaeodera sp.*

Agrilus sp.

Family Carabidae

Agonoderus sp.

Agonum marginicolle

Amara sp.

Harpalus sp. @

Pterostichus sp. @

Scaphinotus striatopunctatus @

Stenolophus maculatus

Family Chrysomelidae

Altica lasulina

Diabrotica undecimpunctata

Monoxia consputa @

Family Coccinellidae

Coccinella californica

Coccinella septempunctata

Hippodamia convergens

Hipopodamia quinquesignata

Olla v-nigrum

Psyllobora vigintimaculata

Stethorus puntum picipes *

Undetermined taxa

Family Curculionidae

Apion proclive

Paragoges maculata

Sphenophorus aequalis *

Tychius sp. @

Undetermined taxa

Family Dermestidae

Anthrenus sp. @

Family Dytiscidae

Colymbetes sp. *

Laccophilus decipiens

Thermonectus basillaris

Family Elateridae

Agriotes sp. *

Euthysanius sp.

Family Heteroceridae

Heterocerus sp.

Orthellia caesarion *

Family Hydrophilidae

Enochrus diffusus

Tropisternus lateralis

Tropisternus sp.

Family Meloidae

Lytta sp. *

Nemognatha lurida apicalis

Family Scarabaeidae

Aphodius sp. @

Coenonycha sp.

Cyclocephala sp.

Plectrodes pubescens @

Polyphylla stellata

Serica anthracina *

Family Tenebrionidae

Amphidora littoralis @

Blapstinus sp. @

Coniontis sp.

Eleodes sp.

Eulabis bicarinata

Nyctoporis sp. @

Order Dermaptera (Earwigs)

Family Forficulidae

Forficula auricularia

Order Diptera (Flies)

Family Anthomyiidae

Adia cinerella

Family Anthomyzidae

Anthomyza sp. @

Family Apioceridae

Apiocera chrysolasia *

Family Asilidae

Asilus sp.

Efferia albibarbis*

Efferia antiochi *

Efferia cana*

Stenopogon breviusculus *

Stenopogon obscuriventris *@
I-2

Family Bibionidae

Bibio albipennis *

Family Bombyliidae

Aphoebanius sp. *

Bombylius sp. *

Hemipenthes sp. *

Thyridanthrax sp. *

Toxophora sp. *

Villa sp.

Undetermined taxon

Family Calliphoridae

Eucalliphora lilaea

Phaenicia serricata

Family Cecidomyiidae

Cordylomyia sp. *

Family Chironomidae

Chironomus decorus

Chironomus staegeri

Hydrobaenus sp.

Procladius sp. *

Symbiocladius equitans @

Family Conopidae

Physocephala texana *

Physoconops fronto

Family Culicidae

Aedes washinoi @

Culex erythrothorax @

Culex tarsalis

Culiseta incidens

Culiseta inornata

Culiseta particeps @

Family Dolichopodidae

Dolichopus sp. @

Hydrophorus sp. @

Medetera sp. @

Family Empididae

Platypalpus sp. *

Family Ephydridae

Mosillus sp.

Family Helcomyzidae

Pseudoleria sp. *

Suillia limbata @

Family Muscidae

Musca domestica

Family Mycetophilidae

Mycomya sp.

Family Otitidae

Ceroxys latiusculus *

Family Sarcophagidae

Euphytomima sp.

Liopygia sp. *

Ravinia sp. @

Family Scathophagidae

Scathophaga sp. @

Family Sepsidae

Sepsis sp. @

Family Simuliidae

Metacnephia sp.

Family Sphaeroceridae

Leptocera fontinalis @

Leptocera (Rachispoda) sp.

Family Syrphidae

Epistrophe sp.

Eristalinus aeneus

Eristalis sp.

Helophilus latifrons @

Paragus tibialis

Platycheirus sp. @

Syritta pipiens

Family Tabanidae

Chrysops coloradensis *

Family Tachinidae

Archytas apicifer *

Cylindromyia sp. @

Gonia sp. *

Gymnosoma sp. *

Tachina sp. @

Family Tephritidae

Dioxnya sororcula @

Tephritis californica @

Family Therevidae

Acrosathe sp. *

Family Tipulidae

Tipula californica @

Tipula sp. *

Order Hemiptera (True Bugs)

Family Alydidae

Alydus sp. *

Family Berytidae

Jalysus sp. @

Family Corixidae

Corisella decolor

Trichocorixa reticulata

Family Cydnidae

Microporus testudinatus @

Family Lygaeidae

Eremocoris sp. *

Geocoris niger @
I-3

Geocoris sp. @

Lygaeus kalmii *

Neocoryphus bicrucis

Nyssius sp.

Family Miridae

Adelphocoris superbus @

Irbisia californica

Lopidea sp.

Lygus hesperus

Family Nabidae

Nabis sp. @

Family Pentatomidae

Chlorochroa ligata *

Chlorochroa sayi *

Murgantia histrionica

Family Rhopalidae

Arhyssus sp. *

Family Saldidae

Saldula pallipes @

Order Homoptera (Cicadas, Hoppers, etc)

Family Cicadellidae

Undetermined taxa

Family Cicadidae

Okanagana sp. *

Family Dictyopharide

Scolops sp.

Family Membracidae

Undetermined taxa @

Order Hymenoptera (Bees, Wasps & Ants)

Family Andrenidae

Andrena sp.

Perdita sp. *

Family Anthophoridae

Anthophora sp.

Melissodes sp.

Nomada sp. *

Zacosmia maculata maculata

Family Apidae

Apis mellifera

Bombus sonorensis

Bombus vosnesenskii

Xylocopa brasilianorum @

Family Argidae

Sterictophora sp. *

Family Braconidae

Undetermined taxa

Family Chalcididae

Undetermined taxon

Family Chrysididae

Argochrysis mesillae *

Chrysis lucidera *

Chrysis vagabunda *

Hedychridium fletcheri *

Hedychrum boharti *

Parnopes edwardsi *

Family Colletidae

Colletes sp. @

Family Eumenidae

Undetermined taxon

Family Halictidae

Agapostemon sp. *

Dieunomia nevadensis angelisis *

Halictus sp. *

Lassioglossum sp.

Sphecodes sp. *

Family Ichneumonidae

Diplazon laetatorius @

Ophion sp. @

Undetermined taxa

Family Megachilidae

Anthidiellum notatum robertsoni *

Anthidium utahense *

Ashmeadiella sp.

Megachile sp. *

Osmia sp. *

Family Mutillidae

Dasymutilla abdita

Dasymutilla aureola pacifica @

Dasymutilla coccineohirta

Dasymutilla flammifera *

Dasymutilla sackeni

Sphaerophthalma sp.

Family Pompilidae

Anoplius cleora *

Anoplius nigritis *

Aporinellus completus *

Sericopompilus neotropicalis *

Tachypompilus unicolor unicolor *

Undetermined taxa

Family Sphecidae

Ammophila sp.

Bembix americana comata *

Bembix occidentalis

Bicyrtes ventralis *

Cerceris californica *

Cerceris finitima *

Cerceris frontata *

Cerceris vanduzeei

Chalybion californica *

Dryudella sp. *
I-4

Clypeadon californica *

Isodontia elegans *

Philanthus multimaculatus *

Philanthus pacifica *

Podalonia luctuosa *

Prionyx sp. *

Sphex lucae

Sphex pennsylvanica *

Steniolia scolopacea *

Undetermined taxa

Family Tenthredinidae

Tenthredo sp. *

Family Tiphiidae

Paratiphia nevadensis *

Family Vespidae

Mischocytarus flavitarsus @

Polistes apachus *

Polistes fuscatus aurifer

Vespula pennsylvanica

Undetermined taxa

Order Lepidoptera (Butterflies & Moths)

Family Arctiidae

Apantesis proxima *

Estigmene acraea *

Family Danaidae

Danaus plexippus

Family Hesperiidae

Hylephila phyleus

Pholisora cantullus *

Pyrgus communis

Family Lycaenidae

Callophrys affinis perplexa

Everes amyntula *

Plebejus acmoni

Strymon melinus

Family Noctuidae

Caenurgina crassiuscula

Syneda sp. @

Trichoplusia ni @

Family Nymphalidae

Coenonympha californica

Nymphalis antiopa

Phyciodes mylitta

Precis coenia

Vanessa carye

Family Papilionidae

Papilio zelicaon

Family Pieridae

Colias eurytheme

Euchloe ausinoides

Pieris rapae

Pieris protodice

Family Riodinidae

Apodemia mormo langei

Family Sphingidae

Proserpinus clarkiae *

Order Neuroptera (Lacewings, Antlions, etc)

Family Hemerobiidae

Sympherobius sp. @

Family Myrmeleontidae

Brachynemurus pregrinus

Family Raphidiidae

Agulla sp. *

Order Odonata (Dragonflies & Damselflies)

Family Aeschnidae

Aeshna multicolor

Anax junius

Family Coenagrionidae

Enallagma carunculatum

Enallagma civile

Family Libellulidae

Pachydiplax longipennis *

Tarnetrum costiferum

Tramea sp.

Order Orthoptera (Crickets, Roaches, etc)

Family Acrididae

Melanoplus cinereus dealbatus *

Trimerotropis pallidipennis

Family Gryllacrididae

Ceuthophilus sp. @

Stenopelmatus sp. @

Family Mantidae

Iris oratoria *

Family Phasmatidae

Parabacillus hesperus *

Family Polypagidae

Arenivaga sp. @
I-5

Spiders, Scorpions, Wind Scorpions, Centipedes, Millipedes and Isopods have not yet been identified.

Many small bees, wasps and ants have yet to be determined. A few small beetles are also unidentified.

It is estimated that approximately 260 different kinds of insects have currently been collected from the refuge.

The microlepidoptera have essentially been ignored Because of the detailed studies performed by Jerry Powell. Their

current status may need to be considered.

* indicates collection or observation of taxon at the Stamm Parcel.

@ indicates collection or observation of taxon at the Sardis Parcel.

No symbol by a taxon indicates that it was found at both refuge parcels.
I-6
Appendix J

Fire Management Plan

WILDLAND FIRE MANAGEMENT PLAN

ANTIOCH DUNES NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE

2002



i

TABLE OF CONTENTS

LIST of FIGURES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . iv

LIST of TABLES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . iv

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . v

INTRODUCTION ................................................................... 1

COMPLIANCE WITH USFWS POLICY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

FIRE MANAGEMENT OBJECTIVES .................................................. 4

DESCRIPTION OF REFUGE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

Cultural Resources . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

Fish and Wildlife . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

Vegetation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

Structures and Facilities ........................................................ 7

WILDLAND FIRE MANAGEMENT SITUATION ........................................ 8

Historic Role of Fire . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

Pre-settlement Fires ..................................................... 8

Post-settlement Fire History .............................................. 8

Prescribed Fire History . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

Responsibilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

Agency Administrator/ Project Leader (PL) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

Deputy Project Leader (DPL) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

Refuge Manager (RM) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

Biologist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

Zone Fire Management Officer (FMO) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

Prescribed Fire Specialist (PFS) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

Fire Management/Suppression Personnel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

Incident Commander . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

Initial Attack Teams . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

Interagency Operations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

Protection of Sensitive Resources . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

WILDLAND FIRE ACTIVITIES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

Fire Management Strategies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

Preparedness . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16

Historical Weather Analysis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17

Fire Prevention . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
ii

Staffing Priority Levels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17

Training . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17

Supplies and Equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18

Detection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18

Communications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18

Pre-Attack Plan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19

Fire Management Units . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19

Sardis Unit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19

Stamm Unit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20

Fire Effects to Vegetation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20

Suppression Tactics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20

Suppression Conditions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23

Wildland Fire Situation Analysis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23

Aircraft Operations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23

Emergency Stabilization and Rehabilitation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23

Required Reporting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24

Fire Investigation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24

PRESCRIBED FIRE ACTIVITIES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25

Prescribed Burn Program Objectives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25

Fire Management Strategies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26

Prescribed Fire Planning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26

Annual Activities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27

Prescribed Burn Plan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27

Strategies and Personnel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27

Monitoring and Evaluation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29

Required Reports . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30

Prescribed Burn Critique . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30

AIR QUALITY / SMOKE MANAGEMENT GUIDELINES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31

FIRE RESEARCH . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32

PUBLIC SAFETY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33

PUBLIC INFORMATION AND EDUCATION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34

FIRE CRITIQUES AND ANNUAL PLAN REVIEW . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35

Fire Critiques . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35

Annual Fire Summary Report . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35

Annual Fire Management Plan Review . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35

CONSULTATION AND COORDINATION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
iii

Appendices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37

Appendix A: References Cited . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37

Appendix B: Definitions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38

Appendix C: NEPA and NHPA Compliance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41

Appendix D: Section 7 Consultation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66

Appendix E: Sample Burn Plan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85

Appendix F: Dispatch Plan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100

Appendix G: Delegation of Authority . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 102

Appendix H: Notification List for Prescribed Burning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 104

Appendix I: RCRC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 105
iv

LIST OF FIGURES

Figure 1: Vicinity Map . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

Figure 2: Sardis Unit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21

Figure 3: Stamm Unit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22

LIST OF TABLES

Table 1: Fire History . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
v

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

When approved, this document will become the Antioch Dune National Wildlife Refuge fire

management plan. Major components include:

‚ updated policy for prescribed fires at Antioch Dunes National Wildlife Refuge.

‚ format changes under the direction of Fire Management Handbook (Release Date 6/1/00).

This plan is written to provide guidelines for appropriate suppression and prescribed fire programs at

Antioch Dunes National Wildlife Refuge. Prescribed fires may be used to reduce hazard fuels, restore

the natural processes and vitality of ecosystems, improve wildlife habitat, remove or reduce non-native

species, and/or conduct research.

1

INTRODUCTION

The 55-acre Antioch Dunes National Wildlife Refuge (Refuge) and adjacent 12-acre Pacific Gas and

Electric (PG&E) land support the last remaining populations of three endangered species including the

Antioch Dunes evening primrose (Oenothera deltoides ssp. howellii), Contra Costa wallflower

(Erysimum capitatum ssp. angustatum), and the Lange's metalmark butterfly (Apodemia mormo ssp.

langei). The primary objective of the Refuge is to provide habitat for these three endemic endangered

species. Historically, many factors have contributed to the decline of these species, including human

development and sand mining of the dunes. Currently the primary threat to these species is the

stabilization of the dunes and the subsequent encroachment of non-native vegetation such as rip-gut

brome grass (Bromus diandrus) and yellow starthistle (Centaurea solstitialis). 

The Fire Management Plan (FMP) for Antioch Dunes National Wildlife Refuge will help achieve

resource management objectives by using prescribed fire to control non-native vegetation for the

restoration of native riverine sand dune habitat. The Department of the Interior policy requires that all

refuges with vegetation that can sustain fire must have a Fire Management Plan that details fire

management policies, the use of prescribed fire for attaining resource management objectives, and fire

program operational procedures. This plan meets NEPA/NHPA compliance (See Appendix C). 

This plan is written as an operational guide for managing the refuge's wildland fire and prescribed fire

programs. It defines levels of protection needed to ensure safety, protect facilities and resources, and

restore and perpetuate natural processes, given current understanding of the complex relationships in

natural ecosystems. It is written to comply with a service-wide requirement that refuges with burnable

vegetation develop a fire management plan (620 DM 1).

There is no dedicated fire staff at Antioch Dunes NWR or San Francisco Bay NWRC. All wildland fires

will be suppressed by local cooperating agencies (Contra Costa Fire Protection District) with the

oversight of the Project Leader and Zone Fire Management Officer (FMO). All prescribed fires will be

coordinated through the Zone FMO.
2

COMPLIANCE WITH USFWS POLICY

The Refuge was established in 1980 under the authority of the Endangered Species Act to preserve and

protect two endangered plants, the Antioch Dunes evening-primrose and the Contra Costa wallflower,

and an endangered butterfly, the Lange’s metalmark butterfly. The primary management objective of the

Refuge is to provide the necessary habitat for these and other native species through restoring native

riverine sand dune habitat and controlling non-native vegetation. 

This FMP specifically addresses the use of prescribed fire for resource management purposes.

The objectives of the Refuge are to protect and restore riverine sand dune habitat for the three

endangered species and other native dune species. Several operational plans are used by the Refuge to

meet these objectives, including a recovery plan for the three endangered species, multiple internal

Section 7 endangered species consultations, and an environmental assessment for the Refuge. The plans

that currently apply to Fire Management include the Internal Section 7 Consultation for Prescribed

Burning (Appendix D), Environmental Assessment (EA) for Prescribed Burning (Appendix C), the

Prescribed Fire Plan (Appendix E), and the 1984 Fire Management Plan with 1997 Prescribed Burning

Addendum.

The FMP is a detailed program of action to implement fire management policies and objectives, and

addresses policy on prescribed burning to control non-native vegetation and restore native riverine sand

dune habitat. The FMP meets the objectives of the Refuge’s operational plans by supporting strategies

which rely upon fire as a management tool and by identifying where and when fire is not wanted. 

The Department Manual, DM 910 (USDI 1997) states the following regarding wildland fires:

“Wildfires may result in loss of life, have detrimental impacts upon natural resources, and

damage to or destruction of man-made developments. However, the use of fire under carefully

defined conditions is to be a valuable tool in wildland management. Therefore, all wildfires

within the Department will be classified either as wildfire or as prescribed fires.

Wildfires, whether on lands administered by the Department or adjacent thereto, which threaten

life, man-made structures, or are determined to be a threat to the natural resources or the facilities

under the Department's jurisdiction, will be considered emergencies and their suppression given

priority over normal Departmental programs. 

Bureaus will give the highest priority to preventing the disaster fire - the situation in which a

wildfire causes damage of such magnitude as to impact management objectives and/or socioeconomic conditions of an area. However, no wildfire situation, with the possible exception of

threat to human survival, requires the exposure of firefighters to life threatening situations.

Within the framework of management objective and plans, overall wildfire damage will be held

to the minimum possible giving full consideration to (1) an aggressive fire prevention program;

(2) the least expenditure of public funds for effective suppression; (3) the methods of suppression

least damaging to resources and the environment; and (4) the integration of cooperative

suppression actions by agencies of the Department among themselves or with other qualified

suppression organizations.
3

“Prescribed fires...may be used to achieve agency land or resource management objectives as

defined in the fire management plans....Prescribed fires will be conducted only when the

following conditions are met:

a. Conducted by qualified personnel under written prescriptions.

b. Monitored to assure they remain within prescription.

Prescribed fires that exceed the limits of an approved prescribed fire plan will be reclassified as a

wildfire. Once classified a wildfire, the fire will be suppressed and will not be returned to

prescribed fire status.”

The authority for funding (normal fire year programming) and all emergency fire accounts is found in the

following authorities:

Section 102 of the General Provisions of the Department of Interior's annual Appropriations Bill

provides the authority under which appropriated monies can be expended or transferred to fund

expenditures arising from the emergency prevention and suppression of wildland fire.

P.L. 101-121, Department of the Interior and Related Agencies Appropriation Act of 1990,

established the funding mechanism for normal year expenditures of funds for fire management

purposes.

31 US Code 665(E)(1)(B) provides the authority to exceed appropriations due to wildland fire

management activities involving the safety of human life and protection of property.

Authorities for procurement and administrative activities necessary to support wildland fire suppression

missions are contained in the Interagency Fire Business Management Handbook. 

The Reciprocal Fire Protection Act of May 27, 1955 (42 USC 815a; 69Stat 66) provides Authorities to

enter into agreements with other Federal bureaus and agencies; with state, county, and municipal

governments; and with private companies, groups, corporations, and individuals regarding fire activities.

Authority for interagency agreements is found in “Interagency Agreement between the Bureau of Land

Management, Bureau of Indian Affairs, National Park Service, US Fish and Wildlife Service of the

United States Department of the Interior and the Forest Service of the United States Department of

Agriculture” (1996). 
4

FIRE MANAGEMENT OBJECTIVES

Wildland fires probably did not occur very frequently on the historic dunes because they were much

more sparsely vegetated than present day. Due to the ecology of the area, the sensitivity of the habitat,

and the proximity of developed areas, all wildland fires will be suppressed. Prescribed fire will be used

to reduce hazardous fuels, control non-native vegetation, prepare sites for seeding and planting, and

enhance conditions for native dune species. 

The Fire Management Objectives for this Refuge are:

1. Firefighter and public safety top priority. All Fire Management activities will reflect this

commitment. 

2. Integrate prescribed fire management actions with other management activities to provide for the

protection, restoration and enhancement of native dune species. Wildland fire management actions will

be consistent with personnel safety and resource protection objectives.

3. Actively suppress and prevent the occurrence of wildland fire that could seriously jeopardize

populations of endangered species.

4. Protect important local resources and private lands from fire.
5

DESCRIPTION OF REFUGE

The Refuge is located along the southern shore of the lower San Joaquin river near the city of Antioch,

Contra Costa County, California (Figure 1). The Refuge lies within an ecoregion described by Bailey

(1995) as the Mediterranean Division, California Dry Steppe Province. Historically, the Antioch Dunes

extended over two miles along the southern bank of the San Joaquin river and reached heights of 117

feet. The 55-acre Refuge was extensively mined for sand in the past and subsequently ranges in

elevation from 0 to 50 feet. The Refuge currently exists as isolated habitat, surrounded by industrial

development. 

The Antioch area has a modified Mediterranean climate with warm to hot dry summers and moist, mild

winters. Rainfall averages 12.53 inches annually, falling mainly during November-April. The average

annual temperature is 61.8 degrees F with an average annual maximum temperature of 74 degrees F and

an average annual minimum temperature of 47 degrees F. The hottest recorded temperature is 114

degrees F, and the lowest recorded temperature is 14 degrees F. Winds in the summer come off the river

from the west or northwest at an average of 10-20 mph. 

The Refuge is split into two units: Sardis and Stamm. Soils in the Refuge are representative of the

Oakley sands interlaced with alluvial fan deposits. The Sardis Unit (14 acre eastern parcel) was mined

down to a clay/peat substrate for the most part and subsequently some sand was replaced over many of

these areas. The perimeter still consists of sandy loam substrate. The Stamm Unit (41 acre western

parcel) was also mined down to a "hard pan" layer of varying thickness, but underneath this hard pan is

sandy loam. Sand was replaced over a small portion of the mined area on the Stamm Unit as well. 

The Sardis Unit is bordered by Wilbur Avenue on the South, the San Joaquin River on the North, and

PG&E on the East and West. The Stamm Unit is bordered by Fulton Shipyard to the West, Fulton

Shipyard Rd. to the Southwest, The City of Antioch Public Works Disposal Site and Burlington Northern

Railroad to the South, and Georgia Pacific Gypsum to the East. 

CULTURAL RESOURCES

Under Federal ownership, archaeological and historical resources within the Refuge receive protection

under Federal laws mandating the management of cultural resources, including, but not limited to, the

Archaeological Resources Protection Act; the Archaeological and Historical Preservation Act; the Native

American Graves and Repatriation Act, and the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966. The Refuge

has obtained Section 106 Compliance Permit (May 28, 1997; Appendix C).

Evidence of native settlements and Spanish exploration of the area has been documented. A native

village is thought to have been located within the present-day Antioch area. The area was traveled and

used by settlers for residence, grazing, and recreation. Railroad spurs and sand removal from the dunes

(now located within the refuge) began in the 1890s.

Little evidence of human activity remains on the refuge due to the extensive sand mining that occurred

until the early 1900's. Cultural artifacts can still be found among what remains of the leveled dunes. The

refuge was used as a de facto garbage dump during the mining era.
6

FIGURE 1: VICINITY MAP
7

Fish and Wildlife

The Refuge lands support the last remaining populations of the Lange's metalmark butterfly (Apodemia

mormo ssp. langei). The primary objective of the Refuge is to provide habitat for this endemic

endangered species. Historically, many factors have contributed to the decline of the species, including

human development and sand mining of the dunes.

The Refuge provides important habitat for many types of wildlife including nesting and migratory birds

and the California legless lizard. In recent times, eight species of reptiles and no amphibians were

identified on the refuge. Recent observations of mammals have been limited but include gopher, gray

fox, red fox, coyote, Beechy ground squirrel, black-tailed jack rabbit, and muskrat. Bird species include

Anna’s hummingbird, western meadowlark, scrub jay, cedar waxwing, red-shafted flicker, belted

kingfisher, northern rough-winged swallow, and other migratory and resident birds.

Federally listed or proposed fish species occurring in the waters adjacent to the Refuge include winterrun chinook salmon, delta smelt, steel-head trout, and Sacramento splittail. Surveys on the refuge have

identified nearly 400 species of invertebrates. Changes in invertebrate species composition have been

linked to changes in vegetation and the increase in weedy species.

VEGETATION

Six main habitat types are found within the 55-acre Refuge: littoral, riparian, open sand dunes,

abandoned vineyard, disturbed/mined areas and grassland areas. The littoral zone contains a state listed

rare plant: Mason’s lilaeopsis (Lilaeopsis masonii). The riparian area is characterized by native species

such as, but not limited to, coast live oak (Quercus agrifolia), red willow (Salix laevigata), narrowleaved willow (Salix exigua), arroyo willow (Salix lasiolepis), California toyon (Heteromeles arbutifolia)

and elderberry (Sambucus mexicana). The open dune areas consist of native species including: Antioch

dunes evening primrose, Contra Costa wallflower (both federally listed as endangered), naked-stemmed

buckwheat, host plant for the endangered Lange’s metalmark butterfly, telegraph weed (Heterotheca

grandiflora), Senecio flaccidus var. douglasii, deerweed (Lotus scoparius) and many others, as well as

non-native grasses and other non-native species (Appendix C). In the disturbed, grassland, and vineyard

areas there is an abundance of non-native species including vetch (Vicia spp.), rip-gut brome grass,

yellow starthistle, and Russian thistle (Salsola tragus), as well as some native species. 

The Refuge and adjacent 12-acre Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E) land support the last remaining

populations of two endangered plant species, the Antioch Dunes evening primrose (Oenothera deltoides

ssp. howellii) and the Contra Costa wallflower (Erysimum capitatum ssp. angustatum). The primary

objective of the Refuge is to provide habitat for these endemic endangered species. Historically, many

factors have contributed to the decline of these species, including human development and sand mining

of the dunes. Currently the primary threat to these species is the stabilization of the dunes and the

encroachment of non-native vegetation such as rip-gut brome grass (Bromus diandrus), yellow starthistle

(Centaurea solstitialis), and vetch (Vicia villosa).

STRUCTURES AND FACILITIES

There are no buildings of any kind within the Refuge boundaries. However, on the Stamm Unit, the City

of Antioch maintains a sewage outfall structure to the San Joaquin River. The refuge is also surrounded

by industrial plants. 
8

WILDLAND FIRE MANAGEMENT SITUATION

HISTORIC ROLE OF FIRE

The majority of the habitat on both units of the Refuge are highly susceptible to wildland fire. The

dominant vegetation is composed of annual grasses and scattered brush. These fuels are highly

flammable and would result in a high rate of spread should a wildland fire occur. The predominant,

strong, northwest winds combined with the usual low humidity and high temperature during the summer

would aid the spread and intensity of a fire. Fire ignitions within the Refuge boundaries occur after

curing of annual grasses and prior to normal beginning of fall precipitation (May - October; Loredo pers.

comm. 2001) 

Pre-settlement Fires

The history of fire in the area is not well known. It could be assumed that since the area is situated so

close to the water’s edge and the vegetation was much sparser than it currently is, that there were few

wildland fires. There is little information regarding Native American use of fire in the area.

Post-settlement Fire History

There is an extensive history of unplanned fires at the Refuge. The Refuge was originally open to the

public, but due to the large amount of fires that were started by users, the Refuge was closed and

subsequent unplanned fire frequency decreased. Table 1 is a complete history of fire at Antioch Dunes

NWR since it’s establishment in 1980.

Table 1: Fire History

Unit Date Location Acres Type Cause

Stamm 6/01 Hardpan #1 3 Prescribed

Stamm 6/01 Vineyard area along RR 8 Prescribed

Stamm 6/00 Hardpan #1 3 Prescribed

Stamm 6/00 Vineyard area along RR 8 Prescribed

Stamm 6/99 Triangle Unit near gate 3 Prescribed

Stamm 6/99 Vineyard area along RR 8 Prescribed

Stamm 6/99 Hardpan #1 3 Prescribed

Stamm 5/99 Hardpan #1 near water <1 Wildland fire industrial

Stamm 5/99 Hardpan/ NE 18 Wildland fire Escaped illegal campfire

Stamm 6/98 Triangle Unit near gate 3 Prescribed

Stamm 6/98 Vineyard area along RR 5 Prescribed

Stamm 10/97 NE Corner along river 1.0 Wildland fire Escaped illegal campfire

Stamm 6/17/97 Triangle unit near gate 3 Prescribed
9

Stamm 6/16/97 Vineyard area along RR 5.0 Prescribed

Stamm 7/6/96 SE Corner near RR .1 Wildland fire Unknown

Stamm 10/31/90 Along railroad track 7.0 Wildland fire Potential Arson

Stamm 12/31/90 Near river next to

blowout

2.0 Wildland fire Unknown

Stamm 3/28/88 Along river - west side .5 Wildland fire Campfire

Stamm 6/24/87 Triangle Unit near gate 3.0 Wildland fire Fireworks

Stamm 6/7/85 Between river and access

road, west end

10.0 Wildland fire Unknown-suspicious

Sardis 6/99 South Plateau near gate 4.25 Prescribed

Sardis 6/98 South Plateau near gate 4.25 Prescribed

Sardis 6/16/97 South Plateau near gate 4.25 Prescribed

Sardis 6/25/90 Along Wilbur, Little

Corral Parking area.

3.0 Wildland fire Unknown

Sardis 7/21/89 East of entrance gate

along fence

.1 Wildland fire Unknown

Sardis 7/21/88 West of entrance gate

along fence

.2 Wildland fire Cigarette from highway?

Sardis 6/5/85 West of entrance gate

along fence

3.0 Wildland fire Unknown -suspicious

Sardis 9/30/84 N. of old parking lot 1.0 Wildland fire Unknown

Sardis 8/12/84 Near river against PG&E

east boundary

1.5 Wildland fire Unknown

Sardis 7/12/84 Beach fire .1 Wildland fire Unattended campfire

Sardis 5/10/84 East of gate onto PG&E

east

2.5 Wildland fire Arson

Sardis 7/5/83 Unknown .1 Wildland fire Staff caused-welding

Sardis 7/23/82 SE corner of pit area 2.25 Wildland fire Unknown-suspicious

PG&E 3/3/85 Center of East Unit .5 Wildland fire Unattended campfire

PG&E 10/9/84 East Unit trees near river .25 Wildland fire Unknown

PG&E 6/18/84 East Unit around tower 1.0 Wildland fire Downed electric line
10

Prescribed Fire History

The prescribed burn program began in 1997 to manage non-native species. Table 1 above shows dates of

past prescribed burns.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Antioch Dunes NWR does not have an onsite fire management staff or suppression equipment. There is

a Service fire crew stationed part-time (late spring to early fall) at San Luis NWRC and “collateral duty”

Refuge personnel stationed at San Francisco Bay NWRC. Both of these sites are approximately 90 miles

from the Refuge. Wildland fires in this area are generally reported by the public and suppressed by

firefighters from the Contra Costa County Fire Protection District (FPD) before Service staff can

respond. 

Responsibilities for fire management at Antioch Dunes are shared by: the Antioch Dunes Refuge

Manager, Refuge Biologist, San Francisco Bay NWR Complex Project Leader, and the Zone Fire

Management Officer stationed at San Luis NWRC (Appendix F-Fire Dispatch Plan for further detail). 

Primary wildland fire management responsibilities are:

‚ develop and cultivate working relationships with local fire departments in the area that

can provide mutual aid

‚ maintain firebreaks on Refuge to prevent wildland fire 

‚ conduct prescribed fire activities in support of refuge habitat management programs

‚ establish and maintain appropriate fire related agreements/contracts

‚ monitor results of wildland and prescribed fires

‚ update fire management and associated plans (dispatch, training, etc.), call-out lists, and

mobilization guidelines, air quality certifications.

‚ continue to develop a cadre of “red-carded” firefighters for wildland fire, trained and

equipped to accomplish the fire management program

‚ maintain the refuge fire cache and fire equipment in a ready state

Agency Administrator/ Project Leader (PL)

‚ Is responsible for implementation of all Fire Management activities within the Complex

and will ensure compliance with Department, Service and refuge policies. 

‚ Selects the appropriate management responses to wildland fire. 

Deputy Project Leader (DPL)

‚ Coordinates Complex programs to ensure personnel and equipment are made available

and utilized for fire management activities including fire suppression, prescribed burning

and fire effects monitoring. 

‚ Ensures that the fire management program has access to Refuge and complex resources

when needed. 

‚ Ensures that Refuge Managers and complex Staff consider the fire management program

during Refuge related planning and implementation.

Refuge Manager (RM)

‚ Identifies prescribed burn units and biological objectives to Fire Management Officer

(FMO) and Prescribed Fire Specialist (PFS), notifies FMO of prescribed fire project
11

constraints, and ensures that Refuge resources are available to accomplish prescribed fire

and fire suppression objectives. 

‚ Acts as the primary Refuge Resource Management Specialist during fire management

planning and operations. 

‚ Prepares an annual report detailing fire occurrences and prescribed fire activities

undertaken in each calendar year. This report will serve as a post-year's fire management

activities review, as well as provide documentation for development of a comprehensive

fire history record for the Refuge. 

‚ Is responsible for planning, coordinating, and directing preparedness activities including

fire training, physical fitness testing and Interagency Fire Qualification System (IFQS)

data entry, fire cache and equipment inventory accountability, maintenance, and

operation, cooperation with cooperative agencies. 

Biologist

‚ Coordinates through Refuge Managers and Deputy Project Leader to provide biological

input for the fire program with the FMO and PFS. 

‚ Ensures fire effects monitoring is being implemented and drafts wildland fire

Rehabilitation Plans for Deputy Project Leader.

‚ Assists in design and implementation of fire effects monitoring, with FMO and PFS. 

‚ Participates, as requested, in prescribed burning and wildland fire suppression.

Zone Fire Management Officer (FMO)

‚ Responsible for all fire related planning and implementation for the Refuge. 

‚ Integrates biological Refuge objectives into all fire management planning and

implementation. 

‚ Solicits program input from the RM and Biologist. 

‚ Supervises prescribed fire planning. 

‚ Coordinates fire related training. 

‚ Coordinates with cooperators to ensure adequate resources are available for fire

operational needs. 

‚ Is responsible for implementation of this Plan. This responsibility includes coordination

and supervision of all prevention, pre-suppression, detection, wildland fire, prescribed

fire, suppression, monitoring, and post-fire activities involving Refuge lands. 

‚ Is responsible for preparation of fire reports following the suppression of wildland fires

and for operations undertaken while conducting prescribed fires. 

‚ Submits budget requests and monitors FIREBASE funds. 

‚ Maintains records for all personnel involved in suppression and prescribed fire activities,

detailing the individual's qualifications and certifications for such activities. 

‚ Updates all fire qualifications for entry into the Fire Management Information System. 

‚ Nominates personnel to receive fire-related training, as appropriate. 

‚ Designates the person to serve as Incident Commander (IC) for initial attack purposes. 

The FMO may assume the position of IC at his/her discretion or designate other

personnel to take over that position at his/her discretion.
12

Prescribed Fire Specialist (PFS)

‚ Responsible for the planning and implementation of a program, which collects

information for the documentation, analysis, and prediction of fire behavior and effects.

‚ Develops and recommends, plans, and schedules management ignited fire activities for

the Refuge. 

‚ Implements and directs burns. 

‚ Plans and develops a program to collect information on the effects and behavior of

prescribed fire. 

‚ Plans and directs studies to monitor and analyze fire behavior parameters, then uses these

data to support the development of fire plans. 

‚ Plans and directs surveys for the collection, analysis and documentation of data relating

to fire effects on biotic and abiotic resources. 

‚ Organizes and performs studies to develop fire management prescriptions for prescribed

burns. 

‚ Is responsible for ensuring a cadre of qualified prescribed fire overhead by

recommending personnel for training, through both formal in-house and field training

assignments. 

‚ Is responsible for record keeping associated with burn planning, fire occurrence

reporting and fire weather. 

‚ Identifies areas of fire management requiring research and works with research scientists

in the development of project statements to accomplish this research.

Fire Management/Suppression Personnel 

‚ Consist of all Refuge personnel, whether permanent or seasonal, who meet the minimum

standard set by the National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG) for firefighters. 

‚ Are fully equipped with proper personal protective equipment, have taken and passed the

minimum classroom training, and meet physical fitness standards required. 

‚ Undertake fire management duties as assigned by the Prescribed Fire Burn Boss on each

prescribed fire project. 

‚ Are responsible for their personal protective equipment and physical conditioning,

qualifying annually with the work capacity test before May 31.

Incident Commander

Incident Commanders (of any level) use strategies and tactics as directed by the Refuge Manager and

Wildland Fire Situation Assessment (WFSA) where applicable to implement selected objectives on a

particular incident. A specific Limited Delegation of Authority (Appendix G) will be provided to each

Incident Commander prior to assuming responsibility for an incident. Major duties of the Incident

Commander are given in NWCG Fireline Handbook, including:

‚ Brief subordinates, direct their actions and provide work tools

‚ Ensure that safety standards identified in the Fire Orders, the Watch Out Situations, and

agency policies are followed at all times.

‚ Personally scout and communicate with others to be knowledgeable of fire conditions,

fire weather, tactical progress, safety concerns and hazards, condition of personnel, and

needs for additional resources.

‚ Decides when to request overhead or additional firefighting personnel and equipment.

‚ Order resources to implement the management objectives for the fire.
13

‚ Inform appropriate dispatch of current situation and expected needs.

‚ Coordinate mobilization and demobilization with dispatch and the FMO.

‚ Perform administrative duties; i.e., approving work hours, completing fire reports for

command period, maintaining property accountability, providing or obtaining medical

treatment, and evaluating performance of subordinates.

‚ Assure aviation safety is maintained to the highest standards. 

Initial Attack Teams

Initial attack teams will consist of experienced, fully- qualified firefighters, those on their first fire, and

well-qualified leadership. Teams will be prepared and equipped with hand and power tools as needed

and will be dispatched with a day's supply of food and water, so they can continue work for 24 hours

without additional support. 

Employees participating in any wildland fire activities on Fish and Wildlife Service or cooperator’s lands

will meet fitness and training requirements established in PMS 310-1, except where Service-specific

fitness requirements apply.

INTERAGENCY OPERATIONS

There are no formal cooperative fire agreements in place at this time, however a Memorandum of

Understanding is currently being established between the Refuge and the Contra Costa County FPD. The

Contra Costa County FPD has traditionally responded to wildland fires at the Refuge because of their

legal fire protection responsibility to the property surrounding the Refuge. Thus, any wildland fire

originating on Refuge lands is considered a threat to their property. 

Antioch Dunes NWR will use the Incident Command System (ICS) as a guide for fireline organization. 

Qualifications for individuals is per DOI Wildland Fire Qualifications and Certification System, part of

NIIMS and the National Wildland Fire Coordination Group (NWCG) Prescribed Fire Qualification

Guide. Depending on fire complexity, some positions may be filled by the same person.

A listing of key interagency contacts can be found in the Fire Dispatch Plan. The plan is an annual

assembly of information required to facilitate a rapid response to a fire report and to coordinate the initial

attack (Appendix F).

PROTECTION OF SENSITIVE RESOURCES

Aggressive attack of all unplanned ignitions with minimum acreage burned is the goal. Heavy equipment

shall not be used due to the sensitivity of the habitat, except in cases where life or fire-fighter safety is

threatened or when the Refuge Manager determines necessary. Suppression guidelines will be discussed

with Contra Costa County FPD during annual operating plan meetings. 

The Regional Archaeologist and/or his/her staff will work with fire staff, project leaders, and incident

commanders to ensure that cultural resources are protected from fire and fire management activities. The

“Request For Cultural Resource Compliance” form (RCRC, Appendix I) will be used to inform the

Regional Archaeologist of impending activities, thereby meeting the regulations and directions governing

the protection of cultural resources as outlined in Departmental Manual Part 519, National Historic

Preservation Act (NHPA) of 1966, Code of Federal Regulations (36CFR800), the Archaeological

Resources Protection Act of 1979, as amended, and the Archaeological and Historic Preservation Act of
14

1974. The NHPA Section 106 clearance will be followed for any fire management activity that may

affect historic properties (cultural resources eligible to the National Register of Historic Places).

Impacts to archaeological resources by fire resources vary. The four basic sources of damage are (1) fire

intensity, (2) duration of heat, (3) heat penetration into soil, and (4) suppression actions. Of the four, the

most significant threat is from equipment during line construction for prescribed fires or wildfire holding

actions (Anderson 1983).

The following actions will be taken to protect archaeological and cultural resources:

Wildland Fires

• Minimum impact fire suppression tactics will be used to the fullest extent possible.

• Resource Advisors will inform Fire Suppression personnel of any areas with cultural resources. 

The Resource advisor should contact the Regional Archaeologist and/or his/her staff for more

detailed information.

• Foam use will be limited in areas known to harbor surface artifacts.

• Mechanized equipment should not be used in areas of known cultural significance. 

• The location of any sites discovered as the result of fire management activities will be reported to

the Regional Archaeologist.

• Rehabilitation plans will address cultural resources impacts and will be submitted to the

Regional Archaeologist using the RCRC. 

Prescribed Fires

• The Refuge Fire staff will submit a completed RCRC to the Regional Archaeologist and/or

his/her staff as soon as the burn area is identified ( i.e., as soon as feasible).

• Upon receipt of the RCRC, the Regional Archaeologist and/or his/her staff will be responsible

for consulting with the FMO and evaluating the potential for adverse impacts to cultural

resources.

• When necessary, the Regional Archaeologist and/or his/her staff will coordinate with the State

Historic Preservation Officer (SHPO). The SHPO has 30 days to respond. The Refuge will

consider all SHPO recommendations.

• Mechanized equipment should not be used in areas of know cultural significance. 

• The location of any sites discovered as the result of fire management activities will be reported to

the Regional Archaeologist.
15

WILDLAND FIRE ACTIVITIES

Fire program management describes the operational procedures necessary to implement fire management

at Antioch Dunes NWR. Program management includes: fire prevention, preparedness, emergency

preparedness, fire behavior predictions, step-up staffing plan, fire detection, fire suppression, minimum

impact suppression, minimum impact rehabilitation, and documentation. 

All fires not classified as prescribed fires are wildland fires and will be appropriately suppressed. 

Suppression operations will generally be conducted by Contra Costa County Fire Protection District

(CCFD).

Records show that fire season is typically from May-October. Depending on the specific weather of any

particular year the seasons may be shorter or longer and, therefore, may start earlier or last longer. 

FIRE MANAGEMENT STRATEGIES

All unplanned wildland fires will be suppressed in a prompt, safe, aggressive, and cost-effective manner

to produce fast, efficient action with minimum damage to resources using appropriate management

strategies. 

Fire suppression strategies at Antioch Dunes NWR will include a range of suppression techniques in

order to provide for protection of values at risk, natural resources, firefighter safety and cost efficiency. 

Suppression strategies and tactics will be unique to each wildland fire, predicated by weather parameters,

fuel conditions, safety considerations, resources, and threats to the endangered, threatened and sensitive

species. Determination of strategies and tactics will be made by the Incident Commander on scene

utilizing knowledge of Refuge fire management objectives and input from Refuge Manager or designate.

All wildland fires will be suppressed. However, there may be occasions when direct attack in high

intensity, rapidly spreading wildland fire would jeopardize firefighter safety and may not be appropriate. 

In these cases indirect strategy will be employed utilizing natural and man-made firebreaks as wildland

fire control points. 

The following will be employed to meet fire management objectives:

1) Suppress all unplanned ignitions in a safe and cost effective manner consistent with 

resources and values at risk. Minimum impact strategies and tactics will be used, particularly in

areas with high densities of endangered species. 

2) Conduct all fire management programs in a manner consistent with applicable laws, policies

and regulations.

3) Initiate cost effective fire monitoring which will inform managers if objectives are being met. 

Monitoring information will also be used to refine burn prescriptions to better achieve objectives.

4) Utilize prescribed fire as a management tool for achieving hazard fuel reductions and resource

management objectives. To the extent possible, hazard fuel prescribed fire will be used to

accomplish specific restoration objectives established for individual land units. Prescribed fires
16

are fires which are deliberately set to burn under prescribed conditions in order to achieve predetermined resource management objectives.

Although resource impacts of suppression alternatives must always be considered in selecting a fire

management strategy, resource benefits will not be the primary consideration. Appropriate suppression

action will be taken to ensure firefighter safety, public safety, and protection of resources.

Critical protection areas, such as adjacent properties and sensitive habitat will receive priority

consideration in fire control planning efforts. In all cases, the primary concerns of fire suppression

personnel shall be safety, and if needed, all individuals not involved in the suppression effort may be

evacuated.

Suppression strategies should be applied so that the equipment and tools used to meet the desired

objectives are those that inflict the least impacts upon the natural and cultural resources. Minimum

impact suppression tactics will be employed to protect all resources. Natural and artificial barriers will

be used as much as possible for containment. When necessary, fire line construction will be conducted

in such a way as to minimize long-term impacts to resources.

Heavy equipment such as crawlers, tractors, dozers, or graders will not be used within the refuge

boundaries unless their use is necessary to prevent a fire from destroying privately-owned and/or

government buildings and historic resources. The use of any heavy equipment requires approval from

the Refuge Manager or designate.

Sites impacted by fire suppression activities or by the fire will be rehabilitated as necessary, based on an

approved course of action for each incident.

PREPAREDNESS

Preparedness is the work accomplished prior to fire occurrence to ensure that the appropriate response, as

directed by the Fire Management Plan, can be carried out. Preparedness activities include: budget

planning, equipment acquisition, equipment maintenance, dispatch (Initial attack, extended, and

expanded), equipment inventory, personnel qualifications, and training. The preparedness objective is to

have a well trained and equipped fire management organization to manage all fire situations within the

Refuge. Preparedness efforts are to be accomplished in the time frames outside the normal fire season

dates. 

The Fish and Wildlife Service has minimum training requirements for all fire positions. The Service is a

member to the National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG) and accepts its standards for interagency

operations. There is required annual refresher training for all personnel that are involved with wildland

fire activities. These requirements are found in the Service Fire Management Preparedness and Planning

Handbook, Section 1.5; Training, Qualification, and Certification.

Annual fire readiness requires an inventory of existing cache items. The cache should be capable of

outfitting six personnel for wildland fire activities and will be inventoried as ready by May 31 of each

year. The cache is located at the San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge Complex (San Francisco

Bay NWRC) Headquarters in Newark over 90 miles from the Antioch Dunes NWR. There is no fire
17

equipment stationed on site, therefore reliance on local fire departments for quick initial attack is of

greater value. 

Local conditions and the status of local fire department resource availability is a major indicator which

would affect the level of fire management activities at the Refuge. Regional and National Preparedness

Levels do play a role in determining the level of fire management operations at the Refuge, but less than

the local conditions. Local fire restrictions imposed within the Antioch city limits are of greater

significance due to the strong influence of Contra Costa County FPD. 

Historical Weather Analysis

The fire season generally begins with the curing of annual grasses in late May and extends until the first

rains in mid-October. East wind conditions in September and October increase the potential for large

fires in the local area.

Contra Costa County Fire Department does not have any weather station data that reflects the conditions

at the Refuge. The closest RAWS unit is located at Black Diamond Mine (1,600 foot elevation) but has

little in common with the weather conditions at the refuge.

Fire Prevention

An active fire prevention program may be conducted in conjunction with other agencies to protect human

life and property, and prevent damage to cultural resources or physical facilities. 

A program of internal and external education regarding potential fire danger may be implemented. 

Visitor contacts, bulletin board materials, handouts and interpretive programs may be utilized to increase

visitor and neighbor awareness of fire hazards. Employees need to relate to the public the beneficial

effects of prescribed fires as opposed to unwanted human-caused fires, with emphasis on information,

essential to understanding the potential severity of human-caused wildland fires and how to prevent

them. 

No formal prevention plan has been developed. However, fire lines are mowed along Wilbur Avenue

and non-native vegetation control measures are implemented on an annual basis. Additionally, since

most wildland fire on the Refuge has been caused by trespassers, Refuge personnel will take appropriate

actions to prevent the entry of unauthorized persons. 

Staffing Priority Levels

There is no fire-funded staffing stationed at the Refuge. Fire suppression response is provided by Contra

Costa County FPD, therefore Contra Costa County FPD will adjust staffing levels based on current fire

danger. The refuge is closed to the public and no Refuge facilities are located within the boundaries. 

Therefore, high fire danger will not require any additional closures.

Training

Departmental policy requires that all personnel engaged in suppression and prescribed fire duties meet

the standards set by the National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG). Antioch Dunes NWR will

conform strictly to the requirements of the Wildland and Prescribed Fire Management Qualification and

Certification System (PM 310-1) and USFWS guidelines.
18

Basic wildland fire training refreshers are offered annually for red-carded firefighters and records kept in

a centralized database. Additional training is available from surrounding agencies in pump and engine

operation, power saws, firefighter safety, fire weather and fire behavior, helicopter safety and prescribed

fire objectives and activities. On-the job training is encouraged and will be conducted at the field level. 

Whenever appropriate, the use of fire qualification task books will be used to document fire experience

of trainees. The FMO will coordinate fire training needs with those of other nearby refuges, cooperating

agencies, and the RO.

The refuge supports the development of individual Incident Command System (ICS) overhead personnel

from among qualified and experienced refuge staff for assignment to overhead teams at the local,

regional, and national level. 

Fire suppression is an arduous duty. On prescribed fires, personnel may be required to shift from

implementation/monitoring activities to suppression. Poor physical condition of crew members can

endanger safety and lives during critical situations. 

Personnel performing fire management duties will maintain a high level of physical fitness. This requires

successful completion of a fitness pack test. Personnel must complete a three mile hike with a 45 pound

pack in less than 45 minutes. 

Supplies and Equipment

A small, 10-person cache for the Refuge is located at the Complex headquarters in Newark. The cache is

maintained by the Complex staff.

Additional equipment and supplies are available through cooperators and the interagency cache system. 

Requests for additional personnel and equipment are made through the Mendocino NF Dispatch. The

contact list can be found in the Dispatch plan (Appendix F).

DETECTION

Most wildland fires are reported by the public to 9-1-1. The 9-1-1 dispatchers contact Contra Costa 

County FPD for suppression response. The refuge is contacted by Contra Costa County FPD to report all

wildland fire activities.

The Fire Management Plan does not discriminate between human-caused and lightning caused fire. All

wildland fires will be suppressed. However, detection shall include a determination of fire cause. 

Moreover, human-caused fires will require an investigation and report by law enforcement personnel. 

For serious human-caused fires, including those involving loss of life, a qualified arson investigator will

be requested. 

COMMUNICATIONS

There is no open radio communication frequency for Refuge personnel. Instead, staff utilize a direct

connect cellular phone system.

Prescribed fire activities performed by Service personnel utilize the various NIFC Tactical channels as

needed. Normally NIFC Tactical channels 2 (168.200 mhz) and 3 (168.600 mhz) are used depending

upon the number of frequencies needed during prescribed burns.
19

CCPFD utilizes a ultra high frequency in the 800 mhz band. There is not a common link between Service

personnel and CCPFD at this time. 

PRE-ATTACK PLAN

The pre-attack plan is reflected by maps which include: locations of water sources, roads, private

property, etc (Figure 2 and 3). Access to the Refuge is extremely limited. The San Joaquin River acts as

the north boundary of the Refuge. Any wildland fire that cannot be contained from roads or natural

boundaries would probably be allowed to burn to the river since road access to the northern portions of

the Refuge is extremely limited. However most wildland fires have been successfully contained by local

fire department personnel from Wilbur Road and other roads that are open to the public. Contra Costa

County FPD has maps and keys for the Refuge.

FIRE MANAGEMENT UNITS

The Refuge will be managed as two units, Sardis and Stamm. The overall objective for both units is to

restore the native dune habitat. Suppression of all unplanned ignitions with minimum acreage loss will

be employed over the entire Refuge. 

During the fire season (May - October), prevailing winds come off the river from the west or 

northwest at an average of 10-20 mph (Loredo pers. comm. 2001). Mean daily humidities range from

around 48 % in the winter to the mid-teens in the spring and summer. Wind conditions during the fall

could bring humidities even lower. Typically, humidity is highest during the early morning hours and

lowest during the mid-afternoon hours.

The Antioch area has a modified Mediterranean climate with warm to hot dry summers and moist, mild

winters. Rainfall averages 12.53 inches annually, falling mainly during November-April. The average

annual temperature is 61.8 degrees F with an average annual maximum temperature of 74 degrees F and

an average annual minimum temperature of 47 degrees F. The hottest recorded temperature is 114

degrees F, and the lowest recorded temperature is 14 degrees F.

Sardis Unit

The Sardis Unit consists of 14 acres of varying topography. Fuel types in the South Plateau, a primarily

flat area along Wilbur Avenue, consists of annual grassland and oak woodland. The rest of the Unit

includes a deep pit located approximately 70 feet below the Plateau. Slopes leading down to the pit on

the west, south, and east sides are greater than 50%. The slopes are heavily vegetated with annual

grasses. The pit consists primarily of undulating shallow dunes covered with annual grasses and shrubby

vegetation. To the north of the pit, a mixture of oak woodland, riparian vegetation, and shrub habitat

stretch along the San Joaquin River. 

In this unit, fire behavior under drought conditions is expected to range from a creeping/ spreading fire

along the river to a fast running fire with 6 to 10 foot flame lengths in open grassland. In the drier

riparian areas which are dominated by shrubs such as coyote brush and toyon, fire intensity would be

significantly greater. Due to the character of the slope and heavy vegetation on the sides of the pit,

erratic behavior should be anticipated in this area. In areas adjacent to the river, fire behavior could be

expected to be slow and creeping.
20

Stamm Unit

The Stamm Unit consists of 41 acres of limited topography. Fuel types on the western half of the

property consist of dense shrubby vegetation and grasslands over flat terrain. The eastern half consists

primarily of tall shrubby vegetation and grassland covering undulating and rolling dunes. Riparian

vegetation along the river includes tules, willows, and low trees. 

In this unit, fire behavior is expected to range from smoldering in moist vegetation along the river to

running and spotting in the tall brush. Maximum expected flame lengths in the tall brush is 10-12'.

Due to staff limitations, relatively small land management parcels, long response times, valuable

resources, and values at risk on neighboring lands, this plan does not recommend wildland fire managed

for resource benefit as an option for any of the units. Wildland fires will be suppressed using the

appropriate suppression response. Prescribed fires will be used to reduce hazardous fuels and to meet

resource management objectives.

Fire Effects to Vegetation

The loss and modification of primrose habitat initially caused a decline in the species, eventually leading

to its Federal Listing. Currently, the major threat to the primrose is the invasion of non-native plants

such as yellow starthistle, vetch, and Ripgut brome. The burning of yellow-starthistle prior to seed

production has been documented to reduce the seed bank. This burning needs to be conducted a

minimum of three successive years to prove effective and must be followed up with spot herbicide

application. Research into the effectiveness of prescribed burning on yellow starthistle continues at

Antioch Dunes NWR.

The use of fire to treat yellow starthistle has caused some declines in ripgut brome. Unfortunately, other

non-native weeds such as filaree and vetch may colonize the burn areas quickly. Primrose has responded

favorably to fire treatments at Antioch Dunes NWR.

SUPPRESSION TACTICS

Wildland fires will be suppressed in a prompt, safe, aggressive, and cost-effective manner to produce

fast, efficient action with minimum damage to resources. Suppression involves a range of possible

actions from initial attack to final suppression. All wildland fires will be suppressed. 

Personnel and equipment must be efficiently organized to suppress fire effectively and safely. To this

end, the FMO assumes the command function on major or multiple fire situations, setting priorities for

the use of available resources and establishing a suppression organization. 

There will be only one Incident Commander responsible through the FMO to the Project Leader. The

Incident Commander will designate all overhead positions on fires requiring extended attack. Reference

should be made to a Delegation of Authority (Appendix G).
21
22
23

Suppression Conditions

The typical fire suppression response to a fire at Antioch Dunes NWR would consist of an IC provided

by the Contra Costa County FPD and two engines. Water is the primary method for extinguishing fires. 

Handline is not usually needed for suppression efforts.

The goal for all unplanned ignitions is to control the fire with minimum acreage burned. Heavy

equipment shall not be used due to the sensitivity of the habitat, except in cases where life or fire-fighter

safety is threatened or when the Refuge Manager determines necessary. Suppression guidelines will be

outlined in a future MOU with Contra Costa County FPD. 

Wildland Fire Situation Analysis

For fires that cannot be contained in one burning period, a WFSA must be prepared. In the case of a

wildland fire, the Incident Commander, in conjunction with the FMO, will prepare the WFSA. Approval

of the WFSA resides with the Refuge Project Leader. 

The purpose of the WFSA is to allow for a consideration of alternatives by which a fire may be

controlled. Damages from the fire, suppression costs, safety, and the probable character of suppression

actions are all important considerations. 

Public safety will require coordination between all refuge staff and the IC. Traffic control will be

necessary where smoke crosses roads, etc. Where wildland fires cross roads, the burned area adjacent to

the road should be mopped up and dangerous snags felled. Every attempt will be made to utilize natural

and constructed barriers, including changing fuel complexes, in the control of wildland fire. The first

priority for rehabilitation efforts will concentrate on the damages done by suppression activities. A

Burned Area Rehabilitation Plan will be prepared for damages caused by the fire itself. 

Aircraft Operations

Aircraft may be used in all phases of fire management operations. All aircraft must be Office of Aircraft

Services (OAS) or Forest Service approved. An OAS Aviation Policy Department Manual will be

provided by OAS. 

Helicopters may be used for reconnaissance, bucket drops and transportation of personnel and

equipment. Natural helispots and parking lots are readily available in most cases. Clearing for new

helispots should be avoided where possible. Improved helispots will be rehabilitated following the fire. 

As in all fire management activities, safety is a primary consideration. Qualified aviation personnel will

be assigned to all flight operations. 

EMERGENCY STABILIZATION AND REHABILITATION

When suppression action is taken, rehabilitation is appropriate. The most effective rehabilitation

measure is prevention of impacts through careful planning and the use of minimum impact suppression

techniques. 
24

Rehabilitation will be initiated by the Incident Commander, FMO, or Refuge Manager. Rehabilitation

will be directed toward minimizing or eliminating the effects of the suppression effort and reducing the

potential hazards caused by the fire. These actions may include:

1. Backfill control lines, scarify, and seed. 

2. Install water bars and construct drain dips on control lines to prevent erosion. 

3. Install check dams to reduce erosion potential in drainages. 

4. Restore natural ground contours. 

5. Remove all flagging, equipment and litter. 

6. Consider and plan more extensive rehabilitation or revegetation to restore sensitive impacted

areas. 

If revegetation or seeding is necessary, only native plant species will be used.

If Emergency Stabilization and Rehabilitation (ESR) measures are needed or if rehabilitation is needed to

reduce the effects of a wildland fire then the Refuge can request appropriate funding through the burned

area ESR fund. The ESR fund is administered through the Service’s ESR coordinator at the National

Interagency Fire Center.

Fire rehabilitation will be as prompt as possible to prevent erosion and spread of non-native plants. This

will be developed by the Refuge staff and submitted to the Regional Fire Management Coordinator for

review within 90 days of the unplanned ignition being declared out. 

REQUIRED REPORTING

A DI-1202, fire report, will be filled out and submitted to the Regional Fire Management Officer for

input into the Fire Management Information System (FMIS) within 20 days of the fire being declared out. 

Copies of reports from the Contra Costa County FPD will be obtained and report will be written to

summarize the specifics of the fire, actions taken and outcomes from those actions. A formal review will

be conducted on all serious injuries and losses of significant resources.

FIRE INVESTIGATION

Fire management personnel will attempt to locate and protect the probable point of origin and record

pertinent information required to determine fire cause. They will be alert for possible evidence, protect

the scene and report findings to the fireline supervisor.

The Refuge Manager, FMO, or IC may request a fire investigator through the Contra Costa County FPD. 

Prompt and efficient investigation of all suspicious fires will be carried out. However, fire management

personnel should not question suspects or pursue the fire investigation unless they are currently law

enforcement commission qualified. 

Personnel and services of other agencies may be utilized to investigate wildland fire arson or fire

incidents involving structures. All fire investigations should follow the guidelines outlined in 4.1-2 of

the Fire Management Handbook (2000). 
25

PRESCRIBED FIRE ACTIVITIES

PRESCRIBED BURN PROGRAM OBJECTIVES

Prescribed fire can be a useful tool for restoring and maintaining natural conditions and processes at

Antioch Dunes NWR.

Specific management needs for the refuge as a whole and for specific areas will be determined annually. 

Specific burn objectives, fire frequency rotation, firing methodology, and prescriptions will vary from

year to year. Burn plans will be updated to reflect any variations. The Project Leader will approve

prescribed fire plans.

There are two main objectives for the Antioch Dunes NWR: 1) To protect, enhance, and recover

populations of endangered, threatened, and rare species of the Antioch Dunes Ecosystem, and 2) To

protect, restore, and enhance the Antioch Dunes ecosystem for a diversity of native plant and insect

species.

Historically, many factors have contributed to the decline of the three endemic endangered species:

Antioch Dunes evening primrose, Contra Costa wallflower, and Lange's metalmark butterfly. Currently,

however, the primary threat to these species is competition with non-native vegetation. The primrose

appears to be particularly vulnerable to non-native vegetation encroachment. Despite Refuge

management efforts to control non-native species by hand pulling and herbicide treatment, primrose

numbers have decreased substantially in recent years. If non-native vegetation is not controlled,

extinction of the primrose is highly likely.

While a wildland fire could negatively impact endangered plant populations, a properly timed prescribed

fire would reduce competition from non-natives and create more suitable habitat for endangered and

native species, which are dependant on relatively open, sand dune habitat. Objectives of prescribed fire

in the Antioch Dunes NWR would be to: 1) Eliminate existing non-native plants and their seed heads, 2)

Reduce hazardous fuels and organic matter, 3) Reduce the non-native seed bank, 4) stimulate native plant

growth and 5) Prepare the area for transplanting endangered plants by exposing sandy soil substrate. 

A multi-year prescribed burning program has been implemented encompassing both the Stamm and

Sardis Units of the Antioch Dunes NWR. In the initial year, several sites (each approximately 3-5 acres)

were burned according to a detailed prescribed burn plan. Sites selected had high densities of nonnatives (primarily annual grasses, yellow starthistle, and Russian thistle), and few endangered species. A

monitoring program was initiated to measure vegetation response in the burn areas and in non-burned

control plots. If the results are favorable, additional areas on the Stamm and Sardis Units will be burned

on a rotational basis in subsequent years. Endangered species and other native species would be planted

in the burned areas after the non-native seed bank has been reduced. 

Small experimental plots (each approximately 7 sq. yards) containing primrose and buckwheat were also

burned in order to test the response of these native species to fire. This step is important because it is

assumed that fire was not a component of these species' natural ecosystem, so the results on native

species is difficult to predict.
26

All planned ignitions will be accomplished using qualified personnel. This will include annual refresher

training as stated in the Service Fire Management Preparedness and Planning Handbook (See section

1.5.1). 

Prescribed fires involve the use of fire as a tool to achieve management objectives. Research burning

may also be conducted when determined to be necessary for accomplishment of research project

objectives. Actions included in the prescribed burn program include: the selection and prioritization of

prescribed burns to be carried out during the year, prescribed burn plans, burn prescriptions, burn

operations, documentation and reporting, and burn critiques. 

Several units of 3-5 acres each will be burned in any one season. Only one burn will be executed at a

time. Fuel types are primarily annual grasses, annual forbs, and some perennial brush species (Fire

Behavior Fuel Models 1 and 3). There are several smoke sensitive areas in the vicinity: The City of

Antioch lies west, south and east of the Antioch Dunes NWR, and smoke could drift over the area. The

railroad lies directly south of the Refuge. Due to the small size of the areas proposed for burn, and the

fine nature of the fuels, consumption of target fuels would take a short time (about an hour), minimizing

the amount of smoke. Public concern about prescribed burning is anticipated to be low because it will be

over with quickly and without any lingering smoke. Past prescribed burns conducted at Antioch Dunes

NWR have shown that smoke rapidly dissipates if burning occurs during unstable atmospheric

conditions.

FIRE MANAGEMENT STRATEGIES

All prescribed fire activity will comply with applicable Federal, state, and local air quality laws and

regulations. All prescribed fire projects will have a burn plan approved by the Project Leader. Each burn

plan will be prepared using a systematic decision-making process, and contain measurable objectives,

predetermined prescriptions, and using an approved environmental compliance document. Appropriate

NEPA documentation and Section 7 consultation (Appendix C and D) exist for this Fire Management

Plan. Therefore, additional NEPA documentation will be necessary only for prescribed fire projects not

meeting the criteria outlined in this Plan. 

Prescribed Fire Burn Plans must include components such as a Go/ No-Go Checklist, contingency actions

to be taken in the event the prescription is exceeded, and the need for alerting neighbors and appropriate

public officials to the timing and the planning of the burn. A burn plan format meeting all required needs

is located in Appendix E.

Fire monitoring will be used to evaluate the degree to which burn objectives are accomplished. 

Monitoring can assist managers in documenting success in achieving overall programmatic objectives

and limiting occurrence of undesired effects. 

PRESCRIBED FIRE PLANNING

The two existing Refuge units, Stamm (41 acres) and Sardis (14 acres) also serve as discrete Fire

Management Units. Within these units, there are currently two Prescribed Burn Areas identified for the

Stamm Unit (Hardpan 1 and Vineyard), and one Prescribed Burn Area identified for the Sardis Unit

(South Plateau; Figures 1-3). These will likely be expanded or additional units identified in the future.
27

The prescribed burning season is May-June. During these months, the grasses are dry enough to carry a

hot fire that is required to reduce the non-native seed bank and the seed heads. Yellow star-thistle would

be approximately 5% flower during this time, which is the optimum time to burn it because the fire

would destroy the thistle before it produces seed, yet it will have expended enough energy to prevent

regrowth.

This correlates with overall Fire Management Objectives to: 1) Use prescribed fire to accomplish

resource management objectives, and 2) Protect endangered species and other native species from a large

scale wildland fire, which could potentially wipe out all, or major portions of, available habitat.

Annual Activities

The FMO will be responsible for completing an annual fire summary report. The report will contain the

number of fires by type, acres burned by fuel type, cost summary, personnel utilized, and fire effects. 

The Refuge Manager, Biologist, and FMO will determine burn unit priorities, timing, and burn plan

development schedule by February of each year. Burn Plans will be prepared and submitted for Project

Leader review and approval by April. The Burn Plan will be submitted to the Air Quality District by

April 30 for smoke management review and authorizing letter.

Prescribed Fire activities will be reviewed annually. Necessary updates or changes to the Fire

Management Plan will be accomplished prior to the next fire season. Any additions, deletions, or

changes will be reviewed by the Refuge Manager to determine if such alterations warrant a re-approval

of the plan.

Prescribed Burn Plan

The Prescribed Burn Boss will conduct a field reconnaissance of the proposed burn location with the

FMO, AFMO, PFS, biologist, and/or Refuge Manager to discuss objectives and special concerns, and to

gather all necessary information to write the Burn Plan. After completing the reconnaissance, the a

qualified Burn Boss will write the Prescribed Burn Plan.

All prescribed fires will have Prescribed Burn Plans. The Prescribed Burn Plan is a site specific action

plan describing the purpose, objectives, prescription, and operational procedures needed to prepare and

safely conduct the burn. The treatment area, objectives, constraints, and alternatives will be clearly

outlined. No burn will be ignited unless all prescriptions of the plan are met. Fires not within those

parameters will be suppressed. Prescribed Burn Plans will follow the format contained in Appendix E. 

Each burn plan will be reviewed by the Refuge Manager, Biologist, FMO/AFMO, PFS, and Burn Boss. 

The Project Leader has the authority to approve the burn plan. The term “burn unit” refers to a specific

tract of land to which a Prescribed Burn Plan applies.

Strategies and Personnel

Execution of prescribed burns will only be executed by qualified personnel. The Prescribed Burn Boss

will fill all required positions to conduct the burn with qualified personnel. All personnel listed in the

Burn Plan must be available for the duration of the burn or the burn will not be initiated. Personnel will

meet minimum USFWS fitness and qualifications standards for prescribed burning. 
28

Weather and fuel moisture conditions must be monitored closely in planned burn units to determine when

the prescription criteria are met. A belt weather kit may also be utilized to augment monitoring. Fuel

moisture samples of 10-, 100-, and 1000-hour down and dead logs (where applicable) and of live plants

may be monitored each week and percent moisture contents figured to help determine when the

prescription criteria are met. 

When all prescription criteria are within the acceptable range, the Prescribed Burn Boss will select an

ignition date based on current and predicted weather forecasts. A thorough briefing will be given by the

Prescribed Burn Boss and specific assignments and placement of personnel will be discussed. An

updated spot weather forecast will be obtained on the day of ignition and all prescription elements will be

rechecked to determine if all elements are still within the approved ranges. If all prescription elements

are met, a test fire will be ignited to determine on-site fire behavior conditions as affected by current

weather. If conditions are not satisfactory, the test fire will be suppressed and the burn will be

rescheduled. If conditions are satisfactory the burn will continue as planned. 

Depending upon the complexity of the burn, two or more fire crews (3 crew members per crew) from the

Central Valley Refuges Zone and 3-4 collateral fire duty personnel from San Francisco Bay NWRC may

be needed to ignite, hold, and mop-up the burn. In addition, personnel and equipment from Contra Costa

County FPD shall be available in the event that fire spreads outside Refuge property and into their local

area of responsibility. A qualified Prescribed Burn Boss Type II or higher will be required to write the

Burn Plan and serve as Burn Boss during any planned ignitions

One person with botanical/sampling design expertise will also be needed to conduct pre and post burn

monitoring. One person with biological/botanical expertise will be needed to assist in developing site

specific prescribed burn plans.

Only qualified personnel will be used to conduct burns on the Refuge. Pre- and post-fire briefings will

be conducted on all planned ignitions. 

Coordination needed with the following entities:

- Bay Area Air Quality Management District: Written approval required; Burn Plan needs to be

submitted 30 days in advance of planned ignition; day of fire approval required.

- City of Antioch Public Works: Needs to be contacted 1 week prior to proposed burn date.

- City of Antioch Police Department: Needs to be contacted the day of the burn to notify them of

potential smoke across roads.

- Contra Costa County FPD: Needs to receive copy of prescribed burn plan 1 month in advance.

- Burlington Northern Railroad: Needs to be contacted 1 week prior to burn to advise them of

potential smoke across tracks.

- Pacific Gas and Electric Company; Georgia Pacific Company and other adjacent landowners: 

Adjacent or nearby landowners need to be contacted 1 week prior to the burn so that vehicles are

moved and employees are aware of the burn.

The Refuge will procure burn permits and follow procedures in them. In addition, the Zone Fire

Management Officer or an individual qualified at the Prescribed Burn Boss Type II level will write a

Burn Plan to be approved by the Project Leader. The guidance and format for writing Burn Plans is 
29

found in the Service’s Prescribed Fire Management Handbook, Section 2.2. All ignitions require a DI1202 form to be completed and returned to the responsible fire management officer for input into the Fire

Management Information System (FMIS) within 20 days after the fire is declared out. 

If the prescribed burn escapes the predetermined burn area, all further ignition will be halted except as

needed for suppression efforts. Suppression efforts will be initiated, as discussed in the preburn briefing. 

The FMO will be notified immediately of any control actions on a prescribed burn. If the burn exceeds

the initial suppression efforts, the burn will be declared a wildland fire and suppressed using guidelines

established in this plan. If a prescribed burn is declared a wildland fire, all personnel must meet NWCG

qualifications and fitness levels for wildland fire activities. A WFSA will be completed and additional

personnel and resources ordered as determined by the Incident Commander. If the fire continues to burn

out of control, additional resources will be called from the local cooperating agencies via the servicing

dispatch. A management overhead team may be requested to assume command of the fire. 

Recommendations of the Bay Area Air Quality Management District will be followed which will satisfy

the District's criteria for use of the "72-Hour Outlook/48-Hour Decision" forecasting procedure. These

may include restrictions on igniting under certain wind speeds/directions, humidity, or other conditions

that would cause local air quality to be degraded. Other conditions under which fires will not be ignited

include: east wind conditions, Red Flag Warnings /Watches as determined by Contra Costa County FPD,

situations where local fire department resources are over committed to wildland fires in the Bay Area

(i.e., Oakland Hills Fire 1991 or Vision -Pt. Reyes Fire 1995). The prescribed fire plan will also identify

other "no-go" or suppression criteria. Prior to any planned ignitions, Burn Boss will contact Contra

Costa County FPD Emergency Communications Center to determine resource availability in case of an

escaped burn.

Monitoring and Evaluation

Monitoring of prescribed fires is intended to provide information for quantifying and predicting fire

behavior and its ecological effects on refuge resources while building a historical record. Monitoring

measures the parameters common to all fires: fuels, topography, weather and fire behavior. In addition,

ecological changes such as species composition and structural changes will be monitored after a fire. 

This information will be very useful in fine-tuning the prescribed burn program. 

All wildland fires will be appropriately suppressed. However, monitoring wildland fires may be

appropriate and potentially valuable in mapping and documenting the growth of the fire, measuring onsite weather and fuel loading to provide the fire staff with present and expected fire behavior and effects. 

During prescribed burns, monitoring can serve as a precursor to invoking suppression action by

determining if the fire is in prescription, assessing its overall potential, and determining the effects of the

prescribed burn. 

During prescribed burning, monitoring should include mapping, weather, site and fuel measurements and

direct observation of fire characteristics such as flame length, rate of spread and fire intensity. 

Operational monitoring provides a check to insure that the fire remains in prescription and serves as a

basis for evaluation and comparison of management actions in response to measured, changing fire

conditions, and changes such as fuel conditions and species composition. 
30

Fires may be monitored regardless of size. The FMO will establish specific fire information guidelines

for each fire to update intelligence about the fire. Highest priority for monitoring will be assigned to

large fires or fires which threaten to leave the refuge. 

Short term: BEHAVE predictions will be used to model fire behavior, and a belt weather kit will be used

to monitor actual burn day conditions.

Long term: The response of native and non-native vegetation to fire will be monitored. Plant species

composition and percent cover will be measured pre- and post-burn for certain native and weed species

of concern. 

Monitoring must be done to document and verify that the stated objectives have been met. Plots, photo

points, or other methods will be developed to document the results of the burn. These data will be stored

for future refinement of prescriptions and to determine the success of the program.

Required Reports

All prescribed burn forms will be completed as outlined by the Prescribed Burn Boss. A monitor will be

assigned to collect all predetermined information and complete all necessary forms prior to, during, and

after the burn. All records will be archived in the refuge's fire records for future use and reference. 

The Prescribed Burn Boss will prepare a final report on the prescribed burn. Reports will include a

calculations of particulate matter emissions and a monitoring report. Information will include a narrative

of the burn operation, a determination of whether objectives were met, weather and fire behavior data,

map of the burn area, photographs of the burn, number of work hours, and final cost of the burn. 

Prescribed Burn Critique

A report detailing the actual burn will accompany any recommendations or changes deemed necessary in

the program. This report will be submitted to the Refuge Project Leader. A post-season critique of the

fire management program, including the prescribed burn program, will be held each year at the

conclusion of the fall fire season. 
31

AIR QUALITY / SMOKE MANAGEMENT GUIDELINES

Air quality is monitored and managed by the Bay Area Air Quality Management District. Although they

do not issue Burn Permits, they do grant permission to burn if a burn proposal falls under one of their

open burning categories. In order to qualify for one of their open burning categories (Regulation 5), the

Refuge needs to determine which category best meets the intent and objective of the project. Previous

burns at Antioch Dunes NWR fell under Regulation 5-Open Burning, Section 8 Allowable Fires,

Subsection P-Wildland Vegetation Management, 401.16. In addition, Section 5-408 sets forth those

requirements needed to conduct prescribed burning. These requirements need to be adhered to in order

to receive permission to conduct a prescribed burn.

In order to obtain permission to burn under this category, a Burn Plan must be submitted to the

Enforcement Branch at least 30 days prior to burning. BAAQMD grants permission to burn on a caseby-case basis. There is no recurring or annual burn permit/ permission. The Refuge will need to obtain

permission for each burn project planned. The Refuge will follow all conditions contained in the letter of

permission. 

Specific aspects of a Smoke Management Plan (wind, weather, visibility hazard, and residual smoke

problems) will be addressed in Prescribed Burn Plans prepared for each burn. 
32

FIRE RESEARCH

The Refuge will continue collecting data and monitoring the success or failure of burning conditions

required to accomplish objectives of controlling non-native vegetation and restoring riverine sand dune

habitat. Weather conditions will be recorded to establish future successful/ideal burning results. Normal

fire program monies are not intended to fund fire research activities. 

The Refuge has identified a research need to determine the short-term and long-term effects of prescribed

burning on invertebrate abundance and diversity. Data collected will be presented to the refuge as results

become available.
33

PUBLIC SAFETY

Antioch Dunes NWR is dedicated to ensuring the safety of all residents and property adjacent to the

refuge's boundary. 

Firefighter and pubic safety will always take precedence over property and resource protection during

any fire management activity. For public safety, the fire scene will remain clear of unauthorized people. 

The responsibility for managing public safety lies with the Incident Commander (IC) or Burn Boss for

wildland or prescribed fire. Public safety considerations will be included as part of the burn prescription.

Due to the proximity of Wilbur Road to the Refuge, Burn Boss and Refuge Manager will coordinate

traffic control along Wilbur Road with Refuge Law Enforcement Officers and local law enforcement

when burns are conducted.

Due to the proximity of the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad to the Refuge, Burn Boss and Refuge

Manager will notify Railroad Security Officers of planned burns. 

See Appendix H for list of adjacent landowners with phone numbers and addresses for notification

purposes.

During prescribed burns at least one burn team member will have first aid training. A first aid kit will be

on-site for prescribed burns as well as wildland fires. The local police, fire, and emergency medical

services will be notified prior to the ignition of any prescribed burn. They will also be notified of the

location of any wildland fires. 
34

PUBLIC INFORMATION AND EDUCATION

Educating the public on the value of fire as a natural process is important to increasing public

understanding and support for the fire management program. The refuge will use the most appropriate

and effective means to explain the overall fire and smoke management program. This may include

supplemental handouts, signing, personal contacts, interpretive signs, or media releases. When deemed

necessary, interpretive presentations will address the fire management program and explain the role of

fire in the environment.

Informing the public is an important part of the fire management program. During a wildland fire, the IC

is responsible for providing information to the public. Prescribed fire public information has been

further addressed in the Prescribed Fire Plan and the Environmental Assessment (See Appendices C and

D). 

The public information program will be developed as follows: 

1. Concepts of the prescribed burn program will be incorporated, as appropriate, in

publications, brochures, and handouts. 

2. The fire management program may be incorporated into visitor contacts. Particular attention

will be given when fires are conspicuous from roads or visitor use areas. 

3. News releases will be distributed to the media as appropriate. 

4. The public information outlets of neighboring and cooperating agencies and the regional

office will be provided with all fire management information. 

5. The fire management program will be discussed in informal talks with all employees,

volunteers, residents, and neighbors. 

Prior to the lighting of any planned ignition, information will be made available to visitors, local

residents, and/or the press about what is scheduled to happen and why. This information will include

prescribed burn objectives and control techniques, fire location and expected behavior, effects caused by

the fire, and potential impacts on private and public facilities and services.
35

FIRE CRITIQUES AND ANNUAL PLAN REVIEW

FIRE CRITIQUES

Fire reviews will be documented and filed with the final fire report. The FMO will provide a copy for

the refuge files. 

ANNUAL FIRE SUMMARY REPORT

The FMO will be responsible for completing an annual fire summary report. The report will contain the

number of fires by type, acres burned by fuel type, cost summary (prescribed burns and wildland fires),

personnel utilized, and fire effects. 

ANNUAL FIRE MANAGEMENT PLAN REVIEW

The Fire Management Plan will be reviewed annually. Necessary updates or changes will be

accomplished prior to the next fire season. Any additions, deletions, or changes will be reviewed by the

Refuge Manager to determine if such alterations warrant a re-approval of the plan. 

The fire management plan will be updated as major policy decisions are made. At a minimum, this plan

will be reviewed once a year by the individual on the Refuge with fire responsibility to maintain the

integrity of the plan. Amendments to the fire management plan itself will be made as needed by sending

them to the Regional Fire Management Coordinator for concurrence and to be approved by the Regional

Director in Portland. Minor changes to the appendices, such as phone number corrections and personnel

changes, can be made at the Refuge level and attached to the plan during this yearly review process

without involvement of the Regional Office.
36

CONSULTATION AND COORDINATION

The following agencies, organizations and/or individuals were consulted in preparing this plan.

Chris Bandy, Refuge Manager, Antioch Dunes NWR, Newark, CA

Roddy Baumann, Prescribed Fire Specialist, Pacific Region, USFWS, Portland, OR.

Rachel Hurt, Biologist, San Francisco Bay NWRC, USFWS, Fremont, CA. 

Richard Hadley, Assistant Refuge Supervisor, California/ Nevada Operations, USFWS, Sacramento, CA.

Ivette Loredo, Refuge Biologist, Antioch Dunes NWR, USFWS, Fremont, CA

Amanda McAdams, Fire Planner, Pacific Region, USFWS, Portland, OR.

Tom Romanello, Assistant Fire Management Officer, Sheldon-Hart NWR, Lakeview, CA.
37

APPENDICES

APPENDIX A: REFERENCES CITED

Bailey, R.G. 1995. Description of the ecoregions of the United States. USDA Forest 

Service. 108 pp. 

Green, J.A. 1995. Three reproductive ecology studies in the narrow endemic Oenothera deltoides ssp.

howellii (Onagraceae). M.A. Thesis, Claremont Graduate School.

Loredo, Ivette. USFWS, Personal Communication, 7/2001.
38

APPENDIX B: DEFINITIONS

Agency Administrator. The appropriate level manager having organizational responsibility for

management of an administrative unit. May include Director, State Director, District Manager or Field

Manager (BLM); Director, Regional Director, Complex Manager or Project Leader (FWS); Director,

Regional Director, Park Superintendent, or Unit Manager (NPS), or Director, Office of Trust

Responsibility, Area Director, or Superintendent (BIA). 

Appropriate Management Action. Specific actions taken to implement a management strategy. 

Appropriate Management Response. Specific actions taken in response to a wildland fire to implement

protection and fire use objectives. 

Appropriate Management Strategy. A plan or direction selected by an agency administrator which guide

wildland fire management actions intended to meet protection and fire use objectives. 

Appropriate Suppression. Selecting and implementing a prudent suppression option to avoid

unacceptable impacts and provide for cost-effective action.

Bureau. Bureaus, offices or services of the Department. 

Class of Fire (as to size of wildland fires):

Class A - 3 acre or less.

Class B - more than 3 but less than 10 acres.

Class C - 10 acres to 100 acres.

Class D - 100 to 300 acres.

Class E - 300 to 1,000 acres.

Class F - 1,000 to 5,000 acres.

Class G - 5,000 acres or more.

Emergency Fire Rehabilitation/Burned Area Emergency Rehabilitation (EFR/BAER). Emergency actions

taken during or after wildland fire to stabilize and prevent unacceptable resource degradation or to

minimize threats to life or property resulting from the fire. The scope of EFR/BAER projects are

unplanned and unpredictable requiring funding on short notice. 

Energy Release Component (ERC) A number related to the available energy (BTU) per unit area (square

foot) within the flaming front at the head of a fire. It is generated by the National Fire Danger Rating

System, a computer model of fire weather and its effect on fuels. The ERC incorporates thousand hour

dead fuel moistures and live fuel moistures; day to day variations are caused by changes in the moisture

content of the various fuel classes. The ERC is derived from predictions of (1) the rate of heat release

per unit area during flaming combustion and (2) the duration of flaming.

Extended attack. A fire on which initial attack forces are reinforced by additional forces.
39

Fire Suppression Activity Damage. The damage to lands, resources and facilities directly attributable to

the fire suppression effort or activities, including: dozer lines, camps and staging areas, facilities (fences,

buildings, bridges, etc.), handlines, and roads. 

Fire effects. Any consequences to the vegetation or the environment resulting from fire, whether neutral,

detrimental, or beneficial.

Fire intensity. The amount of heat produced by a fire. Usually compared by reference to the length of

the flames.

Fire management. All activities related to the prudent management of people and equipment to prevent

or suppress wildland fire and to use fire under prescribed conditions to achieve land and resource

management objectives.

Fire Management Plan. A strategic plan that defines a program to manage wildland and prescribed fires

and documents the Fire Management Program in the approved land use plan. The plan is supplemented

by operational procedures such as preparedness plans, preplanned dispatch plans, prescribed fire plans

and prevention plans. 

Fire prescription. A written direction for the use of fire to treat a specific piece of land, including limits

and conditions of temperature, humidity, wind direction and speed, fuel moisture, soil moisture, etc.,

under which a fire will be allowed to burn, generally expressed as acceptable range of the various firerelated indices, and the limit of the area to be burned. 

Fuels. Materials that are burned in a fire; primarily grass, surface litter, duff, logs, stumps, brush,

foliage, and live trees.

Fuel loadings. Amount of burnable fuel on a site, usually given as tons/acre.

Hazard fuels. Those vegetative fuels which, when ignited, threaten public safety, structures and

facilities, cultural resources, natural resources, natural processes, or to permit the spread of wildland fires

across administrative boundaries except as authorized by agreement.

Initial Attack. An aggressive suppression action consistent with firefighter and public safety and values

to be protected. 

Maintenance burn. A fire set by agency personnel to remove debris; i.e., leaves from drainage ditches or

cuttings from tree pruning. Such a fire does not have a resource management objective.

Natural fire. A fire of natural origin, caused by lightning or volcanic activity.

NFDRS Fuel Model. One of 20 mathematical models used by the National Fire Danger Rating System to

predict fire danger. The models were developed by the US Forest Service and are general in nature

rather than site specific. 
40

NFFL Fuel Model. One of 13 mathematical models used to predict fire behavior within the conditions of

their validity. The models were developed by US Forest Service personnel at the Northern Forest Fire

Laboratory, Missoula, Montana. 

Prescription. Measurable criteria which guide selection of appropriate management response and actions.

Prescription criteria may include safety, public health, environmental, geographic, administrative, social,

or legal considerations. 

Prescribed Fire. A fire ignited by agency personnel in accord with an approved plan and under prescribed

conditions, designed to achieve measurable resource management objectives. Such a fire is designed to

produce the intensities and rates of spread needed to achieve one or more planned benefits to natural

resources as defined in objectives. Its purpose is to employ fire scientifically to maximize net benefits at

minimum impact and acceptable cost. A written, approved prescribed fire plan must exist and NEPA

requirements must be met prior to ignition. NEPA requirements can be met at the land use or fire

management planning level. 

Preparedness. Actions taken seasonally in preparation to suppress wildland fires, consisting of hiring and

training personnel, making ready vehicles, equipment, and facilities, acquiring supplies, and updating

agreements and contracts.

Prevention Activities directed at reducing the number or the intensity of fires that occur, primarily by

reducing the risk of human-caused fires.

Rehabilitation (1) Actions to limit the adverse effects of suppression on soils, watershed, or other

values, or (2) actions to mitigate adverse effects of a wildland fire on the vegetation-soil complex,

watershed, and other damages.

Suppression. A management action intended to protect identified values from a fire, extinguish a fire, or

alter a fire's direction of spread. 

Unplanned ignition. A natural fire that is permitted to burn under specific conditions, in certain

locations, to achieve defined resource objectives.

Wildfire. An unwanted wildland fire. 

Wildland Fire. Any non-structure fire, other than prescribed fire, that occurs in the wildland. 

Wildland Fire Situation Analysis (WFSA). A decision-making process that evaluates alternative

management strategies against selected safety, environmental, social, economical, political, and resource

management objectives as selection criteria. 

Wildland/urban interface fire A wildland fire that threatens or involves structures.
41

Appendix C: NEPA and NHPA Compliance

FINAL ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT

Prescribed Burn Program

Antioch Dunes National Wildlife Refuge

San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge Complex

Under the authority of the National Wildlife Refuge System Administration Act of 1966 and Endangered

Species Act of 1973

Contra Costa County, California

Prepared by: Erin C. Fernández

Title: Wildlife Biologist 

Duty Station: San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge Complex

June 1997

42

TABLE OF CONTENTS

List of Figures .................................................................................................................... 43

I. Purpose and Need for Action............................................................................................... 45

II. Alternatives Including the Proposed Action......................................................................... 45

 A. No Action....................................................................................................................... 45 

 B. Prescribed Burn.............................................................................................................. 46

 C. Increased Weeding Effort...............................................................................................47

 D. Grazing........................................................................................................................... 47

 E. Heavy Equipment........................................................................................................... 47

III. Affected Environment.......................................................................................................... 47

 A. Background information.................................................................................................47

 B. Climate............................................................................................................................47

 C. Soils................................................................................................................................ 48

 D. Vegetation/Land use.......................................................................................................48

IV. Environmental Consequences.............................................................................................. 48

 A. No Action....................................................................................................................... 48

 B. Prescribed Burn.............................................................................................................. 49

 C. Increased Weeding Effort...............................................................................................50

 D. Grazing................................................................................................. ..........................50

 E. Heavy Equipment........................................................................................................... 50

V. Consultation and Coordination with Others.........................................................................51

VI. Conclusion and Recommendations...................................................................................... 52

VII. Literature Cited................................................................................................................... 53

VIII. Table 1................................................................................................................................ 54

IX. Attachment A.......................................................................................................................56
43

LIST OF FIGURES

 

Figure 1. Antioch Dunes National Wildlife Refuge............... ................................................... 55
44

ABSTRACT

This environmental assessment evaluates alternatives for managing non-native vegetation on the 55-acre

Antioch Dunes National Wildlife Refuge (Refuge). The preferred alternative would utilize prescribed

burning as a management tool to eliminate non-native vegetation from the Refuge. This unique Refuge

was established in 1980 in order to protect three endemic endangered species: the Antioch Dunes evening

primrose, Contra Costa wallflower, and the Lange's metalmark butterfly. Historically, many factors have

contributed to the decline of these species, including human development and sand mining of the dunes. 

Currently, however, the primary threat to these species is competition with non-native vegetation. The

preferred alternative will drastically reduce the amount of non-native vegetation present at the dunes. 

Prescribed burning will assist in restoration of the Refuge and enhance habitat for endangered and other

native species. No significant adverse socioeconomic impacts to the area are anticipated. 
45

Section I: PURPOSE AND NEED FOR ACTION

The 55-acre Antioch Dunes National Wildlife Refuge (Refuge) and adjacent 12-acre Pacific Gas and

Electric (PG&E) land support the last remaining populations of three endangered species including the

Antioch Dunes evening primrose (Oenothera deltoides ssp. howellii), Contra Costa wallflower

(Erysimum capitatum ssp. angustatum), and the Lange's metalmark butterfly (Apodemia mormo ssp.

langei). The primary objective of the Refuge is to provide habitat for these three endemic endangered

species. Historically, many factors have contributed to the decline of these species, including human

development and sand mining of the dunes. Currently the primary threat to these species is the

encroachment of non-native vegetation such as rip-gut brome grass (Bromus diandrus) and yellow

starthistle (Centaurea solstitialis). 

United States Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) staff actively manages these endangered species by

conducting annual population surveys and through habitat restoration. Management tools include the

Non-native Vegetation Management Program, which currently includes hand pulling and herbicide

treatment of non-natives. Despite our management efforts however, numbers of primrose continue to

decline primarily due to competition with weed species.

Primrose numbers have decreased substantially in recent years. There were 5,800 mature primrose in

1984, and only 963 mature primrose in 1996, a decrease of 83%. Primrose appears particularly

vulnerable to non-native vegetation encroachment. Green (1995) in her thesis, Three Reproductive

Ecology Studies in the Narrow Endemic Oenothera deltoides ssp. howellii, found no primrose seedlings

around mature primrose that were surrounded by weed species, yet seedlings were found around 40% of

mature primrose that were not surrounded by weed species. If non-native vegetation is not controlled,

extinction of natural populations of primrose is highly likely.

In order to restore the primrose, the Service must improve and expand our current non-native vegetation

management techniques. Ecologists, including Joseph DiTomaso (University of California, Davis), John

Rusmore (UC Davis), John Randall (UC Davis), Bruce Pavlik (Mills College) and Martha Hastings

(California Department of Parks and Recreation), have advised the Service that prescribed burning will

create more suitable habitat for endangered species dependant on the historic sand-dune environment. 

Prescribed burning of selected areas will control non-native vegetation which will serve to stabilize and

increase populations of the primrose and other endangered native species. 

Section II: ALTERNATIVES INCLUDING THE PROPOSED ACTION

A. No Action Alternative

This alternative would maintain the status quo of continued hand pulling of weeds and selective

herbicide use only. Currently, volunteers and Refuge staff annually pull non-native vegetation

approximately once every two weeks in the spring and summer. Refuge staff spray weeds with herbicide

once a year in the spring to create a small buffer zone between high desities of endangered species and

non-native species.
46

B. Prescribed Burning Alternative (Proposed action)

This alternative would allow prescribed burning to be used as a tool for endangered species management. 

Selected dune sites of manageable size would be burned under predetermined conditions, every year or

every other year, in order to remove non-native vegetation until the non-native seed bank is exhausted. 

Burning would then be conducted on an as-needed basis. This will enhance existing habitat and create

more suitable habitat for endangered and native species, which are dependant on relatively open, sanddune habitat.

The first year the Service proposes to burn three, approximately three acre sites on the Refuge that are

dominated by non-native vegetation, have very few natives, and a few endangered species. We will

establish non-burned control plots similar in vegetative composition to the burn areas. We will monitor

both control and non-control areas for species richness and percent cover before and after the burn. We

will analyze before and after burn data, as well as compare control areas to burned areas in order to

determine the response of non-native vegetation to fire. We will plant native and endangered species in

these areas after the non-native seed bank has been substantially diminished, which may take up to three

years of burning. If this method proves successful, additional areas will be burned on a rotational basis

and subsequently replanted with native and endangered species. 

We also propose to burn 15 experimental plots (7 sq. y.) with primrose and buckwheat in order to test the

response of primrose and buckwheat to fire. This will be done through the use of a burn box in which

we can contain a small fire hot enough to scorch the existing vegetation. Ten of the plots will have one

to two primrose, a few natives and many non-natives. Five of the plots will contain buckwheat in order

to test the response of buckwheat to fire. We will establish 15 non-burned control plots similar in

vegetative composition to the burn areas and monitor these areas for species richness and percent cover

before and after the burn. We will analyze before and after burn data, as well as compare control areas to

burned areas in order to determine the response of non-native and native vegetation to fire. 

The Refuge will monitor prescribed burn plots by recording environmental factors and locating sites with

a Global Positioning System. We will monitor areas for native and non-native species richness and

percent cover before and after the burn in order to compare control areas to burned areas, as well as to

track annual progress of the sites. We will use a combination of line transects and fixed plots to monitor

vegetation. We will monitor vegetation both in the middle of these burn plots as well as toward the edge

of the burn plot so that we may be able to detect differences in the amount of non-native vegetation

resprouting from the residual seed source versus the amount of non-native vegetation encroaching on the

burn area from peripheral areas.

Burning would primarily be conducted in May or June in order to achieve two objectives: 1) kill the

existing non-native plants and their seed heads; and 2) exhaust the non-native seed bank. In May/June,

the grasses will be dry enough to carry a hot fire that is required to destroy the non-native seed bed and

the seed heads. The yellow-star thistle should be under 5% flower at this time. This is the optimum time

to burn it because the fire would destroy the thistle before it produces seed, yet it will have expended

enough energy that it should not regrow in that season. Burning may take place at a less optimum time

depending on allowable burn days, however, any burn from spring through fall will help to reduce the

non-native seed bank. 
47

C. Increased Weeding Effort Alternative

This alternative would allow only for increased manual removal of exotic vegetation and would preclude

prescribed burning as a tool in any management. Work crews would manually pull non-native vegetation

every year in order to create suitable habitat for endangered species. The Refuge would require additional

full time staff in order to reduce non-native vegetation through manual methods. Vegetation would be

monitored using methods similar to that described in Alternative B. 

D. Grazing Alternative

This alternative would allow grazing, in addition to ongoing weed control measures, and would preclude

prescribed burning as a tool in any management. Livestock would graze selected areas on a rotational

schedule to remove non-native vegetation. Vegetation would be monitored using methods similar to that

described in Alternative B.

E. Heavy Equipment Alternative

This alternative would allow for the use of mowing, disking, and plowing at the Refuge to control nonnative vegetation and would preclude prescribed burning as a tool in any management. Selected areas of

the Refuge would be mowed, disked, and/or plowed to remove non-native vegetation. Vegetation would

be monitored using methods similar to that described in Alternative B.

Section III: AFFECTED ENVIRONMENT

A. Background information

The Refuge is located along the southern shore of the lower San Joaquin river near the city of Antioch,

Contra Costa County, California (Fig. 1). The Refuge lies within an ecoregion described by Bailey

(1995) as the Mediterranean Division, California Dry Steppe Province. Historically, the Antioch Dunes

extended over two miles along the southern bank of the San Joaquin river and reached heights of 117

feet. The 55-acre Refuge was extensively mined for sand in the past and subsequently ranges in

elevation from 0 to 50 feet. The Refuge currently exists as an isolated habitat, surrounded by industrial

development. 

B. Climate

The Antioch area has a modified Mediterranean climate with warm to hot dry summers and moist, mild

winters. Rainfall averages 12.53 inches annually, falling mainly during November-April. The average

annual temperature is 61.8 degrees F with an average annual maximum temperature of 74 degrees F and

an average annual minimum temperature of 47 degrees F. The hottest recorded temperature is 114

degrees F, and the lowest recorded temperature is 14 degrees F. Winds in the summer come off the river

from the west or northwest at an average of 10-20 mph. 
48

C. Soils

Soils in the Refuge are representative of the Oakley sands interlaced with alluvial fan deposits. The

Sardis unit (14 acre eastern parcel) was mined down to a clay/peat substrate for the most part and

subsequently sand was replaced over many of these areas. The perimeter still consists of sandy loam

substrate. The Stamm unit (41 acre western parcel) has a "hard pan" layer of varying thickness but

underneath this hard pan is sandy loam. Sand was replaced over a small portion of the mined area of the

Stamm unit as well. 

D. Vegetation/Wildlife

Six main habitat types are found within the 55-acre Refuge: littoral, riparian, open sand dunes,

abandoned vineyard, disturbed/mined areas and grassland areas. The littoral zone contains a state listed

rare plant: Mason’s lilaeopsis (Lilaeopsis masonii). The riparian area is characterized by native species

such as, but not limited to, coast live oak (Quercus agrifolia), red willow (Salix laevigata), narrow-leaved

willow (Salix exigua), arroyo willow (Salix lasiolepis), California toyon (Heteromeles arbutifolia) and

elderberry (Sambucus mexicana). The open dune areas consist of primarily native species including:

Antioch dunes evening primrose, Contra Costa wallflower, both federally listed as endangered, nakedstemmed buckwheat, host plant for the endangered Lange’s metalmark butterfly, telegraph weed

(Heterotheca grandiflora), Senecio flaccidus var. douglasii, deerweed (Lotus scoparius) and many others

(Refer to Appendix D of the Draft CCP). In the disturbed, grassland, and vineyard areas there is an

abundance of non-native species including rip-gut brome grass, yellow starthistle, Russian thistle (Salsola

tragus), as well as some native species. 

The Refuge provides important habitat for many types of wildlife including: nesting and migratory bird

species and the California legless lizard (Aniella pulchra pulchra). 

Section IV: ENVIRONMENTAL CONSEQUENCES

The principal environmental and socioeconomic effects are outlined in Table 1 and discussed in the

following text.

A. No Action Alternative

The no action alternative would result in non-native vegetation continuing to inhibit the survival of

endangered species at the Refuge. The Antioch dunes evening primrose would continue to decrease and

the currently stable populations of Contra Costa wallflower and naked-stemmed buckwheat (host plant

for the Lange's metalmark butterfly) could begin to decline. As non-native species encroach, the

potential for a devastating wildfire increases. 

If additional non-native vegetation control measures are not taken now, the problem will only be

exacerbated, non-native species will increase, and more frequent and costly control measures could have

to be taken in order to halt the spread of non-native species. Under the No Action alternative, there is

high potential that the Antioch dunes evening primrose would be eliminated from its historic range. This

inability of the Refuge to provide suitable habitat for endangered species is inconsistent with the

Refuge’s goals and conflicts with Service goals of recovering endangered species. 
49

B. Prescribed Burning Alternative

Cut firelines, existing roads, and other control techniques that will be utilized to prevent escaped burns

will prevent the escape of fire into areas where concentrations of endangered species occur. The selection

of, and adherence to, a proper prescription and careful coordination with the Bay Area Air Quality

Management District, the Contra Costa Fire Department, Service Ecological Services Office, and Service

Regional Fire Management Officer will greatly limit the chance of an escaped burn. 

For the first three years, the large burn plot areas within the Refuge will be carefully selected to avoid

endangered species. However, a few primrose, wallflower, and buckwheat plants could be within a burn

area and would be temporarily adversely affected. The Lange's metalmark butterfly may be detrimentally

affected by burning its host plant, naked stemmed buckwheat. The small burn plots will be selected to

contain a few endangered species so that we can closely monitor their response to fire. These species

would be temporarily adversely affected. During the first three years, only buckwheat that was hand

planted by the Service approximately five years ago and poor butterfly production stands will be burned. 

A Section 7 consultation has been requested. 

Proposed burn areas will be thoroughly surveyed for any native bird nests prior to burning. If any nests

are found, these areas will not be burned. 

On a long-term scale, endangered and other native species will benefit from the removal of exotic species. 

Also, habitats, including designated critical habitat for the primrose and wallflower, will be enhanced. If

burning non-native vegetation proves successful at restoring native and endangered species habitat,

further large plots and small experimental plots will be selected for burning. If endangered species

respond favorably to burning methods, areas will be burned on a continual, rotational basis. High

butterfly producing stands and areas with high density of endangered and native species will not be

selected for burning methods of vegetation control. These sensitive areas will continue to be maintained

through hand-weeding efforts. 

Prescribed burning will entail some economic costs to the Service; however, this is considered the most

cost effective method to remove large areas of exotic vegetation. The aesthetic quality (scenery and odor)

of the Antioch area will be temporarily altered because of smoke from the fire. However, prescribed

burning will greatly mitigate potential future negative impacts resulting from wildfires by reducing a

thick fuel layer. 

Under Federal ownership, archaeological and historical resources within the Refuge receive protection

under Federal laws mandating the management of cultural resources, including, but not limited to, the

Archaeological Resources Protection Act; the Archaeological and Historic Preservation Act; the Native

American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act; and the National Historic Preservation Act. The

Service shall take all necessary steps to comply with section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act

(NHPA) of 1966, as amended for the prescribed burning alternative.
50

C. Increased Weeding Effort Alternative

In some locations, this alternative would remove non-native vegetation and produce desired results. 

Endangered species, species of special concern, critical wildlife habitat, species diversity/abundance, and

non-game species would all be positively affected by increased manual removal of non-native vegetation. 

However, this would not fully solve the problems because manual removal of non-native vegetation

would require a long period of time due to the large size of areas that need to be weeded and does not

remove the non-native seed bank. During this period, the Antioch Dunes evening primrose could

continue to decline and other currently stable species could begin to decline. 

The Refuge would require two to three additional full time staff members to assist with non-native

vegetation removal. This would require substantial additional funding. 

D. Grazing Alternative

Endangered species, species of special concern, critical wildlife habitat, species diversity/abundance, and

non-game species may be positively affected by cattle grazing due to the decrease in non-native species. 

However, this method would not effectively remove the non-native seed bank which may detrimentally

affect endangered species. Additionally, if cattle escaped fenced areas they could cause vehicular

highway accidents. 

It would be difficult to contain cattle in areas devoid of endangered species. If cattle escaped from fenced

areas they could severely detrimentally impact endangered and other native species at the Refuge by

trampling them or directly consuming them. Since the only source of water for the cattle is the river, this

alternative could result in detrimental impacts to the Mason’s lilaeopsis, which grows in the littoral zone. 

Because of the need to closely manage cattle rotations and the poor quality of forage, it would be difficult

to find a rancher willing to meet these stringent requirements for such a small area. Grazing would

require funds for the purchase and maintenance of fencing, and potentially for a contract with a cattle

operator. The Refuge would require additional full time staff members to manage the grazing program. 

E. Heavy Equipment Alternative

Endangered species, species of special concern, critical wildlife habitat, species diversity/abundance, and

non-game species would all be positively affected by increased removal of non-native vegetation. 

Endangered species and species of special concern will be detrimentally affected if they are within a work

site. Sites would be selected to minimize impacts to these species. Heavy equipment could not

effectively remove the non-native seed bank which may detrimentally affect endangered species.

The Service shall comply with NHPA in the same manner as stated in Alternative B.
51

Section V: CONSULTATION AND COORDINATION WITH OTHERS

All Refuge prescribed burns would be conducted under the restrictions imposed by the Bay Area Air

Quality Management District, the Contra Costa Fire Department, Fish and Wildlife Service Ecological

Services Office, and the mandates of a Service Regional Fire Management Officer from preapproved

plans by regional and on site biologists, to minimize any potential for negative impacts. The following

ecologists were consulted in order to determine the optimum type and timing of the burn in order to

eliminate exotic vegetation while enhancing endangered species habitat: Joseph DiTomaso (University

of California, Davis), John Rusmore (UC Davis), John Randall (UC Davis), Bruce Pavlik (Mills College)

and Martha Hastings (California Department of Parks and Recreation.

A public notice was advertised in two newspapers, the Antioch Ledger and the Contra Costa Times, for

three days to notify the public of the availability of the Draft Environmental Assessment and the 30 day

comment period.

During a 30 day comment period, the draft Environmental Assessment was sent to the California

Clearing House, Pacific Gas & Electric, Santa Fe Railroad, City of Antioch Public Works, Contra Costa

Fire Department, Georgia Pacific Gypsum, Current Resident of 1805 Wilbur Ave, and Kemwater.

We received one comment from Georgia Pacific Gypsum regarding concerns of employee smoke

exposure. We subsequently worked with them to resolve their concerns.

Prepared by: Erin Fernández

Title: Wildlife Biologist

Duty Station: San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge Complex

Contributors: Harvey Hill, Deputy Project Leader

San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge Complex

Margaret Kolar, Project Leader

San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge Complex

 Roger Wong, Fire Management Officer

San Luis National Wildlife Refuge Complex

Betsy Radtke, Refuge Manager

San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge

53

LITERATURE CITED

Green, J.A. 1995. Three reproductive ecology studies in the narrow endemic Oenothera deltoides ssp.

howellii (Onagraceae). M.A. Thesis, Claremont Graduate School.

Bailey, R.G. 1995. Description of the ecoregions of the United States. USDA Forest Service. 108 pp. 
54

Table 1. Alternative Matrix 

PrincipalEnvironmentalEffects 

No Action Prescribed Burn Increased Weeding

Effort

Grazing Heavy Equipment

Alternative

Threatened andEndangered Species 

High Low Low Moderate Low

Species of SpecialConcern 

High Low Low Moderate Low

PrincipalSocioeconomic EffectsRefuge OperatingCosts

None Low High Moderate Low

Aesthetics (scenery andodor)

None Low None Low None





60

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

U.S. FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE

Region 1, Portland, Oregon

FINDING OF NO SIGNIFICANT IMPACT

Final Environmental Assessment

for

Prescribed Burning of Dune Areas on 

Antioch Dunes National Wildlife Refuge

Contra Costa County, California

P.O. Box 524

Newark, California 94560

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has prepared an Environmental Assessment to evaluate the effects

associated with prescribed burning on the Antioch Dunes NWR. 

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service proposes to conduct an on going program of prescribed burning with

a back up of heavy equipment use to restore dune habitat for endangered and other native species. 

Prescribed burns may be utilized throughout parts of the Refuge and will result in a significant decrease

in the amount of non-native vegetation as well as an increase in native and endangered species with

minimum costs economically and environmentally. The effects of burning on endangered and native

species will be closely monitored. If burning proves beneficial, it will be continued on an on going

rotational basis. If the window of opportunity to burn is missed in any given year, heavy equipment will

be used as a back-up means to remove non-native vegetation as described in Alternative E. 

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has analyzed a number of alternatives to the proposal, including

the following:

A) No Action

B) Prescribed Burning (Preferred Alternative)

C) Increased Weeding Effort

D) Cattle Grazing

E) Heavy Equipment Use 
61

The preferred alternative was selected over the other alternatives because: 

Prescribed burning is the most effective method to remove large amounts of non-native vegetation and

the non-native seed bank. Other alternatives evaluated would not be effective in removing the seedbank. 

It is the most cost effective alternative and has minimal environmental and socioeconomic impacts. 

Implementation of the preferred alternative would be expected to result in the following

environmental and socioeconomic effects: 

Study of the environmental effects of the proposal has shown that the preferred alternative could impact

some individual plants of the Antioch dunes evening primrose, Contra Costa wallflower, and the naked

stemmed buckwheat (host plant to the Lange's metalmark butterfly). However, the long-term effects will

be beneficial to these species because a significant amount of non-native vegetation will be removed

which will decrease competition between these species.

The aesthetic quality (scenery and odor) of the Antioch area will be temporarily altered because of smoke

from the fire. Escaped fire could threaten endangered species and their habitat, private property, and

public safety.

Measures to mitigate and/or minimize adverse effects have been incorporated into the proposal. 

These measure include:

Measures to mitigate and/or minimize adverse effects have been incorporated into the proposal. These

measures include: 1) close coordination with the Service Regional Fire Management Officer, Contra

Costa Fire Department, Bay Area Air Quality Management District, and the Service Ecological Services

Office; 2) selection of a proper burn prescription and cessation of burn activities when conditions exceed

predetermined prescription levels; 3) the utilization of firebreaks (cut line, existing roads) around burn

units to minimize any potential for wildfire.

Prescribed burning will greatly mitigate potential future negative impacts resulting from wildfires by

reducing a thick fuel layer

The proposal is not expected to have any significant effects on the quality of the human

environment because: 

The action would have a beneficial effect on endangered and native species and their habitat on a longterm scale. The action would not degrade habitats, water, or air quality, and would not disrupt or conflict

with any land use, social, cultural or economic factors. 
62

Public Availability

A public notice was advertised in two newspapers, the Antioch Ledger and the Contra Costa Times, for

three days to notify the public of the availability of the Draft Environmental Assessment and the 30 day

comment period. 

During a 30 day comment period, the draft Environmental Assessment was sent to the California State

Clearing House, Pacific Gas & Electric, Santa Fe Rail Road, City of Antioch Public Works, Contra Costa

Fire Department, and G.P. Gypsum. Their comments were considered in the formation of the final

Environmental Assessment. 



66

Appendix D: Section 7 Consultation

February 20, 1997

MEMORANDUM

To: Field Supervisor, Ecological Services, Sacramento, CA

From: Refuge Manager, San Francisco Bay NWR Complex S.F., CA

Subject: Review of the Intra-Service Section 7 Evaluation Form for prescribed burning 

at Antioch Dunes NWR

We are proposing to conduct prescribed burning and mowing/disking/plowing at Antioch Dunes

NWR to control non-native vegetation and enhance endangered species habitat. All pertinent

information related to endangered species is contained in this document. The Final Prescribed

Fire Plan, which addresses the technical aspects and human safety issues of prescribed burning

will follow later. 

If you have any questions regarding this activity or its impacts, please contact Erin Fernández of

my staff at (510) 792-0222.

Margaret T. Kolar
67

United States Department of the Interior

FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE

Ecological Services

Sacramento Field Office

3310 El Camino Avenue, Suite 130

Sacramento, California 95821-6340

REPLY REFER T0: 1-1-97-F-0075

June 11, 1997

Memorandum

To: Refuge Complex Manager, San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge

Complex, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Newark, California

From: Field Supervisor, U.' S. Fish and Wildlife Service,

Ecological Services, Sacramento Field office, Sacramento, California

Subject: Section 7 Consultation on Prescribed Burning and Mowing, Disking, or

Plowing at the Antioch Dunes National Wildlife Refuge, Antioch, Contra

Costa County, California

This memorandum is in response to your request for formal consultation on a

plan to conduct prescribed burns and mechanical control of non-native

vegetation at the Antioch Dunes National Wildlife Refuge (Refuge) of the San

Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge Complex. Your memorandum, dated March

5, 1997, was received in this office on March 7, 1997. This document

represents the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service's (Service) biological opinion

on the effects of the proposed action on the Lange's metalmark butterfly

(Apodemia mormo langei), the Contra Costa wallflower (Erysimum capitatum var.

angrustatum) , and the Antioch Dunes evening primrose (Oenothera deltoides

ssp. howellii) , in accordance with section 7 of the Endangered Species Act of

1973, as amended ("Act"; 16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.) . For brevity below, the word

"butterfly" is sometimes omitted from the common name of the butterfly, as is

common practice.

This consultation is based on information from the Intra-Service Section 7

Evaluation Form, dated February 20, 1997, the Prescribed Fire Plan, (undated,

received April 4, 1997), discussions between Erin Fernandez of the Refuge and

David Wright, Peter Baye, Nancy Kang, and Kirsten Tarp of my staff, site

visits, Service files, and other sources of information. A complete

administrative record of this consultation is on file in this office.

BIOLOGICAL OPINION

Description of the Proposed Action

The Service proposes to burn, and mow, disk, or plow, at the Antioch Dunes

National Wildlife Refuge (part of the San Francisco Bay National Wildlife

Refuge Complex) , to control non-native plant species and enhance habitat for
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Refuge Complex Manager 

three endangered species: Antioch Dunes evening-primrose, Contra Costa

wallflower, and Lange's metalmark butterfly. The proposed actions would take

place on both the Stamm and Sardis units of the Refuge.

The 55-acre Refuge was established to protect a unique riverine dune

ecosystem, which in addition to adjacent Pacific Gas and Electric Company

(PG&E) land, supports the last natural populations of the Contra Costa

wallflower and Lange's metalmark. only a few small populations of Antioch

Dunes evening-primrose occur outside of the Refuge. Historically, many

factors have contributed to the decline of these species, including human

development and sand mining of the dunes. Currently, however, the primary

threat to these species is the encroachment of non-native vegetation such as

ripgut brome grass (Bromus diandrus) and yellow star-thistle (Centaurea

solstitialis) Refuge staff actively manage the resident endangered species

by conducting annual population surveys and restoring habitat. Management

tools include the Exotic Vegetation Management Program, which currently

includes hand pulling and herbicide treatment of non-natives. Despite

management efforts, non-native plant species continue to out-compete native

species, such as the endangered primrose.

In order to restore endangered and native species habitat, the Refuge proposes

to improve and extend its exotic vegetation management activities. After

consulting with ecologists, including Joseph DiTomaso (University of

California, Davis) , John Rusmore (UC Davis) , John Randall (UC Davis) , Bruce

Pavlik (Mills College) and Martha Hastings (California Department of Parks and

Recreation), prescribed burning and mowing/disking/plowing were identified as

techniques for restoring habitat at the Refuge and creating more suitable

habitat for endangered and native species, which are dependent on the historic

open, sand dune environment. Burning and mowing /disking/p lowing would remove

non-native vegetation, and may subsequently decrease competition between

endangered and exotic species. Burning was selected as the preferred method of

non-native vegetation removal because it reduces the non-native seed bank at a

faster rate than mechanical methods. However, if burning were not conducted

during the acceptable burn window in any given year, the Refuge would use

mowing, disking, or plowing methods to control non-native . vegetation. This

would remove the non-native vegetation and prevent it from adding further to

the non-native seed bank-in that year. Mowing/disking/ plowing would be

conducted in the same locations and monitored in the same way. as burning. The

proposed work would assess whether these weed-control techniques are an

effective way to stabilize and increase populations of endangered species.

Selected dune sites of manageable size would be burned under predetermined

conditions, every year or every other year, in order to remove non-native

vegetation until the non-native seed bank is exhausted. Burning would then be

conducted on an as-needed basis. During the first year, the Refuge proposes to

burn three sites on the Refuge that are dominated by non-native vegetation,

have very few natives, and few individuals of endangered species or their host

plants. Refuge staff would establish non-burned control plots similar in

vegetative composition to the burn areas. The Refuge would monitor both

control and non-control areas for species richness and percent cover before
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Refuge Complex Manager 

and after the burn. Data from before and after the burn would be analyzed, and

control areas would be compared to burned areas in order to determine the

response of non-native vegetation to fire. The Refuge would plant native and

endangered species in these areas after the non-native seed bank has been

substantially diminished, which may take up to three years of burning. If this

method proves successful, further areas would be burned on a rotational basis

and subsequently replanted with native and endangered species.

The three areas proposed for burning are the "triangle hard pan" (3 acres) and

"old vineyard" (5 acres) areas of the Stamm Unit (Figure 1), and the "south

plateau" (4.25 acres) of the Sardis Unit (Figure 2). Dominant plants of these

areas include non-native annual grasses, yellow star-thistle, Russian thistle

(Salsola tragus) , and yellow bush lupine (Lupinus arboreus) , a native

species that can become excessively abundant and reduce diversity of rare or

other native plants. Burn objectives would be to blacken 80-100% of the target

areas, consuming 80-100% of standing vegetation and litter.

Great care would be -taken to ensure that fire does not escape the treatment

areas. Cut fire lines and existing roads would be used to prevent escaped

burns. The Refuge would select and adhere to a proper fire prescription, and

would coordinate fully with the Bay Area Air Quality Management District, the

Contra Costa Fire Department, and the Service's Regional Fire Management

officer, which would limit the threat of fire escape.

The Refuge also proposes to burn 15 small experimental plots (7 square m eters

each) containing primrose and buckwheat, in order to test the response of

primrose and buckwheat to fire. This would be done through the use of a burn

box in which a small fire hot enough to scorch the existing vegetation can be

contained. Ten of the plots would have one to two primrose, a few natives and

many non-natives. Five of the plots would contain buckwheat in order to test

the response of buckwheat to fire. Refuge staff would establish-15 non-burned

control plots similar in vegetative composition to the burn areas and monitor

these areas for species richness and percent cover before and after the burn.

Data from before and after the burn would be analyzed, and control areas would

be compared to burned areas in order to determine the response of native and

non-native vegetation to fire.

The Refuge would monitor prescribed burn plots by recording environmental.

factors and locating sites with a Global Positioning System. Variables

monitored would include native and non-native species richness and percent

cover before and after the burn, to compare control areas to burned areas, as

well as to track annual progress of the sites. Refuge staff would use a

combination of line transects and fixed plots to monitor vegetation.

Vegetation would be monitored both in the middle of burn plots and toward the

edges, to detect differences in the amount of non-native vegetation

resprouting from the residual seed source versus the amount encroaching on the

burn area from the periphery.

Burning would be ideally conducted in May or June in order to achieve two

primary objectives: kill the existing non-native plants and their seed heads,

and exhaust the non-native. seed bank. In May and June, the grasses are dry
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Refuge Complex Manager 

enough to carry a hot fire, which is required to destroy the non-native seed

bed and the seed heads. Yellow star-thistle should be under 5% flower at this

time. This is the optimum time to burn it because the fire would destroy the

thistle before it produces seed, yet it will have expended enough energy that

it should not regrow in that season. Burning might be done at a less optimal

time ranging from spring through fall, depending on allowable burn days.

All Refuge prescribed burns would be conducted under the restrictions imposed

by the Bay Area Air Quality Management District, the Contra Costa Fire

Department, and the mandates of a Service Regional Fire Management officer,

from pre-approved plans by regional and on-site biologists, to minimize any

potential for negative impacts.

Status of the Species

The ranges and total populations of the species considered in this biological

opinion have been lowered drastically by human activities. Sand mining, urban

development, and invasion of non-native plant species have reduced the size

and functionality of the dune ecosystem at Antioch Dunes. The Antioch Dunes

probably once totaled roughly 200 acres (USFWS 1984), and adjacent sandy,

nondune areas may have provided additional habitat. Now largely restricted to

the Refuge and adjacent PG&E parcels, the dunes have been reduced to about 70

acres in extent. Even within the Refuge, the dunes have in the past been

altered by sand mining and other human uses, and stabilized by plant growth.

Stabilization can be detrimental to species which are adapted to the shifting

sands typical of dunes. sand mining and urban development have resulted in

habitat loss and fragmentation, and sand mining has caused gross loss of the

soil substrate necessary for the development of the habitat. The former dune

area has little topographic relief compared with historic conditions.

Introduction of invasive non-native plants, accelerated by grazing practices

and sometimes by planting, has greatly altered California ecosystems and

resulted in the widespread replacement of native plants,, especially in

grasslands. Many of these invasive plants, some of which are present in the

action area (for example, yellow star-thistle, ripgut brome, and Russian

thistle), are capable of choking out or shading out the listed plant species

and butterfly host plants.

Lange's metalmark butterfly

On June 1, 1976, Lange's metalmark was listed as an endangered species (41 FR

22044-22141). Critical habitat was proposed in 1977 (42 FR 7973) but never

designated.

Lange's metalmark butterfly (Apodemia mormo langei)was discovered and named in

1938 as a result of entomological studies on the Antioch Dunes. It is a

distinctive subspecies of the more widely distributed species Apodemia mormo,

found in Mexico and the western United States (Opler & Powell 1962) . 

Lange’s metalmark is restricted to the Antioch Dunes, which are now themselves

largely restricted to the Refuge. The resent range of Lange's metalmark has

been
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Refuge Complex Manager

reduced to about 70 acres, approximately corresponding to the Refuge and

nearby areas.

Lange's metalmark is a fragile, medium-sized butterfly; brightly colored in

orange, black, and brown with white spots. Unlike some butterfly species,

Lange's metalmark has only one generation each year. All of the life stages of

the butterfly are found in close proximity to the sole larval food plant, a

subspecies of naked buckwheat (Eriogonum nudum ssp. auriculatum) . The eggs

are laid on the withered buckwheat during the adult flight season, which

occurs from the latter half of July through September. The eggs hatch after

the winter rains begin; and the larvae crawl to the base of the plant where

they overwinter and feed, if new foliage is available (Arnold 1980) . Pupation

takes place in early to mid-summer in the litter at the base of the buckwheat,

with the adults emerging in late summer (USFWS 1984) . The adult butterflies

prefer naked buckwheat flowers as nectar sources and as perches, but use other

flowering plants as well. Lange's metalmarks also use silver bush lupine,

Lupinus albifrons, for cover during mating. Both sexes are capable of flying

from a few to more than a hundred meters between perches (USFWS 1984). 

Individual adults live approximately one week; and the fecundity of wild

females is low.

Arnold's annual report of January 15, 1986, to the Refuge indicated a slight

increase in the population of the butterfly since 1977. From 1986 to 1991,

the population increased exponentially, from approximately 160 butterflies

counted in 1986 to nearly 2000 butterflies counted in 1991. In 1992, the

population fell to about 1/3 of the previous year's peak level, but by 1996

had recovered to in excess of 2000 butterflies counted on the Refuge and the

adjacent PG&E parcels. In the past, about 2/3 of adult individuals were

counted on the western or Stamm Unit of the Refuge, and about- 1/3 on the

eastern or Sardis Unit. In 1996, however, counts in the Stamm and Sardis units

were more equal (USFWS 1996).

Lange's metalmark counts are not 'available for the large areas proposed for

burning in 1997, the Stamm "old vineyard" and "triangle hard pan" (Figure 1)

and the Sardis "south plateau" (Figure 2). These areas do not support any

significant number of host buckwheat plants, and experience suggests that

adult metalmark densities there are very low. A few scattered buckwheat plants

(less than 10) occur in the old vineyard, among the grasses and star thistle,

and no buckwheat are found in the other two burn areas (Erin Fernandez,

personal communication, June 9, 1997). A few metalmark adults may sometimes be

present in the large proposed burn areas; these individuals are probably

resting or moving through. No larvae or pupae are expected to be in these

areas because of the lack of host plants.

Five of the small "burn box" plots would contain buckwheat plants, in order to

test the response of the buckwheat to prescribed burning. These experimental

plots may be expected to burn a total of 0.0086 acres containing a total of

perhaps 75 to 100 buckwheat plants. A few Lange's metalmark larvae or pupae

may be exposed to fire by these experiments. Their likelihood of surviving is

unknown, and would depend on the depth of soil covering them, if any, and the

heat and duration of the fire.
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Refuge Complex Manager

Invasive non-native plants such as ripgut brome and yellow star-thistle

threaten the butterfly by competing with larval and adult food plants,

inhibiting establishment of buckwheat and other native plant seedlings, and

perhaps by adversely changing the microclimate experienced by the larvae at

the base of their buckwheat hosts (USFWS 1984) . Fire, on the other hand, may

have mixed effects on the butterfly. A "wildfire" in 1976 near the PG&E east

tower destroyed most of a buckwheat stand and the butterfly larvae present.

Since that time the buckwheat has recovered and metalmarks have been observed

in the area (USFWS 1984). Prescribed burning can be a useful tool for

controlling invasive weeds, especially if carefully timed to cause maximum

impact to the invader and lesser impact to native plants. Follow-up after the

burn is essential to eliminate germinating invasive plants and to exhaust the

seed bank of invasive species.

Antioch Dunes evening-primrose

The Antioch Dunes evening-primrose was listed as endangered with critical

habitat on April 26, 1978 (43 FR 17916) . Township and range description for

critical habitat of the species is T2N, R2E, SW 1/4 of Section 17, and E 2/3

of S 1/3 of Section 18 (MDM), Contra Costa County, which includes the Refuge.

The Antioch Dunes evening-primrose is a short-lived perennial herb to subshrub

with a fleshy taproot, forming large tufts with coarse drooping stems 4-8 dm

long, much branched; leaves incised to sharply pinnatifid, lance-like in

outline, 3-12 cm long, 1-3 cm wide, grayish with numerous short and fewer

longer hairs; sepals 2-3 cm long, densely more or less glandular-pubescent and

few to many fine wavy hairs 1-3 mm long, prominent free sepal tips in bud 1-3

mm long; petals 2-3 cm long; capsule 3-4 mm thick at base.

The historic range of the species is presumably limited to the sandy soil type

(Oakley or Delhi sand) found at the Antioch Dunes and over. a substantial

portion of eastern Contra Costa County. The evening -primrose now occurs in

three general localities, all near the confluence of -the Sacramento and San

Joaquin rivers. The only verified natural. stand of the species is within the

sand dunes near Antioch in Contra Costa county. One recently discovered

erratic population occurs at an abandoned sand quarry south of Cowell Road

intersection at Ygnacio Road in Contra Costa. County. This anomalous

population consists of a mixture of Oenothera deltoides sspp. howellii and

cognata and apparent intermediates, possibly hybrids. This population is of

recent and uncertain (possibly anthropogenic) origin.

The Service placed most of the natural Antioch dune habitat within its

National Wildlife Refuge System with the purchase of two parcels in 1980.

PG&E, Domtar Gypsum, and a local citizen own the remaining habitat harboring

the Antioch Dunes evening-primrose.

The subspecies also has been introduced into at least three different

localities by East Bay Regional Parks Botanic Garden personnel since 1970.

James Roof, late Director Emeritus of the Garden, suggested a solution to the

mining activities that were quarrying the remaining dunes prior to their

acquisition by the Service (Roof 1969) . He believed the "dispersal to remote
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Refuge Complex Manager

dunes areas" might ensure the survival of the evening - primrose. As a result,

Walter Knight, former staff member of the garden, sowed seed on "low dunes" at

Brannan Island State Recreation Area in Sacramento County (Anonymous 1971). In

addition, Roof introduced the subspecies onto the coastal dunes at Point

Reyes National Seashore in Marin County (Anonymous 1971) Roof (1969) had

discussed these two introduction sites as suitable sites for introduction of

Oenothera seed. Although the experiment failed at Point Reyes, the subspecies

became naturalized at Brannan Island and thrives there today. Knight also

started two small colonies on Brown's Island in Contra Costa County in 1978.

He believed the plant was doing well on the island; however, Alice Howard

reported in 1982 that the evening-primrose appeared to be declining (USFWS

1984) . The species is also cultivated in natural dune soil at Strybing

Arboretum in Golden Gate Park, San Francisco, where it has a weedy, invasive

habit.

Primrose numbers on the Refuge have decreased substantially in recent years.

There were 5,800 mature primrose in 1984, 1468 in 1995, 963 in 1996, and only

455 mature primrose in 1997, a decrease of 92% in just over a decade (Erin

Fernandez, pers. comm., June 9, 1997) . The primrose appears particularly

vulnerable to exotic vegetation encroachment. Green (1995) found no primrose

seedlings around mature primrose that were surrounded by weed species, yet

seedlings were found around 40% of mature primrose that were not surrounded by

weed species.

Anecdotal evidence suggests that the Antioch Dunes evening-primrose may

benefit from certain forms of disturbance. Primrose were seeded successfully

in an area accidentally burned in 1985, resulting in record populations in the

198G and 1987 censuses (USFWS 1987). The species is also reported to colonize

disked areas (USFWS 1984). 

Contra Costa wallflower

The Contra Costa wallflower was listed as endangered with critical habitat on

April 26, 1978 (43 FR 17916). The designated critical habitat area is the same

as that of the Antioch Dunes evening-primrose.

The wallflower is an erect, robust, coarse- stemmed, monocarpic perennial

("biennial") herb with simple or few branched stems 2-3 m tall; woody base

(caudex) much- elongated and nearly 5 mm in diameter; basal leaves elongated

lance-like to linear, tapering to a petiole at base and acute at apex;

lowermost leaves 4-16 cm long 0.5-1 cm wide with minutely-toothed margins;

flowers in unbranched stalks bearing flowers laterally from a lengthening tip;

petals 4, yellow, 1.5-2 cm long; stamens 6 (4 long and 2 short)'; seed pods

(siliques) 4-angled, stiffly ascending, slender, 5-10 cm long and usually

under 2 mm broad.

Rossbach (1958) believed that the Contra Costa wallflower was "restricted to

more or less consolidated dunes of fine sand and some clay" near Antioch,

Contra Costa County. He said the habitat was covered "with sparse herbs and

shrubs, or less often with pasture grasses, herbs, and scattered" live oaks

(Quercus agrifolia). Johnson (1978) suggested that reproducing individuals
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Refuge Complex Manager

occurred principally on uneven sites (e.g., river bluff faces and edges).

Pavlik and Manning (1993) concluded that optimal wallflower habitat consisted

of steep, north-facing dune slopes with sparse vegetation cover and no exotic

weeds. This is consistent with the original findings of the species, recovery

plan and critical habitat designation,. which identified the essential role of

relatively bare, mobile dune habitat for its regeneration. In this respect, it

is ecologically similar to Antioch Dunes evening-primrose, which requires

natural disturbances, sparse vegetation, and some dune mobility.

According to records in the California Natural Diversity Data Base (CDFG

1997), 234 wallflower plants were observed within the Refuge in 1978, 818 in

1984, 786 in 1985, and 2275 in 1991. This dramatic population increase has

perhaps peaked in recent years: 10,870 in 1994, 7794 in 1995, and 11,337 in

199G (these last three censuses include the PG&E parcels) . In the 1997

census, 10,350 plants were counted, including 2239 on PG&E lands, primarily

the east parcel (Erin Fernandez, pers. comm., June 9, 1997) . In all areas,

the species is concentrated on north- and east-facing bluffs and around tower

structures (CDFG 1997, PG&E 1996).

In the 1997 count, 79 Contra Costa wallflower plants were found in the Sardis

south plateau burn area, representing somewhat less than it of the total

population. No wallflowers occur in the other two proposed large burn areas,

and none or very few would be expected in the burn boxes. Like the evening

primrose, the wallflower was also reported to respond favorably following the

accidental fire in 1985 (USFWS 1987).

Species of Concern

Several species of concern to the Service may occur or once occurred on the

site, including Middlekauf shieldback katydid (Idiostatus. middlekaufi)

Antioch cophuran robberfly (Cophura hurdi), Antioch efferian robberfly

(Efferia antiochi), Hurd's metapogon robberfly (Metapogon huidi), Antioch

mutillid wasp (Myrmosula pacifica [=Myrmosa p.1), Antioch sphecid wasp:

(Philanthus nasalis), red-headed sphecid wasp (Eucerceris ruficeps), Antioch

andrenid bee (Perdita scitula antiochensis), yellow-banded andrenid bee

(Perdita hirticeps luteocincta), Antioch anthicid beetle (Anthicus

antiochensis), Sacramento anthicid beetle (Anthicus sacramento), and the

Ciervo aegialian scarab beetle (Aegialia concinna). Many of these species. are

known only from the Antioch Dunes; many have not been seen for years.

Virtually nothing is known about the population sites, life histories or

habitat requirements of these species, other than that they may prefer sandy

soils. It is reasonable to assume that most depend on the native dune

ecosystem for their survival and reproduction, and that limited use of fire or

other vegetation management activities may pose some small risk to portions of

their populations if still present, especial ly if individuals are found

within areas dominated by the non-native weeds that are targeted for

management. Adverse impacts to species of concern are likely to be temporary,

and the net effect of these experiments on restoring the native ecosystem is

likely to be beneficial.
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Refuge Complex Manager 

Environmental Baseline

Under the provisions of section 7(a)(2) of the Act, when considering the

effects of the proposed action on listed species, the Service is required to

consider the environmental baseline. The environmental baseline takes into

account the past and present effects of human activities on the species in the

action area. The action area is defined as including all areas to be affected

directly or indirectly by the action, and not merely the immediate area

involved in the action (50 CFR §402.02).

The action area of the proposed project is nearly the same as the range of the

listed species considered in this opinion; so the environmental baseline

(status of the species in the action area) is essentially the same as the

overall status of the species, presented above.

Effects of the Proposed Action

If they are present in the treatment area, prescribed burning is likely to

kill Lange's metalmark larvae and pupae and Contra Costa wallflower plants.

Individuals of the Antioch Dunes evening-primrose and naked stemmed buckwheat

(the metalmark host) may be killed, or in some cases their underground roots

might survive and re-sprout. Some seeds of all three plant species would be

likely to survive and benefit from the long-term effects of the fire.

Prescribed burning could seriously threaten any of the endangered species or

species of concern if the fire escaped a treatment area and burned a

significant portion of the area it inhabited.

For the first three years, the large burn areas within the Refuge would be

carefully selected to avoid endangered species. However, a few evening

primrose, wallflower, and buckwheat plants could be within a burn area, and

likely adversely affected. The Lange's metalmark butterfly could be

detrimentally affected by burning its host plant, naked stemmed buckwheat. The

small burn plots would be selected to contain a few endangered plant species

so that Refuge staff can closely monitor their response to fire. These

individuals would be adversely affected. The populations of these species

would not be adversely affected in the long term by the burn box experiment,

since it would be conducted in weed-dominated areas that would inhibit longterm regeneration of endangered species if left alone. For the first three

years, only buckwheat planted by Refuge staff approximately five years ago,

and which are poor butterfly production stands, would be burned.

Heavy smoke deposition on buckwheat stands downwind of the prescribed burns

could inhibit the respiration and feeding of any Lange's metalmark larvae that

have not yet pupated. The risk of serious impacts of smoke deposition appears

to be small. If burning occurred during the flight season of the metalmark

(July-September), adult butterflies might suffer respiratory effects, or might

attempt to flee the area and be lost to the inhospitable environment

surrounding the Refuge.

The net effect of repeated controlled burns on evening-primrose, wallflower,

and metalmark populations would probably be beneficial, since it would

probably suppress exotic weeds that inhibit growth of the endangered plants
76

Refuge Complex Manager

and the host plant of the butterfly. However, it is also possible that the

burn may stimulate weedy plant regrowth. Some species, such as yellow bush

lupine (Lupinus arboreus) develop luxuriant vegetative growth from re-sprouts

after burns, and also exhibit flushes of seed germination. After recent fires

in the dunes at Limantour Spit in Point Reyes National Seashore, abundance of

yellow bush lupine appeared to increase substantially. Although fire may

reduce the density of weed seeds, residual weed seed shallowly buried below

the soil surface may still be sufficient for robust recolonization of burned

areas. Nutrients released by burns could also stimulate regrowth of weeds.

This is particularly a risk for the first post-burn growing season.

On a long-term scale, endangered and other native species would benefit from

the removal of exotic species. Also, habitats, including designated critical

habitat for the primrose and wallflower, would be enhanced. If burning and

mowing/disking/plowing methods of non-native vegetation control prove

successful at restoring native and endangered species habitat, further large

plots and smaller experimental plots would be selected for burning. if

endangered species respond favorably to burning and mowing/disking/plowing

methods, selected areas would be burned periodically. High butterfly producing

stands and areas with high density of endangered and native species would not

be selected for burning or mowing methods of vegetation control. These

sensitive areas would continue to be maintained through hand-weeding efforts.

Species of special concern that may be affected include: California legless

lizard (Aniella pulchra pulchra), Middlekauf katydid (Idiostatus

middlekauffi), Antioch Robber Fly (Cophura hurdi), Antioch vespid wasp

(Microdynarud arenicolus), Antioch tiphiid wasp (Myrmusula pacifica), Antioch

sphecid wasp (Philanthus nasalis), yellow-banded andrenid wasp (Perdita

hirticeps luteocincta), Antioch, andrenid bee (Perdita- scitula antiochensis)

and all native bird species. The Refuge is currently monitoring the area to

determine if these species are present. If any legless lizards were found in a

proposed burn site, fire breaks would be cut around the area in order to

protect the lizards. The Refuge has not recently found any of the above insect

species, and some may be extinct. Proposed burn areas would be thoroughly

surveyed for any native bird nests prior to burning. It any nests are found,

these areas would not be burned.

Mowing/disking/plowing methods of non-native vegetation control pose less risk

than prescribed burning because there is little danger of mowing outside of

plot boundaries. Except for the absence of smoke-induced impacts, other

effects of mechanical methods to listed and other native species would be

similar to the impacts induced by burning. 

Cumulative Effects

Cumulative effects are those impacts of future non-Federal (State, local

government, and private) actions on endangered and threatened species or

critical habitat that are reasonably certain to occur within the action area.

Future Federal actions will be subject to the consultation requirements of
77

Refuge Complex Manager

section 7 of the Act and, therefore, are not considered cumulative to the

proposed action.

The project area is limited to the Refuge. Since the Refuge is federally

owned, all future proposed actions there will be subject to section 7

consultation and are not cumulative to the current action. Some individuals or

populations of Lange's metalmark, Antioch Dunes evening-primrose, and Contra

Costa wallflower occur outside the Refuge, on the adjacent PG&E lands and

elsewhere. The Service is aware of a proposed cooperative agreement between

the Refuge and PG&E that would address management of the PG&E lands. Because

of the Refuge's involvement, this agreement would also be subject to Section 7

consultation.

Cumulative impacts to Antioch Dunes evening primrose are likely to occur as a

result of the Summit Project development in Contra Costa County, where the

outlier population of mixed probable hybrid and typical evening-primrose

occurs in a former sand quarry. The probable hybrid status of the population,

however, limits its long-term conservation significance for the species. Other

non-Federal actions that the Service is currently unaware of could adversely

affect the three listed species considered here. However, the proposed

vegetation management is anticipated to have a net benefit for the endangered

species, which would help offset external cumulative effects.

Conclusion

After reviewing the current status of the Lange's metalmark butterfly, the

Antioch Dunes evening primrose, and the Contra Costa wallflower, the

environmental baseline, the effects of the proposed action, and the cumulative

effects, it is the Service's biological opinion that the proposed vegetation

management plan, using prescribed burns and other methods, is not likely to

jeopardize the continued existence of the Lange's metalmark butterfly, the

Antioch Dunes evening primrose, or the Contra Costa wallflower. No statutory

critical habitat has been designated for the Lange's metalmark, therefore,

none will be affected. The Service anticipates that the critical habitat of

the evening primrose and the wallflower will be enhanced by the proposed

action.

INCIDENTAL TAKE STATEMENT

Section 9 of the Act prohibits take (i.e. to harass, harm, pursue, hunt,

shoot, wound, kill, trap, capture or collect, or attempt to engage in any such

conduct) of listed species of fish or wildlife without a special exemption.

Harass is defined as an intentional or negligent act or omission 'which

creates the likelihood of injury to a listed species by annoying it to such an

extent as to significantly disrupt normal behavioral patterns which include,

but are not limited to, breeding, feeding, or sheltering. Harm is defined to

include significant habitat modification or degradation that results in death

or injury to listed species by impairing behavioral patterns such as breeding,

feeding, or sheltering. Incidental take is any take of listed animal species

which results from, but is not the purpose of, carrying out an otherwise

lawful activity conducted by the Federal agency or the applicant. Under the
78

Refuge Complex Manager 

terms of section 7(b)(4) and section 7(o)(2) taking that is incidental to and

not intended as part of the agency action is not considered a prohibited

taking provided that such taking is in compliance with the terms and

conditions of this incidental take statement.

The measures described below are non-discretionary, and must be implemented by

the Refuge in order for the exemption in section 7(o)(2) to apply. The Refuge

has a continuing duty to regulate the activity covered by this incidental take

statement. If the Refuge: (1) fails to adhere to the terms and conditions of

the incidental take statement, or require any applicant to adhere to these

terms and conditions through enforceable terms that are added to the permit or

and/or (2) fails to retain oversight to ensure compliance with these terms and

conditions, the protective coverage of section 7(o)(2) may lapse.

Amount or Extent of Take

The Service anticipates that Lange's metalmark butterflies may be taken as a

result of the proposed action, and that this take will be difficult to

quantify due to the difficulty of finding dead or impaired specimens, whether

as eggs, larvae, pupae, or adults. However, take of these butterflies can be

defined by the loss of larval and nectar plant habitat, disturbance, and delay

in the recovery of burned habitat. Implementation of the burn box experiment

will result in take of 0.0086 acres of Lange's metalmark habitat and all

associated life history stages of the butterfly (5 boxes containing buckwheat,

times 7 square meters each). In addition, occasional, scattered buckwheat host

plants may be killed in the large burn areas. These isolated plants are not

anticipated to support the listed metalmark. 

Effect of the Take

In the accompanying biological opinion, the Service determined that this level

of anticipated take is not likely to result in jeopardy to the listed species

considered in this opinion, nor in destruction or adverse modification of

critical habitat. 

Reasonable and Prudent Measures

The Service believes that the following reasonable and prudent measure is

necessary and appropriate to minimize the impacts of the project on Lange's

metalmark butterfly, the Antioch Dunes evening primrose, the Contra Costa

wallflower, and species of concern that potentially occur within the action

area:

Minimize and mitigate the negative short- and long-term impacts of

prescribed burning on Lange's metalmark butterfly, the Antioch Dunes

evening primrose, the Contra Costa wallflower, and the Antioch Dunes

ecosystem.
79

Refuge Complex Manager 

Terms and Conditions

In order to be exempt from the prohibitions of section 9 of the Act,. the

Refuge must comply with the following terms and conditions, which

implement the reasonable and prudent measure above. These terms and

conditions are nondiscretionary.

1. The Refuge shall not burn during the flight season of the Lange's

metalmark butterfly, mid-July to the end of September.

2. As a contingency measure in the event of excessive stimulation of weedy

vegetation in burn treatment areas (either non-native weeds or native

invasive species such as yellow bush lupine) , the Refuge shall apply,

in combination with burning, 'if appropriate, other appropriate

vegetation suppression methods (e.g., herbicide(s), deep regrading,

disking, manual weed removal).

The reasonable and prudent measure, with its implementing terms and

conditions, is designed to minimize incidental take that might otherwise

result from the proposed action. With implementation of these measures, the

Service believes that, annually, no more than 0.0086 acres of Lange's

metalmark habitat and associated life history stages of the butterfly, and

scattered unoccupied host plants will be incidentally taken. If, during the

course of the action, this minimized level of incidental take is exceeded,

such incidental take would represent new information requiring review of the

reasonable and prudent measures provided. . The Refuge must then immediately

investigate the causes of the taking and review the need for possible

modification of the reasonable and prudent measures.

Reporting Requirements

Project personnel shall be required to report immediately any information

about take or suspected take of Lange's metalmark. The Refuge shall record the

date, time, and precise location of the incident/ specimen, and any other

pertinent information. The reporting contact shall be the Office of Ecological

Services, Endangered Species Division at 916-979-2752. Any Lange's metalmark

butterflies found injured shall-be. turned in to the California Department of

Fish and Game. The agency contact is the Supervisor of Environmental, Services

of the California Department of Fish and Game (916-322-5574) . Any Lange's

metalmark butterflies found dead shall be deposited in the insect collection

of the California Academy of Sciences in San Francisco (415-750-7239).

CONSERVATION RECOMMENDATIONS

Section 7(a)(1) of the Act directs Federal agencies to utilize their

authorities to further the purposes of the Act by carrying out conservation

programs for the benefit of endangered and threatened species. Conservation

recommendations are discretionary agency activities to minimize or avoid

adverse effects of a proposed action on listed species or critical habitat, to

help implement recovery plans, or to develop information.
80

Refuge Complex Manager

The recommendations provided here relate only to the proposed action and do

not necessarily represent complete fulfillment of the agency's 7(a)(1)

responsibilities. The Service recommends the following actions to protect

federally listed species and their habitats during the control program:

1. To increase the utility of data obtained from burn boxes containing

evening-primrose and wallflower individuals, use demographic methods to

monitor rare plant species (censuses of marked individuals, measurement

of reproductive output) rather than estimates of plant cover.

Supplement measurements of non-native species richness with measures of

relative abundance or cover of dominant non-native species.

2. Add sub-treatments to the experimental burn treatments to assess the

effects of mechanical disturbance (disking, plowing) before and during

spring regeneration of dominant weeds.

3. Investigate the feasibility of grading portions of the Refuge to

increase topographic relief, dune height, and the, frequency of steep

north/northwest facing erosional slopes with sparse vegetation cover

(blowouts, erosional scarps). This structural modification could be

combined with experimental re-introduction of evening-primrose and

wallflower at the updrift (windward) ends of blowout axes. Steepened

dunes should be encouraged to remain erosional and mobile.

4. Provide copies of annual reports to the Endangered Species Division of

the Service's Sacramento Field office.

REINITIATION - CLOSING STATEMENT

This concludes formal consultation on the proposed plan to conduct prescribed

burns and other vegetation management actions at the Refuge. As provided in 50

CFR § 402.16, re-initiation of formal consultation is required where

discretionary Federal agency involvement or control over the action has been

maintained (or is authorized by law) and if: (1) the amount or extent of

incidental take is exceeded; (2) new information reveals that the action may

affect listed species or critical habitat in a manner or to an extent not

considered in this opinion; (3) the project is subsequently modified in a

manner that causes an effect to the listed species or critical habitat that

was not considered in this opinion; or (4) a new species is listed or critical

habitat designated that may be affected by the action. In instances where the

amount or extent of incidental take is exceeded, any operations causing such

take must cease pending reinitiation.

82

LITERATURE CITED

Anonymous. . 1971. Antioch primrose sown out of range. Four Seasons 4 (1) :21.

Arnold, R. A. 1980. Ecological studies of 6 endangered butterflies: island.

biogeography, patch dynamics, and the design of nature preserves. Ph.D.

thesis, Univ. of Calif. , Berkeley. 365 pp.

Arnold, R. A. 1986. Ecological studies of the endangered Lange's metalmark

butterfly at the Antioch Dunes. Unpublished report, submitted to the

San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge Complex, Newark, California.

9 pp

CDFG. 1997. Natural Diversity Data Base (computer database, March 18, 1997

edition). California Department of Fish and Game, Sacramento.

Green, J.A. 1995. Three reproductive ecological studies in the narrow endemic

0enothera deltoides ssp. howellii. M.A. thesis, Claremont Graduate

School, Claremont, CA. 33 pp.

Johnson, A.F. 1978. Report on Antioch Dunes threatened plant species.

Unpublished. California Department of Fish and Game, Sacramento

Opler, P.A. and J.A. Powell. 1962. Taxonomic and distributional studies on the

western components of the Apodemia mormo complex (Riodinidae) J. Lepid.

Soc 15:145- 171.

Pavlick, B.M., and E. Manning. 1993. Assessing limitations on the growth of

endangered plant populations. I. Experimental demography of Erysimum

capitatum ssp. angustatum and Oenothera deltoides ssp. howelii.

Biological Conservation 65: 257-265.

PG&E. 1996. Letter from Sheila Byrne, Ph.D., Biologist, to Marge Kolar, San

Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge Complex, September 3, 1996.

Pacific Gas and Electric Company, San Ramon.

Roof, J. B. 1969. In memoriam: The Antioch Dunes. Four Seasons 3(l):2-4.

Rossbach, G. B. 1958. New taxa, and new combinations in the genus Erysimum in

North America. Aliso 4:115-124.

USFWS. 1984. Revised recovery plan for three endangered species endemic to

Antioch Dunes, California. U. S. Fish and wildlife service, Region 1,

Portland, Oregon. 66 pp.

USFWS. 1987. Internal endangered species evaluation, prescribed burn, Antioch

Dunes NWR (1-1-87-1-393). Unpublished memorandum. U. S. Fish and

Wildlife Service, Region 1, Portland, Oregon. 8 pp.

USFWS. 1996. Lange's metalmark butterfly survey 1996. Unpublished memorandum.. 

U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service, San Francisco Bay National Wildlife

Refuge Complex, Newark, California. 5 pp.


85

Appendix E: Sample Burn Plan

Refuge or Station: San Francisco Bay NWR Complex 

Unit : Antioch Dunes NWR 11646 Date: 

 

Prepared By: Date: 

 Roger P. Wong 

 Prescribed Fire Burn Boss

Reviewed By: Date: 

 ADR Assistant Refuge Manager 

The approved Prescribed Fire Plan constitutes the authority to burn, pending approval of Section 7

Consultations, Environmental Assessments, or other required documents. No one has the authority to

burn without an approved plan or in a manner not in compliance with the approved plan. Prescribed

burning conditions established in the plan are firm limits. Actions taken in compliance with the approved

Prescribed Fire Plan will be fully supported, but personnel will be held accountable for actions taken

which are not in compliance with the approved plan.

Approved By: Date: 

 Margaret Kolar

 Project Leader

 San Francisco Bay/Don Edwards NWR
86

 PRESCRIBED FIRE PLAN

Refuge: San Francisco Bay NWR Complex Refuge Burn Number: 

 

Sub Station: Antioch Dunes NWR Fire Number: 

Name of Areas: Stamm Unit 

 

Total Acres To Be Burned: 11 acres divided into 2 units to be burned over one day 

Legal Description: Stamm Unit

 T.2N; R.2E, Section 18

 Lat. 38 01', Long. 121 48'

 

Is a Section 7 Consultation being forwarded to Fish and Wildlife Enhancement for review? Yes No

(circle). Biological Opinion dated June 11, 1997

(Page 2 of this PFP should be a refuge base map showing the location of the burn on Fish and Wildlife

Service land.)

The Prescribed Fire Burn Boss/Specialist must participate in the development of this plan.

 I. GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF BURN UNIT

Physical Features and Vegetation Cover Types

 

Burn Unit 1B -- Stamm Unit - Hardpan (4 acres):

Predominantly annual grasses interspersed with YST and bush lupin “skeletons” from

previous year’s prescribed burn. Elevation approximately 15-20 feet. Primarily flat

topography with some slight hummocks and elevational changes.

Sandy soils. This unit was burned in June 1999.

 

Burn Unit 2A -- Stamm Unit - Old Vineyard (7 acres):

 Predominantly annual grasses interspersed with YST and non-native vetch. Elevation and

soils same as above. This unit was burned in June 1997, 1998, 1999.
87

Map of Burn Units
88

Primary Resource Objectives of Unit

C Eliminate non-native vegetation and reduce seed bed of non-native forbs (YST, vetch etc.).

C Prepare the units for transplanting endangered plants by exposing the sandy soil substrate and

reducing competition.

Objectives of Fire

1) Blacken at least 80% of overall unit.

2) Consume at least 70% of standing vegetation.

3) Remove at least 80% of accumulated litter in burned areas.

Acceptable Range of Results

1) 80% - 100% black acreage

2) 80% - 100% consumption of standing vegetation.

3) 80% - 100% litter removal in area burned.

II. PRE-BURN MONITORING

 Hardpan 

Vegetation Type Acres % FBPS Fuel Model

annual grasses 70 1

star thistle 20 3

bush lupine 5 3

vetch 5 1 

Total 4 100 1/3 

Old Vineyard

vetch 70 1

annual grases 10 1

star thistle 20 3

Total 7 100 1/3

 III. PLANNING AND ACTIONS

Complexity Analysis Results:
89

RISK -- MODERATE (due to urban interface and nearby smoke receptors)

Site preparation

Unit 1B -- Stamm Unit - Hardpan 

The south boundary of this unit is an unimproved road that that will be opened up. Dozer line will be

constructed along the east boundary of the unit leading down to the San Joaquin River. The north

boundary will be the San Joaquin River. The west boundary will be the fenceline of Fulton Shipyard

Road. A handcrew will lop and scatter any woody vegetation greater than 2 feet in height for distance of

five feet from the east line..

Unit 2A -- Stamm Unit - Old Vineyard

 

A dozer line (1050 feet) will be constructed on the north side of this unit. A parking lot (Georgia Pacific

Gypsum plant) and chain link fence borders the east flank. The south flank runs along the Santa Fe

Railroad line. No site preparation is needed in that location. The boundary adjacent to the west line is a

chain link fence separating the refuge from a borrow pit. A gate in the fence will provide access for

engines and equipment.

Weather information required

No RAWS facilities are located in the area. The closest RAWS is located at Mount Diablo. Data

collected from that site is of little value since Mount Diablo is well above sea level of the burn site.

Therefore all site specific weather data must be collected manually by a trained weather observer every

hour. The Burn Boss will ensure weather data will be taken every hour while conducting the burn. Spot

weather forecast from Sacramento Fire Weather Office (NWS) will be requested thru Contra Costa

County Fire Department in Antioch. The battalion headquarters is located approximately 7 miles from the

burn site. Spot weather forecasts can be received on their FAX machine.
90

Insert complexity Analysis
91

Safety considerations and protection of sensitive features

Unit 1B -- Stamm Unit - Hardpan.

The Refuge is closed to public entry at all times. The Refuge parking lot (SW corner) will serve as a

safety zone. The access road will be cleared of vegetation to serve as an escape route to the safety zone. 

The San Joaquin River to the north will also act as a safety zone. AD Refuge Manager will be

responsible for contacting the City of Antioch Public Works (510-779-6967) the day before the burn and

notify them of increased activity along Fulton Shipyard Road. AD Refuge Manager will contact adjacent

landowners and businesses to prevent the parking of vehicles near the burn unit on the day of the burn.

Unit 2A -- Stamm Unit - Old Vineyard

Access for engines and equipment is through a gate on the west boundary of the burn unit. This gate will

provide access to a safety zone in the borrow pit on private property adjacent to the burn unit boundary.

Escape routes to the borrow pit will be along the 1050 foot control line that makes up the north boundary.

Chain link fences enclose the east and south flanks making escape in these directions extremely difficult.

NO PERSONNEL WILL WORK INSIDE THE BURN UNIT NEAR THESE FLANKS, unless they have

"straight line" access to the escape route or safety zone. Phone contacts for Unit 1 apply.

Special Safety Precautions Needing Attention:

The Burn Boss will coordinate with the Contra Costa County Fire Department well in advance of ignition

date to ensure radio/communication compatibility.

Media Contacts: 

The AD Refuge Manager is responsible for notifying local publics affected by the operation thru local

newspaper and other media.

 

Communications and Coordination on the Burn:

The Burn Boss will review the burn plan, radios, PPE, escape routes, safety zones and engines prior to

burning. NIFC Tac-2 will be assigned radio frequency for all firing and holding operations (154.200). The

Burn Boss will call start and declare out to the Contra Costa County Fire Department. The Burn Boss

will brief the County Battalion Chief 1 week in advance of planned ignition date and will supply a copy

of this burn plan 2 months in advance. In the event of a medical emergency or burn injury, the County

Fire Department will assume control of the medical incident.

The Burn Boss will contact the Bay Area Air Quality Management District prior to ignition on the day of

the burn as required by Regulation 5, Open Burning, Section 8, Allowable Fires (5-401), P - Wildland

Vegetation Management, Item 5, and to ensure Burn Day Status.
92

IV. IGNITION, BURNING AND CONTROL

Planned or Proposed Actual

Scheduling: Approx. Date(s) June 

FBPS Fuel Model 1 Low High Actual

Temperature 

Relative Humidity 

Wind Speed (20' forecast) 

Wind Speed (mid-flame) 

Cloud Cover (%) 

ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS 

Soil Moisture 

1 hr. Fuel Moisture 

10 hr. FM 

100 hr. FM 

Woody Live Fuel Moisture 

Herb. Live Fuel Moisture 

Litter/Duff Moisture 

FIRE BEHAVIOR

Type of Fire (H,B,F) 

Rate of Spread 

Fireline Intensity 

Flame Length
93

Ignition Technique:

 

 WHEN WINDS ARE FROM THE WEST

Unit 1B -- Stamm Unit - Hardpan 1

Establish blackline along the east dozer line. Once fire has burned at least 20 feet on the east flank, strip

headfire in S-N lines (unimproved road to San Joaquin River). Continue strip firing to Fulton Shipyard

fenceline.

Unit 2A -- Stamm Unit - Old Vineyard.

Establish secure blackline along E boundary (adjacent to gypsum plant). Once backing fire has burned in

at least 20 feet along E flank, begin strip headfire starting downwind working upwind. Widen strips as

fire behavior and safety dictates. All strip fires should spread in a W - E direction bumping into black

along the E flank.

Prescribed Fire Organization (See Section VII, Crew and Equipment Assignments. All personnel and

their assignments must be listed. All personnel must be qualified for the positions they will fill.)

A minimum of 3 Type 4 engines will be on site during ignition. Personnel will rotate between ignition

and holding actions. 

Prescription monitoring (Discuss monitoring procedure and frequency to determine if conditions for the

burn are within prescription):

BEHAVE predictions will model fire behavior. Belt weather kit will be used to monitor actual burn day

weather conditions. 
94

V. SMOKE MANAGEMENT

Permits required:

This burn plan will be submitted to the Bay Area Air Quality Management District (BAAQMD) 30 days

in advance of planned ignition. Written approval by BAAQMD is required. The Burn Boss will submit a

Controlled Burn Request Form 7 days prior to the proposed ignition date if there is any uncertainty

regarding possibility of a "No-Burn Day". This burn plan meets criteria and will be submitted under

Regulation 5, Open Burning, Section 8 Allowable Fires, P - Wildland Vegetation Management:

"...application of fire to vegetation to achieve a specific natural resource management objective... These

fires are conducted within the limits of a written burn plan and prescription...to achieve the desired

effects."

Distance and Direction from Smoke Sensitive Area(s):

A large portion of the City of Antioch lies south and east of the proposed burn area. Smoke will

inevitably drift towards these areas. Numerous smoke receptors will be effected by the burn.

Necessary Transport Wind Direction, Speed and Mixing Height (Explain how this information will be

obtained and used): 

Winds will be NW to SE or W to E. When requesting the spot weather forecast mixing height and

transport wind speed for that particular day will be requested. Actual mixing height will be determined by

the test burn. A minimum of 1,000 foot mixing height is desired.

Visibility Hazard(s) (Roads, airports, etc.):

Santa Fe, Atchison and Topeka Railroad lies directly south of Burn Unit 2. Fulton Shipyard Road lies

directly south of Burn Unit 1. Wilbur Road lies directly south of Burn Unit 3. 

Actions to Reduce Visibility Hazard (s)

Burning will begin in late-morning (1100) to mid-afternoon (1300) when unstable atmospheric conditions

enhance smoke dispersal. The Burn Boss will monitor the smoke dispersal from backing fires prior to

interior firing. City of Antioch Public Works will be contacted approximately 1 week prior to the

proposed burn date. The Refuge Manager will contact Public Works on the day of the burn to confirm the

activity. The Refuge Manager will contact the City of Antioch Police Department the day of the burn to

notify them of potential smoke across the roads. The Burn Boss will be responsible for contacting the

Santa Fe Railroad 1 week prior and the day of the burn to advise them of smoke drifting across their

tracks. 
95

Residual Smoke Problems:

Mop up activities should be minimal due to almost complete consumption of 1 hour target fuels. All

smokes and hot spots be mopped up (100% mop up) before moving on to burn next unit.

Particulate emissions in Tons/Acre and how calculated:

Assume Total PM Emission Factor for grass is 10 lbs/ton; assume 100% consumption. Estimated fuel

loading for the entire burn is 200 lbs/ac.

CALCULATIONS:

 

200 lbs/ac X 1 ton/2000 lbs = 0.1 tons/ac TOTAL FUEL CONSUMED

Total Fuel Consumed (0.1 tons/ac) X Emission Factor (10 lbs/ton)

 =1.0 lbs/ac TOTAL EMISSIONS

Total burned area acreage (11 ac) X Total emissions (1.0 lbs/ac) = 11.0 lbs of EMISSIONS

RELEASED FOR ENTIRE BURN over a1 day period.

 
96

VI. FUNDING AND PERSONNEL

Activity Code: 

Costs

Equipment &

Supplies Labor

OvertimeStaff

Days Total

Cost

Admin.

(planning,

permits,

etc.)

Site

Preparation

Ignition &

Control

Travel/Per

Diem

Total
97

VI. BURN-DAY ACTIVITIES

Public/Media Contacts on Burn Day (List with telephone numbers):

Santa Fe Railroad (Pittsburg, CA)

Bob Tidwell, Security Agent - 510-231-2754

John Cockle, Train Master - 510-231-2603

Contra Costa County Fire Department

Tony Cambell, Chief Officer - 510-930-5551

Jay Highson, Training Officer - 510-930-5500

 Operations Officer - 510-757-1303

Bay Area Air Quality Management District

Daniel Belick, Air Quality Specialist - 415-749-4786

Doug Tolar, Enforcement Program Specialist - 415-749-5118

 (FAX) 415-928-0338

Burn Day Status Pre-recording 1-800-435-7247

City of Antioch Public Works

 Mike Bechteloldt, Supervisor - 510-779-6967

Crew & Equipment Assignments (List all personnel, equipment needed, and assignments. The following is

not an all-inclusive list for what you may need.)

 See chart

Crew Briefing Points:

Communications - NIFC Tac-2 (154.200) to be designated operations frequency

Hazards - LCES will be reviewed for each individual burn unit. Specific hazards pertaining to each unit will

be discussed.

Escape Fire - Holding Boss will be identified and actions will be discussed.

Coordination - County Fire personnel to be available for medical response if necessary.

Personnel Escape Plan:

Discussed in Safety Considerations in Planning Actions.
98

Special Safety Requirements:

There are clearly identifiable safety concerns on all 2 burn units. Though these units are small in size,

FIREFIGHTER SAFETY WILL BE PARAMOUNT when conducting this burn. Fuels are flashy with rapid

rates of spread. For that reason, NO ONE WILL WORK ALONG THOSE FLANKS WHERE ESCAPE

ROUTES ARE NOT DIRECTLY ACCESSIBLE.

Holding and Control:

Critical Control Problems:

The key to holding the Hardpan 1 fire will be in the integrity of the control line along the east

boundary. The critical holding point on the Old Vineyard fire will be west and north boundaries. As

long as winds are west or northwest we will not have any control problems. 

Water Refill Points:

Water may be drafted from nearby fire hydrant at Fulton Shipyard Road

500 gallon “pumpkin” tank may be set up on site.

Contingency Plan for Escaped Fire (Are there crews standing by to initial attack or will people doing other

jobs be called upon to do initial attack, who must be called in case of an escape, what radio frequencies will

be used, etc.)

If the fire escapes the burn unit and remains within the refuge boundary, FWS will assume the command of

the incident. If the fire escapes the burn unit and threatens local responsibility protection area, Unified

Command between FWS and County Fire will be assumed. In the event of an escaped fire, direct attack

methods will be used. Contra Costa County Fire Dept will be contacted immediately for any structural

protection needs or reinforced attack in the case of vegetation fire. SNL staffed engines will be primary initial

attack units if the fire escapes. SFR Pumper will be used for mop up and patrol only.

Mop Up and Patrol:

All smokes will be put out by the holding crew prior to leaving the site. The Burn Boss and Refuge Manager

will patrol the burn site the next morning to check for smokes or hot spots that may have been missed the day

before.
99

 VIII. CRITIQUE OF BURN

Were burn objectives within acceptable range of results? (Refer to Section I):

What would be done differently to obtain results or get better results?

Was there any deviation from plan? If so, why?

Problems and general comments:

 X. POST-BURN MONITORING

Date: Refuge Burn Number: 

Length of Time after Burn: 

Vegetative Transects:

Comments on Habitat Conditions, etc.:

Photo Documentation:

Other:

 X. FOLLOW-UP EVALUATION

Date: Refuge Burn Number: 

Length of Time after Burn: 

Vegetative Transects: 

Comments on Habitat Conditions, etc.:

Photo Documentation:

Other:
100

APPENDIX F: DISPATCH PLAN

When a report of smoke or fire on the Refuge is received, get as much information from the 

caller or messenger as possible:

Location of smoke or fire?

Location of caller?

Name and telephone number or contact point of the caller or messenger?

Color of smoke?

Size of fire?

Type of fuel (What is burning?)

Character of the fire (Active, smoldering, etc.)?

Is anyone fighting the fire? How many personnel? Equipment?

Did they see anyone in the vicinity or vehicles leaving the area?

Is the fire site accessible by a slip-on unit?

What are the weather conditions at the fire?

1) Report to:

Contra Costa County Fire Protection District (925)930-5500 or 9-1-1

The Contra Costa County Fire Protection District is dispatched through this central system. The Refuge is

currently working with the County to put lock boxes on both Refuge Units.

Addresses: Sardis Unit #1551 Wilbur Avenue

Stamm Unit #501 Fulton Shipyard road

2. Due to the distance of Antioch Dunes NWR from the Fremont HQ, the fire will likely have already been

extinguished before Refuge personnel arrive. However, a Refuge police officer and Refuge firefighter unit

should be dispatched for mop-up, fire investigation and report purposes.

3. If discovered while on the Refuge, call 911 or the Protection District at (925) 930-5500 or Refuge

Headquarters (510)792-0222 for assistance. 

4. Dispatch Refuge firefighters if the fire is on the Refuge or threatens Refuge property.

5. Notify Refuge Manager, Project Leader, on-duty Police Officer, and Zone Management Officer (Roger

Wong -209/826-3508; Home (209) 827-4390).

6. For fires occurring at night or on weekends, the following individuals should be notified in order:

a. On-call Refuge Officer: Call Park Police Dispatch (415)561-5510

 

 Headquarters (510) 792-0222

 Barry Tarbet (510) 247-3357 (home) Cell (510) 377-5852

 Jon Adamson (510) 782-1154 (home) Cell (510) 377-5885
101

b. Refuge Manager

 Chris Bandy (510) 814-1053 (home) Cell (510) 377-5928

c. Refuge Officers: 

 Barry Tarbet (510)247-3357 

 Jon Adamson (510)782-1154

d. Project Leader

 Marge Kolar (510)745-0332 Cell (510) 377-9450

e. Wildlife Biologist 

 Ivette Loredo (510)377-5956 Cell

f. Zone Fire Management Officer

 Roger Wong (209)826-3508 Cell (209) 704-4508

g. Refuge Firefighters: Juan Flores, Chris Bandy, Joy Albertson,, Mike Parker, 

 Arthur Chan, Joelle Buffa

7. Other Refuge Personnel (cell phone #):

Clyde Morris 510-377-2781

Carmen Leong 510-377-9229

Brian Allen 510-377-5926

Bryan Winton 707-975-5521

Joelle Buffa 510-377-5958

Joy Albertson 510-377-5693

Art Chan 510-377-3119

Juan Flores 510-377-5891

8. Other personnel to be involved if necessary:

Pam Ensley, Regional Fire Management Coordinator,

Regional Office: (503) 231-6174 or residence (360) 835-7004 

Andy Anderson, Regional Fire Management Officer

Regional Office: (503) 231-6175 or (360) 666-5031 residence

Roddy Baumann, Regional Prescribed Fire Specialist

Regional Office: (503) 231-2075 or (360) 573-9444 residence

Mendocino National Forest Communications Center, Willows, CA

1-888-663-3479
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APPENDIX G: DELEGATION OF AUTHORITY

Antioch Dunes NWR

Delegation of Authority

for

___________________ Incident

_______________________ is assigned as Incident Commander. You have full authority and responsibility

for managing the fire suppression activities within the framework of laws, Agency policy, and direction

provided in the Wildland Fire Situation Analysis and the Agency Administrator Briefing.

Your primary responsibility is to organize and direct your assigned resources for efficient and effective

suppression of the fire. You are accountable to the Agency Administrator or the representatives designated

below.

Specific direction for this incident covering management and environmental concerns are:

1. Protection of life and private property is your highest priority task.

2. Give special consideration to firefighter safety, especially with respect to aviation operations,

working around dozers, snags, and entrapments. Avoid sensitive environmental areas. When in

doubt, sacrifice acres not people in your strategic and tactical decisions. 

3. You are authorized to utilize helicopters, chainsaws, portable pumps, fireline explosives, and

retardant at Antioch Dunes NWR. You are not authorized to use equipment within the

_________________________________________. 

4. Manage human resources assigned to the fire in a manner that promotes mutual respect and is

consistent with the enclosed U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service “Harassment-Free Workplace” policy.

5. Be cost effective; Final costs should be no more than 120% of the preferred WFSA alternative.

6. Manage equipment and supplies to ensure losses are within Acceptable Fire Loss/Use Rates.

You should takeover management of the incident on or before _________, __________________. 

_________________________________ ________________

Marge Kolar, Project Leader, Antioch Dunes NWR Date

Delegation of Authority - Guidelines for Mitigating the Effects of Fire Suppression

LINE BUILDING

1. Do not fall snags on the outside of the line unless they are an obvious safety hazard.

2. On the inside of the line, fall only those snags that would reach the fire line should they burn and fall

over, or if they are an obvious safety hazard.

3. Don’t cut live trees over 12" d.b.h. unless deemed absolutely necessary by the Complex Manager.

Limbing of these trees, as necessary, should be the first choice.

4. Cut brush or small trees flush with the ground if the area is visible from roads.

5. Lop and scatter cut limbs so the depth will not exceed 15 inches.
103

MOP-UP

1. Extinguish fire in living trees or snags within 200 feet of the fires perimeter with water or dirt. Fell

those trees as a last resort.

2. If felling occurs in the vicinity of service roads/trails, cut the stumps flush with the ground.

3. Buck fallen trees across service roads/trails only to the extent necessary to facilitate road/trail

passage.

AIR OPERATIONS

1. Consider fixed wing delivery of water vs. standard colored retardant.

2. When possible, use long line slings instead of cutting helispots.

3. ETC. ADD ANY OTHERS HERE.
104

APPENDIX H: NOTIFICATION LIST FOR PRESCRIBED BURNING

Pacific Gas and Electric Company, Attn: Sally de Becker, Biologist

3400 Crow Canyon Road

San Ramon, CA 94583

(925) 866-5836

Santa Fe Railroad, Attn: Larry Hartman, Terminal Manager

303 South Garrard Blvd.

Richmond, CA 94801

(510) 231-2603/2601/2754

Contra Costa Fire Department, Attn: Tony Cambell

2010 Geary Rd.

Pleasanthill, CA 94523

(925) 930-5551

City of Antioch Public Works, Attn: Ron Ullman, Supervisor

P.O. Box 5007

Antioch, CA 94531-5007

(925) 779-6967

GP Gypsum Plant, Attn: Tim Trichart

P.O. Box 460

Antioch, CA 94509

(925) 757-2870

(925) 757-8540 (fax)

Ask them to move cars from west boundary

Kemwater

2151 Wilbur Ave.

Antioch, CA 94509

(925) 757-8230

Fulton Shipyard Inc., Attn: Leslie Fulton

307 Fulton Shipyard Rd.

Antioch, CA 94509

(925) 757-2611

Inland Marine

801 Fulton Shipyard Road

Antioch, CA 94509

(925) 757-1714

Antioch Police Department

300 L. Street

Antioch, CA 94509

(925) 779-6900
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APPENDIX I: RCRC

REQUEST FOR CULTURAL RESOURCE COMPLIANCE

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Region 1

Project Name: Program:

(Partners, Refuges,

JITW, WSECP, etc.)

State: CA, ID, HI,

NV, OR, WA

EcoRegion:

CBE, IPE,KCE, NCE

FWS Unit:

Org Code:

Project

Location:

County Township Range Section FWS Contact:

Name, 

Tel#, 

Address

USGS Quad: Date of Request:

Total project

acres/linear

ft/m:

APE Acres /

linear ft/m

(if different)

Proposed

Project Start

Date:

MAPS Attached Check below

Copy of portion of USGS Quad with

project area marked clearly (required)

Project (sketch) map showing Area of Potential Effect

with locations of specific ground altering activities

(required)

Photocopy of aerial photo showing

location (if available)

Any other project plans, photographs, or drawings

that may help CRT in making determination (if

available)

Directions to

Project:

(if not obvious)

Description of

Undertaking:

Describe proposed project and means to facilitate (e.g., provide funds to revegetate 1 mile of riparian habitat, restore 250

acres of seasonal wetlands, and construct a 5-acre permanent pond). How is the project designed (e.g., install 2 miles of

fence and create approximately 25' of 3' high check dam)?
106

Area of

Potential

Effects (APE):

Describe where disturbance of the ground will occur. What are the dimensions of the area to be disturbed? How deep

will you excavate? How far apart are fenceposts? What method are you using to plant vegetation? Where will fill be

obtained? Where will soil be dumped? What tools or equipment will be used? Are you replacing or repairing a structure?

Will you be moving dirt in a relatively undisturbed area? Will the project reach below or beyond the limits of prior land

disturbance? Differentiate between areas slated for earth movement vs. areas to be inundated only. Is the area to be

inundated different from the area inundated today, in the recent past, or under natural conditions? Provide acres and/or

linear ft/m for all elements of the project.

Environmental

and Cultural

Setting:

Briefly describe the environmental setting of the APE. A) What was the natural habitat prior to modifications,

reclamation, agriculture, settlement? B) What is land-use history? When was it first settled, modified? How deep has it

been cultivated, grazed, etc.? C) What is land use and habitat today? What natural agents (e.g., sedimentation,

vegetation, inundation) or cultural agents (e.g., cultivation) might affect the ability to discover cultural resources? D) Do

you (or does anybody else) know of cultural resources in or near the project area?
Appendix K

Glossary of Terms

K-1

Appendix K - Glossary of Terms

A , daptive Management The rigorous application of management

research, and monitoring to gain information and

experience necessary to assess and modify

management activities. A process that uses

feedback from refuge research and monitoring

and evaluation of management actions to support

or modify objectives and strategies at all

planning levels.

A r lternatives Different sets of objectives and strategies o

means of achieving refuge purposes and goals,

helping fulfill the Refuge System mission, and

resolving issues.

Approved Refuge Boundary An approved refuge boundary gives the Service

authority to acquire land contained within the

boundary. The approved Refuge boundary

identifies important and sensitive resource areas

that the Service is looking to protect for a long

period of time. Landowners within a refuge

boundary retain all the rights, privileges, and

responsibilities of private land ownership. After

the Director approves a refuge boundary, the

Service can make offers to purchase land, or

enter into management agreements with willing

landowners within the approved boundary.

Lands do not become part of the National

Wildlife Refuge System unless they are

purchased or are placed under a management

agreement with the individual landowner.

B g iological Diversity The variety of life, including the variety of livin

organisms, the genetic differences among them,

and the communities in which they interact.

B e iological Integrity Biotic composition, structure, and function at th

genetic, organism, and community levels

consistent with natural conditions, including the

natural biological processes that shape genomes,

organisms, and communities.

C . FR Code of Federal Regulations

C y ompatible Use A wildlife-dependent recreational use or an

other use of a refuge that, in the sound

professional judgement of the director, will not

materially interfere with or detract from the

fulfillment of the mission of the Refuge System

or the purpose of the refuge unit (Service

Manual 603 FW 3.6).

Comprehensive Conservation Plan

(CCP)

A plan that: (1) describes the desired future

conditions of a refuge or planning unit and

provides long-range guidance and management

direction to achieve refuge purposes; (2) helps

fulfill the mission of the Refuge System; (3)
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maintains and where appropriate restores the

ecological integrity of each refuge and the

Refuge System; (4) helps achieve the goals of the

National Wilderness Preservation System; and

(5) meets other mandates.

C . oncern See Issues

C a oordination Area A wildlife management area made available to

State, by "(A) cooperative agreement between

the United States Fish and Wildlife Service and

the State fish and game agency pursuant to

Section 4 of the Fish and Wildlife Coordination

Act (16 U.S.C. 664); or (B) long-term leases or

agreements pursuant to the Bankhead-Jones

Farm Tenant Act (50 Stat. 525; 7 U.S.C. 1010 et

seq.)." States manage Coordination Areas, but

they are part of the Refuge System. CPPs are

not required for Coordination Areas.

Cultural Resource Overview A comprehensive document prepared for a field

office that discusses, among other things, an

area's prehistory and cultural history, the nature

and extent of known cultural resources in the

area, relevant previous research, management

objectives, and resource management conflicts or

issues, and provides a general statement of how

program objectives should be met and conflicts

resolved. An overview should reference or

incorporate information from a field office's

background or literature search as described in

Section VIII of the Cultural Resource

Management Handbook (Service Manual 614

FW 1.7).

Cultural Resource Inventory A professionally conducted study designed to

locate and evaluate evidence of cultural

resources present within a defined geographic

area. Various levels of cultural resources

inventories include background literature search,

comprehensive field examination to identify all

exposed physical manifestations of cultural

resources, and sample inventory to project site

distribution and density over a larger area.

Evaluation of identified cultural resources to

determine eligibility for the National Register

follows the criteria found in 36 CFR 60.4

(Service Manual 614 FW 1.7).

D s esignated Wildernesss Area An area designated by the United State

Congress for management as a part of the

National Wilderness Preservation System

(Service Manual 610 FW 1.5).

E l cological Integrity The integration of biological integrity, natura

biological diversity, and environmental health;

replication of natural ecological conditions.

E s cosystem A biological community together with it

environment, functioning as a unit. For
K-3

administrative purposes, we have designated 53

ecosystems covering the United States and its

possessions. These ecosystems generally

correspond with watershed boundaries, and their

sizes and ecological complexity vary.

E n cosystem Approach An approach to conservation and restoratio

that focuses on protecting or restoring the

natural function, structure, and species

composition of an ecosystem, recognizing that all

components are interrelated.

E f nvironmental Health Abiotic composition, structure and function o

the environment consistent with natural

conditions, including the natural abiotic

processes that shape the environment.

Environmental Impact Statement

(EIS)

A detailed written statement, required by

section 102(2)(C) of the National Environmental

Policy Act, that analyzes the environmental

impacts of a proposed action, including

unavoidable adverse effects of the project, the

alternative courses of action, short-term uses of

the environment versus the maintenance and

enhancement of the long-term productivity, and

any irreversible and irretrievable commitment of

resources (40 CFR 1508.11).

E n nvironmental Assessment (EA) A concise public document prepared i

compliance with the National Environmental

Policy Act, that briefly discusses the purpose of

and need for an action and the reasonable

alternatives to the action, and analyzes the

action's potential impacts in sufficient detail to

determine whether to prepare an environmental

impact statement or finding of no significant

impact (40 CFR 1508.9).

Finding of No Significant Impact

(FONSI)

A document prepared in compliance with the

National Environmental Policy Act and

supported by an environmental assessment that

briefly explains why a Federal action will have

no significant effect on the natural or human

environment (40 CFR 1508.13).

G d oal Descriptive, open-ended, and often broa

statement of desired future conditions that

conveys a purpose but does not define

measurable units.

I a ssue Any unsettled matter that requires

management decision, such as initiative,

opportunity, resource management problem,

threat to the resources of the unit, conflict

between uses, public concern, or the presence of

an undesirable resource condition.

M . anagement Alternative See Alternative

M e anagement Concern See Issu
K-4

M e anagement Opportunity See Issu

M d ission Statement Succinct statement of the unit's purpose an

reason for being (Region 7 Planning Staff).

National Wildlife Refuge

(refuge)

A designated area of land or water, or an

interest in land or water, within the Refuge

System (excluding Coordination Areas). Find

a complete listing of all units of the Refuge

System in the current Annual Report of Lands

Under Control of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife

Service.

National Wildlife Refuge System

Mission (mission)

"The mission of the System is to administer a

national network of lands and waters for the

conservation, management, and where

appropriate, restoration of the fish, wildlife,

and plant resources and their habitats within

the United States for the benefit of present

a Am s nd future generations of e " rican .

National Wildlife Refuge System,

Refuge System, or System

Various categories of lands, waters, and

interests therein that are administered by the

Secretary of the Interior for the protection,

conservation, and where appropriate,

restoration of fish and wildlife including

species that are threatened with extinction;

includes wildlife ranges, game ranges, and

wildlife management or waterfowl production

areas.

N g o Action Alternatives An alternative under which existin

management would be continued.

N - onpriority Public Uses Any use other than a compatible wildlife

dependent recreational use.

N , otice of Intent (NOI) A notice, published in the Federal Register

that an environmental impact statement will be

prepared and considered (40 CFR 1508.22).

O o bjective A concise statement of what we want t

achieve, how much we want to achieve, when

and where we want to achieve it, and who is

responsible for the work. Objectives derive

from goals and provide the basis for

determining strategies, monitoring refuge

accomplishments, and evaluating the success of

strategies. Objectives should be attainable,

time-specific, and measurable.

O . pportunities Potential solutions to Issues

P l lanning Area The area upon which a planning effort wil

focus. A planning area may include lands

outside existing planning unit boundaries

currently under study for future inclusion in
K-5

the Refuge System and/or partnership planning

efforts. It also may include watersheds or

ecosystems that are outside our jurisdiction but

affect the planning unit. At a minimum, the

planning area includes all lands within the

approved refuge boundary.

P n lanning Team Planning teams are interdisciplinary i

membership and function. Teams generally

consist of a Planning Team Leader, the Refuge

Manager and staff biologist, a state natural

resource agency representative, and other

appropriate program specialists (e.g., social

scientist, ecologist, recreation specialist). We also

will ask other Federal and Tribal natural

resource agencies to provide team members, as

appropriate. The Planning Team prepares the

CCP and appropriate NEPA documentation.

P y lanning Unit A single refuge, ecologically or administrativel

related refuge complex, or distant unit of a

refuge. The planning unit also may include

lands currently outside refuge boundaries.

P t referred Alternative The Service's selected alternative at the draf

CCP stage.

P o rescribed Fire The application of fire to wildland fuels t

achieve identified land use objectives (Service

Manual 621 FW 1.7). May be ignited naturally

or intentionally.

P s riority Public Uses Compatible wildlife-dependent recreation use

(hunting, fishing, wildlife observation and

photography, and environmental education and

interpretation) are the priority general public

uses of the System and shall receive priority

consideration in refuge planning and

management.

P r roposed Action The Service's proposed action fo

Comprehensive Conservation Plans is to prepare

the CCP and implement the preferred

alternative it outlines.

P d ublic Involvement The process by which interested and affecte

individuals, organizations, agencies, and

governmental entities participate in the planning

and decision-making process.

P e ublic Involvement Plan Broad long-term guidance for involving th

public in the comprehensive planning process.

P f ublic Individuals, organizations, and groups; officals o

Federal, State, and local government agencies;

Native American tribes; and foreign nations. It

may include anyone outside the core planning

team. It includes those who may or
K-6

may not have indicated an interest in

Service issues and those who do or do not

realize that Service decisions may affect

them.

P m urpose of the Refuge "The purpose specified in or derived fro

the law, proclamation, executive order,

agreement, public land order, donation

document, or administrative memorandum

establishing, authorizing, or expanding

refuge, refuge unit, or refuge subunit." For

refuges that encompass wilderness

designated by Congress the purposes of the

Wilderness Act are additional purposes of

the refuge.

R . efuge Goal See Goal

S n tep-Down Management Plan A plan that provides specific guidance o

management subjects (e.g., habitat, public

use, fire, safety) or groups of related

subjects. It describes strategies and

implementation schedules for meeting CCP

goals and objectives.

S r takeholders The people who have a direct interest o

involvement in something (usually open

space or urban lands or a plan for the

management of such lands). Stakeholders in

a CCP usually include Service staff and

members of the local community.

S r trategy A specific action, tool, technique, o

combination of actions, tools, and techniques

used to meet unit objectives.

T n iering The practice of covering general matters i

broader ("programmatic") environmental

impact statements with subsequent

narrower ("focused") statements addressing

specific issues; focused documents

incorporate by reference the general

discussions in the broader document (40

CFR 1508.28).

T e rust Descibes a resource that is committed to th

stewardship of a legally responsible agency

(trustee agency) to be cared for or

preserved in the public interest. E.g., trust

species.

U a ndertaking A project or plan initiated or overseen by

Federal agency; roughly equivalent to the

NEPA usage of action.

U . nit Objective See Objective

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Mission Our mission is working with others to

conserve, protect, and enhance fish, wildife,

and plants and other habitats for the

continuing benefit of the American people.
K-7

V e ision Statement A concise statement of the desired futur

condition of the planning unit, based primarily

upon the Refuge System mission, specific refuge

purposes, and other relevant mandates (Service

Manual 602 FW 1.5).

W . ilderness See Designated Wilderness

W e ilderness Reivew The process we use to determine whether w

should recommend Refuge System lands and

waters, to Congress for wilderness designation.

The wilderness review process consists of three

phases: inventory, study, and recommendation.

The inventory is a broad look at the refuge to

identify lands and waters that meet the

minimum criteria for wildernesss. The study

evaluates all values (ecological, recreation,

cultural), resources (e.g., wildlife, water,

vegetation, minerals, soils), and uses

(management and public) within the Wilderness

Study Area. The findings of the study

determine whether we will recommend the area

for designation as wilderness.

W n ildfire A free-burning fire requiring a suppressio

response; all fire other than prescribed fire that

occurs on wildlands (Service Manual 621 FW

1.7).

W a ildland Fire Every wildland fire is either a wildfire or

prescribed fire (Service Manual 621 FW 1.3).

Wildlife-Dependent Recreational Use "A use of a refuge involving hunting, fishing,

wildlife observation and photography, or

environmental education and interpretation."

These are the six priority public uses of the

Refuge System as established in the National

Wildlife Refuge System Administration Act, as

amended. Widlife-dependent recreational uses,

other than the six prioprity public uses, are

those that depend on the presence of wildlife.

We consider these other uses in the preparation

of refuge CCPs; however, the six priority public

uses will always take precedence.
K-8