Mountain Road 109 (M109) over White River Bridge Revegetation Project

Mountain Road 109 (M109) over White River Bridge Revegetation Project

As mitigation for impacts to California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) riparian habitat as a result of the M109 over White River Bridge Replacement Project, Tulare County will compensate for permanent loss of 57 trees by planting locally native species at an off-site restoration site. These trees have already been removed and this Project is mitigation as identified in the Initial Study and Mitigated Negative Declaration Mountain Road 109 White River Bridge Replacement Project (NOD filed August 30, 2022; SCH# 2021050226). Off-site restoration efforts will occur within the Pixley National Wildlife Refuge (Pixley NWR), located in the same watershed as the Project (Upper Deer-Upper White) approximately 31 miles west-northwest from the Project site. The refuge sits within the historic flood plain of Deer Creek that currently runs along the southern edge of the refuge. Management activities are focused on management of habitat for several state- and federally listed species including Tipton kangaroo rat (Dipodomys nitratoides nitratoides), blunt-nosed leopard lizard (Gambelia sila), San Joaquin kit fox (Vulpes macrotis) and Buena Vista Lake ornate shrew (Sorex ornatus relictus), wetland and waterfowl habitat management, and riparian restoration. Existing riparian habitat occurs in less than one percent of the refuge, covering approximately 15 acres in a narrow remnant band. The proposed mitigation would establish 234 riparian tree plantings along an approximately 1.2-mile drainage (Center Ditch) centrally located in the refuge’s wetland parcels, helping to gain a foothold to a significant increase in the riparian habitat in the refuge with associated habitat values. Trees to be planted along Center Ditch include Fremont cottonwood (Populus fremontii), Goodding’s willow (Salix gooddingii), narrowleaf willow (Salix exigua) and red willow (Salix laevigata). Cuttings taken for the restoration site will be collected in Pixley NWR from healthy, disease-free mature plants and shall be taken from a variety of individuals to preserve genetic diversity. Cuttings will be collected during late fall to early winter when the applicable species are dormant, and then either planted immediately into soil or will be pre- rooted by holding the cuttings in water for several weeks until root development is observed. Planting and preparation of the trees will be done by hand with no egress into restoration area with vehicles or equipment.

unincorporated area, northwest of Earlimart, CA

Tulare

Unincorporated

Tulare