Protection Measures Selection Tool

Implement the following measures for projects that are within or adjacent to suitable habitat that could be occupied by vernal pool branchiopods, as applicable.

– Ground Disturbance Adjacent to Vernal Pools. Implement the following measures for project sites that include suitable habitat that could be occupied by vernal pool branchiopods, as applicable.

– Work Window. Work within 250 feet of suitable special-status vernal pool branchiopod habitat (e.g., vernal pools, seasonal wetlands) will be performed under dry site conditions, to the extent feasible. If project proponents believe projects must be conducted outside of these work windows due to site specific or other constraints, project proponents may propose alternate work periods for review and approval by the agency(ies).

– Work Restrictions During Wet Season. Work should be planned for the dry season whenever possible. If the proponent determines that construction activities must occur outside of the dry season, Environmentally Sensitive Area fencing and erosion control materials will be placed around vernal pools and other seasonal wetlands, as determined by the agency-approved biologist, to avoid sedimentation into vernal pool habitat or altering site hydrology. If project proponents believe projects must be conducted outside of these work windows due to site specific or other constraints, project proponents may propose alternate work periods for review and approval by the agency(ies).

– Biological Monitor: Agency-approved biologist will monitor construction activities.

– Erosion Control: Any vernal pool, vernal pool grassland, or seasonal wetland will be protected from siltation and potentially contaminated runoff from construction equipment by use of erosion control measures.

– Dust Control. Dust control measures will be implemented to prevent the transport of soil from exposed surfaces to vernal pool, swale, and rock pool habitat.

– Ground Disturbance within Vernal Pools. If the intent of a proposed project is to improve habitat for special-status vernal pool branchiopods (e.g., enlarge, deepen, repair, or otherwise modify suitable aquatic habitat), and would require ground disturbance within suitable habitat, the project proponent will submit detailed project design information for review and approval by the agency(ies). Any ground disturbing activities within 25 feet of the edge of the pool will be conducted consistent with a plan reviewed and approved by the agency(ies), and will be conducted during the dry season. The following measures may also apply and should be considered during development of the plan that will be submitted to the agency(ies):

– If inoculum from an existing site will be used for restoration/enhancement, the plan will identify any proposed donor pools and include documentation that they are free of versatile fairy shrimp (Branchinecta lindahli). No more than 5 percent of the basin area of any donor pool will be used for collection of inoculum.

– Restoration plans that include grading or re-grading of vernal pools will include all final specifications and topographic-based grading, planting, and watering plans for the vernal pools, watersheds and surrounding uplands (including adjacent mima mounds) at the restoration sites. The grading plans will also show the watersheds of extant vernal pools, and overflow pathways that hydrologically connect the restored pools in a way that mimics natural vernal pool complex topography/hydrology.

– Restoration plans that include grading or re-grading of vernal pools will include a hydraulic analysis that shows each proposed vernal pool and its watershed, and a calculation showing vernal pool to watershed ratio. The vernal pool to watershed ratio will be similar to extant pools closest to the restoration area.

– Prior to ground disturbance within suitable habitat, loose substrate, which may include branchiopod cysts, will be collected from the pool area to be disturbed by vacuum and stored in dry conditions until grading is complete.

– Topsoil will be removed and stockpiled separately.

– Disturbance of the less permeable, hardpan or claypan soil layer that often helps form vernal pools will be minimized. If the less permeable layer must be removed it will be stockpiled separately.

– When grading is complete, layers will be replaced in the reverse order, relative to removal, beginning with subsoil, followed by the less permeable layer, then topsoil, and then loose material collected by vacuum. Subsoil and less permeable layers should each be compacted following placement to decrease permeability of restored or modified suitable habitat.