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0114im.jpg){kind=tracking} 2.3.3.3 Wetlands
The inlet to Carpinteria Marsh is located approximately 1,300 ft. west of the Ash Avenue
sand placement site. Carpinteria Marsh, also known as El Estero, is a 230 acre coastal
lagoon and saltmarsh complex that is open to the sea year-round. Carpinteria Marsh is
an important area for shorebirds and migratory waterfowl and supports breeding
populations of two listed bird species (see Section 2.3.3.4. below). Carpinteria Marsh
has been designated an ESH by the County of Santa Barbara and the City of
Carpinteria.
2.3.3.4 Sensitive Species
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has designated Critical Habitat for the Threatened
western snowy plover immediately downcoast from the Ash Avenue beach placement
area at Carpinteria State Beach from Linden Avenue to the west (Miller 1999).
Carpinteria State Beach has been designated as wintering habitat for this species. The
closest breeding area is at McGrath State Beach.
The federal and state endangered California brown pelican commonly feeds in
nearshore waters off Ash Avenue as do several bird species (common loon, double-
crested cormorant, California gull, elegant tern) that are California Species of Special
Concern.
Carpinteria Marsh, west of the Ash Avenue site, supports an endangered plant species,
the federal and state endangered salt marsh bird's beak and breeding populations of
two listed bird species, the federal and state endangered light-footed clapper rail and
the state endangered Belding's savannah sparrow. Carpinteria Marsh is the northern
extent of the light-footed clapper rail's range. Two pair of light-footed clapper rails were
observed in Carpinteria Marsh in 1995 (CDFG 2000). In 1991, 52 pairs of Belding's
savannah sparrow were counted in Carpinteria Marsh (CDFG 2000). Carpinteria Marsh
also supports a plant, Coulter's goldfields, that is a federal Species of Concern
(CDFG 2000).
Carpinteria Creek, approximately 1,500 ft. east of the Ash Avenue beach placement
site, supports two listed fish species, the southern steelhead (federal endangered,
California Species of Special Concern) and the tidewater goby (federal
threatened/proposed delisted, California Species of Special Concern).
2.3.3.5 Other Sensitive Biological Resources
A small number of harbor seals haul out in some years at Sand Point about 1,000 ft.
west of the Ash Avenue sand placement site. A more important haul out site is located
about 1,500 ft. to the east of the downcoast end of the Ash Avenue site.
2.3.4 Oil Piers
20
3208 Bio Report
06/12/02
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