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 City of Solana Beach
Section 3
Shoreline and Coastal Bluff Management Strategies Draft MEIR
Environmental Impact Analyses
community is characterized by simple green algae (Chaetomorpha, Enteromorpha, and Ulva).
In more permanent substrates in the intertidal zone, simple green algae species, coralline algae
(Corallina spp.), and surfgrass (Phyllospadix) occur. The subtidal reefs support a variety of
coral species and fish species, described below. Farther offshore, giant kelp (Macrocystis
pyrifera) and feather boa kelp (Egregia menziesii) forests occur.
Wildlife
The limited terrestrial vegetation within the study area does not provide adequate habitat to
support a diverse assemblage of terrestrial wildlife. The reptile and mammal species within the
project area are generally those species that are compatible with residential development and
disturbed habitats. Common species with the potential to occur in the vicinity of the bluff tops
and cliff face include western fence lizard (Sceloporus occidentalis), Botta's pocket gopher
(Thomomys bottae), California ground squirrel (Spermophilus beecheyi), opossum (Didelphis
virginiana), and raccoon (Procyon lotor).
The intertidal sand and cobble beach has the potential to support a number of invertebrate
species including beach hoppers (Orchestodea spp.), sand crabs (Emerita analoga), and
polychaete worms (Euzonus spp., Lumbrineris spp., Nephtys spp., Scololepis spp., and
Scoloplos spp.).
The soft- and hard-bottom substrates of the intertidal and subtidal marine habitats have the
potential to support a variety of invertebrate and vertebrate wildlife species. The soft-bottom
intertidal and subtidal areas support species adapted to the dynamic nature of the nearshore
zone, which is frequently disturbed by breaking waves and ocean swells. Shallow bottom
nearshore species with the potential to occur in the project area include the polychaete
(Apoprionospio pygmaea), bean clam (Donax gouldii), and amphipod (Mandibulophoxus
uncirostratus). Fish species in the nearshore soft-bottom habitat include speckled sanddabs
(Citharichthys stigmaeus), halibut (Paralichthys californicus), and shovelnose guitarfish
(Rhinobatos productus). Although California grunion (Leuresthes tenuis) are known from the
sandy nearshore zone, grunion prefer wide gently sloping beaches and are not expected to
spawn on the narrow cobbly beaches in the study area.
Hard-bottom habitats include rocky intertidal shores and subtidal reefs. The rocky intertidal
zone is characterized by barnacles (Cthamalus), limpets (Collisella and Lottia), California
mussel (Mytilus californus), gooseneck barnacles (Pollicipes polymerus), and hermit crabs
(Pagurus).
Nearshore hard-bottom habitats commonly support green sea anemones
(Anthopleura xanthogrammica), purple sea urchins (Strongylocentrotus purpuratus), and starfish
(Asterina miniata and Pisaster spp.). Of the hard-bottom types, low relief subtidal reefs are the
most common in the project area section of coastline. These low relief reefs typically support
sea fans (Muricea), sea palms (Eisenia arborea), sponges, and starfish. Occasional high relief
reef areas occur at and north of Tide Park in northern Solana Beach, north and south of
Fletcher Cove, and at the Del Mar Shores access point. These areas support a similar, but
often more diverse, assemblage of invertebrate and vertebrate species as the low relief reefs.
Project No. 323530000
Page 3-42
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