3.4 Biological Resources
BIOLOGICAL RESOURCES
3.4
This section presents a summary of the biological technical report which is included in Appendix D. First,
the methods are described (Section 3.4.1). This is followed by a regional review of biological resources,
both marine and terrestrial (Section 3.4.2). The biological resources of each receiver site are described
in Section 3.4.3, and the borrow site resources are described in Section 3.4.4. One issue raised during
the NOP period was potential impacts to commercial fisheries. Both the socioeconomic and biological
issues associated with this topic are addressed in Sections 3.8 and 4.8.
3.4.1
Data Collection Methods
The technical approach included coordination with regulatory and resource agency personnel; offshore
surveys at selected borrow sites; surveys of the beach receiver sites; consultation with technical experts,
representatives from local fishing organizations, and local divers and fishermen; and literature and data
review. Coordination efforts are summarized in Chapter 7.0 of this EIR/EA as well as Appendix D. An
overview of the survey method is provided below for receiver and borrow sites.
Receiver Site Surveys
Intertidal surveys were conducted at each of the alternative receiver sites to map and describe habitat
characteristics. Of particular interest was the occurrence of hard substrate, the relative quality of habitats,
and occurrence of sensitive resources. The intertidal zone is defined as the area between the highest high
tide and the lowest low tide and can be divided into three areas (upper, middle, and lower) based on the
frequency and duration of inundation by seawater. The intertidal zone is also characterized by breaking
surf. Shallow subtidal zone is defined as the area between the lower intertidal and the inner shelf zone. The
inner shelf zone is defined as the subtidal zone between -30 feet and -80 feet MLLW.
Receiver sites were visited during spring lower low tides so that the intertidal zone was well exposed. All
sites were surveyed early morning between May 17 and May 20, 1999. Brief visits were made June 15
through 17, 1999 at selected sites to augment the description of those sites. At the time of the June 1999
visits, it was noted that there had been build up of sand on the beaches, and that some of the hard substrate
areas noted in May 1999 were buried by sand. Sites where hard substrate had been noted in June were
re-surveyed July 13 through 15, 1999. The re-surveyed locations included the South Carlsbad South,
Solana Beach, and Torrey Pines receiver sites. The Leucadia receiver site was first surveyed in July 1999.
Regional Beach Sand Project EIR/EA
Page 3.4-1
99-69\SANDAG EIREA 3.4.wpd 7/17/00
Previous Page
