04 - Laserfiche WebLink

Alameda County Ahamont Landfill Open Space Fund Castieridge Property Acquisition Pleasanton Ridge Regional Pork East Bay Regional Pork District FUNDING CRITERIA I. Significant Native Biodiversity Value In 2012, EBRPD staff completed a Land Use Plan for Pleasanton Ridge Regional Park. Extensive wildlife and vegetation studies were conducted and found a high native biodlversity value in the region due to the expanse of relatively untouched, protected lands. Based on the adjacency of the Castleridge property to the park and the similarity of topography it is reasonable to assume that similar native plant and animal species can be found on the Castleridge property. In addition, in October 2012 the current owners commissioned a Preliminary Habitat Assessment conducted by the Alameda County Resource Conservation Department. The Pleasanton Ridge LUP and the Habitat Assessment study identify, among others, the following native plant and animal species on the property: coast live oak, valley oak and black oak. madrone, purple needlegrass, California buckeye, California sagebrush, red-tailed hawk, Hutton's vireo, oak titmouse, Dark-eye junco and black-tailed deer. The Habitat Assessment study reported a high potential for the following special-status plant and animal species to occur on the property and many of these species can be observed on the lands currently managed as part of Pleasanton Ridge Regional Park: Santa Clara red ribbons, Alameda whipsnake, golden eagle, Northern Harrier, pallid bat and Yuma myotis bat. The riparian habitat and spring area may provide refuge for the foothill yellow-legged frog and the California tiger salamander. The East Alameda Conservation Strategy suggests that the grassland areas of the Pleasanton Ridgelands may provide habitat for the endangered Callippe silverspot butterfly. Roughly 90% of the Castleridge property is steep hills dominated by oak woodland. Many of the trees on the ridges have a circumference greater than 55 inches and are designated by the City as "heritage trees". Patches of Diablan sage and open grassland habitats dot the property. Riparian and spring communities are also present: Anuual Grass/Forbs Plant Community • Comprises almost 10%of the property. • Found primarily in the northeast corner of the property and on the southern exposure slopes. • Features native grasses such as California melicgrass and blue wildrye, and exotic species such as wild oats and Italian thistle. • Provides habitat for ground dwelling animal species such as the California ground squirrel and foraging habitat for the golden eagle.