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San Joaquin spearscale San Joaquin spearscale (Atriplex joaquiniana) is a California Native Plant Society List 1 B species. It is occurs on alkaline soils in meadows and seeps, playas, and valley and foothill grassland habitats. The flowering period for this annual species is April through October, and it occurs at elevations ranging from 1 to 2,700 feet. This species is threatened by grazing, development, and agriculture. A population of San Joaquin spearscale was found on Staples Ranch in the 1990s. The 1988 Stoneridge Drive Specific Plan EIR required the realignment of the arroyo on the Staples Ranch site as a mitigation measure prior to development of the site (see page vii of the 1988 EIR, available at the Planning Division). In response to this requirement, Alameda County obtained permits from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and State agencies in 1995 that permitted the arroyo realignment. The Army Corps permit required the implementation of a "Wetlands Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Plan", dated May, 1995 and prepared by RIO Natural Resources Planning and Design. Page 8 of the Wetlands Mitigation and Monitoring and Reporting Plan states: Several plants of San Joaquin spearscale were observed scattered over approximately 12 acres in the northern portion of the Staples Ranch property. San Joaquin spearscale is a federal category 2 candidate and a CNPS list 16 species. The proposed project may result in removal of these plants as excavated material is distributed over the Staples Ranch property. Likewise page 2 of the Project Description in the public noticing for the Army Corps permit states that fill from the creek excavation will be distributed over the entire Staples Ranch site as part of the arroyo realignment project. Due to the potential for fill to be placed on top of the San Joaquin spearscale plants, the Wetlands Mitigation and Monitoring and Reporting Plan required: Prior to placement of this material [(fill)] seeds will be collected from the spearscale plants and properly stored until the mitigation areas are prepared for planting. This seed will be distributed over portions of the mitigation site, as shown on the plan (Plate 2) and listed in Table 3. Following seed collection, topsoil from the area supporting the spearscale will be scraped and stored for distribution in the mitigation area. In 2002 Zone 7 certified a Mitigated Negative Declaration for the Arroyo Mocho Realignment Project. Mitigation measure BIO-4 of the Mitigated Negative Declaration requires that the 1995 Wetlands Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Plan be implemented as part of the realignment project. Per the Wetlands Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Plan the mitigation area is the Arroyo Mocho in the Staples Ranch Project Area and east of the EI Charro Road bridges. The Wetlands Mitigation and Monitoring Reporting Plan does not require a set number, percentage, or acreage of San Joaquin spearscale to be planted, but instead requires 80% areal cover by herbaceous species including San Joaquin spearscale, and other species such as California bulrush, and water smartweed within five years of planting. Page 7 of 10