The City of Malibu is located on the coastal slopes of the Santa
Monica Mountains and is bounded by the Pacific Ocean to the south.
The City has a variety of unique natural resources due to this juxtaposition
between the mountains and the ocean. These resources include canyon
and coastal topography; a. variety of terrestrial, freshwater and
marine habitats; rare, threatened and endangered species of plants
and wildlife; and numerous historic, archaeological and paleontological
sites. These resources, as well as other natural assets, are each
addressed in greater detail within the Conservation Element.
Malibu's climate is classified as dry summer subtropic or Mediterranean.
Regions within this climate zone are characterized by hot, dry summers
with relatively cool, moist winters. This climate only occurs in five
areas of the world at approximately 33 degrees latitude on the western
edges of continents and includes: southern California; central Chile;
southern Australia; the cape region of South Africa; and the Mediterranean
region of Europe. Only about three percent of the world's land surface
have this climate. The unique characteristics of the Mediterranean
climate regime, particularly the extended period of summer drought,
have led to the evolution of distinctive associations of plant and
animal species.
The regional climate is controlled almost entirely by the semi-permanent
Pacific High Pressure Cell (Pacific High) and the cold water California
Current. The summer climate is strongly influenced by stable air flowing
out of the Pacific High to the west. During the Malibu winter the
Pacific High migrates south putting the City on the fringe of the
influence of a low pressure cell. The combined effect of these meteorologic
and oceanographic systems is a tempering of local weather such that
extremes of wind, temperature and precipitation are relatively uncommon.
Skies are mostly clear from mid-summer through autumn. Heavy
cloud cover and fog occur primarily during spring and early summer
when stratus clouds associated with the marine layer move in from
the west. Compared to other locations of the same latitude and climate,
Malibu summers are generally cooler with temperatures in the upper
60s to low 70s, and winters tend to be mild within the range of the
upper 50s to low 60s.
The City of Malibu is located within the South Coast Air Basin.
The South Coast Air Basin's air quality is affected not only by the
emission sources located in the region, but also to a large extent
by three natural factors or combinations of: (a) terrain; (b) a dominant
on-shore flow; and (c) atmospheric inversion. The first of these factors
is static, but plays a significant role by placing a natural barrier
to emission dispersion north and east of the metropolitan Los Angeles
area.
The second factor provides the driving mechanism for both air
pollution transport and dispersion. This mechanism has been shown
to be a predominantly on-shore flow. Air pollution which has its origins
in the industrial areas along the coast and immediately inland is
driven toward the natural terrain barrier mentioned above with the
result that horizontal dispersion is severely limited. The effect
of this second factor can be seen as a gradual degradation of air
quality from coastal to inland areas. Malibu is typical of some of
the South Coast Air Basin's best air quality areas because of its
location along the coast upwind from most mobile and stationary sources.
The greatest impacts can be seen in the San Gabriel Valley and near
Riverside at the foot of the San Gabriel Mountains.
The third factor which affects air quality involves atmospheric
inversions which limit dispersion of air pollution on a vertical scale.
Inversions can be classified into one of two general categories: (1)
inversion aloft or (2) surface based inversions. These two categories
are the result of different meteorologic conditions and tend to affect
different sources.
Inversions aloft are probably the most critical factor in the
degradation of regional air quality. The condition is defined by a
vertical temperature profile which initially conforms to standard
conditions. For example, temperature typically decreases with height.
However, under inversion conditions temperature begins to increase
at some height above the ground. This height is called the base of
the inversion. The temperature increase continues through an unspecified
layer after which the temperature change with height returns to standard
conditions. The inversion layer is typically very stable and acts
as a cap to the vertical dispersions of pollutants.
The largely undeveloped Santa Monica Mountains provide some
amelioration of air quality impacts from the urbanized Los Angles
basin.
The basis for determining the significance of air quality impacts
generated by a base case project are the State and Federal Ambient
Air Quality Standards (AAQS). These standards define the level of
air quality capable of protecting the public health and welfare with
an adequate margin of safety. The AAQS were developed to protect those
portions of the population most susceptible to respiratory distress.
Classified as sensitive receptors, this group includes persons with
asthma or other respiratory disorders, the elderly, very young children
and hospital patients. Normally, healthy adults can tolerate periodic
exposure to air pollution in concentrations well above the standards.
However, even this segment of the population has shown signs of deteriorating
health under long term exposure to air pollution at or above the standards.
The Federal standards were established in 1971 by the Environmental
Protection Agency (EPA). The EPA allows states to adopt standards
of their own as long as they are at least as stringent as those issued
at the Federal level. California, due to the complexity of its air
quality problems, adopted its AAQS prior to the adoption of the Federal
standards.
In 1976 the State legislature enacted the Lewis Air Quality
Management Act which established the South Coast Air Quality Management
District (SCAQMD) and required it, in conjunction with the Counties
and Cities within the District, the Southern California Association
of Governments (SCAG), the California Air Resources Board (CARB) and
the State Department of Transportation (Caltrans), to develop a plan
to attain and maintain the State Ambient Air Quality Standards in
the South Coast Air Basin. The SCAQMD, however, is responsible only
for local stationary sources of pollution while CARB retains authority
over all mobile source emissions.
In order to promote the conservation of the State's mineral
resources and ensure adequate reclamation of mined lands, the Surface
Mining and Reclamation Act of 1975 (SMARA) was enacted. SMARA requires
that the State geologist classify land in California for its mineral
resource potential. Local governments are required to incorporate
the mineral classification reports and maps into their general plans
in order for the resources to be given consideration when making land
use decisions.
Sand and gravel resources are the only mineral resources which
have been mapped in western Los Angeles County. However, to date the
State Division of Mines and Geology has not mapped these resources
or other mineral resources in the Malibu area. Given the presence
of the numerous incised canyons and drainages, sand and gravel resources
are expected to occur in the MCZ. Mapping of this area is scheduled
to occur prior to 1996 if the appropriate funding is allocated (R.
Miller, State Division of Mines and Geology, personal communication).
Soil types in the City of Malibu have been classified by the
United States Department of Agriculture, Soil Conservation Service
(SCS). (Note that the SCS has recently been reorganized as the Natural
Resources Conservation Service, NRCS.) These SCS classifications are
associated with identified soil capabilities which may be used in
planning for agricultural, urban, watershed, recreational and wilderness
uses. The identified soil capabilities provide the basis from which
opportunities and constraints associated with soil resources are identified.
The SCS has identified 22 soil series and 45 soil phases in
the Malibu area (Malibu Soil Survey, 1967). Soil series are soils
that are grouped together because they have a similar set of soil
profile characteristics. The soil phase is a division of the soil
series in which the soils are grouped together by common surface and
substrata characteristics. Important characteristics used to determine
soil phase are surface texture, slope and quantity of stones.
Agricultural land is limited within Malibu. This limitation
is primarily due to the patchy distribution of soils that have high
capability for agricultural uses, and that these soils typically occur
along the low relief slopes adjacent to the coast. These areas are
the same areas which have the highest capability for urban development
and many have already been developed. As a consequence, agriculture
currently accounts for only 52.4 acres (0.5%) of all land uses within
the City. Historically, agricultural uses, including grazing, were
much more widespread and these previous uses may have influenced the
types of plant communities which are currently found in the City.
Over 80% of the soils identified by the SCS in the Santa Monica
Mountains have high or very high erosion potential. The native vegetation
is critical to protecting the soil from erosion, particularly on steep
slopes. Removal of vegetation leads to accelerated erosion which adversely
impacts stream and marine resources.
The engineering capabilities identified by the SCS are also
a very useful planning tool for the City of Malibu. Soil suitability
for road and building construction, recreation facilities, septic
tank filter fields and other uses are all identified in the Malibu
Soil Survey (1967). Further discussion of soils, especially as they
relate to engineering capabilities is provided in the Safety Element.
The City of Malibu is located within a 27 mile coastal stretch
along the Pacific Ocean. There are numerous streams and creeks which
drain the hillsides and canyons within this area. In addition, Malibu
Lagoon, which is located at the mouth of Malibu Creek, is one of two
significant coastal marshes occurring in Los Angeles County.
There are 44 blueline streams identified by the United States
Geological Service (USGS) within the City of Malibu. These streams
include perennial and intermittent streams which are defined by a
variety of non-standardized, qualitative criteria such as the presence
of riparian vegetation, a stream bed, or actual hydrology. Many of
the USGS bluelines have not been updated since 1950 and there are
many channels that are not significantly different hydrologically
from streams with blueline status. Consequently, the identification
of all hydrological channels that are associated with the City of
Malibu has not been conducted. To effectively manage these drainages
would require development of new qualitative, as well as quantitative,
criteria based on floodplain width, flow rate and periodicity, erodibility,
riparian vegetation, presence of sensitive flora and fauna, and human
influence on channel hydraulics. The location, significance, constraints,
and opportunities associated with these channels can be determined
only after development of these criteria.
There are 62 identified watersheds which occur within the boundaries
of the City of Malibu (Malibu Wastewater Management Study, 1992).
These watersheds consist of smaller, coastal terrace watersheds which
often have their headwaters located within a few hundred feet of the
ocean and large watersheds which drain the coastal drainages of the
Santa Monica Mountains (Figure CO-2 illustrates the 28 major mountain
drainages). Malibu Creek is the only cross-mountain watershed and
drains portions of the Simi Hills in addition to portions of the Santa
Monica Mountains. The largest watershed is the Malibu Creek coastal
watershed which drains an area of approximately 74,000 acres (115
square miles). Large coastal watersheds include Ramirez (4.5 square
miles), Las Flores (4.75 square miles), Solstice (4.43 square miles),
Trancas (8.39 square miles), and Zuma Canyon (8.86 square miles),
Topanga (19.68 square miles) and Arroyo Sequit (10.96 square miles).
Of the watersheds identified within the City boundaries, 22
of the drainage areas extend beyond the northern boundary and are
affected by residents and agencies not under the jurisdiction of the
City of Malibu. Effective management of these watersheds requires
joint-powers agreements designed to protect downstream resources and
users of these resources.
Watersheds are the basic geographic unit within which non-point
sources of pollution and sedimentation can be addressed. Within the
City of Malibu these sources of water quality contamination are primarily
associated with upstream discharge of treated effluent from lands
inland of the City and stormwater conveyance of fertilizers, manure,
petroleum products (i.e., gasoline, oil, other lubricants), chemicals
from car exhaust, livestock (i.e., horses), commercial discharges,
sedimentation and dispersed contributions of pathogens from local
septic systems (Malibu Wastewater Management Study, 1992). Much of
the chemical contamination is originally derived from the surfaces
of pavement and other forms of hardscape, while increased sediment
loads are associated with grading, excavation, and other forms of
vegetation disturbance (i.e., fires, grazing, agricultural practices,
vegetation removal for fire and flood control).
The primary sources of discharge to City of Malibu watersheds
are the Tapia Water Reclamation Facility (TWRF) at Calabasas and urban
stormwater runoff. The former source of discharge is only associated
with Malibu Creek. TWRF is known to discharge up to 7.4 million gallons
per day (daily average during March 1991) of treated effluent to the
upper reaches of the drainage; TWRF has permits to expand to 16 million
gallons per day. These discharges, however, have varied widely from
season-to-season and year-to-year (Harris, 1991; Gearhart and Waller,
1989). As an example, 1990 was a low release year because the Las
Virgenes Water District sold all of its discharge for July, August,
and September. Although effluent from the TWRF has accounted for a
significant portion of the past annual flow in the creek, especially
during the summer months, demand for reclaimed water now reportedly
exceeds supply and it is unknown if TWRF discharges will continue
to provide significant flow to Malibu Creek (Malibu Wastewater Management
Study, 1992; Steve Witbeck, TWRF, pers. comm.). TWRF's goal is to
reclaim all water entering the facility, but achievement of this goal
is dependent upon demand for the water. Recent trends do indicate
that summer demand for the water is very high. This period of peak
demand coincides with the period in which discharges to Malibu Creek
would have the greatest potential adverse effects, although significant
impact from overflow due to winter storms also occurs. These effects
are primarily associated with seasonal flow and nutrient loading.
The stormwater drainage system which has been constructed in
the Malibu area was designed for the purpose of flood control and
gave little consideration to water quality, seasonality, and destination.
In addition, the system has not only transported stormwater and its
associated contaminants, but has been used as an overflow "fail safe"
for sewage pump stations. At present, stormwater runoff within the
MCZ does not receive deliberate treatment, though certain small marshes
may provide some treatment through natural processes. The stormwater
drainage system within the City of Malibu therefore conveys a variety
of potentially harmful contaminants to Malibu Lagoon and Santa Monica
Bay.
Malibu Creek empties into Malibu Lagoon. Malibu Lagoon is a
small brackish estuary of approximately 13 acres (exclusive of adjacent
associated land), but is significant since it is one of only two remaining
coastal marshes in Los Angeles County. The estuary provides major
migratory bird habitat, fish migration and spawning habitat, and it
affects adjoining water-based recreation at Surfrider Beach. The estuary
is maintained by a sandbar that lies between the Malibu Creek outlet
and the ocean. Periodically, the estuary is open to the ocean when
creek flows have enough energy to push through the sandbar to the
ocean. The estuary is also artificially opened to the ocean by the
State Department of Parks and Recreation when its waters surpass 3.5
feet in depth. Due to increased surface discharges from Malibu Creek,
increased baseflow during the summer, and the seasonal closure of
the sand bar, the estuary experiences a variety of water quality problems
which include eutrophication from nutrients, potential health risks
from pathogens, rapid and/or unnatural changes in pH and salinity
gradients, sedimentation and temperature.
The City of Malibu's water supply is provided by the Metropolitan
Water District of Southern California (MWD). The MWD obtains its water
from the State Water Project and the Colorado River. Wholesalers of
this water in the Malibu/Santa Monica Mountains area are the Las Virgenes
Municipal Water District and the West Basin Municipal Water District.
These wholesalers distribute to three retailers which include the
Los Angeles County Waterworks District No. 29, Silvas Park Mutual
Water Company, and Las Virgenes Metro Water District. There are also
a number of private wells that supply water within the City. However,
the utilization of wells as a source of potable water has steadily
declined since 1965, when water became available through the MWD.
Although the amount of water supplied by these wells is now considered
to be insignificant (Incorporation of Malibu EIR, 1989), they are
sources of inexpensive water to agricultural and other interests located
away from piped water service.
Groundwater, including underground streams and springs, is one
of the least understood resources in the Malibu area. Studies conducted
throughout the City of Malibu including Big Rock, the most intensively
studied area in the City, have been inconclusive in determining definitive
information on subsurface recharge and discharge. The difficulties
in quantifying groundwater stem from the complexity of the Malibu
area's subsurface geology and subsurface flow. Groundwater is often
held at different levels at a given location with each pocket of groundwater
behaving differently. The amount and retention times of groundwater
stored, its quality, seasonal and annual fluctuations, directions
of movement and points of discharge are therefore, at best, only roughly
determined (Malibu Wastewater Management Study, 1992). Due to the
steep and impervious nature of the various small watersheds located
within the MCZ, accompanied by the very rapid runoff of the low and
variable annual rainfall, there are no local, dependable surface water
supplies and very limited groundwater supplies within the MCZ. The
various well and spring water sources, which had at one time provided
a limited public water supply for the MCZ, have largely gone dry or
have been contaminated by sea water intrusion and other pollutants
and are now abandoned. The few remaining viable private well water
sources are of limited capacity and serve individual homes or small
developments.
The primary factors that effect the presence of groundwater
in the Malibu area are seasonal and annual precipitation patterns,
topography, soil and rock permeability, and faults. Many of the rock
formations in the area are not conducive for holding groundwater.
Groundwater can be found along the coast in alluvium, beach deposits,
and terrace deposits at a depth of only a few feet (Incorporation
of Malibu EIR, 1989), but depth of groundwater increases in the consolidated
rock of inland areas and can reach several hundred feet. The dominant
source of groundwater recharge in the City is groundwater flow from
the upper portions of the watersheds. Other sources of recharge include
more localized percolation of rainfall, streamflow, irrigation runoff,
and septic system disposal.
The City of Malibu has approximately 27 miles of coastal area.
Within this coastal area, there are three distinct elements, including
the inshore or shoreface (where the water breaks onto the shore);
the beach or shore; and the coast (upland from the beach or shore).
The City of Malibu beach and shorelines consist of several geologic
forms including, bedrock, terrace deposits, artificial fill, beach
sand deposits, wind blown dune sand and rip-rap.
The bedrock formations are found in either the high cliff areas
(along Point Dume) or the highly fractured and broken bedrock areas
(north of the fault trace at Paradise Cove) which are more prone to
erosion. Terrace, deposits consist of less hardened and consolidated
material than the bedrock and are generally found at higher elevations
on top of flat areas that overlook Malibu. Other terrace deposits
are located west of Lechuza Point where the deposits extend down to
the sea cliffs and bluffs of the coast. Artificial fill is located
sporadically throughout Malibu, but is typically found in areas where
it has been used for the construction of roadways and beach front
homes. In some cases, this fill has been exposed and is susceptible
to erosion. The location of the fill material is otherwise difficult
to determine.
The sand supply along the Malibu coast is determined by the
local littoral sediment system. There are two littoral cells along
the Malibu coast: (1) the Zuma Cell west of Point Dume; and (2) the
Santa Monica Cell east of Point Dume. Any consideration of coastal
erosion and sedimentation for management purposes should recognize
the discrete nature of the coastal process-response systems east and
west of Point Dume. The Zuma Cell is considered a distinct entity
because, although linked to the Santa Barbara Cell, much of the sediment
derived from the west is lost down Hueneme and Mugu submarine canyons.
These canyons and several smaller offshore canyons are the ultimate
sinks for sediment moving from the Santa Barbara Cell into the Zuma
Cell, for very little beach-forming sediment appears to continue eastward
around Point Dume. The Santa Monica Cell extends from Point Dume to
Palos Verdes Peninsula and is represented by the broad arc of Santa
Monica Bay which, compared to other parts of Southern California,
is relatively shallow with a shelf less than 100 meters deep and extending
10 to 18 kilometers offshore (A. Orme, 1992; The Malibu Coast, Appendix
B, Technical Memo 10, The Malibu Wastewater Study).
Beach sand deposits are located along much of Malibu's shore
zone. Although local beach sand deposits generally vary in thickness
from 5 to 15 feet, Carbon Beach has approximately 25 feet of sand.
Wind blown dune sands also occur in Malibu, but are generally associated
with only the widest beaches. Some of these dunes contain sand deposits
that are 30 feet above the original beach level. The last geologic
formation is rip-rap. Large quantities of rip-rap have been imported
and placed at scattered locations from Topanga Beach to the Ventura
County line. In most cases, the large 4 to 6 foot in diameter boulders
that make up the rip-rap are used to protect the toes of the fill
slopes located along the Pacific Coast Highway. Further, discussion
of beach and shoreline resources is provided in the Safety Element.
The following areas have been identified as locations for sensitive
beach and shoreline resources in the Malibu Coastal Zone:
Arroyo Sequit Creek Mouth: This rocky headland
and off-shore rock is west of the City limits. However, it is affected
by conditions and actions within the City. A diverse marine fauna,
including mussel beds and rocky intertidal species, is located at
this site. The mouth of the creek is a critical area during the annual
migration of steelhead.
Beach Area Between Nicholas Bluffs and Lechuza Point: This stretch of beach is relatively undisturbed by recreational
use and urban development. It supports a high diversity of habitats
including tide pools, sandy beaches, beach cliffs and adjacent bluffs.
Trancas Beach Dunes: Trancas Beach Dunes are the
only extensive dunes in the MCZ. This area supports a flora and fauna
restricted to coastal foredunes and upper beaches. While many of the
dunes are dominated by ice plant (Carpobrotus spp.), the outer dunes
support native foredune vegetation.
Zuma Creek Mouth: The mouth of Zuma Creek supports
a small freshwater estuary and associated wetland vegetation. The
area also supports a diverse array of aquatic insects, amphibians
and birds. Although the creek mouth is exposed to foot traffic, garbage,
grading and parking facilities, there is potential for the restoration
of this area to a more diverse freshwater estuary with higher value
and function.
Point Dume and Paradise Cove (including Pirate's Cove,
Dume Cove, Little Dume and the associated headland): Point
Dume is a prominent headland which rises approximately 200 feet above
the Pacific Ocean. The area contains both sandy beaches and rocky
points. Access is limited in the rocky areas, thus protecting the
tide pools and other rocky intertidal habitats from intensive recreational
use. Sensitive Coastal dune and bluff vegetation, including stands
of giant coreopsis and other endangered species, exists along the
bluffs and cliffs. Foot traffic in this area has led to the loss of
portions of the unique dune and bluff vegetation.
Paradise Cove: Tidepools hosting a variety of sea
creatures (protected as an ESHA) extend intermittently from the western
end of Paradise Cove to the Headlands of Point Dume.
Latigo Point: Latigo Point supports relatively
undisturbed rocky headlands, tide pools and sandy beaches which contain
a diversity of marine species.
Malibu Lagoon: Several habitats including sandy
beach, rocky beach, coastal dune, salt marsh, mud flats and salt-water
to brackish estuary are supported by Malibu Lagoon. The site is part
of the Pacific Flyway and the only estuary in Los Angeles County providing
a stop-over for various migratory birds. Several species of native
fishes, including the locally uncommon steelhead also utilize the
estuary.
Grunion-Spawning Grounds: Grunion spawn at the
western end of Decker Beach, Zuma Beach, Solstice Beach and other
locations throughout the Malibu area. The spawning grounds are considered
sensitive because the continued success of the species depends on
the availability of the spawning habitat.
The Malibu coastline is a relatively undisturbed coastal region
where upwelling of nutrient-rich waters and a verity of habitats support
highly productive and extremely diverse marine communities. The area
possesses some of the best kelp bed habitat south of Santa Barbara,
and the only remaining natural kelp beds on the mainline coast of
Los Angeles County. These areas may be 100 times more productive than
adjacent sand bottom communities and provide refuge, food, and nursery
grounds for thousands of species.
Rocky outcrops alternative with sandy stretches along this coastline
and are found to a depth of 600 feet. The stability of the substrate
and the variety of exposures provide microhabitats for a great number
of organisms. Characteristically, rocky shorelines from the lower
intertidal zone to about 100 foot depth can be the most biologically
active areas in the world. Rocky intertidal habitat occurs at Point
Dume, Leo Carillo and Big Rock.
This coastline also possesses the only complete, undisturbed
sandy beaches remaining in Los Angeles County. Although very dynamic
in physical stability and, therefore, unfavorable for the development
of a diverse biological community, these areas do offer habitat for
a number of organisms. An important micro-community of decomposers
is present. Sandy beaches provide feeding areas for many bird species.
Previously, a number of bird species nested on the sandy beaches including
the snowy plover, the California least tern, and the light-footed
clapper rail. In addition, the soft substrate offers a repository
for eggs and nursery grounds for many species.
The Malibu shoreline remains as a remnant of what once was typical
of rocky and sandy shore-line in southern California. West of Point
Dume, some minor pollution does occur but the kelp is healthy. East
of Point Dume there is minor to moderate pollution and kelp does not
grow below 35 feet (England and Nelson, 1976; SEA1: The Malibu Coastline).
The only marine vegetation community which is described for
the MCZ near-shore region is Surfweed (Thorne, 1976). This community
occurs along the rocky coast below the low tide level where there
is heavy surf. Only plants that can withstand the physical force of
the waves can survive in this region. Common plants which occur in
this community include sea-palms (Postelsia palmaeformis, Eisenia
arborea), kelps (Macrocystis pyrifera, Egregia laevigata, Hesperophycus
harveyanus, Halidrys dioica, Pelvetia fastigiata), red algae (Plocamium
cartilagineum, Corallina officinalis), and surf-grass (Phyllospadix
scouleri, Phyllospadix torreyi).
The marine and beach area within the Malibu coastline includes
the range of several endangered, rare and threatened species. The
gray whale (Eschrichtius robustus) passes offshore in its annual migration.
The southern sea otter (Enhydra lutris nereis) has been seen periodically
off the Malibu Coast. This species has been extending its range southward
and it appears to be only a matter of time before it will be established
in kelp beds off the Malibu coast.
Harbor seals and sea lions which are found along the Malibu
coast are afforded protection under the Marine Mammal Protection Act.
Three other species, the California least tern (Sterna albirons
bowni), the Belding savannah sparrow (Passerculus sandwichensis beldingi)
and the light-footed clapper rail (Rallus longirostris levipes), once
had breeding colonies within this area. The California least tern
and the light-footed clapper rail have been observed passing through,
but not breeding in the area of Malibu Lagoon in recent years. The
brown pelican (Pelecanus occidentalis) is seen in areas along the
coast, such as Point Dume (LCP Research and Analysis Appendices, Los
Angeles County Department of Regional Planning, 1982).
The following areas have been identified as locations for sensitive
marine resources in the Malibu Coastal Zone:
Arroyo Sequit Creek Mouth: This rocky headland
and off-shore rock area support a diverse marine fauna. A major kelp
bed lies offshore extending eastward to Trancas beach.
Beach Area Between Nicholas Bluffs and Lechuza Point: This area supports offshore kelp beds. There is a small population
of sea lions which haul out on the rocky portions of this stretch
of beach, while grunion spawn in some of the sandy habitats.
Point Dume and Paradise Cove (including Pirate's Cove,
Little Dume and the associated headlands): As shown in Figure
CO-4, biologically-rich kelp beds are located offshore. Pismo Clams
inhabit the reefs from the Headlands extending almost as far north
as Trancas. Pismo Clam shells are often found at Pirate's Cove. Sea
lions which were once common in Pirate's Cove haul out on rocky islets
and offshore buoys due to the growing number of people utilizing the
cove. The ecological value of Point Dume is extremely high due to
the presence and proximity of the many habitats and associated species.
Specifically, the offshore habitat extending from the Headlands to
Malibu Lagoon is designated as an Environmentally Sensitive Habitat
Area.
Paradise Cove: Relatively undisturbed rocky habitats
with an abundant coverage of marine algae are present near Little
Dume at the western side of Paradise Cove. These offshore reefs are
considered by the State of California to be marine resources of special
biological significance. Additionally, this area is an historical
grunion spawning ground.
Latigo Point: Latigo Point supports relatively
undisturbed rocky headlands, tide pools and sandy beaches which contain
a diversity of marine species. Latigo Point is scientifically important
because it has been the site of numerous field studies documenting
the characteristics of marine habitats, and it is the southern limit
of distribution for a variety of marine species.
Kelp Beds: There are two major kelp beds in the
Malibu area. One area is located between Leo Carrillo and Trancas
Beach and the second stretches east from Point Dume to the Malibu
Lagoon area. An abundant and diverse fauna and flora is associated
with these kelp beds.
Grunion-Spawning Grounds: Grunion spawn at the
western end of Decker Beach, Zuma Beach, Solstice Beach and other
locations throughout the Malibu area. The spawning grounds are considered
sensitive because the continued success of the species depends on
the availability of the spawning habitat.
The most extensive natural coastline in Los Angeles County is
within the City of Malibu. Marine resources along the Malibu coast
include kelp beds, tide pools, marine fisheries, offshore reefs, sandy
beaches, rocky headlands, sea lion haul outs, coastal dunes and isolated
wetlands. In order to protect these sensitive resources, the State
Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) designated the entire coastline
from Point Mugu to Latigo Point as an Area of Special Biological Significance
(ASBS). The SWRCB defines an ASBS as an area "requiring protection
of species or biological communities to the extent that alteration
of natural water quality is undesirable." The SWRCB has adopted water
quality control plans which afford special protection to marine life
in an ASBS by prohibiting waste discharge within the area. Specifically,
discharge of elevated temperature wastes and discrete, point source
sewage or industrial process wastes in a manner that would alter the
water quality conditions from those occurring naturally are prohibited.
Additionally, discharge of waste from nonpoint sources, including
but not limited to stormwater runoff, silt and urban runoff, must
be controlled to the extent practicable. Designated Areas of Special
Biological Significance must also be incorporated into the basin water
quality control plans prepared by the Regional Water Quality Control
Board (RWQCB), and thus be used to establish waste discharge requirements
in these areas.
Based on the quality of the biological resources in the ASBS,
the General Plan has designated the coastline between Point Mugu and
Latigo Point as an environmentally sensitive habitat area (ESHA),
consistent with the resource protection language of the Coastal Act.
The vegetation of the MCZ is the unique product of a Mediterranean
climate, steep and varied topography and proximity to the Pacific
Ocean. The MCZ has high ecological and species diversity which includes
a number of endangered and threatened plants and animals. The location
and type of vegetation in the MCZ depends largely on the type of soil
and the amount of moisture available during annual period of drought
from approximately April to October.
The dominant chaparral and coastal sage communities are fire
successional and strongly adapted to periodic wildfires. The vegetation
of the MCZ is affected by the frequency, intensity and size of fires.
The modern fire pattern is significantly different than that of the
past due to fire suppression and arson.
The Malibu Coastal Zone contains seven major categories of terrestrial
vegetation communities, including: (a) Chaparrals; (b) Coastal Sage
Scrub; (c) Oak Woodland and Forest; (d) Riparian Scrubs, Woodlands,
and Forest; (e) Coastal Dune Scrub; (f) Freshwater Marsh; and (g)
Coastal Brackish Marsh. These major vegetation types have been further
classified as discrete plant communities that generally share characteristic
species and have similar physiographic site characteristics (Holland,
Terrestrial Natural Communities of California; California Department
of Fish and Game; 1986).
The California Natural Diversity Database (NDDB) identifies
25 plant communities in the Santa Monica Mountains. The plant communities,
and their status by the California Department of Fish and Game, are
identified in Table 3-1.
|
Table 3-1
MALIBU/SANTA MONICA MOUNTAINS HOLLAND PLANT COMMUNITIES WITH
CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND GAME STATUS
(Revised July 1995)
| ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Communities
|
Rankings and Status
| |||
|
Status
|
Ecologically Important
|
Very Threatened
|
Threatened
| |
|
Coastal Plant Communities
| ||||
|
1. Southern Coastal Bluff Scrub
|
S1.1
|
|
Yes
|
|
|
2. Southern Foredunes
|
S2.1
|
|
Yes
|
|
|
3. Southern Dune Scrub
|
S1.1
|
|
Yes
|
|
|
4. Coastal Brackish Marsh
|
S2.1
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
|
|
5. Coastal and Valley Freshwater Marsh
|
S2.1
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
|
|
Grassland
| ||||
|
6. Valley Needlegrass Grassland
|
S3.1
|
|
Yes
|
|
|
7. Non-Native Grassland
|
S4
|
|
|
|
|
Shrublands
| ||||
|
8. Venturan Coastal Sage Scrub
|
S3.1
|
|
Yes
|
|
|
9. Ceanothus megacarpus Chaparral (big-pod ceanothus)
|
S3.2
|
|
|
Yes
|
|
10. Chamise Chaparral
|
S4
|
|
|
|
|
11. Redshank Chaparral
|
S3.2
|
|
|
Yes
|
|
12. Northern Mixed Chaparral
|
S4
|
|
|
|
|
13. Buck Brush Chaparral
|
S4
|
|
|
|
|
14. Ceanothus crassifolius (hoaryleaf) Chaparral
|
S3.2
|
|
|
Yes
|
|
15. Scrub Oak Chaparral
|
S3.3
|
|
|
|
|
Riparian Shrub/Woodlands
| ||||
|
16. Southern Willow Scrub
|
S2.1
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
|
|
17. Mule Fat Scrub
|
S4
|
|
|
|
|
18. White Alder Riparian Forest
|
S4
|
Yes
|
|
|
|
19. Southern Cottonwood Willow Riparian Forest
|
S3.2
|
Yes
|
|
Yes
|
|
20. Southern Coast Live Oak Riparian Forest
|
S4
|
Yes
|
|
|
|
21. Southern Sycamore Alder Riparian Woodland
|
S4
|
Yes
|
|
|
|
22. Coastal Freshwater Marsh
|
|
|
|
|
|
Woodlands
| ||||
|
23. California Walnut
|
S2.1
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
|
|
24. Coast Live Oak Woodland
|
S4
|
Yes
|
|
|
|
25. Valley Oak Woodland
|
S2.1
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
|
|
Key to California Department of Fish and Game Status Codes
| |
|
State Code Abbreviations:
| |
|
Distribution:
|
Degree of Endangerment:
|
|
S1: <2,000 acres
|
S_.1: Very Threatened
|
|
S2: 2,000 - 50,000 acres
|
S_.2: Threatened
|
|
S3: > 50,000 acres
|
S_.3: No Current Threats
|
|
S4: Apparently Secure
|
|
|
S5: Demonstrably Secure
|
|
|
Definitions:
|
|
|
Very Threatened:
|
The majority of occurrences are threatened.
|
|
Threatened:
|
Some but not the majority of occurrences are threatened.
|
|
CDFG "Sensitive" Habitat Types:
|
Elements with a distribution of S3 or less and a degree of endangerment
of S_.2 or less.
|
|
Ecologically Important:
|
Habitat of high biological diversity or habitat necessary to
sustain normal ecosystem processes.
|
The following describes these natural communities:
Southern Coastal Bluff Scrub: Another plant community
which is associated with coastal locations is Southern Coastal Bluff
Scrub. This community occurs on rocky, poorly developed soils of coastal
bluffs and slopes that are exposed to salt-laden, desiccating winds.
Characteristic species include a variety of woody or succulent plants
that can reach three feet in height. Such as Coreopsis gigantea, Atriplex
centfomis, Eurelia californica, hoploppippos enicoricles, and H. venetrus.
This community has been significantly reduced due to beach front development
and other disturbances within the MCZ and is now limited to the Point
Dume area. As with many of the previously described plant communities,
it is considered to be a highest priority special plant community
which is in need of protection.
Southern Foredunes: Areas of sand accumulation
along the coast historically supported Southern Foredunes. This community,
which typically occurs on foredunes or upper beaches, is now much
reduced due to urban and other development. Southern Foredunes are
dominated by a variety of suffrutescent (woody but diminutively shrubby)
plants that are typically less than one foot in height. Characteristic
species include sand-verbena (Abronia spp.), silver beachweed (Ambrosia
chamissonis) and horned searocket (Cakile maritima) in exposed sites,
while beach morning-glory (Calystegia soldanella) and beach evening
primrose (Camissonia cheiranthifolia) are more common in sites less
exposed to desiccating, salt and sand-bearing winds. Due to the limited
remaining distribution of this community and development pressure
on areas which support the community, it is identified by the California
Department of Fish and Game as a highest priority special plant community
which should be protected. Southern foredunes can be found at Broad
Beach and some elements at Zuma Beach, Point Dume and Leo Carillo
State Beach.
Southern Dune Scrub: A dense coastal scrub community
of scattered shrubs, subshrubs and herbs, generally less that 1 meter
tall and often developing considerable cover. lntergrades toward the
coast with Southern Foredunes and away from the coast on rockier soils
with Venturan Sage Scrub. Species include Atriplex leucophylla, Croton
californicus, Ericamerica ericoides, Haplopappus venetus vernonioides,
Lupinus chamissonis, Opuntia littoralis and Rhus integrifolia. With
the notable exception of the El Segundo Dunes, this community has
been virtually eliminated from mainland southern California. Other
small examples persist in Baja California, the Channel Islands and
Point Dume.
Coastal Brackish Marsh: Malibu Lagoon is classified
as a Coastal Brackish Marsh. This community type usually occurs at
the interior edges of coastal bays and estuaries or in coastal lagoons.
The community is dominated by perennial, emergent, monocots which
are characteristic of both coastal Freshwater Marsh and Southern Coastal
Salt Marsh. Although salinity in this community often varies considerably
it is more often brackish due to substantial freshwater input and
limited marine influence in the summer months due to the development
of a sand barrier between the estuary and the ocean. Brackish marsh
vegetation, like that of southern coastal salt marshes, includes a
variety of halophytic (salt-tolerant) species. At Malibu Lagoon, the
dominant species are Saltgrass (Distichlis spicata), jaumea (Jaumea
samosa) and pickleweed (Salicornia virginica) (Manion and Dillingham,
1989). The distribution of brackish and coastal salt marshes has been
severely restricted along the southern California coast and much of
the habitat has been degraded. This community is, therefore, considered
a highest priority community in need of protection.
Freshwater Marsh: Coastal Freshwater Marsh typically
occurs in small pockets within the floodplains of the MCZ's drainages.
These areas are permanently flooded or saturated with freshwater and
typically are dominated by rushes (Juncus spp.), tules (Scirpus spp.)
and cattail (Typha spp.). The marsh wetlands which occur at the mouths
of the largest watershed, including Topanga, Trancas, Zuma and Arroyo
Sequit, can be characterized as seasonal estuaries. These wetlands
are exposed to marine tidal influences during the winter months, but
are isolated from the Ocean as stream flows decline and sand barriers
develop. Despite the periodic influences of salt water, these habitats
are characterized as predominately freshwater wetland habitats. The
Santa Monica Bay Restoration Project's "Wetland Inventory and Restoration
Potential" report identified the estuary at Zuma Beach as having freshwater
vegetation (see page 4 of the Appendix of that report).
Coastal Freshwater Marsh also develops in isolated depressions
which are fed by springs or seeps. Although areas of this type that
support the community are less common in the MCZ, there is a large
Coastal Freshwater Marsh located at the mouth of an unnamed canyon
north of Trancas Canyon (Josselyn et al, 1992). Due to urban development,
stream channelization for flood control, and alteration of hydrological
input, this community has experienced a significant reduction in distribution
and is considered a highest priority community in need of protection.
Valley Needlegrass Grassland: This native grassland
is characterized by perennial, tussock-forming valley needlegrass
(Stipa pulchra), but often supports a cover of various other native
and introduced annuals which provide greater cover than the needlegrass.
This community usually occurs on fine-textured soils that are moist
or even waterlogged during winter when germination occurs, but are
very dry during summer. This community is considered to be very threatened
due to the limited distribution of remaining stands, competition with
introduced annual grasses, and development pressure on areas which
support the community. The community is identified by the California
Department of Fish and Game as a highest priority special plant community
which is in need of protection.
Non-Native Grassland: Non-native Grassland occupies
many of the areas which would have historically supported Valley Needlegrass
Grassland. This community consists of a dense to sparse cover of annual
grasses which are more effective competitors than native bunchgrasses
when areas are overgrazed or regularly disturbed in other ways. The
community is also often associated with numerous species of native
annual wildflowers, especially in years of favorable rainfall. Non-native
Grassland occurs on the same soils that support Valley Needlegrass
Grassland and often intergrades with Coast Live Oak Woodland much
as the native grassland does. Although not considered a rare or threatened
community, this plant association provides important wildlife habitat
and is now much reduced in distribution in Los Angeles County due
to agricultural and urban development.
Coastal Sage Scrub: The Coastal Sage Scrub community
is represented by Venturan Coastal Sage Scrub. This community is characterized
by low, mostly soft-woody shrubs that are 0.5 to 2 meters tall. Crowns
in this community often touch and in some areas there is typically
bare ground underneath and between shrubs (while in other areas there
is an understory). Common plants in this community include California
sagebrush (Artemisia californica), black sage (Salvia mellifera),
purple sage (Salvia leucophylla), California encelia (Encelia californica),
deer weed (Lotus scoparius), and California buckwheat (Eriogonum fasciculatum).
This community is considered to be a sensitive plant community type
by the CDFG due to development pressure on areas which support the
community type.
Chaparral: The local chaparral community is principally
Chamise Chaparral. This one to three meter tall chaparral is overwhelmingly
dominated by chamise (Adenostoma fasciculatum). Other associated species
such as Eastwood's manzanita (Arctostaphylos glandulosa), big-pod
ceanothus (Ceanothus megacarpus), mountain mahogany (Cercocarpus betuloides),
and toyon (Heteromeles arbutifolia) generally contribute little to
total cover. This community occurs on the shallow, dry soils of slopes
and ridges and is characterized by a relatively frequent fire cycle
(every 10 to 15 years). Because of this frequent fire cycle, many
species within the community respond to fire by stump and root sprouting
and by germination of fire stimulated seeds. Mature stands, not recently
affected by fire, are often densely interwoven and support very little
herbaceous understory.
Another relatively common chaparral which occurs in the MCZ
is big-pod ceanothus chaparral. This tall, dense chaparral is strongly
dominated by big-pod ceanothus. This species does not stump sprout,
but is apparently long lived in the absence of fire. The community
typically occurs on dry slopes with shallow, rocky soils and intergrades
with Venturan Coastal Sage Scrub and Chamise Chaparral on drier sites
and Coast Live Oak Woodland on moister sites. Less common chaparrals
that occur in the MCZ include hoary-leaf ceanothus chaparral, Redshank
Chaparral, Scrub Oak Chaparral, and Northern Mixed Chaparral. These
communities are each more fully described by Holland in the State
Department of Fish and Game's Preliminary Descriptions of the Terrestrial
Natural Vegetation Communities of California (1986).
Riparian Woodland, Scrub, and Forest: Southern
Coast Live Oak Riparian Forest is similar to Coast Live Oak Woodland,
but is characterized by a denser canopy which is largely closed. This
community typically occurs in well-shaded valley bottoms and along
low, adjacent slopes. It provides resources which are similar to the
resources provided by Coast Live Oak Woodland. The California Department
of Fish and Game identifies this as a highest priority special plant
community in need of protection. Other local communities which are
largely associated with drainages include a variety of riparian woodland,
forest, and scrub communities. These communities include Southern
Cottonwood Willow Riparian Forest, Southern Sycamore Alder Riparian
Woodland, White Alder Riparian Forest, Southern Willow Scrub, and
Mule Fat Scrub.
Distinctions between these communities are often vague as they
intergrade with one another, but species composition and physiographic
characteristics often allow these riparian communities to be identified
to type. Each of these communities with the exception of Mule Fat
Scrub are considered to be ecologically important.
White Alder Riparian Forest is a medium to
tall deciduous streamside forest dominated by white alder (Alnus rhombifolia).
Understories are shrubby, deciduous and typically represented by willows
(Salix spp.) and mule fat (Baccharis saliciplia). This community is
best represented along the high gradient reaches of perennial steep-sided
drainages and as a consequence generally occurs as a very narrow riparian
corridor.
Southern Sycamore Alder Riparian Woodland is
a tall deciduous streamside woodland that is dominated by western
sycamore (Platanus racemosa) and occasional white alders. These woodland
stands seldom form closed canopies and may even appear as trees scattered
in a shrubby thicket. The community is typically associated with rocky
stream beds that are subject to high intensity flooding. The intermittent
nature of most of the drainages within the MCZ favors western sycamore
as the dominant species, but white alder increases in abundance on
more perennial streams.
Southern Cottonwood Willow Riparian Forest is
a tall, open, deciduous riparian forest dominated by Fremont's cottonwood
(Popuius fremontii), western sycamore, and various tree willows (Salix
spp.).Understories are usually shrubby willows. This community usually
occurs on the lower gradient reaches of perennial drainages where
it is best represented in subirrigated canyon bottoms and overflow
areas as well as along stream sides. The community is perhaps not
differentiable from Southern Cottonwood Sycamore Riparian Forest with
the exception that this latter community may be characterized as containing
a higher proportion of western sycamores and is more likely to occur
on sub-perennial or intermittent streams. Cottonwood is relatively
uncommon in the Malibu Coastal Zone and neither community type is
abundant.
Southern Willow Scrub occurs as a dense, deciduous
riparian thicket dominated by several species of willows. Scattered
emergent Fremont's cottonwoods and western sycamores are also often
present. The community occurs along the lower gradient reaches of
drainages where sandy or fine alluvium is deposited. This early seral
stage requires frequent disturbance from flooding to prevent succession
to Southern Cottonwood Willow Riparian Forest or Southern Cottonwood
Sycamore Riparian Forest.
Mule Fat Scrub is a tall, herbaceous riparian
scrub that is strongly dominated by mule fat. This early seral community
is maintained by frequent flooding. In the absence of such flooding
the community succeeds to a variety of cottonwood or sycamore-dominated
forests or woodlands. The community typically occurs along intermittent
stream channels with fairly coarse substrate and moderate depth to
the water table. It often occurs as a patchy understory in light gaps
in cottonwood or sycamore-dominated riparian woodlands.
California Walnut Woodland: California Walnut Woodland
is similar to Coast Live Oak Woodland but with a more open tree canopy
locally dominated by California walnut (Julous californica). The more
open canopy allows a more extensive development of a grassy understory.
The community typically occurs on relatively moist, fine-textured
soils of valley slopes and canyon bottoms, but may also occur around
rocky outcrops of slopes and canyon walls. Drier, rockier sites often
intergrade to Venturan Coastal Sage Scrub, while moister sites intergrade
to Coast Live Oak Woodland or Southern Coast Live Oak Forest. This
community is also identified as a highest priority special plant community
which is in need of protection by the California Department of Fish
and Game.
Oak Woodlands: Oak Woodlands within the MCZ are
primarily Coast Live Oak Woodland. This community typically occurs
on north-facing slopes and shaded ravines in the Malibu area. On drier
sites, Coast Live Oak Woodland intergrades with Venturan Coastal Sage
Scrub and Chamise Chaparral. As the name implies, this oak woodland
community is dominated by coast live oak (Quercus agrifolia). On deeper,
bottom land soils and along larger streams, this community intergrades
to Southern Coast Live Oak Riparian Forest. Oak woodlands are locally
important because they provide a variety of food, shelter, shade,
and nesting site resources which are not provided by other, more widely
distributed communities. Valley Oak Woodland occurs on the interior
valley and coastal slopes, frequently on the valley bottom on deep,
well drained alluvial soils.
The Malibu Coastal Zone (MCZ) supports a rich and diverse fauna
of mammals, reptiles, amphibians, birds and invertebrates. Sufficient
intact wildland habitat still remains in the MCZ and throughout the
Santa Monica Mountains to support almost the entire complement of
wildlife native to the Santa Monica Mountains, including large mammals
such as the mountain lion, bobcat, coyote and deer.
Each of the vegetation communities of the MCZ provide wildlife
habitat. Although each community provides essential habitat parameters
for certain species, some of these communities provide higher value
habitat or habitat for a wider diversity of species. The location
of environmentally sensitive resource areas which function as important
wildlife habitat are displayed in Figure CO-3.
Riparian scrubs, woodlands and forests are often characterized
as having the greatest biological diversity and the highest productivity
of all California wildlife habitats. Riparian vegetation communities
provide shade, food, cover, breeding habitat, water and dispersal
and migration corridors for many mammal species, bird, reptile, amphibian,
fish, and invertebrate. A significant number of wildlife species are
found only in riparian habitats. Twenty-five percent of California
mammals, 80% of amphibians, and 40% of reptiles are limited to or
dependent upon riparian zones, and more than 135 species of California
birds depend upon or prefer riparian habitats.
Oak woodland and forest provides many of the same habitat parameters
as riparian habitats. The most notable exception is the availability
of water. Oak woodland and forest also improves the wildlife habitat
value of other adjacent vegetation communities since species which
occur in grasslands, chaparral or scrub make significant use of the
shade, food and cover of adjacent oak habitat. Significant stands
of oak woodland and forest have been mapped in the Malibu Local Coastal
Program (1986) (see Figure CO-3).
Coastal sage scrub is a community which lacks the total species
diversity of the two previously described wildlife habitats, but which
is none-the-less important to discuss due to its significant reduction
during the last 40 years. Estimates place the extant coastal sage
scrub at between 10 and 30% of the historic distribution of the community.
As a consequence at least 35 species of California wildlife associated
with coastal sage scrub are considered to have sensitive status due
to the limited and often fragmented distribution of remaining areas
of this community (Murphy, 1992). A number of these species occur
or potentially occur in the MCZ. The sensitive animal species associated
with Southern California's coastal sage scrub include the following:
Southern California rufous-crowned sparrow, Bell's sage sparrow, California
horned lizard, San Diego horned lizard, Coastal western whiptail,
Coast patch-nose snake, Coastal Rosy boa, Southwestern pond turtle.
Freshwater marsh is a habitat which has been severely reduced
throughout California. Within the MCZ this habitat may have never
been very extensive with the exception of occurrences at the mouths
of the larger drainages. Many of the areas which historically supported
this habitat have been filled and developed or have been altered due
to channelization and other flood control activities. The current
wildlife habitat value of most areas in the MCZ supporting this community
are is limited due to the extent and degradation of the habitat. It
should be noted however that the habitat and water quality values
and functions of this community can be restored and expanded with
proper planning and implementation. Efforts of this type are important
because the year-round water and vegetative cover provided by freshwater
marsh is important to many wetland-inhabiting species of wildlife.
Coastal brackish marsh in the MCZ occurs only at Malibu Lagoon.
The estuary provides important wildlife habitat for a variety of species
including resident and migratory birds, resident and migratory fish,
and a number of brackish and saltwater species of invertebrates. Bird
diversity and abundance is greatest during January to March when northern
breeding species which winter in the area are attracted to the predictable
fish and invertebrate resources of the estuary. Species which are
typically observed during winter include a variety of gulls, dabbling
and diving ducks, fish-eating divers (i.e., cormorants, loons and
mergansers), plunge divers (i.e., terns and belted kingfisher), and
long-legged waders (i.e., herons and egrets). Although the abundance
and diversity of bird species declines from March to August there
is still significant use of the estuary during this time. During surveys
conducted from April 1987 to March 1988 a total of 151 species of
birds were recorded at Malibu Lagoon (Manion and Dillingham, 1989).
The estuary also provides habitat for fish. Twenty-nine species
of native and non-native fish have been recorded in the estuary (Swift,
1982). The estuary has been identified as a breeding and nursery ground
for several species of coastal fish including California halibut (Paralichthys
californicus). Many species utilize coastal estuaries as breeding
and nursery grounds because of abundant food, warmer water temperatures
and reduced competition or predation from other fishes. Species which
appear to be most abundant in the estuary include California killifish
(Fundulus parvipinnis), topsmelt (Atherinops affinis), arrow goby
(Clevelandia ios) and staghorn sculpin (Leptocottus armatus). These
four species represented over 98% of individuals accounted for during
studies conducted in 1987-1988 (Manion and Dillingham, 1989).
Malibu Lagoon provides habitat for the Tidewater goby (Eucyclogobius
newberryi), a federally listed endangered species. Malibu Lagoon has
been identified as a critical habitat component in the life cycle
of steelhead (Oncorhynchus mykiss) which spawn in Malibu Creek. Malibu
Creek is the southernmost run of the steelhead. Juvenile steelhead
enter the estuary prior to continuing on to the ocean. The time spent
in the brackish waters of the estuary allows the juvenile steelhead
the necessary time to transition physiologically from freshwater to
saltwater. Historically, the steelhead stayed in the estuary until
winter storms opened the estuary to the ocean. It is unknown what
effect the aseasonal input of freshwater to the estuary and the artificial
opening of the estuary to the ocean have had on the Malibu Creek steelhead
population, but it can be assumed that the effects have been deleterious.
There is evidence that Malibu Creek steelhead has experienced dramatic
decreases in its population. During 1987-1988 only one adult steelhead
is known to have been recorded from Malibu Creek (Jensen, 1989).
In addition to the habitat provided by vegetation communities,
there are a variety of other natural areas which provide habitat for
local wildlife. These areas include habitat provided by drainages
and ponds, rocky and sandy intertidal zones, and offshore rocks and
islets.
Freshwater aquatic habitat is limited within the MCZ, due to
the short rainy season and the steep topography. Most local drainages
typically contain intermittent streams which have no surface flow
for up to eight months of the year. These intermittent streams, as
well as more perennial drainages, provide important habitat for a
variety of aquatic or semi-aquatic amphibians, reptiles, fish and
invertebrates. Although the presence of surface water in the MCZ is
typically seasonal, the species which rely on this resource have evolved
in response to the seasonal precipitation pattern. Many of the species
which utilize local streams, migrate or move from other adjacent habitats
to these drainages when they have surface flow or pooled water (i.e.
anurans, California newt, steelhead). Other species such as the native
arroyo chub (Gila orcutti) are resident in the perennial reaches of
the streams.
Freshwater ponds also provide aquatic habitat within the MCZ.
These bodies of water support many of the same species as local drainages
and provide a source of water for terrestrial species. Freshwater
ponds are found in Solstice, Corral, Trancas and Zuma Canyons and
at Nicholas Flats (Sarah Dixon, Malibu General Plan Task Force, pers.
comm.).
The MCZ contains a variety of rocky and sandy intertidal habitats.
These areas support a diversity of marine invertebrates which in turn
support many species of coastal birds. Sandy intertidal habitats on
Malibu beaches also provide spawning habitat for grunion.
Offshore rocks and islets provide nesting sites and refuge for
marine mammals, and coastal and pelagic birds. These areas are generally
inaccessible to humans and domestic animals and as such are usually
secure from disturbance from human activities. These resources are
used as haul outs by California sea lions (Zalophus californianus)
and as breeding sites by gulls (Larus spp.) and cormorants (Phalacrocorax
spp.). These resources also often provide habitat for shorebirds which
feed in rocky intertidal habitats.
Sensitive species within the MCZ are here identified as those
plants and animals that are considered rare, threatened, or endangered
by state or federal agencies, thereby requiring special protection;
see Tables 3-2 and 3-3. Many of these species are currently protected
by the state and federal Endangered Species Acts. Other species are
protected by provisions of the Fish and Game Code of California as
fully protected species. Species which do no receive protection from
the aforementioned regulations, but which are experiencing local and
regional population declines, are often considered or identified as
candidates for listing under the state and federal Endangered Species
Acts. The California Department of Fish and Game maintains a statewide
inventory on sensitive threatened plant and animal species. These
species receive limited protection through mitigation of impacts to
the species under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).
Many of the sensitive species in Malibu are associated with coastal
wetland and strand habitats which are becoming increasingly rare biotic
communities due to coastal development. Many other sensitive species
within the MCZ are associated with riparian vegetation communities.
|
Table 3-2
RARE, THREATENED OR ENDANGERED ANIMALS POTENTIALLY OCCURRING
IN THE SANTA MONICA MOUNTAINS (July 1995)
| |||
|---|---|---|---|
|
Species
|
Status of Species1
| ||
|
Federal Status
|
State Status
|
Santa Monica Mountains Status
| |
|
MAMMALS
|
|
|
|
|
Euderma maculatum
Spotted Bat
|
C2
|
CSC
|
|
|
Eumops percis califronicus
Greater Western Matiff Bat
|
C2
|
CSC
|
|
|
Macrotus californicus
California Leaf-nosed Bat
|
C2
|
CSC
|
|
|
Myotis lucifugus occultus
Occult Little Brown Bat
|
C2
|
CSC
|
|
|
Pelcotus townsendii townsendii
Pacific Western Big-eared Bat
|
C2
|
CSC
|
|
|
Reithrodontomys megalotus limicola
Southern Marsh Harvest Mouse
|
C3
|
CSC
|
|
|
Sorex ornatus salicornicus
Salt Marsh Ornate Shrew
|
C2
|
CSC
|
|
|
Taxidea taxus
American Badger
|
|
|
|
|
Lepus californicus bennettii
Black-tailed Hare
|
C2
|
|
|
|
Bassariscus astutus
Ringtail
|
|
CP
|
|
|
Mustela frenata
Long-Tailed Weasel
|
|
|
U
|
|
Zelis concolor
Mountain lion
|
|
|
U
|
|
BIRDS
|
|
|
|
|
Ixobrychus exilis hesperis
Western Least Bittern
|
C2
|
CSC
|
|
|
Pelecanus erythrorhynchos
American White Pelican
|
|
CSC
|
|
|
Pelecanus occidentalis californicus
Brown Pelican
|
FE
|
CE
|
|
|
Histrionicus histrionicus
Harlequin Duck
|
C2
|
CSC
|
|
|
Gymnogyps californianus
California Condor
|
FE
|
CE
|
|
|
Haliaeetus leucocephalus
Bald Eagle
|
FE
|
CE
|
|
|
Aquila chrysaetos
Golden Eagle
|
|
CSC
|
|
|
Accipiter cooperli
Cooper's Hawk
|
|
CSC
|
|
|
Pandion haliaetus
Osprey
|
|
CSC
|
|
|
Elanus caeruleus
Black-shouldered Kite
|
|
CP
|
|
|
Circus cyaneus
Northern Harrier
|
|
CSC
|
|
|
Accipiter striatus
Sharp-shinned Hawk
|
C2
|
CSC
|
|
|
Buteo swainsoni
Swainson's Hawk
|
|
CT
|
|
|
Buteo regalis
Ferruginous Hawk
|
C2
|
|
|
|
Falco pergrinus anatum
American Peregrin Falcon
|
FE
|
CE
|
|
|
Lanius ludovicianus
Loggerhead Shrike
|
C2
|
|
|
|
Dendroica petechia brewsteri
Yellow Warbler
|
|
CSC
|
|
|
Aimophila ruficeps canescens
Southern California Rufous-crowned Sparrow
|
C2
|
|
|
|
Amphispiza belli belli
Bell's Sage Sparrow
|
C2
|
|
|
|
Ardea herodias
Great Blue Heron
|
|
SA (for breeding habitat)
|
|
|
Nycticorax nycticorax
Black-crowned Night-heron
|
|
SA (for breeding habitat)
|
|
|
Oreortyx pictus
Mountain Quail
|
C2
|
|
|
|
Tyto alba
Barn Owl
|
|
|
SC
|
|
Asio otus
Long-eared Owl
|
|
CSC
|
|
|
Melanerpes lewis
Lewis' Woodpecker
|
|
|
SC
|
|
Empidonax traillii extimus
Southwestern Willow Flycatcher
|
|
CSC
|
Transient
|
|
Sialia mexicana
Western Bluebird
|
S
|
|
SC
|
|
Icteria virens
Yellow-Breasted Chat
|
|
CSC
|
Potential transient
|
|
REPTILES AND AMPHIBIANS
|
|
|
|
|
Clemmys marmorata pallida
Southwestern Pond Turtle
|
C2
|
CSC
|
|
|
Phrynosoma coronatum blainvillei
San Diego Horned Lizard
|
C2
|
CSC
|
|
|
Phrynosoma cornatum frontale
California Horned Lizard
|
C2
|
CSC
|
|
|
Cnemidophorus tiqris multiscutatus
Coastal Western Whiptail
|
C2
|
|
|
|
Anniella pulchra pulchra
San Diego Mountain King Snake
|
C2
|
CSC
|
|
|
Lichanura trivirgata roseofusca
Coastal Rosy Boa
|
C2
|
|
|
|
Salvadora hexalepis virgultea
Coast Patch-nosed Snake
|
C2
|
CSC
|
|
|
Thamnophis hammondii
Two-striped Garter Snake
|
C2
|
CSC
|
|
|
Ensatina eschscholtzii
Ensatina
|
|
|
u
|
|
Anniella p. pulchra
Silvery Legless Lizard
|
|
|
U
|
|
Aneides lugubris
Arboreal Salamander
|
|
|
u
|
|
Leptotyphlops humilis
Southwestern Blind Snake
|
|
|
u
|
|
Thamnophis sirtalis infernalis
California Red-Sided Garter Snake
|
|
|
u
|
|
Coluber constictor mormon
Western Yellow-Bellied Racer
|
|
|
u
|
|
Masticophis flagellum
Red Coastwhip
|
|
|
u
|
|
Diadophus punctablus modestus
San Bernardino Ringtail Snake
|
C2
|
|
|
|
Bufo microscaphus californicus
Southwestern Arroyo Toad
|
FE
|
CSC
|
|
|
Rana aurora draytoni
California Red-legged Frog
|
FPE
|
CSC
|
Extirpated
|
|
FISHES
|
|
|
|
|
Eucyclogobius newberryi
Tidewater Goby
|
FE
|
CSC
|
|
|
Oncorhyndus mykiss
Steelhead Trout
|
FPE
|
|
|
|
INVERTEBRATES
|
|
|
|
|
Euphydryas editha quino
Wright's Checkerspot Butterfly
|
FPE
|
|
Extirpated
|
|
Lycaena arota nubila
Clouded Tailed Copper Butterfly
|
C3
|
|
|
|
Panoguina errans
Salt Marsh Skipper
|
C2
|
|
|
|
Satyrium auretorum fumosum
Santa Monica Mountains Hairstreak
|
C2
|
|
|
|
Brennania belkini
Belkins Dune Tanid Fly
|
C2
|
|
|
|
Neduba longipennis
Santa Monica Shieldback katydid
|
C2
|
|
U
|
|
Proceratium californicum
Valley Oak Ant
|
C2
|
SA
|
|
|
Trigonoscuta dorothea dorothea
Dorothy's El Segundo Dune Weevil
|
C2
|
|
|
|
Carolella busckana
Busck's Galimoth
|
C2
|
|
|
|
Zerene eurydice
California Dogface
|
S
|
|
locally sensitive (Calif. state insect)
|
|
Danaus plexippus
Monarch
|
|
SA (threats to winter roost sites)
|
|
|
1CODE
|
|
Federal Status
|
|
FE Endangered
|
|
FP Proposed - proposed regulation published in the
Federal Register, no final rule.
|
|
C Candidate - under consideration for listing, but
yet to be the subject of a final rule.
|
|
C1 - substantial data exist to support candidacy
|
|
C2 - data suggest listing is possibly appropriate
but incomplete
|
|
C3 - non-candidates, but appeared on previous lists
|
|
C3A - extinct
|
|
C3B - taxonomically invalid
|
|
C3C - too widespread, currently not threatened
|
|
S Sensitive - (USDI: FWS, 1986)
|
|
State Status Codes
|
|
CE = California endangered
|
|
CP = California protected
|
|
CSC = California special concern (CDFG, 1987)
|
|
CT = California threatened
|
|
SA = Special animal (CDFG, 1987)
|
|
Santa Monica Mountains Status
|
|
U = uncommon (USDI: NPS 1982)
|
|
u = uncommon (DeLisle, et al., 1986)
|
|
SC = Special concern (Tate, 1986)
|
|
Table 3-3
RARE, THREATENED AND ENDANGERED PLANT SPECIES OF THE SANTA MONICA
MOUNTAINS
(July 1994)
| |||
|---|---|---|---|
|
Abronia maritima
(Nyctaginaceae)
|
Red sand verbena, perennial herb
|
CNPS: 4; R-E-D Code: 1-2-2; State/Fed status: - /PE
|
CoDns, Pt. Dume, west
|
|
Astragalus brauntonii
(Fabaceae)
|
Braunton's milk-vetch, perennial herb
|
CNPS: 1B; R-E-D Code: 3-2-3; State/Fed status: - /PE
|
Dist. soil, fire breaks, burns, Temescal, Mal Cyns., limestone
(carbonate) endemic, Topanga
|
|
A. pychostachyus var. lanosissimus (Fabaceae)**
|
Ventura marsh milkvetch, perennial herb
|
CNPS: 1A; last seen: 1967; State/Fed status: - /C2*
|
Coastal salt marsh, Mugu, presumed extirpated throughout
|
|
A. tener var. titi
(Fabaceae)*
|
Coastal dunes milkvetch, annual herb
|
CNPS: 1B, R-E-D Code: 3-3-3, State/Fed status: CE /C1
|
Vernal, moist clay flats, Santa Monica (FISMM) CBScr (sandy),
CoDns (CNPS Invn), presumed extirpated in LAX Co.
|
|
Atriplex coulteri
(Chenopodiaceae)
|
Coulter's saltbush, perennial herb
|
CNPS: 1B, R-E-D Code: 2-2-2, State/Fed status: CEQA /- or clay
(CNPS Invn)
|
Coastal bluffs near Pt. Dume (FISMM), CBScr, CoDns, CoScr, VFGrs,
alkaline
|
|
Baccharis malibuensis
(Asteraceae)
|
Malibu baccharis, shrub
|
Listing pending publication of name
|
Shaded canyons
|
|
Baccharis plummerae ssp. plummerae (Asteraceae)
|
Plummer's baccharis, shrub
|
CNPS: 4, R-E-D Code: 1-1-3, State/Fed status: CEQA? /-
|
Shaded canyons near coast
|
|
Boykinia rotundifolia
(Saxifragaceae)
|
Round-leaved boykinia, perennial herb
|
CNPS: 4, R-E-D Code: 3-1-1, State/Fed status: CEQA? /-
|
Moist soil near streams, lower Mal. Cyn., Mesic Chpl, RpWdl
|
|
Calandrinia breweri
(Portulacaceae)
|
Brewer's calandrinia, annual herb
|
CNPS: 4, R-E-D Code: 1-1-2, State/Fed status: CEQA? /-
|
Dist. sites, burns, scattered throughout (FISMM), Chpl, CoScr/dist
sites, burns, wide dist., but uncommon everywhere (CNPS Invn)
|
|
Calandrinia maritima
(Portulacceae)
|
Seaside calandrinia, annual herb
|
CNPS: 4, R-E-D Code: 1-2-1, State/Fed status: CEQA? /-
|
Sand or sea bluffs/CSS, Santa Monica (FISMM), CBScr, VFGrs/sandy
(CNPS Invn)
|
|
Calochortus catalinae
(Liliaceae)
|
Catalina mariposa lily, perennial herb (bulbiferous)
|
CNPS: 4, R-E-D Code: 1-2-3, State/Fed status: CEQA? /-
|
Meadows, VFGrs
|
|
C. plummerae (Liliaceae)
|
Plummer's mariposa lily, perennial herb (bulbiferous)
|
CNPS: 1B, R-E-D Code: 2-2-3, State/Fed status: - / C2
|
Scattered and local on rocky slopes at low elevation away from
coast, throughout (FISMM), Chpl, Wdl, CoScr, LCFrs, VFGrs (CNPS Invn)
|
|
Camissonia lewisii
(Onagraceae)
|
Lewis's evening primrose, annual herb
|
CNPS: 3, R-E-D Code: ?-?-2, State/Fed status: CEQA? /-
|
Point Dume (FISMM), CoBScr, CoDns, CoScr, VFGrs /sandy or clay
(CNPS lnvn)
|
|
Cercocarpus betuloides ssp. blancheae (Rosaceae)
|
Island mountainmahogany, shrub
|
CNPS: 4, R-E-D Code: 1-1-3, State/Fed status: CEQA? /-
|
1800' Saddle Rock, Chpl
|
|
Chamaebatia australis
(Rosaceae)
|
Southern mountain misery, shrub
|
CNPS: 4, R-E-D Code: 1-2-1, State/Fed status: CEQA? /-
|
Rare on north-facing slopes, Rocky Oaks (FISMM), Chpl
|
|
Chorizanthe parryi var. parryi (Polygonaceae)
|
Parry's spineflower, annual herb
|
CNPS: 3, R-E-D Code: ?-2-3, State/Fed status: - / C2
|
NDDB rept. in Latigo Cyn.
|
|
Cordylanthus maritimus ssp. maritimus (Scrophulariaceae)
|
Salt marsh bird's beak, annual herb (hemiparasitic)
|
CNPS: 1B, R-E-D Code: 2-2-2, State/Fed status: CE / FE
|
Coastal salt marsh – Mugu, (extirpated Topanga quad),
no record for Malibu Lagoon
|
|
Coreopsis gigantea
(Asteraceae)
|
Giant coreopsis, herbaceous perennial (succulent)
|
Not listed - too common, indicator of CoBScr
|
CoBScr, southern extreme of distribution
|
|
Delphinium parryi ssp blochmaniae (Ranunculaceae)
|
Dune larkspur, perennial herb
|
CNPS: 1B, R-E-D Code: 3-2-3, State/Fed status: - / C2
|
Chpl (maritime), CoDn Long Grade Cyn, Camarillo
|
|
Dichondra occidentalis
(Convovulaceae)
|
Western dichondra, creeping perennial herb
|
CNPS: 4, R-E-D Code: 1-2-1, State/Fed status: - / C3c
|
Locally abundant, inconspicuous, bare slopes after fire
|
|
Dithyrea maritima
(Brassicaceae)
|
Beach spectaclepod, perennial herb (rhizomatous)
|
CNPS: 1B, R-E-D Code: 3-3-2, State/Fed status: CT / C1
|
Sand dunes-Santa Monica (FISMM), CoDns, CoScr (sandy), extirpated
in SMM's?
|
|
Dudleya blochmaniae ssp. blochmaniae (Crassulaceae)
|
Blochman's dudleya, herbaceous perennial (succulent)
|
CNPS: 1B, R-E-D Code: 3-3-3, State/Fed status: - / C2
|
Stony open slopes often in clay, Conejo common near grade, rare
Pt. Dume, extirpated Malibu Beach, Santa Monica Canyon (CoBScr, CoScr,
VFGr)
|
|
D. caespitosa
|
|
|
Southern limit of Pt. Dume, sandy cliffs
|
|
D. cymosa ssp. marcescens
(Crassulaceae)
|
Marcescent dudleya, herbaceous perennial (succulent)
|
CNPS: 1B, R-E-D Code: 3-2-3, State/Fed status: CR / PT
|
Sheer volcanic rock surfaces, adjacent to perr. streams Malibu
Creek St. Park, volcanic Chpl
|
|
D. cymosa ssp. ovatifolia
(Crassulaceae)
|
Santa Monica Mountains dudleya, herbaceous perennial (succulent)
|
CNPS: 1B, R-E-D Code: 2-2-3, State/Fed status: - / PT
|
Exposed north-facing slopes Westlake to Agoura, deep canyon
bottoms, lower Malibu Cyn. and Topanga Cyn., volcanic Chpl, CoScr
|
|
Dudleya multicaulis (Crassulaceae)
|
Many stemmed dudleya, herbaceous perennial (succulent)
|
CNPS: 1B, R-E-D Code: 1-2-3, State/Fed status: - / C2
|
Santa Monica, Hollywood, Chpl, CoScr, VFGrs / often clay, extirpated
in SMM's?
|
|
D. abramsii ssp. parva
(Crassulaceae)
|
|
|
Conejo Grade, Simi Hills
|
|
Conejo dudleya
|
Herbaceous perennial (succulent)
|
CNPS: 1B, R-E-D Code: 3-2-3, State/Fed status: - / PT
|
CoScr, VFGrs / rocky, clay
|
|
D. verityi (Crassulaceae)
|
Verity's dudleya, herbaceous perennial (succulent)
|
CNPS: 1B, R-E-D Code: 3-2-3, State/Fed status: - / PT
|
Lower Conejo Grade, Ventura Chpl, CoScr, CmWdl / volcanic
|
|
Eriogonum crocatum
(Polygonaceae)
|
Conejo buckwheat, herbaceous perennial
|
CNPS: 1B, R-E-D Code: 2-2-3, State/Fed status: CR / C2
|
Conejo grade, volcanic outcrops, Santa Rosa Valley Lake, Eleanor,
Chpl, CoScr, VFGrs / Conejo volcanic outcrops
|
|
Erysimum insulare ssp. suffrutescens (Brassicaceae)
|
Suffrurescent wallflower, perennial herb
|
CNPS: 4, R-E-D Code: 1-2-3, State/Fed status: CEQA? / -
|
Rare, Pt. Mugu, CBScr, CoDns, CoScr
|
|
Gallium cliftonsmithii
(Rubiaceae)
|
Santa Barbara bedstraw, perennial herb
|
CNPS: 4, R-E-D Code: 1-1-2, State/Fed status: CEQA? / -
|
Oak woodland
|
|
Hermizonia minthornii
(Asteraceae)
|
Santa Susana tarweed, subshrub
|
CNPS: 1B, R-E-D Code: 2-2-3, State/Fed status: CE / C1
|
Rocky outcrops, CoScr, Chpl
|
|
Hordeum intercedens
(Poaceae)
|
VnlP, Vernal barley, annual herb
|
CNPS: 3, R-E-D Code: ?-2-2, State/Fed status: CEQA? /-
|
Rill on dry adobe soil, NE slope of Conejo Mtn., VFGrs
|
|
Juglans californica var californica (Juglandaceae)
|
Southern California black walnut, tree
|
CNPS: 4, R-E-D Code: 1-2-3, State/Fed status: CEQA? /-
|
Southern Oak Woodland or Chaparral on north or otherwise moist
slopes
|
|
Juncus acutus ssp. leopoldii (Juncaceae)
|
Southwestern spiny rush, perennial herb (rhizomatous)
|
CNPS: 4, R-E-D Code: 1-2-1, State/Fed status: CEQA? /-
|
Alkaline seeps, coastal salt marsh, CoDns (mesic)
|
|
Lepichinia fragrans
(Lamiaceae)
|
Fragrant pitcher sage, shrub
|
CNPS: 4, R-E-D Code: 1-2-3, State/Fed status: CEQA? /-
|
Triunfo Pass, Upper Decker Cyn., Chpl
|
|
Lilium humboldtii ssp. ocellatum (Liliaceae)
|
Ocellated humboldt lily, perennial herb (bulbiferous)
|
CNPS: 4, R-E-D Code: 1-2-3, State/Fed status: - / C2
|
Riparian oak woodland
|
|
Mucronea californica
(Polygonaceae)
|
California spineflower, annual herb
|
CNPS: 4, R-E-D Code: 1-2-3, State/Fed status: CEQA? / -
|
Rare in So. Cal., sandy flats behind Pt. Dume, CoDns, CoScr,
VFGrs / sandy
|
|
Nama stenocarpum
(Hydrophyllaceae)*
|
Mud nama, annual/perennial herb
|
CNPS: 2, R-E-D Code: 3-2-1, State/Fed status: CEQA / -
|
Rare, wet heavy soils, Santa Monica (FISMM), SwMsh (lake margins,
riverbanks) (CNPS Invn), extirpated SMM
|
|
Pentachaeta lyonii
(Asteraceae)
|
Lyon's pentachaeta, annual herb; assoc. Chorizanthe
staticoides, Calochortus catalinae
|
CNPS: 1B, R-E-D Code: 3-3-3, State/Fed status: CE / PE
|
Chpl. openings, VFGrs, exposed soils with little cover
|
|
Stipa pulchra
|
|
|
|
|
Polygala cornuta var. fishiae (Polygalaceae)
|
Fish's milkwort, shrub (deciduous)
|
CNPS: 4, R-E-D Code: 1-1-2, State/Fed status: CEQA? / -
|
Shaded slopes, Chpl. or Southern oak woodland
|
|
Senecio aphanactis
(Asteraceae)
|
Rayless ragwort, annual herb
|
CNPS: 2, R-E-D Code: 3-2-1, State/Fed status: CEQA / -
|
Rare in So. Cal., Camarillo, Newbury Park quads., CmWld, CoScr
/ alkaline
|
|
Suaeda esteroa
(Chenopodiaceae)
|
Estuary seablight, perennial herb
|
CNPS: 4, R-E-D Code: 1-2-1, State/Fed status: CEQA? / -
|
Coastal salt marsh, Pt. Mugu, Hist. record for Malibu Lagoon?
|
|
Thelypteris puberula var sonorensis (Thelypteridaceae)
|
Sonoran maiden fern, perennial herb (rhizomatous)
|
CNPS: 2, R-E-D Code: 2-2-1, State/Fed status: CEQA / -
|
Rare, clumps along stream, Encinal Cyn. (FISMM), Medws (seeps
and streams) (CNPS Invn)
|
|
Key to Terms and Abbreviations for the List of Rare and
Endangered Plant Species of the Santa Monica Mountains
| ||
|
CNPS Rating:
| ||
|
1A
|
Presumed extinct in California
| |
|
1B
|
Rare and endangered in California and elsewhere
| |
|
2
|
R/E in California, more common elsewhere
| |
|
3
|
Need more information
| |
|
4
|
Plants of limited distribution - watch list
| |
|
R-E-D Code:
| ||
|
R
|
Rarity
| |
|
|
1
|
Rare but found in sufficient numbers and distributed widely
enough for low extinction potential at this time
|
|
|
2
|
Distributed in a limited number of occurrences, occasionally
more if each occurrence is small
|
|
|
3
|
Distributed in one to several highly restricted occurrences,
or present in such small numbers that it is seldom reported
|
|
E
|
Endangerment
| |
|
|
1
|
Not endangered
|
|
|
2
|
Endangered in a portion of its range
|
|
|
3
|
Endangered throughout its range
|
|
D
|
Distribution
| |
|
|
1
|
More or less widespread outside California
|
|
|
2
|
Rare outside California
|
|
|
3
|
Endemic to California
|
|
*
|
Extirpated in Los Angeles County
| |
|
**
|
Presumed to be extinct
| |
|
Habitat Types:
| ||
|
CoDns
|
Coastal dunes
| |
|
CBScr
|
Coastal bluff scrub
| |
|
CoScr
|
Coastal scrub
| |
|
Chpl
|
Chaparral
| |
|
VFGrs
|
Valley and foothill grassland
| |
|
VnPls
|
Vernal pools
| |
|
Medws
|
Meadows and seeps
| |
|
MshSw
|
Marshes and swamps
| |
|
RpWld
|
Riparian woodland
| |
|
RpScr
|
Riparian scrub
| |
|
California State Listings:
| ||
|
R
|
Rare
| |
|
T
|
Threatened
| |
|
E
|
Endangered
| |
|
C
|
Candidate - officially proposed for listing as either R, T,
or E
| |
|
Federal Listings:
| ||
|
T
|
Threatened
| |
|
E
|
Endangered
| |
|
P
|
Proposed - proposed regulation published in the Federal Register,
no final rule
| |
|
C
|
Candidate - under consideration for listing, but yet to be the
subject of a final rule
| |
|
|
C1
|
substantial data exist to support candidacy
|
|
|
C2
|
data suggest listing is possibly appropriate but incomplete
|
|
|
C3
|
non-candidates, but appeared on previous lists
|
|
|
|
C3A extinct
|
|
|
|
C3B taxonomically invalid
|
|
|
|
C3C too widespread, currently not threatened
|
References: FISMM: Flora of the Santa Monica Mountains
(Raven, Thompson, and Rigge, 1986)
The significant biological resource areas of the MCZ have been
previously identified in the Los Angeles County General Plan, the
Malibu/Santa Monica Mountains Interim Area Plan, and the Malibu Local
Coastal Program Land Use Plan (Malibu LCP LUP). Additionally, the
Regional Water Quality Control Board (RWQCB) identified a portion
of the Malibu coastline as a significant biological resource area.
Los Angeles County has defined Significant Ecological Areas
(SEAs) as ecologically fragile or important land and water areas which
are valuable as plant or wildlife habitat. The specific criteria used
to identify SEAs included the following: the habitat of rare, endangered,
and threatened plant and animal species; biotic communities, vegetation
associations, and habitats of plant and animal species that are either
one of a kind, or are restricted on a regional basis; biotic communities,
vegetation associations and habitats of plant and animal species that
are either one of a kind or are restricted in distribution in Los
Angeles County; habitat that at some point in the life cycle of a
species, serves as a concentrated breeding, feeding, resting or migrating
grounds, and is limited in availability; biotic resources that are
of scientific interest because they are either an extreme in physical/geographic
limitations or they represent an unusual variation in population or
community; areas important as game species habitat or undisturbed
examples of the natural biotic communities in Los Angeles County;
special areas which do not fit any of the above criteria but may be
individually noteworthy due to special characteristics (England and
Nelson, 1976; Los Angeles County Significant Ecological Study, 1986).
In the MCZ there are eight designated SEAs. These SEAs include
the Malibu Coastline (no acreage available), Point Dume (129 acres),
a portion of Zuma Canyon (3,253 acres), a portion of Malibu Canyon
including Malibu Lagoon (3,638 acres), upper La Sierra Canyon (280
acres), Hepatic Gulch (18 acres), Malibu Creek State Park Buffer (195
acres), Tuna Canyon (1,450 acres), and Cold Creek Canyon (1,505 acres).
Table 3-4 summarizes the specific resource values of each of the MCZ
SEAs based on the 1976 England and Nelson study, as well as on a later
report prepared for the Los Angeles County Department of Regional
Planning by Dr. Richard Friesen (Significant Ecological Areas of the
Santa Monica Mountains Report, Los Angeles County Museum of Natural
History Foundation).
Any development project proposed in an SEA within the anticipated
area of the Malibu Coastal Zone must be reviewed by the County's Environmental
Review Board (ERB). As a condition of project approval, this review
board must make a determination that the development is highly compatible
with sensitive resources found within the SEA. In the Malibu General
Plan, areas classified as SEAs have been reclassified according to
California Coastal Act resource protection terminology. Based on the
type of biological resources identified in the SEAs within the Malibu
Coastal Zone, the SEAs have been reclassified as environmentally sensitive
habitat areas (ESHAs) or as significant watersheds (See Table 3-4).
The Malibu Coastal Zone SEAs, described below, are classified
by the Coastal Act criteria of environmentally sensitive area according
to either rarity or ecological importance.
|
Table 3-4
MALIBU COASTAL ZONE SIGNIFICANT ECOLOGICAL AREAS:
CATEGORIZATION BY COASTAL ACT SENSITIVE HABITAT CRITERIA
| |
|---|---|
|
Significant Ecological Area
|
Category
|
|
MALIBU COASTLINE: Coastal bluffs, coastal strand, rocky coastline,
canyon corridors with walnut woodlands, intertidal
|
ESHA
|
|
UPPER ZUMA CANYON: Undisturbed habitat for many R&E species
|
ESHA
|
|
UPPER LA SIERRA CANYON: Woodlands; R&E species
|
ESHA
|
|
MALIBU CANYON AND LAGOON: Rare and endangered species; ecologically
important wetlands
|
ESHA
|
|
HEPATIC GULCH: Unique community
|
ESHA
|
|
COLD CREEK
|
Special Resource Management Area
|
|
POINT DUME: Coastal bluffs, sandy, beaches, rocky points, coastal
canyons, offshore marine habitat
|
ESHA
|
|
PENA/TUNA CANYONS: Riparian woodlands, Bay laurel woodlands,
Oak woodlands
Undisturbed watershed vegetation
|
ESHA
Significant watershed
|
The California Coastal Act of 1976 (Section 30107.5) defines
"environmentally sensitive areas" as "...any area in which plant or
animal life or their habitats are either rare or especially valuable
because of their special nature or role in an ecosystem and which
could be easily disturbed or degraded by human activities and developments."
This definition applies equally to both marine and land resources.
The Coastal Act further requires that these areas be identified and
protected from any loss or degradation of habitat value.
The Malibu LCP Land Use Plan identified those habitats (see
Figure CO-3, Environmentally Sensitive Land Resources and Figure CO-4,
Environmentally Sensitive Marine and Beach Resources) in the MCZ which
met the Coastal Act definition of "environmentally sensitive areas"
based on the following criteria:
|
•
|
Habitats that are unique, rare, restricted in distribution or
extremely fragile (such as coastal dune vegetation, riparian woodlands).
|
|
•
|
Marine areas designated as Areas of Special Biological Significance
by the State Water Resources Control Board.
|
|
•
|
Rare or endangered species habitats as defined by the State
Department of Fish and Game or the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
|
|
•
|
Habitats that are recognized for their extremely high biological
productivity and importance as specialized wildlife feeding, nesting
or breeding grounds (such as estuaries, wetlands, kelp beds).
|
Those terrestrial resources which were identified in the Malibu
LCP Land Use Plan to meet the criteria and legal definitions of an
environmentally sensitive area, as well as those areas adjoining sensitive
habitat which are functionally related to, or act as a buffer to are
identified in Appendix A to this Conservation Element (Malibu Local
Coastal Plan Research and Analysis and Appendices, October, 1992 by
the Los Angeles County Department of Regional Planning Coastal Studies
Section).
|
Standards: The California Coastal Act protection
standards for land resources are defined in the Section 30240 as follows:
|
|
30240.(a) Environmentally sensitive
habitat areas (ESHAs) shall be protected against any significant disruption
of habitat values, and only uses dependent on such resources shall
be allowed.
|
|
30240.(b) Development in areas adjacent
to environmentally sensitive habitat areas and parks and recreation
areas shall be sited and designed to prevent impacts which would significantly
degrade such areas, and shall be compatible with the continuance of
such habitat areas.
|
|
The protection standards for marine resources are defined in
Sections 30230 and 30231 as follows:
|
|
30230. Marine resources shall be maintained,
enhanced and, where feasible, restored. Special protection shall be
given to areas and species of special biological or economic significance.
Uses of the marine environmental shall be carried out in a manner
that will sustain the biological productivity of coastal waters and
that will maintain healthy populations of all species of marine organisms
adequate for long-term commercial, recreational, scientific, and educational
purposes.
|
|
30231. The biological productivity
and the quality of coastal waters, streams, wetlands, estuaries and
lakes appropriate to maintain optimum populations of marine organisms,
and for the protection of human health shall be maintained and, where
feasible, restored through, among other means, minimizing adverse
effects of waste water discharges and entrainment, controlling runoff,
preventing depletion of groundwater supplies and substantial interference
with surface water flow, encouraging waste water reclamation, maintaining
natural vegetation buffer areas that protect riparian habitats, and
minimizing alternation of natural streams.
|
The resource protection standards of the California Coastal
Act recognize several important principles of biological resource
conservation: (1) that the rarest and most ecologically important
habitats (ESHAs) are protected from direct development (Section 30240(a));
(2) that natural habitat areas adjacent to environmentally sensitive
habitat areas are necessary to the health and continuance of those
sensitive areas (Section 30240(b)); and (3) that the health of marine
resources is dependent on terrestrial land uses and in particular
is related to the control of surface runoff and waste discharge and
to maintaining natural stream flows with protection of riparian and
wetland areas and watershed buffer areas (Section 30231).
Based on the resource protection standards of the California
Coastal Act and the nature of the biological resources identified
in the MCZ, the Malibu LCP Land Use Plan defined five types of resource
protection areas with associated planning and development policies.
The five protection areas are: (1) Environmentally Sensitive Habitat
Areas (ESHAs); (2) Disturbed Sensitive Resource Areas (DSRAs); (3)
Significant Watersheds; (4) Significant Oak Woodlands and Savannahs;
and (5) Wildlife Habitat Linkages, or Wildlife Corridors. Additionally,
USGS designated blueline streams are recognized as a critical component
of the hydrological system affecting both land and marine resources
and, as such, require special development standards.
The MCZ resource protection areas are defined and described
below (see, also, Table 3-4). The biological resources which are included
in each resource protection area are identified and their distribution
and location approximately mapped in Figure CO-3 (Environmentally
Sensitive Land Resources) and Figure CO-4 (Environmentally Sensitive
Marine and Beach Resources). The major resource protection goal associated
with each resource protection category is stated and the permitted
uses and development standards required to meet each conservation
goal are summarized in Table 3-5, Resource Protection Goals and Development
Standards in Sensitive Resource Areas.
|
Table 3-5
RESOURCE PROTECTION GOALS AND DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS IN SENSITIVE
RESOURCE AREAS
| ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Resource Protection Category
|
Habitat Type
|
Resource Protection Goal
|
Habitat Protection Policies
| |
|
RPA
|
ESHA, DSRA, significant watersheds, wildlife habitat linkage
|
|
Conservation Element:
| |
|
Policies 1.1.1, 1.1.3, 1.1.5, 1.1.8, 1.1.9, 1.2.5, 1.2.6, 1.2.8
|
Implementation Measures 1, 3, 4, 9, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16,
17, 18, 25, 27, 40, 41, 54
| |||
|
Land Use Element:
| ||||
|
Policies 1.2.2, 1.4.1, 1.4.3, 1.4.4, 1.4.5, 1.5.1, 1.5.2, 7.2.1
|
Implementation Measures 10, 24, 25, 26, 27, 30, 31, 32, 33,
34, 55, 59, 92, 93, 94
| |||
|
Open Space Element:
| ||||
|
Policies 1.1.1, 1.1.3, 1.2.1, 1.2.2, 1.2.3, 1.3.1, 2.3.7
|
Implementation Measures 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12,
13, 14, 26, 32, 39
| |||
|
Resource Protection Category
|
Habitat Type
|
Resource Protection Goal
|
Habitat Protection Policies
| |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
ESHA
|
Environmentally sensitive habitat areas (ESHAs) shall be protected
against any significant disruption of habitat values.
|
Conservation Element:
| ||
|
Policies 1.2.1, 1.1.4, 1.2.2, 1.2.3, 1.2.4, 1.2.9, 1.3.4, 1.3.6,
1.3.1
|
Implementation Measures 2, 6, 10, 23, 26, 40, 41, 59, 61, 66
| |||
|
Land Use Element:
| ||||
|
Policies 1.2.1, 4.3.4
|
Implementation Measures 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 78
| |||
|
MARINE
|
Intertidal/subtidal, kelp beds, near shore shallow water fish
habitat, clam habitat, rocky shoreline, sea lion haulouts, shore fishing
area
|
Conservation Element:
| ||
|
Policies 1.3.1, 1.3.3, 1.3.5, 1.3.10, 1.3.12, 1.3.13
|
Implementation Measures 32, 37, 38, 42, 44, 45, 49, 50, 51,
52, 53, 55, 56, 57, 62, 64, 68
| |||
|
BEACH/UPLAND
|
Marsh/wetland, dunes, coastal bluffs, undeveloped sandy beaches
|
Conservation Element:
| ||
|
Policies 1.3.2, 1.3.5, 1.3.7, 1.3.8, 1.3.9, 1.3.10
|
Implementation Measures 28, 29, 30, 31, 33, 39, 46, 47, 48,
57, 58, 63, 65, 67, 68
| |||
|
Open Space Element:
| ||||
|
|
Implementation Measures 28
| |||
|
INLAND
|
Riparian stream corridors; oak woodlands; designated woodlands
and watershed areas: Upper Zuma Canyon, La Sierra Canyon, Malibu Canyon,
Hepatic Gulch, Pt. Dume canyon drainages, Tuna/Pena Canyon woodlands;
CDFG designated plant communities of limited distribution and very
threatened status: Southern Coastal Bluff Scrub, Southern Foredunes,
Southern Dune Scrub, Coastal and Valley Freshwater Marsh, Coastal
Brackish Marsh
|
Oak woodlands shall be considered an environmentally sensitive
habitat area which shall be protected against any significant disruption
of habitat.
|
| |
|
DSRA
|
Developed riparian stream corridors: coastal canyons, Pt. Dume,
coastal bluffs adjacent to development; Coastal wetlands: Zuma, Topanga,
Trancas, Arroyo Sequit
|
To prevent further degradation of remaining biological resources
and to restore disrupted habitat values where feasible and ecologically
desirable.
| ||
|
SIGNIFICANT WATERSHED
|
California Department of Fish and Game designated plant communities
of threatened or very threatened distribution: Valley Needlegrass,
Venturan Coastal Sage Scrub, Ceanothus megacarpus Chaparral, Ceanothus
crassfolus (Hoary leaf) Chaparral, Redshank Chaparral, California
Walnut Woodland, Valley Oak Woodland
|
To protect the habitat of the sensitive marine and terrestrial
habitat areas within the watershed or offshore from the watershed
by minimizing vegetation removal, sedimentation and increased surface
erosion. To protect those plant communities of wide distribution in
the MCZ, but nonetheless ranked as very threatened by the California
Department of Fish and Game. To minimize habitat fragmentation with
subsequent loss of biological diversity.
|
Conservation Element
Policies 1.1.2, 1.1.8, 1.2.2, 1.2.3
| |
|
WILDLIFE HABITAT LINKAGES
|
Various
|
To provide sufficient habitat for wideranging animal species
with large home territories as well as for other wildlife species.
To protect the biological diversity of the SMMNRA by providing sufficient
habitat area to ensure the long-term survival of species by protecting
populations from random or periodic catastrophic extinction processes.
To protect those plant communities of wide-spread distribution in
the MCZ, but nonetheless ranked as very threatened by the California
Department of Fish and Game. To minimize habitat fragmentation with
subsequent loss of biological diversity. To provide a protected wildlife
area extending the length of the Santa Monica Mountains coastal zone.
|
Conservation Element
Policies 1.1.2, 1.1.8, 1.2.1, 1.2.2, 1.2.3
| |
|
BLUELINE STREAMS
|
Various
|
Protect the natural hydrological patterns of the coastal canyons
and the plant communities associated with the drainage pathways.
|
Land Use Element Implementation Measure 29
| |
|
Environmentally Sensitive Habitat Areas (ESHAs)
|
|
Definition: ESHAs are any area in which
plant or animal life or their habitats are either rare or especially
valuable because of their special nature or role in an ecosystem and
which could be easily disturbed by human activities and developments.
|
|
Resource Protection Goals: Environmentally
sensitive habitat areas (ESHAs) shall be protected against any significant
disruption of habitat values.
|
|
Biological Resources included in the ESHA
Resource Protection Category: Major riparian corridors; oak
woodlands (including those in proximity to existing highways and/or
residential, development); coastal wetlands and estuaries; offshore
rocks and rocky shoreline areas; marine resources; kelp beds; undeveloped
sandy beaches; coastal bluffs and coastal sand dunes between Arroyo
Sequit and Paradise Cove (Malibu LCP Land Use Plan Figures 6 and 7;
Malibu LCP Research Analysis and Appendices).
|
|
Malibu Coastline SEA including the offshore area
from the lower intertidal to 100 feet in depth and undisturbed sand
beaches; upper Zuma Canyon SEA; Upper La Sierra Canyon SEA; Malibu
Canyon and Lagoon SEA; Hepatic Gulch SEA; Point Dume SEA, including
the rocky shoreline, coastal bluffs, sandy beaches and main canyon
drainages; the riparian woodlands, bay laurel woodlands and live oak
woodlands of the Tuna/Pena Canyons SEA (Los Angeles County's SEA Study,
1976 and the Significant Ecological Areas of the Santa Monica Mountains
Report by Dr. R. Friesen for the Los Angeles County Department of
Regional Planning and Table 3-4 of this Conservation Element). Plant
communities of limited distribution and ranked as very threatened
by the State of California's Department of Fish and Game, including:
Southern Coastal Bluff Scrub; Southern Foredunes; Southern Dune Scrub;
Coastal Brackish Marsh; Coastal and Valley Freshwater Marsh; Valley
Needlegrass Grassland; Southern Willow Scrub; and California Walnut
Woodland (see previous Tables 3-1 and 3-4).
|
|
Disturbed Sensitive Resource Areas (DSRAs)
|
|
Definition: DSRAs are those areas which
would historically have met the Coastal Act definition of an environmentally
sensitive habitat. However, coastal development has resulted in substantial
modification of the resources in these areas. Although DSRAs no longer
have the same biological significance or sensitivity as an undisturbed
ESHA, they are sufficiently valuable to warrant resource protection.
|
|
Resource Protection Goals: To prevent
further degradation of remaining biological resources and to restore
disrupted habitat values where feasible and ecologically desirable.
|
|
Biological Resources Included in the DSRA
Resource Protection Category: In general, developed riparian
corridors in coastal canyons and development in Significant Oak Woodlands
(see Figure 6 of the Malibu LCP Land Use Plan and Figure CO-3 of this
Conservation Element). Examples include developed portions of Escondido,
Ramirez and Las Flores Canyons, and coastal bluffs and canyons on
Point Dume.
|
|
Significant Watersheds
|
|
Definition: Significant Watersheds
in the MCZ are designated in accordance with Section 30240 of the
Coastal Act. Significant Watersheds are considered necessary to ensure
protection of sensitive resource areas and associated species, particularly
wildlife. Significant Watersheds are not considered to be as environmentally
sensitive as ESHAs, because they are dominated by vegetation and wildlife
which are common throughout the Santa Monica Mountains. Although these
watersheds are dominated by common species, they provide habitat for
various declining, restricted, rare or endangered species and plant
communities. The common vegetation type of the MCZ, Venturan Coastal
Scrub, is placed by the State of California in its most threatened
category in the Department of Fish and Game's inventory of California's
terrestrial plant communities. Significant watershed are those watershed
with significant drainage areas (greater than one square mile; see
Table VIII.1 of the Malibu Wastewater Management Study, 1992) which
develop significant riparian vegetation, or drain into an area of
sensitive marine resources which would be susceptible to damage from
terrestrial impacts related to erosion and runoff.
|
|
Resource Protection Goals: To protect
the habitat values of the sensitive marine and terrestrial habitat
areas within the watershed or offshore from the watershed by minimizing
vegetation removal, erosion, sedimentation, and increased surface
erosion. To protect those plant communities of widespread distribution
in the MCZ, but nonetheless ranked as very threatened by the California
Department of Fish and Game. To minimize habitat fragmentation with
subsequent loss of biological diversity.
|
|
Watersheds Included in the Significant Watershed
Resource Protection Category: Include but are not limited to
Arroyo Sequit, Zuma Canyon, Solstice Canyon, Corral Canyon, Ramirez
Canyon, Las Flores Canyon, Encinal Canyon, San Nicholas Canyon, Los
Alisos (Decker) Canyon, Lechuza Canyon, Escondido Canyon, Latigo Canyon,
Puerco Canyon, Carbon Canyon, Topanga Canyon and its tributaries,
Malibu Canyon, Tuna Canyon, and Trancas Canyon.
|
|
Significant Oak Woodlands and Savannahs
|
|
Definition: These resources are located
outside the riparian corridor of significant watersheds, and may be
found in areas close to existing roads and development. Even in a
relatively disturbed condition, oak woodland and oak savannah habitats
are considered a biologically critical resource because of the large
number of wildlife species which depend upon the resources provided
by oak trees. These areas are also considered to be an important biological
resource because of the declining nature of oak-dominated habitats
in southern California.
|
|
Resource Protection Goals: Oak woodlands
shall be considered an environmentally sensitive habitat areas which
shall be protected against any significant disruption of habitat values.
|
|
Oak Woodlands Included in the Significant
Oak Woodland and Savannahs Resource Protection Category: Those
areas identified on Figure 6 of the Malibu LCP Land Use Plan and Figure
CO-3 of this Conservation Element, and any area which meets the plant
community descriptions of Coast Live Oak Woodland and Valley Oak Woodland
of the California Department of Fish and Game Terrestrial Natural
Communities inventory. Significant oak woodlands are found in scattered
locations within the MCZ, including Ascended Canyon and along Topanga
Canyon and its tributaries.
|
|
Wildlife Habitat Linkages
|
|
Definition: Areas of relatively undisturbed
open space, which by virtue of their geographic location and habitat
characteristics, facilitate movement and provide life cycle requirements
of plant and animal species between major habitat areas. These habitat
areas provide connections between significant watershed canyons and
the core habitat reserves of the SMMNRA park lands. Core habitat reserves
include Topanga State Park, Malibu Creek State Park, Zuma/Trancas
Canyons, Leo Carrillo State Beach and Point Mugu State Park.
|
|
Resource Protection Goals: To provide
sufficient habitat for wide-ranging animal species with large home
territories as well as for other wildlife species. To protect the
biological diversity of the SMMNRA by providing sufficient habitat
area to ensure the long-term survival of species by protecting populations
from random or periodic, catastrophic extinction processes. To protect
those plant communities of widespread distribution in the MCZ, but
nonetheless ranked as very threatened by the California Department
of Fish and Game. To minimize habitat fragmentation with subsequent
loss of biological diversity. To provide a protected wildlife area
extending nearly the entire length of the Santa Monica Mountains coastal
zone.
|
|
Wildlife Habitat Linkage Areas Included in
the Wildlife Habitat Linkage Resource Protection Category: Those
areas identified in Figure 6 of the Malibu LCP Land Use Plan and Figure
CO-3 of this Conservation Element, including the habitat areas between
Topanga State Park, Malibu Creek State Park, Zuma/Trancas Canyons,
Leo Carrillo State Beach and Point Mugu State Parks.
|
|
Blueline Streams
|
|
Definition: Those major drainage pathways
identified by a blue line on USGS topographic maps.
|
|
Resource Protection Goal: Protect the
natural hydrological patterns of the coastal canyons and protect the
plant communities associated with the drainage pathways.
|
|
Streams Included in the Blueline Stream Resource
Protection Category: Those drainage channels identified by
a blue line on the following USGS quadrangle maps: Triunfo; Point
Dume; Malibu Beach; Topanga; and other quadrangles that encompass
inland areas adjacent to the City of Malibu that have blueline streams
that are tributaries to blueline streams within the City of Malibu.
|
Scenic resources are natural features of the landscape which
exhibit a high scenic value. These resources include landforms, vegetation,
and water forms which are relatively distinct from the general landscape
found throughout the coastal zone. They provide visual enhancement
and pleasure and are worthy of preservation for aesthetic, historical,
topographical, cultural, or biological reasons.
The City of Malibu is located in the Malibu Coastal Zone (MCZ)
and is thereby subject to Coastal Act provisions relating to scenic
and visual resources. The Coastal Act provisions state that such resources
are to be protected and that new development must be sited in such
a manner as to preserve these resources. A primary concern under Section
30251 of the Coastal Act is the protection of views from public areas
rather than from private residences. An inventory of Malibu's visual
resources was conducted and analyzed in the 1982 Local Coastal Program
for the Malibu area. Visual resources analyzed were from public areas
such as highways, public beaches, vista points, and parks.
There are approximately 22 "scenic resources" in the City and
surrounding areas identified in the Malibu Local Coastal Program (see
Figure CO-5). Scenic resources which are not located within the City
limits have been included in this inventory because of their proximity
to and access from the City. Many of these resources, located outside
of the City, are either visible from within the City or provide views
of areas within the City.
|
West Mulholland Highway Sandstone: A cluster of
rugged sandstone peaks, visible from Mulholland Highway and Encinal
Canyon Road.
|
|
Saddle Rock: A prominent sandstone landform, visible
from Mulholland Highway and Encinal Canyon, Kanan-Dume, and Latigo
Canyon Roads.
|
|
Turtle Rock: A prominent sandstone landform, visible
from Mulholland Highway and Encinal Canyon, Kanan-Dume, and Latigo
Canyon Roads.
|
|
Lower Zuma Canyon: A topographically diverse and
relatively pristine area with steep slopes and rugged ridgelines.
The area is visible from Pacific Coast Highway.
|
|
Little Dume Cove Bluffs: Rocky shores, outlying
reefs and kelp beds, sandy pocket beaches, and numerous small caves
are among the scenic features of this area. The precipitous bluffs,
which rise up to 200 feet, are visible from many points along Pacific
Coast Highway.
|
|
Cornell Sandstone Peaks: Rugged sandstone peaks,
visible from Kanan-Dume Road.
|
|
Brent's Mountain: A prominent landform, partially
within Malibu Creek State Park, with sheer rock sides and an elevation
differential of more than 1,000 feet.
|
|
Claretville Hills: Scenic rolling hills with clusters
of live oak trees. The area is visible from Mulholland Highway and
Las Virgenes Road.
|
|
Malibu Canyon: A deeply incised gorge featuring
massive rock outcroppings, a "hogback" ridge, and exposed strata on
canyon walls which have elevation differentials of more than 1,000
feet. Malibu Creek, which flows through the canyon, is lined with
lush riparian vegetation, and is the major water gap in the region.
The canyon is accessed by Malibu Canyon Road.
|
|
Dark Canyon: Vertical dipping strata on a mountain
crest with extreme slopes. The area is visible from Piuma Road.
|
|
Piuma Road Crest: Sandstone rock outcroppings along
the mountain crest, traversed by Piuma Road.
|
|
Upper Carbon Canyon Cliffs: A cliff face of massive
red sandstone, accessed by Piuma Road.
|
|
Schueren Road Sandstone: A bench-like sandstone
outcropping.
|
|
Topanga Lookout Ridge: Massive sandstone cliffs
and "hogback" ridge. The area is visible from Stunt, Schueren, and
Saddleback Peak Roads.
|
|
Old Topanga Sandstone: A massive sandstone outcropping.
Old Topanga Canyon Road provides access to the area.
|
|
Old Topanga Watergap: Large exposed aggregate sedimentary
strata with a unique pitted appearance due to weathering. Old Topanga
Canyon Road provides access to the area.
|
|
Fernwood Hillside: Dense brush and tree covered
hillside with small rock outcroppings. Topanga Canyon Boulevard and
Tuna Canyon Road provide access to the area.
|
|
Lower Topanga Canyon: A narrow, rugged canyon with
exposed canyon walls which exhibit contoured rock strata. The ridges
are heavily vegetated, and riparian vegetation lines the canyon bottom.
Intermittent waterfalls exist. The canyon is accessed by Topanga Canyon
Boulevard.
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Upper Zuma Canyon: This rugged and relatively pristine
canyon is the focus of a public viewing area along Kanan Dume Road.
Steep slopes are covered with highly textured chaparral. The ocean
is a background feature, framed by the V-shaped canyon mouth.
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Newton Canyon Hillside: The slopes on the south
side of Newton Canyon Road are covered with a richly-textured, dense
stand of oaks. These slopes are highly visible from Latigo Canyon
Road and feature both middleground and foreground, depending upon
the viewer's location. One or two residences have been developed along
the canyon bottom; associated grading is visible from Latigo Canyon
Road. Measures should be taken to soften this graded area either by
using agricultural or natural vegetation.
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Lower Latigo Canyon: Lush riparian vegetation exhibiting
a diversity of color and texture lines the canyon bottom. The area
is accessed by Latigo Canyon Road.
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Tuna Canyon: In both of these areas along Tuna
Canyon Road, lush riparian woodland forms a visually pleasing canopy
over the road.
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There are numerous vista points in the Malibu area. Vista points
are areas that provide highly scenic and panoramic views of several
miles with little or no sense of boundary restriction. Such views
are typically available from a high vantage point. There are five
areas in and adjacent to Malibu that display characteristics which
make them suitable as vista points. These vista points are as follows:
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Little Sycamore Canyon Vista Point: The view from
the approximate midpoint encompasses almost the entire West Mulholland
Viewshed and the ocean beyond. Visual components include the jagged,
rocky peaks and ridgeline on the northwest side of the viewshed. The
southeast portion of the viewshed displays rolling hills covered with
a dark green mantle of chaparral. These components, in conjunction
with the distant blue of the ocean, create a vista rich in color,
form and texture.
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Trancas Vista Point: An existing unpaved public
viewing area located on the seaward shoulder of Pacific Coast Highway,
just above Trancas Beach, offers a significant panoramic view. To
the west, Lechuza Point is visible along with the coastline and its
architecturally distinct seaside homes. The view to the east encompasses
the length of Zuma and Point Dume Beaches, a broad sandy strip ending
with the high relief of the Point Dume promontory. The white water
of waves, the expanse of blue ocean to the horizon, and the distinct
coastal configuration all contribute to a highly scenic vista.
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Point Dume Vista Point: The tip of Point Dume offers
a 360 degree panorama of ocean, bluffs, mountains, and canyons.
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Kellers Shelter Vista Point: An undeveloped blufftop
situated directly above the Pacific Coast Highway near Malibu Lagoon
State Beach, offers significant views of Malibu Point and Kellers
Shelter. Components of this view includes the Malibu Pier, the white
water waves breaking along the point, and the half moon-shaped bay.
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Saddle Peak-Schueren Vista Point: The area where
Saddle Peak and Schueren Roads intersect provides views to the north
and south. The northern view stretches for many miles, and encompasses
the San Fernando Valley. Isolated peaks and background ridgelines
exhibit reddish-brown hues. The view to the south looks down on steep
slopes exhibiting a dark green mantle of chaparral. The irregular
topography includes many rock outcroppings.
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Charmlee Park: The park has a number of vista points
that give expansive views of the Pacific Ocean, the Channel Islands
and of the undeveloped coastal slopes and western Malibu.
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Significant ridgelines also constitute a scenic resource of
the coastal zone due to their high visibility from many vantage points.
Ridgelines are typically defined as the line separating drainage basins.
Significant ridgelines are those whose ridges silhouette the sky or
the ocean, and are clearly visible from scenic roads. These ridgelines
are located throughout Malibu and the Santa Monica Mountains.
A primary component of many outdoor recreation activities is
movement or travel. One of the most popular forms of outdoor recreation
in southern California is driving for pleasure. The travel to and
from recreational areas is considered a major part of the landscape
system, both as a connecting element and as a landscape in its own
right. A scenic highway presents opportunities for visual stimulation
from automobiles or tour buses. In the Malibu area, views from the
roads are characterized by panoramic vistas of both steep canyon slopes
covered with native vegetation and the Pacific Ocean. Although development
along the coast has significantly reduced views of the ocean in some
areas of Malibu, there is an opportunity for public investment to
ensure the preservation of many existing views. Many roads in Malibu
are considered scenic, but only the Pacific Coast Highway has been
officially designated as an eligible scenic highway by the California
Department of Transportation. Official designation of scenic highways
is conducted by the State Scenic Highway Advisory Committee. There
are no specific regulations that define the visual characteristics
which qualify a road as a scenic highway, but the following considerations
are often utilized:
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Visibility - The driver should be able to experience scenery
without having to stop or significantly change the necessary angle
and duration of vision required for safe driving.
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Landforms - This parameter includes the physical characteristics
of the natural corridor, such as gently rolling hills or rugged cliffs,
streams, geologic formations, and distant ridges.
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Vegetation - This parameter includes the type of vegetation
within view, such as row crops, orchards, chaparral or woodlands.
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Structures - Buildings may be included in scenic corridors and
may add to scenic quality.
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Panoramas - Scenic overlooks with panoramic views of urban,
rural, or natural areas should be included when available.
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Viewsheds providing views of the ocean and surrounding areas
generally follow watershed patterns and are displayed in Figure CO-5.
They are separated from each other by major ridgelines. Several viewsheds
have high point evaluations. Although these viewsheds are visually
distinct from one another, they are similar in that their visual components
are highly scenic. These viewsheds exhibit those characteristics of
importance in the coastal zoneundisturbed natural settings offering
scenic viewing opportunities.
Malibu history dates back to the Chumash Indians and the village
of Humaliwo at the mouth of Malibu Creek. Point Dume was named by
the English Explorer George Vancouver in 1794. Between 1800 and 1892
there were four European owners of the area that is now Malibu. In
1800, Jose Bartolome Tapia acquired a "use" concession from Spain
for the 13,000 acre Rancho Topanga Malibu Sequit. This concession
stretched from Point Mugu to Pacific Palisades. In 1848, Leon Victor
Prudhomme, the husband of Jose Tapia's granddaughter, purchased Rancho
Malibu for 400 pesos. Nine years later, in 1857, Matthew Keller bought
the Rancho for $1,400. The last owners were Frederick and May K. Rindge.
It is the legacy of the Rindge Family's determination to restrict
development which is responsible for the vast amount of open space
found in the Malibu area today. A more detailed history of Malibu
is provided in the Background Report for the Land Use Element.
There are over 250 officially recognized historic sites in Los
Angeles County, four of which are located in Malibu:
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Adamson House: This site is located at the Malibu
Lagoon State Park. It was once the home of Rhoda Rindge Adamson, daughter
of Frederick and May. K. Rindge. It is the best surviving work and
only intact example of architecture from Stiles O. Clements and represents
the Moorish-Spanish Colonial Revival Style popular in the late 1920s.
The site is listed in the National Register of Historic Places and
as a California Historical Landmark.
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Serra House: This site is located on Landumus Hill
near the mouth of Malibu Creek. It is a site of local historic interest
as it was once known as the unfinished Rindge Mansion. The site was
purchased in 1942 by the Franciscan Order.
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Malibu Pier: This site is located east of Malibu
Lagoon State Park in the commercial core of the City. The site is
a registered Los Angeles County Landmark and a California Point of
Historical Interest.
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Historic Village of Humaliwo: National register
site.
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Present knowledge of the earliest occupations in Malibu is very
limited due in part to the small size of early groups and the reduced
probability of charcoal, bones, and shells being preserved in earlier
sites. Additionally, earlier coastal sites may have been flooded by
rising sea level caused by melting of glaciers and there was typically
poor preservation of stratigraphic features (King, 1993). The following
discussion on the Chumash is based primarily on the paper, Malibu
General Plan: Native Societies of Malibu by Chester King, Ph.D. which
is contained as an appendix to this section.
The Santa Monica Mountains were home to Native American Indian
people who developed complex social and economic systems.
The Malibu area was historically occupied by Chumash. The territory
inhabited by the Chumash included San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara,
the majority of Ventura, southwestern Kern, and northwestern Los Angeles
Counties. The name Chumash has been accepted as an ethnic designation
by anthropologists and descendants of people baptized at the Spanish
missions in Chumash territory. Chumash cultural sites are important
for providing an identity for the City of Malibu. The name Malibu
is derived from Humaliwu, the Chumash village which served as a capital
for the Santa Monica Mountains area (King, 1993).
Chumash society evolved during the last 9,000 years. The evolution
of Chumash society is reflected in changes in artifact forms and diversity,
changes in plant and animal food refuse, changes in the organization
of cemeteries, and shifts in settlement patterns. The Chumash were
considered to be the most advanced native society in California because
of their emphasis on manufacturing and trade, their development of
maritime fishing, and their complex bead money system (King, 1993).
In Malibu, the prehistoric period represents over 9,000 years
and ended with the beginning of the Spanish colonization of California
in 1769 and the beginning of maintenance of archives of historical
documents. The first historic period was the mission period which
ended in approximately 1834 due to the secularization of the missions
(King, 1993).
There are approximately 120 archaeological sites in the City
of Malibu. Sites in the Santa Monica Mountains include village sites,
burial grounds, camps or food processing areas, quarries and rock
art sites. Many sites have already been destroyed or disturbed. Currently,
only a small percentage of the area has been surveyed, indicating
that additional archaeologically significant sites may exist in the
Malibu area.
The east west trend of the Malibu area resulted in the formation
of many places well suited to boat launching and up-welling which
provided a rich marine environment. These conditions contributed to
a high density of population along the coast. Within the boundaries
of the City four villages have been identified which were occupied
during the period of recruitment to Spanish missions between 1785
and 1810. These villages were (east to west) Lisiqshi, Sumo, Lojostogni,
and Humaliwo.
The village of Lisiqshi was located at the beach near the mouth
of Arroyo Sequit and is currently traversed by Highway 1. The village
was inhabited by people recruited by the Ventura Mission.
The village of Sumo is the second largest Chumash site to have
been identified in Los Angeles County. It is believed to have occupied
the Point Dume and Paradise Cove area, possibly including all of the
marine terraces between Little Sycamore and Malibu Canyons. People
from the Sumo village were baptized at the San Fernando and Ventura
missions (King, 1993).
Possibly, the most well-documented and intensively investigated
site in Los Angeles County is the Humaliwu site. The site contains
three separate areas of archaeological or historical significance,
including a prehistoric Indian site, a historic Indian site and an
old frame house which was built by original white settlers in the
Malibu area (it is now used as a museum). Much of the Humaliwu site
is preserved. A second site, currently located under Highway 1 to
the east was also apparently part of the historic village (King, 1993).
The site is listed on the National Register of historic places.
In Malibu, cemetery and residential contexts have been excavated
which are approximately 7,500 years old. Artifacts and food remains
recovered from sites in the Santa Monica Mountains and the Santa Barbara
Channel area indicated that people living along the coast were fishing
with bone hooks, using boats or rafts to trade with the Channel Islands,
and were taking sea mammals and large fish. Early mainland residential
sites frequently contain large numbers of milling stones for processing
small seeds. Hunting was also of importance (King, 1993).
Early settlements were small hamlets, defensively situated on
elevated land forms. Over time, the tendency was to settle in less
defensive and locate in more central locations to facilitate social
and economic integration. Shortly after 1542, many small hamlets were
abandoned and some large towns and villages were formed. The population
distribution changes can be attributed to growth in importance of
trade centers (King, 1993).
In addition to permanent settlement sites, other sites in Malibu
were occupied during particular seasons while people were conducting
activities away from their villages. These camp sites include sites
occupied while gathering and hunting (King, 1993).
Ethnographic information indicates that Point Dume was an important
suns shrine to many native cultures throughout southern California.
Ethnographic literature indicates that the priests of the Point Dume
shrine were respected for their powers which were believed to include
the ability to cause rain and to resurrect dead people (King, 1993).
Due to the culturally sensitive nature of the archaeological
resources in the area, the location and extent of other recorded sites
will not be disclosed in this document. Specific sites may be identified
as subsequent environmental documentation is prepared for the City
or to determine the impact of individual projects.
Los Angeles County is one of the richest areas in the world
for both fossil marine vertebrates and land vertebrates from sediments
deposited over the last 25 million years. Many fossilized remains
are found in sedimentary rocks of the Santa Monica Mountains that
have been tilted and uplifted. There are three significant paleontological
resources in the Santa Monica Mountains in the vicinity of the Malibu
area. Only one of these sites is located in close proximity to the
City boundary. The three sites, their location and the significant
paleontological resources which have been recorded there are described
briefly below:
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West of Topanga Canyon Road and south of the Los Angeles City
line - material from the late Miocene era in the Modelo Formation.
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Old Topanga Road, south of Calabasas - several marine birds
were found in the Modelo Formation Upper Member.
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Southwest of the Ventura Freeway and east of Westlake Boulevard
vertebrates from the recent Pleistocene epoch.
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The invertebrate fossils which are found in the area are from
the Miocene period. Some of the larger sites containing these fossils
include Old Topanga Canyon Road near Calabasas Peak and Dry Canyon.
