4. CONSIDER AUTHORIZATION OF FUNDS TO
CONTRACT WITH VENTANA WILDERNESS SOCIETY FOR CARMEL RIVER AVIAN HABITAT
MONITORING
Meeting Date: April 21, 2003 Budgeted: Yes
Program/Line
Item No.: 2.1.3-B
Staff Contact: Thomas
Christensen Cost Estimate:
$13,500
General Counsel Approval: N/A
Committee Recommendation: The Administrative
Committee reviewed this item at its April 14, 2003 meeting and recommended
approval.
CEQA Compliance: N/A
SUMMARY: The Board will consider authorizing staff to
retain the Ventana Wilderness Society (VWS) to continue the District’s avian
monitoring program on the Carmel River during calendar year 2003. This work
will continue the monitoring of bird life along the river conducted since 1992,
including the collection of data on the use of the Carmel River riparian
corridor during migration and breeding seasons. Work will be as shown in Exhibit 4-A.
RECOMMENDATION: Authorize the General Manager to enter into a
contract with the Ventana Wilderness Society for avian monitoring work along
the Carmel River at a cost not to exceed $13,500. The Administrative Committee considered this
matter at its April 14, 2003 meeting and recommended approval by a vote of 3-0.
IMPACTS ON STAFF AND RESOURCES: Funds to conduct the District’s 2003 wildlife
monitoring program are proposed to be included in the draft FY 2003-2004 budget
under Project Expenditures for Program 2.1 (Riparian Habitat Mitigations,
Wildlife monitoring). Estimated costs
for the scope of work as shown in Exhibit 4-A total $13,500. Mileage expenses are included in this
not-to-exceed amount. This work will be performed under the direction of the
District’s Riparian Projects Coordinator.
BACKGROUND:
Avian (bird) use of riparian habitat provides an excellent indicator of
wildlife habitat value. In 1992, the
District established permanent sampling locations for avian species monitoring
at several sites along the Carmel River.
The purpose of this program is to
measure bird use at the monitoring sites, thus providing an indication
of changing patterns of habitat values in the District’s restoration project
areas. Information on bird populations
and avian species diversity collected as part of the District’s Mitigation
Program has assisted in documenting trends in the response of wildlife
populations to habitat enhancements implemented by the District. Locations of the monitoring sites are shown
in Exhibit 4-B. Data collected from
1992 through 2002 are summarized in the graphs shown in Exhibit 4-C.
The two major dips in bird counts that can be seen in the graphs are
likely the result of the reduction and disturbance of riparian habitat caused
by the high river flows and erosion in 1995 and 1998. The higher bird counts following the two dips
indicate a recovery of the extent and health of the riparian habitat. The District’s riparian vegetation planting
and irrigation activities promote growth and health of riparian vegetation, and
are a likely reason for the higher bird counts.
In addition to continuing the bird counts and
avian species diversity index monitoring protocols established in 1992, the VWS
will continue monitoring a series of mist netting sites within District
riparian habitat enhancement areas. The
VWS sampling will span the spring, summer and fall migration and breeding
seasons for a comprehensive look at patterns of wildlife use in District
planting areas. Long-term monitoring of
the same sampling locations will provide an indication of the overall changes
in wildlife habitat values resulting from the District’s planting and erosion
protection efforts.
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