52 



StatsniMit of John S. Cro*tman 

 Ea«t«rn Munidpai W«t«- District 

 Novsmtiard, 1993 

 Pag«7 



«sn.rfh^u«rf Ham t Sewer Ploe Line - Within the last year, EMWD has experienced two incidents 

 with endangered plant species. The flrst incident Involved a 7.4 mie sewer line in the southwest 

 Hemet/Winchester area. The propoaed alignment passed through a heavily disturtjed area (from 

 agricultural practices) that had been zoned for commerdal/industriBl use in the City of Hemef s 

 Qenerd Plan (1983. Prior to the adoption of the General Plan, EMWD had published an 

 environmental assessment in Octotjer 1991 requesting comments on the proposed pipeline 

 alignment. When no comments were received from either the pubte or the natural resource 

 agendes. EMWD proceeded with project construction in October 1992. However, before 

 construction started new intonnatlon became avaiaWe on potential sensWue species in the 

 zoned area. A focused biological survey was immediately undertaken and oompleted by the end 

 of November. The field suivey Indicated the presence of sensitive plant spades in an area of 

 alkali sinks and vemal pools not previously detected. The Impacted area Involved a 2.6 acre 

 parcel and a 0.5 acre parcel. Fdtowing these disdosures. EMWD met with the U.S. Fish and 

 Wildlife Service (Serrfce). The Service recommended ofTsite mWgallon at a 1:11 ratio, 

 development of a restoration plan, and mitlgalkjn monitoring. The estimated cost for additional 

 ofisite land acquisitton was $385,000. After 5 months of unsuccessful negotiations, the EMWD 

 Board of Directors approved an altemallve aBgnment atong a kjcal highway at an added cost of 



S630,00a 



The major plant spades of concern was Caltfomia Orcutt Grass which has recently been added 

 to the Federal endangered spedes list (Federal R*gl«tw. August 3, 1993). The grass is 

 approximately 7 to 8 Indies tall and is found in akall soils audi as a vemal pool habitat complex. 



