Difference between revisions of "California Natural Diversity Database"

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Another important consideration when using the CNDDB is that the exact locations of special-status species occurrences should be kept confidential. This is to protect special-status species and their habitat. The [http://nrm.dfg.ca.gov/FileHandler.ashx?DocumentID=27285&inline=1 CNDDB Data Use Guidelines] give specific instructions about the map scales that should be used when displaying CNDDB data. Scales larger than 1:350,000 should not be used for publicly displayed maps.<ref name="datause"> CDFW. 2011. "CNDDB Data Use Guidelines." https://nrm.dfg.ca.gov/FileHandler.ashx?DocumentID=27285&inline=1</ref>
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Another important consideration when using the CNDDB is that the exact locations of special-status species occurrences should be kept confidential. This is to protect special-status species and their habitat. The [http://nrm.dfg.ca.gov/FileHandler.ashx?DocumentID=27285&inline=1 CNDDB Data Use Guidelines] give specific instructions about the map scales that should be used when displaying CNDDB data. Scales more detailed than 1:350,000 should not be used for publicly displayed maps.<ref name="datause"> CDFW. 2011. "CNDDB Data Use Guidelines." https://nrm.dfg.ca.gov/FileHandler.ashx?DocumentID=27285&inline=1</ref>
  
  

Revision as of 15:44, 8 April 2014

The California Natural Diversity Database (CNDDB) is a tool that inventories the status and locations of rare plants and animals in California. It is often used in the preparation of environmental impact reports and other CEQA documents.

Background

CNDDB was originally developed by The Nature Conservancy (TNC) in 1979.[1] TNC's scientific data branch is now a separate nonprofit organization called NatureServe, which maintains databases of rare and threatened species and ecosystems throughout the Western Hemisphere.[2] Today, the CNDDB is maintained by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife's Biogeographic Data Branch, but its data and mapping standards come from NatureServe.[3]


The CNDDB tracks "special status" organisms, which include about 2300 plant species and 900 animal species as of September 2013.[4] Each record in CNDDB is called an element occurrence (EO). As of September 2013, there were about 75,000 EOs in the database, with 400-600 EOs being added or updated each month.[4] The data come from many sources: environmental consultants, CDFW and other agency biologists, university professors and graduate students, conservation groups such as the California Native Plant Society, and museum records.

CNDDB QuickViewer Screenshot

Use

CNDDB users include federal and state agencies, county and local governments, private consulting firms, environmental groups, land protection organizations, and academic researchers. Three versions of the database are available: a free public version (the CNDDB Quick Viewer) and more detailed, subscription-based versions for commercial and government users.

Key facts and disclaimers

It is very important to realize that the CNDDB is a positive detection database: it contains information only from areas that have been surveyed for rare species, so most of its records are from areas of California that have experienced more development pressure. There have been no efforts to make broad surveys of the state in order to populate the database. Thus, a negative search result for a species in a given area should not be interpreted as an indication that the species does not occur in that area. It may only indicate that the area has not been surveyed for that particular species.[5]


Another important consideration when using the CNDDB is that the exact locations of special-status species occurrences should be kept confidential. This is to protect special-status species and their habitat. The CNDDB Data Use Guidelines give specific instructions about the map scales that should be used when displaying CNDDB data. Scales more detailed than 1:350,000 should not be used for publicly displayed maps.[6]


The following disclaimer text should be added to maps produced with CNDDB data:

"CNDDB version MM/YYYY. Please Note: The occurrences shown on this map represent the known locations of the species listed here as of the date of this version. There may be additional occurrences or additional species within this area which have not yet been surveyed and/or mapped. Lack of information in the CNDDB about a species or an area can never be used as proof that no special status species occur in an area."[6]

Free version

The CNDDB Quick Viewer shows information to the 7.5' USGS quadrangle or county level. The Quick Viewer will generate a list of taxa for a given area, but no details.

Subscription versions

As of March 2014, the annual cost to subscribe to the CNDDB was $600 for all clients ($400 annually to resubscribe).[7] The Government (CNDDB_GOV) and Commercial (CNDDB_COM) versions of the CNDDB are password-protected and are accessible from the CNDDB Maps and Data page. Data can be downloaded as shapefiles and used in mapping applications. The difference between the Government and Commercial versions is that the Commercial version has approximately 2% of all occurrences generalized to quad polygon features, for data sensitivity or contributor requirements.[5] The Government version does not have this restriction.

CNDDB and CEQA

See also: Special Status Species of the Central Coast

CEQA (the California Environmental Quality Act) requires lead agencies to determine whether threatened or endangered species occur in a project area:

§ 21104.2. CONSULTATION AND FINDINGS; EFFECT OF PROJECTS ON THREATENED OR ENDANGERED SPECIES The state lead agency shall consult with, and obtain written findings from, the Department of Fish and Game in preparing an environmental impact report on a project, as to the impact of the project on the continued existence of any endangered species or threatened species pursuant to Article 4 (commencing with Section 2090) of Chapter 1.5 of Division 3 of the Fish and Game Code.[8]

The State of California has prepared protocols for surveying and evaluating impacts to special status native plant populations and natural communities. This document states that before conducting a vegetation survey, researchers should consult the CNDDB for known occurrences of special status plants and natural communities in the project area.[9] The following section examines CEQA documents from the Monterey Bay area and determines whether or not the CNDDB was used in their preparation.


Monterey Bay Area CEQA Documents and the CNDDB

In April 2014, 28 CEQA documents from Santa Cruz and Monterey counties were examined to determine whether the CNDDB had been used to indicate the presence of special-status species. The CNDDB (sometimes referred to as the NDDB) was used in 19 of the 28 documents (68%). Eighteen of these documents were final or draft environmental impact reports (FEIRs or DEIRs): twelve (67%) of the FEIRs and DEIRs used the CNDDB, four (22%) did not, and two reports (11%) did not mention how special-status species were determined. Results are detailed in the table below.

FEIR: Final Environmental Impact Report
DEIR: Draft Environmental Impact Report
IS: Initial Study
ERIS: Environmental Review Initial Study
DIS: Draft Initial Study
NOP: Notice of Preparation

Project

Year

County

Lead agency

Lead consultant

Biological consultant

Document type

CNDDB used?

Comments

Atkinson Lane[10]

2009

SC

County of Santa Cruz

RBF Consulting

EcoSystems West Consulting, Bryan M. Mori Biological Consulting Services

FEIR

no

Bonny Doon Limestone Quarry Boundary Expansion[11]

2009

SC

County of Santa Cruz

N/A

N/A

FEIR

yes

Corral de Tierra Neighborhood Retail Village[12]

2010

MTY

County of Monterey

LSA Associates

Denise Duffy and Associates

FEIR

yes

CSUMB Master Plan[13]

2008

MTY

CSU

Denise Duffy and Associates

same

FEIR

yes

East Cliff Drive Bluff Protection and Parkway[14]

2006

SC

County of Santa Cruz

N/A

Tetra Tech

FEIR

yes

East Garrison Specific Plan[15]

2004

MTY

County of Monterey

Michael Brandman Associates

same

DEIR

no

Exception to the California Ocean Plan for Areas of Special Biological Significance Waste Discharge Prohibition for Storm Water and Nonpoint Source Discharges, with Special Protections [16]

2012

Statewide

California State Water Board

N/A

N/A

FEIR

yes

Ferrini Ranch Subdivision[17]

2012

MTY

County of Monterey

PMC

WRA Environmental Consultants, Denise Duffy and Associates, Staub Forestry and Environmental Consulting

DEIR

yes

Fort Ord Dunes SP Campground Project[18]

2013

MTY

California Department of Parks and Recreation

Denise Duffy and Associates

same

DIS

yes

Draft initial study

Fort Ord Reuse Plan[19]

1997

MTY

Fort Ord Reuse Authority

EMC Planning Group and EDAW, Inc.

Zander Associates

FEIR

no

Graham Hill Road Bridge Storm Drainage Repair Project[20]

2014

SC

County of Santa Cruz

N/A

N/A

ERIS

yes

Environmental Review Initial Study

Heart of Soquel Master Site Plan[21]

2014

SC

County of Santa Cruz

N/A

Biotic Resources Group

ERIS

yes

Juvenile Hall Gym[22]

2013

SC

County of Santa Cruz

N/A

Jodi McGraw Consulting

ERIS

no

Monterey-Pacific Grove ASBS Stormwater Management Project[23]

2014

MTY

City of Pacific Grove

Rincon Consultants

same

DEIR

yes

Monterey County General Plan[24]

2006

MTY

County of Monterey

Michael Brandman Associates

same

DEIR

yes

Monterey Peninsula Water Management District Aquifer Storage and Recovery Project[25]

2006

MTY

County of Monterey

Jones and Stokes

same

DEIR/EA

yes

Monterey Peninsula Groundwater Replenishment Project[26]

2013

MTY

Monterey Peninsula Water Pollution Control Agency

N/A

N/A

NOP

no

Notice of Preparation

North Rodeo Gulch Road Stream Bank Stabilization[27]

2014

SC

County of Santa Cruz

N/A

Biotic Resources Group

IS

yes

Nelson Road Re-establishment[28]

2014

SC

County of Santa Cruz

N/A

Biotic Resources Group

IS

yes

Pajaro Neighborhood Park[29]

2009

MTY

County of Monterey

Strelow Consulting

Biotic Resources Group

DEIR

Unknown

Biological resources were addressed in a separate report, not included in the final EIR.

Pebble Beach Company's Del Monte Forest Preservation and Development Plan[30]

2005

MTY

County of Monterey

Denise Duffy and Associates, Wetland Research Associates, Zander and Associates, others

FEIR

yes

Rancho Roberto Subdivision[31]

2005

MTY

County of Monterey

EMC Planning Group

same

FEIR

Unknown

Biological resources were addressed in a separate report, not included in the final EIR.

Rancho San Juan Subdivision[32]

2004

MTY

County of Monterey

EMC Planning Group

same

DEIR

yes

Salinas River Stream Channel Maintenance Program[33]

2013

MTY

Monterey County Water Resources Agency

Cardno ENTRIX

same

DEIR

yes

The Collection at Monterey Bay[34]

2012

MTY

City of Sand City

N/A

Zander Associates

DEIR

yes

Sandhills IPHCP[35]

2011

SC

County of Santa Cruz

N/A

N/A

IS

yes

Santa Lucia Preserve[36]

1995

MTY

County of Monterey

Jones and Stokes

FEIR

no

Smith Road Culvert Replacement Project[37]

2013

SC

County of Santa Cruz

N/A

Kittleson Environmental Consulting

IS

yes

References

  1. Bittman, Roxanne. 2001. The California Natural Diversity Database: a heritage program for California's rare species and vegetation. Fremontia 29(3-4): 58-62. https://www.dfg.ca.gov/biogeodata/cnddb/pdfs/Fremontia_Vol_29_article.pdf
  2. http://www.natureserve.org/about-us | NatureServe: About Us
  3. California Department of Fish and Wildlife. 2012. "CNDDB Key Facts." http://nrm.dfg.ca.gov/FileHandler.ashx?DocumentID=43527&inline=1
  4. 4.0 4.1 CDFW. 2013. "CNDDB Introduction." https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tKgoRzdrQgk
  5. 5.0 5.1 CDFW. 2012. "CNDDB Key Facts." http://nrm.dfg.ca.gov/FileHandler.ashx?DocumentID=43527&inline=1
  6. 6.0 6.1 CDFW. 2011. "CNDDB Data Use Guidelines." https://nrm.dfg.ca.gov/FileHandler.ashx?DocumentID=27285&inline=1
  7. https://www.dfg.ca.gov/biogeodata/cnddb/cnddb_info.asp California Natural Diversity Database Info
  8. Association of Environmental Professionals. 2012. CEQA Handbook. http://resources.ca.gov/ceqa/docs/CEQA_Handbook_2012_wo_covers.pdf
  9. CDFW. 2009. Protocols for Surveying and Evaluating Impacts to Special Status Native Plant Populations and Natural Communities. https://www.dfg.ca.gov/biogeodata/cnddb/pdfs/Protocols_for_Surveying_and_Evaluating_Impacts.pdf]
  10. Atkinson Lane Specific Plan and P.U.D. http://www.sccoplanning.com/PlanningHome/Environmental/CEQAInitialStudiesEIRs/ArchivedCEQADocuments/AtkinsonLane.aspx
  11. Bonny Doon Limestone Quarry Boundary Expansion Project Final EIR http://www.sccoplanning.com/PlanningHome/Environmental/CEQAInitialStudiesEIRs/ArchivedCEQADocuments/BonnyDoonLimestoneQuarryExpansionProject.aspx
  12. Corral de Tierra Neighborhood Retail Village Planning Documents http://www.co.monterey.ca.us/planning/docs/eirs/Corral%20De%20Tierra/Corral_De_Tierra.htm
  13. CSUMB Master Plan: Planning Documents http://fmp.csumb.edu/campus-master-plan
  14. East Cliff Drive Bluff Protection and Parkway Project Final EIR http://www.sccoplanning.com/PlanningHome/Environmental/CEQAInitialStudiesEIRs/ArchivedCEQADocuments/EastCliffDrBluffProtectionParkwayProject.aspx
  15. East Garrison Specific Plan EIR http://www.co.monterey.ca.us/planning/docs/eirs/eastgarrison/EG_eir_main.htm
  16. Exception to the California Ocean Plan for Areas of Special Biological Significance Waste Discharge Prohibition for Storm Water and Nonpoint Source Discharges, with Special Protections FEIR http://www.waterboards.ca.gov/water_issues/programs/ocean/asbs/docs/asbs_eir022112clean.pdf
  17. Ferrini Ranch Subdivision: Planning Documents http://www.co.monterey.ca.us/planning/major/Ferrini%20Ranch%20Subdivision/Ferrini_Ranch_Subdivision.htm
  18. Fort Ord Dunes SP Campground Project DEIR http://www.parks.ca.gov/pages/980/files/final%20fodsp%20draft_is_mnd%203_15_2013.pdf
  19. Fort Ord Reuse Plan FEIR http://www.fora.org/Reports/BRP/BRP_v4_FinalEIR_1997.pdf
  20. Graham Hill Road Bridge Storm Drainage Repair Project: Environmental Review and Initial Study http://www.sccoplanning.com/Portals/2/County/Planning/env/Graham%20Hill%20Road%20Bridge02262014-1050.PDF
  21. Heart of Soquel Master Site Plan IS http://www.sccoplanning.com/Portals/2/County/Planning/env/Heart%20of%20Soquel%20IS.pdf
  22. Juvenile Hall Gym Initial Study http://www.sccoplanning.com/Portals/2/County/Planning/env/Juvenile%20Hall%20Initial%20Study.PDF
  23. Monterey-Pacific Grove ASBS Stormwater Management Project DEIR http://monterey.org/Portals/1/peec/stormwater/Monterey-PG_ASBS_Stormwater_Management_Project_DEIR.pdf
  24. Monterey County General Plan: Planning Documents http://www.co.monterey.ca.us/planning/gpu/GPU_2007/FEIR_Information/FEIR_Information.htm
  25. MPWMD Aquifer Storage and Recovery Project DEIR http://www.mpwmd.dst.ca.us/eir/MPWMD%20Draft%20EIR-EA%20(3-06).pdf
  26. Monterey Peninsula Groundwater Replenishment Project: Notice of Preparation http://www.mpwaterreplenishment.org/docs/Final%20GWR%20NOP%2030May2013%20with%20figures.pdf
  27. North Rodeo Gulch Road Stream Bank Stabilization Project: Initial Study http://www.sccoplanning.com/Portals/2/County/Planning/env/N%20Rodeo%20Gulch%20Road%204.7502262014-1103.PDF
  28. Nelson Road Re-establishment Project: Initial Study http://www.sccoplanning.com/Portals/2/County/Planning/policy/Nelson%20Road%20NOD03252014-1202.PDF
  29. Pajaro Neighborhood Park: Planning Documents http://www.co.monterey.ca.us/planning/docs/eirs/Pajaro%20Neighborhood%20Park/Pajaro_Neighborhood_Park_main.htm
  30. Pebble Beach Company's Del Monte Forest Preservation and Development Plan: Planning Documents http://www.co.monterey.ca.us/planning/docs/eirs/pbc/feir/feir_home.htm
  31. Rancho Roberto Subdivision FEIR http://www.co.monterey.ca.us/planning/docs/eirs/roberto/RanchoRoberto_FEIR.pdf
  32. Rancho San Juan: Planning Documents http://www.co.monterey.ca.us/planning/major/rsj/rsj_main.htm
  33. Salinas River Stream Channel Maintenance Program: Planning Documents http://www.mcwra.co.monterey.ca.us/SalinasRiverStreamMaintenanceProgram/SRSMP%20EIR.html
  34. The Collection at Monterey Bay DEIR http://www.sandcity.org/uploadedfiles/news_and_events/Collection_at_Monterey_Bay/Sand%20City%20Draft%20EIR%20Nov.%202012.pdf
  35. Sandhills IPHCP Initial Study http://sccounty01.co.santa-cruz.ca.us/planning/pdfs/CEQA_IS_FinalDraft.pdf
  36. Santa Lucia Preserve FEIR http://www.co.monterey.ca.us/planning/docs/eirs/Santa_Lucia_Preserve/Santa_Lucia_Preserve_FEIR.htm
  37. Smith Road Culvert Replacement Project Initial Study http://www.sccoplanning.com/Portals/2/County/Planning/env/Smith%20Road%20Culvert%20Initial%20Study.PDF

See also

Links

Disclaimer

This page may contain student work completed as part of assigned coursework. It may not be accurate. It does not necessarily reflect the opinion or policy of CSUMB, its staff, or students.