Caltrans District 4 Andy Amacher Use of LIDAR in Project Scoping and Analysis

“LIDAR, which stands for Light Detection and Ranging, is a remote sensing method that uses light in the form of a pulsed laser to measure ranges (variable distances) to the Earth. These light pulses—combined with other data recorded by the airborne system— generate precise, three-dimensional information about the shape of the Earth and its surface characteristics.” [From NOAA]  LIDAR is publically available for many areas statewide  USGS, NOAA, and counties may have data available in your project area  USGS EarthExplorer (earthexplorer.usgs.gov)  A search for all of California resulted in 203,340 LIDAR data tiles  Data are “LAS” format (point clouds). In GIS convert to LAS Dataset, then convert to raster (.tif) format  LIDAR metadata files (usually.xml) contain inputs needed such as projection and point spacing density  County and other data sources may provide direct raster products based on area selections (Napa and Sonoma)  When analyzing data, you will most likely be interested in “last” or “ground returns”  These are the final laser returns and often represent the ground surface  Other returns may be useful for vegetation structure, maximum tree heights (first return), etc. Project Details area selection in EarthExplorer

 An accurate ground surface can be used to scope:  Potential wetland areas (low points)  Water flow directions  Connections to water sources outside of the project area  OHWM contours based on ground- truthed GPS mapping  Actual surface distances to species occurrences  More, more, more  Figure 1  Identified low-points (wet areas) to search for the federally endangered Sebastopol meadowfoam within R/W  Figure 2  Field GPS of OHWM used with LIDAR derived 0.5 foot contours to determine an OHWM elevation (flat creek gradient system)  Note: LIDAR ground-level fails near bridge structure Examples Figure 1 Figure 2

 Figure 3  Use of LIDAR to determine if culverts connected to Waters of the US. LIDAR ground surface was used to derive flow channels (Spatial Analyst GIS extension).  Figure 4  Use of ArcScene GIS to display creek surface in 3D. Useful for examining creek channels for floodplains, constriction points, and potential fish passage barriers. Examples Figure 3 Figure 4

Caveats  Ground-truthing  Water is absorbed, dense vegetation may lack ground hits  Ground is not always ground, urban areas are problematic  Date of LIDAR can vary. Older LIDAR may not represent current conditions  Areas with recent projects or development may have been re- contoured  Creeks with scour or sedimentation issues can change bed structure  Scoping and Analysis Tool  Coupled with ground surveys and database results, LIDAR can strengthen rationale, but should not be the main analysis Fine Print  Specifications  Need ArcInfo license with Spatial Analyst or 3D Analyst extension  ArcInfo: :  ArcScene requires 3D Analyst extension

Michael Galloway and Robert A. James Caltrans, District 11 9/2/15 Large-scale Fairy Shrimp Mitigation at Lonestar West, San Diego

 164-acre Caltrans-owned property on Otay Mesa, San Diego, abutting Brown Field Airport  Compensatory mitigation for SR-11 freeway and port of entry with Mexico  Project designed by Caltrans biologists and landscape architects  Property with agricultural history  Fairy shrimp identified in 11 of 15 road rut pools and existing cattle stock pond in 2010 before restoration work began  134 vernal pools restored/enhanced beginning in July 2012 as key mitigation component  Twenty-eight pools inoculated with salvaged soil containing fairy shrimp cysts after first wet season  Surveys by Caltrans District 11 biologists  Pools depths and water quality (salinity, pH, TDS, temperature) measured  Project integrated with mitigation for native grassland, Quino checkerspot butterfly habitat, burrowing owls and other raptors, as well as listed/sensitive plant species  Property fenced and gated against unauthorized access  Land proposed for transfer to USFWS Refuges Lonestar West

 After three wet seasons, 92 pools (~69%) documented to support federally endangered San Diego fairy shrimp (Branchinecta sandiegonensis; SDFS), with two of those pools also supporting federally endangered Riverside fairy shrimp (Streptocephalus wootoni; RFS)  Versatile fairy shrimp (B. lindahli; VFS) observed in two pools co-occurring with San Diego fairy shrimp, and will be monitored as a hybridization concern  Five pools with undetermined shrimp in  Most pools support numbers estimated in 10’s (range 1’s-1,000’s); no observed trend  Water quality measures taken to demonstrate range of suitable parameters supporting fairy shrimp Results

Continued Monitoring  Two more wet seasons of fairy shrimp surveys (total of five) following new USFWS protocol  Additional three annual dry season surveys of pool subset  Comparison of population numbers to reference site  Five year success criteria of at least 1.30 acres of basin area supporting SDFS and at least 0.22 acre of basin area supporting RFS; after three years, 2.84 acres of basin area supports SDFS and 0.22 acre of basin area supports RFS  Average to above average rainfall may further improve fairy shrimp occupancy and number  Training opportunity for Caltrans biologists seeking field experience for solo fairy shrimp permit Lonestar West Future Directions

67P (cattle stock pond): SDFS & RFS111P: SDFS & RFS 10P: SDFS31P & 32P: SDFS76P: SDFS116P & 117P: SDFS