HomeMy WebLinkAboutChapter 13 - Biological ResourcesChapter 13: Biological Resources
Final Draft August 8, 2005
Butte County General Plan Background Report
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CHAPTER 13: BIOLOGICAL RESOURCES
TABLE OF CONTENTS
13.1 INTRODUCTION .....................................................................................................................................................4
13.2 BIOLOGICAL REGULATORY FRAMEWORK ..........................................................................................................4
FEDERAL ...................................................................................................................................................................5
Federal Endangered Species Act (ESA)...............................................................................................................5
Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA) .....................................................................................................................6
Clean Water Act (CWA).......................................................................................................................................6
STATE ........................................................................................................................................................................6
California Endangered Species Act (CESA)........................................................................................................6
CDFG Species of Special Concern......................................................................................................................7
California Native Plant Society (CNPS)..............................................................................................................7
California Native Plant Protection Act (NPPA) ..................................................................................................7
Fish and Game Code............................................................................................................................................8
13.3 BIOLOGICAL RESOURCES .....................................................................................................................................8
EXISTING SETTING.....................................................................................................................................................8
VEGETATION COMMUNITIES AND ASSOCIATED WILDLIFE SPECIES ...........................................................................8
Agricultural Cropland (CRP) ............................................................................................................................11
Annual Grassland (AGS)....................................................................................................................................11
Aquatic Environments (LAC, RIV).....................................................................................................................13
Chaparral (MCH, CCH, MCP)..........................................................................................................................14
Emergent Wetlands (FEW) ................................................................................................................................15
Oak Woodlands (BOW, BOP, VOW) .................................................................................................................16
Montane Meadow...............................................................................................................................................17
Montane Forest (PPN, MHC, SMC, SCN, RFR)................................................................................................18
Riparian (MRI, VFR) .........................................................................................................................................19
Urban (URB)......................................................................................................................................................21
Vernal Pools.......................................................................................................................................................21
WILDLIFE COMMUNITIES .........................................................................................................................................22
Regional Overview.............................................................................................................................................22
Migratory Deer Herds .......................................................................................................................................22
Eastern Tehama Deer Herd.............................................................................................................................................25
Bucks Mountain Deer Herd ............................................................................................................................................25
Mooretown Deer Herd....................................................................................................................................................25
Migratory Deer Herd Information...................................................................................................................................25
Land Use Conflicts with Migratory Black-tailed Deer ...................................................................................................26
Deer Herd Study Panel....................................................................................................................................................27
Watersheds.........................................................................................................................................................27
Salmon and Steelhead Trout Fisheries...............................................................................................................28
Feather River State Hatchery..........................................................................................................................................29
Butte Creek.....................................................................................................................................................................29
Big Chico Creek..............................................................................................................................................................30
Other Hatcheries................................................................................................................................................30
SPECIAL-STATUS SPECIES........................................................................................................................................30
Federal Special-Status Species..........................................................................................................................34
Critical Habitat..................................................................................................................................................34
Habitat Conservation Plans...............................................................................................................................35
13.4 AREAS OF SPECIAL BIOLOGICAL IMPORTANCE ................................................................................................37
KEY WILDLIFE AREAS .............................................................................................................................................37
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Big Chico Creek & Butte Creek Ecological Preserves......................................................................................37
Lake Oroville State Recreation Area .................................................................................................................37
Bidwell Park.......................................................................................................................................................38
Genetic Resource Center....................................................................................................................................38
Feather Falls......................................................................................................................................................38
Feather River Watershed...................................................................................................................................38
Table Mountain..................................................................................................................................................38
Sacramento River Conservation Area................................................................................................................39
Wildlife Management Areas...............................................................................................................................39
Gray Lodge Wildlife Area ..............................................................................................................................................39
Oroville Wildlife Area....................................................................................................................................................40
Sacramento River Wildlife Area.....................................................................................................................................40
National Wildlife Refuges ..................................................................................................................................40
Sacramento River National Wildlife Refuge...................................................................................................................40
SENSITIVE HABITATS ...............................................................................................................................................40
Oak Woodlands..................................................................................................................................................43
Riparian Habitats...............................................................................................................................................43
Wetland Habitats................................................................................................................................................44
Other Unique Habitats.......................................................................................................................................44
Serpentine Soils, Rock Outcrops and Volcanic Outcrops...............................................................................................44
13.5 AGRICULTURAL RESOURCES...................................................................................................................69
OVERVIEW ...............................................................................................................................................................69
AGRICULTURAL LAND CONSERVATION ...................................................................................................................69
SOIL QUALITY AND EVALUATION SYSTEMS ............................................................................................................70
EXISTING AND POTENTIAL AGRICULTURAL DEVELOPMENT ....................................................................................75
Orchard and Field Crops...................................................................................................................................76
Areas of Riparian and Other Native Vegetation................................................................................................79
Conversion to Urban Development....................................................................................................................80
Butte County’s Prime Agricultural Soil Resources............................................................................................80
Crops and Crop Values......................................................................................................................................81
Farm Characteristics.........................................................................................................................................82
Grazing ..............................................................................................................................................................84
13.6 TIMBER RESOURCES....................................................................................................................................85
EXISTING AND POTENTIAL TIMBER PRODUCTION ....................................................................................................85
TIMBERLAND PLANNING – TIMBERLAND PRESERVE ZONING ..................................................................................88
REGULATION OF TIMBER HARVESTING ...................................................................................................................93
EMPLOYMENT AND REVENUE ..................................................................................................................................94
HARVEST PROJECTIONS ...........................................................................................................................................96
GOVERNMENT ASSISTANCE AND PROGRAMS ..........................................................................................................96
LIST OF TABLES
TABLE 13-1 MAJOR PLANT COMMUNITIES OCCURRING IN BUTTE COUNTY ................................................................45
TABLE 13-2 LISTED AND SPECIAL STATUS PLANTS OCCURRING AND POTENTIALLY OCCURRING IN BUTTE COUNTY .48
TABLE 13-3 LISTED AND SPECIAL STATUS ANIMALS POTENTIALLY OCCURRING IN BUTTE COUNTY ..........................58
TABLE 13-4 PROPOSED CRITICAL HABITATS IN BUTTE COUNTY .................................................................................68
TABLE 13-5 BUTTE COUNTY AGRICULTURAL LAND SUMMARY AND CHANGE BY LAND USE CATEGORY 1998-2000 72
TABLE 13-6 BUTTE COUNTY AGRICULTURAL LAND USE CONVERSION 1998 TO 2000................................................73
TABLE 13-7 SOIL CONSERVATION SERVICE (SCS) LAND CAPABILITIES CLASSIFICATION ...........................................75
TABLE 13-8 INVENTORY OF INTENSIVE AGRICULTURAL SOIL RESOURCES ..................................................................76
TABLE 13-9 AREA DEVOTED TO RIPARIAN AND/OR OTHER SEMI-PERMANENT NATIVE VEGETATION ........................79
TABLE 13-10 GROSS VALUE PER ACRE 1965 & 2001..................................................................................................81
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TABLE 13-11 HARVESTED ACREAGE FOR BUTTE COUNTY CROPS 2001......................................................................82
TABLE 13-12 CHANGES IN ACREAGE FOR SELECTED CROP TYPES 1965 - 2001 ..........................................................83
TABLE 13-13 HIGH VALUE CASH CROPS 2001.............................................................................................................84
TABLE 13-14 AREA OF TIMBERLAND AND OWNERSHIPS IN BUTTE COUNTY AND CALIFORNIA, 2001 (IN THOUSANDS
OF ACRES)..........................................................................................................................................................86
TABLE 13-15 TIMBERLAND SOILS BUTTE COUNTY ......................................................................................................88
TABLE 13-16 TIMBERLAND BY ZONING DISTRICT........................................................................................................91
TABLE 13-17 BUTTE COUNTY TIMBER HARVEST 1977 TO 20011.................................................................................95
TABLE 13-18 LUMBER & WOOD PRODUCT EMPLOYMENT BUTTE COUNTY 1983-2002 ..............................................96
LIST OF FIGURES
FIGURE 13-1: VEGETATION COMMUNITIES...................................................................................................................10
FIGURE 13-2: DEER HERD RANGES ..............................................................................................................................24
FIGURE 13-3: SPECIAL STATUS SPECIES LOCATIONS AND KEY WILDLIFE AREAS........................................................33
FIGURE 13-4: DESIGNATED CRITICAL HABITATS .........................................................................................................36
FIGURE 13-5: LIMITED AND RARE HABITATS ...............................................................................................................42
FIGURE 13-6: AGRICULTURAL LANDS ..........................................................................................................................74
FIGURE 13-7: LAND CAPABILITY..................................................................................................................................78
FIGURE 13-8: TIMBER LAND.........................................................................................................................................92
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13.1 INTRODUCTION
Butte County encompasses significant biological resources, including an exceptional diversity of
plants and wildlife, special-status plant and animal species, and habitats of special concern. The
purpose of this section is to summarize the results of an analysis of the existing biological
resources in Butte County. This section focuses on vegetation communities, watersheds, wildlife
communities, special-status species, areas of special biological importance including wildlife
areas and limited and rare habitats, the biological regulatory framework, and resource protection
programs occurring in the county. The habitats of the county are described, including discussions
of dominant vegetation and common associated wildlife species within each community. The
regulatory concerns for each habitat type are identified and described, including issues relating to
potentially occurring special-status species, protected habitats, and other locally valuable
resources. Related information can be found under other sections of the general plan background
report including Water Resources, Air Quality, Agriculture, and Geophysical Resources.
13.2 BIOLOGICAL REGULATORY FRAMEWORK
Natural vegetation communities including riparian corridors, oak woodlands and wetlands,
provide the primary habitat for the majority of biological resources in Butte County. Every
vegetation community in Butte County, such as oak woodlands or vernal pools, has an associated
set of plant and animal species that normally occur there. However, as a result of impacts from
urban development, water development projects, agricultural activities and other unknown
factors, natural habitat and the plants and animals that depend on that habitat often decline in
area and/or number. There are a number of regulatory agencies whose responsibility includes the
oversight of the natural resources of the state and nation including the U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, National Marine Fisheries Service, and the California
Department of Fish and Game (CDFG). These agencies often respond to declines in the quantity
of a particular habitat or plant or animal species by developing protective measures for those
species or habitat type.
Protective measures for plant and/or animal species can be instituted in a number of ways
depending on the respective agency that is requesting the action. Federal agencies like the U.S.
Fish and Wildlife Service utilize the Federal Endangered Species Act (FESA) to designate a
species as “special concern” “threatened” or “endangered”. The designation or listing of a
particular plant or animal species under the FESA provides certain legal protections for that plant
or animal. For example, Sections 7 and 10(a) of the Federal Endangered Species Act (16 USC
1531 et seq.) requires formal consultation with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for any project
that may impact listed species. During consultation the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has the
authority to implement prudent measures that reduce impacts to the particular plant or animal
species affected by the project. In addition to the federal government, state and local agencies
have the authority to require projects to implement protective measures to reduce and/or avoid
impacts to sensitive biological resources. Because development projects are typically subject to
the California Environmental Quality Act, local lead agencies and State Responsible agencies
like CDFG have the ability to require projects to implement mitigation measures to reduce a
project’s impact to biological resources. Additionally, under the authority of the California
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Endangered Species Act (CESA), CDFG can require local projects to implement measures to
reduce or avoid impacts to state listed species.
Population growth and associated development in California and Butte County is impacting
natural habitat and the species that depend on it. As a result, federal and state agencies are
increasingly involved with projects at the local level; often their requirements have a direct affect
on the various types of projects land use projects. This document is intended to provide an
overview of the roles of the various federal, state and local resources agencies in terms of how
they regulate the natural resources of Butte County. Following the discussion of the role of the
various regulatory agencies, this document discusses the vegetation communities including the
sensitive plant and animal species that are known to occur in Butte County.
The ultimate purpose of this document is to act as a planning tool for county decision makers,
county staff, and the public to foster sound decision making about the future of the biological
resources of the county. Additionally, Government Code Section 65302(d) states the General
Plan shall include a conservation element for the conservation, development, and utilization of
natural resources including water and its hydraulic force, forest, soils, rivers and other waters,
harbors, fisheries, wildlife, minerals, and other natural resources. This section is intended to
provide the requisite background information on which to develop a Conservation Element for
the Butte County General Plan.
Federal
Federal Endangered Species Act (ESA)
The United States Congress passed the federal Endangered Species Act (FESA) in 1973 to
protect those species that are endangered or threatened with extinction. The FESA is intended to
operate in conjunction with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) to help protect the
ecosystems upon which endangered and threatened species depend.
The FESA prohibits the “take” of endangered or threatened wildlife species. “Take” is defined to
include harassing, harming (including significantly modifying or degrading habitat), pursuing,
hunting, shooting, wounding, killing, trapping, capturing, or collecting wildlife species or any
attempt to engage in such conduct (16 USC 1532, 50 CFR 17.3). Actions that result in take can
result in civil or criminal penalties.
The FESA and EPA Section 404 guidelines prohibit the issuance of wetland permits for projects
that would jeopardize the existence of threatened or endangered wildlife or plant species. The
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers must consult with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS)
and National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) when threatened or endangered species may be
affected by a proposed project to determine whether issuance of a Section 404 permit would
jeopardize the species. In the context of the study site, the federal ESA would be triggered if
development resulted in take of a threatened or endangered species (e.g., California red-legged
frog, Coho salmon) or if issuance of a Section 404 permit or other federal agency action could
adversely affect or jeopardize a threatened or endangered species.
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Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA)
Raptors (birds of prey), migratory birds, and other avian species are protected by a number of
state and federal laws. The federal Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA) prohibits the killing,
possessing, or trading of migratory birds except in accordance with regulations prescribed by the
Secretary of Interior. Section 3503.5 of the California Fish and Game Code states that it is
“unlawful to take, possess, or destroy any birds in the order Falconiformes or Strigiformes or to
take, possess, or destroy the nest or eggs of any such bird except as otherwise provided by this
code or any regulation adopted pursuant thereto.”
Clean Water Act (CWA)
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) regulates discharge of dredged or fill material into
waters of the United States under Section 404 of the Clean Water Act (CWA). “Discharges of fill
material” is defined as the addition of fill material into waters of the U.S., including, but not
limited to the following: placement of fill that is necessary for the construction of any structure,
or impoundment requiring rock, sand, dirt, or other material for its construction; site-
development fills for recreational, industrial, commercial, residential, and other uses; causeways
or road fills; fill for intake and outfall pipes and subaqueous utility lines [33 C.F.R. §328.2(f)]. In
addition, Section 401 of the CWA (33 U.S.C. 1341) requires any applicant for a federal license
or permit to conduct any activity that may result in a discharge of a pollutant into waters of the
United States to obtain a certification from the applicable Regional Water Quality Control Board
that the discharge will comply with the applicable effluent limitations and water quality
standards.
Waters of the U.S. include a range of wet environments such as lakes, rivers, streams (including
intermittent streams), mudflats, sandflats, wetlands, sloughs, and wet meadows. Wetlands are
defined as “those areas that are inundated or saturated by surface or groundwater at a frequency
and duration sufficient to support and under normal circumstances do support, a prevalence of
vegetation typically adapted for life in saturated soil conditions” [33 C.F.R. §328.3(b)].
Furthermore, Jurisdictional Waters of the U.S. can be defined by exhibiting a defined bed and
bank and ordinary high water mark (OHWM). The OHWM is defined by the Corps as “that line
on shore established by the fluctuations of water and indicated by physical character of the soil,
destruction of terrestrial vegetation, the presence of litter and debris, or other appropriate means
that consider the characteristics of the surrounding areas” [33 C.F.R. §328.3(e)].
State
California Endangered Species Act (CESA)
The State of California enacted the California Endangered Species Act (CESA) in 1984. The
CESA is similar to the FESA but pertains to state-listed endangered and threatened species. It
requires state agencies to consult with the California Department of Fish and Game (CDFG)
when preparing California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) documents to ensure that the
state lead agency actions do not jeopardize the existence of listed species. It directs agencies to
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consult with CDFG on projects or actions that could affect listed species, directs CDFG to
determine whether jeopardy would occur, and allows CDFG to identify “reasonable and prudent
alternatives” to the project consistent with conserving the species. Agencies can approve a
project that affects a listed species if they determine that there are “overriding considerations”;
however, the agencies are prohibited from approving projects that would result in the extinction
of a listed species.
The state ESA prohibits the taking of state-listed endangered or threatened plant and wildlife
species. CDFG exercises authority over mitigation projects involving state-listed species,
including those resulting from CEQA mitigation requirements. CDFG may authorize taking if an
approved habitat management plan or management agreement that avoids or compensates for
possible jeopardy is implemented. CDFG requires preparation of mitigation plans in accordance
with published guidelines.
CDFG Species of Special Concern
In addition to formal listing under FESA and CESA, plant and wildlife species receive additional
consideration during the CEQA process. Species that may be considered for review are included
on a list of “Species of Special Concern,” developed by the CDFG. It tracks species in California
whose numbers, reproductive success, or habitat may be threatened.
California Native Plant Society (CNPS)
The California Native Plant Society (CNPS) maintains a list of plant species native to California
that have low numbers, limited distribution, or are otherwise threatened with extinction. This
information is published in the Inventory of Rare and Endangered Vascular Plants of California.
Potential impacts to populations of CNPS-listed plants receive consideration under CEQA
review. The following identifies the definitions of the CNPS listings:
• List 1A: Plants Believed Extinct.
• List 1B: Plants Rare, Threatened, or Endangered in California and elsewhere.
• List 2: Plants Rare, Threatened, or Endangered in California, but more numerous
elsewhere.
• List 3: Plants About Which We Need More Information - A Review List.
• List 4: Plants of Limited Distribution - A Watch List.
California Native Plant Protection Act (NPPA)
This state law, passed in 1977, directed the CDFG to "preserve, protect, and enhance endangered
plants of this State." Largely superseded by the California Endangered Species Act, NPPA
includes provisions that prohibit the taking of plants designated as "rare" from the wild, and a
salvage mandate for landowners, which requires notification of the CDFG 10 days in advance of
approving a building site.
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Fish and Game Code
The California Department of Fish and Game (CDFG) is responsible for the protection,
management, and enhancement of fish and wildlife and the habitats upon which they depend.
CDFG’s stated mission is “to manage California’s diverse fish, wildlife, and plant resources, and
the habitats upon which they depend, for their ecological values and for their use and enjoyment
by the public”. Under Sections 1600-1007 of the California Fish and Game Code, CDFG is
responsible for review of any project which affects the natural flow, bed, channel, or bank of any
river, stream, or lake in which there is, at any time, an existing fish or wildlife resource deriving
benefit. Proponents of such projects generally must obtain a Streambed or Lake Alteration
Agreement under Sections 1601 (public project) and 1603 (private project) of the California Fish
and Game Code. These agreements are usually initiated through the local CDFG warden and will
specify timing and construction conditions, including any mitigation necessary to protect fish
and wildlife from impacts of the work.
13.3 BIOLOGICAL RESOURCES
Existing Setting
Butte County is a land area of approximately 1,639 square miles, located in the central area of
Northern California, within the northeastern portion of the Sacramento Valley. The county is
made up of five distinct bioregions described in the Jepson Manual, “Higher Plants of
California.” The bioregions described in this document are subregions of the California Floristic
Province (CA-FP) which is a geographic unit used in California. The western and southwestern
portion of the county is within the Sacramento Valley (ScV) bioregion, which is a smaller and
wetter subregion of the Great Central Valley (GV) province, and is predominately agricultural
but also once supported grasslands (California prairie), marshes, extensive riparian woodlands,
and valley-oak savannah. The central and southeast portion of Butte County is within the
northern Sierra Nevada Foothills (nSNF) bioregion. Within this bioregion the floristic
communities change gradually with latitude. Throughout most of its extent, it is characterized by
blue oak/ foothill pine woodlands and is dotted with serpentine (Hickman 1993). To the
northwest of the nSNF bioregion is the Cascade Range Foothills (CaRF) bioregion, which is
characterized by chaparral, and blue oak/foothill-pine woodland. The most northern tip of Butte
County is within the High Cascade Range (CaRH) subregion, which occurs generally above
1,600 ft. elevation and is characterized by ponderosa pine, montane fir/pine, and lodge-pole pine
forests. The eastern and southeastern section of the county is within the northern High Sierra
Nevada (nSNH) subregion. This bioregion is generally located above 1,600 ft. elevation and is
primarily characterized by conifer forests.
Vegetation Communities and Associated Wildlife Species
Eleven major vegetation communities occur in Butte County including agricultural cropland,
annual grassland savannah, aquatic environments, chaparral, emergent wetlands, oak woodlands,
montane meadow, montane forest, riparian, urban, and vernal pools (see Table 13-1). These
vegetation communities or environments appear in the landscape along gradients of moisture and
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soil types formed by geology, climate, elevation, and topography (see Figure 13-1). These
abiotic conditions produce the habitat for a wide diversity of plant and animal communities. The
following section provides a description of each of these vegetation communities including a
brief list of common plant species occurring within each community type. In addition, some of
the potentially occurring special-status plant species for each community is also noted. Special-
status plant species and their associated habitats are listed in Table 13-2.
Within each of the major vegetation communities there are numerous species of wildlife species,
which utilize habitats for water, food, shelter, nesting, and migration. Some species commonly
occurring within each habitat have been included in the descriptions of each vegetation
community. Wildlife is mobile, thus common wildlife species associated with a particular habitat
can also occur in various other habitat communities. In addition, some special-status wildlife and
plant species are noted as potentially occurring within specific communities described below.
Additional special-status species, besides those noted, may potentially occur in these habitats.
Special-status wildlife species potentially occurring in Butte County and a description of their
individual habitats are listed in Table 13-3.
32
99
70
191
162
70
162
99
32
PARADISE
OROVILLE
BIGGS
GRIDLEY
CHICO
VEGETATION COMMUNITIES
Figure 13-1
Butte County
General Plan
Source: California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection
Date printed: June 19, 2003
Miles02468101
Legend
VEGETATION COMMUNITIES
Agriculture
Barren/Other
Conifer
Urban
Water
Wetland
Herbaceous
Shrub
Hardwood
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Agricultural Cropland (CRP)
Agricultural areas occur on arable lands throughout California. For the purposes of this report the
agricultural biological communities within Butte County include orchards, field crops, seed
crops, vegetable crops, timberland, and pasture. Rangelands would be considered in the
grassland, oak woodland, chaparral, or montane communities. A discussion of hardwood
rangelands can be found following the Oak Woodlands habitat description.
Agricultural areas in Butte County occur primarily on the valley floor and are often associated
with urban areas and major roads and highways. Field crops and fruit and nut orchards are the
major agricultural communities of Butte County; however, the county produces a wide range of
agricultural products. Crops grown in the county include rice, walnuts, almonds, plums, peaches,
kiwifruit, alfalfa hay, wheat, and olives. Usually, agricultural fields are monotypic and trees are
often planted as windbreaks at field edges. In agriculture areas ruderal (weedy) vegetation can be
found along field edges, between rows, and under the canopies in orchards. Agricultural lands
can grade into any habitat type. In Butte County, agricultural lands are most commonly
associated with valley grasslands, urban areas, hardwood forests, and oak woodlands. Transitions
between habitats are often abrupt, marking the edge of cultivated areas.
Because of their high degree of disturbance, agricultural fields generally have a low habitat value
for wildlife. However frequently flooded rice fields in the valley play an important role in
providing habitat for migratory waterfowl. Many special-status species of birds can be observed
utilizing rice fields for habitat within Butte County including greater sandhill crane (Grus
canadensis tabida), Aleutian Canada goose (Branta canadensis leucopareia), and greater egret
(Ardea alba). Additionally, rice fields are considered suitable habitat for the giant garter snake
(Thamnophis gigas) by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, in the “1999 Draft Recovery Plan for
the Giant Garter Snake” (USFWS 1999). In addition, mature orchards can provide nesting
habitat for various raptor species such as white-tail kite (Elanus leucurus) and Coopers hawk
(Accipiter cooperi). Swainson’s hawks (Buteo swansoni) typically utilize fallow fields, lightly
grazed pastures, alfalfa and other hay crops, and certain grain and row croplands for foraging
habitat. Many common species of wildlife have also adapted to use agricultural areas for food
and cover such as squirrels, raccoons, songbirds, crows, rats, snakes and lizards.
Annual Grassland (AGS)
Grassland communities occur throughout most of California at virtually all elevations. Annual
grassland habitat extends over large portions of Butte County in a variety of grassland types,
including annual grassland, perennial grassland, and prairie. It also composes the understory for
a variety of other habitats such as oak woodlands, chaparral, and riparian habitats. In addition
annual grassland surrounds habitats such as emergent wetlands, cropland, orchard, and vernal
pool complexes. Annual grassland habitats are characterized by primarily annual plant species,
but can also include some forbs and perennial grasses. Introduced or “non-native” annual grass
species are dominant plant species in this habitat. A large number of these non-native grasses
were originally introduced to California for livestock forage and rapidly spread. Cattle grazing
operations often maintain annual grasslands in Butte County.
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Community composition in grassland varies depending on habitat characteristics. Heavily grazed
areas or areas that are otherwise disturbed are characterized by annual grasses and forbs.
Dominant annual grass species in these areas may include wild oats (Avena fatua, A. barbata),
soft chess (Bromus hordeaceus), ripgut brome (Bromus diandrus), red brome (Bromus
madritensis), wild barley (Hordeum murinum ssp. leporinum), foxtail fescue (Vulpia myuros var.
hirsute), and rattail fescue (Vulpia myuros var. myuros). Common forbs found in annual
grassland habitat include filaree (Erodium botyrs, E. brachycarpum, E. cicutarium, E.
moschatum), mullein (Verbascum blattaria, V. thapsus), clovers (Trifolium spp.), bur-clover
(Medicago polymorpha), and popcorn flowers (Plagiobothrys spp.). The state flower, California
poppy (Eschscholzia californica) as well as other perennials like meadowfoam (Limnanthes
spp.), johnnytuck (Triphysaria eriantha ssp. eriantha), and downingia species (Downingia spp.)
can also occur in annual grassland habitat.
A number of California native bunch grasses are also associated with annual grassland habitat in
areas lacking disturbance, and on slopes. Perennial grasses, such as purple needlegrass (Nasella
pulchra), bluegrasses (Poa spp.), and creeping wild rye (Leymus triticoides) are dominant in
some areas. Native perennials also dominate prairies, although grazing pressure has encouraged
invasion from non-native annual species. Highly invasive exotic species such as yellow
starthistle (Centaurea solstitialis) and medusa head (Taeniatherum caput-medusae) are also
commonly found in annual grassland habitat.
Some special-status plant species occurring in grassland communities include Ahart’s dwarf rush
(Juncus leiospermus var. ahartii), Henderson’s bent grass (Agrostis hendersonii), subtle orache
(Atriplex subtilis), veiny monardella (Monardella douglassii spp. venosa), and Ferris’s milk
vetch (Astragalus tener var. ferrisiae).
Annual grassland habitat is a large producer of seeds providing an important food source for a
number of seed-eating birds and small mammals. In addition grasslands function as a reliable
food source for grazing livestock. Many wildlife species use grasslands for foraging, but some
require special habitat features such as cliffs, caves, ponds, or woody vegetation for cover,
breeding, and resting habitat. Wildlife species expected to occur in this habitat will vary
depending on the location (elevation, topography, setting) relative to the annual grassland
habitat. Common species expected to occur in annual grassland habitat include California ground
squirrel (Spermophilus beecheyi), savannah sparrow (Passerculus sandwichensis), western
meadowlark (Sturnella neglecta), ring-neck pheasant (Phasianus cilchicus), western rattlesnake
(Crotalus viridis), gopher snake (Pituophis melanoleucus), and western fence lizard (Sceloporus
occidentalis). In addition, common species known to forage these areas include a variety of
raptors such red-tail hawk (Buteo jamaicensis) and barn owl (Tyto alba), as well as mammals
like the coyote (Canis latrans) and gray fox (Urocyon cinereoargenteus).
There are numerous special-status bird species that utilize annual grassland habitat. Many raptors
such as the Swainson’s hawk (Buteo swansoni), northern harrier (Circus cyaneus), ferruginous
hawk (Buteo regalis), and short-eared owl (Asio flammeus) utilize annual grasslands to prey on
songbirds and small mammals. Birds such as the burrowing owl (Athene cunicularia),
grasshopper sparrow (Ammodramus savannarum), and the loggerheaded shrike (Lanius
ludovicianus) forage and nest in annual grassland habitat.
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Grasslands commonly grade into various shrub and tree habitats. They form where grazing, fires
or other disturbances have cleared a previously present community, or where locally wet soils
restrict tree and shrub growth. These conditions often result in a very abrupt line between
grasslands and adjoining communities.
Aquatic Environments (LAC, RIV)
Aquatic habitats occur throughout California at nearly all elevations and in association with all
habitat types. These areas are distributed throughout Butte County including open water lakes,
reservoirs, ponds, rivers, streams, creeks, man-made channels, and springs. All of these aquatic
environments described can be classified by two distinct habitat types: Lacustrine (LAC) and
Riverine (RIV) communities. Lacustrine habitats (LAC) are depressional bodies of standing
freshwater (including dammed streams), which vary from large perennial lakes to shallow,
seasonal ponds and playas. Riverine (RIV) can be described as intermittent or continually
running water such as rivers, seasonal and perennial streams, and drainages. The Watersheds
section below addresses the five different watersheds that occur in Butte County. Both aquatic
vegetation and terrestrial vegetation surrounding various aquatic environments will vary
throughout the county. Vegetation in aquatic habitat varies with depth, flow rate, and alkalinity.
Deepwater habitats lack rooted vegetation and are instead characterized by suspended algae
(phytoplankton). Shallower waters may contain rooted vascular plants specialized for saturated
soils. Aquatic environments are a critically important resource, providing habitat, foraging
opportunities, and a water source for many species of wildlife. The composition of species which
utilize aquatic environments change depending on a number of factors including the size of the
waters, quality, turbidity, speed, depth, and temperature.
Wildlife species composition in aquatic habitats is highly variable. Lacustrine and slow-moving
riverine habitats generally have a high abundance of zooplanktonic organisms. These small
organisms are important for the organisms that feed on them, particularly aquatic invertebrates
(typically insects and worms) and fish. Fish species occur in most perennial waters, while
invertebrates occur in most perennial and seasonal habitats. A few of the common fish species
found in Butte County waters include bass (Micropterus sp.), bluegill (Lepomis macrochirus),
trout (Salmo sp.), and catfish (Ictalurus sp.). A number of birds, mammals, reptiles, and
amphibians make use of aquatic habitats, and they are dependant on it for a portion or all of their
life cycle. These habitats are essential for both resident and migratory waterfowl.
Riverine habitats such as the Sacramento River, Feather River, Big Chico Creek, and Butte
Creek watersheds provide critically important habitat for special-status fish species. Special-
status species that could potentially occur in Butte County waterways include Central Valley
Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha), delta smelt (Hypomesus transpacificus), river
lamprey (Lampertra ayresi), northwestern pond turtle (Clemmys marmorata marmorata),
Central Valley steelhead (Oncorhynchus mykiss), and California tiger salamader (Ambystoma
californiense).
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Chaparral (MCH, CCH, MCP)
Chaparral communities are distributed throughout California’s non-desert foothill and montane
habitats. Three types of chaparral are found in Butte County and are distributed as follows: 1)
mixed chaparral (MCH) occurs in foothill and montane areas in the central portions of the
county, 2) chamise chaparral (CCH) only occurrence is on Cohasset ridge in foothill and lower
montane regions, and 3) montane chaparral (MCP) occurs in the higher montane habitats below
montane conifer forest within the county. Chaparral communities are floristically diverse,
making up a variety brushland communities with a canopy that can reach nearly 20 feet.
Composition of flora in chaparral community types change based on precipitation regime, aspect,
soil type, and elevation. Chaparral communities are dominated by shrubs and is dense at maturity
with greater than 80 percent shrub cover (Mayer et. al. 1988).
Within the county, chaparral communities generally grade into other chaparral types or a variety
of associated woodland and forest communities. Distributions are often patchy, with chaparral,
forests, and a variety of intermediate communities existing in close proximity.
Chamise chaparral communities are dominated by Chamise (Adenostoma fasciculatum), which is
often the only dominant shrub present. Both montane and mixed chaparral communities are
generally dominated by one or more species of ceanothus and manzanita (Arctostaphylos sp.).
Other dominant shrubs of mixed chaparral may include one or more of the following species,
interior live oak (Quercus wislizenii var. wislizenii), buckbrush (Ceanothus cueatus), scrub oak
(Quercus berberidifolia), and deerbrush (Ceanothus intergerrimus). Additional species found in
montane chaparral include mountain whitethorn (Ceanothus cordulatus), sierra chinquapin
(Chrysolepis sempervirens), pinemat manzanita (Arctostaphylos nevadensis), bitter cherry
(Prunus emarginata), huckleberry oak (Quercus vaccinifolia), and mountain mahogany
(Cerocarpus betulides). Additional plant species commonly associated with chaparral habitats
are poison oak (Toxicodendron diversilobum), sage (Salvia sp.), California buckeye (Aesculus
californica), holly-leaved redberry (Rhamnus ilicifolia), gray pine (Pinus sabiniana), California
yerba santa (Eriodictyon californicum), and toyon (Heteromeles arbutifolia). Understory species
are generally absent in chaparral communities, although annual and perennial grasses and forbs
can occur when large spaces exist between shrubs. Special-status plants such as adobe lily
(Fritillaria pluriflora), Butte County checkerbloom (Sidelcea robusta), Butte fritillary
(Fritillaria eastwoodiae), and white-stemmed clarkia (Clarkia gracilis ssp. albicaulis) can
sometimes be found in these open areas of chaparral.
Chaparral communities provide habitat for a wide variety of wildlife, particularly rodents,
rabbits, deer, and other herbivorous mammals. Birds utilize the seeds, fruits, insects and cover
found in chaparral and raptors prey on these birds and on small reptiles and mammals. Common
species found in chaparral communities include black-tail jackrabbit (Lepus californicus),
northern alligator lizard (Elgaria coerulea), sage sparrow (Amphispiza belli), brush mouse
(Peromyscus bovlei), brush rabbit (Sylvilagus bachmani), turkey vulture (Cathartes aura), and
California kingsnake (Lampropeltis californiae). In addition, special-status wildlife species that
utilize chaparral communities are San Joaquin coachwhip (Masticophis flagellum ruddocki),
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Lawerence’ goldfinch (Carduelis lawerencei), and San Joaquin pocket mouse (Perognathus
inornatus).
Emergent Wetlands (FEW)
Fresh emergent wetland (FEW) communities are distributed throughout Butte County.
Additionally, lacustrine, riverine, flooded agricultural communities, and montane meadows also
may be classified as wetland communities since these habitats and margins often exhibit wetland
plants. These communities are addressed within the agricultural, aquatic environments, and
montane meadow sections of the Vegetation Communities descriptions. Wetland communities
are generally described as shallow ponds, marshes, swamps, bogs, fens and wet meadow areas
that are vegetated with hydrophytes. Vernal pools are also seasonal wetlands, but due to their
unique features they are described as a separate vegetation community. These areas are poorly
drained depressional areas that are characterized by flooded or saturated soil conditions that
occur frequently enough so that only plants that have specialized roots to tolerate anaerobic soil
conditions prosper in these areas.
Freshwater emergent wetland dominant vegetation is generally perennial monocots and the
vegetation coverage may vary from small clumps to areas covering several kilometers. Plant
species commonly associated with FEW margins or shallow waters are ample-leaved sedge
(Carex amplifolia), Baltic rush (Juncus balticus var. balticus), and red-rooted cyperus (Cyperus
erythrorhizos). Found within wetter sites, common species are broad-leaved cattail (Typha
latifolia), hard-stemmed tule (Scirpus acutus var. occidentalis), and Sanford’s arrowhead
(Sagittaria sanfordii). There are also alkali emergent wetlands occurring in Butte County some
of which are located within the Gray Lodge Wildlife Area. A common species associated with
alkaline wetland communities is saltgrass (Ditichlis spicata).
FEW provide valuable wildlife habitat for many species including migratory bird nesting and
foraging, cover and breeding grounds for amphibians, and cover and foraging opportunities for
mammals. Some commonly observed species include cattle egret (Bulbulcus ibis), western grebe
(Aechmophorus occidentalis), redwing black bird (Agelaius phoeniceus), California toad (Bufo
boreas halophilus), and Pacific treefrog (Pseudacris regillia).
FEW in California has decreased dramatically due to drainage and conversion to other uses,
primarily agriculture (Mayer et. al. 1988). Emergent wetlands are considered a sensitive aquatic
resource. Wetlands, which provide essential habitat for migratory waterfowl have declined
statewide, which correlates directly with the listing of numerous species of plants and animals
that are associated with these communities. Plant communities such as wetland areas are
discussed below in Section 13.3 (Areas of Special Biological Importance).
Special-status plant species that are found in emergent wetland habitats include valley sagittaria
(Sagittaria sanfordii), scalloped moonwart (Botrychium crenulatum), Columbian watermeal
(Wolffia brasiliensis), foxsedge (Carex vulpinoidea), four-angled spikerush (Eleocharis
quadrangulata), and rose mallow (Hibiscus lasiocarpus).
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There are many special-status birds that utilize wetland habitats for nesting and foraging such as
snowy egret (Egretta thula), great blue heron (Ardea herodias), white-faced ibis (Plegadis
chihi), black tern (Chionias niger), Common loon (Gavia immer), and tricolored blackbird
(Agelaius tricolor). The federally-listed threatened California red-legged frog (Rana aurora
draytonii) is also commonly associated with emergent wetlands.
Oak Woodlands (BOW, BOP, VOW)
Oak woodland/hardwood communities include Blue oak woodland (BOW), Blue oak-Foothill
pine (BOP), and Valley oak woodland communities. Oak woodlands consist of relatively open
habitats, dominated by one or more species of oaks. Oak woodlands are considered a sensitive
habitat in California and will be addressed again in Section 13.3 (Areas of Biological
Importance). Oak woodlands are commonly seen throughout the valley and foothills in Butte
County.
Blue oak woodland (BOW) and Blue oak-Foothill Pine woodland (BOP) are the most common
oak woodland communities in the foothills of Butte County. BOW and BOP are an increasingly
rare habitat found in California’s foothills, forming a discontinuous ring around the central
valley. Cattle grazing, low seedling recruitment, and land conversion are contributing to the
gradual loss of blue oak woodland throughout the state. Characteristically, these communities
occur on dry, rocky slopes in infertile soils. Conditions are often too harsh to support other
hardwood or oak woodland communities. Blue oak woodlands are dominated by blue oaks
(Quercus douglasii), which form an open canopy over a community of generally annual grasses
and forbs. Blue-oak-Foothill pine communities are characterized by sparse overstory of foothill
pine (Pinus sambiana), over a denser blue oak canopy. The understory of BOP communities can
vary from grasslands to woody shrubs. Common species associated with BOW and BOP
communities are, interior live oak (Quercus wislizeni), California buckeye, hoary coffeeberry
(Rhamnus tomentella), ceanothus and manzanita species.
Valley oak woodland (VOW) communities are commonly found on the valley floor in Butte
County. VOW communities are dominated by valley oak (Quercus lobata), and vary in habitat
from savannah-like to forest-like stands with partially closed canopies, comprised mostly of
winter-deciduous, broad-leaved species (Mayer et. al. 1988). Denser stands of valley oak
communities are typically associated with fertile soils of the valley and are found growing along
natural drainages comprising the dominate species of the upland areas of valley riparian forests.
Trees and shrubs associated with VOW communities along drainages are noted in the valley-
foothill riparian section. Less dense valley oak woodland communities are found with an
understory of annual grasses and forbs with few to no shrub layer present.
Some special-status plants that may be found in oak woodland habitats include Ahart’s
paronychia (Paronychia ahartii), Brandegee’s clarkia (Clarkia bilboa ssp. brandegee), Jepson’s
onion (Allium jepsonii), and Hall’s rupertia (Ruperita hallii).
Wildlife occurring in oak woodlands are similar to those found in chaparral, riparian, and
montane hardwood forests. Species found in oak woodland habitats include acorn woodpecker
(Melanerpes formicivorus), barn owl (Tyto alba), wild turkey (Meleagris gallopavo), California
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quail (Lophortyx californicus), big brown bat (Eptesicus fuscus), cottontail (Sylvilagus
auduboni), wild boar (Sus scrofa), and many other mammal, reptile, and bird species. Special-
status species of wildlife that can also potentially occur in oak woodland habitats include
California thrasher (Toxostoma redivivum), Oak titmouse (Baeolophus inornatus), California
horned lizard (Phrynosoma coronatum frontale), and foothill yellow-legged frog (Rana boylii).
Often oak woodland habitats are referred to as “hardwood rangelands.” Hardwood rangelands
are described as noncommercial "forests" with 10 percent or more canopy cover by hardwood
tree species excluding, eucalyptus (Eucalyptus spp.) and foothill pine. The dominant hardwood
range species in Butte County include blue oak, valley oak, and interior live oak. Hardwood
rangelands provide habitat for over 330 wildlife species, including important game species such
as black-tailed deer, wild turkey, California quail, and wild boar. In addition, hardwood
rangelands provide an important source of forage for cattle and sheep and a potential sustainable
source of firewood and other wood products. Hardwood rangelands occupy approximately
121,000 acres (mainly in the eastern portion) in Butte County.
Montane Meadow
Montane meadows occur in the eastern montane regions of Butte County. Montane meadow
habitat vegetation consists of a layer of herbaceous plants with few to no shrubs or trees.
Montane meadows are often but not always moist, from the result of rainfall, snowmelt, or
natural spring runoff. There is a wide variety of plant species that occur in montane meadow
habitats; therefore it is not possible to generalize vegetation composition for these areas. These
areas support a variety of plants some adapted to wet conditions such as wetland grasses and
forbs and others found in drier areas. Species associated with montane meadows may include
various species of rush (Juncus spp.), spikerush (Eleocharis spp.), and sedge (Carex spp.), as
well as monkeyflower (Mimulus sp.), sierra onion (Allium campanulatum), and hairgrass
(Deschampsia sp.). In addition, some special-status plants associated with these areas include
Butte County calycadenia (Calycadenia oppositifolia), Butte County catchfly (Silene
occidentalis ssp. longistipitata), Butte fritillary (Fritillaria eastwoodiae), Quincy lupine (Lupinus
dalesiae), and long-leaved starwort (Stellaria longifolia).
Montane meadows are extensively used for foraging by mammals, birds and reptiles. Wet
montane meadows are generally too wet for utilization by small mammals except during the late
summer and autumn. The forbs and palatable grasses found in montane meadows are important
food source for mule deer. In addition these areas provide nesting habitat for birds such as blue
grouse (Dendragapus obscurus), and shelter for various mammals such as the badger (Taxidea
taxus), amphibians, and reptiles like the striped racer (Masticophis lateralis). Some of the
special-status species known to utilized montane meadow habitats include cascade frog (Rana
cascadae), mountain yellow-legged frog (Rana muscosa), and Sierra Nevada snowshoe hare
(Lepus americanus tahoensis). Montane meadows also provide foraging habitat for many species
of raptors.
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Montane Forest (PPN, MHC, SMC, SCN, RFR)
The five types of montane forests found in Butte County are distributed as follows: Ponderosa
pine (PPN) and Montane hardwood-conifer (MHC) in lower to upper elevation of montane areas
in the central and eastern portions of the county; Sierran mixed conifer (SMC) in the mid to
upper montane elevations of the northern and eastern portions of the county; Subalpine conifer
(SCN) are found in high elevations within the northern tip of the county; and Red fir (RFR) are
found at mid to high elevations within the northern tip of Butte County. The composition of
vegetation in these areas vary but are all composed of needle-leaved evergreens with intermixed
hardwoods, shrubs, and herbs.
Ponderosa pine forests occur at low to middle elevations throughout the mountains of California.
These areas are dominated by ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa) and can vary in structure from
dense stands to open patchy stands. Ponderosa pine can be the only tree present, but common
associates such as Douglas fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii var. menziesii), sugar pine (Pinus
lambertina), incense cedar (Calocedrus deccurens), white fir (Abies concolor), Pacific madrone
(Arbutus menziesii), and others can occur. The shrub layer, when present, includes many
common montane chaparral species.
Montane hardwood-conifer (MHC) communities include a mixture of needle-leaved evergreens
and deciduous hardwoods often forming a closed canopy forest. To be considered MHC, at least
one-third of the trees must be conifer and at least one-third of the trees must be broadleaf (Mayer
et. al. 1988). This forest type creates a mosaic-like pattern with small stands of conifers
interdispered with small stands of broadleaved trees. Common species found in this habitat
include ponderosa pine, Douglas fir, incense cedar, sugar pine, Sierra lodgepole pine (Pinus
contorta ssp. murrayana), California black oak (Juglans hindsii var. hindsii), big-leaf maple
(Acer macrophyllum), and Pacific madrone.
Sierran mixed conifer (SMC) habitats form a multilayered forest of conifer and hardwood
species with nearly 100 percent of overlapping canopy cover. Five conifer species and one
hardwood species typify the mixed conifer forest – white fir, Douglas fir, ponderosa pine, sugar
pine, incense cedar, and California black oak (Mayer et. al. 1988).
Subalpine conifer (SCN) are high-elevation, open forests with trees of low to medium stature.
Some species found in the habitat include mountain hemlock (Tsuga mertensiana), western
white pine (Pinus monticola), western bristlecone pine (Pinus longaeva), and Jeffery pine (Pinus
jeffreyi).
Red fir forests (RFR) are characterized by open to moderately dense stands of red fir (Abies
magnifica var. magnifica). Both the tree and shrub layer are generally devoid of other species,
although at lower elevations red fir can mix with white fir, and may also occur with mixed
conifer habitats. At the upper extent of its range, red fir forests transition to subalpine alpine
habitats.
Many species of wildlife are found in these montane habitats; however, in red fir and subalpine
habitats, few species occur, particularly amphibians and reptiles, because of the higher
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elevations. Pine forests may provide transitional or migratory habitat for deer and can be
extremely important to deer nutrition in migration holding areas. Common species associated
with montane regions in Butte County include black bear (Ursus americanus), mountain lion
(Felis concolor), mule deer, great horned owl (Bubo virginianus), band-tailed pigeon (Columba
fasciata), and various species of squirrels, mice and bats.
There are also many special-status species of plants and animals that are found in montane
regions. Special status plant species associated with montane regions include Butte County
morning glory (Calystegia atriplicifolia) and Enterprise clarkia (Clarkia mosquinii ssp.
xerophilia). A few of the special-status wildlife species occurring in these areas are Northern
goshawk (Accipiter gentiles), hermit warbler (Dendroica occidentalis), flammulated owl (Otus
flammeolus), and pacific fisher (Martes pennanti pacifica).
Montane regions of Butte County are also commonly referred to as timberlands. Timberland is a
term use for wooded areas with marketable timber, capable of growing at least 20 cubic feet of
industrial-quality wood per acre per year. Since timberland areas are primarily used for a
potential sustainable source wood production, these areas are primarily managed as an
agricultural crop. However, timberlands also provide habitat for numerous wildlife species,
including many special-status species. In addition, timberlands are used often as rangeland for
cattle. Timberlands in Butte County are located in the eastern and northeastern portions of the
county.
Riparian (MRI, VFR)
Two types of riparian communities occur in Butte County, including montane riparian (MRI) and
valley-foothill riparian (VFR). Riparian habitats are found in association with bodies of water
and waterways such as rivers, streams, springs, and ephemeral drainages. Riparian habitats are
typically comprised of three vegetation layers: trees, shrubs/lianas, and herbs. In a mature
riparian forest the canopy height is approximately 98 ft. with a canopy closure of 20 to 80
percent (Mayer 1988). Riparian areas will vary in the composition of plant species and structure
in different areas of the county, due to abiotic variations such as changes in soil, elevation,
temperature, as well as current and past land-uses. Montane riparian habitats occur in the
mountainous eastern portions of the county, and valley-foothill riparian areas are located in the
western and central areas. Riparian areas, which are unique and limited habitats, will be
discussed below in Section 13-4 (Areas of Biological Importance).
Most montane riparian communities typically occur in narrow, dense groves of broadleaved,
deciduous trees with an understory of shrubs/lianas and herbs. Black cottonwood (Populus
balsamifera ssp. trichocarpa) is often the dominant tree species but often it is co-dominant with
big-leaf maple. Other tree species found in this habitat include California boxelder (Acer
negundo var. californicum), mountain dogwood, white alder (Alnus rhombifolia), and quaking
aspen (Populus tremuloides).
Dominant tree species in Valley-foothill riparian communities are Fremont’s cottonwood
(Populus fremontii ssp. fremontii), western sycamore (Platanus racemosa), California black oak,
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and valley oak. Species associated with the sub-canopy tree layer include white alder, California
boxelder, and Oregon ash (Fraxinus latifolia).
The shrub/liana layer of vegetation in these riparian areas may consist of wild grape (Vitis
californica), California rose (Rosa californica), blue elderberry (Sambucus mexicana), California
blackberry (Rubus ursinus), poison oak (Toxicodendron diverislobum), western redbud (Cercis
occidentalis), spicebush (Calycanthus occidentalis), California pipevine (Aristolochia
californica), and various willows (Salix sp.) The herbaceous understory is a composite of the
annual grassland habitat and species such as stinging nettle (Urtica dicola), mugwort (Artemisia
douglasiana), giant chain fern (Woodwardia fimbriata), turkey mullein (Eremocarpus setigerus)
as well as many other various sedges, rushes, grasses and forbs. A few of the special-status plant
species that could potentially occur in these areas are clustered lady’s slipper (Cypripedium
fasciculatum), unswept moonwart (Botrychium ascendens), and California beaked-rush
(Rynchospora californica). There are a number of invasive exotic species frequently associated
with riparian habitats including Himalayan blackberry (Rubus discolor), periwinkle (Vinca
major), English ivy (Hedera helix), and giant-reed (Arundo donax).
Riparian habitats are unique and ecologically important habitats, which support an exceptionally
high diversity of flora and fauna. Riparian habitats are a critical source for food, water, migration
and dispersal corridors, protection, nesting, and thermal cover (protection from extremes of heat
or cold) for an abundance of wildlife. Riparian areas provide essential habitat for both permanent
residents, and migratory or temporal visitors. There are at least 50 amphibian and reptile species
and 55 mammal species that are known to use California Central Valley riparian communities
(Mayer et. al. 1988). In addition, these habitats provide residence and nesting habitat to large
number of bird species. Common animals found in riparian areas include opossum (Didelphis
marsupials), North American beaver (Castor canadensis), gray fox, coyote, longtail weasel
(Mustela frenata), striped skunk (Mephitis mephitis), western grey squirrel, dusky-footed
woodrat (Neotoma dinerea), raptors, migratory waterfowl, wrens, thrushes, towhees, sparrows,
swallows, flycatchers, nuthatches, gulls, hummingbirds, warblers, frogs, toads, snakes, lizards
and turtles.
There are many special-status species that rely on riparian habitats for survival. The California
endangered western yellow-billed cuckoo (Coccyzus americanus occidentalis), for instance, is
endemic to riparian habitats. Other special-status animal species that occur within riparian
corridors include various special status bats such as myotis bats (Myotis sp.), California horned
lizard, Valley longhorned elderberry beetle (Desmocerus californicus dimorphus), California
red-legged frog, foothill yellow-legged frog, giant garter snake, northwestern pond turtle, bank
swallow (Riparia riparia), Lewis’ woodpecker (Melanerpes lewis), little willow flycather
(Empidonax traillii brewsterii), Nuttal’s woodpecker (Picoides nuttalli), numerous raptors and
other migratory and resident birds. In addition, a number of special-status fish species are found
within the waterways associated with riparian corridors such as Central Valley Chinook salmon
(fall/late fall run, spring run, and winter-run), Central Valley steelhead, Delta smelt, green
sturgeon (Acipenser medirotris), longfin smelt (Spirinchus thaleichtys), river lamprey, and
Sacramento splittail.
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Urban (URB)
The urban classification is characterized by human modifications to the environment, and
includes all ranges of urban development from metropolitan areas to suburban and rural
communities. Plant composition in urban areas is highly variable, and can include areas with an
abundance of exotic ornamental plants as well as areas dominated primarily by native vegetation.
The wildlife value of urban habitats varies from very low in dense, highly urbanized areas, to
relatively high in areas with a lower human density and a significant amount of natural
vegetation remaining. Urban areas occur throughout California in association with every major
habitat type. Within Butte County, the largest urban areas are Chico, Paradise, Oroville, and
Gridley. There are numerous small urban areas within the county some of these communities
include Durham, Cohasset, Forest Ranch, Magalia, Biggs and Dayton.
The most densely developed urban areas provide wildlife habitat for western scrub-jay
(Aphelocoma coerulescens), rock dove (Columba livia), northern mockingbird (Mimus
polyglottos), European starling (Sturnus vulgaris), and house finch (Carpodacus mexicanus).
Associated mammals include raccoon (Procyon lotor), and western gray squirrel and striped
skunk. Suburban areas provide habitat for a greater diversity of wildlife including various species
of birds, mammals, amphibians, and reptiles.
Vernal Pools
Vernal pool communities are seasonal wetlands found within annual grassland habitats. Vernal
pools are shallow depressions underlain by an impermeable layer causing them to inundate with
water seasonally with melt water and runoff from rainfall and snow. Since vernal pool habitat
lacks a permanent above ground water outlet they hold water for a few months in spring and
early summer but by late summer the pool is typically dry. In Butte County, well-known pool
complexs occur in Richvale (west of Oroville), Llano Seco unit of the Sacramento National
Wildlife Refuge (in southwestern portion of the county), Central Buttes area, and North Table
Mountain (north of Oroville). There are three types of vernal pools that occur within the county:
Northern Hardpan, Northern Basalt Flows, and Northern Volcanic Mudflow.
Vernal pools found on impervious volcanic mudflows are most commonly found in Butte
County. These pools are typically small, irregularly spaced, and do not form large pool
complexes. Northern Basalt Flow vernal pools are restricted to areas with massive basalt flows
such as Table Mountain north of Oroville and near Big Chico Creek. These areas have shallow
soil overlaying basalt and occur in regularly spaced small depressions. Both the Northern
Volcanic Mudflow and Northern Basalt Flows have what is called “flashy hydrology,” meaning
they fill and refill many times over the wet season.
Northern Hardpan pools often form large pool complexes that remain inundated with water
longer than the other two types of pool formations. These pools can occur on Tuscan soils, which
are alluvial and derived from the volcanic Tuscan Formation. In addition they can occur on
terrace-alluvial soil derived Redding soils, or lime-silica based soils, which are found in the
Chico area.
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There are a number of plant species associated with vernal pools and some are considered
indicator species since they are restricted to vernal pool habitats and are not known to occur in
other habitats, including vernal pool foxtail (Alopecurus saccatus), Orcutt’s quillwort (Isoetes
orcuttii) and slender orcutt grass (Orcuttia tenuis). Other plant species commonly associated
with vernal pool habitats include vernal pool buttercup (Ranunculus bonariensis), slender
popcorn flower (Plagiobothrys stipitatus), water pygmyweed (Crassula aquatica), toothed
downingia (Downingia cuspidata), and coyote thistle (Eryngium castrense). In addition there are
special-status plants associated with vernal pool habitats including Butte County meadowfoam
(Limnanthes floccose ssp. californica), Green’s tuctoria (Tuctoria greenei), Henderson’s
bentgrass (Agrostis hendersonii), and Hoover’s spurge (Chamaesyce hooveri).
Due to periodic drying, vernal pools do not support breeding populations of fish; however, there
are a number of organisms that utilize vernal pool habitat including special-status invertebrates
such as vernal pool fairy shrimp (Branchinecta lynchi), vernal pool tadpole shrimp (Lepidurus
packardi), conservancy fairy shrimp (Branchinecta conservatio), and California linderiella
(Linderiella occidentalis). In addition vernal pools provide essential habitat for amphibians
including special-status species such as the western spadefoot toad (Spea hammondii) and
California tiger salamander (Ambystoma californiense), which utilize these habitats for breeding.
Vernal pools also provide a water and food source for wildlife such as birds and mammals.
Wildlife Communities
Regional Overview
The vegetation communities listed above provide habitat for the wildlife of Butte County. Some
of this habitat, such as annual grassland, and chaparral, are abundant, while others like
freshwater marsh, vernal pools, and riparian forest are less common. Butte County is rich with a
number of wildlife communities. Communities such as migratory deer herds and migratory
waterfowl are significant wildlife resources in Butte County and are addressed further in this
section.
Migratory Deer Herds
A deer herd is defined as a breeding population of deer that occupies a range common to that
population. Deer herd range boundaries are determined by approximating the major portion of
the range of which a breeding population of deer may occupy. Black-tailed deer seldom occur in
groups of more than a dozen individuals and generally are distributed throughout the range as
individuals or small family groups (two to five individuals). Small numbers of bucks will
occasionally band together outside of the breeding season and may also be seen with does and
fawns or yearlings at other times of the year.
Migratory deer use different areas for summer and winter activities and migrate between these
areas to meet their year-round needs. Three separate migratory deer herds, East Tehama, Bucks
Mountain, and Mooretown, occupy the eastern foothills and mountains in Butte County and
depend on these areas for all or part of their habitat requirements (see Figure 13-2). Deer that
remain in a restricted area on a year-round basis are considered resident populations. Resident
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deer herds that occur within the county are Camp Beale and Sacramento Valley herds. Resident
deer herds share the winter ranges with all of the migratory herd populations. The deer species
that occurs in Butte County is the Columbian black tailed deer (Odocoileus hemionus
columbianus).
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70
191
162
70
162
99
32
PARADISE
OROVILLE
BIGGS
GRIDLEY
CHICO
DEER HERD RANGES
Figure 13-2
Butte County
General Plan
Source: California Dept. of Fish and Game, 1983
Date printed: June 19, 2003
Miles02468101
Lakes and Rivers
Legend
DEER HERD RANGES
Bucks Mountain Deer Herd
East Tehama Deer Herd
Mooretown Deer Herd
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Eastern Tehama Deer Herd
The Eastern Tehama deer herd is the largest migratory deer herd in the county and occupies a
range considered to be the most extensive in the state. The range of the herd includes portions of
Tehama, Plumas, Lassen, Shasta, and Butte counties. Winter range is approximately 520,000
acres; migratory and summer ranges total approximately 920,500 acres and migration routes to
and from seasonal ranges are the longest in the state, covering a distance of 50 to 100 miles.
Approximately 40 percent of the critical winter range in Butte County has been severely
impacted due to residential encroachment since the mid 1960s.
Bucks Mountain Deer Herd
The Bucks Mountain deer herd range extends from eastern Butte County to western Plumas
County. Winter range is approximately 200,600 acres; migratory and summer ranges total
approximately 265,600 acres. Approximately 28 percent of the critical winter range in Butte
County has been lost to residential encroachment since the mid 1960s.
Mooretown Deer Herd
Mooretown deer herds occupy a range extending from the southern boundary of the Bucks
Mountain deer herd into northwestern Sierra and northeastern Yuba counties. Winter range is
approximately 232,000 acres; migratory and summer ranges total approximately 217,950 acres.
Approximately 50 percent of the critical winter range in Butte County has been lost to residential
encroachment since the mid 1960s.
Migratory Deer Herd Information
Migratory deer populations are less tolerant of humans and their pets, requiring a greater distance
from areas of human habitation and use. They migrate mainly to take advantage of the
availability of food. Migratory deer can occupy areas that will not support resident deer on a
year-round basis. The majority of migratory deer habitat in Butte County is winter range. Winter
range is considerably less abundant than summer range. Winter ranges are considered the critical
habitat because of their relative small size and location in areas where land is in demand for
other uses. The black tail deer winter range within the county extends from the valley floor to
nearly 4,000 feet in elevation. The critical winter range generally extends from 1,000 to 3,000
feet in elevation.
Deer migration does not occur as one movement, but rather as a gradual movement of
individuals or small groups generally dispersed along ridge tops. The first heavy storms of the
fall trigger the main migration. Deer may move directly to their overwintering areas. However, if
winter storms are intermittent or the weather is mild, deer will move slowly, lingering at the
higher elevations of their winter range and taking advantage of available food supplies. As the
deer move, they may pause to feed and rest in intermediate staging areas referred to as “holding
areas.” The first major snowstorm forces deer to migrate into the lower elevations of winter
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ranges. Reverse migration occurs in late winter or early spring and is also dependent on weather
conditions. Deer generally remain concentrated within their winter range until early April.
The main factor limiting populations of migratory deer in Butte County is the quantity and
quality of habitat. Habitat includes food-producing areas in summer and winter, water, thermal
cover, fawning areas (protection from predation during critical periods), and freedom of
movement. Availability of food and water for deer varies seasonally and the amount of food
available in winter may be the most limiting factor to deer populations, since they must meet
their minimum energy requirements during the winter to survive. The necessary winter range
components preferred by deer include a good interspersion of vegetative cover, abundant browse
and herbaceous forage, limited residential development, and southerly aspect.
Land Use Conflicts with Migratory Black-tailed Deer
Residential development in the foothills of the western Sierra Nevada Mountains has increased
substantially since the early 1960s and has been a major factor in the loss of winter range habitat
for migratory deer. This habitat loss has seriously threatened the welfare of migratory deer. Most
of the deer winter range in California is on private land. Subdivision and development of parcels
allow land use changes which result in a permanent loss of deer habitat. Habitat losses are due to
the elimination of forage and cover plants; disturbance from noise, traffic, and domestic dogs;
and public use as a result of improved road access and subdivisions.
One of the direct effects of residential development in deer winter range is development of
barriers that interfere with deer movement in and out of winter range and separate food and water
source areas from shelter sites. Barriers to deer movement include areas with high housing
densities, deer-proof or deer-resistant fencing, reservoirs, major streams or rivers, and major
roads and highways. Dense concentrations of occupied houses can be barriers to migratory deer.
Houses arranged in linear corridors through migratory pathways and rows of houses on small lots
along roadways and streams present the greatest barriers to migratory deer. In addition, predation
of deer by domestic dogs accompanies increased residential development in rural areas. Deer
generally do not to come within 1,000 or more feet of an occupied dwelling with dogs. Migratory
deer appear to be far less tolerant of the presence of dogs than are resident deer.
Construction of large reservoirs and canals can block migratory deer movement and results in
loss of habitat. Due to its size and location, Oroville Reservoir is a major obstacle to movement
of migratory deer. In addition certain fence designs are barriers to deer movement, particularly to
does and fawns. Landowners occasionally construct unusually high fences around large acreages
to purposefully exclude deer and prevent damage to their crops. Deer-proof or deer-resistant
fences around large acreages in winter range and across critical deer migration corridors result in
a significant adverse impact on deer populations. Also, the creation of highways and roads are a
source of deer mortality. Roads necessary to serve subdivision and parcel splits usually do not
become significant barriers to migratory deer until homes are built and occupied.
The impacts of residential development on migratory deer are cumulative. Loss of significant
amounts of habitat from development results in a reduction of wildlife carrying capacity.
Increased levels of traffic, noise, and disturbance by dogs cause displacement of deer into
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adjacent areas. If these land use changes occur in critical winter range, an entire deer herd can be
adversely affected. It is the cumulative effect of building relatively small numbers of residential
units each year that creates the adverse effects. Deer populations face further hardships in the
future unless planning efforts identify important deer ranges and control and direct development
to less sensitive areas.
Deer Herd Study Panel
The Butte County Board of Supervisors created the Butte County Deer Herd Study Panel (Study
Panel) in August 1983 to study ways to reduce the impacts of development on, and maintain
populations of, migratory deer. Goals of the Study Panel included identification of important
migratory deer habitats, protection to migratory deer from adverse impacts from subdivision
development, and development of Land Use Element policies and implementation measures for
protection of migratory deer. The Study Panel developed overlay maps depicting deer summer
range, winter range, and migration corridors; parcel sizes; General Plan designations; identified
transportation corridors; and sites suitable for development. The Study Panel recommended
policies and implementation measures to allow controlled development to occur adjacent to
selected transportation corridors, to limit intense development to areas adjacent to transportation
corridors on land designated as Agricultural-Residential in the General Plan, and to create a fund
to be used for habitat improvement projects on critical deer ranges. These policies and
recommendations were incorporated into a May 1984 report entitled “Report of the Butte County
Deer Herd Study Panel on the Columbian black-tailed deer (Odocoileus hemionus
columbianus).”
As a member of the Study Panel, the CDFG was responsible for identifying deer migration
“windows” (i.e., areas for deer movement or migration) through selected transportation corridors
(i.e., areas with extensive roads and land division), updating of their migratory deer herd range
maps at least once every five years, and development of mitigation measures to protect migratory
deer. The CDFG submitted a report entitled “Measures for Protection of Migratory Deer Habitat
in Butte County” to the Butte County Board of Supervisors in April 1987. The report identified
impacted deer winter range where development may continue with mitigation measures, deer
winter range in need of protection, mitigation measures to offset loss of habitat resulting from
subdivision and development, and General Plan revisions. The report presented five criteria used
to determine impacted deer winter range where development may continue with mitigation
measures. These lands were identified through application of these criteria and delineated as
“Designated Development Zones” (DDZ) in migratory deer winter range. The CDFG indicated
that minimum parcel sizes must be implemented in areas outside of DDZ. The CDFG also
indicated that development adjacent to transportation corridors outside of DDZ would be
permitted, but that “windows” or areas for deer movement or migration must be provided.
Watersheds
A watershed is defined as “a region or area bounded peripherally by a divide and draining
ultimately to a particular watercourse (natural or artificial channel through which water flows) or
body of water.” Watersheds in Butte County are critically important biological resources that are
found within every vegetation community in the county. Often the corridors along these
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watersheds are composed of riparian habitats, which are unique and limited in California.
Watershed areas support an abundance of aquatic and terrestrial wildlife including special-status
species and anadromous and native local fisheries.
Butte County is situated within the Sacramento River Basin. Some of the tributaries to the
Sacramento River in Butte County include the Feather River, Pine Creek, Rock Creek, Mud
Creek, Big Chico Creek, Butte Creek, Cherokee Canal/Clear Creek, as well as other smaller
drainages. There are many lacustrine watershed areas within the county. Some of the larger
watersheds include Lake Oroville, Thermalito Forebay and Afterbay, Paradise Lake, and Sly
Creek Reservoir.
Local watershed groups are the best source of information regarding specific watershed
resources. In addition, some watershed groups have created existing condition reports (ECR) for
specific watersheds within the county. ECR documents are known to exist for Big Chico Creek,
Little Chico Creek, and Butte Creek. For information regarding a specific watershed, local
watershed groups are the best source of detailed information. Some watershed groups located in
Butte County include:
• Big Chico Creek Watershed Alliance;
• Butte Creek Watershed Conservancy;
• Cherokee Watershed Coordinated Resource Management and Planning Group (CRMP);
• Little Chico Creek Watershed; and
• Sacramento River Partners.
Salmon and Steelhead Trout Fisheries
Salmon and steelhead trout are anadromous fish species that occur within the San Joaquin and
Sacramento River Basins. Some populations are listed with special status by federal and state
agencies. Anadromous fish species spawn in freshwater rivers and streams, then migrate to the
Pacific Ocean to grow and mature, and then instinctively return to their place of origin. The
Sacramento River system produces most of the Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha)
and a large percentage of the steelhead trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) in California. However,
stream habitat is being destroyed by water storage and diversion practices in the basin. Damage
to the stream include: sedimentation of spawning gravels, removal of gravels from system by
mining, bank protection degradation (stable banks prevent gravels from being entrained into the
river), and impacts of urban and agricultural runoff. Anadromonous fish resources, once
flourishing naturally in the Sacramento River system, are precarious, resulting in the listing of
species under the Endangered Species Act.
Historically the Sacramento River system supported steelhead trout and four distinct and healthy
spawning runs of Chinook salmon: fall, late fall, winter, and spring. The decline of the salmon
runs occurred around the late-1800’s to early 1900’s and has been episodic sense then. As of
2003, Central Valley steelhead is federally listed as a threatened. The fall/late fall-run salmon is
a federal and state species of concern, and a candidate species for federal listing. The spring-run
Chinook salmon population is listed as threatened by both federal and state agencies. Winter-run
Chinook salmon population is listed as a federally and state endangered species. Populations of
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Central Valley Steelhead and Chinook salmon have been supported by hatcheries within the
Sacramento River Basin.
Water development projects and the decline of quality fish habitat have contributed considerably
to the decline of Chinook salmon and steelhead trout populations in the Sacramento River
system. Blocked access to hundreds of miles of stream by Shasta and Oroville Dams as well as
large storage reservoirs retain the early spring flows essential for the migration of juvenile fish
downstream to the sea. The stored water is delivered during summer to irrigation customers.
Water remaining behind the dams by the start of the spawning run in October is often warmed by
summer heat. Warm water and low water elevation are harmful to most coldwater anadromous
fish species. Riparian vegetation is critical for the maintenance of high quality fish habitat. It
provides cover, controls temperature, stabilizes stream banks, provides food, and buffers streams
from erosion and impacts of adjacent land uses. Riparian vegetation also affects stream depth,
current velocity, and substrate composition. The decline of riparian communities in California is
a factor contributing to the loss of high quality fish habitat.
Feather River State Hatchery
The Feather River is one of two major tributaries of the Sacramento River. Chinook salmon
spawn in ten riffles in the low flow section of the Feather River below Oroville Dam. However,
as few as 40 percent of the salmon eggs survive in this reach because there are too many adults
spawning this limited area. The Feather River State Hatchery was constructed to mitigate the loss
of salmonid habitat attributed to the construction of Oroville Dam, which poses an impassable
barrier to anadromous fish. The Feather River State Hatchery is located in the City of Oroville
and operated by the Department of Fish and Game. This hatchery produced its first fry in 1968.
The 2001-2002 information on adult spawning runs is as follows: spring-run Chinook salmon
return was approximately 4,100 fish, fall/late fall-run Chinook Salmon 28,900 fish, and steelhead
trout 1,400 fish returned and were trapped and artificially spawned. These return numbers
increase from the 1999-2000 counts, for both populations of Chinook salmon spring-run
increased by about 1,500 fish, fall/late run increased by about 12,500 fish. Return numbers
decreased by about 300 fish, but this is not reflective of the trend during the last 8-10 years for
steelhead, which show returns have been increasing.
Butte Creek
Butte Creek supports the largest remaining run of wild spring-run Chinook salmon in California.
Additionally this creek and its tributaries also support small populations of steelhead trout and
late fall-run Chinook salmon. Some problems in Butte Creek are associated with inadequate fish
passage over diversion dams, unblocked drains that attract and strand fish, and poor water
quality. Areas of the Upper Butte Creek are on the margin of acceptable temperature, which can
result in mortality of over-summering adults, a situation that was observed in 2002 (CDFG
2003). Information regarding the Butte Creek watershed can be found online at:
www.buttecreekwatershed.org.
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Big Chico Creek
Big Chico Creek supports small non-sustaining populations of spring-run Chinook salmon. In
addition there is evidence of small populations of steelhead trout and late fall-run salmon
occurring within this creek. Historically fall-run Chinook salmon were the main salmonid
species in Big Chico Creek, but have since declined and are a rarely observed remnant
population. Steelhead trout have also decreased to low populations in this waterway. The decline
of these populations is attributed to lack of access to the Upper watershed due to the shifting of
massive boulders at Salmon pool in Upper Bidwell Park and a broken fish ladder. Additional
hardships for migratory fish include intermittent flows in Lindo Channel, poor fish passage at the
One Mile Recreation Area of Bidwell Park, and inadequate fish passage at the Five Mile Culvert
Dam and Iron Canyon. Although excellent spawning gravels are available in Lindo Channel,
inconsistent flows prevent successful spawning in most years. The CDFG has completed the
major portion of a plan to restore the anadromous fishery of Big Chico Creek. There is an
existing conditions report (ECR) for the Big Chico Creek watershed that can be found online at:
www.csuchico.edu/bei/BCCER/bccer.htm.
Other Hatcheries
Private fish hatcheries also occur within Butte County that are in place to rear various fish
species. A well-known private hatchery within the county is Chico Fisheries, located just south
of Chico. Chico Fisheries rears many warm water species of fish such as channel catfish
(Ictalurus punctatus), striped bass (Morone saxatilis), largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides),
and white sturgeon (Acipenser transmontanus). Chico Fisheries provides services statewide to
aid in maintaining stable populations of fish that are regularly taken, provide a resource for fish
species used for biological and medical research, and supply fresh fish for human consumption.
Hatcheries such as this provide a sustainable biological resource (fish), which is significantly
important to the county both economically, and biologically. For additional information on
hatchery resources: www.proaqua.com.
Special-Status Species
There are considerable number of special-status species that are listed as species of concern,
which are rare, threatened, or endangered plant and animal species with the potential to occur in
Butte County (see Figure 13-3). Special-status species considered in this document are based on
querying information from the following sources for all of Butte County: U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service list, California Native Diversity Database (CNDDB) database, and CNPS inventory
literature. These species have been included in two tables special-status plants (see Table 13-2)
and special-status animals (see Table 13-3). Included in these tables for each species are the
common and scientific name, regulatory status (federal, state, local, CNPS), habitat descriptions,
and distribution by USGS quadrangle name where these species could potentially occur. The
potential for occurrence by quadrangle name was determined by occurrences listed in the
CNDDB, and known suitable habitat. It should be noted that some species could potentially
occur in other quadrangles not listed if suitable habitat is present. These species are afforded
varying degrees of protection depending on the applicable laws and regulations pertaining to the
status of the specific species.
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Special-Status species are defined as plants and animals that are:
• Legally protected under the California and Federal Endangered Species Acts or under
other regulations;
• Considered sufficiently rare by the scientific community to qualify for such listing; or
• Considered sensitive because they are unique, declining regionally or locally, or at the
extent of their natural range.
Specifically, special-status plant species are:
• Plants listed or proposed for listing as threatened or endangered under the FESA (50 CFR
17.12 for listed plants and various notices in the Federal Register for proposed species).
• Plants that are candidates for possible future listing as threatened or endangered under the
FESA (64 FR 205, October 25, 1999; 57533-57547).
• Plants that meet the definitions of rare or endangered species under the California
Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) (CEQA Guidelines, Section 15380).
• Plants considered by the California Native Plant Society (CNPS) to be “rare, threatened,
or endangered” in California (Lists 1B and 2 in Skinner and Pavlik [1994]).
• Locally important occurrences of plants listed by CNPS as plants which more
information is needed and plants of limited distribution (Lists 3 and 4, respectively, in
Skinner and Pavlik [1994]).
• Plants listed or proposed for listing by the State of California as threatened or endangered
under the California ESA (14 CCR 670.5).
• Plants listed under the California Native Plant Protection Act (California Fish and Game
Code 1900 et seq.). Plants considered sensitive by other federal agencies (i.e., U.S. Forest
Service, Bureau of Land Management) or state and local agencies or jurisdictions.
• Plants considered sensitive or unique by the scientific community or occurring at the
limits of its natural range (CEQA Guidelines, Appendix G).
Specifically, special-status animal species are:
• Animals listed or proposed for listing as threatened or endangered under the Federal
Endangered Species Act (50 CFR 17.11 for listed animals and various notices in the
Federal Register for proposed species).
• Animals that are candidates for possible future listing as threatened or endangered under
the Federal Endangered Species Act (54 CFR 554).
• Animals that meet the definitions of rare or endangered species under the CEQA (CEQA
Guidelines, Section 15380).
• Animals listed or proposed for listing by the State of California as threatened and
endangered under the California ESA (14 CCR 670.5).
• Animal species of special concern to the California Department of Fish and Game
(Remsen [1978] for birds; Williams [1986] for mammals).
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Animal species that are fully protected in California (California Fish and Game Code, Section
3511 [birds], 4700 [mammals], and 5050 [reptiles and amphibians]). Figure 13-3 maps listed and
special-status species that are recorded in the CNDDB within Butte County.
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PARADISE
OROVILLE
BIGGS
GRIDLEY
CHICO
SPECIAL STATUS SPECIES LOCATIONS
AND KEY WILDLIFE AREAS
Figure 13-3
Butte County
General Plan
Source: California Department of Fish and Game, 1991
Date printed: June 19, 2003
Miles02468101
Legend
Sensitive Natural Communities
Animal Species
Plant Species
Wildlife Areas
Lakes
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Federal Special-Status Species
There are a number of special-status species animal and plant species known to occur in Butte
County. Species listed on the Federal Endangered Species Act (FESA) are listed as either
“endangered” or “threatened.” An “endangered” species is one that is in danger of extinction
throughout all or a significant portion of its range. A “threatened” species is one that is likely to
become endangered in the foreseeable future. All special-status species plant and animal plant
species with the potential to occur in Butte County are listed in Table 13-2 and Table 13-3. Plant
species with the potential to occur within Butte County that are listed as threatened include
Hoover’s Spurge (Chamaesyce hooveri) and Slender Orcutt Grass (Orcuttia tenuis). Plant
species federally listed as endangered include Butte County Meadowfoam (Limnanthes floccossa
ssp. californica), Hairy Orcutt Grass (Orcuttia pilosa), and Greene’s Tuctoria (Tuctoria greenei).
All of the above listed plant species are associated with vernal pool and/or seasonal wetlands.
Of all the plant species in Butte County that are listed, Butte County Meadowfoam has received
the most attention and is often at the forefront regarding endangered species issues in Butte
County. Butte County Meadowfoam is a member of the false mermaid family (Limnanthaceae)
and is restricted to an approximately 25-mile strip along the eastern flank of the Sacramento
Valley from central Butte County to the northern portion of the City of Chico. Butte County
Meadowfoam was listed as endangered on June 8, 1992 (57 FR 24192). According to the Federal
Register, the plant is threatened primarily by urban development in the northern and eastern
portions of the City of Chico. The purpose of the listing was to implement protective measures
and recovery provisions afforded under FESA. The other above listed plant species were listed
by the Service on March 26, 1997 (62 FR 14338). The primary reason for cited by the Service
for the listing was the loss and degradation of the habitat for these species.
There are also many special-status animal species that have the potential to occur within the
county. Of these species the vernal pool invertebrates are discussed further in the Critical Habitat
section. The following animal species with the potential to occur within Butte County that are
listed as threatened include Valley Elderberry Longhorn Beetle (Desmocerus californicus
dimorphus), Vernal Pool Fairy Shrimp (Branchinecta lynchi), California Red-legged Frog (Rana
aurora draytonii), Giant Garter Snake (Thamnophis gigas), Central Valley Steelhead
(Oncorhynchus mykiss), Delta Smelt (Hypomesus transpacificus), Sacramento Splittail
(Pogonichthys macrolepidotus), Spring-run Chinook Salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha), and
Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus). Animal species federally listed as endangered include
Conservancy Fairy Shrimp (Branchinecta conservation), Vernal Pool Tadpole Shrimp
(Lepidurus packardi), and Winter-run Chinook Salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha).
Critical Habitat
Critical habitat is defined in Section 3(5)A of the Endangered Species Act. The term ‘‘critical
habitat’’ for a threatened or endangered species means (i) the specific areas within the
geographical area occupied by the species, at the time it is listed in accordance with the
provisions of section 4 of this Act, on which are found those physical or biological features (I)
essential to the conservation of the species and (II) which may require special management
considerations or protection; and (ii) specific areas outside the geographical area occupied by the
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species at the time it is listed in accordance with the provisions of section 4 of this Act, upon a
determination by the Secretary that such areas are essential for the conservation of the species.
Areas that are designated as critical habitat are first proposed for specific species and published
within the Federal Register. The USFWS is responsible for proposing and designating critical
habitat for terrestrial species, while the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) is responsible
for anadromous fish species. In Butte County, the USFWS has proposed critical habitat for
vernal pool invertebrates and plants including: vernal pool conservancy shrimp (Brachinecta
conservatio), vernal pool tadpole shrimp (Lepidurus packardi), vernal pool fairy shrimp
(Brachinecta lynchi), Butte County Meadowfoam (Limnanthes floccosa ssp. californica), hairy
orcutt grass (Orcuttia pilosa), slender orcutt grass (Orcuttia tenuis), Hoover’s spurge
(Chamaesyce hooveri), and Green’s tuctoria (Tuctoria greenei) (see Figure 13-4). Critical habitat
was proposed for designation for these species on September 24, 2002 (68 FR 12336). The
location descriptions and acreages of proposed critical habitat for these species are shown in
Table 13-4.
On June 16, 1993, the NMFS designated critical habitat for winter-run Chinook salmon (58 FR
33218). Critical habitat is designated to include the Sacramento River from Keswick Dam,
Shasta County (River Mile 302) to Chipps Island (River Mile 0) at the westward margin of the
Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta. In addition critical habitat was proposed, then withdrawn in
2002, and is now again being considered for proposal for spring-run Chinook salmon, and
Central Valley steelhead. Also fall/late fall Chinook salmon is a proposed canadite species for
special-status listing and if listed would also be considered for proposal of critical habitat
designation. Therefore the entire stretch of the Sacramento River that forms the western
boundary of Butte County is considered critical habitats for winter-run Chinook salmon, and is
being considered for the spring-run Chinook and Central Valley steelhead if critical habitat is
again proposed as well as for fall/late fall-run Chinook salmon.
Habitat Conservation Plans
There is only one large-scale Habitat Conservation Plan (HCP) under development within Butte
County. The Butte County Association of Governments (BCAG) is preparing a HCP in
consultation with Caltrans, the Federal Highway Administration, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service for proposed highway improvements along State Route 70 and State Route 149. The
purpose of the HCP is to provide Butte County and the City of Oroville with an Incidental Take
Permit which will allow some take of Butte County Meadowfoam during construction of
highway improvements to State Route 70 and State Route 149. The goal of the HCP is to
develop a viable conservation strategy for the long-term protection of the plant while allowing
highway improvements to move forward. BCAG is responsible for coordinating development of
the HCP. They have retained a consultant to assist with development of the HCP and are
discussing the HCP with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
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PARADISE
OROVILLE
BIGGS
GRIDLEY
CHICO
DESIGNATED
CRITICAL HABITATS
Figure 13-4
Butte County
General Plan
Source: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 2002
Date printed: June 19, 2003
Miles02468101
Legend
Critical Habitat Areas
Lakes and Rivers
VERNAL POOL SPECIES:
Butte County Meadowfoam
Conservancy fairy shrimp
Greene's tuctoria
Hairy Orcutt grass
Hoover's spurge
Slender Orcutt grass
Vernal pool fairy shrimp
Vernal pool tadpole shrimp
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Butte County General Plan Background Report
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13.4 AREAS OF SPECIAL BIOLOGICAL IMPORTANCE
Areas of special biological importance can be defined in one of four ways. They: 1) provide a
critical link for certain wildlife populations; 2) are ecological communities that offer outstanding
examples of natural systems; 3) are limited in extent either naturally or as a result of human-
caused impacts; or 4) provide habitat for rare, threatened, or endangered species. Habitats will
likely continue to be lost from urban and rural expansion, environmental deterioration, and other
influences that reduce or degrade habitat components necessary for wildlife survival.
Key Wildlife Areas
These areas provide essential habitat components of food, cover (shelter), water, or areas for
breeding and nesting/rearing of young for one or more species. For the purpose of this
discussion, key wildlife areas include: Big Chico Creek Ecological Preserve, Butte Creek
Ecological Preserve, Lake Oroville State Recreation Area, Bidwell Park, Genetic Resource
Center, Gray Lodge Wildlife Area, Oroville Wildlife Area, Sacramento River Wildlife Area, and
Sacramento River National Wildlife Refuge (see Figure 13-3). A brief overview of these key
wildlife areas follows.
Big Chico Creek & Butte Creek Ecological Preserves
The Big Chico Creek Ecological preserve is an approximately 4,000-acre parcel located about 10
miles northeast of Chico, in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada range. The Butte Creek Ecological
Preserve is approximately 300-acre parcel located within the Sacramento Valley. The Research
Foundation of California State University, Chico operates these preserve areas through the
Bidwell Environmental Institute. These ecological preserves support a high diversity of wildlife.
In the Big Chico Ecological Preserve more than 140 native animal species have been identified.
In addition these areas serves as a riparian conservation areas and provides protected habitat for
Chinook salmon.
Lake Oroville State Recreation Area
The Lake Oroville State Recreation Area was created due to the construction of Oroville Lake
that was formed by the tallest earth-filled dam in the country, reaching 770 ft. above the
streambed of the Feather River. This area includes the Feather River Fish Hatchery (previously
discussed under Salmon and Steelhead Trout Fisheries). The lake is also stocked with various
game species including brown trout (Salmo trutta), Chinook salmon, kokanee (Oncorhynchus
nerka), red eye bass (Micropterus coosae), largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides),
smallmouth bass (Micropterus dolomieui), spotted bass (Micropterus punctulatus), and sturgeon
(Acipenser sp.). The lake primarily functions as a recreation area but also serves to provide
habitat, water, and foraging opportunities for many species of wildlife, including special-status
animals.
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Bidwell Park
Bidwell Park is a city park originally established in 1905 through a donation by Annie Bidwell.
Since its origin the City of Chico purchased additional land making the park one of the largest
municipal parks in the country, totaling 3,670-acres. Big Chico Creek flows through the entire
length of the park and supports a thick riparian corridor. The park is divided into two regions
“Lower Park” and “Upper Park,” both parts having significantly different terrain. Lower Park
occurs within the valley and Upper Park within the foothills of the Sierra Nevada Mountains.
Bidwell Park is rich with a wide diversity of both native plant species and wildlife. This park
also provides suitable habitat for many special status mammal, birds, reptiles, amphibians and
fish species.
Genetic Resource Center
The USDA Forest Service Genetic Resource Center located in south Chico was originally
established in 1904, to test the ability of plants from around the world to adapt to the
environmental conditions of the Chico area. The center is a unit of the Mendocino National
Forest and provides seedlings for reforestation, watershed restoration, and wildlife habitat
improvements. At the center frequent plantings of exotics combined with the growth of native
plants has created a lush vegetated area that provides habitat for many species. A nature trail has
been established and guides are provided for information on a number plant species and over 80
identified wildlife species.
Feather Falls
Feather Falls is the sixth largest waterfall in the United States, cascading over 640 feet into the
canyon below. The Feather Falls trail is maintained by the U.S. Forest Service and is located east
of Oroville. The moderate elevation change within this area can be described as a mosaic of
coniferous forest and hardwoods with at high diversity of plants including montane species such
as ponderosa pine and madrone, as well as riparian species such as white alder and cottonwoods.
Areas with a high diversity of plant species generally support a large diversity of wildlife.
Feather River Watershed
The Feather River watershed encompasses a broad variety of terrain, supporting diverse
vegetation communities ranging from mixed conifer to deciduous riparian forests. This
watershed has been impacted greatly by 140 years of intense human use, which has caused a
significant degradation to this area. However, the Feather River should still be recognized as a
key wildlife area supporting both common native species and special-status wildlife. The
watershed provides ample habitat, water, and foraging opportunities, and is rich with wildlife.
Table Mountain
Table Mountain is a unique flat top mesa located northeast of Oroville on the eastern edge of the
Sacramento Valley. The mountain is known for its unique and spectacular spring wildflower
display, but also serves as protected land for wildlife. The vegetation is composed of a rare
Chapter 13: Biological Resources
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Butte County General Plan Background Report
39
mixture of valley floor and foothill species found within grassland, volcanic outcrops, and vernal
pool communities. Table Mountain supports over 287 species of plants. In addition the mountain
pools provide habitat for hundreds of California newts (Taricha torosa) and other amphibians
like the Pacific tree frog. Other species commonly observed on the mountain include garter
snake, rattle snake, meadowlarks, and various raptor species.
Sacramento River Conservation Area
Passed by the State Legislature in 1986, Senate Bill 1086 called for a management plan for the
Sacramento River and its tributaries that would protect, restore, and enhance both fisheries and
riparian habitat. As a result of SB 1086, the Department of Water Resources developed the
Sacramento River Conservation Area Handbook in 2001 that set forth a management program
for the Sacramento River Conservation Area. The overall goal of the management program for
the Sacramento River Conservation Area (SB 1086) is to preserve remaining riparian habitat and
reestablish a continuous riparian ecosystem along the Sacramento River between Redding and
Chico, and reestablish riparian vegetation along the river from Chico to Verona. The
management principles set forth in the handbook fall into six categories: Ecosystem
management, flood management, voluntary participation, local concerns, bank protection and
information and education.
Wildlife Management Areas
The California Department of Fish and Game (CDFG) is responsible for the management of
most of the designated wildlife areas in Butte County as the trustee agency for the people of
California. The State owns and manages two wildlife management areas in Butte County
including the 8,400-acre Gray Lodge Wildlife Area southwest of Gridley and the 11,800-acre
Oroville Wildlife Area immediately west of Oroville. The Sacramento River Wildlife Area,
located along the Sacramento River, is federally owned and is in the western portion of Butte
County.
Gray Lodge Wildlife Area
The Gray Lodge Wildlife Area is a 8,400-acre wildlife preserve managed by the Department of
Fish and Game. Gray Lodge represents a significant portion of the Pacific Flyway and is home to
numerous types of raptors and migratory waterfowl. The Gray Lodge Wildlife Area was created
primarily as winter feeding and resting habitat for migratory waterfowl populations coming into
the Central Valley. In addition Gray Wildlife Area contains suitable habitat for breeding and
nesting for special-species requiring rookery areas such as the great blue heron, great egret, and
tricolored blackbird.
Gray Lodge Wildlife Areas also contains unique alkaline flats which are habitat for special-status
plant species including brittlescale (Atriplex depressa), Heartscale (Atriplex cordulata), and
recurved larkspur (Delphinium recurvatum).
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Butte County General Plan Background Report
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Oroville Wildlife Area
The 11,800-acre Oroville Wildlife Area was created subsequent to construction of the Oroville
Reservoir to provide wildlife habitat as mitigation for construction of the Oroville Reservoir.
This artificial habitat was formed on dredge tailings along the Feather River and provides
additional habitat for migrating waterfowl, shorebirds, and resident wildlife populations. Wildlife
habitats found within the Oroville Wildlife Area include annual grassland, fresh emergent
wetlands, valley oak riparian, and valley oak woodland in addition to riverine environments.
Sacramento River Wildlife Area
The Sacramento River Wildlife Area is located along the Sacramento River between River Mile
215 (near the Butte-Tehama County Line) and River Mile 145 (near Colusa), and consists of 13
units totaling 3,615-acres. CDFG is responsible for managing the riparian habitat within the
Sacramento River Wildlife Area. These lands were acquired to preserve, enhance, and restore
Sacramento River riparian wetland habitats, and to provide habitat for the wildlife species
associated with the area, particularly threatened and endangered species. Identified management
goals for this area are to allow river processes to maintain the components of the ecosystem,
including channels, oxbow lakes, backwaters, banks, and associated terrestrial habitats.
National Wildlife Refuges
The USFWS manages the National Wildlife Refuge system, a national program for the
preservation of large tracts of land for the preservation of wildlife and habitat. The USFWS
manages the Sacramento River National Wildlife Refuge some of which is within Butte County.
Sacramento River National Wildlife Refuge
The 6,544-acre Sacramento River National Wildlife Refuge is part of the Sacramento National
Wildlife Refuge Complex within the Sacramento Valley. The Refuge consists of a mixture of
riparian habitat, wetland/uplands, intensively managed walnut and prune orchards, and row crops
in Tehama, Butte, and Glenn counties. The purpose of the Sacramento River National Wildlife
Refuge is to preserve, restore, and enhance riparian habitat for threatened and endangered
species, neotropical migrants, waterfowl and other migratory birds, anadromous fish, residential
riparian wildlife, and plants. The riparian community within the refuge is considered to have
high resource value.
Sensitive Habitats
Sensitive habitats include limited or rare habitats that have been significantly reduced from their
historical distribution and abundance, either locally or statewide, and are especially important for
providing essential life requirements for a diversity of wildlife species. In Butte County these
habitats include oak woodlands, riparian habitats, wetland habitats, and other unique habitats.
The limited nature of these habitats often correlates with the listing of rare, threatened, or
endangered plant and animal species that utilize these areas. Because of their proximity to urban
areas or agricultural land conversion, these habitats have been declining for years. There are a
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Butte County General Plan Background Report
41
number of conservation programs and environmental groups that participate in efforts to
conserve these sensitive habitats. The conservation acts enacted by the state (discussed below),
reflect merely an example of many programs that are in effect to protect these natural resources.
Figure 13-5 below shows the major areas of limited and rare habitats in Butte County.
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PARADISE
OROVILLE
BIGGS
GRIDLEY
CHICO
LIMITED AND
RARE HABITATS
Figure 13-5
Butte County
General Plan
Source: California Dept. of Fish and Game, Natural Diversity Database
Date printed: June 19, 2003
Miles02468101
Legend
CALIFORNIA NATURAL DIVERSITY DATABASE
LakesPlants
Animals
Natural Communities
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Oak Woodlands
Oak woodlands consist of relatively open habitats, dominated by one or more species of oaks.
This sensitive habitat occurs throughout California in the valley and foothill regions. California
oak woodlands provide a prominent role in the natural and cultural history of California. These
areas provide for both wildlife and human activities. The benefits for wildlife include shelter,
protection, and food, for more than 300 species of wildlife. Humans utilized these areas for
grazing livestock and acquiring wood. Some threats to these areas include urbanization,
conversion to agriculture, firewood harvest, fragmentation, low-rates of seedling regeneration,
competition from exotics, and sudden oak death.
In response to the continuing loss of oak woodland communities the State Wildlife Conservation
Board (WCB) enacted the Oak Woodlands Conservation Act, which recognizes the aesthetic,
ecological, economic, and social importance of oak woodlands in addition to serving as a basis
for the conservation efforts of these unique habitats. Under this act the Oak Woodlands
Conservation Program was established to offer state and federal agencies, conservation
organizations, and local governments opportunities to gain funding to conserve, restore, and
protect California oak woodland areas.
Riparian Habitats
Riparian habitats in California are limited and unique habitats that are regulated by the State.
These areas are described as woodlands which occur in ribbon-like bands, forming a diversely
vegetated corridor along waterways, where rich soils and high humidity produce a natural
greenhouse effect. This unique community accounts for less than one percent of California's total
forest acreage; however, it supports highly diverse ecological communities of plants and animals.
In addition, riparian areas provide a filtering system for the water, stabilize banks, which reduces
erosion, and play a role in aquifer recharge.
Riparian areas have been lost and degraded significantly by human activities since the 1800’s.
Some sources of degradation and loss of these areas include conversion to agricultural land,
residential and commercial development, fragmentation, and hydrological developments.
Recognizing this loss of California's riparian habitat, efforts to reverse this trend to the greatest
extent possible as well as preserve and manage these areas has been a goal of many private
organizations, state and federal agencies, and local governments, by developing programs to
restore and protect these ecosystems.
In 1991 the State Wildlife Conservation Board created the California Riparian Habitat
Conservation Program (CRHCP). This program was developed to coordinate conservation
efforts aimed at protecting and restoring the state's riparian ecosystems. The CRHCP is a
cooperative effort involving state and federal agencies, local government, nonprofit
organizations, private landowners, and concerned citizens.
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Butte County General Plan Background Report
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Wetland Habitats
Wetland habitats, including vernal pools, marshes, swamps, bogs, fens, seasonal wetlands, wet
meadows, lacustrine, and riverine habitats are mostly protected under section 404 of the Clean
Water Act. These habitats support numerous special-status plant and animal species, and are
known to be highly productive and diverse ecosystems. Wetlands are considered sensitive and
limited habitat since they have declined statewide by over 90 percent. Some factors that may
negatively affect wetlands include residential and commercial development, agricultural
practices and expansion, fragmentation, off-road vehicle use, overgrazing, and hydrological
developments. Changes in wetland habitats from land uses such as these are often subject to
regulation and need to be considered carefully. Regulation of wetlands, are under the jurisdiction
of the Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), and the State Water Resources Control Board
(SWRCB).
The National Wetlands Inventory (NWI) of the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service produces
information on the characteristics, extent, and status of the Nation’s wetlands and deepwater
habitats. The NWI was accessed to determine the type and characteristics of wetlands located in
Butte County. The wetland types described in the preceding section were derived in part from the
wetland definitions in the NWI. The wetland attribute classification definitions in the NWI are
derived from: Cowardin, L.M., V. Carter, F. Golet, and E. LaRoe. 1979. Classification of
Wetlands and Deepwater Habitats of the United States. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
The State Wildlife Conservation Board created the Inland Wetlands Conservation Program
(IWCP) in 1990, with a specific goal to create and implement conservation efforts that protect,
restore, enhance, and maintain wetland habitat for the benefit of waterfowl populations. The
IWCP works in conjunction with other agencies forming coalitions necessary to implement
conservation objectives.
Other Unique Habitats
Serpentine Soils, Rock Outcrops and Volcanic Outcrops
Areas of serpentine, rock-outcrop, and volcanic outcrop dominated soils are known to support a
large number of special-status species. Vegetation on these types of soils can vary drastically
from adjacent soils due to the harsh soil conditions existing on these unique sites. Over 200
species of native California flora are restricted wholly or in large part to serpentine soils, and an
estimated 90 to 100 taxa are endemic to serpentine and related soil types in the northern coast
ranges of California. A combination of these harsh soil conditions with the human disturbance
(e.g., mining, grazing, logging, recreation, etc.) has lead to the listing of special-status species
associated with serpentine soils. Serpentine occur within the foothill and montane regions of the
Butte County. Rock outcrops and volcanic outcrops can be found throughout the county, but are
largely displayed in the foothill and montane regions. Some species known to utilize these
habitats in Butte County include Ahart’s paronychia (Paronychia ahartii), depauperated milk-
vetch (Astragalus pauperculus), and pink creamsacs (Castilleja rubicundula ssp. rubicundula).
Chapter 13: Biological Resources
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Butte County General Plan Background Report
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TABLE 13-1
MAJOR PLANT COMMUNITIES OCCURRING IN BUTTE COUNTY
Vegetation Community Distribution Resource Values Potential Resource Threats
Agricultural Cropland
*includes: orchards, field
crops, seed crops, vegetable
crops, timberland, and
pasture
Western third of the
county within the valley
and foothills.
Timberland also occurs in
montane regions.
Food and fiber production.
Open space.
Limited wildlife habitat, due to
frequent disturbances. However,
critically important for migratory
and resident waterfowl.
Potential habitat for special-
status species.
Urbanization, with associated
development impacts.
Flood damage.
Soil erosion, long-term loss of
soil fertility and structure.
Annual Grasslands
*includes: annual grassland,
perennial grassland, and
prairie
Occurs throughout the
county in association with
all other community
types.
Extensive on upland
regions along eastern
boarder of the Central
Sacramento Valley (100
ft. to 500 ft. elevations).
Rangeland for domestic livestock
grazing.
Limited wildlife habitat,
residents generally ground
nesters or burrowers.
Extensively used by numerous
wildlife for foraging.
Open space.
Potential habitat for special-
status species.
Urbanization, with associated
development impacts.
Overgrazing.
Conversion to agricultural
land.
Aquatic Environments
Lacustrine
*includes open water lakes,
reservoirs, ponds
Riverine
*includes: rivers, streams,
creeks, man-made channels,
and springs
Occurs throughout the
county in association with
all other community
types.
Highly valuable resource for
humans and wildlife.
Human values: water, irrigation,
hydroelectric, flood control,
ground water recharge,
recreation.
Provides habitat for numerous
species of wildlife, including
water, shelter, and foraging
opportunities.
Used extensively by resident and
migratory waterfowl, year round
and migratory fish, and
amphibians.
High biological productivity
necessary for the ecological food
chain.
Habitat for special-status species.
Loss of riparian borders,
causes degradation of water
resource.
Erosion and sedimentation in
waterways.
Streambank and streambed
alterations.
Litter and pollution, including
pesticide and herbicide
contamination.
Chaparral
*includes: mixed chaparral,
chamise chaparral, and
montane chaparral
Occurs within the foothill
regions of the county,
east of the Central Valley
and west of the montane
regions.
Utilized by numerous wildlife
species for cover, protection,
escape, nesting, and foraging.
Limited open space.
Habitat for special-status species.
Severe, large wildfires in
dense brushlands, which
contain ample fuels.
Soil erosion off denuded sites
and slopes.
Fragmentation.
Urbanization, with associated
development impacts.
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Vegetation Community Distribution Resource Values Potential Resource Threats
Emergent Wetlands
*includes: shallow ponds,
marshes, swamps, and wet
meadow
Occurs throughout the
county in association with
all other community
types.
Unique and limited habitat of
California.
Provides numerous species of
wildlife water, shelter, nesting,
and foraging opportunities.
Critical wintering grounds for
migratory and resident
waterfowl.
Natural water quality and flood
control.
Groundwater recharge.
High biological productivity
necessary for the ecological food
chain.
Habitat for special-status species.
Wetland drainage and fill for
developments including
urbanization.
Sedimentation.
Pesticide and herbicide
contamination of waters from
upstream agricultural lands.
Pollution and litter.
Conversion to agricultural
land.
Fragmentation.
Oak Woodlands
*includes: Blue oak
woodland, Blue oak-Foothill
pine, and Valley oak
woodland
Western third and central
portions of the county
within the valley and
foothills.
Supports abundance of diverse
wildlife species year-round.
Rangeland for domestic livestock
grazing.
Open spaces and recreation.
Rural and residential use.
Habitat for special-status species.
Urbanization, with associated
development impacts.
Overgrazing degradation.
Woodcutting.
Severe, uncontrolled wildfires.
Conversion to agricultural
land.
Sudden oak death.
Fragmentation and low rates
of seedling regeneration.
Montane Meadow Scattered in mid to higher
elevations in the eastern
portion of the county in
the montane regions.
Rangeland for domestic livestock
grazing.
Limited wildlife habitat,
residents generally ground
nesters or burrowers. However
extensively used by numerous
wildlife for foraging.
Open space.
Hydrologic stream control.
Potential habitat for special-
status species.
Overgrazing and accelerated
siltation.
Recreational disturbances.
Fragmentation.
Construction or disturbances
on adjoining forestlands.
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Butte County General Plan Background Report
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Vegetation Community Distribution Resource Values Potential Resource Threats
Montane Forests
* includes: Ponderosa pine,
Montane hardwood-conifer,
Sierran mixed conifer,
Subalpine conifer, and Red
fir
Found in the northern and
eastern portions of the
county, from mid to high
elevations, within the
Cascade and Sierra
Nevada mountains.
Supports abundance of diverse
wildlife species year-round.
Watershed development and
protection.
Timber production.
Grazing for domestic livestock.
Sporadic open space.
Recreation.
Habitat for special-status species.
Extensive or improperly
managed timber harvesting
and overgrazing, causing
erosion and stream
sedimentation.
Timber harvest and road
development creating
discontinuous patches of forest
habitat (fragmentation).
Recreational disturbances.
Server, uncontrolled wildfires,
natural and man-made.
Mining operations.
Riparian
*includes: Valley-foothill
riparian and montane riparian
Located along waterways
throughout the valley,
foothills and mountainous
areas of the county.
Unique and limited habitat in
California.
Supports abundance of diverse
wildlife species year-round,
providing water, shelter, nesting,
and foraging opportunities.
Stream bank stabilization.
Recreation and sporadic open
space.
Habitat for special-status species.
Siltation of waterways due to
improper logging, mining, and
construction activities across
streambeds.
Urbanization, with associated
development impacts.
Fragmentation.
Hydrological developments.
Competition from exotic plant
species.
Urban
*includes: metropolitan
areas, suburban, and rural
communities
Occur throughout the
county.
Limited wildlife habitat in highly
developed areas. More species of
wildlife occur in rural
communities.
Essential for growing human
populations.
Potential habitat for special-
status species.
Urbanization of ruralareas.
Vernal Pools
Includes: Northern Hardpan
vernal pools, Northern Basalt
Flow vernal pools, and
Northern Volcanic Mudflow
vernal pools
Located within the
Northeastern Sacramento
Valley region and the
Sierra foothills in
Southern Butte County.
Unique and limited habitat in
California.
Open space.
Supports a diversity of unique
plants and animals.
Habitat for special-status species.
Long-term intensive grazing of
domestic livestock.
Over grazing practices or
regimes may have negative
impacts.
Urbanization, with associated
development impacts.
Agricultural expansion.
Off-road vehicle use.
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TABLE 13-2
LISTED AND SPECIAL STATUS PLANTS OCCURRING AND POTENTIALLY OCCURRING IN BUTTE
COUNTY
Common Name & Scientific
Name Regulatory Status
Habitat
(Microhabitat)
Potential to Occur but
not limited to the
following Quads in Butte
County
Plants
ADOBE LILY
Fritillaria pluriflora
FSC; --; --; 1B Chaparral, cismontane
woodland, and valley and
foothill grasslands
(Heavy clay adobe soils )
Cherokee; Shippee*;
Chico*; Nord*;
Richardson Springs
AHART’S DWARF RUSH
Juncus leiospermus var.
ahartii
FSC; --; --; 1B Valley and foothill grasslands
(Mesic soils, vernal pool
margins, and swales)
Loma Rica; Palermo;
Biggs; Honcut; Oroville
AHART’S PARONYCHIA
Paronychia ahartii
FSC; --; --; 1B Cismontane woodland, valley
and foothill grassland, and
vernal pools
(Thin soils, well drained rocky
outcrops, often vernal pool
edges, volcanic uplands)
Honcut; Richardson
Springs; Loma Rica
AWL-LEAVED NAVARRETIA
Navarretia subligera
--; --; --; 4 Chaparral, cismontane
woodland, and lower montane
coniferous forest
(Rocky and mesic soils, open
areas, often on Tuscan
volcanics)
Unknown
BACIGALUPI’S YAMPAH
Perideridia bacigalupii
--; --; --; 4 Chaparral and lower montane
coniferous forest
(Serpentine slopes, and road
cuts with red soils derived from
intrusive and metavolcanic
rock)
Unknown
BIDWELL’S KNOTWEED
Polygonum bidwelliae
--; --; --; 4 Chaparral, cismontane
woodland, and valley and
foothill grassland
(Bare, gravelly ridges, and
outcrops of Tuscan Formation
mud flow)
Unknown
BIG-SCALE BALSAMROOT
Balsamorhiza macrolepis var.
macrolepis
--; --; SLC; 1B Chaparral, cismontane
woodland, and valley and
foothill grassland
(Open, grassy slopes, and
valleys, sometimes on
serpentinite soils)
Brush Creek
BRANDEGEE’S CLARKIA
Clarkia bilboa ssp.
brandegeae
--; --; SLC; 1B Chaparral and cismontane
woodland
(Road cuts, and openings on
brushy slopes)
Bangor
Forbestown
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49
Common Name & Scientific
Name Regulatory Status
Habitat
(Microhabitat)
Potential to Occur but
not limited to the
following Quads in Butte
County
BRISTLY LINANTHUS
Linanthus acicularis
--; --; --; 4 Chaparral, cismontane
woodland, coastal prairie, and
valley and foothill grassland
(Oak savannah, and rocky
outcrops)
Unknown
BRITTLESCALE
Atriplex depressa
FSC; --; --; 1B Chenopod scrub, meadows and
seeps, playas, valley and
foothill grassland, and vernal
pools
(Alkaline flats and clay soils)
Pennington
BROWNISH BEAKED-RUSH
Rhynchospora capitellata
--; --; --; 2 Lower and upper montane
conifer forest, meadows, seeps,
marshes, and swamps
(Mesic areas, edge of seeps on
granite, and boggy meadows)
Brush Creek; Kimshew
Point; Pulga; Paradise
West
BUTTE COUNTY CALYCADENIA
Calycadenia oppositifolia
--; --; SLC; 1B
(Butte County Endemic)
Chaparral, cismontane
woodland, lower montane
conifer forest, meadows, seeps,
and valley and foothill
grassland
(Grassy slopes, road cuts,
brushy openings, and
sometimes on volcanic or
serpentinite soils)
Bangor; Berry Creek;
Cherokee; Hamlin
Canyon; Oroville; Chico;
Pulga; Cohasset; Paradise
West; Paradise East;
Richardson Springs; Butte
Meadows
BUTTE COUNTY CATCHFLY
Silene occidentalis ssp.
longistipitata
FSC; --; --; 1B Chaparral, lower montane
coniferous forest, and upper
montane coniferous forest
(Dry openings)
Jonesville; Butte Meadows
BUTTE COUNTY
CHECKERBLOOM
Sidalcea robusta
FSC; --; --; 1B
(Butte County Endemic)
Chaparral and cismontane
woodland
(Rocky and brush-covered
slopes on Tuscan Formation
mud flow)
Cherokee; Hamlin
Canyon; Chico; Cohasset;
Paradise West; Richardson
Springs
BUTTE COUNTY FRITILLARY
Fritillaria eastwoodiae
FSC; --; --; 3 Chaparral, cismontane
woodland, and lower montane
coniferous forest within
openings
(Occasionally on brushy slopes
and road cuts, sometimes on
serpentinite soils)
Rackerby; Cascade;
Clipper Mills; Brush
Creek; Berry Creek;
Forbestown; Cherokee;
Hamlin Canyon; Chico;
Kimshew Point; Pulga;
Soapstone Hill; Stirling
City; Cohasset; Paradise
West; Paradise East
BUTTE COUNTY GOLDEN
CLOVER
Trifolium jokerstii
--; --; SLC; 1B
(Butte County Endemic)
Valley and foothill grassland
and vernal pools
(Mesic soils)
Oroville Dam; Shippee
Chapter 13: Biological Resources
Final Draft August 8, 2005
Butte County General Plan Background Report
50
Common Name & Scientific
Name Regulatory Status
Habitat
(Microhabitat)
Potential to Occur but
not limited to the
following Quads in Butte
County
BUTTE COUNTY
MEADOWFOAM
Limnanthes floccose ssp.
californica
FE; CE; --; 1B Valley and foothill grassland
and vernal pools
(Mesic areas, sometimes on
bottom of vernally moist
drainages and pools)
Shippee; Oroville; Stirling
City; Nord; Richardson
Springs, Chico
BUTTE COUNTY MORNING
GLORY
Calystegia atriplicifolia ssp.
buttensis
FSC; --; --; 1B Lower montane coniferous
forest
(Dry, open slopes and often on
disturbed roadsides)
Stirling City; Cohasset;
Paradise West; Paradise
East
CALIFORNIA ADDER’S-TONGUE
Ophioglossum californicum
--; --; --; 4 Chaparral, valley and foothill
grasslands, and margins of
vernal pools
(Mesic areas)
Unknown
CALIFORNIA BEAKED-RUSH
Rhynchospora californica
FSC; --; --; 1B Bogs, fens, lower montane
coniferous forest, meadows,
seeps, and freshwater marshes
and swamps
(Seeps, sometimes on Tuscan
volcanics)
Paradise West; Richardson
Springs
CALIFORNIA LADY’S SLIPPER
Cypripedium californicum
--; --; --; 4 Bogs, fens, seeps, and lower
montane coniferous forest
(Mesic areas, stream banks, wet
ledges, usually on serpentinite
soils)
Unknown
CALIFORNIA PITCHERPLANT
Darlingtonia californica
--; --; --; 4 Bogs, fens, meadows, and seeps
(Mesic areas generally on
serpentinite seeps)
Unknown
CANTELOW’S LEWISIA
Lewisia cantelovii
FSC; --; --; 1B Broadleaved upland forest,
chaparral, cismontane
woodland, and lower montane
coniferous forest
(Mesic areas, on granitic
outcrops, and sometimes
serpentine seeps)
Strawberry Valley; Brush
Creek; Pulga; Soapstone
Hill
CLOSED-THROATED
BEARDTONGUE
Penstemon personatus
FSC; --; --; 1B Chaparral and lower and upper
montane coniferous forest
(Metavolcanic areas, dry
hillsides, moist woods)
Kimshew Point; Pulga;
Soapstone Hill; Stirling
City; Paradise East
COLEMAN’S REIN ORCHID
Piperia colemanii
--; --; --; 4 Chaparral and lower montane
coniferous forest
(Often sandy soils)
Unknown
COLUMBIAN WATERMEAL
Wolffia brasiliensis
--; --; --; 2 Marshes, swamps, and sloughs
(Assorted shallow waters)
Pennington; Ord Ferry;
Llano Seco
Chapter 13: Biological Resources
Final Draft August 8, 2005
Butte County General Plan Background Report
51
Common Name & Scientific
Name Regulatory Status
Habitat
(Microhabitat)
Potential to Occur but
not limited to the
following Quads in Butte
County
COTULA NAVARRETIA
Naverretia cotulifolia
--; --; --; 4 Chaparral, cismontane
woodland,and valley and
foothill grassland
(Adobe soils, and other heavy
soils)
Unknown
CLUSTERED LADY’S SLIPPER
Cypripedium fasciculatum
FSC; --; --; 4 Lower montane coniferous
forest
(Usually on serpentine seeps,
moist shady slopes on stream
banks, and open woods)
Unknown
CUT-LEAVED MONKEYFLOWER
Mimulus laciniatus
--; --; --; 4 Chaparral, and lower and upper
montane coniferous forest
(Mesic areas, granitic outcrops,
and basalt seeps)
Unknown
CUT-LEAVED RAGWORT
Senecio eurycephalus var.
lewisrosei
--; --; SLC; 1B Chaparral, cismontane
woodland, and lower montane
coniferous forest
(Serpentine outcrops, steep
slopes, often near road cuts)
Berry Creek; Pulga;
Stirling City; Paradise
East; Cherokee
DEPAUPERATED MILK-VETCH
Astragalus pauperculus
--; --; --; 4 Chaparral, cismontane
woodland, and valley and
foothill grassland
(Vernally mesic areas, volcanic
or thin soils, often on
serpentine)
Unknown
DISSECTED-LEAVED
TOOTHWORT
Cardamine pachystigma var.
dissectifolia
--; --; --; 3 Chaparral and lower montane
coniferous forest
(Rocky soils, sometimes on
serpentine, and in shaded areas)
Cascade; Brush Creek;
Forbestown; Pulga;
Stirling City; Cohasset;
Paradise East
ENTERPRISE CLARKIA
Clarkia mosquinii ssp.
xerophilia
FSC; --; --; --Cismontane woodland and
lower montane coniferous forest
(Rocky soils and on roadsides
or cut banks)
Cascade; Brush Creek;
Berry Creek; Oroville
Dam; Forbestown; Pulga;
Soapstone Hill
FEATHER RIVER STONECROP
Sedum albomarginatum
FSC; --; --; 1B Chaparral and lower montane
coniferous forests
(Ledges and crevices of
serpentine outcrops)
Pulga
FERRIS’S GOLDFIELDS
Lasthenia ferrisiae
--; --; --; 4 Vernal pools and wet saline
flats
(Alkaline and clay soils)
Unknown
FERRIS’S MILK-VETCH
Astragalus tener var. ferrisiae
FSC; --; --; 1B Meadows, seeps and valley and
foothill grasslands
(Vernally mesic areas,
subalkline flats, and adobe clay
soils)
Biggs; West of Biggs;
Llano Seco; Nord*; Butte
City
Chapter 13: Biological Resources
Final Draft August 8, 2005
Butte County General Plan Background Report
52
Common Name & Scientific
Name Regulatory Status
Habitat
(Microhabitat)
Potential to Occur but
not limited to the
following Quads in Butte
County
FLAT-LEAVED BLADDERWORT
Urticularia intermedia
--; --; --; 2 Bogs, fens, boggy meadows,
seeps, and lake margins forming
marshes and swamps
(Mesic areas)
Jonesville
FOX SEDGE
Carex vulpinoidea
--; --; --; 2 Freshwater marshes and
swamps and riparian woodlands
(Mesic areas, moist gravel bars,
and edges of dredge ponds)
Palermo; Ord Ferry; Foster
Island; Llano Seco;
Shippee; Biggs
FOUR-ANGLED SPIKERUSH
Eleocharis quadrangulata
--; --; --; 2 Freshwater marshes and
swamps
(Shallow water or on drying
beds of ponds)
Loma Rica; Biggs; Hamlin
Canyon; Richardson
Springs NW; Llano Seco
GEYER’S SEDGE
Carex geyeri
--; --; --; 4 Lower montane coniferous
forest
(Open forests and slopes)
Unknown
GOLDEN-ANTHERED CLARKIA
Clarkia mildrediae ssp.
lutescens
--; --; --; 4 Cismontane woodland and
openings of lower montane
coniferous
(Often on road cuts and on
granitic soils)
Unknown
GREENE’S TUCTORIA
Tuctoria greenei
FE; CR; --; 1B Vernal pools
(Drying pools)
Biggs; Hamlin Canyon;
Richardson Springs NW
HAIRY ORCUTT GRASS
Orcuttia pilosa
FE; CE; --; 1B Vernal pools
(Drying pools)
Nord, Richard Springs
NW; Foster Island; Vina;
Hamlin Canyon
HALL’S RUPERTIA
Rupertia hallii
--; --; SLC; 1B Cismontane woodland and
lower montane coniferous forest
(Disturbed soils)
Cohasset; Butte Meadows
HEARTSCALE
Atriplex cordulata
FSC; --; --; 1B Chenopod scrub, meadows,
seeps, Sandy soils in the valley
and foothill grasslands
(Dry alkaline flats)
Pennington
HENDERSON’S BENT GRASS
Agrostis hendersonii
FSC; --; --; 3 Valley and foothill grassland,
seeps, and vernal pools
(Mesic areas, and sometimes
granitic soils)
Brush Creek*
HOGWALLOW STARFISH
Hesperevax caulescens
--; --; --; 4 Valley and foothill grasslands
(Drying mesic areas such as
vernal pools, ditches, and
swales, with dark, heavy clay
soils)
Chico
HOOVER’S SPURGE
Chamaesyce hooveri
FT; --; --; 1B Vernal pools
(Dry pools)
Hamlin Canyon; Nord;
Richardson Springs NW;
Vina
Chapter 13: Biological Resources
Final Draft August 8, 2005
Butte County General Plan Background Report
53
Common Name & Scientific
Name Regulatory Status
Habitat
(Microhabitat)
Potential to Occur but
not limited to the
following Quads in Butte
County
HOT ROCK DAISY
Erigeron inornatus var.
calidipetris
--; --; --; 4 Lower montane coniferous
forests
(Dry soils, such as sandy, or
volcanic soils, often on edges of
roads)
Unknown
HUMBOLT LILY
Lilium humboltii spp.
humboltii
--; --; --; 4 Chaparral, cismontane
woodland and lower coniferous
forest
(Dry openings, sometimes on
dry brushy slopes)
Unknown
HUTCHINSON’S LEWISIA
Lewisia kelloggii ssp.
hutchinsonii
--; --; --; 3 Chaparral and upper montane
coniferous forests
(Opening)
Jonesville
JEPSON’S ONION
Allium jepsonii
FSC; --; --; 1B Cismontane woodland and
lower montane coniferous forest
(Serpentine or volcanic soils)
Berry Creek; Pulga;
Paradise East; Cherokee
KRUCKEBERG’S SWORD FERN
Polystichum kruckebergii
--; --; --; 4 Subalpine forest and upper
montane coniferous forest
(Rocky outcrops and cliffs)
Humbolt Peak
LESSER BLADDERWORT
Urticularia minor
--; --; --; 4 Bogs, fens, marshes, and
swamps
(Assorted shallow freshwaters)
Unknown
LESSER SALTSCALE
Atriplex minuscula
FSC; --; --; 1B Chenopod scrub, playas, and
valley and foothill grassland
(Alkaline flats and sandy soils)
Pennington
LITTLE MOUSETAIL
Myosurus minimus ssp. apus
FSC; --; --; 3 Valley and foothill grassland
and vernal pools
(Vernally wet depressions,
drying streambeds and
sometime in alkaline soils)
Pennington
LONG-STIPED CAMPION
Silene occidentalis ssp.
longistipitata
--; --; --; 1B Chaparral and lower and upper
montaneconiferous forest
(Dry openings)
Humbolt Peak; Jonesville;
Butte Meadows
LONG-LEAVED STARWORT
Stellaria longifolia
--; --; --; 2 Meadows, seeps, and riparian
woodlands
(Mesic areas)
Jonesville; Butte
Meadows; Humbolt Peak
MARSH CLAYTONIA
Claytonia palustris
--; --; --; 4 Meadows, open seeps, marshes,
and swamps
(Mesic areas, including stream
edges)
Unknown
MEESIA TRIQUETRA
Meesia triquetra
--; --; --; 2 Bogs, fens, meadows, seeps,
and upper montane coniferous
forest
(Mesic soils)
Butte Meadows
Chapter 13: Biological Resources
Final Draft August 8, 2005
Butte County General Plan Background Report
54
Common Name & Scientific
Name Regulatory Status
Habitat
(Microhabitat)
Potential to Occur but
not limited to the
following Quads in Butte
County
MEXICAN MOSQUITO FERN
Azolla mexicana
--; --; --; 4 Marshes, swamps, and within
ponds or slow waters
(Roadside and irragation
ditches)
Biggs; Llano Seco
MICHAEL’S REIN ORCHID
Piperia michaelii
--; --; --; 4 Chaparral, cismontane
woodland and lower montane
coniferous forest
(Brush and oak woodlands)
Unknown
MILDRED’S CLARKIA
Clarkia mildrediae ssp.
mildrediae
--; --; --; 1B Cismontane woodland and
lower montane coniferous forest
(Usually granitic or sandy soils)
Kimshew Point; Pulgal;
Stirling City; Paradise East
MINGAN MOONWART
Botrychium minganense
--; --; --; 4 Lower montane coniferous
forest
(Mesic areas)
Humbolt Peak; onesville
MOSQUIN’S CLARKIA
Clarkia mosquinii spp.
mosquinii
FSC; --; --; 1B Cismontane woodland and
lower montane coniferous
forests
(Rocky soils and on roadsides)
Cascade; Brush Creek;
Berry Creek; Oroville
Dam; Forbestown; Pulga;
Soapstone Hill; Cherokee
NORTHERN SIERRA DAISY
Erigeron petrophilus var.
sierrensis
--; --; --; 4 Cismontane woodland and
lower and upper coniferous
forests
(Serpentine outcrops)
Unknown
OBTUSE STARWORT
Stellaria obtusa
--; --; --; 4 Lower and upper montane
coniferous forest, and riparian
woodlands along streams
(Mesic areas)
Unknown
PINK CREAMSACS
Castilleja rubicundula ssp.
rubicundula
--; --; SLC; 1B Chaparral, cismontane
woodland, meadows, seeps, and
valley and foothill grasslands
(Openings and often
serpentinite soils)
Pennington; Hamlin
Canyon; Nord*
QUINCY LUPIN
Lupinus dalesiae
FSC; --; --; 1B Chaparral, cismontane
woodland, and lower and upper
montane coniferous forest
(Openings, often in disturbed
areas)
Cascade*
RECURVED LARKSPUR
Delphinium recurvatum
--; --; --; 1B Cismontane woodland and
valley and foothill grasslands
(Alkaline soils)
Nelson; Shippee
RED BLUFF DWARF RUSH
Juncus leiospermus var.
leiospermus
FSC; --; --; 1B Chaparral, cismontane
woodland, meadows, seeps,
valley and foothill grassland,
and vernal pools
(Vernally mesic areas)
Cherokee; Oroville;
Cohasset; Richardson
Springs
Chapter 13: Biological Resources
Final Draft August 8, 2005
Butte County General Plan Background Report
55
Common Name & Scientific
Name Regulatory Status
Habitat
(Microhabitat)
Potential to Occur but
not limited to the
following Quads in Butte
County
RESIN BIRCH
Betula pumila var.
glandulifera
--; --; --; 2 Bogs, fens, lower montane
coniferous forest, meadows,
seeps, marshes, swamps, and
subalpine coniferous forests
(Mesic areas)
Jonesville*
ROSE-MALLOW
Hibiscus lasiocarpus
--; --; --; 2 Marshes, swamps, seeps, and
sloughs
(Freshwater mesic areas,
including on stream banks and
in irragation ditches)
West of Biggs; Sanborn
Slough; Pennington;
Hamlin Canyon; Shippee;
Ord Ferry; Llano Seco;
Nelson; Paradise West;
Oroville; Butte City
ROUND-LEAVED FILAREE
Erodium macrophyllum
--; --; --; 2 Cismontane woodland, valley,
and foothill grasslands
(Opening with clay soils)
Nelson; Shippee
SANBORN’S ONION
Allium sanbornii var.
sanbornii
--; --; --; 4 Chaparral, cismontane
woodland, and lower montane
coniferous forest
(Usually granitic, volcanic, or
serpentine outcrops)
Unknown
SANFORD’S ARROWHEAD
Sagittaria sanfordii
FSC; --; --; 1B Marshes and swamps
(Assorted shallow freshwater
areas)
Gridley; Berry Creek;
Richardson Springs NW
SCALLOPED MOONWART
Botrychium crenulatum
FSC; --; --; 2 Bogs, fens, lower montane
coniferous forest, meadows,
seeps, marshes, and swamps
(Drier places of freshwater
areas)
Jonesville; Humbolt Peak
SHASTA BEARDTONGUE
Penstemon heterodoxus var.
shastensis
--; --; --; 4 Chaparral, lower and upper
montane coniferous forests,
meadows, and seeps
(Rock outcrops, in brush or
openings)
Unknown
SHIELD BRACTED
MONKEYFLOWER
Mimulus glaucescens
--; --; --; 4 Chaparral, cismontane
woodland, lower montane
coniferous forest, and valley
and foothill grasslands
(Mesic areas such as seeps and
drainages, as well as on
serpentine seeps)
Chico
SHORE SEDGE
Carex limosa
--; --; --; 2 Bogs, fens, lower and upper
montane coniferous forests,
meadows, seeps, marshes, and
swamps
(Restricted to boggy meadows)
Jonesville; Butte
Meadows;
Chapter 13: Biological Resources
Final Draft August 8, 2005
Butte County General Plan Background Report
56
Common Name & Scientific
Name Regulatory Status
Habitat
(Microhabitat)
Potential to Occur but
not limited to the
following Quads in Butte
County
SICKLE-FRUIT JEWEL-FLOWER
Streptanthus drepanoides
--; --; --; 4 Chaparral, cismontane
woodland, lower montane
coniferous forests
(Serpentinite soils, often on
steep serpentine slopes)
Unknown
SISKIYOU MOUNTAINS
HUCKLEBERRY
Vaccinium coccineum
--; --; --; 3 Lower and upper montane
coniferous forests
(Often on serpentine soils)
Cascade; Clipper Mills;
Strawberry Valley;
Soapstone Hill
SLENDER ORCUTT GRASS
Orcuttia tenuis
FT; CE; --; 1B Vernal pools
(Drying pool beds)
Unknown
SMALL SPIKERUSH
Eleocharis parvula
--; --; --; 4 Marshes and swamps
(Often on wet mud flats or
drying mesic areas)
Richardson Springs;
Pennington
SUBTLE ORACHE
Atriplex subtilis
--; --; SLC; 1B Valley and foothill grasslands
(Unknown)
Pennington
SYLVAN MICROSERIS
Microseris sylvatica
--; --; --; 4 Chaparral, cismontane
woodland, and valley and
foothill grasslands
(Sometimes on serpentine soils,
brushy slopes, and grassy
openings)
Oroville Dam; Honcut
TEHAMA NAVARRETIA
Navarretia heterandra
--; --; --; 4 Valley and foothill grasslands,
and vernal pools
(Vernally mesic areas, often on
heavy clay soils)
Unknown
THREAD-LEAVED BEAKSEED
Bulbostylis capillaris
--; --; --; 4 Lower and upper montane
coniferous forests, meadow,s
and seeps
(Sometimes on damp granitic or
basalt soils)
Cherokee; Brush Creek
TRUE MANZANITA
Arctostaphylos mewukka ssp.
truei
--; --; --; 4 Chaparral and lower montane
coniferous forests
(Brushy areas)
Paradise East; Forbestown
UNSWEPT MOONWART
Botrychium ascendens
FSC; --; --; 2 Lower montane coniferous
forest
(Mesic areas, often near
streams)
Jonesville
VEINY MONARDELLA
Monardella douglasii ssp.
venosa
FSC; --; --; 1B Cismontane woodland
andvalley and foothill
grasslands
(Heavy clay soils)
Cherokee*; Hamlin
Canyon; Chico*;
Richardson Springs
Chapter 13: Biological Resources
Final Draft August 8, 2005
Butte County General Plan Background Report
57
Common Name & Scientific
Name Regulatory Status
Habitat
(Microhabitat)
Potential to Occur but
not limited to the
following Quads in Butte
County
WATER BULRUSH
Scirpus subterminalis
--; --; --; 2 Bogs, fens, and montane lake
margins forming marshes and
swamp areas
(Shallow waters)
Joneville;
WESTERN GOBLIN
Botrychium monatum
--; --; --; 2 Lower montane coniferous
forest
(Mesic areas containing rich,
shaded soils)
Humbolt Peak; Jonesville
WHITE-STEMMED CLARKIA
Clarkia gracilis ssp. albicaulis
--; --; SLC; 1B Chaparral and cismontane
woodland
(Often on road cuts, openings,
dry brushy slopes, and
sometime in serpentine soils)
Berry Creek; Forbestown;
Cherokee; Pulga;
Cohasset; Richardson
Springs; Butte Meadows;
Paradise West; Paradise
East; Stirling City
WOOLY-LEAVED MILK VETCH
Astragalus whineyi var.
lenophyllus
--; --; --; 4 Subalpine conifer forest
(Rocky areas)
Unknown
WOOLY MEADOWFOAM
Limnanthes floccosa ssp.
floccosa
--; --; --; 4 Chaparral, cismontane
woodland, valley and foothill
grasslands, and vernal pools
(Vernally mesic depressions
and drainages)
Richardson Springs
FE = federal endangered FT = federal threatened FSC = federal species of concern FPD =federal proposed for delisting FPT =
federal proposed threatened FC = federal candidate FD = federal delisted
CE = state endangered CT = state threatened CR = state rare CSC = California species of special concern CC = state candidate
for listing
SLC = species of local concern
1B = CNPS list plants rare, threatened, or endangered in California or elsewhere 2 = CNPS lists plants rare, threatened, or
endangered in California, but more numerous elsewhere 3 = CNPS lists plants about which we need more information 4 =
CNPS lists plants of limited distribution or infrequent throughout an area in California (a watch list)
* = noted as presumed to be extant within quadrangle
Sources:
California Department of Fish and Game (CDFG). California Natural Diversity Database. (CBDDB: Butte County Quadrangles, 2003)
Sacramento, CA.
California Native Plant Society (CNPS). 2001. Inventory of Rare and Endangered Plants of California (sixth edition).
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS). 2003. Federal and Endangered and Threatened Species that may be Affected by Projects in Butte
County 7.5 minute Quadrangles. Sacramento, CA.
Chapter 13: Biological Resources
Final Draft August 8, 2005
Butte County General Plan Background Report
58
TABLE 13-3
LISTED AND SPECIAL STATUS ANIMALS POTENTIALLY OCCURRING IN BUTTE COUNTY
Common Name & Scientific
Name
Regulatory Status Habitat Potential to Occur but
not limited to the
following Quads in
Butte County
Invertebrates
CALIFORNIA LINDERIELLA
FAIRY SHRIMP
Linderiella occidentalis
FSC; --; --Vernal pools and swales, and
other seasonal aquatic habitats.
Richardson Springs
CONSERVANCY FAIRY SHRIMP
Branchinecta conservation
FE; --; --Vernal pools and swales, and
other seasonal aquatic habitats.
Nord
SACRAMENTO ANTHICID
BEETLE
Anthicus sacramento
FSC; --; --Loose sand deposited by wind,
water, or human activities.
Unknown
SACRAMENTO VALLEY TIGER
BEETLE
Cicindela hirticollis abrupta
FSC; --; --Sandy areas, dry paths or fields.Unknown
VALLEY ELDERBERRY
LONGHORN BEETLE
Desmocerus californicus
dimorphus
FT; --; --Associate with its host plant, the
elderberry (Sambucus sp.).
Biggs; Palermo; West of
Biggs; Richardson
Springs; Ord Ferry;
Chico; Llano Seco; Foster
Island; Pulga; Loma Rica
VERNAL POOL FAIRY SHRIMP
Branchinecta lynchi
FT; --; --Vernal pools and swales, and
other seasonal aquatic habitats.
Nord; Shippee;
Richardson Springs
VERNAL POOL TADPOLE
SHRIMP
Lepidurus packardi
FE; --; --Vernal pools and swales, and
other seasonal aquatic habitats.
Nord; Richardson
Springs; Llano Seco;
Shippee; Chico; Oroville;
Cherokee; Hamlin
Canyon
Amphibians/Reptiles
CALIFORNIA HORNED LIZARD
Phrynosoma coronatum
frontale
FSC; CSC; --Found in open or scrub dry
grasslands, wooded grasslands,
riparian habitats with low rocks
to serve as basking areas, as well
as broadleaf woodland regions.
Oroville
CALIFORNIA RED-LEGGED
FROG
Rana aurora draytonii
FT; CSC; --Found in the lowlands and
foothills in or near a permanent
water source. Slow moving
ponds and streams or marsh
habitat shrubby or emergent
vegetation.
Berry Creek; Pulga;
Soapstone Hill; Brush
Creek
CALIFORNIA TIGER
SALAMANDER
Ambystoma californiense
FC; CSC; --Grassland habitats associated
with long-lasting rain pools such
as vernal pools or seasonal
wetlands for breeding. Also
needs ground refuges such as
ground squirrel burrows.
Pennington
Chapter 13: Biological Resources
Final Draft August 8, 2005
Butte County General Plan Background Report
59
Common Name & Scientific
Name
Regulatory Status Habitat Potential to Occur but
not limited to the
following Quads in
Butte County
CASCADES FROG
Rana cascadae
FSC; CSC; --Found in water and surrounding
vegetation in mountain lakes,
small streams, and ponds in
meadows up to timber line.
Closely restricted to water.
Butte Meadows;
Kimshew Point;
Jonesville
FOOTHILL YELLOW-LEGGED
FROG
Rana boylii
FSC; CSC; --Found in partly shaded, shallow
streams and riffles with a rocky
substrate in a variety of habitats
including, valley-foothill
hardwood, valley-foothill
hardwood-conifer, valley foothill
riparian, ponderosa pine, mixed
conifer, mixed chaparral, and wet
meadows.
Clipper Mills; Cascade;
Forbestown
GIANT GARTER SNAKE
Thamnophis gigas
FT; CT; --Freshwater marshes, sloughs,
ponds, small lakes or low
gradient streams with adjacent
upland areas. Also has adapted to
drainage canals, irrigation
ditches, and agricultural wetlands
especially flooded rice fields.
Pennington; West of
Biggs; Llano Seco;
Sanborn Slough; Nelson;
Biggs; Butte City
MOUNTAIN YELLOW-LEGGED
FROG
Rana muscosa
FC; CSC; --Associated with streams, lakes,
and ponds in montane riparian,
lodgepole pine, subalpine
conifer, and wet meadows.
Clipper Mills
NORTHWESTERN POND TURTLE
Clemmys marmorata
marmorata
FSC; CSC; --Permanent ponds and streams or
nearly permanent in a wide
variety of habitats including
valleys, foothills and montane
regions.
Pennington; Berry Creek;
Shippee; Sanborn Slough
SAN JOAQUIN COACHWHIP
Masticophis flagellum
ruddocki
FSC; CSC; --Dry open areas in scrub, rocky or
open hillsides, prairies, oak and
pine woodlands.
Oroville; Cherokee;
Cohasset; Richardson
Springs
WESTERN SPADEFOOT TOAD
Spea hammondii
FSC; --; --Grassland habitats associated
with long-lasting rain pools.
Large vernal pools or seasonal
wetlands essential for breeding
and egg laying.
Richardson Springs
Fish
CENTRAL VALLEY FALL/LATE
FALL-RUN CHINOOK SALMON
Oncorhynchus tshawytscha
FSC; CSC; --Rivers, streams, and tributaries to
the Sacramento River Basin.
Adults depend on pool depth and
volume, vegetation cover, and
gravel substrate for reproduction.
Temperatures 57°F or lower
lethal to adults and egg mortality
is generally 100% at 63°F.
Gridley; Honcut;
Palermo; Biggs; Oroville;
Llano Seco; Ord Ferry;
Foster Island; Vina;
Paradise West; Cohasset;
Hamlin Canyon; Chico;
Brush Creek
Chapter 13: Biological Resources
Final Draft August 8, 2005
Butte County General Plan Background Report
60
Common Name & Scientific
Name
Regulatory Status Habitat Potential to Occur but
not limited to the
following Quads in
Butte County
CENTRAL VALLEY STEELHEAD
Oncorhynchus mykiss
FT; --; --Rivers, streams, and tributaries to
the Sacramento River Basin.
Gridley; Honcut;
Palermo; Biggs; Oroville;
Llano Seco; Ord Ferry;
Foster Island; Vina;
Paradise West; Cohasset;
Hamlin Canyon; Chico;
Brush Creek
DELTA SMELT
Hypomesus transpacificus
FT; CT; --Rivers, streams, and tributaries to
the Sacramento River Basin.
Gridley; Honcut;
Palermo; Biggs; Oroville;
Llano Seco; Ord Ferry;
Foster Island; Vina;
Paradise West; Cohasset;
Hamlin Canyon; Chico;
Brush Creek
GREEN STURGEON
Acipenser medirotris
FSC; CSC; --Rivers, streams, and tributaries to
the Sacramento River Basin.
Gridley; Honcut;
Palermo; Biggs; Oroville;
Llano Seco; Ord Ferry;
Foster Island; Vina;
Paradise West; Cohasset;
Hamlin Canyon; Chico;
Brush Creek
LONGFIN SMELT
Spirinchus thaleichthys
FSC; CSC; --Rivers, streams, and tributaries to
the Sacramento River Basin.
Gridley; Honcut;
Palermo; Biggs; Oroville;
Llano Seco; Ord Ferry;
Foster Island; Vina;
Paradise West; Cohasset;
Hamlin Canyon; Chico;
Brush Creek
RIVER LAMPREY
Lampertra ayresi
FSC; CSC; --Rivers, streams, and tributaries to
the Sacramento River Basin.
Gridley; Honcut;
Palermo; Biggs; Oroville;
Llano Seco; Ord Ferry;
Foster Island; Vina;
Paradise West; Cohasset;
Hamlin Canyon; Chico;
Brush Creek
SACRAMENTO SPLITTAIL
Pogonichthys macrolepidotus
FT; CSC; --Rivers, streams, and tributaries to
the Sacramento River Basin.
Gridley; Honcut;
Palermo; Biggs; Oroville;
Llano Seco; Ord Ferry;
Foster Island; Vina;
Paradise West; Cohasset;
Hamlin Canyon; Chico;
Brush Creek
SPRING-RUN CHINOOK SALMON
Oncorhynchus tshawytscha
FT; CT; --Rivers, streams, and tributaries to
the Sacramento River Basin.
Adults depend on pool depth and
volume, vegetation cover, and
gravel substrate for reproduction.
Temperatures 57°F or lower
lethal to adults and egg mortality
is generally 100% at 63°F.
Gridley; Honcut;
Palermo; Biggs; Oroville;
Llano Seco; Ord Ferry;
Foster Island; Vina;
Paradise West; Cohasset;
Hamlin Canyon; Chico;
Brush Creek
Chapter 13: Biological Resources
Final Draft August 8, 2005
Butte County General Plan Background Report
61
Common Name & Scientific
Name
Regulatory Status Habitat Potential to Occur but
not limited to the
following Quads in
Butte County
WINTER-RUN CHINOOK
SALMON
Oncorhynchus tshawytscha
FE; CE; --Rivers, streams, and tributaries to
the Sacramento River Basin.
Adults depend on pool depth and
volume, vegetation cover, and
gravel substrate for reproduction.
Temperatures 57°F or lower
lethal to adults and egg mortality
is generally 100% at 63°F.
Gridley; Honcut;
Palermo; Biggs; Oroville;
Llano Seco; Ord Ferry;
Foster Island; Vina;
Paradise West; Cohasset;
Hamlin Canyon; Chico;
Brush Creek
Birds
AMERICAN BITTERN
Botaurus lentiginosus
FSC; --; --Resident in fresh emergent
wetlands.
Llano Seco; Ord Ferry;
Sanborn Slough;
Pennington; Gridley
AMERICAN DIPPER
Cinclus mexicanus
--; --; SLC Confined to clear, fast flowing
streams and rivers with rocky
shores and bottoms in montane
regions but may move to lower
elevations in winter.
All Quads within the
county
ALEUTIAN CANADA GOOSE
Branta canadensis leucopareia
FD (FSC); CSC; --
(WINTERING)
Winter resident of agricultural
lands.
Pennington; West of
Biggs; Gridley; Llano
Seco; Nelson; Palermo
AMERICAN PEREGRINE
FALCONE
Falco peregrinus anatum
D (FSC); CE; --
(NESTING)
Nests on high cliffs, banks,
dunes, or mounds in woodland,
forest, and coastal habitats near
permanent water sources.
Jonesville; Oroville;
Strawberry Valley;
Paradise East
BALD EAGLE
Haliaeetus leucocephalus
FT (FPD); CE (Fully
Protected); --
(NESTING AND WINTERING)
Nesting restricted to the
mountainous habitats near
permanent water sources.
Winters throughout most of
California at lakes, reservoirs,
river systems, and coastal
wetlands.
Paradise East; Oroville;
Forbestown; Brush Creek
BANK SWALLOW
Riparia riparia
FSC; CT; --
(NESTING)
Restricted to riparian areas with
vertical cliffs and banks with
fine-textured or sandy soils while
breeding.
Foster Island; Ord Ferry;
Llano Seco; Gridley;
Honcut; Biggs; Palermo
BLACK SWIFT
Cypseloides niger
FSC; CSC; --
(NESTING)
Nests in moist crevices or caves
or cliffs behind or adjacent to
waterfalls in deep canyons.
Brush Creek; Forbestown
BLACK TERN
Chidonias niger
FSC; CSC; --
(NESTING COLONY)
Restricted to freshwater habitats
while breeding including
emergent wetlands, lakes, ponds,
moist grasslands, and agricultural
fields.
Pennington; Gridley;
Sanborn Slough; Ord
Ferry; Foster Island;
Nelson; West of Biggs
CALIFORNIA BLACK RAIL
Latterallus jamaicensis
coturniculus
FSC; ST (Fully Protected);
--
Resident of wetland areas
typically marshes or sloughs
supporting bulrushes and cattails.
Sanborn Slough; Ord
Ferry; Llano Seco;
Pennington; Gridley
Chapter 13: Biological Resources
Final Draft August 8, 2005
Butte County General Plan Background Report
62
Common Name & Scientific
Name
Regulatory Status Habitat Potential to Occur but
not limited to the
following Quads in
Butte County
CALIFORNIA SPOTTED OWL
Strix occidentalis occidentalis
FSC; CSC; --Occurs in mature, dense,
multilayered evergreen forest
with large trees and open areas
under the canopy in mixed
conifer, redwood, and Douglas
fir forests.
Strawberry Valley;
Clipper Mills; Humbolt
Peak; Jonesville;
Cohasset; Cascade; Brush
Creek; Paradise East;
Stirling City; Kimshew
Point
CALIFORNIA THRASHER
Toxostoma redivivum
FSC; --; --Resident of foothills and
lowlands in cismontane regions
such as chaparral and young or
open valley foothill riparian
habitats.
Cherokee; Oroville;
Cohasset; Pardise West;
Palermo; Biggs
COMMON LOON
Gavia immer
FSC; CSC; --
(NESTING)
Winters on large or small
freshwater lakes, and nests on
small islets or protected sites on
shore. Typically in areas with
minimal disturbances by humans
and motorboats.
Pennington; Gridley;
Oroville; Shippee
FERRUGINOUS HAWK
Buteo regalis
FSC; CSC; --
(WINTERING)
A winter resident of open
habitats in California including
grasslands and brushy forests.
Oroville; Shippee;
Cherokee
FLAMMULATED OWL
Otus flammeolus
FSC; --; --Variety of coniferous habitats
from montane forests to
subalpine and red fir conifer
forests, and favors small
openings and edges and clearing
with snags for nesting and
roosting.
Humbolt Peak;
Jonesville; Kimshew
Point
GRASSHOPPER SPARROW
Ammodramus savannarum
FSC; --; --Nests in a variety of tall and
mixed grass habitats including
grassy fallow fields, hay fields,
native prairies, and pastures.
Gridley; Biggs; West of
Biggs; Nelson; Honcut;
Loma Rica
GREAT BLUE HERON
Ardea herodias
--; (Sensitive); --
(ROOKERY)
Colonial nester in tall trees,
cliffsides and sequestered spots
on marshes. Rookery sites close
proximity to foraging habitats
such as marshes, lake margins,
tidel-flats, rivers, steams, and wet
meadows.
Llano Seco; Ord Ferry;
Pennington; Sanborn
Slough; Gridley; Foster
Island
GREAT EGRET
Casmerodius albus
--; (Sensitive); --
(ROOKERY)
Colonial nester in large trees.
Rookery sites near marshes tidel-
flats, irrigated pastures; and
margins of rivers, streams and
lakes.
Llano Seco; Ord Ferry;
Pennington; Sanborn
Slough; Gridley; Foster
Island
GREATER SANDHILL CRANE
Grus canadensis tabida
--; CT (Fully Protected); --
(NESTING AND WINTERING)
Nests in wet meadows
interspersed with emergent
marsh habitat. Winters in
agricultural croplands and
irrigated pastures.
Llano Seco; Ord Ferry;
Pennington; Sanborn
Slough; Gridley; Foster
Island
Chapter 13: Biological Resources
Final Draft August 8, 2005
Butte County General Plan Background Report
63
Common Name & Scientific
Name
Regulatory Status Habitat Potential to Occur but
not limited to the
following Quads in
Butte County
HERMIT WARBLER
Dendroica occidentalis
FSC; --; --
(NESTING)
Breeds in mature ponderosa pine,
montane hardwood-conifer,
mixed conifer, Douglas fir,
redwood, redfir, and Jeffery pine
habitats. Nests usually 25-125ft
above ground in a conifer.
Strawberry Valley;
Humbolt Peak; Cohasset;
Cascade; Brush Creek;
Paradise East; Stirling
City; Kimshew Point
LAWRENCE’S GOLDFINCH
Carduelis lawrencei
FSC; --; --
(NESTING)
Nests in open oak or other arid
woodland and chaparral habitats
near water.
Cherokee; Oroville;
Cohasset; Pardise West;
Hamlin Canyon; Chico,
Richardson Springs
LEWIS’ WOODPECKER
Melanerpes lewis
FSC; --; --
(NESTING)
Open, deciduous and conifer
habitats with brushy understory,
and scattered snags and live trees
for nesting and perching.
Strawberry Valley;
Cohasset; Brush Creek;
Paradise East; Berry
Creek; Forbestown
LITTLE WILLOW FLYCATCHER
Empidonax traillii brewsteri
FSC; --; --
(NESTING)
Nests in shrubby riparian
vegetation with some surface
water or saturated soil
conditions.
Foster Island; Ord Ferry;
Llano Seco; Butte City;
Sanborn Slough; Gridley;
Honcut; Biggs; Palermo;
Oroville; Oroville Dam
LOGGERHEAD SHRIKE
Lanius ludovicianus
FSC; CSC; --
(NESTING)
Open habitats with scattered
shrubs, trees, post, fences, utility
lines, or other perches.
Palermo; Bangor; Chico;
Hamlin Canyon; Shippee;
Cherokee
NOTHERN HARRIER
Circus cyaneus
--; CSC; --
(NESTING)
Occurs from annual grassland up
to montane coniferous forest
regions. Ground nester in
shrubby vegetation, usually in
moist areas such as a marsh or
creek edge with emergent
wetland vegetation.
Biggs; West of Biggs;
Nelson; Palermo;
Oroville; Shippee; Ord
Ferry; Llano Seco; Foster
Island
NORTHERN GOSHAWK
Accipiter gentilis
FSC; CSC; --
(NESTING)
Frequents middle to higher
elevations and mature dense
conifer forests. Nests typically
found in dense stands of large
pines, on North facing slopes
near a water source.
Kimshew Point;
Strawberry Valley;
Forbestown; Humbolt
Peak; Jonesville; Clipper
Mills; Cohasset; Cascade;
Brush Creek; Paradise
East; Stirling City
NUTTALL’S WOODPECKER
Picoides nuttalli
--; --; SLC Permanent resident of low-
elevation riparian deciduous and
oak habitats.
Foster Island; Nord;
Richardson Springs; Ord
Ferry; Llano Seco; West
of Biggs; Sanborn
Slough; Gridley; Honcutl
Biggs; Palermo
OAK TITMOUSE
Baeolophus inornatus
--; --; SLC; --Oak and pine-oak woodland,
chaparral, and oak-riparian
habitats.
Cohasset; Richardson
Springs; Hamlin Canyon;
Cherokee; Oroville;
Shippee; Nelson;
Palermo; Bangor; Chico
Chapter 13: Biological Resources
Final Draft August 8, 2005
Butte County General Plan Background Report
64
Common Name & Scientific
Name
Regulatory Status Habitat Potential to Occur but
not limited to the
following Quads in
Butte County
OLIVE-SIDED FLYCATCHER
Contopus cooperi
FSC; --; --
(NESTING)
Summer resident in a wide
variety of forest and woodland
habitats. Nesting habitats include
mixed conifer, montane
hardwood-conifer, Douglas fir,
redwood, red fir and lodgepole
pine.
Strawberry Valley;
Humbolt Peak;
Jonesville; Cohasset;
Cascade; Brush Creek;
Paradise East; Stirling
City; Kimshew Point
RED-BREASTED SAPSUCKER
Sphyrapicus ruber
FSC; --; --
(NESTING)
Yearlong resident in openly
wood and mountainous areas.
Nesting habitat includes montane
riparian, aspen, montane
hardwood-conifer, mixed
conifer, and red fir, often near
meadows, clearings, lakes and
slow-moving streams.
Forbestown; Clipper
Mills; Strawberry Valley;
Humbolt Peak;
Jonesville; Cohasset;
Cascade; Brush Creek;
Paradise East; Stirling
City; Kimshew Point;
Butte Meadows
RUFOUS HUMMINGBIRD
Selasphorus rufus
FSC; --; --
(NESTING)
Inhabits hardwood, hardwood-
conifer, meadows, riparian, and
chaparral habitats. Nests in an
open cup, usually on sloping
branch near the ground.
Forbestown; Oroville;
Bangor; Berry Creek;
Pulga; Paradise East;
Paradise West; Striling
City; Cohasset; Cherokee
SHORT-EARED OWL
Asio flammeus
FSC; CSC; --
(NESTING)
A winter resident of California
and occasionally still breeds in
northern California. Usually
occurs in open areas with few
trees including grasslands,
prairies, dunes, meadows,
irrigated lands, and emergent
wetlands.
Nelson; Shippee; Hamlin
Canyon
SWAINSON’S HAWK
Buteo swainsoni
FSC; CT; --
(NESTING)
Nests in isolated trees or riparian
woodlands adjacent to suitable
foraging habitat (agricultural
fields, grasslands, etc.).
Chico; Richardson
Springs NW; Llano Seco;
Pennington; Ord Ferry;
Nelson; Foster Island
TRICOLORED BLACKBIRD
Agelaius tricolor
FSC; CSC; --
(NESTING COLONY)
Nests in dense blackberry,
cattail, tules, willow, or wild rose
within emergent wetlands
throughout the Central Valley
and foothills surrounding the
valley.
Shippee; Pennington;
Gridley; Sanborn Slough
VAUX’S SWIFT
Chaetura vauxi
FSC; CSC; --
(NESTING)
Nests within large hollow trees
and snags in conifer habitats.
Kimshew Point;
Strawberry Valley;
Forbestown; Humbolt
Peak; Jonesville; Clipper
Mills; Cohasset; Cascade;
Brush Creek; Paradise
East; Stirling City;
WESTERN BURROWING OWL
Athene cunicularia hypugaea
FSC; CSC; --
(BURROW SITES)
Nests in burrows in the ground,
often in old ground squirrel
burrows or badger, within open
dry grassland and desert habitat.
Nelson; Hamlin Canyon;
Chico; West of Biggs
Chapter 13: Biological Resources
Final Draft August 8, 2005
Butte County General Plan Background Report
65
Common Name & Scientific
Name
Regulatory Status Habitat Potential to Occur but
not limited to the
following Quads in
Butte County
WESTERN YELLOW-BILLED
CUCKOO
Coccyzus americanus
occidentalis
FSC; CE; --Nesting restricted to riverbottoms
and other mesic habitats where
humidity is high.
Foster Island; Ord Ferry;
Llano Seco; Sanborn
Slough
WHITE-FACED IBIS
Plegadis chihi
FSC; CSC; --
(ROOKERY SITE)
Nests in dense, fresh emergent
wetlands.
Llano Seco; Ord Ferry;
Pennington; Sanborn
Slough; Gridley; Foster
Island
WHITE-HEADED WOODPECKER
Picoides albolarvatus
--; --; SLC Yearlong resident of montane
coniferous habitats near natural
openings or along the edges of
clearing or roads.
Kimshew Point;
Strawberry Valley;
Forbestown; Humbolt
Peak; Jonesville; Clipper
Mills; Cohasset; Cascade;
Brush Creek; Paradise
East; Stirling City;
RAPTORS (BIRDS OF PREY:
FALCONS. HAWKS, OWLS, ETC.)
AND OTHER MIGRATORY AND
RESIDENT BIRDS
MBTA; §3503.5 DFG
Code
Large trees and riparian
woodlands for nesting.
All Quads within the
county
Mammals
FRINGED MYOTIS BAT
Myotis thysanodes
FSC; --; --Various habitats such as valley
foothill hardwoods, and
hardwood-conifer habitats,
roosting in caves, mines,
buildings, and crevices.
Forbestown; Oroville;
Bangor; Berry Creek;
Pulga; Paradise East;
Paradise West; Striling
City; Cohasset; Cherokee
GREATER WESTERN MASTIFF
BAT
Eumops perotis californicus
FSC; CSC; --Inhabits open areas in annual and
perinnial grasslands, coniferous
and deciduous woodlands, with
potential roost locations having
vertical faces to drop off from
and take flight, such as crevices
in rock outcrops and cliff faces,
tunnels and tall buildings.
All Quads within the
county
LONG-EARED MYOTIS BAT
Myotis evotis
FSC; --; --Resides in various habitats such
as brush, woodland and conifer
forest, roosting on buildings, in
crevices, spaces under bark, and
snags.
All Quads within the
county
LONG-LEGGED MYOTIS BAT
Myotis volans
FSC; --; --Occurs in woodland and
coniferous forest habitats above
4000 feet, roosting in rock
crevices, buildings, under tree
bark, snags, mines and caves.
Jonesville; Humbolt
Peak; Kimshew Point;
Soapstone Hill; Cascade;
Strawberry Valley
MARYSVILLE HEERMANN’S
KANGAROO RAT
Dipodomys californicus
eximius
FSC; CSC; --Annual grasslands, mixed and
montane chaparral, young valley
foothill hardwood, and valley
foothill hardwood-conifer
habitats.
Unknown
Chapter 13: Biological Resources
Final Draft August 8, 2005
Butte County General Plan Background Report
66
Common Name & Scientific
Name
Regulatory Status Habitat Potential to Occur but
not limited to the
following Quads in
Butte County
PACIFIC FISHER
Martes pennanti pacifica
FSC; --; --Occurs in intermediate to large-
tree stages of coniferous forests
and deciduous-riparian habitats
with a high percentage of canopy
closure.
Kimshew Point;
Strawberry Valley;
Forbestown; Humbolt
Peak; Jonesville; Clipper
Mills; Cohasset; Cascade;
Brush Creek; Paradise
East; Stirling City
PACIFIC WESTERN BIG-EARED
BAT
Corynorhinus townsendii
townsendii
FSC; CSC; --Found at elevations ranging from
sea level to 3,500 feet and is
dependent on cliffs, caves, and
old mines for roosting, nursery,
and hibernation sites.
All Quads within the
county
PALE TOWNSEND’S BIG-EARED
BAT
Corynorhinus townsendii
pallescens
FSC; CSC; --Prefers mesic habitats and
require caves, mines, tunnels,
buildings or other human-made
structures for roosting.
All Quads within the
county
SAN JOAQUIN POCKET MOUSE
Perognathus inornatus
FSC; --; --Annual grassland and scrub
habitats with fine-textured soil
conditions.
Nelson; Shippee; Biggs;
Oroville; Cherokee;
Richardson Springs
SIERRA NEVADA SHOWSHOE
HARE
Lepus americanus tahoensis
FSC; CSC; --Occurs in young growth mixed
conifer, subalpine conifer, red fir,
Jeffery pine, lodgepole pine, and
often utilizes habitats with dense
understory along forest edges
near meadows.
Humbolt Peak,
Jonesville,Kimshew Point
SMALL-FOOTED MYOTIS BAT
Myotis ciliolabrum
FSC; --; --Occurs in a wide variety of
habitats, primarily in relatively
arid wooded and brushy uplands
near water, roosting in caves,
buildings, mines, and crevices.
All Quads within the
county
SPOTTED BAT
Euderma maculatum
FSC; CSC; --Habitats occupied range from
grasslands through mixed
coniferous forests. Roost mainly
in rock crevices but occasionally
is found in caves and buildings.
All Quads within the
county
YUMA MYOTIS BAT
Myotis yumanensis
FSC; CSC; --Reside in open forests and
woodland habitats with sources
of water over which to feed.
Roost in buildings, mines, caves,
and crevices.
Kimshew Point; Humbolt
Peak; Jonesville;
Cohasset; Paradise West;
Oroville; Bangor
FE = federal endangered FT = federal threatened FSC = federal species of concern FPD =federal proposed for delisting FPT =
federal proposed threatened FC = federal candidate FD = federal delisted
CE = state endangered CT = state threatened CR = state rare CSC = California species of special concern CC = state candidate
for listing
SLC = species of local concern
Chapter 13: Biological Resources
Final Draft August 8, 2005
Butte County General Plan Background Report
67
Common Name & Scientific
Name
Regulatory Status Habitat Potential to Occur but
not limited to the
following Quads in
Butte County
Sources:
California Department of Fish and Game (CDFG). California Natural Diversity Database. (CBDDB: Butte County Quadrangles, 2003)
Sacramento, CA.
Jennings, M. R. and M. H. Hayes. 1994. Amphibian and Reptile Species of Special Concern in California. California Department of Fish and
Game. Rancho Cordova, CA.
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS). 2003. Federal and Endangered and Threatened Species that may be Affected by Projects in Butte
County 7.5 minute Quadrangles. Sacramento, CA.
Zeiner D. C., W. F., Laudenslayer Jr., K.E., Mayer, and M. White, eds. 1988. California’s Wildlife Vol. I: Amphibian and Reptiles. State of
California: The Resource Agency, Department of Fish and Game, Sacramento, CA.
Zeiner D. C., W. F., Laudenslayer Jr., K.E., Mayer, and M. White, eds. 1990a. California’s Wildlife Vol. II: Birds. State of California: The
Resource Agency, Department of Fish and Game, Sacramento, CA.
Zeiner D. C., W. F., Laudenslayer Jr., K.E., Mayer, and M. White, eds. 1990b. California’s Wildlife Vol. III: Mammals. State of California: The
Resource Agency, Department of Fish and Game, Sacramento, CA.
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TABLE 13-4
PROPOSED CRITICAL HABITATS IN BUTTE COUNTY
Common Name and Scientific
Name Unit #Acreage Location in County by USGS Quad Name
Crustaceans
3 27,883.39
Vina, Richardson Springs NW, Campbell
Mound, Foster Island, Nord, Richardson
Springs, Paradise West VERNAL POOL TADPOLE SHRIMP
Lepidurus packardi
4 39,473.68 Chico, Hamlin Canyon, Cherokee, Nelson,
Shipee, Oroville
7 27,883.39
Vina, Richardson Springs NW, Campbell
Mound, Foster Island, Nord, Richardson
Springs, Paradise West,
VERNAL POOL FAIRY SHRIMP
Brachinecta lynchi
9 3,597.84 Chico, Hamlin Canyon,
CONSERVANCY FAIRY SHRIMP
Brachinecta conservatio 1 19,637.52
Vina, Richardson Springs NW, Campbell
Mound, Foster Island, Nord, Richardson
Springs, Paradise West
Plants
1 13,130.66 Richardson Springs NW, Campbell Mound,
Nord, Richardson Springs
2 8,667.19 Nord, Richardson Springs
3 4,190.89 Richardson Springs, Paradise West, Chico,
Hamlin Canyon
BUTTE COUNTY MEADOWFOAM
Limnanthes floccosa ssp. californica
4 12,382.40 Shippee, Oroville
2 1,964.00 Vina, Richardson Springs NW, Foster Island,
Nord
3 2,417.91 Hamlin Canyon
GREEN'S TUCTORIA
Tuctoria greenei
4 737.64 Biggs
SLENDER ORCUTT GRASS
Orcuttia tenuis 1 1,964.00
Vina, Richardson Springs NW, Foster Island,
Nord
1 1,964.00
Vina, Richardson Springs NW, Foster Island,
NordHAIRY ORCUTT GRASS
Orcuttia pilosa 2 2,417.91 Hamlin Canyon
1 1,964.00
Vina, Richardson Springs NW, Foster Island,
NordHOOVER'S SPURGE
Chamaesyce hooveri 2 2,417.91 Hamlin Canyon
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13.5 AGRICULTURAL RESOURCES
Overview
Butte County possesses fertile soils, abundant water resources, and a relatively long growing
season. Agriculture continues to be one of the major elements of the county’s economic base
despite greater diversification over the past decade. Because the soils and operating system are
different for cultivated agriculture and livestock ranching, particularly for cattle and sheep,
agriculture in Butte County is divided into two subareas: 1) orchard and field crops, which
includes field crops, seed crops, vegetable crops, fruit and nut crops, nursery stock, and apiary
products; and 2) grazing and open land, which involves animal husbandry forms of agriculture.
The Butte County Agricultural Commissioner’s Office identified the total value of the county’s
agricultural commodities in 2001 at $287,503,000. Historically, field crops (e.g., rice) and fruit
and nut orchard crops (e.g., almonds and prunes) are the main agricultural commodities raised in
Butte County, with cattle production heading the list of the county’s largest extensive
agricultural activity. In 2001 fruit and nut crops, nursery stock, livestock products, livestock and
poultry production and apiary increased in value, while seed crops, vegetable crops and timber
production decreased in value.
Agricultural Land Conservation
The California Land Conservation Act of 1965 (California Government Code Sections 51200-
51297.4), commonly known as the Williamson Act, contains the statutes governing the
administration of its various activities. Under the Williamson Act, an owner of agricultural land
may enter into a contract with the county whereby the landowner agrees to restrict the use of the
land to the production of commercial food or fiber for a term of not less than ten years. The term
of the contract is automatically extended each year unless notice of cancellation or nonrenewal is
given. Certain compatible uses are also allowed on the property. In return, the landowner is taxed
on the capitalization of the income from the land, and not on the fair market value.
In 1998, the Williamson Act was amended to provide for the establishment of “Farmland
Security Zones” (FSZs). The FSZ legislation authorizes landowners to petition the county board
of supervisors to rescind their existing Williamson Act contract in favor of a new FSZ Contract.
The FSZ Contracts must be for at least a 20-year period. The land is valued for assessment
purposes at 65 percent of the current fair market valuation (a 35 percent reduction) by enrolling it
into FSZ Contracts. The landowner must have an existing Williamson Act contract before the
board can approve a FSZ Contract. For land not currently in a Williamson Act contract, the
board may allow enrollment of the land into a Williamson Act contract, then authorize the
immediate rescission of those contracts in favor of FSZ Contracts.
Only land that is classified in one of the four main agricultural categories on FMMP maps (Prime
Farmland, Farmland of Statewide Importance, Unique Farmland, or Farmland of Local
Importance) is eligible for enrollment in Farmland Security Zone (FSZ) contracts. Under FSZ
contracts, landowners receive substantial property tax benefits for committing to keep their land
in agricultural use for 20-year periods.
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The Open Space Subvention Act of 1971 (California Government Code Sections 16140-16154)
contains the statutes governing subvention payments to cities and counties for lands enrolled
under Williamson Act or Farmland Security Zone contracts or other defined enforceable
restrictions. Regulations have also been approved to support the Open Space Subvention Act
(California Code of Regulations (CCR), Title 14, Division 6, Articles 1 & 2).
Soil Quality and Evaluation Systems
The Division of Land Resource Protection in the California Department of Conservation
conducts the Farmland Mapping and Monitoring Program (FMMP). The FMMP is a biennial
mapping survey that covers approximately 90 percent of the privately-owned land in the state
(44.5 million acres) in 48 counties. Local, state, and federal-owned land including National
Parks, Forests, and Bureau of Land Management lands is not mapped. Using a geographic
information system (GIS), air photos, local input, and other information, FMMP combines soil
quality data and current land use information to produce Important Farmland Maps. Technical
ratings of the soils and current land use information are combined to determine the appropriate
map category. The program is funded through the State’s Soil Conservation Fund. This fund
receives revenues from Williamson Act contract cancellation fees.
The following categories of land are mapped in the FMMP:
• Prime Farmland has the best combination of physical and chemical features able to
sustain long-term agricultural production. This land has the soil quality, growing season,
and moisture supply needed to produce sustained high yields. Land must have been used
for irrigated agricultural production at some time during the four years prior to the
mapping date.
• Farmland of Statewide Importance is similar to Prime Farmland but with minor
shortcomings, such as greater slopes or less ability to store soil moisture. Land must have
been used for irrigated agricultural production at some time during the four years prior to
the mapping date.
• Unique Farmland consists of lesser quality soils used for the production of the state's
leading agricultural crops. This land is usually irrigated, but may include nonirrigated
orchards or vineyards as found in some climatic zones in California. Land must have
been cropped at some time during the four years prior to the mapping date.
• Farmland of Local Importance is land of importance to the local agricultural economy as
determined by each county's board of supervisors and a local advisory committee.
• Grazing Land is land on which the existing vegetation is suited to the grazing of livestock.
This category was developed in cooperation with the California Cattlemen's Association,
University of California Cooperative Extension, and other groups interested in the extent
of grazing activities. The minimum mapping unit is 40 acres.
• Urban and Built-up Land is occupied by structures with a building density of at least 1
unit to 1.5 acres, or approximately 6 structures to a 10-acre parcel. Common examples
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include residential, industrial, commercial, institutional facilities, cemeteries, airports,
golf courses, sanitary landfills, sewage treatment, and water control structures.
• Other Land is land not included in any other mapping category. Common examples
include low density rural developments; brush, timber, wetland, and riparian areas not
suitable for livestock grazing; confined livestock, poultry or aquaculture facilities; strip
mines, borrow pits; and water bodies smaller than forty acres. Vacant and nonagricultural
land surrounded on all sides by urban development and greater than 40 acres is mapped
as Other Land.
• Water is perennial water bodies with an extent of at least 40 acres.
The Williamson Act defines prime agricultural land as (Government Code Section 51201(c)):
• All land that qualifies for rating as class I or class II in the Natural Resource
Conservation Service land use capability classifications.
• Land which qualifies for rating 80 through 100 in the Storie Index Rating.
• Land which supports livestock used for the production of food and fiber and which has an
annual carrying capacity equivalent to at least one animal unit per acre as defined by the
United States Department of Agriculture.
• Land planted with fruit- or nut-bearing trees, vines, bushes or crops which have a
nonbearing period of less than five years and which will return during the commercial
bearing period on an annual basis from the production of unprocessed agricultural plant
production not less than two hundred dollars ($200) per acre
• Land which has returned from the production of unprocessed agricultural plant products an
annual gross value of not less than two hundred dollars ($200) per acre for three of the
previous five years.
The FMMP uses some simplifying assumptions for analyses for agricultural land categories in
order to conduct comparative analysis. For example, Unique Farmland is considered to be an
irrigated farmland category, even though a small percentage of land within the Unique Farmland
category supports high value nonirrigated crops, such as some coastal vineyards. Conversely,
Farmland of Local Importance is considered to be a nonirrigated category although it also
supports some irrigated pasture on lower quality soils.
There are only two soil surveys published by the Natural Resources Conservation Service
(NRCS) (previously the Soil Conservation Service (SCS)) of the U.S. Department of Agriculture
(USDA) for the Butte County area: one of the Chico area (1925) and one of the Oroville area
(1926) (both out of print). There is not a survey for all of Butte County. In 1967, the SCS
published a Report and Generalized Soil Map. However, this information is only detailed enough
for use by communities in general planning. As of 2003, the California office of the NRCS lists
the mapping status of the “Butte Area” as “Project Soil Survey in Progress.”
Because Butte County does not have a modern USDA soil survey, it is in “Interim” status under
the FMMP. In areas where no USDA soil survey is available, Interim Farmland categories allow
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FMMP to monitor land use until soils data becomes available. The following categories
substitute for the categories of Prime, Statewide, Unique, and Local. All other map categories are
as described above.
• Irrigated Farmland is land with a developed irrigation water supply that is dependable
and of adequate quality. Land must have been used for irrigated agricultural production at
some time during the four years prior to the mapping date.
• Nonirrigated Farmland is land on which agricultural commodities are produced on a
continuing or cyclic basis utilizing stored soil moisture. Wheat and other grains are the
most common nonirrigated crops.
The California Farmland Conversion Report 1998-2000 (December 2002) is the eighth
produced by the FMMP, and covers the 1998 to 2000 period. Table 13-5 below summarizes the
inventory of land in Butte County for 1998 and 2000 and the change from 1999 to 2000. As
shown in the table, Butte County lost 5,685 net acres of irrigated farmland and 1,471 net acres of
non-irrigated farmland from 1998 to 2000. Figure 13-6 below shows a map of the land
classifications for Butte County in the report.
TABLE 13-5
BUTTE COUNTY AGRICULTURAL LAND SUMMARY
AND CHANGE BY LAND USE CATEGORY
1998-2000
Total Acreage Inventoried 1998-2000 Acreage Changes
LAND USE CATEGORY 1998 2000 Acres Lost
(-)
Acres
Gained (+)
Total
Acreage
Changed
Net Acreage
Changed
Irrigated Farmland 255,099 249,414 9,000 3,315 12,315 -5,685
Nonirrigated Farmland 9,372 7,901 1,664 193 1,857 -1,471
Interim Farmland Subtotal 264,471 257,315 10,664 3,508 14,172 -7,156
Grazing Land 264,778 264,982 3,090 3,294 6,384 204
Agricultural Land Subtotal 529,249 522,297 13,754 6,802 20,556 -6,952
Urban And Built-Up Land 39,243 40,185 1,147 2,089 3,236 942
Other Land 327,774 333,784 2,029 8,039 10,068 6,010
Water Area 21,643 21,643 0 0 0 0
Total Area Inventoried 917,909 917,909 16,930 16,930 33,860 0
Source: Division of Land Resource Protection, California Department of Conservation California Farmland Conversion Report 1998-
2000(December 2002)
Table 13-6 below shows a more detailed breakdown of changes in the land use categories from
1998 to 2000.
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TABLE 13-6
BUTTE COUNTY AGRICULTURAL LAND USE CONVERSION
1998 TO 2000
Converted to:
Total
Converted
To
Another
Use
LAND USE CATEGORY Irrigated
Farmland
Non-
irrigated
Farmland
Subtotal
Interim
Farmland
Grazing
Land
Total
Agricultural
Land
Urban
and
Built-
Up
Land
Other
Land
Water
Area
Total
Converted
To
Another
Use
Irrigated Farmland (1) -- 157 157 1,940 2,097 817 6,086 0 9,000
Nonirrigated Farmland 208 -- 208 643 851 2 811 0 1,664
INTERIM FARMLAND
SUBTOTAL
208 157 365 2,583 2,948 819 6,897 0 10,664
Grazing Land (2)1,642 15 1,657 -- 1,657 604 829 0 3,090
AGRICULTURAL
LAND SUBTOTAL
1,850 172 2,022 2,583 4,605 1,423 7,726 0 13,754
Urban and Built-Up Land
(3)
407 6 413 421 834 -- 313 0 1,147
Other Land (2)1,058 15 1,073 290 1,363 666 -- 0 2,029
Water Area 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 -- 0
TOTAL ACREAGE
CONVERTED
3,315 193 3,508 3,294 6,802 2,089 8,039 0 16,930
Source: Division of Land Resource Protection, California Department of Conservation California Farmland Conversion Report 1998-
2000(December 2002)
Notes:
(1) Conversion to Grazing Land and Other Land due to land left idle for three or more update cycles, newly identified ranchettes throughout the
county, and expansion of the Llano Seco Rancho, Sacramento River and Upper Butte Basin Wildlife Areas.
(2) Conversion to Irrigated Farmland due to new orchards, rice fields, and irrigated pasture primarily in the western portion of the county.
(3) Conversions from Urban and Built-Up Land are primarily the result of refinements made to the urban boundary.
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162
70
162
99
32
PARADISE
OROVILLE
BIGGS
GRIDLEY
CHICO
AGRICULTURAL LANDS
Figure 13-6
Butte County
General Plan
Miles02468101
Source: California Department of Conservation, Farmland Mapping and Monitoring Program
Date printed: June 20, 2003
Legend
LAND TYPE
GRAZING LAND
IRRIGATED FARMLAND
NON-IRRIGATED FARMLAND
NOT SURVEYED
OTHER LAND
URBAN AND BUILT-UP LAND
WATER
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Existing and Potential Agricultural Development
In 1967, the U.S. Soil Conservation Service (SCS) (now the Natural Resource Conservation
Service (NRCS)) published a Report and Generalized Soil Map for use by communities in
general planning. The Land Capability Classification system used by the SCS classifies
agricultural soils based on effective soil depth, texture, water retention characteristics, slope,
erosion potential, drainage, and alkalinity-salinity factors as they relate to climate and
precipitation. As shown in Table 13-7 below, soils are divided into eight classes indicated by
Roman numerals based on these characteristics. Soils with ratings of I through IV are considered
suitable for cultivation, while soils in Classes V through VIII are generally unsuited for
cultivated agriculture, although these soils may be used for range, watershed, wildlife and other
non-intensive agricultural uses. Class I and II soils are considered “prime” agricultural land,
Class III soils are considered “good”, and Class IV soils are considered “fairly good” for
agricultural use.
TABLE 13-7
SOIL CONSERVATION SERVICE (SCS) LAND CAPABILITIES CLASSIFICATION
Class Land Suited for Cultivation and Other uses Limitations Uses
I none/few cultivated crops, pasture, range, woodland or wildlife
II few cultivated crops, pasture, range, woodland or wildlife
III more than II cultivated crops, pasture, range, woodland or wildlife
IV more than III cultivated crops, pasture, range, woodland or wildlife
Land Limited in Use - Generally Not Suited for
Cultivation
V moderate pasture, range, woodland or wildlife
VI severe pasture, range, woodland or wildlife
VII very severe range, woodland or wildlife
VIII extreme recreation, wildlife or watershed
Source: United States Department of Agriculture, Soil Conservation Service, 1967.
Note: Although this classification system is from 1967 it is still used today.
Table 13-8 below shows an inventory of the Class I through IV SCS soil classifications for Butte
County. The area of each soil association was measured with a planimeter. The SCS land
classifications and associated capability classifications for Butte County are mapped in Figure
13-7 below.
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TABLE 13-8
INVENTORY OF INTENSIVE AGRICULTURAL SOIL RESOURCES
Soil Association Acres
Percentage of
County
Percentage of
Ag Land Percentage of SCS Class
SCS Class I-II 142,250 13.4 36.1 ----
Columbia 44,040 4.1 11.2 31.0
Vina-Farwell 84,640 7.9 21.5 59.5
Honcut 13,570 1.3 3.5 9.5
SCS Class III 173,720 16.3 44.1 ----
Conejo - Berrendos 17,430 1.6 4.4 10.0
Stockton - Sacramento 117,810 11.1 29.9 67.8
Landlow - Marvin 16,030 1.5 4.1 9.2
Anita 19,350 1.8 4.9 11.1
Keefers 3,100 0.3 0.8 1.8
SCS Class IV 77,750 7.3 19.8 ----
Redding-San Joaquin-
Rocklin 49,840 4.7 12.7 64.1
Corning - Keefers 13,520 1.3 3.4 17.1
Peters 13,520 1.3 3.4 17.4
Total Ag. (I -IV)393,720
Sources: United States Department of Agriculture, Soil Conservation Service, 1967; and 1993 Butte County Draft General Plan Background Report
(unpublished)
Orchard and Field Crops
Orchard and Field Crops are defined as all agricultural practices involving cultivation of the land
for the production of field crops, seed crops, vegetable crops, fruit and nut crops, nursery stock,
and apiary (bee keeping) products
As shown in Figure 13-7, most of the Class I-II soils in Butte County are found in the Chico and
Gridley areas, with additional expanses located along the Sacramento and Feather Rivers. The
relationship between these soils and the stream courses is particularly evident. Class III soils are
concentrated in the southwest portion of the county, with secondary areas north and south of
Chico. Class IV soils are terrace soils and as such are located in the margins of the valley,
particularly in the south-central portion of the county south of Oroville. While the soils of this
area are shown mostly as Class IV, they can, with irrigation water, be valuable for the production
of rice.
Four soil associations collectively account for approximately 75 percent of the county’s
agricultural soil resources. These soil associations are the Stockton-Sacramento (Class III, rice),
Vina-Farwell (Class I-II, orchards), Redding-San Joaquin-Rocklin (Class IV, rice, pasture, and
hay), and Columbia (Class I-II, orchards).
More important than the individual soil types or associations is the geographic distribution of soil
by SCS class. Approximately 142,250 acres of “prime”, Class I-II agricultural soils occur in
Butte County. While these soils account for 13 percent of the total county, they represent
approximately 36 percent of all orchard and field crops soils. Of the soils in this category, nearly
60 percent are included in the Vina-Farwell association. The largest amount, an estimated
173,720 acres, is considered good, Class III agricultural soils. Soils in this category represent 16
percent of the county and 44 percent of all agricultural soils. The Stockton-Sacramento soil
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association alone accounts for over two-thirds of these soils. Approximately 77,750 acres are
considered to be Class IV or fairly good agricultural soil. The smallest of the three categories
inventoried, these soils account for seven percent of the county’s land area and nearly 20 percent
of all agricultural soils. The Redding-San Joaquin-Rocklin soil is the largest soil association in
this category. In total, agricultural soils ranging from prime to fairly good account for 393,720
acres or 37 percent of Butte County’s land area (see Table 13-8).
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191
162
70
162
99
32
PARADISE
OROVILLE
BIGGS
GRIDLEY
CHICO
LAND CAPABILITY
Figure 13-7
Butte County
General Plan
Miles02468101
Source: Natural Resource Conservation Service, 1967
Date printed: June 6, 2003
Legend
Lakes
SOIL CLASS
Class I - Very good cultivatable land
Class II - Good cultivable land
Class III - Moderately good cultivable land
Class IV - Fairly good land, suitable for occasional cultivation
Class V - None in Butte County
Class VI - Very good for grazing or forestry
Class VII - Fairly good for grazing or forestry
Class VIII - Soils and landforms restrict their uses
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Areas of Riparian and Other Native Vegetation
To obtain a more accurate inventory of agricultural soil resources, it is necessary to account for
riparian vegetation, marsh vegetation, and other semi-permanent areas of native vegetation.
Many of the areas that contain essentially native vegetation and riparian habitat have soil
limitations such as seasonal high water tables, excessively rocky soils, or other factors which
preclude use for intensive cultivated agriculture.
The Division of Planning and Local Assistance (DPLA) of the California Department of Water
Resources (DWR) produces a land use survey data set for each county in the state to aid DWR in
determining the amount of and changes in the use of water based on land use changes.The data is
gathered using aerial photography and field visits. DWR inventories detailed agricultural land
uses and lesser detailed urban and native vegetation land uses. 1994 is the most recent year that
DWR has compiled data for Butte County (1994 Butte County Land Use Data).
Work done for the 1993 Butte County Draft General Plan Background Report (unpublished)
compared the SCS soil capability data shown in Figure 13-7 and compared it to areas of riparian
and/or semi-permanent native vegetation identified on the 1981 DWR Land Use Inventory Maps.
Each area was measured with a planimeter and subtracted from the appropriate soil class. Table
13-9 shows the results of this analysis.
Riparian, marsh, and/or other semi-permanent native vegetation grows on approximately 28,380
acres or 7.2 percent of the county’s agricultural soils. The balance of 365,340 acres better reflects
the area of agricultural soils available for use in Butte County. Relatively larger amounts of this
vegetation are found in Class I-II and Class III areas. Since most Class I-II soils are alluvial in
origin, they tend to be located adjacent to the county’s major rivers and streams, including the
Sacramento and Feather Rivers, Butte Creek, Big Chico Creek, and Little Chico Creek.
Extensive areas of Class III soils located in the Butte Sink are perennial or seasonal marshes.
Relatively fewer areas of the Class IV or terrace soils are affected by conditions favorable to the
maintenance of native vegetation.
TABLE 13-9
AREA DEVOTED TO RIPARIAN AND/OR OTHER
SEMI-PERMANENT NATIVE VEGETATION
Acres Percentage of Ag Soils Percentage of Class
1. SCS Class I - II 142,250 36.1 100.0
Native Vegetation 13,590 3.5 9.6
Balance 128,660 32.7 90.5
2. SCS Class III 173,720 44.1 100.0
Native Vegetation 12,540 3.2 7.2
Balance 161,180 40.9 92.8
3. SCS Class IV 77,750 19.8 100.0
Native Vegetation 2,250 0.6 2.9
Balance 75,500 19.2 97.1
Total 393,720
Sources: Califronia Department of Water Resources, Land Use Inventory Map (1981); 1993 Butte County Draft General Plan Background Report
(unpublished)
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Conversion to Urban Development
The conversion of agricultural soils to urban uses (e.g., residential dwellings, commercial-
industrial uses, streets, and roads) is an irreversible process. Once land is committed to urban
development, it is virtually impossible to return the resources to a condition that permits the
production of food and fiber.
A similar but more complicated problem involves the subdivision of agricultural land into
parcels too small for full-time commercial agricultural operations, and perhaps even beyond the
parcel size which might be economically useful for part-time or hobby farming. Defining these
thresholds is both difficult and controversial. Although there is much disagreement about the
“economic viability” of smaller parcels (five to ten acres), there is a general consensus that
parcels of less than ten acres are rural residential and not agricultural in nature. An examination
of Assessor’s parcel maps indicates that except for the Durham-Dayton and Palermo areas, most
of the areas with parcels of five acres or less are generally located in areas designated for future
urban or rural residential use. Small parcels are scattered throughout the county’s agricultural
lands.
Butte County’s Prime Agricultural Soil Resources
Section 51201(c) of the Government Code defines prime agricultural land in conjunction with
the Williamson Act. These definitions described earlier are widely accepted not only for the
Williamson Act, but in state and local planning documents (e.g., CEQA Guidelines, General Plan
Guidelines, etc.).
Two elements of these definitions are particularly important for defining prime soils associated
with diversified cultivated agriculture. An economic definition was considered necessary to
account for those agricultural lands which may be technically flawed but are exceptionally
valuable. Examples of valuable crops grown on technically inferior soils include grapes, citrus,
avocados, brussels sprouts, and rice. Clearly the 116,280 acres of Class I-II soils are prime. The
Class III and IV soils, however, require further analysis based on the second definition. Nearly
all of the Class III soils and an increasing amount of the Class IV soils in the south-central area
of the county (south of Palermo between SR 70 and the Palermo-Honcut Road) are devoted to
rice. Rice and its gross value per acre can be used as an indicator in these areas to determine
whether they are in fact prime soils.
The $200 per acre value was established in 1965 in conjunction with the Williamson Act. That
value represented an approximate statewide per acre average value of cultivated agricultural
crops at the time. Inflation, rising energy costs, and other factors have substantially changed the
basic threshold value. A comparison of average values for rice and other agricultural crops in
1965 and in 2001 would provide an indicator of whether the gross value of these soils remains
beyond the threshold for prime soils. Excluding non-irrigated pasture, the gross value per acre of
rice and all crops in 1965 and 2001 is compared in Table 13-10.
Rice, which had a gross value per acre of $264.98 in 1965, exceeded the original threshold value
by nearly 33 percent, while all crops exceeded this value by 39 percent. By 2001, the gross value
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per acre had increased by 413 percent for rice and 219 percent for all crops. Since rice lands
originally met the prime land standard in relation to all crops, it is reasonable to conclude from
this information that rice lands continue to meet this standard in spite of changing values. As a
result, Class III soils in Butte County can also be considered prime agricultural land.
Over the past years, Class IV soils, particularly in the area north of Biggs and south of Palermo
to Honcut Creek, have been increasingly converted to rice. While farmers are handicapped by a
dependence upon groundwater resources, these soils have demonstrated an ability to produce rice
and other crops successfully. In addition to the 116,280 acres of Class I-II prime soils, it appears
that Class IV soils can be considered potential prime soils in some circumstances. Provided with
less costly surface water, these soils could support enough intensive agricultural activities to be
considered prime soil.
TABLE 13-10
GROSS VALUE PER ACRE
1965 & 2001
Rice-1965 All Crops
$264.98 $278.03
Rice 2001 All Crop 2001s
$1,095 $608
Source: Agricultural Crop Report, 1965 and 2001, Butte County Agricultural Commissioner’s Office
Crops and Crop Values
Excluding nursery stock, Butte County farms commercially raise 45 different crops (51 if seed
varieties are included). Despite this great diversity, the combined value of rice, wheat, almonds,
walnuts, and prunes together account for over three-quarters (77.6 percent) of the county’s total
harvested acreage. Table 13-11 below shows harvested acreage for all major Butte County crops
in 2001, the most recent year for which full data is available. On the whole the total harvested
acreage in Butte County is decreasing, after nearly two decades of growth in the 1960s and
1970s. In 1965, 206,232 acres were harvested, while 287,690 acres were harvested in 1981, an
increase of 39.5 percent. However, by 2001 this figure had decreased to 205,602 acres, a decline
of 29 percent. It should be noted that rice acreage in 2002 increased by 15 percent, and that nut
crop acreage continued to rise.
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TABLE 13-11
HARVESTED ACREAGE FOR BUTTE COUNTY CROPS
2001
Category Crop Type Acreage % of Category % of Cropland
Field Crops¹Total
Rice
Wheat
Irrigated Pasture
Dry beans
Safflower
remainder (18 crops)
123,368
86,000
3,500
18,400
500
900
10,183
---
69.7
2.8
14.9
.40
.72
8.3
60.0
41.8
1.7
8.9
.2
.4
4.9
Fruit and Nut Crops Total
Almonds
Walnuts
Prunes
Peaches
Olives
Kiwifruit
Remainder (16 crops)
75,835
36,058
19,125
12,229
2,300
1,300
1,241
1,774
---
47.5
25.2
16.1
3.0
1.7
1.6
2.3
38.3
17.5
9.3
5.9
1.1
0.6
0.6
0.9
Seed Crop Total
Rice
Beans
Remainder (14 crops)
5,699
2,862
875
1,962
---
50.2
15.3
34.4
2.8
1.4
0.4
1.0
Vegetable Crops
TOTAL
Total 700
205,602
---0.3
¹Includes irrigated pasture because it can include cultivated practices, including dry grazing or rangelands.
Source: 2001 Agricultural Crop Report, Butte County Agricultural Commissioner’s Office
Farm Characteristics
Across the U.S., the size of the average farm has become progressively larger. In California the
statewide trend runs counter to the national one. According to the California Department of
Agriculture’s 2002 Resource Directory, the average size of farms decreased from 2000 to 2001,
and the amount of land in agricultural production decreased from 30,800,000 to 27,700,000
acres. During the same period the number of farms in the state increased from 85,000 to 88,000.
Agricultural land use in Butte County has followed the same trends as agricultural land use in
California. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s 1997 Census of Agriculture there
were 1,942 farms in Butte County in 1997, down slightly from 1,944 in 1992. The average farm
size decreased 11 percent, from 233 acres in 1992 to 208 acres in 1997. The total amount of land
being farmed also decreased 11 percent from 452,347 acres in 1992 to 404,166 acres in 1997.
According to the Butte County Agriculture Commissioner, there is no up-to-date reliable count
of acreage or number of farms and ranches in the county.
The market value of agricultural products in Butte County had risen steadily. Between 1992 and
1997, it increased from $182,470,000 to $286,227,000. From 2000 to 2001, however, the market
value dropped substantially, from $291,345,000 to $254,625,000. The Butte County Agriculture
Commissioner estimates the 2001 market value at $287,503,000, a higher figure than that
provided by the California Department of Agriculture. According to the Butte County
Agriculture Commissioner, this discrepancy is due to differences in statistical methods and
survey designs.
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As of 1997, according to the USDA’s Agricultural Census, most farms in Butte County were 10
to 49 acres in size. The second largest category was in farms one to nine acres in size. This
matches a statewide increase in the number of farms of that size. Because of the extreme values
and wide range of crops, soils, and scales of farm operations, average farm size is useful as a
trend indicator only. Farming trends indicate that while most of the county’s farms tend to be
relatively small, a significant number of the total farms have sales over $100,000 or more. Thus,
while small farms account for 60 percent of all farm land and obviously dominate Butte
County’s agricultural sector, 422 farms in Butte County had sales over $100,000 or more. This
shows that while the number of farms are increasing in Butte County and average farm size is
decreasing, farming is continuing to remain a prosperous enterprise and a significant contributor
to the local economy. However, the trend toward smaller farm units is a factor in farmland loss
and conversion.
Table 13-12 summarizes the changes in Butte County for selected crop types between 1965 and
2001. Table 13-13 shows increases in the acreage of high-value cash crops. Almonds, walnuts,
prunes and peaches are increasing in acreage as farmers plant more of these high-value crops to
meet local and export demand. The volatility of the export market for rice and the instability of
domestic price supports has led to a 12 percent decrease in rice production from 1996 to 2001.
After a long decline, olive production increased from 1996 to 2001.
TABLE 13-12
CHANGES IN ACREAGE FOR SELECTED CROP TYPES
1965 - 2001
Year Rice Barley*Wheat Almonds Walnuts Prunes Peaches Olives
1965 57,500 22,200 5,500 14,021 4,766 4,576 3,553 4,694
1970
% change
54,100
-5.9%
11,300
-49.4%
17,000
+209.1%
18,314
+30.6%
7,961
+48.2%
6,877
+50.3%
4,387
+23.5%
4,605
-1.9%
1975
% change
84,700
+56.6%
11,900
+5.3%
24,400
+43.5%
25,783
+40.8%
8,635
+22.3%
7,277
+5.8%
4,171
-4.9%
4,605
-15.1%
1981
% change
109,000
+28.7%
3,800
-68.1%
40,000
+63.1%
30,200
+17.1%
11,459
+32.7%
7,742
+6.4%
2,854
-31.6%
2,631
-32.7%
1983
% change
61,100
-43.5%
2,700
-28.9%
17,500
-56.3%
31,523
+4.4%
11,759
+2.6%
8,090
+4.5%
1,778
-37.7%
3,122
+18.7%
1987
% change
74,220
+20.5%
3,500
+29.6%
10,000
-42.9%
38,663
+22.6%
15,692
+33.4%
10,088
+24.6%
2,201
+23.9%
2,639
-15.5%
1996
% change
98,200
+32.0%
5,091
+45.0%
4,000
-60.0%
31,159
-19.5%
16,490
+5.0%
10,400
+3.1%
2,518
+14.4%
2,230
-15.5%
2001
% change
86,000
-12%
10,168
+99%
3,500
-12%
36,865
+18%
19140
+16%
12,229
+17%
2,366
-0.6%
2,911
+30%
1965-01
% change
+49.5%-54.1%-36.3%+162.9%+300.5%+167.2%-33.4%-37.9%
Source: 1965, 1970, 1975, 1983, 1987, 1996, and 2001 Agricultural Crop Reports, County Agricultural Commissioner’s Office.
Note: *as of 2001, barley category includes other crops, such as cotton, pumpkins, sunflowers, tomato, wild rice and oats.
Table 13-13 shows high value crops in Butte County in 2001. The table shows the most
significant agricultural products in terms of cash value, and therefore shows which crops
contribute the most to the local economy. While orchard crops have been increasing in acreage,
this is not necessarily an indicator that these are the only high value crops in Butte County. In
2001 rice is the highest valued crop, at $94,138,000. The table also shows average value per acre
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harvested. Following seed crops, orchard crops are the highest valued crop per acre in Butte
County.
TABLE 13-13
HIGH VALUE CASH CROPS
2001
Category/Crop Type Ave. Value/Acre Acreage Value - 2001
Field Crops
Rice
Wheat
Dry Beans
Rice Seed
Bean Seed, Dry, Edible
Field Crops, Misc.
Seed Crops, Misc.
Hay Crops
-
1,095
124
706
1,335
598
514
719
473
113,026
86,000
3,500
500
2,862
875
10,168
1,962
3,900
$94,138,000
$433,000
$353,000
$3,821,000
$523,000
$5,228,000
$1,411,000
$1,844,000
Fruit and Nut Crops
Almonds
Walnuts
Prunes and Plums
Peaches
Olives
Kiwi
Apples, Oranges, Tangerine
Misc. incl: Grapes, Avocados,
Pears, Pistachio, Strawberries,
Apricots
1,156
2,357
1,350
3,183
468
2,522
2,442
1,496
-
-
75,835
36,865
19,125
12,229
2,300
1300
1,241
371
1,923
-
-
$42,616,000
$45,087,000
$16,509,000
$7,320,000
$608,000
$3,130,000
$906.000
$2,877,000
-
-
Vegetable Crops 721 700 $505,000
Nursery Stock 78 $8,555,000
TOTAL *189,639 $235,864,000
Source: 2001 Crop Report, Butte County Agricultural Commissioner’s Office
As it relates to crop type, the size of farms better indicates farm characteristics. Soil
characteristics determine the range of crops which can be successfully grown on a farm. Crop
type, in turn, plays a major role in determining farm size. Orchard crops grown on the alluvial
soils around Chico, Gridley, and the Feather-Sacramento Rivers are smaller, more intensive, and
require greater inputs per acre than the larger, extensive crop types such as rice, wheat, or other
field crops. Thus, soil characteristics and crop selection are important determinants of farm size.
Grazing
Grazing is defined as the animal husbandry forms of agriculture. Figure 13-6 shows grazing land
in Butte County according to the California Department of Water Resources (DWR) as of 1994.
Figure 13-7 shows the areas of Butte County identified by the Soil Conservation Service (SCS)
in 1967 as being suitable for grazing activity. Grazing in the county produces a wide variety of
products, ranging from catfish to cattle. Of these products, cattle ranching accounts for the
largest volume and requires the greatest land area.
The value of livestock production is not only lower than for cultivated agriculture, it has declined
substantially in absolute terms. The Butte County Agricultural Commissioner’s Office’s 2001
Crop Report estimated the total value of all livestock products at $2,171,000, whereas in 1987
these products were valued at $14,698,000. In other words, the estimated value has decreased by
85.2 percent in that time period.
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Butte County General Plan Background Report
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Cattle inventories are also showing a decreasing trend. The 1992 State Census of Agriculture
reported that total inventory of cattle in 1987 was 32,769 head. In 1992 the State Census reported
stocks had declined to 24,267. As of January 2001 the estimate was 22,450 head. The number of
ranches also declined from 394 in 1987 to 338 in 1992 (2001 figures were not available). This
indicates that while the number of farms are increasing in Butte County, cattle production and
the number of ranches are decreasing in importance to the agricultural economy.
There are three basic types of livestock operations: intensive livestock farming such as poultry,
hogs, and other small animals which are not dependent upon on-site soil, water, and vegetation;
extensive livestock ranching of animals such as cattle and sheep which are dependent on the soil,
water, and vegetation available on the site; and intermediate livestock operations which are only
partially dependent upon on-site resources. Examples of intermediate livestock operations
include dairy farming and livestock ranching associated with irrigated pasture. Intensive, non-
site-dependent forms of livestock farming can be located almost anywhere, constrained only by
land cost and compatibility.
In practice, they tend to be located in the same areas as cultivated agriculture – orchards, field
crops, and row crops – where compatibility is less of a factor. Likewise, intermediate forms of
livestock farming are located on better agricultural soils that are capable of supporting irrigated
pasture and/or adjacent to on-site feed crops.
13.6 TIMBER RESOURCES
Existing and Potential Timber Production
Timberlands are defined as land available for timber production and capable of growing at least
20 cubic feet of industrial-quality wood per year. Timberlands in Butte County occupied
approximately 354,000 acres in 2001. Timberlands constitute most of the north-eastern portions
of Butte County (see Figure 13-8).
As shown in Table 13-14 below, approximately 229,000 acres, or 64.6 percent, of timberlands in
Butte County were under private ownership as of 2001 including forest industry lands (153,000
acres or 66.8 percent of private lands), farmer-owned lands (28,000 acres or 12.2 percent of
private lands), and other private lands (48,000 acres or 20.92 percent of private lands). Forest
industry lands are owned by companies or individuals operating wood-using plants; farmer-
owned lands are owned by operators of farms; and other lands are owned by companies or
corporations that do not operate wood-using plants. Included in the other lands designation are
corporation farms and lands owned by railroads, oil companies, real estate and land-holding
companies, banks, and financial institutes.
Although more than 50 percent of the timberlands in California is publicly owned and
administered, greater than 50 percent of the timberland harvested comes from private lands.
However, the proportion of average timber harvest by owner varies across regions within the
state. In the Sacramento region, timber harvest shares are fairly evenly divided between public
and private ownership.
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Approximately 117,000 acres or 33 percent of timberlands in Butte County are on national forest
land. National forest land is federal land which has been designated as national forests or
purchase units and other lands under the administration of the U.S. Forest Service, including
experimental areas. Portions of Plumas National Forest and Lassen National Forest occupy Butte
County. Approximately 8,000 acres or 2.3 percent of timberlands in Butte County consist of
other public land, including land administered by the U.S. Bureau of Land Management, the U.S.
Bureau of Indian Affairs, and miscellaneous federal agencies; and lands owned or leased (for
more than 50 years) by the State of California, counties, and local public agencies.
TABLE 13-14
AREA OF TIMBERLAND AND OWNERSHIPS IN BUTTE COUNTY AND CALIFORNIA, 2001
(IN THOUSANDS OF ACRES)
National
forest
Other
public
Forest
industry
Private
farmer
Other
private
Total
private
Total, all
ownerships
Timber
production
zone
California 8,784 429 4,198 951 2,288 7,438 16,649 5,413
Butte County 117 8 153 28 48 229 354 162
Source: California Department of Finance, Califronia Statistical Abstract, (December 2002), Table G-29
Note: Based on 1991-1994 field survey which is conducted in ten-year cycles, except timberland production zone.
Timberlands in Butte County occur at elevations between approximately 2,200 and 6,200 feet.
The topography is gently sloping on ridgetops and side hills to flat in valleys, and steep and
rugged in the several large canyons that traverse the county. Timberland soils are shallow to
nonexistent in canyons, and deep along ridges, side hills, and valleys. The parent material is
mostly hard metamorphic rock, marine sediments, and granite with some serpentine. Volcanic
rock commonly caps the ridges. The areas of highest erosion potential are on steep slopes with
little plant cover and granodiorite soils. The heavier soils on more moderate topography are of
light to moderate erodibility. Areas supporting timberlands in Butte County are dominated by
two soil groups. One soil group is moderately deep to very deep, gently sloping to steep and well
drained. The soils of this group include the Aiken-Cohasset, Neuns, Dubakella, and Ahwanhee-
Sierra associations. The other soil group is shallow to very shallow, gently sloping to very steep,
and well drained. The soils of this group include the Goulding-Auburn, Toomes-Pentz, and
Chawanakee-Tollhouse associations. Table 13-15 below provides characteristics of timberland
soils in Butte County.
The combination of ample rainfall, a long growing season, and deep soils result in good growing
conditions for mixed conifer forest in Butte County. The U.S. Soil Conservation Service’s land
use capability classification is a grouping of soils into classes (i.e., land use capability classes I-
VIII), subclasses, and units according to their suitability for agricultural use, based on soil and
climatic characteristics regardless of existing vegetative cover. The capability potential of
timberlands in Butte County ranges from Class III through Class VII. Class III land is
moderately good cultivable land, whereas Class VII land is fairly well suited for grazing or
forestry. The timberland capability potential in Butte County ranges from medium (Class III
land) to high (Class IV-VII land). Timberlands with a high capability potential total
approximately 165,120 acres and constitute 63 percent of the timberlands in Butte County.
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Butte County General Plan Background Report
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Timberlands with a medium capability potential total approximately 91,180 acres and constitute
37 percent of the timberlands in Butte County.
The major vegetation association of timberlands in Butte County is westside mixed conifer. The
significant tree species comprising these timberlands include sugar pine (Pinus lambertiana),
ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa), Douglas fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii), white fir (Abies
concolor), and incense cedar (Libocedrus decurrens). Incidental tree species include black oak
(Quercus kelloggi), tan oak (Lithocarpus densiflurus), live oak (Quercus chrysolepis), red fir
(Abies magnifica), and lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta). Ponderosa pine is the dominant species
at lower elevations; a mixture of species occurs at middle elevations; and red and white firs are
the dominant species at higher elevations.
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TABLE 13-15
TIMBERLAND SOILS
BUTTE COUNTY
Soil Name Texture Depth
(inches)
Parent
Material
Drainage Runoff Erosion Hazard
Aiken-Cohasset association, 2 to 15 percent slopes
Aiken loam/clay 48+volcanic or
igneous
good slow to
medium
slight
Cohasset cobbly
loam/clay loam
36-60 igneous good slow slight
Aiken-Cohasset association, 15 to 50 percent slopes
Aiken loam/clay 48+volcanic good medium to
rapid
moderate
Cohasset cobbly
loam/clay loam
36-60 igneous good slow moderate
Neuns association, 9 to 50 percent slopes
Neuns gravelly sandy
loam/clay loam
26-50 igneous somewhat
excessive
medium to
rapid
high
Dubakella association, 9 to 50 percent slopes
Dubakella loam/gravelly
clay loam
14-30 serpentine good medium high
Ahwahnee-Sierra association, 15 to 75 percent slopes
Ahwahnee sandy loam 36-60 granite somewhat
excessive
moderately
rapid
high
Sierra sandy loam/loam 36-60 igneous or
granite
good medium to
rapid
very high
Goulding-Auburn association, 5 to 50 percent slopes
Goulding gravelly loam 8-20 metavolcanic somewhat
excessive
medium to
rapid
high
Auburn cobbly silt loam 7-14 volcanic somewhat
excessive
medium rapid high
Toomes-Pentz association, 2 to 70 percent slopes
Toomes cobbly loam 7-14 volcanic somewhat
excessive
medium to
rapid
high
Pentz sandy loam 10-24 andesitic somewhat
excessive
medium to
rapid
high
Chawanakee-Tollhouse association, 15 to 75 percent slopes
Chawanakee sandy/loam 8-38 granite somewhat
excessive
medium to
rapid
very high
Tollhouse rocky sandy
loam
8-20 quartz diorite excessive rapid very high
Source: U.S. Soil Conservation Service
Timberland Planning – Timberland Preserve Zoning
Butte County recognizes the value of its timber resources by affording protection through the use
of Timberland Preserve Zoning (TPZ). The California Forest Taxation Reform Act of 1976
(Taxation Reform Act) created Timberland Preserve Zoning as a measure to reduce property
taxes and protect timberlands from encroachment. The Taxation Reform Act delegated primary
responsibility for TPZ administration to county governments. Within broad State guidelines,
counties select timberlands for the zone, establish minimum parcel size, and determine
compatible uses.
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In addition to the definition of “timberland” applied in the Forest Practice Act, land within a TPZ
is also subject to the definition in Section 51104 (f) of the California Government Code that
defines timberland as privately owned land or land acquired for state forest purposes, which is
devoted to and used for growing and harvesting timber, or for growing and harvesting timber and
compatible uses, and which is capable of growing an average annual volume of wood fiber of at
least 15 cubic feet per acre.
Cities and counties with qualifying timberlands must adopt TPZ to restrict use of the land to
timber production and other compatible open space uses. TPZ is designed to “promote prudent
and responsible forest resource management calculations to serve the public’s need for timber
and other forest products, while giving consideration to the public’s need for watershed
protection, fisheries, and wildlife, and recreational opportunities” (Chapter 176, Statutes of 1976,
Section 1).
Land zoned TPZ is restricted for use in timber growing or compatible uses, such as outdoor
recreation or grazing. This restriction on use lasts ten years and is renewed each year; in return,
landowners receive reduced property tax assessments on the land. Conversion from timber
growing to other land uses may occur either on land that is zoned for timber production or land
that is still timberland but which is not zoned for timber production. Within TPZ lands,
timberland conversion means the immediate rezoning of TPZ, whether timber operations are
involved or not.
To implement TPZ, local governments must establish a Timberland Preserve Zone Ordinance.
The Taxation Reform Act specifies uses which must be included in the list of compatible uses in
this local ordinance. According to the Act, a compatible use is “any use which does not
significantly detract from the use of the property for, or inhibit, growing and harvesting
timber…” (Government Code Section 51100(h)). Butte County’s TPZ Ordinance includes the
following compatible uses: 1) management for watershed; 2) management for fish and wildlife
habitat or hunting and fishing; 3) uses integrally related to the growing, harvesting, and
processing of forest products; 4) erection, construction, alteration, or maintenance of gas,
electric, water, or communication transmission facilities; 5) grazing; 6) mining; and 7) housing
units compatible to timber uses. Butte County has placed a majority of the productive private
timberland in Timberland Preserve Zones with the anticipation that the zoning would reduce
property taxes and encourage long-range management policies.
Counties completed the initial classification of TPZ lands in 1978. The only method available for
zoning land TPZ after March 1, 1978, is by application of the landowner to the County. Counties
must rezone these parcels to TPZ if they meet certain requirements of the TPZ ordinance.
Minimum requirements for zoning land TPZ include a parcel or site map, forest management
plan, and compliance with timber stocking standards of the Z’berg-Nejedly Forest Practice Act
of 1973. The County has the option to impose two additional requirements: a minimum acreage
requirement not to exceed 160 acres and a minimum “site class quality” of at least three on the
five-step specified in the Taxation Reform Act.
A parcel zoned TPZ may be rezoned for another use by normal rezoning or immediate rezoning.
Normal rezoning is initiated by the landowner or the County; the Board of Supervisors has
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Butte County General Plan Background Report
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complete discretion and the rezoning does not become effective for ten years. Immediate
rezoning is initiated by the landowner and is subject to approval by the Board of Supervisors. In
approving this type of rezoning, the Board must make findings specified in the Taxation Reform
Act. In addition, for parcels larger than three acres, the State Director of Forestry must make the
findings required by the Taxation Reform Act and approve a Timberland Conversion Permit
before the rezoning becomes final.
The intent of TPZ is not only to protect the integrity of timber resources, but also to prevent the
occurrence of adverse impacts from timber harvest operations on non-timbering land uses. This
protection of timber resources is achieved through limiting uses on TPZ lands. The Timberland
Preserve Zoning Ordinance also lists parcel size and TPZ eligibility requirements. The
Timberland Preserve Zone, 160-acre minimum parcel (TPZ-160) is the only Timber Preserve
Zone in Butte County.
The Zoning Ordinance of Butte County also designates other Timberland Zoning Districts in
Butte County including the Timber Mountain Zone, 160 acre minimum parcel (TM-160); Timber
Mountain Zone, 40-acre minimum parcel (TM-40); Commercial Forestry Zone, 60-acre
minimum parcel (CF); and U Zone. Uses permitted in the TM-160 and TM-40 Zones include
single-family dwellings; farming; animals and livestock; mining; protection of land and forests;
and sale of agricultural products. Uses permitted in the CF Zone include management of land and
forest for growth, harvest, and production of trees; protection of land and forests; operations
necessary for removal of trees, logs, and forest products; portable wood processing operations;
uses of natural resources wholly compatible with forestry operations including livestock grazing;
and recreational uses not requiring permanent improvements and not interfering materially with
forestry operations. The U Zone includes all of the unincorporated area of Butte County not
otherwise zoned by ordinance. Acreage of timber zones by district are shown in Table 13-16
below. More than 50 percent of the timberlands in Butte County are in the TPZ-160 Zone.
Figure 13-8 below shows Timber Land, including Timber Preserve Zone Land, in Butte County.
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TABLE 13-16
TIMBERLAND BY ZONING DISTRICT
TPZ-160
Timber
Mountain
Preserve Zone
TM-160
Timber
Mountain Zone
TM-40
Timber
Mountain Zone
CF
Commercial
Forestry
A-2
OTHER
Unincorporated
area not
otherwise zoned
by ordinance
TOTAL
Timberland
acres
160,413 619 8,259 16,209 113,460 303,390
Source: Butte County Planning Department, 1980
32
99
70
191
162
70
162
99
32
PARADISE
OROVILLE
BIGGS
GRIDLEY
CHICO
TIMBER L AND
Figure 13-8
Butte County
General Plan
Source: Califoria Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, and Butte County Department of Development Services, 2003
Date printed: June 19, 2003
Miles02468101
Legend
ZONE
TPZ-160 (Timber Preserve Zone - 160 acres minimum)
TPZ-160/WP (Timber Preserve Zone - 160 acres minimum within Watershed Protection Zone Overlay)
Lakes
(Timberland and TPZ-160)
(Timberland and TPZ-160/WP)
Timberland
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Regulation of Timber Harvesting
The Z’berg-Nejedly Forest Practice Act (Forest Practice Act) was incorporated into the
California Public Resources Code in 1973 with the intention of correcting deficiencies in the
original Forest Practice Act of 1945 and providing the statutory authority for regulating timber
harvesting of non-federal lands. The new Forest Practice Act, similar to the older legislation,
created a Board of Forestry and District Technical Advisory Committees (Advisory Committees)
for the purpose of formulating Forest Practice Rules. The legislation also established general
guidelines for timber harvest plan review and specified area of concern to be addressed by rules
adopted by the Board of Forestry. The Forest Practice Act delegates authority for timber harvest
plan review and enforcement of Forest Practice Rules to the California Department of Forestry
and Fire Protection (Department of Forestry).
Under Statutory authority provided by the Forest Practice Act, the Board of Forestry, with
recommendations from the Advisory Committees, establishes Forest Practice rules for
incorporation into the California Code of Regulations (formerly the California Administrative
Code). Forest Practice Rules include guidelines for timber harvest plans and standards for
silvicultural systems, harvesting practices, watercourse and lake protection, erosion control
methods, hazard reduction, fire protection, forest insect and disease protection, and logging road
and landing construction and maintenance. Forest Practice Rules are established for the Coast,
Northern, and Southern Forest District. These three districts each have different regulations
regarding timber harvesting practices due to differences in their forest resources. Butte County is
located in the Northern Forest District.
Pursuant to the Forest Practice Rules, a timber harvest plan is required for harvesting of timber
for commercial purposes on parcels three acres or larger. Timber harvests plans must be prepared
by Registered Professional Foresters and submitted to the Department of Forestry for
consideration. The review process for timber harvest plans is considered the functional
equivalent of an Environmental Impact Report under the California Environmental Quality Act.
Timber harvest plans are reviewed by an interdisciplinary Review Team by Department of
Forestry personnel. In evaluating a timber harvest plan, the Review Team conducts a feasibility
analysis of the proposed operation considering the economic and environmental implications of
alternative timber harvesting methods.
State versus county control of timber harvesting is one of the most controversial issues in the
regulation of forest practices on private land. The Forest Practice Act of 1973 does not preempt
individual counties from regulating timber harvesting within their jurisdictions. However, a 1982
amendment to the Forest Practice Act of 1973 (Senate Bill 856) restricts the authority of counties
to adopt their own regulations regarding timber harvesting. While SB 856 prevents counties from
directly regulating timber harvesting, it contains a provision whereby individual counties can
request that the Board of Forestry adopt additional rules and regulations for the content of timber
harvest plans are the conduct of timber operations to take account of local needs. The law states
that the Board of Forestry shall adopt such additional rules and regulations if it finds that they are
necessary to protect the special needs and conditions of the requesting counties.
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Employment and Revenue
In addition to their value as wildlife habitat and for watershed protection, erosion control, open
space, scenic amenities, and recreation, Butte County’s timberlands are highly valued for their
economic contribution in terms of revenue and employment. The 2002 timber harvest in Butte
County was 63,421,000 board feet, valued at $18,056,154. Table 13-17 below shows 1977 to
2001 timber harvest and value figures for Butte County, and shows no overall trend in timber
harvest for the period.
Timberlands generate revenue other than property tax for Butte County. Since 1977, California
has levied a yield tax on the sale of stumpage. The yield tax is assessed only at the time of
harvest, and is collected on timber harvested both on public and private lands. The timber yield
tax now stands at 2.9 percent of the immediate harvest value of timber cut. Approximately 80
percent of yield tax revenues are returned to the counties of origin. The presence of timberland
holdings by the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) in Butte County also generates revenue for the
County. Timber harvest revenues of the USFS are derived from timber sales as well as grazing,
recreation, and mineral extraction fees. Pursuant to the Forest Taxation Reform Act of 1976, the
USFS must return 25 percent of its timber harvest revenues (Forest Reserve) to the counties in
which the forests are located. Half of the Forest Reserve returned to counties funds schools,
while the other half funds road construction and repair.
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TABLE 13-17
BUTTE COUNTY TIMBER HARVEST
1977 TO 20011
Timber Harvest Harvest Value County Revenue
Year
Board Feet2
(in 1,000s)
% of
State
Value3 % of
State
Timber Yield4 Forest
Reserve5
Total Timber
Reserve
1977 48,694 n/a $4,016,000 n/a $65,672 $302,221 $367,893
1978 80,770 n/a $5,937,000 n/a $69,301 $275,838 $345,139
1979 85,946 n/a $12,769,000 n/a $97,908 $276,027 $373,935
1980 42,650 n/a $5,313,000 n/a $49,314 $285,851 $335,165
1981 32,122 n/a $4,338,000 n/a $53,899 $250,788 $304,687
1982 48,190 n/a $3,981,000 n/a $54,575 $117,512 $172,087
1983 94,623 n/a $8,920,000 n/a $46,447 $297,197 $343,644
1984 70,985 n/a $6,385,000 n/a $36,605 $429,348 $465,953
1985 74,883 n/a $5,661,000 n/a $42,074 $252,026 $294,100
1986 80,283 n/a $6,688,000 n/a $50,090 $491,068 $541,158
1987 60,836 n/a $5,693,000 n/a $81,299 $395,592 $476,891
1988 n/a n/a n/a n/a $76,000 $350,000 $426,000
1989 n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a
1990 n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a
1991 n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a
1992 38,645 1.30%$10,816,304 1.19%n/a n/a n/a
1993 96,522 3.36%$50,505,379 3.97%n/a n/a n/a
1994 97,724 4.22%$48,693,611 4.41%n/a n/a n/a
1995 91,686 3.98%$38,874,228 4.11%n/a n/a n/a
1996 96,967 4.27%$40,416,538 4.39%n/a n/a n/a
1997 91,606 3.82%$32,603,394 3.76%n/a n/a n/a
1998 97,495 4.66%$33,670,434 4.44%n/a n/a n/a
1999 90,918 4.24%$29,484,325 3.86%n/a n/a n/a
2000 85,791 4.36%$33,483,906 3.68%n/a n/a n/a
2001 92,562 5.77%$32,878,252 5.71%n/a n/a n/a
2002 63,421 3.75%$18,056,154 3.99%n/a n/a n/a
n/a = not available
Notes:
1timber harvest and value per calendar year; timber revenue per fiscal year up through 1988; all figures for fiscal year after 1988.
2board feet is the quantity of timber cut and scaled
3value of timber immediately before cutting
4levied by State of California, 2.9 percent of immediate harvest value of timber cut in Butte County
525 percent of U.S. Forest Service revenues from grazing, recreation, and mineral extraction fees returned to Butte County
Sources: California State Board of Equalization, Timber Tax Division, California Timber Harvest By County 1992-2001; Butte County
The significance of timber operations is also evident in the lumber and wood products industry.
Industry employment as a proportion of manufacturing employment is an informative indicator
of how important an industry is to an economy. As shown in Table 13-18 below, employment in
lumber and wood products as a percent of manufacturing employment in Butte County ranged
from 38 percent in 1975 to 32 percent in 1983. These figures steadily declined so that by 1993,
lumber and wood products accounted for just 14.3 percent of manufacturing employment. The
figure has hovered near that in the last decade. In 1999 there were 800 people employed in
lumber and wood products, a figure projected by the California Employment Development
Department (EDD) to decrease to 600 in 2006. Economic expansion and diversification are
occurring in some California counties with resource lands, effectively reducing dependence on
resource industries such as the lumber and wood products industry.
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TABLE 13-18
LUMBER & WOOD PRODUCT EMPLOYMENT
BUTTE COUNTY
1983-2002
Lumber & Wood Products Employment
Year
Total Nonfarm
Employment
Manufacturing
Empoloyment
Lumber & Wood
Products
As a % of Total
Nonfarm
Employment
As a % of
Manufacturing
Employment
1983 42,500 4,100 1,300 3.1%31.7%
1984 44,400 4,600 1,400 3.2%30.4%
1985 46,600 4,600 1,400 3.0%30.4%
1986 48,400 5,200 1,600 3.3%30.8%
1987 50,700 5,100 1,700 3.4%33.3%
1988 53,700 5,600 1,800 3.4%32.1%
1989 56,100 5,700 1,800 3.2%31.6%
1990 57,500 5,900 1,600 2.8%27.1%
1991 58,400 5,400 1,200 2.1%22.2%
1992 58,700 5,100 800 1.4%15.7%
1993 58,500 4,900 700 1.2%14.3%
1994 60,100 5,200 600 1.0%11.5%
1995 61,300 5,400 700 1.1%13.0%
1996 62,900 5,000 600 1.0%12.0%
1997 64,500 5,600 800 1.2%14.3%
1998 66,500 5,800 900 1.4%15.5%
1999 68,600 5,700 800 1.2%14.0%
2000 69,900 5,700 800 1.1%14.0%
2001 71,100 5,100 700 1.0%13.7%
2002 73,600 4,300 600 0.8%14.0%
Source: California Employment Development Department, Archived SIC Industry Employment (annual average)
Harvest Projections
The Forest and Rangeland Resources Assessment Program (FRRAP) of the Department of
Forestry presents two different scenarios for predicting exact levels of future timber harvest on
private lands to the year 2040. These two scenarios are based on different assumptions, yet both
rely on the same timber inventory, growth, and yield information. The first scenario is based on a
continuation of social, demographic, and economic trends. The second scenario is based
primarily on the capability of private forestlands to produce timber. These two scenarios
represent lower and upper bounds to projections of timber supply in California’s private
forestlands. According to the first scenario, industry timber harvest and total harvest are
projected to increase in the Sacramento region over the next two decades. Most of this increase is
expected from industry lands. Harvest in the Sacramento region will then drop, reflecting a lower
harvest on industry lands, leveling of after 2020. Under the second scenario, industrial timber
harvest in the Sacramento region will increase through 2010, while total private harvest will be
maintained at or above the 2003 levels.
Government Assistance and Programs
Federal and state governments have developed a variety of programs to assist private forest
owners in management of their lands. In the late 1970s, the California Department of Forestry
initiated grants-in-aid to small, nonindustrial forest owners to encourage reforestation, timber
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stand improvement, wildlife habitat development, and other measures to bring depleted forest
cover into full production. The California Forest Improvement Program (CFIP), authorized by
the Forest Improvement Act of 1978, increases productivity on nonindustrial timber ownerships
by reducing costs or increasing benefits of forestry. Funds available to forest landowners under
CFIP include cost-share payments with the state.
The Vegetation Management Program authorized by 1980 Senate Bills 1608, 1704, and 857,
provides incentives for using fire as a tool for vegetation and fuel management. Funds available
to landowners include cost-share payments.
The CFIP supplements two federal cost-share programs which serve California landowners. The
Agricultural Conservation Program (ACP), initiated in 1936, is a cost-share program of the U.S.
Department of Agriculture. The objective of ACP is to encourage conservation measures to
prevent soil erosion and water quality problems. The Forestry Incentives Program, authorized by
Congress in 1973, is designed to promote timber production. Tree planting and timber stand
improvement costs are shared with private landowners.
The Cooperative Forest Pest Suppression Projects Program is a cost-share program of the
Department of Forestry and U.S. Forest Service. It provides for forest insect and disease
suppression projects on private lands with the objective of reducing forest insect and disease
damage. The U.S. Forest Service Program is a cooperative program authorize by the Cooperative
Forestry Assistance Act of 1978. It is designed to develop landowners’ awareness of
management responsibilities and needs, and to refer landowners to consultants and contractors.
The Cooperative Extension Forestry Program of the University of California provides forestry
education materials and programs.
The Forest Service also offers federal assistance programs to large and small landowners under
the agency’s State and Private Forestry Program. Federal funds are available on a competitive
basis for both planning and implementation of vegetation management projects that enhance
healthy forest conditions and reduce hazardous fuels. Under the National Fire Plan, federal
agencies and the Department of Forestry and Fire Protection are working closely with
community and county fire safe councils to reduce the threat of catastrophic wildfire by thinning
private parcels and adjacent national forest lands.