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Thrasher Surveys at the Thrasher Spot 27 Holderer & Riegner 2021 Thrasher Surveys at the Thrasher Spot Section 5: Supplemental Information Sagebrush Sparrow Observations Sagebrush Sparrows were a species of interest because they are generally sparce throughout Arizona and the Thrasher Spot is an important wintering site for them. Sightings were most common in saltbush, like those nearest the Thrasher Spot. Figure 19: Locations of Sagebrush Sparrow observations per survey. Point sizes are weighted for point counts, which were anywhere from 1-8 individuals. Sagebrush Sparrow by Dominant Vegetation (103 Total Point Count) Saltbush 24% Mesquite/palo verde 3% 73% terraces Creosote uplands Figure 20: Sagebrush Sparrow perched. Photo by Micah Riegner. 28 Holderer & Riegner 2021 Thrasher Surveys at the Thrasher Spot Loggerhead Shrike Observations The US Fish & Wildlife Service considers the Loggerhead Shrike to be a Bird of Conservation Concern, as this species has declined by 76% since 1966 (North American Breeding Bird Survey). The Loggerhead Shrike Working Group considers this species to epitomize the dire conservation concerns that plague desert/grassland birds. Figure 21: Locations of Loggerhead Shrike observations per survey. 29 Holderer & Riegner 2021 Thrasher Surveys at the Thrasher Spot Active Desert Kit Fox Den Desert Kit Foxes are threated by habitat destruction and fragmentation across their range, often the result of large-scale energy development projects similar to this project. We documented their presence at an active den using camera traps. Care should be taken to relocate these amazing creatures. Fig. 22: An active Desert Kit Fox den was discovered during surveys and was fitted with a wildlife camera. Coordinates: 33.382023 o N 112.783369 o W. Figure 23: Photo of Kit Fox taken by Bushnell wildlife cam. Figure 24: Photo of Kit Fox taken by Bushnell wildlife cam. 30 Holderer & Riegner 2021 Thrasher Surveys at the Thrasher Spot Active Burrowing Owl Colony Fig. 25: This map depicts the location of an active burrowing owl colony, which was encountered on the second survey. Coordinates: 33.389024oN, 112.777468oW Figure 26: Burrowing Owl investigating a human with a camera from the safety of its burrow at the Thrasher Spot. Photo by Micah Riegner. 31 Holderer & Riegner 2021 Thrasher Surveys at the Thrasher Spot Protected Arizona Native Plants Saguaro, Englemann’s Hedgehog, and Barrel cactuses are all protected Arizona Native Plants under Title 3, Article 11 of the Arizona Administrative Code and require special care for relocation from state lands. Fig. 27: This map depicts the location of 3 protected Arizona Native Plants. 32 Holderer & Riegner 2021 Thrasher Surveys at the Thrasher Spot Section 6: Literature Cited Ament, R., R. Callahan, M. McClure, M. Reuling, G. Tabor. 2014. Wildlife Connectivity: Fundamentals for Conservation Action. Center for Large Landscape Conservation. Bozeman, MT. Brown D. Editor (1982). Biotic Communities of the American Southwest—United States and Mexico. Desert Plants. Volume 4. Number 1-4. Desmond M.J and C.B. Sutton (2020). Breeding Habitat Requirements and Territory Size of Bendire’s Thrasher (Toxostoma bendirei). Final Report to New Mexico Department of Game and Fish. England, A. S. and W. F. Laudenslayer Jr. (2020). Bendire's Thrasher (Toxostoma bendirei), version 1.0. In Birds of the World (A. F. Poole and F. B. Gill, Editors). Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Ithaca, NY, USA. https://doi- org.prescottcollege.idm.oclc.org/10.2173/bow.benthr.01 Green, D. M. and M. G. Baker (2003). Urbanization impacts on bird habitat and bird communities in a Sonoran desert ecosystem. Landscape and Urban Planning (63) 255-239 Kondrat-Smith, C. and S. Lowery. (2018). Movement Patterns, Survivorship, and Home Range Size of LeConte’s Thrasher (Toxostoma lecontei) on the Barry M. Goldwater Range. AZ Game and Fish Scientific Poster. Kreuper, D.J. (1992). Effects of land use practices on Western riparian ecosystems. In: Finch, D.M. (Ed.), Status and Management of Neotropical Migratory Birds. USFS General Technical Report RM-229, Fort Collins, CO, pp. 321–328. Pickett, S.T., Cadenasso, M.L. (1995). Landscape ecology: spatial heterogeneity in ecological systems. Science 269, 331–334. Sheppard, J. M. (2020). LeConte's Thrasher (Toxostoma lecontei), version 1.0. In Birds of the World (P. G. Rodewald, Editor). Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Ithaca, NY, USA. https://doi- org.prescottcollege.idm.oclc.org/10.2173/bow.lecthr.01 Wegner, J.F., Merriam, G. (1979). Movements by birds and small mammals between a wood and adjoining farmland habitats. J. Appl. Ecol. 16, 349–357. 33 Holderer & Riegner 2021 Thrasher Surveys at the Thrasher Spot Section 7: Acknowledgements First and foremost, we are grateful to Maricopa Audubon for providing the funding to conduct this work. We are grateful to the volunteers, many from Maricopa Audubon, who joined us for this study: Laurie Nessel, Jason Struthers, Emily Thomas, Walt Anderson, Duane Morse, Matt Bellistri, and Mark Horlings. Mark was instrumental in supporting the project. We would like to thank Mark Riegner for assistance with the manuscript. 34 Holderer & Riegner 2021 Thrasher Surveys at the Thrasher Spot Section 8: Appendices Appendix I Data Tables GIS datasets are available upon request. Key to Data Tables SPECIES BETH LETH CRTH SATH LOSH SASP CODE SPECIES Bendire’s LeConte’s Crissal Sage Loggerhead Sagebrush COMMON Thrasher Thrasher Thrasher Thrasher Shrike Sparrow NAME Point Date & Time Surveyor Species Count Dominant Vegetation Notes Latitude Longitude 1/2/21 16:32 Micah Riegner SASP 7 Saltbush -12553600 3945670.49 1/3/21 8:21 Micah Riegner SASP 1 Saltbush -12553640 3944666.95 1/3/21 8:39 James Holderer SASP 1 Saltbush -12553461 3946363.48 1/3/21 9:26 James Holderer SASP 1 Mesquite/palo verde terraces -12553605 3945982.61 1/3/21 10:13 James Holderer SASP 5 Creosote uplands -12554298 3944636.95 1/3/21 10:19 James Holderer SASP 1 Creosote uplands Same group -12554249 3944664.74 1/3/21 10:28 Micah Riegner SASP 8 Saltbush -12553965 3944659.4 1/3/21 10:33 James Holderer SASP 8 Saltbush Same group of 8 -12553959 3944786.76 1/3/21 14:33 Micah Riegner SASP 5 Saltbush -12553570 3945236.98 1/3/21 15:11 Micah Riegner SASP 6 Creosote uplands -12553474 3944775.4 1/4/21 9:11 Micah Riegner SASP 6 Saltbush -12553925 3945535.27 1/4/21 9:18 Micah Riegner SASP 4 Saltbush -12554362 3945382.21 1/4/21 9:33 Micah Riegner SASP 2 Saltbush -12554658 3945883.46 1/4/21 10:01 James Holderer SASP 7 Saltbush -12553806 3945943.15 1/4/21 10:55 Micah Riegner SASP 5 Saltbush -12554033 3946951.01 1/4/21 11:04 Micah Riegner SASP 1 Saltbush -12554147 3947390.47 1/4/21 11:25 James Holderer SASP 3 Creosote uplands -12551753 3946720.16 1/4/21 13:59 Micah Riegner SASP 2 Creosote uplands -12554207 3947081.59 1/4/21 14:22 James Holderer SASP 1 Creosote uplands -12554280 3943357.43 1/4/21 15:55 Micah Riegner SASP 4 Saltbush -12556573 3947396.51 1/5/21 7:58 Micah Riegner SASP 1 Saltbush -12556462 3947202.57 1/5/21 11:19 Micah Riegner SASP 8 Saltbush -12556545 3946831.28 2/4/21 7:48 James Holderer SASP 1 Mesquite/palo verde terraces W saltbush -12553701 3946003.74 2/4/21 7:48 James Holderer SASP 1 Mesquite/palo verde terraces -12553699 3945997.7 2/4/21 7:59 Micah Riegner SASP 3 Saltbush -12553894 3945947.45 2/4/21 8:48 Micah Riegner SASP 1 Saltbush -12553915 3946867.44 2/4/21 9:04 James Holderer SASP 3 Creosote uplands -12553344 3946101.73 2/4/21 9:51 James Holderer SASP 1 Creosote uplands -12553017 3945593.76 2/5/21 7:58 Micah Riegner SASP 1 Saltbush -12553695 3944775.97 2/5/21 8:49 Micah Riegner SASP 2 Creosote uplands -12553839 3944095.08 2/5/21 14:06 Micah Riegner SASP 2 Saltbush -12553631 3944985.3 2/5/21 14:18 Micah Riegner SASP 1 Creosote uplands -12553482 3944723.71 35 Holderer & Riegner 2021 Thrasher Surveys at the Thrasher Spot Point Date & Time Surveyor Species Count Dominant Vegetation Notes Latitude Longitude 1/3/21 7:25 Micah Riegner BETH 1 Saltbush -12553738 3945617.8 1/3/21 7:47 James Holderer BETH 1 Mesquite/saltbush terraces -12553739 3945987.46 1/3/21 8:29 Micah Riegner BETH 1 Saltbush -12553613 3944598.47 1/3/21 9:24 Micah Riegner BETH 1 Creosote uplands -12553830 3944122.92 1/3/21 10:04 Micah Riegner BETH 1 Mesquite/creosote patches -12554322 3944456.59 1/3/21 11:31 James Holderer BETH 1 Mesquite/creosote patches -12552607 3945557.74 1/3/21 15:17 James Holderer BETH 1 Creosote uplands with some mesquite -112.76218 33.3879511 1/3/21 15:20 Micah Riegner BETH 1 Mesquite/saltbush terraces -12553656 3945118.43 Pair. Dispersed 1/3/21 15:46 James Holderer BETH 2 Creosote uplands mesquite and palo -112.76375 33.3884825 verde 1/3/21 15:48 James Holderer BETH 1 Other Disturbed/landscaped -12552828 3946837.44 1/3/21 16:11 Micah Riegner BETH 1 Creosote uplands -112.78062 33.3688823 1/4/21 10:49 Micah Riegner BETH 1 Mesquite/saltbush terraces -12553787 3946793.33 1/4/21 11:11 Micah Riegner BETH 1 Mesquite/palo verde terraces -12554238 3947354.29 1/5/21 8:51 Micah Riegner BETH 1 Creosote/saltbush -112.79476 33.3815293 1/5/21 9:45 James Holderer BETH 1 Mesquite/creosote patches 1. Singing. -112.77254 33.3571752 1/5/21 11:08 Micah Riegner BETH 1 Mesquite/palo verde terraces Singing -112.79772 33.3868325 1/5/21 11:17 James Holderer BETH 1 Mesquite/creosote patches Likely all the same bird. -112.7744 33.3627903 1/5/21 13:03 James Holderer BETH 2 Mesquite/creosote patches Pair. -112.76476 33.3609281 1/5/21 13:13 Micah Riegner BETH 1 Creosote uplands -112.80706 33.3475732 1/5/21 13:29 Micah Riegner BETH 1 Creosote uplands -12558535 3941690.46 1/5/21 13:53 Micah Riegner BETH 1 Creosote uplands -12552827 3944709.06 1/30/21 15:01 Micah Riegner BETH 2 Mesquite/saltbush terraces pair -112.77308 33.3716573 2/4/21 8:24 Micah Riegner BETH 1 Mesquite/saltbush terraces Singing -12553960 3946508.02 2/4/21 8:37 Micah Riegner BETH 1 Other -12553688 3946824.67 2/4/21 8:43 Micah Riegner BETH 1 Saltbush -12553722 3946741.38 2/4/21 8:44 Micah Riegner BETH 1 Saltbush -12553767 3946773.38 2/4/21 9:05 Micah Riegner BETH 2 Mesquite/saltbush terraces Pair setting up territory -12553975 3946687.74 2/4/21 9:30 Micah Riegner BETH 1 Saltbush -12554211 3947565.66 2/4/21 9:32 Micah Riegner BETH 1 Other Landscaped property. -12554322 3947726.43 2/4/21 13:55 James Holderer BETH 1 Other In wolf berry -12554563 3946135.01 2/4/21 14:39 Micah Riegner BETH 1 Creosote uplands -12556000 3946836.52 2/5/21 7:24 Micah Riegner BETH 1 Saltbush -12553697 3945545.42 2/5/21 8:10 Micah Riegner BETH 1 Creosote/saltbush -12553643 3944433.19 2/5/21 8:55 Micah Riegner BETH 2 Mesquite/palo verde terraces Pair -12553706 3944024.04 2/5/21 8:57 Micah Riegner BETH 2 Creosote uplands Different individual -12553745 3943956.31 2/5/21 9:42 James Holderer BETH 1 Mesquite/creosote patches -12552778 3943229.53 2/5/21 9:45 James Holderer BETH 1 Mesquite/creosote patches -12552893 3943246.61 2/5/21 10:12 Micah Riegner BETH 1 Mesquite/saltbush terraces -12553869 3945106.43 2/5/21 10:20 James Holderer BETH 1 Mesquite/creosote patches -12553489 3943091.97 2/5/21 10:28 Micah Riegner BETH 1 Mesquite/saltbush terraces Singing -112.77515 33.3776916 2/5/21 12:39 James Holderer BETH 6 Mesquite/creosote patches 6 birds total. -112.77298 33.3570737 2/5/21 14:12 James Holderer BETH 2 Mesquite/creosote patches -12558337 3940461.02 2/5/21 14:24 James Holderer BETH 2 Mesquite/creosote patches -12558456 3940468.07 Singing along paloverde 2/5/21 18:25 Micah Riegner BETH 1 Mesquite/creosote patches -12555238 3946234.8 drainage 36 Holderer & Riegner 2021 Thrasher Surveys at the Thrasher Spot Point Date & Time Surveyor Species Count Dominant vegetation Notes Latitude Longitude 2/6/21 7:37 Micah Riegner BETH 1 Creosote/saltbush -12556373 3947149.85 Paired up with adjacent 2/6/21 7:48 Micah Riegner BETH 1 Mesquite/palo verde terraces -12556254 3947143.45 BETH 2/6/21 8:06 Micah Riegner BETH 1 Other Truck -12555929 3947475.3 2/6/21 8:29 Micah Riegner BETH 2 Creosote/saltbush -12556243 3947015.47 2/6/21 9:12 Micah Riegner BETH 1 Mesquite/palo verde terraces -12556537 3946434.4 2/6/21 9:20 Micah Riegner BETH 1 Mesquite/palo verde terraces -12556520 3946268.5 2/6/21 9:24 Micah Riegner BETH 1 Mesquite/palo verde terraces -12556589 3946126.59 2/6/21 9:28 Micah Riegner BETH 1 Mesquite/palo verde terraces -12556683 3946068.9 2/6/21 9:35 Micah Riegner BETH 1 Mesquite/palo verde terraces -12556424 3945900.51 2/6/21 9:45 Micah Riegner BETH 1 Saltbush -12556315 3945911.99 2/6/21 10:59 Micah Riegner BETH 2 Creosote/saltbush -12554699 3947099.66 2/6/21 11:40 James Holderer BETH 1 Other Disturbed/landscaped -12552854 3946664.54 1/2/21 17:26 Micah Riegner CRTH 1 Mesquite/saltbush terraces -12553451 3945939.96 1/3/21 14:30 Micah Riegner CRTH 1 Mesquite/saltbush terraces -112.77086 33.3759772 1/4/21 16:48 Micah Riegner CRTH 2 Creosote/saltbush Pair -112.79281 33.3809361 2/5/21 14:59 Micah Riegner CRTH 2 Mesquite/saltbush terraces 2 individuals -112.76898 33.3751318 2/6/21 9:03 Micah Riegner CRTH 1 Mesquite/palo verde terraces -112.79806 33.3864661 1/3/21 8:50 Micah Riegner LETH 2 Mesquite/saltbush terraces 2 individuals -112.77339 33.3711647 1/3/21 9:25 James Holderer LETH 2 Mesquite/saltbush terraces Pair -12553704 3946062.53 1/3/21 11:02 James Holderer LETH 2 Mesquite/saltbush terraces 2 individuals -112.77382 33.3765486 In saltbush w mesquite. 1/4/21 10:11 Micah Riegner LETH 1 Mesquite/saltbush terraces -112.77254 33.3808001 Single individual 1/4/21 10:26 Micah Riegner LETH 1 Mesquite/saltbush terraces -112.77232 33.381067 2/4/21 7:15 Micah Riegner LETH 1 Mesquite/saltbush terraces Singing in early morning -12553416 3945993.67 2/4/21 9:26 James Holderer LETH 1 Mesquite/creosote patches Singing -12552762 3946578.49 2/4/21 10:05 Micah Riegner LETH 1 Creosote/saltbush -12554331 3947008.85 2/5/21 8:14 Micah Riegner LETH 1 Mesquite/saltbush terraces -112.77338 33.3716023 2/6/21 7:44 Micah Riegner LETH 1 Creosote/saltbush -12556250 3947118.64 2/6/21 11:46 Micah Riegner LETH 1 Creosote/saltbush Same individual -112.77755 33.3867657 2/16/21 13:38 James Holderer LETH 2 Mesquite/palo verde terrace Singing -112.76919 33.3853625 1/3/21 8:41 Micah Riegner SATH 1 Mesquite/saltbush terraces -12553816 3944674.92 1/3/21 9:00 Micah Riegner SATH 1 Mesquite/saltbush terraces -12553875 3944547.09 1/3/21 11:17 Micah Riegner SATH 1 Saltbush -12553970 3945525.13 1/3/21 14:36 Micah Riegner SATH 1 Saltbush -12553560 3945193.63 1/3/21 15:02 Micah Riegner SATH 1 Creosote uplands -12553063 3944567.76 1/3/21 15:17 Micah Riegner SATH 1 Mesquite/saltbush terraces -12553627 3945026.78 1/3/21 16:07 James Holderer SATH 1 Creosote uplands -12552416 3947346.95 1/3/21 16:36 James Holderer SATH 1 Creosote uplands -12552209 3946892.83 1/3/21 17:01 James Holderer SATH 1 Creosote uplands Along minor wash. -12552005 3946680.7 2/4/21 8:06 Micah Riegner SATH 2 Saltbush -12553952 3946069.95 2/4/21 8:49 James Holderer SATH 1 Creosote/saltbush -12553342 3946468.97 2/4/21 10:44 Micah Riegner SATH 1 Saltbush -12554099 3946299 2/4/21 14:09 Micah Riegner SATH 1 Creosote/saltbush -12554937 3946692.99 2/5/21 7:51 Micah Riegner SATH 4 Mesquite/saltbush terraces -12553746 3944926.58 2/5/21 8:09 James Holderer SATH 1 Mesquite/saltbush terraces -12553832 3944549.96 2/5/21 8:57 Micah Riegner SATH 1 Creosote uplands -12553735 3944035.26 2/5/21 13:57 Micah Riegner SATH 2 Mesquite/saltbush terraces -12553645 3945064.13 2/5/21 17:11 Micah Riegner SATH 2 Creosote/saltbush -12556305 3946036.8 2/6/21 9:05 Micah Riegner SATH 2 Mesquite/palo verde terraces -12556621 3946721.02 2/6/21 9:43 James Holderer SATH 2 Mesquite/palo verde terraces 2 birds staying together -112.75196 33.3903302 2/6/21 9:43 Micah Riegner SATH 3 Saltbush -12556389 3945839.85 2/6/21 10:02 Micah Riegner SATH 1 Creosote/saltbush -12556240 3946078.09 2/6/21 11:00 Micah Riegner SATH 1 Creosote/saltbush -12554655 3947025.33 2/6/21 12:20 James Holderer SATH 1 Mesquite/creosote patches -12552744 3946847.24 2/6/21 12:26 James Holderer SATH 2 Mesquite/saltbush terraces w saltbush -12553522 3946139.19 37 Holderer & Riegner 2021 Thrasher Surveys at the Thrasher Spot Point Date & Time Surveyor Species Count Dominant Vegetation Notes Latitude Longitude 1/3/21 7:46 Micah Riegner LOSH 1 Mesquite/palo verde terraces -12553660 3945098.68 1/3/21 9:16 Micah Riegner LOSH 1 Creosote/saltbush -12553855 3944393.26 1/3/21 10:10 James Holderer LOSH 1 Creosote uplands -12554326 3944621.61 1/3/21 10:48 James Holderer LOSH 1 Mesquite/palo verde terraces -12553521 3945835.19 1/3/21 14:40 James Holderer LOSH 1 Creosote uplands -12552351 3945587.12 1/3/21 14:57 James Holderer LOSH 1 Creosote uplands -12552315 3946379.71 1/3/21 16:08 Micah Riegner LOSH 1 Creosote uplands -12554657 3944430.84 1/4/21 7:46 Micah Riegner LOSH 1 Saltbush -12550892 3945720.68 1/4/21 7:57 James Holderer LOSH 1 Mesquite/palo verde terraces -12551190 3945778.11 1/4/21 9:16 Micah Riegner LOSH 1 Saltbush -12554372 3945653.35 1/4/21 11:18 Micah Riegner LOSH 1 Saltbush -12554193 3947048.96 1/4/21 14:09 Micah Riegner LOSH 1 Creosote uplands -12554615 3947130.08 1/5/21 8:41 Micah Riegner LOSH 1 Mesquite/palo verde terraces -12556545 3945911.4 1/5/21 9:42 Micah Riegner LOSH 1 Creosote uplands with CAWR -12555386 3945665.34 1/5/21 10:26 James Holderer LOSH 1 Mesquite/palo verde terraces -12553033 3943129.65 1/5/21 10:59 James Holderer LOSH 1 Creosote uplands -12553913 3943301.31 1/5/21 11:52 Micah Riegner LOSH 1 Creosote/saltbush -12552991 3943319.96 1/5/21 12:17 Micah Riegner LOSH 1 Creosote uplands -12558253 3940683.21 2/4/21 7:43 Micah Riegner LOSH 1 Saltbush Singing -12553891 3945988.92 2/4/21 7:44 James Holderer LOSH 1 Saltbush -12553895 3946013.03 2/4/21 7:44 Micah Riegner LOSH 1 Saltbush -12553912 3946016.21 2/4/21 9:26 James Holderer LOSH 1 Mesquite/palo verde terraces -12552773 3946607.29 2/4/21 13:20 James Holderer LOSH 1 Mesquite/palo verde terraces mesquite/creosote -12552754 3946758.85 2/4/21 15:38 James Holderer LOSH 1 Mesquite/palo verde terraces -12550983 3946441.88 2/5/21 7:41 James Holderer LOSH 1 Mesquite/palo verde terraces -12553972 3943466.71 2/5/21 8:35 Micah Riegner LOSH 3 Creosote/saltbush Territorial dispute -12553809 3944419.77 2/5/21 10:29 James Holderer LOSH 2 Creosote uplands -12553568 3943007.64 2/5/21 10:49 James Holderer LOSH 2 Mesquite/palo verde terraces might be the same two -12553870 3943106.22 2/6/21 8:13 James Holderer LOSH 1 Mesquite/palo verde terraces -12551216 3947049.95 2/6/21 9:21 James Holderer LOSH 1 Mesquite/palo verde terraces -12551696 3947350.76 2/6/21 11:41 James Holderer LOSH 1 Mesquite/palo verde terraces likely same local -12552745 3946630.62 38 Holderer & Riegner 2021 Thrasher Surveys at the Thrasher Spot Date & Time Surveyor Cactus Species Latitude Longitude 1/4/21 15:25 James Holderer Englemann's Hedgehog cactus -12554261 3942674.96 1/4/21 15:57 James Holderer Englemann's Hedgehog cactus -12554678 3942154.55 1/4/21 17:24 James Holderer Englemann's Hedgehog cactus -12557169 3941219.25 1/5/21 12:26 James Holderer Englemann's Hedgehog cactus -12553144 3943512.81 2/4/21 14:55 James Holderer Englemann's Hedgehog cactus -12551390 3947114.45 2/4/21 16:13 James Holderer Englemann's Hedgehog cactus -12550954 3945917.34 2/5/21 9:10 James Holderer Englemann's Hedgehog cactus -12553348 3942672.22 2/5/21 14:25 James Holderer Englemann's Hedgehog cactus -12558394 3940514.7 2/5/21 14:31 James Holderer Englemann's Hedgehog cactus -12558283 3940814.97 2/5/21 14:37 James Holderer Englemann's Hedgehog cactus -12558327 3941000.61 2/5/21 14:42 James Holderer Englemann's Hedgehog cactus -12558346 3941008.23 2/6/21 16:38 James Holderer Englemann's Hedgehog cactus -12557632 3940806.38 1/5/21 10:52 James Holderer Ferocactus sp. -12553863 3943021.13 2/4/21 9:01 James Holderer Ferocactus sp. -12553361 3946129.65 2/6/21 10:22 James Holderer Ferocactus sp. -12551458 3946365.6 2/6/21 11:13 James Holderer Ferocactus sp. -12551184 3945809.23 2/6/21 11:36 James Holderer Ferocactus sp. -12552755 3946408.5 1/4/21 7:56 James Holderer Saguaro -12551161 3945817.2 1/4/21 7:59 James Holderer Saguaro -12551228 3945828.54 1/4/21 8:02 James Holderer Saguaro -12551293 3945891.31 1/4/21 8:07 James Holderer Saguaro -12551530 3945719.27 1/4/21 8:11 James Holderer Saguaro -12551526 3945891.09 1/4/21 8:18 James Holderer Saguaro -12551188 3945996.8 1/4/21 8:39 James Holderer Saguaro -12551220 3946422.05 1/4/21 9:07 James Holderer Saguaro -12551336 3946351.23 1/4/21 9:13 James Holderer Saguaro -12551430 3946361.09 1/4/21 9:14 James Holderer Saguaro -12551469 3946264.3 1/4/21 9:14 James Holderer Saguaro -12551588 3946302.89 1/4/21 9:28 James Holderer Saguaro -12551446 3946501.74 1/4/21 9:29 James Holderer Saguaro -12551427 3946502.82 1/4/21 9:33 James Holderer Saguaro -12551541 3946676.07 1/4/21 9:34 James Holderer Saguaro -12551571 3946721.95 1/4/21 9:36 James Holderer Saguaro -12551548 3946715.18 1/4/21 9:37 James Holderer Saguaro -12551498 3946740.85 1/4/21 9:37 James Holderer Saguaro -12551514 3946756.52 1/4/21 9:38 James Holderer Saguaro -12551582 3946795.11 1/4/21 9:39 James Holderer Saguaro -12551581 3946802.66 1/4/21 10:45 James Holderer Saguaro -12552184 3947434.73 1/4/21 11:08 James Holderer Saguaro -12552064 3947110.52 1/4/21 14:00 James Holderer Saguaro -12554665 3942992.13 1/4/21 14:01 James Holderer Saguaro -12554667 3942992.32 1/4/21 15:49 James Holderer Saguaro -12554483 3942209.98 1/4/21 15:56 James Holderer Saguaro -12554663 3942136.25 1/4/21 16:08 James Holderer Saguaro -12554446 3942408.17 1/4/21 16:13 James Holderer Saguaro -12554651 3942608.53 1/5/21 8:29 James Holderer Saguaro -12553973 3943200.37 2/6/21 16:38 James Holderer Saguaro -12557565 3940832.05 2/6/21 16:39 James Holderer Saguaro -12557532 3940853.85 39 Holderer & Riegner 2021 Thrasher Surveys at the Thrasher Spot Appendix II Species Lists The following species lists display all wildlife encountered during the course of our surveys. The flora list only displays the most common plant species. Birds Gambel’s Quail Mourning Dove Anna’s Hummingbird Black Vulture Turkey Vulture Northern Harrier—Fairly common. Red-tailed Hawk Sharp-shinned Hawk Cooper’s Hawk Barn Owl—Flushed by JH at the southern end of the proposed development area. Burrowing Owl – Den found by Jason Struthers and MR at 33.389024oN, 112.777468oW Ladder-backed Woodpecker—Seen regularly at Luke Wash. Say’s Phoebe Loggerhead Shrike Common Raven Verdin Black-tailed Gnatcatcher—Often in association with Sagebrush Sparrows. Cactus Wren Bendire’s Thrasher LeConte’s Thrasher Sage Thrasher Crissal Thrasher Phainopepla- Fairly common along Luke Wash. Horned Lark Lesser Goldfinch Brewer’s Sparrow White-crowned Sparrow Vesper Sparrow Sagebrush Sparrow—Most abundant in the Atriplex washes. Black-throated Sparrow Gilded Flicker Gila Woodpecker Mammals Kit Fox- Active den was found at 33.382023 o N 112.783369 o W and filmed using Bushnell camera traps. Coyote Harris’s Antelope Ground Squirrel Black-tailed Jackrabbit 40 Holderer & Riegner 2021 Thrasher Surveys at the Thrasher Spot Desert Cottontail Kangaroo Rat sp. Bobcat (skull) Reptiles Common Side-blotched Lizard Flora Larrea tridentata Atriplex polycarpa Atriplex canescens Lycium sp. Castela emoryi Krameria sp. Prosopis spp. Ziziphus optusifolia Parkinsonia microphylla Cylindropuntia echinocarpa Cylindropuntia leptocaulis Carnegiea gigantea Echinocereus engelmannii Ferocactus sp. 41 Holderer & Riegner 2021 From: Mark Horlings To: Adam Cannon (PND) Subject: Sun Streams Expansion Solar Project CPA 2020001 Date: Tuesday, February 23, 2021 11:27:37 AM Hello Mr. Cannon: We spoke a couple times in December about this project and the potential risk it poses to Thrashers, particularly the LeConte's Thrasher, that inhabit the area. I understand from First Solar, the project developer, that the Planning and Zoning Commission has scheduled a hearing for March 25, 2021 to consider zoning changes necessary for the project. Maricopa Audubon Society would like to submit information to the Commission and perhaps to speak at the hearing. Because of the importance of the area near Baseline Road and the Salome Highway to these birds, and because birders from around the country visit this spot to see them, Maricopa Audubon Society commissioned a study of the population of the different species of Thrasher that inhabit the area. The survey was conducted in January and February, 2021. I believe the findings would assist the Planning and Zoning Commission in evaluating the site for purposes of this project. I wrote a letter to the Planning and Zoning Commission last December 21st and also sent a copy by email, asking for Maricopa Audubon to be added to the list of groups with an interest in this project. I have not heard anything more and do not know whether Maricopa Audubon got on the list. Could you give me a call so that we can sort this out. Thanks very much for your attention to this. Mark Horlings Conservation Chair Maricopa Audubon Society Planning and Development Department DATE: March 25, 2021 TO: Planning and Zoning Commission FROM: Adam Cannon, Planner SUBJECT: Z2020075 – Sun Streams Expansion Solar Project Agenda Item: #2 Since the publishing of the staff report for the above case, the applicant presented additional conditions of approval related to the Sun Streams Expansion Solar Project zone change case. It is our understanding that the applicant communicated with concerned parties of the Maricopa Audubon Society (MAS) and that the conditions were crafted in consultation with Mark Horlings of MAS. Shown below are the additional conditions in leg-edit format with new language underlined and bolded. j. Prior to commencement of construction, a qualified biologist will delineate a suitable nesting habitat for LeConte’s and Bendire’s Thrashers. k. All costs or expenses associated with the biologist and their work in association with the development shall be borne by the property developer. l. The property developer shall submit a letter from AFGD approving the credentials of the selected biologist. m. Construction will be phased so that ground-disturbing activities in a suitable nesting habitat for LeConte’s and Bendire’s Thrashers will be conducted outside of the breeding season for LeConte’s and Bendire’s Thrashers (defined as January through June) to the greatest extent practicable. n. If ground-disturbing activities in a suitable nesting habitat for LeConte’s and Bendire’s Thrashers must be conducted during the breeding season (defined as January through June), a preconstruction survey to identify active nests would be performed by a qualified biologist prior to the commencement of ground-disturbing activities. o. If active LeConte’s or Bendire’s Thrashers nests are found during pre- construction surveys or during construction, a spatial buffer would be established around the nest and monitored by the qualified biologist. Ground-disturbing activities within the buffer would be postponed until the qualified biologist confirms that the nest is no longer active. p. Written documentation of the biologist’s findings regarding active nests shall be provided in writing to and for acceptance by the Zoning Inspector or his or her designee prior to initiating construction activity. Additionally, Engineering Plan Review provided an updated memo to correct requested conditions related to ROW preservations; however, Staff was able to update the preservation requirements prior to the publishing of the Staff report. The memo is included as an attachment for informational purposes only. Staff recommends approval of Z2020075 subject to conditions ‘a’ – ‘p’ with the proposed additional conditions. Shown below are the proposed conditions in final format: a. Development of the site shall be in substantial conformance with the Site Plan entitled “Sun Streams Solar Expansion“, consisting of 20 full-size sheets, dated March 3, 2021, and stamped received March 3, 2021, except as modified by the following conditions. b. Development of the site shall be in substantial conformance with the Narrative Report entitled “Sun Streams Expansion Solar Project”, consisting of 22 pages, dated February 26, 2021, and stamped received March 1, 2021 except as modified by the following conditions. c. Subject to the discretion of the Zoning Administrator or their designee, alterations of a substantial nature to the conservation area provided in Figure 3 on page 22 of the Narrative Report entitled “Sun Streams Expansion Solar Project” shall be grounds for requiring a Zone Change Major Amendment. d. The following Planning Engineering conditions shall apply: 1. Final design of drainage infrastructure shall be based on Rational Method calculations, except in situations where drainage areas significantly exceed 160 acres. 2. Drainage Waiver case DRB2021002 must be approved prior to issuance of building permits. 3. Detailed Grading and Drainage Plans showing the new site improvements must be submitted for the acquisition of building permits. On-site (solar field) areas must be designed in such a manner so that flows area directed to retention basin(s). Basin bleed-offs and overflows must be directed to well defined drainage corridors, to the maximum extent possible. 502 N. 44th Street, Suite 200 Phoenix, AZ 85008 (602) 506-3301 (602) 506-3711 fax Internet: www.maricopa.gov/planning 4. Drainage review of planning and/or zoning cases is for conceptual design only and does not represent final design approval nor shall it entitle applicants to future designs that are not in conformance with Section 1205 of the Maricopa County Zoning Ordinance and the Maricopa County Drainage Policies and Standards. All development and engineering design shall be in conformance with Section 1205 of the Maricopa County Zoning Ordinance and current engineering policies, standards and best practices at the time of application for construction. 5. Owner or owner’s agent shall be responsible for identifying and procuring any permit(s) for disturbance of, or work within delineated jurisdictional (404) washes. 6. Any work within a regulated SFHA (floodplain) will require as Floodplain Use Permit (issued concurrent with the required building permit(s) for the site improvements). 7. Pads for inverters and other electrical equipment; and any buildings within the Zone A or AE Floodplain must be elevated to the regulatory flood elevation or otherwise designed to meet the requirements of the Floodplain Use Regulations. All development and engineering design shall be in conformance with the most current version of the Floodplain Use Regulations for Maricopa County. 8. The following right-of-way preservations shall be required and shown on the plans submitted for building permits: Required Preservation: a. 65’ half width, 130’ full width right-of-way for Salome Highway b. 65’ half width, 130’ full width right-of-way for 331st Avenue c. 55’ half width, 110’ full width right-of-way for Dobbins Road d. 65’ half width, 130’ full width right-of-way for Baseline Road (east of Salome Highway) e. 65’ half width, 130’ full width right-of-way for 339th Avenue (north of Salome Highway) f. 100’ half width right-of-way for Southern Avenue g. 30’ half width right-of-way for 339th Avenue (between Baseline and Dobbins Road) h. 40’ half width right-of-way for 335th Avenue (between Dobbins and South Mountain, and Vineyard and Southern) i. 40’ half width right-of-way for South Mountain Avenue j. 40’ half width right-of-way for Vineyard Road k. 55’ half width right-of-way for Elliot Road l. 55’ half width right-of-way for Baseline Road (west of Salome Highway) m. 55’ half width right-of-way for 347th Avenue (section line alignment) 502 N. 44th Street, Suite 200 Phoenix, AZ 85008 (602) 506-3301 (602) 506-3711 fax Internet: www.maricopa.gov/planning e. The following IND-2 IUPD Zoning District standards shall apply: 1. Min. Front Yard – 25’except as shown on sheet C1.2 of the Site Plan 2. Min. Side Yard – 0’except as shown on sheet C1.2 of the Site Plan 3. Min. Rear Yard – 0’ except as shown on sheet C1.2 of the Site Plan 4. Max. Lot Coverage – 60%; Solar panels shall not be counted as lot coverage 5. Parking Spaces Required – None required 6. Loading and Unloading Spaces Required – None required 7. Landscaping – No landscaping areas required 8. Sight Visibility Triangles – No sight visibility triangles are required at driveways, mid-section lines intersecting alignments, section line intersecting alignments 9. Article 902.91 – All utility uses shall be permitted to be conducted outdoors 10. Site Enclosure and Screening – Chain-link fencing including 1’ of barbed wire permitted; Slatted chain-link fencing required in all areas abutting subdivided parcels in accordance with sheet C1.2 of the Site Plan f. The IND-2 IUPD shall limit the use of the site exclusively to public utility treatment and generating plants including sewage, wastewater, power, electrical, nuclear and solar, and including ancillary offices. Attendant facilities and appurtenances to the above uses as well as uses associated with service to the public of water, gas, telephone and cable television. Where an electrical generating plant is in operation, evaporation ponds and other appurtenances may be permitted provided such evaporation ponds or appurtenances are associated with the facility being served. All other site uses shall require a Zone Change Major Amendment. g. Noncompliance with any Maricopa County Regulation shall be grounds for initiating a revocation of this Zone Change as set forth in the Maricopa County Zoning Ordinance. h. The property owner/s and their successors waive claim for diminution in value if the County takes action to rescind approval due to noncompliance with conditions. i. The granting of this change in use of the property has been at the request of the applicant, with the consent of the landowner. The granting of this approval allows the property to enjoy uses in excess of those permitted by the zoning existing on the date of application, subject to conditions. In the event of the failure to comply with any condition, and at the time of expiration of the Zone Change, the property shall revert to the zoning that existed on the date of application. It is, therefore, stipulated and agreed that either revocation due to the failure to comply with any conditions, or the expiration of the Zone Change, does not reduce any rights that existed on the date of application to use, divide, sell or possess the property and 502 N. 44th Street, Suite 200 Phoenix, AZ 85008 (602) 506-3301 (602) 506-3711 fax Internet: www.maricopa.gov/planning that there would be no diminution in value of the property from the value it held on the date of application due to such revocation or expiration of the Special Use Permit. The Zone Change enhances the value of the property above its value as of the date the Zone Change is granted and reverting to the prior zoning results in the same value of the property as if the Zone Change had never been granted. j. Prior to commencement of construction, a qualified biologist will delineate a suitable nesting habitat for LeConte’s and Bendire’s Thrashers. k. All costs or expenses associated with the biologist and their work in association with the development shall be borne by the property developer. l. The property developer shall submit a letter from AFGD approving the credentials of the selected biologist. m. Construction will be phased so that ground-disturbing activities in a suitable nesting habitat for LeConte’s and Bendire’s Thrashers will be conducted outside of the breeding season for LeConte’s and Bendire’s Thrashers (defined as January through June) to the greatest extent practicable. n. If ground-disturbing activities in a suitable nesting habitat for LeConte’s and Bendire’s Thrashers must be conducted during the breeding season (defined as January through June), a preconstruction survey to identify active nests would be performed by a qualified biologist prior to the commencement of ground-disturbing activities. o. If active LeConte’s or Bendire’s Thrashers nests are found during pre- construction surveys or during construction, a spatial buffer would be established around the nest and monitored by the qualified biologist. Ground-disturbing activities within the buffer would be postponed until the qualified biologist confirms that the nest is no longer active. p. Written documentation of the biologist’s findings regarding active nests shall be provided in writing to and for acceptance by the Zoning Inspector or his or her designee prior to initiating construction activity. Attachments: 3/16/21 E-mail – Applicant Requests Conditions (1 page) 3/17/21 Engineering Comments (2 pages) 502 N. 44th Street, Suite 200 Phoenix, AZ 85008 (602) 506-3301 (602) 506-3711 fax Internet: www.maricopa.gov/planning From: Carolyn Oberholtzer To: Adam Cannon (PND) Cc: Randy Schroeder Subject: FW: Stipulations for Sunstreams V IUPD Date: Friday, March 19, 2021 7:21:44 AM Adam- please see the language below that we would like to add as a stipulation to our zoning case. I will present this to the Commission on Thursday. Thanks! Carolyn From: Carolyn Oberholtzer Sent: Tuesday, March 16, 2021 11:26 AM To: Mark Horlings <markhorlings@yahoo.com> Subject: Stipulations for Sunstreams V IUPD Mark - hope it’s a beautiful day in San Francisco. Following our conversation this morning we created the following set of stipulations to add to our zoning case. I will share with our case planner at the County as well but wanted to get them to you first. · Construction will be phased so that ground-disturbing activities will be conducted outside of the breeding season for LeConte’s and Bendire’s Thrashers (their nesting season is defined as January through June) to the greatest extent practicable. · If ground-disturbing activities must be conducted during the breeding season, a preconstruction survey of suitable nesting habitat for LeConte’s and Bendire’s Thrashers would be performed by a qualified biologist prior to the commencement of ground- disturbing activities. · If active LeConte’s or Bendire’s Thrashers nests are found, a spatial buffer would be established around the nest and monitored by the qualified biologist. Ground-disturbing activities within the buffer would be postponed until the qualified biologist confirms the nest is no longer active. Carolyn Maricopa County Planning & Development Department Date: March 04, 2021 (Revised 3/8/2021) (Revised 3/17/2021) Robert Fedorka, P.E. Planning & Development 501 North 44th Street, Suite 200 Memo To: Darren Gerard, AICP, Deputy Director, Department of Planning & Phoenix, Arizona 85008 Phone: (602) 506-7151 Development www.maricopa.gov/planning Email address: Bob.Fedorka@Maricopa.gov Attn: Adam Cannon, Planner, Planning & Development Services From: Robert Fedorka, P.E., Engineering Supervisor, Planning & Development Services cc: Michael Norris, P.E., Engineering Manager, Planning & Development Subject: Z2020075 – Re-Zone & IUPD for Sun Streams Solar Expansion (E3 Memo-Rev) Job Site Address: 33102 W. Baseline Road, Tonopah APN(s): Various // State Land I have reviewed the 3rd submittal Plans and Drainage Report, routed for review on March 4, 2021, for the subject application. PND Engineering review has no objections subject to the following stipulations: STIPULATIONS The following stipulations will apply: 1. Final design of drainage infrastructure shall be based on Rational Method calculations, except in situations where drainage areas significantly exceed 160 acres. 2. Drainage Waiver case DRB2021002 must be approved prior to issuance of building permits. 3. Detailed Grading and Drainage Plans showing the new site improvements must be submitted for the acquisition of building permits. On-site (solar field) areas must be designed in such a manner so that flows area directed to retention basin(s). Basin bleed-offs and overflows must be directed to well defined drainage corridors, to the maximum extent possible. 4. Drainage review of planning and/or zoning cases is for conceptual design only and does not represent final design approval nor shall it entitle applicants to future designs that are not in conformance with Section 1205 of the Maricopa County Zoning Ordinance and the Maricopa County Drainage Policies and Standards. All development and engineering design shall be in conformance with Section 1205 of the Maricopa County Zoning Ordinance and current engineering policies, standards and best practices at the time of application for construction. 5. Owner or owner’s agent shall be responsible for identifying and procuring any permit(s) for disturbance of, or work within delineated jurisdictional (404) washes. 6. Any work within a regulated SFHA (floodplain) will require as Floodplain Use Permit (issued concurrent with the required building permit(s) for the site improvements). 7. Pads for inverters and other electrical equipment; and any buildings within the Zone A or AE Floodplain must be elevated to the regulatory flood elevation or otherwise designed to meet the requirements of the Floodplain Use Regulations. All development and engineering design shall be in conformance with the most current version of the Floodplain Use Regulations for Maricopa County. 8. The following right-of-way preservations shall be required and shown on the plans submitted for building permits: Required Preservations: a. 65’ half width for Salome Highway b. 65’ half width for 331st Avenue c. 65’ half width for Baseline Road (east of Salome highway) d. 65’ half width for 339th Avenue (north of Salome highway) e. 100’ half width for Southern Avenue f. 30’ half width for 339th Avenue (between Baseline and Dobbins Road) g. 40’ half width for 335th Avenue (between Dobbins Road and South Mountain, and Vineyard and Southern) h. 40’ half width for South Mountain Avenue i. 40’ half width for Vineyard Road j. 55’ half width for Elliot Road k. 55’ half width for Baseline Road (west of Salome highway) l. 55’ half width for 347th Avenue Please contact me if you have any questions or require clarification of these comments.