Department of Interior Grant for California Red-Legged Frog Habitat Restoration in Redwood Creek

Cooperative Agreement No. 1443CA814098001 was entered into by and between the Department of Interior, National Park Service, Golden Gate National Recreation Area, the (GGNRA) and the Golden Gate National Parks Association, on October 24, 1997, (since then renamed the “Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy”), the “GGNPC”, for the purpose of transferring National Park Service (NPS) appropriated funds to nonprofit organizations to carry out the public purposes of National Park Service programs. Unless otherwise specified herein, the terms and conditions as stated in the Cooperative Agreement will apply to this Task Agreement.

GGNRA and the GGNPC are mutually interested in and deem it necessary to cooperate on a natural resource restoration project in Marin County at the former Banducci flower farm, a site with significant natural resource potential. Past land uses at this site have resulted in the establishment of stands of large, non-native Eucalyptus trees. Historic maps show that these areas once supported woodland vegetation over an extensive area that would have been a floodplain for Redwood Creek (1853 U.S. Coast Survey, and annotated version, approximately 1870’s).

Since acquisition of the former farm, GGNRA has initiated several natural resource enhancement and restoration activities here and at adjacent Big Lagoon. Work has been completed on restoring both instream and floodplain habitats along Redwood Creek in this vicinity. In addition, GGNRA created a breeding pond for California red-legged frogs. Recently, GGNRA staff has successfully introduced California red-legged frog eggs into the pond.

Since the creation of this pond, a herpetologist has identified removal of adjacent large Eucalyptus trees as being needed to improve the thermal regime in the pond for frogs. The removed trees would also be beneficially re-used along the floodplain and creek as downed large woody debris. This Eucalyptus grove is also in a seasonally wet environment and removal activities would facilitate the unaided restoration to native riparian and wetland habitat.

GGNPC staff has been involved with several of the restoration elements in this area. Specifically, the GGNPC was responsible for the revegetation of the frog breeding pond. Several thousand native plants were propagated and out planted. Following the planting activities, the GGNPC initiated invasive plant removal actions to help the native plants become established. Currently, the pond is well established with native wetland and riparian plants. Additionally, GGNPC and GGNRA have jointly initiated projects to control non-native cape ivy in the riparian and wetland areas adjacent to the frog pond.
The GGNPC is a uniquely qualified partner for Park projects because they ensure that natural resource restoration actions are implemented in an appropriate way consistent with NPS requirements and values. For natural resource restoration activities, the GGNPC has most recently aided GGNRA in creek and wetland restoration activities at Muir Beach and has been complimented by local residents and funding agencies. GGNPC currently provides staff, fund-raising and financial support to park projects that result in resource protection.

ARTICLE II – AUTHORITY

CFDA number: 15.944, Natural Resource Stewardship

ARTICLE III – STATEMENT OF WORK

This project provides collaborative support for the restoration of native riparian and wetland habitat adjacent to a breeding pond for California red-legged frog and the improvement of floodplain and creek habitat at the former Banducci flower farm. Details of the proposed actions are further described in a funding proposal (Attachment I).

Project Objectives:

a. Re-establish California red-legged frog population within the Redwood Creek watershed.
b. Remove non-native Eucalyptus grove that impairs functional red-legged frog breeding habitat; Removal of approximately 55 Eucalyptus trees.
c. Improve and expand winter habitat of juvenile coho and steelhead by increasing the complexity of floodplain and creek habitat.
d. Additional two years of collection and introduction of California red-legged frog egg masses;
e. Placement of Eucalyptus trunks over about 6 to 10 acres of floodplain to increase its function for salmonids; and
f. Placement of some trunks in an adjacent tributary ditch to be expanded as a backwater for salmonids (Attachment I, Figures 3-5).
A. GGNPC Agrees to:

1. Provide project management support, in cooperation with NPS, to achieve restoration objectives described above in Article III.

2. Provide personnel support for biological resources monitoring.

3. Ensure that all project activities and related use of funds are in accordance with all applicable laws (43 CFR 12).

B. NPS Agrees to:

1. Provide financial assistance in accordance with Article VI in the amount $73,150 in FY 2012 to the GGNPC. NPS further agrees to work with the GGNPC to develop and refine work plans and spending plans.

2. Provide NPS Project Manager for all on-site project management during vegetation removal and tree placement activities.

3. Provide NPS Aquatic Ecologist for technical assistance with placement of wood structures along the creek banks.

4. Continue monitoring of habitat conditions for California red-legged frog including water temperature.

5. Conduct breeding surveys to document trends in California red-legged frogs at this site.

6. Evaluate the need to introduce additional California red-legged frog egg masses and translocate if needed.

7. Manage and document changes in environmental compliance requirements.

8. Provide guidance and decision-making regarding resolving project conflicts and addressing project issues.

9. Complete a project summary report.

C. Both Parties acknowledge and agree to:

1. Create a cooperative partnership to maximize the benefits from the projects accomplished by both organizations.

2. Identify grants and other funding opportunities for stewardship, education and continued public outreach.

3. Collaborate on methods, sequencing and processes for each action.

4. Work collaboratively to redefine actions, identify solutions, or identify additional funding if unknown conditions are discovered or unexpected events occur.