The Dunes - Chevron Corporation

The Guadalupe Restoration Project is home to numerous threatened and endangered plants and animal species, as well as many species of special concern. As we continue to carry out the Guadalupe Restoration Project, we take our responsibility to protect these species and special habitats very seriously. We work closely with regulatory, environmental, and community representatives to ensure that remediation and restoration activities result in beneficial outcomes for plants and animals on site and members of neighboring communities.

Wildlife

The GRP is home to over 25 wildlife species considered special status by the United States Fish and Wildlife Services (USFWS) and the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW). Annual and periodic monitoring of sensitive species is a major component of the GRP, to ensure that remediation and restoration activities are not having negative effects on the local population.

California Red-legged Frog (Rana draytoni)

Status: Federally Threatened

The California red-legged frog is federally threatened and has been eliminated from over 70 percent of its former range. They can be found in a variety of habitats but breed in aquatic habitats such as marshes, ponds or streams. Qualified biologists at the GRP monitor on-site wetlands to ensure remediation activities do not impact on California red-legged frog habitat.

Western Snowy Plover (Charadrius alexandrinus nivosus)

Status: Federally Threatened

The federally threatened snowy plover is a small, compact bird averaging about 6 inches in length. The snowy plover is known to breed in the beach and foredune habitat of the Nipomo-Guadalupe Dune complex. Its nest and eggs are extremely cryptic. This camouflage helps protect them from predation, but also makes them susceptible to being accidently crushed by humans.

Western Snowy Plover (Charadrius alexandrinus nivosus)

Status: Federally Threatened

The breeding season of the coastal population of western snowy plovers extends from mid-March through mid-September. During the breeding season, an approved biologist surveys the nesting habitat three times per week to document nests, human trespassers, and predators.

Silvery Legless Lizard (Anniella pulchra pulchra)

Status: California Special Concern

This taxon has been designated by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife as a “Species of Special Concern” because a highly fragmented distribution and widespread threats have made them vulnerable to localized extinctions.

Tidewater Goby (Eucyclogobius newberryi)

Status: Federally Endangered

The federally endangered tidewater goby is a small fish that inhabits coastal brackish water habitats entirely within California.

Plants

There are more than 12 plants at the GRP that are considered rare, threatened, or endangered by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW), and/or California Native Plant society (CNPS). Mitigation for impacts to State and Federal endangered and threatened plants are required by the GRP’s CDFW Incidental Take Permit and USFWS Biological Opinion. Plants included in these permits are La Graciosa thistle (Cirsium scariosum var. loncholepis), Surf thistle (Cirsium rhothophilum), and beach spectaclepod (Dithyrea maritima). These plant populations are surveyed annually throughout the GRP to document numbers and locations. In addition, out-planting locations for these plants are monitored more frequently to determine maintenance needs and success.

La Graciosa Thistle (Cirsium scariosum var. loncholepis)

Status: Federally Endangered, California Threatened

The La Graciosa thistle is a short-lived (1-2 years), spiny member of the sunflower family with purple and white flowers that can grow up to three feet tall. Between 2005 and 2018, the on-site population has ranged from 1,441 (in 2017) to 26,452 (in 2014).

Beach Spectaclepod (Dithyrea maritima)

Status: California Threatened

Beach spectaclepod is limited to the remaining coastal foredunes of Central and Southern California. Between 2005 and 2018, the on-site population has ranged from 4,858 (in 2017) to 22,697 (in 2015). This species is found in foredunes, active sand, and dune scrub from San Luis Obispo to Baja California, Mexico.

Surf Thistle (Cirsium rhothophilum)

Status: California Threatened

Surf thistle often occurs in the same areas as beach spectaclepod on the GRP and in 2018, the on-site population has ranged from 721 (in 2015) to a high of 5,225 (in 2010). This species was relatively stable throughout 2005-2012, but has declined during the drought.

Blochman’s Leafy Daisy (Erigeron blochmaniae)

Status: California Rare Plant List 1B: Plants Rare, Threatened or Endangered in California and Elsewhere.

Blochman’s leafy daisy is a perennial herb of the sunflower family with purple and yellow daisy-like flowers. Named for Ida Blochman, a teacher in the Santa Maria Valley.

Dune Mint (Monardella undulata)

Status: California Native Plant Society List 1B: Plants Rare, Threatened or Endangered in California and elsewhere.

Dune mint is a highly aromatic bushy perennial herb or subshrub. Its leaves are small and oblong. The purple flowers are clustered in dense heads. Occurring in foredunes and in areas of open sand in the back dunes. Dune mint is common throughout the Guadalupe Restoration Project.

Dunedelion (Malacothrix incana)

Status: California Native Plant Society List 4: Plants of Limited Distribution-A Watch List

Dunedelion is a compact, somewhat fleshy perennial herb with milky sap. Dunedelion occurs primarily in the foredunes along the immediate coast from Ventura County to San Luis Obispo County and also on San Nicolas, Santa Rosa and San Miguel islands. On the Guadalupe Restoration Project, Dunedelion is found sporadically in the foredunes and coastal scrub areas near the ocean.

Suffrutescent Wallflower (Erysimum suffrutescens)

Status: California Native Plant Society List 4: Plants of Limited Distribution-A Watch List

Suffrutescent wallflower is a 6 to 24 inch subshrub with stiffly erect stems and numerous linear leaves. In the spring when it is in flower, its brilliant yellow flowers are conspicuous. At the Guadalupe Restoration Project, suffrutescent wallflower is found commonly throughout the coastal scrub area.

Giant coreopsis (Leptosyne gigantea)

Giant coreopsis is a species of special, local interest due to its limited distribution along the coast in sand dune areas. Giant coreopsis is a peculiar shrub that grows to about 6 feet tall. At the Guadalupe Restoration Project, giant coreopsis is found primarily in the northwestern portion on coastal scrub hillsides.

Pholisma (Pholisma arenarium)

Pholisma (also known as sand food) is a species of special, local interest due to its limited distribution along the coast in sand dune areas. It occurs sporadically at the Guadalupe Restoration Project, primarily in the coastal dune scrub community.

Archeological Interest

Beginning in 1979, archaeologist Larry Spanne conducted systematic surface surveys of the entire Guadalupe Oil Field. He recorded six prehistoric archaeological sites, which consisted primarily of small weathered fragments of sea shell, stone tools and stone tool manufacturing debris, burnt rock and occasionally, animal bone. The sites varied in location from near the Santa Maria River to well inland away from the river or beaches. Carbon-14 dating of several of these sites indicate that the Chumash utilized the Guadalupe Dunes in the period from about 500 to 1500.

A comprehensive program of archaeological monitoring has been developed to accompany excavation and remediation activities in many locations of the Guadalupe Restoration Project. Chumash representatives and archaeologists have systematically monitored project activities to document and preserve these resources.