Santa Cruz long-toed salamander (Ambystoma macrodactylum croceum) is is an Endangered Species listed by both the Federal and State Endangered Species Acts and is protected throughout its range by the Santa Cruz County Sensitive Habitat Protection Ordinance (Chapter 16.32).
Habitats for Santa Cruz long-toed salamander including aquatic habitat (ponds used for breeding), upland habitat (forested areas where they live all summer), and dispersal habitat (areas through which they migrate) are protected under Federal, State, and Local regulations and are considered sensitive habitat as defined in 16.32.040. Due to the highly constrained range of the species, even minor habitat modification activities can result in harm to Santa Cruz long-toed salamanders. Clearing of oak woodland and other forested areas including removal of understory vegetation within the range of this species is considered one of the primary threats to its continued survival.
Development projects that are proposed within the range of Santa Cruz Long-toed Salamander are subject to the County’s Biotic Review and Approval Process. Development, as defined in 16.32.040, includes the removal or harvesting of major vegetation and the disturbance of any rare, endangered, or locally unique plant or animal or its habitat.
Santa Cruz long-toed salamanders have a highly constrained range in southern Santa Cruz County, approximately 3.5 miles east to west by 5 miles north to south. A map of the range is included in the County’s GIS maps (GISWeb) under the Biotic Resources Layer as: “BIOTIC CONCERN – SC Long-toed Salamander Range.”
All parcels within the area mapped in the County’s GIS as “BIOTIC CONCERN – SC Long-toed Salamander Range” are considered areas of biotic concern. Development within areas of biotic concern requires biotic approval pursuant to 16.32.060 and must be reviewed for biotic concerns by Environmental Planning Staff.
To determine if your parcel is located in the SC Long-toed Salamander Range, go to the County's GISWeb , enter your APN or address in the upper left corner, and hit "enter." Then, click on the Biotic Resources Layer and click the box next to “BIOTIC CONCERN – SC Long-toed Salamander Range”.
The salamander protection district (SP District) is a special zoning district that provides codified conditions for protection of Santa Cruz Long-Toed Salamander on specific parcels in a small portion of the species’ range. The “SP District” is approximately located in Aptos between the Rio Del Mar and Freedom Boulevard exits. It extends approximately 1,500 feet south of Highway 1, between these two exits. Parcels in the SP District are subject to additional conditions listed in 16.32.090(C)(2)(a). The SP District does not represent the entire area where SCLTS are protected.
To determine if your parcel is located in the SP District, go to the County's
GISWeb and enter your APN or address in the upper left corner, and hit "enter." Then, find the table at the bottom of the screen and click on the "Land Use" tab. Your parcel's zoning is the first attribute (the field is called "Click on Zoning for Description"). If your zoning ends with “SP”, your property is located in the SP zone.
Projects proposed within the range of SC long-toed salamander may also require permits and/or approvals from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the California Department of Fish and Wildlife. Consultation with these agencies and the types of activities or development that they determine may result in “taking” of any species under State and Federal laws are determinations that are independent of the County’s review.
The General Conservation Plan for Amphibians in Southern Santa Cruz County (GCP) was developed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to provide an efficient and effective permitting mechanism for issuance of Endangered Species Act section 10(a)(1)(B) permits for private and public landowners engaged in Covered Activities within the range of SC long-toed salamander.
Although the focal species of the GCP is the Santa Cruz long-toed salamander, two additional protected amphibians, the California red-legged frog and the California tiger salamander co-occur at various locations within the GCP plan area. These species are also covered by the permitting mechanisms in the GCP. The GCP includes information about all three of these species and their conservation statuses and outlines avoidance and minimization measures that should be adhered to for all land use and development within the range of SC long-toed salamander. Referring to the GCP early during project planning and design can greatly assist in designing a project that complies with Federal, State, and Local regulations.
If you have questions about this information, email Environmental Planning staff at: EnvironmentalPlanningInfo@santacruzcountyca.gov or schedule an appointment.