Research on Suppression of Sudden Oak Death in Large Forest Stands
Summary
SCH Number
2008118053
Public Agency
Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District
Document Title
Research on Suppression of Sudden Oak Death in Large Forest Stands
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
11/7/2008
Document Description
This project will research the effectiveness of two methods to suppress the morality of oaks from the spread of Sudden Oak Death (SOD) in large, natural forests:
a) Spraying 174 susceptible coast live oak and tanoak trees with the fungicide Agri-Fros® with operator-controlled and calibrated sprayers twice in the initial treatment year (November-December 2008 and May 2009) and annually thereafter; and
b) Selective removal of 108 infested or potentially infested, small to medium-diameter California bay trees in proximity to susceptible oaks, and 20 small tanoak trees ranging from 3 to 10 inches in diameter at breast height (4.5 feet above ground level) from October 2008 through February 2009.
This research is being funded by the US Department of Agriculture, which awarded a $44,000 grant to Phytoshphere Research to evaluate the treatment of susceptible oak trees with fungicide, Agri-Fros®, and selective removal of California bay trees to prevent and suppress SOD at a forest scale on public lands with high resource value. The research project is being co-sponsored by the University of California - Davis with Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District and San Francisco Public Utilities Commission providing research sites and additional funding. Result of this research will be monitored and used to determine the practicality of these treatment methods on a larger scale throughout the District's preserves. This research will also be useful to other land management entities. If a decision is made to expand the use of these treatment methods on District preserves in the future, then such actions will be evaluated under CEQA.
Contact Information
Name
Cindy Roessler
Agency Name
Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency
Phone
Location
Cities
Palo Alto
Counties
San Mateo, Santa Clara
Notice of Exemption
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
Class 4, 6
Reasons for Exemption
The District concludes that this action consists of information collection and minor alteration of vegetation on existing facility officially designated wildlife management areas that will result in the protection and improvement of wildlife habitat. It will not result in serious or major disturbance to any environmental or historical resource, removal of healthy, mature, scenic trees, impacts to environmental resources of hazardous or critical concern, significant effect or cumulative impacts. None of the actions will be visible from a scenic highway. None of the sites are located on a hazardous waste site. Therefore, it is categorically exempt under Sections 15304(d) and 15306 of the CEQA Guidelines (Class 4 - Minor Alterations of Land and Class 6 - Information Collection).
Disclaimer: The document was originally posted before CEQAnet had the capability to host attachments for the public. To obtain the original attachments for this document, please contact the lead agency at the contact information listed above. You may also contact the OPR via email at state.clearinghouse@opr.ca.gov or via phone at (916) 445-0613.