San Fernando Valley Spineflower Experimental Habitat Manipulation and Seeding Project (Project)
Summary
SCH Number
2016108248
Public Agency
California Department of Fish and Wildlife, Environmental Services Division
(CDFW)
Document Title
San Fernando Valley Spineflower Experimental Habitat Manipulation and Seeding Project (Project)
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
10/19/2016
Document Description
CDFW is issuing a permit to Jodi McGraw pursuant to Fish and Game Code section 2081(a) for a project to examine factors that influence performance of San Fernando Valley spineflower individuals and populations, and evaluate San Fernando Valley spineflower seed application methods. The project includes manipulation of three factors that appear to influence San Fernando Valley spineflower distribution, abundance, and individual plant growth and reproduction: (1) soil compaction, (2) exotic plant abundance, and (3) soil moisture availability. These factors will be manipulated in a factorial design to examine how they reproduction. Experimental manipulations will be conducted at 10 sites that will be established in suitable San Fernando Valley spineflower habitat. Within each of the 10 blocks, 8 plots will be randomly located to receive broadcast seed to test the effects of the three habitat treatments. In the five blocks located more than 1,000 ft from existing San Fernando Valley spineflower populations, two additional plots will be established to receive translocated salvaged topsoil containing San Fernando Valley spineflower seedbank to compare this method to the broadcast seeding method used in the other eight plots. One control plot will also be located in each block. A max of 500 San Fernando Valley spineflower plants will be collected from the study and control plots at the end of the first growing season to assess biomass, flower production, fruit production, and seed viability. The harvested plants will be air dried and stored in a lab at the permittee's residence for additional examination, if needed. Monitoring will be conducted for a min of two years. The manipulation study will be completed by November 30, 2018. Dried specimens of San Fernando Valley spineflower will be stored in the lab until the permit expires on December 31, 2021. Any dried specimens remaining when the permit expires will be destroyed.
Contact Information
Name
Cherilyn Burton
Agency Name
California Department of Fish and Wildlife, Environmental Servic
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency
Phone
Location
Counties
Los Angeles
Other Location Info
Newhall Ranch; San Fernando Valley spineflower plants harvested after first growing season will be stored in lab in Corralitos
Notice of Exemption
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
15306, C6
Reasons for Exemption
The project is being undertaken as a research project, and will consist of basic data collection, research, experimental management and resource evaluation activities which will not result in a serious or major disturbance to an environmental resource. The permit issued by Fish and Wildlife Dept for the project includes measures to ensure that existing populations of San Fernando Valley spineflower are not negatively impacted.
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.