Ellwood Mesa/Sperling Preserve Monarch Butterfly Habitat Management Plan Phase 1 Implementation Project

3 Documents in Project

Summary

SCH Number
2019011059
Lead Agency
City of Goleta
Document Title
Ellwood Mesa/Sperling Preserve Monarch Butterfly Habitat Management Plan Phase 1 Implementation Project
Document Type
NOD - Notice of Determination
Received
Posted
10/24/2023
Document Description
On March 19, 2019, the City Council of the City of Goleta adopted the Final Initial Study-Mitigated Negative Declaration (IS-MND) and a Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program (MMRP), and approved the Monarch Butterfly Habitat Management Plan (MBHMP). The MBHMP outlines the programmatic approach and methods for the City of Goleta to manage and improve the Ellwood Mesa eucalyptus forest for the benefit of the overwintering behavior of the monarch butterfly, other wildlife, and the public’s use and enjoyment and the MBHMP is to be effectuated through subsequent implementation plans. The City prepared the MBHMP in compliance with the two key policy documents that drive the protection of monarch butterflies in Goleta: the city of Goleta GP/Coastal land use plan and Ellwood-Devereux Coast Open Space and Habitat Management Plan. The Phase 1 Implementation Project is a subset of the MBHMP and includes enhancement activities necessary to meet specific goals of the MBHMP, including installation of a permanent irrigation system, improvements to butterfly viewing areas, installation of a temporary water meter, and emergency/maintenance road renovation. The Phase 1 Implementation Project of the MBHMP also consists of monarch butterfly habitat restoration and public access improvements including removal of dead trees, pruning of existing trees to remain, planting of new trees, native restoration planting, improvement of pedestrian and vehicular creek crossings, drainage improvements, improvements to monarch butterfly viewing areas, wayfinding and interpretive signage. On October 17, 2023, the Council of the City of Goleta approved the Phase 1 Implementation Plan of the MBHMP. The Project addresses implementation of the MBHMP at five of the eight aggregation sites at Ellwood Mesa: Ellwood North, Ellwood Ironbark, Ellwood West, and Ellwood Main, and Ellwood East and implements 20 of the 22 programs outlined in the MBHMP. The Project area includes 60 acres containing the four aggregation sites with the highest number of overwintering populations historically, within the overall management area. An Addendum to the Ellwood Mesa/Sperling Preserve Monarch Butterfly Habitat Management Plan Final Initial Study – Mitigated Negative Declaration was prepared. The action covered by this NOD is Adopting an Addendum to the Ellwood Mesa Monarch Butterfly Habitat Management Plan Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration Pursuant to Section 15164 of the State CEQA Guidelines and Approving the Development Plan and In-Concept Coastal Development Permit for the Phase I Implementation Plan of the Ellwood Mesa Monarch Butterfly Habitat Management Plan. The City determined that an Addendum for the Project was appropriate pursuant to CEQA Guidelines § 15164 since the Project made minor technical changes to the MBHMP and no circumstances exist calling for the preparation of a subsequent or supplemental Mitigated Negative Declaration pursuant to CEQA Guidelines §§ 15162 and 15163.

Contact Information

Name
George Thomson
Agency Name
City of Goleta
Job Title
Parks and Open Space Manager
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency / Project Applicant / Parties Undertaking Project

Location

Cities
Goleta
Counties
Santa Barbara
Regions
Northern California
Zip
93117
Total Acres
90
Parcel #
079-210-070, 079-210-69, 079-210-071, 079-210-072, 079-210-024, 079-491-016, 079-210-051, 079-21
State Highways
CA
Township
Goleta

Notice of Determination

Approving Agency
City of Goleta
Approving Agency Role
Lead Agency
Approved On
County Clerk
Santa Barbara
Final Environmental Document Available at
www.cityofgoleta.org

Determinations

(1) The project will have a significant impact on the environment
No
(2a) An Environmental Impact Report was prepared for this project pursuant to the provisions of CEQA
No
(2b) A Mitigated or a Negative Declaration was prepared for this project pursuant to the provisions of CEQA
Yes
(2c) An other document type was prepared for this project pursuant to the provisions of CEQA
No
(3) Mitigated measures were made a condition of the approval of the project
Yes
(4) A mitigation reporting or monitoring plan was adopted for this project
Yes
(5) A Statement of Overriding Considerations was adopted for this project
No
(6) Findings were made pursuant to the provisions of CEQA
Yes

Attachments

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