Five Lakes Basin non-native fish removal and Sierra Nevada yellow-legged frog (Rana sierrae) population recovery.
Summary
SCH Number
2020030233
Public Agency
California Department of Fish and Wildlife, North Central Region 2
(CDFW)
Document Title
Five Lakes Basin non-native fish removal and Sierra Nevada yellow-legged frog (Rana sierrae) population recovery.
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
3/6/2020
Document Description
Non-native Brook Trout and Rainbow Trout will be removed from Five Lakes Basin, Glacier Lake, and other small, connected fish-containing ponds and perennial tributaries using monofilament gill nets and backpack electrofishing units. Sierra Nevada yellow-legged frogs (frogs) will be translocated from the Mossy Pond . area (south of Fordyce Lake, Nevada County) into Five Lakes Basin following fish removal. Frogs will be transported by vehicle and on foot using backpacks and small containers. If fish numbers decline rapidly, frog translocations will occur in conjunction with fish removal activities. Work will be implemented by CDFW and occasional assistance may be provided by Tahoe National Forest biologists. Most field work, including fish removal and translocations, is scheduled to occur from 2020-2022, after which there will be long-term frog population monitoring by CDFW.
Contact Information
Name
Isaac Chellman
Agency Name
California Department of Fish and Wildlife
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency
Phone
Name
Agency Name
California Department of Fish & Wildlife ( COFW)
Contact Types
Project Applicant
Location
Counties
Nevada
Other Location Info
Five Lakes Basin, Grouse Ridge Non-motorized Area, Tahoe National Forest.
Notice of Exemption
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
S:15307
Reasons for Exemption
This project is subject to the "Class 7" categorical exemption in section 15307 of Title 14 of the California Code of Regulations. The Class 7 categorical exemption is defined as "actions by regulatory agencies for protection of natural resources" under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) (Pub. Resources Code, § 21000 et seq.). In general, Class 7 consists of actions taken by regulatory agencies as authorized by state law to assure the maintenance, restoration, or enhancement of a natural resource. The proposed project falls within the Class 7 categorical exemption because the purpose of the. project is to restore and enhance populations of native frogs, listed as 'threatened' under the California Endangered Species Act and 'endangered' under the Federal Endangered Species Act. The proposed activities are limited in scope and no serious or major disturbances to environmental resources are expected. In Five Lakes Basin, CDFW proposes to remove non-native trout to benefit the reestablishment of an extirpated frog population. CDFW also proposes translocations from the Mossy Pond area to Five Lakes Basin to create a new population of frogs. AU of the proposed activities are within the historic range and critical habitat of the Sierra Nevada yellow-legged frog. These actions also meet conservation goals outlined in the multi-agency Mountain Yellow-legged Frog Conservation Strategy.
Attachments
Notice of Exemption
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