Expanding Populations of Vernal Pool Species Using Seed Bulking
Summary
SCH Number
2021040609
Public Agency
California Department of Fish and Wildlife, Habitat Conservation Planning
(CDFW)
Document Title
Expanding Populations of Vernal Pool Species Using Seed Bulking
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
4/26/2021
Document Description
The California Department of Fish and Wildlife is issuing a permit to the Laguna de Santa Rosa Foundation [Permit No. 2081(a)-21-007-RP] pursuant to Fish and Game Code section 2081(a) for a project to expand reduced populations of two state-listed endangered vernal pool species, Sonoma sunshine (Blennosperma bakeri) at SVRP and Sebastopol meadowfoam (Limnanthes vinculans) at the EBC. Project activities include seed collection, bulking, vegetation removal, and outplanting. At each of the two sites, seeds will be collected by hand in spring/summer 2021 from the one remaining pool that each species occupies at their respective site. The seeds will be transferred to the Laguna Foundation nursery for germination and bulking activities, initiating in January 2022. In fall 2022, seed from the nursery-grown plants will be returned to the properties where the original seed had been collected. The introduced seed will be broadcast sown into unoccupied recipient pools that have been cleared of thatch and competing weeding species. No seed will be placed into the two donor pools. All current and introduced populations will be monitored for the duration of the Project. Monitoring will include counting individuals or estimating population size per pool each spring and mapping the populations. Source pools will be monitored all five years (2021-2025), and recipient pools will be monitored every spring after outplanting (2023-2025).
Contact Information
Name
Raffica La Rosa
Agency Name
California Department of Fish and Wildlife
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency
Phone
Name
Sarah Gordon
Agency Name
Laguna de Santa Rosa Foundation
Contact Types
Project Applicant
Phone
Location
Cities
Santa Rosa
Counties
Sonoma
Regions
San Francisco Bay Area
Other Information
The Project is located in Sonoma County at (1) an approximately one-acre area in Sonoma Valley Regional Park (SVRP) on Highway 12 near Glen Ellen, CA 95442 (38.365858, -122.511941), (2) a nine-acre area within the Earle Baum Center (EBC) at 4539 Occidental Road, Santa Rosa, CA 95401 (38.424130, -122.782512), (3) the Laguna Foundation plant nursery at 900 Sanford Road, Santa Rosa, CA 95401 (38.426207, -122.820750), and (4) the home office of Sarah Gordon in Kenwood, CA 95452.
Notice of Exemption
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
Sections 15306 and 15307, Classes 6 and 7
Reasons for Exemption
The Project consists of research, experimental management, and resource evaluation activities which do not result in a serious or major disturbance to an environmental resource. The Project will facilitate the recovery of the California endangered Sonoma sunshine and Sebastopol meadowfoam by attempting to restore and enhance existing populations of these species. The permit issued by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife for the Project includes measures to ensure that existing populations of Sonoma sunshine and Sebastopol meadowfoam are not impacted, and that the restored populations are adequately protected.
Attachments
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