Facilitation and Study of Western Joshua Tree Regeneration Post-Wildfire
Summary
SCH Number
2021070086
Public Agency
California Department of Fish and Wildlife, Habitat Conservation Planning
(CDFW)
Document Title
Facilitation and Study of Western Joshua Tree Regeneration Post-Wildfire
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
7/6/2021
Document Description
The California Department of Fish and Wildlife is issuing a permit to THC [Permit No. 2081(a)-21-011-RP] pursuant to Fish and Game Code section 2081(a) for a project to develop a strategy for responding proactively and reactively to future and past fire events in western Joshua tree woodland (WJT) habitats. Post-fire project activities include: (1) testing methods to protect against herbivore damage to new WJT rhizomal sprouts, (2) WJT seed collection for propagation and outplanting into the proposed study areas, and (3) testing the hypothesis that clustering dead and downed WJT biomass will speed up the regeneration of desert native plants by promoting moisture and seed retention and that biomass may also provide habitat for wildlife.
Contact Information
Name
Raffica La Rosa
Agency Name
California Department of Fish and Wildlife
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency
Phone
Location
Counties
Los Angeles
Regions
Southern California
Other Information
The Project is located at the Portal Ridge Wildlife Preserve (PRWP), a patchwork of approximately 730 acres, 15 miles west of Lancaster, CA in Los Angeles County. PRWP is owned and managed by Transition Habitat Conservancy (THC). Three of the four proposed study areas are adjacent to the Arthur B. Ripley Desert State Park (34.752521, -118.492824) to the north, west, and south. The fourth proposed study area is adjacent to George Bones Wildlife Sanctuary (34.738416, -118.492266) to the south and southwest. Project greenhouse activities will occur at the THC greenhouse facility at 10230 Monterey Court, Oak Hills, CA 92344 in Los Angeles County (34.3738, -117.4408).
Notice of Exemption
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
Sections 15306 and 15307, Classes 6 and 7
Reasons for Exemption
The Project will facilitate the recovery of the Candidate Species, western Joshua tree (Yucca brevifolia) by attempting to re-establish individuals of the species after wildfire. The permit issued by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife for the Project includes measures to ensure that existing populations of Yucca brevifolia are not negatively impacted.
County Clerk
Los Angeles
Attachments
Notice of Exemption
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