Nipomo Mesa Lupine Seed Predation Study and Population Enhancement Project
Summary
SCH Number
2021120144
Public Agency
California Department of Fish and Wildlife, Habitat Conservation Planning
(CDFW)
Document Title
Nipomo Mesa Lupine Seed Predation Study and Population Enhancement Project
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
12/8/2021
Document Description
The California Department of Fish and Wildlife is issuing a permit to Cheadle Center for Biodiversity and Ecological Restoration (CCBER) [Permit No. 2081(a)-21-025-RP] pursuant to Fish and Game Code section 2081(a) for a seed predation study and population enhancement project for the endangered Nipomo Mesa lupine. For the seed predation study, eight camera traps will be set up over petri dishes or shallow plastic containers that are buried approximately three inches deep in Nipomo Mesa lupine habitat at Black Lake Ecological Area. Each container will contain 30 seeds that will be buried within the top half centimeter of soil; six of the containers will be
uncaged and two will be caged. The camera traps will be installed in December 2021 and will be left in place for four to eight weeks depending on rainfall and germination. All germinated plants and materials will be removed from the field when the seed predation study is complete. For the population enhancement project, CCBER will be using seed they currently possess that were bulked as part of a 2018 Traditional Section 6 Grant project. In December 2021, five fenced (2.5 feet tall) 10 x 10-foot paired plots (ten plots total) will be established in areas where Nipomo Mesa lupine previously occurred but has not been observed since 2010 or earlier. For each pair of plots, one will receive 500 scarified seeds, and the other will receive 500 unscarified seeds. All plots will be monitored monthly, December 2021 through May 2022. If the seeding is successful, additional plots may be established and seeded in fall 2022 with prior written approval from CDFW.
Contact Information
Name
Cherilyn Burton
Agency Name
California Department of Fish and Wildlife
Job Title
Senior Environmental Scientist
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency
Phone
Name
Lisa Stratton
Agency Name
Cheadle Center for Biodiversity and Ecological Restoration
Job Title
Director of Ecosystem Managment
Contact Types
Project Applicant
Phone
Email
Location
Coordinates
Counties
San Luis Obispo
Regions
Northern California, San Francisco Bay Area
Other Location Info
The Project will take place within the Guadalupe-Nipomo Dunes Complex in San Luis Obispo County, at Black Lake Ecological Area (35.05599, -120.60373), and on a parcel owned by Phillips 66 that is part of the Oceano Dunes State Vehicular Recreation Area (35.04278, -120.59102).
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 basic data collection, research, experimental management, and resource evaluation activities and will facilitate the recovery of the California endangered Nipomo Mesa lupine by attempting to establish additional self-sustaining populations of the species within its historic range. The permit issued by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife for the Project includes measures to ensure that existing populations of Nipomo Mesa lupine are not impacted, and that re-introduced populations are adequately protected.
Attachments
Notice of Exemption
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