Burke’s Goldfields Seed Collection and Storage

Summary

SCH Number
2021120597
Public Agency
California Department of Fish and Wildlife, Habitat Conservation Planning (CDFW)
Document Title
Burke’s Goldfields Seed Collection and Storage
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
12/28/2021
Document Description
The California Department of Fish and Wildlife is issuing a permit to David Jacobson [Permit No. 2081(a)-21-027-RP] pursuant to Fish and Game Code section 2081(a) for a project related to the creation of habitat occupied by Burke’s goldfields (Lasthenia burkei) at Stonebridge Preserve (within CNDDB element occurrence 19), a 14-acre site located adjacent to and east of the proposed Stonebridge residential subdivision at 2220 Fulton Road in Santa Rosa, CA (38.475372, -122.764517). The habitat creation is compensatory mitigation under the Federal Endangered Species Act (ESA) for the impacts of the proposed Stonebridge residential subdivision to unoccupied suitable habitat for Burke’s goldfields, which is protected under the ESA. The Stonebridge residential project will not result in take of Burke’s goldfields as defined under CESA; therefore, an incidental take permit and mitigation under CESA are not required for the Stonebridge residential project. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s performance criterion is a density of 4,000 plants per 0.1 acre after five years. The Project includes the hand-collection of Burke’s goldfields seeds from the ALMS donor site. Dry conditions and high winds in April/May 2021 resulted in rapid seed maturation and early seed dispersal. On May 3, 2021, written emergency authorization was granted to allow for the collection of no more than five percent of Burke’s goldfields flowering heads containing mature seeds from ALMS prior to the issuance of this Permit. Seed collection by hand consisted of collecting one flowering head per plant from no more than five percent of plants per pool (approximately 150 flowering heads total). Flowering heads were placed in coin envelopes to dry, then transferred to the Nursery for storage. Seed will be temporarily stored for potential future seed bulking and outplanting activities. Stored seed may not be used for any additional activities or studies without advance written approval by CDFW.

Contact Information

Name
Raffica La Rosa
Agency Name
California Department of Fish and Wildlife
Job Title
Senior Environmental Scientist
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency

Name
David Jacobson
Agency Name
Woodside Holding
Job Title
Principal Investigator
Contact Types
Project Applicant

Location

Cities
Santa Rosa
Counties
Sonoma
Regions
Countywide
Other Location Info
The Project will take place at two locations in Sonoma County. Collection of seeds will occur at California Natural Diversity Database (CNDDB) element occurrence 25, Alton Lane Mitigation Site (ALMS), a 41- acre site in Santa Rosa, CA (38.472636, -122.776787). Seeds will be stored at the Laguna de Santa Rosa Foundation plant nursery (Nursery) at 900 Sanford Road, Santa Rosa, CA 95401 (38.426207, -122.820750).

Notice of Exemption

Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
Type and section number: Section 15307, Class 7
Reasons for Exemption
The Project consists of activities to maintain a natural resource by storing seed for a future restoration project and it ensures that existing populations of Burke's goldfields are not impacted.

Attachments

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