Quail Hollow North Ridge Conservation Area Santa Cruz Wallflower Enhancement Project (Project), California Department of Fish and Wildlife Permit No. 2081(a)-22
Summary
SCH Number
2022090491
Public Agency
California Department of Fish and Wildlife, Habitat Conservation Planning
(CDFW)
Document Title
Quail Hollow North Ridge Conservation Area Santa Cruz Wallflower Enhancement Project (Project), California Department of Fish and Wildlife Permit No. 2081(a)-22
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
9/26/2022
Document Description
The California Department of Fish and Wildlife is issuing a permit to Dr. Jodi McGraw pursuant to Fish and Game Code section 2081(a) for a project to enhance and restore Santa Cruz wallflower (Erysimum teretifolium) within a one-acre area of the North Ridge Conservation Area. The enhancement project is a requirement of a 50-year Incidental Take Permit issued to the Granite Rock Company for mining activities at the Quail Hollow Quarry (Permit No. 2081-1998-32-3) and requires enhancement, protection, and management of Quail Hollow Quarry areas to benefit Santa Cruz wallflower and other federally protected species. In 2018, CDFW issued Permit No. 2081(a)-18-008-RP to collect and store Santa Cruz wallflower seeds from Quail Hollow Quarry until an enhancement plan was developed. In 2019, Permit No. 2081(a)-19-013-RP was issued to broadcast seeds into a 0.13 treatment area of the South Ridge Conservation Area and to collect additional seed (Permit No. 2081(a)-19-013 Amendment 1). This project would authorize use of seed collected under Permit No. 2081(a)-19-013-RP to enhance and restore Santa Cruz Wallflower within the North Ridge Conservation Area. Areas will first be cleared of exotic plants and litter using bulldozer disturbance. Following site preparation, Santa Cruz wallflower seed will be mixed with an inert carrier and broadcast by hand in 2022 and 2023. Ten permanent quadrats will be located within the seeding treatment area to compare data with ten reference plots established in adjacent, undisturbed habitat areas. Plots will be monitored bi-annually for a total of five years. Reconnaissance monitoring will assess overall conditions, need for retreatment and to detect any invasive species management issues. Distribution of Santa Cruz wallflower will be mapped in 2024 as part of the areal extant mapping effort conducted every three and seven years. Between four to eight photo monitoring points will be established to capture pre- and post-treatment conditions. Fall and spring photo data will be collected annually beginning in 2022. The total number of reproductive Santa Cruz wallflowers will be censused annually each spring (late April-early May).
Contact Information
Name
Joanne Heraty
Agency Name
California Department of Fish and Wildlife, Habitat Conservation Planning Branch
Job Title
Senior Environmental Scientist- Specialist
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency
Address
Phone
Location
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 actions to restore and enhance populations of endangered Santa Cruz wallflower. The permit issued by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife for the Project includes measures to ensure that existing populations of Santa Cruz wallflower are not impacted.
County Clerk
Santa Cruz
Attachments
Notice of Exemption
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