Virtual Cattle-Fencing Study
Summary
SCH Number
2025010007
Public Agency
Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District
Document Title
Virtual Cattle-Fencing Study
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
1/2/2025
Document Description
The Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District (Midpen) is partnering with the University of Nevada, Reno to study the effectiveness of virtual cattle-fencing within the Lone Madrone Grazing Unit (Lone Madrone) in La Honda Creek Open Space Preserve. The proposed project would include installation of three base stations that would facilitate operation of radio-wave/GPS capable collars attached to cattle that are part of the existing grazing operation within Lone Madrone (Attachment 1). The collars would use audible cues and physical stimulus to communicate virtual fence positions to cattle to keep them within desired areas or out of undesirable areas.
Temporary base stations would include an approximately 20-foot-tall slim line pole affixed to an electronics equipment box with a solar panel and thin ground rod. Each base station would be secured to the ground using seven stakes. Temporary exclusionary fencing would also be installed around the base station using fourteen t-posts. No sensitive plant species or natural communities would be negatively affected by the proposed project. The duration of the study would be approximately 16 months.
Contact Information
Name
Jared Hart
Agency Name
Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District
Job Title
Senior Planner
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency / Parties Undertaking Project
Phone
Email
Location
Cities
unincorporated area
Counties
San Mateo
Regions
San Francisco Bay Area
Parcel #
078-280-110; 078-260-020; 078-260-070
Other Location Info
Lone Madrone Grazing Unit within La Honda Creek Open Space Preserve
Notice of Exemption
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
15303
Reasons for Exemption
Class 3 consists of construction and location of limited numbers of new, sma11 facilities or structures; insta11ation of small new equipment and facilities in small structures; and the conversion of existing small structures from one use to another where only minor modifications are made in the exterior of the structure. The Project includes installation of three small temporary base stations as described herein to support the virtual cattle-fencing study.
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
15304
Reasons for Exemption
Class 4· consists of minor public or private alterations in the condition of land, water, and/or vegetation which do not involve removal of healthy, mature, scenic trees except for forestry or agricultural purposes. The Project will include minor alterations to land to install three temporary virtual cattle-fencing base stations and associated exclusionary fencing. No trees are proposed for removal.
Furthermore, none of the exceptions to the categorical exemptions identified under CEQA Guidelines Section 15300.2 apply to the proposed project.
County Clerk
San Mateo
Attachments
Notice of Exemption
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