California Estuary MPA Monitoring Program
Summary
SCH Number
2025041135
Public Agency
California Department of Fish and Wildlife, Marin Region 7
(CDFW)
Document Title
California Estuary MPA Monitoring Program
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
4/23/2025
Document Description
The Department of Fish and Wildlife is issuing a permit to the Moss Landing Marine Labs pursuant to Fish and Game Code Section 2081(a) for scientific purposes. The Section 2081(a) permit authorizes the applicant to take longfin smelt (Spirinchus thaleichthys), coho salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch), Chinook salmon (O. tshawytscha), steelhead trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss), and white sturgeon (Acipenser transmontanus) during the course of sampling, subject to terms and conditions set forth in the permit. The purpose of this sampling is for the Moss Landing Marine Lab’s
Central Coast Wetlands Group to evaluate the condition of California’s estuarine ecosystems of Marine Protected Areas (MPA) and control sites. The Section 2081(a) permit authorizes the applicant to potentially capture longfin smelt, coho salmon, Chinook salmon, steelhead trout, and white sturgeon during surveys. The applicant will conduct year-round research sampling of nearshore and estuarine marine species through the use of hook & line – surface, hook & line – baited dropper loop, beach
seines, Baited Remote Underwater Video (BRUV), and bottom trawls through December 31, 2027.
Contact Information
Name
Dylan Inskeep
Agency Name
California Department of Fish and Wildlife
Job Title
Environmental Scientist
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency
Phone
Name
Kevin O'Connor
Agency Name
Moss Landing Marine Labs
Job Title
Project Applicant
Contact Types
Project Applicant / Parties Undertaking Project
Phone
Location
Counties
Del Norte, Humboldt, Los Angeles, Marin, Mendocino, Monterey, Orange, San Diego, San Luis Obispo, San Mateo, Santa Barbara, Santa Cruz, Sonoma, Ventura
Regions
Countywide, Northern California, Southern California, Statewide
Other Location Info
Nearshore and offshore waters of the counties of Del Norte, Humboldt, Mendocino, Sonoma, Marin, San Mateo, Santa Cruz, Monterey, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, Ventura, Los Angeles, Orange, and San Diego
Notice of Exemption
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
Calif. Code Regs., §15306, Information Collection, Class 6
Reasons for Exemption
The Project involves research sampling within nearshore and offshore waters of the counties of Del Norte, Humboldt, Mendocino, Sonoma, Marin, San Mateo, Santa Cruz, Monterey, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, Ventura, Los Angeles, Orange, and San Diego which will not result in a serious or major disturbance to longfin smelt, coho salmon, Chinook salmon, steelhead trout, or white sturgeon which are all listed under the California Endangered Species Act.
Attachments
Notice of Exemption
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