Ecological Restoration Project – Kenedy Meadows (CEQ 25-005)
Summary
SCH Number
2025050387
Public Agency
Tulare County
Document Title
Ecological Restoration Project – Kenedy Meadows (CEQ 25-005)
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
5/9/2025
Document Description
The proposed Project is designed to restore the ecological form and function of Windy Springs meadow and the associated springs and intermittent tributary to increase resilience to climate change and wildfire. Objectives of the proposed Project include removing infrastructure from the springs, meadow, and spring outflow channel that alter hydrology; controlling invasive plants; expanding cover of culturally significant, wildfire resistant, and climate resilient plants; enhancing habitat for aquatic, wetland, and riparian-dependent species; and decreasing sediment mobilized from road drainages. Implementing the proposed Project will provide ecological and social benefits including: restoring hydrologic and geomorphic function, increasing groundwater storage, slowing floodwaters, expanding the wetland buffer to wildfire spread, sequestering carbon through development of meadow soils and vegetation, identifying existing and future wildlife habitat and developing strategies to restore habitat resiliency, engaging tribal members, and providing educational opportunities for college students and others.
Contact Information
Name
Jon Christensen and Ursula Heise
Agency Name
Project applicant
Job Title
Project applicant
Contact Types
Project Applicant
Phone
Name
Gary Mills
Agency Name
County of Tulare, Resource Management Agency
Job Title
Chief Planner
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency
Phone
Name
Jessica Wills
Agency Name
County of Tulare, Resource Management Agency
Job Title
Environmental Planner
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency
Phone
Name
Jason Garcia-LoBue
Agency Name
County of Tulare, Resource Management Agency
Job Title
Planning & Permit Manager
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency
Phone
Location
Cities
unincorporated area, Kennedy Meadows
Counties
Tulare
Regions
Unincorporated
Parcel #
310-140-020, -037 and -038
Township
22S
Range
36E
Section
08
Other Location Info
on south side of Windy Springs Road approximately 1 mile east of Kennedy Meadows Road (Sherman Pass Road). The proposed Project is approximately 2.2 acres on private property and is surrounded by federal (Bureau of Land Management) land within the South Fork Kern watershed in the Sierra Nevada Mountain Range of southeastern Tulare County.
Notice of Exemption
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
CEQA Guidelines Class 13 Section 15313 Acquisition of Lands for Wildlife
Reasons for Exemption
This action is consistent with Section 15313 Class 13, Acquisition of Lands for Wildlife because Class 13 consists of the acquisition of lands for fish and wildlife conservation purposes including (a) preservation of fish and wildlife habitat,
(b) establishing ecological reserves under Fish and Game Code Section 1580, and (c) preserving access to public lands and waters where the purpose of the acquisition is to preserve the land in its natural condition. Therefore, the application of CEQA Section 15313 is applicable and appropriate for this project.
County Clerk
Tulare
Attachments
Notice of Exemption
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