UC Santa Barbara Experimental Kelp Farm
Summary
SCH Number
2018048478
Public Agency
University of California, Santa Barbara
Document Title
UC Santa Barbara Experimental Kelp Farm
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
4/23/2018
Document Description
This is a research project that would investigate the potential for a cost effective, environmentally sound, breeding program for giant program for giant kelp that is aimed at optimizing its production for use as a commercial biofuel. The project involves culturing strains of giant kelp in the lab as "seed stock" for breeding experiments. The experimental farm will be approx 105 meters long and 30 m wide and located on a sandy bottom in water depths of 15-30 ft. It will consist of a grid of 20 pairs of lines fastened to the bottom by earth anchors spaced 10 m apart. Lines will be oriented perpendicular to shore and range in length from 14-30 m depending on their location in the grid. The two lines comprising each pair will be spaced 1 m apart and adjacent pairs of lines will be spaced 3 m apart. Kelp outplanted to the farm will be fastened at 0.5 m intervals along each line using small nylon ties and grown for approx four months prior to harvesting. Based on prior experience, the juvenile kelp is expected to be approx 2 m tall at the time of harvesting, and sexually immature. The research project duration is from April 2019 through summer 2020.
Contact Information
Name
Shari Hammond
Agency Name
University of California, Santa Barbara
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency
Phone
Location
Counties
Santa Barbara
Notice of Exemption
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
15306
Reasons for Exemption
The proposed project is a research project and will not result in ground disturbance. There will be no sensitive resources impacted by the proposed project.
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