San Fernando Valley Spineflower Experimental Introductions Project
Summary
SCH Number
2020110423
Public Agency
California Department of Fish and Wildlife, Habitat Conservation Planning
(CDFW)
Document Title
San Fernando Valley Spineflower Experimental Introductions Project
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
11/24/2020
Present Land Use
The Project will take place on property owned by the Newhall Land and Farming Company (Newhall Land) in northwestern Los Angeles County and eastern Ventura County. Specifically, the Project will be conducted at two sites within coastal scrub and grassland habitat: (1) Castaic Mesa, and (2) Ventura County -
Facing Simi Valley (Ventura Simi). Laboratory work will take place at the office of Dr. Jodi McGraw at 262 Patricia Lane, Watsonville in Santa Cruz County, California.
Document Description
The California Department of Fish and Wildlife is issuing a California Endangered Species Act (CESA) permit to Dudek (Permit No. 2081(a)-20-017-RP) pursuant to Fish and Game Code section 2081(a) for a project to conduct experimental introductions of San Fernando Valley spineflower (Chorizanthe parryi var. fernandina; spineflower) using previously salvaged and bulked seed and material taken from development areas to establish new spineflower occurrences in open spaces. The results of these experimental introductions are intended to increase the long-term sustainability of the species and to inform managers of the potential methodologies for future introductions to expand spineflower populations, where appropriate. The spineflower introductions will use seeds generated from previous bulking efforts (CESA Permit No. 2081(a)-19-001-RP), along with salvaged spineflower seed-bearing topsoil from development areas that has been stored in a barn on the Newhall Land property to keep it shaded and dry. Seeds were originally collected in the vicinity of the Valencia Commerce Center Project Site and from the Potrero Spineflower Preserve and the San Martinez Grande Spineflower Preserve on Newhall Land property. Introductions will be conducted in fall, beginning in November 2020. Seed will be introduced by broadcast seeding at four unoccupied areas at Castaic Mesa and three unoccupied areas at Ventura Simi. The seed-bearing topsoil will be placed within two unoccupied areas at Castaic Mesa. The introduction sites will be maintained and monitored for eight years, from 2021 through 2028.
Contact Information
Name
Cherilyn Burton
Agency Name
California Department of Fish and Wildlife
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency
Phone
Name
Agency Name
Jake Marcon, Restoration Ecologist/Biologist, Dudek
Contact Types
Project Applicant
Location
Counties
Los Angeles, Santa Cruz, Ventura
Regions
San Francisco Bay Area, Southern California
Other Location Info
The Project will take place on property owned by the Newhall Land and Farming Company (Newhall Land) in northwestern Los Angeles County and eastern Ventura County. Specifically, the Project will be conducted at two sites within coastal scrub and grassland habitat: (1) Castaic Mesa, and (2) Ventura County - Facing Simi Valley (Ventura Simi). Laboratory work will take place at the office of Dr. Jodi McGraw at 262 Patricia Lane, Watsonville in Santa Cruz County, California.
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, as well as actions to assure the maintenance, restoration, or enhancement of a natural resource, the endangered San Fernando Valley spineflower. Experimental introductions of spineflower are intended to increase the long-term sustainability of the species and inform future introductions to expand spineflower populations. The permit issued by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife for the Project includes measures to ensure that existing populations of the endangered San Fernando Valley spineflower are not impacted, and that introduced populations are adequately protected.