Outplanting of Scotts Valley Polygonum (Polygonum hickmanii)
Summary
SCH Number
2022120573
Public Agency
California Department of Fish and Wildlife, Habitat Conservation Planning
(CDFW)
Document Title
Outplanting of Scotts Valley Polygonum (Polygonum hickmanii)
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
12/22/2022
Document Description
The California Department of Fish and Wildlife is issuing a permit to the United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) (Permit No. 2081(a)-22-010-RP) pursuant to Fish and Game Code section 2081(a) for a project to study conditions and techniques for successful in situ germination and population reestablishment of Scotts Valley polygonum in Santa Cruz County. The Project will directly address the 2020 USFWS recommended recovery action to outplant Scotts Valley polygonum to historical locations using bulked seed. The initial pilot study will take place at Polo Ranch. Four quadrats with different treatments will be placed at four historic locations, for a total of 16 quadrats. Approximately 8,000 seeds produced from greenhouse-reared plants under authority of CESA permit 2081(a)-18-004-RP will be used as source material. In the fall/winter of 2022/2023 approximately 500 seeds will be broadcast into each quadrat. Photos will be taken before and after planting. Planted areas will be covered with mesh to reduce herbivory and grazing exclosures will be installed. Maintenance of the quadrats will include hand weeding, thatch removal and maintenance of herbivory mesh. Monitoring will be conducted monthly beginning in February 2023 to assess germination of seedlings, flowering, fruiting, mortality, evidence of herbivory, or other conditions affecting outplanting success. Water treatments will be applied at each monitoring event unless natural precipitation is considered adequate. Results from the initial pilot study at Polo Ranch will inform future reintroduction efforts that are expected be continued by the Permittee, assistant investigators, and partners of the Scotts Valley Polygonum Recovery Implementation Team with the goal of establishing additional self-sustaining populations.
Contact Information
Name
Joanne Heraty
Agency Name
California Department of Fish and Wildlife, Habitat Conservation Planning Branch
Job Title
Senior Environmental Scientist- Specialist
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency
Address
Phone
Location
Cities
Scotts Valley
Counties
Santa Cruz
Regions
Citywide, Northern California
Other Location Info
The Outplanting of Scotts Valley Polygonum (Polygonum hickmanii) project (Project) will take place in Scotts Valley in Santa Cruz County. The initial pilot study will be implemented at Polo Ranch (37.06466, -121.99324) at historical California Natural Diversity Database (CNDDB) Element Occurrence (EO) 1. Subsequent reintroduction sites are in planning stages and may include locations at Scotts Valley High School (EO 2, 37.06974, -122.01084), Salvation Army (EO 2, 37.06974, -122.01084) and Glenwood Preserve (37.07448, -122.00213).
Notice of Exemption
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
California Code of Regulations, Title 14, Section 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 support the maintenance, restoration, or enhancement of the endangered Scotts Valley polygonum. The permit issued by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife for the Project includes measures to ensure that existing populations of Scotts Valley polygonum are not impacted, and that introduced populations are adequately protected.
County Clerk
Santa Cruz