A proposal to expand reintroductions of the Sierra Nevada yellow-legged frog (Rana sierrae) in Humphreys Basin, Sierra National Forest
Summary
SCH Number
2025061039
Public Agency
California Department of Fish and Wildlife, Central Region 4
(CDFW)
Document Title
A proposal to expand reintroductions of the Sierra Nevada yellow-legged frog (Rana sierrae) in Humphreys Basin, Sierra National Forest
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
6/23/2025
Document Description
The proposed recovery actions include (1) wild tadpoles and adults from “Trapdoor Pond” in Humphreys Basin that are directly translocated to the recipient sites within the basin, and (2) tadpoles collected from “Trapdoor Pond” and a two donor populations in the adjacent Kings Canyon National Park (“Hermit Lake”, “Darwin Bench Ponds”), reared to adulthood at the Oakland Zoo, and subsequently reintroduced to the recipient sites within Humphryes Basin. Collections for both direct translocation and captive rearing will occur in 2025 and 2026, captively reared adults will be released in 2026 and 2027. All collections (for both the translocation and captive rearing efforts) will represent less than 10% of the associated life stage present at each site at the time of collection. The proposal follows other translocation efforts within Humphreys Basin and successful programs for SNYLF and other California Endangered Species Act listed endangered anurans that the Zoo and partners have developed since 2013 (and supported by a long-term Memorandum of Understanding between the Zoo and CDFW). Zoo experts will rear the tadpoles through metamorphosis and release adult frogs the following year. The frogs will not be held at the Zoo for longer than one year.
Contact Information
Name
Margarita Gordus
Agency Name
California Department of Fish and Wildlife
Job Title
Senior Environmental Scientist (Supervisor)
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency
Phone
Name
Dr. Roland A. Knapp
Agency Name
University of California Sierra Nevada Aquatic Research Lab
Job Title
Research Biologist
Contact Types
Parties Undertaking Project
Phone
Email
Location
Counties
Fresno
Regions
Southern California
Other Location Info
Donor Sites: Sierra National Forest, unnamed lake, Latitude (Lat) 37.2552, Longitude (Long) -118.7170; Kings Canyon National Park, McGee Lakes, Lat 37.1585, Long -118.7232; Kings Canyon National Park, unnamed lake, Lat 37.1966, Long -118.7211.
Receiving Sites: Knob Lake. Lat 37.2667, Long -118.7483; Square Lake, Lat 37.2661, Long -118.7270; Marmot Lake, Lat 37.2601, Long -118.6838; unnamed lake, Lat 37.2493, Long -118.6877; unnamed lake, Lat 37.2467, Long -118.6874.
Captive Rearing Site: Oakland Zoo, Oakland, CA.
Notice of Exemption
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
Class 7; California Code of Regulations, title 14, section 15307
Reasons for Exemption
The Class 7 Categorical Exemption applies to proposed “actions by regulatory agencies for protection of natural resources” projects under the California Environmental Quality Act (Pub. Resources Code, 21000 et seq.). The proposed project involves re-establishing populations of an endangered species to historically occupied locations, which is required to achieve recovery. The Project is not expected to result in any adverse impacts to the environment.
Attachments
Notice of Exemption
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