Building Wildlife Habitat and Community Resilience on Working Lands - Roots 168
Summary
SCH Number
2025100248
Public Agency
California Wildlife Conservation Board
(WCB)
Document Title
Building Wildlife Habitat and Community Resilience on Working Lands - Roots 168
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
10/7/2025
Document Description
This project will enhance wildlife habitat on culturally sensitive lands owned by the Pajaro Valley Ohlone Indian Council (PVOIC). Watsonville Wetlands Watch (WWW) is the lead applicant and a long-time partner with the PVOIC. WWW operates extensive restoration projects with community engagement in the area and will support the PVOIC throughout this partnership. The goals of the 0.29-acre project are to enhance
wetland and riparian habitat (approx. 0.09 acres) for wildlife within the Struve Slough complex, provide a native plant hedgerow (approx. 0.1 acres) buffer from adjacent land uses, remove remnant concrete rubble and slabs (approx. 0.1 acres) to improve wildlife habitat, and establish culturally important native plants to the PVOIC. The project also aims to provide engaging hands-on training and education for local students and community volunteers in the habitat restoration process. Project activities will benefit a large suite of wildlife. The Watsonville Slough System supports 279 species of resident and migratory birds and 23 different native plants and animals that are listed as endangered or threatened or species of special concern. Project activity is likely to benefit western pond turtle, California red-legged frog, and a variety of bird species such as red-winged blackbird, song sparrows, northern harrier, white tailed kite, and many others. (WCB Project Tracker ID: 2022065).
Contact Information
Name
Rebecca Fris
Agency Name
Wildlife Conservation Board
Job Title
Deputy Executive Director
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency
Phone
Location
Cities
Watsonville
Counties
Santa Cruz
Regions
Unincorporated
Parcel #
01839102
Township
12S
Range
02E
Section
7
Other Location Info
Approximately 0.29 acres of wildlife and pollinator habitat will be planted on the Pajaro Valley Ohlone Indian Council property in Watsonville in Santa Cruz County, California. Township 12S, Range 02E, Section 7 of the "Watsonville West" 7.5 quadrangle.
Notice of Exemption
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
Class 33 (CCR Section 15333) small habitat restoration project
Reasons for Exemption
WCB has determined that the objectives of enhancement and restoration of wildlife and pollinator habitat, and the implementation activities as designed for this project, will result in the maintenance, restoration, enhancement, or protection of habitat for fish, plants or wildlife to not exceed five acres in size. WCB has also determined that the project consists of minor public or private alterations in the condition of land, water, and/or vegetation which do not involve removal of healthy, mature, scenic trees except for forestry or agricultural purposes.
Exempt Status
Other
Type, Section or Code
Class 4 (CCR Section 15304) Minor Alterations to Land
Reasons for Exemption
WCB has determined that the objectives of enhancement and restoration of wildlife and pollinator habitat, and the implementation activities as designed for this project, will result in the maintenance, restoration, enhancement, or protection of habitat for fish, plants or wildlife to not exceed five acres in size. WCB has also determined that the project consists of minor public or private alterations in the condition of land, water, and/or vegetation which do not involve removal of healthy, mature, scenic trees except for forestry or agricultural purposes.
County Clerk
Santa Cruz
Attachments
Notice of Exemption
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