Morro Manzanita (Arctostaphylos morroensis) Restoration Project
Summary
SCH Number
2025101370
Public Agency
California Department of Fish and Wildlife, Habitat Conservation Planning
(CDFW)
Document Title
Morro Manzanita (Arctostaphylos morroensis) Restoration Project
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
10/28/2025
Document Description
The California Department of Fish and Wildlife is issuing a California Endangered Species Act (CESA) permit pursuant to Fish and Game Code section 2081(a) to the California Department of Parks and Recreation, San Luis Obispo Coast District (Permit No. 2081(a)-25-015-RP) for a project to collect Morro manzanita (Arctostaphylos morroensis) seed for propagation and outplanting in Montaña de Oro State Park (MDOSP). Up to 200 fruits from wild populations of Morro manzanita within MDOSP will be collected annually in late fall when fruits are mature. No more than five percent of available seed from individual plants or populations will be collected within any given year. Collected fruit will be subjected to fire-simulation scarification and seedlings propagated in the State Parks greenhouse will be transplanted into one-gallon pots prior to outplanting. Each rainy season up to 50 Morro manzanita plants may be outplanted in restoration plots adjacent to established wild populations. Restoration efforts will also include planting associated native species such as coyote brush (Baccharis pilularis), sticky monkeyflower (Diplacus aurantiacus), and lupine (Lupinus spp.) to promote maritime chaparral recovery. The project will occur over a five-year cycle from 2025 through 2030, with annual monitoring and progress reports submitted to CDFW.
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
Name
Dan Falat
Agency Name
California Department of Parks and Recreation- San Luis Obispo Coast District
Job Title
District Superintendent
Contact Types
Project Applicant / Parties Undertaking Project
Phone
Email
Location
Counties
San Luis Obispo
Regions
Countywide
Other Location Info
The Project will take place in Montaña de Oro State Park (MDOSP), San Luis Obispo County. Restoration plots are located within areas of eucalyptus removal and adjacent maritime chaparral, as mapped in the San Luis Obispo Coast District’s Native Habitat Restoration Plots. Propagation will occur at the San Luis Obispo Coast District greenhouse in Morro Bay State Park.
Notice of Exemption
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
California Code of Regulations, Title 14, Section 15306, Class 6
Reasons for Exemption
The Project will support recovery of Morro manzanita, which is a candidate for CESA listing, by propagating and outplanting plants to restore suitable maritime chaparral habitat in Montaña de Oro State Park. The permit issued by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife for the Project includes measures to ensure that existing populations of Morro manzanita are adequately protected and that no significant adverse environmental impacts will result.
County Clerk
San Luis Obispo
Attachments
Notice of Exemption
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