Eel River Native Plant Network
Summary
SCH Number
2025111135
Public Agency
California State Coastal Conservancy
(SCC)
Document Title
Eel River Native Plant Network
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
11/26/2025
Document Description
Notice of exemption for Coastal Conservancy approval of grant funding to Friends of the Eel River for the Eel River Native Plant Network Project. In anticipation of dam removal in the upper Eel River basin, the project consists of: (1) launching a regional native plant network to assess, coordinate, and increase the regional capacity to produce native plants for Eel River watershed restoration projects beginning with Humboldt, Lake, and Mendocino Counties; (2) developing a feasibility report and a strategic plan; (3) hosting meetings and seed harvesting trainings; and (4) developing and launching a website (the project). The project will provide social organization for planning and for habitat restoration plans in anticipation of the removal of Scott and Cape Horn dams on the Eel River, an outcome likely to follow the recent surrender of hydropower license P-77 by the Pacific Gas and Electric Company.
Contact Information
Name
Amanda Townsel
Agency Name
California State Coastal Conservancy
Job Title
Project Manager
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency
Phone
Location
Counties
Humboldt, Lake, Mendocino
Regions
Northern California
Waterways
Eel River
Other Location Info
Multiple locations: Lake Pillsbury, Lake County; Alderpoint, Humboldt County; and Round Valley Reservation, Mendocino County
Notice of Exemption
Exempt Status
Statutory Exemption
Type, Section or Code
Title 14 of the California Code of Regulations, Section 15262 (Feasibility and Planning Studies)
Reasons for Exemption
The project involves only feasibility or planning studies for possible future actions which the agency or board have not approved, adopted, or funded and does not apply to the adoption of a plan that will have a legally binding effect on later activities.
Exempt Status
Other
Type, Section or Code
Title 14 of the California Code of Regulations, Section 15061(b)(3) (Common Sense)
Reasons for Exemption
This project includes information gathering and planning around a region’s capacity to produce native plants for restoration projects by hosting meetings and various trainings, developing a feasibility report and a strategic plan, and information sharing. It does not involve significant physical alteration of the project site, considers environmental factors, and can be seen with certainty as having no possibility of having a significant effect on the environment.
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
Title 14 of the California Code of Regulations, Section 15306 (Information Collection)
Reasons for Exemption
The project involves basic data collection, research, experimental management, and resource evaluation activities that do not result in a serious or major disturbance to an environmental resource. The activities are for information gathering purposes, or as part of a study leading to an action which a public agency has not yet approved, adopted, or funded.