Manzanita Greening & Canyon Health Project
Summary
SCH Number
2025120476
Public Agency
City of San Diego
Document Title
Manzanita Greening & Canyon Health Project
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
12/11/2025
Document Description
San Diego Canyonlands (Proponent), in partnership with the City, proposes to conserve, restore, protect, or enhance, and assist in the recovery of California native fish and wildlife, and the habitat upon which they depend. By restoring and enhancing native scrub oak chaparral, coastal sage scrub, and riparian habitats, the Project is expected to benefit California gnatcatcher (Polioptila californica californica), listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act and Crotch’s bumble bee (Bombus crotchii), a candidate for listing under the California Endangered Species Act, among other native species. Streambed degradation, erosion, and invasive species proliferation within the Project area and the broader canyon has been an ongoing problem that has caused channel widening, scour, and head-cutting (creek incision) resulting in the likelihood of streambank failure and damage to surrounding habitat. To address these issues, the Project is designed to restore and protect habitat along a one-mile reach of Manzanita Creek, totaling approximately eight acres in area, by improving existing erosion and drainage issues, removing invasive species, reducing existing public access impacts, and implementing streambed restoration. Project includes hydrologic improvements, habitat restoration, streambed stabilization, and monitoring and maintenance.
Contact Information
Name
Alisha Pena
Agency Name
City of San Diego
Job Title
Senior Planner
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency
Phone
Email
Location
Cities
San Diego
Counties
San Diego
Regions
Citywide
Other Location Info
Manzanita Canyon Open Space Area
Notice of Exemption
Exempt Status
Statutory Exemption
Type, Section or Code
Section 21080.56 of the California Public Resource Code
Reasons for Exemption
The Manzanita Greening & Canyon Health Project meets all requirements described in Public Resources Code Section 21080.56 for a Statutory Exemption for Restoration Projects. The California Department of Fish and Wildlife has concurred on November 14, 2025, that the project meets all requirements and is exempt (CDFW SERP Concurrence No. 21080.56-2025-080-R5). The project is 1) to conserve, restore,
protect, or enhance, and assist in the recovery of California native fish and wildlife, and the habitat upon which they depend, and will restore or provide habitat for California native fish and wildlife; the project 2) may have public benefits incidental to the project’s fundamental purpose; the project 3) will result in long-term net benefits to climate resiliency, biodiversity, and sensitive species recovery and include
procedures and ongoing management for the protection of the environment; and 4) project construction activities are solely related to habitat restoration.
County Clerk
San Diego
Attachments
Notice of Exemption
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