Grassland Conservation Study in Cannabis-impacted areas of the Eel River Watershed
Summary
SCH Number
2025120491
Public Agency
University of California, Berkeley
Document Title
Grassland Conservation Study in Cannabis-impacted areas of the Eel River Watershed
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
12/11/2025
Document Description
the project involves studying the impact of cannabis cultivation on the diversity of native grasses, soil dwelling anthropods and soil microbiota in grassland habitats, and testing the capacity of three native grasses to re-establish below-ground biodiversity in abandoned cannabis cultivation sites. The project is part of the California Environmental Monitoring and Assessment Framework (CEMAF) developed by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) and involves establishing 12 study plots – six on cannabis-impacted sites and six on non-cannabis-impacted areas within Angelo Coast Range Reserve. The study plots are located on land and each will have a CEMAF monitoring station installed, consisting of two sound recorders, a trail camera and a knee-high perimeter wildlife-friendly drift fence. Soil at each study site will be extracted every two months between April and October for two years. All materials will be removed at the end of the two-year project. The six cannabis-impacted study sites will be located on private property and the six undisturbed sites will be located on the 4,450-acre Angelo Coast Range Reserve, which is managed by the University of California, Berkeley for research and teaching about watersheds and natural ecosystems. The goal of the project is threefold: 1) to quantify impacts of cannabis cultivation on native biodiversity; 2) gather data necessary to inform future restoration strategies; and 3) increase engagement with community members and partner organizations focused on grassland ecosystem conservation and awareness.
Contact Information
Name
Raphael Breines
Agency Name
UC Berkeley
Job Title
Senior Planner
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency
Phone
Email
Location
Cities
Unincorporated area, near Branscomb
Counties
Mendocino
Regions
Northern California
Cross Streets
Angelo Coast Range Reserve in northern Mendocino County
Zip
95417
Parcel #
Various
Other Location Info
Angelo Coast Range Reserve in northern Mendocino County near Branscomb and nearby private property
Notice of Exemption
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
CEQA Guidelines Section 15304, Class 4 Minor Alterations to Land and 15306, Class 6 Information Collection
Reasons for Exemption
The project is categorically exempt under California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines Section 15304, Class 4 Minor Alterations to Land, for minor alterations to land, including installing perimeter fencing and small new equipment on land with a slope less than 10 percent, and digging up to five inches below the ground surface for soil sampling. The project is also categorically exempt from CEQA, on a separate and independent basis, under CEQA Guidelines Section 15306, Class 6 Information Collection, for basic data collection, research, experimental management and resource evaluation activities, which do not result in a serious or major disturbance to an environmental resource. None of the exceptions to the exemptions pursuant to CEQA Section 15300.2 apply and there are no unusual circumstances creating the possibility that the project will have a significant effect on the environment, pursuant to CEQA Section 15300.2.
Attachments
Notice of Exemption
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