Population Expansion of Bakersfield Cactus on Center for Natural Lands Management Preserves
Summary
SCH Number
2026010603
Public Agency
California Department of Fish and Wildlife, Habitat Conservation Planning
(CDFW)
Document Title
Population Expansion of Bakersfield Cactus on Center for Natural Lands Management Preserves
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
1/20/2026
Document Description
The California Department of Fish and Wildlife is issuing a California Endangered Species Act (CESA) scientific, educational, or management permit pursuant to Fish and Game Code section 2081, subdivision (a) to CNLM (Permit No. 2081(a)-25-019 -RP) for a project to expand the Bakersfield cactus (Opuntia basilaris var. treleasei) populations on the Sand Ridge and Caliente Preserves through pad collection and outplanting. Pads will be collected from preserve donor sites in winter of 2026. Pad collection will be limited to either 200 donor plants or five percent of the existing population, whichever is smaller. Pads will then be outplanted from January to March 2026 into suitable unoccupied locations within the Sand Ridge and Caliente Preserves. Twenty outplanting sites are expected to be planted with 10 pads spaced at 10-foot intervals along a circular route. Each site will be visited monthly to monitor the cactus plants and to water each outplanting through the first summer. Outplanting sites will also be hand weeded as needed during site visits. The translocated plants will be monitored annually for three years following outplanting.
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
Dr. Deborah Rogers
Agency Name
Center for Natural Lands Management
Job Title
Director of Conservation Science and Stewardship
Contact Types
Project Applicant / Parties Undertaking Project
Phone
Email
Location
Counties
Kern
Regions
Countywide
Other Location Info
The Project will take place approximately 15 miles east of Bakersfield at the Sand Ridge and Caliente Preserves that are privately owned, protected, and managed for conservation by the Center for Natural Lands Management (CNLM) in Kern County. Sand Ridge Preserve is approximately 270 acres in size. The adjacent Caliente Preserve is approximately 70 acres in size.
Notice of Exemption
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
California Code of Regulations, Title 14, Section 15306, Class 6, and 15307, Class 7
Reasons for Exemption
The Project consists of basic data collection, research, experimental management, and resource evaluation activities which do not result in a serious or major disturbance to an environmental resource. The Project will facilitate the recovery of the California endangered Bakersfield cactus by attempting to expand the population on the preserves. The permit issued by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife for the Project includes measures to ensure that existing populations of Bakersfield cactus are adequately protected.
County Clerk
Kern
Attachments
Notice of Exemption
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