UC Merced Barn Pond Hydrologic Restoration Project (Request No. 1652-2026-086-001-R4)
Summary
SCH Number
2026020662
Public Agency
California Department of Fish and Wildlife, Central Region 4
(CDFW)
Document Title
UC Merced Barn Pond Hydrologic Restoration Project (Request No. 1652-2026-086-001-R4)
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
2/18/2026
Document Description
Pursuant to Fish and Game Code section 1652, the California Department of Fish and
Wildlife has approved the UC Merced Barn Pond Hydrologic Restoration Project submitted by UC Merced. The primary purpose of the Project is to reduce the hydroperiod of Barn Pond to support breeding California tiger salamander Ambystoma californiense) a species designated as threatened pursuant to the Endangered Species Act (ESA) (16 U.S.C. § 1531 et seq.), and California Endangered Species Act (CESA) (Fish & G. Code, § 2050 et seq.) (See Cal. Code Regs., tit. 14, § 670.5, subd. (b)(3)(G).).
Project activities include the following: installation of gate valve infrastructure on the southern bank of Barn Pond; ongoing operation of gate valve infrastructure; maintenance of gate valve infrastructure; monitoring; and adaptive management. The Project will allow UC Merced to adaptively manage the hydroperiod of Barn Pond, to achieve a minimum 30-day dry-down period. That dry down period is essential to the control of American bullfrog (Lithobates catebeianus) and mosquitofish (Gambusia affinis) onsite. The Project will also provide incidental enhancement to a downstream complex of vernal pools and swales and will establish a suitable germination period for Colusa grass (Neostapfia colusana), a species designated as threatened pursuant to the ESA and endangered pursuant to CESA (See Cal. Code Regs., tit. 14, § 670.2, subd. (a)(26)(A).).
Contact Information
Name
Megan Rooney
Agency Name
CDFW
Job Title
Environmental Scientist
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency
Address
Phone
Name
Daniel Okoli
Agency Name
UC Merced
Job Title
Please contact Megan Rooney, CDFW ES
Contact Types
Parties Undertaking Project
Address
Phone
Location
Coordinates
Cities
Merced
Counties
Merced
Regions
Northern California
Parcel #
170-220-024-000
Waterways
Barn Pond
Township
6S
Range
14E
Section
26
Other Location Info
The Project is located on the Merced Vernal Pools and Grassland Reserve, north of the UC Merced campus, in the City of Merced, Merced County, California; centered at approximately 37.37703, -120.41014; Section 26, Township 6 South, Range 14 East; U.S. Geological Survey map Yosemite Lake; Assessor’s Parcel Number 170-220-024-000. The Project will occur within and adjacent to Barn Pond, a lake that overflows into an unnamed ephemeral stream, which drains to the Le Grand Canal.
Notice of Exemption
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
Class 33 California Code of Regulations, title 14, section 15333
Reasons for Exemption
Class 33 consists of small projects not to exceed five acres in size to assure the
maintenance, restoration, enhancement, or protection of habitat for fish, plants, or wildlife.
Attachments
Notice of Exemption
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