Invasive Species Control for Soft Bird’s-Beak Recovery
Summary
SCH Number
2026030653
Public Agency
California Department of Fish and Wildlife, Habitat Conservation Planning
(CDFW)
Document Title
Invasive Species Control for Soft Bird’s-Beak Recovery
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
3/16/2026
Document Description
The California Department of Fish and Wildlife is issuing a Native Plant Protection Act scientific, educational, or management permit pursuant to Fish and Game Code section 2081, subdivision (a), and California Code of Regulations, Title 14, section 786.9, subdivision (c) to the California Department of Parks and Recreation (Permit No. 2081(a)-26-001-RP) for a project that will implement multi-year invasive weed treatments to reduce competition and promote recovery of soft bird’s-beak. Marsh-wide surveys to map invasive weeds and soft bird’s-beak distribution and abundance will be conducted prior to implementing any herbicide treatment activities annually. Rare plant and host community map data will be used to identify areas where weeds occur within a 1-meter radius of rare plants, recognized as “rare plant protection zones,” where weed treatment is restricted to hand wicking/wiping with herbicide or manual removal only. Herbicide management will be limited to products currently approved for aquatic applications. Outside of the rare plant protection zones, herbicide will be applied using a backpack sprayer only. Additional target weed species determined to pose a high risk to marsh resources and/or revised treatment methods may be integrated through an adaptive management process. Treatment areas will be documented in ArcMap/GIS. Protocol-level surveys for special status avian and wildlife species in the marsh will be performed annually. Protection zones will be developed by the project team prior to herbicide treatment. Restrictions and avoidance measures to protect avian species will include exclusion from black rail habitat through the breeding season and daily avian surveys and assisted entry with a permitted, approved rail biologist for any weed treatment in Ridgway’s rail habitat.
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
Brandon Nguyen
Agency Name
California Department of Parks and Recreation, California State Parks- Diablo Range District
Job Title
Environmental Scientist
Contact Types
Project Applicant / Parties Undertaking Project
Phone
Location
Cities
Benicia
Counties
Solano
Regions
Countywide
Other Location Info
The Project will take place in Solano County, specifically within the Southampton Bay Wetland Natural Preserve and adjacent upstream areas, all of which fall within the Benicia State Recreation Area (BSRA) (38.07361, -122.19312).
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 experimental management and resource evaluation activities to enhance existing populations of the state-listed rare salt marsh bird’s-beak. The permit issued by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife for the Project includes measures to ensure the existing population of salt marsh bird’s-beak is adequately protected.
County Clerk
Solano
Attachments
Notice of Exemption
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