Native Plantings and Soil Health Practices on San Mateo County Farms and Vineyards
Summary
SCH Number
2026080603
Public Agency
San Mateo County Resource Conservation District
(SMCRCD)
Document Title
Native Plantings and Soil Health Practices on San Mateo County Farms and Vineyards
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
8/18/2026
Document Description
This project will enhance wildlife habitat on privately owned farmland through the planting of native plants on .43 acres on the San Mateo County coast. These plantings will consist of native species that will attract pollinators and provide shelter and food for wildlife. This project will require broadcast seeding or hand-digging holes for plants, installing irrigation, and laying down mulch, and will be implemented by the landowners with support from the San Mateo Resource Conservation District. This project also implements the standard soil health practices of cover cropping, compost application, mulching, and hedgerow plantings on two vineyard properties, totaling 25 acres.
Contact Information
Name
Mia Riddle
Agency Name
San Mateo Resource Conservation District
Job Title
Agricultural Stewardship Project Manager
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency
Phone
Email
Location
Coordinates
Cities
Pescadero, Portola Valley, Woodside
Counties
San Mateo
Regions
Northern California, Unincorporated
Cross Streets
Portola Rd and Westridge Rd
Zip
94028
Total Acres
234
Parcel #
076340110
Other Location Info
This site is located within the city limits of Portola Valley. The other two sites are located in Unincorporated San Mateo County - 19501 Skyline Blvd, Woodside; and 6150 Cabrillo Hwy, Pescadero.
Notice of Exemption
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
Class 4- Minor Alterations to Land (CEQA Guidelines, Section 15304)
Reasons for Exemption
Cover cropping, compost application, hedgerow planting, native seeding, and mulch application will cause de minimis alterations of topographical features, will improve soil health with no significant physical changes to the environment, and will not damage scenic or historic resources. The practices will not create significant environmental or cumulative impacts, because they are environmentally beneficial practices and will take place on land already in agricultural production.
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
Class 33 – Small Habitat Restoration Projects (CEQA Guidelines, Section 15333)
Reasons for Exemption
Class 33 – Small Habitat Restoration Projects (CEQA Guidelines, Section 15333)
This project meets the criteria for Class 33 exemptions: the native planting project area does not exceed 5 acres in size, will have no significant adverse impact on endangered, rare, or threatened species or their habitat, use only hand labor and no mechanized equipment, and neither uses nor disturbs any hazardous materials.
County Clerk
San Mateo
Attachments
Notice of Exemption
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