Eriogonum Phylogenetic Study (Project)
Summary
SCH Number
2026090301
Public Agency
California Department of Fish and Wildlife, Habitat Conservation Planning
(CDFW)
Document Title
Eriogonum Phylogenetic Study (Project)
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
9/8/2026
Document Description
The California Department of Fish and Wildlife is issuing a California Endangered Species Act and 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 Charles Boissavy (Permit No. 2081(a)-26-008-RP) for a project to collect Ione buckwheat, Irish Hill buckwheat, and San Nicolas Island buckwheat plant tissue, voucher specimens, and seed for a phylogenetic study investigating trait diversification and biogeographic adaptations in Eriogonum. Between 2026 and 2027, up to five leaves will be collected for DNA analysis from at least one population each of Ione buckwheat, Irish Hill buckwheat, and San Nicolas Island buckwheat. Additional populations may also be sampled, with up to five leaf samples collected from each population. Three to four involucres will be collected from each population for color analysis. Stem segments, flowers, and fruits (when present) will be collected from up to two individuals per population and preserved in liquid for morphological and anatomical analyses. One voucher specimen of Ione buckwheat and San Nicholas Island buckwheat will be collected from each population visited. Up to five percent of the available seed will be collected from visited Irish Hill buckwheat occurrences for long-term conservation storage at the California Botanic Garden seed bank. All leaf tissue will be silica-dried in the field prior to DNA extraction and analysis. Microscope slides of leaf tissue will be prepared for each taxon to compare micromorphology of leaves between taxa. Resulting data will provide an understanding of the diversification and adaptation of Eriogonum, relatedness and gene flow between populations, and genetic diversity to support species recovery and conservation efforts.
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
Phone
Name
Charles Boissavy
Agency Name
California Botanic Garden
Job Title
PhD Student
Contact Types
Project Applicant / Parties Undertaking Project
Phone
Email
Location
Cities
Claremont, Riverside, Berkely, Chico
Counties
Amador, Ventura
Regions
Northern California, Southern California
Other Location Info
The Project may occur in Ventura and Amador counties at all known extant occurrences of Ione buckwheat (Eriogonum apricum var. apricum), Irish Hill buckwheat (Eriogonum apricum var. prostratum), and San Nicolas Island buckwheat (Eriogonum grande var. timorum) in California. DNA extraction, herbarium specimen storage, and/or long-term conservation seed storage may occur at the following locations: (1) California Botanic Garden laboratory and herbarium facilities in Claremont, CA; (2) University of California Riverside Genomics Core Facility in Riverside, CA; (3) University of California Berkeley Jepson Herbarium in Berkeley, CA; and (4) California State University Chico Ahart Herbarium in Chico, CA.
Notice of Exemption
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
California Code of Regulations, Title 14, Section 15306, Class 6
Reasons for Exemption
The Project consists of basic research and data collection activities to support conservation and recovery efforts of three state-listed endangered plants: Ione buckwheat, Irish Hill buckwheat, and San Nicolas Island buckwheat. The permit issued by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife for the Project includes measures to ensure that existing populations of these three species are adequately protected.
County Clerks
Amador, Ventura
Attachments
Notice of Exemption
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