Santa Ana River Woollystar and Slender-Horned Spineflower Management in the Woolly Star Preserve Area (Project)
Summary
SCH Number
2026090319
Public Agency
California Department of Fish and Wildlife, Habitat Conservation Planning
(CDFW)
Document Title
Santa Ana River Woollystar and Slender-Horned Spineflower Management in the Woolly Star Preserve Area (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 scientific, educational, or management permit pursuant to Fish and Game Code section 2081, subdivision (a) to San Bernardino County Flood Control District (Permit No. 2081(a)-26-006-RP) for a project to collect Santa Ana River Woollystar (SARWS) and Slender-Horned Spineflower (SHSF) seed, conduct seed viability and seedbank germination trials, and implement weed management within the WSPA. Together these actions will satisfy objectives of the Multi Species Habitat Management Plan for the WSPA, inform species distribution and viability assessments, and support the development of a seed repository for future management needs. A portion of the collected seed will be used to conduct germination trials to test seed viability. Remaining seed will be placed into long-term conservation storage to be used for future management needs that may include seed bulking, population enhancement, and restoration activities in the WSPA. Soil samples from the top 2-centimeters of soil will be collected from each of the 13 SHSF patches that were historically occupied but are presently unoccupied. Germination trials to determine whether a dormant viable seed bank remains will be conducted at CalBG. Approximately 1-quart of soil will also be collected from each patch for soil analysis of texture, nutrient levels, organic matter, pH, salinity, electrical conductivity, and cation exchange capacity. Weed management will be restricted to areas approved by the WSPA steering committee. A combination of herbicide application and physical control will be implemented based on the phenology of the target species. All physically controlled plant material will be removed from the treatment areas. During site monitoring visits, qualified biologists will remove non-native vegetation by hand in and around the two SHSF occupied patches. A 2-meter protection buffer will be delineated around each SHSF patch and non-native grasses will be treated from the buffer extending to 10 meters.
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
Justin Wood
Agency Name
Aspen Environmental Group
Job Title
Senior Biologist
Contact Types
Parties Undertaking Project
Phone
Email
Name
Zachariah Smith
Agency Name
San Bernardino County Flood Control District
Job Title
Planner III
Contact Types
Project Applicant / Parties Undertaking Project
Phone
Location
Coordinates
Cities
Redlands
Counties
San Bernardino
Regions
Southern California
Other Location Info
The Project will take place in San Bernardino County in the Santa Ana River floodplains’ Woolly Star Preserve Area (WSPA). The WSPA encompasses four main parcels that include six core project areas that differ in location relative to downstream gradients and/or physical separation. Seed viability testing will take place in Los Angeles County at the California Botanic Garden (CalBG) nursery facilities in Claremont, CA (34.11095, -117.71466).
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 conserve and recover California endangered Santa Ana River woollystar and slender-horned spineflower. The permit issued by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife for the Project includes measures to ensure the existing populations of these two species are adequately protected.
County Clerk
San Bernardino
Attachments
Notice of Exemption
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