Grazing of Yellow Star Thistle
Summary
SCH Number
2026100757
Public Agency
Ventura County Resource Conservation District
Document Title
Grazing of Yellow Star Thistle
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
10/21/2026
Document Description
This project includes goat and sheep grazing within non-native invasive grassland/forbland at Happy Valley Foundation (Besant). The purpose of this project is to reduce thatch and biomass of yellow star thistle (Centaurea solstitialis [Cal-IPC rating: High]) and other non-native invasive plants: Centaurea melitensis (Cal-IPC rating: Moderate), Carduus pycnocephalus (Cal-IPC rating: Moderate; CDFA rating: C), and Festuca perrenis (Cal-IPC Rating: Moderate) through targeted grazing. Beneficiaries of this project include the human and non-human citizens of Upper Ojai. This project will reduce 6 ft tall non-native invasive flashy fuel, increasing fire safety for Upper Ojai community of humans and non-humans before the Santa Ana Wind season (October--January).
Contact Information
Name
Kevin Mason
Agency Name
Ventura County Resource Conservation District
Job Title
Fire Preparedness Team Lead
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency / Project Applicant / Parties Undertaking Project
Phone
Email
Location
Coordinates
Cities
Ojai
Counties
Ventura
Regions
Southern California, Unincorporated
Parcel #
030013004; 030013010
Notice of Exemption
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
Section 15304, Minor Alterations to Land
Reasons for Exemption
This project is exempt because grazing will occur strictly within non-native invasive grasslands/forblands. This project will reduce the risk of fire spread, protecting communities of people and critical ecosystems. No impacts to hazardous or critical resources and no cumulative effects from successive projects will occur. The District finds that this project does not have the potential to significantly degrade environmental factors, such as aesthetics, agriculture/forestry, long-term air quality, biological/cultural/tribal resources, geology/soils, greenhouse gases, hydrology/water quality, land use, minerals, population, public services, recreation, transportation, or utilities and is therefore, categorically CEQA exempt.
County Clerk
Ventura
Attachments
Notice of Exemption
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