Bakersfield Cactus (Opuntia basilaris var. treleasei) Restoration at Panofsky-Wilson Preserve

Summary

SCH Number
2024070262
Public Agency
California Department of Fish and Wildlife, Habitat Conservation Planning (CDFW)
Document Title
Bakersfield Cactus (Opuntia basilaris var. treleasei) Restoration at Panofsky-Wilson Preserve
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
7/8/2024
Document Description
The California Department of Fish and Wildlife is issuing a California Endangered Species Act permit to Tejon Ranch Conservancy (Permit No. 2081(a)-23-017-RP) pursuant to Fish and Game Code section 2081(a) for a project to collect Bakersfield cactus (Opuntia basilaris var. treleasei) pads to transplant and restore a healthy cactus population on the Panofsky-Wilson Preserve that was impacted by a 2019 grass fire. Approximately 100 Bakersfield cactus terminal pads will be collected in the fall of 2024 from a population located approximately four miles west of the Preserve in Caliente Creek adjacent to Bena Road within the Tejon Ranch Conservation Easement Area. Bakersfield cactus pads will be transplanted into a 10-acre upland area on the Panofsky-Wilson Preserve. Pads will be evenly dispersed among 20 one-meter by one-meter square plots. Accumulated thatch will be removed, and the top few centimeters of soil will be loosened prior to transplanting. Plots will be monitored at least once a month for the duration of the permit to determine weed management needs and each plot will be hand weeded to control the density of non-native grass if necessary. The Permittee will conduct a supplemental summer water experiment on half of the plots to determine the efficacy of water treatment during Bakersfield cactus establishment. Ten random plots will receive supplemental water treatment at least once during each of the first two summers following planting. Supplemental water will also be applied to treatment plots in the winter in any month that does not receive at least ¼ inch of natural rainfall during the month. Data on survivorship, number of pads, height of tallest living point, and health status of each clump will be collected annually in the fall for five years. Observations on flower production and fungal growth will also be noted. A photo of each plot will be taken to record changes in shape and appearance over time.

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

Location

Counties
Kern
Regions
Countywide
Other Location Info
The Project will take place at the Panofsky-Wilson Preserve located in Kern County, CA (35.29192, -118.63804). Bakersfield cactus source material will be collected from a Tejon Ranch population located in Caliente Creek, adjacent to Bena Road (35.32446, -118.72408).

Notice of Exemption

Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
Sections 15306 Class 6, and Section 15307 Class 7
Reasons for Exemption
The Project consists of experimental management and resource evaluation activities to ensure the maintenance, restoration, and enhancement of an existing population of Bakersfield cactus. The permit issued by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife for the Project includes measures to ensure that existing populations of Bakersfield cactus are adequately protected.
County Clerk
Kern
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