notice of impending development and coastal development permit · non-native eucalyptus trees of...

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N October 2016

Notice of ImpendingDevelopment and

Coastal Development Permit

North Campus Western Border Tree Removal and Oak

Restoration Project

NOTICE OF IMPENDING DEVELOPMENT

UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, SANTA BARBARA North Campus Western Border Tree Removal and Oak Restoration Project –North

Campus/City of Goleta Property Line

I. INTRODUCTION This Notice of Impending Development (NOID) has been prepared for the removal of 32 dead non-native eucalyptus trees of various sizes located on the western property line of the University of California, Santa Barbara (University) and the neighboring parcel(s) owned by the City of Goleta. Sixteen of the 32 trees are on City of Goleta property. The non-native trees would be removed and the area restored with approximately 90 oak trees. BACKGROUND: In October 2016 an arborist survey was completed to evaluate the non-native eucalyptus trees along the University’s northwestern border. All of the trees evaluated were either dead or in extremely poor condition. The trees were surveyed by the City of Goleta arborist, Robert Muraka. He holds credentials from the American Society of Consulting Arborists; Registered Consulting Arborist #469 and the International Society of Arboriculture; Certified Arborist WE-3987A. The arborist’s conclusions are attached. Since the trees are non-native and they are dead, the University and the City of Goleta are choosing to remove the trees and restore the area with native oaks. Some of the trees are approximately 87 to 97 years old, and have exceeded their lifespan. The trees are dead as a result of their age and the long term regional drought. There is a public access hiking trail and residential areas in vicinity of the dead trees. The dead trees pose a threat to public safety and a fire hazard. Project Need The mature trees are located in a heavily travelled and populated area along a public access trail between the University and the City of Goleta’s Ellwood Mesa in an Open Space area. The trees are dead and this creates an opportunity to remove the trees and restore the area with native trees. In addition, tree failure could potentially result in damage to persons and property and therefore need to be removed. Trees in the windrow have fallen or decayed beyond capability of preservation. II. PROJECT DESCRIPTION ENVIRONMENTAL SETTING: The eucalyptus windrow is located on the west boundary of the North Campus. It is approximately a half mile long extending north from the Phelps Road Right of Way (public access trail) to the south and west towards Ellwood Mesa and the University’s South Parcel. The University’s portion of the project area is Open Space and the City of Goleta’s is Environmentally Sensitive Habitat. A broken/dispersed windrow of eucalyptus trees spans the University border from the north to the south at Sands Beach. The area surrounding the 32 Eucalyptus globulus (Tasmanium blue gum) is covered with eucalyptus leaf litter and bare dirt. There are approximately 30 large fallen trunks on the ground. The area is littered with some trash. A public access trail is under the eucalyptus canopy and City of Goleta residential areas are to the north at Ellwood Beach Drive and the

Notice of Impending Development University of California, Santa Barbara

North Campus Western Border Tree Removal and Oak Restoration Project

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Cannon Green condominiums. The University’s Ocean Walk Faculty Housing is to the east of the trees. PROJECT DESCRIPTION: The Santa Barbara Campus proposes to remove 32 dead eucalyptus trees ranging from 6 to 32-inch dbh located in the eucalyptus windrow along the west side of North Campus Faculty Housing (Ocean Walk). The 32 trees are Tasmanian blue gum (Eucalyptus globulus). Tree removal would occur outside the raptor and bird nesting season. The trees are part of a long broken/dispersed windrow of non-native eucalyptus -Tasmanian blue gum (Eucalyptus globulus). The trees range from 6-inch to 36-inch diameter breast height (dbh). See attached survey map and photos. Tag number-Jurisdiction Dbh 1 7000-UCSB* 6-inch 2 7001-UCSB 6-inch 3 7002-UCSB 26-inch 4 7003-COG** 12-inch 5 7004-UCSB 18-inch 6 7005-UCSB 12-inch 7 7006-UCSB 16-inch 8 7007-UCSB 8-inch 9 7008-UCSB 6-inch 10 7009-UCSB 12-inch 11 7010-COG 12-inch 12 7011-UCSB 30-inch 13 7012-UCSB 18-inch 14 7013-COG 32-inch 15 7014-COG 12-inch 16 7015-COG 12-inch 17 7016-COG 12-inch 18 7017-COG 12-inch 19 7018-UCSB 12-inch 20 7019-UCSB 12-inch 21 7020-UCSB 12-inch 22 7021-UCSB 30-inch 23 7022-COG 12-inch 24 7023-COG 30-inch 25 7024-UCSB 6-inch 26 7025-COG 12-inch 27 7026-COG 12-inch 28 7027-COG 30-inch 29 7028-COG 36-inch 30 7232-COG 36-inch 31 7233-COG 19-inch 32 7234-COG 24-inch *UCSB-University of California, Santa Barbara **COG-City of Goleta



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The windrow has been surveyed for raptor nesting and habitat in winter and spring 2016 (Kisner, KR&EC). A red-tailed hawk was observed perching in the eucalyptus trees twice during the winter surveys and no nesting or roosting in the trees was observed in the spring surveys (raptor surveys are attached). Raptor surveys were conducted ten years ago in 2006 for the North Campus Faculty Housing project and there were no nests observed in the trees to be removed (Morro Group 2006). The 2006 raptor survey is attached. The site was evaluated for the potential to be monarch butterfly habitat and was determined not to be suitable habitat. Butterflies have not historically occupied the trees to be removed. The evaluation is attached (Meade 2016). There are no other biological resources within the proposed project area. There area is highly disturbed with no sensitive habitats or species in the vicinity of the project area. The area below the trees is covered with eucalyptus tree debris (leaves, fallen trees, and branches, etc), bare dirt, and litter associated with adjacent trail activity. There are 10 trees that are over 20 dbh, these would be replaced 3:1 due to their potential to be raptor roosting trees (ESHA). Eight other mature trees under 20 dbh would be replaced at a minimum of 1:1. All trees would be replaced with oak trees (coast live oak). In accordance with the 2010 LRDP Appendix 2, removal of trees 6-inch dbh or smaller do not require a NOID or replacement. The site area where the trees would be removed is approximately 15,250 square feet (0.35-acre) and there is enough room to plant up to approximately 90 new oak trees. The draft tree replacement plan includes using the existing downed logs as a perimeter border to stop bicycles from entering the restoration area. Additional temporary fencing would also be installed. Cut trees would be mulched on site and the mulch spread to use on the site to suppress weeds over the long term. Oak seedlings would be planted and each seedling would be planted with soil amendment to improve soil quality since eucalyptus tend to reduce soil quality immediately after being removed (Stratton, 2016). A draft tree replacement plan is attached. Schedule: A contractor will be hired to remove the 32 trees prior to raptor wintering season (December 15) if possible. If it is not possible to schedule the tree removal prior to raptor wintering season the trees would be removed prior to breeding season (February 15). The proposed project is expected to commence as soon as permitting allows and will take approximately two weeks to a month to complete. Oak tree planting would commence soon thereafter. The City of Goleta has authorized the processing of this NOID and the removal of trees on their property. See attached letter. III. PROCEDURE This Notice of Impending Development is being distributed to local governments, community groups, and interested parties pursuant to California Code of Regulation Section 13549-51. A list of interested parties and the NOID public notice is attached. Section 30606 of the Coastal Act and Article 14, Section 13547 through Section 13550 of the California Code of Regulations govern the Coastal Commission’s review of subsequent development where there is a certified LRDP. Section 13549(B) requires the Executive Director or his designee to review the Notice of Impending Development within ten days of receipt and determine whether it provides sufficient



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information to determine if the proposed development is consistent with the certified LRDP. The Notice is deemed filed when all necessary supporting information has been received. Within thirty days of filing the Notice of Impending Development, the Executive Director shall report to the Commission and make a recommendation regarding the consistency of the proposed development with the certified LRDP. After a public hearing, by a majority of its members present, the Commission shall determine whether the development is consistent with the certified LRDP and whether conditions are required to bring it into conformance with the LRDP. No construction shall commence until after the Commission votes to render the proposed development consistent with the certified LRDP. Environmental Review Based on the project assessment, the proposed project is classified as exempt from the provisions of CEQA under Section 15333, Small Habitat Restoration Project. None of the exceptions cited in Section 15300.2 apply to this project. Approval of the categorical exemption by the UCSB Chancellor is taking place concurrently with the submittal of this NOID due to the time sensitive aspect of the tree removal. A Notice of Exemption will be filed along with Chancellor Approval. IV. CONSISTENCY WITH THE 2010 LONG RANGE DEVELOPMENT PLAN

Consistency with the LRDP: The project site area land use is currently designated as Open Space in the 2010 LRDP and partially Environmentally Sensitive Habitat Area (ESHA) in the City of Goleta. Tree removal and maintenance is permitted in Open Space and ESHA land use if an arborist determines the trees pose a substantial risk and therefore the proposed project is consistent with the LRDP. In addition, the non-native trees would be replaced with native oak trees and an oak woodland would replace the eucalyptus trees. Therefore there would not be permanent impacts to ESHA and the area would remain as Open Space.

The following policy and LRDP Appendix 2, Tree Removal and Trimming apply to the project and a consistency analysis is provided below. Policy ESH-29 – Trees located within ESHA or designated Open Space shall not be trimmed or removed unless determined by a certified arborist to pose a substantial hazard to life or property and authorized pursuant to an emergency permit, or where the proposed removal is part of a Commission-approved habitat restoration plan, and shall require a Commission-approved Notice of Impending Development. All tree trimming and removal activities shall be consistent with the seasonal timing restrictions and mitigation requirements set forth in the Campus Tree Trimming and Removal Program in Appendix 2. The following Open Space areas shall be subject to the requirements for routine campus tree trimming and removal practices and shall not be considered as “Open Space” for the purposes of this policy: Commencement Green, UCEN lawn, and Pearl Chase Garden.

Consistency analysis: The project is consistent with this policy. The trees to be removed are dead, non- native and the area would be restored with native oak trees (Coast Live Oak-Quercus agrifolia). An arborist study determined the trees are dead. Since the trees are dead they pose a public safety and fire hazard. There is a public access trail under the trees and a trail improvement is also pending in this area. In light of the potential serious risk to persons and property the unhealthy trees represent, it is not feasible to retain them.



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There are no heron nests in the trees to be removed. V. References 2016 Muraoka, Robert

Arborist Study, Robert Muraoka, City of Goleta Arborist. Agri-turf Supplies Santa Barbara, American Society of Consulting Arborists; Registered Consulting Arborist #469 and the International Society of Arboriculture; Certified Arborist WE-3987A

2016 Kisner, David

North Campus Open Space Restoration Project Spring 2016 Breeding Bird Survey. Prepared for the University of California, Santa Barbara by David Kisner of KR&EC and Beau Tindall of the Cheadle Center for Biodiversity and Ecological Restoration.

2016 Kisner, David

North Campus Open Space Restoration Project Winter Raptor Survey 2016. Prepared for the University of California, Santa Barbara by David Kisner of KR&EC and Beau Tindall of the Cheadle Center for Biodiversity and Ecological Restoration.

2016 Meade, Daniel

Monarch Butterfly Assessment for the NCFH Phase 3/4/5. Prepared by Dan Meade and Jessica Griffiths of Althouse and Meade. May 20, 2016.

2016 Stratton, Lisa

Tree Replacement Plan for the dead eucalyptus tree removal at University of California, Santa Barbara North Campus Faculty Housing and City of Goleta border. Prepared by Lisa Stratton, Ph.D, of Cheadle Center for Biodiversity and Ecological Restoration. September 23, 2016.

2010 University of California, Santa Barbara, Long Range Development Plan 2006 Morro Group

Nesting Raptor Survey Report for the UCSB North Campus Faculty Housing Project, Goleta, California. Prepared by Morro Group for the University of California, Santa Barbara. June 6, 2016.

Trees to be Removed

City of Goleta Boundary

UCSB BoundaryPhelps Road

Ocean Walk Lane

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0 200100 FeetNorth Campus Western BorderTree Removal and Restoration Project

UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, SANTA BARBARA UCSB OFFICE OF CAMPUS PLANNING AND DESIGN CAMPUS DESIGN AND FACILITIES SANTA BARBARA, CALIFORNIA 93106-1030 Tel: (805) 893-3796 Fax: (805) 893-3870

BERKELEY • DAVIS • IRVINE • LOS ANGELES • MERCED • RIVERSIDE • SAN DIEGO • SAN FRANCISCO SANTA BARBARA • SANTA CRUZ

October 2016

Public Notice Notice of Impending Development

For the North Campus Western Border Tree Removal and Oak Restoration Project

Pursuant to the California Coastal Act the University of California (UC) Santa Barbara has prepared a Notice of Impending Development for the North Campus Western Border Tree Removal and Oak Restoration Project. The Santa Barbara campus proposes to remove 32 dead non-native eucalyptus trees of various sizes located on the western property line of the University of California, Santa Barbara and neighboring parcel(s) owned by the City of Goleta. Sixteen of the 32 trees are on City of Goleta property. The non-native trees would be removed and the area restored with approximately 90 oak trees.

The Notice of Impending Development is available at http://www.facilities.ucsb.edu/departments/campus-planning-design/current-projects under the “North Campus” button or upon request at the UC Santa Barbara Office of Campus Planning and Design. For more information call 805-893-3796 or email [email protected].

Shari Hammond, Principal Planner University of California, Santa Barbara Office of Campus Planning and Design Santa Barbara, California 93106-1030

The Santa Barbara Independent 122 W. Figueroa Street

Santa Barbara, CA 93101

Environmental Affairs Board 6081 University of California, Santa Barbara


Roger Lagerquist Isla Vista Association

6826 Pasado Road Isla Vista, CA 93117

Andrea Estrada Public Affairs 2100

University of California, Santa Barbara Santa Barbara, CA 93106

Dianne Black SB County Planning and Development

123 East Anapamu St. Santa Barbara, CA 93101

Kirsten Deshler Government Relations


Connie Hannah League of Women Voters 328 E. Carrillo Street #A Santa Barbara, CA 93101

Craig Geyer IV Business Associates

6555 Pardall Road Isla Vista, CA 93117

Josh Schmiel Environmental Studies Department


Surfrider Foundation Santa Barbara Chapter

P.O. Box 21703 Santa Barbara, CA 93121

Jeniffer Carman City of Goleta Planning Department

130 Cremona Drive Suite B Goleta, CA 93117

Michelle Green City of Goleta

130 Cremona Drive, Suite B Goleta, CA 93117

Linda Krop Environmental Defense Center

906 Garden Street Santa Barbara, CA 93101

Marc Fisher Administrative Services


Marell Brooks Citizens Planning Association

916 Anacapa Street Santa Barbara, CA 93101

Jill Hurd Housing & Residential Services


Anne Wells City of Goleta Planning Department

130 Cremona Drive Suite B Goleta, CA 93117

Charlotte Strem UCOP Planning, Design, and Construction

1111 Franklin St., 6th Floor Oakland, CA 94607

Lisa Stratton CCBER MC-9615 UC Santa Barbara


Rosemarie Gaglione City of Goleta

130 Cremona Drive Goleta, CA 93117

Jerry Estrada Metropolitan Transit District

550 Olive Street Santa Barbara, CA 93101

Renee Bahl Campus Design and Facilities 1030


Santa Barbara County Fire Department

4410 Cathedral Oaks Road Santa Barbara, CA 93110

Sarah Rains California Department of Fish & Game

1933 Cliff Drive #9 Santa Barbara, CA 93109

Santa Barbara County Association of Governments

260 North San Antonio Road, Suite B Santa Barbara, CA 93110

Peter Neushul Isla Vista Association

915 Camino Lindo Isla Vista, CA 93117

Martin Shumaker Housing & Residential Services


Paula Richter Regional Water Quality Control Board

895 Aerovista Place 101 Sant Luis Obispo, CA 93401

Molly Pearson Air Pollution Control District

260 N. San Antonio Road, Suite A Santa Barbara, CA 93110

Scott McGolpin County of Santa Barbara Public Works

123 East Anapamu Street Santa Barbara, CA 93101

Ken Oplinger Santa Barbara Chamber of Commerce

104 West Anapamu Street Santa Barbara, CA 93101

Goleta Valley Chamber of Commerce

P.O. Box 781 Goleta, CA 93116

Andrew Bermond Santa Barbara Municipal Airport

601 Firestone Road Santa Barbara, CA 93117

Bart Lounsbury UC General Council


Mark Nation Goleta West Sanitary District

P.O. Box 4 Goleta, CA 93116

Kelly Drumm UC General Council


Doreen Farr Third District, SB Co. Bd. Of Supervisors


Santa Ynez Tribal Elders Council Antonio Flores P.O. Box 365

Santa Ynez, CA 93460

Ali Aghayan/Jodi Switzer Environmental Health & Safety


Chris Henson Third District, SB Co. Bd. Of Supervisors


Kathleen Pappo Barbareno/Ventureno

Band of Mission Indians 2762 Vista Mesa Drive

Rancho Pales Verdes, CA 90275

Bill McTague Student Affairs


Willie Brown Administrative Services


Esther Agueliera Third District, SB Co. Bd. Of Supervisors


Jerry Estrada Metropolitan Transit District


Bruce Tiffany College of Creative Studies


Margaret Klawunn Student Affairs


Henning Bohn Academic Senate 1233 Girvetz Hall


Chuck Haines Budget and Planning


George Amoon Metropolitan Transit District


Richard Watts Chancellor’s Office 5130 Cheadle Hall


Matt Dobberteen Santa Barbara County Public Works


Crystal Baker Coastal Band of the Chumash Nation

P.O. Box 723 Atascadero, CA 93423

Tom Beland Housing and Residential Services


Rachel Couch California State Coastal Conservancy

2929 A Verde Vista Drive Santa Barbara, CA 93105

Larry Parsons

6808 Shadowbrook Drive Goleta, CA 93117

Richard Flacks 1603 Garden Street


Santa Barbara News Press P.O. Box 1359


Sarah Sweeny/Pete Hembrow

7645 Carmel Beach Circle Goleta, CA 93117

Goleta Water District 4699 Hollister Avenue


Frank Arredondo P.O. Box 161


City of Santa Barbara Community Development Department

P.O. Box 1990 Santa Barbara, CA 93102-1990

Goleta Sanitary District 1 William Moffitt Place

Goleta, CA 93117

Santa Ynez Tribal Elders Council Antonio Flores P.O. Box 365

Santa Ynez, CA 93460

Theresa Stevens U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

Ventura Field Office 2151 Alessandro Drive, Suite 110

Ventura, CA 93001

Maureen Spencer SB County Flood Control District


Janet Darlene Garcia Coastal Band of the Chumash Nation


Glen Russell Planning and Development County of Santa Barbara

123 E. Anapamu St. Santa Barbara, CA 93101

Public Utilities Commission 505 Van Ness Avenue

San Francisco, CA 94102-3298

Mona Miyasato County of Santa Barbara-Executive Office

105 East Anapamu St., Room 406 Santa Barbara, CA 93101

Martin Potter California Department of Fish & Game

1933 Cliff Drive #9 Santa Barbara, CA 93109

Cherie Topper/Darlene Chirman Audubon Society

5679 Hollister Ave., Ste. 5B Santa Barbara, CA 93117

Beverly Salazar Folkes 1931 Shadybrook Drive

Thousand Oaks, CA 91362

Kenneth Kahn Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians

P.O. Box 517 Santa Ynez, CA 93460

Jeff Phillips U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

2493 Portola Road, Suite B Ventura, CA 93003-7726

John Ruiz 1826 Stanwood Drive


Patrick Tumamait 992 El Camino Corto

Ojai, CA 93023

Julie Lynn Tumamait-Stennslie Barbareno/Ventureno

Band of Mission Indians 365 North Poli Ave

Ojai, CA 93023

Gilbert M. Unzueta Jr. 571 Citation Way

Thousand Oaks, CA 91320

Adelina Alva-Padilla Santa Ynez Tribal Elders Council


Tribal Admin/Counsel Sam Cohen Santa Ynez Band of Mission Indians


Michael Cordero Coastal Band of the Chumash Nation


Leslie Colasse Design and Construction Services

University of California, Santa Barbara Santa Barbara, California 93106

Freddie Romero Santa Ynez Tribal Elders Council


Rosemary Peterson Community Housing Authority


Mary Jo Comer Cannon Green

[email protected]

Andrea.Ruhge Ocean Walk

[email protected]

notice of impending development and coastal development permit · non-native eucalyptus trees of...

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