Invasive Species Control for Nipomo Mesa Lupine Recovery

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 the California Department of Parks and Recreation, Oceano Dunes State Vehicular Recreation Area (Permit No. 2081(a)-26-011-RP). The permit will continue management activities that were previously authorized under California Endangered Species Act Permit No. 2081(a)-21-008-RP to support Nipomo Mesa lupine conservation, including invasive perennial veldt grass control, protection of plants from herbivory, and experimental aerial application of clethodim-based graminicide. Activities will include surveys and mapping of Nipomo Mesa lupine, ground herbicide application outside no-spray buffers, manual weed removal, and installation of protective cages around seedlings. A minimum 15-foot no-spray buffer will be maintained around identified plants and recent mapped locations, except within designated aerial research plots. Experimental aerial treatments will be conducted in the Walter’s Valley and Railroad North subpopulations, which were selected because of their heavy veldt grass cover and separation from other lupine populations. Treatments may be conducted up to twice per growing season for one to five years, using a helicopter or herbicide-equipped drone. Monitoring will evaluate plant condition, vigor, herbivory, phenology, and reproduction before and after treatment. The experiment builds on previous research studies indicating that aerial clethodim can effectively control perennial veldt grass without significant adverse effects on native vegetation or Nipomo Mesa lupine plants.