Olympia Watershed Invasive Plant Management

The San Lorenzo Valley Water District is undertaking invasive plant management activities on its Olympia Watershed property in Santa Cruz County, California, to remove resprouts of French Broom, Portuguese Broom, and Silver Wattle using hand labor. The work is designed to restore native habitat quality and reduce wildfire risk while ensuring compliance with the district’s Invasive Brooms and Acacia Management Plan and Integrated Pest Management Policy, as well as conditions under a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service endangered species recovery permit. All activities are limited to previously treated areas and are categorized as a Class 4 exemption under the California Environmental Quality Act, indicating they involve minor land alterations without removing healthy or scenic trees. The project is scheduled to occur between July 29, 2025, and September 2, 2025, with performance taking place approximately 0.3 miles south of Olympia Station Road and 0.2 miles east of E Zayante Road in Felton. Inspection and acceptance will occur either at the site or at the district’s administrative offices, with oversight conducted by the district itself as the responsible entity. No formal contract value, pricing structure, or federal acquisition regulation clauses are specified, and the document is posted as a forecast rather than a solicitation. Administrative requirements include submission of a Notice of Exemption and a CDFW No Effect Determination, with payment of a $50 filing fee handled through the Santa Cruz County Clerk’s office. The point of contact for the project is Chris Klier, Environmental Programs and Special Projects Manager, who provided the exemption documentation and serves as the primary liaison for the initiative.