University of California (UC) Merced and University Community Plan, UC Merced Phase 2 Campus

The University of California, Merced Campus and Community North Project involves the construction and operation of the UC Merced campus and the adjacent Community North area, located approximately two miles northeast of the City of Merced, California. Major Amendment No. 4 to the California Endangered Species Act Incidental Take Permit (ITP) No. 2081-2009-010-04 officially adds the County of Merced as a third permittee. This amendment clarifies several Conditions of Approval to ensure that mitigation measures are effectively implemented to minimize impacts on various species protected under the California Endangered Species Act (CESA). While the permit authorizes the incidental take of CESA-listed species during project implementation, the amendment does not result in additional impacts to threatened species such as the California tiger salamander, Swainson’s hawk, and San Joaquin kit fox, nor to endangered species including Succulent owl’s clover, Colusa grass, and San Joaquin Valley Orcutt grass. The project scope includes off-site wetland restoration at the Yosemite Lake Conservation Area located across from Yosemite Lake. Following a review by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, the project was approved on December 9, 2025, with the finding that it would not cause significant environmental effects within the department's jurisdiction. Approval was contingent upon the adoption of additional mitigation measures and a formal mitigation reporting or monitoring plan. Administrative oversight and permitting coordination are managed through the University of California, Merced as the lead agency, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife Central Region, and Merced County Planning and Community Development.