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Agency adopts programmatic invasive-plant plan and clears way for $200,000 Woolsey-funded work
Summary
The Conejo Open Space Conservation Agency adopted a programmatic Invasive Plant Management Plan and its IS/MND, finding mitigation measures reduce impacts to less-than-significant levels, and authorized up to $200,000 from the Woolsey Fire Recovery Fund for targeted removal projects. The board approved both items 4–0.
The Conejo Open Space Conservation Agency on April 8 adopted a programmatic Invasive Plant Management Plan (IPMP) and its associated Initial Study and Mitigated Negative Declaration (IS/MND), and authorized a $200,000 appropriation from the Woolsey Fire Recovery Fund to implement targeted invasive-plant removal projects.
Staff told the board the IPMP uses an Integrated Pest Management framework — a mix of manual, mechanical, biomass reduction, habitat restoration and targeted herbicide applications — to prioritize 14 species and a set of project areas across the agency’s holdings. The packet described the plan area setting, identified priority species (priority 1–3), and explained that mitigation measures in the IS/MND would, as prepared, avoid or reduce potentially significant impacts to a less-than-significant level under CEQA (Public Resources Code 21000 and State CEQA Guidelines, 14 CCR).
"I was very impressed with the details," Director Nichols said during the discussion, praising the level of analysis and monitoring provisions. Directors pressed staff on how reinfestation will be prevented and how priorities will translate to concrete projects. Staff responded that the programmatic plan will be followed by individual project plans with monitoring and adaptive management; many treatment sites are "mop-up" efforts that build on prior work.
The board also considered a staff request to appropriate $200,000 from the Woolsey Fire Recovery Fund for 2026 targeted removal at 17 locations across the open-space system. Staff said the amount was scaled from prior, site-specific work and is intended to fund a mix of mop-up efforts and new targeted treatments; contractor selection will be via competitive RFP and require state licensing for herbicide applicators when used.
Directors noted costs for some large projects (for example, Mexican fan palm removal) can be substantial and that grant matching will be necessary for multi-year, large-scale removals. Staff said the agency will pursue grants and use Woolsey funds to leverage matching dollars.
The board adopted staff recommendations to approve the IPMP and IS/MND and then voted to authorize staff to expend up to $200,000 from the Woolsey Fire Recovery Fund and to authorize the chief administrative officer to execute related contracts. Both actions passed by roll-call vote, 4–0; Vice Chair Sullivan was absent.
