Sugarloaf / Acorn Road Fuel Break Project
Summary
SCH Number
2008098239
Public Agency
California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection
(CAL FIRE)
Document Title
Sugarloaf / Acorn Road Fuel Break Project
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
9/19/2008
Document Description
The Sugarloaf / Acorn Road Fuel Break Project is located I the Pine Ridge Priority Area of Eastern Fresno County at about 4200-5000 feet elevation on the rim of the San Joaquin Canyon, north of Auberry Road. This fuel break provides protection to the town of Auberry and surrounding communities. The area has been identified and listed on the National List in the Federal Register as a community at risk from wildfire. The objective is to reduce the amount of flammable woody material by thinning and pruning to insure there is space between clumps and to separate crowns for an approximate 200 feet width on each side of the road: Acorn Road fuel break is approximately 2 miles in length totaling 84 net treated acres, and the 3 mile portion of sugarloaf Road has 67 net treated acres. A minimum of 50% of brush and trees shall be cut to 4 inches height or less, and pruning shall be within 2 inches of the tree bole. The fuel reduction activities will predominantly involve the use of a rubber-track skid steer with a Fecon mastication head for mowing grasses, brush, and small trees. Hand crews with chainsaws will treat areas not accessible to equipment through thinning of young growth trees, pruning limbs of residual trees, clearing of brush concentrations, and eliminating existing and created fuels through cutting, piling, chipping, and burning.
Contact Information
Name
Tom Sandelin
Agency Name
Cal Fire
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency
Phone
Location
Counties
Fresno
Other Location Info
Portion of Sections 26, 34, 35 & 36, Township 9 South, Range 23 East, and Sections 1, 2, & 3, Township 10 South, Range 23 East, MDB&M, Auberry 7.5 minute quadrangle
Notice of Exemption
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
Class: 4 Section: 15304
Reasons for Exemption
This project is exempt under CEQA Categorical Exemption §15304 Minor Alterations to Land. A search if the California Natural Diversity Database was completed in February, 2007 prior to field review. A biological assessment was completed by a Registered Professional Forester in October, 2007 with site specific avoidance measures incorporated into the project. This included impact avoidance requiring hand work and equipment exclusion around sensitive plants such as blue elderberry (none were discovered) and retention of low height hardwood snags for wildlife habitat. A Professional Archaeologist reviewed the project area in October, 2007, and there will not be any impacts to cultural resources. Burning will only be done on approved air quality burn days. The project as proposed will not have a significant impact on the environment.
Disclaimer: The document was originally posted before CEQAnet had the capability to host attachments for the public. To obtain the original attachments for this document, please contact the lead agency at the contact information listed above. You may also contact the OPR via email at state.clearinghouse@opr.ca.gov or via phone at (916) 445-0613.