Mt. Elizabeth Drive Fuel Break
Summary
SCH Number
2009118068
Public Agency
California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection
(CAL FIRE)
Document Title
Mt. Elizabeth Drive Fuel Break
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
11/9/2009
Document Description
The Mt. Elizabeth Drive Fuel Break is part of a strategic fire defense system that is planned to provide fire protection to the Cedar Ridge and Twain Harte communities. The Highway 108 Fire Safe Council has been working with willing landowners in the area to create fuel breaks along roads and ridges that will be defensible against a fire coming out of the South Fork of the Stanislaus River canyon. The project area is on private property with housing subdivisions on its north, south, east and western boundaries. The predominant fuel type is manzanita and oak woodland with scattered pockets of ponderosa pine and cedar. This project is designed to treat Manzanita, small conifers and other brush species for a minimum distance of 100' on both sides of Mt. Elizabeth Drive. A total of 72 acres is planned for treatment. Topography can be characterized as rolling with slope to 30%.
A combination of mastication and manual work will be the treatment methods throughout the project. Overstory trees will be retained and all "ladder fuels" will be targeted for removal. Mastication will treat fuels by shredding vegetation to an average level of less than 6". All areas treated manually will have the slash chipped.
Contact Information
Name
Steve Hollett
Agency Name
Cal Fire
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency
Phone
Location
Counties
Tuolumne
Other Location Info
San Andreas, CA
Notice of Exemption
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
15304
Reasons for Exemption
Project does not involve the removal of healthy, mature or scenic trees. Project will result in improvement in wildlife habitat. Project activities will not result in the taking of endangered, rare, or threatened plant or animal species or significant erosion or sedimentation of surface waters. No soil disturbance will occur near riparian areas or streams. All elderberry plants will be retained within the project area. Cultural resources will not be impacted by the project as proposed.
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.