Soquel Demonstration State Forest - Large Woody Debris and Habitat Complexity Project
Summary
SCH Number
2011058284
Public Agency
California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection
(CAL FIRE)
Document Title
Soquel Demonstration State Forest - Large Woody Debris and Habitat Complexity Project
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
5/31/2011
Document Description
The proposed project, located along the East Branch of Soquel Creek within the boundaries of SDSF which is managed by CAL FIRE, includes the following components: (1) installing large wood along a 0.7 mile stretch of the East Branch of Soquel Creek in four, 200-foot reaches, and (2) monitoring the large wood structures to document wood movement, aquatic habitat changes, and fish community changes. Each of the four reaches will contain three large wood elements and each element will have one to four pieces of large wood installed. There will be two unsecured site with two to three log clusters installed per site. Additionally, there will be two secured sites, with each site consisting of a log-vane structure with a rootwad, a log cluster, and a rootwad anchor. The purpose of the project is to contribute to the survival and recovery of federally and State endangered coho salmon in this watershed, as well as the survival and recovery of federally threatened steelhead, by increasing habitat complexity and pool frequency.
Contact Information
Name
Peter H. Cafferata
Agency Name
Cal Fire
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency
Phone
Location
Counties
Santa Cruz
Other Location Info
Within the East Branch of Soquel Creek in Soquel Demonstration State Forest (SDSF) (Township, Range, and Section are not available)
Notice of Exemption
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
C:6,33;S:15306,15333
Reasons for Exemption
This project fits within the descriptions of the above-listed two Categorical Exemptions authorized in the CEQA Guidelines. Class 33 consists of small habitat restoration projects less than five acres in size that maintain, restore, enhance, or protect the habitat for fish, plants, or wildlife. Class 6 consists of data collection, research, experimental management, and resource evaluation activities that will not result in a major disturbance to environmental resources. This project will enhance habitat for state and federally listed anadromous salmonid species and monitoring of the installed structures will provide important research data (collected by NOAA's Southwest Fisheries Science Center under a signed MOU with CAL FIRE). The areas where new ground disturbing activities will occur are limited and relatively minor in scope. Avoidance and minimization measures, as articulated by DFG and NMFS and as specified by applicable permits from those agencies, the CCRWQCB, and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, will be implemented to reduce potential temporary, construction-related effects on water quality and special-status species. CAL FIRE has determined this project would not significantly impact the environment. Field review by CAL FIRE staff confirmed that no exceptions apply which would preclude that use of a Notice of Exemption for this project. The Department has concluded that no significant environmental impact would occur to aesthetics, agriculture and forestland/timberland, air quality, biological resources, cultural resources, geology and soils, greenhouse gas emissions, hazards and hazardous materials, hydrology and water quality, land use planning, mineral resources, noise, population and housing, public services, recreation, transportation/traffic, or to utilities and service systems. Documentation of the environmental review completed by the Department is kept on file at Sacramento.
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.