Charles Mountain Ranch Conservation Easement Phase 2
Summary
SCH Number
2012028215
Public Agency
California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection
(CAL FIRE)
Document Title
Charles Mountain Ranch Conservation Easement Phase 2
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
2/15/2012
Document Description
The subject property (Charles Mountain Ranch) is situated along Alderpoint Road about 8 miles south of State Highway 36 and 34 air miles east of the Pacific Ocean in the County of Humboldt, California. The Charles Mountain Ranch Conservation Easement Phase 2 acquisition is is the second proposed conservation easement transaction that includes approximately 4,437 acres of privately-owned forestlands and oak woodlands. CAL FIRE is acquiring the conservation easement for the purpose of protecting typical forestland uses including wildlife habitat, watershed stabilization and the continued production of forest products. The Forest Legacy program was created with cleary delineated open-space conservation goals and objectives to protect enviormentally important private forest lands threatened with conversion to non-forest uses pursuant to Section 1217 of the XII of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation and Trade Act of 1990 (16 U.S.C Section 2103C).
Contact Information
Name
Jeff Calvert
Agency Name
Cal Fire
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency
Phone
Location
Counties
Humboldt
Notice of Exemption
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
Class 17, 25; Sec. 15317, 15325
Reasons for Exemption
Field review by DGS and CAL FIRE staff confirmed that no exceptions apply which preclude the use of a Notice of Exemption for this project. The Department has concluded that no significant enviormental 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 enviormental review completed by the Department is kept on file at 1416 9th Street, Sacramento, CA 95814. This project fits under two classes of Categorical Exemptions to CEQA: Class 17 (Open Space Contracts or Easements), and Class 25 (Transfers of Ownership of Interest in Land to Preserve Existing Natural Conditions and Historical Resources). Acquisition as a Conservation Easement through the State and Federal Forest Legacy Programs will protect the area from the encroachment of residential development pressure facing Humboldt County today. The Charles Mountain Ranch provides significant wildlife habitat for several threatened and special-concern species. This protection will allow continued traditional forestry, ranching, and hunting activities while affording public recreational opportunities.
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.