Methuselah Fire Suppression Water Tank
Summary
SCH Number
2016018020
Public Agency
California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection
(CAL FIRE)
Document Title
Methuselah Fire Suppression Water Tank
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
1/4/2016
Document Description
A 10,000 gallon concrete fire suppression tank will be constructed and a trench to run water pipe and electrical will be dug. This tank will be for fire emergencies and use as a water source. Currently, there are no feasible water sources in this specific area. Historic water sources at the forest are dwindling and becoming unreliable due to the extended drought conditions. The tank will be filled from an existing well located adjacent to Methuselah Meadow that will be deepened. A 24" deep trench will be excavated from the State Forest Headquarters to install the electrical conduit for the well pump. The tank will be placed adjacent to a seasonal forest road high on a ridge so the fire fill outlet can be gravity fed. An evaporation valve will be installed on the tank and minor fills due to evaporation will come from the well. If large replenishment is needed, it will come from water tenders. A 20' X 20' pad shall be graded and leveled by hand using fire crews. A concrete tank and fittings will be constructed in place. Minimal site disturbance will occur in trenching for the footing of the tank. One cement truck for approximately 3-4 separate days will be used to supply the needed concrete. Annual grasses and small trees occupy the current location.
Contact Information
Name
David Shy
Agency Name
Cal Fire
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency
Phone
Location
Counties
Tulare
Township
20S
Range
30E
Section
12
Base
MDB&M
Other Location Info
Mountain Home Demonstration State Forest
Notice of Exemption
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
15303 - Class 3
Reasons for Exemption
The project consists of constructing a 10,000 gallon water tank, installing conduit and pipe and deepening an existing well for fire suppression. This project is intended to mitigate the drought impact in the area and to provide a water source during a fire emergency. The project meets the Categorical Exemption as described under 14 CCR § 15303 - New Construction of Small Structures. CNDDB, archeological and field reviews have been conducted for this project. No known species of concern were identified within or adjacent to the project area. Plant cover is altered to create a more open and less flammable structure, which by itself does not result in the elimination of plant and animal species. The activities will not result in the taking of endangered, rare, or threatened plant or animal species, or sedimentation to surface waters. CAL FIRE staff 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 utilities and service systems.
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