Gaviota Remote Automated Weather Station
Summary
SCH Number
2017108552
Public Agency
Santa Barbara County Fire Department
Document Title
Gaviota Remote Automated Weather Station
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
10/26/2017
Document Description
Project consists of the installation and operation of a permanent fixed Remote Automated Weather Station (RAWS) in Gaviota State Park. The RAWS unit is an FTS 6 model manufactured by Forest Technology Systems. It is composed of an aluminum tripod frame that measures 10 feet wide by 6 feet tall. The unit has a single aluminum pole 20 feet high with a wind sensor mounted. The unit sits directly on the ground requiring minimal soil disturbance. Various weather instruments are mounted to the frame including a small solar panel which provides power to the unit. The RAWS site is located at the top of a remote ridge in a mixed chaparral fuel bed with some open areas of annual grass. Only minimal vegetation will be removed from the site to maintain an obstruction free area immediately around the unit. No trees will be removed. The unit will be owned, operated, and maintained by the Santa Barbara County Fire Dept. The RAWS unit will provide real-time weather data every hour to assist fire managers with determining Fire Danger Ratings for the Gaviota Coast area. The data will also contribute to more effective fire business management decisions including fire resource staffing levels, pre-positioning, and forest project activity levels. The weather data is sent via satellite to various government agencies and ultimately stored permanently by the Western Region Climate Center. The data is accessible by the public via the internet and freely available at all times.
Contact Information
Name
Vince LaRocco
Agency Name
Santa Barbara County Fire Department
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency
Phone
Location
Coordinates
Counties
Santa Barbara
Notice of Exemption
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
S:15304, 8, Class 4, 8
Reasons for Exemption
Minor Alterations to Land.
Actions Taken for Protection of Environment.
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