Composting Project, Cascade Ranch
Summary
SCH Number
2018118074
Public Agency
San Mateo County Resource Conservation District
(SMCRCD)
Document Title
Composting Project, Cascade Ranch
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
11/13/2018
Document Description
Invasive species are a huge threat to California's biodiversity, second only to habitat loss. Numerous eucalypt species have become integrated California flora, including the Tasmanian blue gum (Eucalyptus globules). Established blue gum stands often heavily influence plant community structure, hydrology, sedimentation and erosion, and nutrient cycling. Blue gums also generate higher fuel loads than native plants and significantly increase wildfire hazards. The San Mateo County Local Coastal Program "encourage[s] landowners to remove blue gum (eucalyptus) seedlings to prevent their spread (LCP, 7.51, Weedy, Undesirable Plants), recognizing that they are a threat to the environment.
The San Mateo Resource Conservation District (RCD), in partnership with the USDA Natural Resource Conservation Service, are working to restore native vegetative communities and to reduce risk of catastrophic wildfire in San Mateo County, by controlling the spread of blue gum eucalyptus. This project will remove between 20 and 50 eucalyptus seedlings, of no more than 12" diameter at breast height (DBH), from an existing grove of eucalyptus that totals over 6.5 acres. The eucalyptus will be chipped on site and composted with crop residue from the adjacent agricultural fields. The compost will be used as a soil amendment on site, building soil health while reducing fuel loads and restoring vegetative communities.
Contact Information
Name
Adria Arko
Agency Name
San Mateo County Resource Conservation District
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency
Phone
Location
Cities
Half Moon Bay
Counties
San Mateo
Parcel #
089-221-100
Other Location Info
Location Specific: Cascade Ranch consists of approximately 96 acres of farmland located south of the town of Pescadero, adjacent to Cascade Creek and HWY 1.
Notice of Exemption
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
Class 4 & Class 33, Sec*
Reasons for Exemption
*15304, Section 15333
Class 4 consists of minor public or private alterations in the condition of land, water, and/or vegetation which do not involve removal of healthy, mature, scenic trees except for forestry or agricultural purposes . . . This section of the CEQA guidelines describes Small Habitat Restoration that do not exceed 5 acres in size and are constructed for the purpose of maintenance, restoration, enhancement, or protection of habitat for fish, plants or wildlife. The purpose of the project is to thin a eucalyptus grove, which is an invasive species, and poses a fire hazard the environment in San Mateo County. The trees to be removed will be chipped and then composted, to be used as a soil amendment for the agricultural property on which this project is taking place.
NOTE: See NOE for full details.
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.