SB South Coast Herbivory Project (Board of Forestry CalVTP Project ID 2023-21)
81 Documents in Project
Summary
SCH Number
2019012052
Lead Agency
Santa Barbara County Fire Department
Document Title
SB South Coast Herbivory Project (Board of Forestry CalVTP Project ID 2023-21)
Document Type
NOD - Notice of Determination
Received
Posted
10/16/2023
Document Description
The Santa Barbara County Fire Safe Council and the Santa Barbara County Fire Department (SBCFD) propose to implement the SB South Coast Herbivory Project. The project includes prescribed herbivory (targeted grazing) throughout the wildland urban interface and along critical transportation corridors. The project is located along the south coast of Santa Barbara County. The proposed prescribed herbivory treatments will occur within 27 treatment areas comprising approximately 1,639 acres and is intended to be implemented over a 4-year period. The project will aim for a minimum target of 1,000 acres treated per year and would include maintenance treatments where feasible. The project site is characterized by gentle to steep slopes with multiple aspects covered in vegetation typical of Southern California; foothills covered in grass and oak woodland with mixed chaparral on the upper slopes and ridgetops. These areas include large areas of grasslands and also contain steep slopes, which provide for limited access by hand crews or mechanical equipment, making prescribed herbivory the most realistic vegetation management treatment activity in the proposed treatment areas. The prescribed herbivory treatments will primarily target grass and small shrub vegetation. Proposed treatment activities aim to reduce the number and severity of wildfires within the project area, improving firefighter safety; protect lives, property, and infrastructure; improve health and resilience of grassland and oak woodland; and reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from reduced wildfires. The impacted communities range from rural ranchland to populated, wildland urban interface and include Santa Barbara, Goleta, Painted Cave, San Marcos Pass, and the Gaviota Coast communities. Given the physical characteristics of this area, prescribed herbivory within grasslands and steeper terrain is anticipated to be the most economically and environmentally sound treatment prescription.
Contact Information
Name
Robert Hazard
Agency Name
Santa Barbara County Fire
Job Title
Division Chief Fire Marshal/Prevention
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency
Phone
Email
Location
Counties
Santa Barbara
Regions
Countywide
Total Acres
1639
Notice of Determination
Approving Agency
Santa Barbara County Fire Department
Approving Agency Role
Lead Agency
Approved On
County Clerk
Santa Barbara
Final Environmental Document Available at
https://sbcfire.com/sb-south-coast-herbivory-project/
Determinations
(1) The project will have a significant impact on the environment
Yes
(2a) An Environmental Impact Report was prepared for this project pursuant to the provisions of CEQA
No
(2b) A Mitigated or a Negative Declaration was prepared for this project pursuant to the provisions of CEQA
No
(2c) An other document type was prepared for this project pursuant to the provisions of CEQA
Yes (Addendum and Project Specific Analysis)
(3) Mitigated measures were made a condition of the approval of the project
Yes
(4) A mitigation reporting or monitoring plan was adopted for this project
Yes
(5) A Statement of Overriding Considerations was adopted for this project
Yes
(6) Findings were made pursuant to the provisions of CEQA
Yes
Attachments
Notice of Determination
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