Yosemite NP. Wawona Road Hazard Tree and Biomass Removal (SSARR Fuel Reduction and Biomass Utilization)

SCH Number: 2019070894
Lead Agency: Yosemite National Park
Document Title: Yosemite NP. Wawona Road Hazard Tree and Biomass Removal (SSARR Fuel Reduction and Biomass Utilization)
Document Type: NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received: 7/18/2019
Posted: 7/18/2019
Project Applicant: Yosemite National Park

Document Description: The Wawona Road hazard tree and biomass removal project mirrors the Mariposa County SSARR Fuel Reduction and Biomass Utilization project. The primary goal of the project is to remove hazard trees and biomass up to 200 feet from Wawona Road. Small diameter green trees (<20”DBH) or hazard trees will be fallen. Biomass may either be transported offsite or converted into biochar or electricity through a portable biogen plant staged at one of several locations in the park. See Attached NOE For Full Details.

Contact Information: Garrett Dickman
Yosemite National Park
PO Box 700
El Portal, CA 95318
Phone : (209) 379-3282

Counties: Mariposa
Other Location Info: Project is located in Yosemite National Park along Wawona Road (Highway 41) from Chinquapin (junction of Wawona Road and Glacier Point Road) to the South Entrance of the park. The project is located in Mariposa County. The tree removal work is typically conducted within a 200 foot distance of the road. Staging and storage areas for the project include Badger Pass, Wawona woodyard, and El Capitan woodyard.

Exempt Status: Declared Emergency
Type, Section or Code: Sec. 21080(b)(3); 15269(a)
Reasons for Exemption: Categorical Exemption (Type and Section No.): Existing Facilities, §15301(c) and §15301(h) CEQA Guidelines Statutory Exemption (State Code No.): PRC Section §21080(b)(4); §15269(c) CEQA Guidelines The Yosemite Fire Management Plan Environmental Impact Statement (2004) describes creating fuel breaks along Wawona Road as a major goal. All necessary mitigation for this project have been included to protect natural and cultural resources that have the potential to be harmed during implementation. Additionally, tree mortality hazard mitigation efforts are a short term task necessary to mitigate an emergency. As such, they are exempt pursuant to CEQA Guidelines, Statutory Exemptions, Section 15269 EMERGENCY PROJECTS. The felling of dead or dying hazard trees along federally-maintained roads and is necessary to prevent or mitigate an emergency to public health and emergency access. The abundance of dead or dying hazard trees in these locations is a result of a severe drought in the area and bark beetle-infestation and are a short-term project.