Point of Rocks Hazardous Fuel Reduction (3100-2019-FPL-006)
Summary
SCH Number
2019090293
Public Agency
California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection
(CAL FIRE)
Document Title
Point of Rocks Hazardous Fuel Reduction (3100-2019-FPL-006)
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
9/11/2019
Document Description
The Point of Rocks Hazardous Fuel Reduction (HFR) project is designed to reduce fuel loadings and modify the fuel arrangement around the north/northeastern perimeter of Pirie Cove and ldyllwild, California by creating and maintaining a continuous fuel break. This project in conjunction with other projects in the area aims to improve the ability of firefighting agencies to prevent a major conflagration from moving into the communities from off site, and prevent fire originating within the communities, from moving into the surrounding wildlands. The proposed fuel reduction work will improve fire suppression effectiveness, reduce the intensity and duration of wildfires, reduce the rate of fire spread, and minimize the amount of work and disturbance necessary to maintain the fuel break in the future. The project area consists of~ 350 acres of thick chaparral and mixed conifer with oak woodland components. The shrub component is thick, and contains a substantial amount of dead and dying vegetation throughout. This combined with a thick understory and hazardous ladder fuels within the timber stands has resulted in significantly hazardous fuel loadings and arrangements with in the project area. Elevation ranges from 5,680 to 6,800 feet. The slope is variable throughout the project area ranging from 10- 40% with the steepest being around 50-60%. The project will consist of creating and maintaining a ~ 500 foot wide fuelbreak, the majority of which will be adjacent to existing roads and trails. Work will include cutting, removing, chipping on site, piling and burning, broadcast burning, and/or masticating resprouting or overgrown vegetation and dead surface fuels. Tree removal will be limited to trees less than 12 inches DBH or those that are dead, dying, or diseased. Retained trees will be limbed to a height of 8 feet or no more than 1/2 the height of the tree. Heavy equipment will be limited to rubber tired and/or tracked equipment. No new roads are to be constructed.
Contact Information
Name
Gregg Bratcher
Agency Name
California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency
Phone
Name
Agency Name
California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection
Contact Types
Project Applicant
Location
Counties
Riverside
Other Location Info
APN's: 563020021 , 563020023, 559030006, 559310008, 559030002, 559030008,
559030005, 559030003, 563020022, 559310006, 563020030, 563020032. Portions of Sections 1 and 2, T5S, R2E and Sections 6 and 7, T5S, R3E, SBB&M, San Jacinto Peak USGS 7.5 ' Quadrangle
Notice of Exemption
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
15304
Reasons for Exemption
This project fits under portions of 4 Categorical Exemption "15304 Minor Alterations to Land" - "Class 4 consists of minor public or private alterations in the conditions of land, water and/or vegetation which do not involve removal of healthy, mature and scenic trees except for forestry and agricultural purposes" . Field review by CAL FIRE staff confirmed that no exceptions apply that would preclude the use of a notice of exemption for this project. The Department has concluded that no significant environmental impact would occur to aesthetics, agriculture and forestland or 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 or traffic, or to utilities and service systems. Documentation of the environmental review completed by the Department is kept on file at the CAL FIRE, Riverside Unit, 25380 Franklin Dr. Idyllwild CA, 92549.
Attachments
Notice of Exemption
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