Columbia Air Attack Base Helicopter Pad Replacement Project
Summary
SCH Number
2019090378
Public Agency
California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection
(CAL FIRE)
Document Title
Columbia Air Attack Base Helicopter Pad Replacement Project
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
9/13/2019
Document Description
The existing cement helicopter landing pad at the Columbia Air Attack Base needs to be expanded to accommodate larger rotary winged aircraft. The existing cement pad and lawn will be removed using a tracked excavator, loader and dump truck A new cement pad, approximately 100-feet by 100-feet in size, will be poured in the same area as the existing cement pad and lawn. The demolition phase of the project is expected to take approximately one week The construction phase of the project is expected to take approximately two weeks. Tree removal will not be required within the footprint of the construction; however, some trees adjacent to the new pad may need to be felled for adequate clearance for aircraft. The project is not adjacent to any watercourses. The topography is flat. The Columbia Air Attack Base is located near the town of Columbia in Tuolumne County. The airport is approximately 2,120 feet above sea level in elevation. Surrounding vegetation would best be described as oak woodland, with scattered Ponderosa and California Gray Pine.
Contact Information
Name
Adam Frese
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
Tuolumne
Other Location Info
Columbia Air Attack Base, T2N, R16E, Portion of Sec 11, MDBM
Notice of Exemption
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
15302
Reasons for Exemption
This project fits under portions of 14 CCR§ 15302: Replacement or Reconstruction. The new cement pad will be in the same location as the existing pad, and will have substantially the same purpose of the existing pad. The project is not anticipated to have any impacts on biological resources. The project is not near any watercourses, and will not have any impacts on water quality. A CAL FIRE Archaeologist was consulted, and the project is not anticipated to have any impacts on cultural
resources. Field review by CAL FIRE staff confirmed that no exceptions apply which 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/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/traffic, or to utilities and service systems. Documentation of the environmental review completed by the Department is kept on file at the Tuolumne-Calaveras Unit Headquarters in San Andreas at 785 Mountain Ranch Road, San Andreas, CA 95249.
Attachments
Notice of Exemption
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