MCTC West Side Fuel Break
Summary
SCH Number
2019120567
Public Agency
California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection
(CAL FIRE)
Document Title
MCTC West Side Fuel Break
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
12/20/2019
Document Description
The area has been managed for timber production since the late 1800s but since the 1960s has been shifted into even-aged timber management specifically.
The adjacent properties are a mix of the wildland urban interface with isolated houses, an industrial park, railroad tracks, large contiguous brush fields, and native mixed conifer stands. The project area is located east of the community of Weed, and is roughly 11,707 feet long and 200 feet wide which covers 54 acres. The project area ranges from 3,880 feet to 3,990 feet in elevation with slopes ranging from 0%-30%. Vegetative is comprised of 40-year-old Ponderosa pine plantations, native mixed conifer stands, and scattered pockets of brush species. The mixed conifer stands are comprised of Ponderosa pine, incense cedar, sugar pine, Douglas-fir and white fir. The scattered brush pockets are composed of manzanita (Arbutus spp.), deer brush (Ceanothus integerrimus), and snow brush (Ceanothus velutinus) and various grasses. Treatment Application: A masticator or hand crews will be utilized to remove all brush species and thin trees ( 1 0" in diameter or less) to an 18-to-25-foot spacing. The best growing trees will be retained. Residual trees will be pruned to a six-foot height. No healthy, mature, scenic trees will be removed. Wood biomass created by the masticator will be broadcast back into the treatment area, and will be no more than 12" deep. Wood debris crated by hand crews will be piled and burned or piled and pulverized by the masticator. Piles to be burned will be established as far away from residual trees as possible to reduce scorching, and burned as climatic conditions allow.
Contact Information
Name
Cole Humphrey
Agency Name
Michigan-California Timber Company
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency
Address
Phone
Name
Agency Name
Michigan-California Timber Company
Contact Types
Project Applicant
Location
Counties
Siskiyou
Other Location Info
The project area is located adjacent to Black Butte Mountain approximately 2 miles southeast of the city of Weed, CA. Legal: Portions of Sections 18, 19, T41N, R04W, MDB&M & Portions of Section 24, T41N R05W, MDB&M
Notice of Exemption
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
15304
Reasons for Exemption
This project fits within the above-listed Categorical Exemption listed in the CEQA Guidelines. Field review by CAL FIRE staff confirmed that no exceptions apply which would preclude the use of a Notice of Exemption for this project. CAL FIRE 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.
Attachments
Notice of Exemption
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