MEU Robinson Road Shaded Fuel Break
Summary
SCH Number
2020040193
Public Agency
California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection
(CAL FIRE)
Document Title
MEU Robinson Road Shaded Fuel Break
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
4/17/2020
Present Land Use
Unknown
Document Description
The purpose of the project is to create a shaded fuel break to reduce wildfire intensity and rate spread, facilitate efficient ingress of first responders and egress of residents during an evacuation event along 3.5 miles of a privately-owned section of Robinson Creek Road, which encompasses 26 acres. The area contains mixed conifer/hardwood woodlands, interspersed with grasslands, and a dense understory of woody shrubs and small trees. The work objectives are to thin stands within the road right-of-way, extending 30-feet in both directions from the centerline of the roadway, using manual treatment methods. Hand crews will utilize chainsaws, pole-saws and hand tools to remove small trees, brush, and dead ground fuels. Live trees 10-inches in diameter or less will be removed to improve tree spacing. Larger trees will have branches pruned up to 10-feet above ground level. Woody material generated by this project shall be chipped.
Contact Information
Name
Robert Douglas
Agency Name
Department of Forestry and Fire Protection
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency
Phone
Name
Agency Name
None
Contact Types
Project Applicant
Location
Cities
Ukiah
Counties
Mendocino
Cross Streets
Robinson Creek Road & State Highway 253
Total Acres
26
Township
14-15N
Range
13W
Section
Mult.
Base
MDBM
Other Location Info
T 15 N, R 13 W; Section 34; T 14 N, R 13 W: Sections 3, 4, & 10
Notice of Exemption
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
Class 4 - Minor alterations to land
Reasons for Exemption
The project meets the requirements of a CEQA Article 19 Class 4 Categorical exemption, consisting of “minor public/private alterations in the conditions of land, water and/or vegetation which do not involve removal of healthy, mature & scenic trees except for forestry or agricultural purposes.” The California Natural Diversity Database (CNDDB) was searched and no rare, threatened or endangered plant or animal species were identified on the project site that will be negatively impacted by this project. The CAL FIRE Archaeologist has been consulted and has determined that this project is exempt from further archaeological review.
Field review by CAL FIRE staff confirmed that no exceptions apply (§15300.2) 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 CAL FIRE Mendocino Unit, Resource Management, 17501 N. Highway 101, Willits, CA 95490, Attn. Environmental Coordinator.