Howard Forest Helicopter Pad and Hangar Replacement
Summary
SCH Number
2020050289
Public Agency
California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection
(CAL FIRE)
Document Title
Howard Forest Helicopter Pad and Hangar Replacement
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
5/13/2020
Document Description
The project area is located on the one-acre existing Helitack facility within the 87-acre Howard Forest Station and Training Center property. The project consists of the removal of two associated cement helicopter pads, to be replaced by one large pad on the same facility footprint to accommodate the new, longer and taller Sikorsky S-70i Firehawk, which replaces the UH-lH Super Huey helicopter. The site will be disturbed by a minor amount of grading. Most of the work will consist of importing fill to expand on the existing leveled area on a previously developed site. The new surface will be graded, compacted, and rocked prior to installing the new concrete helicopter pad. The existing primary and secondary helicopter pads are 33 ft and 25 ft in diameter, respectively. They will be replaced by a single, larger helicopter pad that will be 75 x 75 ft. The entire expansion area, located between the old Highway 101 , has been previously disturbed by grading both for the highway and the original Helitack construction. Replacement of the helicopter pads will involve the use of heavy equipment such as an excavator, bulldozer, dump truck, and roller to translocate and compact soil to replace and prepare the foundations for these structures. Replacement of the two helicopter pads is expected to take approximately one week.
Contact Information
Name
Robert B. Douglas
Agency Name
CAL FIRE Mendocino Unit
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency
Phone
Location
Cities
Willits
Counties
Mendocino
Other Location Info
17501 US-101 , Willits, CA 95490
Notice of Exemption
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
Type/Section: Class 2/15302 Replacement or Reconstruction
Reasons for Exemption
The project meets the requirements of a CEQA Article 19 Class 2 Categorical exemption, consisting of "replacement or reconstruction of existing structures and where the new structure[ s] will be located on the same site as the structure[ s] rep laced and will have substantially the same purpose and capacity as the structure[s] replaced ..."
The proposed project will not have a significant effect on the environment. 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 CAL FIRE Mendocino Unit, Resource Management, 17501 N. Highway 101, Willits, CA 95490, Attn. Environmental Coordinator.
Attachments
Notice of Exemption
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