Wisecarver Road Fuel Reduction Project
Summary
SCH Number
2020050411
Public Agency
California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection
(CAL FIRE)
Document Title
Wisecarver Road Fuel Reduction Project
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
5/20/2020
Present Land Use
Rural Roadside
Document Description
This project proposes the establishment of a 50-foot-wide fuel break along both sides of Wisecarver Road from Skyline Truck Trail north to Marc Lee Lane, then north along Marc Lee Lane to the intersection of Rudnick Drive near the east end of Lawson Valley for a total width of 100 feet. This fuel break will be 1.8-mile-long and result in treatment of approximately 29 acres. Treatment will include reducing the existing fuel loading of mixed chaparral vegetation by approximately 80%. Native vegetation targeted for removal will include chamise, red shank, California buckwheat and California sage brush that commonly occur within the project area. Broadleaf species present within the project include manzanita, ceanothus and scrub oak. These broad leaf species will be retained to present a mosaic effect but may be thinned where necessary to obtain 80% reduction target. Annual grasses and forbs will be left untreated. No live trees will be cut. Shrub vegetation will be cut at ground level and root structures left in place to reduce the potential for erosion. All work will be performed by CAL FIRE hand crews using hand tools and chain saws or CAL FIRE rubber tracked skid steer masticator. All treated vegetation will be either masticated, chipped on site with chips spread to a depth of three inches or less, or piled and burned on site by CAL FIRE engine crews during the winter months under a San Diego County Air Pollution Control District permit.
.
This project is located on the southeast side of the unincorporated community of Lawson Valley situated approximately 9-miles east, southeast of the City of El Cajon and 12-miles north of the Mexican Border in the south central portion of San Diego County. This area is comprised of rugged mountainous terrain with limited public road access. Lawson Valley is an isolated community of widely spaced single family rural residences.
Contact Information
Name
Pete Scully
Agency Name
CAL FIRE
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency
Phone
Email
Name
Agency Name
California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE)
Contact Types
Project Applicant
Location
Counties
San Diego
Total Acres
29
Other Location Info
Portions of Sections 27,34, T16S, R2E, and Portions of section 3, T17S, R2E, SBBM,
Other Information
Along Wisecarver Road from Skyline Truck Trail north to Marc Lee Lane, then north along Marc Lee Lane to the intersection of Rudnick Drive near the east end of Lawson Valley.
Notice of Exemption
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
Class 4: 15304, Minor Alterations to Land
Reasons for Exemption
This project is contained within the descriptions of Class 4 Categorical Exemption listed in the CEQA Guidelines pertaining to minor alterations to land. After completing an environmental analysis, CAL FIRE has determined this project will have no significant impact on the environment. This determination is based on field assessments, a CNDDB search, greenhouse gas emission calculations, and archaeological review completed by CAL FIRE Archaeological staff.
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 retained on file at CAL FIRE Monte Vista Unit Headquarters in El Cajon.