My Sierra Woods – Moody Ridge
Summary
SCH Number
2020110184
Public Agency
California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection
(CAL FIRE)
Document Title
My Sierra Woods – Moody Ridge
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
11/12/2020
Present Land Use
Rural
Document Description
Project work is proposed on 31 total acres across 8 private ownerships in the Moody Ridge area of Dutch Flat/Alta. Project elevation ranges from 3100 ft. to 4000 ft., and vegetation types include manzanita/oak woodland, scrub oak/chapparal, black oak woodland, and Sierra Nevada mixed conifer forest. Slope within the project area is generally gentle to moderate (from 0-20%), though some creek drainages proposed for treatment are steeper (up to 60% slope). Soils range across the private ownerships, and soil types present include Sites loam, Aiken loam, Cohasset loam, and mining rubble/diggings. The project is located south of Interstate 80 and north of the North Fork of the American River, near the rural communities of Dutch Flat and Alta. Project work will include removal of small trees and brush under 10 inches in diameter. Understory fuels will be treated with a masticator with a mulching head where operationally feasible. Where terrain does not allow for the use of a masticator or where fuels are lighter, handwork with chainsaws or hand tools will be utilized. Refer to the project maps for distinction between areas proposed for mastication versus handwork. In areas where handwork will be used, the residual material may be lopped and scattered to a height of 30 inches or less, piled for burning by landowners, or dragged to a chipper.
Contact Information
Name
Julie Howard
Agency Name
California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency
Phone
Email
Name
Agency Name
California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection
Contact Types
Project Applicant
Location
Counties
Placer
Cross Streets
South of Interstate 80 and north of the North Fork of the American River
Total Acres
31
Other Location Info
Portions of: T15N, R10E, Sec. 1,2,3 & 10, Mount Diablo B & M
Other Information
Communities of Dutch Flat and Alta.
Notice of Exemption
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
Class 4 § 15304 Minor Alterations to Land
Reasons for Exemption
This project fits under portions of categorical exemption under CEQA 15304, Class 4 – minor alterations to the land. Class 4 consists of minor public or private alterations in the condition of land, water, and/or vegetation which do not involve removal of healthy, mature, scenic trees except for forestry or agricultural purposes. The project will involve the removal of some immature trees from the understory for fuel reduction purposes. No merchantable sized trees will be removed. A CNDDB search was performed for the quads encompassing the project area and a visual survey was conducted during project layout. No potential significant adverse effects to wildlife have been identified. An archaeological survey has been conducted by two RPFs certified through Cal Fire’s certified archaeological surveyor training course. Project operations will not significantly impact an archaeological site. Therefore, the project qualifies for the Class 4 exemption.
Field review by CAL FIRE staff confirmed that no exceptions apply that 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 or 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 or traffic, or to utilities and service systems. Documentation of the environmental review completed by the Department is kept on file at CAL FIRE Headquarters in Sacramento.
Attachments
Notice of Exemption
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