Fullen Road Shaded Fuel Break
Summary
SCH Number
2020120422
Public Agency
California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection
(CAL FIRE)
Document Title
Fullen Road Shaded Fuel Break
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
12/21/2020
Present Land Use
Rural residential
Document Description
The project area is located in southern Calaveras County along the ridge between San Antonio and San Domingo Creeks. The project is approximately 3 miles north of the city of Murphys and 2 miles southeast of the Sheep Ranch. Project area is defined as 300 feet following the ridge or designated centerline. The eastern terminus is Avery Sheep Ranch Road east of the section corner of sections 14, 15, 22, and 23. From here the project follows the ridge east approximately 1 Mile. At this point it turns south crossing Indian Creek to Fullen Road. From this point it follows Fullen Road to its intersection with Sheep Ranch Road. The portion along Fullen Road and the Ridge in the eastern portion of the project have been treated in the recent past and this operation will treat re-growth and increase width where needed. This ridge is strategically located between the San Domingo and San Antonio creek drainages. The project area ranges from approximately 2,600 feet to 3,500 feet in elevation above sea level. Protection from wildfire is paramount to the public safety of Calaveras County. The potential for a fire coming from the south or north is extreme. The 2015 Butte fire threatened from the north and the 1992 Gulch Fire and 2004 Armstrong Fire burned through the area. Sheep Ranch and Avery Sheep Ranch roads are major access roads for residents and EMS.
Vegetation type is in the conifer transitional belt and consists of Ponderosa Pine and Chaparral vegetation types. Major tree species include native oaks and conifers, Black Oak (Quercus kelloggii), Canyon and Interior Live Oak (Quercus chrysolepis and wislizenii), Ponderosa Pine (Pinus ponderosa), Sugar Pine (Pinus lambertiana), and Incense Cedar (Libocedrus decurrens). Brush species include manzanita, toyon, ceanothus, poison oak, and bear clover. The area is overstocked with vegetation. The conifer component has experienced a large amount of mortality from bark beetles. Mortality has lessened the last 2 years. Understory brush is thick through most of the project. Project will consist of fuel reduction activities conducted with mastication and light equipment. Spacing of residual vegetation will target crown spacing of 20 feet or brush spaced at a distance equal to twice the height. All leave trees will be pruned to 10’ or to leave a minimum of 50% of live crown.
The project area is approximately 128 acres in size with a length of 2.75 miles.
Contact Information
Name
Adam Frese
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
Calaveras
Cross Streets
Fullen Road and Sheep Ranch Road
Total Acres
128
Other Location Info
Portions of T4N, R16E, Sec 15, 16, 21, 22, 28, and 29 MDBM
Other Information
Approximately 3 miles north of the city of Murphys and 2 miles southeast of the Sheep Ranch.
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 15304- Minor Alterations to Land. The project consists of constructing, maintaining and improving shaded fuel breaks. No grading or permanent alteration to vegetation types or habitat elements will occur as a result of the project. A query of the CNDDB did not reveal the presence of any sensitive species that could be negatively impacted by the project. Impacts to watercourses are not expected. Archaeological resources will be protected through avoidance, and impacts are not expected. A contract archaeologist was consulted. All burning will be done in accordance with a permit for the Calaveras County Air Pollution Control District.
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, energy, wildfire, or to utilities and service systems. Documentation of the environmental review completed by the Department is kept on file at 18464 Striker Court, Sonora, CA 95370.
Attachments
Notice of Exemption
Disclaimer: The Governor’s Office of Planning and Research (OPR) accepts no responsibility for the content or accessibility of these documents. To obtain an attachment in a different format, please contact the lead agency at the contact information listed above. You may also contact the OPR via email at state.clearinghouse@opr.ca.gov or via phone at (916) 445-0613. For more information, please visit OPR’s Accessibility Site.