AEU Communication Repeater Fuels Maintenance
Summary
SCH Number
2021030004
Public Agency
California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection
(CAL FIRE)
Document Title
AEU Communication Repeater Fuels Maintenance
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
3/1/2021
Document Description
This project consists of performing fuels reduction treatments and then ongoing maintenance at AEU communication repeater sites in Amador and El Dorado counties. Currently there are a total of 14 repeater sites in Amador and El Dorado counties used by AEU Emergency Command Center to dispatch emergency incidents and maintain radio communication throughout the unit. Currently AEU has identified several repeater sites which warrant some form of fuels reduction around and adjacent to them. Most repeater towers are connected to a communications vault. Communication vaults greater than 120 square feet require a full 100 feet of defensible space created around them. Communication vaults less than 120 square feet require 10 feet of clearance to bare mineral soil and no flammable vegetation for an additional 10 feet around the exterior. The fuels reduction and maintenance work shall be done by CAL FIRE Pine Grove and Growlersburg hand crews. Fuels reduction treatments shall consist of brush/vegetation clearing, pruning of tree limbs, weed eating grass, removing any vegetation greater than one foot off the ground, and trees less than nine inches DBH, and either chipping and removing of woody material or chipping and scattering on site. The project shall require no grading and only minimal disturbance of earthen material. No burning will be done on any of the sites, and no merchantable sized timber will be removed. None of the repeater tower sites are in close proximity to watercourses or any archaeological resources. This Notice of Exemption shall cover all initial fuels reduction treatments and ongoing vegetation maintenance at all AEU communication repeater tower sites into perpetuity provided the elements of this project description and environmental conditions do not change.
Contact Information
Name
Mallory Scaccianoce
Agency Name
California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency
Phone
Location
Counties
Amador, El Dorado
Total Acres
10
Other Location Info
Portions of T8N R9E Sec 9, T12N R10E Sec 1, T9N R10E Sec 15, T6N R12E Sec 9, T10N R8E Sec 34, T10N R11E Sec 18, T13N R10E Sec 31, T11N R13E Sec 32, T9N R12E Sec 23, T10N R12E Sec 5, T11N R8E Sec 12, T6N R9E Sec 24 (2 repeater sites), & T10N R9E Sec 16, MDBM
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 the description of a Class 4 (15304 - Minor Land Alterations) Categorical Exemption to CEQA. CAL FIRE staff conducted an environmental review to confirm that no exceptions apply which would preclude the use of a Notice of Exemption for this project. This review included an on-the-ground field inspection at multiple State properties/facilities and/or private property locations in the counties of Amador and El Dorado by the AEU Unit Forester and Environmental Scientist. Project is pursuant with Archaeological Review Procedures for CAL FIRE Projects. 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, energy, wildfire, 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 AEU Unit Headquarters, 2840 Mount Danaher Road, Camino, CA 95709.
Attachments
Notice of Exemption
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