Mount Madonna Escape Route
Summary
SCH Number
2021040396
Public Agency
California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection
(CAL FIRE)
Document Title
Mount Madonna Escape Route
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
4/15/2021
Document Description
This project is located along Summit Road, also called Mt Madonna Road, on the county line division between Santa Clara County and Santa Cruz County, California. The project treatment would begin at the intersection of Pole Line Road and Mt Madonna Road near Mount Madonna County Park, then continues northwest along Summit Road to a location between Lands End and Rattlesnake Gulch and prior to Russell Road at the following coordinates: 37.0638717 N, -121.7920022 W. Ladder fuel reduction will occur predominately on the county road right-of-way up to 30 feet from the edge of the road or road turnouts. Hand crews will utilize chainsaws and/or other various hand mechanized or hand tools to remove understory vegetation, dead or downed material, prune trees and woody vegetation, and remove hazard trees and small diameter trees (less than 6 inches in diameter). Mechanical mastication treatments may also be utilized operating only from existing roads and turnouts and shall not operate in Watercourse or Lake Protection Zones. Mowers and chippers shall also be limited to operating on existing roads and established turn outs. All chipped material shall be scattered in the treated area and should not reach a depth of more than 6 inches.
Where landowner permission is obtained, treatment may occur up to 150 feet from the edge of the road or road turnouts through handwork and chipping treatment methods. The total possible treatment acreage for this project area (0-150’) is 250.14 acres. The treatment activities will improve safety, visibility, and reduce potential ignition sources along the road.
Project implementation will serve to enhance fire resiliency by reducing ladder fuels, creating shaded fuel breaks, reducing invasive species, and improving escape routes. In addition, this project will add to Santa Clara County’s developing shaded fuel break system and provide opportunities to protect or manage watersheds from future wildfires. Additionally, reducing competition in the understory and treating hazard trees where feasible will create a healthier and more vigorous forest in these locations increasing forest resiliency and preparing these areas for future changing climate conditions.
Contact Information
Name
Ed Orre
Agency Name
California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency
Phone
Email
Location
Counties
Santa Clara, Santa Cruz
Cross Streets
Pole Line Road & Mt Madonna Road
Total Acres
250.14
Other Location Info
Portions of T10S, R2E, Sec. 17, 18, 20, 21, 27, and 28, and portions of Rancho Salispuedes MDBD
Notice of Exemption
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
Class 4 § 15304 Minor Alterations to Land
Reasons for Exemption
CAL FIRE staff, Steve R. Auten, RPF, and Assistant Forester, Shelby Kranich, have reviewed the project and conclude that no exceptions stated in CCR 15300.2 apply to this project that would prevent the use of a “Notice of Exemption”. No significant environmental impacts would occur to aesthetics, agriculture and forestland/timberland, air quality, biological resources, cultural resources, energy, geology and soils, greenhouse gas emissions, hazards and hazardous materials, hydrology and water quality, land use planning, mineral resources, noise, populations and housing, public services, recreation, transportation/ traffic, utilities and service systems, or to wildfire. Documentation of the environmental review completed by the Department is kept on file at CAL FIRE’s Santa Clara Unit Headquarters, 15670 Monterey Rd. Morgan Hill CA, 95037.
Attachments
Notice of Exemption
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