Matlock Loop Fuels Reduction Project

Summary

SCH Number
2021050610
Public Agency
California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE)
Document Title
Matlock Loop Fuels Reduction Project
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
5/27/2021
Document Description
Objectives: The objectives of the proposed project are designed to reduce hazardous fuels on Matlock Loop Road to improve fire protection to the many residential and associated structures. The project will provide safer ingress and egress through the establishment of a shaded fuel break and will improve fire protection to rangeland, livestock grazing and recreational areas. The treatment area is a 4.5-mile length of road encompassing 55 acres. The project area is located within an area classified as “Very High” fire severity zone for potential risk to large-scale wildland fires. Treatment Methods: CAL FIRE hand crews will perform manual fuel reduction work utilizing hand tools and chainsaws. The cut vegetation will be disposed of by chipping and scattering. The treatment area shall be fifty feet on both sides of the road. Fuels treatment consists of removal of unwanted brush and ladder fuels with a component of thinning of live (10-inch diameter and under), dead and downed trees, while maintaining an over story of healthy leave trees consisting of foothill pine and blue oaks. A small component of mature manzanita will also be retained post-thinning for diversity. Trees to be retained shall be those over 10 inches in diameter with their branches pruned up to 8 feet above ground level and shall have a minimum live crown ratio of 30%. Location: Matlock Loop Road is located off McCoy Road west of Red Bluff and south of Hooker Creek Road in western Tehama County. The project footprint begins just south of Oakwood Heights Drive and ends at the intersection of Matlock Loop and McCoy Road, all Tehama county maintained roads. The project area is in the western Sacramento Valley Foothills adjacent to the California Coastal Range. Elevations range from 500 to 650 feet. The vegetation is characterized by annual grasses, foothill pine, blue oak woodlands and mixed brush. Timing: Work is subject to weather, anticipated to begin early fall 2021.

Contact Information

Name
Dawn Pedersen
Agency Name
California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency

Location

Counties
Tehama
Cross Streets
Matlock Loop Road and McCoy Road
Total Acres
55
Other Location Info
Portions of T28N, R4W, Secs 20,28,29,33 & 34 MDBD
Other Information
West of Red Bluff, CA

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 Class 4 Section 15304 (c) & (f) – Minor alterations to Land. 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, energy, 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, utilities and service systems, or wildfire. Documentation of the environmental review completed by the Department is kept on file at CAL FIRE’s Tehama-Glenn Unit Headquarters.

Attachments

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