Via Regina Defensible Space Project
Summary
SCH Number
2021070129
Public Agency
California State Coastal Conservancy
(SCC)
Document Title
Via Regina Defensible Space Project
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
7/7/2021
Document Description
The project consists of 2 shaded fuel reduction treatments totaling approximately 14 acres located in the San Antonio Creek area in the foothills of Santa Barbara. The project will utilize hand crews to reduce flammable fuel volume by removing dead material, reducing ladder fuels, and selectively thinning standing vegetation. The existing fuel is predominately mature oak woodland with scattered chaparral and stands of Eucalyptus. Mature trees will be limbed and pruned of dead branches. The cut material will be chipped and spread uniformly on site. The shrub dominated areas will be treated with a residual mosaic approach, leaving scattered shrubs and islands of intact formation comprising approximately 50% of the original cover. No mature trees will be removed. No work will occur within 50 feet of a riparian corridor. The project will greatly increase the defensible space around the community and also protect the open space wildland from a fire starting from the surrounding residential developments. The project will also involve maintenance of Via Regina Park by removing overgrown vegetation and ladder fuels that create fire hazard for neighboring residents. No heavy equipment is authorized under this document. A query of the National Diversity Database will be performed for each treatment to check for the presence of endangered plants and/or animals. DFW wi ll be consulted for input as necessary. Chips will not be deposited within the standard width of a watercourse or lake protection zone. This exemption will be reevaluated every 5 years.
Contact Information
Name
Rachel Couch
Agency Name
Coastal Conservancy Project Manager
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency / Responsible Agency
Phone
Email
Name
Robert Hazard
Agency Name
Santa Barbara County Fire Department
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency / Project Applicant / Parties Undertaking Project
Phone
Email
Location
Counties
Santa Barbara
Regions
Southern California, Unincorporated
Cross Streets
Via Regina; Old San Marcos Road
Zip
93110
Total Acres
14
Other Location Info
Unincorporated Santa Barbara County in and around Via Regina
Notice of Exemption
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
15301; 15304; 15308
Reasons for Exemption
The work proposed is a minor alteration to vegetation which does not involve the removal of healthy, mature, scenic trees and is consistent with Categorical Exemption Class 4- Minor Alterations to Land. The project also involves maintenance ofexisting fire access roads and recreational area. A biological assessment has concluded that no listed species shall be adversely impacted by project activities. The limited nature of this project's footprint in relation to the amount of identical habitat available in the surrounding area further reduces the likely hood of any species (T & E or otherwise) being adversely affected by potential habitat modification due to the fuels reduction activities. SBC 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, or to utilities and service systems. Documentation of the environmental review completed by the Department is kept on file at SBC Fire G IS, 4570 Hollister Ave, Santa Barbara 93 110.
County Clerk
Santa Barbara