The Foothill Property Owners' Association Fuel Reduction Project
Summary
SCH Number
2021070243
Public Agency
Sonoma County
Document Title
The Foothill Property Owners' Association Fuel Reduction Project
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
7/14/2021
Document Description
As part of the 2021 Vegetation Management Grant Program, the County of Sonoma has approved grant funding for the Foothill Property Owner's Association (POA} to complete two fuels reduction projects: 1) a chipper program for dead vegetation and trees located within the entire project area; and 2) the selective thinning and
chipping of dead vegetation, high grass and shrubs and removal of dead trees located in the 40 acre common area parcel located within the project area. The first component will consist of a chipper program available to all members of the FPOA. Residents will pile their dead vegetation along the roadways and a crew will chip the
material. The second component will consist of the mechanical thinning of dead vegetation, ladder fuels and trees in the 40 acre parcel common area parcel (APN 028-360-038}. This area suffered significant damage in the Tubbs fire as nearly half of the parcel contained a forest of fir trees. Many of the fir trees did not survive the fire
and most have been removed. However, remaining downed fir trees need to be removed, and 38 oaks, 165 bay and 77 madrone trees need to be limbed and high grass and shrubs weed whacked to reduce ladder fuels. The purpose of the project is to reduce the risk of catastrophic wildfire and the associated threat to life, property,
and the environment. It is intended to also help residents in their effort to create defensible space around homes and reduce vegetation along roadways.
Contact Information
Name
Robert Aguero
Agency Name
Permit Sonoma
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency
Phone
Location
Coordinates
Cities
Santa Rosa
Counties
Sonoma
Regions
Countywide
Cross Streets
Foothill Ranch Road, Wallace Road
Zip
95404
Township
08N
Range
08w
Base
MDBM
Other Location Info
RR-Rural Residential
Notice of Exemption
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
Section 15301 (c) Maintenance of existing highways and streets and 15304 (i) Minor Alteration to Land-Fuel management
Reasons for Exemption
The project is categorically exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines Sections, Section 15301 (c) Maintenance of existing highways and streets and 15304 (i) Minor Alteration to Land-Fuel management activities within 100 feet of structures to reduce the volume of flammable vegetation, provided
that the activities will not result in the taking of endangered, rare, or threatened plant or animal species or significant erosion and sedimentation of surface waters. The removal of the dead, dying and hazardous trees and chipping program is a maintenance activity of an existing facility involving no expansion of use. The
understory fuel reduction is a minor alteration to land that involves fuel management activities within 100 feet of structures.
This Notice of Exemption is filed pursuant to the provisions of Section 15062 of the State CEQA Guidelines.
County Clerk
Sonoma
Attachments
Notice of Exemption
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