Fire Safe SMC Hazardous Fuel Program-Devonshire Canyon-Target Hazard Tree Removal
Summary
SCH Number
2021080076
Public Agency
California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection
(CAL FIRE)
Document Title
Fire Safe SMC Hazardous Fuel Program-Devonshire Canyon-Target Hazard Tree Removal
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
8/5/2021
Document Description
The proposed project is a component of the Fire Safe SMC Hazardous Fuel Program Project in San Mateo County. The project proposes to reduce hazardous fuels within the Wildland Urban Interface (WUI) by removing 44 targeted trees overhanging PG&E powerlines within Devonshire Canyon, a community partially in unincorporated San Mateo County and partially in the City of San Carlos. The project site is located approximately 2.3 miles southwest of the San Carlos airport and 1.9 miles northeast of the I-280/Edgewood Rd exit (Exit 29). The Devonshire Canyon area is within a CPUC Tier 2 Fire Threat Area and within a Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone, as defined by CAL FIRE. The total acreage of the 18 parcels is 4.34 acres, though work will only be conducted at individual tree locations, not across the entirety of each parcel.
The objective is to reduce hazardous fuels in the WUI reducing the risk of powerline caused ignitions for the Devonshire Canyon community. The 44 trees are located directly under powerlines or have powerlines running through their canopy. Tree removal will reduce power line caused ignition potential. No protected trees are being removed.
The targeted trees are along roadsides and occur on private property or within the San Mateo County road right-of way (ROW). The trees are located adjacent to public roadsides (typically within 8 feet of the paved surface) and directly interfere with powerline clearance.
Project activities would be conducted by utilizing hand crews with chainsaws, pruning saws, and shears. Heavy equipment would be stationed and used on existing paved public roadways adjacent to the targeted trees. No grading, excavation, or road construction activities would be conducted. Herbicides will be used on the cut stumps for the tree species known to be prolific sprouters to prevent new growth.
Contact Information
Name
Sarah Collamer
Agency Name
California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency
Address
Phone
Location
Counties
San Mateo
Total Acres
4.34
Other Location Info
Portions of T5S, R4W, Sec 15 MDBM
Other Information
Community of Devonshire Canyon. Approximately 2.3 miles southwest of the San Carlos airport and 1.9 miles northeast of the I-280/Edgewood Rd exit (Exit 29).
Notice of Exemption
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
Class 1 § 15301 Existing Facilities
Reasons for Exemption
The work proposed is a minor alteration to vegetation which does not involve removal of healthy, mature, scenic trees and is consistent with Categorical Exemption Class 4 - Minor Alterations to Land and Class 1 – Existing Facilities because of the proximity to powerlines. No activity is proposed that is listed as a limitation under CCR 15300.2 (a-f).
Field review by CAL FIRE 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, 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/traffic, utilities and service systems or wildfire. Documentation of the environmental review completed by the Department is kept on file at San Mateo-Santa Cruz Unit Headquarters, 6059 Highway 9, Felton, CA 95018.
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
Class 4 § 15304 Minor Alterations to Land
Reasons for Exemption
The work proposed is a minor alteration to vegetation which does not involve removal of healthy, mature, scenic trees and is consistent with Categorical Exemption Class 4 - Minor Alterations to Land and Class 1 – Existing Facilities because of the proximity to powerlines. No activity is proposed that is listed as a limitation under CCR 15300.2 (a-f).
Field review by CAL FIRE 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, 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/traffic, utilities and service systems or wildfire. Documentation of the environmental review completed by the Department is kept on file at San Mateo-Santa Cruz Unit Headquarters, 6059 Highway 9, Felton, CA 95018.
Attachments
Notice of Exemption
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