Mt. Umunhum NWS Doppler Vegetation Maintenance
Summary
SCH Number
2021110166
Public Agency
California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection
(CAL FIRE)
Document Title
Mt. Umunhum NWS Doppler Vegetation Maintenance
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
11/10/2021
Document Description
The CAL FIRE Santa Clara Unit (SCU) proposes the removal of vegetation up to 200 feet of the National Weather Service (NWS) doppler (KMUX Weather Service Radar - Model 1988 Doppler, WSR-88D) in Santa Clara County. The KMUX WSR-88D is an S-band Doppler, dual polarized weather radar, which NWS uses to collect meteorological data to support weather forecasts and severe weather warnings for portions of Northern California. This treatment will reduce the volume of fuels available for combustion to protect the doppler infrastructure in the event of wildfire. Frequency of re-treatment will depend on fuel growth and will be assessed annually. The project is located approximately 5 miles South of the City of San Jose and is situated approximately ¼ mile South of Mt. Umunhum peak along Mt. Umunhum Road. Vegetation consists primarily of chaparral brush species, such as coyote brush, manzanita, and chamise, as well as minor components of grey pine and California bay laurel. Hand crews will utilize chainsaws and/or other mechanical or mechanized hand tools to remove vegetation up to 200 feet-from-center-point of the doppler tower. Vegetation under 6 inches diameter at breast height (DBH) will be cut and chipped unless otherwise specified. Cut vegetation will be chipped and broadcast on site to a depth of no more than 2 inches. Where slope permits (up to 60°, all directions), a remote controlled, rubber-tracked masticator may be used. No hydrologic resources are present within the project area. All cut material will remain on site. The area to be treated totals less-than 2.3 acres.
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
Regions
Northern California
Total Acres
2.3
Other Location Info
Portions of T9S, R1E, Sec. 18 MDB&M
Other Information
Located approximately 5 miles South of the City of San Jose and is situated approximately ¼ mile South of Mt. Umunhum peak in the Santa Cruz Mountains.
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 the description for a Class 4 (15304) Categorical Exemption to CEQA. Class 4 consists of minor public or private alterations in the condition of land, water, and/or vegetation which do not involve removal of healthy, mature, scenic trees except for forestry and agricultural purposes. Field review by CAL FIRE staff concluded that no exceptions stated in CCR 15300.2 apply to this project that would preclude 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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