Lost Cannon Ditch Maintenance
Summary
SCH Number
2022020181
Public Agency
California Department of Fish and Wildlife, Inland Deserts Region 6
(CDFW)
Document Title
Lost Cannon Ditch Maintenance
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
2/7/2022
Document Description
The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (“CDFW”) proposes to perform
maintenance activities on up to approximately 2.5 linear miles of the Lost Cannon Ditch, an irrigation ditch which conveys adjudicated water rights from Lost Cannon Creek to irrigated meadows on the Little Antelope Valley Unit of the Slinkard/Little Antelope Wildlife Area. This area burned during the 2020 Slink fire, which has
experienced subsequent debris flows during precipitation events impacting the proposed project area. Maintenance activities will include cutting of vegetation (except healthy mature trees), and removal of infilled sediment. Vegetation work will be completed using hand tools, chainsaws, and a brush mower. A backhoe will
be used to remove the sediment that was deposited in the ditch. No work will occur in flowing water and any spoils generated will be moved away from the ditch beyond potential high storm flows. Staging areas will be located within previously disturbed areas. Herbicide will be applied to the stumps of woody shrub species after
cutting. If work is conducted between March 15th and July 31st bird clearance surveys will be conducted by a qualified staff biologist prior to beginning work. The purpose of the project is to increase the efficiency of this section of irrigation ditch and remove excess materials deposited from the debris flow.
Contact Information
Name
Aaron Johnson
Agency Name
California Department of Fish and Wildlife
Job Title
Senior Environmental Scientist
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency
Phone
Location
Coordinates
Counties
Mono
Regions
Unincorporated
Zip
96107
Other Location Info
Slinkard/ Little Antelope Wildlife Area
Notice of Exemption
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
Class (1 and 4); California Code of Regulations, title 14, section (15301 and 15304)
Reasons for Exemption
The project is Class 1, §15301 (Existing Facilities) Exempt; the Project includes maintenance of a man-made ditch that is needed to convey water to a wildlife habitat area to protect plant and wildlife resources. The project will not expand the existing use of the irrigation ditch.
The project is Class 4, §15304 (Minor Alterations to Land) Exempt; the Project will result in minor alterations to federal and state lands managed with emphasis on wildlife habitat enhancement, and resulting in improvement of habitat for plant and wildlife resources on the CDFW Wildlife Area. The project will not involve removal of
heathy mature trees.
Attachments
Notice of Exemption
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