Forestry Road Fuel Reduction Project
Summary
SCH Number
2023020329
Public Agency
California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection
(CAL FIRE)
Document Title
Forestry Road Fuel Reduction Project
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
2/13/2023
Document Description
This project is located across three private parcels near the communities of Hesperia and Oak Hills, CA. The total project area is 173 acres; however, treatment areas will be limited to 50 ft. on either side of any of the several accessible roads that intersect the parcels, including Forestry, Verbena, and Edgehill Roads. Ground cover types within the project units consist primarily of disturbed and intact native chaparral habitat. The goals of the project are to treat fuels immediately adjacent to the roads intersecting the parcels to 1) improve ingress and egress during emergencies for both residents and responders, 2) reduce possible ignitions from regular road travel, and 3) improve the roads’ functionality as fire breaks for ignitions spreading from the nearby Interstate 15/Cajon Pass. Treatment will include up to 85% removal of ground cover, treated in a mosaic pattern, leaving vegetation islands of various sizes and shapes intact to maintain a natural appearance and retain habitat function. Distance between vegetation islands will be a minimum of 2.5 times the vegetation height. Trees and large shrubs will be trimmed to reduce ladder fuels. Dead and dying trees and other downed and dead woody material under 16” DBH will be removed. One dead tree will be left per acre for wildlife habitat purposes. All work will occur via manual removal of vegetation (e.g., via the use of hand-tools such as chainsaws, loppers, etc.). All heavy equipment (trucks and chippers) will remain on the existing road surfaces. All cut material will be carried to the road. No ground disturbance outside of minor potential tree felling will occur. All cut vegetation will be chipped onsite; chip depth will not exceed four inches or cover more than 75% of the ground. Chips will be kept at least three feet away from the base of residual trees or where they may pass into watercourses. Project implementation is expected to begin Winter 2022/2023. Project activities are expected to occur outside of nesting bird season, September 15-March 15, to the extent possible. Work may be done during nesting bird season if nesting surveys are performed prior to commencement of operations. Maintenance will occur as necessary to maintain the standards listed above and may occur as frequently as an annual basis.
Contact Information
Name
Carol Snow
Agency Name
California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection
Job Title
Environmental Scientist
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency
Phone
Email
Location
Cities
Hesperia
Counties
San Bernardino
Regions
Countywide
Cross Streets
Forestry, Verbena, and Edgehill Roads
Total Acres
173 acres
Parcel #
0357-074-26-0000, 0357-074-25-0000, 0357-074-05-0000
Township
3N
Range
5W
Section
16, 17
Base
SBPM
Other Information
50 ft on either side of road
Notice of Exemption
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
Class 4 §15304 Minor Alterations to Land
Reasons for Exemption
The project meets the requirements of Class 4 Categorical Exemption (Minor alterations to land) Section 15304. Project implementation will result in alterations to the land that are best described as minor in scope, that will not significantly impact the aesthetic of the property, or biological and/or cultural resources, and that do not involve the removal of mature, scenic trees for any purpose. No exceptions apply which would preclude the use of a “Notice of Exemption” for this project. It has been concluded that no significant adverse environmental impacts would occur to aesthetics, agriculture and forest resources, air quality, biological resources, cultural resources, energy, geology and soils, greenhouse gas emissions, hazards and hazardous materials, hydrology and water quality, land use and planning, mineral resources, noise, populations and housing, public services, recreation, transportation and traffic, utilities and service systems, or wildfire. Documentation of the environmental review completed by the CALFIRE staff is kept on file at CAL FIRE’s San Bernardino Unit Headquarters in San Bernardino, CA.
Attachments
Notice of Exemption
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