Highway 84 Roadside Shaded Fuel Break
Summary
SCH Number
2023020333
Public Agency
California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection
(CAL FIRE)
Document Title
Highway 84 Roadside Shaded Fuel Break
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
2/13/2023
Document Description
This project proposes to perform hazardous fuel reduction activities in the right of way on both sides of an approximately 8-mile-long east to west running segment of Highway 84 in San Mateo county. The project area begins at the junction of Highway 84 and 35 on the east end and ends at the junction of Sylvan Way and Highway 84 at the west end of the project. Highway 84 and the project area generally parallel the La Honda and San Gregorio Creeks. Except for the locations where the highway crosses the creek, the project area is on average more than 100 feet from either creek bed.
The right of way on either side of both highways is approximately 30 feet wide and all of the fuel reduction work would be performed in this 30 foot wide area on both sides of the highway. The proposed work involves the removal of understory woody shrubs, invasive plants (brooms), and small trees. In forested areas overstory trees will be trimmed to create adequate vertical clearance between surface vegetation and the lower portions of tree crowns. Tree trimming will also be performed to create horizontal clearance between the tree crowns on either side of the highways. There is some tree removal being proposed, this is limited to dead/dying trees or trees that have a high likelihood of falling into the highway. Herbicides are being proposed for use, specifically spot treatments for invasive species that aggressively resprout after cutting (broom, acacia, eucalyptus).
The proposed fuel reduction work will be performed by a combination of hand crews working on the understory vegetation on the sections of right-of-way with slopes less than 20%, an excavator with a boom arm and a masticator attachment working on the understory vegetation of the sections of the right-of-way with slopes greater than 20%, and tree trimmers working in forestry bucket trucks performing the overhead tree trimming work on the trees overhanging the highway. Vehicles and equipment would work from the pavement and only hand crews would walk on the slopes in the right-of-way. Cut material will be chipped or masticated and spread back on to the right-of-way.
Contact Information
Name
Sarah Collamer
Agency Name
California Department of Forestry and Fire Prevention
Job Title
Forester
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency
Address
Phone
Location
Counties
San Mateo
Regions
Countywide
Cross Streets
Hwy 35, Hwy 84, Sylvan Road
Total Acres
197.8
State Highways
Highway 84
Other Location Info
Woodside USGS Quad
Other Information
Begins at junction of Hwy 84 and Hwy 35, ends at Junction of Sylvan Way and Hwy 84. Begins in T06S R04W-Section 26 and ends in T07S R04W-Section 22.
Notice of Exemption
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. 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 that 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 or timberland, air quality, biological resources, cultural resources, 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, wildfire, energy, transportation or traffic, or to utilities and service systems.
Attachments
Notice of Exemption
Disclaimer: The Governor’s Office of Planning and Research (OPR) accepts no responsibility for the content or accessibility of these documents. To obtain an attachment in a different format, please contact the lead agency at the contact information listed above. You may also contact the OPR via email at state.clearinghouse@opr.ca.gov or via phone at (916) 445-0613. For more information, please visit OPR’s Accessibility Site.