Alder Creek Slope Stabilization Project, Emergency Project (SNC1368)
Summary
SCH Number
2023030166
Public Agency
Sierra Nevada Conservancy
Document Title
Alder Creek Slope Stabilization Project, Emergency Project (SNC1368)
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
3/6/2023
Document Description
The Sierra Nevada Conservancy (SNC) is considering an application for grant funding submitted by the League to provide slope stabilization work in the project area upslope from the Stagg Tree, which was damaged during the 2020 Castle Fire. This portion of the project area shows signs of significant erosion and requires major slope stabilization work to prevent future erosion, address existing damage to the two roads that cross the eroded area, and prevent damage to the Stagg Tree. Methods to stabilize the slope could include a combination of installing erosion control fabric, laying back slopes, planting appropriate vegetation, placing mulch, and installing retaining walls or other slope support structures; specific methods would be implemented based on the results of geotechnical investigation. In addition to the immediate benefit of slope stabilization to prevent further damage to the Stagg Tree, implementation of the project would promote resilience in the natural ecosystem services, such as overall watershed improvements through improved regulation of surface runoff and groundwater infiltration, increased uptake of carbon dioxide, and production of oxygen. This project has been reviewed by SNC and is consistent with applicable local requirements.
Contact Information
Name
Benjamin Barry
Agency Name
Sierra Nevada Conservancy
Job Title
Southern Area Representative
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency
Phone
Location
Cities
Springville
Counties
Tulare
Regions
Southern California
Other Location Info
The project area consists of a 530-acre property located adjacent to the community of Sequoia Crest; approximately 11.5 miles east-by-northeast of Springville in Tulare County, California. The proposed slope stabilization work would occur upslope from the Stagg Tree on the Save the Redwood League (League) Alder Creek property.
Notice of Exemption
Exempt Status
Declared Emergency
Type, Section or Code
Sec. 21080(b)(3); 15269(a)
Reasons for Exemption
On August 18, 2020, in accordance the California Emergency Services Act, and in particular, Government Code Section 8625, California Governor Gavin Newsom proclaimed a state of emergency to exist in California due to fires burning statewide. The Castle Fire ignited on August 19, 2020, the day after the statewide emergency proclamation. The Castle Fire burned a substantial portion of the Save the Redwood League (League) Alder Creek property with 255 acres experiencing high rates of tree mortality from high-severity fire and resulted in accumulation of debris and destabilization of slopes. The Alder Creek Sequoia Resilience – Slope Stabilization Project involves erosion control measures in response to damage caused by the Castle Fire during the declared emergency.
This project is exempt from the provisions of CEQA pursuant to the CEQA Section 21080(b)(3) and CEQA Guidelines Section 15269(a), which states that a project is exempt from the requirements of CEQA when it “maintain[s], repair[s]… property or facilities damaged or destroyed as a result of a disaster in a disaster stricken area in which a state of emergency has been proclaimed by the Governor pursuant to the California Emergency Services Act, commencing with Section 8550 of the Government Code.”
The action is therefore exempt from CEQA because it would be implemented in response to the proclaimed state of emergency, pursuant to CEQA Section 21080(b)(3) and CEQA Guidelines Section 15269(a).
County Clerk
Tulare
Attachments
Notice of Exemption
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