Zane Ranch Fuel Reduction 3
Summary
SCH Number
2023040514
Public Agency
California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection
(CAL FIRE)
Document Title
Zane Ranch Fuel Reduction 3
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
4/20/2023
Document Description
Objectives: To reduce hazardous fuel profiles within Unit 3 of the Zane Ranch Fuels Reduction project, a 42-acre unit and a 0.8-mile fuel break (5-acres) that consists of vegetation removal from 25 feet on each side of the existing ranch road that provides access to Unit 3. Total acreage for the project is 47 acres. Treatment Methods: Manual hand treatments consisting of brushing, as well as thinning and removing live (10’’ DBH. and under) and downed trees to decrease the levels of ladder fuels. Trees to be left on site (those with a DBH of 10” and greater) will have their branches pruned up to 8’ above ground level resulting in a minimum live crown cover of 50%. The cut vegetation will be put into piles for burning or masticated and scattered. Mastication will be utilized on approximately 25% of the unit in the areas that have the highest brush concentrations. Soil stability will be maintained across the project area as all pile burning will occur on relatively flat slopes and mastication will only occur in those areas that are deemed at least moderately suited to that type of treatment. All watercourses will have a minimum 50’ no treatment buffer zone around them. Location: The Zane Ranch Fuel Reduction Project is located within the Payne’s Creek community located 25 miles east of Red Bluff in Eastern Tehama County. Access is via State Route Highway 36E. The community is located adjacent to Payne’s Creek in the eastern edge of the Cascade Range conifer belt. Elevation ranges from 2000-2500 ft. The vegetation type is best described as oak woodland habitat and the understory consists primarily of chaparral and manzanita. Payne’s Creek is identified on the Fire Hazard Severity Zone Map as a community in an area of high risk for large scale vegetation fires. Timing: Work is subject to weather, anticipated to begin Fall 2023. If project operations must occur during nesting bird season (Mar 1- Aug 31), surveys will be completed prior to project activities. If project activities must occur during the blooming period of any rare plant species, surveys will be completed prior to any project activities.
Contact Information
Name
Dawn Pedersen
Agency Name
California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE)
Job Title
Unit Forester
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency
Phone
Location
Counties
Tehama
Regions
Countywide
Total Acres
47
Township
29N
Range
01E
Section
28, 22
Base
MDBM
Other Location Info
The Zane Ranch Fuel Reduction Project is located within the Payne’s Creek community located 25 miles east of Red Bluff in Eastern Tehama County. Access is via State Route Highway 36E. The community is located adjacent to Payne’s Creek in the eastern edge of the Cascade Range conifer belt. Elevation ranges from 2000-2500 ft.
Notice of Exemption
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
Class 4 §15304 Minor Alterations to Land
Reasons for Exemption
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, energy, 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, transportation or traffic, utilities and service systems, and wildfire. Documentation of the environmental review completed by the Department is kept on file at CAL FIRE’s Tehama-Glenn Unit Headquarters.
Attachments
Notice of Exemption
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