McKinley Scott Fuel Reduction Project
Summary
SCH Number
2023060104
Public Agency
Shasta Valley Resource Conservation District
Document Title
McKinley Scott Fuel Reduction Project
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
6/5/2023
Document Description
Project goals are to 1.) improve forest health and resilience to severe wildfire, drought, disease, and pests, 2.) reduce wildfire risk for nearby communities and infrastructure, 3) facilitate fire suppression operations, 4) increase long-term carbon capture and storage to ensure treated and adjacent forested areas remain net sinks of carbon and continue to provide an abundance of ecosystem and societal benefits.
The project area consists of mixed conifer stands, plantations composed of ponderosa pine and Douglas-fir ranging from 3 to 32 years old and isolated brush patches and rock outcroppings. The native mixed conifer stands are composed of ponderosa pine, sugar pine, white fir, Douglas-fir, and incense cedar. Elevations range from 4,600 to 6,000 feet with side slopes of 0-60%.
The project will reduce hazardous fuel loads by removing overstocked brush, small trees, and limbing ladder fuels. All mature, scenic trees will be retained. Treatments will focus on the removal of young and/or suppressed advanced regeneration tree species less than 12-inch diameter at breast height, removing slash and jackpot accumulations, removing shrubs where they contribute to vertical and horizontal fuel continuity, and prune trees to create separation of surface fuels and canopy fuels of no less than six-feet and up ten-feet, maintaining at least 50% of the crown, dependent on-site specific conditions. Trees greater than 12” dbh will not be removed unless they are a hazard to the road or personnel. The project area will be fully stocked upon completion of the project. Treatments will tie into fire lines created to aid in control of the McKinney Fire. Activities will include thinning, herbicide application, prescribed fire, and mastication.
Contact Information
Name
Rod Dowse
Agency Name
Shasta Valley RCD
Job Title
District Manager
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency
Phone
Email
Location
Cities
Unincorporated Area
Counties
Siskiyou
Regions
Unincorporated
Total Acres
2477
Township
T44N
Range
R10W
Base
MDBM
Other Location Info
T44N, R10W, sec. 1, 2, 3, 8. 9. 10, 11 &12; T45N, R9W, sec. 9, 15, 21, 22, 29 & 31; T45N, R10W, sec. 1 & 36; MDBM
Notice of Exemption
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
Class 4 §15304 (e) Minor Alterations to Land
Reasons for Exemption
Public Resources Code, Division 13, Chapter 6, Article 19, Section 15304 allows minor alteration of vegetation including fuel management activities to reduce the volume of flammable vegetation, provided the activities do not result in the taking of endangered, rare, or threatened plant/animal species, or cause significant erosion and sedimentation of surface waters. Minimal ground disturbance is expected from most of this project, although mastication of brush, slash, and small trees may affect the ground. A current CNDDB and USFWS search was conducted. The project as proposed will not have a negative impact upon any listed species of plant or animal with potential to be found within the project area. A current Archaeological records check was obtained, and the project area was surveyed by RPFs John Kessler and Cole Humphrey. No sites were located within the project area. The archaeological survey reports were reviewed and approved by archaeologists at Sonoma State University under contract to CAL FIRE. Information Request letters were sent to parties on the current Native American Contact List for western Siskiyou County. This project as proposed is not expected to result in a significant impact on the environment.
County Clerk
Siskiyou
Attachments
Notice of Exemption
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