Wood Products Business and Workforce Development Grant: Biochar Market Development – Biochar for Manure Management
Summary
SCH Number
2023070033
Public Agency
California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection
(CAL FIRE)
Document Title
Wood Products Business and Workforce Development Grant: Biochar Market Development – Biochar for Manure Management
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
7/5/2023
Document Description
CAL FIRE would provide funding to demonstrate the benefits of incorporating forest waste-produced biochar in both poultry and dairy manure piles and rows. The project is located at existing agricultural operations in Sonoma County, CA. The project involves mixing, using small farm machinery and by hand, 80 cubic yards (3 truckloads) of forest waste-produced biochar into existing manure piles (indoor and outdoor). The project will measure reductions in greenhouse gas emissions and increases in nutrient retention in the finished product. Tests of biochar and manure will be conducted before and after mixing.
Contact Information
Name
Shannon Johnson
Agency Name
California Department of Foresty and Fire Protection
Job Title
Staff Chief
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency
Phone
Location
Counties
Sonoma
Regions
Countywide
Cross Streets
Stony Point Road
Total Acres
1
State Highways
101 & 116
Other Location Info
Portions of T5N R8W MDBM, USGS 7.5’ Quad Map: Cotati,
GPS Coordinates: 38.290345, -122.699953
Notice of Exemption
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
Class 1 §15301 Existing Facilities
Reasons for Exemption
Manure Management is a part of normal agricultural operations. No local permits are required for this project. The funding of the project by CAL FIRE is Categorically Exempt per Section 15301 – “Existing Facilities, Class 1 consists of the operation, repair, maintenance, permitting, leasing, licensing, or minor alteration of existing public or private structures, facilities, mechanical equipment, or topographical features, involving negligible or no expansion of existing or former use.”
It has been determined that no exceptions apply which would preclude the use of a Notice of Exemption for this project. This project is consistent with the requirements stated in Section 15301: Existing Facilities, because the project involves no expansion in the use of existing facilities. The Department has concluded that no significant environmental impact 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, population and housing, public services, recreation, transportation/traffic, utilities and service systems, or to wildfire. Documentation of the environmental review completed by the Department and project proponent is kept on file at the CAL FIRE Headquarters in Sacramento.
Attachments
Notice of Exemption
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