Elkhorn-Las Lomas Hazardous Fuels Reduction Project
Summary
SCH Number
2023070648
Public Agency
California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection
(CAL FIRE)
Document Title
Elkhorn-Las Lomas Hazardous Fuels Reduction Project
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
7/31/2023
Document Description
The project area is 128 acres and the fuels treatment will remove up to 74 acres of Tasmanian blue gum trees (Eucalyptus globulus). A Licensed Timber Operator (LTO) will cut down the trees and treat the stumps with herbicide to prevent regrowth. Tree biomass will be reduced through a combination of chipping and processing logs into biochar and/or firewood to be stored offsite. Vehicles and heavy equipment will utilize the existing road network used by neighboring agricultural areas and previous ranching operations at the site. All stumps will be cut as low as possible and left in the ground to decompose over time.
Contact Information
Name
Tim Montgomery
Agency Name
California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE)
Job Title
Forester I
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency
Phone
Location
Counties
Monterey
Regions
Countywide, Southern California
Total Acres
128
Township
21S
Range
2E
Base
MDBM
Other Location Info
T12S, R2E, Sec. 26, 27, 34, 35; MDBM
Notice of Exemption
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
Class 4 §15304 Minor Alterations to Land
Reasons for Exemption
This project fits under portions of 14 CCR §15304 Minor Alterations to Land. After consulting with responsible agencies, conducting archaeological and biological research and implementing archeological and biological surveys, the Department has determined this project will have no significant impact on the environment.
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/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, populations and housing, public services, recreation, transportation/ traffic, utilities and service systems, or to wildfire. Documentation of the environmental review completed by the Department is kept on file at 2221 Garden Road, Monterey, CA 93940.
Attachments
Notice of Exemption
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