Hazardous Tree Removal Program
Summary
SCH Number
2023080287
Public Agency
Bay Area Rapid Transit District
(BART)
Document Title
Hazardous Tree Removal Program
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
8/14/2023
Document Description
BART operates rail transit service along 131 miles of tracks in five counties. In many locations, trees have grown close to the tracks. Trees pose a hazard to BART operations if they are blown or fall on the tracks, drop debris on the tracks, or create a fire hazard near the tracks or other BART infrastructure. Trains have been derailed, service has been delayed, and private vehicles have been damaged due to tree failure. BART plans to prune or remove all trees on its property that are identified as a severe, high, or moderate risk to train operations. Ongoing identification and removal of hazardous trees will be required annually to reduce risk to train operations from tree failure. This will be an on-going maintenance operation and is considered necessary to maintain BART’s right-of-way and facilities in a State of Good Repair.
Contact Information
Name
Donald Dean
Agency Name
San Francisco Bay Area Rapid Transit District
Job Title
Manager of Environmental Review
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency
Phone
Email
Location
Cities
Albany, Antioch, Berkeley, Colma, Concord, Daly City, Dublin, El Cerrito, Fremont, Hayward, Lafayette, Millbrae, Milpitas, Oakland, Orinda, Pittsburg, Pleasant Hill, Pleasanton, Richmond, San Bruno, San Francisco, San Jose, San Leandro, South San Francisco, Union City, Walnut Creek
Counties
Alameda, Contra Costa, San Francisco, San Mateo, Santa Clara
Regions
San Francisco Bay Area
Other Information
BART operates rail transit service along 131 miles of track in five counties. The program will take place at multiple locations within the BART right-of-way.
Notice of Exemption
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
Class 1, Section 15301, Existing Facilities; Class 4, Section 15304, Minor Alterations to Land
Reasons for Exemption
None of the exemptions listed in CEQA Guidelines 15300.2, which would prohibit the use of a categorical exemption, apply to the project. The project does not involve the expansion of the current BART system. The project is necessary to meet current standards for the safe operation of a major transit system and to maintain a State of Good Repair. Tree removal activity would be of limited duration at any one location and largely within BART property.
County Clerks
Alameda, Contra Costa, San Francisco, San Mateo, Santa Clara
Attachments
Notice of Exemption
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