TCU Service Center Fuels Reduction
Summary
SCH Number
2023080484
Public Agency
California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection
(CAL FIRE)
Document Title
TCU Service Center Fuels Reduction
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
8/21/2023
Document Description
The Tuolumne-Calaveras Unit (TCU) of CAL FIRE needs to conduct fuels management activities at their headquarters facility Service Center, located in the city of San Andreas. Approximately 3.75 acres of open grass will be grazed by locally sourced goats. Goat herbivory will be employed any year when grass and invasive weeds on the site need to be managed. Goats will typically be brought to the site in early spring and leave the site by August. Vegetation at the site is comprised primarily of grass with scattered oak trees; no trees are targeted for removal. Surrounding vegetation is generally comprised of grass and oak woodland. Topography is generally flat, not exceeding 10% slope anywhere on the project and no ground disturbance will occur under the project. No watercourses exist at or immediately adjacent to the site. The project is located at approximately 1,000-1,100 feet elevation.
Contact Information
Name
Gary Whitson
Agency Name
California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE)
Job Title
Unit Forester
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency
Phone
Email
Location
Cities
San Andreas
Counties
Calaveras
Regions
Southern California
Total Acres
3.75
Township
4N
Range
12E
Section
17, 20
Base
MDBM
Other Location Info
The Tuolumne-Calaveras Unit (TCU) of CAL FIRE needs to conduct fuels reduction and management activities at their headquarters facility Service Center, located in the city of San Andreas
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. The reduction and maintenance of grass and invasive weeds will be achieved via goat herbivory, as needed, and on a seasonal basis. The project does not include any ground disturbance or removal of trees. The project is not anticipated to have any adverse impacts on biological resources or waters of the state. A CAL FIRE State Associate Archaeologist was consulted, and the project will not have any adverse impacts to cultural resources.
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 the Tuolumne-Calaveras Unit Headquarters in San Andreas.
Attachments
Notice of Exemption
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