Jackson DSF Carbon Flux Towers
Summary
SCH Number
2024010626
Public Agency
California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection
(CAL FIRE)
Document Title
Jackson DSF Carbon Flux Towers
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
1/23/2024
Document Description
The proposed project is the construction of two eddy-covariance flux towers on Jackson Demonstration State Forest in Mendocino County. The proposed towers will be constructed of metal scaffolding with a concrete base. The Mitchell Creek tower will be approximately 200ft tall and the Parlin tower will be approximately 120 ft tall, extending up approximately 40 ft above the forest canopy. The base of the tower will be 6’ x 8’ on top of an approximately 50 ft2 concrete pad. The construction of the pad will not meaningfully affect the timber site productivity, nor will it render future timber harvest infeasible as it is compatible with continued timberland use. Guy lines will extend out from each tower to a maximum of 200ft. Two or three small instrumentation sheds and a fence will be constructed at the base of each tower. Construction of the towers will require the removal of trees at each site. Approximately 35 trees between 11 in and 24 inches in diameter will be removed at the Parlin site and approximately 25 trees between 11 in and 40 inches in diameter will be removed at the Mitchell Creek site. Tree removal will be concentrated at the tower base and along the guy lines. Trees removed will include coast redwood, Douglas-fir, grand fir, other conifers, and hardwoods. No commercialization of trees is proposed under this project. Small woody material (<12 in diameter) will be piled and burned on site or lopped and scattered. Large woody material may either be bucked and left onsite or ground yarded and hauled to the Parlin Mill for disposal or milling for State projects.
Contact Information
Name
Christina Snow
Agency Name
California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection
Job Title
Senior Environmental Planner
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency
Phone
Location
Counties
Mendocino
Regions
Northern California
Zip
95437
Total Acres
<6 acres
State Highways
Highway 20
Other Location Info
Two locations within the Jackson Demonstration State Forest:
Mitchell Creek: NW1/4, SW1/4, T18N, R17W, Section 34MDBM
Parlin Tower: NE1/4, SW1/4, T17N, R16W, Section 4 MDBM
Notice of Exemption
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
Class 3 Section 15303 New Construction
Reasons for Exemption
The intent of the towers is the study of redwood forest canopy and soil processes in the JDSF pursuant to CA Pub Res Code § 4631-4664. Consistent with this mission JDSF host both permanent and temporary research infrastructure and installations relevant to forest ecology and management. Minor tree removal will occur and no significant impacts to plant or animal species would occur.
Attachments
Notice of Exemption
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