CAL FIRE Sonoma – Lake – Napa Unit Station 26 Vegetation Management
Summary
SCH Number
2024021103
Public Agency
California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection
(CAL FIRE)
Document Title
CAL FIRE Sonoma – Lake – Napa Unit Station 26 Vegetation Management
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
2/28/2024
Document Description
The CAL FIRE Station (Station 26) in Calistoga, CA is located off Highway 29 three miles North of the Town of St. Helena and four miles South of the Town of Calistoga directly across from the CAL FIRE LNU Headquarters. The 7-acre parcel that Station 26 is located on is surrounded by undeveloped mixed Douglas Fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii), Madrone (Arbutus menziesii), and Oak trees (Quercus species) with a dense understory of non-native Himalayan blackberry (Rubus armeniacus) and various fern species (Polystichum sp. and Polypodium sp.). CAL FIRE plans to manage the vegetation behind Station 26 by using mechanical equipment—a tow behind vehicle chipper and chainsaws—to thin vegetation, create and burn piles of thinned vegetation, and broadcast burn the understory of the forest. Hand tools will be used to create containment lines for broadcast burning. Trees chosen to be felled include hazardous trees to life and property as well as, dead and dying trees. Douglas fir trees less than ten inches in diameter at breast height may be removed to provide more space for larger trees. All limbs on all trees within eight feet of the ground will be removed in addition to targeting the removal of non-native blackberry. Prescribed fire will occur during times of favorable weather and CAL FIRE staffing availability. Vegetation management will be maintained as needed to create defensible space for the structures on the station which were threatened by the 2020 Glass Fire.
Contact Information
Name
Hailey Laskey
Agency Name
CAL FIRE Sonoma Lake Napa Unit
Job Title
Environmental Scientist
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency
Phone
Email
Location
Coordinates
Cities
St. Helena
Counties
Napa
Regions
Northern California
Zip
94574
Total Acres
3.5
State Highways
State Highway 29
Township
28N
Range
6W
Base
Diablo
Notice of Exemption
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
Class 4 15304 Minor Alteration To Land
Reasons for Exemption
This project fits under the description for a Class 4 Categorical Exemption “Minor Alterations to Land” (Section 15304, Public Resources Code) as the proposed project activities involve the removal of trees and understory vegetation through chipping and burning to reduce the threat of wildfire.. CAL FIRE staff conducted an environmental review to confirm that no exceptions apply which would preclude the use of a Notice of Exemption for this project. This review included on-the-ground field inspection by the Unit Environmental Scientist and a CALFIRE State Archaeologist and consultation over the telephone and via email with representatives of the California Department of Fish and Wildlife and the Regional Water Quality Control Board. The Department has concluded that no significant environmental impact would occur to aesthetics, agriculture and forestland/timberland, air quality, biological resources, cultural resources, geology and soils, greenhouse gas emissions, hazards and hazardous materials, hydrology and water quality, land use planning, mineral resources, noise, population and housing, public services, recreation, transportation/traffic, or to utilities and service systems, wildfire, and energy.
Attachments
Notice of Exemption
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