40 Acres Community Fuels Reduction
Summary
SCH Number
2024041059
Public Agency
California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection
(CAL FIRE)
Document Title
40 Acres Community Fuels Reduction
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
4/25/2024
Document Description
Guided by the Inyo County and 40 Acres Community Wildfire Protection Plans, this project is located on 28.5 acres of Los Angeles Department of Water & Power (LADWP) land that lies to the north, east, and south sides of the 40 Acres community and along both of the main access roads. The surrounding ground cover consists of both disturbed and native habitat comprising sagebrush scrubland, riparian habitat, and both native and non-native trees, some of which are standing dead. The project supports fire resilience by creating a fire break in upland areas with removal of fuels that increase fire intensity thereby enhancing and uplifting the native habitat. This will increase safety for the residential community and fire responders by reducing hazardous fuel loads adjacent to residential structures and roadways. The applicant has collaborated with both the CDFW and the Lahontan RWQCB to ensure the design of the project protects water resources and wildlife habitat, while addressing fire behavior and public safety. Prescriptions will vary within each unit and will include a combination of the following: removal of invasive tree and shrub species; thinning of native trees 12” diameter at breast height (DBH) and less to an average spacing of 20 feet between trunks; removal of hanging dead, standing dead, and dying trees and other downed and dead woody material under 16” DBH; up to 85% removal of ground cover, treated in a mosaic pattern, leaving vegetation islands of habitat intact to maintain habitat function. Vegetation removal will occur both manually and mechanically (mastication). Depth of cut material will not exceed four inches or cover more than 75% of the ground. Cut material will be kept at least three feet away from the base of residual trees or where they may pass into watercourses. Herbicide treatment may occur in areas prone to tumbleweed encroachment; herbicides will be stored, handled, applied, and disposed of in accordance with their respective labels and EPA guidelines and application will not occur where or when herbicide may pass into watercourses. Project implementation is expected to begin in Spring 2024. Maintenance will occur as necessary to maintain the standards listed above and may occur as frequently as an annual basis for up to 3 years.
Contact Information
Name
David Haas
Agency Name
California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE)
Job Title
Forester II
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency
Phone
Email
Location
Counties
Inyo
Regions
Southern California
Township
6S
Range
31E
Section
17
Base
MDBM
Notice of Exemption
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
Class 4 §15304 Minor Alterations to Land
Reasons for Exemption
The project meets the requirements of Class 4 Categorical Exemption (Minor alterations to land) Section 15304. Project implementation will result in alterations to the land that are best described as minor in scope, that will not significantly impact the aesthetic of the property, or biological and/or cultural resources, and that do not involve the removal of mature, scenic trees for any purpose. No exceptions apply which would preclude the use of a “Notice of Exemption” for this project. It has been concluded that no significant adverse environmental impacts would occur to aesthetics, agriculture and forest resources, air quality, biological resources, cultural resources, energy, geology and soils, greenhouse gas emissions, hazards and hazardous materials, hydrology and water quality, land use and planning, mineral resources, noise, populations and housing, public services, recreation, transportation and traffic, utilities and service systems, or wildfire. Documentation of the environmental review completed by the CAL FIRE staff is kept on file at CAL FIRE’s San Bernardino Unit Headquarters in San Bernardino, CA.
Attachments
Notice of Exemption
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