Nevada County Elks Fuel Reduction Project 2024
Summary
SCH Number
2024050866
Public Agency
California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection
(CAL FIRE)
Document Title
Nevada County Elks Fuel Reduction Project 2024
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
5/20/2024
Document Description
This project is located near the town of Nevada City, CA. The project area is 2.8 acres of overgrown vegetation, which is encompassed within a 4.8-acre parcel that is owned by the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks (Elks Lodge) of Nevada City. The goal of this project is to reduce the wildfire risk to the Elks Lodge and facilities within the parcel, and thus to provide a tactical staging area in the event of a wildfire for the nearby area of Nevada City. Vegetation treatments will include a combination of the following: thinning of native trees less than 11” diameter at breast height (DBH) to an average spacing of 20 feet between trunks; the limbing of large trees up to 10 feet from the ground to remove ladder fuel; removal of dead and dying trees and other downed and dead woody material under 20” DBH; and up to 75% removal of ground cover, treated in a mosaic pattern, leaving vegetation islands of various sizes and shapes intact to maintain a natural appearance and retain habitat function. Patches of vegetation may selectively be retained for visual screening purposes as well. Due to the aggressive resprouting nature of scotch broom, the plant will be cut at the stem and hauled off site to remove as much seed bank and dispersal into the parcel as possible. All other treated vegetation will be chipped and scattered within the project area. Where the project footprint occurs immediately in or adjacent to watercourses and associated riparian habitat, a buffer of 15’ minimum will be maintained from the water’s edge to avoid any impacts to riparian habitat or the bed, bank, or channel of the watercourse. All watercourses and associated riparian resources within and adjacent to the project footprint will be avoided. Equipment necessary for project implementation includes chainsaws, hand tools, and a rubber tracked chipper. The chipper will remain on the paved asphalt parking areas within the parcel during chipping activities and will not be placed or operated on soil. Maintenance will occur as necessary to maintain the standards listed above and may occur as frequently as an annual basis.
Contact Information
Name
Steve Garcia
Agency Name
California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection
Job Title
Forester II - Unit Forester
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency
Phone
Location
Cities
Nevada City
Counties
Nevada
Regions
Northern California
Total Acres
2.8
State Highways
CA Highway 49
Township
16N
Range
8E
Section
12
Base
MDBM
Notice of Exemption
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
Type, Class 4, §15304 Minor Alteration to land.
Reasons for Exemption
This project fits under portions of Categorical Exemptions to CEQA: Class 4 (Minor Alterations to Land). All project activities will occur within previously disturbed areas. Field review by CAL FIRE staff confirmed that no exceptions apply which 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, population and housing, public services, recreation, transportation/traffic, utilities and service systems, or to wildfire risks.
County Clerk
Nevada