West Marin Zone Bolinas Eucalyptus Fuel Reduction Project
Summary
SCH Number
2024070782
Public Agency
Bolinas Fire Protection District
(BFPD)
Document Title
West Marin Zone Bolinas Eucalyptus Fuel Reduction Project
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
7/19/2024
Document Description
Extreme storms over the past two winters have left significant dead and downed trees, branches, bark, and brushy fuels in between standing trees. These ground and ladder fuels greatly increase the risk of wildfire spreading to the overstory, endangering PG&E transmission lines and public safety. The purpose of the proposed project is to improve a key evacuation route by reducing fuel loads, in addition to reducing wildfire risks to life, property, and critical infrastructure. Additionally, the proposed project would improve the effectiveness of wildfire suppression efforts by creating defensible space along the roadsides.
Contact Information
Name
George Krakauer
Agency Name
Bolinas Fire Protection District
Job Title
Chief
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency
Phone
Location
Cities
Unincorporated Community of Bolinas
Counties
Marin
Regions
Unincorporated
Cross Streets
Mesa Road and Olema Bolinas Road
Total Acres
19.5
Other Information
The proposed activities would be completed within 500 feet of PG&E transmission lines, with the majority of the work occurring within 50 feet of Mesa Road and Olema-Bolinas Road and at the northeast corner of a parcel belonging to the Bolinas Community Public Utility District (BCPUD) in the unincorporated coastal community of Bolinas.
Notice of Exemption
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
Section 15304(i). Minor alterations to land. Section 15301. Existing Facilities
Reasons for Exemption
The project is categorically exempt under California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines Section 15304, Class 4 Minor Alterations to Land and Section 15301, Class 1 Existing Facilities. A Class 4-exempt project consists of minor public or private alterations in the condition of land, water, and/or vegetation that do not involve removal of healthy, mature, scenic trees except for forestry or agricultural purposes. A Class 1-exempt project consists of the operation, repair, maintenance, permitting, leasing, licensing, or minor alteration of existing public or private structures, facilities, mechanical equipment, or topographical features, involving negligible or no expansion of existing or former use. The proposed project would remove hazardous accumulated ground and ladder fuels within 500 feet of Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E) transmission lines. The majority of the vegetation thinning and removal would typically occur within 50 feet of Mesa Road and Olema-Bolinas Road, which are identified as key evacuation routes in the Bolinas community. The proposed activities may involve the removal of hazardous trees that pose a risk of failure or fracture with the potential to cause injury to people or damage to property as determined by a qualified arborist or registered professional forester (RPF). The scope of the proposed project is consistent with maintenance and minor alteration to the condition of vegetation along the evacuation routes and PG&E transmission lines.
Additionally, no healthy, mature, scenic trees would be removed; no work would take place within sensitive habitat, including ESHA, wetlands, or waterways; and no ground disturbance, such as excavation, would take place. There are no facts or circumstances specific to this project that would support an exception to the categorical exemption. No potential exceptions listed under Section 15300.2 apply.
County Clerk
Marin
Attachments
Notice of Exemption
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