(RFFCP2022) WIP Capacity Subgrant – Whitebark Institute (SNC 1714-RFFCP)

Summary

SCH Number
2024080057
Public Agency
Sierra Nevada Conservancy
Document Title
(RFFCP2022) WIP Capacity Subgrant – Whitebark Institute (SNC 1714-RFFCP)
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
8/2/2024
Document Description
The Sierra Nevada Conservancy (SNC) would provide funding to Whitebark Institute for the Regional Forest and Fire Capacity Program project within Inyo and Mono Counties (The Project). Whitebark Institute will engage in the following general tasks and activities: The Project will foster the growth and development of a regional leadership organization to support local fire safe councils and firewise communities and establish a coordinating entity for wildfire mitigation efforts; develop monitoring and evaluation plan and protocols by engaging in the SNC Monitoring Workshop Series and other collaborative activities; conduct project evaluation and prioritization in conjunction with the development and submission of a project portfolio for SNC’s Regional Priority Plan; and conduct activities facilitating broad and diverse engagement of communities and stakeholders within Whitebark Institute’s geographic area (Inyo and Mono Counties) in a manner which fulfills the requirements of SNC’s Grant Guidelines regarding Outreach and Engagement. These activities do not involve any ground or resource disturbance. Further no specific future implementation project or projects have yet been identified and this Project does not bind any party to a definite course of action prior to CEQA compliance for any future implementation project.

Contact Information

Name
Mary Akens
Agency Name
Sierra Nevada Conservancy
Job Title
General Counsel
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency

Location

Cities
None – feasibility planning project
Counties
Inyo, Mono
Regions
Northern California, Southern California
Other Location Info
General communication, outreach, and planning activities in the Counties of Inyo and Mono.

Notice of Exemption

Exempt Status
Statutory Exemption
Type, Section or Code
CEQA Guidelines, Section 15061, subd. (b)(3), PRC Section 21102 and CEQA Guidelines, Section 15262
Reasons for Exemption
These activities are exempt under the commonsense exemption under Section 15061, subd. (b)(3) of the CEQA Guidelines which states that CEQA applies only to projects which have the potential for causing a significant effect on the environment. Where it can be seen with certainty that there is no possibility that the activity in question may have a significant effect on the environment, the activity is not subject to CEQA. This grant funding will support capacity building activities, coordination of meetings and community engagement including but not limited to, fostering the growth and development of a regional leadership organization to support local fire safe councils and firewise communities and establish a coordinating entity for wildfire mitigation efforts; developing monitoring and evaluation plan and protocols by engaging in SNC’s Monitoring Workshop Series and other collaborative activities; conducting project evaluation and prioritization in conjunction with the development and submission of a project portfolio for SNC’s Regional Priority Plan; and conducting activities facilitating broad and diverse engagement of communities and stakeholders within the Whitebark Institute’s geographic area (Inyo and Mono Counties) in a manner which fulfills the requirements of the SNC’s Grant Guidelines regarding Outreach and Engagement. These are early-stage planning activities; no specific projects have yet been identified, nor have they been approved, adopted, or funded. There will be no ground or resource disturbance. Therefore, it can be seen with certainty that there is no possibility that the activity in question may have a significant effect on the environment. Additionally, the project would be statutorily exempt under CEQA Guidelines, section 15262 exempting feasibility and planning studies as the activity involves planning studies for possible future actions which the Sierra Nevada Conservancy Board has not approved, adopted, or funded. Further, there is no legally binding effect on later activities (Common Sense Exemption – CEQA Guidelines, Section 15061, subd. (b)(3) and Feasibility and Planning Studies under Pub. Resources Code, Section 21102 and CEQA Guidelines, Section 15262).
County Clerks
Inyo, Mono

Attachments

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