Process-Based Restoration in the Park Fire
Summary
SCH Number
2024080647
Public Agency
Butte County Resource Conservation District
(BCRCD)
Document Title
Process-Based Restoration in the Park Fire
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
8/16/2024
Document Description
In the wake of the 2024 Park Fire, the project objectives are 1) to reduce the sediment loading in Big Chico Creek for the
first 2 seasons post-fire, especially in the zone of anadromy; 2) to aggrade sediment in uplands, protect areas of vulnerable
bare soil, & facilitate healthy recovery of vegetation along tributaries; and 3) to make optimal use of excess burned
trees/snags/logs as large woody debris in streams, rather than chip or burn useful material. To meet these objectives and
benefit downstream users, water quality, soil health, and sensitive species such as the threatened spring-run chinook
salmon, BCRCD proposes to rapidly deploy process-based restoration techniques, e.g.: large woody debris placement;
beaver dam analogues, post-assisted log structures; cobble dams, leaky weirs, and Zuni bowls; chipping dead trees &
broadcasting chips on vulnerable soil areas; and contour-felling trees using stumps as anchors. The project objectives will
not be met if these techniques cannot be deployed before the first significant rains mobilize a large pulse of sediment.
Contact Information
Name
Wolfgang D Rougle
Agency Name
Butte County RCD
Job Title
Planning Program Manager
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency / Project Applicant / Parties Undertaking Project
Phone
Email
Location
Counties
Butte, Tehama
Regions
Northern California
Waterways
Big Chico Creek, Rock Creek, Mud Creek, Sycamore Creek
Notice of Exemption
Exempt Status
Statutory Exemption
Type, Section or Code
21080(b)(3)
Reasons for Exemption
On July 26, 2024, Governor Newsom declared a State of Emergency in the Park Fire area, pursuant to Chapter 7
(commencing with Section 8550) of Division 1 of Title 2 of the Government Code. Since this project is being approved
by a public agency to restore property or facilities damaged as a result of the Park Fire disaster, 21080(b)(3) applies.
Exempt Status
Statutory Exemption
Type, Section or Code
21080(b)(4)
Reasons for Exemption
21080(b)(4) applies because, given the weakened condition of Big Chico Creek's spring-run chinook
salmon run (with 2024 returns counted in the double digits), fisheries biologists have stated that too large a pulse of
sediment in the winter of 2024-25 or 2025-26 could result in extirpation of the run. An extirpation of a salmon run is a
resource emergency; therefore, the project actions are necessary to prevent or mitigate an emergency.
County Clerk
Butte
Attachments
Notice of Exemption
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