Decision Memo, Hwy 395 Mammoth-Wilson Butte Median Safety Thinning Project
Summary
SCH Number
2024090633
Public Agency
California Department of Transportation, District 9
(DOT)
Document Title
Decision Memo, Hwy 395 Mammoth-Wilson Butte Median Safety Thinning Project
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
9/17/2024
Document Description
Provide fuel reduction and vegetation removal along the state highway system on 395 using a combination of mechanical and hand thinning methods.
Purpose and Need
• Protect life, property, infrastructure, and natural resources.
• Reduce the potential for fire spread from vehicle induced ignitions along the State
Highway System.
• Improve forest health and reduce the likelihood of a high-severity fire through
mechanical thinning of conifers to a more natural density.
• Create more resilient and healthier forests by reducing competition and increasing
water availability.
• Provide defensible space along the State Highway System to protect the
effectiveness of the traveled way during normal operations and ingress/egress
evacuation and emergency response during a wildfire event.
• Post treatment site conditions shall result in a decrease in surface fire intensity
(flame length) and rate of speed.
• Reduce and rearrange vegetation while creating breaks in fuel continuity.
• Improve the natural forest structure with a healthy tree density, a mix of tree species,
heights, and age distribution, and natural gaps in the canopy while reducing
competition and promoting a healthy multi-aged forest.
• Reduce overcrowding and relieve tree stress.
Contact Information
Name
Heather Elder
Agency Name
California Dept of Transportation
Job Title
Senior Environmental Scientist
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency / Project Applicant / Parties Undertaking Project
Phone
Email
Location
Cities
Mammoth Lakes
Counties
Mono
Regions
Southern California
State Highways
Highway 395
Other Information
Post Miles 27.22-37.5
Notice of Exemption
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
15304(i)
Reasons for Exemption
With the implementation of avoidance and minimization measures, no known environmental resources will be impacted
County Clerk
Mono
Attachments
Notice of Exemption
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