West and Southern Marin Zones Coastal Evacuation Routes Project
Summary
SCH Number
2024090818
Public Agency
Marin Wildfire Prevention Authority
(MWPA)
Document Title
West and Southern Marin Zones Coastal Evacuation Routes Project
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
9/20/2024
Document Description
The purpose of the proposed project is to improve vegetation clearance along fire roads and evacuation routes to provide better access for first responders and emergency vehicles. The purpose of the evacuation route treatments would also include evacuation and ingress/egress throughout the communities in coastal Marin for safer evacuation for residents and visitors. The proposed project would also improve access by reducing heat, flame, ember, and smoke impingement on roadways for evacuating residents and emergency responders in the event of an approaching wildfire. Many of the communities and neighborhoods served by this project are registered firewise communities (Fire Safe Marin 2023). Creating fire-adaptive communities is not only about reducing fire threat from fire growth but also improving the safety of the residents. Creating safe evacuation routes and fire roads is a critical component of a long-term fire-adaptive strategy.
Contact Information
Name
Anne Crealock
Agency Name
Marin Wildfire Prevention Authority
Job Title
Planning and Program Manager
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency
Phone
Location
Cities
Unincorporated coastal Marin
Counties
Marin
Regions
Countywide, Unincorporated
Other Location Info
Vegetation thinning and removal within typically 10 feet, but up to 25 feet, from road edge along prioritized roadways throughout Muir Beach, Mill Valley, Stinson, Bolinas, Olema, Seahaven, and Inverness in coastal Marin County.
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, for Minor Alterations to Land and Section 15301, Class 1, for 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 involve vegetation thinning and removal within typically 10 feet but up to 25 feet of the edge of roadways identified as key routes used for evacuation and ingress/egress in west and southern Marin County. The scope of the proposed project is consistent with a minor alteration to the condition of the vegetation along the routes as well as maintenance of the existing roadways.
Additionally, no healthy, mature, scenic trees would be removed; no work would take place within sensitive habitat, including 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 exceptions listed under Section 15300.2 apply.
County Clerk
Marin
Attachments
Notice of Exemption
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