Southern Marin Zone Southern Marin Forest Health & Fuel Reduction Project
Summary
SCH Number
2024100053
Public Agency
Southern Marin Fire Protection District
(SMFD)
Document Title
Southern Marin Zone Southern Marin Forest Health & Fuel Reduction Project
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
10/1/2024
Document Description
The purpose of the proposed project would be to reduce fire-hazardous, invasive Broom species along with dead standing trees that are adjacent to residential neighborhoods. While the proposed project would remove up to 13 trees, most of the trees within the fuel reduction area would remain, and habitat would be improved from removal of overly dense, non-native vegetation that pose a safety hazard. The proposed project would reduce wildfire intensity and rate of spread in the event of ignition. The proposed project would also maintain the safety and defensible space for nearby structures, including homes on Greenwood Way and Hillside Ave. Removal of fire-hazardous, invasive species is intended to reduce fire hazards to adjacent communities as well as to decrease the potential for regrowth of invasive species in the fuel reduction zone. Additionally, removing invasive, non-natives would provide an opportunity for native, less hazardous plant species to recolonize and restore these areas to a more natural habitat.
Contact Information
Name
Madison Mead
Agency Name
Southern Marin Fire District
Job Title
Fire Inspector
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency
Phone
Email
Location
Coordinates
Cities
Mill Valley
Counties
Marin
Regions
Citywide
Other Information
Work will take place on city of Mill Valley and Marin County Open Space owned property along Hillside Ave, targeting hazardous ladder fuels as well as specific dead standing trees. The project area is adjacent to properties 3 Greenwood Way to 450 Hillside Avenue, Mill Valley, CA.
Notice of Exemption
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
Class 15304 Exemption
Reasons for Exemption
This project is categorically exempt under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines Section 15304, Class 4 for Minor Alterations to Land and is filing a Notice of Exemption (NOE). The project will not proceed on MCOS lands until the NOE is filed. SMFD, as the responsible agency, concurs with the City and MCOSD that the project is categorically exempt under the CEQA Guidelines Section 15304, Class 4 for Minor Alterations to Land. A Class 4 exempt project consists of minor public or private alterations in the condition of land, water, and/or vegetation which do not involve removal of healthy, mature, scenic trees except for forestry or agricultural purposes. The scope of the proposed project shown in Figure 1 is consistent with the removal of non-native, invasive, fire-hazardous
species to improve habitat conditions and reduce fire hazards within the fuel reduction zone and maintain trees and vegetation adjacent to homes to reduce public safety risks.No work would take place within sensitive habitat, including wetlands or wetted 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.
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
Class 15304
Reasons for Exemption
This project is categorically exempt under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines Section 15304, Class 4 for Minor Alterations to Land and is filing a Notice of Exemption (NOE). The project will not proceed on MCOS lands until the NOE is filed.
SMFD, as the responsible agency, concurs with the City and MCOSD that the project is categorically exempt under the CEQA Guidelines Section 15304, Class 4 for Minor Alterations to Land. A Class 4 exempt project consists of minor public or private alterations in the condition of land, water, and/or vegetation which do not involve
removal of healthy, mature, scenic trees except for forestry or agricultural purposes. The scope of the proposed project shown in Figure 1 is consistent with the removal of non-native, invasive, fire-hazardous species to improve habitat conditions and reduce fire hazards within the fuel reduction zone and maintain trees and vegetation adjacent to homes to reduce public safety risks.
No work would take place within sensitive habitat, including wetlands or wetted 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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