Peavine Buffer Prescribed Burn
Summary
SCH Number
2024101386
Public Agency
California Department of Parks and Recreation
Document Title
Peavine Buffer Prescribed Burn
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
10/31/2024
Document Description
Conduct prescribed fire burns on approximately 600 acres of old growth conifer forest, herbaceous grassland (Prairies), and mixed 2nd growth conifer and hardwood forests along Peavine Ridge in Humboldt Redwoods State Park to assist with forest and prairie restoration, return fire as a natural process and to reduce wildfire risk by restoring pre-Euroamerican fuel conditions near the watershed boundaries. The proposed area is broken down into small blocks that will not be burned all at once, but sequentially as time and appropriate conditions allow. Fire will be used to kill shrubs and small trees - generally under 8 inches in diameter, to reduce prairie and oak woodland loss. An additional goal of the project is to break up canopy connectivity and harden the Peavine Ridge old growth forest areas and access roads by reducing dead surface and ladder fuels. Preparation for containment of this and other prescribed burns is ongoing and includes cutting ladder fuels such as trees, shrubs, using hand-tools to reduce invasive plants, and building handlines. Preparation will not produce ground disturbance deeper than 1-in. and handlines will be remediated post-burn by pulling any scraped vegetation back across the handline to inhibit use by the public. No heavy equipment will be utilized during preparation or during project activities. Ten (10) culverts are located within the project area and all culverts will be covered with fire shelters and/or have all adjacent vegetation removed to protect them from damage during firing operations. All wooden structures within the burn unit, such as informational signs along the Thornton Trail, will have approximately 2ft of handline and cleared vegetation around them to protect them from damage during firing operations.
Contact Information
Name
Rosalind Litzky
Agency Name
North Coast Redwoods District
Job Title
District Planner
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency
Address
Phone
Location
Cities
unincorporated area
Counties
Humboldt
Regions
Northern California
Other Location Info
Humboldt Redwoods State Park
Notice of Exemption
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
Class: 1 & 4; Section: 15301 & 15304
Reasons for Exemption
Project consists of the operation, maintenance, or minor alteration of existing public or private structures. Facilities, or topographical features, involving negligible or no expansion of use beyond current levels and minor public or private alterations in the condition of land and/or vegetation which do no involve removal of healthy, mature, scenic trees and is listed as “Prescribed burns to restore native vegetation, reduce fuel loads, and control invasive exotic or alien species” in the Department of Parks and Recreation’s list of exempt activities in accordance with CCR § 15300.4.
County Clerk
Humboldt
Attachments
Notice of Exemption
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