Ramona Air Attack Base Improvements
Summary
SCH Number
2025020982
Public Agency
California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection
(CAL FIRE)
Document Title
Ramona Air Attack Base Improvements
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
2/26/2025
Document Description
Cal Fire proposes to improve operations on an existing Air Attack Base (AAB) located at 2498 Montecito Road in Ramona, California. The improvements consist of two separate but related projects. These consist of the reconfiguration of the existing mixing pits for fire retardant (transported by C-130 aircraft) and the construction of a barracks to house the air flight and support crews for C-130 operations on a temporary basis during fire incidents.
Reconfiguration of the mixing pits will require demolition of existing concrete and asphalt concrete paving, removal of an existing shed, removal of a 25,000-gallon suppressant storage tank, removal of a 4,500-gallon offload tank, removal of ancillary equipment, including a catch basin, oil/water separator, signage, and a taxiway light. Construction will include a 5,200-sf mixing equipment pad, 2 loading pits (50 x 50 feet) to accommodate S-2 aircraft, and a large (100 x 100 feet) loading pit to accommodate C-130 aircraft, connected by a 500 linear foot underground utility trench with aircraft rated grates. A standby generator on a 300 SF concrete pad will be installed. A new improved storm drain collection system (Contech CDS Hydrodynamic Separator and new underground detention vault), electrical conduit trenching, signage and striping, a taxiway light, and an oil/water separator will be installed. Concrete paving and asphalt paving will be installed with most paving replacing existing paved areas. New paved areas are limited to unpaved the medians (approximately 18,500 sf).
The barracks will require demolition of existing concrete and asphalt concrete paving, and removal of a propane fuel tank, a canopy, and one existing tree. The new 4,192 SF barracks building will be 16.8 feet high and will include 12 beds and dining space. A new 8-foot-high masonry sound wall will be installed between the barracks and the taxiway. Construction will include repaving, including the addition of parking spaces and will require removal of approximately 5,000 sf of the existing turf lawn within the CALFIRE lease area. New connections to existing electrical, water, and sewer service will be provided. The barracks will provide temporary accommodations for up to 12 personnel associated with C-130 operations during fire incidents.
Contact Information
Name
Christina Snow
Agency Name
California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection
Job Title
Senior Environmental Planner
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency
Phone
Location
Cities
Ramona
Regions
Southern California
Cross Streets
Ramona Airport Road
Zip
92065
State Highways
State Highway 67
Airports
Ramona Airport
Other Location Info
2498 Montecito Road, Ramona, CA 92065
Notice of Exemption
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
Class 3 - Section 15303 New Construction or Conversion of Small Structures
Reasons for Exemption
This project fits under the Categorical Exemption Class 3 (New Construction) that consists of the operation, repair, maintenance, permitting, leasing, 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. All project activities will occur within previously disturbed areas. Field review by CAL FIRE staff confirmed that no exceptions apply which would preclude the use of a Notice of Exemption for this project. The Department has concluded that no significant environmental impact would occur to aesthetics, agriculture and forestland/timberland, air quality, biological resources, cultural resources, energy, geology and soils, greenhouse gas emissions, hazards and hazardous materials, hydrology and water quality, land use planning, mineral resources, noise, population and housing, public services, recreation, transportation/traffic, utilities and service systems, or to wildfire risks. Documentation of the environmental review completed by the Department is kept on file at the CAL FIRE building located at 1131 S Street, Sacramento, CA 95811.
Attachments
Notice of Exemption
Disclaimer: The Governor’s Office of Land Use and Climate Innovation (LCI) accepts no responsibility for the content or accessibility of these documents. To obtain an attachment in a different format, please contact the lead agency at the contact information listed above. For more information, please visit LCI’s Accessibility Site.