Eucalyptus Grove Fuel Reduction and Chipping - Brooks, CA
Summary
SCH Number
2025041127
Public Agency
Yolo County Resource Conservation District
Document Title
Eucalyptus Grove Fuel Reduction and Chipping - Brooks, CA
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
4/23/2025
Document Description
This fuels reduction project is part of a series of roadside fuels reduction projects throughout the Ca pay Valley to protect Highway 16 as an evacuation route and access point during wildfire events. The project consists of mechanical handwork (chainsaws and loppers) and chipping in a eucalyptus grove to occur in late spring/early summer of 2025. In subsequent years, maintenance at the site may occur. The treatment unit contains a 3.6-acre, moderate to low density eucalyptus grove directly adjacent to 0.4 miles of Highway 16, a highway which serves as
the only evacuation route in and out of the Ca pay Valley, in northern Yolo County. Eucalyptus trees are non-native, weedy trees with bark and oils that are highly flammable that serves little to no habitat value for special status plants or animals in the region. This grove poses a risk to the towns of Guinda and Brooks, CA and the larger region. Reducing fuels in the grove will reduce the likelihood of catastrophic wildfire. Thinning and reducing ladder fuels in the eucalyptus grove will be performed by CAL FIRE and/or a licensed contractor with biological and botanical monitoring conducted by Yolo County Resource Conservation District. Felling of trees will be limited to trees smaller than twelve (12) inches in diameter at breast height (DBI-I). Stumps will remain in the ground to minimize soil disturbance.
A Qualified Biologist with experience in conducting planning-level and species-specific surveys in the area, conducted a biological reconnaissance survey at the project site. Based on the results of the biological survey of both units, the project has been designed so it will not cause significant adverse impact to special status species with likelihood to occur near the project site.
Work may occur during nesting bird season. If work commences during nesting bird season (February 1st to September 15th) the project area will be surveyed for nesting birds by a qualified biologist no more than one week before operations. If nesting birds are located, the RCD will develop measures that avoid impacts and are consistent with the Migratory Bird Treaty Act.
Contact Information
Name
Heather Nichols
Agency Name
Yolo County Resource Conservation District
Job Title
Executive Director
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency / Project Applicant
Phone
Email
Location
Cities
Guinda, CA and Brooks, CA
Counties
Yolo
Regions
Unincorporated
State Highways
State Highway 16
Notice of Exemption
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
Class 4 § 15304 Minor Alteration of Land
Reasons for Exemption
The project entails mechanical thinning of roadside vegetation of non-native highly flammable vegetation. Mechanical treatments can benefit ecosystems by reducing the
likelihood of catastrophic wildfires, maintaining and restoring healthy ecosystems, and protecting human communities. The project is not expected to cause ground disturbance and will occur in a eucalyptus grove, a highly modified, non-native habitat that serves little to no habitat value for special status plants or animals in the region.
Work is expected to be performed by a qualified contractor and/or CAL FIRE hand crews with biological and botanical monitoring conducted by Yolo County Resource Conservation District staff. The project will not impact large trees and will benefit habitat by decreasing likelihood of catastrophic fire and thinning understory vegetation which will decrease pressure from invasive weeds on native plant understory.
The project meets the requirements of Class 4 Categorical Exemption (minor alterations to land) Section 15304. Project implementation will result in alterations to the land that are best described as minor in scope, that will not significantly impact the aesthetic of the property, or biological and/or cultural resources, and that do not involve the removal of mature, scenic trees for any purpose. No exceptions apply which would preclude the use of a "Notice of Exemption" for this project. It has been concluded that no significant adverse environmental impacts would occur to
aesthetics, agriculture and forest resources, air quality, biological resources, cultural resources, energy, geology and soils, greenhouse gas emissions, hazards and hazardous materials, hydrology and water quality, land use and planning, mineral resources, noise, populations and housing, public services, recreation, transportation and traffic, or utilities and service systems.
County Clerk
Yolo
Attachments
Notice of Exemption
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