Brickyard Training and Fuels Reduction
Summary
SCH Number
2025050030
Public Agency
California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection
(CAL FIRE)
Document Title
Brickyard Training and Fuels Reduction
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
5/1/2025
Document Description
CAL FIRE proposes equipment operator training exercises and fuels treatment activities as part of this project. The project area occurs on 199 acres of semi-industrial private property that is zoned for mineral resource utilization, approximately one mile south of Ione, CA. The purpose is to provide a suitable location for public employees to learn and demonstrate proficiency in the operation of mechanized equipment in support of emergency incidents. Co-benefits include modification of hazardous accumulations of flammable vegetation that contributes to dangerous fire behavior. Project activities will greatly enhance public and first responder safety during emergency operations. Elevation ranges between 320-400 feet above mean sea level. Terrain within the project area is variable with slopes generally less than 25% and no unstable soils are identified. Vegetation is characterized by scrub oak woodland, chamise, manzanita, and gray pine. Project activities include use of mechanized equipment and crews to reduce horizontal and vertical continuity of vegetation. Treated material will be chipped or piled for burning. Piles will be burned by crews when safe climatic conditions exist. Equipment limitation zones (ELZ) are identified to protect beneficial uses of water. Known cultural resource sites and occurrences of listed species will be avoided. Portions of the project area have treatments prescribed adjacent to public roadways where tractors may not be utilized. The project requires nearly 25 days to complete initially and approximately 10 days annually to maintain in perpetuity. The project area will be monitored during maintenance status to assess treatment efficacy and ensure effective fuels management is achieved. No significant impacts are anticipated during the implementation of proposed project activities.
Contact Information
Name
Ryan Wimmer
Agency Name
CAL FIRE
Job Title
Forester II
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency
Address
Phone
Email
Location
Counties
Amador
Regions
Northern California
Cross Streets
brickyard road and hwy 124
Total Acres
199
State Highways
near hwys 88, 124, and 104.
Township
06N
Range
09E
Section
30, 31
Other Location Info
one mile south of Ione, CA
Notice of Exemption
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
Class 4/15304 Minor Alterations to Land
Reasons for Exemption
This project fits under portions of CCR Title 14 § 15304 Class 4 Minor Alteration to Land. Vegetation proposed for treatment includes brush and trees smaller than 10-inches diameter at breast-height. Mature, healthy, and scenic trees are not proposed for treatment unless they pose a threat to public safety. Standing dead trees may be removed if they do not possess features which are beneficial to listed wildlife species. Field review by CAL FIRE staff confirmed that no exceptions apply that 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, populations and housing, public services, recreation, transportation/ traffic, utilities and service systems, or to wildfire. Documentation of the environmental review completed by the Department is kept on file at the CAL FIRE Ione Training Center: 4501 CA-104, Ione, CA 95640 ATTN: CEQA Coordinator.
Attachments
Notice of Exemption
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