RRU 2016 Dead/Dying/Diseased Tree Removal
Summary
SCH Number
2016038318
Public Agency
California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection
(CAL FIRE)
Document Title
RRU 2016 Dead/Dying/Diseased Tree Removal
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
3/22/2016
Document Description
The project goal is to remove dead, dying and diseased trees with various diameters on approximately 20 acres located on private properties in and around the mountain communities of Idyllwild, CA. The area has experience extremely high tree mortality due to the recent severe drought conditions. The gold spotted oak borer (GSOB) and native bark beetles are killing oak and pine species in the southern California forested Landscape. The California Board of Forestry and Fire Protection has declared the aforementioned area as a Zone of Infestation for both the pine bark beetle and GSOB. Trees are an important component of forested ecosystems in California and removal of already infested, dead, dying, diseased trees will eliminate pests and slow the spread rate, enhancing the survival rate of existing tree populations, and; create a fire safe condition, an imperative requirement in a forested mountain community. Depending on the tree species, treatment will consist of felling, limbing, debarking, bucking and chipping of infested trees assessed by an RPF. Under direct supervision of a CAL FIRE crew captain, camp crews will fall, limb, debark, buck, chip or tarp targeted trees. No commercial operations are planned.
Contact Information
Name
Gregg Bratcher
Agency Name
PO Box 2097
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency
Phone
Location
Counties
Riverside
Notice of Exemption
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
S:15304 C:4
Reasons for Exemption
The project meets the requirements of a Class 4 Categorical Exemption "15304 Minor Alterations to Land" The project is small in size and will enhance forest health, increase general fire safety, and improve aesthetics while creating minimal ground disturbance which will not result in significant effects on biological and archeological resources nor the environment. Field reviews conducted by CAL FIRE staff have confirmed that no impacts will occur which would justify the use of 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, 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, or to utilities and service systems. Documentation of the environmental review completed by the Department is kept on file at CALFIRE, Riverside Unit, Mountain Resource Center, 25380 Franklin Dr. Idyllwild, CA 92549
Disclaimer: The document was originally posted before CEQAnet had the capability to host attachments for the public. To obtain the original attachments for this document, please contact the lead agency at the contact information listed above.