Rattlesnake Canyon Restoration Project
Summary
SCH Number
2020020349
Public Agency
California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection
(CAL FIRE)
Document Title
Rattlesnake Canyon Restoration Project
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
2/18/2020
Document Description
The Laguna Beach Fire Department (LBFD) has partnered with the Orange County Fire Authority and Orange County Parks to implement the Rattlesnake Canyon Restoration Project. The Project site comprises five acres within Laguna Coast Wilderness Park and occupies the mouth of Rattlesnake Canyon where it enters Laguna Canyon. The site is accessed via Willow Canyon Road on the west side of State Route 133, approximately 0.9 mile south of State Route 73. The Project site is surrounded by oak woodland and coastal sage scrub vegetation on either side of the canyon and is bounded on the down-canyon side by the Stagecoach South fire road. A small ephemeral drainage crosses through the restoration area from west to east. The restoration activities would include approximately 3.9 acres of habitat restoration through installation of container plants, trees, and seed of native plant species, and approximately I.I acres of habitat enhancement through targeted invasive species control. No planting or the use of heavy equipment would occur within the ephemeral drainage, and restoration activities on the surrounding slopes and in culturally sensitive areas would be limited to weed management.
Contact Information
Name
Mike Rohde
Agency Name
City of Laguna Beach
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency
Phone
Name
Agency Name
CalFire
Contact Types
Project Applicant
Location
Counties
Orange
Other Location Info
Approximately 5 acres within the Laguna Coast Wilderness Park, just south of the Willow Staging Area. The site occupies the mouth of Rattlesnake Canyon where it enters Laguna Canyon.
Notice of Exemption
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
15333
Reasons for Exemption
The Rattlesnake Canyon Restoration Project can be categorized as Class 33 Small Habitat Restoration Projects per CEQA Guideline Section 15333, which states: "Class 33 consists of projects not to exceed five acres in size to assure the maintenance, restoration, enhancement, or protection of habitat for fish, plants, or wildlife provided that: (a) There would be no significant adverse impact on endangered, rare or threatened species or their habitat pursuant to section 15065, (b) There are no hazardous materials at or around the project site that may be disturbed or removed, and (c) The project will not result in impacts that are significant when viewed in connection with the effects of past projects, the effects of other current projects, and the effects of probable future projects. ( d) Examples of small restoration projects may include, but are not limited to: (1) revegetation of disturbed areas with native plant species." The Project satisfies the requirements for a Class 33 exemption. Site surveys have concluded that there would be no significant impact on an endangered, rare or threatened species, and there are no hazardous materials at or near the site. The Project would not be cumulatively considerable when viewed in connection with other projects. A Notice of Exemption would satisfy CEQA requirements for the Project and is not negated by any "exception" described in CEQA Guidelines Section 15300.2. The proposed Project will not have a significant effect on the environment and is considered exempt from the requirement for the preparation of environmental documents.