Azalea Fuels Project
Summary
SCH Number
2020050078
Public Agency
California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection
(CAL FIRE)
Document Title
Azalea Fuels Project
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
5/4/2020
Present Land Use
Interstate Highway Right-of-Way
Document Description
Azalea Fuels Project will occur in the CALTRANS right of way on both sides of Interstate 5 from the North Dunsmuir exit to the Azalea overcrossing, a distance of approximately 4.4 miles. The project encompasses approximately 120 acres and the width of fuels treatment varies from 75-300 feet from the edge of the pavement. Vegetation in the project area varies from pure brush species to mature mixed conifer timber stands. Fuels reduction will be accomplished by a combination of mastication, cutting with chainsaws and chipping. Some minor burning of hand piles may occur as well. All brush species will be removed by mastication or chipping. Areas where trees exist will be thinned and retention trees will be pruned to a height of 10 feet or 40% crown. No trees greater than 8 inches in diameter will be removed unless they pose a threat to project personnel or the traveling public on Interstate 5. It is anticipated that the project will commence in the summer of 2020. Operations will continue, based on contractor and crew availability, until completed, hopefully by early 2021. If pile burning occurs it will take place after piles have sufficiently dried and crews are available to conduct the burning, most likely in the fall of 2021. The goal of the project is to promote a shaded fuel break in an area which has historically has a high incidence of roadside ignitions.
Contact Information
Name
Rich Klug
Agency Name
Department of Forestry and Fire Protection
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency
Phone
Email
Name
Agency Name
Department of Forestry and Fire Protection
Contact Types
Project Applicant
Location
Counties
Siskiyou
Regions
Unincorporated
Total Acres
120
State Highways
Interstate 5
Township
Var.
Range
Var.
Section
Var.
Base
MDBM
Other Location Info
Portions of Sections 25, 26, and 35, T40N, R04W, MDB&M; Portions of Sections 1, 12 and 13, T39N, R04W, MDB&M and Portions of Sections 6 & 7, T39N, R03W, MDB&M
Other Information
Name of USGS 7.5’Quad Map(s):
City of Mount Shasta, Dunsmiur
Notice of Exemption
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
Class 4, §15304 Minor Alterations to Land
Reasons for Exemption
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, 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 Siskiyou Unit Headquarters in Yreka.