West Ukiah Hills Fire and Fuels Reduction
Summary
SCH Number
2020120008
Public Agency
California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection
(CAL FIRE)
Document Title
West Ukiah Hills Fire and Fuels Reduction
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
12/1/2020
Present Land Use
Rural residential
Document Description
This project is managed by the County of Mendocino and consists of four individual shaded fuel breaks located in the Ukiah Valley at the German-Pacini (1.2 miles east of Talmage) , Lover’s Lane (0.3 miles north of the City of Ukiah), Nelson Ranch (4.1 miles south of Talmage), and Yokayo Rancheria (2.8 miles south of Talmage) locations totaling 80 acres. Dead and live trees, shrubs, and heavy ground fuels are targeted for treatment to break-up the horizontal and vertical continuity of vegetation to slow the rate of spread and reduce the intensity of a wildfire and facilitate improved ingress of fire resources and egress of local residents. These areas consist of various mixed oak and Douglas-fir woodlands intermixed with understory shrubs, forbs, and some grassland openings. Hand crews will be utilized at all four treatment areas; mechanized equipment such as a masticator (skid steer or excavator) will be utilized at the Nelson Ranch and Yokayo Rancheria locations. Live trees which are 10-inch diameter or less may be thinned and removed. Retained trees will have branches pruned to a minimum of 8-feet. Brush and dead ground fuels will be treated. Woody biomass will be lopped and scattered or chipped on-site. Hand crews will utilize chainsaws, pole saws, and hand tools. Mechanized treatment will occur on portions of the Nelson Ranch and Yokayo Rancheria sites.
Contact Information
Name
Robert Douglas
Agency Name
California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency
Phone
Name
Agency Name
California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection
Contact Types
Project Applicant
Location
Counties
Mendocino
Total Acres
80
Other Location Info
Portions of T15N, R12W, Sec 7 & 26; T15N R13W Sec 12; T14N R12N Sec 15 & 22;
Mount Diablo Base & Meridian; and portion of Yokayo Land Grant
Other Information
Locations are German-Pacini (1.2 miles east of Talmage) , Lover’s Lane (0.3 miles north of the City of Ukiah), Nelson Ranch (4.1 miles south of Talmage), and Yokayo Rancheria (2.8 miles south of Talmage)
Notice of Exemption
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
Class 4 § 15304 Minor Alterations to Land
Reasons for Exemption
The project meets the requirements of a CEQA Article 19 Class 4 Categorical exemption “Minor Alterations to Land” (Section 15304, Public Resources Code) as the proposed activities involve small tree and brush removal, pruning and chipping to reduce wildfire threat. This project will not convert the vegetation type or result in the removal of otherwise “healthy, mature, and scenic trees.” The California Natural Diversity Database (CNDDB) was searched and no rare, threatened or endangered plant or animal species were identified on the project site that will be negatively impacted by this project. The CAL FIRE Archaeologist has been consulted and has determined that the project as proposed will avoid impacts to cultural resources.
Field review by CAL FIRE staff confirmed that no exceptions apply (Section 15300.2) 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, energy, 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, utilities and service systems, or wildfire. Documentation of the environmental review completed by the Department is kept on file at CAL FIRE Mendocino Unit, Resource Management, 17501 N. Highway 101, Willits, CA 95490, Attn. Environmental Coordinator.