Foran Fuel Reduction Project
Summary
SCH Number
2020120404
Public Agency
California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection
(CAL FIRE)
Document Title
Foran Fuel Reduction Project
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
12/21/2020
Present Land Use
Rural residential
Document Description
This fuel reduction project is a cooperative effort between the Mariposa County Fire Safe Council (MCFSC) and the Foran and Pennyroyal Roads homeowners. It will provide roadside brushing and expanded defensive space clearing along Foran Road and Pennyroyal Lane in the Midpines community of Mariposa County, creating a ˜70-acre strategic fuel break. The Foran Fuel Reduction Project will directly tie into the CAL FIRE proposed Midpines/Mt Bullion fuel break (2019 MMU Strategic Plan) providing fire protection and a safe ingress/egress route for fire personnel and residents. The project will provide an alternative escape route for Alta Vista Road as well as East Whitlock/Colorado. The project area is on gentle to moderate slopes (<40%) along Foran Road and Pennyroyal Lane at an elevation of approximately 3400 feet. The project area is at the lower end of Sierran Mixed conifer forest type consisting of an overstory of Gray pine along with Black oak and White oak with an understory of annual grasses and rabbit brush. There are no known endangered, threatened or sensitive plants or animal species within the project area. The project area on a ridge; the drainage is north into Lyons Creek watershed to the north, and the Stockton Creek watershed to the south.
Contact Information
Name
Brian Mattos
Agency Name
California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency
Phone
Email
Name
Agency Name
California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection
Contact Types
Project Applicant
Location
Counties
Mariposa
Cross Streets
Foran Road and Pennyroyal Lane
Total Acres
70
Other Location Info
Portions of: T5S, R18E, Sec 3 MDBM
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 the description for a Class 4 Categorical Exemption to CEQA. An environmental review was conducted to confirm that no exceptions apply which would preclude the use of a Notice of Exemption for this project. This review included an on-the-ground field inspection by a Registered Professional Forester on October 20, 2020. A full Archeological Survey Report was prepared and approved by Mark Walker, Archeologist/Anthropological Studies Center/Sonoma State University on 2020/10/23. In addition, consultation/correspondence was sent via email to representatives of the California Department of Fish and Wildlife and Regional Water Quality Control Board. No concerns were raised by the RWQCB Agency Representative, and the concerns raised by CDFW Representative were addressed and provided in return to the CDFW Representative on 2020/10/19 with no further correspondence as of 2020/12/07. 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, energy, wildfire or to utilities and service systems. Documentation of the environmental review completed by the Department is kept on file at MMU Unit Headquarters in Mariposa.