HomeMy WebLinkAboutCEQA26-0027 NOE FiledNOTICE OF EXEMPTION
TO: X Office of Planning and Research FROM: Butte County Planning Division
1400 Tenth Street, Room 121 7 County Center Drive
Sacramento, CA 95814 Oroville, CA 95965
X County Clerk
County of Butte
25 County Center Drive
Oroville, CA 95965
Project Title: Butte County East Oroville Hazardous Fuels Reduction Project (BCFSC Program),
PROJ26-0027
Assessor's Parcel No.: Numerous
Applicant: Butte County Fire Safe Council
Project Location-Specific: The project area is located in East Oroville, approximately one mile east of
the city of Oroville in the Sierra Nevada foothills. The project area encompasses 7426 acres, elevations
ranging from 420 feet to 1335 feet above sea level.
Project Location-City: Numerous Project Location-County: Butte
Description of Nature, Purpose, and Beneficiaries of Project:
The scope of the project is to implement vegetation management projects in the East Oroville area
to reduce the risk of wildfire and benefit forest health and implement planting native vegetation in
areas affected by wildfire. East Oroville is a Wildland Urban Interface (WUI) community where
strategic management and control of wildland vegetation is essential to the safety, and health of
the community of Oroville and Kelly Ridge. Vegetation management treatments include hand
cutting and lop and scatter or pile burning; hand cutting and chipping; mechanical mastication;
prescribed fire or cultural burning; goat grazing, herbicide treatment and replanting native
vegetation.
The purpose of the proposed project is to protect the community and infrastructure of Oroville,
Oroville Dam, Lake Oroville Recreation Area, and associated public and private roads. Project
activities will be utilized to protect water resources, improve overall forest health and facilitate the
safe and effective implementation of prescribed fire or cultural burning at a landscape scale.
The Butte County Fire Safe Council process within the project area offers a rational approach,
operation consistency, expertise and measure of effectiveness that would not otherwise be
initiated or achieved by the work of individual property owners. Vegetation management work
areas within the project area are dependent upon funding availability and timing; and, property
owner participation.
For supporting information, open the following Appendices.
Name of Person or Agency Approving Project: Butte County Zoning Administrator
Exempt Status: (Check One)
Ministerial (Sec. 15073)
Declared Emergency [Sec. 15071(a)]
Emergency Project [Sec. 15071 (b) and (c)]
X Categorical Exemption. State type and section number: 15304 Minor Alterations to
Land
___ Statutorily Exempt – 15274(a)
Review for Exemption – 15061(b)(3)
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Butte County/Butte County Fire Safe Council
Environmental Review Report for an Exempt Project
East Oroville Hazardous Fuels Reduction Project
Note: This report form is intended for use by Butte County staff to support the filing of a Notice of Exemption (NOE) document for a
proposed Butte County project.
Butte County Fire Safe Council
Contact: Taylor Nilsson
530-877-0984
www.buttefiresafe.net
Butte County Department of Development Services
Contact: Dan Breedon
530-552-3700
www.buttecounty.net/DDS
Author: Pete Sundahl
Title: Registered Professional Forester LCN# 2861
Address: Sierra Timber Services
1600 Feather River Blvd Suite B
Oroville CA 95965
Phone: 530-534-5229 (Office)
Email: petesundahl@gmail.com
Project Name: East Oroville Hazardous Fuels Reduction Project
Project Number: Grant Agreement:8GG23607
County Number:
Project Tracking Number
Program Type: Community Fuels Reduction
CAL FIRE Unit: Butte Ranger Unit
County: Butte
Acres: 7426
Legal Location: Portions of Sections 13, 22-28, 33-36 T20N R5E, Sections 1-3 T19N R5E, Sections 1,2,5,6 T19N R6E, Sections 1-4, 7-
36 T20N R6E, Sections 1-12, 14-22, 27-33 T20N R7E, Sections 23-26, 34-36 T21N R6E, Sections 19-22, 25-36 T21N
R7E MB&M
Name of USGS 7.5’Quad Map(s): Oroville, Oroville Dam
Regional Map Attached Project Location Map Attached Photos Attached
Other Public Agency Review/Permit Required:
Would the project result in:
Alterations to a watercourse (DFG - Lake and Stream Alteration Agreement)
Conversion of timberland (CAL FIRE - Conversion Permit or Exemption)
Demolition (Local Air District - Demolition Permit)
Soil disturbance over 1 acre (RWQCB - SWPPP)
Fill of possible wetlands (404 Permit - USACE)
Other: N/A
Discuss any above-listed topic item checked Yes and consultation with agencies:
YES NO
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SECTION 1 – Project Description
Introduction
The Butte County Fire Safe Council (BCFSC) proposes to implement vegetation
management projects in the East Oroville area to reduce the risk of wildfire and
benefit forest health and implement planting native vegetation in areas affected by
wildfire. East Oroville is a Wildland Urban Interface (WUI) community where
strategic management and control of wildland vegetation is essential to the safety,
and health of the community of Oroville and Kelly Ridge.
Vegetation management treatments include hand cutting and lop and scatter or
pile burning; hand cutting and chipping; mechanical mastication; prescribed fire or
cultural burning; goat grazing, herbicide treatment and replanting native
vegetation. These treatments are described in more detail in Section 2.
The project is located in East Oroville, approximately one mile east of the city of
Oroville in the Sierra Nevada foothills. The project area encompasses 7426 acres,
elevations ranging from 420 feet to 1335 feet above sea level. The project area is
characterized by oak woodland habitat with a gray pine component, as well as areas
of annual grassland. The site was previously affected by the 2024 Thompson Fire,
which substantially altered existing vegetation conditions. The project is located
within a region identified for wildfire risk reduction and habitat restoration,
consistent with CEQA Guidelines Section 15304, which exempts minor alterations to
land, vegetation, and fuel management for fire protection purposes. The purpose of
the proposed project is to protect the community and infrastructure of Oroville,
Oroville Dam, Lake Oroville Recreation Area, and associated public and private
roads. Project activities will be utilized to protect water resources, improve overall
forest health and facilitate the safe and effective implementation of prescribed fire
or cultural burning at a landscape scale.
Objectives of the proposed project include:
Protecting the community of East Oroville, Oroville Dam, and Oroville
State Recreation Area infrastructure and forest resources within the
Wildland-Urban Interface (WUI) from wildfires.
•Implementing vegetation prescriptions to reduce fire hazard and
intensity, and facilitate the implementation of prescribed fire or
cultural burning in an effectual and safe way on a landscape scale.
•Restoration of native vegetation in areas affected by wildfire to
reduce the spread of invasive species and promote long term
recovery.
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Butte County Fire Safe Council Role
Butte County Fire Safe Council (BCFSC) is a non-profit community organization
funded by grants and community donations. The organization operates in
cooperation with local, state and federal fire agencies throughout Butte County.
Management of fuels reduction permitting and project completion is conducted
through BCFSC staff or by a consultant/contractor under the direction of BCFSC.
Funding
Funding for this project is provided by the CALFIRE; 8GG23607 Forest Health
Resilience and Restoration. The project is managed by the Butte County Fire
Safe Council.
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Process
The Butte County Fire Safe Council process within the project area offers a rational approach,
operation consistency, expertise and measure of effectiveness that would not otherwise be initiated
or achieved by the work of individual property owners. Vegetation management work areas within
the project area are dependent upon funding availability and timing; and, property owner
participation. Below is a general outline of the process.
1.The property owner(s) within the project area enrolls in the Butte County Fire Safe Council program.
2.BCFSC Program Manager (BCFSC staff or consultant) develops a draft scope of work to be
completed on the property consistent with program requirements and to reflect the
objectives of the property owner. The draft vegetation management strategy is
subsequently reviewed by the property owner for concurrence.
3.To comply with environmental review requirements, the BCFSC Program Manager, in
coordination with a qualified consultant, initiates the applicable archaeological field surveys,
botanical field studies, and consultation with tribal representatives to identify potential
cultural and biological resources and the applicability of a cultural burn. Based on the results
of these investigations and consultations, the Program Manager refines and updates the draft
scope of work, including the type and extent of proposed treatments, to avoid or minimize
impacts in accordance with CEQA and program criteria.
4.The property owner agrees to final scope of work.
5.BCFSC Program Manager commences treatments on the property. Adjustments in the field
may be necessary and are subject to the oversight of the BCFSC Program Manager.
6.Upon completion of treatment activities, the BCFSC Program Manager conducts a site
inspection to verify compliance with the approved scope of work and directs corrective
measures, if necessary.
SECTION 2 – Treatments
Proposed treatments
The vegetation management strategy to be implemented in the 7426 acres of the East Oroville Fuels
Reduction project require a combination of fuel reduction methods depending on the location, facility
access, and slope. This project involves the clearing of brush, small trees (10” and less diameter at
breast height (dbh)) and dead hazard trees which pose a risk to public safety. Treatment methods to
be implemented include: Hand-cutting/piling, hand cutting/chipping, lop and scatter, lop and
removal, mechanical mastication, prescribed fire or cultural burning, grazing, herbicide treatment,
pull and pile, skid trail improvement, and hand line construction.
Burning of the piles and prescribed fire or cultural burning will take place when moisture levels are
sufficiently high enough to allow for safe disposal. Trees within Watercourse and Lake Protection
Zones (WLPZ) shall be directionally hand felled away from watercourses. Herbicides shall not be used
within the Watercourse and Lake Protection Zones.
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Each of the treatments are described below:
Hand cutting and lop and scatter or pile burning will be done in
areas of steep slope and areas inaccessible to machinery. Using
chainsaws, the contractor will cut all live and dead vegetation
10 inches and less in diameter at breast height (dbh), and
hazard trees that pose a threat to public safety, lop and scatter,
lop and remove or pile vegetation for burning at a later date.
Lop and scatter will not be allowed within cultural resource
boundaries. Lop and remove is allowed within cultural resource
boundaries. Pile burning will not occur within 25 ft. of special
status plant areas or cultural resource boundaries or done near
structures. Piles will be burned when moisture levels and air
quality are favorable for burning. A Smoke Management Plan
shall be submitted to Butte County Air Quality Management
District and a burn permit shall be obtained prior to ignition.
Hand cutting and chipping. Using chainsaws, the contractor
will cut all live and dead vegetation 10 inches and less in dbh
and dead trees that are a hazard to public safety. Near
structures and in areas where the slope allows access,
chipping machines will be used from roads to chip vegetation
and blow the chips back into the project area. Remote
controlled track chippers may be used on slopes under 25%
grade. Hand cutting
and chipping will cause little disturbance to soil.
Directional felling of trees from within a cultural resource
boundary is allowed. Trees shall be removed from the
resource boundaries without dragging by equipment
parked outside of the resource boundary. No heavy
equipment shall be used within cultural resource
boundaries or special status plant buffers. Chips will not
be blown into stream zones, special status plant buffers or
cultural resource boundaries.
Pull and pile. Using hand tools, the contractor will pull live and
dead vegetation 10 inches and less in dbh. Vegetation will be
piled for burning at a later date. Pile burning will not occur
within 25 ft. of special status plant areas or cultural resource
boundaries or occur near structures. Piles will be burned when
moisture levels and air quality are favorable for burning. A
Smoke Management Plan shall be submitted to Butte County
Air Quality Management District and a burn permit shall be Pull and pile
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obtained prior to ignition.
Mechanical mastication is mechanical grinding or
mulching of small trees and brush. Mechanical
mastication causes a moderate amount of soil
disturbance, tracks of the
machine can cause disturbance 1 to 4 inches in depth. Mastication will be designated in areas with less than 50%
slope where accessibility from existing roads is possible. No heavy equipment will enter stream zone buffers,
cultural resource boundaries or special status plant buffers. Brush and trees 10 inches and less dbh will be
mechanically masticated. Steep inclusions over 50% will not be treated by mastication.
Prescribed fire or cultural burning will be used as a treatment throughout the project area. Pre-burn
fuel treatments such as hand thinning, herbicide application, goat grazing, and mechanical
mastication that help to minimize fire intensities, especially adjacent to critical infrastructure and
control lines, will occur where necessary. Soil disturbance will occur where fire lines are placed around
the perimeter of a burn unit which will be subdivided by natural features on the landscape utilizing
roads, trails, ditches and watercourses to facilitate control efforts. Prescribed fire or cultural burning
will not occur in special status plant buffers or cultural resource boundaries. The fire will be a low
intensity burn done on days when burning is permitted by Butte County Air Quality. A Smoke
Management Plan shall be submitted to Butte County Air Quality Management District and a burn
permit shall be obtained prior to ignition, unless the burn is conducted under a tribal CNRA agreement
and tribal local air district agreement.
Planting native vegetation will occur in areas previously affected by
wildfire to promote soil stability, reduce invasive species and
accelerate post-fire habitat recovery. Planting will be conducted with
hand tools. No grading, or road construction will occur.
Cultural burn
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Goat grazing will be used as an initial treatment in areas with light amounts of ladder fuels or as a
follow up (maintenance) treatment. Goat herds can be up to 1000 animals placed in an area of
approximately 5 acres for 1 to 1.5 days. This high intensity, short duration grazing will result in 70 to 80
% reduction in ladder fuels with minimal soil
disturbance. Grazing is allowed within
stream zone buffers and cultural resource boundaries
but is not allowed within special plant buffers.
Herbicide application will be used in areas where
shrubs, brush and invasive species have been treated
initially with either mastication or hand cutting.
Herbicide treatments will be applied with a backpack
sprayer or ATV mounted sprayer or as stump cut direct
application in accordance with a licensed Pest Control
Advisor’s Chemical Use Recommendation. Herbicide
treatment will cause no soil disturbance and will not
take place in stream zone buffers or special status plant
buffers.
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USGS The National Map: National Boundaries Dataset, 3DEP ElevationProgram, Geographic Names Information System, National HydrographyDataset, National Land Cover Database, National Structures Dataset, andNational Transportation Dataset; USGS Global Ecosystems; U.S. CensusBureau TIGER/Line data; USFS Road data; Natural Earth Data; U.S.Department of State HIU; NOAA National Centers for EnvironmentalInformation. Data refreshed April, 2024.
East Oroville Hazardous Fuels ReductionRegional Map 1 inch = 250,000 feet±
USGS The National Map: NationalBoundaries Dataset, 3DEPElevation Program, GeographicNames Information System,National Hydrography Dataset,National Land Cover Database,National Structures Dataset, and
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USGS The National Map: National Boundaries Dataset, 3DEP Elevation Program,Geographic Names Information System, National Hydrography Dataset, NationalLand Cover Database, National Structures Dataset, and National TransportationDataset; USGS Global Ecosystems; U.S. Census Bureau TIGER/Line data; USFSRoad data; Natural Earth Data; U.S. Department of State HIU; NOAA NationalCenters for Environmental Information. Data refreshed April, 2024.
East Oroville Hazardous Fuels ReductionLocation Map 1 inch = 10,000 feet±
Legend
East Oroville HFR NOE - (7426 acres)
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SECTION 3 – ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ANALYSIS
Aesthetics
This topic does not apply to this project and was not evaluated further.
This topic could apply to this project, and results of the assessment are provided below:
The clearing of vegetation and dead woody debris will not impact a scenic vista. This project will be visible along
Olive Highway/ Oroville Quincy Highway, Oroville Dam Blvd., Oregon Gulch Road, and Kelly Ridge Road and will
temporarily affect aesthetics, however, the retention of live trees larger than 10” diameter will continue to provide
the appearance of a wildland environment.
Agriculture and Forest Resources
This topic does not apply to this project and was not evaluated further.
Yes No Would any trees be felled? If yes, discuss protection of nesting birds and compliance with FPRs.
Yes No Would the project convert any prime or unique farmland?
Yes No Would the project result in the conversion of forest land/timberland to non-forest use?
This topic could apply to this project, and results of the assessment are provided below:
Only small noncommercial live trees, 10” and less in diameter and dead woody debris (snags less than 15” in
diameter that pose a threat to public safety) will be felled. No negative impact to Agriculture or Forest Resources
is expected from this project. There are no portions of this project that would constitute ‘Timber Operations’ as
per CCR4526 (b)(1-5). No land conversions or changes in land use will occur as a result of the project. No negative
impact to Agriculture or Forest Resources is expected from this project.
Air Quality
This topic does not apply to this project and was not evaluated further.
Yes No The local Air Quality Management District guidelines for dust abatement and other air quality
concerns were reviewed for this project.
This topic could apply to this project, and results of the assessment are provided below:
Emissions from the machine masticators, small chippers, crew vehicles and chain saws will have a minor impact on
air quality. In addition, the disposal of the debris piles by burning or prescribed fire pr cultural burning will also
have a minor impact on air quality. A Smoke management plan and burn permit shall be obtained from Butte
County prior to burning piles, prescribed fire or cultural burning unless exempt by state legislation. Burning will
take place on permissive burn days as determined by the Butte County Air Pollution Control District.
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Cultural Resources
This topic does not apply to this project and was not evaluated further.
Yes No Was a current archaeological records check completed? Results discussed below:
Yes No Was a CAL FIRE staff or contract Archaeologist consulted? Results discussed below:
Yes No Was an Archaeological survey of the project areas completed? Results discussed below:
Yes No Will the project effect any historic buildings or archaeological site?
This topic could apply to this project, and results of the assessment are provided below:
Results – See Cultural Resources Record Search for the CEQA Notice of Exemption for East Oroville, Butte
County, California.
Treatment of all Cultural Resources. The boundaries of all cultural resources in the Project Area will be
marked immediately before vegetation management activities by a cultural resources specialist that is
Secretary of the Interior qualified or supervised by a qualified specialist. The preferred treatment is
avoidance. If avoidance is not possible, after being marked, the following activities are allowed but not
required within the resource boundaries:
• Hand cutting
• Directional felling of trees, and removal of felled trees by vehicles parked outside of resource
boundaries if trees are not dragged
• Animal grazing
• Herbicide application
• Replanting herbaceous species, if minimal ground disturbance
• Hand pulling vegetation
Biological Resources
This topic does not apply to this project and was not evaluated further.
Yes No Will the project potentially effect biological resources?
Yes No Was a current NDDB review completed? Results discussed below:
Yes No Was a biological survey of the project area completed? Results discussed below:
This topic could apply to this project, and results of the assessment are provided
below:
A search of nine USGS 7.5-min quads, Brush Creek (3912163), Oroville Dam (3912154), Oroville (3912155),
Cherokee (3912165), Berry Creek (3912164), Palermo (3912145), Bangor (3912144), Forbestown (3912153), AND
Rackerby (3912143), through CNDDB and CNPS for State and Federally listed species that might be present in the
project area was conducted. A protocol botanical survey shall be conducted prior to operations to determine if
special status species are in the project area. If Special Status species are identified, a 25’ exclusion buffer (EEZ) shall
be placed around the species. No heavy equipment, pile burning, prescribed fire, cultural burning or herbicide
treatment shall take place within the buffer. If the project area is below 3000 ft. a survey for Sambucas sp. shall be
conducted prior to operations. If Sambucas species are present and are larger in diameter than 1 inch, a 25’
exclusion buffer (EEZ) shall be placed around the species. No operations shall take place within the buffer.
An environmental survey shall be conducted prior to operations to determine if listed species are in the project
area. If species are found, an exclusion buffer shall be placed at distances determined by a biologist. If vegetation
reduction operations occur between February 15 and August 30 a nesting bird survey shall be conducted within 7
days of the beginning of operations by a qualified biologist or their supervised designee. If a nest is located a 50’
exclusion buffer (EEZ) shall be placed around the nest. No operations shall take place within the buffer.
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The following activities are not allowed within the resource boundaries:
•Pile burning
•Lop and scatter
•Mechanical treatment by a masticator or any other vehicle
•Prescribed fire or cultural burning
If hand cutting and or directional felling is planned for within the boundaries of prehistoric sites with house
pits, midden, pits for dance houses, petroglyphs, or burials – monitoring by a Tribal monitor during
vegetation management activities is recommended. If a Tribal monitor is not available an archaeological
monitor is recommended to be present instead. Animal grazing and the application of herbicides do not
need to be monitored.
2.Inadvertent Discovery of a Cultural Resource During Vegetation Management Activities.
If previously unidentified cultural resources are identified during vegetation management activities,
vegetation management activities within 50 feet of the find shall be halted and directed away from the
discovery until a Secretary of the Interior qualified cultural resources specialist identifies and flags the
boundaries of the resource. Vegetation management activities may continue as long as the resource is
avoided. The allowed treatments – hand cutting and directional felling - may be implemented prior to
resource recordation if vegetation management activities are monitored by a qualified cultural
resources specialist who is supervised by a Secretary of the Interior qualified cultural resources
specialist. Animal grazing and the application of herbicides do not need to be monitored.
Within 1 month that vegetation management activities are completed, a Secretary of the Interior
qualified cultural resources specialist shall record all newly identified resources using the appropriate
DPR 523 series forms. At a minimum, those forms shall include a primary record form, a location map
(a GPS location plotted on a USGS 7.5-minute quadrangle map), a scaled site sketch map, color site
overview photographs, and photographs of diagnostic artifacts and features.
The results of vegetation management efforts where previously unidentified resources were
discovered and recorded shall be summarized in a report that will comply with the requirements of
CEQA and the CEQA lead agency. The report will include a project description, methodology, a
description of the resources recorded, a detailed desktop analysis of the resource and copies of the
DPR forms. The report shall be submitted to Butte County for review and approval within 1 year of the
completion of each phase of the vegetation management activities. Copies of all reports shall be
submitted to the Northeast Information Center within 1 month of County approval.
3.Future Phases of Vegetation Management Activities. Prior to the implementation of vegetation
management activities for each phase of the project, a pedestrian survey and detailed desktop analysis
of the parcels in each phase shall be conducted. In order to account for the large number of cultural
resources projects taking place in Butte County and delays submitting those reports to the Information
Center, a supplemental record search for the parcels in each phase will only be required if the planned
vegetation management activities will take place after 2030.
The pedestrian survey shall be conducted by qualified cultural resources specialists who are
supervised by a Secretary of the Interior qualified
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cultural resources specialist. The planned vegetation management activities can begin after Tribal
representatives have been contacted and consulted, the pedestrian survey is complete, GIS shapefiles
of the resource boundaries are provided to the vegetation management crew, and the boundaries have
been flagged.
The field crew shall record or update the documentation of all resources in each phase of the Project
Area using the appropriate DPR 523 series forms. At a minimum, those forms shall include a primary
record form, a location map (a GPS location plotted on a USGS 7.5-minute quadrangle map), a scaled
site sketch map, color site overview photographs, and photographs of diagnostic artifacts and features.
The results of the efforts for each phase shall be summarized in a report that will comply with the
requirements of CEQA and the CEQA lead agency. The report will include a project description,
methodology, results of the pedestrian survey for the parcels in each phase, a detailed desktop analysis
for the parcels in each phase, a description of the resources recorded or updated, and copies of the
DPR forms. The report shall be submitted to Butte County for review and approval within 1 year of the
completion of each phase of the vegetation management activities. Copies of all reports shall be
submitted to the Northeast Information Center within 3 months of County approval.
4.Treatment of Human Remains. All human remains discovered are to be treated with respect and dignity.
Upon discovery of human remains, all work within 50 feet of the discovery area must cease
immediately, nothing is to be disturbed, and the area must be secured. The Coroner’s Office and Butte
County must be called. The coroner has two working days to examine the remains after notification. It
is very important that the suspected remains, and the area around them, are undisturbed and the
proper authorities called to the scene as soon as possible, as it could be a crime scene. The coroner will
determine if the remains are archaeological/historic or of modern origin and if there are any criminal
or jurisdictional questions.
After the Coroner has determined the remains are archaeological/historic era, the coroner will make
recommendations concerning the treatment and disposition of the remains to the person responsible
for the excavation, or to his or her authorized representative. If the Coroner believes the remains to be
those of a Native American, he/she shall contact the Native American Heritage Commission (NAHC) by
telephone within 24 hours.
The NAHC will immediately notify the person it believes to be the most likely descendant (MLD) of the
remains. The MLD has 48 hours to make recommendations to the landowner for treatment or
disposition of the human remains. If the descendant does not make recommendations within 48 hours,
the landowner shall reinter the remains in an area of the property secure from further disturbance. If
the landowner does not accept the descendant’s recommendations, the owner or the descendant may
request mediation by NAHC.
According to the California Health and Safety Code, six (6) or more human burials at one (1) location
constitute a cemetery (Section 8100), and willful disturbance of human remains is a felony (Section
7052).
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Geology and Soils
This topic does not apply to this project and was not evaluated further.
This topic could apply to this project, and results of the assessment are provided below:
Heavy equipment shall not be used within WLPZ and on steep slopes where soil movement is possible. Hand
cutting, grazing, prescribed fire, cultural burning and herbicide treatment have minimal soil disturbing impact. No
negative impact to Geology and Soils is expected from this project.
Greenhouse Gas Emissions
This topic does not apply to this project and was not evaluated further.
Yes No Would the project generate significant greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions?
Yes No Would these GHG emissions result in a significant impact on the environment? Discuss below:
Yes No Would the project conflict with an applicable plan, policy or regulation adopted for the purpose
of reducing the emissions of greenhouse gases? Discuss below:
The improved growing space for residual trees and shrubs within the project area should increase the remaining
stand’s ability to sequester carbon. The proposed fuel reduction work will minimize the potential for a large,
catastrophic fire. By reducing the probability of catastrophic wildfire this project can increase the probability of
survival of the residual overstory trees allowing them to continue to sequester carbon. This project has the
potential to reduce the substantial increase in short term emissions from wildfire and spread the emissions over a
longer time period while allowing sequestration to occur in the remaining vegetation. The project would not
conflict with any applicable plan or policy or regulation adopted for the purpose of reducing the emissions of GHG.
Due to the limited nature of the project, no significant cumulative effects will occur.
Hazards and Hazardous Materials
This topic does not apply to this project and was not evaluated further.
This topic could apply to this project, and results of the assessment are provided below:
Crews will be working with chain saws to remove brush and trees within the treatment area. All crews shall be
supervised and wear proper Personal Protective Equipment while operating or servicing the equipment. Equipment
used for this project shall not be serviced in locations where servicing will allow grease, oil, or fuel to be transported
into a watercourse.
Hydrology and Water Quality
This topic does not apply to this project and was not evaluated further.
Yes No Will the project potentially affect any watercourse or body of water?
This topic could apply to this project, and results of the assessment are provided below:
No erosion transport is expected from the project. Within Watercourse and Lake Protection Zones (WLPZ): hand
cutting will be used on trees in this area to ‘limb up’, and remove saplings, no ground disturbance within WLPZ
areas will occur, and heavy equipment operations shall not take place in the Class I, II, III, and IV WLPZ. Herbicides
shall not be used within WLPZ buffer zones. No impacts to hydrology and water quality and watercourses are
expected. WLPZ buffer zones distances are as follows:
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Slope Class Class I Width in Feet Class II Width in
Feet
Class III Width in
Feet
Class IV Width in
Feet
<30% 75’ 50’ 25’ N/A
30-50% 100’ 75’ 50’ N/A
>50% N/A N/A N/A N/A
Population and Housing
This topic does not apply to this project and was not evaluated further.
This topic could apply to this project, and results of the assessment are provided below:
Public Services
This topic does not apply to this project and was not evaluated further.
This topic could apply to this project, and results of the assessment are provided below:
Recreation
This topic does not apply to this project and was not evaluated further.
This topic could apply to this project, and results of the assessment are provided below:
Vegetation management activities will not impact recreation use in the East Oroville.
Land Use and Planning
This topic does not apply to this project and was not evaluated further.
This topic could apply to this project, and results of the assessment are provided below:
Mineral Resources
This topic does not apply to this project and was not evaluated further.
This topic could apply to this project, and results of the assessment are provided below:
Noise
This topic does not apply to this project and was not evaluated further.
This topic could apply to this project, and results of the assessment are provided below:
Vehicles, masticators, chippers and chain saws used for the clearing operation will produce moderate noise levels
during operation. As the project area is within a low traffic level noise area, vehicle noise is a regular and normal
occurrence for this area. Operations are limited to 7:00 am to 5:00 pm and on weekdays only. Therefore, residents
will be minimally impacted for a short duration of time by noise disturbance. No negative impact to noise is
expected from this project.
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Mandatory Findings of Significance: YES NO
(a) Does the project have the potential to degrade the quality of the environment, substantially
reduce the habitat of a fish or wildlife species, cause a fish or wildlife population to drop below
self-sustaining levels, threaten to eliminate a plant or animal community, reduce the number or
restrict the range of a rare or endangered plant or animal, or eliminate important examples of the
major periods of California history or prehistory?
(b) Does the project have impacts that are individually limited, but cumulatively considerable?
(“Cumulatively considerable” means that the incremental effects of a project are considerable
when viewed in connection with the effects of past projects, the effects of other current projects,
and the effects of probably future projects)
(c) Does the project have environmental effects which will cause substantial adverse effects on
human beings, either directly or indirectly?
Transportation/Traffic
This topic does not apply to this project and was not evaluated further.
This topic could apply to this project, and results of the assessment are provided below.
Utilities and Service Systems
This topic does not apply to this project and was not evaluated further.
This topic could apply to this project, and results of the assessment are provided below:
Changes Made to Avoid Environmental Impacts:
None
Justification for Use of a Categorical Exemption (discuss why the project is exempt, cite exemption number(s),
and describe how the project fits the class):
The project is classified as a Categorical Exemption, Class 4, section 1504 Minor Alterations to Land Categorical
Exemption to CEQA. The project consists of minor treatments to land and vegetation in the form of hand clearing,
grazing, prescribed fire, cultural burning and machine mastication of brush, small trees (trees 10” and less in
diameter) and dead woody debris (snags less than 15” in diameter that pose a threat to public safety). Fuels will be
lopped and scattered, lopped and removed, chipped, or hand piled for burning later in the season when moisture
levels are sufficiently high enough to allow for safe disposal and minimal risk for escape. The activities do not result
in the taking of endangered, rare, or threatened plant or animal species, or sedimentation to surface waters.
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Conclusion:
After assessing potential environmental impacts and evaluating the description for the various
classes of Categorical Exemptions to CEQA, Butte County Department of Development Services has
determined that the project fits within one or more of the exemption classes and no exceptions exist at
the project site which would preclude the use of this exemption. The Department considered the
possibility of (a) sensitive location, (b) cumulative impact, (c) significant impact due to unusual
circumstances, (d) impacts to scenic highways, (e) activities within a hazardous waste site, and (f)
significant adverse change to the significance of a historical resource. A Notice of Exemption will be filed
with the County of Butte.
After assessing potential environmental impacts and evaluating the description for the various
classes of Categorical Exemptions to CEQA, Butte County Department of Development Services has
determined that the project does not fit within the description for the various exemption classes or has
found that exceptions exist at the project site which precludes the use of a Categorical Exemption for
this project. Additional environmental review will be conducted and the appropriate CEQA document
used may be a Negative Declaration or a Mitigated Negative Declaration.
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