Carquinez Strait Regional Shoreline, Post Scenic Fire Resiliency Project
1 Documents in Project
Summary
SCH Number
2025050780
Public Agency
East Bay Regional Parks District
Document Title
Carquinez Strait Regional Shoreline, Post Scenic Fire Resiliency Project
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
5/19/2025
Document Description
The Park District proposes to expand the fuels reduction project at Carquinez Strait. The project area is 4 acres, split between a 2.3-acre western section and a 1.7-acre eastern section.
The project would remove approximately 4 acres of eucalyptus trees, at a density of approximately 20 trees per acre. The majority of trees are multi-stemmed: multiple stems originating from one common stump/root system at ground level. Approximately 60% of the stems are under 12” diameter at breast height (dbh), thirty percent are 12-24” dbh, and ten percent above 24” dbh. For the purpose of this proposal, “trees” is defined as originating from one common stump/root system and stems are defined as trunks diameter at breast height (DBH) greater than 6 inches diameter. No native trees would be removed.
The project area would then be restored with a suite of oak woodland, grassland / forbland, and ephemeral riparian species.. The bulk of the restoration activities would occur after the removal of the eucalyptus, with at least one more year of intensive monitoring and maintenance to ensure restoration success. Future restoration will be conducted as funds become available.
Contact Information
Name
Drake Hebert
Agency Name
EBRPD
Job Title
Senior Planner
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency / Project Applicant / Parties Undertaking Project
Phone
Email
Location
Cities
Unincorporated Contra Costa County
Counties
Contra Costa
Regions
San Francisco Bay Area
Total Acres
4
Parcel #
368-150-003
Notice of Exemption
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
Section 15304 - Class 4
Reasons for Exemption
Section 15304 – Class 4 Minor Alterations to Land: The Class 4 exception applies to “minor public or private alterations in the condition of land, water, and/or vegetation which do not involve the removal of healthy, mature, scenic trees except for forestry or agricultural purposes.” The project would remove dense and overgrown eucalyptus trees in a 4-acre area. The Park District has determined that this is a minor removal of trees when considered across Carquinez Strait and the Park District as a whole. Therefore, the project is exempt under Class 4.
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
Section 15307 - Class 7
Reasons for Exemption
Section 15307 – Class 7 Actions By Regulatory Agencies For Protection of Natural
Resources: The Class 7 exception allows public agencies to take actions that would protect natural resources. The project would remove dense, overgrown, and highly flammable trees that, if left untreated, present a clear fire danger to the surrounding park and community. An uncontrolled wildfire in Carquinez Strait Regional Shoreline could destroy the natural resources of the park. Removal of the trees will lessen the risk of devastating wildfire, protecting the parks natural resources. Therefore, the
project is exempt under Class 7.
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
Section 15308 - Class 8
Reasons for Exemption
Section 15308 – Class 8 Actions by Regulatory Agencies for the Protection of the
Environment: The Class 8 exception allows public agencies to take actions that would benefit the environment. The project would remove dense, overgrown, and highly flammable trees that otherwise untreated present a clear fire danger to the surrounding park. While fire can be good and natural for some ecosystems, this most often applies to low ground fires which clear the forest floor of debris. Dense and overgrown trees allow the fire to climb into the tree canopy and make wildfires more
dangerous and more challenging to control. An uncontrolled wildfire in Carquinez Strait Regional Shoreline would have the potential to destroy the park’s environment. The removal of the dead and dying standing fuels serves to lessen the likelihood of wildfire, protecting the environment (U.S Department of Agriculture, 2003). Therefore, the project is exempt under Class 8
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
Section 15333 - Class 33
Reasons for Exemption
Section 15333 – Class 33 Small Habitat Restoration Projects: The Class 33 exception applies to small habitat restoration projects that do not exceed fire acres in size and “assure the maintenance, restoration, enhancement, or protection of habitat for fish, plants, or wildlife.” The project will restore native habitats to approximately 4 acres within Carquinez Strait Regional Shoreline, increasing habitat function for local and migrating birds as well as a host of other wildlife. The project would have no impact on endangered, rare, or threatened species or their habitat, and no hazardous materials are located on site. Therefore, the project is exempt under Class 33.
County Clerk
Contra Costa
Attachments
Notice of Exemption
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