Rock Canyon Helibase
Summary
SCH Number
2025061269
Public Agency
California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection
(CAL FIRE)
Document Title
Rock Canyon Helibase
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
6/26/2025
Document Description
The property is owned by the Vista Irrigation District and leased by CAL FIRE. The property has been partially developed with three structures (two homes and one outbuilding). The project proposes to remove approximately eight trees, refurbish two existing residential structures, repair the existing septic system, construct two helipads (75 ft x 75 ft), dig 200 linear feet of new utility trenches (3 feet wide and 18 inches deep), underground electric overhead lines, grade and pave existing access road into property, and replace wooden fence posts around the perimeter of the facility.
CAL FIRE employees will perform all underground and rough grade work using department owned equipment including a mini excavator, a dozer, and a grader. Equipment will be staged in the property’s driveway. Construction will take approximately 60 working days.
Contact Information
Name
Christina Snow
Agency Name
California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE)
Job Title
Senior Environmental Planner
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency
Phone
Location
Counties
San Diego
Regions
Southern California
Cross Streets
Palomar Divide Truck Trail
Zip
92086
State Highways
State Highway 79
Other Location Info
34345 Highway 79
Warner Springs, CA
Notice of Exemption
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
Type 1, 2, 4 Sections 15301-Existing Facilities, 15302-Replacement, 15304- Alterations to Land
Reasons for Exemption
The project is consistent with the following Categorical Exemptions as identified in the CEQA Guidelines: Class 1 pertaining to Existing Facilities, Class 2 pertaining to replacement or reconstruction, and Class 4 pertaining to Minor Alterations to the Land. CAL FIRE staff conducted an environmental review to confirm that no exceptions apply which would preclude the use of a Notice of Exemption for this project. This determination is based on field assessments, CNDDB search, greenhouse gas emissions calculations, and an archaeological survey and report completed by a CAL FIRE Archaeological staff. 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, populations and housing, public services, recreation, transportation/ traffic, utilities and service systems, or to wildfire. Documentation of the environmental review completed by the Department is kept on file at CAL FIRE SDU Headquarters.
Attachments
Notice of Exemption
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