Tree Stand Thinning for an Alternative Evacuation Route - Encina Drive
Summary
SCH Number
2025100064
Public Agency
Yolo County Resource Conservation District
Document Title
Tree Stand Thinning for an Alternative Evacuation Route - Encina Drive
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
10/1/2025
Document Description
This fuels reduction project is part of a series of vegetation reduction projects throughout the west Winters area. The goal of this project is to provide an alternative evacuation route for the community of the Golden Bear Estates. The project consists of mechanical handwork (chainsaws and loppers) and chipping along Encina Drive and on an area of private property. The tree grove primarily consists of eucalyptus and non-native, dying pine trees. In subsequent years, maintenance at the site may occur. The project footprint is 650 feet long by 20 feet wide (0.3 acres) along Encina Drive and a dirt road on private property. Overgrown vegetation can burn
and fall into the road limiting access or evacuation in the event of a wildfire. Reducing fuels in project footprint will provide an alternative evacuation route for the Golden Bear Estates. Thinning and fuels reduction will be performed by CAL FIRE and/or a licensed contractor with biological and botanical monitoring conducted by Yolo County Resource Conservation District. Felling of trees will be limited to trees smaller than six inches in diameter at breast height (DBH). Stumps will remain in the ground to
minimize soil disturbance. The project entails mechanical thinning of roadside vegetation of non-native highly flammable vegetation. Mechanical treatments can benefit ecosystems by reducing the likelihood of catastrophic wildfires, maintaining and restoring healthy ecosystems, and protecting human communities. Work may occur during nesting bird season. If work commences during nesting bird season (February 1st to September 15th) the project area will be surveyed for nesting birds by a qualified biologist no more than one week before operations. If nesting birds are located, the RCD will develop measures that avoid impacts and are consistent with the Migratory Bird Treaty Act.
Contact Information
Name
Heather Nichols
Agency Name
Yolo County Resource Conservation District
Job Title
Executive Director
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency / Project Applicant
Phone
Email
Location
Cities
Winters
Counties
Yolo
Regions
Unincorporated
Parcel #
(APN: 030070059000)
Other Location Info
28187 Encina Drive Winters, Ca
Notice of Exemption
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
Class 4 § 15304 Minor Alteration of Land
Reasons for Exemption
The project is not expected to cause ground disturbance and will occur
in a eucalyptus grove, a highly modified, non-native habitat that serves little to no habitat value for special status plants or animals in the region. Work is expected to be performed by a qualified contractor and/or CAL FIRE hand crews with biological and botanical monitoring conducted by Yolo County Resource Conservation District staff. The project will not impact large trees and will benefit habitat by decreasing likelihood of catastrophic fire and thinning understory vegetation which will decrease pressure from invasive weeds on native plant understory.
The project meets the requirements of Class 4 Categorical Exemption (minor alterations to land) Section 15304. Project implementation will result in alterations to the land that are best described as minor in scope, that will not significantly impact the aesthetic of the property, or biological and/or cultural resourc!:!s, and that do not involve the removal of mature, scenic trees for any purpose. No exceptions apply which would preclude the use of a "Notice of Exemption" for this project. It has been concluded that no significant adverse environmental impacts would occur to
aesthetics, agriculture and forest resources, air quality, biological resources, cultural resources, energy, geology and soils, greenhouse gas emissions, hazards and hazardous materials, hydrology and water quality, land use and planning, mineral resources, noise, populations and housing, public services, recreation, transportation and traffic, or utilities and service systems.
County Clerk
Yolo
Attachments
Notice of Exemption
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