North Bay Forest Improvement Program - Michael Norris
3 Documents in Project
Summary
SCH Number
2025100163
Public Agency
Mendocino County Resource Conservation District
Document Title
North Bay Forest Improvement Program - Michael Norris
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
10/6/2025
Document Description
Approximately 7.4 acres are to be treated and split into 2 units. Project objective is to improve wildfire resiliency and enhance the overall health of the forest. The
treatment will include understory thinning, pruning treatment, and follow up slash treatment for both units. This prescription targets overstocked tanoak-dominated
hardwood-conifer stands. It will remove at least 90% of all trees less than or equal to 4" DBH, 60% of all trees 4-10" DBH, and 100% of dead stems less than or equal to 12" DBH. All residual trees greater than or equal to 20 feet in height shall be pruned from ground level to a height of 8-10 feet, maintaining at least 50% of the live crown to ensure tree vigor is not compromised. Project generated slash shall be placed in approximately 6-foot-wide (diameter) by 5-foot-high piles on the adjacent road or landing for later burning. Larger pieces (greater than or equal to 6 inches in diameter at the small end) may be left if in direct contact with the ground and located away from the boles of any residual trees.
Contact Information
Name
Adam Coleman
Agency Name
Mendocino County Resource Conservation District
Job Title
Forestry Project Manager
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency
Address
Phone
Email
Location
Cities
Willits
Counties
Mendocino
Regions
Northern California
Zip
95490
Township
T17N
Range
R14W
Section
11
Notice of Exemption
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
Class 4; California Code of Regulations; Title 14; Code 15304
Reasons for Exemption
This project qualifies for a categorical Exemption under CEQA Guidelines Section 15304, Minor Alterations to Land. The exemption applies to fuel management
activities including pruning, slash abatement, and understory thinning to reduce hazardous fuels. The project is exempt because the planned activities meet the
definition of "forestry' in Public Resources Code §753, and have been reviewed and approved by a Registered Professional Forester in consultation with experts from
other pertinent fields. Project activities will not involve the removal of healthy, mature, or scenic trees, and will not result in a substantial alteration of the current function
of the land. The project will reduce hazardous fuels, improve species composition, and promote forest resilience without changing the overall land use or function of the
site. Project-specific review has determined that no significant environmental effects will occur, with adequate measures provided for protection of sensitive resources.
Project-specific analysis is on file at the Resource Conservation District.
County Clerk
Mendocino
Attachments
Notice of Exemption
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