Deerlick Springs Project
Summary
SCH Number
2025110207
Public Agency
Trinity County Resource Conservation District
Document Title
Deerlick Springs Project
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
11/6/2025
Document Description
Trinity County Resource Conservation District (TCRCD) is acting as CEQA Lead Agency for the Watershed Research and Training Center (WRTC), who plans to implement manual thinning and prescribed burning activities in the 151-acre Deerlick Springs project area. The primary objectives of the Deerlick Springs Project are to 1) restore the historical fire regimes and to create a fuel-break that allows for easier firefighter access and suppression efforts 2) reduce invasive species to restore native plant communities in grasslands and oak savannahs 3) promote diversity in plant communities and associated wildlife species by maintaining frequent fire in these fire-adapted ecosystems and 4) reduce fuel loadings around structures. Pre-burn fuel treatments that help to minimize fire intensities, especially adjacent to habitable structures and critical infrastructure, will occur where necessary on the property. Pre-fire treatments include handline construction and fuels reduction in the form of hand thinning (with chainsaws) to remove suppressed trees (less than 10” DBH) and brush/shrubs in strategic locations to reduce fire intensities and protect residual trees. All species will be thinned, and the residual materials will be treated by piling and burning, chipping, and/or lop and scatter. All prescribed burning will be completed under a prescribed fire burn plan, following all required permits and laws.
Contact Information
Name
Dylan Kirkley
Agency Name
Trinity County Resource Conservation District
Job Title
Environmental Compliance Program Manager
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency
Phone
Email
Location
Counties
Trinity
Regions
Countywide
Zip
96024
Total Acres
151
Township
31N
Range
9W
Section
6
Notice of Exemption
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
Class 4 CCR Title 14 Section 15304
Reasons for Exemption
The proposed project qualifies for a Categorical Exemption under CEQA Guidelines Section 15304. Pursuant to Section 15304, Class 4 consists of minor private alterations of vegetation which do not involve removal of healthy, mature, scenic trees. The project involves removal of small diameter understory trees and brush species to reduce the vertical and horizontal continuity of forest fuels. The trees being removed are in a suppressed state and are not considered healthy. The entire project area has been evaluated by an RPF and a qualified wildlife biologist. Standard Best Management Practices (BMPs) have been incorporated into the project design. The project will have no significant environmental impacts to aesthetics, agriculture and forestry 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, population and housing, public services, recreation, transportation, tribal cultural resources, utilities and service systems, and wildfire. Field review confirmed that no exceptions apply which would preclude the use of a Notice of Exemption for this project. Documentation of the environmental review completed by TCRCD is kept on file at 30 Horseshoe Lane, Weaverville, CA 96093.
County Clerk
Trinity
Attachments
Notice of Exemption
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