Santa Barbara Airport Firestone Ditch Vegetation Maintenance (Streambed Alteration Agreement No. EPIMS-SBA-55636-R5)
Summary
SCH Number
2025110897
Public Agency
City of Santa Barbara
Document Title
Santa Barbara Airport Firestone Ditch Vegetation Maintenance (Streambed Alteration Agreement No. EPIMS-SBA-55636-R5)
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
11/21/2025
Document Description
The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) has executed Streambed Alteration Agreement No. EPIMS-SBA-55636-R5, pursuant to Section 1602 of the Fish and Game Code to City of Santa Barbara as represented by Jessica Metzger.
The project is the maintenance of Firestone Ditch through vegetation trimming, mowing, and channel bottom vegetation trimming. Approximately 1,500 linear feet of riparian/wetland vegetation trimming will occur on the west side of the channel, and 1,250 linear feet of mowing and trimming of non-native vegetation will occur on the east side of the channel. This maintenance is to keep hydraulic function of the channel, clear overgrown vegetation on roads, and allow safe passage for pedestrians and cyclists. Native oaks and willows will be trimmed to a height of 10-12 feet and out of road shoulders and traffic lanes on both Firestone Road and Hollister Avenue. Non-native vegetation, which includes oleander, olives, and Mexican fan palms, will be trimmed to ground level with the root systems remaining intact to avoid erosion concerns. Roadside vegetation trimming will occur once per year, mowing grassy areas will occur four times per year, and trimming vegetation from the channel bottom will occur once every other year.
Contact Information
Name
Jessica Metzger
Agency Name
City of Santa Barbara
Job Title
Project Planner
Contact Types
Parties Undertaking Project
Phone
Name
Cooper Wall
Agency Name
California Fish and Wildlife South Coast Region 5
Job Title
Environmental Scientist
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency
Phone
Location
Coordinates
Cities
Santa Barbara
Counties
Santa Barbara
Regions
Southern California
Parcel #
073-450-003
Other Location Info
The project is located in the City of Santa Barbara, CA and can be located with the following information: Latitude 34.431609, Longitude -119.845773; Assessor’s Parcel Number 073-450-003.
Notice of Exemption
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
California Code of Regulations, Title 14, sections 15301 and 15304
Reasons for Exemption
On February 19, 2025, the City of Santa Barbara, the Lead Agency, determined that the Project is categorically exempt pursuant to California Code of Regulations, Title 14, sections 15301 and 15304. The Lead Agency determined that the project meets certain qualifying criteria for the exemption. Pursuant to Public Resources Code section 21080.1(a), the Lead Agency is responsible for determining whether the project is exempt from CEQA and that determination shall be final and conclusive on all persons, including Responsible Agencies. As a result, CDFW, acting as a Responsible Agency, is bound by the Lead Agency’s determination that the project is exempt from CEQA.
County Clerk
Santa Barbara
Attachments
Notice of Exemption
Disclaimer: The Governor’s Office of Land Use and Climate Innovation (LCI) accepts no responsibility for the content or accessibility of these documents. To obtain an attachment in a different format, please contact the lead agency at the contact information listed above. For more information, please visit LCI’s Accessibility Site.