Tribal-led Cultural Burns at Miossi Open Space and Johnson Ranch Open Space
Summary
SCH Number
2025110928
Public Agency
City of San Luis Obispo
Document Title
Tribal-led Cultural Burns at Miossi Open Space and Johnson Ranch Open Space
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
11/21/2025
Document Description
yak tit?u tit?u yak tilhini (ytt) Northern Chumash Tribe of San Luis Obispo County and Region will lead two cultural burns at open space properties owned by the City of San Luis Obispo known as Miossi Open Space and Johnson Ranch Open Space. The goal of the project is to promote traditional tribal uses of the land, as well as reduce non-native species and promote recruitment of native perennial bunchgrasses such as purple-needle grass (Stipa pulchra). The burn unit at Miossi Open Space will be 13 acres and the burn unit at Johnson Ranch Open Space will be .71 acres, as shown on the attached maps. The sites will be prepared for the cultural burns using a mower and hand tools. The fire will be ignited using natural materials, however conventional prescribed fire ignition tools may be utilized depending on whether conditions. The project will be carried out pursuant to California Senate Bill No. 310 and will be led by a Cultural Burn Practitioner. The project will utilize a burn plan and will be implemented in close coordination with CAL FIRE and the San Luis Obispo County Air Pollution Control District. Data collected through onsite biological and botanical surveys published in the Open Space Conservation Plans of both Miossi Open Space and Johnson Ranch do not identify sensitive status plant species within the project area. The project will not impact habitat for sensitive status animals. The effects of the burns are temporary (seasonal) and are intended to be culturally and environmentally beneficial.
Contact Information
Name
Bob Hill
Agency Name
City of San Luis Obispo
Job Title
Sustainability and Natural Resources Official
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency / Project Applicant / Parties Undertaking Project
Phone
Email
Location
Cities
San Luis Obispo
Counties
San Luis Obispo
Regions
Countywide
Zip
93401
Total Acres
13.71
Other Location Info
Johnson Ranch Open Space and Miossi Open Space
Notice of Exemption
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
Class 4, §15304, Minor Alterations to Land.
Reasons for Exemption
The project is categorically exempt because the cultural burns “consist of minor public … alterations in the conditions of land, water, and/or vegetation which do not involve removal of healthy, mature, scenic trees…” (§15304). The project will not involve grading on slopes above 10%, will not take place within any waterway or wetland, is not part of an officially designated scenic area, and is not part of a mapped severe geologic hazard area and will not impact or impair sensitive status habitat or sensitive status wildlife ((§15304(a)). Sub-sections 15304 (b) through (I) are not applicable to this project.
County Clerk
San Luis Obispo
Attachments
Notice of Exemption
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