Camp De Benneville Pines Fuel Reduction Project
Summary
SCH Number
2025120114
Public Agency
California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection
(CAL FIRE)
Document Title
Camp De Benneville Pines Fuel Reduction Project
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
12/3/2025
Document Description
The project is located at Camp Benneville de Pines (Camp) in the San Bernardino National Forest (BDF). The project site includes 13 structures and a 100-foot radius surrounding these camp facilities totaling approximately 12.76. acres, and a 0.33-acre equipment and materials staging area, for a combined total of 13.09 acres. The project proposes to assist the Camp in compliance with local and state defensible space/hazard abatement regulations, as required by their lease with the BDF. Project activities will include the removal of vegetation within 100 ft. of structures for the purposes of maintaining defensible space, and the removal of dead, dying, or diseased trees. Removal of vegetation will occur manually; cut material will be left in place, piled for firewood, chipped and distributed back on site, and/or hauled away. Spread chip material will not exceed 2 inches in depth; additional chip material will be staged in piles in existing disturbed areas for future use. Dead, dying, and diseased trees <11” DBH may be removed for defensible space purposes; retained trees will be limbed to the extent feasible to meet defensible space standards (i.e., required clearance from chimneys and other trees) and to allow for the passage of emergency vehicles. The project also includes the removal of large (>12” DBH) dead, dying, or diseased trees, identified in coordination with the BDF. All trees will be felled in the least ground-disturbing manner feasible. Project implementation requires both small (chainsaws, hand tools, etc.) and large (chippers, lift or crane for the removal of the large trees, etc.) equipment. Heavy equipment (i.e., chipper, lift) and vehicles will use existing improved and/or disturbed areas such as roads, driveways, and pullouts. Cut material will be removed to these areas by hand to further minimize ground disturbance. Maintenance will occur as necessary to maintain the standards listed above and may occur as frequently as an annual basis. Maintenance needs will be determined in coordination with CAL FIRE.
Contact Information
Name
David Haas
Agency Name
CAL FIRE BDU
Job Title
Unit Forester
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency
Phone
Email
Location
Counties
San Bernardino
Regions
Southern California
Cross Streets
Highway 38 and Jenk Lake Road West
Zip
92305
Total Acres
12.76
Parcel #
APNs: 0305-271-02, 0305-271-03, 0325-521-01
State Highways
Highway 38
Other Location Info
41750 Jenks Lake Road West, Angelus Oaks, 92305 San Bernardino County, CA
Notice of Exemption
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
Class 1, §15301; Class 4, §15304
Reasons for Exemption
The project meets the requirements of both Class 1 (Existing facilities) Section 15301 and Class 4 (Minor alterations to land) Section 15304 Categorical Exemptions. As described above, project implementation will result in maintenance of native growth surrounding existing facilities, and alterations to the land that are best described as minor in scope. Field review by CAL FIRE staff confirmed that no exceptions apply that would preclude the use of a notice of exemption for this project. The Department has concluded that no significant environmental impact would occur to aesthetics, agriculture and forestland/timberland, air quality, biological resources, cultural resources, energy, geology and soils, greenhouse gas emissions, hazards and hazardous materials, hydrology and water quality, land use planning, mineral resources, noise, populations and housing, public services, recreation, transportation/ traffic, utilities and service systems, or to wildfire. Documentation of the environmental review completed is kept on file at the address above.
County Clerk
San Bernardino
Attachments
Notice of Exemption
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