Shasta County Defensible Space Assistance Program
Summary
SCH Number
2026020993
Public Agency
Western Shasta Resource Conservation District
Document Title
Shasta County Defensible Space Assistance Program
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
2/25/2026
Document Description
Shasta County Fire is launching a Defensible Space Assistance Program in response to the new Shasta County Defensible Space Ordinance No. SCC 2025-03 to increase public safety against wildfire. Project work will consist of vegetation reduction activities on up to 100 acres. Work will occur on properties in violation of the ordinance, with an accumulation of combustible vegetation, requiring physical or monetary assistance to remove hazardous fuels. Defensible space work will include, but is not limited to: ladder fuel reduction, brush removal, hazard tree removal, fine fuels removal, leaf litter clean up and thinning of fuels along property boundaries. Treatments will be implemented by use of qualified defensible space contractors using handheld equipment or machinery like chainsaws, mowers, chippers, and masticators. The project aims to benefit low income, disabled, elderly, and veteran rural property owners living in the WUI and high to very high fire hazard severity zones
Contact Information
Name
Sarah Seiler
Agency Name
Western Shasta RCD
Job Title
Project Manager
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency / Project Applicant / Parties Undertaking Project
Phone
Location
Counties
Shasta
Regions
Northern California
Total Acres
Up to 100 acres
Notice of Exemption
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
Class 4, California State Code Number: §15304 (e) (i): Minor Alterations to Land
Reasons for Exemption
This review of the Class 4 exemption (CCR Section §15304) covers minor alterations to land, including (e) minor changes to land with no significant of adverse environmental impact, and (i) fuel management activities within 30 to 100’ of a structure. WSRCD has determined that the project’s objectives of fuel reduction and the associated implementation activities to occur at private residences will result in minor alterations to land and therefore fit within the CCR Section 15304 exemptions.
The project will consist of minor alterations in the condition of land and vegetation which will not involve removal of healthy, mature, or scenic trees. Trees will only be removed if they are small, suppressed, unhealthy, crowded, or hazardous. Project implementation will result in many benefits, including reduction of fuels, decreased wildfire risk, improved public safety, and more protection for communities, human lives, and property.
Additional environmental analysis was conducted by the WSRCD regarding proposed project effects on rare, threatened and endangered plants; threatened, endangered and special status wildlife species. There will be no significant adverse impacts on endangered, rare, or threatened species or their habitats. There will be no significant adverse impacts to soils, hydrology, or water quality. There are no hazardous materials at or around the project site. The project will avoid all archeological resource sites. The project will not result in cumulatively significant impacts. The project will have no significant adverse effect on the environment.
County Clerk
Shasta
Attachments
Notice of Exemption
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