Manton WUI Protection Project (SNC1838)
Summary
SCH Number
2026030287
Public Agency
Sierra Nevada Conservancy
Document Title
Manton WUI Protection Project (SNC1838)
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
3/6/2026
Document Description
Sierra Nevada Conservancy (SNC) would provide funding to the Resource Conservation District of Tehama County (RCDTC) to create strategic roadside fuel breaks to provide a 630-acre defendable perimeter around the Manton community. The project is located on county-owned and one private parcel and will mitigate the rural communities’ susceptibility to high-intensity wildfire and improve safety along ingress/egress routes. The project area has dense mixed conifer forest, heavy brush and ladder fuels, frequent summer drought, and steep terrain that accelerates fire spread and is classified as a “Very High Wildfire Risk” zone. Fuels-reduction efforts will be achieved through a mix of treatments. Hand-thinning and chipping on 310 acres across six strategic roadways will reduce ladder fuels and create canopy spacing to decrease risk of crown fire. Mastication of 120 acres on the south side of Hazen Road will establish a network of connected fuel breaks and create defendable lines up to 200’ in width that strategically protect the southern part of the wildland urban interface (WUI). Targeted herbicide spot or stump treatment across 200 acres of essential ingress/egress routes will aid in preventing resprouts and resurgent growth to leverage prior projects in the area and ensure their efficacy.
Contact Information
Name
Mary Akens
Agency Name
Sierra Nevada Conservancy
Job Title
General Counsel
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency
Phone
Name
Drew Barnhart
Agency Name
Resource Conservation District of Tehama County
Job Title
Project Manager
Contact Types
Project Applicant / Parties Undertaking Project
Phone
Location
Cities
Manton
Counties
Shasta, Tehama
Regions
Northern California
Other Location Info
Roadways around the perimeter of the community of Manton, approximately 35 miles east of Red Bluff and three miles south of Shingletown. Project area includes portions of the following roadways: Battle Creek Bottom Rd., Wilson Hill Rd., Battle View Dr., Rock Creek Rd., Manton Rd., South Powerhouse Rd., Forward Rd., Manton School Rd., Ponderosa Way, Hazen Rd., and Sunnyview Dr. Treatment center at approximately -121.896, 40.434 degrees.
Notice of Exemption
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
CEQA Guidelines Section 15304, Minor Alterations to Land
Reasons for Exemption
The project is categorically exempt from the provisions of CEQA pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15304, Class 4, which consists of minor public or private alterations in the condition of land, water, and/or vegetation, which do not involve removal of mature, scenic trees except for forestry and agricultural purposes. The minor land alterations proposed by the project consist of roadside fuel-reduction treatments to protect a community from the risk of catastrophic wildfire. Treatments will be in already-disturbed roadside areas, will retain existing land uses and will not change the underlying landform, drainage, or topography. Herbicide application will be conducted by licensed applicators in compliance with California Department of Pesticide Regulation and County Agricultural Commissioner requirements, including completion of all applicable pesticide use reporting. The RCDTC completed resource database searches, have omitted known sensitive locations from the treatment area, and have built standard protective measures, such as pre-implementation surveys, flagging and avoidance, and inadvertent archeological discovery procedures with appropriate tribal consultation and/or monitoring as needed. The SNC reviewed the project and concluded that no significant environmental impact would occur to resources. The project has been independently reviewed and the SNC has determined that none of the exceptions in CEQA Guidelines Section 15300.2 would apply.
County Clerks
Shasta, Tehama
Attachments
Notice of Exemption
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