Mount Crossman Community Fuel Break (SNC1827)
Summary
SCH Number
2026030292
Public Agency
Sierra Nevada Conservancy
Document Title
Mount Crossman Community Fuel Break (SNC1827)
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
3/6/2026
Document Description
Sierra Nevada Conservancy (SNC) would provide funding to the Amador Fire Safe Council (AFSC) to create an approximately 85 acre, 1.4mi, 400- to 500 foot-wide shaded fuel break on the Mount Crossman ridge just north of the community of Buckhorn. The objective of the project is to create a shaded fuel break to protect habitable structures directly adjacent to the fuel break from catastrophic fire, protect the communities of Buckhorn and Pioneer, and protect water quality in the Mokelumne River watershed. The project area vegetation composition is made up primarily of ponderosa pines, California black oak, canyon live oak, and Pacific madrone. There is a strong understory dominated by white leaf manzanita. Treatment consists of a mix of mechanical mastication, where slope permits, and hand-thinning on steeper areas and closer to streams. Trees throughout the entire project will be pruned to raise the canopy. A secondary treatment of targeted herbicide application will be applied, once the mechanical thinning has been completed to delay regrowth of sprouting species (e.g., oaks and madrone).
Contact Information
Name
Mary Akens
Agency Name
Sierra Nevada Conservancy
Job Title
General Counsel
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency
Phone
Name
Amanda Watson
Agency Name
Amador Fire Safe Council
Job Title
Coordinator
Contact Types
Project Applicant / Parties Undertaking Project
Phone
Email
Location
Cities
Barton
Counties
Amador
Regions
Northern California
Other Location Info
Mount Crossman, on the west side of Highway 88, adjacent to the small community of Barton. Approximately three miles northeast of the town of Pioneer along Highway 88. Treatment center at approximately -120.535, 38.464 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 forestry treatments to reduce hazardous fuels and improve forest health. The AFSC, in partnership with CAL FIRE, completed ground surveys and database searches for sensitive resources. The SNC reviewed the project, including the Environmental Review Report prepared by the AFSC, and concluded that no significant environmental impact would occur to resources. The SNC reviewed the project and determined that the project is categorically exempt from the provisions of CEQA pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15304, Class 4, and none of the exceptions to the exemptions apply to the project.
County Clerk
Amador
Attachments
Notice of Exemption
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