Round Mountain Landscape Resilience Project Phase One (SNC1817)
Summary
SCH Number
2026030318
Lead Agency
California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection
(CAL FIRE)
Document Title
Round Mountain Landscape Resilience Project Phase One (SNC1817)
Document Type
NOD - Notice of Determination
Received
Posted
3/6/2026
Document Description
The Sierra Nevada Conservancy (SNC) would provide funding to the Yuba Watershed Institute (YWI) to implement fuels-reduction treatments on 43 acres of private forestland. The purpose of the project is to establish and maintain a continuous 400-ft-wide ridgetop shaded fuel break system to reduce wildfire intensity, protect ingress/egress, and safeguard nearby communities around Nevada City and the South Yuba River canyon. All work will be performed in compliance with the California Forest Practices Act and the adopted Modified Timber Harvest Plan No. 2-23-00126-NEV, Round Mountain MTHP, approved by the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection on November 2, 2023, with a Minor Deviation approved on February 6, 2026. Treatments include 43 acres of biomass harvesting with chips removed to a biomass facility and 26acres of a broadcast understory prescribed burn. Fuels treatments will focus on small-diameter trees and shrubs up to 10 inches in diameter. This removes ladder fuels and surface fuel continuity while retaining larger, fire-resilient trees to maintain canopy cover and ecological function. Biomass harvest units may also remove selected trees greater than 10 inches in diameter where needed to achieve stand improvement. Mechanical treatments will be completed by a Licensed Timber Operator under the direction of a Registered Professional Forester. The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection will monitor compliance with the terms of the Timber Harvesting Plan.
Contact Information
Name
Mary Akens
Agency Name
Sierra Nevada Conservancy
Job Title
General Counsel
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency / Responsible Agency
Phone
Name
Chris Friedel
Agency Name
Yuba Watershed Institute
Job Title
Executive Director
Contact Types
Project Applicant / Parties Undertaking Project
Phone
Location
Cities
Approximately 3 miles north of Nevada City
Counties
Nevada
Regions
Northern California
Other Location Info
Approximately three miles north of Nevada City, on the South Rim of the South Yuba River Canyon, on the north side of Round Mountain, along Merrimas Way. MDBM T17N R9E S19.
Notice of Determination
Approving Agency
Sierra Nevada Conservancy
Approving Agency Role
Responsible Agency
Approved On
County Clerk
Nevada
Final Environmental Document Available at
Sierra Nevada Conservancy, 11521 Blocker Drive, Suite 205, Auburn, CA 95603
Determinations
(1) The project will have a significant impact on the environment
No
(2a) An Environmental Impact Report was prepared for this project pursuant to the provisions of CEQA
No
(2b) A Mitigated or a Negative Declaration was prepared for this project pursuant to the provisions of CEQA
No
(2c) An other document type was prepared for this project pursuant to the provisions of CEQA
Yes (a Modified Timber Harvesting Plan (Plan No: 2-23-00126-NEV, Round Mountain MTHP))
(3) Mitigated measures were made a condition of the approval of the project
Yes
(4) A mitigation reporting or monitoring plan was adopted for this project
Yes
(5) A Statement of Overriding Considerations was adopted for this project
No
(6) Findings were made pursuant to the provisions of CEQA
No
Attachments
Notice of Determination
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