North Bay Forest Improvement Program - Ratcliff
2 Documents in Project
Summary
SCH Number
2026031033
Public Agency
Mendocino County Resource Conservation District
Document Title
North Bay Forest Improvement Program - Ratcliff
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
3/24/2026
Document Description
Approximately 8.0 acres are to be treated. *Project objective is to compliment a recently developed and adjacent a shaded fuel break, to protect residence, and provide a defensible fire line and staging area for emergency personnel. * Low slopes and stable soils make the site suitable for mastication equipment. Mastication treatment will target suppressed trees less than or equal to 8 inches diameter at breast height (DBH), along with dense brush and ladder fuels. Cutting and mastication shall occur simultaneously, with residues mulched to a depth no greater than 4 inches and kept away from the boles of residual trees. Larger trees may be removed where doing so supports treatment objectives and the development of desired stand structure.
Contact Information
Name
Ned Formaker
Agency Name
Mendocino County Resource Conservation District
Job Title
Forestry Project Manager
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency
Address
Phone
Email
Location
Cities
Gualala
Counties
Mendocino
Regions
Northern California
Parcel #
142-040-28
Notice of Exemption
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
Class 4; California Code of Regulations; Title 14; Section 15304
Reasons for Exemption
This project qualifies for a Categorical Exemption under CEQA Guidelines Section 15304, Minor Alterations to Land. The exemption applies to fuel management activities within 100 feet of roads, including mastication, pruning, and understory thinning to reduce hazardous fuels. The project is exempt because the planned activities meet the definition of “forestry” in Public Resources Code §753, and have been reviewed and approved by a Registered Professional Forester in consultation with experts from other pertinent fields. These experts have attested that the activities proposed in this project will only have the potential for impacts that are, at most, less than significant to the environment, with adequate measures provided to avoid sensitive environmental resources. Project activities will not involve the removal of healthy, mature, or scenic trees, and will not result in a substantial alteration of the current function of the land. Project-specific analysis is on file at the Resource Conservation District.
County Clerk
Mendocino
Attachments
Notice of Exemption
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