Berry Creek Rancheria Wildfire and Resilience Project, 338 Raccoon Rd Unit
Summary
SCH Number
2026041026
Public Agency
Butte County Resource Conservation District
(BCRCD)
Document Title
Berry Creek Rancheria Wildfire and Resilience Project, 338 Raccoon Rd Unit
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
4/22/2026
Document Description
The project area is a new restoration site donated to the Tribe in 2025. Like much of Berry Creek, the site experienced 90-100% mortality during the 2020 North Complex Fire emergency. Since then, dense post-fire vegetation regrowth, ladder fuels, and invasive species have increased wildfire risk. The project will be the first fuels reduction entry since the fire. It consists of 1) hazardous tree removal conducted primarily by hand, leaving the largest cavity-rich wildlife trees standing; 2) invasive species removal (primarily targeting Himalayan blackberry); 3) selective thinning that will retain and promote fire-adapted native species such as well-spaced ceanothus, manzanita, and yerba santa; and 4) pile burning & potential broadcast burning. Biomass generated from tree removal will be managed through a combination of hand piling and machine piling for larger material. Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK) crews will identify plants, protect sensitive cultural and ecological areas, and collect native seed for future restoration efforts.
Contact Information
Name
Wolfgang Rougle
Agency Name
Butte County Resource Conservation District
Job Title
Planning and Watershed Program Mgr
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency
Phone
Email
Location
Counties
Butte
Regions
Northern California
Cross Streets
338 Raccoon Rd
Zip
95916
Total Acres
39
Notice of Exemption
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
Minor Alterations to Land; section 15304
Reasons for Exemption
: The project consists of manual vegetation modification, mimicking natural processes, that would not remove healthy scenic trees. Integrated design features of the project are adequate to protect resources on the site. The project is consistent with the categorical exemption concept of “minor alterations to land”.
County Clerk
Butte
Attachments
Notice of Exemption
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