Tepusquet VMP Roadside Clearing
Summary
SCH Number
2026050755
Public Agency
Santa Barbara County Fire Department
Document Title
Tepusquet VMP Roadside Clearing
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
5/20/2026
Document Description
- This project will include 32.5 miles of roadside treatments along Tepusquet Rd., Colson Canyon Rd., Ruiz Canyon Rd., Blazing Saddle Dr. and Autumn Rd. in addition to several unnamed private access roads. The removal of hazardous vegetation approximately 40 feet from both sides of the roads will result in a total of 214 acres of fuel reduction. These roads are typical back country roads meandering through canyon bottoms and traversing mid-slope and ridge top topography. The road treatments will create fire safe road corridors and will act as effective fuel breaks for the affected communities. No heavy equipment is authorized under this document. A query of the National Diversity Database will be performed for each project to check for the presence of endangered plants and/or animals. DFW will be consulted for input as necessary on individual projects
Contact Information
Name
Fred Tan
Agency Name
Santa Barbara County Fire Department
Job Title
Project Manager
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency
Phone
Email
Location
Counties
Santa Barbara
Regions
Unincorporated
Cross Streets
Tepusquet, Colson Canyon, Blazing Saddle
Zip
93454
Total Acres
214
Jobs
20
State Highways
Highway 166, Tepusquet Rd
Waterways
Cuyama River, Tepusqet Creek, Sisquoc River
Notice of Exemption
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
15301 Existing Facilities, 15304 Minor Alterations to Land,15308 Actions Taken for Protection of the Environment
Reasons for Exemption
The work proposed is a minor alteration to vegetation which does not involve the removal of healthy, mature, scenic trees and is consistent with Categorical Exemption Class 4- Minor Alterations to Land. The project also involves maintenance of existing roadside defensible space. A biological assessment has concluded that no listed species shall be adversely impacted by project activities. The limited nature of this project’s footprint in relation to the amount of identical habitat available in the surrounding area further reduces the likelihood of any species (T & E or otherwise) being adversely affected by potential habitat modification due to the fuels reduction activities. SBC staff confirmed that no exceptions apply which would preclude the use of a Notice of Exemption for this project. The Department has concluded that no significant environmental impact would occur to aesthetics, agriculture and forestland/timberland, air quality, biological resources, cultural resources, geology and soils, greenhouse gas emissions, hazards and hazardous materials, hydrology and water quality, land use planning, mineral resources, noise, population and housing, public services, recreation, transportation/traffic, or to utilities and service systems. Documentation of the
County Clerk
Santa Barbara
Attachments
Notice of Exemption
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