Calpella Waste Water Treatment Training Burn
Summary
SCH Number
2026070103
Public Agency
City of Ukiah
Document Title
Calpella Waste Water Treatment Training Burn
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
7/2/2026
Document Description
The Ukiah Valley Fire Authority (UVFA) proposes to conduct fuel management activities, including prescribed burning, within an approximately 2.78-acre area located south of the Calpella Wastewater Treatment Plant facilities. The project area is located on the southern portion of APN 167-110-17 and the northern portion of APN 167-110-16 and consists primarily of ruderal grasses and weeds within previously disturbed areas associated with the wastewater treatment facility.
The purpose of the project is to reduce wildfire fuel loads surrounding public utility infrastructure and provide training opportunities for firefighting personnel. The project involves no construction, grading, expansion of existing facilities, tree removal, or permanent alteration of land use. Fuel management activities would occur within the defined treatment area depicted on the project map.
The project site is located within a Local Responsibility Area (LRA) Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone. The site does not contain wetlands, streams, serpentine soils, or known special-status plant or wildlife occurrences. The project is located within the Wildland-Urban Interface (Low Density Intermix) and is situated approximately 100 feet from the Russian River.
Contact Information
Name
Craig Schlatter
Agency Name
City of Ukiah
Job Title
Community Development Director
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency
Phone
Name
Shane Freudenberg
Agency Name
Ukiah Valley Fire Authority
Job Title
Fuels Crew Superintendent
Contact Types
Project Applicant
Phone
Location
Cities
Ukiah
Counties
Mendocino
Regions
Countywide
Zip
95418
Parcel #
167-110-17 and 167-110-16
Other Location Info
5681 North State St., Calpella, CA
Notice of Exemption
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
Article 19, Class 4, Section 15304(i)
Reasons for Exemption
The project is categorically exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15304, Minor Alterations to Land. The project consists of fuel management activities and prescribed burning within a previously disturbed area to reduce the volume of flammable vegetation surrounding public utility infrastructure and improve wildfire resilience.
The project qualifies for the exemption because it involves minor alterations to existing vegetation and does not include construction, grading, expansion of facilities, or permanent changes to land use. The project area consists primarily of ruderal grasses and weeds and is located within an existing wastewater treatment facility property.
The City has determined that the project will not result in the taking of endangered, rare, or threatened plant or animal species, significant erosion, sedimentation of surface waters, or other significant environmental impacts. No wetlands, streams, or known special-status biological resources occur within the treatment area.
Any environmental effects associated with the prescribed burn would be temporary, localized, and less than significant. The project will not result in long-term environmental impacts and will improve wildfire protection for critical public infrastructure located within a Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone.
The City further finds that none of the exceptions to the use of categorical exemptions identified in CEQA Guidelines Section 15300.2 apply to the project. The project will not result in a significant cumulative impact, significant effect due to unusual circumstances, damage to scenic resources, impacts to hazardous waste sites, or significant adverse effects on historical resources.
County Clerk
Mendocino
Attachments
Notice of Exemption
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