Mount Zion Demonstration State Forest Lookout and Hazard Tree Removal
Summary
SCH Number
2026070449
Public Agency
California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection
(CAL FIRE)
Document Title
Mount Zion Demonstration State Forest Lookout and Hazard Tree Removal
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
7/13/2026
Document Description
The CAL FIRE Amador-El Dorado Unit is planning selective tree removal within the Mount Zion Demonstration State Forest (DSF). Mount Zion DSF is located one mile south of the community of Pine Grove in Amador County. It consists of 164 acres of predominantly Sierra mixed conifer forest, dominated by ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa) with interspersed sugar pine (Pinus lambertiana), white fir (Abies concolor), Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii), incense cedar (Calocedrus decurrens), and California black oak (Quercus kelloggii). Pockets of chapparal vegetation type exist with the DSF, dominated by manzanita (Arctostaphylos species) and chamise (Adenostoma fasciculatum).
Mount Zion DSF contains an active fire control lookout, Chief Officer residence, and a parking area and trail network that are open to the public. Trees that obstruct visibility from the fire lookout tower or present a hazard to life and property within the DSF will be selectively removed. Trees will be felled by hand crews using chainsaws and will be disposed of through pile burning, chipping, or hauled off-site for non-commercial use.
Contact Information
Name
Megan Scheeline
Agency Name
CAL FIRE
Job Title
Unit Forester
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency / Parties Undertaking Project
Phone
Location
Counties
Amador
Regions
Northern California
Total Acres
164
Township
6N
Range
12E
Section
4,9,10
Other Location Info
Mt. Zion DSF
Notice of Exemption
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
Class 4/15304 Minor Alterations to Land
Reasons for Exemption
This project fits the description for a Class 4, §15304: Minor Alterations to Land Categorical Exemption to CEQA. Field review by CAL FIRE staff confirmed that no exceptions apply which would preclude the use of a Notice of Exemption for this project. The project consists of removal of trees that impede the view from the fire lookout tower or present a hazard to life and property within the DSF. The activities will not result in the taking of endangered, rare, or threatened plant or animal species, or sedimentation to surface waters. CAL FIRE staff has concluded that no significant environmental impact would occur to aesthetics, agriculture and forestland/timberland, air quality, biological resources, cultural resources, energy, 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, utilities and service systems or to wildfire. Documentation of the environmental review completed by the Department is kept on file at AEU Unit Headquarters in Camino.
Attachments
Notice of Exemption
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