Goldspotted Oak Borer Management, Removals, and Treatments in San Bernardino Mountain Communities
Summary
SCH Number
2026070675
Public Agency
Inland Empire Resource Conservation District
Document Title
Goldspotted Oak Borer Management, Removals, and Treatments in San Bernardino Mountain Communities
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
7/16/2026
Document Description
Goldspotted Oak Borer (GSOB) is an invasive pest to Southern California that has been decimating oak populations in many communities. GSOB infestations have
been confirmed in the Cities of Big Bear, Calimesa and Yucaipa and the communities of Crestline, Forest Falls, Oak Glen, and Wrightwood. The project is anticipated to
cover 21,971 acres, remove approximately 244 high infested trees, and treat an additional 62 trees with low infestations or high value trees.
The purpose of this project is to remove infested oak trees in the Cities of Big Bear, Calimesa and Yucaipa and the communities of Crestline, Silverwood, Forest Falls, Oak Glen, and Wrightwood to prevent larvae living within the infested oak trees from flying during spring/summer and potentially infesting additional oak trees. Additionally, the removal of dead or highly infested trees will reduce the wildfire risk by reducing fuels. Highly infested trees will be fully removed and the infested wood will be either chipped and moved off site using best management practices or tarped on site if access is a challenge. Trees classified as "high-value" or with low infestations will be treated using insecticide.
All trees removed during nesting season will be surveyed by a biologist prior to removal to ensure that no nests are observed. If any nest is found, removal of that tree will occur only once the biologist has confirmed that the birds have fledged the nest.
Contact Information
Name
Mandy Parkes
Agency Name
Inland Empire Resource Conservation District
Job Title
District Manager
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency / Project Applicant
Phone
Email
Location
Cities
Big Bear Lake, Crestline, Forest Falls, Oak Glen, Wrightwood, Calimesa, Yucaipa
Counties
Riverside, San Bernardino
Regions
Southern California
Total Acres
21971
Other Location Info
Multiple areas within the San Bernardino National Forest including: Big Bear, Crestline, Forest Falls, Oak Glen, Wrightwood, Calimesa, and Yucaipa.
Notice of Exemption
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
Class 4 § 15304 Minor Alterations to Land; Class 8 § 15308 Action by Regulatory Agencies for the Protection of the Envir
Reasons for Exemption
This project is exempt pursuant to State CEQA Guidelines § 15304 (Class 4 - Minor Alterations to Land), which consists of minor public alterations in the condition of land which does not involve the removal of healthy, mature, scenic trees except for forestry or agricultural purposes. The proposed project will remove dead and heavily infested oak trees that pose a risk to other nearby trees susceptible to attack by the GSOB pest, which will be a minor alteration to the condition of land and vegetation. Removal will also reduce wildfire risk by removing fuels. Trees classified as "high-value" or with low infestations will be treated using insecticide. The activities will not result in the taking of an endangered, rare, or threatened plant or animal species or significant erosion and sedimentation of surface waters.
Additionally, the Project is exempt pursuant to State CEQA Guidelines § 15308 (Class 8 -Action by Regulatory Agencies for the Protection of the Environment), as the Project is designed to maintain and protect the environment through the reduction of dead trees which could serve as fuel in a wildfire-prone community.
None of the exceptions under State CEQA Guidelines section 15300.2 apply here. Notably, there will be little to no cumulative impacts for this project. The project will not result in any significant impacts on the environment because it is not located in a particularly sensitive environment nor are there any unusual circumstances. The project will not result in damage to any scenic resources within a state scenic highway, and the project is not located on a hazardous waste site or any other site included on a list compiled pursuant to Government Code section 65962.5. The project will not cause a substantial adverse change in the significance of a historical resource.
County Clerk
San Bernardino
Attachments
Notice of Exemption
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