Berry Creek Rancheria Wildfire and Resilience Project, Berry Creek Cemetery Unit
Summary
SCH Number
2026070699
Public Agency
Butte County Resource Conservation District
(BCRCD)
Document Title
Berry Creek Rancheria Wildfire and Resilience Project, Berry Creek Cemetery Unit
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
7/17/2026
Document Description
The project area is a culturally significant site donated to the Tribe within the last several years. The site is mostly level, located at about 2100-2150 feet above sea level, and situated on a saddle from which two small spring-fed drainages issue (one to the south of the southern parcel, one toward the northeast of the northern parcel). 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 in the watercourse areas, along with ladder fuels and invasive species, have increased wildfire risk. At the same time, a large open grassland area provides opportunities to reduce invasive species, revegetate with native and culturally significant species, and practice cultural burning. The project consists of 1) light fuels management (weeding and mowing) to manage fine fuels, reduce wildfire risk while minimizing ground disturbance, maintain accessibility and protect cultural resources; 2) ecological restoration including seed collection by Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK) crews, followed by seeding and planting during the fall to enhance meadow and understory health; and 3) A low-intensity meadow burn in the fall.
Contact Information
Name
Wolfgang Rougle
Agency Name
Butte County Resource Conservation District
Job Title
Planning and Watershed Program Manager
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency
Phone
Email
Name
Gavin Antone III
Agency Name
Berry Creek Rancheria
Job Title
Restoration Workforce Operations Manager
Contact Types
Project Applicant / Parties Undertaking Project
Address
Phone
Email
Location
Cities
Berry Creek
Counties
Butte
Regions
Northern California
Zip
95916
Other Location Info
The Berry Creek Cemetery unit comprises 10.8 ac on the Forbestown quadrangle in T20N, ROSE, section 12
Notice of Exemption
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
Minor alterations to land (§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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