(RFFCP2022) Tribal Capacity Building Program - Mooretown Rancheria (#1740-RFFCP)
Summary
SCH Number
2026070892
Public Agency
Sierra Nevada Conservancy
Document Title
(RFFCP2022) Tribal Capacity Building Program - Mooretown Rancheria (#1740-RFFCP)
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
7/22/2026
Document Description
The Sierra Nevada Conservancy (SNC) will provide funding for Mooretown Rancheria of the Maidu Indians of California (Grantee) to conduct pre-burning treatments in preparation for CAL FIRE-funded prescribed burns across 345 acres of the Grantee’s fee-owned land. The pre-treatment will include: 1) cut handline with chainsaws and hand tools; 2) lop and scatter or cut, pile, and burn the cut vegetation along handlines; 3) lop and scatter units with significant brush to increase fuel continuity; 4) masticate and mechanically rearrange fuels; and 5) fell hazard trees along fire lines. These units will later be burned through a CALFIRE-funded Tribal Wildfire Resilience grant (SCH#2025100759). The objective of the Project is to advance indigenous forest stewardship to increase ecosystem health and fire resilience while reducing the risk of future catastrophic fire. The Project will increase the Grantee’s capacity to conduct indigenous-led prescribed fire, supporting the Tribe in increasing fire resilience and fostering a shift toward a healthy fire-adapted ecosystem on the Mooretown Tribal Cultural Landscape.
Contact Information
Name
Andy Fristensky
Agency Name
Sierra Nevada Conservancy
Job Title
Field Operations & Grants Division Chief
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency
Phone
Name
Syd Godfrey
Agency Name
Mooretown Rancheria of the Maidu Indians of California
Job Title
Natural Resource Specialist
Contact Types
Project Applicant / Parties Undertaking Project
Phone
Email
Location
Cities
unincorporated areas near Oroville and Feather Falls
Counties
Butte
Regions
Northern California
Other Location Info
Mooretown Rancheria lands in the area of Kanaka Peak and Mooretown Ridge. Lumpkin Road passes between the treatment areas. Forbestown USGS 7.5" quadrangle in T20N, R06E; sections 16, 17, 19, 21 & 28. Project center at approximately -121.319, 39.582 degrees.
Other Information
Unincorporated; near Oroville (95965) & Feather Falls (95966)
Notice of Exemption
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
Cal.Code Regs.Tit.14 (CEQA Guidelines), section 15304; Minor Alterations to Land.
Reasons for Exemption
CEQA Guidelines Section 15304, Class 4, provides that projects that consist of minor public or private alterations in the condition of land, water, and/or vegetation, which do not involve removal of mature, scenic trees except for forestry and agricultural purposes, are exempt for CEQA environmental documentation requirements, provided no exceptions apply. The Project is not located in a particularly sensitive environment whereby project impacts would be significant. Sensitive habitats, including watercourses, wetlands, riparian habitat, and other habitat for special-status species would be avoided. The project involves shallow ground disturbance during fireline establishment and incorporates adequate cultural resource protection measures. Disturbance to riparian and wetland zones would be minimal. Work will occur outside of nesting season, or pre-implementation surveys would be completed. Project implementation, as designed, would have less than significant impact in each resource area. The SNC reviewed the project and determined that the project is categorically exempt from the provisions of CEQA pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15304, Class 4, and none of the exceptions to the exemptions apply to the project.
County Clerk
Butte
Attachments
Notice of Exemption
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