Upper Mill Creek Forest Health Project
Summary
SCH Number
2026080383
Public Agency
California Department of Fish and Wildlife, Inland Deserts Region 6
(CDFW)
Document Title
Upper Mill Creek Forest Health Project
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
8/13/2026
Document Description
The California Department of Fish and Wildlife will thin overstocked conifer stands and prune lower branches to remove hazardous ladder fuels within the riparian corridor of upper Mill Creek, and associated tributaries, as it passes through the Grouse Meadow Unit of the Slinkard-Little Antelope Wildlife Area, thereby improving wildlife habitat, forest health, and fire resiliency. Work will be completed by hand crews.
Contact Information
Name
Aaron Johnson
Agency Name
California Department of Fish and Wildlife
Job Title
Senior Environmental Scientist
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency
Phone
Location
Coordinates
Cities
Walker
Counties
Mono
Regions
Unincorporated
Zip
96107
Total Acres
60
Waterways
Mill Creek
Township
7N
Range
23E
Section
29, 30
Base
MDBM
Other Location Info
Grouse Meadow Unit of the CDFW Slinkard/ Little Antelope Wildlife Area; 6 miles south of the community of Walker, Mono County, CA
Notice of Exemption
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
Class 4, 7, and 8 Categorical Exemptions, section 15304, section 15307, and section 15308
Reasons for Exemption
Class 4 Categorical Exemption
CDFW finds the Project to be exempt pursuant to CEQA Guidelines section
15304, the exemption for “Minor Alterations to Land”. Class 4, as relevant here,
consists of minor alterations in the condition of land, water, and/or vegetation
which do not involve removal of healthy, mature, scenic trees except for forestry
or agricultural purposes. The Project falls within the class because it involves
minor vegetation management activities on an officially designated wildlife
area that will result in improvement of habitat and reduce wildfire risk.
Class 7 Categorical Exemption
CDFW finds the Project to be exempt pursuant to CEQA Guidelines section
15307, the exemption for “Actions by Regulatory Agencies for Protection of
Natural Resources”. Class 7, as relevant here, consists of actions taken by
regulatory agencies, as authorized by state law or local ordinance, to assure the
maintenance, restoration, or enhancement of a natural resource where the
regulatory process involves procedures for protection of the environment. The
Project falls within the class because it involves the enhancement of forested
areas and reduces
Class 8 Categorical Exemption
CDFW finds the Project to be exempt pursuant to CEQA Guidelines section
15308, the exemption for “Actions by Regulatory Agencies for Protection of the
Environment”. Class 8, as relevant here, consists of actions taken by regulatory
agencies, as authorized by state or local ordinance, to assure the maintenance,
restoration, enhancement, or protection of the environment where the
regulatory process involves procedures for protection of the environment. The
Project falls within the class because it involves the enhancement of forested
areas and reduces the potential for high severity wildfire impacts to these
environmental resources.
Attachments
Notice of Exemption
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