Medusahead Grassland Prescribed Burn
Summary
SCH Number
2026090011
Public Agency
Marin County Open Space District
(MCOSD)
Document Title
Medusahead Grassland Prescribed Burn
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
9/1/2026
Document Description
The Marin County Open Space District (MCOSD) is proposing to implement a prescribed fire within the Roy’s Redwoods Open Space Preserve. The purpose of the burn is to improve grassland health and landscape resiliency, enhance biodiversity and ecosystem function, and improve public and firefighter safety through reduced wildfire intensity and spread potential.
PROJECT DESCRIPTION: MCOSD proposes to implement a prescribed fire within the 22-acre grassland burn unit at Roy’s Redwoods. The project area has been identified by fire officials and MCOSD staff as an area to reintroduce prescribed fire under controlled conditions to mimic ecological fire regimes historically present in the area. The proposed project is designed to reduce grassland fuel loads, reduce medusahead grass (Taeniatherum caput-medusae) and other invasive annual grasses that displace native species, enhance native perennial grass and forb cover, and restore natural ecological processes related to fire.
A hand crew would prepare for the prescribed fire by establishing and reinforcing perimeter control lines, including using string trimmers to create mowed areas and using hand tools to scrape vegetation and expose bare mineral soil within a 2- 3-foot wide area. Woody shrubs or branches near the control lines would be cut back for the safety of personnel and to maximize function of the control line to keep fire inside the burn unit. Cut material would be minimal and would be distributed either inside or outside the burn unit. No mature trees would be removed. The prescribed fire would be conducted within a narrow, pre-established burn window, likely during late spring or early summer, but possibly in the fall. Frequency of burning would be determined after observing site conditions and would be based on what is most likely to achieve ecological objectives. Burning would occur under approved weather and fuel conditions that meet the burn plan prescription. Ignition methods would consist of hand-lighting with drip torches and/or fusees. All smoke management actions would follow the Bay Area Air Quality Management District (BAAQMD) Smoke Management Plan, including public notification, real-time weather checks, and contingency planning. All work would occur within previously disturbed grassland areas and would not expand the footprint of park facilities or alter land use patterns. No ground disturbance beyond scraping the surface and minor vegetation modification would occur.
Initial implementation of the proposed project would begin in June 2026. The proposed project would be implemented by the Marin County Fire Department’s Tam Crew(s) (Tam Crew) and/or Foundry Crew. Up to four crews may be working at the same time. All work would be performed between 8:00 am and 5:00 pm. Treatment areas would be accessed from existing roads and trails to the maximum extent feasible. Vehicles and equipment would not be staged on private property. Equipment may include chainsaws and fuel, loppers, pole pruners, scraping and digging tools, and other similar handheld tools. Use of tracked equipment within the proposed project area would be limited to the footprint of existing road cuts. During the prescribed fire operation, equipment may include water tanks, hoses, drip torches, fuel, chainsaws, and digging tools. No new roads would be created as part of the proposed project. Existing roads, trails including the Redwoods Loop Trail and portions of the Spirit Rock Trail, or other project areas may be closed to the public for their safety during and after project implementation until hazards are reduced to typical conditions in natural areas.
Except for the compliance with BAAQMD regulations and Calfire burn permit, no regulatory permit authorizations are required to implement the proposed project.
Contact Information
Name
Michelle Julene
Agency Name
Marin County Open Space District
Job Title
Senior Regulatory Planner
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency
Phone
Name
Chris Chamberlain
Agency Name
Marin County Open Space District
Job Title
Director
Contact Types
Parties Undertaking Project
Phone
Location
Cities
unincorporated Marin
Counties
Marin
Regions
Countywide
Parcel #
172-350-36
Notice of Exemption
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
21080.49
Reasons for Exemption
This Statutory Exemption applies to specified wildfire risk reduction projects that comply with all applicable laws, ordinances, zoning requirements, and meets the following criteria:
Prescribed Fire. A project consisting of a prescribed fire or fuel reduction to reduce wildfire risk by reestablishing the fire return interval appropriate to the ecosystem for biodiversity or other benefits, excluding projects located on coastal sage scrub habitat or any other sensitive habitat. In order to qualify for the exemption established pursuant to this subdivision, all of the following requirements shall be met: The proposed project consists of a prescribed fire fuel reduction to reduce wildfire risk by reestablishing the fire return interval appropriate to the ecosystem for biodiversity or other benefits. The project area is not located within coastal sage scrub habitat or any other sensitive habitat.
1. The project shall not exceed 50 contiguous acres and shall be located within one-half mile of a subdivision of 30 or more dwelling units. The proposed project area is 22 acres. San Geronimo Village is a residential area including more than 30 dwelling untis within one-half mail of the project area.
2. The lead agency shall consult with the Department of Fish and Wildlife to ensure that, to the extent feasible, the project is designed to avoid or minimize impacts to (A) candidate, rare, threatened, endangered plants and wildlife; and (B) wildlife nursery sites, including nesting rookeries, spawning areas, fawning areas, and maternal roosts. The proposed project has been designed to avoid or minimize impacts to candidate, rare, threatened, endangered plants and wildlife, wildlife nursery sites including nesting rookeries, spawning areas, fawning areas, and maternal roosts. MCOSD’s wildlife biologist met with CDFW and USFWS June 15, 2026. The discussion focused on a Northern spotted owl nest located outside the 0.25-mile buffer area and whether smoke would be an issue. Both CDFW and USFWS said there would be no issues after the chicks had fledged, which occurred on June 09, 2026. BMPs included in this Notice of Exemption regarding these resources. If an issue arises during project implementation associated with these resources, the MCOSD will contact the CDFW and/or USFWS and implement direction.
3. The lead agency shall, to the extent feasible, design the project to avoid impacts to riparian areas and water quality through use of sediment and erosion control measures where there is ground disturbance for control lines. The proposed project has been designed to avoid impacts to riparian areas and water quality through use of sediment and erosion control measures where there is ground disturbance for control lines.
4. The lead agency shall identify and, to the extent feasible, protect tribal cultural resources that may be impacted by project. This paragraph may be met by reviewing existing records, including the California Historical Resources Information System and Sacred Lands Inventory, or by engaging in consultation with relevant California Native American tribes on identification of tribal cultural resources and appropriate mitigation measures while maintaining confidentiality of sensitive records. Far Western Anthropological Research Group completed a cultural resources revie for the proposed project in May 2026, which included a records search at the California Historical Resources Information System in Rohnert Park, California (NWIC) and archival research which included historical maps and aerial photographsdepicting features such as roads, buildings, structures, infrastructure, and waterways to examine the history of land use within the project area and to provide additional information regarding the potential for the presence of historic-era resources. Implementation of the proposed project would not impact known cultural resources, tribal cultural resources, or historical resources.
Implementation of the proposed project would not: result in cumulative impacts, significant impacts on the environment due to unusual circumstances; affect scenic resources including trees, historic buildings, rock outcroppings, or a state scenic highway; affect the significance of historical resources; and is not located on a hazardous waste site pursuant to Government Code Section 65962.5.
County Clerk
Marin
Attachments
Notice of Exemption
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