North Bay Forest Improvement Program — Chelius
Summary
SCH Number
2026100184
Public Agency
Mendocino County Resource Conservation District
Document Title
North Bay Forest Improvement Program — Chelius
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
10/7/2026
Document Description
Approximately 26 acres are to be treated. The project consists of selective thinning, mastication, pruning,
and follow up slash treatment within designated treatment units to reduce hazardous surface and ladder
fuels, improve stand structure and growing conditions, and promote a more fire resilient forest condition.
Treatments will primarily target dense small and intermediate sized trees, generally less than 10 inches DBH,
including Douglas-fir, madrone, tanoak, and other hardwoods where removal will reduce competition,
improve spacing, release desirable residual trees, and reduce horizontal and vertical fuel continuity.
Within oak woodland areas, treatment will emphasize retention and release of healthy mature oaks and
other desirable overstory trees. Competing Douglas-fir and overly dense groups of hardwood stems may be
selectively removed to improve growing space, crown development, and stand structure. Selected large
snags and larger down woody material may be retained where consistent with safety, habitat, and treatment
objectives.
Where terrain, access, and stand conditions are suitable, mastication equipment may be used to treat
appropriately sized standing trees, brush, and woody residue. In hand treated areas, project generated slash
may be lopped and scattered, piled for burning, chipped, or masticated in accordance with project
specifications.
The Registered Professional Forester will use professional judgment during implementation to adjust tree
selection and treatment methods as necessary to account for actual stand conditions and to ensure work
remains consistent with the approved project specifications, NBFIP requirements, and applicable resource
protection measures.
The purpose of the project is to reduce wildfire hazard, improve forest health and stand resilience, enhance
oak woodland conditions, and create a more open and maintainable forest structure. The beneficiaries of
the project include the landowner, adjacent properties, wildlife habitat, and the public through reduced
wildfire risk and improved forest condition.
Contact Information
Name
Adam Coleman
Agency Name
Mendocino County Resource Conservation District
Job Title
Forestry Project Manager
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency
Address
Phone
Email
Name
Graham Chelius
Agency Name
Landowner
Job Title
Unknown
Contact Types
Project Applicant
Phone
Email
Location
Coordinates
Cities
Ukiah
Counties
Mendocino
Regions
Northern California
Parcel #
152-240-120
Township
T16N
Range
R13W
Section
35
Other Location Info
Also Section 2, TI5N R13W
Notice of Exemption
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
§15304 Minor Alterations to Land
Reasons for Exemption
This project qualifies for a Class 4 Categorical Exemption under CEQA Guidelines Section 15304, Minor
Alterations to Land. The exemption applies to fuel management and forest improvement activities involving
selective removal of vegetation where the work does not result in a substantial alteration of land use.
Treatments will consist of selective thinning, mastication, and associated slash treatment to reduce
hazardous surface and ladder fuels, improve spacing among residual trees, release desirable oaks and other
overstory trees, and improve stand structure and resilience. Mastication may be used to treat appropriately
sized standing vegetation and woody residue where site conditions allow.
The project will retain the overall forested character and ecological function of the site and will not result in
conversion of the property to another land use. Project specific documentation supporting the use of this
exemption is on file at the RCD.
County Clerk
Mendocino
Attachments
Notice of Exemption
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