The Lava Timber Sale - Encroachment Permit
Summary
SCH Number
2026100274
Public Agency
California Department of Transportation, District 9
(DOT)
Document Title
The Lava Timber Sale - Encroachment Permit
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
10/9/2026
Document Description
The Lava Project is a forest health and fuels reduction project that requires mechanical tree removal. The goal of the project is to thin the number of trees to reduce the risk of wildfire around the community of Mammoth Lakes and improve forest health. The Lava Project is managed by the National Forest Foundation in partnership with the Inyo National Forest.
One of the units (Unit 3) has a boundary that is 15-65 feet from the edge of pavement of Highway 395 Southbound. The unit is located between post-mile 31-32. We are applying to do a shoulder closure of Highway 395 South during fall 2026.
The contractor will be cutting trees with a Tigercat 1165 Harvester. They will fall marked trees away from the direction of the highway using machinery that can control the direction of fall. The unit parallels highway 395 for approximately 600 feet. It will take one to two days of cutting to complete.
Contact Information
Name
Stephen Pfeiler
Agency Name
California Dept of Transportation
Job Title
Senior Environmental Scientist Supervisor
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency
Phone
Email
Name
Meredith Seirra
Agency Name
United States Forest Service
Job Title
Eastern Sierra Project Coordinator
Contact Types
Parties Undertaking Project
Phone
Location
Cities
Town of Mammoth Lakes
Counties
Mono
Regions
Northern California
State Highways
US 395 Post Mile 31-32
Notice of Exemption
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
Class 4 (Section 15304)
Reasons for Exemption
The Lava Timber Sale project qualifies for a Class 4 categorical exemption because it involves mechanical tree removal/thinning for forest health and fuels reduction, with the work limited to a small area adjacent to SR 395 and lasting only one to two days. The project will use controlled falling techniques and implement avoidance and minimization measures, and the activity is not expected to result in significant environmental impacts.
Attachments
Notice of Exemption
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