Donner Summit Firewise Roadside Fuels Reduction Project
Summary
SCH Number
2026100784
Public Agency
Nevada County Resource Conservation District
Document Title
Donner Summit Firewise Roadside Fuels Reduction Project
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
10/21/2026
Document Description
The Donner Summit Roadside Fuels Reduction Project will reduce hazardous wildfire fuels along approximately 40 acres of critical roadside corridors serving the communities of Eagle Lakes, Cisco Grove, Big Bend, Rainbow, Troy, Pla Vada, and Kingvale in eastern Nevada County. The project consists of selective hand thinning, removal of ladder fuels, pruning, and treatment of dead and downed vegetation within existing roadside rights-of-way to establish shaded fuel breaks that improve emergency access, evacuation routes, and firefighter safety while reducing the risk of high-intensity wildfire. Vegetation will be treated using hand crews, with cut material chipped, piled, or otherwise disposed of in accordance with applicable environmental requirements. All work will occur within previously disturbed roadside corridors, with no new road construction or significant ground disturbance proposed. Any remaining material that cannot be chipped will be lop-and-scattered on site. This project helps actively manage the land with no negative impacts, creating a landscape that is more resilient and resistant to high intensity wildfires.
Contact Information
Name
nathan alcorn
Agency Name
Nevada County RCD
Job Title
Program Director
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency / Project Applicant
Phone
Email
Location
Coordinates
Cities
Truckee
Counties
Nevada, Placer
Regions
Northern California, Unincorporated
Total Acres
40
Other Information
the project foot print spans from Cisco Grove to Kingvale in Truckee CA.
Notice of Exemption
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
Class 4 – CEQA Guidelines §15304 (Minor Alterations to Land)
Reasons for Exemption
The Donner Summit Roadside Fuels Reduction Project qualifies for the CEQA Class 4 Categorical Exemption (CEQA Guidelines Section 15304 – Minor Alterations to Land) because the proposed work consists of minor vegetation management activities within existing roadside corridors to reduce hazardous fuels, improve emergency access, and enhance public safety without substantially altering the land or its natural features. Project activities include selective removal of brush, understory vegetation, small-diameter trees, ladder fuels, and dead or dying vegetation, along with limbing retained trees and treating vegetative debris through chipping or piling. No new roads, structures, or significant grading are proposed, and any soil disturbance will be minor and incidental to implementation. The project proponent evaluated the exceptions to the use of categorical exemptions under CEQA Guidelines Section 15300.2 and determined that none apply. The project is located within previously disturbed roadside rights-of-way, incorporates avoidance measures to protect biological and cultural resources, will not result in cumulative or unusual significant environmental impacts, will not adversely affect scenic resources or designated scenic highways, is not located on a hazardous waste site, and will not cause a substantial adverse change to any historical or archaeological resource. Therefore, the project qualifies for the Class 4 Categorical Exemption, and a Notice of Exemption will be filed upon project approval.
County Clerk
Nevada
Attachments
Notice of Exemption
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