Initial Study-Mitigated Negative Declaration for the Proposed Post Carr Fire Hazardous Fuels Reduction Area South 299 Shasta County, California
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Initial Study-Mitigated Negative Declaration for the proposed Post Carr Fire Hazardous Fuels Reduction Area South 299 Shasta County, California prepared by: VESTRA Resources 5300 Aviation Drive Redding, CA 96002 for The McConnell Foundation Under Grant # 18-FP-SHU-1042 September 17, 2020 Initial Study-Mitigated Negative Declaration for the Proposed Post Carr Fire Hazardous Fuels Reduction Project Contents MITIGATED NEGATIVE DECLARATION .................................................................................1 Introduction and Regulatory Context ......................................................................................1 Stage of CEQA Document Development ................................................................................1 Introduction ..............................................................................................................................1 Regulatory Guidance ...............................................................................................................1 Purpose of the Initial Study......................................................................................................2 Project Description and Environmental Setting .....................................................................3 Project Location .......................................................................................................................3 Background and Need for the Project ......................................................................................3 Project Objectives ....................................................................................................................4 Project Start Date .....................................................................................................................4 Project Description...................................................................................................................5 Environmental Setting of the Project Region ..........................................................................9 Description of the Local Environment ...................................................................................17 Current Land Use and Previous Impacts ...............................................................................17 Conclusion of the Mitigated Negative Declaration ...............................................................18 Environmental Permits...........................................................................................................18 Mitigation Measures ..............................................................................................................18 Summary of Findings .............................................................................................................18 Initial Study-Environmental Checklist ..........................................................................................20 Environmental Factors Potentially Affected .........................................................................20 Determination ...........................................................................................................................21 Environmental Checklist and Discussion ..............................................................................22 Aesthetics ...............................................................................................................................22 Agricultural Resources...........................................................................................................23 Air Quality .............................................................................................................................24 Biological Resources .............................................................................................................26 Cultural Resources .................................................................................................................31 Energy ....................................................................................................................................34 Geology and Soils ..................................................................................................................34 Greenhouse Gas Emissions ....................................................................................................37 Hazards and Hazardous Materials .........................................................................................39 Hydrology and Water Quality ................................................................................................41 Land Use and Planning ..........................................................................................................44 i Initial Study-Mitigated Negative Declaration for the Proposed Post Carr Fire Hazardous Fuels Reduction Project Mineral Resources .................................................................................................................44 Noise ......................................................................................................................................45 Population and Housing .........................................................................................................46 Public Services .......................................................................................................................47 Recreation ..............................................................................................................................49 Transportation ........................................................................................................................49 Tribal Cultural Resources ......................................................................................................50 Utilities and Service Systems.................................................................................................54 Wildfire ..................................................................................................................................55 Mandatory Findings of Significance ......................................................................................57 Appendix A ....................................................................................................................................59 Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Plan ..........................................................................59 Potentially Significant Effects and Mitigation Measures ......................................................59 PREPARERS OF THIS DOCUMENT .........................................................................................61 EXPERTS CONSULTED .............................................................................................................61 REFERENCES CITED ..................................................................................................................63 TABLES 1 CNDDB Occurrences ................................................................................................................ 12 2 Green House Gas Calculations ................................................................................................. 38 FIGURES 1 Project Location 2 Project Area 3 Slope Classes 4 Topo Map 5 Soils 6 Hydrology 7 CNDDB Occurrences and USFWS Critical Habitat 8 Sensitive Receptors 9 General Plan Land Use 10 Zoning 11A Area Surveyed for Rare Plants 11B Rare Plant Observations 11C Rare Plant Observations ATTACHMENTS A Botanical Survey Report ii Initial Study-Mitigated Negative Declaration for the Proposed Post Carr Fire Hazardous Fuels Reduction Project MITIGATED NEGATIVE DECLARATION Introduction and Regulatory Context STAGE OF CEQA DOCUMENT DEVELOPMENT Administrative Draft. This California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) document is in preparation by California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) staff. Public Document. This completed CEQA document has been filed by CAL FIRE at the State Clearinghouse on January 27, 2021, and is being circulated for a 30-day state agency and public review period. The review period ends on February 26, 2021. Final CEQA Document. This final CEQA document contains the changes made by the Department following consideration of comments received during the public and agency review period. The CEQA administrative record supporting this document is on file, and available for review, at CAL FIRE’s Sacramento Headquarters, Environmental Protection Program. INTRODUCTION This initial study-mitigated negative declaration (IS-MND) describes the environmental impact analysis conducted for the proposed project. This document was prepared for CAL FIRE staff utilizing information gathered from a number of sources including research, field review of the proposed project area and consultation with environmental planners and other experts on staff at other public agencies. Pursuant to § 21082.1 of CEQA, the lead agency, CAL FIRE, has prepared, reviewed, and analyzed the IS-MND and declares that the statements made in this document reflect CAL FIRE’s independent judgment as lead agency pursuant to CEQA. CAL FIRE further finds that the proposed project, which includes revised activities and mitigation measures designed to minimize environmental impacts, will not result in a significant effect on the environment. REGULATORY GUIDANCE This IS-MND has been prepared for CAL FIRE to evaluate potential environmental effects