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Categorical exclusion · example

Sayles

Fuels reduction and restoration on up to 2,970 acres of thinning and prescribed burning, plus about 160 acres of meadow, riparian and aspen restoration, to cut wildfire risk and protect water supplying Reno.2

Facts from USDA Forest Service public records, each linked by number to its source; checked November 13, 2026. Section notes by ePlan.

At a glance

Where
Southeast of Loyalton and north of Stampede Reservoir, Sierraville Ranger District (with Truckee Ranger District), Sierra County, California2
Size
Up to 2,970 acres of vegetation treatment and about 160 acres of habitat restoration2
Lead agency
USDA Forest Service, Tahoe National Forest, Sierraville Ranger District2
Review
Categorical exclusion, documented in a decision memo1
Legal citation
36 CFR 220.6(e)(25); HFRA section 605 (16 U.S.C. 6591); project page lists CE 32.3 (9) and 32.2 (25)3
Status
Completed; decision signed April 29, 20251

Timeline

  1. Scoping Start1
  2. Scoping comments due4
  3. Decision signed1

Documents USDA Forest Service published

What the documents say

Final Sayles DM

LOCATION and BACKGROUND
Describes degraded riparian areas and overly dense stands north of Stampede Reservoir that supply Reno drinking water, with forests about 10 years overdue for fire.2
PURPOSE AND NEED
Lists eight needs including reducing surface and ladder fuels, restoring meadows, fens and aspen, lowering stand density, and protecting private land and watersheds from wildfire.2
DECISION
Approves thinning, mastication, prescribed burning, meadow restoration and aspen enhancement on up to 2,970 acres plus about 160 acres of restoration.2
General treatment prescription guidelines
Sets limits such as retaining all trees 30 inches DBH and larger, openings of 0.25 to 3.0 acres, and leave areas of 0.1 to 1.0 acres.2
Prescribed Burning
Prescribed fire across the project area under an approved burn plan, using pile, jackpot, broadcast and underburning to consume surface and ladder fuels.2

Sayles ScopingLetter Signed

Scoping request
Requests comments on the proposed Sayles Fuels Reduction project and states that no extraordinary circumstances are expected, so no EA or EIS is needed.3

Sayles Public Scoping Notice

Public Scoping notice
Public notice for about 3,000 acres of treatments in Sierra County, citing 36 CFR 220.6(e)(25) and HFRA section 605 and setting an April 12, 2025 comment deadline.4

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Sources

  1. Sayles Project: Forest Service project pagefs.usda.gov
  2. Final Sayles DMusfs-public.app.box.com
  3. Sayles ScopingLetter Signedusfs-public.app.box.com
  4. Sayles Public Scoping Noticeusfs-public.app.box.com