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Categorical exclusion · example

North Sierra Peak Fuel Break

The Trabuco Ranger District will extend the North Main Divide fuel break into the North Sierra Peak area to widen the defensible landscape and firefighter access, using vegetation removal and prescribed burning.1

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
Federal land south of Highway 91 in the North Sierra Peak area, Trabuco Ranger District, Cleveland National Forest; Orange and Riverside Counties, California; T4S, R8W, Sections 1 and 6.1
Size
Approximately 307 acres on the project page; the decision memo's review form says approximately 187 acres.1
Lead agency
USDA Forest Service, Cleveland National Forest, Trabuco Ranger District2
Review
Categorical exclusion, documented in a decision memo1
Legal citation
Public Law 117-58, section 40806 (2021 Infrastructure fuel break categorical exclusion); project page lists CE 32.3(11)2
Status
Decision memo signed May 9, 20251

Timeline

  1. Scoping Start1
  2. Decision signed1

Documents USDA Forest Service published

What the documents say

North Sierra Peak Fuel Break DM DWV 050925

Decision and Rationale
The District Ranger authorizes the activities in the Proposed Action of the CE Review Form, including design criteria and any modifications from analysis.2
Applicable Categorical Exclusion and Findings Required by Other Laws
Rationale for the categorical exclusion and a finding of no extraordinary circumstances are in the CE Review Form, along with findings under other laws.2
Administrative Review
The decision is not subject to administrative review, and the Forest Service elected to follow the CEQ regulations at 40 C.F.R. Parts 1500–1508.2
Project Information
Lists the project as about 187 acres south of Highway 91, in Riparian Conservation Area and high scenic integrity areas, in Aliso Creek-Santa Ana River and Lower Santiago Creek watersheds.2
Applicable Categories
Fits the P.L. 117-58 section 40806 fuel break exclusion: thinning, piling, controlled burns, and road maintenance, but no new permanent or temporary roads.2

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More examples

Fuel break plan · All Forest Service projects

Sources

  1. North Sierra Peak Fuel Break: Forest Service project pagefs.usda.gov
  2. North Sierra Peak Fuel Break DM DWV 050925usfs-public.app.box.com