Categorical exclusion · example
Roundtree Fuelbreak
Establishes, re-establishes and maintains 368 acres of a historically used fuelbreak near Ponderosa Basin, built on old wildfire firelines, to reduce wildfire risk to private property and infrastructure. Done with Cal Fire.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
- Front country along the west and south sides of the Ponderosa Basin community, Chowchilla River drainage off Highway 49, Bass Lake Ranger District, Mariposa County, California1
- Size
- 368 acres2
- Lead agency
- USDA Forest Service, Sierra National Forest, Bass Lake Ranger District1
- Review
- Categorical exclusion, documented in a decision memo3
- Legal citation
- Sec. 40806 Establishment of Fuel Breaks in Forests and other Wildland Vegetation; project page lists CE 32.3(11)3
- Status
- Decision memo signed April 17, 2025; project listed as completed1
Timeline
Documents USDA Forest Service published
What the documents say
Roundtree Fuel Break Project Decision Memo signed 04172025
- Purpose and Need
- Addresses heavy fuel loads on the compromised Roundtree fuelbreak and adds new fuelbreak where gaps exist, to reduce severe wildfire risk to communities and firefighters.3
- Proposed Action
- Lists felling of dead trees, precommercial thinning of conifers under 12 inches, tractor and hand piling, and prescribed burning of piles and scattered fuels.3
- Decision
- Authorizes the project under a categorical exclusion for fuel breaks up to 500 feet wide, under 3,000 acres, with extraordinary circumstances reviewed and none found.3
- Public Involvement
- Project was listed in the SOPA from July 1, 2024, with scoping by website, email and mail, including letters to tribal council members in Madera and Mariposa counties.3
- Administrative Review (Appeal) Opportunities
- Decision is not subject to appeal under the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2014 and can be implemented immediately.3
Roundtree Fuel Breaks Project Invitation for Scoping Comments 10082024
- Introduction
- Tree mortality has compromised existing Bass Lake fuelbreaks; treatments would occur over 15 to 20 years as funding allows, developed with Cal Fire staff.2
- Proposed Project Location
- About 368 acres in the Chowchilla River drainage off Highway 49, south and west of Ponderosa Basin, in T5&6S, R20&21E.2
- Scoping and Public Involvement
- District considered a categorical exclusion and invited written comments to the District Ranger on issues the Forest Service should address.2
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A project like Roundtree Fuelbreak? Describe yours and ePlan drafts the scoping letter. What's the name of your fuel break?
More examples
- Pliocene Ridge Roadside Fuel Break, Tahoe National ForestCategorical exclusion · Decision signed August 29, 2025
- Top Road Fuel Break, Umatilla National ForestCategorical exclusion · Implementation (estimated) August 2025
- North Sierra Peak Fuel Break, Cleveland National ForestCategorical exclusion · Decision signed May 9, 2025
- El Dorado Canal Fuel Break, Eldorado National ForestCategorical exclusion · Implementation (estimated) February 2025
Fuel break plan · All Forest Service projects
Sources
- Roundtree Fuelbreak: Forest Service project pagefs.usda.gov
- Roundtree Fuel Breaks Project Invitation for Scoping Comments 10082024usfs-public.app.box.com
- Roundtree Fuel Break Project Decision Memo signed 04172025usfs-public.app.box.com