Laguna Beach Fuel Modification

Project Specifications

Client: City of Laguna Beach Fire Department

Location: Orange County

Services: Environmental Review & Permitting, Cultural Resources, Biological Resources, Air Quality & Climate Services, Public Participation & Community Involvement

Aspen prepared an IS/MND and two Categorical Exemptions for three different projects on behalf of the City of Laguna Beach Fire Department. The Fuel Breaks in Fuel Modification Zone 23-Canyon Acres and Fuel Modification Zone 24-Laguna Canyon: Laguna Canyon Unified Fuel Modification and Habitat Restoration Project IS/MND analyzed impacts associated with the creation of 100-foot wide fuel breaks around homes and developed properties within the City-incorporated portions of Canyon Acres and Laguna Canyon. The project kicked off in April 2019 and the Draft IS/MND was completed in September 2019 (5 months); the Final IS/MND was completed in November 2019 and initially approved by the Laguna Beach Planning Commission in December 2019 with final approval in January 2020. An appeal to the California Coastal Commission was filed in February 2020. The appeal was dismissed. To support the IS/MND, Aspen performed biological and cultural resources surveys of an extension of FMZ 23 in Canyon Acres, and completed associated biological resources and cultural resources reports. Aspen also supported the City in completing additional AB 52 outreach regarding the FMZ 23 extension area.

Aspen also prepared two Categorical Exemptions for: (1) the Cactus Restoration Project, which includes the installation of native cactus as a fire-resistant buffer along portions of Laguna Canyon Road/State Highway 133 for approximately 2.5-3 miles, and (2) the Rattlesnake Canyon Restoration Project, which includes habitat restoration for up to 5 acres of Orange County Park lands to restore historically grazed lands to native habitat. Due to the City receiving CalFire funding, these Categorical Exemptions were prepared with CalFire as the lead agency. CalFire requirements included completing specific forms: Environmental Review Report for an Exempt Project (EERF) and Notice of Exemption (NOEB). Aspen performed biological and cultural resources surveys of the two restoration sites. Biological resources memorandums were prepared and CalFire Archaeological Survey Report Forms were completed to support the EERF and NOEB for each project. Aspen also completed AB 52 consultation regarding these restoration sites. Both Categorical Exemptions were approved by CalFire (January/February 2020).