(RFFCP2022) Tribal Capacity Building Program - Mooretown Rancheria (#1740-RFFCP)

The Sierra Nevada Conservancy is providing funding to the Mooretown Rancheria of the Maidu Indians of California under contract 1740-RFFCP as part of the Tribal Capacity Building Program. The project focuses on conducting pre-burning treatments across 345 acres of fee-owned tribal land located in Butte County, California, specifically within the area of Kanaka Peak and Mooretown Ridge near Oroville and Feather Falls. These activities are designed to prepare the land for subsequent prescribed burns funded by a CAL FIRE Tribal Wildfire Resilience grant, with the overarching goal of advancing indigenous forest stewardship, improving ecosystem health, and reducing the risk of catastrophic wildfires. The scope of work includes several critical fuel reduction and land preparation activities, such as cutting handlines with chainsaws and hand tools, felling hazard trees along fire lines, and utilizing mastication to mechanically rearrange fuels. Additionally, the project involves lopping and scattering or cutting, piling, and burning vegetation to increase fuel continuity and prepare the landscape for fire-adapted ecosystem restoration. The project is classified as a categorical exemption under CEQA Guidelines Section 15304, Class 4, due to the minor nature of the land alterations. Key administrative contacts include Andy Fristensky of the Sierra Nevada Conservancy and Syd Godfrey of the Mooretown Rancheria.