Mattole Road Fuel Reduction Project

Mattole Road Fuel Reduction Project

The proposed project will create a shaded fuel break by pruning, limbing, and brushing horizontal and vertical roadside tree and shrub vegetation using chainsaws and hand tools at various widths from one or both sides of the road, but not exceeding 65 feet in total width, depending on need, aspect (some areas are very steep), and landowner concerns (fences). Only trees 8 inches diameter breast height (DBH) or less will be cut down, as needed. DBH will be measured at 4 feet above the ground surface. Limbing of tree branches will only occur up to a height of 6 feet. Tree spacing will be 15-30 feet apart depending on need. The total project area is approximately 40.1 acres. CCC will use mechanical weed pullers to remove some areas of Scotch broom, French broom, and coyote brush to inhibit re-sprouting. Herbaceous plant species will not be removed as part of this project. The project will avoid the Mattole River riparian area and any creeks or drainages along the project site, and instead will concentrate on areas where fuels are obviously heavy and in need of treatment to protect structures from wildfire. There will be no round disturbance. Branch and leaf materials will be chipped on site, or lopped and scattered no more than eighteen inches deep, or hauled off-site. Project vehicles will park in established dirt or asphalt turn-outs to avoid the need for traffic lane closures. The purpose of the project is to reduce the risk of fire danger to residents of the Petrolia and Honeydew Communities by reducing fuel and fire intensity.

Humboldt