Shelterwood Collective Shaded Fuel Break

Shelterwood Collective Shaded Fuel Break

The project is designed to improve forest health conditions and create safe anchor points for future prescribed fire treatments. Treatments will target roughly 30-300 trees per acre with the majority of basal area to be treated in trees ranging from 6-12” DBH for removal and follow-up treatment involving piling and burning residual material. Residual trees within this size class, will be spaced such that no tree will be closer than 14 feet to another unless within a coppiced group of trees. Treatments in all units will cut down trees within contract specification (all under 12” DBH), and this material will either be scattered to a height not to exceed 18” off the ground, chipped/masticated, or piled for habitat or later burning. Some trees larger than 12”DBH may be treated, but these trees shall be limited to those determined to be dying or an imminent hazard due to either Sudden Oak Death disease (Phytophthora ramorum) or otherwise determined and marked by a Registered Professional Forester or their qualified designee. Work will largely be completed using hand crews, but small equipment with a masticator head may be employed on relatively flat ground. Operational limitations for watercourses shall include a no operation buffer without clearance from a qualified Registered Professional Forester or qualified biologist determining non-presence of species listed under the Federal or State Endangered Species Act; these limitations shall take place within 50 feet for Class II watercourses and 75 feet for Class I watercourses for side slopes under 50%; side slopes over 50% shall include an additional 25-foot buffer. Mechanical equipment shall not be utilized within watercourse buffers unless operating from existing stable road surfaces.

Cazadero

Sonoma

Northern California

Sonoma