Soule Park Hazardous Fuels Removal Project

Soule Park Hazardous Fuels Removal Project

Tree Permit and Authorization to remove 86 hazardous trees that are either dead and still standing or in a severe state of declining health located within the landscaped areas of Soule Park in the Ojai Valley. The majority of the trees are not protected species including non-native olive, ash, and maple trees though approximately 20 of the non-native trees are over 90 inches in circumference (approximately 30 inches in diameter at breast height (DBH)) and are considered protected as Heritage Trees in the Ventura County Tree Protection Regulations. Nineteen (19) protected California sycamore (Platanus racemosa) that were planted (introduced) in the park will also be removed. All of the trees to be removed have been deemed to be a hazard by the County of Ventura General Services Agency's Parks Department in consultation with a qualified tree consultant as required by Tree Protection Regulations section 8107-25(f). Ventura County Parks was awarded a the Cal Fire Hazard Mitigation grant from the Department of Forestry and Fire Protection and the Office of the State Fire Marshal in October 2022 for the removal of the trees identified in the attached documents. Due to the current storms and state of emergency, the saturation levels in the soil and the winds, some of the trees have already fallen and others are in danger of falling. County Parks has contracted with the California Conservation Corps to fall the 86 dead trees and an outside contractor will be engaged to stump grind. Attachments provided with the application include the CalFire Grant, photos of the dead trees and the Hazard Tree assessment completed by West Coast Arborist. Consistent with the CalFire Grant requirements, the Parks Department is conducting the removal between the months of December 2022 - February 2023.

Ojai

Ventura

Countywide

Ventura