SCH Number 2020120216

Project Info

Title

SCE 2020 VMP (Rx-South-034-FKU)

Description

The SCE 2020 VMP accomplish timber stand improvement and fuels reduction work throughout the entire project area. Broadcast burning, mechanical alteration e.g. mastication, piling by tractor and hand, and tree felling will be utilized to reduce fuel loading, install containment lines and eliminate ladder fuels. The entirety of the property is suitable for broadcast with the exception of areas containing infrastructure. Approximately 75% of the project area contains south and west facing aspects. These aspects contain brush understory which are the primary target for treatment. Broadcast burning and tractor piling are to be the primary treatment methods where slope and fuel loading dictate. Treatment methods may be combined where fuel loading dictates. Areas containing logging slash will be tractor piled and broadcast burned in successive entries. Hand crews will be utilized on areas too steep for equipment or in areas where equipment use is not feasible due to environmental protection issues, landowner concerns, or other unforeseen circumstances. Project activities that are anticipated include the following: • Fall and spring broadcast burn entries • Mechanical fuel modification, e.g. mastication • Burn piles created by hand or heavy equipment to be treated when safe, climatic conditions exist. • Potential for firing classes and other training opportunities. Project objectives include; • Elimination of fuel ladder and reduction of fuel loading to provide a greater degree of fire protection to man-made assets and natural resource values associated with this overstocked mixed conifer stand. • To provide a location to conduct C-234 firing classes. • To increase water yield through vegetation modification. • To increase the quality of wildlife habitat through decadent brush treatment. In addition to the treatments and objectives above, treatment of understory and ladder fuels on this ownership will provide enhanced fire protection to the Providence Creek infrastructure and SRA lands to the East and South of the project. This project provides additional fire protection buffers between federal lands in the Providence Creek drainage and the above mentioned private property. Potential exists for collaboration on future projects with Sierra National Forest. Fuels reduction activities generally creates potential to avoid damage from a high intensity wildfire to the natural resources associated with the mixed conifer plant forest type in which this project occurs. This project creates potential to reduce negative impacts to air quality, water quality, biological resources and their habitats, soil, aesthetics, recreation, and property improvements by preventing the incidence and effects of unanticipated wildfire events in the project influence zone.

2 documents in project