SCH Number 2024010405

Project Info

Title

Pine Mountain Lake Fuel Reduction Project

Description

This project will use a variety of methods to reduce fuel loading and remove ladder fuels on a highly dense, approximately 640-acre WUI area east of Pine Mountain Lake. Phase I: Manual or mechanical tree felling of dead/hazard trees with a felling crew with chain saw or tracked style feller buncher, to establish a safe work environment. Brush, ladder fuels, and suppressed trees will be targeted for removal with a goal of retaining diverse species, and stand structure. Ideal spacing in the treated landscape will be variable and dependent on vegetation density. Generally, 10–40-foot crown spacing. The primary treatment method for this will be mastication using tracked style excavators or skid-steer. Phase II: Hand crews utilizing chainsaws, and pole pruners will prune trees ½ the height of the crown or 8-10 feet, whichever is less. This treatment will target areas either too steep, rocky, or sensitive for mechanical treatment. Slash will either be broadcast chipped or lopped and scattered. Phase III: Slash treatment (if required) will be done with tracked or rubber-tired mastication. Areas where machinery is unable to access or is excluded from, slash disposal will be done by hand using lop and scatter. Phase IV: Herbivory will be used to browse the regenerating vegetation.

3 documents in project