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Prepared for: Tahoe Fire and Fuels Team

Prepared by: Rich Adams, RPF #2741

(530) 581-5746, radams@parks.ca.gov

California State Parks

East Meadow Dead Tree Removal

Washoe Meadows State Park

Lake Valley Fire Protection District

Vegetation Management Plan

Total Acres Planned: 16

Mechanical Acres: 11

Hand Crew Acres: 5

SEZ Acres: 5 (Hand Crew only)

Operations: Mechanical and Hand Crew.

Mechanized (tractor) tree removal, biomass removal, no burning (11 acres).

Hand Crew thin and pile for pile burning. State Park staff will remove firewood logs created by thinning, and burn the piles (5 acres).

Introduction

The purpose of the East Meadow Dead Tree Removal project is to reduce hazardous forest fuels and improve native forest composition and structure to protect communities at risk to wildfire. Lowland flat areas of Washoe Meadows State Park contain areas of dry and wet Stream Environment Zone (SEZ), which are commonly separated by only about 1 foot of elevation difference. The project area targets dense stands of dead, dying and suppressed lodgepole pine trees on dry SEZ. Wet SEZ areas will be avoided by vehicles and equipment, and will be partially thinned of hazardous vegetation by hand removal. Trees to be removed shall be marked with paint or otherwise designated for removal by or under the supervision of a Registered Professional Forester (RPF). Tree removal and removal of forest biomass from non-SEZ areas will be accomplished by mechanized equipment over relatively dry conditions to prevent soil impacts. Tree removal from SEZ areas will be accomplished by a hand crew thinning the forest, stacking slash piles for burning, and leaving logs on site for collection by park staff using existing routes.

Project Location and Access

Project area is located along the eastern boundary in Washoe Meadows State Park adjacent the Amacker Ranch and the Lake Tahoe Golf Course. The project area was strategically located to target stands of dead and suppressed trees, and accumulations of surface fuels. Access to the project area by vehicle is by gated park road from along the Upper Truckee River to the south. From US Highway 50 in Meyers, turn north on North Upper Truckee Road, turn right on West San Bernadino Ave., left on Cholula St., left on Chilicothe St., to the gated park road.

Forest Stand Conditions

The existing forest stands in the project area are composed almost entirely of lodgepole pine ( Pinus contorta ) arranged in mostly even-aged stand structures of variable ages up to approximately 130 years old. Prior to the practice of fire suppression, the project area was likely very open meadow due to frequent summer fires. Some willow ( Salix spp.) are present along the project boundaries in wet SEZ areas that will be avoided. Several large Jeffrey pine ( P. jeffreyi ) are present within the project and will be protected. The lodgepole pine stands are dense with dead, dying, and pole-sized trees. Bark beetle activity over the last 20 years has resulted in high densities of dead trees, and a buildup of surface fuels. The stand structure and fuel loading could support rapid development of a crown fire during the summer fire season.

Watercourse, Lake and Stream Environment Zone

5 acres of the project area are classified as Stream Environment Zone (SEZ). The project area targets dry SEZ and avoids wet SEZ, as determined on site by presence/absence of riparian annual plants and willows, and by surface elevation and relative soil moisture content. Forest thinning in SEZ will be accomplished by a Hand Crew removing designated trees and piling slash for burning. No piles shall be placed in wet SEZ. No piles shall be placed in dry SEZ where slope could promote surface flow of burned ash materials. No hand piles will be burned within 50 feet of the Upper Truckee River .

Any soil or topographic disturbance caused by operations on non-SEZ areas shall be restored to natural topographic conditions, and re-vegetated if necessary with native vegetation. Mechanical Contractor will be required to rake out ruts and berms in soil and linear tractor marks and log skid paths that may capture surface water. Final topographic and vegetative analysis shall be evaluated by State Park Forester.

All vehicles associated with project will operate on existing routes. Vehicle and heavy equipment operations, including crew transport, shall take place over relatively dry soil conditions to prevent damage to dirt roads. No vehicles or equipment shall operate in areas of saturated soil. High soil moisture content shall warrant termination of operations and shall be determined by project manager. Best Management Practices (BMPs) shall be maintained and shall include protection of all existing drainage structures along access routes to and from the project area.

Wildlife

A State Park Wildlife Biologist has approved the project design and will be available as needed during project implementation. No known nesting sites for species of concern are in the project area, nor is the project within a required buffer distance from sensitive wildlife for limited operations. Birds of prey (raptors) are known to use areas of Washoe Meadows State Park . Project staff will be instructed to notify project manager of sighting of any bird of prey, and any nesting bird species. Project work shall be curtailed around any known or newly discovered nest, den or habitation site pending review by the wildlife biologist. The wildlife biologist assisted in developing the forest thinning prescription, including specifications for snags and surface woody debris.

Archaeology

A qualified Archaeologist will survey the project site and appropriate cultural review documentation will be completed. All known cultural resources shall be identified prior to start of project work. All sites shall be protected from ground disturbance activity. It is unknown if this project will discover any additional cultural resources. The District Archeologist shall monitor project operations and prescribe any additional protective measures for sites discovered. If evidence of potentially significant historical/archaeological resources are found (shell, burned animal bone or rock, concentration of bottle glass or ceramics, etc.), the District Archaeologist will be contacted and work will be suspended until identification and proper treatment are determined and implemented.

Goals and Objectives

The goal of this project is to protect life, property and the environment from the threat of catastrophic wildfire, and to improve native forest structure. Objectives are to thin trees and reduce height of surface fuels to reduce the risk of crown fire, reduce potential flame lengths of surface fire, increase average tree diameter, improve native forest structure, and provide for recruitment of future old-growth trees. Project shall maintain valuable components of wildlife habitat including large dead trees.

Values at Risk

The Amacker Ranch and Sawmill Road border the project area to the northeast. Potential wildfire behavior in the current forest condition could produce rapid moving crown fire and numerous spot fires in nearby residential neighborhoods about 1 mile to the west. Natural resources including vegetation, wildlife, soil, air and water are also values at risk to catastrophic wildfire.

Vegetation Management Prescription

Mechanical Areas:

Basal Area target: 0 to 150 sq. ft. per acre

Retain all trees greater than 30” DBH except hazards to human life or private property.

Remove all dead trees less than 24” DBH.

Thin dead trees 24” to 30” DBH to 0.5 to 3 snags per acre.

Retain snags with largest relative diameter or with evidence of prior animal use.

Thin live trees 14” to 30” DBH to 30' spacing, favoring tree size and health.

Thin live trees less than 14” DBH to 30' spacing, favoring tree size and health.

Cleanup all surface fuels greater than 1” diameter except existing rotten logs at least partially decayed into the soil. Minimize the appearance of cut ends on logs to be retained.

Hand Crew Areas:

Basal Area target: 80 to 200 sq. ft. per acre

Retain all trees greater than 30” DBH except hazards to human life or private property.

Fell all dead trees less than 24” DBH (not marked), except trees that could fall into the River or other wet areas.

Mark for removal live trees greater than 14” DBH only if dying, or for crown separation from a large Jeffrey pine.

Thin live trees less than 14” DBH (not marked) to 10' spacing, favoring tree size, health, and Jeffrey pine.

Cleanup all surface fuels greater than 1” diameter up to 12” diameter by piling for burning.

Leave logs greater than 12” diameter: free of limbs and top, in full contact with ground surface, and left long as possible. Logs that intersect should be bucked only as needed to achieve full ground contact by all logs.

Existing rotten logs at least partially decayed into the soil should be left and protected.

Permit State Park employees to cut and remove firewood for personal use.

Mechanical (Tractor) Operations (11 acres)

Project work shall be performed in accordance with Tahoe Regional Planning Agency Code of Ordinances Chapter 71 – Tree Removal and with Lahontan Regional Water Quality Control Board Basin Plan Section 5.13 Forest Management Activities. Project work will be implemented by a private contractor using private equipment.

Tree Removal:

Fell all marked trees.

Fell all dead trees less than 24” DBH.

Thin live trees less than 14” DBH to 30' spacing, favoring tree size and health.

Flush cut stumps to within 1 to 6 inches of ground level.

Transport all downed wood greater than 1” diameter to landing with heavy equipment as described in contractor's bid. Permissive equipment may include rubber-tired skidder or rubber-tired log forwarder. Contract bidders must carefully explain how this requirement will be met, in a written narrative attachment to their contract bid.

As part of any skidding operation, trees shall be whole-tree skidded butt-end first.

Leave and protect existing rotten logs at least partially decayed into the soil. Minimize the appearance of cut ends on logs to be retained.

Protect soils by avoiding wet areas and shutting down mechanical operations during periods of high soil moisture as determined by project manager.

Transportation of Biomass:

Haul all biomass including logs, firewood, wood chips and/or slash out of the park. All biomass will become the property of the contractor upon exit from State Park property.

Do not stack any burn piles and do not scatter woody debris or wood chips except minimal scatter in the landing as described below.

One landing area within the project will be used for processing of woody materials, and loading of log trucks, firewood trucks, chip trucks and/or other related service vehicles.

Outside the project area and along the haul road exiting the park, contractor will collect and haul existing piles of wood chips in designated staging area. Existing wood chip volume is approximately 1000 cubic yards (recommend site visit).

Vehicles will not operate during wet conditions and will not cause any soil rutting.

Best Management Practices (BMPs) shall be maintained and shall include protection of all existing drainage structures along access routes to and from the project area, including the well-crowned road surface.

At termination of hauling activity, all designated haul roads shall be reconstructed to conditions existing prior to commencement of tree removal operations. Road reconstruction may include but is not limited to grading, crowning, rocking, drainage repair, culvert cleaning, side ditch repair, water bar repair, and side slope re-contouring.

Protection from Soil Compaction and Rutting:

All tractor routes and any soil or topographic disturbance caused by operations shall be restored to natural topographic conditions, and re-vegetated if necessary with native vegetation. Contract bidders must carefully explain how this requirement will be met, in a written narrative attachment to their contract bid.

Main tractor routes that service 1-acre areas or larger shall be ripped to prevent long-term compaction and shall be left smooth with the surrounding topography.

The landing shall be ripped to 12” depth, shall be left smooth with the surrounding topography and shall be covered with a 2 to 4” layer of wood chips or grinded wood mulch.

Hand Crew Follow-up:

Rake out ruts and berms in soil to less than 6 inches height across entire project.

Rake out linear tractor marks and log skid paths that may capture surface water.

Cover areas of bare soil with native forest litter material.

Repair pre-existing trail at tractor crossing points to pre-project trail conditions.

Rake out all tractor marks and tire marks within 75 feet of park roads and trails.

Repair any incidental damage to the park fence.

Bid Requirements / Bidder's Project Proposal:

Contract bidders must carefully explain how they propose to meet all requirements of this plan. A written narrative (Project Proposal) explanation much be attached to their submitted contract bid.

Project Proposal should be no longer than one page.

Bidders must describe all heavy equipment proposed for use on this project, and how it will be used to meet project requirements.

Bidders must describe landing size and landing operations.

Contract will be awarded based on both low cost (bid amount) and evaluation of bidder's Project Proposal to implement the work and meet all requirements.

Project Proposal must demonstrate that project work will protect the environment.

Evaluation of proposals will be preformed by representatives from California State Parks , Lake Valley Fire Protection District, and TRPA.

Hand Crew Operations (5 acres)

Hand Crew Tasks:

Thin live trees less than 14” DBH (not marked) to 10' spacing, favoring tree size, health, and Jeffrey pine.

Fell all dead trees less than 24” DBH (not marked), except leave any trees that could fall into the River or other wet areas.

Fell all marked trees.

Flush cut stumps to within 1 to 6 inches of ground level.

Apply borax to fresh cut stumps from live trees greater than 6” diameter.

Cleanup woody debris greater than 1” diameter up to 12” diameter by limbing, cutting into 4-foot lengths or less, and piling for burning.

Place piles at least 15 feet from residual trees, at least 50 feet from the Upper Truckee River , and outside of flagged exclusion zones in wet areas.

Piles should be 6' high and built tight to facilitate ignition in snow conditions.

Existing rotten logs at least partially decayed into the soil should be left and protected.

Crew Vehicles will not operate during wet conditions and will not cause any soil rutting.

At termination of Hand Crew operations, all designated roads shall be reconstructed to conditions existing prior to commencement of tree removal operations. Road reconstruction may include but is not limited to grading, crowning, rocking, drainage repair, culvert cleaning, side ditch repair, water bar repair, and side slope re-contouring.

Transportation of Firewood:

Logs greater than 12” diameter will be left on site by the Hand Crew.

Firewood permits for personal use will be made available to State Park employees.

Vehicles will not operate during wet conditions and will not cause any soil rutting.

Pile Burning:

State Park staff will burn piles in accordance with a Smoke Management Plan approved by El Dorado County Air Quality Management District.

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See profiles and maps of the dead tree removal projects projects:

< Dead Tree Removal Project Introduction >

< East Meadow >

< Bakersfield >

< Dry Meadow >