Forest and Fuels Management
California State Parks (CSP) has implemented forest and fuels management projects in Washoe Meadows State Park every year since 1996.
Project areas have included stands of dead and dying trees impacted by bark beetles, wildland-urban interface areas near private homes, and meadow and riparian edges. The overall goals include restoration of native forest composition and structure, and protection of life, property and the environment from catastrophic wildfire.
Project objectives include: reduction of dead and dying trees and surface fuels, reduction of encroaching conifer on meadow and riparian edges to promote herbaceous and hardwood vegetation, and protection and recruitment of valuable components for wildlife habitat.
Because these forest treatments are generally removing non-commercial timber (large trees are left while small ones are removed), creative funding solutions have been explored for forest and fuels management projects. Typically special grant funding is necessary for implementation of project work. Some “no cost” service contracts have been utilized in which the contractor is paid by selling firewood removed from the park, rather than by direct payment from the state. Hand crews provide final cleanup to CSP standards through chipping, pile burning and rehabilitation. However, hand crews require special funding that is variable from year to year, effecting ability to complete projects
California State Parks is partnering with the local Lake Valley Fire Protection District on forest and fuels management efforts. Grant funding has been secured through the fire district for 2009. Plans are being developed for the district hand crews to continue critical fuel reduction work near homes adjacent to Washoe Meadows State Park .
Forest Management in Pictures
Here are photographs of the restoration project:
This is a photo of a dense, unhealthy conifer stand, with high fire hazard.
This is a chipper and truck that to dispose of hazardous fuels near Delaware Street.
CSP forestry crew thinning and reducing fuels near Grizzly Mountain Drive.
