Risk/Hazard Identification and Mitigation Project Worksheet

Description of Risk/Hazard: Describe in detail the risk or hazard that poses a threat to the community.

Vegetative Fuel and Topography: The Elk Point Unit 1 is characterized by a dense stand of second growth Jeffery pine with some white fir and incense cedar. The understoryis brush dominated by manzanita and bitterbrush. Stand density varies from 120 to 180 square feet of basal area per acre. Much of the prescription area is steep with slopes over 30%, though other parts of the prescription area are suitable for mechanized treatments.

Worst Case Scenario / Hazard: An ignition from the campground located on the lakeshore would be pushed by wind and topography into the Round Hill neighborhood. This fire would be extreme and uncontrollable.

Priority Ranking: What is the priority ranking of this risk/hazard in relation to all others identified?

Because of fuels below and on the wind ward side of the community, this project ranks as #4 for the TDFPD.

Location: Describe or attach a map with sufficient detail to allow accurate ground location.

The area including and around Round Hill, west of the Round Hill community. See Figure 11-4 for details.

Recommended Mitigation Measures and Scope of Work: Present prescription and work specifications in sufficient detail to facilitate procurement of bids and quotes. For hazardous fuel removal projects include estimated volumes (tons/acre) of fuel removed and disposal plan.

Remove or thin brush understory to decrease the fire intensity and reduce ladder fuels. Remove dead and down material. Spacing between remaining bushes should be 2-3 times the height of brush, and in open areas near trees at least two times the height of the trees. A brush masticator or “Bull Hog” could be used where slopes are less than 30%. Aerial systems or other steep slope methods should be explored on slopes greater than 30%. Grind the brush and leave as mulch, or hand cut, pile, and burn. Use of herbicide could reduce sprouting of some species.

Thin forest stand from below, removing smaller trees and leaving larger ones to achieve the desired stocking rate of 80 to 100 square feet of basal area per acre. Remove trees heavily infected with dwarf mistletoe.

*Prescribed fire could be used to reduce the brush understory, and desired where feasible to return fire to the landscape. It should only be applied in areas after thinning and slash pile burning are complete to maintain fire control.

Evaluation of the Extent to Which Completion of This Project Will Reduce the Fire Threat:

The area has heavy recreational use, including barbeque facilities, that increases the likelihood of a human-caused ignition. Treatment in this area will help contain human-caused ignitions below the project area, keeping fire from spreading uphill and becoming uncontrollable. Implementation of the prescription will reduce the competition among residual trees, increasing forest health and decreasing tree mortality. This will reduce the amount of accumulated dead and down material contributing to the fuel loadings on the forest floor, and break up the vertical continuity of the fuels. It will also help curb the spread of the dwarf mistletoe.

If all of the recommendations in this report are implemented, there is still no guarantee that a devastating wildfire will not occur in the area. However, community awareness and individual attention to fuels management on private property and fuel reduction on state, federal, and county property will help to achieve the highest level of wildfire safety possible.

Identification of Protected Species or Other Critical Resources: Describe any measures that must be taken to protect critical wildlife habitat, historic

Environmental compliance measures must be implemented before project initiation. Stream Environment Zones are located in the project area and must be protected, employing appropriate TRPA mitigation measures.

Some threatened and endangered species exist in the Tahoe Basin. Appropriate avoidance and mitigation measures should be employed during project implementation.

Compliance with cultural resource protection may also be necessary. Check with TRPA and the NVSHPO to ensure cultural resources are protected.

Post-project Rehabilitation: Present scope of work in sufficient detail to facilitate procurement of bids and quotes.

Rehabilitate any fire control lines, landings or disturbed areas. Rehabilitation will be minimal if only hand methods are used. Where soil has been disturbed, TRPA rehabilitation measures and Best Management Practices would apply. This could include reseeding or mulching areas if necessary.

Estimated Timeline:

Desirable time of year to complete:

May - December

Estimated time required to complete project:

Two operational seasons by hand, May 1 through Oct. 15 each year.

Estimated Cost: Present an estimate of the total cost of project completion and the basis for the estimate presented. If the project can be subdivided into phases or various components, present an estimated cost for each.

Cable yarding is recommended, however, no costs for cable yarding were available. The costs below are a minimum based on currently accepted methods in the Tahoe Basin.

Biomass to be removed is approximately 23 tons / acre

Project Maintenance Requirements:

Repeat with Bull Hog or prescribed fire at ten years.

Other Considerations: Describe any other considerations that must be taken into account to successfully complete this project such as permits, clearances, approvals, etc.

• USFS Regional Approval
• TRPA Approval
• Air Quality Approval