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 Stateline Unit 1 prescription area is characterized by a dense stand of Jeffery pine, lodgepole pine, white fir, and aspen with a heavy brush understory.

Worst Case Scenario / Hazard: A wind driven fire spreading up the Edgewood Creek drainage. Further up the drainage are residential neighborhoods that would be threatened.

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

This project is ranked as #8 because of heavy fuels.

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

South of lower Kingsbury along Edgewood Creek. See Figure 11-14 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 lower 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 area 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 the 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 or other disease.

*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:

Treatment in this area will help contain human-caused ignitions below the project area, keeping fire from spreading uphill towards a residential development 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. Thinning will also increase the spacing between residual trees, allowing heat from a ground fire to escape through the canopy, lowering fire intensity and decreasing the ability of the stand to carry a crown fire.

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 handmethods are used. Where soil has been disturbed, TRPA rehabilitation measures and Best ManagementPractices would apply. This could include reseeding or mulching areas if necessary.

Estimated Timeline:

Desirable time of year to complete:

July - December

Estimated time required to complete project:

One operational season May 1 to December. Two operational seasons if there are raptor nest sites within the area.

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.

Project Maintenance Requirements:

Periodic thinning or prescribed fire to control or reduce the establishment of brush and trees in the understory (creation of ladder fuels).

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

• Cultural and T&E clearance (USFS)
• US Army Corps of Engineers 404 permit
• TRPA approval
• TRPA SEZ compliance and approval
• USFS regional approval and (NEPA)
• State of Nevada Timber Harvest Permit
• Private land owner approval
• Possible stream zone variance