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 2 prescription area is characterized by a stand of Jeffrey pine with a stocking level of 80-320 ft² BA/AC. Much of the area was previously thinned 25 years ago, however the current stocking level is still too high. Poor stand health has lead to mortality in the white fir from fir engraver bark beetles and in the Jeffrey pine from bark beetle and dwarf mistletoe. This is contributing to the D&D woody material on the site. The understory is bitterbrush and other shrubs, and small fir trees.

Worst Case Scenario / Hazard: A wind driven fire would spread uncontrolled upslope to residential neighborhoods on either side of the treatment area and into the critical municipal facilities in Stateline Unit 2.

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

This project is ranked as #6 because of heavy fuels.

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

USFS Land around Kingsbury middle school and sewage treatment plant. See Figure 11-15 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. 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 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. Consider whole tree skidding.

*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 and becoming uncontrollable. Critical municipal infrastructure, such as the electrical substation and sewage treatment plant will be protected. 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 of 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 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:

June - December.

Estimated time required to complete project:

One operational season May 1 - October 15. December/ January good times for pile burning.

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.

Project Maintenance Requirements:

Periodic removal of brush, seedlings and saplings, and dead and down woody material, every ten years; orprescribed understory burn every 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 (USFS property)
• TRPA Approval (NEPA, includes T&E, Cultural)
• Air Quality permit if burning slash