Preparedness/Forest

Working Doc

Casey's mixing the two Meeting Notes files' Forestry bits. This is for future group edits. whew ok the 'dump' is in.

the on-going edit

There are two permitting approaches to thinning trees in the Canyon.

( some reference material https://www.coastal.ca.gov/enforcement/cdp_pamphlet.pdf https://planning.smcgov.org/tree-trimming-and-removal-permit ( heritage tree redwood defin: Sequoia sempervirens - Redwood of more than 84 inches in d.b.h. west of Skyline Boulevard or 72 inches d.b.h. east of Skyline Boulevard. )

permitting constraints include

• being w/in 5 miles of the coast ( Coastal Comission )
• being adjacent to a Class 1 Waterway
• seasonal animal migration

The first is for ?individuals? to get an exemption for tree removal using the 150' fire safety exemption to remove trees. These permits expire after 45 days. So the Canyon would co-ordinate work across individual lots.

The second is ? for some overarching organization ? to develop a Modified Timber Harvesting plan. This was described as being an effort of multiple parties and costing as much as $30K in professional fees to produce. In this case one of the parties would be an accredited ? forester. The work would have to be done by a licensed Timber Operator.

( casey here - I think there was a third? or was the Modified Timber Harvesting plan the third. )

the dump

Barbara & Kevin O'Riley ( rinders - 610 Madrone ) hosted a meeting to discuss approaches to tree maintenance and thinning in the Canyon.

Rich Samson, Battalion Chief for CalFire, was presenter. He described himself as a forester and as an enforcer for forestry issues in our region.

fire is a 'contagion' condition - just clearing your lot is nice but doesn't help you if your neighbor's is full of fuel. That's why he approves of a neighborhood approach to thinning etc. examine everything holistically.

• clear the big trees of dangling limbs up to at least 15 feet. This is to deter a ground fire from becoming a crown fire.
• clear the suckers, they will facilitate fire climbing up the trees
• clear the IVY. everywhere. It draws vermin, it catches on fire easily, it holds treefall in the air where it dries into nice kindling, and it makes unpredictable footing for emergency workers. Strip it off where it's climbing trees as it will lead the fire directly up its path.
• try to get rid of the Firs.
• up north all the ornamental plantings exploded. Holly's are very oily, as are madrones. cut them back or down.
• Now don't expect a lot of $ from commercial harvesters - the proximity of all these houses to the valuable trees increases their harvesting cost.
• a lot of these little side-trees and side growths can go. ok some are not so little.
• cut stumps as low as possible. Less fuel, and if maintenance is deferred/abandoned the resulting sucker-tree will be stronger.

• there is a 150' exemption for tree cutting. ( I didn't get which overlapping network of concerns this was an exemption to. ) This diameter will overlap properties in this neighborhood.
  • there is a 45 day limit per permitted cutting
  • therefore cascade permits and harvest work across the community.
• Another Approach - a "Modified Timber Harvest Plan" doesn't have a time limit. However this is serious multi-party work, which would be a long effort.
  • you will need licensed timber operators. Bob Renyolds of Big Creek has foresters ( which will be necessary for a Modified Timber Harvest Plan ) and may well have references for licensed timber operators.
  • Aside from Merlets ( sp ) this is a Class 1 Fishery. This will produce additional paperwork and expense.
• when the cutting happens everything that is 'waste' has to be chipped or burned.
  • yes burning with a permit is legal. Burns, however, are the source of the majority of our call-outs

       chipping - has to be distributed to no more than 12" in depth. While duft is great, and helps maintain moisture, chips dry out and become vectors for invasive plants. as well as ground fuel.

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Rob Skinner welcomed Butano neighbors and introduced Cal Fire Forester Rich Samson.

Timber Harvesting vs Fire Suppression / Timber Harvest Plan / Modified Timber Harvest Plan / Will take years, not months

Need to hire a forester and create a Forest Management Plan. In "independent" forester might have a better market for timber.

Will also need to hire a licensed Timber Operator.

What happened with the Camp fire in Butte County could happen in the Santa Cruz Mountains if the conditions were right. Wind and dry conditions play the biggest role.

- Trees should be limbed up 15 feet high and 10 feet away from all roads. Consider hiring the roadside clean up.

- Remove "vulnerable" non-native trees.

- Remove debris piles. NOTE: There will be two debris boxes available over Thanksgiving weekend.

- Permits are requited for burn piles. Always call 911 if you see a burn pile.

- Redwood duff on the ground is good as it holds moisture in the ground.

- Raise branches and other "ladder fuels".

- Keep rooftops clean.

- Eliminate smaller trees, shrubs and low-mid level branches.

- Douglass Fir are not typically as healthy as Redwoods and not as "wind firm".

Unique challenges for Butano Canyon:

- We live in Marbled Murrelet territory, which might dictate the timing of when we can have tree and other work done.

- Also the San Francisco Garter Snake.

- Its challenging and more expensive to remove trees that are close to house.

- May face challenges with permitting with San Mateo County.