Sawmill Fuel Reduction Project

Sawmill Fuel Reduction Project

The Sawmill Fuel Reduction Project is located on California Department of Fish and Wildlife property. This project is in a mixed conifer-oak forest, with intermixed brush, in the San Bernardino Mountains. Elevation is approximately 5,600 feet. The project goal is to reduce wildfire risk to nearby homes in State Responsibility Area (SRA) by reducing vertical and horizontal fuel continuity and road maintenance for emergency vehicle access during wildfires and for project access. Since the project area was previously treated for fuel reduction, this Notice of exemption covers the continuing maintenance of the existing project area. Continued maintenance of the project area will occur as vegetation regrows and conditions warrant. The total project area is 120 acres. Thinning of trees under 12 inches to an average spacing of 20 feet between tree trunks will occur. Residual trees will be pruned to a height of eight feet or no more than 1/2 their height, whichever is less. Dead/dying trees will be removed regardless of size except to meet wildlife habitat needs. All vegetation within the drip-line of residual trees will be removed. Brush will be thinned to create a mosaic of islands of vegetation of various shapes and sizes. Cut material will be chipped and deposited onsite or piled and burned. Cut material may also be cut into firewood size lengths and stacked next to the side of the road, if trees that are cut found to be infested with bark beetles, the main stem will be left on the ground or cut into firewood size length and stacked. The stems and the wood stacks will be covered with six mil clear plastic to control the spread of the beetles.

San Bernardino