RES 2026023 - Laserfiche WebLink

Sequoia Ecological Consulting, Inc. CalVTP Project-Specific Analysis and Addendum Augustin Bernal Community Park Fuel Reduction November 2025 2-4 2.2. Treatment Activities Treatment activities to achieve project objectives would be applied singularly or in combination, depending on site conditions and site-specific goals. The Project’s proposed treatment activities are consistent with the CalVTP PEIR (Ascent Environmental 2019) and would include: • Prescribed Burning: Includes broadcast burning (prescribed burning to reduce fuels over a larger area or restore fire resiliency in target fire-adapted plant communities conducted under specific conditions related to fuels, weather, and other variables) and pile burning (prescribed burning of piles of vegetative material to reduce fuel and/or remove biomass following treatment) • Mechanical Treatment: Use of motorized equipment to chip vegetation and mow select areas • Manual Treatment: Use of hand tools and hand-operated power tools to cut, clear, or prune herbaceous or woody species • Prescribed Herbivory: Use of domestic livestock to reduce a target plant population, thereby reducing fire fuels or competition of desired plant species • Herbicides: Chemical application designed to inhibit growth of target plant species 2.2.1. Prescribed Burning (Broadcast) Prescribed understory fires would mimic periodic low-intensity wildfires historically prevalent in the region and create similar structural and habitat conditions that benefit many plant and wildlife species. Gradual reintroduction of fire presents an opportunity to improve forest health, reduce critical fuel loading, improve emergency access, and regenerate a healthy ecosystem. Prescribed low-intensity surface fires (broadcast burning) would be used to control vegetation and manage fuel loads. Prescribed burning would remain within a predetermined area and would occur only with specific fuels and in safe weather conditions. Prescribed burns would be used for maintenance of treatments, and they would occur approximately every 5 years, as appropriate. Active burns would follow environmental safety guidelines, including burning only after consideration of specific weather conditions (e.g., appropriate humidity, wind direction, etc.) and coordinating with resource agencies, such as the California Air Resources Board (CARB). Specifically, active burns would include the preparation and implementation of a burn plan, including a smoke management plan (SMP). The City would report site conditions and request approval to burn through the Prescribed Fire Information Reporting System (PFIRS), which serves as an interface between air quality managers, land management agencies, and individuals that conduct prescribed burning in California. A prescribed burn SMP must be submitted to and approved by the Bay Area Air District (BAAD) at least 30 days prior to burning. Prescribed burns would typically be ignited using a flamethrower from a side-by-side utility terrain vehicle, by walking with a drip torch or fusee, or via other methods, as determined by a professional. Prescribed burns are typically completed in a single day but, under certain circumstances, could be maintained for up