RES 2026023 - Laserfiche WebLink

Sequoia Ecological Consulting, Inc. CalVTP Project-Specific Analysis and Addendum Augustin Bernal Community Park Fuel Reduction November 2025 2-6 2.2.4. Prescribed Herbivory Prescribed herbivory involves transporting, releasing, herding, and moving grazing animals such as cattle, sheep, goats, or horses to designated sites. Herds would be installed strategically within areas with wildlife-safe fencing and a professional shepherd who would coordinate animal movements to prevent excessive grazing and ground disturbance. Moving livestock from one grazing ground to another would occur at a frequency based on numerous site-specific factors, including slope, density and type of vegetation, stocking rate, type of livestock, and precipitation/moisture content of vegetation. Stocking rate would vary based on species of grazer (e.g., a herd of cattle would require a larger acreage than a herd of goats of the same size). Site conditions (e.g., relative density or quantity of the vegetation to be treated, etc.) would determine herd size and the grazing time to complete the job. Prescribed herbivory would require temporary wildlife-safe fencing where natural barriers are not present, temporary water facilities and other infrastructure (e.g., corrals, fences), and guard animals and/or a shepherd to be present on-site. Any areas identified as sensitive to grazing activity would be clearly marked on project maps, and protection measures would be communicated to the herder and project manager, including a pre-vegetation removal field visit, as appropriate. To prevent undesirable introduction of invasive or noxious plant species to the site, consideration would be given to where animals are coming from and whether viable seeds of undesirable species are present. As necessary, the herd would be fed a weed-free diet for an appropriate period prior to being introduced to the grazing site. Any supplemental feed brought on-site would be free of noxious weeds. 2.2.5. Herbicide Application Herbicides would be used strategically to supplement other treatment methods to prevent the spread and resprouting of invasive species within the treatment areas and along roads. Effective herbicides identified by the California Invasive Plant Council (Cal-IPC) and U.S. Department of Agriculture that are consistent with those described in the CalVTP PEIR (e.g., glyphosate and species-specific chemicals) would be applied. On-the-ground application methods include painting cut stems or stumps and using backpack hand applicators targeted on focal invasive plants; no aerial spraying or spraying from trucks would occur. No herbicide used would occur within 25 feet of aquatic habitat except for direct application to freshly cut invasive tree stumps. Herbicide application would comply with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) label directions and both California Environmental Protection Agency (CalEPA) and California Department of Pesticide Regulation (DPR) label standards. All herbicide application would be performed by certified and licensed pesticide applicators in accordance with all local, state, and federal regulations. Herbicide application would not take place within 24 hours of a rain event.