RES 2026023 - Laserfiche WebLink

Sequoia Ecological Consulting, Inc. CalVTP Project-Specific Analysis and Addendum Augustin Bernal Community Park Fuel Reduction November 2025 2-11 be treated with the appropriate method for the species and life stage. Herbicide spot treatment would target invasive species and would be applied by hand or by backpack sprayer. Biomass Disposal Biomass from non-invasive, non-noxious plants would be left to naturally decompose (e.g., lop and scatter, chip and broadcast), pile burned, or hauled off-site. Poison oak would be cut and left in place (lop and scatter). Where chipper access is not practical, cut material would be piled strategically for later burning. Within suitable habitat for Alameda whipsnake, piles left in place for a critical length of time as determined by a professional would be dismantled and reconstructed prior to burning. 2.3.3.2. Shrub Fuel Type Treatment Activities Shrub fuel type would include habitat classified by the CWHR as coastal scrub. Shrub habitat present in the project area is limited to one large patch of coyote brush scrub and three shrub fragments (less than 1-acre in size), which are also dominated by coyote brush. The general approach in suitable Alameda whipsnake scrub habitat would be to strategically reduce hazardous fuels in a way that retains scrub habitat. Selective removal of invasive species and dead, woody vegetation and limbs would retain scrub habitat characteristics suitable for Alameda whipsnake with a mosaic of open and closed canopy patches. The resulting patches would be irregular, oblong shapes to maintain a natural condition and retaining rocky outcrops through avoidance. Scrub patch characteristics would model naturally occurring scrub and would include variable age classes. Treatment activities within suitable Alameda whipsnake habitat would involve primarily manual thinning to remove dead woody vegetation and invasive species to achieve horizontal spacing. Other treatment activities in shrub fuel types would include prescribed herbivory in shrubby areas with interspersed grasses and areas adjacent to grasslands being grazed. Vegetation removal activities would retain scrub, and the overall dominant scrub habitat type would not be converted to a different habitat type. Specifications for suitable Alameda whipsnake habitat are described by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) as follows: coastal scrub, coyote brush scrub, or maritime chaparral areas greater than 0.5 acres in size, or scrub areas greater than 0.2 acres in size that are within 50 feet of scrub patches greater than 0.5 acres in size (FEMA 2013). Scrub islands created through mosaic thinning or patch retention thinning would result in a total canopy cover of between 30 and 50 percent shrubs and 50 to 70 percent grassy openings (FEMA 2013). Scrub retained in these dimensions also retains the overall habitat function for Alameda whipsnake while still serving the needs of the shaded fuel break.