News Release: Active Management in 2019 on the Eldorado National Forest

Apr 12, 2019

PLACERVILLE, Calif. – The Eldorado National Forest is pursuing an ambitious Program of Work for 2019 which includes removing 37 million board feet of timber and using prescribed fire on up to 7,000 acres. There are also many important projects underway in public services and road system management.
“We are actively managing as much of the forest as possible with our current workforce and partners,” said Forest Supervisor Laurence Crabtree. “We are also expanding our partnerships with other conservation organizations, so we can have more capacity in the future. CAL FIRE, National Wild Turkey Federation, Mule Deer Foundation, El Dorado County Resource Conservation District, and Georgetown Divide Resource Conservation District are some of the organizations we are currently doing a lot of work with.”
The 2019 forestwide priorities highlighted below emphasize achieving regionally established vegetation management targets to promote healthy forests which include commercial timber production. Commercial timber sales thin out crowded stands and help pay for the removal of small diameter trees and other non-commercial biomass which contribute to the build-up of hazardous fuels in the forest. All vegetation management on the Eldorado National Forest supports the larger goal of treating 500,000 acres per year on national forest lands in California.
2019 Eldorado National Forest Priorities:
ENGINEERING
  • Storm Damage Response / Critical Roads and Infrastructure – Assess, mitigate and repair storm damage across the forest prioritizing heavily used roads and recreational sites.
TIMBER & VEGETATION MANAGEMENT
  • Panther Stewardship Project – Commercial thinning on 677 acres and non-commercial thinning, cutting and piling on up to 1,263 acres between Panther Creek Road and Ellis Road, south of highway 88 and north of the 2004 Power Fire footprint in Amador County.
  • Mormon-Philbert Roadside Hazard Timber Sale – Removal of hazard trees along Mormon-Emigrant, Hazel Valley and North-South roads for approximately 26 ½ miles of total roadside treatment.
  • General Sherman Project – Improve forest health, reduce hazardous fuels, enhance watershed conditions, and improve landscape resilience on approximately 9,000 acres between Morman Emigrant Trail (road) and Silver Fork Road. Fire line fuel breaks will be created along ridges and roads to complement other fuel treatments done on public and private lands. Includes commercial and non-commercial thinning, removal of ladder fuels, and prescribed burning.
  • Scottiago Project – Improve forest health, reduce hazardous fuels, enhance watershed conditions, and improve landscape resilience on approximately 3,000 acres between 8N49 road and Omo Ranch Road within the Sopiago Creek, Middle Fork Cosumnes, and Scott Creek watersheds. Includes commercial and non-commercial thinning, removal of ladder fuels, and prescribed burning.
  • Tethered Logging Demonstration Timber Sale – This project will pilot test state of the art equipment for tree removal on steep slopes. The goal is to enhance our ability to thin forest stands in difficult to access locations while minimizing erosion and other potential impacts. Location is still to be determined.
RECREATION
  • Over Snow Vehicle Use Designation -Complete Environmental Impact Statement for the designation of over-snow vehicle (OSV) areas and trails for public OSV use, and OSV trails where grooming will occur.  Respond to objections and release final Record of Decision. OSV designation is required under travel management regulations.
ADMINISTRATION
  • Eldorado National Forest Reorganization – Develop an organizational structure to consolidate 4 ranger districts into 3 ranger districts for more efficient, safe and cost-effective delivery of programs and services. Determine the best organization of staffing and supervision.

For more information on the Eldorado National Forest, visit the forest website at:www.fs.usda.gov/eldorado.