See and Do!
project info
- Contact:
- EBRPD, Asst. Fire Chief
John Swanson:
jrswanson@ebparks.org or (510) 690-6603.
This project was completed on October 22, 2009. The trail is now open.
East Ridge Trail Project - 2009
A Voter-Approved Measure CC Fuels Management Project
Project Details
In September 2009, the East Bay Regional Park District begins the second phase of a fuel removal and hazardous tree project along East Ridge Trail at Redwood Regional Park. The project includes removing aging Monterey pines and thinning the area to lessen the threat and minimize the spread of deadly wildland fire and encourage native plant growth.
The aging Monterey pines along East Ridge Trail create a fire risk and can be dangerous with falling branches and debris. While Monterey pines are native to California, they are not native to this area. Many of the pines are infected with pine pitch canker.
Removing and thinning this overgrown forest will allow for more sunshine and less crowding, which will result in a healthier environment for other native plants and animals. We are already seeing evidence of this renewed native growth in Phase One, which was completed in 2008.
This project is being done in stages when bird nesting and mating are not occurring, when soil conditions are just right, and other conditions allow us to do the job safely and responsibly.
Quick Facts
Action...... Second phase of tree thinning project to reduce risk of wildland fire and create healthier forest. This phase should be completed by December 2009. Maintenance of the vegetation using a variety of methods will continue on this site annually.
Date.......... September 8 - December 2009
Area.......... A 1¼-mile section of East Ridge Trail from Skyline Gate Staging Area to Prince Trail
Open........ Monday - Friday before 8 a.m. and after 5 p.m. and weekends and holidays
Closed...... Monday - Friday from 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Financial and Public Support
This project is part of a Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)-approved fire mitigation plan and has gone through extensive public and regulatory review. FEMA is funding approximately half of this project. The other half is being paid through Measure CC funds, a parcel tax passed by voters in 2004 to provide park access, wildfire protection, public safety, and environmental maintenance – all concerns of residents in this area.
Q & A
Q: How about effects on ecosystem and habitat?
A: The Park District will use a judicious, focused approach on proper thinning to create habitat for native plants and animals that do thrive here.Q: What about growth of invasives such as French broom?
A: This is a long-range plan that will be managed for invasive plants that might surface.In May 2009, an herbicide contractor treated several small patches of French broom as well as eucalyptus sprouts in the areas cleared during the first phase of this project.
Q: Why are you doing this during the fall?
A: We can only do these mitigation projects when it is safe for our raptors and when the soil is dry enough to avoid compaction. Based on direction from our Stewardship Department, we waited until it was safe to do so.We purposely arranged with the contractor to resume work after Labor Day to minimize the impact on park users during the summer.
Q: When was the public notified about this project?
A: The draft Environmental Assessment was made available for public review on October 21, 2002. The public comment period lasted 30 days, ending on November 20, 2002. A public meeting was held at the EBRPD headquarters on November 12, 2002.All the public comments received were included in the final Environmental Assessment submitted to FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency) in April 2003.
Downloads
Download > Fact Sheet - Full Color (PDF)
Download > Redwood Map - North (PDF)
Download > Redwood Map - Full (PDF)`
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