California Vegetation Treatment Program (CalVTP) Update

The Trinity County Resource Conservation District is serving as the CEQA Lead Agency for the Hayfork Valley Project, identified as CalVTP Project ID 2025-14. The project focuses on creating a more resilient forest condition through wildland urban interface fuel reduction, ecological restoration, and fuel break treatments across up to 15,055 acres of private land in Hayfork, California. The Watershed Research and Training Center authored the Project-Specific Analysis and Addendum to the California Vegetation Treatment Program Program Environmental Impact Report to ensure CEQA compliance. Initial treatments are estimated to begin in 2026, with maintenance treatments occurring every 3 to 10 years as needed. The scope of work includes manual treatments on 15,055 acres, broadcast prescribed burning on 15,055 acres, pile burning on 14,552 acres, and mechanical treatments on 13,480 acres. Key operational requirements include the development of burn plans using CAL FIRE templates, the creation of Incident Action Plans for safety, and strict public notification protocols for prescribed burns, such as road signage and neighbor contact. Additionally, the project requires encroachment or grading permits for new road construction or activities blocking traffic. The project incorporates specific mitigation measures and checklists regarding biological resources and hazardous materials to maintain ecological balance and reduce wildfire risks.