California Vegetation Treatment Program (CalVTP) Update

The Tuolumne County Resource Conservation District is implementing two primary fuel reduction initiatives in Tuolumne County, California, under the California Vegetation Treatment Program. The Summerville-Tuolumne Vegetation Management Project covers up to 1,067 acres near Tuolumne City and Summerville High School, utilizing a two-phase approach. Phase I involves herbicide application on 136 acres, while Phase II focuses on initial mechanical and manual treatments and pile burning across approximately 930 acres, with maintenance scheduled two to three years later. Simultaneously, the Jamestown Road Fuels Management Project targets approximately 670 acres to create a shaded fuel break using mastication, chipping, hand cutting, and piling and burning, with a target residual tree spacing of 25 to 30 feet for trees under 12 inches dbh. Both projects are managed by District Forester Frank Lewicki and have been approved following environmental reviews that determined no significant environmental effects. Compliance is maintained through the CalVPT Program EIR and the project's Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program, adhering to CEQA guidelines. The combined scope of work employs a variety of treatment methods, including mechanical, manual, prescribed burning, herbivory, and herbicide applications to reduce fire risk in the region.