Caltrans District 12 Vegetation Fuels Reduction Vegetation Management within Orange County

Caltrans District 12 is seeking to implement vegetation fuel reduction treatments along select routes within Orange County, California, specifically targeting State Routes 73, 74, 91, 133, 142, and 241. The primary objective of this forecast project is to mitigate wildfire risks and enhance native plant resiliency. The scope of work includes vegetation management strip clearance, the removal of invasive flashy fuels, vegetation thinning, and the removal of hazardous, dead, or dying trees. Additionally, the project involves roadway vegetation removal to improve ingress and egress routes for the public and emergency responders while reducing the likelihood of roadside ignitions. The project will be conducted in accordance with the State Environmental Protection Plan. Due to Governor Newsom's wildfire State of Emergency Proclamation and relevant Public Resource and Government Codes, the project has been granted a statutory exemption from the California Environmental Quality Act to facilitate emergency risk reduction. Smita Deshpande, Senior Environmental Scientist, serves as the primary point of contact for the agency. The project is categorized under NAICS code 561730.