Camp De Benneville Pines Fuel Reduction Project

The project is located at Camp Benneville de Pines (Camp) in the San Bernardino National Forest (BDF). The project site includes 13 structures and a 100-foot radius surrounding these camp facilities totaling approximately 12.76. acres, and a 0.33-acre equipment and materials staging area, for a combined total of 13.09 acres. The project proposes to assist the Camp in compliance with local and state defensible space/hazard abatement regulations, as required by their lease with the BDF. Project activities will include the removal of vegetation within 100 ft. of structures for the purposes of maintaining defensible space, and the removal of dead, dying, or diseased trees. Removal of vegetation will occur manually; cut material will be left in place, piled for firewood, chipped and distributed back on site, and/or hauled away. Spread chip material will not exceed 2 inches in depth; additional chip material will be staged in piles in existing disturbed areas for future use. Dead, dying, and diseased trees <11” DBH may be removed for defensible space purposes; retained trees will be limbed to the extent feasible to meet defensible space standards (i.e., required clearance from chimneys and other trees) and to allow for the passage of emergency vehicles. The project also includes the removal of large (>12” DBH) dead, dying, or diseased trees, identified in coordination with the BDF. All trees will be felled in the least ground-disturbing manner feasible. Project implementation requires both small (chainsaws, hand tools, etc.) and large (chippers, lift or crane for the removal of the large trees, etc.) equipment. Heavy equipment (i.e., chipper, lift) and vehicles will use existing improved and/or disturbed areas such as roads, driveways, and pullouts. Cut material will be removed to these areas by hand to further minimize ground disturbance. Maintenance will occur as necessary to maintain the standards listed above and may occur as frequently as an annual basis. Maintenance needs will be determined in coordination with CAL FIRE.