City of San Clemente Open Space Wildfire and Vegetation Management - Hazardous Fuel Reduction

The City of San Clemente is implementing the Open Space Wildfire and Vegetation Management - Hazardous Fuel Reduction project as part of its Local Hazard Mitigation Plan. The primary objective is to reduce wildfire risk and protect life, property, and critical infrastructure within Very High and High Fire Hazard Severity Zones. Initial efforts will focus on the open space adjacent to 990 Avenida Vista Hermosa, utilizing a multi-year management plan that includes goat grazing for dense brush clearance, manual thinning by hand crews, strategic mechanical vegetation removal, and the control of invasive species such as cottonwood and cypress. The project also emphasizes restoring native vegetation to enhance ecosystem health and create fire-resilient open spaces. This forecast project, identified under NAICS code 561730, is managed by Community Development Director Adam Atamian. It is supported by fire hazard maps in the Centennial General Plan's Safety Element and has been deemed categorically and statutorily exempt from CEQA review under State CEQA Guidelines Sections 15301(h), 15304, 15307, and 15308. The project is located in San Clemente, California, and is designed to carry out multiple mitigation actions specified in the city's recently approved Local Hazard Mitigation Plan.