Districtwide Firebreak & Weed Abatement

The project would involve clearing of a 30-foot firebreak around the majority of the perimeter of the Cuyamaca College campus and 30- and 15-foot fire breaks around the majority of the perimeter of the Grossmont College campus, as well as weed abatement on portions of both campuses. Work for the firebreaks would involve removal of weeds, brush, and dead, dry, and readily combustible vegetation, without disturbing the underlying soil or root structure. Work for weed abatement at both campuses would involve selectively removing dry grasses, weeds, invasive vegetation, and other combustible materials primarily through hand-cutting, trimming, and weed-whipping. Existing trees and sensitive native vegetation would be protected through installation of fencing along the approved limits of disturbance, flagging by a qualified biologist of native plants designated for avoidance, and biological monitoring. Work will be scheduled outside of the nesting bird season and Crotch’s bumble bee flight season to the extent feasible. If work must occur within the nesting bird season (February 1 to August 31) in areas that provide potential nesting habitat, a nesting bird survey would be required prior to the start of work, and the recommendations of the biologist would be followed to avoid impacts to nesting birds. If work must occur within the Crotch’s bumble bee flight season (April 1 to August 31) in portions of the proposed Cuyamaca College weed abatement areas with potential to provide Crotch’s bumble bee habitat, protocol surveys for the species would be required prior to the start of work and the recommendations of the biologist would be followed to avoid impacts to the species.