East Fork Scott River Forest Health Implementation Project

The project will be used to implement up to 348 acres of hazardous fuels treatments to improve forest health, create climate resilience and reduce the risk of wildfire in the East Fork of the Scott River watershed, an area of Scott Valley that lies on the outskirts of the community of Callahan, a Community at Risk in far northern California's Siskiyou County. The Project will employ four distinct treatment techniques—chipping, mastication, hand piling, and pile burning—to customize treatments according to the specific needs of each location. As a result, 186 acres of ridgeline shaded fuel breaks will be implemented,124 acres (1.3 miles) of shaded fuel breaks along highway 3, and an additional 38 acres will be treated with pile burning. In the 186 acres of ridgeline shaded fuel break, treatments will be a combination of hand piling and burning, thinning, chipping and mastication. The proposed treatments will mitigate competition among trees, enhancing their resistance to pests, diseases, and drought. By thinning dense stands, we will create a more diverse forest structure that supports a wider variety of species, thereby boosting biodiversity. Additionally, thinning around oak trees encroached by conifers will improve habitat quality and food sources for wildlife. Methods of treatment will include chipping, pruning, pile burning, and mechanical and hand treating overly dense conifer stands and brush. Invasive plant removal will occur on the project area along roads where Isatis tinctoria, commonly known as Dyer’s Woad, has been identified to ensure that it does not spread to treatment areas. Effective removal of Dyer’s Woad and other invasive plants is essential to ensure that the restoration goals of the project are met. This ensures that any new infestations are promptly addressed, which helps maintain the integrity of the restoration work and supports long-term ecological health.