Fire safety clearing at Biddle Park, Lopez Lake Recreational Area, and Santa Margarita Lake Recreational Area (ED25-0267)

The County of San Luis Obispo Parks and Recreation Department is overseeing project ED25-0267, which involves fire safety clearing and fuel reduction activities at Biddle Park, Lopez Lake Recreational Area, and Santa Margarita Lake Recreational Area. Cal Fire will perform brush clearing and the downing of dead tree limbs to prevent fires, focusing efforts near roads, campgrounds, and day use areas. To protect the Santa Margarita Manzanita, all work must be executed using hand tools. The project is classified under NAICS code 561730 and is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act under Section 15308, as the work is considered normal operational maintenance within existing recreation areas. Administrative oversight is managed by Eric Hughes, Division Manager of Planning, and Elizabeth Kavanaugh from the Parks and Recreation Department. The project was formally documented with a CEQA exemption filing in December 2025.