Knollwood Hazard Tree Removal Project

The Knollwood Hazard Tree Removal Project, managed by the San Luis Obispo County Fire Safe Council in Nipomo, California, focuses on reducing heavy fuel loads in an area characterized by blue gum eucalyptus overstory and veldt grass understory. The scope of work involves the removal of dead and dying trees and downed fuel accumulations using a combination of mechanical equipment, such as excavator feller-bunchers, chippers, and skid-steers, as well as hand crews for thinning dense brush and pruning live trees. Key activities include fuel clearance within 100 feet of residential structures, with dead trees being chipped on-site for potential landscaping use and slash from hand crews being spread evenly across the site. The project is governed by California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) guidelines and is classified under a Categorical Exemption. Strict environmental protections are required, including the prohibition of ground-disturbing work from April 1 to August 31 to protect Pismo clarkia and breeding birds, the use of hand crews only in protected live oak areas, and the conduct of raptor nest searches. Additionally, the project must adhere to CAL FIRE archaeological program procedures and cultural resource training to protect inadvertent discoveries. All hazardous tree removal activities are directed by the County Fire Safe Council, with Alan Peters serving as the authorized agent.