O and M Roadway Right-of-Way Mowing and Maintenance

The Bear Valley Community Services District will conduct annual routine maintenance operations along roadway rights-of-way in Bear Valley Springs, Kern County, focusing on vegetation management to reduce wildfire risk and enhance public safety. Activities include mowing, trimming, and removal of dead, dying, or hazardous vegetation within a buffer zone extending 10 to 45 feet from the edge of pavement, confined strictly to existing disturbed areas without expanding roadways or creating new ground disturbance beyond minimal surface impacts. Up to 200 acres will be treated each year, with priority given to eliminating fire hazards and maintaining defensible space around roads and access routes. All work will occur within established rights-of-way under the jurisdiction of the district, using methods designed to minimize environmental disruption while maximizing fire prevention outcomes. Dead or unstable trees posing immediate threats to infrastructure or public safety may be removed as part of the program. The project is overseen by the District’s Director of Public Works and coordinated with Kern County Fire’s Fire Plan Engineer to ensure alignment with regional fire safety goals. The work is scheduled to begin in 2026 and will continue annually, with all activities centered on preserving community resilience against wildfires without altering the existing landscape beyond necessary maintenance.