Pit River Tribe Thinning Project

The Pit River Tribe Hat Creek Thinning Project, managed by the Fall River Resource Conservation District, is a wildfire risk reduction initiative located in Shasta County, California, specifically within Township 36 North, Range 4 East, Sections 18-20 of the Mount Diablo Base Meridian. The project aims to protect structures, communities, critical infrastructure, and public and private lands by reducing fuel loads in mixed hardwood-conifer and Sierra mixed conifer forests. To achieve this, the project employs a variety of fuel reduction treatments, including prescribed fire, mechanical fuels reduction such as grapple piling, hand cutting and piling, mastication, herbicide application, and prescribed herbivory. Site preparation will involve mechanical and hand tools, while broadcast burning will be used to approximate historical fire regimes. To minimize ground disturbing impacts, the project will utilize existing roads and trails for control lines, though heavy equipment may be used to establish and hold fire lines. Maintenance of the treated areas will be conducted through targeted grazing, hand treatment, mastication, and herbicide application to control invasive weeds and resprouting brush. The project is categorized as exempt under Section 15304 for minor land alterations and has been determined to have no significant adverse environmental impacts on archaeological sites or endangered species. The primary point of contact for the project is Sharmie Stevenson, Executive Director of the Fall River Resource Conservation District.