Plumas Disadvantaged Communities- Chester

The project involves hazardous fuel reduction across 60.5 acres in the Plumas County communities of Chester and Lake Almanor, California, aimed at reducing wildfire intensity and spread through silvicultural treatments. The primary activities include mastication of conifers up to and including 12 inches DBH and removal of surface fuels, with a target of treating at least 80% of surface fuel loads and ensuring a 5-foot clearance from the dripline of overstory conifers. The vegetation configuration must maintain a minimum 10-foot vertical separation between surface fuels and the live crown of remaining trees, while also establishing horizontal discontinuities between residual tree boles spaced 15 to 20 feet apart. Post-treatment woody residue must be limited to no more than six inches in depth and cannot be piled against surviving vegetation. Snags exceeding 12 inches DBH are to be grapple piled for controlled burning, and a minimum of two snags per acre exceeding 16 inches DBH are to be retained where ecologically and safely feasible. Operations are subject to seasonal restrictions, prohibiting ground disturbance and tree removal between March 1 and August 15 to protect nesting wildlife, and requiring strict adherence to watercourse protection zones with buffer widths determined by slope and stream classification. Canopy closure of at least 50% must be maintained within these buffers, and 25% of existing overstory conifers must be retained in treatment areas. The project is implemented under Cal Fire Prop 68 Wildfire Resilience and Forestry Assistance Funding and qualifies for a CEQA categorical exemption under Section 15304, prohibiting commercial timber harvest and emphasizing non-commercial fuel reduction. The Feather River Resource Conservation District is the procuring agency, with Michael Hall listed as the primary point of contact, while the Plumas County Firesafe Council is responsible for execution. No formal contract value, pricing structure, FAR clauses, or procurement-related certifications are provided, indicating the activity is structured as an environmental assistance or grant-funded initiative rather than a traditional federal procurement. All work is confined to the designated project area in T29N, R7E, S31, MDBM, and inspections are conducted on-site to verify compliance with environmental and operational standards.