Sly Park Recreation Area Hazard Fuels Reduction Project

The El Dorado Irrigation District (District) proposes to conduct hazard fuels reduction by removing small trees and dense brush in strategic locations of District property within the Sly Park Recreation Area (SPRA). The project is intended to protect the public, water quality, and the SPRA’s recreational facilities from potential damage from wildfire by removing hazardous fuel vegetation. The project area is located in the community of Pollock Pines in El Dorado County, and consists of approximately 1,000 acres of steep, forested land surrounding Jenkinson Lake, a roughly 640 surface-acre reservoir. The SPRA contains several campgrounds with a total of 190 campsites, five group sites, event center, equestrian campground with nine sites, 20 miles of multi-use trails, and two boat launches. The reservoir serves as a primary source of drinking water for western El Dorado County, as well as being highly popular with boaters and anglers. The primary areas of treatment would be located in and around the campground loops and day use areas on the north side of the lake as well as in the group camping area on the south side of the lake. The primary equipment utilized to implement the project includes a skid steer masticator and associated attachments that would facilitate gathering, chipping, and grinding of downed and dead material as well as dense live brush that has potential to facilitate rapid fire growth. The equipment was acquired through funding from the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire) through the FY 2023-2024 Wildfire Prevention Grants Program. The grant specifies the District will conduct hazardous fuels reduction on approximately 80-acres within the 173-acre project area by March 15, 2030. Hazardous fuels reduction activities may occur on any treatable areas within the 173-acre project area during the term of the grant and/or continue beyond the term of the grant as part of ongoing vegetation control maintenance activities. Project activities are scheduled to begin in late October of 2025 and work will be performed by trained District staff.