Statewide Monitoring Network Modernization Project - Black Mountain Soil Probe Installation / Vegetation Removal

The California Department of Water Resources plans to enhance its statewide monitoring network by installing soil sensor probes near the existing Black Mountain hydrometeorological station in the Los Padres National Forest, within zip code 93453. This work involves excavating a temporary 3-foot by 3-foot by 3-foot soil pit using hand tools to Install soil moisture probes, which will be connected to the existing station via buried cables housed in conduit, requiring up to 50 feet of trenching. All excavation and backfilling will be conducted manually to minimize environmental impact. To reduce wildfire risk and protect equipment, chaparral vegetation within a 100-foot radius of the station will be cleared using hand tools and chainsaws. The project is part of broader efforts to modernize water resource monitoring infrastructure and improve data collection critical to hydrologic and wildfire management in the region. All work will be carried out with strict environmental safeguards in place, and inquiries can be directed to Brian Humphrey, Senior Environmental Scientist at the department.