Three Creeks Riparian Resilience Project

Identified in the 2025 CAL FIRE San Bernardino-Inyo-Mono Unit Fire Plan and Inyo County Community Wildfire Protection Plan, this project aims to reduce wildfire risk to the community situated at the confluence of Birch and Tinnemaha Creeks by treating strategic areas of riparian habitat and adjacent uplands on LADWP and Owens Valley Indian Water Commission property. Riparian treatments will include manual vegetation removal and subsequent herbicide application if necessary. Adjacent upland areas will also be treated to increase effectiveness and may include mechanical treatment. Work will occur in dry channels and next to wetted channels, with no removal of material from wetted areas. Large, downed material will be retained where feasible but may be redistributed to reduce fuel densities. Fuels will be modified via prioritized removal of non-native/invasive species including trees, dead and/or downed material including dead material from live individuals, and dead/dying/diseased/otherwise hazardous native trees of all sizes. Removal of non-listed native understory and upland species, and healthy native trees <12” DBH, may occur to meet above retention objectives. Retained trees will be limbed 6 ft. except where roads require additional clearance. Ground-based equipment may include skid steers, chippers, curtain burners, and hauling trucks/trailers, for treatment of manually cut material, as well as vehicles and fire apparatus to support crews and burning operations. Low ground pressure equipment (<10 PSI) will be utilized to the extent feasible. Only existing permanent roads and watercourse crossings will be used. Depending on site conditions and timing, cut material will be lopped and scattered, chipped, burned in piles or a curtain burner, or hauled away.