TUD Ditch System Shaded Fuel Breaks

The TUD Ditch System Shaded Fuel Breaks project, managed by the Tuolumne Utilities District in Sonora, California, is a wildfire risk mitigation initiative designed to protect the district's raw water supply. The scope of work involves implementing fuels reduction activities along 12 miles of the TUD ditch system to establish a 50-foot shaded fuel break on both sides of the infrastructure. Key operational activities include cutting, shredding, chipping, or creating hand piles, as well as burning all brush exceeding 12 inches in size. These efforts are aligned with the priority areas identified in the Tuolumne Utilities District's 2025 Wildfire Risk Mitigation Plan. The project is located within Tuolumne County, with specific performance areas identified near Eureka, Columbia, and Shaw's Flat. Administratively, the project has received a Notice of Exemption under Class 4, Section 15304, as the work consists of minor alterations to land and vegetation that do not require the removal of healthy, mature, or scenic trees. While the provided documentation includes environmental filing fees and administrative details, it does not specify a formal contract value, pricing schedule, or specific period of performance. The project is overseen by the Tuolumne Utilities District, with Eric Hall serving as the Operations Director and Lead Agency contact.