Stanislaus Forest Supervisor Susan Skalski today announced the second phase of the Rim Fire recovery, Notice of Intent to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) that will appear in the Federal Register December 6. The proposed action will include:
- Salvage of dead trees and fuel reduction (29,648 aces).
- Removal of hazard trees, salvage of dead trees and fuel reduction along Level 2 roads (369 miles).
- Road reconstruction (327 miles) and road maintenance (164 miles) to ensure proper function to protect streams.
- New road construction (approximately six miles) to allow for salvage removal and long-term access for future recovery activities.
- Temporary road construction (22 miles) that will be decommissioned following completion of project activities.
- Rock quarry sites (75 sites) to accommodate road needs.
- Water sources (95 locations) for road reconstruction and maintenance as well as long-term resource needs.
- Site Specific Forest Plan Amendments may be included.
Press release from the U.S.D.A.:
A deer hunter — not pot growers, as some politicians with an agenda publicly stated — started the Rim Fire that burned through over 237,341 acres of land in the Stanislaus National Forest and Yosemite National Park before firefighters finally got the upper hand. The 402 square mile fire blazed through more than $127 million of taxpayer money just fighting it. It began in the steep hills of the remote Jawbone Ridge area to the east of Groveland on August 17, 2013 and quickly spread out of control. Losses are estimated to be in excess of $50 million.
Press release from the USDA: