Rim Fire reforestation workshop set

By Guy McCarthy

The Union Democrat, June 17, 2015

     Rim Fire recovery staff with the Stanislaus National Forest plan to host a workshop July 8 to review potential alternatives for reforestation in parts of the federally managed forest that were scorched, burned or denuded by the gigantic blaze between August and October 2013.

The Rim Fire burned a total of 257,314 acres – more than 400 square miles – including 154,530 acres in the Stanislaus national Forest, and 77,252 acres in Yosemite national park, according to federal land managers.

More than 80 percent of the Stanislaus Forest did not burn in the Rim Fire, according to the Forest Service.  Unburned portions of the forest remain vulnerable to bark beetle infestation, tree mortality, drought and competition for scarce water.

The July 8 workshop is a step in a process the Forest Service must work through with individuals, groups and other members of the public, as well as interested parties known as stakeholders, before the federal agency can move forward with reforestation plan specifics.

“Sixty-five comments were received during our 45-day scoping period which ended on April 13, “Stanislaus National Forest Supervisor Jeanne Higgins said in an announcement.

“Now our goal is to provide the community an opportunity to review the draft alternatives that were developed to address the concerns that were raised,” Higgins said.  “These alternatives will be analyzed in the Draft Environmental Impact Statement, which is expected to be available for review in the fall.”

Higgins emphasized that she and Rim Fire recovery staff with the Stanislaus National Forest urge people to stay engaged in the decision-making process.

“If you who have an interest in how the landscapes burned by the Rim Fire are restored, it’s important for you to attend,” Higgins said.

Stanislaus national forest staff summarized their reasons for initiating the reforestation project and the project’s primary goals:

• Return a mixed conifer forest to 30,065 acres.
• Restore old forest for wildlife habitat and connectivity.
• Reduce hazardous fuels for future fire resiliency.
• Eradicate noxious weeds.

Forest Service staff are also keen on avoiding another giant fire in the 898,099-acre Stanislaus national Forest.  The 2013 Rim Fire was the largest in Sierra Nevada records and the third-largest in California history.

The reforestation workshop is open to anyone who wants to attend.  It is scheduled 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. July 8 at 19777 Greenley Road, Sonora.  Participants should RSBP gdempsey@fs.fed.us by July 1.