REPORT/RECOMMENDATION TO THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
OF SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT
AND RECORD OF ACTION
December 19, 2023
FROM
DAN MUNSEY, Fire Chief/Fire Warden, San Bernardino County Fire Protection District
SUBJECT
Title
Hazardous Fuels Reduction Services Agreements
End
RECOMMENDATION(S)
Recommendation
Acting as the governing body of the San Bernardino County Fire Protection District:
1. Find that hazardous fuels reduction services are exempt under the California Environmental Quality Act Guidelines, Title 14 of the California Code of Regulations Section 15301(c) Class 1 (repair and maintenance).
2. Find that hazardous fuels reduction services on public and private property, including property that is outside of the County Maintained Road System right-of-way, support a San Bernardino County Fire Protection District purpose of protecting lives and property.
3. Approve the right-of-entry agreement template with underlying property owners for hazardous fuels reduction services outside of the County Maintained Road System right-of-way.
4. Authorize the Fire Chief/Fire Warden to execute the right-of-entry agreement template with underlying property owners for hazardous fuels reduction services outside of the County Maintained Road System right-of-way.
5. Direct the Secretary of the Board of Directors to file and post the California Environmental Quality Act Notice of Exemption.
(Presenter: Dan Munsey, Fire Chief/Fire Warden, 387-5779)
Body
COUNTY AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER GOALS & OBJECTIVES
Operate in a Fiscally-Responsible and Business-Like Manner.
Provide for the Safety, Health and Social Service Needs of County Residents.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
Approval of this item will not result in the use of additional Discretionary General Funding (Net County Cost). The hazardous fuels reduction services will be provided using funds received from a $500,000 grant award from the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE). Sufficient appropriation related to these services is included in SBCFPD’s 2023-24 budget.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
On March 15, 2022 (Item No. 52), the Board of Directors (Board) accepted a grant award from CAL FIRE to be used by San Bernardino County Fire Protection District (SBCFPD) for hazardous fuels reduction services that consist of chipping days/vegetation management/roadside clearance for Lake Arrowhead (and surrounding areas), Crestline, Running Springs, Waterman Canyon, Angelus Oaks, Oak Glen, Wrightwood (and surrounding areas), and Mt. Baldy. All project and activity work related to the grant must be completed by March 30, 2025.
On June 27, 2023 (Item No. 135), the Board found the hazardous fuels reduction services to be funded by the CAL FIRE grant were exempt under the California Environmental Quality Act and supported a SBCFPD purpose of protecting lives and property. On this same date, the Board also approved various documents associated with performing hazardous fuels reduction services within the County Maintained Road System (CMRS) right-of-way, including a right-of-entry agreement template, and authorized the Fire Chief/Fire Warden to execute the right-of-entry agreement template with the underlying property owner.
The recommended right-of-entry agreement template will allow the Fire Chief/Fire Warden to allow SBCFPD to also perform hazardous fuels reduction services outside of the CMRS right-of-way to the property owners for greater community protection. Hazardous fuels reduction services will reduce hazardous fuel loads with the CMRS and outside of the CMRS, within the county. The aim of this project is to reduce wildfire risk to life and property while fostering healthy landscapes that are resilient to wildfire.
For hazardous fuels reductions services provided by SBCFPD outside of the CMRS right-of-way, the services will occur on properties adjacent to the CMRS right-of-way and/or on federal or state land.
PROCUREMENT
Not applicable.
REVIEW BY OTHERS
This item has been reviewed by County Counsel (Scott Runyan, Principal Assistant County Counsel, 387-5455) on November 27, 2023; Finance (Tom Forster, Administrative Analyst, 387-4635) on November 29, 2023; and County Finance and Administration (Valerie Clay, Deputy Executive Officer, 387-5423) on November 30, 2023.