PUBLIC COMMENT DEADLINES. We are continuing our essential wildland fire prevention and preparation work. This includes analyzing and identifying ways to reduce potential environmental impacts from our newly developed Wildland Fire Resiliency Program. The goals of this program are to proactively expand Midpen’s ecologically sensitive vegetation management to establish healthy ecosystems, reduce wildland fire risk and facilitate fire suppression.
You can review and comment on the environmental analysis in the draft report during the public comment period from January 15 to March 1, 2021. Comments related to the environmental analysis and received by March 1 will be included and addressed in the final program environmental impact report later this year.
You can also participate in and submit comments for a virtual public hearing scheduled for February 25, 2021 regarding the draft report with the Midpen board of directors.
Development of our proposed Wildland Fire Resiliency Program is currently underway with a public input and environmental review process. The goals of this new program are to:
- Establish healthy, resilient fire-adapted ecosystems and protect natural resources
- Reduce wildland fire risk
- Facilitate fire suppression and emergency access
COMMENT:
You can also reach us by phone: 650-691-1200; fax: 650-691-0485 or e-mail: info@openspace.org
Program Details
The proposed Wildland Fire Resiliency Program has four main elements:
Vegetation Management Plan
Expanding environmentally sensitive vegetation management into new areas of our preserves beginning in 2020 for ecological health and public safety.
Prescribed Fire Plan
Reintroducing prescribed fire to Midpen’s land management toolbox in 2022, in partnership with Cal Fire.
Preserve Maps to Assist Fire Agencies (Pre-plan and resource advisor maps)
Updating and expanding preserve maps that provide critical information to fire agencies responding to wildland fire events, including water sources, roads and gates and sensitive natural and cultural resources.
Monitoring Plan
Collecting scientific data and monitoring to ensure the program is adaptable and meeting our goals.
Read the proposed details for each of these four elements in Midpen’s draft Wildland Fire Resiliency Program.
Program Development Timeline
| 2019 | Research and public outreach workshops. |
| April 8, 2020 | Public Meeting: Study session for Midpen board and public to provide feedback on program scope. No board action. |
| April 27 – June 18, 2020 | Program scoping and public comment period. |
| May 13, 2020 | Public Meeting: Midpen board approved program scope allowing required environmental impact report to proceed. |
| Feb. 25, 2021 | Public Hearing: Review draft program environmental impact report. |
| Winter 2020-21 | Release of draft program Environmental Impact Report. |
| Spring 2021 (tentative) | Public meeting: Midpen board to consider certifying final environmental impact report and adopting program, allowing work to begin. |
| 2021-22 | Tentative public input and environmental impact report process for prescribed fire. |
Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District
Administrative Office
330 Distel Circle
Los Altos, CA 94022-1404
You can also reach us by phone: 650-691-1200; fax: 650-691-0485 or e-mail: info@openspace.org
Thank you, Michele.