Goals for this project: The goals of this project are to trim woody vegetation, prune trees, clear dead material and clear any hazard trees that may fall onto the road. This project will provide an effective escape route during a wildfire, improve visibility and travel safety and to reduce the risk of roadside fire ignition. The onsite project manager, as well as Sveadal representative, will clarify the treatment area as questions arise.
Vegetation types: The vegetation in the project area is a mix of bay laurel, live oaks, coastal redwood, madrone, and douglass fir trees. There is also a variety of broom, and a mixed native brush along the roadside. Because this treatment area is along a private community, some treatment areas will not be touch due to the resident’s request.
Traffic Control: The project will require traffic control, including submission of a traffic control plan. The FireSafe Council will work directly with the traffic control contractors to secure all needed permits and will schedule control for the project.
Jurisdictions: The project area is within the City of Morgan Hill city limits; with some of the area in unincorporated Santa Clara County, and the Dual State Responsibility Area/Cal Fire Department jurisdiction. The road itself is owned by the Sveadal community and does not acknowledge assistance maintenance of the roadway from Santa Clara County.
Site concerns: The road is narrow, it is so narrow only one vehicle can pass at a time. In the area we are working on, it is located near the Uvas County Park Entrance, where may travels will arrive to visit the park. The traffic is light to moderate depending on the time of day usually busier in the morning and lighter in the afternoon. The main concern is traffic, therefore traffic control will be essential for this project.
Parking concerns: Parking will be arranged by the Project Manager on site. Sveadal is a private community and they restrict parking for the public, please respect their privacy. Under no circumstances may personal vehicles be parked in restricted zones, and or residential driveways.
Habitat Protection: There are multiple riparian locations within this project. Care must be taken to not disturb sensitive wildlife habitat. The onsite project manager will mark areas of concern, but always ask if uncertain how to treat these areas. We may also conduct a bird nesting survey prior to starting the project and flag areas to avoid.
Fire prevention: The goal of this work is to prevent fires so we will require compliance with California Public Resources Code Sections 4421-4446 regarding use of power tools and equipment in wildland areas. The contractor must have fire suppression equipment on site as specified in the code sections above. No work will be allowed on a “Red-Flag Day” or if CAL FIRE issues a local advisory due to high temperatures, low humidity, or other factors.
Overall Treatment specifications: No live trees (either native or non-native) that are large enough to require a tree removal permit are planned for removal. Pruning live trees over permit size should not remove more than 25% of the canopy. Dead trees will be permitted. Trimmings and chips from trees and brush will be hauled away. DO NOT BLOW CHIPS ONTO THE TRUNKS OF TREES, near coverts, into near bye streams, or along residential properties.