Press Release – BLM Fuels Variance Program Page - 2

News Release

For More Information, Call:

Eve Diamond, Analyst
Board of Supervisors Office
Eric Rood Administrative Center
950 Maidu Avenue
Nevada City, CA 95959-8617
(530) 265-7247
(530) 265-9836 Fax
e-mail: / For Release: September 6, 2007

BLM Working to Address Board Concerns

Regarding Fuels Reduction on BLM Lands

Supervisor Hank Weston, along with Congressman John T. Doolittle and the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) have worked out a plan to help homeowners perform fire-safety precautions on BLM land adjacent to their private parcels. The program allows for increased protection from potential wildfires.

The BLM’s Folsom Field office, which manages federal lands in 14 central California counties, including Nevada County, announced the expanded availability of its Fuels Variance Program. The process consists of requesting a Hazardous Fuels Reduction Variance by filling out and mailing a simple application form. After the form is received, a site visit will be made by a BLM Fire and Fuels staff person to evaluate the BLM land adjoining the property.

On July 10, 2007 Supervisor Hank Weston requested and obtained the Board’s approval to send a letter to BLM Folsom Field Office asking BLM to perform additional fuels reduction on its lands in Nevada County.

The request stemmed from a resident in the North San Juan area who was frustrated with the BLM’s perceived lack of action to reduce a dangerous buildup of fuels on BLM land near Old Mill Road and Grizzly Hill School.

There are approximately 17,354 acres of land managed by the BLM in Nevada County. Although BLM has provided over $1 million over the last six years to Nevada County’s Fire Safe Council and private property owners for chipping programs and Rural Fire Assistance grants to local fire departments, it is prohibited from using those funds on its own lands.

BLM funds a number of fuels reduction projects each year, including recent work in the Round Mountain and North San Juan areas, as well as wildland fire exercises. BLM treats about 300 acres of public lands annually, but recognizes that as many as 300 additional fuel reduction projects are needed.

The Board’s letter was copied to State and Federal representatives. In response, Congressman John Doolittle arranged a meeting on July 13 between his field representative, Supervisor Weston and Bill Haigh of BLM to discuss ways the Congressman might be able to assist in obtaining Federal funding to expand fuels reduction on BLM lands.

On August 16, the Congressman met with Supervisor Weston, Supervisor Ted Owens (Board Vice Chairman), reporters, BLM staff and residents of the Ridge View Woodlands neighborhood to discuss the issues and announce the Variance Program.

While the Variance process currently does not provide any reimbursement to the property owner for the work done, it is one way that residents can take action that the BLM has been unable to do.

Congressman Doolittle has promised to pursue additional funding to assist the BLM in reducing fuels on its lands. Supervisor Weston noted, “I appreciate the Congressman taking the time to meet with us. I believe he now has a good understanding of the issue and he will look into additional funding for work on these and other BLM parcels throughout the County. This will not only benefit adjacent landowners but will help protect the broader community from potentially devastating wildfire.”

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Information on the Variance Program is posted on the Nevada County website at www.mynevadacounty.com. Or, contact Brian Mulhollen with the BLM Folsom Field Office at (916) 985-4474 to obtain an application.

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