DATE: August 23, 2016
TO: Board of Supervisors
SUBMITTED BY: Jean M. Rousseau, County Administrative Officer / Emergency Services Director
SUBJECT: Continuation of Tree Mortality Local Emergency Status in Fresno County
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
TITLE
Adopt Resolution proclaiming continuation of the local emergency status relating to the extremely high levels of tree mortality and hazardous conditions created by the drought and request that the Governor continue to provide resources and support to mitigate risk of falling trees and increased fire hazard.
REPORT
Approval of the recommended action will ensure the local emergency status remains in effect and permit the potential recovery of eligible costs.
ALTERNATIVE ACTION(S):
No viable options are available.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The recommended action is necessary to ensure specific liability protection, emergency powers of the Emergency Services Director, and potential recovery of eligible costs, if any, from State and Federal emergency funds.
DISCUSSION:
On September 22, 2015, the Board approved a resolution requesting a state of emergency be proclaimed in Fresno County due to the degraded forest conditions and imminent threat from catastrophic fires and extreme drought.
On January 29, 2016, California Department of Forestry and the Fire Prevention Fund awarded grant funding as follows:
• $199,594 to Fresno County Public Works to remove trees around roadways in the Highway 168 and 180 corridors; this project has been completed;
• $100,000 to the Oak to Timberline Fire Safe Council to reduce hazardous fuels in the Pinehurst and Miramonte foothill communities; and,
• $100,000 to the HWY 168 Fire Safe Council to remove dead trees and fuels in the Meadow Lakes community.
On February 5, 2016, the formation of a Core Planning Team comprised of the County of Fresno -Office of Emergency Services and Public Works, Cal-Fire, Sierra and Sequoia National Forests, Caltrans, PG&E, Southern California Edison and other stakeholders examined the immediate exposure to the tree mortality and outlined objectives in response to the local emergency. The development of a County plan to address the immediate impacts of the hazard was initiated. Monthly tree mortality task force meetings are being conducted to provide a platform to ensure on-going communication and coordination between agencies and local government.
On March 14, 2016, a meeting between Fresno County Staff and leaders of the Governors’ Tree Mortality Task Force outlined the need for assistance to private landowners for tree removal. Also discussed, were the issues that hindered implementation of their tree removal efforts. The reiteration for the Governor to request a Presidential Declaration of Emergency for impacted counties was also sought. At the state level, an Incident Action Plan outlined the following objectives:
• Provide for public health and safety of persons and property in identified high hazard zones.
• Ensure efforts associated with the implementation of the directives contained in the Governor’s State of Emergency Proclamation remain coordinated.
• Ensure continuous communication among State, Federal, Tribal and local governments, as well as with other non-governmental organizations assigned to the task force.
• Provide consistent and coordinated messaging between task force member agencies and the public.
• Manage projects and programs in a financially responsible and efficient manner.
On April 12, 2016, the Director of the Department of Public Health presented an update to your Board regarding the drought and bark beetle infestation impact on the forest trees. At that same hearing, the Department of Public Works and Planning received direction from your Board to initiate an amendment to the zoning ordinance to develop temporary use provisions for uses associated with timber harvesting, processing, and storage as a result of the current tree mortality emergency. Public Works and Planning anticipates returning to the Board with the ordinance amendment within approximately 60-90 days.
On May 19, 2016, the U.S. Forest Service, Region 5 hosted a tour in the Shaver Lake and Pineridge areas to provide information to legislators and local officials about the current conditions and the efforts that are currently underway to mitigate the hazards caused by tree mortality.
On May 24, 2016, your Board approved the Emergency Services Director submittal of an Application for State financial assistance under California Disaster Assistance Act to the California Office of Emergency Services to mitigate Tree Mortality.
The County Office of Emergency Services has coordinated an emergency response planning meeting with all organized camps operating in the County. Additionally, the Office is working with Cal-Fire and the Sheriff to conduct pre-fire evacuation planning meetings for communities in high hazard areas.
Forest degradation conditions have not improved as the tree mortality disaster has continued and escalated in eastern Fresno County. Mountain communities continue to be threatened by the potential of falling trees and wildfires.
REFERENCE MATERIAL:
BAI #8, February 4, 2014
BAI #21, September 22, 2015
BAI #21.1, October 13, 2015
BAI #23, November 3, 2015
BAI #43, November 17, 2015
BAI #31, December 15, 2015
BAI #28, January 12, 2016
BAI #25, February 9, 2016
BAI #25, March 1, 2016
BAI #34, March 15, 2016
BAI #7.1, April 12, 2016
BAI #42, May 10, 2016
BAI #13, May 24, 2016
BAI #27, June 7, 2016
BAI #25, June 21, 2016
BAI #34, July 12, 2016
BAI #31, August 9, 2016
ATTACHMENTS INCLUDED AND ON FILE:
On file with Clerk - Resolution
On file with Clerk - Updated Map of Affected Area
On file with Clerk - Proclamation of State Emergency
CAO ANALYST:
Sonia M. De La Rosa