Understanding the Impact of Emergency Forest Restoration Teams in California 10/31/2024
In June 2024, a comprehensive report was released detailing the successes and challenges of the Emergency Forest Restoration Teams (EFRTs) developed in late 2021. These pilot teams emerged as a vital response to the increasing severity of wildfires impacting California’s forests, specifically in the aftermath of the Dixie, Caldor, and Tamarack Fires. The formation of EFRTs was a key recommendation from the California Wildfire and Forest Resilience Action Plan, which sought to create collaborative strategies to assist non-industrial private landowners in restoring their forests after devastating wildfires.
Conservation districts have long been instrumental in promoting sustainable land use practices and addressing the unique challenges faced by local communities. The EFRT initiative serves as an exemplary model of how conservation districts can mobilize resources and expertise to support landowners in times of crisis. By facilitating collaboration among state and federal agencies, local governments, and private stakeholders, conservation districts play a crucial role in restoring landscapes affected by wildfires.
The EFRTs were designed to provide targeted assistance to landowners who often lack the necessary funding, expertise, or time to undertake restoration work after catastrophic wildfires. Recognizing these barriers, the California Wildfire and Forest Resilience Action Plan called for the establishment of EFRTs. This initiative was aimed at ensuring that affected landowners could access the resources they need to restore their properties and mitigate further damage to their homes, lives, and the surrounding ecosystem.
Three pilot EFRTs were launched in response to the 2021 wildfires: one focusing on the Dixie Fire, another on the Caldor Fire, and the last on the Tamarack Fire. Local organizations, including the Feather River Resource Conservation District (RCD), El Dorado County/Georgetown Divide RCD, and Alpine County, took the lead in organizing these teams and developing new assistance programs tailored to the specific needs of their communities.
The funding for these projects came from CAL FIRE and the U.S. Forest Service, allowing local agencies to hire contractors for critical tasks such as:
– Removing dead trees and biomass
– Processing dead wood on-site
– Planting conifer seedlings
Environmental review and monitoring of the implementation of these projects were conducted by the local lead agencies to ensure compliance with regulations and the effectiveness of restoration efforts. This emphasis on local leadership underscores the vital role that conservation districts play in disaster response and ecosystem restoration.
The report prepared by the University of California Cooperative Extension presents a synthesis of lessons learned from the pilot EFRTs based on extensive interviews with professionals involved in the projects. Some key findings include:
- Success in Delivering Post-Fire Treatments: The EFRT model proved effective in providing prompt forest restoration assistance. By the end of 2023, the three pilot programs had collectively removed dead trees from over 2,500 acres and planted conifer seedlings on approximately 1,400 acres of severely burned private forest land. This achievement highlights the impact of conservation districts in mobilizing local resources to expedite recovery efforts.
- Timely Funding and Support: The provision of special disaster relief funding from CAL FIRE and the U.S. Forest Service in 2021 and 2022 facilitated a much quicker start to restoration work than would have been possible through traditional competitive grants. For future EFRTs, identifying rapid funding sources and creating programs that do not require pre-defined treatment areas will be crucial for timely mobilization. Conservation districts, with their local knowledge and connections, are well-positioned to navigate these funding opportunities.
- Prioritization of Treatment Areas: Given the limited funding and the vast number of acres in need of restoration, prioritizing treatment areas was essential. Each pilot EFRT focused on treatment zones closer to affected communities and those with smaller, more concentrated parcels to reduce fuel loads and create resilient forests for the future. This targeted approach illustrates how conservation districts can effectively address local needs while contributing to broader ecological objectives.
- Importance of Clear Communication: Effective communication between EFRTs and landowners was vital for success. Many residents were displaced, unfamiliar with forest restoration practices, or overwhelmed by their post-fire recovery. The EFRTs dedicated considerable time to engaging with landowners to ensure understanding and cooperation. Conservation districts play a crucial role in facilitating this communication, leveraging their established relationships within the community.
- Integration with Commercial Salvage Logging: Collaborating with commercial salvage logging operations allowed for more efficient treatment of woody material. One pilot program integrated log sales within its projects, while others focused on non-commercial debris, which presented its own challenges. Conservation districts can facilitate these partnerships, connecting landowners with resources and expertise to optimize recovery efforts.
- Complexity of Permitting: The three pilots encountered varying degrees of complexity in their permitting processes. While some used California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) exemptions for treatments, others had to navigate additional reviews for planting and herbicide applications, complicating the implementation process. Conservation districts can advocate for streamlined permitting processes that support efficient restoration efforts while ensuring regulatory compliance.
- Contracting Challenges: The scale of the EFRT work necessitated different contracting pathways. Each pilot contracted with multiple operators across different regions, which allowed for increased clarity in contract terms but also added complexity to the management of these contracts. The experience of conservation districts in managing local contracts can provide valuable insights for future EFRT initiatives.
- Collaboration with Other Agencies: The rapid development of local assistance programs required leveraging skills and resources from various partner agencies. Successful implementation hinged on effective collaboration, information sharing, and a coordinated response. Conservation districts, with their extensive networks, are uniquely positioned to facilitate these collaborative efforts.
- Inconsistent Collaboration with Cost Share Programs: While one EFRT effectively coordinated with the Farm Services Agency’s Emergency Forest Restoration Program (EFRP), the other two EFRTs faced challenges in activating this program, relying instead on other resources to assist landowners outside priority areas. Conservation districts can play a pivotal role in ensuring better coordination and communication between various funding programs and local needs.
As the report emphasizes, the lessons learned from the pilot EFRTs will be invaluable for future initiatives aimed at restoring California’s forests in the wake of wildfires. The success of these pilot projects demonstrates the potential of collaborative approaches to address the pressing needs of small private landowners impacted by wildfires.
While this report focuses on the first two years of EFRT implementation, it notes that additional assessments will follow, examining the effectiveness of forest restoration treatments and the extent to which landowners’ goals are met. The continued development of the EFRT model will play a crucial role in fostering resilient forest ecosystems and supporting the communities that depend on them.
The establishment of Emergency Forest Restoration Teams represents a significant step toward addressing the challenges posed by wildfires in California. By providing targeted assistance to small landowners, these teams are helping to restore not only the forests but also the livelihoods and communities affected by these devastating events. Conservation districts, as integral players in this landscape, are crucial to the success of these efforts, demonstrating their capacity to lead collaborative initiatives that promote ecological restoration and resilience in the face of an increasing wildfire threat.
To learn more about the California Resource Conservation Districts, please visit https://carcd.org/.