Title
Supervisor Veerkamp recommending the Board authorize the Chair's signature on the South Fork American River Cohesive Strategy Charter. (Cont. 6/20/17, Item 9) (Est. Time: 10 Min.)
Body
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DISCUSSION / BACKGROUND
In August 2014, the Eldorado National Forest was one of two forests in California selected to begin implementation of the National Cohesive Wildland Fire Management Strategy, an all-lands approach to wildland fire management on a landscape scale. The project area is approximately 410,000 acres in the South Fork American River watershed, and includes 50% of the King Fire, 49 miles of the Highway 50 corridor, and 75% of the total watershed. Communities, infrastructure, public and private timber, water, power, recreation, protected species, and fire frequency are all reasons that this watershed is a high priority for collaborative action.
The South Fork of the American River (SOFAR) Cohesive Strategy Collaborative is a transparent, dedicated group of diverse members that promotes a fire-resilient, healthy forest ecosystem across all lands within the SOFAR watershed. El Dorado County is a valued member and stakeholder in the Collaborative. The SOFAR Watershed was proposed for implementing the National Cohesive Wildland Fire Management Strategy, which embraces resilient landscapes, fire-adapted communities, and safe response to wildfires. The many values at risk, include: communities, recreation, private property and timber, sensitive species and habitat, managed forested lands, water delivery and hydroelectric power generation facilities, the Highway 50 transportation corridor, and cultural sites.
The Collaborative approach to all-lands management requires a shared vision by agencies, organizations, and private stakeholders. This shared vision would align goals and objectives, processes, and roles and responsibilities that provide a roadmap to success. The Collaborative charter is the start of that shared vision, while not imposing any legally binding requirements on the individuals and entities that adopt and participate in the Collaborative. The charter explains the charge, structure, the recommendation making process, and the procedural guidelines for stakeholders who will work to achieve the Cohesive Strategy goals.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
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CLERK OF THE BOARD FOLLOW UP ACTIONS
STRATEGIC PLAN COMPONENT
CONTACT
Supervisor Veerkamp, BOS, District Three - 530.621.5652 or bosthree@edcgov.us