FERC Project No. 2079 - PCWA Middle Fork American River Project ...

Application for New License Middle Fork American River Project (FERC Project No. 2079)
management at Project recreation facilities is completed by USDA-FS under Collection
Agreements (No. 08-CO-11051700-009 and No. 08-CO-11050300-009). BA/BE
Tables 11 and 12 provide the frequency of Project-related vegetation management
activities. Most vegetation management activities occur during the spring and early
summer to avoid work during high fire danger periods. Vegetation management is
implemented within the area necessary to reduce fire hazard, provide access and
protect Project facilities, and provide for worker/public health and safety. Specifically,
vegetation management occurs in the following areas:
• Within 2 feet on either side of trails
• Within 5 feet around the perimeter of the dams; outside the perimeter fence of
powerhouses, switchyards, and substations; around ancillary support facilities
and Project fences
• Within 10 feet on either side of penstocks, valve houses, diversion pools, and
removable sections on either side of communication lines, powerlines,
photovoltaic poles and lines, and roads
• Within 50 feet around intakes, outlet works, gatehouses, surge tanks, adits,
portals, microwave reflectors, radio towers, sediment disposal areas, drop inlets,
and recreation facilities
A description of each vegetation management activity implemented for the MFP is
provided below.
Trimming by Hand
Vegetation trimming by hand includes trimming of grasses and forbs with a string
trimmer and trimming of shrubs and trees with a chain saw or other handheld saw.
These activities are implemented annually or infrequently depending on location and
facility type (BA/BE Tables 11 and 12).
Trimming with Equipment
Vegetation trimming with equipment includes removal of vegetation on the shoulder of
Project roads using mechanical equipment such as a flail-type mower. A rubber-tired
T- or Y-shaped flail mower is used along Project roads to cut grasses, other herbaceous
vegetation, and woody vegetation (less than 0.75-inch-diameter) especially in locations
with potential for contact with loose debris (e.g., gravel). The mower is attached to the
hitch of a tractor or other vehicle. Trimming of vegetation with equipment is
implemented annually (BA/BE Tables 11 and 12).
Herbicide and Fungicide Use
Herbicides are used in addition to manual and mechanical vegetation management
activities on an annual basis within the perimeter fences of the Middle Fork Powerhouse
and Upper and Lower Switchyards, the Oxbow Powerhouse and Switchyard, and
February 2011 4-16