SFPUC 2001 Alameda Watershed Management Plan

XII. SUMMARY OF COMMMENTS AND RESPONSESB. SUMMARY OF COMMENTS AND RESPONSESL. FIRE MANAGEMENTComment L-1: ‘This is a response to CDF review of the Alameda Watershed Management PlanDEIR, specifically the Fire Management element. The DEIR adequately covers the impacts andprovides mitigations to a less than significant level.Page 11-30 Fire Management. Fir10 states, “Initial response shall be made if a fire appears to beeasily suppressed. If the fire is large or intense, evacuate and report situation to Watersheddispatch”. Recommend language be added to the statement to include notification of CDF uponinitial response, regardless of apparent fire size or appearance.Page III.A-22. In item 3.2, the last sentence should be changed to state that CDF is the agencyresponsible for suppression.Page III G-13. Policy 11 states, “Use prescribed fire to control fuels where appropriate.”Recommend this statement be changed to include the use of shaded fuel breaks and mechanicalmanipulation to manage fuels. Additionally, given the mechanical treatment choice betweenmowing or discing a fuel reduction area, discing is the recommend option.’ (CaliforniaDepartment of Forestry and Fire Protection)Response: The SFPUC will consider these suggested changes to Management Plan policies andactions (Policy F11 and Action fir10) prior to adoption of the Management Plan.In response to the comment regarding DEIR page III.A-22, the following text revision has beenmade:3.2 CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF FORESTRYThe Alameda Watershed is designated by the California Department of Forestry andFire Protection (CDF) as a State Responsibility Area and, as such, is protected by theCDF. Services provided by CDF include emergency fire response, hazardousmaterials spills response, medical aid, and wildland fire suppression training. TheCDF station, located on 11345 Pleasanton-Sunol Road, is less than one-half milefrom the main Sunol maintenance yard and can provide an immediate response to fireemergencies on SFPUC Watershed lands. In the event of a fire emergency, CDF isthe agency in charge of fire response.The CDF is the agency responsible for firesuppression.Comment L-2: “Increased fire management in sensitive grass areas will result in further loss ofhabitat.” (Golden Gate Audubon Society)Response: The DEIR evaluates, at a programmatic level, the impact of fire managementactivities on natural resources (DEIR Section III.E, pages III.E-24 through III.E-30). Asidentified in the EIR, the Management Plan includes actions that call for the preparation of aNOP 96.223E: Alameda Watershed Management Plan C&R.99 ESA / 930385