Lehman Flat Fuels Reduction

Fires are a natural part of ecosystems. And many plants and animals are evolved under frequent low intensity fires. Native Americas across the west used fires as a tool to modify and improve their environment. The evidence of this fire history is well preserved in soils, tree rings and burn scars, ethnographic accounts, and historic photos and journals. But 100 years ago fire management shifted to a policy of exclusion. Fires were aggressively suppressed and human use of fire virtually eliminated. This policy had dramatic impacts. Fuels accumulated, grassy sagebrush vegetation disappeared and wildlife like sage grouse declined. Active fuels reduction can reduce fire size and intensity, protect human life and property and reduce catastrophic flooding.

This project will reduce fuels and restore sagebrush, riparian, and wet meadow habitat on approximately 65 acres in Lehman Flat. Fuels reductions have occurred in the project area several times since 2004. Project goals are to reduce fuel loads, protect park infrastructure, and private property from catastrophic wildfire, and restore native plant communities. Project objectives are to reduce conifer cover to <5%. Chainsaws would be used to cut piñon pine, juniper, mountain mahogany, and white fir. Slash would be piled for future burning, lopped and scattered or chipped. Revegetation of native forbs, grasses and shrubs and herbicide treatments for annual grasses and invasive forbs would be conducted.

This project area is part of PEPC # 71113 (A Wicked Problem: Improving restoration and fuels reduction through adaptive management) but is being reviewed again to ensure compliance is complete and adequate.

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