05-1: Fuel Mitigation and Parkland Management Presentation — original pdf

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PARD Land Management Plan: FY24 Update Matt McCaw Program Manager, Land Mgmt Austin Parks and Recreation Dept matt.mccaw@austintexas.gov austintexas.gov/LMP Parks and Recreation Board, February 24, 2025 BACKGROUND Degraded lands • Most parkland natural areas have not been managed for ecosystem health and are degraded. As a result, they are threatened by heat, drought, disease, and wildfire and present safety risks to both park users and neighbors. 2019 Wildfire Preparedness Audit • Found that PARD does not have the capacity to manage parkland natural areas and address wildfire risk. • Directed PARD to create and implement land management plans for “high-risk areas.” Austin Parks Land Management Plan In 2020, PARD created a Land Management Program. • • PARD also developed a land management plan – approved by City Council in 2023 - to guide the restoration of natural areas to improve climate resilience and reduce wildfire risk. • austintexas.gov/LMP PRESCRIBED BURNS Broadcast burns: 576.6 acres in 7 burn days. Pile burns: 794 piles in 5 burn days to remove 109 tons of hazard fuels. Prescribed burns are an important and economical strategy for restoring large natural areas and mitigating wildfire risk. Burns are planned and managed by fire-trained PARD staff, permitted by AFD, and implemented by PARD staff and a coalition of federal, state, county, City, and non-profit entities, including AFD. FUEL MITIGATION Treated Untreated Shaded fuel break. 2.2 miles of new, 0.7 miles maintained. Small trees and brush are selectively removed to thin the canopy and separate surface fuels from canopy fuels. Slash is chipped and removed. The purpose is to reduce canopy fire and ember production adjacent to structures. Shaded fuel breaks are most effective when paired with other wildfire mitigation strategies on the developed/urban side as well as in nearby natural areas. Contracts New master agreements related to vegetation management and hazardous fuel reduction. - Natural Areas Vegetation Management, approved by City Council Jan 30, 2025 - Vegetation Management for Wildand Fuel Mitigation, anticipated Council date April 2025 Community Involvement Facilitation of Friends groups, neighborhood associations, volunteer organizations - Research coordination and technical guidance Innovative interpretation: Audio Wild and website improvements - - 5 LAND MANGEMENT PROGRAM STATUS Staffing Current staff = 4 FTEs Initial program build-out = 9 FTEs funding FY 25 program budget = $828,115 Cost estimate for land management plan implementation $250/ac/yr 10,300 acres under management 6 Matt McCaw Program Manager, Land Mgmt Austin Parks and Recreation Dept matt.mccaw@austintexas.gov austintexas.gov/LMP 7