Sonora, CA…Jeanne Higgins, Stanislaus National Forest Supervisor, signed the Final Record of Decision (ROD) for the Rim Fire Reforestation project on the Stanislaus National Forest (STF) today on the anniversary of the start of the 2013 Rim Fire. The Rim Fire Reforestation project is the third phase of recovery efforts from the effects of the Rim Fire and include the reforestation of selected areas within the burn area to address and enhance important ecological, economic, and social objectives for the burn area and surrounding lands and communities.

In a letter to the public, Supervisor Higgins said “I am pleased to announce that my decision, based on community input and referred to as the “Community Alternative” will help create a fire resilient mixed conifer forest that contributes to an ecologically healthy and resilient landscape rich in biodiversity through a variety of treatments including: deer habitat enhancement; natural regeneration; noxious weed eradication; thinning of existing plantations; and, a combination of reforestation methods.”

There has been an unprecedented amount of public involvement in the development of the project including collaborative efforts with Yosemite Stanislaus Solutions (YSS), multiple community workshops and numerous presentations. Higgins said “This effort would not have been possible without the engagement of the community. I commend the collaborative efforts of YSS and others to make this outcome possible.”

The Rim Fire started on August 17, 2013, in a remote areas of the Stanislaus National Forest near the confluence of the Clavey and Tuolumne Rivers about 20 miles east of Sonora, California. Over the next several weeks it burned 257,314 acres including 154,430 acres of National Forest System (NFS) lands, becoming the third largest wildfire in California history to date.

Documents, maps and other information are available by request from the Stanislaus National Forest, 19777 Greenley Road, Sonora, CA 95370; or, online at: http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=45612.
For more information about this project contact Maria Benech at 209-288-6285. For further information contact the Stanislaus National Forest Supervisor Office at: 209-532-3671; Groveland RD 209-962-7825; or Mi-Wok RD 209-586-3234.

The mission of the U.S. Forest Service, part U.S. Department of Agriculture, is to sustain the health, diversity and productivity of the nation’s forests and grasslands to meet the needs of present and future generations. The agency manages 193 million acres of public land, provides assistance to state and private landowners, and maintains the largest forestry research organization in the world. Public lands the Forest Service manages contribute more than $13 billion to the economy each year through visitor spending alone. Those same lands provide 20 percent of the nation’s clean water supply, a value estimated at $7.2 billion per year. The agency has either a direct or indirect role in stewardship of about 80 percent of the 850 million forested acres within the U.S., of which 100 million acres are urban forests where most Americans live.
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