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Tamarack Fire Initial Suppression Repair Plan - 07/26/2021 Approvals: Matthew Zumstein Agency Administrator USFS , Carson Ranger District Suppression Repair Plan Agency Administrator Commander BLM , Carson District Page I of7 Tamarack Fire ---PAGE BREAK--- Repair Needs Dozer Line and Hand Lines o Where control lines cross known or discovered archeology sites, a qualified archaeologist will determine and document the extent of the site disturbance and any possible damage prior to the initiation of repair. A qualified archaeologist will also need to be on site during repair to detern1ine practices to avoid further damage. o Minimize erosion through installation of water bars , check dams, and/ other erosion control techniques (see desired specifications below) where water can be drained into unburned areas, rocky areas , or dense vegetation. o Restore original ground shape (outside of water bars) where possible using a reasonable amount of effort. Ensure berms are minimized or eliminated . o Fall hazardous trees that pose safety hazards to crews working on repairs. o Scatter vegetative debris / slash and rocks to camouflage control line. Where heavy equipment would cause more damage scattering vegetative debris / slash, hand crews can be used after equipment re-distributes soil and rock. o Close all control lines to prevent unauthorized use by vehicles. o Where control lines approach stream channels, install water-bars or other erosion control measures at end of the line or at bankfill edge. o Where control lines disturbed wetland or meadow grasses / sod, roll or place sod back into line. Waterbar Guidelines o SPACING: These spacing distances should be used as a guide. Judgment should be used in locating waterbars to minimize erosion potential. It may not be possible or necessary to place waterbars in steep or rocky areas. Install waterbars at the following recommended minimum intervals: Fireline Gradient(% slope) Minimum Distance between Waterbars (feet) Less than 10 250 11 to 20 100 21 to 40 50 Greater than 40% 25 o LOCATION: Locate waterbars at natural slope breaks or to take advantage of natural features, low spots and turns when possible . Direct water to unburned areas, and/or resistant surfaces with high vegetation cover when possible. Water bars should discharge into undisturbed areas and preferably rocky ground or filter areas well protected with slash and vegetative 0 0 cover. DEPTH AND WIDTH: Waterbars need to be cut into surface, do not simply push up soil. Water -bar depths for dozer line should be at least 6 inches ; total height from bottom of ditch to top of water-bar should average at least 18 inches and not exceed 24 inches. The width of the water-bar channel should be enough to handle expected water flows and to avoid plugging when a normal amount of sloughing occurs. ANGLE: Determine the average gradient in percent slope of the fireline being waterba1Ted. Add 5 to the average gradient. This approximates the angle in Suppression Repair Plan Page 3 of7 Tamarack Fire ---PAGE BREAK--- o Where control lines approach stream channels, install water-bars at end of the line or at bankfull edge. o Scatter vegetative debris / slash and rocks (using reasonable effort) to camouflage control line with particular emphasis on lines that connect to existing recreational trails. Drop Points, Safety Zones, Helispots and Other Cleanings All heli-spots, heliports, safety zones, drop points , and other clearings require archaeologi cal and biological surveys prior to rehabilitation. o Remove all evidence of fire suppression activities in and around Drop Points including but not limited to; trash , flagging, signage, etc. o Restore natural drainage where needed. o Pull or back blade displaced soil and vegetation back onto the area. o Scatter vegetative debris / slash and rocks ( using reasonable effort) to camouflage drop points , safety zones, or helispots. o In some cases , chunking, berming or other barriers may be used in combination with the above primary techniques to prevent access for unauthorized OHV use. Damaged Resources/Property Archaeological Sites o Any impacts to archaeological sites will be evaluated and mitigated on a case-by-case basis prior to rehabilitation activities . Facilities o Correct impacts to facilities and grounds used for ICP, Staging, Heli-base and other installations . o Remove all equipment , flagging , and trash generated during the incident in and around facilities occupied in the course of the fire suppression activities. o Restore access controls that existed prior to the incident . o Remove any temporary Remote Automatic Weather Stations (RAWS) (or have a plan to do so). o Ensure any RAWS sites in wilderness are repaired to minimize evidence that the site was used for a RAWS. Improvements o Repair any fences , gates , guzzlers , flood control basins , drainage chann el, culverts, and paved roads damaged by suppression activities will be repaired to pre-fir e conditions. o When dealing with damages to private property , repairs /mitigations to improvements that are beyond the capacity of suppression resources, notify the Resource Advisor and/or designee and also the compensation claims unit. Property o Instruct public on how to report damaged property to the comp claims unit. Excess Fuels Brush Piles/ Wind Rows o Scatter , lop, crush , masticate or chip brush piles or wind rows within 100 feet of residenc es, public roads , or along identified strategic fuel breaks or pile slash in areas where they can be burned. Consult with Resource Advisor for the proper treatment of excess fuels. o In sensitive areas where vegetation ground cover is below 50%, add wood straw. Large Woody Debris o Move whole trees to roadside edge of fire line. Delimb whole trees to provide ground cover. Suppression Repair Plan Page 5 of7 Tamarack Fire ---PAGE BREAK--- o Leave burned streamside trees/snags as they are to eventually fall into the streams on their own (where safety isn't an issue). Improvements (water sources) o All building and other materials such as plastics , canvas , plywood , dimension lumber , etc., will be removed from such sites to a suitable disposal site or be recycled. o All trash, cardboard , hoses , fittings , and pumps will be removed from the site. Suppression Repair Plan Page 7 of7 Tamarack Fire