EL DORADO COUNTY LAUNCHES NEW WEB SITE DEDICATED
TO VEGETATION MANAGEMENT ISSUES IN LIGHT OF RECENT WILDFIRES
(PLACERVILLE, CA) -- El Dorado County today unveiled its new web site dedicated specifically to vegetation management practices and resources in order to help residents become more wildfire resistant.
"Over the last several years, we've noticed that fire season is less and less defined by particular months on a calendar," said Supervisor Brian Veerkamp, who is also a member of the County's Vegetation Management ad hoc Committee. "A year-round fire season has become the norm in California, so it's important that we educate residents about the steps they can take to ensure a safe home, safe community and safe County."
The Board of Supervisors approved a new vegetation management ordinance last month which regulates the cleaning or removal of hazardous vegetation and combustible materials and the parameters of clearing for defensible space. It also sets forth regulations for inspections and mandatory vegetation mitigation.
The ordinance applies to improved parcels (property with a structure or building), neighboring properties, and improved and unimproved parcels adjacent to all roadways determined to be necessary for safe ingress and egress. It was developed after many public meetings throughout the County, research on other counties' regulations, and input from the full Board of Supervisors, which took about a year.
"Even though we're dealing with the unpredictability of wildfires, there are steps residents can all take now to prevent a catastrophic event like the Camp fire from occurring in El Dorado County," said Supervisor John Hidahl, also a member of the ad hoc vegetation management committee. "We're not asking people to clean their property to remove all watered landscaping and/or trees, but rather to take some proven steps to create fire breaks, reduce or eliminate ground fuel and ultimately protect the lives and property of our residents."
The web site contains information including the ordinance, information about defensible space, a list of community and state resources and frequently asked questions.
"While the ordinance takes effect May 30th, it's important to note that we will spend approximately nine months educating the public as to what the ordinance is and how to comply. It's our intention to help people comply rather than to be punitive," said Veerkamp. "We plan to mail letters to impacted residents in February 2020 notifying them of the ordinance, giving them a four-month timeline to clean their property. After that point, we will begin inspections and help property owners come into compliance, which will make their properties safer."
The website can be found here: https://www.edcgov.us/Government/CAO/VegetationManagement
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