Hazardous Fuel Reduction Archives

Does this project include action regarding vegetation on common property that encroaches upon the defendable space around our homes? Does the project include a process for evaluation of the fire dangers posed by common property vegetation in proximity to our homes?

Ladder fuels, invasive vegetation, and fuel buildups near property lines will be managed. Crews will evaluate 120 acres of common property and remove the most hazardous fuels throughout the project area. For homeowners looking to create defensible space, we have a number of resources (including Firewise and LO Fire Department Assessments) on our web page.

On the timeline, I was surprised to see that the replanting won’t start until the rest of the project is complete, why aren’t replantings starting sooner?

Some replanting may occur in Spring 2023, though Fall 2023 will have a larger planting effort. Native plantings will be able to better establish in cleared areas if planted in fall. We will also be monitoring native seedbank germination and managing invasive weeds in Spring 2023, which may impact planting plans. We are working to

There is a large, wooded area below the homes on Hidalgo St. I am wondering if this project will be looking at that area.

The wooded area downhill of Hidalgo owned by MPHOA will be included in the treatment area. Kerr Natural Area is also near this area, but it will not be included in this project, though this is a potential target for future fuel reduction efforts.

Since MP was designed with buried power lines, no outdoor burning, and no burnable fuel tanks, how was it determined that it was more high risk than other areas that have power lines and other risk factors? Shouldn’t OR grant funding support more high risk areas near the urban-rural interface and/or areas with more limited economic resources?

MPHOA is among 19 other private landowners that received funding through this program this year - we are in the most densely populated area of all grant awardees. MPHOA is considered to be a part of the urban/wildland interface. The high density of single and multifamily housing adjacent to forested open spaces increases the risk

How many communities or areas in Oregon have implemented a project like this one? Where can people see, or visit, a completed example of this type of initiative in an urban area in Oregon similar to Mt. Park, a location that has a similar mix of residential housing and natural spaces?

2022 is the first year of the small forestland grant program through Oregon Department of Forestry! Similar projects are occurring throughout our region. Forest Park in Portland is undergoing similar work currently. OLWC has been conducting invasive species removal and restoration projects throughout Lake Oswego - Westlake Oak Woodland is one example of a reference

Will the Mt. Park Board continue to support the budget and staff for the Landscape Stewardship Department in a way that is consistent with previous years, or do they intend to use this grant to justify a reduction of the LSD budget or staff?

The Mountain Park HOA Board of Directors and Staff will continue to support the budgeting for the Landscape Department regardless of the grant.

How will people be trained to implement the goals of this grant and who will monitor the outcome of their efforts? How will the training prevent the destruction of native plants such as trilliums? Will there be an advisor who has an environmental science background to help with implementation of this grant?

MPHOA and OLWC staff and volunteers have decades of combined experience in habitat enhancement. In order to increase our training and knowledge base we will be participating in an upcoming Resilient Regenerative Firescaping Qualification Training. We will also receive technical support from local Soil and Water Conservation District Staff and City of Lake Oswego staff.

To what extent will toxic chemicals be used to address invasive vegetation during the implementation of this project? If toxic chemicals are used, how will people, pets, and wildlife be protected from unnecessary exposure to these toxins?

Herbicide will be used selectively. Stumps and small diameter suckers/seedlings will be treated with triclopyr. A tank mix consisting of one part Element 4 and 4 parts W.E.B. oil will be used when the application site is consistent with the product label. Other products may be used at the discretion of the MPHOA and project

Does the grant include economic support to maintain restored areas in order to prevent current issues from re-emerging, or will Mt Park need to budget funds for this in the future?

Current grant funds cannot be used for long term maintenance activities. OLWC and MPHOA are collaborating on a management plan to identify budgetary needs for maintenance and replanting post-project. We are also identifying potential additional funding sources such as the Oregon Watershed Enhancement Program Small Grant Fund.

The website says that “this project will improve wildlife habitat.” What are the specific strategies that will be used for mitigating stress on existing wildlife during this project?

Removal of invasive species and promotion of healthy forest successional processes will result in improved ecosystem health and wildlife habitat in the short term and long term. To avoid stress and negative impacts for wildlife, all higher disturbance activities will occur outside of bird nesting season. Best management practices for invasive species removal and habitat