Los Padres National Forest Issues Update on Tecuya Ridge Fuelbreak Project

Source: Los Padres National Forest

Los Padres National Forest officials today announced that the Mt. Pinos Ranger District has completed additional analysis for the Tecuya Ridge Shaded Fuelbreak project and has issued a revised Decision Memo. Los Padres National Forest Supervisor Chris Stubbs signed the Decision Memo on July 1.

External groups challenged the Tecuya Ridge project in court, alleging the violations of federal environmental laws. On Aug. 20, 2020, the Central District Court ruled in favor of the U.S. Forest Service on all claims. Plaintiffs immediately appealed the District Court’s decision, and on Feb. 4, 2022, the Ninth Circuit upheld the U.S. Forest Service on most appeal points but concluded that more information was needed to support activities in Roadless areas. The U.S. Forest Service subsequently completed the additional analysis and revised the Decision Memo, proposing the same forest management treatments that were previously authorized.

The Tecuya Ridge project will provide safe and effective locations from which to perform fire suppression operations, to slow the spread of fire, and provide a buffer between developed areas and wildlands. This project was developed in collaboration with local individuals and community groups to establish priorities, cooperate on activities, and increase public awareness. 

A combination of mechanical treatments, mastication of brush and smaller trees, and hand treatments along with the subsequent burning of piles will be used on this project. Project design features applied during implementation will ensure endangered and sensitive species are not imperiled by the project.

For more information, please contact acting Mt. Pinos District Ranger Greg Thompson at (661) 245-3731 or at gregory.thompson@usda.gov or visit the Tecuya Ridge Shaded Fuelbreak Project page at https://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=52502.